Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Meconium ; Peritonitis ; etiology

We examined the effects of intracerebroventricular ( i. c. v) administration of adrenomedullin (ADM) on catecholaminergic neurons and the expression of c-fos gene in rat brain nuclei involved in cardiovascular regulation using double immunohistochemical method for Fos and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). The results showed that: ( 1 ) Following icy administration of ADM (3 nmol/kg) , double-labeled neurons for Fos and TH were significantly increased in the area postrema ( AP), the nucleus of the solitary tract ( NTS), the nucleus paragigantocelluaris laterialis (PGL) and the locus coeruleus (LC). (2) Pretreatment with calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonis CGRP8-37 (30 nmol/kg) significantly reduced the action of ADM (3 nmol/kg) in the brain. The present study suggested that ADM might activate the neurons of the brain nuclei involved in cardiovascular regulation, and supported the hypothesis that the central action of ADM were induced by activating the catecholaminergic neurons of brainstem nuclei involved in cardiovascular regulation, CGRP receptor might mediate the effects of ADM.

Background and purpose:Although the third-generation chemotherapeutic agents combined with platinum have shown good effect on non-small-cell lung cancer(NSCLC),whether the regimen is the best for elderly patients with NSCLC still is controversial.The aim of his study was to investigate the efficacy of Shenfu injection combined with Vinorelbine on the improvement of quality of life(QOL)in elderly NSCLC patients.Methods:A randomized single blind trial method was used.46 patients with stageⅢb-Ⅳof NSCLC were randomly divided into research group and control group.In the research group,the patients were treated with 50 ml of Shenfu injection from day 1 to 14,combined with Vinorelbine(NVB)25 mg/m~2 on day 1 and 8.In the control group,the patients were only treated with NVB 25 mg/m~2 on day 1 and 8.After two cycle's of treatment,QOL,efficacy and toxicity were observed. Results:The QOL was enhanced in both research group and control;however,the difference of KPS after treatment in the research group was markedly higher than in the control(14?10 vs.8?10,t=2.116,P=0.04),improvement rate of QOL was better than in the control(76.2% vs.45.0 %,x~2=4.188,P=0.041),treatment related toxicity in the research group was also markedly lower than that in the control(x~2=3.866,P=0.049),but the difference of efficacy between the two groups was not significant(14.3% vs.15.0%,x~2=0.161,P=0.688).Conclusions:ShenFu injection combined with Vinorelbine could enhance QOL in elderly NSCLC patients.

OBJECTIVETo explore the role of neuregulin (neural regulation of protein, NRG) in the process of mouse spermatogonia proliferation.

METHODSMouse testis fragments were cultured in the medium DMEM containing purified NRG1beta or NRG3 at the concentration of 50, 100 and 200 ng/ml, respectively, followed by BrdU immunohistochemical staining and determination of the proliferation rate of spermatogonia.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, neuregulin significantly promoted the proliferation of spermatogonia (P < 0.05). The proliferation rates of spermatogonia cultured in the medium with 50, 100 and 200 ng/ml of NRG13 were 1.69, 1.55 and 1.86 times, and those with 50, 100 and 200 ng/ml of NRG3 were 1.35, 1.54 and 2.11 times that of the control.

CONCLUSIONNRG1beta and NRG3 can promote the proliferation of mouse spermatogonia, and NRG is expected to be applied in the treatment of male infertility.

Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; pharmacology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Neuregulin-1 ; pharmacology ; Signal Transduction ; Spermatogonia ; cytology ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the association of FCGR2A gene single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs1801274 with Kawasaki disease (KD) susceptibility and the efficacy of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy in Han Chinese children.

METHODSThirty-five KD children and 25 age-and gender-matched healthy children (control group) were enrolled in the study. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and gene sequence analysis were applied to detect SNP of FCGR2A gene rs1801274. These KD patients were classified into two subgroups based on the presence of coronary artery lesion (CAL) following IVIG therapy: CAL (n=13) and non-CAL (n=22).

RESULTSFCGR2A gene SNP rs1801274 was detected in all subjects, including three genotypes (AA, AG and GG). For FCGR2A gene SNP rs1801274, there were significant differences in the genotype and allele frequencies between the KD and control groups (P<0.05), and significant differences in the genotype and allele frequencies were also found between the CAL and non-CAL subgroups (P<0.05). A allele and AA genotype were linked to an increased risk of KD susceptibility (A allele: OR=3.39, 95%CI:1.53-7.50; AA genotype: (OR=4.93, 95%CI:1.61-15.1). Both AG (OR=5.43, 95%CI:1.06-27.8) and G allele (OR=4.88, 95%CI:1.44-16.5) were linked to an increased risk of CAL in KD children.

CONCLUSIONSPolymorphism of the FCGR2A gene SNP rs1801274 is one of the important factors probably influencing susceptibility to KD and efficacy of IVIG therapy on KD in Han Chinese children.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Receptors, IgG ; genetics

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein ; genetics ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Codon ; genetics ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Fibromatosis, Aggressive ; genetics ; pathology ; Humans ; Mutation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; beta Catenin ; genetics

Objective To report outcomes of patients with PSA ≥ 30 μg/L with initial negative transperineal template-guided saturation biopsy (TTSB). Methods From 2003 to 2010,a total of 1824 patients underwent transperineal saturation biopsies with the prostate template at the Peking Union Medical College Hospital.44 of them had initial negative biopsy with PSA ≥ 30 μg/L were reviewed in this study.The mean age was 68 years old (range,51 to 80).The mean biopsy cores were 28.7 (range,11 to 44).The median PSA level was 40 μg/L (range,30 to 128),and the median prostate volume was 73 ml (range,30 to 190).They were divided into four groups:TURP group,chronic prostatitis group,repeat biopsy group and miscellaneous group. Results Patients were followed up for a mean of 49 months (range,12 to 91).All patients of TURP group (15 cases) were identified as prostatic hyperplasia by postoperative pathology.2 of them had a second TTSB for PSA ＞ 10 μg/L after TURP,which were negative.5 patients of chronic prostatitis group had a declining PSA level after antibiotic therapy for 3 to 4 weeks.One patient took a second biopsy,which was identified as prostatitis.All patients of repeat biopsy group (18 cases) showed no significant decrease in PSA level during follow-up and undertook biopsies 2 to 4 times,6 of which were proved to be prostate cancer.All patients of the miscellaneous group (6 cases) had a declining PSA and didn't take a second biopsy. Conclusions Close follow-up and regular PSA testing for patients who had a high PSA level with initial negative biopsy would be help to avoid both false negative of prostate cancer and unnecessary biopsy.

Objective To investigate the age-associated changes of ultrastructure,mRNA and protein expressions of H+-K+-ATPase in elderly gastric parietal cell. Methods Fifty patients with relative normal stomach without gastroduodenal diseases were enrolled,including younger group (aged 20-59 years,n=19) and elderly group (aged≥60 years,n=31).Furthermore,the elderly group was divided into 3 subgroups:60-69 years old (n =11 ),70-79 years old (n=10 ),above 80 years old (n =10).The ultrastructure of gastric parietal cell was observed under electron microscope.The expression of H+-K+-ATPase α subunit mRNA and H+-K+-ATPase β subunit protein were assessed by quantitative real-time PCR and Western-blot,respectively.The ageing-associated changes of all these data were respectively compared. Results No significant difference was showed in the morphology of gastric parietal cell and acid-secretion-associated organelles among all the groups.The average ratio Am to Ac (Am means the area of mitochondria,Ac means the area of cytoplasm) of gastric parietal cell and the average At to Ac ratio (At means the area of secretory canaliculi and tubulovesicular system )between younger group and elderly group had no significant difference[(48.4±7.5) ％ vs.(50.6±7.6) ％,t=-0.775,P=0.444; (13.8±4.1) ％ vs.(12.2±4.7) ％,t=0.984,P=0.332].Meanwhile,there were no distinctions in the expression of H+-K+ -ATPase α subunit mRNA and H+-K+-ATPase protein among all elderly subgroups(F=1.522,2.32,P=0.24,0.114).However,the mRNA expression of H+-K+-ATPase a subunit was higher in the elderly group than in the younger group(t=-3.682,P=0.001).Furthermore,the expression of H+ -K+ -ATPase protein in the elderly group was increased as compared with younger group(t=-3.389,P=0.004). Conclusions Acidsecretion-associated organelles of human gastric parietal cell have no degeneration and the expression of H + -K+-ATPase is in trend of increase with aging,indicating that healthy elderly people have the basis of ultrastructure and molecular biology to maintain well function of acid secretion.

Dietary Proteins ; administration & dosage ; Energy Intake ; Female ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Parenteral Nutrition ; Weight Gain

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are nuclear transcriptional factors closely related to glucose and lipid metabolism, insulin sensitivity. Activation of PPARs targets treated type 2 diabetes, obesity, hypertension and other metabolic diseases by insulin resistance. Recently, a variety of active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) have been proved to activate PPARs targets for improving insulin resistance, which has attracted widespread attention at home and abroad. In this paper, we reviewed the pathological mechanisms between insulin resistance and PPARs, and summarized the active ingredients of TCMs improved insulin resistance based on PPARs targets. This paper may provide some theoretical guidance for the development of new drugs and TCMs.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Insulin Resistance ; Metabolic Diseases ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; metabolism