[Three-dimensional volume rendering for dynamic characteristics of secundum atrial septal defect during various phases of the cardiac cycle and the impact on occluder selection]

Objective: To investigate the dynamic change of the secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) throughout the cardiac cycle, and assess its impact on occluder selection. Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed 35 patients with ASD who received electrocardiogram-gated coronary CT angiography (CCTA) throughout the cardiac cycle as well as interventional closure therapy in Fuwai Hospital from December 2016 to December 2019. The raw data were reconstructed into 20 phasic images of RR intervals (RRI) ranging from 0 to 95% in an increment of 5% and transmitted to a workstation for postprocessing. For each phase image, CT virtual endoscopy reconstruction technique (CTVE) was used to provide views of ASD. Axial sequence assisted CT volumetric measurement (CTAS) was used to calculate the maximum dimensions in axial planes (D_a) and in superior-inferior direction (D_b). Using a formula for converting circumference to diameter, the equivalent circle dimensions were calculated (D_e, D_e=minor axis+2 (major axis-minor axis)/3). Taking the data of 75% RRI phase, the patients were divided into D_a75%RRI≥D_b75%RRI group and D_a75%RRI<D_b75%RR group. According to the postoperative chest X-ray, the waist diameter of the occluder in the left anterior oblique plain film was measured, and its correction value (CR-POD_laoc) was calculated with the correction formula. Scatter plots of the changes of the mean values of D_a, D_b and D_e with the cardiac cycle were presented. The change and ratio of measured values of D_a and D_e at 35% and 75% RRI was calculated. The ratio of D_e change to D_a change in D_a75%RRI≥D_b75%RRI group and D_a75%RRI<D_b75%RR group was calculated, respectively, and compared between groups. Pearson correlation analysis was used to explore the correlation between CR-POD_laoc and D_e35%RRI and D_e75%RRI. Results: A total of 35 patients, aged (42.7±15.0) years, including 10 males, were included. Among 35 patients, 8 cases were divided into group D_a75%RRI≥D_b75%RRI and 27 cases into group D_a75%RRI<D_b75%RRI. Both D_a and D_b regularly changed at each phase throughout the cardiac cycle. The D_a changed significantly, with a maximum at phase of 35%-45% of RRI, and a minimum between phases of 90% and 0 of RRI. While the D_b showed insignificant changes during phases of 10%-90% RRI, and increased at 0-10% of RRI, then reduced in the remaining phases. The change of D_a was (6.35±2.46) mm, and the ratio of D_a values at 35% and 75% RRI was 0.77±0.08. The change of D_e was (2.28±1.32) mm, and the ratio of D_e at 35% and 75% RRI was 0.93±0.05. The ratio of D_e change to D_a change in the D_a75%RRI≥D_b75%RRI group was 0.67±0.13; while the ratio was 0.34±0.05 in D_a75%RRI<D_b75%RR group, and there was significant difference between the two groups (P=0.02). CR-POD_laoc was positively correlated with D_{e35% RRI} (r=0.99, P<0.001) and D_{e75% RRI} (r=0.98, P<0.001). Conclusions: Most secundum ASDs show oval shape with D_b>D_a. D_b is basically constant while D_a changes significantly during cardiac cycle (10%-90% RRI). Nonetheless, both values peak and maintain the maximum status at end-systolic phase (35%-45% RRI). For patients with huge ASD, occluder selection should be based on the D_e at 35% RRI phase, which is helpful for the successful intervention.

[Analysis of pathogen spectrum and antimicrobial resistance of pathogens associated with hospital-acquired infections collected from 11 teaching hospitals in 2018]

Objective: To investigate the spectrum and antimicrobial resistance of major pathogens causing nosocomial infections in China, 2018. Methods: Non-duplicated nosocomial cases as well as pathogens causing bloodstream infections (BSI), hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) and intra-abdominal infections (IAI) from 11 teaching hospitals across China were collected. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of clinically significant strains were determined by agar dilution method or broth microdilution method. The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) M100-S29 criteria were used for interpretation, and the WHONET-5.6 software was used in data analysis. Results: A total of 1 590 cases were collected, including 831 cases from BSI, 450 cases from HAP and 309 cases from IAI. The most prevalent pathogens causing BSI were Escherichia coli (29.2%, 243/831), Klebsiella pneumoniae (16.2%, 135/831) and Staphylococcus aureus (10.1%, 84/831); the most prevalent pathogens causing IAI were E. coli (26.2%, 81/309), Enterococcus faecium (15.5%, 48/309) and K. pneumoniae (13.3%, 41/309); while Acinetobacter baumanii (24.7%, 111/450), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (20.7%, 93/450) and K. pneumoniae (16.2%, 73/450) were dominated in HAP. All S. aureus were susceptible to tigecycline, linezolid, daptomycin and glycopeptides; 77.8% (105/135) of S. aureus strains were susceptible to ceftaroline. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) accounted for 29.6% (40/135) of all the S. aureus, and was lower than the accounted rate of methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (MRCNS) (83.7%, 41/49). One E. faecium strain (1.1%, 1/95) resistant to vacomycin and teicoplanin and one E. faecalis strain (2.3%, 1/43) resistant to linezolid was found. The prevalence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) was 56.1% (193/344) in E. coli and 22.1% (55/249) in K. pneumonia; the rate of carbapenem resistant E. coli and K. pneumonia was 4.1% (14/344) and 22.9% (57/249), respectively; the percentage of ceftazidime/avibactam resistant E. coli and K. pneumonia was 2.3% (8/344) and 2.0% (5/249), respectively; the percentage of colistin resistant E. coli and K. pneumonia was 1.5% (5/344) and 7.6% (19/249), respectively; no E. coli and K. pneumonia strains were found resistant to tigecycline. The rate of carbapenem resistant A. baumanii and P. aeruginosa were 78.9% (146/185) and 36.7% (66/180), respectively. A. baumanii showed low susceptibility to the antimicrobial agents except colistin (99.5%, 184/185) and tigecycline (91.4%, 169/185). Colistin, amikacin and ceftazidime/avibactam demonstrated high antibacterial activity against P. aeruginosa with susceptility rate of 100% (180/180), 93.3% (168/180) and 85.6% (154/180), respectively. Conclusions: Nosocomial Gram-negative pathogens show high susceptibilities to tigecycline, colistin and ceftazidime/avibactam in vitro. Antimicrobial resistance in A. baumannii is a serious problem. The prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae has increased, which should be monitored continuously in China.

[Comparison of disease activities and extent measurements for anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody-associated vasculitis]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the significance of a set of seven disease activities and extension measurements and their correlations between one and another for anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody associated vasculitis (AAV).

METHODS

A total of 121 patients from Peking University International Hospital and Fouth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital with confirmed diagnoses of AAV clinically were enrolled in the study, including 15 cases of eosinophilic granulomatous with polyangiitis (EGPA), 59 cases of granulomatous with polyangiitis (GPA) and 47 cases of microscopic polyangiitis (MPA). A hundred and twenty-one AAV patients were divided into death group and survival group according to their survival conditions. A set of seven disease assessment scales including Birmingham vasculitis activity score (BVAS)-1994, BVAS-2003, as well as BVAS/GPA, vasculitis damage index (VDI), disease extent index (DEI), five factor score (FFS)-1996, and FFS-2009 were measured and scored one by one, and their relationships which were represented by Spearman correlation coefficient were compared between one and another.

RESULTS

BVAS-1994, BVAS-2003, as well as BVAS/GPA, VDI, DEI, and FFS, all of those seven evaluation indexes of the AAV patients in the death group were significantly higher than those in the survival group (P<0.05). Except for BVAS/GPA, all those above indicators in the patients with EGPA were lower than those in the patients with GPA and those in the patients with MPA, and those in all of the AAV patients as a whole group. There were high correlations among BVAS-2003, BVAS-1994 and BVAS/GPA (r values were 0.9 and 0.7, respectively); BVAS-1994 was fairly correlated with BVAS/GPA (r=0.69); FFS-1996 and FFS-2009 were highly correlated (r=0.73) with each other; BVAS-1994, BVAS-2003 and BVAS/GPA were fairly correlated with DEI (with r values of 0.62, 0.65, and 0.62, respectively); VDI was also fairly correlated with BVAS-1994 and with BVAS-2003 (r values were 0.49 and 0.52, respectively).

CONCLUSION

All of those seven AAV assessment indicators above can be used as indicators of disease activity and prognosis in AAV patients, most of which were relevant within one and another. There were high correlations among BVAS-2003, BVAS-1994 and BVAS/GPA, and besides, there were also high correlations between FFS-1996 and FFS-2009.

[Clinical effect of vacuum sealing drainage in the treatment of complex fracture and dislocation of foot with severe soft tissue injury]

Objective: To observe the clinical effect of vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) in the treatment of complex fracture and dislocation of foot with severe soft tissue injury. Methods: From March 2012 to January 2015, a retrospective analysis of 108 cases of the foot closed complex fracture dislocation with severe soft tissue injury in Department of Foot and Ankle, the Second Hospital of Tangshan City, Tangshan.Injury mechanisms included press and crush injury, traffic accident.According to the operation the cases were divided into the VSD group (56 cases) and the control group (52 cases). The injury foot swelling after treated by open reduction and internal fixation or fusion joint fracture and dislocation. VSD technique was used to cover the wound and wound in group VSD. The wound was sutured, the sterile dressing was covered and the dressing was changed regularly in the control group. Results: Preoperative hospitalization time: 16 days in group VSD, 28 days in the control group; the total hospitalization time: 33 days in group VSD, 53 days in the control group; wound healing: 29 cases in VSD group, 12 cases in the control group; prolonged healing after dressing: 16 cases in VSD group, 13 cases in the control group; after skin grafting healing: 9 cases in VSD group, 17 cases in the control group; healed after flap transposition: 2 cases in VSD group and 10 cases in thecontrol group.The difference of the data of the two groups was statistically significant, P<0.05.Maryland foot score: 55-98 (average: 88.8, median: 91.5) points in VSD group, 38-97 (average: 84.85, median: 91) points in control group, compared with median by rank sum test, Z value: -2.755, the difference was statistically significant, P< 0.05.The late recovery effect rating: 39 casesexcellent, good 12 cases, can be 5 cases, no poor in VSD group, excellent 29 cases, good 8 cases, can be 11 cases, poor 4 cases in the the control group, the difference was statistically significant, P<0.05. Conclusion: VSD can shorten the preoperative waiting time and total hospitalization time, improve the wound healing rate directly, reduce the skin grafting and flap transfer replacement rate, reduce the secondary injury, increased fracture risk reduction and internal fixation, reduce joint fusion rate in the treatment of foot closed complex fracture and dislocation with severe soft tissue injury.

[The clinical analysis of 46 cases with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinical features of patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) associated vasculitis (AAV), and to explore the disease activity of AAV patients and the relationship with prognosis.

METHODS

The clinical data of 46 cases of AAV patients in the First Affiliated Hospital of PLA General Hospital were analyzed retrospectively.The clinical and laboratory features of each clinical subtype were compared.The disease activity of AAV and the relationship between disease activity and prognosis were evaluated.

RESULTS

Among the 46 patients with AAV, 24 were male, and 22 were female, with the average age of 56±18.Among the subtypes of AAV, the number of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) were 22, 17 and 4 respectively, while the positive rate of ANCA are 72.7%, 88.2% and 50.0% respectively.For GPA, the results of ANCA were mainly C-ANCA or ANCA directed toward proteinase-3 (PR3), and for MPA, the results of ANCA were mainly P-ANCA or ANCA directed toward myeloperoxidase (MPO). Upper and lower respiratory disease, renal involvement and non-deformity arthropathy were the common clinical manifestations of all primary AAV subtypes.Epistaxis, nasal blood scab, saddle nose, pulmonary nodule and intrapulmonary cavities were the characteristic manifestations of GPA, while rapid progress of renal failure was prominent in MPA.Whatever their ANCA results, there were no significant differences between each other as to system-organ involvements and laboratory indexes.Seven patients (15.2%) died during hospitalization or in follow-up visits.Serious involvements of heart, lung, kidney, and complicated with infections were the main risk factors of death in AAV patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Upper and lower respiratory involvements and kidney diseases are the primary manifestations of AAV patients.ANCA results are irrelevant with disease activity and system-organ involvements.Serious involvements of heart, lung, kidney, and complicated with infections are the main risk factors of death in AAV patients.

[Surgical treatment and curative effect observation of vascular malformations in the adult floor of the mouth and pharyngeal space]

Objective:To investigate the effect of surgical treatment of vascular malformation in the adult floor of the mouth and pharyngeal space. Method:Collect 12 cases of vascular malformation from the floor of the mouth and pharyngeal space.All of them were checked out of the different degrees of tongue elevation and dysphagia and to carry out the excision of vascular malformation with lingual nerve and hypoglossal nerve preservation. Result:The lesion reduction degree of 10 cases of patients were Ⅳ class(excellent), theoher 2 cases were Ⅲ class(good). Hematoma at the bottom of the mouth after operation were not happened. Follow-up 0.5-3 years,tongue deviation appeared in 1 cases of postoperation. After 6 months of follow-up, the tongue is in the middle when it put out, functional recovery,no tongue muscle atrophy,no tongue movement disorder in the rest of the patients,no obvious recurrence of vascular malformations, no swallowing disorder in all patients. Conclusion:It would be obtained ideal therapeutic effect with surgical treatment in the adult vascular malformations of the floor of the mouth and pharyngeal space.It would be the key to the success of surgery with protecting the lingual nerve and hypoglossal nerve and controlling bleeding.

[Epidemiological characteristics of dyslipidemia in remote rural areas of Xinjiang, 2009-2010]

Objective: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of dyslipidemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, high blood low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and low blood high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in remote rural areas of Xinjiang and analyze these indicators' epidemiological characteristics. Methods: A survey of 13 000 individuals (aged ≥18 years) was conducted using a four-stage cluster random sampling method in Jiashi, Xinyuan, Aheqi, and Shawan Counties, Xinjiang, in 2009-2010. After nonpermanent residents were excluded, 12 154 individuals were included in this study. Questionnaire and physical examinations were conducted, including collection of fasting blood to detect TG, TC, LDL-C, and HDL-C. The results were calculated after complex weighting and compared according to the prevalence of different gender and age groups. Results: The overall levels of TG, TC, LDL-C, and HDL-C were 1.34±1.09, 4.45±1.16, 2.36±0.86, and 1.37±0.58 mmol/L, respectively. After complex weighting, the overall prevalence of dyslipidemia was 35.4%; that among men (42.9%) was greater than that among women (29.5%; χ²=234.19, P<0.001), and the prevalence was 35.9%, 34.5%, and 35.1% (χ²=1.52, P=0.467) in participants aged 18-44, 45-59, and ≥60 years, respectively. The overall prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia was 11.4%; that among men (13.5%) was greater than that among women (9.8%; χ²= 40.72, P<0.001), and the prevalence was 9.6%, 13.0%, and 13.2% (χ²=38.71, P<0.001) in participants aged 18-44, 45-59, and ≥60 years, respectively. The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia was 5.7%; that among men(5.0%) was greater than that among women (6.2%; χ²=6.95, P=0.008), and the prevalence was 3.5%, 7.4%, and 8.4% (χ²=105.24, P<0.001) in participants aged 18-4, 45-59, and ≥60 years, respectively. The prevalence of high blood LDL-C was 2.8%, and there was no significant difference between men (3.0%) and women (2.4%; χ²=1.43, P=0.231); the prevalence was 3.5%, 7.4%, and 8.4% (χ²=42.81, P<0.001) in participants aged 18-44, 45-59, and ≥60 years, respectively. The prevalence of low blood HDL-C was 24.0%; that among men (31.6%) was greater than that among women (18.0%; χ²=304.02, P<0.001), and the prevalence was 27.8%, 20.6% and 19.5% (χ²=96.61, P<0.001) in participants aged 18-44, 45-59, and ≥ 60 years, respectively. Conclusions: Low blood HDL-C was the main type of dyslipidemia among the population in remote rural areas of Xinjiang. The prevalence of dyslipidemia among men was greater than that among women, and there was a trend of younger men than women showing dyslipidemia.

Effects of ginsenoside Rg1 on the senescence of vascular smooth muscle cells

The development of age-related cardiovascular disease is associated with the senescence of vascular cells. This study aimed to investigate the effect of ginsenoside Rg1 on vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) senescence. Primary VSMCs were cultured and divided into control, D-galactose (D-gal), Rg1-L, and Rg1-H groups, which were cultured without and with D-gal, and with low- and high-concentrations of Rg1, respectively. D-gal-induced cellular senescence was identified by b-galactosidase staining, and ultrastructural changes within the cells were observed. The expression of p16, p21, and p53 in the four groups of VSMCs was determined by western blotting, and the cell cycle was investigated by flow cytometry. Compared with the control group, there was an obvious change in the ultrastructure of VSMCs in the D-gal group, and the proportion of b-galactosidase-positive cells was significantly increased (P < 0.05). In addition, p16, p21, and p53 expression was significantly increased (P < 0.05) and the cell cycle was arrested in the G0/G1 phase. Compared with the D-gal group, the percentage of positive cells was significantly reduced (P < 0.05) in the Rg1 groups, the expression of p16, p21, and p53 was significantly reduced (P < 0.05), and the number of cells in the G0/G1 phase decreased (P < 0.05). Ginsenoside Rg1 can inhibit VSMC senescence, and the mechanisms may be related to its partial inhibition of the p16^INK4a/Rb and p53-p21^Cip1/Waf1 signaling pathways during the cell cycle.

[Association between CETP polymorphisms and haplotypes with dyslipidemia in Xinjiang Uygur and Kazak residents]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the relationship between the polymorphisms and haplotypes in the CETP gene and dyslipidemia among Xinjiang Kazak and Uygur residents.

METHODS

A population status survey was performed from 2010 to 2011 in Kashgar Xinjiang Uygur and Kazak residents, stratified cluster sampling method was used to select Uygur, Kazak residents with abnormal blood lipid values (n=367 and 345, respectively) as the dyslipidemia groups, and to select residents with normal lipid values as control group from the same area (n=374 and 390, respectively). SNaPshot technology was applied to detect the DNA of CETP gene rs3764261, rs1800775, rs708272 and rs5882 loci in all selected residents, and linkage disequilibrium analysis and haplotype construction were performed.

RESULTS

(1) In Uygur residents, the dyslipidemia risk of rs708272 CT (OR=0.64, 95%CI 0.46-0.91, P=0.01) and TT genotype (OR=0.60, 95%CI 0.40-0.91, P=0.02) was significantly lower than CC genotype. Dyslipidemia risk of rs3764261 GT (OR=0.55, 95%CI 0.40-0.74, P=0.00) and TT genotype (OR=0.47, 95%CI 0.28-0.78, P<0.01) was significantly lower than GG genetype. Dyslipidemia risk of the rs1800775 CC genotype was higher than AA genotype (OR=1.79, 95%CI 1.17-2.74, P=0.01). There was no statistical significance in CETP gene of the 4 genotype and allele frequency between the dyslipidemia and normal lipid groups in Kazak residents (all P>0.05). (2) In Uighur residents with dyslipidemia, HDL-C level was significantly higher in rs708272 TT genotype carriers than in CC and CT genotypes (all P<0.05) and in rs3764261 TT genotype carriers than in GG genotype carriers (P=0.008), while was significantly lower in rs1800775 CC genotype carriers with AA genotype carriers (P=0.008). (3) Linkage disequilibrium analysis showed that there was strong linkage disequilibrium between rs3764261 and rs708272 (D'=0.869, r(2)=0.869), rs1800775 and rs708272 (D'=0.845, r(2)=0.446) in Uighur residents, and there was strong linkage disequilibrium between rs3764261 and rs708272 (D'=0.963, r(2)=0.963), rs1800775 and rs708272 (D'=0.988, r(2)=0.630) in Kazak residents. (4) Significant differences were observed in frequency distribution of haplotype GACA(OR=0.579, 95%CI 0.388-0.864, P=0.006), GATA (OR=2.183, 95%CI 1.231-3.873, P=0.006), GCCA (OR=0.723, 95%CI 0.549-0.954, P=0.001), TATA (OR=0.723, 95%CI 0.549-0.954, P=0.021) and TATG (OR=0.601, 95%CI 0.429-0.841, P=0.002) in Uighur residents with normal or abnormal lipid profiles, while significant difference was observed in frequency distribution of haplotype GCCG (OR=1.961, 95%CI 1.207-3.188, P=0.005) in Kazak residents with normal or abnormal lipid profiles.

CONCLUSION

CETP genotype rs708272, rs3764261 and rs1800775 polymorphism is closely related to dyslipidemia and haplotype GACA, TATA and TATG will reduce the risk of dyslipidemia, while haplotype GATA, GCCA will increase the risk of dyslipidemia in Uygur residents. The four CETP polymorphisms are not related to the risk of dyslipidemia, but haplotype GCCG is related to increased risk of dyslipidemia in Kazakhs residents.

Association of APOA1 gene polymorphisms (rs670, rs5069, and rs2070665) with dyslipidemia in the Kazakhs of Xinjiang

The aim of this study was to investigate the potential association between apolipoprotein A1 (APOA1) gene rs670, rs5069, and rs2070665 polymorphisms and dyslipidemia in the Kazakh population of Xinjiang, China. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) was used to identify APOA1 (rs670, rs5069, and rs2070665) genotypes in 736 subjects (341 dyslipidemia patients and 395 control subjects). The frequencies of the CC genotype for rs1421085 were found to be 7.2% (obese group), 4.4% (overweight group), and 5.6% (control group). Polymorphisms of the three loci of the APOA1 gene in Kazakh subjects met Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The frequencies of the A allele for rs670 were found to be 14.3% (dyslipidemia group) and 12.7% (control group). The frequencies of the T allele for rs5069 and rs2070665 were: dyslipidmia group (7.2 and 30.1%, respectively) and control group (7.7 and 32.5%, respectively). Frequency distributions of the 3 types of genotypes and alleles of the three loci showed no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05). Significant differences were observed in lipoprotein (α) [Lp(α)] between patients with the rs2070665 CT + TT and CC genotypes (P < 0.05); however, none of the other relevant indicators differed significantly between the two genotypes. No significant association was identified between rs670 or rs5069 and the lipid-related metabolic indices assessed in the study. These findings indicate that the polymorphisms in the APOA1 gene (rs670, rs5069, and rs2070665) are not associated with dyslipidemia in the Kazakh population assessed in this study.

Association between polymorphisms of fat mass and obesity-associated gene and metabolic syndrome in Kazakh adults of Xinjiang, China

The aim of this study was to assess the association between three FTO polymorphisms (rs9939609, rs8057044, and rs1421085) and metabolic syndrome (MS)-related outcomes in the low-income, rural, nomadic minority Khazakh population in far western China. A total of 489 subjects (245 MS patients, 244 controls) were included in the study and DNA samples were genotyped for the three polymorphisms by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry. The frequencies of the rs1421085 and rs9939609 genotypes and alleles did not differ significantly between MS patients and control, while the frequencies of rs8057044 G alleles and GG genotypes were higher in MS patients (P < 0.05) than in control subjects (G: 61.16 vs 53.53%, GG: 39.07 vs 29.05%) and the frequencies of rs8057044 A genotypes and alleles were lower (P < 0.05) in MS patients compared with controls (AA: 17.36 vs 21.99%, A: 38.84 vs 46.47%). Risk analysis of the rs8057044 polymorphism revealed individuals with GA and GG genotypes to have 1.112 and 1.731 times higher risks of developing MS than those with the AA genotype, respectively, while the G allele was found to be associated with a 1.367 times higher risk of developing MS compared with the A allele. These apparent correlations, however, did not hold true when adjusted for BMI. Weight, WC, HC, and BMI differed significantly between rs8057044 GG and AA+GA genotypes (P < 0.05).

Lutein alleviates arsenic-induced reproductive toxicity in male mice via Nrf2 signaling

This study aims to investigate the mechanisms involved in the action of lutein (LU) alleviating arsenic-induced reproductive toxicity using mice model. Forty male Kunming mice were received following treatments by gavage: normal saline solution (control), arsenic trioxide (ATO; 5 mg/kg/day), LU (40 mg/kg/day), and ATO + LU (5 mg/kg/day + 40 mg/kg/day). At the end, the mice were killed by cervical dislocation and weighed. Pathological examination was done on the testis. The biomedical parameters including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), total antioxidative capability, malondialdehyde (MDA), 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), and reproductive indexes were analyzed. The messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression of Nrf2, heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), glutathione S-transferase (GST), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate dehydrogenase, quinone 1 (NQO1) in testis were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. We found that there was a decrease in sperm count; testis somatic index; the activities of SOD, GSH, total antioxidative capacity ( p < 0.01, respectively) in ATO-treated mice, while there was an increase in the levels of sperm abnormalities, MDA, and 8-OHdG than control ( p < 0.01, respectively). The groups treated with ATO + LU showed recovery of the measured parameters between those of ATO or saline-treated group. The antagonized interaction between ATO and LU was statistically significant ( p < 0.01). Mice treated with ATO + LU also showed greater mRNA expression of Nrf2, HO-1, NQO1, and GST than ATO or saline-treated groups. These findings suggest that LU alleviates reproductive toxicity induced by arsenic in male mice via Nrf2 signaling, which implicates a possible mechanism of LU in preventing the reproductive injury, and elucidates that consuming the rich plant sources of LU will alleviate the reproductive toxicity induced by chemicals.

Polymorphisms in the PPARγ gene and their association with metabolic syndrome in Uyghurs and Kazakhs from Xinjiang, China

We investigated the association between polymorphisms rs1801282 and rs3856806 of the PPARγ gene and metabolic syndrome (MS) among Uyghurs and Kazakhs. Mass spectrometry techniques were used to detect the PPARγ genotypes rs1801282 and rs3856806 in 987 subjects, CC genotype and C allele frequencies were 83.6 and 91.7%, respectively, at rs1801282 in Kazakhs, which were higher than those in Uyghurs (72.3 and 85.0%, respectively; P < 0.05). CC genotype and C allele frequencies were 73.6 and 85.3%, respectively, at the rs3856806 loci in Kazakhs, which were higher than those in Uyghurs (60.7 and 77.9%, respectively; P < 0.05). For the rs3856806 polymorphism in Kazakhs, CT/TT genotype and T allele frequencies were 21.2 and 12.4% for MS subjects, which were lower than those for the control group (31.6 and 17.0%, respectively; P < 0.05). Risk analysis of Kazakhs revealed that individuals with the CT and TT genotypes at rs3856806 had an increased risk, 0.524- and 0.770-fold, respectively, of developing MS than those possessing the CC genotype. Individuals with the T allele also had an increase in risk, by 0.699-fold, of developing MS than those with the C allele. For Uyghurs, those with the CC genotype at rs1801282 had higher systolic blood pressure than those with the CG/GG genotype. Among Kazakhs, those with the CC genotype at rs3856806 had higher triglyceride and waist-hip ratio levels but lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels than those with the CT/TT genotype. The rs1801282 and rs3856806 PPARγ polymorphisms differ between Uyghurs and Kazakhs from Xinjiang Province, China.

Hydrogen sulfide in posthemorrhagic shock mesenteric lymph drainage alleviates kidney injury in rats

Posthemorrhagic shock mesenteric lymph (PHSML) is a key factor in multiple organ injury following hemorrhagic shock. We investigated the role of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) in PHSML drainage in alleviating acute kidney injury (AKI) by administering D,L-propargylglycine (PPG) and sodium hydrosulfide hydrate (NaHS) to 12 specific pathogen-free male Wistar rats with PHSML drainage. A hemorrhagic shock model was established in 4 experimental groups: shock, shock+drainage, shock+drainage+PPG (45 mg/kg, 0.5 h prehemorrhage), and shock+drainage+NaHS (28 µmol/kg, 0.5 h prehemorrhage). Fluid resuscitation was performed after 1 h of hypotension, and PHMSL was drained in the last three groups for 3 h after resuscitation. Renal function and histomorphology were assessed along with levels of H₂S, cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE), Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), interleukin (IL)-10, IL-12, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in renal tissue. Hemorrhagic shock induced AKI with increased urea and creatinine levels in plasma and higher H₂S, CSE, TLR4, IL-10, IL-12, and TNF-α levels in renal tissue. PHSML drainage significantly reduced urea, creatinine, H₂S, CSE, and TNF-α but not TLR4, IL-10, or IL-12. PPG decreased creatinine, H₂S, IL-10, and TNF-α levels, but this effect was reversed by NaHS administration. In conclusion, PHSML drainage alleviated AKI following hemorrhagic shock by preventing increases in H₂S and H₂S-mediated inflammation.

Epidemiological analysis of dyslipidemia in adults of three ethnicities in Xinjiang, China

This study investigated the prevalence and distribution of dyslipidemia in adults of Uygur, Kazak, and Han ethnicity in Xinjiang, China. A questionnaire including general data, physical examination (blood pressure, body height, and body weight) and blood lipid [total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)] was administered to 11,506 adults in Xinjiang, China from 2009 to 2010 using a stratified sampling method. The overall prevalence rates of dyslipidemia in Uygur, Kazak, and Han adults were 42.4, 31.6, and 30.2%, respectively; they were 42.4, 31.8, and 28.2% after age standardization (P < 0.01). After standardization, the overall prevalence rates in Uygur, Kazak, and Han men were 52.6, 35.4, and 33.2%, respectively, which were significantly higher than that in women of the corresponding ethnicities (P < 0.01). In Uygur, Kazak, and Han adults, there were significant differences with respect to the standardized prevalence rates of high TG (9.3, 9.3, and 17.3%), high TC (5.2, 6.9, and 6%), low HDL-C (33.6, 20.8, and 11.1%), and high LDL-C (2.4, 2.9, and 2%) (P < 0.05). The prevalence rates of dyslipidemia in Uygur, Kazak, and Han adults in Xinjiang are higher than the average levels in China, with significant differences in ethnicity, age, and gender. Han adults exhibited the highest prevalence rate of high TG. Meanwhile, Uygur adults had the highest prevalence rate of low HDL-C. Kazak adults had high prevalence rates of high TC, low HDL-C, and high LDL-C.

PTEN hypermethylation profiles of Chinese Kazakh patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Aberrant DNA methylation of promoter region CpG islands may serve as an alternative mechanism to genetic defects in the inactivation of tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) in human malignancies. The aim of this study was to examine the promoter methylation status of the PTEN TSG and its association with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) carcinogenesis in a Chinese Kazakh population, which is known to have a relatively high ESCC incidence and mortality. The methylation status of the PTEN promoter region was determined in patients with ESCC (n = 95) and healthy individuals (n = 65) using highly sensitive Sequenom Epityper assays. The methylation level of the PTEN gene was significantly higher in patients with ESCC than in healthy controls. The median methylation level was 10.0% (interquartile range [IQR]: 7.0-11.0%) in patients with ESCC and 6.0% in controls (IQR: 4.0-9.0%; P = 0.001). PTEN methylation levels were higher in male patients with ESCC than in male controls, whereas a trend toward significance was observed between female patients with ESCC and female controls (P = 0.005 and P = 0.086, respectively). The PTEN methylation level was associated with histopathological grade and lymph node metastasis in patients with ESCC (P = 0.002 and P = 0.009, respectively). To our knowledge, this is the first report to show the presence of PTEN promoter CpG hypermethylation in ESCC and its association with tumor metastasis.

Assessment of changes in the state of the rangelands of Inner Mongolia, China between 1998 and 2007 using remotely sensed data

The spatial annual patterns of aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP) and precipitation-use efficiency (PUE) of the rangelands of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China, a region in which several projects for ecosystem restoration had been implemented, are described for the years 1998–2007. Remotely sensed normalised difference vegetation index and ANPP data, measured in situ, were integrated to allow the prediction of ANPP and PUE in each 1 km2 of the 12 prefectures of Inner Mongolia. Furthermore, the temporal dynamics of PUE and ANPP residuals, as indicators of ecosystem deterioration and recovery, were investigated for the region and each prefecture. In general, both ANPP and PUE were positively correlated with mean annual precipitation, i.e. ANPP and PUE were higher in wet regions than in arid regions. Both PUE and ANPP residuals indicated that the state of the rangelands of the region were generally improving during the period of 2000–05, but declined by 2007 to that found in 1999. Among the four main grassland-dominated prefectures, the recovery in the state of the grasslands in the Erdos and Chifeng prefectures was highest, and Xilin Gol and Chifeng prefectures was 2 years earlier than Erdos and Hunlu Buir prefectures. The study demonstrated that the use of PUE or ANPP residuals has some limitations and it is proposed that both indices should be used together with relatively long-term datasets in order to maximise the reliability of the assessments.

Somatostatin elevates topoisomerase II alpha and enhances the cytotoxic effect of doxorubicin on gallbladder cancer cells

BACKGROUND

Gallbladder cancer is a common and lethal digestive malignancy which is nonsensitive to routine chemotherapy. Doxorubicin (DOX) is one of the major chemotherapeutic drugs for patients with gallbladder cancer. We tried to evaluate if combined use of somatostatin (SST) and DOX could have synergistic effect in the treatment of gallbladder cancer.

METHODS

Cells from the human gallbladder cancer cell line GBC-SD were treated with SST. Cell cycle analysis was determined by flow cytometry. Western blot analysis was performed to determine the protein levels of topoisomerase IIalpha (Topo IIalpha) after SST treatment. RT-PCR was utilized to detect SST receptors in GBC-SD cells. Finally, the chemotherapeutic effect of DOX combined with SST treatment on cellular growth was measured by MTT assay.

RESULTS

SST could induce cell cycle arrest in S phase and upregulate Topo IIalpha expression in GBC-SD cells. GBC-SD cells expressed all 5 subtypes of SST receptors. Finally, combined use of DOX with SST had a synergistic cytotoxic effect on GBC-SD cells.

CONCLUSION

SST, a naturally occurring, nontoxic compound, may represent a novel adjuvant chemotherapeutic agent for patients with gallbladder cancer.

Interference with nuclear factor kappa B and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase signaling by TRAF6C small interfering RNA inhibits myeloma cell proliferation and enhances apoptosis

The tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR)-associated factor (TRAF) family of six adaptor proteins (TRAF1-6) links the TNFR superfamily to the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) and activator protein-1 (AP-1) transcriptional activators. Unlike other TRAFs, TRAF6 is also involved in Toll-like/interleukin (IL)-1 receptor (TIR) signal transduction. Thus, inhibition of TRAF6 function could interrupt both CD40 (TNFR family) and IL-1 growth signals, pathways critical to myeloma proliferation. To block TRAF6-mediated IL-1 signaling, we constructed small interfering RNA (siRNA) against TRAF6. We found that siRNA targeting the TRAF6 C-terminal (siTRAF6C) receptor interaction domain specifically reduced only TRAF6 protein expression, without affecting TRAF2 or 5 levels, and substantially interfered with IL-1-induced NF-kappaB and c-Jun/AP-1 activation. Inhibition by siTRAF6C was concentration-dependent. SiTRAF6C also significantly reduced myeloma proliferation and enhanced apoptosis in a similar dose-dependent fashion in vitro. More importantly, marked siTRAF6C growth inhibition was detected in vivo when these cells were implanted into the bone marrow of irradiated normal mice. In contrast, introduction of siRNA derived from the TRAF6 Zn-finger domain or an irrelevant siRNA construct failed to alter cell growth or cell death. These studies suggest that TRAF6 may be a new molecular target to block cell signal transduction important for the survival and proliferation of multiple myeloma cells.

The effects of simulated microgravity on cultured chicken embryonic chondrocytes

Using the cultured chicken embryonic chondrocytes as a model, the effects of simulated microgravity on the microtubular system of the cellular skeleton, extracellular matrix, alkaline phosphatase activity, intracellular free calcium concentration and mitochondrial ATP synthase activity with its oligomycin inhibition rate were studied with a clinostat. The microtubular content was measured by a flow cytometer. The decrease of microtubular content showed the impairment of the cellular skeleton system. Observation on the extracellular matrix by the scanning electron microscopy showed that it decreased significantly after rotating, and the fibers in the extracellular matrix were more tiny and disorderly than that of the control group. It can be concluded that the simulated microgravity can affect the secreting and assembly of the extracellular matrix. In contrast to the control, there was a time course decrease in alkaline phosphatase activity of chondrocytes, a marker of matrix mineralization. Meanwhile a significant drop in the intracellular calcium concentration happened at the beginning of rotation. These results indicate that simulated microgravity can suppress matrix calcification of cultured chondrocytes, and intracellular free calcium may be involved in the regulation of matrix calcification as the second signal transmitter. No significant changes happened in the mitochondrial ATP synthase activity and its oligomycin inhibition rate. Perhaps the energy metabolism wasn't affected by the simulated microgravity. The possible mechanisms about them were discussed.

[Gene analysis of blast resistance in an indica variety Digu]

Digu is one of the important genetic resources in rice breeding for resistance to blast disease in China. In this study, the disease resistance identification in the parental varieties and the population F1, F2 and B1F1 from the crosses involving Digu and four susceptible varieties was carried out by inoculation with two Chinese blast strains, ZB13, and ZB15. The results demonstrated that Digu had one dominant gene Pi-d(t) to ZB13, which had been reported by Li SG. The F2 populations of Digu and other ten different varieties with known resistance genes were inoculated with strains ZB13 and the results further demonstrated that blast resistance of Digu to strain ZB13 was controlled by one dominant resistance gene.

[Molecular tagging of a new recessive gene for late heading in a rice cultivar 8987]

8987 is a late flowering (lf) indica cultivar. In this study, genetic analysis for lf was carried out in the crosses between 8987 and four varieties with different heading time. Inheritance of lf in F1 plants and F2 populations clearly revealed that the lf of 8987 is controlled by one recessive gene. Bulked-segregant method and cosegregation analysis in F2 population were used to screen molecular markers, which were linked with lf gene. The results showed that the lf gene was mapped between the two RFLP marker C213 and RG404 on chromosome 7. The tagged gene will be utilized in molecular marker assisted selection in the future rice breeding program for new varieties.

[Utilization of a microsatellite marker to identify rice blast resistance gene in two segregating populations]

The microsatellite (SSLP) marker RM262, which is tightly linked to the blast resistance gene Pi-d(t) in rice, provides means to conduct marker-aided selection in a rice breeding program. The objective of this study was to investigate the ability of this marker to select the blast resistance gene, Pi-d(t), in two crosses for rice blast resistance breeding. The products with amplified the microsatellite primers were polymorphic between the three varieties examined. To examine the power of the identified microsatellite marker in predicting the Pi-d(t) locus, we determined the genotypes of the two F2 populations at the Pi-d(t) locus by performing progeny testing for the disease respones. The results indicated an accuracy of more than 98% in identifying the resistant plants in both populations. Therefore the microsatellite marker can be utilized in marker-assisted selection and breeding for new varieties with blast resistance.

[Application of microsatellite markers for the seed purity examination of a hybrid rice, Gangyou-22]

For seed commercialization of hybrid rice it is necessary to examine the purity of its seeds before field-production, because the seed purity is closely related to their heterosis performance and yield increase. In this research, 160 microsatellite markers were used for PCR amplification of rice seedling DNAs of Gangyou-22, which is a major hybrid rice in China, and its parents, Gang46A(CMS line) and CDR22(restorer line). A microsatellite marker, RM168, was screened out for its ability to produce polymorphic bands specific to each of the two parents but different from other 22 restorer lines and 9 cultivars. This provides an accurate and efficient method to examine the purity of a hybrid rice at an earlier time. Amplification of DNAs extracted from seeds and application of two microsatellite markers in one PCR system can further simplify the procedure and improve the accuracy of the seed purity examination.

Sympathetic control of BP and BP variability in borderline hypertensive rats on high- vs. low-salt diet

This experiment tested the effect of a high-salt diet on the interaction between arterial blood pressure (BP) and sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) at rest and during a controlled behavioral stress at an early stage in the development of hypertension in borderline hypertensive rats (BHR). Ten rats were maintained on a high-salt diet (8% NaCl) while 14 were fed a low-salt diet (0.8% NaCl) for 8 wk. They were trained in a Pavlovian paradigm by following a conditional stimulus tone (CS+) with a 0.5-s shock. SNA and BP were measured by implanted electrodes around the left renal nerve and a catheter in the femoral artery, respectively. There were no detectable between-group differences in BP or in BP variability in the resting animal at the end of the 8-wk dietary treatment. Moreover, there were no significant between-group differences in the changes in SNA evoked by the CS+ tone. Conversely, the amplitude of the initial conditional increase in BP was significantly (P < 0.05) larger in the high-salt (6 +/- 0.6 mmHg; mean +/- SEM) compared with the low-salt (4 +/- 0.4 mmHg) group. In addition, the BP excursion (peak/trough) during CS+ was larger in the high (18.2 +/- 6.1 mmHg)- vs. low-salt (5.8 +/- 0.4 mmHg) diet-fed subjects. The ratio of the average percent change in mean BP to the average percent change in SNA at the beginning of CS+ was 0.029 +/- 0.004 for the low-salt group and 0.041 +/- 0.006 for the high-salt group. We find that, before the development of overt hypertension, the enhanced conditional BP response in the high-salt BHR appears to reside at the interface between changes in SNA and the effector response and not within the central nervous system. These observations help explain the increasing BP variability typically observed with the development of hypertension in humans.

Low-frequency renal sympathetic nerve activity, arterial BP, stationary "1/f noise," and the baroreflex

The object of this study is to quantify the very low frequency (i.e., <0.1 Hz) interactions between renal sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) and arterial blood pressure (ABP). Six rats were instrumented for chronic recordings of SNA and ABP. Data were collected 24 h after surgery at 10 kHz for 2-5 h and subsequently compressed to a 1-kHz signal. The power spectra and ordinary coherence were calculated from data epochs up to 1 h in length. The very low frequency spectra for both variables were fitted to a constant times f (-beta). The peak magnitude squared of the coherence near 0.4 Hz was 0.82 +/- 0.08, but the apparent linear coherence fell off quickly at lower frequencies so that it was close to zero for frequencies <0.1 Hz. Moreover, at these low frequencies beta, as computed by a coarse grain spectral analysis, was significantly (P < 0.01) different for SNA (0.66 +/- 0.12) and ABP (1.12 +/- 0.14). Assuming that SNA and ABP are stationary time series, the results of our classical spectral analysis would indicate that SNA and ABP are not linearly correlated at frequencies with a period more than approximately 10 s. Accordingly, we tested for stationarity by computing the spectral coherence and found that SNA and ABP are not stationary "1/f noise" within the frequency range from 0.02 to 2.0 Hz. Rather the SNA exerts control over the cardiovascular system through intermittent bursts of activity. Such intermittent behavior can be modeled by nonlinear dynamics.

Ablation of posterior atrial ganglionated plexus potentiates sympathetic tachycardia to behavioral stress

The role of the posterior atrial ganglionated plexus (PAGP) in heart rate (HR) control was tested in unanesthetized dogs (n = 8). Resting HR was unchanged before (85 +/- 20 beats/min, mean +/- SD) versus after (87 +/- 18 beats/min) surgical ablation of these intrinsic cardiac ganglia (PAGPX). However, the peak tachycardia to a 30-s stressful stimulus was significantly increased (P < 0.05) from +53 +/- 22 beats/min before the denervation to +77 +/- 13 beats/min after PAGPX. Conversely, the peak HR increase during the stress after beta-adrenergic blockade was the same before (36 +/- 24 beats/min) versus after (38 +/- 14 beats/min) PAGPX. Moreover, the HR response to a neutral behavioral stimulus, which is mediated primarily by withdrawal of parasympathetic inhibition of the sinoatrial (SA) node, was unaltered by PAGPX. Thus the augmented tachycardia subsequent to PAGPX was attributable primarily to increased sympathetic action at the SA node. These findings indicate that a major role of PAGP parasympathetic neurons is to inhibit sympathoexcitatory effects on HR, probably either via interactions between neurons comprising the intrinsic plexus(es) or perhaps via presynaptic inhibition of sympathetic neurotransmitter release. This organization would allow parasympathetic ganglia within the PAGP to selectively modify sympathetic input to the SA node independent of direct vagal inhibition of pacemaker activity.

Roles of cardiac output and peripheral resistance in mediating blood pressure response to stress in rats

The change in arterial blood pressure (BP) in response to presentation of an acute behavioral stress (i.e., classical conditioning) in rat includes an initial rapid rise (C1) followed by a delayed, but more sustained, pressor response (C2). The purpose of this experiment is to determine the patterns of change in cardiac output (CO) and total peripheral vascular resistance (TPR) that are associated with the behaviorally induced pressor response. A blood flow probe was implanted around the ascending aorta, and a catheter was implanted in a femoral artery in 10 male Sprague-Dawley rats. The rats were trained by a 15-s tone (CS+) followed by a 0.5-s tail shock; another tone (CS-), never followed by shock, served as a behavioral control. BP responded to the stressful stimulus (CS+) by a rapid C1 increase (8 +/- 1 mmHg; mean +/- SE) followed by the delayed C2 response (2 +/- 0.3 mmHg); the unconditioned response to shock was a 9 +/- 2 mmHg increase in BP. The C1 BP increase produced a significant increase in TPR (10 +/- 1 dyn.s/cm5); CO was not significantly changed. TPR decreased during C2 (-4 +/- 2 dyn.s/cm5), whereas CO was significantly increased (2 +/- 1 ml/min). These data contribute to our understanding of how the autonomic nervous system organizes the cardiovascular response to a suddenly perceived behavioral stress.

First-order differential-delay equation for the baroreflex predicts the 0.4-Hz blood pressure rhythm in rats

We have described a 0.4-Hz rhythm in renal sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) that is tightly coupled to 0.4-Hz oscillations in blood pressure in the unanesthetized rat. In previous work, the relationship between SNA and fluctuations in mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) was described by a set of two first-order differential equations. We have now modified our earlier model to test the feasibility that the 0.4-Hz rhythm can be explained by the baroreflex without requiring a neural oscillator. In this baroreflex model, a linear feedback term replaces the sympathetic drive to the cardiovascular system. The time delay in the feedback loop is set equal to the time delay on the efferent side, approximately 0.5 s (as determined in the initial model), plus a time delay of 0.2 s on the afferent side for a total time delay of approximately 0.7 s. A stability analysis of this new model yields feedback resonant frequencies close to 0.4 Hz. Because of the time delay in the feedback loop, the proportional gain may not exceed a value on the order of 10 to maintain stability. The addition of a derivative feedback term increases the system's stability for a positive range of derivative gains. We conclude that the known physiological time delay for the sympathetic portion of the baroreflex can account for the observed 0.4-Hz rhythm in rat MAP and that the sensitivity of the baroreceptors to the rate of change in blood pressure, as well as average blood pressure, would enhance the natural stability of the baroreflex.

Multifiber renal SNA recordings predict mean arterial blood pressure in unanesthetized rat

The goal of this analysis was to quantify the relationship between renal sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP). We previously recorded renal SNA and MAP in conscious rats during a stressful behavioral stimulus and during a nonstressful stimulus. We then formulated a set of two linear, first-order differential equations that uses our SNA recordings after a time delay (the input) to predict fluctuations in MAP (the output). Our model has four parameters: 1) the cardiovascular time constant T that characterizes the frequency response function between the effector elements controlled by the sympathetic nerves and the cardiovascular system (1-5 s); 2) the effector time constant Te determined by the coupling between the sympathetic nervous system and the effectors (0.0-0.6 s); 3) the efferent time delay tau e between a change in SNA and a change in MAP (0.4-0.6 s); and 4) a proportionality constant C between fluctuations in SNA and fluctuations in MAP (0.3-3.4 mmHg/nV). The parameters of the model were determined that minimize the residual error between the simulated time series and the actual data time series for a stressful stimulus. Then we tested the ability of the transfer function to predict the MAP response to a nonstressful stimulus. In five of seven rats tested, the model's predictions were good, with mean cross-correlation coefficients for the predicted trials between 0.62 and 0.83. We show that multifiber renal SNA recordings can reliably predict changes in MAP in the unanesthetized rat. Thus the overall sympathetic drive to the cardiovascular system is indexed by renal SNA, although the vasomotor effectors driven by renal SNA control only approximately 20% of the blood cow.

[A model atlas of the crude drug Radix Ophiopogonis in tri-dimensional computer reconstraction from their serial transections]

In this paper, the tri-dimensional computer reconstruction and animated display from the serial transections of the crude drugs Radix Ophiopogonis and Radix Liriopes have been achieved. Accordingly, some tri-dimensional image techniques and information for the computer aided teaching and identification of pharmacognosy have been offered.

Sympathetic nervous activity and arterial pressure responses during rest and acute behavioral stress in SHR versus WKY rats

The object of this experiment is to compare changes in renal sympathetic nerve activity (SNA), mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) during rest and behavioral stress in 12-14 week old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR; N = 12) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY; N = 12) controls. Animals were behaviorally trained by following a 15 s auditory conditional stimulus (CS+) with a 1/2 s tail shock. Resting MAP was higher (p < 0.001) in SHR (154 +/- 3 mmHg, mean +/- SEM) compared to WKY (116 +/- 3 mmHg); conversely, there was no difference in the average resting HR. The pattern of the SNA and MAP changes during the CS+ was similar across groups, but the amplitude was larger in the SHR. The CS+ stress stimulus evoked an initial transient MAP increase averaging 14 +/- 2 mmHg in the SHR compared to 4 +/- 1 mmHg in the WKY. This pressor response was preceded by a sudden burst of SNA averaging 177 +/- 22% over baseline in SHR versus 105 +/- 13% for the WKY. HR decreased in SHR only during the second component of the CS+ trial despite the large increase in SNA. We conclude that (1) SHR have higher reactivity than WKY to stress in SNA and MAP; (2) both SHR and WKY have greater SNA and MAP responses to CS+ than CS-(i.e., the discriminative paradigm was effective); (3) control of sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous activity during sustained stress differs remarkably in hypertensive and normotensive subjects; and (4) SHR blood pressure effector mechanisms may have a higher responsiveness to sympathetic nervous activity as compared to WKY.

Purification and crystal growth of F1-ATPase from pig heart mitochondria

A method has been evolved toward the aim of getting suitable crystals for high resolution of structural analysis of F1-ATPase by X-ray crystallography. The different conditions for crystal growth of ATPase that were isolated and purified by different methods from pig heart mitochondrial ATP synthase had been compared and screened. A simple method for purification of F1-ATPase was adopted. The F1-ATPase is released with chloroform from submitochondrial particles. Then it was treated with fractional precipitation of (NH4)2SO4 and finally was further purified by employing the sephadex G 200 column. The crystals of F1-ATPase were usually obtained after a few months. They appeared to have uniform morphology of tetrahedron. They diffracted to a resolution of 7A. The diffraction data were collected on the XRD-100 Siemens Area Detector. According to a total of 240 frames, the cell parameters obtained are a = b = 147 A, c = 208 A, alpha = beta = gamma = 90 alpha, the probable space group is P4 or its antipode. The reproducibility of this method for crystallization of F1-ATPase is good.

Density, survival and dispersal of Anopheles gambiae complex mosquitoes in a west African Sudan savanna village

To obtain information on adult populations of Afrotropical malaria vector mosquitoes, mark-release-recapture experiments were performed with Anopheles females collected from indoor resting-sites in a savanna area near Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, during September 1991 and 1992. Results were used to estimate the absolute population densities, daily survival rates, and dispersal parameters of malaria vectors in that area. In 1991 a total of 7260 female Anopheles were marked and released, of which 106 were recaptured in the release village and 6 in the neighbouring villages, a total recapture rate of 1.5%. The following year 13,854 female Anopheles were released and 116 recaptured in Goundri and 8 in the neighbouring villages, a total recapture rate of 0.9%. Recaptures were found in three of eight villages near Goundri. Nearly all of the recaptured mosquitoes were An gambiae s.l. Of these, molecular determination revealed that An.gambiae s.s. and An.arabiensis were present in a ratio of approximately 2:3. Two simple random models of dispersal were simulated and the parameters of the models determined by searching for the least-squared fit between simulated and observed distributions. The mean distance moved by individual mosquitoes, estimated in this way, ranged 350-650 m day-1, depending on the model and the year considered. Population densities were estimated using the Lincoln Index, Fisher-Ford and Jolly's methods. The estimates of population size had high standard errors and were not particularly consistent A "consensus' value of 150,000-350,000 mosquitoes is believed to apply for the An.gambiae s.l. female population. Survival was estimated to be 80-88% per day.

[Elimination effect of ethyl alcohol on the DCCD-induced inhibition of hydrolytic activity of H+-ATPase complex]

12.5% ethyl alcohol was added into the reaction system containing mitochondrial H(+)-ATPase complex of pig heart, which was preincubated with 0.5 microgram/ml DCCD dicyclohexylcarbodiimide) at 30 degrees C. Or the DCCD and ethyl alcohol were simultaneously incubated with H(+)-ATPase at 30 degrees C. In either case, the inhibition of the hydrolytic activity of H(+)-ATPase caused by DCCD could be completely eliminated in the presence of ethyl alcohol. If methyl alcohol was instead of ethyl alcohol, the DCCD inhibition could only be partly eliminated. In the replacement of ethyl alcohol by dimethyl sulfoxide, no elimination could be observed. After preincubation of 2 micrograms/ml oligomycin with H(+)-ATPase complex instead of DCCD, the same concentration of ethyl alcohol could not caused elimination effect, which indicates no un-coupling effect happened by ethyl alcohol. The kinetic experimental result showed that ethyl alcohol exhibits non-competitive inhibition to the hydrolytic activity of H(+)-ATPase complex. It was deduced that ethyl alcohol could result in conformational change of F1 of the complex, such as to affect the activity of the enzyme. The measurement of DPH (diphenylhexatriene) fluorescence polarization, the fluorescence labelled with N-(1-pyrenyl) maleimide and intrinsic fluorescence of H(+)-ATPase complex compared with control show that the three cases, i.e. only treated with DCCD, only treated with ethyl alcohol or treated with DCCD and ethyl alcohol, appear different conformations of H(+)-ATPase complex. But the conformation caused by DCCD and ethyl alcohol was more like that by ethyl alcohol. This is consistent with results obtained from activity of DCCD plus ethyl alcohol and only ethyl alcohol. These results mentioned above indicate that the mechanism of ethyl alcohol eliminating the DCCD-induced inhibition of H(+)-ATPase is a conformational interaction caused by DCCD and ethyl alcohol.

Indomethacin inhibition of hog gastric H+/K(+)-ATPase arises from its effect on both the enzyme protein and the lipid bilayer

Indomethacin showed a dose-, time-, and pH-dependent, noncompetitive inhibitory effect on hog gastric H+/K(+)-ATPase. Four percent of total indomethacin in the buffer (0.20 mmol/liter) bound to the H+/K(+)-ATPase vesicles (15 micrograms/ml). It markedly quenched the intrinsic fluorescence of the enzyme, and decreased the membrane fluidity. Thus, the inhibitor effect of indomethacin may arise from both a direct effect on the hydrolytic and H+ transport functions of the enzyme and a disturbing effect on the lipid bilayer of the vesicle.

[Soft tissue changes after advancement genioplasty in Chinese adults]

Twenty-five Chinese patients who had undergone advancement genioplasty were evaluated for soft tissue changes of chin. The effects of bony genioplastic advancement on soft tissues of profile were studied by means of computerized cephalometric analysis. The change ratios between soft tissue and hard tissue, as well as regression equations were calculated. The result of this study led to the following conclusions: The soft tissue chin point and labiomental sulcus moved by 85% and 41% of horizontal advancement of the mandibular symphsis.

Product-activation of Escherichia coli membrane-bound H(+)-ATPase (F1F0-ATPase) connected with epsilon-subunit at alkaline pH

Mutant strain AN1518 or AN2387 (Gly48-->Asp in epsilon-subunit) and partial revertant strain AN2540 (Gly48-->Asp, Pro47-->Ser in epsilon-subunit) of E. coli were used in a kinetic study of membrane-bound H(+)-ATPase. It was found that at pH 9.0 mutant strain AN1518 or AN2387 and partial revertant strain AN2540 gave a low initial rate, which increased with time until linearity was reached after 1-2 min. This phenomenon was prominent in mutant strains, but was not so obvious in wild-type AN346 of E. coli; this property is similar to F1-ATPase reported by Cox [1]. The mechanism of the slow activation of membrane-bound H(+)-ATPase was further investigated in this paper. The experimental results indicated that the hydrolytic rate of E. coli F1F0-ATPase that increased with time was membrane protein concentration- and pH-dependent, and that the product ADP produced during ATP hydrolysis is the factor causing the slow activation. Preincubation of the hydrolytic product ADP with a concentration comparable to that produced in the assay (20 microM) caused initial activation of ATP hydrolysis and abolished the slow activation. On the other hand, with the removal of ADP during the progress of the hydrolytic reaction it could be seen that the slow activation was abolished as well. In order to test the relationship between the epsilon-subunit and ADP involved in the slow activation, trypsin treatment was carried out on the membrane-bound H(+)-ATPase of various strains. The activation observed after trypsin treatment was on the order of AN1518 > AN2540 > AN346. The activation effects of ADP and trypsin were not found to be additive. This implies that ADP acted in a similar way to trypsin, i.e., to cause removal of the epsilon-subunit. A tentative mechanism of the slow activation was proposed that ADP, a product of ATP hydrolysis, could induce conformational changes of F1F0 at alkaline pH 9.0, thus weakening the binding strength between the epsilon-subunit and other subunits of F1F0, and resulting in removal or partial removal of the epsilon-subunit. This further impaired the coupling of F1 and F0 in the mutant strains; as a consequence the rate of ATP hydrolysis was increased.