Objective To investigate the effects of a microRNA family member , let-7e, on mono-cytic cell line THP-1 with regard to cell apoptosis and cytokine secretion and to analyze the possible mecha -nism.Methods THP-1 cells were transfected with mimic negative control (cy3) and observed with immu-nofluorescence microscopy for the evaluation of transfection rate .The expression of let-7e in THP-1 cells re-spectively transfected with let-7e mimic, mimic negative control, let-7e inhibitor and inhibitor negative con-trol were detected by qRT-PCR.MTT assay and flow cytometry analysis were used to detect the activities and apoptosis of transfected THP-1 cells.Western blot assay was performed to measure the expression of the genes encoding interferon alpha-inducible protein 6( IFI6 ) , enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH 2 ) and caspase -3 that were target genes of let-7e predicted by bioinformatics analysis .THP-1 cells were transfected with let-7e mimic and mimic negative control for 48 h and then stimulated with LPS for 2 h for further detec-tion.The supernatants of cell culture were collected for the detection of secreted cytokines by Human Cyto -kine Array.Results The monocytic THP-1 cells were transfected with mimic negative control with a trans-fection efficiency of about 75%.There were 8.551±0.365, 83.893±15.941, 38.858±2.743 and 0.594± 0.174, 2.427±1.229, 3.053±0.207 fold increases in let-7e expression after the transient transfection of THP-1 cells with let-7e mimic and let-7e inhibitor for 12 h, 24 h and 48 h, respectively.The transfection of let-7e mimic into THP-1 cells enhanced the cell activities and inhibited the apoptosis of the transfected cells . Bioinformatics analysis showed that let-7e bound to the genes encoding EZH 2, IFI6 and caspase-3 with the mirSVR scores of -0.1608,-0.5693 and-0.9423, suggesting them as the predicted target genes of let-7e. The expressions of IFI6, EZH2 and caspase-3 in let-7e mimic transfected THP-1 cells were decreased as in-dicated by Western blot assay .The results of Human Cytokine Array showed that the expression of LPS-in-duced cytokines including CD154, G-CSF, CD54, IL-13, IL-1RA and IL-23 were inhibited in let-7e mimic transfected THP-1 cells. Con clusion Let-7e had an anti-apoptosis effect on monocytic THP-1 cells and in-fluenced the secretion of LPS-induced cytokines in THP-1 cells.Let-7e might regulate the biological function of THP-1 cells through inhibiting the expression of target genes encoding caspase -3, IFI6 and EZH2.

OBJECTIVETo compare the difference in the clinical efficacy on type M prostatitis between the combined therapy of acupuncture and isolated-ginger moxibustion and tamsulosin.

METHODSOne hundred and ten patients of type III prostatitis were randomized into an acupuncture and moxibustion group and a tamsulosin group, 55 cases in each one. In the acupuncture and moxibustion group, acupuncture and isolated-ginger moxibustion were adopted. Two groups of acupoints were selected, named (1) Guanyuan (CV 4), Qugu (CV 2) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6); (2) Yaoyangguan (GV 3), Pangguangshu (BL 28) and Zhibian (BL 54). The two groups of points were used by acupuncture alternatively and only one group was selected a day. Isolated-ginger moxibustion was applied to Guanyuan (CV 4) and Zhibian (BL 54), once a day, 10 treatments made one session, and totally 3 sessions were required. In the tamsulosin group, tamsulosin was prescribed for oral administration, 0.2 mg, twice a day for 1 month. The National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) score and expressed prostatic secretion (EPS) score were observed in the patients of the two groups.

RESULTSNIH-CPSI and EPS scores after treatment were all reduced apparently as compared with those before treatment in the two groups (all P < 0.05). The improvements in the acupuncture and moxibustion group were more obvious than those in the tamsulosin group (all P < 0.05). In 3 months follow-up, NIH-CPSI score in the acupuncture and moxibustion group was reduced apparently as compared with the tamsulosin group (P < 0.05). The curative rate and total effective, rate were 20.0% (11/55) and 85.5% (47/55) in the acupuncture and moxibustion group, and were 3.6% (2/55) and 61.8% (34/55) in the tamsulosin group respectively (both P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe combined therapy of acupuncture and isolated-ginger moxibustion achieves the good effect of relieving the symptoms of type III prostatitis and recovery of EPS, better than those treated with tamsulosin. This combined therapy spresents the better long-term efficacy.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Ginger ; chemistry ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; Prostatitis ; therapy ; Young Adult

In order to develop characteristic folk medicine resources in Jiangxi, a pharmacognostical study was systematically performed for four different origin plants of Sikuaiwa, the result of study provides the microscopic features of powder and tissue of the crude drug. The research provided reference for the identification of Sikuaiwa, as well as a theoretical basis for the further development and the formulation of quality standards.
Magnoliopsida ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Medicine, Traditional ; Plants, Medicinal ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; growth & development

Objective To explore the culturing strategies,curiculum provision,courses conferring methods,teaching effects as well as the associated managerial evaluations on the basis of Sino-French cooperation on medical education with the hope of summarizing helpful suggestions to Sino-Foreign cooperation on medical education. Methods The achievements of our Sino-French cooperation on medical education were analyzed and compared in the teaching models,culturing strategies along with courses conferring processes among seven-year medical students from both English-teaching and French-teaching classes. Results Our Sino-French cooperation on medical education was featured in its distinct culturing purposes and effective teaching model.Its scientifically formulated culturing strategy found its full expression in French-teaching atmosphere.The Sino-French cooperation on medical education was consistently welcomed and favorably recommended by both faculties and students. Conclusion The Sino-French cooperation on medical education has not only gained precious experience in culturing the cutting-edge medical talents with the international visions but also conduced to fulfill the goal to establish a modernized and internationalized medical school.

The key point of study on CO2 removal by microalgae cultured in a photobioreactor is to improve CO2 removal capability. In this paper, a model of air-lift photobioreactor was developed by combination of conditions including the velocity of flow, the degree of mixing, the gas-liquid mass transfer and the rate of photosynthesis, and two corresponding simplified methods, such as time discretization and lumped parameters were put forward. Using a method of lumped parameters, the model for simulation of time course of DO, pH in the column air-lift photobioreactor and prediction of CO2, O2 concentrations in the outlet gas under different CO2 concentration in the aeration gas was thoroughly discussed. Experimental data were also used to verify the model which could potentially be applied to rational design of the photobioreactor, high-density culture of microalgae and efficient removal of CO2.
Bioreactors ; Carbon Dioxide ; isolation & purification ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Models, Theoretical ; Photosynthesis

In order to adapt to the requirements of the modern clinical laboratory to medical laboratory technology personnel operation ability,our hospital has modified professional microbiology experiment course to modular teaching from the traditional teaching mode.In the process of teaching experiment,the experiment course and clinical practice class are arranged,and the experiment course of microbiology is divided into five modules:basic skills,application,comprehensive training,extension,and clinical practice module.Basic skills module focuses on the foundation that students learn to observe the microbial morphology and master the basic operation technology,at the same time,cultivates the students' sterile ideas and biological safety;Application module pays attention to the detection of various types of bacteria,lets the student have as many times of trying as possible,battle-hardened;Comprehensive training module emphasizes students' ability of analyzing and resolving problems;Extension module guides students actively to make diffusing thinking and comprehensive analysis of problems;The final clinical practice module that combines theory and practice,further consolidates the basic operation skills,cultivates students' comprehensive ability,improves students' the independent working ability and professional thinking and habits.Five modules link up with each other closely and have progressive layers of the process.In sum,modular teaching motivates the students' interest in learning,solves the problem of students' insufficient operating ability,improves the teaching effect and provides a reform method for improving the quality of microbiological test experiment.

Objectives To summarize the characteristics,differential diagnosis and management of incomplete 17 alpha-hydroxylase/17,20-1yase deficiency(17 OHD)of Chinese patients.Methods Six cases of incomplete 17 OHD from Peking Union Medical College Hospital were studied retrospectively through analyzing their clinical data,and the molecular pathogenic mechanism was discussed after literature review.Results Four cases of 46,XX incomplete 17 OHD were reported.The clinical characteristics included female phenotype,various degrees of breast development and absent or sparse axillary/pubic hair, oligomenorrhea or secondary amenorrhea,recurrent luteinized ovarian cysts,hypogonadism with persistent hyperprogesteronemia or high serum 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone level,with or without hypokalemic hypertension.There were also 2 cases of 46,XY incomplete 17 OHD,in which ambiguous genitalia were present besides hypokalemic hypertension.Conclusions Incomplete 17 OHD is a very rare form of congenital enzymatic deficiencies of steroid synthesis,which should be included in the differential diagnosis when there are menstrual disorders,sexual infantilism,recurrent ovarian cysts or ambiguous genitalia.Under such circumstances,hyperprogesteronemia offers a valuable clue for further investigation.

The influence of separating effect of different chromatographic conditions of mouse gut flora by high performance ion exchange chromatography analysis was studied. The optimum chromatographic conditions for separating gut bacteria were determined. The sample was applied to the chromatography column packed with Toyopearl SuperQ-650c anion resin, equilibrated with 0.02mol/L piperazin-hydrochloric acid buffer (pH 8.0), and elution salt 1mol/L NaCl, eluted with the gradient of 0-50% NaCl/ 80 min, then 50%~75% NaCl/ 25 min at the flow rate 1ml/min, and injecting volume was 1ml.Under these conditions, intestinal flora were separated into several fractions. The establishment of HPLC analysis method will lay a foundation of further research on the components of mouse gut flora and their dynamic changes.

Objective:To search for a method for radical resection of pancreatic and duodenal malignancy involving the mesentery root and for the long post-operation survival of patients.Methods:From Jan.2004 to Aug.2006,a total of 26(16 male and 10 female. aged 27-70)patients with pancreatic and duodenal malignancy involving the mesentery root were treated in our department.The patients included 3 with duodenal malignancy and 23 with pancreatic malignancy.Curative resection was performed by the extended pancreaticoduodenetomy(Whipple procedure)combined with mesentery root resection(MRR)for all patients.The outcomes,safety and the post-operation survival rate were analyzed retrospectively.Results:Thirteen patients were treated with Whipple procedures combined with MRR,9 were treated with partial portal vein/superior mesenteric vein(PV/SMV)and reconstruction of the vessel,and 4 patients received pre-shunt between PV and SMV with artificial vessel graft before the extended Whipple and MRR procedures.The operation time was 2.5 to 7(4.4?1.1)hour,and blood loss was 300 to 5 000(1892?1414)ml with the blood transfusion of 0 to 5 600(2 100?1 586)ml.There was no death in our group and 7(27%)had post-operation complication.The post-operation hospital stay was 10 to 30 days.The pathologic examination showed negative surgical margins for all specimens.The tumor size was 4 to 10 (6.17?2.03)cm.After a follow-up of 9 to 38 months,the pain was relieved in all patients.One of the 3 patients with duodenal adenocarcinoma had liver metastasis at 10 months after operation,and the other 2 survived 10 months and 27 months without evidence of tumor reccurence.The patient with pancreatic micro-adenocarcinoma died of local reccurence 9 months after operation.The patient with neuroendocrine carcinoma died of organ failure 24 months after operation.The patient with lymphoma have survived for 24 months after operation.The 1-year and 2-year accumulated survival rates in the 20 cases with pancreatic ductal cancer were 86.6% and 45.6%. respectively.Conclusion:The extended Whipple procedure with MRR is safe and effective.It can obtain R0 resection in patients with malignant tumors(over 5 cm in diameter)in the head,neck and uncinate process of the pancreas and duodenal.

1.0?10~7 copies/mL. The HBsAg IHC staining positive cells could be observed in 6 placental tissues and 3 fetus' liver tissues,and HBcAg was also positive in 1 case of fetus' liver tissue.After co-incubating the tropho- blastic cells and HBV DNA positive serum in vitro,HBsAg expression and HBV DNA could be detected.Apoptosis of HBV-infected trophoblastic cells increased,which was demonstrated by in vivo and in vitro experiments and the apoptosis of placental cells was correlated with the cord blood HBV DNA level.The results of in vitro experiments showed that the apoptosis of trophoblastic cells increased with the elongation of infection time.After 6 months,1 of 12 newborns was positive for HBsAg,HBeAg and anti-HBc,6 was positive for anti-HBs.Conclusions The mechanism of HBV intra-uterine infection may be that HBV breaches the placental barrier and infects the fetus.The localization and replication of HBV in fetal tissues and organs are probably the important factors of chronic HBV infections in neonates.The apoptosis of trophoblastic cells may be the protective mecha- nism for the placental barrier to block the HBV intra-uterine transmission.