BACKGROUND: Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a cytokine produced in the process of organic immune activities. The problems still need further exploration, including whether the changes of serum level of IL-6 after clozapine treatment ware induced directly by the drug, and whether IL-6 is directly correlated with the changes of the psychiatric symptoms in female patients.with first-episode schizophrenia.OBJECTIVE: To explore the changes of the serum level of IL-6 and its relation with the dose of clozapine and the amelioration of the symptoms in female patients with first-episode schizophrenia.DESIGN: A non-randomized case-control observation synchronically.SETTING: Department of Psychiatry, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical College.PARTICIPANTS: Twenty female patients with first-episode schizophrenia (patient group) were selected from Henan Psychiatric Hospital. They all met the diagnostic standards of schizophrenia in the 3rd edition of Chinese Classification and diagnostic criteria of Mental Disorders (CCMD-3), their score of positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS)was above 60 points, and had not been treated or at least not taking medicine for 2 weeks during clinical treatment.Patients with physical disease, endocrine and immune system diseases, malnutrition and other mental problems, those with the history of being allergic and hormone treatment, those receiving immune pharmaceutical treatment, and recently having been vaccinated preventively, and the pregnant and breast-feeding women were excluded. Twenty healthy female volunteers, who had no significnat difference in age and gender from the subjects in the patient group,were taken as the control group, and the exclusive standards were the same as those in the patient group. All the subjects were enrolled with the approval of themselves and their guardians.METHODS: All the patients were adminsitrated with clozapine only, with the dose being added by 25-50 mg per day,and the maximal dose was reached within 3 weeks. The principle for the administration was the maximal effectiveness and the minimal side effect. ① Serum level of IL-6 in the patient group was detected using enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA) before treatment and at 1, 2 and 4 weeks after treatment respectively. ② High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to determine the content of clozapine, and the levels of IL-6 in serum of the controls were taken as controls. ③ Correlations were analyzed in the patient group between the serum level of IL-6 before treatment and at 1, 2 and 4 weeks after treatment and the PANSS scores (scores of positive and negative symptoms, and general pathology, and the total score) at corresponding time points.MATN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① Serum levels of IL-6 before treatment and at each time point after treatment; ②Correlation analysis between the serum levels of IL-6 and clozapine content; ③ Correlation analysis between changes of schizophrenic symptoms and serum levels of IL-6.RESULTS: ① Serum level of IL-6 before treatment in the patient group was significantly higher than that in the control group [(137.72±18.84), (65.05±20.95) ng/L, t =11.53, P ＜ 0.01], those in the patient group at 1, 2 and 4 weeks after treatment were significantly lower than that in the control group [(28.11±5.42), (8.48±1.14), (13.90±2.55), (65.05±20.95) ng/L, t =7.63, 12.01, 10.84, P ＜ 0.01]. ② Correlation analysis between the serum levels of IL-6 and clozapine content: The results showed that the serum level of IL-6 had no significant correlation with the clozapine content at 1, 2and 4 weeks after treatment (r =-0.15, 0.12, -0.29, P ＞ 0.05). ③ Correlation analysis between IL-6 level and schizophrenic symptoms: In the patient group, there was significant positive correlation before treatment between the serum level of IL-6 and the score of positive symptoms (r=0.386, P＜ 0.01), and there was no significant correlation between the serum level of IL-6 and the total scores of PANSS and each factor scores at 1, 2 and 4 weeks after treatment (r=0.136-0.237, P ＞ 0.05).CONCLUSION: The serum level of IL-6 in female patients with first-episode schizophrenia was higher than that in healthy females, and it could be decreased by clozapine, and the amelioration of the schizophrenic symptoms had no significant correlation with the changes of IL-6 levels.

Objective To investigate the characteristic of etiology of chronic cough in Shenzhen.Methods The chronic cough etiology was analyzed in 136 cases with the guidance of cough diagnosis and treatment guidelines(2009 editions)published by Chinese Medical Association.The cough was the main or sole symptom,the duration was no less than 8 weeks and chest X-ray film was normal.Results The causes of chronic cough was confirmed in 125 patients and was not definitely diagnosed in 11 patients by inspection and treatment.Cough due to single cause was found in 104 patients(83.20%,104/125),due to compound causes was found in 21 patients(16.80%,21/125).The first 4 etiologies were cough variant asthma(CVA)with 57 patients(36.31%,57/157),upper airway cough syndrome(UACS)with 41 patients(26.11%,41/157),eosinophilic bronchitis(EB)with 17 patients(10.83%,17/157),occupational injury(including harmful,toxic substances inhalation,etc.)with 10 patients(6.37%,10/157).Conclusions The most common cause of chronic cough in Shenzhen is CVA,UACS,EB.Due to the developed industrialization,there is a lack of understanding the cough course of inhaling more harmful and toxic gases and substances in the manufacturing process.So this should be paid more attention.

Objective To develop a new method to detect A (TA)n TAA polymorphism in the UGT1A1 gene promoter by fluo‐rescence real‐time quantitative PCR (RQ‐PCR) .Methods Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood in 16 patients with Gilbert′s syndrome and 66 healthy individuals .The polymorphic A(TA)n TAA sequence in the UGT1A1 gene promoter was deter‐mined by DNA sequencing .A pair of primers and two TaqMan probes labeled with either 5′FAM or VIC reporter dye incorporated a 3′minor groove binder were designed .The A(TA)n TAA polymorphisms in the UGT1A1 gene promoter were identified by RQ‐PCR for all research subjects .The sensitivity and specificity of RQ‐PCR for detecting the A(TA)nTAA polymorphisms were veri‐fied by DNA sequencing method .Results The homozygous A(TA)7TAA polymorphism was found in the promoter region of the UGT1A1 gene in all 16 patients with Gilbert′s syndrome by using RQ‐PCR .The homozygous A(TA)6TAA polymorphism was foundin46healthysubjects,whiletheheterozygousA(TA)6TAA/A(TA)7TAApolymorphismwasfoundinother20healthysub‐jects .All A(TA)nTAA polymorphisms in the promoter region of the UGT1A1 gene identified by RQ‐PCR were consistent with that of DNA sequencing .Conclusion It is a sensitive ,specific and simple method to detect the A (TA)n TAA polymorphisms in the promoter region of the UGT1A1 gene by RQ‐PCR ,which can be promoted and applied in clinic .

Objective To investigate the bacterial spectrum and antimicrobial resistance of pathogens isolated from stool of acute diarrhea outpatients ,and provide scientific evidence for clinic rational use of antibiotics .Methods Bacteria was detected by conven‐tional feces culture method ,including separation and biochemistry appraisal sure strains .The predominant bacteria were conducted antimicrobial resistance testing in acute diarrhea outpatients .Results 544 stool specimens were collected from acute diarrhea outpa‐tients from January 2011 to December 2012 .The total positive rate was 17 .83% .Positive rates of Escherichia coli ,Salmonella , Campylobacter ,Vibrio parahaemolyticus ,Other Aeromonas ,Shiga Plesiomonas ,Shigella and Aeromonas hydrophila were 4 .78% ,3 .68% ,2 .57% and 2 .39% ,1 .84% ,1 .28% ,0 .92% and 0 .37% ,respectively .Salmonella ,Campylobacter and Vibrio parahaemolyticus were susceptible to Ofloxacin ,Amoxicillin ,Ceftazidime .They were different resistance to conventional antibiot‐ics ,which were commonly used by clinic ,and the most serious resistance are ampicillin and nalidixic acid .Conclusion Escherichia coli ,Salmonella ,Campylobacter and Vibrio parahaemolyticus are predominant bacteria pathogens .It is important to better under‐stand pathogens spectrum and antimicrobial resistance of bacteria for controlling infection in acute diarrhea outpatients .

Objective To explore the effect of the dexamethasone on the levels of cytokine in the brain of endotoxin shock rats. Methods 54 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to the sham group, LPS group (lipopolysaccharide 8 mg/kg, i.v.) and DEX group (dexamethasone 5 mg/kg, i.v., in addition). The blood pressure was measured dynamically. The contents of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were detected with ELISA 1 h, 3 h, 6 h after shock. Results As the occurrence and development of shock, blood pressure went down gradually, IL-4 and IL-10 decreased (P<0.01), and TNF-α increased (P<0.01) in LPS group, while the TNF-α decreased (P<0.01), the IL-4 and IL-10 increased (P<0.01) in the DEX group compared with the LPS group. Conclusion Dexamethasone may protect the brain from the endotoxin shock injury in rats through regulating the inflammatory factor.

Objective Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a typical type Ⅲ hypersensitivity with a large number of immune complexes (IC) and complement deposits in the synovial tissue , but its specific pathogenesis is not yet clear.This article was to explore the expression of the antigenic profile of serum ICs in RA.Methods ICs were isolated from the serum of 55 patients with RA (41 cases of anti-CCP antibody [+] and 14 cases of anti-CCP antibody [-]), 41 with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and another 41 healthy controls by polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation, separated by immunoprecipitation, digested with trypsin in gel, and then subjected to mass spectrometry for identification.The levels of total proteins were compared among different groups using Vennny 2.1.0.The protein expression was considered to be up-regulated when the total protein level of the RA group was >2 times and down-regulated when it was <0.5 times that of the control.Further functional analysis was performed on the differential proteins in RA using the STRING software.Results Totally, 277 proteins were identified in the serum ICs of the RA patients, including 162 in the anti-CCP (+) and 248 in the anti-CCP (-) RA group.Compared with the SLE and healthy control groups, only 129 proteins were found in the RA patients, including 38 in the anti-CCP (+), 109 in the anti-CCP (-) RA group, and 18 in both the two groups.Among the proteins identified in the RA patients and healthy controls, 2 and 11 were up-regulated while 17 and 21 down-regulated in the anti-CCP (+) and anti-CCP (-) RA group, respectively.Conclusion More differentially expressed proteins were identified in the anti-CCP (-) than in the anti-CCP (+) RA patients.The identification of differentially expressed proteins provides a new idea and direction for the investigation of the pathogenesis and new biomarkers of RA.

Objective To investigate the value of heart-type fatty acid-binding protein in the diagnosis of early myocardial infarc-tion.Methods In 186 cases of suspected acute myocardial infarction due to chest pain,chest tightness for 3 h,plasma CK-MB, troponin-I(CTn-I)and heart-type fatty acid-binding protein(H-FABP)were detected.The sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing early myocardial infarction were compared among 3 kinds of indexes.Results Compared with the non-infarction group and the con-trol group,plasma CK-MB,CTn-I and H-FABP in the acute myocardial infarction group were significantly increased (P <0.05 );compared with CK-MB and CTn-I,the sensitivity of H-FABP to the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction within 3 h was higher, but its specificity was lower than that of CTn-I and higher than that of CK-MB.Conclusion For the patients with acute myocardial infarction within 3 h after onset,detecting H-FABP can increase the diagnostic rate of early myocardial infarction to a certain extent.

Objective To study effects of oligo-peptide I-C-F-6 in carapax trionycis on rats with liver fibrosis induced by CCl4;To discuss its anti-liver fibrosis effects and possible mechanisms. Methods Forty-eight SD male rats were randomly divided into normal control group, model group, bifendate group, and oligo-peptide I-C-F-6 group, 12 in each group.CCl4 was injected intraperitoneally to build rat liver fibrosis model.Oligo-peptide I-C-F-6 group and bifendate group were given subcutaneous injection of oligo-peptide I-C-F-6 (0.12μg/g) or bifendate (0.12μg/g). At the same time, normal control group and model group were giventhe same volume of saline for seven weeks. The levels ofALT, AST,MDA, SOD, IL-4, IL-10 and TNF-α were tested.The histomorphology changes were observed under optical microscopeby HE, and the expressions of transforming growth TGF-β1 were determined by immunohistochemistry.Results Compared with model group, serum levels of ALT and AST were reduced evidently in oligo-peptide I-C-F-6 group. Hepatic content of MDA, IL-4 and TNF-α decreased, while SOD activity and IL-10 were found significantly increased. Liver fibrosis was ameliorated significantly. Hepatic expressions of TGF-β1 were weakly positive.Conclusion Oligo-peptide I-C-F-6 can ameliorate hepatocyte damage of model rats, thus it has anti-oxidative and anti-liver fibrosis effects on liver fibrosis in rats.

Objective:To investigate the protective effect of lactoferrin(Lf) on lung injury in mice exposed to irradiation.Methods:C57BL/6 J mice were randomly divided into control group, 15 Gy irradiation group (IR group) and lactoferrin combined 15 Gy irradiation group (Lf+ IR group), with 5 mice in each group. The mice in the Lf+ 15 Gy group drank lactoferrin solution (10 mg/ml) from 3 days before irradiation and contained the whole experiments. Then, single chest 15 Gyirradiation was performed both in the IR and Lf+ IR groups. The body weight and other characteristics were monitored during the experiment. The mice were killed at day 14 after irradiation. The lung histopathology was observed by HE staining. Serum inflammatory cytokine such as HMGB1, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 was determined by ELISA method . The expression of inflammatory related protein in lung tissue including HMGB1, TLR4, MyD88 and NF-κB were performed by immune histochemistry and Western blot method.Results:Compared with the control group, lung weight was significantly increased ( t=3.20, P<0.05), pulmonary hyperemia and inflammatory cell infiltration was observed in the IR group. Exposure also significantly increased serum level of TNF-α[(291.80±5.49) vs.(332.25±22.18)pg/ml]( t=3.07, P<0.05), up-regulated the expression of inflammatory related protein in lung tissue ( t=4.04, 4.78, 3.77, 6.14, P<0.05). Lactoferrin intervention (Lf+ IR group) significantly decreased lung weight ( t=2.18, P<0.05), alleviated histopathologic changes, decrease serum levels of HMGB1, TNF-α and IL-1β ( t=4.67, 2.97, 3.49, P<0.05). On the other hand, lactoferrin intervention decreased the positive cell number of HMGB1 and NF-κB, and down-regulated the protein expression of HMGB1, TLR4, MyD88 and NF-κB in lung tissues, with significant difference with the IR group ( t=8.06, 9.80, 3.07, 5.56, P<0.05). Conclusions:Lactoferrin plays the protective effect of radiation-induced lung injury through the downregulation of inflammatory response, such as HMGB1/TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Objective The inhibitor of differentiation 3 (Id3) is an important transcriptional regulation factor, which participates in tumorigenesis, cell proliferation, and cell apoptosis.β-catenin, as a central molecule of the Wnt signaling pathway, is critical for tumor development.This study aimed to evaluate the expressions of these two molecules and the regulatory effect of Id3 on β-catenin in different tumor cells.Methods Total RNA was extracted using the Trizol Reagent.The relative mRNA expression levels of Id3 and β-catenin in tumor cells were detected by quantitative real-timePCR(qRT-PCR).The recombinant eukaryotic expression vector pEGFP/Id3 with the human Id3 gene was transfected into A549, A549/ DDP and SW-480 cells using the non-liposome-mediated method.The protein expressions of Id3 and β-catenin were determined by Western blot.Results The expression of Id3 was significantly lower in the colorectal cancer cell lines SW-480 and HT-29 than in A549 and other tumor cells (P<0.05), but remarkably higher in nasopharyngeal carcinoma CNE and 5-8F cells than in other tumor cells (P<0.05).The expression of β-catenin was the highest in SW-480in comparison withother malignant tumor cells(P<0.05), and the second highest was in gastric cancer AGS and colorectal cancer HT-29 cell lines, but low in H446, A549, SPC-A-1, A549/DDP, and SK-MES-1 cell lines and extremely low or almost absent in CNE and 5-8F cells (P<0.05).After transfected with pEGFP/Id3, the cells showed a decreased volume, wrinkled membrane and absent refraction under the fluorescence microscope, which, however, were not observed in most of the cells transfected with the empty vector pEGFP.Compared with the control, the Id3/pEGFP group showed remarkably increased expressions of Id3 mRNA in the A549, A549/DDI, and SW-480 cells (1.24±0.12 vs 193.12±2.80, 1.09±0.11 vs 188.30±2.60, and 0.92±0.29 vs 19.08±0.59, P<0.01), and the expression of β-catenin was significantly down-regulated in the transfected SW-480 cells with an overexpression of Id3 (0.98±0.05 vs 0.32±0.03, P<0.01), but exhibited no statistically significant differences from those in the transfected A549 and A549/DDP cells (0.98±0.07 vs 1.04±0.08 and 0.98±0.05 vs 0.32±0.03, P>0.05).Western blot showed the same results.Conclusion The expression levels of Id3 and β-catenin vary in different tumor cell lines.Anabnormally high level of β-catenin is an important risk factor for colorectal cancer, and the down-regulatedexpression of β-catenin after eogenous transfection of Id3 may provide some new ideas for target gene therapies of colorectal cancer.