AIM: To study the effect of the radix sophorae flavescentis on cellular immunity in rats with Pneumocystis Carinii Pneumonia (PCP) induced by long-term use of immunosuppressant, and explore the action of traditional Chinese medicine for the immunological regulation and infectious prevention after organ transplantation. METHODS: The experiment was conducted at Department of Pathobiology, Jilin Medical College from May 2005 to March 2006. Forty adult healthy female SD rats were selected from Harbin Medical University (Certification: 02473146) and randomly divided into experiment group and control group, with 20 rats in each. The model of PCP was set up by glucocorticoid injection subcutaneously to SD rats (25 mg once, 2 times/week). The mixture of sophorae flavescentis was given to stomach with tube in experiment group (3 mL/kg, 2 times/day), and was consisted of radix sophorae flavescentis, ash bark, amur cork-tree, malt, milkvetch root and danshen root. Six weeks later, all the rats were anesthetized and broncholveolar lavage fluids were collected.①Alveolar washing fluid was concentrated 10 times and the levels of the soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) were examined by double antigen sandwich ELISA.②Blood was sampled from rat eyes and the count of lymphocytes in peripheral blood were detected.③The percentages of CD3+ and CD4+ subgroups were assessed with erythrocyte chaplet kit sensitized by antigen. RESULTS: All 40 rats were involved in the result analysis without drop.①The count of lymphocytes in peripheral blood in experiment group was significantly higher than that in control group (5.1?1.3)%, (0.8?0.3)%, P

Objective To investigate the expressions of Pokemon and c-myc in colorectal cancer,colorectal adenomas and normal colorectal mucosa tissues,and demonstrate its relationship with clinicopathological features and prognosis in patients with colorectal cancer.Methods The specimens were taken from colorectal cancer tissue of 86 patients,colorectal adenomas tissue of 60 patients,and 40 normal colorectal mucosa tissue.The expressions of Pokemon and c-myc protein were detected by immunohistochemistry,and the expressions of Pokemon and c-myc gene were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).The correlation between the expressions of Pokemon and c-myc,and clinicopathological features was analyzed.Results The positive expression rates of Pokemon and c-myc protein in colorectal cancer tissue were significantly higher than those in colorectal adenomas tissue and normal colorectal mucosa tissue:69.8％ (60/86) vs.13.3％ (8/60) and 5.0％ (2/40),73.3％ (63/86) vs.15.0％ (9/60) and 2.5％(1/40),and the expression levels of Pokemon and c-myc gene in colorectal cancer tissue were significantly higher than those in colorectal adenomas tissue and normal colorectal mucosa tissue:0.915 ±0.247 vs.0.358 ±0.102 and 0.277 ±0.085,1.272 ±0.360 vs.0.398 ± 0.153 and 0.255 ±0.097,there were statistical differences (P ＜ 0.05).The expression levels of Pokemon and c-myc gene in colorectal cancer tissue had a close correlation with the degree of infiltration,histological differentiation,lymph node metastasis,distant metastasis and Dukes stage,there were statistical differences (P ＜ 0.05),but had no correlation with the sex,age,and tumor diameter (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions The expression levels of Pokemon and c-myc are higher in colorectal cancer tissue,and the expressions are related to the clinicopathological features of colorectal cancer.The expression levels of Pokemon and c-myc may predict the prognosis in patients with colorectal cancer.

Objective To investigate the inhibitory effect of reiniosidc C (RC) on asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA)-induced soluble interacellular adhesion molecule-1 (slCAM-1) expression and its mechanisms. Methods Human umbical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC 12) were cultured.The level of slCAM-1 in the conditioned medium was determined by ELISA. Changes in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were determined by measuring the oxidative conversion of cell permeable 2', 7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) to fluorescent dichlorofluorescein (DCF) in fluorospectro- photometer, and the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) DNA-binding activity was determined by electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA). Results sICAM 1 expressions [(138.02±16.40), (194.52±11.14), (274.28±13.11)ng/L]and the generation of ROS[(75.64±5.22),(100.18±11.15),(107.23±13.45)units] in HUVEC-12 were time dependently increased by ADMA (30 μmol/L). Furthermore, thc generation of ROS [(85.33±8.68), (70.69±7.65),(59.12±4.15)units], activation of NF-κB activity and expression of sICAM-1 [(336.58±23.32),(203.27±25.18) ,(174.13±14.53)ng/L] induced by ADMA were inhibited by reinioside C (1,3,10μmol/L) in a dose-dependent manner. This effect was found to be the same by L-arginine (0.5 mmol/L) as NOS substrate and by pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) (10 μmol/L)as inhibitor of NF-κB.Conclusions Reinioside C attenuates the increase of sICAM-1 induced by exogenous ADMA

Objective To determine the effect of losartan on vascular remodeling and the underlying mechanism in spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHR). Methods SHR of 12 weeks old were given losartan orally [0,15,30 mg/(kg·d),n=12]. The tail arterial pressure was measured every week.Eight weeks later, the pathological changes and p22phox expression in the thoracic aorta, the activity of catalase (CAT), the contents of H2O2 and AngⅡ in the plasma were evaluated. Results Blood pressure was increased in the SHR accompanied by the thickened wall and increased p22phox expression in the thoracic aorta. The plasma levels of H2O2 and AngⅡwere elevated while the CAT level was decreased in the SHR. Administration of losartan reversed the thickened wall and increased the CAT activity concomitantly with the decreased plasma levels of H2O2 and p22phox expression in the SHR. The plasma level of AngⅡincreased after the losartan treatment. Conclusion Oxidative stress induces the vascular remodeling of the aorta in the SHR. Losartan can reverse the vascular remodeling through down-regulating p22phox expression and inhibiting the oxidative stress.

Objective To examine the distribution characteristics the medial branch of the posterior branch of the spinal nerves around the lumbar facet joints, so as to explore the localization and targeting of the medial branch of the posterior branch in neurectomy.MethodsFive corpses were dissected, and the anatomical relationships between the medial branches of the posterior branch of the spinal nerves and the facet joints were examined.Measured the distances from the lateral port of the bone fiber tube,the articular process of the facet joint and the superior articular process to the spinous processes.Results The medial branch of the posterior branch of the spinal nerve was close to the root of the articular process and the transverse process,which was not easy to be explored and dissected.Meanwhile, it was easily traced after the medial branch of the posterior branch of the spinal nerve ran through the fibrous tube.Conclusion It may improve the safety and effective when the techniques of medial branch block is performed after the medial branch ran through the fibrous tube.

Objective: To understand status of amphetaminetype stimulants (ATS) use among residents aged 15-64 in a border city of Yunnan province. Methods: Using the stratified cluster random sampling method, a total of 3 130 residents were recruited through both anonymous questionnaire and interview, regarding their health-related behaviour and ATS use. Results: Among 3 130 residents aged 15-64 years in this city, the overall prevalence rates of ATS use were 4.0% (126/3 130) in the lifetime and 2.6% (82/3 130) in the past one year, while the prevalence of ATS use disorder in the past year was 2.3% (73/3 130). The prevalence rates of lifetime ATS use and in the past year were 7.5% (108/1 443) and 5.1% (73/1 443) in the high epidemic area, 7.3% (122/1 682) and 4.8%(80/1 682) in males, 5.2% (118/2 260) and 3.4% (77/2 260) in 18-45 age group, 4.6%(63/1 361) and 3.4% (46/1 361) in the ones having had elementary school education, 10.3% (50/487) and 8.6% (42/487) in unmarried group, 17.1% (19/111) and 12.6% (14/111) in either divorced, widowed or separated group, 4.8% (108/2 256) and 3.2% (72/2 256) in the farmers group, 6.0% (99/1 643) and 4.4% (73/1 643) in the non-religious groups (neither Buddhism nor Christianity), 15.2% (97/639) and 11.9% (76/639) in groups with negative hobbies which were 1.3% (29/2 314) and 0.3%(6/2 314) higher than the ones with positive hobbies, 8.5% (84/992) and 6.3% (62/992) in the ones negatively managing the stress which were 2.0% (42/2 138) and 0.9% (20/2 138) higher than the ones that treating the stress in a positive way. Conclusions The prevalence rates of ATS use and ATS use disorder in the past one year appeared high among those residents aged 15-64 years in the border city of Yunnan province. Prevention and intervention programs should be carried out for the target groups as soon as possible.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of phenylethanolamine-N-methyl transferase (PNMT) G-390A genetic polymorphism with risk of essential hypertension (EH) in Changsha Han people. METHODS: A case-control association study was performed in 400 patients with essential hypertension (EH) and 388 normotensive subjects. PNMT G-390A was genotyped using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-FRLP). RESULTS: The genotype frequencies for the -390 GG, GA, and AA were 39.3%,50.0%, and 10.8%, respectively in EH patients, and were 43.6%,45.6%, and 10.8%, in normal subjects. No significant difference in either genotypic frequency (P=0.433) or allele frequency (P=0.378) of PNMT G-390A between EH patients and normals was observed. When by gender, there was significant difference in genotypic frequency (P<0.05) and allele frequency (P=0.046) of G-390A polymorphism between EH patients and normals in the male, but not in the female (P>0.05). CONCLUSION PNMT G-390A polymorphism is possibly associated with EH risk in male Chinese Han population in Changsha.
Adult ; Aged ; Base Sequence ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Humans ; Hypertension ; enzymology ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phenylethanolamine N-Methyltransferase ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Sex Factors

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) C-824T polymorphism with essential hypertension (EH) susceptibility in Hunan Han population by a case-control study. METHODS: A case-control study was performed on 368 EH patients and 353 healthy controls of Han nationality recruited in Hunan province. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP)was used to genotype the C-824T polymorphism. RESULTS: (1) Genotype frequencies for TH-824CC and -824CT+-824TT genotypes were 89.9% and 10.1%, respectively for EH patients and 88.7% and 11.3%, respectively for the controls. No significant difference in the genotype distribution of C-824T polymorphism between the patients and controls was observed (P=0.579). Allele frequencies of TH C-824T also showed no significant difference between the patients and controls (P=0.515). (2) When adjusted by EH risk factors, results of unconditional logistic regression analysis showed that there was no association between TH C-824T polymorphism and EH susceptibility (P=0.264). (3) When stratified by gender, no significant difference in the genotype distribution of TH C-824T polymorphism was observed between the patients and controls in either male or female subjects (P=0.841 and P=0.288). (4) Diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in individuals with -824 CT+TT genotype was significantly higher than that in individuals with -824 CC genotype in the controls (P=0.015). (5) When stratified by gender, significant difference in DBP between TH C-824T CT+TT genotype and CC genotype was observed in the male (P= 0.018) but not in the female (P=0.083) controls. CONCLUSION There is no association between TH gene C-824T polymorphism and EH susceptibility in Hunan Han population. The TH gene C-824T polymorphism is possibly associated with increased DBP in the males in Hunan Han population.
Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; ethnology ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Hypertension ; enzymology ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Sex Factors ; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase ; genetics

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic value of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) for pulmonary complications in patients after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) and its safety. Methods: Patients with pulmonary complications after allo-HSCT underwent BAL. Microbiological smears, culture, PCR of CMV-DNA, EBV-DNA and TB-DNA, macro genomes new generation sequencing (mNGS) techniques were performed to detect pathogens in BAL fluid (BALF) . Results: A total of 73 allo-HSCT patients with 86 times of pulmonary complications enrolled this prospective study. They underwent 132 times of BAL procedures. The clinical diagnoses of 88.4% cases were made based on BALF analysis. Of them, 67 cases (77.9%) had infectious pulmonary complications, including 29 cases (33.7%) of fungal infection, 18 cases (20.9%) of mixed infection, 11 cases (12.8%) of viral infection and 9 cases (10.5%) of bacterial infection. The other 9 cases (10.5%) of non-infectious pulmonary complications included 8 cases (9.3%) of idiopathic pneumonia syndrome (IPS) and 1 case (1.2%) of pulmonary infiltration of lymphoma. The diagnoses of the remaining 10 cases (11.6%) were not determined. The platelet counts of 33 patients were less than 50×10⁹/L before BAL. None of them developed severe bleeding complications during or after BAL. Transient fever occurred in 10 patients after BAL. Blood cultures showed staphylococcal bacteremia in them and anti-infection therapies were effective. No life-threatening complications occurred in all of the patients during or after BAL. Conclusion BALF analysis was informative for the diagnosis of pulmonary complication and safe for patients with pulmonary complications after allo-HSCT.

Objective:To investigate the clinical features and associated influencing factors of cognitive impairment in middle-aged and elderly Chinese adult patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (HD).Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted among HD patients from 11 centers in Beijing city from April 2017 to June 2017. A neuropsychological battery covering domains of attention/processing speed, executive function, memory, language, and visuospatial function was applied in cognitive function assessment. Patients were classified as normal cognitive function group and cognitive impairment group according to the fifth version of the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders criteria (DSM-V). Multivariate binary logistic regression was used to analyze the independent influencing factors of cognitive impairment. Results:A total of 613 HD patients were included in the study, and the prevalence of cognitive impairment was 80.91% (496/613). Attention impairment (81.05%) and memory impairment (63.51%) were the most common impaired domains, and 79.23% was concomitant impairment across two or more cognitive domains among those with cognitive impairment. Compared with the patients in the normal cognitive function group, the patients in the cognitive impairment group had senior age, longer dialysis vintage, higher proportion of diabetes, hypertension, and stroke, higher level of serum intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), lower education level, and lower urea clearance index (Kt/V) (all P<0.05). Factors were independently associated with cognitive impairment including increasing age ( OR=1.110, 95% CI 1.072-1.150, P<0.001), education time>12 years (with education time<6 years as reference, OR=0.323, 95% CI 0.115-0.909, P=0.032), history of diabetes ( OR=2.151, 95% CI 1.272-3.636, P=0.004), history of stroke ( OR=2.546, 95% CI 1.244-5.210, P=0.011), increased dialysis vintage ( OR=1.016, 95% CI 1.010-1.022, P<0.001), reduced Kt/V( OR=0.008, 95% CI 0.002-0.035, P<0.001), and increased iPTH level ( OR=1.002, 95% CI 1.002-1.003, P=0.012). Conclusions:The prevalence of cognitive impairment in middle-aged and elderly adult Chinese patients undergoing HD is high. Memory and attention are the most commonly impaired domains. Increasing age, low education level, history of diabetes and stroke, increased dialysis vintage, reduced Kt/V and increased serum iPTH are the independent influencing factors associated with cognitive impairment.