Objective To investigate the clinical significance of detection of hepatitis E virus (HEV) RNA in sera from patients with acute hepatitis E using real-time reverse transcription (RT)-PCR to detect hepatitis E virus RNA in sera from patients with acute hepatitis E.Methods A real-time RT-PCR assay, which can amplifies and detect the conserved region on ORF3, was used in this study. 434 outpatients and hospitalized patients with acute HEV infection was enrolled into this study.Simultaneously,the serum samples from 40 patients with HAV infection, 100 patients with HBV infection and 110 healthy blood donors were collected as the control The real-time RT-PCR was performed to detect HEV RNA in all these sera.Results 232 sera (53.5%) were positive for HEV RNA by real-time RT-PCR and all of the control were negative.The results of real-time RT-PCR and anti-HEV IgM (ELISA) were concordant in 67.1% samples.There was significant difference between the two methods ( Kappa = 0.308, P = 0.000 ).The first serum sample from five serum samples of the patients was positive for HEV RNA and negative for anti-HEV IgM.Follow-up studies showed all the five sera samples were positive for anti-HEV IgM.HEV RNA in serum could be detected between 2 and 10 days.Conclusions The real-time fluorescent RT-PCR method has high specificity, and can be applied to the qualitative detection of the serum with genotypes Ⅰ and Ⅳ of hepatitis E virus.Its clinical use can improve the early diagnosis of HEV.

AIM: To investigate the activity of interleukin-1? converting enzyme in transplanted intracerebral rat gliomas under angiotensin II-induced hypertension chemotherapy. METHODS: The brain tumor model was produced in Wistar rats by stereotaxic inoculation of C6 glioma cells (1?10 12 /L). Tumor-bearing rats were treated with carmustine, teniposide and lisplatin (chemotherapy) during angiotensin II-induced hypertension. Then, the survival time of tumor-bearing rats, tumor blood flow, the concentration of drug, volume of gliomas and the activity of interleukin-1? converting enzyme in glioma were examined.RESULTS: The survival time of tumor-bearing rats was significantly longer in chemotherapy with angiotensin II-induced hypertension group than that of chemotherapy alone. In addition, regional tumor blood flow, the concentration of chemotherapeutic drug and the activity of interleukin-1? converting enzyme in transplanted rat gliomas were increased, while the volume of gliomas was decreased in hypertention chemotherapy group compared with chemotherapy alone. CONCLUSION: Chemotherapy with angiotensin II-induced hypertension has a enhancing effect on chemotherapy for improving the drug delivery to tumor tissue by a increased tumor blood flow and enhancing activity of interleukin-1? converting enzyme.

Objective:To study the effects of pioglitazone on atherosclerosis on ApoE-/-mice,and to investigate the roles of adiponectin and its receptors.Methods:ApoE-/-mice were fed with high-fat chow for the induction of atherosclerosis and were divided into three subgroups:placebo(n=10),low-dose[10 mg/(kg?d),n=10] pioglitazone therapy,and high-dose[20 mg/(kg?d),n=10] pioglitazone therapy.C57BL/6J wild type mice(n=9) were used as control.Aortic atherosclerosis and intima-media thickness(intima-media thickness,IMT) of abdominal aorta were monitored,and plasma adiponectin was also measured.Expression levels of the adiponectin receptor 1(AdipoR1)and adiponectin receptor 2(AdipoR2) in vessels were analyzed(RT-PCR).Results:(1) Aortic atherosclerotic lesions were observed in ApoE-/-mice but not in wild type mice.Interestingly,these lesions were significantly prevented by high-dose pioglitazone therapy.Compared with wild type mice,ApoE-/-mice had increased IMT of abdominal aorta [(0.290?0.063 vs 0.178?0.012) cm,P

Female ; Humans ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety of Chinese medical facial mask comprehensive therapy in treating acne vulgaris.

METHODSTotally 233 acne vulgaris patients (FAS set) in I -III degree were randomly assigned to the facial mask group (113 cases) and the Western medicine group (120 cases). They were respectively treated with external application of Chinese medical facial mask (twice a week) and 5% benzoyl peroxide gel (Benzine, once in the evening). The treatment lasted for four successive weeks. The integrals of lesions and the improvement of Chinese medicine syndrome integrals were observed 1 week, 2 weeks and 4 weeks after treatment respectively. The occurrence of adverse reactions was recorded. The subjects' evaluation on using the Chinese medical facial mask comprehensive therapy was also recorded.

RESULTSTotally 228 of the 233 patients completed the therapeutic course (7 cases of overtime, 221 cases of PPS set, 105 cases in the facial mask group and 116 cases in the Western medicine group). After 4 weeks of treatment, the lesions and the total effective rate of CM symptoms were obviously higher in the facial mask group than in the control group (46.9% vs 30.0%, 70.8% vs 55.8%, P < 0.05). The statistical results of FAS set and PPS set showed no difference. After 4 weeks of treatment, the integrals of PPS lesions and the CM syndrome integrals in the facial mask group were lower than in the Western medicine group, showing statistical difference (P < or = 0.05). After 2 weeks and 4 weeks of treatment, the integrals of lesions and the CM syndrome integrals of FAS set and PPS set were all higher in the facial mask group than in the control group (P < 0.05). The occurrence of adverse reactions was 1.8% (2/113) in the facial mask group and 2.5% (3/120) in the control group without statistical difference (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSChinese medical facial mask comprehensive therapy is safe and effective in treating acne vulgaris of I - III degree. The occurrence of adverse reactions is very low. It is easy to operate and spread.

Acne Vulgaris ; drug therapy ; Benzoyl Peroxide ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Gels ; Humans ; Male ; Phytotherapy

s E in Beijing belong to HEV genotype Ⅳ.

Objectives To observe the frequencies of mutations at glycophorin A(GPA)of erythro-cytes in patients with high arsenic coal poisoning(HACP)in comparison with normal controls.Methods The peripheral erythrocytes were isolated and immunolabelled,and were detected by flow cytometry in40patients and18normal adults.Results The mutation frequencies(MF)were(21.23?13.97)?10 -6 for type NN,(33.13?25.72)?10 -6 for type NO,(110.90?63.58)?10 -6 for type MM,and(20.35?21.26)?10 -6 for type MO of erythrocytes in patients with HACP,which were significantly higher than those in normal controls.The mutation frequencies were(31.50?16.13)?10 -6 for type NN,(54.50?38.13)?10 -6 for type NO,(159.33?66.22)?10 -6 for type MM,and(45.16?12.69)?10 -6 for type MO of erythrocytes in tumor group of HACP patients,which were significantly higher than those of non-tumor group of the patients.Conclusions Arsenic poisoning may induce the mutation at the glycophorin-A locus of erythrocytes,sug-gesting that arsenic may be one of potential mutagens.GPA-MF may serve as a parameter for the detection of patients with HACP.

Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; rehabilitation ; Hip ; surgery ; Hip Prosthesis ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Perioperative Care ; Postoperative Period

The clinical study was conducted to further evaluation the effectiveness and safety of Fangfeng Tongsheng granule in the treatment of sub-acute eczema (superficial cold and interior heat syndrome, exterior and interior sthenic syndrome). In the block randomized, multi-centered study, totally 108 patients were enrolled and assigned to two groups: 72 patients in the test group and 36 patients in the placebo control group. Those in the test group took Fangfeng Tongsheng granule with the dose of 3 g, twice a day, while those in the control group were give simulated agent granules with the same dose. The therapeutic course lasted for 14 days. Their efficacies in TCM syndrome, dermal symptoms and adverse events were observed. According to the test results, except for the one exit case, all of the remaining 108 cases, including 71 in the test group, and 36 in the control group, completed the clinical trial. As for the efficacy of TCM syndrome, after the medication for 2 weeks, the cure rate was 33.81% (24/71) in the test group and 0% (0/36) in the control group (P < 0.01), with a statistical difference between the two groups. Regarding the TCM score, after the medication for 2 weeks, the test group decreased by (12.82 +/- 7.96), while the control group decreased by (3.67 +/- 4.12), indicating a statistical difference between the two groups. As for the efficacy of dermal symptoms, after the medication for 2 weeks, the cure rate was 25.35% (18/71) in the test group and 0% (0/36) in the control group, with a statistical difference between the two groups. Regarding the dermal symptom score, after the medication for 2 weeks., the test group decreased by (10.04 +/- 7.17), while the control group decreased by (2.33 +/- 3.57), indicating a statistical difference between the two groups. There was no significant adverse event caused by Fangfeng Tongsheng granule. In conclusion, Fangfeng Tongsheng granule was effective and safe in treating subcute eczema (superficial cold and interior heat syndrome, exterior and interior sthenic syndrome).
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Eczema ; drug therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVESTo observe the changes of serum interleukins (IL), T-lymphocyte subsets, and white blood cell (WBC) count in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and to investigate the relationship between injured immune function, immune response and disturbed immune adjustment in SARS patients.

METHODSThe levels of serum IL-2, IL-10, IL-12 and T-lymphocyte subset counts were measured in 35 clinically diagnosed SARS patients by using enzyme linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA). The relationship between the measured results and WBC count was further analyzed.

RESULTSThe level of serum IL was increased to a great extent in the 35 SARS patients, and the levels of serum IL-2, IL-10 and IL-12 were 242.53 (92.69) pg/ml, 77.43 (63.37) pg/ml and 65.94 (43.21) pg/ml, respectively. The level of serum IL-2 increased markedly (P < 0.01). The peripheral blood CD(3)(+), CD(4)(+) and CD(8)(+) counts were lower than normal in 23 patients (67.7%), 26 patients (74.3%) and 15 patients (42.9%), respectively. The peripheral blood WBC counts were lower than 4.0 x 10(9)/L in 10 patients, and their CD(3)(+), CD(4)(+) and CD(8)(+) counts were 583.90 (315.58) x 10(6)/L, 272.00 (94.13) x 10(6)/L and 209.00 (72.21) x 10(6)/L, respectively. The peripheral blood WBC counts were (4.0 - 10.0) x 10(9)/L in 20 patients, and their CD(3)(+), CD(4)(+) and CD(8)(+) counts were 700.00 (502.96) x 10(6)/L, 347.00 (247.58) x 10(6)/L and 322.05 (228.47) x 10(6)/L, respectively. The peripheral blood WBC counts were higher than 10.0 x 10(9)/L in 5 patients, and their CD(3)(+), CD(4)(+) and CD(8)(+) counts were 1466.00 (630.86) x 10(6)/L, 783.00 (311.14) x 10(6)/L and 640.00 (294.40) x 10(6)/L, respectively. The decreased CD(3)(+), CD(4)(+) and CD(8)(+) counts were consistent with the decreased WBC counts. The level of IL in SARS patients was significantly higher than that in patients with chronic hepatitis B (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe level of serum IL is closely related to cell immunity in SARS patients. The level of serum IL is increased evidently while CD(3)(+), CD(4)(+) and CD(8)(+) counts decrease. Both serum IL and CD are associated with injury of immune function, and thus they could be regarded as a monitoring index for judging the condition of SARS patients and prescribing immune therapy.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukins ; blood ; Leukocyte Count ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; immunology ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; cytology