Objective To explore the value of liver biopsy in diagnosis of the severity of chronic hepatitis B (CHB).Methods The liver biopsy, laboratory examination and imaging were performed in 176 CHB patients. The clinical and histological diagnoses were compared. Biochemical indexes of liver function were also compared between patients with histological inflammation activity ＜G2 and≥G2 or the patients with fibrosis score ＜S2 and ≥S2. Rank sum test and χ2 test were used in univariate analysis. Binary Logistic regression was used in multivariate analysis. Results Among 176patients, the clinical diagnosis of CHB and cirrhosis were established in 171 patients and five patients,respectively. Among 171 CHB patients, the clinical diagnosis was consistent with histological diagnosis in 102 (59.6%) patients. The clinical diagnosis was more severe than histological diagnosis in 60 (35.1%) patients and the clinical diagnosis was less severe than histological diagnosis in nine (5.3%) patients. Among 44 patients with histological grade G2, 41 (93.2 %) patients had alanine aminotransferase (ALT)≥2 × upper limits of normal (ULN). According multiple Logistic regression analysis, age, overt symptom, ALT level, cholinesterase (CHE), albumin (Alb), total bile acid (TBA) and ultrasonic appearance of non-smooth liver surface were independent risk factors for the diagnosis of fibrosis score ≥S2. Conclusions The CHB diagnosis based on clinical evidences doesn't show acceptable consistency with the diagnosis based on histological evidences. G2 and S2 may be more reliable criteria for diagnosing moderate and severe CHB.

Objective To estimate the effects ot rosiglitazone on cultured HaCaT human keratinocytes and their possible mechanism.Methods HaCaT cells were cultured and treated with different concentrations ( 10,20,40,80 μ mol/L) of rosiglitazone or solvent for 24,48,72 and 96 hours,respectively.Cell proliferation was detected with methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay.Western blot was performed to measure the protein expression of β-catenin and cyclin D1.Results Compared with the solvent-treated cells,the proliferation of HaCaT cells was significantly inhibited by 18.9％,23.7％,35.1％ and 44.6％ (all P＜ 0.05) after treatment with rosiglitazone of 10,20,40 and 80 μmol/L,respectively,for 48 hours.The expressions of β-catenin and cyclin D 1 were significantly lower in rosiglitazone-treated HaCaT cells than in solvent-treated cells (all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Rosiglitazone could inhibit the proliferation of HaCaT cells,likely by downregulating the expressions of β-catenin and cyclin D 1.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of scalp plus body acupuncture in treating urticaria.Method Eighty urticaria patients were randomized into a treatment group of 42 cases and a control group of 38 cases. The treatment group was intervened by scalp plus body acupuncture, while the control group was treated with conventional body acupuncture. The two groups were treated once every other day, 10 sessions as a treatment course. The symptoms and signs scores and serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) level were observed before the treatment and after 2 treatment courses, and the clinical efficacies were also compared between the two groups.Result The total effective rate and recovery rate were respectively 92.9% and 61.9% in the treatment group, versus 76.3% and 36.8% in the control group, and the between-group differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). After the treatment, the symptoms and signs scores significantly declined in both groups (P<0.05), and the symptoms and signs scores in the treatment group were markedly different from those in the control group (P<0.05). The serum IgE level in the treatment group after the intervention was significantly lower than that before the intervention (P<0.05). After the treatment, the serum IgE level in the treatment group was significantly different from that in the control group (P<0.05).Conclusion Scalp plus body acupuncture is an effective method in treating urticaria.

Objective To study the inhibitory effects of stachyose on the hyperacute rejection in pig-to-human heart xenotransplantation.Methods A pig-to-human xenogeneic heart transplantation model was established based on an in vitro free heart blood perfusion system.The pig hearts were di- vided into two groups:group A(pig hearts treated with human blood perfusion as control)and group B(pig hearts treated with human blood plus stachyose perfusion).After perfusion for 1h,the heart xenografts were examined for deposit of lgG and IgM by immunohistochemistry and pathological analy sis.Results The mean survival time of perfusion hearts in groups A and B was(9.5?2.5)min and (46.8?8.1)min respectively(P

Objective To investigate the relationship between the resting heart rate (RHR) and target organ damage (TOD) in elderly patients with metabolic syndrome(MS). Methods 264 elderly patients with MS were divided into four groups according to the level of RHR: RHR1 group, RHR<65 beats/minute (bpm) (46 cases) ;RHR2 group, 65≤RHR<75 bpm (77 cases);RHR3 group, 75 bpm≤RHR<85 bpm (89 cases);RHR4 group, RHR≥85 bpm (52 cases).Electrocardiography, echocardiography, carotid uhrasonography, crcatinine clearance rate (Ccr) and quantitative assay of 24 hours' albuminuria were performed. Results (1) Compared with RHR1, RHR2 and RHR3 groups, RHR4 group showed higher levels of carotid intima-medial thickness (IMT), carotid arterial diameter (CAD), left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and albuminuria(P< 0.05 or P<0.01), and lower levels of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and Ccr (all P< 0.01). (2) The IMT, CAD, LVMI and albuminuria were positively correlated with RHR (r=0.33, 0.23, 0.61, 0.58, respectively, all P<0.01). However, the LVEF and Ccr were negatively correlated with RHR (r=-0.59, -0.51, all P<0.01). (3) Logistic multivariate analysis showed that RHR and pulse pressure (PP) had effects on myocardial hypertrophy, coronary heart disease, heart failure, cerebral stroke and renal dysfunction(P<0.05 or P<0.01). Except heart failure, PP played a more important role than RHR. Coneinsions RHR may be an independent risk factors for TOD in elderly patients with MS,and RHR regulation is important for the development of MS in the elderly.

Objective To establish a paraspinal neural pathway of quadriceps femoris by end-to-end anastomoses between the spinal ventral root after spinal cord injury(SCI) in rats. Methods Twenty-fourweek old SD rats, with the weight of 120 g to 150 g, were included. The left side was the experimental side, while the right side served as a control. Electrostimulating of L1-L5 ventral root was done respectively to decide the predominant nerve of quadriceps femoris. The lumbar 1 ventral root was reveal to little innervation of quadriceps femoris, and the lumbar 3 ventral root was predominant innervation. End-to-end anastomosis between the left L1 and L3 ventral root was done. After axona regeneration, the new paraspinal neural pathway of quadriceps femoris was established. At 6 months postoperatively, the early function of the new pathway was observed by electrophysiological examinations, hindlimb locomotion and BBB (basso, beattie and bresnahan)scale at 1,3,7, 14,21,28 d after SCI. Results Sixteen rats survived for 6 months after operation and only ten rats got good results because of tissue adhesion postoperatively. Single stimuli (2.5 mA,0.2 ms, 1 Hz) of the left anastomoses nerve resulted in action potential recorded from the left quadriceps femoris before and after the spinal cord hemisection horizontally between L2 segmental levels. The amplitudes of the action potentials were (7.63 ± 1.86) mV and (6.00 ± 1.92)mV, respectively, and there was no significant difference (P ＞ 0.05). The left quadriceps femoris contraction was initiated by single stimuli (2.5mA, 0.2 ms, 1 Hz) of the left anastomoses nerve. After paraplegia, when the right L3 ventral root was stimulated, the amplitude of the action potential was (15.87 ± 1.16) mV. Locomotion of the left hindlimb was partially restored after spinal cord hemisection while creeping and climbing. According to BBB scale, there was significant difference at 1, 3, 7 d, and little difference at 14, 21, 28 d after SCI. Conclusion Spinal ventral roots cross-ananstomosis to reconstruct the paraspinal pathway of quadriceps femoris after SCI is efficient reinnervation of hindlamb muscles in a rat model and may have potential in clinical application.

Objective To investigate the pattern of plasma kisspeptin levels in normal female during various pubertal Tanner stages and the girls with idiopathic central precocious puberty(ICPP) or with premature thelarche(PT), and to evaluate the significance of detecting plasma kisspeptin levels as a new criterion for early differentiation between ICPP and PT.Methods Each study group of normal pubertal females with Tanner stage Ⅰ to Ⅴ comprised 16 to 19 individuals.The levels of plasma kisspeptin were also detected in girls with ICPP(n= 10)or PT(n = 12).The plasma kisspeptin levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results The level of kisspeptin was significantly higher in ICPP group than in that of PT group [(1.73±0.23 vs1.43±0.29) ng/ml, P＜0.05].Among the normal pubertal females, the level of kisspeptin decreased gradually from Tanner stage Ⅱ to Tanner stage Ⅴ, being highest in Tanner stage Ⅱ [(1.73±0.22) ag/ml] ,lower in stage Ⅳ and Ⅴ than in stage Ⅰ and Ⅲ (P＜0.01).Conclusions Plasma kisspeptin level was the highest during Tanner stage Ⅱ in normal female pubertal development.It is significant to detect plasma kisspeptin level for the differential diagnosis of ICPP and PT.

Objective To investigate the mocelualr mechanism of Cordycepin negative modulates LPSinduced cytokine production in murine macrophages.Methods The RAW264.7 murine macrophages were cultured in vitro and were pre-treated by different concentration of Cordycepin,and then stimulated by LPS for 8 h.Production of TNF-o,IL-6 and IL-12,and the content of p65 in the nuclear were detected by ELISA.Expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and phosphorylation of IκB and p38 were measured by Western blot.Nuclear translocation of Nrf2 was detected by Immunofluorescence.Results 1 ～ 30 μg/mL of Cordycepin treatment significantly abrogated LPS-induced TNF-α,IL-6 and IL-12 production,p65 nuclear translocation and IκB phosphorylation.In addition,different concentration of Cordycepin could also induce RAW264.7 cells expression of HO-1,phosphorylation of p38 and nuclear translocation of Nrf2.Application of p38 inhibitor and small interfering RNA-mediated knock-down of Nrf-2 significantly inhibited surfactin-induced HO-1 expression.Treatment with a selective inhibitor of HO-1 reversed the Cordycepin mediated inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines.Conclusions Cordycepin induces antiinflammatory effects by inhibition of NF-κB and activation of Nrf-2 and p38 mediated HO-1 induction.

AIM: To compare the impacts of adriamycin(ADM) intermittent and continuous heat infusion on respiration, heart rate and temperature of the rabbit as well as the concentration of ADM in VX-2 tumor for the verification of the safety and effectiveness of intermittent heat infusion through VX-2 transplanted tumor model in rabbit liver.METHODS: VX-2 tumor models were established respectively in the thighs of 30 New Zealand rabbits. All 30 rabbits were randomly allocated into three groups with 10 rabbits each. After catheterizing into femoral artery, which was demonstrated as the supply artery of tumors by digital subtraction angiography(DSA), animals in three groups were infused with 100 mL saline at normal temperature and ADM, 100 mL saline at 60 ℃ and ADM continuously and 100 mL saline at 60 ℃ and ADM intermittently respectively. During infusion, the 43 ℃ to 45 ℃ lasting time in the tumor tissues of the two 60 ℃ groups was measured. After infusion, the respiration(time/minute), heart rate(beats/minute) and temperature(℃ )of the rabbits in each group as well as the concentrations of ADM in tumor tissue were measured immediately.RESULTS: The concentration of ADM was (7. 1 ± 2.2) mg/L in normal temperature infusion group, (17.2 ± 1.6) mg/L in 60 ℃ continuous infusion group and(16.5 ±3.4) in 60 ℃ intermittent infusion group. There were significant differences among three groups( F = 48.95, P = 0. 000), but there was no significant difference between 60 ℃ intermittent infusion group and 60 ℃ continuous infusion group( P ＞ 0. 05). 43℃ to 45 ℃ lasting time was(22.5 ±1.4) minutes in 60 ℃continuous infusion and (24.3±2.4)minutes in 60 ℃intermittent infusion group( F =4.20, P ＞ 0.05) . There were significant differences among three groups in respiration, heart rate and temperature( F = 14. 58, 33.07, 10.00, P ＜ 0.01), but there was no significant difference in the respiration, heart rate and temperature between 60℃ intermittent infusion and normal temperature infusion group ( P ＞ 0. 05).CONCLUSION: Intermittent thermochemotherapy is a more effective and safe interventional thermochemotherapy method compared with continuous heat infusion.

Objective To observe the changes of cerebral inflammation-related markers in brain of a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (AD) ,and to determine the causative factor to the development of cerebral inflammation in AD. Methods 3- and 12-month-old β-amyloid protein precursor ( APP)/presenilin (PSI) transgenic mice and age-matched wild-type mice (WT) were used in the study. The changes of amyloid plaques, inflammatory factors ( interleukin 1β ( IL-1β ); interleukin 6( IL-6 ); tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) ;prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)) in the brains among these mice were measured by immunohistochemistry and ELISA. Results Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that no amyloid plaques and activated astrocytes as well as microglia were observed in the 3-month-old APP/PS1 mice. There were no significant differences in the levels of inflammatory factors (IL-1β, IL-6 ,TNFα,and PGE2) between the 3-month-old APP/PS1 and WT mice ( Ps ＞ 0. 05 ). However, abundant amyloid plaques accompanied by a remarkable increase of activated astrocytes and microglia were found in the brain of the 12-month-old APP/PS1 mice. The levels of inflammatory factors (IL-1β,IL-6,TNFα, and PGE2 ) were significantly increased in the 12-month-old APP/PS1 mice ([56. 02 ±9. 04] ng/g, [8. 66 ±0.83] ng/g, [97.48 ±26.58] ng/g, [72. 18 ±21.01] ng/g) than in the WT mice ([29. 18 ± 6. 03] ng/g, [7. 73 ± 0. 74] ng/g, [61.98 ±11.11] ng/g, [37. 23 ± 10. 96] ng/g) and the 3-month-old APP/PS1 mice ( [30. 05 ± 3.53] ng/g, [7.43 ± 1.17] ng/g, [59.34 ± 10. 07] ng/g, [42. 56 ±5.93] ng/g) (P＜0.05,or P＜0.01,respectively). Conclusion This study demonstrates that the APP/PS1mice did not show cerebral inflammation before the appearance of amyloid plaques, and exhibited remarkable inflammation after amyloid plaque deposition. These findings suggest that the induction of cerebral inflammation is tightly associated with amyloid plaque formation, and deposition of amyloid-beta protein (Aβ) may be the direct causative factor to the development of cerebral inflammation in AD.