Objective To investigate the prevalence of anti-endothelial cell antibody fAECA) in the sera of patients with connective tissue diseases(CTD)complicated with pulmonary arterial hyperten-sion (PAH)and to detect the specific antigens of AECA which may be related to clinical manifestations.Methods AECA was detected with Western blotting in 39 CTD patients with PAH.22 CTD patients without PAH and 30 healthy donors.Results The prevalence of AECA was 82%in CTD patients with PAH.73%in CTD patients without PAH and 20%in healthy donors.Anti-22 000 AECA was only detected in CTD patients with PAH(15%).Anti-75 000 AECA was more frequently detected in CTD patients with PAH than in thosewithout PAH(51%vs 23%.P＜0.05).In CTD patients complicated with PAH.anti-75 000 AECA was morefrequently detected in those with Raynaud's phenomenon or with positive anti-RNP antibody.Conclusion AECA can be more frequently detected in CTD patients with or without PAH.Furthermore,anti-22 000 and anti-75 000 AECA may play a special role in CTD patients with PAH.

Objective Application of the second metatarpophalangeal joint by traction prolong trans- plant repair the defects in the metacarpophalangeal joint,reconstruct the function of it.Methods By means of the apparatus to prolong finger in advance,then transplant the second metatarpophalangeal joint to recon- struct metacarpophalangeal joint for seven cases of obsolete defects in the metacarpophalangeal joint.Results The average of finger prolong was 2.6 cm,consultation from 1 to 4 years.average 2.5 years,thai the trans- plant joints have all survived and osteal concrescence.Through the criterion Chinese Medical Association,good rate was 85.7%. Conclusion It' s a good method to repair obsolete defects in the metacarpophalangeal joint by transplant traction prolong of the second metatarpophalangeal joint.

BackgroundOur previous study showed that erythropoietin (EPO) protects the photoreceptor from apoptosis in retinal detachment(RD) rat,but its signal transduction pathway remains unknown.Objective The present study was to investigate the effects of EPO on signal transduction pathway in RD.MethodsTwentyfour albino clean Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats were randomly divided into 4 groups.5 μl PBS was injected into vitreous cavity of rats in RD+PBS group,and 400 ng EPO(5 μl) was used at the same way in RD+EPO group.Three days later,the rats were sacrificed and the retina was isolated in each group.The expression levels of Janus kinase 2 (JAK2),p-JAK2,Akt,p-Akt,extracellular regulated protein kinase-1/2 ( ERK-1/2 ),p-ERK-1/2,signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 ( STAT5 ),p-STAT5,nuclear factor-kB (NF-sB) and p-NF-kB were detected by Western blot assay.The administration of experimental animals followed the Standard of ARVO.ResultsThree days after RD,the expression levels of JAK2,Akt and ERK-1,ERK-2 in retinas among normal group,RD,RD+PBS,RD+EPO groups were statistically insignificant different ( F =0.298,P =0.826 ; F =0.681,P =0.588 ; F =0.978,P=0.450;F=1.115,P=0.399 ),but the levels of p-JAK2,p-Akt,p-Erk-1 and p-Erk-2 among these 4 groups were significant difference ( F=24.435,P =0.000; F=48.163,P =0.000;F =19.092,P =0.001; F =14.393,P=0.001 ),and those in RD+EPO group was significantly higher than that in RD and RD+PBS groups( P＜0.05 ).The expression levels of STAT5 and NF-kB among the 4 groups were no significantly differences (F =1.136,P=0.391 ;F=0.696,P=0.580),but after the phosphorylation of STAT5 and NF-kB,the differences was significant ( F =14.189,P =0.001 ; F =40.103,P =0.000 ).Those in RD,RD + PBS,RD + EPO groups did not increase either (P＞0.05).Although the levels of p-STAT5 and p-NF-kB in RD,RD+PBS,RD+EPO groups were significantly higher than those in normal control group( P＜0.05 ),the level of p-STAT5 in RD+EPO group was not significantly higher than that in RD and RD + PBS groups (P ＞ 0.05 ). Conclusions PI3K/Akt and MAPK/ERK-1/2 signal transduction pathways might participate in the protecting process of EPO to photoreceptor in RD rats.

OBJECTIVETo find the reasons why patients always have temporomandibular disorders (TMD) after condylar fracture by analyzing the stress distribution change of the condylar surface whose subcondylar fracture ware fixed by miniplate during the whole healing process.

METHODSAnalyzing the stress distribution change of the condylar surface whose subcondylar fracture were fixed by miniplate during the whole healing process by three-dimension finite element method (3D FEM).

RESULTSDuring the whole healing process of the fracture, the miniplate osteosynthesis was helpful to the biomechanics environment rehabilitation of the condylar local, but it still had difference with normal after fixing 12 weeks long.

CONCLUSIONThe difference of stress distribution of condylar surface that fractured and fixed by miniplate with normal may be part of the reason of TMD after the subcondylar fracture miniplate osteosynthesis.

Adult ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Fracture Healing ; Humans ; Mandibular Condyle ; Mandibular Fractures

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of aloesin and arbutin on normal cultured human melanocytes in synergetic method.

METHODSBuilding up the system of cultured human melanocytes. The cultured melanocytes in vitro were treated with the mixture of aloesin and arbutin. The cell viability and tyrosinase activity was measured by MTT assay, utilization of L-Dopa as the substrate respectively; melanin content was measured by image analysis system. Furthermore, the effects of the mixture on melanocytes were compared with that of aloesin and arbutin.

RESULTSThe mixture of aloesin and arbutin showed an inhibition on tyrosinase activity of human melanocytes and reduced significantly melanin content. Between the mixture and the single use of aloesin or arbutin, there is significant difference (P < 0.05). On the other hand, the mixture has little influence on melanocytes viability and there is negative significance.

CONCLUSIONThe mixture of aloesin and arbutin can significantly inhibit the tyrosinase activity and melanogenesis of cultured human melanocytes. It showed the effects of aloesin and arbutin in a synergistic manner. It is worth to give farther study later.

Arbutin ; pharmacology ; Cells, Cultured ; Chromones ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drug Synergism ; Glucosides ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Melanocytes ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Monophenol Monooxygenase ; drug effects ; metabolism

AIMObservations on medullary ischemia region, the morphology of neurons and changes of respiration and blood pressure were made, in order to give evidences on how medullary ischemia affects respiration and circulation and give some advices on how to protect from it.

METHODSUsing cats as the experimental animals, the different parts of the basilar artery trunk were ligated. The changes in the density of blood vessels, the morphology of neurons in the brainstem, the electromyogram (EMG) of the diaphragm and the blood pressure of the femoral artery were investigated.

RESULTSThe density of blood vessels notably decreased in the medulla after ligating the basilar artery trunk. The ischemic range induced by ligation of the different parts of the basilar artery trunk overlapped, mainly locating in the medulla rostral to the obex. The soma were swelled and the Nissl bodies decreased in some of neurons in the ischemic region of medulla. The duration of inspiration (T1) and expiration (TE) shortened, respiratory frequency (RF) increased, and mean blood pressure (MBP) decreased in the experimental groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThere is an obvious overlap of the areas in which blood supplied by different parts of the basilar artery trunk. Medullary ischemia can involve in changes of respiration and blood pressure. The ischemic damage of neurons in the medulla might be the structural basis of the changes in the respiratory and circulatory functions.

Animals ; Basilar Artery ; Blood Pressure ; Brain Ischemia ; physiopathology ; Cats ; Medulla Oblongata ; pathology ; Respiration ; Respiratory System ; blood supply ; physiopathology

Objective To establish a method performance verification project and experimental method for the clinical chemiluminescence immunoassay.Methods Referring to CLSI evaluation protocols and pertinent literature,and by combining our actual works,we designed a verification procedure and experimental method.By Using these above,the precision,accuracy,analytical sensitivity,analytical measurement range,clinical reportable range and biotic interval of AFP on the Bayer Centaur 240 chemiluminescence immunoassay system were verificated.Results would be compared with the declaration of the manufacturer or desirable specifications derived from biologic variation.Results The results showed that the between-day inaccuracy on AFP levels at 77.4 ng/ml and 168.0 ng/ml was 5.70% and 4.84% respectively,these were consistent with manufacturer's inaccuracy claimed.The relative bias between the results measured for calibrator at four levels and target value was less 5.0%,and the relative bias between the results measured for EQA control sample at five levels and target value was-3.4% to 11.9%.Lower limit of detection was 1.04 ng/ml,lower slightly manufacturer's analytical sensitivity claimed.Biologic limit of detection was 2.65 ng/ml-3.53 ng/ml,functional sensitivity was 3.53 ng/ml.Analytical measurement range was 3.53-912.00 ng/ml,within manufacturer's liner range claimed.Clinical reportable range was 3.53-182 400.00 ng/ml.Reference interval was 0.6-7.7 ng/ml,within manufacturer' s claimed.Conclusions The main performances of the detection system are accorded with the declaration of the manufacturer.The performance verification procedure and experimental method of our research ars simple and practical,which has important significations for building medical laboratory and laboratory accreditation, improving quality of the chemiluminescence immunoassay.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the prevalence of anti-endothelial cell antibodies (AECAs) in the sera of connective tissue diseases (CTD) patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and its correlation with clinical manifestations.

METHODSAECAs in sera of 39 CTD patients with PAH, 22 CTD patients without PAH, and 10 healthy donors as controls were detected with Western blotting. The prevalence of different AECAs in different groups was compared and its correlation with clinical manifestations was also investigated.

RESULTSThe prevalence of AECAs was 82.1% in CTD patients with PAH, 72.7% in CTD patients without PAH, and 20.0% in healthy donors. Anti-22 kD AECA was only detected in CTD patients with PAH (15.4%). Anti-75 kD AECA was more frequently detected in CTD patients with PAH than in those without PAH (51.3% vs. 22.7%, P < 0.05). In CTD patients with PAH, anti-75 kD AECA was more frequently detected in those with Raynaud's phenomenon or with positive anti-RNP antibody.

CONCLUSIONAECAs could be frequently detected in CTD patients with or without PAH, while anti-22 kD and anti-75 kD AECA might be specific in CTD patients with PAH.

Adult ; Autoantibodies ; blood ; immunology ; Cell Line ; Connective Tissue Diseases ; blood ; immunology ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; blood ; immunology ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo isolate and characterize human rheumatoid arthritis (RA) fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs).

METHODSThe synovial membrane tissues were obtained from 4 RA patients, 1 chondroma patient and 1 healthy subject and FLS were isolated by means of tissue culture. The cell morphology was observed by phase-contrast microscope and the cell surface markers were detected by flow cytometry.

RESULTSThe FLSs were successfully cultured from the synovial membrane tissues with good cell homogeneity after the third passage. The FLSs of the 3rd to 7th passages were stable and proliferated actively, followed by slow proliferation and aging since the 8th passage. Flow cytometry showed that the 4th-passage FLSs from the RA patients contained 99.04% CD90(+) cells, 2.73% CD3(+) cells, 0.29% CD3(-)CD19(+) cells, 2.81% CD3(-)CD16(+)CD56(+) cells, 5.89% CD14(+) cells, and 54.17% CD55(+) cells. The presence of interleukin-1 receptor type I (IL-1RI, 158.63-/+20.32 pg/ml) and IL-1beta (4.67-/+0.82 pg/ml) were detected in the cell culture supernatant of the 4th-passage FLSs from the RA patients by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ELISA.

CONCLUSIONFLSs from RA patients can be effectively culture by means of tissue culture, and the cultured FLSs show high expressions of CD90, IL-1RI and IL-1beta.

Adult ; Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; pathology ; Cell Proliferation ; Cell Separation ; Cells, Cultured ; Female ; Fibroblasts ; pathology ; Humans ; Interleukin-1beta ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Receptors, Interleukin-1 Type I ; metabolism ; Synovial Membrane ; cytology ; pathology ; Thy-1 Antigens ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the kinesis of cellular immunity in adults who were vaccinated with yeast recombinant hepatitis B(rHB) vaccine and the correlation between cellular and humoral immune responses induced by the vaccine.

METHODSEight adults were vaccinated with rHB vaccine according to 0, 1,2 month schedule. The peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs) were collected at the 3, 8, 21, 34 and 65 days after the first dose. The high purity of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells obtained by sorting from PBMCs were restimulated with recombinant hepatitis B surface antigens (rHBsAg) or peptides. The spot forming cell (SFC) of IFN-gamma, IL-2 and IL-4 of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were detected by enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT).

RESULTSThe characteristics of IFN-gamma, IL-2 and IL-4 of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells appeared different after immunization with rHB vaccine. IFN-gamma of CD8+ and CD4+ T cells could be detected early with stable SFC, while the IL-2 and IL-4 of CD4+ T cells appeared late but increased after the second and third dose of vaccination. The positive rate of IL-4 of CD4+ T cells were significantly correlated with the positive rate of anti-HBs, while the SFCs of IL-4 and IL-2 of CD4+ T cells were also significantly related to the titers of anti-FIBs.

CONCLUSIONIFN-gamma could be detected early after rHB vaccination in adults, and the positive rates of IL-4 and IL-2 were correlated with that of anti-HBs.

Adult ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; Hepatitis B Vaccines ; administration & dosage ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunization Schedule ; Interferon-gamma ; blood ; Interleukin-2 ; blood ; Interleukin-4 ; blood ; Vaccines, Synthetic ; immunology