BACKGROUNDProliferation, cell migration and phenotypic modulation of airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) are important features of airway remodelling in asthma. The precise cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate ASMCs proliferation, migration and phenotypic modulation in the lung remain unknown. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), a highly specific chemotactic and mitogenic factor for many cell types, appears to be involved in the development of airway remodelling. Our study assessed whether bFGF directly stimulates the proliferation, migration and phenotypic modulation of ASMCs.

METHODSConfluent and growth arrested human ASMCs were treated with human recombinant FGF. Proliferation was measured by BrdU incorporation and cell counting. Migration was examined using Boyden chamber apparatus. Expressions of smooth muscle (sm)-alpha-actin and sm-myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform 1 were determined by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis.

RESULTSIt was found that hrbFGF (10 ng/ml), when added to ASMCs, induced a significant increase in BrdU uptake and cell number by ASMCs as compared to controls and a significant increase in ASMCs migration with respect to controls. The mRNA and protein expressions of sm-alpha-actin and sm-MHC in ASMCs that were stimulated with hrbFGF decreased with respect to controls.

CONCLUSIONIt appears that bFGF can directly stimulate proliferation and migration of ASMCs, however, the expressions of cells' contractive phenotype decreased.

Actins ; analysis ; genetics ; Bronchi ; cytology ; drug effects ; physiology ; Cell Movement ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Major Histocompatibility Complex ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; drug effects ; Phenotype ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo explore the significance of karyotype analysis in screening sperm donors.

METHODSFrom January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2008, a total of 2537 potential sperm donors passed our preliminary screening, and all were routinely karyo-typed via peripheral blood. Follow-ups were conducted on the pregnancy outcome and congenital malformation after artificial insemination with the sperm from the qualified donors.

RESULTSAmong the 2537 qualified sperm donors, 2362 were of the normal karyotype 46, XY and 135 showed polymorphism. Abnormal karyotype was found in 6 cases, and controversial abnormal karyotype in 34.

CONCLUSIONKaryotype analysis can reduce the risk of chromosomal disease in neonates from artificial insemination, and genetic counseling for abnormal karyotype sperm donors may help them solve their future reproductive problems.

Adult ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Chromosome Disorders ; prevention & control ; Genetic Testing ; Gonadal Dysgenesis, 46,XY ; genetics ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Karyotyping ; Male ; Sperm Banks ; Tissue Donors ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the seroprevalence of anti-HAV IgG in adults of 4 cities in China.

METHODSSerum samples were collected from 2390 local residents aged between 20 to 88 years from Beijing, Shanghai, Wuhan and Guangzhou. The anti-HAV IgG in sera was detected with a microparticle enzyme immunoassay (MEIA).

RESULTSThe anti-HAV IgG seroprevalence in female of 30 to 39 years in Beijing (64.58%, 62/96) was higher than that in male (45.57% 36/79)) (x(2) = 6.358, P = 0.012). It increased with age in adults of Beijing and Guangzhou. The rates were 54.22 % (90/166), 56.00% (98/175) and 67.18% (88/131) for the 20-, 30- and 40-49 age groups in Beijing (x(2) = 4.76, P = 0.03); and 52.83% (56/106), 52.50% (63/120), 82.46% (94/114), 89.80% (88/98) and 96.77% (60/62) for the 20-, 30-, 40-, 50- and 60-88 age groups in Guangzhou, respectively (x(2) = 72.58, P less than 0.01). This trend was not found in Shanghai and Wuhan (x2 = 0.96, 2.99; P = 0.33, 0.08 respectively). The seroprevalence rates of anti-HAV IgG in the 20 to 39 age group of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Wuhan were 55.13% (188/341), 63.93% (429/671), 52.65% (119/226) and 78.37% (308/393), respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe seroprevalence rates of anti-HAV IgG in young adults aged 20 to 39 years of the four cities are relatively low, and HAV vaccination should be suggested for the susceptible population of this age group in China.

Adult ; Age Distribution ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Hepatitis A ; epidemiology ; immunology ; prevention & control ; Hepatitis A Antibodies ; blood ; Hepatitis A Virus, Human ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Sex Distribution ; Urban Population ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDThe incidence of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) appeared to be increasing in China, but very few nosocomial outbreaks have been reported. Our hospital had experienced an outbreak of VRE since March 2008 to March 2009. The objective of this study was to analyze the molecular features of the isolates and the control measures used to eradicate a VRE outbreak in a tertiary institution in China.

METHODSWe characterized VRE isolates from 21 infected and 11 colonized inpatients from a single hospital by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), multilocus sequence typing (MLST), the analysis of Tn1546-like elements and virulence genes detection. Infection control measures, including more environmental disinfection, screening for VRE colonization, contact precautions, education and strict antibiotic restriction, were implemented to control the outbreak.

RESULTSDuring the outbreak, a total of 32 VRE strains were obtained. There were 21 strains found in Emergency Intensive Care Unit (EICU), 9 isolates from Geriatric Ward, and two from other units. All the isolates harbored the vanA gene, however, four of them exhibited the VanB phenotype. Meanwhile, MLST analysis revealed that all isolates belonged to clonal complex (CC) 17. With the infection-control measures, the epidemic was constrained in two units (EICU and Geriatric Ward). After March 2009, no further case infected with VRE was detected in the following one-year period.

CONCLUSIONThe outbreak was controlled by continuous implementation of the infection control programme, and more rigorous infection control policy is needed.

China ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field ; Enterococcus faecium ; drug effects ; genetics ; pathogenicity ; Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections ; microbiology ; transmission ; Hospitals ; Humans ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Multilocus Sequence Typing ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Vancomycin Resistance ; genetics ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of chloride channels on the regulation of platelet cytoplasmic free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) and platelet aggregation (PAG).

METHODSFreshly separated platelets were activated by thrombin. Chloride channel blockers DIDS or NFA and calcium channel blockers SK&F96365 or nifedipine were added to study the effects on platelet [Ca2+]i and PAG by a single reagent or the combination of reagents and find out the interactions among DIDS, NFA, SK&F96365 and nifedipine.

RESULTSBoth DIDS and NFA could inhibit the thrombin (1 U/ml) induced PAG in a dose-dependent manner, whereas had little effect on resting [Ca2+]i. As compared with the control group, DIDS, SK&F96365 and Nifedipine could significantly reduce the PAG, Ca2+ release and Ca2+ influx in thrombin activated platelet (P < 0.05). The combination of DIDS and SK&F96365 had greater effects in reducing the PAG, Ca2+ release and Ca2+ influx than either reagent alone (P < 0.05). The combination of DIDS and nifedipine also had greater effect than each alone in reducing Ca2+ release (P < 0.05). The combination of NFA and SK&F96365 weakened each other's effect on Ca2+ release (P < 0.05), while NFA and nifedipine weakened each other's effects on PAG, Ca2+ release and Ca2+ influx in thrombin activated platelet (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONDIDS and NFA have no effect on the resting [Ca2+]i and the leak calcium influx of platelet. DIDS can inhibit the Ca2+ release, Ca2+ influx and PAG of platelet induced by thrombin, while NFA can only inhibit the Ca2+ release. The chloride channel and calcium channel blockers have interactions in affecting resting [Ca2+]i and PAG of platelet. The opening of chloride channel can influence the cellular calcium movement of platelet.

4,4'-Diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-Disulfonic Acid ; pharmacology ; Adult ; Blood Platelets ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Calcium Channel Blockers ; pharmacology ; Cells, Cultured ; Chloride Channels ; antagonists & inhibitors ; physiology ; Cytoplasm ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Drug Interactions ; Humans ; Imidazoles ; pharmacology ; Nifedipine ; pharmacology ; Niflumic Acid ; pharmacology ; Platelet Aggregation ; drug effects ; Thrombin ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) on capability of learning and memory and the content of amino acid neurotransmitters in hippocampus of rats.

METHODSThirty-two healthy, male SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups according to their weights after intubated into ventricles: the solvent control group, 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 mmol/L groups. 10 microl of B[a]P olive oil solutions, of different concentrations 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 mmol/L, were injected into rats' lateral ventricles, respectively. Rats in the solvent control group were injected into the same volume of olive oil as that in B[a]P group. Rats' capability of learning and memory was tested by Morris water maze. The content of amino acid neurotransmitters in rats' hippocampus were determined by high performance liquid chromatogram with a fluorescence detector.

RESULTSCompared with the controls, the performances of learning and memory of rats decreased significantly in B[a]P treated groups (P<0.01). Levels of glutamate (Glu) were lower significantly in treated groups than that in controls (P<0.01). No significant differences were found in contents of aspartic acid (Asp), glycine (Gly) and aminobutyric acid (GABA) among the four groups.

CONCLUSIONB[a]P can damage rats' spatial learning and memory, and which could be related to decreased contents of excitatory amino acids in hippocampus.

Amino Acids ; metabolism ; Animals ; Benzo(a)pyrene ; toxicity ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Maze Learning ; drug effects ; Memory ; drug effects ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

BACKGROUNDThe body mass index, airflow obstruction, dyspnea, and exercise capacity (BODE) index was shown at predicting the risk of death, exacerbation and disease severity among patients with COPD, but few studies verified relationship between BODE index and health related quality of life (HRQoL) among Chinese COPD patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between BODE index and HRQoL in cross-sectional and longitudinal association analyses.

METHODSA multi-center prospective cohort study was initially conducted in 491 stable COPD patients in Beijing, China. Health status (HRQoL) was assessed by St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ); the BODE index was calculated for each patient; dyspnea was assessed using the 5-grade Medical Research Council dyspnea scale. Other measurements included socio-demographic, body mass index (BMI), lung function test and 6-minute-walk test (6MWT). Patients were then followed monthly for 12 months.

RESULTSOnly 450 patients completed the 1-year follow up and were enrolled in our present analyses. Mean age was (65.2 +/- 10.6) years, men 309 (68.7%). The BODE index was categorized into 4 subgroups: 0 - 2, 3 - 4, 5 - 6 and 7 - 10. At baseline BODE index was gradually increased with baseline total SGRQ and SGRQ subscales (P trend < 0.001). For individual components of BODE index, with the decrease of airflow limitation, and 6MWD, and with the increase of Medical Research Council (MRC) dyspnea grade, total SGRQ and SGRQ subscales were increased correspondingly, P trend < 0.05, respectively. Similar association patterns were found between baseline BODE index and its individual components and mean SGRQ scores at the end of 1-year follow up. By multiple linear regression analyses, baseline BODE index was not only significantly associated with SGRQ score at baseline but also with SGRQ score at the end of 1-year follow up after adjustment for age, male, current smoking, betas being 0.434 and 0.378, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSBODE index is associated with SGRQ score cross-sectionally and longitudinally among stable COPD patients. BODE index might have potential to be used as a sensitive tool to assess the status of quality of life and to monitor disease progression among stable COPD patients.

Aged ; Body Mass Index ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Dyspnea ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Exercise Tolerance ; physiology ; Female ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Longitudinal Studies ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Quality of Life ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Smoking ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUNDAstigmatism is one of the most significant obstacles for achieving satisfactory visual function. This study was to evaluate the influence of astigmatism on contrast sensitivity (CS) and higher-order aberrations.

METHODSCS, accommodation response and wavefront aberration were measured in 113 patients with astigmatism, aged 18 - 36 years. Both single and binocular visual performance were examined under four lighting conditions: photopia, photopia with glare, scotopia and scotopia with glare respectively. Accommodation response was classified as normal, abnormal and low. The contribution of the power and axis of astigmatism to CS, accommodation response and wavefront aberration was analyzed.

RESULTSAs the dioptric power of astigmatism increased, the loss of CS spatial frequency changed from high to intermediate, and then to low frequency. CS scores varied at different illuminance levels, descending in the following sequence: photopia, photopia with glare, scotopia, and scotopia with glare. However, the normal accommodation group showed better CS values under photopia with glare than without glare. The range of influenced direction of sine-wave gratings remained mostly at the meridian line of high dioptric power, which would be expanded when optical accommadation attenuated. The patients with symmetrical astigmatism got higher CS scores with binoculus vision than with dominant eye vision, while the patients with asymmetrical astigmatism did this only at scotopia with glare. Among higher-order aberrations, coma aberration, secondary coma aberration and the total higher order aberration were influenced by astigmatism, all of which rising with the power of astigmatism increased.

CONCLUSIONSReducing astigmatism might improve the performance of visual function. Not only the power of astigmatism should be cut down, but also the binocular axes should be made symmetrically.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Astigmatism ; physiopathology ; Contrast Sensitivity ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Vision, Ocular

4,4'-Diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-Disulfonic Acid ; pharmacology ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Blood Platelets ; metabolism ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Chloride Channels ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Cytosol ; metabolism ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Niflumic Acid ; pharmacology ; Oligopeptides ; pharmacology ; Platelet Aggregation ; drug effects ; Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex ; antagonists & inhibitors