Objective To investigate the relation between retinol binding protein-4(RBP4) levels and metabolic parameters and to explore the correlation between RBP4-G 803 A SNP and metabolic syndrome.Methods One hundred and sixteen metabolic syndrome(MS) patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and 93 healthy controls were included.Serum RBP4 level was measured by RIA.RBP4-G 803 A different genotypes were examined by PCR and sequence analysis.Results RBP4 levels showed significant positive correlations with BMI,waist circumference,FINS,HOMA-IR,and TG in all the participants,with TG,TC,and LDL-C in control,with DBP in males,and with age,FINS,HOMA-IR,TG and SBP in females.In multiple stepwise regression analysis,RBP4 was independently associated with BMI,waist circumference,TG and age.Serum RBP4 concentrations were significantly higher in MS group than in control.RBP4 levels were higher in males as compared to females.In control,RBP4 level was lower in subjects with regular exercise.There was no significant difference in the frequency of RBP4-G 803 A genotypes and alleles in MS group and neither difference in metabolic parameters between the carriers of GG+GA and AA.Conclusion In Chinese Han population,serum RBP4 concentrations are correlated with various metabolic parameters and there is no relation between RBP4-G 803 A SNP and metabolic syndrome.

Objective To investigate the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on affected and healthy limbs and on the regulation of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) mRNA and proteins in the cerebral cortex early after focal ischemic.Methods A model of focal cerebral ischemia was established in 54 SD rats using the suture occlusion method.They were then randomly divided into an affected limb therapy group (ALTG,n =18),an unaffected limb therapy group (UALTG,n =18),and a control group (CG,n =18).Each group had a 7-day subgroup,a 14-day subgroup and a 21-day subgroup with 6 rats in each.Rats in the experimental groups received EA beginning 24h after the occlusion.Rats in each subgroup were sacrificed in a random order on the 7th,14th and 21st days and the ischemic cerebral cortexes were quickly dissected.The specimens were frozen in liquid nitrogen before being analysed for IGF-1 mRNA expression by RT-PCR and for IGF-1 protein by Western blotting.Results ①After occlusion,IGF-1 protein levels in the ischemic cortexes of the CG declined from the 7th through the 21st day.Rats in the ALTG had significantly higher levels compared with the CG at all time points.The UALTG had the highest values on the 14th day,but was lower than the ALTG and higher than the CG at the 21st day.②IGF-1 mRNA levels in the ischemic cortexes of the UALTG declined from the 7th through the 21st day.At day 7 the results of the UALTG were 6.8 times higher than the CG,and the ALTG was 3.0 times higher.At day 14 levels in the UALTG were significantly lower than those in the ALTG.At that point the results of the UALTG rats were 3.3 times higher than those of the CG and the ALTG was 5.7 times higher.On day 21 levels in both the UALTG and ALTG were significantly lower than in the CG.Conclusions EA intervention at an early stage of focal cerebral ischemia can improve the expression of IGF-1 mRNA and protein levels in the ischemic cortex.Treating the unaffected limb can evoke more IGF-1 mRNA expression earlier and with relatively longer duration,and generate relatively longer protein increases.EA administered to the unaffected limb was more effective in the early stage of stroke.

Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; metabolism ; pathology ; Adult ; Breast Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Breast Neoplasms, Male ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Cadherins ; metabolism ; Carcinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Carcinoma, Signet Ring Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Keratin-5 ; metabolism ; Lymph Node Excision ; Male ; Mastectomy ; methods ; Mucin-1 ; metabolism ; S100 Proteins ; metabolism

Objective To study the influence of CTP-OD1-HA and CTP-OD2-HA fusion peptides and combined with imatinib on proliferation of K562 cells.Methods K562 cells were treated with CTP-OD1-HA and CTP-OD2-HA peptides or together with imatinib.The proliferation of cells were detected and compared by MTT and clone formation methods.Results MTT examination demonstrated that CTP-OD1-HA and CTP-OD2-HA peptides could inhibit the proliferation of K562 cells,and the effect was more obvious when acted along with imatinib;Clone formation showed that CTP-OD1-HA and CTP-OD2-HA peptides suppressed the continuous colony forming ability of K562 cells.Conclusion CTP-OD1-HA and CTP-OD2-HA could specially inhibit the proliferation of K562 cells,and increase the sensitivity of imatinib.

Objective To explore a new method of functional reconstruction of hand digits and joints with free transfer of foot tissues so as to increase the success rate of the operation.Methods After micro-anatomic study of the plantar and dorsal metatarsal arteries,retrograde and free grafts of foot tissues pedicled with plantar metatarsal arteries were designed and applied in transplantation to treat 76 cases of hand digital or joint defects.The surgeries included 58 cases of transfer of the second toe,four cases of transfer of composite tissues of the second toe, eight cases of transfer of proximal interphalangeal joint,and six cases of nail flap transfer.Results The mi- cro-anatomic study found that the first plantar metatarsal artery was anatomically constant and the diameter of its branch to the second toe was larger than that of the first dorsal metatarsal artery.Flaps survived in 75 of the 76 patients(98.7%),with fine appearance and significantly improved function.One patient who had received free transfer of the second toe to reconstruct the thumb function had to undergo a second repair with infraclavicula skin tube because of refractory arteriospasm of anastomosed vessels.Conclusion Transfer with free retrograde grafts of foot tissues pedicled with plantar metatarsal artery to reconstruct hand functions can effectively improve the success rate of the operation,because it is free of the shortcomings of great anatomic variation of blood vessels and time-consuming and complex procedures in conventional transfer.

Animals ; Biopterin ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Genetic Therapy ; Humans ; Phenylalanine Ammonia-Lyase ; administration & dosage ; Phenylketonurias ; therapy

OBJECTIVE Hypericin, a powerful naturally photosensitizer in photodynamic therapy (PDT), is suitable for treating skin diseases involving excess capillary proliferation. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the skin penetrability of a topically applied hypericin, expecting reducing the risk of prolonged skin photosensitivity, which often occurs after systemic administration. METHODS The Franz diffusion cell assay was performed to evaluate different penetration enhancers. In vivo studies, fluorescence microscopy was performed to examine the distribution of hypericin in the skin, macroscopic and microscopic analyses were also carried out to detect pathological changes in the skin after topical hypericin-PDT treatment. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the expression of PECAM-1 in the treated skin. RESULTS 5% menthol facilitated hypericin penetrate the skin of nude mice most. The results of in vivo assays revealed that hypericin penetrated nude mice skin, spread to the dermis, and resulted in obvious photosensitivity reaction on the dermal capillaries. Moreover, skin injured by the photosensitive reaction induced by hypericin was replaced by normal skin 7 d after hypericin-PDT treat?ment. CONCLUSION Topical hypericin could penetrate nude mouse skin well and be great potential in PDT treatment of skin diseases.

Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Gram-Positive Bacteria ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Sepsis ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; microbiology

OBJECTIVEVentilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a common nosocomial infection and is responsible for a very high mortality in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) patients. This study was designed to investigate the etiology and high risk factors of neonatal VAP.

METHODSThe clinical data of 106 critical neonates who were treated with mechanical ventilator between 2003 and 2005 were studied retrospectively.

RESULTSOf the 106 neonates, 84 received mechanical ventilation for > or = 48 hrs. Thirty-five (41.7%) out of the 84 patients developed VAP. Univariate analysis showed that gestational age, duration of mechanical ventilation, reintubation, birth weights, primary lung disease and gamma globulin administration were associated with the development of VAP (P < 0.05). Multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that primary lung disease (OR=3.671, 95% CI=1.0-13.45, P < 0.05), duration of mechanical ventilation (OR=4.945, CI=1.51-16.21, P < 0.01), reintubation (OR=7.721, 95% CI=2.31-25.85, P < 0.01) and high-dose gamma globulin administration (OR=5.520, 95%CI=2.08-16.26, P < 0.01) were predicted factors for the development of VAP. The detection rate of gram negative bacilli (76.9%) was the highest, followed by gram positive coccus (17.9%) in VAP patients.

CONCLUSIONSOpportunistic drug-resistant bacteria are common pathogens for neonatal VAP. The risk of VAP is multifactorial, including external medical environments and patients' internal agents.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; genetics ; Female ; Genes, erbB-1 ; genetics ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques ; methods ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; genetics