BACKGROUND: Homocysteine is associated with the attack of cerebral infarction, and cystathionine-beta-synthase (CBS) is a key enzyme of the metabolism of homocysteine, but it is still not clear whether its gene mutation is the potential candidate genic factor of cerebral infarction.OBJECTIVE: To observe the correlation of CBS base mutation at T833C and G919 sites with the attack of ischemic stroke in youths from the angle of genic mutation.DESIGN: A patient-control analysis.SETTING: Department of Neurology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital of Jilin University.PARTICIPANTS: Patient group (n=100): Young inpatients with cerebral infarction ≤ 45 years old in the China-Japan Friendship Hospital of Jilin University between April 2003 and December 2004, admitted within 2 days after attack. Control group (n=100): Normal young physical examinees in this hospital at the same period.METHODS: The levels of fasting and loaded homocysteine in plasma were detected with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), CBS genes at T833C and G919A sites with polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and amplification refractory mutation system in all the subjects.RESULTS: All of the 200 subjects entered the analysis of results. ① Detection of CBS genes at T833C and G919A sites: The distribution of genotype, frequency of homozygote and that of allele had no significant differences between the patient group and control group (P ＞ 0.05). ② Concentration of homocysteine in plasma: There were significant differences among the genotypes at G919A and T833C sites (P ＜ 0.001). The results of LSD-t test of the mutation at the two sites showed that there were significant differences between homozygote and heterozygote, homozygote and wild type,as well as C heterozygote and wild type (P ＜ 0.05).CONCLUSION: ① The CBS gene mutations at both T833C and G919A sites can lead to the obvious increase of the concentration of homocysteine in plasma. ② The CBS gene mutations at T833C and G919A sites had no direct association with the attack of cerebrovascular disease in youths.

BACKGROUND: The increase of concentration of plasma homocysteine is the independent risk factor of atherosclerotic and thrombotic cerebral infarction. Genic mutation of methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), which is the metabolic enzyme of homocysteine in thansulfuration and remethylation,can induce the elevation of the concentration of plasma homocysteine.OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship of hyperhomocysteinemia and genic mutation of MTHFR of homocysteine with ischemic cerebrovascular disease in youths.DESIGN: Case-control observation,SETTING: Department of Neurology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital,Jilin UniversityPARTICIPANTS: 100 young patients with cerebral infarction, who were hospitalized within 2 days after episode at the Department of Neurology,China-Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University between April 2003 and December 2004, were enrolled as case group, 73 males and 27 females, aged 27-45 years old with an average of (42±5) years. 100 cases in control group were healthy people receiving health examination in the same period, 70 males and 30 females, aged 18-45 years old with an average of (39±4) years.METHODS: The homocysteine in fasting plasma of testees was detected with high performance liquid chromatograpy (HPLC). C677T site and A1298C site of MTHFR gene were analyzed with polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and detected with armplification refractory mutation system (ARMS).MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Detection of MTHFR C677T and A1298C gene; Relationship between concentration of plasma homocysteine and MTHFR genotype.RESULTS: A total of 100 inclusive patients and 100 normal control people were involved in the result analysis. ①Detection of MTHFR C677Tand A1298C gene: Distribution of genotype, frequency of homozygote and frequency of allele of MTHFR C677T in the case group and control group had significant difference (P ＜ 0.01 ) while the distribution of genotype,frequency of homozygote and frequency of allele of MTHFR A1298C gene in the case group and control group had insignificant difference (P ＞ 0.05 ). ②Relationship between the concentration of plasma homocysteine and MTHFR genotype: The concentration of plasma homocysteine between MTHFR C677T and A1298C genotype had significant difference (P＜ 0.001 ). The mutant result LSD-t check of the 2 sites showed that mean difference of homozygote and heterozygote, homozygote and concentration of wild type homocysteine had statistical significance (P ＜ 0.05). The mean difference of MTHFR C677T and A1298C heterozygote and concentration of wild type homocysteine in plasma had no statistical significance (P＞ 0.05 ).CONCLUSION: The mutation of MTHFR C677T and A1298C leads to the marked increase in the concentration of plasma homocysteine. The MTHFR C677T polymorphism site is the independent risk factor of is chemic cerebrovascular disease in youths. The genic mutation of MTHFR A 1298C has no correlation with the attack of ischemic cerebrovascular disease of youths.

Objective:To study the change of Neuropeptide Y (NPY) plasma and its clinical si gnificance and the effects of Astragalus on NPY in plasma in chronic renal fail ure patients.Methods:Radioimmunoassay was used to measure plasma concentration of NPY.Results:①The plasma concentration of NPY in CRF patients was significantly high er than tha t in healthy group,and the plasma concentration of NPY in uremia patients was si gnificantly higher than that in nitremia patients.②The plasma concentration of NPY was positively correlated with the serum value of CRE and the level of MAP in CRF patients.③After Astraglus treatment for 3 weeks,the level of NPY in plas ma was significantly decreased in experiment group,but in control group,there wa s no significant change.Conclusion:The disturbance in synthesis,secretion or metabolism of NPY occurred in CRF patients,which significantly correlates with the occurrence and development of CRF.Astraglus can influence the NPY in plasma in CRF patients,so as to improve the renal function.

BACKGROUND:Several studies have demonstrated that many kinds of Chinese herbs for benefiting vital energy and enriching the blood secrete some cytokines by influencing bone marrow stromal cel s to promote the differentiation and proliferation of hemopoietic stem cel s or exert effects by promoting the adhesion of bone marrow stromal cel s and hemopoietic stem cel s.
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of Radix Astragali injection on the expression of intercel ular adhesion molecule 1 and vascular cel adhesion molecule 1 on the surface of mouse bone marrow stromal cel s.
METHODS:Mouse bone marrow stromal cel s were isolated by adherent culture of whole bone marrow. The morphology of mouse bone marrow stromal cel s were observed using inverted phase microscopy, hematoxylin-eosin staining, optical microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The optimal concentration at which Radix Astragali injection exhibited the strongest effects on promoting the proliferation of bone marrow stromal cel s was detected using MTT assay. Expression of intercel ular adhesion molecule 1 and vascular cel adhesion molecule 1 on the surface of mouse bone marrow stromal cel s was detected using flow cytrometry after intervention by Radix Astragali injection.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Inverted phase microscopy and optical microscopy showed that bone marrow stromal cel s adhered to the wal of culture flask, exhibited a shuttle-shaped or irregular appearance with processes. Through transmission electron microscopy, organel es were abundant, such as rough endoplasmic reticulum, secretory vesicle, and mitochondria. Radix Astragali injection at 400 and 600 mg/L significantly promoted the proliferation of mouse bone marrow stromal cel s (P<0.05) and there was no significant difference in the cel proliferation between these two concentrations. Radix Astragali injection at 600 mg/L increased the expression of intercel ular adhesion molecule 1 and vascular cel adhesion molecule 1 on the surface of mouse bone marrow stromal cel s. These findings suggest that Radix Astragali injection at appropriate concentrations can increase the surface adhesion of bone marrow stromal cel s, thereby improving hemopoietic microenvironment.

objective To analyze the correlation between the level of serum uric acid and the clinical and pathological features of IgA nephropathy.Methods Totally 148 patients diagnosed as IgA nephropathy by renal biopsy in our hospital from January 2007 to December 2010 were divided into hyperuricaemic group(41 cases)and non-hyperuricaemic group(107 cases)according to the level of serum uric acid.The clinical parameters and renal pathology grade were compared.Results There were significant differences between hyperuricaemic group and non-hyperuricaemic group in the incidences of hypertension(63.4%vs 38.3%),disease duration[(18.90±10.12)months vs(9.46±3.91)months]and body mass index[(22.81±3.60)kg/m2vs(15.32±2.54)kg/m2](all P<0.05),while no differences in age and sex(both P>0.05).The blood urea nitrogen(BUN)[(8.93±4.28)mmol/L vs (5.21±2.18)mmol/L],creatinine(Cr)[(155.96±107.72)μmol/L vs(79.52±40.01)μmol/L],serum triglycerides[(2.11±1.06)mmoVL vs(1.86±1.20)mmol/L]and 24-hour urine protein amount [(4328.16±1434.25)mg/24 h vs(2885.10±1388.15)mg/24 h]were significantly different between the two groups(all P<0.05).The percentage of Lee's grade I+Ⅱin hyperuricaemic group was 12.2%,and IV+V grade was 39.0%,while percentage of Lee's grade I+Ⅱin non-hyperuricaemic group was 25.2%,and IV+V grade was 16.9%(P<0.05).Tubulointerstitial lesions(TIL)gradeⅢ+IV was more in hyperuricaemic group,which was 68.3%,while TIL grade II was more in non-hyperuricaemic group,which was 76.6%.Renal artery damage grade II+Ⅲ was more in hyperuricaemic group.which was 73.2%,while renal artery damage grade 0+1 was more in non-hyperuricaemic group,which was 69.2%.Conclusion The level of serum uric acid was related with 24-hour urine protein amount,blood pressure and kidney function in IgA nephropathy,and Lee's grade,TIL grade and renal artery damage grade were severe in hyperuricaemic group.

Objective To study the effects of lactate peritoneal dialysis solution(L-PDS) with different concentrations on apoptosis of human peritoneal mesothelial cells(HPMC),the expressions of bcl-2,bax and activity of caspase-3.Methods HPMC were separated using enzyme digestion and cultivated stably in vitro.After HPMC were co-cultivated with different concentrations(1.50%,2.50%,4.25%) L-PDS,flow cytometry was used to test the apoptosis of HPMC,RT-PCR was used to observe the expressions of bcl-2 and bax,fluorometric method was used to detect the activity of caspase-3.Results Compared with control group, L-PDS could induce the apoptosis of HPMC,especially in high concentration.With the increasing of L-PDS concentration,the expression of bcl-2 mRNA decreased,the expression of bax mRNA increased,the activity of caspase3 raised.There were significant differences of the indexes mentioned above between 4.25%,2.50% L-PDS groups and control group(P0.05).Conclusion L-PDS could induce HPMC apoptosis,which may be executed by alternating of the expressions of bcl-2,bax and activating of caspase3.

OBJECTIVETo assess the association between the serotonin transporter linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) 44 bp variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphism and Tourette syndrome (TS) in ethnic Han Chinese trios.

METHODSA total of 252 TS trios (patients and their parents) were recruited. Genetic contribution of the 5-HTTLPR 44 bp VNTR polymorphism was evaluated by genotyping, haplotype relative risk (HRR) analysis and transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) statistics. To enhance the efficiency of the test, haplotype-based HRR (HHRR) was also performed.

RESULTSThe TDT, HRR and HHRR analyses have revealed a significant association of the 5-HTTLPR 44 bp VNTR polymorphism with TS, and provided a strong evidence for an over-transmission of L allele from parents to the affected children (TDT: χ² = 6.680, df= 1, P= 0.012; HRR: χ² = 9.345, P= 0.002, OR= 1.739, 95% CI for 1.218-2.483). For 204 male and 48 female TS trios, TDT and HRR were analyzed separately. The results showed a significant association between 5-HTTLPR and male TS (for males. TDT: χ² = 4.643, df= 1, P= 0.038; for females, TDT: χ² = 2.189, df= 1, P= 0.188).

CONCLUSION5-HTTLPR may be the susceptibility gene for male TS patients among the Chinese Han population. However, the results need to be replicated in datasets collected from different populations.

Adolescent ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Linkage Disequilibrium ; Male ; Minisatellite Repeats ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins ; genetics ; Sex Factors ; Tourette Syndrome ; genetics ; Young Adult

The extremely low bioavailability of oral paclitaxel (PTX) mainly due to the complicated gastrointestinal environment, the obstruction of intestinal mucus layer and epithelium barrier. Thus, it is of great significance to construct a coordinative delivery system which can overcome multiple intestinal physicochemical obstacles simultaneously. In this work, a high-density PEGylation-based glycocholic acid-decorated micelles (PTX@GNPs) was constructed by a novel polymer, 9-Fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl-polyethylene glycocholic acid (Fmoc-PEG-GCA). The Fmoc motif in this polymer could encapsulate PTX via π‒π stacking to form the core of micelles, and the low molecular weight and non-long hydrophobic chain of Fmoc ensures the high-density of PEG. Based on this versatile and flexible carriers, PTX@GNPs possess mucus trapping escape ability due to the flexible PEG, and excellent intestine epithelium targeting attributed to the high affinity of GCA with apical sodium-dependent bile acid transporter. The in vitro and in vivo results showed that this oral micelle could enhance oral bioavailability of PTX, and exhibited similar antitumor efficacy to Taxol injection via intravenous route. In addition, oral PTX@GNPs administered with lower dosage within shorter interval could increase in vivo retention time of PTX, which supposed to remodel immune microenvironment and enhance oral chemotherapy efficacy by synergistic effect.