Objective Intranuclear forkhead/winged helix transcription factor p3(Foxp3) plays a key role in T cell-mediated immunosuppression.The present study was performed to investigate the effects of high mobility group box-1 protein(HMGB1) on Foxp3 gene as well as protein expressions in splenic regulatory T cells(Tregs) and their potential regulating mechanisms in mice.Methods CD4+CD25+Tregs isolated from the spleens of male BABL/c mice by magnetic beads were seeded on 96-well(1?105 cells/well) cell culture plates coated with anti-CD3(1 ?g/ml) and soluble anti-CD28(1 ?g/ml),and the cells were stimulated with HMGB1 at various intervals or at different concentrations.After being stimulated,the Foxp3 mRNA/protein expressions in the Tregs were determined.The time-dependent and dose-dependent responses between HMGB1 and intranuclear Foxp3 expression were analyzed by flow cytometry,and the expressions of Foxp3 mRNA of Tregs were analyzed by quantitative PCR of SYBR GREEN.Results After stimulation with HMGB1,the intranuclear Foxp3 protein and mRNA expressions of splenic Tregs in mice were markedly down-regulated in 24 h to 72 h(P

Toinvestigate the implementation mode and effectiveness of Problem-Based Learning (PBL) in experimental teaching of physiology,PBL was applied in experimental teaching of circulatory physiology. Comparison of test scores and Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) were used to evaluate teaching quality and teaching environment respectively. The results showed that both test and DREEM scores were higher in PBL group than in control group (P

Studies have shown that women's menopause caused by permanent cessation of ovarian function is closely related to lipid metabolism disorders. Er-xian Decoction has been used in the clinical treatment for gynecological diseases and has a good effect on diseases related to reduced sex hormone function. In this study, metabolomics was performed on bilateral ovariectomized model rats within 12 weeks after modeling to mimic the physiological state of menopausal women in different menopausal stages and Er-xian Decoction dosed model rats. The results of liver oil red O staining sections showed lipid metabolic disorder of bilateral ovariectomized model rats and the regulating effects of Er-xian Decoction. 46 potential biomarkers (6 steroid hormones, 3 sphingolipids, 11 phospholipids and 26 glycerides) in plasma and 32 potential biomarkers (1 steroid hormones, 20 phospholipids and 11 glycerides) in liver were obtained based on lipidomics analysis. Then, we analyzed the differential metabolic pathways and construct the lipid metabolism network significantly regulated by Er-xian Decoction. The results provided valuable information for in-depth understanding of the gradual changes on lipid metabolism disorders under menopausal conditions and the characteristics and mechanisms of compound Er-xian Decoction's regulatory effects. The study complied with the procedures established by the Animal Experiment Ethics Committee of the Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and passed the animal experiment ethics examine (No. 00000918).

OBJECTIVETo explore the mechanisms involved in the ligustrazine alleviation of the pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) in patients of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) associated with chronic cor pulmonale (CCP) during exacerbation.

METHODSSeventy patients of COPD and CCP with acute exacerbation were randomly and equally divided into control group and treatment group. The control group received standard treatment with antibiotics, antiasthmatic and expectorant medications, and oxygenation; and the ligustrazine treatment group received ligustrazine treatment (80 mg/d; i.v.; for 2 weeks) in addition to the standard treatment. Before and at the end of 2 week treatment, the clinic responses of the two regimens were evaluated, plasma levels of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and nitric oxide (NO) were determined; arterial oxygen partial pressure (PaO2, mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP), outflow tract of right ventricle (RVOT), and internal diameter of right ventricle (RV) were measured.

RESULTSGood clinic benefits were achieved in both the standard and ligustrazine regimens, plasma level of ET-1, values of mPAP, RV and RVOT decreased significantly, plasma level of NO and PaO2 values decreased (all P < 0.01 vs pre-treatment to all parameters). Compared with the control group, ligustrazine greatly enhanced the clinic efficacy from 77.1% to 97.1% (P < 0.05), and also resulted in more significant changes of all these parameters (P < 0.01 vs control group for all parameters). For both groups, the levels of plasma ET-1 were positively correlated with values of mPAP, RVOT, and RV (r = 0.710, 0.853, and 0.766, respectively, all P = 0.000), and negatively correlated with plasma NO and PaO2 (r = - 0.823, and - 0.752, respectively, all P = 0.000).

CONCLUSIONLigustrazine is effective in treating pulmonary artery hypertension during acute exacerbation of COPD and CCP in patients from the plateau area. The observed changes in the plasma levels of NO and ET-1 in response to ligustrazine treatment suggest that ligustrazine may act through the selective effect on pulmonary blood vessels to enhance the synthesis and release of NO and suppress those of ET-1 from lung vascular endothelial cells, thus reducing pulmonary artery pressure and decreasing pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Altitude ; Blood Gas Analysis ; Chronic Disease ; Endothelin-1 ; blood ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; drug therapy ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Pulmonary Artery ; physiopathology ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; drug therapy ; Pyrazines ; therapeutic use ; Respiration

Objective To investigate the reaction kinetics between the stone-dissolving solution and the urinary stone in a model simulating the condition of a kidney for further clinical administration. Methods An artificial upper urinary tract was made by silica gel. Lactic acid prepared in the preliminary study was used to react with artificial stone in the model. The concentration of reaction product in the effluent was measured to identify the reaction velocity. Relationships between the efficiency and dissolution rate or stone surface was investigated. Results The highest utilization rate of dissolution was 100 ~ 150 mL/h. Dissolution efficiency is in positive rela-tion with stone surface. The efficiency correlates with the stone surface and infusion speed in the range of 50~400 mL/h. Conclusions Before dissolution treatment ,the stone should be shattered as deeply as possible to in-crease the surface of reaction. If possible ,the irrigating speed should be as high as possible to eliminate the stone sooner.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy (MCSM) aims at sustaining the spinal cord compression and restoring the stability of the cervical vertebrae at most.OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical characters of anterior cervical discectomy with fusion and expansive open-door laminoplasty for MCSM.METHODS: Sixty-seven patients with MCSM were divided into two groups, and treated with anterior cervical discectomy with fusion (group A) or posterior cervical expansive open-door laminoplasty (group B). All the patients were followed up for 12 months, and the range of motion of cervical vertebrae, cervical curvature index were observed,as well as the Visual Analogue Scale and Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores were condueted. Moreover, the operation time, blood loss and adverse reactions were recorded.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The loss of range of motion of the cervical vertebrae in the group B was significantly less than that in the group A (P < 0.05). (2) The cervical curvature index in the group A was significantly improved (P < 0.05), but the index had no significant change in the group B. (3) The axial systems were significantly improved in both groups, especially in the group A (P < 0.05). (4) The neurological function was significantly improved in both groups (P < 0.05), which showed no significant difference between two groups (P > 0.05). (5) The intraoperative blood loss in the group B was significantly more than that in the group A (P < 0.05). (6) The incidence of hoarseness and dysphagia in the group A was 19％. The incidence of wound infection, cerebrospinal fluid leakage and C5 nerve root palsy in the group B was 9％. (7) These results suggest that during choosing an appropriate method for MCSM,surgeons' skills and patients' situation should be considered.

Objective: To investigate the optimal gene transfer protocols of hematopoietic cells mediated by retrovirus. Methods: Murine bone marrow cells were infected by co-culture with murine bone marrow stromal cell line TC-1 or retro-virus packaging cells or retrovirus supernatant. Human mdr-1 and enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) were used as report genes. Results: Stromal cells could greatly increase the gene transfer efficiency when compared with that of supernatant transfection. Transduction efficiency was highest when infected BM cells were co-cultured with virus producer cells. Conculsion: It may be clinically feasible in gene therapy to perform retroviral transduction by co-culture of target cells with stromal cells or cell lines.

Objective To examine the epidemiology of kidney stone in Pudong New Area ofShanghai and analyze its risk factors. Methods 12 565 residents with the age above 16 years weresurveyed. All subjects needed to answer a questionnaire concerning their sex,age,geographic loca tions,occupation,education status and family history of renal calculi,etc. Ultrasound examinationwas used to diagnose the kidney stone. Results The average prevalence of kidney stone was 3.15%(396/12565),4. 05%(247/6096)in the men and 2.30%(149/6469) in the women,respectively (P<0. 05). The prevalence increased significantly with age of men,whereas the prevalence was highest forwomen aged 50-59. The prevalence between city and rural was not significantly different before age60 (2.58% vs 2. 62%,P>0. 05),whereas the prevalence were significantly different after age 60(6.28% vs 3.36%,P<0.05). The prevalence of subjects with a family history of renal calculi washigher than that without family history (32.02% vs 2.06%,P<0. 01). The prevalence in manage ment staff and vehicle drivers were the highest. Conclusions The prevalence of kidney stone in Pud ong New Area of Shanghai was lower than that in south of China. The relative risk increased in sub jects of aged men,women aged 50 59,with family history of renal calculi,management staff and ve hicle drivers. An understanding of the epidemiology particularly the interactions among different fac tors,may help lead to approach that reduce the risk of stone formation.

Objective To investigate the prevalence and distribution of pre-diabetes and diabetes mellitus in Han population aged over 60 years in Urumqi. Methods The physical examination and 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were performed in 2210 people, including 1231 elderly people aged over 60 years (old age group) and 951 people aged 40-59 years (middle age group). The diagnosis of diabetes mellitus was established according to WHO criteria in 1999. Results In Han ethnic people, the prevalence rates of diabetes mellitus and pre-diabetes were 32.2% and 29.0% respectively in old age group, and were significantly higher than in middle age group ( 12.3% and 20.9%,x2= 192.62, P＜0.05). The prevalence rates of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) were higher in old age group than in middle age people (21.6% vs. 13.9%, x2 = 20.97, P＜0.05), but there was no significant difference in the prevalence rate of impaired fasting glucose (IFG) between the two groups. The prevalence rate of metabolism syndrome (MS) was higher in old age group than in middle age group (52.2% vs. 33.7%, x2 =73.77, P＜0.05). The multivariable analysis showed that hypertriglyceridemia, hypertension, family history of diabetes mellitus were risk factors for development of diabetes mellitus in elderly Han population (x2 =44.34, P＜0.05). Conclusions The prevalence rates of diabetes and pre-diabetes are considerably high in the current state. It should be strengthened to prevent and treat diabetes mellitus and pre-diabetes in Urumqi Han population,especially in residents aged over 60 years.

The on-line monitor for the changes in the content of baicalin in Scutellariae Radix formula particles during the extraction process was conducted by using near infrared spectroscopy (NIR). High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used as a reference method. Kennard-Stone (KS) was used to divide sample sets, so as to compare different pretreatment methods. The synergy interval partial least squares (SiPLS) was used to screen out modeling wave band to establish partial least-squares models. The relative error method was applied to predict forecast set samples of Scutellariae Radix in three extraction phases. The results showed that the model established by Savitzky-Golay smoothing with 11 points (SG11 points) was the best, with the root mean square with cross validation (RMSECV), root mean square error of correction (RMSEC) and root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) of baicalin of 0.092 7, 0.134 4 and 0.114 8, respectively, the determination coefficient R2 of greater than 0.99, and the relative error of baicalin content of less than 5%. This indicates that the on-line near infrared reflectance spectroscopy could be applied in on-line monitor and quality control of the extraction process of Scutellariae Radix formula particles.
Automation ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; standards ; Quality Control ; Scutellaria baicalensis ; chemistry ; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared ; methods