Objective To study the effect of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) on the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs) in rats after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO).Methods Seventy-two adult,male,Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a control (CON) group,a hyperbaric air (HBA) group,a normobaric oxygen (NBO) group and a hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) group.All were subjected to MCAO.Rats in the CON group did not receive any treatment; those in the other groups were treated with HBA,NBO or HBO daily beginning 2 hours after the operation.Western blotting was applied to detect the expression of nestin,MAP2 and GFAP at 2,3,7 and 14 days after the MCAO.Results The expression of nestin in the HBO group was significantly higher than in the other groups on the 3rd,7th and 14th days.It peaked at day 3 but remained high until day 14.Similarly,expression of MAP2 was significantly higher than in the other groups at least until day 14.GFAP expression was significantly lower than in the other groups.Conclusion HBO can increase neural stem cell proliferation and neuronal differentiation,and inhibit the proliferation of astrocytes.

Objective To investigate the effect of hyperbaric oxygen intervention at different time on the neural stem cell proliferation and differentiation in dentate gyrus subgranular zone (SGZ) of adult rats after acute focal cerebral ischemia.Methods Totally 48 Sprague-Dawley male adult rats were randomly divided into a middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) group, a hyperbaric oxygen group, a hyperbaric air group and a normobaric oxygen group, each of 12.A middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model was induced to all rats using the modified Zea-Longa's method of intraluminal filament occlusion, Except the MCAO group, the other 3 groups received corresponding hyperbaric oxygen, hyperbaric air and normobaric oxygen intervention once a day two hours after the suture insertion.The rats were sacrificed for double-label immunofluorescent analysis at 2 days, 3 days, 7 days and 14 days after brain ischemia.BrdU +/nestin + labeled the proliferated neural stem cells, and BrdU +/DCX + labeled its differentiated derivates, early neurons, in SGZ of ischemic hippocampus dentate gyrus.Also, the cell number was calculated under the fluorescence microscope.Results Two days after brain ischemia, the numbers of BrdU/nestin and BrdU/DCX cells in SGZ in the hyperbaric oxygen group were (2340.45 ± 1109.59) and (5520.66 ± 1103.09) respectively, which had increased significantly, compared with the hyperbaric air group and normobaric oxygen group (P ＜ 0.05).Three and 7 days after brain ischemia, the numbers of BrdU/nestin and BrdU/DCX cells in SGZ in the hyperbaric oxygen group had shown significant increase compared with the other 3 groups (P ＜ 0.05).Fourteen days after brain ischemia, the numbers of BrdU/DCX cells in SGZ in the hyperbaric oxygen group had significantly increased compared with the hyperbaric air group, normobaric oxygen group and the MCAO group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Hyperbaric oxygen promotes the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells in ischemic SGZ.

Acupuncture, Ear ; methods ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; radiotherapy ; therapy ; Eczema ; radiotherapy ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; Low-Level Light Therapy ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Urticaria ; radiotherapy ; therapy

Objective To survey and analyze characteristics of brucellosis epidemic in Weinan city of Shaanxi province for the purpose of setting up prevention and control measures for the disease. Methods According to "The Executing Plan for the Work of Surveying Brucellosis Disease in Shaanxi Province", 35 villages(towns) of designated monitoring locations and 24 villages (towns) of randomized monitoring locations in five countries of Weinan were chosen to survey brucellosis disease. The five countries were Chengcheng, Dali, Heyang, Tongguan and Hancheng. High risk populations with a history of contacting livestock and livestock products aged between 7 and 60 underwent clinical and serology examination[rose bengal plate agglutination test(RBPT) and standard tube agglutination test(SAT)]. All manipulation methods and judging standards were in accord with the "Diagnostic Standard for Brucellosis" (WS 269-2007). Results In the designated monitoring location, a total of 8664 people at high risk were investigated, among whom 1407 people were tested by RBPT test and 27 people were positive,the positive rate was 1.92%(27/1407); 27 people were tested by SAT test and 27 people were positive, the positive rate was 100% (27/27); 25 people were diagnosed and the diagnosis rate was 92.59%(25/27). In the randomized monitoring location, a total of 3464 people at high risk were investigated, among whom 411 people were tested by RBPT test and 3 people were positive, the positive rate was 0.73%(3/411 ), 3 people were tested by SAT test which were all positive and made a definite diagnosis. Twenty-eight new cases were made a definite diagnosis and its incidence was 2.06 in a hundred thousand(28/1 361 618). Conclusions The infection of human brucellosis in Weinan city stays at higher level. The governments should increase input for the monitoring,investigating and disinfecting to prevent the disease from increasing and outspreading.

Objective To investigate the effect of prognostic factors and nursing care in of acute myocardial infarction(AMI)patients performed emergency percutaneous coronary intervention supported by IABP.Methods Twenty seven AMI patients treated with emergency PCI,supporting by intra-aortic balloon pump(IABP).We analyzed retrospectively elinical characters and situation of interventional treatment of the patients.Results Among 27 cases.there were 12 cases who were recovered,4 suffered congestive heart failure repeatedly.and ll died during the hospitalization.There was no difference in age,sex,the history of hypertension,diabetes and smoking,the site of infarction and ejection fraction of left ventficular.The prognosis was different in the patients with grade of Killip in cardiac function and no flow post PCI(P<0.05).Conclusions The grade of Killip and no flow post PCI were the effective factors for prognosis in Acute Myocardial patients with emergency PCI.

OBJECTIVETo determine the current prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents (2-18 years) in Beijing and its distribution by age, gender and urban-rural residence.

METHODSAs part of the Beijing Child and Adolescent Metabolic Syndrome Study, a stratified cluster representative sample of 23,422 children aged 0-18 years was selected. Anthropometric measures including weight and height were collected from 21,198 subjects aged 2-18 years from April to October in 2004. Overweight and obesity were defined according to body mass index [BMI, weight(kg)/height(m2)] cutpoints. For national and international comparisons, three sex-age-specific BMI criteria were used:1) The BMI cutoffs recommended by the Chinese Working Group on Obesity for Children (WGOC) aged 7-18 years; 2) The US 2000 CDC Growth Charts (CDC 2000) frac 34, the 85th and 95th percentiles; 3) The International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) reference.

RESULTSThe overall combined prevalence of overweight and obesity was 18.6% with obesity as 8.1% based on the CDC 2000 criteria, The figures were 17.4% and 5.1% based on the IOTF criteria. According to the WGOC criteria, the combined prevalence of obesity was 20.9% and 8.9% in children aged 7-18 years. The combined prevalence was higher in school-age children (6-18 years) than in preschool-age children (19.8% vs. 14.8%, based on the CDC 2000 criteria). Among school-age children, the prevalence was higher in boys than in girls (26.7% vs. 16.5%), in urban than in rural areas (27.0% vs. 15.9%). However, these differences were not observed in preschool-age children. It was estimated that approximately 450 000 children from 2 through 18 years of age,were overweight or obesity in Beijing.

CONCLUSIONData from our study indicated that one fifth of the children and adolescents in Beijing were under overweight or obesity situation which was the highest in the nation. Obesity among children and adolescents in Beijing had already become a serious public health problem which deserved greater attention.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Infant ; Obesity ; epidemiology ; Overweight ; epidemiology ; Prevalence

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) P22e protein on the apoptosis of human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells.

METHODSHepG2 cells were transfected with recombinant plasmid pEGFP-HBVP22e and exposed to Act-D and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) treatment to induce cell apoptosis. Flow cytometry was performed to determine the proportion of cells containing sub-G1 DNA to represent the number of apoptotic cells. Laser scanning confocal microscopy was used to observe the nuclear alterations in the apoptotic cells.

RESULTSHepG2EGFP-C2HBVP22e cell strain showed a much delayed apoptosis as well as obviously lowered apoptotic rate in comparison with the HepG2 strain (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe introduction and expression of extraneous gene HBVP22e significantly inhibits the apoptosis of HepG2 cells.

Apoptosis ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; Hep G2 Cells ; Hepatitis B Core Antigens ; metabolism ; Humans ; Transfection ; Viral Core Proteins ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the impact of menarche age (MA) on obese status in late puberty (LP) and mid-life (ML) females.

METHODS2035 girls aged 16 to 18 years were selected from a Beijing Child and Adolescent Metabolic Syndrome (BCAMS) study, which was performed from April to October in 2004, as the LP study population. 479 women aged 41 to 52 years were from the Fetal Origin of Adult Disease (FOAD) cohort, which established in 1995 to 2001, as the ML study population. Based on the 25 and 75 percentile of MA of each population, all subjects of LP and ML were divided into early, middle, and late matured groups, respectively. Overweight and obesity were defined by Chinese age-, gender-specific BMI criteria for LP girls, and Chinese BMI criteria for ML women while central obesity was defined by the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) cutoff of 0.5. Multiple linear regression was used to explore the associations between MA and BMI, waist circumference (WC) and WHtR. The impact of early menarche on obese status in late life was estimated by odds ratio (OR) using logistic regression analyses.

RESULTSThe prevalence of overweight and obesity increased with the decrease of MA in both LP and ML population. When MA had a one-year advance, a 0.58 kg/m2 increase in BMI and a 1.1 cm increase in WC during LP, and a 0.35 kg/m2 increase in BMI and a 0.6 cm increase in WC during ML were observed. After adjustment for age, residence area and life style related variables, those who experienced earlier menarche were at higher risk of suffering from obesity in LP (OR :8.740, 95% CI: 3.653-20.911) and during ML (2.498, 1.145-5.453) when compared to those with later menarche. We also noticed that the risk increased for central obesity [LP: 14.280 (3.223-63. 267), ML: 15.604 (1.821-133.679)].

CONCLUSIONMenarche age appeared to be an independent predictor for obese status in LP and ML among women.

Adiposity ; physiology ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Menarche ; physiology ; Middle Aged ; Obesity ; epidemiology ; Prevalence ; Puberty ; physiology ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo explore the transverse relaxation rate with gradient echo R2(*) changes in patients with Parkinsonian variant of multiple system atrophy (MSA-P) with a voxel-based analysis of R2(*) map.

METHODSWhole brain structural images and multi-echo T2(*) weighted image were acquired in 27 patients with probable MSA-P and 24 healthy individuals. R2(*) maps of the MSA-P were compared with the controls by voxel-based methods.

RESULTCompared with the controls, MSA-P patients showed significant R2(*) decrease bilaterally in brain stem, cerebellar hemispheres, insular lobe, temporal lobes, caudate nucleus, and corpus callosum (P<0.005).

CONCLUSIONSR2(*) can reveal the significant brain involvements of MSA-P. The introduction of gradient echo may increase the sensitivity, although the susceptible artifact may interfere the detection efficiency of R2(*).

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple System Atrophy ; diagnosis ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVEGastric cancer cells are insensitive to tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL). To sensitize gastric cancer cells to TRAIL, we treated gastric cancer MGC803 cells with TRAIL and cisplatin.

METHODSCell proliferation was measured using MTT assay. Cell apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry. Expression of proteins was analyzed by Western blot. The distribution of lipid rafts and death receptors was analyzed by immunofluorescence microscopy. MGC803 cells were pretreated with 50 mg/L nystatin for 1 h, and followed by the treatment of cisplatin and TRAIL.

RESULTS100 µg/L TRAIL resulted in (8.51 ± 3.45)% inhibition of cell proliferation and caused (3.26 ± 0.89)% cell apoptosis in MGC803 cells. Compared with the treatment with cisplatin alone, treatment with TRAIL (100 µg/L) and cisplatin (8.49 mg/L, IC(50) dose of 24 h) led to a dramatic increase in both inhibition of cell proliferation [(52.58 ± 4.57)% vs. (76.43 ± 5.35)%, P < 0.05] and cell apoptosis [(23.10 ± 3.41)% vs. (42.56 ± 4.11)%, P < 0.05]. Moreover, cleavage of caspase-8 and caspase-3 was detected. TRAIL (100 µg/L) did not induce obvious lipid rafts aggregation and death receptor 4 (DR4) clustering, while cisplatin (8.49 mg/L) significantly promoted the localization of DR4 in aggregated lipid rafts. Pretreatment with 50 mg/L nystatin, a cholesterol-sequestering agent, triggered (3.66 ± 0.52)% cell apoptosis after 24 h. Pretreatment with nystatin for 1 h before the addition of 8.49 mg/L cisplatin for 24 h caused a decreased tendency to cell apoptosis [(25.74 ± 3.28)% vs. (22.76 ± 2.97)%]. While, pretreatment with nystatin before the addition of cisplatin and TRAIL, the proportion of apoptotic cells decreased from (43.16 ± 4.26)% to (31.52 ± 3.99)% (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONCisplatin enhances TRAIL-induced apoptosis in gastric cancer MGC803 cells through clustering death receptors into lipid rafts.

Antineoplastic Agents ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Caspase 8 ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Humans ; Membrane Microdomains ; metabolism ; Nystatin ; pharmacology ; Receptors, TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand ; metabolism ; Stomach Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand ; pharmacology