Objective To investigate the effect of SOCS1 and SOCS3 hypomethylation on homeostasis of Th1/Th2 in Kawasaki disease(KD). Methods Thirty-six children with KD and sixteen age-matched healthy children consented to participate in this study. Protein concentration of IL-6 in plasma was measured by ELISA. Transcriptional levels of SOCS1, SOCS3, T-bet, IFN-γ, GATA3 and IL-4 were assessed by realtime PCR. The proportion of Th1 and Th2 cells, and mean fluorescence intensity(MFI)for phosphorylated STAT3(pSTAT3)protein in CD4+ T cells was analyzed by flow cytometry. A quantitative methylation specific PCR based on SYBR Green was used to evaluate methylation status of CpG islands in SOCSl exon2, and three potential binding sites for STAT3 in 5'-untraslated region(5'-UTR)of SOCS3 in CD4+T cells. Comparisons between groups were performed with t-test. Results ①Compared with healthy volunteers, plasma IL-6 concentration[(51.8±16.3)pg/ml vs(8.6±2.0)pg/ml, respectively]and MFI for pSTAT3[(52±14)vs(10±4), respectively]in CD4+ T cells were elevated significantly during acute phase of KD(P＜0.05), and the two items in KD patients with coronary artery lesion(KD-CAL+)were found to be higher than those in KD patients without coronary artery lesion(KD-CAL-)[IL-6:(87.2±27.4)pg/ml vs(36.2±12.8)pg/ml, P＜0.05; pSTAT3 MFI:(75±15)vs(42±11), P＜0.05]. ② The proportions of Th1 and Th2 cells and transcription levels of Th-associating factors(T-bet, IFN-γ, GATA3 and IL-4)in CD4+ T cells increased significantly in acute KD(P＜0.05), while the rate of Thl div Th2 in KD patients was found to be lower than that in normal controls(P＜0.05). In addition, the proportions of Th1 and Th2 cells and expressions levels of Th-associating factors in KD-CAL+ group were higher than those in KD-CAL-group, as well as the rate of Thl div Th2 cells in KD -CAL+ group were lower than that in KD-CAL- group(P＜0.05). ③ The mRNA levels of SOCSl and SOCS3 in CD4+ T cells increased significantly during acute phase of KD(P＜0.05), while the two items in KDCAL+ group were lower than those in KD-CAL- group(P＜0.05). Furthermore, CpG islands in SOCSl exon2 and the third potential binding site for STAT3 in SOCS3 5'-UTR were hypomethylated in acute KD, while those in healthy volunteers were fully demethylated(P＜0.05). Demethylation levels of the two items mentioned above in the KD-CAL+ group were lower than those in the KD-CAL-group(P＜0.05). CpG islands in the other two binding sites for STAT3 in SOCS3 5'-UTR were fully demethylated among all the groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion Relative insufficiency of SOCS1 and SOCS3 expression caused by hypomethylation may be one contributing factor for the imbalance of Th1/Th2 in KD.

Objective To investigate the role of IL-6/STAT3 signaling in Th17/Tr imbalance of Kawasaki disease(KD). Methods Forty-eight children with KD and eighteen age-matched healthy children were consented to participate in this study. Protein concentration of IL-6 in plasma was measured by ELISA. Transcriptional levels of IL-17A, IL-17F, RORγt, Foxp3, SOCS1 and SOCS3 were assessed by real-time PCR. The proportion of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T(Tr) cells and mean fluorescence intensity(MFI) for phosphorylated-STAT3(pSTAT3) protein in CD4+ T cells was analyzed by flow cytometry. A quantitative methylation specific PCR based on SYBR Green was used to evaluate methylation status of CpG islands in SOCS1 exon2, three potential bind sites for STAT3 in 5'-untraslated region(5'-UTR) of SOCS3 in CD4+ T cells. Results (1)Compared with healthy volunteers, plasma IL-6 concentration and MFI for pSTAT3 in CD4+ T cells were elevated significantly during acute phase of KD[IL-6:(54.02±20.58) pg/ml vs (8.72±2.06) pg/ml, P<0.05;pSTAT3 MFI:(55.41±15.08) vs (9.35±3.76), P<0.05], and the two items in KD patients with coronary artery lesion (KD-CAL+) were found to be higher than those in KD patients without coronary artery lesion (KD-CAL-)[IL-6:(84.76±29.35) pg/ml vs (38.65±13.76) pg/ml, P<0.05;pSTAT3 MFI:(72.36±16.81) vs (46.93±13.57), P<0.05]. (2)Transcription levels of IL-17A, IL-17F and RORγt in patients with KD were significantly elevated (P<0.05) while the proportion of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Treg and expression levels of Foxp3 were detected to be lower than those in normal controls (P<0.05). The mRNA levels of IL-17A, IL-17F and RORγt in KD-CAL+ group were higher than those in KD-CAL- group(P<0.05), as well as expression level of Foxp3 were found to be lower in KD-CAL+ group(P<0.05). (3)The mRNA levels of SOCS1 and SOCS3 in CD4+ T cells increased significantly during acute phase of KD(P<0.05), while the two items in KD-CAL+ group were lower than those in KD-CAL- group(P<0.05). Furthermore, CpG islands in SOCS1 exon2 and the third potential bind site for STAT3 in SOCS3 5'-UTR were hypomethylated in acute KD, while those in healthy controls were fully demethylated(P<0.05). Demethylation levels of SOCS1 exon2 and the third potential bind site for STAT3 in SOCS3 5'-UTR in KD-CAL+ group were lower than those in KD-CAL- group(P<0.05). CpG islands in the other two bind sites for STAT3 in SOCS3 5'-UTR were fully demethylated among all the groups(P>0.05). ConclusionAberrant activation of IL-6/STAT3 signaling caused by hypomethylation of SOCS1 and SOCS3 might be one contributing factor to unbalance of Th17/Tr in KD.

Objective To explore the prognostic value of modified Glasgow prognostic score (mGPS) and risk factors in predicting overall survival (OS) in the castrate-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) treated with docetaxel-based chemotherapy.Methods We retrospectively analyzed the data of 48 consecutive Chinese patients with CRPC received docetaxel-based chemotherapy in our institution from January 2008 to January 2012.Patients were divided into three groups according to the mGPS:0,1 and 2 score groups,and compare the OS among the three groups.Variables that were influenced the efficacy of chemotherapy were included in the univariate analysis and multivariate model.Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier curves,and the differences in overall survival rates were assessed using the Logrank test.Results The follow-up was performed until April 2014.There were 48 CRPC patients including mGPS 0 score group 30 cases,mGPS 1 score group 11 cases and mGPS 2 score 7 cases.The median OS was 22,11,9 months,respectively,P＜0.01.Univariate analysis showed that:prechemotherapy baseline total prostate-specific antigen (tPSA),Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score,the number of chemotherapy cycle,visceral metastasis and PSA response were associated with poor prognosis (P＜0.05).Multivariate analysis showed that:prechemotherapy mGPS 1-2 score,baseline tPSA＞60 μg/L,the number of cycles of chemotherapy≤5,with visceral metastasis and PSA response in patients with CRPC were independent risk factors for prognosis in the CRPC treated with docetaxel-based chemotherapy.Conclusion mGPS is an independent risk factor for prognosis in the CRPC patients treated with docetaxel-based chemotherapy.

This study aims to explore the efficacy of interferon-α (IFN-α) combined with either entecavir (ETV) or adefovir (ADV) therapy versus IFN-α mono-therapy for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients,and to identify the factors associated with treatment outcomes.Totally,159 CHB patients receiving interferon-based treatment for 48 weeks were enrolled in this retrospective study,including IFN-α mono-therapy group (group A,n=44),IFN-α plus ADV group (group B,n=53) and IFN-α plus ETV group (group C,n=62).The primary measures of efficacy assessments were the changes in HBsAg.Cox regression analysis was used to identify the predictors of treatment outcomes.The predictive values of the factors were assessed by ROC analysis.For patients with baseline hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) level ＜1000 IU/mL,the reductions in mean HBsAg levels at week 48 were greater in group C than that in group A (P＜0.05).Higher rate of HBeAg seroconversion was achieved in the combined therapy group than in IFN-α mono-therapy group at week 48 (P＜0.05).Two factors were independently associated with HBeAg seroconversion:baseline HBeAg level ＜2.215 log10 index/mL and △HBeAg (.decline in HBeAg from baseline) ＞0.175 log10 at week 12.In conclusion,interferon-α plus ETV therapy can accelerate HBsAg decline as compared with interferon-α mono-therapy in CHB patients with lower baseline HBsAg levels,and the combination therapy was superior to IFN-α mono-therapy in increasing the rate of HBeAg seroconversion.Baseline HBeAg and △HBeAg at week 12 can independently predict HBeAg seroconversion in patients subject to interferon-based therapy for 48 weeks.

OBJECTIVEWe aim to investigate the sonodynamic effect induced by hydroxyl acetylated curcumin (HAC) on THP-1 macrophages.

METHODSTHP-1 derived macrophages (1 x 10(5) per milliliter) were cultured with HAC at a concentration of 5 µg/mL for 4 h and then exposed to pulse ultrasound treatment (0.5 W/cm2) for 5 min. Six hours later, cell viability analysis was performed with CCK-8 assay, apoptosis and necrosis analysis were detected with Annexin V/PI staining by flow cytometery.

RESULTSThe cell viability of THP-1 macrophage decreased significantly in the group treated with the combination of HAC and ultrasound (P < 0.01), and HAC-SDT induced both apoptosis and necrosis in THP-1 macrophages, the apoptotic rate was higher than the necrotic rate with appropriate conditions, the maximum apoptosis/necrosis ratio was detected in sonodynamic therapy (SDT) group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONhAC-SDT was effective to induce THP-1 macrophages apoptosis.

Apoptosis ; Cell Line ; Cell Survival ; Curcumin ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Macrophages ; cytology ; drug effects ; Necrosis ; Ultrasonics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the renal protective activity of Hsian-tsao Mesona procumbens Hemsl. water extracts in diabetic rats.

METHODSThirty Sprague-dawley female rats were randomly divided into three groups (n = 10 each), "control group" with intraperitoneal saline injection, "diabetic group" with 60 mg of intraperitoneal streptozotocin injection per kg of body weight and "Hsian-tsao group" with intragastric administration of Hsian-tsao extraction everyday for 4 weeks after intraperitoneal streptozotocin injection. The body weight and blood sugar were measured before and after model induction in the three groups. Thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) expressions in the kidney were monitored by immunohistochemistry. Kidney ultrastructural changes were also analyzed by using transmission electron microscopy.

RESULTSBefore diabetic model induction, there were no significant differences among the three groups in body weight and blood sugar. Four weeks after the induction of diabetes, the differences became statistically significant. Electron microscopy also revealed disruption of the foot processes of the podocytes and other damages in diabetic group. These damages were significantly less severe in Hsian-tsao group when compared with the diabetic group. TSP-1 expressions in the kidney were significantly increased in both the diabetic group and Hsian-tsao group, but it was relatively lower in Hsian-tsao group than in diabetic group.

CONCLUSIONOur results showed that Hsian-tsao treatment in the diabetic rats effectively prevented the pathological alterations in the kidney and decreased the TSP-1 expression. It was suggested that Hsian-tsao had protective effect on the kidneys of the diabetic rats.

Animals ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; metabolism ; pathology ; prevention & control ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Kidney ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Lamiaceae ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Thrombospondin 1 ; metabolism

Objective To discuss the effects of community diabetes specialist nurse training practice from the perspective of knowledge management, in order to provide some references for personnel training mode of the community nurses. Methods We established community diabetes specialist nurse training practices, screened 80 community nurses to participate in training, and implemented the training practices. The training objects were surveyed with the diabetes knowledge and performed duties questionnaires before and after the training. Diabetes knowledge level and the degree of willingness to perform duties were as evaluation indexes, SPSS 18. 0 software was used for analyzing and processing the date, and studying training effects from the perspective of knowledge management. Results Diabetes knowledge test accuracy of community nurses were 37. 0%, 68. 4% before and after the training (Z=7. 36, P<0. 01);willingness to perform their duties showed that options of very willing were 52. 5%(42/80), and options of willing were 46. 2%(37/80), and only one person said reluctantly willing. Conclusions The training practice can guarantee quality of nursing knowledge resources which were imported community health service centers, promote effectively spread, flow and use of knowledge resources in the community health service centers, then to promote knowledge utilization value.

A method for the determination of trace elements such as lead, arsenic and mercury in cream cosmetics by total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (TXRF) with suspension sampling was developed. The mixed solvents of water,tetrahydrofuran,methanol and were used to disperse paste, cream, and additives of triton X-100 to promote the test liquid uniform. The test suspension fluid were taken into the sample carrier,drying and then introduced into TXRF. Poly(1-vinylpyrrolidone-co-vinyl acetate) (P(VP-co-VAc)) was added to curing sediments,inhibiting proliferation. Triton X-100 and P(VP-co-VAc) were found to have the function of reducing mercury loss in the drying process. The loss of elements in the drying process and the effect of triton X-100 and P(VP-co-VAc) were investigated. The effect of cream matrix, element interference, spectral line and the inner standard were discussed. The calibration curves for quantitative analysis were established using matrix standards, so the error of software decomposition peak and the error caused by thick sample were avoided within a certain range. In this work,the linear correlation coefficients of Pb,As and Hg calibration curve were greater than 0.998 The detection limit of Pb,As and Hg in the solution were 0.005,0.004 and 0.006 μg/mL,respectively. Relative standard diviations(RSDs, n=11) of Pb, As and Hg were 7.8%-14.9%,6.6%-13.3% and 7.6%-14.6% respectively. The results of Pb, As, and Hg in cream cosmetics determinated by this method agreed with those obtained from inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry and the value of standard reference material. The TXRF method was proved to be accurate,simple and valuable in determination of trace heavy metal ions in cosmetic samples.

OBJECTIVETo establish a model of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) in rats.

METHODSSD rats were intraperitoneally injected with different concentrations of zymosan suspension. The general status, temperature, white cell count, tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-6(IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10) and the pathological changes of main organs were examined.

RESULTSThe conditions of rats receiving zymosan doses of 750 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg were consistent with the criteria of SIRS model; however, the mortality of 1000 mg/kg group was higher than that of 750 mg/kg group.

CONCLUSIONThe rat model of systemic inflammatory response syndrome has been successfully induced.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Interleukin-10 ; blood ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Male ; Paraffin ; toxicity ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome ; blood ; chemically induced ; pathology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood ; Viscera ; pathology ; Zymosan ; toxicity

OBJECTIVETo analyze the causes of the complications associated with the pedicle screw fixation during and after operation, as well as the methods for prevention and treatment.

METHODSFrom January 1988 to December 1999, 475 patients who underwent pedicle screw fixation for various spinal disorders were reviewed retrospectively with statistical analysis.

RESULTSFour hundred and twenty-eight patients (90.1% of all) were followed up for (6.0 +/- 3.7) years. Complications of CD, DRFS, Dick, RF and steffee among 72 cases (80% of all) occurred during the operation of pedical screw fixation in 26 cases with the incidence of 5.5% and after the operation in 64 cases with the incidence of 15%. The incidence of operative/postoperative complications were 0-12.9% in CD, 6.8%-11.9% in DRFS, 7.3%-12.7% in Dick, 2.4%-19.5% in RF, and 10.1%-21.5% in Steffee respectively. The main complications included pseudoarthrosis, pedicle screw broken, pedicle screw malposition and so on. The complications were mainly due to unskilled technique of pedicle screw fixation, implant defect in design and so on.

CONCLUSIONSThe complications associated with the technique of pedicle screw fixation must not be neglected. The main causes are laid on unskilled technique of pedicle screw fixation and implant defect in design.

Equipment Failure ; statistics & numerical data ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incidence ; Internal Fixators ; Male ; Postoperative Complications ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Pseudarthrosis ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Diseases ; surgery ; Spinal Fusion ; methods