OBJECTIVETo explore whether the nerve growth factor has protective effects on PC12 cells from injury induced by 2, 5-hexanedione.

METHODSWith PC12 cells as the model of neurons, different concentrations of NGF were added into the culture of PC12 cells. Then cell viability was tested with MTT. The DNA fragment was observed with agarose gel electrophoresis. The apoptosis ratio was tested with flow cytometry (FACS). The p53 protein was detected with western blot. The differences among the groups were compared.

RESULTSCell viabilities were increased with the increase of the concentrations of NGF (P < 0.05). The DNA fragment, the apoptosis ratio and the expression of p53 were all decreased with the increase of the concentrations of NGF (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe NGF might have direct nutritional effects on PC12 cells, and protect them from injury induced by 2, 5 HD. Moreover, it might also have anti-apoptosis effect to some extent.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; DNA Fragmentation ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Electrophoresis, Agar Gel ; Flow Cytometry ; Hexanones ; toxicity ; Mice ; Nerve Growth Factors ; pharmacology ; PC12 Cells ; Rats ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; biosynthesis

OBJECTIVETo determine the effects of Chinese herbal monomers such as baicalin, berberine, and matrine on the androgen receptor (AR) mRNA expression in SZ95 sebocytes in vitro and to explore the possible mechanism of using traditional Chinese medicines to treat acne.

METHODSSZ95 sebocytes were cultured and then treated with berberine, baicalin, matrine, and 13-cis-retinoic acid for 24 hours. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was applied to detect the changes of AR.

RESULTAR mRNA was downregulated by 13-cis-retinoic acid of 1 x 10(-5) mol/L and 1 x 10(-6) mol/L, and by baicalin of 1 x 10(-4) mol/L (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION13-cis-retinoic acid and baicalin may exert antiandrogenitic action by inhibiting AR mRNA expression in human sebocytes.

Androgen Antagonists ; pharmacology ; Cell Line ; Down-Regulation ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Humans ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; Receptors, Androgen ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Skin ; cytology

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between the polymorphism of TNF-α gene 308, 238 locus and the susceptibility to pneumoconiosis.

METHODSEighteen published case-control studies about TNF-α gene 308, 238 locus polymorphism and pneumoconiosis susceptibility were searched out from sino-foreign databases from January 1994 to December 2010. Meta-analysis was applied on the published research to calculate the pooled OR value (95%CI) and stratified analyze the types and species of pneumoconiosis.

RESULTSEleven of the published research articles were selected into the analysis, including 10 research focusing on TNF-α gene 308 locus, with 1408 cases and 1639 controls in total. The meta-analysis showed that comparing with Gln/Gln carriers, Arg/Arg, Arg/Gln, Gln/Arg + Arg/Arg carriers were 1.89-fold (95%CI: 1.10 - 3.24), 1.53-fold (95%CI: 1.25 - 1.87), and 1.56-fold (95%CI: 1.28 - 1.90) more susceptible to pneumoconiosis, respectively. The stratified analysis showed that among coal workers, the TNF-α gene 308 locus Arg/Arg, Arg/Gln, Gln/Arg + Arg/Arg carriers were separately 2.29-fold (95%CI: 1.22 - 4.29), 1.56-fold (95%CI: 1.20 - 2.03), 1.64-fold (95%CI: 1.28 - 2.11) more susceptible to pneumoconiosis than Gln/Gln carriers; and among Asian people, the TNF-α gene 308 locus Gln/Arg, Gln/Arg + Arg/Arg carriers were separately 1.58-fold (95%CI: 1.28 - 1.95) and 1.57-fold (95%CI: 1.28 - 1.94) more susceptible to pneumoconiosis than the Gln/Gln carriers. Four case-control research focus on the study of TNF-α gene 238 locus, including 391 cases and 391 controls in total. The analysis showed that comparing with the non-carriers, TNF-α gene 238 locus Arg/Arg, Arg/Gln, Gln/Arg + Arg/Arg carriers were 6.03-fold (95%CI: 1.35 - 26.97), 1.87-fold (95%CI: 1.07 - 3.30) and 2.36-fold (95%CI: 1.37 - 4.07) more susceptible to pneumoconiosis.

CONCLUSIONTNF-α gene 308, 238 locus Arg/Arg, Gln/Arg, Gln/Arg + Arg/Arg carriers are more susceptible to pneumoconiosis.

Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Pneumoconiosis ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo ascertain whether connexin 26 (Cx26) gene was a nuclear modifier gene in an extensive family with matrilineal nonsyndromic deafness associated with A1555G mutation in Huaiyin, China.

METHODSFollowing PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) with ApaI restriction enzyme, Cx26 genes from 26 cases, with A1555G mitochondrial mutations in this family, and 62 controls (including 2 patrilineal relatives, 10 spouse controls and 50 unrelated controls), were sequenced.

RESULTSCompared with the reference sequence of Cx26 gene, totally four kinds of nucleotide changes,79G -->A, 109G-->A, 341G-->A and 235delC, were detected in a heterozygous form. However, the former three were previously reported polymorphisms, and only the 235delC was a previously described recessive mutation associated with most autosomal nonsyndromic sensorineural hearing loss in Japan and China. Further study showed that the heterozygous 235delC mutation existed in both one individual with mild hearing loss and two individuals with normal hearing. Clinical characterization showed that 235delC mutation did not seem to modify the deafness phenotype due to the A1555G mutation. Moreover, this 235delC mutation was deduced to derive from a married-in control. Finally, there were no co-segregation between the phenotypes of hearing loss and the genotypes for Cx26 genes based on the four kinds of nucleotide changes.

CONCLUSIONSThe heterozygous 235delC mutation of the Cx26 gene may not modulate the severity of hearing loss associated with A1555G mutation and Cx26 gene is unlikely to be a modifier gene for hearing loss due to A1555G mitochondrial mutation in this Chinese family.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Connexin 26 ; Connexins ; genetics ; Deafness ; epidemiology ; ethnology ; genetics ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Phenotype ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Sequence Analysis ; Young Adult

We have constituted a mouse model for fetal blood transplantation (FBT) to cross over major histocompatibility complex (MHC) without causing serious GVHD. It seems that full matching at the MHC appears not necessary for FBT, while the nucleated cell dose is critical. Two fetal blood units were combined from different donors to increase the stem/progenitor cell dose so as to explore the possibility of MHC-mismatched allogeneic transplantation. 26 out of 40 mice in mixed FBT group survived in the observation period of 60 days after transplantation without obvious GVHD. Double chimerism was demonstrated by PCR and flow cytometric analysis; and skin transplantation test proved the induction of donor specific immune tolerance. Our data suggest that two MHC-mismatched allogeneic donor fetal blood units could simultaneously engraft and reconstitute immune and hematopoietic system in a mouse model. The result may be beneficial for the expansion of cord blood application and enables more patients to share the advantages of cord blood transplantation.
Animals ; DNA ; biosynthesis ; Female ; Fetal Blood ; immunology ; transplantation ; Graft vs Host Disease ; immunology ; mortality ; H-2 Antigens ; immunology ; Hematopoiesis ; immunology ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; methods ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Survival Rate ; Transplantation Chimera ; genetics ; immunology ; Transplantation Tolerance ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical therapeutic effect of the needling method for regulating wei and strengthening brain on insomnia.

METHODSTwo hundred cases of insomnia were randomly divided into a test group and a control group, 100 cases in each group. The test group were treated with the needling method for regulating wei and strengthening brain with Baihui (GV 20), Dazhui (GV 14), Shenmai (BL 62), Zhaohai (KI 6) and ear points Yuanzhong, Shenmen selected; and in the control group, Sishencong (EX-HN 1), Shenmen (HT 7) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) were selected. Acupuncture was given once daily for 15 days. Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) was used for scoring before and after treatment.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 89.0% in the test group and 65.0% in the control group with a very significant difference between the two groups (P<0.01); the difference of PSQI scores before and after was -9.15+/-5.68 in the test group and -5.64+/-5.73 in the control group, with a very significant difference before and after treatment in the two groups (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe therapeutic effect of the needling method for regulating wei and strengthening brain on insomnia is better than that of normal needling method.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Adult ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders ; therapy

To develop and validate an ultra performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometric (UPLC-MS/MS) method for the simultaneous quantification of baicalin and chlorogenic acid in human plasma after iv infusion of Yinhuang injection, the analytes were isolated from plasma by protein precipitation with methanol. Then they were chromatographied on an Acquity UPLC BEH C18 column (50 mm x 2.1 mm ID, 1.7 microm) at 40 degrees C. The mobile phase A consisted of water and 0.1% formic acid. The mobile phase B consisted of methanol and 0.1% formic acid. The analytes were eluted from the column with a linear gradient from 5% B to 80% B in 5 min, then hold for 0.5 min before returning to initial condition. The flow rate was 0.35 mL x min(-1). A tandem mass spectrometer equipped with electrospray ionization source was used as detector. Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) using the precursor to product ion pairs of m/z 447-->271 (for baicalin), m/z 353-->191 (for chlorogenic acid) and m/z 287-->287 (for internal standard) were used to quantification. The linear concentration ranges of the calibration curves for baicalin and chlorogenic acid ranged from 9.6 to 1540 ng x mL(-1) and from 7.5 to 1200 ng x mL(-1), respectively. The intra- and inter-day relative standard deviation (RSD) across three validations run over the entire concentration range was less than 10.2% for both baicalin and chlorogenic acid. After iv infusion of Yinhuang injection to the volunteers, the concentration-time curves of baicalin and chlorogenic acid fitted the two-compartment and three-compartment model. T(1/2)alpha were (4.47 +/- 0.89) and (7.65 +/- 4.42) min, T(1/2)beta were (46.22 +/- 10.03) and (34.40 +/- 19.16) min, respectively. The method was proved to be highly sensitive, selective, and suitable for pharmacokinetic investigations of both baicalin and chlorogenic acid.
Area Under Curve ; Chlorogenic Acid ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Chromatography, Liquid ; methods ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacokinetics ; Female ; Flavonoids ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Humans ; Injections, Intravenous ; Lonicera ; chemistry ; Male ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Scutellaria baicalensis ; chemistry ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization ; methods ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; methods ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate visual inspection with Lugol's iodine (VILI) in cervical cancer screening program and to provide evidence for designing a cervical cancer screening algorithm in high risk areas of existing low-resource settings to reduce the incidence and mortality of cervical cancer.

METHODSWomen in Yangcheng county, Shanxi province were screened with VILI, colposcopy, liquid-based cytology test and human papilloma virus (HPV) DNA test. The efficacy of different screening tests was compared by Youden's index based on the pathology as the gold standard.

RESULTSIn the population being screened, the mean age was 40.80 +/- 10.75 years old. Based on pathological findings, 4.35% (32/735) of the subjects had >or= CIN (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia) II. The sensitivity and specificity for the VILI test (>or= positive) were 53.13 and 82.19, while 56.25 and 79.09 were for colposcopy (>or= low grade dysplasia) respectively. Comparing by the Youden's indexs, there was no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05) between VILI and colposcopy. However, statistical significant difference (P < 0.05) was found between VILI and liquid-based cytology test and HPV DNA test. In addition, there was no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05) found between the experienced doctors and the newly-trained doctors working in the field station.

CONCLUSIONWith low sensitivity when using microscope but low cost of equipments, VILI can be one of the primary screening tests in China's rural area with low-resource settings if the screening frequency is to be increased.

Adult ; Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; China ; epidemiology ; Early Detection of Cancer ; economics ; methods ; Female ; Health Resources ; Humans ; Incidence ; Iodides ; Program Evaluation ; Rural Health ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; epidemiology

Adult ; Aged ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Ethanol ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Injections ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Popliteal Cyst ; drug therapy ; therapy ; Ultrasonic Therapy

Objective To monitor the seasonal distribution of influenza types and subtypes in Wuxi area during 2005-2008, and to investigate the variation in hemagglutinin (HA) genes of MH3N2 strains in 2008. Methods Nose-throat swab specimens were collected in Wuxi area from flu-like patients from outpatient departments of hospitals as well as from clustering flu-like outbreak patients from workspace, followed by MDCK cell inoculation. Types and subtypes of positive influenza isolates were identified using standard antiserum. We then sequenced the HA genes for H3 subtype influenza viruses isolated from 2008 specimens to investigate the variation in HA genes. Results During 2005 and September 2008, 435 strains of influenza viruses were isolated from flu-like patients in Wuxi Area, among which 164 isolates are of A/H1N1 subtype, 80 isolates are of MH3N2 subtype, and 191 isolates are of B type. These types/subtypes have significant seasonal distributions. Sequences of HA genes for 113 subtype show that the 9 strains isolated in Wuxi area are similar to those of strains isolated in Shanghai within the same period. Many of the sequences belong to the same branch of the phylogenetic tree, and are similar to sequences of vaccine strains in WHO 2008-2009 repositories. Conclusion A/H1N1, MH3N2 and B still attribute to most of the sporadic and local outbreaks of influenza infection in Wuxi area in recent years. HAgenes of A/H3N2 strains isolated in Wuxi area are similar to those of strains isolated in Shanghai in the same period, and also similar to those of vaccine strains recommended by WHO for 2008-2009.