Objective To study the correlation between single nucleotide polymorphisms of -238,-308 G/A in promoter region of tumor necrosis factor -?(TNF-?) gene and the type of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).Methods Clinical data and blood preparation of 127 children with JIA and 106 healthy children were evaluated.Subgroups of JIA were defined according to the Edmonton criteria.The -238 G/A and -308 G/A polymorphisms in DNA analysis in this study were extracted from the whole blood.The restricted fragment length polymorphisms were determined in the cases of all JIA children and control group.Results 1.The TNF-?-238 G/A allele frequencies of JIA group and control group:allele frequency of JIA group was 92.9% and 7.1%,and the control group was 95.3% and 4.7%.The distribution of allele frequencies was no significantly different between JIA group and control group(?2=1.149 P=0.284).But there were significant difference between polyarticular JIA (RF negative) and control group(?2=7.621 P=0.006).2.The TNF-?-308 G/A allele frequencies of JIA group and control group:allele frequency of JIA group was 94.1% and 5.9%,the control group was 95.3% and 4.7%.The distributions of allele frequencies was no significantly different between JIA group and control group(?2=0.322 P=0.571).There were significantly difference between polyarticular JIA (RF negative) and control group (?2=7.621 P=0.006).Conclusions The TNF-?-238,-308 polymorphisms of A in the-238 and-308 TNF-? gene are important to the joint destruction of JIA.The study will be beneficial to provide indirect support to the application of anti-TNF drugs to the treatment of JIA.

This paper described the results of the optimal method for preparation and extraction of lectin from Phaeoporus obliquus(Pers ex Fr).(J.Schroet).We determined the optimal buffer solution using the ag-glutination test with 2% hare blood cells.The optimal extraction process included the following parameters that were conformed by optimization analysis: material-water ratio,extraction time,concentration of sodium chloride and the pH value.The results are that the agglutination indexes of POL using TBS and PBS extrac-tion buffer were 64 and 16,respectively.The optimal extraction process is that,the material-water ratio was 1:50,the extraction time was 20 h,while the concentration of sodium chloride was 0 mol/L and pH was 8.0.The agglutinability of POL was 256 examined by this method.The optimized extraction process is stable and practicable,which may supply some basis for the application of the lectin from Phaeoporus obliquus in immunoregulation.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty on changes of serum leptin levels in patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS).

METHODSSixty-one patients with OSAHS diagnosed by polysomnography were treated with uvulopalatopharyngoplasty. Pretreatment and post-uppp serum leptin concentrations in patients with OSAHS and in BMI-matched controls were measured by radioimmunoassay. Correlations between leptin concentrations and AHI, BMI were analyzed.

RESULTSThe concentrations of leptin in patients with OSAHS were higher than that in controls (P < 0.05). Mean levels (x+/-s) of leptin were (9.8+/-2.1) microg/L, (14.2+/-6.7) microg/L, and (19.3+/-7.9) microg/L in patients with severe, mediate and mild obstructive sleep apnea, respectively. Serum leptin levels correlated positively with the degree of OSAHS as reflected by AHI (r = 0. 68, P < 0.01). The leptin concentration of 51 responders after 6 months were significantly decreased (P < 0.01) than that of pre-operation. However, the difference of leptin concentration between pre-operation and post operation was not significant in 9 nonresponders (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThere are higher leptin concentrations in patients with OSAHS, which are significantly correlated to the severity of disease. Serum leptin levels in responders decreased significantly after uvulopalatopharyngoplasty. OSAHS may influence the leptin system, resulting in increased serum leptin level.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Humans ; Leptin ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; blood ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the antitumor efficacy of Ad-TD-RFP for human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells (C666-1) in vitro and in vivo.

METHODSThe oncolytic effects of Ad-TD-RFP and control virus dl11520 on C666-1 cells were determined by cytotoxicity assay (MTS assay). Viral replication of Ad-TD-RFP and dl11520 was detected at different time points (24 h, 48 h, 72 h and 96 h) by tissue culture infective dose (TCID(50)) in C666-1 cells implanted subcutaneously into the flank in each of BALB/c nude mice. The xenografts were injected intratumorally with Ad-TD-RFP or dl1520 to investigate their effects on tumor growth.

RESULTSThe concentration for 50% of maximal effect (EC(50)) values of Ad-TD-RFP and dl1520 were (107.6 ± 3.2) pt/cell and (174.1 ± 4.0) pt/cell, respectively (t = 22.6, P < 0.001). The Ad-TD-RFP replication was 3-14 folds more than dl1520 replication at four time points (24 h, 48 h, 72 h and 96 h) in C666-1 cells (t values were 33.6, 23.4, 20.8 and 17.3, respectively, P < 0.001). The average tumor volumes of PBS group, dl1520 group and Ad-TD-RFP group were (1765.5 ± 713.9) mm(3), (1036.9 ± 623.8) mm(3), and (420.8 ± 238.7) mm(3), respectively (F = 12.0, P < 0.05) on day 67 after treatment.

CONCLUSIONSThe antitumour efficacy of the novel oncolytic adenovirus Ad-TD-RFP for human nasopharyngeal carcinoma C666-1 cells is superior to that of dl1520 in vitro and in vivo. The outcome of this study provides an experimental basis for the treatment of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma by viral gene therapy.

Adenoviridae ; classification ; genetics ; Animals ; Carcinoma ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Female ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; therapy ; Oncolytic Virotherapy ; Oncolytic Viruses ; genetics ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Aim To investigate the influence of inhibi-tory nanocomposite on EC-9706 cells and the effect of nanocomposite on ESCCAL _ 1 LncRNA expression, siRNA-loaded nanocomposite being prepared as non-vi-rus delivery system Methods Mesoporous silica nano-particles were prepared by sol-gel method under room temperature and coated by cationic polymerpolyethylen-imine (PEI)on the surface to stay positive charge, which could facilitate its combination with negatively charged ESCCAL _ 1 siRNA. The size and surface charge of nanocomposite were determined by laser par-ticle analyzer and TEM. The inhibitory rate of nanopar-ticles on EC-9706 cells was detected by MTT methods. Entrapment efficiency was determined by agarose gel e-lectrophoresis. The uptake-siRNA was detected by flu-orescence microscope. The expression of ESCCAL _1 LncRNA was detected by RT-PCR. Results The MSNP appeared to have a high dispensability and hom-ogeneous size by particle size analyzer and transmission electron microscopy(TEM). The formed nanoparticles had a surface mesoporous diameter of 3 ~ 5 nm. The proliferation of ESCCAL_1 was inhibited significantlly (P < 0. 05),and the 72h inhibitory rate was (54. 93 ± 2. 6)%;the siRNA loading could be effectively up-taken by EC-9706 cells;ESCCAL_1 silencing efficien-cy was 69. 5% . Conclusions The tumor targeting nanocomposite with high encapsulation efficiency is prepared. The proliferation of esophageal cancer EC-9706 cells can be effectively inhibited by anocompos-ite-mediated siRNA,and the expression of ESCCAL_1 is effectively silenced in EC-9706 cells. The nanocom-posite is an efficient gene delivery system and may have potential application in gene therapy.

OBJECTIVETo perform laboratory diagnosis and tracking source of a suspected tularemia patient in Beijing.

METHODSA suspected tularemia patient was reported in Beijing city on July 19, 2012. Genomic DNA was extracted from the blood sample of the patient, then general PCR and sequencing of amplicons were conducted using 3 specific genes (fopA, tul4 and 16S rRNA) Francisella tularensis (F.tularensis), and 2 genotyping primers (C1C4 and RD1). Two other laboratories repeated the PCR and sequencing of the fopA in parallel. At the same time, real-time PCR fluorescent ration was performed using 4 targets (fopA, ISFtul2, 23kDa, and tul4), and phylogenetic analysis was carried out using 11 canonical single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 4 insertions or deletions.

RESULTSAll the 3 specific genes were amplified positively, and sequenced fragments were 409, 407 and 1 053 bp, respectively. The patient was infected by F. tularensis comparing with the whole genome published. Next, amplicons of 151 and 924 bp were obtained by the 2 typing primers after sequencing, respectively. The segment lengths suggested that the patient was infected by the subsp. holarctica. All of the two other laboratories obtained positive data for the PCR and sequencing of the fopA. In addition, all the 4 targets tested positive by real-time PCR for F. tularensis. The Ct value of the fopA, ISFtul2, 23kDa and tul4 were 30, 25, 28, and 30, respectively. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that the whole genome of this case was assigned to a known clade from Russia, which was subgroup B3.

CONCLUSIONThis case was confirmed to be a tularemia patient, and a new subgroup of F. tularensis type B was found in China.

Beijing ; DNA Primers ; DNA, Bacterial ; genetics ; Francisella tularensis ; classification ; Genes, Bacterial ; Genotype ; Humans ; Phylogeny ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S ; genetics ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Russia ; Tularemia ; epidemiology ; microbiology

To investigate the relationship between interleukin-18 (IL-18) and human acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD), 26 patients undergoing allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (allo-PBSCT) were included in this study. IL-18 secreted by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (MNCs) was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) before transplantation and during aGVHD. The results showed that grade I GVHD and grades III-IV GVHD developed in 10 and 5 cases, respectively. The levels in the supernatants of MNCs from patients with aGVHD were significantly higher than those in the cases without aGVHD. The levels of IL-18 were correlated with the severity of aGVHD. It is concluded that IL-18 plays an important role in the development of aGVHD.
Acute Disease ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Graft vs Host Disease ; etiology ; Hematopoiesis ; Humans ; Infection ; etiology ; Interleukin-18 ; physiology ; Leukemia ; therapy ; Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation ; adverse effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the pulmonary function in severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) patients during the convalescent period.

METHODSFollowup 89 outpatients of SARS. The follow-up study included interview, physical examination, and pulmonary function test.

RESULTSThe interval between hospital discharge and functional assessment was 1.75 +/- 0.53 months (0.5-3.4 months). Mild to moderate abnormalities in pulmonary function were found in 48 patients (53.9%). Diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLco) was impaired in 38 patients (42.7%); in 7 patients (7.9%), lung function was restrictive defect combined DLco impairment; Other patterns of impairment were revealed in 3 patient. Dyspnea during acute phase and CT during the convalescent period were found to have significant influences on DLco and total lung capacity (TLC).

CONCLUSIONSDiffusing capacity impairment as well as restrictive defect persist in convalescence SARS.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Convalescence ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Health Status ; Humans ; Lung ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of long-term exposure to particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) from automobile exhaust on the reproductive function of Sprague Dawley (SD) rats.

METHODSForty-five male SD rats, weighing 80 - 94 g and aged 28 days, were randomly assigned to receive intra-tracheal administration of 0.9% normal saline (control group, n = 15), PM2. 5 at 2 μg per 100 g body weight per day (low-dose PM2.5 group, n = 15), and PM2.5 at 16 μg per 100 g body weight per day (high-dose PM2.5 group, n = 15), qd, for 60 successive days. After the last 24-hour exposure, 10 rats were taken from each group for copulation with normal female ones, while the others were sacrificed, their testes removed for sperm count and deformity, pathological examination, and determination of the Connexin43 expression.

RESULTSThe conception rate was significantly decreased in the low- and high-dose PM2.5 groups as compared with that of the control (70% and 50% vs 100%), and so were the sperm count and quality. The rats in the PM2.5-exposed groups showed significantly disordered histological structure of the seminiferous tubules, reduced sperm count in the testicular lumen, some exfoliated secondary spermatocytes, downregulated Connexin43 expression in the testis, and damaged blood-testis barrier.

CONCLUSIONLong-term exposure to PM2.5 from automobile exhaust damages the reproductive function of male SD rats.

Animals ; Blood-Testis Barrier ; Body Weight ; Connexin 43 ; metabolism ; Down-Regulation ; Fertilization ; Male ; Particulate Matter ; toxicity ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reproduction ; Seminiferous Tubules ; Sperm Count ; Spermatocytes ; Testis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Vehicle Emissions ; toxicity

Objective:To analyze the distribution of pathogenic bacteria in bile culture in patients with common bile duct stones and biliary tract infections, in order to guide clinical optimization of antibiotics application.Methods:From March 30, 2017 to December 31, 2021, at Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, 753 patients with common bile duct stones and biliary tract infections and received endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography were selected. Bile samples were obtained for bacterial culture, strain type identification and drug sensitivity test in order to analyze bile pathogenic bacteria distribution, change trend and drug resistance. Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis.Results:From 2017 to 2021, the total positive rate of bile culture in 753 patients with choledocholithiasis complicated with biliary tract infection was 90.17% (679/753). From 2017 to 2021, the positive rates of bile culture were 82.05% (64/78), 88.81% (119/134), 88.03% (125/142), 93.87% (199/212), and 91.98% (172/187), respectively, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=10.78, P=0.029). The positive rate of bile culture in 2017 was lower than those in 2020 and 2021, and the differences were statistically significant ( χ2=9.43 and 5.57, P=0.002 and 0.018). There were no significant differences in the positive rates of bile culture among the other years (all P>0.05). A total of 1 033 pathogenic bacteria were detected in the 679 bile specimens with positive bile culture results. Among which the total proportion of Gram-negative bacilli was 57.02% (589/1 033), and from 2017 to 2021 the proportions were 66.38% (77/116), 66.47% (111/167), 59.43% (104/175), 54.75% (173/316), and 47.88% (124/259), respectively. The total proportion of Gram-positive cocci was 41.05% (424/1 033), and from 2017 to 2021 the proportions were 31.90% (37/116), 31.74% (53/167), 38.86% (68/175), 44.30% (140/316), and 48.65% (126/259), respectively. The total proportion of fungus was 1.94% (20/1 033), and from 2017 to 2021 the proportions were 1.72% (2/116), 1.80% (3/167), 1.71% (3/175), 0.95% (3/316), and 3.47% (9/259), respectively. From 2017 to 2021, the proportion of Gram-negative bacilli gradually decreased, while the proportion of Gram-positive cocci gradually increased, and the differences were statistically significant ( χ2=20.14 and 17.91, P<0.001 and =0.001). From 2017 to 2021, the change in the proportion of fungus was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). The main Gram-negative bacilli in the bile culture were Escherichia coli (31.36%, 324/1 033) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (12.68%, 131/1 033); the main Gram-positive cocci were Enterococcus faecalis (14.04%, 145/1 033) and Streptococcus salivarius (4.36%, 45/1 033). From 2017 to 2021, the proportions of Escherichia coli were 39.66% (46/116), 38.92% (65/167), 33.14% (58/175), 28.48% (90/316), and 25.10% (65/259), respectively, with gradual decrease and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=14.34, P=0.006). From 2017 to 2021 the detection rates of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were 30.43% (14/46), 26.15% (17/65), 29.31% (17/58), 38.89% (35/90), 40.00% (26/65), and 4/15, 20.00% (5/25), 20% (5/25), 24.32% (9/37), and 31.03% (9/29), and there were no significant differences in the detection rates of ESBL between different years (both P>0.05). Conclusions:From 2017 to 2021, the positive rate of bile culture in patients with choledocholithiasis complicated with biliary tract infection showed an overall increasing trend. Gram-negative bacilli were still dominated in bile pathogenic bacteria, while the proportion of Gram-positive cocci remarkably increased, and the bile bacterial spectrum significantly changed. Clinicians should adjust the antibiotic dosing regimens according to the variation of bacterial spectrum and drug resistance.