OBJECTIVETo explore the association between C825T polymorphism of G protein beta3 subunit (GNB3) gene and different Hilit types of essential hypertension (EH) in the Uygur nationality of Xinjiang.

METHODSAccording to Uygur medical theories, EH patients (as the EH group) and non-EH patients (as the control group) were assigned to four Hilit groups. The C825T polymorphism of GNB3 was detected in 161 EH patients and 379 non-EH subjects of different Hilit types by using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) to explore the difference of the genotypes and allelic frequencies and hypertension.

RESULTS(1) In Xinjiang Uygur population, the distribution frequencies of GNB3 C825T polymorphism were in accordance with Hardy-Weinberg (chi2 = 0.871, P = 0.647). (2) There was no statistical difference in the distribution frequencies of three genotypes and two alleles of GNB3 between the EH group and the control group (P > 0.05). (3) There was statistical difference in distribution frequencies of three genotypes between the abnormal Sapra and non-abnormal Sapra group (the sum of abnormal Sewda, abnormal Kan, and abnormal Balhem) (chi2 = 6.905, P = 0.032), especially between the abnormal Sapra and abnormal Balhem groups (chi2 = 10.404, P = 0.006), but there was no statistical difference in distribution frequencies of alleles between the two groups (P > 0.05). (4) In 161 EH patients, there was statistical difference in the distribution frequencies of three genotypes and two alleles between the abnormal Sapra and non-abnormal Sapra group (chi2 = 9.034, P = 0.011; chi2 = 4.701, P = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONSBoth TT genotype and T allele of GNB3 C825T polymorphism might not be associated with EH patients in Xinjiang Uygur populations. However, they were correlated with hypertension patients of non-abnormal Sapra, indicating the pathogeneses of EH with different Hilit types might be different.

Adult ; Aged ; Alleles ; Case-Control Studies ; Essential Hypertension ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Heterotrimeric GTP-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Humans ; Hypertension ; classification ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Minority Groups ; Polymorphism, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo probe into effect of scalp acupuncture combined with sports therapy on movement function of limbs in the patient of poststroke hemiplegia.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty cases of poststroke hemiplegia were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 60 cases in each group. The observation group were treated by scalp acupuncture and the control group by simple sports therapy. The movement function of limbs were assessed by Fugl-Meyer rating method and Barthel index.

RESULTSThe movement function of limbs and ability of daily life after treatment in the observation group improved very significantly as compared with the control group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONScalp acupuncture combined with sports therapy can promote recovery of the movement function of limbs in the patient of poststroke hemiplegia.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Hemiplegia ; therapy ; Humans ; Scalp ; Sports ; Stroke ; therapy

Objective To study the effects of nuclear factor-?B(NF-?B)decoy oligodeoxynucleotide(ODN)on the preeclamptic umbilical serum induced expression of precollagen Ⅰ,Ⅲ mRNA and tumor necrosis factor-?(TNF-?)in cultured human umbilical artery smooth muscle cells (HUASMC).Methods Primary cultured HUASMC of normal pregnancy were divided into four groups: group A(HUASMC were incubated with umbilical serum of normal pregnancy);group B(HUASMC were incubated with umbilical serum of preeclampsia);group C(HUASMC were transfected with NF-?B cis decoy ODN 48 h before incubation with umbilical serum of preeclampsia);group D(HUASMC were transfected with NF-?B scramble ODN 24 h before incubation with umbilical serum of preeclampsia).NF-?B cis decoy ODN and NF-?B scramble ODN were transfected with cationic lipofectamine to the latter two groups,respectively.The proliferation of human umbilical artery smooth muscle cells was evaluated by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium and the apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry.The expression levels of precollagen Ⅰ,Ⅲ mRNA were detected by RT-PCR,the expression levels of TNF-? were detected by western blot.Results(1)The proliferation of group B(0.19?0.02)and group D(0.18?0.03)was significantly increased as compared with those of group A(0.11?0.02)and group C(0.14?20.02)(P0.05).(5)The expression of TNF-? of group B(0.74?0.11),group C(0.36?0.09)and group D(0.79?0.12)were significantly higher than that of group A(0.15?0.03)(P0.05).Conclusions NF-?B cis decoy ODN could down-regulate the proliferation,as well as the expression levels of precollagen and TNF-? of HUASMC induced by umbilical serum of preeclampsia.NF-?B may play an important role in the pathogenesis of placental artery abnormalities in preeclampsia.

AIM: To observe the effects of miR-542-5p on the proliferation of rat small intestine crypt epithe-lial IEC-6 cells induced by sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P).METHODS: Two IEC-6 cell lines (SphK1-IEC-C1 and SphK1-IEC-C2) were established, which expressed sphingosine kinase-1 (SphK1) stably.Radioactive tracer was used to detect SphK1 activity and S1P secretion.The cell proliferation was observed by cell counting and described by drawing growth curve, and the cell cycle analysis was carried out by flow cytometry.The level of miR-542-5p was evaluated by RT-qPCR.RESULTS: Compared with control vector cells without SphK1 cDNA, both SphK1-IEC-C1 and SphK1-IEC-C2 cell lines showed that Sphk1 was elevated, both intracellular and extracellular S1P increased dramatically, the rate of cell growth was faster, the percentage of the cells in S phase increased, and miR-542-5p expression decreased.S1P (0.5~10 μmol/L) led to the decrease in miR-542-5p expression.On the contrary, SphK1 silencing resulted in the increase in miR-542-5p expression in the IEC-6 cells.The miR-542-5p was elevated in SphK1-IEC-C1 cells and SphK1-IEC-C2 cells, which caused the decrease in the percentage of the cells in S phase.The cell growth rate in the above-mentioned 2 cell lines decreased compared with negative control group.CONCLUSION: In IEC-6 cells, S1P promotes proliferation by inhibiting miR-542-5p expression, which induces the cell cycle transferring from G1 phase to S phase.

OBJECTIVETo study effects of electroacupuncture at Jiaji (EX-B2) on protracted withdrawl syndrome of the patient of heroin dependence.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty cases of heroin dependence were randomly divided into 4 groups: acupuncture group I (Jianji and Shenshu acupoints), acupuncture group II (acupoints at limbs), simulation group and control group. Protracted withdrawl syndrome scale, Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA) and self-rating depression scale (SDS) were used to observe changes of the scores before and after treatment of 4, 8, 10 weeks.

RESULTSIn the treatment of 4, 8, 10 weeks, the cumulative scores for protracted withdrawl syndrome, HAMA and SDS in the acupuncture group I and II decreased significantly as compared with those in the control group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONElectroacupuncture can significantly improve protracted withdrawl syndrome, alleviate anxiety and depression, and electroacupuncture at Jiaji (EX-B2) being better than at the acupoints of the limbs.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Electroacupuncture ; Heroin Dependence ; Humans ; Substance Withdrawal Syndrome

OBJECTIVETo assess the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture and moxibustion for treatment of ulcerative colitis.

METHODSRandomized controlled trials or clinical controlled trials of acupuncture and moxibustion for interfere of ulcerative colitis in recent 10 years were reviewed and Meta-analysis was made for the literature results.

RESULTSAltogether 11 papers of clinical study were enrolled. Heterogeneous tests were conducted for the results of the 11 studies, as a result, chi2 = 8.55, P = 0.67. The fixed effect model was used for statistical analysis, after combination OR = 3.82, confidence interval of 95% was 2.65-5.52. The rhombus was located at the right side of the medium line. After Z test, Z = 7.14, P < 0.01, the therapeutic effect and the cured rate in the treatment group were significantly higher than those of the control group.

CONCLUSIONThe therapeutic effect of acupuncture and moxibustion on ulcerative colitis is superior to that of western medicine with safety and less adverse reactions.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Colitis, Ulcerative ; therapy ; Humans ; Moxibustion ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical effect and mechanism of electroacupuncture at Jiaji (EX-B 2) on drug craving of heroin addicts.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty cases of heroin addicts were randomly divided into 4 groups, 30 cases in each. In acupuncture group 1, the Jiaji (EX-B 2) points of T5-T7 and Shenshu (BL 23) were selected with electroacupuncture; in acupuncture group 2, Neiguan (PC 6), Shenmen (HT 7) and Zusanli (ST 36) etc. were selected with electroacupuncture; in simulation group, Zusanli (ST 36) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) were selected with analog electrical stimulation, and in blank group no any therapy was applied. The changes of drug craving were evaluated by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the changes of beta-EP and Dyn-A in plasma before and after treatment were tested by radioimmunoassay.

RESULTSThe relapse rate of 77.3% (17/22) in acupuncture group 1 was lower than those of 88.5% (23/26) in acupuncture group 2, 90.5% (19/21) in simulation group and 95.7% (22/23) in blank group (all P < 0.05). At the 8th and 10th week of treatment, the VAS scores in acupuncture group 1 and 2 were much lower than those in blank group and simulation group (all P < 0.01); in which, it was lower in acupuncture group 1 than that in acupuncture group 2 (P < 0.05), and lower in simulation group than that in blank group. After 10 weeks of treatment, compared with the status before treatment, beta-EP and Dyn-A in plasma were increased in acupuncture group 1 and 2 (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), Dyn-A was decreased in both simulation and blank groups (both P < 0. 01) which was less obvious than those in both acupuncture groups (both P < 0.01) and superior in acupuncture group 1 than that in group 2 (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONElectroacupuncture at Jiaji (EX-B 2) can suppress the drug craving and reduce the relapse rate, and the mechanism may be related with the content of beta-EP, especially the increase of Dyn-A in plasma.

Acupuncture Points ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Dynorphins ; blood ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Heroin Dependence ; blood ; psychology ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult ; beta-Endorphin ; blood

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of 17-β estradiol (E(2)) and Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) W83 on the expression of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 in human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLC).

METHODSPrimary cultures of hPDLC were established and the cells of passage four were treated with 10(-10) mol/L E(2), 10(-7) mol/L E(2) or PgW83 individually or E(2) combined with PgW83. The expression levels of IL-6 and IL-8 protein at 12 h and 24 h were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the levels of mRNA at 24 h were detected with real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTSThe expression level of IL-6 reached (2482.88 ± 26.53) ng/L in hPDLC treated with Pg at multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 100 for 24 h, which was significantly higher than that in hPDLC treated with Pg at MOI of 10:1 [(734.09 ± 87.90) ng/L, P = 0.000], the controls [(425.8 ± 77.25) ng/L, P = 0.000] and that in hPDLC treated with Pg at MOI of 100 for 12 h [(1157.50 ± 234.65) ng/L, P = 0.000]. The expression level of IL-8 reached (4965.81 ± 1072.55) ng/L in hPDLC treated with Pg at MOI of 100 for 24 h, which was significantly higher than that in hPDLC treated with Pg at MOI of 10 [(803.51 ± 162.08) ng/L, P = 0.007], the controls [(400.75 ± 2.27) ng/L, P = 0.005] and that in hPDLC treated with Pg at MOI of 100 for 12 h [(1431.12 ± 82.78) ng/L, P = 0.001]. E(2) did not show remarkable effect on the expressions of IL-6 and IL-8. E(2) combined with Pg (MOI = 100:1) significantly promoted the expression levels of IL-6 at 24 h while did not influence those of IL-8. The relative mRNA level of IL-6 in hPDLC treated with 10(-10) mol/L E(2) or 10(-7) mol/L E(2) combined with Pg were 0.49 ± 0.15 (P = 0.021)and 0.53 ± 0.16 (P = 0.036) individually, which were significantly higher than that treated with Pg alone, 0.19 ± 0.06. The protein level of IL-6 in hPDLC treated with 10(-10) mol/L E(2) or 10(-7) mol/L E(2) combined with Pg were (5512.66 ± 1022.07) ng/L (P = 0.012) and (6988.78 ± 2279.13) ng/L (P = 0.000) individually, which were significantly higher than that treated with Pg alone, (3138.46 ± 183.72) ng/L.

CONCLUSIONSPgW83 significantly increased the expression levels of IL-6 and IL-8 in hPDLC in a dose-and time-dependent manner. Without the infection of periodontal pathogens, estrogen may exert no effect on the expression of IL-6 and IL-8 while it may promote the expression of IL-6 in hPDLC when combined with Pg, which may in turn promote the process of periodontal inflammation.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Cells, Cultured ; Estradiol ; pharmacology ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Interleukin-8 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Periodontal Ligament ; cytology ; metabolism ; microbiology ; Porphyromonas gingivalis ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Young Adult

Continued smoking following stroke is associated with adverse outcomes including increased risk of mortality and secondary stroke.The aim of this study was to examine the long-term trends in smoking behaviors and factors associated with smoking relapse among men who survived their first-ever stroke.Data collection for this longitudinal study was conducted at baseline through face-to-face interviews and follow-up was completed every 3 months via telephone,beginning in 2010 and continuing through 2014.Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to identify predictors of smoking relapse behavior.At baseline,372 male patients were recruited into the study.Totally,155 (41.7％) of these patients stopped smoking for stroke,and 61 (39.3％) began smoking again within 57 months after discharge with an increasing trend in the number of cigarettes smoked per day.Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke at places outside of home and work (such as bars,restaurants) (HR,2.34;95％ CI,1.04-5.29,P=0.04),not having a spouse (HR,0.12;95％ CI,0.04-0.36;P=0.0002) and smoking at least 20 cigarettes per day before stroke (HR,2.42;95％ CI,1.14-5.14,P=0.02) were predictors of smoking relapse.It was concluded that environmental tobacco smoke is an important determinant of smoking relapse among men who survive their first stroke.Environmental tobacco smoke should be addressed by smoke-free policies in public places.

OBJECTIVE: To study the value of absolute counts of lymphocyte subsets in the early prediction of refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (RMPP) in children. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 244 children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP). Among these children, 166 had MPP, and 58 had RMPP. The two groups were compared in terms of clinical features and laboratory markers such as lymphocyte subsets, lactate dehydrogenase, C-reactive protein, procalcitonin and immunoglobulin E (IgE). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the specific indices for predicting RMMP. RESULTS: There were significant differences between the two groups in the absolute counts of CD3, CD4, CD19, and CD56 lymphocytes and the serum levels of lactate dehydrogenase, C-reactive protein, and IgE (P<0.05). The ROC curve analysis showed that the absolute counts of CD3, CD4 and CD19 lymphocytes had an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.866, 0.900 and 0.842 respectively in the differential diagnosis of RMPP and MPP, with a sensitivity of 86%, 90% and 82% respectively and a specificity of 75%, 70% and 80% respectively. CONCLUSIONS The absolute counts of CD3, CD4 and CD19 lymphocytes can be used to predict RMPP in children.
C-Reactive Protein ; Child ; Humans ; Lymphocyte Subsets ; Mycoplasma pneumoniae ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma ; Retrospective Studies