OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of Xinshuai Mistura (XM) on plasma angiotensin II (Ang II), atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and N terminal pro- brain natriuretic peptide (Nt-proBNP) in patients with heart failure (HF).

METHODSFifty-nine patients with HF (NYHA class II-IV) were randomly divided into two groups, the treated group treated with XM and the control group with Wuling Pulvis (WP), both on the base of captopril treatment. The treatment course was two weeks. Plasma levels of Ang II , ANP and Nt-proBNP were observed.

RESULTSThe plasma levels of Ang I, ANP and Nt-proBNP showed an ascending tendency along with the increasing in severity of HF(P < 0.01), and significantly decreased after treatment in the treated group (P < 0.01), but with no remarkable difference as compared with those in the control group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONXM had definite therapeutic effects on excessive neuroendocrine activation in HF patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Angiotensin II ; blood ; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Atrial Natriuretic Factor ; blood ; Captopril ; therapeutic use ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Heart Failure ; blood ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; blood ; Peptide Fragments ; blood ; Phytotherapy ; Single-Blind Method ; Treatment Outcome

Adolescent ; Anemia, Aplastic ; complications ; Female ; Humans ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; complications

Objective To investigate the effects of growth differentiation factor 11 ( GDF11 ) on β-cell function in db/db mice and its possible mechanism. Methods Twenty eight-week-old male db/db mice were randomizedtoi.p. administration of GDF11(0.3mg·kg-1·day-1)or equivalent PBS(n=10)for 6 weeks.10age-matched male db/m were used as normal control, received equivalent PBS injection for 6 weeks. Blood glucose levels, body weights and food intake were monitored weekly. IPGTT and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion ( GSIS) were analyzed. After 6 weeks of intervention, serum HbA1C , TG, TC, and FFA were measured respectively. The concentrations of hormones in serum and pancreas were evaluated. The mRNA expression of Pdx-1, MafA, Nkx6. 1, and insulin2 were determined by RT-PCR. The expression of phosphorylated Smd2 (P-Smad2), Smad2 in islet were examined by western blot. Results Compared with NC group, GDF11 administration decreased FBG, HbA1C , modified lipid profiles. GDF11 improved glucose tolerance and augmented GSIS. Moreover, GDF11 increased serum insulin and pancreatic insulin content, while decreased serum glucagon concentration. The expression of Pdx-1, MafA, Nkx6. 1, and Insulin2 were significantly increased in GDF11 group. GDF11 elevated the expression of P-Smad2 in islets. Conclusion s GDF11 may preserve β-cell function and facilitate the secretion and production of insulin. Diminishing the metabolic abnormalities, alleviating the secretion of glucagon, as well as maintaining the key transcript factor activation may contribute to the amelioration of β-cell function after GDF11 administration. Smad2 pathway may be related to the protective effects of GDF11.

Objective: To explore the effect of irisin on atherosclerosis with possible mechanisms in diabetes mellitus (DM) mice. Methods: A total of 30 ApoE-/- mice were randomly divided into 2 groups: Control group, the mice received citrate buffer solution for modeling control,n=10. DM group, the mice received streptozotocin injection for DM modeling,n=20; the DM group was further divided into 2 subgroups as DM control (DM-C) group, the mice received normal saline injection for 12 weeks and DM + irisin group, the diabetic mice received irisin injection for 12 weeks.n=10 in each subgroup. With 4 weeks of irisin intervention, the endothelium-dependent vasodilatation was detected. With 12 weeks of intervention, the blood levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) were examined by ELISA, the plaque areas in aortic en face and cross sections were measured by Oil red O or HE staining, the macrophages/T lymphocytes inifltration in plaques were detected with immunohistochemistry, and the mRNA expressions of IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α were determined by RT-PCR. Results: Compared with DM-C group, DM + irisin group presented improved endothelium-dependent vasodilatation, decreased levels of blood inlfammatory factors, reduced plaque on face area sections (22.57 ± 2.17) % vs (35.09 ± 2.38) % and cross sections (19.36 ± 1.85) % vs (25.53 ± 7.87) %,P < 0.05, less macrophages (30.5 ± 2.79) % vs (41.34 ± 9.13) % T and lymphocytes infiltration (28.11 ± 4.24) % vs (35.79 ± 9.11) % in plaques and lower mRNA expressions of inflammatory factors(IL-6: 1.76 ± 0.50 vs 3.78 ± 1.15; TNF-α: 1.05 ± 0.30 vs 2.11 ± 0.48; ICAM-1: 1.96 ± 0.69 vs 2.71 ± 0.72; VCAM-1: 0.87 ± 0.21vs 1.45±0.25; MCP-1: 1.34 ± 0.34 vs 1.77 ± 0.55) at aortic wall, P<0.05.Conclusion: Irisin may improve atherosclerosis condition in ApoE-/- DM mice, the endothelial protection and antiinflammatoryreaction were the important mechanisms. Irisin has the potential for preventing/treating atherosclerosis.

Objective To investigate the effect of growth differentiation factor 11 ( GDF11 ) on aorta in apolipoprotein E-Null( ApoE-/-) mice and its possible mechanisms. Methods Four-week-old healthy male ApoE-/-mice were fed with high-fat diet for 1 week and were then divided into 4 groups:vehicle group(n=10), GDF11 group (n=10),adeno-associated virus-green fluorescent protein group(AAV-GFP group, n=10), and AAV-GDF11 group ( n=10 ) . The mice received intraperitoneal injection with phosphate buffered saline, GDF11 protein, a single injection of purified AAV-GDF11 or AAV-GFP through the tail vein, respectively. After 4 weeks, serum GDF11/8 level and endothelium-dependent vasodilatation were detected. After 12 weeks, serum GDF11/8, interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α( TNF-α), total cholesterol ( TC), triglycerides ( TG), oxidized low density lipoprotein(ox-LDL), and free fatty acids(FFA)levels were measured, the plaque areas in aortic enface and cross sections were measured by oil red O or HE staining, the macrophages/T lymphocytes infiltration in plaques were detected with immunohistochemistry, and the mRNA expressions of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-10 were determined by real-time PCR. Results Compared with vehicle or AAV-GFP groups, GDF11 and AAV-GDF11 groups presented improved endothelium-dependent vasodilatation, decreased levels of blood inflammatory factors, blood lipid, reduced plaque on face area sections[Vehicle group : GDF11 group:(31. 23 ± 3. 12)% vs (17. 18 ± 2. 17) %;AAV-GFP group : AAV-GDF11 group:(38.01±4.43)% vs(14.54±2.86)%,P<0.05]andcrosssections[Vehiclegroup :GDF11 group:(19. 87 ± 2. 11)% vs (10. 32 ± 1. 47)%;AAV-GFP group : AAV-GDF11 group:(23. 02 ± 2. 76)%vs (9.06±1.63)%, P<0. 05]. There were less macrophages and T lymphocytes infiltration in plaques and lower mRNA expressions of inflammatory factors at aortic wall. Conclusion GDF11 reduces the area of atherosclerotic lesion in ApoE-/-mice, which may be involved in endothelial protection, such as to reduce inflammatory reaction, and to change cellular composition in plaques.

OBJECTIVETo discuss the influence of reducing buccolingual width of artificial crown on distribution of biting force and masticatory efficiency in unilateral distal-extension implant denture and provide valuable information for the design of buccolingual width. To find a design that the biting force of implant prothesis was less evident than those on the contralateral natural teeth without compromising masticatory efficiency.

METHODST-Scan II occlusal analyzer and 722 grating spectrophotometer were used to analyze the distribution of biting force and masticatory efficiency in unilateral distal-extension implant denture. Heat-cured resin crowns with three different buccolingual width (group A: standard buccolingual width; group B: the buccolingual width was reduced by 1/4; group C: the buccolingual width was reduced by 1/3) were designed as follow, one was contoured with standard buccolingual width, the other two were made with reducd buccolingual width by 1/4 and 1/3.

RESULTSThe ratio of biting force (ROF) of group C was 16.25%, which was significantly lower than group A (27.38%) and B (22.60%) (P < 0.0083). The X axis displacement of center of occlusal force (COF) of group C was 2.0 mm, which was significantly difference with group A (1.5 mm, P = 0.004). The masticatory efficiency absorbance A value (MEA) of group C was 0.217, which was significantly lower than group A (0.345, P = 0.005) and B (0.289, P = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONSAccording to the study, the buccolingual width of the crown reduced by 1/4 was a more ideal design for unilateral distal-extension implant denture.

Adult ; Aged ; Bite Force ; Crowns ; Dental Occlusion ; Dental Prosthesis Design ; Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mastication ; Middle Aged ; Spectrophotometry

Murine norovirus (MNV) was first discovered in mice in 2003. MNV is a member of the genus Norovirus in the family Caliciviridae. It is one of the most important and prevalent pathogens of laboratory mice, and almost all mouse strains are susceptible to MNV infection. In this study, a MNV strain was isolated from the cecal contents of infected mice and identified by the cytopathic effect (CPE) assay, virus plaque assay, 50% tissue culture infectious dose (TCID50) assay, electron microscopy, indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and nucleotide sequencing. On infection, the RAW264.7 cell line showed obvious cytopathic effects within 24 to 48 hours post-inoculation, as infected cells became rounded, bright and shrunken, with ultimate disintegration of the cell sheet. After the isolation of the MNV virus, the virus was plaque-purified in RAW264.7 cells. The TCID50 of the virus was 10(5.25/0.1 mL. Electron microscopic observations of the purified virus showed the presence of spherical and non-enveloped viral particles that were 30 to 35 nm in diameter. According to the identification results, the isolate was named as MNV Guangzhou/K162/09/CHN. Thereafter, five overlapping gene fragments that covered the entire open reading frame (ORF) were amplified by RT-PCR, and the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) and 5'-UTR were amplified using the 3'-rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) and the 5'-RACE method, respectively. Each of the gene fragments were cloned and sequenced, and whole genome sequences of the strain were obtained by assembling the cDNA fragment sequences. The results showed that the length of the complete genome was 7 380 nucleotides (GenBank accession number: HQ317203). The comparison of nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of the isolate was performed against other MNV strains in the GenBank database. A phylogenetic tree based on VP1 nucleotide sequences was constructed using MEGA5.0 software. The homology of nucleotides between the MNV Guangzhou/K162/09/CHN strain and other MNV isolates ranged from 87.4% to 89.7%. Phylogenetic analysis showed that there was a close genetic relationship between the Guangzhou/K162/09/CHN strain and MNV strains isolated from Japan (S7-P2 and S7-PP3 isolates), Korea (K4 isolate), and Germany (Berlin/04/06/DE and Berlin/05/06/DE isolates). This is the first report of the isolation and identification of MNV in China, and the first report of the genetic analysis of its complete genome.
Animals ; Caliciviridae Infections ; veterinary ; virology ; Mice ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Norovirus ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; physiology ; Open Reading Frames ; Phylogeny ; Rodent Diseases ; virology ; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid ; Viral Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics

BackgroundRetinal pigment epithelial(RPE) cells can secrete platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and PDGF receptor(PDGFR).Studies have shown that PDGF plays a key role in the formation of proliferative vitreous retinopathy(PVR). ObjectiveThis study was to investigate the proliferation and apoptosis changes of RPE after blockage of the PDGFR-α expression by antisense oligonucleotide ( ASODN ) in vitro. Methods Human RPE cells strain was cultured in low glucose DMEM with 10％ fetal bovine serum.Logarithmic phase cells were collected and incubated in 96-well plate at the density of 5 × 105 cells/hole.PDGFR-α ASODN was transfected into RPE cells at different concentrations for 48 hours.The cells of the blank control group were regularly cultured without any transfection.The changes of PDGFR-α expression were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR),and the proliferation of RPE was detected by MTT as the A490 value.Hoechst 33258 fluorescence staining was used to determine the apoptosis of RPE.Flow cytometry method (FCM) was applied to detect the change of cell cycle and apoptosis rate of RPE cells. ResultsThe A490 values of RPE cells were 1.45±0.12,1.07±0.06,0.65±0.05 in blank control group,1.0 μmol/L Lipo-ASODN group and 2.0 μmol/L Lipo-ASODN group with the significant difference(P=0.00 ),and that of 1.0 μmol/L Lipo-ASODN group and 2.0 μ mol/L Lipo-ASODN group were significantly lower than the blank control group ( P =0.00,0.00).Hoechst 33258 staining showed that the apoptosis cells were obviously more in Lipo-ASODN group compared with blank control group.PDGFR-α ASODN transfection induced an increase of percentage of RPE cells in G0/G1 phase( F =206.70,P =0.00),and the apoptosis rates in 1.0 μmol/L Lipo-ASODN group and 2.0 μmol/L Lipo-ASODN group were significantly enhanced in comparison with blank control group ( 37.8 ± 1.3 vs 10.5 ± 0.1,61.2 ± 1.9 vs 10.5 ± 0.1 ) ( F =1808.90,P =0.00 ).Expression intensity of PDGFR-α mRNA in RPE cells in Lipo-ASODN groups was lower. ConclusionsBlocking the PDGFR-α expression with ASODN technology can suppress proliferation and induce apoptosis of RPE cells.Intensity of PDGFR-α mRNA expression in RPE cells is ASODN dose-dependent.ASODN targeted to PDGFR-α offers an experimental basis of the gene therapy for PVR.

Objective To investigate the clinical features of infantile cytomegalovirus(CMV) hepatitis with cholestasis.Methods The clinical features of infantile CMV hepatitis with cholestasis were retrospected in 48 cases and the liver function were detected before and after therapy in 23 cases.Results Forty-eight cases of infantile cytomegalovirus hepatitis with cholestasis had different degrees of jaundice, hepatosplenomegaly and abnormal liver functions. After therapy of 23 cases, the clinical symptoms and serum biochemical parameters such as bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase were improved , but serum parameters of aspartate aminotransferase ,alkaline phospholipids and ?-glutamyltransferase had no improvement.Conclusion The theraphy of CMV hepatitis with cholestasis shall be individual.

The morphology,cultural characteristics,physiological and biochemical properties of phosphate solubilizing strain BL-11 were studied.Combine with its 16S rDNA sequence analysis result strain BL-11 was identified as Brevibacillus laterosporus.Results showed that the phosphate solubilizing efficiency of strain BL-11was up to 10.91% when with Ca_ 3 (PO_ 3 )_ 2 as the sole phosphorus source in the medium,while the efficiency of that was up to 1.56% when with sands as the sole phosphorus source.An optimal media of BL-11 strain for solubilizing phosphate was obtained by orthogonal test.It was composed of sugar 20g/L,(NH_ 4 )_ 2 HCO_ 3 0.3g/L,MgSO_ 4 .7H_ 2 O 0.5g/L,NaCl 0.3{g/L},KCl 0.5g/L,FeSO_ 4 0.03g/L,MnSO_ 4 .H_ 2 O 0.03{g/L.}_ While other conditions were consisted of initial pH7.0-8.0,180 r/min,and 30℃.