Animals ; Autophagy ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Cell Differentiation ; Cells, Cultured ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Neurons ; cytology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective To investigate the clinical features,treatment response and prognosis in children with Takayasu′s arteritis(TA) in order to improve the understanding of TA.Methods A retrospective study of 10 children with TA was performed.All of them were admitted and diagnosed in Peking University First Hospital from Jan.1998 to Oct.2008.The clinical features,laboratory tests,imaging modalities,treatment response and prognosis were all collected and evaluated.Results There were 3 boys and 7 girls in the 10 patients with TA,and the ratio of male to female was 12.3.The onset was from 4 months to 9 years old,with average age at 5.5 years old.The average duration of diagnosis was 7.6 months.The incidences of hypertension,vascular bruits,albuminuria,convulsion were present in 100%,100%,70% and 40%,respectively.The clinical types included typeⅡ(60%),type Ⅲ(10%) and type Ⅳ(30%).The acute phase inflammatory indices of activity such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR),C-reactive protein(CRP) and white blood cell(WBC) were not evidently increased.Tuberculosis infection was found in 6 out of 10 patients and anti-tuberculosis treatment was performed.Six patients were treated with steroids and 3 cases of them were also given immunosuppressives cyclophosphamide or methotrexate.Three of the 10 patients received anti-hypertensive and vasodilator.Two patients received percutaneous translurminal angioplasty and 1 patient received nephrectomy.One patient died of renal failure,heart failure and shock.Conclusions The patients with TA had high prevalence of tuberculosis infection,diagnosis as often late because of lack of specific clinical features at the acute inflammatory period.When organic ischaemia occurred,treatment response was usually unsatisfactory.Patients with multi-systemic and multi-viscera lesions should have comprehensive examination,especially for those with hypertension,pulseless and vascular bruits,in order to rule out TA.Early ultrasonography,computed tomography and magnetic resonnance image methods are valued in eariler diagnosis and they are the key factors to improve prognosis.

Objective To determine the genes in which exist overlapping ORF in Merlin strains of human cytomegalovirus, and to reveal their structure and functional characteristics. Methods We search for overlapping genes of ORF in HCMV Merlin strains' whole genome by Bioinformatics methods, analyzing coding sequence CDS and starting and ending sites of ORF, calculating the length of CDS and ORF, analyzing the molecular weight of encoding protein, overlapping length and coding direction of protein, identifying overlapping sequences and overlapping types, analyzing the expression phase of overlapping genes and the function of proteins. Results There were 39 overlapping ORF genes in HCMV Merlin strains, accounting for 23% of total genes. Among these 39 genes, there are 13 IE genes, 9 E genes and 17 L genes, which can be divided into 16 contigs. There are 11 contigs when two genes overlap, with 3 contigs in three genes overlapping, and 2 contigs in four genes overlapping. The functions of overlapping genes are widely. Conclusion We found that there are a lot of complex overlapping genes in HCMV Merlin strains, which are basis for further study of the transcription and translation mechanism of overlapping genes.

OBJECTIVETo establish an effective assay to access the effects of natural products on cathepsin K for screening antiosteoporosis drugs.

METHODSTo obtain the purified cathepsin K, we cloned the target fragment from the mRNA of human osteosacoma cell line MG63 and demonstrated its correctness through DNA sequencing. Cathepsin K was expressed in a high amount in E. coli after IPTG induction, and was purified to near homogenetity through resolution and column purification. The specificity of the protein was shown by Western blotting experiment. The biological activity of the components in the fermentation broth was assayed by their inhibitory effects on cathepsin K and its analog papain.

RESULTSWith the inhibition of papain activity as a screen index, the fermentation samples of one thousand strains of fungi were tested and 9 strains among them showed strong inhibitory effects. The crude products of the fermentation broth were tested for their specific inhibitory effects on the purified human cathepsin K, the product of fungi 2358 shows the highest specificity against cathepsin K.

CONCLUSIONSThe compounds isolated from fungi 2358 show the highest biological activity and are worth further structure elucidation and function characterization.

Biological Assay ; Blotting, Western ; Cathepsin K ; Cathepsins ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Cell Line ; Cloning, Molecular ; DNA, Complementary ; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical ; Escherichia coli ; enzymology ; genetics ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Osteoporosis ; drug therapy ; Papain ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid

Objective To explore the effect of L-carnosine on neuronal cell apoptosis in young rats with experimental febrile seizures(FS).Methods Forty 15-day SD rats were randomly divided into intervention group(n=30)and FS group(n=10).Warm water was used to induce 10 times FS.The intervention group was divided into E,G and H group,10 rats in each group.Intraperitoneal injection of L-carnosine(250 mg/kg)was separately given to the rats in E group,G group and H group respectively after 30,60 and 120 min of seizure.FS group were induced FS,but they were not given intervention.The rats were sacrificed at 12 hours after the last seizure.Neuronal cell apoptosis was determined by terminal eoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL)in situ cell death kit.TUNEL positive cells were stained and counted as apoptosis in hippocampus and cortex.Ultrastructural changes of apoptosis neurons were observed under the electron microscope.Results The neuronal cells apoptosis count was 25.37?1.95 in FS group,12.36?1.13 in E group,17.85?2.04 in G group,and 22.69?2.69 in H group.Neuronal apoptosis of FS group was apparently higher than that of interventional groups(F=10.75 P0.05).Under the electron microscope,neuronal damage on hippocampal CA1 area and dentate gyrus of FS group and H group was obviously higher than that of E group.Conclusions Early injection of L-carnosine would not only relieve neuronal apoptosis of repeated FS,but also play a role in the protection of neuronal cells.

0.05).Conclusions Early injection of L-carnosine would not only improve cerebral oxidative phosphorylation,relieve neuronal injury of repeated FS,but play a role in the protection of neuronal cells.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of voriconazole tablets combined with caspofungin injection in the treatment of hematological disease with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis.Methods A total of 100 patients of hematologic disease with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis were randomly divided into control group and treatment group with 50 cases per group.Control group was given amphotericin B,the first dose was 5 mg,the maximum dose of 25 mg at a speed of 5 mg · d-1,and then the dose of 25 mg · d-1 for 10 days,qd,intravenous drip,which was treated for 15 d.Treatment group was given caspofungin,the first dose of 70 mg,adjusted to 50 mg,qd,intravenous drip + voriconazole,the first day of 6 mg · kg-1,the second day adjusted to 4 mg · kg-1,bid,orally,which was treated for 15-28 d (treatment to full effect).The clinical efficacy and adverse drug reactions were compared between two groups.Results After treatment,the main indexes in treatment and control groups were compared:the total effective rates were 88.00％ (44/50 cases) and 68.00％ (34/50 cases),the total effective rates with empirical treatment were 92.31％ (24/26 cases) and 81.48 ％ (22/27 cases),the total effective rates with proactive treatment were 83.33％ (20/24 cases) and 52.17％ (12/23 cases),the differences were statistically significant (all P ＜ 0.05).The adverse drug reactions in treatment group were based on nervous system damage and liver and kidney dysfunction,which in control group were based on nervous system damage,peripheral edema,liver and kidney dysfunction and visual abnormalities.The incidences of adverse drug reactions in treatment and control groups were 4.00％ and 14.00％ with significant difference (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Voriconazole tablet combined with caspofungin injection has definitive clinical efficacy and safety in the treatment of hematological disease with invasive pulmonary aspergillosiss.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the effects to iron status who were given preventive iron supplements for two months from when they were breast-fed to four-month-old.

METHODSA total of 123 infants in four-month-old age who were breast-fed were randomly divided into iron supplementation group (63 cases) and control group (60 cases), iron supplementation group was supplied with low-dose iron (1 mg×kg⁻¹×d⁻¹) for two months with no intervention for control group. Blood samples were collected to test C reactive protein and iron status indicators in six-month-old age group infants, and the growth indices were measured and compared on the gender difference of iron status at and 6 months.

RESULTSAfter 2 months of low-dose iron supplementation, the hemoglobin of iron supplementation group (26 cases) increased about 5.5 g/L while the control group (34 cases) increases about 0.0 g/L (median), 95% confidence intervals were -7.0 - 13.0 g/L and -9.0 - 15.0 g/L, respectively. The hemoglobin increase of iron supplementation group was higher than the control group, the difference was statistically significant (u = -2.326, P < 0.05). The other iron nutritional status and the growth did not show any significant difference between iron supplementation group and control group (P > 0.05). At age 6 month, the MCV of the boys were (75.89 ± 3.34) fl, while the girls were (77.20 ± 3.17) fl. The boys had lower values of MCV than the girls, and the gender difference was statistically significant (t = 4.73, P < 0.05). The other iron nutritional status did not show any significant gender difference (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONLow-dose iron supplementation of breast-fed infants at 4-month-old can increase the hemoglobin level when they were 6-month-old, and had no measurable side effect on growth.

Anemia, Iron-Deficiency ; prevention & control ; Breast Feeding ; Dietary Supplements ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Iron, Dietary ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Nutritional Status

OBJECTIVETo observe whether Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction (XZD) could induce the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into cardiac myoid cells, thus seeking for safe and effective inducers.

METHODSThe serum pharmacological method was used to induce. XZD containing serum was prepared. MSCs were isolated and cultured. The serum cytotoxicity was detected by MTT. The third generation of favorably grown cells was selected in this experiment. Cells were divided into three groups, i.e., the vehicle control group, the XZD containing serum induced group, and the 5-azacytidine induced group. Expressions of Desmin and alpha-actin were detected by immunocytochemical staining method.

RESULTSBefore induction protein expressions of Desmin and alpha-actin were negative, and few was weakly positive. There was no statistical difference in the weak positive expression rate among the 3 groups (P > 0.05). After induction protein expressions of Desmin and alpha-actin were negative, and few was weakly positive in the vehicle control group. Protein expressions of Desmin and alpha-actin were positive in the XZC containing serum induced group and the 5-azacytidine induced group. There was statistical difference in the positive expression rate when compared with the vehicle control group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSXZD played a role in in vitro inducing differentiation MSCs to cardiac myoid cells. It might participate in expressions of Desmin and alpha-actin.

Actins ; metabolism ; Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Desmin ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Serum

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of Siwu decoction on protein expression of blood deficiency mice induced by cyclophosphamide (CIX) and discuss the possible molecular mechanism on blood enriching function of Siwu decoction.

METHODBlood deficiency mice were established by injecting ip with 250 mg x kg(-1) CTX. Proteomic technologies were applied to identify the different protein.

RESULTSiwu decoction could restore the changes of 12 up-regulated and 3 down-regulated proteins in bone marrow of blood deficiency mice induced by cyclosphosphamide.

CONCLUSIONSiwu decoction could effect expression of proteins which functions including apoptosis, proliferation and differentiation of the haematopoietic stem/progenitor cell. The regulation in the molecular level might be the mechanism of stimulating hematopoiesis in bone marrow fo siwu decocetion.

Actin Depolymerizing Factors ; metabolism ; Anemia ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; pathology ; Animals ; Annexin A1 ; metabolism ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Carbonic Anhydrases ; metabolism ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cyclophosphamide ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Fatigue ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; metabolism ; pathology ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Peroxidases ; metabolism ; Peroxiredoxins ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Proteome ; metabolism ; Proteomics ; methods