The renal protective effect of complement factor H(CFH)and adrenomedullin (AM) on rat mesengial ceils (HBZY-1) cultured under high glucose levels was investigated. Results indicated that AM and CFH inhibited the expressions of transforming growth factor-β1 and extracellular matrix in HBZY-1 cells, suggesting that CFH and AM in combination seem to show some renal protective effects on diabetic nephropathy.

ObjectiveTo evaluate CT characteristics of fungal ball in paranasal sinus caused by different fungi and to enhance differential diagnosis.MethodsCT results and clinical data of 74 patients with fungal ball arising from the paranasal sinuses proved by histopathology from 2007 to 2009 were analyzed retrospectively.The CT characteristics of fungal ball in paranasal sinus caused by different fungi were compared using x2 test with P ＜ 0.05 considered statistically significant.Results Among 74 mycotic pathogenic agents,aspergillus was found in 58 cases (including 36 cases with aspergilhs flavus,15 cases with aspergillus fumigatus and 7 with aspergillus versicolor),the others including 5 cases with penicillium,6 cases with schizophyllum commune,and 5 cases with scedosporium apiospermum.There were significant differences in the number of sinus involved ( single sinus involvement was seen in 29 cases caused by aspergillus group and 2 cases caused by non-aspergillus-group,respectively,with x2 =7.245,P =0.007 ),the incidence of fungus ball in ethmoid sinus [ 39.7％ ( 23/58 ) of cases caused by aspergillus group and 81.3 ％ ( 13/16 ) of cases caused by non-aspergillus-group,respectively,with x2 =8.685,P =0.003 ] and calcification (40 of 58 cases caused by aspergillus group and 5 of 16 cases caused by non-aspergillus-group,respectively,with x2 =7.485,P =0.006 ),the location of calcification ( 26 of 40 cases with central calcification and 14 of 40 cases with peripheral calcification in cases caused by aspergillus group,while all of 5 cases caused by non-aspergillus-group with peripheral calcification,x2 =7.697,P =0.006).However,there was no significant difference in the incidence of bilateral lesions ( x2 =1.002,P =0.317 ),maxillary sinus involvement ( x2 =0.020,P =0.888 ),sphenoidal sinus involvement ( x2 =0.704,P =0.401 ),frontal sinus involvement ( x2 =0.126,P =0.723 ),bony sclerosis ( x2 =2.024,P =0.155 ),lamellar calcification (x2 =2.045,P =0.153 ),complication of nasal polyps( x2 =0.018,P =0.893) and submucosal cyst( x2 =0.779,P =0.378 ).ConclusionsThe common CT characteristics of fungal ball in paranasal sinus are unilateral sinus involvement with inhomogeneous high-density soft tissue and lamellar calcification.The CT findings of fungal ball caused by non-aspergillus-group are ethmoid sinus involvement and calcification located on the periphery instead of the center of fungal ball.

Objective To find out about the current situation of the health managerial personnel contingent and explore appropriate career training channels. Methods Data on the professionalism of health managerial personnel both at home and abroad in the last five years was summarized through literature review and on the spot investigation and a survey was made by stratified sampling on the basic information, health management career, professionalism awareness, experience in health management training, and career training damands of 2 128 health managerial personnel in Beijing, Zhejiang and Shanxi. Results As a result of the literature review, the primary connotation of professionalism of health managerial personnel was clarified, the major shortcomings existing in the health managerial personnel contingent identified, and the problems confronting health management education pinpointed. Conclusion The current situation of the health managerial personnel contingent is a far cry from the demand for professionalism. It is imperative to popularize on the job training in health management, develop degree education in health management, and formulate and implement supporting policies and measures so as to speed up the professionalism of health managerial personnel.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between the second to the fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) and body mass index (BMI) in infertile men of the Han ethnic group in Ningxia.

METHODSUsing anthropometry, we calculated the mean ratio of 2D:4D and BMI of 197 infertile men and 148 normal healthy male controls, followed by analysis of their relationship.

RESULTSThe BMI was correlated positively with the 2D:4D ratio of the left hand in the infertile men (P < 0.05) and in the patients with a higher 2D:4D ratio of the left hand (P < 0.05), but negatively with the 2D:4D ratio of the righ/left (Dr-1) (left: P < 0.01; Dr-l: P < 0.05). The mean 2D: 4D ratio and BMI were both lower in the normal control than in the infertile men, with statistically significant differences in BMI (P < 0.05) and the 2D:4D ratio of the left hand (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThere is a correlation between the 2D:4D ratio and BMI in infertile men.

Body Mass Index ; Case-Control Studies ; Fingers ; anatomy & histology ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; diagnosis ; Male

Objective·To investigate the correlation of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of complement factor H (CFH) gene with schizophrenia in Chinese Han population.Methods·The genotype,allele,and haplotype frequencies of 5 SNP loci (rs800292,rs 1061170,rs 10801555,rs 10922096 and rs2019727) in CFH gene were compared between 418 patients with schizophrenia (case group) and 655 normal people (control group) by SNaPshot technique.Results·All SNP loci were well genotyped in the subjects.Correlation analysis showed that rs1061170 locus allele frequency distribution difference between case group and control group was statistically significant (corrected P=0.045),while genotype and allele frequencies of other SNP loci were not significantly different (all corrected P＞0.05).The frequency of haplotype C-A-T-A-A (rs800292-rs1061170-rs10801555-rs10922096-rs2019727) in case group was different from that in control group (corrected P=0.013).Conclusion·The allele polymorphisms of rsl061170 and the haplotype C-A-T-A-A of rs800292-rs 1061170-rs 10801555-rs 10922096-rs2019727 may be associated with schizophrenia in Chinese Han population.

OBJECTIVETo construct the expression vectors of vWF73 and vWF114 fragments of von Willebrand factor (vWF) A2 domain, and to express glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion proteins in E. coli, and to explore their values in measuring ADAMTS13 activity as substrates.

METHODSThe DNA fragments encoding vWF73 and vWF114 were generated using PCR and separately cloned into pGEX-6P-1, a Schistosoma japonicum GST fusion expression vector. The expression of GST-vWF73-H and GST-vWF114-H was induced in liquid culture, followed by purification with Ni-NTA agarose column. The cleavage of two GST fusion proteins by recombinant ADAMTS13 (rADAMTS13) or plasma from normal individuals and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) patients were identified by Western blot. Based on an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with anti-GST and anti-His monoclonal antibodies, GST-vWF73-H and GST-vWF114-H were used to measure plasma ADAMTS13 activity as substrates.

RESULTSTwo small molecular substrates of ADAMTS13, GST-vWF73-H and GST-vWF114-H, are expressed and purified, which could be specifically cleaved by rADAMTS13 or plasma from healthy individuals, but not by plasma from congenital or idiopathic TTP patients. An ELISA assay was established to detect plasma ADAMTS13 activity using GST-vWF73-H and GST-vWF114-H as substrates.

CONCLUSIONSTwo GST fusion proteins in vWF A2 domain, vWF73 and vWF114, were expressed effectively using a prokaryotic expression system and could be used to detect ADAMTS13 activity as substrates.

ADAM Proteins ; blood ; genetics ; ADAMTS13 Protein ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Escherichia coli ; metabolism ; Glutathione Transferase ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic ; blood ; genetics ; metabolism ; von Willebrand Factor ; genetics ; metabolism

α-HgS is the main component of traditional Chinese medicine cinnabar, while β-HgS is the main component of Tibetan medicine Zuotai. However, there was no comparative study on the dissolution and absorption in gastrointestinal tract and bioaccumulation in organs of mercury in Cinnabar, Zuotai, α-HgS and β-HgS. In this study, the dissolution process of the four compounds in the human gastrointestinal tract was simulated to determine the mercury dissolutions and compare the mercury dissolution of different medicines and the dissolution-promoting capacity of different solutions. To explore the absorption and bioaccumulation of cinnabar and Zuotai in organisms, mice were orally administered with clinical equivalent doses cinnabar and Zuotai. Meanwhile, a group of mice was given α-HgS and β-HgS with the equivalent mercury with cinnabar, while another group was given β-HgS and HgCl2 with the equivalent mercury with Zuotai. The mercury absorption and bioaccumulation capacities of different medicines in mice and their mercury bioaccumulation in different tissues and organs were compared. The experimental results showed a high mercury dissolutions of Zuotai in artificial gastrointestinal fluid, which was followed by β-HgS, cinnabar and α-HgS. As for the mercury absorption and bioaccumulation in mice, HgCl2 was the highest, β-HgS was the next, and a-HgS was slightly higher than cinnabar. The organs with the mercury bioaccumulation from high to low were kidney, liver and brain. This study is close to clinical practices and can provide reference for the clinical safe medication as well as a study model for the safety evaluation on heavy metal-containing medicines by observing the mercury dissolution, absorption, distribution and accumulation of mercury-containing medicines cinnabar and zuotai.
Animals ; Brain ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; metabolism ; Kidney ; metabolism ; Liver ; metabolism ; Male ; Mercury ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Mercury Compounds ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Mice ; Solubility

BACKGROUNDAccurate identification of bacterial isolates is an essential task in clinical microbiology. This study compared culturing to analyzing 16S rRNA gene sequences as methods to identify bacteria in clinical samples. We developed a key technique to directly identify bacteria in clinical samples via nucleic acid sequences, thus improving the ability to confirm pathogens.

METHODSWe obtained 225 samples from Beijing Tongren Hospital and examined them by conventional culture and 16S rDNA sequencing to identify pathogens. This study made use of a modified sample pre-treatment technique which came from our laboratory to extract DNA. 16S rDNA was amplified by PCR. The amplified product was sequenced on a CEQ8000 capillary sequencer. Sequences were uploaded to the GenBank BLAST database for comparison.

RESULTSAmong the positively cultivated bacterial strains, seven strains were identified differently by Vitek32 and by 16S rDNA sequencing. Twelve samples that were negative by standard culturing were determined to have pathogens by sequence analysis.

CONCLUSIONThe use of 16S rRNA gene sequencing can improve clinical microbiology by providing better identification of unidentified bacteria or providing reference identification of unusual strains.

Bacteria ; isolation & purification ; DNA, Ribosomal ; chemistry ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S ; genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; methods

Objective To report a large family with an autosomal dominant dementia associated with mutation in the prion protein gene(PRNP)and the detailed clinical,neuroimaging and pathological manifestations.Methods Two patients from a large family of dementia were admitted to our ward and the data of their medical history,physical examination,video electroenceplialogram,neuroimaging were colleted.A sterotactic biopsy of the right frontal lobe of the proband was done.After the informed consent from the family members obtained,the genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leucocytes of 5 persons followed by in,vitro amplification using polymerase chain reaction(PCR).The PCR products were directly sequenced by Sanger method.PRNP gene sequence was also examined in 150 normal Chinese to exclude single nueleotide polymorphism.Results A missense mutation of PRNP gene in 5 farnily members was detected,resulting in Gll4V mutation in the prion protein,with M/M genotype of eodon 129.This mutation was not detected in 150 normal Chinese.The proband was diagnosed as inherited prion disease by her clinical features,including neuropsychiatrie disturbances and progressive dementia,and manifestations of neuroimaging,EEG,neuropathology and PRNP gene mutation.Conclusion The first autosomal dominant pedigree of family prion disease is found in China with G114V mutation in PRNP gene which may lead to the prion disease directly.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of N-desulfated heparin on tumor metastasis, tumor angiogenesis and basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF) gene expression of orthotopically implanted human gastric carcinoma in NOD-SCID mice.

METHODSHuman gastric cancer SGC-7901 tissues were orthotopically implanted into the stomach of the NOD-SCID mice. Twenty mice were randomly divided into two groups which received either intravenous injection of 0.9% NaCl solution(0.9%NaCl solution group) or 10 mg/kg N-desulfated heparin (N-desulfated heparin group) twice a week for three weeks. Mice were sacrificed six weeks after tumor implantation. Tissues from stomach and other organs were obtained for histopathological evaluation. The intratumoral microvessel density (MVD) in tumor was evaluated immunohistochemically. Real time PCR was used to detect bFGF mRNA expression.

RESULTSThe tumor metastasis rates were 9/10 in 0.9% NaCl solution group and 2/10 in N-desulfated heparin group(P<0.05).MVD was 9.1+/-3.4 in 0.9% NaCl solution group and 4.7+/-1.8 in N-desulfated heparin group (t=3.617,P<0.05). bFGF mRNA expression was lower in N-desulfated heparin group(2.60+/-0.56%)than that in 0.9% NaCl solution group(30.65+/-6.84%).

CONCLUSIONN-desulfated heparin can inhibit the metastasis of gastric cancer through inhibiting tumor bFGF gene expression and tumor angiogenesis with no obvious anticoagulant activity.

Animals ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; drug effects ; genetics ; Heparin ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred NOD ; Mice, SCID ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; drug therapy ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Stomach Neoplasms ; blood supply ; drug therapy ; genetics