OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effect and anticoagulation effect of polysaccharides from the sea cucumber (PSU) on acute incomplete cerebral ischemia (AICI).

METHODSAdult SD rats were randomly divided into 5 group (n = 12): sham operation group, model group, low-dose (30 mg/(kg x d)), middle-dose (60 mg/(kg x d)) and high-dose (120 mg/(kg x d)) groups. The cerebral ischemia rat model was established by permanently ligating the common carotid arteries on both sides of rats. We observed the change of behavior disturbance, brain water content, the levels of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) as well as the effects on prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), thrombin time (TT), fibrinogen(FIB).

RESULTSDue to the use of polysaccharides, the behavioral disturbance was improved, brain water content and the levels of serum CRP were significantly decreased. Also PSU significantly prolonged APTT, TT and reduced the content of FIB (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONPSU has protective effect on acute incomplete cerebral ischemia injured rats and significant anticoagulation effect.

Animals ; Anticoagulants ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Brain ; metabolism ; Brain Ischemia ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Male ; Polysaccharides ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sea Cucumbers ; Thrombin Time

OBJECTIVETo probe into a better therapy for primary trigeminal neuralgia.

METHODSEighty-six cases were randomly divided into an observation group (n = 46) and a control group (n = 40). The observation group were treated with the three-combination needling method, i. e. acupuncture, acupoint-injection and fire-needle therapy, and the control group with acupuncture and acupoint-injection. After treatment of 2 courses, their therapeutic effects were assessed.

RESULTSThe total effective rate of 93.5% and the cured rate of 60.9% in the observation group were better than 65.0% and 22.5% in the control group, with significant differences (both P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe three-combination needling method has obvious clinical therapeutic effect on primary trigeminal neuralgia.

Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Trigeminal Neuralgia ; diagnosis ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo study the HLA-DRB1 genetic polymorphism in the Ewenki of Inner mongolia.

METHODSHLA-DRB1 allele polymorphisms in 84 normal Ewenki were determined by PCR with sequencing based typing (SBT).

RESULTSTwenty-five HLA-DRB1 alleles were observed. The allele frequency of HLA-DRB1*03011(14.88%) is the highest; the allele frequencies of HLA -DRB1*09012 (13.69%), DRB1*07011(8.92%), DRB1*04011(9.52%) and DRB1*12011(8.33%) are lower.

CONCLUSIONThe distribution of HLA-DRB1 alleles frequencies in normal Ewenki from Inner Mongolia exhibits a unique profile, which is of important reference value for studies on anthropology and related illnesses in Ewenki population.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; China ; ethnology ; Ethnic Groups ; HLA-DR Antigens ; genetics ; HLA-DRB1 Chains ; Humans ; Polymorphism, Genetic

Antibody against the angiotensin AT1 receptor (AT1-Ab) could disturb placental development. The placenta is the key organ between mother and fetus. Placental damage will seriously impair fetal growth and development in utero, leading to intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Based on the fetal origins of adult disease (FOAD) hypothesis, IUGR could increase a propensity to develop adult onset cardiovascular disease (CVD). The present study was designed to determine whether vascular function has changed in the adult offspring of AT1-Ab positive pregnant rats. Twenty four female rats (8-week-old, AT1-Ab negative) were randomly divided into two groups, immunized and vehicle groups. Immunized group received active immunization to establish AT1-Ab-positive model, while vehicle group was subjected to Freund's adjuvant without antigen. After 8 weeks of immunization, the antibody titers in sera from the female rats were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Then all the female rats were mated with normal Wistar male rats and became pregnant. Immunized/vehicle group offspring rats (I offspring/V offspring) were raised to 40-week-old under standard chow feeding. Then the two groups' offspring rats were given a high-salt diet for 12 weeks (4% NaCl in chow feeding). Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured dynamically by noninvasive blood pressure system. The vascular ring experiment was performed to detect vascular function and reactivity. As detected by ELISA, the titers of antibody peaked at the 8th week (OD values: 2.75 ± 0.08 vs 0.33 ± 0.01, P < 0.01 vs vehicle group at the same time point). There was no significant difference of SBP between the two groups' offspring rats during the high-salt diet (P > 0.05). Isolated thoracic aortic rings of I offspring had significantly decreased constriction under norepinephrine treatment (P < 0.01 vs V offspring) and significantly decreased dilation under acetylcholine treatment (P < 0.05 vs V offspring). These results suggest that the offspring of AT1-Ab-positive pregnant rats are more susceptible to vascular functional abnormality while being fed high-salt diet.
Animals ; Antibodies ; blood ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Disease Susceptibility ; Female ; Fetal Growth Retardation ; physiopathology ; Immunization ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1 ; immunology ; Sodium Chloride, Dietary ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects

OBJECTIVETo observe the association between baseline pulse pressure (PP) level and new-onset cardio-cerebrovascular events in diabetic population.

METHODSPhysical examination data between July 2006 to October 2007 from a total of 101 510 employees of Kailuan Group were reviewed, 8306 subjects with a fasting plasma glucose level of ≥ 7.0 mmol/L or with confirmed diabetes diagnosis and were enrolled in this prospective cohort study. Subjects were followed up for 38-53 (48.1 ± 3.1) months and the cardio-cerebrovascular events were obtained every six months, association between baseline PP and new-onset cardio-cerebrovascular events in the diabetic population were analyzed.

RESULTS(1) Incidences of total cardio-cerebrovascular events in the PP groups were 3.4%, 2.8%, 4.5%, 6.4%, respectively. Incidences of cerebral infarction events and myocardial infarction were 2.1%, 1.6%, 2.9%, 3.9% and 1.1%, 0.7%, 1.0%, 1.7%, respectively. (2) Multivariate Cox's proportional hazards regression analysis indicated that baseline PP group was the risk factor for total cardio-cerebrovascular events, cerebral infarction events and myocardial infarction, and the risk for all the events of the PP ≥ 60 mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa) group was increasing. The values of RR(95%CI) were 1.88 (95%CI 1.34-2.65, P < 0.01), 1.92 (95%CI 1.23-2.99, P < 0.01) and 1.52 (95%CI 0.82-2.81, P > 0.05) after adjust the other factors.(3) In line with increasing level of baseline PP, age, BMI, SBP, DBP, HDL-C, and hs-CRP levels significantly increased in this diabetic population (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe level of high baseline PP is a risk factor for new-onset cardio-cerebrovascular events in diabetic population.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Blood Pressure ; physiology ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; etiology ; Diabetes Mellitus ; physiopathology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the predictive value of baseline serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein for the first cardio-cerebral vascular event in the population with diabetes.

METHODIn this prospective cohort study, a total of 101 510 employees of Kai Luan Group, who received healthy examination from July 2006 to October 2007, were screened and 7865 subjects with fasting plasma glucose ≥ 7.0 mmol/L or known diabetes mellitus and under insulin or hypoglycemic drugs therapy were followed up for 38 - 53 (48.02 ± 3.14) months.

RESULTS(1) Incidence rates of total cardio-cerebral vascular events, cerebral infarction and myocardial infarction increased in proportion to increased levels of baseline hsCRP (P < 0.01). After adjusting for age, gender, body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and cigarette smoking, multivariate Cox's proportional hazards regression analysis indicated that the individuals in the highest quartile of hsCRP levels group (hsCRP ≥ 2.50 mg/L) had an increased risk of total cardio-cerebral vascular events (RR: 1.64, 95% CI: 1.20 - 2.24), cerebral infarction (RR: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.03 - 2.24), myocardial infarction (RR: 2.57, 95% CI: 1.34 - 4.91) compared with those in the lowest quartile group (hsCRP < 0.41 mg/L). (2) Higher baseline hsCRP levels were associated with aging, female gender, higher BMI, SBP, DBP, fasting blood glucose, TC, TG, LDL-C levels and lower HDL-C levels (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBaseline hsCRP level is associated with increased first cardio-cerebral vascular event in the population with diabetes.

Aged ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; etiology ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo analyze the factors affecting the accuracy of Osaka formula multiparameter ultrasound-based fetal mass estimation, thereby establishing new formulas to improve the accuracy of the estimation.

METHODSA retrospective review was conducted among 519 healthy women with singleton pregnancy. Three days before the delivery (between 37 and 42 weeks' gestation), ultrasonic measurement of the fetal weight and other indices of the fetus was routinely performed. Correlation and multiple linear stepwise regression analysis were used to correct the 3 equations, which, along with Osaka University formula, were used to predict another 219 fetuses' birth weight. The coincidence rate of the predicted value and with the actual birth weight, and the absolute error and relative error were compared between the equations.

RESULTSThe fetal abdominal area (AA) and abdominal circumference (AC) showed the most conspicuous influence on the estimated fetal birth weight, and fetal humerus length (HL) was more sensitive than femur length (FL) for the estimation. Three new regression equations were established, among which the equation 2 (fetal birth weight=1082.859+4.116xAAxHL) showed the best accuracy in clinical prediction.

CONCLUSIONAA,AC and HL are more sensitive indices for estimation of the fetal birth weight, and the equation 2 established in this study still awaits further verification for its clinical value.

Abdomen ; diagnostic imaging ; Anthropometry ; methods ; Female ; Fetal Weight ; Humans ; Humerus ; diagnostic imaging ; Pregnancy ; Reference Values ; Regression Analysis ; Retrospective Studies ; Ultrasonography, Prenatal ; methods

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between renal tubular cells transdifferentiation and chronic renal interstitial fibrosis induced by Fangchi Extract in rat.

METHODThe chronic renal interstitial fibrosis rat model was made by giving Radix Aristolochiae Fangchi extract (RAFE) and aristolichic acid (AA) respectively to rats through infusing stomach about 22 weeks discontinuously. Through immunnal histochemistry methods, investigating the expression of symbol proteins: Cytokine( CK) , alpha-Smooth muscle actin ( alpha-SMA) and Vimentin, and also the important fibrosis inducing factor-Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta1 )on renal tubular cells.

RESULTIn RAFE and AA Groups, the expression of CK on renal tubular cells is declined comparing with the Control Group, and the enhanced expression of alpha-SMA and Vimentin can be observed on tubular cells. The expression of TGF-beta1 on renal tubular cells stronglhy increased, too.

CONCLUSIONPart of the renal tubular cells was transdifferentiated into myofibroblasts. Renal tubular cells may participate the occurance of chronic renal interstitial fibrosis, TGF-beta1 may accelerate the transdifferentiation of tubular cells.

Actins ; metabolism ; Animals ; Aristolochia ; chemistry ; Aristolochic Acids ; isolation & purification ; toxicity ; Cell Transdifferentiation ; drug effects ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; toxicity ; Epithelial Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Fibrosis ; Kidney Diseases ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Kidney Tubules ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Plant Extracts ; isolation & purification ; therapeutic use ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism ; Vimentin ; metabolism

Aliquots of venous blood from healthy donor were collected in plastic blood storage bags with ACD, GMA or antioxidant solution (superoxide dismutase, SOD), respectively, and stored at 4 degrees C. After storage for varying periods, the parameters of the blood were detected in the blood samples. Results showed that the parameters of the blood stored at 4 degrees C for 75 days in SOD group were following: the recovery of RBC-Hb was 87.2%, plasma-Hb (mg/L) was 193.2, P50 (mmHg) was 34.0 (normal value was 33.1); deformability (DImax) was 0.2413 (74.3% of normal value). There was no evident hemolysis, color change, air bubble and clots. It was concluded that human RBC stored at 4 degrees C for 75 days with SOD solution, recovery of levels of RBC-Hb and plasma-Hb were accorded with the requirements of "Basic Demands of Blood Station" in China.
Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Blood Preservation ; methods ; Cold Temperature ; Erythrocyte Deformability ; drug effects ; Erythrocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Free Radical Scavengers ; pharmacology ; Hemoglobins ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Superoxide Dismutase ; pharmacology ; Time Factors

The hemagglutinin (HA) gene from H5N1 avian influenza virus and the chicken interleukin 2 (chiIL-2) gene were inserted into a expressing vector p12LS to construct a recombinant transferring vector p12LSH5AIL2, in which HA gene under the control of the promoter Ps was in inverse tandem connection with the chiIL-2 gene under the control of the promoter PE/L. The p12LSH5AIL2 was then used to transfect the chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEF) pre-infected with a wild-type fowlpox virus 282E4 strain, to generate a recombinant fowlpox virus coexpressing the inserted HA and chiIL2 genes (rFPV-H5AIL2). The rFPV-H5AIL2 was obtained and purified by blue plaque screening on the CEF. The in vitro expression of HA gene by rFPV-H5AIL2 was detected in the recombinant fowlpox virus-infected CEFs with an indirect immunofluorescence assay, and the expression of the chiIL2 gene by rFPV-H5AIL2 was confirmed by detection of the chiIL2 mRNA by RT-PCR and by detection of chiIL2 by the indirect immunofluorescence assay. Experiments on SPF and commercial chickens demonstrated that the titer for HI antibodies induced by the rFPV-H5AIL2 was significantly higher than that by the rFPV-HA. The group immunized with the rFPV-H5AIL2 exhibited the similar ratios of protective efficacy and virus shedding as the group immunized with the rFPV-HA in SPF chicken. However, in commercial chicken, the group immunized with the rFPV-H5AIL2 generated significantly higher protection against H5N1 avian influenza virus challenge and lower virus shedding than the group immunized with the rFPV-HA. This study paved the way for further development of a new AIV recombinant vaccine.
Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Chick Embryo ; Chickens ; Fowlpox virus ; genetics ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; Genetic Engineering ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Hemagglutinins ; genetics ; immunology ; Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype ; genetics ; immunology ; Influenza in Birds ; immunology ; virology ; Interleukin-2 ; genetics ; immunology ; Random Allocation