Objective To study the mechanism of NS1619 on airway remodeling in asthmatic mice. Methods A total of 24 healthy female BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 3 groups:the control group, the oval albumin (OVA) group (the asthma group) and the NS1619 group (the intervention group), 8 mice in each group. Asthma group was induced with OVA, chal-lenged by continuous inhalation with 5%OVA from day 19 to 23, then changed to 3 times per week from day 24 to 55. Interven-tion group was inhaled with NS1619 (30μmol/L) before OVA. Control group was given with normal saline. The thickness of air-way smooth muscle and the area of collagen deposition in lung tissue slices were observed by HE and Masson staining, measured by a computer assisted image analysis system. The concentration ofα-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in cells was detected by immunohistochemistry. The expression of platelet derived grouth factor-BB, PDGF-BB (PDGF-BB) in serum was measured by immunosorbent assay. Results Compared with the asthma group, the pathologic changes of lung tissue, the thickness of airway smooth muscle and collagen deposition in the group treated with NS1619 were signiifcantly decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the asthma group, the levels ofα-SMA in cells and PDGF-BB in serum in NS1619 treated group were signiifcantly decreased (P<0.05). Conclusions NS1619 partly inhibited airway remodeling in asthmatic mice, partially by down-regulating the expres-sion level ofα-SMA and PDGF-BB.

WRKY transcription factors are novel transcriptional regulatory factors, which play an important role in regulating plant development, metabolism and other physiological processes. In this study, a new Dendrobium officinale WRKY transcription factor, designated as DoWRKY1 was cloned by using RT-PCR and RACE (GenBank Accession No. KF953910). Bioinformatic analysis demonstrated that, the full-length cDNA of DoWRKY1 was 1,704 bp. And DoWRKY1 contained a 1,629 bp open reading frame (ORF) that encoding a peptide of 542 amino acid residues. The putative DoWRKY1 protein contained two conserved WRKY domains and it belonged to the group I WRKY family protein. Yeast one-hybrid experiment showed that DoWRKY1 had transcriptional activation ability in yeast, and it could activate the expression of downstream report genes (His3 and Ade2). Semi-quantitative RT-PCR experiment showed that DoWRKY1 expressed in roots, stems, leaves and protocorm-like bodies. Real-time qRT-PCR proved that DoWRKY1 could be induced by methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and chitosan (Chitosan), and the expression level of this gene can reach the expression peak at 2 h and 1 h, respectively. These results are useful for further determination of the regulation function of this gene in secondary metabolism of D. officinale.
Cloning, Molecular ; Dendrobium ; genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Plant Proteins ; genetics ; Transcription Factors ; genetics

Adolescent ; Antigens, Viral ; blood ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cytomegalovirus ; immunology ; Cytomegalovirus Infections ; diagnosis ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Hepatitis, Viral, Human ; diagnosis ; virology ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Phosphoproteins ; blood ; Viral Matrix Proteins ; blood

OBJECTIVEThis study aimed to investigate risk influencing factors of asthma for children in Suzhou City, China.

METHODSA survey of asthma was conducted on children aged 0 - 14 with or without asthma from September 2010 to April 2011 in Pingjiang district of Suzhou city. A total of 271 children diagnosed with asthma were considered as a case group, and 271 non-asthmatic children with the same age, sex and living region formed the control group. Risk factors were analyzed with χ(2) test and logistic regression analysis.

RESULTSAll children were Han. The case group was composed of 165 boys and 106 girls, so was the case group. The average age was (7.5 ± 2.3) years for the case group and (7.8 ± 2.9) years for the control group, which did not showed any significant difference (P > 0.05). Family history of allergy (OR = 10.624, 95%CI: 6.294 - 18.623), history of children's eczema (OR = 4.403, 95%CI: 8.627 - 29.632), history of allergic rhinitis (OR = 6.871, 95%CI: 7.658 - 31.871), passive smoking when baby was born (OR = 3.323, 95%CI: 3.541 - 11.634), mold contamination (OR = 1.837, 95%CI: 1.531 - 4.926) were the risk factors, and breast-feeding (OR = 0.513, 95%CI: 0.418 - 0.914) was the protective factor.

CONCLUSIONFamily history of allergy, history of children's eczema, history of allergic rhinitis, passive smoking, and old contamination are the risk factors, and breast-feeding is the protective factor.

Adolescent ; Asthma ; etiology ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Risk Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires

0.05).Conclusion MK mRNA overexpresses in the breast cancer tissues.It might be considered to be a reference indicator for deter- mining the angiogenesis and invasion of breast carcinoma.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the polymorphisms of HLA-DPA1 and HLA-DPB1 loci of Han population in Zhejiang province of China.

METHODSThe alleles of HLA-DPA1 and HLA-DPB1 loci in 100 unrelated healthy individuals were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction-sequence based typing.

RESULTSEight HLA-DPA1 alleles and 19 HLA-DPB1 alleles were found in the population. The HLA-DPA1 alleles with higher frequencies were DPA1*020202 (47.0%), DPA1*010301 (38.5%) and DPA1*020101(10.5%). The HLA-DPB1 alleles with higher frequencies were DPB1*0501, DPB1*020102 and DPB1*040101. The frequencies were 39.5%, 13.5% and 13.0%, respectively. A total of 44 estimated DPA1-DPB1 haplotypes were detected. The HLA-DPA1*020202-DPB1*0501(29.5%) was the most frequent haplotype.

CONCLUSIONThe polymorphism data of the HLA-DPA1 and -DPB1 were obtained in Han population in Zhejiang province of China. There was linkage disequilibrium between the two loci.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; ethnology ; genetics ; China ; ethnology ; Databases, Genetic ; Ethnic Groups ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Loci ; genetics ; HLA-DP Antigens ; genetics ; HLA-DP alpha-Chains ; HLA-DP beta-Chains ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Linkage Disequilibrium ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo design and develop a novel esophageal prosthesis by selecting appropriate biomaterials, developing special manufacturing techniques, and investigating the feasibility of replacement of cervical esophagus in mongrel dogs.

METHODSIn accordance with the requirements of ideal esophageal substitutes, we designed a new type of esophageal prostheses. The inner stent were made with polyurethane of medical grade, and the outer surface of the prosthesis was coated with collagen-chitosan sponge. The silicone tube was used as a control. Thirteen adult mongrel dogs that were divided into two groups were used to establish the experimental models.

RESULTSIn the experimental group (n = 8), the esophageal prostheses were completely incorporated with the native esophagus and adherent to the surrounding host connective tissues. Epithelial linings of varying degrees were formed on the luminal surface, and complete epithelization was seen in 1 month postoperatively. The granulation at the sites of the anastomosis in this group was less significant than that of the control group. One dog has been surviving for 12 months up to now without any complications. In the control group (n = 5), esophageal epithelial was not observed on the luminal surface, constriction of the regenerated esophagus progressed and all the dogs died within 2 months after operation.

CONCLUSIONThese observations suggest that this esophageal prosthesis made of composite biomaterials has high biocompatibility and potential for long-segment esophageal reconstruction, which is promising for the clinical repair of esophageal defects.

Absorbable Implants ; Animals ; Artificial Organs ; Biocompatible Materials ; Chitosan ; Collagen ; Dogs ; Esophagus ; Implants, Experimental ; Models, Animal ; Polyurethanes ; Prosthesis Design ; methods ; Prosthesis Implantation

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the outcomes of selective anterior thoracolumbar or lumbar (TL/L) fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) with PUMCIId1 curves (Lenke type 5).

METHODSThirty-five consecutive AIS patients (PUMC type IId1, Lenke type 5) with selective anterior TL/L fusion with single solid rod instrumentation were reviewed. The average follow-up was 36 months (range, 18 - 42 months). Standing anteroposterior and lateral radiographs were measured and analyzed.

RESULTSThe average preoperative Cobb angle of the TL/L curves was 45.6 degrees and corrected to 9.7 degrees postoperatively, with 79.7% curve correction. The thoracic curves decreased from 29.7 degrees preoperatively to 17.6 degrees postoperatively, with a spontaneous correction of 41.5%. There was an average 4.7 degrees and 2.5 degrees correction loss of the TL/L and the thoracic curves at the final follow-up respectively. Trunk shift deteriorated slightly from 14.0 mm preoperatively to 14.8 mm postoperatively, and improved significantly to 5.1 mm at the final follow-up. The lowest instrumented vertebra (LIV) tilt was significantly improved after surgery (from -21.8 degrees preoperatively to -1.5 degrees postoperatively) and well maintained at the final follow-up (-2.1 degrees). The coronal disc angle immediately above the upper instrumented vertebra (UIVDA) and below the LIV (LIVDA) averaged 0.5 degrees and 0.6 degrees respectively, and aggravated after surgery (0.9 degrees and 4.9 degrees, respectively). Both the UIVDA and LIVDA were significantly aggravated at the final follow-up (3.0 degrees and 7.8 degrees, respectively). The sagittal contours of T(5-12) and T(10)-L(2) were well maintained after surgery and at the final follow-up. The lumbar lordosis of L(1)-S(1) and the sagittal Cobb angle of the instrumented segments were reduced postoperatively and at the final follow-up. No pseudarthrosis or other complications were observed.

CONCLUSIONSelective anterior TL/L fusion with single solid rod instrumentation is effective and safe for AIS with PUMCIId1 (Lenke type 5) curves, above and below the fusion and larger residual thoracic curve in some cases need further evaluated.

Adolescent ; Child ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Scoliosis ; surgery ; Spinal Fusion ; methods ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship among serum reproductive hormone levels, serum homocysteine (Hcy) levels, metabolic syndrome (MS), and the components of MS in middle-aged and elderly males.

METHODSUsing the cluster and stratified sampling methods and a unified structured questionnaire, we conducted a survey among 948 men aged 40 - 80 years in the rural community, measured their basic physical parameters, and obtained their reproductive hormone levels, serum Hcy concentrations, and metabolism-related indicators. We collected 868 valid questionnaires along with their serum samples, divided the subjects into an MS and a non-MS control group in a 1:1 ratio, and measured their serum Hcy concentrations.

RESULTSAmong the subjects included, 132 were diagnosed with MS. Nonparametric tests showed statistically significant differences between the MS and non-MS groups in the waist circumference (WC), waist-hip ratio (WHR), body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (P < 0.05), but not in age (P > 0.05). Significant differences were also observed between the two groups in the levels of serum tT, SHBG, LH, and FTI (P < 0.05) , but not in the concentrations of serum Hcy (P > 0.05). The concentration of serum Hcy exhibited no correlation with BMI, SBP, DBP, FBG, TG, and HDL-C (P > 0.05) and had no influence on MS.

CONCLUSIONThe concentration of serum Hcy is not significantly correlated with MS, nor with its components. The levels of male serum reproductive hormones are associated both with MS and with its components.

Adult ; Aged ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Homocysteine ; blood ; Humans ; Luteinizing Hormone ; blood ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome ; blood ; diagnosis ; Middle Aged ; Reproduction ; Rural Population ; Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin ; metabolism ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Testosterone ; blood ; Thyroxine ; blood ; Waist Circumference ; Waist-Hip Ratio

OBJECTIVETo compare the effects of the treatment for the distal clavicle fracture with two different methods.

METHODSThere were 120 cases of the distal clavicle fractures involved in the study. Among them, 75 cases were treated by self-improved elastic band inclined "8" fixation (Manipulation group), 45 cases were treated by open reduction and internal fixation with clavicular hook plate (Operation group).

RESULTSThere was statistically significant difference between manipulation group (6.71+/-2.35 weeks) and operation group (11.38+/-4.58 weeks) in the time of fracture union (P<0.01); but, there was no statistically significant difference between manipulation group (100%) and operation group (97.8%) in the rate of fracture union (P>0.05). According to the evaluation of shoulder-joint function, 56, 14 and 5 cases obtained excellent, good and bad result respectively in manipulation group; 38, 5 and 2 cases obtained excellent, good and bad respectively in operation group. There was no statistically significant difference between manipulation group (93.3%) and operation group (95.5%) in the rate of excellent and good (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONCompared with open reduction and internal fixation with clavicular hook plate, treatment with self-improved elastic band inclined "8" fixation can shorten the union time of fracture and reduce therapeutic risks, so it is an economical, practical and safe method for the distal clavicle fracture.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Clavicle ; injuries ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Fractures, Bone ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Manipulation, Orthopedic ; methods ; Middle Aged