OBJECTIVEThis study examined the changes of serum levels of interleukin (IL)-16, IL-18 and immunoglobulins and the correlation of serum IL-16, IL-18 levels and immunoglobulins in children with asthma and aimed to explore the role of IL-16, IL-18 and immunoglobulins in the pathogenesis of asthma.

METHODSThirty-four children with asthma and 21 age and gender-matched healthy children were enrolled in this study. The levels of IL-16, IL-18 and immunoglobulin E (IgE) were determined using ELISA. Immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin A (IgA) were detected by immunoturbidimetry.

RESULTSThe levels of IL-16, IL-18 and IgE in patients with asthma at both acute attack and convalescence stages were significantly higher than those in healthy controls. An increased IgG and a decreased IgA levels were found in asthmatic patients at the acute attack stage. There was a positive correlation between the IL-16 and IL-18 levels at both acute attack and convalescence stages of asthma (r=0.70, P < 0.01; r=0.70, P < 0.05). The IL-16 level correlated positively with the IgE level at acute attack stage of asthma (r=0.624, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSIL-16, IL-18 and IgE may be involved in the pathogenesis of asthma. The immunologic imbalance exists in children with asthma at both acute attack and convalescence stages. Anti-allergic therapy should be administered through the acute attack to the convalescence stages of asthma.

Adolescent ; Asthma ; etiology ; immunology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; blood ; Interleukin-16 ; blood ; Interleukin-18 ; blood ; Male

OBJECTIVEMannan-binding lectin (MBL) is a C-type serum lectin that plays a central role in the innate immune response. At present there is no a reference range of serum MBL levels for children in China. This study investigated serum MBL levels in preschool children from Shenzhen.

METHODSA total of 118 children (62 boys and 56 girls) at ages of 3-6 years and sampled randomly from three kindergartens of Shenzhen were enrolled in this study. Serum MBL concentrations were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTSThe mean serum MBL concentration in these children was 779.07+/-268.98 ng/mL. There were no significant differences in the value of serum MBL between boys and girls (783.89+/-252.30 ng/mL vs 773.65+/-288.29 ng/mL) (P>0.05). Sixteen children (13.6%) had MBL concentrations less than 500 ng/mL (the low limited value used abroad), including 14 cases with 50-500 ng/mL and 2 cases with less than 50 ng/mL.

CONCLUSIONSThis study provides a reference range of serum MBL concentration for preschool children. MBL may be a useful marker for the prevention of infection in children.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Immunity, Innate ; Male ; Mannose-Binding Lectin ; blood

OBJECTIVETo transfect pcDNA3.1/hTM plasmids containing human thrombomodulin (hTM) gene into human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), and investigate the expression of hTM and anticoagulating function of transfected HUVECs.

METHODSHUVECs were transfected with pcDNA3.1/hTM by lipofectin. Expression of hTM mRNA was determined by semi-quantitative RT-PCR, hTM antigen on HUVECs membrane by immunohistochemistry, and activated protein C (PC) in HUVECs by chronometry. By using a semiautomatic coagulator, the effect of the reacting liquid from transfected HUVECs mixed with PC from normal peripheral blood was assayed.

RESULTSAbout 10% HUVECs were transfected by pcDNA3.1/hTM with high-level hTM mRNA and protein expression. Activated PC produced by pcDNA3.1/hTM group, pcDNA3.1(+)/neo group and untransfected group was (2.80 +/- 0.43) microg/ml, (0.75 +/- 0.08) microg/ml and (0.85 +/- 0.11) microg/ml, respectively. APTT was (51.68 +/- 2.73) s, (38.38 +/- 2.44) s, (39.65 +/- 2.39) s, (33.93 +/- 1.73) s and (34.60 +/- 1.86) s and PT was (21.89 +/- 1.66) s, (20.56 +/- 1.74) s, (20.42 +/- 2.04) s, (19.57 +/- 1.36) s and (20.16 +/- 1.35) s in pcDNA3.1/hTM group, pcDNA3.1(+)/neo group, untransfected group, inactivating PC group and control, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSThe pcDNA3.1/hTM plasmid could be transfected into endothelial cells and expressed biologically functioning hTM protein on HUVECs membrane. Activated PC could inhibit intrinsic coagulation pathway obviously with slight effect on extrinsic pathway.

Cells, Cultured ; Endothelial Cells ; metabolism ; Endothelium, Vascular ; cytology ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Genes, Transgenic, Suicide ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Partial Thromboplastin Time ; Plasmids ; Protein C ; Prothrombin Time ; Thrombomodulin ; genetics ; Transfection ; Umbilical Veins ; cytology

OBJECTIVETo define the differences in gene expression patterns between glycidyl methacrylate (GMA)-transformed human lung fibroblast cells (2BS cells) and controls.

METHODSThe mRNA differential display polymerase chain reaction (DD-PCR) technique was used. cDNAs were synthesized by reverse transcription and amplified by PCR using 30 primer combinations. After being screened by dot blot analysis, differentially expressed cDNAs were cloned, sequenced and confirmed by Northern blot analysis.

RESULTSEighteen differentially expressed cDNAs were cloned and sequenced, of which 17 were highly homologous to known genes (homology = 89%-100%) and one was an unknown gene. Northern blot analysis confirmed that eight genes encoding human zinc finger protein 217 (ZNF217), mixed-lineage kinase 3 (MLK-3), ribosomal protein (RP) L15, RPL41, RPS 16, TBX3, stanniocalcin 2 (STC2) and mouse ubiquitin conjugating enzyme (UBC), respectively, were up-regulated, and three genes including human transforming growth factor beta inducible gene (Betaig-h3), alpha-1,2-mannosidase 1A2 (MAN 1A2) gene and an unknown gene were down-regulated in the GMA-transformed cells.

CONCLUSIONAnalysis of the potential function of these genes suggest that they may be possibly linked to a variety of cellular processes such as transcription, signal transduction, protein synthesis and growth, and that their differential expression could contribute to the GMA-induced neoplastic transformation.

Air Pollutants, Occupational ; toxicity ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; genetics ; pathology ; Cell Line, Transformed ; Epoxy Compounds ; toxicity ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Glycoproteins ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lung ; cytology ; Male ; Mannosidases ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Methacrylates ; toxicity ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Ribosomal Proteins ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; genetics ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Ubiquitins ; metabolism ; Zinc Fingers ; drug effects ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the genotoxic and nongenotoxic effects of short-term exposure to glycidyl mathacrylate (GMA) on human lung fibroblast cells (2BS cells) in vitro.

METHODSDNA strand breakage was determined by single cell gel electrophoresis, and DNA ladder formation assay and flow cytometric analysis were carried out to detect apoptic responses of cells to GMA exposure. The HPRT gene mutation assay was used to evaluate the mutagenicity, and the effect of GMA on gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) in the exposed cells was examined with the scrape loading/dye transfer technique. The ability of GMA to transform 2BS cells was also tested by an in vitro cell transformation assay.

RESULTSExposure to GMA resulted in a dose-dependent increase in DNA strand breaks but not apoptic responses. GMA was also shown to significantly induce HPRT gene mutations and morphological transformation in 2BS cells in vitro. In contrast, GMA produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of GJIC.

CONCLUSIONSGMA elicits both genotoxic and nongenotoxic effects on 2BS cells in vitro. The induction of DNA damage and gene mutations and inhibition of GJIC by GMA may casually contribute to GMA-induced cell transformation.

Cell Communication ; Cell Differentiation ; Comet Assay ; DNA Damage ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Epoxy Compounds ; toxicity ; Fibroblasts ; Gap Junctions ; Humans ; Hypoxanthine Phosphoribosyltransferase ; genetics ; Lung ; cytology ; Methacrylates ; toxicity

To explore the reasonable procedures and strategies of diagnosis and treatment of congenital neutropenia (CN), clinical data and laboratory examination results of a boy suspected of CN were collected; gene ELA2, GFI1, HAX1, and WASp of whom were sequenced, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor receptor (G-CSFR) expression on neutrophil was analyzed, and cytoplasmic domain of G-CSFR was sequenced. The results showed that the diagnosis of non-syndromic variants of CN (NSVCN) was made on this patient according to the criteria; sequencing results revealed no mutation occurred in ELA2, GFI1, HAX1 and WASp; a normal expression level of G-CSFR on neutrophil from this patient was detected and no truncated mutation was found in the intracellular domain of G-CSFR. It is concluded that reasonable procedure of diagnosis and treatment of CN is established, and a sporadic NSVCN with no recognized pathogenic mutation is confirmed in this patient.
Child ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Humans ; Male ; Neutropenia ; congenital ; diagnosis ; genetics ; therapy ; Receptors, Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of artesunate on CD14 and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR 4) expressions in peritoneal macrophages of mice with heat stroke endotoxemia.

METHODSKunming mice were randomly divided into the normal temperature group, the hyperthermia group, the normal saline (NS) group and the artesunate group (both i.p.60 mg/kg daily for consecutive five days). The normal temperature group was exposed to the condition of dry bulb temperature (Tdb) 25 degrees C +/- 0.5 degrees C and relative humidity (RH) 43% +/- 5% for 2 hours, while other groups were exposed to the condition of Tdb 35 degrees C +/- 0.5 degrees C and RH 65% +/- 5%. The mRNA expressions of CD14 and TLR 4 in peritoneal macrophages and concentrations of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) in plasma were observed in different time points (1 hour and 2 hour).

RESULTSThe mRNA expressions of CD14 and TLR 4 in the normal temperature group were 0.34% +/- 0.047% and 0.31% +/- 0.062% respectively. The expressions of two receptors at 1 hour in the hyperthermia group were significantly increased to 0.53% +/- 0.085% and 0.45% +/- 0.049% compared with the normal group and kept increased at 2 hour (P < 0.01). The mRNA expressions at 1 hour in the NS group were significantly increased but a little bit decreased at 2 hour. The mRNA expressions of CD14 and TLR 4 at 1 hour in the artesunate group were 0.26% +/- 0.051% and 0.25% +/- 0.084% respectively and a little bit decreased at 2 hour. The change of TNF-alpha in each group was almost consistent with the changes of CD14 and TLR 4.

CONCLUSIONArtesunate can reduce significantly the expressions of CD14 and TLR 4 in LPS signal transduction pathway and the concentration of TNF-alpha, which perhaps is one of the most important mechanisms that artesunate fights against endotoxemia.

Animals ; Artemisinins ; pharmacology ; Cells, Cultured ; Endotoxemia ; metabolism ; Female ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Heat Stroke ; metabolism ; Lipopolysaccharide Receptors ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Macrophages, Peritoneal ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Random Allocation ; Sesquiterpenes ; pharmacology ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; biosynthesis ; genetics

BACKGROUNDAlthough previous reports had reported the use of temporary internal distraction as an aid to correct severe scoliosis, two-stage surgery strategy (less invasive internal distraction followed by posterior correction and instrumentation) has never been reported in the treatment of patients with severe spinal deformity. This study aimed to report the results of the surgical treatment of severe scoliosis and kyphoscoliosis by two-stage and analyse the safety and efficacy of this surgical strategy in the treatment of severe spinal deformities.

METHODSA total of 15 patients with severe scoliosis, kyphoscoliosis or kyphosis who underwent two-stage surgeries (less invasive internal distraction followed by posterior correction and instrumentation) were studied based on hospital records. Pretreatment radiographs and radiographs taken after first surgery (internal distraction by two small incisions), before second surgery (posterior correction, instrumentation and fusion), one week after second surgery and final follow-up were measured. Subjects were analyzed by age, gender, major coronal curve magnitude, flexibility of major curve, major sagittal curve magnitude before first surgery, after first surgery, before second surgery, after second surgery and at final follow-up. Complications related to two-stage surgeries were noted in each case.

RESULTSThe average major curve magnitude was 129.4° (range, 95° to 175°), reduced 58.9° or 45.4% after first stage surgery and reduced 30.6° or 24.6% after second stage surgery. The loss of correction during the interval between two surgeries was 7.1%. The total major coronal curve correction was 81.4° or 62.9%. At the final follow up, the average loss of correction of major coronal curve was 3.9° and the final average correction rate was 59.7%. The average major sagittal curve magnitude was 80.3° (range, 30° to 170°), and the total major sagittal curve correction was 48.2°. Loss of correction averaged 4.0° for major sagittal curve and the final correction averaged 42.2°. Clinical complications were noted in the peri-operative and long-term periods.

CONCLUSIONSTwo-stage surgery was a safe and effective surgical strategy in this difficult population. Using two-small-incision technique, the first stage surgery was less invasive. No permanent neurologic deficit was noted in this series.

Adolescent ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Kyphosis ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Male ; Radiography ; Scoliosis ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

Objecfive To establish a method for in vitro culture and identification of neural stem cells(NSCs)derived from the olfactory bulb(OB)of adult mice and test the possibility of the OB as a new source of seed cells of adult NSCs. Methads NSCs were isolated from the OB of adult mice and cultured in serum-free medium.Clonal culture and BrdU incorporation assay were performed to assess the self-renewal and proliferative activities of the NSCs.Fluorescence immunocytochemistry was carried out to examine the expression of the NSC markers nestin and SOX2,neuronal marker Tujl,astrocyte marker GFAP and oligodendroeyte marker 04. Results NSCs possessing self-renewal and proliferative capacities were obtained from the OB of adult mice,and the cells grew in the form of floating neurospheres in the medium.The neurospheres consisted of cells were positive for NSC markers nestin and SOX2,which Were able to differentiate into Tuj1-positive neurons,GFAP-positive astrocytes and 04-positive oligodendrocytes. Conclusion NSCs are present in the OB of adult mice,and the NSCs isolated from the OB can proliferate and differentiate in vitro with obvious stem cell properties.suggesting the feasibility of using OB as anew source of adult NSCs.

OBJECTIVESTo discuss and evaluate the selection of surgical procedure for the treatment of idiopathic scoliosis according to the location and degree of the deformity.

METHODS175 patients with idiopathic scoliosis underwent surgical treatment with correction and fusion. The patients were divided into four groups according to the location and degree of the deformity and four different procedures were used for each group. For each group, the blood loss, surgery time, correction rate, loss of correction at final follow up and complications were compared and analyzed.

RESULTSAll patients underwent surgery safely and no neurological complication occurred. The correction rate was 81% for Group I, 86% for Group II, 68% for Group III and 72% for Group IV. All patients were followed up at least 2 years and the average time was 38 months (24 approximately 52).

CONCLUSIONProper selection of surgical procedure according to the location and degree of the scoliotic deformity, satisfactory results can be achieved in the treatment of idiopathic scoliosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Scoliosis ; surgery ; Spinal Fusion ; methods ; Treatment Outcome