Objective To establish a rapid assay for genotyping of IL-6-597G/A and-572G/C polymorphisms by duplex real-time PCR assay.Methods One pair of primers and two pairs of fluorescent hybridization probes had been used to genotype two mutation sites in the promoter region of IL-6 gene by fluorescent resonance energy transfer and melting curves.Results Duplex real-time PCR method for genotyping of two mutation sites simultaneously had been developed and 123 health people samples were analyzed by this new method.The results showed that three genotypes were found in IL-6 gene-572G/C polymorphisms.They were GG,GC and CC genotypes.IL-6 gene promoter-597G/A polymorphism analysis showed 4 cases displayed GA genotype and other possessed GG genotype.No AA genotype had been found.Conclusions Duplex real-time PCR method is simple and fast.It provided an accurate and economic method which is suitable for clinical gene genotyping.

Professor JIA Chunsheng believes that "Dongyuan's acupuncture therapy" proposed by GAO Wu could not entirely reflect LI Dongyuan's academic thought of acupuncture and moxibustion. Hence, we collected all of the academic works of LI Dongyuan and extracted the texts relevant with acupuncture-moxibustion therapy, titled as Dongyuan's acupuncture-moxibustion therapy. This process contributed to the deeper study on Dongyuan's acupuncture and moxibustion academic thought. By the influence of Dongyuan's acupuncture-moxibustion academic thought, in association with his clinical experience for dozens of years, Professor JIA Chunsheng proposed that acupuncture and moxibustion should pay attention to the regulation and tonification of spleen and kidney. In clinical practice, Zhongwan (CV 12), bilateral Tianshu (ST 25), Qihai (CV 6) and Guanyuan (CV 4) are commonly selected to consolidate the root, cultivate the primary and treat the spleen and kidney simultaneously. The locations of the above selected points are distributed like a star. This "star-like point selection method" points to the importance of the spleen and kidney (the primary qi). For many diseases, especially the disorders of internal injury, the star-like acupuncture therapy is commonly used and the relevant acupoints are supplemented. The good clinical efficacy has been achieved.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; history ; methods ; China ; History, Ancient ; Humans ; Moxibustion ; history ; methods

Objective:To investigate the expression of wild type estrogen receptor(wER)and the ex-on-5 deleted ER(variant ER,vER)in human hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)samples,and thereafteranalyze the possibility of HCC treatment by endocrine therapy.Methods:The mRNA expressions of wERand vER were analysed from 28 cases of HCC by RT-PCR.The expression of ER at the protein level wasdetected by immunohistochemistry(IHC).Results:IHC results showed that 39.3% of the HCC speci-mens expressed ER.The mRNA of wER was detected in 89.3%(25/28)of the HCC specimens whilethat of vER was detected in 96.4%(27/28).Twenty four out of 28 HCC cases(85.7%)expressedboth wER and vER.One out of 28 patients(3.5%)expressed only wER whereas 3 patients out of 28(10.7%)expressed vER only.Conclusion:Ninety six percent(27/28)of the HCC patients expressedvER,which suggests that the expression of vER is an important event in the development of HCC.

Objective:To analyze the mean levels of skeletal muscle mass and strength in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM), and to investigate the effects of chronic inflammatory factors and oxidative stress on them.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted on 120 patients with T2DM aged over 60 years and 126 elderly patients without diabetes(the control group). Skeletal muscle mass, strength and serum levels of chronic inflammatory factors interleukin-6(IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine(8-OHdG)were determined, and their effects on skeletal muscle mass and strength in elderly patients with T2DM were analyzed.Results:Compared with the control group, grip strength decreased in elderly patients with T2DM(25.03±7.85)kg vs.(29.52±7.73)kg( P<0.01), and skeletal muscle mass decreased(21.36±5.46)kg vs.(22.01±5.22)kg with no significant difference( P>0.05). Serum levels of 8-OHdG were higher in elderly patients with T2DM than in the control group(3.08±0.26)ng/L vs.(2.59±0.16)ng/L( P<0.01). Correlation and regression analysis results showed that 8-OHdG was an influencing factor for muscle strength in elderly patients with T2DM( R2=0.457)and that height and weight could be influencing factors for skeletal muscle mass in elderly patients with T2DM( R2=0.822). Conclusions:Skeletal muscle mass and strength decline in elderly T2DM patients, probably as a result of increased levels of oxidative stress.These findings may serve as evidence for sarcopenia intervention in elderly T2DM patients.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the erectile and ejaculatory function of sacral tumor patients after sacral nerve root resection and investigate the relationship of erectile and ejaculatory dysfunction (EED) with the level of sacral nerve injury.

METHODSThis retrospective study included 47 male patients aged 16 to 63 (32.6 +/- 6.8) years treated by sacral tumor resection between January 2008 and August 2013. According to the levels of the sacral nerve roots spared in surgery, the patients were divided into four groups: bilateral S1-S3 (n=16), unilateral S1-S3 (n=21), unilateral S1-S2 (n=6), and unilateral S1 (n=4). The patients were followed up for 12 to 41 (27.2 +/- 10.9) months by questionnaire investigation, clinic review, and telephone calls about their erectile and ejaculatory function at 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery and in August 2013.

RESULTSIn the bilateral S1-S3 group, the incidence rates of EED were 31.25% (5/16), 25% (4/16), and 12.5% (2/16) at 3, 6, and 12 months respectively after surgery, with recovery of erectile and ejaculatory function in August 2013. The incidence rates of EED in the unilateral S1-S3 group were 85.71% (18/21), 71.43% (15/21), 52.38% (11/21), and 42.86% (9/21) at 3, 6 and 12 months and in August 2013, respectively; those in the unilateral S1-S2 group were 100% (6/6), 83.33% (5/6), 83.33% (5/6), and 66.67% (4/6) at the four time points; and those in the unilateral S1 group were all 100% (4/4). No statistically significant differences were found in the incidence rate of EED among the patients of different ages or tumor types (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe incidence of postoperative EED in male patients treated by sacral tumor resection is closely related to the mode of operation. Sparing the S3 nerve root at least unilaterally in sacral tumor resection is essential for protecting the erectile and ejaculatory function of the patient.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Ejaculation ; physiology ; Erectile Dysfunction ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Organ Sparing Treatments ; Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms ; surgery ; Postoperative Complications ; epidemiology ; Postoperative Period ; Retrospective Studies ; Sacrum ; Spinal Nerve Roots ; injuries ; surgery ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult

Abstract: Schistosomiasis is a serious major parasitic disease that threatens human life and health. A better understanding of the mechanism of host-schistosome interactions is the key to designing new prevention and control strategies. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous small non-coding RNA molecules, which lead to the degradation of the target messenger RNA (mRNA) or inhibition of its translation in a sequence-specific manner. Both schistosome and its host produce miRNAs, which can be secreted by extracellular vesicles (EVs). There is accumulating evidence that miRNAs from schistosome can be taken up by host cells, and finely manipulate the phenotype of host cells for their survival or pathogenesis in a cross-species manner, even inhibiting the growth and metastases of hepatoma cells. It is still unknown whether host free miRNAs can be taken up by schistosome, but this phenomenon is highly probable. miRNA-mediated cross-species regulation has emerged as a novel mechanism for host-schistosome interactions, and this review summarizes the advances in this regard.

This study was aimed to explore the correlation between IL-6 gene promoter polymorphisms and coronary heart disease (CHD) by investigating the polymorphisms (-572G/C, -597G/A) in IL-6 gene promoter area, body mass index (BMI), inflammatory factors and other biochemical parameters in Han nationality of North China. The genotypes of IL-6 gene promoter-572G/C, -597G/A were detected by fluorescent probe hybridization with fluorescent resonance energy transfer and melting curve techniques in 194 CHD patients and 123 healthy people as control. The effects of genotype on plasma lipids, apoproteins, high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and BMI were also studied. Logistic regression was performed to observe the risk factors of CHD. The results indicated that genotype of IL-6 gene promoter -597G/A polymorphism in 7 cases were GA and were GG in others, whereas no AA genotype had been found and no associations between polymorphism of IL-6 gene -597G/A, BMI and inflammatory factors were found. No differences had been found between the frequencies of IL-6 gene -572G/C genotypes and alleles in CHD and control group. However, significant difference was found between the G allele carrier (GG+GC) and non-G allele carrier (CC) of CHD and control group (p=0.0425). In the control group, median levels of systolic blood pressure of G allele carrier were significant higher than non-G allele carrier (p=0.02). Among all the subjects, median levels of BMI, hsCRP and systolic blood pressure in the group of G allele carrier were significantly higher than that in the group of non-G allele carrier, p values were 0.026, 0.022, 0.005 respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age, triglyceride, sex, high blood pressure, apoprotein C2, cholesterol and lipoprotein-a) were the risk factors for CHD, and apoprotein A1 was a protective factor. The G allele of IL-6 gene -572G/C has been not found to be a risk factor for CHD. It is concluded IL-6 gene -597G/A polymorphism is not correlated with the susceptibility to CHD; IL-6 gene -572G/C polymorphism may be correlated with the susceptibility to CHD in Han nationality of North China, the mechanisms may be related with the changes of BMI, hsCRP and blood pressure levels resulted from the polymorphism of IL-6 -572G/C.
Adult ; Aged ; Body Mass Index ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Coronary Disease ; etiology ; genetics ; Disease Susceptibility ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes of expression and subcellular location of nuclear growth-induced protein-B(NGFI-B) in cardiomyocytes of stressed rats and its biological effect and to provide scientific evidences for exploring the mechanism underlying myocardium injury induced by stress.

METHODSThe cell model of stress-induced cardiomyocyte injury were established. Western blot method and confocal microscopy method were used to investigate the subcellular location of NGFI-B in cardiomyocytes under stress. The flow-cytometry was selected to detect the apoptotic rate in cardiomyocytes in vitro. Western blot method was used to determine the content of cytochrome C protein in mitochondria and cytoplasm respectively.

RESULTSStress induced the increase of NGFI-B content in the mitochondria of cardiomyocytes and the translocation of NGFI-B from the nucleus to the mitochondria. The translocation of NGFI-B promoted the release of cytochrome C from the mitochondria and the cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Treatment of stressed cardiomyocytes with leptomycin B, a non-specific blocker of nuclear export, resulted in nuclear retention of NGFI-B and abrogated its ability to induce the release of cytochrome C from the mitochondria.

CONCLUSIONStress could induce NGFI-B translocation from the nucleus to the mitochondria in cardiomyocytes, which activated the mitochondrial pathway of cell apoptosis.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Apoptosis ; Cells, Cultured ; Male ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; cytology ; metabolism ; Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 1 ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Stress, Physiological

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the pathoanatomize histological and biochemical characteristics of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) by use of old dogs with spontaneous BPH as animal models.

METHODSOld dogs aged 6 to 13 years were recruited after anus check, B-ultrasonic examination by recta spy and measurement under surgical exploration. Ten dogs with notable prostatic hyperplasia were used as models, and 6 with non-hyperplasia prostate as control. Serum testosterone (T), estrogen (E2), ACP and prostatic specific antigen (PSA) were analyzed, and prostates were checked histologically.

RESULTSProstate volume of the BPH group was significantly bigger than those of the control group, (14.7 +/- 2.3) and (13.8 +/- 1.9) cm3 vs (8.4 +/- 1.0) and (8.4 +/- 1.9) cm3, P < 0.01. Serum T [(14.3 +/- 2.9) vs (16.4 +/- 4.0) nmol/L] and E2 [(137.6 +/- 70.8) vs (164.4 +/- 82.0) pmol/L] were not different between the two groups (P > 0.05). ACP of the BPH group was higher than that of the control group [(6.63 +/- 2.76) vs (4.92 +/- 2.19) U/L], but the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). There was significant difference between the BPH group and the control group in PSA level [(5.6 +/- 0.78) vs (3.1 +/- 0.54) microgram/L, P < 0.01]. The tissue slides of the BPH prostates showed hyperplasia with raised height of epithelium, and many long and offsetting mammillae in the gland cavity due to epithelium hyperplasia.

CONCLUSIONOld dogs with spontaneous BPH are useful animal models for the etiological and pharmacological researches of human BPH.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Dog Diseases ; pathology ; Dogs ; Male ; Prostate ; pathology ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; blood ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; pathology ; veterinary

Objective To investigate the clinical significance of a new method,axis-line-distance technique(ALDT),in scoliosis measurement.Methods Thirty cases with idiopathic scoliosis were measured on two separate occasions by six observers with the Cobb technique and the ALDT on PACS workstation.The interval time between two measurement occasions were three weeks.The data were analyzed statistically with the paired-sample t-test.Results(1)Concerning intraobserver variance in two measurement occasions,the minimum variance,the maximum variance and the average variance were 0, 24.00?,5.71??1.54?for Cobb technique and 0,12.00 mm,(1.95?0.58)mm for ALDT.There were significant measurement differences for four observers with Cobb method 39.00??10.69?versus 36.50?? 10.63?,31.73??10.96?versus 37.30??9.65?,32.03??7.49?versus 27.86??9.00?,29.77??8.87? versus 34.20??7.26?,all P0.05].(2)Concerning interobserver variances in six observers,the average measurement variance was 5.07??0.35?for Cobb method,and(2.32?0.26)mm for ALDT. There were significant measurement differences for every observer using with Cobb method(36.63??10.30? versus 33.27??10.10?,39.00?10.69?versus 31.73??10.96?,32.03??7.49~ versus 29.78?? 8.87?,36.63??10.30?versus 39.00??10.69?versus 32.03??7.48?,39.00??10.69?versus 32.03?? 7.49?,all P