Induced pluripotent stem cell-derived motor neurons from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients carrying different superoxide dismutase 1 mutations recapitulate pathological features of ALS / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Investigations of the pathogenic mechanisms in motor neurons (MNs) derived from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) disease-specific induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell lines could improve understanding of the issues affecting MNs. Therefore, in this study we explored mutant superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) protein expression in MNs derived from the iPS cell lines of ALS patients carrying different SOD1 mutations.@*METHODS@#We generated induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines from two familial ALS (FALS) patients with SOD1-V14M and SOD1-C111Y mutations, and then differentiated them into MNs. We investigated levels of the SOD1 protein in iPSCs and MNs, the intracellular Ca2+ levels in MNs, and the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in the process of differentiation into the MNs derived from the controls and ALS patients' iPSCs.@*RESULTS@#The iPSCs from the two FALS patients were capable of differentiation into MNs carrying different SOD1 mutations and differentially expressed MN markers. We detected high SOD1 protein expression and high intracellular calcium levels in both the MN and iPSCs that were derived from the two SOD1 mutant patients. However, at no time did we observe stronger LDH activity in the patient lines compared with the control lines.@*CONCLUSIONS@#MNs derived from patient-specific iPSC lines can recapitulate key aspects of ALS pathogenesis, providing a cell-based disease model to further elucidate disease pathogenesis and explore gene repair coupled with cell-replacement therapy. Incremental mutant expressions of SOD1 in MNs may have disrupted MN function, either causing or contributing to the intracellular calcium disturbances, which could lead to the occurrence and development of the disease.

A new quinoline alkaloid from Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans / 中国中药杂志

Three compounds, including scolosprine C(1), uracil(2) and hypoxanthine(3), were isolated and purified from the ethyl acetate fraction of centipede by silica gel normal-phase column chromatography, reversed-phase medium pressure preparation chromatography, and high-pressure semi-preparative HPLC. The structure was elucidated through a combination of spectroscopic analyses [such as nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR) and mass spectrometry(MS)] and literature review. Among them, compound 1 was a new quinoline alkaloid. In previous reports, we have described the isolation and structure elucidation of one new and two known quinoline alkaloids. In this paper, we would report the isolation and structure elucidation of scolosprine C in detail.

Trend of injury mortality of children and adolescents in Kunming during 2010-2019 / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To understand the characteristics of injury deaths of children and adolescents aged 0 to 19 years in Kunming during 2010-2019,and to provide injury prevention and control basis.@*Methods@#Injury mortality data in 2010-2019 were from Kunming population based mortality surveillance system. The characteristics of injury death of children and adolescents were analyzed by descriptive statistical analysis, including mortality rate, composition ratio, the annual percent change,etc.@*Results@#Child and adolescent injury mortality was 23.18/10 5,decreasing by year(t=7.13,P<0.05). Male mortality(31.59/10 5) was higher than female(14.27/10 5)(χ2=376.24,P<0.05),the APC of male was -8.82% and -7.48% in female.The injury mortality of male was higher than that of female at all age group. The injury mortality rate of rural children and adolescents(28.65/10 5) was higher than that of urban children(12.37/10 5)(χ2=297.30,P<0.05),the APC was -8.53% in urban areas and -7.78% in rural areas.The top five causes of injury death of children and adolescents were traffic accident drowning, accidental fall, suicide and accidental mechanical suffocation, accounting for 80.88% of the total injury deaths of children and adolescents.In urban and rural areas,injury death by traffic accident, drowning and rural unintentional falls decreased significantly(t urban=3.17,3.20,t rural=5.66,3.12,4.42,P<0.05). The leading cause of death varied by different age groups.@*Conclusion@#The injury mortality rate of children and adolescents in Kunming city is on the decline. Rural children and adolescents, as vulnerable population to injury death, should receive protective strategies according to their specific characteristics of injuries and deaths in different age groups.

Comparison of 17 constituents in rhubarb before and after honeyed wine processing in Yi medicine / 中草药

Objective To compare the changes of 17 constituents in rhubarb before and after the processing of honeyed wine. Methods HPLC method was used to quantitatively analyze 17 components including gallic acid, catechin, epicatechin, polydatin, ferulic acid, sennoside B, rhein-8-O-β-D-glucoside, sennoside A, emodin-1-O-glucoside, chrysophanol-8-O-glucoside, kaempferol, emodin-8-O-glucoside, aloe-emodin, rhein, emodin, chrysophanol, and physcion in honeyed wine rhubarb. Results Seventeen kinds of ingredients, gallic acid, catechin, epicatechin, polydatin, ferulic acid, sennoside B, rhein-8-O-β-D-glucoside, sennoside A, emodin-1-O-glucoside, chrysophanol-8-O-glucoside, kaempferol, emodin-8-O-glucoside, aloe-emodin, rhein, emodin, chrysophanol, and physcion, were well separated. The linear ranges of which were 25.94—830.00 μg/mL (r = 0.999 1), 28.20—1 805.00 μg/mL (r = 0.999 8), 77.03—2 465.00 μg/mL (r = 0.999 2), 25.00—1 600.00 μg/mL (r = 0.999 3), 11.41—730.00 μg/mL (r = 0.999 6), 7.85— 1 005.00 μg/mL (r = 0.999 0), 210.47—6 735.00 μg/mL (r = 0.999 0), 113.28—3 625.00 μg/mL (r = 0.999 6), 10.94—700.00 μg/mL (r = 0.999 8), 218.80—1 415.00 μg/mL (r = 0.999 6), 55.00—1 760.00 μg/mL (r = 0.999 2), 48.44—1 550.00 μg/mL (r = 0.999 7), 19.22—625.00 μg/mL (r = 0.999 6), 18.91—1 210.00 μg/mL (r = 0.999 1), 14.06—450.00 μg/mL (r = 0.999 2), 61.41—1 965.00 μg/mL (r = 0.999 4), and 25.16—805.00 μg/mL (r = 0.999 5), respectively. The averages of the total recovery were 93.71%—102.77% at the three concentrations of 17 components. The content of sennoside and anthraquinone was significantly reduced after rhubarb was processed by Yi method, while the content of gallic acid was significantly increased. Conclusion For the first time, HPLC method was used to quantitatively analyze the 17 components in honeyed wine rhubarb, which provided a reference for the quality standards of honeyed wine rhubarb.

Quinoline alkaloids isolated from Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans / 中草药·英文版

Objective: To study the quinoline alkaloids from the ethanol extract of Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans (SSM). Methods: The chemical constituents were isolated and purified by macroporous resin column, medium pressure preparation chromatography, and semi-preparative HPLC. Their structures were elucidated by IR, MS, and NMR experiments. Results: Three quinolone alkaloids were obtained and identified as 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyquinolin-8-yl hydrogen sulfate (1), jineol-8-sulfate (2), and jineol (3), respectively. Conclusion: Compound 1 is a new compound from SSM.

Observations on the Efficacy of Acupoint Application plus Acupuncture in Treating Allergic Rhinitis / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of acupoint application of rhinitis patches plus acupuncture in treating allergic rhinitis. Methods One hundred and twenty-one patients with allergic rhinitis were randomized to a treatment group (61 cases) and a control group (60 cases). The control group received acupuncture in dog days and the treatment group, acupoint application of self-made rhinitis patches in addition. Both groups were treated for two consecutive years. The Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS) score and the Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) score were recorded in the two groups before and after treatment. The clinical therapeutic effects were compared between the two groups. Results The total efficacy rate was 93.4％ in the treatment group and 71.7％ in the control group; there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). There were statistically significant pre-/post-treatment differences in the TNSS score and RQLQ score in the two groups (P<0.05). There were statistically significant post-treatment differences in the TNSS score and RQLQ score between the treatment and control groups (P<0.05). Conclusions Acupoint application of rhinitis patches plus acupuncture is an effective way to treat allergic rhinitis. It can relieve the clinical symptoms and improve the quality of life in the patients.

Clinical study of Jiawei Bazhen decoction combined with oxytocin for cervical ripening of qi and blood deficiency type of pregnant women / 中国中药杂志

To study preliminarily the effect of Jiawei Bazhen decoction combined with oxytocin in promoting cervical ripening of full-term pregnancy women who were in the deficiency of qi and blood type through the syndrome differentiation of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). 180 patients that met the inclusion criteria of the study were randomly divided into three groups: the control group(oxytocin group), the treatment group (Jiawei Bazhen decoction combined with oxytocin group), the blank control group (expected and observation group). Cervical maturity score (Bishop score), vaginal and cervical secretions fetal fibronectin (FFN), the result of induced labor, the result of mother and baby were observed in each group before and after treatment. The result comes out that the cervical Bishop score of pregnant women for treatment group were significantly higher than the control group and blank control group after treatment (P < 0.05). The FFN of pregnant women for the treatment group were significantly different from the control group and blank control group after treatment (P < 0.05). The pregnancy outcome of the three groups: the labor rate and rate of vaginal delivery of the treatment group were higher than the other two groups, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The cesarean section rate of the treatment group was significantly lower than the other two groups, the difference was also statistically significant (P < 0.05). The three groups did not appear the phenomenon of neonatal asphyxia. Jiawei Bazhen decoction combined with oxytocin is effective in producing cervical ripening and induce labor. It is convenient, safe and reliable, for it is no obvious adverse effects on mother and fetus, but effective in reducing the rate of cesarean section, and playing a positive role in promoting natural delivery.

Effect of Qiju Dihuang Pill on serum levels of IFN-gamma and IL-4 in pregnant women of Gan-Shen yin deficiency syndrome / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of Qiju Dihuang Pill (QDP) on changes of Chinese medical syndrome types in pregnant women of Gan-Shen yin deficiency syndrome (GSYDS), and to explore the correlation between imbalanced cytokine levels and GSYDS.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This was a random controlled trail. A total of 163 pregnant women of GSYDS at 12 -16 gestational weeks were randomly allocated into the experimental group (86 cases) and the control group (77 cases). Patients in the experimental group took QDP for 2 -4 weeks. Changes of Chinese medical syndrome types and serum interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) levels were observed and compared between the two groups before and after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) Totally 41 patients (47.7%) in the experimental group were transformed to normal Chinese medical syndrome type. In the same period of the follow-ups, 9 patients (11.7%) in the control group were transformed to normal Chinese medical syndrome type, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05). (2) In the experimental group, the serum level of IFN-gamma and the ratio of IFN-gamma/IL-4 in the peripheral blood were obviously lower after treatment than before treatment (P < 0.01), and obviously lower than those in the control group (P < 0.01). The level of IL-4 after treatment in the experimental group was higher than that before treatment, and also higher than that in the control group, but with no statistical difference.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>These results indicated that there was imbalanced IFN-gamma/IL-4 ratio in the peripheral blood of pregnant women of GSYDS. QDP might play a role in immunoregulation by affecting the IFN-gamma level.</p>

Recent advances of paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia (PKD) is the most frequently described subtype of paroxysmal dyskinesias.The precipitating factor is usually sudden movement or startle.Clinically,PKD cases suffer involuntary movements including unilateral or bilateral chorea,athetosis,dystonia or ballismus,with preserved consciousness.Family history is commonly noted in idiopathic PKD,but sporadic cases are also reported.Familial PKD is inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion with incomplete penetrance.To date,2 loci 16p11-q12 and 16q13-q22 have been mapped to PKD,although a 3rd locus is also suspected.PRRT2,which was located in 16p12.1,was recently identified as causative gene of PKD.However,culprit genes in the other 2 loci remain to be investigated.The potential mechanism of PKD remains largely unclear and the role of mutant PRRT2 in the pathogenesis of PKD is still unknown.In this review,the recent advances of PKD were summarized and hypothesis regarding the mechanisms of PKD was put up,which may make significant contributions to the diagnosis and treatment of PKD.

Research on allelopathic effects of phellamurine / 中国中药杂志

Conducted research on new allelochemicals phellamurine extracted from deciduous of Phellodendron amurense, which worked in allelopathy effect to seed germination and growth process of P. amurense and P. chinense in order to interpret the causes of rare seedlings of wild populations of P. amurense. Extracted and separated phellamurine from P. amurense deciduous, and treated the seeds of P. amurense and P. chinense in after-ripening stage and germination stage with different concentrations of phellamurine solution, then detection of the seed germination rate, germination index, seedling height, root length and seed vigor index to evaluate the allelopathic effect of phellamurine. The results show that: phellamurine solution at 0.30 g x L(-1) produce significant inhibition to seed after-ripening of P. amurense, and also the solution at 0.15 g x L(-1) produce significant inhibition to seeds germination of P. amurense; the solution at 0.15 g x L(-1) produce significant inhibition to seeds after-ripening and seeds germination of P. chinense, inhibition intensity increased with the concentration and enhanced. For both species, the presence of phellamurine can lower the seed germination rate, extend the germination time, reduce the ability of seedlings to adapt to the environment, thus the phellamurine may be one of the causes of rare seedlings in the wild population of P. amurense.

A new acorane sesquiterpene from Lysionotus pauciflorus / 中国天然药物

AIM@#To study the chemical constituents of the whole plant of Lysionotus pauciflorus@*METHODS@#Chromatographic separations on silica gel, Toyopearl HW-40F gel, and MCI gel were used to isolate the compounds. The structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral data.@*RESULTS@#Three compounds were obtained and their structures were identified as 3, 10-dihydroxyacoronene (1), bis(2-butylhexyl)phthalate (2) and 3, 5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxy-trans-stilbene (3).@*CONCLUSION@#Compound 1 is a new acorane sesquiterpene, this is the first report of acorane sesquiterpenes from the Lysionotus genus.

Effects of cypermethrin on male reproductive system in adult rats / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate effects of cypermethrin on the testis histology and testosterone, LH and FSH in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The intact adult male rats were randomly divided into five groups and were treated with cypermethrin at doses of 0, 7.5, 15, 30, or 60 mg/kg per day by oral gavage for 15-days. After the treatments, serum was collected for hormone assays. The testes, epididymides, seminal vesicles, and prostates were excised and weighed. The right testis was frozen for daily sperm production and the left one was processed for histopathology.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Daily sperm production decreased significantly in 30 and 60 mg/(kg•day) groups. Testicular structure abnormalities included atrophic and distorted seminiferous tubules, deformed and disordered arrangement of germ cells, reduced germ cells, Sertoli cells and Leydig cells, vacuolization and multinucleated formations of spermatids in the cypermethrin-treated rats. Vacuolization was found in Sertoli cells and the deformed nucleus was noted in Leydig cells. Serum testosterone reduced significantly in 30 and 60 mg/(kg•day) groups. Serum FSH increased significantly in 60 mg/(kg•day) group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Cypermethrin induces impairments of the seminiferous tubules structure and spermatogenesis in the rats. The damages of the male reproductive system may be attributed to the imbalance of circulating testosterone.</p>

Construction and biological characteristics of H5N1 avian influenza viruses with different patterns of the glycosylation sites in HA protein / 病毒学报

The distribution of glycosylation sites in HA proteins was various among H5 subtype avian influenza viruses (AIVs), however, the role of glycosylation sites to the virus is still unclear. In this study, avian influenza H5N1 viruses with deletion of the glycosylation sites in HA were constructed and rescued by site direct mutation and reverse genetic method, and their biological characteristics and virulence were determined. The result showed that the mutants were confirmed to be corrected by HA gene sequencing and Western blot analysis. The EID50 and TCID50 tested in SPF chick embryo and MDCK cells of a mutant rSdelta158 with deletion of glycosylation site at position 158 were slight lower than that of wild type rescued virus rS, and the plaque diameter of rSdelta158 was significant smaller than that of rS. The EID50 and TCID50 of mutants rSdelta169 and rSdelta290 with deletion of glycosylation sites at position 169 and 290, respectively, were slight higher than that of wild type rescued virus rS, the plaque diameters of rSdelta169 and rSdelta290 were similar as that of rS, but the plaque numbers of rSdelta169 and rSdelta290 were 10-fold higher than that to rS. On the other hand, the rSdelta158, rSdelta169 and rSdelta290 showed similar growth rate in chicken embryo fibroblast as rS. All viruses remained high pathogenicity to SPF chickens. Therefore, the growth of AIV can be affected by changes of glycosylation sites in HA protein, by which the effect is variable in different cells.

Assessment of the posttraumatic symptoms among survivors for three years following Wenchuan Earthquake / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the incidence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its influencing factors for three years following the "5.12" Wenchuan Earthquake.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A systematic sampling of 870 subjects who came from Beichuan (605 persons) and Jiangyou (265 persons) areas were investigated by adopting subscale of PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version (PCL-C) and Social Demographic Questionnaire.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The incidence rate of PTSD was 8.5% (74/870), the incidence rates of PTSD for the area of Beichuan and Jiangyou were 11.2% (68/605) and 2.3% (6/265) respectively. Subjects from Beichuan had higher PTSD incidence rate compared to Jiangyou (P < 0.05). The prevalence of PTSD for female and male were 11.8% (55/465) and 4.7% (19/405) respectively, female had higher prevalence of PTSD compared to male (P < 0.05). The incidence rates of PTSD for victims who suffered from major property lost and those who lost less were 13.3% (62/466) and 3.0% (12/404) respectively, victims suffered major property lost had higher incidence rate of PTSD(P < 0.05). The incidence rates of PTSD for victims who lost family members and those did not were 13.4% (45/336) and 5.4% (29/534) respectively, victims who lost family members had higher incidence rates of PTSD (P < 0.05). The posttraumatic symptoms for survivors who suffered from PTSD mainly focused on the symptoms of reexpericement and over vigilance, the prevalence rate was 100% (74/74). Exaggerated startle response, intense psychological distress and physiological reactivity were higher than others in total 17 symptoms, accounting for 96% (71/74), 94% (70/74) and 90% (67/74). The logistic regression showed that being female, victims who suffered from major property lost, lost family member in this earthquake were the risk factors of PTSD, and the values of OR (95%CI) were 2.746 (1.580 - 4.772), 3.616 (1.871 - 6.988) and 1.805(1.057 - 3.084), respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Posttraumatic symptoms were still common among survivors three years after "5.12" Wenchuan Earthquake. Survivors in Beichuan (heavy hit area), female victims, victims who suffered from major property lost, victims who lost family member need more social and economic support.</p>

Effects of Shexiangbaoxin pills on the expression of cardiac α₁- and β-adrenergic receptor subtypes in rat hearts with heart failure induced by myocardial infarction / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Chronic heart failure (CHF) had been characterized as an activated sympathetic system leading to the alteration of adrenergic receptor (AR) levels in the heart. Thus far, not much research has been done with regard to traditional Chinese medical treatment for CHF. We investigated the effect of Shexiangbaoxin pills (SXBXP) on the function of the heart and the expression of a(1)-AR and b-AR subtypes in the messenger RNA (mRNA) levels and protein levels of non-infarction left ventricular tissue from rats with CHF induced by myocardial infarction.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Models of CHF were established by left anterior descending coronary artery ligature. Fifty-four Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups: normal control group (group A), sham operation group (group B), CHF model group (group C), positive medicine control group (group D), and small-dose SXBXP group (group E) and large-dose SXBXP group (group F), deployed intragastrically. Cardiac function was examined by echocardiography before and after therapy; mRNA expressed levels were measured by semiquantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for b(1)-AR, b(2)-AR, b(3)-AR, a(1A)-AR, a(1B)-AR, and a(1D)-AR; protein levels were measured by Western blotting analysis for b(1)-AR, b(2)-AR, a(1A)-AR, a(1B)-AR, and a(1D)-AR in non-infarction left ventricular tissue.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was no significant difference in the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) between groups A and B. Compared to group B, LVEF of groups C, D, E, and F were significantly decreased (P < 0.01) before therapy. After therapy, compared to group C, LVEF of group F was significantly improved (P < 0.05). Compared to group B, b(1)-AR and a(1B)-AR expressed levels were markedly decreased (P < 0.05), a(1A)-AR and b(3)-AR were significantly increased (P < 0.01) in group C, and in both mRNA and protein expressed levels b(2)-AR had no significant difference between groups B and C (P > 0.05). a(1D)-AR mRNA levels were unchanged in each group (P > 0.05), but a(1D)-AR protein level was significantly decreased in group C (P < 0.05). After treatment, compared to group C, mRNA levels of b(1)-AR and a(1B)-AR were significantly increased (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01), and a(1A)-AR was markedly decreased in groups D, E, and F (P < 0.05). b(3)-AR level significantly declined in both groups D and F (P < 0.01), but b(2)-AR and a(1D)-AR expressed levels remained unchanged in each group (P > 0.05). Protein levels, compared to group C, b(1)-AR was significantly increased (P < 0.01, P < 0.05, and P < 0.01) and a(1A)-AR was markedly decreased in groups D, E, and F (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, and P < 0.01). b(2)-AR expressed level was significantly increased in group F (P < 0.05). a(1B)-AR expressed level was significantly increased in both groups E and F (P < 0.05), and a(1D)-AR was remarkably increased in both groups D and F (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>After SXBXP treatment, LVEF was increased and cardiac function was significantly ameliorated in rats with CHF. The therapeutic effect of SXBXP may be related to better blood supply for myocardium and up-regulation of b(1)-AR and a(1B)-AR, and down-regulation of a(1A)-AR and b(3)-AR. The results show that SXBXP can be used in treatment of CHF and the therapeutic effect of large-dose SXBXP is superior to small-dose SXBXP.</p>

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of total flavones of Hippophae rhamnoides self-microemulsifying drug delivery system / 药学学报

The goal of the study is to evaluate the self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) which enhances the oral bioavailability of the poorly water-soluble drug, total flavones of Hippophae rhamnoides (TFH). It is orally administered for the protection of human cardiovascular system. Self-microemulsifying time, particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), morphological characterization, in vitro dispersity, stability, in situ intestinal absorption and relative bioavailability were investigated in detail. The TFH-SMEDDS rapidly formed fine oil-in-water microemulsions with 0.1 mol x L(-1) hydrochloride solution, with average size of which was less than 40 nm, PDI was below 0.2, and the particles of which were observed round-shaped under transmission electron microscope. Almost 90% of TFH (expressed with quercetin) was released from SMEDDS within 20 min, which was remarkably higher than that from common capsules. The stability test showed the TFH-SMEDDS maintained stable in 6 months under accelerated condition. In situ absorption study demonstrated the absorption rate constant of TFH-SMEDDS (expressed with quercetin) was significantly higher than that of TFH in ethanolic solution (P < 0.05). The absorption of TFH from SMEDDS showed a 4.18-fold increase in relative bioavailability (expressed with quercetin) compared with that of the suspension. The results suggest that SMEDDS is a promising drug delivery system to increase the oral bioavailability of TFH.

Effects of immune modulation therapy on cardiac function in aged patients with chronic heart failure / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of immune modulation therapy on cardiac function and lymphocyte subsets in aged patients with chronic heart failure (CHF).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>CHF (NYHA classification: II-IV) patients older than 60 years were randomly divided into two groups: CHF intervention group received regular therapy and thymopetide (2 mg/day i.m. for 75 days, n = 48), CHF control group received regular therapy (n = 48), 45 healthy individuals older than 60 years served as normal control. Left ventricular ejection faction of (LVEF), inner diameter of left ventricular end-diastole (LVEDD), inner diameter of left ventricular end-systole (LVESD), lymphocyte subsets, plasma high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), plasma brain natrium peptide (BNP) and 6 minutes walking distance (6MWT) were measured at before therapy, after the first course (15 days) of treatment and after the third course of treatment (75 days).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) Before therapy, the levels of BNP, hsCRP, CD8 T cells, LVEDD and LVESD were significantly higher and the levels of CD3, CD4, CD19 T cells, NK, CD4/CD8 ratio, LVEF and 6MWT were significantly lower in CHF patients compared to compared normal controls (all P < 0.05). These parameters were similar between CHF intervention group and CHF control group. (2) At 15 days, the levels of CD3, CD4, CD19 T cells and NK were significantly increased (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) while the level of CD8, BNP and hsCRP were significantly decreased (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) in CHF intervention group compared with CHF control group. (3) At 75 days, the levels of CD3, CD4, CD19 T cells, NK, CD4/CD8, LVEF and 6MWT were significantly increased (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) while the levels of CD8, BNP, hsCRP and Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) were significantly decreased (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) in CHF intervention group compared with CHF control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Thymopetide, an immune modulating agent, might regulate the quantity and proportion of lymphocyte subsets and improve cardiac function in aged patients with CHF, indicating that immune modulation therapy might be a new treatment strategy for aged CHF patients.</p>

Association between lipoprotein(a) and coronary artery disease / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the correlation between plasma level of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] and coronary artery disease (CAD).</p><p><b>METHOD</b>A total of 1011 patients underwent coronary angiography in our department from October 2007 to March 2009 due to chest pain were included, 613 cases (60.6%) were diagnosed as CAD and the remaining 398 non-CAD patients (39.4%) served as control. Lp(a), apolipoproteinA1 (apoA1), apolipoproteinB (apoB) were detected by immunoturbidimetry method, triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were measured by enzymatic approach. LDL-C/HDL-C ratio was calculated, multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) The values of Lp(a), TG, TC, LDL-C and apoB, and the ratio of LDL-C/HDL-C in CAD group were significantly higher in CAD group [(170.00 ± 160.00) mg/L, (1.84 ± 0.90) mmol/L, (4.86 ± 0.88) mmol/L, (3.31 ± 0.72) mmol/L, (0.97 ± 0.17) mmol/L and 3.39 ± 0.93] compared to those in control group [(120.00 ± 100.00) mg/L, (1.67 ± 0.72) mmol/L, (4.61 ± 0.95) mmol/L, (2.96 ± 0.80) mmol/L, (0.90 ± 0.18) mmol/L and 2.89 ± 0.92, all P < 0.05]. (2) Multivariate logistic regression analysis (forward method) indicated that Lp(a) (OR = 16.201, 95%CI 3.477 - 75.489, P = 0.0001) was the most powerful independent risk factor for diagnosing coronary artery disease.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Lp(a) is the most powerful independent risk factors for diagnosing coronary artery disease.</p>

Superoxide anion inhibit endothelium-dependent relaxation in rat mesenteric artery / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>AIM</b>To explore the resistant arterial effect of superoxide anion and its possible mechanisms.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The third branch of the superior mesenteric artery in male Sprague-Dawley (200-300 g) rats was rapidly excised. Periadventitial fats and connective tissues were removed and the artery was dissected into about 2 mm rings. Each ring was dispensed between two stainless steel wires (diameter 0.0394 mm) in a 5 ml organ bath (DMT 610 M, Danish Myo Technology, Denmark). Isometric force recording studies in vitro of rat mesenteric arterial rings were recorded by Powerlab Syetem. Exposure of arteries to superoxide was accomplished through the auto-oxidation of pyrogallol added to the artery baths. Then endothelium-dependent or independent relaxation was investigated, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Exposure to pyrogallol (10, 100, 300, and 1 000 micromol/L) which could produce superoxide anion for 15 min resulted in a dose-dependent manner in a decrease of acetylcholine(ACh)-induced relaxation in rat mesenteric artery. Especially, the two predominant components of acetylcholine(ACh)-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation, EDHF component and NO component were both inhibited by superoxide anion from pyrogallol. However, exposure to superoxide anion from pyrogallol had no effect on the endothelium-independent relaxations to pinacidil or sodium nitroprusside (SNP) in rat mesenteric artery.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>These results indicate that superoxide anion can inhibit the endothelium-dependent relaxation in rat mesenteric artery, but has no effect on the endothelium-independent relaxation, in which the inhibited effect of EDHF and NO from endothelium is involved.</p>

Role of amino acid residues at positions 322 and 329 of hemagglutinin in virulence of H5N1 avian influenza virus / 病毒学报

Two H5N1 avian influenza viruses (AIV), A/mallard/Huadong/S/2005 (S, IVPI = 2.65, in mallard) and A/mallard/Huadong/Y/2003 (Y, IVPI = 0, in mallard), were capable of distinct in pathogenicity to non-immunized mallards (Anas platyrhynchos). There were two amino acid residues difference in the HA cleavage site between two viruses, 322 (S, Leu; Y, Gln) and 329 (S, deletion; Y, Lys). Based on the variation, a series of recombinant viruses carrying HA gene either from S or Y virus with mutation at 322 and/or 329 were constructed via reverse genetics system to explore the influence of the two amino acid residues on viral pathogenicity in mallards. Recombinant viruses with S virus backbone were completely attenuated in terms of their virulence to ducks when position 322 (L322Q) and/or position 329 (-329K) of HA gene had been mutated. The critical role that L322 and -329 of HA protein from S virus play in the high virulence to ducks were influenced by the entire background of that protein because the recombinant virus with HA gene from Y and other seven genes from S were completely attenuated even if Q322L and K329- mutations of HA gene had been achieved. Recombinant viruses with Y virus backbone significantly increased their virulence to ducks when position 322 (Q322L) and/or position 329 (K329-) of HA gene had been mutated. All recombinant viruses carrying HA gene from Y with Q322L and/or K329-mutations and other seven genes from S were completely attenuated in terms of virulence to ducks whereas all recombinant viruses carrying HA gene from Y with same mutations and other seven genes from Y gained significant virulence. It seems that the compatibility among eight genes might be an important factor for HA to exert its functions. Results indicated that the mutation at amino acid position 322 and deletion at 329 in HA cleavage site significantly influence the pathogenicity of S and Y viruses in mallard, the compatibility among eight genes also contribute to the pathogenicity of both viruses in mallard.