Objective To investigate the association of the gene polymorphism of endothelial nitric-oxide synthase(eNOS) with pregnancy induced hypertension(PIH). Methods Sixty-six gravidas with PIH and 91 normal pregnant women(control) in the third trimester were investigated. The G894T mutation at exon 7 of the endothelial nitric-oxide synthase gene was studied by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Results The frequencies of eNOS GG, GT and TT genotypes were 62.1%, 34.8% and 3.1% in PIH group and (79.1%,) 20.9% and 0.0% in control group, respectively (P0.05). Conclusions The variant (G-T) of 894 polymorphism site of eNOS is associated with the genesis of PIH, but not related to the severity of PIH. T allele may be a susceptible gene to PIH.

To obtain recombinant human β2-microglobulin (rhβ2M) with properties of good solubility and high purity from E. coli, prokaryotic expression conditions were optimized and protein purification was performed in this study. After testing the effect of different IPTG concentrations, temperatures and induction times on the production of rhβ2M, the optimum expression conditions were determined, i. e. joining IPTG to final concentration being 0.8 mmol/L and inducing time 6 h and at temperature of 25 degrees C. Under the optimum induction conditions, the ratio of soluble rhβ2M to soluble bacterial protein was 63.7%. After purified by Ni Sepharose 6 Fast Flow, the purity of rhβ2M achieved a greater value of 95%. Western blot analysis revealed that rhβ2M possessed the antigen property that specifically interacted with anti-β2M antibody.
Blotting, Western ; Escherichia coli ; metabolism ; Humans ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; Solubility ; beta 2-Microglobulin ; biosynthesis

The strain of Cunninghamella echinulata 9980 was first selected with high aminoacylase activity . In three submerged cultures, the aminoacylase activity in the mycelial cell was compared . A number of factors have effects on the resolution reaction. The results showed that, peptone culture gave the highest aminoacylase activity with 680U/g.The optium temperature,pH,and substrate concentration were 55℃, 7.0,and 0.2mol/L,respectively. The ions in the buffer lowered the activity,but the Co~(2+) in 10~(-4)~10~(-3 )mol/L was necessary for its activity.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of moxibustion on serum adiponectin content, and expression of adiponectin and adiponectin receptor in adipose tissue in Alzheimer's disease (AD) rats, so as to explore its mechanism underlying improvement of AD. METHODS: Fifty male SD rats were randomly divided into control, model, Shenque (CV8), Zusanli (ST36) and CV8＋ST36 groups (n＝10 in each group). The AD model was established by intraperitoneal injection of D-galactose (400 mg•kg－1•d－1) for 5 weeks and scopolamine hydrobromide (3 mg •kg－1•d－1) for 2 weeks. Moxibustion was applied to CV8, ST36 and CV8＋ST36 respectively for 3 moxa-cones every time, once daily for 5 weeks. Morris water maze tests were used to assess the rats' learning-memory ability. The contents of serum adiponectin were assayed using ELISA, and the expression of adiponectin and adiponectin receptor in the adipose tissue was detected by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot, separately. RESULTS: Following modeling, the average escape latency of Morris water maze tests was significantly prolonged (P<0.05), the content of serum adiponectin and the expression level of adiponectin mRNA in adipose tissue were significantly decreased (P<0.01), the expression of adiponectin receptor protein significantly decreased in the model group relevant to the control group (P<0.01). After the intervention, the average escape latency was significantly shortened (P<0.05), the decreased serum adiponectin content and adiponectin mRNA expression, and the decreased adiponectin receptor protein expression in adipose tissue were all reversed in the 3 treatment groups (P<0.01，P<0.05). No significant differences were found among the three moxibustion groups in the above indexes (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Moxibustion at CV8, ST36 and CV8＋ST36 is effective in up-regulating serum adiponectin content，adiponectin mRNA expression and adiponectin receptor protein expression in adipose tissue, which may provide evidence for clinical election of acupoints.

Objective:To explore the effect of probiotics on reducing ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in sepsis patients.Methods:A total of 94 cases were randomly (random number) divided into the probiotic group ( n = 46) and the control group ( n = 48). All of the patients were given enteral nutrition therapy by nasogastric tube within 24-72 h after admission. And patients in the probiotic group were given live combined bifidobacterium, lactobacillus and enterococcus powder besides the regular therapy. The incidence of VAP, bacteremia, mortality, mechanical ventilation time and length of ICU stay were compared between the two groups. Results:Compared with the control group, the incidences of VAP and bacteremia in the probiotics group were significantly lower (χ 2=4.763, P=0.029; χ 2=4.438, P=0.035). There were no significant differences in 28-day mortality and the length of hospital stay between the two groups (χ 2=2.02, P=0.167; t=1.29, P=0.208). Mechanical ventilation time in the probiotics group was significantly shorter than that in the control group ( t=2.16, P=0.038). The Log-Rank test showed that the time of VAP-free in the probiotics group was significantly longer than that in the control group ( P < 0.05). After adjusting for APACHEⅡ score and age, COX proportional risk model analysis showed that the RR values of the probiotics group and the control group for 28-day VAP were 0.18 (95% CI: 0.12-0.74, P=0.025) and 0.21 (95% CI: 0.19-0.95, P=0.042), respectively. Conclusions:Probiotics treatment can reduce the incidence of VAP in sepsis patients.

OBJECTIVETo verify the therapeutic effect of acupuncture with Ling gui Ba fa (method for picking eight points linked with extraordinary meridians according to time) for treatment of chronic superficial gastritis (CSG) of liver-stomach disharmony type.

METHODSSixty cases were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each group. The observation group was treated with Ling gui Ba fa and acupuncture at Neiguan (PC 6) and Taichong (LR 3); the control group was treated with routine acupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36), Zhongwan (CV 12), Taichong (LR 3), Neiguan (PC 6), Ganshu (BL 18) and Weishu (BL 21), 3 times a week, 10 times constituted one course. After two courses of treatment, the clinical and gastroscopy effects were evaluated.

RESULTSThe clinical curative rate of 66.7% (20/30) in observation group was superior to that of 26.7% (8/30) in control group (P < 0.01); the gastroscopy curative rate of 66.7% (20/30) in observation group was superior to that of 23.3% (7/30) in control group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe clinical effect and gastroscopy examination of the acupuncture with Ling gui Ba fa are superior to those of routine point selection for treatment of CSG of liver-stomach disharmony type.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Chronic Disease ; therapy ; Female ; Gastritis ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Humans ; Liver ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stomach ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the influence of moxibustion at Shenque (CV 8) point on aging and its mechanism.

METHODSForty-eight health rabbits were randomly divided into 8 groups, ie., group I (normal control group), group II (model group), group III (prevention with moxibustion at Shenque (CV 8) group), group lY (prevention with moxibustion both at Shenque (CV 8) and Zusanli (ST 36) group), group V (prevention with moxibustion both at Shenque (CV 8) and Mingmen (GV 4) group), group VI (treatment with moxibustion at Shenque (CV 8) group), group XII (treatment with moxibustion both at Shenque (CV 8) and Zusanli (ST 36) group), and group VIII (treatment with moxibustion both at Shenque (CV 8) and Mingmen (GV 4) group). The rabbit models of kidney-yang deficiency were created by pouring Hydroxyurea. The serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was detected and the effect of the moxibustion from both prevention and treatment aspects were compared. And then the effect of different compatibility of acupoints was observed.

RESULTSAfter modeling, obvious symptoms of kidney-yang deficiency and decrease of SOD activity (all P < 0.01) were found in groups II, VI, VII and VIII. After the moxibustion treatment, the syndromes of kidney-yang deficiency were significantly improved (all P < 0.01) and SOD activities were increased obviously in groups VI, VII and VIII (all P < 0.01); a few syndromes of kidney-yang deficiency were found in groups III, IV and V after modeling, but with no significant changes of SOD activity (all P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in three moxibustion treatment groups (all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThree acupoints compatibilities of moxibustion treatment can all regulate serum SOD activity in rabbits with kidney-yang deficiency effectively and have the significant effect both at prevention and treatment aspects and there is close relationship between their mechanisms on aging and regulating serum SOD activity.

Acupuncture Points ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney ; physiopathology ; Male ; Moxibustion ; Rabbits ; Random Allocation ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood ; Yang Deficiency ; enzymology ; physiopathology ; therapy

UNLABELLEDOBJECTIVE To compare anti-oxidative effects of acupuncture at different Shichen (traditional twelve two-hour periods) accordin-17:00), You (17:00-19:00), Xu (19:00-21:00), Hui (21:00-23:00) periods according to the eight methods of the intelligent turtle, once each day, for 7 consecutive days. Changes of malondialdehyde (MDA) content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity after treatment were observed.

RESULTSSOD activities and MDA contents at the 12 periods were different in the healthy guinea pigs, SOD activity at Wu period was the highest and the lowest at Zi period; MDA content was the highest at Zi period and the lowest at Wu period. The needling method according to eight methods of the intelligent turtle could increase SOD activity in the guinea pigs. The increasing amplitude of SOD activity was the largest at Mao period and the smallest at the Wu period; it also could decreased MDA content, the decreasing amplitude of MDA was the largest at Wu period and the smallest at Hai period.

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture at different periods according to eight methods of intelligent turtle has different effects on serum SOD and MDA, which can increase SOD activity and decrease MDA content in the healthy guinea pig.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Animals ; Female ; Guinea Pigs ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; blood ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo study the prognostic and clinical relevance of histologic subtyping of thymoma according to the World Health Organization (WHO) classification.

METHODSThe clinicopathologic features of 108 patients with thymoma removed surgically were retrospectively reviewed. The histologic diagnosis of the tumors was made on the basis of 2004 WHO classification by two experienced pathologists. The correlation between Masaoka tumor stage, WHO histologic subtype, completeness of resection, presence of myasthenia gravis, other clinical parameters (including age, gender and tumor size) and survival was studied.

RESULTSAccording to WHO classification, there were 7 cases (6.5%) of type A thymoma, 19 cases (17.6%) of type AB thymoma, 23 cases (21.3%) of type B1 thymoma, 19 cases (17.6%) of type B2 thymoma, 27 cases (25.0%) of type B3 thymoma and 13 cases (12.0%) of type C thymoma. According to Masaoka tumor staging, 36 cases (33.3%) were in stage I, 34 cases (31.5%) in stage II, 27 cases (25.0%) in stage III and 11 cases (10.2%) in stage IV(a). The association between histologic subtype and Masaoka tumor stage was statistically significant (P = 0.000). The 5-year survival rates of type A, AB, B1, B2 and B3 thymoma cases were 100%, 100%, 93%, 83% and 43%, respectively; while the 10-year survival rates were 100%, 100%, 81%, 70% and 33%, respectively. The median survival time of type C thymoma was 62.5 months. Type B2 and B3 thymoma cases had an intermediate prognostic ranking in comparison with type C thymoma and other groups (P = 0.000). The 5-year survival rates of tumors in stage I, II and III were 100%, 77% and 54%, respectively; while the 10-year survival rates were 100%, 70% and 27%, respectively. The median survival time of patients in stage IV(a) was 14.0 months. Masaoka tumor stage was highly significant in predicting survival of patients (P = 0.000). On multivariate analysis, Masaoka tumor stage was an independent predictive factor for survival (P = 0.027). On the other hand, the WHO subtype (type A to B1 versus type B2 to B3 versus type C) and completeness of resection could predict the tumor-related survival.

CONCLUSIONSThe Masaoka tumor stage is the single most important prognostic factor of thymoma. The WHO histologic subtype and completeness of resection affect mainly the post-operative survival. The classification of thymoma may also reflect the clinical behavior of the tumor. Type A, AB and B1 thymomas belong to the low-risk group, while type B2 and B3 thymomas have an intermediate prognostic ranking. Type C thymoma carries the worst prognosis.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Myasthenia Gravis ; etiology ; Prognosis ; Survival Analysis ; Thymoma ; classification ; complications ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Thymus Neoplasms ; classification ; complications ; diagnosis ; pathology ; World Health Organization

Objective: To compare the clinical effect of conventional polyvinyl chloride (PVC) endotracheal tube with silicone wire reinforced endotracheal tube to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in mechanical ventilation patients. Methods: A total of 240 mechanical ventilation patients in the ICU were enrolled in this study, which were divided into two groups, PVC endotracheal intubation group (PVC group, n=113) and wire reinforced endotracheal intubation group (WR group, n=127). Gender, age, APACHEⅡ score, one-time success rate of intubation, intubation time, the rate of changing endotracheal, ventilation time, rate of tracheotomy and the incidence of VAP were compare between the two groups. Predictive factors for VAP were identified by the univariate and multivariate analyses in step-wise logistic regression model. Results: The rate of changing endotracheal tube in the PVC group was lower than that in the WR group (χ²=5.785, P=0.016); the mechanical ventilation time in the PVC group was shorter than that in the WR group (t=2.180, P=0.018); and compared with the WR group, the PVC group had significantly lower incidence of VAP (χ²=6.215, P=0.012). The univariate analysis showed that the selection of PVC endotracheal tube, APACHE Ⅱ score and mechanical ventilation time were the significant risk factors for VAP (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that the different selection of endotracheal tube and mechanical ventilation time were independent influencing factors of VAP (P < 0.05). Conclusions PVC tracheal tube can effectively reduce the incidence of VAP in patients with mechanical ventilation.