ObjectiveTo study the effects of aqueous extract of Trigonella foenum-graecum(AET) on the blood glucose in normal and alloxan(ALX)-diabetic mice.MethodsFasting blood glucose and glucose tolerance in normal and ALX-diabetic mice were measured respectively 7 days after AET had been given.ResultsAET had not significantly effected the fasting blood glucose of normal mice, but improved their glucose toleranc. Otherwise, AET reduced fasting blood glouse of diabetic mice induced by ALX significantly.ConclusionAET can be used on treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Lycii Cortex, a popular herb medicine in traditional Chinese medicine, is used to treat different inflammation-related diseases. The aim of our work is to find the key constituents inhibiting NF-kappaB, a key regulator of inflammation. In the investigations of cell-based in vitro assays of extracts, we found that both ethyl acetate extract and methanol extract of Lycii Cortex inhibited the TNF-alpha-induced activation of NF-kappaB. Through bioassay-guided fractionation, we identified 4 phenolic amides including trans-N-(p-coumaroyl) tyramine (1), trans-N-feruloyltyramine (2), trans-N-caffeoyltyramine (3), and dihydro-N-caffeoyltyramine (4). Four phenolic amides showed differently inhibitory activities on TNF-alpha-induced NF-kappaB activation. Trans-N-caffeoyltyramine (3) was identified as the key component with an IC50 of 18.41 micromol x L(-1). It was suggested that the hydroxyl group at C-3 in trans-N-caffeoyltyramine might be a key binding site and its C-7,8-double bond might play an important role on NF-kappaB inhibitory activities as the link of the conjugation of pi electrons leading to a partial planar conformation. It might be inferred that the biological activity of compound 3 is attributed to the structure of Michael reaction acceptor containing alpha, beta-unsaturated ketones and benzene along with hydroxyl group in o-diphenol.
Biological Assay ; Cell Line ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Inflammation Mediators ; antagonists & inhibitors ; immunology ; Lycium ; chemistry ; Molecular Structure ; NF-kappa B ; antagonists & inhibitors ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of bacillus Callmette-Guérin (BCG) on cytotxicity of cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) from human peripheral blood of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) for killing HL-60 cells in vitro.

METHODSThe mononuclear cells were isolated from peripheral blood of ALL children and healthy children, and were cultured with RPMI1640, interleukin-2 (IL-2), phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and BCG.The growth of CTLs was observed by light microscopy. The proportions of CD3, CD3+CD4+ and CD3+CD8+ were determined by flow cytometry 10 days after culture. MTT method was performed to detect the cytotoxicity of CTLs for killing HL-60 cells.

RESULTSNeither the cell number nor the volume of CTLs changed significantly within 2 days of culture, but both began increasing on the 3rd day of culture and reached a peak on the 6-10th days. On the 10th day of culture, the cell number of CTLs in the BCG treatment group was much higher than in the group without BCG treatment. The CD3+CD8+ proportion in the leukemia group was much higher than in the control group. With the effect of BCG, the CD3+CD8+ proportion of the two groups became much higher. The cytotoxicity of CTLs for killing HL-60 cells in the leukemia group was weaker than in the control group.

CONCLUSIONSBCG along with IL-2 and PHA promotes the proliferation of CTLs and enhances the ability of CTLs in killing HL-60 cells.

Child, Preschool ; Cytotoxicity, Immunologic ; Female ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; Interleukin-2 ; pharmacology ; Lymphocyte Activation ; Male ; Mycobacterium bovis ; immunology ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; immunology ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic ; immunology

Objective To evaluate the clinical usefulness of Treponema pallidum IgM Western blot (TP-IgM-WB) test in the diagnosis of neonatal congenital syphilis. Methods Eight cases of neonatal congenital syphilis, whose mothers were diagnosed as syphilis at different pregnant stages, were tested by TRUST, TPPA, FTA-ABS-19S-IgM and TP-IgM-WB. The results and clinical manifestations were analysed. Results Three of 8 cases presented clinical manifestations of congenital syphilis, including typical cutaneous lesions, syphilitic pneumonia, and multi-system failure. The others were asymptomatic. In all 8 cases TP-IgM-WB was positive. Of them 7 cases FTA-ABS-19S-IgM was positive. Six cases (including 3 symptomatic) were positive to all four tests. One case was positive to FTA-ABS-19S-IgM and TP-IgM-WB, but negative to TRUST and TPPA. One case was negative to FTA-ABS-19S-IgM, but positive to TPPA, TP-IgM-WB and TRUST, and TRUST titer was 4 times as high as her mother. Conclusions In view of its high specificity and sensitivity, TP-IgM-WB could be used as a confirmatory test for the diagnosis of both symptomatic and asymptomatic neonatal congenital syphilis.

Background The condition of the sclera is associated with many ocular diseases.The measurement of human scleral thickness in vivo is helpful for us to understand the features of the sclera and related diseases.Objective The present study was to measure the anterior sclera thickness(AST) in patients with senile cataract and to analyze the relationship among AST and other associated ocular parameters.Methods This study was approved by the Ethic Commission of First Hospital of Peking University.Written informed consent was obtained from each individual prior to examination.One hundred and five senile cataract patients were recruited in this study.Central corneal thickness (CCT),corneal curvature (CCV) and axial length were measured using ultrasonic pachymeter,keratometer,and A-scan unit,respectively.The AST was measured at 2 mm posterior to the scleral spur in the temporal meridian using ultrasound biomicroscope (UBM).The differences of CCT,CCV,ocular axial length and AST between bilateral eyes and the different sexes were compared by the Paired test and independent sample t test.The correlations among various parameters were assessed by the Pearson linear correlation analysis.The differences of CCT and AST among different axial length groups were evaluated by one-way ANOVA.Results No significant differences were found in the CCT,CCV,axial length and AST between bilateral eyes (t =0.584,P =0.561 ; t =1.161,P =0.248 ; t =0.140,P =0.889 ; t =0.342,P =0.773).Temporal AST at 2 mm posterior to the sclera spur was (0.589 ±0.051)mm in the right eyes.An insignificant decline in CCT was found in the male group compared with the female group (right eyes:t =0.469,P =0.641 ; left eyes:t =0.465,P =0.643).However,compared with the female group,the increase of axial length,reduction of the mean CCV value and enhancement of the mean AST were observed(right eyes:all P＜0.01 ;left eyes:all P＜0.01).CCV showed a negative correlation with ocular axial length (r =-0.50,P＜0.01),but no significant correlation was found among age,CCT,ocular axial length and AST(P＞0.05).No remarkable differences were found in CCT and AST among the various axial length groups (CCT:F =0.998,P=0.372;AST:F=1.919,P=0.383).Conclusions In senile cataract patients,correlation is not found between AST and CCT;the increase of axial length is not associated with the thinning of the eyeball wall to a certain extent.Differences exist in some ocular parameters between different sexes.

Background A close relation between sclera thickness and glaucoma has been determined.Clinical features vary in different types of glaucoma patients,which hints that the scleral thickness might be distinct among these patients.Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the differences of central corneal thickness(CCT),anterior scleral thickness(AST) and axial length in glaucomatous patients.Methods This study was approved by the Ethic Commission of First Hospital of Peking University.Written informed consent was obtained from each individual prior to the examination.A retrospective descriptive study was designed.One hundred and sixty consecutive patients were recruited from March,2009 to November,2010 in First Hospital of Peking University,including 35 eyes with primary angle closure glaucoma(PACG) (35 cases),34 eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma POAG) (34 cases),37 eyes with normal tension glaucoma(NTG) (37 cases)and 17 eyes of ocular hypertension OHT) (17 cases).Thirty-seven eyes of 37 subjects with incipient cataract served as the control group.CCT and ocular axial length were measured with ultrasonic pachymeter and A-scan unit,respectively,and AST at the temporal quadrant 2 mm posterior to the scleral spur was measured by ultrasonic biomicroscopy (UBM).The measuring parameters among different groups were compared by analysis of covariance,and the correlations of AST,CCT with ocular axial length were analyzed using Pearson linear correlation and linear regression.The differences and correlation of CCT,AST and AL among five groups were analyzed.Results The CCT values in PACG group,POAG group,NTG group,OHT group and control group were (535.54 ± 5.20),(550.47 ± 5.28),(521.61 ± 5.07),(575.75 ± 7.76) and (535.06± 5.06) μm,respectively,showing a significant difference among them (F =9.560,P =0.000),and the CCT value of OHT group was increased in comparison with POAG group,PACG group,NTG group and control group(all P =0.000).The CCT of the POAG group was thicker than that in the PACG group,NTG group and control group(P=0.046,0.000,0.040).No significant difference was found in CCT among NTG group,PACG group and control group(P=0.950,0.060).The AST values of PACG group,POAG group,NTG group,OHT group and control group were(0.593±0.050),(0.600±0.050),(0.592-±0.060),(0.610-±0.060) and(0.604±0.060) mm,respectively,showing a insignificant difference among them (F =0.700,P =0.590).The axial length in the patients with PACG was shorter than that of the POAG group,NTG group,OHT group and control group (all P =0.000).The Pearson correlation analysis showed significantly positive correlation between CCT and AST in POAG group and NTG group(r=0.445,P=0.008;r=0.400,P=0.014).Conclusions This study confirms that there is dissimilarity in CCT but not in AST among different types of glaucomatous patients.The changes of CCT and AST are consistent in POAG and NTG patients.

Objective To investigate the changes of calcium /calmodulin - dependent protein kinase Ⅱ (CAMKⅡD) gene expression in 3T3 - L1 preadipocyte diffe-rentiation and TNF - ? regulation of CAMKⅡD gene expression on matured adipocytes. Methods 3T3 - L1 preadipocytes were cultured and differentiated into adipocytes. The levels of CAMKⅡD gene mRNA expression at various times were evaluated by RT-PCR. Matured adipocytes were interfered with 0.1,1.0,10.0 ?g/L TNF - ? and the levels of CAMKⅡD gene mRNA expression were evaluated. Results The levels of CAMKⅡD gene mRNA expression in 3T3 - L1 adipocytes were significantly down- regulated at first day, compared with those at zero day (P0. 05). CAMKⅡD gene mRNA expression decreased significantly at 12 hours after treatment with 10.0 ?g/L TNF-?, treatment of matured adipocytes with TNF - ? did not have any regulation role on it. Conclusions CAMKⅡD gene is involved in the differentiation of adipocytes and related to the etiology of obesity. The changes in the level of CAMKⅡD gene mRNA expression during 3T3 - L1 preadipocyte differentiation may contribute to the differentiation and adipogenesis of adipocytes. It seems that TNF - ? does not have any regulation role on the expression of CAMKⅡD genes.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of large dose mucosolvan combined variant flow rate continuous positive airway by nasal mask on neonatal respiratory distress syndrome(NRDS).Methods One hundred and fourteen newborns with NRDS were randomly divided into treatment group(58 cases) and control group(56 cases),on the base of same combined therapy,the cases in control group only underwent oxygen-absorbing by head set with the flow rate 4-6 L/min,and the cases in treatment group were given large dose mucosolvan(Ambroxol Hydrochloride) 30 mg/(kg?d) + 5%GS 20 mL,for two times and variant flow rate continuous positive airway by nasal mask(NCPAP),the parameter setting flow rate 6-8 L/min,FiO_2 0.4-0.6,pressure 5-8 cm H_2O.The clinical symptom and blood gas analysis after 12 and 48 hours were observed and compared the changes of pa(O_2),pa(CO_2),pa(O_2)/FiO_2 in two groups.Results The dyspnea and groan in 44 cases in the treatment group lessoned or vanished,pa(O_2) rised and pa(CO_2) lowered,the oxygenation index obviously increased,the cases with RDS grade Ⅰand gradeⅡ had better therapeutic effect,and the cases with RDS grade Ⅲ(X-ray)and Ⅳ had not manifest effect,the total effective rate was 75.8% in treatment group and 26.7% in control group.There were significant difference in therapeutic effect and oxygenation index between two groups.Conclusions Large dose mucosolvan(combi)-ning variant flow rate continuous positive airway by nasal mask can significantly improve the ventilation and oxygenation function and there are significant therapeutic effect in NRDS,especially in the NRDS grade Ⅰand gradeⅡ,the trachea cannula may be avoided and mechanical ventilation rate may be decreased if the therapeutic method can be used in earlier period.

Objective To explore the changes of positron emission tomography(PET)in newborn infants with HIE through 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose(18F-FDG)and it's significance.Methods Eleven healthy newborn infants and 8 newborn infants with HIE were selected.Among the healthy newborns,7 cases were male and 4 cases were female,and the mean birth-weight was(3 350?620)g,the gestational age was(37.9?1.3)weeks.Among the HIE neonates,5 cases were male and 3 cases were female,and the mean birth weight was(3 180?390)g,the gestational age was(37.1?2.4)weeks.There were no significant differences of sex and gestational age between the 2 groups.The examination time was form 3 to 21 d,and the mean age was(8.7?3.9)d.PET of the children in 2 groups were observed after 0.1 mCi/kg 18F-FDG injected 30 min.Results The brain 18F-FDG PET image in newborn infants was relatively high in thalamus,and relatively low in cerebral cortex,whereas the total brain was different with that of the adults,and that was not as clear as that of adults.Especially in the area of cerebral cortex,the uptake of glucose was relatively higher.The structure of brain 18F-FDG image was significantly changed in newborn infants with HIE,especially increased in the areas of peripheral ventricle and hypophloeodal cerebral white matter,and there was a remarkably bilateral asymmetry.Conclusions Neonatal brain picture by 18F-FDG PET is a new tool for predicting the brain function,and its clinical values need further investigating.

One hundred Pseudomonas aeruginosa quorum-sensing-related genes were selected and their primers were synthesized. The fragments of specific sequences which are related QS genes were amplified by PCR. These verified sequences were inserted into the vector pMD-18T for sequencing. These DNA fragments were dotted onto glass slides to make cDNA microarray. Hybridization was performed with cy3/cy5-dCTP labeled probes. The scanning data of early stationary phase and mid-logarithmic phase indicated that 9 genes were up-regulated and 6 genes were down-regulated. Undergoing the different medicines,we took tobramycin as an example to compare the expression diversity. The results confirm that the QS cDNA chip is useful,and may contribute to better understand the mechanism of quorum-sensing,and can help us find the new targets for restraining the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.