Objective To analyze the nucleotide sequences of novel allele HLA-B*4608. Methods Genomic DNA of the proband was extracted from whole blood by the commercial DNA extraction kit. The HLA-B exons 1-8 of the proband was amplified and the amplified product was cloned by TOPO TA cloning sequencing kit to split the two alleles apart. Both strands of exons 2, 3 and 4 of chosen colonies were sequenced. Results The sequencing results showed HLA-B alleles of the proband as B*5502 and a new allele as proved by blast search. The sequences of the novel allele have been submitted to Genbank(DQ177521,DQ177522,DQ177523). The new allele is similar to HLA-B*4601 except for two nucleotide substitutions in exon 3: T to C at nucleotide position 538 and G to T at nucleotide position 539. These result in an amino acid substitution at codon 156 from W to L. Conclusion This allele is a novel allele and has been officially named B*4608 by the WHO Nomenclature Committee.

Objective To explore the effects of estrogen on apolipoprotein M ( apoM ).Methods ApoM mRNA was assayed in HepG2 cells by RT-PCR after incubation of estrogen with or without estrogen receptor antagonist at different concentrations and durations.SD female rats were divided into five groups:OVX group,Sham group,OVX+ EB group,normal group and normal + EB group.From a week of being operated,the rats were injected subcutaneously estradiol beuzoate or vehicle.After 12-hrs fasting,serum levels of triglycerides (TG),LDL-cholesterol,HDL-cholesterol,total cholesterol ( TC ) at months 1,2 and 3 after operation were measured.The expression of apoM in rats was detected by using real time RT-PCR and Western blot.Results Estrogen increased mRNA levels of apoM and apoAI in the HepG2 cells with a dose- and time-dependent manner,which could be abolished by addition of estrogen receptor antagonist.Serum apoM,TG,TC,HDL and LDL levels were significantly increased in the ovariectomized or normal rats which received estrogen treatment than those in OVX or normal group rats at month 1 after treatments.Conclusions Estrogen upregulates apoM expression via its receptor.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) in gingival tissues of chronic periodontitis.

METHODSHuman peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMC) were stimulated with 1 microg x mL(-1) lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 24 h or 48 h. Expression and release of HMGB1 were checked by immunofluorescence and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. PBMC were stimulated with 100 ng x mL(-1) HMGB1 or 50 ng x mL(-1) tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), the expressions of TNF-alpha and HMGB1 in the supernatant were studied by ELISA. Gingival tissues and gingival crevicular fluids (GCF) were collected from patients and healthy people. Expression of HMGB1 in gingival tissues and GCF was studied using immunofluorescence and ELISA, respectively.

RESULTSHMGB1 was translocated from nucleus to cytosol in PBMC after LPS stimulation for 24 h. The content of HMGB1 in the supernatant from stimulated cells was significantly higher than that from unstimulated cells after 48 h (P < 0.01). HMGB1 was released by PBMC in response to TNF-alpha stimulation, it also stimulated PBMC to release TNF-alpha (P < 0.01). Translocation of HMGB1 from nucleus to cytosol was also found in infiltrated cells in gingival tissues from patients, and HMGB1 in GCF from patients was significantly higher than that from healthy people P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe results suggest that HMGB1 may play an important role in the pathological progress of chronic periodontitis.

Objective To establish a predictive model and to find the preoperative predictors for the nature of lesion in the setting of chronic pancreatitis. Methods The 121 patients from 7 tertiary medical centers in Shanghai from July 1998 to April 2007 with focal mass lesions in the setting of chronic pancreatitis were selected as the study population. The final diagnosis had to be confirmed histologically by surgical specimens (n =97) or by follow-up (n = 24). A case control study was conducted; the patients were divided into pancreatic cancer group and chronic pancreatitis group. The age, sex, past history, initial clinical presentations, lab results and imaging exams were collected by reviewing the medical records of these patients. χ~2 test and t test was used for univariate analysis, then the factors with P≤0. 25 were selected for further multivariate analysis, and multivariate logistic regression model was used to estimate odds ratio and 95% CI. Results Of 121 , 21 patients had a final diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and other 90 patients had a final diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis. Abdominal tenderness, direct bilirubin, CA19-9 and CEA were independent predictors of cancer in patients with focal mass lesions. Their odds ratios (95% CI) were 5. 691 (1.468, 22.070) , 1.011 (1.001 , 1.021) , 1.003 (1.001, 1.005) , 101.9 (0.988, 1.051) , respectively. Their P values were 0. 012, 0. 030, 0.003 and 0. 23 , respectively. Conclusions The logistic regression model may accurately predict the nature of lesion in the setting of chronic pancreatitis and may have certain clinical implication.

Objective To explore the correlations of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and paraoxonase 1 (PON1) gene polymorphism with diabetic retinopathy. Methods A total of 168 patients with diabetes mellitus(DM) in the Second People's Hospital of Xining City were selected from January 2013 to December 2015, and were divided into the DM group (48 cases), proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) group (66 cases) and non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) group (54 cases). A total of 104 healthy subjects were selected as the control group (NC group). The VEGF and PON1 gene polymorphisms were detected by using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), and levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) of all subjects were detected by using UV spectrophotometer. Results Compared with the NC group, the systolic blood pressures and glycated hemoglobin levels in the DM group, NPDR group and PDR group were significantly increased,there were statistically significant differences (P<0.05). No statistically significant difference was found in diastolic blood pressure and levels of cholesterol,triglyceride, high density lipoprotein among these groups (P>0.05). There was statistically significant difference in systolic blood pressure between PDR group and NPDR group (P< 0. 05), while no statistically significant difference was found in diastolic blood pressure and levels of cholesterol, triglyceride,high density lipoprotein and glycated hemoglobin between the two groups (P>0.05). The incidence rate of DR in the patients with CC,CT and TT genotype was 71.05%, 56.27 % and 38.64 %, respectively. The incidence rate of DR in the patients with CCgenotype was significantly higher than that in the patients with CT or TT genotype (P< 0.05). No statistically significant difference was found in SOD and MDA levels of healthy subjects with different PON1 192 genotypes (P>0.05). The SOD level of DR patients with QQ genotype was lower than that of patients with QR or RR genotype,and the MDA level of DR patients with QQ genotype was higher than that of patients with QR or RR genotype,the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion The expression of VEGF and PON1 genes could affect the development and progression of DR. PON1 gene might control the progression of DR by affecting the expression of oxidative kinase in DR patients.

Objective:To explore the effect of shoulder subluxation on the peripheral nerves in the hemiplegic upper limbs of stroke survivors.Methods:Twenty stroke survivors with shoulder subluxation were enrolled. Conduction in their suprascapular, axillary, musculocutaneous, radial, median and ulnar nerves was monitored and needle electromyography was used to monitor activity in the supraspinatus, deltoid, biceps brachii, extensor digitorum, abductor pollicis brevis and abductor digiti minimi muscles of their affected upper limbs at rest. Upper limb and hand function were assessed using the Brunnstrom scale. The rate of change in the amplitude of the compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs) was correlated with the patient′s disease duration, age, and upper limb and hand Brunnstrom stages.Results:Compared with the healthy side, a significant decrease was observed in the CMAP amplitudes of the suprascapular, axillary, musculocutaneous, radial, median and ulnar nerves of the hemiplegic arm, and the latency of the suprascapular and axillary nerves was significantly prolonged. There was no inter-arm difference in the conduction velocity of the musculocutaneous, radial, median and ulnar nerves. The rates of change in the CMAP amplitudes of the suprascapular, axillary and musculocutaneous nerves were significantly higher than those of the radial, median and ulnar nerves. The sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) amplitudes of the median, ulnar and radial nerves on the hemiplegic side were significantly lower than on the healthy side, but there was no significant difference in the sensory conduction velocity between the two sides. On the hemiplegic side, the median nerve had the highest rate of change rate in the SNAP amplitude, followed by the radial and ulnar nerves, but there was no significant difference among them. Nor was there any significant difference in the rate of change in sensory nerve conduction velocity. The muscles of the affected upper limbs had higher potentials in the proximal than that in the distal nerves after shoulder subluxation. The rate of change in the CMAPs was not significantly correlated with a patient′s disease duration, age, or upper limb or hand Brunnstrom stage on the hemiplegic side.Conclusions:Shoulder subluxation after a stroke can cause greater damage to the peripheral nerves in the shoulder and upper arm than to those in the forearm and hand, possibly affecting the recovery of upper limb function.

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of community based rehabilitation on chronic schizophrenia. Methods60 patients of chronic schizophrenia were randomly divided into the community based rehabilitation group (the study group) and the inpatients group (the control group). The study used prospective design for 1 year with brief psychiatric rating scale (BPRS),nurses' observation scale for inpatients evaluation (NOSIE) and social disability screening schedule (SDSS).ResultsCompared with the control group at the end of 6 month and 1 year, scores of BPRS, NOSIE and SDSS in the study group were significantly different (P<0.05-P<0.001). The relapse rate of the study group (0%) also lowered than that of the control group( 20%).ConclusionsCommunity based rehabilitation therapy can control the chronic schizophrenia effectively. It also promotes the life quality and social function of patients, and lowers the relapse rate significantly. It is an important rehabilitation method for chronic schizophrenia.

PURPOSE: Polymorphisms of several candidate genes have been studied and associated with the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). One such candidate is the SERPINE2 (Serpin peptidase inhibitor, clade E member 2) gene. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To assess whether the SERPINE2 gene is associated with COPD in a Chinese Han population. Samples were collected from a Chinese Han population and analyzed for the association of single nucleotide polymor phisms (SNPs) or haplotypes of SERPINE2 gene with COPD in a case-control study. Three SNPs including rs840088 G/A in intron 1, rs1438831 A/G in 5' upstream sequence and rs3795879 G/A in intron 3 were detected using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based restriction fragment length polymorphism technique in 409 COPD subjects and 411 controls. Genotyping of the SREPINE2 polymorphisms at positions rs840088, rs1438831and rs3795879 was performed. RESULTS: We found that none of the rs840088G/A, rs1438831G/A and rs3795879 G/A polymorphisms were associated with the disease. The p-values were 0.630, 0.208 and 0.398 respectively. CONCLUSION: Our data suggested that there was no significant association between SERPINE2 polymorphism and COPD susceptibility in the Chinese Han population.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease/genetics ; Genotype ; Haplotypes/genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length/genetics ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide/genetics ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/*genetics ; Serpin E2/*genetics

Objective:To explore any effect of aerobic exercise on cardiac energy metabolism and mitochondrial respiration after myocardial infarction.Methods:Forty-five Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a sham operation group, a heart failure control group and a heart failure exercise group. Myocardial infarction was induced in the heart failure groups using coronary artery ligation. Four weeks after the successful modeling, the heart failure exercise group underwent 8 weeks of aerobic treadmill exercise. The cardiac function and exercise ability of all of the rats were then observed using echocardiography and the incremental treadmill exercise test. Myocardial creatine phosphate (PCr) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) were measured by magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and the respiratory function of the myocardial mitochondria was evaluated by using cell respirometry.Results:Compared with the sham operation group, the average PCr content, PCr/ATP ratio, oxygen consumption of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes I and II, left ventricular shortening fraction (FS) and ejection fraction (EF), maximum running speed, exhaustion distance and exhaustion time in the incremental treadmill exercise test were all significantly worse in the heart failure control group. Moreover, the average ATP content, complex I oxygen consumption, left ventricular FS and EF, and the maximum running speed, exhaustion distance and exhaustion time in incremental treadmill exercise of the heart failure exercise group were all superior to those of the heart failure control group.However, no significant differences were observed in the average PCr/ATP ratio between the heart failure exercise and control groups.Conclusions:Regular aerobic exercise can improve cardiac performance after chronic heart failure, at least in rats. The mechanism may be related to increased levels of myocardial ATP and better mitochondrial complex I functioning. The PCr/ATP ratio may not be a suitable biomarker for evaluating the benefits of exercise for the heart.

Objective:To investigate the changes of autonomic nervous active substances in myocardium of rats with acute high-level spinal cord injury.Methods:Twenty-four clean-level healthy adult male SD rats weighting 250-300 g for 8-10 weeks old were divided into control group ( n=6) and spinal cord injury group ( n=18) according to the random number table. The spinal cord injury group was subdivided at 4, 12 and 24 hours, with 6 rats at each time point. The high-level spinal cord injury model was established by the modified Allen′s weight-drop method, and the spinal cord was only exposed in control group. The postoperative performance and BBB score for limb movement were observed in each group. The myocardium of each group was resected and used to observe ultrastructure of myocardial cells under transmission electron microscope and detect protein and mRNA levels of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), noradrenaline transporter (NET), acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) by Western blot and RT-PCR analysis. Results:Rats of control group showed normal limb motion after operation without significant change from the preoperation level, and mean BBB score was 21 points. Rats of spinal cord injury group showed significantly reduced activities and feeding, with flaccid paralysis of both lower limbs as well as no spontaneous excretion, and showed BBB score of 0 point at 4 hours and 12 hours after injury, which was increased slightly at 24 hours after injury, with the highest score for 1 point. The ultrastructure of myocardial cells showed no obvious abnormalities in control group, while different degrees of changes in spinal cord injury group. Compared with control group, Western blot analysis showed that protein levels of TH and NET were decreased, while AChE and ChAT were increased in spinal cord injury group ( P<0.05 or 0.01). Compared with control group, RT-PCR analysis showed that mRNA levels of TH and NET were decreased, while AChE and ChAT were increased in spinal cord injury group ( P<0.05 or 0.01). mRNA levels of TH and NET in spinal cord injury group at 24 hours after injury were significantly different from those at 4 hours and 12 hours after injury (all P<0.05). mRNA levels of ChAT in spinal cord injury group were statistically significant at 12 hours and 24 hours after injury from those at 4 hours after injury, with significant difference at 12 hours and 24 hours after injury (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Sympathetic nerve active substances TH and NET are down-regulated but vagal nerve active substances AChE and ChAT up-regulated in myocardium of rats with acute high-level spinal cord injury, which may be related to the relative excitation of the parasympathetic nerve blocking the sympathetic innervation of the higher center to the heart following high-level spinal cord injury.