OBJECTIVETo investigate the oxidative damage to lung tissue and peripherial blood in PM2.5-treated rats.

METHODSPM2.5 samples were collected using an auto-sampling instrument in summer and winter. Treated samples were endotracheally instilled into rats. Activity of reduced glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) were used as oxidative damage biomarkers of lung tissue and peripheral blood detected with the biochemical method. DNA migration length (microm) and rate of tail were used as DNA damage biomarkers of lung tissue and peripheral blood detected with the biochemical method.

RESULTSThe activity of GSH-Px and the concentration of MDA in lung tissue significantly decreased after exposure to PM2.5 for 7-14 days. In peripheral blood, the concentration of MDA decreased, but the activity of GSH-Px increased 7 and 14 days after experiments. The two indicators had a dose-effect relation and similar changing tendency in lung tissue and peripheral blood. The DNA migration length (microm) and rate of tail in lung tissue and peripheral blood significantly increased 7 and 14 days after exposure to PM2.5. The two indicators had a dose-effect relation and similar changing tendency in lung tissue and peripheral blood.

CONCLUSIONPM2.5 has a definite oxidative effect on lung tissue and peripheral blood. The activity of GSH-Px and the concentration of MDA are valuable biomarkers of oxidative lung tissue damage induced by PM2.5. The DNA migration length (microm) and rate of tail are simple and valuable biomarkers of PM2.5-induced DNA damage in lung tissues and peripheral blood. The degree of DNA damage in peripheral blood can predict the degree of DNA damage in lung tissue.

Animals ; DNA Damage ; drug effects ; Drug Administration Routes ; Drug Administration Schedule ; Lung ; drug effects ; pathology ; Lung Diseases ; blood ; chemically induced ; pathology ; Male ; Oxidative Stress ; Particle Size ; Particulate Matter ; administration & dosage ; toxicity ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Seasons

OBJECTIVETo study the impact of carbon monoxide (CO) on expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA in guinea pigs with allergic rhinitis (AR).

METHODSTwenty four guinea pigs were divided randomly into four study groups with 6 guinea pigs in each. The guinea pigs in the first group were treated with saline only (Group 1, the healthy controls). The remaing guinea pigs were sensitized by ovalbumin and thus establishing the AR models. After sensitization, the animals in the second group remained untreated (Group 2, AR control group). The third group was treated with Hemin as the induction group, and the fourth group was treated with Zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP) as the suppression group. The plasma concentration of carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) was measured, which represents the concentration of CO. The expression levels of Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and NOS mRNAs in nasal mucosa were determined by fluorescent quantitative RT-PCR.

RESULTSAR models were established successfully in all study guinea pigs. The concentrations of COHb (x(-) +/- s) in plasma of the second group (2.27% +/- 1.13%) were significantly (q = 4.10, P < 0.01) higher than those of healthy controls (1.08% +/- 0.24%). The plasma concentration of COHb in the third group (3.17% +/- 0.68%) were also significantly higher (q = 3.12, P < 0.05) than those in the second group. The expression levels of HO-1 and iNOS in nasal mucosa of the second group [(7.80 +/- 1.60) x 10(-3) and (5.81 +/- 0.05) x 10(-3), respectively] were also significantly (q equals 5.52 and 7.21, respectively, P < 0.01) higher than those of controls [(1.96 +/- 0.71) x 10(-3) and (0.97 +/- 0.05) x 10(-3), respectively]. The expression levels of HO-1 and iNOS in the nasal mucosa of the third group [(11.89 +/- 4.78) x 10(-3) and (7.42 +/- 0.70) x 10(-3), respectively] were significantly (q equals 3.86 and 2.22, P < 0.05) higher than those of the second group. The expression levels of HO-1 and iNOS in nasal mucosa of the fourth group [(3.82 +/- 0.98) x 10(-3) and (2.34 +/- 0.04) x 10(-3), respectively] were significantly (q equals 3.76 and 5.18, P < 0.05) lower than those in the second group.

CONCLUSIONSEndogenous carbon monoxide influenced the expression levels of iNOS in nasal mocusa in guinea pigs with AR.

Animals ; Carbon Monoxide ; blood ; Guinea Pigs ; Heme Oxygenase-1 ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; RNA, Messenger ; Rhinitis, Allergic

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of carbon monoxide (CO) on hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in guinea pigs with allergic rhinitis (AR) through intervention treatment.

METHODSAR model in guinea pigs was established by using ovalbumin. The animals were divided into three groups. Group one was sensitized continuously by ovalbumin, group two was treated with Hemin as induction group, and group three was treated with zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP) as suppression group. The guinea pigs treated with saline were used as control. The behavior science scores, eotaxin concentration of nasal lavage, IgE in blood serum were recorded, and the plasma concentrations of CO and H2S were determined, then the expression of hemeoxygenase (HO)-1, cystathionine-beta-synthase (CBS) and cystathionine-gamma-lyase (CSE) were measured in nasal mucosa by fluorescent quantitative RT-PCR.

RESULTSThe behavior science scores, concentration of eotaxin in nasal lavage, IgE in blood serum and concentration of CO in plasma of sensitized group were higher than those of control (P<0.01), and the expression of HO-1 in nasal mucosa was also higher than control [(7.61+/-2.80)x10(-3) vs (2.32+/-1.14)x10(-3), P<0.05]. All these items were higher when treated with Hemin and lower when treated with ZnPP (P<0.05). The concentration of H2S in plasma was lower than control with significant differences [(14.80+/-1.60) micromol/L vs (18.90+/-1.00) micromol/L, P<0.01], the expression of CSE was also lower than control (P<0.05), and both of them were lower with Hemin induced and higher with ZnPP (P<0.05). The expression of CBS was very low and had no significant differences between groups (P>0.05), so it indicated that the CSE was the key enzyme for endogenous H2S product in nasal mucosa. Moreover the concentration of H2S was negatively correlated with CO (r=-0.702, P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONSEndogenous CO and H2S play a significant role in the pathogenesis of AR, and HO-1 and CSE are the main speed-relate enzymes respectively. The H2S is also influenced by CO.

Animals ; Carbon Monoxide ; blood ; Disease Models, Animal ; Guinea Pigs ; Heme Oxygenase-1 ; metabolism ; Hydrogen Sulfide ; blood ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; Male ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; blood ; immunology

Objective To isolate and culture brain tumor stem cells (BTSCs) from glioma tissues and explore the biological characteristics of BTSCs. Methods Different grade glioma tissues were obtained from 20 clinical cases. After tumors were dissociated, the sample was triturated into the single cells and then filtered. The primary glioma cells were collected and cultured in the DMEM/F12 medium containing epidermal growth factor (EGF), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), in order to promote the proliferation of BTSCs. CD133 + cells were separated by immunomagnetic bead method and identified by testing the expressions of CD133, NSE and GFAP using immunocytochemistry. CCK8 was employed to assay the proliferating situation of CD133+ cells in the different grade gliomas, and to compare the drug resistance between the CD133+ and CD133- cells in the medium containing VM-26. Results CD133+ cells were successfully separated from glioma tissues.CD133+ cells proliferated by self-renewal, then differentiated into NSE+ cells and GFAP+ ones respectively. CD133+ cells in the high grade gliomas showed the faster generation than the ones in the low grade gliomas. CD133+ cells survived more easily than the CD133- cells in the medium containing VM-26. Conclusions BTSCs exist in the glioma tissues, and possess the more tolerant to the VM-26.CD133+ cells in the high grade glioma can proliferate much more easily.

BACKGROUNDPrimary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has been clearly identified as the first therapeutic option for patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The importance of reducing door-to-balloon (D2B) time has gained increased recognition. This study aimed to assess the feasibility, safety and efficacy of the strategy of direct ambulance transportation of patients with acute STEMI to catheterization lab to receive primary PCI.

METHODSThe study population included 141 consecutive patients with chest pain and ST-segment elevation who were admitted to the catheterization laboratory directly by the ambulance and underwent primary PCI (DIRECT group). Another 145 patients with STEMI randomly selected from the PCI database, were served as control group (conventional group); they were transported to catheterization laboratory from emergency room (ER). The primary endpoint of D2B time, and secondary endpoint of in-hospital and 30-day major adverse cardiac events (MACE, including death, non-fatal reinfarction, and target vessel revascularization) were compared.

RESULTSBaseline and procedural characteristics between the two groups were comparable, except more patients in the DIRECT group presented TIMI 0-1 flow in culprit vessel at initial angiogram (80.1% and 73.8%, P = 0.04). Comparing to conventional group, the primary endpoint of D2B time was reduced ((54 ± 18) minutes and (112 ± 55) minutes, P < 0.0001) and the percentage of patients with D2B < 90 minutes was increased in the DIRECT group (96.9% and 27.0%, P < 0.0001). The success rate of primary PCI with stent implantation with final Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) 3 flow was significantly higher in the DIRECT group (93.8% and 85.2%, P = 0.03). Although no significant difference was found at 30-day MACE free survival rate between the two groups (95.0% and 89.0%, P = 0.06), a trend in improving survival status in the DIRECT group was demonstrated by Kaplan-Meier analysis.

CONCLUSIONDirect ambulance transport of STEMI patients to the catheterization laboratory could significantly reduce D2B time and improve success rate of primary PCI and 30-day clinical outcomes.

Aged ; Ambulances ; statistics & numerical data ; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; statistics & numerical data ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; therapy ; Prospective Studies ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the brain oxidative stress injury induced by nano-alumina particles in ICR mice.

METHODSSixty male ICR mice were randomly divided into 6 groups: control group, solvent control group, 100 mg/kg micro-alumina particles group, 3 groups exposed to nano-alumina particles at the doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg. The mice were exposed by nasal drip for 30 days. Then levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) in brain tissues of mice were detected.

RESULTSThere was no difference of SOD activity in mouse brain between control group [(17.32 +/- 6.23)U/gHb] and 50 mg/kg nano-alumina particles group [(17.89 +/- 1.82) U/gHb]. The SOD activity [(4.93 +/- 2.30)U/gHb] in 200 mg/kg nano-alumina particles group was significantly lower than that in control group (P < 0.05). The MDA levels in 3 nano-alumina particles groups were (0.76 +/- 0.13), (1.00 +/- 0.30) and (1.16 +/- 0.39)nmol/ml, respectively, which were significantly higher than that [( 0.24 +/- 0.09)nmol/ml] in control group (P < 0.05). The GSH levels in 3 nano-alumina particles groups were (0.72 +/- 0.08), (0.55 +/- 0.19) and (0.61 +/- 0.20)mg/gpro, respectively, which were significantly lower than that [(1.55 +/- 0.34)mg/gpro]] in control group (P < 0.05). The CAT activity in 50 and 100 mg/kg nano-alumina particles groups were (10.40 +/- 3.84) and (10.40 +/- 2.00)U/mgpro, respectively, which were significantly higher than that [(5.79 +/- 0.96) U/mgpro] in control group (P < 0.05). The CAT activity [(3.25 +/- 1.04)U/mgpro] in 200 mg/kg nano-alumina particles group was significantly lower than that in control group (P < 0.05 ).

CONCLUSIONNano-alumina particles can induce the oxidative stress damage in brain tissues of mice.

Aluminum Oxide ; toxicity ; Animals ; Cerebral Cortex ; metabolism ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Nanoparticles ; toxicity ; Oxidative Stress ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

A fragment of hepatitis E virus open reading frame-2(ORF2), located from amino acid residues 394 to 604, was expressed in E. coli. The recombinant protein NE2 was found to form homodimer mostly in SDS-PAGE, which can be dissociated to monomers when treated with urea, and it was recognized more strongly in its dimeric form than the monomer by HEV reactive human serum in Western blotting. Besides, many aggregated form of NE2 from dimer to at least hexamer can be seen in MALDI-TOF-MS. And when the hydrated dynamic semidiameter of NE2 moleculars in PBS was measured as about 4 nm by Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), being equal to tetramer, but with high polydispersity, which suggested that the NE2 moleculars were existed in PBS in many different sizes. These results suggested that the recombinant NE2 can aggregate into several oligomer forms, the association in the dimer is most strong, and dimers can assemble further to form some super-structure.
Dimerization ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; Gene Expression ; Protein Conformation ; Recombinant Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; Viral Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism

Non-human primates (NHPs) are confirmed as reservoirs of Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia intestinalis, and Enterocytozoon bieneusi. In this study, 197 fresh fecal samples from 8 NHP species in Qinling Mountains, northwestern China, were collected and examined using multilocus sequence typing (MLST) method. The results showed that 35 (17.8%) samples were positive for tested parasites, including Cryptosporidium spp. (3.0%), G. intestinalis (2.0%), and E. bieneusi (12.7%). Cryptosporidium spp. were detected in 6 fecal samples of Macaca mulatta, and were identified as C. parvum (n=1) and C. andersoni (n=5). Subtyping analysis showed Cryptosporidium spp. belonged to the C. andersoni MLST subtype (A4, A4, A4, and A1) and C. parvum 60 kDa glycoprotein (gp60) subtype IId A15G2R1. G. intestinalis assemblage E was detected in 3 M. mulatta and 1 Saimiri sciureus. Intra-variations were observed at the triose phosphate isomerase (tpi), beta giardin (bg), and glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh) loci, with 3, 1, and 2 new subtypes found in respective locus. E. bieneusi was found in Cercopithecus neglectus (25.0%), Papio hamadrayas (16.7%), M. mulatta (16.3%), S. sciureus (10%), and Rhinopithecus roxellana (9.5%), with 5 ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) genotypes: 2 known genotypes (D and BEB6) and 3 novel genotypes (MH, XH, and BSH). These findings indicated the presence of zoonotic potential of Cryptosporidium spp. and E. bieneusi in NHPs in Qinling Mountains. This is the first report of C. andersoni in NHPs. The present study provided basic information for control of cryptosporidiosis, giardiasis, and microsporidiosis in human and animals in this area.
Animals ; China ; Cryptosporidiosis/*parasitology ; Cryptosporidium/classification/genetics/*isolation & purification ; Enterocytozoon/classification/genetics/*isolation & purification ; Feces/parasitology ; Female ; Genotype ; Giardia lamblia/classification/genetics/*isolation & purification ; Giardiasis/parasitology/*veterinary ; Male ; Microsporidiosis/parasitology/*veterinary ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Primate Diseases/*parasitology ; Primates/classification/parasitology

Objective: To investigate the current status of antithrombotic strategy for elderly patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) after stent implantation in Beijing area and to study the safety and efficacy of different therapeutic strategy. Methods: A total of 467 relevant patients were enrolled by re-travelling electronic medical records from 12 hospitals in Beijing area. The patients' mean age was (78.70±3.32) years and they were divided into 2 groups by antithrombotic therapy condition: Triple therapy group, n=17 (3.64％), Double therapy group, n=450 (96.36％). The incidence of major adverse cardiac and cerebral events (MACCE) including all-caused death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, target vessel revascularization (TVR), stoke and bleeding was compared between Triple therapy group and Double therapy group.Results: The medication in Double therapy group included aspirin+ticagrelor, aspirin+clopidogrel, clopidogrel+warfarin and cilostazol+clopidogrel; in Triple therapy group was aspirin+clopidogrel+warfarin. Patient with HAS-BLED score&ge;3 was defined as high risk of bleeding and they were all treated by double therapy; HAS-BLED<3 was defined as low risk of bleeding, only 5.03％ patients were treated by triple therapy. 3 patients in Triple therapy group and 33 in Double therapy group suffered from gastrointestinal bleeding, P=0.338; 6 patients in Triple therapy group and 128 in Double therapy group had MACCE, P=0.589; 3 and 80 patients died in Triple therapy group and Double therapy group, P=0.766. Conclusion: Triple therapy was rarely used in elderly AF and ACS patients after stent implantation, double therapy was the main strategy; the incidence of MACCE and mortality were similar between triple and double therapies; patients with triple therapy had the higher incidence of gastrointestinal bleeding.

BACKGROUNDData on the epidemiology of hypertension in Chinese non-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients are limited. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in the non-dialysis CKD patients through a nationwide, multicenter study in China.

METHODSThe survey was performed in 61 tertiary hospitals in 31 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions in China (except Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan). Trained physicians collected demographic and clinical data and measured blood pressure (BP) using a standardized protocol. Hypertension was defined as systolic BP &ge; 140 mmHg and/or diastolic BP &ge; 90 mmHg, and/or use of antihypertensive medications. BP < 140/90 mmHg and < 130/80 mmHg were used as the 2 thresholds of hypertension control. In multivariate logistic regression with adjustment for sex and age, we analyzed the association between CKD stages and uncontrolled hypertension in non-dialysis CKD patients.

RESULTSThe analysis included 8927 non-dialysis CKD patients. The prevalence, awareness, and treatment of hypertension in non-dialysis CKD patients were 67.3%, 85.8%, and 81.0%, respectively. Of hypertensive CKD patients, 33.1% and 14.1% had controlled BP to < 140/90 mmHg and < 130/80 mmHg, respectively. With successive CKD stages, the prevalence of hypertension in non-dialysis CKD patients increased, but the control of hypertension decreased (P < 0.001). When the threshold of BP < 130/80 mmHg was considered, the risk of uncontrolled hypertension in CKD 2, 3a, 3b, 4, and 5 stages increased 1.3, 1.4, 1.4, 2.5, and 4.0 times compared with CKD 1 stage, respectively (P < 0.05). Using the threshold of < 140/90 mmHg, the risk of uncontrolled hypertension increased in advanced stages (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe prevalence of hypertension Chinese non-dialysis CKD patients was high, and the hypertension control was suboptimal. With successive CKD stages, the risk of uncontrolled hypertension increased.

Adult ; Aged ; Awareness ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; complications ; epidemiology ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; complications