BACKGROUND: Because of complicated physiological environment and difficulty to control experimental conditions, it is difficult to get satisfactory results from in vivo studies of cell mechanics.OBJECTIVE: To study the action and mechanism of p38MAPK signaling pathways on myoblast apoptosis based on successful construction of in vitro mechanical stimulation models.METHODS: The C2C12 cells cultured in vitro were divided into control group and SB203580 treatment group. Cyclic tensile stress was applied on the C2C12 myoblast cells for 0, 6, 12 and 24 hours in each group. The Flexcell Strain Unit-5000T was used to expose C2C12 myoblast cell to an equiaxial cyclic of 15% magnitude and a frequency of 10 cycles/min, each cycle including the 3 s stretch and 3 s relaxation. Hoechst 33258 fluorescent staining and optical microscope were used to detect cell apoptosis. RT-PCR, flow cytometric analysis were used to observe the apoptosis of C2C12 myoblast cells and Western blotting were used to detect the activity of p38MAPK and p-p38MAPK. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The optical microscope tested the change in the morphology. Hoechst 33258 staining showed that after treatment with cyclic stress, the cell took the typical appearance of apoptosis with chromatin condensation and apoptotic bodies. RT-PCR and flow cytometry showed that with the extension of time the rate of the apoptosis of C2C12 myoblast cell increased. And cells imposed SB203580 before imposing cyclical tensile stress, the results showed that the apoptosis was markedly affected, and the p-p38MAPK expression declined apparently. These findings demonstrate that p38MAPK signaling pathways in stress mediated into C2C12 myoblast cell apoptosis plays an important role.

Objective To detect the argyrophilic proteins in nucleolar organizer regions(Ag-NORs) that express rDNA and rRNA proliferation of T lymphocytes before chemotherapy and after complete remission(CR) in children with primary acute leukemia(AL).Methods The argyrophilic granules area of NOR/nuclear area(I.S%) of T lymphocytes was detected by image analysis system in peripheral blood of 42 patients before chemotherapy and after CR and 30 normal children.Results I.S% in the patients before chemotherapy(5.06%?1.36%) were significantly lower than those in the healthy donors(7.51%?1.06%)(t=8.238 P0.05).Conclusion These results suggest that decrease of Ag-NORs expresses the evidence for tumour induced suppression of immune function of T cells in children with AL prior to treatment.

Humans ; Deglutition ; Time Factors ; Language

OBJECTIVETo study reverse effect of the oxidative damage on cartilage cells of velvet antler polypeptides (VAPS), and to investigate the main mechanism of VAPS to protect cartilage cells through antioxidant.

METHODSFifteen Japanese white rabbits of 5-month-old were selected in this study. Animal model was established by method of Hulth osteoarthritis animal model. The anterior and posterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament were cut off and medial meniscus were cut, articular cartilage cell cultured in vitro. Cells in the sham operation group was the normal control group, osteoarthritis cartilage cells in the model groups were added VAPS 6.25, 12.5, 25 microg/ml respectively. A group of animals were sacrificed every week form the ninth weeks(two months) and the cartilage cells were isolated and cultured. For 8 weeks,the reactive oxygen species level in chondrocytes were detected by DCFH-DA, the content of NO, SOD and GSH-Px in cell culture supernatant were detected by Griess method.

RESULTSDCFH-DA detection of intracellular reactive oxygen species was (5.46 +/- 0.46)in the control group, (12.08 +/- 0.74) in the model groups. The model group compared with the control group by t test with the P value less than < 0.001. DCFH-DA detection of intracellular reactive oxygen species was (9.81 +/- 0.59)in VAPS 6.25 microg/ ml group, (7.83 +/- 0.63) in the VAPS 12.5 microg/ml group, (6.89 +/- 0.71) in the VAPS 25 microg/ml group, as compared with model group there were statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). The content of NaNO2, SOD and GSH-Px in osteoarthritis model group was (5.60 +/- 0.45) microM, (38.56 +/- 12.53) U/ml and (151.90 +/- 25.60) U, as compared with control group there were statistically significant difference (P < 0.001, P < 0.05); The content of NaNO2 was (4.34 +/- 0.39), M in VAPS 6.25 microg/ml group, (3.67 +/- 0.36) microM in the VAPS 12.5 microg/ml group, (3.20 +/- 0.27) microM in the VAPS 25 microg/ml group, as compared with model group there were statistically significant difference (P < 0.01). The content of SOD was (49.91 +/- 5.77) U/ml in VAPS 6.25 microg/ml group, (54.05 +/- 5.27) U/ml in the VAPS 12.5 microg/ml group, (57.44 +/- 5.70) U/ml in the VAPS 25 microg/mL group, as compared with model group there was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The content of GSH-Px was (172.50 +/- 18.65) U in VAPS 6.25 microg/ml group, (202.10 +/- 21.60) U in the VAPS 12.5 microg/ml group, (315.80 +/- 10.50) U in the VAPS 25 microg/ml group, the VAPS 12.5 microg/mL group and VAPS 25 microg/ml group was compared with model group, there were statistically significant difference (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe VAPS have antioxidative damage effect of osteoarthritis cartilage cells within a certain range and dose-dependent manner. It may be the main mechanism for velvet antler polypeptides to treat osteoarthritis.

Animals ; Antlers ; chemistry ; Cartilage ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Glutathione ; blood ; Male ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Osteoarthritis ; blood ; metabolism ; pathology ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Peptides ; pharmacology ; Rabbits ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood

OBJECTIVETo observe the expression and clinical implication of plasma miR-328 in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

METHODSFifty-eight patients with AF (AF group: 17 paroxysmal AF, 21 persistent AF, and 20 permanent AF) and 15 healthy volunteers (Control group) were included. General clinical data and related biochemical parameters were collected. Plasma miR-328 levels were detected with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis. The correlation between plasma miR-328 and AF risk factors was analyzed.

RESULTS(1) Compared with the control group, the expression level of plasma miR-328 was significantly elevated in AF group (fold 7.72 ± 9.32) (P < 0.05). (2) In AF group, the expression of plasma miR-328 was significantly different in different type of AF[paroxysmal AF with (1.98 ± 0.81), persistent AF with (6.57 ± 5.82) and permanent AF with (13.47 ± 12.29)] (P < 0.05), and which was increased in proportion to the duration of AF. (3) There was a positive correlation between plasma miR-328 level and left atrial diameter in the AF group (r = 0.310, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONmiR-328 expression is significantly increased in patients with AF, which may be involved in the atrial remodeling process of AF.

Aged ; Atrial Fibrillation ; blood ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; MicroRNAs ; blood ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo explore the correlation between periodic limb movement index (PLMI) and the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), apnea index (AI), hypopnea index (HI) and lowest oxygen saturation (LSaO₂) in sixty-four children with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB).

METHODSBetween March 2008 and May 2009, sixty-four children suspected of OSAHS underwent overnight polysomnogram monitoring in our medicine sleep center. OSAHS was diagnosed according to the general criterion. Sixty-four children were divided into two groups. Thirty children were diagnosed as OSAHS and 34 children were diagnosed as primary snoring (PS, 32 children) or upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS, 2 children). The difference of PLMI and periodic limb movement index during sleep associated with arousals (PLMI-arousal) were compared between the two groups. Besides this, the correlation between PLMI, periodic limb movement index during sleep associated with arousals and AHI, AI, HI and LSaO₂ were also analyzed in all SDB children. Furthermore, all SDB children were divided into two groups according to PLMI (< 5 events/h vs ≥ 5 events/h). AHI, AI, HI, LSaO₂ and sleep structure were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS(1) The difference of PLMI and PLMI-arousal between the children with OSAHS and children with other SDB types (PS and UARS) were not significant (z value, -1.279, -1.490; P value, 0.201, 0.136, respectively). (2) The increased sleep stage I was significant as being compared between the two groups (< 5 events/h vs ≥ 5 events/h, t = -2.16, P < 0.05). However, other sleep stages and sleep efficiency were not significantly different (P value, all > 0.05). (3) The difference of HI, AI, AHI, arousals index (ArI) and LSaO₂ were not significant between the two groups (< 5 events/h vs ≥ 5 events/h, P value, all > 0.05). (4) PLMI and PLMI-arousal were not correlated with AHI, HI, AI, AHI and LSaO₂ (Spearman rank correlation analysis).

CONCLUSIONSPLMS may be independent of SDB and PLMS had a little influence on sleep structure.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Extremities ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Movement ; Polysomnography ; Sleep ; Sleep Apnea Syndromes ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of the expression of Ezh2, Runx3 and caspase-3 proteins and their correlation in the pathogenesis of endometrial carcinoma.

METHODSExpression of Ezh2, Runx3 and caspase-3 proteins was examined by tissue microarray technique and immunohistochemistry (SP method) in 72 cases of endometrial adenocarcinomas, 60 endometrial hyperplasia and 30 normal endometrial tissues.

RESULTSThe positive expression rates of Ezh2, Runx3 and caspase-3 proteins in endometrial adenocarcinomas were 83.3% (60/72), 26.4% (19/72) and 33.3% (24/72), respectively. The positive rate of Ezh2 protein in endometrial carcinomas was higher than that in normal endometrium and endometrial hyperplasia (16.7%, 33.3%, 63.3%;P < 0.05). However, the positive rate of Runx3 in endometrial carcinomas was lower than that in normal endometrium and endometrial hyperplasia (80.0%, 56.7%; P < 0.01). The positive rate of caspase-3 protein in endometrial carcinomas was lower than that in normal endometrium and endometrial hyperplasia (86.7%, 73.3%, 63.3%; P < 0.01). Positive expression of Ezh2 and Runx3 was related to the histological grade, FIGO stage, and depth of invasion of endometrial adenocarcinomas (P < 0.05), but it was not related to the lymph node metastasis (P > 0.05). Positive expression of caspase-3 protein was related to the histological grade (P < 0.05), but it was not related to the FIGO stage, depth of invasion and the lymph node metastasis of endometrial adenocarcinomas (P > 0.05). The expression of Ezh2 protein was negatively correlated to that of Runx3 (r(s) = -0.262, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSAbnormal expression of Ezh2, Runx3 and caspase-3 proteins is associated with the development and progression of endometrioid adenocarcinoma. Combined analysis of Ezh2, Runx3 and caspase-3 may offer prognostic information for patients with endometrial cancer.

Adenocarcinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Adult ; Aged ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Core Binding Factor Alpha 3 Subunit ; metabolism ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Endometrial Hyperplasia ; metabolism ; pathology ; Endometrial Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Endometrium ; metabolism ; Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Grading ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Staging ; Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 ; Transcription Factors ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo analyze the similarities and differences of the clinical manifestations between the children with upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS) and obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS), and to explore the clinical features and characteristics of sleep respiratory parameters.

METHODSUsing the double-blind method, all children were diagnosed as UARS or OSAHS through the polysomnography test and the results of all children were analyzed by a sleep technician and an otolaryngologist. Another ENT doctor recorded their clinical and physical examination in detail.

RESULTSPolysomnography showed that the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and the lowest oxygen in 253 children with OSAHS were 3.60[2.00;7.55] times/h and 0.90[0.85;0.91], and were 0.90[0.50;1.10] times/h and 0.95[0.92;0.96] in 102 children with UARS, the difference of the two groups by rank test was statistically significant. The proportion of UARS and OSAHS was more common during preschool period than during school-age period. The chief complaint in two groups was sleep snoring, and the main symptoms were sleep restless, attention deficit/hyperactivity and breath with mouth open. The incidence rate of above symptoms were as follows, 94.1%, 72.5%, 62.7% and 37.3% in children with UARS, 92.9%, 78.7%, 57.7% and 45.5% in children with OSAHS. The difference was not significant by chi-square test (P>0.05). Tonsil and adenoid hypertrophy were also observed in the two groups, the difference was not significant (chi2 = 0.27, P= 0.87). However, the children with OSAHS were more apt to have the sleep apnea than with UARS, the difference was statistically significant (chi2 = 34.07, P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONSThe clinical manifestations of two groups are similar, the difference between UARS and OSAHS can not be determined by the patient's clinical performance. Sleep apnea can be more easily observed in children with OSAHS than that in UARS, the final diagnosis is based on polysomnography.

Adolescent ; Airway Resistance ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Double-Blind Method ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Polysomnography ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; epidemiology ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of occupational stress on ambulatory blood pressure.

METHODS30 male healthy workers from the refrigerator assembly line in Henan province in China were investigated. Psychosocial work conditions were measured by using the Job Demand-control Model, the Effort-reward Imbalance Model questionnaires and Occupational Stress Measurement Scale. Ambulatory blood pressure(ABP) was measured by using mobile ABP monitor. The t test was utilized to analyze the difference of parameters of ABP monitoring between different groups of occupational stress and other variables scores. The stepwise regression analysis was used to analyse the effect of occupational stress factors on parameters of ABP.

RESULTS(1) As to stressors, systolic blood pressure variability (SBPV), mean arterial blood pressure variability (MABPV) and heart rate at 30 minute after work in workers with high role conflict score were significantly higher than those in workers with low score (P < 0.05). Workers with high skill utilization score had significantly lower mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) at 30 minute after work than workers with low score (P < 0.05). Diastolic blood pressure variability (DBPV) and heart rate variability (HRV) in workers with high decision latitude score were significantly higher than those in workers with low score (P < 0.05). Workers with high job psychological demands score had significantly higher SBPV, DBPV and MABPV than workers with low score (P < 0.05). Heart rate-pressure product(RPP) and SBPV in workers with high effort score were significantly higher than those in workers with low score (P < 0.05). Workers with low rewards score had higher mean heart rate and heart rate at 30 minute after work than workers with high score (P < 0.05). (2) For personalities, workers with high work locus of control score had significantly higher mean diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) than workers with low score (P < 0.05). Workers with high patience score had significantly lower mean SBP at 30 minute after work than workers with low score (P < 0.05). Heart rate at 30 minute after work in workers with high organization commitment score was significantly lower than that in workers with low score (P < 0.05). (3) Concerning buffer factors, HRV in workers with high control strategies score were significantly lower than that in workers with low score (P < 0.05). Workers with low supervisor support score had higher RPP and MABPV than workers with high score (P < 0.05). (4) In the multiple stepwise regression, daily life stress affected SBPV (R2 = 0.12) and MABPV (R2 = 0.05), depression was related to DBPV at 30 minute after work (R2 = 0.15) and SBPV (R = 0.03), mental health was predictor of MABPV (R2 = 0.07) and negative affection was predictor of heart rate at 30 minute after work (R2 = 0.24).

CONCLUSIONSOccupational stressors, personality and social support have effect on parameters of ABP. Parameters of ABP monitoring could be used to evaluate occupational stress in the field research.

Adult ; Blood Pressure ; physiology ; Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory ; Burnout, Professional ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Multivariate Analysis ; Regression Analysis ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of occupational stress on hypertension.

METHODS498 workers whose accumulative length of service was more than two years were investigated with questionnaire by method of cluster sampling from a thermal power plant in Henan province in China; 446 respondents returned qualified questionnaire including 281 male and 165 female Han People. After the patients with secondary hypertension, diabetes patients, and patients with liver or kidney disease were excluded, 84 workers (58 males and 26 females) were diagnosed as hypertension. The occupational stressors, personalities, buffering factors and occupational strain were measured by using the Job Demand-control Model, the Effort-reward Imbalance Model questionnaires and Occupational Stress Measurement Scale. Main risk factors for the development of hypertension such as heredity, body mass index, high salt diet, alcohol use, smoking habit and lack of physical activity were investigated. 498 whole blood samples were collected from workers in field epidemiologic survey. All of the samples were detected TG, CHO and FPG by common biochemistry methods. Multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to determine the relationship between occupational stressors and prevalence rate of hypertension. The difference of morbidity of hypertension between different stress level subjects was analyzed by chi2 test.

RESULTS(1) Logistic regression analysis of the hypertension by all occupational stressors and risk factors of hypertension indicated that not only some common factors such as parents' hypertensive history, BMI, alcohol use and TG, but also responsibility for person, work locus of control and social support were significantly correlated with elevated risks of hypertension. (2) Logistic regression analysis of the hypertension by main dimensions of effort-reward imbalance model and risk factors of hypertension indicated that parents' hypertensive history, BMI, alcohol use, TG, and effort were significantly correlated with elevated risks of hypertension. Logistic regression analysis indicated the risk of hypertension had an effect on the FRI and effort (OR was 1.71 and 2.43 respectively). (3) For the job strain model, results indicated that parents' hypertensive history, UMI, alcohol use, TG, work locus of control and social support were significantly correlated with elevated risks of hypertension. But the main dimensions of job strain model (job demands and decision latitude) didn't enter regression equation. (4) The difference of prevalence of hypertension between high- and low stress level groups in male was statistically significant (OR = 3.13, P < 0.01), but the case was not the same in female (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSOccupational stress might be risk factor of hypertension; The predictive power of effort-reward imbalance model for the development of hypertension would be larger than that of job strain model.

Adult ; Burnout, Professional ; complications ; Chi-Square Distribution ; China ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; etiology ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Sampling Studies ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult