Objective To observe effect of astragalus injection on levels of blood selenium,T cell immunity function and cytokines with viral myocarditis in children. Methods Fourty two patients with viral myocarditis in children, receiving the therapy of Astragalus injection Observing the levels of blood selenium and cytokine, including interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-?),and including estimation of T lymphocyte subsets and cardiac function too. Results The result showed that in post-treatment, the levels of blood selenium were significantly higher (P

Objective To explore the changes of plasma brain natriuretic peptide(BNP) and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP)of sepsis combined with myocardial injury in newborns.Methods According to neonatal sepsis treatment program,45 cases of sepsis newborns in NICU of the Second Hospital in Lanzhou University from Jul.2007 to Jun.2008 were collected.According to the myocardial injury diagnostic criteria,45 cases neonatal sepsis were divided into myocardial injury group(n=22) and non-myocardial injury group(n=23).Myocardial injury group was also divided into congenital heart disease group and non-congenital heart disease group accor-ding to echocardiography.At the same time,30 healthy newborns were collected as healthy control group.Every newborns were tested the level of plasma BNP,NT-proBNP,creatine kinase-MB(CK-MB) and cardiac-troponin I (cTnI).Results There were significant difference between myocardial injury group,non-myocardial injury group and healthy control group in the levels of plasma BNP,NT-proBNP,CK-MB and cTnI,those in congenital heart disease group were higher than those in non-myocardial injury group and the healthy control group(Pa0.05).Conclusions BNP and NT-proBNP can be early used to diagnose myocardial injury and heart failure of neonatal sepsis associated with CK-MB and cTnI.In NICU,infants with sepsis should normally test BNP and NT-proBNP in order to early diagnose myocardial injury of neonatal sepsis.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of β₃adrenoceptors (β₃-AR) activation on rat thoracic aorta smooth muscle contractility and the possible related mechanism.

METHODSThe endothelium removed thoracic aorta was pre-contracted with 30 mmol/L KCl physiological saline solution (PSS). Then the tension of the thoracic aorta was recorded in presence of BRL37344 (BRL) to determine the action of β₃-AR. The tension of the thoracic aorta was also recorded in the presence of Propranolol (PRA), SR59230A (SR), L-NNA, H-89 and Iberiotoxin (IBTX) respectively to reveal the underling mechanism of β₃-AR activation on rat vascular smooth muscle. Immunohistochemistry was adopted to confirm the existence and the distribution of β₃-AR in rat thoracic aorta.

RESULTSThe results showed that: (1) The thoracic aorta was relaxed by β₃-AR activation, with a relaxation percentage of (10.59 ± 0.79). (2) β₃-AR was expressed in both endothelial and smooth muscle layer in thoracic aorta sections of rats. (3) PRA did not block the effect of BRL on the thoracic aorta. The relaxation actions of BRL could be antagonized by pre-incubating the thoracic aorta with SR. (4) L-NNA (a NOS inhibitor) and H-89 (a PKA inhibitor) reversed the relaxation effect of BRL on vascular smooth muscle. (5) The effect of BRL was decreased after application of Ibriotoxin (IBTX), a large conductance calcium dependent potassium channel blocker.

CONCLUSIONThe results confirmed that activation of β₃-AR led to relaxation of thoracic aorta smooth muscle. The relaxation action of β₃-AR on smooth muscle of rat thoracic aorta was related to activation of NOS and PKA signaling pathway. Large conductance Ca²⁺-K⁺ channels were involved in the relaxation action of β₃-AR activation on rat thoracic aorta smooth muscle.

Animals ; Aorta, Thoracic ; physiology ; In Vitro Techniques ; Isoquinolines ; Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels ; physiology ; Muscle Contraction ; Muscle Relaxation ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; physiology ; Nitroarginine ; Peptides ; Propanolamines ; Propranolol ; Rats ; Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-3 ; physiology ; Signal Transduction ; Sulfonamides

ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between metastasis-associated gene 1 ( MTA1 )expression and invasive and metastatic ability of cervical cancer cell. MethodsThree kinds of plasmids pcDNA3( control group), pcDNA3-MTA1 ( MTA1 group) and pSilencer3. 1-MTA1-siRNA ( MTA1-siRNAgroup) were transfected into human cervical cancer cell line CaSki cells. Reverse transcription (RT)-PCR and western blot were used to detected MTA1 mRNA and protein expressions. The effects of MTA1 expression on CaSki cell growth and proliferation, cell migration, adhesion and invasion, and cell cycles were tested by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT), clone formation experiment, wound-healing assay, transwell assay, adhesion assay and flow cytometry, respectively. In animal experiment, three groups of cells were inoculated to BALB/c nude mouse subcutaneously to observe tumor formation ability. ResultsCompared with control group, MTA1 mRNA and protein were significantly overexpressed in MTA1 group, while MTA1-siRNA group showed lower MTA1 expression. Compared with control group, MTA1 group showed significantly accelerated cell growth; while MTA1-siRNA group showed decreased cell growth since the second day (P＜0. 05). Clone formation number in control, MTA1 and MTA1-siRNA group were 133 ±6, 169 ± 10 and 57 ±5,respectively. MTA1 group showed accelerated cell formation, while MTA1-siRNA group showed the reverse effect compared with that in control group(P ＜ 0. 05 ). At 24, 48 and 72 hours after wounding, the healing ability of MTA1-siRNA group significantly lagged behind that in the control group, while MTA1 group showed accelerated cell healing ability. The adhesion rate of control, MTA1 and MTA1-siRNA group were (69. 3 ± 3. 6) ％, ( 80. 4 ± 5. 6 ) ％ and ( 39. 2 ± 7.4 ) ％ separately at 90 minutes after cell seeding. In contrast with control group, MTA1 group promoted the adhesion of CaSki cell to matrigel matrix, while MTA1-siRNA group inhibited the adhesion process (P ＜0. 05 ). In the migration assay, the number of cells migrated to the bottom side of the membrane in control,MTA1 and MTA1-siRNA group were 153 ± 17,247 ± 38 and 82 ± 10, respectively. The number of cells in the invasion assay were 231 ± 19,354 ± 36 and 76 ± 7, respectively. Compared with the control group, MTA1 group significantly increased the migration and invasion ability, while MTA 1-siRNA group showed lower cell migration and invasion ability (P ＜ 0. 05 ). In cell cycle experiment, no significant differences of cell proportions including G1, S and G2 stage were found among three groups (P ＞ 0.05).In animal experiment, compared with control group,MTA1 group showed accelersted tumor formation and growth,whilethe MTA1-siRNA group showed the reverse effect ( P ＜ 0. 05 ). ConclusionsMTA1 may play its roles to promote cervical cancer cell invasion, migration, adhesion, as well as cell growth and colony formation, while RNA interference against MTA1 may decrease the malignant phenotypes. This study shows that it will be an effective beginning to explore metastasis mechanisms and cancer gene therapy strategy targeting MTA1 in cervical cancer.

Objective To study the regulation of aquaporin-1(AQP-1)changes in the heart of septic rats, compare the correlations of the AQP-1 with myocardial cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-6 (IL-6),and myocardial tissue water content,and to investigate the dexmedetomidine protective effect on myocardia in septic rats and its possible mechanism. Methods According to the random number table methods,90 male Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were divided into sham operation group,sepsis model group and dexmedetomidine group, 30 rats in each group. The rat sepsis model was established by cecal ligation and puncture(CLP). In the sham operation group,the animal abdomen was only opened and closed without CLP. Half hour before operation in dexmedetomidine group,dexmedetomidine 1μg/kg(2μg/mL)was injected into the vein,while in the model and sham groups,saline 5 mL/kg was subcutaneously injected into the rat after the operation. At 2,12,24,48,72 hours after operation,6 rats were sacrificed and their hearts removed at one time point in a group. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to detect the content of AQP-1 and the levels of the TNF-α,IL-6 in the myocardial tissue homogenate at all time points,the myocardial tissue water content was detected by dry wet weight,and the correlations between AQP-1 and TNF-α,IL-6 and between AQP-1 and myocardial tissue water content were compared. Results From 2 hours after operation,the levels of the AQP-1,TNF-αand IL-6 in model group were significantly higher than those in the sham operation group;with prolongation of time,the level of AQP-1 and myocardial tissue water content were decreased, but the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were persistently increased. From 2 hours after operation in dexmedetomidine group,all the above indexes except myocardial tissue water content at 72 hours after operation were significantly lower than those in the model group〔AQP-1(ng/g):9.29±0.15 vs. 9.73±0.26,TNF-α(pg/g):109.47±8.41 vs. 128.13±7.36,IL-6(pg/g):232.95±20.56 vs. 279.71±22.24,myocardial tissue water content:(74.82±6.37)%vs.(75.62±6.39)%,all P<0.05〕,but still higher than those of the sham operation group. The correlation analyses for the septic group showed that the change of AQP-1 was positively correlated to the myocardial water content in early stage(r=0.418,P=0.001)and later stage(r=0.235,P=0.022),and the changes of the AQP-1 in early stage (at post-operative 2 hours)were positively correlated to the concentration changes of the cytokines TNF-α(r=0.235,P=0.021)and IL-6(r=0.345,P=0.003),but in the later stage(at post-operative 72 hours)were negatively correlated with the changes of TNF-α(r=-0.408,P=0.037)and IL-6(r=-0.276,P=0.002). Conclusions In the early stage of septic rats,there is obvious myocardial injury,resulting in the over expression of AQP-1 and the occurrence of myocardial edema,dexmedetomidine can play a role in myocardial protection in such rats and its mechanism is possibly related to the reduction of the expression of AQP-1 and the levels of inflammatory cytokines, and in turn the alleviation of myocardial cell edema.

Objective To investigate the status of clinical nutrition management in patients in PICU,and to provide data for promoting the improvement and development of clinical nutrition of pediatric critically ill patients.Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted on PICU specialists.The nutrition assessment,nutrition intervention and nutrition management of critically ill children in PICU were investigated.The results were summarized and analyzed.Results A total of 39 PICU specialists were involved in this survey.The nutritional assessment methods and guidelines in domestic PICU were not unified.Twenty-five respondents (64.1%) believed that both clinical performance and the scales as the basis can decide whether the patients should be fed or not;all respondents believed that nutritional assessment and intervention time need to be determined by the needs of the patients;23 respondents(58.9%) used weight only as their nutritional monitoring indicators.Twenty-eight respondents(71.8%) considered that gastric tube was the first choice way to feeding for the critically ill children;20 respondents(51.3%) believed that critically ill children should be fed within 24 hours.Twelve respondents (33.3%) believed that critically ill children should be fed between 24 to 48 hours.Thirty-three respondents(84.6%) advocated early enteral nutrition;36 respondents (92.3%) considered that the main reasons of fasting in critically ill children were vomiting or abdominal distension or gastrointestinal bleeding.Twenty-eight respondents(71.8%) believed that according to the results of gastrointestinal function evaluation,they made decisions whether the patient to fast or not.Twenty-three respondents(59.0%) considered that specialists in PICU were the decision maker of the clinical nutrition in critically ill children.Twenty-four (61.5%) of the respondents believed that we needed to establish our own routines in management of nutrition in PICU.Conclusion At present in China,a lot of achievements have been made in the nutritional assessment,monitoring,early enteral nutrition intervention and management in critically ill children,but it is not enough.We need to make more effort to enhance the critically nutrition level in PICU,and we have a lot of research to do about nutrition assessment and nutrition intervention mode.It is recommended to establish Chinese guidelines or consensus to enhance the level of nutritional treatment of critically ill children.

Abdominal Pain/etiology* ; Acute Disease ; Appendicitis/diagnosis* ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diabetic Ketoacidosis/diagnosis* ; Diagnostic Errors/adverse effects* ; Humans ; Insulin

Aim:To investigate the effect of Hemangiopoietin (HAPO) on the hematopoiesis reconstitution in sub-lethally irradiated Balb/c mice.Methods: Balb/c mice were underwent total body irradiation at 700 cGy 137Cs ? radiation and were treated with HAPO or recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) after irradiation. The hematopoiesis reconstitution of mice were detected. Cells from bone marrow of Balb/c mice were cultured with HAPO or rhG-CSF for 24 hours or 72 hours before or after the cells were irradiated. The viability of cells were assessed and the ability of in vitro hematopoiesis reconstitution were also detected. Result: rhG-CSF and HAPO treated mice both showed increased survival rate and increased colony forming units. The peripheral WBC number increased greatly. The HAPO group was most quickest compared with rhG-CSF group and PBS control group. The number of bone marrow cells at day 14 of rhG-CSF group was higher than that in HAPO group, but the number of bone marrow cells at day 32 of rhG-CSF was lower than that in HAPO group. The number of bone marrow cells at day 42 of rhG-CSF was below normal. The number of bone marrow cells at day 42 of HAPO group was nearly normal. The number of CFU-GEMM in HAPO group was most compared with that in rhG-CSF group and PBS control group at day 7, 14 and 21 after radiation. The survival rate of cells after radiation in HAPO group was markedly higher than that in PBS control group, but the survival rate of cells after radiation in rhG-CSF group was no notable difference compared with that in PBS control group. In MTT assay, both HAPO and rhG-CSF incubation stimulated proliferation of bone marrow cell at 72 hours after radiation. Bone marrow cells formed Hematopoietic islands in HAPO group after radiation and were positive for sca-1 and CD31. CD31 positive endothelial cells increased around the Hematopoietic islands. There was no Hematopoietic islands formation, few CD31 positive endothelial cells and no sca-1 positive cells in PBS control group. Conclusion: HAPO can promote hematopoiesis reconstitution in sub-lethally irradiated Balb/c mice. It can increase the survival rate of mice and stimulate the proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells.

OBJECTIVETo study the differences in expression of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) between human traumatic cataract and normal lenticular epithelial cells.

METHODSTotal RNA of anterior capsule specimens was taken under the microscope from normal cadaveric eyes donors and those suffering from traumatic cataract to make semi-quantitative RT-PCR and conduct analysis of differences in expression of NF-kappaB between them.

RESULTSAs compared with the mean of 0.8337 in normal control group, the expression equivalent of NF-kappaB was 0.9074 for the lenticular epithelial cells in traumatic cataract sufferers, and the differences are of noticeable significance (t = 2.447, P<0.05) accordingly.

CONCLUSIONSNF-kappaB is likely a kind of transcription factor necessary to maintain metabolism of normal lenticular epithelial cells. Higher NF-kappaB available in the traumatic cataract sufferer's lenticular epithelial cells means NF-kappaB is of possible relevance to occurrence and development of traumatic cataract.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Cataract ; genetics ; metabolism ; therapy ; Epithelial Cells ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Lens, Crystalline ; injuries ; metabolism ; Male ; NF-kappa B ; genetics ; metabolism ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

"Common Drive" is presented recently as a new concept used to explore the control mechanism of neuromuscular system. In this paper, the average firing rate (FR) of the motor unit action potential (MUAP) is estimated by means of decomposition technique for needle electromyographic (NEMG) signals obtained from elbow joint agonist-antagonist muscle pair with constant contraction force. The change tendency and correlation of the average FR with time are studied. The results of the experiment show that, no matter flexion or extension of the elbow joint, the average FR of both motor units(MUs) in the couple of agonist and antagonist descends with time, and the variations of their amplitude and fluctuation are highly correlated. This indicates that when two antagonist muscles are activated simultaneously to stiffen a joint, the nervous system views them as one unit and controls them in similar fashion. It also confirms the existence of "Common Drive" phenomenon at joint level.
Action Potentials ; physiology ; Electromyography ; Humans ; Motor Neurons ; physiology ; Muscle Contraction ; physiology ; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted