[Summary] It has been believed that both environmental and genetic effects play roles in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes. Genetic factors may influence the effect of environmental factors on risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This review focused on the latest evidence of the interaction effect of genes and the environmental factors on type 2 diabetes.

Objective To investigate the morphologic abnormalities of myenteric plexus in diabetic rats and to explore the mechanism of its effect on gastrointestinal motility.Methods Thirty rats were randomly divided into diabetic group and control group.Gastrointestinal transit time was measured and histologic changes of cholinergic and nitriergic nerves in ileum myenteric plexus were observed with enzy- matic histochemistry.Results Four months after the establishment of the diabetic rats model,gastroin- testinal transit time was found delayed comparing with control group,the density of cholinergic neurons in the ileum myenteric plexus was decreased (P＜0.01) and the densities of nitriergic ganglions and neurons were significantly increased comparing with control group (P＜0.05 and P＜0.01).Conclu- sion Decrease of cholinergic nerves and increase of nitriergic nerves in the myenteric plexus of intestine is one of the mechanisms of delay gastrointestinal transit time in diabetic rats.

By non-steady method,the effective diffusivity of ferrous sulphate within alginate calcium gel entrapped without bacteria was measured.Meanwhile the oxidation ability of entrapped bacteria was analyzed.Experimental results showed that the effective diffusion coefficient of ferrous sulphate decreased with the increase of alginate concentration,the optimum alginate concentration is 2%(W/V).The effect of calcium chloride on the effective diffusivity was neglectable.The incubation of ferrooxidans would pass through 10 hours,and the diffusion coefficient within gel entrapped Thiobacillus ferrooxidans cells was less remarkably than that of ferrous sulphate without entrapped cells.For the entrapped cells,the absolute oxidation time was shortest and the rate change was fastest with the initial Fe concentration 5g/L.The absolute oxidation time was same when the initial Fe concentration was 8g/L and 10g/L.

Objective To investigate effectiveness of meta-cognitive intervention on aged people with middle depression. Methods Geriatrist Depression Scale(GDS) and Hamilton's Depression Scale ( HAMD-17 ) were used to screen out 70 aged people with middle depression from 850 retired soldier cadres dwelling in cpla dalian sanitarium. They were randomly divided into study group( n = 35 ) and control group( n = 35 ). The experimental group received meta-cognitive intervening and general nursing care for 8 weeks, while the control group only received general nursing care for 8 weeks. HAMD-17, GDS, global assessment scale(GAS) and the Metacognitions Questionnaire(MCQ-30) were administered both at the start and the end of the 8th week. Results The total scores in HAMD and GDS were decreased significantly in study group ( HAMD: ( 1 1.54 ± 2.50 ) vs ( 13.06 ±2.82),t= -2.378, P=0. 020;GDS:(12.51 ±2.43) vs (16.06 ±2.48), t= -6. 031, P=0. 000;GAS:(77.71 ±3.03) vs (75.63 ± 3.24), t = 2. 785, P = 0. 007 ). At the end of 8th week, the MCQ total score was significantly decreased in study group (38.69 ± 4. 17,81.37 ± 5.98, t = 34. 652, P ＜ 0. 01 ). Conclusion For aged people with middle depression,good effects are got by the meta-cognitive intervening technique and meta-cognitive intervening technique improve the meta-cognitive level of aged people with middle depressive mood.

AIM To observe the clinical effects of Gushen Antai Pills (Polygoni multiflori Radix,Rehmanniae Radix,Cistanches Herba,etc.) combined with low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) in treating women with recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) due to coagulation disorder (prethrombotic state,PTS).METHODS One hundred and twenty-six cases of RSA patients in PTS were randomly assigned to observation group and control group for the treatment of either LMWH combined with Gushen Antai Pills or LMWH.The trial went on during the first twenty weeks of pregnancy.Investigations on total treatment efficiency,coagulation-fibrinolysis indicator levels before and after treatment were conducted,and results of follow-ups were compared as well.RESULTS The total effective rate of 73.0％ in the control group and 87.3％ in the observation group displayed a significant difference (P ＜ 0.05).Although the levels of fibrinogen (FIB),D-dimer (D-D) and plasminogen activator inhibitorl (PAIl) were significantly improved (P ＜ 0.05) after the treatment,the observation group was found to be significantly better in performance than the control group (P ＜ 0.05).The live birth rate of 69.8％ in the control group and 85.7％ in the observation group also showed to be a significant difference (P ＜ 0.05).CONCLUSION Gushen Antai Pills combined with LMWH can improve the thrombotic state and bring forth a higher live birth rate in patients with RSA.

Objective To research the curative effect of chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine on Kashin-Beck disease(KBD). Methods According to Diagnosis for Kashin-Beck disease,80 patients of adult KBD were detected from Guanghui village Shangzhi city Heilongjiang province in July,2007,and they divided into treatment group and control group according to their condition,age and sex,40 person in each group. Treatment group was given chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine sulfate,and control group was given placebo(equivalent amount of starch). Bilateral knees X-ray films were shot before and after treatment (8th month),scale division magnifying glass was used to measure the width of joint space on X-ray films. Results The width of joint space respectively was (4.30±2.14) and (4.10±2.07)mm in control group before and after treatment,and treatment group respectively was (4.17±2.15),(4.16±2.11)mm. Medicine had no obviously role on joint space (F = 0.50,P > 0.05),Time and both of time and medicine had obvious role on joint space(F= 67.66,46.74,all P< 0.05). Joint space of treat group was thinner than control group(P < 0.05) before treatment,but thicker after treatment(P < 0.05). To compare with the width of before treatment,joint space width of control group became obviously narrow(P < 0.05). Conclusions Experimental group taking chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine sulfate alleviated knee joint space narrowing process of adults KBD patients compared with control group. It plays a protection role in articular cartilage and provides evidences for choosing drug and evaluating effect in the treatment of adults KBD.

BACKGROUNDLive three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (live-3D-TEE) is a new technique, but its clinical value is unclear at present. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility, imaging quality and accuracy of live-3D-TEE for assessing mitral valve morphology to determine if live-3D-TEE has important value in mitral valve surgery.

METHODSTwenty-four patients with mitral valve disease (mean age (47.1 +/- 11.6) years, mean weight (64.7 +/- 10.5) kg) underwent live-3D-TEE and two dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (2D-TEE) before and after mitral valve surgery. Sensitivity, specificity, and total consistency rates of live-3D-TEE for diagnosing ruptured chordae were calculated and compared to surgeon's findings. We also compared the diagnostic accuracy of mitral valve disease between live-3D-TEE and 2D-TEE.

RESULTSLive-3D-TEE allowed visualization of the anatomic structure of the heart online and clearly identified the valvular apparatus and their defects. Sensitivity and specificity for the detection of ruptured chordae by live-3D-TEE were 87.5% and 100% respectively, and the total consistency rate was 95.8%. Additional defects not diagnosted by 2D-TEE were found in three cases (12.5%) preoperatively by live-3D-TEE. Live-3D-TEE could evaluate the function of prosthetic or native valves immediately after operation. One case was re-repaired (4.2%) using guidance by live-3D-TEE.

CONCLUSIONLive-3D-TEE enabled evaluation of mitral valve function and provided adequate valuable information before and after mitral valve surgery. We conclude that live-3D-TEE can play an important role in mitral valve surgery.

Adult ; Aged ; Echocardiography, Transesophageal ; Female ; Heart Valve Diseases ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mitral Valve ; surgery ; Mitral Valve Prolapse ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Mitral Valve Stenosis ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVETo investigate the phenotypic and functional characteristics of human adrenal microvascular endothelial cells (AdrEC).

METHODSAdrEC were isolated and purified from a sample of human adrenal tissue by sub-cell clone method. The cells identified by flow cytometry for classical endothelial markers von Willebrand factor (vWF) and CD31, uptake of Dil-labeled acetylated low density lipoprotein (Dil-Ac-LDL), as well as phenotypes. The cell fenestrations were checked by scanning electron microscopy. The expressions of endogenous vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA and protein were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunocytochemistry. The glucocorticoid-induced cytotoxicities in different organs-derived microvascular endothelial cells were compared.

RESULTSHuman AdrEC expressed those classical endothelial markers such as vWF, CD31, and uptake of Dil-Ac-LDL. The phenotypic analysis indicated that alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor, tumor necrosis factor receptor p55, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 were expressed in human AdrEC. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that there were many microvilli and fenestrations on cellular surface. RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry showed that there was expression of endogenous VEGF in AdrEC. In response to glucocorticoid-induced cytotoxicity, microvascular endothelial cells (MVEC) derived from human brain were highly susceptible, MVEC derived from human lung and human liver sinusoidal endothelial cells were sub-sensitive, while AdrEC were highly resistant.

CONCLUSIONHuman AdrEC are specially differentiated and have characteristics that are different from other organ-derived MVEC in phenotypes and functions.

Adrenal Glands ; blood supply ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; physiology ; Humans ; Phenotype ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the possible mechanism by which estrogen regulates apoptosis through the estrogen receptor.

METHODSBy means of fluorescence immunocytochemistry, the present study investigated the distribution of Bcl-2 and the colocolization of Bcl-2 and ERalpha immunoreactivity in the hippocampus of 10 Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients and 10 aged controls.

RESULTSBcl-2 immunoreactivity was widely distributed in neurons, concentrating predominantly on the subfields CA3 and CA4 in the stratum pyramidale of hippocampus both in controls and in AD patients. Bcl-2 staining in the labeled neuron was observed mainly in the cytoplasm and neuritic processes, but a few nuclei were also positive. Bcl-2 labeling was also detected in the astrocytes mainly in AD, but sparsely in controls. Double-labeled fluorescence immunocytochemistry showed that most Bcl-2-immunolabeled neurons also exhibited positive staining for ERalpha.

CONCLUSIONSEstrogen may function as a regulator of apoptosis to modulate the expression of Bcl-2 in neurons and astrocytes in hippocampus of AD through ERalpha.

Alzheimer Disease ; genetics ; metabolism ; Apoptosis ; Astrocytes ; metabolism ; Estrogen Receptor alpha ; Female ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Neurons ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Receptors, Estrogen ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate morphological changes of capillary in aging brain and explore the role of vascular factor in brain aging.

METHODSTwenty-eight brains of individuals (mean age 65 years) who died without clinical or pathological involvement of nervous system and 6 brains of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients (mean age 83 years) were obtained at autopsy. Sections from frontal lobe, occipital lobe, striatum and hippocampus of normal subjects and sections from hippocampus of AD patients were used for hematoxylin eosin (HE), lox fast blue (LFB), toluidine blue stains and ulex europaeus agglutinin (UEA) immunostaining. After observations of morphological changes of neuron and capillary, computer-aid image analysis was performed to quantify numerical density and area density of neuron and capillary in frontal lobe, occipital lobe, putamen, CA3 sector of normal subjects and CA3 sector of AD patients. Numerical ratio and area ratio of neuron and capillary were then calculated. Correlations between neuron/capillary ratio and age were estimated using Pearson's correlation test. Difference of neuron/capillary ratio in CA3 sectors between AD patients and advanced aged normal subjects (> 75 years) was analyzed with Student's t-test.

RESULTSSeveral pathological microvascular changes, including increased tortuosity, looping, bundling, stringing, and effacement of endothelia were seen in aged subjects and more prevalent in AD patients. Numerical ratio and area ratio of neuron and capillary of frontal lobe, occipital lobe and putamen significantly increased with age in normal aging subjects.

CONCLUSIONSMorphological changes and relative decrease in number and capacity of capillary in aging brain may reduce cerebral blood flow and metabolism, and consequently result in functional impairment of aging brain. Vascular factors may play an important role in the development of brain aging.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aging ; Alzheimer Disease ; etiology ; pathology ; Capillaries ; anatomy & histology ; pathology ; Cell Count ; Cerebral Cortex ; blood supply ; pathology ; Female ; Frontal Lobe ; blood supply ; pathology ; Hippocampus ; blood supply ; pathology ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neurons ; pathology ; Occipital Lobe ; blood supply ; pathology