Objective To investigate the association of cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated antigen 4(CTLA 4) gene polymorphism with type 1 diabetes in Chinese Han population.Methods The A/G phenotype at position 49 of the CTLA 4 gene exon 1 was determined by polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR RFLP)method in 33 typical type 1 diabetes patients,57 latent autoimmune diabetes in adults(LADA) patients and 84 healthy control subjects of Chinese Han.Results The frequency of the CTLA 4/G 49 phenotype was significantly higher in type 1 diabetes patients than in control subjects(55.6% vs 36.9%, respectively, P =0.0005),but there was no significant difference between typical type 1 DM and LADA groups. Neither the presence nor the absence of G 49 allele influenced the occurrence of islet autoantibody(ICA) and glutamate decarboxylase antibody(GADAb).Conclusion The polymorphism of CTLA 4 gene exon1 confers susceptibility to type 1 diabetes. This association is independent of ICA and GADAb.

Objective　To investigate the association of gene polymorphism of cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4（CTLA-4） with autoimmune thyroid diseases. Methods　The A／G transition polymorphism at position 49（exon 1，codon 17） of the CTLA-4 gene was determined by polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism （PCR-RFLP）method in 122 autoimmune thyroid diseases patients which included 87 Graves’ disease （GD） patients and 35 Hashimoto's thyroiditis（HT） patients， as well as 84 control subjects. We detected their thyroid function by ELISA technique， and the thyroid autoimmune antibodies （TGAb，TPOAb） by indirect immunofluorescent technique. Results　The strong association of the CTLA-4／G49 allele with AITDs was seen in our study（66.4％ vs 36.9％ P＜0.0001）. The G allele in GD patients was significantly increased compared with control subjects（69.5％ vs 36.9％， P＜0.0001）. In HT patients， the frequency of G allele was also higher than control subjects（58.6％ vs 36.9％，P＜0.01）， and there was no significant difference between HT and GD groups. When GD and HT subjects were stratified with respect to sex， neither female nor male patients demonstrated evident association of G49 allele with gender.Conclusions　The polymorphism of CTLA-4 gene （exon 1 condon 17 position 49）confers susceptibility to AITDs. This association is independent of sex.

Objective To investigate the value of RDW for predicting death risk in the patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) and its correlation with the Ret parameters.Methods A total of 164 patients with AP in the emergency surgery of Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from March 2015 to May 2015 were selected ,including 151 survival cases and 13 death cases , and other 175 healthy people were selected as the control group.The venous blood was collected for detecting whole blood RDW and Ret parameters by using the Sysmex XN-1000 automatic blood analyzer.The inter-group comparison was performed by Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis H tests ;the diagnostic value of RDW for AP death risk was evaluated by receiver operating charac-teristic(ROC) curve and area under curve(AUC).Results The RDW level in the AP death group was[15.7% (14.1% -21.8% )] , which was significantly higher than that of AP survive group [13.3% (12.7% -14.5% )] ,the difference was statistically significant (Z=40.02 ,P<0.05);AUC of RDW ROC curve for diagnosing death risk was 0.835(95% CI:0.786-0.951);With the cutoff val-ue of RDW for diagnosing the AP death risk as ≥14.5% ,the sensitivity was 71.43% (95% CI:41.90% -91.60% )and specificity was 89.40% (95% CI:83.40% -93.80% );the RDW level of AP patients was positively correlated with Ret% ,IFR ,MFR and HFR(r=0.376 ,0.502 ,0.468 ,0.475 ,P<0.01) ,and was negatively correlated with LFR (r= -0.502 ,P<0.01).Conclusion The RDW level is a good indicator for early predicting AP death risk ,its elevated degree is closely correlated with Ret generation.

Objective To explore the improving effect of L-leucine on memory impairment in plateau and the mecha-nism. Methods After successfully trained in the 8-arm radial maze,50 male Kunming mice were selected and randomly divid-ed into normoxic control group (NC group),model group,and L-leucine (low,medium and high dose) groups.Animals in L-leu-cine groups were intragastrically given 0.473 g?kg-1 ,0.945 g?kg-1 and 1.89 g?kg-1 L-leucine for 7 days and those in NC and model control groups were administered the same volume of purified water for the same period of time.At the 4th day of the treat-ment,the mice in the model control group and L-leucine groups were placed in a large low-pressure and low-oxygen chamber to simulate low-pressure hypoxic environment of the plateau (7 500 m,3 d).The 8-arm radial maze was used to measure the spatial learning and memory ability of mice and dry-wet method to measure the water content of brain tissue.HE staining was employed to observe the cell morphological changes in CA1 region of the hippocampus.The expression levels of mTOR,P70S6K and 4E-BP1 mRNA in the hippocampus were detected by SYBR Green real-time PCR. Results The reference memory error ( RME) ,total error ( TE) ,testing time ( TT) ,and water content of brain tissue were significantly increased,the neuron injury was exacerbated in CA1 region of the hippocampus,and the expression levels of mTOR and P70S6K mRNA were markedly decreased in model control group when compared with those in NC group (P<0.05 or P<0.01).These indexes,however,were significantly improved in L-leu-cine groups,especially in high-dose group. Conclusion L-leucine can improve memory impairment in plateau,and the mecha-nism may involve the activation of mTOR and its downstream substrates (4E-BP1 and P70S6K).

The topologically-adaptable model is an effective method for the contour detection of multiple objects on an image. However, it meets many problems when we apply it to MR brain images, such as poor convergence to boundary concavities, resulting from the broken boundary, and miserable anti-noise ability. In this paper, we proposes a new algorithm, named multi-target extraction algorithm based on edge restriction and attraction field regularization, to overcome these shortcomings. This new algorithm uses prior knowledge about target to perform edge restriction to get the only edge of the object of interest and to regularize attraction field to enlarge attraction field. Results show that the new algorithm can extract the target contour quickly and accurately when we apply it in MR brain images.
Algorithms ; Artificial Intelligence ; Brain ; anatomy & histology ; Humans ; Image Enhancement ; methods ; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Information Storage and Retrieval ; methods ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Models, Theoretical

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the improving effect of phenylethanoid glycosides (PhGCs) from Tibetan medicine Phlomis younghusbandii on rats with acute high-altitude cerebral edema. METHODS:60 Wistar rats were randomly divided into a normoxia control group (isometric sterile water for injection),a hypoxia model group (isometric sterile water for injection),a dexamethasone group(4 mg/kg),and three groups of PhGCs at high(400 mg/kg),middle(200 mg/kg)and low(50 mg/kg)dos-es,with 10 rats in each group. The rats were given drugs,ig,6 d before the establishment of models. On the 4th day of administra-tion,ig,the rats in all groups except the normoxia blank group were placed in a simulated 8 000 m altitude plateau environment for 72 h hypoxic exposure to establish the rat models of high-altitude cerebral edema. Following HE stain,the pathological changes in rats’brain tissues were observed under the light microscope. Dry-wet proportion method was used to determine the water con-tents in rats’brain. The content of MDA and the activities of SOD and GSH in rats’brain tissues were detected. Enzyme-linked im-munosorbent assay was adopted to determine the contents of IL-1β and TNF-α in rats’serum and brain tissues. RESULTS:Com-pared to the rats in the normoxia control group,those in the hypoxia model group showed obvious brain edema,and thickened lacu-nas around cells and vessels and inflammatory cell infiltration, higher water contents and MDA and weaker activities of SOD and GSH in brain,and higher contents of IL-1β and TNF-α in serum and brain tissues. There were statistically significances (P<0.01 or P<0.05). Compared to the rats in the hypoxia model group,those in the groups of PhGCs at high,middleand low dosages demonstrated less inflammatory cell infiltration and lower water contents in brain tissues,in which the groups of PhGCs at high and middle dosages demonstrated lower content of MDA and stronger activities of SOD and GSH in brain tissues, and lower contents of IL-1β and TNF-α in serum and brain tissues. There were statistically significances (P<0.01 or P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS:PhGCs can obviously alleviate the acute cerebral injury in rats which is caused by acute hypoxia and has im-provement effect to some degree on the rats with acute high-altitude cerebral edema.

Objective To investigate the protective effect of phenylethanoid glycosides (PhGCs) extracted from Phlomis younghusbandii on acute high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) in rats. MethodsSeventy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 7 groups (10 each): normoxia control group (NG, distilled water), normoxia+PhGCs group (NG+PhGCs, 400mg/ kg), hypoxia model group (HG, distilled water), dexamethasone (Dex, 4mg/kg), and three groups of PhGCs in high (PhGCs-H, 400mg/kg), middle (PhGCs-M, 200mg/kg) and low (PhGCs-L, 50mg/kg) dosage. PhGCs extracted from Phlomis younghusbandii were administered prophylactically to rats for 3 days, and HAPE was induced by the hypobaric hypoxia exposure for 72 hours in an animal decompression chamber with the chamber pressure of 267mmHg to simulate an altitude of 8000m. The water content of rat lung tissue was determined with wet/dry specific gravity method, and histopathologic changes were observed with HE staining. The enzymatic activities of SOD and GSH, and the contents of MDA in lung tissue were determined with spectrophotometry, and the contents of IL-1β, TNF-α in serum and lung tissue were determined with ELISA. ResultsCompared with NG group, no obvious difference was found in the water content of rat lung tissue in NG+PhGCs group, but the water content increased obviously in HG group (P<0.05). Compared with NG group, lung tissue congestion and edema were found in HG group, with a heavy inflammatory cell infiltration, widening of alveolar interval, and thickening of alveolar wall were found. The enzymatic activities of SOD and GSH were notablely depressed, and the contents of MDA in lung tissue, and the contents of IL-1β and TNF-α in serum and lung tissue remarkably increased (P<0.05). Compared with HG group, the water content of rat lung tissue in each PhGCs group decreased obviously. Inflammatory cells infiltration, widening of alveolar interval, and thickening of alveolar wall, the enzymatic activity of SOD and GSH increased, and the contents of IL-1β, TNF-α and MDA decreased significantly in PhGCs groups (P<0.05). Conclusion PhGCs extracted from Phlomis younghusbandii may alleviate the oxidative stress and inflammatory response of acute lung injury induced by acute hypoxia. PhGC showed a protective effect against acute HAPE in a rat model.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disease (EBV-PTLD) is a potentially life-threatening complication after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation or solid organ transplantation. In the last decade, the survival of patients with EBV-PTLD has been significantly improved by immunotherapeutic interventions among high-risk patients. The immunotherapeutic interventions for EBV-PTLD include reduction in immunosuppression, CD20 monoclonal antibodies (rituximab) as monotherapy or in combination with chemotherapy, and adoptive immunotherapy with EBV-specific T cells. This paper reviews the latest update on the high-risk factors, clinical manifestations and immunotherapy of EBV-PTLD.
Epstein-Barr Virus Infections ; complications ; therapy ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Immunotherapy ; methods ; Lymphoproliferative Disorders ; etiology ; therapy ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology ; therapy ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo establish a HPLC method for simultaneous determination of 4 effective components from total flavonoids of Scutellaria barbata (FSB).

METHODSThe HPLC method was developed on an Agilent Zorbax C₁₈ column (4.6 mm × 250 mm, 5 μm). The mobile phase was composed of 1% HAc and CH₃OH:CH₃CN (80:20) with a linear gradient elution. The flow rate was 1.0 ml/min, and UV detection wave length was set at 280 nm. The column temperature was maintained at 30°C.

RESULTThe linear range of 4 effective components (scutellarin, isoscutellarein-8-O-glucuronide, isoscutellarein and luteolin) was 0.14-11.20 μg, 0.03-2.40 μg, 0.007-0.560 μg and 0.027-2.160 μg, respectively. The average recovery for 4 effective components was (101.9 ± 1.4)%, (103.5 ± 0.6)%, (98.1 ± 2.9)% and (100.5 ± 2.3)%, respectively. The contents of 4 flavonoids were determined, with scutellarin 7.3%-14.3%, isoscutellarein-8-O-glucuronide 2.4%-9.3%, isoscutellarein 0.3%-0.5%, and luteolin 0.2%-0.6%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe method can be used effectively to evaluate the quality of FSB.

Apigenin ; analysis ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Flavones ; analysis ; Flavonoids ; analysis ; Glucuronates ; analysis ; Luteolin ; analysis ; Scutellaria ; chemistry

To study the anticancer activity of griffithin from Streptocaulon griffithii Hook. f. and its effect on apoptosis of cancer cells in vitro, the inhibitory effect of griffithin on cell proliferation was studied by MTT assay, the cell apoptosis was observed by AO/EB double decoration assay and flow cytometry. Griffithin exhibited high anticancer activity on four human cancer cell lines, with IC50 ranged from 0.17 - 0.43 microg x mL(-1). Griffithin also induced apoptosis of PC-3 cells. Griffithin had anticancer activity and induced apoptosis of cancer cells.
Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Apocynaceae ; chemistry ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cardenolides ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Flow Cytometry ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Microscopy, Fluorescence ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry