Objective To study on the changes of the DNT cells and T lymphocyte subtype in children with infectious mononucleosis (IM) and its clinical significance.Methods The flow cytometry (FCM) was used to detected the DNT cells and other T lymphocyte subtype in 48 cases of IM.Results The study showed that DNT cells( 9.39 ± 4.89 )% were greatly increased in comparison with normal controls (NC) (4.26 ± 1.68)% ( P ＜0.01 ).CD4 cells(21.45 ±9.87)% were decreased ( P ＜0.01 ) and CD8 cells increased in comparison with NC (32.43 ± 5.07) % ( P ＜ 0.01 ).Conclusion DNT cells and T lymphocyte subtype can be used to evaluate the immune function of children with infectious mononucleosis (IM) and provide guidance for adoptive immunotherapy.

Objective Little is known about the role of low oxygen concentration in the formation of the capsule of Cryptococ -cus neoformans .This study was to investigate the effect of hypoxic condition on the capsule size of Cryptococcus neoformans . Methods We cultured 39 Cryptococcus neoformans strains in liquid Sabouraud medium and then incubated them at the normoxic (21%) and hypoxic concentration (1%), respectively.After 72 hours of incubation, we observed the capsules formed at different ox-ygen conditions under the Olympus microscope and the measured their sizes using the Axiovision software . Results Of the total number of Cryptococcus neoformans strains , 30 showed larger capsules in the normoxic than in the hypoxic condition , 17 with statisti-cally significant differences in their diameters (P<0.05), while the other 9 strains exhibited just the opposite results , 4 with statisti-cally significant differences in their diameters ( P<0.05). Conclusion Hypoxia might inhibit the growth of the Cryptococcus neoformans capsule.However, further studies are needed on its correlation with the serum or gene types of the Cryptococcus neofor-mans strain.

Objective Trichophyton rubrum strains can cause superficial infection and also deep tissue infection, but relevant animal model has not been reported yet.The aim of this study was to construct an animal model of granuloma infected by T.rubrum. Methods Three T.rubrum strains isolated from clinical granuloma tissues, 2 T.rubrum strains isolated from tinea infection and a standard strain of ATCCMYA4438 were selected.Corticosteroids were given to the Balb/C mice before and after the injection of the T. rubrum and mucin suspension and the mice model of granuloma was established.Direct microcopy, culture and histopathologic method were adopt to verify the infection effects. Results The mice inoculated with the T.rubrum granuloma strains with mucin suspension were examined after 21 days in the condition of applying appropriate dose of glucocorticoids.Direct microscopic examination showed the slender mycelium, fungal culture showed the growth of colony and histopathology showed excessive keratinization of foot tissue, formation of granuloma in the dermis with inflammatory cell infiltration of neutro-philic granulocyte and lymphocytes.However, the mice inoculated with the T.Rubrum tinea strains with mucin suspension showed the negative result. Conclusion The rubrum granuloma mice model can be es-tablished using the clinical isolates of T.rubrum granuloma strains with the mucin and glucocorticoids interventions.

Objective To evaluate the effect of modified Maze lines plus pulmonary vein (PV) isolation created by radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) on atrial wall guided by a novel geometry mapping system in the treatment of elderly patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). Methods After regular electrophysiological study, transseptal punctures were achieved twice with Swartz L1 and R1 sheaths. PV angiographies were conducted to evaluate their orifices and branches. A balloon electrode array catheter with 64 electrodes was put in the middle of the left atrium. Atrium geometry was constructed using Ensite 3000 Navx system. Two RFCA lesion loops and three lines (modified Maze) were created on left and right atrial walls. Each lesion point was ablated for 30 seconds with preset temperature 50 (ae) and energy 30W. The disappearance or 80% decrease of the amplitude of target atrial potential and 10 to 20(|), decrease of ablation impedance were used as an index of effective ablation. Results A total of 11 patients (7 male and 4 female, mean age, 68.7±5.1 years) were enrolled. PAF history was 7.9±4.5 years. PAF could not be prevented by mean 3.1±1.6 antiarrhythmic agents in 6.3±3.4 years. None of the patients had complications with structural heart disease or stroke. Left atrial diameter was 41.3±3.6 mm and LVEF was 59.2±3.7% on echocardiography. Two loops and three lines were completed with 67.8±13.1 (73-167) lesion points. Altogether 76-168 (89.4±15.3) lesion points were created in each patient. PAF could not be provoked by rapid burst pacing up to 600 beat per minute delivered from paroxysmal coronary sinus electrode pair.Complete PV electrical isolation was confirmed by three-dimensional activation mapping. Mean procedure time was 2.7±0.6 hours and fluoroscopy time was 17.8±9.4 minutes. Patients were discharged with oral aspirin and without antiarrhythmic agents. During follow up of 6.5±1.8 months, seven patients were PAF symptom free (63.6%). PAF attacks were decreased more than 70% in two patients (18.2%). PAF frequency did not change in another two patients (18.2%). Conclusions Ensite 3000 Navx guided modified Maze lines plus PV isolation on the atrial wall is safe and feasible in the elderly patients. It has the advantages of exact procedural endpoint, shorter X-ray exposure, fewer complications and satisfied long-term effect PAF control.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Bushen Wenyang Huayu Recipe (BSWYHYR) on nerve growth factor (NGF) and transient receptor potential vanilloid receptor I (TRPV1) in experimental endometriosis (EMT), and to explore its mechanism for treating EMT-induced pain.

METHODSTotally in-bred line BALB/c 75 female mice were divided into five groups, i.e., the sham-operation group, the model group, the high dose BSWYHYR group, the low dose BSWYHYR group, the gestrinone group, 15 in each group. Writhing response was observed in each group. Serum contents of NGF were detected using ELISA. Expression levels of NGF and TRPV1 in uterus and ectopic foci were detected using immunohistochemical staining SP and Western blot. mRNA expression levels of NGF and TRPV1 in uterus and ectopic foci were detected by Real-time PCR.

RESULTSThe serum NGF content in the model group was higher than that in the sham-operation group (P < 0.01), and there was positive correlation between NGF and the writhing frequency (r = 0.574, P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, serum levels of NGF significantly decreased in the 3 treatment groups (P < 0.05). Compared with the sham-operation group, mRNA and protein expression levels of NGF and TRPV1 increased significantly in the model group (P < 0.01). Protein expression levels of NGF and TRPV1 decreased significantly in the 3 treatment groups, when compared with the model group (P < 0.01). mRNA expression levels of NGF and TRPV1 decreased most in the high dose BSWYHYR group (P < 0.01). NGF in uterus and ectopic foci was positively correlated with protein and mRNA expression levels of TRPV1 (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSNGF and TRPV1 participated in the occurrence of pain in EMS. BSWYHYR played an important role in inhibiting EMT-induced pain through reducing the up-regulation of NGF on TRPV1.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Endometriosis ; Female ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Nerve Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Pain ; RNA, Messenger ; TRPV Cation Channels ; metabolism ; Up-Regulation ; Uterus

OBJECTIVETo investigate the pathology characteristic of femoral atherosclerosis through the comparision among femoral, carotid and coronary atherosclerosis.

METHODS15 elder autopsy cases were selected. Serial sections of femoral artery, carotid artery and coronary artery of all the cases were taken. Part of the tissue sections were selected for immunohistochemistry staining. Three markers against alpha-smooth muscle actin, CD68, and bax were performed respectively.

RESULTSOn the whole, both femoral and coronary atherosclerosis had a similar pathology characteristic in the lesion style and the distribution of smooth muscle cells and macrophages in the plaques. In comparing with the coronary atheroma, there were more smooth muscle cells and less macrophages in the femoral atherosclerotic plaques, expression of bax in macrophages stronger, and the expression of bax in smooth muscle cell was weaker. The pathology characteristic of femoral and carotid atherosclerosis was somewhat similar.

CONCLUSIONSThe pathology characteristic of atherosclerotic lesion in femoral artery was principally consistent with that of the coronary atherosclerosis except some differences presented in certain indexes.

Actins ; metabolism ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic ; metabolism ; Atherosclerosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Carotid Arteries ; metabolism ; pathology ; Coronary Artery Disease ; metabolism ; pathology ; Coronary Vessels ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Femoral Artery ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Macrophages ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; metabolism ; pathology ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe and compare the effects of 17beta-estradiol (EST) on the phasic and tonic contractile activities of the uterine smooth muscles of SD rats in vitro.

METHODSDifferent concentrations of 17beta-estradiol were added into the perfusion muscular sockets containing uterine smooth muscles of SD rats, and the activities of muscle contraction were recorded at the same time.

RESULTS17beta-estradiol had obvious depression effects on spontaneous rhythmic contraction of the uterine smooth muscles in a concentration-dependent manner, it could considerably decrease muscular tension, the mean amplitudes and frequencies of contractile waves (P < 0.01); it could also suppress the uterine contraction stimulated by KCl, CaCl2 or prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha). Based on the contraction of uterine smooth muscle stimulated by KCl, IC50 was 7.278 micromol/L and pD2 was -0.862 when calculated by linear regression method. 17beta-estradiol could also inhibit the maximal CaC12 contraction of uterine smooth muscle in the Ca2+ free Krebs solution, which the ECQ was 1.422 x 10(-3) mol/L, pD2 was 2.847 (control), but the E50 was 3.028 x 10(-3) mol/L, p2 was 2.519 (added with EST) when calculated by linear regression method.

CONCLUSIONThe depression effects of 17beta-estradiol on the spontaneous rhythmic contraction and activated contraction of the uterine smooth muscles of SD rats could be mediated through the blockage of C2+ influx through potential-dependent Ca2+ channels of plasma membrane.

Animals ; Estradiol ; pharmacology ; Female ; Muscle, Smooth ; drug effects ; Myometrium ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Uterine Contraction ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of DADLE, a δ-opioid receptor agonist, on the proliferation of human liver cancer HepG2 cells and explore the mechanism involving PKC pathway.

METHODSHepG2 cells were treated with DADLE at different doses (0.01, 0.1, 1.0 and 10 µmol/L). Cell viability was determined using methyl thiazolyl terazolium (MTT) assay. The expression of PKC mRNA and p-PKC protein were examined by RT-PCR and Western blot assay. After treated separately with DADLE plusing NAL or PMA, the cell cycle of HepG2 cells was analyzed by flow cytometer. MTT was used to detect their proliferation capacity and Western blot was used to examine the p-PKC expression. The growth inhibitory rate of HepG2 cells treated with DADLE and cis-diammine dichloridoplatinum (CDDP) was analyzed.

RESULTSDADLE at different concentrations showed an inhibitory effect on the proliferation of HepG2 cells though inhibiting the expression of PKC mRNA and p-PKC protein. The results of flow cytometry showed that compared with the control group, the percentage of S + G(2)/M cells in DADLE-treated group was lowered by 3.94% (P < 0.01). Meanwhile, after treated with NAL and PMA, the percentage was elevated by 3.22% and 3.63%, respectively (P < 0.01). The MTT and Western blot assays showed that compared with the control group, the values of A570 and p-PKC protein levels in the HepG2 cells of DADLE-treated group were significantly decreased (P < 0.01). After treatment with NAL and PMA, the values of A570 and p-PKC protein levels were elevated significantly (P < 0.01). The growth inhibitory rate of DADLE + CDDP group was 79.9%, significantly lower than 25.2% and 43.2% of the DADLE and CDDP groups, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSActivation of δ-opioid receptor by DADLE inhibits the apoptosis of human liver cancer HepG2 cells. The underlying mechanism may be correlated with PKC pathway. DADLE can enhance the chemosensitivity of HepG2 cells to CDDP.

Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cisplatin ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Enkephalin, Leucine-2-Alanine ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Naltrexone ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Phosphorylation ; Protein Kinase C ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Receptors, Opioid, delta ; agonists ; Signal Transduction ; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between blood pressure variability (BPV) and combined cardiovascular events in 5-10 years in patients with hypertension.

METHODSA total of 367 hypertensive patients treated in our hospital from January, 2000 to January, 2005 were analyzed, and their BPV was assessed in comparison with 145 normotensive individuals. The hypertensive patients were classified into high BPV group and low BPV group, and the general clinical data and biochemical profiles were compared. The relationship between BPV and combined cardiovascular events of the patients within 5-10 years were explored.

RESULTSCompared with the normotensive individuals, the hypertensive patients showed significantly increased standard deviation and coefficient of variation of 24-h systolic blood pressure (SBP), 24-h diastolic blood pressrue (DBP), daytime SBP, daytime DBP, night-time SBP and night-time DBP (P<0.01). The percentages of drinking, smoking, diabetes and coronary heart disease were significantly higher in patients with high BPV than those with lower BPV (P<0.01 or 0.05); uric acid, homocysteine, urinary protein/creatinine ratio and urinary microalbumin increased more significantly in patients with high BPV (P<0.01 or 0.05). In addition, the combined cardiovascular events in 5-10 years were significantly higher in the patients with higher BPV than those with lower BPV (P<0.01 or 0.05). Logistic multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that alcohol, diabetes, coronary heart disease, uric acid and homocysteine were independent risk factors for cardiovascular events in hypertensive patients (P<0.01 or 0.05).

CONCLUSIONIn hypertensive patients, BPV is closely correlated with the long-term combined cardiovascular events, and a high BPV is associated with a greater likeliness of combined cardiovascular events.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the method for intracranial hematoma volume measurement by the personal computer. METHODS: Forty cases of various intracranial hematomas were measured by the computer tomography with quantitative software and personal computer with Photoshop CS3 software, respectively. the data from the 2 methods were analyzed and compared. RESULTS: There was no difference between the data from the computer tomography and the personal computer (P>0.05). CONCLUSION The personal computer with Photoshop CS3 software can measure the volume of various intracranial hematomas precisely, rapidly and simply. It should be recommended in the clinical medicolegal identification.
Adult ; Aged ; Cerebral Hemorrhage, Traumatic ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Female ; Forensic Medicine ; methods ; Hematoma ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Hematoma, Epidural, Cranial ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed