Pifithrin-α reduces cerebral vasospasm by attenuating apoptosis of endothelial cells in a subarachnoid haemorrhage model of rat

Background The mechanism of cerebral vasospasm following subarachnoid haemorrhage （SAH） is not understood. Here, we hypothesized that apoptosis of endothelial cells induced by p53 and its target gene em dash p53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis （PUMA） played an important role in development of cerebral vasospasm. We also observed the effects of a p53 inhibitor, pifithrin-α （PFT-α）, on reducing the expression of p53 and PUMA, consequently decreasing the apoptosis of endothelial cells and alleviating cerebral vasospasm. Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 300-350 g were randomly divided into five groups： a control group （sham surgery）, a SAH group, a SAH＋dimethyl sulfoxide （DMSO） group, a SAH＋PFT-α （0.2 mg/kg） group and a SAH＋PFT-α （2.0 mg/kg） group. PFT-α was injected intraperitoneally immediately after SAH. Rats were sacnficed 24 hours after SAH. Western blot and immunohistochemical staining were used to detect the levels of p53, PUMA and caspase-3 protein. In addition, mortality and neurological scores were assessed for each group. Statistical significance was assured by analysis of variance performed in one way ANOVA followed by the Tukey test. The neurological and mortality scores were analyzed by Dunn＇s method and Fisher exact test, respectively. Results After SAH, Western blot and immunohistochemical staining showed the levels of p53, PUMA and caspase-3 in the endothelial cells and the numbers of TdT mediated dUTP nick end labelling （TUNEL） positive endothelial cells were all significantly increased in the basilar arteries （P 〈0.05）, but significantly reduced by PFT-a （P 〈0.05）. These changes were accompanied by increasing diameters and declining wall thickness of basilar arteries （P〈O.05）, as well as reduced mortality and neurological deficits of the rats （P〈O.05）. Conclusions PFT-a could protect cerebral vessels from development of vasospasm and improve neurological outcome as well as reduce the mortality via suppressing apoptos     

Effect of statin therapy on plasma high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels is modified by paraoxonase 1 in Chinese patients with coronary heart disease

1. We sought to determine the effects of Q192R polymorphism of paraoxonase 1 (PON1) gene on plasma high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels and the response to statin therapy in Chinese patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). 2. Two hundred and thirty-six patients with CHD were treated with simvastatin 20 mg/day. Fasting serum lipids were determined before and after 12 weeks of treatment. 3. No significant differences were detected among the PON1 Q192R polymorphism with respect to plasma lipids. In addition, the effects of simvastatin to increase HDL-C levels were significantly greater in patients with the RR genotype compared with patients with the QR or RR genotypes (P < 0.05). 4. We conclude that the Q192R polymorphism of PON1 significantly modulates the HDL-C response to simvastatin in Chinese patients with CHD.     

Determinants of childhood overweight and obesity in China

In order to investigate the determinants of childhood overweight and obesity in China, the prevalence of overweight (including obesity) was compared according to different dietary and physical activity patterns and parental body weight status. A total of 6826 children aged 7-17 years from the 2002 China National Nutrition and Health Survey were included in the study. Information for dietary intake was collected using three consecutive 24-h recalls by trained interviewers. The amounts of cooking oil and condiments consumed were weighed. An interview-administered 1-year physical activity questionnaire was used to collect physical activity information. The results showed that the heavier the parental bodyweight, the higher the overweight prevalence in children. The prevalence ratio increased if parent(s) were overweight and/or obese, up to 12.2 if both parents were obese. Overweight children consumed significantly more dietary energy, protein and fat, but less carbohydrate than their normal weight counterparts. On average, overweight children spent 0.5 h less on moderate/vigorous activities and 2.3 h more on low intensity activities per week. The following prevalence ratios were statistically significant: walking to and from school (0.6); moderate/vigorous activities > or =45 min/d (0.8); low intensity physical activities >2 h/d (1.3); the consumption of > or =25 g/d cooking oil (1.4); > or =200 g/d meat and meat products consumption (1.5); > or =100g/d dairy products (1.8). After adjustment for parental body weight status and socioeconomic status, only cooking oil consumption and walking to and from school remained significantly related to child overweight. In conclusion, parental weight status is an import-ant determinant. Fat intake, low intensity activities and active transport to/from school may be suitable entry points for overweight prevention among Chinese school children.     

白细胞介素13刺激成纤维细胞胶原基因转录和胶原蛋白的合成

目的:以成纤维细胞株3T3为实验对象,观察白细胞介素13对成纤维细胞株3T3胶原合成作用,探讨白细胞介素13对纤维化形成的作用机制。方法:实验于2005-03/2006-10在江西医学科学研究所江西省医学生物高技术重点实验室进行。实验材料:成纤维细胞株3T3细胞为江西省医学科学研究所江西省医学生物高技术重点实验室保存。白细胞介素13购自Peprotech公司。实验方法:①3T3细胞培养:3T3细胞常规培养在含体积分数为0.15胎牛血清、100U/mL青、链霉素的DMEM培养液中,置于37℃、含体积分数为0.05的CO2孵箱中培养,并分为实验组和对照组,两组细胞均用无血清DMEM培养12～16h,实验组加入100μg/L白细胞介素13,作用24,48,72h后进行以下实验。②应用Van Gieson胶原纤维特殊染色观察白细胞介素13作用下,3T3细胞体外合成胶原纤维情况。细胞培养上清液采用羟脯氨酸实验检测细胞分泌的总胶原蛋白含量。采用RT-PCR检测3T3细胞Ⅰ型胶原α1基因(COL1A1)mRNA的表达。采用Western blotting检测白细胞介素13作用后成纤维细胞Ⅰ型胶原蛋白的表达。结果:①Van Gieson胶原纤维特殊染色观察白细胞介素13对成纤维细胞体外合成胶原纤维的影响:有胶原纤维地方被Van Gieson液染成红色,细胞核则为灰黑色。显微镜下可见成纤维细胞呈放射状、编织状或旋涡状排列,细胞体呈梭形或不规则三角形,胞质向外伸出大小不等的突起,核为椭圆形,位于胞浆的中央,在白细胞介素13孵育的3T3细胞中可观察到较多的胶原纤维。②羟脯氨酸实验检测白细胞介素13对成纤维细胞分泌总胶原含量影响:白细胞介素13刺激3T3细胞分泌的总胶原含量24h后即明显增高,持续至72h(t=6.751,P<0.01),明显高于对照组(t=3.019,P<0.05)。③RT-PCR检测白细胞介素13作用下3T3细胞Ⅰ型胶原α1mRNA水平:在511bp(β-actin)和378bp处(COL1A1)均可见一明显条带。④Western blotting检测白细胞介素13作用下Ⅰ型胶原蛋白表达情况:白细胞介素13作用3T3细胞0,24,48,72h后,Ⅰ型胶原蛋白表达逐渐增强,与actin蛋白相比,差异显著(P<0.05)。结论:白细胞介素13可促进3T3细胞胶原基因的转录和胶原蛋白的合成,可能在纤维化疾病发病机制中发挥重要作用。     

Photobiomodulation reduces neutrophil migration and oxidative stress in mice with carrageenan-induced peritonitis

The purpose of the study is to investigate the effects of two doses of photobiomodulation (PBM) on inflammatory parameters including cell migration and oxidative stress in carrageenan-induced peritonitis models. Twenty-eight mice were divided into four groups: saline; untreated carrageenan (Cg; inflammation induced); and PMB treatment groups L1 and L5 (inflammation induced with carrageenan followed by laser irradiation at 1 and 5 J/cm², respectively). After 30 min of inducing inflammation, laser irradiation was administered every hour, for 4 h. Peritoneal fluid was collected for analyses. The total leukocyte number in the peritoneal fluid in L1 (4.33?±?2.34) and L5 (4.95?±?2.86) after PBM was lower than that in Cg (10.93?±?5.15 cells/ml). The average differential count of neutrophils in the Cg was 9.46?±?4.31 cells/ml, which was higher than that in L1 (3.7?±?2.08) and L5 (4.94?±?2.57). Myeloperoxidase activity was also lower in L1 (1.89?±?0.43) and L5 (4.84?±?2.62) than in Cg (22.92?±?4.52 UMPO/ml). Malondialdehyde content was lower in L1 (137.5?±?12.33) and L5 (169.6?±?22.77) than in Cg (345.7?±?65.67 nmol/ml). Glutathione peroxidase concentration was significantly higher in L1 (155.2?±?12.43) and L5 (145.9?±?9.585) than in Cg (79.75?±?9.567 μ/ml). Nitrite concentration was lower in L1 (0.3317 μM?±?0.0669) and L5 (0.2429 μM?±?0.0232) than in Cg (0.8380 μM?±?0.01615). Laser irradiation at 1 and 5 J/cm² reversed the inflammation (as indicated by neutrophil infiltration and oxidative stress).     

Qualitative analysis of neck kinematics during low-speed rear-end impact

OBJECTIVE: To analyze neck kinematics and loading patterns during rear-end impacts. DESIGN: The motion of each cervical vertebra was captured using a 250 frame/s X-ray system during a whole body rear-end impact. These data were analyzed in order to understand different phases of neck loading during rear-end impact. BACKGROUND: The mechanism of whiplash injury remains largely unknown. An understanding of the underlying kinematics of whiplash is crucial to the identification of possible injury mechanisms before countermeasures can be designed. METHODS: Metallic markers were inserted into the vertebral bodies and spinous processes of each of the seven cervical vertebrae. Relative displacement-time traces between each pair of adjacent cervical vertebrae were calculated from X-ray data. Qualitative analyses of the kinematics of the neck at different phase of impact were performed. RESULTS: The neck experiences compression, tension, shear, flexion and extension at different cervical levels and/or during different stages of the whiplash event. CONCLUSIONS: Neck kinematics during whiplash is rather complicated and greatly influenced by the rotation of the thoracic spine, which occurs as a result of the straightening of the kyphotic thoracic curvature. RELEVANCE: Understanding the complicated kinematics of a rear-end impact may help clinicians and researchers shed some light on potential mechanisms of whiplash neck injury.     

脊柱结核的CT表现及诊断价值

目的：分析脊柱结核的CT表现，提高CT对诊断脊柱结核重要性的认识。材料与方法：对51例脊柱结核进行CT扫描，13例做了静脉增强，5例做了CTM扫描，均有常规脊柱正侧位片。均经穿刺活检和，或手术病理证实，其中穿刺活检11例，手术证实40例。结果：病变部位分布：胸椎18例，腰椎25例，骶椎3例，胸腰段3例，腰骶段2例。其CT表现为骨质破坏、骨质增生硬化、死骨及新生骨形成、椎间盘的溶解破坏或退变、椎旁软组织肿胀朋中块和腰大肌脓肿、骨性椎管狭窄。结论：应用CT扫描不仅能显示脊柱结核的形态特征，而且能发现早期骨质破坏。对脊柱结核治疗及预后有重要的价值。     

气管切开脱机锻炼病人应用人工鼻效果观察

[目的]探讨人工鼻在气管切开病人中应用效果.[方法]将ICU气管切开脱机锻炼病人59例,随机分为两组,32例采用人工鼻方法进行气道护理,27例采用传统方法进行气道护理,观察两组病人血气分析、气道湿化效果、每日气道护理所需时间及肺部感染情况.[结果]人工鼻组病人日均护理时数、肺部感染率、呼吸、心率明显低于对照组,气道湿化效果优于对照组,差异有统计学意义.[结论]人工鼻用于气管切开病人人工气道护理效果优于传统护理方法.