[Effect of equal temperature bladder irrigation in patients with transurethral resection of prostate: A meta-analysis].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of equal temperature bladder irrigation on bladder spasm, postoperative bleeding, vital signs and discomfort of chills in patients of transurethral resection of prostate using meta-analysis. METHODS: Several electronic databases included Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang, VIP, China Biology Medicine (CBM) were searched systematically for published randomized controlled trial about equal temperature bladder irrigation in patients with transurethral resection of prostate before November 20, 2019. Two reviewers selected independently the literature in the light of the inclusion and exclusion criteria, assessed the risk of bias by quality assessment and extracted data which were consisted of clinical efficacy indexes, such as incidence of bladder spasm, severity of bladder spasm, incidence of tube plugging, amount of bladder flushing fluid, time of bladder flushing, heart rate, systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, and incidence of chills. Data were pooled using fixed-effects model or random-effects model, and the summary effect measure was calculated by risk ratio (RR) or mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence interval (95%CI). Meta-analysis was performed by Review Manager 5.3 Software. RESULTS: In the study, 13 randomized controlled trails met the requirement with a total of 2 033 patients of transurethral resection of prostate were included, of whom 1 015 were carried out with equal temperature bladder irrigation and 1 018 with room temperature bladder irrigation. The results of meta-analysis showed that incidence of bladder spasm [RR=0.51, 95%CI (0.45, 0.57), P < 0.001], severity of bladder spasm [MD=-1.61, 95%CI (-2.00, -1.23), P < 0.001], incidence of urinary blockage [RR=0.29, 95%CI (0.19, 0.44), P < 0.001], dosage of bladder irrigation [MD=-6.75, 95%CI (-7.33, -6.17), P < 0.001], time of bladder rinse [MD=-7.60, 95%CI (-11.91, -3.29), P < 0.001], heart rate [MD=-13.68, 95%CI (-15.19, -12.17), P < 0.001], systolic pressure [MD=-29.26, 95%CI (-31.92, -26.59), P < 0.001], diastolic pressure [MD=-29.36, 95%CI (-31.75, -26.98), P < 0.001], incidence of chills and discomfort [MD=0.37, 95%CI (0.31, 0.44), P < 0.001] in equal temperature group of the patients with transurethral resection of prostate had significantly statistical difference compared with room temperature group. CONCLUSION: Based on current available evidence, equal temperature bladder irrigation reduced the incidence of bladder spasm and urinary blockage, relieved bladder spasm, reduced dosage and time of bladder irrigation, and hardly affected normal vital signs and increased the patient' s comfort.

[Study on the pharmacodynamic activity of combinations with the new anti-tuberculosis drug pyrifazimine in vitro and in vivo in mouse].

Objective: To evaluate two-drug combination interaction between pyrifazimine(TBI-166) and anti-drug-resistant tuberculosis group A drugs Bedaquiline (BDQ), Moxifloxacin (MFX) and the new anti-tuberculosis drug Delamanid (DLM), SQ109, Q203, and PBTZ169 in vitro and in vivo in mouse, so as to provide basis for TBI-166 combination therapy. Methods: This study was performed from September 2020 to July 2021. The chessboard method was used to evaluate the interaction between TBI-166 and BDQ, MFX, DLM, SQ109, and PBTZ169. The time-killing kinetics method was used to evaluate the anti-tuberculosis activity of the two-drug combination with partial synergy. The BALB/c mouse acute infection model was used to evaluate the anti-tuberculosis activity at 4 and 8 weeks in the two-drug combination group (TBI-166+BDQ, TBI-166+SQ109, TBI-166+PBTZ169, TBI-166+Q203) and monotherapy groups (TBI-166, BDQ, SQ109, PBTZ169, Q203). Data analysis was performed using an independent sample t-test. Results: After TBI-166 combined with anti-tuberculosis drugs, MIC was reduced to 6.25% to 25.00% of TBI-166 monotherapy. After TBI-166 combined with BDQ, SQ109 and PBTZ169, the partial inhibitory concentration index (FICI) values were 0.53, 0.75 and 0.75, respectively; the time sterilization experiment showed that the viable population of Mycobacterium tuberculosis treated with two-drug combination of TBI-166 and BDQ, SQ109, PBTZ169 for 14 days decreased at least 3 log10 CFU/ml. In the mouse experiments, it was found that, the amount of viable bacteria in lung tissue of BDQ, SQ109 and PBTZ169 combined with TBI-166 groups was lower than that of the monotherapy group,respectively. The lung tissue culture of mice in the TBI-166+BDQ group was negative after 4 weeks of treatment, and the number of live bacteria in the lungs of the TBI-166+BDQ group was 1.49 log10CFU lower than that of the BDQ monotherapy group(P<0.01). Conclusion: In vitro and in vivo experiments in mice revealed that TBI-166 had synergistic anti-tuberculosis activity after being combined with BDQ, SQ109 and PBTZ169, respectively.

[Clinical characteristics of crystal deposits in joints and tendons in patients with gout].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the abnormal manifestations and clinical features of patients with gout according to the location of crystal deposits: in articulars or in tendons. METHODS: A total of 105 patients with gout who were continuously treated in the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology of Peking University People's Hospital from June 2019 to December 2019 were selected and their knees, ankles, toes and painful joints and tendons were examined by high-frequency ultrasound. Then we grouped them according to the presence or absence of sodium urate crystals and the location of the crystals, collected their clinical data, and analyzed the clinical characteristics. RESULTS: Among the 105 patients, 25 patients had no crystal deposits in the joints or tendons (as the non-crystal group), 43 patients had intra-articular crystals (as the joint group), and 37 patients had intra-tendon crystals with or without intra-articular crystals (as the tendon group). Among them, the most involved part of sodium urate crystals deposited in the joints was the metatarsophalangeal joint (29 cases, 67.4%), followed by knee joints (10 cases, 23.2%), ankle joints (9 cases, 20.9%). The most involved part of sodium urate crystals deposited in the tendon was the quadriceps tendon (16 cases, 43.2%), followed by the Achilles tendon (13 cases, 35.1%), the patellar tendon (12 cases, 32.4%), and the three heads of brachii tendons (5 cases, 13.5%). The three groups were compared using multi-sample analysis of variance/multi-sample rank sum test. Age, age of first increase in uric acid (UA), serum glucose (Glu) level and C reactive protein (CRP) were all significantly different. After multiple comparisons, compared with the non-crystal group, age, the age of first increase in uric acid, and CRP were significantly higher in the tendon group. There was no significant difference between the non-crystal group and the joint group. There was no significant difference between the tendon group and the joint group. CONCLUSION: In patients with gout, it is common for ultrasound to find crystals deposited in joints or tendons. The most commonly affected parts include the metatarsophalangeal joint, knee joint, ankle joint, quadriceps tendon, Achilles tendon, patellar tendon, and triceps tendon. There were significant differences among the three groups in age, age of first increase in uric acid, CRP and blood glucose, and the proportion of urinary calculi in patients with crystal deposits was significantly higher than those without crystal deposits.

[Comparison of endoscopic features between colorectal sessile serrated adenoma/polyp with or without cytologic dysplasia and hyperplastic polyp].

Objective: To investigate the morphological features of colorectal sessile serrated adenoma/polyp (SSA/P) and hyperplastic polyp (HP) by white light endoscope (WLE) and Image enhancement endoscope (IEE) . Methods: The data of 7 384 patients who underwent colonoscopy at the Center of Digestive Endoscopy, Peking University International Hospital from August 1, 2016 to February 29, 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. WLE and IEE[Fuji intelligent chromo endoscopy (FICE) or Blue Laser Imaging (BLI) ]were used to compare the morphological features of SSA/P with HP, SSA/P-CD(+)with SSA/P-CD(-). The diagnostic values of endoscopic features in SSA/P and SSA/P-CD(+)were analyzed. Results: A total of 3 401 polyps were detected in 7 384 patients, including 164 SSA/Ps (135 patients). During the same period, there were 270 HPs (223 patients) in accordance with the admission criteria. Compared with HP group, SSA/P group was more common in the right colon with a diameter>5 mm and more likely to be manifested as: Ⅱ-O pit pattern, surface mucus, cumulus-like surface, irregular morphology, VMV, redness, and also more likely to be associated with colon adenoma, colon cancer elsewhere in the colorectum. The differences were statistically significant (P<0.01). Compared with SSA/P-CD(-)group, SSA/P-CD(+)group was more common in the right colon with a diameter>5 mm and more likely to be manifested as: Ⅱ-O pit pattern, surface mucus, cumulus-like surface, irregular morphology, VMV. The differences were statistically significant (P<0.001). The differential diagnosis between SSA/P and HP was predicted by combining any two endoscopic morphological features (right colon, Ⅱ-O pit pattern, surface mucus, cumulus surface, irregular morphology, VMV, diameter>5 mm, at least 2 of 7 endoscopic features). The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive likelihood ratio and negative likelihood ratio were 59.15%, 95.56%, 81.80%, 13.32 and 0.43, respectively. Similarly, the differential diagnosis between SSA/P-CD(+) and HP was predicted. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive likelihood ratio and negative likelihood ratio were 92.16%, 95.56%, 95.02%, 20.76 and 0.08, respectively. Conclusion: Comprehensive analysis of the WLE and FICE/BLI morphological features of the lesions can effectively distinguish SSA/P from HP, especially SSA/P-CD(+) from HP.

Proteomic analysis of mycelial proteins from Magnaporthe oryzae under nitrogen starvation.

Magnaporthe oryzae is an important model system in studies of plant pathogenic fungi, and nitrogen is a key nutrient source affecting microbial growth and development. In order to understand how nitrogen stress causes changes in mycelial proteins, we analyzed differentially expressed mycelial proteins from the M. oryzae virulent strain CH-63 using two-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometry in complete medium or under nitrogen starvation conditions. A total of 975 ± 70 and 1169 ± 90 protein spots were detected in complete medium and under nitrogen starvation conditions, respectively. Forty-nine protein spots exhibited at least 2-fold up-regulation or down-regulation at the protein level according to PDQuest7.4. Moreover, 43 protein spots were successfully identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight/time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Among these spots, 6 proteins were functionally unknown and 37 proteins were categorized into 5 groups according to their functions, including development, metabolism, biosynthesis, and biological process. These 37 proteins were further analyzed for their enriched metabolic pathways by KOBAS2.0, and 14 proteins were found to be involved in glycolysis, tricarboxylic acid cycle, and nitrogen metabolism. Taken together, the regulation of M. oryzae growth under the nitrogen starvation conditions appears to be complex because of the various proteins and enzymes involved.

Tetradecyl 2,3-dihydroxybenzoate promotes functional recovery after spinal cord injury in adult rats.

Tetradecyl 2,3-dihydroxybenzoate (ABG001) is a small molecule separated from gentian extract that has a similar effect to nerve growth factor. It is not clear whether it can promote functional recovery in animals suffering from a central nervous system injury. In order to explore the role of ABG001 in restoration of tissue structure and motor function of rats with spinal cord injury (SCI), ABG001 (0.4 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally. Subsequently, behavioral assessments and morphological studies were performed to detect recovery of hind limb motor function and neuroregeneration. The results showed that compared with DMSO group, the rats in the ABG treatment group had better performance in BBB score and grip strength test (P < 0.05), the area of necrosis was smaller (P < 0.05), GFAP expression was significantly reduced (P < 0.01), and Map-2 expression was significantly increased (P < 0.01). Additionally, after ABG treatment, the number of fluorogold positive cells transported reversely to red nucleus increased (P < 0.05). The results suggest that ABG001 can promote recovery of hind limb motor function in rats with SCI, which may be related to its functions of inhibiting glial cell proliferation and promoting neuroregeneration.

[Clinical effects of island posterior femoral composite tissue flaps in the repair of sinus cavity pressure ulcers in the areas of ischial tuberosity and greater trochanter].

Objective: To explore the clinical effects of island posterior femoral composite tissue flaps in the repair of sinus cavity pressure ulcers in the areas of ischial tuberosity and greater trochanter. Methods: The retrospective observational study was conducted. From December 2018 to December 2021, 23 patients with sinus cavity pressure ulcers in the areas of ischial tuberosity and greater trochanter who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to Ganzhou People's Hospital, including 16 males and 7 females, aged 45 to 86 years. The size of pressure ulcers in ischial tuberosity ranged from 1.5 cm×1.0 cm to 8.0 cm×5.0 cm, and the size of pressure ulcers in greater trochanter ranged from 4.0 cm×3.0 cm to 20.0 cm×10.0 cm before debridement. After treatment of underlying diseases, debridement and vacuum sealing drainage for 5 to 14 days were performed. All the wounds were repaired by island posterior femoral composite tissue flaps, with area of 4.5 cm×3.0 cm-24.0 cm×12.0 cm, pedicle width of 3-5 cm, pedicle length of 5-8 cm, and rotation radius of 30-40 cm. Most of the donor site wounds were sutured directly, and only 4 donor site wounds were repaired by intermediate thickness skin graft from the contralateral thigh. The survival of composite tissue flaps, wound healing of the donor and recipient sites and the complications were observed. The recurrence of pressure ulcers, and the appearance and texture of flaps were observed during follow-up. Results: A total of 32 wounds in 23 patients were repaired by island posterior femoral composite tissue flaps (including 3 fascio subcutaneous flaps, 24 fascial flaps+fascio subcutaneous flaps, 2 fascial flaps+fascial dermal flaps, 2 fascial flaps+fascio subcutaneous flaps+femoral biceps flaps, and one fascial flap+fascio subcutaneous flap+gracilis muscle flap). Among them, 31 composite tissue flaps survived well, and a small portion of necrosis occurred in one fascial flap+fascio subcutaneous flap post surgery. The survival rate of composite tissue flap post surgery was 96.9% (31/32). Twenty-nine wounds in the recipient sites were healed, and 2 wounds were torn at the flap pedicle due to improper postural changes, and healed one week after bedside debridement. One wound was partially necrotic due to the flap bruising, and healed 10 days after re-debridement. Thirty-one wounds in the donor sites (including 4 skin graft areas) were healed, and one wound in the donor site was torn due to improper handling at discharge, and healed 15 days after re-debridement and suture. The complication rate was 12.5% (4/32), mainly the incision dehiscence of the flap pedicle and the donor sites (3 wounds), followed by venous congestion at the distal end of flap (one wound). During the follow-up of 3 to 24 months, the pressure ulcers did not recur and the flaps had good appearance and soft texture. Conclusions: The island posterior femoral composite tissue flaps has good blood circulation, large rotation radius, and sufficient tissue volume. It has a high survival rate, good wound healing, low skin grafting rate in the donor site, few postoperative complications, and good long-term effect in the repair of sinus cavity pressure ulcers in the areas of ischial tuberosity and greater trochanter.

[Utility of GPR68 and TIL in TPF-induced chemotherapy and prognosis evaluation in middle-advanced hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma].

Objective: To evaluate the roles of G Protein-Coupled Receptor 68 (GPR68) and tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) in TPF-(paclitaxel, cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil) induced chemotherapy for middle-advanced hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas. Methods: A total of 31 patients with middle-advanced hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma before TPF-inducted chemotherapy were enrolled from September 2012 to November 2017 in Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, including 28 males and 3 females, aged 43 to 71 years old. The expression of GPR68 and tumor infiltrating CD4+and CD8+T cells before chemotherapy was detected by immunohistochemical staining, and the relationships between GPR68 expression and clinical features, chemotherapy efficacy and overall survival (OS) were analyzed using t-test. Results: After 3 cycles of chemotherapy, there were 4, 14, 10 and 3 patients respectively with complete response (CR), partial response (PR), stable disease (SD) and progressive disease (PD). The positive rates of GPR68 and CD8 were 25% and 40% respectively in the effective group (CR+PR), while 50% and 15% in the ineffective group (SD+PD), with statistically significant differences between two groups (t=5.17 and 12.86,P<0.001). Linear regression analysis showed that GPR68 was negatively correlated with CD8+T cells (r=-0.64,P<0.001). There was no significant correlation between the CD4 expression and TPF efficacy (P>0.05). The mean OS was 12.5 months in patients with high-expressed GPR68 and 25.0 months in patients with low-expressed GPR68, with a statistically significant difference (P=0.005). And mean OS was 25.0 months in patients with high-expressed CD8 and 14.5 months in low-expressed CD8, with a statistically significant difference (HR=2.58, P=0.019). Cox regression analysis showed that GPR68 and CD8+T cells were significant prognostic factors (OR(95%CI)=3.27(2.46-5.97) and 1.53(0.78-1.82), all P<0.05), while CD4 had no significant effect on prognosis (P>0.05). Conclusion: GPR68 and CD8+T cells are expected to be biomarkers for evaluating the efficacy and prognosis of TPF-induced chemotherapy in patients with middle-advanced hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Prevalence and risk factors of pulmonary embolism in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and its impact on outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The current study aimed to pool data for the prevalence of pulmonary embolism (PE) in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AE-COPD). We also aimed to assess the risk factors of PE and its impact on the outcomes of AE-COPD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PubMed, Embase, and CENTRAL databases were searched up to 1st January 2021 for prospective, retrospective, and cross-sectional studies reporting the prevalence of PE in AE-COPD based on computed tomography (CT) data. RESULTS: Sixteen studies were included. Pooled data of 5035 patients indicated the prevalence of PE in AE-COPD to be 12.9% (95% CI: 8.9%-18.4%). In studies wherein, all patients underwent CT the prevalence was 19.4% (95% CI: 13.4%-27.4%). On the other hand, the prevalence of PE was 7.8% (95% CI: 3.7%-15.7%) in studies where CT was carried out only after screening patients based on study-specific diagnostic protocol. Multiple studies indicated that recent immobilization, increased D-dimer levels, lower limb edema, older age and the concomitant presence of deep vein thrombosis were independent risk factors for PE in AE-COPD. Pooled analysis indicated that PE was associated with a significantly increased risk of mortality (OR: 3.21 95% CI: 1.86, 5.54 I2=52% p<0.0001) and longer ICU/hospital stay (MD: 3.26 95% CI: 1.93, 4.58 I2=0% p<0.00001) in AE-COPD. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of PE in AE-COPD is estimated to be 12.9%. This figure, however, varies based on the PE workup protocol. Higher prevalence (19.4%) was noted when all patients underwent CT as compared to when a study-specific diagnostic protocol was followed (7.8%). Recent immobilization, increased D-dimer levels, lower limb edema, older age and the concomitant presence of deep vein thrombosis are important independent risk factors for PE in patients with AE-COPD. Patients diagnosed with PE have increased mortality and longer ICU/hospital stay as compared to non-PE patients.

First Report of Impatiens necrotic spot virus Infecting Phalaenopsis and Dendrobium Orchids in Yunnan Province, China.

In November 2007, leaves of 79 Phalaenopsis and two Dendrobium orchid plants in a nursery in Yunnan Province showed large chlorotic/necrotic ringspot symptoms. Eight symptomatic leaves from Phalaenopsis and two from Dendrobium were sampled and tested for Impatiens necrotic spot virus (INSV), Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), Watermelon silver mottle virus (WSMoV), Groundnut bud necrosis virus (GBNV), Tomato chlorotic spot virus (TCSV), and Groundnut ringspot virus (GRSV) with double-antibody sandwich (DAS)-ELISA kits (Agdia Inc., Elkhart, IN). All samples were positive for INSV and negative for TSWV, WSMoV, GBNV, TCSV, and GRSV. Total RNA extracts were prepared from all ELISA-positive samples with the RNeasy extraction kit (Huashun Inc., Shanghai, China). Reverse transcription (RT)-PCR was carried out with specific primers to the INSV N gene (ZI2F, 5'-GTTTAGCCTTACCAAT-3' and ZI2R, 5'-TACCAACAACCGTGAA-3'), designed from a sequence of GenBank Accession No. AB109100. All ELISA-positive samples yielded an amplification product of the expected 539 bp as observed by gel electrophoresis in 1% agarose. Three clones from each isolate were sequenced and two N gene consensus sequences of the isolates from Phalaenopsis and Dendrobium were determined (GenBank Nos. GU289904 and GU289905, respectively). Nucleotide sequences of these two Chinese orchid isolates were 98 to 99% identical with sequences of isolates from the Netherlands, United States, Italy, and Japan (GenBank Nos. X66972, D00914, DQ425096 and AB109100, respectively). To our knowledge, this is the first report of INSV infecting Phalaenopsis and Dendrobium in Yunnan Province, although INSV has been reported in Oncidium in Yunnan Province previously (2), and the first time that INSV has been detected in Dendrobium. An investigation of the orchid nurseries looking for the thrips vector (1) of INSV was performed and a few thrips were found, suggesting that thrips may not be responsible for the observed prevalence of INSV in these nurseries. The orchids were imported from Taiwan and reproduced by tissue culture and it is possible that INSV found to be infecting orchids in these Yunnan nurseries may be from the infected source plant and was not eradicated completely through tissue culture. To reduce spread of INSV, virus-free tissue culture should be a priority for orchid production. References: (1). S. T. Koike and D. E. Mayhew. Orchids. Mag. Am. Orchid Soc. 70:746, 2001. (2). Q. Zhang et al. Plant Quarantine. 22:348, 2008.

Protective effect of cyclosporine on inflammatory injury of renal tubular epithelial cells.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore the protective effect of cyclosporine on inflammation-induced renal tubular epithelial cells and its potential mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human kidney-2 (HK-2) cells were induced by transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) for constructing an inflammatory injury model. Cells were then treated with different concentrations of cyclosporine for further investigating the biological functions. Cell viability was detected via cell counting kit-8 assay (CCK-8). The cytotoxicity was detected via lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay. Expression levels of cell damage factors and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway-related genes were detected via polymerase chain reaction (PCR), immunofluorescence and Western blotting, respectively. RESULTS: TGF-ß inhibited the viability of HK-2 cells, increased expressions of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and apoptosis-related genes. Cyclosporine treatment greatly reversed the cell damage on HK-2 cells induced by TGF-ß. Expression levels of mTOR pathway-related genes were downregulated after cyclosporine treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Cyclosporine protects HK-2 cells from inflammatory injury via regulating mTOR pathway.

A safe and efficient strategy for endoscopic resection of large, gastrointestinal lipoma.

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal (GI) lipomas are benign, slowly growing, submucosal tumors, which may cause gastrointestinal bleeding, anemia, intussusception, and bowel obstruction. The aim of this study is to explore the safe and effective strategy for endoscopic removal of large GI lipomas. METHODS: During last 10 years, fifteen large and symptomatic GI lipomas were resected under endoscopy in our hospital. In them, two large lipomas with small stalk (< 2 m in diameter) were resected by polypectomy; ten large lipomas with base size greater than 2 cm in diameter were removed using a "subtotal resection." Three other large lipomas with small stalk (< 2 m in diameter) were resected by multistep resection. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) and miniprobe endoscopic ultrasound were performed in six cases from January 2000 to July 2004 to confirm that those lesions were lipomas that were superficial to the muscularis propria. RESULTS: All 15 lesions were successfully removed and were histopathologically confirmed to be lipomas. No severe complications, such as perforation or hemorrhage, developed after endoscopic removal. No recurrence was observed after 1-8 years follow-up endoscopic examination. CONCLUSIONS: Various, large GI lipomas can be removed safely by electrosurgical snare resection under endoscopy following the guidance of the present therapeutic strategy.

Prevalence of hypertension and associated risk factors in Dehui City of Jilin Province in China.

To evaluate the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension and its risk factors in Dehui City of Jilin Province in China. The study was performed among 3778 subjects (male=1787) in Dehui City, Jilin Province of China. The subjects completed a standard questionnaire, biochemical tests and physical examinations. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify risk factors for hypertension. The prevalence of hypertension was 41.00% in this area. The awareness, treatment and the control of hypertension were 21.82, 15.56 and 1.10%, respectively, with city areas being significantly higher than rural areas. Significant risk factors for hypertension included age, sex, central obesity, alcohol consumption, family history of hypertension, dyslipidemia, education level and type of work. Further analysis showed that diabetes for urban participants and cigarette smoking for rural participants were risk factors but were not statistically significant at the multi-variate level. The prevalence of hypertension in Dehui Ctiy of Jilin Province is higher than in other areas of China. In addition, rates of awareness and treatment of the condition are much lower than in other populations, with the control rate only 1.10%.

Involvement of dopamine D1 and D2 receptors in Fos immunoreactivity induced by stepholidine in both intact and denervated striatum of lesioned rats.

Stepholidine (SPD), a natural product, has been demonstrated in previous studies as a D1 agonist and D2 antagonist. In this work SPD-induced Fos immunoreactivity was examined. In the normal rats, Fos was induced in the striatum by SPD (1-20 mg/kg, i.p.) dose-dependently. The distribution of Fos-positive cells induced by SPD showed a rostral-caudal decline, matching the distribution of D2 dopamine receptors. The Fos-positive cells were mainly found in striatal neurons retrogradely labeled with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) from GP but not from SN, and could be abolished by the pretreatment of a D2 agonist LY171555 (2 mg/kg, i.p.), suggesting that the Fos expression in normal rats was due to the D2 antagonistic action of SPD. In the unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats, SPD (4 mg/kg, i.p.) induced Fos expression in intact and denervated side of the striatum with different characteristics. Similar to that of normal rats, the Fos expression in intact side possessed the rostral-caudal gradient and could be abolished by the pretreatment of LY171555. However, in the denervated side, the Fos positive cells were widely distributed, and mainly found in striatal neurons retrogradely labeled from SN but not from GP. Furthermore, this expression was prevented by the pretreatment of SCH23390 (0.2 mg/kg, i.p.) but not LY171555, suggesting that the Fos expression in denervated side was due to the D1 agonistic action of SPD. Therefore, we concluded that the Fos expression induced by SPD in intact and denervated striatum was mediated via D2 and D1 receptor respectively, supporting the previous standpoint that SPD possesses the dual action, i.e antagonist to D2 and agonist to D1 receptors. Furthermore, it is suggested that the contralateral turning behavior induced by SPD may result from the D1-mediated excitation of striatonigral neurons of the denervated side of the lesioned rats.

Effect of human growth hormone on the proliferation of human fetal islet cells in vitro.

In this study it was shown that 1000 micrograms/L hGH in serum-free medium promoted the attachment, spreading and formation of monolayer of islet cells. The radioactivity test indicated that hGH significantly stimulated the DNA synthesis of islet cells (P < 0.001). Furthermore, after 48 h exposure to hGH (1000 micrograms/L), both the insulin contents and release of islet cells significantly increased (P < 0.001); hGH also enhanced the responsiveness of fetal islet cells to high-concentration glucose plus theophylline stimulation (P < 0.001). However, the effect of hGH in the medium containing 10% newborn calf serum was not so prominent in comparison with that in the serum-free medium. The morphologic assay for mitotic cells showed a combination of 1000 micrograms/L hGH and 10% serum was the most efficient for inducing the mitosis, the mitotic index being 5.95%. We conclude that hGH is an important growth factor for human islet cells.

[Studies on the phospho-tyrosine proteins during the proliferation cycle of cultured aortic smooth muscle cells].

The dynamic change and distribution of phospho-tyrosine proteins (P-tyr-Pr) during the cell cycle of cultured rabbit aortic smooth muscle cells (ASMC) were studied by ELISA and immunohistochemical technique. The antibody which was specific for P-tyr-Pr was prepared by immunizing California white rabbits with synthesized phospho-tyrosine bovine serum albumin, and then the IgG obtained was purified and coupled to horseradish peroxidase to make it ready for use in ELISA. We find that the content of particle P-tyr-Pr fluctuated in G1 stage, both in the cytosol and in the nucleus, being the highest at late G1 stage (9 h after G0), and the content of particle P-tyr-Pr was much higher in the nucleus than in the cytosol throughout G1 stage. The immunohistochemical study, which locates the distribution of P-tyr-Pr in ASMC, also revealed that the nuclei were stained much darker than the cytosol, and the total P-tyr-Pr content (including both particle and soluble P-tyr-Pr) was the highest at late G1 stage, or higher than at G0 and before S stage (12 h after G0). But the distribution before S stage was similar to that at late G1 stage, and although the total content before S stage was lower than at late G1 stage, it was evidently higher than that at G0 stage. This last finding might have some bearing on the role of tyrosine protein kinase in the events of a cell cycle.

[Detection of clinical diagnosis and different symptoms of Sjogren's syndrome by traditional chinese medicine (TCM)]

OBJECTIVE:To search for the appropriate diagnostic criteria of SS and confirm the differentiation of SS.METHODS:The European di agnostic criteria has been used in clinic work for about two years,and differentiated the symptoms of SS by TCM. The specialty and relationship between them was made an inquiry.RESULTS:The European criteria set for SS offers the clinic work a practical method to correctly classify the patients suspected of having this disorder. It refers to the signs and symptoms caused by the insufficiency of spleen-qi with deficiency of liver-yin and kidney-yin.CONCLUSION:It has been further proved for easy to make up the diagnostic of SS and its treatment using traditional chinese medicine.

[Experimental research on animal model and treatment of Sjogren's syndrome by traditional chinese medicine (TCM)]

OBJECTIVE:To confirm the function of SS Syrup used in our department. METHODS: Under the basis of TCM and differentiation symptoms of SS,the animal model was established and applied to test the function of SS syrup.There are three indices to be observed,weight change,volume of drinking water daily,cAMP change. RESULTS: The three observed indices of dificiency symptom model had been rectified by SS syrup. CONCLUSION: SS syrup has two main functions:(1)reinforcing of the spleen and tonifying qi;(2)nourishing liver-yin and kidney-yin as well as removing pathogentic heat and fire.