Objective To investigate the incidence of and risk factors for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in transplant recipients.Methods 197 males aged 50 years and older who received kidney transplants were recruited if they were clinically stable.They were divided into three age groups:50 to 59 years (87 cases),60 to 69 years (64 cases) and ≥ 70 years (46 cases).Two hundred and forty people who had not undergone kidney transplant were randomly selected from the community as controls.A cross-sectional study was performed to study the BPH incidence in kidney transplant recipients according to standard diagnostic criteria.At the same time,the expression levels of keratinocyte growth factor,transforming growth factor-β and serum testosterone and the CD4/CD8 ratio in T lymphocytes were determined.Results There was no significant difference in age,PSA and the postmicturition residual volume between the study group and the control group.The total BPH incidence in kidney transplant recipients was 16.2％ (32/197).The symptomatic BPH incidence was 6.9％ (6/87) in the 50-to 59-year-old study group and 20.2％ (19/94) in the control group,representing a significant statistical difference in the symptomatic BPH incidence between the two groups (P =0.010).The symptomatic BPH incidence was 18.8％ (12/64) in the 60-to 69-year-old study group and 41.9％ (34/81) in the control group,indicating a significant statistical difference in the symptomatic BPH incidence between the two groups (P =0.004).The symptomatic BPH incidence was 30.4％ (14/46) in the ≥ 70-year-old study group and 52.3％ (34/65) in the control group,indicating a significant statistical difference in the symptomatic BPH incidence between the two groups (P =0.032).Compared to the control group,the peripheral blood serum testosterone level (9.4 ± 4.7,18.2 ± 5.6,P =0.040) and the CD4/CD8 ratio (1.1±0.3,1.8±0.3,P=0.014) of kidney transplant recipients was lower.The transforming growth factor-β expression level (5015± 1087,1829±963,P＜0.001) was higher in kidney transplant recipients than in the control group.The kasatinocyte growth factor expression levels (35.8±20.7,21.0± 18.3,P =0.064) was not statistically different than in the control group.Conclusions Kidney transplant recipients who had long-term administration of calcineurin inhibitor might have a low benign prostatic hyperplasia incidence,which might be related to transforming growth factor-β and keratinocyte growth factor expression,testosterone levels and the lymphocyte infiltration.Further high-quality prospective studies are still needed to confirm the conclusions.

Objective To establish a universal stem loop primer (USLP) based real-time PCR method to scan mature miR profile and quantify it's expression.Methods The common universal stem-loop primer pairs were re-designed; 8 random nucleotides were introduced at 3 ' end for reverse transcription of the mature miR,establishing a miR scanning and quantifying system based on SYBR Green Ⅰ PCR (improved USLP method).10-fold gradient diluted standard miRNA-155 cDNA ( 1 ～ 109 copies/μ1) were utilized to evaluate the sensitivity of this method.The specificity was verified by melting curve assay; the precision was assessed by intra-assay coefficient of variation (ICV) of threshold cycle (Ct value) through 20 repeated detections of the standard miR-155 cDNA (2 × 105,2 × 106,2 × 107 copies/μl) ; cost of the primers and time were evaluated,compared with that of the conventional USLP method.Peripheral blood samples were cultured with phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) for0 h,16 h,24 h,48 h and 72 h,and 87 candidate miR that may be associated with human immunity from PubMed data were scanned and quantified from the cultured T cells.Results The sensitivity of the improved USLP method was 103 copies/μl of standard miR-155 cDNA.Melting curve assay showed a single melting peak at 80 ℃,suggesting the excellent PCR specificity of miR-155.Precision of our method quantifying miR-155 was acceptable (ICV ＜ 2.5％ ).Compared with the traditional stem loop primers,our method saved 75％ cost of primers ( 1 917 bp vs 7 851 bp) and 60％ test time of reverse transcription (85 min vs 205 min).By our method,85 of the 87 miR expression in T cells had no significant difference after the PHA stimulation; the expression of miR-150 (72 h) decreased by 10 times and that of miR-155 (48 h) increased 8 times after culture with PHA (Z =-2.032,P =0.042;Z =- 2.023,P =0.043,respectively ).Conclusions The improved USLP method is fast,precise,sensitive,and cost-effective.It could be used for miR profile scanning and quantifying in T cells.

The biological artificial liver(BAL) can offer reliable artificial liver support for the patients with hepatic failure.All BAL devices contain hepatocytes as their biological component,whose specific biological characteristics contribute to the function of the BAL.During the past two decades,various cells including human hepatocytes,heterogeneous hepatocytes and liver cell lines have been used and different culture methods have been studied to optimize the activity of the biological component.However,both functionality and safety of these cells should be improved before successful use in BAL. This paper summarizes the latest progress on it.

Recently a great number of new immunodepressants have emerged due to the side effects of steroids.Therefore,relatively more perfect steroid withdrawl regimens have been studied by many researchers at home and abroad.This article reviews the course of steroid withdrawal in liver transplantation,introduces and compares different protocols of steroid withdrawal.

Objective To investigate the effect of the polymorphisms of multidrug resistance 1 (MDR1) C3435T and G2677T on Tacrolimus (Tac) individualized treatment and prognosis of grafts in the renal transplantation recipients (RTRs).Methods One hundred and twenty-seven RTRs who treated with Tac regimen and had a stable graft function were enrolled,and were divided into adjuvant treatment group and non-adjuvant treatment group according to whether given adjuvant drugs to raise Tac trough concentrations. MDR1 C3435T and G2677T SNPs were detected by using sequence specific primers PCR.Tac trough concentrations of whole blood were measured by using enzymelabeled immunosorbent assay.Tac concentration-to-dose ratio (C/D) standardized by body weight was compared according to the various genotypes and haplotypes of MDR1 C3435T and G2677TA SNPs.Results Adjuvant treatment group including 36 recipients had a higher frequency of C genotype of C3435T than un-adjuvant treatment group (68.05％ vs 48.35％,P ＜ 0.01 ). The frequency of G2677TA polymorphisms was of no significant difference between the two group recipients (P＞ 0.05).As to non-adjuvant treatment recipients,the mean Tac DD required and C/D were not significantly different among various polymorphisms of MDR1 G2677T/A and C3435T or various haplotypes (P＞0.05).During A follow-up period of 4 years,13 recipients suffered graft dysfunction in which 84.6％ (11/13) carried 3435C genotype (P＞0.05).Conclusion The frequency of MDR1 C3435T polymorphisms in RTRs is high in the recipients given adjuvant treatment to raise Tac concentrations.Recipients with 3435C genotype were prone to graft dysfunction.

ObjectiveTo investigate the iodine nutritional status of residents in Shanxi province,and to provide a scientific basis for adjustment of control strategies and measures to iodine deficiency disorders (IDD).MethodsIn the 11 cities and 119 counties(cities,districts),except high water iodine townships,9 townships were selected in each county according to their sub-area positions of east,west,south,north and center,4 villages were sampled in each chosen township,and 8 households were selected in each chosen village in every chosen county (cities,districts ) with 9 or more townships.In every chosen county (cities,districts) with 6 to 9 townships,1 township was selected respectively in east,west,south,north and center sub-areas of the township,4 villages were sampled in each chosen township,and 15 households were selected in each chosen village.In the county (cities,districts) with 5 or less townships,all township were selected,4 villages were sampled in each chosen township,and 15 households were selected in each chosen village.Edible salt samples from these households were collected; iodized salt was determined by direct titration.In the 119 counties(cities,districts),1 township was selected,respectively,in east,west,south,north and center sub-areas in each county,and 20 children aged 8 - 10 in each of the selected townships were selected to collect urine samples and urinary iodine was determined by As-Ce catalytic spectrophotometry.Evaluation criteria:median urinary iodine ＜ 100 μg/L was iodine deficiency,100 - 199 μg/L as appropriate,200 - 299 μg/L as more than appropriate,and ≥ 300 μg/L as iodine excess.ResultsMedian iodine of the 34 808 household salt samples was 31.55 mg/kg.The coverage rate of qualified iodized salt was 99.18％(34 521/34 808) and the consumption rate of qualified iodized salt was 97.12％(33 805/ 34 808).In the 11 cities,119 counties(cities,districts),the median of urinary iodine of 11 967 children aged 8 -10 was 244.0 μg/L,of which ＜ 50 μg/L acoounted for 2.6％(312/11 967),50 - 99 μg/L accounted for 6.9％(823/11 967),100- 199 μg/L accounted for 26.3％(3145/11 967),200 - 299 μg/L accounted for 28.7％(3440/11 967),and 300 μg/L or higher accounted for 35.5％(4247/11 967).The medians of urinary iodine in the 9 municipal cities were 200 - 300 μg/L,and other 2 cities were 300 - 400 μg/L At the county level,the medians urinary iodine of children of the 119 counties(cities,districts) were 100 - 199 μg/L that accounted for 15.1％(18/119),200 - 299 μg/L accounted for 63.9％(76/119),and 300 μg/L or higher accounted for 21％(25/119).Conclusions The iodine nutrition level of residents in Shanxi province is more than appropriate.The salt iodine concentration in Shanxi province needs to be reduced,but the space is not wide.

Objective To evaluate the running status of the water-improving projects in Gansu Province in order to further improve the supervising mechanism and raise the efficiency of defluoridation in drinking water.Methods The water-improving projects,either being normal,or intermittent,or discarded and the cause of abnormal running in 33 counties in Gansu Province were surveyed with unified standard method.Fluoride content in water was determined by F-ion selective electrode.Results 993 water improving projects covering 3389 fluorosis villages were surveyed,682 projects worked well[68.68%(682/993)]and had supplied water with normal fluoride contents to 2174 villages[64.15%(2174/3389)]and benefited 116.56 hundred thousand populations.And the rest 311[31.32%(311/993)]projects worked abnormally or supplied unqualified fluoride water.The main causes were the exceeded lasting life,insufficiency of water resources,high fluoride content in water and unqualified administration.Conclusions Most of the water-improving projects in Gansu Province are basically running normally,but about 1/3 of the projects do not function well,so the management of the projects must be improved and consummated.

OBJECTIVETo study the expression of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) receptor CD14 and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) on Kupffer cells and its role in ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) on rat liver graft.

METHODSThe Kupffer cells following IRI were isolated and divided into control, ischemia-reperfusion (IR), and anti-CD14 antibody group. The mRNA and protein expression of CD14 and TLR4, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) activity and TNF-alpha level in supernatant were measured.

RESULTSThe mRNA and protein expression of CD14 and TLR4 in IR group were significantly higher than those in control group (P < 0.01). The NF-kappaB activity and TNF-alpha level in IR group were significantly higher than those in control group (P < 0.01), and they greatly decreased after anti CD14 antibody treatment (compared with IR group, P < 0.05), but were still significantly higher than those in control group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSLPS following IRI could up-regulate CD14 and TLR4 gene and protein expression on Kupffer cells, and subsequently activate NF-kappaB to produce cytokines, but other signal transduction pathways might also participate in the IRI.

Animals ; In Vitro Techniques ; Kupffer Cells ; pathology ; physiology ; Lipopolysaccharide Receptors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Liver Transplantation ; pathology ; physiology ; Male ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reperfusion Injury ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Signal Transduction ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; secretion

BACKGROUNDChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by progressive loss of lung function and local and systemic inflammation, in which CD8+ T-cells are believed to play a key role. Activated CD8+ T-cells differentiate into distinct subpopulations, including interferon-γ (IFN-γ)-producing Tc1 and interleukin (IL)-17-producing Tc17 cells. Recent evidence indicates that Tc17 cells exhibit considerable plasticity and may convert into IL-17/IFN-γ-double producing (Tc17/IFN-γ) cells when driven by inflammatory conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the Tc17/IFN-γ subpopulation in peripheral blood of patients with COPD and to evaluate their potential roles in this disease.

METHODSPeripheral blood samples were collected from 15 never-smokers, 23 smokers with normal lung function, and 25 patients with COPD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease 2-4). Proportions of the IL-17/IFN-γ-double expressing subpopulation were assessed using flow cytometry. Plasma concentrations of cytokines favoring Tc17/IFN-γ differentiation were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTSPatients with COPD had higher proportions of Tc17 cells and Tc17/IFN-γ cells in the peripheral blood than smokers and never-smokers. The plasticity of Tc17 cells was higher than that of Th17 cells. The percentages of Tc17 cells and Tc17/IFN-γ cells showed negative correlations with forced expiratory volume in 1 s % predicted value (r = -0.418, P = 0.03; r = -0.596, P = 0.002, respectively). The plasma concentrations of IL-6, transforming growth factor-β1, and IL-12 were significantly higher in patients with COPD compared with smokers and never-smokers.

CONCLUSIONSPeripheral Tc17 cells are increased and more likely to convert to Tc17/IFN-γ cells in COPD, suggesting that Tc17 cell plasticity may be involved in persistent inflammation of the disease.

Aged ; Female ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; biosynthesis ; Interleukin-12 ; blood ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Lung ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; immunology ; physiopathology ; Th17 Cells ; immunology

It was widely believed that disorders of circadian system were caused by neurodegenera-tive diseases. With the deepening of research,many scholars believed that disorders of circadian system may affect the occurrence and development of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease. 'Parkinson 's disease' and 'Circadian rhythm' were used as the key words of retrieval performance in the databases such as Pubmed,CNKI,Wanfang and so on,and the papers which were closely related with the theme were select-ed. The epidemiology,etiology and pathogenesis,clinical manifestations and the role of circadian system reg-ulation in PD were reviewed. The results show that the disorders of circadian system could be regulated by bright light therapy,melatonin and stem cell therapy,music therapy,and deep brain stimulation. Based on the theory of time medicine,combining the regulation of circadian system with the classical treatment of PD may provide a new breakthrough point for PD treatment. The disorders of circadian system is expected to be-come a new target for PD therapy.