OBJECTIVETo explore the detoxication and tissue generation effect of Astragalus (As) in wound healing and its relation with inflammatory reaction, through observing the effect of Astragalus polysaccharides (AP) on neutrophil-endothelial cell adhesion and expression of related adhesive molecules.

METHODSHuman polymorphonuclear leucocyte (PMN) or human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) was treated separately with AP, AP plus interleukin 1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) to study the effect of AP on PMN adhesion with HUVEC by rose bengal staining, and that on expression of superficial adhesive factor by means of Cell-ELISA and APAAP method.

RESULTSWhen AP acted on HUVEC, it could significantly promote the adhesion of HUVEC with PMN, while when AP acted on PMN, the adhesion would not increase. When HUVEC was treated by AP plus IL-1, the IL-1 induced PMN adhesion with HUVEC could be strengthened, and the expression of HUVEC superficial adhesive factor ICAM-1 induced by IL-1 and TNF was strengthened also, but when PMN treated with AP, it showed no effect on the expression of adhesive factor CD18.

CONCLUSIONAP promotes the adhesion between neutrophil and endothelial cell by way of promoting the expression of superficial I-CAM-1 on surface of endothelial cells, so as to improve the inflammatory reaction in the wound healing course, it possibly is one of the biological bases of the detoxication and tissue generation effects of AP.

Astragalus membranaceus ; chemistry ; Cell Adhesion ; drug effects ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Humans ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; biosynthesis ; Interleukin-1 ; biosynthesis ; Neutrophils ; cytology ; metabolism ; Polysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Umbilical Veins ; cytology ; Wound Healing ; drug effects

Objective To explore the effect of chromosomal abnormality and polygenic inheritance factor in female children with short stature.Methods 1.Chromosome analysis:peripheral blood was drawn for 1 mL and cultured 72 h to analyze chromosome karyotype (Giemsa Banding ) of peripheral lymphocytes.2.Polygenic factor analysis:the children′s final height were estimated based on their parents average height,and analyzed the distribution characteristics of children′s final height and compared the estimate final height with the actual height.Results Eighty-three cases out of the 364 female children with short stature were chromosomal abnormality(22.80%).Among the 83 cases,the 45,XO and 46,X,i(Xq) occupied 70%.The distribution of children target height shifted left,and the target height of 76 cases was lower than 2 standard deviation (-2 s)and the consistency of target height and actual height reached 20.88%.The target height of 7 cases was lower than 2 standard deviation in those whose chromosome turned out to be abnormal,and the consistency of target height and actual height was 8.43%.Conclusions Chromosomal abnormality is one of the most important etiologic agents causing short stature in female children, and polygenic inheritance is another important etiologic agent.

Objective To investigate the prevalence of low T3 syndrome in patients with acute myocardial infarction(AMI) and explore the effect of low T3 syndrome on outcome of AMI.MethodsThree hundred and thirty-eight patients with AMI admitted to cardiac care unit(CCU) underwent examinations of thyroid function and cardial ultrasound,and were further categorized according to thyroid hormone profile.The records of noninvasive bi-level positive airway pressure(BiPAP)ventilation utilization,length of hospital stay,mortality during hospitalization were evaluated,and the related factors were analysed.ResultsOne hundred and thirty-nine of the 338 patients(41.12%) with AMI complicated with low T3 syndrome.Free triiodothyronine(FT3) was the independent influential factor for length of hospital stay.Low FT3 was significantly correlated with noninvasive BiPAP ventilation utilization and mortality during hospitalization.The average time of follow-up was(21.4?8.1) months.It was revealed by multivariate Cox regression analysis that FT3 was the chief predictor for cumulative death(risk ratio,4.25;95% confidential interval,2.30-7.87),followed by age and left ventricular ejection fraction.ConclusionThe recognition of AMI complicated with low T3 syndrome plays an important role in predicting the disease severity and outcome.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the apoptotic situation of CD(34) positive cells in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).

METHODIn 36 MDS patients, immunocytochemical technique was used for the detection of the expression of CD(34) antigen and DNA in situ end labelling (ISEL) (fluorescein) for the apoptotic signals. Fourteen cases of iron deficiency anemias (IDA) were used as controls.

RESULTS(1) CD(34) expression in MDS group was much higher than that in controls (49.2 +/- 38.5 vs 10.2 +/- 9.7, P < 0.01), and MDS cases had an obviously higher apoptotic rate than control did (69.1 +/- 28.2 vs 17.8 +/- 11.2, P < 0.01). (2) Expression of CD(34) was higher in transforming group (P < 0.05) than in non-transforming and post-transforming groups. Apoptotic rates in both non-transforming/transforming group were higher than in post-transforming group (P < 0.02 and < 0.05 respectively). (3) No apoptosis was found in CD(34) positive cells in MDS; (4) Both CD(34) positive cells and apoptotic cells formed into small or large clusters but did not co-distributed in a given area.

CONCLUSIONThere is overexpression of CD(34) antigen on hematopoietic cells in MDS. High CD(34) expression accompanied high apoptosis coexisted in the process of transformation from MDS to AML. Apoptosis-resistance of these CD(34) positive cells suggested that they came from malignant hematopoietic cell clones.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antigens, CD34 ; metabolism ; Apoptosis ; Bone Marrow Cells ; immunology ; pathology ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoenzyme Techniques ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes ; immunology ; pathology

Objectives To investigate the impact of AAV-encoding NT4-TAT-His-PR39 fusion gene expression on HIF-1α level in ECV304 cultured under hypoxic condition ( 1% O2) and on angiogenesis in hypoxic chick embryo. Methods PR39 cDNA was connected with NT4, TAT, 6 x His cDNA by molecular biology methods. The recombinant AAV vector was obtained by three plasmid co-transfection in 293 cells. Then ECV304 were respectively infected with AAV-NT4-TAT-His-PR39, 6 x His expression and HIF-la level in ECV304 were detected by immunocytochemistry. The chicken embryos were randomized into the AAV-PR39, EV and PBS groups ( n = 10 each) subject to hypoxia (5% O2, n = 15 ) or normoxia environments (n = 15) , the vessel density of the chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) were measured by Image Pro Plus (IPP) software. Results The expression of 6 x His protein was detected in AAV-PR39 infected ECV304 cells. HIF-1α protein activity was significantly increased in AAV-PR39 infected ECV304 underwent hypoxia compared to PBS and non-infected ECV304 groups ( P < 0. 05). The vessel density of chicken CAM in hypoxia environment but not in normoxia environment was also significantly higher in AAV-PR39 group than in EV group and PBS group (all P <0. 05). Conclusion AAV-encoding NT4-TAT-His-PR39 fusion gene expression significantly increased HIF-la level in ECV304 exposed to hypoxia and promoted angiogenesis in hypoxic chicken embryo.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the gene mutation in two pedigrees of inherited coagulation factor VII (FVII) deficiency, and investigate the relationship between the genotype and phenotype.

METHODThe coagulation function and coagulation factors activity of probands were detected for phenotype diagnosis, all exons and junctions of FVII gene from the family members' genomic DNA were amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and detected the gene mutation by direct sequencing. Mutations were confirmed by reverse sequencing.

RESULTThe prothrombin time (PT) of proband 1 was 265.2 s, FVII:C was 22% and the PT of proband 2 was > 120 s, FVII:C was 1%. Homozygous 17844G→A mutation in No. 8 exon of FVII gene was identified in the proband 1 resulting in Gly343Ser, and heterozygosity for the same mutations were confirmed in his parents and a sister. The proband 2 was compound heterozygous, one mutation was the same as the proband 1 but was a heterozygosity that can also found in his mother and brother; the other heterozygosity mutation was located on No. 8 exon 18055G→A that resulted in Gln413Arg which was inherited from his father.

CONCLUSIONNo. 8 exon of FVII gene encodes catalytic domain. Mutation found in those domain could change the FVII catalytic domain spatial structure, affected FVII function and stability, and the sufferer of homozygote and compound heterozygous may have clinical bleeding tendency. Almost no clinical findings in simple heterozygotes, however, a few of heterozygotes could have a tendency of bleeding because of genetic polymorphism which would reduce the FVII:C.

Blood Coagulation Disorders ; blood ; genetics ; Child, Preschool ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Factor VII ; genetics ; Factor VII Deficiency ; blood ; genetics ; Heterozygote ; Homozygote ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prothrombin Time

To investigate the tumoricidal activity of dendritic cell (DC) stimulated by interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) against freshly isolated myeloid leukemia cells and its mechanism, the peripheral blood monocytes collected from healthy donors were cocultured with interleukin-4 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in medium to induce DC for 7 days. After 12 hour culture in the absence or presence of IFN-gamma, the changes of costimulatory molecules were analyzed with flow cytometry. To assay the cytotoxicity of DC against freshly isolated acute myeloid cells, they were cocultured at various effector-to-target ratio for 18 hours, then the percentage of tumoricidal activity was measured with (51)Cr release assay. To explore the mechanism of DC-mediated cytotoxicity, the change of DC surface or intracellular protein expression of Fas ligand (Fas L), TNF-alpha and TNF related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) were analyzed with flow cytometry. The results showed that IFN-gamma enhanced cytotoxicity of DC against AML cells was (33.8 +/- 1.6)% at E:T as 20:1, compared with unstimulated DC (P < 0.05); IFN-gamma up-regulated expression of costimulatory molecules of DC surface such as CD86 and CD83; after stimulation with IFN-gamma, expression of intracellular TRAIL of DC was significantly enhanced, but expression of TRAIL on cell surface of DC was low; while the significant changes of Fas L and TNF-alpha expression neither on cell surface or in cells were not observed before or after stimulation with IFN-gamma. It is concluded that DC stimulated by IFN-gamma exhibit tumoricidal activity against AML cells. The cytotoxicity is partially related to maturation of DC and TRAIL inducing apoptosis, but not associated with death domain-independent mechanism of Fas L and TNF-alpha.
Acute Disease ; Antigens, CD ; analysis ; B7-2 Antigen ; analysis ; Coculture Techniques ; Cytotoxicity, Immunologic ; drug effects ; immunology ; Dendritic Cells ; drug effects ; immunology ; metabolism ; Fas Ligand Protein ; analysis ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; analysis ; Interferon-gamma ; pharmacology ; Leukemia, Myeloid ; immunology ; pathology ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; analysis ; TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand ; analysis ; Tumor Cells, Cultured ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of bi-annual professional application of 1.23% fluoride foam on caries reduction in the primary dentition over a two-year period.

METHODSIn a double-blind, cluster-randomised, placebo-controlled trial, 392 children aged 3 - 4 years from 15 classes were randomly assigned to two groups on a school class basis. The experimental group (8 classes) received a bi-annual fluoride foam application, and the placebo control group (7 classes) received the placebo. The analysis of caries increment was based on the class as the unit of analysis. The independent-samples t tests were performed to compare the differences in caries indices at baseline and caries increments between the two groups.

RESULTSThe mean caries increment in foam group was 3.8 dmfs while it was 5.0 dmfs in the placebo control group, resulting in 24.2% caries reduction (P < 0.05). The experimental group had a 37.6% caries reduction on approximal surfaces compared with the placebo control group (P < 0.01). Although the mean dmfs increment of bucco-lingual surfaces was lower in the experimental group than that in the control group, it was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). No significant difference in the mean caries increment was observed on occlusal surfaces between the two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBi-annual professional application of fluoride foam was effective in reducing the increment of dental caries in the primary teeth.

Cariostatic Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Child, Preschool ; Dental Caries ; prevention & control ; Double-Blind Method ; Female ; Fluorides ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Tooth, Deciduous

OBJECTIVETo estimate prevalence of malnutrition on admission to hospital and the relationship between nutritional status and prognosis.

METHODSFour thousand and twelve patients admitted to general surgery department were evaluated by a lot of nutrition indexes within 48 h. Operative morbidity and complications were recorded to identify the difference between malnourished and well-nourished patients.

RESULTSMalnutrition rate of all patients according to BMI, TSF, MAC, AMC, albumin, prealbumin, and lymphocyte count was 21.3%, 50.6%, 20.5%, 21.2%, 24.2%, 35.4% and 55.8%, respectively. The prevalence of malnutrition as defined by SGA and MNA were 38.8% and 20.8%. The older patients (> 60 years old) were associated with a higher prevalence of malnutrition (47.6%) compared with those younger than 60 (31.5%). Malnutrition was more frequently occurred in cancer patients than non-oncologic patients (64.5% vs 22.4%). Patients with digestive tract disease had higher rates of malnutrition than those without digestive tract disease (52.6% vs 30.0%). There were large differences in the morbidity and complications between well nourished patients and malnourished patients (4.0% vs 1.1%, P < 0.01 for morbidity; 19.8% vs 5.9% for complications).

CONCLUSIONSThe prevalence of malnutrition in hospitalized surgical patients is high. Malnutrition was associated with increased length of stay, higher operative morbidity and complications.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nutrition Assessment ; Nutrition Disorders ; epidemiology ; Nutritional Status ; Postoperative Complications ; epidemiology ; Postoperative Period ; Prognosis ; Surgical Procedures, Operative ; mortality

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of drought stress on the growth of Glycyrrhiza uralensis and its drought resistance characteristic.

METHODThe growth in dicators of G. uralensis including leaf, stem, root and biomass were measured when two-years-old G. uralensis had lived in drought stress soil for 60 days.

RESULTThe growth of all organs of G. uralensis was restrained because of drought stress, especially to up ground organs.

CONCLUSIONIt is obvious that the restraining effect of drought stress on G. uralensis possesses organ speciality. Both yield and quality of G. uralensis will be satisfied when it grows in the soil with relative water content of 50%.

Disasters ; Glycyrrhiza uralensis ; anatomy & histology ; growth & development ; Plant Components, Aerial ; anatomy & histology ; growth & development ; Plant Roots ; anatomy & histology ; growth & development ; Plants, Medicinal ; anatomy & histology ; growth & development