This paper was to explore the effect of blood oxygen saturation (SO2) on oxidative damages of erythrocytes under the condition of oxidative stress. Keeping SO2 of cultured erythrocytes in vitro at the states of 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 0.9 and 0.98, respectively, we induced oxidative stress by tert-buthylhydroperoxide (BHP, 0.15 mmol/L of final concentration). After incubation, antioxidant capacity was assessed by measuring content of reduced glutathin hormone (GSH) in erythrocytes. Methemoglobin (MetHb) content, lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, TBARS) and denatured globin-chains on the plasma membrane were measured to assess the extent of oxidative damages. The results showed that in the presence of BHP, GSH contents increased from 0.3 to 0.98 groups; MetHb, TBARS and globin-chains levels all dropped with the rise of SO2. In conclusion, antioxidant capacity and oxidative damages of erythrocytes are closely related to SO2, declined SO2 could promote oxidative damages of erythrocytes.
Cells, Cultured ; Erythrocytes ; cytology ; metabolism ; physiology ; Glutathione ; blood ; Humans ; Methemoglobin ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Oximetry ; methods ; Oxygen ; blood ; Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances ; metabolism ; tert-Butylhydroperoxide ; toxicity

Lactate dehydrogenase-C4 isozyme has been widely studied as the sperm-specific antigen in the research of the contraceptive vaccine. Developmental and testis-specific expression of the LDH-C gene requires mechanisms for activation in germ cells and repression in somatic cells. LDH-C promoter, several transcription factors and methylation of CpG dinucleotides have been proved of governing action on LDH-C gene transcription. The strategy is to induce antibodies in the female reproductive tract against LDH-C antigens at a sufficient level to block fertilization. Chemically modified LDH-C4 offers a potential application in the induction of infertility of homologous species in marked contrast to native LDH-C4. In addition, advances are being made in researches on the male contraceptive vaccine and synthetic peptide immunocontraceptive.
Animals ; Humans ; Isoenzymes ; genetics ; immunology ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; genetics ; immunology ; Male ; Mice ; Papio ; Rabbits ; Spermatozoa ; enzymology ; Transcription, Genetic ; Vaccines, Contraceptive ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo compare the differences in the clinical function and lumbar and abdominal myodynamia in patiants of lumbar disc herniation treated with moxibustion at Dazhui (GV 14) and Guanyuan (CV 4) and acupuncture.

METHODSForty cases were randomized into a moxibustion group and an acupuncture group, 20 cases in each group. In the moxibustion group, the warm moxibustion was applied alternatively at Dazhui (GV 14) and Guanyuan (CV 4) once every other day, 1 h each time, once every day. In the acupuncture group, acupuncture was applied to the corresponding acupoints based on the affected lumbar vertebras, such as Jiaji (EX-B 2), Shens-hu (BL 23), Dachangshu (BL 25) and Huantiao (GB 30), etc. , once evey day 30 min each time. The treatment for 3 weeks was taken as one session in each group. Totally, one session treatment was required. Surface electromyography (SEMG) of bilateral paraspinal muscle and rectus muscle, and JOA score of low back pain were observed in the two groups.

RESULTS(1) JOA score: the score of subjective symptoms, score of activity of daily living (ADL) and total score were improved obviously as compared with those before treatment in the two groups (P<0.01, P<0.05). The results of subjective symptoms score, score of ADL and total score in the acupuncture group were superior to those in the moxibustion group after treatment (6.95+/-0.94 vs 5.50 +/-0.89,10. 90+/-1.86 vs 8.90+/- 1. 92,22.50 +/- 2.82 vs 19.35 +/- 2. 70, all P<0. 05). (2) SEMG comparison: root-mean-square value (RMS) was all reduced in SEMG of the anteflexion, rear protraction, orthostatism, bilateral bending and neck and leg rear flexion for strengthening lumbar muscle as compared with those before treatment in the two groups (P< 0.05, P<0. 01). RMS of the anteflexion and bilateral bending in the acupunture group were reduced much obviously as compared with the moxibustion group. In terms of sitting position anteflexion, rear protraction, orthostatism, bilateral bending and neck and leg rear flexion for strengthening lumbar muscle, median frequency (MF) after treatment was all improved as compared with that before treatment in the two groups (P<0. 05, P<0. 01). In terms of anteflexion, the electrode MF after treatment was improved much obviously in the acupuncture group(P<0. 05).

CONCLUSIONMoxibustion at Dazhui (GV 14) and Guanyuan (CV 4) and conventional acupuncture all improve muscle function, relieve muscle fatigue, increase the ability of anti-muscle fatigue, strengthen lumbar vertebral stability, release subjective symptoms and improve ADL. But, the effects of moxibustion are slightly lower than those of acupuncture.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Electromyography ; Female ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; Young Adult

Objective To study the reliability and validity of Chinese version of SF-36 survey in the quality of life assessment among nurses group in Shenzhen.Methods From September to October 2010, clinical first-line registered nurses working in upper second class and above in Shenzhen were investigated by the medical outcomes study 36-item short-form health survey, and then internal consistency reliability, split-half reliability, the correlation analysis, factor analysis, et al were used to evaluate the reliability and validity of the scale.Results The Chinese version of SF-36's split-half reliability was 0.77 .The Cronbach's α coefficient of internal consistency was 0.91. Cronbach's α coefficient of 8 domains ranged from 0.69~0.80. Eight principal components were extracted by factor analysis and the constructs of the instrument obtained were consistent with the conceived concept in essence.Conclusions The SF-36 survey could measure the quality of life for nurses group in Shenzhen with better reliability and validity, so it has practical value to some certainty.

Objective To evaluate the incidence of postoperative hemorrahage in children undergoing adenoidectomy , and to discuss its possible causes. Methods Included in this study were children who underwent adenoid and/or tonsil surgery at Shenzhen Chilidren's Hospital between January 2004 and November 2009. The change of hemoglobin ( Hb) and hematocrit ( Hct) were retrospectively analysed. The blood loss was estimated by the change of Hct. Results There were 2078 cases that accomplished the inclusion criteria in the period of study. Ten children bled 0. 5 - 4. 0 hours after surgery,without superfluous hemorrahage during the operation and post-tonsillectomy. This represented an incidence of 0.48% of immediate postoperative haemorrhage among the 2078 procedures analyzed. Statistical differences were found between boys (0.21%) and girls (1.10%, x2 =5.597, P<0.05). The change of Hb and Hct was positively correlated (r = 0. 95 , P < 0. 01) , the blood loss was positively correlated with the bleeding time ( r = 0. 66, P < 0. 05 ) . The causes of postoperative hemorrhage were coagulation system deficits, chronic nasopharyngitis, deficient hemostasis and immoderate ravage. To control the postoperative hemorrhage, 2 postnasal packing under topical anaesthesia and 8 electrocautery under general anaesthesia were applied. Conclusions Poor operative technique and deficient hemostasis are the major causes of primary hemorrahage. Prompt operation to control the postoperative bleeding should be done 2 hours after bleeding under general anesthesia in order to avoid severe complications.

Background: Advances in blood biomarker discovery have enabled the improved diagnosis and prognosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Most branched-chain amino acids, except isoleucine (Ile), are correlated with both mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD. Therefore, this study investigated the association between serum Ile levels and MCI/AD. Methods: This study stratified 700 participants from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative database into four diagnostic groups: cognitively normal, stable MCI, progressive MCI, and AD. Analysis of covariance and chi-square analyses were used to test the demographic data. Receiver operating curve analyses were used to calculate the diagnostic accuracy of different biomarkers and were compared by MedCalc 20. Additionally, Cox proportional hazards models were used to measure the ability of serum Ile levels to predict disease conversion. Finally, a linear mixed-effects model was used to evaluate the associations between serum Ile levels and cognition, brain structure, and metabolism. Results: Serum Ile concentration was decreased in AD and demonstrated significant diagnostic efficacy. The combination of serum Ile and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) phosphorylated tau (P-tau) improved the diagnostic accuracy in AD compared to total tau (T-tau) alone. Serum Ile levels significantly predicted the conversion from MCI to AD (cutoff value of 78.3 μM). Finally, the results of this study also revealed a correlation between serum Ile levels and the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale cognitive subscale Q4. Conclusions Serum Ile may be a potential biomarker of AD. Ile had independent diagnostic efficacy and significantly improved the diagnostic accuracy of CSF P-tau in AD. MCI patients with a lower serum Ile level had a higher risk of progression to AD and a worse cognition assessment.

Cigarette smoke is associated with the development of several diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The purpose of this study was to investigate genotoxicity and heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) in human airway smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) exposed to cigarette smoke extract (CSE). HASMCs was exposed to CSE with different doses for 24 h. The level of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) was determined by using HPLC-ECD, the DNA damage was analyzed by using comet assay, and apoptosis was examined by using Annexin-FITC/PI staining. The production of Hsp70 after CSE stimulation was tested. Results indicated that CSE significantly increased the level of 8-OHdG, DNA damage and cell apoptosis, and reduced the production of Hsp70. In particular, levels of Hsp70 were inversely correlated with 8-OHdG, DNA damage and cell apoptosis. It was concluded that cigarette smoke induced genotoxicity and decreased the production of cell protective protein Hsp70, which may contribute to the development of some airway diseases.
Apoptosis ; DNA Damage ; Deoxyguanosine ; analogs & derivatives ; metabolism ; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lung ; cytology ; drug effects ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Smoke ; adverse effects ; Tobacco ; toxicity ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical stage and histological grade of gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

METHODSTwelve clinical and pathological parameters were assessed in 613 patients with follow-up information. These parameters were classified into two gross spread parameters including liver metastasis and peritoneal dissemination, five microscopic spread parameters including lymph node metastasis, vascular, fat, nerve and mucosal infiltration, and five histological parameters including mitotic count ≥ 10 per 50 high-power fields, muscularis propria infiltration, coagulative necrosis, perivascular pattern and severe nuclear atypia.

RESULTSThe accumulated 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) of 293 patients without any of these predictive parameters of malignancy were 99.3% and 100.0%, respectively. They were regarded as nonmalignant and further evaluations on the stage and grade of these tumors were not performed. At least one and at most seven predictive parameters of malignancy were identified in 320 patients. For these patients, the accumulated 5-year DFS and OS rates were 43.9% (mean 6.7 years) and 59.7% (mean 9.3 years), respectively. The DFS showed significant difference between patients with and without gross spread (P < 0.01), with and without microscopic spread (P = 0.001). DFS and OS were associated with the number of predictive parameters of malignancy in patients without gross spread (P < 0.01 for both DFS and OS), but not in patients with gross spread (P = 0.882 and 0.441, respectively).

CONCLUSIONSMalignant GIST could be divided into clinical stages I and II based on the absence and presence of gross spread, respectively. The degree of malignancy of patients in clinical stage I could be graded according to the number of predictive parameters of malignancy. Patients in clinical stage II were of the highest degree of malignancy regardless of the number of parameters. The staging and grading of gastrointestinal stromal tumors in this study are strongly associated with prognosis.

Actins ; metabolism ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antigens, CD34 ; metabolism ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; secondary ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Grading ; methods ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Staging ; methods ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit ; metabolism ; Survival Rate ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDThe decrease of surfactant protein (SP) secreted by the alveolar type II cell is one of the important causes of limiting air of pulmonary emphysema. However, the SP-A gene and protein changes in this disease are rarely studied. This study was undertaken to investigate alterations in SP-A gene activity and protein, and to explore their roles in the pathogenesis of emphysematous changes.

METHODSTwenty Wistar rats were divided randomly into a normal control group (n = 10) and a cigarette smoking (CS) + lipopolysaccharide (LPS) group (n = 10). Ultra-structural changes were observed under an electron microscope. The number of cells positive for SP-A was measured by immunohistochemistry. The mRNA expression and protein level of SP-A in the lung tissues were determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and Western blot separately. The protein level of SP-A in lavage fluid was determined by Western blot.

RESULTSThe number of cells positive for SP-A of the CS + LPS group (0.35 +/- 0.03) was lower than that of the blank control group (0.72 +/- 0.06, P < 0.05). The level of SP-A in the lung tissues of rats in the CS + LPS group (0.2765 +/- 0.0890) was lower than that in the blank control group (0.6875 +/- 0.1578, P < 0.05). The level of SP-A in the lavage fluid of rats in the CS + LPS group (0.8567 +/- 0.1458) was lower than that in the blank control group (1.3541 +/- 0.2475, P < 0.05). The lung tissues of rats in the CS + LPS group showed an approximate increase (0.4-fold) in SP-A mRNA levels relative to beta-actin mRNA (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe changes of SP-A may be related to emphysematous changes in the lung. And cigarette smoke and LPS alter lung SP-A gene activity and protein homeostasis.

Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Emphysema ; metabolism ; pathology ; Homeostasis ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein A ; analysis ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo research on the protective effect of 3'-methoxy-puerarin (3'-mo-pue) on rat brain suffering from ischemia and to offer the experimental basis for widening the applied areas of Radix Puerariae.

METHODAll rats were randomly divided into sham operation group, control group, Pue group and 3'-mo-pue group. The influence of different dosage on relevant indexes were measured through cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model rat covered by Fecl3, and cerebral ischemia-reperfusion model rat after 2VO.

RESULTThe result showed that 3'-mo-Pue could reduce the scores of neurological deficit, cerebral infarcted zone to varying degrees and the water content of brain tissue in MCAO model. It could obviously increase the activity of CAT and GPx in the hippocampus and also increase the activity of CAT and GPx in the cortex in the ischemia field. Moreover, 3'-mo-Pue could decrease the content of LPO, LD in the brain tissue of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion model rat.

CONCLUSION3'-mo-Pue has favorable protective effect on brain suffering from ischemia. The mechanism is possibly related to its effect of anti-oxidation.

Animals ; Brain ; drug effects ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Brain Ischemia ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; prevention & control ; Catalase ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Enzyme Activation ; drug effects ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Isoflavones ; pharmacology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats, Wistar