Objective To investigate the correlation between vertebral artery tortuosity and posterior circulation ischemia (PCI). Methods The patients with PCI aged ≥50 years old and the controls without PCI at the same time were enrolled. CT angiography was performed in all patients. The cervical vertebral artery tortuosity was observed and rated, and the related risk factors for influencing PCI were analyzed. Results A total of 112 patients with PCI and 90 controls were enrolled. Univariate analysis showed that the proportions of patients with hypertension (80. 36% vs. 54. 44% ; χ2 = 15. 613, P < 0. 001), smoking (35. 71% vs. 18. 89% ; χ2 = 6. 974, P = 0. 008), alcohol consumption (25. 89% vs. 10. 00% ; χ2 = 8. 253, P = 0. 004), posterior circulation vascular stenosis (54. 46% vs. 24. 44% ; χ2 = 18. 578, P < 0. 001), and vertebral artery tortuosity (71. 43% vs. 48. 89% ; χ2 = 10. 695, P = 0. 001), as well as the levels of the total cholesterol (4. 96 ± 1. 26 mmol/L vs. 4. 61 ± 1. 04 mmol/L; t = - 2. 110, P = 0. 036 ), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (3. 02 ± 0. 90 mmol/L vs. 2. 69 ± 0. 78 mmol/L; t = - 2. 671, P = 0. 008 ), and fibrinogen (3. 67 ± 1. 69 mg/L vs. 3. 25 ± 0. 97 mg/L; t = - 2. 002, P = 0. 047) in the PCI group were significantly higher than those in the control group. The proportion of bilateral vertebral artery tortuosity in the PCI group was significantly higher that in the control group (30. 36% vs. 12. 22% ; χ2 = 9. 478, P =0. 002). The proportion of grade 3 vertebral artery tortuosity in the PCI group was significantly higher than that in the control group (43. 75% vs. 26. 67% ; χ2 = 6. 310, P = 0. 012). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that smoking (odds ratio [OR] 2. 339, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1. 037-5. 278; P =0. 041), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (OR 1. 580,95% CI 1. 050-2. 377; P = 0. 028), hypertension (OR 2. 631, 95% CI 1. 237-5. 596; P = 0. 012), posterior circulation vascular stenosis (OR 3. 419, 95% CI 1. 638-7. 134; P = 0. 001), and vertebral artery tortuosity (OR 2. 413, 95% CI 1. 212-4. 803; P = 0. 012) were the independent risk factors for PCI. Conclusion The vertebral artery tortuosity is an independent risk factor for PCI in the middle-aged and elderly people.

Objective Color doppler ultrasonography of chronic Keshan disease (CKD) was evaluated to provide evidences for clinic diagnosis of the disease. Methods From September to Novermber 2009, according to "Diagnostic criteria of Keshan disease" (GB 17021-1997), 64 cases of CKD were randomly sampled from five Keshan diseased districts in Shandong province, Zoucheng, Sishui, Yishui, Wulian, Jvxian, and Pingyi as patient group. Thirty four healthy volunteers being checked up by Shandong Institute for Endemic Diseases Control and Research were put in control group. All the subjects were examined with Color doppler ultrasonography. The indexes of cardiac structure, left ventricular (LV) systolic function and LV diastolic function were measured.Results Left atrial internal diameter, LV end-diastolic internal diameter, LV end-systolic internal diameter, right ventricular diameter, aorta diameter, right atrial transverse diameter, right atrial long diameter and left ventricle mass of the patient group[(35.38 ± 6.89), (61.57 ± 8.61), (45.39 ± 10.29), (17.22 ± 3.79), (28.69 ± 2.81),(38.00 ± 6.05), (42.68 ± 8.65)mm, (283.22 ± 103.12)g] were higher than that of control group[(26.70 ± 3.27),(45.41 ± 4.93), (26.91 ± 4.35), (13.76 ± 2.27), (24.09 ± 2.89), (31.50 ± 3.32), (35.82 ± 3.14) mm, (156.03 ±39.86)g, t = 6.93, 10.09, 9.98, 4.87, 7.64, 5.81, 4.46, 6.90, all P＜ 0.05]. The LV ejection fraction and fractional shortening of the left ventricular of the patient group[(49.25 ± 14.33)%, (26.11 ± 9.17)%] were lower than that of control group[(73.88 ± 4.04)%, (42.88 ± 3.62)%, t = - 9.79, - 10.22, all P＜ 0.05]. Diffuse hypokinetic motion of the left ventricle reduced in 95% (61/64) of CKD patients, and 5% (3/64) of CKD patients had segmental LV dyskinesia. Seventy five per sent(48/64) of the patients accompanied with mitral regurgitation, and 39% (26/64) of these cases accompanied with tricuspid regurgitation. Meaningful Mitral or tricuspid regurgitation was not found out in control group. Conclusions The CKD patients' bore of atrio-ventricular cavity and LV mass are enlarged, and their motion of ventricle is reduced or partly reduced. They have poor heart function. Mitral regurgitation are more than tricuspid regurgitation. Color doppler Ultrasonography is important in diagnosis of chronic Keshan discase.

Objective To investigate the daily total fluoride intake in relating to the prevalence of skeletal fluorosis in two villages in Jiangsu Province,in order to provide the scientific evidences for the control and prevention of endemic fluorosis.Methods Adults sampled from a high-fluoride Village,Wamiao,and a low-fluoride Village,Xinhuai,were surveyed in this study according to the fluoride concentration in their household shallow well.The average daily total fluoride intake from difierent sources and the skeletal fluorosis were investigated in each subject.Then the subjects from two villages were allocated into five subgroups(＜2.00,2.00～,3.00～,4.00～,≥5.00 mg/d),the relation fluoride intake and prevalence of osteofluorosis was analyzed.Results The prevalence of skeletal fluorosis in Wamiao Village was 31.06%(41/132),but no skeletal fluorosis case(0/35)was found in Xinhuai Village.According to the daily total fluoride intake,subjects with higher daily total fluoride intake tended to associated with a higher prevalence of skeletal fluorosis in a significant dose-response relationship(regression equation:y=2.624-6.855x+3.424x2:r=0.997).The benchmark dose lower limitation of daily total fluoride intake with 95% confidencewas 2.50 mg/d calculated according to this dose-response relationship,the reference dose(RfD)was 2.50 mg/d.In Wamiao Village a significant difference was also found between daily total fluoride intake in 41 subjects[(5.09±1.20)mg/d]with X-ray detectable skeletal fluorosis and in 91 subjects[(3.08±1.12)mg/d]without X-ray detectable skeletal fluorosis(t=-9.32,P＜0.01).Conclusions These findings indicate that the daily total fluoride intake has a significant dose-response relationship with the prevalence of skeletal fluorosis in an endemic fluorosis area associated with high-fluoride drinking water;and the RfD in this study was lower than that in the national standard of"Chinese hygienic standard for daily total fluoride intake(WS/T 87-1996)"(3.50 mg/d).

Objective To study whether the green fluorescent protein ( GFP) gene can be successfully expressed in green fluorescent nude mice and the tissue distribution characteristics.Methods Small animal imaging system and RT-PCR assay were used to detect the GFP tissue distribution and fluorescence expression level.Results The GFP can be expressed in multiple tissues in green fluorescent nude mice.A higher expression was observed in the pancreas, heart, brain, and skin.Conclusion Exogenous GFP can be stably expressed and inherited in green fluorescent nude mice, with the highest expression in the pancreas.

OBJECTIVETo detect the influencing factors for posttraumatic hydrocephalus in patients with severe traumatic brain injuries and provide theoretical reference for clinical treatment.

METHODSRetrospective study was made on 139 patients with severe traumatic brain injuries in our hospital. The patients were divided into two groups: hydrocephalus group and non-hydrocephalus group. Single factor analysis and multiple factor analysis were used to determine the related factors and hydrocephalus. Multiple factor analysis was conducted with logistic regression.

RESULTSPosttraumatic hydrocephalus was found in 19.42% of patients. Age(OR equal to 1.050, 95%CI: 1.012-1.090), decompressive craniectomy (OR equal to 4.312, 95%CI: 1.127-16.503), subarachnoid hemorrhage(OR equal to 43.421, 95%CI: 7.835-240.652) and continuous lumbar drainage of cerebrospinal fluid (OR equal to 0.045, 95%CI: 0.011-0.175) were screened out from nine factors as the influencing factors for posttraumatic hydrocephalus.

CONCLUSIONSRisk factors for PTH are as follows: age, decompressive craniectomy and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Continuous lumbar drainage of cerebrospinal fluid can greatly reduce posttraumatic hydrocephalus.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Brain Injuries ; complications ; Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Craniotomy ; Drainage ; Factor Analysis, Statistical ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; etiology ; Male ; Regression Analysis ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ; complications

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of tumor metastasis-related gene TMSG-1 overexpression on the proliferation and invasion of a highly metastatic prostate cancer cell line in vitro.

METHODSThe eukaryotic expression plasmids containing full-length TMSG-1 cDNAs were stably transfected into the highly metastatic prostate cancer cell line PC-3M-1E8. Clones highly expressing TMSG-1 were identified by RT-PCR and Western Blot analysis after G418 screening. The cell proliferation was detected by cell growth curve, MTT assay and soft agar colony formation assay. The invasive potential of tumor cells in vitro was tested by Matrigel invasion assay.

RESULTSThree TMSG-1 overexpression clones were selected. Cell growth curve and MTT assay showed that TMSG-1 overexpression clones exhibited a strong inhibition of proliferation compared with that of the parental cells or those transfected with vector alone from the third day of culture (P <0.05). In vitro analysis also showed that the TMSG-1 transfected clones exhibited a decreased clonogenicity in soft agar compared with that of the parental cells or those transfected with vector only (P < 0.05). TMSG-1 expression significantly suppressed cell invasion in vitro of TMSG-1-transfected PC-3M-IE8 cells (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe TMSG-1 protein may serve as a tumor metastasis suppressor due to inhibiting cell proliferation and invasion of the highly metastatic prostate cancer cell line PC-3M-1E8.

Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Genes, Tumor Suppressor ; Humans ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mice ; NIH 3T3 Cells ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Sphingosine N-Acyltransferase ; Transfection ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of Tounongsan () extract (TNSE) on proliferation and apoptosis of the human lymphoma cell line Raji and its possible mechanism of action.

METHODSThe viability of TNSE-treated Raji cells was measured by a 3-(4,5-dimethyl-thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Cell apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry. The molecular mechanisms of TNSE-mediated apoptosis were further investigated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis of the mRNA expression of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), Bcl-xL, Bcl-2-associated death promoter (Bad), caspase-9 and caspase-3. Western blotting was used to detect the protein expressions of NF-κB, Bad, cleaved caspase-9 and cleaved caspase-3.

RESULTSTNSE inhibited Raji cell proliferation in dose- and time-dependent manners. After 48-h treatment with various concentrations of TNSE (125, 250 and 500 μg/mL), the apoptosis rates of Raji cell were 12.23%±1.98% (P<0.05), 20.97%±3.96% (P<0.01) and 30.4%±4.87% (P<0.01), respectively, compared with those of the control (6.02%±1.01%). RT-PCR demonstrated that NF-κB mRNA expression was significantly downregulated in Raji cells treated with 250 μg/mL TNSE for 48 h (P<0.05), while Bad, caspase-9 and caspase-3 mRNA levels were upregulated (P<0.05). Moreover, TNSE treatment resulted in downregulation of NF-κB protein expression and strikingly upregulated protein expressions of Bad, cleaved caspase-9, cleaved caspase-3 in a dose-dependent manner, as determined by Western blot.

CONCLUSIONTNSE exhibits significant anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects in Raji cells, which may be involved in regulation of NF-κB and Bad, and activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 3 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Caspase 9 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; drug effects ; Humans ; NF-kappa B ; genetics ; metabolism ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Tumor Cells, Cultured ; bcl-Associated Death Protein ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of tumor metastasis suppressor gene 1 (TMSG-1) overexpression on the proliferation, invasion and apoptosis of breast cancer cells and to determine possible correlations of TMSG-1 and metastasis of breast cancer.

METHODSFull-length human TMSG-1 coding sequences were cloned into plasmid pcDNA3.0-FLAG. The recombinant plasmids constructs were transfeced into MDA-MB-231, a highly malignant breast cancer cell line. Parental, vector-only stable transfectant and TMSG-1 stable transfectant clones were tested by MTT, soft agar colony formation and Boyden chamber assays. At twenty-four hours and forty-eight hours post transient transfection, double staining with Annexin-V-FITC and PI were employed to distinguish apoptotic cells from living cells by flow cytometry analysis.

RESULTSThree TMSG-1 overexpression clones were selected. Compared with the control cells, TMSG-1 overexpression MDA-MB-231 cells showed strong inhibition of proliferation and decreased clonogenicity in soft agar (P<0.05). Transfection of TMSG-1 into MDA-MB-231 cells significantly suppressed the cell invasion ability in vitro (decreased numbers of cells trespassing the matrigel in three experiments: 72.3+/-8.1, 85.0+/-4.2, and 73.5+/-7.8) in comparison with nave cells without transfection (187.5+/-2.1) and cells transfected with the control vector (162.3+/-6.8) (P<0.01). Transient transfection of TMSG-1 into MDA-MB-231 cells could promote cell apoptosis at 24 and 48 hours after transfection (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSTMSG-1 protein may have multiple functions in the regulation of proliferation, invasion and apoptosis of metastatic breast cancer cells, likely as a metastasis suppressor gene.

Apoptosis ; Breast Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiology ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Plasmids ; Recombinant Proteins ; metabolism ; Sphingosine N-Acyltransferase ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiology ; Transfection ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo assess the diagnostic value of the simplified gonadorelin stimulation test for precocious puberty.

METHODSTwo hundred and ninety-two girls with signs of advanced breast development received the gonadorelin stimulation test. According to the result of gonadorelin stimulation test, the girls were divided into 3 groups: 151 with central precocious puberty (CPP),119 with premature thelarche (PT) and 22 with peripheral precocious puberty (PPP).

RESULTSLH or FSH levels at 15 min, 30 min, 60 min in PPP group were not significantly different (P>0.05). Those were significantly different in PT group (P<0.01). The highest levels of LH were at 30 min and the highest levels of FSH were at 60 min. LH or FSH levels at 15 min, 30 min, 60 min in CPP group were significantly different (P<0.01) with the highest levels at 30 min. The ratio of basal LH and FSH >0.2 had a diagnostic sensitivity of 48.3 % and specificity of 69.7%. Taking the LH/FSH ratio >0.9 at 15 min, 30 min, 60 min as cut-off value, the diagnostic sensitivity was 80.1%, 68.9% and 38.4%, and the specificity was 90.8%, 96.6% and 69.7%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe LH/FSH ratio>0.9 at 15 min after gonadorelin stimulation test can be used as a cut-off value to differentiate CPP from PT and blood sample at 60 min were not necessary.

Child ; Female ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; blood ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; Gonadotropins ; blood ; Humans ; Luteinizing Hormone ; blood ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Puberty, Precocious ; diagnosis ; Sensitivity and Specificity

The selective removal of low density lipoprotein (LDL) and fibrinogen (Fib) by degraded carrageenan was studied by the present authors. Degraded carrageenan was prepared by acid with carrageenan as the main material. The effects of acid conditions on the molecular weight were investigated, and the proper reaction conditions were ascertained. The results of infrared spectrometry indicated that the degraded carrageenan is a heparin-like polysaccharide. Then the selective removal of LDL/Fibrinogen by degraded carrageenan was studied. When molecular weight was about 10,000, pH was 5.10 and the concentration of degraded carrageenan was 800 mg/L, the average reduction percentages were 60.0% for total cholesterol(TC), 79.4% for LDL and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and 93.8% for fibrinogen. There were no significant changes with relation to the level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and total protein (TP). So, degraded carrageenan was shown to be of good selectivity on plasma LDL/Fibrinogen apheresis.
Carrageenan ; chemistry ; Fibrinogen ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; blood ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; blood ; isolation & purification