Anaplasmosis ; complications ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Lyme Disease ; complications

Objective To investigate the expression of vascular endothelial cell growth factor(VEGF) and its upregulation of matrix metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2)activation in synovial fluid of patients with rheumatoid arthritis(RA)as well as its role in the pathogeneses of RA.Mathods Expression of VEGF and receptor KDR in mononuclear cell(MNC)of synovial fluid of RA patients and controls were determined by Western blot;VEGF levels of supernantants from MNC was determined by ELISA;supernantants from KDR~+ MNC of synovial fluid of RA patients collected after incubation in serum-free medium with or without VEGF, their activity of MMP-2 was measured by gelatinolytic zymography;Boyden chamber-matrigel in vitro invasion assay was used to detect the invasive capacity in vitro in KDR~+ MNC of synovial fluid of RA patients incubat- ed with or without VEGF.Results The expressions of VEGF/KDR in MNC of synovial fluid of RA patients were significantly higher than those of controls;the MMP-2 activity and invasive ability of co-cuhured KDR~+ MNC with VEGF was higher than those of without VEGF.Conclusion VEGF upregulates MMP-2 activation and promotes invasion of MNC of synovial fluid of RA patients by interacting with receptor KDR,indicating that VEGF plays an important role in RA pathology.

ObjectiveTo explore the prevalence state of children in coal-burning borne endemic fluorosis in Fuyuan county Qujing city,to know the implementation of preventing measures,and to provide a scientific basis for prevention of endemic fluorosis.MethodsIn 2009,105 families were sampled to check the service condition of defluoridation stove and the effect of health education (the awareness of use defluoridation stove reasons) in Xiaoyuwang,Tuoga and Shaliang villages,Fucun town of Fuyuan county.Food fluorine of indoor stored peppers and corns was monitored of 20 families in Xiaoyuwang village,5 household were randomly selected from east,west,south,north and middle places of the village.Air fluorine was monitored from indoor air samples of 5families,dental and urinary fluorine was monitored of the native-born children aged 8 to 12,and dental fluorosis of these children was checked.Clinical endemic fluorosis and X-ray endemic fluorosis was monitored of local adult residents over the age of 30 that had been lived in the area for more than 5 years.ResultsThe rate of correct use of the defluoridation stove was 100％,and adult awareness rate of use defluoridation stove reasons was 82.86％(87/105).Of the 19 pepper samples,fluorine content were 9.98 - 538.40 mg/kg and median was 32.38 mg/kg,all exceeded the standard(1.5 mg/kg).Of the 25 corn samples,fluorine content were 0.42 - 101.54 mg/kg and median was 6.32 mg/kg,with 18 samples exceeded the standard(1.0 mg/kg).Of the 6 air samples,fluorine content were 0.000 98 - 0.003 33 mg/kg and median was 0.001 45 mg/kg.Detection rate of dental fluorosis of children aged 8 - 12 was 42.3％,urinary fluorine content were 0.13 - 1.80 mg/L,geometric mean was 0.58 mg/L,4 adults were diagnosed clinical skeletal fluorosis,detection rate was 2.46％(4/162),5 adults were found by X-ray with endemic fluorosis,detection rate was 9.61％(5/52).ConclusionPeppers and cons fluorine pollution is serious,general public should be guided to change their lifestyles to minimize the fluorine pollution.

Child ; Guidelines as Topic ; Humans ; Pneumonia, Pneumocystis ; diagnosis ; therapy

Objective To observe the change of gastric mucosal-arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide gap [p(g-a)(CO2)] in septic shock rabbit.Methods Sixteen anesthetized and mechanically ventilated rabbit were randomly assigned to 2 groups:shock group(n=8) and control group(n=8).The rabbit in shock group were challenged with intravenous injection of 2 mg/kg Lipopolysaccharides from Escherichia coli.The rabbit in control group were intravenous injection of normal saline solution.Mean arterial pressure(MAP) and heart rate were continuously recorded by multichannel physiologic recorder.Cardiac index(CI) and superior mesenteric blood flow index(SMBFI) were continuously monitored by doppler flowmeter.Gastric mucosal partial pressure of carbon dioxide [pg(CO2)] was evaluated by gas tonometry every 10 min.Arterial and venous blood gas analysis,hemoglobin,and lactate levels were measured every 1 hour.Results The parameters remained stable in control group,but the parameters changed significantly in shock group.Compared with baseline levels,2 hours after Lipopolysaccharides infusion in shock group,MAP decreased from(78?5) mmHg to(50?2) mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa)(F=145.3 P

Objective To investigate the association of angiotensinogen(AGT)gene A-6G、T174M and G-217A polymorphisms with the risk of essential hypertension(EH)in the elderly of Han nationality.Methods Genotypes of AGT gene A-6G,T174M and G-217A polymorphisms in 177 aged EH patients and 86 sex and age-matched controls were analyzed with gene chip technology.Results The A-6G and T174M polymorphisms of AGT gene were significantly associated with EH.The numbers of the three genotypes of A-6G were 113,58 and 6 in the patient group and 70,15 and 1 in the control group(P= 0.014)and those of T174M were 94,77 and 6,60,25 and 1(P=0.031),respectively.G-217A polymorphism was not related to EH.Individuals carrying A-6G AA and T174M CC genotypes showed 57% and 56% lower risk of EH(OR=0.43;95%CI=0.23-0.82 and OR=0.44;95%CI=0.25-0.79, respectively).Conclusions The A-6G AA and the T174M CC genotype may be related with decreased risk of EH and G-217A polymorphism may have little role in the etiology of EH in Han nationality.

The average life expectancy in Macau is ranking the second in the world, the consumption of fresh medicinal plants is a profound culture in Macau. The paper focus on the distribution of the antioxidant herbs, a comprehensive investigation and analysis the amount of the plant resources was carried out. The antioxidant activity of alcohol extracts was determined by using the DPPH method, and six kinds fresh herbs with high antioxidant free radical activity were screened out. Reference to adult daily dose of vitamin C, it is calculated that the daily dose amount of fresh herbs is less than 200 g. For the expected shortage of resources and the ecological status of Macau, we give some suggestions of herbal introduction in population ecology reconstruction.
Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Ecosystem ; Free Radical Scavengers ; pharmacology ; Macau ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology

Asthma ; genetics ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo compare the difference in strength degradation and morphology damage of two dental ceramic materials after Hertzian contact cyclic fatigue.

METHODSHertzian contact technique was used to investigate the response of Empress II glass ceramic and GI- II glass-infiltrated alumina ceramic to cyclic fatigue. Critical loads of specimens after different fatigue cycles were recorded.

RESULTSFor Empress II glass ceramic, critical load had significantly difference between specimens after 10(5) cycles loading. No significant difference of critical load was found in GI- II glass-infiltrated alumina ceramic after cycles loading.

CONCLUSIONGI- II glass-infiltrated alumina ceramic has better capability in resistance to cyclic loading. It may attribute to microstructure of material. Empress II glass ceramic shows a brittle damage model.

Aluminum Oxide ; Aluminum Silicates ; Ceramics ; Dental Porcelain ; Glass ; Humans ; Materials Testing

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of triangle drugs as ginseng, Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim, and rhubarb on the levels of blood lipids as [total cholesterol (TC), triglyeride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)] and pro-inflammatory cytokines as intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and high sensitive C reactive protein (hs-CRP) during the process of treating atherosclerosis.

METHODSTwenty New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into three groups after one-week adaptive feeding, i.e., the normal control group (n=6), the model group (n=6), and the triangle drugs group (n=8). High fat diet was fed to rabbits in the triangle drugs group and the model group at the daily dose of 100 g for six weeks. Iliac artery was injured in the model group and the triangle drugs group at the seventh week using balloon injury. High fat diet was successively fed to those after surgery for six weeks. At the same time of modeling, preventive medication (at the daily dose of dry ginseng 0.64 g/kg, Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim 2.14 g/kg, and prepared Radix et Rhizoma Rhei with wine 0.43 g/kg, with the volume of 2 mL/kg) was administered by gastrogavage to rabbits in the triangle drugs group. Changes of blood lipids levels and related pro-inflammatory cytokines were dynamically observed.

RESULTSOn the 7th week (before surgery), the levels of TC, TG, HDL-C, and LDL-C in the model group, TC, HDL-C, and LDL-C in the triangle drugs group significantly increased, showing significant difference when compared with those of the normal control group (P < 0.05). The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the model group and the triangle drugs group were significantly higher than those in the normal control group (P < 0.05). Levels of TC, TG, and LDL-C were lower in the triangle drugs group than in the model group, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05). After the 8th week the levels of blood lipids and ICAM-1 in the model group, and levels of TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, and ICAM-1 in the triangle drugs group were significantly higher than those of the normal control group, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05). After the 12th week levels of blood lipids in the model group, LDL-C and HDL-C in the triangle drugs group were significantly higher than those of the normal control group, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05). The LDL-C level was lower in the triangle drugs group than in the model group, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05). The levels of VCAM-1, ICAM-1, and hs-CRP in the model group were obviously higher than those in the triangle drugs group and the normal control group, showing statistical significance (P < 0.05). The hs-CRP level was higher in the triangle drugs group than in the normal control group, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe triangle drugs may postpone the process of atherosclerosis by lowering blood lipids levels, especially by lowering the elevating levels of TC and LDL-C. Its roles in decreasing the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines might be associated with lipids lowering and anti-inflammation. Its roles may also be associated with improvement of the endothelial function and inhibition of the smooth muscle proliferation.

Animals ; Atherosclerosis ; blood ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Cholesterol, HDL ; blood ; Cholesterol, LDL ; blood ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; blood ; Male ; Panax ; Phytotherapy ; Rabbits ; Rheum ; Trichosanthes ; Triglycerides ; blood ; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 ; blood