AIM: To investigate the changes of cytosolic free calcium concentration ([Ca 2+ ] i) and expression of Bcl-2 in HL-60 cells treated by 6F isolated from Pteris semipinnata L. (PSL), and to discuss the relations between calcium ion and cytotoxicity and DNA fragment induction effects of 6F. METHODS: HL-60 cells were used as in vitro model. [Ca 2+ ] i was measured on fluorescent spectrophotometry using Fura-2/AM as Ca 2+ indicator. Bcl-2 expressing level was measured by flow cytometry. Tetrazolium salt (MTT) and diphenylamine staining methods were applied for cytotoxicity assay and DNA fragmentation detection, respectively. RESULTS: [Ca 2+ ] i increased obviously in a dose and time dependent manner after treated HL-60 cells with 6F. 6F decreased the expressing level of Bcl-2. Adding 2 mmol/L Ca 2+ to the medium, or 1 mmol/L EDTA to chelate Ca 2+ , or 4 ?mol/L calcium ionophore A 23187 to increase the concentration of cytosolic Ca 2+ , the DNA fragment induction by 6F was not affected, whereas the cytotoxicity of 6F was enhanced. 250 ?mol/L Zn 2+ attenuated the DNA fragment induction, and the cytotoxicity of 6F against HL-60 cells was enhanced significantly. CONCLUSION: It was speculated that the decreased expressing of Bcl-2 by compound 6F was related to increased [Ca 2+ ] i in HL-60 cells, and DNA fragment induction was possibly catalyzed by Ca 2+ - independent DNase.

Objective To evaluate the changes of the right atrium,right ventriculum,left atrium and left ventriculum after transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect(ASD) during a short to mid-term follow-up.Methods The right ventricular end-diastolic anterior-posterior diameter(RVEDD),right atrial long diameter(RADl),right atrial transverse diameter(RADt),left ventricular end-diastolic ante-posterior diameter(LVEDD),left ventricular end-diastolic volume(LVEDV) and left atrial anterior-posterior diameter(LAD) in 36 patients with secundum ASD were measured before ASD closure,after 3 days,3 months and 6 months of ASD closure with transthoracic echocardiography(TTE).Results RVEDD,RADl and RADt were significantly decreased,while LVEDD,LVEDV and LAD significantly increased 3 days after ASD closure.During 3 months follow-up,RVEDD,RADl and RADt continuously became smaller;LVEDD,LVEDV and LAD continuously became larger.At 6 months,RVEDD was significantly smaller and LVEDD,LVEDV were significantly larger than those at 3 months.No remarkable difference of RADl,RADt and LAD was found between 6 months and 3months follow-up.Conclusion Transcatheter closure of ASD not only decreases the preload of right heart and causes right atrium and right ventriculum become smaller,but also improves the geometry of left heart and causes the narrowed left atrium and left ventriculum gradually return to almost normal status.

Objective To determine the prevalence of cervical type-specific human papillomavirus (HPV)infection as well as risk factors associated in Tibet Autonomous Region of China.Methods A cluster sampling study was performed in Lasa,Rikaze and Naqu of Tibet.An epidemiological questionnaire was applied and 3036 cervical specimens were obtained for liquid-based cytology and HPV DNA detection.Statistical analysis included Wald Chi-square and stepwise logistic regression model.Results The overall HPV prevalence of involved 3036 women was 9.19%(279/3036),of which 7.05%(214/3036)of the women were infected by high-risk types (including 14 sorts of types) and 2.14%(65/3036)by low-risk types(including 6 sorts of types).There were no significant differences of HPV prevalence between age groups(P=0.936),race(P=0.718)and areas(P=0.746),respectively.Twenty-one types of HPV were detected,of which HPV16(1.52%) was the most common type,followed by HPV33(1.42%).HPV58(1.22%),HPV52(1.15%),and HPV31(1.05%).HPV type distribution was varied by age.Of the 279 HPV infected women.14.3%(40/279)exhibited multiple HPV infections.Independent risk factors for HPV infection were smoking(P=0.027),number of sex partners(P=0.198)and early age of first intercourse(P=0.237).Conclusion The overall prevalence of HPV infection in Tibet Autonomous Region is lower than that in China or abroad,in which the most common genotype is HPV16 and the independent risk factors for HPV infection included early age of first intercourse,smoking,and number of Bex partners.

OBJECTIVETo compare the effects of moxibustion combined with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and simple HAART for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients.

METHODSA total of 100 patients with HIV receiving HAART were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 50 cases in each one. In the observation group, moxibustion was used at Zusanli (ST 36), Guanyuan (CV 4) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6), etc. combined with HAART of zidovudine, lamivudine, nevirapine and efavirenzone, etc. Simple HAART was used in the control group. The patients were observed for 18 months. The indexes were CD, CD/CD, interleukin 2 (IL-2), interleukin 7 (IL-7), the incidence of side effects and the score of quality of life.

RESULTSAfter treatment, CD, CD/CD, serum IL-2 and the scores of quality of life (physiological, psychological, social relation fields and comprehensive score) increased and serum IL-7 decreased compared with those before treatment in the two groups (<0.01,<0.05), with better results except CDin the observation group (<0.01,<0.05). The incidences of gastrointestinal side effects and total side effects in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (14% (7/50) vs 32% (16/50), 58% (29/50) vs 80% (40/50), both<0.05).

CONCLUSIONMoxibustion combined with HAART for HIV infected patients could reduce the incidence of side effects, improve medication compliance, CD/CD, IL-2, IL-7 and the quality of life.