Objective To observe the effects of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) on the activation of monocytes induced by high glucose and explore the underlying mechanism.Methods The monocyte cell line THP-1 was stimulated with high glucose,and then treated with molecular chaperone betaine.The levels of glucose regulation protein 78 (GRP78) and p-JNK,which were associated with ERS were detected by real-time PCR and Western blotting.The proliferation of the cell line was detected by MTT method.Transwell and immunofluorescence were applied to observe the chemotaxis and phenotype of cells respectively.Results The levels of GRP78 and p-JNK of THP-1 cells stimulated by high glucose were significantly increased compared with the normal control group (all P ＜ 0.05).The proliferation and chemotactic were also enhanced (all P ＜ 0.05).The number of cells in M1 phenotype was increased remarkably (P ＜ 0.05).All the indexes above could be rescued by betaine.Conclusion The activation of THP-1 cells can be induced by high glucose through ERS,while molecular chaperone betaine can reverse the activation.

Objective To analyze the clinical and pathological characteristics of 35 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with bile duct tumor thrombi (BDTT),and to investigate the expressions of CD133,CD90,EpCAM,CK19,VEGF,and C-kit in the tumor tissues.Methods 35 HCC patients with BDTT out of 943 HCC patients who underwent surgical treatment were studied.The expressions of biomarkers in tissue specimens were determined by immunohistochemistry.35 HCC patients without BDTT were selected using the method of stratified sampling as a control group.Results In 19 of 35 patients,the diameters of the primary tumor were less than 5 cm (range 0 ～ 17 cm,average 6.9 ± 0.7 cm).When compared to the control group,most of the primary tumors were moderately to lowly differentiated (33/35,94％ vs 18/ 35,51％),had incomplete capsules (18/35,51％ vs 3/35,8％) and micro vascular invasion (29/35,83％ vs 7/35,20％).The positive expression rates of CD90,EpCAM,CK19,VEGF,CD133,and C-kit in the group of patients with HCC with BDTT and in the control group were 82.9％,77.1％,71.4％,85.7％,80.0％,80.0％ and 57.1％,54.3％,34.3％,65.7％,54.3％,51.4％,respectively.The 1-,2-,3-year postoperative survival rates of the HCC patients with BDTT were 69％,37％,20％ respectively which were worse than the HCC patients without BDTT (1-,2-,3-year postoperative survival rates were 88％,72％,62％ respectively,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The prognosis of HCC patients with BDTT was worse than HCC patients without BDTT.The expressions of liver stem cell biomarkers in the tumor specimens of the group of HCC patients with BDTT were higher than the control group.These findings prompt that this kind of HCC originate from liver stem ceils.

Objective To provide effective reference for quality analysis of the chemical composition and extraction of astragalus separation process by comparing the extract of astragalus and it’s IR spectra. Methods The saponins and flavonoids in astragalus were firstly extracted by the method of circumfluence with ethanol as solvent and the residue of ethanol-extraction was then used to extract polysaccharides by distilled water. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (IR) combined with second derivative infrared spectroscopy was applied to quickly identify astragalus herbs powder, water extraction of astragalus, astragalus alcohol extraction and water extraction of the residue of ethanol-extraction. Results The powder and 70% ethanol extract, 80% ethanol extract were around at 1 735 cm-1 (carbonyl stretching vibration absorption peak) has a weak, broad absorption, while the absorption peak was less obvious in boiling water extraction. So the maln components of astragalus water extraction are polysaccharides and also contaln a small amount of water-insoluble flavonoids. Alcohol extraction malnly contalns saponins and flavonoids, and flavonoid extract volume increases with increasing alcohol concentration in a certaln range.Conclusion This method can be a quick and easy identification for astragalus and it’s extraction for its chemical composition class, and provide the basis for further research quality.

OBJECTIVETo study the tear film function of patients with type 2 diabetes and to investigate the risk factors of dry eye in these patients.

METHODSTotally 111 patients with type 2 diabetes and 100 age- and sex-matched control subjects were studied. Tear film function was evaluated by dry eye syndrome, tear breaking up time (BUT), corneal fluorescein staining, Schirmer I test (SIt), and tear film lipid layer observation with tear scope. Dye eye score was calculated with the results of these tests.

RESULTSWhen compared with the controls, patients with type 2 diabetes showed higher dry eye score (diabetics 3.28 +/- 1.56, control 2.31 +/- 1.50, P < 0.01) and faster BUT [diabetics (6.50 +/- 4.84) s, control (12.26 +/- 7.16) s, P < 0.01], but similar SIt [diabetics (10.61 +/- 6.86) s, control (10.92 +/- 7.05) s, P > 0.05]. More diabetic patients were diagnosed as dry eye(diabetics 19.8%, control 8.0%, P < 0.05). According to their retinopathy, the diabetic patients were divided into three groups: without diabetic retinopathy (DR), with background DR, and with proliferative DR. For these three groups, the dry eye scores were 2.95 +/- 1.50, 3.38 +/- 1.48 and 4.11 +/- 1.60, respectively (P < 0.01); the SIt were (10.95 +/- 6.89) mm, (11.71 +/- 7.30) mm and (7.63 +/- 5.20) mm, respectively (P > 0.05); the BUT were (7.53 +/- 5.23) s, (5.88 +/- 4.10) s and (4.47 +/- 4.17) s (P < 0.05). Patients with DR were then devided into two groups: with photocoagulation and without photocoagulation. For these two groups, the dry eye scores were 4.71 +/- 1.14 and 3.26 +/- 1.15, respectively (P < 0.01); the BUT were (2.93 +/- 2.06) s and (6.26 +/- 4.36) s, respectively (P < 0.01); the SIt were (7.21 +/- 6.51) mm and (11.33 +/- 6.73) mm, respectively (P < 0.05); the rates of corneal fluorescein staining were 50.0% and 17.9%, respectively (P < 0.05). Dry eye score had a good correlation with diabetic retinopathy and photocoagulation (P < 0.01), but was poorly correlaed with age, gender, insulin, duration of diabetes mellitus, and metabolic control (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSPatients with type 2 diabetes tend to develop tear film dysfunction. The disorders of tear film quantity and quality seem relevant to the stage of diabetic retinopathy and photocoagulation.

Adult ; Aged ; Cornea ; physiopathology ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; complications ; physiopathology ; Diabetic Retinopathy ; complications ; physiopathology ; Dry Eye Syndromes ; complications ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Light Coagulation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tears ; secretion

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effectiveness of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for myopia after 2 year follow-up.

METHODSLASIK surgery was performed for 95 eyes (49 cases) with refractive dioptres (from -1.00 to -16.50 D), and then followed up for more than 2 years. The preoperative spherical equivalent was -1.00(-)-16.50 (-6.73 +/- 2.02) D. Patients were divided into two groups including group I with mild to moderate myopia (< or = -6.00 D) and Group II with severe myopia (more than -6.00 D).

RESULTSIn group I, uncorrected visual acuity more than and equivalent to 1.0 was in 40 eyes (93.02%), more than and equivalent to 0.8 in 43 eyes (100%). In group II, uncorrected visual acuity larger than and same as 1.0 was in 37 eyes (71.15%), larger than and same as 0.8 in 45 eyes (86.54%), larger than and same as 0.5 in 50 eyes (96.15%), and less than 0.5 in 2 eyes (3.85%). The mean spherical equivalent changed from (-4.14 +/- 0.86) D to (-0.04 +/- 0.14) D in group I and from (-9.00 +/- 1.64) D to (-0.08 +/- 0.20) D in group II. Significant difference was seen in these two groups (P < 0.001). The keratometric powers (K) were reduced from (44.31 +/- 0.78) to (40.11 +/- 1.23) and from (45.46 +/- 1.00) to (38.01 +/- 1.73) respectively, which showed significant difference (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONThe effectiveness of LASIK for mild to moderate myopia or severe myopia is promising and safe.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ ; Male ; Myopia ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Visual Acuity

OBJECTIVETo observe effects of combination of different points on glucose metabolism in the patient of cerebral infarction.

METHODSNeiguan (PC 6), Shuigou (GV 26), Fengchi (GB 20), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Yinlingquan (SP 9), Taichong (LR 3) were selected for the Xingnao Kaiqiao group (n =7), and Hegu (LI 4), Quchi (LI 11), Zusanli (ST 36), Yanglingquan (GB 34) and Xuanzhong (GB 39) for the routine acupuncture group (n = 5). PET-CT was used to observe the local cerebral glucose metabolism.

RESULTSThe cerebral regions activated in the the Xingnao Kaiqiao group included infarction center, gyrus temporalis superior, thalamus, gyrus temporalis inferior, gyrus rectus, insula, lateral occipital lobe, parietal lobe and cerebellum, and in the routine acupuncture group included gyrus frontalis inferior, caudate nucleus, cingulated gyrus, hippocampus, precuneus and parietal lobe.

CONCLUSIONPET is very suitable for exploring acupuncture mechanisms in treatment of cerebral infarction, and further shows the specificity of acupoints-brain functional region.

Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Brain ; metabolism ; Cerebral Infarction ; metabolism ; therapy ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Glucose ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Positron-Emission Tomography

Nanocavity biomaterials with recognition specificity imprinted by using proteins as templates may successful serve as substitutes for antibodies, enzymes, and other native biological structures as well as cell bracket materials. It has numerous applications in biotechnology, medicine and so on. In this paper, the principle of template imprinting is introduced briefly, the specialty of template imprinting of proteins is analyzed, and the methods of template imprinting of proteins including protein entrapment, microbead surface imprinting, flat surface imprinting as well as the epitope are reviewed in details.
Animals ; Biocompatible Materials ; chemical synthesis ; Biotechnology ; Genomic Imprinting ; Humans ; Macromolecular Substances ; Nanotechnology ; Peptides ; chemical synthesis ; Polymers ; Proteins ; chemical synthesis ; Templates, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo uncover the transmission patterns of the HIV epidemic in Dehong prefecture.

METHODSThe reviewed case reports, data of sentinel surveillance, testing and special survey were analyzed by SAS 8.0 program. The transmission patterns were modeled by utilizing data including sizes of the whole population and the high risk groups, high risk behavior data from 1989 to 2007, and the population index such as sex ratio and fertility rate.

RESULTSIn 2005, case reports showed the proportion of people infected with HIV through sexual contact was 39.1%, and 46.9% in 2006. Among 1636 cases reported between January 1 to September 20, 2007, the proportion of people infected with HIV through sexual contact was 52%. From 1989 to 2007, the proportion of HIV infection among drug users was declining, while HIV infection through sexual contact was rising after standardizing the population tested/surveyed. The Asian Epidemic Model has shown that the proportions of incident HIV infections through sexual transmissions were 50.6%, 52.3% and 52.7% respectively from 2005 to 2007. Correspondingly, the proportions of incident cases by injecting drug user were 48.9%, 47.2% and 46.7% respectively during this period. Moreover, the Workbook method has shown that, among adults living with HIV in 2007, 50.3% were infected through injecting drugs and 48.4% through unsafe sexual activity.

CONCLUSIONThe rapid rise in HIV infections through injecting drug in Dehong prefecture has been initially curbed. HIV epidemic has already witnessed a change from predominantly through drug injecting-related activity to an almost equally fuelled epidemic by sexual and drug-related transmission.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; epidemiology ; transmission ; China ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Models, Statistical ; Risk Factors ; Social Problems

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the static and dynamic contrast sensitivity changes in myopic patients before and after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).

METHODSSeventy-three eyes in 37 patients with myopia (with or without astigmatism) who received LASIK were tested for static and dynamic contrast sensitivities using the METRO VISION MON ELEC I system at 0.7, 1.4, 2.7, 5.5, 11, and 22 cpd and cps prior to LASIK, and at one-, three-, and six-month intervals after LASIK.

RESULTSAll eyes gained naked visual acuity of more than 0.5 after LASIK. The contrast sensitivity was depressed at all frequencies 1 month after LASIK, as compared to one week prior to LASIK. The depression at 2.7, 5.5, 11 (P < 0.01) and 22 cpd (P < 0.05) was statistically significant for static contrast sensitivity, and also at 5.5 (P < 0.01) and 11 cps (P < 0.05) for dynamic contrast sensitivity. Myopic eyes between 6.25 D and 14.0 D, and astigmatic eyes 2 DC and more, suffered more static and dynamic contrast sensitivity depression than the myopic eyes between 1.25 D and 6.00 D and astigmatic eyes less than 2 DC. Contrast sensitivities were improved and exceeded preoperative levels 3 months after LASIK, and improved even more 6 months after LASIK. All sequences were statistically significant for static contrast sensitivity (P < 0.01), while only 2.7, 5.5, and 11 cps were statistically significant for dynamic contrast sensitivity (P < 0.01). The astigmatic eyes 2 DC and more showed less improvement, even below the preoperative level at 1.4 cps of dynamic contrast sensitivity.

CONCLUSIONSWhile temporary depression of contrast sensitivity for myopic eyes after LASIK was seen, contrast sensitivity soon returned to exceed preoperative levels at 3 months after LASIK, while improving even more 6 months after LASIK.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Astigmatism ; surgery ; Contrast Sensitivity ; Cornea ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ ; Male ; Myopia ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Visual Acuity

This study was purposed to explore the changes of possible angiogenetic factors other than VEGF after inhibition of NHE1 and their related mechanisms. The K562 cells were treated by NHE1 specific inhibitor cariporide, the angiogenesis factors after inhibition of NHE1 were screened by using protein chip, the IL-8 expression level after cariporide treatment was detected by real-time quantitative PCR; the K562 cells with stable interference of NHE1 were constructed, the IL-8 expression level after interference of NHE1 was detected by real-time quantitative PCR; the p38 phosphorylation level in K562 cells treated with cariporide was detected by Western blot. After treatment of K562 cells with p38 inhibitor SB203580, the IL-8 expression level was decreased by real-time quantitative PCR. The results of protein chip showed that IL-8 expression decreased after cariporide treatment. Real-time quantitative PCR confirmed this inhibitory effect. The p38 phosphorylation level increased after cariporide treatment. The down-regulation of IL-8 expression induced by cariporide treatment was partially restored after K562 cells were treated with p38 inhibitor SB203580. It is concluded that the inhibition of NHE1 can inhibit IL-8 expression through up-regulation of p38 phosphorylation.
Cation Transport Proteins ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Down-Regulation ; Guanidines ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Imidazoles ; pharmacology ; Interleukin-8 ; metabolism ; K562 Cells ; Phosphorylation ; drug effects ; Pyridines ; pharmacology ; Sodium-Hydrogen Exchanger 1 ; Sodium-Hydrogen Exchangers ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Sulfones ; pharmacology ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism