Background: The side effects of glucocorticoid in treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have been the focus of debate, and our preliminary study indicates that ginsenosides can enhance the efficacy of dexamethasone. Objective: To observe the effects of ginsenosides combined with prednisone in SLE patients. Design, setting, participants and interventions: A total of 60 SLE patients from Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, were randomly divided into treatment group and control group, with 30 patients in each group. Patients in the treatment group were given routine treatment with prednisone plus ginsenosides, while those in the control group were given routine treatment with prednisone plus placebo. They were all treated for 3 months. Main outcome measures: After three-month treatment, syndrome score in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), total response rate and symptom improvement rate were measured and evaluated. Results: Twenty-eight cases in treatment group and twenty-seven cases in control group were included in analysis. The total response rates in the treatment group and control group were 89.28% and 66.67% respectively, and there was a significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). After treatment, the TCM syndrome scores in the two groups were lower than those before treatment (P<0.01), and prednisone plus ginsenosides was better in decreasing the TCM syndrome score than prednisone plus placebo (P<0.05). The symptoms were improved in the treatment group as compared with the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Prednisone combined with ginsenosides can increase the clinical effective rate and improve the clinical symptoms of SLE patients.

Objective:To remove murine embryonic stem cells(mESC)from the differentiating cell culture and purify the differentiated cells by Magnetic Activated Cell Sorting(MACS).Methods:Neural differentiation of mESC was induced by a 5-stage method.The specific cell surface marker,SSEA-1,was used to identify ES cells in the differentiating cells.The optimal dilutions of mouse anti mouse SSEA-1 IgM primary antibody and FITC conjugated goat anti mouse secondary antibody were determined before the flow cytometry test.The incubation time and incubation temperature of primary antibody were all optimized to make the cytometry test accurate.After the optimization,stage 4 cells were dissociated into single cell suspension,incubated with antibody of SSEA-1 and microbeads conjugated goat anti mouse IgM,and then sorted through the magnetic field.The rate of SSEA-1 positive cells in pre-and post-separation groups was assessed by flow cytometry,and the viability of cells was evaluated by trypan blue staining counting under light microscopy.Results:The proportion of SSEA-1 positive cells in the separated cells can be reduced from(7.19?1.36)% to(1.34?0.80)%.The survival rate of sorted cells was more than 92%,similar to that of pre-separation cells.Conclusions:The MACS system we used can effectively remove mESC from the differentiated cells.The sorted cells will be well provided for the subsequent studies about transplantation therapy.

OTX1 gene is one of the pivotal transcriptional factors involved in the neurogenesis.In order to overexpress the OTX1 gene in distinct cell types and find out its contribution to the proliferation and differentiation of stem cells in vitro,OTX1 cDNA was subcloned into lentiviral vectors.The resulting constructions pDUETOTX1,pDUETGFPOTX1 and pDUETGFP were packaged in 293 cells producing viral particles to transduce 293T cells,SY5Y cells,mouse embryonic stem cells and E15 neural stem cells.It was proved that the transferred OTX1 gene was located in the nuclei of the transduced cells in stead of plasma.Lentivirus is an ideal vector delivering gene to different cells.The overexpression of OTX1 in transduced 293T cells were validated by Western blot and immunofluorescence.

Objective To investigate the effectiveness of problem-based learning in the biochemistry teaching in merging class of minority and Han students.Methods Totally 460 clinical medical students were divided into PBL group which contained 252 students and the traditional teaching group which involved 208 students,respectively.According to each team of seven to eight students,minority and Han students randomly arranged.Control group used classroom teaching mode,experimental group in addition to classroom lectures,had additional 12 hours of PBL teaching,but the theory classes for the two groups of students were taught by the same six teachers with rich teaching experience,and the teaching content and teaching material selection were also the same.At the end of the course,the learning outcomes were evaluated by using descriptive analysis and t test (α=0.05) based on the combination of theoretical examination,experimental practice and the questionnaire survey method.Results Compared with the traditional teaching group,the final scores were higher than those of PBL group (84.72 ± 6.99 and 80.34 ± 7.12,P＜0.05).There were also statistically significant between two groups according to different nationality(Minority:85.65 ± 5.27 and 79.70 ± 7.14;Han:83.91 ± 8.26 and 80.95 ± 7.08;P＜0.05),and interestingly the increased ratio of scores was higher in minority than that in Han.The questionnaire surveys indicated that the PBL teaching method could enhance professional and comprehensive qualities of students and more than 81.83％ students were satisfied with the new teaching mode.Conclusions The combination of tradition and PBL-based teaching methods improved the quality of biochemistry teaching of clinical medicine in merging class of minority and Han students in Xinjiang Medical University.

To assess the correlation between thyroid function and glucolipid metabolism in type 1 diabetic adults. A retrospective analysis was conducted in 230 type 1 diabetic adults who were hospitalized in the Department of Endocrinology of Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University from January 2008 to January 2020. It showed that thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH) was significantly positively correlated with total cholesterol (TC) ( r=0.239), triglycerides (TG) ( r=0.166) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) ( r=0.249), respectively (all P<0.05). Free triiodothyronine (FT 3) was significantly negatively correlated with fasting plasma glucose (FPG) ( r=-0.272), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) ( r=-0.240), TC ( r=-0.197) and LDL-C ( r=-0.220), respectively (all P<0.05). Free thyroxine (FT 4) was negatively correlated with TC ( r=-0.171) and LDL-C ( r=-0.170), respectively (all P<0.05). TC was an independent predictor of TSH, FT 3 and FT 4, FT 3 and FT 4 were independent predictors of HbA1c. TSH was an independent predictor of TC, TG and LDL-C. Thyroid function is closely related to glucolipid metabolism in type 1 diabetic adults.

Objective To investigate the predictive value of plasma cystatin C (CysC) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) after pereutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).Methods A total of 660 patients with ACS admitted to cardiovascular department were enrolled in this study from January 2009 to June 2010.The enrollment criteria were:(1) the stenosis degree was above 75％ in at least one coronary artery checked by coronary angiography and successful PCI; (2) normal renal function or mild dysfunction with glomerular filtration rate (GFR) ＞ 60 ml/ ( min · 1.73 m2 ).Exclusion criteria were severe liver and renal insufficiency,malignancies and valvular heart diseases.The plasma CysC levels were examined by the latex enhanced immune turbidity method within 24 hours after admission.The relevant clinical data were recorded.The patients were followed up by out-patient interview or telephone from March to June 2011 and adverse cardiovascular events were recorded.The patients were divided into four groups according to CysC level:Q1 (CysC＜1.02 mg/L),Q2 (1.02 mg/L≤＜CysC ＜1.17 mg/ L),Q3 (1.17 mg/L ≤ CysC ＜1.35 mg/L) and Q4 (CysC ≥ 1.35 mg/L).Univariate and multivariate Cox hazards regressions were established to analyze the factors related to prognosis.The proportion differences between four groups were tested by x2.The survival ratio was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method.Statistical significance was established at a P value of less than 0.05.Results ① A total of 606 ( 91.7％ ) patients successfully accepted follow-up.Mean follow-up time was ( 14.3 + 1.7 ) months.Of them,95 patients were subjected to adverse cardiovascular events ( 15.7％ ).②The incidences of adverse cardiovascular events in Q2,Q3,Q4 were significantly higher than those in Q1 ( P ＜ 0.001 ).The rates of mortality,nonfatal myocardial infarction and target lesion revascularization in Q4 were higher than those in Q1 ( P ＜ 0.05 ).The incidences of heart failure in Q3 and Q4 were higher than that in Q1 ( P ＜ 0.05 ).③Univariate analysis demonstrated that CysC,creatinine,LVEF,age,history of PCI and NYHA grade ≥3 were the risk factors of poor prognosis (P ＜ 0.05 ).④ Multivarite cox hazards regression revealed that the elevation of CysC level remained an independent predictor of adverse cardiovascular events.The relative risk of Q3 and Q4 were 3.930 (95％ CI 1.306-11.829,P =0.015 ) and 6.380 (95％ CI 2.171-18.751,P =0.001 ) compared with Q1.⑤　The cumulative rates of survival without adverse cardiovascular events in Q2,Q3 and Q4 decreased compared with Q1 (P ＜ 0.001 ).Conclusions High plasma CysC concentration is an independent predictor of adverse cardiovascular events in patients with ACS after PCI.

OBJECTIVEUsing high resolution melting (HRM) to analysis MDR1 C3435T in people exposed to benzene.

METHODSRestriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) was utilized to detect the polymorphism of MDR1 3435 in 121 benzene-exposed workers, and the results were compared with the HRM in 10% samples and were confirmed with direct sequencing for six people in them.

RESULTSBy direct sequencing, consistent results of benzene-exposed workers with RFLP or HRM were got. The new high resolution melting curve analysis is more efficient, more convenient, and cheaper than RFLP.

CONCLUSIONHigh-resolution melting analysis provides a valid approach to efficiently detect DNA genetic diagnosis, which is suitable for detect susceptible genes in occupational surveillance.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Sub-Family B ; ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; genetics ; Benzene ; Genotype ; Genotyping Techniques ; methods ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Occupational Exposure ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of MDR1 C3435T on the peripheral white blood cell counts in workers exposed to benzene.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty-one benzene-exposed workers and 110 healthy controls without benzene exposure were enrolled in this study. White blood cell counts influenced by the polymorphism of MDR1 gene were analyzed.

RESULTSThe frequency of MDR1 3435 C/C, C/T, T/T in healthy controls was 37.27%, 46.36%, 16.37%, respectively, and it was 38.84%, 41.33%, 19.83% in the benzene-exposed workers, respectively. The frequency of the MDR1 gene was also not significantly different between benzene exposed workers and controls. Subjects exposed to benzene with MDR1 3435 mutation genotype (T/T) had the significantly lower WBC [(5.46 ± 1.51) × 10(9)/L] than those carrying wild type (C/C) and heterozygous (C/T), whose WBC were (6.08 ± 1.28) × 10(9)/L (P = 0.044).

CONCLUSIONP-glycoprotein encoded by MDR1 gene may be implicated into the hematotoxicity of benzene. Subjects carrying MDR1 3435 T/T genotype may have a higher risk of benzene poisoning.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Sub-Family B ; ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; genetics ; Adult ; Benzene ; adverse effects ; Control Groups ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Leukocyte Count ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

OBJECTIVESThe investigation of the testicular volume, the penis length and the T, FSH, LH, PRL levels in serum were taken in 289 adolescent males to provide the valuable data for andrology.

METHODSThe adolescent males were grouped according to their age. The testicular volume was measured with testicular model and the T, FSH, LH, PRL levels in serum were determined by immunoenzymetric assay.

RESULTSThe male sexual development was rapid from age 11 to 16 and close to that of adult at age 18. Serum PRL of adolescent males was higher than that of adult males.

CONCLUSIONSThe age 11 to 16 is a period of rapid growth in sexual maturation. PRL may play an important role in sexual maturation.

Adolescent ; Body Height ; Body Weight ; Gonadal Steroid Hormones ; blood ; Humans ; Male ; Penis ; physiology ; Testis ; physiology

An expression plasmid carrying anthrax protective antigen (PA) gene was constructed, which has an OmpA signal sequence attached to the 5' end of PA gene. The plasmid was transformed into E. coli and induced to express recombinant PA (rPA) . The recombinant protein, about 10% of the total bacterial protein in volume, was secreted to the periplasmic space of the cell. After a purification procedure including ion-exchange, hydrophobic interaction chromatography, and gel filtration, about 15 mg of 95 % pure rPA was obtained from 1-liter culture. The bioactivity of rPA was proved by in vitro cytotoxicity assay. The polyclonal antiserum from rabbits immunized with rPA could inhibit the action of anthrax lethal toxin in vitro, which suggests that antibodies against rPA can provide high passive protection against anthrax. The results reported here may be helpful to develop a safe and efficacious recombinant PA vaccine against anthrax.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Anthrax Vaccines ; immunology ; Antigens, Bacterial ; chemistry ; genetics ; immunology ; toxicity ; Bacterial Toxins ; chemistry ; genetics ; immunology ; toxicity ; Base Sequence ; Mice ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Plasmids ; Rabbits ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; immunology ; Vaccines, Synthetic ; immunology