Animals ; Antioxidants ; metabolism ; Fatigue ; blood ; Female ; Hypericum ; chemistry ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Physical Conditioning, Animal ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology

Objective To investigate the effects of D-tryptophan (D-Trp) on the formation of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) biofilm and the dispersal of 24 h-old biofilm, and the drug susceptibility of S. mutans against chlorhexidine (CHX) under the role of D-Trp. Methods Optical density assay was used to evaluate the growth curve of S. mutans exposed to 5.0 mmol/L D-Trp for 28 h. The non-treated group was not added with D-Trp. After treatment with 1.0, 2.5 and 5.0 mmol/L D-Trp, crystal violet staining was used to observe the changes of S. mutans biofilm formation in treatment group and non-treatment group. Crystal violet staining and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) were applied to illustrate the effects of 1.0, 2.5 and 5.0 mmol/L D-Trp on the dispersal of 24 h-old S. mutans biofilm. Resazurin sodium was used to indicate the effect of 5.0 mmol/L D- Trp on the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration (MBIC) of treatment groups and negative control group. Results The growth curves of planktonic S. mutans within 28 h was consistent in treatment group and the non-treated group, both attained exponential phase after 4 h and reached stationary phase at 22 h. Notably, when compared with non-treated group, the biomass of S. mutans biofilm was increased with time from 0 to 72 h after treatment with 1.0, 2.5 and 5.0 mmol/L D-Trp. And at the same time point, the biomass was significantly less in each subgroup of treatment group than that of non-treated group (P<0.05). Crystal violet staining demonstrated that values of biomass(OD570)were less in treatment groups treated with 1.0, 2.5 and 5.0 mmol/L D-Trp than those of non-treated group (P<0.01). CLSM also showed that bacteria was adhered to the surface of media intreatment groups treated with 1.0, 2.5 and 5.0 mmol/L D-Trp. The values of biomass were lower in treatment groups than those of non-treated group (P<0.01). The MIC against S. mutans was 0.073 mg/L in both experimental group and negative control group. The values of MBIC were 0.293 mg/L and 2.344 mg/L in experimental group and negative control group, respectively. Under the action of 5.0 mmol/L D-Trp, the MBIC of S. mutans was reduced to 1/8. Conclusion Results indicate that D-Trp may inhibit the formation of S. mutans biofilm and promote the dispersal of biofilm already formed. D-Trp may further help CHX exert its bactericidal activity to S. mutans.

Objective To investigate the expressions of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) and insulin receptor sub-strate-2 (IRS-2) in adipocytes during catch-up growth in neonatal rats with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and their correlations with the insulin resistance. Methods Sprague-Dawley rats (clean grade) were randomly divided into control group and food-restricted group after fertilization. Food-restricted group were received about 30%of food amount consumed in control group every day through the whole pregnant period to establish IUGR animal model, and were fed increased amount of breast-milk from postnatal day 1 to 21 to establish the period of catch-up growth in IUGR animal model (IUGR-CG). Fasting serum glu-cose, insulin and triglyceride were measured in blood from heart ventricles of 4-week old SD rats and insulin resistance index was calculated. Pre-adipocytes and mature adipocytes were obtained from SD rats at different age (1-week, 3-week, 5-week and 7-week old) and the former were induced to differentiate toward mature adipocytes. The levels of IRS-1, IRS-2 in the two kinds of mature adipocytes were detected by Real-Time PCR and Western blot. Results The expression levels of IRS-1, IRS-2 mRNA in mature adipocytes of IUGR-CG rats were signiifcantly lower than those of IUGR rats at 5-weeks and 7-weeks old (P<0.05) while the ex-pression levels of IRS-1, IRS-2 mRNA in differentiated adipocytes of IUGR-CG rats were signiifcantly lower than those of IUGR rats at 5-weeks old (P<0.05). The expression levels of IRS-1, IRS-2 protein in two kinds of adipocytes (mature and differentiated adipocytes) of IUGR-CG rats were signiifcantly lower than those of IUGR rats from postpartum week 1 through 7 (P<0.05). Conclusions IRS-1 and IRS-2 expression levels are downregulated in adipocytes during catch-up growth of IUGR rats, which may be closely related with insulin resistance.

To set up a method of amplification for the whole CagA gene of Helicobacter pylori and its fingerprinting by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), nested PCR was employed in combination with TD-PCR to amplify the gene and EcoRI and Hind III were used to generate the RFLP fingerprinting. Target DNA fragments from 13 of 20 samples were successfully amplified and the relevant RFLP fingerprintings were obtained. It is concluded that the method can be used to amplify the whole CagA gene and CagA gene has apparent diversity of RFLP profile.
Antigens, Bacterial/*genetics ; Bacterial Proteins/*genetics ; DNA Fingerprinting/methods ; Gene Amplification/*genetics ; Helicobacter pylori/*genetics ; Helicobacter pylori/isolation & purification ; *Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinicopathological features of pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis (PLAM).

METHODSBy means of HE and immunohistochemistry (SP method) studies, the clinical and pathological features of 5 PLAM cases were analyzed and the related literature reviewed.

RESULTSPLAM was a rare lung disease of unknown etiology and was restricted to females who were generally pre-menopausal. Pathological features showed abnormal smooth muscle cells (LAM cells) line the airways, lymphatics and blood vesssels leading to airflow obstruction and replacement of the lung parenchyma by cysts. LAM cells were positive for HMB45. Clinically the disease was categorized by dyspnoea, haemoptysis, recurrent pneumothoraces and chylous effusions.

CONCLUSIONSPLAM should be considered when recurrent pneumothorax, haemoptysis and dyspnoea occur in females. Pathologic examination of lung tissue biopsy is required for confirmation of PLAM diagnosis.

Actins ; metabolism ; Adult ; Antigens, Neoplasm ; Biopsy ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lung ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Lung Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lymphangioleiomyomatosis ; diagnostic imaging ; metabolism ; pathology ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; metabolism ; Melanoma-Specific Antigens ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Proteins ; metabolism ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo analyze the differences in the immediate effect of acupuncture on cervical spondylosis of vertebral artery type among three factors: needling technique, acupoint selection and time of needle retaining so as to option the best therapeutic program.

METHODSThirty-two cases were observed and randomly divided into 8 groups, 4 cases in each one. The orthogonal design of three factors and two levels was adopted. There were needling technique (electroacupuncture, reinforcing and reducing method), acupoint selection [C4-C7 Jiaji (EX-B 2) and three needles of neck: Tianzhu (BL 10), Jingbailao (EX-LHN 15), Dazhu (BL 11)] and time of needle retaining (5 min, 15 min). L8 (2(7)) orthogonal design table was arranged in the trial. The changes in mean velocity (Vm) of vertebral artery (VA) and basilar artery (BA) were observed before and after acupuncture.

RESULTSThe immediate effect of VA-BA blood flow was the most significant after electroacupuncture at C4-C7 Jiaji (EX-B 2), with continuous wave for 5 min. This method and acupoint selection greatly influenced the therapeutic results (both P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe optimized therapeutic program of the immediate effect of acupuncture for cervical spondylosis of vertebral artery type is electroacupuncture + C4-C7 Jiaji (EX-B 2) + 5 min. The importance of different factors for the immediate effect in acupuncture treatment of cervical spondylosis of vertebral artery type is: acupoint selection > needling technique > time of needle retaining.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Regional Blood Flow ; Spondylosis ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Vertebral Artery ; physiopathology ; Young Adult

Hyperandrogenism is a common endocrine pathological state in women, and polycystic ovary syndrome is the main cause. Studies have shown that in addition to affecting reproductive function, hyperandrogenism in women can also interfere with vascular endothelial function, and directly or indirectly increases the risk of atherosclerotic disease by affecting risk factors such as blood pressure, lipids, and glucose. This article reviews the impact of hyperandrogenism on the cardiovascular system of women, aiming at a deeper understanding of the role of androgens in women′s health.

Objective: To investigate the attitudes and demands of parents of children in Luzhou towards family based child sexual abuse prevention education. Methods: A self administered anonymous questionnaire survey was conducted among parents of children in Luzhou City who were selected from stratified cluster sampling. Multiple linear regression model was used to analyze parents attitudes. Results: Parents attitude towards prevention of sexual assault education was positive (average score 16.70± 3.67 ). The results of multiple regression analysis showed that parents of only child ( β =0.30), parents who participated in related activities ( β =1.28), communicated with relatives and friends ( β =0.81), and lived in urban areas ( β =0.49) had more positive attitudes. In terms of parental factors, average annual family income higher than 100 000 yuan ( β =0.39), mothers of young children ( β =0.88), and parents with a high level of knowledge about sexual assault prevention education ( β =0.98), the mother being a teacher or a medical staff ( β =0.52), and educational background of the mother being high school/secondary school ( β =1.03), college/undergraduate or above ( β =1.42) were associated with more positive attitudes( P <0.01). The results of demand analysis showed that parents had high demand for child s self protection (96.86%). Conclusion Parents of young children in Luzhou City show generally positive attitude and high demand towards family based sexual abuse prevention. Knowledge training and publicity regarding child sexual abuse should be improved for children who had siblings, from rural and township areas, and whose parents with low educational background.

Objective Discuss the preventions of complications and nursing characters after split liver transplantation in children. Methods Retrospectively analyze the clinical materials of the two cases of child split liver transplantations operated by our center. Results Acute rejection and simple appendicitis happened in one patient. Both patients had some complications including pleural effusion, neuro-system and psycho-system complications, electrolyte disturbances and etc. No bile leakage and bleeding occurred. They took a favorable turn with treatments. Conclusions There were some differences between children and adults in categories of primary liver diseases, pathophysiologic characters, operation methods and complications of operations. In children, the operations were difficult and the complications were more. The postoperative managements were complicated. Emphasizing observation after operation, finding complication as soon as possible and early treatment could help living through perioperative period.

To set up a method of amplification for the whole CagA gene of Helicobacter pylori and its fingerprinting by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), nested PCR was employed in combination with TD-PCR to amplify the gene and EcoRI and Hind III were used to generate the RFLP fingerprinting. Target DNA fragments from 13 of 20 samples were successfully amplified and the relevant RFLP fingerprintings were obtained. It is concluded that the method can be used to amplify the whole CagA gene and CagA gene has apparent diversity of RFLP profile.
Antigens, Bacterial ; genetics ; Bacterial Proteins ; genetics ; DNA Fingerprinting ; methods ; Gene Amplification ; genetics ; Helicobacter pylori ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length