Objective To observe the effects of acupuncture combined with traditional Chinese medicine on scores of TCM syndrome and Neck Pain Questionnaire (NPQ) in patients of cervical spondylosis with syndrome of cold locking the collaterals. Methods Ninety cases of patients were randomly divided into acupuncture combined with TCM group, TCM group, and acupuncture group, 30 cases in each group. The acupuncture combined with TCM group was given modified Guizhi plus Gegen decoction and electro acupuncture;the TCM group was given modified Guizhi plus Gegen decoction only;the acupuncture group was given electro acupuncture only. The scores of TCM syndrome and NPQ of the three groups were observed and analyzed comparatively. Results The deviation scores of TCM syndrome and NPQ before and after treatment of the acupuncture combined with TCM group were higher than the acupuncture group and the TCM group (P<0.05), but there was no statistical difference between the acupuncture group and the TCM group (P>0.05). Conclusion Acupuncture combined with traditional Chinese medicine can relieve clinical symptoms of patients with cervical spondylosis with syndrome of cold locking the collaterals, ease their cervical pain, and improve their cervical function.

Objective Plasma renin concentration (PRC) offers advantages in processing and standardization as compared with plasma renin activity (PRA). The aim of the study is to compare the sensitivity and specificity of plasma aldosterone concentration ( PAC)/PRA (ARR) and PAC/PRC (AARR) in screening primary aldosteronism ( PA ) in hypertensive patients and to observe the influence of different postures on PRC and AARR. Method ( 1 ) PAC and PRC in the supine position and after 1-hour and 2-hour upright posture were determined in 28 patients with PA and 51 patients with essential hypertension. The diagnostic efficacies during different postures were compared according to the ROC curve analysis. (2) 31 patients with PA, 242 patients with essential hypertension, and 145 normotensitive subjects were recruited in the study. The diagnostic efficacy of AARR in screening PA from hypertensive patients was evaluate. PAC, PRA, and PRC were measured by radioimmunoassay. Results ( 1 ) The AUC of AARR in the supine position, 1-hour and 2-hour upright posture were0.950 (95% CI0.906-0.994, P<0. 01), 0.979 (95% CI0.956-1.000, P<0.01) and 0.917 (95% CI 0. 856-0. 979, P<0. 01 ) respectively. AARR of 1 -hour upright yielded the highest screening efficiency. ( 2 ) The correlation coefficient index of Log-PRA and Log-PRC was 0. 705 ( P< 0. 01, n = 418 ), whereas the correlation coefficient index of Log-ARR and Log-AARR was 0.705 (P<0.01, n=418). The AUC of ARR and AARR were 0.998 (95% CI0. 981-1. 000, P<0.01 ) and 0.957 (95% CI0. 929-0.985, P<0.01 ) respectively according to the ROC curve. The optimal cutoff of AARR during upright 1 hour was 42.36 ng · dl-1/ng ·dl-1 ( sensitivity 87.10%, specificity 93.75% ). Conclusion The screening efficacy of AARR in screening PA in hypertensive patients was comparable with ARR. AARR measured after keeping upright 1 hour yielded the highest screening efficiency. The optimal cutoff of AARR was 42.36 ng · dl-1/ng ·dl-1.

Objective To observe the clinical manifestation and the mode of RET proto-oncogene mutation in a pedigree of mutiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN2A). Methods Genomic DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood lymphocytes in 18 family members including 3 patients, then PCR was performed to amplify seven exons of the RET proto-oncogene, i. e. exon 8,10,11,13-16. The PCR products were directly sequenced to identify the RET mutation and then sequenced after subcloning to identify their heterozygosity. Results The male proband suffered from pheochromocytoma and medullary thyroid carcinoma since the age of 30; while his sibling sister was ill with pheochromocytoma, and his brother with medullary thyroid carcinoma. A novel heterozygous mutation, 1893-1895delCGA, was detected in exon 11 of the RET proto-oncogene in the 3 patients and the other 2 family members. Conclusion A novel heterozygous mutation of RET proto-oncogene, 1893-1895delCGA, seems to be the disease-causing mutation in the studied MEN2A family.

BACKGROUND: Nowadays, angiotensin Ⅱ plays an important role in onset of diabetic nephropathy. Therefore, the nuclear factor-κB may have adjustive effects on angiotonin system of kidney tissue of diabetic rats. OBJECTIVE: To observe the relationship of activity of inhibitive nuclear factor-κB with angiotensin Ⅱ and its type 1 receptor mRNA expression of renal tissue of diabetic rats. DESIGN: Completely randomized group design, control experiment. MATERIALS: The experiment was conducted at the Experimental Animal Center, Sun Yat-sen University of Medical Sciences between March and April 2000. Fifty-one pure breed clean grade male Wistar rats were select ed. METHODS: ①Models were established in 39 rats. Streptozotocin dissolv ing in citric acid buffer (0.1 mmol/L,pH=4.5) were given to establish dia betic models with 60 mg/kg intraperitoneal injection. If the fasting blood glucose maintained above 13.9 mmol/L, the establishment of models was successful. The thirty-nine rats were randomly assigned into 3 groups: model group (n=17, without other interventional measure, feeding normally) and pyrrolidine dithiocar2. Bamate (PDTC) (active inhibitor of nuclear fac tor-κB) interventional group [n=22, PDTC at the dose of 20 mg/kg were given with intraperitoneal injection, twice a day]. Other 12 rats were as normal control group, did not make into diabetic models with normal breeding. ②After feeding for 18 weeks kidneys were got in every group. The activity of nuclear factor-κB was detected with electrophoretic mobility shift assay. The expression of type 1 receptor mRNA of angiotensin Ⅱ was measured with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Contents of angiotonin Ⅰ and angiotensin Ⅱ were tested with Radio Im munoassay (RIA). Activity of rennin was referred to that the result of the level of angiotonin Ⅰ at 37 ℃ water bath subduced to that at 4 ℃. ③Dif ference of measurement data was compared with single factor analysis of variance. After normal transformation, the non-normal distribution data were conducted with statistical disposal. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Comparison of contents of angiotensin Ⅰ and Ⅱ, activities of rennin and nuclear factor-κB and expression of type 1 receptor mRNA of angiotensin Ⅱ in renal tissues of rats of each group. RESULTS: In the normal control group, model group and PDTC interven tional group 1, 6 and 13 rats were dropped out, respectively, so 11, 11 and 9 rats in each group were involved in the result analysis. ①Activity of nu clear factor-κB: It was higher significantly in the model group than that in the normal control group and PDTC interventional group (P ＜ 0.01 ). It was similar between the normal control group and the PDTC interventional group. ②Activity of rennin of renal tissue: It was similar among the 3 groups. ③Content of angiotonin Ⅰ of renal tissue: It was higher obviously in the model group that that in the normal control group and the PDTC interventional group (P ＜ 0.01 ). ④Content of angiotensin Ⅱ in renal tissue: It was similar between the model group and the normal control group. It was lower markedly in the PDTC interventional group than that in the model group and the normal control group (P ＜ 0.01 ). Expression of type 1 receptor mRNA of angiotensin Ⅱ: It was lower remarkably in the model group than that in the normal control group (P ＜ 0.01 ). It was lower dis tinctly in the PDTC interventional group than that in the model group and the normal control group (P ＜ 0.01 ). CONCLUSION: The increase of activity of nuclear factor-κB in renal tissue of diabetic rats can inhibit the activity of nuclear factor-κB, which will induce the reduction of the level of angiotensin Ⅱ and expression of type 1 receptor mRNA of angiotensin Ⅱ in renal tissue of diabetic rats.

OBJECTIVETo study the pattern of RET proto-oncogene mutations in two pedigrees affected with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN2A).

METHODSPeripheral blood samples were collected from members of the two pedigrees, with total genomic DNA extracted for polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PCR products of 7 exons of the RET proto-oncogene (including exons 8, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16) which have higher mutation rates were purified and subjected to direct sequencing. Suspected mutations in the 2 probands were verified in other members of the pedigrees. To exclude other mutations, PCR products of remaining 14 exons were sequenced in the proband from pedigree 1.

RESULTSA novel heterozygous mutation, 1893-1895delCGA, was detected in exon 11 of the RET proto-oncogene among 3 patients and 2 unaffected members from pedigree 1, while a heterozygous mutation, Cys634Arg, was detected in exon 11 among 2 patients and 1 unaffected family member from pedigree 2.

CONCLUSIONThe heterozygous 1893-1895delCGA and Cys634Arg mutations of the RET proto-oncogene probably underlie the disease in the two pedigrees. Above discovery has enriched the human gene mutation database.

Cardiovascular disease is still the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Vascular endothelial dysfunction is viewed as the initial step of most cardiovascular diseases. Many studies have indicated that periodontal pathogens, especially Porphyromonas gingivalis, are closely correlated with vascular endothelial homeostasis, but the function of P. gingivalis and the underlying mechanisms are still elusive. To illuminate the effects and elucidate the mechanisms of P. gingivalis on endothelial structural integrity, we developed P. gingivalis infection models in vivo and in vitro. Endothelial cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis were detected. Here, we showed that P. gingivalis can impair endothelial integrity by inhibiting cell proliferation and inducing endothelial mesenchymal transformation and apoptosis of endothelial cells, which reduce the cell levels and cause the endothelium to lose its ability to repair itself. A mechanistic analysis showed that TLR antagonist or NF-κB signalling inhibitor can largely rescue the damaged integrity of the endothelium caused by P. gingivalis, suggesting that TLR-NF-κB signalling plays a vital role in vascular endothelial homeostasis destroyed by P. gingivalis. These results suggest a potential intervention method for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease.

【Objective】 To conduct the laboratory quality assessment between 12 blood stations in Hebei province, analyze the results and explore the accuracy and comparability of testing, so as to improve the level of testing ability and quality management. 【Methods】 With reference to the external quality assessment rules of National Center for Clinical Laboratories and combined with the instructions of quality assessment samples, daily testing process of the laboratories were assessed. The quality indicators include blood cell count (WBC, RBC, Hb, HCT, MCV, MCH, MCHC and PLT), biochemical items (TP) and coagulation parameters (FIB and FⅧ). 【Results】 There are still problems in laboratories in terms of personnel operation, instrument maintenance and the impact of different reagent batches, especially in biochemical items and coagulation parameters. The pass rate of biochemical items was the lowest, only 72.75%, and that of blood cell count was the highest, reaching 98.75%. 【Conclusion】 With the progress of the project, the quality monitoring level of daily blood sampling tests in the quality control laboratory of each blood station has been improved. However, it is still necessary for each laboratory to improve the testing ability and quality management to a higher level in Hebei.