Objective The expression of anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin(IL)-10 in protrusion and extrusion tissue of intervertebral disc and its correlation with clinical features.Methods The specimens were from 30 cases of disc herniation in single level.The patients were enquired about the medical histories and evaluated by JOA index preoperation before operation,which were all completed by one trained doctor.The contents of IL-10 in the inter=43vertebral disc were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay after operation.Results The level of IL-10 had no statistical significance between protrusion and extrusion tissue of intervertebral disc (t =0.032,P =0.725).Patient's JOA index has negative correlation with IL-10(r =-0.377,P =0.040),and positive correlation with Patient's history (r =0.449,P =0.013).Conclusion Protrusion and extrusion tissue of intervertebral disc have abilities of excreting anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10.The level of cytokine has correlation with patient's clinical features.

Due to their small molecular weight,strong penetrating power,wide target range,strong ability of binding targets,stable quality,little immunogenicity,easiness to be synthesized and modified,and functional roles in molecular recognition and signal transduction,nucleic acid aptamers are now used as tools for molecular recognition and drugs delivery for the diagnosis and treatment of many diseases.

Objective To observe on the clinical effect and the influence of the level of plasma vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in acute leukemia before and after treatment by thalidomide combined with chemotherapy. Methods Thirty-six cases of acute leukemia patients were randomly divided into experimental group and control group by 18 cases each. Each group was treated with conventional chemotherapy in the standard-dose, meanwhile in the experimental group additional thalidomide 100 mg/day were taken orally. Before treatment and 8 weeks after treatment, plasma were collected for the detection of VEGF, VEGFR and bFGF content by double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results The ratio of experimental group and control group, were 88.9 % (16/18), 77.8 % (14/18)respectively and the difference was statistically significant (x2 =4.103, P ＜0.05). The level of plasma VEGF (389.78+249.94 pg/ml, 318.54±125.78 pg/ml) of experimental group and control group before treatment was statistically significant (t = 3.141, t =3.024, P ＜0.01) compared with healthy group [(132.91±26.66) pg/ml] respectively. The level of plasma VEGF of those groups after treatment [(211.74+36.72) pg/ml, (288.02±31.77) pg/ml] was statistically significant (t =2.413, t =2.324, P ＜0.05) compared with healthy group respectively. The difference of the level of plasma VEGF of experimental group and control group before treatment was not statistically significant (t =1.384, P ＞0.05). The difference of the level of plasma VEGF of experimental group and control group after treatment was statistically significant(t =2.793,P ＜0.05). The level of plasma VEGFR [(2490.75+1695.9) pg/ml, (2322.78+1105.87) pg/ml] of experimental group and control group before treatment was statistically significant (t =2.914, t =2.783, P ＜0.01) compared with healthy group [(1134.98+378.45) pg/ml] respectively. The level of plasma VEGFR of those groups after treatment [(1359.71± 390.24) pg/ml, (1753.89±337.04) pg/ml] was statistically significant(t =2.572, t =2.447, P ＜0.05) compared with healthy group respectively. The difference of the level of plasma VEGFR of experimental group and control group before treatment was not statistically significant (t =1.276, P ＞0.05). The difference of the level of plasma VEGFR of experimental group and control group after treatment was statistically significant (t = 2.486, P ＜0.05). The level of plasma bFGF [(2.43±0.27) ng/ml, (2.41±0.33) ng/ml] of experimental group and control group before treatment was statistically significant(t =4.982, t =4.171, P ＜0.05) compared with healthy group (1.83±0.44) ng/ml respectively; the level of plasma bFGF of those groups after treatment [(2.09±0.17) ng/ml,(2.11±0.31) ng/ml] was statistically significant (t =3.011, t =2.773, P ＜0.05) compared with healthy group respectively. The difference of the level of plasma bFGF of experimental group and control group before treatment was not statistically significant (t =0.953, P ＞0.05). The difference of the level of plasma bFGF of experimental group and control group after treatment was not statistically significant (t =1.282, P ＞0.05).Conclusion The remission rate could be improved by thalidomide combined with chemotherapy in acute leukemia, which could be an effective treatment by anti-angiogenesis and inhibiting the growth and infiltration of acute leukemia cells.

BackgroundRetinal pigment epithelial(RPE) cells can secrete platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and PDGF receptor(PDGFR).Studies have shown that PDGF plays a key role in the formation of proliferative vitreous retinopathy(PVR). ObjectiveThis study was to investigate the proliferation and apoptosis changes of RPE after blockage of the PDGFR-α expression by antisense oligonucleotide ( ASODN ) in vitro. Methods Human RPE cells strain was cultured in low glucose DMEM with 10％ fetal bovine serum.Logarithmic phase cells were collected and incubated in 96-well plate at the density of 5 × 105 cells/hole.PDGFR-α ASODN was transfected into RPE cells at different concentrations for 48 hours.The cells of the blank control group were regularly cultured without any transfection.The changes of PDGFR-α expression were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR),and the proliferation of RPE was detected by MTT as the A490 value.Hoechst 33258 fluorescence staining was used to determine the apoptosis of RPE.Flow cytometry method (FCM) was applied to detect the change of cell cycle and apoptosis rate of RPE cells. ResultsThe A490 values of RPE cells were 1.45±0.12,1.07±0.06,0.65±0.05 in blank control group,1.0 μmol/L Lipo-ASODN group and 2.0 μmol/L Lipo-ASODN group with the significant difference(P=0.00 ),and that of 1.0 μmol/L Lipo-ASODN group and 2.0 μ mol/L Lipo-ASODN group were significantly lower than the blank control group ( P =0.00,0.00).Hoechst 33258 staining showed that the apoptosis cells were obviously more in Lipo-ASODN group compared with blank control group.PDGFR-α ASODN transfection induced an increase of percentage of RPE cells in G0/G1 phase( F =206.70,P =0.00),and the apoptosis rates in 1.0 μmol/L Lipo-ASODN group and 2.0 μmol/L Lipo-ASODN group were significantly enhanced in comparison with blank control group ( 37.8 ± 1.3 vs 10.5 ± 0.1,61.2 ± 1.9 vs 10.5 ± 0.1 ) ( F =1808.90,P =0.00 ).Expression intensity of PDGFR-α mRNA in RPE cells in Lipo-ASODN groups was lower. ConclusionsBlocking the PDGFR-α expression with ASODN technology can suppress proliferation and induce apoptosis of RPE cells.Intensity of PDGFR-α mRNA expression in RPE cells is ASODN dose-dependent.ASODN targeted to PDGFR-α offers an experimental basis of the gene therapy for PVR.

Objective To evaluate effects of chronic arsenic exposure and arsenic exposure time on oxidative DNA lesions in humans. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in 108 subjects exposed to high concentrations of arsenic in drinking water and 75 control subjects. A cohort study was conducted in 64 subjects exposed to high levels of arsenic in drinking water for 7 or 9 years. Urinary 8-oxo-7,8-dihydredeoxygnanine(8-OHdG) levels were analyzed by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit(ELISA). Urinary arsenic concentration was detected with hydride generation atomic absorption spectroscopy. Results In the cross-sectional study, the median of urinary arsenic concentration was 484.17 mg/kg Cr for the arsenic-exposed group, and 13.80 mg/kg Cr for the control group, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (t=32.57, P<0.01). The median of urinary 8-OHdG levels was 16.60 and 21.88 mg/kg Cr for arsenic-exposed children and adults respectively, much higher than control children(10.50 mg/kg Cr) and adults (9.11 mg/kg Cr), and the difference was statistically significant (t=5.049, 6913, all P<0.01). Urinary 8-OHdG levels were signifieandy lower for children than adults in the exposed group(t=-1.997, P<0.05). In the cohort study, the median of urinary arsenic concentration was 461.3 mg/kg Cr for the 7-year-exposed subjects and 422.90 mg/kg Cr for the 9-year-expesed subjects, and no significant difference was observed(t=-0.250, P 0.05). The median of urinary 8- OHdG levels for 9-year-exposed children and adults were 23.46 and 24.30 mg/kg Cr respectively, significantly increased compared with those of 7-year-exposed(14.29 and 18.38 mg/kg Cr), and the difference had statical signhqcanees (t= -2.949,-3.055, all P<0.01). Conclusions Chronic arsenic exposure can lead to oxidative DNA lesions in humans. The arsenic-induced DNA lesions may aggravate with the exposure time in a certain period.

In recent years,the prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae(CRKP)infection has become a global public health issue.Ceftazidime/avibactam(CAZ/AVI)has been approved as a novel antimicrobial agent for the treatment of healthcare-associated pneumonia/ventilator-associated pneumonia,bloodstream infection,infection after kidney transplantation,and severe infection combined with liver cirrhosis.However,the use of CAZ/AVI has also led to the emergence of drug-resistant strains.The major mechanisms of drug-resistance include over-expression of blaKPC gene,mutation of β-lactamase and amino acids at key sites,changes in cell permeability caused by loss of membrane porin,and over-expression of efflux pump.This article reviews the research progress of CAZ/AVI in the treatment of CRKP infection,providing reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGE) and the inflammatory response of skin and wound in diabetic patients, and to analyze their relationship in vitro.

METHODSHistological staining and immunohistochemical staining was respectively performed on skin and wound tissue specimens collected from 10 patients with Type II diabetes mellitus (diabetes group) and 12 non-diabetic patients with skin injury (control group) to observe the arrangement of collagen and the distribution of inflammatory cells, and to determine the expression levels of AGE and its receptor (RAGE). Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in skin and wound tissue homogenates were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In vitro, human neutrophils were isolated and treated with RPMI-1640 culture medium or that containing AGE-human serum albumin in the concentration of 0.315, 0.625, 1.250 mg/mL, and they were identified as normal control (NC) group, low concentration (L) group, moderate concentration (M) group, and high concentration (H) group. Cell viability in each group was determined by MTT colorimetric assay, and the reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cell was measured with 2', 7'-dichlorofluorescein-diacetate. Data were processed with t test.

RESULTSCompared with those of skin in control group, collagens of skin tissues in diabetes group atrophied and disorderly arranged. Inflammatory cells in wounds in diabetes group were dispersed, in which collagens arranged loosely and irregularly, as compared with those of wounds in control group. Expression levels of AGE and RAGE of skin in diabetes group were higher than those in control group. In diabetes and control groups, especially in diabetes group, the numbers of RAGE-positive cells in wound tissue were more than those in skin tissue. Large amount of inflammatory cells with positive expression of RAGE were observed in diabetes group. MDA level of skin and wound tissue in diabetes group was respectively (6.3 ± 1.0), (7.1 ± 2.4) nmol per milligram protein, which were obviously higher than those in control group [(2.9 ± 1.0), (3.6 ± 1.4) nmol per milligram protein, with t value respectively 8.017, 4.349, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01]. Cell viability and ROS levels in neutrophils were increased in L, M, and H groups [(59 ± 8)%, (77 ± 5)%, (67 ± 6)% and 1.67 ± 0.14, 2.13 ± 0.17, 3.48 ± 0.48] as compared with those in NC group [(34 ± 5)% and 0.58 ± 0.06, with t value respectively 7.195, 14.890, 11.130 and 20.195, 24.905, 16.864, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01].

CONCLUSIONSAbnormal oxidative stress in diabetic skin leads to an atypical origin of wound repair. AGE-RAGE effect is a critical mediator for oxidative stress in diabetic wound tissue during wound healing.

Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Glycation End Products, Advanced ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Oxidative Stress ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products ; Receptors, Immunologic ; metabolism ; Serum Albumin ; metabolism ; Serum Albumin, Human ; Skin ; metabolism ; pathology ; Wound Healing

OBJECTIVETo study the characteristics of a novel human testis-specific gene, HSD-9, and its encoding protein.

METHODSHSD-9 was a novel gene from a human germ cells-specific ESTs library established in our laboratory. We used an electronic cloning method to obtain HSD-9 gene, and analyzed the characteristics of this novel gene and encoding product by bioinformatics methods, detected its expressing profile using a Northern blot assay, prepared specific rabbit polyclonal antibodies against HSD-9 protein, observed the localization of this protein in the germ cells and some somatic cells with confocal microscopy.

RESULTSHSD-9 was expressed in human testes, and its rat homolog was found in the varying germ cells. HSD-9 protein could partly be colocalized with clathrin.

CONCLUSIONSHSD-9 is specific in human testes, and the expression pattern of its encoding product is similar to those of some endocytosis proteins. It is speculated that HSD-9 protein may function in the endocytosis.

Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Base Sequence ; Clathrin ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Organ Specificity ; Rabbits ; Rats ; Testis ; metabolism

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the serum leptin and adiponectin levels in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients, and their relationship with insulin resistance.

METHODSA total of 120 cases were enrolled and divided into two groups: NAFLD group (n = 60) and normal control group (n = 60). The serum levels of leptin and adiponectin were measured by ELISA. The body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (Tchol), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) , aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), fasting blood glucose (FBG) and HOMA-IR (homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance) were detected and analyzed.

RESULTSCompared with control group, the serum leptin level in NAFLD group was Significantly higher [(12.37+/-1.99) microg/L vs (5.20+/-1.03) microg/L, P less than 0.01], while the serum adiponectin level was significantly lower [(12.69+/-2.83) mg/L vs (22.83+/-4.61) mg/L, P less than 0.01]. HOMA-IR was also much higher in NAFLD group than that in control group[(4.86+/-0.63) vs (1.91+/-0.41), P less than 0.01]. Logistic regression analysis showed that leptin was positively correlated with WHR (beta value = 8.175, P less than 0.01), HOMA-IR (beta value = 0.974, P less than 0.01 ), FBG (beta value = 0.564, P less than 0.01 ). In contrast, adiponectin inversely associated with HOMA-IR (beta value = -0.495, P less than 0.01 ) and BMI (beta value = -0.314, P less than 0.01) respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe increased serum leptin level and decreased serum adiponectin level in NAFLD patients independently associated with HOMA-IR.

Adiponectin ; blood ; Adult ; Body Mass Index ; Case-Control Studies ; Fatty Liver ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Insulin Resistance ; Leptin ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Waist-Hip Ratio

Objective To investigate the incidence and its secular trends of gastroschisis in Chinese perinatal infants.Methods Data on perinatal infants was collected at hospitals under surveillance program in Chinese Birth Defects Monitoring Network from 1996 to 2007.Data on incidence,trend and related factors of gastroschisis in perinatal infants were carried out.Both x2 test and Poisson regression model were used to test the differences between residential areas,sex and maternal age.Both x2 trends test and Poisson regression model were applied to analyze the trends.Results A total of 6 308 594 perinatal infants were monitored during 1996-2007,including 1601 infants with gastroschisis to show the incidence as 2.54 per 10 000 births.The overall prevalence of gastroschisis in China did not change remarkably during the period of our research.The incidence rates of gastroschisis were significantly different between urban and rural areas,between different sex and different maternal age groups.The incidence of gastroschisis was lower in urban area than in rural area (RR=0.58) and lower in female fetuses than in male fetuses (RR=0.76),highest in the group younger than 20 years of age,which was 11.43 times than incidence of the 30-34 age group (RR=11.432).Conclusion The overall prevalence of gastroschisis in China did not show remarkable change during 1996-2007 but the incidence of gastroschisis a bit increased in the area of study and significant differences were seen in different sex,regions and maternal age groups.Mothers aged younger than 20 years old appeared to be a significant risk factor for the occurrence of gastroschisis.