Objective To evaluate the epidemiological characteristics of brucellosis in Jinan, Shandong Province, and to analyze epidemic trend and its cause. Methods Epidemic data of human brucellosis from 2004 to 2007 in Jinan were collected from National Disease Supervision Information Management System. The rose bengal plate agglutination test(RBPT) and standard tube agglutination test(SAT) were employed to detect brucellosis in the serum samples of high-risk exposure groups involved in livestock transaction, slaughter and raising where brucellosis had been outbreak in the last three years, and epidemiological survey was conducted on the confirmed patients in 2007. Results A total of 32 brucellosis cases occurred in 2004-2007 in Jinan, among which 15 cases in 2007, 3.75 times(15/4) of those in 2004. One hundred and seventy-eight blood samples were collected from high risk population, and positive detective rate was 11.24%(20/178). Most of the patients were found in Zhangqiu and in the months from March to September, accounting for 93.33% (14/15). Farmers accounted for 93.33% (14/15) in all cases. Sixty-six point six seven percent(10/15) of the patients were over 50 years old. Male to female was 2.75: 1(11: 4) in ratio. There was a tendency of family aggregation. Two or three cases occurred in each of 3 families. All cases had a contact history with cattle and sheep, and the diagnosis were confirmed between 17-529 days(median being 70 days), in which 86.67%(13/15) of the cases were confirmed by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Conclusions Brucellosis epidemic of Jinan is in an upward trend. Zhangqiu is the main epidemic region. Spring and summer are the prevailing periods, most of the patients are old male farmers were the majority of the patients. It is believed that the epidemic is primarily due to potential infection sources, incompetent quarantine of imported livestock and poor awareness of self-protection among high-risk occupational groups.

Objective To investigate the expression levels and the roles of IL-17 and IL-23 in children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) pneumonia. Methods One hundred and three children with pneumonia admitted to pediatric department from February to May in 2012 were divided into MP pneumonia group and non-MP pneumonia group according to the results of MP antibody tests. Meanwhile, 42 healthy children were chosen as normal controls. Serum levels of IL-17, IL-23 and MP antibodies were measured in all children. Immunoglobulin, C reactive protein, total white blood cell count and granulocyte count were detected in children with pneumonia. Results The serum levels of IL-17 and IL-23 were signiifcantly different among three groups (P<0.05). The children in MP pneumonia group had higher levels of IL-17 and IL-23 than those in non-MP pneumonia group (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, levels of IL-17 and IL-23 were higher in two pneumonia groups (P<0.05). There was no signiifcant difference in levels of IL-17 and IL-23 between pneumonia patients with normal and with abnormal levels of immunoglobulin (P>0.05), while IL-17 and IL-23 levels were both positively correlated with granulocyte count (P<0.05).Conclusion IL-17 and IL-23 may be involved in the immune response of MP pneumonia and may contribute to the clearance of pathogens.

AIM: To investigate the influence of Buxinqi Capsule (BXQ) on myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury in rats. METHODS: In this study, the experimental model was established by reperfusion for 60 minutes in rats after ligaturing left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) for 30 minutes. Serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyodebis (MDA), area of myocardial infarction and occurrence of arrhymia were investigated. RESULTS: BXQ significantly decreased level of CPK and LDH and MDA, and obviously improved the activity of SOD, decreased reperfusion arrhythmias and arrhythmias severity index (ASI), and decreased the area of myocardial infarction. CONCLUSION: BXQ has protective effect on the damage of myocardia ischemia reperfusion in rats

Objective To find out the status of prevention and control of iodine deficiency disorders and evaluate the iodine nutritional status of Jinan residents,to explore appropriate iodine level in drinking water,and to provide a scientific basis for adjustment of intervention strategies.MethodsAccording to the Monitoring Program of the National Iodine Deficiency Disorders (Trial),qualified iodized salt consumption rate,drinking water iodine content and urinary iodine levels of women of childbearing age were determined in iodine deficiency areas from 2003 to 2010.Salt iodine was detected by direct titrimetry,urinary iodine by As-Ce catalytic spectrophotometric assay and iodine in drinking water by cerous sulfate catalytic spectrophotometric method.Results Intake rate of qualified iodized salt was up to 90％ and above from 2003 to 2010,median water iodine was 13.65 μg/L in the 10 counties(cities,districts),of which less than 100 μg/L accounted for 79.82％(4560/5713 ) and ＞ 150 μg/L accounted for 12.73％(727/5713).With the increase of water iodine(0 ～ ＜ 10,10 ～ ＜ 50,50 ～ ＜ 100,100 ～ ＜ 150,150 ～ ＜ 300 and ≥300 μg/L),urinary iodine levels of women of childbearing age increased successively(median 156.56,175.81,267.04,349.00,524.22,583.20 μg/L,respectively,x2 =121.20,P ＜ 0.05),while the ratio of urinary iodine ＜ 100 μg/L was significantly lower.The ratio of urinary iodine between 100 and 300 μg/L was decreased gradually,but the ratio of great than 300 μg/L was gradually increased.ConclusionsIodine deficiency areas in Jinan have reached the standard of elimination of iodine deficiency disorders.We should insist to carry out our measures to suit local conditions,classified guidances and scientific principals of iodine supplementation.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of baicalein on the gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) in the TM4 Sertoli cells of the mouse testis and its related mechanism.

METHODSWe measured the cytotoxicity of different concentrations of baicalein on the TM4 Sertoli cells in the mouse testis by MTT, detected the fluorescence transfer of the TM4 Sertoli cells by parachute assay, and determined the expression of the protein connexin 43 ( Cx43) in the baicalein-treated cells by Western blot and immunofluorescence assay.

RESULTSBaicalein produced no obvious cytotoxicity on the TM4 Sertoli cells at the concentration below 60 µmol/L but significantly increased their GJIC at 0-20 µmol/L (P < 0.01). Western blot and immunofluorescence assay showed that 0-20 µmol/L baicalein remarkably elevated the expression of Cx43 in the TM4 cells (P < 0.01) and on the membrane of the TM4 cells.

CONCLUSIONBaicalein at the concentration of 0-20 µmol/L can significantly enhance GJIC in mouse TM4 Sertoli cells by increasing the expression of the Cx43 protein.

Animals ; Cell Communication ; drug effects ; Connexin 43 ; metabolism ; Flavanones ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Gap Junctions ; drug effects ; Male ; Mice ; Sertoli Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; ultrastructure

Objective To evaluate the clinical significance of bladder saline perfusion before catheter removal in TURP patients. Methods From 2009 to 2011,140 patients received TURP were enrolled in this study.Patients were divided into perfusion group (70 cases with bladder saline perfusion before catheter removal) and control group (70 cases without perfusion). Results Comparing with the control group (33.1 ± 5.4) min,the time waiting for urination was shorter in perfusion group ( 3.7 ± 0.2 ) min ( P ＜0.05 ).The recovering time to normal urination was shorter in perfusion group (7.7 ± 1.2 ) d than in control group (11.7 ± 1.3) d (P ＜ 0.05 ) as well.In the first urine after catheter removal and first urine on the next day morning,white blood cell count of 2 groups (4.5 ± 0.1 ) vs ( 6.9 ± 3.5 ) ; ( 3.7 ± 0.2 ) vs (4.3 ±0.5) had significant differences ( P ＜ 0.05 ). Conclusion Bladder saline perfusion before catheter removal in TURP patients is simple and effective for the restoration of normal voiding.

We have constructed an immunotoxin(Ng76-TCS),which was composed of a monoclonalantibody directed against human melanoma and trichosanthin(TCS)——a single chain ribosomeinactivating protein.The cultured human melanoma cells(M21)were inhibited effectively byNg 76-TCS.The cytotoxicity of Ng76-TCS to M21 cells was 2,000-fold higher than that of free TCS and Ng76 mixture.A conjugate,which was prepared with normal mice immunoglobulinand TCS(NIgG-TCS),was 160-fold less cytotoxic to M21 cells.Meanwhile Ng76-TCS was125-fold less cytotoxic to nontarget cells Hela.These results showed that the immunotoxinNg76-TCS was a potent and specific anti-human melanoma agent.

Objective: To observe the therapeutic efficacy of acupoint application at different groups of acupoints in treating bronchial asthma in remission stage. Methods:A total of 120 patients with bronchial asthma in remission stage were recruited and divided by the random number table method into acupoint application group 1, acupoint application group 2 and acupoint application group 3, with 40 cases in each group. In all the three groups, Tiantu (CV 22), Dazhui (GV 14) and Feishu (BL 13) were selected, with Dingchuan (EX-B 1) added in acupoint application group 1, Shenshu (BL 23) added in acupoint application group 2, and Gaohuang (BL 43) added in acupoint application group 3. Before intervention, one month and 3 months after intervention, clinical symptoms, peak expiratory flow (PEF) andforced expiratory volume in 1 second percentage of predicted value (FEV1％) of the three groups were observed, and their clinical efficacies were evaluated. Results: Comparing the therapeutic efficacy regarding traditional Chinese medicine symptoms and signs, after 1-month treatment, the total effective rate was 87.5％ in acupoint application group 1, versus 62.5％ in acupoint application group 2 and 55.0％ in acupoint application group 3, and the between-group differences were statistically significant. After 3-month treatment, the total effective rate was 95.0％ in acupoint application group 1, versus 70.0％ in acupoint application group 2 and 65.0％ in acupoint application group 3, and the between-group differences were statistically significant. After intervention, the three groups all showed significant improvements in pulmonary function with statistical significance; among the three groups, the improvement in acupoint application group 1 was more significant than that in the other two groups. Conclusion: Tiantu (CV 22), Dazhui (GV 14) and Feishu (BL 13) as basic prescription plus Dingchuan (EX-B 1) can improve symptoms of bronchial asthma in remission stage, and it works better in improving pulmonary function than the basic prescription plus Shenshu (BL 23) or Gaohuang (BL 43).

In view of the present situation that edible marine shellfishes are combinedly contaminated by different kinds of lipophilic toxins, common lipophilic shellfish toxins in marine shellfishes were simultaneously detected by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and the safety risk of commercial marine shellfish was evaluated using the risk assessment method based on combined contamination of various toxins. Under the optimum conditions, satisfactory recoveries (63. 3％ - 88. 8％ ), precision ( relative standard deviations RSD≤14. 5％ ) and sensitivity (limit of detection in the range of 0. 5-2. 7 ng / g) of the method were achieved for all the analytes. Among the 105 commercially available shellfish samples, 42. 86％ of the samples had at least a kind of toxin. The highest average content was 47. 6 μg / kg of DTX1, which was the most serious contaminant for marine shellfishes. The total Expose Risk Index (∑ERI) was calculated based on Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) and Acute Reference Dose (ARfD) of each toxin to evaluate the safety risk of commercial marine shellfish. The results showed that the ratio of commercially available marine shellfish with safety risk was 19. 05％ and the food safety risk of scallop was the highest. In summary, a new method based on the combined contamination of lipophilic shellfish toxins was successfully developed for risk assessment of the commercial marine shellfish. The proposed method is more harsh compared with the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) regulation and can make shellfish consumers better to avoid the risk of poisoning.

ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; metabolism ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cell Nucleus ; metabolism ; Cytoplasm ; metabolism ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; metabolism ; Y-Box-Binding Protein 1 ; metabolism ; Young Adult