Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Humans ; SARS Virus ; immunology ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; immunology ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic ; immunology

Circulating cell-free nucleic acids are defined as extracellular DNAs or RNAs in blood with physiological or pathological origins. Previous studies showed that the concentration of cell-free nucleic acids in the blood of cancer patients is significantly higher than in healthy people. Further studies showed that the genetic and epigenetic alterations of circulating cell-free nucleic acids are relevant to cancer development and progression, including mutation, hypermethylation, loss of heterozygosity, change of integrity, and abnormal expression of microRNAs. Detection of circulating cell-free nucleic acids shows promising potential in cancer screening, diagnosis, personalized treatment, and prognosis.

BACKGROUND: There has been increasing attention in the study of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (ALS)and bone metabolism, which is accompanied by osteopenia and osteoporosis. Interleukin(IL) -6, a cytokine that strongly promotes bone resorption, participates in the regulation of bone metablism.OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between changes of bone mineral density(BMD) and serum IL-6 content in AIS.DESIGN: A controlled non-randomized concurrent study involving patients with AIS and and healthy volunteers.SETTING: The clinic and wards of the department of spinal surgery of a university-affiliated hospital.PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-six patients with AIS(6 males and 30 females aged 12 to 18 years) were treated in the Department of Spinal Surgery, Drum Tower Hospital, Medical College of Nanjing University from July to October 2003, who had a Cobb angle ranging from 34° - 109° and curvature of the thoracic spine. Thirty-six healthy adolescent volunteers(7 males and 29 females within the range of 13 - 18 years old) served as the control group.METHODS: The BMD was measured at L2- L4 and the proximal femur;(including the femoral neck, greater trochanter and Ward' s triangle) by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and serum IL-6 determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① BMD of the lumbar spine and femur ② Comparison of serum IL-6 content of all the subjects.RESULTS: The BMD of AIS patients at L2- L4, femoral neck, greater trochanter and Ward' s triangle was 0.79±0. 12, 0.78±0. 12, 0.65± 0. 10, and 0. 69 ± 0. 13 g/cm2, respectively, all significantly lower than the corresponding measurements of the control group(1.09 ± 0. 11, 0.95 ± 0. 11,0. 78 ± 0. 10, and 0. 88 ± 0. 11 g/cm2, respectively, P ＜ 0. 001), whereas the serum IL-6 content in the patients was significantly higher than that in the control subjects ( P ＜ 0. 005). The changes of BMD at the lumbar spine and the three sites of femur were negatively correlated with serum IL-6 in AIS patients( P ＜ 0. 001 ), but not so in the control group( P ＞ 0.05).CONCLUSION: The BMD is decreased and serum IL-6 elevated in patients with AIS, and excessive secretion of IL-6 might be one of the important factors of osteopenia in AIS.

Objective The CYP19 gene product enzyme aromatase mediates the conversion of the androgen testosterone to es -tradiol.The aim of this study is to investigate whether the CYP19A1 gene single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) is associated with the susceptibility to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and serum hormone levels. Methods We conducted a case-controlled study, which included 373 PCOS patients and 313 healthy controls.We genotyped SNP rs2899470 in the subjects using the polymerase chain re-action-restriction fragment length polymorphism ( PCR-RFLP) method and analyzed the frequencies of genotypes and alleles as well as the association of different genotypes with age , menarchal age, body mass index (BMI), and serum levels of hormones. Results The gen-otypic distributions of rs2899470 GG, TG, and TT in the PCOS women were 44.5%, 49.6%, and 5.9%, respectively, significantly dif-ferent from 39.3%, 48.6%, and 12.1%in the healthy controls (P=0.013).The frequency of the G allele was 69.3%in the former, remarkably higher than 63.6%in the latter (P=0.025).The rs2899470 genotypic frequencies were associated with the serum E 2/T lev-els in the PCOS patients. Conclusion SNP rs2899470 in the CYP19A1 gene is associated with the susceptibility to PCOS , and so is the genotype of rs2899470 with serum E2/T levels, which may be attributed mainly to the reduced activity of aromatase .

Objective To observe whether sodium arsenite(NaAsO2)can activate the expressions of hemeoxygenase-1(HO-1)of normal human liver cell line named Chang liver.Methods Chang liver cells were exposed to NaAsO2 at 10 μmoL/L,0(contml),2,6,12,24 h and at 0(control),5,10,25,50 μmol/L in 12 h, followed by the measuring of the expressions of HO-1 protein in ceUs with western blot.Results In 10 μmol/L groups Chang liver cells exposed for 6,12,24 h cultured in vitro,the expressions of HO-l protein(3.97±0.72, 12.92±2.98,23.29±3.82)was significantly higher than that of control(1.00±0.00),and compared with the control, the difference being statistically significant(F=85.83,P＜0.01;t=-9.42,-8.95,-13.83,respectively,P＜ 0.05 or＜0.01).In 12 h,5,10,25 and 50 μmol/L groups cultured in vitro,the expressions of HO-1(16.34±0.25, 7.75±0.39,7.93±0.14,12.48±0.35)was significantly higher than that of control(1.00±0.00).and compared with the control,the difference being statistically significant(F=85.83,P＜0.01;t=-36.25,-30.19,-86.40, -56.40,respectively,all P＜0.01).Conclusion Inorganic arsenic call induce the activation of HO-1,promote the expression of protein in a time-and dose-dependent manner.

Adult ; Fever ; etiology ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; etiology ; Humans ; Male ; Polyps ; complications ; Stomach Diseases ; complications

OBJECTIVETo observe the synergic or antagonistic effect of needling acupoints Fengchi (GB 20) and Tianzhu (BL 10), and Jiaji C4-C6 (EX-B2) on vertebro-basilar insufficiency (VBI).

METHODSSelf-control method was used and 20 cases of VBI were respectively treated with acupuncture at Fengchi (GB 20) and Tianzhu (BL 10), Jiaji (EX-B2). Their combination and the changes of vertebro-basilar artery's (VBA) systolic velocity of blood flow was detected.

RESULTSThe VBA's systolic velocity of blood flow after acupuncture were increased in all the 3 groups (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), with no significant difference among the 3 groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture at Fengchi (GB 20) and Tianzhu (BL 10) or Jiaji (C4-C6 ) or their combination can increase VBA's systolic velocity of blood flow, improving blood supply of vertebro-basilar artery, but they have no synergic or antagonistic effects.

BackgroundRetinal astrocytes are the main glial cells of retina,their origin and evolution progress are always the hot and difficult points in domestic and foreign researches. ObjectiveThis study was to explore the origin and development of retinal astrocytes in human fetal retina.Methods Thirty-three human embryonic eyes were collected from the abortion with the embryonic ages of 8-12 gestation weeks (20 eyes),15-17 gestation weeks ( 2 eyes),19-23 gestation weeks ( 4 eyes ),25 - 28 gestation weeks ( 4 eyes ),30 - 32 gestation weeks (3 eyes).The section of eyeball wall was prepared to observe the morphology and structure of different embryonic ages of retinas by regular histopathology examination.The origin of human embryonic retinal astrocytes was assessed by evaluating the change of GFAP expression in different embryonic ages of retinas using immunochemistry and immunofluorescence under the light and laser scanning confocal microscope.Theresearch was approved by the the Ethics Committee.Results The optic cup in embryonic 6- 7 weeks was in the retinal layering phase.Some immature short or round spindle-like cells appeared in primitive non-cell layer in the inner layer of the optic cup in embryonic 9 weeks of eyes.There were no positive GFAP-immunoactive cell was detected until embryonic 15 weeks of eyes.Some spindle-like cells migrated from a single layer primitive neuroepithelium next to optic disc expressing GFAP in the eyes with embryonic 19 weeks,and positive immunostaing for GFAP were detected in stellate cells surround blood vessels,and some seem to form the vessel wall in the ganglion cell layer and nerve fiber layer of the fetal central retina from 25 weeks through 26 weeks.Some positive response cells for GFAP presented in inner layer of the retina closed to ora serrata with the connection to nonpigmented epithelium (NPE) of the ciliary body during this period.Human retinal astrocytes showed typical stellate-like in shape,and the cellular processes crossed into inner plexiform layer in embryonic 28-week eyes.Conclusions Human retinal astrocytes mainly seem to have three kinds of origin in human embryonic eyes,and they are vascular precursor cell/pericytes,primitive neuroepithelium and nonpigmented epithelium of the ciliary body.

As a crucial component of acupuncture-moxibustion therapy, moxibustion has been extensively propagated and used with its significant efficacy, simple operation, inconspicuous adverse effects and less sufferings. There are a variety of factors that influence the therapeutic efficacy of moxibustion. The influencing factors, including moxibustion dose (moxibustion duration, distance between moxa and skin, size and number of moxa cone), selection of points, moxibustion sensations, and the type of moxibustion were analyzed and summarized, to provide references for approaching the maximum efficacy of moxibustion in clinic.

Objective To improve the knowledge about controlling plague in cadres, masses, and the medical staff in plague affected area in Dinghian county of Shaanxi province and to assess the efforts of health education activities. Methods In 2008, the education activities carded out by the government-related departments were investigated. The awareness of plague control and assessment was obtained through a written survey, questionnaire and interviews on clinic. Results Some education activities were carried out in plague area of Dingbian county, such as training, issuing educational materials, broadcasting plague scientific educational films and arranging knowledge grand prix. The rates of knowing plague clinic, epidemiology, prevention and the "three prohibitions and three alerts to report" were as follows: the cadres were 50.50%(101/200),63.69%(414/650),78.67%(118/150), the masses were 64.71% (66/102),87.91% (269/306),76.47% (78/102) and the medical staff were 64.18% (543/846) ,68.51%(322/470),67.02%(63/94). The passing rates of the cadres, the masses and the medical staff were 70.00% (35/50),92.16% (47/51),74.47% (35/47). Conclusions Health education can strengthen health consciousness of cadres and masses and improve the ability of the medical stalf on controlling sudden epidemic situation. Reinforcing plague control knowledge and training of medical staff are still important for health education in the future.