Objective To establish the technique of hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp and to study the reference value of insulin sensitivity index in healthy Chinese. Methods According to the feedback mathematical model developed by DeFronzo, the technique of hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp was used in 90 healthy Chi- nese [ male:female =71 = 19; age; (28. 3±6. 1) years; body mass index (20. 9±1.5) kg/m2 ] to study die glu-cose metabolized rate. Blood samples were obtained at timed intervals in the fasting state and during the clamp for the measurement of glucose, insulin and C peptide. Results During the clamp tests, the blood glucose levels were con-trolled within 10% of target value. The coefficient of variation of glucose levels was 3. 8% 0.1%. In the steady state, the insulin sensitivity index (glucose metabolized rate, M value ) was (7.78±2.30) mg· kg-1 min-1, which was distributed normally. The lowest quartile of M value was 6. 286 mg·kg -1 min-1'. The coefficient of variation of M value was 9.4%±2.8%. Conclusion The technique of hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp and the reference value of insulin sensitivity index in healthy Chinese are successfully established in our center.

emic euglycemic clamp quantitively.

Background Experimental data have shown tnat polymorpnisms in tne angiotensm-converting en- zyme 2(ACE2)gene are related to echocardiographically determined parameters of left ventricular mass,structure or function in the general population whether ACE2 genotype influences the effect of angi0tensin Ⅱ receptor blocker which improve left ventricular remodeling and function is unknown.Objective To investigate the association be- tween ACE2 gene G9570A polymorphism and the effect of irbesartan on left ventricular structure and function in hy- pertensive patients.Methods Two hundred and five male patients and 190 female patients who were preliminaryly diagnosised with mild and moderate essential hypertension were treated with irbesartan for 48 weeks with initial dose of 150 mg/d and titrated to 300 mg/d to reach the targed BP.Gene polymorphisms of ACE2 G9570A were detected by PCR-RFLP methods.The association between changes in the SBP,DBP,parameters of left ventricular struc- ture and function and genotypes of the ACE2 gene locus were analyzed.Results Irbesartan reducted in blood pres- sure in all patients(P

OBJECTIVETo develop an effective method for screening recombinant hairpin RNA expression plasmids using single restriction endonuclease analysis.

METHODSThe double-strand DNA fragment containing a ClaI site (the flanking sequences of which were not complementary) was annealed and ligated into small hairpin RNA (shRNA) expression vector pSilencer-4.1 that did not contain ClaI site to construct the circular pSilencer-4.1-ClaI vector. With BamHI and HindIII, the pSilencer-4.1-ClaIwas digested and ligated with the DNA template of green fluorescence protein (GFP) shRNA that did not include a ClaI site. The plasmid DNA of the positive clones was extracted and digested with ClaI, and the inserted DNA sequence of the non-linearized plasmid was identified by sequence analysis.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONDNA sequencing showed that pSilencer-4.1-ClaI was correctly constructed and the plasmids resistant to ClaI digestion were all recombinant vectors encoding GFP shRNA. The constructed pSilencer-4.1-ClaI can be used as a universal vector to construct the shRNA expression plasmid, and the incorporated ClaI sites may allow efficient screening of recombinant shRNA expression vectors.

Base Sequence ; Gene Expression ; Genetic Engineering ; methods ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; genetics ; Inverted Repeat Sequences ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Plasmids ; genetics ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Restriction Mapping ; methods ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo summarize the experience with endovenous laser treatment(EVLT) combined with high ligation and Muller's phlebectomy for primary superficial varicose in the lower limbs.

METHODSIn 95 patients with C3-6 grade primary superficial varicose in 146 lower limbs, the extent of varicose was accurately marked, the guiding wires were manipulated precisely, and the proximal great saphenous veins (GSV) were ligated after exsanguinations. The stems of the GSV were ablated with laser with the lower limbs lift up and pressed hard along the stems, and Muller's incisions were carefully planned.

RESULTSAll the operations were completed successfully. The guiding wires entered into the deep veins through the communicating branches in 2 limbs, 1 patient experienced capillary hemorrhage from Muller's incisions, 8 had thrombotic phlebitis of the GSV, 7 sustained heat-related injury of the saphenous nerves, 1 experienced skin heat-related lesion, 2 developed hematoma in the inguinal region, 2 had pitting edema in the dorsum of the foot, 1 had fat liquefaction of the Muller incision, and 1 showed rejection of the thrum. After conservative treatment, all the patients recovered and were discharged. Part of the superficial varicose remained after the operation in 6 limbs.

CONCLUSIONIt is necessary to standardize the routine procedure of EVLT combined with high ligation and Muller's phlebectomy to reduce the complications.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Laser Therapy ; Ligation ; Lower Extremity ; blood supply ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Saphenous Vein ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Varicose Veins ; surgery ; Vascular Surgical Procedures ; methods

OBJECTIVEAntigen-presenting cells such as monocytes and dendritic cells (DCs) stimulate T-cell proliferation and activation during adaptive immunity. This cellular interaction plays a role in the growth of atherosclerotic plaques. Tanshinone II A (TSN) had been shown to decrease the growth of atherosclerotic lesions. We therefore investigated the ability of TSN to inhibit human monocyte-derived DCs and their T-cellstimulatory capacity.

METHODSDCs derived from human monocytes cultured with recombinant human interleukin (IL)-4 and recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor were co-cultured with TSN and lipopolysaccharide for 48 h. Phosphate-buffered saline was used as a negative control. Activation markers and the capacity of DCs for endocytosis were measured by flow cytometry, and proinflammatory cytokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. DCs were co-cultured with lymphocytes to measure T-cell proliferation and IL-2 secretion by mixed lymphocyte reactions.

RESULTSTSN dose-dependently attenuated DC expression of costimulatory molecules (CD86), and decreased expression of major histocompatibility complex class II (human loukocyte antigen-DR) and adhesion molecules (CD54). Moreover, TSN reduced secretion of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-12 and IL-1 by human DCs, and restored the capacity for endocytosis. Finally, TSN-preincubated DCs showed a reduced capacity to stimulate T-cell proliferation and cytokine secretion.

CONCLUSIONSTSN inhibits DC maturation and decreases the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, while impairing their capacity to stimulate T-cell proliferation and cytokine secretion. These effects may contribute to the influence of TSN on the progression of atherosclerotic lesions.

Antigen-Presenting Cells ; drug effects ; Atherosclerosis ; immunology ; pathology ; B7-2 Antigen ; metabolism ; Cell Membrane ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Cytokines ; secretion ; Dendritic Cells ; drug effects ; immunology ; secretion ; Diterpenes, Abietane ; pharmacology ; Endocytosis ; drug effects ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Immunity, Cellular ; drug effects ; Inflammation Mediators ; metabolism ; Lymphocyte Activation ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo compare the efficacy of transplanting bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) or microenvironmental induced BMSC (iBMSC) into the ischemic myocardium of rats with myocardial infarction.

METHODSiBMSC was defined as BMSC co-cultured with myocardial cells for 2 weeks. The stem cells or equal volume PBS were injected into ischemic border zone 1 wk after experimental infarction. Cardiac performance was evaluated at 1, 2, and 4 wk after cell transplantation by echocardiography and analyzed histologically at 4 wk after cell transplantations.

RESULTSCompared with PBS group, both BMSC and iBMSC transplantations reduced infarct size. iBMSC enhanced the beneficial effects of BMSC on improving cardiac function (FS: 28.5% +/- 4.3% in PBS, 29.0% +/- 2.0% in BMSC and 45.1% +/- 3.1% in iBMSC group at 4 weeks post transplantation, iBMSC group vs. PBS group P < 0.05, iBMSC group vs. BMSC group P < 0.05). Immunofluorescence microscopy results revealed co-localization of SPIO-labeled transplanted cells with cardiac markers for cardiomyocytes, indicating regeneration of damaged myocardium.

CONCLUSIONOur data suggest that iBMSC implantation is more effective on improving cardiac function than BMSC implantation in this model. iBMSC might serve as a new promising therapeutic cell source for regenerating ischemic myocardium in patients with post-infarction heart failure.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; Cell Differentiation ; Cells, Cultured ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Myocardial Infarction ; surgery ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transplantation Conditioning

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) gene polymorphisms and the risk factor for essential hypertension (EH) with concurrent ischemic stroke in southern Chinese population.

METHODSThe G9570A polymorphism in ACE2 gene were detected in 139 patients with EH and stroke using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Detailed clinical and biochemistrical data of the patients, including the pulse pressure, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), intima-media thickness (IMT), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and uric acid levels, were collected to study the relationship between ACE2 gene and the risk factor of EH and stroke.

RESULTSThe levels of hsCRP (OR=1.022), uric acid (OR=1.224), IMT and pulse pressure was positively correlated to the incidence of EH and stroke. The pulse pressure, hsCRP, IMT, and HDL-C levels in male stroke patients carrying A allele was significantly higher than those in patients carrying G allele (P<0.05). In female stroke patients, the pulse pressure, hsCRP, IMT, and HDL-C levels were also significantly different with regard to the genotype of ACE2 gene (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe patients with EH and ischemic stroke carrying the A/AA allele of ACE2 gene have higher risks than those carrying other allele, and can be also more vulnerable to stroke recurrence.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Brain Ischemia ; complications ; genetics ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Hypertension ; complications ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Risk Factors ; Stroke ; complications ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo construct an eukaryotic expression vector for miRNA-1-2 that can be expressed in rat H9C2 cardiomyocytes.

METHODSThe precursor miRNA (pre-miRNA) DNA template for miRNA-1-2 was designed and generated by PCR amplification. The DNA template was inserted into the hairpin RNA expression vector pSilence-4.1-neo and identified by DNA sequencing analysis. The recombinant plasmid DNA was then transfected into H9C2 cells via Lipofectamine, and the green fluorescence protein expression vector pEGFP-N3 served as the transfection marker. Twenty-four hours after transfection, the total cellular RNA was extracted using TRIzol reagent, and thermoscript reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR was performed to determine miRNA-1-2 precursor expression.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONDNA sequencing indicated that the miR-1-2 expression plasmid was correctly constructed. The precursor miRNA-1-2 was successfully expressed in the H9C2 cells, and the expression of Hand2 protein could be efficiently inhibited by miRNA-1.

Animals ; Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cell Line ; Down-Regulation ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; cytology ; metabolism ; Plasmids ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Rats ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo assess the diagnosis and treatment of invasive lung aspergillosis after liver transplantation.

METHODSRoutine sputum culture was performed. Itraconazole and fluconazole were used to prevent fungal infection prophylactically. Amphyotericin B was only used on aspergillosis. In 54 patients receiving, liver transplantation, 3 patients with lung aspergillosis were reviewed.

RESULTSOf the 3 patients 2 died and 1 recovered.

CONCLUSIONSOver-immunosuppression is a main risk factor for aspergillosis. Amphotericin B is still the best choice for the treatment of aspergillosis and its gradual, interrupted, low concentration administration, cooperated with itraconazole can ease the side effects.

Adult ; Aspergillosis ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Lung Diseases, Fungal ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Male ; Middle Aged