The changes of interstitial cells of Cajal(ICC)distribution and connexin 43(Cx43)expression in gastric muscle layers were assayed in gastroparesis models of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.The results showed that gastric emptying was significantly delayed,the contraction frequency and amplitude of gastric muscle segments were greatly decreased,Cx43 gray values were significantly increased and Cx43 distributed homogeneously with ICC immunopositivity in the model rats.These changes appear to be related to the pathogenesis of diabetic gastroparesis.

A high-throughput three-dimensional (3D) hepatocyte culture model is constructed in this study. It is capable of replicating the 3D in vivo environment and offers the advantages of high throughput, enhanced reproducibility, low cost, and simplified operation, rendering a valuable tool for hepatotoxicity screening of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). First, we constructed the 3D high throughput liver chip model using collagen hydrogel. The precision and its difference with traditional cell culture plates were assessed using acetaminophen, Tripterygium hypoglaucum, and Qili San as the references. The feasibility of this model was also investigated by comparing the hepatotoxicity among four batches of T. hypoglaucum and Qili San. The methodology verification shows that the 3D hepatocyte model is better than traditional two-dimensional (2D) cell culture model in precision and feasibility. Subsequently, we compared the hepatotoxicity of different samples over a period of three or seven days and found that the hepatotoxicity of TCM extracts increased over time. Finally, we compared the hepatotoxicity of T. hypoglaucum and its compound formula Kunxian capsule under equivalent concentration. The results showed that the compound Kunxian capsule could significantly reduce hepatotoxicity of T. hypoglaucum. Generally, we constructed a high-throughput, robust 3D liver-on-a-chip model with the potential of rapid assessing TCM-induced liver toxicity.

Objective To understand the evolutionary characterization of hemagglutinin (HA)gene of pandemic H1N1 influenza virus in Guangdong during 2009-2011. MethodsWe selected 83 pandemic H1N1 strains isolated in Guangdong during 2009-2011. The HA1 genes were sequenced and analyzed comparatively by Bioedit 7.0 and MEGA 4.0. ResultsThe evolutionary rate of Hal gene of pandemic H1N1 and seasonal H1N1 viruses was 5.2×10-3 substitutions/site/year, higher than that of seasonal H1N1 viruses. Most amino acid changes in HA1 molecules accumulated on the surface of the molecule and were partly located in antigenic sites. Two fatal infections were detected with a mutation at HA residue 222, in one virus with a change D222G, and in one virus D222N. ConclusionThe phylogenetic analysis demonstrates that the influenza epidemic in Guangdong at the beginning of 2011 are due to occurrence of genetic changes of pandemic H1N1 virus. The amino acid change at residue 222 of the HA1 are likely to be associated with severe or even fatal illness.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (cox-2) in the testes and epididymides of adult male rats and its significance.

METHODSImmunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression and localization of cox-2 in the testicle and epididymal tissues of 40 adult male SD rats.

RESULTSStrong cox-2 immunoreactivity was detected in the epididymides and testes of the rats. In the caput epididymides, cox-2 expressed mainly in the epithelial nuclei and partly in the cytoplasm. Cox-2 was also found positive in the testis nuclei and cytoplasm.

CONCLUSIONImmunohistochemical staining is a fairly sensitive method for detecting cox-2 expression in the testes and epididymides of adult male rats.

Animals ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; biosynthesis ; Epididymis ; enzymology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Testis ; enzymology

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of the third-generation instrumentation including TSRH, CD and ISOLA in the treatment of adult scoliosis. Methods:Thirty-five adult patients with idiopathic or degenerative scoliosis who received treatment with third-generation instrumentation (TSRH,CD and ISOLA) between July 1999 to January 2003 were retrospectively reviewed. The mean preoperative cobb angle of major curves of the frontal plane was 58.1°(42°-95°). The patients received a combined anteroposterior approach or a single posterior procedure. The mean follow-up time was 20 months(10-48 months). Preoperative and postoperative Cobb angles of the frontal plane and sagittal plane and the distance between C7 and CVLS were measured. The subjective assessment was judged by questionnaire. Results: Postoperative clinical appearance of all patients improved significantly. Mean correction of major curves of the coronal plane was 53.2%. Mean loss of correction of the coronal plane in the last follow-up was 4.3°. The distance between the midline of C7 and CVSL was corrected from 2.6 cm to 0.24 cm. The results of follow-up showed that 89.3% patients were satisfied with the outcome. Pneumatothorax and haematothorax occurred in 2 patients. Three patients still complained of low back pain one year after operation because of adjacent degeneration in 2 patients and pseudoarthrosis in the remaining 1 patient. Conclusion: Imageologic findings and subjective assessment of the patients showed that the third-generation instrumentation can achieve good correction and trunk balance in the treatment of adult scoliosis with fewer complications.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of the third-generation instrumentation including TSRH, CD and ISOLA in the treatment of adult scoliosis. Methods:Thirty-five adult patients with idiopathic or degenerative scoliosis who received treatment with third-generation instrumentation (TSRH,CD and ISOLA) between July 1999 to January 2003 were retrospectively reviewed. The mean preoperative cobb angle of major curves of the frontal plane was 58.1°(42°-95°). The patients received a combined anteroposterior approach or a single posterior procedure. The mean follow-up time was 20 months(10-48 months). Preoperative and postoperative Cobb angles of the frontal plane and sagittal plane and the distance between C7 and CVLS were measured. The subjective assessment was judged by questionnaire. Results: Postoperative clinical appearance of all patients improved significantly. Mean correction of major curves of the coronal plane was 53.2%. Mean loss of correction of the coronal plane in the last follow-up was 4.3°. The distance between the midline of C7 and CVSL was corrected from 2.6 cm to 0.24 cm. The results of follow-up showed that 89.3% patients were satisfied with the outcome. Pneumatothorax and haematothorax occurred in 2 patients. Three patients still complained of low back pain one year after operation because of adjacent degeneration in 2 patients and pseudoarthrosis in the remaining 1 patient. Conclusion: Imageologic findings and subjective assessment of the patients showed that the third-generation instrumentation can achieve good correction and trunk balance in the treatment of adult scoliosis with fewer complications.

Objective To elicit the perceptions of women who have had hysterectomy for benign conditions,Methods Qualitative design,individual interviews were conducted in women patients with hysterectomy for benign conditions.Results Four common themes emerged:the first response to hysterectomy was positive or unexpected.The inner space of these women was full of worrying about the impact on themselves and the sexual life with the partner.The perception of whether she was integral as a woman makes up the main part of the self-concept changing.Family members,friends,colleagues were significant resources of information and supportive system that impacted the psychological conditions together with the health-care providers.Conclusions Women undergoing hysterectomy need greater support and information from health care professionals.Doctors and nurses should provide further health education and information,facilitating the women's integral health.

Objective To investigate the effects of telmisartan on endoplasm retiedum (ER) stress signal pathways and eardiomyocyte apoptosis in abdominal aortic banded rats.Methods Male SD rats were randomly divided into sham-operated group,abdominal aortic banding group(AAB)and AAB+telmisartan (5 mg·kg-1·d-1 per gavage,beginning at l week before AAB for 8 weeks,n=10 each).Ten weeks post AAB,hemodynamie measurements were performed,whole heart and left ventricular weights were obtained. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis was measured by TUNEL method.Myocardial GRP78 and CHOP protein expresssions were detected by Western blot and immunohistochemistry.Results The ratio of left ventricular weight to body weisht,the ratio of heart weight to body weisht,left ventrieular end diastolic pressure and the apoptosis index were significantly increased while left ventfieular end systolic pressure and±dp/dtmax were significantly decreased in AAB group than those in sham-operated group (all P<0.01),these changes could be significantly attenuated by telmisartan (all P<0.01).Moreover,myocardial GRP78 and CHOP expressions were significantly upregulated in AAB group than those in sham-operated group and telmisartan could significantly downregulate the increased GRfp78,CHOP expressions (all P<0.01).Conclusions Increased ER stress might be responsible for enhanced eardiomyocyte apoptosis in AAB rats.Telmisartan effectively attenuated the cardiomyocyte apoptosis and cardiac hypertrophy in AAB rats possibly through reducing ER stress.

OBJECTIVEThe main purpose of this work was to give the evidence of reasonable and feasible dust control measures which will be taken in the future by analyzing the trend of dust concentration from 1991 to 2010 and identifying working faces with the severe dust contamination in one underground iron mine.

METHODSThe data was from routine monitoring between the years 1991 and 2010, which enclosed the total dust concentrations and silica contents. China National Standard of Occupational exposure limits for hazardous agents in the workplace used to judge whether the dust concentration exceeded the National Standard.

RESULTSThe general trend of total dust concentration from 1991 to 2010 was decreased, especially maximum and average levels. The highest exceeding rate was 43.16% in 1993 and the best years were 2009 and 2010, but the exceeding rates were still over 30%. The dust exposure levels varied with different work faces. The mining and supporting were the most severe dust pollution faces which the highest ultra exceeding rates were 51.61% and 51.48% and the maximum exceeding times were 64.6 and 16.4 respectively. The next was constructing face with 40.23% exceeding rate and 24.6 times more than standard.

CONCLUSIONThe trend of total dust concentration from 1991 to 2010 was decreased, but the dust exceeding rate was still high. The strong measures should be taken to control the dust pollution in this iron mine, especially mining and supporting faces.

Air Pollutants, Occupational ; analysis ; Dust ; analysis ; Environmental Monitoring ; Iron ; analysis ; Mining ; Occupational Exposure ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo explore the viral etiology of acute low respiratory tract infection (ALRTI) among hospitalized children in Changsha of Hunan Province of China.

METHODSNasopharyngeal aspirates were collected from 1165 hospitalized children with ALRTI in Changsha from September 2007 to August 2008. Respiratory syncytin virus (RSV), human rhinovirus (HRV), influenza virus A (IFVA), influenza virus B (IFVB), parainfluenza 1-3 (PIV 1-3), human metapneumovirus (hMPV), human coronaviruses NL63 (HCoV-NL63), and human coronaviruses HKU1 (HCoV-HKU1) were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Adenovirus (ADV) and human bocavirus (HBoV) were detected by standard polymerase chain reaction (PCR). WU polyomaviruses (WUPyV) and KI polyomaviruses(KIPyV) were detected by nested PCR. The positive samples further underwent genetic sequencing.

RESULTSAmong the 1165 nasopharyngeal aspirates, viruses were detected in 871 samples (74.76%), among which RSV (27.03%) was the most common virus, followed by HRV (17.33%), PIV3 (13.73%), HBoV (8.67%) and hMPV (6.52%). The overall positive rate of viral detection showed no significant differences between males and females (X2=2.241, P=0.134), whereas the positive rates of PIV3, hMPV, and HBoV in males were higher than in females. The positive rate of viral detection showed significant differences among different age groups (X2=10.934, P=0.027), and the highest positive rate was noted in the age group of 6 months to 1 year. Furthermore, the overall positive rate of viral detection showed a significant difference in term of seasonal distribution, with a peak prevalence in winter.

CONCLUSIONSVirues predominate in the etiology of pediatric ALRTI in Changsha, and RSV, HRV and PIV3 are the main viruses for ALRTI. HBoV and hMPV have become increasingly important. Viral infection-associated ALRTI shows a prevail in the age group of 6 months to 1 year as well as in winter.

Adolescent ; Age Distribution ; Child ; Child, Hospitalized ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Nasopharynx ; virology ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; etiology ; virology ; Seasons ; Sex Distribution ; Viruses ; isolation & purification