Agglutinins ; immunology ; Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Infant, Newborn

Objective:To explore the pathogenesis of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome(MODS)with respect to the bal- ance of Th1/Th2.Methods:Eighteen healthy male minipigs,weighing 22-30 kg,were randomly divided into two groups: MODS group and control group.Double-hit method including hemorrhagic shock and endotoxiemia was used to establish the porcine MODS model.The peripheral vein blood samples were collected at different time-points(before bloodletting,before en- dotoxin injection,1 h,24 h,48 h and 72 h after endotoxin injection)in the two groups.The spleen samples were collected after death of the animals.Plasma levels of IFN-?and IL-4 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Real- time PCR was used to detect the expression of IFN-?,IL-4,T-bet and GATA-3 mRNA(The latter 2 were the key transcription factors associated with Th1/Th2 response)in the spleen samples.Results:The plasma levels of IFN-?and IL-4 quickly reached the peak values 1 h after the endotoxin injection,then the level of IFN-?decreased quickly.The ratio of IFN-?/IL-4 was signifi- cantly lower than the baseline value 72 h after endotoxin injection(P=0.000).The ratio of IFN-?/IL-4 mRNA in MODS group was obviously lower than that in the control group(P=0.020);the ratio of T-bet/GATA-3 was also lower in MODS group (P=0.038).Conclusion:The shift from Th1 to Th2 occurs in the progress of MODS.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the radiological findings of labyrinthitis and evaluate the diagnosis value of HRCT and MRI. METHODS The HRCT and MR images of 27 cases ( 31 ears) with labyrinthitis,suggested by clinical examinations and abnormal changes on images coexisting,were studied. RESULTS In the 22 ears which underwent HRCT examinations,6 ears showed increase of the density of one or more structures of inner ear,8 ears showed increase of the density of structure as well as change of the shape of the inner ear,1 ear showed change of the shape only. Labyrinth inner cavity appeared local or total sclerosis and disappearance in 7 ears. Among the 22 ears,there was bony incompleteness in 4 besides the changes mentioned above. In the 9 ears which accepted HRCT and MR scanning,7 ears showed abnormal changes of different degree in the inner ear on HRCT images and the other 2 appeared normal. On MR images,all 9 ears showed decrease or disappearance of the signal of T2WI in one or more structures of membranous labyrinth. Among the 6 ears which performed contrast scanning,markedly enhancement was seen in 4 and no enhancement in 2 ears. Of all the 31 ears,cochlea was involved in 30,of which only basal turn involved in 5,upper and second turns in 2 and all turns in 23,semicircular canal involved in 26,vestibule in 20,oval window in 18 and round window in 19. CONCLUSION HRCT can demonstrate the abnormal changes of bony labyrinth,and MRI is helpful to detect the changes of labyrinth inner cavity. They have important value in the detection and diagnosis of labyrinthitis.

Objective To investigate the hemodynamic parameters to stabilize cerebral blood flow within limits of cerebral autoregualtion. Methods We assessed the flow velocity of middle cerebral artery using transcranial Doppler and recorded invasively the blood pressure simultaneously. We then analyzed the curves of cerebral blood flow autoregulation (CBFA) and calculated upper limit of autoregulation (ULA) and lower limit of autoregulation (LLA). The values of critical closing pressue (CCP) and resistance area product (RAP) were calculated according to previous theory. The relationship between CCP, RAP and MABP were analyzed. Results In the process of increasing or decreasing blood pressure, ULA and LLA of normal rats were 148.12 ± 7.49 mmHg or 62.96 ± 3.34 mmHg, respectively. When mean artery blood pressue (MABP) changed within limits of cerebral autoregulation, the cerebral blood flow velocity changed little (increasing:0.65± 0.27 cm/s/10mmHg MABP, decreasing:0.43±0.23cm/s/10 mmHg MABP), while CCP and RAP changed significantly (in?creasing: 4.60 ± 1.06 mmHg/10mmHg MABP and 0.11 ± 0.04/10 mmHg MABP, decreasing: 6.74 ± 0.59 mmHg/10 mmHg MABP and 0.09 ± 0.02/10mmHg MABP). After fixing change of blood flow velocity, CCP and RAP were correlated with MABP more remarkablely, although all blood flow velocity, CCP and RAP were significantly correlated with MABP. Conclusion Within limits of cerebral autoregulation, stable cerebral blood flow is mainly achieved by the change of CCP and RAP against blood pressure changing on normal rats, especially the increasing or de?creasing of CCP.

Objective To investigate the prevalence,genotype and epidemiology of plasmid- mediated AmpC enzyme of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae.Methods A total of 67 clinical isolates of nonrepetitive cefoxitin-resistant Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae collected by Fuzhou General Hospital and Fujian Provincial Hospital during a period of Sept.2004 to Mar.2005 were detected by three-dimensional extract test for AmpC enzyme,and PCR for AmpC enzyme and other ?-lactamase gene amplification and DNA sequencing were carried out for genotype of ?-lactamase.Plasmid transformation experiment was used to study the transfer of cefoxitin resistance.The homology of the isolates was determined by ERIC-PCR fingerprinting.Results At two hospitals in Fuzhou,the prevalence of plasmid-mediated AmpC enzyme among cefoxitin-resistant Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were 16.7% and 10.5%, 8.0% and 0,respectively.Two isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae produced DHA-1 plasmid-mediated AmpC enzyme,and 4 isolates of Escherichia cob and one strain of Escherichia coli produced CMY-2 and CMY-22 plasmid-mediated AmpC enzyme respectively.Furthermore,5 strains of Escherichia coli with CMY AmpC enzyme were also found simuhaneously to produce TEM-144,CTX-M-27,CTX-M-14 and TEM-1 ?-lactamase respectively.Three strains of Escherichia coli and one isolate of Klebsiella pneumoniae could transfer cefoxitin resistance to acceptant bacillus.ERIC-PCR fingerprinting reveals 2 strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae came from same clone,but 5 strains of Escherichia coli came from different clones.Conclusions The clinical isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae producing DHA-1 plasmid-mediated AmpC enzyme and Escherichia coli producing CMY-2,CMY-22 plasmid-mediated AmpC enzyme are found in Fuzhou.CMY-22 AmpC enzyme and TEM-144 ?-lactamase are the first reported in the world,GenBank accession number: DO256079,DO256080

OBJECTIVETo study the mechanism of warm-hot nature Chinese drugs (WHNCD) for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis (PBCRBS) for intervening model rats of cold coagulation and blood stasis syndrome (CCBSS).

METHODSCCBSS rat model was set up in outbred SD rats using ice water immersion method. Totally 300 successfully modeled CCBSS rats were randomly divided into 5 groups according to the principle of balance weight, 60 in each group. Contents of triothyrone (T3), tetraiodothyroine (T4), progesterone (P), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and noradrenalin (NE) were paralleledly detected in all groups. Then rats in each group were subdivided into 6 subgroups as the model group, the curcuma group, the Ligsticum Chuanxiong group, the safflower group, the Rhizoma Corydalis group, and the Olibanumg group. Besides, 5 normal control groups were set up for 5 indices, 50 rats in total. We need 70 rats (7 groups) to finish observing 1 index, 350 rats in total for 5 indices. Except those in the model group and the normal control group, rats were administered with corresponding decoction at 20 g crude drugs/kg body weight by gastrogavage, 3 mL each time, once daily for 7 successive days. Equal volume of normal saline was given to rats in the normal control group and the model group. Contents of T3, T4, P, 5-HT, and NE were detected before treatment and 1 week after treatment.

RESULTSCompared with before treatment in the same group, T3 increased in the Ligsticum Chuanxiong group and the Olibanumg group, 5-HT increased in the Ligsticum Chuanxiong group, T4, NE, and P increased in all medicated groups (P < 0.05). Compared with the normal control group, contents of T3, T4, 5-HT, NE, and P in the model group decreased (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, contents of T3, T4, 5-HT, and NE increased in each medicated group (P < 0.05). There was statistical difference in contents of P between the Ligsticum Chuanxiong group and the Olibanumg group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSWHNCD for PBCRBS had regulatory roles in serum contents of T3, T4, P, and NE in modeled rats of CCBSS. They could promote the thyroid gland-gonadal axis function, enhance the function of the endocrine system, which might be one of the pharmacodynamic mechanism of WHNCD for PBCRBS in intervening CCBSS.

Animals ; Blood Coagulation ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Hot Temperature ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Norepinephrine ; metabolism ; Progesterone ; metabolism ; Rats ; Serotonin ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the expressions of Wnt/beta-catenin and the effects of tanshinone IIA (TII A) on Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway in high glucose induced renal tubular epithelial cell transdifferentiation.

METHODSHuman kidney proximal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2) were divided into three groups, i. e., the normal glucose group, the high glucose group, and the high glucose plus tanshinone IIA group. The expression of beta-catenin was observed using immunocytochemical staining. The protein expression of beta-catenin, E-cadherin, and alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) were detected by Western blot. The mRNA levels of beta-catenin and E-cadherin were detected by RT-PCR.

RESULTSCompared with the normal glucose group, both the protein and the mRNA expressions of beta-catenin were significantly enhanced (P < 0.01), the expression of E-cadherin significantly decreased (P < 0.01), the expression of beta-catenin increased in the cytoplasm and nucleus in the high glucose group. TIIA at the final concentration of 100 micromol/L significantly reduced the ectopic expression of beta-catenin. At that concentration, the protein and mRNA expressions of beta-catenin in the nucleus significantly decreased, while the protein and mRNA expressions of E-cadherin were up-regulated. Meanwhile, the expression of alpha-SMA obviously decreased.

CONCLUSIONSWnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway participated in the high glucose induced renal tubular epithelial cell transdifferentiation. TIIA inhibited the transdifferentiation process possibly through down-regulating the activities of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway, thus further playing a role in renal protection.

Cadherins ; metabolism ; Cell Line ; Cell Transdifferentiation ; drug effects ; Diterpenes, Abietane ; pharmacology ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Glucose ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Kidney Tubules, Proximal ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Wnt Signaling Pathway ; drug effects ; beta Catenin ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the association between serum level of leptin and leptin receptor gene (LEPR) polymorphism and patients with breast cancer.

METHODSLEPR G1n223Arg polymorphism was detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism in 94 patients with breast cancer and 128 healthy controls. The level of leptin were analyzed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTSIn univariate regression analyses, we found serum level of leptin and LEPR Gin223Arg genotype polymorphism were significantly higrer than those of the controls (P < 0.05-0.001, respectively). Through multivariable analyses, we found that increased risk estimates for breast cancer were among those with leptin level (OR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.13-2.07, P = 0.006), LEPR Gin223Arg genotype (OR = 4.87, 95%CI:1.30-18.22, P = 0.019), WHR (OR = 3.68, 95% CI: 1.34-10.11, P = 0.011).

CONCLUSIONResults from this study suggested that LEPR Gln233Agr polymorphism, the elevated WHR and serum level of leptin might be correlated with increased risk of breast cancer.

Breast Neoplasms ; blood ; genetics ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Humans ; Leptin ; blood ; Lipids ; blood ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Receptors, Leptin ; genetics ; Risk

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of the mutations of leptin receptor gene exon 4, exon 6, exon9, and exon20 with the tumorigenesis of breast cancer.

METHODSGenomic DNA was extracted from breast cancer tissues of 155 patients, benign lesions of 56 patients and normal tissues and blood samples from 100 health control subjects. The leptin receptor genes were assayed with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and direct sequence analysis.

RESULTSNucleotide substitutions no mutations were found at exon 4, and nucleotide substitutions occurred at codon 1029 in exon 9, no significant difference among the three groups (P = 0.574). The nucleotide substitutions at codon 668 in exon 6 resulted in Gln223Arg polymorphisms. The occurring frequencies of GG, GA, AA in breast cancer, breast benign lesions tissues and health tissues control group were 70.9% and 17.4%, 12.3%; 80.4%, 14.3% and 5.4%; and 81.0%, 16.0%, and 3.0%, respectively. Alleles of G and A in the three groups were 79.1% and 20.8%, 87.5% and 12.5%, and 89.0% and 11.0%, respectively. Compared the Gln223Arg genotype with the three allele groups, there were significant differences (χ(2) = 16.11, P < 0.005 and χ(2) = 11.41, P < 0.01), respectively. The nucleotide substitutions at codon 3057 in exon 20 resulted in Pro1019Pro polymorphisms. The occurrence frequencies of GG, GA, AA in the breast cancer, benign disease and health control groups were 11.6%, 30.3% and 56.1%; 32.1%, 44.0% and 28.5%; and 32.0%, 45.0% And 23.0%, respectively. Alleles of G and A in the three groups were 26.8% and 73.2%, 51.8% and 48.2%, and 54.5% and 45.5%, respectively. There are significant differences among the three groups (χ(2) = 6.56, P < 0.03 and χ(2) = 5.45, P < 0.05), respectively. Nucleotide substitutions occurred at relatively high frequencies at exon 6 and exon 20 in obese and overweight breast cancer patients compared with those in normal weight breast cancer patients, there were significant differences (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSOur findings show that there is no relationship between the variations of leptin receptor gene exon 9 and tumorigenesis of breast cancer. The variation rate of leptin receptor gene exon 6 and exon 20 are significantly increased in the obese and overweight breast cancer patients.

Adenoma ; genetics ; Adult ; Aged ; Breast ; pathology ; Breast Neoplasms ; etiology ; genetics ; Carcinoma ; etiology ; genetics ; Exons ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; Obesity ; genetics ; Point Mutation ; Receptors, Leptin ; genetics