ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Tai Chi exercise on somatic function of middle-aged females.Methods60 middle-aged females had a 16-week Taichi quan exercise and changes of blood pressure, resting heart rate and vital capacity were tested.ResultsAfter Tai Chi exercise, 60 women had results of resting heart rate and blood pressure decreased, and vital capacity increased obviously (P<0.05～0.01).ConclusionTai Chi exercise maybe an effect sport manner to improve the somatic function of middle-aged females.

ObjectiveTo explore the characteristics of noncompaction ventricular myocardium under ultrasonic cardiography. Methods8 patients, 1 with non-symptom and other 7 with various cardiac dysfunctions and arrhythmias, accepted ultrasonic cardiography. ResultsNumerous ventricular trabeculae and deep intertrabecular recesses, as well as left ventricular dilatations were found under ultrasonic cardiography.ConclusionNoncompaction ventricular myocardium can be diagnosed with ultrasonic cardiography reliablely.

Angiotensin Ⅱ (Ang Ⅱ )-induced apoptosis was demonstrated for the first time in cultured adult rat ventricular myocytes (ARVMs) isolated by retrograde heart perfusion with Krebs-Henseleit bicarbonate (KHB) buffer containing collagenase and hyaluronidase. ARVMs incubated with 10 μmol/L Ang Ⅱ for 48 h showed morphological features of apoptosis (cellular shrinkage, condensation of cytoplasm) and a characteristic "ladder" of DNA bands representing integer multiples of the intemucleosomal DNA length about 180～ 200 bp, which became more evident with further incubation up to 72 h. With shorter incubation time ( ≤24 h) or at a lower AngⅡ concentration ( ＜ 10μmol/L), such changes failed to occur. This effect of Ang Ⅱ could be abolished by losartan (10 μmol/L), verapamil (1 μmol/L) or staurosporine (10 nnol/L). The above results indicate that Ang Ⅱ -induced apoptosis in ARVMs may be mainly mediated by Ang Ⅱ type Ⅰ(AT1) receptors with [Ca2+ ]i and protein kinase C (PKC) playing a critical role.

OBJECTIVETo study the antiulcer effects and the mechanism of Veronicastrum axillare (Sieb. et Zucc) Yamazaki (VAY) on ethanol induced gastric ulcer rats.

METHODSTotally 48 healthy SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups, i.e., the normal group, the model group, the ranitidine group, the high dose VAY group, the medium dose VAY group, and the low dose VAY group, 8 in each group. Rats in the normal group and the model group were administered with normal saline respectively. Rats in the ranitidine group were administered with 0.18% ranitidine suspension (at the daily dose of 0.027 g/kg) by gastrogavage. Those in the high dose VAY group, the medium dose VAY group, and the low dose VAY group were administered with VAY at the daily dose of 2.8 g/kg, 1.4 g/kg, and 0.7 g/kg by gastrogavage, once daily for 14 consecutive days. The gastric ulcer model was established using absolute ethanol after the last gastrogavage. The ulcer index and the ulcer inhibitory rate were compared. The concentrations of malonyldialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the serum and the homogenate of the gastric mucosa tissue were detected.

RESULTSCompared with the model group, the gastric ulcer index in the rest groups obviously decreased (P < 0.01). The ulcer index was dose-dependent with VAY (P < 0.01), with the highest gastric ulcer index shown in the high dose VAY group (P < 0.01). Compared with the normal group, the concentrations of MDA and NO significantly increased in the serum and the gastric mucosa tissue, the activity of SOD and the EGF content in the gastric mucosa tissue of rats in the model group significantly decreased (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the MDA concentrations in the serum and the gastric mucosa tissue decreased, the serum NO content increased, the NO content in the gastric mucosa tissue decreased, the serum SOD activity increased, the EGF content in the gastric mucosa tissue increased in the rest groups, all showing statistical difference (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe water extract of VAY had significant effects on ethanol induced gastric ulcer. Its mechanisms might lie in reducing the generation of free radicals, promoting the oxygen free radical clearance, restraining lipid peroxidation, regulating and controlling the in vivo contents of NO and EGF.

Animals ; Anti-Ulcer Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Ethanol ; adverse effects ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Plantago ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Stomach Ulcer ; drug therapy ; etiology ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

Objective To explore the diagnostic value of endoscopic ultrasonography(EUS)for the minimal submucosal invasion of early gastrointestinal tumor. Methods A total of 242 patients with early gastrointestinal tumor,who underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection,were retrospectively analyzed. The accuracy of EUS diagnosis was calculated based on postoperative histopathological findings as the golden standard,and influencing factors were also analyzed. Results Overall diagnostic accuracy of EUS for sub-mucosal invasion of early gastrointestinal tumors was 72. 3%(175/ 242),with an overstaging rate of 21. 5%(52/ 242)and an understaging rate of 6. 2%(15/ 242).Tumor size(P = 0. 018)and location(P = 0. 005) had significant effects on the diagnostic accuracy of the minimal submucosal invasion of early gastrointestinal tumor by EUS. The overstaging rate in the lesion length of diameter>3 cm was higher than those of 3 cm or less[27. 0%(33/ 122)VS 15. 8%(19/ 120),P = 0. 807],the overstaging rates of early colonrectal and gastric cancer were also significantly higher than the understaging rate[ Colonrectum:12. 2%(9/ 74)VS 2. 7%(2/ 74),P= 0. 028;Stomach:26. 9%(28/ 104)VS 2. 9%(3/ 104),P = 0. 000]. Conclusion Endoscopic ultrasonography is of diagnostic value for the invasion depth of early cancer in gastrointestinal tract. However,precaution should be taken in large lesions and the tendency of overstaging in gastrointestinal tract.

Objective To identify seven species of Gynostemma BI.,including G.pentaphyllum,G. pentagynum,G.cardiospermum,G.longipes,G.yixingense,G.laxiflorum,and G.guangxiense,by in- ter-simple sequence repeat(ISSR)markers.Methods General DNA was isolated from leaves of the seven species in Gynostemma B1.by CTAB,57 primers constituted by ISSR were tested for PCR and sepharose electrophoresis.Results Fourteen primers amplified polymorphic bands,the amplification patterns of primers UBC-873 and UBC-895 were higher in terms of polymorphic and amplified band ratio.They are used to distinguish all the examined seven species.Conclusion ISSR-PCR Method provides a quick,reli- able molecular marker technique for the identification of different species of Gynostemma B1.

In the present study, the effect of high density lipoproteins (HDLs) on the antiaggregating activity of nitric oxide (NO) derived from endothelial cells was investigated with the use of cultured bovine aortal endothelial cells (BAECs). The BAECs were placed in an aggregometer in contact with rabbit platelets after blocking cyclo-oxygenase with acetylsalicylic acid. Under this circumstance, the antiaggregating effect of endothelial cells was exclusively dependent on the release of NO, which was further confirmed by prevention of antiaggregating activity of BAECs with 1 mmol/L NG-Nitro-L-arginine. When this system was used, thrombin (0.1 U/ml) evoked 67.33±7.52% aggregation of rabbit platelets (2×108/ml). This effect was inhibited by NO derived from endothelial cells (1×105～1×106/ml) in a cell number dependent manner. HDLs (1 mg/ml), added into the system immediately before BAECs, enhanced this antiaggregating effect of NO. However, incubating BAECs with HDLs for an hour and removing the HDLs by centrifugation did not have the same effect, unless HDLs were present during aggregation. No direct effect of HDLs on platelet aggregation was observed. The above findings suggest that HDLs can enhance the antiaggregating effects of BAECs mediated by direct interaction with NO.

OBJECTIVEGas chromatography (GC) was used to investigate the cellular fatty acid (CFA) composition of 141 Acinetobacter baumannii and 32 A. calcoaceticus isolates from different locations in China and to find chemical markers to differentiate these two closely related bacteria.

METHODSWhole cell fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) were obtained by saponification, methylation, and extraction for GC analysis, followed by a standardized Microbial Identification System (MIS) analysis.

RESULTSAll A. baumannii and A. calcoaceticus strains contained some major fatty acids, namely, 18:1 ω9c, 16:0, Sum In Feature 3, 12:0, 17:1ω8c, 3-OH-12:0, 17:0, Sum In Feature 2, 2-OH-12:0, and 18:0 compounds. Although most of the total CFAs are similar between A. baumannii and A. calcoaceticus strains, the ratios of two pairs of CFAs, i.e., Sum In Feature 3/18:1 ω9c versus 16:0/18:1 ω9c and Sum In Feature 3/18:1 ω9c versus unknown 12.484/18:1 ω9c fatty acids, could differentiate these two closely related bacteria. A. baumannii could be easily classified into two subgroups by plotting some ratios such as Sum In Feature 3/16:0 versus 17:0 and Sum In Feature 3/2-OH-12:0 versus 17:0 fatty acids.

CONCLUSIONThe ratios of some CFAs could be used as chemical markers to distinguish A. baumannii from A. calcoaceticus.

Acinetobacter baumannii ; classification ; cytology ; metabolism ; Acinetobacter calcoaceticus ; classification ; cytology ; metabolism ; Biomarkers ; metabolism ; Fatty Acids ; metabolism ; Species Specificity

OBJECTIVETo investigate the perioperative and early-term efficacy of bilateral total knee arthroplasty (BTKA) in one-stage procedure.

METHODSTotally 93 patients operated with BTKA in one-stage procedure from 2003 June to 2005 June were followed up and the curative effect was determined with Hospital for Special Surgery knee-rating system (HSS). The complications were then analyzed.

RESULTSThe mean postoperative HSS score was 89. 6 (55 approximately 96 scores) and the excellence/good rate reached 95. 7% (excellent in 74 cases, good in 15 cases, moderate in 2 cases, and poor in 2 cases). Except for the muscle power, the pain, joint function, range of joint movement (ROM) , deformity, and stability were significantly improved after operation (P < 0. 05). The average ROM of knee was improved to 99. 8 (75-135 ) degrees after operation from 88.9 (25-110) degrees before operation (P < 0. 01). Complications included deep vein thrombosis (n = 2) , incision fat liquidation (n = 2) , deep infection ( n = 1) , urinary infection ( n = 1) , and peroneal nerve palsy (n = 1). No death was documented.

CONCLUSIONBilateral total knee arthroplasty in one-stage procedure under secure conditions can be performed with good outcomes in selected patients without a definite increase in perioperative risk.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; adverse effects ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Knee Prosthesis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome