OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of Wenyang Huazhuo Tongluo Recipe (WYHZTLR) containing serum on transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1)/Smad signaling pathway of skin fibroblasts in systemic sclerosis (SSc).

METHODSTotally 36 SSc patients were randomly assigned to Chinese medicine (CM) group, Western medicine (WM) group, and integrative medicine (IM) group according to random digit table, 12 in each group. Patients in the CM group took WYHZTLR decoction (one dose per day). Patients in the WM group took penicillamine tablet (0. 125 g each time, bid) and Prednisone Acetate Tablet (PAT 20 mg, qd). Patients in the IM group took penicillamine, PAT, and WYHZTLR decoction (in the same dosage of corresponding drugs as aforesaid). All patients were treated for one month to get drug containing serum. Besides, 10 untreated SSc patients' serum was taken as the control group. Healthy subjects' skin fibroblasts were originated from healthy skin tissue of the upper arms of 2 female patients undergoing plastic surgery. Corresponding serum of each group was added in the culture system of SSc patients' and healthy subjects' dermal fibroblasts respectively. Expression levels of TGF-β1 receptor type I (TGF-β1 RI), TGF-β1 receptor II (TGF-β1 RII), p-Smad2/3 and Smad7 protein were examined by Western blot. Expression levels of collagen type I and collagen type III (Col-I, Col-III) mRNA were examined by reverse transcription PCR. Contents of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) in the supernatant of SSc, skin fibroblasts were examined by ELISA.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, expression levels of TGF-β1 R I and p-Smad2/3 protein significantly decreased, but expression levels of Smad7 protein significantly increased in skin fibroblasts of SSc patients and healthy subjects of WM, CM, and IM groups (P <0.05, P <0. 01). Meanwhile, the expression level of TGF-β1 RII decreased in the IM group (P <0. 05, P <0. 01). Compared with the WM group, expression levels of TGF-β1 RI and p-Smad2/ 3 protein significantly decreased, but that of Srnad7 protein significantly increased in IM groups (P <0. 01). mRNA expression levels of Col-I and Col-II in SSc skin fibroblasts significantly decreased more in WM, CM, and IM groups than in the control group (P <0. 05, P <0. 01). Besides, the expression level of Col-III mRNA was significantly lower in the IM group than in the WM group (P <0.01). Compared with the control group, serum levels of MMP-9 and MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratios increased more obviously in WM, CM, and IM groups (P <0.05, P <0.01). But expression levels of TIMP-1 decreased significantly in CM and IM groups (P <0.01). Expression levels of MMP-9 and MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratios increased more in the IM group than in the WM group (P <0. 01). Expression levels of TIMP-1 decreased more in CM and IM groups than in the WM group (P <0.01).

CONCLUSIONWYHZTLR containing serum could reduce expression levels of Col-I and Col-III possibly through regulating key signal molecules, such as TGF-β1 RI, p-Smad2/3, and Smad7 in TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway of SSc skin fibroblasts, and inhibiting transduction of TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway.

Collagen Type I ; Collagen Type III ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Fibroblasts ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; Scleroderma, Systemic ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Smad2 Protein ; Smad7 Protein ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the distribution of water-borne fluoride and the current status of water defluoridation project by improving drinking water quality in endemic fluorosis areas in Shandong province,and to provide scientific basis for making strategies in prevention and control of the disease. Methods According to "the National Technical Scheme for Endemic Disease Control in 2004, 2005 and 2006", 113 endemic fluorosis diseased counties(cities, and districts) of the province's 17 cities were screened in order to investigate the fluoride level in drinking water in fluorosis villages, recheck the fluoride level after implementing the water defluoridation project, and investigate the current status of the water defluoridation project. The fluoride level in drinking water was determined by F-ion selective electrode. Results There were a total of 5816 water defluoridation projects in the province. Most of them were carried out by drilling a deep well to get under-ground water. The wells still in good condition were accounted for 72.80% (4234/5816). Intermittent operated wells were accounted for 3.11% (181/5816). Abandoned wells were accounted for 24.09%(1401/5816). Level of water fluoride was determined in 6940samples from fluorosis villages(villages that not carry out the water defluoridation project as well as villages carried out the water defluoridation project with abandoned wells were included) and the value that lower or equal to 1.00mg/L was determined in 2987 villages which accounted for 43.04% (2987/6940). Level of water fluoride that over 1.00 mg/L was found in 3953 villages which accounted for 56.96% (3593/6940), and the highest level of water fluoride was 11.33 mg/L. Level of water fluoride were determined in 4415 samples from water defluoridation project and the value lower or equal to 1.00 mg/L was in 2983 wells which accounted for 65.53%(2983/4415). The value over 1.00 mg/L was in 1522 wells which accounted for 34.47%(1522/4415), the highest value of water fluoride was 9.71 mg/L. Conclusions Level of water fluoride in up to 1/2 of the villages and 1/3 of the projects, is still higher than the standard in Shandong province. Nearly 1/4 of the project has been abandoned. The current situation for endemic fluorosis control is still not good in the province, countermeasures for endemic fluorosis must be carried out as soon as possible and surveillance of water defluoridation project must be strengthened.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Wenyang Huazhuo Tongluo Recipe (WYHZTLR) on the proportion of T helper 17 cells (Thl7)/regulatory T cells (Treg), and serum levels of IL-17 and IL-10 in peripheral blood of systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients with yang qi insufficiency and turbidity induced collaterals blockage syndrome (YQITICBS).

METHODSTotally 82 SSc patients were randomly assigned to the Western medicine group (as the control group) and the integrated Chinese and Western medicine group (as the treatment group), 41 cases in each group. All patients took methotrexate (MTX) tablet and prednisone tablet. Patients in the treatment group additionally took WYHZTLR. The treatment course for all was six consecutive months. Besides, another 70 healthy volunteers were recruited as a healthy control group (as the healthy group). Percentages of Th17 and Treg in peripheral blood were detected by flow cytometry. Serum levels of IL-17, IL-10, von Willebrand factor (vWF), aminoterminal propeptide of type l procollagen (PIIINP), and cross-linked carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen ( I CTP) were measured by double antibody sandwich ELISA. The correlations between Th17/Treg and levels of vWF, PIIINP, I CTP, skin score, and disease activity index were observed by Pearson correlation analysis.

RESULTSThe percentage of Th17 in peripheral blood, ratios of Th17/Treg, and the serum level of IL-17 were significantly higher, but the percentage of Treg and the serum level of IL-10 were significantly lower in SSc patients, when compared with those of the healthy group (P <0. 05, P <0. 01). Compared with the same group before treatment, the percentage of Thl7, ratios of Thl7/Treg, and levels of IL-17, vWF, and PIIINP all decreased in the two groups after treatment (P <0.05, P <0.01), but the percentage of Treg and the IL-10 level increased (P <0. 05, P <0. 01). Meanwhile,the level of I CTP was higher in the treatment group after treatment (P <0. 05). The improvement of all indices except the percentage of Th17 was more obvious in the treatment group than in the control group (P <0. 05, P <0. 01). The ratio of Th17/Treg was positively correlated with levels of vWF, PIIINP, skin score, and disease activity index before and after treatment respectively (P <0. 01), but with no obvious correlation with the level of I CTP (P >0. 05).

CONCLUSIONWYHZTLR could achieve its therapeutic effect on SSc patients by regulating Th17/Treg imbalance, lowering levels of vWF and PIIINP, and elevating the level of I CTP.

Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Interleukin-10 ; Interleukin-17 ; Methotrexate ; Peptide Fragments ; Procollagen ; Scleroderma, Systemic ; drug therapy ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; Th17 Cells

BACKGROUND:Sepsis-induced myocardial injury is one of the major predictors of morbidity and mortality of sepsis. The cytoprotective function of erythropoietin (EPO) has been discovered and extensively studied. However, the cardioprotective effects of EPO on sepsis-induced myocardial injury in the rat sepsis model has not been reported.METHODS:The rat models of sepsis were produced by cecal ligation and perforation (CLP) surgery. Rats were randomly (random number) assigned to one of three groups (n=8 for each group):sham group, CLP group and EPO group (1000 IU/kg erythropoietin). Arterial blood was withdrawn at 3, 6, 12, and 24 hours after CLP. cTnI, BNP, CK-MB, LDH, AST, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, and CRP were tested by the ELISA assay. Changes of hemodynamic parameters were recorded at 3, 6, 12, 24 hours after the surgery. Histological diagnosis was made by hematoxylin and eosin. Flow cytometry was performed to examine cell apoptosis, myocardium mitochondrial inner membrane potential, and NF-κB (p65). Survival rate at 7 days after CLP was recorded.RESULTS:In the CLP group, myocardial enzyme index and inflammatory index increased at 3, 6, 12 and 24 hours after CLP compared with the sham group, and EPO significantly blocked the increase. Compared with the CLP group, EPO significantly improved LVSP, LV +dp/dtmax, LV -dp/dtmin, and decreased LVEDP at different time. EPO blocked the reduction of mitochondrial transmembrane potential, suppressed the cardiomyocyte apoptosis, inhibited the activation of NF-κB, and reduced the production of proinflmmatory cytokines. No difference in the survival rate at 7 days was observed between the CLP group and the EPO group.CONCLUSION:Exogenous EPO has cardioprotective effects on sepsis-induced myocardial injury.

OBJECTIVETo detect the immunoreactivity of targeted fusion anti-caries DNA vaccine pGJA-P in vitro, and the ability to enhance the immune responses compared with the non-targeted fusion anti-caries DNA vaccine pGLUA-P.

METHODSThe CHO cells were transfected with pGJA-P and the expression of recombinant protein in cultured supernatants were detected using Western blotting. 5 to 6-month-old female Japanese rabbits were immunized with either pGJA-P or pGLUA-P via either intramuscular injection (i.m.) or intranasal route (i.n.). The sera and saliva were collected and the antibody responses were checked by ELISA. The effect of immune sera on the synthesis of water-insoluble glucan by glucosyltransferase of S. mutans was examined.

RESULTSThe expressed protein could response to specific anti-GTF antibody. The antibody responses in serum generated by pGJA-P via i.m. were significantly higher than those generated by pGLUA-P (P < 0.01). The antibody responses in saliva generated by pGJA-P via i.n. were significantly higher than those generated by pGLUA-P (P < 0.01). The higher mucosal antibody response induced by pGJA-P via i.m. compared with pGLUA-P (P < 0.01) was detected. The immune sera of rabbits immunized by pGJA-P via i.m. most significantly inhibited the synthesis of water-insoluble glucan by glucosyltransferase.

CONCLUSIONSThe recombinant protein expressed by pGJA-P had the immunoreactivity to anti-GTF antibody. pGJA-P could induce faster and higher specific mucosal SIgA antibody responses via i.n. or serum IgG antibody responses via i.m. compared with non-targeted DNA vaccine, pGLUA-P. High titres of specific mucosal antibodies were found in rabbits immunized with pGJA-P via i.m. The immune sera of rabbits immunized by pGJA-P via i.m. displayed the ability of inhibiting the synthesis of water-insoluble glucan by glucosyltransferase.

Animals ; Bacterial Proteins ; immunology ; CHO Cells ; Cricetinae ; Dental Caries ; prevention & control ; Female ; Glucosyltransferases ; immunology ; metabolism ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; immunology ; Rabbits ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; administration & dosage ; immunology ; Streptococcus mutans ; immunology ; Transfection ; Vaccines, DNA ; administration & dosage ; immunology

Objective To analyze and evaluate the occupational hazards,engineering protection measures and risk levels in an oil terminal project.Methods Engineering analysis,occupational health survey,inspecting -testing and semi -qualitative semi-quantitative evaluation method (MES method)were used to analyze the production process,the type of occupational hazards,characteristics and concentrated/strong degrees and engineering protection measures of the project. Also,the occupational health risk and the effect of engineering protection were assessed.Results The main occupational hazards of this project were dust,solvent naphtha,benzene,toluene,xylene,hexane,non -methane hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide,carbon dioxide,manganese and its inorganic compounds,hydrochloric acid,hydrogen sulfide,noise, high temperature,power frequency electric field,welding electric arc and so on.Approximately,16.67%of noise samples and 66.67% of high temperature samples exceeded the Chinese National Occupational Health Standards.Except for noise of the fuel pump shed and high temperature of 100000 tons pier and fuel tank,the occupational hazards of other jobs were in line with the national occupational health standards.In normal conditions,the occupational risk levels of all positions were 5 (slightly hazardous),while in special conditions,the occupational risk level of repair welders was 5 (slightly hazardous),of pier operators and tank farm operators were 1 (extremely dangerous),of sewage treatment workers,boiler room operators and electricians were 3 (significant risk ).Conclusion This project can take effective engineering protective measures to control occupational hazards and risk management of special conditions need to be strengthened.

Objective Study the intervention effects occupational HS (health and safety)checklist of the comprehensive intervention effects on colored textile manufacture.Methods Combined the application of occupational disease hazard control effect assessment and HS checklist to intervene and assessment a colored textile manufacture,and then compare the intervention effects.Results The qualified rate of checklist has been increased from 31.25% to 79.17% after intervention.The qualified rate of main contents of occupational health intervention (monitoring occupational disease health risk factors,protecting facilities for occupational disease,facilities for emergency rescue,construction of hygiene,work -related welfare facilities,occupational health surveillance,occupational health management,chemical management, employee participation and suppliers security) also has been significantly improved (P <0.05 ).Furthermore,the unqualified rates of dust concentration in workplace descreased from 83.33% to 16.67%.Conclusion The application of occupational disease hazard control effect assessment combined with HS checklist improved intervention effect and this technique could be spread.

Objective To explore the suitable risk assessment model for printing industry, we evaluated the risk of furniture industry using models provided by Singapore Ministry of Manpower (MOM) . Methods According to the occupational-disease-prevention laws and regulations, we improved the MOM and increased the risk assessment of physical agents. Then, we evaluate the risk of furniture industry using the improved MOM. Results The range of wood dust was 1.9-8.9mg/m3, and the percent of pass was 50%. The range of formaldehyde, benzene, methylbenzene and dimethylbenzene was 0.24-0.36 mg/m3, <0.6mg/m3, 3.8-6.7mg/m3 and 6.1-16.1mg/m3 respectively, and their percent of pass was 100%. Furthermore, the noise intensity was 80.8 dB (A), which was under the occupational exposure limit. The risk level of wood dust, formaldehyde, benzene and noise was high, while the risk level of methylbenzene and dimethylbenzene was moderate. Conclusion The improved semi-quantitative risk assessment was appropriate for furniture industry, but its applicability in industrial enterprise needs to be studied further.

Echovirus 6, Human ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Enterovirus Infections ; virology ; Genes, Viral ; Humans ; Sequence Analysis

OBJECTIVETo explore the epidemic characteristics of bacterial dysentery in Jinan municipality, and to provide scientific basis for effective strategy for bacterial dysentery control.

METHODSThe epidemiological characteristics of bacillary dysentery in Jinan from 1951 to 2005 were analyzed. A total of 485,333 cases in the span of 50 years were recorded, while the population-based case distribution was less than the total cases due to the data incompleteness during the Cultural Revolution.

RESULTSThe incidence of bacillary dysentery in Jinan has been decreasing by years with average incidence rate of 283.10/100,000. The significant differences were observed among the incidence rates of various ages(chi2 = 14.99, P < 0.05). There were four epidemic peaks, and all the incidence rates were about 1000/100,000. Age of onset mainly concentrated in the 0-4 years old, 20-years old and 30-years old. In terms of occupational distribution, workers accounted for 30.31%, the living-scattered children accounted for 22.71%, and the farmers accounted for 17.90%. The incidence focus was from July to September, which accounted for 71.57%. The peak of incidence emerged in August. The highest incidence in urban was 550.94/100,000.

CONCLUSIONThrough the efforts of several generations of health workers, the incidence of bacillary dysentery in Jinan has been basically brought under control. Further step should be taken for the control of bacterial dysentery in urban areas and the management of bacterial dysentery in rural areas. Moreover, the biological characteristics of F2a should be a focus for the future study.

China ; epidemiology ; Dysentery, Bacillary ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Incidence ; Shigella dysenteriae ; Shigella flexneri ; Shigella sonnei