Objective To explore the effects and mechanism of cigarette smoke extract (CSE) on the proliferation of air?way smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) and the expression of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (CEBPα) and calreticulin. Meth?ods (1) The ASMCs were stimulated with different concentrations of CSE for twenty-four hours. According to the concentra?tions of CSE,the cells were divided into control group, 2.5%CSE group, 5%CSE group and 10%CSE group. The prolifera?tion of ASMCs was measured by MTT colrimetric method. The CEBPαmRNA was analyzed by RT-PCR. Western bloting as?say was performed to detect the levels of CRT and CEBPαprotein. (2) In 10%CSE group, transfection of the siRNA respec?tively for negative control or calreticulin was performed in accordance with instructions. The cell proliferation and the expres?sion of calreticulin and CEBPαwere compared in negative control siRNA group and calreticulin siRNA group. Results (1) With the increasing of the concentrations of CSE, the protein expression of CEBPαdecreased gradually (P<0.05), while the proliferation of ASMCs and the protein expression of calreticulin increased (P<0.05), but the expression of CEBPαmRNA in ASMCs showed no significant difference in groups with different concentrations of CSE (P>0.05). (2) Under the 10%CSE, the expression of CEBPαwas significantly higher in CRT siRNA group than that in negative control group (P<0.05),but the cell proliferation and CRT were significantly lower in the calreticulin siRNA group than those in negative control siRNA group (P<0.05). Conclusion The CSE exposure contributes to the expression of calreticulin protein,and then inhibits the translation of CEBPαmRNA,thus promotes the proliferation of ASMCs.

Purpose To investigate the clinical manifestations, imaging characteristics and pathological features of mesenteric lym-phangioma. Methods The clinical pathological and imaging features of 14 cases diagnosed mesenteric lymphangioma were retrospec-tively analyzed. Results 14 cases of mesenteric lymphangioma appeared diversity of clinical symptoms, most presenting abdominal pain and discomfort. Cystic lesion had often been diagnosed and only 2 cases were recognized as lymphangioma by imaging examina-tion. These tumors usually located in the mesentery and some involved intestinal wall. Microscopically, the tumors were consisted of ir-regular cavities, lined with simple flat endothelial cells, filled with lymph fluid and lymphocytes. All cases showed strong D2-40 immu-noreactivity. Conclusion Mesenteric lymphangioma is a benign tumor with serious complications, and preoperative CT imaging stud-ies may prompt the diagnosis. Resection completely is the preferred treatment.

With more and more attention and investment on acupuncture scientific researches, considerable outcomes and achievements has been acquired, but the shortcoming of low transformation rate of acupuncture research achievements is gradually exposed. Nowadays there is no related report on this problem, so based on achievement translational research in other areas and practical situation of acupuncture, the existing problems and solutions are analyzed. As a result, the existing problems include (1) the research content is mainly basic research and clinical research but less acupuncture device research, leading to limited transformation efficiency; (2) the evaluation system and transformation pattern are still needed to be perfect. The solutions are (1) to properly evaluate the research achievements of acupuncture, (2) to advocate the concept and method of translational medicine, (3) to reform the policy and system, and (4) to establish valid platforms covering research, outcomes and transformation.
Acupuncture ; economics ; legislation & jurisprudence ; manpower ; Biomedical Research ; Biotechnology ; economics ; legislation & jurisprudence ; manpower ; China ; Humans ; Technology Transfer

OBJECTIVETo study the clinicopathological characteristics of papillary cystadenoma of the epididymis.

METHODSUsing routine pathology and immunohistochemistry, we observed the surgically obtained samples from 2 cases of papillary cystadenoma of the epididymis, analyzed their pathological features and clinical presentations, and reviewed the related literature.

RESULTSThe 2 patients were both adult males. The tumors typically manifested as painless swelling in the epididymis, with occasionally dull pain and tenesmus in 1 of the cases. Pathologically, the lesions exhibited three morphological features, i. e., dilated ducts and small cysts surrounded by fibrous connective tissue, adenoid papillary hyperplasia into the cysts embraced by fibrovascular stroma, and acidophil substance present in the cysts. Immunohistochemistry showed that the tumors were strongly positive for CK8/18, CK7, and EMA, but negative for CK20, CEA, MC, Calretenin, P53, P63, SMA, VHL, and CD10, with the positive rate of Ki-67 <1%. Follow-up visits revealed good prognosis in both cases.

CONCLUSIONPapillary cystadenoma of the epididymis is a rare benign tumor in the male urogenital system, which may be accompanied by the VHL syndrome. Surgery is the first choice for its treatment.

Adult ; Cystadenoma, Papillary ; chemistry ; pathology ; Epididymis ; Genital Neoplasms, Male ; chemistry ; pathology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; von Hippel-Lindau Disease

OBJECTIVETo explore the pattern of abnormal skeletal development in girls with idiopathic precocious puberty (IPP) and the therapeutic effect of Chinese herbs for nourishing yin and purging fire (CH).

METHODSMeasurement of bone age, bone mineral content (BMC) and bone density (BD) were performed and levels of serum gla-protein (BGP), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP3) were determined in girls with IPP at various stages of pubertal development. Data were compared with those collected from matched girls, and the correlativity between various parameters and the extent of the disease were analyzed to explore the pattern. Thirty-eight girls out of them were treated with CH and the therapeutic effect was observed.

RESULTSThe bone age of the IPP girls was ahead of time obviously (P < 0.05), levels of BMC, BD and serum BGP, IGF-1 were significantly higher than the levels in the healthy girls of matched age (P < 0.05). And the degree of these changes were markedly positive correlated with the severity of disease (P < 0.05). After being remitted with CH treatment, the advanced bone age was apparently alleviated, and above-mentioned abnormal criteria were lowered significantly (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe skeletal development of the girls with IPP was accelerated and the skeletal maturity were ahead of time, the more serious the condition of disease, the more obvious the acceleration and the advanced bone age. CH could decelerate skeletal development and delay the skeletal maturity of IPP patients.

Age Determination by Skeleton ; Bone Development ; Child ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; metabolism ; Osteocalcin ; blood ; Phytotherapy ; Puberty, Precocious ; blood ; drug therapy

Objective To investigate the diagnostic accuracy of 13C urea breath test (13C-UBT)in the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection in patients with gastric remnant.Methods A total of 94 gastric remnant patients (gastric remnant group) and 100 non-gastric remnant patients (control group) received 13C-UBT.According to the course of the disease,the gastric remnant group were divided into group 1 (29 cases,≤5 years),group 2 (33 cases,6 to 10 years) and group 3 (32cases,＞10 years).Before surgery,the diagnosis of Hp infection was according to 13C-UBT and gastric mucosa tissue staining.After surgery,the diagnosis was according to gastric mucosa tissue staining.The applying value of 13C-UBT in gastric remnant patients was evaluated.The consistency of results between 13C-UBT and gastric mucosa tissue staining were evaluated by the Kappa test.Results In gastric remnant group,the Hp infection rate after surgery (37.2％) was obviously lower than that before operation (79.8％;x2 =35.058,P＜0.01) and that of control group (77.0％).After surgery,the Hp infection rate of patients with Billroth Ⅱ gastrectomy (24.4％) was lower than that of patients with Billroth Ⅰ gastrectomy (47.2％ ; x2 =5.133,P=0.023).Before surgery,the Hp infection rate of gastric remnant subgroups were similar (P＞0.05).With the extension of the postoperative course,the Hp infection rate gradually decreased in gastric remnant subgroups (group 1:58.6％,group 2:36.4％,group 3:18.8％; x2=7.839,P=0.021).Setting the cut-off point at 2.0‰ in the gastric remnant group and 3.5‰ in the control group,the accuracy rate of diagnosis was the highest (92.6％ and 96.0％).There was good consistency between the results of 13C-UBT and gastric mucosa tissue staining (Kappa =0.84,P＜0.01).Conclusion With suitable operation and standard,13C-UBT may be a easy,safe and effective assay applied in the gastric remnant patients.

A simulation experiment was carried out by applying the simulation model to spread of influenza A (H1N1) in communities with different population density. Population at the community-level was divided into susceptible, infected and recovered ones, according to the susceptive-infective-removal (SIR) model, and the age structure of the population was set on the basis of data from the Fifth Population Census. Contact and moving of the individuals were based on the Network Random Contact Model and the mortality and infection mode were established in line with the influenza A (H 1N 1) medical description. The results of an example analysis showed that the infection rate was closely related to the density of the community-based population while the rate on early infection grew rapidly. Influenza A (H1N1) seemed more likely to break out in the community with population density of over 50/hm2. Comparative tests showed that vaccination could effectively restrain the spread of influenza A (H1N1) at the community level. Conclusion Population density,and the coverage of influenza vaccination were risk factors for influenza A (H1N1) epidemics.Results of the experiment showed of value, for prevention and vaccination on this topic.

Objective To explore the clinical,radiological findings and pathogenic factor of spondylometaphyseal dysplasia.Methods Five cases were reported and the relevant documents were studied retrospectively.Plain X-ray film was performed in all patients.Results There were 4 male and 1 female,age ranged from 4 to 15 years with average of 9 years.The main features of 5 cases included delayed bone age,stature short,short trunk,waddling gait noted,scoliosis in 2 cases,kyphoscoliosis in 1 case,severe genu valgum in 2 cases.The main X-ray appearance of 5 cases is multiple irregularities of long bones metaphyses associated with platyspondylia,epiphysis is normal.Type Ⅰ SMD in 2 cases,Type Ⅱ SMD in 1 case,Type Ⅲ SMD in 2 cases.Conclusion When we meet children with delayed bone age and stature short,and muhiple irregularities of long bones metaphyses associated with platyspondylia were seen in X-ray plain film.we should think about spondylometaphyseal dysplasia.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of activation of aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) by ethanol on the expression of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in the kidney of diabetic rats.

METHODSEightheen healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 6): normal control group, diabetes group and ethanol + diabetes group. After 8 weeks, 24 h urine samples from rats were collected to detect urinary protein content. The kidney was isolated and the ratio of kidney weight/body weight (index of kidney weight) was detected. The levels of fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin serum urea nitrogen and serum creatinine were measured. Morphological changes of renal tissue were observed by optical microscope. The protein expressions of ALDH2 and JNK in renal tissue were detected by Western blot.

RESULTSCompared with the normal control rats, the levels of fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, serum urea nitrogen, serum creatinine and the index of kidney weight were increased markedly in diabetic rats. The expression of ALDH2 protein was decreased, while p-JNK, JNK protein expressions and the ratio of p-JNK/JNK were increased. The morphological observation was shown that the amount of glomerular mesangial matrix were increased, basement membrane were thickened and capillary lumen were narrowed. However,in ethanol + diabetes group, renal function was improved and the damage of renal structure was attenuated. The expression of ALDH2 protein was increased, while p-JNK, JNK and the ratio of p-JNK/JNK were decreased.

CONCLUSIONEnhanced ALDH2 expression can protect kidney in diabetic rats, which may be relevant with inhibitting the activity of JNK pathway.

Aldehyde Dehydrogenase ; metabolism ; physiology ; Aldehyde Dehydrogenase, Mitochondrial ; Animals ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; enzymology ; Ethanol ; pharmacology ; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; Kidney ; enzymology ; Male ; Mitochondrial Proteins ; metabolism ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

BACKGROUNDTo determine the antigenicity of recombinant hepatitis E virus ORF2 (rHEV ORF2) protein expressed in Pichia pastoris (P. pastoris).

METHODSBy using the rHEV ORF2 protein from E.coli as control, an indirect ELISA was adopted to identify the sensitivity, specificity and stability of rHEV ORF2 protein from P. pastoris in detection of HEV IgM and IgG antibody in sera from patients with hepatitis E. The reactivity of the rHEV ORF2 against 5 HEV ORF2 monoclonal antibodies (McAbs) was also tested.

RESULTSThe minimum concentration of coated antigen with which HEV IgG could be detected was 12.5 ng/ml, while the highest serum dilution to detect both IgM and IgG antibodies against HEV was 1:5 120. No cross-reaction was found with sera from patients with any other types of hepatitis. The 37 degree C acceleration test showed that the rORF2 was highly stable within 12 months at 4 degrees C. The 5 HEV ORF2 McAbs showed better reaction with the rORF2 from P. pastoris, especially that 4B2, 2E2, whose reaction against the rORF2 were 125 and 25 times respectively higher than that of rORF2 from E.Coli.

CONCLUSIONThere may be more extensive conformational epitopes in the rHEV ORF2 from P. pastoris. The excellent antigenicity, sensitivity and stability suggest that it can be served as a new candidate antigen for the development of diagnostic reagents of hepatitis E.

Gene Expression ; Hepatitis Antibodies ; blood ; Hepatitis Antigens ; genetics ; immunology ; Hepatitis E ; immunology ; Hepatitis E virus ; genetics ; immunology ; Humans ; Pichia ; genetics ; metabolism ; Recombinant Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; Viral Proteins ; genetics ; immunology