Antigens, CD34 ; metabolism ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Fibrosarcoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mucocele ; metabolism ; pathology ; Myxoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Skin Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Toes ; Vimentin ; metabolism

OBJECTIVESTry to induce liver-derived dendritic cells proliferation by plasmid-IL-3 and CD40L genes in mice in vivo.

METHODSRapid tail-vein injection of large amounts of plasmid-carrying genes was performed to transfect genes in mice livers. Liver nonparenchymal cells were isolated by Percoll gradient centrifugation. Dendritic cell markers were detected and dendritic cells were sorted out by flow cytometry. Morphology of dendritic cells was studied microscopically (with Giemsa staining) and under scanning electron microscopy.

RESULTSLiver nonparenchymal cells dramatically increased in the liver lobules, portal and periportal areas in the treated group, but not in the control group. B220+/DEC205+ dendritic cells were detected and sorted by flow cytometry. There were more B220+/DEC205+ dendritic cells (16.0%) in the experiment group than those in the control group (1.1%). Morphologically, the sorted B220+/DEC205+ cells showed irregular shaped nuclei, paucity of cytoplasmic granules and extensive cytoplasmic processes.

CONCLUSIONB220+/DEC205+ dendritic cells were expanded in vivo in mice livers by rapid tail-vein injection of plasmid-carrying genes encoding IL-3 and CD40L in a large amount. Inducing liver dendritic cell proliferation in vivo provides a more convenient way for studying the biology of these cells.

Animals ; CD40 Ligand ; genetics ; Dendritic Cells ; cytology ; Flow Cytometry ; Hepatocytes ; cytology ; Interleukin-3 ; genetics ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Transfection

Objective To investigate the expression of Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) on dendritic cells(DCs) derived from peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs) of chronic hepatitis B(CHB) patients and to explore the mechanism of sustained infection of hepatitis B virus (HBV). Methods Twenty CHB patients were randomly screened in the study,and ten healthy persons were recruited as controls.The monocytes isolated from peripheral blood of candidates were incubated with recombinant human granuloeyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF) and rhIL-4 to induce the DCs generation and proliferation.Then the phenotype of DCs was identified by micro- scope.The expressions of the phenotypes[histocompatibility leukocyte antigen(HLA)-DR,CD80, CD86,CD83]of immature and mature DCs were measured by flow cytometer.Furthermore,the ex- pression of TLR3 on mature DCs(mDC) and immature DCs(imDC) was determined by flow cytometry and Western blot analysis respectively.Results As for healthy volunteers,the expressions of CD80, CD86,HLA-DR and CD83 on DCs at the 7th day,which were(82.35?8.67)%,(79.61?10.08)%, (92.79?8.48)% and (83.76?5.47)% respectively,were significantly higher than those at the 5th day which were(28.31?8.79) %,(31.17?11.23)%,(27.61?10.28)% and (23.46?11.53)% respec- tively(P0.05).The expression of TLR3 on imDC was significantly higher than that on mDC at control group (P0.05).And the expression of TLR3 on imDC in CHB patients group was significantly lower than that of control group(P

Objectives To investigate the clinical features,prognosis and risk factors of patients with cryptococcal meningitis.Methods Totally 146 patients with cryptococcal meningitis who were hospitalized in Huashan Hospital from January 2000 to December 2006 were enrolled in this study.The clinical data including diagnosis and misdiagnosis,experimental and etiology tests,treat- ments and prognosis from all the patients were analyzed retrospectively.Results Among the 146 patients enrolled in the study,78 patients(53.4%)had concomitant diseases.The misdiagnosis rate of all patients was 72.6%(106/146).The positive rate of cerebrospinal fluid(CSF)India ink smear was 59.6%(87/106),while 43.2%(63/146)cases of cryptococcus neoformans culture in CSF was positive.The positive rate of Latex agglutination test(LAT)was 91.7%(134/146)in CSF among all patients.The treatments were as follows:combination of Amphotericin B(AmpB)or its lipid formula- tions with flucytosine(5-FC)(98 cases),including combination with Fluconazole initally(62 cases), single therapy of Fluconazole(13 cases).Ommaya implanted for lateral cerebral ventricle drainage(53 cases)and AmpB intrathecal injection(53 cases).The average dose of AmpB is 3.06 g.The course of treatment lasted from 12 weeks to 20 months.There were 104 patients(71.2%)cured,27(18.5%) improved,15(10.3%)died and 34(23.3%)relapsed.Conclusions High misdiagnosis rate is common in patients with cryptococcal meningitis.Immunodeficiency is the major risk factor for cryp- tococcal meningitis.CSF LAT is the most sensitive diagnostic test.Early diagnosis,combination of AmpB with 5-FC antifungal therapy and control of acute intracranial hypertension are the keys to im- prove prognosis of cryptococcal meningitis.

Objective To survey and analyze characteristics of brucellosis epidemic in Weinan city of Shaanxi province for the purpose of setting up prevention and control measures for the disease. Methods According to "The Executing Plan for the Work of Surveying Brucellosis Disease in Shaanxi Province", 35 villages(towns) of designated monitoring locations and 24 villages (towns) of randomized monitoring locations in five countries of Weinan were chosen to survey brucellosis disease. The five countries were Chengcheng, Dali, Heyang, Tongguan and Hancheng. High risk populations with a history of contacting livestock and livestock products aged between 7 and 60 underwent clinical and serology examination[rose bengal plate agglutination test(RBPT) and standard tube agglutination test(SAT)]. All manipulation methods and judging standards were in accord with the "Diagnostic Standard for Brucellosis" (WS 269-2007). Results In the designated monitoring location, a total of 8664 people at high risk were investigated, among whom 1407 people were tested by RBPT test and 27 people were positive,the positive rate was 1.92%(27/1407); 27 people were tested by SAT test and 27 people were positive, the positive rate was 100% (27/27); 25 people were diagnosed and the diagnosis rate was 92.59%(25/27). In the randomized monitoring location, a total of 3464 people at high risk were investigated, among whom 411 people were tested by RBPT test and 3 people were positive, the positive rate was 0.73%(3/411 ), 3 people were tested by SAT test which were all positive and made a definite diagnosis. Twenty-eight new cases were made a definite diagnosis and its incidence was 2.06 in a hundred thousand(28/1 361 618). Conclusions The infection of human brucellosis in Weinan city stays at higher level. The governments should increase input for the monitoring,investigating and disinfecting to prevent the disease from increasing and outspreading.

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of acupuncture on Chinese medicine syndromes of vascular dementia (VaD).

METHODSSixty-three VaD patients were divided into three groups. Those willing to be randomized were randomly assigned to receive either acupuncture (random acupuncture group, 24 cases) or rehabilitation training (guided rehabilitation group, 24 cases) for 6 weeks. Those unwilling to be randomized also received acupuncture for 6 weeks (non-random acupuncture group, 19 cases). Patient syndromes and their severity were evaluated before treatment (baseline), at the end of treatment, and at 4-week follow-up after the completion of treatment using a CM scoring system (scale of differentiation of syndromes of vascular dementia, SDSVD). The SDSVD scores of the random and non-random acupuncture groups, and of all patients who received acupuncture (combined acupuncture group, 43 cases), were compared with those in the guided rehabilitation group.

RESULTSIn the random, non-random, and combined acupuncture groups, SDSVD scores were significantly reduced at the end of treatment and at follow-up than at baseline. In the guided rehabilitation group, SDSVD scores were similar to baseline scores at the end of treatment and at follow-up. However, there were no significant differences in SDSVD scores among the three groups or between the combined acupuncture group and the guided rehabilitation group at any time points. In the non-random and combined acupuncture groups, SDSVD scores were significantly reduced at the end of treatment than at baseline in patients with hyperactivity of Liver (Gan)-yang or phlegm obstruction of the orifices.

CONCLUSIONSAcupuncture reduced the severity of VaD. The improvement was the greatest in patients undergoing their treatment of choice. Treatments in this study were more effective for excess syndromes, such as Liver-yang hyperactivity or phlegm obstruction of the orifices than deficiency syndromes, such as Kidney (Shen)-essence deficiency.

Acupuncture ; Dementia, Vascular ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

OBJECTIVETo observe a turning performance in the rats excited by using a proper electrical stimuli of the barrel cortex region (BC), and the expression of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in the BC regions after electoral stimulation.

METHODSSD rats were divided into three groups. The stimulation electrodes were surgically implanted into the bilateral BC regions in the control group and the experimental group rats. The experiment group post surgery for seven days was given the electrical impulses via connection with the electrodes for three times each day through consecutive three days. Three groups of the rats were killed and the brains were quickly removed for frozen sections and then performed with conventional HE and immunohistochemistry staining. And protein samples were prepared from brain and the hippocampus tissues of the three groups to detect the level of the ChAT protein by Western blot.

RESULTSThe experimental rats turn left or right when continuously stimulation in the bilateral BC regions with electric pulse. HE staining showed no significant damage around electrodes in the cerebral cortex. Compared with the control and blank groups, the ChAT positive rate in the brain section in the experimental rats was significantly high by immunohistochemistry assay; the level of the ChAT protein in the rats given the electrical stimulation increased.

CONCLUSIONTurnings performance of the rat could be initiated hy electrical stimuli in the BC region. Expression of ChAT is significantly higher in the BC regions of rat under electrical stimulation, suggesting that acetylcholine might be associated with signal transmission between senses and movement behavior in the nervous central system.

Acetylcholine ; metabolism ; Animals ; Cerebral Cortex ; metabolism ; Choline O-Acetyltransferase ; metabolism ; Electric Stimulation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo in vestigate the constituents in root of Gentiana macrophylla.

METHODVarious column chromatographic techniques were used for isolation and purification of the principles. The structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral data (UV, IR, MS, 1H-, 13C-NMR etc.) and identified by comparing with standard substance.

RESULTEight compounds were identified. Four compounds isolated from the chloroform fraction are: 5-carboxyl-3,4-dihydrogen-1H-2-benzopyran-1-one (1), erythrocentauric acid (2), roburic acid (3), oleanolic acid (4). Water fraction gave four known secoiridoid glucosides. They were: gentiopicroside (5), swertiamarine (6), sweroside (7), 6'-O-beta-D-glucosylgentiopicroside (8).

CONCLUSION1 is a novel compound. It was named as erythrocentauric acid. 2 was isolated from genus Gentiana and 8 was isolated from G. macrophylla for the first time.

Gentiana ; chemistry ; Glucosides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Iridoid Glucosides ; Iridoids ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Isocoumarins ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry

Actins ; analysis ; Alkaloids ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Immunohistochemistry ; Liver ; chemistry ; pathology ; Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental ; metabolism ; Male ; Muscle, Smooth ; chemistry ; Quinolizines ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; analysis