Objective To discover the role of interleukin-18(IL-18) and CD_(54) in congestive heart failure(CHF),and evaluate the diagnostic value of IL-18 and CD_(54) in CHF.Methods Blood samples were collected from 52 children with CHF,included 18 cases in classⅡ,17 cases in class Ⅲand 17 cases in class Ⅳ.Fifteen healthy children were normal control group.The levels of IL-18 was(detec-)ted by ELISA method and the expression of CD_(54) was examined by flow cytometry.Results The levels of IL-18 and CD_(54) in CHF were significantly higher than those of control subjects(P0.05),but the levels were respectively significantly higher than that of control subjects(P

Adenoma ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Adult ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Exons ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Ki-67 Antigen ; metabolism ; Male ; Mutation ; Nuclear Proteins ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf ; genetics ; Thyroglobulin ; metabolism ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Thyroid Nuclear Factor 1 ; Transcription Factors ; metabolism

ObjectiveTo determine the correlation between qualities of life(QOL) and depression,anxiety in cancer patients.Methods91 cancer patients was measured with self anxiety scale(SAS),self depression scale(SDS) and SF-36.ResultsDepression occurred in about 51.5% and anxiety occurred in about 24.1% of the general patients.The patients without depression showed a higher QOL than those with depression(P<0.05),and the patients without anxiety showed a higher QOL than those with anxiety(P<0.01).ConclusionDepression and anxiety are associated with poor quality of life,which should be put into plans of nursing.

Litsea cubeba is one of aromatic medicinal plant belonging to family Lauraceae. The roots, stems and fruits of L. cubeba have been widely applied as folk medicines in some districts in China for relieving rheumatism and cold, regulating Qi (meridian) to alleviate pain. Previous studies revealed that this species contains major alkaloids, in specific aporphines, and minor flavonoids, lignans as well. Related pharmacological investigations demonstrated its activities and clinical applications on cardiovascular diseases, anti-cancer, against rheumatoid arthritis, relieving asthma and anti-allergic effects, as anti-oxidants, and so on. As an effort for further exploration of this bioactive ingredients and potential drug development, this paper summarizes most phytochemical and pharmacological results. Further, future prospects are also included.
Animals ; Drug Therapy ; Humans ; Litsea ; chemistry ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo elucidate whether the polymorphism of asthma immune regulator gene TIM-4 is associated with the risk of childhood allergic asthma in the southwest region of China.

METHODSTIM-4 gene promoter region RS6882076 and intron RS4704727 were studied. PCR-RFLP was used to test the genotypes of two polymorphism loci among 579 cases (average 7.2 years old) of asthma and 524 controls (average 7.6 years old) in a case-control study.

RESULTSThere were significant differences in the frequency of gene types at RS4704727 site between the asthma and the control groups (P<0.01). The results of PCR-RFLP showed that the polyporphisms of RS6882076 and RS4704727 in TIM-4 gene were present in this study population. The frequency of T allele at the RS4704727 site in the asthma group was significantly lower than that in the control group (OR=1.603; 95%CI 1.304-1.971; P<0.01). There were no significant differences in the frequencies of gene types and allele at RS6882076 site between the two groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSRS4704727 polymorphism of TIM-4 gene may be associated with childhood asthma, providing a better understanding of the pathogenesis of childhood asthma in the Southwest region of China.

Asthma ; etiology ; genetics ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Promoter Regions, Genetic

Objective To study and establish the UPLC fingerprints of Lianhua Qingwen Capsules. Methods The samples were separated with a Waters ACQUITY UPLC HSS T3 column (100 mm × 2.1 mm, 1.8 μm) by linear gradient elution. The wavelength for detection was set at 239 nm; mobile phase was set at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min;the column temperature was set at 30 ℃. Results UPLC fingerprints of Lianhua Qingwen Capsules were established with 32 common peaks. 9 of 32 common peaks were identified, including neochlorogenic acid (peak No.4, source from Lonicerae Japonicae Flos and Houttuyniae Herba), chlorogenic acid (peak No.6, source from Forsythiae Fructus, Lonicerae Japonicae Flos and Houttuyniae Herba), cryptochlorogenic acid (peak No.8, source from Lonicerae Japonicae Flos and Houttuyniae Herba), isoforsythiaside A (peak No.15, source from Forsythiae Fructus), forsythoside A (peak No.20, source from Forsythiae Fructus), quercitrin (peak No.23, source from Houttuyniae Herba), isochlorogenic acid C (peak No.24, source from Lonicerae Japonicae Flos), phillyrin (peak No.26, source from Forsythiae Fructus), glycyrrhizic acid (peak No.31, source from Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma). The similarities in 10 batches of Lianhua Qingwen Capsules samples were all above 0.96. Conclusion The method is with good precision, repeatability and stability, which can be used as a new means for the quality control of Lianhua Qingwen Capsules.

OBJECTIVETo elucidate the characteristics of variation and the genetic evolution of non-structural protein (NS1, NS2) genes related to avian influenza subtype H5N1 viruses isolated from the boundary region of Yunnan province.

METHODSSwab samples were collected from foreign poultry and wild birds in the boundary regions of Yunnan province and screened by H5/N1 subtype-specific multiplex RT-PCR. The NS segment of H5N1 virus from the positive samples were amplified by RT-PCR and cloned into pMD18-T vectors for sequencing. The alignment and phylogenetic analysis on those available NS1, NS2 genes were performed with sequences of the known reference strains.

RESULTS71 positive samples were identified from 1240 samples, with the positive rate as 5.72%. Fourteen different NS segment sequences were obtained from 30 representative positive samples and could be divided into 3 distinct clades or sub-clades (I-1, I-2 and II), by phylogenetic analysis. The NS1/NS2 genes and Hemagglutinin (HA) genes of H5N1 viruses from the boundary regions of Yunnan province showed different relationships regarding the characteristics on genetic evolution. The substitution or mutation of key amino acids sites had been noticed in the nuclear location signal domains, effect domain, and other pathogenicity markers.

CONCLUSIONNS genes of H5N1 subtype viruses in boundary region of Yunnan province showed genetic divergence and the virus of clade I-2 and II had become dominant epidemic strains in this region since 2010.

Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Animals, Wild ; Birds ; virology ; China ; epidemiology ; Evolution, Molecular ; Genome, Viral ; Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Influenza in Birds ; epidemiology ; virology ; Phylogeny

OBJECTIVETo elucidate the variation in characterizations and genetic evolution of the matrix protein 2 or ion channel protein(M2) genes of avian influenza subtype H5N1 viruses in the boundary region of Yunnan province from 2008 to 2012.

METHODSA total of swab samples were collected from foreign poultry such as the junction between Yunnan and Vietnam, Laos,myanmar and wild birds in boundary region of Yunnan province from 2008 to 2012 and screened by H5N1 subtype-specific multiplex RT-PCR. The M genes of H5N1 virus from the positive samples were amplified by RT-PCR and cloned into pMD18-T vectors for sequencing. The alignment and phylogenetic analysis of M2 genes were performed with sequences of the known reference strains.

RESULTSA total of 71 positive samples were found out of 1240 samples and the positive rate was 5.72%. A total of 14 different M2 sequences were obtained from 30 positive samples and were divided into 3 distinct clades or sub-clades(1.2.1, 1.2.2 and 2) by phylogenetic analysis, 5, 7 and 2, respectively. The M2 genes and Hemagglutinin(HA) genes of H5N1 viruses from the boundary region of Yunnan province had showed different relationship of genetic evolution. The substitution or mutation of key amino acids sites had been found among the domains of epitope, adamantane-resistance, and poultry or human original viral strains.

CONCLUSIONThe M2 genes of H5N1 subtype viruses in boundary region of Yunnan province from 2008 to 2012 showed genetic divergence and the virus of clade 1.2.2 had become dominant epidemic strain in this region.

Animals ; Birds ; virology ; Chickens ; virology ; China ; Evolution, Molecular ; Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype ; classification ; genetics ; Influenza in Birds ; virology ; Phylogeny ; Poultry ; virology ; Viral Matrix Proteins ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo construct lentivector carrying Tie2-Small interfering RNA (SiRNA), so as to study its influence on malignant melanoma cells.

METHODSRecombinant plasmid pSilencer 1.0-U6-Tie2-siRNA and plasmid pNL-EGFP were digested with XbaI, ligated a target lentiviral transfer plasmid of pNL-EGFP-U6-Tie2-I or pNL-EGFP-U6-Tie2-II, and then the electrophoresis clones was sequenced. Plasmids of pNL-EGFP-U6-Tie2-I and pNL-EGFP-U6-Tie2-II were constructed and combined with pVSVG and pHelper, respectively, to constitute lentiviral vector system of three plasmids. The Lentiviral vector system was transfected into 293T cell to produce pNL-EGFP-U6-Tie2- I and pNL-EGFP-U6-Tie2-II lentivirus. Then the supernatant was collected to determine the titer. Malignant melanoma cells were infected by both lentiviruses and identified by Realtime RT-PCR to assess inhibitory efficiency.

RESULTSThe recombinant lentiviral vectors of Tie2-RNAi were constructed successfully which were analyzed with restriction enzyme digestion and identified by sequencing. And the titer of lentiviral vector was 8.8 x 10(3)/ml, which was determined by 293T cell. The results of Realtime RT-PCR demonstrated that the lentiviral vectors of Tie2-RNAi could infect malignant melanoma cells and inhibit the expression of Tie2 genes in malignant melanoma cells (P<0.01). There was no significant difference in the expression level (P>0.05) between the two lentiviral vectors of Tie2-RNAi.

CONCLUSIONSLentivector carrying Tie2-SiRNA can be constructed successfully and inhibit the expression of Tie2 gene in vitro significantly. The study will supply the theory basis for the further research on the inhibition of tumor growth in vivo.

Cell Line, Tumor ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Lentivirus ; genetics ; Melanoma ; genetics ; Plasmids ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Receptor, TIE-2 ; genetics ; Transfection

BACKGROUNDHuman immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS)-related stigma is an obstacle to the implementation of treatment, care, and support programs for people living with HIV/AIDS. This study explored the association of the HIV knowledge with the attitudes toward HIV/AIDS.

METHODSA cross-sectional survey was conducted in HIV epidemic rural areas with 5355 participants. Their knowledge and attitudes about HIV/AIDS were assessed, and the associations of HIV transmission and non-transmission knowledge with negative attitudes towards the HIV/AIDS were analyzed.

RESULTSNegative attitudes were significantly correlated with the HIV non-transmission knowledge and the correlation was higher than that with HIV transmission knowledge among participants who were male, 20 years old and migrant workers, students and respondents of and above junior high school. However, among those who were female, age 30 and older, illiterate with primary school education, negative attitudes were significantly associated with HIV non-transmission knowledge and the association was lower than that with HIV transmission knowledge.

CONCLUSIONSHIV transmission knowledge and non-transmission knowledge have different influences on negative attitudes towards HIV/AIDS among different demographic subgroups.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; transmission ; Adult ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; HIV Infections ; transmission ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult