Objective To identify G?quadruplex structures in the promoter region of MET. Methods CD spectroscopy,UV spectroscopy,non?denatured electrophoresis and PCR stop assay were applied to indicate the G?quadruplex structure and its function. Results The Pu23WT se?quence in the promoter of MET adopted an intramolecular parallel G?quadruplex structure under physiological conditions in vitro,which can stop the extension of Pmet. Conclusion G?quadruplex structure in the promoter might inhibit MET gene expression in vivo.

Objective To study the mechanism of anti-inflammatory effects of licorice flavonoids(LF) isolated from the roots of Glycyrrhiza uralensis(licorice) on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced lung inflammation in mice.Methods Mice were intratracheally instillated with either LPS(4 mg/kg) or saline.At 6 or 24 h after LPS intratracheal instillation,pathological examination and bronchoalveolar lavage were performed and the lung wet/dry weight ratio as an index of acute lung injury was assessed.Then,the numbers of total leukocytes,neutrophils and the activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD) and TNF-? protein in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF) were measured.LPS-induced myeloporoxidase(MPO) activity and expressions of TNF-? and IL-1? at the mRNA levels and TNF-? at the protein level in lung tissues were determined by RT-PCR and ELISA.Results LPS caused a severe lung inflammation,as indicated by the pathological findings and the lung wet/dry weight ratio.However,oral LF could attenuate these LPS-induced abnormalities.LF could decrease the numbers of total leukocyte cells and neutrophils,and increase the levels of SOD and TNF? BALF.In addition,LF significantly suppressed the MPO activity,TNF-? and IL-1? mRNA expression levels,and TNF-? protein level in the lung tissues.Conclusion Inhibition of inflammatory cytokines expressions and regulation of oxidation/antioxidation of LF may be its anti-inflammatory mechanism in LPS-induced lung inflammation in mice.

Objective To explore the clinical and MDCT features of pediatric irreducible intussusception. Methods 66 patients were divided into irreducible intussusception group (19 cases) and reducible intussusception group (47 cases). Age clinical courses, length of intussusception body (L), neck max diameter (D1), head max diameter (D2) andthe ratio (D2/D1) and MDCT imaging data were compared and analyzed. Results (1) The course time, L and D2/D1 values of irreducible intussusception group were significantly higher than those of reducible group, the D1 was lower than that ofreducible group, and the difference is statistically significant (P<0.05). Clinical course,L and D2/D1 value AUC values were more than 0.7, the threshold values were 33.0 h, 7.5 cm and 1.33. (2) The occurrence rate of non-ileum-colon intussusception, Meckel's diverticulum, appendicitis and intestinal necrotic for irreducible intussusception were 36.8%, 21.1%, 21.1%, 15.8%and 10.5%respectively. Conclusion Whenthe time of course>33.0 mo, D2/D1>1.33 and L>7.5 cm, the irreducible intussusceptioncould be considered, and Meckel??s diverticulum, intestinal necrosis, appendicitis and intestinal obstruction should be judged further.

Adult ; Aspergillosis ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Diagnostic Errors ; Humans ; Lung Diseases, Fungal ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Male ; Silicosis ; diagnosis ; microbiology ; Silicotuberculosis ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary ; diagnosis ; etiology

BACKGROUND: Magnetic therapy has a long history and is used in the treatment of various diseases. To study the protective function of constant magnetic field for ischemic cerebrovascular diseases may provide new clinical foundation for non-medicinal and non-traumatic treatment and develop a novel way for treatment with physical factor.OBJECTIVE: To observe the influence of constant magnetic field treatment on hemodynamics at macroscopic level, RBC membrane fluidity at subcellular level and antioxidase activity at molecular level, as well as NO and NO synthetase activity in rats with ischemic-reperfusion (IR) injury.DESIGN: A completely randomized design.SETTING: Biophysical Teaching and Research Department of Harbin Medical University.MATERIALS: This experiment was carried out at Biophysical Laboratory,Harbin Medical University, between May and November 2002. Forty healthy Wistar rats were adaptively raised for 1 week before randomized into 3 groups, namely, sham-operation group (n=10), model group (n=15)and magnetic therapy group (n=15).METHODS: ① IR model of middle cerebral artery (MCA) was established in rats in model group and magnetic therapy group, but MCA was only tied up without occlusion in sham-operation group. ② In magnetic therapy group, rat necks were exposed to 40 mT constant magnetic field instantly after ischemic injury for 30 minutes, once a day, while rats in sham-operation group and model group were not exposed to magnetic field.Three groups of rats were anaesthetized at postoperative 7 days for obtaining blood from eyeball, and cut off head for obtaining brain.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① Hemodynamic changes in three groups of rats. ② Changes of RBC membrane fluidity-related parameters.③ Changes of serum glutathione peroxidase and ceruloplasmin content.④ Changes of brain malonedialdehyde (MDA), NO, and NO synthetase activity indexes.RESULTS: Thirty rats were included and all entered the result analysis.① Hemodynamic parameters: Blood high-shearing, blood low-shearing viscosity, fibrinogen and HCT were remarkably higher in model group than in sham- operation group (P ＜ 0.01), but obviously lower in magnetic therapy group than in model group (P ＜ 0.01). ② RBC membrane fluidity: The fluorescence polarization, average microviscosity and aeolotropy were remarkably higher in model group than in sham-operation group (P ＜ 0.01), and the above indexes were lower in magnetic therapy group than in model group (P ＜ 0.05). ③ Serum glutathione peroxidase and ceruloplasmin contents in model group were remarkably lower than those in sham-operation group (P ＜ 0.05), but were higher in magnetic therapy group than in model group (P ＜ 0.01), and slightly higher than sham-operation group. ④ The brain Cu/Zn-SOD, MDA, NO, NO synthetase activities in model group were remarkably higher than in sham-operation group (P ＜ 0.05 or 0.01),but antioxidase activity was remarkably lower than that in sham-operation group (P ＜ 0.01); all parameters were proved to get better in magnetic therapy group after magnetic field treatment, and better than those in model group (P ＜ 0.05, 0.01).CONCLUSION: Constant magnetic field exposure can remarkably improve rat hemodynamic property, increase RBC membrane fluidity and antioxidase activity, and reduce the content of MDA, NO, NO synthetase,thereby improving organic anti-oxidation capability and effectively preventing free radicals and NO-induced neural damage. It possesses certain function of protecting brain IR injury through holding up the pathophysiological development of brain ischemia injury.

BACKGROUND:Host immune rejection is the main problem for nerve alograft in the repair of nerve defects. Therefore, how to avoid and minimize the immune rejection is the key to the success of nerve alografting. OBJECTIVE: To develop a new nerve pretreatment method by which Schwann cels and myelin can be removed from the peripheral nerve of dogs while the basilar membrane can be reserved integraly in order to obtain acelular nerve alografts. METHODS:Bilateral sciatic nerves from healthy adult dogs were taken and pretreated with the combined freeze-thaw and chemical methods folowed by microscopic observation of ultrastructural features, histological staining and western blot analysis of its ingredients. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Pretreated acelular nerves with good ductility and excelent epineurium toughness were empty basal lamina tubes with no Schwann cels, myelin and fragments that were al removed thoroughly, but the basilar membrane was fuly retained. These findings indicate that the optimized combination of freeze-thaw and chemical methods can efficiently clear Schwann cels and myelin which are the major antigenic components in the peripheral nerve, while preserve the basilar membrane to promote nerve regeneration. Therefore, this method can be an ideal method for preparation of tissue engineered nerves.

Objective To investigate the differential gene expression in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with typical syndromes of traditional Chinese medicine ( TCM) syndromes, and to explore the relationship between TCM syndromes and gene expression. Methods Peripheral blood samples were collected from CHB patients and healthy volunteers before treatment. After total RNA of leukocytes was isolated, the gene expression profiles were detected by microarray. The expression levels of partial genes were tested by real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) . Results Microarray analysis results showed that there were significant differences of gene expression between CHB patients and healthy volunteers, and among CHB patients with the syndrome of liver-qi stagnation and spleen deficiency, syndrome of damp-heat accumulation, and syndrome of liver-kidney yin deficiency. The results of gene ontology ( GO) and signal pathway analysis between the healthy control and CHB patients with various syndromes showed that the specially-regulated genes of CHB patients with liver-qi stagnation and spleen deficiency were mainly related to cytokinetic process, those in patients with dampness-heat accumulation were mainly related to the positive regulation of lipid storage, and those of patients with liver-kidney yin deficiency were mainly related to the activities of nitric oxide synthase regulator. The real time RT-PCR for partial genes presented the similar results with those of gene microarray. Conclusion There are specific expression profiles of differential genes and significant differential genes in CHB patients with the syndrome of liver-qi stagnation and spleen deficiency, syndrome of damp-heat accumulation, and syndrome of liver-kidney yin deficiency, which may be the molecular foundation for the classification of TCM syndromes of CHB patients.

Purpose:To study HER-2/neu gene amplification and expression in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and their clinical significance.Methods:HER-2/neu gene amplification and expression in NPC tissues were detected with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH,Vysis PathVysion TM kit) and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immounhistochemistry (IHC,DAKO Herceptin Test TM kit).Results:No HER-2/neu gene amplification but gene overexpression was detected in NPC. HER-2/neu overexpression was caused by mRNA overexpression.Conclusions:HER-2/neu gene has not been amplified,but overexpressed,thus HER-2/neu gene overexpression did not show prognostic significance in NPC.

AIM: To investigate influence of biomimetic nanoapatite coatings of titanium surface on behavior of osteoblasts-like and provide evidence for surface modification and biological effects of titanium implant.METHODS: Biomimetic nanoapatite coatings were developed by functionally modified methods with a combination of topographic,chemical and biomimetic treatments on the surface of titanium(Ti) substrate.The biological behavior and bioactivity of functionally modified SLA implants with chemical and biomimetic treatments(SCB-treated Ti) were investigated to compare with untreated Ti and SLA Ti plates as controls.The cell attachment,proliferation,alkaline phosphotase(ALP) activity,cell morphology and differentiation were evaluated by using MTT,RT-PCR,scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and confocal laser-scanning microscope(CLSM) analysis system.RESULTS: The cell adhesion and proliferation were enhanced on functionalized titanium surface with nano-scale apatite compared to the controls.SEM micrographs also revealed that the osteoblast-like cells spreadly grew along the surface.Cell morphology and differentiation were further observed distinctly by CLSM graphs.Moreover,mRNA expression of alkaline phosphotase on the SCBtreated Ti increased obviously on the twelfth day compared with the controls.CONCLUSION: The in vitro results demonstrate the remarkable improvement on cell adhesion and proliferation of the biomimetic nanoapatite on SCB-treated Ti,which could improve early bone-implant interface bonding ability and be used for orthopaedic/dental implants.

Objective To investigate the value of MRI for the preoperative diagnosis of breast cancer.Method 45 patients with breast mass were evaluated by MRI preoperatively, 17 cases were further inspected by dynamic MRI, and the time intensity curves were analyzed.Results Postoperative pathology revealed carcinoma in 24 cases, and benign lesions in 21. The correct preoperative diagnosis rate of MRI for breast cancer was 96%(23/24), and its false-positive rate was 2%(1/45).Conclusions MR imaging of breast has practical value in preoperative diagnosis for breast cancer.