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Objective To explore the effect of bilirubin on intracellular Ca 2+ of cerebral cortex neurons and the therapeutic effect of MgSO 4. Methods Cerebral cortical neurons were cultured from the embryonic rat brain. The free cytosolic Ca 2+ concentration ([Ca 2+ ]i) of the cultured neurons was determined with a fluorescent Ca 2+ chelator (Fura-2) after exposure of the neurons to different concentrations of bilirubin. Results Immature neurons (neurons cultured for only 2 days) responded within 4 hours to 100 mmol bilirubin by an increase in [Ca 2+ ]i from 75.3 nmol to 320.8 nmol, an increase that during another 4 hours of exposure reached to 400.7 nmol. This increase in [Ca 2+ ]i could not be reversed by the removal of bilirubin. In contrast to these findings, mature neurons (8 days in culture) exhibited only a small increase (from 70.6 nmol to 150.8 nmol) in [Ca 2+ ]i within 4 hours after the exposure to 100 mmol bilirubin, and this rapid increase in [Ca 2+ ]i tended to decline on the following prolonged 4 hour exposure to bilirubin. Moreover, after the removal of bilirubin, the increase in [Ca 2+ ]i was partially reversible. The N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists MgSO 4 could significantly block the response. Conclusions Bilirubin can induce an increase in intracellular Ca 2+ in primary cultured cerebral cortex neurons and the change can be partially reversed by NMDA receptor antagonists MgSO 4.
Objective To explore the change of heme substances in asthma and the relationship between heme substances and asthmatic attack. Methods Sixty guinea pigs were equally separated into 6 groups. Except for normal control group (NCG), asthmatic models were divided into 5 groups. Two of them were treated with the specific stimulator (hemin) and the inhibitor (Sn-PP)of HO -1 respectively, the other group received dexamethasone as a preventive measure, and the last were asthmatic and nature rescuing asthmatic groups (NRAG). In all the tested animals, the COHb and NO in blood, lung HO -1 activity, and lung cGMP were examined. The lung tissues were pathologically observed and stained immunohistochemically. Results In the asthmatic (AG) and heme stimulated groups (HG), the levels of the COHb, NO, lung HO -1 activity and cGMP were significantly increased compared with NCG ( t values were ① 5.69 in AG, 9.29 in HG, ② 6.28 , 10.19 , ③ 5.77 , 8.92 , ④ 9.74 , 6.96 , P < 0.01 , respectively). Lung HO -1 activities were (1449±426) pmol/mg. COHb in blood ( 7.43 ± 2.07 )%, NO in blood ( 90.9 ± 16.7 ) μmol/L, lung cGMP ( 1.96 ± 0.65 ) pmol/mg, and lung HO -1 protein expression ≥4 grade in hemin stimulated group respectively. Whereas, in the Sn-pp inhibited, dexamethasone and NSAG groups, they were markedly reduced compared with the asthmatic group ( P < 0.01 ). Conclusions In asthma, the increased NO, cGMP induced by NOS and sGC, and HO -1 protein suggest that heme substances catalyzed by HO are enhanced. These may be contributory to airway hyperresponsiveness.
Objective To study the etiology of upper gastrointestinal tract hemorrhage in children. Methods One hundred children with upper gastrointestinal tract hemorrhage were examined by gastroscopy. Results Abnormal findings were noted in 93% of patients, with duodenal bulbar ulcer being the commonest disorder (33%). Other abnormalities included severe superficial gastritis (19%), duodenitis accompanied by gastritis (11%), esophagitis (9%) and gastric ulcer (8%). HP test was positive in 60% of patients. Conclusions Upper gastrointestinal tract hemorrhage occurs frequently in school-age children. Duodenal bulbar ulcer is commonly observed and has a close correlation with HP infection.
Objective To explore the relationship between urine retinol-binding protein (RBP), N-acety 1-B-D-amino-clucosidic enzyme (NAG) and renal tubular injuries in children with anaphylacoid purpura (AP) and purpura nephritis (PN). Methods Using ELISA, the concentration of urine RBP and NAG were determined. Ninty-two cases were divided into three groups: Group 1 (23 cases of AP), Group 2 (31 cases of PN) and Group 3 (38 normal children). Results There was a significant difference in urine RBP concentration between Group 1 ( 20.9 ± 17.12 μg/mmol Cr) and Group 3 ( 10.3 ± 4.8 μg/mmol Cr), ( P < 0.05 ), and Group 2 ( 25.7 ± 22.8 μg/mmol Cr) and Group 3 ( P < 0.01 ). No difference was noted between the first and second groups ( P > 0.05 ). As to the urine NAG capacity, there was no difference between the first group ( 1.5 ± 0.8 U/mmol Cr) and the control group ( 1.5 ± 0.9 U/mmol Cr), ( P > 0.05 ), a prominent difference was noted between the second group ( 3.6 ± 4.4 U/mmol Cr) and the control group, ( P < 0.01 ), and there was a difference between the first group and the second group as well, ( P < 0.05 ). Conclusions Despite normal urinary findings in AP patients there exist varing degree of proximal renal tubule damage, more so in the PN, in different levels if the urine routine has changed, and so would be the distal renal tubule.
Objective To explore the role of IGFBP-1 in the normal growth and intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) in rat fetuses. Methods The bilateral uterine arteries and veins of SD pregnant rats of the experimental group were clamped for 20 minutes. A IUGR model was set up. A sham operation was performed on the control. We observed the correlation between the serum IGFBP-1 level and blood glucose level, growth parameters (body weight and length) and organ weight (placenta, lung, brain and liver) of the rat fetuses. Results ①The growth parameters, organ weight and blood glucose level ( 42.49 mg/ml) of the experimental group decreased significantly while the serum IGFBP-1 ( 94.99 ng/ml) increased significantly compared with those of the control group (IGFBP-1 33.20 ng/ml blood glucose 67.31 mg/ml) ( P < 0.01 ); ②There was a significant negative correlation between the serum IGFBP-1 level and the blood glucose level, growth parameters and organ weight of all the rat fetuses including IUGR and control groups ( P < 0.01 ). Conclusions Serum IGFBP-1 participates in the growth of normal and IUGR rat fetuses as an inhibiting factor.
Objective To determine whether or not apoptosis occurs in the delayed cell death following hypoxic ischemic injury, and assess the sensibility and specificity of various techniques. Methods Using HE staining and electromicroscopic technique, in situ end labeling (ISEL) and DNA electrophoresis, we observed the histological features of apoptotic cells in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus, and compared the ipsilateral hemisphere at various time points following hypoxic ischemia (HI) with that of the sham group. Results In the cerebral cortex and hippocampus at the ipsilateral hemisphere in neonatal rat models of HI, light and electronic microscopy exhibited cell shrinkage, chromatin condensation, and apoptotic bodies. ISEL and DNA electrophoresis also provided evidence of DNA fragmentation. It was found that apoptotic cell death generally began 6～12 h after the initiating insult, and reached the peak at 24 h in the cortex and hippocampus. Conclusions Cerebral HI can induce neuronal apoptosis in neonatal rats. Apoptosis is mainly involved in the delayed cell death following hypoxic ischemic injury except for the existence of necrosis. Apoptosis appears to be a major form of delayed cell death during the selective neuronal loss following hypoxic ischemic injury. Owing to the limitation of different techniques, it is necessary to adopt several ways to determine the existence of apoptosis.
Objective To improve the isolation effect of the pulmonary surfactant protein A. Methods We isolated and purified pig pulmonary surfactant protein A. The pig lungs were washed with saline. The mixture was centrifugalized and protein sediments were obtained. The sediments were isolated and purified by dialysis. We detected their biological activity by MTP-1 balance. Results The samples upon SDS/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that the molecular weight was 29.7 ×10 3 and the number of bands was reduced. When added to artificial phospholipids, its biological activity was enhanced ( P < 0.01 ). Conclusions The method of dialysis can effectively purify the pig pulmonary surfactant protein A. The method can also keep its biological activity well.
Objective To investigate the preventive and therapeutic effects of nerve growth factor (NGF) and dan-Shen root on hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) in newborn rats. Methods NGF and dan-Shen root were injected into 7-day-old rats before and after the HIE models were made. Glutamate (Glu), aspartate (Asp) and nitric oxide synthesis (NOS) levels in brain tissues and pathological changes were examined after the hypoxic-ischemic insults. Results Both (Glu, Asp) in 30 min and NOS were significantly increased in HIE rats compared with the control group. The difference between them was markedly significant. Glu: ( 887.0 ± 145.2 ) μg/g, ( 776.5 ± 103.0 ) μg/g, ( P < 0.05 ),Asp: ( 278.6 ± 48.2 ) μg/g, ( 224.8 ± 27.0 ) μg/g, ( P < 0.01 ), NOS: ( 3.346 ± 0.745 ) U/ml, ( 2.195 ± 0.615 ) U/ml,( P < 0.01 ), respectively. Glu, Asp and NOS after HIE and the pathological changes were reduced by NGF and dan-shen root as well. Glu: ( 694.9 ± 83.9 ) μg/g, ( 887.0 ± 145.2 ) μg/g, ( P < 0.01 ), Asp: ( 206.1 ± 25.4 ) μg/g, ( 278.6 ± 48.2 ), ( P < 0.01 ), NOS: ( 2.041 ± 0.357 ) U/ml, ( 3.346 ± 0.745 ) U/ml, ( P < 0.01 ). Conclusions NGF and dan-shen root have preventive and therapeutic effects on HIE.
Objective To investigate the differences of behaviors and attitudes between the teenagers from urban and rural areas in some parts of Hunan. Methods Students from one middle school in Changsha City and one in Shaoshan area were investigated, respectively, with a unified questionnaire. The questionnaire covered attitudes and behaviors. The investigation was anonymous. Data were analyzed with the statistic software package from the Department of Epidemiology in Hunan Medical University. Results Except for the prefered life style and heterosexual idol, all the answers given by the students from both urban and rural areas had significant difference ( P < 0.01 ). However, in some items, students from both the city and the countryside had relatively unanimous opinions, with no statistical differnce ( P > 0.05 ). Conclusions Social factors are the determinants for the differences in psychological development between students from urban and rural areas. Nowadays, students from both the city and countryside have enhanced sexual consciousness.
Objective To further analyse personality features of children with anorexia nervosa. Methods A control study was carried out between 36 children with anorexia nervosa (the anorexia nervosa group)and 40 normal children (the control group) using Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (junior). Results The anorexia nervosa group had a lower average score in E-scale ( P < 0.05 ) and a higher one in N-scale ( P < 0.05 ) than the control group, while no significant difference was seen between the two groups in P-scale or L-scale ( P > 0.05 ), suggesting that children with anorexia nervosa were characteristic introvert personality, unstable type. Conclusions Children with introvert, unstable personality are significantly more susceptible to anorexia nervosa than those with extrovert, stable personality. Preliminary psychological therapy should thus be administered.
