Objective To study the change of metabolism of serum lipids in patients with mild cognitive impairment(MCI). Methods The serum levels of total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride(TG),low density lipoprotein(LDL) and high density lipoprotein(HDL) were measured in 60 patients with MCI and 100 age-matched normal controls. ResultsThe serum levels of TC,TG and LDL were significantly higher and HDL significantly lower in patients with MCI than in normal controls(P

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of triptolide (TPL) on the renal tissue of diabetic rats and its possible mechanisms.

METHODSSD rats were randomly divided into the normal control group (as the normal group), the diabetic model group (the model group), the low dose TPL treatment group (the low dose TPL group, TPL 0.2 mg/kg by gastrogavage), the high dose TPL treatment group (the high dose TPL group, TPL 0.4 mg/kg by gastrogavage). Equal volume of normal saline was given to rats in the normal group and the model group. Five rats were randomly selected from each group at week 4, 8, and 12 of the experiment to detect body weight, kidney weight, 24 h urinary albumin (24 h UAL), plasma glucose (FBG), total cholesterol (TC), total triglyeride (TG), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), white blood cell (WBC), and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). The mRNA and protein expression of regulated upon activation normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) in the renal tissue was assessed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The renal tissue was pathologically stained by HE, PAS, and Masson staining. The glomerular and renal tubular interstitial lesions were observed at each time point. The glomerular sclerosis index (GSI) was observed by PAS staining, and the renal interstitial filrosis index (RIFI) was calcutated.

RESULTSCompared with the same group at week 4, the expression of 24 h UAL, RANTES, GSI, and RIFI at week 12 significantly decreased in two TPL groups (P <0.01). Compared with the same group at week 8, the expression of 24 h UAL, RANTES, GSI, and RIFI at week 12 also significantly decreased in the two TPL groups (P <0. 05, P <0.01). Compared with the normal group, body weight and the kidney weight obviously decreased at week 4, 8, and 12 in the model group (P <0. 01); 24 h UAL, FBG, TG, TC, HbA1c, RANTES, GSI, and RIFI were obviously elevated (P <0.01). Compared with the model group, 24 h UAL, RANTES, GSI, and RIFI also decreased in the two TPL treatment groups (P <0.01). Compared with the low dose TPL group, they were attenuated in the high dose TPL group (P <0. 05, P <0. 01).

CONCLUSIONTPL could not only inhibit the over-expression of RANTES, but also improve the glomerular sclerosis and renal interstitial fibrosis in the renal tissue of diabetic rats.

Animals ; Chemokine CCL5 ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; drug therapy ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; drug therapy ; Diterpenes ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; metabolism ; Epoxy Compounds ; pharmacology ; Glycated Hemoglobin A ; metabolism ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; pharmacology ; Kidney ; drug effects ; Kidney Diseases ; drug therapy ; Kidney Glomerulus ; metabolism ; Kidney Tubules ; metabolism ; Phenanthrenes ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Rats

OBJECTIVETo investigate the prevalence of chronic prostatitis in men with premature ejaculation.

METHODSThe segmented urine specimens before and after prostatic massage and the expressed prostatic secretion specimens from 106 patients with premature ejaculation and 38 controls were evaluated by microscopic and/or bacteriological studies. The prevalence of premature ejaculation was also investigated in 120 patients with chronic prostatitis.

RESULTSProstatic inflammation was found in 46.2% and chronic bacterial prostatitis in 34.7% of the subjects with premature ejaculation, respectively. Compared with the controls, the findings were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The prevalence of premature ejaculation in the patients with chronic prostatitis was 47.5% (57/120).

CONCLUSIONSChronic prostatic inflammation may play a role in the pathogenesis of some cases of premature ejaculation and it is important to give a careful examination of the prostate before initiating any therapy for premature ejaculation.

Adult ; Chronic Disease ; Ejaculation ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Prostate ; diagnostic imaging ; Prostatitis ; complications ; epidemiology ; Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological ; etiology ; Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological ; etiology ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVETo study the growth of Glycyrrhiza uralensis under different planting density for providing theoretic evidence for reasonable planting density.

METHODThe field experiment was designed by single factor randomized block.

RESULTThe plant height, root diameter, main root length and branches of main stem were all decreased with increasing planting density of G. uralensis. Meanwhile, dry matter accumulation on root, leaf, aerial part and rhizome were all decreased with increasing planting density.

CONCLUSIONTwo hundred and seventy thousand plants/hm2 was feasible planting density.

Forestry ; methods ; Glycyrrhiza uralensis ; growth & development

Animals ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; Depression/drug therapy* ; Fluoxetine ; Mice ; Stress, Psychological ; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Objective: To study the mechanism and significance of pH change in the coronary artery microthrombosis of rats. Methods: After the sodium laurate-induced model of coronary artery microthrombosis of rats was constructed, the vascular endothelial cells were separated and then cultured in the mediums with different pH values for 24 h. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the content of von Willebrand factor (vWF) in the medium; while the real-time PCR and western blot assay were used to detect the expression of fibrinogen-like protein 2 (FGL2) at the mRNA and protein level. The comprehensive evaluation was performed to discuss the effect of pH change on the coronary artery microthrombosis of rats. Results: The expression level of vWF detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was 336.67 ± 24.95, 311.33 ± 14.98, 359.67 ± 39.63, 354.67 ± 49.01 and 332.00 ± 33.42 (pg/mL) respectively; while the expression of vWF in the model group was 570.00 ± 57.94, 524.67 ± 57.94, 437.00 ± 95.38, 415.33 ± 44.38 and 444.67 ± 74.31 respectively. Being cultured under the different pH values, the relative expression level of FGL2 mRNA in the model group was 7.93 ± 0.93, 6.70 ± 0.70, 5.03 ± 0.32, 5.13 ± 0.40 and 5.57 ± 0.83 respectively. Conclusions: The coronary artery microthrombosis of rats can cause the high expression and secretion of vWF. Meanwhile, FGL2 is also up-regulated in the thrombosis and such up-regulation is more significant in the condition with low pH, which indicates that the low pH condition may be one of factors that contribute to the cardiovascular diseases.

OBJECTIVETo reproduce a model of heat injured KC in vitro and explore its apoptosis rate of KC due to heat injury at different temperature.

METHODSHuman KCs were cultured in vitro, and they were incubated at 37, 41, 43, 45, 48, and 51 degrees C respectively for 10 mins in water bath. Trypan blue staining and Hoechst 33258 fluorescence staining were used respectively to determine necrosis and apoptosis of KC. Rates of apoptosis and necrosis of KC were analyzed quantitatively by flow cytometer. The proliferation activity of KC after heat injury was detected by MTT test.

RESULTSThe results of trypan blue staining, Hoechst 33258 fluorescence staining, and flow cytometer demonstrated that number of apoptotic and necrotic KC increased gradually along with a rise of water bath temperature. The rates of apoptosis and necrosis of KC were respectively (12.3 +/- 3.2)% and (14.1 +/- 1.6)% at 45 degrees C, (27.7 +/- 5.1)% and (58.0 +/- 4.2)% at 48 degrees C. Rate of KC necrosis reached up to (83.0 +/- 5.3)% at 51 degrees C. Inhibition of KC growth reached a stationary phase when the injurious temperature reached 45 degrees C as observed with MTT test.

CONCLUSIONSHeat injury can induce apoptosis and growth inhibition of KC in vitro. Incubating KC at 45 degrees C for 10 mins is a good condition to reproduce a model of heat injured KC in vitro. This model may be used to study the biological character and apoptosis of KC after burn injury.

Apoptosis ; Burns ; Cell Proliferation ; Cell Survival ; Cells, Cultured ; Flow Cytometry ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Keratinocytes ; cytology

OBJECTIVETo summarize the clinical efficacy of pediatric liver transplantation, and investigate the characters of pediatric liver transplantation in their indications, surgical procedures and postoperative management.

METHODSFrom August 2000 to March 2007, 23 liver transplantations were performed on 20 children, aging from 6 months to 13 years old. The most common indications were biliary atresia, Wilson's disease, glycogen storage disease and urea cycle defects. Surgical procedures included 4 living donor liver transplantations, 1 Domino liver transplantation, 5 split grafts, 10 reduced liver grafts and 3 whole cadaveric grafts. The triple-drug (FK506, steroid and MMF) immunosuppressive regimen was used in 19 children, except one children using cyclosporine.

RESULTSThree children died of primary non-function, heart failure and abdominal infections respectively during peri-operative period, and the mortality was 15.0%. Nine children showed different post-operative complications including 2 hepatic artery thrombosis, 1 portal vein thrombosis, 1 acute rejection, 3 biliary leakage, 2 biliary stricture, 2 intestinal fistula, 3 abdominal infection, 1 pulmonary infection and 1 heart failure. Cumulative patient survival rates at 6-month, 1-and 2-year were 80.0%, 73.9% and 73.9%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSLiver transplantation is an effective option to cure the liver disease of children with end-stage. Different surgical procedure could be chosen according to the children's age and body weight.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; administration & dosage ; Infant ; Liver Transplantation ; methods ; Male ; Postoperative Complications ; therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the relationship between circulating levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) and colorectal cancer.

METHODSA meta-analysis of 6 epidemiological studies on insulin-like growth factors and risk of colorectal cancer were performed.

RESULTSThe pooled odds ratio (OR) of IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 were 1.56 (95% CI: 1.14-2.13) and 0.78 (95% CI: 0.43-1.44) respectively. According to the results from different measurements (enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay and immunoradiometric assay), the pooled OR were 1.92 and 1.23 for IGF-1, 0.46 and 1.44 for IGFBP-3 respectively.

CONCLUSIONHigh serum levels of IGF-1 were independent risk factors of colorectal cancer but the OR of IGFBP-3 was not statistically significant. The heterogeneity between studies on IGFBP-3 and colorectal cancer was caused by different measurements used, but there was still a need to conduct simultaneous large size study under 2 different measurements for further conclusion.

China ; epidemiology ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; blood ; epidemiology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; methods ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 ; blood ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; metabolism ; Radioimmunoassay ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Extractum trametes robiniophila murr on cardiac allograft rejection in mice.

METHODSAll abdominal heterotopic heart transplantation models were divided into three groups as follows: (A) Extractum trametes robiniophila murr group. (B) Rejection group. (C) Isograft group. In each group, mean survival times (MST) of transplanted hearts and their pathologic histological changes at postoperative fifth day were observed. With fluoroimmunoassay, granzyme B and CD8(+) expressions were examined.

RESULTSThe MST of heart allografts in group A were (6.38 +/- 0.69) d, significantly shorter than that of group B [(8.31 +/- 0.59) d] (P < 0.01). In group A, acute rejection was present in advance; transplanted hearts were seriously damaged into acute rejection pathological grade 3, and CD8(+) T lymphocytes infiltrated diffusely and the expression of granzyme B increased significantly as compared with other groups.

CONCLUSIONSExclusive application of Extractum trametes robiniophila murr can promote the acute rejection of graft in early phase of postoperation, and the mechanism may be the promoted proliferation and infiltration of CD8(+) T lymphocytes and the increased expression of granzyme B.

Animals ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; immunology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; Female ; Graft Rejection ; chemically induced ; Granzymes ; metabolism ; Heart Transplantation ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C3H ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Myocardium ; enzymology ; immunology ; Postoperative Care