OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of Bushen Huoxue Compound (BHC) on lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage, expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF mRNA in retinal Muller cells under high glucose condition or advanced glycosylation end products (AGEs) condition by using serum pharmacological method.

METHODSThe retinal Müller cells of 5-7 days post-natal Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were cultured with modified enzyme-digestion method. Purified retinal Muller cells were cultured in normal conditions, high glucose condition (50 mmol/L) or AGEs (50 mg/L and 100 mg/L) conditions, and BHC-containing serum was added to culture medium. The LDH leakage and VEGF expressions were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In addition, the relative expression of VEGF mRNA was tested by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSCompared with the normal control group, expressions of VEGF and VEGF mRNA were significantly increased in the high glucose group, the low dose AGEs group and the high dose AGEs group (all P < 0.01). The LDH leakage was obviously increased in the high dose AGEs group, when compared with the normal control group and the high glucose group (P < 0.01). The LDH leakage, expressions of VEGF and VEGF mRNA were obviously decreased by BHC-containing serum both in high glucose and AGEs conditions (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). BHC-containing serum had no significant effect on the LDH leakage and expressions of VEGF and VEGF mRNA in normal conditions (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSAGEs intervention could obviously lower the stability of Müller cell membrane. Up-regulated expressions of VEGF and VEGF mRNA in cultured Müller cells could be induced by AGEs or high glucose. BHC-containing serum could stabilize the stability of Müller cell membrane, inhibit the transcription of VEGF mRNA and decrease the protein expression of VEGF, which might be one of important mechanisms for preventing and treating diabetic retinopathy.

Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Diabetic Retinopathy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Ependymoglial Cells ; Glucose ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; RNA, Messenger ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

Objective To analyze CMV DNA stability of 30 EDTA plasma samples in the order of magnitude between 300 and 100 000 copies/mL over a 21 day period. Methods Thirty plasma samples were grouped into three categories according to the CMV DNA loads , including low CMV DNA contents , intermediate CMV DNA loads and high CMV DNA loads. Ten milliliters of whole blood was freshly collected from each patient. Plasma samples without hemolysis were divided into 1-ml aliquots. One aliquot was processed immediately (Day 0) for baseline PCR assays. The remaining aliquots were then processed after one , two, three, seven, 14 or 21 day of storage at 4℃. Results There was no significant difference between the mean of the difference time point in viral loads following storage at 4 ℃ by paired-samples t test, including Day 1 compared to Day 0 (t = 1.654, P =0.109), Day 2 compared to Day 0 (t = 1.487, P = 0.148), Day 3 compared to Day 0 (t = 1.609, P = 0.118), Day 7 compared to Day 0 (t=0.831, P=0.413), Day 14 compared to Day 0 (t=1.721, P=0.096), and Day 21 compared to Day 0 (t=0.244, P=0.810). Conclusion The concentration of CMV DNA in all samples stored at 4 ℃ for 21 days did not differ significantly from the baseline viral load ,and it was not observed the trend in continued degradation in different time point (Day 1, 2, 3, 7 and 14).

Objective To analyze radiation induced alterations of vitronectin and collagen expressions in fibroblasts at different times post-irradiation,so as to evaluate the potential to apply vitronectin as a biomarker of radiation-induced lung fibrosis.Methods The human fibroblast cells WI-38 and IMR-90 were irradiated with 137Cs γ-rays at doses of 0 (control),4,6,8,10 and 12 Gy,respectively.The cells and its supernatant were collected at 6,12,24,36,48 and 60 h post-irradiation.The expressions of vitronectin and collagen Ⅰ and Ⅲ were analyzed by Western blot,PCR and ELISA.Results After irradiation,the expressions of vitronectin and collagen Ⅰ and Ⅲ were positively correlated (r=0.40-0.79,P＜0.05) and were all significantly higher than that in control group (t =3.04-25.45,P ＜0.05) and reached the highest expression levels at 48 h after 8-10 Gy of irradiation (t =2.92-18.86,P ＜ 0.05).Analyses of Real-time PCR and ELISA assay showed that expressions of vitronectin mRNA and its protein level in the cell lysis were significantly increased by radiation (F =27.09-42.62,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The expressions of vitronectin in cellular supernatant and its mRNA may be a potential biomarker of radiation-induced fibrosis,and 48 h after 8 Gy irradiation may be an optimum condition of measurement.

Objective To analyze the research status and hotspot of occupational methanol poisoning at home and abroad. Methods ， The China National Knowledge Resource Database Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform and Web of Science were used as the data sources. The relevant literatures on occupational methanol poisoning published in domestic and foreign ， Results journals up to June 30 2021 were searched. The bibliometrics was used to analyzed the literatures. A total of 255 literatures were included in analysis. There were 187 Chinese articles and 68 English articles. Most of Chinese articles were ， ， published from 2001 to 2005 with an average of 26.7 literatures per five years until June 2021. Among them 72 literatures （ ）， ， were published in core journals 38.5% and 176 authors from 27 provinces autonomous regions and municipality directly ， under the central government published relevant literatures. The research contents mainly focused on the classification ， ， poisoning mode clinical manifestations visual impairment and poisoning prevention and treatment of occupational methanol - ， poisoning. Most of the English literatures were published in 2016 2020 with an average of 4.9 articles per five years until June ， （ ）， 2021. Among them 36 were published in SCI journals 52.9% and 57 authors from 11 countries published relevant ， ， ， literatures. The research contents mainly focused on the clinical diagnosis drug treatment intoxication mechanism visual Conclusion sequelae and brain injury of occupational methanol poisoning. The research on occupational methanol poisoning ， ， ， mainly focuses on clinical diagnosis clinical manifestations treatment and prognosis and pathogenesis. The focus of relevant research at home and abroad is different.

Objective To explore the correlation between human cytomegalovirus(HCMV) infection with infantile hepatitis syn‐drome(IHS) and hepatic function damage .Methods The real‐time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction(PCR) was a‐dopted to test the urine HCMV DNA in 236 infants with IHS and 236 healthy infants ,respectively .The hepatic functions in 254 in‐fants with HCMV infection were analyzed retrospectively .Results Among these 236 cases of IHS ,the positive rates of HCMV DNA in urine sample was 62 .7% (148/236) .The positive rates of HCMV DNA and HCMV IgM in the IHS group were significant‐ly higher than those in the control group with statistical difference(P< 0 .01) .The liver function indexes in 254 infants with HCMV infection showed that the serum concentrations of total bilirubin (TBIL ) ,gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT ) ,total bile acid (TBA) ,aspartate aminotransferase(AST ) and alanine aminotransferase(ALT ) were higher than the normal reference ranges ,and the differences were statistically significant(P < 0 .01) .Conclusion The detection rate of HCMV infection is high among the in‐fants with IHS in Guangxi area and HCMV is an important pathogen of IHS .HCMV may lead to hepatic function damage .

OBJECTIVETo analyze the ageing and related risk factors affecting the death rate of diabetes mellitus in Beijing, and make a correct assessment of risk factors in changing the death rate of diabetes mellitus.

METHODThe changes of death rate on diabetes mellitus in the past 10 years, from 1991 to 2000 were analyzed and calculated as to making clear what is the effects resulting from the ageing and the risk factors.

RESULTSThe death rate of diabetes mellitus was increased to 117.55%, from 1991 to 2000, in which 53.28% were attributing to the ageing and 46.72% to the risk factors.

CONCLUSIONThe effects of ageing and risk factors on death rate of diabetes mellitus should be different and the ageing should be a factor more important than the other risk factors.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aging ; Cause of Death ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Diabetes Mellitus ; mortality ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Survival Rate ; trends ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the potential risk factors for severe acute respiratory syndromes (SARS)-related deaths in Beijing.

METHODSEpidemiological data were collected among the confirmed SARS patients officially reported by Beijing Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (BCDC), and information was also supplemented by a follow-up case survey. Chi-square test and multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis were performed.

RESULTSOld age (over 60 years) was found to be significantly associated with SARS-related deaths in the univariate analysis. Also, history of contacting SARS patients within 2 weeks prior to the onset of illness, health occupation, and inferior hospital ranking as well as longer interval of clinic consulting (longer than 1 day) were the risk factors for SARS-related deaths. Multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis found four risk factors for SARS-related deaths.

CONCLUSIONOld age (over 60 years) is the major risk factor for SARS-related deaths. Moreover, hospital health workers, the designated hospitals for SARS clinical services and the interval of consulting doctors (less than 1 day) are protective factors for surviving from SARS.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Infant ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Risk Factors ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; epidemiology ; mortality

OBJECTIVETo find out a set of practical,objective, and quantitative laboratory indices of climacteric syndrome (CS) patients of Shen deficiency syndrome (SDS), thus studying the essence of SDS from the perspective of laboratory medicine.

METHODSRecruited were 40 CS patients of SDS (or of SDS as main syndrome) as the SDS group, while another 40 healthy subjects were recruited as the control group. Their serum samples were collected. Serum levels of total triiodothyronine (TT3), total thyroxine (TT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone (TESTO), estradiol (E2), prolactin (PRL), progesterone (PROG), cortisol (CORT), immunoglobulin M (IgM), immunoglobulin G (lgG), Complement 3 (C3), complement hemolysis 50% (CH50), angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), aldosterone (ALD), serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and bone Gla-protein (BGP) were measured by automatic electrochemical luminescence assay analyzer, automatic chemiluminescence assay analyzer, automatic biochemistry analyzer, and automatic enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analyzer. The correlation between syndrome types and laboratory indices were judged by gradual discriminant analyses.

RESULTS(1) Compared with the control group,serum levels of CORT, TESTO, E2, TT3, FT3, FT4, TSH, C3, CH50, ALP, and BGP significantly decreased in the SDS group (P < 0.01, P < 0. 05), while FSH, LH, and ACE significantly increased (P < 0.05). (2) The index with stronger capacity for diagnosing CS patients of SDS was ranked from high to low as CH50, PROG, TSH, TESTO, BGP, CORT, and C3, with their contribution rate of the discriminant function being 95.9%. (3) Discriminant analysis equation of CS patients of SDS was Y = -25.904 - 0.468CH50 + 0.002PROG + 0.182TSH + 9.690TESTO + 1.015BGP + 0.016CORT + 33.581 C3.

CONCLUSIONS(1) CS patients of SDS were closely correlated with thyroid hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis, hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis, renin-renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system,the immune function, and bone formation, and etc. (2) CH50 might be of a high sensibility marker for diagnosing CS patients of SDS. (3) Discriminant analysis equations of laboratory medicine index may be used in preliminary diagnosis and auxiliary certificate of CS patients of SDS.

Case-Control Studies ; Climacteric ; metabolism ; Discriminant Analysis ; Estradiol ; blood ; Female ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; blood ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; blood ; Luteinizing Hormone ; blood ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Pituitary-Adrenal System ; Progesterone ; metabolism ; Prolactin ; blood ; Renin-Angiotensin System ; Testosterone ; blood ; Thyrotropin ; blood ; Thyroxine ; blood ; Triiodothyronine ; blood

As the new type cornea ulcer renovation material, the biological amnion is to be implanted into the human body for a long time, a subchronic toxicity study in rats is made to evaluate its possibility of subchronic toxicity. The study is based on the requirements of "Biological Evaluation of Medical Devices, Part 11: Tests for systemic toxicity and Part 6: Tests for local effects after implantation". After the implantation of examples to be tested, animals were observed daily for mortality and 92 days later the possible subchronic toxicity was evaluated. And a necropsy was conducted and the selected organs were excised, weighed, and processed histologically. Body weights, organ weights, organ/body weight ratios, hematology values and clinical chemistry values were analyzed statistically. Results show that daily clinical observation, body weights, necropsy findings, organ weights and organ/body weight ratios were within acceptable limits in test and control treatment groups. There were no obvious changes in histopathology, hematology values or clinical chemistry values in either male or female rats and no notable differences between the biological amnion and the control amnion. This study proves that, the cornea ulcer renovation material, the biological amnion does not induce subchronic toxicity.
Amnion ; transplantation ; Animals ; Biological Products ; toxicity ; Corneal Ulcer ; surgery ; Female ; Male ; Materials Testing ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Toxicity Tests, Subchronic

OBJECTIVETo describe the specific features of the contact history of probable cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in Beijing.

METHODSData of SARS cases notified from the Beijing Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention (BCDC) and supplemented by other channels were collected. All the data were analyzed by descriptive epidemiology.

RESULTS(1) The number of probable cases with contact history was significantly higher than the excluded cases. (2) The proportion of probable cases with contact history descended with epidemic development, but this situation did not occur in health care workers (HCWs). (3) The fatality rate of probable cases with contact history was significantly higher than the cases without contact history (OR = 1.489). (4) The proportion of probable cases with contact history was 85.86% among health care workers, which was significantly higher than that of non-health care workers (85.86% v.s. 56.44%, OR=4.69).

CONCLUSIONS(1) The susceptible persons with contact history may not get infected, and the contact history is just a sufficient condition of infecting SARS; (2) There are 3 conceivable reasons for the descending trend of the proportion in probable cases with contact history; (3) The contact history is one of the risk factors of the death of SARS cases; (4) The risk of contacting with SARS among health care workers is approximately 5 times higher than that of non-HCWs.

China ; Contact Tracing ; Data Interpretation, Statistical ; Disease Outbreaks ; Health Personnel ; Humans ; Medical History Taking ; Occupational Exposure ; Risk Factors ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; transmission