Objective To observe the effect of interferon (IFN) λ1 on the function of peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) derived dendritic cells (DC) in adolescents with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.Methods A total of 34 adolescent patients with chronic HBV infection including 16 cases in immune clearance phase and 18 cases in immune tolerant phase,and 10 healthy youths were enrolled in the study.PBMC from all samples were isolated and then cultured according to the following 3 groups.IFN-λ1 group:cultured with IFN-λ1 only; normal group:cultured with recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF) and recombinant human interleukin-4 (rhIL-4); combination group:cultured with IFN-λ1,rhGM-CSF and rhIL-4.The shape of DC was observed and the phenotypic patterns of CD83,CD80,CD86 and human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-DR were characterized by flow cytometry.The levels of interleukin 12 (IL-12) and IFN-γ in the supernatant produced by DC were analyzed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Independent-samples t test was used to compare means between two groups and one-way ANOVA was used to compare means among multiple groups.Results In the IFN-λ1 group,the shape of adherent cells showed no change after 7 days of culture.In the normal group and combination group,typical morphology of mature state DC was observed.The expressions of phenotypic patterns of CD83,CD80,CD86 and HLA-DR in DC from immune tolerant phase patients were lower than those from healthy control youths and immune clearance phase patients (F=14.82-46.32,all P＜0.01).Co-stimuation of IFN-λ1 with rhGM-CSF and rhIL-4 up-regulated the expressions of phenotypic patterns on DC.Among patients both in immune tolerant phase and immune clearance phase,the expressions of CD83,CD80,CD86 and HLA-DR in the combination group were higher than those in normal group (t=3.16-5.69,all P＜0.01).In the normal group,the levels of IL-12 and IFN-γ in culture supernatants from healthy aldolescents were (287.25 ± 19.78) pg/mL and (56.38 ± 15.27)pg/mL,respectively; those from patients in immune tolerant phase were (198.42±22.28) pg/mL and (29.36±8.45) pg/mL,respectively; those from patients in immune clearance phase were (256.12±18.43) pg/mL and (38.38±9.72) pg/mL,respectively (F=69.22 for IL-12,F=20.29 for IFN-γ,both P＜0.01).IFN-λ1 combined with rhGM-CSF and rhIL-4 significantly up-regulated the secretion of IL-12 and IFN-γ by matured DC from patients both in immune tolerant phase and immune clearance phase (t=4.69-8.55,all P＜0.01).Conclusions In adolescent patients with chronic HBV infection,the DC function is markedly impaired in those in immune tolerant phase,compared with patients in immune clearance phase and healthy youths.IFN-λ1 can promote the maturation and phenotypic pattern expression of PBMC derived DC in adolescents with chronic HBV infection both in immune tolerant phase and immune clearance phase.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation for peripheral lung cancer. Methods Seventeen patients with peripheral lung cancer (23 nodules) were treated with ultrasound-guided microwave ablation. The microwave energy was initially set at 60 W for 100s, and then at 30~40 W for 300~600 s. The treatment was conducted by using multiple simultaneously-powered antennas in lesions ≥3 cm in diameter. Results After the treatment, all the nodules were decreased in size and the blood flow signals inside the nodule disappeared (14 nodules) or weakened (9 nodules). Enhanced CT scanning revealed no enhancement in 16 nodules and partial enhancement in 7. Repeated biopsy in 4 patients showed a complete tumor necrosis. Clinical symptoms disappeared in 8 patients and subsided in 9 patients 1 month after treatment. Follow-up observations in 15 patients for 6~47 months (mean, 23 months) showed 9 survivors, without serious complications. Conclusions Ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation is an effective, safe, and feasible method for treating peripheral lung cancer.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the distribution characteristics of hirsutism and the law of meridian differentiation in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

METHODSFor the patients of PCOS, the modified Ferriman-Gallwey score (mF-G score) was adopted to evaluate the hirsutism distribution. The clementine data mining software was used to analyze the distribution region of hirsutism and the correlation with meridian.

RESULTSA total of 141 patients of PCOS participated in the study. The most common regions of hirsutism were in the upper lip (50.35%) and the lower abdomen (34.04%). The higher frequencies of hirsutism at two regions were at the upper lip and lower abdomen (24.82%), the upper lip and chest (12.06%) and the upper lip and thigh (11.35%). In the analysis on the correlation of the upper lip, lower abdomen and chest with other regions, hirsutism was more common in the nearby regions. In reference to the running course of meridian, the frequencies of hirsutism from high to low were the conception vessel (63.12%), the thoroughfare vessel (61.70%), the liver meridian of foot-(58.16%) and the stomach meridian of foot-(57.45%). According to:-, the high incidence of hirsutism (59.57%） resulted from the change ofand blood inmeridian. .

CONCLUSIONBlood plays the important role in the growth of body hair. Regarding theattribution, the incidence of hirsutism at theregions is higher than theregions. The occurrence of hirsutism is closely related toand blood changes in meridians. The conception vessel, the thoroughfare vessel, the liver meridian of foot-andmeridian act highly on the disease.

Objective For selecting and developing the excellent Bupleurum chinense to mass-produce seedlings and seeds in high quality.Methods B.chinense was picked from eight different areas,such as Lingchuan and Wanrong county in Shanxi Province,Longxi county in Gansu Province,and Shangluo in Shaanxi Province,etc.Rapid propagation was done.The testa of Zhongchai No.1 was scrapped or seeds were soaked in different phytohormones.The effects on germination rates of seeds were compared.ResultsThe optimum medium for bud propagation was B5supplemented with 1.0 mg/L 6-BA and 0.2 mg/L KT.The optimum medium for root induction of test-tube plantlets was 1/2 MS added with 0.1 mg/L NAA,0.5 mg/L IBA,and 1.0 mg/L DSC.The annual propagation coefficient of B.chinense plants was more than 1?108,and the survival rate of transplantation reached to 94%—97%.The phytohormone has little effect on seed germination of B.chinense,but scraping the testa could increase the germination percentage of seeds to 20% and shorten the germinating time greatly.Conclusion By tissue culture of excellent B.chinense,a great deal of plants and seeds could be produced in short time.By scrapping testa in a certain extent,the germination of seeds could be increased.

One hundred patients with acute ischemic stroke were enrolled in the study as the trial group, and 20 healthy individuals as control group. Intima-media thickness and plaque of the carotis were detected by carotid ultrasonography, cerebral infarction was detected by CT/MRI, and serum concentrations of sCD40L were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Neurologie impairment score was evaluated in all patients. The results showed that in patients with acute ischemic stroke the serum concentrations of sCD40L in plaques group were significantly higher than those in no plaque group. The levels of serum sCD40L of infarction group (diameter>1.5 cm) were higher than those of lacunar infarction group ( diameter<1.5 cm ) and temporary ischemic attack ( TIA ) group. The levels of serum sD40L in trial group were all higher than those in control group. In the trial group, serum concentrations of sCD40L were correlated with neurologic impairment score. The results indicate that CD40/CD40L signaling pathway may be involved in the carotid atherosclerosis formation and the rupture of plaques, and the increase of serum CD40L levels might be a risk factor for acute ischemic cerebrovascular diseases.

Objective To screen fosfomycin-resistant genes in the clinical isolates of Enterococcus faecium Efm-HS0661 and verify their functions. MethodsAntimicrobial susceptibility and conjugation experiments were carried out to determine if the antimicrobial resistance in clinical strain was transferable.By Solexa high-throughput sequencing,the genes conferring fosfomycin resistance were screened. The function of resistance gene was identified by cloning.ResultsThe clinical isolates of Enterococcus faecium Efm-HS0661 were resistant to glycopeptide antibiotics and fosfomycin, and the fosfomycin resistance was found to be transferred by conjugation. Within the 2414 bp nucleotide sequence obtained by high-throughput sequencing, fosB, a plasmid-mediated fosfomycin resistance gene was found. The fosB gene was 420 bp in length, which shared 99. 8％ amino acid identity with other fosB from Staphylococcus spp. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of DH5α transformant containing fosB gene against fosfomycin was higher than that of DHSa transformant without fosB gene. ConclusionsThe high-throughput sequencing can be used to screen unknown resistance genes in clinical isolates. The plasmidmediated resistance gene fosB can confer fosfomycin resistance in Enterococcus faecium.

AIM: To explore the effects of sodium ferulate (SF) on function of macrophages in colonic tissue of the colitis rats in vivo. METHODS: The immunological colitis model of rats was produced. SF was used intracolonically for 21 days. The contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E_2 (PGE_2) and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), interleukin-1 (IL-1), TNF-?, myelopexoxidase (MPO), and the expression level of NF-?B p65 in colonic tissue of the rats were detected. RESULTS: SF (200,400,800 mg/kg) decreased the elevated contents of MDA, NO, PGE_2, the activity of IL-1, TNF-?, MPO, and the expression level of NF-?B p65, while increased the reduced activity of SOD in colonic tissue of the colitis rats in a dose-depended manner. CONCLUSION: SF restrained the activity of activated colonic macrophages and relieved the colonic inflammation reaction in vivo in colitis rats, which may be related to the suppression of NF-?B activation. [

OBJECTIVETo discuss the therapeutic effects of electroacupuncture on benign prostatic hyperplasia and the impacts on hormone levels in the patients.

METHODSSixty patients were randomized into an electroacupuncture group and a medication group, 30 cases in each one. In the electroacupuncture group, electroacupuncture was applied to Zhongji (CV 3) and Qugu (CV 2), once a day, 5 times a week. In the medication group, tamsulosin hydrochloride sustained-release capsules were prescribed for oral administration, 0.2 mg, once a day. The duration of treatment was 6 weeks in both of the two groups. The changes in serum testosterone (T), estradiol (E) and E/T, the international prostate symptom score (IPSS) and its erectile function score (ⅡEF5) and serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) as well as the adverse reactions were observed before and after treatment in the two groups. The clinical therapeutic effects were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSBefore and after treatment, the differences in serum T, Eand E/T were not significant in the electroacupuncture group (all>0.05); the difference in E/T was significant in the medication group (<0.05). The differences in serum T, Eand E/T were not significant between the two groups (all>0.05). IPSS was reduced as compared with that before treatment in the electroacupuncture group (<0.05) and was not different significantly as compared with that before treatment in the medication group (>0.05). The difference was significant in comparison of the two groups after treatment (<0.05), and the electroacupuncture group was better. After treatment, the symptom severity was reduced apparently in the electroacupuncture group and the overall situation was better than that in the medication group (<0.05). ⅡEF5 score and PSA were not different significantly before and after treatment in the two groups and between the two groups (all>0.05). The total effective rate was 60.7% (17/28) in the electroacupuncture group, apparently better than 30.8% (8/26,<0.05) in the the medication group.

CONCLUSIONSElectroacupucnture at Zhongji (CV 3) and Qugu (CV 2) apparently relieves the symptoms in the patients and the therapeutic effects are better than the oral administration of tamsulosin hydrochloride sustained-release capsules, but electroacupuncture has not apparent impacts on serum T and Elevels.

OBJECTIVETo probe into the establishing method and the evaluating system for rat model of ischemic stroke with qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome (QDBS).

METHODSA rat model of ischemic stroke of QDBS was established by continual exhaustive swimming followed with middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), and evaluated by analyzing the changes of exterior signs, tongue figure, hemorrheologic characters and brain histomorphology in the model rats.

RESULTSThe model rats showed a state of QDBS in the course of continual exhaustive swimming, such as slower weight gain, postponed food intake, darker tongue and longer sublingual veins; and presented the characteristics of cerebral ischemia with QDBS syndrome after MCAO, they were inactive, weak, and hemiplegic, with dark purple tongue and longer blue sublingual veins. Moreover, hemorrheologic examinations showed blood hyperviscosity and high platelet aggregation rate, and histomorphologic examinations showed a special figure of ischemic changes.

CONCLUSIONContinual exhausting swimming followed by MCAO is a method for establishing a rat model of ischemic stroke with QDBS syndrome, and its evaluating system could be constituted by multiple criteria, including exterior signs, tongue figure, hemorrheologic and histomorphologic indexes, etc.

Animals ; Brain Ischemia ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Disease Models, Animal ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Qi ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Stroke ; Yang Deficiency

The pathogenesis and treatments based on meridian differentiation of senile dementia are discussed through analyses and researches on the theory of "cerebral collaterals injury by toxins" and "collateral diseases". The symptoms of "Cerebral collaterals injury by toxins" are preliminary characterized by toxins and blood stasis occluding brain collaterals. "Cerebral collateral injury by toxins" and "Governor Vessel occlusion by blood stasis" are taken as the major pathogeneses of senile dementia. And the treatment should be focused on clearing the collaterals. Clearance acting as reinforcing as well as to clear and modify the Governor Vessel are taken as crucial sections in the treatment of senile dementia based on meridian differentiation. It is also the application of acupuncture-moxibustion intervention in senile dementia based on the theory of "cerebral collateral injury by toxins", which expands the application of the theory concerning "collateral diseases" in disease prevention and treatment with acupuncture-moxibustion.
Acupuncture Therapy ; Alzheimer Disease ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; therapy ; Brain ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Meridians ; Toxins, Biological ; metabolism ; pharmacology