Objective To investigate the role of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in the up-regulation of peripheral blood somatic stem cells after acute myocardial infarction in rats. Methods The models of acute myocardial infarction were established in 16 rata by ligation of left anterior descending branch of left coronary artery through chest incision, and the animal were divided into control group(n=8) and experiment group (n=8). The hearts of another 2 rats were obtained for normal myocardial tissue sections as controls. Monoclonal antibody of ICAM-1 was infused from the caudal vein in experimental group, and no invervention was conducted for control group. Blood samples were obtained from caudal vein on the first, third, seventh and fourteenth day after operation in these two groups. Serum concentration of ICAM-1 was measured by ELISA, positive rate of CD34 cells in peripheral blood was detected by flow cytometry, and the parameters of concentration of ICAM-1 and positive rate of CD34 cells at each time point were compared between groups. Results The concentration of ICAM-1 in peripheral blood of experiment group reached the lowest of (59.01±2.22) pg/mL on the seventh day. The concentrations of ICAM-1 in peripheral blood of experiment group were lower than those in control group, and there were significant differences between these two groups on the seventh and fourteenth day(P < 0.01). The positive rate of CD34 cells in peripheral blood of experiment group reached the highest of (12±2.11)% on the seventh day. The positive rates of CD34 cells in peripheral blood of experiment group were higher than those in control group, and there were significant differences between these two groups on the third, seventh and fourteenth day(P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusion ICAM-1 can inhibit the up-regulation of peripheral blood somatic stem cells after acute myocardial infarction in rats.

Objective To analyze the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of an outbreak of tsutsugamushi disease in Taizhou region of Jiangsu Province,and to clarify new changes of endemic focus of tsutsugamushi disease in Jiangsu Province.Methods The definition of tsutsugamushi infected cases was determined,field epidemiological investigation with analysis of clinical features and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results to diagnose tsutsugamushi disease were combined.Some of the positive samples were conducted genotyping by amplification and sequencing.Results The outbreak occurred from October to November,2011.The endemic focus located on the plain with humid climate and abundant rainfall.Fifteen cases of tsutsugamushi disease were found,including 6 PCR confirmed cases,5 clinically diagnosed cases,and 4 suspected cases.The main clinical symptoms were fever in 15 cases,skin rash in 14 cases,lymphadenectasis in 3 cases,skin eschar or ulcer in 12 cases,and liver dysfunction in 3 cases.None of the patients developed severe complications,and all recovered rapidly after the treatment.Comparing the sequencing results of positive samples with standard strains,the homology of base sequences was 99.00％ with that of Kawasaki.Conclusions The outbreak of tsutsugamushi disease in Jiangsu Province in 2011 is of autumn type in transitional endemic focus,and the pathogen is Kawasaki Orientia tsutsugamushi.

By using whole blood selenium, 24 hr urinary selenium and hair selenium contents as the indices of assessing human selenium status, it was found that the populations in the endemic areas of Keshan disease were practically in a selenium poor status. The selenium contents in locally grown staple grains and daily diets in the endemic areas were also lower than those in the non-endemic areas. In an area covering a cross section of Keshan disease geographic belt in our country, the hair selenium contents of agricultural populations were measured. The results indicated that all the hair selenium contents in the endemic sites were always at a lower level, whereas those in the non-endemic sites distant from the endemic areas were generally at a higher level; they decreased gradually until the endemic areas were reached; and finally, along the contiguous region of the endemic and non-endemic areas they were insignificantly different.The hair selenium contents among the agricultural populations were significantly lower than those among the non-agricultural ones in the same endemic areas. However, no regular correlation had been observed between the seasonal prevalence of Keshan disease and the variation of hair selenium contents in the same populations living in the same endemic sites.It is considered that the endemic areas of the disease seem to be a Se-deficiency belt, and Se-deficiency probably might be a pathogenic geo-gen in the prevalence of Keshan disease.

Objective:To investigate polymorphism of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DRB1 and -DQB1 genes in Bai ethnic group in Dali,Yunnan province.Methods:Polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific primers (PCR-SSP) were used to determine HLA-DRB1 and -DQB1 alleles in 124 unrelated healthy Bai ethnic individuals living in Eryuan County of the Dali Bai autonomous prefecture,Yunnan province.Results:Among all the 21 DRB1 alleles and 15 DQB1 alleles were identified,the predominant alleles were DRB1*1202(26.61%),DRB1*0901(13.89%) and DRB1*0803(9.92%) on DRB1 locus and DQB1*0301(31.45%),DQB1*0601(10.08%),DQB1*0401(8.06%)and DQB1*0502(8.06%)on DQB1 locus.The most common haplotypes were DRB1*1202-DQB1*0301(20.08%)and DRB1*0803-DQB1*0601(7.19%).Conclusion:The phylogenetic tree constructed according to the HLA-DRB1,-DQB1 allele frequencies of Bais with those of other 10 populations suggests that the Bai ethnic group belongs to the southern group of China,but it keeps genetic distance from others and the HLA genes exhibits a unique profile.This study would provide HLA polymorphism information of Bai for the future investigation on the disease related to the genetic polymorphism.

OBJECTIVETo assess the association between a C421A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in exon 5 of ATP-binding cassette, sub-family G (WHITE), member 2 (ABCG2) gene and susceptibility of primary gout in Han Chinese males.

METHODSFor 200 male patients with primary gout and 235 controls, the genotype of C421A locus was analyzed by PCR and direct sequencing. Blood glucose, uric acid, total cholesterol, triglycerides, creatinine and urea nitrogen was measured by an automatic biochemical analyzer.

RESULTSCompared with the controls, there was a higher frequency for AA genotype and A allele of the rs2231142 SNP in gout patients (22.5% vs. 8.5% by genotype; 44.9% vs. 32.3% by allele). The association with gout reached significance (chi-square =15.91, P< 0.001, crude OR=3.02, 95% CI:1.36-4.90 and OR (adjusted by age)=1.80, 95% CI: 1.32-2.45 by dominant mode; chi-square=6.82, P=0.009, OR=1.67, 95% CI: 1.54-2.27 by recessive mode). Blood glucose, uric acid, triglycerides, creatinine and urea nitrogen levels in gout patients were significantly higher than those of controls (P< 0.001).

CONCLUSIONThe C421A SNP, in particular AA phenotype, may be associated with susceptibility of primary gout in Han Chinese males.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Sub-Family G, Member 2 ; ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters ; genetics ; Adult ; Aged ; Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Gout ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

OBJECTIVETo elucidate association between the mutation of nuclear factor of activated T cells 1 (NFATC1) gene in IPT-NFAT region and simple congenital heart disease (CHD) in children.

METHODWe used polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the sequencing reaction to detect the mutations on the patients and their parents and (or) siblings.

RESULTSPCR amplification of the exon 7 region showed that 2 bands are obtained in 58% of patients with CHD and in 74% of their healthy parents and (or) siblings. Sequencing of the 2 bands revealed that both are amplicons of the exon 7 region, and that the additional band harbors an additional 44 nucleotides segment in the intronic region. The homozygous form of this allele was only present in patients with ventricular septal defect (2/24), atrial septal defect (3/18) and bicuspid aortic valve (1/4) in which G to A transition at nucleotide 17 of the third 44 bps was found. Neither the unrelated non-CHD individuals nor the ones with other CHD showed positive presence for the homozygous form of this allele.

CONCLUSIONSThere is a differential amplification of a tandem repeat region in intron 7 of NFATC1 and homozygous form of this allele in patients with ventricular septal defect, atrial septal defect and bicuspid aortic valve. NFATC1 gene may be an a susceptibility marker for ventricular septal defect, atrial septal defect and bicuspid aortic valve.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Base Sequence ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Genetic Testing ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; genetics ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutation ; NFATC Transcription Factors ; genetics ; Pedigree ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate clinical results of an interspinous stabilization system (Wallis) in treating lumbar degenerative disease in the short-term.

METHODSFrom August 2007 to June 2010,48 patients with lumbar degenerative disease who were treated with interspinous stabilization system, the data of patients were analyzed retrospectively. In all of the 48 cases, there were 30 males and 18 females with an average age of 54.2 years (ranged, 40 to 68 years). Forty-four cases were with single segment and 4 cases with two segments. Of them, 4 cases were in L3, 4, 40 cases were in L4, 5, 4 cases were in L3, 4 and L4, 5. The radiographic data of patients were analyzed. Clinical effects were evaluated by Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score system and low back pain disability questionnaire (Oswestry) and Odom method.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up from 1 to 2 years with an average of 18 months. According to Odom's criteria, 20 cases obtained excellent results, 24 good, 4 fair. JOA score increased from 12.4 +/- 2.7 preoperatively to 26.1 +/- 2.0 postoperatively (P < 0.01). Oswestry score decreased from 14.1 +/- 2.9 preoperatively to 5.5 +/- 1.8 postoperatively (P < 0.01). The posterior height of intervertebral space and height of nerve root canal increased compared with that of preperative height.

CONCLUSIONThe treatment of lumbar degenerative disease with interspinous stabilization system can obtain satisfactory effects in the near future. It can retain dynamic stable of corresponding segments, expand volume of vertebral canal, and is safe and feasible.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ; surgery ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Stenosis ; surgery

Objective:To observe the effect of warm joint needling plus rehabilitation techniques on the balance function and quality of life (QOL) of patients with spastic hemiplegia after ischemic cerebral stroke.Methods:Ninety patients with spastic hemiplegia after ischemic cerebral stroke were randomized into a rehabilitation group,a warm joint needling group and an observation group,with 30 cases in each group.The rehabilitation group was intervened by Bobath therapy,the warm joint needling group was treated with joint needling on the affected side plus warm needling,and the observation group was given the same rehabilitation treatment as the rehabilitation group together with the same warm joint needling as the warm joint needling group.The three groups were treated once another day,1 month as a treatment course for 6 months.Before the treatment,and respectively after 2-week,1-month,3-month,and 6-month treatment,the modified Ashworth scale (MAS) was used to measure the anti-spasm ability of the lower limb,the Berg balance scale (BBS) was adopted to evaluate the balance function,and the stroke-specific quality of life scale (SS-QOL)was employed to estimate the QOL.Results:After 3-month and 6-month treatment,the lower-limb MAS scores in the observation group were significantly better than those in the rehabilitation group and the warm joint needling group (all P＜0.05).After 1-month,3-month and 6-month treatment,the BBS scores in the observation group were significantly better than those in the rehabilitation group and the warm joint needling group (all P＜0.05).After 2-week,1-month,3-month and 6-month treatment,the SS-QOL scores in the observation group were markedly better than those in the rehabilitation group and the warm joint needling group (all P＜0.05).Conclusion:Warm joint needling plus rehabilitation can effectively improve the lower-limb spasticity state,balance function and QOL in patients with spastic hemiplegia after ischemic cerebral stroke.

PURPOSE: Modafinil is a wake-promoting agent that has been proposed to improve cognitive performance at the preclinical and clinical levels. Since there is insufficient evidence for modafinil to be regarded as a cognitive enhancer, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of chronic modafinil administration on behavioral learning in healthy adult rats. METHODS: Y-maze training was used to assess learning performance, and the whole-cell patch clamp technique was used to assess synaptic transmission in pyramidal neurons of the hippocampal CA1 region of rats. RESULTS: Intraperitoneal administration of modafinil at 200 mg/kg or 300 mg/kg significantly improved learning performance. Furthermore, perfusion with 1mM modafinil enhanced the frequency and amplitude of spontaneous postsynaptic currents and spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents in CA1 pyramidal neurons in hippocampal slices. However, the frequency and amplitude of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents in CA1 pyramidal neurons were inhibited by treatment with 1mM modafinil. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that modafinil improves learning and memory in rats possibly by enhancing glutamatergic excitatory synaptic transmission and inhibiting GABAergic (gamma-aminobutyric acid-ergic) inhibitory synaptic transmission.
Adult ; Animals ; CA1 Region, Hippocampal ; Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials ; Humans ; Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potentials ; Learning* ; Memory ; Neurons ; Perfusion ; Rats* ; Synaptic Potentials ; Synaptic Transmission*