CCN1 is a novel extracellular matrix-associated signaling protein which possesses 381 amino-acid residues to compose 4 distinct structural modules with 38 conserved cysteine residues.This protein has a variety of properties in cardiovascular system,affecting the cellular behaviors such as differentiation,proliferation and migration of vascular endothelial cells,smooth muscle cells and cardiac myocytes,that suggested an essential roles of CCN1 in angiogensis,vascular injury,cardiac development and myocardial infarction.

Endothelial Cells ; metabolism ; physiology ; Stem Cells ; metabolism ; physiology

Objective To investigate the level of coronary endothelial injury and dysfunction, the jeopardy score of coronary artery lesion by angiography, and their correlations in patients with stable angina (SA) or unstable angina (UA). Methods The 20 patients with UA, 17 patients with SA and 18 patients excluding coronary heart disease (control) were studied. Blood samples were collected during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). To investigate the coronary endothelial injury and dysfunction, we measured the concentrations of nitric oxide (NO)? endothelin (ET) and the number of circulating endothelial cells (CEC) in coronary sinus blood. The jeopardy score for coronary artery lesion was evaluated according to the method by Califf. Results In angina patients, especially in UA patients, NO concentration in coronary sinus blood was lower, while ET concentration and CEC number were markedly higher than those in control group. The jeopardy scores showed no difference between UA and SA. The coronary endothelial injury and dysfunction showed a positive correlation with jeopardy scores. Conclusion The coronary endothelial injury and dysfunction is not only the initiation factor, but may play a key role in the progression of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. Coronary angiography combined with detection of coronary endothelial injury and dysfunction may better describe the lesion of coronary artery, and evaluate the prognosis of patients with coronary heart disease.

Objective To determine the effect of angiotensin( 1 -7) [Ang( 1 -7) ]on the left ventricular hypertrophy and myocardial fibrosis in a pressure-overload hypertensive models,infra-nephric aorta coarctation ( INAC) ,and a renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system ( RAAS) activation hypertensive model,two kidney one clip ( 2K1C) in the early and late stage. Methods Totally 120 health male Wistar rats were randomly and equally divided into 6 groups,that is,sham INAC group,INAC group,INAC Ang( 1 - 7) group,sham 2K1C group,2K1C group and 2K1C Ang( 1 -7) group. INAC and 2K1C hypertensive models was established to cor- responding groups and osmotic minipump implantation was carried out to the rats to deliver the Ang( 1 - 7) to their body homogenously and to examine the parameters representing the blood pressure,including left ventricu- lar hypertrophy ( LVW,LVI,CA) and myocardial fibrosis ( CVF and PVCA) . Results Left ventricular hy- pertrophy ( LVH) was observed in the early stage and developed in the late stage both in the 2K1C and INAC groups. Ang( 1 -7) decreased LVW,LVI,CA both in the early and late stage in the 2K1C model( P 0. 05) . Myocardial fibrosis happened and developed progressively in the 2K1C hypertensive model ( P 0. 05) . There was a mild myocardial fibrosis happened in the left ventricle of the INAC model in the late stage( P

Objective To establish uremic atherosclerosis models in apoE~(-/-) mice and evaluate its feasibility.Methods Totally 70 6-week-old male apoE~(-/-) mice were randomized into 2 groups,uremic group(n=35) and nonuremic control group(n=35).All mice were fed with a Western diet.Uremic group mice underwent partial kidney ablation with electrocoagulation of right renal cortex followed by left total nephrectomy in 2 weeks later and control animals underwent sham operation.Serum levels of urea,total cholesterol and triglycerides were assessed at 0,2,4,6 and 8 weeks after the first surgery.The cross-section surface area of the lesion and the lesion area fraction were assessed.Results At 6 weeks after nephrectomy,the level of serum urea in chronic renal failure(CRF) mice was 188.3% higher than that of control mice,and total cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations were increased by 40.8% and 29.8% than those of nonuremic controls,respectively(P

Objective To investigate the acoustic characteristics of snoring sound in patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) and with simple snoring. Methods 22 patients with OSAHS and 15 with simple snoring were included in this study. Natural overnight snoring was digitally recorded and portable sleep mo-nitoring was performed simultaneously. 10 snores, which were the 1st snores after 10 cycles of obstructive apnea, from each patient in OSAHS group, and 10 snores from each patient in simple snoring group were analyzed in the time and frequency domains. Results The sound waves of snoring in the two groups exhibited different patterns both in the time and frequency domains. The snoring spectrum of patients with simple snoring showed distinct fun-damental- harmonic structures which were not clear in patients with OSAHS. The central frequency of the patients with OSAHS was higher, and 800 Hz power ratio was lower than those of the patients with simple snoring. In the OSAHS group, the central frequency of the patients with moderate-to-severe OSAHS was higher, and 800 Hz power ratio was lower than those of the patients with mild OSAHS. The differences of the two parameters were of statistical significance. Conclusion The snoring sounds in patients with OSAHS and with simple snoring have dif-ferent characteristics in time and frequency domains, indicating that it is feasible to research the OSAHS by way of snore monitoring and analyzing technique.

AIM　To investigated the effect and mechanism of Houttuynium (HOU) on splenectomy animals. METHODS　The models of splenectomy mice and splenectomy rats were made and delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction, ANAE (+) cell percentage of peripheral blood lymphocytes, Con A-induced thymus and groin lymph node lymphocyte proliferation, the amount of lymphocytes of groin lymph node,and T cell subpopulation in peripheral blood were measured. RESULTS　HOU ig (60 mg*kg-1, 120 mg*kg-1) can strikingly enhanced delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction, ANAE(+) cell percentage of peripheral blood lymphocytes. strengthened Con A-induced groin lymph node lymphocyte proliferation, raised the amount of lymphocytes of groin lymph node in splenectomy mice. But the effects of them on Con A-induced thymus lymphocyte proliferation were not apparent. HOU ig (40 mg*kg-1, 80 mg*kg-1) improved Th subset, reduced Ts subset, and then modulated the rate of Th/Ts in splenectomy rats. CONCLUSION　HOU strengthened the cellar immune function of splenectomy animals by promoting the compensating capability of lymph node and regulating T cell subpopulation.

Chills ; prevention & control ; Cold Temperature ; Female ; Humans ; Occupational Exposure ; prevention & control ; Occupational Health Services ; Water

Objective To investigate the current status, performance,challenges and demands of the health management service-related institutions in China so as to provide evidence for effective policy-making. Methods A cross-sectional study design was used in this report. The health management service-related institutions were identified based on web site searching and government business registration records. Web or mail-based questionnaire was used for data collection. Telephone interview was conducted to confirm the validity and reliability of the data. Results Of 5744 health management service-related institutions in China,585 were investigated for type of organization, personnel profile, business strategy and investment. Since 2000, the number of health management service-related institutions in China had kept increasing in an average rate of 52%. The services included physical check, health education, and disease intervention,etc. Conclusions In China,health management is still at its early stage although an increasing trend could be found and a large number of related- institutions have emerged. However, health management system in China still faces the challenge of poor professional services and insufficient healthcare providers.

Humans ; Lung Diseases ; Pulmonary Circulation ; Vascular Diseases