Objective To investigate the effects of oral folic acid on cardiac development related gene expression of offspring in an experimental model of coxsackievirus B3(CVB3) infection of pregnant rats. Methods SD female rats were randomized into control group, folic acid group, CVB3 group and CVB3+folic acid group. The female rats were given folic acid by gavage for 2 weeks before pregnancy in folic acid group and CVB3+folic acid group. After conception for 7 days, rat model was established by intraperitoneal injection of CVB3 for 5 days in CVB3 group and CVB3+folic acid group. After nat-ural childbirth neonatal heart was taken and stored in liquid nitrogen. The morphological changes of neonatal rat myocardial tissues were observed by HE staining. The expressions of GATA-4 and NKx2.5 mRNA were detected by RT-PCR and West-ern blot assay. Results There was significant myocardial injury, such as myocardial fiber disarray and myocardial fiber breakage, in neonatal rats in CVB3 group. These damages were improved in CVB3+folic acid group. The expression levels of GATA-4 and NKx2.5 genes in myocardial tissues were significantly lower in CVB3 group than those of control group (P<0.05). The expression levels of GATA-4 and NKx2.5 proteins in myocardial tissues were significantly higher in CVB3+folic acid group than those of CVB3 group (P<0.05). Conclusion CVB3 infection in the early pregnancy inhibited the expres-sion of neonatal rat cardiac development factor. Folic acid supplementation has obvious protective effects on the neonatal rat cardiac development.

Objective To understand the present status and explore the influencing factors of quality of life(QOL)among medical students,so as to provide a reference for the improvement of the QOL. Methods A total of 1 898 medical students sampled by stratified cluster sampling method were recruited and investigated by wHO-BREF scale. The influencing factors were assessed by t-test and one-way ANOVA. The data were analyzed by SPSS 19.0. Results Scores of the physical,psychological,social relationship,environmental domain of quality of life were 64.99±13.28,61.85± 13.79,61.58±14.53,and 54.91±13.91,respectively. The results indicated grade,monthly income of family,physical training,quality of sleep and history of trauma were the influencing factors of QOL among medical students,and the differences were all statistically significant(P<0.05). Con?clusion The score of environmental domain of QOL among medical students was the lowest. In order to improve the QOL of medical students, schools should take different measures to them according to different grades or monthly income.

Objective To investigate the effect of sevoflurane postconditioning on oxidative stress responses during focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) in rats.Methods Twenty-four male Wistar rats,weighing 240-280 g,were randomly assigned into 3 groups:sham operation group (group S),focal cerebral I/R group (group I/R) and sevoflurane postconditioning group (group SP).The animals were anesthetized with intraperitoneal 10％ chloral hydrate 350 mg/kg.Focal cerebral I/R was produced by middle cerebral artery occlusion.In group SP,3.9％ sevoflurane (1.5 MAC) was inhaled starting from 20 min before reperfusion until 10 min after reperfusion.While 100％ O2 and air were given instead of sevoflurane in groups I/R and S,respectively.Six rats chosen from each group at 24 h of reperfusion were sacrificed and brains were removed for determination of malondialdehyde (MDA),glutathione (GSH),superoxide dismutase (SOD),catalase (CAT),glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and glutathione reductase (GR) levels and for microscopic examination.The cerebral infarct size was measured by TTC staining.Results Compared with group S,MDA level and cerebral infarct size were significantly increased in groups I/R and SP,and GSH,SOD,CAT,GSH-Px and GR levels were decreased in group I/R,and GSH-Px level was decreased in group SP (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group I/R,cerebral infarct size and MDA level were decreased,and GSH,SOD,CAT,GSH-Px and GR levels were decreased in group SP (P ＜ 0.05).The pathological changes were significantly attenuated in group SP compared with group I/R.Conclusion The mechanism by which sevoflurane postconditioning mitigates focal cerebral I/R injury in rats is related to enhanced antioxidase activity and inhibition of oxidative stress responses.

A total of 1151 subjects were enrolled in this study.Metabolic syndrome (MS) was diagnosed according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria.Significant differences in waist circumference,body mass index(BMI),diastolic blood pressure(DBP),systolic blood pressure(SBP),fat mass,Fat％ in different serum TSH levels were found.There were positive relation between fasting plasma glucose,DBP,SBP,and serum FT4 levels,between high density lipoprotein-cholesterol,DBP,SBP,waist circumference,fat mass,Fat％,and serum FT3 levels,even after adjustment for age and sex.Serum FT3 and FT4 levels were higher in the MS group than those in the control group.

Objective To evaluate the preventive efficacy of oral small-dose thyroid hormone tablet premedication for a short time on euthyroid sick syndrome (ESS) in children undergoing open heart surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) .Methods Forty ASA Ⅰ or Ⅱ children aged 3-12 yr, weighing 10-30 kg, scheduled for elective congenital heart disease surgery under CPB, were randomly allocated into 2 groups ( n = 20 each):placebo group (group P) and thyroid hormone tablet group (group T). Group T received oral thyroid hormone tablets 0.4 mg/kg every day for 4 consecutive days before surgery, while group C were given placebo. CPB was routinely established, and mild hypothermia, moderate hemodilution and high flow perfusion were adopted. Blood samples were taken from radial veins before administration (baseline) and on 1st, 2nd and 4th day after surgery to detect the serum concentrations of triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).SP, DP and HR were recorded before administration, immediately after surgery, and on 1st and 2nd day after surgery. The endotracheal extubation time, length of ICU stay, application of positive inotropic agents and occurrence of ESS were recorded. Results No significant difference was found in hemodynamic parameters, endotracheal extubation time and length of ICU stay between the two groups ( P ＞ 0.05). As compared with the baseline values,the serum T3 levels on 1st, 2nd and 4th day after surgery, and the serum TSH levels on 1 st day after surgery were significantly decreased in the two groups, and the serum T4 levels were significantly decreased on 1 st day after surgery in group P ( P ＜ 0.05). The serum levels of T3 and T4 were significantly higher, the severity of postoperative ESS and the number of positive inotropic agent administration were significantly lower in group T than in group P (P ＜ 0.05 ). Conclusion Although oral small-dose thyroid hormone tablet premedication for 4 days (0.4 mg/kg per day) can reduce the severity of postoperative ESS, but it can not prevent the occurrence of ESS in children undergoing open heart surgery under CPB.

We studied medium alkalinization in Salvia miltiorrhiza suspension cultures treated with salicylic acid and the effect of Ca2+ in this process through application of calcium channel antagonists (Verapamil, LaCl3, LiCl, 2-APB) and ionophore A23187. The results show that salicylic acid could induce significant medium alkalinization in S. miltiorrhiza culture. Verapamil and LaCl3 or LiCl and 2-APB, two different groups of calcium channel antagonist, significantly inhibited the medium alkalinization induced by salicylic acid. However, the suppression effect of verapamil or LaCl3 on medium alkalinization induced by salicylic acid was higher than that of LiCl or 2-APB. When two types of calcium channel inhibitor (LaCl3 and 2-APB) were used together, the medium alkalinization induced by salicylic acid was completely suppressed and even reduced the pH in medium. On the other hand, A23187 could promote the medium alkalinization. Based on the results above, we speculated that salicylic acid could induce significant medium alkalinization in S. miltiorrhiza culture, depending on the calcium from both extracell and intracell. Moreover, calcium from extracell plays a more dominant role in this process. Reveal of relationship in this research between Ca2+ and medium alkalinization can provide theory evidence for mechanism of the plant secondary metabolism.
Calcimycin ; pharmacology ; Calcium ; chemistry ; Calcium Channel Blockers ; pharmacology ; Calcium Ionophores ; pharmacology ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Culture Media ; chemistry ; Salicylic Acid ; pharmacology ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; metabolism ; Verapamil ; pharmacology

Objective To develop a subgroup analysis method that can simultaneously deal with longitudinal data containing measurement errors and dropouts.Methods Subgroup analysis was carried out based on a threshold regression model.A new generalized unbiased estimation equation is constructed by using the independence between repeated measurements to deal with measurement errors and introducing an inverse probability weighting matrix to deal with missing response.Results The computer stochastic simulation shows that the proposed estimation method is effective in dealing with measurement errors and dropouts,and has smaller bias and mean square error than the generalized estimation equation method without correcting measurement errors or dropouts.Conclusion In subgroup analysis,when there are measurement errors in covariables and missing values in response variables,it is usually necessary to deal with the measurement errors and missing values in order to obtain reliable parameter estimation.

Objective To investigate the relationship between serum thyrotrophin(TSH)and dyslipidemia in subclinical hypothyroid and euthyroid subjects. Methods An epidemiological study on diabetes and thyroid diseases was performed in Dadong community, Shenyang city, in 2007. 110 subjects with subclinical hypothyroidism(SCH)and 1 240 euthyroid subjects were enrolled in the study. Neither history of thyroid diseases nor administration of thyroid-related and lipid-regulating medicines were reported in these subjects. The levels of serum thyroid hormones, lipids, fasting plasma glucose(FPG), and insulin were determined. Results (1)Patients with SCH had significantly lower HDL-C levels than those who were euthyroid.(2)According to the guideline of treatment of adult dyslipidemia in China, the lipid profiles were each categorized. Mean TSH levels were higher in subjects in the dyslipidemia subclass than subjects in the normal subclass. The differences were significant in high LDL-C subclass in overweight individuals. In euthyroid overweight women, mean TSH levels were significantly higher in high LDL-C subclass. In the euthyroid population, TSH was positively associated with total cholesterol in overweight population. The association was not modified by the homestasis model assessment for insulin resistance(HOMA-IR)values.(3)TSH was associated positively with serum triglycerides and negatively with serum HDL-C in women. TSH was positively associated with total cholesterol in overweight population and positively associated with total cholesterol and LDL-C in overweight women after adjustment for age, sex, and body mass index. Conclusion Raised serum TSH seems to be a risk factor of dyslipidemia in subclinical hypothyroid and euthyroid subjects, which is independent of insulin sensitivity.

Objective To verify the criteria proposed by National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry(NACB)guidelines in investigating the factors that affect serum TSH determination, and to determine the reference range of serum TSH in iodine-sufficient areas of China. Methods In 2007, 5 348 inhabitants were enrolled from 3 iodine-sufficient areas of Liaoning Province, and were asked to fulfill the questionnaire. Serum TSH, thyroid peroxidase antibody(TPOAb), and thyroglobulin antibody(TgAb)were determined, and thyroid ultrasonography was carried out. Results The distribution of TSH levels was skewed in healthy people and closely fit the curve of Gaussian distribution after logarithmic transformation. The levels of TSH in subjects of 12-19 years of age were significantly higher than those of other age groups(P＜0.01), and no significant difference was found among the latter groups. TSH level in females [(1.68±1.90)mIU/L] was higher than in males[(1.45±1.92)mIU/L, P＜0.01]. The reference range of TSH was 0.43-4.74 mIU/L in males, and 0.48-5.39 mIU/L in females. Family history of thyroid disease, abnormal thyroid ultrasonography, and positive thyroid antibodies were the factors that influenced TSH level. Conclusion The reference range of serum TSH in iodine-sufficient areas of China is established.

Objective To explore the relationship between serum thyrotropin and the components of metabolic syndrome.Methods A total of 1534 adult inhabitants in Dadong district of Shenyang were asked to fulfill the questionnaires and have physical examination and oral glucose tolerance test(OGTT).The vein blood was drawn to measure thyrotropin(TSH),fasting plasma glucose(FPG),OGTT 2hPG,fasting insulin,triglyceride(TG) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C).Results Serum TSH in the MS group was higher than in the Non-MS group(2.54 vs 2.22 mU/L,P