Objective To investigate the spousal transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)and its related factors in HIV epidemic area,which can be beneficial to prevent HIV from transmitting.Methods Three hundred and forty-six couples with one spouse were anti-HIV positive were cross-sectionally investigated.Blood samples were taken from the spouse of subjects whose anti- HIV were positive to detect the anti-HIV antibody and from 70 acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)patients to do the sequencing of the serum HIV provirus DNA.Results In 346 couples,99 were infected by spousal transmission and its transmission rate was 28.6%.One spouse of 125 couples were infected with HIV by paid blood donation,14.4%(18)of the other spouse were infec- ted by spousal transmission.One spouse of 135 couples were infected by paid blood transfusion, 23.7%(32)of the other spouse were infected by spousal transmission.Eighty-six couples were infec- ted by extramarital sexual contact,49(57.0%)got spousal transmission.Thirty-seven(69.8%) subjects were infected by husband-to-wife transmission and 12(36.4%)were from wife to husband. The difference between them was significant(P

OBJECTIVETo compare the effect of recombinant OPG-Fc and recombinant RANK protein on the differentiation of osteoclast precursors.

METHODSMouse osteoblasts cell lines were incubated with osteoclast precursors cell lines RAW 264.7 for 9 days with 10(-5) g/L rhRANK or rhOPG-Fc or PBS added to the coculture system. TRAP stain positive cells counting and cortical bone pit formation counting were performed in the 9th day.

RESULTSMultinuleated TRAP stain positive cells were observed in the cocluture systems after 6 days incubation,and plenty of mature osteoclasts could be observed in the 9th day. With the addition of 10(-5) g/L rhOPG-Fc or rhRANK, multinucleated giant cells and cortical bone pit formation couting decreased significantly compared with the control group, and the rhRANK group decreased more significantly than the rhOPG-Fc group.

CONCLUSIONSBoth rhOPG-Fc and rhRANK can inhabit the differentiation of osteoclast precursors and prevent them forming mature osteoclasts,moreover,the rhRANK shows the significant inhabition effect than the rhOPG-Fc.

Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Mice ; Osteoclasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; Osteoprotegerin ; pharmacology ; Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-kappa B ; pharmacology ; Recombinant Proteins ; pharmacology ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; drug effects

Coronary Artery Bypass, Off-Pump ; methods ; Coronary Artery Disease ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Saphenous Vein ; transplantation

Objective To study the relationship between facial skin conditions and TCM constitutional types; To provide new means and methods for guidance of skin conservation and skin health improvement from the aspect of constitutional types. Methods Totally 2241 female volunteers in nine provincial capital cities and municipalities participated in this research, and were investigated by web questionnaire. Constitutional types were determined according to the“Classification and Judgment of TCM Constitutional Types”standard issued by China Association of Chinese Medicine. Skin color, glossiness, delicate degree, moistness, firmness, resilience, uniformity and other indicators were scored. Skin conditions were classified into three groups:1-3 score group, 4-6 score group, and 7-9 score group, and the constitutional differences among each group were compared. Results Yang-deficiency and mild constitutional types accounted for the largest proportion. Yellowish skin color accounted for the largest proportion, and the next were white, dark and reddish. Yang-deficiency constitutional type accounted for the largest proportion in 1-3 score group, and the second was Qi-stagnation; Yang-deficiency and mild constitutional types accounted for the largest proportion in 4-6 score group; mild constitutional type accounted for the largest proportion in 7-9 score group. Conclusion People with mild constitutional type got highest score in every skin index, while biased constitutional types influenced the score in varied degrees. The constitutional types which influenced Chinese urban females’ facial skin index more were Yang-deficiency and Qi-stagnation constitutional types.

OBJECTIVETo study whether liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension are associated with ET-1 TaqI polymorphism and TNFa promoter-308G to A polymorphism.

METHODSA case control study of 106 patients with liver cirrhosis following HBV C infection was performed in comparison with 108 controls by PCR-RFLP.

RESULTSThe frequency of C allele and CC+TC genotype in TaqI polymorphism of ET-1 gene in the portal hypertension group (LC+) was significantly higher than that in the healthy controls, and the frequency of TNF2/1 genotype in TNFa promoter -308 G to A polymorphism in LC+ group was significantly higher than that in the control group. The results by stratification analysis showed that TCF2 genotype frequency was higher in the LC+ group than in the control group. ET-1 TaqI polymorphism and TNFa polymorphism were risk factors for the occurrence of portal hypertension by Logistic regression analysis.

CONCLUSIONET-1 TaqI polymorphism and TNFa polymorphism are associated with portal hypertension, and are new risk factors for the occurrence of portal hypertension. TCF2 genotype may be a susceptible gene of portal hypertension.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Endothelin-1 ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; complications ; genetics ; Humans ; Hypertension, Portal ; etiology ; genetics ; Liver Cirrhosis ; complications ; genetics ; virology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics ; Taq Polymerase ; genetics ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; genetics

UNLABELLEDOBJECTIVE : To study the anti-atherosclerotic mechanism of bear bile powder (BBP) in Shexiang Tongxin Dripping Pill (STDP) , and to provide scientific evidence for treating atherosclerosis (AS) by its therapeutic characteristics of cool resuscitation.

METHODSAS model was duplicated using ApoE-/- gene knocked mice fed with high-fat diet. Thirty ApoE-/- deficient male mice were divided into four groups according to body weight using random digit table, i.e., the model group (A, n =9), the STDP group (B, n=E7), the STDP without BBP group (C, n =7), and the BBP group (D, n =9). Besides, another 9 C57BL/6J male mice of the same age were recruited as a normal control group (E). All mice in Group B, C, and D were respectively administered with corresponding drugs (30, 30, and 0. 33 mg/kg) by gastrogavage. Equal volume of normal saline was administered to mice in Group A and E. All medication lasted for 8 successive weeks. Serum levels of inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 2 (IL-2), interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor a (TNF-α), interferon y (IFNγ), and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) were measured by ELISA. Serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), activities of glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were determined using biochemical assay. Contents of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the aortic root was detected by dihydroethidum (DHE) fluorescent probe. Expression levels of microRNAs (such as miR-20, miR-21, miR-126, and miR-155) were detected by real-time PCR.

RESULTSThe fluorescence intensity of the aorta was obviously enhanced in Group A. But it was obviously attenuated in Group B, C, and D, and the attenuation was the most in Group B. Compared with Group E, serum levels of IL-2, IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-γ, oxLDL, and MDA all increased (P <0. 01), GSH contents and SOD activities decreased (P <0. 01), expression levels of miR-126, miR-21, and miR-155 in aorta increased (P <0. 01), and the expression level of miR-20 decreased in Group A (P<0. 01). Compared with Group A, serum levels of IL-2, IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-γ, oxLDL, and MDA were all down-regulated (P <0. 01), GSH contents and SOD activities were up-regulated (P <0. 01), expression levels of miR-126, miR-21, and miR-155 in aorta were down-regulated in Group B, C, and D (P <0. 01). The expression level of miR20 was up-regulated in Group B and D (P <0. 01). Compared with Group B, serum levels of IL-2, IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-γ increased (P <0.01); GSH contents and SOD activities decreased, levels of MDA and oxLDL increased (P <0. 01) in Group C and D. Expression levels of miR-20 and miR-155 were down-regulated in Group C and D (P <0. 01).

CONCLUSIONSSTDP played roles in significantly regulating inflammatory factors and oxidative stress factors. Its mechanism might be possibly associated with regulating expressions of miR-126, miR-21, miR-155, and miR-20 in aorta. BBP played significant roles in STDP.

Animals ; Aorta ; Apolipoproteins E ; metabolism ; Atherosclerosis ; Bile ; Cytokines ; Diet, High-Fat ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; metabolism ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Oxidative Stress ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; drug therapy ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism ; Ursidae

Objective To analyze the changes in number and biological ability of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) from peripheral blood of SLE patients. Methods Mononuclear cells (MNCs) were isolated by Ficoll density gradient centrifugation from peripheral blood of 20 female SLE patients and 20 healthy female controls. EPCs were identified by double staining using antibodies to CD34 and CD133, or antibodies to CD133 and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2). Phycoerythrin (PE) conjugated antiCD34, fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) conjugated anti-CD133 and APC conjugated anti-VEGFR2 antibodies were used in a three color flow cytometric analysis to determine the percentage of EPCs in peripheral MNCs.The proliferation and migration ability of EPCs were measured by MTT assay and modified millicell chamber assay, respectively. The adhesion activity of EPCs was evaluated by counting the number of adherent cells.Results The percentage and proliferation rate of EPCs in peripheral MNCs from female SLE patients were significantly lower than those from the healthy controls(4.49% ± 1.66% vs 20.81% ± 4.14%, 23.11% ± 3.16%vs 35.65% ± 1.74%, both P ＜ 0.01 ). The migration and adhesion ability of EPCs from SLE patients was impaired compared with those from the healthy controls (12.00 ± 2.12 vs 23.60 ± 3.0 cells/field, 22.43 ± 4.43vs 36.43 ± 3.69 cells/filed, both P ＜ 0.01 ). Conclusion There is a decrease in the number and an impairment in biological ability of EPCs in SLE patients.

OBJECTIVETo compare inhibitory effects of recombinant receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB protein with bisphosphonate treatment (ALN) on osteoclasts activity and bone loss in ovariectomized mice.

METHODSTwenty-four female KM mice were ovariectomized bilaterally and treated with recombinant receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB protein, alendronate, or PBS. Twelve weeks later, body weight, biochemical markers of bone metabolism, Micro CT scan and bone morphology were examined.

RESULTSAfter 12 weeks administration, the Micro CT scan and bone morphology values of each group were as follow. The control group: BMD (92.600 +/- 14.319) mg/cc, Tb.Th (0.094 +/- 0.011) mm, Tb.Sp (0.455 +/- 0.124) mm, BVF 0.192 +/- 0.023, SMI 1.388 +/- 0.328; the recombinant receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB protein group: BMD (133.050 +/- 13.022) mg/cc, Tb.Th (0.098 +/- 0.009) mm, Tb.Sp (0.365 +/- 0.105) mm,BVF (0.291 +/- 0.025)%, SMI 0.661 +/- 0.384; the ALN group: BMD(128.013 +/- 16.040) mg/cc, Tb.Th (0.097 +/- 0.011) mm, Tb.Sp (0.376 +/- 0.104) mm, BVF 0.281 +/- 0.024, SMI 0.753 +/- 0.307. In the ovariectomized mice experiments, both recombinant receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB protein and ALN significantly inhibited ovariectomy-induced bone loss. Compared to the control group (PBS), the recombinant receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB protein group showed increased distal femur BMD and decreased trabecular spacing (Tb.Sp), whereas the control group had significantly decreased distal femur BMD, significantly decreased Tb.Th, and increased Tb.Sp. There was a significant difference in bone volume fraction among the groups. The TRAP-positive osteoclasts in distal femur bone slices were nearly complete inhibited for Recombinant receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB protein group and alendronate group.

CONCLUSIONIn vivo, recombinant receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB protein effectively inhibits the activity of osteoclasts and the resulting bone loss, which has a similar effect as alendronate.

Animals ; Bone Density ; drug effects ; Diphosphonates ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Mice ; Osteoporosis ; diagnostic imaging ; drug therapy ; Ovariectomy ; Radiography ; Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-kappa B ; therapeutic use

Saliva and blood were collected from two patients who had not received post exposure prophylaxis in the cities of Wenzhou and Xinning respectively. Both patients were confirmed as positive for rabies by detection of rabies virus specific nucleoprotein antibodies in the sera by Western Blot. However, rabies virus specific RNA was only identified in the saliva collected from the patient in Wenzhou. Furthermore, the isolate Zhejiang Wz0 (H) was obtained by inoculating one-day-old suckling mice. Both nucleoprotein (N) and glycoprotein (G) genes from the isolate were amplified by RT-PCR and sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the isolate belonged to classic rabies virus, and shared a higher homology with the street viruses from dogs in the main endemic areas in China and the street virus from dogs in Indonesia than with other known strains. Further comparison of the deduced amino acid sequences between the isolate and the vaccine strains used in China showed that the virus had a higher level of homology with the vaccine strain CTN than with the other vaccine strains (3aG, PV, PM and ERA). In particular, amino acid residues substitutions located in antigenic site Ⅲ in the G protein, which could react with the neutralizing antibodies, were observed. These results suggested that the virus belonged to the classic rabies virus, and both N and G genes diverged from the current vaccine strains used in China at either the nucleotide or the amino acid level.

OBJECTIVETo detect the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in severely damaged intestinal mucosa due to high-dose 5-FU exposure.

METHODSThirty-two adult C57BL/6J mice were subjected to daily intraperitoneal high-dose 5-FU injection at 150 mg/kg for 5 consecutive days, and on days 1, 3, and 5, the mice were sacrificed to obtain the small intestinal tissue for HE straining and immunohistochemistry for detecting PCNA expression. Another 8 mice with intraperitoneal PBS injection served as the control group.

RESULTSHigh-dose 5-FU exposure of the mice resulted in severe intestinal mucous damage, with complete destruction of the villi and crypts and significantly increased cells positive for PCNA expression (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONHigh-dose 5-FU treatment can significantly increase the PCNA index, and the cells expressing PCNA can be closely associated with regeneration of the severely damaged mucosa due to the exposure.

Animals ; Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic ; adverse effects ; Fluorouracil ; adverse effects ; Intestinal Mucosa ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Intestine, Small ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; metabolism