Objective To investigate the fuction of tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-?),interleukin-1 beta(IL-1?) and interleukin-6(IL-6) in children with intracranial infection.Methods TNF-?,IL-1? and IL-6 levels of serum and cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) were determined in the purulent meningitis group(25 cases),tuberculous meningitis group(17 cases),viral meningitis group(30 cases)and control group(20 cases)by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Results The levels of TNF-?,IL-1? and IL-6 obviously increased in CSF compared with that in the serum (Pa

Long-term excessive iodine intake resulted in an increased TT_4 level and a decreased TT_3 level in maternal serum,meanwhile,hepatic and renal type 1 deiodinase activity decreased dose-dependently.A significant reduction in type 2 deiodinase ( D2 ) activity of 12.5 d placenta was found in 3.0 mg/L or above groups.For 19.5 d uterus,D2 activity decreased and type 3 deiodinase activity increased.The results suggest that excessive iodine has an effect on the embryonic development by regulating maternal-fetal thyroid hormone metabolism.

Objective The aim of this study is to investigate the role of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)gene susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE)by familial studies.Methods PCR-based re- striction fragment length polymorphism(RFLP)was applied to genotype single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP) G261T of the ACE gene.A total of 119 patients with SLE from 119 families were recruited.In addition,316 family members of these patients were also genotyped.A family-based association study was carried out to ex- plore the association between gene polymorphism and SLE.We studied the SNP encoding non-synonymous substitution in the ACE gene with respect to genetic susceptibility to SLE.Results Among 119 SLE patients. the frequency of ACEG261TG,T alleles was 44.8%.55.2% respectively,the frequency of ACEG261T GG,GT and TT genotypes was 13.9%,62.0%,24.1% respectively,Univariate(single-marker)family-based association test(FBAT)demonstrated that variant alleles at the SNP,rs4303,exon 5 of ACE gene were significantly asso- ciated with genetic susceptibility to SLE in Additive Model(Z=2.877,P=0.004),Dominant Model(Z=2.557, P=0.011).Recessive Model(Z=2.202,P=0.028).Transmission-disequilibrium test(TDT)and sib transmission -disequilibrium test(STDT)showed an excess of the allele of T from heterozygous parents to affected offspring or higher frequency of the allele of T in the patients than their normal siblings(X~2=11.66,P=0.001).Conclu- sion Our findings suggest that the ACE gene may he the susceptible gene to SLE in Chinese population,and the individuals carrying ACE-261T allele is significantly associated with susceptibility to SLE.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Ankle Injuries ; surgery ; Female ; Foot Injuries ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; surgery ; Surgical Flaps

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of metoprolol on electrophysiology of ischemic and anoxic myocardium in diabetic rats.

METHODSForty Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into 4 groups: diabetes group; diabetes and ablation of left sympathetic nerve group; diabetes and metoprolol group and sham group. The diabetes model was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ, 60 mg/kg). The ventricular diastolic effective threshold (DET), effective refractive period (ERP), and Ventricular fibrillation threshold (VFT) were measured. The serum concentration of nerve growth factor (NGF) was measured.

RESULTSMetoprolol increased DET of ischemic and anoxic myocardium in diabetic rats. The ablation of the left sympathetic nerve increased VFT of diabetic rats. VFT in metoprolo group was significantly increased compared to diabetes group after ischemia. The concentrations of NGF in diabetic group and metoprolol group were higher than those in sham group. There were no difference in NGF levels between ablation of left sympathetic nerve group and sham group.

CONCLUSIONThe remodeling of sympathetic nerve affects the electrophysiology of ischemic myocardium of diabetic rats. Metoprolol can increase the VFT and decrease the excitation threshold of the ischemic myocardium in diabetic rats.

Animals ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; physiopathology ; Heart ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Male ; Metoprolol ; pharmacology ; Myocardial Ischemia ; physiopathology ; Nerve Growth Factor ; blood ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sympathectomy

OBJECTIVETo investigate the apoptosis-inducing effect of Ent-11α-hydroxy-15-oxo-kaur-16-en-19-oic-acid (5F), a compound isolated from Pteris semipinnata L (PsL), on human gastric cancer SGC7901 cells and explore its mechanism.

METHODSThe inhibitory effect of 5F on SGC7901 cells was observed by MTT assay and flow cytometry, and the changes of the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in SGC7901 cells following 5F exposure were evaluated by Western blot analysis.

RESULTS5F inhibited the proliferation of SGC7901 cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, and the cell apoptosis induced by 5F was confirmed by Annexin V-EGFP staining and caspase-3 activation assay. The cell apoptosis induced by 5F was associated with decreased Bcl-2 and increased Bax expressions.

CONCLUSION5F exposure induces apoptosis in SGC7901 cells by activating mitochondrial apoptotic pathways.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Diterpenes ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Pteris ; chemistry ; Stomach Neoplasms ; pathology ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting Apollon in enhancing the chemosensitivity of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells in vitro.

METHODSHCC cells transfected with the siRNA targeting Apollon were tested for Apollon protein expression using Western blotting. MTT assay and ELISA were used to evaluate the proliferation and apoptosis of HCC cells transfected with siRNA after exposure to 5-FU or adriamycin.

RESULTSApollon siRNA obviously down-regulated Apollon protein expression in HCC cells. The siRNA-mediated suppression of Apollon expression resulted in a marked inhibition of cell growth and increased apoptotic rate of HCC cells, and enhanced both the growth-inhibiting and apoptosis-inducing effects of the chemotherapeutic drugs.

CONCLUSIONApollon siRNA can enhance the chemosensitivity of HCC cells to the chemotherapeutic drugs. Apollon can be a potentially important and feasible therapeutic target for HCC.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Apoptosis ; genetics ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics

OBJECTIVE: To explore the molecular mechanism of Glanzmann thrombasthenia (GT). METHODS: All 45 exons of alphaIIb and beta3 subunit genes as well as their splicing sites were amplified by polymerase chain reaction(PCR) with 40 primer pairs, and then the PCR products were used to screen the gene mutation by single strand conformation polymorphism-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SSCP-PAGE). The mutation was further confirmed by direct DNA sequencing. RESULTS: A DNA band alterated migration was detected after SSCP-PAGE. DNA sequencing showed that a base deletion within the band at the site of 540 in GPIIb gene(540A) was found. CONCLUSION The frame-shift mutation caused by the deletion of 540A in GPIIb gene is a novel mutation which is a genetic defect in patients with GT.
Base Sequence ; Child, Preschool ; Exons ; genetics ; Frameshift Mutation ; genetics ; Gene Deletion ; Humans ; Integrin beta3 ; genetics ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Platelet Membrane Glycoprotein IIb ; genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Thrombasthenia ; genetics

Objective To evaluate the clinical effect of embolization of cerebral dural atreriovenous fistulas (cDAVF) of the eavemous sinus through the superior ophthalmic vein approach. Methods Twnety-seven patients with eDAVF of the cavernous sinus were embolized through the superior ophthalmic vein approach. Cerebral angiography and follow-up examination of the patients were performed to evaluate the effect ofernbolization. Results The fistulae showed complete angiographic disappearance in 15 patients, and 12 patients had blood velocity flow reduction at the fistula orifice. Ocular proptosis and chemosis deteriorated transiently in 11 patients after the procedure. The patients were followed-op for 3 to 48 months, and clinical cure was achieved in 17 patients, and 10 showed significant symptom relief. Conclusion cDAVF of the cavernous sinus can be effectively embolized through the superior ophthalmic vein approach.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Immunocompromised Host ; Male ; Pneumocystis carinii ; Pneumonia, Pneumocystis ; diagnostic imaging ; immunology ; physiopathology ; Radiography ; Remission, Spontaneous