Objective To investigate the molecular epidemiology of hepatitis B virus(HBV) in child carriers. Methods Blood samples were collected from children under 15 in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces. Enzyme immunoassay(EIA) and microparticle enzyme immunoassay(MEIA) were applied to screen hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg) positive children. Nested-PCR and real time PCR were used to amplify the HBV S gene and detected HBV DNA loads. S gene sequence and three-dimensional structure were analyzed by the DNASTAR and VMD1.8.6, respectively. SPSS 12.0 software was applied for data processing. Results A total of 64 HBsAg-positive cases were found in the screened children, from which 41 HBV S gene sequences were obtained. The average HBV DNA loads were(4.15±0.79)×10~7 copies/mL in 64 HBV carriers. Among 41 sequences. genotype C, B and B+C accounted for 82.93%(34/41), 12.19%(5/41)and 4.88%(2/41), respectively; and the serotypes were adr(34/39,87.18%), adw(4/39,10.24%) and ayr (1/39, 2.56%) with 2 strains unable to be sub-typed. The most common variants of "a" determinant in HBV S gene were 129 site Q→F(glutamine→phenylalanine), 145 site G→R(glycine→lysine), 131 site S→N(serine→asparagine)and 144 site C→A(cysteine→alanine), and the mutation frequencies were 12.20%(5/41), 4.88%(2/41), 2.27%(1/41)and 2.27%(1/41), respectively . The total mutation frequency was 21.95%(9/41). The S protein spatial structures of 129 site "Q→F" and 145 site "G→R" were entirely different from that of the wild strain. Conclusion Wild strain of HBV(C/adr) is predominant in the children HBV carriers, exhibiting a high replication, and the HBV vaccine should be still effective.

Objective To investigate the clinical features of acute traumatic subdural hematomas (SDH) in infants and discuss the treatment methods. Methods The clinical features of 48 infants under three years old with acute traumatic SDH admitted from 2002 to 2008 were retrospectively analyzed.Results There were 31 infants under one year old (65%). The most popular injury cause was accidental fall in 37 patients (77%). Of all patients, 12 patients (25%) had disturbance of consciousness,eight ( 17% ) had convulsion and eight ( 17% ) were combined with skull fractures. The treatment methods included craniotomy and evacuation of the blood clot in 18 patients ( including 13 patients underwent instant operation after admission ), burr hole craniotomy and external drainage of the chronic subdural hematoma in seven and conservative management in 23 with small subdural hematomas. All patients obtained good outcome except that two patients had motor dysfunction and one death. Conclusions The incidence of acute traumatic SDH in infants is high, especially in infants under one year old. It is easy to be disregarded at early stage and may deteriorate to chronic subdural hematoma or hydropsy. Early diagnosis and active surgical treatment may attain sound prognosis.

Objective To study the effects of modified Danggui Beimu Kushen Pills on the expressions of TLR2, TLR4, TLR6, TRAF6 and MyD88 in tumor tissues on MFC gastric cancer bearing mice; To discuss relevant mechanism of action. Methods MFC gastric cancer bearing mice were employed to perform anti-tumor experiment in vivo in this study. A total of eligible 48 mice were randomly divided into model group, DDP positive control group, modified Danggui Beimu Kushen Pills high-dose and low-dose groups, modified Danggui Beimu Kushen Pills high-dose and low-dose combined with DDP groups. The treatment was conducted once a day, and lasted for 14 continuous days. After the last administration of gavage orally treatment, all mice were anaesthetized and killed by cervical dislocation method to obtain tumor tissue completely for further HE staining measure and detection of TLR2, TLR4, TLR6, TRAF6 and MyD88 in tumor tissue with the method of RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry. Meanwhile, the tumor growth was observed and the general conditions of mice were recorded. Results The model group was rich in tumor cells; the sizes of cells were different; the volume was large; the nucleus was deeply stained and the heterotypic shape was obvious, and the small focal necrosis was seen. The number of tumor cells in each administration group was reduced; the arrangement was loose; the cell volume was significantly reduced, and the nuclear pyknosis was reduced. Cell necrosis significantly increased; the number of interstitial blood vessels decreased; collagen fibers increased, especially in modified Danggui Beimu Kushen Pills high-dose and low-dose combined with DDP groups. Compared with the model group, the expressions of TLR2, TLR4, TLR6, TRAF6 and MyD88 mRNA and protein decreased in each administration group. TLR2, TLR4, TLR6, TRAF6 and MyD88 were lighter and weakly positive expressed in modified Danggui Beimu Kushen Pillshigh-dose and low-dose combined with DDP groups, the protein changes were more obvious Compared with DDP positive control group, modified Danggui Beimu Kushen Pills high-dose and low-dose groups. Conclusion Modified Danggui Beimu Kushen Pills can down-regulate TLR2, TLR4, TLR6, TRAF6 and MyD88 expression of tumor tissue in MFC gastric cancer bearing mice at both mRNA and protein levels to play anti-tumor pharmacology action.

70% to 80% of people with diabetes died from cardiovascular complications, which had become the leading cause of death in diabetic patients. Cardiovascular complications in diabetic patients are mainly associated with vascular endothelial dysfunction and poor neovascularization. Its important influencing factors are changes in the number of endothelial progenitor cells and dysfunction. Hyperglycemia in diabetic patients can cause endothelial progenitor cell dysfunction, inhibit its proliferation ability, angiogenesis ability and paracrine effect. In order to provide research ideas for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular complications in diabetic patients, this article aims to review the relevant mechanism of the effect of hyperglycemia on the number and function of endothelial progenitor cells in patients with diabetes, and the application of endothelial progenitor cells in the treatment of diabetic cardiovascular disease.

Objective:To observe the effect of wrist-ankle acupuncture combined with electroacupuncture on neurological function and limb motor function in patients with ischemic stroke. Methods:A total of 106 eligible subjects were divided into a treatment group and a control group according to the random number table method,with 53 cases in each group.Patients in the control group were treated with conventional rehabilitation.The treatment group was treated with wrist-ankle acupuncture and electroacupuncture in addition to the treatment used in the control group.The National Institute of Heath stroke scale(NIHSS)score,Fugl-Meyer assessment scale score,Berg balance scale score,lower limb main nerve conduction velocity,and total response rate were compared between the two groups. Results:The total response rate of the treatment group was higher than that of the control group(P<0.05).After treatment,the NIHSS score,Fugl-Meyer assessment scale score,and Berg balance scale score of the two groups were improved compared with those before treatment(P<0.05),and the treatment group was significantly better than the control group(P<0.05).After treatment,only the conduction velocity of femoral nerve in the control group was better than that before treatment(P<0.05),and the conduction velocity of femoral nerve,tibial nerve,sural nerve,and common peroneal nerve in the treatment group was better than that before treatment(P<0.05),and was better than that in the control group(P<0.05). Conclusion:Wrist-ankle acupuncture and electroacupuncture combined with conventional rehabilitation therapy can significantly improve nerve and muscle function and the motor and living ability of patients with ischemic stroke,and its therapeutic effect is superior to that of conventional rehabilitation therapy alone.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanism of Baisuifang Granule in treating cognitive malfunction after cerebral infarction. METHODS: One hundred and sixty patients with cerebral infarction were divided randomly into two groups. Eighty patients were treated with Baisuifang Granule and 80 with nimodipine for two months. Clinical observation and laboratory examinations were performed for Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), clinical symptoms, Chinese Stroke Scale (CSS), hemorrheological indexes and fibrinogen before and after the treatment. RESULTS: Baisuifang Granule could improve MMSE, reduce the scores of clinical symptoms and CSS, and meliorate the blood rheology. The total effective rate for clinical symptoms in the Baisuifang treated group accounted to 76.25%, with statistical difference comparing to 58.75% of nimodipine treated group (P<0.05). There was significant difference in symptom integral, CSS and whole blood viscosity at the high shear rate, respectively (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Baisuifang Granule is an effective Chinese medicine for treating cognitive malfunction after cerebral infarction.

OBJECTIVETo give some theory support of Cistanche tubulosa cultivation by searching dry matter accumulation and echinacoside content of C. tubulosa.

METHODDry matter accumulation content of C. tubulosa culturing in Huabei plain was analysed in different growth season of C. tubulosa. Echinacoside content was determined by HPLC.

RESULTDry matter accumulation of C. tubulosa showed "S" variation. Dry matter accumulation increased fastest in September among growing seasons. Dry matter amount was 138.58 g after C. tubulosa grew a year. Dry matter amount decreased significantly along with inoculation time retarded. Echinacoside content was 30.59% when C. tubulosa grew in 5 months, decreased guadully after that, and 9.76% in annual.

CONCLUSIONVariation rule of dry matter accumulation and echinacoside content was found in C. tubulosa that grew one year in Huabei plain.

Biomass ; China ; Cistanche ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Glycosides ; metabolism ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Seasons

The aim of this study is to observe the therapeutic effect of recombinant murine interleukin 12 (rmIL-12) combining with granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) on mice irradiated by γ-rays. 56 BALB/c mice were totally irradiated by 6.0 Gy of (60)Co γ-ray and randomly divided into irradiation control group, rmIL-12 treatment group, G-CSF treatment group and combination therapy (rmIL-12 plus G-CSF) group. rmIL-12 20 µg/kg was administrated intraperitoneally at 1 h following irradiation, and was administrated every 3 days after irradiation for 4 times in rmIL-12 treatment group. G-CSF 100 µg/kg was administrated subcutaneously the 2 h following irradiation for 14 d in G-CSF treatment group. The dose and method of rmIL-12 and G-CSF in combination therapy group were same as in rmIL-12 group and G-CSF group. The general status of mice were observed twice a day, the changes in body weight, peripheral blood cell (WBC and Plt) counts were examined once every three days, bone marrow cells were collected to perform colony cultivation on day 14 and 28 after irradiation. The results showed that WBC count recovery time in combination therapy group was significantly earlier than that of the control group (7 d vs 11 d), WBC count recovery velocity in the combination therapy group was no significant different from that of the G-CSF treatment group. Combined therapy significantly promoted Plt count recovery, resulting in less profound nadirs (16.5% vs 8.1%, P < 0.01) and rapid recovery to normal levels (11 d vs 14 d), Plt count recovery velocity in the combination therapy group was no significant different from that of the rmIL-12 treatment group. Culture of bone marrow cells in semi-solid medium also demonstrated that combination of rmIL-12 and G-CSF could stimulate bone marrow cells to form more CFU-GM and CFU-Mix than those of the irradiation control group in vitro on day 14 and 28 after irradiation (P < 0.05). It is concluded that the combination of rmIL-12 and G-CSF can significantly accelerate the recovery of hematopoietic function in mice with acute radiation sickness.
Animals ; Gamma Rays ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; therapeutic use ; Interleukin-12 ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Radiation Injuries ; drug therapy ; Radiation Injuries, Experimental ; drug therapy ; Recombinant Proteins ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) on kidney injury in female BALB/c mice exposed to cadmium.

METHODTwenty-one female BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 3 groups, i.e. control group, low Cd exposure group (2.5 µmol/kg) and high Cd exposure group (10 µmol/kg) were exposed to normal saline, 2.5, 10 µmol/kg Cd, respectively, 3 times a week for 14 weeks. The kidney slice were stained by HE, PAS and Masson staining to observe the morphological changes. The expression levels of pERK, ERK, pp38, p38, pJNK and JNK proteins in kidneys were tested by Western blot assay.

RESULTSThe ratios of pERK/ERK, pp38/p38, pJNK/JNK in high Cd group were higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The ratio of pERK/ERK in low Cd group was higher than control group (P < 0.05). The expression levels of bcl-2, bax proteins and the ratio of bcl-2 to bax in Cd exposure groups decreased significantly, as compared with the control group (P < 0.05). The impairment of renal glomeruli and tubules were observed in HE, PAS and Masson staining slices of kidneys in mice exposed to Cd.

CONCLUSIONCdCl2 may induced renal injury by affecting the expression levels of MAPK.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cadmium ; toxicity ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases ; metabolism ; Female ; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; Kidney ; metabolism ; pathology ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism

The aim of this study was to investigate the radioprotective effect of recombinant murine interleukin 12 (rmIL-12) on mice irradiated by γ-ray. Fifty- six BALB/c mice were totally irradiated by 6.0 Gy of (60)Co γ-ray and randomly divided into irradiation control group,rmIL-12 treated group and recombinant murine thrombopoietin (rmTPO) treated group.The 5 and 20 µg/kg of rmIL-12 were administrated intraperitoneally at 24 h before irradiation respectively (low and high dose rmIL-12 treated group), 15 µg/kg of rmTPO was administrated subcutaneously at 30 min and 24 h following irradiation in rmTPO treated group. The general conditions of mice were observed twice a day, the changes in body weight and peripheral blood cell counts were examined once every three days, bone marrow cells were collected to perform colony cultivation at day 14 and 28 after irradiation. The results showed that the general conditions of mice in rmIL-12 treated group were better than those in irradiation control group. Compared with the irradiation control group,5 and 20 µg/kg rmIL-12 treatment significantly promoted platelet recovery, resulting in less profound nadirs (15.9% vs 8.1%,18.2% vs 8.1%,P < 0.01) and rapid recovery to normal levels (11 days vs 14 days). WBC count recovery rate in rmIL-12 treated group was faster than that in the irradiation control group. The WBC and platelet count recovery rate in 5 µg/kg rmIL-12 treated group were as fast as that in the rmTPO treated group, both of which were slower than that in 20 µg/kg rmIL-12 treated group (P > 0.05). Semi-solid bone marrow cell culture also demonstrated that rmIL-12 could stimulate bone marrow cells to form more CFU-Mix than those in the irradiation control group in vitro at day 14 and 28 after irradiation(P < 0.01).There was no significant difference between rmIL-12 and rmTPO treated groups (P > 0.05), CFU-GM counts in 5 µg/kg rmIL-12 treated group and rmTPO treated group at day 28 after irradiation were higher than those in irradiation control group(P < 0.05), but less than those in 20 µg/kg rmIL-12 treated group (P < 0.05). It is concluded that rmIL-12 has a significant radioprotective effect on mice irradiated by γ-ray.
Animals ; Blood Platelets ; Gamma Rays ; Interleukin-12 ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Platelet Count ; Radiation Injuries, Experimental ; blood ; Radiation-Protective Agents ; therapeutic use ; Recombinant Proteins ; therapeutic use ; Thrombopoietin ; therapeutic use ; Whole-Body Irradiation