Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of procalcitonin(PCT)as an early indicator for sepsis.Methods Serum levels of PCT and C-creative protein(CRP)and white blood cell (WBC)count were measured in 30 patients in critical condition hospitalized at an intensive care unit(ICU) with diagnosis of systemic inflammatory response syndrome(SIRS).They were divided into two groups, sepsis and non-sepsis,based on their clinical manifestations and results of lab tests.Blood specimen was collected from each patient for measurement of PCT,CRP and WBC count on the 1~(st),3~(rd)and 7~(th)day after hospitalization and bacteriological culture for blood and sputum,and chest X-ray was performed,as well. Acute physiology,age and chronic health evaluation(APACHE Ⅱ)was made on the 1~(st),3~(rd)and 7~(th)day after hospitalization to assess their ill condition.Their prognosis were judged on the 28~(th)day of the follow-up. Results Serum level of PCT increased significantly in the sepsis group(with the highest of 10.13 ng/ml), as compared with that in the non-sepsis group.Sensitivity,specificity and predictive value of a positive test for a cut-off value of serum level of PCT at 0.5 ng/ml were 97.0%,91.7% and 82.1%,respectively, which were all better than those of serum level of CRP and WBC count.Serum level of PCT in the patients was significantly associated with their prognosis,and PCT in those died was significantly higher than that in those survived.Whereas,serum level of CRP and WBC count elevated in both groups,but the difference between the two groups did not reach a level of statistical significance.Conclusion Serum level of PCT can be used as an early indicator for judgment of sepsis for a patient with infection and reflection of severity of illness.

Objective To discuss causes and corresponding prevention for groin pain occurred early after total hip arthroplasty(THA).Methods A retrospective study was done on 189 cases(193 hips)treated with THA including unilateral procedures in 185 hips and bilateral procedures in eight hips to analyze common causes for early groin pain.Results Groin pain was found in 9.3% hips(18/ 193)during hospital stay,including 1.6%(3 cases)with deep infection,1.6%(3 cases)with incision infection,1%(2 cases)with posterior dislocation,4.1%(8 cases)with leg lengthening and 1%(2 cases)with hematoma.Conclusions Despite of the numerous diagnostic alternatives available to the orthopedic surgeon,detailed history,careful physical examination,necessary laboratory and imaging stud- ies can contribute to a correct determination of causes for groin pain.Meanwhile,appropriate indication, accurate preoperative radiographic measurement,intraoperative standardized surgical procedures and per- fect rehabilitation are necessary to avoid complications.

Objective To investigate the impact of hypoxia on the expression of early growth response-1 (Egr-1) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in mouse aorta,and to probe the underlying mechanism involving receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE).Methods 3-month-old C57BL/6 mice were subjected to hypoxia [(6.0±0.5) ％ oxygen] to establish the global hypoxia model(n=6 rats for each).Aortas were dissected,Egr-1 mRNA and MCP-1 mRNA were detected by real time RT-PCR,Egr-1 and RAGE proteins were tested by Western blot,and Egr-1 DNA binding activity was assayed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA).For blockade of RAGE,mice were pretreated with soluble RAGE (sRAGE) for 1 h by intra-peritoneal injection before they were exposed to hypoxia.Mice with normoxia were used as controls.Results After 30 minutes of hypoxic exposure,Egr-1 mRNA in aorta was increased to (28.3±0.9)folds compared with normoxic controls (F=617.17,P＜0.01),and the induction persisted for at least 3 hours.After 45 minutes of hypoxic exposure,Egr-1 proteins in aorta was increased to (5.7 ± 0.3) folds compared with normoxic controls (F =57.18,P＜ 0.01); the enhanced DNA binding activity of Egr-1 by hypoxia was attenuated by pretreatment with anti-Egr-1 lgG.After 4 hours of hypoxic exposure,MCP-1 mRNA expression in aorta was increased to(4.0±0.3)folds compared with normoxic controls (F=30.68,P＜0.01).RAGE antigen was increased significantly within 30 minutes of hypoxic exposure,with the peak at 15 minutes; hypoxia-induced Egr-1 mRNA expression was significantly attenuated by pretreatment with sRAGE (3.3 ± 0.2) folds compared with normoxic controls (F =30.20,P＜0.01).Conclusions Hypoxia significantly induces Egr-1 and MCP-1 upregulation expressions in mouse aorta,and blockade of RAGE significantly attenuates hypoxia-induced Egr-1 expression.Thcsc findings suggest RAGE signaling is involved in hypoxia-induced vascular inflammatory stress,and highlight this receptor as a potential therapeutic target to protect tissues injured by hypoxia.

Adult ; Aged ; Cause of Death ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pneumoconiosis ; mortality ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

To optimize the growth condition for the established gene engineer bacteria express cardiac troponin-I(cTnI) and to obtain purified cTnI as an antigen to produce clinical assay kits used in acute myocardial injury(AMI) diagnosis.Plackett Burman Design(PBD) was applied to select the factors which effect the expression of cTnI in Escherichial coli(E.coli) mostly.Induction time,pH and KCl were proved influenced expression of cTnI notably.Afterward,Response Surface Methodology(RSM) as second step to optimize the selected three factors,an equation was deduced to predict the percent of cTnI.In the most optimized condition,the percent of cTnI can reach to 26% of total cell protein.The procedures of purification included ammonium sulfate deposition and DEAE Cellulose ion exchange chromatography.SDS-PAGE shows that purified cTnI contain one band.cTnI could be used to immune animals as an antigen to produce monoclonal antibodies with high affinity and specificity.It maybe as calibrators to harmony the difference assays of cTnI measurement in clinical.

Objective:To determine whether ox-LDL (oxdized low-density lipoprotein) is highly deposited on the uremic vessel wall and its influence on the vascular remodeling. Methods: Segments of radial arteries were obtained from 21 uremic subjects during the operation of A-V fistula prior to hemodialysis. Segments of internal thoracic arteries of similar diameter were obtained from patients with benign chest tumors as control.The vascular lesions and ox-LDL, CD68,MCP-1, eNOS,ET-1, PCNA,FN on the vessel wall were determined by means of H-E stain and immunohistochemistry. Results： With H-E stain,atherosclerotic plaques were found in the radial arteries of 4 uremic patients. The middle layer of the arteries in uremic patients were obviously thickened, and the T/D　(thickness of the wall/external diameter) ratio was significantly higher than those in control group(P<0.01). ox-LDL,CD68,MCP-1, ET-1, PCNA,FN on the vessel wall in uremic patients were much higher than those in control group (P<0.01). Moreover, ox-LDL on the vessel wall was positively related to the expression of other above mentioned substances on the vessel wall (P<0.01). Whereas the expression of eNOS on the vessel wall was lower than control group (P<0.01),and was negatively related to ox-LDL on the vessel wall(P<0.01). Conclusion: ox-LDL is an important factor contributing to uremic vascular remodeling by increasing the migration,adhesion and infiltration of monocyte,the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cell and dysfunction of endothelia.

Objective:To determine whether ox-LDL (oxdized low-density lipoprotein) is highly deposited on the uremic vessel wall and its influence on the vascular remodeling. Methods: Segments of radial arteries were obtained from 21 uremic subjects during the operation of A-V fistula prior to hemodialysis. Segments of internal thoracic arteries of similar diameter were obtained from patients with benign chest tumors as control.The vascular lesions and ox-LDL, CD68,MCP-1, eNOS,ET-1, PCNA,FN on the vessel wall were determined by means of H-E stain and immunohistochemistry. Results： With H-E stain,atherosclerotic plaques were found in the radial arteries of 4 uremic patients. The middle layer of the arteries in uremic patients were obviously thickened, and the T/D　(thickness of the wall/external diameter) ratio was significantly higher than those in control group(P<0.01). ox-LDL,CD68,MCP-1, ET-1, PCNA,FN on the vessel wall in uremic patients were much higher than those in control group (P<0.01). Moreover, ox-LDL on the vessel wall was positively related to the expression of other above mentioned substances on the vessel wall (P<0.01). Whereas the expression of eNOS on the vessel wall was lower than control group (P<0.01),and was negatively related to ox-LDL on the vessel wall(P<0.01). Conclusion: ox-LDL is an important factor contributing to uremic vascular remodeling by increasing the migration,adhesion and infiltration of monocyte,the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cell and dysfunction of endothelia.

Aim The effect of tetrandrine on TGF-?1 mRNA expression in glomerulosclerosis rat was observed. Methods The rats were randomly divided into four groups, such as the normal control group (sham operative rat), glomerulosclerosis model group,tetrandrine group and amlodipine group. The expression of TGF-?1 mRNA was analyzed by Northern blot hybridization. Results The expressions of TGF-?1 mRNA in two treating groups were much lower than untreated model group. There were no difference between these two treating groups. Conclusion Tetrandrine can decrease the expression of TGF-?1 mRNA in glomerulosclerosis rat induced by unilateral renctomy plus adriamycin.

Canine Interferon-gamma (CaIFN-gamma) cDNA was cloned from spleen T cells of dog by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). CaIFN-gamma cDNA were digested with Hind III and Not I, and inserted into pRc/CMV2 expression vector. The pRc/CMV2/CaIFN-gamma vector was sequenced, and predicted to produce a signal peptide of 23 amino acids and a mature protein of 143 amino acids with a molecular weight of 19 kD. Two potential N-glycosylation sites are located at positions 16 and 83 of the mature protein. Comparison of the CaIFN-gamma protein sequence with that of CaIFN-gamma reported from DDBJ/GenBank revealed a homology of 99%. To establish a long time expression system, pRc/CMV2/CaIFN-gamma vector was transfected into mouse SP2/0 cell line. The SP2/0 cells culture supernatants was harvested and the antiviral activity was measured following cytopathic-effect inhibition assay using Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK)-vesicular stomatitis virus(VSV) system. Initial transformants with G418 phenotype produced recombinant CaIFN-gamma titers ranging from 2,500 to 5,000 u/mL of culture medium.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Base Sequence ; Bone Marrow Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Cattle ; Cell Line ; Cloning, Molecular ; DNA, Complementary ; analysis ; chemistry ; Dogs ; Interferon-gamma ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; pharmacology ; Mice ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Recombinant Proteins

Metabonomics is a new method to study on the metabolic network and the relationship between body and environment, which conforms to the way of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) research. In the study process of modernization of traditional Chinese medicine, effectively conjunction with metabonomics method will facilitate the integration of TCM with modern biological science and technology, and promote the modernization of TCM. This paper introduce the application of metabonomics in the research of toxicity mechanism of TCM, compatibility mechanism of TCM formula, pharmacology effect of TCM and processing mechanism of TCM. This paper summarize the problems in the TCM metabonomics research and prospect its bright future.
Animals ; Drug Therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; analysis ; metabolism ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; trends ; Metabolomics ; methods ; trends