Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is an autoimmune disease with unknown causes. Most PBC patients have abnormal lipid metabolism characterized by hypercholesterolemia. Paradoxically, clinical observations and pre-experimental studies showed that the risk of hyperlipidemia associated cardiovascular event and the mortality of PBC patients were not increased. In this review we summarize the possible reasons and the underlying mechanisms.

Objective:To explore the role of sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectin-one (Siglec-1) in oxidized lowdensity lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-induced atherosclerotic inflammation. Methods: Ox-LDL was prepared by oxidization of native LDL ;different concentrations of ox-LDL were used to treat U937 cells for 48 h. Cells and supernatants were collected. The expression of Siglec-1 protein and mRNA was examined by flow cytometry (FCM) and real-time quantitative RT-PCR, respectively. The levels of MIP-1α, MCP-I and IL-8 in the supernatants were determined by ELISA. Results: Stimulation with ox-LDL significantly increased Siglec-1 protein and mRNA in U937 cells compared with the control group ( P < 0. 01). Meanwhile, the levels of MIP-Iα, MCP-I and IL-8 in the supernatants were also significantly increased in a concentration-dependent manner compared with those in the control group(P<0. 01). Conclusion: The proatherogenic effect of ox-LDL may be partly through up-regulating Siglec-1 expression in macrophages and enhancing the expression of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. The activated macrophages recruit more macrophages and lymphocytes to the site of atherosclerotic plaques and exacerbate the inflammatory responses.

Objective: To establish a real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method for examining the expression of sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectin-one (Siglec-1)gene in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD),so as to explore the relationship between Siglec-1 mRNA expression and the development/progression of CHD. Methods: Based on the fluorescent SYBR Green method, a real-time quantitative RT-PCR was set up. The expression of Siglec-1 gene in the PBMCs of 57 patients with CHD and 38 healthy controls were measured by ABI PRISM 7000 Sequence Detection Systems. The blood lipid levels were determined in all the subjects by routine biochemical examination. Results: The mean Siglec-1 mRNA copy was significantly higher in the CHD group than that in the healthy control group (mean 3.23 folds, ranging 1.28-8.11 folds, P < 0.01). The expression in the acute myocardial infarction group,stable angina and unstable angina group were 3.32(1.38-7.97),2.56(0.88-7.42),and 3.35(1.25-8.96) folds that of the control group,respectively. No significant difference was observed in the normalized Siglec-1 mRNA copy number between CHD group with normal level of serum lipids and abnormal level of serum lipids. Conclusion: A real-time quantitative RT-PCR method for detecting the expression of Siglec-1 gene in PBMCs has been successfully established. The expression of Siglec-1 is dramatically increased in PBMCs in CHD patients.

Objective To evaluate the effect of schistosomiasis control in Yunnan Province since achieving the transmission control standards,so as to provide the evidence for formulating the next prevention and control strategy. Methods The schistoso-miasis epidemic monitoring reports,annual reports,relevant information about Oncomelania hupensis snails,and schistosomiasis patient conditions were collected and analyzed for epidemic condition and characteristics of schistosomiasis in Yunnan Province from 2009 to 2012. Results The various epidemic monitoring indicators all decreased. In 2012,compared with 2009,the preva-lence reduced by 33.33%after correction;the number of villages with schistosomiasis patients reduced by 55.56%;the adjusted positive rate of livestock stool tests reduced by 45.45%;the number of villages with infected cow reduced by 42.25%;the actual area with snails reduced by 13.58%;the density of living snails reduced by 25.66%,and no schistosome infected snails were found in 2012. Conclusion There still exist schistosome infections in human and animals in some local areas of Yunnan Prov-ince,and it is difficult to achieve the standard of schistosomiasis transmission interrupted in a short period.

AIM: To investigate the effects of sodium ferulate on cholesterol and triglyceride metabolism in atherosclerosis with hyperlipidemia.METHODS: The rabbit model of atherosclerosis was produced by feeding high lipid forages.RAW264.7 foam cell and HepG2 injured cell models were established by incubation with oxidized low density lipoprotein(ox-LDL).The atherosclerotic plaque area was measured,and serum lipids were detected.The cellular lipid accumulation was examined by oil red O staining.The cellular contents of total cholesterol and cholesterol ester were quantified by high performance liquid chromatography.The hepatic lipase(HL) mRNA expression was determined by RT-PCR.RESULTS:(1) Compared with hyperlipid group,the aorta atherosclerosis plaque area and the serum triglyceride level were significantly decreased in sodium ferulate-treated rabbits,but the serum cholesterol level showed little change.(2) Compared with ox-LDL group,the HL mRNA expression in HepG2 cells was enhanced significantly in sodium ferulate-treated group,but the cellular contents of total cholesterol and cholesterol ester in RAW264.7 foam cells showed little change.CONCLUSION: Sodium ferulate inhibits the formation of atherosclerotic plaque in high-cholesterol-fed rabbits aorta.This antiatherosclerotic function may reduce serum triglyceride level through enhancing the expression of HL mRNA without influencing serum cholesterol level and foam cell formation.

Objective To study the impact of hepatic steatosis on the safety and prognosis of patients who received partial hepatectomy for liver cancer.Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 338 patients who received hepatic resection for liver carcinoma.Results There were 273,44 and 21 patients who had a normal liver,mild steatosis and moderate-to-severe steatosis respectively.There was a significantly higher body mass index in the steatosis group (P ＜ 0.05).The operative time,blood loss,transfusion rate,postoperative hospital stay and ICU stay increased in patients with moderate-severe fatty liver (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Mild steatosis had little impact on partial hepatectomy.Moderate-to-severe hepatic steatosis was associated with increased blood loss and perioperative morbidity.

Objective To observe the therapeutic effect of glycosaminoglycans(GAGs)on diabetes mellitus with early nephropathy in order to find a new therapeutic approach to diabetic nephropathy. Methods 60 cases of type 2 diabetic nephropathy(albuminuria:30 to 300mg/24h,male/female:38/22,ages:43-70 years old, course of disease:1-30 years)without hypertension were selected. Some indexes were analyzed before and after administration of regular therapy in routine group or glycosaminoglycans group. The elderly group and non elderly group of diabetes nephropathy were compared. When the metabolism is stable, the levels of endothelin (ET), Netricoxide (NO)and urinary albumin excretion rate(UAER)were measured. Results After three months treatment, the levels of UAER were decreased significantly in both GAGs group and routine group(P＜0.01).After three months, UAER was decreased step by step, and there was no difference between the two groups. The levels of UAER had no change in regular group and there was significant difference between this group and the other two groups. In GAGs group, the levels of whole blood viscosity of medium shear rate 1,whole blood viscosity of medium sheer rate 2,whole blood viscosity of low shear rate were declined and serum NO increased significantly; that of plasma viscosity, whole blood reduced viscosity, ET were all decreased to some degree. Conclusion GAGs has the therapeutic effect on type 2 diabetic nephropathy patients with microalbuminuria because of decreasing UAER and reversing the development of DN. The benefit was positively correlated with the time of taking glycosaminoglycans.

OBJECTIVETo establish a diagnostic model of protein fingerprint pattern in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with brain metastases.

METHODSThe CSF samples were obtained from 29 NSCLC patients with brain metastasis, 23 non-tumor patients and 10 early-stage NSCLC patients without brain metastases for analysis of the protein expression profiles using surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF-MS). The data were then analyzed by Biomarker Wizard software, and the tree analysis patterns were generated using the decision-tree model in Biomarker Patterns software. The diagnostic model was tested for its clinical application.

RESULTSFive protein peaks were identified showing differential expression between patients with brain metastases and those without brain metastases. Combination of the 3 protein peaks (m/z: 8698.00, 1215.32 and 1245.70) could discriminate these two samples with a sensitivity of 100.00% (29/29) and a specificity of 100.00% (23/23). Five proteins were differentially expressed between the NSCLC patients with brain metastases and the non-tumor patients. With one protein peak (m/z: 6050.00), these two samples could be discriminated with a sensitivity of 90.00% (9/10) and a specificity of 78.26% (18/23).

CONCLUSIONThe established diagnostic model of CSF protein fingerprint pattern provides high sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of NSCLC with brain metastasis.

Adult ; Aged ; Brain Neoplasms ; cerebrospinal fluid ; diagnosis ; secondary ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; cerebrospinal fluid ; diagnosis ; pathology ; secondary ; Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteins ; genetics ; Decision Trees ; Early Detection of Cancer ; Female ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; cerebrospinal fluid ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peptide Mapping ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization

OBJECTIVETo explore clinical effects of manipulative reduction with minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis in treating distal tibiofibular fractures.

METHODSFrom 2009 to 2011, 60 patients with distal tibiofibular fractures were treated by manipulative reduction with minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis. Among them, there were 32 males and 28 females aged from 14 to 70 years old with an average of 41.22 +/- 2.06. According to AO classification of fractures,5 cases were type A1, 22 cases were type A2,21 cases were type A3 and 12 cases were type C1. Operation time, blood loss,time of callus and fracture healing were observed, Mazur scoring of ankle joint were used to evaluate therapeutic.

RESULTSFifty-eight incisions were healed at stage I ,and 2 cases were infected at distal tibial. Operation time was with an average of (62.34 +/- 5.66) min ranged 45 to 90 min;blood loss was 30 to 150 ml with an average of (80.57 +/- 5.59) ml;formation of callus appeared from 4 to 12 weeks,with an average of (8.24 +/- 2.06) weeks, and fracture healing time was from 3 to 6 months, with an average of (4.50 +/- 1.13) months. According to Mazur scoring of ankle joint 40 cases got excellent results, 18 good, and 2 fair.

CONCLUSIONManipulative reduction with minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis can obtain reliable fixation. It is a good choice of treating distal tibiofibular fractures by protecting blood supply of fractures.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Bone Plates ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; instrumentation ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; Tibial Fractures ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Experiments were done on urethane anesthetized adult rabbits. Long-train electrical stimulation was delivered to the Bötzinger complex (Böt.C) to observe the changes in the peak amplitude of integrated phrenic nerve activity. Then, a long-train electrical stimulation was delivered to the locus coeruleus (LC) or monosodium glutamate was microinjected into the LC . Within a certain period of time, another long-train electrical stimulation was delivered to the Böt.C to observe the responses of phrenic nerve activity. We investigated whether the LC could modulate the inspiratory inhibition induced by electrical stimulation of the Böt.C. The results are as follows: (1) Within a certain period of time after a long-train electrical stimulation applied at the LC, the inspiratory inhibition produced by electrical stimulation at the Böt.C was significantly attenuated. Comparing with the control stimulation that was only delivered at Böt.C without pre-stimulation of the LC, the inspiratory inhibition was decreased by (28.78+/-19.49)%. (2) Similarly, after chemical stimulation of the LC with microinjection of monosodium glutamate, the inspiratory inhibition produced by electrical stimulation of Böt.C was also significantly attenuated [decreased by (19.18+/-8.06)%]. The results obtained suggest that the LC plays a role in the modulation of the inspiratory inhibition of Böt.C stimulation.
Animals ; Electric Stimulation ; Electrophysiology ; Female ; Locus Coeruleus ; physiology ; Male ; Medulla Oblongata ; physiology ; Microelectrodes ; Microinjections ; Neurons ; physiology ; Phrenic Nerve ; physiology ; Rabbits ; Respiration ; Sodium Glutamate ; pharmacology ; Urethane ; pharmacology