Ninty-nine initial but untreated patients with hyperthyroidism were divided at random into three groups :propranolol, methimazole, and combined groups. Determination of serum T4, T3, rT3 and TSH levels together with STI and ICG were performed before and during treatment among these groups. The results showed that in the combined group, the fall of mean T3 levels to normal was the earliest and fastest, there was a better normalization of cardiac parameters, and the clinical manifestations could be brought under control rapidly. The combined therapy of propranolol with methimazole was especially advantageous to cases of mild and moderate hyperthyroidism.

Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of metformin on endometrial carcinoma subline of progestin-resistance and find whether metformin could regulate progestin-resistance in endometrial carcinoma. Methods Ishikawa endometrial carcinoma cells were cultured for a long period in the presence of the synthetic medroxyprogesterone 17-acetate (MPA) to generate a subline refractory to the growth-suppressive effects of MPA,named Ishikawa/MPA cells. The effect of MPA (1, 5, 10, 20, 40 and 60 μmol/L) or metformin (1, 10, 20, 40, 60, 70 and 80 mmol/L) on proliferation of the Ishikawa/MPA and parental Ishikawa cells was detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) method. Western blot was used to detect the effect of metformin and(or)MPA on the expression of PR-B in the Ishikawa/MPA and Ishikawa cells. Results The Ishikawa/MPA showed that growth stimulation rather than inhibition in the Ishikawa cells after low MPA concentration treatment. The doubling time of Ishikawa/MPA cell lines were (43±4) hours and that of Ishikawa cell line were (47 ± 3) hours. No changes in doubling time were observed (t=0.349,P=0.572). Low concentration (1 and 5μmol/L) of MPA could promote the growth of Ishikawa/MPA cells (by 3% and 13%). High concentration (10, 20, 40 and 60 μmol/L) of MPA could inhibited the growth of Ishikawa/MPA cells (by 4%, 3%, 9%and 40%) and the growth of Ishikawa cells (by 41%, 55%, 65%and 66%). At the same concentration, the difference of inhibition rates between the two cell lines were statistically significant (P<0.01). Metformin (1, 10, 20, 40, 60, 70 and 80 mmol/L) could inhibite the growth of Ishikawa/MPA (by-10%, 20%, 56%, 89%, 97%, 98%and 99%) greater than those in parental Ishikawa cells (by-6%, 19%, 37%, 54%, 70%, 72%and 83%), and the inhibitory effect was dose-dependent manner. Western blot assay showed that for Ishikawa cells, the protein expression levels of PR-B in metformin group and MPA+metformin group were respectively (53.5±4.0)%and (37.7±5.2)%, which were higher than that in the control group [(23.4 ± 3.0)%], and there were significant the differences (P<0.01). For Ishikawa/MPA cells, the protein expression levels of PR-B in metformin group and MPA+metformin group were respectively (38.6 ± 1.7)%,(36.3 ± 2.5)%,which were higher than those in the control group [(6.4 ± 1.6)%], and there were also significant differences (P<0.01). Conclusion Metformin may regulate the progestin-resistance in endometrial carcinoma by increasing the expression of PR-B.

NOD mice were treated with pentoxifylline (FTX) to investigate the incidence of cyclophosphamide-accelerated diabetes, the apoptosis and the insulin expression of β-cells and expressions of Fas or FasL mRNA in both pancreas and spleen. The results showed that incidence of diabetes in PTX group was significantly lower compared with control group (P<0.05). The apoptosis of β-cells was decreased in PTX group with higher insulin expression level in islet cells. The expression of FasL mRNA in pancreas of PTX group was lower than that of control group (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in Fas mRNA expression between two groups. Both Fas and FasL mRNA levels in spleen of PTX group were much higher than those of control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01).

Objective To investigate the relation between brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) rs198388 polymorphism and the susceptibility of essential hypertension in Han population of Hunan. Methods A total of 567 patients with hypertension (the hypertension group) and 555 healthy volunteers (the control group) were enrolled. Gender, age, smoking and drinking history of the 2 groups were not significantly different. Blood pressure was measured in the 2 groups. After fasting for 12 h or more, blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol were measured. DNA polymorphism analysis was done by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method, and genotype was determined by agarose gel electrophoresis. Results The GG, GA, and AA genotypeswere detected.The frequencies of GA and AA genotypes and A allele were significantly lower in the hypertension group (GA and AA:12.3%;A:6.9%) than those in the control group (GA and AA:18.4%; A:9.7%; P=0.009, and P=0.014, respectively). Conclusion BNP rs198388 polymorphism may be associated with essential hypertension in Han people in Hunan. Carrying rs198388 GA and AA genotypes and A allele may be the reason for low risk of hypertension.

AIM: To investigate the intervention effect of pentoxifylline(PTX) on type 1 diabetes mellitus in non-obese diabetic(NOD)mice and explore its possible mechanism.METHODS: Eight-week-old NOD mice were treated with PTX to investigate the incidence of cyclophosphamide accelerating diabetes.The apoptosis of beta-cells was detected by TUNEL,the expressions of caspase-3 in islet of the NOD mice was checked by immunohistochemistry and the expressions of caspase-8 was determined by RT-PCR.RESULTS: The incidence of diabetes in PTX group was 40.63%,which was obviously lower than 69.70% in the control group(P

Objective To investigate bone strength in adults,and explore its influencing factors. Methods One hundred and ninety-one adults undergoing health examinations were selected.The questionnaires about milk intake and exercise conditions were performed,the body weight,fat mass,body mass index(BMI)and calcaneal bone strength were measured,and the relationship between each parameter and bone strength was analysed. Results Bone suength decreased with age increase,and was higher in males than that in females.Bone strength of overweight to obese adults was higher than that with normal body weight(P<0.05).Bone strength of adults with high milk intake was higher than that of those with low milk intake(P<0.05).Multivariate analysis revealed that age was negatively related to bone strength,females were more susceptible to bone strength decrease,and BMI and milk intake were positively related to bone strength. Conclusion Gender,age,BMI and milk intake are main influencing factors for bone strength.Bone strength decreases with age increase,and increase of BMI and milk intake will benefit bone strength,especially for females.

Objective To evaluate the application of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) technology in the identification of filamentous fungi,and analyze the susceptibility of filamentous fungi to commonly used antibiotics.Methods A total of 100 strains of filamentous fungi were collected and identified rapidly by MALDI-TOF MS.The obtained results were compared with those from microscopic examination.The susceptibility of filamentous fungi was detected by the Etest method.Results Among 100 strains of filamentous fungi identified by MALDI-TOF MS,61 reached to the species level(score≥2.000),36 to the genus level(score between 1.700 and 1.999),and 3 failed to be identified (score ＜ 1.700).There was inconsistent results for one strain of filamentous fungi between MALDI-TOF MS and microscopic examination.The MIC90 of amphotericin B against Epidermophytonfloccosum was 0.19 μg/mL,while that against Aspergillus flavus was above 32 μg/mL.The MIC90 of itraconazole against Trichophyton tonsurans,Microsporum canis and Epidermophytonfloccosum were all below 0.38 μg/mL,while that against Aspergillus niger was above 32 μg/mL.The MIC90 of fluconazol were above 256 μg/mL for most of strains.The MIC90 of voriconazole and caspofungin against Aspergillus fumigatus,Aspergillus flavus,Aspergillus niger,Trichophyton rubrum,Trichophyton tonsurans and Microsporum canis were ≤0.38 μg/mL and ≤ 1 μg/mL,respectively.Conclusion The MALDI-TOF MS technology may be used to identify the filamentous fungi isolated from clinical specimens quickly,accurately and high-throughput.Voriconazole and caspofungin have effective anti-filamentous fungi activity.

Objective To investigate the effects of IL-12 coexpression level on antigen expression and immune responses induced by HBsAg DNA vaccination. Methods DNA vaccine plasmid pHBV carrying codon-optimized preS2-S gene of reference sequence CHN-HBV07-C in China was constructed. Three DNA vaccine plasmids pHBV-12i, pHBV-12l and pHBV-12h were also constructed by subcloning three different IL-12 expression cassettes with various expression strengths to plasmid pHBV, respectively. Expression levels of IL-12 and HBsAg in vaccine plasmid-tranfected 293T cells were measured by quantitative ELISA. DNA vaccines were administered intramuscularly to BALB/c mice and HBsAg-specific cellular immune responses were determined by IFN-γ ELISPOT. HBsAg-specific antibodies were tested by Chemiluminescence Quantitative Immunoassay. Results The HBsAg expression level in 293T cells was 70 ng/ml when transfected by plasmid pHBV without IL-12 expression cassette, and the HBsAg level was 18 ng/ml when transfected by plasmid pHBV-12l carrying low-level IL-12 expression cassette, whereas the HBsAg level was only 6 ng/ml when transfected by plasmid pHBV-12h carrying high-level IL-12 expression cassette.Results of DNA vaccination revealed that HBsAg-specific humoral and cellular immune responses were significantly decreased in mice administering vaccine pHBV-12h carrying high-level IL-12 expression cassette. Although HBsAg-specific antibody responses in mice inoculated with pHBV-12l were also decreased when compared with those in pHBV-vaccinated mice without IL-12 expression, the HBsAg-specific cellular immune responses were significantly increased. Conclusion High-level coexpression of IL-12 may suppress the expression of HBsAg, Whereas modest coexpression of IL-12 significantly enhanced the HBsAg-specific T cell responses induced by DNA vaccination. Therefore, it is so important to balance the expression between adjuvant and antigen to enhance the immune response.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of phenylethanolamine-N-methyl transferase (PNMT) G-390A genetic polymorphism with risk of essential hypertension (EH) in Changsha Han people. METHODS: A case-control association study was performed in 400 patients with essential hypertension (EH) and 388 normotensive subjects. PNMT G-390A was genotyped using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-FRLP). RESULTS: The genotype frequencies for the -390 GG, GA, and AA were 39.3%,50.0%, and 10.8%, respectively in EH patients, and were 43.6%,45.6%, and 10.8%, in normal subjects. No significant difference in either genotypic frequency (P=0.433) or allele frequency (P=0.378) of PNMT G-390A between EH patients and normals was observed. When by gender, there was significant difference in genotypic frequency (P<0.05) and allele frequency (P=0.046) of G-390A polymorphism between EH patients and normals in the male, but not in the female (P>0.05). CONCLUSION PNMT G-390A polymorphism is possibly associated with EH risk in male Chinese Han population in Changsha.
Adult ; Aged ; Base Sequence ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Humans ; Hypertension ; enzymology ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phenylethanolamine N-Methyltransferase ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Sex Factors

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) C-824T polymorphism with essential hypertension (EH) susceptibility in Hunan Han population by a case-control study. METHODS: A case-control study was performed on 368 EH patients and 353 healthy controls of Han nationality recruited in Hunan province. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP)was used to genotype the C-824T polymorphism. RESULTS: (1) Genotype frequencies for TH-824CC and -824CT+-824TT genotypes were 89.9% and 10.1%, respectively for EH patients and 88.7% and 11.3%, respectively for the controls. No significant difference in the genotype distribution of C-824T polymorphism between the patients and controls was observed (P=0.579). Allele frequencies of TH C-824T also showed no significant difference between the patients and controls (P=0.515). (2) When adjusted by EH risk factors, results of unconditional logistic regression analysis showed that there was no association between TH C-824T polymorphism and EH susceptibility (P=0.264). (3) When stratified by gender, no significant difference in the genotype distribution of TH C-824T polymorphism was observed between the patients and controls in either male or female subjects (P=0.841 and P=0.288). (4) Diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in individuals with -824 CT+TT genotype was significantly higher than that in individuals with -824 CC genotype in the controls (P=0.015). (5) When stratified by gender, significant difference in DBP between TH C-824T CT+TT genotype and CC genotype was observed in the male (P= 0.018) but not in the female (P=0.083) controls. CONCLUSION There is no association between TH gene C-824T polymorphism and EH susceptibility in Hunan Han population. The TH gene C-824T polymorphism is possibly associated with increased DBP in the males in Hunan Han population.
Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; ethnology ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Hypertension ; enzymology ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Sex Factors ; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase ; genetics