Objective To determine the protein and mRNA levels ofinterleukin-17 (IL-17) and the proportion of Th17 cells in the peripheral blood of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and their clinical significance is analyzed. Methods Twenty-five hospitalized SLE patients were recruited and twentytwo healthy volunteers were enrolled as normal controls. Plasma protein and mRNA of IL-17 in the peripheral blood were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and real time-PCR respectively. Flow cytometric assay was used to analyze the percentage of Th17 cells in SLE patients. The relationship between IL-17/Th17 cells and clinical or laboratory parameters of SLE patients was explored. Students' t-test and Spearman's correlation was used to evaluate the relationship between mRNA level and inflammatory parameters. Results The plasma concentration and mRNA level of IL-17 was significantly elevated in SLE patients as compared to the normal controls (P＜0.05). The percentage of Th17 cells in patients with SLE was higher than that of normal controls and was significantly increased in more active SLE patients and SLE with nephritis than less active SLE and SLE without nephritis (P＜0.05). Both plasma levels of IL-17 and the proportion of Th17 cells were positively correlated with SLEDAI (r=0.681, P＜0.01; r=0.426, P=0.034). Conclusion Plasma IL-17 protein and mRNA expression level and the percentage of Th17 cells in SLE patients are all significantly elevated and the close relationship between IL-17/Th17 cells and disease activity suggests that IL-17/Th17 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of SLE.

BACKGROUND:Ricin possesses strong cytotoxicity but lacks of specificity.Severe adverse reactions can be caused if ricin is systemically administered.Interstitial chemotherapy with ricin coated by a sustained-release carrier can enhance local therapeutic effects of tumor,avoiding systemic-toxic occurrence.OBJECTIVE:To prepare injectable and biodegradable thermosensitive poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide)(PLGA)-polyethylene glycol(PEG)-PLGA copolymer-based hydrogels and to observe the in vitro drug delivery of the PLGA-PEO-PLGA copolymer hydrogel as a sustained-release carrier of ricin.DESIGN,TIME AND SETTING:A controlled observation was performed at the Center for Medical Bioengineering.Fujian Medical University between August and December 2007.MATERlALS:Ricin with a purity of 95%was purified by Fuiian Institute of Ultrasonic Medicine.DL-lactide and L-glycolide were provided by Glycolide Lactide Co.,Ltd..China.METHODS:PLGA-PEG-PLGA-copolymer was synthesized by ring-opening polymerization.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Phase transition temperature was determined by test tube turnover.relativemolecular mass by high-performance gel permeation chromatography,the proportion of block copolymer by nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry.the in vitro drug delivery of ricin coated by PLGA-PEG-PLGA copolymcr hydrogelby enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.the structural integrity of released ricin by high-performance liquid chromatography,the cytotoxicity of released ricin by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay.RESULTS:The synthesized copolymer PLGA-PEG-PLGA exhibited reverse.thermosensitivity.The phase transition temperature of the copolymer was 26℃at 230 g/L.The weight-average molecular weight and number-average molecular weight of this copolymer was 8 027 and 6 643,respectively,and the multiple-dispersion toefficient was 1.17.The block ratio for PEG and PLGA was 3:2.Drug-loaded PLGA-PEG-PLGA hydrogel could release ricin in vitro for a total of 18 successive days and simultaneously well maintain cytotoxicity and the structural stability of ricin.CONCLUSION:PLGA-PEG-PLGA copolymer is an ideal carrier for sustained delivery of ricin

OBJECTIVEThis study aims to investigate the caries status of the first permanent molar and primary tooth among 7- to 9-year-old children in Tangshan city and the correlation between caries of primary tooth and the first permanent molar.

METHODSA stratified cluster sampling method was used on the basis of the Basic Approach of Oral Health Survey of WHO and the Guideline of the Third National Oral Health Survey. A total of 10 primary schools were randomly sampled in clusters that included 51 primary school sampling spots in Tangshan. The caries status of 1 794 children aged 7 years to 9 years was examined.

RESULTSThe prevalence rate of the first permanent molar caries was 47.49% (852/1 794), the mean number of DMFT was 1.30 ± 1.59, the mean number of DMFS was 1.96 ± 3.40, and the filling rate was only 2.35% (20/852). The preva- lence rate and mean DMFT of the first permanent molar caries showed significant difference between different ages and genders (P < 0.05). However, the mean DMFS of the first permanent molar caries only showed significant difference between the various ages (P < 0.05). The prevalence rate of the primary tooth caries was 83.11% (1 491/1 794), the mean number of dmft was 4.82 ± 3.55, the mean number of dmfs was 6.51 ± 5.61, and the filling rate was 12.41% (185/1 491). Caries of primary tooth was the first permanent molar caries risk factor [r = 0.277, OR = 5.736, P = 0.00, 95% CI (4.175, 7.881)]. Significant correlation was found between the caries of primary tooth and first permanent molar (r = 0.274, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONCaries status of the first permanent molar among 7- to 9-year-old children in Tangshan city is serious. Caries status of primary tooth may play an important role in predicting the first permanent molar caries in clinic and prevention.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; Contrast Media ; adverse effects ; Coronary Angiography ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Iohexol ; adverse effects ; Kidney ; drug effects ; physiology ; Male ; beta 2-Microglobulin ; urine

Adult ; Antineoplastic Agents ; adverse effects ; Comet Assay ; DNA Damage ; Female ; Humans ; Nurses ; Occupational Exposure ; Young Adult

Chronic Disease ; Graft Rejection ; therapy ; Humans ; Integrative Medicine ; Kidney Diseases ; etiology ; therapy ; Kidney Transplantation ; adverse effects

Objective:To investigate the association between the apolipoprotein A5(APOA5) -1131T/C polymorphism and premature coronary heart disease in northern Chinese Han population. Methods: Using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), we analyzed the genotype and allele distribution in 140 patients with premature coronary heart disease diagnosed by coronary angiography and 156 healthy controls. The levels of serum lipid profiles were also studied by biochemical methods. Results: The allele frequency of APOA5-1131T/C polymorphism in the premature coronary heart disease group was significantly higher (43.2% vs. 33.0%, P=0.011) than that in the control group. Compared with TT homozygotes, CC homozygotes exhibited a 2.809-fold (95% CI 1.331-5.927) increased risk of developing premature coronary heart disease. Logistic regression analysis found that this correlation was independent of sex, age, body mass index (BMI), smoking history as well as serum total cholesterol(TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels; In premature coronary heart disease group, the triglyceride(TG) level in CC homozygotes was significantly higher than those in TC heterozygotes or TT homozygotes. Conclusion: The APOA5-1131T/C polymorphism has influence on serum TG level, and the APOA5-1131C allele is associated with the development of premature coronary heart disease in northern Chinese Han population.

ObjectiveTo assess the clinical value of ultrasound-guided percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) combined with portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT).MethodsNinety HCC patients with different type PVTT underwent ultrasound-guided PEI once or twice a week.The follow-up lasted 12 to 60 months,and the 1-,2-,3-,4- and 5-year survival rates were calculated.ResultsThe median survival time of HCC combined with PVTT patients treated with PEI was 12 months,and the 1-,2-,3-,4- and 5-year survival rates was 52.22％,23.33％,15.56％,12.22％ and 10.00％,respectively.The survival rate correlated significantly to the type of PVTT.The lower the type of PVTT was,the longer the patients lived.ConclusionUltrasound-guided PEI is a safe and effective method for the treatment of HCC combined with PVTT,and can prolong the survival time of HCC patients with low type PVTT.

In order to improve the traditional teaching of microbiology experiments a new microbiology experiment curriculum system is to be established with the cultivating creative ability as central contents by adjusting teaching contents, reforming teaching system, enriching teaching methods, strengthening construc- tion of teacher. This will help them to improve their ability of thinking independently and creatively as well as their practicing ability.

Objective To study the chemical constituents in the roots of Phlomis medicinalis.Methods The compound was isolated and repeatedly purified by macroporous resin,silica gel column chromatography,TLC,and Prep-HPLC.Its stracture was elucidated by physical and chemical properties and NMR spectra.Results One iridoid glucoside was obtained and elucidated as 8,10-dehydropulchelloside.Conclusion The compound is a new one.