A preliminary study on the potential value of QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus(QFT-Plus) in identification of latent tuberculosis infection and active tuberculosis / 中华检验医学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the potential differential diagnostic value of QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus(QFT-Plus) in patients with active tuberculosis (ATB) and latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) people.Methods:Case-control study. A total of 108 healthcare workers and 30 ATB patients in Xi′an Chest Hospital were tested by QFT-Plus from April to November 2019, and the demographic characteristics were analyzed.Then, flow cytometry was used to analyze the relations between the QFT-Plus TB2-TB1 and the distribution of peripheral blood T lymphocyte subsets in ATB patients with positive culture results.Finally, with 34 QFT-Plus positive volunteers as LTBI group and 30 bacteriologically confirmed ATB patients as ATB group, the QFT-Plus new lyadded antigen and its potential differential diagnostic value between LTBI and ATB groups was evaluated by using the receiver operating curve (ROC).Results:In patients with ATB,QFT-plus TB2-TB1 was positively correlated with the proportion of CD8+T cells in peripheral blood T lymphocytes( r=0.586, P=0.004), negatively correlated with the proportion of CD4+ T cells( r=-0.511, P=0.015) and the ratio of CD4/CD8 ( r=-0.520, P=0.013).The peripheral blood TB2-TB1 in the ATB patients was significantly higher than that in the LTBI group[0.47(0.12,1.17) IU/ml versus 0.01(-0.08,0.22) IU/ml, U=233.5, P<0.001]. QFT-Plus TB2-TB1 can effectively distinguish ATB from LTBI, with an area under the ROC curve of 0.771 (95 %CI=0.653-0.889, P<0.001). Conclusion:QFT-Plus specific CD8 response (TB2-TB1) has the potential value to identify ATB from LTBI people.

Treatment of knee osteoarthritis with six-step manipulation combined with extracorporeal shock wave / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the clinical effect of six-step manipulation combined with extracorporeal shock wave in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.@*METHODS@#Seventy-six patients with KOA from December 2016 to June 2018 were divided into control group and treatment group, 38 in each group. The patients in the control group were treated with oral medicine combined with extracorporeal shock wave therapy, while the patients in the treatment group were treated with six-step manipulation combined with shock wave therapy. The VAS score, WOMAC score and clinical efficacy of the two groups were compared before treatment, 1 day, 1 month and 6 months after treatment.@*RESULTS@#There was no significant difference in VAS score and WOMAC score between the two groups before treatment(>0.05). VAS score and WOMAC score in treatment group were significantly lower than those in control group at 1 day, 1 month and 6 months after treatment, and the difference was statistically significant(<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Six-step manipulation combined with extracorporeal shock wave therapy can significantly alleviate pain and improve knee function in patients with knee osteoarthritis, and the clinical effect is obvious.

Prevalence of Nontraumatic Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head and its Associated Risk Factors in the Chinese Population: Results from a Nationally Representative Survey / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Nontraumatic osteonecrosis of the femoral head (NONFH) is a debilitating disease that represents a significant financial burden for both individuals and healthcare systems. Despite its significance, however, its prevalence in the Chinese general population remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of NONFH and its associated risk factors in the Chinese population.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A nationally representative survey of 30,030 respondents was undertaken from June 2012 to August 2013. All participants underwent a questionnaire investigation, physical examination of hip, and bilateral hip joint X-ray and/or magnetic resonance imaging examination. Blood samples were taken after overnight fasting to test serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels. We then used multivariate logistic regression analysis to investigate the associations between various metabolic, demographic, and lifestyle-related variables and NONFH.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>NONFH was diagnosed in 218 subjects (0.725%) and the estimated NONFH cases were 8.12 million among Chinese people aged 15 years and over. The prevalence of NONFH was significantly higher in males than in females (1.02% vs. 0.51%, χ2 = 24.997, P < 0.001). Among NONFH patients, North residents were subjected to higher prevalence of NONFH than that of South residents (0.85% vs. 0.61%, χ 2 = 5.847, P = 0.016). Our multivariate regression analysis showed that high blood levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and non-HDL-cholesterol, male, urban residence, family history of osteonecrosis of the femoral head, heavy smoking, alcohol abuse and glucocorticoid intake, overweight, and obesity were all significantly associated with an increased risk of NONFH.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Our findings highlight that NONFH is a significant public health challenge in China and underscore the need for policy measures on the national level. Furthermore, NONFH shares a number of risk factors with atherosclerosis.</p>

Phospholamban antisense RNA improves SR Ca2+-ATPase activity and left ventricular function in STZ-induced diabetic rats / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of phospholamban antisense RNA (asPLB) on sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase activity and cardiac function in rats with diabetes mellitus (DM) mediated by recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vector.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Six weeks after the induction of DM by streptozotocin injected intraperitoneally, the rats were divided into three groups, namely: DM-rAAV-asPLB group, DM-saline group and DM group (control group). The rats in the DM-rAAV-asPLB group were intramyocardially injected with rAAV-asPLB, the rats in the DM-saline group were injected with saline, and those in the control group did not receive any treatment. Six weeks after gene transfer, the expressions of PLB protein and PLB phosphorylation were detected by Western-blot, while the activity of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+-ATPase and left ventricular function were measured.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The PLB protein expression level was significantly higher whereas the PLB phosphorylation, SR Ca2+-ATPase activity and left ventricular function were significantly lower in the DM-saline group than in the control group. No significant difference was found in PLB protein expression level, PLB phosphorylation or SR Ca2+-ATPase activity between the DM-rAAV-asPLB group and the control group. The left ventricular function in the DM-rAAV-asPLB group was poorer than in the control group and was better than in the DM-saline group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>rAAV-asPLB can down-regulate PLB protein expression and up-regulate PLB phosphorylation and SR Ca2+-ATPase activity, thus contributing to the improvement of in vivo left ventricular function.</p>

Molecular identification of Mycobacterium clinically isolated strains of bacteria / 中国地方病学杂志

ObjectiveTo establish the methodology for identification of clinical isolates of Mycobacterium and to identify the distribution of Mycobacterium species in hospitalized patients with tuberculosis in Heilongjiang province.It would provide the basis for accurate diagnosis of infections with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and non-tuberculous Mycobacterium (NTM) as well as for effective therapy.Methods Three hundred and thirty Mycobacterium isolates from 330 tuberculosis patients hospitalized and clinically diagnosed in Harbin Chest Hospital from May 2007 to December 2008 were collected.Genomic DNA from the isolates was extracted after inactivation of Mycobacterium.Molecular identification was carried out using PCR,PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and sequencing.ResultsAmong 330 clinical isolates,328 were identified as MTB complex (MTBC),accounting for 99.4％ (328/330); 2 were NTM,accounting for 0.6％ (2/330).Among 328 MTBC isolates,326were MTB,one was Mycobacterium Africanum(M.African) and one was Mycobacterium microti(M,microti),accounting for 99.4％ (326/328),0.3％ (1/328) and 0.3％ (1/328),respectively.It was found that the homology between the two NTM isolates and Mycobacterium avium intracellulare (MAC)was 99％ and 93％,respectively,suggesting that the two NTM isolates were MAC.The homology between the two NTM isolates was 93％.ConclusionsPCR plus PCR-RFLP and sequencing provides an ideal method for precise identification of Mycobacterium species.In the clinically diagnosed tuberculosis patients,the predominant Mycobacterium species is MTB,however M.African,M.microti as well as NTM are also found.

Effects of atorvastatin on p27 protein expression and cardiomyocytes apoptosis in spontaneously hypertensive rats / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>AIM</b>To explore the effects of atorvastatin on p27 protein expression and cardiomyocytes apoptosis in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>12 eight-week-old SHR were randomized into 2 groups (n = 6): distilled water group (DW group) and atorvastatin treated group (ATV group). The age-matched wistar-kyoto rats (WKY) were used as controls (WKY group). RT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect, respectively, p27 mRNA and protein expression levels. TUNEL technique was used to detect the apoptotic rate of cardiomyocytes. Meanwhile, left ventricular weight and body weight ratio (LVW/BW), and serum lipids levels were examined in this study.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After 10 weeks treatment with atorvastatin, (1) serum lipids levels and LVW and LVW/BW ratio in ATV group were markedly decreased compared to DW group; (2) the apoptotic rate of cardiomyocytes in ATV group was much higher than that in DW group; (3) the mRNA and protein levels of p27 expression in ATV group were also increased markedly compared to DW group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Atorvastatin upregulated the expression of p27 at its mRNA and protein level, and also, facilitated cardiomyocytes apoptosis, which, to a certain extent, might be associated with its effect on the regulation of ventricular hypertrophy.</p>

Ixeris sonchifolia induced vasoconstriction effect and its mechanism in rat thoracic aorta / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the vasoconstriction effect of Ixeris sonchifolia in rat thoracic aortic rings and the underlying mechanisms.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>I. sonchifolia 10-160 g x L(-1) was cumulatively added into organ bath to observe the isometric tension of thoracic aortic rings with intact endothelium or denuded endothelium in basal tension, preconstricted by phenylephrine (PE) or potassium chloride (KCl), and thoracic aortic rings with intact endothelium preincubated frist with captopril, phosphoramidon and indomethacin, respectively, then preconstricted by PE and KCl. The response was recorded and expressed by "relative contraction".</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Cumulative administration of I. sonchifolia 10-160 g x L(-1) did not affect the vasomotion of aortic rings with endothelium or without endothelium in basal tension. Exposure of intact endothelium rings preconstricted by PE or KCl to I. sonchifolia at concentration (20-160 g x L(-1) induced a significant constriction, which was inhibited by preincubation with captopril, but was not inhibited by preincubation with phosphoramidon or indomethacin. Exposure of endothelium-denuded rings preconstricted by PE or KCl to I. sonchifolia at concentration (10 to approximately 160 g x L(-1) did not effect the vasoconstriction.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The results indicate that I. sonchifolia (20 to approximately 160 g x L(-1) can contract the rat thoracic aortic rings with endothelium. The effect of contraction may enhance angiotensin converting enzyme activity and promote endothelium to synthesize angiotensin II. It has no relationship to endothelin or thromboxane A2.</p>

Effects of atorvastatin on endothelium protection in spontaneously hypertensive rats / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of two different dosage of atorvastatin on endothelium protection in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>SHRs (n=18) were randomly divided into three groups (n=6): SHR control group, 50 mg atorvastatin group and 10 mg group. Six male Wistar-Kyoto rats were selected as normal control group (WKY group). All animals were given vehicle once a day by gavage for 10 weeks. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured before and after treatment with atorvastatin every 2 weeks. Plasma NO and vWF were measured by nitrate reductase method and double antibodies ELISA, respectively. Plasma lipids were also measured.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>SBP in all SHR groups was much higher than that in WKY group before experiment (P<0.01). Compared with SHR control group, SBP significantly decreased in 50 mg atorvastatin group at 6, 8 and 10 weeks and in 10 mg atorvastatin group merely at 10 weeks (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The plasma levels of NO in SHR control group was significantly lower than those in WKY group (P<0.01). After 10 weeks, plasma NO levels in 50 mg and 10 mg atorvastatin groups were markedly higher than those in SHR control group (P<0.01 or P<0.05). The plasma levels of vWF in SHR control group was significantly higher than those in WKY group (P<0.01). After 10 weeks, plasma vWF levels in 50 mg and 10 mg atorvastatin groups were markedly lower than those in SHR control group (P<0.01). Plasma lipids in 50 mg and 10 mg atorvastatin groups were lower than those in SHR control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Atorvastatin can decrease blood pressure and significantly improve endothelial function in SHR by increasing plasma NO level and decreasing plasma vWF level.</p>

Protection effect of Wenxin Keli on isoproterenol induced heart failure in rats / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the treatment effect of Wenxin Keli on isoproterenol (ISO) induced heart failure in rats.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Sixty six-week old male Wistar rats were randomized into six groups. The rats in control group were only receive distilled water every day. The rats in ISO group also received two subcutaneous injections (85 mg x kg(-1)) of ISO, which were separated by a 24 hour interval and began to receive distilled water 2 weeks later every day. The rats in Wenxin Keli and control group were receive Wenxin Keli (9 mg x kg(-1)) every day. The rats in Wenxin Keli and ISO group received two subcutaneous injections (85 mg x kg(-1)) of ISO, which were separated by a 24 hour interval and began to receive Wenxin Keli (9 mg x kg(-1)) 2 weeks later every day. The rats in valsartan and control group were receive valsartan every day. The rats in valsartan and ISO group received two subcutaneous injections (85 mg x kg(-1)) of ISO, which were separated by a 24 hour interval and began to receive valsartan 30 mg x kg(-1) 2 weeks later every day. Echocardiogram measurement in rats were carried out after 4 weeks and 10 weeks feeding medince of hemodynamic measurement and aconitine induced arrhythmia in rats were carried out after 10 weeks.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Echocardiogram indicated that left ventricular internal diameter at diastolic phase (LVIDd), left ventricular internal diameter at systolic phase (LVIDs), LV percent fractional shortening (FS) and LV ejection fraction (EF) were decreased in the ISO group. Treatment with valsartan 4 weeks later, FS and EF were increased compared with the ISO group and 10 weeks later, LVIDd, LVIDs, FS, EF were increased. However, treatment with Wenxin Keli 10 weeks later, LVIDs, FS, EF were not changed obviously. Hemodynamic measurement showed that left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP), left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), and dp/dt(max) were improved after 10 weeks of treatment with valsartan. The LVEDP was decreased and dp/dt(max), was increased after 10 weeks of treatment with Wenxin Keli. Aconitine induced arrhythmia in rats in Wenxin Keli and control group were less serious than those in control group, aconitine induced arrhythmia in rats in Wenxin Keli and ISO group were less serious than those in ISO group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Wenxin Keli could greatly improve the ISO induced cardiac dysfunction and protect the aconitine-induced arrhythmia in rats.</p>

Plasma levels of vWF and NO in patients with metabolic syndrome and their relationship with metabolic disorders / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To measure the plasma levels of von Willebrand factor (vWF) and nitric oxide (NO) in patients with metabolic disorders and to study their relationships with the disease.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The plasma levels of vWF and NO were determined in patients with metabolic syndrome (MS group, n=36), patients with 1 - 2 metabolic disorders (MD group, n=43) and normal subjects (control group, n=30).</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The plasma vWF level was higher in MS group than that in MD group (P <0.05) and in control group (P <0.001); the vWF level in MD group was higher than that in control group (P <0.05). The NO level was lower in MS group and in MD group than that in control group (both P<0.05), while the difference between MS and MD groups was not statistically significant (P >0.05). Multiple stepwise regression showed that vWF level was correlated with systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP(DBP) and pulse BP; that NO level was correlated with BMI, SBP and TG.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Multiple metabolic disorders of metabolic syndrome may injure endothelial cells, and the degree of endothelial cell injury seems to be correlated with the BMI, SBP, DBP, pulse BP and TG.</p>

The changes in the mRNA levels of calcium regulatory proteins in ischemia/reperfusion rat ventricles / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>AIM</b>To investigate the changes in the expression of four kinds of calcium regulatory proteins mRNA on the isolated ischemia/ reperfusion (IR) hearts.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The rat hearts were divided into two groups: control group and IR group which received 45 min exposure to Krebs-Henseleit solution after 15 min zero-flow global ischemia. The indexes of left ventricular function, such as LVDP, +dp/dt(max), -dp/dt(max), and an arrhythmia scoring system were compared between the two groups. The messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) amount of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA), phospholamban (PLB), inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor2 (IP3R2) and ryanodine receptor2 (RyR2) was measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and normalized to the mRNA levels of beta-actin.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the IR group, LVDP, +dp/dt(max) and -dp/dt(min) of the isolated hearts were depressed and the high rate of arrhythmias occurred during reperfusion. The levels of SERCA, IP3R2, RyR2 mRNA were lower in the IR isolated hearts group than those in the control group, while there was no difference in the level of phospholamban.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>These data suggest that myocardial ischemia/reperfusion can induce the depression of cardiac performance and an increased risk of arrhythmias, concomitant with the decrease in SERCA, IP3R2, RyR2 mRNA steady state levels.</p>

Alterations of myocardial ultrastructure and gene expression of calcium handling proteins in diabetic rat heart / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the ultrastructure of myocardium and gene expression of calcium handling proteins in diabetic rat heart.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Diabetes was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by a single injection of alloxanm (40 mg/kg ) and the rats in control group were injected with normal saline. At the end of 2, 4, 6 weeks after the induction of diabetes, the animals were sacrificed. The expression of calcium handling proteins was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and actin mRNA was used as internal standard. Heart tissue at the apex was obtained for light and electron microscope study.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>At the end of 4 and 6 weeks, cardiosomatic ratio of diabetic rats was higher than that of control. Electron microscopy revealed a spectrum of subcellular remodeling in myocardium which was characterized by damaged myofibrils and mitochondria, dilated and swollen sarcoplasmic reticulum. Expression of phospholamban mRNAs was significantly increased, but 1,4,5-trisphosphate inositol receptor type 2, ryanodine receptor type 2 mRNAs were significantly decreased compared with those in the age-matched control rats. In contrast, the expression of sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase mRNAs was not affected.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>In diabetic rat heart, gene expression of calcium handling proteins was characterized by up-regulation of phospholamban and down-regulation of sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium release channel while electron microscopic analysis of myocardium revealed a spectrum of subcellular remodeling.</p>

Relaxant effect of Astragalus membranaceus on smooth muscle cells of rat thoracic aorta / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of Astragalus membranaceus(AM) on vascular circles and the underlying mechanisms.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The study was performed with the model of isolate rat thoracic aorta rings in organ bath. When the endothelium of rat thoracic aorta was removed,the effect of accumulated AM on aorta rings in resting tension, or pre-constricted with KCl, or pre-constricted with phenylephrine (PE) was observed. And to explove the mechanism, the aorta rings were incubated with Ca(2+)-free medium alone, or Ca(2+)-free medium plus heparin, or propranolol alone before pre-contraction with PE.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>AM had no significant effects on aorta rings in resting tension or pre-constricted with KCl. When the concentration of AM was cumulated to 10(-1), 3 x 10(-1),10(0), 3 x 10(0) g/L, it caused concentration-dependent relaxation while aorta rings were pre-constricted with PE(3 x 10(-7)mol/L), compared with the control [(90.4 +/-4.2)% compared with (94.7 +/-2.4)%,(86.1 +/-5.0)% compared with (92.6 +/-3.2)%, (82.3 +/-5.9)% compared with (90.4 +/-3.6) %, (78.3 +/-6.0)% compared with (88.1 +/-4.0)%]. This effect was not inhibited by Ca(2+)-free medium or propranolol alone. However, the effect was attenuated by the co-incubation with heparin and Ca(2+)-free medium [without heparin:(76.2+/-4.3)% compared with (92.3 +/-5.9)%, with heparin: (95.3+/-0.5)% compared with (95.1+/-0.6)%].</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The results indicate that AM can relax the rat thoracic aorta rings without endothelium. The mechanism may include the inhibition of intracellular calcium ions release by the 1,4,5-triphosphate inositol-receptor-dependent pathway in vascular smooth muscle cells.</p>

Effects of tumor necrosis factor alpha on expression of phospholamban and intracellular calcium in cardiomyocytes / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effects of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) on the expression of phospholamban (PLB) and sarco (endo) plasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA2a) and concentration of intracellular free calcium in myocardiocytes.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The neonatal rat myocardiocytes were randomly divided into 6 groups: treatment with different concentrations of TNFalpha (1,10,30,50,and 70 microg/L, respectively) and without TNFalpha (control). The mRNA and protein expression of PLB and SERCA2a were detected with one-step reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. The changes of intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in cultured single neonatal rat cardiomyocyte were determined with Fluo-3/AM loading by laser scanning confocal microscopy. RESULTS TNFalpha significantly increased the expression of PLB mRNA and protein in a dose-dependent fashion. The ratio of PLB/beta-actin mRNA in myocardiocytes incubated with 10,30,50, and 70 microg/L TNFalpha significantly increased by 66%, 106%, 141%, and 189% compared with control (P < 0.05), and protein levels significantly increased by 30%, 48%, 73%, and 114% respectively compared with control (P < 0.001), but there was no significant difference in PLB mRNA expression between the group treated with 1 microg/L TNFalpha and control group. TNFalpha had no effect on the expression of mRNA and protein of SERCA2a. TNFalpha (50 microg/L) incubated with cell for 24 hours diminished delta[Ca2+]i of single neonatal rat cardiomyocyte about 33% stimulated by isoproterenol (P < 0.01), but had no effect on delta [Ca2+]i of cardiomyocyte without isoproterenol stimulation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>TNFalpha can increase the expression of PLB and decrease delta[Ca2+]i in cardiomyocytes, which may be related with its negative inotropic effects on cardiomyocytes.</p>

Enhanced reporter gene transfer and expression in cardiac myocytes mediated by ultrasonic destruction of the microbubbles / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>AIM</b>To determine if the diagnostic ultrasound and self-made microbubbles could be used to increase gene transfection and expression in cardiac myocytes by means of the ultrasound-mediated microbubbles destruction.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The perfluoropropane-exposed sonicated dextrose albumin(PESDA) microbubbles were made and mixed with indicated volume reporter gene encoding beta-galactosidase prior to gene transfection. Gene transfection into the cultured cardiac myocytes was performed by exposure to the various intense diagnostic ultrasound (1.3 MHz) in the presence of the gene-attached microbubbles. The calcium phosphate precipitation gene transfection was carried out alone or in combination with ultrasound-mediated destruction microbubbles. The cells were harvested 48 h after transfection and beta-galactosidase expression was detected by in situ staining and quantitive assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Cardiac myocytes exposed to ultrasound with PESDA induced significantly increase in gene expression (60-fold compared with naked plasmids transfection, P < 0.01). Moreover, it was found that the reporter gene expression not only related with ultrasound intension but also with the microbubbles concentration. In combination with calcium phosphate precipitation gene transfection, ultrasound-mediated destruction microbubbles resulted in more intense gene expression even 6 hours after calcium phosphate precipitation gene transfection.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The ultrasonic destruction of gene-loaded microbubble is a highly effective gene transfer method, and it not only acts on the gene entry into cells, but also on the intracellular exogenous DNA expression.</p>

Effect of adenosine on electrophysiological changes of ventricular myocardium in rats with experimental diabetes / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the electrophysiological changes of ventricular myocardium of rats with experimental diabetes and the effect of adenosine on its electrophysiology.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Diabetes was induced in male SD rats, using a single injection of alloxan into tail vein. Untreated animals were used as controls. The electrocardiograms (ECG) were recorded 6 weeks after diabetes was induced. Effects of adenosine on ventricular myocardium in diabetic rats and controls were observed by measuring the transmembrane potentials with conventional glass microelectrodes.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>QT interval in ECG and action potential duration (APD) at all levels (APD30, APD50, APD70 and APD90) were significantly prolonged in right ventricular papillary muscle 6 week after diabetes was induced. No differences were observed in the resting membrane potential (RP), action potential amplitude (APA) and overshoot (OS) as well as the maximum rate of depolarization (Vmax) between the diabetic rats and control rats. At concentration of 10 approximately 400 micromol/L, ADO had little influence on all transmembrane potential parameters of right ventricular papillary muscle in diabetic rats and controls. At 500 micromol/L, ADO shortened APD30, APD50, APD70 and APD90 of control group, while having no effect on diabetic rats.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>QT interval in ECG and APD at all levels are significantly prolonged in right ventricular papillary muscle of experimentally induced-diabetic rats.</p>

Expression of NOS III mRNA in different tissues of spontaneously hypertensive rats using RNA array / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the expression of nitric oxide synthase III (NOS III) mRNA in the heart, aorta, kidney and liver of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two hundred and ninety-four total RNA samples were obtained from the tissues of ventricle, aortic smooth muscle, kidney and liver of SHR and normotensive rats (Wistar-Kyoto rats, WKY). RNA array was used to determine the mRNA levels of NOS III of the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with WKY, the systolic blood pressure increased significantly in SHR at 6-week-old, 8-week-old, 10-week-old and 12-week-old [(158.50 +/-7.69 vs 108.67 +/-5.89) mmHg, (174.33 +/-4.46 vs 128.50 +/-4.97) mmHg, (198.00 +/-13.45 vs 142.00 +/-3.58) mmHg, (216.67 +/-8.91 vs 141.17 +/-4.92) mmHg, P<0.01], and the ventricle/body weight ratio was significant higher at 10-week-old and 12-week-old [(4.08 +/-0.17 vs 3.59 +/-0.11, 4.05 +/-0.18 vs 3.40 +/-0.19)mg/g, P<0.01]. In the heart tissue and the kidney, the mRNA levels of NOS III were significantly increased at 6-week-old, 8-week-old, 10-week-old and 12-week-old (1.12 +/-0.18 vs 0.90 +/- 0.15, 1.46 +/- 0.34 vs 1.06 +/-0.18, 1.66 +/- 0.31 vs 1.21 +/- 0.30, 1.98 +/- 0.40 vs 1.31 +/-0.38, P <0.05) and at 4-week-old, 6-week-old, 8-week-old, 10-week-old and 12-week-old (1.10 +/- 0.21 vs 0.81 +/-0.11, 1.28 +/-0.18 vs 0.95 +/-0.13,1.31 +/-0.23 vs 0.99 +/-0.23, 1.70 +/-0.30 vs 1.08 +/-0.25, 1.83 +/-0.33 vs 1.15 +/-0.20, P<0.05 or P<0.01), respectively. There was no significant difference of the NOS III expression in the liver and no significant signals were detected in the aortic smooth muscle.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The results provide the evidence of the increased expression of NOS III in different tissues in SHR and suggests the progressive nature of essential hypertension.</p>

Changes of macrovascular endothelial ultrastructure and gene expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase in diabetic rats / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The most intimidatory pathological changes in patients with DM are cardiovascular illnesses, which are the major causes of death in diabetic patients and are far more prevalent than in nondiabetics because of accelerated atherosclerosis. In this study, we tried to clarify the changes in macrovascular endothelial ultrastructure and in the gene expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS)mRNA in diabetic rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The study was conducted on 52 of 10-week old Sprague Dawley (SD) rats with body weight of (320 +/- 42) g. SD rats were divided into: experimental group treated with a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ, 60 mg/kg), (male, n = 20, diabetes mellitus (DMM)); female, n = 12, diabetes mellitus female (DMF)) and control group (male, n = 10, diabetes mellitus male control (DMMC); female, n = 10, diabetes mellitus female control (DMFC)). Four weeks after treatment, half of the rats were sacrificed; the remainders were sacrificed ten weeks after treatment. One part of the abdominal aortic sample was stored under glutaraldehyde (volume fraction psiB = 2.5%). After the process of chemical fixation, chemical dehydration, drying and conductivity enhancement, all samples were observed and photographed using scanning electron microscopy (Leica-Stereoscan 260, England). The other part of the abdominal aortic sample was treated with liquid nitrogen and the expression of eNOSmRNA was assessed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The aortic lumen of both experimental groups adsorbed much more debris than that of either control group. The endothelial surfaces of diabetic rats were coarse, wrinkled and protuberant like fingers or villi. The vascular endothelial lesions of diabetic male rats were very distinct after 4 weeks, and as obvious as those at 10 weeks. The vascular endothelial lesions of diabetic female rats were not severe at 4 weeks and only became marked after 10 weeks. In both males and females, the abdominal aortic eNOSmRNA content of 4 weeks and 10 weeks diabetic rats was very significantly lower (P < 0.01) than that of controls.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Aortic endothelial ultrastructure in DM rats is injured compared with controls. Abnormal changes of aortic endothelia in male DM rats are more obvious than those in females. Expression of abdominal aortic eNOSmRNA content of DM rats is significantly lower than that of controls.</p>

Electrophysiologic study of the biphasic effects of cyclovirobuxine D on arrhythmias / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the possible mechanism of cyclovirobuxine D (CVB-D) in countering and inducing arrhythmia, by way of studying its electro-physiological effect on ventricular papillary muscles of rats in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The transmembrane potential of rat's isolated right ventricular papillary muscles were recorded using conventional glass micro-electrode technique.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) CVB-D in concentration of 13.3-63.3 micromol/L, showed prolonging effect on the action potential repolarization time, mainly the action potential duration 50 (APD50), APD70 and APD90, in dose-dependent manner, in concentration of 33.3-63.3 micromol/L, it could inhibit the resting potential, action potential amplitude (APA) and maximum depolarization velocity (Vmax) in dose-dependent manner. (2) CVB-D also showed time-dependent effect, the effect initiated 10 min after 20 micromol/L was perfused in ventricular muscle, the APD50, APD70 and APD90 were potentiated gradually along with prolongation of action time and reached the peak at 30-40 min, without any potentiation thereafter. (3) CVB-D could markedly prolong the effective refractory period (ERP) of action potential, increase the ratio of ERP/APD. (4) CVB-D in concentration of 33.3 micromol/L could induce frequent, multifocal spontaneous arrhythmia in some cells when the action time was longer than 45 min.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CVB-D has the action of anti-ventricular arrhythmia, the mechanism is correlated with the prolongation of APD and ERP of ventricular muscle as well as the increase of ERP/APD ratio, while it also has the effect of inducing arrhythmia, the mechanism might be concerned with excessive prolongation of APD and the inhibition on RP, APA and Vmax.</p>

Effect of Astragalus membranaceus on baroreflex sensitivity in spontaneously hypertensive rats / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the chronicity decompression effect of Astragalus Membranaceus(AM) and evaluate the effect on baroreflex sensitivity (BRS).</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Nineteen spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHR) were randomly divided into four groups. The AM groups were intraperitoneally administered with AM parenteral solution 0.9 mL, 1.2 mL and 1.8 mL respectively and the control group was not given AM for eight weeks. Then the change of blood pressure was observed successivly. After eight weeks, BRS were also determined. At last, the difference of blood pressure and BRS among the groups were compared.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Blood pressure in the control group became higher and higher frome the third week to the eighth week, but the other SHR admistered with AM showed no changein blood pressure level. We also found that the BRS in AM group was higher than that in the control group(P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>AM can promote the BRS in SHR.</p>