ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of Sirolimus (SRL) in immunosuppression following liver transplantation. Methods SRL was applied in 21 patients totally.Indication for adoption was Tac-related nephrotoxicity (4/21), suspiciously Tac-related hepatoxicity (8/21), Tac overdose (3/21), renal insufficiency pre-operation (2/21), or cancer (4/21). Median follow-up was 25. 4 months. Results SRL provided an adequate prophylaxis against rejection in all study patients, with one case of acute rejection. Sirolimus was Withdrawn in 2 cases due to its sideeffect. Tat-induced hepatoxicity in 6 cases and nephrotoxicity in 3 cases were relieved significantly.Conclusions SRL given alone appears to be an effective primary immunosuppressant regimen fororthotopic liver transplantation patients. Early conversion contributes to significant improvement of Tac-related hepatoxicity and nephrotoxicity.

Aged ; Anthracosis ; physiopathology ; Autonomic Nervous System ; physiopathology ; Death, Sudden ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

Japanese encephalitis virus(JEV)is one of the leading cause of viral encephalitis in Asia. The phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of isolated virus strains are reviewed in this paper. Studies on the biological characteristics of the isolates showed that different isolates existed apparent differences in virus plaque morphology, neuroinvasive pathogenicity in mice, protective antigenicity and hemagglutination property. In China, only genotype III JEV strains were isolated before 1977. But since 1977, both genotype I and I JEV strains were isolated and the genotype I virus, which was isolated from mosquitoes mostly, has become the dominant strain. Study on the genomic sequence indicated that there was only a few amino acid difference (< or = 43%) between the two genotype isolates. Comparison between both genotype isolates and widely used live vaccine strain SA14-14-2 revealed that there were only < or = 3% amino acid differences, most of which were the SA14-14-2 unique attenuating sites. These results indicate that the SA14-14-2 live vaccine is able to protect people against infection of the both genotype I and Ill JEV strains.
Animals ; China ; Culicidae ; virology ; Encephalitis Virus, Japanese ; classification ; genetics ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; Encephalitis, Japanese ; immunology ; prevention & control ; virology ; Genome, Viral ; genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Japanese Encephalitis Vaccines ; immunology ; Mice ; Phenotype ; Species Specificity ; Vaccines, Attenuated ; immunology

Objective To analyze the relationships between the drinking water fluoride and bone mineral density (BMD), and serum osteocalcin (BGP) and to explore the BMD and serum BGP as significant early screening biomarkers for fluorosis especially for early bone damage in endemic fluorosis areas. Methods Wamiao (severe endemic fluorosis area, as fluoride exposed group) and Xinhuai (non endemic fluorosis area, as control group) Village were selected in 2006. One hundred and fouty-six objects were chosen from 2 villages (103 in Wamiao, 43 in Xinhuai). The sex, age, body height, body weight, drinking water fluoride in each object's household well, BMD, and serum BGP were investigated, and the dose-response relationships were analyzed between the drinking water fluoride and BMD, and serum BGP. CurveExpert 1.3 Software was used to fit the dose-response relationships between the rate of abnormal BMD, the rate of abnormal serum BGP, and the drinking water fluoride. Results The levels of drinking water fluoride in males' and females' families in fluoride exposed group were [(2.38±0.68), (2.62±0.91 )mg/L] significant higher than that in control group [(0.35±0.08), (0.36±0.07)mg/L], the difference being statistically significant(t values were 14.27 and 11.08,and P<0.01, respectively). BMD in males in fluoride exposed group [(0.78±0.07)g/cm2] was significant lower than that in control group[(0.83±0.08)g/cm2], the difference being statistically significant (t=2.37,P<0.05). Serum BGP in males and females in fluoride exposed group [(4.17±0.67), (4.11±0.57) μg/L] were significant higher than that in control group [(1.48±0.40), (1.44±0.39)μg/L], the difference being statistically significant (t values were 17.64 and 19.40, and P<0.01, respectively]. BMD in the group with drinking water fluoride≥2.92 mg/L[(0.66±0.15 )g/cm2] was significant lower than that in the group with drinking water fluoride<0.42 mg/L [(0.76±0.12)g/cm2], the difference being statistically significant (P<0.01). The levels of serum BGP in the groups with the drinking water 0.42-,2.05-, ≥.92 mg/L[(3.83±1.07), (4.22±0.72), (3.99±0.63) μg/L] were significant higher than that in the group with the drinking water<0.42 mg/L [(1.44±0.37) μg/L], the difference being statistically significant (P<0.01). The equation for the dose-response relationship between the drinking water fluoride and the rate of abnormal BMD was y=(0.284-0.058x)-1.260, r=0.999 94; and y=100.05/(1+78.62e-4.5x), r=0.999 99 for the drinking water fluoride and the rate of abnormal serum BGP. Conclusions There were significant dose-response relationships between drinking water fluoride and BMD and serum BGP. It indicated that BMD and BGP might be considered as early screening biomarkers for endemic fluorosis, especially for the bone damage.

Objective To explore the association between glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level at admission and coronary plaque characteristics under intravenous ultrasound (IVUS) study in patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS). Methods 118 patients with NSTE-ACS were divided into the low(HbA1c ≤ 5.6％), medium(HbA1c 5.7％-6.4％)and high(HbA1c ≥ 6.5％)level groups based on admission HbA1c. IVUS was performed in all target lesions. Results As compared with the other two groups, patients with high level HbA1c had higher mean body weight index, higher co-morbidities of diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia and non-ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction.The high HbA1c level group had more diffuse coronary atherosclerosis ,increased plaque burden and higher rates of positive remodeling, soft plaque and plaque rupture. Conculsions The HbAlc level of admission is associated with plaque vulnerability in NSTE-ACS patients.

Objective To study the current situation of human brucellosis infection in a population at high risk in Qian'an,and to provide a scientific basis for prevention and control of the disease.Methods Towns with centralized residents working in sheep breeding,transporting,slaughtering and processing in Jianchangying,Muchangkou and Xiaguanying of Qian'an were selected.In each selected town,2-3 villages with relatively centralized households working in sheep farming,transportation and slaughtering were chosen.All of the people who contacted the sheep or their excrement were chosen as monitoring objects,and serological antibody was tested with rose Bengal plate test(RBPT) and serum agglutination test(SAT).Regional,gender,age and occupational distribution of brucellosis were analyzed.Results A total of 367 blood samples were tested,46 of them were positive in both RBPT and SAT with a ratio of 12.53％ (46/367).Male positive rate [13.51％ (30/222)] was slightly higher than that of females [11.03％(16/145)].The rate in Jianchangying was higher than that of other two towns with a ratio of 13.38％(40/299).The veterinary population had the highest ratio of 33.33％(1/3).Conclusions It is necessary to carry out the surveillance on brucellosis and to further strengthen communication with the animal husbandry department,and strengthen protection on key population.At the same time,in order to control the spread of the disease,extensive health education and intervention measures should be carried out.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of methylprednisolone （MP） on the proliferation and expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in astrocytes after spinal cord injury in rats. MethodsThe spinal cords in T8～T10 in 48 male Wistar rats (10 weeks old) were exposed and the right site were semi-transected. 24 rats were administrated MP through tail vein as experiment group, and the other rats were injected equal volumes of normal saline as the control group. They were assessed with Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) score for ethological test every 4 d, and were sacrificed, perfused 3 d, 7 d, 14 d and 28 d after operation. The spinal cords were removed and postfixed, The expression of GFAP was observed with immunohistochemical staining and gray values determination. The GFAP positive cells were also counted. ResultsThere was no significant difference in BBB score between these groups until 21 d after operation; but the MP group rats showed significantly better functional recovery than the control group 25 d after operation. The number of positive astrocytes was less in the MP group than in the control group 3 and 7 d after operation, but there was no significant difference 14 d after operation. The GFAP expression in glial scar was significantly lower in the MP group than in the control in the first 21 d after operation, but no significant difference 28 d after operation. ConclusionThe large dose methylprednisolone administration can decrease the number of active AS, attenuate the formation of glial scars, and improve the functional recovery of the hind limbs after acute spinal cord injury.

Objective To analyze the features of poststroke depression (PSD) between men and women after acute ischemic stroke in China. Methods A total of 1917 ischemic stroke patients were enrolled from the Prospective Cohort Study on Incidence and Outcome of Patients with Poststroke Depression in China. The incidence of PSD and the features were compared between male and female patients. The factors related with PSD of every gender were extracted with Logistic regression analysis. Results The incidence of PSD was higher in women than in men (32.9% vs. 26.6%, P<0.01). There was no difference in the stroke score between women and men (P>0.05). The score of Hamilton Depression Scale was higher in the women than in the men, and the features were similar. Logistic regression analysis indicated that the history of heart disease, history of mental disorders and stroke score related with PSD in women, while the age, history of mental disorders, smoking and stroke score in men. Conclusion The incidence and related factors of PSD 2 weeks after ischemic stroke are different between men and women.

Objective To build a foundation for determination of C reaction protein,C reaction protein was expressed and purified,and the immune reactivity of the purified protein was identified.Methods The CRP cDNA was amplified by RT-PCR from human liver cDNA library and inserted into expression vector pCRTT/NT.The recombined plasmid CRP-pCRTT/NT which expressed the fusion protein of CRP was then transferred into lysogenic host strain E coli.BL21 (DE3).The target protein was identified using SDS- polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE).Affinity chromatography was used for protein purification.The immune reactivity of purified CRP was identified by Western blot using anti-CRP specific antibody.Results Recombiant human CRP was expressed in inclusion bodies of E.coli with a six histamine tag.The purify of recombinant protein was detected by SDS-PAGE as a single band at 30 000 and was identified by Western blot.Conclusions A plasmid expressed CRP protein is constructed and the purification system of CRP protein is established.The immune reactivity of the purified protein is identified by Western blot,which makes a good base for the preparation of CRP test kit.

OBJECTIVETo develop a quantitative method for the determination of four flavonoids in buds of Herba Artemisiae Scopariae.

METHODThe sample was extracted by ultrasonic with ethyl acetate for 30 minutes and separated on kromasil ODS column with mobile phase of acetonitrile-tetrahydrofuran-1% acetic acid solution (2.5:21.5:76) and detection wavelength was 347 nm.

RESULTThe arcapillin, cirsiliol, cirsimaritin and cirsilineol in bud extract were well separated by this method. Linearities of arcapillin, cirsiliol, cirsimaritin and cirsilineol were good (r = 0.9992, 0.9999, 0.9997, 0.9997) in ranges of 0.035-0.56, 0.043-0.69, 0.040-0.64 and 0.040-0.64 microg, respectively. The average recoveries were 96.8%, 97.3%, 96.8%, 98.5% and RSD the values of repeatability were 2.5%, 3.0%, 1.5%, 3.2%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe method validation data indicated that the method is reliable and it can be used for quality control of Herba Artemisiae Scopariae and its preparations.

Artemisia ; chemistry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Flavones ; analysis ; Flowers ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Quality Control