Objective To determine the conversion equation for X(copies/ml, lg) quantity values of domestic HCV RNA quantitative fluorescence amplification assays approved by SFDA and Y( IU/ml, lg)reference values of standard substance. Methods The second generation WHO International Standard (NIBSC code:96/798) was mixed with human AB blood type serum to create 7 different dilutions which included 100 000, 50 000, 25 000, 10 000, 5 000, 2 500 and 1 000 IU/ml. Two different batches of each three domestic hepatitis C virus RNA real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR assays and 2 different batches of each assay were employed to detect the 7 different concentration samples with real-time PCR. Each test was performed 4 times repeatedly. Results The correlations between X( copies/ml,lg) values of domestic HCV RNA assays and Y(IU/ml,lg) reference values of standard substance were as follow,Assay A:Y =0. 902 0 X+0.284 9,R2 =0.953 3,P＜0. 01,n =56;Assay B: Y=0. 875 7 X +0.562 4,R2 =0.956 5,P＜0.01,n =56; Assay C: Y = 0. 843 8 X + 0. 560 5, R2 = 0. 945 8, P ＜ 0. 01, n = 56. Conclusions All the conversion equations are different among the quantity value of three assays and the reference values of standard substance, that suggests it is necessary to perform more stringent traceability analysis for the quantity values of 3 assays. Through standardizing the quantity values preliminarily, the conversion equation can enhance the comparability between the quantity values of different assays, and provide a standard of HCV RNA virus load detection for clinical diagnosis and treatment monitoring of HCV infection.

Abstract: The loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technique is a technique for the specific and efficient amplification of target fragments at a constant temperature using two pairs of specially designed primers and a strand displacement activity DNA polymerase. LAMP technique is a simple, rapid, specific, sensitive and cost-effective nucleic acid amplification method, and therefore has a promising future in the field rapid detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and grassroots applications. In this review, the basic principles and characteristics of the LAMP technique, the main molecular markers for the diagnosis of tuberculosis, and the use of different molecular markers and various types of novel techniques in the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis, extrapulmonary tuberculosis, and drug-resistant tuberculosis were described. The LAMP technique has been widely used in the diagnosis of tuberculosis with high sensitivity and specificity, but the technique still has some shortcomings. This paper reviews the progress of its application in tuberculosis in recent years and provides an outlook on its development, with a view to providing a rational research direction for rapid diagnosis of tuberculosis in a resource-limited environment.

Objective:To observe the clinical effect of warm needling moxibustion plus acupoint sticking therapy for cervical radiculopathy.Methods:A total of 120 cases were allocated into an observation group,a warm needling group and an acupoint sticking group according to the random number table,with 40 cases in each group.Cases in the observation group received warm needling moxibustion plus acupoint sticking therapy;cases in the warm needling group received the same warm needling moxibustion in the observation group;cases in the acupoint sticking group received the same acupoint sticking therapy in the observation group.The scores of Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) and visual analog scale (VAS) were recorded before and after treatment.Results:The total effective rate was 95.0％ in the observation group,versus 77.5％ in the warm needling group and 75.0％ in the acupoint sticking group (both P＜0.05).Inter-group differences in JOA and VAS between the observation group and the other two groups were statistically significant (all P＜0.05).Conclusion:Warm needling moxibustion plus acupoint sticking therapy is effective in treating cervical radiculopathy,and it can significantly alleviate pain and enhance clinical efficacy,and thus is worth clinical popularization.

OBJECTIVETo search for an effective therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).

METHODSEighty-five cases of CFS were treated with massage and pressing of Back-shu points, combined with pressing acupoints on the head. The therapeutic effect was observed.

RESULTSAfter treatment of 3 courses, 26 cases were markedly effective, 52 cases were effective, and 7 cases were ineffective, with a total effective rate of 91.8% and a markedly effective rate of 30.6%.

CONCLUSIONPressing acupoints and massage can effectively improve clinical symptoms of the patient with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Acupressure ; methods ; Adult ; Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

Objective To determine the distribution of HCV genotypes in patients with chronic hepatitis C,study the distribution of genotype in different gender and the relationship between genotypes and serum HCV-RNA levels.Methods Two hundred and six cases of HCV RNA positive patients(all with relevant clinical data) receiving pegylated interferon therapy were collected from May to December 2010.HCV RNA was detected in 206 hepatitis C patients from 40 hospitals in China by Roche Cobas AmpliPrep/Cobas TaqMan HBV test,and genotype was determined by Abbott RealTime HCV G enotype Ⅱ .The distribution of genotypes in the gender was analyzed by chi-square test analysis.The relationship between genotypes and serum HCV RNA levels was detected by single factor analysis and two independent sample t test analysis.Results There were seven different subtypes of HCV in 206 samples,including genotype 1,7 cases(3.4% ,7/206); genotype 1a,2 cases(1.0%,2/206); genotype 1b,123 cases (59.7 %,123/206); genotype 2,32 cases(15.5 %,32/206); genotype 3,27 cases(13.1%,27/206); genotype 6,6 cases(2.9% ,6/206) ;genotype 1/6,5 cases(2.4% ,5/206) ;genotype 2/4,1 cases(0.5%,1/206).There was no significant difference between HCV genotype and gender in 132 cases with genotype 1 and 65 cases with non-genotype 1(genotype 2,3,6) (x2 = 0.000,P ＞ 0.05).There was significant association between quantity of HCV RNA and genotype in 188 patients with HCV(F = 3.371,P＜ 0.01).The 197 patients with HCV single genotype were divided into five groups in terms of region(East,South,West,North and Center).There was no significant difference between HCV genotype 1 and non-genotype 1 in the five groups(x2 = 5.840,P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions It is suggested that HCV 1 b is the most prevalent type in China,followed by HCV 2.There is no significant difference between HCV genotype and gender.The levels of HCV RNA with genotype 1b are significantly higher than those with genotype 3.The levels of HCV RNA with genotype 2 are significantly higher than those with genotype 3.The levels of HCV RNA with genotype 6 are significantly higher than those with genotype 3.

BACKGROUNDGastroesophageal reflux disease with extra-esophageal symptoms, especially those with respiratory distress was attracting more and more attention. The related mechanisms were still in controversy. The purpose of the work was to explore airway inflammation triggered by gastroesophageal reflux.

METHODSSixteen Sprague-Dawley rats were used as study group and 9 as control. In the study group, a plastic extender with a trumpet-shaped distal end was inserted into the lower esophagus to dilate the cardia, the pylorus was ligated. One ml of 0.1 mol/L hydrochloric acid was injected into the stomach. While a simple laparotomy was performed for control animals. All animals from two groups were sacrificed 24 hours after operation. Then tracheotomy was carried and the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was collected in all animals. Cells in the fluid were counted and levels of interleukin (IL)-5, -6, -8 in it were measured.

RESULTSCompared with control group, the study group presented a neutrophil pattern of airway inflammation and an elevated concentration of IL-5, -6, -8 with no significant difference regarding eosinophil count.

CONCLUSIONThe gastroesophageal reflux-triggered airway inflammation is characterized by a neutrophilic airway inflammation which differed from that caused by asthma, and enhanced levels of IL-5, -6 and -8, which are similar to that caused by asthma.

Animals ; Asthma ; etiology ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; immunology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; complications ; Inflammation ; etiology ; Interleukin-5 ; analysis ; Interleukin-6 ; analysis ; Interleukin-8 ; analysis ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo investigate the efficacy of cryoablation combined with CpG ODN in the treatment of murine transplanted colon carcinoma.

METHODSColon carcinoma model was established by subcutaneously inoculating CT26 cells into the right flank in BALB/c mice. The tumor-bearing mice were randomly divided into 4 groups:the group of PBS injected in peritumoral area, the group of cryoablation, the group of cryoablation combined with CpG ODN, the group of CpG ODN injected in peritumoral area. The tumor size changes were measured. Serum levels of interleukin (IL)-12 and interferon-gamma(IFN-gamma) were assayed by ELISA. The rates of CD3(+)CD4(+)T, CD3(+)CD8(+)T lymphocytes in serum were counted with flow cytometry. Mice in the cryoablation group and the combined group with tumor regression were re-challenged with CT26 cells.

RESULTSThe survival time of cryoablation group and combined therapy group were (80.3 + or - 5.4) days and (83.8 + or - 5.5) days, respectively, longer than (53.7 + or - 3.7) days in PBS group and (51.5 + or - 6.8) days in CpG ODN group(all P<0.05). The suppress rates of tumor cells in cryoablation group and combined therapy group were 83.8% and 86.2% respectively. After 20 days following treatment, CD3(+)CD4(+)T/CD3(+)CD8(+)T ratio and the concentrations of IL-12 and IFN-gamma in mice serum of cryoablation group and combined therapy group were higher than those in PBS group and CpG ODN group(all P<0.05). No significant difference was found in CD3(+)CD4(+)T/CD3(+)CD8(+)T ratio between cryoablation group and combined therapy group(P>0.05). However, the concentrations of IL-12 and IFN-gamma in combined therapy group were higher than those of cryoablation group(all P<0.05). After re-challenging, tumor formation rate in the cryoablation combined with CpG ODN group was 16.7%, significantly lower than that in the cryoablation group(83.8%)(P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONCryoablation combined with CpG ODN can increase antitumor immune response in mice, and therefore can decrease the tumor formation when re-challenged with CT26 cells.

Animals ; Colonic Neoplasms ; therapy ; Cryosurgery ; Female ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Oligodeoxyribonucleotides ; therapeutic use

Mechanisms of acupuncture and moxibustion for treatment of hypertension have been studied extensively from poly-aspects, poly-levels and poly-links. The present paper reviews the studies on nervous regulation, humoral regulation and regulation of peripheral vessel resistance and other pathways and their relationships in recent ten years, and indicates further perfecting these studies from the following aspects: studies on the mechanism of section and combination of blood pressure-decreasing points, relationship of time-effect and dose-effect of acupuncture and moxibustion, and studies on mechanisms of functions of nerve-endocrine-immune system.
Acupuncture Therapy ; Brain ; physiology ; Endothelins ; physiology ; Humans ; Hypertension ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Moxibustion ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; physiology ; Peripheral Nerves ; physiology ; Renin-Angiotensin System ; physiology ; Vascular Resistance

OBJECTIVETo analyze the clinical results and complications of three methods for microgenia, including chin augmentation with silicone implant, bone autograft, and genioplasty.

METHODSThe advantages and disadvantages of the three methods for microgenia were assessed through 3-D CT reconstruction, X-ray and intraoperative observation during the second operation. The indications for each technique were also studied.

RESULTSThe frequently observed problems for chin augmentation with silicone implants were implant malposition, underlying bone absorption, periosteal reaction and undercorrection. Chin augmentation with bone autograft had a great long-term bone graft absorption which led to undercorrection. Genioplasty showed a satisfactory cosmetic result with no serious complication.

CONCLUSIONSChin augmentation with silicone implant is suitable for mild microgenia with a shallow mentolabial groove, but without facial vertical insufficient and facial asymmetry. Genioplasty can be used in all kinds of microgenia in any severity, especially those with deviated chin and facial asymmetry. Chin augmentation with bone autograft can't achieve good long-term result and should be applied prudently.

Adult ; Chin ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Prostheses and Implants ; Silicone Elastomers ; Surgery, Plastic ; methods ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo locate the mandibular canal accurately in the mandibular body of the young women and provide anatomic data for the mandibular angle plasty.

METHODS60 women whose age ranged from 20 to 39 years old were randomly selected, the average was 25.32 years old. CT scanning and 3-D reconstruction were applied to their mandibles. After the points were determined, the distances of the points to inferior mandibular borders were measured. The data was analyzed by SPSS 11.5.

RESULTSThe distance between the mandibular canal and the inferior mandibular border was least in the area which responsed to the second premolar. It decreases from the posterior margin of the third molar to the anterior margin of the first molar. It increases from the posterior margin to the mental hole.

CONCLUSIONSThe mandibular canal between the posterior and anterior margins of the second pre-molar is prone to be injuried and should be paid more attention to during mandibular angle plasty.

Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Female ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Mandibular Nerve ; diagnostic imaging ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult