Objecfive To investigate the role of serum Insulin-like growth factor(IGF)-1,insulinlike growth factor-binding potein(IGFBP)-3 in children with Henoch-Schonlein purpura(HSP).Methods The serum concentration of IGF-1,1GFBP-3 was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)method in 45 acute SHP patients,40 recoverv patients and 30 healthy controls.Results The serum levels of IGF-1 [(452±183)μg/L],IGFBP-3 [(13 897±3124)μg/L] and C-reactive protein(CRP)[(20±8)mg/L]in acute phase were significantly higher than those in healthy controls(P<0.0 1)and higher than those during recovery period.The serum level of IGF-1,IGFBP-3 for the HSP patients dropped back slowly and their levels during recovery period were the same as those in healthy controls(P>0.05).The serum levels of IGF-1[(621±253)μg/L] and IGFBP-3[(18 763±3173)μg/L] were higher in the renal damage group than in the non-renal damage group(P<0.01).and the same in patients with gastrointestinal symptoms group as in patients without gastrointestinal symptoms group(P>0.05).whereas the serum level of CRP was not significantly different(P>0.05).The serum levels of IGF-1,IGFBP-3 showed positive correlation with the level of CRP(r=0.624,0.672,P<0.01).Conclusion The IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 may play an important role in the pathological mechanism of HSP.The level of IGF-1 may be used as an indicator for HSP disease activity and progression.IGF-1 mav have a close relation with the damageof renaJ system in HSP.

Melatonin has been reported to inhibit hepatic fibrosis and the mechanism may be correlated to its anti-oxidant effect.Nevertheless,the mechanism is not completely identified.This study was conducted to investigate the effects of melatonin on TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway in liver fibrosis in rats.The liver fibrosis model was made by the subcutaneous injection of CCl4.The liver pathology changes were detected using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and Van Gieson (VG) staining.Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities were measured with an autoanalyzer.Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities and levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydroxyproline (Hyp) in liver were evaluated by spectrophotometry.Expression levels of TGF-β1,Smad2/3,phosphorylated Smad2/3 (p-Smad2/3) and Smad7 in liver were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis.Results showed that melatonin suppressed CC14-induced liver fibrosis,along with an improvement in histological changes,significant decreases in pathologic grading sores and obvious decreases in Hyp levels in liver.Melatonin improved liver function indicated by decreased serum ALT and AST activities.In addition,melatonin exerted its anti-oxidant effects,as supported by decreased MDA levels and increased GPx activities in liver.Furthermore,melatonin inhibited TGF-β1/Smad pathway,as evidenced by decreased TGF-β1,Smad2/3 and p-Smad2/3 expression and increased Smad7 expression in liver.In conclusion,melatonin may suppress CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats via inhibiting TGF-β1/Smad pathway.It is possible for melatonin to be a potential reagent to treat and cure liver fibrosis.

Objective To study interleukin-1 receptor(IL-1R) and connexin(Cx36) gene expression following Mg 2+-free-induced seizures in cultured developing neuron. Methods Rat embryo cortical neurons cultured for 6 and 17 days were exposed to Mg 2+-free media to induce seizure. At different time after Mg 2+-free treatment, real-time RT-PCR was used to detect IL-1R and Cx36 mRNA expression. Results 1. IL-1R mRNA expression transiently decreased after Mg 2+-free treatment in neurons cultured for 6 and 17 days in vitro. Then the levels of IL-1R mRNA expression recovered in neurons cultured for 6 days, but IL-1R mRNA expression were increased in neurons cultured for 17 days compared with control group and the peak was at 24 hours. 2. In neurons cultured for 6 days in vitro, Cx36 mRNA expression increased after Mg 2+-free treatment compared with control group, the peak was at 24 hours. But in neurons cultured for 17 days in vitro, Cx36 mRNA expression decreased at 6 hours after Mg 2+-free treatment compared with control group, the peak was at 24 hours. Conclusions IL-1R mRNA and Cx36 mRNA expression following Mg 2+-free-induced seizures are different between the neurons cultured for 6 and 17 days in vitro. This is possibly related to the different neuron injury between 6 and 17 days in vitro following seizures.

AIM:To observe related biological parameters of 3 minutes dark-room provocative test in patients with laser peripheral iridectomy(LPI) in the fellow eyes of acute primary angle-closure (APAC) by ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM).To explore the risk factors in primary angle closure suspect(PACS) patients with progressive angle closure after LPI.METHODS: Seventy-eight eyes of APAC patients without peripheral anterior synechia were selected.Each eye underwent 3 minutes dark-room provocative test after LPI.Anterior segment parameters, including anterior chamber depth (ACD), anterior chamber angle open distance500 (AOD500), peripheral iris thickness (PIT), iris convex (IC), the position of iris insertion and trabecular-ciliary process distance (TCPD), and the number of positional angle closure(NPAC) were observed and analyzed by statistic methods.RESULTS:Patients with APAC were examined by UBM after LPI and 26 eyes(33%) occurs at least one positional angle closure,19 eyes(24%)were positive in 3 minutes dark-room provocative test among them.It occurs a positive relationship between the elevation intraocular pressure and the number of positional angle closure in dark-room provocative test(r=0.84, P<0.01).AOD500, IT and IC were significantly changed from normal light to darkroom between positional angle closure positive group and positional angle closure negative group(all P<0.01).In single factor analysis, AOD500(P=0.003), IT(P=0.012), IC(P=0.043), TPCD(P=0.015), the position of iris insertion(P=0.024) were correlative factors of positive results.In multiple-factor analysis, only IT(P=0.011), TPCD(P=0.009), iris root attachment points(P=0.02) were independent risk factors of positive results.CONCLUSION:A certain proportion of patients with PACS after LPI appeared positional angle closure in a dark room.Peripheral iris hypertrophy, anterior displacement of the ciliary body and iris root attachment points are vital risk factors.Long-term follow-up study and intervention treatment are required in these patients after LPI.

OBJECTIVETo study the preparation of Venenum Bufonis beta-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes.

METHODAn optimal condition was established by the uniform design. Under the optimal conditions the Venenum Bufonis beta-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes were prepared with 5 different methods.

RESULTThe ball grinding method was superior to other four methods. The bufadienolide inclusion rate of Venenum Bufonis beta-cyclodextrin prepared with ball grinding method was 85.42%.

CONCLUSIONBall grinding method is the best method for the preparation of Venenum Bufonis beta-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes.

Amphibian Venoms ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Animals ; Bufanolides ; Bufo bufo ; Cholenes ; analysis ; Cyclodextrins ; Drug Carriers ; Drug Stability ; Materia Medica ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Solubility ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; beta-Cyclodextrins

AIM: To investigate the efficacy and safety of needle revision with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on the dysfunctional filtering blebs after trabeculectomy and to assess the factors that may impact the success.
METHODS:Eighty- three eyes in 76 patients underwent the needle revision and 5-FU subconjunctive injection for the dysfunctional blebs after trabeculectomy and were followed up for 12mo. The intraocular pressure ( IOP), the number of drugs, corneal endothclium, bleb morphology and complications were observed and recorded.
RESULTS: IOP decreased significantly from 35. 3 ±5. 8mmHg(1kPa = 7. 5mmHg) of pre - needling to 17. 0 ±4. 3mmHg of post - needling ( P < 0. 01 ); the average numbers of medications decreased significantly from 1. 7±0. 9 of pre-needing to 0. 4±0. 7 of post-needing (P<0. 01). At 12mo after needling, the success rate of filtering blebs was 89. 2% and the complete success rate was 69. 9%. The Kaplan - Meier survival analysis estimated mean survival period was 11. 0mo (95% CI: 10. 3 - 11. 6). Statistically, there were no significant difference on needling effect with reference to the types of glaucoma, the use of mitomycin C ( MMC ) during the previous filtration surgery, the ages of patients, the intervals of needling operation from previous trabeculectomy, while there were significant difference on needling effect with reference to bleb appearance before needling, and the mean number of needling in patients that had surgery within 3mo were less than those who had surgery for more than 3mo.
CONCLUSION: The needle revision combined with 5-FU is a safe, effective and simple method. Dysfunctional blebs should be treated early after trabeculectomy.

Objective To study the influence of mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs) implantation on ventricular remodeling and heart function after myocardial infarcion. Methods Bone marrow was aspirated from Gui-zhou Xiang swines.After being isolated,cultured and co-cultured with 5-azacytidine,either autologous MSCs(experiment group) or a comparable volume of physiologic saline(control group) were injected into the infarcted myocardium.Three and six weeks later,echocardiographic measurement was performed to assess the myocardial structure and heart function,and single photon emission computed tomography(SPECT) was employed for myocardial imaging.Implanted stem cells were detected by the anti-Brdv antibody DAB with HE staining. Results Left ventricular ejection fraction(EF),fractional shortening and wall thickening were higher in experiment group than control group.The thickness of the ventricular wall and septum was found increased while the left ventricular chamber size was smaller in experiment group.It was indicated by SPECT that three and six weeks after implantation,there was obvious image defect in control group while in experiment group there were some imaging areas in the infarcted area.Brdv-labelled cells were observed in the central part of and around the infarcted area.Conclusion Implantation of MSCs into the infarcted myocardium is believed to attenuate the remodeling process,inhibit the extent of wall thinning and dilatation of the ventricular chamber.MSCs implantation may also improve the contractile ability of the myocardium and heart function.

OBJECTIVE: To extract sperm DNA from mixed stain by the modified differential lysis method combined with silicon bead method and to evaluate its application value. METHODS: Fifty-two mixed stains containing female STR genotypes detected by differential lysis method were collected. The sperm DNA was extracted by the modified method combined with silicon bead method, then genotyped with the Identifiler Kit, and compared with the results of genotyping by the conventional differential lysis method as control. RESULTS: Of the 52 samples, 38 samples with sole male STR genotypes in all loci were detected. The detection rate of male STR genotypes was 98.08% through the modified method combined with silicon bead method. CONCLUSION The modified differential lysis method combined with silicon bead method can be used in extraction of sperm DNA from mixed stain.
DNA/isolation & purification* ; DNA Fingerprinting ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Silicon ; Spermatozoa

AIMTo prepare heart-protecting musk pH-dependent gradient-release pellets and investigate the drug release in vitro and in vivo.

METHODSThe pH-dependent gradient-release pellet system was prepared by using HPMC, Eudragit L-30D-55 and Eudragit L100-Eudragit S100 (1:5) combinations as coater. The release of borneol and total ginsenoside from pH-dependent gradient-release pellets were determined according to the method of Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China (2000) in the simulated gastrointestinal pH conditions. The gastrointestinal transit and disintegration of pellets was investigated by using gamma-scintigraphic trace in volunteers. The pharmacokinetics of borneol of heart-protecting musk pH-dependent gradient-release pellets was studied in 6 healthy volunteers by GC methods.

RESULTSThe f2 value of release data of borneol and total ginsenoside of the heart-protecting musk pH-dependent gradient-release pellets was 79.6 in the simulated gastrointestinal pH conditions. The gamma-scintigraphic trace evaluation demonstrated that the pellets coated with HPMC, Eudragit L-30D-55 or Eudragit L100-Eudragit S100 (1:5) combinations can disintegrate in stomach, duodenum and jejunum or ileum. The gastrointestinal transit time of pellets was about 5 hours in fasted state and about 6 hours in fed state. The concentration-time curves of borneol of heart-protecting musk pills fit in two-compartment model. The pharmacokinetics data showed that borneol had a short time of absorption and elimination. The mean residence time (MRT) of borneol of heart-protecting musk pills was 2.61 hours. The plasma concentration of borneol of heart-protecting musk sustained-release capsule which consisted of three kinds of pellets coated with HPMC, Eudragit L-30D-55 or Eudragit L100-Eudragit S100 (1:5) combinations was steadier than those of heart-protecting musk pills, its Cmax was lower than and Tmax was near to those of heart-protecting musk pills, its MRT was 4.0 hours, and its relative bioavailability was 96%.

CONCLUSIONThe lipidsoluble borneol and watersoluble total ginsenoside of heart-protecting musk pH-dependent gradient-release pellets can release simultaneously while sustained-releasing in vitro. The heart-protecting musk pH-dependent gradient-release pellets had the characteristics of pH-dependent gradient-releasing and disintegration while transiting in gastrointestinal tract. A characteristic of gradient sustained-release was shown in the concentration-time curves of borneol of heart-protecting musk sustained-release capsule in volunteers.

Adult ; Bornanes ; pharmacokinetics ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated ; administration & dosage ; Gastrointestinal Transit ; Ginsenosides ; pharmacokinetics ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Lactose ; analogs & derivatives ; Male ; Materia Medica ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Methylcellulose ; analogs & derivatives ; Oxazines ; Polymethacrylic Acids ; Random Allocation

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between 1137-1140 Del GTGA in exon 1 at KCNN3 gene and schizophrenia.

METHODSThe study included 289 subjects (affected 107; unaffected 182) from 95 schizophrenic trios. All subjects were collected from Han Chinese in south China and genotyped for 1137-1140 Del GTGA in KCNN3 using PCR and restriction endonuclease Dde I. All the affected patients met the CCMD-II-R criteria for schizophrenia. The haplotype-based haplotype relative risk(HHRR) and transmission/disequilibrium test(TDT) analyses were done in 95 schizophrenic trios.

RESULTSComparative analysis on the distribution of alleles between the affected and unaffected parents(87 family trios) showed no significant difference(X(2)=0.253, P> 0.05). HHRR showed that KCNN3 gene alleles transmitted to the patients were not different from that of the non-transmitted parental alleles(X(2)=0.042, P> 0.05). TDT revealed that A(2) alleles were not preferentially transmitted to schizophrenic patients(X(2)=3.000, P=0.0833).

CONCLUSIONIn this study a lower frequency for 1137-1140 Del homozygote of KCNN3 gene was observed, and the HHRR and TDT analyses suggested that the 1137-1140 Del alleles of KCNN3 gene be unlikely to confer susceptibility to schizophrenia.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Family Health ; Female ; Frameshift Mutation ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Haplotypes ; genetics ; Humans ; Linkage Disequilibrium ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nuclear Family ; Schizophrenia ; genetics ; Small-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels ; genetics ; Young Adult