[Application of association rule in mental health test for employees in a petrochemical enterprise].

Objective: To investigate the occurrence ruleof common psychological abnormalities in petrochemical workers using association rule. Methods: From July to September,2014,the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90)was used for the general survey of mental healthamong all employees in a petrochemical enterprise.The association rule Apriori algorithm was used to analyze the data of SCL-90 and investigate the occurrence rule of psychological abnormalities in petrochemical workers with different sexes,ages,or nationalities. Results: A total of 8 248 usable questionnaires were collected. The SCL-90 analysis showed that 1623 petrochemical workers(19.68%) had positive results,among whom 567(34.94%)had one positive factor and 1056 (65.06%)had two or more positive factors. A total of 7 strong association rules were identified and all of them included obsessive-compulsive symptom and depression. Male({obsessive-compulsive symptom,anxiety}=>{depression}) and female workers ({somatization,depression}=>{obsessive-compulsive symptom}) had their own special association rules. The workers aged 35-44 years had 17 special association rules,and ethnic minorities had 5 special association rules. Conclusion: Employeesin the petrochemical enterprise have multiple positive factors in SCL-90, and employees aged 35-44 years and ethnic minorities have a rich combination of psychological symptoms and need special attention during mental health intervention.

Dopamine enhances duodenal epithelial permeability via the dopamine D5 receptor in rodent.

AIM: The intestinal barrier is made up of epithelial cells and intercellular junctional complexes to regulate epithelial ion transport and permeability. Dopamine (DA) is able to promote duodenal epithelial ion transport through D1-like receptors, which includes subtypes of D1 (D1 R) and D5 (D5 R), but whether D1-like receptors influence the duodenal permeability is unclear. METHODS: FITC-dextran permeability, short-circuit current (ISC ), Western blot, immunohistochemistry and ELISA were used in human D5 R transgenic mice and hyperendogenous enteric DA (HEnD) rats in this study. RESULTS: Dopamine induced a downward deflection in ISC and an increase in FITC-dextran permeability of control rat duodenum, which were inhibited by the D1-like receptor antagonist, SCH-23390. However, DA decreased duodenal transepithelial resistance (TER), an effect also reversed by SCH-23390. A strong immunofluorescence signal for D5 R, but not D1 R, was observed in the duodenum of control rat. In human D5 R knock-in transgenic mice, duodenal mucosa displayed an increased basal ISC with high FITC-dextran permeability and decreased TER with a lowered expression of tight junction proteins, suggesting attenuated duodenal barrier function in these transgenic mice. D5 R knock-down transgenic mice manifested a decreased basal ISC with lowered FITC-dextran permeability. Moreover, an increased FITC-dextran permeability combined with decreased TER and tight junction protein expression in duodenal mucosa were also observed in HEnD rats. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates, for the first time, that DA enhances duodenal permeability of control rat via D5 R, which provides new experimental and theoretical evidence for the influence of DA on duodenal epithelial barrier function.

Creatinine kinase kinetics studied by phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance in a canine model of chronic hypertension-induced cardiac hypertrophy.

To determine whether cardiac hypertrophy secondary to chronic renovascular hypertension is associated with altered in vivo myocardial metabolism, phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance saturation transfer techniques were used to study creatine kinase (CK) kinetics in six chronically hypertensive dogs with moderate cardiac hypertrophy and eight control dogs. The forward rate constant of CK and the flux of phosphocreatine to adenosine triphosphate were determined in both groups of dogs before and during norepinephrine administration (1 microgram/kg per min), used to increase heart rate x systolic blood pressure (rate-pressure product), cardiac output and oxygen consumption. Baseline and norepinephrine-induced changes in rate-pressure product, cardiac output and oxygen consumption were similar in both groups of dogs, as were baseline forward rate constant and flux of phosphocreatine to adenosine triphosphate. However, the norepinephrine-induced changes in forward rate constant and flux were significantly less in hypertensive than in control dogs (p less than 0.05) even though changes in hemodynamic and functional variables were similar in both groups. These data demonstrate that moderate myocardial hypertrophy is associated with altered CK kinetics, which do not appear to affect the heart's ability for global mechanical recruitment at this stage in the hypertensive process. It is possible that the changes in myocardial enzyme kinetics may contribute to diastolic dysfunction previously reported in this model and may be a precursor for ultimate development of heart failure if hypertension is maintained for prolonged periods.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Membrane-type matrix metalloproteinases in human dermal microvascular endothelial cells: expression and morphogenetic correlation.

Membrane-type matrix metalloproteinases (MT-MMP) activate the zymogen form of MMP-2/Gelatinase A on cell surfaces and are expressed in invasive tumors. We sought to identify and characterize MT-MMP in a non-malignant cell type that undergoes a physiologic and reversible invasive phenotype during angiogenesis. Human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMEC) were isolated from neonatal tissue and purified by anti-CD31 (PECAM) affinity beads. MT-MMP-1 and -3 transcripts were amplified by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and northern blots showed a single 4.5 kB mRNA for MT-MMP-1 that was modulated by angiogenic factors and phorbol ester. Immunoblotting of reduced cellular extracts with different MT-MMP-1 antibodies showed the presence of the 63-65 kDa and 57-60 kDa forms, as well as additional forms at lower molecular weights. HDMEC membranes extracted with Triton X114 were incubated with gelatin-sepharose purified MMP-2 and MMP-9 to show activation of proenzymes. Pre-incubation of HDMEC with anti-MT-MMP-1 antibodies decreased proMMP-2 conversion activity only. The movement of HDMEC and the formation of tubule-like structures in three-dimensional collagen gels was markedly delayed by preincubation with the same anti-MT-MMP-1 antibodies. These results demonstrate the presence of MT-MMP in cutaneous microvascular cells in vitro. Modulation of these cell surface proteinases by angiogenic factors, demonstration of multiple processed forms, and specific attenuation of HDMEC morphogenetic patterns in three-dimensional collagen gels implicate their potential roles in the formation of new blood vessels in the skin.

[Factors affecting parameters of left ventricular diastolic function derived from Doppler echocardiography].

According to the data from left ventricular catheterization as well as M-mode and two-dimensional echocardiography in 36 patients, the influence of left ventricular diameter, systolic function, systolic and diastolic filling pressures on the parameters of left ventricular diastolic function derived from Doppler echocardiography was analysed. The results indicate: (1) the left ventricular end diastolic pressure, rapid filling wave pressure and the ratio of the both significantly affect the Doppler diastolic function parameters; (2) the decrease of the ratio of early-to-late diastolic mitral flow velocities (E/A) is only a manifestation of early stage of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and the E/A ratio returns to normal (false improving) at advanced stage of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction.

Treatment of chronic renal failure with "serial recipes for renal failure": a report of 64 cases.

The "Serial Recipes for Renal Failure" (SRRF), are 11 recipes formulated in accordance with the morbid mechanisms of deficiency, stagnation, dampness and reverse in chronic renal failure (CRF), for the purposes of replenishing deficiency, and activating blood stagnation as an etiological approach and eliminating dampness and suppressing reverse flow as an symptomatic approach. In the treatment of 64 cases of CRF, the total effective rate of SRRF was 84.4%, and the markedly effective rate 51.6%. The author holds that blood stagnation is the main point in the pathogenic mechanism and recommends comprehensive therapeutic measures.

Characteristics of urban ozone level in Hong Kong.

The long term trend of ozone level in Hong Kong has been investigated. One of the characteristics of ozone level in Hong Kong is the existence of autumn maximum and summer minimum. Observations of the diurnal variation of ozone level have been made in different area categories. There are early morning peak and afternoon peak occurred in the diurnal variation, which are different from some metropolitans where only an afternoon peak is observed. A negative correlation coefficient was found between monthly ozone level with nitric oxide level. On the contrary, there is a positive correlation between ozone and nitrogen dioxide. The positive correlation coefficient between nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide shows that the total amount of nitric oxide emitted from a series of moving and fixed sources greatly exceeded the stoichiometric amount of ozone formed from chemical reactions of precursors and long distance transportation.

Effect of cyclocreatine feeding on levels of amino acids in rat hearts before and after an ischemic episode.

Feeding Sprague-Dawley rats for 3 wk a diet containing 1% by weight of cyclocreatine increased the reservoir of the high-energy phosphate compounds but also caused alterations in the levels of the two key amino acids, aspartate and glutamate. Both were decreased by approximately 50% in the presence of an unaltered content of glutamine. In vitro exposure of these hearts to sequential perfusion, global ischemia, and reperfusion in the absence of added amino acids resulted in changes in aspartate, glutamate, and glutamine that were different from those in hearts from control rats. In the cyclocreatine-fed group, aspartate concentration ([aspartate]) and [glutamate] fell after global ischemia, whereas [glutamine] was unaltered. [Glutamine] decreased, however, in the reperfusion period. In control hearts, the predominant effect was a steady decline in glutamine, which was accompanied by either less than 10% (after global ischemia) or 30-50% fall (after reperfusion) in [aspartate] and [glutamate]. The concentration of tissue Pi was smaller in hearts from cyclocreatine-fed rats and appeared to increase more slowly during ischemia. In the presence of rotenone and aminooxyacetate, heart homogenates catalyzed production of glutamate from glutamine, which was markedly stimulated by Pi and inhibited by H+. It is postulated that 1) phosphate-activated glutaminase is an important enzyme that determines cardiac [glutamate], 2) lower [phosphate] in hearts from rats fed cyclocreatine is responsible for the apparently lesser activity of glutaminase, 3) breakdown of the high-energy phosphate compounds and consequent rise in Pi activates glutaminase, and 4) slow breakdown of glutamine during global ischemia is a result of inhibition of glutaminase by H+.

Interleukin-1 induces major phenotypic changes in human skin microvascular endothelial cells.

To determine the role of the pleiotropic cytokine interleukin-1 (IL-1) on the activation of endothelial cells during inflammation and angiogenesis, pure populations of human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMEC) were obtained by immunoaffinity purification using Ulex europaeus agglutinin-1 and platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) antibody. Exposure of HDMEC to IL-1beta induced morphologic and physiologic changes characterized by 1) phenotypic modulation of endothelial cells from epithelioid to spindle-shaped cells accompanied by reorganization of vimentin filaments; 2) gradual decrease to a complete absence of the endothelial cell markers von Willebrand factor (vWf) and PECAM-1; and 3) increased capability to form tubule-like structures when overlaid with collagen gels. The IL-1 effect on cell morphology, growth, and decrease of endothelial cell antigens was potentiated by basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). Similar results were observed in mitotically arrested gamma-irradiated cells demonstrating that the spindle-shaped cells observed after IL-1 stimulation were derived from epithelioid endothelial cells and that DNA synthesis was not required to effect these changes. Immunostaining with an antibody specific for human fibroblasts was negative and further confirmed the endothelial cell origin of the spindle-shaped cells. These data demonstrate that IL-1 can induce phenotypic changes in HDMEC from epithelioid to spindle-shaped, mesenchymal-like cells, that these cells are more susceptible to stimulation by bFGF, and that they lose biochemical and functional properties characteristic of epithelioid HDMEC.

[Cost-effectiveness analysis of two-dimensional/Doppler echocardiography, cardiac catheterization and angiography in the diagnosis of congenital heart disease].

To compare the costs and effectivenesses of 2-dimensional/Doppler echocardiography (2D/DE), cardiac catheterization (CC) and angiography (CA) in the evaluation of cardiac anatomy in patients with congenital heart disease, these three kinds of examinations were performed in 100 patients before operation. The 100 patients had 120 separate cardiovascular abnormalities, of which 100 (83.3%) were prospectively identified by 2D/DE. The sensitivity and specificity of 2D/DE were: ASD, 87.9% and 100%; VSD, 97.9% and 96.1%; PDA, 86.7% and 98.2%, Tetralogy of Fallot, 6 of 6 patients; the overall sensitivity and specificity of the less common defects, 31.6% and 95.8%. Ninety-seven (80.8%) were prospectively identified by catheterization. The sensitivity and specificity of catheterization were: ASD, 87.9% and 100.0%; VSD, 80.9% and 94.6%; PDA 93.3% and 96.6%; Tetralogy of Fallot, 6 of 6 patients, the less common defects, 52.6% and 95.5%. Forty-five (81.8%) were prospectively identified by angiography in 55 patients. The sensitivity and specificity of angiography: ASD, 5 of 7 patients, VSD, 88.0% and 94.3%; PDA, 2 of 2 patients; Tetralogy of Fallot, 5 of 5 patients; the less common defects, 68.8% and 100.0%. The economic evaluations were performed. The costs of the depreciation (including equipments and houses), hospital bed, water and electricity, management and staffs' wage were: 2D/DE, RMB 46.09 per patient; catheterization, RMB 314.17 per patient; angiography, RMB 314.17. The ratios of cost to outcome (cost per correct diagnosis) of 2D/DE, CC and CA were: 55.33, 388.82 and 384.07 respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Differential expression of nitric oxide by dermal microvascular endothelial cells from patients with scleroderma.

Vascular abnormalities in scleroderma are fundamental to the pathogenesis of this disease. The objective of this study was to characterize dermal microvascular endothelial cells (DMEC) isolated from scleroderma patients with respect to growth and expression of the constitutive form of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). DMEC from patients with both systemic sclerosis (SSc) and localized scleroderma (Loc Scl) contained small intact microvascular structures in contrast to single cell isolations obtained from control skin. Immunoaffinity selection on anti-PECAM-1 beads yielded pure populations of DMEC expressing normal markers. While the morphology and initial growth of SSc DMEC closely paralleled control cells, the growth of SSc DMEC decreased with time in culture (doubling time of 3 days vs. 5 days). Expression of ecNOS mRNA was reduced in both Loc Scl and SSc as shown by semi-quantitative RT-PCR (p < 0.001). Western blots showed variable but generally lower ecNOS protein levels and decreased levels of nitrogen oxides in media were found from both SSc and Loc Scl relative to control cells. The results indicate an intrinsic defect in the mechanism of nitric oxide production in DMEC isolated from scleroderma patients and suggest its possible involvement in the pathophysiology of scleroderma.