OBJECTIVETo study the effect of butenolide (BUT) on cultured chondrocytes differentiation and the possible protective effects of selenium (Se).

METHODSEx-vivo cultured chondrocytes were divided into six groups: (1) Control group (without BUT and Se); (2) Se 0.1 microg/ml control group; (3) BUT 0.1 microg/ml group; (4) BUT 1.0 microg/ml group; (5) BUT 5.0 microg/ml group; and (6) BUT 1.0 microg/ml + Se 0.1 microg/ml group. The expression of collagen II (Col II), collagen X (ColX), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP) in (or around) chondrocytes in all groups were analyzed by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSThe expressions of Col II in 1.0 microg/ml BUT group and 5.0 microg/ml BUT group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The expression of Col II in 1.0 microg/ml BUT + Se group were significantly higher than those in the 1.0 microg/ml BUT group and 5.0 microg/ml BUT group (P < 0.05). The expressions of bFGF and PTHrP of BUT groups were significantly higher than those in the Se and control groups (P < 0.05). No expression of ColX was observed in all groups.

CONCLUSIONBUT can affect the collagen II synthesis of the chondrocytes. Selenium supplementation may play a protective role.

4-Butyrolactone ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Cell Differentiation ; Cells, Cultured ; Chondrocytes ; cytology ; Humans ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Selenium ; pharmacology ; T-2 Toxin ; toxicity

OBJECTIVETo investigate if the duration from poisoning to treatment (no treatment period) is related to the prognosis of patients with severe acute organophosphorus pesticide poisoning (SAOPP).

METHODSOne hundred and seventy-four patients with the pre-hospital systematic treatment served as the treatment group while 160 patients going to the hospital by themselves without treatment or rejecting gastrolavage served as the control group. Patients in both groups were treated by gastrolavage, pralidoxime chloride, atropine and other expectant treatment. The duration of no treatment period, death, and severe complication were observed. The time of disappearance of symptoms, the recovery time of acetyl cholinesterase (AChE), atropinization time, atropine dosage, pralidoxime chloride dosage, naloxone dosage, hospitalization days and other targets were also observed.

RESULTSThe duration of no treatment period in treatment group [(1.2 +/- 0.3) h] was significantly shorter than that in control group [(2.8 +/- 0.5) h, (P < 0.01)]. The mortality rate in treatment group was 6.32% while that in control group 22.5% (P < 0.01). The incidence of respiratory failure, heart injury, brain injury, atropine poisoning, intermediate syndrome, liver injury in treatment group (12.64%, 5.75%, 8.62%, 1.72%, 4.60%, 5.17% respectively) were lower than those in control group (25.63%, 13.75%, 17.50%, 6.25%, 7.50%, 9.38% respectively, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The time of symptoms disappearance, the recovery time of AChE, atropinization time, atropine dosage, pralidoxime chloride dosage, naloxone dosage, hospitalization days in treatment group were significantly superior to those in control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe pre-hospital systematic treatment can improve the prognosis of the patients with SAOPP, which is worth popularizing and using.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Emergency Medical Services ; Female ; Humans ; Insecticides ; poisoning ; Male ; Organophosphate Poisoning ; Pesticides ; poisoning ; Prognosis

Objective To develop a double antibody sandwich ELISA assay for quantitative determination of recombinant human interferon α1b.Methods Mouse monoclonal antibodies with different binding site on rIFN-α1b were screened to select optimized candidates as coating and HRP-labeled index antibodies respectively.And a double antibodies sandwich ELISA was assembled; the reliable lower detection limit,specificity,accuracy and reproducibility were evaluated and validated.Results The quantitative sandwich ELISA had a reliable lower detection limit of 10 ng/ml,with a liner detection range 10-100 ng/ml (R2 =0.992),variation coefficient inter-plates is less than 10％.Conclusion The developed sandwich ELISA was a sensitive and specific,accuracy and reproducibility method for quantitative determination of recombinant human interferon αt1b in final product.

OBJECTIVETo observe cell apoptosis and Bcl-2 and Bax expression changes of chondrocytes induced by butenolide (BUT) and the inhibitory effect of selenium against BUT-induced chondrcyte apoptosis, to gain insights into the mechanism by which BUT induces chondrcyte apoptosis.

METHODSCartilage tissue reestablished from human fetal articular chondrocytes in vitro were treated with BUT at the concentrations of 0.1, 1.0 and 5.0 microg/ml and with the protective factor selenium. TUNEL method was used to detect chondrocyte apoptosis, which was quantified by flow cytometry. Immunohitochemistry was performed to analyze the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in the reestablished cartilage tissue.

RESULTSBUT exposure induced chondrocyte apoptosis, and the apoptosis rate increased with the concentration increment of BUT from 0 to 1.0 mg/ml, resulting also increased positive expression rate of Bcl-2 and Bax(P<0.05). The apoptosis rate of chondrocytes in BUT+ selenium group was significantly lower than that of BUT groups (P<0.05), as was the positivity rate of Bcl-2 and Bax expression (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONBUT induces chondrocyte apoptosis in positive relation with BUT concentration (from 0 to 1.0 mg/ml) and causes increased expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax. Selenium can inhibit the chondrocyte apoptosis induced by BUT.

4-Butyrolactone ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Chondrocytes ; drug effects ; Humans ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Selenium ; pharmacology ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

Objective To examine the association between folic acid supplements during peri-conception and the related adverse birth outcome.Methods Pregnant women who received first prenatal care at 4 municipal-level medical institutions in Maanshan,from Oct.2008 to Oct.2010 were selected as the target population.All participants were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire which including data on demographic characteristics,interval,complications and frequency of taking folic acid etc.,during pregnancy.The follow-up-records after delivery would include factors as:fetal weight,height,circumference of head,chest circumference of the neonates.Finally,4448 valid questionnaires were gathered,including 190 premature,147 small for gestational age and 104 low birth weight babies.Descriptive statistics and logistic regression models were used for data analysis.Results Data showed that the weight,height and head circumference of the fetels at birth among pregnant women who had taken supplementary standard folic acid during peri-conception period or only during the first trimester,were all better than those pregnant women who had not taken the standard folic acid supplements.After adjustment for potential confounders as gestational weeks,maternal age,mather' s education level,results from the logistic regression showed that intake of standard folic acid supplements appeared a protective factor for those babies who were smaller than the gestational age (RR=0.45,95％ CI:0.24-0.86),at premature delivery (RR=0.52,95％ CI:0.32-0.87) or with low birth weight (RR=0.39,95％CI:0.19-0.80).However,data from this study showed that provision of folic acid supplements to the pre-pregnant or at first trimester alone did not make obvious impact on those babies as prematured,small for gestational age and at low birth weight.Conclusion Standardized provision of folic acid supplements during peri-conceptional period could improve the outcomes of birth.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and adverse effect of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) in the treatment of frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome in children. METHODS: The study population consisted of 37 children (24 simple nephrotic syndrome and 13 nephritis-type syndrome) suffering from frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome. Patients received 20-30 mg/(kg d) of MMF in conjunction with 1 mg/(kg d) prednisone for 3-6 months. RESULTS: Out of 24 patients suffered from simple nephrotic syndrome, 17 patients (70.8%) with complete relief, 4 patients (16.7%) with partial relief and 3 patients (12.5%) with non-relief, whereas out of 13 patients suffered from nephritis-type syndrome 6 patients (46.2%) with complete relief, 3 patients (23.1%) with partial relief and 4 patients (30.7%) with non-relief. Eight patients with Minimal Change Disease (MCD) achieved complete relief. Of 23 patients with Mesangial Proliferative Glomerulonephritis (MsPGN) or Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis (MPGN), complete relief was observed in 17 patients (73.9%), partial relief in 4 patients (17.4%) and non-relief in 2 patients. CONCLUSION These Results suggest that MMF has better efficacy against simple renal disease than against nephritis-type syndrome, and MMF may be more suitable for the treatment of frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome characterized by proliferative lesions.
Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Mycophenolic Acid ; adverse effects ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Nephrotic Syndrome ; drug therapy ; Recurrence ; Treatment Outcome

Apoptosis is a process of programmed cell death,which has the function of maintaining skin balance.In psoriasis,the disturbance of apoptosis is characterized by abnormal prolif-eration of keratinocytes.Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)has a regulatory effect on keratinocyte apoptosis,which can in-hibit the excessive proliferation of psoriasis epidermis,promote normal epidermal differentiation,and maintain epidermal homeo-stasis.It has the advantages of fewer adverse reactions and multi-targets.Therefore,this article summarizes and analyzes the specific mechanism of various active ingredients of TCM to in-duce the apoptosis of psoriasis keratinocytes by interfering with related factors and signaling pathways,hoping to provide a refer-ence for the treatment of psoriasis with TCM.

OBJECTIVETo explore the temporal profile of serum antibody against coronavirus in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and to evaluate the reliability of indirect immuno-fluorescence assay (IFA) in the diagnosis of SARS.

METHODSClinically confirmed SARS patients, suspected SARS patients, and controls were included in the study. IFA was used to detect the serum antibody against SARS coronavirus. General information about the subjects was collected using a standard questionnaire.

RESULTSThe positive rates of specific IgG and IgM against SARS virus within 10 days after onset of the disease were 55.1% and 16.3% respectively and then increased up to 89.8% for IgG and 65.3% for IgM. After 25 days of the onset of the disease, 90.9% patients became positive for both IgG and IgM. Results from chi-square for trend test revealed that the positive rates of both IgG and IgM increased with time (chi(2) for trend = 16.376, P = 0.00005 for IgG; chi(2) for trend = 28.736, P = 0.00000 for IgM). Sensitivity, specificity and agreement value of IFA regarding the diagnosis of SARS were all higher than 90%.

CONCLUSIONIFA can be used to assist diagnosis of SARS after 10 days of the onset of disease.

Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect ; methods ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Immunoglobulin M ; blood ; SARS Virus ; immunology ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; diagnosis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinicopathologic characteristics of childhood renal diseases.

METHODSA retrospective analysis of 1316 renal biopsies performed over the past 20 years was performed.

RESULTSOf the 1316 patients, 383 (29.09% ) were diagnosed as nephrotic syndrome, 291 (22.00%) as acute nephritis syndrome, 224 (17.21%) as isolated hematuria, 209(15.87%) as purpura nephritis, and 96 (7.30% ) as hepatitis B virus-associated nephritis . Mesangial proliferation was the most common pathological change (756 cases; 57.45%), followed by IgA nephropathy (113 cases; 8.59%), endothelial capillary proliferation(112 cases; 8.51%), membranous nephropathy (66 cases; 5.02%), and various minor and minimal changes (59 cases; 4.48%). Alport syndrome, congenital nephrotic syndrome, thin basement membrane nephropathy, fibrillary glomerulopathy disease, and Fabry disease were confirmed by electronic microscopy. IgA, IgM and C1q nephropathy were definitely diagnosed using immune histochemistry or immunofluorescent. A diagnosis of primary glomerular disease was made in 69.53% of the cases (915 cases); secondary glomerular disease was noted in 26.14% (344 cases). Of the 915 cases of primary glomerular disease, 375 (41.0%) had nephrotic syndrome. Secondary glomerular disease due to purura nephritis was common (209/344; 60.8%).

CONCLUSIONSPrimiary glomerular disease predominates in children. Nephrotic syndrome is the most common clinical diagnosis. Mesangial proliferation is the most common pathological patterns in children with renal disease.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Kidney ; pathology ; Kidney Diseases ; pathology ; Kidney Glomerulus ; pathology ; Male ; Renal Insufficiency ; pathology ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo observe the acute and chronic renal toxicity induced by Radix Aristolochiae Fangchi Extract (RAFE) in different doses in rats.

METHODThe conventional method of acute toxicity was used. RAFE at the dose of 25.0 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1), 120.0 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) and 200.0 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) and aristolochic acid (AA, 10.0 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) were interruptedly administrated to rats for 13 week by gastric tube, and the sample of blood, urine and kidney were collected at 4 week, 8 week and 13 week respectively. The indexes of renal function were measured and the morphology of kidney was observed.

RESULTLD50 of RAFE was 36.8 g x kg(-1) (the crude drug) and the 95% confidence limit was 38.8 - 28.9 g x kg(-1). The changes of renal functions were azotemia, massive proteinuria and the increase of urinary NAGase (beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase) in the earlier period of administration with RAFE in rats. Pathological changes of renal tissue were as follows: acute renal tubular necrosis mainly in the boundary of cortex and medulla was observed in the earlier period, and with the elongation of administration, the pathological process of renal interstitial fibrosis observed in the middle and high groups of RAFE and AA group.

CONCLUSIONRAFE at middle and high doses administrated by interrupted gavage above 13 week can cause the injury of renal tubular functions in rats. NAGase can be used as one of observation targets in the earlier period of renal injury.

Acetylglucosaminidase ; urine ; Animals ; Aristolochia ; chemistry ; toxicity ; Aristolochic Acids ; isolation & purification ; toxicity ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; toxicity ; Female ; Fibrosis ; chemically induced ; Kidney Tubules ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; toxicity ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; toxicity ; Proteinuria ; chemically induced ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley