Mouse peritoneal macrophages (MPM) were incubated with ApoE-poor VLDL or ApoE rich VLDL at same concentrations for 24 h. The ApoE mRNA content increased in both groups than that in control and the highest ApoE mRNA content was seen in MPM incubated with ApoE poor VLDL. The results suggest that VLDL could stimulate ApoE gene expression in MPM and the ApoE-poor VLDL has more pronounced effect. We think that the ApoE secreted by MPM may be incorporated into VLDL, especially the ApoE-poor VLDL, and thereby enhance the uptake of those lipoproteins by MPM or other local cells via ApoE-mediated receptor pathways.
The potential role of the protein kinase C (PKC) transduction system in controlling proliferation of human pituitary somatotrophinomas was investigated. Twenty somatotrophinomas were studied using PCR and diract sequencing methods. No point mutation within the αPKC gene, previously thought to be associated with invasive pituitary tumors, was found in any of the 20 somatotrophinomas. It is concluded that PKC transduction system may play an important role in controlling pituitary somatotrophinoma proliferation, but there is no correlation between invasiveness and the previously reported αPKC gene mutation.
The effect of progesterone on osteocalcin gene expression was investigated in order to understand how progesterone acts on osteoblastin vitro. For this purpose, fetal rat calvanal osteoblasts were cultured in the medium containing 10−9 M -10−6 M progesterone respectively for two weeks while the cells progressing differentiation. Northern blot analysis showed that progesterone increased the level of osteocalcin mRNA in a dose-dependent manner. Among those doses of progesterone employed in this study, only 10−6 M hormone caused a significant induction of osteocalcin gene expression (2. 3 fold, F<0. 01). Our results demonstrated for the first time that the osteocalcin gene expression is regulated by progesterone. In addition, the results obtained from our study provides a good evi dence for the direct effect of progesterone on osteoblastin vitro.
p53 gene mutation (exon4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and intron6) in gastric cancer and precancerous lesions and p53 gene(exon4 and ontron6), APC gene deletion in gastric carcinomas were studied by PCR/SSCP and PCR/RFLP. Results showed mutation rate of p53 in metaplasia, dysplasia and gastric carcinoma was 37. 5 % (3/8), 42.11 % (8/19), 53.33 (16/30) respectively. There was significant difference among groups of metaplasia, dysplasia, cancer and normal controls. No exon8 mutation was found in metaplasia and dysplasia, but 4 cases were found to have exon8 mutation in cancer group. It is suggested that exon8 mutation occurs at the late stage of gastric cancer, but exon 5,6,7 mutation occur in the course of precancerous lesion to cancer. Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of exon4, intron6, APC was 47,37 % (9/19), 8.73% (2/23), 16.67 % (3/18) respectively. LOH of exon4 had something to do with poor differentiation, lymph node metastasis, depth of invasion. LOH of exon4 may be one of prognostic marker of gastric cancer. We are led to conclude that p53 gene mutation is an early event and perhaps work together with ras oncogene in gastric carcinogenesis
A summer-autumn (1994) molecular epidemiological study of enteric adenoviruses (EAds) in stool specimens collected in Wuhan area was conducted by using Digoxigenin-labelled DNA probes specific to EAd40 and EAd40 respectively. 44 of 602 specimens were positive, among which 23 cases were identified as EAd40, 14 were EAd40 infection and 7 were dual infection. The ratio of males to females for the positive specimens was 1. 44. The infection rate of EAd40 and EAd40 each displayed no marked difference in seasons (summer and autumn) and similar age distribution was found between them. All of the two types of EAds infections predominated in patients with diarrhea under 3 years old. The results indicated that the Digoxigenin probe could detect DNA quantities as low as 1 pg with satisfactory specificity and the technique can be used for both clinical and experimental purposes.
Comparison in the heart rate, oral temperature and lymphocyte DNA damage during heat stress was made in pilots with negative antibodies to heat stress proteins (HSPs) and those with positive antibodies in the man-made climate room with Western blot and comet assay. Our results showed that the increase in oral temperature, heart rate and lymphocyte DNA damage in pilots with the positive antibodies to HSPs were higher than those in pilots with the negative antibodies during heat stress. These results indicated that the presence of autoantibodies in plasma of pilots might reflect heat damage and high sensitivity to heat.
In order to understand the molecular mechanisms of gallstone formation, the expression of calponin in animal model of gallstone disease was studied. High-cholesterol diet was given to the guinea pigs to induce gallstone formation. RT-PCR and Western-blotting were used to evaluate expression level of calponin gene. Down-regulation of calponin gene expression was observed in animals with gallstone, while myosin expression was relatively stable. Our results indicated that the decrease of calponin could increase the pressure of Oddi’s sphincter, aggravate the stasis of bile and promote the gallstone formation.
The effects of levobunolol hydrochlorid (Bun) on the type L calcium channel currents (Ica and delayed rectifier potassium channel currents (Ik) in isolated ventricular myocytes of guinea pig were studied by using patch clamp whole cell recording techniques. The results were showed that: 1) Bun caused a dosedependent decrease in Ica and a dose-dependent increase in Ik of the ventricular myocytes. The threshold concentrations of Bun for Ica and Ik were 10−8 mol/L and 10−7 mol/L respectively. The maximum effective concentration of Bun for both Ica and Ik was 3 × 10−5 mol/L, and half-maximal concentration Was 3 × 10−6 mol/L; 2) Ik was blocked by 2 × 10−6mol/L tetraethylammonium (TEA). A concentration of 3 × 10−6 mol/L Bun showed a decreasing effect on the Ic as revealed by the current-voltage relationship curve, i.e., Bun caused an elevation of the curve; 3) When Ica was blocked by 2X10−6 mol/L Isoptin (Verapamil), at a concentration of 3 × 10−6 mol/L Bun showed an increasing effect on Ik and the effect could be blocked by TEA- The above-mentioned results indicated that Bun had an inhibitory effect on Ica and a fascilitatory effect on Ik. The results suggested that the molecular mechanisms of antihypertensive, heart rate slowing and β-receptor blocking effects of Bun might be due to decrease of Ica and increase of Ik.
The effect of a pure α-adrenergic agent, methoxamine on ventricular fibrillation (VF) amplitude and the relation between hemodynamic parameters and survival in a rodent cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) model were studied. Our results suggested that: 1) VF amplitude decreased during untreated VF, but it increased during pericardial chest compression; 2) methoxamine significantly increased the mean aortic pressure (MAP) and coronary perfusion pressure (CPP) but not VF amplitude, and the survival also increased due to elevation of CPP; and 3) all surviving animals with successful defibrillation had a higher VF amplitude.
The corrected shunt flow rate (Fc) and corrected defect orifice area (Ac) were calculated by modified equation F = 2πR2 × (NL-Vlvot × Sinθ) in 23 patients with single membranous ventricular septal defect, in order to correct the effect of left ventricular outflow on flow convergence region on the left septal surface. The results indicated that Fc was closely correlated with Qp — Q5 and Qp/Qs measured by pulsed wave Doppler (r = 0. 95 andr = 0. 81 respectively,P <0. 001). And the correlation between Ac and the diameter of defect (Dd) measured directly in two-dimensional views was better than that between uncorrected defect orifice area (A) and the Dd(r = 0. 98 and 0. 69, respectively,P <0. 001). The shunt flow rate calculated by ideal equation F = 2πR2 × NL overestimated the actu al shunt flow rate in ventricular septal defect, especially in membranous type. Our study concluded that Fc can be used for a more accurate evaluation of the shunt seventy of ventricular septal defect.
An animal model of subarachnoid cavity drugs perfusion and its prehmllary clinical application in treatment of acute spinal cord injury (SCI) were reported. Analysis of the heart rate(HR), ECG, blood pressure (CVP, CAP), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressuer and CSF gas and pH values of 10 healthy adult goats during subarachnoid daxamethasone, verapamd perfusion showed that this model was safe and reliable 26 patients with acute SCI were selected for a clinical obseration. Good results were obtained in 7 cases who received this treatment of subarachnoid cavity perfusion with dexamethasone and verapamil.
This paper presents the results of sonographic and radiographic examinations in 48 patients clinically diagnosed as having bone tumors. Sonography re vealed bone destruction in all 48 cases, elevated periosteum in 26 cases and soft tissue mass in 34 cases. The results obtained in this series demonstrate that most bone tumors have their characteristic sonographic features such as giant cell tumors, malignant bone tumors, bone cysts, as well as metastatic lesions. Study showed that sonography has equally high accuracy in the diagnosis of these tumors compared with radiography.
The utero-placental-fetal circulation (UPFC) of 150 subjects during second and third trimester was examined by using color Doppler. Of them 89 were normal woman and 58 were patients with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). Our results showed that UPFC was increased gradually during normal pregnant period. In IUGR patients it was revealed that TAV and Q of UmA, UmV and UtA decreased at 20th week of gestation, especially after 30th week. PI, RI and S/D ratio of UmA were increased, but TAV, Q of UmA and UmV were markly reduced, so was UtA. PI were increased, but the changes of RI, S/D ratio in UtA were not significant. Hemodynamical findings of UmA, UmV and UtA were abnormal in 92. 53 % of IUGR patients, Only 81. 03% present abnormal S/D ratio of UmA (P <0. 01) and the difference was statistically significant. Maternal serum E3, HPL level in IUGR were significantly lower than that of the normal. 6KP level was reduced, TXB2/6KP ratio was significantly increased. TXB2/6KP ratio was markedly related with TAV, Q of UmA, UmV and UtA. Our results suggested that using color doppler ultrasound for examination of hemodynamical changes of UmA, UmV and UtA could revealed UPFC function directly. It is one of the best methods for monitoring IUGR and might be used for early diagnosis of IUGR. The main pathophysiological changes of IUGR were UPFC obstruction and placental disfunction.
The proliferation of mesangial cells on cyclosporin (CsA) test medium was studied by MTT assay and TNF-α in cultured supernatant was examined by using ELISA. The results showed that cyclosporin A significantly inhibited the proliferation of mesangial cells at the concentration between 0. 25 – 15 μg/ml (IC50 1 μg/ml). This action appeared to be dose-dependent. Release of TNF-α from mesangial cells stimulated by LPS was also dose-dependently suppressed. It is suggested that cyclosporin A play an important role in antiprohferation mechanism of mesangial cellsin vitro.
A histological and ultrastructural observation of CHA implanted intra muscularly and subcutaneously had been reported. Our results showed that a mild inflammation developed at the early stage and disappeared 2 weeks after implantation. The infiltrating cells were mainly monocyte-macrophages, a number of fibroblasts followed macrophags closely. It was possible that as CHA degrades, monocyte-macrophages continuously released inflammatory factors, thus enhanc ing fibroblast proliferation activity and tissue regeneration. In addition, the het erotopic calcification of collagen matrix was observed, suggesting that CHA pro moted calcification deposition.
Fungal peritonitis (FP) is a serious infectious complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD). This retrospective study was conducted in 11 cases of FP among 64 cases of patients with bacterial peritonitis (BP). Our results showed that age and sex underlying disease did not correlate significantly with the development of FP (P>0. 05), while long-term, repeated administration of antibiotics did (P <0. 01). It is suggested that the patients recently suffering from BP and being resistant to antibiotics were at great risk of suffering from FP. The key to prevent FP was to avoid BP, to use sensitive antibiotics with appropriate courses and to give nutritive treatment.
Twenty hemodialysis (HD) patients and 20 patients on continuous am bulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) were investigated for lipids, lipoproteins and apolipoproteins abnormalities. HD patients had elevated serum triglyceride, decreased high-density hpoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and apohpoprotein A-I (Apo A-I), while CAPD patients had elevated total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density hpoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), Apohpoprotein B (Apo B), Apo B/ Apo A-Iratio, and decreased HDL-C, Apo A-I. Because of the molecular sieving effects of peritoneum, CAPD have a negative effect on these abnormalities. CAPD patients might be at greater risk of developing coronary artery disease than HD patients who are also at increased riskas compared with normals.