italic>γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a crucial inhibitory neurotransmitter found in various cells in the human body. While the GABAergic system is typically associated with the nervous system, recent research has revealed that immune cells and tumor cells also express components of this system. In the tumor microenvironment (TME), GABA is secreted to act extracellularly on other cells. GABA is metabolized via the GABA shunt and is involved in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle by generating succinate, which can provide energy for tumor cells. Activation of GABA receptors (GABARs) is a major pathway through which GABA participates in the regulation of antitumor immune responses. The activation of GABA type A receptors (GABA_ARs) can inhibit the activation and proliferation of T cells, elicit anti-inflammatory macrophages, and promote tumor cell growth and migration, while activation of GABA type B receptors (GABA_BRs) is generally considered to inhibit cancer cell migration and induce cancer cell apoptosis. In general, receptor activation inhibits immune cells, but the effect on tumor cells varies. Additionally, the downregulation of the expression levels of GABA transporters (GATs) is involved in tumor progression. Although antagonists of GABA metabolism and drugs that act on GABA receptors are considered therapeutic drugs for tumors, there have been few clinical studies conducted on them.

OBJECTIVETo discuss the clinical effects and superiority of applying external fixation and bone transport to treat osteomyelitis and bone defect of femoral bone.

METHODSFrom August 2008 to December 2013,16 patients with osteomyelitis and bone defect of femoral bone were treated including 11 males and 5 females with an average age of 42 years old ranging from 13 to 62 years old. The average course of disease was 18 months ranging from 2 months to 4.5 years, and the average length of bone defect was 7.8 cm ranging from 4.5 to 15 cm. The bone defect of all cases were treated by external fixation and bone transport, the bone transport began at 1 week after operation, 1 mm per day and 4 times per day.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up for 10 to 36 months (means 22.5 months). One patient did not cooperate with treatment leads to the failure, then took the amputation. The remaining 15 cases of osteomyelitis were under control, including 12 cases of bone transport achieved one stage bone union, 3 cases achieved bone union via bone graft from iliac bone. The bone union time was 5 to 13 months(means 7.9 months). Thirteen patients almost obtained the same length of two lower extremities,2 patients had shortening of 1.5 to 2 cm. The time of moving the external fixation was from 6 to 16 months (means 9.3 months).

CONCLUSIONApplication of external fixation and bone transport is an effective method in treating the osteomyelitis and bone defect that can control the infection, eradicate wounds, and be the equalization of limb length.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Bone Transplantation ; External Fixators ; Female ; Femur ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteomyelitis ; surgery

A 42-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital for an 11-month history of pustular lesions of the mouth and lips as well as a 5-month history of pustules,ulcer,proliferative plaques on the head,neck and trunk.She had suffered from 8 years of ulcerative colitis.Dermatological examination revealed mild erosion of eyelids,swelling of buccal mucosa and oral lips,as well as typical snail track lesions formed by pustules,exudates and mucilage.There was a large pitchy proliferative plaque sized 20 cm × 10 cm with an elevated margin in the neck as well as palm-to persian walnut-sized proliferative plaques in the prothorax,armpit,periumbilical area and left inguinal area.Histopathology revealed epitheliomatous hyperplasia of the epidermis with the formation of eosinophilic microabscesses,and superficial dermal infiltrate with numerous neutrophils and eosinophils.Direct immunofluorescence tests for IgA,IgG,and C3 were negative.A diagnosis of pyodermatitis-pyostomatitis vegetans was made.The patient was given intravenous methylprednisolone 40 mg/day and symptomatic treatment,which leaded to a gradual subsidence of skin lesions.

OBJECTIVETo establish the method for determining polysorbate 80 in Reduning injection by HPLC-ELSD, and to control the mass of polysorbate 80 in Reduning injection.

METHODIt was performed by HGPC-ELSD with TOSHTSK-GEL G4000PWxl (7.8 mm x 300 mm, 10 μm). Water was used as mobile phase, the flow rate was 0.7 mL x min(-1), and the temperature was set at 30°C. The evaporated light scattering detector was adopted. The drift tube temperature was 55°C, and nitrogen was used as carrier gas, with the flow rate of 2.0 L x min(-1) and gain of 1.0.

RESULTThe calibration curve showed good linearity of polysorbate 80 in the test range from 1.01 to 15.20 g x L(-1) (r2 = 0.999 3). The recovery rate was 98.10% with RSD of 2.0%.

CONCLUSIONThe method is simple, rapid, accurate and reliable and suitable for the determination of polysorbate 80 in Reduning injection.

Calibration ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Injections ; Polysorbates ; analysis ; Reproducibility of Results ; Time Factors

Objective:To explore the gene differential expression pattern of polycystic ovary syn-drome.Methods:We carried out microarray analysis to define the gene networks by the PCOS granulosacells in order to identify differentially expressed genes in PCOS patients.These granulosa cells of fivePCOS cases and five control cases which were derived during oocyte retrieval from women undergoingIVF.Results:As compared with control human ovarian granulosa cells,46 genes were screened out,25genes were up-regulated,and 21genes were down-regulated in PCOS.These differentially expressedgenes were involved in various biologic functions,such as regulation of fatty acid metabolism,cell-cellsignal transduction,immune and inflammatory response,reflecting the complexity of clinical manifesta-tions of PCOS.Conclusion:Microarray analysis technology is an effective mothod to identify novel PCOSassociated candidate genes.

OBJECTIVETo understand the survival rate of adult blood-borne human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cases in a county.

METHODSA retrospective cohort study was carried out to determine the survival from HIV infection and related factors among 78 adult HIV cases infected by blood and confirmed by the end of 2002. Kaplan-meier method was used to describe the survival distribution and Cox proportional hazard model was used to determine the factors associated with the survival time.

RESULTSThe total mortality after infection was 78.57/1000 p-y and AIDS related mortality was 72.95/1000 p-y. The median survival time was 7.40 years (95% Confidence Interval: 6.79 - 8.02). After adjustment for the clinical stage at presentation (HIV or AIDS), people who got infected at the age of 30 - 40 years or infected by the end of 1995 would proceed to death slower than the other groups.

CONCLUSIONThe survival of HIV cases infected by blood at the county level might have been underestimated and should be adjusted when HIV/AIDS was estimated and projected. Survival was associated with age when infection started so different survival functions should be used on different age groups that infection started.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; epidemiology ; mortality ; transmission ; Adult ; Blood-Borne Pathogens ; China ; epidemiology ; Cohort Studies ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; HIV Infections ; epidemiology ; mortality ; transmission ; HIV-1 ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Male ; Population Surveillance ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Survival Analysis ; Transfusion Reaction

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; Blood Donors ; China ; HIV Infections ; Humans ; Prejudice ; Rural Population

OBJECTIVETo discuss the treatment of the scrotal vein malformation in teenagers and clinical efficacy.

METHODS32 cases with the local and diffuse scrotal vein malformation were retrospectively analyzed. 31 cases underwent local injection with 40% urea before resection. The urea was injected locally into tumor through multi-points within 30 seconds, 2-6 ml every time, one time a day. The injection was performed for 5-12 days. The treatment was refused in one case. The therapeutic effect and cosmetic result were recorded.

RESULTSThe tumors were removed radically in 28 cases including one operation in 25 cases and secondary operation in 3 cases. The patients were followed up for 1-3 years with no recurrence. Cosmetic result with bilaterally symmetric scrotum was satisfactory. The tumors in 3 severe cases were partially resected with improvement.

CONCLUSIONSCombined treatment with urea injection and surgical procedure can effectively treat the scrotal vein malformation with satisfactory result.

Adolescent ; Humans ; Injections, Intralesional ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Scrotum ; blood supply ; Urea ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Vascular Malformations ; therapy ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of caspase-3 siRNA on the neurobehavior of mice exposed to aluminum.

METHODSMale KunMing mice (3 months old) were randomly divided into 4 groups by weight:blank control group (4 microl normal saline), Al group (4 microl 0.5% AlCl3), Al plus empty vector group(3 microl 0.5% AlCl3 plus control siRNA expression vector)and Al plus RNAi group (3 microl 0.5% AlCl3 plus targeted siRNA expression vector). All groups were treated by lateral cerebral ventricle micro-injection for 5 days. The neurobehavior was tested by the Morris water maze test, Open-field and Step-down tests for all treated mice. Pathological changes in hippocampus was observed by electron microscopy, the caspase-3 gene expression levels were detected using RT-PCR.

RESULTSThe results of Step-down test indicated that as compared with control group, the latent time [LT, (44.67 +/- 10.60) s] in A1 group decreased significantly, the error number (3.63 +/- 0.52) in Al group increased significantly and the LT [(68.00 +/- 14.70) s] in Al plus empty vector group decreased significantly (P<0.05). the LT [(239.50 +/- 19.36) s] in Al plus RNAi group increased significantly and the error number in Al plus RNAi group decreased significantly, as compared with Al group (P<0.05). The results of Morris water maze test showed that as compared with control group, the LT in Al group increased significantly, and residence time in the former platform quadrant decreased significantly and the LT in Al plus empty vector group increased significantly (P<0.05). The LT in Al plus RNAi group was significantly longer than that in Al group (P<0.05). The results of open-field test demonstrated that as compared with control group, the time in the central grid in Al group and Al plus empty vector group increased significantly, the rearing number and the modification number in Al group and Al plus empty vector group decreased significantly (P< 0.05). As compared with Al group, the time in the central grid in Al plus RNAi group decreased, the inter-cell number, the rearing number and the modification number increased significantly (P<0.05). The results of electron microscopic examination exhibited that a slight change of hippocampal cells appeared in control group, the obvious pathological changes of hippocampal cells appeared in Al group and Al plus empty vector group, but the pathological changes of hippocampal cells in Al plus RNAi group significantly reduced as compared with Al group. The results of thionin staining indicated that the layers of neural cells of hippocampal CA3 were more clear and there was not obvious denatured injury of neural cells of hippocampal CA3 in control group. The number and Nissl body color of neural cells of hippocampal CA3 in Al group and Al plus empty vector group decreased significantly. After RNA interference, the number and Nissl body color of neural cells of hippocampal CA3 increased obviously. The expression levels of caspase-3 gene in Al group and Al plus empty vector group were 2.24 +/- 0.57 and 2.28 +/- 0.33, respectively, which were significantly higher than that (1.00 +/- 0.00) in control group (P<0.05). The expression level of caspase-3 gene in Al plus RNAi group was 0.44 +/- 0.08, which was significantly lower than those in Al group and control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONAluminum can decrease the learning and memorizing ability, and inhibited the activity or exploration function of mice. It is suggested that Caspase-3 siRNA may reduce the neurotoxicity induced by aluminum to a certain extent.

Aluminum ; toxicity ; Animals ; Caspase 3 ; genetics ; Male ; Maze Learning ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Neurons ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo explore the role of inflammatory reaction mediated by p38-mitogen activated protein kinase (p38-MAPK) signal path on prevention and treatment of Parkinson disease (PD) model rats by electroacupuncture (EA).

METHODSThirty-two healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a sham operation group, a model group and an EA group, eight rats in each one. The PD model was established in the model group and EA group by subcutaneous injection of rotenone in skin-back area (2 mg/kg, dissolved in sunflower oil, 2 mg/mL in density), while the injection of sunflower oil emulsion without rotenone at the same point and quantity as the model group was applied in the sham operation group. The normal group was not given any intervention. The EA treatment (continuous wave, 2 Hz in frequency, 1 mA in intensity, 20 min) was applied at "Fengfu" (GV 16) and "Taichong" (LR 3) in the EA group, once a day for continuously 14 days. No treatment was given in the other groups. The expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), phosphorylated p38-MAPK, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in the substantia nigra were detected with immunohistochemical method.

RESULTSThere was typical PD ethology change in the model group. Compared with the normal group and sham operation group, the expression of TH positive neuron in the substantia nigra in the model group was significantly decreased, while the expression of phosphorylated p38-MAPK and COX-2 were significantly increased (all P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the expression of TH positive neuron in the EA group was apparently increased, while the expression of phosphorylated p38-MAPK and COX-2 were significantly decreased (all P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe EA therapy could obviously reduce the expression of inflammation mediator COX-2, inhibit the phosphorylation of p38-MAPK, reduce the damage of dopaminergic neurons in the rats with PD, and this effect may be related with the impact of p38-MAPK signal path

Animals ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Electroacupuncture ; Humans ; Male ; Parkinson Disease ; enzymology ; genetics ; therapy ; Phosphorylation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Substantia Nigra ; enzymology ; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase ; genetics ; metabolism ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism