Three SNaPshot multiplex assays were developed to test 23 coding region single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and one control region SNP outside hypervariable regions (HVR)I and II, which was aimed at increasing the discrimination power of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) typing in forensic casework, and confirming haplogroup assignments of mtDNA profiles in both human population studies and medical research. The selected SNPs targeted the East Asian phylogeny. These multiplex assays were validated by comparing with the sequencing analysis of samples chosen randomly. The mtDNA variations of 100 unrelated individuals from the Wuhan population in China were examined and classified into 31 haplotypes, and the haplotype diversity was estimated to be 0.952. The multiplex SNaPshot method is rapid and robust, and suitable for large-scale screening studies of mtDNA variability.

Aim To study the effect of simvastatin on the production of reactive oxygen species ( ROS ) and the secretion of interleukin-1 beta ( IL-1β) in oxidized low density lipoprotein ( oxLDL )-induced macropha-ges. Methods After the murine macrophage J774A. 1 was treated with 0,50,100,200 mg·L-1 oxLDL, the contents of aggregated lipid in macrophages were ob-served and determined by oil red O staining. Then, the oxLDL-primed macrophages were treated with 0 . 5 ,1 . 0μmol·L-1 simvastatin, the production of ROS was de-termined by flow cytometry and the expressions of pro-caspase-1 , cleaved caspase-1 and mature IL-1βon pro-tein level were determined by Western blot. Results The oil red O staining results showed that oxLDL could induce obvious lipid aggregation in macrophages, and reached the saturation point with 100 mg·L-1 concen-tration. Flow cytometry results indicated that oxLDL could induce the production of ROS in macrophages, up to 167% ± 0. 47%, and ROS level decreased to 139% ± 0. 97% in a dose-dependent manner after treatment with simvastatin. Western blot indicated that simvastatin could inhibit the expression of cleaved caspase-1 and mature IL-1β in macrophages triggered by oxLDL;compared with oxLDL group, the expression of cleaved caspase-1 and mature IL-1β decreased in simvastatin treated group, and all results had statistical significance ( P<0. 05 ) . Conclusion In the lipid ag-gregation model of macrophages induced by oxLDL, simvastatin can inhibit the production of ROS, caspase-1 activation, and secretion of IL-1β in macrophages.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of intermittent liver-nourishing and mind-regulating acupuncture in preventive treatment of migraine. Method One hundred and twenty migraine patients were randomly allocated to treatment and control groups, 60 cases each. The treatment group received intermittent liver-nourishing and mind-regulating acupuncture and the control group took flunarizine hydrochloride capsules orally. The migraine score, the visual analogue scale (VAS) score and the headache severity rating score were recorded in the subjects before treatment and at the end of treatment and the 4-week, 8-week, 12-week, 16-week and 20-week follow-ups. The Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) score and the Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) were recorded before and after treatment.Result After one course of treatment, the total efficacy rate was 98.3% in the treatment group and 89.5% in the control group; there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the migraine score between before treatment and at the end of treatment in the two groups (P<0.05) and between the two groups at the same follow-ups (P<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the VAS score between before treatment and at the end of treatment in the two groups (P<0.05) and between the two groups at the same follow-ups (P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in the SAS and SDS scores between before treatment and at the end of treatment in the two groups (P<0.05) and between the two groups after treatment (P<0.05).Conclusion Intermittent liver-nourishing and mind-regulating acupuncture has marked efficacy in preventive treatment of migraine. It can increase the total efficacy rate and reduce the number of relapses.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of advanced glycosylation end products (AGEs) modified bovine serum albumin (AGE-BSA) on the expression of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in human renal mesangial cells (HRMCs).

METHODSHRMCs were cultured in vitro with medium containing different doses of AGE-BSA or BSA (50,100, 200, 400 mg/L) for 48 hours, or with AGE-BSA (200 mg/L) for different times (12, 24, 48, 72 h). Immunocytochemistry assay was used to estimate the protein level of RAGE. The ROS in cells were measured by flow cytometry and the mRNA expression of MCP-1 were analyzed by semi-quantiative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) after treatment with AGE-BSA or BSA.

RESULTSThe protein level of RAGE was upregulated in the HRMCs with AGE-BSA. The expression of ROS and MCP-1 significantly enhanced by incubation of AGE-BSA in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The effects of AGE-BSA-induced up-regulation of ROS and MCP-1 level was significantly blocked by neutralizing antibodies to RAGE, while the expression of ROS and MCP-1 stood nearly unchanged after cultured with huamn IgG.

CONCLUSIONThe expression of ROS and MCP-1 in HRMCs is induced by AGE-BSA through RAGE, which may have potential effects in the pathgenic mechanism of diabetic nephropathy.

Cells, Cultured ; Chemokine CCL2 ; metabolism ; Glycation End Products, Advanced ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Mesangial Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products ; Receptors, Immunologic ; metabolism ; Serum Albumin, Bovine ; pharmacology

Objective To investigate the change of oxidation system and antioxidation system in mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis(MsPGN) induced by anti-Thy1.1 antibody,and further to study the intervention of rosmarinic acid(RAD).Methods Anti-THy1.1 serum was produced,and then intravenously injected into rats for establishing an experimental model of MsPGN.The experiment was designed for control with or without RAD,glomerulonephritis with or without RAD,respectively.The activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD) and the content of malondialdehyde(MDA) in tissue homogenate were detected by spectrophotomerty.Results The activity of SOD significantly decreased,while the content of MDA increased in MsPGN.RAD could inhibit oxidation in the mesangial cells.Conclusion Lipid peroxidation participates in MsPGN and RAD can control the changes of the mesangial cells and show the activity of antioxidation.

Whether or not an abormal expression of IL-6 mRNA in PBMNCs from IDDM patientswas examined using a hihgly sensitive,specific and semiquantitative protocal,i.e.reverse tran-scription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).The relative levels of IL-6mRNA in PBM-NCs from 12 early IDDMpatients (8.20?3.85yr),29 newly diagnosed NIDDM patients(54.85?9.12yr)23 normal childrens (8.20?3.26yr) and 12 normal adults (31.92?11.22yr)weredetermined.Significantly high expresion levels of IL-6 mRNA were found in PBMNCs from pa-tients with IDDM (P

BACKGROUND:Borosilicate cannot only be mineralized to form hydroxy carbonate apatite layer, but also have strong chemical reactivity to promote bone cel regeneration. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of the borosilicate bioglass on the growth behavior of rabbit osteoblasts through in vitro culture experiment. METHODS:The initial and secondary extracts of borosilicate bioglass were prepared according to the requirement of ISO10993-12: 2007. The bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels of rabbits were isolated and cultured. The second generation bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels were induced to differentiate into osteoblasts. The osteoblasts of the 5th-15th RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The osteoblasts proliferation in the initial extract and secondary extract groups was better than that in the α-MEM medium group (P < 0.05). The osteoblasts proliferation in the initial extract group was better than that in the secondary extract group (P < 0.05). The total protein content of osteoblasts in the initial extract group was higher than that in the secondary extract and α-MEM medium group (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the alkaline phosphatase activity, apoptosis rate, horizontal migration distance of osteoblast and transmembrane cel number in Transwel between these three groups. These results demonstrate that borosilicate bioglass has good biocompatibility and has a certain benign regulatory role in generations were obtained and cultured with the initial and secondary extracts of borosilicate bioglass and α-MEM medium, respectively. The effects of borosilicate bioglass on the osteoblasts proliferation, protein synthesis, alkaline phosphatase activity, cel apoptosis, and cel migration in horizontal and vertical direction were observed.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The osteoblasts proliferation in the initial extract and secondary extract groups was better than that in the α-MEM medium group (P < 0.05). The osteoblasts proliferation in the initial extract group was better than that in the secondary extract group (P < 0.05). The total protein content of osteoblasts in the initial extract group was higher than that in the secondary extract and α-MEM medium group (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the alkaline phosphatase activity, apoptosis rate, horizontal migration distance of osteoblast and transmembrane cell number in Transwell between these three groups. These results demonstrate that borosilicate bioglass has good biocompatibility and has a certain benign regulatory role in osteoblast proliferation.

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; pathology ; surgery ; China ; Forecasting ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Neoplasm Staging ; Surgical Procedures, Operative ; methods ; trends

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of Jisuikang (, JSK) on kinetic dysfunction in patients after spinal injury.

METHODSEighty-four patients with spinal injury were assigned equally, according to a randomizing digital table to the treated group and the control group. Conventional treatment was given to both groups, and JSK was additionally given to the treated group. Changes of various kinetic function concerning parameters including kinetic score, grades of spinal injury, effectiveness of the treatment and available recovery rate in patients allocated in the treated group and the control group were observed and compared in the way issued by Association of Spinal Injury of America (ASIA).

RESULTSBetter effects were shown in the treated group than those in the control group in improving kinetic score (92.00+/-9.95 scores vs 83.76+/-24.12 scores), ASIA overall improvement rate (69.05% vs 45.24%) and grades of effectiveness (P<0.05). However, the difference of available recovery rate between the two groups was insignificant (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONJSK could prevent secondary alteration of spinal injury, promote the recovery and regeneration of nerve tissues, but could not restore the function of a necrotic spine.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Case-Control Studies ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Motion ; Phytotherapy ; Recovery of Function ; Spinal Injuries ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo explore the efficacy and feasibility of dog days moxibustion plaster therapy in treatment of allergic rhinitis of different patterns/syndromes.

METHODSAllergic rhinitis of lung deficiency and invasion of cold, spleen qi deficiency and kidney yang deficiency, 56 patients for each pattern/syndrome were randomized into a plaster therapy group and a nasal spray group, 28 cases in each one. In the plaster therapy group, according to the pattern/syndrome differentiation, with literature retrieval method, 3 acupoints of high frequency utility in clinic were selected as one group in acupoint plaster therapy. For lung deficiency and invasion of cold pattern/syndrome, Feishu (BL 13), Fengmen (BL 12) and Hegu (LI 4) were selected. For spleen qi deficiency pattern/syndrome, Pishu (BL 21), Zusanli (ST 36) and Dazhui (GV 14) were selected. For kidney yang deficiency pattern/ syndrome, Shenshu (BL 23), Dingchuan (EX-B 1) and Bailao (EX-HN 15) were selected. Separately, on July 13, 2013, July 23, 2013, August 2, 2013 and August 12, 2013, the aucpoint plaster therapy was applied, 2 to 4 h (1 to 2 h for children) each time. In the nasal spray group, beclometasone dipropionate aqueous nasal spray, 2 presses one nostril each time, 2 to 3 times a day, continuously for 4 weeks. The symptom score and efficacy were compared before and after treatment in the patients of the two groups.

RESULTSThe symptom scores of 3 patterns/syndromes were all apparently improved after treatment as compared with those before treatment in the patients of the two groups (all P<0.05), and the result in the plaster therapy group was better than that of the nasal spray group (P<0.05, P<0.01). For lung deficiency and invasion of cold pattern/syndrome, the total effective rate was 87.3% (20/24) in the plaster therapy group, better than 84.6% (22/26) in the nasal spray group (P<0.05). For spleen qi deficiency pattern/syndrome, the total effective rate was 83.3% (20/24) in the plaster therapy group, obviously better than 76.9% (22/26) in the nasal spray group (P<0.05). For kidney yang deficiency pattern/syndrome, the total effective rate was 79.2% (19/24) in the plaster therapy group, better than 76.9% (22/26) in the nasal spray group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe dog days moxibustion plaster therapy achieves definite efficacy on allergic rhinitis at the acupoints selected based on the differentiation of different patterns/syndromes and the efficacy is better than beclometasone dipropionate aqueous nasal spray.

Acupuncture Points ; Administration, Cutaneous ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Animals ; Child ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; drug therapy ; therapy ; Yang Deficiency ; drug therapy ; Young Adult