Objective To evaluate the association of Smad2/3,Smad4 and P-Smad3 protein expressions in tissue with liver fibrosis in patients with chronic HBV infections.Methods Liver biopsy was performed to determine the liver fibrosis grades in 131 cases of chronic HBV infections.Immunohistochemistry and semiquantitative analysis were applied to detect the expression of Smad2/3,Smad4 and P-Smad3 proteins in liver tissues.Results Smad2/3,Smad4 and P-Smad3 were detected mainly in fibrous septum,portal areas,myofibroblasts,sinus and cytoplasm in the liver tissue.The expression of Smad2/3,Smad4 and P-Smad3 was increased with the development of fibrosis ( r =0.81,0.58and 0.68,P =0.000),and a strong positive correlation was observed among three proteins (r =0.75,0.87and 0.84,P =0.000).Conclusion The expression of Smad2/3,Smad4 and P-Smad3 is correlated with liver fibrosis in chronic HBV infection,which suggests that the up-regulation of Smad proteins may be involved in the progression of liver fibrosis.

Cardiomyopathies ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Child ; Humans

Objective To observe the effect of pentoxifylline(PTX),albendazole(ABZ),and a combination of PTX and ABZ in mice infected with Echinococcus multilocularis(E.M).Methods The first part of the experiment was to observe the in vitro effect of PTX on the cultured E.M protoscolex.In the second part,mice were infected by abdominal inoculation of E.M and divided into groups given by ABZ 50 mg/kg?d,PTX 360 mg/kg?d,PTX 180mg/kg?d,and a combined regimen ABZ 50 mg/(kg?d)+PTX 180 mg/(kg?d).Another infected group and a uninfected group served as controls which received normal saline only.100 days post-treatment,the mice were sacrificed for further observation.Indicators included wet weight of the cyst,cyst inhibition rate,level of serum cytokines TGF-? determined by ELISA,IL-2 and IL-10 determined by radio-immunoassay(RIA).Results The inhibition rate on cysts of the combined ABZ and PTX was 88%,considerably higher than 58 % of the group ABZ.The serum TGF-? and IL-10 decreased and IL-2 increased after treatment in comparison to the controls.Conclusion The PTX and ABZ combination shows better effect on E.multilocularis infection than that of single ABZ.PTX might help increase immunity of the mice.

Objective To summarize and analyze regularities in clinical use of acupoint application for headache. Method Fifth version Chinese Medical Classics database was searched. Thirty-three library-stored ancient books were searched manually. The ancient literature included for the study was sorted out. Descriptive statistical analysis was made of classification, point selection, used medicine, excipients and dosage forms for acupoint application for headache. Result A total of 51 pieces of literature was included. Statistical analysis showed that there were nine kinds of disease names, three types of classification-based treatment, eight acupoints, fifty kinds of medicines, eight hinds of excipients and five kinds of dosage forms. Conclusion Headache is the most basic nomenclature for pains in the head. Classification-based treatment fully embodies the idea of treatment based on disease differentiation mainly in combination with syndrome differentiation. Point Taiyang is the main point for local selection of point. The most frequently selected medicines are those of going through meridians, opening the orifices, unblocking collaterals and having thick smells. Blistering medicines are used cautiously. Scallion juice is most frequently used as excipients. Medicinal cakes are dosage forms most suitable for acupoint application for headache.

Objective To study the mRNA expression of myelin basic protein (MBP) and myelin oligodendregha glyeoprotein (MOG) in hippocampus of rats following global brain ischemia.Method The four- vessel occlusion animal model in the Sprague-Dawley rats was used in this study.The mRNA expression levels of MBP and MOG in the hippocampus of rats were analyzed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT- PCR) at day 2,4,7,14 and 28 days after global brain ischemia.There were eight rats at each time-point and sham operated group.Results The mRNA expression of both MBP and MOG in hippocampus of rats decreased at 2 days after global brain ischemia.The gene expression of myelin gene decreased significantly at 7 days and it reached to the lowest level at 28 days.Compared with sham operated group,the gene expression of MBP and MOG in hippocampus of rats decreased significantly at 7,14 and 28 days after global brain ischemia (P

Objective To understand the prevalence and distribution characteristics of symptoms of anorectal diseases in Chinese residents(older than 18) as to provide reference for prevention,care and treatment of anorectal diseases.Methods Stratified sampling was used according to the economic level in every province in the country,and each province selected two cities.Face-toface interviews were used to collect data in 68 906 interviewers and SPSS 17.0 was performed to analyze the data.Results Of 68 906 respondents,25 634 (37.20 ％) reported to suffer from at least one symptoms of anorectal diseases.The prevalence of the top 5 main symptoms of anorectal diseases were prolapse of anus neoplasms(14.55％),anal sore(16.53％),anal pendant expansion (14.98 ％),perianal abscess (5.88 ％),hematochezia (22.52 ％).Each symptom frequency difference was statistically significant (x2=7 727.6,P＜0.001).Populations which proned to suffer from symptoms of anorectal disease had the following characteristics:living in city,male,ageing 25-54 years old,having specialist qualifications,lacking of physical.Conclusion The prevalence of symptoms of anorectal diseases among Chinese residents was high,and each symptom had its distribution characteristics.More targeted interventions should be taken in anorectal disease prone people.

Objective To explore the relationship between DNA repair gene XRCC1 and XPD polymorphisms and individual susceptibility to prostate cancer. Methods PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay was used to analyze the XRCC1 (C26304T and G28152A) and XPD A35931C polymorphisms in 358 prostate cancer patients and 312 healthy controls. Unconditional logistic regression analysis was performed to calculate odd ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CD for estimating the correlation between different genotypes and prostate cancer risks. Results Forty-seven(13.1%) cases present XRCC1 28152AA genotype in prostate cancer group, while 24 cases in the control group (7. 1%), individuals with this genotype had a significantly increased risk for prostate cancer (OR 1. 924, 95%CI=1.126 - 3. 288, P=0. 017). There was no significant difference between two groups at XRCC1 C26304T and XPD A35931C sites. Combined analysis of the three sites polymorphisms showed that individuals with XRCC1 28152 AA and XPD 35931AC+CC genotype had a higher risk of prostate cancer than those with three wild genotypes (OR = 3. 087,95%CI 1. 081 - 8.813;OR = 3. 376,95%CI 1.067-10.683;OR 3. 216,95%CI=1. 439-7.188,P = 0. 004). Analysis stratified by age of onset, PSA, Gleason score and T stage revealed that XRCC1 28152AA and XPD 35931 AC+CC high-risk genotype was especially associated with early age at onset of prostate cancer (P<0. 05). Conclusions The XRCC1 and XPD genotypes may be contributed to the risk of developing prostate cancer, particularly for younger patients.

Objective To analyze the clinical,radiological and pathdogical characteristics of idiopathic lymphoid interstitial pneumonia (idiopathic LIP) and to discuss its diagnosis,treatment and prognosis.Methods Respiratory physicians,pathologists and radiologists together retrospectively analyzed the clinical,chest roentgenogram,computerized tomography,pathologicM,diagnostic and therapeutic data of 3 patients with idiopathic LIP confirmed by lung biopsy.and reviewed the relevant literatures.Results The major symptoms of the 3 cases of idiopathic LIP were prgressive dyspnea and dry cough.Higher levels of γ-globulins in serum were found in all the cases.The characteristic radiographic manifestations were bilateral diffuse nodules and cysts.The pathologic feature was diffuse interstitial inflammation with polyclonal lymphocytes infiltration,especially with plasma lymphocytes.Corticosteroids and cytotoxic agents were used and good response to therapy was observed in the cases.Conclusions Idiopathic LIP has some characteristics on the clinical,radiological and pathological features,but the best diagnostic method depends on a clinical-radiological-pathological approach.The disease usually shows good response to combinative therapy of corticosteroids and cytotoxic agents.

OBJECTIVETo observe anti-cancer effects of Jianpi Jiedu Recipe (JJR) on liver cancer (LC) rats with Pi deficiency syndrome (PDS) and its relation with the third complementary-determining region gene spectratyping of TCRVβ-chain (TCRVβCDR3).

METHODSRats were divided into 8 groups according to random digit table, i.e., the blank control group (normal), the PDS group, the LC model group, the LC-PDS group, high, middle, and low dose JJR groups (75.00, 37.50, 18.75 g/kg, respectively by gastrogavage, once per day), the thymus pentapeptide group (5 mg/kg, intramuscular injection, twice per week), 8 in each group. Rats in the normal group were administered with physiological saline by gastrogavage once per day. PDS rat model was prepared by bitter-cold purgation. LC model was prepared by orthotopic transplantation method. Twenty gene subfamilies of TCRβCDR3 in the thymus, liver, and LC tissues were detected by Gene Scan.

RESULTSHigh and middle dose JJR could postpone the growth of LC volume (P < 0.05), with equivalent liver index and thymus index to those of the normal group (P > 0.05). In thymus and liver tissue of the normal group, the number of clones (20 and 19), gene fragment number (220 and 113), Quasi-Gaussian distribution ratio of TCRVβCDR3 gene repertoire (100.0% and 42.1%), and fragment fluorescence peak area (6,539 ± 2,325 and 1,238 ± 439) were at the highest level among the 8 groups. TCRVβCDR3 expressions in thymus and liver tissue of high and middle dose JJR groups were approximate to those of the normal group. They were in the middle of the thymus pentapeptide group, the PDS group, the LC model group, and poorest in the LC-PDS group. TCRVβCDR3 in liver tissue expressed the best in the thymus pentapeptide group.

CONCLUSIONJJR might inhibit the growth of LC cells, and its mechanism might be related to enhancing TCRVβCDR3 spectratype expression.

Animals ; Complementarity Determining Regions ; genetics ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Genes, T-Cell Receptor beta ; Liver Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Random Allocation ; Rats

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of different pressure oxygen pre-breathing in preventing decompression sickness of rats.

METHODSForty male SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: decompression sickness (DCS) group and three oxygen pre-breathing groups with 1 ATA, 2 ATA and 3 ATA pressure respectively. The rats of DCS group were placed in the hyperbaric chamber and the chamber was compressed evenly within 3 minutes to depths of 7 absolute atmosphere(ATA) and held at the designated depth for 60 min, then decompressed (3 min) at constant speed to the surface pressure. After that, the rats were taken out for further detection. While the rats of oxygen pretreatment groups pre-breathed different pressure oxygen for 20 min before entering into chamber. The mortality and behavioral of rats were observed with 30 min post decompression. The dry/wet ratio of the lung, protein levels in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and the inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) expression were also tested.

RESULTSCompared with that of the DCS group, the mortality and morbidity of oxygen pre-breathe groups didn't change obviously. But the total BALF protein level and the inflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha expression of 1 ATA oxygen pre-breathe group were obviously decreased, while the dry/wet ratio of lung as obviously increased instead (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAlthough preoxygenation can' t obviously change the mortality and mobidity of rats, normal pressure oxygen pre-breathing can mitigate the protein infiltration in BALF and the expression of inflammatory cytokine in lung tissue.

Animals ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; chemistry ; Decompression Sickness ; Diving ; Lung ; pathology ; Oxygen ; physiology ; Pressure ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism