Objective To study the effect of low-dose FK778 in preventing chronic renal al- lograft rejection in rats.Methods The rat model of chronic renal allograft rejection was established by using micro-surgery technique.The recipients were divided into two groups.The recipients in the study group were treated with FK778 at a dose of 5mg?kg~(-1)?d~(-1)dissolved in carboxymethylcellulose by means of gavage and the controls were treated with carboxymethylcellulose.Urinary protein con- centrations were measured every 4 weeks for 24 weeks.On 24th week after operation,the rats were killed and the kidney grafts were taken out for histological and immunohistological examinations as well as quantitative real-time RT-PCR analysis.Results After 24 weeks of treatment,proteinuria, the severity of chronic rejection,glomeruIosclerosicytes and monocytes/macrophages in the study group were significantly milder than in control group.And the expression of TGF-?mRNA and PDGF-B mRNA was significantly reduced in the study group as compared with that in the control group.Conclusion Low-dose of FK778 might prevent the rats from chronic renal allograft rejection.

Whether or not an abormal expression of IL-6 mRNA in PBMNCs from IDDM patientswas examined using a hihgly sensitive,specific and semiquantitative protocal,i.e.reverse tran-scription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).The relative levels of IL-6mRNA in PBM-NCs from 12 early IDDMpatients (8.20?3.85yr),29 newly diagnosed NIDDM patients(54.85?9.12yr)23 normal childrens (8.20?3.26yr) and 12 normal adults (31.92?11.22yr)weredetermined.Significantly high expresion levels of IL-6 mRNA were found in PBMNCs from pa-tients with IDDM (P

Catheter Ablation ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Male ; Palatine Tonsil ; pathology ; surgery ; Snoring ; surgery ; Turbinates ; pathology ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of electro-acupuncture (EA) in regulating calcium (Ca2+) content in brain neurocytes of rats with focal cerebral ischemia.

METHODSThe changes of Ca2+ content in ischemic neurocytes were observed by using laser confocal scanning microscope.

RESULTSCa2+ content did not change significantly in cerebral cortex when the brain ischemia occurred for 1 hr, but it raised significantly in striatum neurocytes. Both the Ca2+ contents in striatum and cortex area increased significantly 3 hrs after ischemia occurrence and the content in striatum was higher than that in cortex significantly. Brain Ca2+ content could be reduced significantly after the 3 hrs ischemic brain were treated by EA for 30 min.

CONCLUSIONEA could regulate the content of Ca2+ in the ischemic area of brain, inhibit Ca2+ overload, so as to protect neurons from ischemic injury.

Animals ; Biological Transport, Active ; Brain ; metabolism ; pathology ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Electroacupuncture ; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Neurons ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

Objective To study the effect of balloon dilatation therapy on dysphagia caused by cricopharyn- geal achalasia.Methods Ten cases of dysphagia were diagnosed as cricopharyngeal achalasia by videofluoroscopic swallowing study(VFSS).A 14~* urethral catheter was inserted into the esophagus and an amount of water was injec- ted into the balloon of the urethral catheter to make it turgid.Then the catheter was pulled upwards and passed through the stricture of esophagus to dilatate the cricopbarygeus muscle.Meanwhile,low frequency electrical stimula- tion was used and combined with functional training of the organs related to deglutition and ingestion.The results be- fore and after the treatment were evaluated.Results After 19.7 times of dilatation therapy,the content of water in- jected into the balloon was increased from 2.65?0.91 ml to 8.20?0.92 ml.Cricopharyngeal achalasia was alle- viated significantly(P

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between vasoactive factors and plaque morphology in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

METHODSIntravascular ultrasound (IVUS) were performed and 7 serum vasoactive factors (sPE, tPA, MCP-1, IL-8, IL-6, sVCAM-1 and sCD40L) were measured through cytometric bead array, serum hs-CRP, HCY, glucose and lipid level were also determined in consecutively enrolled 56 patients with ACS. The changes of bio-factors were compared between vulnerable plaque and non-vulnerable plaque groups, AMI and UA patients, and patients with or without plaque rupture.

RESULTSBiomarkers were similar between patients with unstable angina pectoris and AMI. hs-CRP [(18.9 +/- 4.9) mg/l vs. (5.8 +/- 3.6) mg/L)] and IL-6 [19.5 pg/ml (9.2 - 44.6 pg/ml) vs. 5.3 pg/ml (2.3 - 13.4 pg/ml)] were significantly higher in the group of vulnerable plaque (P < 0.05) compared to non-vulnerable plaques group. sCD40L [(474 +/- 126) pg/ml vs. (238 +/- 35) pg/ml], sPE [(107.2 +/- 39.9) microg/ml vs. (49.1 +/- 5.6) microg/ml] and MCP-1 [(132 +/- 18) pg/ml vs. (127 +/- 13) pg/ml] were significantly increased in the plaque rupture group than that in non-plaque rupture group (all P < 0.05). Increasing of sCD40L, MCP-1, sPE and TC were independent risk factors for plaque rupture.

CONCLUSIONSIL-6 and hs-CRP are biomarkers for vulnerable plaques and diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction. sCD40L, MCP-1 and sPE may serve as the potential markers predicting plaque rupture in patients with ACS.

Acute Coronary Syndrome ; blood ; pathology ; Adult ; Aged ; Biomarkers ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; CD40 Ligand ; blood ; Chemokine CCL2 ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; P-Selectin ; blood

Objective To investigate status of macrolide resistance and determine molecular mechanisms in Mycoplasma pneumoniae.Nethods All of 370 throat swab specimens were cultured to isolate Mycoplasma pneumoniae.Mycoplasma pneumoniae isolates were identified by nested PCR for specific 16SrRNA gene.Antibiotic susceptibility test was done to identify acrolide resistant strains.23SrRNA gene wag amplified by nested PCR followed by direct automatic sequencing method.The DNA sequences were compared to the sequence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae M129(accession no.X68422)to find molecular mechanisms of drug resistance.Results Fifty clinical strains were isolated from 370 specimens.Of 50 strains.4 strains were susceptible to macrulide,46 strains were macrolide resistant with the percentage of 92%.MICs of resistant strains to erythromycin.Azithromycin and josamycin were elevated.The sequence of 23SrRNA gene in 4 Susceptible strains and the reference strain FH was identical to Mycoplagma pneumoniae gene in GenBank.46 resistant strains arbored a point mutation respectively,among them,40 strains had all A to G transition at position 2063.1 strain had an A to C transition at position 2063,the other five strains showed an A to G transition at position 2064.Conclusions Macrolide resistance in Mycoplasma pneumoniae iS very serious health conceru.The point mutation in 23SrRNA.Xpecailly predominant position 2063 mutation contributed to the macrolide resistance in Mycoplagma pneumoniae.The MICs of resistant strains to erythromycin,azithromycin and iosamycin are much higher than Mycoplasma pneumoniae reference strain FH.

China ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; therapy ; Hepatitis C, Chronic ; therapy ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; therapy

Comparative analysis of variable region ORF14/15 genes of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) genome in Guangxi Penaeus vannamei (P. vannamei) could provide useful information for the evaluation of genetic diversity and genetic evolutionary relationship among WSSV isolates from Guangxi, China and other places. Based on geographical and temporal considerations, 40 WSSV-positive P. vannamei samples were collected during the period between May 2010 and July 2013 from Beihai, Qinzhou, and Fangchenggang, which were the main P. vannamei production areas in Guangxi, and the variable region ORF14/15 genes of the WSSV genome from all infected samples were amplified by PCR and then subjected to cloning and sequence analysis. Pairwise and multiple alignment analysis was then conducted to evaluate the degree of genetic divergence between different strains. The variable region ORF14/15 genes from 25 of 40 WSSV positive samples were successfully cloned and sequenced; among the ORF14/15 genes of 25 WSSV-positive strains, 22 was 619 bp in length and 3 was 620 bp. All the 25 Guangxi strains carried a 5949-bp deletion in the ORF14/15 region relative to TH-96-II, which has the longest nucleotide sequence in this region; the deletion of Guangxi strains occurred in the middle region of ORF14/15 gene, with only 190 bp and 429 bp/ 430 bp at 5' and 3' ends, respectively, which were coincident with WSSV-IN-05-I in deletion length and position. Sixteen of 25 Guangxi strains had completely identical nucleotide sequences in the variable re gion, and the homology between other strains also exceeded 97.9%. There were single nucleotide substi tution, deletion, and insertion in the ORF14/15 region of Guangxi strains compared with other strains in GenBank. In the phylogenetic tree based on WSSV variable region ORF14/15, the Guangxi strains were closely related and formed a separate branch with Indian strain IN-05-I, but far from other strains in GenBank. The ORF14/15 gene of WSSV isolates in cultured P. vannamei in Guangxi has a large deletion in the middle of the variable region, and the Guangxi WSSV strains show no significant spatio-temporal differences; the Guangxi strains are closer in genetics to Indian strain IN-05-I than other strains in GenBank.
Animals ; China ; Cloning, Molecular ; Evolution, Molecular ; Genome, Viral ; genetics ; Genomics ; Penaeidae ; virology ; Phylogeny ; White spot syndrome virus 1 ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo understand the demography changes and behaviors in drug users.

METHODSelf-reported questionnaires was used and longitudinal investigation was conducted in one of the detoxication centers in Beijing in 1998 and 2000. Drug users were randomly chosen.

RESULTSResults showed that age of drug users tend to become younger with the numbers of drug users aged below 25, increased from 18.7% in 1998 to 28.2% in 2000. Majority of drug users remained males, but the proportion of females seemed to increase. Distribution of occupation showed that the largest increase fell among individual enterprisers, from 15.2% in 1998 to 25.9% in 2000. With educational back-ground, the proportion of lower than elementary education level, including illiterate, increased. Fifty percent of drug users were unmarried which increased from 40.8% in 1998 to 53.2% in 2000. Needle sharing was quite common, 16.5% in 1998 and 11.9% in 2000, but the decrease was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Fifty-seven point three percent of the injecting drug users did not have constant partners to share equipments. Proportion of extra-marriage sexual practice increased from 12.5% in 1998 to 27.5% in 2000, and significant difference (Chi-square = 12.50, P < 0.001). Multiple partners in extra-married drug users was also found (mean = 2). Compared to 1998, condom use during every sexual practice increased in 2000, but 47.7% drug users still never used condom.

CONCLUSIONIn summary, as the quick increase of drug users, sharing of injecting equipment and high-risk sexual behavior, including multiple partners and unprotected sex, were quite common, with the possibility of HIV epidemic in drug users.

Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Demography ; Female ; HIV Infections ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Longitudinal Studies ; Male ; Needle Sharing ; adverse effects ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Safe Sex ; statistics & numerical data ; Substance Abuse, Intravenous ; epidemiology ; Surveys and Questionnaires