OBJECTIVETo explore efficacy enhancing and detoxification roles of Jiedu Quyu Zishen Recipe (JQZR) in treating systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) by studying its effect on Toll like receptor 9 (TLR9) signal pathway of murine macrophage cells after JQZR stimulated CpG oligodeoxynucletide (CpG ODN).

METHODSMurine macrophage cells in vitro cultured were randomly divided into 4 groups, i.e., the blank serum group, the CpG ODN stimulus group, the CpG ODN + dexamethasone group, the CpG ODN + medicated serum group. Murine macrophage cells were collected after 24-h intervention. The expression of TLR9, myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), NF-KB, IFN-α mRNA were analyzed by RT-PCR. The expression of TLR9 and NF-κB protein were analyzed by Western blot. Changes of the NF-KB transcriptional activity were assayed by Dual-Luciferase reporter assay system.

RESULTSmRNA expressions of TLR9, MyD88, NF-κB, and IFN-α, protein expressions of TLR9 and NF-κB, and NF-κB transcriptional activities were enhanced, showing statistical difference when compared with those of the blank serum group (P <0. 05, P <0. 01). Compared with the CpG ODN stimulus group, mRNA expressions of MyD88, NF-κB, and IFN-α, the protein expression of NF-κB and the NF-κB transcriptional activities decreased in the CpG ODN + dexamethasone group with statistical difference (P <0. 01). Compared with the CpG ODN stimulus group, mRNA expressions of TLR9, MyD88, NF-κB, and IFN-α, protein expressions of TLR9 and NF-κB, and NF-κB transcriptional activities were decreased in CpG ODN+ medicated serum group with statistical difference (P <0. 01).

CONCLUSIONEfficacy enhancing and detoxification roles of JQZR in treatment of SLE might be realized through regulating TLR9 signal pathways.

Animals ; Cell Line ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Macrophages ; metabolism ; Mice ; Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88 ; NF-kappa B ; RNA, Messenger ; Signal Transduction ; Toll-Like Receptor 9 ; metabolism

Objective To evaluate the theraputic effect of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE)for hepatocellular carcinoma with tumor thrombosis of portal vein.Methods One hundred and six patients of hepatocellular carcinoma with tumor thrombosis of portal vein under treament of TACE were observed before and after the procedure.Results After TACE tumor size reduced＞50% in 23 patients,＜50% in 25, no significant change in 44.The size of tumor enlarged in 12.The disappearance of portal vein tumor thrombosis accessed in 14,with reduction in 39,and no significant change in 51.Two patients died within one week.Conclusion TACE provides good therapeutic effect on hepatocellular carcinoma with tumor thrombosis of portal vein.

Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by enterbaeterial repetitive intergenic consensus-polymerase chain reaction(ERIC-PCR)DNA fingerprint. Methods Mycobacterium tuberculosis positive sputum samples between September 2003 to May 2006 were collected and cultured.Chromosomal DNA were extracted and ERIC-PCR DNA fingerprinting was analyzed by software,such as RAPD PHYLIP and Treeview.Results A total of 42 different fingerprints were detected.Phylogenetic analysis showed that they could be classified into three clusters,the clustering rate was 72.6%.The characteristics of ERIC-PCR fingerprint patterns were related to age,drug resistance,and type of resistance.Conclusions ERIC-PCR DNA fingerprinting technique used in this study is good for epidemiological studies with its strong discrimination,simplicity and rapidness.A high level of recent transmission is found in our city.

Objective To determine whether Fudenine is a novel membrane protein. Methods Green fluorescence protein(GFP)was used to localize Fudenine in vivo. GFP, as a control, was targeted to cytoplasm.Epithelial cell, CBRH7919, and non-epithelial cell, L-6TG, were cultured and transiently transfected by using the lipofectamine reagent. After 48 h, intact cells were examined with fluorescence microscope for Fudenine. Results Reporter plasmid pEGFP-N1, as a control , was expressed and localized to cytoplasm. But Fudenine, driven by the cytomegalovirus promoterenhancer contained in the pEGFP-N1 vector, was overexpressed and targeted to cellular membrane. Conclusions Fudenine is a novel membrane protein. It may play the similar role with its homologues AC133 antigen and prominin in human and mouse.respectively. It might be involved in signaling transduction and regulate blood glucose metabolism in vivo.

No abstract available.
Angioplasty*

No abstract available.

Objective To establish a Real-time Taqman probe technique system to detect the mtDNA 1555A > G mutation in deaf population. Methods Primers and Taqman probes for mtDNA 1555A > G mutation were designed and synthesized. The technique system for detecting mtDNA 1555A > G mutation using Real-time Taqman probes was established. Then the reliability of the technique was tested in 132 patients with severe to profound hearing loss who were detected for the mtDNA 1555A > G mutation by sequencing, Kit method and Real-time Taqman probe technique at the same time. Finally, the results by the above three ways were compared. Results Thirty-two cases with mtDNA 1555A > G mutation were found by the technique of Real-time Taqman probe. These findings coincided with the results from sequencing and Kit method completely. Both the false positive rate and the false negative rate were zero. Conclusions The technique possesses the merits of accuracy, conveniency, high sensitivity, high specificity and intuitionistic results, etc. Importantly, the Real-time Taqman probe technique only needs 1.5 hours to detect the 1555A > G mutation and it saves 4. 5 hours for one reaction compared with the Kit method popularly used nowadays. The technique system of detecting mtDNA 1555A > G mutation is reliable. It's suitable for large-scale detecting and preventive diagnosis of mtDNA 1555A > G mutation.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: It has been reported that ozone exposure exacerbate allergic rhinitis symptoms and may contribute to increase allergic rhinitis prevalence. However, a causal relationship still remained unsolved. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether prolonged exposure to ozone induce Th2 immune response without allergen. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen BALB/c mice were divided into two groups: control group and ozone exposure group. Mice were exposed to 0.3 ppm of ozone for 4 hours a day, 3 times per week, for 4 weeks. At 24 hour after the last ozone exposure, nasal lavage fluid (NLF) was obtained to measure the levels of cytokine IL-4, IL-5, and IFN-gamma. After lavage fluid was obtained, blood was obtained via inferior vena cava to measure the amount of total IgE and IgG1. The concentration of cytokines and immunoglobulins was measured using the ELISA method. In addition, Luna staining was performed to identify eosinophils infiltrated in nasal mucosa. RESULTS: The levels of IL-4 and IL-5 in NLF were significantly increased in ozone exposure group compared with control group. But the level of IFN-gamma in NLF shows no significant difference between two groups. Serum total IgE and IgG1 were significantly increased in ozone exposure group compared with control group. On histologic examination, number of eosinophils infiltrating nasal mucosa was significantly increased in ozone exposure group. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that repeated ozone exposure induces Th2 response in the nasal mucosa of mice.
Animals ; Cytokines ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Eosinophils ; Immunoglobulin E ; Immunoglobulin G ; Immunoglobulins ; Interleukin-4 ; Interleukin-5 ; Mice* ; Nasal Lavage Fluid ; Nasal Mucosa ; Ozone* ; Prevalence ; Rhinitis ; Therapeutic Irrigation ; Vena Cava, Inferior

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between insulin resistance and carotid atherosclerosis in patients with potential hyperglycemia.

METHODSA total of 221 patients were recruited among those with potential hyperglycemia. All participants underwent physical examination, medical history interview, and 75 g oral glucose tolerance test. Venous blood was sampled for measurement of insulin and cholesterol levels. The intima-media thickness (IMT) in bilateral common carotid arteries was observed by B-mode ultrasound. Insulin resistance index was calculated by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR). Subjects were stratified in quintiles according to HOMA-IR values. Risk factors and atherosclerotic parameters were analyzed.

RESULTSWith HOMA-IR value increase, incidence of impaired glucose tolerance, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and coronary artery disease increased, the levels of triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), fasting plasma glucose, 2 hour plasma glucose, and fasting insulin increased as well, while the level of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) decreased. Meanwhile, all atherosclerotic parameters increased. Multivariate regression analysis showed that TG, total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C levels, and ln(HOMA-IR) were related to IMT, hence were risk factors for IMT increase.

CONCLUSIONInsulin resistance is implicated in atherogenesis.

Aged ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Carotid Artery Diseases ; blood ; etiology ; Carotid Artery, Common ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Female ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Humans ; Hyperglycemia ; blood ; Insulin ; blood ; Insulin Resistance ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Tunica Media ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo explore a new method for mentoplasty.

METHODSThe bilateral prominent mandibular angle or outer lamina was resected through the intraoral approach. The resected bone fragments were shaped and rigid fixed to the chin with miniplates and screws.

RESULTSA total of 30 patients (28 females, 2 males) accepted chin augmentation with this method. The mandibular angle bone was used in 20 cases and the mandibular outer lamina was used in 10 cases. The operative results were satisfactory, and the patient's facial contour was improved substantially.

CONCLUSIONNo rejection reaction was found after this procedure. Chin augmentation with autogenous mandibular bone is an ideal method for genioplasty.

Adult ; Bone Transplantation ; methods ; Chin ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mandible ; surgery ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Treatment Outcome