Background Researches demonstrated that CpG ODN,a immunostimulatory sequences,has preventing and treating effect on allergic conjunctivitis caused by protein allergen.However,its effect on allergic conjunctivitis caused by fungal allergen is unclear. Objective This study aimed to investigate into whether the Th1-Th2 switching immunostimulatory CpG ODN could reverse the response in the murine allergic conjunctivitis model caused by aspergillus fumigatus. Methods A mixture of spores and hyphae of aspergillus fumigatus strain was used to induce allergic conjunctivitis in male BALB/C mice aged 6-8 weeks.This experiment was designed into preventive or therapeutical treatment program.Under both settings,allergic conjunctivitis of the animals were treated with CpG ODN,nonstimulatory GpC ODN or PBS.After the last challenge with the allergen,the clinical symptoms of the animals were scored based on the criteria of Magone.The animals were sacrificed and the histopathological examination of conjunctiva was performed.Expression of TLR4 mRNA in conjunctiva was analyzed by real-time PCR assay.The responsiveness and populations of lymphocytes in spleen and draining lymph nodes were analyzed by flow cytometry.The use complied with the Standard of Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology. Results In the prevention mode.CpG ODN decreased subconjunctival infiltration compared with GpC ODN and PBS groups with the average neutrophil count index(21.25 ±11.59/section,30.75 ±11.44 section and 69.00±9.90/section,respectively).Expression of TLR4 mRNA was up-regulated significantly by CpG ODN.The clinical scores for CpG ODN group were insignificantly lower than those in GpC ODN group and PBS group(P＞0.05).In the therapeutic mode,compared with GpC ODN and PBS groups,the allergic symptom score in CpG ODN group manifested significantly lower(t=4.000.t=2.750,P＜0.01)and showed fewer cellular infiltration(t=4.870,t=3.829,P＜0.01)and higher expression of TLR4 mRNA(P＜0.01).In cultured splenic and draining lymph node cells,increased percentages of CD4+ CD25+ and CD4+ CD25+ CD69+ in CpG ODN group were observed compared with control groups(|P＜0.05). Conclusion CpG ODN can relieve aspergillus fumigatus-induced allergic conjunctivitis via either subconjunctival injection or topical application by upregulating expression of TLR4 and activating Treg lymphocytes.

Objective To observe the effects of fosinopril(FOS),a new generation angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor(ACEI),on protein and mRNA expression of transforming growth factor-?_1(TGF-?_1) of rat glomerular mesangial cell(GMC) induced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS);to demonstrate the preventive mechanism against glomerular sclerosis by applying FOS.Methods The cultured GMC in classic way were divided into 3 groups:control group;LPS group;LPS+FOS group.TGF-?_1 concentration in GMC supernatant fluid was detected by ELISA;TGF-?_1 mRNA expression was determined by semiquantitative real-time RT-PCR.Results LPS group was obviously higher than control groups in TGF-?_1 secretion and mRNA expression,while LPS+FOS group decreased distinctively in TGF-?_1 secretion and mRNA expression compared with LPS group.Conclusions FOS has obviously inhibited on TGF-?_1 expression of rat GMC both at protein level and mRNA level,which reveals that it may be an important mechanism by FOS on restraining the development of glomerulosclerosis.

OBJECTIVETo compare therapeutic effects of herb-partitioned spread moxibustion and western medicine on chronic nonspecific ulcerative colitis.

METHODSSixty cases were randomly divided into a spread moxibustion group (n = 28) and a western medicine group (n = 32). The spread moxibustion group was treated with herb-partitioned spread moxibustion at lower limb around stomach meridian, abdomen region around Guanyuan (CV 4) and lower Jiaji (EX B 2) points; and the western medicine group was treated with oral administration of Sulfasalazine. Their therapeutic effects were observed after treatment.

RESULTSThe cured-markedly effective rate was 71.4% (20/ 28) in the spread moxibustion group, and 25.0% (8/32) in the western medicine group, the former was better than the latter (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe therapeutic effect of herb-partitioned spread moxibustion for treatment of chronic nonspecific ulcerative colitis is better than that of the oral administration of Sulfasalazine with less adverse reaction, and is worth popularizing in clinic.

Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Chronic Disease ; therapy ; Colitis, Ulcerative ; drug therapy ; therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Meridians ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; Young Adult

Objective To evaluate the clinical feasibility of localization CT enhanced image replacing plain CT scan image for target delineation and dose calculation.Methods Forty cases of NPC were collected and divided into two groups with different concentrations of contrast agents.The contours of planning target volume (PTV) and organs at risk (OARs) of each case were delineated in the plain scan image,and the contours of PTV and OARs were copied to the enhanced image.Two plans based on the plain scan image and the enhanced image were designed in the planning system of Eclipse.The dose distribution and OARs and MU were compared between the groups.Results No statistical differences were found in the dosimetry of PTV,OARs and MU (P＞0.05).Conclusion The image intensifier has little effect on the dose calculation of Eclipse for NPC.In the radiotherapy for NPC,the localization CT enhanced image can be used to replace the plain CT scan image for target delineation and dose calculation.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and adverse effects of gefitinib in the treatment of fe- male patients with advanced adenocarcinoma of lung who had failed to previous chemotherapy.Methods These patients received 250mg of gefitinib orally,once daily until disease progression or development of intol- erable toxic reaction.They were evaluated one month after treatment and every other month thereafter.Results Among the 27 evaluable patients,there were 1 CR(3.7%),11 PR(40.8%),10 SD(37.0%)and 5 PD(18.5%). The overall response rate was 44.5%(95% CI 29%～68%);and 22 patients(81.5%)gained profit(CR+PR+ SD)from the clinical therapy(95% CI 62%～94%);the mean TTP was 7.2 months.Symptomatic improvement rate was 80.0%.The main adverse effects were mild rash and diarrhea.Conclusion gefitinib has significant efficacy in the treatment of female patients with advanced tung cancer who had failed to previous chemother- apy.Adverse effects are mild.gefitinib is a suitable therapy for these patients.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) on the functions of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis and adrenal cortex in normal neonates.

METHODSDemographic characteristics, prenatal anxiety and depression, and perceived stress during delivery were investigated in 32 ICP women and 32 controls. The cord blood levels of cortisal, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) were measured by the radioimmunity technique in normal neonates immediately after birth.

RESULTSThe scores of prenatal anxiety and depression in ICP women were significantly higher than those in controls (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively). There were no significant differences in the perceived stress during delivery between the two groups. The cord blood levels of cortisol and ACTH in neonates from ICP women were significantly lower (p<0.01), while the DHEAS level was significantly higher (p<0.01) than in neonates from controls. The DHEAS/ACTH ratio was significantly higher (p<0.01), while the cortisol/DHEAS ratio was significantly lower in the ICP group (p<0.01) than in the control group. The glycocholic acid level in ICP women was positively correlated with the DHEAS level in neonatal cord blood (r=0.47, p<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThere may be a dissociation between cortisol and DHEAS in neonates with normal birth outcome from ICP women. ICP may result in a decreased responsiveness of HPA axis and an increased secretion of DHEAS by adrenal cortex in these neonates. This suggests that there might be dysfunction of the fetal zones of the adrenal cortex.

Adrenal Cortex ; physiopathology ; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; blood ; Adult ; Cholestasis, Intrahepatic ; physiopathology ; Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; blood ; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System ; physiopathology ; Infant, Newborn ; Pituitary-Adrenal System ; physiopathology ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo observe the modulation effect of a concoction of Chinese herb drugs on immune dysfunction in severely burned rats.

METHODSOne hundred healthy Wistar rats were randomly divided into A group (n = 30, with Chinese herb drug feeding after burns), B group (n = 30, with bouillon feeding after burns), C group (n = 30, with ordinary feeding after burns), and D group (n = 10, with sham burns as normal controls). The rats in A, B and C groups were subjected to 30% TBSA full-thickness burns and received conventional treatment. The rats in A group received 2 ml of Chinese herbal drug at 37 degrees C by gavage two times a day beginning from 2 postburn-hours(PBH). The rats in B group received 2 ml bouillon by gavage instead, and otherwise treatment was the same as A group, while the rats in C group were not fed by gavage. The activity of natural killer cell and T lymphocyte, and the levels of IgA, IgG, IgM, C3, C4 in A, B, C groups were examined on 3, 7, 14 PBD, and these indices were also determined in D group.

RESULTSCompared with D group, the amount of the CD3+, CD4+ lymphocyte, the ratio of the CD4+/CD8+, the level of IgA, IgG, IgM, C3, C4, the activity of NK cells, and the density of the sIgA in A, B, C groups were obviously decreased, but the amount of the CD8+ were obviously increased (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Furthermore, the above indices in A group improved more quickly when compared with B and C groups.

CONCLUSIONThe concoction of Chinese herb drugs can improve the distribution of T lymphocyte subsets, increase the activity of NK cells, promote the secretion of sIgA in intestinal mucous membrane and promote recovery of IgM, IgG, C3, C4 levels, thereby improves the immune function of the body.

Animals ; Burns ; diet therapy ; immunology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Immune System Diseases ; diet therapy ; etiology ; Immunoglobulin A ; blood ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Immunoglobulin M ; blood ; Killer Cells, Natural ; immunology ; Male ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of fosinopril (FOS) on proliferation and secretion of extracellular matrix of rat glomerular mesangial cell induced by LPS.

METHODSIn vitro culture method for glomerular mesangial cells (GMC) of rat was established and passages 3 - 10 of the cells were used in the experiment after identification. The experiment included the following 5 groups: control group (Ctrl), LPS group (LPS), high, medium and low dose FOS groups (FOS1, FOS2 and FOS3 groups, respectively). GMC proliferation was detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) incorporation method at 24 and 48 h; the changes of laminin (LN), fibronectin (FN) and ColIV protein secretion was detected by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The changes of LNbeta(2) mRNA expression was detected by semi-quantitative real-time RT-PCR.

RESULTS(1) LPS could induce the mesangial cell proliferation, FOS inhibited this effect of proliferation induced by LPS. (2) Mesangial cells could secrete some extracellular matrix (ECM) protein in normal culture medium, mesangial cell secreted ECM protein was significantly higher in LPS group than that in Ctrl group (P < 0.01), but significantly lower in all FOS groups than that in LPS group (P < 0.01). (3) Mesangial cell could express LNbeta(2) mRNA in normal culture medium, LNbeta(2) mRNA expression was significantly higher in LPS group than that in Ctrl group at all time points, but was significantly lower in FOS group than that in LPS group.

CONCLUSIONSLPS could induce increased secretion of the ECM, including LN, FN, ColIV; FOS could inhibit the secretion of ECM in GMC in a dose-dependent manner at mRNA and protein levels.

Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins ; secretion ; Fosinopril ; pharmacology ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Mesangial Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Rats

BACKGROUNDThe In1.1C single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) allele results in reduced RANTES transcription, which is associated with increased frequency of HIV-1 infection, and rapid progression to AIDS among HIV-1-infected individuals. This study aimed to study the mutant frequency and polymorphism of RANTES in Chinese populations.

METHODSThe genotypes of RANTES In1.1C were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) with the digestion of restriction endonuclease Mbo II.

RESULTSOf the 617 individuals, 290 (47%) were carriers of the RANTES In1.1C allele, 52 of whom were homozygotes, whereas 238 were heterozygotes. The frequency of the RANTES In1.1C allele in those tested individuals was 0.2840. The frequencies of In1.1C allele varied from 0.07 - 0.27 in most of the populations in South-west China except for the two Lisu populations, while the frequencies of In1.1C spans from 0.35 to 0.45 in North-west China. The prevalence of the allele varied substantially between the South-west groups and North-west groups (chi(2) = 7.838, P = 0.006).

CONCLUSIONSThe prevalence of the RANTES In1.1C allele varies substantially between the South-west groups and North-west groups. There is no significant difference between the groups with different languages, which suggests that language relationship is not consistent with the genetic relationship. These results have important implications for the design, assessment, and implementation of HIV-1 vaccines.

Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Chemokine CCL5 ; genetics ; Ethnic Groups ; genetics ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; genetics ; Prevalence

OBJECTIVETo study the early X-ray and CT findings of patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

METHODSChest radiography and CT were performed in 28 patients with SARS within one to three days after onset of the disease. CT examinations included conventional spiral CT and high-resolution CT (HRCT). The radiographic and CT findings of these patients were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTSAbnormal CT findings were noted in all the patients, but abnormal chest radiographic findings in 17 cases (60.7%, 17/28). CT showed single small focal patchy opacities in 23 patients (82.1%, 23/28), including oval ground-glass opacities in 20 patients, lobular distribution ground-glass opacities in 2 and small patchy consolidation in one. Multi-focal ground-glass opacities were found in 2 patients and extensive opacities in three. In the 28 patients, a total of 31 lesions were found in the upper (7, 22.6%), middle (3, 9.7%), and lower lobes (21, 67.7%). The diameter of the lesions ranged from 20 to 35 mm.

CONCLUSIONThe dominant feature of early SARS patients is focal patchy opacity in the lung, and oval small ground-glass opacities are the common morphological findings on CT.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed