Objective To evaluate the protective effect of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) on hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) in newborn rats. Methods One hundred and twenty 7-day-old Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham control,HIBD,HIBD treated with 0.2 mg/kg RH-IGF-1 ,HIBD treated with 0.066 mg/kg RH-IGF-1,and normal saline control groups. Those groups were further divided into 24 h、 48 h and 72 h groups respectively after damage with 8 rats in each group. The histological feature,levels of glutamate (Glu) and apoptosis,and expression of Bcl-2 protein in brain were observed in each group. Results (1) Level of Glu in HIBD 48 h group (1162.2?108.1) mg/kg and levels of apoptosis in every HIBD groups[24 h: (7.6?1.9),48 h: (12.6?1.2),72 h: (13.8?0.9) %] are significantly higher than those in sham groups of the same time,[Glu: (750.9? 53.4) mg/kg and apoptosis: 24 h: (2.0?0.2)%,48 h: (2.0?0.3)%,72 h: (2.0? 0.2)%] respectively ( P

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Esophagus ; Female ; Foreign Bodies ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Humans ; Laryngoscopes ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: Angiotensinogen (AGT) gene is the firstly discovered candidate gene for essential hypertension, both the T174M and M235T polymorphisms locate at the second exons of AGT gene, and there is existence of linkage disequilibrium. The polymorphism at A-6G and G-217A sites in promotor region plays an important role in regulating the gene expression, and the products of keep close correlation with the level of blood pressure. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between the polymorphism of AGT gene at A-6G, T174M and G-217A sites and the risk for the attack of essential hypertension in Chinese Han population, DESIGN: A cluster sampling and case-control analysis. SETTINGS: Department of Geriatrics and Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University; Southern Research Center of National Human genome; Department of Cardiology, Dongtai People's Hospital of Jiangsu Province. PARTICIPANTS: The experiment was carried out in the countryside of Dongtai county, Yancheng city, Jiangsu province. All the subjects were selected from the countryside of Dongtai county, Yancheng city, Jiangsu province. Totally 177 patients with essential hypertension who had never accepted any drug treatment, were taken as the essential hypertension group, and hypertension was diagnosed according to the diagnostic standard of hypertension set by WHO/ISH in 1999 (systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mm Hg); Another 86 normal person were taken as the normal control group. ② Inclusive criteria: The enrolled subjects should be Han nationality; long-term local residents but not from other places; able to answer questions clearly; diagnosed by disease history, clinical symptoms, physical signs and assistant examinations; have complete data of investigation of uniform questionnaires by face-to-face interview (including demographic information, profession history, family history and life styles of smoking, drinking, drinking tea, etc.). ③ Exclusive criteria: The patients with secondary hypertension in the essential hypertension group, subjects having family hisory of hypertension in the normal control group, and those with chronic diseases of liver and kidney, and diabetes mellitus in both groups were excluded. METHODS: Peripheral venous blood samples (3 mL) were collected, and DNA was extracted from human peripheral blood with FlexiGene DNA Kit (250). The Primer3 software was applied to design primers, and the polymorphism sites in the primer sequence were excluded. After multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR), 3 μL products were selected to detected the amplified results by agarose gel electrophoresis. The successfully amplified PCR products were purified with the QIAquick PCR Purification Kit, and the purified products were fragmentized with Dnase Ⅰ . The fragmentized products of enzyme digestion were labeled with fluorescein by deoxynucleotide terminal transferase. Two allele specific probes and one mismatched probe were designed respectively for each single nucleotide polymorphism. The chips were prepared with the OmniGridTM 100 TLC samler, each probe was repeated for three times to form three matrix. The hyridization solution was degenerated at 95 ℃ for 10 minutes, and then immediately cut on ice. 10 μL hybridization solution was added onto the chip matrix, hybridized at 50 ℃ for 2 hours, then washed and dried. The chips were scanned with the GenePix 4000B laser confocal scanner (Figure 2),and the intensity of the fluorescent signal for each probe was extracted with GenePix Pro, and the allele score of each single nucleotide polymorphism was calculated to judge the genotype. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① Comparison of the frequencies of genotype distribution at each polymorphism site of AGT gene in both groups; ② Correlation analysis of the polymorphism of AGT gene at A-6G and T-174M sites with the risk for the attack of essential hypertension; ③ Effects of the polymorphism of AGT gene at A-6G, T-174M and G-217A sites on blood pressure.RESULTS: According to the intention-to-treat analysis,all the 263 subjects were involved in the analysis of results. ① At the A-6G site of AGT gene, the frequencies of AA, AG and GG genotypes (P=0.014) and A and G alleles (P=0.004, OR=0.44) had significant differences between the essential hypertension group and normal control group; At the T174M site, the frequencies of CC, CT and TT genotypes (P=0.031) and A and G alleles (P=0.014, OR=0.55) were significantly different; At the G-217A site, no obvious differences were found in the GG, AG and AA genotypes (P=0.722) and G and A alleles (P=0.403, OR=0.80). ② The risk of essential hypertension in the individuals carrying AA genotype of A-6G polymorphism and CC genotype of T174M polymorphism was reduced by 57% (95%CI= 0.23-0.82, P= 0.010) and 56% (95%CI= 0.25-0.79, P= 0.006) respectively. ③ There were no significant differences in the systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure among different genotypes at the A-6G, T174M sites and G-217A sites (F=0.100- 2.911, P ＞ 0.05). CONCLUSION: The AA genope at A-6G and the CC genotype at T174M site of AGT gene may reduce the risk for the attack of essential hypertension in Chinese Hun population, and no significant correlation was found between the genotype of G-217A polymorphism and the attack of essential hypertension.

Projects which supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) in discipline of pharmacology of Chinese medicine between 2010 to 2013 financial years were reviewed. Based on these research items, new features and problems were summarized in this field.
China ; Foundations ; economics ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; economics ; Natural Science Disciplines ; economics ; Research ; economics

Obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is a common clinical disease that seriously threatens human health and life. Accurate location of the upper airway obstruction is the key to the diagnosis and treatment of OSAHS. Acoustic pharyngometry uses sound reflection to quickly assess the cross-sectional area and volume of the upper airway. Acoustic pharyngometry represents a simple, quick, non-invasive method for measuring upper airway dimensions which could predict sleep apnea risk. In this article we sought to introduce the application of acoustic pharyngometry in the diagnosis and treatment of OSAHS.
Acoustics ; Humans ; Larynx ; Pharynx ; diagnostic imaging ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Syndrome

Objective To study the differences in retinoic acid receptor γ(RARγ) mRNA expression levels in blood leukocytes between antipsychotic-free and antipsychotic-naive schizophrenic patients and healthy control,especially in different genders. Methods Forty-three acute schizophrenic patients who were antipsychotic-naive or antipsychotic-free for at least three months (male = 34, female = 9) and 39 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects (male =25 ,female = 14) were included for blood leukocytes expression of RAR γ mRNA ,using real-time PCR technique. Results Kolmogorov-Smirnov Z analysis showed a significant increase of RARγ mRNA (P =0.041) level in blood leukocytes of pooled schizophrenic patients(0. 027 ± 0. 003) than in the healthy subjects (0. 020 ± 0.002). The elevation was mainly found in the female patients (0. 030 ± 0.003). Within-sex analysis showed that the female schizophrenic patients showed a trend increase (P = 0. 166) of RAR γmRNA expression compared with the male patients (0. 026 ± 0. 001) and exhibited greater RARγ mRNA expression (P = 0. 014)when compared with the female healthy subjects(0. 018 ±0.004). Conclusions The present findings showed an abnormal expression of leukocyte RARγ mRNA level in antipsychotic-free and antipsychotic-naive schizophrenia especially in the female patients. Blood RARγ markers could add to the diagnosis and individualized pharmacotherapy of schizophrenic patients ,especially the female patients.

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) for repairing damaged heart tissue are a new kind of important treatment options because of their potential to differentiate into cardiomyocytes. We in this experiment investigated the effect of different electrical stimulation time on the expression of myocardial specificity gene and protein in rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (rBMSCs) in vitro. The rBMSCs of second or third generation were randomly divided into three groups, i.e, electrical stimulation (ES) group, 5-Azacytidine (5-Aza) group and the control group. The rBMSCs in the ES groups with complete medium were exposed to 2 V, 2 Hz, 5 ms electrical stimulation for 0. 5 h, 2 h, 4 h, and 6 h respectively every day for 10 days. Those in the 5-Aza group were induced by 5-Aza (10 μmol/L) for 24 h, and then cultured with complete medium for 10 days. Those in the control group were only cultured with complete medium, without any treatment, for 10 days. The rBMSCs' morphological feature in each group was observed with inverted phase microscope. The mRNA expression of myocyte-specific enhancer factor 2C (MEF-2C) and connexin 43 (Cx43) were examined with Real-Time quantitative PCR and the protein expression of MEF-2C, Cx43 were detected with Western Blot method. The results showed that the mRNA expression level of the MEF-2C, Cx43 and the protein expression level of MEF-2C, Cx43 were significantly higher in the ES group and 5-Aza group than those in the relative control group (P < 0.05). It suggests that electrical stimulation could play a part of role in the induction of the rBMSCs to differentiate into the cariomyocyte-like cells in vitro and the effectiveness of the electrical stimulation with 2 h/d had the best in our experiment. But the mechanism how electrical stimulation promotes the differentiation of rBMSC into cardiomyocyte is still unclear.
Animals ; Biomarkers ; metabolism ; Cell Differentiation ; Cells, Cultured ; Connexin 43 ; metabolism ; Electric Stimulation ; MEF2 Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; cytology ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective To analyse the feasibility of detecting F1 antibody to Yersinia pestis in flushing fluid of heart blood of Rhombomys opimus with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) method and its application value in surveillance of the disease. Methods Serum, flushing fluid of heart blood and infusion fluid of liver and spleen of Rhombomys opimus, which were caught by capture in the plague focus of Zunger basin in 2007, were taken to carry out detection for F1 antibodies to Yersinia pestis with ELISA method. The data were processed with SPSS 17.0. Results Positive rate and average titer of serum were 12.35%(11/162) and 25.35, of flushing fluid of heart blood were 10.49%(17/162) and 23.75 and of the infusion fluid of liver and spleen 6.79%(17/162) and 2240,respectively. No statistical difference was found in positive detection rate when it was compared between serum and flushing fluid of heart blood(χ2 = 1.333, P ＞ 0.05), but it was obviously different between serum and infusion fluid of liver and spleen(χ2 = 7.111, P ＜ 0.01 ) and between flushing fluid of heart blood and infusion fluid of liver and spleen(x2 = 6.250, P ＜ 0.05). There was a significant difference in average titer between serum, flushing fluid of heart blood and infusion fluid of liver and spleen(t = 2.290, 3.612, P ＜ 0.05 or ＜ 0.01 ). The plague F1 antibody positive coincidence rate of serum and flushing fluid of heart blood was 85.0%(17/20), of serum and infusion fluid of liver and spleen was 55.0% (11/20), and of flushing fluid of heart blood and infusion fluid of liver and spleen was 64.7%(11/17). Conclusions The ELISA method can detect Fl antibody in flushing fluid of heart blood,and the method is feasible in plague surveillance.

Objective To investigate the association of angiotensinogen(AGT)gene A-6G、T174M and G-217A polymorphisms with the risk of essential hypertension(EH)in the elderly of Han nationality.Methods Genotypes of AGT gene A-6G,T174M and G-217A polymorphisms in 177 aged EH patients and 86 sex and age-matched controls were analyzed with gene chip technology.Results The A-6G and T174M polymorphisms of AGT gene were significantly associated with EH.The numbers of the three genotypes of A-6G were 113,58 and 6 in the patient group and 70,15 and 1 in the control group(P= 0.014)and those of T174M were 94,77 and 6,60,25 and 1(P=0.031),respectively.G-217A polymorphism was not related to EH.Individuals carrying A-6G AA and T174M CC genotypes showed 57% and 56% lower risk of EH(OR=0.43;95%CI=0.23-0.82 and OR=0.44;95%CI=0.25-0.79, respectively).Conclusions The A-6G AA and the T174M CC genotype may be related with decreased risk of EH and G-217A polymorphism may have little role in the etiology of EH in Han nationality.

BACKGROUNDPremature ventricular contraction (PVC) is one of the most common kinds of arrhythmias for which the treatment falls into dilemma. Previous clinical application showed that the traditional Chinese Medicine Shensongyangxin (SSYX) capsule is efficacious for the treatment of PVCs. This randomized clinical trial aimed to further evaluate the efficacy and safety of SSYX capsule on treating PVC.

METHODSThe subjects who had frequent PVCs with or without organic heart disease and normal cardiac function were enrolled in the study. The primary endpoint was the change of PVC numbers after eight-week medication with SSYX capsule. The secondary endpoints included change of clinical symptoms related to PVCs and the safety evaluation of SSYX capsule. Totally 188 PVC patients were randomly enrolled in the non-organic heart disease PVCs trial and orally took either SSYX capsules or analogues (three times per day, 4 capsules one time). A total of 671 PVCs patients were randomly enrolled in the organic heart disease PVCs trial, and orally took either SSYX capsules (three times per day, 4 capsules one time) or mexiletine tablet (three times per day, 150 mg one time). The PVCs were monitored and calculated with 24-hour Holter electrocardiogram. Routine blood, liver and kidney function were tested before and after medication with SSYX capsule.

RESULTSSSYX capsules significantly decreased the PVCs numbers and alleviated the related symptoms in patients with or without organic heart disease. In non-organic heart disease group, SSYX capsules and the placebos decreased the PVCs from 12,561.34 ± 9,777.93 to 4,806.87 ± 6,507.17, and 12,605.69 ± 8,736.34 to 10,364.94 ± 9,903.41, respectively. The total effective rate was 74.2% and 28.9% in SSYX and placebo groups (P < 0.001). In organic heart disease group, SSYX capsule and mexiletine decreased the PVCs from 8,641.01 ± 8,923.57 to 3,853.68 ± 7,096.42, 8,621.61 ± 8,367.74 to 5,648.29 ± 8,667.38, respectively. The total effective rate was 65.8% and 50.7% in SSYX and mexiletine groups (P < 0.001). In addition, SSYX capsule significantly alleviated PVCs-related symptoms such as palpitations, chest tightness, insomnia, fatigue, and night sweats. No adverse cardiac events were observed except some slight gastrointestinal side effects during the study.

CONCLUSIONSCompared with placebo or mexiletine, SSYX capsules have significant therapeutic efficacy in reducing PVCs numbers and alleviate PVCs-related symptoms.