ObjectiveTo investigate changes of sex hormone levels and sexual function in male patients after liver transplantation.MethodsBlood samples were taken from 69 male patients receiving liver transplantation pretransplantation and postoperative 3rd,7th,14th day,1st and 3rd month respectively.Serum estradiol and testosterone were measured by radioimmunoassay.Serum sex hormone binding globulin was measured by ELISA.Sixty-nine discharged adult male liver transplant recipients ( age ranging 24 -45 years) with a normally functioning allograft for at least 6 months were questioned on their pre-and post-operativesexualfunction compared with 23adulthealthy controls.ResultsPretransplantation serum estradiol and sex hormone binding globulin were significantly higher (87.56±31.21 vs.26.00 ±9.12,u=9.30,P＜0.0001,134.50±30.68 vs.51.04 ±12.05,u=12.69,P ＜ 0.0001,respectively),and testosterone was lower than normal controls (2.02 ± 1.28 vs.4.82 ± 1.48,u =-8.73,P ＜0.0001 ) and levels were correlated with MELD scores (r =0.80,P ＜0.0001,r =-0.77,P ＜0.0001,r =0.72,P ＜0.0001,respectively).Sex hormone levels were back to normal on postoperative 2nd week (serum estradiol) or 1st month (serum testosterone and sex hormone binding globulin).Compared with pretransplant status,sexual function improved significantly when evaluated on postoperative 6th month.ConclusionsLevels of serum sex hormone were correlated with MELD scores before liver transplant.After liver transplant,estradiol was back to normal level on postoperative 2nd week,testosterone and sex hormone binding globulin back to normal level on postoperative 1 st month.Sexual function significantly improves after liver transplantation.

Objective To study the relationship between serum amyloid A(SAA)and the common carotid intima-media thickness(IMT)in type 2 diabetic(T_2DM)patients.Methods Sixty-nine patients with type 2 diabetes,and 20 healthy subjects regarded as the normal controls(NC)were enrolled in the study from January to July of 2005.SAA levels were measured using ELISA.The carotid IMT were examined by hypersensitive color Doppler ultrasonography.Results SAA level was significantly elevated in type 2 diabetes group compared with that in the control3.08(2.1~5.06)mg/L vs 1.37(1.07~1.86)mg/L,P

AlM:To determine the group distribution characteristics of lachrymal duct obstruction diseases in major Li Miao minority areas of Hainan province.
METHODS: Totally 5 353 residents were selected and researched by randomized cluster sampling in the major Li Miao minority areas of Hainan province. Ocular examination and lachrymal duct flushing were carried out, and questionnaire survey on lachrymal duct obstruction was conducted. The ratio of lachrymal duct obstruction diseases and group distribution characteristics were analyzed based on above research.
RESULTS: The prevalence ratios of lachrymal duct obstruction was 4. 47% in major Li Miao minority areas of Hainan province, with 2. 62% in urban area, and 5. 93% in rural area respectively. Prevalence ratios of men and women group were 1. 69% and 6. 39% correspondingly. Difference between the two groups was statistically significant (χ2 = 67. 2821, P = 0. 0000 ). The highest prevalence ratio was 40-69 year-old group, second one was 70-79 year-old group, especially for women in these groups. The prevalence ratios of Ledong, Lingshui, Baisha and Changjiang county were higher than those of Baoting, Qiongzhong county and Wuzhishan city. No significant difference was found between both eyes.
CONCLUSlON: ln major Li Miao minority areas of Hainan province, lachrymal duct obstruction mainly occurs in 40-79 year-old patients, with specially higher ratio of women. Statistically, significant difference of the prevalence ratio between urban and rural areas exists. The higher prevalence ratio is attributed to age, gender, geographical location, climate condition, health environment and so on. The prevalence ratio is higher in the dry and windy areas than in the humid and less windy areas.

Objective To screen human anti-hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1? scFv of lung adenocarcinoma from large phage antibody library and identify the positive clones. Methods Panning of large phage antibody library against lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549 and HIF-1? was conducted respectively to select specific antibodies. E. coli HB2151 was infected to induce the expression of soluble scFv. The binding activity and specificity were tested by ELISA and immunocytochemical assay. The expression and relative molecular weight of the soluble scFv was detected by SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis. Results After panning,the target scFv was enriched,and ELISA results showed that positive reactions to HIF-1? were detected in 5 of 10 random clones with a positive ratio of 50%. Immunocytochemical analysis showed the specific affinity of the antibodies to A549 cells. The soluble human anti-HIF-1? scFv fragments of lung adenocarcinoma were expressed in E. coli HB2151 and then confirmed by SDS-PAGE. The result of Western blotting showed that the relative molecular weight of the soluble scFv was about 30?103. The binding activity and specificity were confirmed by ELISA. Conclusion Human anti-HIF-1? scFv of lung adenocarcinoma is successfully obtained with large phage antibody library technique.

OBJECTIVETo determine the effect of AQP1 gene on facial nerve edema following injury through investigation of the relationship between the expression of AQP1 gene and Schwann cells swelling.

METHODSThe AQP1 expression in Schwann cells of mouse facial nerve tissues was detected by immunofluorescent staining. The transgenic protocol by lentivirus transduction was used to specifically upregulate AQP1 expression in Schwann cells. Lenti-AQP1 and CTRL (empty vector) transduced cells were observed during gene overexpression every 24 h for 6 days by using phase contrast microscopy. Cell volume of CTRL and Lenti-AQP1 treated cells was measured daily from the day of treatment, through day 6.

RESULTSSchwann cell primary cultures maintained a high level of AQP1 water channels, representing an ideal cell model to study the role of AQP1 in the facial nerve. The expression of AQP1 mRNA and protein in Schwann cells infected with the Lenti-AQP1 was increased significantly compared with CTRL lentivirus (P < 0.05). Lenti-AQP1 caused cell swelling in cultured Schwann cells, as validated by cell volume determinations (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSAQP1 is an important factor responsible for the fast water transport of cultured Schwann cells. It plays an important role in facial nerve edema.

Animals ; Aquaporin 1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cell Size ; Edema ; etiology ; Facial Nerve ; metabolism ; Facial Nerve Diseases ; etiology ; Lentivirus ; Mice ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Schwann Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; virology ; Time Factors ; Transduction, Genetic ; methods ; Up-Regulation

Objective To investigate the cause,type,clinical manifestation,diagnosis and treatment of bile duct injury(BDI)during laparoscopic cholecystectomy(LC).Methods Data of 26 cases suffering from biliary injury during LC from 1997 to 2007 were retrospectively analyzed.Results Among 26 cases with BDI,5 cases suffered from type Ⅰ BDI,13 cases from typeⅡ,2 cases from typeⅢ,and 6 cases from type Ⅳ.Injuries were diagnosed as BDI intraoperatively in 3 cases,23 BDI cases were diagnosed postoperatively,including 13 cases diagnosed one week after LC,8 cases 20-60 days after LC,2 cases 2 years after LC.Twenty-four cases underwent interventional therapy,with 5 cases cured,19 cases were tideovered to operative treatment after cholangitis and jaundice were under control.Among all BDJ cases,20 cases underwent resection of impaired dile duct and hepatico-jejunostomy. Conclusion BDI is a serious complication of LC,temporary stent graft or bile dranage will help to put jaundice and cholangitis under control so as to buy a time for final definite surgical procedures.

Objective To analyze the factors influencing the prognosis of patients with pancreatic cancer.Methods The clinical data of 276 patients with pancreatic cancer who had been admitted to our department from September 1995 to August 2005 were retrospectively analyzed.Cox regression analysis was used to screen out independent risk factors influencing the prognosis of patients with pancreatic head cancer or pancreatic body and tail cancer,and Kaplan-Meier method to calculate the median survival time.The effects of tumor location on the prognosis were examined by Log-rank and Breslow test.Results Cox regression analysis showed that the diameter of tumor,invasion of the superior mesenteric vessel and treatment method were the independent risk factors influencing the prognosis of patients with pancreatic head cancer;while age,lymphadenectasis and treatment method were the independent risk factors influencing the prognosis of patients with pancreatic body and tail cancer.The median survival time of patients with pancreatic head cancer and pancreatic body and tail cancer after radical resection were 460 days and 480 days,which were significantly longer than 240 days and 200 days of patients who received palliative treatment or gave up treatment.The median survival time of patients with whole pancreatic cancer was 117 days,which was significantly shorter than 330 days of patients with pancreatic head cancer and 300 days of pancreatic body and tail cancer.Conclusions Radieal resection is currently the best choice for pancreatic cancer.The prognosis is poor for patients with pancreatic head cancer(diameter≥4 cm)and invasion of the superior mesenteric vessel.Patients with age≤60 and lymphadenectasis are the factors resulting in poor prognosis of pancreatic body and tail cancer.The prognosis of patients with pancreatic head cancer and pancreatic body and tail cancer are close.Patients with whole pancreatic cancer is in the terminal stage with the worst prognosis.

Acupuncture Points ; Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome

Objective:To optimize the formula of metronidazole and borneol sustained-release films. Methods: The mass ratio of Rhizoma Bletillae polysaccharide and polyvinyl alcohol 124(PVA-124) and the dosage of glycerol and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose ( CMC-Na) as the influencing factors ,the appearance of films and the release rate of metronidazole at 0. 5h and 4h as the comprehen-sive evaluation indices, the formula of the film-forming materials was optimized by orthogonal test. Results:The mass ratio of Rhizoma Bletillae polysaccharide and PVA-124 was the key factor affecting the quality of the films. When the mass ratio of Rhizoma Bletillae pol-ysaccharide and PVA-124 was 20∶80, and the dosage of glycerol was 3. 5g and that of CMC-Na was 0. 14g, the appearance of the films was satisfied, the release rate of metronidazole at 0. 5h and 4h was 25. 17% and 69. 64%, respectively, and the average cumulative re-lease rate at 8h was over 90%. Conclusion:The films prepared by the optimized formula are flat, smooth, clean and moderately soft, which can not only remain the drug release characteristics of the films made by the original formula, but also exhibit the pharmacologi-cal effect of Rhizoma Bletillae.

Objective To express and purify the Schistosoma japonicum adenylate kinase(AK) protein of which the cDNA sequence was subcloned into the pET32a(+) soluble expression plasmid, and to evaluate its immunoreactivity. MethodsThe recombinant plasmid was transformed into {E.coli} BL21, and induced with IPTG for expression. The bacterial lysis was conducted by ultrasonication and the supernatant was analyzed by SDS_PAGE after boiling and centrifugation. The target protein was purified with the Ni_NTA agarose. The proteins on the gel were transferred to the PVDF film and then the immunoreactivity was tested by Western blotting using anti_6_His antibody, sera from rabbits 6 weeks after infected with cercariae or UV_attenuated cercariae. The purified protein was coated for ELISA to test the cercariae infected rabbit serum and the normal rabbit serum. Results The molecular weight of the target fusion protein was {Mr 40 000} after being induced with IPTG. The fused protein showed a single band when reacted with anti_6_His antibody, the cercariae infected rabbit serum and attenuated cercariae infected rabbit serum. Conclusion The AK protein is expressed as a fused protein with thioredoxin and its molecular weight is about {Mr 40 000}. This protein has a positive immunoreactivity with sera of rabbits infected with cercariae and UV_attenuated cercariae.