Acute Disease ; Adult ; Ethylene Oxide ; poisoning ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of hypoxia on the human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells two pore domain potassium channels TASK-1 and the regulation of non-receptor tyrosine kinase c-Src in this process.

METHODSThe cultured human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (hPASMCs) were divided into: normal group, hypoxia 30 minute group, hypoxia 6 hours group and hypoxia 48 hour group, and hypoxia 48 hour + PP2 group, hypoxia 48 hour + PP3 group, hypoxia 48 hour + bpV group. Flow cytometry was used to analyze the cell cycle, RT-PCR and Western blot technique were carried out to detect the expression changes of TASK-1 mRNA and protein in different groups.

RESULTS(1) Cell Cycle Show: Compared with normal control group, with prolonged hypoxia, the percentages of hPASMCs in S phases of cell cycle were increased. While compared with hypoxia 48 hour group, the percentages of hypoxia 48 hour + PP2 group hPASMCs in S phases of cell cycle were decreased. The expression of TASK-1 mRNA on hPASMCs in acute hypoxia 6 hour group was increased, while the expression of TASK-1 protein on hPASMCs in the acute and chronic hypoxia group was decreased, and the expression of TASK-1 mRNA on hPASMCs in the chronic hypoxia group was decreased; After pre-incubation of a potent and selective inhibitor of the Src family of protein tyrosine kinases PP2, the expression of TASK-1 mRNA and protein in hypoxia 48 hour group was increased, however after pre-incubation of the inhibitor of the Src family of protein tyrosine phosphatase bpV, the expression of TASK-1 protein in hypoxia 48 hour group was decreased.

CONCLUSIONHypoxia promotes human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell proliferation, and non-receptor tyrosine kinase c-Src may participate in the expression of two pore domain potassium channels TASK-1 regulated by hypoxia. Therefore, we hypothesized that TASK-1 channels and c-Src participatein the acute and chronic hypoxic human pulmonary vasoconstriction.

Cell Hypoxia ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Humans ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; cytology ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; metabolism ; Potassium Channels, Tandem Pore Domain ; metabolism ; Pulmonary Artery ; cytology ; RNA, Messenger ; Vasoconstriction ; src-Family Kinases ; metabolism

Objective To detect the levels of five trace elements in whole blood of patients with Keshan disease(KSD) and dilated cardiomyopathy(DCM) and explore their role in the pathogenesis of KSD.Methods One hundred and four patients with chronic KSD were selected from Keshan diseased areas in Shandong,Sichuan and Inner Mongolia.Thirty patients with DCM were selected from Qilu Hospital of Shandong University,Jinan Central Hospital,The First People's Hospital.Ninety-one healthy people from KSD endemic areas and 39 healthy people from Jinan were selected as endemic healthy controls and non-endemic healthy controls,respectively.Blood samples were collected to determinate the level of selenium (Se),copper (Cu),zinc (Zn),chromium (Cr) and manganese (Mn) with fluorescence method and atomic absorption spectrometry,according to the principle of informed consent.Results The level of Se,Zn and Cr of KSD group[(36.0 + 4.9)μg/L,(22.73 + 4.62)mg/L,(0.56 + 0.17)mg/L] was significantly lower than that of non-endemic healthy controls [(56.4 ± 6.8)lμg/L,(25.35 ± 4.44)mg/L,(0.71 ± 0.17)mg/L,all P ＜ 0.05],but the level of Cu of KSD group[(0.95 ± 0.24)mg/L] was significantly higher than that of non-endemic healthy controls[(0.73 ± 0.13) mg/L,all P ＜ 0.05].The level of Se and Cr of KSD was significantly lower than that of endemic healthy controls[(54.5 ± 5.4)μg/L,(0.87 ± 0.02)mg/L,P ＜ 0.05],and Cu was significantly higher than that of endemic healthy controls[(0.66 ± 0.02)mg/L,P ＜ 0.05].The level of Cu and Zn of KSD was significantly lower than that of DCM [(1.21 ± 0.23)mg/L,(27.09 ± 7.10)mg/L,all P ＜ 0.01].The level of Se and Cr of DCM group[(39.6 ± 3.5)μg/L,(0.58 ± 0.14)mg/L] was significantly lower than that of non-endemic healthy controls(all P ＜ 0.01),but Cu[(1.21 + 0.23)mg/L] was significantly increased (P ＜ 0.01).Compared with non-endemic healthy controls,the level of Se of endemic healthy control group was significantly decreased (P ＜ 0.01),while Cu was significantly increased (P ＜ 0.01).Se,Zn and Cr level of KSD decreased gradually following elevated heart function level,but the level of Cu gradually increased.Conclusions The metabolism of Se,Cr,Cu and Zn is unbalanced in KSD patients,whose Se level is still lower than that of people in non-endemic areas.The change of Se,Cr,Cu and Mn level between KSD and DCM is consistent.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) on blood lead concentration and oxidative stress of tissue in prenatal and postnatal lead-exposed rats, and evaluate the potential reparation exerted by SAM on paired-pulse facilitation (PPF) and long-term potentiation (LTP) in lead-exposed rat.

METHODSPregnant Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: control, lead-exposed and lead-exposed with SAM treatment groups. Lead-exposed rats drank 1.5 g/L lead acetate solution through pregnancy until weaning and then the pups received 20 mg/kg SAM or saline daily intraperitoneally depending on their group. Control group rats drank tap water throughout the experiment. At the postnatal 44-60 days, all the pup rats were given an extracellular recording measured in dentate gyrus (DG) area of hippocampus. The blood lead concentration and oxidative stress in liver, brain and hippocampus were also detected.

RESULTSThe blood lead concentration in lead-exposed group was higher (159. 3 +/- 10. 9 microg/L) in comparing with those of control group (27.5 +/-3.8 microg/L) and lead +SAM group (33.1 +/-9.5 microg/L) (F=213.5, P<0.01). A significant recovery of liver, brain glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) level was clearly produced in lead-exposed rats after SAM treatment (P <0.05). Chronic lead exposure during development impaired LTP measured on field excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) [(112 +/-2.1)%] compared with control rats [(131+/-4.5)%] and the impaired LTP could be significantly increased by SAM treatment [(120 +/- 2.6)%] (F = 26. 1, P <0. 05).

CONCLUSIONSAM might be beneficial for treatment of lead intoxication, especially in the rescue of learning and memory impairment induced by lead and should deserve more detailed research.

Animals ; Brain ; metabolism ; Female ; Glutathione ; biosynthesis ; Lead ; blood ; Lead Poisoning ; prevention & control ; Long-Term Potentiation ; drug effects ; Male ; Maternal Exposure ; prevention & control ; Pregnancy ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; S-Adenosylmethionine ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the biomechanics of treatment for lumbar spondlolisthesis using nail-grooved tail steel plate and WDFC (Wendeng Fusion Cage) implant.

METHODSThere were nine permanent waist-sacrum wet bone (L3-S3) in 1 to 2 clay-cold hours including 6 men and 3 women. They were seldom separated into 3 groups, which were fixed by nail-grooved fail plus WDFC. The model was separate into two kinds for single and across. With electrometry, deal experiment date with Graftool software. Each piece should be tested twice respectively.

RESULTSThe single and across segment non-destructive compression experiment. No-mid-compression from 0 to 750 N,the related coefficient and curves had no obvious change on inclined rate. In the single segment curvedly serial experiment, the stress at all point measured by two sides steel plate-was mostly linear growth. In the across segment curvedly serial experiment, the inclined rate become big and appear anisomerous.

CONCLUSIONIt's proved by biomechanics that the steel plates with single furrow and cylinder wing plus WDFC has a good stability to cure lumbar vertebra slips.

Adult ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Bone Nails ; Bone Plates ; Female ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Spinal Fusion ; instrumentation ; Spondylolisthesis ; physiopathology ; surgery

Cryptosporidium andersoni ATP-binding cassette (CaABC) is an important membrane protein involved in substrate transport across the membrane. In this research, the nucleotide binding domain (NBD) of CaABC gene was amplified by PCR, and the eukaryotic expression vector of pEGFP-C1-CaNBD was reconstructed. Then, the recombinant plasmid of pEGFP-C1-CaNBD was transformed into the mouse intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) to study the iron transportation function of CaABC. The results indicated that NBD region of CaABC gene can significantly elevate the transport efficiency of Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, and HCO3 - in IECs (P<0.05). The significance of this study is to find the ATPase inhibitors for NBD region of CaABC gene and to inhibit ATP binding and nutrient transport of CaABC transporter. Thus, C. andersoni will be killed by inhibition of nutrient uptake. This will open up a new way for treatment of cryptosporidiosis.
ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters/*chemistry/*genetics/metabolism ; Adenosine Triphosphate/metabolism ; Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Calcium/metabolism ; *Cloning, Molecular ; Cryptosporidiosis/parasitology ; Cryptosporidium/chemistry/genetics/*metabolism ; Humans ; Iron/metabolism ; Mice ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Protein Structure, Tertiary ; Protozoan Proteins/*chemistry/*genetics/metabolism ; Sequence Alignment

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of combined vaccination with 200IU dose of HBIG and 20 μg of anti-HBV vaccine for the prevention of HBV vertical transmission in babies delivered by HBeAg + and highly viremic mothers and the HBV markers' dynamic changes in babies during follow-up.

METHODSHBeAg + mothers with HBV DNA ≥ to 1.0 × 6 log(10) copies/ml were enrolled and their babies were followed up until 12 months old. The infants received HBIG 200 IU IM in 24 hrs and on day 15, and 20 μg recombinant anti-HBV vaccine at 0, 1 and 6 months. The HBV markers and HBV DNA were tested at birth day, and 1, 7, 12 months after birth respectively. The vertical transmission rate at birth and intrauterine infection rate, the HBsAb positive rate and the HBV markers' dynamic changes during follow up were evaluated.

RESULTS(1) 29 out of 127 infants with HBsAg (+) at birth, 11 of which were HBV DNA (+), HBV perinatal transmission rate was 22.83%. 2 infants' HBsAg were positive at month 1 and became negative at month 7 and 10 infants were still HBsAg (+) and HBV DNA (+). HBV intrauterine infection rate was 7.87%. (2) The positive rate of HBeAg and HBcAb in uninfected infants were 96.58% and 98.29% respectively, which declined gradually to undetectable level after immunization. No infants were HBeAb (+). (3) Infants uninfected produced effective HBsAb after vaccination. The level of HBsAb elevated gradually, and the level of HBeAg decreased quickly even to undetectable.

CONCLUSIONThe combination vaccination of 200 IU HBIG with 20 μg recombinant anti-HBV vaccine in the Infants delivered by HBeAg (+) and highly viremic mothers reduced obviously the rate of perinatal transmission of HBV, enhanced largely the production of antibody against HBV surface antigen and dropped the maternal HBeAg and HBcAb in infants or even to negative.

Adult ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatitis Antibodies ; administration & dosage ; Hepatitis B ; prevention & control ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B Vaccines ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; blood ; Humans ; Immunization ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical ; prevention & control ; Pregnancy ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETuberculosis remains a severe public health issue, and the Beijing family of mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) is widespread in East Asia, especially in some areas in China, like Beijing and Tianjin. This study aimed at determining the mutation patterns of drug-resistant Beijing strains of M. tuberculosis isolated from Tianjin, China.

METHODSA total of 822 M. tuberculosis isolates were screened for drug resistance by an absolute concentration method and the genotype was identified by PCR. 169 drug-resistant isolates of the Beijing family were analyzed for the potential mutations in the rpoB, katG, inhA promoter region and in rpsL, rrs and embB genes, which are associated with resistance to rifampin (RFP), isoniazid (INH), streptomycin (SM) and ethambutol (EMB) respectively by PCR and DNA sequencing.

RESULTSFifty-eight out of 63 RFP-resistant isolates were found to carry the mutations within the 81-bp RFP resistance determining region (RRDR) of the rpoB gene and the most frequent mutations occurred at codon 531 (44.4%), 526 (28.6%), and 516 (7.9%) respectively. 16 mutation patterns affecting 12 different codons around the RRDR of rpoB were found. Of 116 INH-resistant isolates, 56 (48.3%) had the mutation of katG 315 (AGC-->ACC) (Ser-->Thr), 3 (2.6%) carried S315N (AGC-->AAC) and 27 (16.0%) had the mutation of inhA-15A-->T. 84 out of 122 SM-resistant isolates (68.9%) displayed mutations at the codons 43 or 88 with AAG-->AGG (Lys-->Arg) of the rpsL gene and 22 (18.0%) with the mutations at positions 513A-->C, 516C-->T or 905 A-->G in the rrs gene. Of 34 EMB-resistant isolates, 6 had mutation with M306V (ATG-->GTG), 3 with M306I (ATG-->ATT), 1 with M306I (ATG-->ATA), 1 with D328Y (GAT-->TAT), 1 with V348L (GTC-->CTC), and 1 with G406S (GGC-->AGC) in the embB gene.

CONCLUSIONThese novel findings extended our understanding of resistance-related mutations in the Beijing strains of M. tuberculosis and may provide a scientific basis for development of new strategies for diagnosis and control of tuberculosis in China and other countries where Beijing strains are prevalent.

Base Sequence ; China ; DNA Primers ; Drug Resistance, Microbial ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

AIM: Accommodation is one of the most important functions of human eye, while its mechanism is still under discussion. This paper aimed to study accommodation mechanism with numerical simulation.METHODS: A simulation model was constructed to study the mechanism of accommodation based on the experimental data derived from published resources. The displacement and pressure are applied on the model to study the deformation of lens during accommodating.RESULTS: The simulation showed that, as the eye was accommodating, the thickness of the lens increased linearly,and the lens diameter decreased linearly. The optical power of the lens increased as the accommodation increased. This result was accord with the public facts in accommodation.Furthermore, the pressure was found to have a great influence on the shape of the lens and the optical power. The lens became thinner and flatter as the pressure increased and the pressure caused a remarkable increase of lens' optical power.CONCLUSION: The outcome of this paper is consistent with the Helmholtz's hypothesis on accommodation to some extent. The analytical model presented in this paper can be used in the theoretical study of the accommodation mechanism of the human lens.

Aorta ; pathology ; surgery ; Aortopulmonary Septal Defect ; therapy ; Balloon Occlusion ; methods ; Catheterization, Swan-Ganz ; methods ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Pulmonary Artery ; pathology ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome