The association between psychogenic illness and human endogenous viruses (HEVs), including human endogenous retrovirus and Borna disease virus, remains unclear. As the component of human genome, HEVs may become the joint of various pathogenic factors of schizophrenia (SZ), such as heredity, environment, and immunity. In this review, we strive to uncover the clinical and laboratory evidence for the roles and possible pathogenic mechanism of HEVs in the development of SZ.
Animals ; Environment ; Humans ; Schizophrenia ; etiology ; genetics ; immunology ; virology ; Viruses ; genetics

[Objective] To explore more scientific and reasonable methods for testing the effectiveness of indoorair purifying sets, so as to obtain scientific and constant experimental data from every laboratories. [Methods] Theindoor air purifying sets were classified on the basis of their working mechanisms. Several kinds of current popularmethods for testing the purifying effectiveness and their characters were compared each other and analyzed. The in-fluencing factors and limited conditions of 3 determining models under special conditions established on the basis ofbalance model of pollutants release were explored and studied. [Results] Several current popular methods for testingthe purifying effectiveness were crude, which couldn't accurately reflact the purifying effectiveness of tested indoorair purifying sets. To ensure the experimental operation simple and strict and to obtain scientific testing data, the ex-perimental process should be controlled and transfered to a model suitable for simple volatile matter or other modelseasily operated under the control of its influencing factors. [Conclusion]The establishments of accurate testing meth-ods and accurate expressions of testing results were the sufficient and essential conditions for accurate evaluation ontesting objectives.

Background At present,a new drug,platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB),as a drug knife for the treatment of glaucoma is under study to expect it directly working on the trabecular meshwork without disrupting the normal physiological structure of anterior chamber angle,clearing the trabecular meshwork aqueous outflow channel so as to achieve the purpose of lowering intraocular pressure.Objective This study aimed to investigate the effect of PDGF-BB on matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) expression in cultured bovine trabecular meshwork cells.Methods Trabcular tissue was obtained from fresh bovine eyes,and trabcular meshwork cells were cultured and passaged using explant method.Cultured cells were identified by morphological evaluation and neuronspecific enolase (NSE) staining.The third generation of cells were inoculated to 6-well plate,and different concentrations (0,5.0,12.5,25.0 μg/L) of PDGF-BB was added into the medium for 2 hours.Expression levels (A value) of MMP-2 mRNA (MMP-2 mRNA/β-actin) and protein in the cells were assayed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunochemistry,respectively.Results Trabcular meshwork cells appeared 5-9 days after cultured.The third generation of cells presented with many process and showed the green influence in cytoplasm.MMP-2 mRNA/β-actin value (A) was 0.127 ± 0.026,0.147 ± 0.045,0.178 ± 0.053 and 0.222±0.062 in the O,5.0,12.5,25.0 μg/L PDGF-BB group,respectively,showing a significant difference among them (F =56.71,P＜0.05),and the MMP-2 mRNA/β3-actin value in the 5.0,12.5,25.0 μg/L PDGF-BB group was elevated in comparison with that of the 0 μg/L PDGF-BB group (all P＜0.05).The expression value (A value) of PDGF-BB protein in the cells was 446.12±13.81,1444.65±54.64,2086.18±73.18,3488.65±25.98 in the 0,5.0,12.5,25.0 μg/L PDGF-BB group,respectively,with a significant difference among the four groups (F=213.12,P＜0.01),and the expression value (A value) of PDGF-BB protein was gradually increased with the ascend of concentration of PDGF-BB(all P＜0.05).Conclusions PDGF-BB can promote the expression of MMP-2 in bovine trabcular meshwork cells in vitro in concentration-dependent manner.

Objective To investigate change of chemokine mRNA and protein in the patients with diabetes mellitus(DM)complicated infection.Methods Fourty-eight patients with DM complicated infection were studied.Expression of mRNA and protein of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1)and interleukin 8 (IL-8)were measured by FQ-PCR,RT-PCR and ELISA.The relationship between hs-CRP,PMNL,IL-8 and MCP-1 were analyzed.Results Expression of mRNA and protein of MCP-1 and IL-8 were increased in the DM patients complicated infection.MCP-1 mRNA(mesured by FQ-PCR)was positively correlated with the protein(IL-8 r = 0.33;MCP-1 r = 0.88;P

OBJECTIVETo study the inhibitory effect of Xiaotan Sanjie Recipe (XSR) on the microsatellite instability of orthotopic transplantation tumor in MKN-45 human gastric cancer nude mice.

METHODSThe 3rd passage subcutaneous transplantation tumor was taken as the origin of the model by using MKN-45 human gastric cancer cell lines. MKN-45 human gastric cancer nude mouse model was established using OB glue adhesive method. Then 30 nude mice were divided into the model group, the XSR group, and the chemotherapy group. Mice in the XSR group were intragastrically given XSR at the daily dose of 0.4 mL. Mice in the chemotherapy group were intragastrically given Fluorouracil at the daily dose of 0.4 mL. No intervention was given to mice in the model group. After 6 weeks of medication, the tumor weight was measured, and the tumor inhibition rate calculated. The size, the peak height, and the peak area of 5 microsatellite instability sites were detected.

RESULTSThe tumor inhibition rate was 40. 84% in the XSR group. The tumor weight was significantly lower in the XSR group than in the model group (P < 0.01), showing no statistical difference when compared with the chemotherapy group (P >0.05). The incidence of high microsatellite instability (MSI-H) in the model group was 70%, and the incidence of low microsatellite instability (MSI-L) was 30%. Microsatellite stable site tended be stable after 6 weeks of XSR treatment.

CONCLUSIONXSR showed inhibition on microsatellite instable orthotopic transplantation tumor in MKN-45 human gastric cancer nude mice.

Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Microsatellite Instability ; drug effects ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Stomach Neoplasms

PURPOSE: This study was done to explore adaptation experience of living kidney donors after donation. Specific aims were to identify challenges donors face in the process of adaptation following surgery and how they interact with recipients and other people. METHODS: Grounded theory methodology was utilized. Participants were 13 living kidney donors at six months or more after donation. Data were collected by in-depth interviews with individual participants. Data were analyzed using constants comparative method with theoretical saturation. RESULTS: A core category emerged as 'keeping the fences of my family in spite of vulnerability'. The adaptation process after donation was manifested in four phases: exploration, balance, maintenance, and acclimatization. Phenomenon was perception of vulnerability. Strategies to manage the vulnerability were assessing changes of body awareness, tailoring regimen to one's own body condition, coping with health problems, keeping restoration of health, and ruminating on the meaning of one's kidney donation. Consequences were reestablishing family well-being, realizing the values of one's kidney donation, and living with uncertainty. CONCLUSION: Findings of the study indicate that there is a need for health professionals to understand the vulnerability of living kidney donors and help their family system maintain a healthy and productive life. The results of this study can be used to develop phase-specific, patient-centered, and tailored interventions for living kidney donors.
Acclimatization ; Health Occupations ; Humans ; Kidney* ; Living Donors ; Organ Transplantation ; Qualitative Research ; Tissue Donors* ; Uncertainty

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship among knowledge and attitude toward palliative care and perception of death for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) nurses. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with 110 nurses who work in NICUs in South Korea. The participants filled out a questionnaire regarding their knowledge, attitude towards palliative care and perception of death. The attitude scale was divided into 3 subscales: comfort level, nurses' role and nurses' involvement with family. RESULTS: Comfort level regarding attitude towards palliative care was positively correlated with knowledge (r=.220, p=.016) and the perception of death (r=.194, p=.042). Nurses' role showed a positive correlation with perception of death (r=.395, p=.001). CONCLUSION: NICU nurses' knowledge of palliative care was below standard across the board, implying that there is a definite need for palliative care education for nurses. The education program for palliative care should include a section that focuses on fostering a positive perception of death as well as defining and delineating the role of nurses.
Education ; Foster Home Care ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal* ; Intensive Care, Neonatal* ; Korea ; Palliative Care*

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.

A 62-year-old woman without vascular risk factors presented with left-sided weakness and numbness. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain depicted acute right hemispheric infarcts in the cortical and subcortical white matter. Initial MR angiography (MRA) showed large thrombus at the right carotid bifurcation. Valvular atrial fibrillation (vAF) with severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) was found on two-dimensional echocardiography. Serial follow-up computed tomography angiography (CTA) or MRA at 3, 9, and 15 days after anticoagulation alone showed complete resolution of the thrombus with no neurological deterioration. Our case suggests that prompt institution of anticoagulantion alone may result in radiologic resolution of the thrombus with improvement in patient’s clinical status.
Carotid Arteries

Objective To evaluate the effecof bilateral ovariectomy combined with hormone injection on the bone mineral density and biomechanical property of sheep proximal femu.Method16 healthy adulsheep were divided into the sham operation group (n=8) and the experimengroup (n=8) randomly .Bilateral ovariewere only exposed in the sham operation group .The ex-perimengroup waperformed bilateral ovariectomy (OVX) and began to conducthe intramusculainjection of methylprednisolone (0 .45 mg · kg -1 · d-1 ) aftepostoperative 1 month fo10 month.The bone density (BD) of all sheep proximal femuwameas-ured before OVX and in postoperative 1 yea.The compression tesand the axial pullouteswere performed to evaluate biome-chanical property of postoperative 1 yeaproximal femu.ResultBD of proximal femubefore surgery had no statistically signifi-candifference between the two group,and which in the sham operation group had no statistically significandifference between before and aftesurgery (P＞0 .05) .BD of proximal femuin postoperative 1 yeain the experimengroup wasignificantly de-creased and significantly lowethan thain the sham operation group (P＜0 .05) .The maximal compression stresand the energy absorption value in the experimengroup were significantly lowethan those in the sham operation group with statistically signifi-candifferences(P＜0 .05);the maximal axial pulling force and the energy absorption value in the experimengroup were signifi-cantly lowethan those in the sham operation group with statistically significandifference (P>0 .05) .Conclusion The method of bilateral ovariectomy combined with hormone injection can significantly decrease BD and biomechanical intensity of sheep proximal femu.