Objective To investigate the relationship between the expression of MIF mRNA and TNF-α in the lung tissue of rats with acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP) and explore their mechanism of action in acute lung injury during the course of ANP. Methods A total of 40 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10 in each group) : the sham operation (SO) group, ANP 3h group, 6h group, 12h group. The model of ANP was induced by retrograde injection of 5% sodium tanrocholate (0. 1 ml/100 g) into the biliary and pancreatic duct. The level of serum amylase was determined;pancreatic and lung tissues were harvested for pathological examination, and wet/dry weight ratios were estimated. Intrapulmonary expression of MIF mRNA was assayed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. TNF-α in pulmonary homogenate was measured by immunoradiometric assay. Results Serum amylase, wet/dry weight ratios of pancreatic and lung tissues all significantly increased, and pathological injuries aggravated with time in ANP groups. Levels of TNF-α in ANP 3h, 6h, 12h group were (0.69 ± 0. 107) ng/ml, (1.64 ± 0. 10) ng/ml and (0.92 ± 0.11) ng/ml, and expression of MIF mRNA were 1.97±0.09, 2.55±0.23, 3.29±0.26, which were significantly higher than those in control group [(0. 19±0.06)ng/ml, 1.21±0.34, P<0.01]. lntrapulmonary expression of MIF mRNA was positively associated with lung pathological injuries, wet/dry weight ratio, and TNF-α(r = 0. 637, r = 0.684, r = 0.858, P < 0.01). Intrapulmonary levels of TNF-α was positively associated with lung pathological injuries, wet/dry weight ratio (r=0.540, r=0.421, P<0.01). Conclusions MIF mRNA was over- expressed and level of TNF-α was significantly increased in pulmonary tissue in rats with ANP, and this may be one of the mechanisms in the pathogenesis of lung injury in ANP.

Objective To investigate the influencing factore of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) exposure in healthy people who lived in aflatoxin high-exposure area and to provide a basis for preventing AFB1 exposure. Methods To the residents lived in the city of Nanning in Cuangxi Province, a questionnaire survey was used to acquaint relevant information. The AFB1-albumin adducts (AAA) levels were screened by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the liver function detected using a Bekman LX20 Chemistry Analyzer and diagnostic agents from Randox, UK. Results AAA level was significantly higher (P<0.05) in the people with lowincome, having habits of smoking, drinking, eating bulk rice, and eating rice that had been saved for a time of more than 30 days, and keeping regularly dining out. Conclusions The level of income and the lifestyle are related with Aflatoxin Bl exposure. The risk factors about Aflatoxin Bl exposure include consumption of bulk rice, regularly dining out, and drinking.

Representative pioneer tree root systems in the subtropical area of South China were examined with regard to their structure, underground stratification and biomass distribution. Excavation of skeleton roots and observation of fine roots of seven species including the Euphorbiaceae, Theaceae, Melastomataceae, Lauraceae and Fagaceae families was carried out. The results showed that: (1) Pioneer tree roots in the first stage of natural succession were of two types, one characterized by taproot system with bulky plagiotropic branches; the other characterized by flat root system with several tabular roots. The late mesophilous tree roots were characterized by one obvious taproot and tactic braches roots up and down. Shrub species roots were characterized by heart fibrous root type featured both by horizontally and transversally growing branches. Root shapes varied in different dominant species at different stages of succession. (2) Roots of the different species varied in the external features-color, periderm and structure of freshly cut slash. (3) In a set of successional stages the biomass of tree roots increased linearly with the age of growth. During monsoon, the total root biomass amounted to 115.70 t/ha in the evergreen broad-leaved forest; 50.61 t/ha in needle and broad-leaved mixed forest dominated by coniferous forest; and 64.20 t/ha in broad-and needle-leaved mixed forest dominated by broad-leaved heliophytes, and are comparable to the underground biomass observed in similar tropical forests. This is the first report about roots characteristics of forest in the lower sub-tropical area of Dinghushan, Guangdong, China.
Biomass ; China ; Magnoliopsida ; growth & development ; Plant Roots ; growth & development ; Time Factors ; Trees ; growth & development ; Tropical Climate

BACKGROUNDProteasome subunits (PSMB) and transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) loci are located in the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) Class II region play important roles in immune response and protein degradation in neurodegenerative diseases. This study aimed to explore the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of PSMB and TAP and Parkinson's disease (PD).

METHODSA case-control study was conducted by genotyping SNPs in PSMB8, PSMB9, TAP1, and TAP2 genes in the Chinese population. Subjects included 542 sporadic patients with PD and 674 healthy controls. Nine identified SNPs in PSMB8, PSMB9, TAP1, and TAP2 were genotyped through SNaPshot testing.

RESULTSThe stratified analysis of rs17587 was specially performed on gender. Data revealed that female patients carry a higher frequency of rs17587-G/G versus (A/A + G/A) compared with controls. But there was no significant difference with respect to the genotypic frequencies of the SNPs in PSMB8, TAP1, and TAP2 loci in PD patients.

CONCLUSIONChinese females carrying the rs17587-G/G genotype in PSMB9 may increase a higher risk for PD, but no linkage was found between other SNPs in HLA Class II region and PD.

ATP-Binding Cassette Sub-Family B Member 2 ; genetics ; ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 3 ; genetics ; Adult ; Aged ; Antigen Presentation ; Case-Control Studies ; Cysteine Endopeptidases ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Parkinson Disease ; genetics ; immunology ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex ; genetics

Objective To explore the relativity between anxiety of patients with liver cancer and personality characteristics．Methods Questionnaires were distributed to a total of 300 liver cancer patients who were admitted into hospital for the first time，such as SAS (Serf-rating Depression Scale),EPQ(Eysenck Personality Questionaire) and so on．Results The score of SAS of liver cancer patients Was (45.12±8.91),which was much higher than that of the normal people (P<0.01)．The score of SAS of liver cancer patients with unstable introvert personality characteristics was (50.05±9.63),which was much higher than that of those with stable extrovert personality characteristics(P<0.01)．The score of SAS of liver cancer patients with unstable introvert personality characteristics was (49.12±8.91),which was much higher than that of those with stable introvert personality characteristics(P<0.01)．Conclusions The level of anxiety differs among liver cancer patients．As an independent risky factor,the unstable personality characteristics tend to cause anxiety of liver cancer patients．Paramedics should adopt active methods to lessen their anxiety.

Objective To explore the effect of psychological counseling techniques affected the neuroendocrine hormone and postoperative immune function to the preoperative anxiety in patient with liver Cancer. Methods Assessed the patients with liver cancer using self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and Screened with anxiety patients and non-anxiety patients. Then, the anxiety patients were divided into intervention group and conventional group and the non-anxiety patients were divided into intervention group and conventional group in accordance with the random packet sequence number. Compared with ACTH, cortisol ,CD3+,CD4+,CD8+, CD3+/CD4+, SAS in preoperative and postoperative 1, 7,14 days in anxiety intervention group and anxiety conventional group, non-anxiety intervention group and non-anxiety conventional group. Results Anxiety intervention group and anxiety conventional group were Compared, that there was no significant difference in preoperative and postoperative 1 days, the anxiety intervention group's ACTH and cortisol and SAS were significantly lower than the anxiety conventional group in postoperative 7, 14 days, the anxiety intervention group,s CD3+ and CD4 and CD3+/CD4+ were significantly higher than the anxiety conventional group in postoperative 7,14 days(P<0.05). Non-anxiety intervention group and non-anxiety conventional group were Compared that there was no significant difference in preoperative and postoperative 1, 7,14 days(P >0. 05). Conclusions Psychological counseling techniques were used can promote the postoperative recovery of neuroendocrine hormone and immune function to the preoperative anxiety in patient with liver Cancer and that is no significantly to non-anxiety patients.

OBJECTIVETo explore the factors associated with retention in a community-based methadone maintenance treatment(MMT) among drug users in Urumqi.

METHODSWith national MMT guideline( drift) for heroine addicted drug users, local heroine-dependent people were admitted to community-based MMT program affiliated to Xinjiang Uigur Autonomous Region Center for Mental Health. Data on outpatients' social-demo characteristics, baseline behaviors on drug use and daily stabilized dose of drugs were entered to MMT database.

RESULTSUp to 10, Feb. , 2006,353 persons withdrew MMT treatment among 709 heroin dependant drug users. Between 11, Aug., 2005 and 10, Feb., 2006, with median duration as 77 days, cumulative drop-out rate of 90 days and 180 days after first dose of MMT were 73.8% among 455 and 99.4% among 355 drug users, respectively. The incidence of drop-outs was 29.8 per 100 person-month. The median length of stay (days) in MMT was 68.0 (95% CI: 59.0- 78.0). Correlates of retention were found as: Being Uigur(HR = 1.35;95% CI :1.09-1.67), duration of drug use (HR =0.74; 95% CI:0.55-0.99) and stabilized dose(HR = 0.60;95% CI: 0.48-0.74) was found in multiple Cox proportional hazard regression model.

CONCLUSIONRetention of MMT among drug users in Urumqi was low. Uigur people should be given individual counseling to help them increase the compliance rate. Within the ranges of clinic dosage, adjustment of the methadone dose on an individual base might serve as an appropriate approach to increase the effectiveness of the program.

Adult ; Aged ; China ; Drug Users ; psychology ; statistics & numerical data ; Female ; Heroin Dependence ; psychology ; rehabilitation ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Patient Compliance ; Substance Abuse Treatment Centers ; statistics & numerical data ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical efficacy of Baidanhuang lavage fluid nasal irrigation (BLFNI) on postoperative patients with chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps (CRwNP).

METHODSNinety postoperative patients with CRwNP were randomly assigned to two groups, the treatment group (60 cases) and the control group (30 cases). After nasal endoscopic surgery, all patients received routine therapies, while the nasal cavity perfusion device was used to irrigate. Patients in the treatment group were treated with BLFNI, while those in the control group were irrigated with physiologic saline with dexamethasone and gentamycin. The physic liquor was maintained in the nasal cavity for 15 min, 14 days as one therapeutic course: once per 3 days in first treatment course; once per 5 days in the second treatment course; once per 7 days in the third treatment course. The irrigation times gradually reduced as time went by. The VAS scoring was performed in four clinical symptoms, such as nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea, olfaction disorders, discomforts or pain in the face or head. The Lund-Kenenedy quantification scoring method was used for nasal endoscopy to assess the polyps size, mucous membrane, scar, surface scab, and quality of life (QOL). The SNOT-20 rating scales were filled to investigate the QOL. All the assessments were carried out before surgery, 1.5, 3, and 6 months, respectively. The comprehensive efficacy assessment was conducted 1 year later.

RESULTSThe 1-year cure rate was 79.25% in the treatment group and 76.92% in the control group, and the total effective rate was 90.57% in the treatment group and 84.62% in the control group. There was no statistical difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). The nasal cavity cleaning time and the epithelization time was (2.15 +/- 0.13) weeks and (9.17 +/- 1.67) weeks respectively in the treatment group, earlier than those in the control group [(2.65 +/- 0.15) weeks and (10.71 +/- 3.12) weeks, P < 0.05]. At week eight 22 patients in the treatment group ended the lavage due to recovery, while 5 patients in the control group ended the lavage, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, better results were obtained in the treatment group in relieving the total VAS score at postoperative 6 weeks and 3 months, in the single score of symptoms at 3 months after operation, the rhinorrhea at postoperative 6 months and 1 year (P < 0.05). The total endoscopic score, and the single score for nasal mucous membrane edema, and nasal secretion at postoperative 1.5 month were lower in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0.05). The total score of SNOT-20 questionnaire, and the integrals for five major indicators at postoperative 1.5 and 3 months were lower in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe perioperative application of BLFNI could alleviate postoperative mucosal inflammation, shorten the cavity cleaning time, speed up the process of epithelization, improve the QOL, and elevate the operative efficacy. Its therapeutic roles were more prominent within perioperative 1.5-3 months.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Chronic Disease ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasal Lavage ; Nasal Polyps ; complications ; therapy ; Postoperative Period ; Rhinitis ; complications ; therapy ; Sinusitis ; complications ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Adult ; China ; Cognitive Dysfunction ; genetics ; Electric Power Supplies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects ; Power Plants ; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptors, Serotonin ; genetics ; metabolism ; Young Adult