Objective To investigate the expression levels of interferon-?-inducible protein 30 genes in CD4~(+) T cells of systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE) patients and to evaluate the relations between the gene expression levels and the disease activities.Methods The clinical data of 23 SLE patients and 10 normal controls were collected.Peripheral blood was drawn and CD4~(+)T cells were separated by using immunomagnetic cell sorting system(MACS).Total RNA was extracted and reversely transcribed into cDNA.Screening and identification of IP-30 in LongSAGE Tags from a SLE patient was done by generation of longer cDNA fragments from serial analysis of gene expression(SAGE) tags for gene identification.Results IP30 expression levels of the total SLE patients were significantly higher than those of normal controls(P

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between the second to the fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) and body mass index (BMI) in infertile men of the Han ethnic group in Ningxia.

METHODSUsing anthropometry, we calculated the mean ratio of 2D:4D and BMI of 197 infertile men and 148 normal healthy male controls, followed by analysis of their relationship.

RESULTSThe BMI was correlated positively with the 2D:4D ratio of the left hand in the infertile men (P < 0.05) and in the patients with a higher 2D:4D ratio of the left hand (P < 0.05), but negatively with the 2D:4D ratio of the righ/left (Dr-1) (left: P < 0.01; Dr-l: P < 0.05). The mean 2D: 4D ratio and BMI were both lower in the normal control than in the infertile men, with statistically significant differences in BMI (P < 0.05) and the 2D:4D ratio of the left hand (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThere is a correlation between the 2D:4D ratio and BMI in infertile men.

Body Mass Index ; Case-Control Studies ; Fingers ; anatomy & histology ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; diagnosis ; Male

Objective To study the effect of lipopolysaccharide(LPS)on the endo-pulmonary natrium channel(ENaC)expression in the lung of rats with acute lung injured.Method Sixteen rats were randomly divided into normal control group and LPS-group.Rats of normal control group and LPS-group were killed at 6 hours after intravenous injection of normal saline(8 ml/kg)or LPS(8 mg/kg).The extent of lung injury was assessed by arterial blood gas analysis and histological examination.At the same time,?-ENaC protein and???- ENaC mRNA expression in the lung tissue were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR.Results PaO_2 in LPS-group was noticeably lower than in normal control group(P

Objective:To investigate the efficiency of carbon nanotube(CNT)-PAMAM mediated entrance of anti-survivin oligonucleotide into HepG2 cells,and its effects on the proliferation of HepG2 cells.Methods:CNT-PAMAM-anti-survivin oligonucleotide compounds were prepared and characterized by AFM and 1% agarose gel electrophoresis analysis.TEM was used to observe the distribution of CNT-PAMAM-ASODN compounds in HepG2 cells.CNT-PAMAM-ASODN compounds were added into the medium and co-cultured with HepG2 cells for 24 h,48 h,72 h,and 96 h at 37℃,5% CO_2.MTT method was used to detect the effects of ASODN and CNT-PAMAM-ASODN on the proliferation of HepG2 cells.Results:CNT-PAMAM-ASODN compounds were successfully synthesized via AFM and agarose gel electrophoresis.TEM showed that the compounds were located in the cytoplasm.When CNT-PAMAM-ASODN(1.0 ?mol/L)and ASODN(1.0 ?mol/L)were used for a 48 h culture,the inhibitory rates of HepG2 cells were(45.97?4.28)% for CNT-PAMAM-ASODN compounds group,(9.33?0.85)% for ASODN group,and(6.37?0.69)% for CNT-PAMAM group.CNT-PAMAM-ASODN compounds at 1.5 ?mol/L inhibited HepG2 cells by(70.22?7.25)%,and the inhibitory effects were in a time-and concentration-dependent manner.There was statistical difference between experiment group and control group(P

AIM:To investigate the molecular mechanism of Xijiao Dihuang decoction combined with Yinqiao powder (XDY) in treating viral pneumonia, and the effects of XDY on TNF-α-induced permeability in pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (PMVEC) and the role of PKC-SSeCKS pathway involved.METHODS:The electric conductivity method was used to detect transendothelial electrical resistance (TER) of primarily cultured PMVEC on Transwell chamber at different time points to determine the permeability of PMVEC.After pretreatment for 24 h, the activity of PKC, TER, and the expression of SSeCKS at mRNA and protein levels were detected.Laser scanning confocal microscopy was used to observe the location of SSeCKS and construction of F-actin in PMVEC.RESULTS:The permeability of PMVECs induced by TNF-α reached the peak at 24 h.Compared with control group, the TER in TNF-α group was decreased, and the activity of PKC was increased.Compared with TNF-α group, the activity of PKC in TNF-α with PKC inhibitor group and TNF-α with XDY group was decreased, while the TER was increased, without difference from control group.Compared with control group, the mRNA expression of SSeCKS and phospho-SSeCKS was increased in PMVEC of TNF-α group, but decreased in TNF-α with XDY group compared with TNF-α group.In control group, F-actin was mainly located around the nucleus and at cytoplasmic borders of PMVEC, forming the dense peripheral bundle, and SSeCKS was evenly scattered in the cell.In TNF-α group, the dense peripheral bundle of F-actin surrounding the cells almost disappeared, and SSeCKS was concentrated around the nucleus.Compared with TNF-α group, the distribution and the structure of F-actin and SSeCKS nearly returned to normal in TNF-α with XDY group.CONCLUSION:XDY inhibits the activation of PKC signaling pathway in PMVEC caused by TNF-α to reduce the mRNA expression of SSeCKS and the phosphorylation of SSeCKS, thus preventing the deformation of endothelial cells and reducing the permeability of PMVEC.

Objective To evaluate the relationship between carotid plaque neovascularization and coronary heart disease using contrast-enhanced ultrasound. Methods We studied carotid plaques in 312 patients with coronary artery disease by contrast-enhanced ultrasound [51 patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and 261 patients with stable coronary artery disease (sCAD) ]. We analyzed sonographic features of each plaque, including the enhancement intensity of plaque (A value), the ratio of plaque to carotid artery lumen in enhancement intensity (Ratio), plaque thickness and plaque echo (soft plaque, hard plaque, mixed plaque, calcified plaque). Results The average thickness of plaque in patients with ACS and in patients with sCAD had no significant difference in statistics [(2.6±0.4) mm vs (2.9±0.8) mm, t=-1.903, P=0.058) ]. The group with ACS:soft plaque 43 (84.3%, 43/51), mixed plaque 8 (15.7%,8/51), no hard plaque and calcified plaque. And the group with sCAD:soft plaque 174 (66.7%,174/261), hard plaque 19 (7.3%,19/261), mixed plaques 16 (6.1%,16/261), calcified plaque 52 (19.9%,52/261). The percentage of soft plaque in the acute coronary syndrome group was significantly higher than that in stable coronary artery disease group (χ2=6.274,P=0.012). The A value and Ratio in patients with ACS were prominently larger than those in patients with sCAD [ (11.3±3.2) vs (8.9±3.3) dB, t=7.150,P<0.01;0.6±0.2 vs 0.4±0.2, t=7.419,P<0.01].Conclusion Carotid artery plaque neovascularization density was significantly higher in patients with ACS than that in patients with sCAD by using contrast-enhanced ultrasound, revealing that the neovascularization density is closely related to clinical symptoms of patients with coronary heart disease.

Objective:To investigate the effect of blocking BRCAA1 gene expression with siRNA on the proliferation of tumor cell line MCF-7 and Rb gene expression.Methods:RNAi was employed to specifically knock down BRCAA1 expression.MCF-7 cells were transfected with complexes constructed with lipids and chemically synthesized Pre-designed anti-BRCAA1 siRNAs.The total RNA was isolated and reversely transcribed after 48 h.The expressions of BRCAA1 and Rb mRNA were determined by Real-Time PCR.Results:Compared with negative control,transfected MCF-7 cells had a 42.3% decrease in expression of BRCAA1 mRNA and an 11.1% increase in Rb mRNA expression.The inhibitory rate of MCF-7 cells proliferation was(81.6?6.1)%.Conclusion:There may be some antagonistic effect between BRCAA1 gene and Rb gene in proliferation of tumor cells,which provides a potential target for anti-tumor gene therapy.

Hemodialysis monitoring and information management software was used to establish an intelligent electronic system to manage hemodialysis patients' information,with hardware and software moderations.The electronic information management system for hemodialysis functioned steadily since 2008.This system changed not only the existing medical process of the center,but also contributed to safer treatments,more accurate operations of doctor’ s instructions,and better medical information records as well The results indicate that the electronic information management system in hemodialysis centers not only irnproves work efficiency and management quality significantly,but also effectively ensures the safety and caliber of hemodialysis treatment with less manpower costs.

AIM:To investigate the therapeutic and preventive effects of paeoniflorin ( PF) on APP/PS1 mice, and to explore the possible mechanism. METHODS:Fifteen male 5-month-old APP/PS1 non-dominant mice were chosen as normal control group, 15 male 5-month-old APP/PS1 double transgenic mice were used as model group, and 15 male 5-month-old APP/PS1 double transgenic mice treated with 5 mg/kg PF by intraperitoneal injection were allocated in administation group. The learning and memory ability of the mice in each group was detected by Morris water maze. The apoptosis was assessed by TUNEL fluorescence staining. The protein expression of PI3K, Akt, p-PI3K, p-Akt, caspase-3, caspase-9, Bcl-2 and Bax in cerebral cortex and hippocampus was detected by Western Blot. The protein expression levels and distribution of caspase-3 and caspase-9 were detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS:(1) Compared with nor-mal control group, the learning and memory ability declined in APP/PS1 model group. Compared with APP/PS1 model group, PF obviously improve the ability of learning and memory in mice. (2) Compared with normal control group, the ap-optosis of nerve cells in APP/PS1 model group significantly increased and distributed in wider areas, while that in PF group was reduced (P<0.05). (3) Compared with APP/PS1 model group, PF could significantly lower pro-apoptotic factors, caspase-3, caspase-9 and Bax (P<0.05), and increase the expression of anti-apoptotic factors, p-PI3K, p-Akt and Bcl-2 (P<0.05). CONCLUSION:PF can up-regulate the expression of Bcl-2 and down-regulate the expression levels of caspase-9, caspase-3 and Bax via the activation of PI3K/Akt pathway, thereby inhibiting the nerve cell apoptosis and pro-tecting the nerve cells, so as to treat neurodegenerative diseases.

BACKGROUNDPrevious neuroimaging studies primarily focused on the spatial distribution of acupuncture needling stimulation. However, a salient feature of acupuncture was its long-lasting effect. This study attempted to detect the spatial-temporal neural responses evoked by acupuncture at an analgesia acupoint ST36 by using magnetoencephalography. To further verify its functional specificity, we also adopted acupuncture at Pericardium 6 and nonacupoint as separated controls.

METHODSForty-two college students, all right-handed and acupuncture naïve, participated in this study. Every participant received only one acupoint stimulation, resulting in 14 subjects in one group. Both magnetoencephalography data (151-channel whole-head system) and structural functional magnetic resonance imaging data (3D sequence with a voxel size of 1 mm(3) for anatomical localization) were collected for each subject. All processing procedures were performed in BrainStorm Toolbox.

RESULTSAcupuncture at ST36 showed a significantly time-varied brain activities with different onset time. Our results presented that acupuncture at different acupoints (or comparing with nonacupoint) can specifically induce neural responses in different brain areas-acupuncture at ST36 can specifically induce the neural responses of pain-inhibition areas, while acupuncture at PC6 can specifically induce the activities of the insula and amygdala.

CONCLUSIONSIn the present study, we attempted to detect the temporal neural responses underlying the functional specificity of acupuncture at ST36, using acupoint belonging to different meridians and non-acupoint with efficacy-irreverent as separate controls. The specific neural substrates involving acupuncture at different acupoints may be related to its functional specificity in clinical settings.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Magnetoencephalography ; methods ; Male ; Pain ; physiopathology ; psychology ; Young Adult