To investigate the influence of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) on p38 MAPK signaling pathway during acute lung injury (ALI) caused by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the rats were randomly divided into six groups: control group, LPS group, LPS + NaHS group, LPS + PPG (cystathionine-γ-lyase inhibitor) group, NaHS group and PPG group. The rats were sacrificed 6 h after injection and lung tissues were obtained. The structure of lung tissues and the number of polymorphonuclear leucocyte (PMN) was observed under optical microscope; the lung myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were tested; intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) protein expression changes were detected by immunohistochemical staining; phosphorylated p38 MAPK (p-p38 MAPK) protein expression was detected by Western blotting. The results showed that the lung injury in LPS group was observed, at the same time the MPO activity, the content of MDA, ICAM-1 and p-p38 MAPK protein expressions, the number of PMN were all higher than those in control group (all P < 0.05). Pre-injection of NaHS alleviated the changes induced by LPS, while pre-injection of PPG aggravated those alterations (all P < 0.05). ICAM-1 and p-p38 MAPK protein expressions in lung tissue were positively correlated (r = 0.923, P < 0.01). The results suggest that H2S may reduce LPS-induced ALI through inhibiting the conjugation of p38 MAPK and reducing the expression of ICAM-1.
Acute Lung Injury ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Animals ; Hydrogen Sulfide ; pharmacology ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; drug effects ; Malondialdehyde ; pharmacology ; Neutrophils ; Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Phosphorylation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Superoxide Dismutase ; pharmacology ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the impact of age on patients with metabolic syndrome (MS) and normal persons. Methods Data was gathered from 8280 persons including 4873 males and 3407 females who were randomly selected. All subjects were devided into normal group and MS group. According to the interval of ten years, the subjects were devided into seven age groups, to calculate the difference of impaired fasting glycaemia (IFG) between patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) and normal people, as well as the related portions. Results (1) The risk of IFG and DM appeared to be different among age groups among the target subjects as well as in the normal and the MS groups (P<0.05). (2) Among the whole subjects, the overall prevalence of IFG was increasing with age. The prevalence of DM had an increasing trend with age augment in 20-79 years group, whereas a decreasing trend appeared in people over 80 years of age. (3) For normal persons, the prevalence of IFG and DM were all increasing with age augment in 20-79 years group, and then decreasing with age augment in the over-80-years group. (4)For MS patients, the prevalence of IFG had an increasing trend with age augment in 20-69 years group, whereas a decreasing trend appeared in people over 70 years of age. There was no tendency of variation with age augment in DM.Conclusions (1) For normal persons, high prevalence rates of IFG and DM were correlated to age augment, especially in senior persons. (2) For MS patients, high prevalence of IFG was also correlated to age augment, but no association between prevalence of DM and age augment was seen. (3)Age from 70 to 79 years appeared to be in high risk with MS.

OBJECTIVETo explore the expression and clinical significance of Semaphorin4D (Sema4D) mRNA in peripheral blood lymphocyte, Sema4D on platelet surface, soluble Sema4D (sSema4D) in plasma in patients with cerebral infarction.

METHODSTaking 299 patients with cerebral infarction as the case group while 195 healthy adults as the control group. The mRNA expression of Sema4D was detected by Real-time PCR, and Sema4D expression on platelet by flow cytometry, sSema4D by ELISA. Then, the expression of Sema4D on platelet surface and the concentration of sSema4D in plasma of the 195 selected patients following 2 weeks' treatment were tested.

RESULTSThe expression of Sema4D mRNA significantly increased in the case group \[(2.23, 2.66)×10(4) IU/ml\] than in the control group \[(0.49, 0.53)×10(4)IU/ml\] (P < 0.01). The level of Sema4D on platelet surface in the case group (191.62 ± 46.56) significantly decreased than in the control group (303.33 ± 112.66) (P < 0.01). But the concentration of sSema4D in plasma in the case group \[(1.34 ± 0.56) µg/L\] was obviously higher than in the control group \[(0.61 ± 0.31) µg/L\] (P < 0.01). The expression of Sema4D on platelet was obviously relevant with the concentration of sSema4D in plasma in the case group with the correlation coefficient as 0.328 (P < 0.01). The expression of Sema4D on platelet obviously peaked up following 2 weeks' routine therapy in the case group, which was close to that in the control group. Meanwhile the concentration of sSema4D in plasma was downward corrected to the normal in the case group.

CONCLUSIONThe increased expressions and plasma levels, and reduced expressions on platelet of Sema4D in acute period, which returned to normal 2 weeks after treatment in the case group may be related to the occurrence of acute cerebral infarction, reflecting the development process of cerebral infarction.

Aged ; Antigens, CD ; blood ; metabolism ; Blood Platelets ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; Cerebral Infarction ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Semaphorins ; blood ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo compare the differences in cerebral oxygenation responses between the infants born preterm and full-term infants and to evaluate the early cognitive ability of infants born preterm.

METHODSCerebral oxygenation after light stimulation was detected by near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in preterm infants at 3 or 6 months corrected gestational age (GA). The results were compared with those of age-matched infants born at term.

RESULTSThe start and peak response time of cerebral oxygenation occurring after light stimulation in preterm infants at 3 months corrected GA was 17.2 +/- 5.2 and 38.4 +/- 9.6 seconds respectively, which were significantly longer than in age-matched term infants (13.1 +/- 2.7 and 28.9 +/- 5.0 seconds respectively) (P < 0.05). The maximum response value of hemoglobin, oxyhemoglobin and regional oxygen saturation of the preterm infants at 3 months corrected GA was (1.2 +/- 0.5)%, (1.5 +/- 0.6)%, and (1.3 +/- 0.4)% respectively , which were significantly lower than that of the term infants [(2.3 +/- 0.3)%, (2.8 +/- 0.3)% and (2.4 +/- 0.5)% respectively] (P < 0.05). Cerebral oxygenation responses to light stimulation in preterm infants examined at 6 months corrected GA were not significantly different from age-matched term infants.

CONCLUSIONSCerebral oxygenation responses to light stimulation in infants born preterm at 3 months corrected GA are not as good as age-matched term infants, but were close to the level of age-matched term infants at 6 months corrected GA. This suggests that the early cognitive ability of preterm infants before 3 months corrected GA might fall behind age-matched term infants.

Brain ; metabolism ; Cognition ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Oxygen ; metabolism ; Photic Stimulation ; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared

AIM:To understand the clinic effect of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) drugs injection in the treatment of fundus disease in the real-world study (RWS).METHODS:The clinical cases treated with anti-VEGF drugs in our department from September 2012 to June 2015 were enrolled in this study.Retrospective investigation was reviewed to the kinds of diseases, frequency, usage, efficacy, adverse reaction, and the effects on visual acuity, fundus and macular thickness which were treated with intravitreal anti-VEGF drugs injection.RESULTS:In 305 patients (340 eyes) treated with anti-VEGF drugs, 53 patients (60 eyes, 17.6%) were wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) 16 cases (18 eyes, 5.3%), diabetic macular edema (DME) 120 cases (134 eyes, 39.4%), branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) secondary macular edema 61 cases (68 eyes, 20.0%), central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) secondary macular edema 29 cases (32 eyes, 9.4%), idiopathic choroidal neovascularization (ICNV) 16 cases (18 eyes, 5.3%), high myopia with choroid neovascularization 4 cases (4 eyes, 1.2%), neovascular glaucoma 4 cases (4 eyes, 1.2%), retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP) 1 cases (1 eyes, 0.2%) and optic papillary neovascularization 1 cases (1 eyes, 0.2%).The minimum age was 16 years old, and the maximum age 90 years old.There were 247 cases (275 eyes, 80.9%) were treated with intravitreal ranibizumab injection, 58 cases (65 eyes, 19.1%) intravitreal conbercept injection.The time number of all patients accepted anti-VEGF drugs treatment was 465, with an average of 1.7 times per eye.Which, the 3 + PRN treatment method in 98 patients (109 eyes, 32.1%), 1 + PRN treatment in 207 patients (231 eyes, 67.9%).69 cases (77 eyes, 22.6%) were used alone to receive anti-VEGF drugs therapy, 10 cases (11 eyes, 3.2%) combined with intravitreal triamcinolone injection(TA), 35 cases (39 eyes, 11.5%) combined with vitrectomy, 26 cases (29 eyes, 8.5%) combined with photodynamic treatment (PDT), 165 cases (184 eyes, 54.1%) combined with simple laser treatment.After anti-VEGF drug treatment, majority of patients' the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), fundus and central macular thickness(CMT) were significantly improved, compared with the pre-treatment, the difference is significant (P<0.05).So that anti-VEGF drugs can effectively improve visual function and ocular fundus for fundus diseses.There were no serious adverse reactions except 3 patients appearling skin redness, itching, rash, 1 patient low low-grade fever and 1 patient acute cerebral infarction during the treatment.CONCLUSION:Intravitreal anti-VEGF drugs injection can significantly improve the visual function and ocular fundus for patients with fundus diseases, but there are still some adverse events, which should be attached great importance to medical workers.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the correlation between the interleukin-17 (IL-17) level of peripheral blood and aggression of bipolar mania. METHODS: Thirty-six patients of bipolar mania were selected as experimental group by DSM-IV-TR and received treatment with quetiapine and lithium. Thirty-six healthy volunteers with similar age and gender were selected as control group. The level of IL-17 at baseline in each group and the level of IL-17 in the experimental group after treatment for 2, 4 and 8 weeks were detected by ELISA. RESULTS: The level of IL-17 in experimental group at baseline, after treatment for 2 and 4 weeks were all significantly higher than that in control group. After 8 weeks treatment, there was no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). After 2, 4 and 8 weeks treatment, the total score and aggression score of Young Mania Rating Score (YMRS) were significantly lower than the baseline level (P < 0.05). In experimental group, the level of IL-17 was positively correlated with the two scores of YMRS at baseline (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Bipolar mania may be related to the up-regulation of IL-17. The level of IL-17 is related to the severity of manic symptoms at baseline, especially aggression symptom.
Aggression/drug effects* ; Antipsychotic Agents/therapeutic use* ; Biomarkers/blood* ; Bipolar Disorder/drug therapy* ; Case-Control Studies ; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ; Double-Blind Method ; Humans ; Interleukin-17/metabolism* ; Lithium Compounds/therapeutic use* ; Quetiapine Fumarate/therapeutic use* ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To investigate the factors associated with the occurrence of pulmonary complication in patients with cervical spine fiactures and concurrent cervical cord injury in Wenchuan earthquake. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted among the 9 patients with cervical spine fractures and cervical cord injuries treated in our department between May 12 to August 6, 2008. Results All the patients received surgical treatment for cervical spine fractures and cervical cord injuries. Six of the patients developed pulmonary complications 5 days after the injury, including 3 patients with pneumonia, 2 with ventilation disorder, and 1 with lung edema and hemopnenmothorax. Aggressive respiratory management was administered in these patients, and the pulmonary complications were effectively controlled. Conclusion Patients with cervical spine fractures and concurrent cervical cord injury often experience severe pulmonary complications during the acute phase (<5 days), which can be more likely in patients with high level injury, chest trauma, old age, preexisting pulmonary illnesses or smoking history. Early detection of the complications results in better therapeutic effect with conservative therapy.

OBJECTIVETo study the alteration of protein Z (PZ) in patients with cardio-cerebral thrombotic diseases, its clinical significance and relations with FX.

METHODSPZ and FX:Ag were measured by ELISA, and plasma FX:C by first stage method. In 170 patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS), 40 acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and 60 healthy adults as contrast, PZ, FX:C and FX:Ag were measured and compared between incipience and recurrence, different ages and genders.

RESULTSIn AIS and AMI groups, PZ levels decreased significantly to (940.02 +/- 229.82) microg/L and (1071.44 +/- 180.52) microg/L, respectively \[the contrast group was (2257.97 +/- 479.76) microg/L, P < 0.001\]. But FX:C and FX:Ag raised to (136.73 +/- 34.93)% and (135.54 +/- 54.39)% in AIS group; and to (139.53 +/- 29.18)%, (129.75 +/- 21.91)% in AMI group, respectively, while in the contrast group they were (94.33 +/- 22.00)% and (77.22 +/- 13.19)% (P < 0.001). In the comparative research between the AIS group, AMI group and the contrast group, PZ level was clearly found to negatively relate to the level of FX:C and FX:Ag (P < 0.001). Meanwhile, PZ level, FX:C and FX:Ag in recur-AIS group and recur-AMI group exhibited significant differences (P < 0.05) from those in the primary AIS and AMI groups, suggesting that the decrease of PZ levels reflected the pathological process of the disease. In addition, PZ level gradually decreased with the increase of age (P < 0.05), while FX:C and FX:Ag had no relations with age (P > 0.05). No correlation was found in sex with PZ level, FX:C, FX:Ag (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONPZ level was significantly decreased in AIS and AMI patients and was negatively related to FX:C and FX:Ag. The mechanism leading to FX increase may partially related with the decreased of PZ. PZ level was different in the primary and recurrent disease and was gradually decreased with the increase of age. Lack of PZ might be a etiological factor of cardio-cerebral thrombotic diseases.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Blood Proteins ; metabolism ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Factor X ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; blood ; Stroke ; blood

OBJECTIVETo evaluate two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DGE) and mass spectrometry in the studies of the serum proteins expressed in patients with BPH and those with high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasm (HGPIN).

METHODSWe extracted serum proteins from BPH and HGPIN patients by 2DGE and cut the differentially expressed interesting protein spots from the gel. Then we digested the proteins, obtained the peptide mass fingerprint by mass spectrometry and identified the proteins through database retrieval.

RESULTSWe successfully achieved the 2DGE maps of the serum proteins from the BPH and HGPIN patients, obtained 1 421-1 532 protein spots from the 2D map of HGPIN and 1 466-1 778 from that of BPH. Based on peptide mass fingerprinting, 9 of the protein spots were identified. Serum amyloid A was found to be expressed in the HGPIN group, but weakly or not at all in the BPH.

CONCLUSIONProteomics can be applied to the study of the serum proteins in BPH and HGPIN patients. It can afford experimental evidence for the early diagnosis and development HGPIN, promote the search of functional and specific proteins of prostate diseases and shed new light on the network mechanisms of the problems.

Blood Proteins ; analysis ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional ; Humans ; Male ; Mass Spectrometry ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; blood ; Prostatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia ; blood ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; blood ; Proteome ; analysis ; Proteomics ; methods

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation of the common variant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) on chromosome 3 with the incidence and related risk factors of prostate cancer (PCa) in Chinese men.

METHODSUsing the case-control meth- od, we included 124 PCa patients in the PCa group and 111 age- and gender-matched cancer-free healthy subjects as normal controls. We detected the distribution of allele and genotype frequencies of the SNP rs10934853 and rs2660753 with the polymerase chain reaction-high resolution melting curve (PCR-HRM) combined with gene sequencing, analyzed the cumulative effect of the risk genotypes of these two independent variants, and determined the correlation between different genotypes of these two SNPs and clinically related risk factors in the PCa patients.

RESULTSAs for the genotypes of rs10934853, there were 28 cases of AA (22.8%), 46 cases of CC (37.4%), and 49 cases of AC (39.8%) in the PCa patients, as compared with 24 (22.0%), 34 (31.2%) and 51 (46.8%) in the healthy controls. As regards the genotypes of rs2660753, there were 13 cases of AA (11.0%), 59 cases of GG (50.0%) and 46 cases of AG (39.0%) in the PCa patients, in comparison with 9 (8.8%), 47 (45.6%) and 47 (45.6%) in the controls. No significant differences were found in the distribution of the genotype and allele frequencies of rs10934853 and rs2660753 between the two groups (P = 0.520 & 0.582). Analysis on the cumulative effect of the risk genotypes of rs10934853 and rs2660753 showed a slightly higher risk of PCa (OR = 1.831 & 1.968) in the two groups with risk genotypes than in the one with wild types (P > 0.05). Different genotypes of rs10934853 and rs2660753 were not correlated with clinically related risk factors of the PCa patients (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSNP rs10934853 and rs2660753 on chromosome 3 are not obviously correlated with PCa in Chinese patients, and may not be a genetic risk factor of PCa.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 3 ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Risk Factors