Objective To explore the change of serum uric acid(UA) levels in patients with multiple sclerosis(MS) and its clinical significance.Methods A quantitative enzymatic assay according to the manufacturer's protocol was adopted to detect serum UA levels in 43 patients with MS and 45 normal.Results The mean serum UA level in patients with MS was significantly lower in comparison with controls( P

Objective To explore the effect of tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-?) on brain damage following experimental intracerebral hemorrhage(ICH) in rats.Methods We induced intracerebral hemorrhage models of rats with injecting autologous blood into the left caudate.The levels of TNF-? and water contents in perihematoma at different stages were examined by radioimmunoassay and wet-dry weight measurement,and neurobehavioral outcomes were assessed in the meanwhile.Results The levels of TNF-? at 12~96 h in ICH group were higher than those in control group(all(P

Objective To explore the effect of single and multiple course dexamethasone on brain development in preterm infants.Met-hods One hundred and eighteen preterm infants delivered after 28-34 weeks′ gestation from Aug.2005 to Mar.2007 in our NICU were enrolled in this study.These infants were divided into 3 groups by antenatalcourses of dexamethasone: control group,single-course group and multi-course group.Supportive treatments were given to all 3 groups.Neonatal behavioral neurological assessment(NBNA) was conducted on expected date of delivery.Mental and psychomotor developmental index was evaluated at 3,6,12 months by using intellectual development table made at Children′s Development Center of China(CDCC).Results The score of NBNA was much higher in single-course group than that in multi-course group and control group(Pa

AIM To establish a new bioassay method for estimating the rat angiotensin Ⅰ converting engyme (ACE) activity in vivo by using ramipril (Ram), a ACE inhibitor. METHODS The change in mean arterial pressure induced by angioteuasin Ⅰ (AngⅠ) or bradykinin (BK) was measured before and 1, 24, 48 h after pretreatment with Ram (0 05,0 1 mg?kg -1 ,iv). The ACE activity was expressed by the pressor effect (%)of AngⅠ or the depressor effect (%) of BK. RESULTS The pressor effects of AngⅠ or the supernatant fraction of heart tissue homogenate containing AngⅠ were siginificantly reduced 1 h and 24 h after pretreatment with Ram, but not 48 h after pretreatment with Ram. In comparison of the depressor response of BK vs pressor response of AngⅠ 1 h after pretreatment with Ram,it was shown that the depressor effect of BK is more sensitive than the pressor effect of AngⅠ( P

Objective To investigate the efficacy of high-dose ambroxol in elderly patients with aspiration pneumonias. Methods Totally 62 patients aged 65 years and over with aspiration pneumonia were enrolled into 2 groups:conventional-dose group intravenously given ambroxol 60 mg/d (n=30) and high-dose group received 270 mg/d (n=32).The times of remission and fever disappearance,rate of adverse effects,average duration of hospitalization,rates of mortality and recurrence within 2 months were observed. Results There were no significant differences in clinical charecteristics between the two groups.The times of remission and fever disappear ance and average duration of hospitalization were lower in high-dose group than in conventional-dose group [(3.2±0.6)d,(54.2±19.5)h,(12.7±4.1) d vs.(3.8±1.1)d,(66.5±18.4)h,(13.5±3.1)d,t=2.11,2.36,2.04,all P＜0.05].No differences were found in rates of mortality and recurrence within 2 months between the two groups (6.3％,3.1％ vs.10.0％,13.3％,x2=0.01,0.87,both P＞0.05).Adverse effects did not appear in the two dose groups. Conclusions High-dose ambroxol is efficient and safe for aspiration pneumonia in elderly patients.

Objective:To compare psychosocial factors and immune function between patients with breast cancer and benign tumor before operation.Methods:The patients of breast tumor(56 case)were measured by clinical psychological rating scale(EPQ、HAMD、HAMA、LES、SSRS、DSQ)before operation,and their serum levels of IgA, CD_4~+,CD_(19)~+ and the activity of NK cell were measured.The patients of breast tumor were divided into breast cancer group(36 case)and benign tumor group(22 case)bases on results of pathology.Results:In breast cancer group, there were significantly higher scores of neurotic,total and negative life events,immature defense styles,HAMA and HAMD than those in benign tumor group;while NK cell activity,levels of CD_4~+ and CD_(19)~+ and the score of mature defense,social supports,subjective supports and utility degree of supports were marked lower.There were significantly correlation between immune function(NK cell activity,content of CD_4~+,CD_(19)~+,IgA)and psychosocial factors(social support,P score of EPQ,HAMD and HAMA total score,quantity of negative life events etc). Conclusion:Cancer patients had more server psychosocial problems and lower immune function.The immune function of patient with breast cancer before operation is associated with the various psychosocial factors.

Fatal Outcome ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Leukemia ; blood ; congenital ; diagnosis ; Leukocyte Count ; Male

This study is to investigate the effect of artesunate on transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and its possible mechanism. After the in vitro cultured RLE-6TN cells were treated with TGF-beta1 then artesunate intervened on it, after 24 h, expression of the markers of mesenchymal cell was assayed using Western blotting and real-time PCR analysis. Western blotting was also used to detect the effect of TGF-beta1 on the Smad3 and Smad7 expressions of RLE-6TN cells. Morphological alterations were examined by phase-contrast microscope, and ultrastructure changes by electron microscope. Incubation of RLE-6TN cells with TGF-beta1 resulted in the up-regulation of the expression of the mesenchymal cell markers, after artesunate intervened on it, resulted in the down-regulation of the expression. Meanwhile, incubation with artesunate intervened on RLE-6TN cells could lead to the apparent down-regulation of the expression of Smad3 and up-regulation of Samd7 and the transition of RLE-6TN cells to mesenchymal-like by TGF-beta1 induction, after artesunate intervened on it, RLE-6TN cells to epithelial-like. TGF-beta1 induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition process; artesunate can inhibit TGF-beta1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition process, the possible mechanism is up-regulation of the expression of Smad7 and down-regulation of the expression of Smad3, meanwhile inhibits phosphorylation of Smad3.
Actins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Artemisia ; chemistry ; Artemisinins ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; drug effects ; Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis ; pathology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Pulmonary Alveoli ; cytology ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Rats ; Smad3 Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Smad7 Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; pharmacology ; Vimentin ; genetics ; metabolism

The viable but noncuturable (VBNC) state is a survival strategy when bacteria are exposed to en- vironment stress. The VBNC state is part of the life cycle of non-differentiating bacteria, and it has a far-reaching impact on traditional bacteriology. Cells in the VBNC state fail to grow on the routine bacterio- logical media, here its significance in human health and environment science are detailed. Cells entering the VBNC state exhibit dwarfing and a number of metabolic changes in respiration rates and macromolecular synthesis. This paper summarized the variations in DNA and protein comparing to the culturable cells. We also discussed the ability of cells to resuscitate from the VBNC state and return to an actively metabolizing and culturable form. Some new methods for monitoring the VBNC state were listed. Finally the future was suggested.

Objective To understand the pathogenetic role and clinical significance of interleukin 6(IL－ 6 ),tumor necrosis factor(TNF) and soluble interleukin－ 2 receptor(sIL－ 2R) in patients with cerebral infarction(CI) .Methods The IL－ 6,TNF and sIL－ 2R levels were measured in 46 CI patients with ELISA. Results The serum IL－ 6,TNF and sIL－ 2R levels of CI group were much higher than those of controls group .The variation of IL－ 6,TNF and sIL－ 2R levels was closely related to the size of cerebral infarction. The serum IL－ 6,TNF and sIL－ 2R levels of recovery period were much lower than those of acute period in patients with CI .Conclusions The IL－ 6 ,TNF and sIL－ 2R take part in the pathologic process after CI .The measurement of IL－ 6, TNF and sIL－ 2R is useful in determining the size of cerebral infarction.