The expression and possible role of integrin-focal adhesion kinase signal pathway in invasive pituitary adenomas were explored. Forty-nine human pituitary adenomas were detected for the expression of integrinbeta1 (INTbeta1) and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) by immunohistochemistry, and their correlation with the invasiveness of pituitary adenomas as well as between themselves was analyzed. The results showed that INTbeta1 was expressed in 46 cases (93.9%) and FAK in 36 cases (73.5%), respectively, and their expression levels were highly correlated with tumor invasiveness, but not with the tumor types. It was suggested that the integrin-focal adhesion kinase signal pathway plays a role in the invasiveness of pituitary adenomas.

In the previous study, a high-throughput screening method was established to find the antagonists of CD36. In the present study, a new compound named IMB-1680 was found using this method. The anti-atherosclerotic activities of IMB-1680 were then evaluated. Dose-dependent activities of IMB-1680 were detected by using Sf9 [hCD36] and CHO [hCD36] models. Fluorescence microscopic photography and flow cytometry were used to analyze uptake of mLDL. Foam cell test with RAW264.7 macrophages was used to examine lipid accumulation. The results showed that IMB-1680 inhibited CD36 activity with IC50 of 2.80 and 8.79 micromol x L(-1) in Sf9[hCD36] and CHO [hCD36] cells, respectively. Fluorescence microscopic photography and flow cytometry revealed that IMB-1680 could significantly reduce DiI-AcLDL uptake. Meanwhile, IMB-1680 also could reduce lipids accumulation in RAW264.7 macrophages. In all, the data indicated that IMB-1680 might be a potent effective anti-atherosclerotic leading compound.
Animals ; CD36 Antigens ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; metabolism ; CHO Cells ; Cells, Cultured ; Cricetulus ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Foam Cells ; cytology ; High-Throughput Screening Assays ; Humans ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; metabolism ; Macrophages ; cytology ; metabolism ; Mice ; Molecular Structure ; Plasmids ; Receptors, Scavenger ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Sf9 Cells ; Spodoptera ; Transfection

AIMTo investigate the effects of sodium sulfonate daidzein (SSD) on stress-induced gastric ulcer and explore its possible mechanism.

METHODSUsing exhausted swimming and counting the number of gastric ulcer to establish the model of stress-induced gastric ulcer. Mouse experience intraperitoneal injection of different doses of SSD and L-NAME, and NDP histochemical method was used to detect the changes of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) positive neurons in stomach.

RESULTSSSD had dose-dependent protective effect on gastric mucosa. L-NAME could prevent stress induced gastric lesion. After combined injection of L-NAME and effective dose of SSD, the protective effect of SSD on gastric mucosa was reinforced. The number of NOS ganglion was constant, and effective dose of SSD had slight effect on NOS-positive neurons in normal mouse while it decreased NOS positive neurons in per area and in per ganglia after stress.

CONCLUSIONThe increased nitric oxide (NO) leads to gastric ulcer during stress, SSD has protective effect on gastric mucosa and this effect may be mediated by inhibiting NOS and restricting the overproduction of NO during stress.

Animals ; Gastric Mucosa ; drug effects ; pathology ; Isoflavones ; pharmacology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Stomach Ulcer ; Stress, Physiological

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of cupping in intervening non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and further explore the possible mechanism. Method Fifty NAFLD patients were randomized into two groups: a treatment group (25 cases, intervened by cupping, Chinese medication, diet control and kinesiotherapy) and a control group (25 cases, intervened by Chinese medication, diet control and kinesiotherapy). They were observed for 6 months. Body weight, body mass index (BMI), abdomen circumference, hip circumference, arm circumference, thigh circumference, blood lipids [including total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG)], hepatic enzymes [including aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT)], and B-scan ultrasound of liver were recorded before and after the treatment for statistical analysis. Result After 6-month treatment, the body weight, BMI, abdomen circumference, hip circumference, arm circumference, and thigh circumference were significantly improved in the two groups (P<0.05); some patients had their TC, TG, AST and ALT levels descended to the normal range and B-scan ultrasound of liver turned negative; the reduction of abdomen circumference in the treatment group was more significant than that in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Cupping plus Chinese medication, diet control and exercises can effectively improve clinical observation indexes of NAFLD, especially for those with central obesity.

OBJECTIVETo observe the expression of vascular smooth muscle cells calcium channel α1C subunit (LTCCα1C) in rats exposed in low temperature.

METHODSCold-induced hypertension was established and blood pressure was measured every two weeks. The mRNA expression of L type calcium channel α1C was determined by RT-PCR.

RESULTSThe blood pressure of the rats exposed to cold environment increased. The blood pressure of experimental groups [(102.8 ± 2.25) mm Hg] began to increase from the first two weeks, compared with the control group [(89.2 ± 3.73) mm Hg], there were significant difference (P < 0.05). The blood pressure of experimental groups were (114.5 ± 4.21), (121.9 ± 3.03) mm Hg respectively at 4, 6 weeks. Compared with the control group, the expression of LTCCα1C mRNA of the cold exposure group increased significantly (P < 0.01). There was a significant correlation between the expression of LTCCα1C mRNA and the blood pressure of the rats (r = 0.86, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONRepeated cold exposure can establish cold-induced hypertension, and the level of vascular smooth muscle cells LTCCα1C expression increase.

Animals ; Blood Pressure ; Calcium Channels, L-Type ; metabolism ; Cold Temperature ; adverse effects ; Hypertension ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

AIMTo investigate the effects of RLI on plasma nitric oxide (NO) and NO synthase (NOS) isoforms of healthy humans.

METHODS30 healthy human subjects (aged from 40 - 70 years old) were recruited. RLI was induced by five 5 min cycles of ischemia of non dominant arm (200 mmHg, 5 min interval). Blood pressure, heart rate, and the feelings of ischemic arm were continuously monitored. Venous plasma was collected in contralateral arm at Pre, Post-0 h, Post-4 h, and Post-24 h. Plasma level of NO was measured by Griess reaction, and NOS was measured by chemical method.

RESULTSBlood pressure and heart rate varied in normal range. The uncomfortable feeling was decreased with the increasing numbers of ischemic cycles. Plasma level of NO, and iNOS in plasma were significantly increased at Post-0 h, Post-4 h, and Post-24 h compared to Pre (P < 0.05). tNOS was also significantly increased at Post-0 h and Post-4 h compared to Pre (P < 0.05). No significant change in plasma cNOS was shown at following three time points than Pre.

CONCLUSIONThese findings suggest that RLI can elevate plasma level of NO, tNOS, and iNOS in healthy humans. RLI might be a safe method as a rIPC, and it would have important possibility to be performed in clinic.

Adult ; Aged ; Arm ; blood supply ; Female ; Humans ; Ischemia ; blood ; physiopathology ; Ischemic Preconditioning ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; blood ; metabolism ; Reperfusion Injury ; physiopathology ; prevention & control

Summary: The expression and possible role of integrin-focal adhesion kinase signal pathway in invasive pituitary adenomas were explored. Forty-nine human pituitary adenomas were detected for the expression of integrinβ1 (INTβ1) and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) by immunohistochemistry, and their correlation with the invasiveness of pituitary adenomas as well as between themselves was analyzed. The results showed that INTβ1 was expressed in 46 cases (93.9%) and FAK in 36 cases (73.5%), respectively, and their expression levels were highly correlated with tumor invasiveness, but not with the tumor types. It was suggested that the integrin-focal adhesion kinase signal pathway plays a role in the invasiveness of pituitary adenomas.

Objective To understand the current situation of knowledge on healthy life style among researchers.Data on the knowledge of healthy life style including healthy behavior,general status on health,physical activity and the use of sports facilities were gathered.In 2006,same questionnaire was used to compare with the previous data.Results The percentage of overall knowledge on health among permanent percentage of people who were aware of knowledge on"no-smoking"."intake less salt","maintaining healthy diet program"and"insisting on exercise"were 72.97%,93.11%,86.58% and 87.25% respectively in 2006,higher than 67.38%,89.74%,82.12% and 82.78% during the baseline(P＜0.01)study in the previous years.The percentage of correct answer about the healthy life style as diet and prevention of common diseases was higher among the permanent residents than those of temporary residents in 2006(P＜0.05).The sources of health-related knowledge were mainly from media,newspapers and through health education programs carried out in the community.Conclusion The Beijing municipal government and the community residential committees attached great importance to providing knowledge on

Objective To explore the feasibility of open visiting among mothers' of very-low-birth-weight(VLBW) infants and observe effects.Methods Totally 74 eligible VLBW infants were recruited,those who were visited and cared daily by mothers were assigned into the experimental group(n=36) and those who were not visited by mothers were assigned into the control group(n=38).The experimental group received open visiting as well as individualized developmental nursing care,and the control group only received individualized developmental nursing care.Relevant regulations and procedures were designed,and clinical pathways of mothers' involvement in nursing care were developed and implemented.Incidence of infection,time to reach full oral feeding,weight gaining during hospitalization,rate of breast-feeding during hospitalization and 30 days after discharge,hospitalization time and rate of readmission 30 days after discharge were recorded and compared.Results There was no significant difference in incidence of infection between two groups (P＞0.05).Time to reach full oral feeding in the experimental group was earlier than that of the control group,weight gaining during hospitalization in the experimental group was faster than that of the control group,rate of breast-feeding 30 days after discharge was higher in the experimental group,and the differences were significant (P＜0.05).Hospitalization time in the experimental group was shorter than that of the control group,rate of readmission 30 days after discharge in the experimental group was lower,and the differences were significant (P＜0.05).Conclusion Mother's open visiting for VLBW infants in NICU does not increase the incidence of infection,but can shorten time to reach full oral feeding,promote weight gaining,increase rate of breast-feeding 30 days after discharge,reduce hospitalization time,and decrease rate of readmission 30 days after discharge.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the efficacy of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on four specific acupuncture points Hegu (LI4), Neiguan (PC6), Danshu (BL19) and Weishu (BL21) for reducing pain in labor.

METHODSA total of 160 voluntary nulliparous women who were willing to receive TENS for analgesia were assigned to the treatment group after cervical dilation of more than 2 cm. Another 145 matched nullipara were recruited as the control group. Visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to assess the pain before and 0.5 h after the application of TENS. Then, VAS was assessed every one hour until delivery. Percentage of VAS score decreased by > 25% was the primary outcome, the delivery mode and neonatal outcome were measured as secondary outcomes. Adverse reactions were also recorded during TENS.

RESULTSThe percentage of VAS score decreased by > 25% was 68.6% in the TENS treatment group. Maternal delivery mode and neonatal outcomes were not significantly different between the two groups. In addition, the incidence of postpartum hemorrhage in the TENS treatment group was less than the control group (P<0.05). There was no adverse reaction recorded with TENS on acupoints.

CONCLUSIONAs a novel and non-invasive approach, TENS on specific acupoints including Hegu (LI4), Neiguan (PC6), Danshu (BL19) and Weishu (BL21) was an effective method for analgesia in labor.

Acupuncture Points ; Case-Control Studies ; Delivery, Obstetric ; Demography ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Labor, Obstetric ; blood ; Pain Management ; Pain Measurement ; Postpartum Period ; blood ; Pregnancy ; Time Factors ; Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation ; adverse effects ; Treatment Outcome