BACKGROUND:The monocyte chemoattactant protein-1 gene polymorphism is associated with spinal tuberculosis susceptibility. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the association between serum monocyte chemoattactant protein-1 expression level and spinal tuberculosis susceptibility in Han population of Hunan province. METHODS:The patients with spinal tuberculosis and the healthy volunteers were recruited in Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from December 2004 to December 2010. The empty peripheral venous blood 2 mL were col ected from the subjects in early morning, then the monocyte chemoattactant protein-1-362 genotypes were detected by polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing technology. And the serum monocyte chemoattactant protein-1 level was detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay technology. The ROC curve was used for diagnostic tests to calculate diagnostic threshold value of serum monocyte chemoattactant protein-1 level to spinal tuberculosis susceptibility, and to analyze the diagnostic titer. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:208 patients with spinal tuberculosis and 210 healthy volunteers were included. The serum monocyte chemoattactant protein-1 level of the spinal tuberculosis patients was significantly higher than that of the healthy volunteers [(134.58±51.63) ng/L vs. (39.18±17.45) ng/L, P<0.01]. The serum monocyte chemoattactant protein-1 level could not be affected by gender, but over-expressed in patients with monocyte chemoattactant protein-1-362-CC genotypes. The serum monocyte chemoattactant protein-1 level higher than 101.65 ng/L indicated that the patients might suffered from spinal tuberculosis (sensitivity:85.5%, specificity:94.3%, Youden index:0.799, area under curve of ROC:0.946, 95%confidence interval:0.916-0.975, P<0.01). The serum monocyte chemoattactant protein-1 level may be associated with spinal tuberculosis susceptibility in Han population of Hunan province, highly expressed serum monocyte chemoattactant protein-1 can be used as one of the indicators for the diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis.

INTRODUCTIONThe level of participation is an important factor influencing rehabilitation outcome. However, few studies have evaluated rehabilitation participation and its clinical predictors in patients with stroke. This study aimed to establish the level of participation in patients with stroke undergoing inpatient rehabilitation, and define the clinical predictors for participation.

METHODSThis was a prospective observational study of first-time patients with stroke admitted to a rehabilitation centre over a 12-month period. The primary outcome measure was the level of rehabilitation participation as measured on the Pittsburgh Rehabilitation Participation Scale (PRPS). PRPS measurements were made one week after admission and one week before planned discharge from inpatient rehabilitation. Other outcome measures evaluated were the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale, Functional Independence Measure (FIM), Elderly Cognitive Assessment Questionnaire (ECAQ), Centre for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale, Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Lubben Social Network Scale-Revised, and Multidimensional Health Questionnaire.

RESULTSA total of 122 patients with stroke were studied. The mean PRPS score on admission was relatively high at 4.30 ± 0.90, and this improved to 4.65 ± 0.79 before planned discharge (p < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, the mean PRPS score on admission was predicted by FIM, EACQ and FSS scores on admission, but not by variables such as age, gender, depression, social support, or health attitudes and beliefs.

CONCLUSIONPatients with lower levels of participation were more likely to be functionally dependent, cognitively impaired and have more fatigue. We suggest that in addition to cognition, fatigue should be routinely screened in patients with stroke undergoing rehabilitation.

Cognition ; physiology ; Disability Evaluation ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incidence ; Inpatients ; Length of Stay ; trends ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; methods ; Patient Compliance ; statistics & numerical data ; Prospective Studies ; Recovery of Function ; physiology ; Rehabilitation Centers ; statistics & numerical data ; Singapore ; epidemiology ; Stroke ; epidemiology ; physiopathology ; Stroke Rehabilitation ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of Qiangjing Tablets (QJT) on the semen quality and Fas/FasL signaling pathway in male SD rats with infertility.

METHODSModels of infertility were made in 50 male SD rats by intragastric administration of Tripterygium (GTW) for 3 weeks, and another 20 rats were taken as blank controls. Then 40 successfully established rat models were randomly divided into four groups, model control, low-dose QJT, medium-dose QJT, and high-dose QJT, the latter three groups treated intragastrically with QJT at 58 mg, 105 mg, and 233 mg per kg of the body weight per day, respectively. After 4 weeks of medication, the rats were killed for examination of semen quality and determination of the expression of the apoptosis factor FasL in the testis tissue.

RESULTSCompared with the blank controls, the model rats showed significant decreases in sperm concentration ([71.99 ± 9.72] vs [10.94 ± 3.58] x 10⁶/ml, P < 0.01), motility ([48.95 ± 4.10] vs [9.31 ± 5.79]%, P < 0.01), and viability ( [82.06 ± 6.16] vs [24.03 ± 6.93]%, P < 0.01). In comparison with the model controls, the rats in the QJT groups exhibited remarkably increased sperm concentration, motility, and viability, more significantly in the high-dose group ([59.66 ± 4.53] x 10⁶/ml, [35.45 ± 5.21] %, and [61.97 ± 9.75]%) and medium-dose group ([40.89 ± 4.90] x 10⁶/ml, [24.41 ± 4.79]%, and [60.06 ± 10.62]%) (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The expression of FasL was markedly reduced in the low-, medium-, and high-dose QJT groups (0.5215 ± 0.0189, 0.5371 ± 0.0364, and 0.4556 ± 0.0215) as compared with that of the model controls (0.5989 ± 0.0448 ) (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONBy upregulating the Fas/FasL signaling pathway, Tripterygium glycosides may induce the apoptosis of spermatogenic cells and reduce sperm concentration, motility and viability, resulting in infertility. The Chinese medicine Qiangjing Tablets can improve the reproductive function of male rats by decreasing the expression of the apoptosis factor FasL in the testis.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Fas Ligand Protein ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Germ Cells ; Glycosides ; Infertility, Male ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Male ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Semen ; drug effects ; Semen Analysis ; Signal Transduction ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; drug effects ; Tablets ; Testis ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Tripterygium

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of a sequence-specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) in suppressing survivin expression and cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis of PC-2 cells.

METHODSThe plasmid expression vector of siRNA targeted against survivin was constructed and transfected into PC-2 cells with Lipofectamine 2000. The changes of survivin expression were detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemical SP methods. The effect of siRNA in suppressing the proliferation of PC-2 cells was detected by MTT assay, and its role in inducing PC-2 cell apoptosis evaluated by flow cytometry.

RESULTSThe sequence-specific siRNA effectively suppressed survivin expression at both mRNA and protein levels with inhibition rate of 81.25% at mRNA level and 74.24% at protein level. Survivin expression suppression significantly inhibited the proliferation of PC-2 cells, and at 24 and 48 h after cell seeding, the proliferation inhibition rate was 28.00% and 33.38% respectively; 24, 48 h after the transfection, apoptosis occurred in 8.46% and 7.53% of the cells, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSThe plasmid expression vector for the siRNA against survivin constructed in the study can effectively and specifically suppress survivin expression in PC-2 cells, and blocking survivin expression suppresses PC-2 cell proliferation and induces cell apoptosis. siRNA targeted against survivin has a potential value in gene therapy for pancreatic cancer.

Apoptosis ; genetics ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Cell Survival ; genetics ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Neoplasm Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Transfection

Objective To establish the CTRP4 transgenic mouse model and investigate the function of the novel adipocytokine CTRP4.Methods CTRP4 overexpressing vector in pCAGGS was firstly constructed and then microinjected into zygote to establish the founder transgenic mice .F1 heterozygotes were generated by founder mice mating with wildtype mice, and the CTRP4 transgenic homozygotes were generated by F 1 littermates.The genotype was confirmed by PCR and test cross method .The expression level of CTRP 4 in transgenic mice was detected by western blot .Result The human CTRP4 transgenic homozygote mice line was established , and the expression level of CTRP 4 was confirmed raletively high in detected tissues including heart , liver, brain and kidney . Conclusion The human CTRP4 transgenic mice was successfully established .

Objective To evaluate the effect of ultrasound-guided vacuum-assisted minimal invasive resection(Mammotome procedure)of breast lumps through the retromammary space. Methods Seven hundred and eighty-seven patients in Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University from Jan. 2011 to May 2012 were underwent ultrasound-guided Mammotome operation through the retromammary space (retromammary space group,385 cases),or adjacent the lumps,and followed by post-operation visits regularly (Mammotome operation adjacent the lumps group,402 cases). The operation effects were compared between the two groups. Results All cases were followed up for 12 months. The period of Mmmotome operation through the retromam mary space and the rate of resection were(48 ± 6)min and(52 ± 4)min,99. 48%(383 / 385), 99. 25%(399 / 402),perspectively,in group of Mammotome operation through the retromammary space and Mammotome operation adjacent lumpsand. There was no significant difference between the two groups( P> 0. 05). The amount of procedural bleeding,the incidence of ecchymosis,local hematoma and the number of incision in group of Mammotome operation through the retromammary space were(8 ± 3)ml,2. 34%(9 / 385), 0. 52%(2 / 385),(1. 3 ± 0. 6)respectively,which were significantly lower than those in Mammotome operation adjacent the lumps group((14 ± 6)ml,8. 71%(35 / 402),2. 74%(11 / 402),(2. 4 ± 0. 3)respectively). There were statistical difference between two groups( P = 0. 003,P < 0. 001,P = 0. 001,P = 0. 006). The rate of satisfaction in group of Mammotome operation through the retro-mammary space was 98. 70%(380 / 385),which is significantly higher than in group of Mammotome operation adjacent the lumps(89. 30%(359 / 402),P< 0. 01). Conclusion The therapy approach of ultrasound-guided Mammotome operation through the retromammary space has lower hemorrhagic complication,as well as the better effect with special advantages. Therefore it has prospective clinical application.

INTRODUCTIONWe investigated the 2005 outbreak of dengue fever (DF)/dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) to determine its epidemiological, virological and entomological features to further understand the unprecedented resurgence.

MATERIALS AND METHODSAll physician-diagnosed, laboratory-confirmed cases of DF/DHF notified to the Ministry of Health, Singapore during the outbreak as well as entomological and virological data were analysed retrospectively.

RESULTSA total of 14,006 cases of DF/DHF comprising 13,625 cases of DF and 381 cases of DHF, including 27 deaths were reported, giving an incidence rate of 322.6 per 100,000 and a case-fatality rate of 0.19%. The median age of the cases and deaths were 32 and 59.5 years, respectively. The incidence rate of those living in compound houses was more than twice that of residents living in public and private apartments. The distribution of DF/DHF cases was more closely associated with Aedes aegypti compared to Aedes albopictus breeding sites and the overall Aedes premises index was 1.15% (2.28% in compound houses and 0.33% to 0.8% in public and private apartments). The predominant dengue serotype was DEN-1. A significant correlation between weekly mean temperature and cases was noted. The correlation was strongest when the increase in temperature preceded rise in cases by a period of 18 weeks.

CONCLUSIONThe resurgence occurred in a highly densely populated city-state in the presence of low Aedes mosquito population. Factors contributing to this resurgence included lower herd immunity and change in dominant dengue serotype from DEN-2 to DEN-1. There was no evidence from gene sequencing of the dengue viruses that the epidemic was precipitated by the introduction of a new virulent strain. The current epidemiological situation is highly conducive to periodic dengue recurrences. A high degree of vigilance and active community participation in source reduction should be maintained.

Adult ; Aedes ; Animals ; Dengue ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; transmission ; Dengue Virus ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; pathogenicity ; Disease Outbreaks ; Female ; Humans ; Immunity, Herd ; Incidence ; Insect Vectors ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mosquito Control ; Primary Prevention ; methods ; Public Health ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Serotyping ; Singapore ; epidemiology

OBJECTIVETo construct an expression vector of small interfering RNA (siRNA) against survivin and observe its effects on survivin expression and proliferation of human pancreatic cancer cell line PC-2 and breast cancer cell line MCF-7.

METHODSConstructed an expression vector of siRNA against survivin and transfected it into PC-2 and MCF-7 cells using lipofectamine 2000. The expression of survivin was detected by semi-quantitive RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry, and its effects on proliferation of PC-2 and MCF-7 cells were detected by MTT assay.

RESULTSThe introduction of sequence-specific siRNA could efficiently suppress survivin expression at both mRNA and protein levels in the two cancer cell lines. In PC-2 cells, the expression inhibition rates were 81.25% at mRNA level and 74.24% at protein level. In MCF-7 cells, the expression inhibition rates were 64.91% at mRNA level and 79.72% at protein level. The proliferation of PC-2 and MCF-7 cells was also suppressed, and 24 and 48 hours after the cells were reseeded, the proliferation inhibition rates of PC-2 cells were 28.00% and 33.38%, and that of MCF-7 cells were 31.58% and 33.02%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSThe expression vector of siRNA against survivin can block survivin expression in PC-2 and MCF-7 cells efficiently and specifically. Down regulation of survivin expression can suppress proliferation of PC-2 and MCF-7 cells. Survivin RNAi may have potential value in gene therapy of human cancers.

Base Sequence ; Breast Neoplasms ; pathology ; therapy ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Female ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; pathology ; therapy ; Plasmids ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Neoplasm ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; therapeutic use ; Transfection

OBJECTIVEBlocking the expression of survivin with RNA interference techniques, the effects of suppressing proliferation and inducing apoptosis of breast cancer MCF-7 cells were investigated.

METHODSA siRNA eukaryotic expression vector against survivin was constructed and transfected into breast cancer MCF-7 cells with lipofectamine 2000. The changes of survivin expression were detected by semi-quantitive RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. The effect of suppressing proliferation of MCF-7 cell was detected by MTT assay. The effect of inducing MCF-7 cell apoptosis was detected by TUNEL assay.

RESULTSThe sequence-specific siRNA can efficiently block the expression of survivin both at mRNA and protein levels. The expression inhibition rate was 64.9% at mRNA level detected by semi-quantitive RT-PCR and 79.7% at protein level detected by immunohistochemistry. Blocking the expression of survivin can suppress proliferation of MCF-7 cells significantly. At 24 and 48 h after the cells were reseeded, the proliferation inhibition rates were 31.6% and 33.0%, respectively. At 24 h after transfection, apoptosis was induced in 12.9% of the cells as detected by TUNEL assay.

CONCLUSIONBlocking the expression of survivin with RNA interference technology can significantly suppress proliferation of MCF-7 cells and induce apoptosis to a certain degree. RNAi targeted to survivin has a potential value in gene therapy of breast cancer.

Apoptosis ; Breast Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Female ; Genetic Therapy ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; physiology ; Neoplasm Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; physiology ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Transfection

Alnus sibirica (AS) geographically distributes in Korea, Japan, Northeast China and Russia. The bark of this plant had been used for antipyretic, expectorant, anti-phlogistic, antitussive, anti-asthmatic and as a health tea for alcoholism. Recently, we studied various biological activities of AS and the isolated diarylheptanoid. In present study, we conducted fermentation of AS (FAS) and isolated two diarylheptanoid (hirsutenone and muricarpone B). Moreover, we established the validation and contents determinations of the two compounds by HPLC on FAS.
Alcoholism ; Alnus* ; China ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Fermentation ; Japan ; Korea ; Plants ; Russia ; Tea