OBJECTIVETo study the variations of protein concentration in saliva stimulated and its effect on clinical diagnosis.

METHODSThe saliva from 33 normal controls and 73 patients with Sjögren syndrome (SS) who were stimulated with acid and not were collected. The concentration of beta 2 microglobulin (beta 2-mG), secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA), and pH were measured by Radioimmunoassay, Rate Nephelometry and pH Detection Paper, respectively. SPSS 10.0 was used to determine the mean statistical differences among these groups.

RESULTSIn patients with SS, the concentration of beta 2-mG in saliva stimulated with Vc was significantly lower compared with that in saliva not stimulated (P < 0.01); In saliva stimulated with Vc, the concentration of beta 2-mG in patients with SS was higher than that in normal controls (P < 0.05). In normal controls, compared with that in saliva not stimulated, flow rate in saliva stimulated with 3% acetic acid and Vc was significantly higher (P < 0.01) and pH, concentration of beta 2-mG and SIgA were significantly lower (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05 respectively); there was a significant difference of flow rate, beta 2-mG, SIgA and pH in saliva between the subjects stimulated with 3% acetic acid and with Vc (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe reason for the decrease of protein concentration in saliva stimulated may be the increase of flow rate caused by the decrease of pH or the decrease of pH itself. Protein detection of saliva stimulated in patients with SS is helpful in diagnosis, but the criterion is different between the saliva stimulated and not stimulated.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Immunoglobulin A, Secretory ; metabolism ; Male ; Saliva ; metabolism ; secretion ; Salivary Proteins and Peptides ; metabolism ; Sjogren's Syndrome ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; beta 2-Microglobulin ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes of the mRNA expressions of myocardial cytoskeletal proteins in endotoxemic rats.

METHODSThirty-seven Wistar rats were randomized into two groups with injection of 10 mg/kg lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or normal saline through the femoral vein. The cardiac function of the rats was monitored continuously for 24 h, and the morphological changes of the cardiac myocytes were observed with HE staining and electron microscope. The mRNA levels of myocardial cytoskeletal proteins including actin, tubulin and desmin were determined by RT-PCR.

RESULTSNo significant difference was found in the number of CD3(+)T lymphocytes in the TILs between different groups. After the immunotherapy, the peLPS injection resulted in significant impairment of the cardiac function and myocardial microstructure of the rats with reduced heart rate and left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP). The mRNA expression of actin in the cardiac myocytes measured by fluorescence optical density was reduced significantly 8 h after LPS injection, and that of tubulin was decreased significantly 24 h after LPS treatment; desmin mRNA expression showed no significant variation after LPS injection.

CONCLUSIONLPS can significantly impair the cardiac function of the rats possibly by inducing damages of the myocardial cytoarchitecture and causing changes in the mRNA expressions of such cytoskeletal proteins as actin and tubulin.

Actins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Cytoskeletal Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Endotoxemia ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; Female ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tubulin ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the therapeutic state of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) inpatients in 26 level three class A Chinese medicine (CM) hospitals in China.

METHODSThe case report form (CRF) was designed and used in this study. Totally 1 094 AMI patients were recruited from 26 level three class A CM hospitals from January 2006 to December 2006. The onset, the heart function, complications, previous history, and CM syndrome types were observed in AMI patients. Treatment by Western medicine (WM), CM intravenous preparation, CM decoction, and Chinese patent medicine were also observed in AMI patients.

RESULTSBlood stasis syndrome (854 cases, 78.06%) and stagnant phlegm syndrome (470 cases, 42.96%) were dominated in the CM sthenia syndrome. Qi deficiency syndrome (683 cases, 62.43%) and Xin-yin deficiency syndrome (231 cases, 21.12%) were dominated in the CM asthenia syndrome. Totally 355 patients (32.45%) received reperfusion. Of them, 224 (20.48%) received percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The top 5 often used Western drugs covered aspirin (1001 cases, 91.50%), low molecular heparin (917 cases, 83.82%), blood lipids regulators (833 cases, 76.14%), ACEI/ARB (822 cases, 75.14%), and nitrates (773 cases, 70.66%). Totally 946 patients (86.47%) used CM intravenous preparations. The CM intravenous preparations with the use frequency more than 5% were sequenced as Shenmai Injection (520 times, 54.97%), Salvia miltiorrhizae preparations (305 times, 32.24%), sanchi preparations (185 times, 19.56%), Shenfu Injection (68 times, 7.19%), Scutellarin Injection (64 times, 6.77%), and Acanthopanax Injection (29 times, 3.07%). Totally 575 patients (52.56%) used CM decoction. The main therapeutic methods covered activating blood circulation therapy (477 cases), qi benefiting therapy (332 cases), and phlegm resolving therapy (303 cases). Commonly used recipes covered Shengmai Powder, Taohong Siwu Decoction, Gualou Xiebai Baijiu Decoction, Erchen Decoction, and Sijunzi Decoction. Totally 394 patients (36.01%) used Chinese patent medicines.

CONCLUSIONSQi deficiency syndrome and blood stasis syndrome were dominated in AMI patients. Great achievements have taken place in AMI reperfusion treatment and standardized treatment in CM hospitals. CM are extensively used. Clinical studies on treating AMI by CM should be further strengthened.

Aged ; China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Hospitals ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Phytotherapy ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To observe the effect of T-2 toxin on growth and development of rat epiphyseal plate of left knee and metaphyseal bone of femur and tibia in normal and low nutritional status, to find out possible pathogenic factors of Kashin-Beck disease and provide experimental basis for early intervention. Methods Ninety 3-week-old Wistar rats, weighing 60 - 70 g, were randomly divided into three groups: control group(general feed), T-2 toxin + general feed group, T-2 toxin + low nutrition feed group, thirty rats in each group with equally sex ratio. T-2 toxin (1.0 mg/kg) was administered orally 5 times a week via a gavage needle for 4 weeks. The change of hair, activity and body weight was observed. After 1, 2, 4 weeks, the epiphyseal plate of left knee and metaphyseal bone of femur and tibia (including distal femur and proximal tibia) were collected. Specimens were processed with HE and Masson staining. The morphology of chondrocytes and matrix collagen content in epiphyseal plate was observed. Trabecular bone volume fraction in tibial metaphyseal bone was analyzed by Image-Pro Plus 6.0 software. Results In the control group, rats were in good movement and hair with light, but in T-2 toxin + general feed group and T-2 toxin + low nutrition feed group, rats were found with reduced activities and hair with dark color. Body weights(g) of the control group, the T-2 toxin + general feed group and the T-2 toxin + low nutrition feed group were 81.0 ± 6.2, 79.0 ±5.1, 77.0 ± 7.5, respectively, by the end of first week; 101.8 ± 6.7, 97.0 ± 6.8, 93.0 ± 5.3, respectively, by the end of second week; 151.1 ± 15.7, 126.5 ± 11.9, 106.5 ± 11.5, respectively, by the end of fourth week. There was significant difference in groups by second week and the fourth week (F = 9.72, 41.65, all P ＜ 0.05 ). There was significant difference among multi-groups by the fourth week(all P ＜ 0.01 ). Under light microscope, at the second weeks, coagulative necrosis of chondrocytes was found in hypertrophic zone in the two groups with T-2 toxin; at the fourth weeks, cell necrosis increased. Masson staining showed collagen staining in the two groups with T-2 toxin significantly turned to clear pale coloration, indicating that the collagen matrix was significantly reduced. Image analysis showed there was significant difference in groups at the second and fourth week(F= 9.72, 41.65, all P＜ 0.05)in tibial metaphyseal trabecular bone volume fraction. There was significant difference between T-2 toxin + low nutrition feed group[(0.55 ± 0.12)％, (0.21 ± 0.0)％] and control group[(0.67 ± 0.09)％, (0.51 ± 0.14)％] by the second and fourth week(all P ＜ 0.01 ). Conclusions Under normal nutritional status, T-2 toxin can induce hypertrophic epiphyseal cartilage necrosis, collagen content decreased in epiphyseal plate, metaphyseal trabecular bone formation disorders; in the low nutritional status, T-2 toxin can lead to rat epiphyseal necrosis and significant metaphyseal bone disorder, but whether the performance is related to Kaschin-Beck disease needs to be studied further.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between the biological features and the treatment efficacy and prognosis in acute myeloid leukemia subtype M2 (AML-M2) patients with chromosome 8 and 21 translocation.

METHODSBy using Cox regression model and Kaplan-Meier analyses, prognostic factors in 54 cases of de novo adult AML with t(8;21) in our institute from 1990 to 2003 were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTThe complete remission (CR) rates were 81.9% for all M2 patients, 82.4% for patients with normal karyotype, 88.5% for patients with t(8;21) [P > 0.05 for normal karyotype vs t(8;21)], 100.0% for 28 patients with t(8;21) alone and 75.0% for 24 patients with additional chromosome abnormalities (P < 0.01). The actuarial 3 year overall survival(OS) was 26% for M2 patients with normal karyotype, 25% for patients with t(8;21) [P > 0.05 for normal karyotype vs t(8;21)], in whole t(8;21) group, 46.4% for patients with t(8;21) alone and 0% for patients with additional chromosome abnormalities (P < 0.01). Multivariate analysis of prognostic factors showed that chromosome abnormalities besides t(8;21) was the only factor affecting CR, disease-free survival (DFS) and OS. DFS of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and intermediate-dose cytarabine/high dose cytarabine (IDAC) groups were better than the group received routine dose cytarabine as postremission therapy (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONAML with t(8;21) is not a single defined AML subset, and patients with additional chromosome abnormalities have a worse prognosis. HSCT and IDAC could improve the outcome. HSCT is the best choice for patients with high risks, especially with additional chromosome abnormalities.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 21 ; genetics ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 8 ; genetics ; Female ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; drug therapy ; genetics ; surgery ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Translocation, Genetic

OBJECTIVEHuman cytomegalovirus (HCMV), especially the immediate early (IE) gene of the virus, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to confirm the presence of HCMV IE gene DNA in intracranial artery walls and the association of the virus with the development of atherosclerosis.

METHODSHCMV IE gene was tested in formaldehyde-fixed intracranial arteries from 35 cases with cerebral atherosclerosis and 20 negative controls. In situ hybridization as well as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect the presence of DNA in sections of paraffin-embedded tissue samples. Probes and primers were derived from major immediate early (MIE) genomic regions of cytomegalovirus strain AD169.

RESULTSThe DNA of HCMV was found in 40.0% and 10.0% of arterial walls with atherosclerosis and negative control group by in situ hybridization, respectively, in 60.0% and 30.0% by PCR, respectively. Significant deference was found between them (P=0.018, P=0.032). There was also significant difference between grade III-IV and grade I-II atherosclerosis by both methods (P=0.027, P=0.009).

CONCLUSIONThe results suggested that HCMV IE DNA exists in the atherosclerotic arterial walls, therefore, there might be an association between the IE gene in intracranial artery walls and the atherosclerosis. The arterial wall with the smooth muscle cells, might be the potential site of the virus persistence. HCMV may play a role in the pathogenesis of the atherosclerosis.

Aged ; Carotid Arteries ; pathology ; virology ; Cerebral Arteries ; pathology ; virology ; Cytomegalovirus ; genetics ; pathogenicity ; Cytomegalovirus Infections ; DNA, Viral ; analysis ; Female ; Gene Expression ; Genes, Immediate-Early ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization ; Intracranial Arteriosclerosis ; etiology ; pathology ; virology ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVETo study the immunohistochemical expression and diagnostic significance of CD34 in brain tumors of patients with refractory epilepsy.

METHODSImmunohistochemical study for CD34 was performed on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue blocks of 54 cases of brain tumors occurring in patients with refractory epilepsy. The tumor types included ganglioglioma (GG, number = 21), dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor (DNT, number = 8), tumors/lesions which had the transitional features that between glioneuronal hamartia and mixed neuronal-glial tumor (number = 21) and pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA, number = 4). Cases of glioblastoma (number = 4) and oligoastrocytoma (number = 5) were used as controls.

RESULTSTwenty of the 21 cases of GG, 1 of the 8 cases of DNT, 16 of the 21 cases of tumors/lesions which had the transitional features and 3 of the 4 cases of PXA showed cytoplasmic and membranous positivity for CD34. The adjoining brain tissues in 9 of the 18 cases of GG, 6 of the 16 cases of tumors/lesions which had the transitional features and 1 of the 3 cases of PXA also expressed CD34. In contrast, only 1 case of glioblastoma showed membranous positivity for CD34.

CONCLUSIONSCD34 preferred to staining for GG and PXA. Which represent a valuable tool for distinguishing GG, PXA and DNT, oligoastrocytoma, glioblastoma.

Antigens, CD34 ; metabolism ; Astrocytoma ; complications ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Brain Neoplasms ; complications ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Epilepsy ; etiology ; Ganglioglioma ; complications ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Glioblastoma ; complications ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Neoplasms, Neuroepithelial ; complications ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery

Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Seasons

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of carbon source and nitrogen source on callus growth, and flavonoid content in Glycyrrhiza uralensis.

METHODInduction and culture of callus were conducted in the media of different concentrations of sucrose, and fructose and ratio of NH4+/NO3- ,and flavonoid content was measured by HPLC.

RESULTThe results showed that fructose was superior to sucrose for callus growth and flavonoid formation, and the optimum concentration was 2%. The flavonoids content was 2 times higher than that of sucrose as carbon sources. In the range of 2% -6% of fructose concentration, the flavonoid content was decreased along with the concentration of fructose, but the licochalcone was increased 5-fold. The highest flavonoid content of 151.47 microg x g(-1) was obtained when the ratio of NH4+/NO3- in the medium was 1/2. NH; inhibited the callus growth and flavonoid formation of G. uralensis.

CONCLUSIONFructose as carbon source was superior to sucrose for callus growth and flavonoid formation, and NO3- was favorable to the callus growth and flavonoids accumulation.

Culture Media ; pharmacology ; Disaccharides ; pharmacology ; Flavonoids ; biosynthesis ; Fructose ; pharmacology ; Glycyrrhiza uralensis ; drug effects ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Nitrates ; pharmacology ; Nitrogen Compounds ; pharmacology ; Plants, Medicinal ; drug effects ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Quaternary Ammonium Compounds ; pharmacology ; Sucrose ; pharmacology ; Tissue Culture Techniques

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of cytomegalovirus infection on expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 in human endothelial cells.

METHODSHuman umbilical vein endothelial cells were cultured in vitro. Cells between 3-6 passages were infected with cytomegalovirus for different time. Expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 mRNA was analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, matrix metalloproteinase-2 activity was detected by gel zymography.

RESULTSExpression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 mRNA and its activity 6 hours after infection was almost equal to control, and was greatly enhanced 12 and 24 hours after infection.

CONCLUSIONCytomegalovirus infection up-regulates expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 in human endothelial cells. It might be one of the mechanisms that cytomegalovirus is involved in atherosclerosis.

Cells, Cultured ; Cytomegalovirus ; physiology ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; virology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic ; Host-Pathogen Interactions ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Umbilical Veins ; cytology