OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of Qiling Decoction (QD) combined highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) on expression levels of peripheral blood Th17 and Treg cells in HIV/AIDS patients.

METHODSTotally 55 HIV/AIDS patients were randomly assigned to the treatment group (28 cases) and the combination group (27 cases). Besides, 21 HIV negative patients were recruited as the healthy control group. Those in the treatment group received HARRT alone, while those in the combination group received HAART combined QD. The observation lasted for 24 weeks. Meanwhile, according to peripheral blood CD4+ T cell counts before treatment, HIV/AIDS patients were assigned to three subgroups. For patients in subgroup 1, 1 cells/microL < CD4+ T cell counts < or = 100 cells/microL; For patients in subgroup 2, 101 cells/microL < CD4+ T cell counts < or = 200 cells/lL; For patients in subgroup 3, 201 cells/microL < CD4+ T cell counts < or = 350 cells/microL. Expression of peripheral blood Th17 and Treg cells, and number of CD4+ T cell counts were detected using flow cytometry (FCM)in HIV/AIDS patients at the pre-treatment baseline, week 4, 12, and 24, as well as those in the healthy control group.

RESULTSCompared with the healthy control group, CD4+ T cell counts and the baseline expression level of Th17 cells in the peripheral blood of HIV/AIDS patients significantly decreased, the expression level of Treg cells significantly increased P < 0.01). Compared with before treatment in the same group, CD4+ T cell counts all increased at week 4, 12, and 24 in the two treatment groups, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). There was no statistical difference in the effective rate at various CD4+ T cell levels between the two groups (P > 0.05). There was no statistical difference in expression levels of Th17 and Treg cells between the combination group and the treatment group at any time point (all P >0.05). The Th17/Treg ration significantly increased in the combination group after 24 weeks of treatment, showing statistical difference when compared with the treatment group (U = 2.135, P = 0.038).

CONCLUSIONQD could improve the immune balance of Th17/Treg cells, which might be one of its mechanisms for improving HIV/AIDS patients' immunity.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Adult ; Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active ; CD4 Lymphocyte Count ; Case-Control Studies ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; HIV Infections ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; cytology ; Th17 Cells ; cytology

Eleven old male patients with hyperuricemia were collected ( hyperuricemia group,65-90 years old ).10 healthy middle-aged males ( middle-aged group,30-40 years old) and 10 healthy old males ( older group 60-70 years old ) with normal blood uric acid level were used as controls.All of the subjects were given low purine content diet ( 250 mg/d ) for 3 days followed by high purine content diet ( 800 mg/d ) consecutively for another three days.The samples of fasting blood and 24 h urine were collected for assay.The results showed that there were no significant changes of serum uric acid ( UA ) concentration in three groups after low purine content diet.But the levels of serum UA in three groups all increased significantly after high purine content diet,and the change was higher in hyperuricemia group than middle-aged group [ ( 507.7 ± 108.1 vs 378.9 ± 80.1 ) μmol/L,P＜0.05 ].24 h urine uric acid excretion in three groups was all significantly decreased after low purine content diet and increased after high purine content diet.After high purine content diet,24 h urine uric acid was lower in hyperuricemia group than middle-aged group [ ( 2.99 ± 1.21 vs 3.62 ± 1.02 ) mmol/24 h,P＜0.05 ].Blood urea nitrogen levels in all subjects decreased after low purine content diet and increased after high purine content diet ( P＜0.05 or P＜0.01 ).Creatinine clearance rate in hyperuricemia group was decreased after high purine content diet compared with baseline [ (75.3 ± 20.3 vs 80.7 ±20.0) ml/min ],and there were no significant changes in other groups after low and high purine content diet.24 h urine protein in hyperuricemia group was higher than middle-aged group ( P＜0.05 ),and increased after high purine content diet with significant difference ( P＜0.05 ).These results suggest that high purine content diet and decreased by renal uric acid clearance mainly contribute to hyperuricemia in old people.

Objective To assess the influences of low-protein diet on the renal function and nutritional status in patients with stage 3/4 chronic kidney diseases (CKD).Methods Totally 34 patients with stage 3/4 CKD were randomly divided into group A (protein intake:0.6 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1);n=14) and B (protein intake:0.8 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1);n=20).Anthropometric measurement and blood biochemical tests were performed,nutri-tional status was assessed,and 24-hour dietary recall survey was conducted before and after the treatment.Patients were followed up for 6 months.Results In group A,the creatinine level significantly decreased (P=0.010),while albumin level (P=0.042) and the intake of energy (P=0.018) and carbohydrate (P<0.001) signifi-cantly increased after the treatment In all the 34 patients,in group A and group B,the malnutrition rates were de-creased by 14.7%,7.2%,and 21.1% after nutritional intervention.Conclusion The low-protein diet (protein intake 0.6 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)),in which part of the staple food was replaced by wheat starch,can increase the in-takes of carbohydrate and energy and improve renal function and nutritional status in patients with stage 3/4 CKD.

Objective To study the expression of insulin receptor(INSR)in endometrial cell line Ishikawa3-H-12,and the effects of insulin on proliferation,cell cycle distribution and apoptosis of Ishikawa3-H-12 cells.Methods Immunocytochemistry and RT-PCR methods were used to investigate the expression of INSR in Ishikawa3-H-12 cells.The effects of insulin at different concentrations and different time on proliferation,apoptosis and cell cycle distribution of endometrial carcinoma cells were observed by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT)assay and fluorescence-activated cell sorting technique.Results(1) We demonstrated the expression of INSR in Ishikawa3-H-12 cell line.(2)Incubation with insulin stimulated a dose- and time-dependent proliferation response in Ishikawa3-H-12 ceils with the peak response occurring at 48 hours with 1?10~(-4)mol/L insulin incubation[proliferative rate:(340.2?15.9)%,vs control (100%),P

Objective: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) pretreatment on the protein expression of c-fos in fastigial nucleus (FN) and lateral hypothalamus area (LHA) in rats with acute myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI), and to explore the role and mechanism of FN and LHA in EA at the Heart Meridian fighting against acute MIRI reaction. Methods: Seventy Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a sham operation group, a model group, an EA-Heart Meridian group and an EA-Lung Meridian group, with 14 rats in each group; an LHA lesion plus EA-Heart Meridian group (LHA+EA-Heart Meridian group) and a FN lesion plus EA-Heart Meridian group (FN+EA-Heart Meridian group), with 7 rats in each group. Except the sham operation group, the left anterior descending branch of coronary artery was ligated to establish acute MIRI rat models in the other 5 groups. In the three groups with EA-Heart Meridian treatment, Shenmen (HT 7) and Tongli (HT 5) were selected; Taiyuan (LU 9) and Lieque (LU 7) were selected in the EA-Lung Meridian group. All the EA groups received EA stimulation prior to modeling, with 1 mA in current intensity and 2 Hz in frequency, 20 min each time, once a day for a total of 7 d. The sham operation group and the model group did not receive EA stimulation. The electrocardiogram was observed in the rats to analyze the ST-segment deviation and cardiac arrhythmia score. The expression of c-fos protein in FN and LHA was detected by immunohistochemistry method. Results: Compared with the sham operation group, the ST-segment deviation, cardiac arrhythmia score and the expression of c-fos protein in the FN and LHA increased significantly in the model group (all P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the ST-segment deviation, cardiac arrhythmia score and the expression of c-fos protein in FN and LHA decreased significantly in the EA-Heart Meridian group (all P<0.05). Compared with the EA-Heart Meridian group, the ST-segment deviation and cardiac arrhythmia score increased significantly in the EA-Lung Meridian group, LHA+EA-Heart Meridian group and FN+EA-Heart Meridian group (all P<0.05); the expression of c-fos in FN increased significantly in the EA-Lung Meridian group and LHA+EA-Heart Meridian group (both P<0.05); the expression of c-fos in LHA increased significantly in the EA-Lung Meridian group and FN+EA-Heart Meridian group (both P<0.05). Conclusion: FN and LHA are involved in the mechanism of EA at Heart Meridian to improve the acute MIRI reactions, and the cerebellum may participate in the improvement of cardiac function by EA through the cerebellum-hypothalamus projection.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the viral pathogens of acute respiratory infection (ARI) in hospitalized children from Suzhou of China.

METHODSThe nasopharyngeal aspirate samples were obtained from 1,668 hospitalized children with ARI. Common respiratory viruses, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza virus A and B, parainfluenza viruses 1, 2 and 3 and adenovirus, were detected using direct immunofluorescence. Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) gene fragments were detected by RT-PCR.

RESULTSViral agents were identified in 597 cases (35.8%). RSV was the most frequent (17.6%). RSV infection is more common in children less than 1 year old. A highest detection rate of RSV was found during winter and spring. hMPV was detected in 10.6% of the cases, with a peak detection rate between March and May. Single viral infection was found in 561 cases (33.6%) and mixed viral infection in 36 cases (including 27 cases at age of less than 1 year). RSV and hMPV co-infection was common (n=22).

CONCLUSIONSRSV is common pathogen of ARI in children from Suzhou. RSV viral activity peaks during winter and spring. The children at age of less than 1 year are susceptible to RSV. hMPV is also an important pathogen of ARI, with a peak detection rate between March and May. Mixed viral infection is common in children less than 1 year old.

Acute Disease ; Age Factors ; Child ; Child, Hospitalized ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Metapneumovirus ; isolation & purification ; Nasopharynx ; virology ; Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human ; isolation & purification ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; epidemiology ; virology ; Seasons

Objective To investigate the attitudes of urban and rural community members toward total banning on smoking in public places and to explore the factors associated with these attitudes, in three counties/cities in China. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in three counties/cities in 2004, including Xin' an county of Henan province, Anyi county of Jiangxi province, and Mianzhu city of Sichuan province. A total of 5642 residents at age of 18-69 years old were interviewed face-to-face with a uniform questionnaire by locally-trained interviewers, through a random three-stage stratified sampling in each county. Factors were assumed to be associated with attitudes, using chi-square test in univariate analysis and non-conditional logistic regression model in multivariate analysis. Results The prevalence of current smoking among respondents was 44.3%. 80.7% (1379/1709) of the current smokers reported smoking often or sometimes in public places. Only 9.6% (479/4983) of the respondents reported that their indoor workplaces had totally banned on smoking. 43.5% of the respondents supported a total smoking ban strategy in pubic venues. The results of multivariate logistic regression model showed that eight factors were significantly associated with support for the total smoking ban in public places included region, residency, age, gender, education, smoking status, awareness about passive smoking hazards, and hearing of any message on tobacco control through media differences of rates regarding the factors as: residents in urban to rural areas (OR=1.29), elderly to youngsters (30-49 vs. 18-29, OR=1.46; 50-69 vs. 18-29, OR=1.71), female to male(OR=1.27), high-educated to less-educated ones, quitters to current smokers (OR=1.90), nonsmokers to current smokers (OR=2.01). Those who know messages on health hazards of passive smoking (OR=2.26), or heard of message on tobacco control through media (OR= 1.43). Conclusion Results from our study revealed that a thorough smoke-flee policy in public places should be developed and implemented in these three counties/cities.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical and laboratory features of pediatric inv(16) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) retrospectively.

METHODDual color fluorescence in situ hybridization (D-FISH) using a LSI CBFβ inv(16) break apart probe labeled by Spectrum red and Spectrum green was performed in 15 acute myeloid leukemia cases, including 13 cases with or without abnormal eosinophils but with positive core binding factor β (CBFβ)-MYH11 fusion transcript detected by RT-PCR, and 2 cases with trisomy 8 (+8). The results were compared with the morphology, immunophenotype, karyotype and RT-PCR.

RESULTMorphologically, 12 cases were diagnosed as M(4)EO, 2 as M(4), and 1 as M(2a). Immunophenotypically, all 13 AML cases with inv(16) showed positive expression of CD(13) and CD(33), but without the expression of any lymphoid lineage antigens. Karyotyping analysis with G-banding detected inv(16) in 10 AML cases, including 9 M(4)EO cases and 1 M(2a), but only 5 positive cases were detected using R-banding technique. Among them, 2 cases had simultaneous +8 and trisomy22 (+22), one had +22 only in addition to inv(16). D-FISH revealed a CBFβ-MYH11 rearrangement in 13 cases of AML with positive RT-PCR results, and the mean positive rate of cell detection was 55.15% (range 37.0% - 86.0%). The complete remission rate (CR) and median survival period in this series of inv(16) AML were 81.5%and 11 months, respectively, of whom, 8 cases were still in CR. Relapse and karyotypic evolution were seen in case 5 with +8, +22 in addition to inv(16).

CONCLUSIONAML with inv(16) is a special subtype. Most cases belong to M(4)EO. Its prognosis is good in general, but it seems to be an unfavorable feature for AML with inv(16) and +8, +22 simultaneously, especially with karyotypic evolution. For detection of inv(16), G-banding technique is evidently superior to R-banding technique. D-FISH combined with RT-PCR are more sensitive and reliable than chromosome banding analysis.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Chromosome Deletion ; Chromosome Inversion ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 16 ; genetics ; Eosinophilia ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; methods ; Infant ; Karyotyping ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Male ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

This study was aimed to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin (r-ATG) combined with cyclosporine A (CsA) and to analyse the efficacy-related factors in children with aplastic anemia (AA). Twenty five AA children treated with r-ATG [3.5 mg/(kg·d)×5 days] combined with CsA were analyzed retrospectively. The lymphocyte subgroups, CD4(+)/CD8 ratio and expression of CD55, CD59 on surface of neutrophils and erythrocytes in peripheral blood were detected by direct immunofluorescence method and flow cytometry; the responsive time, effective rate, adverse effects and infections after immunosuppressive therapy (IST) were analyzed; the distribution of T-lymphocyte subgroups in IST-effective and IST-uneffective groups was compared, and therapeutic efficacy-related factors were evaluated. The results showed that the response to treatments was found in 21 out of 25 cases, the total responsive rate was 84.0%; the response time was 3 - 6 months, average of 4 months; the effective rates in month 3, 6, 9, 12 after treatment were 56.0%, 72.0%, 80.0% and 84.0% respectively. The AA children with age ≥ 5 years old, course of disease < 6 months and absolute neutrophil value ≥ 1.5 ×10(9)/L on 30 days after IST had good curative effect; the effective rate in AA children with age ≥ 5 years old, course of disease < 6 months, high or reverse ratio of CD4(+)/CD8(+) and absolute neutrophil value ≥ 1.5×10(9)/L after IST was higher than that in AA children with age < 5 years old, course of disease ≥ 6 months, normal ratio of CD4(+)/CD8(+) and absolute neutrophil value after IST < 1.5×10(9)/L (94.4% vs 57.1%, 90.4% vs 50.0%, 94.1% vs 62.5%, 94.1% vs 62.5%) (P < 0.05). The high effective rate was observed in AA children with decrease of CD55 and CD59 expression, but there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) as compared with normal expression of CD55, CD59. It is concluded that the treatment using r-ATG (3.5 mg/kg·d × 5 d) combined with CsA is a safe and effective for children with AA. Age, course of disease and absolute neutrophil value on 30 days after IST are the main factors affecting curative affect.
Adolescent ; Anemia, Aplastic ; drug therapy ; Antilymphocyte Serum ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cyclosporine ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphocyte Count ; Lymphocyte Subsets ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo explore the potential role of miR-195 on invasiveness and prognosis of breast cancer.

METHODSThe RNA in formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) of 88 breast cancer patients with primary tumors was extracted, and miR-195 levels were quantified by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR). The relationship of miR-195 levels and clinicopathological variables were assessed by Mann Whitney-U test. Recurrence-free survival and overall survival curves were derived from Kaplan-Meier estimates and the curves were compared by Log-rank tests. Cox regression analysis was used for multivariate analysis. All statistical tests were two-sided.

RESULTSThe levels of miR-195 in the breast cancer with histological high grade, tumor size of T3-4, lymph nodal involvement or vessel invasion were significantly down-regulated, compared with those of patients with histological low grade (Z = -2.271, P = 0.023), tumor size of T1-2 (Z = -2.687, P = 0.007), no lymph node metastasis (Z = -1.967, P = 0.049) and vessel invasion (Z = -2.432, P = 0.015). In addition, no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05) was identified between miR-195 levels and hormone receptors status, HER-2 expression, TNM stage, tumor types, recurrence and menstrual status. When considering 2(-ΔCt) = 0.270 (median level) as cut-off value, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated that patients with high miR-195 level showed a positive association towards a longer survival, either recurrence-free survival (χ(2) = 5.985, P = 0.014) or overall survival (χ(2) = 30.05, P = 0.000). In a multivariate analysis, miR-195 expression on FFPE correlated significantly with outcomes of breast cancer (HR = 0.040, 95%CI: 0.009 - 0.179, P = 0.000) and was independent of other prognostic factors.

CONCLUSIONSIt suggests that miR-195 expression on FFPE is inversely correlated with histological high grade, bigger tumor size, lymph node involvement, vessel invasion. Furthermore, as independent prognostic factor, low miR-195 significantly contributes to poor outcomes of breast cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Breast Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prognosis ; RNA, Neoplasm ; genetics