Objective To investigate the correlation of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene variations in the promoter region with the sporadic Alzheimer' s disease (SAD) in Chinese Han population for better understanding the mechanism of SAD. MethodsThe polymorphisms of 279 SAD Chinese Han patients from Northern China were analyzed by comparing with those from 317 healthy individuals using the method of polymeraee chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism ( PCR-RFLP) or direct sequencing.The commercial statistics package SPSS 11.5 was used to compare the distribution of the allele and the genotype, and to analyze their correlations with SAD. ResultsThree polymorphism sites were found for the VEGF promoters in the Chinese Han sample group including -2578C/A,- 2549I/D and- 1154G/A.- 2549I/D and- 2578C/A exhibiting strong linkage disequilibrium. Individuals with the A allele at position -2578 had an insertion of 18 nucleotides at -2459I/D, whereas CC homozygotes did not contain th es were found between the SAD patients and the controls in the 3 VEGF polymorphisms. After adjusting the data for gender, age and the ApoE ε4 allele using Logistic regression, the - 1154G/G genotype of the VEGF promoter might increase the risk of SAD in Chinese Han population.Among the subgroup without the ApoE ε4 allele, -2549D/-1154G haplotype might increase the risk for SAD (OR = 1.325, 95％ CI 1.023--1.716, P=0.033). ConclusionsThree polymorphism sites ( -2578C/A, -254911D, and -1154G/A) are found in the VEGF promoter regions in Chinese Han population. The-1154G/G genotype of the VEGF promote appears to increase the risk of SAD in Chinese Han population.In the absence of ApoE ε4, the -2549D/-1154G haplotype of the VEGF promoter appears to affect the risk for SAD.

Medical microbiology is basic course of medicine.In order to improve teaching quality,we employ discussing-mode education in microbiology.This education style can not only enlighten and train poly-directional thought ability,capacity of bringing forth new ideas and pioneering spirit,but draw close the distance between students and modern life science,which make microbiological course become beginning of exploring microbiology.The employment of education style of discussing microbiology new advance is effective pathway of exploring most suitable high-quality person of talent training.

Objective To probe into the perioperative nursing method during osterior fusion and fmation for idiopathic scoliosis. Methods The study involved 31 patients with idiopathic scoliosis treated with posterior correction nails and selective spinal fusion with hook-rod system fixation.The severe patients were treated with extensive posterior release or anterior correction and fusion posterior to release.Before the operation,the patients were administrated with mental nursing,lung function exercise,self-elongation exercise,wake-up pilot training,self-image appraisement and bed and life skills exercise.After the operation,an observation was done on the change of nervous system,propor turning the body over best clinostatism,drainage tube care,respiratory passage care,functional exercise instruction and discharge instruction. Results The operation was accomplished successfully in all the patients,which showed that the body height was increased 2-15 cm.There found no complications including loosening or breakage of the nails or sticks,nervous system injury,incisional wound infection or press~e sore. Conclusion Preoperative sufficient preparation and fine postoperative nursing are important guarantee to successful operation and fast rehabilitation.

In order to provide scientific basics for exploitation and sufficient application of Dendrobium officinale leaves resources, the phenol-sulfuric acid method was applied to determine the polysaccharide content. The monosaccharides were derivated by PMP and the derivatives were identified by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS(n) and the contents of mannose and glucose were determined simultaneously. Similarity evaluation system for chromatographic fingerprint of traditional Chinese medicine (2004A) was employed to generate the mean chromatogram and similarity analysis of the samples was carried out. The results demonstrated that polysaccharide content, monosaccharide compositions and composition ratio had an obvious difference between stems and leaves. The polysaccharide content of stems was higher than that of leaves. Monosaccharide composition in leaf was significantly different from that in stem. The polysaccharide from stems was composed of mannose and glucose, however the polysaccharide of leaves was acid heteropolysaccharide and was mainly composed of five monosaccharides, including mannose, galacturonic acid, glucose, galactose and arabinose. The similarity value of the 14 batches was above 0.9, indicating that similarity of fingerprints among different samples was high. The study can provide evidence for expanding the medicinal parts of D. officinale.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Dendrobium ; chemistry ; Mass Spectrometry ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Plant Stems ; chemistry ; Polysaccharides ; chemistry

Animals ; Cadmium Chloride ; toxicity ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Estradiol ; toxicity ; Female ; Organ Size ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Uterus ; drug effects ; pathology

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the effects of cadmium exposure on insulin expression in rats.

METHODSEighteen adult SD rats were administered cadmium subcutaneously (0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg/kg x bw). The effects on endocrine of pancreas were assessed. The levels of cadmium and zinc in pancreas, blood and urine glucose, serum insulin and urine NAG (N-acyetyl-beta-glucosaminidase) were determined. The gene expressions of metallothionein (MT) and insulin were also measured, and the oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) were carried out.

RESULTSThe contents of cadmium in pancreas in cadmium-treated rats were higher than that in the control group, which was associated with slight increase of zinc in pancreas. Cadmium-exposed rats (1.0 and 2.0 mg/kg x bw) demonstrated a marked glucose intolerance. But the levels of serum insulin did not change significantly after cadmium administration, and the UNAG had no change in Cd-treated group. The gene expression of insulin decreased in 1.0 and 2.0 mg/kg x bw cadmium-exposed groups, compared with the control group. The expression of MT-I was higher in the groups exposed to 1.0 and 2.0 mg/kg x bw cadmium while the expression of MT-II was higher in the group exposed to 2.0 mg/kg x bw cadmium.

CONCLUSIONSCadmium may be accumulated in the pancreas, resulting in the change of the expression of insulin, MT-I and MT-II genes. Cadmium can influence the biosynthesis of insulin, but does not induce the release of insulin. The dysfunction of pancreas occurs earlier than that of kidney after administration of cadmium.

Animals ; Base Sequence ; Blood Glucose ; analysis ; Cadmium ; toxicity ; DNA Primers ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Glycosuria ; urine ; Insulin ; blood ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

Anal fistula is the most common perianal lesion in Crohn disease (CD), which usually is complicated and difficult to treat, and has a high recurrence rate and serious influence on the quality of life of patients. Inaccurate or incomplete intervention may result in irreversible damage. In order to achieve the best outcome, an optimal disease assessment is crucial. Many imaging modalities are useful for the evaluation of perianal fistulas in CD, which may help confirm the diagnosis, accurately classify the disease, plan the most suitable treatment, and monitor the efficacy. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) and anal endosonography (AES) are considered to be the suitable options for evaluation of the initial perianal fistula, both in terms of sensitivity and specificity, while MRI is more suitable for monitoring the curative efficacy. Fistulography (by X ray or CT) is generally less applied due to inferior soft tissue performance, radiation exposure, etc. This paper reviews the various imaging modalities, analyzes their advantages and disadvantages in order to assist clinicians in selecting the most appropriate examination individually.
Crohn Disease ; complications ; Endosonography ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Multimodal Imaging ; Quality of Life ; Rectal Fistula ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of cadmium on the levels of insulin and blood glucose in exposed workers.

METHODSNinety-eight cadmium-exposed workers in a smeltery in the mid-south district of our country were selected as the exposed subjects while the healthy doctors in the workers hospital who were not exposed to the cadmium were treated as the control. The subjects were grouped according to the exposure time, the blood cadmium and the urine cadmium. The variety of the level of serum insulin was investigated for the workers in different groups of the exposure time, the blood cadmium and the urine cadmium. The variety of the levels of the blood zinc and urine zinc were also determined. The relationships among the blood cadmium, the blood zinc and the serum insulin were analyzed.

RESULTSThe level of blood glucose in the group of the exposure time of more than 20 years [(4.9 +/- 0.6) mmol/L] was significantly higher than that in the control group [(4.6 +/- 0.60) mmol/L] with significantly statistical difference (P < 0.01). The level of serum insulin in the group of the exposure time of more than 10 years [(8.58 +/- 4.91) microIU/ml] was significantly lower than that in the control group [(11.57 +/- 5.42) microIU] with the significantly statistical difference (P < 0.05) and the level of serum insulin would be decreased significantly with the increase of the blood cadmium and urinary cadmium. The level of the urine zinc was increased significantly in the workers of the exposure time of more than 20 years. The correlation analysis indicated that the negative correlation was found between the level of serum insulin and the level of blood cadmium, as well as between the level of the serum insulin and the level of the urinary cadmium; the positive correlation was found between the level of blood glucose and the level of insulin, as well as between the level of blood glucose and the level of C peptide in serum.

CONCLUSIONThe exposure to cadmium can cause the decrease of serum insulin and may affect the level of blood glucose.

Adult ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; C-Peptide ; blood ; Cadmium ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Female ; Humans ; Insulin ; blood ; Male ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects ; Zinc ; blood ; urine

OBJECTIVETo explore the better method of repairing the soft tissue defect of the distal foot.

METHODSThe soft tissue defect in the distal foot of six patients were repaired by the distally based dorsum pedis island flap pedicled with the bust deep artery and(or) the first dorsal metatarsal artery.

RESULTSSix patients were repaired in one stage, the biggest defect was 8 cm x 6 cm, all patients were followed-up 1 to 4 years, the function of foot was evidently improved, the patients were all satisfied with the operative results.

CONCLUSIONSThe bust deep artery and (or) the first dorsal metatarsal artery, with reliable blood supply, were easily dissected and with good texture. So far this kind of flap is a good choice in repairing the defects of the soft tissue in the distal foot.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Arteries ; surgery ; Child ; Female ; Foot ; blood supply ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Skin Transplantation ; Surgical Flaps ; blood supply ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the gene expression of metallothionein 1 (MT-1) isoforms in human peripheral blood lymphocytes (HPBLs).

METHODSThe expression of mRNA representing the seven active MT-1 genes was determined in HPBLs by quantitative RT-PCR before and after exposure to cadmium.

RESULTSBasal expressions of MT-1X, and MT-1A in HPBLs were similar to expression of housekeeping gene. In contrast, the basal gene expressions of MT-1H, 1F, 1E, and 1G were a little transcripts in human HPBLs. No signal was detected for MT-1B. There was a sex difference (P < 0.05). in basal gene expression of MT-1E. The levels of gene expression of MT-1A, 1E, 1F, 1G, 1H, and 1X increased, but the level of MT-1B did not increase after exposure to cadmium.

CONCLUSIONSGene expressions of MT-1G, MT-1H, MT-1F, and MT-1X in HPBLs can be used as a potential biomarker of cadmium exposure.

Adult ; Biomarkers ; metabolism ; Cadmium ; pharmacology ; Cells, Cultured ; DNA Primers ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; metabolism ; Male ; Metallothionein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Protein Isoforms ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction