Antibiotics, Antineoplastic ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Breast Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Down-Regulation ; Doxorubicin ; pharmacology ; Female ; Humans ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense ; pharmacology ; Phosphoproteins ; metabolism ; RNA-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Random Allocation

In this study, OVA-induced asthma mice was taken as the model, and orally administered with different concentration of ethanol extracts of crude and processed Stemona tuberosa, in order to determine the cytokine level released from Th1 and Th2 in splenocytes. RT-PCR was carried out to determine the genetic expression of T-bet/GATA-3 in lung, and compare the differentiation between ethanol extracts of crude and processed S. tuberosa in therapeutic effect on asthma in mice. According to the results, compared with the crude samples, processed samples significantly increased the levels of inflammatory factor INF-gamma (P < 0.05) and decreased IL-5 (P < 0.05) in splenocytes. According to the RT-PCR results, the administration of processed samples could increase the ratio of T-bet/GATA-3 (P < 0.05). The experiment showed that ethanol extracts of both crude and processed S. tuberosa could treat asthma by regulating Th1/Th2 ratio, but processed samples showed more notable effect. This indicated that crude and processed S. tuberosa had significant pharmacological difference. Therefore, it was more rational to apply processed S. tuberosa in clinical treatment of asthma and chronic cough, which layed a foundation for further revealing the processing mechanism of S. tuberosa.
Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Asthma ; drug therapy ; immunology ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; GATA3 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Stemonaceae ; chemistry ; T-Box Domain Proteins ; metabolism ; Th1 Cells ; drug effects ; secretion ; Th2 Cells ; drug effects ; secretion

Objective To detect the mutations of ATP2C1 gene in patients with Hailey-Hailey dis- ease (HHD).Methods PCR and direct sequencing were performed in 17 patients and 120 healthy controls to screen the mutations in the exons of ATP2C1 gene.Results Eight mutations were identified in nine probands, including three deletion mutations (nt1464-1487 del/nt1462-1485del,1523delAT,2375delTTGT),three splice site mutations (360—2A→G,1415—2A→T,2243+2T→C) and two missence mutations (C920T and G1942T).None of the above mutations was found in the controls.Conclusion Eight specific novel mutations were identified in nine probands of HHD,which could be causative factors of the disease.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the collagen constitution of hyperplastic scar (HS) in different ages and the change of relative factors.

METHODSThirty cases with HS were divided into two groups according to patients' age: group 1 (1 - 19 years, A) and group 2 (20 - 50 years, B). The normal skin (NS) from corresponding age of volunteers was employed as control group. The changes in TGFbeta1, collagenase (MMP-1) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP-1beta) and the collagen ratio were observed by means of in situ hybridization technique and SABC (Strept-Avidin-Biotin complex) immunohistochemistry and image analysis.

RESULTSThe ratio of type I to type III collagen in A group was 6.48 in average and 3.76 in B group, but there was no evident difference in the ratio during the disease process in both groups. The expression of TGFbeta1 in A group was much higher than that in B group (P < 0.01). The TIMP-1 mRNA expression showed no difference among all age groups in HS patients, but it was much higher than that in NS group. The MMP-1 expression was evidently lower than TIMP-1 expression, and there was no difference in MMP-1 expression compared with NS group.

CONCLUSION(1) The TGFbeta1 expression in HS patients was negatively correlated with age, and the increased expression of TGFbeta1 produced an increase ratio of type I to type III collagen. (2) High level expression of TIMP-1 led to the formation of HS by inhibiting MMP-1 expression, and the expression was not related to age.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Burns ; metabolism ; pathology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; metabolism ; pathology ; Collagen Type I ; biosynthesis ; Collagen Type III ; biosynthesis ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 ; biosynthesis ; Middle Aged ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; biosynthesis ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; biosynthesis ; Young Adult

Objective To evaluate the clinical value of color doppler flow image (CDFI) and three-dimension color power angiography(3D-CPA) in the diagnosis of thyroid nodules. Methods A total of 62 pathologically confirmed thyroid nodules of 30 patients were analyzed. All the patients underwent ultrasound examination and operation in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University between January, 2008 and May, 2009. Both CDFI and 3D-CPA were performed before the operation. All the nodules were divided into three groups including nodular goiters, thyroid adenomas and thyroid cancers according to the pathological results. The hemodynamic features and the vascular morphology characteristics of nodules in different groups were compared. Results 3D-CPA showed that blood vessels of nodular goiters commonly distributed surrounding the mass and the inner vessels were thin and regular, thyroid adenomas were bulb-shaped and netted structure, and malignant thyroid nodules displayed distorted and irregular distributed vessels. Peak systolic velocity (PSV)of the three groups were (39.43±11.17a), (46.39±12.98) and (65.17±9.23)cm/s, respectively. Resistance index(RI) of the three groups were (0.32±0.08), (0.41±0.06) and (0.69±0.07)cm/s, respectively. Both PSV and RI in malignant thyroid nodules were higher than in nodular goiters and in thyroid adenomas and the difference were statistical significant (all P < 0.05). The blood flow grade of malignant nodules was also higher in malignant nodules than in other two groups(χ2 = 17.11, 12.79, 23.05, 15.41, P< 0.01). Conclusions CDFI and 3D-CPA could visually demonstrate the characteristic and distribution of the inner and outer blood vessels, display the vessels structures, and they are benefit the differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate whether or not administration of folic acid and resveratrol have preventive effects on cleft palate formation as well as the comparison of the two drugs' s effects.

METHODSPregnant mice were randomly divided into 9 groups, with 8 mice in each group. The TCDD group mice were dosed with TCDD 28 microg/kg body weight on gestation day 10 (GD 10) animals in folic acid group were respectively dosed with folic acid 15, 10, 5 mg/kg and TCDD 28 microg/kg; resveratrol treated mice were divided into 3 groups: resveratrol 50 mg/kg were orally administered for 6 consecutive days, from gestational day GD 8 to GD13 in resveratrol (GD8-13 ) group; resveratrol 50 mg/kg were orally administered for 6 consecutive days, from gestational day GD 8 to GD13, followed hy an oral administered with TCDD on GD10 in resveratrol (GD8-13) + TCDD group; resveratrol 50mg/kg and TCDD 28 microg/kg were used by gavage administration at GD10 in resveratrol (GD10) + TCDD group. Control mice were treated with the same volume of water for 6 consecutive days from GD8 to GD13 and were given a single dose of corn oil on GD10. The pregnant mice weight and embryos, the number of live, cleft palate, dead and resorption fetal mice were recorded on GD 17.5. The coronal sections of the fetal mice heads were prepared at GD 17.5 and observed by microscopy.

RESULTSTotal frequency of clefts was 92.86% in TCDD group, 84.00% (15 mg), 73.08% (10 mg), 84.00% (5 mg) in folic acid + TCDD groups, 0% in resveratrol (GD10) group, 74.51% (GD10), 57.78% (GD8-13) in resveratrol + TCDD groups. The frequency of cleft was 0% in the control group. Compared with the control and the TCDD groups, there were significant differences in the number of live, dead and resorption fetal mice in TCCD + resveratrol (GD8-13) group (P < 0.05). No significant differences in embryonic weight, live fetuses weight, the number of live, dead and resorption fetal mice were found in the other groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONTest dose of folic acid and resveratrol both had certain antagonistic effect on cleft palate in mice induced by TCDD, with folic acid 10 mg/kg, resveratrol 50 mg/kg GD8-13 doses having stronger antagonistic action. Effects of both the two drugs have no significant difference, but resveratrol (50 mg/kg, GD8-13) significantly affects the fetal mice's growth and development under TCDD exposure in utero.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced ; prevention & control ; Animals ; Cleft Palate ; chemically induced ; prevention & control ; Female ; Fetus ; Folic Acid ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Pregnancy ; Random Allocation ; Stilbenes ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Teratogens

Objective To evaluate the metabolic characteristics of insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity in isolated postchallenge hyperglycemia(IPH) and to clarify the factors responsible for the development of IPH. Methods(Eight hundred) and fifty subjects were classified into the following three groups based on the results of a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test(OGTT): normal glucose tolerance(NGT),n=557;isolated impaired glucose tolerance(iIGT),n=146;and IPH,n=147.Insulin secretion(insulinogenic index) and insulin sensitivity(insulin sensitivity index) were identified in the three groups. Results From NGT to iIGT and IPH in these subjects,the insulinogenic index and insulin sensitivity index were gradually decreased(P

OBJECTIVETo observe the differentiation and distribution of epidermal stem cell (ESC) after skin soft tissue expansion, and to initially probe into the growth mechanism of expanded skin tissue.

METHODSSamples of normal skin and expanded skin (mean effusion period 45 days) were harvested from head and cervical region in 15 patients who underwent II stage surgery after skin expansion. Samples were divided into scalp adjacent to the center of expander group (expanded scalp, 3 cm from the vertical axis of the expander), scalp from lateral part of the expander group (expanded scalp, 5 - 7 cm lateral to the vertical axis of the expander), cervical skin expansion group, un-expanded scalp control group, and un-expanded cervical skin control group, according to the position of skin harvested. The tissue structure of skin in each group was observed with HE staining, and the differentiation and distribution characteristics of cytokeratin 19 (CK19) positive cells were observed with immunohistochemical staining.

RESULTSCompared with those in the un-expanded control groups, uneven, relatively thickened and obviously folded epidermis with more cell layers and cells with obvious aggregation close to the basal layer were observed in the expanded groups, but those cells were not well-arranged and the transition of polarity was not obvious. The continuity of CK19 positive cells in the basal layer of skin was observed in each of the expanded group with immunohistochemical staining, and positive cells increased obviously and arranged in multilayer in certain parts of basal layer. Clustered or dispersed CK19 positive cells were also observed outside the basal layer. No above-mentioned phenomenon was observed in the un-expanded control group.

CONCLUSIONSThe proliferation and differentiation of ESC with ectopic distribution may enhance the repair process after skin soft tissue expansion.

Cell Proliferation ; Dermis ; cytology ; Epidermis ; cytology ; Humans ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; Tissue Expansion ; Wound Healing

OBJECTIVETo establish a convenient and high-throughput respiratory virus detection method to facilitate epidemiological viral monitoring.

METHODSWe used high-throughput microsphere-based flexible multi-analyte profiling technology (xMAP) coupled with signal amplification molecules to simultaneously detect RNAs of 8 viruses including influenza viruses A and B, parainfluenza viruses type 1, 2 and 3, respiratory syncytial viruses A and B, and metapneumovirus in a 96-well plate format. The sensitivity and specificity of the method for the synthetic viral RNAs were evaluated.

RESULTSThere was no cross-reactivity among the 8 respiratory viral target RNAs. The detection limits for the 8 viral in intro-transcribed RNAs ranged from 1204 to 4695 RNA copies.

CONCLUSIONWe establish a sensitive, specific, convenient, and high-throughput multiplex detection method suitable for detecting multiple respiratory viral RNAs for epidemiological viral monitoring.

High-Throughput Screening Assays ; methods ; Influenza A virus ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Influenza B virus ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Limit of Detection ; Metapneumovirus ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques ; methods ; RNA, Viral ; analysis ; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Respiratory System ; virology ; Respirovirus ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Reverse Transcription ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVETo prepare a biodegradable drug-eluting stent in myocardium channel and evaluate its effect on myocardium channel after transmyocardial revascularization (TMR).

METHODSA biodegradable drug-eluting stent was prepared using poly (epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL), bovine serum albumin (BSA), and poly (D, L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) as material of stent, model protein drug, and drug carrier respectively. The amount of BSA in stent and in vitro released BSA of stent were determined by the Coomassie brilliant blue assay. The mechanical strength of stent was tested by universal material testing machines. The material and structure of stent was characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The effect of stent on myocardium channel after TMR was evaluated in vivo by a standard animal model of chronic myocardial ischemia in miniswine.

RESULTSThe stent could carry 13.1 microg BSA per mg of stent and the stent could release about 95% of BSA after 30 days. The stent diminished 80% of initial scale under the stress of 1.7 Mpa. It also kept the myocardium channel patency after TMR.

CONCLUSIONSA biodegradable drug-eluting stent in myocardium channel was successfully prepared. It can sustain the pressure from the heart and achieve the controlled release of drug. The stent can ensure the myocardium channel patency after TMR.

Animals ; Biocompatible Materials ; chemistry ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis ; Caproates ; chemistry ; Cardiac Surgical Procedures ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drug Delivery Systems ; instrumentation ; Heart ; drug effects ; Humans ; Lactones ; chemistry ; Myocardial Ischemia ; drug therapy ; surgery ; Myocardial Revascularization ; instrumentation ; Random Allocation ; Swine ; Swine, Miniature