OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect and relevant mechanism of shuxuening Injection (SI) in treating patients with active ulcerative colitis (UC).

METHODSTotally 91 patients with active UC were randomly assigned to 2 groups, 44 in the control group and 47 in the treatment group. Patients in the control group received routine treatment, while patients in the treatment group additionally received intravenous injection of SI (15 mL), twice daily for 14 days in total. Colonoscopy was performed before and after treatment. The therapeutic effect was assessed by Mayo scoring system and the grading of activities evaluated by Baron endoscope. Serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were detected by ELISA. The activity of SOD was detected by xanthine oxidase method. The content of MDA was detected by thiobarbituricacid (TBA). Besides, 20 healthy subjects were recruited as the healthy control group.

RESULTSTotally 82 patients completed the study (40 in the control group and 42 in the treatment group). There was no statistical difference in serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α, SOD, MDA, the Mayo score and endoscope grading between the two groups before treatment (P >0. 05). Compared with the healthy control group, serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α, MDA significantly increased (P <0.01), and the serum SOD level decreased (P < 0. 05) in the treatment grup and the control group before treatment. Compared with before treatment in the same group, serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α, MDA, the Mayo score and endoscope grading all decreased in the treatment group and the control group after treatment (P <0. 01, P <0. 05). Compared with the control group after treatment, serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α, MDA, the Mayo score and endoscope grading all decreased (P <0.01, P <0.05), the serum SOD level increased (P <0.05) in the treatment group after treatment. The serum SOD level was obviously negative correlated with serum levels of IL-6, TNF-a, Mayo score, and endoscope score (r = -0. 621, -0.638, -0. 509, -0.787, P <0.01). The serum MDA level was obviously positive correlated with serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α, Mayo score, and endoscope score (r =0.711, 0. 882, 0. 525, 0. 639, P <0.01).

CONCLUSIONSI could improve inflammatory injury and clinical symptoms of patients with active UC, and its mechanism might be associated with antioxidant and scavenging oxygen free radicals.

Colitis, Ulcerative ; blood ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Inflammation ; drug therapy ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the ability of pleth variability index (PVI) in predicting fluid responsiveness in mechanically ventilated patients under general anesthesia.

METHODSFrom August to November 2009, 25 patients were enclosed in this study following anesthesia induction. PVI was continuously displayed by the Masimo Radical 7. All patients were also monitored with Vigileo/FloTrac system. Haemodynamic data such as cardiac index (CI), stroke volume variability (SVV), mean arterial pressure, heart rate, central venous pressure, PVI, perfusion index were recorded before and after volume expansion (hetastar 6%, 7 ml/kg). Fluid responsiveness was defined as an increase in CI ≥ 15% (ΔCI ≥ 15).

RESULTSSVV and PVI were significantly higher in the responders (16.0% ± 2.6% and 20.5% ± 3.7%) than those in non-responders (11.6% ± 1.4% and 13.8% ± 2.6%) respectively (P < 0.05). The SVV threshold of 13.5% before volume expansion was able to discriminate the responders from the non-responders with a sensitivity of 88.2% and a specificity of 87.5%. The threshold for PVI was 15.5%, the same sensitivity of 88.2% and specificity of 87.5% were obtained. There was a significant relationship between PVI before volume expansion and change in CI after volume expansion (r = 0.683, P < 0.01), the same as the changes of SVV (r = 0.600, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONPVI as a new dynamic indices can predict fluid responsiveness non-invasively in mechanically ventilated patients during general anesthesia.

Abdomen ; surgery ; Adult ; Aged ; Anesthesia, General ; Female ; Fluid Therapy ; Hemodynamics ; physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Monitoring, Intraoperative ; Respiration, Artificial

OBJECTIVETo explore the feasibility of evaluating complete ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) of the testis by contrast-enhanced ultrasonography with microbubbles (MB) targeted to P-selectin (MBp) in rabbits.

METHODSWe randomly divided 30 healthy adult rabbits into five groups of equal number (control, 0.5 h IRI, 1 h IRI, 2 h IRI, and 4 h IRI), prepared phospholipid MB and MBp, and performed contrast-enhanced ultrasonography of the bilateral testes with MB or MBp at an interval of 20 min at different times after IRI. When MB or MBp disappeared completely in the healthy testis at 4 to 5 min after intravenous injection, we recorded the power of the first frame (F-P) in the IRI testes followed by immunohistochemical staining of the testis tissue.

RESULTSCEU with MBp achieved a significantly higher F-P than that with MB in all the IRI groups (P < 0.05), which was (8.34 +/- 1.20) versus (1.87 +/- 0.25) 10(-5) AU at 2 hours, but there was no significant difference between MB and MBp in the control rabbits (0 AU, P > 0.05). Immunohistochemistry showed a significantly time-dependent increase in the expression of P-selectin in the vascular endothelial cells of the IRI testes, but not in those of the control.

CONCLUSIONContrast-enhanced ultrasonography with MBp can be used to evaluate the inflammatory reaction of testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Animals ; Antibodies ; Disease Models, Animal ; Male ; Microbubbles ; P-Selectin ; immunology ; Rabbits ; Reperfusion Injury ; diagnostic imaging ; Testis ; blood supply ; Ultrasonography

AIM To study the chemical constituents from Zanthoxylum bungeanum Dahongpao.METHODS The 95％ ethanol extract from Z.bungeanum Dahongpao was purified by silica column and Sephadex LH-20,then the structures of obtained compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.RESULTS Nine compounds were isolated and identified as β-sitosterol (1),hydroxy-β-sanshool (2),daucosterol (3),quercetin-3-O-galactoside (4),3-methoxyquercetin (5),succinic acid (6),mannitol (7),arbutin (8),7-O-α-Dglucosyl-3,8-dihydroxy-2-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-5-methoxy-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one (9).CONCLUSION Compounds 5 and 7 are isolated from genus Zanthoxylum for the first time,compounds 1,3-9 are first isolated from this plant.

BACKGROUNDThe transcription factor, repressor of GATA-3 (ROG), can simultaneously suppress the expression of T helper cells (Th1 and Th2) cytokines. Since the suppression of Th2 cytokines by GATA-3 is well understood, it is postulated that there are other molecular targets of ROG that can suppress the expression of the Th1 cytokines. We hypothesized that ROG might suppress the stimulators of T lymphocyte cytokines such as CD3, CD28, and inducible costimulator (ICOS), or indirectly enhance the expression of cytokine suppressors such as T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) and CD45. The objective of this study was to clarify the molecular targets of ROG involved in suppressing Th1 or Th2 cytokines.

METHODSReal-time quantitative PCR (RT-PCR) and Western blotting were performed to evaluate the mRNA and protein levels of CD3, CD28, ICOS, CTLA-4, and CD45 in Th1 and Th2 cells during various levels of ROG expression. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the levels of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin (IL)-4 in culture media of Th1 and Th2 cells.

RESULTSThe results showed that the mRNA and protein levels of ROG were relatively low in Th1 and Th2 cells (P < 0.01). After ROG-pcDNA3.1 transfection, the mRNA and protein level of ROG was significantly elevated, while the expression of ICOS, IFN-γ, and IL-4 was markedly down-regulated (P < 0.01). Conversely, transfection of ROG-siRNA led to inhibition of ROG expression and up-regulation of ICOS, IFN-γ and IL-4 (P < 0.01). However, the expression levels of CD3, CD28, CTLA-4 and CD45 did not change in either ROG-pcDNA3.1 or ROG-siRNA-transfected Th1 and Th2 cells (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONIt is concluded that ROG can inhibit the expression of Th1 and Th2 cytokines by down-regulating the expression of ICOS, which might be a potential molecular target for asthma treatment.

Animals ; Blotting, Western ; CD28 Antigens ; metabolism ; CD3 Complex ; metabolism ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; metabolism ; CTLA-4 Antigen ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Inducible T-Cell Co-Stimulator Protein ; metabolism ; Interferon-gamma ; metabolism ; Interleukin-4 ; metabolism ; Leukocyte Common Antigens ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Repressor Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; T-Lymphocytes ; metabolism ; Th1 Cells ; metabolism ; Th2 Cells ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the association between the polymorphism of human monoamine oxidase type A (MAO-A) gene and Parkinson's disease(PD).

METHODSFnu4HI restriction fragment length polymorphism(RFLP) and PCR-RFLP were used to detect the mutation of MAO-A gene. The frequencies of alleles and genotypes at the MAO-A Fnu4HI locus on the X chromosome in different PD group were compared with those of the control group.

RESULTSIt was found that the frequencies of G allele in the patients with PD and controls were 0.613 and 0.527 respectively, P=0.039 "the frequencies of TT genotype were 0.303 and 0.415(P=0.014), and the frequencies of GG genotype were 0.564 and 0.451 respectively(P=0.021). When the patients were divided into two groups by age-onset, significant difference in the allelic and genotypic frequencies was observed only between early-onset PD group and control group. And when the PD patients were grouped by sex, significant difference was observed only between male PD group and male control group (the frequencies of G allele being 0.669 and 0.500 respectively, P=0.005).

CONCLUSIONThis study revealed significant differences between PD group and control group in allelic and genotypic frequencies. The findings supported the hypothesis about an association between MAO-A gene and PD, suggesting that age at onset of PD and gender predisposition might be related to the putative association, and Fnu4HI SNP be a risk factor for PD.

Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific ; analysis ; genetics ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Monoamine Oxidase ; genetics ; Parkinson Disease ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length

OBJECTIVESTo evaluate the relationship between the functional integrity of sperm membrane and seminal parameters related to CASA.

METHODSThirty-eight fertile and one hundrend and twenty four infertile males were tested the functional integrity of sperm membrane by the kit and parameters by CASA.

RESULTSThere was a significant difference in the functional integrity of sperm membrane between fertile and infertile group (P < 0.01). The items related to CASA between normal and abnormal group in the functional integrity of sperm membrane had a remarkable difference, except motion degree, seminal volume and pH.

CONCLUSIONSTo determine the functional integrity of sperm membrane can be used as a necessary supplementary method for CASA, and it has clinical significance in diagnosing, treating and researching male infertility.

Adult ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Male ; Membranes ; physiology ; Semen ; physiology ; Spermatozoa ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo construct a eukaryotic expression vector containing aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 (ALDH2) gene and investigate the effects and its possible mechanisms of ALDH2 gene on cell proliferation and anti-oxidative damage in the K562 cells.

METHODSAn eukaryotic expression vector containing the ALDH2 gene cloned from human hepatocytes was constructed and transfected into K562 cells by liposome. RT-PCR and Western blot were used to evaluate the expression of ALDH2. MTT assay was used to check the cell proliferation and trypan blue exclusion to check K562 cells damage induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). RT-PCR and fluorescence spectrophotometry were used to determine the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) respectively.

RESULTSRT-PCR and Western blot analysis showed distinct higher ALDH2 protein expression in gene transfected group. The latter group had a higher cell proliferation (P < 0.05) and survival rate against H2O2 induced-oxidative damage, being increased by 7.8 times (IC(50) was 12.3 µmol/L and 1.4 µmol/L for K562-pcDNA3.1-ALDH2 and control cells, respectively, P < 0.01). The HO-1 mRNA expression and the generation of intracellular ROS were downregulated at a specific concentration of H2O2 in the ALDH2 gene transfected group.

CONCLUSIONALDH2 gene transfection can protect K562 cells against oxidative damage, and the downregulation of HO-1 expression and intracellular ROS may be involved in this process.

Aldehyde Dehydrogenase ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; K562 Cells ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Transfection

To evaluate the significance of immunologic classification for typing of acute leukemia (AL). 68 cases of AL were classified by morphologic and immunologic typings. The results showed that the consistency rate was 94.1% between morphology and immunology, and 4 morphologic misdiagnosed cases were corrected by immunology; CD13 and CD33 were special myeloid lineage-associated antigens; AML-M(3) was often CD34 low-expressed and HLA-DR-negative; CD14 was often expressed in AML-M(4) and M(5); lymphoid lineage-associated antigens (CD7) were easily found in ANLL, and myeloid lineage-associated antigens were also found in ALL. In conclusion, immunologic classification can improve the accuracy in acute leukemia diagnosis. The diagnosis of some special AL, such as acute unidentified leukemia (AUL), AML-M(0) and so on, must rely on immunologic classification.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antigens, CD ; biosynthesis ; Antigens, CD34 ; biosynthesis ; Antigens, CD7 ; biosynthesis ; Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic ; biosynthesis ; CD13 Antigens ; biosynthesis ; Female ; Humans ; Immunophenotyping ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; classification ; immunology ; Lipopolysaccharide Receptors ; biosynthesis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; classification ; immunology ; Sialic Acid Binding Ig-like Lectin 3

OBJECTIVETo suppress the expression of CCR5 and CXCR4, the co-receptors for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 ( HIV-1), and thus inhibit HIV-1 from entering cells.

METHODSDNA fragments encoding either CCR5 or CXCR4 were amplified from healthy human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) by reverse transcript polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and sequencing was performed. Correct fragments were inserted into Shuttle plasmid inversely, which was recombined with backbone plasmid containing homologous adenoviral genome in E. coli BJ5183. The recombinant plasmids were transfected into 293 cells in which they were packaged and amplified. Recombinant adenoviruses containing antisense RNA of CCR5 or CXCR4 were obtained and identified by RT-PCR, and the titres of them were determined by cytopathic effect (CPE) method. The U937 and MT4 cells were infected by recombinant adenoviruses containing antisense RNA of CCR5 (multiplicity of infection, MOI = 100) and CXCR4 (MOI = 200), respectively. The expression of co-receptors on infected cell was measured by fluorescence activated cell sorter at 24, 48, 72 hours and 10 days after infection. In addition, the chemotactic activity and proliferation of infected cells were detected with Boyden chamber and 3H incorporation respectively.

RESULTSWe constructed the recombinant plasmids and obtained the recombinant adenoviruses which contained antisense RNA of CCR5 or CXCR4 and were designated as pAd-antiR5 and pAd-antiX4 respectively. The titers of recombinant adenoviruses pAd-antiR5 and pAd-antiX4 were 5 x 10" PFU/ml and 7 x 10(10) PFU/ml, respectively. The expression rate of CCR5 on U937 cells decreased from 82. 10% (blank control) to 1.12% (Ad-antiR5 infected) , and that of CXCR4 on MT4 cells decreased from 42% (blank control) to 1.03% (Ad-antiX4 infected) 24 hours later. The expression rates of CCR5 on Ad-antiR5 infected U937 cells were 1.02% , 1.26% , 1.23% at 48 hours, 72 hours, and 10 days later, respectively. The expression rates of CXCR4 on Ad-antiX4 infected MT4 cells were 1.13%, 1.17%, 1.22% at 48 hours, 72 hours, and 10 days later, respectively. Moreover, the recombinant adenovirus had no effects on chemotactic activity and proliferation of the cells.

CONCLUSIONThe recombinant adenovirus containing antisense CCR5 or CXCR4 can remarkably decrease the expression of co-receptors for HIV-1 on U937 or MT4 cells without affecting their chemotactic activities and proliferative abilities.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Cell Line, Transformed ; Cell Proliferation ; Chemotaxis ; Down-Regulation ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; RNA, Antisense ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Receptors, CCR5 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Receptors, CXCR4 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transfection ; U937 Cells