OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Kanli Granule (KG) on myocardial mechanics in pressure overload induced diastolic heart failure (DHF) rats.

METHODSTotally 60 male Wistar rats were divided into the sham-operation group, the model group, the KG group, and the Valsartan group according to random digit table, 15 in each group. The pressure overload induced DHF model was established in all groups except the sham-operation group using abdominal aortic constriction surgery. Totally 7 rats died after modeling (with the mortality of 10. 67%) , and the rest 53 finished the following test. Rats in the KG group were administered with KG extract (calculated as 6. 75 g crude drug/kg) by gastrogavage. Rats in the Valsartan group were administered with Valsartan (7.2 µg/g) by gastrogavage. Equal volume of double distilled water was administered to rats in the model group and the sham-operation group by gastrogavage. All rats were intervened for 32 weeks. The response of isolated heart papillary muscle tonus to isoprenaline (ISO) and adenylate cyclase (Forskolin) was respectively observed. The enhancement phenomenon after resting development force (DF) of isolated heart papillary muscle tonus, and changes of DF in different Ca²⁺ concentrations were observed.

RESULTS(1) In the ISO response test: Compared with the sham-operation group, the amplifications of DF, ±df/dt, -df/dt were obviously elevated in the model group (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, the amplifications of DF and ±df/dt were obviously lowered in the KG group (P < 0.01), and the amplification of ±df/dt was also reduced in the Valsartan group (P < 0.01). (2) In the Forskolin response test: Compared with the sham-operation group, the amplifications of DF and ±df/dt obviously increased in the model group (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, the amplifications of DF and ±df/dt were obviously reduced in the KG group (P < 0.01), and the amplification of DF was also reduced in the Valsartan group (P < 0.05). (3) In post-resting DF enhancement test: Compared with the sham-operation group, the amplification of DF showed gradually decreasing tendency along with prolonged resting time in the model group, and they were obviously lowered at all time points (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, the amplification of DF was gradually increasing along with prolonged resting time in the KG group. The amplification of DF at post-resting 240 s was obviously larger in the KG group than in the model group (P < 0.05). The amplification of post-resting DF still showed gradually decreasing tendency along with prolonged resting time in the Valsartan group, with increased amplifications of DF at post-resting 60 s and 120 s (P < 0. 05) (4) The amplifications of DF in different Ca²⁺ concentrations: Compared with the sham-operation group, the amplifications of DF were significantly elevated in different Ca²⁺ concentrations (1.75, 3.5, 7.0 mmol/L ) (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, there was no statistical difference in amplification of DF in different Ca²⁺ concentrations in the KG group (P > 0.05). The amplifications of DF in different Ca²⁺ concentrations were significantly reduced in the Valsartan group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe ISO response and the Forskolin response were enhanced in isolated heart papillary muscle tonus of pressure overload induced DHF rats; enhanced post-resting DF was reduced; DF in different supra-physiologic levels of Ca²⁺ was still enhanced. KG could significantly improve excessive enhancement of pressure overload induced DHF rats in ISO response and Forskolin response, and improve enhancement of post-resting myocardium.

Animals ; Colforsin ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Heart ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Heart Failure, Diastolic ; drug therapy ; Isoproterenol ; pharmacology ; Male ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

Adult ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury ; Dimethylformamide ; adverse effects ; Formamides ; analysis ; Humans ; Kidney ; physiopathology ; Kidney Diseases ; chemically induced ; physiopathology ; urine ; Kidney Function Tests ; Liver ; physiopathology ; Liver Diseases ; physiopathology ; urine ; Liver Function Tests ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure

OBJECTIVETo obtain highly purified tetanus toxin fragment C (TTC) with good immunogenicity.

METHODSThe gene fragment encoding TTC was amplified from Clostridium tetani plasmid DNA by PCR, inserted into the vector pET43.1a (+) and expressed in E. coli BL21(DE3)plysS. After purification using Ni2+-chelate affinity chromatography, the expressed fusion protein was digested by thrombin and the resultant TTC protein was purified with Ni2+-chelate affinity chromatography followed by identification with SDS-PAGE and Western blotting. The purifed TTC protein was then used to immunize mice to test its immunogenecity.

RESULTSThe 1373-bp gene fragment encoding TTC was obtained, and the constructed recombinant expression vector pET43.1a (+)-TTC was successfully expressed in E. coli BL21(DE3)plysS. SDS-PAGE identified a recombinant fusion protein with relative molecular mass (Mr) of 117 000, which accounted for 22% of the total bacterial protein. The TTC protein with Mr of 50 000 was obtained after purification of the thrombin digestion products of the fusion protein, with a purity reaching 95.5%. Both the fusion protein and TTC protein could be recognized by anti-tetanus toxin antibody as shown by Western blotting. The titer of the anti-serum from mice immunized with the TTC protein was 1:25 600, and the anti-serum could specifically bind to tetanus toxin.

CONCLUSIONHighly purified and immunogenetic TTC protein has been successfully obtained, which provides a good model antigen for studying antigen presentation and immune responses in vivo.

Cloning, Molecular ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; metabolism ; Genetic Vectors ; Peptide Fragments ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology ; Tetanus Toxin ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology ; Tetanus Toxoid ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo investigate DNA repair in CHL cells and HeLa cells after DNA damage induced by different oxidative agents.

METHODSCHL cells and HeLa cells were exposed to various damaging agents, CHL cells: H(2)O(2) for 25 min, K(2)Cr(2)O(7) for 105 min, doxorubicin (Dox) for 75 min HeLa cells: H(2)O(2) for 25 min, K(2)Cr(2)O(7) for 105 min; then cells were continuously cultured for 0-3 h after washing. Alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis (ASCGE) assay was used to detect DNA strand breaks.

RESULT(1) DNA strand breaks were induced in CHL cells after exposure to H(2)O(2) K(2)Cr(2)O(7) or Dox, which were repaired evidently after continuous culture for 1 h(P<0.01). The damages induced by H(2)O(2) or K(2)Cr(2)O(7) were repaired completely after culture for 2-3 h. However, the demage induced by Dox was repaired incompletely. (2) DNA strand breaks were induced also in HeLa cells after exposure to H(2)O(2) or K(2)Cr(2)O(7), which were repaired evidently after continuous culture for 0.5 h(P<0.01),and completely after culture for 1 h. (3) The regression coefficient related to the rate of comet cells and repair time was statistically different (P<0.05) between CHL cells and HeLa cells.

CONCLUSIONDNA damage induced by Dox is repaired more difficult than that induced by H(2)O(2) or K(2)Cr(2)O(7). The repair initiates immediately after DNA damage in both of cells, but more rapidly in HeLa cells than in CHL cells.

DNA ; metabolism ; DNA Damage ; DNA Repair ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; toxicity ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Regression Analysis

Objective To explore the association between ambient average temperature and hospital emergency room visits for cardiovascular diseases(International Classification of Diseases,Tenth Vision ICD-10:I00-I99) in Beijing,China.Methods Data was collected on daily hospital emergency room visits for cardiovascular diseases from Peking University Third Hospital,including meteorological data(daily average temperature,relative humidity,wind speed,and atmospheric pressure) from the China Meteorological Data Sharing Service System,and on air pollution from the Beijing Municipal Environmental Monitoring Center.Time-stratified case-crossover design was used to analyze data on 4 seasolls.Results After adjusting data on air pollution,1 degree(℃) increase of ambient average temperature would associate with the emergency room visits of odds ratio(Ors)as 1.282(95%CI:1.250-1.315).1.027(95%CI:1.001-1.055),0.661(95%CI:0.637-0.687),and 0.960 (95%CI:0.937-0.984) in spring,summer,autumn,and winter respectively.After controlling the influence of relative humidity,wind speed,and atmospheric pressure,1℃ increase in the ambient average temperature would be associated with the emergency room visits on Ors value as 1.423 (95%CI:1.377-1.471).1.082(95%CI:1.041-1.124),0.633(95%CI:0.607-0.660)and 0.971(95%CI:0.944-1.000) in spring,summer,auttmm,and winter respectively.Conclusion These data on outcomes suggested that the elevated level of ambient temperature would increase the hospital emergeney room visits for cardiovascular diseases in spring and summer while the elevated level of ambient temperature would decrease the hospital emergency room visits for the cardiovascular diseases in autumn and winter,suggesting that patients with cardiovascular diseases should pay attention to the climate change.

Objective To explore the factors influencing the premarital medical examination in Chinese population and to discuss the related possible intervention strategies.Methods Data were collected through self-designed questionnaires on 2572 newly married respondents,selected under a stratified randomized sampling method,at Marriage Registration Office in 12 counties in Zhejiang province.Predictive factors were derived from the integrating complementary constructs of Health Belief Model,Theory of Reasoned Action as well as individual demographic characteristics.Multiple logistic multilevel analyses was used as the main statistical method,with individuals as the ' low' and counties as the 'high' levels.Results Behaviors on premarital medical examination showed a clustering trait at the county level (P=0.018) and variance partition coefficients (VPC) of each variables was between 15.40％ and 17.58％.There were no statistical significances found in the rates of premarital medical examination among gender,age,residence of Household Registration,education,income,health insurance and history of premarital medical examination.However,significant correlation was seen on occupation of the respondents.The rate of premarital medical examination among the respondents who had not attended medical examination during the last six moths was 1.31times (95％ confidence intervals,1.05 -1.65 ) more than those who had,with OR (odds ratio) as 1.51 (95％CI:1.14-2.00) for the pregnant respondents in their first marriage and 0.35 (95％CI:0.23-0.51 )for remarried respondents,compared with women at first marriage but remained unpregnant.Regarding premarital medical examination,the respondents reported greater benefits,less barriers,greater positive behavioral attitudes and normative beliefs to it,with an ORs as 2.32 (95％ CI:1.18-4.60),0.71 (95％CI:0.57-0.90),1.69 (95％CI:1.10-2.58) and 1.72 (95％CI:1.34-2.20)respectively,but with no significant association with perceived susceptibility,perceived severity and motivation to comply.Conclusion Factors such as individual perceived benefits,barriers,attitudes and normative beliefs etc.,were determinants of premarital medical examination accompanied by minor (16％) influence coming from the geographical environment.

Objective To investigate the effects of gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist (GnRH- a) and antagonist (GnRH-ant) on cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced ovarian damage in rats.Methods Seventy-two Sprague-Dawley female rats were divided randomly into six groups,which received normal saline (NS),CTX,GnRH-a+NS,GnRH-a+CTX,GnRH-ant+NS,and GnRH-ant+CTX respectively.Levels of serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH),luteinizing hormone (LH) and estradiol (E_2) were measured successively by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method,and half of the rats were killed in the first week and between the fourth and the fifth week after stop of medication,respectively to compare the weight of the ovaries and the number of the primordial follicles and the growth follicles.Results (1) Throughout experiment,the serum levels of FSH,LH and E_2 of the control group fluctuated slightly,while those in the CTX group kept rising.During medication treatment,compared with the control group[(118?16) ?g/L, (350?35) ?g/L] and the CTX group[(113?15) ?g/L,(289?42) ?g/L],the concentrations of LH [(42 ?8)-(47?7) ?g/L,(31?5)-(36?7) ?g/L] and FSH [(124?45)-(136?32)?g/L,(178 ?54)-(198+27)?g/L] in the GnRH-a groups and the GnRH-ant groups were maintained at low levels significantly and the levels of LH in the GnRH-ant groups were significantly lower than that in the GnRH-a groups,but the levels of FSH in the GnRH-ant groups were significantly higher than that in the GnRH-a groups(P0.05),but the levels of FSH,LH and E_2 of the GnRH-ant+CTX group rose obviously and were similar to the levels of the CTX group,especially the FSH,and the levels of LH and FSH of the GnRH- ant + CTX group [(156?12) ?g/L,(520?44) ?g/L] and the CTX group [(178?18) ?g/L,(546?36) ?g/L] were significantly higher than that of the other four groups [(121?15)-(132?13) ?g/L,(335 ?35)-(359?26) ?g/L] at the 4~(th)-5~(th) week after stop of treatment(P0.05),but the number of all kinds of follicles declined significantly in the GnRH-ant+CTX group[(195?15),(36?12)] and the CTX group [(212?11),(36?9)] compared to the other four groups[(302?15)-(690?43),(44?12)-(58?11),P

Tumor angiogenesis provides adequate oxygen and nutrition for tumor development and supports tumor growth and metastasis. Stromal cell derived factor 1 (SDF-1) and its receptor C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) in pancreatic cancer microenvironment are involved in tumor growth such as promoting tumor cell proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis. In this study, anti-CXCR4 nanobody (CXCR4 Nb) and anti-programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) &CXCR4 bispecific nanobody (PX4 BsNb) were expressed in Escherichia coli system and purified by nickel column affinity chromatography. We investigated the anti-angiogenesis activity and mechanism of CXCR4 Nb by in vivo and in vitro experiments. Ethical approval was obtained for collection of human peripheral blood mononuclear cell (hPBMC) samples from the Local Ethics Committee of Shanghai Jiao Tong University. All animal experiments were approved by the Animal Ethic Committee of Shanghai Jiao Tong University. The results showed that CXCR4 Nb at 0.1 μmol·L^-1 could effectively inhibit the proliferation and migration of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) promoted by pancreatic stellate cells in vitro. CXCR4 Nb and PX4 BsNb at 0.3 mg·kg^-1 obviously decreased tumor angiogenesis and inhibited the tumor growth in NOD/SCID mice, the inhibitory rates were 28.8% and 36.1%, respectively. CXCR4 Nb significantly inhibited tumor growth and angiogenesis with great safety, which provides support for application of CXCR4 Nb and anti-angiogenesis therapy of pancreatic cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Anti-Ro52 antibodies are frequently co-occur with other myositis-specific and myositis-associated autoantibodies, we here to study this phenomenon in Chinese patients suspected with inflammatory myopathies. METHODS: In the study, 1 509 patients clinically suspected with inflammatory myopathies were tested for 11 kinds of myositis-specific and myositis-associated autoantibodies (including: anti-Jo-1, PL-7, PL-12, EJ, OJ, Mi-2, SRP, Ku, PM-Scl 75, PM-Scl 100, and Ro52 antibo-dies) by line-blot immunoassay from 2010 to 2016 in Peking University First Hospital. This retrospective study was to analyze these results to reveal the characteristics of anti-Ro52 antibodies co-occuring with other myositis autoantibodies. The data were analyzed using SPSS 17.0 and Graph Pad PRISM for Chi-square test, independent t-test, Pearson's correlation analysis, and drawing statistical graphs. Significance level was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: The positive rate of anti-Ro52 antibodies was 18.3% (276/1 509 cases), which was the most frequently detected myositis antibodies in our center. 51.8% (143/276) of the patients with anti-Ro52 antibodies were combined with the other myositis antibodies, and the most common co-occurred antibodies were anti-SRP antibodies (18.8%, 52/276), and the second common co-occurred antibodies were anti-Jo-1 antibodies (13.0%, 36/276). Anti-Ro52 antibodies were the most common antibodies that co-occurred in other myositis antibodies positive patients except in anti-OJ antibodies positive group. The co-positive rate with anti-Ro52 antibodies was the lowest in anti-PM-Scl 75 positive group (30.4%, 31/102), and the highest in anti-EJ positive group (80.0%, 12/15). The positive rate of anti-Ro52 antibodies in anti-synthase antibodies (including anti-Jo-1, EJ, OJ, PL-7, and PL-12 antibodies) positive group was 57.3% (75/131), which was significantly higher than that in the other antibodies (including: anti-Mi-2, SRP, Ku, PM-Scl 75, and PM-Scl 100 antibodies) positive group with 35.2% (119/338) (χ²=18.916, P < 0.001). The intensity of anti-Jo-1, EJ, and SRP antibodies in the group of the patients that co-occurred with anti-Ro52 antibodies was significantly higher than that in the other group without anti-Ro52 antibodies respectively (P < 0.05). The intensity of anti-SRP antibodies was significantly correlated with that of anti-Ro52 antibodies (r=0.44, P=0.001). CONCLUSION Anti-Ro52 antibodies were commonly associated with other myositis-specific and myositis-associated autoantibodies, especially with anti-synthase antibodies, and the co-presence of anti-Ro52 antibodies may be correlated with the myositis antibody intensity.
Autoantibodies ; Correlation of Data ; Humans ; Myositis/epidemiology* ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the impact of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) combined with hypocaloric nutrition on nitrogen balance and blood glucose in patients after gastrointestinal operation.

METHODSForty-eight patients undergone abdominal operations were randomly divided into either subcutaneous rhGH (0.15 IU/kg) or placebo (menstruum) injection daily for 7 days postoperatively. These two groups had similar nutritional intakes. Body weight, blood cell count, liver and renal function, plasma albumin, prealbumin, transferrin and fibronectin were measured at day 1 before operation as baseline and day 3 and day 10 after operation by standard laboratory techniques. Nitrogen balance and blood glucose were measured from day 3 to day 9 after operation.

RESULTSAt postoperative day 10, the cumulative nitrogen balance and the level of plasma fibronectin were significantly higher in rhGH group [13.21 g,(104.77+/-19.94) mg/L] than those in placebo group [-6.88 g, (93.03+/-16.03) mg/L] (P<0.05). Furthermore, at day 4 and from day 6 to day 9 after operation, daily nitrogen balance was higher in rhGH group than that in control group (P<0.05). Mean blood glucose level was significantly higher in rhGH group from day 3 to day 6 after operation [(7.68+/-2.15) vs (5.95+/-2.34) mmol/L, P<0.05]. But hyperglycemia could be controlled well by insulin treatment.

CONCLUSIONGrowth hormone combined with hypocaloric nutrition is effective and safe in promoting positive nitrogen balance and protein synthesis in post-operative patients, which is also beneficial to the improvement of nutritional status and prognosis.

Adult ; Aged ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Caloric Restriction ; Digestive System Surgical Procedures ; Female ; Human Growth Hormone ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nitrogen ; metabolism ; Nutritional Support ; methods ; Postoperative Period ; Recombinant Proteins ; therapeutic use