Objective To evaluate salmeterol/fluficasone combined with N-acetylcysteine in treatment of stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods Sixty patients with stable COPD were randomized into treatment group(n = 30) and control group(n = 30). Patients in control group were given salmeterol/fluticasone twice per day ; while patients in treatment group in addition to salmeterol/ fluticasone, also took N-acetylcysteine 0.6 g three times per day. The course of treatment lasted for four weeks. Pulmonary function was measured in all patients; interleukin-8 (IL-8), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), superoxide dismntase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in blood serum and induced sputum were determined. The white cell count and classification in sputum smear was examined and the quality of life (QOL) of patients was evaluated. Results FEV1, FEV1 %, QOL evaluation, IL-8, TNF-α, white cell count and the percentage of neutrophil granulocytes in induced sputum after treatment were significantly improved compared with those before treatment in control group (P <0.05 or P <0.01). FEV1, FEV1%, QOL evaluation, SOD and MDA in blood serum, IL-8, TNF-α, SOD and MDA, total white cell count, the percentage of neutrophil granulocytes and macrophage in induced sputum after treatment were significantly improved in treatment group (P <0. 05 or P <0.01). The differences in SOD and MDA in blood serum and the percentage of neutrophil granulocytes in induced sputum smear between treatment group and control group were staffsticaUy significant (93 ± 8) × 10-6 U/L, (4. 0 ± 1.0) × 10-3 mmol/L and 0. 5 ± 0. 3 vs (85 ± 10) ×10-6U/L,(4.2±1.1) ×10-3mmol/Land0.6±0.2; allP<0.05. Conclusion Combination of salmeterol/fluticasone and N-acetylcysteine has better therapeutic results in treatment of airway inflammation of stable COPD.

Objective To study the clinical features and differential diagnosis of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH).Methods A case of LCH was reported and the literatures were reviewed.Results The of multisystem LCH patient,presented with a diabetes insipidus (DI) and panhypopituitarism,was 44 years old,and developed costal,tibial and femoral multiple lesions.The final diagnosis as LCH was made based on biopsy of tibia and lymph nodes.The biopsy specimen showed that the cells were infiltrated exhibiting the characteristic morphologic features of Langerhans cell (LC) with a convoluted shape,elongated nuclei exhibiting longitudinal grooves,and immunohistochemistry results revealed positive LC for the S-100,CD1a and Langerin immunostaining.Conclusions LCH may range from a solitary lytic bone lesion (for example eosinophilic granuloma) with a favorable course to a fatal disseminated leukaemia-like form.LCH typically involves the bone,lesions almost can be found in all organs.DI and CNS involvement often present as a puzzling syndrome,which renders the diagnosis problematicly,and often delays the diagnosis of LCH.The damage to the pituitary/hypothalamus axis results in life-long hormonal replacement therapy.

The oral and gastrointestinal opportunistic pathogen contamination was compared between tooth mugs placed upward and down-ward(n=9)for 1 4 days.Selective cultivation of the pathogens was uesd to measure the extent of contamination.The colony forming units (CFU)of colibacillus in group up and group down were 4.25 ±0.71 and 2.84 ±1 .40(P=0.046),S.mutans 89 ±0.31 and 2.84 ±1 .40 (P<0.001 ),Candida 2.28 ±1 .36 and 2.53 ±1 .92(P=0.002),fungus 2.44 ±0.99 and 0,respecitvely.Thus,tooth mug placed open-ing down is superior for health.

Chromosomal translocations involving immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) locus at 14q32 are commonly seen in multiple myeloma (MM), which may involve in pathogenesis and associate with prognosis. To rapidly detect the occurrence of translocation involving IgH locus and the fellow chromosomes and isolate the break points, According to the break points occured in switch regions, patents and references, a long distance vectorette PCR method was developed. The results showed that using this method, a 3.5 kb PCR product from MM cell line U266 was gained, each ends aligned with 11q and IgHalpha 1 switch region, respectively. It is concluded that LDV-PCR is effective detection technique. Detecting China MM patients by using this method can interpret some specific clinic statues and pathogenesis mechanisms, and help to find new therapy targets and to assess the patient prognosis.
Base Sequence ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 11 ; genetics ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 14 ; genetics ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains ; genetics ; Immunoglobulin Switch Region ; genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Multiple Myeloma ; genetics ; pathology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Translocation, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo discuss the effect of calcitonin gene-related peptides (CGRP) on epithelial cadherin (E-cd) expression in human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs) in vitro.

METHODSThe effect of CGRP on E-cd protein and mRNA expression in both normal and O3-challenged HBECs were determined by immunocytochemistry and RT-PCR. The signal transduction pathways of CGRP were observed by using protein kinase C(PKC) inhibitor (H-7), calmodulin(CaM) inhibitor (W-7) and PKA inhibitor (H-89).

RESULTSCGRP increased E-cd mRNA and protein expressions of normal and O3-challenged HBECs in a dose-dependent manner. CGRP had no effect on cytoplasm E-cd expression. Pre-treatment with H-89, H-7 and W-7, the up-regulatory effect of CGRP on E-cd expression was partly abolished.

CONCLUSIONCGRP increased in cytomembrane E-cd expression of normal and O3-challenged HBECs in a dose-dependent manner. E-cd expression on HBECs was strengthened by CGRP via PKA, PKC and CaM pathways.

Bronchi ; cytology ; Cadherins ; metabolism ; Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Cell Line ; Epithelial Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Ozone ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics

AIM:To explore the protective effect of morinda officinalis oligosaccharides monomer HexB on hy -poxia/reoxygenation(H/R)-induced injury in human umbilical vein endothelia cells(HUVECs).METHODS:HUVECs were treated with HexB,4-phenylbutyric acid(4-PBA)and thapsigargin(TG),respectively.The cells were divided into control group,HexB group,H/R group,HexB+H/R group,4-PBA+H/R group,TG group and HexB+TG group.The cell viability was measured by CCK-8 assay.The apoptotic rate was detected by flow cytometry.Western blot was used to determine the protein levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERS)related molecules chaperone protein glucose-regulated protein 78(GRP78),C/EBP homologous protein(CHOP),apoptosis-related protein caspase-12 and phosphorylated c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase(p-JNK).RESULTS: The viability of HUVECs was reduced in H/R group and TG group(P<0.05),increased in HexB+H/R,4-PBA+H/R and HexB+TG group(P<0.05).The apoptotic rate,the protein levels of GRP78,CHOP,caspase-12 and p-JNK were increased in H/R group and TG group(P<0.05),weakened in the HexB+H/R group(P<0.05),4-PBA+H/R group and HexB+TG group(P<0.05).No significant change in the apoptotic rate,cell viability,protein levels of GRP78, CHOP, caspase-12, p-JNK between HexB +H/R group and 4-PBA+H/R group was observed.CONCLUSION:HexB attenuates HUVECs injury caused by H/R through suppressing ERS and ap-optosis.The possible mechanism may be involved in the apoptotic pathways related to GRP 78,CHOP,caspase-12 and p-JNK.

Objective To investigate iodine deficiency disorders(IDD) in Chongqing and Linzhi, and to provide scientific basis for IDD control and prevention. Methods According to the national program developed in 2007, investigation was conducted in Chengkou and Wuxi county in Chongqing municipality, and Linzhi, Bomi,Milin and Langxian county in Linzhi prefecture. Five towns were sampled in Linzhi county, and 3 in other counties.In each town, one township primary school and two village primary schools were selected to inspect thyroid by B ultrasound and palpation, and urinary iodine of children aged 8 to 10 years was tested in these schools. Meanwhile,2 villages were selected in each town for test of salt iodine level and urinary iodine of childbearing age women and search cretin cases. Results Three hundred and forty families in Chongqing and 915 families in Linzhi were investigated. The coverage of iodized salt in Chongqing was 98.82%(336/340), which was significantly higher than that in Linzhi[66.34%(607/905), x2 = 139.56, P ＜ 0.01]. Goiter rate of children in Chongqing was 9.27%(89/960) by palpation and 8.34% (61/731) by B ultrasound, while goiter rate of children in Linzhi was 7.80%(102/1308) by palpation and 5.53% (69/1248) by B ultrasound. The difference of goiter rate by palpation between Chongqing and Linzhi was not statistically significant (x2 = 1.37, P ＞ 0.05 ). But goiter rate of children by B ultrasound in Chongqing was higher than that in Linzhi (x2= 5.51, P ＜ 0.05). In Chongqing, the median urinary iodine was 319.15 μg/L, and 345.75 μg/L in Chengkou county and 281.39 μg/L in Wuxi county. In Linzhi prefecture, the median urinary iodine was 189.81 μg/L, and 207.81 μg/L in Linzhi county, 161.12 μg/L in Bomi county, 131.83 μg/L in Milin county and 334.60 μg/L in Langxian county. The median urinary iodine in childbearing women were 248.42 μg/L in Chongqing and 121.25 μg/L in Linzhi. The median urinary iodine in Chongqing both in children and women were higher than those in Linzhi. No new cretin case was found in these two areas. Conclusions Goiter rate in high risk areas of IDD in Chongqing and Linzhi has decreased to less than 10%.No new cretin case is found in these areas. It can be concluded that the work of control and prevention is effective.There is excess iodine in Chongqing. In Linzhi county and Langxian county, iodine is excess in children and deficient in women. Further investigation should be conducted to find out the reason. Population iodine is excess in Bomi and Milin counties. The concentration of salt iodine should be decreased in Chongqing. In Linzhi prefecture,adding iodine measures should be adjusted based on further investigation.

OBJECTIVETo probe into the effects of familial factors on injury-related behaviors in children.

METHODSInjury-related behaviors and familial factors of 6884 children were investigated with Family Questionnaire and Child Behavior Checklist. Multi-nominal logistic regression analysis was performed.

RESULTSThere were 1670 (24.26%) children having serious injury-related behaviors and 3683 (53.50%) children having moderate injury-related behaviors. Factors contributing to children's injury-related behaviors would include punishment or indifference as well as the mode of parents' education; reintegral type of family; the level of parents' cognition on injuries; unfit location of medicine at home and careless attitudes of parents.

CONCLUSIONThere was close relationship between children's injury-related behaviors and familial factors. To avoid injury-related behaviors and to prevent injury occurrence, the importance of familial factors must be stressed.

Child ; Child Behavior ; psychology ; Family ; psychology ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Wounds and Injuries ; etiology ; prevention & control ; psychology

In order to assess inhibitory potentials of white rose petal extracts (WRPE) on the activities of enzymes related to dermal aging according to the extraction conditions, three extraction methods were adopted. WRPE was prepared by extracting dried white rose (Rosa hybrida) petals with 50% ethanol (WRPE-EtOH), Pectinex(R) SMASH XXL enzyme (WRPE-enzyme) or high temperature-high pressure (WRPE-HTHP). In the inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase-1, although the enzyme activity was fully inhibited by all 3 extracts at 100 microg/mL in 60 min, partial inhibition (50-70%) was achieved only by WRPE-EtOH and WRPE-enzyme at 50 microg/mL. High concentrations (> or =250 microg/mL) of all 3 extracts markedly inhibited the elastase activity. However, at low concentrations (15.6-125 microg/mL), only WRPE-EtOH inhibited the enzyme activity. Notably, WRPE-EtOH was superior to WRPE-enzyme and WRPE-HTHP in the inhibition of tyrosinase. WRPE-EtOH significantly inhibited the enzyme activity from 31.2 microM, reaching 80% inhibition at 125 microM. In addition to its strong antioxidative activity, the ethanol extract of white rose petals was confirmed to be effective in inhibiting skin aging-related enzymes. Therefore, it is suggested that WRPE-EtOH could be a good candidate for the improvement of skin aging such as wrinkle formation and pigmentation.
Aging ; Ethanol ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 ; Monophenol Monooxygenase ; Pancreatic Elastase ; Pigmentation ; Skin Aging* ; Skin*