A Primary Investigation on Serum CTX-II Changes in Patients Infected with Brucellosis in Qinghai Plateau, China / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

Brucellosis is one of the most widespread zoonotic diseases, with the most frequent complication being osteoarticular changes. The aim of this study was to assess the changes of C-terminal telopeptide of type II collagen (CTX-II) in patients infected with brucellosis. A total of 84 brucellosis patients and 43 volunteers were selected and divided into brucellosis vs. control groups. Serum samples were subjected to serological tests for brucellosis, and CTX-II levels in all samples were measured simultaneously with ELISA. The results showed that serum CTX-II levels in human brucellosis were higher than those of healthy controls, without a statistically significant difference, but serum CTX-II levels in male patients were significantly higher than those of female patients (P<0.05). This finding could indicate the biological changes in the cartilage and bone in human brucellosis.

Effects of telmisartan and pyridoxamine on abdominal aorta vascular remodeling in spontaneously hypertensive rats / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of telmisartan and pyridoxamine on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) proliferation and apoptosis as well as abdominal aorta vascular remodeling in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>SHRs randomly received placebo, telmisartan (6 mg kg(-1) x d(-1)), pyridoxamine (200 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) or telmisartan (6 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) plus pyridoxamine (200 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1), n = 12 each) for 16 weeks. Wistar-Kyoto (WKY, n = 12) rats serve as normotensive control. The systolic blood pressure (SBP) of rat was measured before and weekly thereafter. The serum advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) were detected by competitive ELISA. The serum super oxide dismutase (SOD) and nitric oxide (NO) were measured. The abdominal aorta were assessed by image analysis in HE stained sections. The VSMCs apoptosis and proliferation in abdominal aorta were detected with in situ end labeling technique and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunohistochemistry staining respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>SBP were significantly lower in telmisartan and telmisartan plus pyridoxamine therapy group than in placebo treated hypertensive rats while not affected by pyridoxamine (P > 0.05). Activity of SOD and NO were significantly higher and AGEs significantly lower in telmisartan, pyridoxamine and combination therapy treated SHRs than in placebo treated hypertensive rats (P < 0.01). The telmisartan, pyridoxamine and combination therapy can significantly inhibit the PCNA expression and significantly enhance the apoptosis value in abdominal aorta (P < 0.01). The efficacy of combined treatment was significantly higher than telmisartan and pyridoxamine alone (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Telmisartan and pyridoxamine could attenuate abdominal aorta vascular remodeling via reducing oxidative stress and AGEs production as well as restoring the balance of VSMCs proliferation and apoptosis in SHRs abdominal aorta.</p>

Iodine nutrition level of children aged 8 - 10 in low-coverage area of iodized salt of Yushu Qinghai province in 2009: an analysis of surveillance results / 中国地方病学杂志

Objective An analysis was conducted to investigate the iodine nutrition level of children aged 8 - 10 in low-coverage area of iodized salt of Yushu Qinghai province for providing a scientific basis for the development of effective preventive measures. Methods Yushu, Chengduo, Nangqian and Zaduo counties with higher non-iodized salt coverage rate in Yushu Qinghai province were chosen as survey counties in 2009. Three townships were selected in each county, and 2 primary schools were selected in each township and 40 urine samples of children aged 8-10 were collected randomly in each primary school. The content of urinary iodine was analyzed by As-Ce catalytic spectrophotometery. Results Median urinary iodine of children aged 8 - 10 in Nangqian and Zaduo was < 100 μg/L. The percentage of median urinary iodine < 50 μg/L in Yushu was over 20%. Median urinary iodine of children aged 10 in Zaduo was 81.5 μg/L, the percentage of median urinary iodine < 50 μg/L of children aged 9 and 10 was over 20%. The percentage of median urinary iodine < 50 μg/L in children aged 9 and 10 of Yushu was over 20%. Median urinary iodine of girls in Zaduo was 87.1 μg/L, the percentage of median urinary iodine < 50 μg/L of boys in Zaduo was over 20%. The percentage of median urinary iodine < 50 μg/L of girls in Yushu was over 20%. Conclusions The iodine nutrition level of children aged 8 - 10 in Nangqian, Zaduo and Yushu counties were very low due to the impact of non-iodized salt. We propose salt market in the region to strengthen management and improve the coverage and consumption rates of iodized salt to improve the level of iodine nutrition for effective prevention of iodine deficiency disorders.

Effects of human tissue kallikrein gene transfer on the migration of vascular smooth muscule cells / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of adenovirus-mediated human tissue kallikrein (Ad-hKLK1) gene transfer on platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB)-induced migration of vascular smooth muscle cells from spontaneously hypertensive rats (VSMC(SHR)).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A bicistronic recombinant adenovirus vector (Ad-hKLK1) carrying the target hKLK1 gene and the reporter gene EGFP was constructed. VSMCs isolated from the thoracic aorta of male SHR were passaged, and the quiescent VSMC(SHR) in passages 3-6 seeded in 6-well plates were treated with Ad-hKLK1 and control virus. Human PDGF-BB or icatibant Hoe140, a BK B2 antagonistat, was used as the chemoattractant and placed in the bottom chamber of the Boyden chamber. The mRNA expressions of bradykinin B1 receptor and B2 receptor were detected by RT-PCR in VSMC(SHR).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>hKLK1 gene transfer significantly inhibited PDGF-BB-induced migration of VSMC(SHR), with the peak inhibition rate of 34.6% (P<0.001). PDGF-BB significantly increased the mRNA expression of B2 receptor but not B1 receptor in VSMC(SHR).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>hKLK1 gene transfer can inhibit the migration of VSMC(SHR) induced by PDGF-BB, and the inhibitory effects may be not mediated by bradykinin B2 receptor.</p>

Effects of human tissue kallikrein gene delivery on the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Tissue kallikrein cleaves kininogen substrate to produce vasoactive kinin peptides that have been implicated in the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells. We investigated the effects of adenovirus-mediated human tissue kallikrein (Ad-hKLK1) gene delivery on the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells of SHR (VSMCs(SHR)) induced by platelet derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Primary VSMCs(SHR) were isolated and cultured from thoracic aorta of male SHR. The VSMCs(SHR) proliferation induced by PDGF-BB was accessed by cell counting and methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT). Western blot was used to determine the protein expression of hKLK1, the cycle-independent kinase inhibitors p27(Kip1) and p21(Cip1). The mRNA expressions of bradykinin B1 receptor and B2 receptor were detected by RT-PCR in VSMCs(SHR).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Proliferation of VSMCs(SHR) induced by PDGF-BB was significantly inhibited post transfection of Ad-hKLK1 (20-100 MOI) in a MOI-dependent manner. The peak inhibition titer of Ad-hKLK1 was 100 MOI with peak inhibition rate of 39.3% (cell counting, n = 3, P < 0.01), 30.2% (MTT, n = 3, P < 0.01) and 36.4% (peak stunning rate of cell-cycle in phase G(0)/G(1)). The inhibitory effects of proliferation and cell-cycle caused by hKLK1 gene delivery could be abolished by Hoe140, a bradykinin B2 receptor antagonist. The protein expression of p27(Kip1) and p21(Cip1) increased significantly after the hKLK1 gene delivery, whereas Hoe140 nearly completely blocked these effects (n = 3, P < 0.001, respectively). PDGF-BB also significantly upregulated the mRNA expression of B2 receptor but not B1 receptor in VSMCs(SHR).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The hKLK1 gene delivery could inhibit PDGF-BB induced proliferation in VSMCs(SHR) through Bradykinin B2 receptor and up-regulate expression of p27(Kip1) and p2l(Cip1).</p>

Effects of human tissue kallikrein 1 gene delivery on carotid artery neointima formation after balloon angioplasty in spontaneously hypertensive rats / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of human tissue kallikrein 1(Ad-hKLK1) gene delivery on the neointima formation in carotid arteries of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Carotid artery restenosis was induced in male SHR rats by balloon-injury. Rats were randomly assigned into 4 groups: Sham-operated (n = 6); Angioplasty (phosphate buffered solution 50 microl, n = 8); Vector virus (control virus, 1 x 10(9) IU in 50 microl, n = 8) and Ad-hKLK1(Ad-hKLK1, 1 x 10(9) IU in 50 microl, n = 8). Rats were sacrificed 4 weeks later. The wall-to-lumen area ratio and intima/media ratio in carotid artery were assessed by image analysis in HE stained sections. The mRNA bradykinin receptor (B1R and B2R) expressions were detected by RT-PCR. The protein expression of the cycle-independent kinase inhibitors p27Kip1 and p2lCip1 were determined by Western blot analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Wall-to-lumen area ratio reduced 35.6% and intima/media ratio reduced 38.8%in Ad-hKLK1 treated SHRs compared to angioplasty group (all P < 0.001). The expression of p27Kip1 and p2lCip1 increased significantly in Ad-hKLK1 treated SHRs compared with angioplasty rats (all P < 0.001). The mRNA expression of B2R was significantly upregulated in angioplasty rats compared with sham-operated rats (P < 0.05) while mRNA expression of B1R was similar between the 2 groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>hKLK1 gene delivery may effectively reduce neointimal formation via downregulating bradykinin B2R and up-regulating the expressions of p27Kip1, p2lCip1 signaling pathways in carotid arteries of SHRs after balloon injury.</p>