Objective To explore the changes of soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor type 1(sTNFR1)in children with acute virus encephalitis(VE)and its clinical significance.Methods The levels of tumor necrosis factor-?(TNF-?),sTNFR1 and neuron specific enolase(NSE)in cerebrospinal fluid were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)in 55 children who were admitted with VE,including 25 cases with severe VE(SVE)and 30 cases with mild VE(MVE).Fifteen cases without VE were as control group.Results The levels of TNF-?,sTNFR1 in cerebrospinal fluid in encephalitis children were significantly higher than that in control group(Pa

AIM: To isolate and characterize the anti-complementary polysaccharide from the root of Bupleurum chinense. METHODS: Bioactivity-guided fractionation and purification was used to obtain the anti-complementary polysaccharide from the hot-water extract of the root of Bupleurum chinense. The polysaccharide was characterized by various chemical and spectral analyses. The anti-complementary activities were evaluated by hemolytic assay in vitro. The action targets were identified in the system with individual complement-depleted sera. RESULTS: A homogeneous polysaccharide BC-PS2 was isolated as an anti-complementary agent. It was identified as a branched polysaccharide with an average molecular weight about 2 000 KDa, composed of Glc, Ara, Gal, and Man in the ratio 3.5 : 2.4 : 2.0 : 1.0, respectively, along with a trace of Rha and Xyl, and only 1.11% of protein. The main linkages of the residues of BC-PS2 include terminal, 1, 6-linked, 1, 3-linked and 1, 3, 6-linked Glcp, terminal and 1, 5-linked Araf, terminal, 1, 4-linked, 1, 6-linked and 1, 4, 6-linked Galp, terminal, and, 1, 4-linked and 1, 4, 6-linked Manp. The bioassay experiments revealed that BC-PS2 inhibited complement activation on both the classical and alternative pathways, with CH50 and AP50 of (0.222 ± 0.013) and (0.356 ± 0.032) mg·mL(-1), respectively. Preliminary mechanism studies indicated that BC-PS2 interacted with C1q, C2, and C9 components. CONCLUSION The results demonstrated that BC-PS2 is an anti-complementary polysaccharide, and should be important constituent of the root of Bupleurum chinense for its application in the treatment of diseases associated with the excessive activation of complement system.
Adult ; Bupleurum ; chemistry ; Carbohydrate Sequence ; Complement Activation ; drug effects ; Complement Inactivating Agents ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Hemolysis ; drug effects ; Humans ; Male ; Molecular Weight ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Polysaccharides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo observe the expression of phospholipid scramblase 1 (PLSCR1) in matrine (MAT) induced differentiation of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) resistant acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) cells, and to explore its correlation to cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)/protein kinase A (PKA) signal pathway.

METHODSNB4 (an APL cell line sensitive to ATRA) and NB4-R1 (a resistant strain of ATRA) were observed as subjects in this study. Effects of combined treatment of 0.1 mmol/L MAT and 1 [mol/L ATRA on the differentiation of two cell lines were detected using nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction test and flow cytometry (CD11b). Expressions of PML/RARot and PLSCR1 protein/gene were detected using Western blot and Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR assay. Meanwhile, H89, PKA antagonist, was used to observe cell differentiation antigen and changes of aforesaid proteins and genes.

RESULTSMAT combined ATRA could significantly elevate positive rates of NBT and CD11 b in NB4-R1 cells, and significantly down-regulate the expression of PML/RARapha-fusion protein/gene (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). ATRA used alone could obviously enhance the expression of PLSCRI in NB4 cells at protein and mRNA levels (P < 0.01). But the expression of PLSCR1 was up-regulated in NB4-R1 cells, but with statistical.difference only at the protein level (P <0. 01). In combination of MAT, PLSCR1 protein expression was further elevated in the two cell lines (P < 0.01). Besides, there was statistical difference in mRNA expressions in NB4-R1 cells (P < 0.05). All these actions could be reversed by treatment of 10 micromol/L H89 (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONMAT combined ATRA could significantly induce the differentiation of NB4-R1 cells, and inhibit the expression of PML/RARalpha fusion gene/protein, which might be associated with up-regulating PLSCR1 expression.

Alkaloids ; Antineoplastic Agents ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Down-Regulation ; Humans ; Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute ; metabolism ; Phospholipid Transfer Proteins ; metabolism ; Quinolizines ; RNA, Messenger ; Signal Transduction ; Tretinoin ; Tumor Cells, Cultured ; Up-Regulation

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association of erectile dysfunction (ED) with metabolic syndrome ( MS) and the total testosterone ( tT) level in young and middle-aged men.

METHODSThis study included 154 organic ED outpatients aged 20 -59 years and 103 age-matched men with normal sexual life. We obtained their waist circumference ( WC) , blood pressure ( BP) , fasting blood glucose ( FBG) , triglyceride ( TG) , high density lipoprotein ( HDL) , tT, IIEF -5 score, erectile function indexes and other relevant variables, and compared them between the ED and non-ED groups as well as between the ED patients with MS and those without MS.

RESULTSThe prevalence of MS was significantly higher in the ED patients than in the non-ED males ( 40. 9 vs 17.4%, P < 0. 01). Statistically significant differences were found between the ED and non-ED groups in WC ( [90. 80 ±4. 90] vs [87. 70 ±4. 60] em, P <0.01), SBP ([134.40±14.40] vs [129.90±12.40] mmHg, P

CONCLUSIONThe prevalence of MS is significantly higher in young and middle-aged ED patients than in normal males, and MS is associated with a lower testosterone level and poorer erectile performance. Central obesity is closely correlated with ED in young and middle-aged men.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Erectile Dysfunction ; blood ; etiology ; Humans ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome ; blood ; complications ; epidemiology ; Middle Aged ; Penile Erection ; physiology ; Prevalence ; Testosterone ; blood ; Triglycerides ; blood ; Waist Circumference ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility of real-time fluorescent quantitative (qPCR) assay in detecting mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTB) in paraffin embedded tissues for diagnostic purpose.

METHODSUsing qPCR assay, 1000 consecutive formalin-fixed and paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissues (from 2011 to 2012) suspected of MTB infection were tested by amplifying the MTB specific insertion sequence 6110 (IS6110). The specificity of the PCR product was confirmed by Sanger sequencing as compared with the MTB genomic DNA of the IS6110 sequence. Tissues with Ziehl-Neelsen acid-fast staining were used as control.

RESULTSIn the 1000 samples, 513 were positive for mycobacterium by Ziehl-Neelsen acid-fast staining (detection rate 51.3%); whereas 546 were MTB positive by qPCR assay (detection rate 54.6%). Concordance rate for both assays was 73.1%. The diagnosis rate increased by 14.4% by combinination of Ziehl-Neelsen acid-fast staining and qPCR results. More interestingly, by analyzing the Ziehl-Neelsen acid-fast staining and qPCR results three cases of M.leprae infection and four cases of non-tuberculous Mycobacterium (NTM) infection were identified.

CONCLUSIONSqPCR detection of MTB in FFPE tissue is more sensitive than Ziehl-Neelsen acid-fast staining assay. Combination of these two assays can increase the detection rate and also identify some rare cases of NTM infection.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; DNA, Bacterial ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Paraffin Embedding ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Staining and Labeling ; methods ; Tuberculosis ; diagnosis ; microbiology ; Tuberculosis, Gastrointestinal ; diagnosis ; microbiology ; Tuberculosis, Lymph Node ; diagnosis ; microbiology ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary ; diagnosis ; microbiology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo provide scientific basis for the utilization and development of Valeriana jatamansi by setting up the quality control specification of V. jatamansi.

METHODThe pharmacognostical methods were applied. The extract of V. jatamansi was examined. Moisture and ash were determined. And the bioactive constituents were analyzed by TLC and HPLC.

RESULTThe morphological and histological characters of V. jatamansi were observed. Content of total ash, acid-insoluble ash, and moisture of 15 samples from different habitats and times were determined. The qualitative and quantitative analysis of valtrate and acevaltrate by TLC and HPLC were preformed respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe established method can be used for the quality control of V. jatamans.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Chromatography, Thin Layer ; Iridoids ; analysis ; Pharmacognosy ; standards ; Plant Roots ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Rhizome ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; Valerian ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry

Objective To observe the effects of Zuogui Wan on the memory of the rats with panic injury and the neuroprotective effect . Methods Forty female Waster rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: sham group, model -brain group, model -kidney group, test group.Middle cerebral artery occlusion( MCAO) was operated in rats ex-cept sham group,and ischemia-reperfusion were executed 2 hours after MCAO.The model-kidney group was threatened by the cat in 10 days before MCAO operation.The rats in the test group orally 1.62 g? kg -1 Zuogui Wan Decoction 2 mL at the time of 3 days before MCAO opera-tion , 1 times a day continuously for 10 days.The other 3 groups were giv-en equal volume of saline.The memory in each group rats was detected by novel object recognition task.The neuron injury in rats was observed by HE staining.The expression of brain -derived neurotrophic factor ( BDNF ) was assessed by immunohistochemistry and Western blot.Results Compared with sham group, memory decline after MCAO in model -brain group rats.Compared with the model -brain group, memory impairment was aggravated induced by ischemia and downregu-lated of expression of BDNF in model-kidney group,which was statisti-cally difference ( P<0.05 ) .Compared with the model-kidney group memory in rats were significantly improved and the expression of BDNF was increased in the test group,which was statistically difference (P<0.05).Conclusion Kidney deficiency induced by panic can significant aggravate memory impairment after cerebral ischemic injury.Zuogui Wan can improve memory ability of rats of kidney deficiency induced by panic after ischemia,which is likely achieved by upregulation of the ex-pression of BDNF.

Objective To summarize the nursing experience of combined lithotripsy (carbox dioxide pump plus painless gastroscope plus homemade stone crusher plus esophageal protective sleeve) in the removal of giant gastric stones. Methods Totally 11 patients with giant gastric stones were treated with combined lithotripsy, and were conducted with strengthened perioperative nursing and review. Results Among the 11 cases, 10 cases were successfully removed by one-time lithotripsy and 1 case was successfully removed by lithotripsy twice. No complications such as intestinal obstruction were observed. Conclusion Combined lithotripsy is safe, effective, simple and practical in the removal of giant gastric stones.

Objective To evaluate the preliminary clinical results of prosthetic gingival reconstruction in vertical bone defect patients.Methods The study included 31 partial or edentulous patients (male 22,female 9) with 152 implants supporting fixed prostheses from February 2002 to January 2011 in Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology.The implant-supported fixed prostheses with artificial gingival material to compensate for vertical defect were delivery after implant healing period.At time of prostheses delivery,a panoramic radiograph was taken.The results were evaluated according to California Dental Association by two prosthodontists.Clinical observation included survival of the implants,integrity of the restoration,complication of prosthesis and degree of satisfaction of the patients.Results A total of 152 implants supported fixed prostheses with artificial gingival materials to compensate vertical bone defect were delivered.No implants lost,and the survival rate was 100％ during the follow-up period.The sore of acceptance of prosthesis was 96.8％.All patients were satisfied with the clinical results.Conclusions The artificial gingival reconstruction technique is feasible for vertical bone defect patients.

Objective To summarize the nursing experience of combined lithotripsy (carbox dioxide pump plus painless gastroscope plus homemade stone crusher plus esophageal protective sleeve) in the removal of giant gastric stones. Methods Totally 11 patients with giant gastric stones were treated with combined lithotripsy, and were conducted with strengthened perioperative nursing and review. Results Among the 11 cases, 10 cases were successfully removed by one-time lithotripsy and 1 case was successfully removed by lithotripsy twice. No complications such as intestinal obstruction were observed. Conclusion Combined lithotripsy is safe, effective, simple and practical in the removal of giant gastric stones.