Objective To investigate the aassociation of a microRNA-137 (miR-137) polymorphism, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs1625579, with neurocognitive function in patients with schizophrenia. Methods A total of 250 patients with schizophrenia were included in this study. The positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS) was used to evaluate patients. The brief assessment of cognition in schizophrenia (BACS) scale was used to determine neurocongnitive functions in patients. Blood samples of patients were collected, and SNaPshot technique was used to compare the neurocognitive functions of different genotypes of rs1625579. Results The genotypes of TT, GT and GG were 221 (88.4%), 28 (11.2%) and 1(0.4%). There was no significant difference in PANSS score between TT genotype carriers and G allele (GG+GT) carriers. The detection of BACS showed that the digit sequencing score was significantly lower in patients with TT genotype than that of G allele (GG+GT) carrier ( P<0.05). There were no significant differences in other scores of BACS evaluation between two groups of patients. Conclusion The miR-137 polymorphism influences the working memory performance of schizophrenic patients in Chinese Han population.

Background Cystoid macular edema(CME) is an important cause of visual impairment of central retinal vein occlusion(CRVO).Spectral-Domain optical coherence tomography(SD-OCT) has increased speed and higher resolution,offering a better chance of understanding the morphological changes and pathogenesis of CME. Objective This study was to survey the morphologic features of macular edema associated with CRVO by SD-OCT. Methods Clinical data of the patients with CRVO diagnosed in Department of Ophthalmology,Peking Union Medical College Hospital from March 2008 to August 2009 were retrospectively analyzed.SD-OCT features of macular edema induced by CRVO were analyzed and recorded.Results The average macular foveal thickness was(527.5±218.2) μm in macular edemas eyes.Main morphological changes included 55 cases(84.6%) of CME,15 cases of(23.1%) serous macular detachment(SMD),and 10 cases(15.4%) of simple macular edema,and these findings occurred at the same time in some eyes.Cystoid spaces in the parafoveal region were seen in the inner nuclear layer,outer plexiform layer and outer nuclear layer,and discontinuous or weak inner segment/outer segment(IS/OS) line was often seen in CME.The incidence of CME associated with incomplete posterior vitreous detachment(PVD) was 14.5%,and that of neural epithelial edema associated with incomplete PVD was 10.0%,showing an insignificant difference between them(χ2=0.000,P=1.000).The average area of SMD was 1838.4μm ×1428.1μm×190.1μm,and the incidence of partial PVD was higher(χ2=4.266,P=0.039).Conclusion SD-OCT can reveal the micro-morphological change of macular zone in macular edema eye.SD-OCT enabled visualization of its spatial extent in each retinal layer and the condition of IS/OS layer.Serous macular edema is related with partial PVD.

With dwindling number of new antibiotics and inappropriate use of antibiotics, the emergence and spread of antibiotics resistance occurs commonly in healthcare institutions worldwide. In China, antibiotics are commonly overprescribed and misused. This study is to assess the effect of the nationwide special campaign on antibiotic stewardship program (ASP) at specialized hospitals in China by investigating prescription information from 2011 to 2012. Data on the hospital consumption and prescription of systemic antibiotics were obtained from four specialized hospitals, including maternity, children's, stomatological and cancer hospitals. Systematic random sampling was used to select outpatient prescriptions and inpatient cases. A total of 105 specialized hospitals in 2011 and 121 specialized hospitals in 2012 were analysed. The defined daily doses (DDDs) per 100 inpatient days, the percentage of antibiotic use in outpatient prescriptions, and the percentage of antibiotic use in inpatient cases were used as measurements of antibiotic use. The overall antibiotic use density in the selected hospitals decreased between 2011 and 2012 from 39.37 to 26.54 DDD/100 inpatient days (P<0.001). The percentage of antibiotic use in outpatient prescriptions (range: 24.12%-18.71%, P=0.109) and inpatient cases (64.85%-60.10%, P=0.006) also decreased within the two years. Significant changes were observed among regions and different hospitals within the two years. And antibiotic consumption was correlated with the type and size of specialized hospital in 2012, but not with the regions. This analysis of antibiotic consumption of specialized hospitals allows relevant comparisons for benchmarking and shows that national ASP has improved antibiotic rational use in China. The data will assist policymakers in formulating effective strategies to decrease antibiotic overuse and identify areas that require further work.

Objective To assess the efficacy and safety of premedicaton with pronase before upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGI).Methods A total of 440 outpatients from 5 centers were randomly assigned to receive endoscopy with one of three premedications as follows:dimethylpolysiloxane (DMPS) and pronase (group A,n =170) ; DMPS and sodium bicarbonate (group B,n =170) ; DMPS,pronase and sodium bicarbonate (group C,n =100).Six endoscopists,who were unaware of the premedication types,calculated the visibility scores (range,1 to 4) of the antrum,gastric body,and fundus.The sum of the scores from the three locations was defined as the total visibility score.Results With regards to routine white light endoscopy,the total visibility score of group C was significantly higher than that of group A (P =0.0001),and the score of group A was significantly higher than that of group B (P =0.0019).Concerning chromoendoscopy,the total visibility score of group C was significantly higher than that of group A (P =0.0054),and the score of group A was also significantly higher than that of group B (P ＜ 0.0001).Conclusion Combined application of pronase,dimethylpolysiloxane,and sodium bicarbonate before UGI endoscopy significantly improves endoscopic visualization.

Objective To compare the clinicopathological features between two kinds of obesity-related glomerulopathy (ORG). Methods Twenty-three patients with obesity-associated glomerulomegaly (OB-GM) and 22 patients with obesity-associated focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis (OB-FSGS) diagnosed by renal biopsy during 1998 to 2008 in our center were enrolled in this study. A retrospective analysis of clinical and pathological data was carried out. Results (1) All the patients in these two groups were with abdominal obesity. Most of them were middle-aged male. There were no significant differences in gender, age, body mass index and waist circumference between these two groups (P>0.05). The mean course of disease in OB-FSGS group was significantly longer than that in OB-GM group[(21.7±29.7) vs (6.8±9.3) months,P<0.05]. (2) Metabolic syndrome was found in the most patients of these two groups, but there were no significant differences in the levels of serum glucose, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterul, uric acid and blood pressure between them(P>0.05). (3) The 24-hour urinary protein and Ser level in OB-FSGSgroup were significantly higher than those in OB-GM group[(2.49±1.58) vs (0.83±0.87) g/d, P<0.05; (102.09±25.07) vs (87.84±20.63) μmol/L, P<0.05]. The serum albumin level, creatinine clearance and urinary osmotic pressure in the former were significantly lower than those in the latter [(38.67±7.00) vs (44.05±3.55) g/L, P<0.01; (95.78±37.83) vs (128.72±31.20) ml/min, P<0.01; (678.72±91.76) vs (840.69±133.88) mmol/L, P<0.01]. (4) The mean glomerular diameters of both OB-FSGS group and OB-GM group were increased, whose difference was not significant [(204.3±23.1) vs (205.3±14.3) μm, P>0.05]. Conclusion There are significant differences in the mean course of disease, 24-h urinary protein excretion, serum albumin level and renal function between these two different kinds of ORG.

Adenocarcinoma ; genetics ; pathology ; Adult ; Aged ; Base Sequence ; Cell Line, Tumor ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Exons ; Female ; Genes, erbB-1 ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation, Missense ; Oligonucleotide Probes ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; genetics ; Sensitivity and Specificity

To explore the antibacterial activity and mechanism of total alkaloids and berberine from Coptidis Rhizoma on Aeromonas hydrophila, and determine the effect of total alkaloids and berberine from Coptidis Rhizoma on minimum inhibitory concentrations, permeability and fluidity of cell membrane, conformation of membrane proteins and virulence factors of A. hydrophila. The results showed that both total alkaloids and berberine from Coptidis Rhizoma had antibacterial activities on A. hydrophila, with minimum inhibitory concentrations of 62.5 and 125 mg · L(-1), respectively. Total alkaloids and berberine from Coptidis Rhizoma could increase the fluidity of membrane, change the conformation of membrane porteins and increase the permeability of bacteria membrane by 24.52% and 19.66%, respectively. Besides, total alkaloids and berberine from Coptidis Rhizoma significantly decreased the hemolysis of exotoxin and the mRNA expressions of aerA and hlyA (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), the secretion of endotoxin and the mRNA expression of LpxC (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The results suggested that the antibacterial activity of total alkaloids and berberine from Coptidis Rhizoma on A. hydrophila may be related to the bacteria membrane injury. They inhibited the bacterial growth by increasing membrane lipid fluidity and changing conformation of membrane proteins, and reduced the secretion of virulence factors of A. hydrophila to weaken the pathogenicity.
Aeromonas hydrophila ; drug effects ; genetics ; metabolism ; Alkaloids ; pharmacology ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Bacterial Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Bacterial Toxins ; biosynthesis ; Berberine ; pharmacology ; Cell Membrane ; drug effects ; genetics ; metabolism ; Coptis ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Membrane Fluidity ; drug effects ; Rhizome ; chemistry

Objective:Using the macrophage cell lines RAW264.7 stably expressing Rab5a and its dominant negative mutant Rab5aN133I as models to analyze the effect and the mechanism of Rab 5a,Rab5aN133I on CpG-induced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and type Ⅰ IFN.Methods: The eukaryotic expression vectors of Rab5a and Rab5aN133I were transfected into RAW264.7 cells by liposome,and screened with G418.The G418-resistant colonies were obtained and amplified.The transformed cell lines were i-dentified by RT-PCR,Real time-PCR and Western blot.The production of cytokines were measured after transformed cell lines of Rab5a and Rab5aN133I was stimulation with CpG for 8 h.Results: Rab5a expression in transfected cells was significantly higher than the control cell group (P<0.05).Overexpression of Rab5a significantly promoted the production of TNF -α,IL1-β(P<0.01) and IFN-β( P<0.05) in CpG stimulated RAW264.7.The production of cytokines was restored in Rab 5aN133I transfected cell line.Conclusion:Rab 5a promotes CpG-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines and typeⅠIFN in macrophages,it may be act as a positive regulator in TLR9 signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVETo explore the possible association of polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferases T1, M1 genes and leukemia susceptibility.

METHODSAS-PCR procedure was applied to determine the GSTs genotypes in a group of leukemia patients (n=61) in Shanghai area. The genotype frequencies in the leukemia patients and normal controls (183 healthy residents in the same city) were compared. Stratification with leukemia types, age and gender was made for further comparison.

RESULTSThe frequencies of GSTT1 0/0 genotype and GSTT1 0/0-GSTM1 0/0 combined genotype were higher in leukemia patients than in controls, and the differences were significant. When stratified with age and gender, this trend still existed in the male ALL patients and in younger ALL patients (age < or = 30).

CONCLUSIONIndividuals who bear GSTT1 0/0 genotype or GSTT1 0/0-GSTM1 0/0 combined genotypes are more susceptible to leukemia, especially for male and younger carriers.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; China ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Glutathione Transferase ; genetics ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive ; enzymology ; genetics ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; enzymology ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; enzymology ; genetics ; Sex Factors

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of bitter-cold herbs easing dampness method (BCHEDM) plus Sanhuang Yilong Decoction (SYD) combined with methotrexate (MTX) on expression levels of interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-6, and IL-17 in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients of accumulated dampness-heat syndrome (ADHS).

METHODSFrom January 2011 to January 2013 recruited were 90 RA inpatients of ADHS at Department of Integrative Medicine on Rheumatoid Disease, General Hospital of Chengdu Military Region. They were assigned to the treatment group (45 cases) and the control group (45 cases) according to the random digit table produced by SPSS 11.5 Software. Patients in the treatment group were treated by heavy bitter-cold herbs plus SYD combined with MTX, while those in the control group were treated by MTX alone. Expressional levels of IL-1, IL-6, and IL-17 in serum were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) before treatment, at week 2 and 4 after treatment. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and disease activity score in 28 joints (DAS28) were detected as well.

RESULTSAfter two or four weeks of treatment, ESR, CRP, and DAS28 decreased more in the treatment group than in the control group with statistical difference (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). After four weeks of treatment, IL-1, IL-6, IL-17, ESR, CRP, and DAS28 in the treatment group were all lower than before treatment and those of the control group at corresponding time points with statistical difference (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSYD combined MTX could play roles of improving inflammatory indices within 2 weeks, and inhibiting the expression of IL-1, IL-6, and IL-17 within 4 weeks.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; blood ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Blood Sedimentation ; C-Reactive Protein ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Interleukin-1 ; blood ; Interleukin-17 ; blood ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Methotrexate ; therapeutic use ; Syndrome ; Treatment Outcome