OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Zhenqing Recipe (ZQR) on non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL), and the expression of hepatic salt-inducible kinase 1 (SIK1) and sterol-regulatory element binding protein-ic (SREBP-lc) in type 2 diabetes rats.

METHODSA rat model of type 2 diabetes was established by high fat/sucrose diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of small dose streptozotocin (STZ) . Modeled rats were randomly divided into the model group, the ZQR group, and the metformin group, 8 in each group. Eight rats were recruited as a normal control group. ZQR at the daily dose of 12 g crude drugs/kg was administered to rats in the ZQR group by gastrogavage. Metformin suspension at the daily dose of 150 mg/kg was administered to rats in the metformin group by gastrogavage. Equal volume of distilled water was administered to rats in the normal control group and the model group. All medication lasted for 12 weeks. The levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG), free fatty acid (FFA), serum triglyceride (TG), serum total cholesterol (TC), serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were detected. The body weight and wet liver weight were weighed, and the liver weight index calculated. The liver TG content was measured. The pathological changes of liver and the expression of SIK1 were observed by HE staining and immunohistochemistry. The mRNA and protein expression of SIK1 and SREBP-1c were detected using RT-PCR and Western blot.

RESULTSCompared with the normal control group, FBG, FFA, TG, TC, ALT, AST, liver weight index, and liver TG contents significantly increased (P < 0.01); liver steatosis was severe, the mRNA and protein expression of SIK1 obviously decreased (P < 0.01); mRNA and protein expression of SREBP-1c increased (P < 0.01). After drug therapy, compared with the model group, FBG, FFA, TG, TC, ALT, AST, and liver weight index significantly decreased, liver TG contents significantly decreased, the mRNA and protein expression of SIK1 obviously increased, while mRNA and protein expression of SREBP-1c obviously decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) in the ZQR group and the metformin group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); and the pathological changes were also improved. All the indices were improved more in the ZQR group (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONIn this experiment, we found that the expression of SIK1 decreased in NAFL rats with type 2 diabetes. ZQR could alleviate lesion of NAFL type 2 diabetes rats possibly by up-regulating hepatic SIK1 expression at mRNA and protein levels.

Animals ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; complications ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Fatty Liver ; complications ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Liver ; metabolism ; Male ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 1 ; metabolism

Objective To evaluate the use of three-dimensional reconstruction (3D) to improve the success rate in the first attempt of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 109 patients with small HCC (with single nodule from 3 to 5 cm in diameter) treated with radiofrequency ablation between June 2010 and June 2013.A safe ablation margin was evaluated before and after radiofrequency ablation.The patients were divided into two groups: the 3D-RFA group (49 patients were evaluated by three-dimensional reconstruction before RFA treatment) and the 2D-RFA group (60 patients were not evaluated by three-dimensional reconstruction before RFA treatment).The success rate of the first attempt of radiofrequency ablation, recurrence free survival, overall survival and complications were compared between the two groups.Results The success rate of first ablation reached 95.9％ (47/49) in the 3D-RFA group which was significantly higher than the 48.3％ (29/60) in the 2D-RFA group (P ＜ 0.05).The local tumor progression rate was 8.1％ in the 3D-RFA group versus 23.3％ in the 2D-RFA group (P ＜0.05).The 1-, 2-, 3-year recurrence free survival rates were 85.4％, 63.9％, and 49.8％ respectively in the 3D-RFA group and 72.4％, 43％, and 34.4％ respectively in the 2D-RFA group (P ＜ 0.05).The 1-, 2-, 3-year overall survival rates were 91.4％,78.4％, and 60.9％ respectively in the 3D-RFA group and 83.3％, 58.7％, and 40.9％ respectively in the 2D-RFA group (P ＜0.05).Complications occurred significantly less in the 3D-RFA group (4％, 2/49) than the 2D-RFA group (13.3％, 8/60;P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Three-dimensional reconstruction improved the success rate of the first attempt of radiofrequency ablation and the prognosis of patients, and with less complications for small hepatocellular carcinoma.

0.05).Conclusions There is no obvious effect of danazol alginate microspheres used for uterine arterial embolization on ovarian function in rabblits.After UAE some animals are able to achieve pregnancies,while harmful effects are observed on short term pregnant rate.

AIM:To investigate the stemness of mouse triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) 4T1 cells induced by doxorubicin (DOX) and the underlying mechanism.METHODS:The 4T1 cells and MDA-MB-468 cells were treated with DOX at different concentrations (0, 0.05, 0.1 and 0.5μmol/L) for 24 h, and the shape and viability of the cells were observed.The concentration of DOX at 0.1μmol/L was chosen as the optimal concentration for the following experiments.The 4T1 cells and MDA-MB-468 cells resistant to DOX were established by continuous stimulation with DOX for 4 weeks, and named as 4T1-DOX and MDA-MB-468-DOX.Sphere formation assay was used to detect the stemness of 4T1cells and MDA-MB-468 cells.The expression of CD133 was observed by immunofluorescence staining.The expression of CD44 was analyzed by flow cytometry.The protein levels of Stat3, phosphorylated Stat3 (p-Stat3) and Oct-4 were determined by Western blot.RESULTS:The sphere formation ability of the 4T1-DOX cells was stronger than that of the 4T1control cells.The 4T1-DOX cells expressed high levels of the stemness markers CD133 and CD44 as compared with the 4 T1 cells (P<0.05).Furthermore, the 4T1-DOX cells exhibited enhanced activation of Stat3 (p-Stat3) and increased expression of Oct-4 (P<0.05) , while the expression of total Stat3 had no obvious variation.In addition, when activation of Stat3 was inhibited by WP1066, the protein levels of p-Stat3, Oct-4 and CD44 were down-regulated (P<0.05).Furthermore, inhibition of Stat3 phosphorylation reduced the sphere formation ability of the 4T1-DOX cells (P<0.05).CONCLUSION:DOX induces the stemness of mouse TNBC 4T1 cells through Stat3-Oct-4 signaling pathway.

BALB/c mice were immunized with purified White spot syndrome virus (WSSV).Six monoclonal antibody cell lines were selected by ELISA with VP28 protein expressed in E.coll in vitro neutralization experiments showed that 4 of them could inhibit the virus infection in crayfish.Westernblot suggested that all these monoclonal antibodies were against the conformational structure of VP28.The monoclonal antibody 7B4 was labeled with colloidal gold particles and used to locate the VP28 on virus envelope by immunogold labeling.These monoclonal antibodies could be used to develop immunological diagnosis methods for WSSV infection.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the relationship between infection burden and coronary atherosclerosis and the plaque feature.

METHODSOne hundred and eighty two patients underwent coronary angiography in Zhongshan Hospital from 2002 - 2003. Atherosclerosis and vulnerable plaque were determined by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). Seropositivity of cytomegalovirus, helicobacter pylori, chlamydia pneumonia, hepatitis B virus, EB virus, CoxB virus, influenza A virus, influenza B virus and mycobacterium tuberculosis were determined by ELISA. The serum hs-CRP was detected by Dade Behring prospect (Immuno-nehelomitery). Patients were divided into three groups according to the pathogen burden: group A, n or= 6.

RESULTSThe pathogen burden was independent of the C-reactive protein level. Increasing pathogen burden was significantly associated with increasing atherosclerosis risk, the prevalence of atherosclerosis was 44.4%, 70.6% and 76.7% in group A, B and C. The risk associated with elevated pathogen burden was much higher when CRP was also elevated (> 5.0 mg/L) (43.8%, 70.0%, 70.8%) vs (45.5%, 63.7%, 96.8%). The positively of vulnerable plaque increased significantly when the pathogen burden was high (n > 5) (33.3%, 32.4% and 51.7% P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONOur data suggested that infection burden was associated with prevalence of coronary atherosclerosis, and it was particularly important when C-reactive protein was elevated. The high level infection burden could predict vulnerable plaque.

Aged ; Atherosclerosis ; microbiology ; pathology ; C-Reactive Protein ; analysis ; Chlamydophila pneumoniae ; Cytomegalovirus ; Female ; Helicobacter pylori ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; Humans ; Influenza B virus ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Viral Load

OBJECTIVETo investigate the social health status of the HIV infected and their families in a high HIV/AIDS prevalence village in Hunan province and to examine the relations of the social health status, responses and social support.

METHODSA total of 51 HIV infected persons (infected group), 49 family members of the infected (family member group) and 96 normal persons (control group) were surveyed by Social Health Measurement Scale-a sub-scale of Self-rated Health Measurement Scale (SRHMS), Social Support Assessment Scale (SSAS) and Trait Coping Style Questionnaire (TCSQ).

RESULTS(1) In regard to the total scores of social health, responding style and social support, significant differences were found among the infected group, the group of family members and the control group (62.9 +/- 18.6, 79.8 +/- 18.0, 86.5 +/- 21.3, F = 18.16; 28.7 +/- 4.3, 27.2 +/- 5.4, 25.9 +/- 6.4, F = 5.21; 33.8 +/- 8.1, 41.0 +/- 6.6, 38.1 +/- 6.8, F = 13.23; P < 0.01). (2) Subjective care and support, the educational status, the marital status and support utilization were significant predictors to the social health status of the infected group (R(2) = 0.73, F = 27.78, P < 0.01). (3) Subjective support and negative responding style were significant predictors to the social health status of the group of family members (R(2) = 0.32, F = 12.35, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe HIV infected and their families have more negative responding style, make less use of social support and hold a inferior social health status. It's necessary to exert psychological intervention targeting at these population group.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; Family ; psychology ; Female ; HIV Infections ; psychology ; Health Status ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sampling Studies ; Social Support ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVESevere acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is an emerging infectious disease that first manifested in humans in November 2002. The SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) has been identified as the causal agent, but the pathology and pathogenesis are still not quite clear.

METHODSPost-mortem lung samples from six patients who died from SARS from April to July 2003 were studied by light and electron microscopy, Masson trichromal staining and immunohistochemistry. Evidence of infection with the SARS-CoV was determined by reverse-transcription PCR (RT-PCR) , serological examination and electron microscopy.

RESULTSFour of six patients had serological and RT-PCR evidence of recent infection of SARS-CoV. Morphologic changes are summarized as follows: (1) Diffuse and bilateral lung consolidation was seen in all patients (6/6) with increasing lung weight. (2) Diffuse alveolar damage was universal (6/6) with hyaline membrane formation (6/6), intra-alveolar edema/hemorrhage (6/6), fibrin deposition (6/6), pneumocyte desquamation (6/6). A marked disruption in the integrity of the alveolar epithelium was confirmed by immunostaining for the epithelial marker AE1/AE3 (6/6). (3) Type II pneumocytes, with mild hyperplasia, atypia, cytomegaly with granular amphophilic cytoplasm and intracytoplasmic lipid accumulation (5/6). (4) Giant cells in the alveoli were seen in five of 6 patients (5/6) , most of which were positive for the epithelial marker AE1/AE3 (5/6), but some cells were positive for the macrophage marker CD68(2/6). (5) A pronounced increase of macrophages were seen in the alveoli and the interstitium of the lung (6/6), which was confirmed by histological study and immunohistochemistry. (6) Haemophagocytosis was present in five of the 6 patients(5/6). (7) Lung fibrosis was seen in five patients(5/6), with alveolar septa and interstitium thickening(5/6), intraalveolar organizing exudates (6/6) and pleura thickening (4/6). Proliferation of collagen was confirmed by Masson trichromal staining, most of which was type III collagen by immunostaining. The formation of distinctive fibroblast/myofibroblast foci was seen in five patients (5/6) by light microscopy and immunochemistry. (8) Squamous metaplasia of bronchial mucosa was seen in five patients(5/6). (9) Thrombi was seen in all patients(6/6). (10) Accompanying infection was present in two patients, one was bacteria, the other was fungus. In addition, electron microscopy revealed viral particles in the cytoplasm of alveolar epithelial cells and endothelial cells corresponding to coronavirus.

CONCLUSIONDirect injury of SARS-CoV on alveolar epithelium, prominent macrophage infiltration and distinctive fibroblast/myofibroblast proliferation may play major roles in the pathogenesis of SARS.

Adult ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; metabolism ; Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic ; metabolism ; Epithelium ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Keratins ; immunology ; Lung ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; virology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pulmonary Alveoli ; pathology ; Pulmonary Fibrosis ; etiology ; pathology ; SARS Virus ; isolation & purification ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; complications ; metabolism ; pathology ; virology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) gene polymorphisms and schizophrenia in a Chinese Han population.

METHODSTwo hundred and twelve schizophrenic patients and 168 healthy controls were recruited according to CCMD-3. The polymorphisms of MAOA gene were determined with the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique. The case-control association analysis was adopted to analyze the frequencies of genotype and allele in schizophrenic patients and controls.

RESULTS(1) The genotypes of MAOA gene were consistent with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in patient group and control group (chi2 = 0.618, df= 2, P> 0.05; chi2 = 3.173, df= 2, P> 0.05). (2) The distributions of genotypes or alleles of MAOA genes had no significant difference between patient group and control group (P> 0.05). (3)Divided by sex, the frequency of CT genotype in male patients was higher than that in male controls (chi2 = 7.654, P= 0.022). (4) There were no significant differences of genotypic and allelic distribution in MAOA genes between schizophrenic patients with positive family history and schizophrenic patients with negative family history and among different clinical subtypes in schizophrenic patients (P> 0.05).

CONCLUSIONNo association between MAOA gene and schizophrenia is found in Chinese Han population, but CT genotype is likely to be a susceptible factor of male schizophrenia.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Alleles ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Monoamine Oxidase ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Schizophrenia ; genetics ; Young Adult

Tricho-rhino-phalangeal syndrome (TRPS) was first reported in 1966. Although mutation of TRPS1 gene is considered to be responsible for the syndromes in 2000, investigation of bone metabolism and changes of serum insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 level in this kind of patients is rare. Here, we report a patient with TRPS I (MIM 190350) presenting a novel mutation (1096insA) and abnormal changes of severe osteoporosis as well as low serum IGF-I level.
Adolescent ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Humans ; Langer-Giedion Syndrome ; genetics ; Male ; Mutation ; Osteoporosis ; genetics ; Transcription Factors ; genetics