Objective To study the benzo(a)pyrene (B[a]P)-induced mRNA expression of aromatic hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) and cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1) genes in rat liver. Methods Rats were injected intraperitoneally with 5, 10 and 15mg/kg of B[a]P. The total RNAs were extracted from rat livers by RNA purification kit, and the mRNA expression of AHR and CYP1A1 genes was determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). β-actin was used as the internal control. The mRNA expression of both AHR and CYP1A1 genes was measured at indicated time points (24, 48 and 72h) after B[a]P treatment at three different concentrations (5, 10 and 15mg/kg). Results The mRNA expression of AHR gene increased in a time-dependent manner at the concentration of 10mg/kg but not at 5 and 15mg/kg of B[a]P. The mRNA expression of CYP1A1 gene differed significantly at 48h and 24h in rat livers treated with 10 and 15mg/kg dosage of B[a]P. The mRNA expression of AHR and CYP1A1 genes increased with B[a]P treatment in a concentration-dependent manner. The time-dependent increase in mRNA expression was shown by AHR but not by CYP1A1 gene with B[a]P (10mg/kg) treatment. Conclusion This study demonstrates that toxic B[a]P increases the mRNA expression of both AHR and CYP1A1 genes in vivo, suggesting that B[a]P may play a role in cancer genesis by this way.

Objective To estimate the relative risk for lung cancer associated with genetic polymorphism of T6235C mutation in 3' non-coding region (Msp Ⅰ) of cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) and glntathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) in the Mongolian population in Inner Mongolian Region of China. Methods Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and multiplex PCR methods were used to analyze blood samples obtained from 263 case subjects and 263 control subjects to determine their genotypes for CYP1A1 and GSTM1.Control subjects were matched with case subjects by ethnic background, age and gender. Results The frequencies of the variant CYP1A1 genotypes (CYP1A1C) and GSTM1-null in lung cancer groups were higher than those in control groups (38.4% vs. 28. 5% and 57.8% vs. 48.0%). The individuals who corried with CYP1A1C genotype had a significantly higher risk of lung cancer (OR=1.56, 95% CI=1.08 to 2.25, P=0.016) than those who carried with non-variation CYP1A1 genotype. The ones who carried with GSTM1-null genotype also had a significantly higher risk of lung cancer (OR=1.49, 95% CI=1.06 to 2.10, P=0.023) than these who carried with GSTM1-present genotype.When combination of polymorphisms of CYP1A1 and GSTM1 genotypes was analyzed, the risk of lung cancer for combination of CYP1A1C and GSTM1-null genotypes was increased significantly (OR=2.084, 95e CI=1.27 to 3.42, P=0.003). Susceptibility to lung cancer was related to smoking (OR=2.10, 95% CI=1.48 to 2.98, P=0.000). Considering smoking status, the risk of lung cancer for combination of smoking and CYP1A1C genotype was remarkably increased (OR=2.76, 950/0 CI=1.74 to 4. 37, P=0.000). It was the same case with combination of smoking and GSTM1-null genotype (OR=4. 38, 95% CI=2.35 to 8.15, P=0.000). Conclusion The polymorphisms of CYP1A1C genotype and GSTM1-null are the risk factors of lung cancer in the Mongolian population in Inner Mongolia Region of China. Smoking is also related to susceptibility to lung cancer. There may be a synergetic interaction between CYP1A1C and GSTM1-null in the elevated susceptibility of lung cancer. Smoking may have a synergetic interaction with CYP1A1C and GSTM1-null in the elevated susceptibility of lung cancer.

Objective To investigate the value of lower limbs fixation methods for the treatment of intussusception in children with air enema with.Methods 2 1 1 pediatric patients with intussusception who had accepted the treatment of air enema with two dif-ferent fixation methods on lower limbs were enrolled.Comparisons of median treatment duration and therapeutic effect between the two methods were investigated.Results In 32 patients with knee-joint fixation method,27 were successful with median treatment duration 4.84 minutes.Meanwhile in other 179 ones with lower limbs fixation method,152 were successful with median duration 7.96 minutes.And the duration difference between two methods was found (P<0.05).Conclusion Knee-joint fixation may help significantly shorten the median treatment duration for the treatment of intussusception with air enema in children.

We Injecte(?) 12-16 ?l 20—40% HRP in normal sanne into the myocardium orthe anterior wall of the left ventricle in six rats and 10 ?l choleragenoid-horsera-dish peroxidase conjugate(CB-HRP)in three rats.The Th1-3 DRG and the nodoseganglia of both side were removed.The sections of these ganglia were proceeded bythe TMB chromogentic reaction for HRP and immunohistochemical reaction(the firstantibody is the substance P antiserum).There are three types of labeled cells——theHRP labeled cells.Sp-IR cells,and HRP-Sp-IR double labeled cells were observedin the Th1-3 DRG and nodose ganglia of both side.The parts of Sp-IR nerve fib-ers in the heart wall originate from the DRG and nodose ganglia and these neuronsprojecting the HRP-Sp-IR nerve fiber contained substanse P.Their functions may berelated to the pain(nociceptive)sensation of the heart.This study may also be aevidence of the main function of the cardiac sympathetic afferent fiber is the con-duction of the pain sensation.A few of HRP-Sp-IR double labeled cells in thenodose ganglion observed suggest that the cardiac parasympathetic afferent fibermay participate in conduction of the pain sensation.This question requires furtherstudy.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of acupuncture on quality of life (QOL) in post-ischemic stroke patients with dysphagia.

METHODSSixty-six patients with dysphagia were randomly assigned to 3 groups, the 23 patients in the electro-acupuncture (EA) group treated by EA, 18 in the control group received rehabilitation training combined with acupoint percutaneous electric stimulation, and 25 in the acupoint token puncturing (TP) group received rehabilitation training combined with acupoint TP, once every day for 20 days in total. Changes in QOL scale specified for dysphagia of patients before and after treatment were compared.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 69.6% in the EA group, 50.0% in the control group and 64.0% in the TP group with insignificant difference among them (P > 0.05), but the improvements dealing with patients' general condition, time for taking food, frequency of uneasiness, emotion, appetite, social intercourse ability, fatigue, sleep and mental health, etc. in the EA group were superior to those in the other two groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture could improve the QOL of patients with dysphagia after ischemic stroke.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Deglutition Disorders ; complications ; therapy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Ischemia ; complications ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Quality of Life ; Stroke ; complications ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To discuss the value and experience of the percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP)in the treatment of vertebral body compression fracture(VCF)in aged osteoperosis.Methods PVP was performed in 44 cases with VCF including 28 with single vertebral compressed fracture,12 with double compressed fracture and four with triple compressed fracture,with 67 vertebrae,for clinical and radiologieal evaluation.Results The mean follow-up was 15 months(4-23 months).There could be seen immediate relief of pain in 40 cases,out-of-bed activities at operation day in 19 and out-of-bed activ- ities at second day after operation in 25.Postoperative X-ray showed uniformly distributed bone cement in the vertebral,without leakage.Conclusion PVP is a recommendable method for VCF,for it has ad- vantages of pain relief,vertebrae stabilization,minimal invasion and minor complications.

Objective To investigate the characteristics of attention networks impairment in Parkinson' s disease patients.Methods Attention network test was performed in 28 PD patients and 28 normal controls on the efficiency of three anatomically defined attentional networks:alerting,orienting,and executive control.Results The correct rate of attention network test was significantly lower(P0.05).The relative analysis showed that the Hoehn Yahr stage was positively correlated with the value of executive netwok(r=0.794,P

AIMTo investigate protective effects of ginkgolide B (GB) in different administration modes on glutamate-induced neuronal damage.

METHODSEssential GB were obtained by supercritical CO2 fluid extraction. Glutamate excitotoxicity were examined in primary cultures from neonatal Wistar rat, by using of Trypan blue dye staining, testing the lactate dehydrogenase leakage from cultured neurons and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL) method. The protective effects of GB in different administration modes (pre-treatment and post-treatment) were adopted and compared with the NMDA receptor uncompetitive antagonist-MK-801 in acute-treatment.

RESULTSTreatment with GB in two administration modes both could increase ratio of surviving neuron, decrease LDH efflux and reduce ratio of neuron apoptosis in different degree, depended on dose in certain range. The protective effect of pre-treatment was superior to post-treatment, but inferior to MK-801.

CONCLUSIONGB can protect neurons against glutamate damage, and preventive using has more efficiency. The potential mechanism of its neural protection may be not only related to PAF receptor. If the predominant protection effect of GB in pretreatment is considered, precautionary intervention to high-risk population could have more value.

Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Dizocilpine Maleate ; pharmacology ; Ginkgolides ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Glutamic Acid ; adverse effects ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Lactones ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Neurons ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

BACKGROUNDTuberculosis remains the leading cause of human death. Currently, Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is the only available vaccine against tuberculosis but its efficacy is highly variable. Thus, developing new tuberculosis vaccines becomes an urgent task. In this study, we evaluated in BALB/c mice the humoral and cellular immune responses of recombinant BCG expressing the antigen ESAT-6 from Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

METHODSEscherichia coli-BCG shuttle plasmid named pDE22-esat-6 was constructed by inserting the BamHI/EcoRI digested esat-6 gene PCR product into the similarly digested parental plasmid pDE22. BCG cells were transformed with pDE22-esat-6, which was named recombinant BCG (rBCG). BALB/c mice were immunized subcutaneously on the back with 100 microl normal saline containing 10(6) CFU of BCG or rBCG. They were sacrificed after 4 weeks to detect their humoral and cellular responses.

RESULTSThere was no any significant differences in the growth characteristics between the conventional BCG and rBCG. In immunized mice, the IgG antibody titres of rBCG group were as high as 1:8000, which was significantly higher than that in BCG group (1:1400, P < 0.05). The elicited IFN-gamma level of rBCG group was (1993 +/- 106) pg/ml, which was also significantly higher than that in BCG group ((1463 +/- 105) pg/ml, P < 0.05). The splenocyte proliferation index of rBCG group reached 4.34 +/- 0.31, which was higher than that of BCG group (3.79 +/- 0.24, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONrBCG secreted expressing antigen ESAT-6 stimulated stronger humoral and cellular immune responses than BCG did, and, therefore may be the better vaccine against mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Animals ; Antigens, Bacterial ; genetics ; immunology ; BCG Vaccine ; immunology ; Bacterial Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; Interferon-gamma ; biosynthesis ; Lymphocyte Activation ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; immunology ; Recombinant Proteins ; immunology ; Vaccines, Synthetic ; immunology

This study was aimed to establish a method for rapid detecting BK polyomavirus (BKV) and to investigate the feasibility and value used in leukemia patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Primers were designed according to BKV gene sequence; the quantitative standards for BKV and a real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR for BKV were established. The BKV level in urine samples from 36 patients after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation were detected by established method. The results showed that the standard of reconstructed plasmid and real time fluorescent quantitative PCR method were successfully established, its good specificity, sensitivity and stability were confirmed by experiments. BKV was found in 55.56% of urine samples, and the BKV load in urine was 2.46 × 10(4) - 7.8 × 10(9) copy/ml. It is concluded that the establishment of real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR for BKV detection provides a method for early diagnosis of the patients with hemorrhagic cystitis after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
Adolescent ; Adult ; BK Virus ; isolation & purification ; Case-Control Studies ; Cystitis ; prevention & control ; virology ; DNA Primers ; DNA, Viral ; urine ; Female ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Hemorrhage ; prevention & control ; virology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Polyomavirus Infections ; diagnosis ; virology ; Viral Load ; Young Adult