OBJECTIVETo construct an apparatus for the oxygen uptake measurement of rats exposed to hypobaric hypoxia at different simulated altitude.

METHODSThe capacity of this apparatus was about 0.01 m3. It included animal experimental cabin, reference cabin, altimeter, altitude vertical velocity indicator, pressure difference inductor and oxygen compensator, low scale manometer, soda lime and calcium chloride, small fan, thermometer, circulating water system and vacuum pump. The oxygen uptake of the rats at 6 000 m, 4 000 m and 1 000 m simulated altitude was measured using this apparatus.

RESULTSThe oxygen uptake of the rats at 50 m, 4 000 m and 6 000 m simulated altitude was (24.4 +/- 2.1), (10.8 +/- 2.0) and (8.8 +/- 1.6) ml O2/(kg x min) respectively (average +/- s, n = 10). The oxygen uptake decreased as altitude increased.

CONCLUSIONThis apparatus can be used to measure the oxygen uptake of the rats at different simulated altitude.

Altitude ; Altitude Sickness ; physiopathology ; Animals ; Computer Simulation ; Equipment and Supplies ; Hypoxia ; physiopathology ; Male ; Oxygen ; metabolism ; Oxygen Consumption ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical application of lung function analysis in diagnosis of children respiratory diseases.

METHODSRespiratory function was evaluated with portable lung function detector in 6 261 children with respiratory diseases. FEV1, FVC and PEFR were measured in 268 children with cough variant asthma (CVA) and 147 children with asthma (AS), and the results were self-compared during follow-up.

RESULTThere were no significant differences in above parameters between children with cough variant asthma and those with asthma (P>0.05). Lung functions of asthma children were improved evidently by administration of glycocorticoid inhalator (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONLung function detection is essential for diagnosis of asthma and it can be used as a reliable index for therapeutic effect of asthma children.

Adolescent ; Asthma ; physiopathology ; Child ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Respiration ; Respiratory Function Tests

Accidents, Occupational ; statistics & numerical data ; China ; epidemiology ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of leptin on collagen systhesis in wounded rats.

METHODSThirty male Wistar rats, weight (180 +/- 20)g, were randomly divided into three groups (n = 10) by weight: normal depilation group, wound control group and leptin treatment group and ten rats were included in each group. A full-thickness defect measuring 2 x 2.5 cm was made in the back of rats in wound control group and leptin treatment group. Each wound in rats of leptin treatment group was applied topically with 0.1 ml leptin solution (2.0 microg leptin), daily for 7 days and that of wound control group with equivalent saline solution. All rats were killed and then granulation tissues samples and skin were collected to examine the synthesis of collagen.

RESULTSHydroxyproline content in granulation tissues of in leptin treatment group (33.92 +/- 3.09) mg/g were significantly increased than those in control group (29.55 +/- 3.59 mg/g, P < 0.05). The mRNA expressions of collagen I and III were significantly enhanced in leptin treatment group (0.96 +/- 0.09, 0.09 +/- 0.06) than those in control group (0.80 +/- 0.03, 0.08 +/- 0.03). The levels of type I and III collagen were significantly increased in leptin treatment group than those in control group.

CONCLUSIONLeptin applied topically can accelerate wound healing through enhancing gene expression of type I and III collagen and synthesis of collagen in wound tissue.

Administration, Cutaneous ; Animals ; Collagen Type I ; genetics ; metabolism ; Collagen Type III ; genetics ; metabolism ; Leptin ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Wound Healing ; drug effects ; Wounds and Injuries ; drug therapy

Objective To explore the relationship between the incidence of hypoglycemia in infants of diabetic mothers and brain injury.Methods The incidence of 86 infants of diabetic mothers combined with hypoglycemia as well as the relationship time of persistent hypoglycemia of infants were studied.And the association of the incidence and degree of brain injury with the time of persistent hypoglycemia,complication of other diseases and symptomatic hypoglycemia was also investigated.Results Seventy-five cases of temporary hypoglycemia(87.2%),and 11 cases of frequent hypolycemia(12.8%)were observed in the study.In the group of unsatisfactory maternal blood glucose control cases,the incidence of frequent hypoglycemia was 19.4%;in the group of satisfactory maternal blood glucose control cases,the incidence of frequent hypoglycemia was 8%.The overall incidence of the brain injury and the incidence of severe brain injury in the group of frequent hypoglycemic cases were higher than those in the group of temporary hypoglycemic cases.The incidence of brain injury in cases complicated with other diseases(77.4%) and in those with clinical symptoms(81.2%) were significantly higher than those in without other diseases(48.5%) and clinical symptoms(57.4%)(Pa

Objective To investigate the geographical characteristics of single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP) of candidate genes associated with coronary artery disease in Chinese Han population.Methods Study population were Chinese Han nationality recruited from Xi'an,Shiyan and Ningbo districts.Patients with coronary artery disease were defined by coronary angiography with stenosis ≥ 50% and control subjects with stenosis ＜10%,respectively.The DNA was extracted from peripheral white blood cell by approach comprised proteinase K digestion,phenol and chloroform extraction as well as isopropanol precipitation.The SNP of ATP-binding cassette transporter(ABCA1)-G596A,cholesteryl ester transfer protein(CETP)-Taq1B,Lipoprotein lipase(LPL)-Hind Ⅲ and LPL-Pvu Ⅱ were genotyped by PCR-RFLPs,and verified by gene sequencing.Results A Total of 615 patients undertaken coronary angiography were recruited from cardiac center in Xi'an(220),Ningbo(209)and Shiyan district(186),China (mean age 60±10 years,75.9% males).Diabetes melitus was more prevalent in Xi'an Cohort population than Shiyan and Ningbo cohort(P＜0.01).Plasma total cholesterol,LDL cholestcol and trigtyceride levels in Xi'an Cohort population were significantly higher,and HDL-C siginificantly lower than in Shiyan and Ningbo cohort population [HDL-C:(1.17±0.48)mmol/L vs.(1.25±0.33)mmol/L and (1.29±0.44)mmol/L,P＜0.05].Distribution differences for ABCA1-G596A and CETP-Taq1B genotypes were found in Xi'an Cohort population compared to Ningbo and Shiyan cohorts(for ABCA1,Xi'an:0.24,0.53,0.23 and Shiyan:0.17,0.62,0.21 and Ningbo:0.34,0.37,0.29,for GG,AG,AA,respectively,P＜0.01;and for CETP,Xi'an:0.29,0.54,0.17 and Shiyan:0.38,0.40,0.22 and Ningbo:0.39,0.49,0.12 for B181,B182,B282,respectively,P＜0.01),but not for LPL variants.ABCA1-G596A variant predicted HDL-C [Xi'an:(1.2±0.3)mmol/L,(1.3±0.2)mmol/L and(1.4±0.4)mmol/L,P=0.01;Shiyan:(1.1±0.4)mmol/L:(1.2±0.3)mmol/L and(1.3±0.4)mmol/L,P=0.03;Ningbo,(1.2±0.3)mmol/L,(1.3±0.4)mmol/L and(1.4±0.3)mmol/L,across GG,Gato AA genotype,respectively,P=0.01]and TG levels[Xi'an:(2.4±1.3)mmol/L,(1.9±0.9)mmol/L and(1.6±0.8)mmol/L,P＜0.01;Shiyan:(2.1±1.0)mmol/L,(1.9±0.8)mmol/L and(1.8±0.7)mmol/L,P=0.03;Ningbo:(1.9±1.1) mmol/L,(1.8±0.9) mmol/L and(1.6±0.7)mmol/L,across GG,GA to AA genotype,P=0.05] with dose-dependent relationship.LPL-Hind Ⅲ(+)carriers had higher triglycerides in three cohort population[Xi'an:(2.2±1.0)mmol/L,(1.8±0.9)mmol/L,(1.6±0.7)mmol/L,P=0.01;Shiyan:(2.1±0.7)mmol/L,(1.9±1.0)mmol/L,(1.7±0.6)mmol/L,P=0.01;Ningbo:(1.8±1.0)mmol/L,(1.6±0.6)mmol/L and(1.4±0.5)mmol/L,for +/+,+/-and-/-genotypes,respectively,P=0.001].SNP of CETP-Taq1B,LPL-Hind Ⅲ and LPL-Pvu Ⅱ predicted HDL-C and/or TG levels in different cohort population with different manners.All these SNP were not significantly associated with the development of coronary artery disease (all P＞0.05).Conclusion A geographical heterogeneity of environmental and genetic risk factors related to the development of coronary artery disease exists in Chinese Han population.Irrespective of the different geographical cohort of Chinese Han population,the SNP of candidate genes can partly predict the differences in risk-related plasma HDL-C and/or TG levels rather than angiographic coronary artery disease.

Adult ; Deep Brain Stimulation ; Essential Tremor ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Subthalamic Nucleus ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the levels of cardiovascular disease risk factors and their relations to clinical phenotype associated with coronary artery disease (CAD).

METHODSThe subjects were recruited from five independent cardiovascular centers. Coronary angiography was employed to define the CAD with stenosis in each major vessel > or = 70% and control with stenosis < 10% in every lesion. The classic risk factors including family history, body mass index, smoking habits, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and serum lipid levels were surveyed according to established criteria. Associations between risk levels and clinical phenotypes were assessed by case control and correlation analysis.

RESULTSA total of 762 individuals were collected, including 481 men and 281 women, aged from 17 to 81 (mean 60 +/- 10) years. The patients with CAD accounted for 55.5% of all participants, and controls 44.5%, respectively. Compared with the pattern in published data, our study showed that mean serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level was significantly lower (P < 0.001) and triglycerides was significantly higher (P < 0.001), while total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were comparative (both P > 0.05). The prevalence of low HDL-C (< 40 g/L) and hypertriglyceridemia (> 150 g/L) were 27.2% and 41.4%, respectively. Mean serum levels of HDL-C and apolipoprotein A1 were significantly higher in female subjects than in male (P < 0.001). Lower HDL-C functioned as an independent risk factor for CAD only in men (RR = 2.8, 95% CI: 1.5-4. 2, P < 0.001), yet increased non-HDL cholesterol combined with diabetes mellitus and obesity seemed to play a key role in the development of CAD in women. Similarity in risk association with CAD was found for hypertension and TC/HDL ratio in male and female subjects, while family history had no relationship with the presence of CAD.

CONCLUSIONIt is remarkable that emphasis of intervention in future should be given on the prevalent low serum HDL-C and its strong risk correlation with the presence of CAD in male subjects of Chinese Han population.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; China ; epidemiology ; Coronary Artery Disease ; epidemiology ; Ethnic Groups ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUNDBladder cancer is a relatively common tumor in the urinary system, in which mitomycin C (MMC)-based chemotherapy or combination chemotherapy has been mainly used to treat patients with advanced bladder cancer. The prognosis of patients with advanced bladder cancer is still extremely poor in spite of recent therapeutic advances. To improve the prognosis, the sensitivity of tumor cells to mitomycin C by the induction of apoptosis with the abating heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) expression in human bladder cancer cell lines of BIU-87 was investigated.

METHODSHSP70 expression was abated in BIU-87 cells by HSP mRNA antisense oligomers. MTT assay and the clone-forming test were used for evaluating the sensitivity of cells to MMC. Apoptosis was assessed using both fluorescent microscopy after staining the cells with Hoechst 33258 and DNA fragment ladder agarose electrophoresis. Thirty-two male six-week-old BALB/c nude mice, at the beginning of the experiment, were used to evaluate the effect of antisense oligomers (ASO) on the tumor formation in vivo.

RESULTSHSP70 expression in BIU-87 was effectively abated by HSP70 mRNA antisense oligomers. The percentage of apoptotic cells in ASO group was greater than in sense oligomers (SO) [P < 0.05, (18.31 +/- 2.89)% vs (1.89 +/- 0.74)%], nonsense oligomers (NO) [P < 0.05, (18.31 +/- 2.89)% vs (1.78 +/- 0.92)%] and blank groups [P < 0.05, (18.31 +/- 2.89)% vs (1.87 +/- 0.84)%], while the sensitivity of tumor cells to mitomycin C was enhanced. The in vivo tumor inhibition rate of ASO plus MMC (> 50%) was more than that of ASO or MMC group alone (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe abating level of HSP70 expression can strengthen the sensitivity of BIU-87 to MMC. One of this effect might be related to the induction of apoptosis by abating HSP70 expression.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; drug effects ; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; physiology ; Humans ; Mitomycin ; pharmacology ; Oligodeoxyribonucleotides, Antisense ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology

Objective:To understand the viral genomic characteristics of a 2019-novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) strain in the first COVID-19 patient found in Hangzhou, China.Methods:Viral RNA was extracted in throat swab and sputum sample of the patient and was performed real-time reverse transcription PCR detection and obtained viral genome by high-throughput sequencing method. Phylogenetic analysis was conducted using 29 2019-nCoV genomes and 30 β-coronavirus genomes deposited in NCBI GenBank. Fifteen genomes from Wuhan were grouped by mutation sites and others were identified by Wuhan's or specific mutation sites.Results:A 29 833 bp length genome of the first 2019-nCoV strain in Hangzhou was obtained, covering full length of the coding regions of coronavirus. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the genome was closest to the genome of a bat SARS-like coronavirus strain RaTG13 with an identity of 96.11% (28 666/29 826). Among the genes between two genomes, E genes were highly conserved (99.56%), while S genes had lowest identity (92.87%). The genome sequence similarities among 29 strains from China (Hangzhou, Wuhan, and Shenzhen), Japan, USA, and Finland, were all more than 99.9%; however, some single nucleotide polymorphisms were identified in some strains.Conclusion:The genome of Hangzhou 2019-nCoV strain was very close to the genomes of strains from other cities in China and overseas collected at early epidemic phase. The 2019-nCoV genome sequencing method used in this paper provides an useful tool for monitoring variation of viral genes.