Defensins, a family of 3-4 KD cationic peptides, have been found recently in the cytoplasmicgranules of human, rabbit, guinea pig and rat polymorphonuclear neutrophils and rabbit alveolarmacrophages. The defence roles of these molecules, such as antimicrobial activity, viral inactiva-tion, tumor cell cytotoxicity, chemotactic and opsonic actions, etc. have been adequately studied.In order to investgate the role of Defensins in the neutrphil-mediated pathological process ofsome diseases, we isolated and purified human neutrophil Defensins. By using Sephadex G100and Bio-gel P10 gel filtration chromatography, the purified molecules were obtained. The puritywas identified by AU-PAGE,SDS-PAGE, and amino acid composition analysis. In vitro fugicidalactivity of the purified human neutrophil Defensins against Candida albicans was also examined.When incubated with 33 Mol concentration of human Defensins, more than 90% of Candida,al-bicans were killed in the methylene blue assay system.

Objective: To examine the expression and promoter CpG island methylation of glutathione S-transferase M3 (GSTM3) gene in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), and to evaluate the relationship of expression, methylation of GSTM3 gene with the metastasis and oncogenesis of ccRCC. Methods: Using semi-quantitative RT-PCR technique, we examined GSTM3 expression in surgical specimens of 24 primary ccRCCs and adjacent non-malignant tissues, 14 metastatic ccRCCs and 2 ccRCC cell lines (RCC05-TXJ,RCC05-ZTJ) with different metastatic potentials. RCC05-TXJ cells were cultured in RPMI 1640 medium and treated with DNA methyltransferase inhibitor 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-CdR). Semi-quantitative RT-PCR was used to examine the expression of GSTM3 in response to 5-Aza-CdR treatment. Nested bisulfite sequencing PCR and DNA sequencing were used to analyze different methylation locuses in GSTM3 gene promoter in 10 primary ccRCCs and adjacent non-malignant tissues. We also examined the methylation level in 10 primary ccRCCs and the corresponding non-malignant tissues as well as 8 metastatic tissues by nested methylation-specific PCR. Results: Expression of GSTM3 gene in metastatic ccRCC cells (RCC05-TXJ) was lower than that in the non-metastatic ccRCC cells (RCC05-ZYJ). Down-regulation of GSTM3 gene expression was found in 17 of the 24 primary ccRCCs as compared with the non-malignant tissue. Expression of GSTM3 in the metastatic ccRCCs was lower than that in primary ccRCCs. 5-Aza-CdR treatment increased GSTM3 expression in RCC05-ZYJ. Methylation in GSTM3 promoter was found in 4 of 10 ccRCC tissues, 2 of 10 adjacent tissues, and 1 of 8 metastatic tissues. No significant difference was found between ccRCC and adjacent tissues (P = 0.628) or ccRCC and metastatic disease (P = 0.314) due to limit number of cases. Conclusion: Our findings support that promoter aberrant methylation is one of the major mechanisms of GSTM3 gene down-regulation in ccRCC. The preliminary identification of GSTM3 promoter methylation sites may provide a basis for further study.

Objective: To investigate the clinical effect and follow-up outcome of the intracranial stent overlapping technique in the treatment of unruptured vertebrobasilar dissecting aneurysms (VBDAs). Methods: Ten patients with VBDAs had 12 unruptured VBDAs were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were treated using intracranial stent overlapping technique and LEO stents (9 patients using 2 stents, 1 using 3 stents). The aneurysms were occluded by changing the hemodynamics of the aneurysmal cavities, and the parent arteries were preserved. All the patients completed clinical and imaging follow-up study. Results: Circled digit oneOf the 10 patients with VBDAs, 7 had headache, 1 had ataxia, 3 had dizziness, and 1 had facial numbness. Image examination revealed proximal segment stenosis, string and pearl sign, wave shaped, double-lumen sign, and intramural hematoma, respectively. Circled digit twoAngiography revealed contrast agent retention in the aneurysm cavity immediately after stenting. Stent migration occurred in 1 patient, but it did not result neurological dysfunction. Two patients had transient ischemia attack after stenting, it was relieved after symptomatic treatment. The remaining patients did not have any nervous system complications. Head CT scan before discharge did not revealed any new brain infarctions. Circled digit twoAngiographic examination showed that 6 dissecting aneurysms were occluded completely at 6 months after stenting and the other 6 ones were occluded partially. The patients were followed up for 8 to 27 months, and the final mRS score was 0 in 10 patients. There were no technique-related complications in the patients during the follow-up period. Conclusion: Intracranial stent overlaping technique in the treatment of unruptured VBDAs is safe and effective.

Objective: To investigate the clinical effect of liquid embolic agent Onyx in the treatment of peripheral intracranial aneurysms. Methods: Nine patients with 10 peripheral intracranial aneurysms were studied prospectively. Five aneurysms were in the distal posterior inferior cerebellar artery, two in the distal superior cerebellar artery, one in the distal posterior cerebral artery, and two in the distal middle cerebral artery. All patients were treated with Onyx to occlude their proximal parent arteries and aneurysms. They were followed up for 6 to 31 months. Results: The aneurysms were occluded completely in all the patients. Seven patients had a good recovery, and the Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) score was 5. One patient had left extremity paralysis before the procedure and it did not have any change alter the procedure (GOS 3); one patient died. Head CT scan was performed before discharge, only one patient showed left parietal lobe infarction, but he did not have obvious symptoms. Four patients were reexamined by DSA at 6 months after the procedure, and the aneurysms did not recurred. Four patients were followed-up clinically. No new neurological dysfunction and rebleeding were observed in all the patients. Conclusion: Onyx occlusion of aneurysms and its proximal parent arteries for treatment of peripheral intracranial artery aneurysms is safe and effective. Further clinical and imaging follow-up are needed for long-term result.

Notch signal pathway is closely related to the organism's development and a variety of cancers. Current models available for screening modulators of Notch signal pathway all use mouse Notch protein as substrates and those models which use human Notch protein have not been reported. To make the screen results much more reliable, the authors cloned a truncated form of human Notch1 called N100, and built the screening models for the use of it instead of mouse Notch protein. The models included an in vitro screening model based on the purified gamma-secretase enzyme and a cell model using luciferase reporter system. The screening models then have been verified by the known modulators of Notch signal pathway and the IC50 values have been obtained. The verified models can be used to screen modulators of human Notch signaling pathway effectively and it can lay the foundation for finding new modulators of this kind effectively.
Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases ; Animals ; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical ; methods ; Humans ; Luciferases ; Mice ; Receptors, Notch ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Signal Transduction

Antirheumatic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; drug therapy ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Etanercept ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Methotrexate ; therapeutic use ; Phytotherapy ; Prednisone ; therapeutic use ; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor ; therapeutic use

[Objective] This paper sums up professor Qi Xianghua's five psychological disorders of TCM scholar thought and clinical experience in diagnos-ing and treating insomnia. [Methods] By the pulse diagnosis, discern the five kings of psychological disorders, including irritable, anxiety, palpitation due to fright, depressed, and an medical record of professor Qi Xianghua is cited.[Results] The syndrome differentiation should be based on the five kings of psy-chological disorders.[Conclusions] Professor Qi Xianghua's five psychological disorders of TCM on treating insomnia are worth to extend and apply.

Notch signal pathway is closely related to the organism's development and a variety of cancers. Current models available for screening modulators of Notch signal pathway all use mouse Notch protein as substrates and those models which use human Notch protein have not been reported. To make the screen results much more reliable, the authors cloned a truncated form of human Notch1 called N100, and built the screening models for the use of it instead of mouse Notch protein. The models included an in vitro screening model based on the purified gamma-secretase enzyme and a cell model using luciferase reporter system. The screening models then have been verified by the known modulators of Notch signal pathway and the IC50 values have been obtained. The verified models can be used to screen modulators of human Notch signaling pathway effectively and it can lay the foundation for finding new modulators of this kind effectively.

Objective To investigate the effects of noisy pressure support ventilation (Noisy PSV) in patients of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) with respiratory failure, and to provide basic support for the new weaning mode for AECOPD. Methods A single-center, prospective, randomized, crossover clinical research was conducted. A total of forty-six AECOPD combined with respiratory failure patients who mechanically ventilated more than 24 hours in intensive care unit (ICU) of Tianjin Haihe Hospital from November 2014 to October 2015 were enrolled in this study. When the respiratory failure improved through conventional treatment, patients were mechanically ventilated with conventional PSV and Noisy PSV for two hours respectively in random sequence during spontaneous breathing recovery phase. The pressure support (PS) level was titrated to reach tidal volumes (Vt) about 8 mL/kg in both modes. The level of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and fraction of inspired oxygen were kept unchanged in both modes. The coefficient of variation of PS during Noisy PSV was set at 30%. Data of gas exchange, hemodynamics, lung functional parameters, breathing patterns and patient-ventilator synchrony were analyzed. Results All of the patients were well tolerated with the two modes, and no adverse reactions were found. The changes of gas exchange, hemodynamics, respiratory mechanics in PSV and Noisy PSV showed a clinical acceptable range. The variability of Vt was significantly increased in Noisy PSV mode than that in conventional PSV mode. While the number of asynchrony events was decreased in Noisy PSV mode than that in conventional PSV mode. Conclusion The Noisy PSV is safe and feasible for patients of AECOPD with respiratory failure, which may be a new weaning mode for AECOPD.

OBJECTIVE:To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Shuanghuanglian oral liquid combined with cefuroxime axetil in the treatment of bacterial respiratory tract infection. METHODS:184 patients with bacterial respiratory tract infection were randomly divided into test group and control group. Test group was orally given 250 mg Cefuroxime axetil tablet,twice a day+20 ml Shuanghuanglian oral liquid,3 times a day. Control group was only given Cefuroxime axetil tablet (the same dosage as test group). The treatment course for 2 groups was 2 weeks. The cough duration,body temperature recovery time and runny nose disap-pearing time before and after treatment and bacterial clearance rate in 2 groups were observed,clinical efficacy and incidence of ad-verse reactions were recorded. RESULTS:After treatment,the total effective rate in test group was significantly higher than control group,cough duration,body temperature recovery time and runny nose disappearing time were significantly shorter than control group,the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05);and there were no significant differences in the bacterial clearance rate and incidence of adverse reactions(P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS:The efficacy of Shuanghuanglian oral liquid combined with ce-furoxime axetil is superior to cefuroxime axetil alone in the treatment of bacterial respiratory infections,with similar safety.