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.

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

Objective To explore the effect of DR on the expression of inhibitory neurotransmitter ,γ-aminobutyric acid ( GABA) and brain derived neurotrophic factor ( BDNF) in the primary visual cortex of young cats .Methods Totally 6 cats were wsed in this study . Nissl staining was used for cortical layer identification and cell counting . Immunohistochemical techniques were utilized to label GABA-and BDNF-positive neurons .Sections were observed under an Olympus light microscope and photographed with a digital camera .The cell density and absorbance of immunoreactivity were measured with Image-Pro Express 6.0 softwares .Results Our results showed that the mean density of Nissl-stained neurons in the primary visual cortex ( V1) of the DR group showed no significant difference from that of the control group . However , the mean density of GABA-immunoreactive neurons in each cortical layer of V 1 in DR cats was significantly higher than that in control cats .The mean immunoreactive intensity of GABA-positive neurons , as indicated by the average absorbance , increased significantly in DR cats relative to control ones . Accompanied with the elevation of GABA expression, DR enhanced BDNF expression in V1, as indicated by an increased mean density of BDNF-positive neurons and BDNF-immunoreactive average absorbance in DR cats relative to controls .Conclusion These results indicate that dietary restriction leads to a concurrent expression upregulation of GABA and BDNF , which may likely compensate for brain functional degradation during senescence and thus delay aging process .

Objective To construct an Lentiviral expression vector of pLVX‐IRES‐ZsGreen1‐MIA2 targeting to MIA2 and in‐vestigate its effect on the expression of MIA2 and growth of HCC cell line HepG2 in vitro ,observe MIA2 changes and the influence on apotheosis ,thus to provide preliminary experimental fundament for successive researching on the role of MIA2 in the pathogene‐sis of HCC .Methods The sequence of pLVX‐IRES‐ZsGreen1‐MIA2 was designed and synthesized .The pLVX‐IRES‐ZsGreen1‐MIA2 Lentiviral expression vector was constructed and then transiently transfected into HepG2 HCC cells in vitro .The proportion of pLVX‐IRES‐ZsGreen1‐MIA2 positive cells was observed under the fluorescence microscope .Then ,the expression level of MIA2 was detected by real time PCR .Moreover ,the proliferation of HepG2 cells was observed by MTT assay and colony formation as‐say .Finally ,the migration of HepG2 cells in vitro was also determined by Scratch assay .Results pLVX‐IRES‐ZsGreen1‐MIA2 Lentiviral expression vector was successfully constructed .Compared with control group (NC) ,the expression level of MIA2 was significantly decreased in transfected groups(P<0 .05);MTT assay showed that the proliferation of HepG2 cells was dramatically reduced in pIRES2‐ZsGreen1‐MIA2transfected groups(P< 0 .05);furthermore ,the number of both colony forming and migrating cells were also remarkably reduced in transfected groups(P<0 .05) .Conclusion The pIRES2‐ZsGreen1‐MIA2 can significantly re‐duce the expression level of MIA2 and inhibit the proliferation and migration of the HepG2 HCC cells in vitro .

AIM:To observe the expression of Toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) in the left ventricle of Goldblatt rats and to explore the role and mechanism of TLR4 in left ventricular remodeling of hypertension.METHODS:Goldblatt model of Two-kidney,one-clip (2K1 C) renovascular hypertension was induced in twenty-five rats(H group),and twenty rats served the sham-operated group(sham group).The tail cuff blood pressure was detected every week and echocardiogram was observed every other week.After eight weeks of operation,the rats were killed and the samples of the left ventricle were collected.The concentration of Ang Ⅱ in left ventricle was assessed by tadioimmunoassay.Western blotting and RT-PCR were used to exam the mRNA and protein expression of TLR4 in the left ventricle.Immunohistochemistry was adopted to exam the location of TLR4 in the myocardium.RESULTS:TLR4 mRNA and protein expression were consistently upregulated in the left ventricle of H group compared with sham group.In H group, predominantly sarcolemmal staining was observed,especially focal areas of intense TLR4 staining were found in juxtaposed regions of two or more adjacent myocytes;However,in sham group,TLR4 expression was diffuse and presumably cytoplasmic.Considerable correlation was found between blood pressure,MESS,LVMI,RWT,the concentration of Ang Ⅱ in left ventricle and the protein expression of TLR4 in myoeytes.CONCLUSION:During the development of left ventricular remodeling of Goldblatt rats,expression of TLR4 increases significantly.Enhanced expression of TLR4 locates in the sarcolemma,especially in juxtaposed regions of two or more adjacent myocytes.These indicate that TLR4 transmembrane receptor which is closely relative with inflammation and immunity probably contributes to the development of ventricular remodeling.[KEY WORDS]Hypertension;Ventricular remodeling;Receptors,Toll-like;Goldblatt rats

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.

Objective To understand the pathogenetic role and clinical significance of interleukin 6(IL－ 6 ),tumor necrosis factor(TNF) and soluble interleukin－ 2 receptor(sIL－ 2R) in patients with cerebral infarction(CI) .Methods The IL－ 6,TNF and sIL－ 2R levels were measured in 46 CI patients with ELISA. Results The serum IL－ 6,TNF and sIL－ 2R levels of CI group were much higher than those of controls group .The variation of IL－ 6,TNF and sIL－ 2R levels was closely related to the size of cerebral infarction. The serum IL－ 6,TNF and sIL－ 2R levels of recovery period were much lower than those of acute period in patients with CI .Conclusions The IL－ 6 ,TNF and sIL－ 2R take part in the pathologic process after CI .The measurement of IL－ 6, TNF and sIL－ 2R is useful in determining the size of cerebral infarction.