Objective To study the protective effect of Duzhong Hongjingtian Capsule (DHC) on cerebral ischemia in rats. Methods Thrombotic ischemia and middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) induced by FeCl3 in rats was used to observe the protective effect of DHC on ischemia stroke, and common carotid artery occlusion (CCAO) rats was used to analyze the effect of DHC on blood brain barrier (BBB) permeability. Results DHC could improve the abnormal behavior of MCAO rats and decrease the infarction area and water content in the brain of MCAO rats. DHC could also improve the cerebral blood flow on MCAO rats and significantly reduce the permeability for evans' blue (EB) of CCAO rats. Conclusions DHC can protect the brain ischemic injury.

Objective To investigate the expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax protein in the renal tissues of patients with lupus nephritis(LN)and their role in the pathology alteration of LN.Methods During 2003-01～2003-04 immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax in renal tissues of 44 cases of LN in the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University.Their relationship with pathology was also observed.Results (1)The expression of Bcl-2 and Bax was significantly increased and both were positively correlated with the grade of intraglomerular cell proliferation and proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA)positive glomerular cells.(2)The expression of Bcl-2 in interstitial cells was significantly increased and positively correlated with the degree of interstitial infiltration of inflammatory cells.(3)The expression of Bax in the tubule of LN was increased and was positively associated with tubulointerstitial lesions.Conclusion There is abnormal expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax in renal tissues of LN.Overexpression of Bcl-2 in renal tissues of LN might play an important role in the process of glomerular hypercellularity and interstitial infiltration of inflammatory cells.Overexpression of Bax in tubular ducts is correlated with tubulointerstitial lesions.

Objective To observe the effects of permanent magnetic fields with different magnetic inductions on oxidative damage to human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs) under normal and hypoxic conditions. Methods HBMECs were cultured in vitro under normal and hypoxic conditions,then divided into a control group and groups receiving magnetic induction at 8.1,16.5,20.3,26.0,27.3,62.5,110.7 and 215.6 mT.Changes in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in each group were measured 72 h after exposure to the magnetic fields. Results Under normal conditions the SOD activities of the magnetic groups were not significantly different from that of the control group. Only the MDA content of the 215.6 mT group was statistically different (slightly higher) than that of the control group (P ＜ 0.05 ).Under hypoxic conditions,there was again no statistically significant difference in SOD activity,but the MDA content of the 110.7 mT group was significantly lower. Conclusions Under normal conditions,a 215.6 mT permanent magnetic field has an effect on MDA in HBMECs; under hypoxic conditions a 110.7 mT permanent magnetic field has such an effect.

Objective To investigate the value of 64-slice spiral computed tomography(CT)angiography in preoperative evaluation of spinal vascular intervention.Methods Seventeen patients with segmental injury of the spinal cord underwent the enhanced 64-slice CT scan of the spine.Thin-slice reconstruction was done,with the slice thickness of 0.625 mm and interval of 0.625 mm.The data were transferred to the work station ADW4.2 in DICM format.Image postprocessing technologies such as volume rendering(VR),maximum intensity projection(MIP)and multi-planar reformat(MPR)were used to conduct three-dimensional reconstruction and analyze the anatomical characteristics of radiculomedullary artery.Results Radiculomedullary artery could be found in the thoracolumbar segment of 16 patients(16/17,94%).Among them,one artery(1/17,6%)went into the vertebral canal through the left intervertebral foramen of T4/5,two(2/17,12%)through the left intervertebral foramen of T10/11,one (1/17,6%)through the left intervertebral foramen of T11/12,four(4/17,24%)through the left intervertebral foramen of L1/2,two(2/17,12%)through the left intervertebral foramen of L2/3,two (2/17,12%)through the right intervertebral foramen of T11/12,two(2/17,12%)through the right intervertebral foramen of T12/L1,two(2/17,12%)through the right foramen of L2/3 andl0(10/17,59%)through the left intervertebral foramen.Either CT scan or DSA examination found no radiculomedullary artery in one patient.All the above findings were in accordance with the results of DSA examination.Conclusions Spiral 64-slice CT scan can provide significant preoperative evaluation information for spinal vascular intervention,for it can accurately and visually show the anatomical features of the radiculomedullary artery such as open position,flow tendency,caliber size and spatial relationship with the surrounding vessels.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical outcome of Ruanjian Xiaoying Decoction (RJXYD) on chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis. METHODS: Eighty patients with chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis were randomly divided into RJXYD-treated group (n=40) and control group (n=40). The patients in the RJXYD-treated group received treatment of RJXYD combined with levothyroxine while the others in the control group received treatment of levothyroxine and prednisone both for 16 weeks. The serum levels of thyroid hormones and the titres of serum antithyroglobulin antibody (anti-TG Ab) and antithyroid microsomal antibody (anti-TM Ab) were all examined before and after treatment. The total response rates of the two groups were evaluated after treatment of 16 weeks. RESULTS: The total response rate of the RJXYD-treated group was 92.5%, while that of the control group was 60.0% (P<0.01). The serum levels of free triiodothyronine (FT(3)) and free thyroxine (FT(4)) were obviously increased after treatment as compared with those before treatment in the two groups. The titres of serum anti-TG Ab and anti-TM Ab and the serum level of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were all obviously decreased after treatment as compared with those before treatment in the two groups. CONCLUSION: The RJXYD can shrink and soften the enlarged thyroid gland and thyroid nodules, improve the immune function of human body, alleviate the response to thyroid self-antigens and promote the recovery of thyroid function.

Objective To explore the values of pixel indexes (PI) with multiple-slice spiral CT low-dose two-phase scanning for assessing the pulmonary function in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Methods Thirty-six patients with COPD (COPD group)and 30 healthy people (control group)underwent pulmonary function test (PFT).Chest 64-MSCT low-dose (50 mAs) scanning at full inspiration and expiration,routine scanning (100 mAs) at inspiration were performed.The effective dose (ED) was calculated.The lung was divided into three regions ( upper,middle,lower).PI of lung were divided into five groups:-960--1024, -910--960, -800--910, -700--800,-400--700.ThePI-910 (sum of the PI under -910 HU) of low-dose scanning at each region were measured and calculated using pulmo software. All PI included PIin-910,PIex-910,PIin-910-PIex-910, PIex-910/PIin-910 and (PIin-910-PIex-910)/PIin-910.All patients underwent PFT within 3 days after 64-MSCT canning,FEV1％ and FEV1/FVC were selected for comparison. Results The PIin in three regions ( - 960 - - 1024,-910 - -960,-800 - -910) were statistically significant between normal and COPD groups( U =0.00,57.00,20.50,P ＜ 0.01 ). The PIex in all regions were statistically significant ( U =0.00,0.00,71.52,191.00,6.00,P ＜ 0.01 ). PI-910--1024 at expiration and inspiration were correlated with FEV1％ and FEV1/FVC( r =- 0.548,- 0.664,- 0.752,- 0.781,P ＜ 0.01 ).PIin -910,PIex -910,PIex-910/PIin -910,( PIin -910-PIex -910 )/PIin -910 had a good correlation with FEV1％ and FEV1/FVC ( r =- 0.548,- 0.664,- 0.752,- 0.781,- 0.674,- 0.642,0.674,0.642,P ＜ 0.01 ).Conclusion Pixel indexes of 64-MSCT low-dose two-phase scanning can be used to evaluate pulmonary function in COPD patients.

AIM: To study cellular and molecular mechanism involved in increasing susceptibility of infection in psychological stress persons. METHODS: Comparative studies were performed with double staining and flow cytometry analysis on immunophenotyping and in vitro expression of early activating surface molecule CD69 in response to mitogens on T cells from peripheral blood of 20 healthy college student volunteers before and after psychological stress. A series of term final examinations was defined as psychological stress. RESULTS: Immunophenotyping analysis showed no statistically significant difference in the percentage of CD2, CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19, CD20, CD16 and CD56 positive lymphocyte populations before and after psychological stress. There was a statistically significant decrease in the in vitro expression of CD69 in response to polyclonal stimulators on the T cells from persons after psychological stress than those before psychological stress. The percentage of CD69 expression (CD69+CD3+/CD3+%) in response to PHA and PDB in the whole blood culture for 72 hours decreased respectively from 28.1?4.1 and 80.7?6.8 on the T cells obtained before psychological stress to 17.6?3.8 and 65.8?7.9 on those obtained after psychological stress, while there was no statistically significant difference between the CD69 expression rates without stimulators on the T cells obtained before and after psychological stress. CONCLUSIONS: The effects of psychological stress to immune system is not on the level of changing proportions of the sub-populations within peripheral blood lymphocytes. Psychological stress can decrease the activating response of T cells in healthy persons, which may be responsible for the increase of susceptibility to infection in the psychological stress persons.

AIM: To investigate whether wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) could induce apoptosis in mouse fibroblast cell line L929 and the possible molecular mechanism underlying. METHODS: The cells were exposed to WGA or its succinylated form (sWGA) for 24 h and both attached cells and the cells in supernatant were collected. The percentages of apoptotic cells were estimated by flow cytometry after staining with propidium iodide. Cell morphology was observed under fluorescence microscope after staining the cells with acridine orange. RESULTS: WGA treatment resulted in significant increase of the low DNA content peak (sub-G 1) that representing apoptotic cells, whereas sWGA did not. Morphologic study demonstrated that exposure to WGA induced nuclear fragmentation while sWGA not. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that WGA (specific for both sialic acid and GlcNAc) induces apoptosis in L929 cells, whereas sWGA (specific only for GlcNAc) does not. It is possible that binding to sialic acid residues on the cell surface of L929 is essential for WGA to induce apoptosis. Apoptosis induction may be, at least in part, involved in the cytotoxicity of WGA. [

Objective To investigate the safety and clinical efficacy of recombinant human endostatin injection (endostar) continuous pumping combine with chemotherapy injection in the treatment of advanced malignancies . Methods 156 patients with advanced cancer were divided into the chemotherapy group (78 cases) and the chemotherapy combined with endostar group (78 cases). The two groups were similar in the tumor types, the neoplasm staging, the KPS and the chemotherapy agents. After two cycles chemotherapy, the efficacy was evaluated according to RECIST criteria and the quality of life (QOL) was assessed by KPS scores. Results The objective response rate (RR) of the chemotherapy combined with endostar group was 39.74%(31/78). The RR of the chemotherapy group was 17.95%(14/78). There was statistics significance in the RRs of the two groups (P<0.05). The QOL of 42 cases (53.8%) were improved, 26 cases (33.3%) were in stable and 10 cases (12.8%) were decreased in the chemotherapy combined with endostar group. The QOL were improved in 30 cases (38.5 %), stabled in 17 cases (21.8 %) and decreased in 31 cases (39.7 %) in the chemotherapy group. There were significant difference between the two groups (P< 0.05). The main adverse reactions were myelosuppression and digestive tract reaction in both groups (P>0.05), and all patients can tolerate. Conclusion The QOL of patients with advanced malignant tumors are improved by endostar combined with chemotherapy which is safe and effective. It is worthy further clinical observation.

Objective To investigate the association between polymorphisms in the tumor necrosis factor α-induced protein 3 (TNFAIP3)-interacting protein 1 (TNIP1) gene and psoriasis vulgaris in a Han population from north China.Methods Totally,465 patients with psoriasis vulgaris (PsV) and 476 healthy human controls were enrolled into the study.Five milliliters of venous blood samples were collected from these subjects after informed consent.Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the TNIP1 gene,including rs17728338,rs3762999 and rs999556,were selected for genotyping with ligase detection reaction (LDR).With the PLINK 1.07 package,statistical analysis was carried out by using the chi-square test for comparisons of allele frequencies and genotype frequencies between the patient group and control group.The allelic odds ratio (OR) and its 95％ confidence interval (CI) were calculated.In addition,linkage disequilibrium analysis was performed for the three SNPs by calculating the r2 and D' values.Results There was a difference in the allele frequencies of the three SNPs between the patients with psoriasis vulgaris and controls,but the difference was statistically significant in only the allele frequencies of rs17728338,but not in those of the other two SNPs after Bonferroni correction.Under the dominant inheritance model,the genotype frequencies of the 3 SNPs all significantly differed between the patients and controls after Bonferroni correction (all P ＜ 0.016 7).Stratification analysis showed that there was a significant difference in the allele and genotype frequencies of the three SNPs between the patients with a family history and healthy controls (all P ＜ 0.016 7),and the frequency of A allele of rs17728338 was significantly lower in the controls than in the patients with psoriasis vulgaris,patients with early-onset psoriasis vulgaris (n =355),patients with late-onset psoriasis vulgaris (n =107),patients with a family history (n =68),and patients without a family history (n =394) (all P ＜ 0.0167).Strong linkage disequilibrium existed between rs3762999 and rs999556 (r2 =0.910,D' =0.982),and moderate linkage disequilibrium existed between rs17728338 and rs3762999 (r2 =0.371,D' =0.989) as well as rs999556 (r2 =0.353,D' =1).Conclusion The SNPs rs17728338,rs3762999 and rs999556 in the TNIP1 gene were associated with psoriasis vulgaris in the Chinese Han population.