Objective To develop a software through which transfusion labels can be created and printed automatically based on No.1 Military Medical Project,in order to resolve the problems of time-and-labor-consuming and errors due to transcription. Methods Based on No.1 Military Medical Project,the software of creating and printing transfusion labels was developed using PB computer programming language. Results The software can effectively avoid the errors due to copying transfusion labels by hand and save much time and effort. It optimizes nurses' working procedure. Conclusion The software is very practical for all the hospitals using the No.1 Military Medical Project.

Eleven type 1 diabetic patients who received fixed regime of insulin Glargine were included in the study.The levels of fasting serum insulin were measured for each subject at 6:00 in three consecutive mornings.The variability of mean fasting serum insulin in each subject was 3.3%-41.5% (mean 15.4%).The variability did not correlate with the dose of Glargine statistically.

OBJECTIVETo understand the genotypic mapping of Mycobacterium leprae identified in China and to compare with those from other countries to select suitable alleles for epidemiological investigation in the transmission chain of leprosy.

METHODSVarious number of tandem repeat(VNTR) in genomic DNA of Mycobacterium leprae was used in the present genotyping study. 33 skin biopsies from Wenshan prefecture,Yunnan province and 17 from other parts of China were studied. DNA extracted from skin biopsies of leprosy patients was subjected to PCR followed by agarose gel analysis and DNA sequencing to determine the number of repeats.

RESULTSLoci GGT-5,12-5,21-3 and 23-3 were as highly homogenous as 100%; The homogeneity of loci AC-8, 18-8, 27-5 and rpoT were 97%, 94%, 97% and 85% respectively. Loci GTA-9, AC-9 and 6-7 showed significant allelic diversity in isolates and the diversity of GTA-9 in Mycobacterium leprae isolated from China was also different from those identified other countries. We had subjected loci GTA-9 and the ten loci to phylogenetic tree analysis respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe present study revealed that the genotype of Mycobacterium leprae identified from China was close to the strains from the Philippines and India although a few loci were somehow differentiate. Locus 12-5 manifested as only 3 copies in China whereas 4-5 copies predominating in other countries. 12-5 locus might serve as a useful marker to diffrentiate Chinese strains from those in other countries. However, further study on the diversity of GTA-9 was needed in China. The molecular typing of Mycobacterium leprae from different geographic areas might be useful in studying the transmission of leprosy.

Alleles ; China ; epidemiology ; DNA, Bacterial ; Genotype ; Humans ; Leprosy ; epidemiology ; transmission ; Molecular Epidemiology ; Mycobacterium leprae ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Skin ; microbiology

Atherosclerosis (As) is an important pathological basis of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. The pathogenesis studies of As have been a hot topic in the field of vascular biology research. The inflammation is known as a major participant in the development process of As. And monocyte-macrophage plays a central role in inflam-mation. In recent years, with the deepening research on inflammatory mechanisms, the As macrophage polarization is attracting researchers' attention. Under different environmental inductions, macrophages develop into M1 and M2 phenotypes. M1 macrophages (classical type), which can stimulate the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, is generally considered as pro-inflammatory subtypes and can facilitate the progress of As. Whereas, M2 macrophages (alternative type), which can inhibit pro-inflammatory factor production, function as anti-inflammatory subtypes and likely to inhibit the progression of As. The mechanisms of As, macrophage polarization in As, and opportunities for herbal medicines will be summarized in this review.

BACKGROUND: Glucocorticoids have been widely used to treat patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Nevertheless, corticosteroid insensitivity is a major barrier to the effective treatment of COPD and its mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of cathelicidin LL-37 on corticosteroid insensitivity in COPD rat model, and to explore the involved mechanisms. METHODS: COPD model was established by exposing male Wistar rats to cigarette smoke combined with intratracheal instillation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Inhaled budesonide and LL-37 were consequently applied to COPD models separately or collectively to confirm the effects on inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α and transforming growth factor [TGF]-β) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and lung tissue histopathological morphology. Expression of histone deacetylase-2 (HDAC2) and phosphorylation of Akt (p-AKT) in lung were also measured. RESULTS: Briefly, COPD model rats showed an increased basal release of inflammatory cytokines (lung TNF-α: 45.7 ± 6.1 vs. 20.1 ± 3.8 pg/mL, P < 0.01; serum TNF-α: 8.9 ± 1.2 vs. 6.7 ± 0.5 pg/mL, P = 0.01; lung TGF-β: 122.4 ± 20.8 vs. 81.9 ± 10.8 pg/mL, P < 0.01; serum TGF-β: 38.9 ± 8.5 vs. 20.6 ± 2.3 pg/mL, P < 0.01) and COPD related lung tissue histopathological changes, as well as corticosteroid resistance molecular profile characterized by an increase in phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt (0.5 ± 0.1 fold of control vs. 0.2 ± 0.1 fold of control, P = 0.04) and a decrease in HDAC2 expression and activity (expression: 13.1 ± 0.4 μmol/μg vs. 17.4 ± 1.1 μmol/μg, P < 0.01; activity: 1.1 ± 0.1 unit vs. 1.4 ± 0.1 unit, P < 0.01), compared with control group. In addition, LL-37 enhanced the anti-inflammatory effect of budesonide in an additive manner. Treatment with combination of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and LL-37 led to a significant increase of HDAC2 expression and activity (expression: 15.7 ± 0.4 μmol/μg vs. 14.1 ± 0.9 μmol/μg, P < 0.01; activity: 1.3 ± 0.1 unit vs. 1.0 ± 0.1 unit, P < 0.01), along with decrease of p-AKT compared to budesonide monotherapy (0.1 ± 0.0 fold of control vs. 0.3 ± 0.1 fold of control, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS This study suggested that LL-37 could improve the anti-inflammatory activity of budesonide in cigarette smoke and LPS-induced COPD rat model by enhancing the expression and activity of HDAC2. The mechanism of this function of LL-37 might involve the inhibition of PI3K/Akt pathway.
Animals ; Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Glucocorticoids ; metabolism ; Histone Deacetylase 2 ; metabolism ; Humans ; Inflammation ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Lipopolysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Male ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Smoking ; adverse effects ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

BACKGROUND: Edaravone (3-methyl-1-penyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one) is a potent free-radical scavenger and has the antioxidant ability to inhibit lipid peroxidation. The study aimed to examine the effect of edaravone on protecting the acute injury of human type Ⅱ alveolar epithelial cells (A549 cells) induced by paraquat (PQ) and the change of production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD). METHODS: A549 cells were cultured and divided into PQ group (group P), edaravone-treated group (group E) and normal control group (group C). The cells in group P were exposed to paraquat (600 mol/L), and the cells in group E were treated with edaravone (100 mol/L) additionally, and no drug intervention was given to the cells in group C. Real-time monitoring by LSCM was used to detect the cell response and the intracellular dynamic change of ROS level in A549 cells after administration of PQ and edaravone. And the levels of SOD and MDA were detected respectively by biochemistry colorimetry. Data were expressed as mean ± standard error of the mean. Statistical analysis was carried out with the soft SPSS 16.0. RESULTS: The concentration of intracellular ROS significantly increased when PQ was given to A549 cells. But after administration of edaravone, the concentration of intracellular ROS was decreased. Compared to the PQ group, the levels of SOD in the edaravone group were significantly increased while the levels of MDA were markedly decreased. CONCLUSIONS: Paraquat can increase the oxidative stress, and induce the lipid peroxidation of A549 cells. Edaravone has the effect to scavenge reactive oxygen species, and to protect against the PQ-induced lung toxicity.

OBJECTIVEThis study aimed to understand the prevalence rate, epidemiological characteristics and relevant factors of arthritis in Shanghai.

METHODSA sample of 7 575 residents aged 15 years and above was drawn from 6 communities under multiple stage cluster sampling. A household survey with questionnaire was carried out to differentiate both undiagnosed patients and those with definite arthritis. Those who had not been diagnosed before were asked to carry further clinical examinations by a rheumatologist.

RESULTSThe prevalence rate of arthritis was 6.11%, including osteoarthritis (OA) 4.18%, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) 0.52%, gout 0.28%, ankylosing spondylitis (AS) 0.28%, rheumatic arthritis 0.49% and other types arthritis 0.82%. Arthritis was significantly related to cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease and gastrointestinal disease. Age, female and obesity might serve as risk factors for arthritis. Physical labors and living in rural area might have protecting effects.

CONCLUSIONElderly and female seemed to be at high risk for arthritis. Weight control and more exercise should be encouraged to reduce the risks. For arthritis patients, treatment to other chronic diseases should not be ignored.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Arthritis ; classification ; complications ; epidemiology ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Sex Factors ; Social Class ; Socioeconomic Factors

BACKGROUNDA new inhalable insulin aerosol (Inh-Ins) was developed in China. The aim of this multicenter clinical study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this new Inh-Ins as a treatment of type 2 diabetes. Regular porcine insulin (RI) was used as a control.

METHODSThis study is a prospective, randomized, open-label, parallel-group multicenter clinical trial in which 253 qualified patients with type 2 diabetes received the insulin Glargine daily at bedtime plus either a pre-meal Inh-Ins or a pre-meal subcutaneous RI for 12 weeks. HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), the 1-hour-postprandial blood glucose (1hPBG) and the 2-hour-postprandial blood glucose (2hPBG) were measured. Events were monitored for adverse effects.

RESULTSAfter 12 weeks, the HbA1c decreased significantly from baseline in both treatment groups, with no significant difference between the two regimens. In the Inh-Ins group, FPG, both 1hPBG and 2hPBG significantly declined from baseline after the 8th- and 12th-weeks of treatment. The reduced values of FPG or 1hPBG between the two groups showed a more significant hypoglycemic effect with the Inh-Ins than the RI. After 12 weeks, the pulmonary carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DLco) was significantly lower in Inh-Ins group than in the RI. The main side effects of Inh-Ins were coughing, excessive sputum, and hypoglycemia.

CONCLUSIONSInh-Ins was effective in decreasing HbA1c like the RI. It was better in lowering the FPG and the 1hPBG than the RI. Its main side effects were coughing, excessive sputum, and hypoglycemia. Also, Inh-Ins slightly impaired DLco.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aerosols ; Aged ; Blood Glucose ; analysis ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Cough ; chemically induced ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; blood ; drug therapy ; Female ; Glycated Hemoglobin A ; analysis ; Humans ; Hypoglycemia ; chemically induced ; Insulin ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies

Objective To explore the factors influencing the steady transmission of leprosy as indicated by new case detection rate in Qiubei county, Yunnan province, China despite the implementation of MDT for the last 25 years. Methods Information related to case-finding was collected. ELISA and PCR were applied to detect anti-PGL-1 antibody in sera and Mycobacterium leprae in nasal secretions respectively, in leprosy patients, their household contacts and the general population. M. leprae by PCR was also detected from water in the highly endemic villages. VNTR typing was performed to explore the mode and chain of transmission of M. leprae. Results Prior to 2001, the proportion of new cases detected from the examination of household contacts of leprosy patients was low (number, compared to), while the proportion of patients whose identification was delayed by more than 2 years, was high (number, compared to). Qualities of these two indicators has been improved, along with the improvement of leprosy control program since 2001, but the detection rates has been steady at 4-5/ 100 000 during 1986-2010. The PGL-1 seropositivity rate was 20%-30% in general population, with the peak rate (30%) detected in the teenage population in the endemic villages. In addition to the fact that M. leprae was detected in nasal secretion from patients, their contacts and from water, the M. leprae VNTR genotypes were found to be highly similar between skin biopsy and nasal secretion in untreated cases. Families with multi-cases were clustered and located in the Northern part of the County, and the genotypes of M. leprae were identical within those families. The percentage of clusters was considerably higher in Northern rather than Southern parts of the County. Conclusion Results from this molecular study demonstrated evidence that transmission of leprosy within the families and in the endemic-villages was severe. M. leprae were detected in waters from the endemic villages and others areas which might have a relation to the continued transmission of leprosy.

Objective The active ingredient was used as index to optimize the extraction and enrichment process of anti-in-flammatory and analgesic active-fraction(ARF)of Dianbaizhu. Methods Methyl salicylate triglycoside-B was chosen as index com-ponent to extract and enrich methyl salicylate glycosides. Extraction and elution solvents were optimized. The HPLC fingerprint was ob-tained with Thermo Hypersil Gold C18(250 mm×4.6 mm,5μm)column and a gradient elution with the mobile phase consisting of ace-tonitrile(A)-0.2％acetic acid(B)at a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min. And the detection wavelength was set at 294 nm. Results The opti-mized extraction solvent of Dianbaizhu was the 30％ethanol and the optimized elution solvent of ARF enriched by AB-8 macroporous resins was the 35％ethanol. The methodological study on similarity and RSD in ARF HPLC fingerprint of three batches of samples cor-responded to related regulations. Conclusion The extraction and enrichment process of ARF is stable and repeatable.