Objective To isolate HIV-specific T cell clone and to expand them in vitro through the activation-induced expression of CD137 molecule.Methods The peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from HIV-infected patients and HIV Gag specific CD3+CD8+CD137+T cell subset were sorted to 96-well plate in 1 cell/well by multicolor flowcytometry and single cell sorting.After 14 days in vitro culture with feeder cells and cytokines, the numbers and phenotypes of the cultured HIV-specific T cells were calcu-lated and identified.Results The CD137 expression was low on rested T cells but up regulated by the stim-ulation with Gag peptide pool.The CD8+CD137+T cells could secret IFN-γ.The number of CD8 T cells reached to 106 after 14 days in culture and expanded to 107-108 cells after 28 days of culture in vitro 100%of the cells remained activated upon Gag stimulation.Conclusion In stead of using IFN-γ, CD137 could be utilized as a novel molecule to isolate and expand HIV specific T cells in vitro.The expanded antigen spe-cific T cell clones could maintain good activation status.

Objective To reinvestigate the value of overnight low-dose dexamethasone suppression test in the diagnosis of Cushing syndrome.Methods Fifty-two patients with Cushing syndrome and 153 patients with simple obesity or essential hypertension in whom Cushing syndrome was excluded were studied retrospectively in order to compare the sensitivity and specificity of different serum cortisol cut-off levels in overnight 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test in the diagnosis of Cushing syndrome.Results The sensitivity of 50% of basal serum cortisol level at 8:00 and of the serum cortisol cut-off levels of 275,200,138,50 nmoL/L at 8:00 after the overnight 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test was 92.3%,92.3%,92.3%,92.3% and 100.0% respectively, and the specificity was 90.8%,98.7%,96.1%,91.5% and 78.4%,respectively.Conclusion The serum cortisol cut-off level of 50 nmol/L in the overnight 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test has very high sensitivity and can be used as a screening test for Cushing syndrome.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Tongluo Xingnao effervescent tablets on learning and memory capacity and expression of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase in hippocampus of rats with chronic cerebral ischemia-induced learning and memory dysfunction model.

METHODThe 2-VO method was used to establish sd rat model learning and memory dysfunction induced by chronic cerebral ischemia. The 50 rats in the successfully established model were randomly divided into the model control group, the Dihydroergotoxine Mesylate tablets group (0.7 mg x kg(-1), Tongluo Xingnao effervescent tablets high dose (7.56 g x kg(-1)), middle dose (3.78 g x kg(-1)) and low dose (1.59 g x kg(-1)) groups and the sham operation group (n = 10) as the control group. The groups were orally given 10 ml x kg(-1) x d(-1) drugs for consecutively 90 days. On the 86th day, Morris water maze was adopted for them. On the 90th day, a leaning and memory capacity test was held. The brain tissues were fixed with 10% formaldehyde and observed for pathomorphism after routine slide preparation and staining. The expression of hippocampal Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase was detected with immunohistochemistry and image quantitative analysis.

RESULTCompared with the model group, all of Tongluo Xingnao effervescent tablets groups showed significant decrease in the escape latency at the 5th day in the Morris water maze, and notable increase in the frequency of the first quadrant dwell, the frequency passing the escape platform and the frequency entering effective area (p < 0.05). According to the pathomorphological detection, the control group showed a significantly higher pathological score than the sham operation group (p < 0.01), the middle dose group showed a significantly lower pathological score than the model group (p < 0.05). According to the immunohistochemistical detection, the model control group showed a remarkably lower mean OD value of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase than the sham operation group (p < 0.05), high and middle dose groups showed a significantly higher mean od value than the model control group (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONTongluo Xingnao effervescent tablets can improve the learning and memory capacity, reduce pathological changes of hippocampal tissues of rats with chronic cerebral ischemia-induced learning and memory dysfunction model, and promote the expression of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase in hippocampus.

Animals ; Brain Ischemia ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; genetics ; psychology ; Chronic Disease ; drug therapy ; psychology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; enzymology ; Humans ; Learning ; drug effects ; Male ; Memory ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Tablets ; administration & dosage

OBJECTIVETo investigate a novel technique for new bone formation--periosteal distraction osteogenesis.

METHODSA custom made periosteal distraction device was fixed to bilateral surface of the mandible in three rabbits. Periosteal distraction was performed on the left side of the mandible, the right side of the mandible served as the control. The animals were sacrificed at the end of distraction process. All the specimens were X-rayed and histologically examinated.

RESULTSAll three animals survived with no obvious complications. Both in mass specimens and X-rays, there showed new bone formation on the distracted side of the mandible. In histological examinations, there was osteoblast-like cell infiltration and bone tissue formation in the distracted area.

CONCLUSIONPeriosteal distraction osteogenesis can provide a novel technique for the repair of bone defects.

Animals ; Mandible ; Osteoblasts ; Osteogenesis ; Osteogenesis, Distraction ; Rabbits

Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Circoviridae Infections ; epidemiology ; virology ; DNA, Viral ; analysis ; Female ; Genotype ; Hepatitis, Viral, Human ; virology ; Humans ; Male ; Substance Abuse, Intravenous ; virology ; Torque teno virus ; genetics ; isolation & purification

Objective　To evaluate the technique and clinical outcomes of modified transperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.　Methods　A total of 285 patients received the operation with mean age of 67 years (50-76 years) from January 2008 to April 2012.Mean level of PSA was 15.7 μg/L (1.8 -50.0 μg/L),and mean prostatic volume was 44 ml (26 -74 ml). No lymph node or seminal vesicle involvement was found by CT or MR and radionuclide bone scan revealed no metastasis.271 cases were confirmed diagnosis by prostatic biopsy and 14 were detected through pathological studies of TURP specimens.Gleason score ranged from 6 to 8.14 cases were in clinical stage T1b,29 cases in T1c,214 cases in T2 and 28 cases in T3a.Transperitoneal approach and modified technique involving bladder neck dissection,nervesparing technique and vesicoureteral anastomosis were applied on patients.　Results　Mean operative time was 105 min (55 -150 min).Mean intraoperative estimated blood loss was 240 ml (50-800 ml).Rectal injures occurred in 2 cases and were repaired under laparoscopy.Drainage tube and urinary catheter were removed 48 -72 h and 5 -8 d postoperatively.Postoperative hospital stay was 7 d (5 - 11 d).Positive surgical margin was present in 58 patients.Mean follow-up time was 29 months (3 -50 months).Complete continence were found in 208 patients immediately after catheter removal.68 patient recovered continence within 3 months and 9 patients remained incontinence 3 months after surgery. Normal erection presented in 42 of the 57 cases with nerve-sparing.　Conclusions　Transperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy is safe and efficient.Higher efficiency and lower complication rate have been achieved through modified laparoscopic technique involving bladder neck dissection,nerve-sparing technique and vesicoureteral anastomosis.

OBJECTIVETo study the difference in the pharmacokinetics of emodin in Zhiganning capsules and Rhizoma Polygontum Cuspidatum by nonaqueous RP-HPLC.

METHODThe rats were orally administered with the extraction of Rhizoma Polygontum Cuspidatum and Zhiganning capsules. After hydrolysis and extraction, the content of emodin in the plasma is determined by Nonaqueous RP-HPLC.

RESULTThe concentration-time profiles of emodin fit two-compartment model. The pharmacokinetics parameters including, t1/2alpha, AUC(0-infinity), CL(s) and C(max) of emodin in the group of Rhizoma Polygontum Cuspidatum were significantly different from these in the group of its compounds.

CONCLUSIONThere is a significant difference in pharmacokinetics of emodin between zhiganning capsules and the extraction of Rhizoma Polygontum Cuspidatum.

Animals ; Area Under Curve ; Capsules ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Emodin ; isolation & purification ; pharmacokinetics ; Female ; Male ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Polygonum ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rhizome ; chemistry

Objective To estimate the prevalence of cataract and its surgical coverage rate together with the burden related to bilateral cataract-blindness,among adults aged 40 or above in Gongshan county of Yunnan province and to evaluate the current cataract status and the efficacy of local cataract prevention program.Methods Cluster sampling was used.The protocol consisted of personal interview,pilot study,visual acuity checking,measuring the intraocular pressure; slit lamp microscopy and the fundus of the eye examination etc.Cataract was graded clinically using the Lens Opacity Classification System (LOCS) ]Ⅲ.Bilateral cataract-blindness burden,bilateral cataractblindness burden and cataract surgical coverage rate were calculated respectively,using two different criteria.Odds ratios (OR) were compared among different groups regarding age,gender,education,ethnic group and altitude of living area.Results Among the 1236 eligible residents,1116 (90.3％)were enrolled in the present study.The prevalence of cataract was 23.8％ among adults aged 40 or order.When the bilateral best refractive vision ＜3/60 was defined as the blindness criterion,the bilateral cataract-blindness burden showed as 1.3％,and cataract blindness surgical coverage rate was 50.0％.When the bilateral presenting vision ＜ 6/60 was defined as the blindness criterion,the bilateral cataract-blindness burden was 25.0％,and cataract blindness surgical coverage rate was 12.9％.The cataract surgical coverage rates were much lower and the bilateral cataract-blindness burden much higher in women,illiterates,living in high altitude areas and those who were aged 70 or above.Conclusion Cataract blindness was a serious public health problem in aged individuals and illiteracy in the residents of the studied areas.Poor prevention programs on cataract called for urgent action to be taken.

Objective To evaluate the technique and efficacy of retroperitoneal laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. Methods From June 2002 to December 2009, 113 cases of renal tumor received retroperitoneal laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. The age ranged from 26 to 73 years. The tumor located in left side in 51 cases and right side in 62 cases with the mean diameter of 3.7 cm(1.2-6.3cm). During the procedure, the renal artery was separated and then clamped with bulldog. The renal parenchymal was incised with cold endoscissor and the tumor was totally removed. Pelvicalyceal repairing and parenchymal hemostasis were then performed. Renal defect closure was achieved with running suture or horizontal mattress suture. Results All the procedures were completed successfully.There was no open conversion. The mean operation time was 85 min(60- 125 min), the mean warm ischemic time was 24 min(19-43 min). The pathology studies revealed 87 cases of clear cell carcinoma, 9 cases of papillary renal cell carcinoma, 7 cases of chromophobe cell carcinoma, 6 cases of perivascular epithelioid renal cell tumor and 4 cases of renal oncocytoma. The surgical margin was negative in all cases. There was no complication of urine leakage. Gross hematuria occurred in 2 cases.During 3-41 months of following up, there was no recurrence. Conclusion Retroperitoneal laparo-scopic partial nephrectomy is safe and effective for the treatment of renal tumor, which becomes an alternative treatment to open procedure.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of pravastatin on the proliferation and invasion of human hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cell line.

METHODSThe effects of pravastatin on the proliferation, migration and invasion of HepG2 cells was observed by MTT assay, Boyden chamber assay and motility assay. p38 activity was measured, and the expression of p-p38, MKP-1, RhoC and MMP-2 was analyzed by Western blot.

RESULTSPravastatin inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 cells. The intracellular p38 activity and expressions of p-p38, RhoC and MMP-2 were decreased, while MKP-1 expression was elevated in pravastatin treated cells. In addition, pravastatin inhibited the invasion and motility.

CONCLUSIONPravastatin can inhibit the proliferation and invasion of HepG2 cells.

Cell Movement ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Pravastatin ; pharmacology