OBJECTIVETo observe the expressions of human beta-defensin 1 and 2 (hBD-1 and hBD-2) in nasal mucosa before and after the endoscopic sinus surgery and investigate the effects of hBD-1 and hBD-2 on the healing process after the surgery.

METHODSThe patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic sinusitis were divided into 3 groups according to the response to the surgery, namely cured group, response group and non-response group. With those from healthy control subjects as the control, nasal mucosa samples were collected from the patients at 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after the surgery for detection of hBD-1 and hBD-2 mRNA and protein expressions by RT-PCR and Western blotting.

RESULTShBD-1 and hBD-2 were expressed in both normal and chronic sinusitis mucosa, but the expression levels varied significantly between the individuals. The expression levels of hBD-2 was significantly correlated to the patients' response to the surgical treatment (P<0.05). hBD-1 showed slight differences between the individuals, but was not associated with the patients' prognosis.

CONCLUSIONThe expressions of hBD-2 mRNA and protein are significantly increased in patients with good response to endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic sinusitis, suggesting the value of hBD-2 as an indicator of the patients' prognosis.

Case-Control Studies ; Chronic Disease ; Endoscopy ; Humans ; Nasal Mucosa ; metabolism ; Postoperative Period ; Prognosis ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Sinusitis ; metabolism ; surgery ; beta-Defensins ; metabolism

Objective To analyze clinical diagnosis and management of 5 patients with actinomycete keratitis.Design Retro- spective case series.Participants 5 patients (5 eyes) with actinomycete keratitis.Methods The clinical features and microbiologic da- ta of 5 culture-proven cases of actinomycete keratitis recorded between October 2004 to March 2006 were analyzed.Main Outcome Measures clinical characteristics,isolations identification,drug susceptibility test and treatments.Results All patients were males and farmers.Of the 5 cases presented in this study,4 cases were followed by minor trauma as a predominant risk factor,and were pre- sented by a chronic progressive corneal ulcer with a wreath pattern of infiltrate.The diagnosis of all cases was based on laboratory in- vestigations,by which 4 cases of nocardia and one case of streptomyce were identified.A variable drug sensitivities were presented in nocardia isolates,which including TMP-SMZ,amicasin,gentamicin and fluorine-quinolones.Conclusions Nocardia keratitis is mainly followed by a minor trauma.It is identified predominantly by laboratory investigations.Tropical and systemically sensitive biotic are the initial choice,while debridement and amnionic transplantation could be an effective alternative.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of the key marker of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) IRE1 mRNA and neuronal apoptosis in the rat hippocampus after status convulsivus (SC), and the intervention effects of edaravone, a novel free radical scavenger.

METHODSSprague-Dawley (SD) rats aged 19-21 days were randomly assigned to three groups: normal control, SC and edaravone-treated SC. SC was induced in the later two groups. The two groups were subdivided into 5 groups sacrificed at 4, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hrs after SC induction. IRE1 mRNA expression in the hippocampus was detected by RT-PCR. Neuronal apoptosis was observed by TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). The ultramicrostructural changes of neuron were observed by electron microscopy.

RESULTSIRE1 mRNA expression was obviously up-regulated 4 and 12 hrs after SC compared with the normal control group (P<0.01). IRE1 mRNA expression in the edaravone-treated SC group was notably higher than the untreated SC group 4, 12 and 24 hrs after SC and the normal control group (P<0.01). TUNEL positive cells in the hippocampus in the untreated SC group were significantly more than those in the normal control group (P<0.01). The number of TUNEL positive cells increased with the prolonged convulsion time. TUNEL positive cells in the edaravone-treated SC group were significantly reduced compared with those in the untreated SC group 12, 24, 48 and 72 hrs after SC (P<0.05 or P<0.01), but remained higher than the normal control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The peri-nucleus cell organ injuries were observed 4 hrs after SC and karyopycnosis and cytoplasm condensation were observed 12 hrs after SC in the SC and the edaravone-treated SC groups. The edaravone-treated SC group demonstrated less severe apoptosis than the untreated SC group.

CONCLUSIONSEdaravone may have neuroprotections against SC by an up-regulation of IRE1 expression. It might serve as an effective agent for reducing ERS in vivo.

Animals ; Antipyrine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Disease Models, Animal ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; ultrastructure ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; Neurons ; drug effects ; ultrastructure ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Status Epilepticus ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo explore the cure effects of Jiangu Fufang on osteoporotic model induced by ovariectomy.

METHODRats were ovariectomized and administered drugs for 3 monthes. Bone mineral density and biomechanics properties, histomorphometric analysis and biochemical index such as calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase were detected.

RESULTJiangu Fufang could significantly increase bone density and biomechanics properties. The level of calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase were restored by Jiangu Fufang. Jiangu Fufang could significantly increase area of bone trabecula, thickness of cortical bone and bone trabecula.

CONCLUSIONJiangu Fufang could cure osteoporosis through increasing bone mineral density, improving bone biomechanics properties, and effecting bone metabolism.

Alkaline Phosphatase ; blood ; Animals ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Bone Density ; drug effects ; Calcium ; blood ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Femur ; physiopathology ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; drug effects ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Osteoporosis ; blood ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Ovariectomy ; Phosphorus ; blood ; Phytotherapy ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association of MK2 gene with low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-Α) between different gender in Xinjiang Uygur population.

METHODSA total of 350 Uygur males and 595 females were recruited randomly from Hetian area. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (44890c/t, rs 45514798) in MK2 gene were selected and genotyped by Taqman-PCR in these subjects. All subjects underwent questionnaire-based survey, physical examination, measurement of lipid profiles and plasma TNF-Α determination.

RESULTSAmong the male subjects, the concentration of total cholesterol (TC) [TT vs. CT vs. CC: (4.35±1.20) mmol/L vs. (4.69±1.34) mmol/L vs. (4.83±1.44) mmol/L, P=0.033]and TNF-Α [TT vs.CT vs.CC: (106.63±62.39) ng/dL vs. (128.44±86.15) ng/dL vs. (153.06±82.99) ng/dL, P=0.001]were significantly different in 3 genotypes of 44890c/t. However, the LDL-C levels in TT, CT, and CC genotypes of 44890c/t were not different neither in males nor in females [males: (2.64±1.16) mmol/L vs. (2.81±1.28) mmol/L vs. (3.04±1.32) mmol/L, P>0.05; females: (2.42±1.11) mmol/L vs. (2.36±0.99) mmol/L vs. (2.43±1.05) mmol/L, P>0.05]. None of the allele and genotype frequencies of 44890c/tand rs 45514798 were different between high LDL-C group and control group. Linear regression analysis indicated that body mass index (BMI) (beta=0.089) and TNF-Α (beta=0.092) were significantly associated with LDL-C levels in males (P<0.05), while the age, BMI, and waist/hip ratio with LDL-C levels in females (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe nucleotide polymorphisms (44890c/t and rs 45514798) in MK2 gene may not be associated with LDL-C in both males and females in the Uygur population in Hetian, Xinjiang.

Adult ; Aged ; China ; Cholesterol, LDL ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minority Groups ; statistics & numerical data ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; genetics ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood

We reviewed the modern development of clinical application and experimental reseach on the prescription Biejiajian Wan (BJ), which are the basement that we will study its anti-renal fibrosis. At present, the prescription BJ is mainly applied to the treatment of chronic heptic desease. Its experimental reseach is mainly confined to the studing of anti-heptic fibrosi. Refering the scientific and technological result of anti-heptic fibrosis, we think the prescription BJ would have the effection of anti-renal fibrosis on the basis of theory of planning treatment according to diagnosis. But it has not been reported to the prescription BJ on the clinical and experimental reseach on anti-renal fibrosis. Therefore, it is very important to take on clinical reseach of the prescription BJ and discuss the effecting mechanism of anti-renal fibrosis from the level of integration, cell and molecule, which will help to enlarge the clinical application of the prescription Biejiajianwan and explained the essence of "persistent diseases injuring collateral branch of large channel" in traditional Chinese medicine.
Animals ; Clinical Medicine ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Fibrosis ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Humans ; Kidney ; drug effects ; pathology ; Laboratories ; Prescription Drugs ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use

To study the correlation between acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and HLA-A, B and DRB1 gene in southern Chinese Han population and to investigate the susceptible HLA gene to ALL, a total of 4707 healthy volunteer bone marrow donors from southern Chinese Han population were used as a control group, 201 patients diagnosed as patient group from southern Han individuals were genotyped at HLA-A, B and DRB1 loci by PCR-SSP, PCR-SSOP and SBT. HLA allele frequency and its distribution of ALL patient group were compared with the control group by using chi(2) test, and calculated the statistic value of relative risk (RR), pathogenicity score (EF) and preventive score (PF). The results showed that in comparison with the control group, the gene frequence of HLA-A26, B56 and DR9 increased significantly, but the gene frequence of HLA-A30, A33 and B58 allele frequency decreased significantly for patients with ALL. It is concluded that HLA-A26, B56 and DR9 gene have a high correlation with ALL and seem to contribute the genetic susceptibility to ALL in southern Chinese Han populations. However, HLA-A30, A33 and B58 gene seem to have protective role for southern Han individuals suffered from ALL.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Chi-Square Distribution ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; ethnology ; HLA-A Antigens ; genetics ; HLA-B Antigens ; genetics ; HLA-DR Antigens ; genetics ; HLA-DRB1 Chains ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; ethnology ; genetics

Objective To analyze and discuss the content determination of As and Hg from Lilium Lancifolium in Longshan County; To optimize microwave digestion conditions. Methods Automatic microwave digestion appratus was used. Lilium Lancifolium samples from Longshan County were digested in teflon microwave tube with HNO3-H2O2, and As and Hg were measured with atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS). Results The content of As was in the range of 0.031–0.507 mg/kg, and the highest content of Hg was 0.024 mg/kg. The regression equation was Y=221.23X+170.72(r=0.995 9),Y=503.52X-682.43,(r=0.999 2).For the production base,the recoveries of As and Hg were 94.32% and 92.48% in the samples, and RSD were 2.14% and 2.70%; for the breeding base, the recoveries of As and Hg were 94.95% and 93.52% in the samples, and RSD were 1.15% and 1.97%. Conclusion The method is simple and reliable, which can be used to the content determination of As and Hg from Lilium Lancifolium, and provide references for the choice of base of production and breeding of Lilium Lancifolium in Longshan County.

Objective To investigate the transfection and expression of p53 genes mediated by liposome and its feasibility in treatment of liver cancer by transcatheter arterial injection on rabbit VX2 hepatocarcinoma model.Methods pCMV-myc-p53 plasmids,LipofectAMINE and p53-LipofectAMINE complex were infused into tumor's feeding artery of rabbit VX2 hepatocarcinoma model,respectively,and then protein of cancer tissue was extracted,followed by measuring gene transfection and expression by western blot and immunohistochemistry,p53-LipofectAMINE complex in different doses were infused into tumor's feeding artery of rabbit VX2 hepatocarcinoma model with the gene transfection and expression detected by the same way.Results Liposome-mediated p53 gene injected through catheter could be successfully transfected and expressed in the cancer tissue of rabbit VX2 hepatocarcinoma model,with transfection efficiency higher than the gene delivery alone.The efficiency and the gene dose has dose-effect relationship.Condusions Treatment of liver cancer by transcatheter arterial injection of p53 genes mediated by liposome is a feasible and effective method,with wide prospect of application.(J Intervent Radiol,2007,16:109-114)

OBJECTIVE: To establish standardized methods and parameters of the isolated heart coronary angiography through the experiment of in vitro porcine heart by MSCT. METHODS: Based on different perfusion volume (50, 60 and 70 mL) and different perfusion-imaging time (5, 10 and 20 min), the in vitro porcine coronary artery was injected liposoluble and water-soluble contrast agents using remodel angiography equipment and scanned by MSCT. And the 3D image results were compared. The images were recorded and evaluated by 2 radiologists and analyzed by statistical software. RESULTS: Liposoluble contrast agent affected the images by damaging and infiltrating the fats around the coronary artery, while the water-soluble contrast agent didn't affect the images. The groups with 60 mL or 70 mL perfusion and 5 min perfusion-imaging time had the best images. CONCLUSION The suitable parameters of the angiography lay the foundation of postmortem coronary angiography.
Animals ; Coronary Angiography/veterinary* ; Coronary Vessels/diagnostic imaging* ; Heart ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional/methods* ; In Vitro Techniques ; Multidetector Computed Tomography/veterinary* ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Software ; Software Validation ; Swine