BACKGROUND:In vitro experiments suggest that LIM mineralization protein-1 (LMP-1) gene can increase the expression of LMP-1 protein in osteoporotic bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the LMP-1 expression in osteoporotic bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells transfected with RV-LMP-1-GFP in vitro. METHODS:Twelve SD female rats were selected and subjected to bilateral ovariectomy for establishment of osteoporosis models. After 2 months of feeding, bilateral femurs, tibiae, and humeri of rats were taken to isolate and culture bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. Passage 3 cells were taken and randomly divided into ovariectomized group and LMP-1 transfection group. Another six rats only underwent removal of the same amount of fat tissue around the ovary, and passage 3 cells which were harvested as those in the former two groups served as sham group. RT-PCR and western blot assay were performed to determine the expression of LMP-1 protein and mRNA. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Under an inverted fluorescence microscope, transfected bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells from osteoporotic rats showed green fluorescent expression. The three groups al could express LMP-1 at the protein and mRNA levels. The expression levels of LMP-1 protein and mRNA in the LMP-1 transfection group were significantly higher than those in the ovariectomized group and sham group (P<0.05), but there was no statistical difference between the latter two groups (P>0.05). The successful expression of the RV-LMP-1-GFP gene in osteoporotic SD rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells was realized at the protein and mRNA levels;moreover, the expression of LMP-1 was increased dramatical y. These findings indicate that LMP-1 gene is successful y transferred into osteoporotic SD rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, and significantly elevates the expression of LMP-1 mRNA and protein.

Objective To characterize the human cell mediated immune response to Treponema pallidum(TP), and to determine the effect of TP infection on the various lymphocyte subpopulations and natural killer cells in the peripheral blood of the patients. Methods Twenty four untreated patients with early syphilis were analyzed,including 3 groups of 8 patients with disseminated syphilides,palmoplantar syphilides and latent syphilis each. Monoclonal antibodies of CD labeled with either fluorescein isothiocyanate or phycoerythrin were used on a flow cytometry to detect the changing of peripheral blood lymphocyte immunophenotypes. Results The results showed that the percentages of panT,T H,NK cells and the ratio of T H/T S were significantly lower (P0.05). Conclusion It suggests that there is prominent suppression of cellular immunity in the untreated patients suffering from early syphilis. Meanwhile, the difference of 3 groups in skin lesions was due to the different dermatobarrier function against the systemic invasion of TP, rather than attributed to the alteration of the lymphocyte immunophenotypes in the peripheral blood.

PurposeTo evaluate HBV and HCV infection among high risk sexual behavior group and the relationship between them. Methods173 cases were investigated at the STD outpatient departnent of Huashan Hospital. The questionarie measured sexual risk factors including age, the number of lifetime sex partners, the number of sex partners in recent three months, the age of first intercourse, the history of STD, the style of sexual behavior. HBV-DNA and HCV-RNA were detected by PCR. Patients who had past history of drug abuse or blood transfusion were excluded. ResultsHCV positive rate was higher in high risk group, especially in STD patients, and was positively related with STD history. Having sexual intercourse more than four partners in the last three months is the risk factor in getting HBV or HCV infection HBV and HCV infection are most commonly seen in syphilis people. Conclusions HCV infection is more oftenly seen among STD patients and people with multiple sex partners. Thus the sexual behavior way may play an important role in the transmission of HBV and HCV.

Objective To investigate the potential roles of nucleotide -binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor in the pathogenesis of asthma.Methods Through rat asthma model,24 rats were randomly divided into three groups on average,named asthma group,control group and dexamethasone group.Expression levels of NOD1 and NOD2 mRNA were detected by Real -time PCR in lung tissues.Results The expression levels of NOD1 mRNA in the asthma group,control group and dexamethasone group were (0.62 ±0.34)RQ value,(1 .00 ± 0.00)RQ value,(0.65 ±0.33 )RQ value respectively.The levels of NOD1 mRNA in the asthma group was significantly lower than that in the control group(F =4.75,P <0.05 ),while there was no statistically significant difference of NOD1 mRNA level between the dexamethasone group and asthma group(P >0.05).Moreover,expression levels of NOD2 mRNA in the asthma group,control group and dexamethasone group were (0.92 ±0.32)RQ value, (1 .00 ±0.00)RQ value,(1 .50 ±0.56)RQ value,respectively.There was no statistically significant difference of NOD2 mRNA level between the asthma group and control group (P >0.05 ),but level of NOD2 mRNA in the dexamethasone group was significantly higher than that in the asthma group(F =5.64,P <0.01 ).And there was no significant correlation between level of NOD1 and NOD2 mRNA(r =0.1 5,P >0.05).Conclusion Expression of NOD -like receptor subtype was not at the same level,and their reaction to dexamethasone were different either.

Objective To investigate the potential roles of pattern recognition receptor in the pathogenesis of asthma,the concentrations of serum nucleotide -binding oligomerization domain like receptors 1 (NOD1 )and Toll like receptor 1(TLR1)and Dectin and sCD14 protein were determined.Methods Blood samples were obtained from 45 cases of severe asthma(asthma group)during acute attack and convalescent period,the concentrations of serum NOD1,TLR1,Dectin and sCD14 protein were assessed using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),and compared with 30 healthy children(control group).Results The concentrations of NOD1,TLR1,Dectin and sCD14 protein were significantly higher in acute attack period of the asthma group[(65.53 ±19.95)ng/mL,(10.46 ±3.35)ng/mL, (80.38 ±19.51)ng/mL,(4.51 ±1.29)ng/mL]than those in the control group[(25.57 ±9.64)ng/mL,(5.54 ± 1.49)ng/mL,(47.37 ±15.16)ng/mL,(2.21 ±0.68)ng/mL](t =11.57,8.63,7.82,9.95,all P <0.01).Moreo-ver,the concentrations of serum NOD1,Dectin and sCD14 protein were dramatically decreased in convalescent period of the asthma group[(39.67 ±11.25)ng/mL,(60.04 ±16.76)ng/mL,(3.38 ±0.97)ng/mL]compared with acute asthma attack period(t =8.19,6.32,5.42,all P <0.01),while the concentration of serum TLR1 was not different between this two period (9.51 ±3.19)ng/mL(t =1.27,P >0.05).Furthermore,level of NOD1 was positively corre-lated with sCD14(r =0.49,P <0.01).Conclusion Levels of serum NOD1,TLR1,Dectin and sCD14 protein were increased in acute severe asthma,whereas,they were decreased in convalescent period.The elevation of them indicated that pattern recognition reception has synergistic function in the pathogenesis of asthma attack.

Objective To observe the expressions of grouth-related oncogen (GRO)α, epithelial neutrophil activating protein-78 (ENA-78) and neutrophil-activating peptide-2 (NAP-2) of rat asthma. And to investigate the role of neutrophil in the pathogenesis of asthma exacerbation. Methods In this experi-ment, the rat model of asthma were randomly divided into two groups on average, including asthma group and control group. Levels of ENA-78 at blood neutrophil were detected by flow cytometry method. The ex-pressions of GROα protein at bronchial wall and NAP-2 protein at blood neutrophil were detected by immuno-histochemieal method. Results Levels of GROα, ENA-78 and NAP-2 proteins in asthma group [0.138 ±0.009(A value), 97.65±13.99(MFI), 0.198±0.016(A value), respectively]were significantly higher than those in control group[0.077±0.010(A value), 50.79±8.66(MFI), 0.079±0.015(A value), re-spectively], all P < 0.01. Conclusion Levels of GROα, ENA-78 and NAP-2 were increased at rat asth-ma. They may be participate in inflammation of asthma exacerbation. Neutrophil may promote inflammatory cells influxing into airway wall via increasing synthesis of CXC chemotactic factors.

0.05).Conclusions These results suggest that the polymorphisms of triplet repeat GGC or combination of CAG and GGC of the androgen receptor is signifi- cantly associated with Han men with androgenetic alopecia in the Eastern China. However, genetic polymor- phism of 5?-reductase may not directly associated with androgenetic alopecia in our study population.

Objective To investigate the effects of dexamethasone on expressions of epithelial neutrophil activating protein-78 (ENA-78) and transforming growth factor- beta 1 (TGF-β1) in neutrophil of asthma rats.Methods Thirty male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups on average, including asthma group, control group and dexamethasone treated group. In this experiment, the rat model of asthma were established by sentization and challenge with ovalbumin. Blood neutrophil were isolated and purified. The expression of ENA-78 was detected by flow cytometry. The expression of TGF-β1 was detected by immunohistochemical method in blood neutrophil and bronchial wall. Results Expression of ENA-78 in blood neutrophil in dexamethasone treated group(71.82 ±8. 87 mean fluorescence intensity)was lower than that in asthma group, but higher than that in control group(all P ＜0. 01). And expressions of TGF-β1 protein in dexamethasone treated group(0. 173 ± 0. 014,0. 202 ± 0. 019 optical density, respectively) was lower than that in asthma group(all P ＜0. 01) ,but higher than that in control group(all P ＜0. 01). There were significant positive correlation between ENA-78 expression at blood neutrophil and numbers of total inflammation cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (n = 29, γ = 0. 762, P ＜ 0. 01). Conclusion The beneficial effect of glucocorticoid(dexamethasone) on airway inflammation in asthma rats could be at least in part due to their direct inhibitory effect on ENA-78 and TGF-β1 protein generation by neutrophil.

Objective To investigate the prevalence and pattern of androgenetic alopecia (AGA) in Shanghai through a community-based survey. Methods A cluster sampling survey was done among the residents in Beixinjing Community, Changning District, Shanghai. All the subjects were asked to fill a questionnaire to provide their general information, including sex, age, native place, physical status, life habit, family history, etc. The diagnosis of AGA was made by dermatologists. To determine the pattern of hair loss,Norwood-Hamilton classification system and Ludwig classification system were used for male AGA and female AGA, respectively. All the data were statistically analyzed by EpiData and SPSS11.5 software. Results Totally, 7056 subjects completed the questionnaire, including 3519 males and 3537 females, and the response rate was 72.5%. AGA was diagnosed in 809 patients, consisting of 701 males aging from 19 to 91 years (mean 64.16±11.9 years) and 108 females aging from 35 to 91 years (mean 70.46±18.89 years). The standardized prevalence (SP) was 9.47% in total, 15.73% in males and 2.73% in females; the difference was significant between males and females (χ2=356.00, P<0.001). A family history of AGA was observed in 52.7% of all subjects including 391 (55.78%) males and 35 (32.41%) females. Type Ⅲ vertex involvement was the most common type in men aging from 20 to 70 years old, and type Ⅵ in those over 70 years old. Grade Ⅰ and Ⅱ predominated in female AGA. Conclusions The results of this survey indicate that the prevalence of AGA is remarkably higher in men than that in women. Furthermore, the prevalence is steadily increased with advancing age in Shanghai.

OBJECTIVETo investigate injury to epidermal melanocyte by Q-switched Alexandrite laser.

METHODSMultiple biopsies were performed on 5 patients with nevus of Ota from before irradiation to 1 year after irradiation. Fourteen specimens were obtained for light microscopy, and 17 for transmission electron microscopy.

RESULTSMelanosomes in epidermal melanocytes were both smaller in size and fewer in number than those in dermal melanocytes. Immediately after irradiation, focal extracellular vacuoles of the basal layer could be observed under light microscopy. Most epidermal melanocytes underwent mild or moderate injury in the form of vacuolated melanosomes, swollen mitochondria, dilation of endoplasmic reticulum, and expansion of extracellular space, retaining intact cell membranes. Normal structures were restored 5 months to 1 year after irradiation, with no depigmentation or hyperpigmentation as seen by light microscopy.

CONCLUSIONInjury of melanosomes in epidermal melanocytes is reversible.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Beryllium ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Laser Therapy ; Lasers ; adverse effects ; Melanocytes ; radiation effects ; Microscopy, Electron ; Nevus of Ota ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; ultrastructure ; Skin Neoplasms ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; ultrastructure