Adult ; Altitude ; Female ; Heart ; physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Occupational Health ; Railroads ; Tibet

OBJECTIVETo explore the analgesic effect of Zhixin Formula (ZF) and its effects on spinal glial fibrillary acidic protein (glial fibillary acidic protein, GFAP, a marker of astrocyte) , CD11b (a maker of microglia), Toll like receptors (TLR2 and TLR4) and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) in bone cancer pain model rats.

METHODSTotally 20 male SD rats were randomly divided into the blank control group and the bone cancer pain group, 10 in each group. The bone cancer pain model was induced by injecting ascites tumor fluid containing 3 x 10(3) Walker256 cell line from the left tibia. Ethological tests, X-ray test, and HE staining were performed to confirm a successful modeling. After model was successfully established, 70 male SD rats were randomly divided into seven groups, 10 in each group: the blank control group, the bone cancer pain group (as the model group), the Western medicine (WM) group (Tramadol Hydrochloride), the high dose ZF group, the middle dose ZF group, the low dose ZF group, and the Chinese medicine (CM) group (Wulin Zhitong Capsule). Fourteen days after modeling, rats in the high, middle, and low dose ZF groups were administrated by gastrogavage with 9, 4.5, and 2.25 g/kg ZF water condensed preparation respectively, once a day for seven consecutive days. On day 21 MS typical protein expressions including GFAP, CD11b, TLR (2,4) and NF-κB from cornu dorsal medullae spindis L4-L5 were detected by immunohistochemistry, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot.

RESULTSCompare with the blank control group, increased weight in the model group was slow and showed a decreasing trend (P < 0.01), spontaneous ambulatory pain score (SAPS) obviously increased (P < 0.01), paw withdrawal threshold (PWT) obviously decreased in the model group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Results of lateral tibial X-ray and HE staining showed obvious changes and damage occurred in bone structures of rats in the model group. Immunohistochemistry showed that GFAP expression significantly increased in the model group (P < 0.05). Protein levels of NF-κB also significantly increased in the model group (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, CD11b expressions obviously decreased in the middle and high dose ZF groups (P < 0.01). Meanwhile, protein expressions of TLR2 and TLR4, as well as NF-κB also obviously decreased (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONZF had analgesic effect, which might be probably related to inhibiting proliferation and activation of gliocytes, as well as activation of TLRs and NF-κB.

Animals ; Astrocytes ; Bone Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; Male ; Microglia ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Osteosarcoma ; Pain ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Animals ; Humans ; MicroRNAs ; physiology ; RNA, Small Interfering ; physiology ; RNA, Untranslated ; physiology

Objective To investigate the carrying rate and genotype of thalassemia in the household population of Yantian dis-trict in Shenzhen city so as to provide the scientific basis for Thalassemia genetic counseling,prenatal diagnosis and prevention plan. Methods 3 mL of anticoagulation blood by EDTA-K2 was extract for conducting the whole blood cells analysis.With the mean cor-puscular volume(MCV)<80 fL as the preliminary screening test,then the suspected cases were performed the DNA extraction for conducting the gene test.In theα-thalassemia detection,4 pairs of PCR primer were used to amplify in the same reaction system and the results were analyzed according to the band after the agarose gel electrophoresis.In theβ-thalassemia detection,the PCR product sequencing was adopted.Results After the preliminary screening,4 657 suspected cases all were performed the gene detection.510 carriers with thalassemia gene were detected out with the thalassemia gene carrying rate of 10.95%,including 389 cases carryingα-thalassemia gene with the carrying rate of 8.35%,which was dominated by α-3.7,α-4.2 and α-SEA,and 121 cases carrying βthalassemia gene with the carrying rate of 2.59%,which was dominated by CD41.42,LVS-Ⅱ-654,CD17 and CD71.Conclusion The carrying rate of thalassemia gene in the household population of Yantian district was 10.95%,which is closed to that in other districts within Guangdong province,all of the 8 detected genotypes of thalassemia are the common types.

AlM: To investigate the association between the degree of anterioruveitis and related factors including inflammatory markers as well as sacroiliac joint imaging in patients with ankylosing spondylitis ( AS) .
METHODS: Anterior changes evaluated by slit lamp, erythrocyte sedimentation rate ( ESR ) , C - reactive protein ( CRP ) and magnetic resonance imaging of 55 cases with AS associateduveitis were retrospectively analyzed. A modified endotoxin-induced uveitis ( ElU ) clinical standard was used for uveitis grading. SPARCC sacroiliac scoring was used to evaluate bone edema of sacroiliac joint. The correlation between the degree of uveitis and sacroiliitis was assessed.
RESULTS: ln the 55 patients with AS, ElU grading scored 2-10, and SPARCC index scored 0-22. Further analysis showed that the severity of uveitis was significantly correlated with ESR (r=0. 869, P<0. 001) and CRP (r=0. 485, P<0. 001). The degree of anterior uveitis in AS patients was not correlated with inflammation of sacroiliac joint (r=0. 237, P=0. 081).
CONCLUSlON: Local autoimmunity of uveitis and sacroiliac joint inflammation with subsequent bone formation in AS might be mutually independent processes.

OBJECTIVETo optimize the formulation of an emollient for treatment of atopic dermatitis prepared using ceramide, sodium hyaluronate, paeonol, and camellia-seed oil.

METHODSThe emollients with different ratios of the 4 components were designed according to the L9(34)orthogonal table with 4 factors and 3 levels. The efficacy of the prepared emollients was tested in 4-6 week-old BALB/c mouse models of atopic dermatitis to determine the optimal formulation of the emollient by evaluating skin water content, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), pharmacodynamics and skin irritation.

RESULTSRange analysis of the orthogonal table and analysis of variance showed that ceramide and camellia seed oil contents had the greatest impact on the skin water content and TEWL, respectively, and the optimal composition of the emollient contained the 4 components at the ratios of D1E1F1G1. Pharmacodynamic experiments showed that at high, medium and low doses, the emollient with the optimal formulation significantly improved the skin water content, pH and TEWL in the mice (P<0.05) with similar effects in the positive control group (P>0.05) and a skin irritation test score of 0.

CONCLUSIONThe emollient we prepared can significantly improve skin water content, pH and TEWL in the mouse model of atopic dermatitis without skin irritations.

BACKGROUNDLipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) is mainly secreted by macrophages, serving as a specific marker of atherosclerotic plaque and exerting pro-atherogenic effects. It is known that high-density lipoprotein (HDL) plays an important role against atherosclerosis by inhibiting pro-inflammatory factors, however, the relationship between HDL and Lp-PLA2 remains elusive.

METHODSIn this study, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blotting, and a platelet-activating factor (PAF) acetylhydrolase assay were performed to determine the Lp-PLA2 mRNA level, protein expression and activity in human monocyte-derived macrophages upon HDL treatment of different concentrations and durations. To investigate the underlying mechanism of HDL-induced Lp-PLA2 action, pioglitazone, a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) ligand, was introduced to human monocyte-derived macrophages and mRNA and protein levels of Lp-PLA2, as well as its activity, were determined.

RESULTSLp-PLA2 mRNA levels, protein expression and activity were significantly inhibited in response to HDL treatment in a dose and time dependent manner in human monocyte-derived macrophages. Pioglitazone treatment (1 - 10 ng/ml) upregulated the Lp-PLA2 mRNA level, protein expression and activity in human monocyte-derived macrophages, while the effects were markedly reversed by HDL. In addition, pioglitazone resulted in a significant increase in PPARγ phosphorylation in human monocyte-derived macrophages, which could be inhibited by HDL.

CONCLUSIONThese findings indicate that HDL suppresses the expression and activity of Lp-PLA2 in human monocyte-derived macrophages, and the underlying mechanisms may be mediated through the PPARγ pathway.

1-Alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholine Esterase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Humans ; Lipoproteins, HDL ; pharmacology ; Macrophages ; drug effects ; enzymology ; metabolism ; PPAR gamma ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of pulsed magnetic field on insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) level in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and the association of IGF-1 alterations with the activities of daily living (ADL) of patients with brain injury.

METHODSSixty-five patients with brain injury were divided randomly into the control group (n=30) and magnetic therapy group (n=35), both receiving conventional therapy and in the latter group, daily pulsed magnetic field treatment (20-40 mT, 50 Hz, 20 min per time, 1 time per day) for 14 consecutive days were administered. On the first and 14th days of the treatment, 2 ml CSF was collected from the cases patients for IGF-1 measurement by radioimmunoassay, and Barthel index (BI) was used to assess the ADL of the patients.

RESULTSAfter a 14-day treatment, IGF-1 level in the CSF were significantly increased in the magnetic group in comparison with the level before the treatment and with those in the control group (P<0.05). IGF-1 in the CSF underwent no significant changes in the control group (P>0.05). The scores of BI increased significantly in both groups after the treatment (P<0.01), but the increment was more obvious in the magnetic therapy group (P<0.05). A significant positive correlation was found between IGF-1 level in the CSF and BI in these patients (r=0.283, P=0.022).

CONCLUSIONPulsed magnetic field might increase IGF-1 level in the CSF of patients with brain injury to promote the recovery of the patients ADL, suggesting its potential clinical value in the treatment of brain injury.

Adult ; Brain Injuries ; cerebrospinal fluid ; rehabilitation ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; cerebrospinal fluid ; Magnetic Fields ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Recovery of Function

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relation between the 389A/G polymorphism in the human beta 1-adrenergic receptor and acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

METHODSPolymerase chain reaction amplification and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis were used to detect the genotypes of 150 patients with AMI and 150 age- and sex- matched control subjects, and relative clinical data were obtained. A case-control study and multiple Logistic regression analysis were performed to assess the association between 389A/G polymorphism and AMI.

RESULTSThe distributions of the genotypes and allele frequencies were significantly different between two groups (P< 0.01). The prevalence of the A allele was significantly higher in patients with AMI than in control subjects. In the multivariate regression analysis, the 389A/G polymorphism (OR: 2.88, 95%CI: 1.70-4.88, P< 0.01), smoking(OR: 2.72, 95%CI: 1.52-4.88, P< 0.01), hyperlipidemia (OR: 2.85, 95%CI: 1.68-4.86, P< 0.01), diabetes mellitus(OR: 2.38, 95%CI: 1.27-4.47, P< 0.01) and hypertension (OR: 2.00, 95%CI: 1.62-3.45, P< 0.05) were independent risk factors of AMI.

CONCLUSIONThe 389A/G polymorphism in the human beta 1-adrenergic receptor is associated with AMI and is an independent risk factor of AMI.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; complications ; Hypertension ; complications ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Myocardial Infarction ; etiology ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; genetics ; Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-1 ; genetics ; Risk Factors ; Smoking ; adverse effects

Objective To optimize the design of the field psychological emergency rescue chest.Methods The deficiencies of the chest were summarized during the drilling and actual application of the psychological rescue unit,and some optimization countermeasures were put forward accordingly.Results The chest was optimized from the aspects of selection of chest body, internal and external layout as well as equipped devices.Conclusion The optimized chest can better meet the needs of the disaster emergency rescue.