Objective To explore the mechanism of the intestinal barrier damage caused by Blastocystis hominis infections in rats. Methods Thirty SD rats were randomly divided into the control group, and the 1-, 3-, 6- and 9-week-infection groups, of 6 rats in each group. Rats in each infection group were orally infected with B. hominis trophozoites at a density of 2 × 10⁸ parasites per rat, and the control group was given an equal volume of phosphate buffered saline solution. The 7-hour urine samples were collected 1, 3, 6 and 9 weeks post-infection for the measurement of the intestinal permeability. Then, rats were sacrificed using the cervical dislocation method, and the cecum specimens were collected for the detection of the intestinal epithelial cell permeability. The expression of tight junction-related Occludin and Claudin - 1 genes and apoptosis-related Bcl - 2 and Bax genes was quantified in cecum epithelial cells using the real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay, and cell apoptosis was detected in the rat cecum using the TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Results The median urinary lactolose to mannitol ratios were 0.29, 0.72, 0.44, 0.46 and 0.38 in the control group, and the 1-, 3-, 6- and 9-week-infection groups, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (H = 12.09, P < 0.05). B. hominis invasion and epithelial injury were observed in intestinal epithelial cells of rats infected with B. hominis, and transmission electron microscopy displayed the destruction of tight junctions between intestinal epithelial cells. The relative expression of Occludin, Claudin-1, Bcl-2 and Bax genes was 1.04, 0.62, 0.71, 0.68 and 0.96; 1.03, 0.61, 0.63, 0.76 and 0.86; 1.08, 0.70, 0.75, 0.74 and 1.03; and 1.00, 1.57, 1.33, 1.35 and 1.10 in the control group and the 1-, 3-, 6- and 9-week-infection groups, respectively, and all differences were statistically significant (F = 2.86, 2.85, 3.37 and 4.45, all P values < 0.05). The median number of positive staining cells were 1.00, 13.00, 9.00, 3.50 and 1.00 in rat cecum specimens in the control group, and the 1-, 3-, 6- and 9-week-infection groups, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (H = 22.95, P < 0.01). Conclusion B. hominis infection may cause an increase in the rat intestinal permeability through triggering the apoptosis of intestinal epithelial cells to destroy the tight junction between intestinal epithelial cells, thereby destroying the intestinal barrier function.

Objective:The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between fasting glucose levels and all-cause and cause-specific mortality in Chinese population.Methods:The role of fasting blood glucose levels as a predictor of all-cause and cause-specific mortality was estimated in 9930 participants from four Chinese general populations with a 20-year follow-up.Multivariate Cox proportional hazard models were used to identify the relationship between fasting glucose and mortality.Results:There were 1471 deaths after a median follow-up of 20.2 years (a total of 187,374 person-years),including 310 cardiovascular deaths,581 cancer deaths,and 580 other-cause deaths,After adjustment for age,sex,urban or rural,northern or southern of China,types of work,education level,physical exercise,smoking status,drinking status,body mass index,systolic blood pressure,and serum total cholesterol at baseline,the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95％ confidence intervals (CIs) for all-cause mortality in the fasting blood glucose categories of ＜60,60-69,70-79,90-99,100-109,110-125,and ≥126 mg/dl were 1.38 (1.04-1.84),1.20 (1.01-1.43),1.18 (1.03-1.36),1.18 (0.99-1.41),1.48 (1.16-1.88),1.17 (0.84-1.62),and 2.23 (1.72-2.90),respectively,in contrast to the reference group (80-89 mg/dl).The HRs and 95％ CIs for cardiovascular disease mortality in these groups were 2.58 (1.44-4.61),1.41 (0.95-2.10),1.56 (1.15-2.11),1.29 (0.88-1.89),1.36 (0.78-2.37),1.05 (0.52-2.11),and 2.73 (1.64-4.56),respectively.Conclusions:Both low and high fasting glucose were significantly associated with increased risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in Chinese general population.

Objective:The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between fasting glucose levels and all-cause and cause-specific mortality in Chinese population.Methods:The role of fasting blood glucose levels as a predictor of all-cause and cause-specific mortality was estimated in 9930 participants from four Chinese general populations with a 20-year follow-up.Multivariate Cox proportional hazard models were used to identify the relationship between fasting glucose and mortality.Results:There were 1471 deaths after a median follow-up of 20.2 years (a total of 187,374 person-years),including 310 cardiovascular deaths,581 cancer deaths,and 580 other-cause deaths,After adjustment for age,sex,urban or rural,northern or southern of China,types of work,education level,physical exercise,smoking status,drinking status,body mass index,systolic blood pressure,and serum total cholesterol at baseline,the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95％ confidence intervals (CIs) for all-cause mortality in the fasting blood glucose categories of ＜60,60-69,70-79,90-99,100-109,110-125,and ≥126 mg/dl were 1.38 (1.04-1.84),1.20 (1.01-1.43),1.18 (1.03-1.36),1.18 (0.99-1.41),1.48 (1.16-1.88),1.17 (0.84-1.62),and 2.23 (1.72-2.90),respectively,in contrast to the reference group (80-89 mg/dl).The HRs and 95％ CIs for cardiovascular disease mortality in these groups were 2.58 (1.44-4.61),1.41 (0.95-2.10),1.56 (1.15-2.11),1.29 (0.88-1.89),1.36 (0.78-2.37),1.05 (0.52-2.11),and 2.73 (1.64-4.56),respectively.Conclusions:Both low and high fasting glucose were significantly associated with increased risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in Chinese general population.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap with partial preservation of abdominal rectus muscle based on the anatomic study in cadavers.

METHODS5 adult female cadavers which provided by department of anatomy of Fujian Medical University were dissected after injection with medical red latex from the starting point of the inferior epigastric artery and superior epigastric artery. The TRAM flap with partial preservation of lateral abdominal rectus muscle were dissected for breast reconstruction. The location, route, branches and anastomosis of inferior and superior epigastric arteries were observed. Based on the anatomic study, breast reconstruction were performed in 8 cases with muscle-sparing TRAM flaps.

RESULTSThe inferior epigastric artery arises from external iliac artery (9/10, 90%) or femoral artery (1/10, 10%) at the joint point between the internal third and lateral two third. There are extensive anastomoses between superior and inferior epigastric arteries above the umbilicus, mostly between the 2cm below the first tendinous intersection and umbilical level. From Sept. 2009 to Sept. 2010, 8 cases received breast reconstruction with muscle-sparing TRAM flap. The patients were followed up for 3 months to one year. Fibrosis happened in subcutaneous fat at flap IV zone in 2 cases, borderline necrosis and subcutaneous fat liquefaction occurred in some areas of flap IV zone in 2 cases, which healed after debridement. The other 4 cases healed with no complication. Except for unsatisfied shape in one case, good result achieved in 7 cases. There was no abdominal weakness, hemia or other complication.

CONCLUSIONSIt is an effective and safe method in breast reconstruction with muscle-sparing TRAM flap. It is practical with comparatively short operation time and less morbidity in donor site.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Mammaplasty ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Rectus Abdominis ; surgery ; Surgical Flaps

OBJECTIVETo investigate the molecular characteristics of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates from Chinese children in seven cities.

METHODA total of 134 MRSA isolates were collected from nine hospitals. Multilocus sequence typing and spa typing were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and staphylococcal chromosomal cassette mec (SCCmec) type was analyzed by multiplex PCR. The Panton-Valentine leukocidin (pvl) gene was also detected.

RESULTMost MRSA strains were isolated from pneumonia and skin and soft tissue infection (SSTIs) patients, accounting for 82.1%. Overall, 16 sequence types (STs) were obtained, and CC59 (51.7%) was found to be the most prevalent, which included ST 59 and ST 338, followed by ST239 (16.4%). SCCmec types II, III, IV, and V were also identified in the current study. SCCmec type IV was the most predominant type at 50.0%, followed by SCCmec type V at 23.9% and III at 23.9%. SCCmec subtypes IVa, IVc, and IVg were found among SCCmec type IV strains, whereas IVa was the main subtype at 77.6%. Twenty-six spa types were also identified, among which the predominant type was t437 (47.8%). The prevalence of pvl genes and the SCCmec type of strain was relevant, and the pvl gene positive rate was higher in SCCmec type IV and V-type strains than in SCCmec type II and III strains (58.6% vs. 14.3%, P < 0.05); there was a significant difference between them. In the strains isolated from pneumonia and SSTIs, ST59-MRSA-IVa(t437) was the predominant clone. There were five clones detected from the strains isolated from septicemia, with ST59-MRSA-IVa(t437) and ST59-MRSA-V(t437) as the main clones (57.1%). Various predominant clones existed in different regions. ST59-MRSA-IVa(t437) was the prevalent clone in the Guangzhou, Beijing, Chongqing, and Shenzhen areas, whereas ST239-MRSA-III(t037) was the prevalent clone in the Shanghai area. Fifty percent of the isolates from the Wenzhou area belonged to ST910-MRSA-V(t318), whereas three clinical strains isolated from the Shenyang region belonged to three different types.

CONCLUSIONThe results indicate that MRSA isolates from Chinese children are largely associated with the ST59-MRSA-IV(t437) and ST239-MRSA-III(t037) clones. These two may belong to community-acquired MRSA and hospital-acquired ones, respectively. Different prevalent clones were detected in different diseases and different regions. Therefore, there is a need to conduct further research on clinical isolates, which can guide the choice of antibiotic treatment and the examination of MRSA prevalence.

Adolescent ; Bacterial Typing Techniques ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; DNA, Bacterial ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Prevalence ; Staphylococcal Infections ; epidemiology ; microbiology

OBJECTIVETo construct lentivector carrying Tie2-Small interfering RNA (SiRNA), so as to study its influence on malignant melanoma cells.

METHODSRecombinant plasmid pSilencer 1.0-U6-Tie2-siRNA and plasmid pNL-EGFP were digested with XbaI, ligated a target lentiviral transfer plasmid of pNL-EGFP-U6-Tie2-I or pNL-EGFP-U6-Tie2-II, and then the electrophoresis clones was sequenced. Plasmids of pNL-EGFP-U6-Tie2-I and pNL-EGFP-U6-Tie2-II were constructed and combined with pVSVG and pHelper, respectively, to constitute lentiviral vector system of three plasmids. The Lentiviral vector system was transfected into 293T cell to produce pNL-EGFP-U6-Tie2- I and pNL-EGFP-U6-Tie2-II lentivirus. Then the supernatant was collected to determine the titer. Malignant melanoma cells were infected by both lentiviruses and identified by Realtime RT-PCR to assess inhibitory efficiency.

RESULTSThe recombinant lentiviral vectors of Tie2-RNAi were constructed successfully which were analyzed with restriction enzyme digestion and identified by sequencing. And the titer of lentiviral vector was 8.8 x 10(3)/ml, which was determined by 293T cell. The results of Realtime RT-PCR demonstrated that the lentiviral vectors of Tie2-RNAi could infect malignant melanoma cells and inhibit the expression of Tie2 genes in malignant melanoma cells (P<0.01). There was no significant difference in the expression level (P>0.05) between the two lentiviral vectors of Tie2-RNAi.

CONCLUSIONSLentivector carrying Tie2-SiRNA can be constructed successfully and inhibit the expression of Tie2 gene in vitro significantly. The study will supply the theory basis for the further research on the inhibition of tumor growth in vivo.

Cell Line, Tumor ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Lentivirus ; genetics ; Melanoma ; genetics ; Plasmids ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Receptor, TIE-2 ; genetics ; Transfection

Objective To evaluate the association between resting heart rate (HR) and all-cause death and coronary heart disease (CHD) events in the Chinese cohort. Methods Data were obtained from the PRC-USA Cooperative Study on Cardiovascular and Cardiopulmonary Epidemiology. Baseline screen surveys were conducted in 1983 and 1984 from people aged 35 to 59 years living in urban or rural areas of Beijing and Guangzhou. Follow-up visits were performed for end point events of all-cause death and first CHD events every two years till 2005. Resting HR was determined from 5 consecutive intervals between R waves on the 12-lead electrocardiogram. Results A total of 9856 (4805 males) people were included in the study and the mean follow up duration was 16. 2 years. There were 1523 deaths, including 200 CHD events during the follow up period. Mean resting HR was 67. 9 beat per minute (bpm) in men and 71. 6 bpm in women respectively which had a trend to increase with aging. Cox Proportional Hazards model indicated the relative risk of all-cause death increased constantly with the increase of HR percentile after control of age, fasting glucose, serum cholesterol, serum triglyceride, body mass index, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. With HR 60-89 bpm as control group, the relative risk and 95% confidence interval in group HR <50 bpm,50-59 bpm,90-99 bpm and ≥100 bpm were 0. 76(0. 49-1. 17) ,0. 87 (0. 75-1. 02) , 1. 33 ( 1. 06-1. 68) ,1.48 ( 1. 03-2. 14) respectively. However there was no significant correlation between HR and CHD events in studied population. Conclusion The risk of total death increased significantly in people with HR≥90 bpm suggesting higher resting heart rate might be an independent risk factor for all-cause death in the Chinese population.

Objective To compare the differences of psychopathologic symptoms between smokers and non-smokers in chronic and first-episode,drug-nalve schizophrenics.then it was attempted to explain the reasons why there is higher rate of smoking behavior in schizophrenia.Methods In all.427 male chronic schizophrenic patients(332 smokers and 95 non-smokers)and 63 male first-episode drug-naive patients with schizophrenia(22 smokers and 41 non-smokers)were collected.All patients were assessed with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale(PANSS).Results In chronic patients.the item scores of poor rapport and passive/apathetic social withdrawal of PANSS negative subscale were significantly lower in smokers than non-smokers(3.9 ±1.5 vs.4.4±1.7;3.6±1.6 vs.4.0±1.7.respectively,P＜0.05),and so was the total scores of PANSS negative subscale(24.0±8.2 vs.26.3±9.5).In first-episode.drug-ndive patients.the itern scores of emotional withdrawal and passive/apathetic social withdrawal of PANSS negative subscale were significant lower in smokers than non-smokers(2.7±1.3 vs.3.5±1.3:2.7±1.3 vs.3.5±1.4,respectively,P＜0.05).Conclusion It is suggested there are positive effects of cigarette smoking on the psychopathological symptoms of patients with schizophrenia,which misht be one of the mechanisms for higher rates of smoking behavior in schizophrenia.

Objective To compare the differences of psychopathologic symptoms between smokers and non-smokers in chronic and first-episode,drug-nalve schizophrenics.then it was attempted to explain the reasons why there is higher rate of smoking behavior in schizophrenia.Methods In all.427 male chronic schizophrenic patients(332 smokers and 95 non-smokers)and 63 male first-episode drug-naive patients with schizophrenia(22 smokers and 41 non-smokers)were collected.All patients were assessed with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale(PANSS).Results In chronic patients.the item scores of poor rapport and passive/apathetic social withdrawal of PANSS negative subscale were significantly lower in smokers than non-smokers(3.9 ±1.5 vs.4.4±1.7;3.6±1.6 vs.4.0±1.7.respectively,P＜0.05),and so was the total scores of PANSS negative subscale(24.0±8.2 vs.26.3±9.5).In first-episode.drug-ndive patients.the itern scores of emotional withdrawal and passive/apathetic social withdrawal of PANSS negative subscale were significant lower in smokers than non-smokers(2.7±1.3 vs.3.5±1.3:2.7±1.3 vs.3.5±1.4,respectively,P＜0.05).Conclusion It is suggested there are positive effects of cigarette smoking on the psychopathological symptoms of patients with schizophrenia,which misht be one of the mechanisms for higher rates of smoking behavior in schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVE: To explore whether oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) can stimulate the cholesterol efflux in fully differentiated 3T3-L1 cells and the possible mechanism. METHODS: Fully differentiated 3T3-L1 cells were incubated in the medium containing various concentrations of ox-LDL ( 0 to 50 microg/mL) for 8 or 24 hours. 22(R)-Hydroxycholesterol (10 micromol/L) was exposed to preconditioned adipocytes with 25 microg/mL ox-LDL for 24 hours. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to evaluate ATP binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1), scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI), and liver X receptor alpha (LXRalpha) mRNA expression. Cholesterol efflux mediated by apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) was determined using liquid scintillator. RESULTS: Low levels (12.5-25 microg/mL) of ox-LDL could increase cholesterol efflux via the enhancement of ABCA1 pathway and SR-BI expression, whereas the higher concentration (50 microg/mL) could not. In adipocytes preincubated with 25 microg/mL ox-LDL for 24 hours, 22(R)-hydroxycholesterol could increase ABCA1 and LXRalpha mRNA and apoA-I-mediated cholesterol efflux, but had no effect on the SR-BI mRNA expression. CONCLUSION Low levels of ox-LDL may enhance the LXRalpha-ABCA1-apoA-I pathway in adipocytes, up-regulate SR-BI mRNA expression, and then increase the cholesterol efflux. This new effect of ox-LDL will not only make contribution to cholesterol homeostasis in adipocytes, but also be potentially atheroprotective.
3T3-L1 Cells ; ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1 ; metabolism ; Adipocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Animals ; Cholesterol ; metabolism ; Lipid Metabolism ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; pharmacology ; Liver X Receptors ; Mice ; Orphan Nuclear Receptors ; metabolism ; Scavenger Receptors, Class B ; metabolism