Activator protein-1(AP-1) is a collective term referring to dimeric transcription factors composed of Jun protein family and Fos protein family that bind to the AP-1 sites of many genes,also known as TPA-responsive elements.AP-1 involves in the gene transcriptional regulation of a large number of growth factors and cytokines and leads to a series of physiological and pathophysiological changes of the body.Increasing attention has been paid to the relationship between AP-1 and the allergic diseases in recent years.This article reviewed the structure?activation of AP-1,and the relationship between AP-1 and the allergic diseases.

Th2 cytokines play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis. To investigate the effect of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) on the production of Th2 cytokines such as IL-4 and IL-5 in allergic rhinitis, a model of allergic rhinitis was established in SD rats. The expression level of p38 MAPK mRNA in PBMCs was detected by means of real time quantitative RT-PCR. The p38 MAPK activity in PBMCs was detected by Western blotting. PBMCs were cultured with various concentrations of p38 MAPK inhibitor SB 239063 or without the treatment, and then IL-4, IL-5 levels of the supernatant were determined by using sandwich ELISA. The results showed that mRNA expression and activity of p38 MAPK in PBMCs were significantly higher in allergic rhinitis rats than in control rats (P<0.05). The p38 MAPK inhibitor SB 239063 decreased the production of IL-4 and IL-5 in a dose-dependent manner. It is concluded that p38 MAPK plays an important role in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis which is associated with Th2 cytokines release.

Objective:To investigate the expression of IGF-IR and PKC and their clinical significance in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma(LSCC).Method:The expression of IGF-IR and PKC protein were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot in 60 cases of LSCC, 25 cases of adjacent non-tumorous laryngeal epithelium and 10 cases of normal laryngeal epithelium.Result:The positive rate of IGF-IR and PKC expression in LSCC were significantly higher than that in normal laryngeal epithelium and adjacent non-tumorous laryngeal epithelium(P<0.05). IGF-IR positive expression were increased more in cases with stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ, cervical lymph node metastasis and well differentiation than that in cases with stageⅠ-Ⅱ, non-lymph node metastasis and poor/mediate differentiation, respectively(P<0.05).The positive rate of PKC in LSCC were correlated with clinical stage and cervical lymph node metastasis.There was a correlation between the expression of IGF-IR and PKC in LSCC.Conclusion:The overexpression of IGF-IR and PKC in the laryngeal carcinoma may play an important role in the carcinogenesis and development of LSCC. It is suggested that detecting the expression of IGF-IR and PKC can be used for early diagnosis and treatment of LSCC.

Objective To explore the value of 6 commonly-used quantitative measures on crosssectional MR images to diagnose the patellofemoral instability.Methods Clinical data of 32 patients with patellofemoral instability(34 knees) confirmed by arthroscopy surgery were retrospective analyzed.Knee MR imaging at full extension of the knee was performed in them.Their MR images were compared with those of 23 asymptomatic volunteers.Trochlear facet asymmetry,lateral trochlear inclination,trochlear depth,patellar tilt angle,lateral patellar displacement,and tibial tuberosity-trochlear groove distance(TTTG) were measured in transverse fat-suppressed turbo spin-echo proton density-weighted MR images.Independent sample t test or Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare the differences of these measurements.ROC was used to calculate the area under curve(AUC) and to define the diagnostic threshold value of each measure.Results Trochlear facet asymmetry,lateral trochlear inclination,and trochlear depth in patients were 45.0％±9.2％,10.9°±5.0° and(3.7±1.3) mm,while these measurements were 68.0％±10.5％,21.1°±3.4° and (6.3 ± 1.0) mm in volunteers.These measures were significantly lower in patients than those in volunteers (t values were 10.123,10.862 and 9.835,P＜0.01).Patellar tilt angle and lateral patellar displacement were significantly higher in patients than those in volunteers(24.8°±9.0° vs.12.3°±5.2°,7.36 mm vs.-3.93 mm,t value and Z value were-7.657 and-6.953,P＜0.01).TTTG showed no significant difference between the 2 groups(P=0.798).AUC of trochlear facet asymmetry,lateral trochlear inclination,trochlear depth,patellar tilt angle,and lateral patellar displacement were 0.957,0.957,0.947,0.921 and 0.961,respectively.The recommended diagnostic threshold values for these 5 measures were＜55％,＜15°,＜5 mm,＞17° and＜3 mm,respectively.The sensitivity for these five measurements were 91.2％ (31/34),85.3％ (29/34),91.2％ (31/34),82.4％ (28/34) and 79.4％ (27/34),respectively.The specificity for these five measures were 91.3％ (42/46),97.8％ (45/46),89.1％ (41/46),89.1％ (41/46) and 100.0％ (46/46),respectively.AUC of TTTG was 0.520.Conclusions At full extension of the knee,trochlear facet asymmetry,lateral trochlear inclination,trochlear depth,patellar tilt angle and lateral patellar displacement are all effective in evaluating patellofemoral instability.The diagnostic value of TTTG is relatively poor.

Objective: To explore the clinical and echocardiography characteristics between noncompaction of ventricular myocardium (NVM) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) combining hypertrabeculation in order to distinguish NVM from DCM.
Methods: Our research included 2 groups of patients: NVM group,n=31 and DCM combining hypertrabeculation group, n=50. The basic information as gender, age, family history, symptoms, ECG, plasma levels of BNP and echocardiography were recorded and examined in all patients; the size of cardiac chambers, myocardium, endocardium and hemodynamics were particularly focused. The trabeculation was analyzed by 17 segments method.
Results:①Compared with NVM group, the patients in DCM combining hypertrabeculation group had the worse cardiac classiifcation, higher plasma levels of BNP (P<0.05) and more obvious cardiac dilatation.②The patients in NVM group had the most trabeculation segments (9.82 ± 2.02) and the apical (17th segment) was involved, patients had the higher ratio of noncompacton/compaction (NC/C) as (2.84 ± 0.61), there were (4.12 ± 2.68) segments with NC/C > 2.③The patients in DCM combining hypertrabeculation group had the less trabeculation segments (5.56 ± 1.56) and the apical was seldom involved, patients had the lower ration of NC/C as (1.91± 0.42), there was at most 1 segment with NC/C > 2. All P<0.05.
Conclusion: Echocardiography is a simple, practical and noninvasive method to distinguish NVM from DCM. NVM could be diagnosed by obvious left ventricular apex involvement with NC/C >2 in at least 2 segments of free ventricular walls.

The expression levels of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) from peripheral lymphocytes of the patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) and the clinical implication were investigated. In the morning, 3 ml of fasting venous blood was taken out. The lymphocytes were isolated by using Ficoll-Hypaque and the expression of HSP70 in the lymphocytes was detected by using Western blot. In the AR patients the HSP70 level (41.49 +/- 15.77 integrated optical density, IOD) were significantly higher than that in the control group (23.89 +/- 10.13 IOD, P < 0.05). Western blot demonstrated that HSP70 bands in AR patients were more intensive than those in the control group. It was concluded that the elevated HSP70 level in peripheral lymphocytes of the AR patients might contribute to the development of AR.
Gene Expression Regulation ; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins/*biosynthesis ; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins/blood ; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins/genetics ; Lymphocytes/*metabolism ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal/*blood

OBJECTIVE: To explore the role of protein kinase C (PKC) and activator protein-1 (AP-1) in the signal transduction cascade in the expression of interleukin-5 (IL-5) by peripheral blood T lymphocytes from allergic rhinitis. METHOD: Twenty-five allergic rhinitis patients and twenty-three deflection of nasal septum(DNS) persons in the study. T lymphocytes were isolated and purified from peripheral blood of each person and randomly divided into 3 groups: group A, blank (DNS and AR); group B, PKC excitomotor 12-myristate 13-acetate (DNS PMA and AR PMA); group C , PMA and curcumin (DNS PMA/curcumin and AR PMA/curcumin). ELISA was used to assess the expression of IL-5 in supernatants, and immunocytochemical staining for the activation of AP-1. RESULT: The percentage of cells of active AP-1, IL-5 protein in supernatants of allergic rhinitis T lymphocytes stimulated with PMA were significantly higher than those of allergic rhinitis T lymphocytes stimulated without PMA (P < 0.01) and with PMA and curcumin (P < 0.01); than those of deflection of nasal septum T lymphocytes stimulated with PMA (P < 0.01), with PMA and curcumin (P < 0.01) and without PMA. The percentage of cells of active AP-1, IL-5 protein in supernatants of allergic rhinitis T lymphocytes stimulated with PMA and curcumin were significantly lower than those of allergic rhinitis T lymphocytes stimulated with PMA (P < 0.01); but significantly higher than those of allergic rhinitis T lymphocytes stimulated without PMA and those of deflection of nasal septum T lymphocytes stimulated. There were good positive correlation between the percentage of cells of active AP-1 and IL-5 protein in supernatants (r = 0.92, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION AP-1 may participate in the signal transduction of PKC-triggered expression of IL-5 in allergic rhinitis T lymphocytes. This suggests the activation of PKC/AP-1 signal transduction cascade of T lymphocytes may play an important role in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-5 ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasal Septum ; abnormalities ; immunology ; metabolism ; Protein Kinase C ; metabolism ; Rhinitis ; immunology ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; T-Lymphocytes ; metabolism ; Transcription Factor AP-1 ; metabolism ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate changes in the percentages of circulating and splenic follicular helper T ( Tfh) cells and the significance of Tfh cells in a mouse model of allergic rhinitis .Meth-ods BALB/c mice were sensitized by injection of OVA and aluminum hydroxide to establish the model of allergic rhinitis .Flow cytometry was performed to measure the percentages of circulating and splenic CD 4+CXCR5+after staining Tfh cells with anti-mouse CD4-FITC and anti-mouse CXCR5-PE.Concentrations of OVE-specific IgE ( OVA-sIgE ) in serum samples were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ( ELISA ) .Student′s t-test and Pearson ′s correlation analysis were used for statistical analysis .Results Enhanced infiltration of eosinophils in submucosa was observed in the experimental group .After sensitizing the mice with OVA and aluminum hydroxide , the concentration of OVA-sIgE increased from 43 .47 pg/ml [(43.47±2.58) pg/ml] to 50.44 pg/ml [(50.44±1.40) pg/ml] (P=0.029); the percentage of circu-lating CD4+CXCR5+was up-regulated from 6.25％ [(6.25±1.19)％] to 13.94％ [(13.94±2.77)％] (P=0.026); the percentage of splenic CD4+CXCR5+was down-regulated from 18.04％ [(18.04 ± 4.97)％] to 7.26％[(7.26±0.96)％] (P=0.019).The concentration of OVA-specific IgE was posi-tively correlated with the percentage of circulating Tfh cells (r=0.954, P=0.002), but negatively correla-ted with the percentage of splenic Tfh cells (r=-0.801, P=0.028).Moreover, a negative correlation was found between circulating and splenic Tfh cells (r=-0.787, P=0.032).Conclusion Tfh cells might be involved in the immune responses against allergic rhinitis in mice .

OBJECTIVETo discuss the methods for urethral external meatus and glanuloplasty after correction of hypospadias.

METHODSThe V shape flap on the dorsal side of glan, combined with the bilateral glan flaps were moved to the ventral side. The flap at the ventral side of urethral external meatus was turned over. Then the urethral external meatus was repositioned to the top end of glan with the ventral defects covered by the dorsal flaps. Then the coniform glan was reconstructed.

RESULTSFrom January 2008 to December 2013, 28 cases were treated, including glandular hypospadias, postoperative retraction of external urethral meatus and meatal stenosis. 21 patients were followed up for 1 -12 months (average, 1 month) with marked improvement of glan appearance and retraction of external meatus. No meatal stenosis happened.

CONCLUSIONSPostoperative retraction of urethral external meatus and meatal stenosis can be corrected by V shape flap on the dorsal side of glan combined with the bilateral glan flaps. The flat appearance of glan can be improved. It is an ideal method for glandular hypospadias.

Humans ; Hypospadias ; surgery ; Male ; Penis ; surgery ; Postoperative Complications ; surgery ; Postoperative Period ; Surgical Flaps ; Urethra ; surgery ; Urethral Stricture ; etiology ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo lay a foundation for the study on good variety selection of Isatis indigotica, comparison of plant traits and quality evaluation of Isatis germplasm resources from different production area was conducted.

METHODField cultivation and randomized block experiment were adopted to compare those plant traits of leaf, root, silique and seed of Isatis from different production area and the content of R,S-goitrin and polysaccharide in the root was determined.

RESULTDifferent cultivation forms of Isatis had significant difference from each other in leaf, root, silique and seed, content of R,S-goitrin and polysaccharide in the root were also different. R,S-goitrin content in Isatis of Chinese cabbage leaf type ( production area: Yunnan ) was comparative higher, 0.59% , while polysaccharide content in autotetraploid Isatis was comparative higher, 8.68%.

CONCLUSIONAccording to the plant traits, Isatis were classified into three types: Chinese cabbage leaf type, cabbage leaf type and mustard leaf type, of which R,S-goitrin content in Chinese cabbage leaf type (production area: Yunnan) was comparative higher, while polysaccharide content in autotetraploid Isatis was comparative higher.

China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Isatis ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Phenotype ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Seeds ; chemistry ; growth & development