Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Disasters ; Earthquakes ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sunburn ; Young Adult

The graft-versus-tumor (GVT) effect of T cells induced by tumor antigen-pulsed CD8α(+) dendritic cells (DCs) in vitro was investigated in this study. Immature CD8α(+) DCs were prepared from C57BL/6 (H-2(b)) bone marrow cells by using a cytokine cocktail. On the 3rd day of culture, CD8α(+) DCs were pulsed by allogeneic (Balb/c, H-2(d)) EL9611 leukemia antigen, or RM-1 syngeneic prostate cancer antigen, with the concentration series of 0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0, 20.0 μg/mL, respectively, then antigen-loaded immature CD8α(+) DCs were co-cultured with syngeneic T cells according to the DC/T ratio of 1:1, 2:1 and 4:1. T cell proliferation was measured by MTT assay. Cytokines including interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in CD8α(+) DCs and T co-culture supernatant were detected by using ELISA. Cytotoxic effect of antigen-specific T cells was tested by LDH release assay. Conventional mature DCs (mDCs) induced from C57BL/6 (H-2(b)) bone marrow cells by using granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) served as a control. The results showed that the proliferative activity of T cells stimulated by CD8α(+) DCs loaded with allogeneic or syngeneic tumor antigen was augmented with the CD8α(+) DC/T ratio increased (P<0.05). When antigen concentration ≤ 5 μg/mL and CD8α(+) DC/T ratio ≤ 2:1, the ability of CD8α(+) DCs to stimulate T cell proliferation was higher than mDC control in allogeneic tumor antigen-pulsed groups (P<0.05), but not in syngeneic tumor antigen-pulsed groups (P>0.05). The level of IFN-γ and IL-10 in CD8α(+) DCs and T cell co-culture supernatant were increased in both allogeneic and syngeneic antigen-pulsed groups (P<0.05), and the cytokine level was higher in allogeneic antigen-pulsed groups than in syngeneic antigen groups when the CD8α(+) DC/T was 1:1 or 2:1 (P<0.05). There existed a negative correlation between the level of IL-10 and T cell proliferation. T cell cytotoxicity assay showed that when CD8α(+) DCs were pulsed with allogeneic tumor antigen, the maximal T cell killing efficiency could reach (100±7.7)%, whereas syngeneic tumor antigen-pulsed group had only (65.0±3.4)%. It was concluded that syngeneic and allogeneic tumor antigen-pulsed immature CD8α(+) DCs could stimulate T cells to exert the GVT effect in vitro, and the GVT effect was more obvious with allogeneic tumor antigen than with syngeneic tumor antigen. The optimal condition was low allogeneic tumor antigen pulsation (≤ 5 μg/mL) and low CD8α(+) DC/T ratio (1:1 and 2:1).

With the current accumulation of metagenome data, it is possible to build an integrated platform for processing of rigorously selected metagenomic samples (also referred as "metagenomic communities" here) of interests. Any metagenomic samples could then be searched against this database to find the most similar sample(s). However, on one hand, current databases with a large number of metagenomic samples mostly serve as data repositories but not well annotated database, and only offer few functions for analysis. On the other hand, the few available methods to measure the similarity of metagenomic data could only compare a few pre-defined set of metagenome. It has long been intriguing scientists to effectively calculate similarities between microbial communities in a large repository, to examine how similar these samples are and to find the correlation of the meta-information of these samples. In this work we propose a novel system, Meta-Mesh, which includes a metagenomic database and its companion analysis platform that could systematically and efficiently analyze, compare and search similar metagenomic samples. In the database part, we have collected more than 7 000 high quality and well annotated metagenomic samples from the public domain and in-house facilities. The analysis platform supplies a list of online tools which could accept metagenomic samples, build taxonomical annotations, compare sample in multiple angle, and then search for similar samples against its database by a fast indexing strategy and scoring function. We also used case studies of "database search for identification" and "samples clustering based on similarity matrix" using human-associated habitat samples to demonstrate the performance of Meta-Mesh in metagenomic analysis. Therefore, Meta-Mesh would serve as a database and data analysis system to quickly parse and identify similar
Cluster Analysis ; Computational Biology ; methods ; Databases, Genetic ; Humans ; Metagenome ; Metagenomics ; methods

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of comprehensive therapy on forearm extensor myotenositis.Methods72 cases were divided into two groups: a control group of 36 cases who were given routine treatment,and an experiment group of 36 cases who were given thermotherapy,computerized medium-frequency electrotherapy,physiotherapy,and ADL instruction,etc.After two courses,a simple grading score(for forearms) was used to assess the effect.ResultsOf the control group,22 cases were cured,10 remarkably effective,4 effective;of the experiment,30 cured,4 remarkably effective,2 effective(u=2.04, P<0.05).The difference of average score for forearms before and after the treatment were(6.58±3.17) points for the control and(8.19±3.55) for the experiment(t=2.03,P<0.05).The average days of cure were(5.60±2.54) d for the experiment group,shorter than those for the control(7.00±2.27) d(t=2.05,P<0.05).ConclusionComprehensive therapy is effective on forearm extensor myotenositis.

Objective To explore the relationships of serum leptin(LP),tumor necrosis factor-?(TNF-?)and insulin resistance in simple obesity children.Methods Forty-seven children with simple obesity were divided into two groups: high insulin group(HIG) and normal insulin group(NIG) according to the levels of fasting state of serum insulin and glucose.The fasting state of serum insulin(FINS),LP,TNF-? and fasting blood glucose(FBG) were measured.The relationships of LP,TNF-? and insulin resistance index(HOMA-IR) were also analyzed.Results 1.The BMI,waist,hip,waist hip ratio(WHR),LP,TNF-?,HOMA-IR were obviously higher in the HIG than those in the NIG and NCG groups(Pa0.05).3.In the HIG group,the FINS was positively correlated to LP,TNF-? and HOMA-IR(r=0.560,0.413,0.864 P

OBJECTIVETo estimate outcomes of patients with acute subdural hematomas by analysing the hematoma thickness, midline shift and the differences between them.

METHODSNinety-five patients with acute subdural hematoma were retrospectively studied by calculating hematoma thickness, midline shift and their difference with a statistical analysis of Kaplan-Meier, Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney U test.

RESULTSThe hematoma thickness ranged from 5.0 to 40.0 mm and midline shift was from 0 to 35.0 mm. Among these patients, 51% died and 49% survived after surgery. 18 patients (19%) showed good or satisfactory results. Kaplan-Meier analysis proved that the survival for patients with hematoma thickness approximately equal to l7 mm and a midline shift 15 mm or whose midline shift exceeded hematoma thickness by 2.2 mm, the survival rate was 50%. Glasgow outcome scale scores were correlated significantly with these parameters.

CONCLUSIONThe hematoma thickness, midline shift and their difference provided a database from which criteria could be derived, that is crucial for prognosis estimation.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Female ; Hematoma, Subdural, Acute ; mortality ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo explore the socio-behavioral risk factors on acquired drug resistance of tuberculosis (ADR-TB).

METHODSUsing pair matched case control study, 316 ADR-TB samples from 949 cases and 316 controls (pair matched for age and sex) were selected by systematical sampling method and studied through questionnaires. All the study subjects were selected from outpatients of the institute of TB control and prevention,between June 2002 and June 2005 in Sichuan province. Socio-behavioral risk factors were analyzed with conditional logistic regression and estimated with adjusted odds ratios (OR) and confidence interval (CI).

RESULTSData showed that the major socio-behavioral risk factors were associated with low economic status, incomplete DOTS, poor compliance and interruption during treatment with adjusted OR and CI as 5.623 (3.462-9.386), 8.875 (6.136-15.442), 6.467(3.942-10.622) and 4.906 (2.477-10.654) respectively.

CONCLUSIONADR-TB could be controlled by taking effective measures against the socio-behavior risk factors.

Case-Control Studies ; China ; epidemiology ; Directly Observed Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Odds Ratio ; Patient Compliance ; Risk Factors ; Social Class ; Tuberculosis ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; prevention & control

OBJECTIVETo probe therapeutic effect of rolling needle therapy on insomnia and standardize the therapeutic program.

METHODSMulti-central randomized blind controlled trials were used, and 180 cases were randomly divided into a rolling needle group and a medication group, 90 cases in each group. The rolling needle group were treated with rolling needle therapy at the Urinary Bladder Channel line 1 and 2 at the back and the Governor Vessel, and the medication group with clonopin 4-6 mg, for 4 weeks. Effective rates for sleep disturbance improvement and Spitzer index of life quality were evaluated after 4 weeks' treatment and 3 months' follow-up.

RESULTSThe effective rate was 82.2% in the rolling needle group and 60.0% in the medication group with a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05), and with a significant difference between the two groups in Spitzer index of life quality (P < 0.05). After 3 months' follow-up, the effective rate was 40.0% in the rolling needle group and 30.3% in the medication group with no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05), and there was a significant difference between the two groups in Spitzer index of life quality.

CONCLUSIONRolling needle therapy can treat chronic insomnia and increase life quality of the patient.

Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Chronic Disease ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Quality of Life ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders ; psychology ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of Huangqi decoction (HQD) on phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophage of mice.

METHODOne hundred Kunming mice, whose weight varied from 18 g to 22 g, were selected and divided into 10 groups randomly in eluding contrast group, groups conducted at different doses of HQD by ig, groups conducted in various ways of taking medicine, and groups conducted with comparative treat combining Huangqi and Dexamethasone. Mice in every group were taken medicine one time daily for 6 days.

RESULTAmong the groups treated at different doses of HQD, phagocytic rate and phagocytic index of mice, which were taken HQD by ig at high, middle, and low doses, were significantly higher (P < 0.01) than that of mice in contrast group, at the same time the effect in group with high dose was the best. Among the groups treated in various ways of taking medicine, phagocytic rate of the ip group was significantly better (P < 0.01) than that of the sc group and that of the ig group respectively, but there was not significant difference (P > 0.05) of phagocytic index among them. Among the groups combining Huangqi and Dexamethasone, Huangqi could antagonize the immunosuppressive effect of Dexamethasone obviously (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONHQD at different doses and with various ways of taking medicine could improve phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophage of mice at different degree, and could antagonize the immunosuppressive effect of Dexamethasone.

Animals ; Astragalus membranaceus ; chemistry ; Dexamethasone ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Female ; Macrophages, Peritoneal ; drug effects ; physiology ; Male ; Mice ; Phagocytosis ; drug effects ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Random Allocation

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of management of renal stone in non-dilated collecting system by percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PCNL) under ultrasound guidance.

METHODFrom September 2003 to April 2005, 132 cases of renal stone in non-dilated collecting system were performed by percutaneous nephrolithotripsy. A stent was first inserted into the pelvis through cystoscope, and saline was instilled to dilate collecting system. Antegrade percutaneous access was obtained by B-type ultrasound guidance. A combination pneumatic and ultrasonic lithotrite were used to disintegrate and remove stone under direct vision. Clinical data including operation time, complications and stone free rate were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTSThe percutaneous renal access was successfully established under B-type ultrasound guidance in all patients, immediate phase I lithotripsy was performed in 129 cases and delayed phase II lithotripsy in 3 cases. Operation time ranged from 70 to 130 minutes, average time was (89 +/- 11) minutes, 3 cases were supported by blood transfusion, severe complications did not occur during nephrolithotripsy. Stones were cleared in 114 out of 132 cases (86.4%) during immediate phase I lithotripsy, residual stone fragment was found in 18 cases who received second PCNL or adjuvant extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy.

CONCLUSIONThe management of renal stone in non-dilated collecting system using PCNL appears to be efficacious and safe under B-type ultrasound guidance.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Calculi ; therapy ; Kidney Calices ; diagnostic imaging ; Lithotripsy ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nephrostomy, Percutaneous ; methods ; Punctures ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Ultrasonography