Objective To construct a luciferase reporter gene vector of perforin promoter and methylate it in vitro. Methods The promoter of the human peffofin was amplified by PCR, cloned into pMD18-T vector and subcloned into pGL3-Basie vector, and then con-finned by restriction mapping and DNA sequencing. The regions of interest were excised with the appropriate restriction endonucleases, then it were methylated with methylase Sss I(M. SssI)and S-adenosymethioine(SAM), and methylation was confirmed by digestion with appropri-ate methylation sensitive enzyme AciI and agrose gel electrophoresis, and then the fragment was relegated back into the promoter-reporter constructor pGL3-Basic. Results The result of DNA sequencing showed that the sequence of cloned promoter was right. The result of diges-tion methylation with appropriate methylation sensitive enzyme showed that perforin promoter was completely methylated. Conclusion The promoter of perforin was successfully cloned and completely methylated in vitro, which provided an important basis for the study of transfec-tion.

Objective: To observe the efficacy of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion for lumbar disc herniation (LDH) due to kidney deficiency and blood stasis and observe the influence of this method on lumbar functions and inflammatory factors in patients with this condition. Methods: A total of 120 LDH patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into three groups, including a herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group, a flour cake-partitioned moxibustion group, and a Western medication group, with 40 patients in each group. The patients in the Western medication group were treated with diflunisal tablets, 0.5 g per dose, 2 doses a day. Those in the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group were treated with additional herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group at Back-Shu Points and Jiaji (EX-B2) Points once a day. Those in the flour cake-partitioned moxibustion group were treated with the same methods as in the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group, except that the herbal cake was replaced by a flour cake. All the patients were treated for 10 d. After treatment, the scores of the visual analog scale (VAS) and Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) and the changes of the interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and substance P (SP) levels were observed, and the efficacy was evaluated. Results: After treatment, the VAS score and the levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and SP were lower than those before treatment, and the JOA score was higher than that before treatment in the three groups, indicating intra-group statistical significance (P<0.05). The VAS score and the levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and SP of the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group were lower than those of the flour cake-partitioned moxibustion group and the Western medication group, while the JOA score of the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group was higher than that of the other two groups, indicating inter-group statistical significance (P<0.05). The total effective rate of the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group was 92.5％, higher than that of the flour cake-partitioned moxibustion group (80.0％) and the Western medication group (72.5％), indicating inter-group statistical significance (P<0.05). Conclusion: On the basis of Western oral medication, additional herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion can alleviate the pain and improve the lumbar functions in patients with LDH due to kidney deficiency and blood stasis. The efficacy of the integrated method is better than that of either flour cake-partitioned moxibustion or Western medication alone, which may be related to the reduction of serum inflammatory factors.

OBJECTIVETo explore safe, effective, simple and easy non-drug treatments for grade 1 essential hypertension.

METHODSAccording to TCM syndrome differentiation, 126 cases of grade 1 essential hypertension were classified into 4 types: liver-fire hyperactivity syndrome, yin-deficiency and yang-hyperactivity syndrome, excessive phlegm-dampness syndrome, yin-yang deficiency syndrome, and then the patients were randomly divided into a photoelectric combined with musical treatment group (group A), an acupuncture group(group B) and a placebo group (group C). The acupoints were selected according to TCM syndrome differentiation in group A and group B, and multi-mode audio frequency pulse photoelectric therapeutic apparatus and acupuncture were used in the two groups respectively, once daily. Taichong (LR 3) and Quchi (LI 11) were selected in liver-fire hyperactivity syndrome, Taixi (KI 3) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) were selected yi yin-deficiency and yang-hyperactivity syndrome, Zusanli (ST 36) and Fenglong (ST 40) were selected in excessive phlegm-dampness syndrome, while Taixi (KI 3) and Guanyuan (CV 4) were selected yi yirryang deficiency syndrome. The group C was treated with oral administration of starch tablet (25 mg), one tablet each time,three times everyday. Ten days were considered as one course, totally three courses were required in the three groups. The blood pressure and scores of TCM syndromes before and after treatment were compared among the three groups.

RESULTSThe blood pressure decreased significantly after treatment in group A and group B (all P<0.01), and the decrease in systolic blood pressure was more significant in group A (P < 0.05). The total effective rate was 90.5 / (38/42) in group A, which was superior to 71. 4 (30/42, P < 0.05) in group B and 19.1% (18/34, P<0. 01) in group C. The scores of TCM syndromes were both improved in group A and group B, but without significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe clinical effect of multi-mode audio frequency pulse photoelectric therapeutic apparatus for treatment of grade 1 essential hypertension is reliable. Meanwhile, it has the advantages of a non-invasive and simple operation.

Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Aged ; Blood Pressure ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Electric Stimulation Therapy ; Essential Hypertension ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Laser Therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Music Therapy ; Treatment Outcome

Dermatomyofibroma is a benign and rare proliferation of myofibroblasts and fibroblasts of the skin.Dermatomyofibroma commonly locates at the shoulder and neck of young adults and adolescents.Other frequently affected anatomic sites are upper arms,thigh,chest wall,back,axillary region and abdomen.Herein,we reported a case of dermatomyofibroma occurred in the nasion.The asymptomatic firm nodule and histopathological features were consistent with dermatomyofibroma.Immunohistochemically,the tumor cells expressed vimentin,HHF35 and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA).The patient was followed up for 2 years after excision of the tumors and recurrences were not observed.

Objective To evaluate the influence and significance of preoperative design of surgical approach on stem cell transplantation via stereotactic surgery. Methods Six patients with stroke in the basal ganglia region were selected. The transplantation target and transcranial approach point were designed by magnetic resonance examination before stem cell transplantation via stereotacfic surgery to guarantee that the line connecting the transplantation target and transcranial approach point could avoid the important functional areas, the ventricular system and the softening focus. Postoperative magnetic resonance examination was performed to observe whether the practical target and surgical approach coincided with the preoperative design or not. Results The practical transplantation target was coincided with the designed transplantation target, distributed around the softening focus without implanted cells in the softening focus. Surgical approach was coincided with the preoperative design and it successfully avoided the important brain functional area, ventricular system and softening focus.Conelnsion The preoperative design of surgical approach can not only ensure the cells being exactly transplanted into the reservation target and guarantee the curative effect, but also promise the surgical approach successfully avoiding the important brain functional area, ventricular system and softening focus and reduce the operative injury.

Objective To investigate the relationship between marital status and prevalence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) among Beijing residents.Methods From May to August 2007,10 054 residents were interviewed to collect demographic and biochemistry information.Generalized linear mixed model was used to determine the relationship between marital status and prevalence of PAD in terms of OR and corresponding 95％ confidence intervals.Results After adjusting the traditional risk factors including age,area,lipid,serum glucose,blood pressure,central obesity,smoking,drinking and physical activities for PAD,relationship between marital status and prevalence of PAD was found both at the female and male groups of those with 45 years or older.Compared with married men,OR and 95％ confidence interval of PAD for unmarried men were 1.56 (0.39 - 6.35 ) and 1.61 (0.77 - 3.35 ) for those with 45 years younger and older respectively,while compared with married women,OR and 95％ confidence interval of PAD for unmarried women were 0.75 ( 0.22 - 2.57 ) and 1.78 ( 1.23 - 2.58 ) for those with 45 years younger and older respectively.Significant differences ( all P ＜ 0.01 ) were found between married and unmarried women of 45 years or older in terms of age,waist circumstances,systolic blood pressure,fasting glucose,total cholesterol,low-density lipoprotein and smoking.Conclusions Peripheral arterial disease was related to marital status for women of 45 years or older among Beijing residents.Estrogen level and the distribution of other PAD risk factors might contribute to the observed finding.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility and clinical effects of titanium elastic nails (TEN) for adolescent clavicular fracture.

METHODSFrom October 2008 to November 2009, 17 adolescent patients with clavicular fracture were treated with internal fixation, including 11 males and 5 females who ranged in age from 12 to 18 years (mean 15.3 years). The mean time from injury to surgery was 3.5 days (2-7 days). Constant function score before surgery and that 3 months after surgery and shoulder ROM before surgery and that 2 months after surgery were compared. Fracture reduction and healing were followed up by X-rays to analyze internal fixation with the TEN technique.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up for a mean of 6.5 months (range 3-8 months), during which no infection, TEN fracture or skin bursting was observed. The Constant score rose from preoperative (45.3 +/- 6.1) to (85.6 +/- 4.3) at 3-month follow up (t = 22.164, P < 0.01),and the shoulder activity degree at 2-week follow up was improved obviosly from preoperative (P < 0.01). X-ray at 12-16 weeks after surgery showed good bone healing and recovery of shoulder function.

CONCLUSIONInternal fixation with TEN in the treatment of adolescent clavicular fracture is safe, minimally invasive,reliable and cosmetic. This technique provides a liable ption for the treatment of adolescent clavicular fractire

Adolescent ; Bone Nails ; Child ; Clavicle ; injuries ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Fractures, Bone ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Range of Motion, Articular

Objective To explore the relationship and interaction of elevated fasting glucose and hypertension on cardiocerebral vascular disease.Methods 10 054 males and females were recruited for our cross-sectional study during May 2007 to August 2007.Unconditional logistic regression was used to analysis the relationship between fasting glucose and hypertension on cardiocerebral vascular disease.A product of fasting glucose and hypertension was added to the logistic regression model to evaluate the multiplicative interaction and relative excess risk of interaction(RERI),attributable proportion(AP)of interaction and synergy index(S)was applied to evaluate the additive interaction of the two factors.Bootstrap was used to calculate 95％ confidence intervals(CI)of RERI,AP and S.Results After adjusting age,gender,smoking,drinking,body mass index(BMI)and region,the product of fasting glucose and hypertension was not statistically significant,which means there was no multiplicative interaction between the two.But the additive indexes RERI,AP and S with 95％ CI of diabetes and hypertension were 0.64(0.03,1.25),0.27(0.01,O.47)and 1.83(1.02,5.13)respectively,which means significant additive interaction was shown between the two on cardiovascular disease but not no stroke.And there were no additive interaction bmtween impaired fasting glucose on cardiovascular disease or stroke.Conclusions Hypertension was independently related to cardiovascular disease and stroke in Beijing citizens,and diabetes were independently related to stroke.There was additive interaction between diabetes and hypertension on cardiovascular disease.

The pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis patients exerts the features of wind-damp and stasis obstruction,sinew injury and bone damage,therefore,the therapy of dispelling wind and removing dampness,dredging blood vessels,unblocking meridians and collaterals,invigorating spleen and kidney,and strengthening muscles and bones was proposed,hereinafter referred to as Qushi Tongmai method.Under the guidance of Qushi Tongmai method,rheumatoid arthritis can be treated with Chinese medicine based on the modification of empirical formulas such as Kunduan Yimu Formula,Nanxu Yimu Granules and Santeng Shujin Formula,and classical formulas such as Guizhi Shaoyao Zhimu Decoction,Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu Decoction and Banxia Xiexin Decoction according to the deficiency and excess of healthy qi and pathogenic qi as well as the specific symptoms.Moreover,the soft exact,external treatment and functional exercise can be also included.The Chinese medicine therapy combined with the soft exact,external treatment and functional exercise constitutes a unique Chinese medicine system for the prevention and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.The results of a series of clinical and experimental studies indicated that Qushi Tongmai method exerts efficiency-enhancing and toxin-reducing effect in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis,and the establishment of Qushi Tongmai method is a theoretical innovation in exerting the advantages of Chinese medicine in the prevention and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

BACKGROUNDSystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) mostly occurred in young women. This study was undertaken to investigate the different clinical characteristics of SLE between male and female patients, and to identify the sex hormone levels and clinical outcomes of different gender in SLE patients.

METHODSOf the 516 SLE patients admitted to the Peking University People's Hospital from January 2008 to December 2010, 58 were male and 458 were female. Clinical manifestations, laboratory profiles and disease activity scores were evaluated in male and female patients. Sex hormones levels were also compared among male patients.

RESULTSThe median age at SLE onset in male and female patients was 27.2 and 28.6 years, respectively. Compared with female patients, at onset of SLE, male patients showed higher rates of serious renal disease (58.6% vs. 47.2%, P = 0.064), neuropsychiatric SLE (20.7% vs. 12.0%, P = 0.055), and a higher incidence of anti-ds-DNA (25.9% vs. 16.8%, P = 0.069), anti-Sm (17.2% vs. 8.7%, P = 0.002), anti-Ro (46.6% vs. 28.4%, P = 0.004), anti-U1RNP (29.3% vs. 15.3%, P = 0.010), anticardiolipin antibody (25.9% vs. 11.4%, P = 0.004), and decreased C3 levels (67.2% vs. 49.8%, P = 0.009). Systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI) scores were higher in men than in women (16.8 vs. 12.8, P = 0.038). Of the 58 male patients, 24 had not received aggressive treatment during the three months prior to the study. Levels of testosterone and dihydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) were lower in male SLE patients than in male healthy controls (P = 0.004 and P = 0.006, respectively). Low serum testosterone was an independent risk factor for the development of lupus nephritis (P = 0.043). Male patients with elevated serum prolactin were at increased risk of developing neuropsychiatric manifestations of SLE (P = 0.081).

CONCLUSIONEarly recognition of risk factors and appropriate intervention are essential, which might lead to high disease activity and serious systemic damage in male SLE patients.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; pathology ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Sex Factors