Studies on the structure and function of the apolipoprotein(a) gene

Lp(a) is an LDL-like lipoprotein that is a major inherited risk factor for atherosclerosis. It is distinguished from Lp(a) by the addition of apolipoprotein(a). The gene structure of apolipoprotein(a) is homologous to plasminogen, and competition with plasminogen activity may account for some of the pathophysiology associated with Lp(a). Six highly related genes have now been identified, and at least four are found in close proximity in overlapping genomic clones. Studies have begun on the regulation of apolipoprotein (a) gene expression, and the human apolipoprotein(a) gene has been inserted into transgenic mice, where it leads to the development of arterial lesions.     

视觉诱发电位在诊断多发性硬化症中的应用

目的：探讨视觉诱发电位对多发性硬化症早期诊断的应用价值。方法：对多发性硬化症患行视觉诱发电位（VEP）检查。结果：多发性硬化症患常有视神经受累，经视觉诱发电位检测，P100波潜伏期均有不同程度延长，P100波振幅降低。结论：视觉诱发电位对多发性硬化症早期诊断有重要价值。     

骨质疏松症患者血清CT、Ca和P的水平观察

目的：为了研究血清降钙素（CT）、钙（Ca）和磷（P）的水平对激素引起男、女性骨质疏松症（OP）的影响。方法：放射免疫分析了血清CT的水平,生化法测定了血钙和血磷,发光免疫分析了性激素水平,并都做了相关性分析。结果：67例男性OP的血清Ca、P和E2均明显高于正常对照组（P均〈0.01）,而血清CT和T较正常对照组明显降低（P〈0.01）。在治疗前,60例女性OP患者血清Ca、P和T均明显高于正常对照组（P均〈0.01）,而血清CT和E2较正常对照组明显降低（P〈0.01）;治疗后女性OP患者血清CT和E2较治疗前明显增高,血清Ca、P和T明显降低,血清CT、E2和T较正常对照组接近（P均〉0.05）,而血清Ca和P较正常对照组仍增高（P〈0.05）。结论：由性激素引起的OP与血清CT、Ca、P和性激素相互之间存在着相关关系。在女性OP治疗时,以CT、E2和T水平为随访的最佳指导。     

Vacuum Ultraviolet Photolysis of Hydrocarbon Polymers

Summary: The wavelength‐dependent vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) photolysis of several polymers, low density polyethylene (LDPE), biaxially oriented poly(propylene) (BOPP), atactic polystyrene (PS), and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), was studied by irradiation in vacuum with the well‐characterized emissions from four different resonant or excimer VUV sources. These lamps comprise radiofrequency (r.f.) discharges in different noble gases, such as krypton, xenon (at low pressures, producing near‐monochromatic resonant line radiations), xenon excimer (at “high” pressure), and a deuterium/argon mixture (producing a broad‐band emission). VUV‐induced mass loss (ablation or etching) was monitored in situ by quartz crystal microbalance measurements. Following irradiation, samples were analysed by ATR‐FTIR and XPS, to evaluate near‐surface structural changes (e.g., creation of unsaturation, cross‐linking) resulting from the VUV‐initiated bond scissions and radical‐creation reactions. PMMA was the most readily ablatable polymer, whereas the mass loss of BOPP was higher than that of LDPE, regardless of the irradiation wavelength, λ. All polymers were found to form double bonds, with the exception of PS, which is rather stable, probably due to energy dissipation by fluorescence.

Formation of double bonds in a) vinyl‐, b) vinylidene‐, and c) vinylene‐like unsaturated groups, as a function of the radiation dose, D, for KrL (?), XeL (?), and D₂Ar‐irradiated (?) PMMA.     

New insights in the role of nucleoporins: A bridge leading to concerted steps from HIV-1 nuclear entry until integration

Human Immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), as well as many other viruses that depend on nuclear entry for replication, has developed an evolutionary strategy to dock and translocate through the nuclear pore complex (NPC). In particular, the nuclear pore is not a static window but it is a dynamic structure involved in many vital cellular functions, as nuclear import/export, gene regulation, chromatin organization and genome stability. This review aims to shed light on viral mechanisms developed by HIV-1 to usurp cellular machinery to favor viral gene expression and their replication. In particular, it will be reviewed both what is known and what is speculated about the link between HIV translocation through the nuclear pore and the proviral integration in the host chromatin.     

Dexamethasone attenuates LPS-induced changes in expression of urea transporter and aquaporin proteins,ameliorating brain endotoxemia in mice

Aim: AQP4 in the brain is involved in the occurrence and development of a variety of encephalopathy. AQPs family changes in kidney were accompanied by altered UTs family. The aim of this study was to observe AQP4 and UT-A3 expression in CNS and to explore their role in the pathogenesis of endotoxemia encephalopathy following peripheral LPS injection in mice. Methods: Endotoxemia was induced in C57Bl/6 mice by intraperitoneal injection of LPS. The expression of UT-A3 and AQP4 in brain were detected by Western blot and immunohistochemistry, the level of cytokines were detected by ELISA, and the content of LDH, AST/ALT, BUN and CREA were detected by colorimetric method. Results: As compared with the control group, in model group, the brain weight/ body weight ratio increased by 13%. Meanwhile, a 2.5 fold increase in LDH and a 1.2 fold increase in AST/ALT were found in peripheral serum (P < 0.05), and also, BUN and CREA increased 2.5 fold (P < 0.01). In addition to severe CNS injury in response to lipopolysaccharide, the contents of cytokines and the expression of AQP4 protein in hippocampal is increased (P < 0.05), while the expression of UT-A3 protein in the hippocampus and cortical astrocytes decreased (P < 0.05). And, in part, Dexa pretreatment attenuated those effects. Conclusions: In endotoxemia encephalopathy, AQPs and UTs which regulate the functions of cell membrane are both altered. We suggested that the molecular mechanisms of regulation in endotoxemia may provide a new strategy for clinical treatment of the disease and drug binding sites.     

仿生型BG-COL-HYA-PS复合支架细胞相容性

目的:研究仿生型BG-COL-PS-HYA复合支架材料与成骨细胞的相容性。方法:将小鼠胚胎成骨细胞种植于BG-COL-HYA-PS、BG-COL复合材料、58SBG支架上,用MTT法、ALP活性测定等观察细胞在材料中的生长情况。通过体外实验方法,观察其生物相容性。结果:成骨细胞在BG-COL-HYA-PS材料上能良好粘附、增殖,而在58SBG材料上粘附差、细胞逐渐死亡。MTT法结果显示:联合培养后,BG-COL-HYA-PS组的OD值为0.314±0.004,5天时达到0.621±0.002,分别为58SBG组的1.49倍和1.44倍,P<0.05。结论:仿生型BG-COL-PS-HYA复合支架具有天然骨分级结构和有良好的生物相容性,在诱导成骨细胞增殖方面性能优越,可作为骨组织工程支架材料,临床应用前景广阔。     

Distribution of six neuropeptides in the nucleus tractus solitarii of the rat: an immunohistochemical analysis

Distribution of substance P-, [Leu]enkephalin-, cholecystokinin-8-, neurotensin-, avian pancreatic polypeptide- and gamma-melanocyte stimulating hormone-like immunoreactive structures were investigated in the nucleus tractus solitarii of the rat by means of the indirect immunofluorescence method. The density of the immunoreactive structures varied markedly according to neuropeptides or subnuclei, with the medial and commissural nuclei containing the highest density. This suggests that the peptides examined play a role in cardiovascular function. However, as seen in the substance P- and [Leu]enkephalin-like immunoreactive structures, these peptides were widely distributed in the nucleus tractus solitarii in addition to the commissural and medial nuclei; a high density of immunoreactive fibers in the ventral, dorsolateral and intermediate subnuclei. In addition to the immunoreactive fiber plexus, a group of immunoreactive cells was also identified in the subnuclei mentioned above. These findings strongly suggest that substance P- and [Leu]enkephalin-like immunoreactive structures are involved not only in cardiovascular function but also in other functions such as respiration, at least in the rat. Finally, the present study demonstrated that the area postrema, particularly its lateral portion, contains various neuropeptide-like structures, both neurons and fibers, substance P-, [Leu]enkephalin-, cholecystokinin-8- and neurotensin-like immunoreactive neurons and fibers, and avian pancreatic polypeptide- and gamma-melanocyte stimulating hormone-like immunoreactive fibers.     

Association of apoE gene polymorphisms with lipid metabolism in renal diseases

Background and ObjectivesApolipoprotein E (apoE) plays a central role in the metabolism and homeostasis of lipids. ApoE gene encodes three major isoforms: ε2, ε3 a nd ε4 forming six phenotypes: E2E2, E2E3, E2E4, E3E3, E3E3 and E4E4. Disorders of the lipid metabolism and the homeostasis are frequently coexist in renal diseases. The association between gene polymorphisms of apoE and lipid metabolism were not consistent. This meta-analysis was performed to assess the association between gene polymorphisms of apoE and lipid metabolism in renal diseases.MethodsA pre-defined literatures search and selection of eligible relevant investigations were performed to extract and collect data from electronic databases.ResultsSixteen articles were enrolled for the analysis of association between apoE gene polymorphisms and lipid metabolism. Subjects with E3E4 had a higher total cholesterol (TC) than those with E3E3, and subjects with E2E3 had a lower TC than those with E3E3. Subjects with ε2, had a lower TC than those with ε3 or ε4, and subjects with ε4 had a higher TC than those with, ε3. Subjects with E2E2, E2E3 or E4E4 had a higher triglyceride (TG) than those with E3E3. Subjects with ε4 had a higher TG than those with ε3. Subjects with ε2, had a higher level of TG than those with non-ε2. Subjects with E3E4 had a slightly lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL) than those with E3E3. E3E4 appeared to be associated with lower levels of HDL. Subjects with E2E2, E2E3 had a notably lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) than those with E3E3. Subjects with ε2, had a lower LDL than those with ε3 or ε4 ApoE gene polymorphisms were not associated with very low-density lipoprotein, and lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)]. Subjects with E2E3 or E2E4 had higher apoE levels than those with E3E3, and subjects with E4E4 had lower apoE levels than those with E3E3.ConclusionApoE gene polymorphisms are associated with the expression of TC, TG HDL, LDL, Lp(a) or apoE.     

植物血凝素（PHA）对小鼠骨髓粒—巨噬祖细胞的保护作用

以体外半固体琼脂培养方法,观察了PHA对小鼠骨髓CFU—GM的保护作用.结果显示 小鼠经腹腔往射PHA后,对小鼠CFU—GM的自杀率有明显提高,提示适量的PHA在体内可以促进小鼠CFU—GM增殖.使更多的CFU—GM由Go进入S期.我们发现4mg/kg三尖杉酯碱(Ha)明显抑制小鼠CFU—GM增殖,若先用PHA(30mg/kg处理小鼠,则可对抗上述剂量的Ha,使CFU—GM产率维持于对照组水平.提示PHA能有效地保护粒-巨噬系免受Ha的损害,     

In vitro Studies on Binding and Release of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Heparinized Bovine Pericardiums

Objective: To investigate binding and release of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its effect on adhesion and proliferation of endothelial cells (Ecs)in acellular fresh specimens of bovine pericardiums,which were modified by heparinization.Methods:Cross-linked acellular fresh specimens of bovine pericardiums were heparinized by three methods:(1) heparinized N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N'-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) treated acellular tissue samples;(2) heparinized poly(ethyleneimine)(PEI) treated acellular tissue samples;(3) heparinized EDC-PEI treated acellular tissue samples.Controlled release of VEGF and its effect on adhesion and proliferation of Ecs was evaluated.Results:In the present study,binding and release of VEGF had better performance in heparinized EDC-PEI treated group,compared with heparinized EDC-alone treated group and heparinized PEI -alone group.We could observe enhanced ability to adhesion and proliferation via modest moisture and effective controlled binding and release of VEGF.Conclusion:Binding of VEGF in heparinized EDC treated group was stable,while Exeiease of VEGF in heparinized treated group was adjusted freely.Interestingly,controlled binding and release of VEGF could exert beneficial effect on adhesion and proliferation of Ecs in heparinized EDC-PEI treated group.     

Severe coronary disease in an adult considered at low cardiovascular disease risk with a healthy lifestyle

Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is a lipoprotein subclass well-known among the lipid community to accelerate atherosclerosis and promote thrombosis through incompletely understood mechanism. We report a case of a young man with a healthy lifestyle and no major coronary or vascular risk factors who presented to the emergency department with an acute coronary syndrome and was ultimately found to have severe coronary artery disease. A diagnostic workup revealed elevated Lp(a). He was treated with consequent reduction in Lp(a) concentration. This case highlights the need to better understand atypical lipoproteins, how they relate to cardiovascular disease, the implications for screening family members, and the need to standardize patient management guidelines for the purpose of mortality risk reduction.     

New Complex Crystals of Chiral Poly(L‐lactic acid) and Different Tactic Poly(methyl methacrylate)

Based on evidence from differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD), and Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, a new stereocomplex crystal (DSC T_m = 175 °C, with WAXD 2θ = 10.0° and 12.5°) is proven for the first time between structurally dissimilar chiral poly(L ‐lactic acid) (PLLA) and syndiotactic poly(methyl methacrylate) (sPMMA). There is a strong complexing capacity only between low molecular weight PLLA and sPMMA, in miscible state, at specific weight fractions (70:30). The complexing capacity is more significant when the mixtures are melt‐crystallized at T_c = 110 °C or lower, and the intensity of this complex can be further enhanced if it is annealed between 100 and 160 °C, below its T_m = 175 °C. The new complex crystal can be formed only between PLLA and sPMMA, but not with isotactic or atactic PMMA.     

脑血栓形成患者LPA、MDA、SOD检测的临床分析

目的:探讨溶血磷脂酸(LPA)和氧自由基在脑血栓形成的病理过程中的作用.方法:通过检测90例脑血栓形成患者(CT组)血清中丙二醛(MDA)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、LPA的浓度情况,并与短暂性脑缺血发作(TIA)组(45例)、对照组(45例)比较.结果:血清中SOD的浓度,CT组(治疗前)低于TIA组和对照组(P<0...     

黑龙江省汉族及朝鲜族成年人血压的差别及相关因素分析

目的 比较黑龙江省汉族与朝鲜族血压差别,分析血压差别相关因素.方法 采用BIOZ.com<'TM>心功能监测仪检测1247名汉族和676名朝鲜族19～80岁人群体循环血管阻力(SVR)、血压等指标.采取生化方法检测血脂血糖.用SPSS16.0统计结果.结果 民族(汉为1,朝鲜为2)与收缩压(SBP)、舒张压(DBP)、三酰甘油(TG)、低密度脂蛋白(LDL)、血糖(CLU)、Ca2+正相关.排除性别、年龄和BMI影响后,朝鲜族收缩压/舒张压比汉族高3.73/3.54 mmHg.单因素回归分析:TG、LDL、GLU和Ca<'2>+分别引起朝-汉之间SBP/DBP差别变化达-0.5%/0.5%、-36.1%/-61.7%、-74.6%/-83.0%和-71.4/-81.6%.结论 血脂、血糖及血钙水平差别在两民族血压差别中起重要作用.     

脑磁图在耐药性癫(癎)术前定位中的价值及影响因素探讨

目的:评价脑磁图(MEG)在耐药性癫癎术前定位中的价值并探讨影响其定位的因素。方法:在47例术前均行MEG,VEEG,MRI检查的耐药性癫癎病例中,以术中皮层脑电图(ECoG)为金标准,比较VEEG和MEG定位准确性,并作影响MEG和VEEG定位的logistic多因素分析。结果:47例颞叶癫癎中,MEG与ECoG完全吻合32例(68％),部分吻合8例(17％);VEEG与ECoG完全吻合18例(38％),部分吻合23例(49％)。MEG与ECoG完全吻合病例明显多于MEG与VEEG吻合例(P <0．05)。MEG定位的多因素分析显示发作频率对MEG定位有影响(P<0．05)。结论:MEG的应用有助于致癎灶的准确定位和手术方式的选择,在难治性颞叶癫癎的术前定位中有重要的临床应用价值。     

冠心病患者治疗前后血清hs-CRP、FA、VitB12检测的临床意义

目的：探讨了冠心病患者治疗前后血清超敏C反应蛋白（hs—CRP）和叶酸（FA）、VitB12水平的变化。方法：应用免疫比浊法测定hs—CRP,放免法测定FA和VitB12。对71例冠心病患者进行测定,其中稳定型心绞痛35例,不稳定型心绞痛21例,急性心肌梗死（AMI）15例,进行了血清hs—CRP和FA、YitB12水平的测定,并以35名正常健康人作比较．结果：冠心病患者在治疗前血清hs-CRP水平非常显著地高于正常人组（P〈0.01）,而FA、VitB12水平则显著地低于正常人组（P〈0．01）,急性心肌梗死组和不稳定心绞痛组又高于稳定型心绞痛组（P〈0．05）,经治疗后一个月血清hs—CRP和FA、VitB12水平与正常人比较无且著性差异（P〉0．05）。结论：检测冠心病患者血清hs—CRP和FA、VitB12水平对冠心病的发生、发展以及疗效和预后均具有十分重要的临床价值。     

ACI患者治疗前后血清Hcy、ACA、APN联检的临床意义

目的:探讨了急性脑梗死(ACI)患者治疗前后血清Hcy、ACA和APN水平的变化及临床意义.方法:应用放免法和酶联法对32例ACI患者进行了治疗前后血清Hcy、ACA、脂联素(Adiponectin,APN)检测并与35名正常健康人作比较.结果:在治疗前血清Hcy、ACA水平非常显著地高于正常人组(P<0.01),而A...     

Superposition of motor programs—I. Rhythmic forearm movements in man

The so-called invariant characteristics of the elbow muscles are described. An invariant characteristic is a curve on a plot of elbow static moment vs angle. An invariant characteristic shows the elbow displacements in response to different amplitudes of load change when the subject is told not to compensate, or not to intervene voluntary to correct the deflection of the arm. If an inclination of the invariant characteristic is known, the degree of central tonic coactivation of antagonistic motoneurones can be estimated. The idea was utilized when analysing rhythmic movements (2–6 Hz) of the forearm that were carried out against a spring resistance (2–10 Nm). When the spring was suddenly switched off, the deflection of forearm rose. The subject was told not to correct the deflection and not to interrupt the swingings. The mean changes of both muscle torque and joint angle were determined in the experiments so that it was possible to estimate the inclination of the invariant characteristic used at a given frequency. Judging by the results, central tonic coactivation of elbow flexors and extensors occurs and increases to maximum as the frequency of movement increases. In addition, the reciprocal activation of antagonistic muscles is well known to occur upon execution of this movement.It can be concluded that both the reciprocal and the unidirectional central commands to antagonistic motoneurones occur simultaneously. The functional significance, as well as a scheme of superposition, of these motor commands are discussed. It is suggested that the commands are universal, i.e. the nervous system operates by using them during the performance of any movement.     

白血病和MDS患者外周血CA.SCE.CK及超微结构的观察

对11例白血病和10例MDS患者外周血进行CA、SCE、CK及电子显微镜观察。结果表明:白血病及MDS患者染色体畸变率及SCE频率增高,细胞增殖周期延长及白细胞超微结构异常等改变具有一致性。这对白血病及MDS的早期诊断提供实验依据。