Objective To evaluate the significance of human interleukin-31(IL-31)in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis and its correlation with pruritus in patients with atopic dermatitis(AD).Methods Twenty-two children with mild to severe atopic dermatitis and 22 age-matched healthy controls were included in this study.Patients and controls were randomly and equally assigned into stimulation and non-stimulation groups.Venous blood samples were obtained from all participants,peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from these samples and cultured with(stimulation groups)or without(non-stimulation groups)staphylococcal enterotoxin B(SEB)for 24 hours.Then,the mRNA expression of IL-31 on PBMCs was assessed via real-time reverse transcription-PCR.ELISA was used to detect the total serum IgE level in these objects.The severity of AD in patients was rated according to scoring atopic dermatitis(SCORAD).The relationship between the mRNA expression of IL-31 and the level of serum total IgE.severity of atopic dermatitis,and degree of pruritus.was evaluated.Results The expression of IL-31 mRNA on non-stimulated PBMCs from patients was 23.2 folds as high as that from the healthy controls(P＜0.01).The stimulation with SEB upregulated the mRNA expression of IL-31 on PBMCs.and the increase on PBMCs from patients was 20.44 times of that from the controls.The total serum IgE level was 260.05 IU/mL(5.9-1131.01 IU/mL)and 17.7 IU/mL(5-140.7 IU/mL)in the Patients and controls respectively(P＜0.01).There was no significant correlation between the mRNA expression of IL-31 and disease severity or total serum IgE level(r=0.07.0.22respectively.both P＞0.05)in patients witll AD.Condusions IL.3 1 is involved in t11e pathogenesis of AD,which is unlikely to be IgE-dependent.SEB can induce the rapid expression of IL-31 on PBMCs of healthy human,and is an important modulator for the production of IL-31.

Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Cerebral Infarction ; blood ; genetics ; Female ; Fibrinogen ; genetics ; metabolism ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Genetic

Humans ; Intestinal Obstruction/complications* ; Ileus/etiology* ; Abdominal Injuries/complications*

OBJECTIVETo observe the impact of inducing the formation of the post-moxibustion sore on the efficacy of bronchial asthma treated with scarring moxibustion.

METHODSThree hundred and seventy-two cases diag nosed definitely as bronchial asthma at remission stage were randomly divided into a modified nursing group (248 cases) and a conventional nursing group (124 cases). The scarring moxibustion was applied at Dazhui (GV 14), Feishu (BL 13), Danzhong (CV 17) and Tiantu (CV 22) in either group. The direct moxibustion with moxa cone was adopted. In modified nursing group, 0.5% Iodine was used for the sterilization at moxa abscess. The herbal plaster was cut into an inverted triangle and compressed on the wound. After suppuration, the fester was not cleaned in each dressing change. Additionally, the patients were advised to have high-protein diets after moxibus tion till abscess dropped. In conventional nursing group, 0.5% Iodine was used for the sterilization at moxa abscess. The herbal plaster was cut into a round shape that could cover completely the moxa wound. After suppuration, in each dressing change, the wound was cleaned and sterilized. Additionally, the patients were advised to avoid any stimulating food after moxibustion till abscess dropped. The clinical efficacy, the change of C3 content in blood serum and the clinical symptom score were observed in two groups.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 93.5% (232/248) in modified nursing group, which was better than 79.0% (98/124) in conventional nursing group (P < 0.01). C3 content increased apparently after treatment as compared with that before treatment in either group (both P < 0.01), but C3 level increased much more apparently in modified nursing group as compared with that in conventional nursing group (P < 0.01). The clinical symptom score reduced apparently after treatment in either group (both P < 0.01), but that reduced much more apparently in modified nursing group as compared with that in conventional nursing group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONIn the treatment of bronchial asthma with scarring moxibustion, to induce the formation of the post-moxibustion sore achieves the better clinical efficacy as compared with conventional nursing.

Acupuncture Points ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Asthma ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Objective To select a simple, stable and reliable mouse model of alcoholic liver disease. Methods The mouse models of alcoholic liver disease were induced by oral gavage ethanol or Lierber?DeCarli ethanol liquid diet for 8 weeks. The food intake and body weight were recorded. Pathological changes were examined using HE staining. Liver injury was assessed by the activities of serum ALT, AST, AKP and γ?GT, and serum and hepatic TC and TG. Results After modeling, both models showed significantly increased activities of serum ALT, AST, AKP, and contents of serum and hepatic TG (P<0?05), indicating the successful development of alcoholic steatohepatitis. However, oral ethanol gavage led to body weight loss and weak mental state. Ethanol liquid diet less affected the body weight and mental state. Ethanol liquid diet enhanced liver to?body weight ratio and serum TC, but oral gavage of ethanol did not. The changes of serum ALT, AST, serum and hepatic TG, and hepatic steatosis in the ethanol liquid diet models were more severe than those in the oral gavage ethanol models, suggesting that Lierber?DeCarli ethanol liquid diet led to more serious liver injury than oral gavage ethanol. Conclusions Lierber?DeCarli ethanol liquid diet model is better than oral gavage ethanol model, and is more suitable for studies on mechanisms and evaluation of hepato?protective drugs for alcoholic liver disease.

Objective To observe the change of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) gene expression during 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation as well as other reference gene expressions.Methods The mRNA expressions of several common reference genes were detected by real time-PCR on day 0,1,3,5,and 7 of 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation.Western blot was used to confirm the protein expressions of three common reference genes.Results (1) GAPDH and transferrin receptor(TFRC) mRNA expressions were significantly increased during adipocyte differentiation.GAPDH mRNA level was increased by 5.7,7.6,22.0,and 24.5 folds on day 1,3,5,and 7 after induction of adipocyte differentiation,but no apparent changes of β-actin,α-tubulin,peptidylprolyl isomerase A (PIPA),and 18S mRNA expressions were detected.The expression changes of key transcript factors for adipocyte differentiation such as PPARγ2,C/EBPα,and C/EBPβ were under-estimated by real time-PCR if GAPDH was chosen as the reference gene.Western blotting results showed that the GAPDH protein level increased gradually during adipocyte differentiation,especially on day 5 and 7 after adipocyte differentiation.There were no obvious changes of β-actin and α-tubulin protein expressions.(2) Berberine significantly inhibited mRNA and protein expressions of GAPDH in the process of adipocyte differentiation.GAPDH mRNA levels were reduced by 68.1％ and 66.3％ on day 5 and 7 after induction of adipocyte differentiation,but with no significant change in other reference genes.Conclusion It is not suitable for GAPDH to be used as an endogenous reference gene during 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation.

The purpose of this study was to establish a model of trigeminal neuralgia (TN) through an approach from lower edge of cheekbone and to observe the functional changes in the voltage-gated potassium currents in the cultured trigeminal ganglion (TG) neurons. Thirty Sprague-Dawley male rats were divided into two groups, the sham-operated (sham) group and the operated group. The TN model was carried out by using a chronic constriction injury of the infraorbital nerve (ION-CCI) from lower edge of cheekbone. Peripheral pain threshold test and whole-cell patch clamp recording were used to determine the difference between sham and ION-CCI rats. The withdrawal threshold of whisker pad in operated side of ION-CCI rat was decreased significantly from 6 d after operation and then maintained until 21 d, with the lowest on the 15th day. The threshold of whisker pad in non-operated side of operated rats was also decreased significantly compared with that in the sham group. Delayed rectifier potassium current (I(K)) in cultured ION-CCI TG neurons was decreased significantly compared with that in the sham group. Transient outward potassium currents (I(A)) in both operated and non-operated sides of TG neurons from ION-CCI rats were also reduced significantly compared with that in the sham group. The present study provided a new method of ION-CCI. In this model, the decrease of I(A) and I(K) might contribute, at least in part, to the decrease in mechanical pain threshold of whisker pad and the subsequent hyperalgia.
Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Constriction ; Disease Models, Animal ; Hyperalgesia ; Male ; Pain Threshold ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Potassium Channels ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Trigeminal Ganglion ; metabolism ; Trigeminal Neuralgia ; physiopathology ; Vibrissae

OBJECTIVETo compare the difference of HBV DNA levels and HBV genotypes between the patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and liver cirrhosis who infected with hepatitis B virus.

METHODSTotal 430 patients with hepatitis B were enrolled and further divided into the HCC group (210 cases) and liver cirrhosis group (HBV LC, 220 cases). The levels of HBV DNA and HBV genotypes were detected in all of the serum samples from the two groups, and the differences in the genotypes and virological markers between HCC patients and HBV LC patients were further analyzed.

RESULTSThe positive rates of HBV DNA of HCC patients and HBV LC patients were 84.3% (177/210) and 94. 5% (208/220), respectively. The mean values of serum HBV DNA in HCC patients and HBV-LC patients were (5.06 +/- 1.01) log10 cps/ml and (5.36 +/- 1.13) log10 cps/ml, respectively. The positive rates of HBV DNA and the mean values of serum HBV DNA were higher in HBV-LC patients than those in HCC patients (P < 0.01). Furthermore, the main genotype was C in both groups and the distribution of genotype C and genotype B had no statistical difference.

CONCLUSIONSMainly presented as a C genotype in both groups, the total levels of serum HBV DNA in HCC patients were lower than those in HBV-LC patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; blood ; virology ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; genetics ; Female ; Genotype ; Hepatitis B ; blood ; virology ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; virology ; Liver Neoplasms ; blood ; virology ; Male ; Middle Aged

BACKGROUNDSpinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by degeneration of anterior horn cells of the spinal cord. The survival motor neuron gene is SMA-determining gene deleted in approximately 95% of SMA patients. This study was undertaken to predict prenatal SMA efficiently and rapidly in families with previously affected child.

METHODSPrenatal diagnosis was made in 8 fetuses with a family history of SMA. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) were used for the detection of the survival motor neuron gene.

RESULTSThe survival motor neuron gene was not found in 6 fetuses, ruling out the diagnosis of SMA. Two fetuses were detected positive and the pregnancies were terminated.

CONCLUSIONOur method is effective and convenient in prenatal diagnosis of SMA.

Adult ; Amniotic Fluid ; cytology ; Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein ; genetics ; Exons ; Female ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; Humans ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; methods ; RNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; SMN Complex Proteins ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Spinal Muscular Atrophies of Childhood ; diagnosis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Oviductus Ranae (OR) on the expressions of CyclinD1, CDK6 and P15 in the liver of aged male rats.

METHODSEighteen male SD rats were randomly divided into 3 equal groups, namely the OR group, VE group and ageing model group. The rats received subcutaneous injection of D-galactose for 6 weeks to establish the aging models, and another 6 rats were injected daily with normal saline (NS) to serve as the normal control group. From the third week of the experiment, the rats were given oral OR or Vitamin E (VE) accordingly till the sixth week. After completion of the drug administration, all the rats were sacrificed for detecting the expressions of CyclinD1, CDK6 and P15 in the liver tissue by Western blotting.

RESULTSThe relative expression levels of CyclinD1, CDK6 and P15 in the liver of the rats in the OR group were 41.73-/+0.54, 23.29-/+0.30 and 1.49-/+0.30, respectively, significantly up-regulated as compared with those in the ageing model group (P<0.01). The expressions of the proteins were obviously down-regulated in the model group in comparison with those in the normal control group.

CONCLUSIONSOR treatment can lower the expressions of Cyclin D1 and CDK6 in the liver to enhance the liver cell proliferation in aged male rats. OR also promotes the expression of P15 through a feedback mechanism to prevent excessive proliferation of the cells. The effect of OR against ageing is mediated possibly by up-regulation of the proteins associated with the cell proliferation in the liver, a mechanism different from that of VE.

Aging ; metabolism ; Animals ; Cyclin D1 ; metabolism ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 6 ; metabolism ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p15 ; metabolism ; Liver ; metabolism ; Male ; Materia Medica ; pharmacology ; Rats