Objective To investigate the relationship between quality of life and liver function in patients with chronic viral hepatitis B.Methods Psychological condition was investigated in 536 patients of chronic viral hepatitis B and 200 normal volunteers with self-administered 36-item short-form health survey questionnaire.These patients were divided into four groups based on their liver fuction normal,mild, moderate and severe damage,based on their serum activity of alanine aminotransferase(ALT)and serum level of bilirubin at the time of investigation.The patients with abnormal liver function at the beginning of the study would be retested when liver function recovered to normal level.Before and after comparison was made for those with abnormal liver function by Wilcoxon signed rank test.Trend test for the changes in liver function was performed by Jonckheere-Terpstra test.Results There was significant difference in physical functioning,role limitation due to physical health,bodily pain,general health perception,vitality,social functioning,role limitation due to emotional problems and mental health between patient with chronic viral hepatitis B and healthy volunteers.It was positively correlated with the degree of liver function damage. Scores of general health perception,role limitation due to physical health,role limitation due to emotional problems and vitality were relatively low in patients with chronic viral hepatitis B.Conclusions Quality of life in patients with chronic viral hepatitis B was far worse than that in healthy normal people,which related with their liver function.The more damage to liver function,the worse quality of life.Additional psychological treatment will be helpful for the patients with chronic viral hepatitis B other than drug treatment.

The contents of gallic acid, catechin, albiflorin, paeoniflorin, benzoic acid and paeonol extracted in different growth years, collecting season and of different parts of Paeonia lactiflora were determined. The results showed that the contents of catechin and paeoniflorin in Paeonia lactiflora collected in autumn are the highest, and the contents of benzoic acid was lower than that of those collected at other time. The longer is the age of Paeonia lactiflora, the higher is the contents of catechin and paeoniflorin. The contents of catechin and paeoniflorin in the root of Paeonia lactiflora were higher than those in other parts of the plant. There is a certain content of paeoniflorin in the leaves of Paeonia lactiflora. Judging from the result, paeoniflorin is synthesized in the leaf and then transported to the root. Catechin is not synthesized in the leaf, but mainly in the root. Paeonia lactiflora should be collected in autumn, and immature plant should not be collected.
Acetophenones ; analysis ; Benzoates ; analysis ; Benzoic Acid ; analysis ; Bridged-Ring Compounds ; analysis ; Catechin ; analysis ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Gallic Acid ; analysis ; Glucosides ; analysis ; Monoterpenes ; Paeonia ; chemistry ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Seasons

BACKGROUNDSeveral genetic polymorphisms in the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene are associated with the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The objective of the present study was to investigate whether the two SNPs (T-786C and G894T) of the eNOS gene are associated with rheumatoid arthritis risk in a northern Chinese population.

METHODSIn this study, the eNOS genes T-786C and G894T were studied in 196 cases with rheumatoid arthritis and 201 healthy controls with gender, age and ethnicity matched. The two SNPs were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). The analyses of association were statistically compared using the chi-square test with SPSS software for Windows.

RESULTSThe frequency of the -786C allele was significantly higher in the rheumatoid arthritis patients than in the healthy controls (19.64% vs. 14.18%, P < 0.05). However, the 894T allele of the eNOS gene was not increased in the rheumatoid arthritis patients compared to the healthy controls.

CONCLUSIONSIndividuals with the -786CC genotype have an increased risk of rheumatoid arthritis. Further study with an increased sample size is necessary for the study of the role of this SNP in rheumatoid arthritis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; genetics ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Risk

OBJECTIVETo determine the genetic relationship of three species of official Rheum in molecular level.

METHODTwelve samples from three species of official Rheum were employed to be analyzed by the approach of sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP). Systematic relationships were constructed based on the UPGMA method by TREECONW software.

RESULTA total of 272 bands were scored and 199 bands of them were polymorphic, which were up to 73.2% polymorphic ratio. Genetic similarity coefficient was changed from 0.578 4 to 0.941 6. The results indicated that there was abundant genetic diversity among the tested materials. The clustering analysis revealed that the results between SRAP marker and the traditional morphological characteristics was almost the same.

CONCLUSIONSRAP marker is suitable for variety identification and genetic relationship research in official Rheum.

Cluster Analysis ; Genetic Variation ; genetics ; Phylogeny ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; genetics ; Rheum ; classification ; genetics

Fragments encoding amino acids 76-130 in the linear conserved region (LCR) of A/Hubei/1/2010 (H5N1) HA2 was fused to hepatitis B core antigen (HBc) to generate a LCR-HBe virus-like particle (VLP). Results showed that the fusion protein of LCR-HBc was highly expressed in this prokaryotic expression system. The purified LCR-HBc particle stimulated high levels of IgG production in mice with a titer of > 1:12 800, and provided 50% cross-protection against lethal challenge by H1N1 viruses.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Female ; Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus ; immunology ; Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype ; immunology ; Influenza Vaccines ; immunology ; Interferon-gamma ; biosynthesis ; Lung ; pathology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Molecular Sequence Data

OBJECTIVETo investigate the method of harvesting of superficial cervical artery island skin flap, and its clinical application in the repair of the maxillofacial and cervical scars.

METHODSThe origin, course, branches and distribution of the superficial cervical artery were studied in 10 adult cadavers. The superficial cervical artery could be divided into three segments: i.e. the segment before entering the trapezius muscle, the segment in the trapezius muscle, and the segment emerging from the trapezius muscle. Fourteen patients with maxillofacial and cervical scar contracture were enrolled in the study. The postburn scars were removed, and the wounds were covered by superficial cervical artery island skin flaps. The survival of the flap after the operation and the recovery of the neck movements were observed.

RESULTSThe length of superficial cervical artery before entering the trapezius muscle was 5.1 +/- 0.4 cm, while that inside the trapezius muscle was 2.1 +/- 0.5 cm, and that after emerging from the trapezius muscle was 4.7 +/- 0.7 cm, respectively. The internal perforating branch was located 7.3 +/- 0.6 cm beside the seventh cervical vertebrae, and 3.9 +/- 0.7 cm above the spine of scapula. The flap was from 16 cm x 7 cm to 35 cm x 12 cm in size. All the flaps survived, except one with partial necrosis in the distal part (3.0 cm x 1.5 cm) of the flap. Follow-up observation for 4 months to 3 years showed satisfactory results.

CONCLUSIONSuperficial cervical artery island skin flap is simple in the flap preparation, and there is no necessity to cut the pedicle, thus it is particularly suitable for the reconstruction of severe postburn maxillofacial and cervical contracture.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Carotid Arteries ; anatomy & histology ; Child ; Cicatrix ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Maxillofacial Injuries ; surgery ; Neck Injuries ; surgery ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Scalp ; surgery ; Skin Transplantation ; methods ; Surgical Flaps ; blood supply

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of drinking brick tea with low-fluoride level on prevention of tea type fluorosis.MethodsHandahangacha,Hadayinggegacha,Dalainuoyi town,in Keshiketengqi Inner Mongolia endemic fluorosis area were selected as test points,and brick tea with fluoride [(204.5 ± 10.2),(308.2 ±15.4)mg/kg] was given for 12 months.Dental fluorosis,clinical skeletal fluorosis,and X-ray diagnosis of skeletalfluorosis [according to “Endemic Skeletal Fluorosis Diagnostic Criteria” (WS 192-2008)] of adults 20 to 70 years of age were examined and level of fluoride before and after the prevention trial,in brick tea,drinking water,milk tea and urine were tested (fluoride ion selective electrode method),and fluoride intake through tea was calculated.ResultsDetection rate of adult dental fluorosis in Handahangacha was 68.89％ (62/90),clinical detection of skeletal fluorosis was 55.32％ (52/94),and X-ray detection of skeletal fluorosis was 65.17％ (58/89); adult dental fluorosis detection rate in Hadayinggegacha was 54.84％(51/93),clinical detection of skeletal fluorosis was 65.69％(67/102),and X-ray detection rate of skeletal fluorosis was 61.36％ (54/88).Brick tea fluoride was (831.4 ±138.9),(864.3 ± 134.6)mg/kg before the prevention trial in Handahangacha and Hadayinggegacha,respectively,drinking water fluoride content was (0.27 ± 0.05),(0.54 ± 0.24)mg/L,fluoride content of milk tea was (216 ± 1.12),(2.82 ± 1.38)mg/L,adult urine fluoride content was (2.78 ± 1.57),(2.96 ± 1.80)mg/L,and fluoride intake through milk tea was (8.12 ± 5.84),(6.42 ± 5.04)mg/d,respectively; after the prevention trial the fluoride content of brick tea was (204.5 ± 10.2),(308.2 ± 15.4)mg/kg,fluoride content of drinking water (0.34 ± 0.11),(0.62 ± 0.30)mg/L,fluoride content of milk tea(0.97 ± 0.33),(1.83 ± 0.66)mg/L,fluoride content in urine(1.29 ± 0.55),( 1.47 ±0.62)mg/L,fluoride intake through milk tea (3.45 ± 2.05),(3.71 ± 2.07)mg/d,respectively; in Handahan and Hadayinggegacha after the prevention trial the fluoride in brick tea,milk tea,urine fluoride,and fluoride intake through milk tea was significantly lower than that before the trial (t =14.30,12.97 ;6.46,3.95;6.69,5.72;6.27,3.57,all P ＜ 0.01 ).Fluoride intake in Handahangacha through milk tea was within the state heath standard limits( ＜ 3.5mg/d).ConclusionDrinking low-fluoride brick tea can prevent drinking brick tea type fluorosis,the preventive effect is especially more reliable with low fluoride brick tea (204.5 ± 10.2)mg/kg.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of melanoma differentiation associated gene-7/interleukin 24 (MDA/IL-24) on human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines HepG2, MHCC97L and Hep3B and normal liver cell line L02 with a different p53 state.

METHODSThe MDA-7/IL-24 gene was transfected into human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines HepG2, MHCC97L and Hep3B and hepatocyte line L02 with a replication-incompetent adenovirus vector. The mRNA expression of MDA7/IL-24 in HepG2, MHCC97L, Hep3B and L02 cells was confirmed using RT-PCR. Protein expression was confirmed using ELISA assay. MTT assay and flow cytometry were used to study tumor cell proliferation and cell cycle in vitro. Hoechst and flow cytometry assay after annexin-V and PI staining were performed to indicate the apoptosis effect.

RESULTSExogenous MDA-7/IL-24 gene was expressed in HepG2, MHCC97L, Hep3B and L02 cells. The protein product of MDA-7/IL-24 was confirmed in the supernatant. MTT assay and apoptosis test indicated MDA-7/IL-24 could induce growth suppression and apoptosis of HepG2, MHCC97L and Hep3B but could not in L02. Cell cycle test revealed MDA-7/IL-24 could block those cancer cells in G2/M but not in the normal cell L02.

CONCLUSIONMDA-7/IL-24 selectively induces growth suppression and apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma lines HepG2, MHCC97L and Hep3B in vitro independent of the state of p53 gene but not in normal liver cell L02. This indicates MDA-7/IL-24 can be a perfect gene for gene therapy in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Adenoviruses, Human ; genetics ; Apoptosis ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Genetic Therapy ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Interleukins ; genetics ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Animals ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; pathology ; Doxorubicin ; pharmacology ; Genetic Therapy ; Interleukins ; genetics ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; pathology

BACKGROUNDSeveral studies have evaluated the association between polymorphisms of encoding excision repair cross complementation group 1 (ERCC1) enzyme and lung cancer risk in diverse populations but with conflicting results. By pooling the relatively small samples in each study, it is possible to perform a meta-analysis of the evidence by rigorous methods.

METHODSEmbase, Ovid, Medline and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure were searched. Additional studies were identified from references in original studies or review articles. Articles meeting the inclusion criteria were reviewed systematically, and the reported data were aggregated using the statistical techniques of meta-analysis.

RESULTSWe found 3810 cases with lung cancer and 4332 controls from seven eligible studies. T19007C polymorphism showed no significant effect on lung cancer risk (C allele vs. T allele: odds ratio (OR) = 0.91, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.80 - 1.04; CC vs. TT: OR = 0.76, 95%CI = 0.56 - 1.02; CC vs. (CT + TT): OR = 0.96, 95%CI = 0.84 - 1.10). Similarly, there was no significant main effects for T19007C polymorphism on lung cancer risk when stratified analyses by ethnicity (Chinese or Caucasian). No significant association was found between C8092A polymorphism (3060 patients and 2729 controls) and the risk of lung cancer (A allele vs. C allele: OR = 1.03, 95%CI = 0.95 - 1.11; AA vs. CC: OR = 1.08, 95%CI = 0.88 - 1.33; AA vs. (AC + CC): OR = 1.08, 95%CI = 0.88 - 1.31).

CONCLUSIONWe found little evidence of an association between the T1900C or C8092A polymorphisms of ERCC 1 and the risk of lung cancer in Caucasian or Han Chinese people.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Endonucleases ; genetics ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; genetics