lusions Cardiac MSCT can accurately assess the RV size and function in comparison to MRI. Patients with severe COPD have RV dysfunction.

Background Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a major event in the pathogenesis of posterior capsular opacification (PCO),and the expressions of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) is the marker of EMT.Previous studies showed that breviscapine plays an important role in anti-fibrosis and suppression EMT,however,the mechanism of its effect on EMT in LECs is unclear.Objective Present study was to investigate the effect of breviscapine on the expression of α-SMA and fibronectin (FN) in human LECs induced by transforming growth factor-β2 (TGF-β2).Methods Human LECs strain,HLE-B3,was cultured and passaged in DMEM containing 10％ fetal bovine serum.Different concentrations of breviscapine (6.75,12.75,25.00,50.00 and 100.00 mg/L)were added into the medium for 24,48 and 72 hours respectively,and then cell cunting kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to evaluate the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of breviscapine to HLE-B3.In addition,HLE-B3 was subcultured at the density of 1 × 106/hole and divided into 4 groups.The cells were in free-serum medium as the normal control;the cells were exposed in 10 μg/L TGF-β2 as TGF-β2 group;while in the breviscapine group,10 mg/L of breviscapine was added into the culture medium and another group was the combination of 10 mg/L breviscapine and 10 μg/L of TGF-β2 treatment.Real-time PCR and Western blot were used to detect the mRNA expressions of α-SMA and FN as well as their protein in HLE-B3 72 hours after cultured.Results The inhibitory rate of breviscapine to HLE-B3 proliferation was gradually elevated with the increase of concentration of breviscapine,showing a significant inhibition of the cell proliferation among the different groups and at various time points (F =292.851,P=0.000;F =65.037,P=0.000).IC50 of HLE-B3 at 72 hours was 22 mg/L,and therefore,in rest of experiment 10 mg/L of breviscapine was used which was 1/2 only half of the IC50.α-SMA and FN were expressed in cultured normal HLE-B3.The expressing level of α-SMA mRNA and FN mRNA in the HLE-B3 was significantly different among the normal group,TGF-β22 group,breviscapine treatment group and combination group as well as at various time points (F =105.490,P =0.000 ; F =1041.414,P =0.000).Similarly,the protein expressions of α-SM A and FN in the HLE-B3 was significantly different among the four groups and different time points (F=136.872,P=0.000;F=119.820,P=0.000).The expression levels of α-SMA and FN mRNA and their proteins in HLE-B3 were remarkably increased in the 10 μg/L TGF-β2 group compared with the normal control group (at all P=0.000),and those in the combination group were obviously declined in comparison to the TGF-β2 group (P =0.001,0.001,0.001,0.010).No significant difference was found in the expressions of α-SMA and FN in the HLE-B3 between the breviscapine group and normal control group in both transcriptional level and protein level (P =0.551,0.292,0.551,0.360).Conclusions 10 mg/L breviscapine can arrest the proliferation and EMT of human LECs.This result suggests that using breviscapine may be a potential prophylactic approach in the prevention of PCO.

Objective To investigate the etiology and relative factors of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in Chinese patients. Methods A case-control study was conducted to compare 233 patients with DCM in high-incidence areas (case group) and 150 patients with stable angina pectoris (control group). Life styles and history of diseases information was collected by questionaire; human anti-myocardial antibody IgG (AMA- IgG), human Coxsackie B virus IgG (CBV- IgG) and human adenovirus antibody IgG (ADV- lgG) were measured with ELISA. General chemical and toxicological indicators in drink water from high and low prevalence areas and serum trace elements also were compared. Results 1 ) Compared with the control group, the case group had more farmers (P < 0.01), with low average incomes (P < 0.01), higher alcohol consumption (P < 0.01) and higher incidence of the history of myocarditis (P < 0.01 ). 2) AMA-IgG, CBV-IgG and ADV-IgG levels were low and the positive rates ofAMA-IgG, CBV-IgG and ADV-IgG of patients with DCM were respectively 7.78%, 6.67% and 6.67%, no statistical significance comparing with those in the control group. 3) The content of iron (1.36±2.18 vs 0.39±0.67 mg/L, P<0.05) and manganese (0.384±0.35 vs 0.15±0.14, P<0.01 ) in drinking water of high-incidence areas was significantly higher than that in low-incidence areas. 4) The content of serum iron (69.14±57.8 vs 20.04±17.5 μ mol/L, P<0.01 ) and copper (25.74±4.2 vs 19.7±4.5 μmol/L, P<0.01) in the case group evidently exceeded the normal range and obviously higher than that in the control group. Conclusions 1) The incidence of some DCM is related with low incomes, high alcohol consumption and myocarditis. 2) These data do not support that DCM is related with persistent virus infection and autoimmunization; 3) Iron and manganese contents exceeding standards in drinking water and the high content of serum iron and copper is comparatively related with the incidence of DCM.

AIM:To investigate the influence of pinellia heart-draining Decoction, Licorice heart-draining Decoction, Fresh ginger heart-draining Decoction and its dismantlements on the amount of gastric mucus in rats. METHODS:20 different combination of Banxiaxiexin Decoction and its analogus according to the unform design layout, the amount of gastric mucus in rats was determinated. Stepwise regression analysis was adopted to estimate the relationship between the pharmacological data and compatibility. RESULTS:Rhizoma Coptidis could reduce the amount of gastric mucus remarkbably, the interaction of Rhizoma Pinelliae、Fructus Ziziphi Jujubae and Radix Glycyrrhizae could increase the amount of gastric mucus, and interaction was confirmed among different medicinal ingredients in prescription. CONCLUSION:Uniform design provides a referable exeperimental design for studying analogus decoction compatibility law.

Objective To study the relationship between environmental chemical elements,vires infection and dilated cardiomyopathy(DCM).Methods In 2008,233 patients with DCM(case group)and 150 patient with stable angina(control group)were chosen in Liaocheng People's Hospital and Yanggu People's Hospital,Shandong province.Population distribution and disease history were surveyed in the two groups.Human myocardial antibody IgG(AMA-IgG),Coxsackie B virus IgG(CBV-IgG),Adenofirus antibody IgG(ADV-IgG)were detected by ELISA in both the case group and the control group.Serum trace elements were detected in the two groups.The general chemical and toxicological indicators in drinking water of the high-and the low-incidence aireas of the disease were control group[60.00%(90/150),χ2=13.80,P<0.01)].Per capita annual income(Yuan,RMB)in the case group (3207.82±618.51)was lower than that of the control group[(5086.61±886.12),t=24.40,P<0.01].Personal alcohol consumption in the case group[(175.00±160.50)g/d]was higher than that of the control group[(110.22±100.03)g/d,t=4.40,P<0.01)].The rate of myocarditis in the case group[5.15%(12/233)]was higher than ADV-IgG in the cage group were 7.78%(7/90),6.67%(6/90)and 6.67%(6/90),respectively.Compared with those in the control group[3.33%(2/60),5.00%(3/60)and 5.00%(3/60),χ2=1.26,0.18,0.18,all P>0.05],no mg/L]in drinking water of the high-incidence areas were significantly higher than that of iron[(0.39±0.67)mg/L,t=2.11,P<0.05]and that of manganese[(0.15±0.14)mg/L,t=3.01,P<0.01]in the low-incidence arefas.The content of semm iron[(69.1±57.8)μmol/L]in the case group evidently exceeded the normal range(15.6-35.9 μmol/L)and obviously higher than that in the control group[(20.0±17.5)μmol/L,t=5.04,P<0.01].Conclusions Theso data do not support that DCM is related with persistent virus infection and autoimmunization.DCM is probably related with low incomes,high alcohol consumption,myocarditis,high iron and manganese contents in drinking water and high content of serum iron.

OBJECTIVETo further study the binding character of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and beta 2-glycoprotein I (beta2GP I) and to explore whether beta2GP I plays an important role in the hepatotropism of hepatitis B virus.

METHODSUsing Western blot technique, we observed the binding character of the HBsAg with reduced and non-reduced beta2GP I.

RESULTSrHBsAgs with reduced and non-reduced beta2GP I showed identical binding activity.

CONCLUSIONSThe binding activity of HBsAg is dependent on tandem residues, but not on conformational structures of beta2GP I. There is a specific binding between HBV and beta2GP I, which may play an important role in HBV infection and is one of the reasons of hepatotropism of HBV.

Hepatitis B ; virology ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; metabolism ; Hepatitis B virus ; pathogenicity ; Humans ; Viral Envelope Proteins ; blood ; beta 2-Glycoprotein I ; blood

This study established a population pharmacokinetics-pharmacodynamics model of clopidogrel in patients with acute coronary syndrome. Fifty-nine patients were enrolled. The plasma concentration of clopidogrel active metabolite and vasodilator stimulated phosphoprotein platelet reactivity index (VASP-PRI) were selected as the pharmacokinetics index and the pharmacodynamics index, respectively. The covariates including demographic characteristics, laboratory indexes, combined medication, complications and genetic polymorphisms of related enzymes were screened for their influence on the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics parameters. Population pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics data analysis was performed using NONMEM software. The general linear model and the indirectly effect model-turnover model for pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic analysis were selected as the basic model, respectively. The population typical values of K12, CL/F, V/F, EC50, K(in), and E(max) were 0.259 h(-1), 179 L x h(-1), 632 L, 1.57 ng x mL(-1), 4.29 and 0.664, respectively. CYP2C19 was the covariate in the final pharmacokinetic model, and the model was to design a prior dosage regimen.
Acute Coronary Syndrome ; metabolism ; Humans ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Ticlopidine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacokinetics

This study was aimed to investigate the clinical value of multiplex nested reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) in detecting MLL-related fusion genes in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Ten MLL-related genes (dupMLL, MLL-ELL, MLL-ENL, MLL-AF6, MLL-AF9, MLL-AF10, MLL-AF17, MLL-CBP, MLL-AF1P, MLL-AF1Q) in 221 MDS cases were detected by multiplex nested RT-PCR. The results indicated that 20 patients were detected with positive result among 221 patients and the positive rate was 9.05%. The number of the positive cases and positive rates of the above mentioned 10 fusion genes were in order: 7 (3.16%), 2 (0.9%), 1 (0.45%), 1 (0.45%), 2 (0.9%), 2 (0.9%), 1 (0.45%), 2 (0.9%), 1 (0.45%), 1 (10.45%). It is concluded that the multiplex nested RT-PCR has been confirmed to be able to detect 10 fusion genes in MDS patients, which can provide important evidences for assessing diagnosis and treatment, and give related necessary information about minimal residual disease and its prognosis.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Karyotyping ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes ; genetics ; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Translocation, Genetic ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influences of enteral nutrition (EN), parenteral nutrition (PN) and probiotics supplement on the intestinal microecology, and barrier function of the rats with abdominal infection.

METHODSTwenty-one Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats with abdominal infection were randomly divided into three groups, and received PN (PN group, n=7), PN+ EN (PN+ EN group, n=7) or PN+ EN+ probiotics (probiotics group, n=7) respectively with isonitrogen and isocaloric nutrition. The rats were sacrificed after six days. The feces in cecum were cultured for anaerobic bacterial growth and DNA fingerprint spectrum was analyzed by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA technique. The transmembrane binding protein (occludin) and IgA levels in colon and terminal ileum were detected by immunohistochemistry method. The bacterial translocation rate and endotoxin level were also measured.

RESULTSThe germ numbers of different species were both higher in PN+ EN and probiotic group than those in PN group. The bands of DNA fingerprint spectrum were significantly decreased in PN group, but the bands in both PN+ EN group and probiotic group were similar to that in the normal rats. The expression levels of occludin and IgA in the intestine and colorectum were higher in both PN+ EN group and probiotic group compared with those of PN group (P< 0.05, P< 0.01, respectively), the expression level of occludin was higher in probiotic group than that in PN+ EN group (P< 0.05). The overall bacterial translocation rates and endotoxin levels were significantly reduced in both probiotic and PN+ EN group (P< 0.05), but there was no difference between probiotic group and EN group.

CONCLUSIONEN combined with probiotics can increase occluding and IgA expressions, improve the intestinal microecology,maintain the gut barrier function, and decrease the incidence of gut bacterial translocation.

Abdominal Cavity ; microbiology ; Animals ; Enteral Nutrition ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; microbiology ; physiology ; Immunoglobulin A ; analysis ; Infection ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Male ; Probiotics ; therapeutic use ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVEThe expanded programme on immunization (EPI) is an important part of the social commonwealth projects providing health care service by the government, which benefits communities. Government has the responsibility for EPI's financing which should be covered by the national budget. It is essential that the cost of EPI service be scientifically estimated to provide propriety information for policy makers.

METHODSThis study, using the cost accounting theory of health economics, to calculate EPI service cost at different levels. 3 provinces, 3 prefectures, 9 counties, 18 towns and 12 villages were selected from three provinces Guizhou, Heilongjiang and Zhejiang from the western, central and eastern regions of the country.

RESULTSThe average costs for one EPI-targeted child in Guizhou, Heilongjiang and Zhejiang, were 15.68 Yuan, 29.00 Yuan and 31.09 Yuan, and the costs for one dose were 10.99 Yuan, 18.64 Yuan and 16.51 Yuan, respectively. The costs for complete immunization program for one child were 131.88 Yuan, 242.32 Yuan and 280.67 Yuan, respectively. The main factors affecting the cost would include the average personnel cost (salary and benefit cost) by different economic levels of areas, the number of EPI items developed, and the number of total doses for one child.

CONCLUSION(1) Obvious differences were found between different areas. (2) The proportion of the cost was not reasonably set because of the shortage of input. (3) Guideline for different areas to compensate the working item cost according to the number of the items should be formulated.

China ; epidemiology ; Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Health Expenditures ; statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Immunization Programs ; economics ; organization & administration ; Population Surveillance ; methods ; Program Evaluation ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Vaccination ; statistics & numerical data