Objective To investigate the proliferation and identification of dendritic cells(DC)de- rived from peripheral blood of patients with bladder cancer in vitro.Methods The mononuclear cells were prepared from peripheral blood of patients with bladder cancer by Ficoll-Hypaque centrifugation method,and were induced by the recombinant cytokines hGM-CSF(50 ng/ml),hlL-4(10 ng/ml)and hTNF-?(50 ng/ ml)for 2 weeks.The growth and morphology of DC were observed through the phase contrast or electron mi- croscope,and their pheuotypes were determined by flow cytometry.The capacity of DC to activate T cell-de- pendent anti-tumor immune responses was tested by MTT method.Results The DC cultured in vitro turned into suspensive growth from adhesive situation on the 6th day,then the number of DC increased con- tinuously and the cells showed the irregular morphologic appearance of DC with veiled edges on the 8th day. Flow cytometry showed that the mature DC expressed high levels of specific markers such as CD_(1a),CD_(83), CD_(86)and HLA-DR.T cells activated by DC showed strong cytotoxicity to bladder cancer cell line BIU87 with a killing rate of(48.8?3.7)%,while the killing rate of T cells which were not activated by DC was(25.7?1.5)%;the difference of the rate between them was significant(P＜0.01). Conclusions The DC can be cultured from peripheral blood of patients with bladder cancer by induction of rhGM-CSF,rhIL-4 and hT- NF-?in vitro.This may lay an experimental foundation for further research on DC vaccine.

OBJECTIVETo compare the efficacy difference in treatment of acute gouty arthritis between acupuncture combined with infrared irradiation and Indomethachin as well as observe the impacts on liver function.

METHODSOne hundred and sixty cases of gout were randomized into an acupuncture group (80 cases) and an Indomethachin group (80 cases). In acupuncture group, acupuncture was applied to Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Quchi (LI 11), Xuehai (SP 10), Yanglingquan (GB 34) and Ashi points. Additionally, infrared irradiation was used in the local area. The treatment was given once daily. In Indomethachin group, Indomethachin was taken orally, 25 mg each time, three times per day. The treatment lasted for 5 days in either group. Separately, before and after treatment, pain severity and the levels of blood uric acid (BUA), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were detected. Additionally, the efficacy and the impacts on liver function were assessed.

RESULTSThe curative rate was 52.5% (42/80) in acupuncture group, which was superior to 22.5% (18/80) in Indomethachin group (P < 0.01). In acupuncture group, the analgesia efficacy was better than that in Indomethachin group (P < 0.01) and the effect on reducing BUA and ERS levels was same as that in Indomethachin group (all P > 0.05). After treatment, ALT and AST levels had no changes in acupuncture group, but they increased apparently in Indomethachin group (all P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture combined with infrared irradiation achieves superior efficacy on acute gouty arthritis as compared with oral medication of Indomethachin and the therapy provides a significant effect on analgesia and does not bring the damage of liver function.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Arthritis, Gouty ; therapy ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Humans ; Infrared Rays ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the status of eight RHD specific exons in 131 Han Chinese blood donors who were classified as RhD-negative by serological methods and explore the genomic structure of RHD gene among the Han Chinese. The Rh blood group system has the highest prevalence of polymorphisms among human blood group systems and is clinically significant in transfusion medicine. The Rh antigens are expressed on polypeptides encoded by two highly homologous genes, RHD and RHCE. Recent molecular studies have shown that the RhD-negative trait could be generated by multiple genetic mechanisms and is ethnic group-dependent.

METHODSThe polymerase chain reaction using-sequence specific primers (PCR-SSP) was used to amplify exons 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9 and 10 of RHD gene and exons 1, 2 and 5 of RHCE gene, as well as intron 4 in each of them.

RESULTSThe 131 cases of RhD-negative phenotypes consisted of 60 ccee, 58 Ccee, 5 ccEe, 5 CcEe and 3 CCee. Among them, 83 with the Rh ccee or ccEe phenotypes (63.4%) lacked the eight RHD exons indicated above, while 26 cases with the Rh Ccee, CCee, CcEe phenotypes (19.9%) had all the RHD exons examined. Twenty-two individuals with the Ccee, CCee, CcEe phenotypes (16.8%) carried at least one RHD exon. The phenotypes of the RhD negative individuals carrying the RHD gene were Rh CC or Cc, but not cc.

CONCLUSIONSThree classes of RhD-negative polymorphisms among a population of Han Chinese were observed. Antigen association analysis suggested the existence of a novel class of RhD-negative associated haplotype in Han Chinese. This haplotype consisted of a normal RHCE allele and a nonfunctional RHD gene. It may be beneficial to redefine the RhD-negative blood group among Chinese populations upon clarification of the mechanisms of RHD gene expression and RhD antigen immunization.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; China ; Ethnic Groups ; genetics ; Humans ; Phenotype ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Rh-Hr Blood-Group System ; analysis ; genetics

BACKGROUND:To date,no single material can completely meet the clinical requirements.However,the composite materials characterized by good biodegradability,biocompatibility and osteoconductivity have become a highlight of the artificial bone materials.OBJECTIVE:To synthesize the basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)-poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres/hydroxyapatite (HA)/poly(I-lactic acid) (PLLA) porous bone scaffolds,and to observe the physicochemical properties and biocompatibility of the composite material.METHODS:The bFGF-PLGA microspheres were prepared by double emulsion method,and then six kinds of materials were made including PLLA,PLLNHA,PLLAJPLGA,PLLNHNPLGA,PLLNHA/bFGF,and bFGF-PLGA microspheres/PLLA/HA.The characterization of the materials were observed by particle size analyzer,transmission electron microscopy,X-ray diffraction,Fourier transform infrared spectrometer,microcomputer differential thermal balance,and scanning electron microscope.Toxicity of these materials and proliferation of bone marrow mesechymal stem cells seeded onto these materials were analyzed and compared.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The average particle size of bFGF-PLGA microspheres was about 250 nm,the average drug-loading capacity was (26.03±0.17)％,and the entrapment percentage was (90.65±2.68)％.The prepared bFGF-PLGA microspheres were spherical and had good dispersibility.In addition,all the six kinds of materials had a porous structure with similar pore diameter,in which the microspheres and particles exhibited a rational distribution.The toxic level of bFGF-PLGA microspheres/PLLNHA,bFGF/HNPLLA and HAP/PLLA was graded as 1 (with a relative survival rate ≥ 80％),indicating no obvious toxicity or slight toxicity.All these six kinds of composite materials can promote the proliferation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells,and the bFGF-PLGA microspheres/PLLNHA shows the best effects on cell proliferation and has good biocompatibility.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between the pink teeth phenomenon and the cause of death as well as its significance in forensic medicine. METHODS: Inspection method was adopted to observe the pink teeth phenomenon in different causes of death. Ten rats were selected for every experimental groups, which were then divided into two groups: Eight in fresh group with teeth pulled immediately, and two in decayed group with body decayed in water firstly. The teeth pulled from rats were immersed in 75% alcohol and observed at different immersion time. RESULTS: In every fresh groups, pink teeth phenomenon was not observed when they were pulled immediately, whereas it emerged gradually after the teeth immersed in 75% alcohol, and the color showed distinct and constant four hours later. In decayed groups, Pink teeth phenomenon was observed immediately when teeth pulled, it became distinct and constant after one hour's immersion in alcohol. So it was more distinctive in the decayed groups than that in the fresh groups. CONCLUSION There is no significant connection between the pink teeth phenomenon and the cause of death, thus it may not be subject to forensic identification.
Animals ; Asphyxia/pathology* ; Cause of Death ; Color ; Dental Pulp/pathology* ; Female ; Male ; Postmortem Changes ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Time Factors ; Tooth/pathology*

Objective To understand Chinese public knowledge of Traditional Chinese Medicine ( TCM) and offer references for general education approaches. Methods Based on government guideline and pre-vious research, a questionnaire was designed and distributed randomly among Chinese residents in the country. Among the 1,800 questionnaires distributed, 1,486 was returned with 1,050 valid ones identified. The questionnaire consisted of seven demographic items including gender and ages;it also included seven-teen items of general TCM knowledge such as the nature of TCM discipline, advantages of TCM, and com-mon sense of health care in TCM. SPSS 20. 0 software was used to analyze the data obtained. Mean and standard deviation ( SD) was calculated for normal distribution and the homogeneity of variance test. One-
way ANOVA analysis was used to compare differences between groups. LSD test was conducted for homoge-neous variance and Tamhance’ T2 test for heterogeneous results. Results Chinese public knowledge about TCM was overall limited. Average score (x)of all 17 questions was 2. 07 (SD=0. 53). The best known item was precautions for decoction administration(x=2. 47)while the worst known one was about theory of five phases(x=1. 78). Comparison among groups indicated that students knew the most about TCM when compared with peasants(P <0. 001,Δaverage =6. 125); Difference was the most significant be-tween groups of different incomes (5 000-999 RMB/month vs. 1 000-4 999 RMB/month, P<0. 001,Δaverage=2. 870). Health status over the past year influenced the public’s knowledge as there was a significant difference between“I have been feeling better” and“I have been feeling worse” groups ( P<0. 001,Δaverage=7. 058) Conclusions Chinese public knowledge about TCM was generally limited. General education is in urgent need to provide systematic training to help the public know more about TCM philosophy and basic theories. Educators need to work from the grass to promote public’ s health care and benefit social awareness. The quantitative assessment of TCM general education also merits im-provement. This study proves to be a positive innovation.

Objective To explore the genomic structure of 8 exons in D gene of RhD(-) Chinese Han population.Methods Polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific primers(PCR-SSP) were used to study genomic DNA from 50 samples of RhD(-) Chinese Han donors. Exons 2,3,4,5,6,7,9,10 of RHD gene and exons 1,2,4,5 of RHCE gene were specifically amplified, also intron 4 of them was amplified. Results Phenotypes of the 50 RhD(-) donors were:22 ccdee, 22 Ccdee, 3 CcdEe, 3 CcdEe. The 8 exons of RHD gene were completely absent in 25 donors with ccdee or ccdEe phenotype, while polymorphisms of D gene exons were found in 25 donors with Ccdee or CcdEe phenotype:the presence of all 8 exons of D gene in 9 donors, the absence of the 8 exons in 7 donors, the presence of exon 2 in 5 donors, the presence of exon 6 in 3 donors and the presence of exons 2,6,10 in 1 donor were demonstrated. Conclusion Polymorphisms of RHD gene exons were present among RhD(-) Chinese Han blood donors. The 8 exons of RHD gene were completely absent in donors with Rhesus cc phenotype, while 5 polymorphisms of RHD gene exons were found in donors with Rhesus Cc phenotype. The discrepancy of the RHD gene in RhD(-) individuals between Chinese Hans and Caucasians indicates that care should be exercised by clinicians in the use of the RhD genotyping results.

AIMTo investigate the involvement of the prostate androgen-regulated (PAR) gene in the androgen receptor (AR) signaling pathway and the malignant phenotype of androgen-independent prostate cancer (PCa) cells.

METHODSThe difference in PAR expression between LNCaP and PC3 cells was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Androgen and anti-androgen effects on PAR expression were evaluated by RT-PCR in LNCaP, PC3 cells and PC3 cells stably transfected with vector containing wild-type AR. To determine the importance of PAR in the malignant proliferation of androgen-independent PCa cells, we used small interfering RNA (siRNA) transfection to knock down the expression of the gene in PC3 cells. The changes in the malignant phenotype of PCa cells after transfection were analyzed by cell count, colony formation in soft agar and flow cytometry.

RESULTSPAR expression was 3-fold higher in PC3 cells than that in LNCaP cells. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) regulated PAR mRNA expression in LNCaP cells and the effect was inhibited by the AR antagonist, flutamide. By contrast, DHT did not affect PAR expression in PC3 cells. The reintroduction of AR into PC3 cells by stable transfection restored the androgen effect on PAR upregulation. After the knockdown of the PAR gene by siRNA, PC3 cells exhibited a reversal of the malignant phenotype.

CONCLUSIONBecause of the possibility that PAR is downstream from the AR, and because of its contribution to malignant proliferation in androgen-independent PCa cells, the gene could be a potential therapeutic target for androgen-independent PCa with AR signaling pathway alteration.

Base Sequence ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; DNA Primers ; Gene Expression Regulation ; physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; genetics ; pathology ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of Thl7 cells and the cytokine interleukin-17 (IL-17) in acute allograft rejection in mice.

METHODSMouse models of kidney transplantation were randomly divided into rejection group and isograft group. On the post-operative day (POD) 3 and 7, we tested the serum IL-17 level using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and measured the number of Th17 cells in the renal grafts by flow cytometry. The grafts were harvested and fixed in 10% formalin to prepare paraffin sections for routine pathological inspection.

RESULTSCompared to isograft group, the allograft group showed a significantly higher level of serum IL-17 on POD3 and POD7 (P<0.05), and the level of IL-17 is significantly higher on POD7 than on POD3 (P<0.05). The allograft group showed more infiltrating Th17 cells in the grafts on POD3 and POD7 (P<0.05), and the cell number was significantly greater on POD7 (P<0.05). Pathological examination also showed an increased severity of graft rejection with the post-transplantation time.

CONCLUSIONThl7 cells may play an important role in the development of renal graft rejection. IL-17 may serve as a potential specific indicator for predicting allograft rejection.

Animals ; Graft Rejection ; blood ; immunology ; Interleukin-17 ; blood ; Kidney Transplantation ; adverse effects ; immunology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Th17 Cells ; immunology ; Transplantation, Homologous

The brand equity is valuable intangible assets of traditional Chinese medicine companies, who are excellent representatives of traditional Chinese medicine enterprises and the most promising ones to good international medicine brands. However, there is still no systematic study on how to correctly evaluate the brand equity of listed traditional Chinese medicine companies at present. To make it clear, the main impacting factors on brand equity of listed traditional Chinese medicine companies, both structured open outline pre-research and closed questionnaire research were adopted for the field survey, and some suggestions for how to protect and enhance the brand equity were also presented on the basis of survey and analysis, in the hope of improving the brand management level of listed traditional Chinese medicine companies, and making a beneficial exploration for the development of brand theory of the traditional Chinese medicine industry.
Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods