Objective To observe the earlier changes of left heart structure and function in patients with Grade 1 hypertension.Methods 65 patients with Grade 1 hypertension were measured on the left atrial diameter(LAD),left ventricular diameter,thickness of ventricular,mass index and evaluate the left ventricular systolic and diastolic function by UCG.Results Compaired to 50 normal controls,the LAD and left ventricular diastolic function of the patients(38.06?3.68 mm,0.72?0.11) was significantly different with those of 50 normal controls(29.86?3.08 mm,1.18?0.08)(P

Over-expression of APP and Swedish mutation could cause some familial early onset AD. In this study, a primary screening was conducted of effective small interference RNAs (siRNAs) targeted wild type APP (APPwt) and Swedish mutant APP (APPswe). One siRNA targeting APPwt and the other siRNA targeting APPswe were designed. All these siRNAs were endogenously expressed by siRNAs expressing plasmids. COS-7 cells were transiently co-transfected with APP-GFP recombinant plasmids and siRNA expression vector. The silencing effect of each siRNA was quantitatively assessed by the level of expression of green fluorescent protein (GFP). It was found that the siRNAs silenced APPwt and APPswe to different degrees. siRNA directed against APPswe was more effective in suppressing the expression of fusion gene of APPswe than that of APPwt. The silencing effect of siRNA directed against APPswe indicating allele-specific silencing property of the siRNAs. Therefore, siRNAs directed against APP play an important role both in the therapeutic study of Alzheimer disease and functional exploration ofAPP gene.

BACKGROUND: There has been increasing attention in the study of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (ALS)and bone metabolism, which is accompanied by osteopenia and osteoporosis. Interleukin(IL) -6, a cytokine that strongly promotes bone resorption, participates in the regulation of bone metablism.OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between changes of bone mineral density(BMD) and serum IL-6 content in AIS.DESIGN: A controlled non-randomized concurrent study involving patients with AIS and and healthy volunteers.SETTING: The clinic and wards of the department of spinal surgery of a university-affiliated hospital.PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-six patients with AIS(6 males and 30 females aged 12 to 18 years) were treated in the Department of Spinal Surgery, Drum Tower Hospital, Medical College of Nanjing University from July to October 2003, who had a Cobb angle ranging from 34° - 109° and curvature of the thoracic spine. Thirty-six healthy adolescent volunteers(7 males and 29 females within the range of 13 - 18 years old) served as the control group.METHODS: The BMD was measured at L2- L4 and the proximal femur;(including the femoral neck, greater trochanter and Ward' s triangle) by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and serum IL-6 determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① BMD of the lumbar spine and femur ② Comparison of serum IL-6 content of all the subjects.RESULTS: The BMD of AIS patients at L2- L4, femoral neck, greater trochanter and Ward' s triangle was 0.79±0. 12, 0.78±0. 12, 0.65± 0. 10, and 0. 69 ± 0. 13 g/cm2, respectively, all significantly lower than the corresponding measurements of the control group(1.09 ± 0. 11, 0.95 ± 0. 11,0. 78 ± 0. 10, and 0. 88 ± 0. 11 g/cm2, respectively, P ＜ 0. 001), whereas the serum IL-6 content in the patients was significantly higher than that in the control subjects ( P ＜ 0. 005). The changes of BMD at the lumbar spine and the three sites of femur were negatively correlated with serum IL-6 in AIS patients( P ＜ 0. 001 ), but not so in the control group( P ＞ 0.05).CONCLUSION: The BMD is decreased and serum IL-6 elevated in patients with AIS, and excessive secretion of IL-6 might be one of the important factors of osteopenia in AIS.

Objective To obtain a lasting and purified cell line of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) by primary culture, and to provide these test materials related research. Methods The primary and transfer culture was done by tissue - piece inoculationand trypsin digestion,respectively. The cells were frozen in liquid nitrogen,and cultured cells were identified by phase contrast microscopy and immunohistochemical SP kit. Results 85% of inoculated tissue pieces survived. More than 90% of VSMCs regrew in transfered culture. The frozen cells could recover their proliferation by several culture transfers. The VSMCs showed the typical "peak and valley" characteristics under microscopy. Immunohistochemical staining with antibody against SM - a - actin expression in these cells was positive. Conclusion The tissue - piece inoculation is a simple method for obtaining satisfactory VSMCs in short term.

Objective The study aimed to explore the relationship between AIF related pathway and the inju-ring of cultured SGNs (spiral ganglion neurons)by glutamate toxicity,and to find AIF expression and distribution changes in SGNs.Methods SGNs of 40 newborn rats within 3 day were obtained and cultured in vitro.Cultured cells were divided into four groups:the normal control group,10 mM,20 mM and 40 mM glutamate injured group, separately.After 48 h hours culturing,optical microscopy,immune fluorescence staining and real-time fluores-cence quantitative PCR were used to observe the morphology,AIF distribution,and AIF,calpain,Caspase3 expres-sion changes in SGNs in vitro.TUNEL was used to verify the cell apoptosis.ResuIts Noticeable morphological chan-ges and cell apoptosis were occurred in 20 mM glutamate group,with AIF nuclear translocation.AIF gene expression was significantly higher than normal after glutamate administration (P<0.05);moreover,calpain gene expression increased(P<0.05);but caspase3 expression was not statistically significantly increased in all glutamate treated groups (P>0.05). ConcIusion In the process of cultured SGNs injured by glutamate,AIF participated in the cell apoptosis.Noticeable cell apoptosis were occurred in 20 mM glutamate group with AIF nuclear translocation.Calpain up-expression also contributed to excitatory neurotransmitter injury on SGNs,but Caspase 3 had no obvious effects.

Twelve populations of Inula lineariifolia were used as materials to measure morphological characteristics, photosynthetic parameters and chemical constituents. It aims to provide a theoretical basis for germplasm resources evaluation. The results showed that I. lineariifolia had relatively rich morphological diversity, there were significant differences of morphological characteristics, photosynthetic parameters and chemical constituents among populations. There was positive correlation on morphological characteristics and P(n). Twelve populations were divided into three-type. The three populations of Xuyi, Mingguang and Fengyang were of narrower-longer leaf, bigger biomass,better photosynthetic and higher chemical constituents. Then they were classified for a similar group. It proved that the three populations were more suitable for cultivation and promotion.
Biomass ; China ; Flowers ; chemistry ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Inula ; chemistry ; classification ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Photosynthesis ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Plant Stems ; chemistry ; growth & development ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the synergic or antagonistic effect of needling acupoints Fengchi (GB 20) and Tianzhu (BL 10), and Jiaji C4-C6 (EX-B2) on vertebro-basilar insufficiency (VBI).

METHODSSelf-control method was used and 20 cases of VBI were respectively treated with acupuncture at Fengchi (GB 20) and Tianzhu (BL 10), Jiaji (EX-B2). Their combination and the changes of vertebro-basilar artery's (VBA) systolic velocity of blood flow was detected.

RESULTSThe VBA's systolic velocity of blood flow after acupuncture were increased in all the 3 groups (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), with no significant difference among the 3 groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture at Fengchi (GB 20) and Tianzhu (BL 10) or Jiaji (C4-C6 ) or their combination can increase VBA's systolic velocity of blood flow, improving blood supply of vertebro-basilar artery, but they have no synergic or antagonistic effects.

Objective To explore effect of endogeneous gangliosides(Gls) and integrin ?2?1 on protein phosphotyrosine expression of pp125 focal adhesion kinase (pp125FAK) after adhesion of SK-N-SH neuroblastoma cells to collagen(Col).Methods SK-N-SH cell line with high expression of integrin ?2?1 was cultured in presence of D-threo-1-phenyl-2-decanolamino-3-morphinoline-1-propanol(D-PDMP).Effect of endogeneous Gls,anti-?2 and anti-?1 monoclonal antibody on protein phosphotyrosine expression of pp125FAK during adhesion of SK-N-SH cells to Col were determined by immunoprecipitate and Western blotting.Results After 6 days,endogenous Gls in cells were almost depleted.Gls-depletion,anti?2 and anti-?1 monoclonal antibody were able to decrease pp125FAK expression of SK-N-SH cells adherent to Col respectively.GD2,the major component of neuroblastoma cell Gls could reco-ver pp125FAK expression to a certain degree.Conclusions Endogenous tumor Gls regulate protein phosphotyrosine expression of pp125FAK during adhesion of neuroblastoma cells to Col.It is suggested that tumor Gls may increase signal transduction of tumor cell integrin ?2?1 by increasing tyrosine phosphorylation of pp125FAK.

binding,cellular organelle membrane,and cellular metabolic process of GO enrichment.For the KEGG pathways, the target genes mainly concentrated on the focal adhesion pathway.Conclusion There is a different expression of novel microRNA between SLE and NC groups.The target genes from differently-expressed novel microRNA may play an important role in the pathogenesis of SLE and clinical symptoms and may be the unique target for further research.

Mercury is one of the common heavy-metal toxins,which can cause damage throughout the body in a variety of ways. Cases of renal toxicity of mercury poisoning are increasing clinically. However,little is known about nephrotoxicity mechanisms,and treatment remains unsatisfactory. The mechanism of mercury toxic nephropathy is reviewed in this paper,including the direct toxic effect on the kidney,the injury to the biomembrane system,generation of Hg-metallothionein,imbalance of intra?cellular calciumion,oxidative damage,induced apoptosis,and immune injury. Besides,the mechanism and limitation of common therapies,potential developments of the field are discussed. This review will facilitate further investigations therapies about both the mechanism and treatment of mercury toxic nephropathy.