BACKGROUND: Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) is possibly related to regulation of various cell signals that are derived from aqueous uveoscleral outflow pathway.OBJECTIVE: To explore effect of travoprost on the expression of NF-κB and inhibitor-κB (I-κB) in human ciliary muscle cells cultured in vitro. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: A contrast study, which was performed in the Laboratory of Zhongshan Ophthalmology Center from March 2005 to November 2006.MATERIALS: Eyeballs were obtained from the youth who died due to other diseases except eye disease no more than one hour. The relatives voluntarily provided the informed consent.METHODS: Travoprost (1 μmol/L) was added in human ciliary muscle cell culture medium, and then the samples were divided into four groups according to culture time, including 0-hour (control group), 6-hour, 12-hour, and 24-hour experimental groups. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Expression of mRNA and protein of NF-κB p65 and I-κBα in the four groups by using real-time RT-PCR, immunofluorescence relative quantitative analysis and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) techniques. RESULTS: As compared to control group, mRNA expression of NF-κB p65 in the 6-hour, 12-hour, and 24-hour experimental groups was decreased (F=17.068, P=0.001); while mRNA expression of I-κBα was not changed remarkably in the 6-hour and 12-hour experimental groups (P > 0.05), but the expression was significantly higher than that in the 24-hour experimental group (F=32.742, P=0.000). Immunofluorescence relative quantitative analysis showed that the fluorescence intensity of NF-κB p65 in the 6-hour, 12-hour, and 24-hour experimental groups were weaker than that in the 0-hour control group (F=17.216, P=0.000); additionally, as compared to 0-hour control group, fluorescence intensity of I-κBα in the 6-hour experimental group was not changed remarkably (P=0.134), that in the 12-hour experimental group was weakened (P=0.032), and that in the 24-hour experimental group was strengthened (F=17.346, P=0.001). ELISA revealed that expression of phosphorylated NF-κB p65 was decreased gradually by the time of being induced by travoprost (F=15.4, P=0.001). CONCLUSION: Travoprost can down-regulate mRNA expression of NF-κB p65, inhibit nuclear translocation, and up-regulate mRNA expression of I-κBα in human ciliary muscle cells.

OBJECTIVETo explore the best program for treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) of constipation type.

METHODSNinety-five cases of IBS were randomly divided into 3 groups. Group A (n = 30) were treated by acupuncture combined with microorganism pharmaceutical preparations, group B (n = 35) by oral administration of medicine for loosening the bowel to relieve constipation plus microorganism pharmaceutical preparations, and group C (n = 30) by simple acupuncture.

RESULTSThe total effective rates were 90.0%, 77.2% and 66.7%, in the group A, B and C, respectively, with a very significant differences as the group A compared with those in the groups B, C (P < 0.01), and with no significant difference as the group B compared with that of the group C (P > 0. 05). The intestinal available bacteria, bilidobacteria and lactobacillus, increased and enteric bacilli decreased in varying degrees in the 3 groups.

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture combined with microorganism pharmaceutical preparations has a better therapeutic effect on irritable bowel syndrome of constipation type.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Constipation ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Intestines ; microbiology ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; microbiology ; therapy ; Male ; Probiotics ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the feasibility and the therapeutic effect of orthognathic surgical procedures combined distraction osteogenesis and scapular flap for correction of progressive hemifacial atrophy.

METHODS5 cases with progressive hemifacial atrophy were treated. 1 mild case was treated with microsurgical de-epithelia scapular flap (MDSF) and genioplasty in one stage. The 2 moderate cases were treated with Le Fort 1 osteotomy following by sagittal split ramus osteotomy and genioplasty at the first stage. 3 - 6 months later, the MDSFs were used for augmentation. 2 sever cases were treated with bimaxillary distraction osteogenesis on the affected side. 3 - 4 months later, the distraction devices were removed and MDSFs were transplanted.

RESULTSThe facial asymmetry was obviously improved. The orthognathic procedures and distraction osteogenesis achieved good therapeutic effect. All the MDSFs were survived.

CONCLUSIONSThe progressive hemifacial atrophy can result in very severe deformity when it occurs in very young age. The combined deformity of bone and soft tissue can be effectively corrected by orthognathic procedures combined with distraction osteogenesis and scapular flap transplantation.

Adolescent ; Facial Hemiatrophy ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Osteogenesis, Distraction ; Skin Transplantation ; Surgical Flaps

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the influence of the surveillance system and preventive measurements on the control of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in a university in Guangdong Province.

METHODSA university with more than thirty thousand undergraduates, staff and their relatives was retrospectively studied, from which information regarding the status of epidemic, organization of leadership, disease control strategies and measures were collected and analyzed.

RESULTSThe construction of the surveillance system in such a model as "individual-dormitory/home-class/unite-faculty and institute-university" largely contributed to the achievement of the goals of low incidence, no secondary, no epidemic, and no death. A series of control measures benefited the early diagnosis, effective isolation, prevention, and treatment of SARS control.

CONCLUSIONSARS could be effectively controlled in university only if strict surveillance system is built up, and all-round preventions, including early isolation of both confirmed or suspected cases and close contacted persons, are carried out.

Adolescent ; Adult ; China ; Communicable Disease Control ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Population Surveillance ; methods ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; prevention & control ; Universities

BACKGROUNDControlling plasma glucose levels, blood pressure and lipid levels is proven to reduce the risk of vascular complications in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. This has prompted intensive multitherapy targeted at several macrovascular risk factors. Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) is a reliable measure of early atherosclerosis. We sought to determine whether a 6-month intensive mutiltherapy program resulted in better goal attainment than usual care and its effect on the development of cIMT among patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus.

METHODSThe study randomly assigned 220 patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus to intensive or traditional therapy groups. The clinical parameters, such as fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, blood pressure, body weight and insulin were assessed at the baseline and after the 6-month therapy. cIMT of the patients was also obtained.

RESULTSThe average levels of fasting plasma glucose, hemoglobin A1c, total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in the intensive group were significantly lower than those in the control group at the end of 6-month treatment. By 6 months, a higher proportion of patients in the intensive therapy group than in the control group attained goals for fasting plasma glucose (FPG), TC, LDL-C and hemoglobin A1c. With intensive multherapy the level of carotid intima-media thickness in the intensive therapy group was lower than that in the control group ((0.88 +/- 0.26) mm vs (0.96 +/- 0.22) mm, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe evidence from this clinical trial demonstrates that intensive glucose, lipid and blood pressure control in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes is associated with diabetic macrovascular benefits. Intensive multitherapy allows more patients to achieve aims of control and may reduce macrovascular complications and delay disease progression.

Arteriosclerosis ; prevention & control ; Carotid Arteries ; pathology ; Diabetes Complications ; prevention & control ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; drug therapy ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Humans ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; administration & dosage ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Tunica Intima ; pathology

Objective A resistin binding peptide (RBP) was selected by phage display in our previous work. Studies had shown that RBP could antagonize the role of resistin on the lipid metabolism and endocrine function of adipose tissue, but whether RBP affects the insulin secretion of pancreatic cells is still unknown. The aim of this study is to assess the effect of RBP on basal insulin secretion in RINm5F insulinoma cells. Methods The cell viability was measured by 3-[4,5-dimethyhhiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetra-zolium bromide (MTT) cytotoxicity assay. The supernatants were assayed for insulin content by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Reverse transcriptase-PCR assay and Western blotting were used to determine the expression of glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2) involved in insulin secretion. Cytosolic Ca2+, the trigger of insulin exocytosis, was analyzed with the fluorescent probe FURA-3/AM. Results RBP did no effect on the cell viability with a concentration of 10-8-10-12mol/L of 2 hours intervention. But it stimulated basal insulin secretion of RINm5F cells, accompanied by up-regulated increased expression of GLUT2 and elevated concentration of cytosolic Ca2+. Conclusion RBP could stimulate basal insulin secretion without affecting the cell viability.

OBJECTIVETo explore a new method and estimate its outcome to repair deep heel tissue injuries with local tissue flap.

METHODSAt lower cnemis, a fat fascial flap combined with perineal tendofascial flap were designed and elevated between the lateral malleolars blank, the largest area is 6 cm x 13 cm, which were transplanted to cover naked calcaneal tendon and calcaneal bone, full-thickness free skin graft or middle-thickness free skin graft were grafted on flap.

RESULTS6 patients suffered from heel tissue defects had been treated from January 2004 to November 2005. The smallest area was 3.5 cm x 4.0 cm and the largest was 4 cm x 6 cm. All fascial flaps and free skin grafts were successfully survived after operations. All patients were followed up 3-23 months, the operation areas were healed, the functions and configurations were satisfied.

CONCLUSIONSPerineal tendofascial flap conjoined with adipofasical flap and free skin graft are used to repair heel deep tissue defects, which is a handy, dependable way for repairing of the small tissue defects of the lower third of leg and heel.

Achilles Tendon ; injuries ; surgery ; Adult ; Fascia ; transplantation ; Female ; Fibula ; surgery ; Heel ; injuries ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Skin Transplantation ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; surgery ; Surgical Flaps

OBJECTIVETuberculosis is still a public health problem. Host genetic factors, such as polymorphisms in NRAMP1 gene, may play a role in the development of tuberculosis. To clarify the effect of NRAMP1 gene polymorphisms on the development of childhood tuberculosis, the association of NRAMP1 gene polymorphisms with susceptibility to tuberculosis in the ethnic Han Chinese children was investigated.

METHODSFrom January 2005 to March 2008, 130 ethnic Han children with tuberculosis (TB group) were enrolled. Three hundred and ninety hospitalized ethnic Han children for physical examination in the surgery department were used as the control group. The controls were matched with tuberculosis children by age, sex and area. PCR-RFLP analysis was performed on DNA samples to identify allele genotypes of INT4 and D543N in NRAMP1 gene. Genotype frequency differences between tuberculosis patients and controls were analyzed using x2 test.

RESULTSNo statistical difference was found in the genotype frequency of variants G/C and C/C at the INT4 locus between the TB and the control groups. At the D543N locus, the frequency of genotype variants (G/A and A/A) was significantly higher in the TB group (34/130) than that in the control group (66/390) (x2=5.349, P<0.05; OR=1.74, 95%CI=1.08-2.79). When stratified by sex, differences in the genotype distribution were observed only in females at the D543N locus, which the variant genotypes were higher in the TB group (16/52) than in the control group (21/155) (x2=7.866, P<0.05; OR=2.84, 95%CI=1.34-5.99). For males, there was no difference between the TB and the control groups. At the INT4 locus, no difference was observed between the two groups in boys and girls.

CONCLUSIONSGenotypic variation at the D543N locus in NRAMP1 gene may be associated with susceptibility to tuberculosis in ethnic Han Chinese children. Variant genotypes in NRAMP1 gene (G/A and A/A) may be susceptible genotypes to tuberculosis in ethnic Han Chinese children. Girls with variant genotypes were more susceptible to tuberculosis.

Cation Transport Proteins ; genetics ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; ethnology ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Sex Factors ; Tuberculosis ; ethnology ; genetics

OBJECTIVESecond mitochondria-derived activator of caspase (Smac) is a recently identified, novel pro-apoptotic molecule, which is released from mitochondria into the cytosol during apoptosis. Smac promotes activation of caspases by neutralizing members of the inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) family, such as X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP). The objective of the study was to examine the pro-apoptotic effect of human Smac gene on Burkitt's lymphoma Raji cells.

METHODSThe full length cDNA of human Smac gene was amplified by reverse transcription-PCR from total RNA of HEK-293 cells. The PCR product was ligated with linearized vector pGEM-T-easy supplied in the TA cloning kit and sequenced. The correct cDNA of full length Smac was subcloned into eukaryocytic expression vector pcDNA3.1/myc-his and transfected into human Burkitt's lymphoma cell line Raji by lipofectamine-mediated transfection. The expression of full length Smac was determined by Western blot. Morphological observation was done with the laser scanning confocal microscope by double staining the Raji cells with Hoechest 33,258 and propidium iodide. Flow cytometry was used to evaluate apoptosis. Relative caspase-3 activity was determined by colorimetric assay.

RESULTSRecombinant eukaryocytic expression vector pcDNA3.1/Smac, which contained full length Smac, was successfully constructed. After pcDNA 3.1/Smac was transfected into human Burkitt's lymphoma Raji cell line for 24 hours, Raji cells showed apparent apoptosis with a percentage of (43.7 +/- 2.5)%, which was higher than that of non-transfected group and free vector-transfected group (P < 0.05). Compared with non-transfected group (0.136 +/- 0.036) and free vector-transfected group (0.138 +/- 0.026), the relative caspase-3 activity of Raji cells transfected by pcDNA3.1/Smac (0.936 +/- 0.041) was significantly enhanced (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONTransfection and expression of human Smac gene could significantly induce apoptosis of human Burkitt's lymphoma Raji cells. The mechanism is associated with the increase of caspase-3 activity.

Apoptosis ; genetics ; Blotting, Western ; Burkitt Lymphoma ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; DNA, Complementary ; Flow Cytometry ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mitochondrial Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Transfection ; methods

Objective To provide scientific evidences for improving children early integrated development,through analyzing the mental developmental status and characteristics of 322 cases of 2-year-old children in Nanjing.Methods Intelligence and motor development condition in 322 cases of 2-year-old children were assessed by using Bayley Scales of Infant Development test,and the assessed results were analyzed.Results 1.The incidences of the children whose mental development index(MDI)or psychomotor development index(PDI)were under 69 were 3.1% and 5.6%,respectively;2.The MDI mean score(114.34?19.65)was significantly higher than that of PDI(101.73?21.53)(t=9.71,P0.05).Conclusions The incidences of mental retardation in this study were consistent with the result reported by World Health Organization.There were differences between motor and intelligence development in children,as well as the intelligence development between male and female.Therefore,it should be implemented early childhood developmental screening in child health care.Parents should be given scientific guides about intelligence and motor development of children.