Objective To evaluate the protective effect of polysaccharide nucleic acid fraction of bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG-PSN) against atopic dermatitis (AD) in Nc/Nga mice,and to explore its possible mechanism.Methods Sixteen Nc/Nga mice were classified into normal control group (n =4),low-concentration BCG-PSN group (n=5) and high-concentration BCG-PSN group (n =7) to be subcutaneously injected with sodium chloride physiological solution,BCG-PSN of 0.1 mg/kg and 0.5 mg/kg respectively,at 1,8,15 and 22 days of age.Dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) was repeatedly and topically applied to these Nc/Nga mice to induce AD-like lesions at 49 days of age.The preventive effect of BCG-PSN against AD was evaluated by dermatitis scores,scratching frequency,histopathological manifestations and immunological parameters (including IgE,i nterleukin (IL)-4 and-12,and interferon (IFN)-γ).Results Repeated injection of BCG-PSN within 4 weeks after birth significantly decreased the severity of DNCB-induced AD-like lesions,dermatitis scores and scratching behavior in Nc/Nga mice.There was no statistical difference in scratching frequency between the high-and low-concentration BCG-PSN groups.BCG-PSN treatment reduced the plasma level of IgE in Nc/Nga mice in a dose-dependent manner.BCG-PSN at 0.5 mg/kg increased the number of cells secreting IFN-γ in skin lesions of mice.Both doses of BCG-PSN down-regulated IL-4 level,but up-regulated IL-12 level in the culture supernatant of spleen mononuclear cells from mice.Conclusion Early injection of BCG-PSN could protect Nc/Nga mice against dermatitis by promoting the proliferation of IFN-γ-secreting cells,increasing the synthesis of IL-12,and reducing the levels of IL-4 and IgE.

Objective To realize the incidence of healthcare-associated infection (HAI),the rate of invasive procedure and related infection rate,use of antimicrobial agents and distribution of pathogens in gereral intensive care units (GICUs) of hospitals in China.Methods HAI cross-sectional investigation data of GICUs reported to China HAI Surveillance Net-work were summarized and analyzed.Results Of 1 313 hospitals,621(47.30%)had GICUs;a total of 5 887 patients were surveyed,1 634 patients developed 1 962 times of infection,HAI prevalence rate and case rate was 27.76% and 33.33%respectively.The main infection sites were lower respiratory tract(70.39%),urinary tract (12.79%)and blood(2.86%). The application rate of urinary catheter,arteriovenous catheter and ventilator was 53.52%(n=3 151),37.05%(n=2 181) and 35.62%(n=2 097)respectively,and related prevalence of urinary tract infection,pneumonia and blood stream infection was 4.67%,20.41%,and 0.60%,respectively,which accounting for 58.57%,30.99%,and 23.21 % of urinary tract infection,pneumonia and blood stream infection respectively,the overall prevalence of above invasive procedure-re-lated infection accounted for 29.97%(588/1 962)of the overall HAI prevalence.A total of 1 795 isolated pathogens causing HAI were detected,the top three were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (20.78%),Acinetobacter baumannii(17.99%)and Klebsiella pneumoniae (11 .64%).The usage rate of antimicrobial agents was 71 .58%(n=4 214), rate of specimens delivered for detection was up to 75.27%(2 553/3 392).Conclusion Prevalence and antimicrobial use in patients in GICUs are all high,all kinds of invasive procedure are frequent,30% of HAI are related to inva-sive procedure;infection caused by non-fermentative bacteria is serious,pathogen detection is well performed.

The authors designed to separate, purify and determine the monosaccharide composition of the polysaccharide from Cordyceps militaris, and study its effect on reverse cholesterol transport in vivo by isotope tracing assay. Polysaccharides were separate and purify by ion exchange column Q-sepharose Fast Flow and size exclusion column Sephacryl S200HR; the molecular weight and monosaccharide composition of the polysaccharides were determined by high performance gel permeation chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography coming with pre-column derivation, respectively. Finally, three purified polysaccharides CMBW1, CMBW2 and CMYW1 were obtained, their total carbohydrate contents were 87%, 89%, 95%, respectively; their protein contents were 6.5%, 1.3%, 2.8%, respectively; their molecular weights were 772.1, 20.9, 13.2 kDa, respectively; CMBW1 was composed of mannose, glucosamine, rhamnose, glucuronic acid, glucose, galactose and arabinose with a molar ratio of 7.25: 0.17: 1.29: 0.23: 6.30: 11.08: 0.79; CMBW2 was composed of mannose, glucosamine, galactose and arabinose with a molar ratio of 2.40: 0.16: 2.92: 0.24; CMYW1 was composed of mannose, glucosamine, glucuronic acid and glucose with a molar ratio of 0.59: 0.57: 0.45: 25.61. Polysaccharide at 50 mg x kg(-1) could significantly improve the transport of 3H- cholesterol to blood and excretion from feces. All of the three purified polysaccharides CMBW1, CMBW2 and CMYW1 were heteropolysaccharide; and they could improve reverse cholesterol transport in vivo, the underlying mechanisms are being studied.
Animals ; Biological Transport ; drug effects ; Cholesterol ; metabolism ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; instrumentation ; methods ; Cordyceps ; chemistry ; Mice ; Monosaccharides ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; Polysaccharides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Tritium

The DNA structures could be altered or even damaged by exogeous or endogenous factors during cell proliferation. Failure of effective and timely repair will lead to cell cycle arrest or apoptosis. By taking the advantage of the quick proliferation of cancer cells, DNA damage induction, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis promotion have become important strategies for ant-cancer chemotherapy. Previous reports showed that an array of natural compounds inhibit cancer cell proliferation by inducing DNA damage, which have therapeutic potentials for anti-cancer drug research and development.
Animals ; Biological Products ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; DNA Damage ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Neoplasms ; drug therapy

OBJECTIVETo observe the dynamic change of apoptosis and proliferation of cardiac muscle cells (CMC) after being induced by Angiotensin II (Ang I), and the effect of TCM herbs for supplementing qi and/ or activating blood circulation on it.

METHODSThe cultured CMC of SD suckling rat were treated by Ang II, and the amplitude, rhythm and frequency of cell pulsation, the protein content, area size and apoptosis of cells at various phases as well as the influence of TCM herbs afterwards were determined by image pattern analysis system, flow cytometry and biochemical assay.

RESULTSIn the model group, cell pulsation showed quickened frequency from the 24th to 48th hr after Ang II treatment with the highest amplitude at the 24th hr; the cell area enlarged at the 24th hr, the enlargement became evident at the 48hr. Cell content of protein increased at the 24th hr, which reached to its peak at the 48th hr; an increasing trend of cell number was shown from the 12th to 48th hr; cell apoptosis started to appear at the 24th hr, it increased gradually from the 48th to 72th hr, and reached to the peak at the 72th hr (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). All the Chinese herbs, both for supplementing qi and/or activating blood circulation, especially when they were used in combination, showed favourable preventive and therapeutic effect on CMC (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), either at the early phase (24-48th hrs) mainly manifesting hypertrophy and proliferation or the late phase (48-96th hrs) mainly manifesting apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONThere exist characterized phasic windows of CMC after being treated by Ang II, the window of hypertrophy-proliferation phase and the window of cell apoptosis phase. When CMC were mainly in hypertrophic manner, myocardial hypertrophy may appear. Cell apoptosis may be one of the mechanisms for turning myocardial hypertrophy to heart failure, and it could be improved by Chinese herbs for supplementing qi and/or activating blood circulation.

Angiotensin II ; antagonists & inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; cytology ; Qi ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Time Factors

BACKGROUND: Polymorphism in promoter region can change the expression of genes, which may be associated with susceptivity of diseases. Gene polymorphism of interleukin-6 (IL-6) promoter is associated with nationality and many diseases. Different nationalities often display different characteristics of gene polymorphism.OBJECTIVE: To observe the distribution of polymorphism at sites -597 and -572 in IL-6 promoter region in Tibet Tibetan population and to provide the theoretical data for Tibetan population genetics and background of immunity.DESIGN: Randomized investigation.SETTING: Institute of Anthropology, Jinzhou Medical College.PARTICIPANTS: Totally 108 healthy Tibetan teenagers were selected from Lasa and Naqu region in Tibet autonomous region from October 2003 to July 2004, including 60 males and 48 females, aged from 14-21 years. Inclusive criteria:The parents of the volunteers were healthy Tibetans after body examination. The volunteers knew the fact, agreed to participate into the trail and signed the informed consent.METHODS: 5 mL peripheral vein blood was collected from 108 Tibetan teenagers. DNA from human leucocytes was extracted by salt fractionation. IL-6 promoter including -597 and -572 fragments was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Representative fragments were cloned then sequenced after restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP).MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Distribution of polymorphism in Tibet Tibetan population; Results after comparison with those of other nationalities including Han population.RESULTS: Data of 108 Tibetan teenagers were involved in the result analysis. ①Distribution of polymorphism on -572C/G site of IL-6 promoters in population of either sex: There were no GA and AA genotypes at site -597, but only GG genotype appeared. There were CC, CG and GG genotypes at site -572, and the frequencies were 0.63, 0.35 and 0.02 in order. Distribution of genotype with representativeness met the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Allele frequencies were 0.81 and 0.19, respectively. There was no significant difference of either sex in genotype and allele frequency (P ＞ 0.05). ②Distribution of polymorphism on -597 G/A and -572 C/G in different nationalities: GG, GA, AA genotypes appeared on -597 site in England and France, and G and A allele frequencies were 0.60 and 0.40,respectively. It was significantly different from that of Tibetan in Tibet. Furthermore, Japanese had no polymorphism,which was similar to that of Hans in China (P ＞ 0.05). ③Genotype of different straps and results of DNA sequencing:Only GG genotype was found on -597 site (without the restriction site, one fragment after restriction, PCR amplification products), no GA and AA genotypes. CC, CG and GG genotypes appeared at site -572, and frequencies were 0.64,0.35 and 0.01, respectively. Distribution of genotype with representativeness met the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P ＞0.05). Allele frequencies were 0.81 and 0.19, respectively. There was no significant difference of either sex in genotype and allele frequency. Distribution of gene frequency and allele frequency in IL-6 were similar between Tibetan and that of Hans, but it was significantly different from that of population in England, France and America.CONCLUSION: There are nationality differences of IL-6 gene polymorphism at sites -597 and -572. No polymorphism is found at site -597 in Tibetan. Race differences are seen at site -572, having CC, CG and GG genotypes and G allele is rate. Compared with white population, there is significant difference in genotype and allele frequency at site -572. Their characteristics are close to Hah population and Japanese, which may be associated with genetic gene of persons living in plateau.

Objective To explore the expressions and significance of miRNA - 101,enhancer of ZESTE homo-log 2(EZH2)and transforming growth factor(TGF)- β1 in the kidneys with complete uniateral ureteral obstruction (CUUO). Methods Thirty male SD rats,(6 ± 1)weeks old,weighted(150 ± 10)g,were divided into sham group, 7 - day group with CUUO and 14 - day group with CUUO by using random number table method,10 rats in each group. The obstructed kidney samples were collected in 7 and 14 days,respectively,for detecting the expression of miRNA -101 by real time - polymerase chain reaction(RT - PCR)and TGF - β1 and EZH2 protein by Western blot,immuno-histochemistry and hematoxylin - eosin staining. Their correlated expressions were analyzed. Results RT - PCR results showed that the expressions of miRNA - 101 in sham group and 7 - day group with CUUO were(12. 69 ± 1. 60)times and(3. 74 ± 1. 24)times which were higher than those of 14 - day group with CUUO,respectively,there was a signifi-cant difference among these 3 groups(P ﹤ 0. 05). The expressions of TGF - β1 and EZH2 proteins were 1. 14 ± 0. 12, 1. 04 ± 0. 14,0. 76 ± 0. 18 and 1. 04 ± 0. 04,0. 89 ± 0. 03,0. 73 ± 0. 02 in 14 - day group with CUUO,7 - day group with CUUO and sham group,respectively. There was a negative correlation between miRNA - 101 with EZH2( r =- 0. 92,P ﹤ 0. 05),and negative correlation with TGF - β1(r = - 0. 63,P ﹤ 0. 05),and positive correlation between EZH2 and TGF - β1(r = 0. 67,P ﹤ 0. 05);the expressions of miRNA - 101,EZH2 and TGF - β1 were associated with each other in obstruction renal in different time periods. Conclusions With the extension of obstruction time, miRNA - 101 expression decreased,EZH2 and TGF - β1 expression increased,evidently,which indicates that the de-velopment of renal interstitial fibrosis may be affected through regulating EZH2 expression of renal obstruction through miRNA - 101 in the young rats.

Objective To investigate the MRI features of intracranial solitary fibrous tumors/hemangiopericytomas (SFT/HPC),and to compare these findings with those of intracranial meningiomas.Methods The clinical features and MRI findings in 28 patients of intracranial SFT/HPC (SFT/HPC group)and 68 patients of meningiomas (meningiomas group) confirmed by operation and pathology were retrospectively analyzed.The indicators of two groups were compared.Results Shape of tumor,signal homogeneous,signal voids of vessel in tumor,hypointense signal nodules on T2WI and enhanded,cystic or necrosis in tumor,meningeal tail sign,changes of the nearby bone,sex,Ki-67％ level,blood lose in surgery had significant differences between SFT/HPC group and meningiomas group (all P＜0.05).Conclusion There are some differences between intracranial SFT/HPC and meningiomas.It is helpful in diagnosis and differential diagnosis through the comparative analysis of the imaging signs.

In this article,we presented the rationale and calculation procedures of a propensity score weighting method,with its application in epidemiological studies.The rationale for propensity score weighting method is similar to those for traditional standardization methods.Propensity score is used to estimate the weight for each individual.As the propensity score serves the function of observed covariates,the propensity score weighting can balance the distribution of the observed covariates between the comparison groups.There are two weighting methods according to the target standard populations:the Inverse probability of treatment weighting(IPTW)and the Standardized mortality ratio weighting(SMRW).Results of the example show that the distribution of the covariates tended to be consistent after weighting,and the IPTW and SMRW methods showed similar effect estimates.Propensity score weighting method can effectively balance the distribution of the confounding factors between the compared groups in non-randomized controlled trials.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the preliminary curative effect of interspinous injections for the diagnosis and treatment of back pain caused by lumbar kissing spine (Baastrup's disease) under fluoroscopically guiding.

METHODSFrom November 2011 to March 2013,17 patients with back pain caused by Baastrup's disease were treated with fluoroscopically-guided interspinous injections, including 7 males and 10 females with an average age of 49.6 years old ranging from 40 to 71 years old; the duration of the disease ranged from 2 to 5 years with a mean of 3.7 years. The visual analogue scale (VAS) and the lumbar segments range of motion (ROM) was analyzed at pre-operation, 2 days, 3 months and final followed-up after operation, the effects were evaluated with modified Macnab standard.

RESULTSAll patients were follow-up from 6 to 10 months with an average of 7.6 months. The pre-operative VAS was 6.41 +/- 0.94, the postoperative VAS at different time points improved significantly comparing with pre-operation,and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in VAS at different time points after operation (P > 0.05). The ROM of operated segment and adjacent segment was (4.88 +/- 0.86) degrees and (6.82 +/- 0.73) degrees respectively at pre-operation. The postoperative operated segment ROM at different time points improved significantly comparing with pre-operation, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Compared with pre-operation, there was no significant difference in adjacent segment ROM at different time points after operation (P > 0.05). According to modified Macnab, the result was excellent in 6 cases, good in 7 cases, fair in 3 cases and poor in 1 case.

CONCLUSIONFluoroscopically-guided interspinous injections is an effective method for the diagnosis and treatment of Baastrup's disease. The method has advantages of simple operation, minimal invasion and safety, satisfactory short-term and medium-term therapeutic effect; it can also effectively lessen the pain of lumbar and back.

Adult ; Aged ; Anesthetics, Local ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Low Back Pain ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; drug therapy ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; diagnostic imaging ; drug effects ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nerve Block ; Spinal Diseases ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; drug therapy ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed