AIM:To investigate the effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on acute lung injury induced by H9N2 swine influenza virus ( SIV) in mice.METHODS: BALB/c mice were used to establish the animal model of acute lung injury by nasal inoculation of H9N2 SIV.The mice were divided into control group (without SIV infection), H9N2 SIV group (inoculation of H9N2 SIV) and NAC group (inoculation of H9N2 SIV plus pretreatment with NAC).The pulmonary edema was evaluated by determining the lung wet weight /dry weight ( W/D) ratio.The pathological changes of the lung tis-sues were observed .The concontrations of TNF-α, IL-1βand IL-6 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid ( BALF) were meas-ured.The virus titer, T-SOD activity, MPO activity and MDA content in the homogenate of the lung tissues were detected . RESULTS:Treatment with NAC decreased the morality of infected mice , and significantly prolonged the survival time of infected mice .The pathological changes of the lung tissues , the lung W/D ratio and the lung index were relieved when SIV infected the mice treated with NAC .Treatment with NAC significantly decreased the infiltration of inflammatory cells inclu-ding macrophages, lymphocytes and neutrophils in the BALF .The levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1βand MDA and the activity of MPO were also decreased.Treatment with NAC also significantly increased the T-SOD activity.CONCLUSION: The protective effect of NAC on the acute lung injury mouse model is related to suppression of the oxidative stress and inflamma -tory responses .

[ ABSTRACT] AIM:To investigate whether kaempferol protects against acute lung injury induced by swine -origin influenza A H9N2 virus via down-regulation of NF-κB signaling pathway .METHODS:BALB/c mice were used to estab-lish the animal model of acute lung injury by nasal inoculation of swine-origin influenza A H9N2 virus.After the interven-tion with kaempferol , the pulmonary edema was evaluated by determining the lung wet weight /dry weight ( W/D) ratio, the pathological changes of the lung tissues were observed , the concentrations of TNF-α, IL-1βand IL-6 in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and MDA content in the homogenate of the lung tissues were detected .NF-κB P65 levels were determined by Western blot , and the NF-κB P65 and NF-κB P50 nuclear translocation in the nuclear extracts from mouse lung tissue homogenate was detec-ted by ELISA .RESULTS:Treatment with kaempferol decreased the morality of infected mice , and significantly prolonged the survival time of the infected mice .Kaempferol also relieved the pathological changes of the lung tissues , the lung W/D ratio and the lung index in swine-origin influenza A H9N2 virus-infected mice.Treatment with kaempferol significantly de-creased the infiltration of inflammatory cells including macrophages , lymphocytes and neutrophils in the BALF .The levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1βand MDA and the activity of MPO were also decreased .Treatment with kaempferol also significantly increased the SOD activity .NF-κB P65 levels were decreased , and the NF-κB P65 and NF-κB P50 nuclear translocation in the nuclear extracts from the mouse lung tissue homogenate were also decreased by treatment with kaempferol .CONCLU-SION:The protective effect of kaempferol on the mice with acute lung injury induced by swine -origin influenza A H9N2 vi-rus is related to suppression of the oxidative stress and inflammatory responses by down-regulation of NF-κB signaling path-way.

BACKGROUNDThere are many factors that affect the prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study aims to analyze the influential factors and prognosis in patients with NSCLC following operation.

METHODSFrom January 1996 to January 2003, 1380 patients with NSCLC treated surgically were retrospectively studied. The correlation between clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis was evaluated by univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTSIn the whole group, 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rate was 78.85%, 49.78% and 38.96% respectively, and median survival time (MST) was 38.77 months. According to univariate analysis, tumor size, pathologic type, clinical type (central or peripheral), TNM stages, lymph node involvement, surgical procedure, postoperative chemotherapy, and cycles of chemotherapy were significantly related to the survival of patients. By multivariate analysis, tumor size, TNM stages, lymph node status and postoperative chemotherapy were independent prognostic factors.

CONCLUSIONSTumor size, TNM stages, lymph node involvement and postoperative chemotherapy are independent prognostic factors for NSCLC following the surgical procedure.

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this study is to comprehensively explore the risk factors of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) in China.

METHODSTwo groups of data based on distinct resources were analyzed to explore the risk factors of POAG. One group of data was based on hospital records between 1995 and 2000 which composed of 107 patients with POAG and 149 controls without POAG. The other group of data was based on 40 patients with POAG and 120 matched controls without POAG. The former was designed by non-matched case control study, the latter was done by 1:3 matched case control study. The relationships between POAG and the factors such as age, sex, family history, diabetes, hypertension, intraocular pressure (IOP), cardiovascular diseases, smoking, drinking and mutation of TIGR gene were studied by logistic regression analysis.

RESULTSThe simple factor analysis showed that the risk of POAG was related to age, family history, hypertension, IOP, cardiovascular diseases, smoking, drinking and the mutation of TIGR gene (T353I). However, logistic regression analysis confirmed that POAG mainly related to IOP, family history, hypertension, smoking, alcohol intake and the mutation of TIGR gene.

CONCLUSIONThe most important risk factor of POAG was IOP. Family history, hypertension, smoking and the mutation of TIGR gene were also important risk factors of POAG. However, alcohol intake was a protective factor for POAG.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Alcohol Drinking ; adverse effects ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; epidemiology ; Cytoskeletal Proteins ; Eye Proteins ; genetics ; Female ; Glaucoma, Open-Angle ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Glycoproteins ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Smoking ; adverse effects

OBJECTIVETo establish an allele-specific PCR method for detect screening of CYP21A2 gene mutation.

METHODSAllele-specific PCR primers and analogy primers were designed based on the sequence alignment of CYP21A2 and CYP21AP genes. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood specimens of 4 patients with 21-hydroxylase deficiency and 5 healthy controls and respectively amplified with allele-specific PCR primers and analogy primers and sequenced.

RESULTSMutations of CYP21A2 including IVS2-13A/C>G, Arg356Trp and Arg149Pro were found with the established method in all of the 4 patients but not in the healthy controls. When detected with the analogy primers set, IVS2-13A/C>G and Arg356Trp were observed in both patients and healthy controls.

CONCLUSIONThe allele-specific PCR-based method is a simple, effective and reliable method for the detection of CYP21A2 gene mutation.

Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital ; enzymology ; genetics ; Alleles ; Base Sequence ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; methods ; DNA Primers ; genetics ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Steroid 21-Hydroxylase ; genetics

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is an autosomal dominant disorder. A 44-year-old man visited second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University due to hypoglycemia. He was eventually diagnosed as MEN1. A novel homozygous frameshift for c.640-643delCAGA (p.V215Mfs*13) of MEN1 gene was identified in the patient. After MDT (Multiple Disciplinary Team), open bilateral exploration with total parathyroidectomy and autotransplantation as well as partial pancreatectomy excision of all the macroscopic pancreatic tumors were performed at the same time. The patient recovered well. Individualized diagnosis and treatment are important for MEN1 patients.
Adult ; Humans ; Insulinoma ; Male ; Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1 ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; Parathyroid Neoplasms ; Parathyroidectomy

Objective To quantify operation characteristics of the ankle rotating-traction-poking manipulation (RTPM) for treating acute lateral ankle sprain by using motion capture technology, so as to provide objective references for standardized operation of RTPM and its education inheritance. Methods A professional physiotherapist performed the RTPM on 60 volunteers with acute lateral ankle sprain. Motion capture system was used to acquire effective kinematic data during the RTPM, so as to make analysis and summarize rules. Results The average time of ankle rotating for six circles was 11.36 s and the average time of ankle traction and poking was 3.42 s. The average displacement of ankle traction was 36.94 mm and the average displacement of ankle poking was 22.44 mm. The average angle of ankle traction was 23.27°, and the average angle of ankle poking was 22.76°. During the RTPM for treating acute lateral ankle sprain, the average linear velocity of ankle rotating was 58.28 mm/s, and the average linear velocity of ankle traction and poking was 23.81 mm/s. The linear acceleration of ankle rotating was 0.43 mm/s2, and the linear acceleration of ankle traction and poking was 0.54 mm/s2. Conclusions The RTPM can be applied in clinical practice. During the RTMP, the principle of gentleness, rhythmicity and continuity should be followed. Under the premise of following physiological characteristics of ankle joint, treatment of the sprained ankle should be carried out with slow and uniform speed continuously.