Objective To study the correlation between pulse pressure(PP) and cardiovascular structure and function in aged patients with essential hypertension. Methods Forty-eight aged patients with essential hypertension were enrolled into the study and divided into the following two groups by the mean value of PP: PP

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of curcumin on the expression of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and intercellular adhesion molecular 1 (ICAM-1) in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury.

METHODSA total of 160 SD rats were randomized equally into sham-operated group, IR model group, curcumin treatment group and solvent control group. Global cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury was induced in the latter 3 groups with subsequent corresponding treatment. At 6 h and 1, 3, and 7 days after the injury, 10 rats from each group were sacrificed, and brain sections were prepare for HE staining, immunohistochemical staining for NF-kappaB, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for ICAM-1 expression.

RESULTSIn the IR model group, the contour of the pyramidal cells in hippocampal CA1 region was almost indistinguishable after the injury, whereas more than 70% of the pyramidal cells retained distinct cell contour and nuclear boundary in curcumin treatment group. At 6 h and 1, 3, and 7 days after the IR injury, the expression of NF-kappaB in curcumin treatment group showed significantly reduction in comparison with that in the IR model and solvent control groups (P<0.05), and the content of ICAM-1 protein was also reduced, which was especially obvious at 1 and 3 days (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONCurcumin can ameliorate cerebral pathological changes in the event of IR injury by suppressing the expressions of NF-kappaB and ICAM-1.

Animals ; Brain Ischemia ; metabolism ; pathology ; Curcumin ; pharmacology ; Down-Regulation ; drug effects ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; NF-kappa B ; genetics ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion Injury ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo know the molecular characteristic of Shigella flexneri 4c isolates from patients in two food-poisoning outbreaks and one sporadic diarrhea case in Hangzhou, China.

METHODSS. flexneri isolates from patients in two food-poisoning outbreaks (outbreak 1 and outbreak 2, n = 13 and n = 12, respectively) and one sporadic diarrhea patient (n = 1) in Hangzhou during 2003 and 2005 were serotyped. Antibiotic resistances of these isolates were measured by the Kirby-Bauer method. Invasive plasmid antigen gene ipaH was examined by PCR. Pulse field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was performed for molecular typing.

RESULTSIn outbreak 1, all 13 isolates were S. flexneri 4c, of them 6 isolates tested were quite different in PFGE patterns with dice coefficient from 0.78 to 0.92. In outbreak 2, 10 isolates were S. flexneri 4c and 2 isolates were S. flexneri X, however their PFGE patterns were almost identical (dice coefficient > 0.8). Compared to the two outbreaks isolates, the sporadic isolate was demonstrated with a distinct PFGE pattern (dice coefficient < 0.8). The antibiotic resistance patterns with 14 kinds of antibiotics had a little difference among the isolates from outbreak 1, outbreak 2 and sporadic diarrhea patient, but the same pattern was found among 10 isolates of S. flexneri 4c and 2 isolates of S. flexneri X from outbreak 2.

CONCLUSIONSPFGE might distinguish the isolates from these two outbreaks and the sporadic diarrhea patient. Some differences in PFGE patterns, serotypes and antibiotic resistance patterns might occur among S. flexneri 4c isolates during an outbreak.

Bacterial Typing Techniques ; methods ; Diarrhea ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; Disease Outbreaks ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field ; Foodborne Diseases ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; Humans ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Shigella flexneri ; classification ; drug effects ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression profiles of myocardin gene during the differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell to smooth muscle cells in the conditional medium combined with a high concentration of fetal bovine serum (FBS).

METHODSMarrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells were isolated and purified from mouse femoral bone and shinbones using differential adherent methods. Cells at the third passage were induced by 20% FBS in conditioned medium, conditioned medium alone, 20% FBS or 10% FBS alone respectively. Mouse aortic smooth muscle cells were cultured as the positive control. Levels of mRNA and protein expression of myocardin and several smooth muscle cells marker genes were determined by immunofluorescence, RT-PCR and Western blot before and 3, 7, 10, 14 d after the induction. The presence of smooth muscle myofilaments was detected by using transmission electron microscope.

RESULTSNaive bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells displayed multiple morphological forms including fusiform, polygon, oval, and micro-spherical, as compared to the single macro-spindle form after the induction. Typical appearance of peak valley was displayed on the 21st day after induction. At the same time, the expression of smooth muscle marker genes was reinforced along with an up-regulation of myocardin expression. Immunofluorescence study showed that the cells expressing myocardin and smooth muscle marker genes such as alpha-SMA and SM-MHC increased. Fluorescence domain of myocardin translocated from cytoplasm to nucleus and the amounts of double positive cells for myocardin with alpha-SMA or SM-MHC also increased. RT-PCR confirmed that the mRNA expression of myocardin increased gradually and remained stabilized after achieving its peak on the 7th day after induction. The expression of smooth muscle marker genes, alpha-SMA and SM22alpha, remained stable on the 10th day of induction. It was also confirmed by Western blot that the protein expression of both myocardin and alpha-SMA were markedly increased during the induction. Finally, transmission electron microscopy revealed the presence of myofilament on the 21st day after induction.

CONCLUSIONSBone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells can be effectively induced into smooth muscle-like cells by conditioned medium combined with 20% FBS. Myocardin plays an important role in the differentiation process of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells to the peripheral smooth muscle cells.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; physiology ; Cattle ; Cell Differentiation ; physiology ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Mice ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; cytology ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; physiology ; Nuclear Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiology ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Trans-Activators ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiology ; Up-Regulation

To evaluate the separation of T lymphocyte subsets by immunomagnetic beads and to find optimization of strategy for specific binding of antibody-coated beads to cells, two strategies to isolate enriched T lymphocyte subpopulation CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells from small volumes (< 5 ml) of peripheral blood by using immunomagnetic beads or complement cytotoxicity method were compared. The purity and activity of CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells were measured by using flow cytometry, trypan-blue dye exclusion test, etc. The results showed that the yields of CD4+ T lymphocytes and CD8+ T lymphocytes by using immunomagnetic beads were (94.2 +/- 1.4)% and (93.8 +/- 3.0)% respectively, higher than those of control group and the group of using completement cytotoxicity method (P < 0.05). At the same time, the yields of CD4+ T lymphocytes and CD8+ T lymphocytes by using complement cytotoxicity method were (76.0 +/- 2.8)% and (77.0 +/- 3.0)% respectively, higher than those of unenriched group (P < 0.05). The trypan-blue dye exclusion test confirmed that there were no influences on activity of CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells when immunomagnetic beads were used for separation of these cells from peripheral blood. It is concluded that the immunomagnetic bead method has a higher efficiency for separation of CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells from peripheral blood than complement cytotoxic method, especially for small sample. This method has no influence on activity and proliferation of T lymphocyte subpopulations, and would be expected to establish conditions for research of biological characteristics of CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells in future.
CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; cytology ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; cytology ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Immunomagnetic Separation ; methods ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; cytology ; immunology

Objective To learn the relationship between chronic complications of type 2 diabetic and stroke incidence.Methods Based on the surveillance data of type 2 diabetes and stroke in Xiuzhou district of Jiaxing City from 2009 to 2014, using logistic regression model method to analysis the relationships between chronic complications of type 2 diabetic and stroke incidence.Results Among 6 108 participants, 462 subjects developed stroke (7.56%);479 (7.84%) diabetes patients were diagnosed with chronic complications simultaneously and 116 subjects developed stroke (24.21%), higher than those no chronic complications (6.15%, P<0.05).The proportion of diabetic vasculopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, retinopathy and skin infection were 33.33%, 24.64%, 23.23%, 13.48% and 5.32%, respectively.After adjusted for gender, age, occupation, urban and rural, obesity, hypertension and hyperlipidemia, there were significant statistical correlations between vasculopathy, neuropathy and stroke, the OR values and 95%CI were 4.95(3.41-7.19) and 2.79(1.80-4.32);patients who combined with any one,two, three or more chronic complications were significantly associated with the onset of stroke when compared with those without chronic complication, the OR values were 1.28, 2.75 and 5.38, respectively.Conclusion Vasculopathy and neuropathy of type 2 diabetes patients which found at diagnosed were risk factors of stroke,and the more for type 2 diabetes patients combined with the chronic complications, the greater the risk of stroke.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a solvent desorption-gas chromatography method for detecting ethylene glycol monopropyl ether( EGME) in workplace air. METHODS: EGME in workplace air was captured by charcoal tubes and desorbed by methanol-methylene chloride(5∶ 95,V/V),separated by capillary chromatographic column,and detected by flame ionization detector. RESULTS: The good linear range of EGME was 1. 37-1 913. 80 mg/L,and the correlation coefficient was 0. 999 90. The detection limit was 0. 06 mg/L. The minimum detectable concentration was 0. 02 mg/m3.The average desorption efficiency was 97. 81%-104. 70%. The within-run relative standard deviation( RSD) was 1. 94%-2. 99%,and the between-run RSD was 3. 24%-4. 53%. The samples could be stored at room temperature for at least 14 days. CONCLUSION: This method could be used for detection of EGME in workplace air.

OBJECTIVEto study the oxidative stress of rats with acute paraquat poisoning and the intervention of Sodium Dimercaptopropane Sulfonate (NA-DMPS).

METHODSEighty male SD rats were randomizedly divided into: the normal control group (n=8), NA-DMPS control group (n=8), the PQ group (n=32, the rats were intraperitoneally injected with 1% PQ solution at the dosage of 20 mg/kg) and the NA-DMPS protected group (n=32). The rats in the groups of normal and NA-DMPS control were sacrificed 1d after administration of NS or NA-DMPS. And the rats in the PQ group and the NA-DMPS protected group were sacrificed at 6h, 1, 3, 7d after poisoning. Samples of serum, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissue were gathered. The MDA and CAT in serum, BALF and lung homogenate, the glutathione (GSH) in serum and BALF were measured. And the expression of Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) mRNA in lung was tested with RT-PCR.

RESULTSCompared with the normal control group, the activities of MDA and CAT in serum, BALF and lung homogenate are higher in both groups of PQ and NA-DMPS protected. And compared with the PQ group, the activities of MDA in serum, BALF and lung homogenate of the NA-DMPS protected group decreased significantly at 6h, 1d after poisoning, whereas the activities of CAT are higher at 6h, 1, 3d in serum and 1, 3d in BALF and lung homogenate (P<0.05 or P<0.001). The serum GSH at 6h, 3d of the NA-DMPS protected group [(730.07 +/- 16.23), (793.66 +/- 7.40)] were higher than those in the PQ group. And the BALF GSH at 1, 3d of the NA-DMPS protected group [(609.75 +/- 6.74), (631.83 +/- 12.03)] were also markedly higher than the PQ group (P<0.05 or P<0.001). The expression of NRF2 mRNA of the lung at 1, 3, 7d in the PQ group [(0.71 +/- 0.061), (1.023 +/- 0.158), (0.969 +/- 0.046)] and the NA-DMPS protected group [(1.005 +/- 0.06), (1.464 +/- 0.166), (1.066 +/- 0.191)] were significantly higher than those in the control groups. Compared with the PQ group, the expression of NRF2 mRNA of the lung increased markedly in the NA-DMPS protected group at 1, 3d (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONNa-DMPS decreases the activity of MDA and increases the activity of CAT, GSH and the expression of Nrf2 mRNA. NA-DMPS can protected rats from PQ intoxication by improving the balance of redox reaction.

Acute Disease ; Animals ; Male ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Paraquat ; poisoning ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Unithiol ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo observe the expression and effect of thrombomodulin (TM) mRNA and endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) mRNA in lung tissue of acute paraquat poisoned rats, and intervention of sodium dimercaptopropane sulfonate (Na-DMPS).

METHODSEighty male SD rats were randomizedly divided into four groups: the normal control group (n=8), the Na-DMPS control group (n=8, administered with 200 mg/kg Na-DMPS intraperitoneally), the PQ group (n=32, administered with 20 mg/kg 1% PQ intraperitoneally), the NA-DMPS protected group (n=32, administered with 200 mg/kg Na-DMPS intraperitoneally before with 20 mg/kg 1% PQ). The expression of TM mRNA and EPCR mRNA in the PQ group and the Na-DMPS protected group was evaluated at the six hour, on the first, third and seventh day.

RESULTSThe expression of TM mRNA and EPCR mRNA in lung tissue of poisoned rats, was significantly increased and reached the peak at the six hour, was decreased slowly on the first day, and returned to normal level on the seventh day. In the Na-DMPS protected group, at the six hour and on the first day, the expression of TM mRNA (1.071 +/- 0.097, 1.055 +/- 0.051) was less than that in the PQ group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). EPCR mRNA (0.678 +/- 0.005), (0.650 +/- 0.007) at the six hour and on the first day in the Na-DMPS protected group was less than that in the PQ group (P<0.05 or P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe expression of TM mRNA and EPCR mRNA of rats after PQ intoxication is increased, and can significantly be decreased after administered with Na-DMPS.

Animals ; Antigens, CD ; genetics ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Paraquat ; poisoning ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; genetics ; metabolism ; Thrombomodulin ; genetics ; metabolism ; Unithiol ; therapeutic use