OBJECTIVETo establish the steriod-induced osteoporosis model with the type of Kidney-Yin deficiency.

METHODSTotally 45 female Kunming mice were randomly divided into normal group,model group and Liuwei Dihuang pills(Chinese character: see text)group. The model was established by intramuscular injecting of Dexamethasone. Liuwei Dihuang pills (Chinese character: see text) group was administered orally with Liuwei Dihuang pills (Chinese character: see text). The signs and symptoms of mice were observed dynamically. All the animals were sacrificed at the end of the 6th weeks. The level of ACTH, cAMP, cGMP, TSH and E2 in serum were detected to evaluate deficiency of Kidney-Yin. Morphological changes and bone density were observed to evaluate osteoporosis.

RESULTS(1) Compared with control group, mice in model group appeared obvious Kidney-Yin deficiency symptoms, including hair dry, restlessness, excitability, hard stool, and yellow. (2) Compared with control group,the weight of mice in model group gained slower (P<0.01); the index of adrenal gland,liver and spleen decreased (P<0.01, P<0.01 ,P<0.01); the level of ACTH and TSH increased (P<0.01 ,P<0.01), the level of E2 decreased (P<0.01) and the ratio of cAMP/cGMP increased (P< 0.05). (3)Compared with control group,the bone density of lumbar vertebra and femur in model group were significantly decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05); HE staining revealed osteoporosis in model group mice. (4)However, the Liuwei Dihuang pills (Chinese character: see text) group can partly antagonize the inhibition of the HPA axis, alter the disordered sex hormone and the ratio of cAMP/cGMP, and reverse the osteoporosis partly.

CONCLUSIONthe model of osteoporosis with type of Kidney-Yin deficiency could be established by Dexamethasone intramuscular injection. With less interference, it wight be a stable and reliable modeling method for integration of disease and syndrome in TCM.

Animals ; Bone Density ; Dexamethasone ; toxicity ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Kidney Diseases ; etiology ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Mice ; Osteoporosis ; chemically induced ; Yin Deficiency ; complications

Objective To investigate the effects of dexamethasone on expressions of epithelial neutrophil activating protein-78 (ENA-78) and transforming growth factor- beta 1 (TGF-β1) in neutrophil of asthma rats.Methods Thirty male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups on average, including asthma group, control group and dexamethasone treated group. In this experiment, the rat model of asthma were established by sentization and challenge with ovalbumin. Blood neutrophil were isolated and purified. The expression of ENA-78 was detected by flow cytometry. The expression of TGF-β1 was detected by immunohistochemical method in blood neutrophil and bronchial wall. Results Expression of ENA-78 in blood neutrophil in dexamethasone treated group(71.82 ±8. 87 mean fluorescence intensity)was lower than that in asthma group, but higher than that in control group(all P ＜0. 01). And expressions of TGF-β1 protein in dexamethasone treated group(0. 173 ± 0. 014,0. 202 ± 0. 019 optical density, respectively) was lower than that in asthma group(all P ＜0. 01) ,but higher than that in control group(all P ＜0. 01). There were significant positive correlation between ENA-78 expression at blood neutrophil and numbers of total inflammation cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (n = 29, γ = 0. 762, P ＜ 0. 01). Conclusion The beneficial effect of glucocorticoid(dexamethasone) on airway inflammation in asthma rats could be at least in part due to their direct inhibitory effect on ENA-78 and TGF-β1 protein generation by neutrophil.

Objective To observe the expressions of grouth-related oncogen (GRO)α, epithelial neutrophil activating protein-78 (ENA-78) and neutrophil-activating peptide-2 (NAP-2) of rat asthma. And to investigate the role of neutrophil in the pathogenesis of asthma exacerbation. Methods In this experi-ment, the rat model of asthma were randomly divided into two groups on average, including asthma group and control group. Levels of ENA-78 at blood neutrophil were detected by flow cytometry method. The ex-pressions of GROα protein at bronchial wall and NAP-2 protein at blood neutrophil were detected by immuno-histochemieal method. Results Levels of GROα, ENA-78 and NAP-2 proteins in asthma group [0.138 ±0.009(A value), 97.65±13.99(MFI), 0.198±0.016(A value), respectively]were significantly higher than those in control group[0.077±0.010(A value), 50.79±8.66(MFI), 0.079±0.015(A value), re-spectively], all P < 0.01. Conclusion Levels of GROα, ENA-78 and NAP-2 were increased at rat asth-ma. They may be participate in inflammation of asthma exacerbation. Neutrophil may promote inflammatory cells influxing into airway wall via increasing synthesis of CXC chemotactic factors.

Objective To observe the surface structures of cardiovascular endothelial cells in situ with atomic force microscope (AFM). Methods Fresh aorta and aortic valve were dissected from 10 healthy male New Zealand white rabbits. Before fixed in 1% formaldehyde, the fresh tissues were washed in the buffer phosphate solution. Under general microscope, the fixed aorta or valve was spread on the double side stick tape which had already been stuck on the glass slide. The intima of aorta or the aorta side of valve was towards upside. Then the specimen was dried under 37 degrees centigrade in an attemperator and was washed with pure water. After dried again, the specimen was loaded on the platform ofNanoScope llla AFM and was scanned in tapping mode with the scanning speed of 0.5 HZ. Results The surface structures of endothelial cell on the fixed and dried tissue could be obsserved clearly in situ with AFM. Aortic endothclial cells were large, branched and arranged sparsely and parallel to the direction of blood flow, whereas endothelial cells on aorta valve surface were small, less branched and arranged intensively and vertical to the direction of blood flow. When the scanning range was dwindled, granular ultra-structures could be observed on the surface of endothelial cells, and, as the scanning range was dwindled further, fissure and convolution could be seen on the surface of granules from aortic endothelial cells. Centre cavity and surrounding swelling volcano-like structure could be seen on the surface of granules from endothelial cells of aortic valve. Conclusions It's feasible to observe the surface ultra-structures of cardiovascular endothelial cells in situ with AFM and morphological information provided by A FM might be of clinical value in future histopathological diagnosis.

From November 2003 to May 2010, intrathecal drug delivery system (IDDS) was implanted in 18 patients with chronic intractable pain. Analgesia was provided with morphine. Thirteen patients suffered from late stage cancer and 5 from diseases other than cancer. VAS score was used to measure intensity of pain in all 18patients. QLQ-C30 score was used to evaluate quality of life in cancer patients. The patients were followed up for 3-62 months in 5 non-cancer patients. All 13 cancer patients died at 57 days-10 months after operation. VAS scores were significantly decreased and QLQ-C30 scores increased by intrathecal administration of morphine. Side effects developed in all patients to some extent including nausea, vomiting, constipation, urinary retention, pruritus and over-sedation and vanished in a week. Intrathecal catheter was cut while being pulled out of the needle in 1 patient. Two patients developed low intracranial pressure after operation. Cerebrospinal fluid leakage occurred in 1 patient. One patient developed neuropathic pain in the posterolateral side of right leg.

Seventy-four patients aged 26-63 yr who had suffered cervicogenic headache for 3 months-21 yr were treated with puked radiofrequency applied to C2 dorsal root ganglion, which is located in the middle of the posterior side of lateral atlantoaxial joint. A trochar was introduced percutaneously under the guidance of X-ray aiming at the target point. As it was inserted through the deep fascia, the stylet was withdrawn and a 10 cm long 22 gauge curved blunt electrode was inserted into the trochar and advanced until the patients felt radiating pain from the point of puncture to occiput. Lateral radiograph was obtained to verify the placement of electrode. The tip of the electrode was usually located in front of spinal canal at the atlantoaxial joint level. Sensory stimulation was performed with 50 Hz and 0.1-0.5 V and the patients could feel radiating pain at occiput. Motor stimulation was performed with 2 Hz and 0.4-1.0 V and regular pulsation of the patient's muscle of occiput could occur. Pulsed radiofrequency was applied at 42 ℃7 for 240 s and was performed twice on each side. VAS scores and disturbances of daily activity, mood and sleep were recorded before operation and at 1 week and 1, 3, 6, 12 and 18 months after pulsed radiofrequency treatment. Complications and recurrence within 12 and 18 months were recorded. Follow-up was lost in 22 patients. VAS scores and disturbances of daily activity, mood and sleep significantly decreased after procedure. All of the patients responded without complications like infection, spinal cord and vertebral artery injury. Some patients had transient occipital neuralgia which was usually relieved within 24 h. The recurrence rate in 12 and 18 months after operation was 19% and 31% respectively.

BACKGROUNDIt is still unclear whether viral genetic variability influences response to interferon (IFN)-alpha treatment. Recent reports suggest that IFN-alpha effects may be associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) post-transcriptional regulation. This study was designed to explore the heterogeneity of HBV post-transcriptional regulatory elements (HPRE) and the relationship between the diversity of HPRE and the response to IFN-alpha treatment.

METHODSThe HPRE sequences from 31 Chinese patients infected with HBV were determined by directly sequencing of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) product, and comparing them to those from Caucasian patients. Subsequently, eukaryotic expression vectors containing HPRE at various points were constructed and transfected into HepG2 cells, which were then exposed to recombinant human cytokines.

RESULTSThe T to C point mutation at nt 1504 and the C to T (G) at nt 1508 in HPRE were found in 21 and 19 patients with chronic hepatitis B, respectively; the C to T point mutation at nt 1509 was found in 17 patients. These point mutations did not exist in the HPRE of the Caucasian patients. The activity of the CAT gene obviously increased in the case of T to C point mutation at nt 1504, but did not change in the case of the C to T (G) mutations at nt 1508 and 1509. The activity of the CAT gene at these point mutations of HPRE could be inhibited by IFN-alpha/gamma and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha except for the point mutations at nt 1508 of HPRE which may escape the suppression role of IFN-alpha on HPRE.

CONCLUSIONSThere are point mutations between the HPRE of Chinese and Caucasian HBV patients, which might be correlated with response to IFN-alpha. The variation of HPRE might affect the function of HPRE and influence the regulative function of IFN-alpha other than that of IFN-gamma or TNF-alpha on HPRE.

Chloramphenicol O-Acetyltransferase ; metabolism ; Genes, Regulator ; Hepatitis B virus ; drug effects ; genetics ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; drug therapy ; virology ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; pharmacology ; Interferon-gamma ; pharmacology ; Plasmids ; Point Mutation ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; pharmacology

In this paper, we described an ultra-low power, wearable ECG system capable of long term monitoring and mass storage. This system is based on micro-chip PIC18F27J13 with consideration of its high level of integration and low power consumption. The communication with the micro-SD card is achieved through SPI bus. Through the USB, it can be connected to the computer for replay and disease diagnosis. Given its low power cost, lithium cells are used to support continuous ECG acquiring and storage for up to 15 days. Meanwhile, the wearable electrodes avoid the pains and possible risks in implanting. Besides, the mini size of the system makes long wearing possible for patients and meets the needs of long-term dynamic monitoring and mass storage requirements.
Electrocardiography, Ambulatory ; instrumentation ; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted ; instrumentation

Objective To explore the temporal trend of cancer death rates in different age and the influencing factors in Kunshan,Jiangsu province,1981 to 2015.Methods Data were derived from cancer rcgistry and vital registration system.The Chinese age structure in 2000 was used to calculate age-standardized death rates (ASR),and annual percentage changes (APC) and 95％ confidence interval (Cl) were used to estimate the temporal trend of cancer death rates.Difference decomposition method was applied to analyze the contribution of demographic and non-demographic factors for the change of cancer mortality.Results Between 1981 and 2015,the age standardized all cancers death rate decreased from 162.49 to 93.74 per 100,000 (APC=-l.6％,95％ CI:-1.8％--1.5％).However,the ASR for those aged 70 years or above was stable over time (APC=0.2％,95％ CI:-0.2％-0.5％),whereas aged 30-69 years was decreased from 240.01 in 1981 to 93.28 in 2015 (APC=-2.8％,95％ CI:-3.0％--2.6％).In addition,the proportion of leading cancers were changed obviously.The proportion of lung cancer increased from 1981 to 2015,while gastric cancer,liver cancer,esophageal cancer and colorectal cancer decreased.Compared with the crude cancer mortality in 1993,the effect of the demographic and non-demographic factors to the increased death rate in 2015 were 308.93％ and-208.93％,respectively.Conclusion The ASR death rate of all cancers was decreasing,and the rate in those aged 30 to 69 years decreased significantly,whereas stable in those aged 70 years or above.The effect of demographic characteristics on cancer mortality was significantly greater than that of non-demographic characteristics.