Objective: To analyze the cause of HBeAg (one of HBV markers) false-negative reaction during ELISA examination and to discuss its countermeasures. Methods: The patients who were HBsAg (+), HBcAb (+) and HBeAg (-) by ELISA examination were further detected with the reagents of 4 different manufacturers in 2 steps: (1) The serum samples positive of HBsAg and HBcAb by ELISA using reagent A were further detected by qualitative analysis and Double-antibody sandwich ELISA using reagent A, B and C. (2) Reagent D (chemiluminescence method) was used to confirm the diagnosis if the results were positive or weakly positive of HBeAg, or the D values were within a specific range by ELISA using reagent A, B or C. The result of reagent D was taken as the final result. Results: The 274 sera negative of HBeAg were still negative when using reagent A, with the false-negative rate being 2.18%; 5 sera were positive when using reagent B, with false-negative rate being 0.36%; and 6 sera (including the 5 positive ones using reagent B and 1 negative case using reagent A and B) were positive when using reagent C, without false-negative case. All the 6 positive samples were confirmed by chemiluminescence using reagent D. Conclusion: It is suggested that ELISA examination using reagent A or B can lead to false-negative results of HBeAg. HBsAg (+), HBcAb (+) and HBeAg (-) sera in ELISA examination should be examined with combinations of reagents of different manufacturers.

Animals ; Brain ; metabolism ; Female ; Ginkgolides ; pharmacology ; Hypoxia ; metabolism ; Lactic Acid ; metabolism ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the expression of Ghrelin and high mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1) in the serum and the intestinal tissue of sepsis model rats, and to evaluate the effect of electro-acupuncture (EA) at Zusanli (ST36) on the expression of HMGB1 and Ghrelin.

METHODSForty-eight male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups, i.e., the sham-operation (sham), the cecal ligation and puncture group (CLP), the CLP + EA at Zusanli (ST36) group (EA), and the CLP + Ghrelin receptor blocking agent + EA group (GHSRA), 12 in each group. A sepsis rat model was prepared by CLP. The incision of the abdominal wall was immediately sutured along the ventral midline for rats in the Sham group. In the EA group EA at Zusanli (ST36) was performed 20 min after CLP surgery with the constant voltage (2 - 100 Hz, 2 mA) for 30 min. In the GHSRA group, Ghrelin receptor blocking agent, [D-Arg1, D-Phe5, D-Trp79, Leu11]-substance P (700 nmol/kg), was administered through intravenous injection immediately after CLP, and 20 min later, EA at Zusanli (ST36) was performed in the same way as for rats in the EA group. Blood samples were withdrawn 12 h after CLP. The serum levels of Ghrelin and HMGB1 were detected using ELISA. Ghrelin expressions and the number of Ghrelin immunopositive cell in the jejunum were determined by immunohistochemistry. HMGB1 contents of the jejunum tissue were detected by Western blotting.

RESULTSCompared with the Sham group, the number of serum immunopositive cells and the expression of HMGB1 in the jejunum tissue significantly increased and levels of Ghrelin and the expression rate of immunopositive cells significantly decreased in the CLP group (P < 0.05). Compared with the CLP group, the number of serum immunopositive cells and the expression of HMGB1 in the jejunum tissue significantly decreased, but levels of Ghrelin and the expression rate of immunopositive cells significantly increased in the EA group (P < 0.05). Compared with the EA group, the number of serum immunopositive cells and the expression of HMGB1 in the jejunum tissue significantly increased in the GHSRA group (P < 0.05), but there was no statistical difference in levels of Ghrelin between the two groups (P > 0.05). The serum level of HMGB1 was negatively correlated with Ghrelin in the Sham group, the CLP group, and the EA group (r = -0. 528, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSEA at Zusanli (ST36) could inhibit the expression of HMGB1 in the jejunum of septic rats, and promote the expression of Ghrelin. The expression of HMGB1 was inhibited by Ghrelin receptor blocking agent, which suggested that the anti-inflammation of EA at Zusanli (ST36) might be associated with Ghrelin.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Electroacupuncture ; Ghrelin ; metabolism ; HMGB1 Protein ; metabolism ; Jejunum ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Sepsis ; metabolism

Objective To explore the clinical efficacy of Dahuang Zhechong Pills combined with compound gosspol acetate tablets for endometriosis (EM) after operation with laparoscopy; To observe changes in serum markers. Methods Totally 98 EM patients after operation with laparoscopy were divided into the control group (49 cases) and observation group (49 cases). All patients had laparoscopic conventional anti-infective, anti-inflammatory, nutritional support, maintenance of electrolyte and acid-base balance, for 14 d. The control group treated with compound gosspol acetate tablets, one tablet each time, once a day, orally after dinner; the observation group was given Dahuang Zhechong Pills on the basis of control group, two pills per time, twice a day, orally. The treatment course was 6 months. The clinical efficacy and symptom scores were evaluated in the two groups. The levels of MMP-3, CA-125, EMAb, IgG, FSH, E2 and LH were detected before and after treatment in the two groups. The adverse reaction was observed during the treatment. Results After the treatment, the total effective rate was 87.7％(43/49) in observation group, and 73.4％ (36/49) in control group, with statistical significance (P<0.05). After the treatment, the symptom scores were significantly lower in both groups, and the observation group was lower than the control group (P<0.05). After the treatment, the levels of MMP-3, CA-125, EMAb, FSH, E2 and LH decreased in both groups (P<0.05). The levels of MMP-3, CA-125, EMAb, FSH, E2 and LH in the observation group were lower than the control group (P<0.05). There were no serious adverse reactions in the two groups during the treatment period. Conclusion Dahuang Zhechong Pills combined with compound gosspol acetate tablets in the treatment of EM after operation with laparoscopy has a good clinical curative effect and can decrease the levels of MMP-3, CA-125, EMAb and estrogen levels.

More than one hundred strains of marine molds have been isolated from the sediment and the sample of seawater collected from the South China Sea. By the first screening, more than 30 strains of marine molds which can inhibit tested fungi such as Candida albicans and Fursarium sp. were obtained.The results of the second screening showed those strains designed as B 4#-6、B 4#-3、1-B 6-6、1-B 6-10-5、1-B 6-22、C 2#-5、A 2-9 and 1-B 6-10 can produced extracelluar antifungi metabolic products and the crude extract of the strains 1-B 6-10-5 and B 4#-3 can inhibit the growth of many other species of fungi.

Objective To investigate quantitatively the thermal sensation characteristics of the patients with facial palsy and the value of quantitative thermal test (QTT) in prognostication.Methods The QTT threshold of the fore ear and cheek of 30 patients with peripheral facial palsy was tested,their facial nerve conduction velocity was measured,and House-Brackmann facial nerve grading system was used to estimate facial nerve function at 2～3 weeks,a month,two months and half a year post onset.Results It was found that 12 out of 30 patients had abnor- mal QTT threshold value;the majority of them suffered from herpes virus and diabetes.In those with abnormal QTT, 8 were with diabetes mellitus (account for 66.7%),3 with partial shingles (account for 25%),and 1 with positive serum virus infection (account for 8.3%).Those with normal QTT were significantly different from those with abnor- mal QTT,with regard to the House-Brackmann rating scores after 2 and 6 months post onset (P

Objective To investigate the roles and significances of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in diffuse proliferative lupus nephritis by repeated renal biopsy.Methods Seventeen patients diagnosed by renal biopsy as WHO typeⅣlupus nephritis were analyzed by immunohistochemistry staining for MMP-2 and MMP-9. Double staining for MMP-2 and MT1-MMP,MMP-9 and CD68 were also performed.Patients had repeated renal biopsy after followed up for 2.5 years.The relationship between expressions of gelatinases and pathological activity index and clinical data were studied.Results MMP-2 immunoreactivity was detected in normal controls and was increased in diffuse proliferative lupus nephritis.MMP-9 staining,which was almost negative in normal giomeruli,was increased much more significantly in diffuse proliferative lupus nephritis. The immunoreactivity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 was positive in MT1-MMP staining and CD68-positive macrophages, respectively.The expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 was reduced by 70% and 62% in 10 patients whose clinical condition was partially alleviated,while the expressions in 7 patients whose clinical condition was not alleviated,were only reduced by 27% and 32%.The staining for MMP-2 and MMP-9 were correlated with activity index of lupus nephritis and proteinuria.Conclusion Up-regulation of gelatinases expression in diffuse proliferate lupus nephritis is correlated to activity index of the disease.

Objective To study the influence of electro-acupuncture(EA)at Zusanli points(足三里穴) on the apoptosis of thymocytes in rats with abdominal infection and its mechanism.Methods A total of 40 Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were randomly divided into four groups,including normal control group,model group,non-acupoint group and Zusanli group.The abdominal infection model of rat was made by cecal ligation and puncture(CLP).After abdominal cavity infection for 36 hours,the apoptosis of thymocytes was observed under electron microscope and light microscope,and the apoptosis ratio of thymocytes was determined by Annexin V-PI method with flow cytometry technique.The content of Bcl-2 protein of thymocytes and concentration of corticosterone in plasma were determined.Results Abdominal infection resulted from CLP could significantly increase the apoptosis of thymocytes and lead to the typical histopathological changes of apoptosis of thymocytes under electron microscope and light microscope.Apoptosis ratios of thyrnocytes in model group[(44.7?3.3)%],non-acupoint group[(42.7?3.0)%]and Zusanli group[(32.6?3.3)%] were significantly higher than the ratio in the control group[(21.2?2.3)%,all P0.05).Abdominal infection resulted from CLP also could reduce the content of Bcl-2 protein of thymocytes.The content of Bcl-2 protein of thymocytes in model group(71.2?5.6),non-acupoint group(73.5?5.9)and Zusanli group(82.4?6.8) were significantly lower than normal control group(95.3?6.3,all P

Child, Preschool ; Foreign Bodies ; Glottis ; Hoarseness ; etiology ; Humans ; Male

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Brain ; drug effects ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Curcumin ; pharmacology ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley