Objective To study helper T lymphocyte cell(Th)1/Th2 imbalance in rats′ model of asthma and the modulation of lentinan(LNT) on the airway inflammation and Th1/Th2 imbalance.Methods Thirty male SD rats were randomly divided into control,asthma and LNT groups.In the experiment,the rat model of asthma was established by the ovalbumin(OVA) challenge methods.Eosinophils(Eos) number and differentiated cell number in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF) were counted by different count fluids.The levels of IL-4 and IFN-? in BALF were measured by sandwich enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Results 1.The Eos count in BALF and the ratio of eosinophils to the total cell number(Eos%) of asthma group were significantly higher than those of the control group(t=21.94,12.81 Pa

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association between attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Han Chinese children and Val158Met polymorphism of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene caused by the missense mutation of G158A in exon 4.

METHODSBy using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphisms the Val158Met polymorphism of COMT gene was tested in 117 children with the diagnosis of ADHD as defined by DSM-IV and in 105 healthy controls living in Shanghai.

RESULTSThe frequencies of A allele were 25.21% and 23.81% in the ADHD group and the health controls respectively, which showed no significant difference between the two groups (Chi2=0.5197, P>0.05). There was also no significant difference in the distribution of all genotypes of COMT gene between the ADHD patients and the controls (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONIt was suggested that for the Han Chinese children with ADHD in this study, there was no association between ADHD and Val158Met polymorphism of COMT gene.

Adolescent ; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity ; enzymology ; genetics ; Catechol O-Methyltransferase ; genetics ; Child ; Exons ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

OBJECTIVETo identify a rare subtype of the ABO blood group system and explore its molecular basis.

METHODSBased on a standard serological assay, ABO subtype and haplotype were analyzed through PCR amplification of the 7 exons and adjacent introns of the ABO gene and TA clone sequencing.

RESULTSForward typing showed a B type, while reverse typing demonstrated an extremely weak anti-B on routine gel analysis, which indicated a forward and reverse typing discrepancy. Absorption-elution testing confirmed that there was no A antigen on the surface of patient's red blood cells. Sequencing of the ABO gene showed a G>A exchange at position 523 in exon 7, which resulted in a Val to Met substitution at codon 175. Clone sequencing of the amplificons of the ABO gene showed an ABO* Bw14/O01 heterozygote genotype.

CONCLUSIONMolecular method is useful for the identification of ambiguous blood groups. A 523G>A substitution of the ABO gene resulting in a Bw14 subtype probably underlies the weak B phenotype noted in the patient.

ABO Blood-Group System ; genetics ; Exons ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phenotype ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

Objective To analyze the clinical value of minimal residual disease(MRD) of acute myeloblastic leukemia(AML) with AML 1-ETO by using the real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction(RQ-RT-PCR).Methods From Jan.2001 to Jan.2007,the MRD of 32 AML1-ETO-positive AML patients were analyzed by using PQ-RT-PCR.The detection of the AML1-ETO was taken after the induced chemotherapy every 1.5-2.0 months during the consolidation therapy.The survival of different stages in children with AML was analyzed by SPSS 10.0 software and calculated by using Kaplan-Meier analysis.Results Thirty-two patients received the induced chemotherapy and 29 patients with complete remission morphologically,3 patients had no complete remission morphologically and then gave up.Patients with molecular remission were associated with a high probability of survival(P=0.001 8).Patients with high transcript levels at diagnosis had no difference in event free survival with patients with low transcript levels.The quality of molecular response after induction,6 months in the chemotherapy as well as consolidation period,has significant impact on the event free survival(P=0.023,0.000 1,0.004 9).Conclusion The current study demonstrate that quantitative evaluation of AML1-ETO transcript levels is important and may be helpful for therapeutic decisions in future.

Objective To investigate the frequency of CD4~+CD25~+FoxP3~+regulatory T cells (Treg)and the expression of the functional protein,FoxP3,in patients with active tuberculosis and the relationship between Treg and the pathogenesis of tuberculosis.Methods Forty-five patients with active tuberculosis(including 25 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis and 20 tuberculous lymphadenitis), 20 healthy controls,20 recovered tuberculosis patients and 6 patients with reactive hyperplasia in cer- vical lymph node were enrolled.The frequency of CD4~+ CD25~+ FoxP3~+ Treg in the peripheral blood was measured by flow cytometry.FoxP3 mRNA expression was determined by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)and the expression of FoxP3 protein in lymphoid tissues was measured by immunohistochemistry.Results The frequency of natural Treg in the peripheral blood from the patients with active tuberculosis was 2.91%?0.23%,which was signifi- cantly higher than that of healthy control group(1.22%?0.18%)and recovered tuberculosis patients(1.50%?0.17%,P

Humans ; Child ; Lung Diseases, Interstitial/diagnosis* ; Lung/pathology* ; Biopsy/methods* ; Bronchoscopy/methods*

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the reliability of the birth defects surveillance system in four counties with high prevalence of birth defects (Pingding, Xiyang, Taigu and Zezhou counties) in Shanxi province, China.

METHODSOne township was selected from each county as study site. The health workers chosen from township or village level were trained to visit families on the outcomes of each pregnancy who gave birth during year 2003 in the study site. The number of births and cases collected in the study were compared with that from the surveillance system. The number of births reported by surveillance system in four counties was also compared with the data from the local government. The criteria of evaluation were: 1) number of the missing report of births should < or = 5%, 2) the number of missing report on major external birth defects cases should < or = 10%. Researchers from the Peking University were responsible for examining the quality of surveillance in some terminal units of surveillance system.

RESULTSThe numbers of births reported in the study and from the surveillance system for four-township were 1043 and 997, respectively. 46 births were missing and the rate of misreporting for births was 4.4%. The numbers of birth defects cases reported in the study and from the surveillance system were 30 and 29, respectively. 1 case of birth defect as missed, and rate of misreporting for birth defects cases was 3.3%. The total number of births reported from surveillance was similar to that in the study in four counties, with a difference of 1.2%. Birth registry data was rather readable and special health workers responsible for surveillance work were present in all the terminal units of the surveillance system.

CONCLUSIONThe misreporting of births and cases existed in the birth defects surveillance system of the four counties in Shanxi province, but were lower than the allowable criteria. The surveillance units had better registration, reporting and administration of births and birth defect cases. Hence, the quality of the data from the surveillance system in these four counties was reliable.

Birth Certificates ; China ; epidemiology ; Congenital Abnormalities ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Population Surveillance ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Registries ; Reproducibility of Results

Currently, image-based 3-dimentional (3D) planning brachytherapy allows for a better assessment of gross tumor volume (GTV) and the definition and delineation of target volume in cervix cancer. In this study, we investigated the feasibility of our novel computed tomography (CT)-guided free-hand high-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy (HDRISBT) technique for cervical cancer by evaluating the dosimetry and preliminary clinical outcome of this approach. Dose-volume histogram (DVH) parameters were analyzed according to the Gynecological GEC-ESTRO Working Group recommendations for image-based 3D treatment in cervical cancer. Twenty cervical cancer patients who underwent CT-guided free-hand HDRISBT between March 2009 and June 2010 were studied. With a median of 5 (range, 4-7) implanted needles for each patient, the median dose of brachytherapy alone delivered to 90% of the target volume (D90) was 45 (range, 33-54) Gyα/β10 for high-risk clinical target volume (HR-CTV) and 30 (range, 20-36) Gyα/β10 for intermediate-risk clinical target volume (IR-CTV). The percentage of the CTV covered by the prescribed dose (V100) of HR-CTV with brachytherapy alone was 81.9%-99.2% (median, 96.7%). With an additional dose of external beam radiotherapy (EBRT), the median D90 was 94 (range, 83-104) Gyα/β10 for HR-CTV and 77 (range, 70-87) Gyα/β10 for IR-CTV; the median dose delivered to 100% of the target volume (D100) was 75 (range, 66-84) Gyα/β10 for HR-CTV and 65 (range, 57-73) Gyα/β10 for IR-CTV. The minimum dose to the most irradiated 2 cc volume (D2cc) was 73-96 (median, 83) Gyα/β3 for the bladder, 64-98 (median, 73) Gyα/β3 for the rectum, and 52-69 (median, 61) Gyα/β3 for the sigmoid colon. After a median follow-up of 15 months (range, 3-24 months), two patients experienced local failure, and 1 showed internal iliac nodal metastasis. Despite the relatively small number of needles used, CT-guided HDRISBT for cervical cancer showed favorable DVH parameters and clinical outcome.
Adenocarcinoma ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Adult ; Brachytherapy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Diarrhea ; etiology ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Radiotherapy Dosage ; Remission Induction ; Survival Rate ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; radiotherapy

OBJECTIVETo assess the operation indications, preoperative evaluation, technique essentials and clinical prospect of endovascular stent-graft exclusion for aortic dissection.

METHODSFrom September 1998 to April 2003, endovascular stent-graft exclusion for aortic dissection (Stanford B) was preformed in 146 patients. CTA or MRA were used as preoperative evaluation methods. Graft was constructed from self-expanding Z-stents covered with a woven Dacron polyester fabric graft (Talent). The stent-grafts were inserted from the femoral or iliac artery to exclude the tear of dissection, and all operations were performed under DSA guidance.

RESULTSThe grafts were installed successfully in 145 patients. In 119 patients only proximal tears were excluded, and 26 patients who had both the proximal and distal tears were excluded. The mean follow-up period was 16 months (1 - 54 months). Six patients died within the perioperative period, 2 patients died during the follow-up, 2 patients had recurrence of aortic dissection (Stanford A) and cured by Bentall operation. The others were in good state. No accidents related to the dissection and operation occurred.

CONCLUSIONSEndovascular graft exclusion may be a safe and effective treatment for selected patients with thoracic aortic dissection. Endoleak may lead to aneurysmal expansion and rupture. Further follow-up is necessary to evaluate its long-term effect.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aneurysm, Dissecting ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Angiography ; methods ; Aortic Aneurysm ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation ; adverse effects ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Preoperative Care ; Retrospective Studies ; Stents ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Radix Astragali (RA) on the expression of signal transducer and activator of transcription-4 (STAT4) and its mRNA in the bronchus of a rat model of asthma.

METHODSForty male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups: the control group, asthma group, high dosage of RA group and low dosage of RA group. In the experiment, the rat model of asthma was established by the ovalbumin (OVA) challenge methods. The lung tissue was gainedfrom the left lung, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was gained from the right lung. The eosinophils (EOS) numbers and differentiated cell numbers in BALF were counted by different counting fluids; the protein expressions of STAT4 were detected by immunohistochemistry; the mRNA expressions of STAT4 were detected by in situ hybridization.

RESULTS(1) In the BALF of the asthma group, the absolute numbers of EOS, the ratios of EOS to the total cell numbers (EOS%) of asthma group [(35.81 +/- 7.30) x 10(7)/L, (8. 20 +/- 1.75)%] were all significantly higher than those of the control group [(1.51 +/- 1.04) x 10(7)/L, (0.70 +/- 0.48)%] (P < 0.01); the total cell numbers in BALF, the absolute numbers of EOS and EOS% of RA groups [(14.89 +/- 2.35) x 10(7)/L, (4.70 +/- 0.82)%; (10.98 +/- 1.81) x 10(7)/L, (3.56 +/- 0.53)%] were all significantly lower than those of asthma group (P < 0.01); (2) The concentration of IL-4 in BALF of asthma group (25.70 +/- 7.36) was significantly higher than that of the control group (8.55 +/- 2.97) (P < 0.01); the concentration of IL-4 of BALF of RA groups [(31.89 +/- 5.46), (35.26 +/- 6.03)] was significantly lower than that of asthma group (P < 0.01); the concentration of IL-12 of BALF of asthma group (16.10 +/- 3.38) was significantly lower than that of the control group (42.33 +/- 9.66) (P < 0.01); the concentration of IL-12 of BALF of the RA groups [(31.89 +/- 5.46), (35.26 +/- 6.03)] was significantly higher than that of the asthma group (P < 0.01); (3) Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization showed that the protein content of STAT4 and the STAT4 mRNA expression around the bronchus of asthma group [(0.096 +/- 0.012), (0.098 +/- 0.011)] were lower than those of the control group [(0.216 +/- 0.034), (0.228 +/- 0.032)], while those of RA groups [(0.176 +/- 0.012), (0.185 +/- 0.023); (0.183 +/- 0.011), (0.201 +/- 0.019)] were all significantly higher than that of the asthma group (P < 0.01), the airway smooth muscle cells, the pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells were the chief expression cells; (4) the STAT4 and the STAT4mRNA expression around the bronchus had positive correlation with the concentration of IL-12 in BALF while had negative correlation with the concentration of IL-4, absolute numbers of EOS in BALF.

CONCLUSIONSRA has an inhibitory effect on airway inflammation cells infiltration such as EOS, it raises the STAT4 protein and its mRNA expression in the airway smooth muscle cells, the pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells, and the key mechanism may be that the IL-12 composition is increased.

Animals ; Asthma ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Astragalus Plant ; chemistry ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; immunology ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Eosinophils ; immunology ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; genetics ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Transcription Factor 4 ; Transcription Factors ; genetics ; metabolism