Before and after artificial immunotherapy (desensitization) for midge dermatitis, the authors determined immunologic status of some patients.It was found that their functions of cell-mediated immunity were lowered, manifesting as decreased number of Ts lymphocytes, raised circulating IgG level, decreased total hemolytic complement, and significantly increased immune complex positive rate.At the end of therapy, the number of Ts lymphocytes and total hemolytic complement rose. The authors consider that the lowered function of cell mediated immunity plays an important role in the pathogenesis of midge dermatitis.In addition to type Ⅰ and Ⅳ hypersensitivity, type Ⅲ hypersensitivity may also be present because of the increased immune complex positive rate.

OBJECTIVE:To provide a reference for further strengthening the supervision and administration of the management and use of Papaver somniferum. METHODS:The general information,clinical application and toxic reactions of P. somniferum were briefly described by reference to relevant literatures and on the basis of the actual work. According to current laws and regula-tions,the existing problems about the clinical application and management of P. somniferum were revealed,and relevant counter-measures and suggestions were put forward. RESULTS&CONCLUSIONS:Both toxic and addictive,P. somniferum is the only tra-ditional Chinese herbal medicine covered by narcotic drug management. It is mainly used in clinical practice to relieve cough,diar-rhea and pain,etc. Although relevant laws and regulations have provided the specific requirements for the production,purchase, use and research & development of P. somniferum,slack enforcement of the laws and regulations,irrational use and abuse still ex-ist. It is suggested that State Food and Drug Administration and health administrative departments should constantly improve rele-vant law and regulation system and detailed regulations,strengthen supervision and administration,and strictly enforce relevant laws and regulations at the units engaged in the production,management and use of P. somniferum. Meanwhile,competent authori-ties should strengthen publicity and training.

A biosensor is made from a biological sensing element attached to a signal transducer.Biosensors have many outstanding virtues such as portable,simplicity of operator and lowconsumption.Also,biosensors could provide fast,real-time and accurate results.Therefore,biosensors have been implemented for a number of applications in molecular diagnostics.We have summarized the recent progress in the research and application of biosensors in the field of molecular diagnostics for pathogenic micro-organism,drug testing and genetics.

Tuberculosis a disease with the highest death rate by single pathogenic infection can cause serious harm to human health .MicroRNA ( miRNA ) is a classical single-stranded, short RNA molecules ( about 21 to 25 nucleotides ) that plays an important role in cell proliferation , differentiation , senescence and apoptosis by inhibiting the post-transcriptional gene expression or promoting degradation of target gene mRNA . Recent studies have shown that miRNA involved in the regulation of apoptosis , expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines , inflammation-related signaling pathways in tuberculosis infection . Meanwhile, miRNA may be a new biomarker for tuberculosis diagnosis.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small single-stranded noncoding RNAs which are involved in regulating many physiological and pathological processes.The rapid detection of miRNA is of great importance for the function of miRNAs.In comparison with traditional methods,the biosensor has the advantages of simple operation,rapidness,high sensitivity,and real-time detection.Thus,biosensors have been implemented for a number of applications in miRNA detection.

Molecular transport controls the efficiency of complex biological network systems such as cellular signaling system and cascade biomedical reaction. However, device fabrication for molecular sensing is often restricted by a low transport effciency and complicated processing. Here, we report a molecular threading dependent transport system using three-dimensional (3D) paper origami enabling the directional transport of biomolecules. We demonstrate that framework nucleic acid based interface engineering allows orthogonal molecular recognition and enzymatic reaction with programmed order on site. We thus develop a single-step electrochemical DNA sensor for quantitative analysis with 1 picomolar sensitivity within 60 min. Our sensor can discriminate a mismatched target at the level of a single base mismatch. Our study shows a great potential toward the development of a biomimetic molecular transport system for point-of-care and precision diagnosis.

Objective To analyze the lipid levels in liver damage.Methods 82 patients with liver damage were divided into the study group(41 patients)and control group(41 patients),the control group patients were given treatment of atorvastatin,while the study group patients were given treatment of Zhibitai,the lipid metabolism of the two groups were compared.Results In the study group,levels of TC (5.16 ±0.8)mmol/L,TG(1.90 ±0.08)mmol/L,LDL(2.03 ±0.11)mmol/L were significantly lower than before treatment TC(5.82 ±1.26)mmol/L (t =4.38, P <0.05),TG(2.16 ±0.85)mmol/L (t =6.37,P <0.05),LDL(3.67 ±0.09)mmol/L (t =6.42).The HDL level (1.39 ±0.26)mmol/L was significantly increased (0.86 ±0.21)mmol/L (t =7.52,P <0.05)after 4 weeks treat-ment(P <0.05).The incidence of adverse events in the study group (7.3%)was significantly lower than the control group (17.1%)(P <0.05).Conclusion Zhibitai is safe and effective with use value in the treatment of liver dys-function.

Body Mass Index ; Humans ; Risk Assessment ; Waist Circumference

BACKGROUND: The improvement in production technology of new materials including artificial ligament reduces material rupture caused by fatigue and histocompatibility-related synovitis and other complications, leading to a wide application of artificial ligament. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the histocompatibility and clinical curative effects of reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) of the knee with ligament advanced reinforcement system (LARS) artificial ligament using arthroscopy. DESIGN: A completely randomized clinical design. SETTING: Department of Orthopedics, Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-two cases of ACL injury received LARS artificial ligament in the Department of Orthopedics, Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University From June 2005 to June 2006 and were recruited for this study. The 32 patients averaged 21 years old and were injured in sports. Prior to surgery, MRI showed injury to ACL and semilunar valve in all patients. Written informed consent for therapeutic contents was obtained from each patient. METHODS: Thirty-two patients with injury to ACL of the knee underwent arthroscopic ACL reconstruction. LARS was used to reconstruct the ACL. The LARS was produced by Laboratoire d'Application et de Recherche Scientifique, France (Certification No. CE0459, 1SO9002-EN46002). Artificial ligament was made of polyethylene terephthalate, which had the material type L021201 (left knee) and L021202 (right knee). Artificial ligament was designed to imitate the anatomic structure and biomechanical principle of artificial ligament with specification No. AC120 2BL(left knee) and No. AC120 2BR(right knee). The lot number for artificial ligament in China [import 03460468 (in 2004)]. All reconstructions were performed by a group of physicians who have worked for more than 10 years in the Department of Orthopedics, Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University and directed by a physician titled with doctor's tutor and chief physician. All included physicians were qualified to perform the surgery. The protocol of treatment was approved by the hospital's Ethics Committee. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Biocompatibility of LARS artificial ligament was observed. Patients were followed up for 24 months on average to score knee function by Lysholm test and subjective satisfaction by Tegner test. RESULTS: All of 32 cases were followed up. The follow-up periods were 18 months (3 cases), 20 months (7 cases), 24 months (8 cases), 28 months (12 cases) and 30 months (2 cases). No complications, such as acute or chronic synovitis, LARS artificial ligament rupture, or limited range of motion were found. The knee joint function was ideal with the range of motion [0° to (128±11.56)°]. The postoperative scores with 85.6 ± 2.24 were significandy higher than the preoperative scores with 45.3±1.31 according to the Lysholm knee joint function evaluation system (P < 0.05). The instability of every knee disappeared with anterior drawer sign negative. Tegner's scores were also increased. CONCLUSION: The biocompatibility of LARS is optimal. LARS artificial ligament reconstruction showed excellent knee joint function and subjective satisfaction degree.

BACKGROUND: Of the many growth factors that can enhance bone formation, the bone morphogenic proteins (BMPs) are probably the most effective and most widely studied for applications requiring new bone growth. To analyze the effects, the gold standard is patient randomized control trials, however, only BMP-2 and BMP-7 have reached this level of investigation. OBJECTIVE: In this meta analysis the recent findings concerning the application of recombinant human bone morphogenic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) in tissue engineering and gene therapy, the options of its transfer means, as well as the ideal time of delivery is discussed. RETRIEVAL STRATEGY: The relevant articles published between January 1997 and December 2006 were searched for in Pubmed database by researcher of this article with the key words "recombinant human bone morphogenic proteins (rhBMPs), tissue engineering, gene therapy" in English. A total of 81 articles were selected and reviewed by the standards of: ① Having close relations with the application of rhBMP-2 in tissue engineering and gene therapy; ②The most recently published articles and articles in authority journals were chosen in the same field. Exclusion criteria: repetitive studies. LITERATURE EVALUATION: The main sources of literature are the application of rhBMP-2 in tissue engineering and gene therapy. Among the 52 selected articles, 12 are reviews or meeting reports, others are clinical or elementary experimental studies. DATA SYNTHESIS: BMPs are members of the TGF- β superfamily, which are released by osteoprogenitor cells and typically improve bone growth. The use of scaffolds, cells, and growth factors for bone regeneration is called bone tissue engineering. The application of rhBMP-2 in tissue engineering holds great promise for the augmentation and manipulation of bone and soft tissue repair. One potential alternative to direct rhBMP-2 delivery is to develop a biologic cellular delivery vehicle via gene therapy to enhance bone formation. The application of rhBMP-2 in gene therapy holds great promise for the augmentation and manipulation of bone and soft tissue repair. The research indicated that the dosing, time, and transfer mode of rhBMP-2 to the desired targets remain a facing challenge. Further studies should focus on the ideal dosing, time and method of delivery, which should be easily and reliably displayed, cost effective, and clearly controlled. CONCLUSION: The future of bone and soft tissue repair will likely be based on biologic augmentation of healing and tissue regeneration. The use of rhBMP-2 holds great promise for the augmentation and manipulation in tissue engineering and gene therapy.