Objective To evaluate the applied value of functional immunity measured by the ImmunKnow assay in the diagnosis of post-transplant infection in Chinese 1iver recipients.Methods Thirty-eight normal adults and 68 adult liver transplant recipients were under investigation.Whole blood samples from either normal volunteers(each sample for one person)or the liver recipients(one or more samples for one person)were collected freshly and cultured within 6h.The CD4+T cells were selected and their ATP value was assayed the next day.The liver recipients were grouped in stable status(n=52)or infection(n=64)according tO their clinieal manifestation.Results The average ATP value in the recipients with infection after liver transplantation was 165.7±100 μg/L,significantly lower(P＜0.05)than that in stable recipients(309±126 μg/L)or normal volunteers (292±83 μg/L).The low ATP levels in post-transplant recipients had fair good correlation to infection clinically(RR=0.5021,P＜0.01).Infectious risk was high when ATP value was less than 165μg/L(OR=11,95%CI 3.9-32.2,P＜0.01).Specificity and sensitivity of low ATP value in post-transplant infection were 86.53%and 73.81% respectively,Conclusion ImmuKnow assay provides a new tool in monitoring immune status in post-transplant recipients,and call helpfully predict and diagnose clinical infection.

The present study aimed to investigate the effect and the mechanisms of Bu-zhong-yi-qi-tang (BZYQ) on Spleen-Qi deficiency rat's model using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) metabolomics and multivariate statistical analysis methods. The rat Spleen-Qi deficiency model was established as follows: oral administration of Radix Rhei extract, loaded swimming and starvation for 24 h. The body weight and motor behavior of the rats were measured and recorded once a week. BZYQ could significantly improve body weight and behavioral of Spleen-Qi deficiency model rats compared with the model group (P < 0.05, 0.01). After drug administration, the changes in the levels of endogenous metabolites in the spleen including decreasing lactate, taurine and hypoxanthine, increasing glutamate and scyllo-inositol compared with the model group. The metabolomics approach is an effective tool for the investigation of the pharmacologic mechanism of BZYQ and it is helpful to further research.
Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Metabolomics ; Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Qi ; Rats ; Spleen

Objective To measure the learning passion of medical students and evaluating its in-fluencing factors. Methods Taking 879 medical students as research subjects to conduct a questionnaire survey according to specialty and grade stratified sampling. The questionnaire contained two parts, includ-ing learning passion scale and general situation questionnaire. The effective recovery rate was 69.28%, 609 valid questionnaires were recovered. SPSS 22.0 and AMOS 21.0 software were used for statistical analysis of data, analyzing the reliability and validity of the questionnaire with internal consistency reliability coeffi-cient and confirmatory factor analysis. The factors of learning passion of medical students were analyzed by logistic regression analysis. Results The questionnaire of learning passion of medical students contained 12 measurement items, including 2 dimensions: harmonious passion and obsessive passion. The questionnaire was of fine reliability (Cronbach's Alpha=0.916) and validity (χ2/df=3.401,RMSEA=0.073,GFI=0.958). The
learning passion of medical students was at upper middle level (4.390±0.934). The influence of achievement level (OR=1.691, 95%CI=1.415 to 2.021), school satisfaction (OR=0.586, 95%CI=0.402 to 0.854) and profession plan (short-term plan OR=2.121, 95%CI=1.310 to 3.434;long-term plan OR=3.822,95%CI=1.972 to 7.405) on learning passion were statistically significant. Conclusion The questionnaire of learning pas-sion of medical students has fine reliability and validity. Achievement level, school satisfaction and profes-sion plan are factors affecting the learning passion of medical students.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of a sequence-specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) in suppressing survivin expression and cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis of PC-2 cells.

METHODSThe plasmid expression vector of siRNA targeted against survivin was constructed and transfected into PC-2 cells with Lipofectamine 2000. The changes of survivin expression were detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemical SP methods. The effect of siRNA in suppressing the proliferation of PC-2 cells was detected by MTT assay, and its role in inducing PC-2 cell apoptosis evaluated by flow cytometry.

RESULTSThe sequence-specific siRNA effectively suppressed survivin expression at both mRNA and protein levels with inhibition rate of 81.25% at mRNA level and 74.24% at protein level. Survivin expression suppression significantly inhibited the proliferation of PC-2 cells, and at 24 and 48 h after cell seeding, the proliferation inhibition rate was 28.00% and 33.38% respectively; 24, 48 h after the transfection, apoptosis occurred in 8.46% and 7.53% of the cells, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSThe plasmid expression vector for the siRNA against survivin constructed in the study can effectively and specifically suppress survivin expression in PC-2 cells, and blocking survivin expression suppresses PC-2 cell proliferation and induces cell apoptosis. siRNA targeted against survivin has a potential value in gene therapy for pancreatic cancer.

Apoptosis ; genetics ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Cell Survival ; genetics ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Neoplasm Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo investigate the level of the serum IL-21 and its correlation with serum biochemical indices of liver function test in patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure.

METHODSSixty patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (severe hepatitis group) and 18 normal cases (control group) were enrolled in the study. Peripheral blood lymphocytes were isolated and total RNA of lymphocytes was extracted by using Trizol. Real-time PCR was used to assay IL-21 mRNA level. The serum IL-21 expression level was detected by ELISA method. The correlation between IL-21 and ALT, AST, TBiL, ALB was analyzed using Pearson's correlation analysis, respectively.

RESULTSSerum IL-21 expression level in severe hepatitis group was higher than that of control group. Moreover, the difference between them was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Serum IL-21 level was positively correlated with serum ALT, AST, TBil, respectively (P < 0.05), but was negatively correlated with ALB, respectively (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSerum IL-21 expression level was increased in patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure and was associated with the severe of inflammation. We, therefore, believe that IL-21 might be involved in the pathogenesis of acute-on-chronic liver failure and might be an index of the severity of liver inflammation.

Adult ; Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukins ; blood ; genetics ; Liver Failure ; blood ; genetics ; physiopathology ; Liver Function Tests ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the level of the serum IL-23 and its correlation with serum biochemical indices of liver function tests and HBV DNA load in patients with chronic severe hepatitis B.

METHODSFifty patients with chronic severe hepatitis B (severe hepatitis group) and 18 healthy controls (control group) were enrolled in the study. The serum IL-23 expression level was detected by ELISA method. The correlation between IL-23 and ALT, AST, TBil, HBV DNA load was analyzed using Pearson's correlation analysis, respectively.

RESULTSSerum IL-23 expression level in severe hepatitis group was significantly higher than that of control group (P < 0.05). Serum IL-23 level was positively correlated with serum ALT, AST, respectively (P < 0.05), but was not correlated with TBil and HBV DNA load, respectively (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSerum IL-23 expression level was increased in patients with chronic severe hepatitis B and was associated with the severe of inflammation. We, therefore, believe that IL-23 might be involved in the pathogenesis of chronic severe hepatitis B.

Adult ; Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; blood ; DNA, Viral ; analysis ; Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; immunology ; virology ; Humans ; Interleukin-23 ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo explore therapeutic effects of bone setting manipulation for the treatment of over degree II supination-eversion fractures of ankle,and analyze manipulative reduction mechanism.

METHODSFrom 2005 to 2008, 95 patients with over degree II supination-eversion fractures of ankle were treated respectively by manipulation and operation. There were 43 cases [11 males and 32 females with an average age of (44.95 +/- 12.65) years] in manipulation group, and 2 cases were degree II, 11 cases were degree III, and 30 cases were degree IV. There were 52 cases [21 males and 31 females with an average age of (39.96 +/- 13.28) years] in operative group,and 6 cases were degree II, 18 cases were degree III, and 28 cases were degree IV. Bone setting manipulation and hard splint external fixation were applied to manipulative group. Operative reduction internal fixation was performed in operative group. X-ray was used to evaluate reduction of fracture before and after treatment, 2 months after treatment. Ankle joint function was evaluated according to Olerud-Molander scoring system after 6 months treatment.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up with good reduction. Three cases occurred wound complication in operative group, but not in manipulative group. In manipulation group, 19 cases got excellent results, 20 cases good and 4 cases fair; while in operative group, 30 cases got excellent results, 20 cases good and 2 cases poor. There were no significant differences in fracture reduction and ankle joint function recovery between two groups (P > 0.05). Efficacy of operative treatment was better than that of manipulative treatment at degree IV fracture (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBone setting manipulation is a good method for treating supination-eversion ankle joint fractures, which has advantages of simple and safe operation, reliable efficacy. For ankle join fracture at degree IV, manipulative reduction should be adopted earlier, and operative treatment also necessary

Adult ; Ankle Injuries ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Ankle Joint ; physiology ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Fractures, Bone ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Manipulation, Orthopedic ; methods ; Supination

AIMTo establish an HPLC-MS method for determination of octreotide in plasma and study the relative bioavailability of domestic and imported octreotide injections.

METHODSOctreotide in plasma samples were extracted with a Waters solid-phase extraction mini column. HPLC-MS was carried out using a Waters Xetrra C18 column and a mobile phase consisting of CH3 OH-1% HAc (80 : 20), the flow rate was 0.2 mL x min(-1), and the internal standard was 6, 7, 4'-OH-isoflavone, the SIR ions for quantification were m/z 1 014.4 for octreotide and m/z 317.6 for internal standard. A single dose of 200 microg of domestic or imported preparations was intramuscularly given to 18 healthy volunteers in a randomized crossover study. Octreotide concentration in plasma was determined by LC-MS method. The pharmacokinetics and bioavailability were studied.

RESULTSThe regressive curve was linear (r = 0.9997) within the range of 0.5 - 40 microg x L(-1) for octreotide. The pharmacokinetics parameters of domestic and imported injection were reply to one compartment model. The mean C(max) were (19 +/- 10) microg x L(-1) and (19 +/- 11) microg x L(-1), T(max) were (0.50 +/- 0.15) h and (0.52 +/- 0.20) h, T1/2 were (1.5 +/- 0.8) h and (1.5 +/- 0.8) h, AUC(0-7 h) were (50 +/- 25) h x microg x L(-1) and (50 +/- 25) h x microg x L(-1), respectively. The relative bioavailability of domestic to imported injection was 101% +/- 10%.

CONCLUSIONThe method is accurat and sensible for assay of plasma octreotide concentration. The results of statistics showed the two preparations were bioequivalent.

Area Under Curve ; Biological Availability ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Cross-Over Studies ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Humans ; Injections, Intramuscular ; Octreotide ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the expression of Survivin in patients with extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (EHCC) and its relationship with clinicopathological features of EHCC, and the correlation between the expression of Survivin and lymph node micrometastasis, tumor markers, and the prognosis of EHCC.

METHODSThe expression of Survivin protein in paraffin-embedded specimens of 59 patients with EHCC and their 20 para-carcinoma tissues were evaluated by S-P method of immunohistochemical staining. The correlation between the expression of Survivin and the lymph node micrometastasis, clinicopathological features of EHCC and the prognosis of EHCC were analyzed.

RESULTSThe positive expression rate of Survivin protein was 67.8% (40/59) in paraffin-embedded specimens of 59 patients with EHCC and was 20.0% (4/20) in para-carcinoma tissues, and difference between carcinoma tissues and para-carcinoma tissues was significant (P<0.01). Histological differentiation in EHCC had a negative correlation with the expression of Survivin protein, while the expression of Survivin protein in EHCC had a positive correlation with TNM of EHCC, lymphatic vessel infiltration, lymph node metastasis and perineural invasion (P<0.05). The serum CA19-9 levels in the positive group with expression of Survivin protein was (290,300+/-55 500) U/L and was obviously higher than that in the negative group [(113,300+/-31,400) U/L, P<0.05]. The mean survival time of the patients with negative expression of Survivin protein was higher than that of the patients with positive expression (43.5 vs. 21.1 months, P<0.01). Screened to significance univariate, the multivariate analysis through Cox proportional hazard model analysis showed that lymph node metastasis, residual tumor margins, and expression of Survivin protein were independent prognosis factors of the patients with EHCC (P<0.05, P<0.01, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe expression of Survivin protein in EHCC has a negative correlation with histological differentiation, while has a positive correlation with lymphatic vessel infiltration and serum CA19-9 concentrations. The expression of Survivin protein maybe an independent prognosis factor of the patients with EHCC.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bile Duct Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Bile Ducts, Extrahepatic ; Cholangiocarcinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; metabolism ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis

The incidence of erectile dysfunction (ED) rises with the increase of age, for which gene therapy is a new option in the recent years. Different target genes, vehicles and therapeutic strategies have been tried and yielded good results. This paper offers an overview of the current advances in gene therapy for aging-related ED.
Aging ; Animals ; Erectile Dysfunction ; therapy ; Genetic Therapy ; Male ; Rats