ObjectiveTo investigate the role of SAA in rheumatoid arthritis(RA) pathogenesis by analyzing the expression of serum amyloid protein A(SAA) in serum,synovial fluid and synovial membrane in patients with RA.MethodsSAA levels in the serum and synovial fluid in each group were detected.Sera SAA was tested by Western blotting,while the expression of SAA in RA and osteoarthritis(OA) synovium was detected by immunohistochemistry.Comparisons between groups were performed by t-tests or KruskaWallis test.ResultsThe serum levels of SAA were significantly higher in RA [(318±132) μg/L] than those in OA [(127±47) μg/L] and healey controls [(127±41) μg/L,P＜0.01].In RA,the SAA levels in the synovial fluid [ (571±473) μg/L ] were significantly higher when compared to those in O A [ (129±33) μg/L](t=2.46,P=0.04).Western blotting results showed that SAA bands were found in the serum samples of each group,and higher expression of SAA were seen in RA.Pathology study had showed that SAA was observed mainly in endothelial cells,synovial fibroblasts,macrophages and perivascular areas in RA synovium.In OA,SAA was observed in perivascular areas and synovial fibroblasts.ConclusionIn RA,SAA levels in both serum and synovial fluid are significantly higher than those in the controls.High expression of SAA in RA synovium can be observed.Our results suggest that SAA may play a role in inflammation reaction and joint destruction of RA.

OBJECTIVETo observe the improvement of thyroid function and changes of Akt, p-Akt, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and para-mTOR (p-mTOR) expression in Graves' disease (GD) mice after intervened by Jiakangning Capsule (JC), and to explore possible mechanism for JC in treating GD.

METHODSGD model was established by immunizing female BALB/c mice with thyroid stimulating hormone receptor A subunit (Ad-TSHRα-289). Totally 70 successfully modeled mice were divided into the model group (n =20), the JC intervened group (n =25), the Methimazole Tablet intervened group (n =25) according to random digit table. A normal control group (n =15) and a vehicle control group (n =20, injected with Ad-null) were also set up. Mice in the JC intervened group were administered with JC suspension at the daily dose of 1. 5 g/kg by gastrogavag. Mice in the Methimazole intervened group were administered with Methimazole suspension at the daily dose of 2. 5 g/kg by gastrogavage. Equal volume of normal saline was administered to mice in the rest 3 groups by gastrogavage. All intervention lasted for 5 weeks. Six mice were selected from each group to observe pathological changes of thyroid tissues. Serum levels of thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), and thyrotropin receptor antibody (TRAb) were analyzed by radioimmunoassay. Expression levels of Akt, p-Akt, mTOR, and p-mTOR in thyroid tissues were etermined by Western blot.

RESULTS(1) The thyroid gland in the GD model group showed proliferative changes, with enlarged follicles of various sizes. Interstitial stroma was filled with blood vessels. Structures of thyroid tissues in the JC intervened group and the Methimazole intervened group were significantly restored, and follicular hyperplasia was relieved. (2) Compared with the normal control group and the vehicle control group, levels of TRAb, T4, and T3 increased; ratios of P-Akt/β-actin, p-Akt/Akt, p-mTOR/β-actin, and p-mTOR/mTOR also increased in the model group (all P <0. 01). Compared with the model group, levels of TRAb, T4, and T3 decreased in the JC intervened group and the Methimazole intervened group (P <0. 01); ratios of p-mTOR/β-actin and pmTOR/mTOR decreased in the JC intervened group (P <0.01); ratios of P-Akt/β-actin, p-Akt/Akt, p-mTOR/β-actin, and p-mTOR/mTOR decreased in the Methimazole intervened group (P <0. 05, P <0. 01). Conclusion JC could reduce thyroid hormonc levels of GD mice and lower expression levels of mTOR, and its mechanism for improving thyroid function of GD mice might be associated with this influence.

Actins ; Animals ; Capsules ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Graves Disease ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Methimazole ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Receptors, Thyrotropin ; Signal Transduction ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases ; Thyrotropin ; Thyroxine ; Triiodothyronine

Objective:To reveal the action mechanism and efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) plus external application of Wei Ling Xian (Radix Clematidis) extract in treating knee osteoarthritis (KOA), for providing theoretical evidence and novel plan for the treatment of KOA.Methods:Totally 284 inpatients were divided into an EA group and an observation group by the random number table, 142 cases in each group. The EA group was intervened by EA, ultrashort waves, and oral administration of Glucosamine Hydrochloride capsules; while the observation group was by external application of Wei Ling Xian (Radix Clematidis) extract at topical area in addition to the treatment given to the EA group. The intervention lasted 14 d in both groups. X-ray examination of knee joint was ordered before and after treatment, as well as the detection of positive expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) in cartilage of knee joint, hyaluronic acid (HA) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in the inflammatory effusion; the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index (WOMAC) and visual analogue scale (VAS) were adopted to evaluate the clinical efficacy.Results:In the observation group, the X-ray examination result of knee joint was significantly improved, the positive expressions of MMP-1 and IL-1β content were significantly decreased, the level of HA was increased, WOMAC and VAS scores dropped, and the total effective rate was 91.5%, which were significantly different from those in the EA group (P<0.05).Conclusion:EA plus external application of Wei Ling Xian (Radix Clematidis) extract can produce a more significant efficacy in treating KOA compared to ordinary EA treatment.

Objective To study the effects of salt sensitivity on evolution of blood pressure and develope- ment to hypertension from adolescents to youth.Methods A baseline survey was carried out in 4623 adolescents aged 6-15 years old in Hanzhong rural area in 1987,310 of them were recruited for determination of salt sensitiv- ity using the tests of oral saline load and furosemide sodium-volume depletion.Salt sensitivity (SS) were diag- nosed in 101 while 209 subjects as no-sah sensitivity (NSS).This cohort of adolescents were followed up for av- erage 18 years.Results The response rate for this cohort of adolescents was 71.9%.At the end of follow up period,BP in subjects with baseline SS was higher in youth than that in NSS (SBP:122.9?13.1 vs 117.3?12.4, P

OBJECTIVE:To establish a method for the plasma concentration determination of carboplatin,and study the phar-macokinetics of carboplatin in female rats after intravenous injection and intraperitoneal injection. METHODS:HPLC was per-formed on the column of Agilent TC-C18 with mobile phase of methanol-water(5:95,V/V)at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min,detection wavelength was 229 nm,and column temperature was 25 ℃. The inner standard was 5-bromouracil,and injection volume was 20 μL. 24 SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups,6 in each group. The rats were intravenously injected and intraperitoneally in-jected carboplatin 20,40 mg/kg respectively. 0.5 mL blood sample was taken from eyes before administration and after administra-tion of 0.25,0.5,1,1.5,2,4,6,8,10,12 h. The plasma concentration of carboplatin was determined,and DAS 2.0 was used to calculate the pharmacokinetic parameters. RESULTS:The linear range of carboplatin in plasma was 0.30-60.00 μg/mL (r=0.9991);RSDs of intra-day,inter-day precision were lower than 10%(n=5);RSD of peak area in stability test was lower than 10%(n=5);method recovery was 98.7%-102.4%(RSD≤6.08%,n=5),and extraction recovery was 83.38%-85.45%(RSD≤5.97%,n=5). AUC0-12 h of carboplatin 20,40 mg/kg by intravenous injection and intraperitoneal injection in female rats were (15.503 ± 4.172),(23.402 ± 4.266),(6.716 ± 2.306),(9.384 ± 2.205)μg·h/mL;AUC0-∞ were (16.424 ± 4.846),(23.404 ± 4.266),(6.790±2.378),(9.765±2.095)μg·h/mL;t1/2z were(1.246±0.765),(0.394±0.058),(0.513±0.156),(0.884±0.460) h;and tmax were(0.700±0.274),(0.400±0.335),(0.542±0.368),(0.833±0.289)h,respectively. CONCLUSIONS:The meth-od is simple,economic and accurate,with suitable internal standard,and can be used for the plasma concentration determination of carboplatin in female rats and the pharmacokinetic studies.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the significance of preoperative MDCT angiography for breast reconstruction with abdominal flap.

METHODSPreoperative MDCT angiography scans were performed on 34 patients who underwent breast reconstruction with abdominal flaps during December 2006 to June 2009. The operation was designed based on the MDCT results. Then the MDCT results were proved intraoperatively. Another 22 cases who underwent breast reconstruction with abdominal flap without preoperative MDCT were selected as controls. The rate of operative method change, the operation time and the flap necrosis were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThe preoperative design changed in 23.53% of the patients, based on the MDCT results. No one had any method change intraoperatively in the group with MDCT. The operative method was changed intraoperatively in 13.64% of the patients in the control group. The mean time spending on flap harvesting was (2.51 +/- 0.64) h in the experimental group and (4.42 +/- 0.21) h in the controlled group (P < 0.05). The rate of complication was 6.12% in the experimental group and 12.5% in the control group (P = 0.017).

CONCLUSIONSPreoperative MDCT angiography is an easy and reliable method for breast reconstruction with abdominal flap. The preoperative design can be more reasonable. It helps to save the operation time and reduce the risk.

Adult ; Angiography ; methods ; Epigastric Arteries ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Mammaplasty ; methods ; Preoperative Care ; Surgical Flaps ; blood supply ; Tomography, Spiral Computed

OBJECTIVETo introduce the clinical experience of nipple-areolar reconstruction with the modified arrow flap.

METHODSThe arrow flaps were modified for nipple-areolar reconstruction in 12 cases. Among them, 2 cases were treated with combined thin split-thickness skin graft; 4 cases with autologous rib implant and tattoo; 6 cases with tattoo.

RESULTSAll the reconstructed nipples were survived. The reconstructed nipples lost projection 1 month after operation in 2 cases. The other 10 cases retained 50% of the nipple projection 3 months after operation. The results were maintained with satisfactory symmetry during the follow-up period of 6 months to one year.

CONCLUSIONSThe modified flap is easily performed with reasonable design and no need of donor site. The nipple projection can be maintained with good long-term effect.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Mammaplasty ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Nipples ; surgery ; Skin Transplantation ; Surgical Flaps

The expression vectors of the gene encoding ScFv-2F3 were transformed into E. coli BL21(DE3). Clones of higher expression were first selected, then were grown in the presence of IPTG at 37 degrees C to induce its expression. The culture conditions were carefully optimized. It was found that optimal conditions were as follows: the induction was started as OD590 reached to 1.0-1.8; the concentration of IPTG was 0.3-0.5 mmol/L and induction time is 7 h. The yield of ScFv-2F3 expressed in the selected clones is about 20% of the total proteins. The optimal culture conditions were successfully applied to fermenter of 50 L. The conditions of washing the inclusion bodies were also optimized. A two-step method was used to renature the inclusion body. The expression product of interest and its biological activities were characterized with Western blotting and ELISA. A novel selenium-containing single-chain abzyme with GPX activity was prepared.
Antibodies, Catalytic ; biosynthesis ; chemistry ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Bioreactors ; microbiology ; Cloning, Molecular ; Escherichia coli ; Gene Expression ; Immunoglobulin Fragments ; biosynthesis ; chemistry ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Inclusion Bodies ; metabolism ; Protein Folding ; Protein Renaturation ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; chemistry ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Selenium ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the species and percentage changes of pathogens in blood cultures from the pediatric hematology ward, and to analyze the drug resistance of main pathogens and the risk factors for positive blood culture (sepsis).

METHODSA retrospective analysis was performed to analyze the species and drug sensitivity of the pathogens isolated from 2358 blood cultures from the pediatric hematology ward of the West China Second University Hospital between 2008 and 2011, as well as the related clinical data.

RESULTSA total of 110 strains of pathogens were isolated, with Escherichia coli (16 strains), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (12 strains) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (8 strains) being the most common ones. From 2008 to 2011, the percentage of Gram-positive bacteria decreased, while the percentage of Gram-negative bacteria increased. The detection rates of methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative Staphylococci and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus were 69% and 43% respectively, but both were sensitive to vancomycin. The detection rates of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli and ESBL-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae were 69% and 62% respectively, but both were sensitive to imipenem and meropenem. Malignant tumor was a risk factor for positive blood culture (OR=3.564, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSA wide range of pathogens are responsible for bloodstream infection in the pediatric hematology ward and the percentages of bacteria are changing; these pathogens have a high drug resistance rate. Malignant tumor is a risk factor for positive blood culture in the pediatric hematology ward.

Adolescent ; Bacteremia ; etiology ; microbiology ; Bacteria ; drug effects ; isolation & purification ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of operative treatment of scapular fractures through modified Judet approach.

METHODSFrom January 1997 to October 2005, 21 patients (15 females, 6 males; mean age 34 years) of scapular fractures were treated by open reduction and internal fixation through the modified Judet approach. According to Hardegger classification system, there were 11 patients of scapular body fractures, 10 patients of scapular neck fractures, 8 patients of glenoid rim fractures, 7 patients of glenoid fossa fractures, 9 patients of scapular spine fractures, and 6 patients of scapular acromion fractures.

RESULTSEighteen patients were followed up with an average of 21 months (range 6 months-4 years). According to Rowe scores system, 12 patients showed excellent, 3 showed good, 2 showed fair, and 1 showed poor.

CONCLUSIONSThe modified Judet approaches have the advantages of wide exploration, safety, and easy fixation. It is a good choice to the operation for most types of scapular fractures through the modified Judet approach.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Fractures, Bone ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Scapula ; injuries ; Treatment Outcome