Objective To investigate the relationship between the exon 4 gene polymorphism of TIM-1 and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Han population from Hubei province.Methods Polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the ins/del polymorphism of the exon 4 of TIM-1 from RA population and the normal con- trols.Rheumatoid factor (RF),anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibody and anti-keratin antibody (AKA) were also detected.Results Two alleles,a wild type del and a variant allele ins were identified in the TIM-1 exon 4.The genotype frequencies of del/del,ins/del and ins/ins were 0.650,0.280 and 0.070 respec- tively in the normal controls and 0.616,0.302,0.082 respectively in RA population.There was a significant correlation between the positive ratio of AKA and the genotypes of the exon 4.Conclusion The polymorphism of the exon 4 of TIM-1 is not associated with rheumatoid arthritis in Han population from Hubei Province of China.The genotypes of the exon 4 may have an effect on the expression of AKA.

Objective To study the state and trends of Kesan disease in Henan province from 2004 to 2009. Methods Surveillance sites were selected: Guxian village of Luoning country from 2004 - 2007, Zuyang town of Lingbao city in 2008, and Shahe village of Lushi country in 2009. All residents of surveillance sites were examined by clinical and electrocardiogram, and suspected patients were inspected by chest X-ray to measure ardiothoracic ratio. Hair and wheat flour samples were collected and selenium levels were detected with hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry. Results From 2004 to 2009, a total of 4034 people were examined.The numbers of chronic and latent KSD patients were 21 and 75 cases,respectively, and the incidence rates were 0.52%(21/4034) and 1.86%(75/4034), respectively . The number of abnormal electrocardiogram was 751 cases, and the incidence rate was 18.62%. The highest proportion of abnormal electrocardiogram was ST-T changes,accounting for 24.63%(185/751), followed by high-voltage, accounting for 18.11%(136/751), and left ventricular accounting for 13.85% (104/751). Sixty-one grain samples were collected and the wheat flour selenium level was averaged 0.034 mg/kg. Thirty hair samples were collected and the selenium median was 0.285 mg/kg. Conclusions The state of Keshan disease is in a steady state in Henna province, but higher rates of abnormal electrocardiogram is a serious problem and should be studied and prevented.

Objective To understand Kaschin-Beck disease(KBD) status in Henan Province and provide the basis for the further prevention and treatment of KBD. Methods Children aged 7 to 12 in 3 villages(Yaodian, Miaowa and Zhuyang) with the same environment such as topography, physiognomy,production mode and living habits in Shan County and Lingbao City were selected to undertake KBD clinical examination in 2008, X-ray examination of right hand and child hair samples and food samples were collected to determine the content of selenium. Selenium was determined using 2,3-Diaminonaphthalene method. Adults who were 16 years or older in 5 counties(Luoning, Lingbao, Mianchi, Shah and Lushi) were selected and examined for KBD. Results One hundred and ninty children aged 7 to 12 were clinically examined and clinical KBD were found, whereas 3 children were diagnosed as KBD by X-ray examination, the positive rate was 1.58% (3/190). All 20 521 adults were clinically examined and KBD prevelance rate was 6.10%(1251/20 521), including degree Ⅰ (3.97%,814/20 521), degree Ⅱ (1.77%, 364/20 521 ), degree Ⅲ (0.36%, 73/20 521). The average selenium contents in hair and food samples were (0.319±0.128)mg/kg and (0.031±0.009)mg/kg, respectively. Conclusions Child KBD in Henan Province is under control or almost under control, whereas the prevalence of adult KBD was relatively serious, which suggested that secondary prevention with the objective of clinically treating KBD patients should be strengthened.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Buyang Huanwu decoction (BYHWD) inducing angiogenesis on the neuroblast migration from the subventricular zone and its mechanisms after focal cerebral ischemia.

METHODThe middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was performed to mice for 30 minutes to establish the model. The rats were divided into sham group, model group, BYHWD group and endostatin group. BYHWD (20 g x kg(-1), ig) and endostatin (10 μg, sc) were administered 24 h after ischemia once a day for consecutively 14 days. At 14 d after ischemia, the density of micro-vessel and the number of neuroblasts in the ischemia border zone were determined by immunofluorescence staining. The mRNA and protein expression of cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) and brain-derived neurotrophic (BDNF) were examined by real-time PCR and Western blot.

RESULTCompared with the model group, BYHWD significantly increased the density of micro-vessel and the number of DCX positive cells in the ischemia border zone (P < 0.01), and significantly increased the SDF-1 and BDNF mRNA and protein expression (P < 0.01). Compared with BYHWD group, endostatin significantly reduced the density of micro-vessel and the number of DCX positive cells in the ischemia border zone (P < 0.01), as well as the SDF-1, BDNF mRNA and protein expression (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONBYHWD could promote the neuroblast migration from the subventricular zone via inducing angiogenesis after cerebral ischemia, the mechanism may be correlated with up-regulating the expression of SDF-1 and BDNF.

Angiogenesis Inducing Agents ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Brain Ischemia ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; analysis ; genetics ; Cell Movement ; drug effects ; Cerebral Ventricles ; pathology ; Chemokine CXCL12 ; analysis ; genetics ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Neurons ; drug effects ; physiology

AIMTo explore the causes of the difference in spermatogenic suppression between responders and non-responders in Chinese men treated with levonorgestrel (LNG) implants plus testosterone undecanoate (TU) injectable.

METHODSThe 16 Chinese volunteers treated were divided into two groups in regard to the sperm count during the treatment period, 7 men in the responder group (Group R), including 6 azoospermia and one severe oligozoospermia, and the remaining 9 in the non-responder group (Group N), including 4 oligozoospermia and 5 with sperm counts greater than 20 x 10(6)/mL. The differences in serum profiles of FSH, LH, T, LNG and T/LH ratio were compared between the two groups and the correlation between the seminal fluid parameters and serum reproductive hormones was analyzed.

RESULTSThe serum FSH level was lower in Group R than that in Group N (P<0.05), while the serum LH and LNG levels were higher in Group R than those in Group N (P<0.05). The sperm density (P<0.01, r=0.235), motility(P<0.01, r=0.326) and vitality (P<0.01, r=0.219) showed significantly positive correlation with the serum FSH level.

CONCLUSIONThe blood LNG and T levels, the degree of FSH inhibition and/or the sensitivity of the pituitary-testis axis to exogenous steroids, as well as the individual spermatogenetic potential and the functional status of the Leydig cells may be factors bringing about individual differences in spermatogenic suppression in Chinese men treated with LNG and TU.

Adult ; Contraceptive Agents, Male ; administration & dosage ; Drug Implants ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; blood ; Humans ; Injections ; Levonorgestrel ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Leydig Cells ; physiology ; Luteinizing Hormone ; blood ; Male ; Sperm Count ; Spermatogenesis ; drug effects ; Testosterone ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; blood

Objective To assess the efficacy and safety of various spectrum lasers in the treatment of acne vulgaris. Methods Based on the principles and methods of Cochrane systematic reviews, we searched the Cochrane Library (2009, 6 issues), PubMcd, Embase, China Biomedical Literature Database, China Journal Full Text Database, Chinese Scientific Journals Full Text Database. Retrieval time was up to June, 2009. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of lasers for acne vulgaris were included. Results Twelve RCTs totaling 367 patients were included. Because the lack of clinical homogeneity, only descriptive analysis was conducted. Acne lesion counts improved significantly with laser therapy. Adverse effects were limited to transient erythema and edema at treatment sites. Treatment-related pains were well tolerated. Conclusions Current evidence demonstrates that all type lasers in treating acne vulgaris is safe and efficacy. However, higher quality RCT research would be needed to verify the effects and status of lasers on acne vulgaris.

Previous studies showed that three methods for regulating and invigorating lung and kidney (lung invigorating and spleen strengthening, lung invigorating and kidney tonifying, and Qi supplementing and kidney nourishing) could regulate inflammatory signaling pathways of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in rats, so as to alleviate inflammation. In the present study, R-value comprehensive evaluation method was used to evaluate the comprehensive effect of three methods for regulating and invigorating lung and kidney on inflammatory signaling pathways. Rats were randomly divided into control, model, lung invigorating and spleen strengthening, lung invigorating and kidney tonifying, Qi supplementing and kidney nourishing and aminophylline groups. The COPD rat models were established by cigarette smoking combined with bacterial infection, and orally administered with drugs between the 9th and 20th week. Afterwards, efforts were made to observe the long-term effects between the drug withdrawal and the 32rd week and detect indicators in two batches in the 20th week and 32th week. Specifically, (1) Linking JAK/STAT signaling pathway: JAK2 mRNA, and protein expressions of STAT-1, STAT-3, STAT-5, JAK-2; (2) NF-kappaB signaling pathway: Smad2 mRNA and protein expressions of I-kappaB, NF-kappaB, TGF-beta1; (3) PPARgamma and antioxidant signaling pathway: SOD, PGE mRNA, PPARgamma protein. According to the results, 5 indicators in JAK/STAT pathway, 4 indicators in NF-kappaB pathway, and 3 indicators in PPARgamma pathway were significantly rectified by three methods for regulating and invigorating lung and kidney in between the 20th week and 32nd week. Between the 20th and 32nd week, the recipes for rectifying JAK/STAT pathway with intensity from high to low were recipes for lung invigorating and spleen strengthening, Qi supplementing and kidney nourishing, lung invigorating and kidney tonifying, aminophylline, particularly those for lung invigorating and spleen strengthening; The recipes for rectifying NF-kappaB pathway with intensity from high to low were recipes for lung invigorating and spleen strengthening, lung invigorating and kidney tonifying, Qi supplementing and kidney nourishing and aminophylline, particularly the first three types of drugs. The recipes for rectifying PPARgamma and antioxidant signaling pathway with intensity from high to low were recipes for lung invigorating and kidney tonifying, Qi supplementing and kidney nourishing, lung invigorating and spleen strengthening and aminophylline. Therefore, three methods for regulating and invigorating lung and kidney showed better long-term effects in regulating COPD lung inflammation signaling pathways. Specifically, recipe for lung invigorating and spleen strengthening showed a better effect in JAK/STAT and NF-kappaB pathways, while recipe for lung invigorating and kidney tonifying and Qi supplementing and kidney nourishing showed better effects in PPARgamma and antioxidant signaling pathways. In conclusion, R-value comprehensive evaluation method can evaluate the comprehensive effect of medicines and define the ranking of multiple drugs and their main targets.
Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Kidney ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Lung ; drug effects ; immunology ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; NF-kappa B ; immunology ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; drug therapy ; immunology ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction ; Smad2 Protein ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the correlation between serum insulin-like growth factor-1(IGF-1)level and the 131Ⅰahsorbante of thyroid nodule in patients with struma nadosa,to search for simpler and safer methods for differentiating thyroid nodule.Methods Detecting the 131Ⅰ absorbance of thyroid nodule by radioisotope scanning.then the patients were divided into warm and cold nodule groups,and the normal control group was also set up;the levels of IGF-1,FT3,FT4,sTSH were detected in serum of patients with struma nadosa by radio immunoassay,then the correlation between these data and the 131Ⅰabsorbance of thyroid nodule was analyzed.Results In the patients with warnl nodule,the level of serum IGF-1,FT3,FT4 and the 131Ⅰ absorbance of thyroid nodule[(315.86±22.74)μg/L,(9.95±5.62),(67.27±27.31)ng/L,0.64±0.17]were increased obviously when compared with the control group [(256.13±39.85)μg/L,(2.80±1.30),(13.51±5.50)ng/L,0.35±0.15],but the sTSH[(0.35±0.03)mU/L]went down significantly than the control group[(2.71±1.17)mU/L],the difference being statistically significant(P＜0.01).In the patients with cold nodule,the level of serum IGF-1,FT3,FT4,sTSH[(263.17±30.23)μg/L,(2.89±0.98),(14.23±2.84)ng/L,(2.81±0.42)mU/L] had no significant difference compared with the control group(P＞0.05).The level of serum IGF-1 was positively correlated with the 131Ⅰ absorbance of thyroid nodule(r＝0.835,P＜0.01),but negtively correlated with sTSH(r＝-0.326,P＜0.05)in the patients with warm nodule.Conclusion The level of sernm IGF-1 is closely correlated with the 131Ⅰ absorbance of thyroid nodule in patients with struma nadosa.

Functional constipation (FC) is a common functional bowel disorder disease that affects life quality of a large number of people. This study aimed to explore the impact of different intensities of electro-acupuncture (EA) treatment for FC patients. Totally, 111 patients with FC meeting the Rome III criteria were randomly assigned to different intensities of EA groups (low and high intensity of EA groups) and medicine-controlled (MC) group. In EA groups, patients were treated with EA at quchi (LI11) and shangjuxu (ST37) bilaterally for 4 weeks, 5 times/week in the first 2 weeks, and 3 times/week in the last 2 weeks. In MC group, 5 mg mosapride citrate was administered orally 3 times/day for 4 weeks. Spontaneous bowel movement frequency each day was recorded using a constipation diary. Self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and self-rating depression scale (SDS) were used to assess the patients' psychological state. Cortisol (CORT), substance P (SP), and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) were evaluated at baseline and at the end of 4 weeks after treatment. As compared with the baseline, there was statistically significant increase in stool frequency every week (P<0.01), but there was no statistically significant difference among the three groups. As compared with the baseline, after 4 weeks of EA therapy, the scores of SDS and serum levels of CORT were decreased significantly in low intensity of EA group (P<0.01), and the serum levels of SP and VIP were increased significantly (P<0.05); the scores of SAS and SDS and serum levels of CORT were decreased significantly in high intensity of EA group (P<0.05), and the serum levels of SP and VIP were increased significantly (P<0.05); the serum levels of CORT and VIP were increased significantly in MC group (P<0.05). As compared with MC group, after 4 weeks of treatment, the serum levels of SP were signifcicantly increased in low intensity of EA group (P<0.01). Low and high intensities of EA could increase the stool frequency, improve the FC patient's anxiety and depression, reduce the serum levels of CORT, and increase the serum levels of SP and VIP effectively. It is concluded that both low and high intensities of EA are effective for FC patients, but there is no significant difference between the low and high intensities of EA.