OBJECTIVETo study activation of dendritic cells (DC) isolated from peripheral blood monocytes of patients with chronic hepatitis B after stimulation with HBsAg or HBcAg.

METHODSDCs were isolated from peripheral blood monocytes of patients with chronic hepatitis B. DCs were impulsed with HBsAg and HBcAg separately before their maturation. The expression levels of DC surface molecule were analyzed by using flow cytometry and the ability of DC to induce T lymphocyte proliferation was evaluated by a liquid scintillation counter and the amount of interleukin-12 (IL-12) in mixed lymphocytic (IL-12) in mixed lymphocytic reaction (MLR) was measured by using ELISA.

RESULTSThe expression rate of CD86 significantly increased to (29.20 +/- 5.18)% on DC after loading with HBcAg as compared with those after loading with HBsAg (76.19 +/- 3.90)% and controls (62.37 +/- 4.24)%, P>0.01. The ability of DC after loading with HBcAg to induce T lymphocyte proliferation (34,326 +/- 3088 cpm) was significantly higher than that of DC after loading with HBsAg (20,306 +/- 2897 cpm) and controls (3454 +/- 409 cpm), P greater than 0.01. The amount of IL-12 in MLR of DC after loading with HBcAg was (348 +/- 42.8) ng/L, which was significantly higher than those of DC after loading with HBsAg (226 +/- 30.6) ng/L and controls (116 +/- 15.6) ng/L, P greater than 0.01.

CONCLUSIONHuman dendritic cell stimulated with HBcAg could more efficiently present antigen and induce specific T cell immune response.

Adult ; Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic ; metabolism ; Cell Proliferation ; Dendritic Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; metabolism ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Hepatitis B Core Antigens ; immunology ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; immunology ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; blood ; virology ; Humans ; Lymphocyte Activation ; immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; T-Lymphocytes ; cytology ; immunology ; Young Adult

Objective:To observe the effect of Kechuanning on Th cytokine expression in pediatric virus-induced asthma.Methods:120 cases of pediatric virus-induced asthma were randomly divided into Kechuanning group(treatment group,n =60,treated with Kechuanning) and Western medicine group(control group,n=60,treated with virazole).The change of Th1 cytokine IL-12 and Th2 cytokine IL-4 in blood serum were detected and analyzed.Results:Kechuanning could increase IL-12 but decrease IL-4 level in the patient's blood,therefore regulate Th cell subset,and the effect was more obvious than in control group.Conclusion:The mechanism of Kechuanning in curing pediatrics asthma induced by virus was related with increasing IL-12 and decreasing IL-4 level.

Erchen Decoction is widely used to dampness-phlegm syndrome and it can be flexibly used in clinical application by my supervisor Professor OU Zheng-wu, especially in cough, pneumonia, asthma and influenza, which has obvious efficacy in treatment. This article reviewed five medical cases during the follow-up process with Professor OU in application of Erchen Decoction, with a purpose to share experience of famous doctors and improve TCM diagnosis and treatment level together.

Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by enterbaeterial repetitive intergenic consensus-polymerase chain reaction(ERIC-PCR)DNA fingerprint. Methods Mycobacterium tuberculosis positive sputum samples between September 2003 to May 2006 were collected and cultured.Chromosomal DNA were extracted and ERIC-PCR DNA fingerprinting was analyzed by software,such as RAPD PHYLIP and Treeview.Results A total of 42 different fingerprints were detected.Phylogenetic analysis showed that they could be classified into three clusters,the clustering rate was 72.6%.The characteristics of ERIC-PCR fingerprint patterns were related to age,drug resistance,and type of resistance.Conclusions ERIC-PCR DNA fingerprinting technique used in this study is good for epidemiological studies with its strong discrimination,simplicity and rapidness.A high level of recent transmission is found in our city.

Adult ; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency ; diagnosis ; Female ; Hemoglobins ; analysis ; Humans ; Iron ; deficiency ; Premenopause ; ROC Curve ; Reticulocytes ; chemistry

BACKGROUNDThe optimal ventilated status under total intravenous or inhalation anesthesia in neurosurgical patients with a supratentorial tumor has not been ascertained. The purpose of this study was to intraoperatively compare the effects of moderate hyperventilation on the jugular bulb oxygen saturation (SjO 2 ), cerebral oxygen extraction ratio (O 2 ER), mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), and heart rate (HR) in patients with a supratentorial tumor under different anesthetic regimens.

METHODSTwenty adult patients suffered from supratentorial tumors were randomly assigned to receive a propofol infusion followed by isoflurane anesthesia after a 30-min stabilization period or isoflurane followed by propofol. The patients were randomized to one of the following two treatment sequences: hyperventilation followed by normoventilation or normoventilation followed by hyperventilation during isoflurane or propofol anesthesia, respectively. The ventilation and end-tidal CO 2 tension were maintained at a constant level for 20 min. Radial arterial and jugular bulb catheters were inserted for the blood gas sampling. At the end of each study period, we measured the change in the arterial and jugular bulb blood gases.

RESULTSThe mean value of the jugular bulb oxygen saturation (SjO 2 ) significantly decreased, and the oxygen extraction ratio (O 2 ER) significantly increased under isoflurane or propofol anesthesia during hyperventilation compared with those during normoventilation (SjO 2 : t = -2.728, P = 0.011 or t = -3.504, P = 0.001; O 2 ER: t = 2.484, P = 0.020 or t = 2.892, P = 0.009). The SjO 2 significantly decreased, and the O 2 ER significantly increased under propofol anesthesia compared with those values under isoflurane anesthesia during moderate hyperventilation (SjO 2 : t = -2.769, P = 0.012; O 2 ER: t = 2.719, P = 0.013). In the study, no significant changes in the SjO 2 and the O 2 ER were observed under propofol compared with those values under isoflurane during normoventilation.

CONCLUSIONSOur results suggest that the optimal ventilated status under propofol or isoflurane anesthesia in neurosurgical patients varies. Hyperventilation under propofol anesthesia should be cautiously performed in neurosurgery to maintain an improved balance between the cerebral oxygen supply and demand.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Anesthetics, Inhalation ; Anesthetics, Intravenous ; Arterial Pressure ; physiology ; Blood Gas Analysis ; Craniotomy ; methods ; Female ; Heart Rate ; physiology ; Humans ; Hyperventilation ; chemically induced ; physiopathology ; Isoflurane ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Propofol ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDParkinson's disease (PD) is an autosomally inherited neurodegenerative disease in elderly people. The etiology of PD has long been thought to be associated with both genetic and environmental factors. To explore potential genetic risk factors for PD in the northern Han Chinese population, we investigated three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs4538475, rs11107 and rs12564040) in the BST1, PARK15 and PARK9 genes.

METHODSGenomic DNA from 215 PD patients and 212 matched controls was amplified in two independent PCR systems and subsequently genotyped by digestion with the endonuclease PstI. Genetic parameter and association studies were carried out with SPSS 13.0 and PLINK 1.07 software.

RESULTSWe could accurately detect all genotypes in the three loci with the PCR-RFLP or mismatched PCR-RFLP techniques. The observed heterozygosities of the rs4538475 and rs11107 loci in PD and control groups ranged from 0.460 - 0.481 and 0.410 - 0.441, in BST1, PARK15 respectively, while we detected no heterozygosity at the rs12564040 locus in PARK9. The similar distributions of genotypic frequency between both groups suggest that the three SNPs investigated in this study are unlikely to play roles as common risk factors or pathogenic mutations for PD in northern Han Chinese.

CONCLUSIONThe SNPs investigated in the BST1, PARK15 and PARK9 genes associated with PD susceptibility are not associated with PD in the northern Han Chinese population.

ADP-ribosyl Cyclase ; genetics ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antigens, CD ; genetics ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; F-Box Proteins ; genetics ; Female ; GPI-Linked Proteins ; genetics ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Parkinson Disease ; genetics ; Parkinsonian Disorders ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; genetics ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo establish a new and efficient method(IEDA) for detection of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome virus (HFRSV) antigen.

METHODSAn immune enzyme dot assay (IEDA) with mixture of three sorts anti-HFRSV-IgG, which was obtained from rabbit vaccinated with EHFV R22, Chen and Hubei strain was employed to detect HFRSV antigen in serum and urine from epidemic hemorrhagic fever (EHF) patients, and compared with indirect immune fluorescence assay (I-IFA), 76 serum samples and 40 urine samples were detected in this study.

RESULTSThe results showed that the total positive rate of HFRSV antigen detected by IEDA was 73.68% in serum and 65.00% in urine, while that detected by I-IFA was 75.00% and 70.00%, respectively. The positive rate in primary phase (within 5 days) of HFRSV antigen detected by IEDA was 94.34% in serum and 83.33% in urine, while that detected by I-IFA was 64.42% and 55.56%, respectively, there was significant difference in both serum and urine detections. Correlation study showed a high correlation in the result of IEDA and I-IFA.

CONCLUSIONThe results of this study suggested that the IEDA, as compared with I-IFA, was a more specific, sensitive, rapid and simple method with higher positive rate in primary phase. IEDA could be widely used for early diagnosis of HFRS in hospital at grassroots level.

Animals ; Antibodies, Viral ; immunology ; Antigens, Viral ; analysis ; Early Diagnosis ; Female ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect ; Hantaan virus ; immunology ; Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome ; diagnosis ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunoblotting ; methods ; Immunoglobulin G ; immunology ; Male ; Rabbits ; Rats ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Compound Zhajin Granule (CZG) on Toll-like re-ceptor 4 (TLR4) signaling pathway in high-fructose corn syrup induced NASH mice.

METHODSThirty 6-week-old male C3H mice were divided into the high fat and high fructose (HFHFr) group (n = 20) and the control group (n = 10) according to body weight. Mice in the HFHFr group ate high fat diet and drank 20% fructose water, while those in the control group ate common diet and drank common water. After 8 weeks mice in the HFHFr group were divided into two group according to body weight, the HFHFr group and the CZG group, 10 in each group. Mice in the CZG group were fed with high fat forage and 20% fructose water, and administered with 50 mL/kg 12. 8% CZG (prepared by hawthorn, Radix Curcumae, Alisma Orientale, Fritillaria Thunbergii, Silybum Marianum, peach seed in the ratio of 3:1.5:1.5:2:1.5:2:1) by gastrogavage. Mice in the HFHFr group were fed in the same way and daily administered with equal volume of distilled water by gastrogavage. Sixteen weeks later all mice were sacrificed. Body weight, liver wet weight, liver function, and lipid metabolism were detected. Pathological changes of liver tissues were assessed by HE staining, oil red O staining, and Masson staining. Expressions of TLR4, myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were detected using immunohistochemical staining and real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR.

RESULTSBody weight, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were obviously lower in the CZG group than in the HFHFr group (P < 0.05); oil red O stained area and density were decreased more in the CZG group than in the control group. HE staining showed ballooning inflammation was reduced more in the CZG group than in the HFHFr group. Masson staining was negative. Positive rates of TLR4 and MyD88 and mRNA expressions were significantly lower in the CZG group than in the HFHFr group (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONCZG could significantly inhibit TLR4 signaling pathway of liver in NASH mice.

Alanine Transaminase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; metabolism ; Diet, High-Fat ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Fructose ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Inflammation ; Lipid Metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C3H ; Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88 ; metabolism ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease ; drug therapy ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the pathological mechanisms of Guizhi Decoction () syndrome and the therapeutic molecular mechanisms of the Guizhi Decoction, Mahuang Decoction (), Sangju Decoction ( ) and Yinqiao Powder (), as well as the potentially biological basis that Guizhi Decoction is most effective only for the patients with Guizhi Decoction syndrome in clinical practice.

METHODSWe first got serum samples from the patients suffering from both upper respiratory tract infection and Guizhi Decoction syndrome identified by the doctors of Chinese medicine (CM) in the clinic. Four formulas with therapeutic actions of pungent warmth or pungent coolness for superficial syndromes were chosen and four kinds of rat serum samples each containing one of the above-mentioned herbal formulas were collected, then the effects of Guizhi Decoction syndromes' patient serum as well as the effects of sera containing the formulas after being stimulated by the patient serum samples on both the mRNA expression of certain toll-like receptor (TLR) subtypes and the release of some inflammatory cytokines in RAW264.7 cells were tested and analyzed in vitro.

RESULTSThe expression of TLR-3, TLR-4 and TLR-9 mRNA among the 9 tested TLR subforms were up-regulated in the macrophages stimulated by the sera from untreated upper respiratory infection patients with the Guizhi Decoction syndrome (symptomcomplex). The products such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interferon (IFN)-β from stimulated macrophages through TLR signaling pathways were also increased correspondingly. Interestingly, the changes induced by the Guizhi Decoction syndrome patients' sera were masked significantly after the macrophages were incubated with the sera from donors treated with Guizhi Decoction. Similarly, the three other exterior-releasing formulas were all effective in reversing the up-regulated changes of certain TLR subforms to different degrees, but both the number of targeted TLRs and efficacy of them seemed to be inferior to that of Guizhi Decoction.

CONCLUSIONEvidence from these experiments might contribute to the scientific explanation of both the pharmacological mechanisms of Guizhi Decoction and also the CM theory that Guizhi Decoction is specifically prescribed for the treatment of Guizhi Decoction syndrome (The gearing formula to the symptom-complex).

Animals ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; genetics ; Cytokines ; secretion ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Inflammation Mediators ; metabolism ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Macrophages ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Middle Aged ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Syndrome ; Toll-Like Receptors ; genetics ; metabolism