Genetic Characteristics of Measles Viruses Isolated in Taiwan between 2015 and 2020.

A genetic analysis of circulating measles virus (MeV) provides strong evidence of an interruption in endemic measles and supports the elimination status of this disease. This study investigated 219 MeVs isolated between 2015 and 2020. Based on the 450 nucleotide sequences of the nucleoprotein gene (N-450), three genotypes of the H1, D8 and B3 with 8, 18 and 6 different N-450 sequences, respectively, were identified. The H1 genotype virus has not circulated in Taiwan since 2017, and the D8 and B3 genotype MeVs became dominant between 2018 and 2019. Different D8 genotype variants were imported from neighboring countries, and the majority of MeV variants were detected only for a short period. However, MVs/Gir Somnath.IND/42.16[D8], a named strain designated by the World Health Organization (WHO), was detected over 2 years. To explore whether the endemic transmission of measles has been underestimated, another sequence window of the hypervariable, noncoding regions between the matrix (M) and fusion (F) genes (MF-NCR) was introduced to clarify the transmission chain. From the chronological sequence analysis of MeVs with N-450 and MF-NCR sequence windows, no endemic MeV variants lasted over 4 weeks, providing strong evidence to support the contention that Taiwan has reached the status for measles elimination.

Pregnancy and fetal outcomes of chronic hepatitis C mothers with viremia in China.

BACKGROUND: Data that assess maternal and infant outcomes in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected mothers are limited. AIM: To investigate the frequency of complications and the associated risk factors. METHODS: We performed a cohort study to compare pregnancy and fetal outcomes of HCV-viremic mothers with those of healthy mothers. Risk factors were analyzed with logistic regression. RESULTS: Among 112 consecutive HCV antibody-positive mothers screened, we enrolled 79 viremic mothers. We randomly selected 115 healthy mothers from the birth registry as the control. Compared to healthy mothers, HCV mothers had a significantly higher frequency of anemia [2.6% (3/115) vs 19.0% (15/79), P < 0.001] during pregnancy, medical conditions that required caesarian section [27.8% (32/115) vs 48.1% (38/79), P = 0.004], and nuchal cords [9.6% (11/115) vs 34.2% (27/79), P < 0.001]. In addition, the mean neonatal weight in the HCV group was significantly lower (3278.3 ± 462.0 vs 3105.1 ± 459.4 gms; P = 0.006), and the mean head circumference was smaller (33.3 ± 0.6 vs 33.1 ± 0.7 cm; P = 0.03). In a multivariate model, HCV-infected mothers were more likely to suffer anemia [adjusted odds ratio (OR): 18.1, 95% confidence interval (CI): 4.3-76.6], require caesarian sections (adjusted OR: 2.6, 95%CI: 1.4-4.9), and have nuchal cords (adjusted OR: 5.6, 95%CI: 2.4-13.0). Their neonates were also more likely to have smaller head circumferences (adjusted OR: 2.1, 95%CI: 1.1-4.3) and lower birth weights than the average (≤ 3250 gms) with an adjusted OR of 2.2 (95%CI: 1.2-4.0). The vertical transmission rate was 1% in HCV-infected mothers. CONCLUSION: Maternal HCV infections may associate with pregnancy and obstetric complications. We demonstrated a previously unreported association between maternal HCV viremia and a smaller neonatal head circumference, suggesting fetal growth restriction.

Clinical effect and safety of 144-week treatment with entecavir capsules in treatment-naïve HBeAg-positive patients with chronic hepatitis B / 中华肝脏病杂志

Objective@#To investigate the clinical effect and safety of entecavir capsules in the treatment of treatment-naïve HBeAg-positive patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).@*Methods@#A total of 158 HBeAg-positive CHB patients were given oral entecavir capsules at a dose of 0.5 mg/time once a day for 144 weeks. Clinical outcome and safety were evaluated at baseline and at 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, and 144 weeks of treatment respectively. The Fisher’s exact test was used for the analysis of categorical data.@*Results@#After 144 weeks of treatment, 90.91% of all patients achieved virologic response (< 69 IU/ml), the normalization rate of alanine aminotransferase was 88.18%, the clearance rate of HBeAg was 33.33%, and the seroconversion rate of HBeAg was 24.07%. Of all patients, 2 dropped out due to adverse events and 5 experienced serious adverse reactions.@*Conclusion@#Entecavir capsules can inhibit viral replication and have good safety in treatment-naïve HBeAg-positive CHB patients.

[Functional haplotypes of INCENP affect promoter activity and bovine semen quality].

To explore the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promoter region of the inner centromere protein (INCENP) gene and bovine semen quality, the haplotypes in 250 Chinese Holstein bulls were detected using PCR-RFLP method in this study. Two SNPs (g.-556 G>T, rs 136823901 and g.-692 C>T, rs 211010999) and three haplotypes (CG, TT, TG) were identified in the promoter region of INCENP. The genotype frequency and allele frequency of these two SNPs as well as the correlation between different SNP haplotype combinations and bovine semen quality were then analyzed. Our results showed that fresh sperm motility of the GT genotype was significantly higher than that of the GG genotype (P<0.05) at the SNP site g.-556 G>T, while fresh and frozen-thawed sperm motilities of the haplotype combinations H1H1(CCGG), H1H3(CTGT), H2H3(TTGT) and H3H3(TTTT) were significantly higher than that of H1H2 (P<0.05). To further study the possible mechanisms by which g.-556 G>T and g.-692 C>T affect semen quality, three haplotype plasmids were respectively transfected into MLTC-1 cells. The TG haplotype demonstrated the highest luciferase activity, suggesting that g.-556 G>T and g.-692 C>T are functional mutations which could regulate INCENP gene expression by affecting promoter activity and thus affect semen quality.

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms of LIG1 associated with risk of lung cancer.

To investigate the association of LIG1 with the risk of lung cancer, all subjects of unrelated ethnic Han Chinese in Liaoning Province were involved in a hospital-based case-control study. The case group consisted of 370 histologically diagnosed lung cancer patients; 314 controls were selected from cancer-free patients during Dec. 2009 to Dec. 2011. LIG1 rs1050298SNP were analyzed by TaqMan real-time PCR method. All statistical analyses were performed with Statistical Product and Service Solution sv13.0 (SPSS). The genotype distribution frequency of LIG1 rs1050298 SNP displayed significant difference between the case and the control group. Individuals carrying the LIG1 rs1050298 T genotype had higher risks of lung cancer, especially those with squamous cell carcinoma.

[Research on the surface-enhanced Raman spectrum of sodium sulfide nonahydrate and its application in monosodium glutamate detecting].

The surface-enhanced Raman spectrum of sodium sulfide was studied and the structure vibration information was obtained. The raman characteristic peak at 472 cm(-1) was selected to evaluate enhanced effects. Gold colloid was used as active substrate, The relationship between gold nanoparticle size and enhanced efficiency was analysised and the optimum size for SERS is 97 nm. The surface enhanced Raman scattering spectra of sodium sulfide at different concentrations were also presented. The results indicated that SERS spectra of sodium sulfide can be found even the concentration reach 10(-6) g x mL(-1). The performance of active substrate is related with the ratio of sample and gold colloid. In the real situation, 1 g monosodium glutamate was added to 10mL sodium sulfide solution with different concentration and then SERS spectra of these samples were collected respectively. The lever of qualitative detection can reach 10mg x kg(-1). And due to the simple procedure in sample preparation, this method is of great potential in on-line qualitative detection.

Genetic structure of rice black-streaked dwarf virus populations in China.

Rice black-streaked dwarf virus (RBSDV) is a double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) virus belonging to the genus Fijivirus in the family Reoviridae. The genome of RBSDV consists of ten dsRNA segments. Although RBSDV has caused significant economic losses to rice and maize production in the past few years in China, its molecular diversity and evolution remain largely unknown. To elucidate the factor(s) underlying the evolution of RBSDV, we determined segment 8 (S8; carrying ORF8 encoding the minor core capsid protein) sequences of 101 samples and segment 10 (S10; carrying ORF10 encoding the major capsid protein) sequences of 103 samples. The results show that both ORF8 and ORF10 are under negative selection. The S8 of three isolates and S10 of two isolates are recombinants. The RBSDV population in China can be classified into three groups according to S8 sequences or into two groups according to S10 sequences, irrespective of host or geographical origin. Of the RBSDV isolates with both S8 and S10 sequences available, 17 are between-group reassortants and 30 are between-subgroup reassortants. The RBSDV subpopulations from different geographical regions and hosts show frequent gene flow within or between subpopulations. The RBSDV population from maize is in a state of expansion. In this study, no new emergent population was detected. Taken together, the results indicate that, in addition to recombination and negative selection, reassortment and gene flow are important factors that drive evolution of RBSDV in China.

The antifibrosis effect of adrenomedullin in human lung fibroblasts.

Adrenomedullin (AM) is a regulatory peptide involved in cellular proliferation and protein synthesis. The authors investigated AM and the AM receptor system in the human fetal lung fibroblasts (HFLFs), and assessed whether AM can inhibit proliferation and collagen synthesis in HFLFs under hypoxia. Fibroblasts were exposed to hypoxia (2% O(2)) after the addition of AM. The effects of AM and transforming growth factor ß1 (TGF-ß1) on the proliferation of fibroblasts were determined by the methanethiosulfonate (MTS) assay. Total collagen synthesis was determined by [(3)H]proline incorporation. TGF-ß1 levels in the culture supernatant were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The concentration of intracellular calciumion ([Ca(2+)](i)) in fibroblasts was detected with a laser scanning confocal microscope. AM, adrenomedullin receptor (ADMR), calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CRLR), AM receptor chaperone receptor activity-modifying protein-1 (RAMP1),RAMP2, and RAMP3 were detected in the HFLFs. The hypoxia-induced increases in cell proliferation, collagen synthesis, and TGF-ß1 production were inhibited by AM. AM also inhibited proliferation and collagen synthesis in fibroblasts induced by TGF-ß1. AM caused a decrease of the hypoxia-induced [Ca(2+)](i) in fibroblasts. This study suggests that AM is produced by HFLFs and AM may function as an antifibrosis factor that protects cells from hypoxic pulmonary damage through its receptors.

Molecular characterization of segments S7 to S10 of a southern rice black-streaked dwarf virus isolate from maize in northern China.

Southern rice black-streaked dwarf virus (SRBSDV) is a novel Fijivirus prevalent in rice in southern and central China, and northern Vietnam. Its genome has 10 segments of double-stranded RNA named S1 to S10 according to their size. An isolate of SRBSDV, JNi4, was obtained from naturally infected maize plants from Ji'ning, Shandong province, in the 2008 maize season. Segments S7 to S10 of JNi4 share nucleotide identities of 72.6%-73.1%, 72.3%-73%, 73.9%-74.5% and 77.3%-79%, respectively, with corresponding segments of Rice black-streaked dwarf virus isolates, and identities of 99.7%, 99.1%-99.7%, 98.9%-99.5%, and 98.6%-99.2% with those of SRBSDV isolates HN and GD. JNi4 forms a separate branch with GD and HN in the phylogenetic trees constructed with genomic sequences of S7 to S10. These results confirm the proposed taxonomic status of SRBSDV as a distinct species of the genus Fijivirus and indicate that JNi4 is an isolate of SRBSDV. Shandong is so far the northernmost region where SRBSDV is found in China.

[Comparison of the systemic vascular resistance and the correlative factors in Han and Korean populations of China.].

In the present study, the differences in systemic vascular resistance (SVR) and the correlated risk factors between Han and Korean residents were investigated. 1 647 Hans and 876 Koreans from Mudanjiang and Hailin areas of Heilongjiang Province were examined with BIOZ Cardio Dynamics Monitor. A series of factors were determined, including SVR, systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), cardiac output (CO), cardiac output index (CI) and heart rate (HR). The data were analyzed with SPSS 15.0 statistic software. When SVR/SVRI were compared between Han and Korean populations by t-test, it was shown that statistic difference existed in the following age and gender groups: (1) For SVR: male 41-50, 51-60, and 61-70 (P<0.001), 31-40 (P<0.01), 19-30 (P<0.05) age groups; female 15-18, 31-40, 51-60 (P<0.001), 41-50 (P<0.01), and 61-70 (P<0.05) age groups; (2) For SVRI, male 41-50, 51-60 (P<0.05) age groups; female 10-14, 51-60 (P<0.001), 15-18, 31-40 (P<0.01), and 41-50 (P<0.05) age groups. Covariance analysis suggests that, excluding the contributions of gender, age and body mass index (BMI), the differences in SVR/SVRI between the two populations are still significant (P<0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis reveals that SVR difference between Han and Korean populations is attributed to MAP, DBP, CI, SBP, HR; While SVRI difference between two populations is attributed to MAP, DBP, SBP, CI, HR, strongly to weakly, respectively. These results suggest the higher SVR and SVRI are possibly correlated with the relatively higher blood pressure of Korean, compared with that of Han population.

[The relationship between percentage body fat, waist-hip ratio and cardiovascular function in the adult females of Heilongjiang province].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the relationship between body fat mass and distribution and cardiovascular function in the adult females of Heilongjiang province. METHODS: Based on the statistic variable random sampling principal, we selected 1903 healthy adult females with ages of 18 - 70 years old in Heilongjiang province to conduct the study. The height, body weight, waist, chest measurement and waist-hip ratio (WHR) were measured. Body components quota including fat weight, lean weight, percentage of body fat (PBF) were taken respectively; systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HR), cardiac output (CO), cardiac index (CI), stroke volume (SV), stroke index (SI), left cardiac work (LCW) and systemic vascular resistance (SVR) were determined. RESULTS: The PBF and WHR increased with aging, and the PBF of those with ages of 18-, 30-, 40-, 50- and 60 - 70 year's old were (16.86 +/- 5.37)%, (18.43 +/- 4.89)%, (20.99 +/- 5.79)%, (23.47 +/- 5.74)% and (25.77 +/- 6.38)%, respectively (F = 154.46, P < 0.01); and the WHR were 0.77 +/- 0.05, 0.80 +/- 0.05, 0.83 +/- 0.05, 0.85 +/- 0.06 and 0.89 +/- 0.07, respectively (F = 229.84, P < 0.01). The HR, CO, CI, SBP, DBP and LCW were (75.45 +/- 0.35) bpm, (4.42 +/- 0.02) L/min, (2.78 +/- 0.01) L * min(-1) * m(-2), (114.94 +/- 0.40) mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa), (64.90 +/- 0.28) mm Hg, (4.57 +/- 0.03) kg * m/m(2) respectively in normal PBF groups; whereas the HR, CO, CI, SBP, DBP and LCW in the PBF obesity groups were (77.42 +/- 0.88) bpm, (4.54 +/- 0.05) L/min, (2.88 +/- 0.03) L * min(-1) * m(-2), (120.55 +/- 1.00) mm Hg, (66.56 +/- 0.71) mm Hg and (4.86 +/- 0.07) kg * m/m(2), respectively, F values were 3.182, 9.173, 8.478, 13.497, 2.637, and 10.631, respectively (all P values < 0.05) after the adjustment of age, height and weight, PBF was positively correlated with HR, CO, CI, SI, SBP, DBP and LCW (r values were 0.06, 0.11, 0.10, 0.11 and 0.12, respectively, all P values < 0.05); WHR was positively correlated with CI, SI, SBP, DBP, LCW and SVR (r values were 0.14, 014, 0.19, 0.18, 0.10 and 0.12, respectively, all P values < 0.01) after the adjustment of age, height and weight. CONCLUSION: PBF augmentation and abdominal obesity in females can result in cardiac dysfunction such as cardiac overload, CO increasing and blood pressure rising.

Comparison of the systemic vascular resistance and the correlative factors in Han and Korean populations of China / 生理学报

In the present study, the differences in systemic vascular resistance (SVR) and the correlated risk factors between Han and Korean residents were investigated. 1 647 Hans and 876 Koreans from Mudanjiang and Hailin areas of Heilongjiang Province were examined with BIOZ Cardio Dynamics Monitor. A series of factors were determined, including SVR, systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), cardiac output (CO), cardiac output index (CI) and heart rate (HR). The data were analyzed with SPSS 15.0 statistic software. When SVR/SVRI were compared between Han and Korean populations by t-test, it was shown that statistic difference existed in the following age and gender groups: (1) For SVR: male 41-50, 51-60, and 61-70 (P<0.001), 31-40 (P<0.01), 19-30 (P<0.05) age groups; female 15-18, 31-40, 51-60 (P<0.001), 41-50 (P<0.01), and 61-70 (P<0.05) age groups; (2) For SVRI, male 41-50, 51-60 (P<0.05) age groups; female 10-14, 51-60 (P<0.001), 15-18, 31-40 (P<0.01), and 41-50 (P<0.05) age groups. Covariance analysis suggests that, excluding the contributions of gender, age and body mass index (BMI), the differences in SVR/SVRI between the two populations are still significant (P<0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis reveals that SVR difference between Han and Korean populations is attributed to MAP, DBP, CI, SBP, HR; While SVRI difference between two populations is attributed to MAP, DBP, SBP, CI, HR, strongly to weakly, respectively. These results suggest the higher SVR and SVRI are possibly correlated with the relatively higher blood pressure of Korean, compared with that of Han population.

The relationship between percentage body fat, waist-hip ratio and cardiovascular function in the adult females of Heilongjiang province / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the relationship between body fat mass and distribution and cardiovascular function in the adult females of Heilongjiang province.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Based on the statistic variable random sampling principal, we selected 1903 healthy adult females with ages of 18 - 70 years old in Heilongjiang province to conduct the study. The height, body weight, waist, chest measurement and waist-hip ratio (WHR) were measured. Body components quota including fat weight, lean weight, percentage of body fat (PBF) were taken respectively; systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HR), cardiac output (CO), cardiac index (CI), stroke volume (SV), stroke index (SI), left cardiac work (LCW) and systemic vascular resistance (SVR) were determined.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The PBF and WHR increased with aging, and the PBF of those with ages of 18-, 30-, 40-, 50- and 60 - 70 year's old were (16.86 +/- 5.37)%, (18.43 +/- 4.89)%, (20.99 +/- 5.79)%, (23.47 +/- 5.74)% and (25.77 +/- 6.38)%, respectively (F = 154.46, P < 0.01); and the WHR were 0.77 +/- 0.05, 0.80 +/- 0.05, 0.83 +/- 0.05, 0.85 +/- 0.06 and 0.89 +/- 0.07, respectively (F = 229.84, P < 0.01). The HR, CO, CI, SBP, DBP and LCW were (75.45 +/- 0.35) bpm, (4.42 +/- 0.02) L/min, (2.78 +/- 0.01) L * min(-1) * m(-2), (114.94 +/- 0.40) mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa), (64.90 +/- 0.28) mm Hg, (4.57 +/- 0.03) kg * m/m(2) respectively in normal PBF groups; whereas the HR, CO, CI, SBP, DBP and LCW in the PBF obesity groups were (77.42 +/- 0.88) bpm, (4.54 +/- 0.05) L/min, (2.88 +/- 0.03) L * min(-1) * m(-2), (120.55 +/- 1.00) mm Hg, (66.56 +/- 0.71) mm Hg and (4.86 +/- 0.07) kg * m/m(2), respectively, F values were 3.182, 9.173, 8.478, 13.497, 2.637, and 10.631, respectively (all P values < 0.05) after the adjustment of age, height and weight, PBF was positively correlated with HR, CO, CI, SI, SBP, DBP and LCW (r values were 0.06, 0.11, 0.10, 0.11 and 0.12, respectively, all P values < 0.05); WHR was positively correlated with CI, SI, SBP, DBP, LCW and SVR (r values were 0.14, 014, 0.19, 0.18, 0.10 and 0.12, respectively, all P values < 0.01) after the adjustment of age, height and weight.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>PBF augmentation and abdominal obesity in females can result in cardiac dysfunction such as cardiac overload, CO increasing and blood pressure rising.</p>

[Distribution of systemic vascular resistance disorders and its related factors in Hebei province].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the distribution features of systemic vascular resistance (SVR) disorder in healthy subjects in Hebei province. METHODS: SVR and systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), pulse pressure (PP), heart rate (HR), cardiac output (CO), cardiac index (CI), stroke volume (SV), stroke index (SI), left ventricular ejection time (LVET), left cardiac work (LCW) and cardiovascular function were determined with Bioz. com Cardio Dynamics. Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and influencing factor were tested by automated hematology analyzer in 999 healthy subjects living in Hebei province. RESULTS: SVR disorder gradually increased with the ageing in healthy subjects and the prevalences of SVR disorders was higher among females than among males (P < 0.001). SVR was positively correlated with SBP, DBP, MAP, PP, LVET, body mass index (BMI), TC, and TG, and was inversely associated with HR, CO, CI, SV, SI, LCW, and arterial compliance (AC). CO and MAP were independent influencing factors with SVR. CONCLUSION: SVR disorder is associated with age, sex, and blood pressure in populations in Hebei province and may be a marker of vascular injury.

[The effect of central histamine H3 receptor on breathing activity of asthmatic guinea pigs].

AIM: To investigate the effect of selective H3 receptor agonist(R)-alpha-methylhistamine and antagonist thioperamide on the respiratory response in asthmatic guinea pigs respectively. METHODS: Anesthesized guinea pigs were prepared with a implanted intracerebroventricular (icv) cannula and instrumented for the measurement of respiratory rate (RR) and diaphragmatic electric activity (DA). Substance P-like immunoreactive (SP-LI) substances in lower respiratory tract were detected by immunohistochemical method. Brain histamine contents were measured by fluorometric determination. RESULTS: (1) Intravenous injection of ovalbumin caused tachypnea and significant decrease in DA magnitude. At the same time, SP-LI substances increased in trachea, bronchus and lung. (2) Administration of selective H3 receptor agonist (R)-alpha-methylhistamine (5 microg) icv immediately after i.v. ovalbumin could significantly ameliorate the changes in RR and DA induced by ovalbumin. In accordance, SP-LI substances in lower respiratory tract markedly decreased at 5 min and 10 min after (R)-alpha-methylhistamine microinjection. (3) Icv thioperamide (20 microg) caused a significant increase in RR and a decrease in DA. (4) Brain histamine contents increased in hypothalamus and cortex during asthma. After microinjection of thioperamide (20 microg) icv significant increase of histamine contents in hypothalamus and cortex was observed. CONCLUSION: Brain histamine H3 receptors may be related to asthmatic respiratory responses.

Distribution of systemic vascular resistance disorders and its related factors in Hebei province / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the distribution features of systemic vascular resistance (SVR) disorder in healthy subjects in Hebei province.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>SVR and systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), pulse pressure (PP), heart rate (HR), cardiac output (CO), cardiac index (CI), stroke volume (SV), stroke index (SI), left ventricular ejection time (LVET), left cardiac work (LCW) and cardiovascular function were determined with Bioz. com Cardio Dynamics. Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and influencing factor were tested by automated hematology analyzer in 999 healthy subjects living in Hebei province.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>SVR disorder gradually increased with the ageing in healthy subjects and the prevalences of SVR disorders was higher among females than among males (P < 0.001). SVR was positively correlated with SBP, DBP, MAP, PP, LVET, body mass index (BMI), TC, and TG, and was inversely associated with HR, CO, CI, SV, SI, LCW, and arterial compliance (AC). CO and MAP were independent influencing factors with SVR.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>SVR disorder is associated with age, sex, and blood pressure in populations in Hebei province and may be a marker of vascular injury.</p>

The effect of central histamine H3 receptor on breathing activity of asthmatic guinea pigs / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>AIM</b>To investigate the effect of selective H3 receptor agonist(R)-alpha-methylhistamine and antagonist thioperamide on the respiratory response in asthmatic guinea pigs respectively.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Anesthesized guinea pigs were prepared with a implanted intracerebroventricular (icv) cannula and instrumented for the measurement of respiratory rate (RR) and diaphragmatic electric activity (DA). Substance P-like immunoreactive (SP-LI) substances in lower respiratory tract were detected by immunohistochemical method. Brain histamine contents were measured by fluorometric determination.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) Intravenous injection of ovalbumin caused tachypnea and significant decrease in DA magnitude. At the same time, SP-LI substances increased in trachea, bronchus and lung. (2) Administration of selective H3 receptor agonist (R)-alpha-methylhistamine (5 microg) icv immediately after i.v. ovalbumin could significantly ameliorate the changes in RR and DA induced by ovalbumin. In accordance, SP-LI substances in lower respiratory tract markedly decreased at 5 min and 10 min after (R)-alpha-methylhistamine microinjection. (3) Icv thioperamide (20 microg) caused a significant increase in RR and a decrease in DA. (4) Brain histamine contents increased in hypothalamus and cortex during asthma. After microinjection of thioperamide (20 microg) icv significant increase of histamine contents in hypothalamus and cortex was observed.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Brain histamine H3 receptors may be related to asthmatic respiratory responses.</p>

The physiology constant database of teen-agers in Beijing.

Physiology constants of adolescents are important to understand growing living systems and are a useful reference in clinical and epidemiological research. Until recently, physiology constants were not available in China and therefore most physiologists, physicians, and nutritionists had to use data from abroad for reference. However, the very difference between the Eastern and Western races casts doubt on the usefulness of overseas data. We have therefore created a database system to provide a repository for the storage of physiology constants of teen-agers in Beijing. The several thousands of pieces of data are now divided into hematological biochemistry, lung function, and cardiac function with all data manually checked before being transferred into the database. The database was accomplished through the development of a web interface, scripts, and a relational database. The physiology data were integrated into the relational database system to provide flexible facilities by using combinations of various terms and parameters. A web browser interface was designed for the users to facilitate their searching. The database is available on the web. The statistical table, scatter diagram, and histogram of the data are available for both anonym and user according to queries, while only the user can achieve detail, including download data and advanced search.