Objective To study the distribution of IL-10 and TNF gene polymorphisms in patients with gastroduodenal diseases in Hubei Han ethnic and their association with Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection. Methods Six hundred and five patients with gastroduedenal diseases (196 chronic gastritis, 189 gastroduodenal ulcer and 220 gastric cancer) as well as 624 healthy controls were genotyped with PCR-RFLP method for IL-10-1082,-819,-592 and TNFα-308, lymphotoxin-α (LTα) Nco Ⅰ and AspH Ⅰ gene polymorphisms. Hp infection status was determined with ELLS& Results (1) There was significant difference of IL-10-1082 AG + GG genotype among the gastric cancer group with the non-malignant gastric diseases groups and healthy control group (P <0. 05). There was no significant difference of IL-10-592 and -819 gene polymorphisms among gastric cancer patients,non-malignant gastric disease patients and healthy controls (P>0. 05). The genotype frequencies of IL-10-819 were the same as those of IL-10-592. (2) Frequency of IL-10-1082 AG + GG genotype in gastric cancer patients with positive Hp was significantly higher than that in the other three groups (P < 0. 05). (3) Frequency of LTα Nco I AG genotype in gastric cancer patients with Hp infection was signiilcandy higher than that in Hp positive healthy controls (P < 0. 05). There were no other associations between TNFα-308, LTα Nco Ⅰ and AspH Ⅰ gene polymorphisms and Hp infection in gastroduodenal diseases. Conclusions (1) Allele AG + GG of IL-10-1082 was associated with gastric cancer in Han nationality of Hubei province. (2) IL-10-1082 AG + GG,LTct Nco ⅠAG heterozygous genotype may be associated with Hp infection in patients with gastric cancer in Han nationality of Hubei province.

italic>γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a crucial inhibitory neurotransmitter found in various cells in the human body. While the GABAergic system is typically associated with the nervous system, recent research has revealed that immune cells and tumor cells also express components of this system. In the tumor microenvironment (TME), GABA is secreted to act extracellularly on other cells. GABA is metabolized via the GABA shunt and is involved in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle by generating succinate, which can provide energy for tumor cells. Activation of GABA receptors (GABARs) is a major pathway through which GABA participates in the regulation of antitumor immune responses. The activation of GABA type A receptors (GABA_ARs) can inhibit the activation and proliferation of T cells, elicit anti-inflammatory macrophages, and promote tumor cell growth and migration, while activation of GABA type B receptors (GABA_BRs) is generally considered to inhibit cancer cell migration and induce cancer cell apoptosis. In general, receptor activation inhibits immune cells, but the effect on tumor cells varies. Additionally, the downregulation of the expression levels of GABA transporters (GATs) is involved in tumor progression. Although antagonists of GABA metabolism and drugs that act on GABA receptors are considered therapeutic drugs for tumors, there have been few clinical studies conducted on them.

In order to determine the challenge dose of pigeon paramyxovirus type 1 (PPMV-1) inactivated vaccine (S-1 strain). The virus titer of PPMV-1 E5 allantoic fluid (Chuansha strain) was determined using SPF chicken embryos in this research. After inoculating 30-day-old and 120-day-old pigeons with low-HI antibody against PPMV-1 (HI antibody < or =2) with different doses of PPMV-1 (Chuansha strain), the clinical symptoms and histopathological lesions of the challenged pigeons were examined. The results showed that the minimal lethal dose (MLD) of PPMV-1 (Chuansha strain) was 102.5 ELD50, so we determined that 10(5.5) ELD50, which was 1000 times the MLD, could be taken as the challenge dose in the vaccine efficacy test for PPMV-1 inactivated vaccine (S-1 strain).
Animals ; Antibodies, Viral ; immunology ; Bird Diseases ; immunology ; mortality ; virology ; Chick Embryo ; Columbidae ; immunology ; virology ; Newcastle Disease ; immunology ; mortality ; virology ; Newcastle disease virus ; immunology ; pathogenicity ; Phylogeny ; Viral Vaccines ; immunology ; Virulence

Objective To determine the effect of iron deficiency on hemoglobin A2(HbA2) expression in patients with β-thalassemia.Methods The participants were recruited from the out-patient clinics of the Pediatrics Department and Obstetrics Department of Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical College and from some β-thalassemia major families.Blood samples from the participants were used for blood smear tests and hemoglobin electrophoresis and to analyze serum ferritin (SF),3 alpha-globin gene deletions,and 17 beta-globin point mutations.Results Of the 408 individuals,304 were assigned to group A (normal controls),26 to group B (iron deficiency),56 to group C (β-thalassemia),and 22 to group D (β-thalassemia combined with iron deficiency). The results for the comparison of the mean HbA2 values among pairs of groups were as follows: group A vs group B,q=5.074 7,P<0.05; group A vs group C,q=37.650 8,P<0.05; group A vs group D,q=16.043 0,P<0.05;group C vs group D,q=7.682 9,P<0.05; Group B vs group D,q=15.806 6,P<0.05. There were no significant correlation between SF and HbA2 in all 4 groups.Conclusions Iron deficiency decreased the HbA2 level in both controls and individuals with β-thalassemia. HbA2 levels decreased significantly in individuals with both β-thalassemia and iron deficiency as compared with β-thalassemia group alone. However,they remained significantly higher than both the control and iron-deficient groups. Therefore,the elevation of HbA2 could be used to diagnose β-thalassemia reliably even in the presence of iron deficiency.

Objective To determine whether the poking reduction and bone grafting technique with guide through bony tunnel can correct a Hill-Sachs lesion. Methods A total of 30 cadaveric humeri were equally divided into three groups, 10 cadaveric humeri per group. Hill-Sachs lesions were replicated with a osseous defect involving 10% (group A ) , 20% (group B ) and 30% (group C ) of the articular surface. All the bone defects in each group were measured and the poking reduction and bone grafting technique with guide through a bony tunnel was performed in group B and group C. The preoperative and postoperative transverse arc length, longitudinal are length, depth and volume of the osseous defects in group B and group C were compared by using paired t test. Results Before reduction, the transverse arc length of the bone defects was ( 10.9 ± 1.4 )mm in group B and ( 16.3 ± 2.3 ) mm in group C ; longitudinal arc length was ( 22.4 ± 2.4 ) mm in group B and ( 28.0 ± 2.2 ) mm in group C ;depth was (6.9±0.9) mm in group B and (11. 1 ±0.9) mm in group C; volume was (708.7±93.9) mm3 in group B and (1338.3 ± 185.6) mm3 in group C. After reduction, the transverse arc length of the bone defects was (5.1 ± 2.4 ) mm in group B and ( 7.6 ± 3.6 ) mm in group C ; longitudinal arc lengthwas (10.5 ±4.9) mm in group B and (12.3 ±5.3) mm in group C; depth was (0.3±0.1 ) mm in group B and (0.4 ±0.1 ) mm in group C; volume was (48.9 ± 16.1 )mm3 in group B and (70.3 ± 37.9) mm3 in group C. The comparison of all the parameters showed statistical difference (P <0. 01 ). Conclusion The poking reduction and bone grafting technique with guide through a bony tunnel can effectively correct the Hill-Sachs lesions with humeral head osseous defects involving 20% -30% of the articular surface.

·AIM: To improve our understanding of retinoschisis at the macular area.·METHODS: From January 2003 to January 2005, the patients whose macular retinoschisis was confirmed by optical coherence tomography (OCT) were included in the study. Their data and other results were further analyzed.·RESULTS: During that period, macular retinoschisis was found in 116 eyes which fit the including criteria. Among these, 94 eyes were pathological myopia; 17 were X-linked congenital retinoschisis; and 5 had excavation of optic disk.By analyzing the OCT figures, it was found that retinoschisis could happen at many locations within retinal neural epithelium, including inner, middle and outer part. The retinoschisis caused by different reasons differs in OCT results.·CONCLUSION: Retinoschisis at the macular area was not rare at the clinic, and the retinoschisis may be located at different parts of the retina. OCT was useful in the diagnosis and follow-up of macular retinoschisis.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effect of hypothermia combined with dexamethasone on spermatogenesis and the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM1) after testicular torsion-detorsion.

METHODSWe made unilateral testicular torsion models in 100 pubertal male Sprague-Dawley rats by 720 degree torsion of the left testis and then randomly divided them into four groups of equal number to be treated with normal temperature + physiological saline (group A), hypothermia + physiological saline (group B), normal temperature + dexamethasone (group C), and hypothermia + dexamethasone (group D). After 48 hours, we collected the testes, observed pathological changes of the testicular tissue by HE staining under the light microscope, detected the apoptosis of spermatogenic cells by TUNEL, and determined the expression of ICAM1 by Western blot.

RESULTSHE staining showed different degrees of testicular tissue injury in the four groups of rats, most obvious in group A, but mild in the other three. The ICAM1 protein expression was significantly higher in group A (0.68 +/-0. 03) than in B (0. 49 +/- 0. 06, P <0. 05) , C (0. 46 +/- 0. 09, P < 0.05) , and D (0.17 +/- 0.08, P <0.01). The nuclei were deep brown or brown. Lots of apoptotic spermatogenic cells were seen in the torsion testis of group A, with a significantly higher apoptosis index ( [33. 13 +/- 3.21 ]%) than in B ( [ 17. 12 +/-5.23 ]%, P < 0.05), C ([14.13 +/- 2.03]%, P <0.05), and D ([9.05 +/- 1.03]%, P <0.01).

CONCLUSIONHypothermia combined with dexamethasone can protect the testis from injury as well as the reproductive function of the testis after testicular torsion-detorsion and reduce the expression of ICAM1.

Animals ; Dexamethasone ; pharmacology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Hypothermia, Induced ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spermatic Cord Torsion ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Spermatogenesis ; drug effects

Objective To evaluate the value of iterative modal reconstruction (IMR) for reducing radiation dose and controlling image quality in cardiac CT. Methods Ten pigs were included. All pigs were scanned on a 256?slice prospectively ECG?gated cardiac CT utilizing routine dose (group A) and tube current reduced by 30%(group B), 50%(group C) and 70%(group D), respectively. Filtered back projection (FBP), hybrid iterative reconstruction (iDose4) and IMR were used for all data, respectively. Image noise and contrast?to?noise ratio (CNR) of ascending aortic root were measured, while overall image quality and coronary artery image quality was rated (five point scale). All results reconstructed by FBP, iDose 4 and IMR were compared. Objective measurements were compared with one?way analysis of variance, and subjective assessments were compared with Kruskal?Wallis H test andχ2 test. Results Compared with that of FBP and iDose4, image noise of IMR was(15.1 ± 6.1),(18.8 ± 5.5),(22.1 ± 4.8)and(33.0 ± 4.0)HU, respectively in group A, B, C and D with significant reduction (F=82.77, 90.71, 96.59, 95.51 respectively, all P<0.01). Using IMR, groups A, B, C, D had higher CNR (42.0±11.1, 37.2±10.4, 31.4±8.7, 23.7±7.0;F=50.65, 53.55, 76.60, 57.36, all P<0.01) and overall image quality (5.0 ± 0.0, 4.8 ± 0.4, 4.6 ± 0.5, 4.5 ± 0.5;H=20.96, 15.63, 18.66, 23.56, all P<0.01) than FBP and iDose4. Using IMR, group A (100%, 40/40) and group B (100%, 40/40) had no significant difference (P>0.05) in the diagnosis rates of proximal coronary arteries compared with that using FBP and iDose4, while group C (100%, 40/40) and group D(92%, 37/40) had significantly increased diagnosis rates (χ2=20.05, 45.72, both P<0.01). The diagnosis rates of distal coronary arteries of IMR reconstruction which were 100%(50/50), 98%(49/50), 90%(45/50), 78%(39/50), respectively in groups A, B, C, D had significant increase compared with that of FBP and iDose4 reconstruction (χ2=7.39, 16.75, 34.62, 81.33, all P<0.05). Conclusions IMR can significantly reduce image noise, improve CNR and image quality compared with iDose4. Application of IMR can reduce radiation dose but without compromising image quality.

This article introduces the details in technology transfer in the Johns Hopkins University (JHU),such as the scope of intellectual property,disciplines and the transfer domains,procedures,items,human resources,faculties motivation measures,categories of license.We also tried to find common contents in its technology transfer works and hoped to provide information to help on the medical science transfer in China.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of crypotanshinone (CPT) on the proliferation and apoptosis of DU145 prostate cancer cells as well as on the metadherin expression and the downstream PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in the DU145 cells.

METHODSWe treated DU145 prostate cancer cells with different concentrations of CPT for 24, 48, and 72 hours followed by evaluation of the proliferation and apoptosis of the cells by MTT assay and TUNEL, respectively. We determined the expressions of metadherin protein and mRNA in the DU145 cells by Western blot and RT-PCR respectively at different time points after CPT treatment. We also detected the expressions of the proteins metadherin, AKT, p-AKT, and Bcl-2 in the CPT-treated DU145 cells at 48 hours.

RESULTSCPT significantly inhibited the proliferation of the DU145 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner (P < 0.05). After treatment with 10 µmol/L CPT for 24, 48, and 72 hours, the apoptosis rates of the DU145 cells were (29.42 ± 4.51), (55.07 ± 5.67) and (70.84 ± 4.66)%, respectively, significantly higher than (3.1 ± 2.48)% in the control group (P < 0.05). The expression of metadherin was remarkably downregulated at the transcription and translation levels (P < 0.05) and the expressions of the AKT signaling pathway and the Bcl-2 protein were markedly inhibited in the DU145 cells after treated with 10 µmol/L CPT for 48 hours (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONCPT can inhibit the proliferation and induce the apoptosis of DU145 prostate cancer cells, which may be associated with its suppression of the downstream PI3K/AKT signaling pathway by reducing the expression of metadherin in the DU145 cells.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Diterpenes, Abietane ; pharmacology ; Down-Regulation ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Male ; Neoplasm Proteins ; metabolism ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; metabolism ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Time Factors