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 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 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 study the associations between paraoxonase, 55 Met/Leu (PON1 55 Met/ Leu), paraoxonase2 148 Ala/Gly (PON2 148 Ala/Gly) and manganese superoxide dismutase 9 Ala/Val (MnSOD 9 Ala/Val) genetic polymorphisms and coronary heart disease (CHD), plasma activities of paraoxonase (PON), total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), MnSOD, as well as plasma concentration of maleic dialdehyde (MDA).

METHODSUsing PCR-RFLP method to identify genotype of PON1 55 Met/Leu, PON2 148 Ala/Gly and MnSOD 9 Ala/Val genetic polymorphisms, and using colorimetry to detect plasma activities of PON, T-SOD, MnSOD and plasma concentration of MDA in 262 CHD patients and 100 controls.

RESULTSCompared with controls, the plasma activities of PON [(349.27 +/- 138.36 vs. 454.75 +/- 166.00) nmol x min(-1) x ml(-1), P < 0.001], T-SOD [(23.61 +/- 16.51 vs. 44.01 +/- 22.68) U/ml, P < 0.001] and MnSOD [(21.56 +/- 13.11 vs. 28.79 +/- 8.65) U/ml, P < 0.001] reduced obviously,while plasma MDA concentration increased markedly [(2.47 +/- 0.73 vs. 2.15 +/- 0.55)nmol/ml, P < 0.01] in CHD patients. There were more LM genotype and Met allele of PON, 55 Met/Leu (24.8% vs. 1.4%, P < 0.001 and 12.4% vs. 0.5%, P = 0.001, respectively), GG and AG genotype and G allele of PON2 148 Ala/Gly (11.8% vs. 5.0%, P < 0.001, 48.1% vs. 24.0%, P < 0.001 and 36.0% vs. 17.0%, P < 0.001, respectively) and AA genotype, A allele of MnSOD 9 Ala/Val genetic polymorphisms (64.2% vs. 43.0%, P = 0.001 and 80.0% vs. 67.0%, P = 0.014, respectively) in CHD patients than in controls. The activities of plasma PON and T-SOD were lower in individuals with PON1 55 LM genotype than those with LL genotype. The activity of plasma PON was also lower in individuals with PON2 148 GG/AG genotype than those with AA genotype. The activities of plasma PON and MnSOD depressed in individuals with MnSOD AA genotype compared with those with VV genotype. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that PON1 55 LM genotype, PON2 148 GG/AG genotype and G allele were independent risk factors for CHD.

CONCLUSIONThe antioxidative ability decreased, while lipid superoxide increased in CHD patients. Gene polymorphisms of PON1 55 Met/Leu, PON2 148 Ala/Gly and MnSOD 9 Ala/Val seemed to involve in the morbidity of CHD by influencing the plasma activities of PON and MnSOD.

Aryldialkylphosphatase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; Coronary Disease ; enzymology ; genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Superoxide Dismutase ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the best time of taking liver biopsy for chronic HBV carriers of age ranges and then guiding antiretroviral treatment.

METHODThe liver biopsy pathologic results of 292 cases of chronic HBV carriers were collected from the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical College. The patients were divided into three groups according to ages. The differences between groups were compared by calculating the ratio of inflammation above G2 or fibrosis staging above S2.

RESULTThe percentages of the chronic HBV carriers with liver histopathology inflammation graded above G2 or fibrosis staging above S2 were 26.5% (36/136) in 11 to 29 year-old group, 39.4% (37/94) in 30-39 year-old group and 58.1% (36/62) in 40-60 year-old group. Significant difference existed among groups in general (P less than 0.01). 39.4% (37/94) of chronic HBV carriers were found with inflammation graded above G2 or fibrosis staging above S2 in 30-39 year-old group, no statistically significant difference found between group 30-39 years old and group and 40-60 years old 58.1% (36/62) (P less than 0.01). 26.5% (36/136) of chronic HBV carriers under 30 years old were with inflammation graded above G2 or fibrosis staging above S2 as compared with the percentage of 46.8% (73/156) in the chronic HBV carriers over 30 years old group, and significant difference existed between the two groups (P less than 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe best time choice of taking liver biopsy should be at the ages elder than or equal to 30.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Distribution ; Biopsy ; Child ; Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; pathology ; Humans ; Liver ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the accuracy of sentinel lymph node mapping(SLM) in patients with rectal cancer by single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT-CT) lymphoscintigraphy and carbon nanoparticles suspension injection.

METHODSTwelve patients with clinical T(1-2)N(0)M(0) rectal cancer were selected and locally injected with technetium-(99m)sulfur-colloid and carbon nanoparticles suspension by endoscope one day before surgery, followed by SPECT-CT scanning 1, 3 and 5 hours later. Radioactive isotope(RI) uptake of each sentinel node(SN) basin with location preoperatively determined by SPECT-CT was postoperatively calculated using gamma probe. Nodes with the highest RI uptake, the number of which was also pre-determined by SPECT-CT, was defined as SNs. Immunohistochemical cytokeratin staining was performed for all the SNs and non-SNs.

RESULTSThe rate of sentinel node detection was 91.7%(11/12) with at least one SN(1-3) per patient. Ten cases showed metastasis-negative in SNs as well as all the resected regional nodes by immunohistochemical cytokeratin staining. Only one patient had positive nodes in both SN and non-SNs. The accuracy of SLM was 100%.

CONCLUSIONSPECT-CT lymphoscintigraphy and carbon nanoparticles suspension injection can effectively detect the anatomic location and number of sentinel nodes, and improve the accuracy of SLM for rectal cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Carbon ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nanostructures ; Rectal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy ; methods ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon ; methods ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods

OBJECTIVETo investigate the mechanism of enhanced large conductance calcium-activated potassium channel currents (BK) in coronary smooth muscle cells (SMCs) by docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

METHODSCoronary SMCs were isolated by enzyme digestion. Potassium channels in coronary SMCs were identified by applications of different potassium blockers. Effects of DHA and its metabolite 16, 17-epoxydocosapentaenoic acid (16, 17-EDP) on BK channels in the absence and presence of cytochrome P450 epoxygenase inhibitor SKF525A were studied by patch clamp in whole-cell configuration.

RESULTSBK channels were widely distributed in SMCs, and BK currents in normal SMCs accounted for (64.2 ± 2.7)% of total potassium currents (n = 20). DHA could activate BK channels, and its 50% effective concentration (EC(50)) was (0.23 ± 0.03) µmol/L, however, the effect of DHA on BK channels was abolished after SMCs were incubated with cytochrome P450 epoxygenase inhibitor SKF525A. 16, 17-EDP, a metabolite of DHA, could reproduce the effects of DHA on BK channels, and its EC(50) was (19.7 ± 2.8) nmol/L.

CONCLUSIONDHA and metabolites can activate BK channels and dilate coronary arteries through activating cytochrome P450 epoxygenase pathway.

Animals ; Coronary Vessels ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme Inhibitors ; Docosahexaenoic Acids ; pharmacology ; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated ; pharmacology ; Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels ; metabolism ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Proadifen ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley