Objective To compare the effect of 4 different cold and hot properties of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) on body temperature and related factors of yeast induced fever rats,and discuss the thermoregulatory mechanism of cold and hot properties of TCM.Methods 108 male SD rats were randomly divided into a normal group,a yeast-induced group,a R.palmatum treated group,a C.chinensis treated group,a Euodia ruticarpa treated group,and a Alpinia officinarum Hance treated group,with 18 rats in each group.Pyrexia model was induced by injecting yeast suspension subcutaneously on rat.At the 4h,8h and 12h after injection of yeast,the rats were sacrificed,and the blood and hypothalamus were collected.The levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2),cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) in hypothalamus and plasma were detected by ELISA assay.Results At the 4h after injection of yeast,the temperature of rats in the model group began to rise,and it reached the peak at 8h,while RheumpalmatumL and Coptis chinensis could significantly reduce the body temperature of yeast-induced rat (P＜ 0.01 or P＜ 0.05).At 8h,the levels of PGE2 and cAMP in hypothalamus increased significantly [respectively (31.55 ± 9.88) pg/mg and (0.17±0.03) pmol/mg] compared with the normal group,while the level of AVP (0.14±0.02) pmol/ml in plasma reduced (P＜0.05).Compared with model group,at 8h RheumpalmatumL and Coptis chinensis could significantly lowered PGE2 [respectively (113.65± 18.60) pg/mg and (127.72 ± 15.75) pg/mg,P＜ 0.01 or P＜0.05],and cAMP [respectively (0.69±0.08) pmol/mg and (0.74±0.10) pmol/mg,P＜0.05] in hypothalamus,and increased AVP levels [respectively (1.08 ± 0.12) pmol/ml and (0.91 ±0.01) pmol/ml,P＜0.05 or P＜0.01] in plasma.Euodia ruticarpa and Alpinia officinarum had no significant effect on both body temperature and the levels of inflammatory factors.Conclusion The two cold property traditional Chinese medicines,R.palmatum and C.chinensis,could significantly reduced the body temperature of yeast-induced rats,which may be related to its effective regulation on levels of PGE2 and cAMP in hypothalamus and AVP in plasma,however,the two hot property traditional Chinese medicine,Euodia ruticarpa and Alpinia officinarum Hance,had no related effects.

0.05).2.Two days after treatment,total protein(TP) and albumin(Alb) of hemotoplasma were significantly higher than before treatment(all P0.05).3.Toxic side effects: gastrointestinal reaction was seen in 20 cases ((52.63%)),reduction of WBC in 2 cases(5.26%),baldness in 38 cases(100%) and heart impairment in 1 case(2.63%).The sperm test and menstrual onset were normal in 18 cases,whose ages ≥ 8 years at beginning of treatment,who were clinically cured and whose ages ≥17 years at the time of last following up,7 of them who had married could have children.Conclusions Combining CTX(conti-)(nuous) stosstherapy with prednisone standard scheme treated the children in Zhuang nationality with NS,We could got a good curative effect.By using this treatment,not only the plasma TP and Alb level could be increased rapidly and the urine protein could be conversed to negative quickly.The accumulated amount of CTX was less than 80 mg/kg,but the treatment was safety in the recent term, and no impairment of sexual gland was seen at long-term following up.

ObjectiveTo study tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand(TRAIL) 1525 locus polymorphism in patients with nodular thyroid disease and investigate the relation between individual gene polymorphism and thyroid diseases.Methods A total of 125 patients were diagnosed with nodular thyroid disease at the Department of Endocrinology,the First Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical College.Among these patients,67 cases were nodular thyroid goiter and 58 cases were nodular thyroid adenoma,54 males,71 females,and average age was 41.05 ± 14.42. Patients with nodular thyroid goiter were grouped into toxic and non-toxic and thyroid adenoma were grouped into high-functioning or non-high-functioning.A total of 100 healthy subjects.47 males,53 females,average age 42.35 ± 16.52 were as control group.According to the principle of informed consent,venous blood was collected,polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method for TRAIL gene 1525 locus polymorphism determination was performed to calculate genotype of the TRAIL gene (homozygous GG,heterozygous GA,mutationhomozygous AA) and the gene frequency (G,A),and relative degree of risk(odd ratio,OR) was compared.ResultsNodular goiter group TRAIL gene 1525 locus genotype frequencies(GG:40.3％,AG:44.8％,AA:14.9％),allele frequencies(G:62.7％,A:37.3％) were compared with that of the control group(GG:17.0％,AG:65.0％,AA:18.0％; G:49.5％,A:50.5％),the differences were statistically significant(x2 =11.376,5.633,P ＜ 0.01 or ＜ 0.05 ).Adenomas group 1525 locus genotype frequencies of the TRAIL gene(GG:44.8％,AG:38.0％,AA:17.2％),allele frequencies(G:63.8％,A:36.2％) were compared with that of the control group,the differences were statistically significant(x2 =15.342,6.054,P ＜ 0.01 or ＜ 0.05).Allele frequencies of thyroid goiter group and denoma group were compared with that of the control group,OR values were 1.714 and 1.797(all P ＜ 0.05) and 95％ confidence intervals were 1.097 - 2.679 and 1.124 - 2.874.The difference of 1525 locus genotype or allele frequency distribution in toxic and non-toxic nodular group,high functioning and non-high-functioning adenomas group were not statistically significant (x2 =3.714,2.792; 1.103,2.020; all P ＞ 0.05).ConclusionTRAIL gene 1525 locus polymorphism is significantly associated with nodular thyroid disease.

BACKGROUNDFolic acid is very important for embryonic development and dihydrofolate reductase is one of the key enzymes in the process of folic acid performing its biological function. Therefore, the dysfunction of dihydrofolate reductase can inhibit the function of folic acid and finally cause the developmental malformations. In this study, we observed the abnormal cardiac phenotypes in dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) gene knock-down zebrafish embryos, investigated the effect of DHFR on the expression of heart and neural crest derivatives expressed transcript 2 (HAND2) and explored the possible mechanism of DHFR knock-down inducing zebrafish cardiac malformations.

METHODSMorpholino oligonucleotides were microinjected into fertilized eggs to knock down the functions of DHFR or HAND2. Full length of HAND2 mRNA which was transcribed in vitro was microinjected into fertilized eggs to overexpress HAND2. The cardiac morphologies, the heart rates and the ventricular shortening fraction were observed and recorded under the microscope at 48 hours post fertilization. Whole-mount in situ hybridization and real-time PCR were performed to detect HAND2 expression.

RESULTSDHFR or HAND2 knock-down caused the cardiac malformation in zebrafish. The expression of HAND2 was obviously reduced in DHFR knock-down embryos (P < 0.05). Microinjecting HAND2 mRNA into fertilized eggs can induce HAND2 overexpression. HAND2 overexpression rescued the cardiac malformation phenotypes of DHFR knock-down embryos.

CONCLUSIONSDHFR plays a crucial role in cardiac development. The down-regulation of HAND2 caused by DHFR knock-down is the possible mechanism of DHFR knock-down inducing the cardiac malformation.

Animals ; Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors ; genetics ; physiology ; Female ; Heart ; embryology ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; etiology ; Tetrahydrofolate Dehydrogenase ; genetics ; physiology ; Zebrafish ; Zebrafish Proteins ; genetics ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo explore the role of estrogen in the regulation of the expression of claudin-6 and biological behavior in MCF-7 cells.

METHODSRT-PCR and immunocytochemistry were conducted to analyze the expression and localization of claudin-6 in MCF-7 cells treated with 17β-estradiol. CCK-8 kit assay and Scratch Test were conducted to analyze the capability of proliferation and migration of 17β-estradiol treated MCF-7 cells.

RESULTSRT-PCR analysis and immunocytochemistry showed that 17β-estradiol induced a concentration-and time-dependent effect on claudin-6. At 5 nmol/L and at 24 h, 17β-estradiol treatment led to an increased level of claudin-6, which was located in the membrane of MCF-7 cells. CCK-8 analysis showed a significant decrease in the capability of proliferation of MCF-7 cells compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Cells Scratch Test showed decreased migration capability of MCF-7 cells compared with the control group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS17β-E2 might regulate the expression of claudin-6 and inhibit the proliferation and migration of MCF-7 cells. The inhibitory effects of 17β-E2 on growth and migration of MCF-7 cells may be mediated by claudin-6 expression regulation.

Breast Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Claudins ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Estradiol ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Female ; Humans ; Membrane Proteins ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDBecause of the pivotal role of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II molecules in regulating the immune response and their extensive polymorphism, it is not surprising that particular HLA class II alleles have been implicated in susceptibility to allergic diseases and in restriction of the IgE responses to a variety of allergens. We investigated the relationship between HLA-DRB genotype and allergies to various penicillins and explored HLA-DRB restriction of IgE responses to these derivatives of penicillin.

METHODSRadioallergosorbent test was used to examine 8 kinds of specific IgE antibodies (4 major and 4 minor antigenic determinants) in the sera of 248 patients with an allergy to penicillins and 101 healthy subjects without any allergic reaction. Some (113 patients and 87 healthy control subjects) were chosen from all subjects to type for HLA-DRB alleles by sequence specific primer-polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTSCompared with control subjects, a significantly increased frequency of DR9 was present in 77 patients with allergic reactions, with immediate hypersensitive reaction and with urticaria (P = 0.011; P = 0.019; P = 0.005 respectively). Conversely, a significantly decreased frequency of DR14.1 was found in 80 patients with positive IgE antibodies, with immediate reaction and with urticaria compared with control group (P = 0.024; P = 0.038; P = 0.038). A possible excess of HLA-DR17 was found in subjects who were responsive to benzylpenicilloyl compared with those were not (chi(2) = 5.134, P = 0.023), and of HLA-DR4 was found in subjects responsive to phenoxomethylpenicillanyl (PVA, chi(2) = 4.057, P = 0.044).

CONCLUSIONHLA-DRB gene may be involved in allergy to penicillins through modulating specific serum IgE to penicillins.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Alleles ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Drug Hypersensitivity ; genetics ; immunology ; Female ; Genotype ; HLA-DR Antigens ; genetics ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Penicillins ; adverse effects ; immunology

Objective To explore the effects of postoperative compression cryotherapy at different durations on patients underwent shoulder joint arthroscopy. Methods Sixty patients underwent shoulder joint arthroscopy were divided into 3 study groups by random digits table method: group 1 (20 cases), group 2(20 cases),group 3(20 cases).The study populations with routine care were offered compression cryotherapy at different durations:group1 was managed with 30 mins postoperative cryotherapy every 8 h within 24 h, group2 with the same treatment within 48 h, group 3 within 72 h. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)was used to assess preoperative as well as postoperative pains,and perimeters of three parts(20 cm and 25 cm above lateral epicondyle of humerus,and armpit)were measured to assess swelling at different durations-preoperatively and 24,48,72 h after operation. Results There was no significant difference in the scores of VAS at 24 h after operation among three groups(P>0.05).The score of VAS at 48 h after operation in group 1,group 2,group 3 was(3.65±1.23),(2.65±1.50),(1.80±1.11)points,and there was significant difference(F=6.838,P=0.002),a further comparison,there was significant difference between the two groups(P<0.05).The score of VAS at 72 h after operation in group 1,group 2,group 3 was(3.50± 1.10),(2.65±1.50),(2.05±1.10)points,and there was significant difference(F=10.366,P=0.000),a further comparison, there was significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the swelling of 20 cm and 25 cm above lateral epicondyle of humerus, and armpit at 24 h after operation among three groups(F=1.208, 2.097, 0.427, P>0.05). There was significant difference in the swelling of 20 cm and 25 cm above lateral epicondyle of humerus,and armpit at 48 h after operation among three groups(F=15.577, 17.128, 5.109, P<0.05), a further comparison, there was significant difference between group 1 and group 2, group 1 and group 3(P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between group 2 and group 3(P>0.05).There was significant difference in the swelling of 20 cm and 25 cm above lateral epicondyle of humerus,and armpit at 72 h after operation among three groups(F=24.159, 20.963, 8.496, P<0.05), a further comparison, there was significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). Conclusions 72 h postoperative compression cryotherapy for patients underwent shoulder joint arthroscopy can be the most statistically significant factor to alleviate pain and swelling effectively,beneficial to early functional exercise and shoulder joint recovery.

OBJECTIVETo establish the validation method and criteria for counting bacteria and fungi in microbial limit test which is described in the Pharmacopeia of China (ChP) 2005.

METHODAccording to the method set up for validation, the tested microorganisms with known counts were added to samples followed by the determination of the recovery.

RESULTWith different preparing method for testing samples, the recoveries for the tested microorganisms in testing samples were found to be over 70%.

CONCLUSIONValidation method for counting contaminated bacteria and fungi in drugs is recommended to follow the method established in this paper. The recovery for tested microorganisms should be not less than 70%.

Aspergillus niger ; isolation & purification ; Bacillus subtilis ; isolation & purification ; Bacteria ; isolation & purification ; Candida albicans ; isolation & purification ; Colony Count, Microbial ; methods ; Drug Contamination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; standards ; Escherichia coli ; isolation & purification ; Fungi ; isolation & purification ; Staphylococcus aureus ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo analyze the risk factors of hemorrhagic cystitis after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for beta-thalassemia in children.

METHODSThe clinical records of 30 children with beta-thalassemia undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation between December, 2008 and November, 2009 were analyzed.

RESULTSHemorrhagic cystitis occurred in 8 of the 33 patients with an incidence of 24.24%, including 1 with grade I, 6 with grade II and 1 with grade III hemorrhagic cystitis. The median time of hemorrhagic cystitis onset was 22.9 days (range 6-35 days) and the median duration was 11.9 days(range 3-27 days). Univariate analysis indicated that the different types of transplantation and acute graft-versus-host disease affect the occurrence of hemorrhagic cystitis. The children with Allo-PBSCT had higher incidence than those receiving Allo-PBSCT+Allo-UBT and Allo-BMT (P<0.05). The children at an age >or=6 years had obviously higher incidence of hemorrhagic cystitis than those at younger ages.

CONCLUSIONAge is the major factor that affects the occurrence of hemorrhagic cystitis in children undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for beta-thalassemia.

Age Factors ; Child ; China ; epidemiology ; Cystitis ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Incidence ; Risk Factors ; Transplantation, Homologous ; beta-Thalassemia ; therapy

OBJECTIVEDiGeorge/del22q11 syndrome is one of the most common genetic causes of outflow tract and aortic arch defects in human. DiGeorge/del22q11 is thought to involve an embryonic defect restricted to the pharyngeal arches and the corresponding pharyngeal pouches. Previous studies have evidenced that retinoic acid (RA) signaling is definitely indispensable for the development of the pharyngeal arches. Tbx1, one of the T-box containing genes, is proved to be the most attractive candidate gene for DiGeorge/del22q11 syndrome. However, the interaction between RA and Tbx1 has not been fully investigated. Exploring the interaction will contribute to discover the molecular pathways disrupted in DiGeorge/del22q11 syndrome, and will also be essential for understanding genetic basis for congenital heart disease. It now seems possible that genes and molecular pathways disrupted in DiGeorge syndrome will also account for some isolated cases of congenital heart disease. Accordingly, the present study aimed to extensively study the effects of external RA on the cardiac development and Tbx1 expression during zebrafish embryogenesis.

METHODSThe chemical genetics approach was applied by treating zebrafish embryos with 5 x 10(-8) mol/L RA and 10(-7) mol/L RA at 12.5 hour post fertilization (hpf). The expression patterns of Tbx1 were monitored by whole-mount in situ hybridization and quantitative real-time RT-PCR, respectively.

RESULTSThe zebrafish embryos treated with 5 x 10(-8) mol/L RA and 10(-7) mol/L RA for 1.5 h at 12.5 hpf exhibited selective defects of abnormal heart tube. The results of whole-mount in situ hybridization with Tbx1 RNA probe showed that Tbx1 was expressed in cardiac region, pharyngeal arches and otic vesicle during zebrafish embryogenesis. RA treatment led to a distinct spatio-temporal expression pattern for Tbx1 from that in wild type embryo. The real-time PCR analysis showed that Tbx1 expression levels were markedly reduced by RA treatment. Tbx1 expression in the pharyngeal arches and heart were obviously down regulated compared to the wild type embryos. In contrast to 5 x 10(-8) mol/L RA-treated groups, 10(-7) mol/L RA caused a more severe effect on the Tbx1 expression level.

CONCLUSIONThese results suggested that there was a genetic link between RA and Tbx1 during development of zebrafish embryo. RA could produce an altered Tbx1 expression pattern in zebrafish. RA may regulate the Tbx1 expression in a dose-dependant manner. RA could represent a major epigenetic factor to cause abnormal expression of Tbx1, secondarily, disrupt the pharyngeal arch and heart development.

Animals ; Branchial Region ; drug effects ; embryology ; Embryo, Nonmammalian ; drug effects ; Embryonic Development ; drug effects ; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental ; Heart ; drug effects ; embryology ; T-Box Domain Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Tretinoin ; pharmacology ; Zebrafish ; embryology ; genetics ; Zebrafish Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism