Objective To observe serum secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) levels in normal subjects,obese subjects,patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM),and obese patients with T2DM,as well as the difference of SPARC expression in mesenteric adipose tissue of subjects with and without T2DM.Methods Serum SPARC level was measured with the ELISA.RT-PCR,Western blot,and immunofluorescence were used to examine SPARC mRNA and protein expressions in mesenteric adipose tissue.Results (1) SPARC levels were higher in obesity,T2DM,and T2DM with obesity groups compared with normal group [(1 191.6 ± 718.91,1 223.81 ± 645.96,1 538.01 ± 757.95 vs 851.07 ± 280.21) ng/L,P＜0.05].(2) Pearson correlation analysis showed that SPARC level was positively correlated with homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance index (r =0.205,P＜ 0.05).(3) The expression levels of SPARC mRNA and protein in mesenteric adipose tissue of T2DM patients were higher than those of control subjects (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion SPARC is closely related to the development of obesity,insulin resistance,and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVETo construct the adenoviral vector containing human Bcl-2 gene and to study the expression of the gene in the spiral ganglion cells (SGC) in vitro.

METHODSHuman Bcl-2 cDNA obtained from the plasmid pUC-CAGGS/Bcl-2 was cloned into the plasmid pAdTrack-CMV. Then, pAdTrack/Bcl-2 was cotransferred with adenoviral backbone vector into E. coli strain BJ5183. The recombinant adenoviral plasmid was identified by restriction analysis with Pac I and transfected into HEK293 cells to package and amplify recombinant adenovirus particles which would be identified by Electron microscope. After the adenovirus infected the rat spiral ganglion cells, the expression of Bcl-2 gene was detected by Western Blot and RT-PCR.

RESULTSThe recombinant AdEGFP/Bcl-2 plasmid was correctly constructed and confirmed by restriction endonuclease analysis. The viral particles in HEK293 cells were identified by Electron microscope. RT-PCR and Western blot showed that Bcl-2 gene was exactly transcripted and expressed in transgene SGC.

CONCLUSIONSThe method based on homologous recombination in bacteria is simple and high efficient. The recombinant adenoviral vector containing human Bcl-2 cDNA was constructed and the transgene SGC expressed human Bcl-2 gene in vitro successfully. It provided foundation for the further study of protection for the impaired SGC by hBcl-2 gene.

Adenoviruses, Human ; genetics ; Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Genes, Homeobox ; Genes, bcl-2 ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Recombination, Genetic ; Spiral Ganglion ; metabolism ; Transfection ; Transgenes

OBJECTIVETo explore the time law of electroacupuncture in regulation of circadian rhythms of the organism.

METHODSEffects of electroacupuncture at "Shenshu" (BL 23) at Zi, Wu, Mao and You periods on circadian rhythms of locomotor activity and core body temperature in hamsters were observed with chronobiological research methods.

RESULTSElectroacupuncture at Wu period could decrease the amplitude of locomotor activity rhythm (P < 0.05), at Mao period could delay the peak phase of circadian rhythm and at You period could advance the peak phase of circadian rhythm (both P < 0.05); and electroacupuncture at Mao period could delay 22.36 degrees and at You period advance 39.32 degrees for the rhythm peak of the circadian rhythm of core body temperature.

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture has a certain effect on circadian rhythm of locomotor activity and core body temperature.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Animals ; Body Temperature ; Body Temperature Regulation ; Circadian Rhythm ; Cricetinae ; Motor Activity

OBJECTIVETo study the compatibility of composite herbal medicines of the Ling Gui Zhu Gan Decoction.

METHODEthanol extract test solutions of the different combinations were prepared according to the orthogonal layout L16(4(5)). Pharmacologic experiments, such as the time of surviving of mice in shortage of oxygen in regular air pressure, the antagonizing effect on arrhythmia induced by chloroform and diuresis were carried out with the solutions. Variance analysis, canonical correlation and stepwise regression analysis were applied to interrelate the amount of each drug and the pharmacologic data.

RESULTThe results confirmed that Fuling and Guizhi are the basis, while Baizhuand Gancao are the adjuvans, which is conformed to the theory of TCM.

CONCLUSIONThis study provides a significant try for studying the compatibility of composite herbal medicines.

Animals ; Anti-Arrhythmia Agents ; therapeutic use ; Diuretics ; pharmacology ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Hypoxia ; drug therapy ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Mice ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Extracts ; isolation & purification ; therapeutic use ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Ventricular Fibrillation ; drug therapy

Objective To establish an acute yunaconitine poisoning rat model with a single oral administration and to determine the contents of yunaconitine in rat tissues by UPLC-MS/MS method, then investigate the distribution of yunaconitine in rats. Method The rats were randomly divided into three groups and were intragastrically administered a single dose of 2.2mg/kg,1.1mg/kg,0.7mg/kg yunaconitine, respectively.. The rats were killed 2h later, the stomach tissue, intestine tissue, liver tissue, pancreas tissue, kidney tissue, lung tissue, spleen tissue, heart tissue, bladder tissue, testis tissue, brain tissue and heart blood samples were collected. The contents of yunaconitine in the biological materials were determined by UPLC-MS/MS method after the biological samples extracted by liquid-liquid extraction. Result A rat model of the yunaconitine poisoning was made with a single dose of 1.1mg/kg, the concentrations of yunaconitine displayed in the organs with the following order:stomach, small intestine, liver, pancreas, kidney, lung, spleen, heart, bladder, testis, heart blood and brain. Conclusion Yunaconitine was widely distributed in rats, especially the levels in the stomach, small intestine and liver were the highest. The conclusion provides a basis for the selection of test materials for the poisoning of Aconitum vilmorinianum Kom.

From the perspective of standardization development of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) information,the paper puts forward the categorizing and coding scheme of clinical TCM information,builds a frame of basic clinical TCM information classification,which consists of 6 Grade 1 categories,30 subcategories and a few detailed categories,to provide standardized support for informatization and standardization study in the area of TCM.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effectiveness and safety of allograft in posterior spinal fusion in patients with scoliosis.

METHODS41 cases of 54 scoliosis patients with allograft for spinal fusion were followed up. The mean follow-up time is 16 months. Foreign body reaction was studied clinically and fusion status was assessed radiographically.

RESULTSThere was no foreign body reaction significantly in all patients. Acute deep wound infection happened in one patient and no chronic deep wound infection occurred. There was no disease transferred by allograft in followed patients. New bone formation appeared after 4 months postoperatively in radiogram. At final follow-up, the mean angle of 3.4 degrees lost and minimal -1 degrees and maximal 6 degrees . Implants were fastened and did not loosen and fracture.

CONCLUSIONSAllograft for posterior spinal fusion in scoliosis patients was useful and safe.

Adolescent ; Bone Transplantation ; methods ; Child ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Freeze Drying ; Humans ; Male ; Scoliosis ; surgery ; Spinal Fusion ; methods ; Transplantation, Homologous

OBJECTIVETo explore the anti-tumor mechanism of the combination of cisplatin with DC vaccine in tumor-bearing mice.

METHODSB16 melanoma cells were treated with cisplatin at the final concentration of 20 µg/ml in vitro for 24 h. The expression of HMGB1, Hsp70 and TGF-β were detected by Western blot. B16 tumor-bearing mouse models were generated. The therapeutic effect of the combination of cisplatin (100 µg/mouse i.p., for sequential 3 days) and intratumoral injection of DC cells (3×10(6)/mouse, twice with a 7-day interval) in the tumor-bearing mouse models was evaluated. Expression of MHC II, ICAM-1 and CD86 was analyzed by flow cytometry. The mice were sacrificed at 28 days after tumor cell inoculation. The tumors were removed and weighed, and tissue samples were taken for pathological examination. Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) were isolated by discontinuous gradient centrifugation. The distribution of T-reg and CD8(+) T cells in the TIL was analyzed by flow cytometry, and the ratio of CD8(+) T/T-reg was determined. The activity of cytotoxic lymphocytes (CTL) was determined by microcytotoxicity assay.

RESULTSCisplatin enhanced both the B16 cell apoptosis and HMGB1 expression. After loading with cisplatin-treated cell lysate, the expression of MHC II, ICAM-1 and CD86 on DC cells were (47.5 ± 8.8)%, (35.5 ± 8.3)% and (36.2 ± 9.2)%, respectively. At 28 days after tumor cell inoculation, the tumor weight of the control group was (2.1 ± 0.6) g, that of the cisplatin group was (0.3 ± 0.2) g and that of cisplatin + DC vaccine group was (0.5 ± 0.2) g, showing a significant inhibition of tumor growth (P < 0.01). Furthermore, the CD8(+) T/T-reg ratio and CTL activity in TIL were also significantly enhanced in the tumor-bearing mice treated with cisplatin + DC vaccine. When the effector-to-target ratio was 20:1, 10:1 and 5:1, the CTL activity in the cisplatin + DC vaccine treated mice was (25.0 ± 5.0)%, (22.0 ± 6.0)% and (14.0 ± 4.0)%, respectively, significantly higher than (8.2 ± 3.6)%, (6.7 ± 1.8)% and (3.6 ± 1.9)%, respectively, in the control group (all P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONCisplatin promotes the anti-tumor effect of DC vaccine by down-regulating T-reg cells and enhancing the CTL activity in tumors.

Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; B7-2 Antigen ; metabolism ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; pathology ; Cancer Vaccines ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cisplatin ; pharmacology ; Dendritic Cells ; immunology ; metabolism ; Female ; Genes, MHC Class II ; HMGB1 Protein ; metabolism ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism ; Melanoma, Experimental ; pathology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic ; immunology ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; pathology ; Tumor Burden ; drug effects

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the difference of BPH incidence in two groups.

METHODS309 cadres and 314 farmers over 60 years old in district of Wannan have been investigated. The investigation included prostate volume (V), IPSS, L, Qmax, residual urine (R) and dietary constituents.

RESULTSThe intake of animal protein in cadres is more than that in farmers (u = 24.10, P < 0.01), and the incidence rate of BPH is significantly higher (91.1% vs 11.8%, chi 2 = 24.64, P < 0.001). Logistic regression shows that the intake of animal protein has a parallel relationship with BPH.

CONCLUSIONSIn the district of Wannan, the incidence of BPH in cadres is significantly higher than that of farmers, and it may be correlated with the amount of animal protein intake.

Aged ; China ; epidemiology ; Diet ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; epidemiology ; Rural Population ; Urban Population

Objective To investigate the efficacy of stereotactic lesioning of the amygadala and hippocampus for treatment of epilepsy in the mesial temporal lobe, and explore the accuracy of lateralization and localization of interictal epileptic discharge recorded by depth electrode. Methods Twenty-one patients with intractable epilepsy of the temporal lobe,admitted to our hospital from July 1998 to October 2003 and underwent stereotactic lesioning of the amygadala and hippocampus,were chosen in our study. The frequentcy of Interictal epileptic discharge recorded by depth electrode and occurred preoperatively and postoperatively were compared Results Follow-up was performed in 21patients:6 with Engel Ⅰ,2 with Engel Ⅱ,5 with Engel Ⅲ,3 with Engel Ⅳ and 5 with Engel V.Thirteen patients enjoyed good effect and ineffective result was noted in 8,with an effective rate reaching 62％.No consistent changes of interictal epileptic discharge recorded by depth electrode occurred preoperatively.Conclusion Stereotactic lesioning of the amygadala and hippocampus is safe and effective in treating patients with epilepsy in the mesial temporal lobe.The interictal epileptic discharge can supply useful lateralizing information,but has little localizing value.