Hamartoma ; Humans ; Laryngeal Diseases ; Male ; Middle Aged

Acupuncture ; instrumentation ; methods ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Knee Joint ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pain ; etiology ; Pain Management ; Patella ; injuries

objecfive To know and compare the intelligence level of children born in different time periods in regions with iodine deficiency disorders(IDD)in Liaoning province.Methods All 7-14 year-old children from ten schools were chosen as the subjects respectively from six villages in each of the six counties and in regions with iodine deficiency,who were respectively born at the initialization of iodinated salt supplying period(1978-1980);non-iodinated salt supplying period(1981-1990);recovery of supplied iodized salt period(1991-1995);universal iodized salt period(1996-2000),respectively.Intelligence quotient(IQ)was measured by Combined Ravens Test in China(CRT-C)and Combined Ravens Test-the Rural,in China,2nd edition(CRT-RC2).Results IQ of children during the non-iodized salt period(91.9±14.3)was significantly lower than the initial supply of iodized salt period(95.8±14.6,q=8.60,P<0.01),recovery of supplied iodized salt period(99.7±14.7)was significantly higher than the initial supply of iodized salt period, non-iodized salt sales period(q = 9.53, 18.13, all P < 0.01 ),universal salt iodization( 104.3 ± 14.9) was significantly higher than the initial supply of iodized salt period, non-iodized salt sales period, recovery of supplied salt iodization(q = 20.00,28.00,10.46, all P < 0.01). Children's rate of mental retardation (IQ≤69) was higher in non-iodinated salt supplying period (6.7%, 88/1314 ) than the initial supply of iodized salt (4.4%, 21/471, χ2 = 3.85, P < 0.05), recovery of supplied iodized salt period(3.3%,48/1470) was significantly lower than non-iodinzed salt supplying period (χ2 = 15.37, P < 0.01), universal salt iodization period(2.7%, 36/1344) was lower than the initial supply of iodized salt period(χ2 = 4.41, P < 0.05) and non-iodinzed salt supplying period(χ2 = 26.34, P < 0.01 ). The IQ and intelligent retarded rates in children born during the initial years of iodinated salt supplying period were not different. The IQ of the children during ten years of non-iodized salt supplying period fluctuated in a "∪" curve, while the intelligent retardation rates in a "∩" curve.The children born during the period of recovery supplied iodized salt increased their IQ and lowered the retardation rates year after year. The IQ of the children in universal iodized salt period kept on increasing while intelligent retarded rates reduced to the lowest level. Conclusions The intelligence level of children born in regions with IDD during non-iodized salt supplying period is remarkably lower than that of the beginning years of iodinated salt supplying period. The intelligence level of children born after universal iodized salt period is remarkably higher than that of the initial iodinated salt supplying period and recovery of supplied iodized salt period, respectively.

PURPOSE: Sensitization to house dust mite (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) is a considerable risk factor for the progression of allergic disease. The group 2 allergen from Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Der p 2, is considered a major one in patients with specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) to Der p 2. Der p 2 has structural homology with myeloid differentiation 2 (MD-2), which is involved in the lipopolysaccharide-binding component of the Toll-like receptor 4 signaling pathway and the development of inflammation. The aim of this study was to examine the genetic association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promoter region of MD-2 with Der p 2-sensitive allergy. METHODS: We investigated associations between cohort's characteristics, including 280 allergic and 80 healthy subjects by examining total IgE, eosinophils, D. pteronyssinus-specific IgE, Der p 2-specific IgE, the number of IgE-producing B cells induced by Der p 2, and the odds ratio of allergic symptoms. RESULTS: Based on the 1,000 genome project data, the minor allele frequencies of the rs1809441 and rs1809442 are 0.467 and 0.474, respectively. However, the correlation of linkage disequilibrium (LD) between these 2 SNPs is D'=1, the genotype frequencies of the 2 MD-2 (LY96) SNPs (rs1809441 and rs1809442) that are located nearby were significantly different between allergic and health subjects: the TT genotype of rs1809441 and the GG genotype of rs1809442 were more frequent in allergic subjects than in healthy subjects (16.1% vs 2.5% in both genotypes). The allergic patients with these genotypes exhibited significantly higher levels of D. pteronyssinus-specific IgE and Der p 2-specific Ig E, and a larger number of Der p 2-activated B cells. In addition, these 2 SNPs in the MD-2 promoter region were significantly associated with the prevalence of nasal, skin, and asthmatic allergic symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicated that 2 SNPs in the MD-2 promoter region were significantly associated with Der p 2-specific Ig E, and thereby suggest that these SNPs may play a major role in susceptibility to Der p 2-triggered immune responses in a Taiwanese population.
B-Lymphocytes ; Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus ; Eosinophils ; Gene Frequency ; Genome ; Genotype ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity* ; Immunoglobulin E ; Immunoglobulins ; Inflammation ; Linkage Disequilibrium ; Odds Ratio ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide* ; Prevalence ; Promoter Regions, Genetic* ; Pyroglyphidae ; Risk Factors ; Skin ; Toll-Like Receptor 4

OBJECTIVETo clone the glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) from the mouse testis, construct the eukaryotic expression vector and transfect this vector into Sertoli cells in order to use the gdnf-transfected Sertoli cells as the feeder layer to cultivate spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs).

METHODSTotal RNA was extracted from the testes of normal mature mice and gdnf was cloned and amplified using RT-PCR, inserted into the eukaryotic expression vector and transfected into sertoli cells (TM4 cell line). Immunofluorescence with anti-GDNF antibodies was performed at 40 h following the transfection.

RESULTSgdnf cDNA was cloned successfully, and GDNF expressed after transfected into Sertoli cells.

CONCLUSIONThis study provides a basis for culturing SSCs with gdnf-transfected Sertoli cells as the feeder layer.

Animals ; Cloning, Molecular ; Gene Expression ; Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; genetics ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; RNA ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sertoli Cells ; metabolism ; Testis ; cytology ; metabolism ; Transfection

OBJECTIVESTo study the correlation between Chlamydiae pneumonia and carotid atherosclerosis, and the correlation between the infection of Chlamydiae pneumonia and ischemic events.

METHODSThe study group consisted of 19 patients who underwent unilateral carotid endarterectomy surgery during the period from January 2010 to December 2011, and the atherosclerotic plaque specimens were harvested from these patients. The control group consisted of 10 patients who underwent extracranial-intracranial bypass surgery during the same period, and the normal external carotid artery specimens were got from these patients. The clinical data between the two groups had comparability. The presence of Chlamydiae pneumonia in atherosclerotic plaque and normal artery tissue were investigated by immunohistochemistry. The expression of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in the atherosclerotic plaque infected with Chlamydiae pneumonia were also detected. Data were analyzed using Fisher's exact test.

RESULTChlamydiae pneumonia was found in 9 of 19 atherosclerotic plaques, while no positive result was found in control group. The statistical analysis showed a significant difference (P = 0.011). Among the 19 patients in study group, 15 of them had ischemic events, and Chlamydiae pneumonia was found in 9 of these 15 patients; while the other 4 patients didn't have any ischemic events and no Chlamydiae pneumonia was found in them, but there was no statistical different between them (P = 0.087). Through immunohistochemistry, the expression of Chlamydiae pneumonia, TLR2, TNF-α and VCAM-1 were found in same area.

CONCLUSIONSThere is a correlation between Chlamydiae pneumonia and carotid atherosclerosis.And there might be a correlation between Chlamydiae pneumonia and cerebral ischemic events.

Carotid Artery Diseases ; metabolism ; microbiology ; Case-Control Studies ; Chlamydophila Infections ; complications ; Chlamydophila pneumoniae ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; microbiology ; Toll-Like Receptor 2 ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism ; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism

The Chinese medical ethics committee and the ethical review system have made the following achievements: (1) enabled the institutionalization of medical ethics, (2) carried out the ethics review of Chinese medicine (CM) and integrative medicine extensively, (3) trained a large number of ethical professionals, (4) supported and protected the interests of patients and subjects, and (5) ensured the correct direction of biological research and provided ethical defense for the publication of its results. However, at the same time, they are also faced with some new problems and difficulties that need to be resolved in the following ways: (1) to refine the relevant rules of ethical review, (2) to develop the relevant standards of the CM and integrative medicine ethical review, (3) to enhance the independence and authority of ethics committee, (4) to emphasize innovation and to discover and solve new problems, and (5) to increase international exchanges and improve relevant research.
Ethical Review ; Ethics, Medical ; Humans ; Integrative Medicine ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; trends ; Patient Rights

In China, there are three basic clinical decision-making modes for patients, namely patients' autonomous decision-making mode, family decision-making mode and patient and family codetermination. They were produced under the unique background of Chinese medicine, Confucian philosophy and law in China. In this paper, the concepts, advantages and disadvantages of these three decision-making modes were analyzed. In addition, some suggestions were put forward for the improvement. The first is that we suggest to establish standards for choosing decision-making modes; the second is to further learn and publicize relevant laws; thirdly, the legal system needs to be further refined; and the last one is to carry out ethical ward round.
China ; Decision Making ; Humans ; Patient Participation

OBJECTIVETo investigate the anti-tumor effect of a novel gene-viral therapeutic system CNHK300-murine endostatin (CNHK300-mE) on gastric cancer.

METHODSSGC-7901 gastric cancer cells (5 x 10(7) cells/mouse) were injected s.c. into the right flank of Balb/c nude mice, grown to 4-5 mm to demonstrate tumor take, and 10(9) pfu/100 microl CNHK300-mE virus was injected into tumors. Tumor sizes were measured with calipers every other day. Serum samples were obtained by retro-orbital puncture and level of endostatin expression in serum was quantitated by ELISA. Fifteen days after treatment, all mice were sacrificed and tumors were excised for immunohistochemical staining of PCNA, hexon and vWF. Tumor cell apoptosis was detected by TUNEL method.

RESULTSFrom the 7th day post-treatment, the bearing tumors of mice treated with CNHK300-mE were significantly smaller than those of control group treated with PBS. Seven days after treatment, expression of endostatin was (2115 +/- 770) ng/ml, significantly higher than that of control group. Immunohistochemical staining indicated that hexon was expressed in treated tumor cells, and PCNA LI (label index) [(55.0+/-1.4)% vs control (74.1 +/- 0.4)%, P<0.05], microvessel density (MVD) of CNHK300-mE treated tumors decreased significantly. Apoptosis obviously increased in tumor cells[(78.4 +/- 9.1)% vs control (15.2 +/- 0.5)%, P<0.01]. Apoptosis bodies and crystal grid were found in tumor cell nuclear by electron microscope.

CONCLUSIONSGene-viral therapeutic system CNHK300-murine endostatin can replicate in gastric cancer cells. The mouse endostatin gene cloned into CNHK300-mE expressed in high level. CNHK300-mE may induce tumor cells apoptosis, reduce the expression of PCNA and efficiently suppress gastric cancer growth through inhibiting tumor angiogenesis.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Animals ; Endostatins ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Therapy ; Genetic Vectors ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Stomach Neoplasms ; therapy ; Telomerase ; genetics ; Transfection ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

AIMTo study the effects of ferulic acid (FA) on E-selectin expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) activated by lipopolysaccharide and leukocyte-endothelial cell adhesion.

METHODSThe effects of FA on E-selectin and E-selectin mRNA expression were determined by flow cytometry and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The effect of FA on HL60-HUVEC adhesion was evaluated with the method of staining the cells by Rose Bengal.

RESULTSThe expression of E-selectin and E-selectin mRNA were down regulated by FA (0.62 and 0.41 mmol x L(-1), respectively). HL60 cells adhered to activated HUVECs were also reduced by FA (0.62 and 0.41 mmol x L(-1), respectively).

CONCLUSIONFA can inhibit the expression of E-selectin and E-selectin mRNA and HL60-HUVEC adhesion. This may contribute to its protective effect against ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Cell Adhesion ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Coumaric Acids ; pharmacology ; E-Selectin ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Endothelial Cells ; metabolism ; HL-60 Cells ; physiology ; Humans ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Umbilical Veins ; cytology