ATP-Binding Cassette Sub-Family B Member 2 ; ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters ; metabolism ; ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 3 ; Calnexin ; metabolism ; Calreticulin ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; virology ; Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia ; metabolism ; pathology ; virology ; Cysteine Endopeptidases ; metabolism ; Female ; HLA-A Antigens ; metabolism ; Human papillomavirus 16 ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Papillomavirus Infections ; Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex ; metabolism ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; virology

Adult ; Antineoplastic Agents ; toxicity ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; Female ; Humans ; Killer Cells, Natural ; drug effects ; Middle Aged ; Nurses ; statistics & numerical data ; Occupational Exposure ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; drug effects

Objective To observe the effect of intensive scapular control training on pain, upper limb motor function and activities of daily living (ADL) in patients with post-stroke shoulder pain. Methods 58 patients with hemiplegia after stroke were randomly assigned into routine exercise group (group A, n=27) and intensive scapular control training group (group B, n=31). They were assessed with visual analogue scale for pain, simplified Fugl-Meyer Assessment and modified Bathel Index before and 8 weeks after treatment. Results All the assessment appeared better in group B than in group A after treatment (P<0.05). Conclusion Intensive scapular control training can promote the recovery of motor function and ADL, relieve the pain in patients with post-stroke shoulder pain.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of bifidobacterium genomic DNA on umbilical cord blood mononuclear cell (CBMC), and investigate the immunoregulation of bifidobacterium DNA and explore possible mechanisms by which bifidobacterium acts against allergic reaction.

METHODSBifidobacterium genomic DNA (bDNA) and human DNA (hDNA) were extracted with phenol/chloroform/isoamyl alcohol and stored at -20 degrees C for later use. Parts of bDNA were completely digested with DNaseI (d-bDNA) at 37 degrees C. CBMCs were isolated with Ficoll from umbilical cord blood and incubated at 37 degrees C in a 5% CO2 humidified incubator. These cells were divided into four groups, control group: without any stimulant; bDNA group: stimulated with 25 microg/ml bDNA; d-bDNA group: stimulated with 25 microg/ml d-bDNA; hDNA group: stimulated with 25 microg/ml hDNA. The cells were stimulated with different stimulants in vitro, at the end of incubation culture supernatant and cells were collected. IL-12 and IL-10 levels in the culture supernatant were measured by enzyme linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA); cells secreting IL-4 and IFN-gamma were counted by enzyme linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay; and total RNA was isolated from the cells to assay T-bet and GATA3 mRNA expression levels by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSSix hours after stimulation there was no significant difference in IL-12 level in supernatant among the four groups; 12 hours after stimulation, IL-12 level in supernatant of bDNA treated group was significantly higher than that of each of the other groups, so were the results obtained at 24 hours and 48 hours after stimulation (P < 0.05). No significant difference could be detected in IL-12 level in supernatant among the other 3 groups. On the other hand, 6 hours after stimulation there was no significant difference in IL-10 level in supernatant among the four groups. But 12 and 24 hours after stimulation IL-10 level in supernatant of bDNA treated group was lower than that of each of the other groups, but the difference was not statistically significant. The count of IFN-gamma secreting cells of bDNA treated group was higher than that of the other groups, while IL-4 secteting cells of bDNA treated group were lower than that of the other groups. After bDNA stimulation, nuclear factor T-box expressed in T cells (T-bet) mRNA expression was conspicuously enhanced as compared to the other three groups (P < 0.05). GATA3 mRNA transcription in CBMC had no significant change after bDNA stimulation.

CONCLUSIONbDNA could promote secretion of Th1 type cytokine IL-12, while Th2 type cytokine IL-10 level of cell supernatant was decreased. bDNA could stimulate secretion of IFN-gamma by CBMC and inhibit secretion of IL-4. T-bet mRNA expression was highly enhanced after bDNA stimulation. bDNA could upregulate Th1 type response, which may be one of important mechanisms by which bifidobacterium inhibit allergic response.

Bifidobacterium ; cytology ; genetics ; Cell Culture Techniques ; DNA, Bacterial ; biosynthesis ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; immunology ; GATA3 Transcription Factor ; genetics ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Interferon-gamma ; immunology ; secretion ; Interleukin-10 ; immunology ; secretion ; Interleukin-12 ; immunology ; secretion ; Interleukin-4 ; immunology ; secretion ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; immunology ; secretion ; RNA, Messenger ; isolation & purification ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; T-Box Domain Proteins ; genetics ; Th1 Cells ; drug effects ; immunology ; secretion

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects and mechanism of Qingyi II Granules (QYG) on the bacterial translocation in rats with acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP).

METHODSEighteen Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized equally into 3 groups, the sham-operated group (A), the ANP model group (B) and the treated group (C). Rats in Group B and C were established into ANP model by retrograde injection of 30 g/L sodium taurocholate into pancreatobiliary duct. QYG was administered, beginning from 1 h after modeling, for three times (every 6 h) per day via intragastric infusion to Group C in dose of 10 mL/kg (250 g/L), while to the other two groups, equal volume of saline was infused instead. All animals were sacrificed 24 h after modeling. The contents in mesenteric lymph nodes and distant sites (liver, spleen, pancreas) were taken for bacterial culture and strain identification, the expression of high mobility group box 1 (Hmgb1) mRNA in ileal tissue was assayed by real-time PCR; the levels of nitric oxide (NO) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) were determined by ELISA; the wet/ dry ratio of ileum was measured; and the pathologic features of pancreas and ileum were examined respectively.

RESULTSIn Group B, evident pathological injury in pancreas and ileum was shown, expression of Hmgb1 mRNA up-regulated, levels of NO and ET-1 in ileum tissues increased to 1.67 +/- 0.21 micromol/L and 102.18 +/- 9.19 ng/L respectively, and the bacterial counts in the mesenteric lymph nodes and distant sites increased significantly. Compared with Group B, the level of NO and ET-1 reduced to 1.39 +/- 0.23 micromol/L and 83.15 +/- 5.39 ng/L, respectively in Group C, with all the above-mentioned abnormal changes alleviated significantly.

CONCLUSIONLevels of Hmgb1, NO and ET-1 might play important roles in the ANP model rats with intestinal bacterial translocation. QYG shows effects on preventing the intestinal bacterial translocation by way of down-regulate the Hmgb1 mRNA expression, lowering the concentration of NO and ET, and ameliorating the injury of pancreatic and ileum tissues.

Animals ; Bacterial Translocation ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Endothelin-1 ; analysis ; HMGB1 Protein ; metabolism ; Intestinal Mucosa ; microbiology ; Intestines ; microbiology ; Nitric Oxide ; analysis ; Pancreatitis, Acute Necrotizing ; drug therapy ; microbiology ; Phytotherapy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective To investigate the clinical significance of serum cytokines concentrations and A- PACHE scores in evaluating the illness state for critical trauma patients.Methods A clinical prospective self-control trial was performed,in which 36 patients admitted to ICU by SIRS were enrolled.Objects were divided into mild and severe trauma group according to APACHE score.The TNF-?and IL-6 concentrations were determined on the 1st, 3rd and 5th day of admission,the APACHE score were assessed at the same time.Statistic analysis was performed according to this group.Results The TNF-?concentrations decreased continuously in the following days while IL-6 decreased from the 7th day in the mild trauma group.In the severe trauma group the TNF-?and IL-6,APACHE score concentrations kept increasing.There was a significant difference of TNF-?and IL-6 concentrations between severe trauma and mild trauma group.Conclusion Dynamic measurement of TNF-?and IL-6 concentrations with APACHE score provide great help to evaluate the illness state and predict the prognosis.

Background The rapid diagnosis can win more treating opportunities for patients with fungal keratitis.Even though the fungal culture is the gold standard for the diagnosis of fungal keratitis,it is difficult in early diagnosis due to the long duration of cultivation and false-negative rate.Objective This trial was to explore the clinical value in the rapid diagnosis of fungal keratitis by the combination of corneal scraping with laser scanning confocal microscopy.Methods Corneal scraping and laser scanning confocal microscopy were separately performed in 167 eyes of 167 patients with fungal keratitis.All the eyes were examined by the slit lamp,followed by laser scanning confocal microscope,and then the 10％ KOH corneal smear was examined under the optical microscope.Results The positive rate of diagnosis was 75％ (125/167) by corneal scraping,and that by laser scanning confocal microscopy was 91％ (152/167).The positive rate of examining outcome was significantly higher in laser scanning confocal microscopy than that of corneal scraping (x2 =14.88,P =0.00).The positive results were 114 cases and negative results were 4 cases by two methods,with the concordance rate 70.7％ (118/167).The hyphae or spore were seen in 32 cases by laser scanning confocal microscopy in 42 negative cases by corneal scraping,and in 15 negative cases by confocal laser scanning microscopy,11 positive outcomes were offered by corneal scraping.Conclusions The combined application of corneal scraping with confocal laser scanning microscopy can improve and speed up the diagnosis positive rate of fungal keratitis.

OBJECTIVEChronic prostatitis (CP) is a common disease in adult males. Oxidative stress injury has been found to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of CP in recent studies. This study aimed to determine the contents of CuZn-super oxide dismutase (CuZn-SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the serum and EPS in CP patients and healthy men, and investigate their significance in the diagnosis and treatment of the CP.

METHODSA total of 120 out-patients with confirmed CP were equally divided into a type II, a type IIIA and a type IIIB group, and another 40 healthy males were included as controls. We determined the contents of CuZn-SOD and MDA in the serum and EPS of each group and compared their differences.

RESULTSNo significant differences were found in the serum CuZn-SOD content among the four groups (P > 0.05). The MDA contents were markedly higher in the CP groups than in the control (P < 0.01), but with no significant differences among the three CP groups (P > 0.05). The CuZn-SOD contents in EPS were remarkably lower in the type II and type III A than in the type III B and control groups (P < 0.01), but with no significant differences between the type II and type III A as well as between the type III B and control groups (P > 0.05). The MDA contents in EPS were markedly higher in the type II and type III A than in the type III B and control groups (P < 0.01), but with no significant differences between the type II and type III A as well as the type III B and control groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONOxidative stress is stronger in type II and type III A CP patients than in healthy men, but has no significant difference between type III B patients and non-CP males. Determining the contents of CuZn-SOD and MDA in the serum and EPS could be very valuable for the diagnosis and assessment of chronic prostatitis.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Chronic Disease ; Humans ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; blood ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; Prostatitis ; blood ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood ; metabolism

OBJECTIVEAdrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare but highly malignant tumor, and its diagnosis is mostly delayed and prognosis is poor. We report estrogen receptor (ER) expression in this tumor and our clinical experiences with 17 ACC cases.

METHODSThe data of the 17 patients (9 females and 8 males, age range from 16 to 69 years, mean age of 42.6 years) with ACC were reviewed, and symptoms, diagnostic procedures, treatment, and results of follow-up were evaluated. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect ER expression in tumor samples from the 17 patients.

RESULTSAt the time of diagnosis, 4 tumors were classified as Stage I, 4 as Stage II, 3 as Stage III, and 6 as Stage IV. Eight patients demonstrated positive nuclear immunostaining of ER. The prognosis of patients with ER positive was significantly better (P<0.05) than that of patients with ER negative, with 1- and 5-year survival rates at 86% and 60% for ER-positive patients, and 38% and 0% for ER-negative patients, respectively.

CONCLUSIONER-positivity may be one of the factors associated with a worse prognosis of ACC.

Adolescent ; Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; mortality ; Adrenocortical Carcinoma ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; mortality ; Adult ; Aged ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; analysis ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Proteins ; analysis ; Receptors, Estrogen ; analysis ; Risk Assessment ; methods ; Risk Factors ; Survival Analysis ; Survival Rate ; Young Adult

The most appropriate time to introduce androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer remains controversial. Our aim was to evaluate the effects of early versus delayed surgical castration on prostate cancer progression and survival in the transgenic adenocarcinoma of the mouse prostate (TRAMP) model. TRAMP mice were randomly divided into three groups: the early castration group (on which castration was performed at the age of 4 weeks), the delayed castration group (on which castration was performed when abdominal tumours could be palpated), and the sham-castrated group. Mice were monitored daily throughout their lives until cancer-related death or the development of an obviously moribund appearance, at which time the individual mouse was killed. Androgen receptor expression in prostate tumours was also evaluated. The results shows that the average lifespan in early castration, delayed castration and sham-castrated groups were 54.1 weeks, 59.9 weeks and 39.1 weeks, respectively. Both early castration and delayed castration conferred a statistically significant survival advantage when compared with the sham-castrated group (P<0.001). However, the difference in lifespan between the early castration group and the delayed castration group was not statistically significant (P=0.85). The increase in lifespan in the TRAMP mice that received either early or delayed castration correlated with lower G/B value (genitourinary tract weight/body weight) at death than the sham-castrated mice. In conclusion, early and delayed castrations in TRAMP mice prolonged survival to a similar extent. This finding may provide a guide for clinical practice in prostate cancer therapy.
Adenocarcinoma ; mortality ; pathology ; surgery ; Animals ; Body Weight ; Disease Models, Animal ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Transgenic ; Orchiectomy ; Organ Size ; Prostate ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; mortality ; pathology ; surgery ; Receptors, Androgen ; metabolism ; Time Factors ; Transgenes ; genetics