Objective: To investigate the role of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) in supporting hematopoiesis and the expansion of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells in vitro. Methods: According to the fact that HUVEC supernatant has colony stimulating activity shown by methylcellulose colony-forming assay and HUVEC can maintain the survival of mononuclear cells for at least four weeks in vitro, CD34+ cells from umbilical cord blood were seeded with (HUVEC group) or without (control group) HUVEC monolayer. Every week cells were collected and counted, the frequency of CFU-GM was measured by using methylcellulose colony-forming assay, and the percentage of CD34+ and CD41a+ cells was measured by flow cytometry. Results: In control group，all the CD34+ cells died in two weeks. However, in HUVEC group,most nucleated cells and CD34+ cells were expanded by 68.1±14.8 fold and 6.6±1.4 fold，respectively at the third week while CFU-GM expansion reached its peak (5.7±2.1 fold) at the week 2. Moreover, the percentage of CD41a+ cells was enhanced significantly, reaching a maximum (15.6%) at the week 3. Conclusions:HUVEC can support hematopoiesis in vitro and expand the hematopoietic progenitor cells and CD41a+ cells in direct contact coculture.

Objective To analyze the monitoring results of human and animal plague in Zhangye city from 1982 to 2011,and further explore the prevention and control policies and measures to control the spread of the disease.Methods The trends of human and animal plague were studied by retrospective survey in Zhangye city.Information of animal and human plague epidemic and prevention and control measures were collcoted and assessed with epidemiology methods,and the density of rodents,the rodents infected with flea,flea index and other indicators were calculated.Results 1982-2011,there were 6 cases of human plague incidence of 6 cases,of which 2 cases cured,4 cases died,the mortality rate was 67％; detection of Yersinia pestis from the captured 5167 animals was 93 strains from 1982 to 2011,the detection rate was 1.80％; 29 840 various vector insects were collected from the body surface of the 5167 animals captured,21 206 hole dries,and three marmot dens.A total of 7050 groups of Marmota parasites and hole stem fleas were inspected,52 strains of Yersinia pestis were isolated,and the average detection rate was 0.74％; 3912 marmot serums were detected,178 were positive,and the positive rate was 4.55％.Conclusions The prevention and control of plague is still very grim in Zhangye city.It is recommended to take publicity,education and active surveillance measures in the future to deal with emergencies and other.

To make a preliminary study on the mechanism of Coptidis Rhizoma(CR) and Rehmanniae Radix(RR) before and after the combined administration in treating type II diabetes mellitus. The type I diabetes animal model in rats was established by fat emulsion and intraperitoneal injection with streptozotocin, in order to compare the hpyerglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of CR, RR and their combined administration of different ratio. The urinary metabolic profiling in rats of Coptidis Rhizoma and Rehmanniae Radix before and after the combined administration was analyzed by using the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The differences among groups in metabolome were analyzed by the principal component analysis (PCA). The biochemical index results indicated that both CR and RR before and after the combined administration could lower high blood glucose, hypertriglyceride and high cholesterol. According to the analytical results of PCA of the rats' urine samples, the CR group was the most close to the normal group, with no significant difference in CR and RR group of different combination ratios. Twelve differentiated metabolites were identified to be related to type II diabetes. Compared with the normal group, the CR-treated group showed significant increase in seven differentiated metabolites. Among CR and RR drugs with different combination ratios, CR played a major role and thus acted as the monarch drug. Whereas RR served as the ministerial drug and assisted CR to show the efficacy. This study laid a foundation for the explanation of the combination mechanism of traditional Chinese medicines.
Animals ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; blood ; drug therapy ; urine ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Rehmannia ; chemistry

Objective To study the prevalence of mental disorders among the Chinese youths aged 15-34 years,in rural areas and to identify risk factors related to suicide.Methods A consecutive sampling strategy was used for suicidal cases in 16 randomly selected counties in Hunan,Liaoning,and Shandong provinces.Between 2005 and 2008,a total of 392 suicide cases were recruited with 416 community controls at the same age range,selected from the same areas one family member together with one close friend of each suicidal case were interviewed,using the psychological autopsy (PA) method.The same method with structured instruments was performed on the two informants for each control in the same community.SCID was used for the diagnosis of mental disease.Results 48.0％ of the suicides were diagnosed as having at least one mental disorder episode,in comparison with only 3.8％ among the controls.It was found that mental disorder was the most important risk factor for the Chinese young suicide cases in the rural areas.Conclusion As seen in the Western countries,mental disorder had also been the number one correlate on suicidal cases in China,with the difference as other social and psychological factors might have played relatively more important roles in China.

OBJECTIVETo understand the epidemics and antigenic drift of influenza viruses in China from 2000 to 2001.

METHODSThe viruses were grown in embryonated hen eggs with 9 - 10 days old. The egg allantoic fluids with influenza viruses were used. Virion RNA was transcribed into cDNA by reverse transcriptase while cDNA amplified by PCR. Products of PCR were purified. RNA sequence analysis was then performed. Finally, phylogenetic analysis of the sequencing data was performed with MegAlign (Version 1.03) and Editseq (Version 3.69) software.

RESULTSData from comparison of amino acid sequence on HA1 domain of HA protein molecule between H1N1 viruses isolated in 2001 and A/Shanghai/7/99 (H1N1) strain indicated that there was only one difference of amino acid located at 190 position (antigenic determinant D). However, phylogenetic analysis showed that there were two distinguishable genetically lineages of H1N1 viruses co-circulating in men in China in 2001. Two antigenically distinct genetic lineages of influenza B viruses were still existing in men in China. Most of influenza B viruses were Yamagata-like strain and there were two different amino acid sequences located at 197 and 199 position on HA1 domain of HA protein molecule, between Victoria-like virus isolated and B/Shandong/7/97 strain. When comparing amino acid sequences on HA1 protein domain of H3N2 viruses isolated in 2000 with those of A/Sydeney/5/97 (H3N2) virus, it was revealed that there were 7 - 8 differences of amino acid sequences between them. However, there were four differences related to amino acid sequences on HA1 protein domain between H3N2 viruses isolated in 2000 and in 2001. These results were further demonstrated by analysis of phylogenic tree.

CONCLUSIONSInfluenza was not prevalent in China from 2000 to 2001. The antigenic drifts of H3N2 and B/Victoria-like viruses occurred. Two antigenically distinct genetic lineages of influenza B viruses were still co-circulating in men in China. Two genetically distinct lineages of influenza A (H1N1) virus were also co-circulating in men in China.

Antigens, Viral ; genetics ; China ; epidemiology ; DNA, Viral ; genetics ; Female ; Genes, Viral ; genetics ; Genetic Variation ; Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus ; genetics ; Humans ; Influenza A virus ; classification ; genetics ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; Influenza B virus ; classification ; genetics ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; Influenza, Human ; epidemiology ; virology ; Male ; Orthomyxoviridae ; classification ; genetics ; Phylogeny ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sentinel Surveillance ; Sequence Analysis, RNA

BACKGROUNDTo understand the antigenic and genetic characteristics of Victoria like strain of influenza B virus isolated recently and to provide a scientific evidence for influenza surveillance and monitoring of influenza epidemic in future.

METHODSViruses were passed in embryonated hen eggs and virion RNA was extracted from allantoic fluid and reverse transcribed to synthesize cDNA. cDNA was amplified by PCR and the PCR product was purified with a purification kit. Afterwards RNA sequence analysis was performed by dideoxynucleotide chain termination and a cloning method. Finally, phylogenetic analysis of the sequencing data was performed with MegAlign.

RESULTSB/Sichuan/63/2001 and B/Zhejiang/2/2001 viruses were antigenically different from B/Shandong/7/97 strain. The substitution of nucleotide sequences of HA1genes of them compared with those of B/Shandong/7/97strain resulted in the change of amino acid sequences in antigenic determinants on HA1 protein domain. The phylogenetic analysis also indicated that strains isolated recently were genetically different from B/Shandong/7/97/strain. However, there was neither differences on the antigenicity nor genetic partern between these two isotates.

CONCLUSIONSThe antigenic drift of Victoria-like strain of influenza B virus isolated recently in China has further occurred.

Amino Acid Sequence ; Antigenic Variation ; China ; Epitopes ; Genetic Variation ; Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus ; genetics ; immunology ; Humans ; Influenza B virus ; genetics ; immunology ; Influenza, Human ; virology ; Molecular Sequence Data ; RNA, Viral ; analysis ; Sequence Analysis, RNA

Our previous work has demonstrated that (-)-stepholidine (SPD) has dual action, ie D1 agonistic-D2 antagonistic action on DA receptors in the nigra-striatal dopamine (DA) system. The present study attempted to ascertain its dual action on the mesolimbic DA system. The firing activities of the nucleus accumbens (NAc) neurons were extracellularly recorded with intravenous and iontophoretic administration of the drug in 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-lesioned and intact rats. The results showed that SPD produced a consistently biphasic firing of NAc neurons during the cumulative doses of 0.02～2 mg/kg, iv. When the rats were pretreated with D2 antagonist spiperone, SPD only exerted an increasing effect, which was subsequently reversed by the D1 antagonist SCH-23390. Moreover, SCH-23390 could prevent the rate of increase elicited by SPD at high doses, presumably due to the D1 agonistic action of SPD on the activity of NAc neuron. On the other hand, the inhibition of NAc firing elicited by either D2 agonist LY171555 or D1/D2 agonists apomorphine was completely reversed by SPD, suggesting an antagonistic action of SPD to D2 receptors. In 6-OHDA-lesioned rats, iontophoresis of SPD also had an inhibitory effect in the majority of NAc neurons (91%) as SKF-38393 did. This inhibition could be completely blocked by the ejection of SCH-23390, but not by spiperone. These results indicate that SPD also has a D1 agonistic-D2 antagonistic dual action on NAc neuron activity, which may be beneficial to the treatment of schizophrenia.

In the present study, an attempt was made to prove the question whether endothelial cell precursors exist in blood circulation during postnatal period. CD34(+) cells were harvested from G-CSF mobilized adult blood and umbilical cord blood and incubated onto fibronectin/gelatin-coated Petric dishes in the presence of recombinant human vascular endothelial cell growth factor(rhVEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor(rhbFGF). Endothelial cell lineage was identified by von Willebrand factor(vWF) expression and Ulex europous agglutinin I(UEA-I) binding capacity. The results showed that a firmly adherent cell monolayer formed when CD34(+) cells, but not CD34(-) cells, were cultured for 5 - 6 weeks as described before. Immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry analysis showed that almost all of the adherent cells were vWF-positive and around 90% were able to bind UEA-I specifically. These findings demonstrate that angioblasts exist in the circulation during postnatal life and therefore, vasculogenesis might occur in adults.

BACKGROUND:The drug and thermal effects of moxa-wool moxibustion have been extensively studied in the clinical trials; however, the infrared radiation effects during the moxibustion are rarely reported. OBJECTIVE:To learn the spectrum characteristics of moxa sticks in the traditional moxibustion.METHODS:The herba violae, bog rush, tobacco and moxa were chosen as experimental materials. Furthermore, the moxa sticks of different storage years (1, 3, 10 years), proportions (1:3, 1:5, 1:10), and places of production (Nanyang, Qiai) were compared. A spectral measurement platform was built by using an optical power meter to analyze the spectral characteristics of the ten kinds of materials above. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:For the different materials, the herba violae and bog rush could not burn after crushed and the infrared radiation intensity of tobacco was too low, but a strong infrared emission was from the moxa with a wide range of spectrum from ultraviolet to far infrared ray. It was also found that the year of storage, proportion, place of production as well as production process had significant effects on the radiation intensity of the moxa stick. The spectrum ascended at visible-light spectrum region, reached its peak at near-infrared region, and then descended at mid-infrared and far-infrared regions. We analyzed the stability characteristics and relative total intensity of moxa stick based on statistics and mathematics. The results showed that the stability characteristics were proportional to the proportion of moxa wool, and the year of storage had stronger effect on the relative total intensity compared with the proportion of moxa wool. Herein, we systematically analyzed the spectral characteristics of different moxa sticks, thereby providing the scientific basic data for the study on the optical radiation of moxa-wool moxibustion.

Objective To observe the change in cardiac shape and heart function and evaluate the effect of self-treatment on patients with Keshan disease by echocardiography. Methods To check the 31 patients with Keshan disease before the self-treatment, and follow them up in the 3rd and 6th months after self-treatment by echocardiography. The left atrium diameter(LAd), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter(LVEDd), the thickness of interventricular septum in end-diastolic(IVSTd), the thickness of LV posterior wall in end-diastolic (LVPWTd), left ventricular mass(LVM), left ventricular mass index(LVMI), left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) and mitral valve flow E/A ratio(E/A) were measured. Results The LAd[(35.8±5.1)ram] and LVPWTd[(9.3±1.0)mm] obviously decreased in the 3rd month after serf-treatment compared with prior self-treatment [ (37.0±5.0), (9.9± 1.2)mm](P<0.05). The LAd[(34.5±5.0)mini, IVSTd[(9.5±1.3)mm], LVEDd[(50.2±7.7)mm], LVPWTd [(8.7±1.1)mm], LVM[(196.1±87.2)g] and LVMl[(126.5±56.4)g/m2] obviously decreased in the 6th month after self-treatment compared with prior self-treatment [(37.0±5.0), (10.2±1.5), (51.3±8.1), (9.9±1.2)mm, (230.4±95.5)g, (144.0±54.6)g/m2] and in the 3rd month after self-treatment [(35.8±5.1)mm, (10.2±1.4) ram, (51.1±8.1)nun, (9.3±1.0)mm, (219.4±82.5)g, (136.8±50.0)g/m2] (P<0.05). The results of the mitral valve flow E/A ratio and LVEF in the 3nt month after self-treatment [1.0±0.5, (59.4±13.3)%] were increased compared with the prior self-treatment[0.9±0.5, (58.1±15.6)%], and the results in the 6th month after self-treat- ment[ 1.0±0.4, (60.7±13.6)%] were further inereased compared with before, but there was no signifieant differ- ence(P0.05). Conclusions Self-treatment of Keshan disease patients can improve the heart function by pre- venting left ventrieular remodeling and reversing. Echocardiography can be used as an essential technique to evalu- ate the effect of self-treatment on Keshan disease patients.