Antigens ; analysis ; Microarray Analysis ; methods ; Quantum Dots ; Semiconductors

Objective To evaluate the respiratory mechanics and inflammatory status in elderly patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD).Methods The arterial blood gases (ABGs),respiratory drive and its derivatives,mechanics of respiratory muscles,resistance and compliance of airway,interleukin-8 (IL-8)and interferon-?(IFN-?)were measured in 42 cases withstable COPD and 40 subjects of normal control.Results The elderly patients with stable COPD had great changes in the following parameters while compared with the control group:peak inspiratory pressure(PIMAX) [(4.48?2.11)vs(6.10?2.91)kPa],maximum expiratory pressure (PEMAX)[(6.30?3.20)vs(9.15?93.30)kPa],0.1s mouth occlusion pressure(P_(0.1)) with its correction index,airway resistance,compliance,ABGs,the levels of IL-8[(218.46?91.14) vs (161.84?14.40)ng/L]and IFN-?[(2435.82?639.92)vs(1652.40?95.08)ng/L],which might aggravate the progress of COPD consistently.Conclusions The elderly patiends with stable COPD has marked changes in respiratory drive,airway resistance,and airway compliance,respiratory mechanic and inflammatory status.The intervention should be performed in the elderly stable COPD patients.

AIM: To investigate the sensibility of pattern visual evoked potential (P-VEP) on the diagnosis of glaucoma in different temporal frequency.METHODS: The P-VEP were recorded in 51 eyes of 30 primary glaucoma (PG) patients, 16 eyes of 13 ocular hypertension (OHT) patients and 46 eyes of 23 age-equivalent normal people using an array of different temporal frequency and then the patients were compared respectively with the normal group.RESULTS: The P100 wave amplitude in OHT group was significantly lowered at 8Hz, and was lowered at all temporal frequency in PG group, especially when the temporal frequency was higher.CONCLUSION: The P-VEP can be abnormal when the PG is still in its early stage, so it can be an index of early diagnosis and this is more obvious when the temporal frequency is higher, especially at 8Hz.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of Lianhua Dingchuan Tablets in bronchial asthma.Methods Fifty BALB/C mice were randomly and equally divided into control (Con) group,ovalbumin (OVA) group,dexamethasone (DEX) group,high-dose Lianhua group,low-dose Lianhua group.The mice were sensitized and challenged with OVA plus aluminium hydroxide to establish asthmatic model and were pre-treated 30 minutes before challenge.Specific airway resistance (sRaw) was used to evaluate airway hyperresponsiveness,and airway inflammatory changes were measured.ELISA and Magnetic Luminex(R) were used to quantified the levels of IL-4,IL-13 and INF-γ.Results Airway resistance significantly decreased in DEX group and High-dose Lianhua group (P＜0.05).Levels of inflammatory cells and IL-13 in BALF evidently reduced in DEX group,high-dose Lianhua group and low-dose Lianhua group (P ＜ 0.05),while IL-13 level in serum only decreased in DEX group.There was no significant changes in the levels of IL 4 and INF γ among those groups.Conclusions Lianhua Dingchuan Tablets might relieve the symptoms of asthma by reducing IL-13 level and inhibiting the airway inflammation.

AIM: To test the ability of multifocal visual evoked potential (mfVEP) in the detecting of glaucoma by comparing the mfVEP recorded from normal subjects and glaucoma patients.METHODS: The mfVEP of 32 normal eyes (n =21) and of 58 eyes (n =37) with primary glaucoma were recorded with the Vision Monitor electrophysical apparatus by the second kernel analysis and to determine the correlation of the topographic location between them.RESULTS: There were significant variability (the coefficient of variation was 43.05%) in mfVEP RMS amplitude in the normal subjects; The RMS amplitude of eyes with glaucoma were smaller than that of the normal eyes and significantly statistical difference were found in the relatively center (namely the 0° -10° ring zone) and in superior nasal quadrant (P＜0.05) while there were no significantly statistical differences of the latency time between them.CONCLUSION: The normal subjects have large individual variability of mfVEP responses. The RMS amplitude of the mfVEP of glaucomatous eyes descends, especially in center zone and superior nasal quadrant.

Background Corneal neovascularization (CNV) is an important cause of visual impairment and graft rejection after allograft corneal transplantation in inflammatory corneal diseases. The mechanisms and therapy relating to CNV are intensely investigated at all times. Objective This study was to evaluate the effect of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) on CNV induced by alkali cauterization and its mechanism. Methods The animal models of corneal neovasculation were induced in the right eyes in 72 Sprayue-Dawley rats by putting a piece of 3 mmfilter paper with 1 mol/L NaOH at the center of the cornea for 30 seconds. The rats were then divided randomly into the 0.02 mg EPA treatment group (24 rats) ,0.03 mg EPA treatment group (24 rats) ,model group (24 rats) and normal group (6 rats). EPA of 0.04 ml with doses of 0.02 mg or 0. 03 mg or saline solution of 0. 04 ml was injected subconjunctivally in model rats and immediately after cauterization. The presence of CNV and corneal edema were observed daily by slit lamp biomicroscope. 1,4,7 and 14 days after operation, corneal histopathological examination was performed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The vascular endothelial cells were stained with CD34 by immunohistochemistry,and the expression of IL-1α,IL-6 mRNA and the nuclear factor-κBp65 ( NF-κBp65 ) proteins was measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis. The use of animals complied with the Regulations for the Administration of Affair Concerning Experimental Animals by Hebei Province( version 1998 ). Results Under the slit lamp, CNV grew slowly from days 2-4 with obvious corneal edema and defect of epithelium. Larger CNV area and less edema were seen from days 7-10. Maximal vessel growth was observed 14 days after injury with thinner vessels in the model group. Histological examination showed that part of the corneal epithelium was damaged;serious corneal edema, more inflammatory cells and a lot of CNV in the stroma were presented in the model group. However, repairing of the corneal epithelium without CNV ,light corneal edema and less inflammatory cells were found in both the 0. 02 mg EPA and 0. 03 mg EPA treatment groups 7 days after alkali cauterization. The relative area of CNV in the 0. 02 mg EPA treatment group was ( 15.80±6.43 )% and ( 11.06±2. 14)% ,and that in the 0. 03 mg EPA treatment group was (16. 10±7.41 )% and (11.06±2. 51 )%, showing significant reduction in comparison with the model group [ (84. 74±7.77)% and (89.63±7.50) % ] 7 days and 14 days after operation ( P＜0. 05 ). Stronger expression of CD34 in the vascular endothelial cells of the cornea stroma was observed in the model group and an absence of CD34 was observed in the EPA-treated groups on the 7th day. RT-PCR revealed that the expression of IL-1α mRNA and IL-6 mRNA was lower in the EPA treatment groups than the model group ( P＜0. 05 ), and Western blot analysis showed that the expression of NF-κB/p65 in the corneas in the EPA treatment groups was significantly lower than that in the model group on the 4th day after operation (P＜0.05).Conclusion Topical application of EPA suppresses CNV induced by alkali burn possibly by inhibiting the expression of NF-κB,IL-1α and IL-6.

To investigate the influence of sodium valproate (VPA) on proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation of HL-60 cell line, effect of VPA in various concentrations on proliferation of HL-60 cells was detected by MMT; Wright-Giemsa staining was performed to observe the morphologic changes of HL-60 cells; NBT experiment was used to test the differentiation of HL-60 cells; flow cytometry was used to observe cell cycles and analyze the apoptosis. The results indicated that the changes of the growth curve showed inhibition of proliferation of HL-60 cells. After a 24-48 hours culture with 2 mmol/L VPA, the cells exhibited nuclear shrinkage, pyknosis fragmentation and appearance of apoptosis bodies. The percentage of the annexin V(+)/PI(-) cells which were apoptotic increased from 2.9% to 17.1%; hypodiploid peak was observed; the percentage of HL-60 cells in G(1) phase increased from 51.1% to 84.6% and the cells in S phase decreased from 37.9% to 14.4%. After a week culture with 0.25 mmol/L VPA, the cells exhibited characteristics of differentiation. The percentage of NBT positive cells was (47 +/- 2)%. It is concluded that VPA can inhibit the proliferation of HL-60 cells while inducing differentiation and apoptosis of these cells. The mechanism needs to be further studied.
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; Valproic Acid ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo detect the mRNA and protein expression of interferon-inducible transmembrane protein-1 (IFITM1) in Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS) and investigate the role of IFITM1 in the occurrence, development and carcinogenesis of PJS polyps.

METHODSReverse transcription-PCR was employed to detect the mRNA expression of IFITM1 in 16 PJS polyp samples, adenomatous polyp tissues, colon adenocarcinoma samples, and normal intestinal mucosal tissues. The protein expression and localization of IFITM1 in these tissues (32 cases for each) were detected with immunohistochemical (IHC) staining.

RESULTSThe IFITM1 mRNA expression was detected in all these tissues, and the expression intensity increased in the order of normal intestinal mucosa, PJS polyp, adenomatous polyp, and colon adenocarcinoma (F=92.704, P=0.000). IHC revealed that IFITM1 protein was localized mainly on the cell membrane and in the cytoplasm, with increased expression intensity in the same order as its mRNA and showing significant differences between the tissues by several rank-sum test (Kruskal-Wallis H, chi(2)=37.036, p=0.000).

CONCLUSIONThe expression level of IFITM1 is associated with the progression of the carcinogenetic process in PJS polyp, and can be used as a sensitive biomarker for diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of PJS.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antigens, Differentiation ; Biomarkers ; metabolism ; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic ; metabolism ; Disease Progression ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between compositions of hyperuricemia and metabolic syndrome among residents aged > or =20 years.

METHODSA stratified cluster sampling was conducted with 7887 dwellers recruited and examinaed. Blood samples were then collected for serum detection. Available data was analyzed using SPSS 13.0.

RESULTSThe incidence rates of obesity, hypertension and hyperglycemia for hyperuricemia were 53.4% with OR = 2.568 (95% CI: 2.103-3.137), 38.8% with OR= 2.157 (95% CI: 1.856-2.508) and 21.9% with OR = 1.850 (95% CI: 1.552-2.205) respectively. Along with the increase of uric acid, body mass index changed the most followed by triglyceridemia. The change of hyperglycemia for men and cholesterol for women were not prominent. Conclusion The relationship between compositions of hyperuricemia and metabolic syndrome was close, suggesting that hyperuricemia might serve as one of the compositions of metabolic syndrome and could contribute to the prevention and control of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.

Adult ; Aged ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperuricemia ; complications ; epidemiology ; Incidence ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome ; complications ; epidemiology ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo discuss the urine biomarkers in 1,3-butadiene exposed workers, and to provide basement for establishing biological limit value.

METHODS44 BD exposed workers as exposure group and 25 BD non-exposed people as control group including 12 workers in boiler workshop in the same factory and 13 people in one public institute, we collected their in-end-of shift urine, then detected urine BD-derived mercapturic metabolites [3,4-dihydroxybutyl mercapturic acid (DHBMA),1- and 2-monohydroxy-3-butenyl mercapturic acid (MHBMA)] concentrations using UPLC-MS/MS method. Meanwhile, we detected air BD concentration with GC-FID in the workplace, and compared their relationship.

RESULTSlgDHBMA and lg (MHBMA + DHBMA) levels in exposed group (lgDHBMA: 2.51 ± 0.44) µg/L, lg [MHBMA + DHBMA: (2.68 ± 0.27) µg/L] were higher than which in control group (lgDHBMA: (2.20 ± 0.25) µg/L, lg(MHBMA + DHBMA: (2.49 ± 0.34) µg/L), and the differences were significant (P < 0.01). Urine DHBMA was obviously influenced by air BD concentrations (r = 0.539, P = 0.001). The equation of Multiple Regression Analysis was y = 2.417 + 0.520x (x represents air BD dose, and represents urinary DHBMA level). Adjusted R(2) of this model was 0.262. Urinary MHBMA was not affected by smoking, alcohol and years of works.

CONCLUSIONUrine metabolite DHBMA in BD-exposed workers might be major biological exposure indice.

Adult ; Biomarkers ; urine ; Butadienes ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects ; Surveys and Questionnaires