Objective To analyze the nuclear factor-kappa-B activator 1 (Act1) expression in synovial tissues and peripheral blood lymphocytes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA),and explore its possible regulatory mechanisms.Methods The Act1 expression of synovial tissue from 10 RA patients and 5 osteoarthritis patients were analyzed by immunohistochemical staining,and double immunofluorescence staining was used to identify the Act1-expressing cells.The peripheral blood of 47 RA patients and 22 healthy controls (HC) were obtained.The Act1 expression in different lymphocyte subpopulation from peripheral blood was determined by flow cytometry and Act1-mRNA expression was detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).The data was analyzed by Mann-Whitney U test,two independent sample t test and Pearson correlation analysis.Results Remarkable infiltration of inflammatory cells and expression of Act1 in synovium from RA patients was observed.The Act1 was expressed in T lymphocytes,in contrast to the few expression in B lymphocytes.Compared to HC,the expression of Act1-mRNA was lower in peripheral CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells [CD4+ T cells:133 (69,380) vs 158 (117,246),U=36,P＞0.05; CD8+ T cells:127(63,363) vs 129(81,222),U=35,P＞0.05],however,higher in CD20+ B cells in RA patients [62(34,81) vs 52(33,105),U =36,P ＞0.05].There was no significant difference of Act1-mRNA levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells between HC and RA patients (0.71 ±0.32 vs 0.79±0.21,t=1.717,P=0.091).However,a tendency of down-regulation of Act1 expression was noticed in RA patients than HC.No significant correlation was found between Act1-mRNA level and RA disease activity index.Conclusion Our data suggest that Act1 may be involved in the pathogenesis of RA,however,we could not yet found its association with RA disease activity.

Objective To explore the nuclear factor-kappa-B activator 1 (Act1) expression in salivary gland and peripheral blood lymphocytes in patients with Sj(o)gren's syndrome (SS),and to explore its possible regulatory mechanisms.Methods The Act1 expression in salivary gland tissue from 10 patients with SS was analyzed by immunohistochemical staining,and immunolluorescence double staining was used to detect Act1-expressing cells.Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were obtained from 28 SS patients and 22 healthy controls (HC).The Act1 expression in different lymphocyte subpopulations was determined by flow cytometry and Act1-mRNA expression was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR),and the data was analyzed by Wilcoxon test and Mann-Whitney U test and Pearson correlation analysis.Results Remarkable expression of Actl in the salivary glands from SS patients was observed,especially in T lymphocytes,in contrast to the few expression in B lymphocytes.The expression of Act1 in the peripheral CD4+ T cells,CD8+ T cells,CD20+ B cells was higher in SS patients than HC.There was no significant difference of Act 1-mRNA levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in healthy controls and SS patients.However,a tendency of up-regulation of Act1 expression was noticed in SS patients than healthy controls (0.84±0.35 vs 0.79±0.21,U=274.5,P＞0.05),and the up-regulation of Act1 was also found in those SS patients with hypergammaglobulinemia (0.88±0.39 vs 0.75±0.27,U=73.0,P＞0.05) or with internal organ involvement(0.92±0.38 vs 0.77±0.33,U=75.0,P＞0.05),but the differences were not statistically significant.Conclusion Our data suggest that Act1 may be involved in the pathogenesis of SS by negative feedback mechanism in B cell-mediated humoral immune pathway,and positive feedback mechanism in IL-17 mediated T-cell immune pathways.Act1 may be associated with disease activity and severity in SS.

Objective:To study the effects of fluor-hydroxyapatite (FHA) coating titanium alloy on the osseointegration and peri-implantitis of orthodontic micro-implant.Methods:Titanium of FHA alloy (FHA group) and titanium alloy(control group) orthodontic micro-implants were respectively planted into buccal alveolar bone in mandibular premolar area of rabbits.Scanning electron microscope was used to observe the osseointegration around the micro-implants.ELISA was employed to detect TNF-α in the gingival crevicular fluid around the implants.Results:The FHA-coating titanium alloy orthodontic micro-implants led to higher bone density,smaller marrow cavity,and lower TNF-α level and shorter lasting period of TNF-α over-expression than the controls (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion:The FHA-coating titanium alloy orthodontic micro-implant has better histocompatibility and may inhibit peri-implantitis.

A total of 52 endophytic fungi were isolated from roots and stems of Tibetan medicinal plant Phlomis younghusbandii Mukerjee. These fungal isolates were molecularly identified based on ITS sequnces and 28S sequences distributed to 12 genera, including Phoma, Chaetosphaeronema, Fusarium and Leptosphaeria, etc. Among them, the dominant genus was Phoma. Extracts of all strains were evaluated for anti-HIV-1 integrase activity by using soluable integrase expressed in E. coli BL21 (DE3). The results showed that seven samples from five fungal endophytes PHY-24, PHY-38, PHY-40, PHY-51, PHY-53, which belonged to genus Chaetosphaeronema, inhibited strand transfer reaction catalyzed by HIV-1 integrase with IC50 values, of 6.60, 5.20, 2.86, 7.86, 4.47, 4.56 and 3.23 microg x mL(-1) respectively. In conclusion, the endophytic fungi of Phlomis younghusbandii Mukerjee are valuable for further screening anti-HIV-1 integrase agents.

Objective To assess the in vitro affinity and apoptosis-inducing effect of 131I-K237 peptide (H-His-Thr-Met-Tyr-Tyr-His-His-Tyr-Gln-His-His-Leu-OH) to LNCaP prostate cancer cell line.Methods The K237 peptide was radiolabeled with 131I by the Iodogen method.The radiolabeling efficiency and radiochemical purity after purification were then characterized by TLC in vitro.LNCaP cells were inoculated in 96-well cell plate and divided into following groups (3 duplicate wells for each group):15 kBq 131I-K237was added in the experimental group,different doses of Na131I (5,10,15 kBq) were added in 3 negative control groups,15 kBq 131I-K237 with different doses of unlabeled K237 (1,2,4,8,16 μ g/μl) were added in 3 blocking groups,and PBS was added in blank control group.The cellular binding ratios were calculated after 48 h.LNCaP cells were inoculated in 24-well cell plate and divided into 3 groups:131I-K237group,which including 3 different dose subgroups (5,10,15 kBq) ; unlabeled K237 group,which including 3 different dose subgroups (1,2,4 μg/μl) ; blank control group with 100 μl PBS.All the cells were cultured for 48 h,then optical microscopy (OM) and fluorescence microscopy (FM) were used to observe the cell morphology ; DNA gel electrophoresis was conducted and flow cytometry (FCM) was used to estimate the apoptotic rate of LNCaP cells.One-way analysis of variance and the least significant difference (LSD)-t test were used to analyze the data.Results The labeling efficiency of 131I-K237 was (73.7±3.2) ％ and the radiochemical purity was (96.7±0.6) ％ after purification.The binding ratio of experimental group was (95.8±1.5)％,whereas the ratio of negative groups with 5,10,15 kBq Na131I and PBS group was (8.2±0.4) ％,(8.3±0.6) ％,(8.6±0.5) ％ and 0,respectively.The binding ratio of 131I-K237 and LNCaP significantly declined with the increased dose of unlabeled K237 (t=4.71,P＜0.01).The apoptosis of LNCaP cells cultured with 131I-K237 was observed.Typical DNA ladder was found by DNA gel electrophoresis.The apoptotic rates of 5,10,15 kBq131I-K237 groups were (34.1±2.9)％,(37.3±3.4)％ and (41.7±3.6)％,respectively; whereas those of unlabeled K237 groups and blank control group were (10.8±1.0) ％,(12.5±2.1) ％,(13.1±2.4) ％ and (2.9±0.3) ％,respectively.There were significant differences of apoptotic rate among groups (F=76.31,P＜0.05).The difference among 5,10,15 kBq 131I-K237 groups was statistically significant (t=3.09,3.27,4.52,all P＜0.05).Conclusion 131I-K237 can bind to LNCaP cells with highly affinity and has significant apoptosis-inducing efficacy on the prostate cancer cell line.

Objective To discuss the relationship between hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype and HBV DNA ,liver fibrosis ,liver function and HBeAg .Methods HBV genotypes ,HBV DNA ,liver fibrosis indicators and alanine aminotransferase(ALT ) ,aspartate aminotransferase(AST ) ,total bilirubin(TBIL) ,albumin(ALB) and HBV e antigen(HBeAg) were detected in patients with serum hepatitis .All data were statistically analyzed .Results There was no significant difference of HBV DNA ,ALT ,AST ,TBIL ,ALB , procollagen- Ⅲ -peptide ,type Ⅳ collagen ,hyaluronic acid and laminin between patients with B and C genotype infection (P> 0 .05) . However ,HBeAg level in patients with C genotype infection was higher than that in patients with B genotype infection (P< 0 .05) . Conclusion There might be no significant difference of HBV DNA ,liver function and liver fibrosis between patients with B and C genotype infection ,but HBeAg level in patients with C genotype infection could be higher than patients with B genotype infection .

Objective To investigate the expressions of GDNF and GFRα1 in childhood nephroblastoma, and therefore its clinical significance. Methods The expression levels of GDNF and GFRα1 were examined by immunohistochemistry of 30 parrafin samples from nephroblastoma section as well as 16 parrafin samples of peritumor renal tissue. Results The pos?itive expression rate of GDNF and GFRα1 in nephroblastoma were higher than those in normal renal tissue(66.7%vs 6.3%;63.3%vs 6.3%). GDNF and GFRα1 were strongly expressed in epithelium and embryo bud, but weakly expressed in lobus intermedius of nephroblastoma. There was no correlation between the expressions of GDNF and GFRα1 with histological types, clinical stage and metastasis of nephroblastoma of patients. Conclusion High expression of GDNF and GFRα1 in childhood nephroblastoma might indicate its role in tumor development.

Objective:To analyze and summarize the characteristics and pattern in the selection of points and meridians by searching the clinical research literature about acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of amblyopia in the recent 17 years.Methods:By searching Chinese and English databases,such as China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI),PubMed,etc.,the points in 52 articles in conformity with the requirements were analyzed by frequency statistics by the order of meridians,major points,and adjunct points to summarize the rules and characteristics of the point selection.Results:In 52 articles,there were 21 articles on ear acupuncture and 31 articles on acupuncture-moxibustion treatment.Ten meridians were involved in acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of amblyopia,and the leading 3 meridians were the Bladder,Stomach and Gallbladder Meridians.There were 34 points,10 extraordinary points and 37 ear points were used in acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of amblyopia.The top 10 major points were Jingming (BL 1),Taiyang (EX-HN 5),Cuanzhu (BL 2),Fengchi (GB 20),Baihui (GV 20),Hegu (LI 4),Guangming (GB 37),Sibai (ST 2),Chengqi (ST 1) and Sizhukong (TE 23).The top 5 adjunct points were Zusanli (ST 36),Shenshu (BL 23),Ganshu (BL 18),Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Taixi (KI 3).Conclusion:Acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of amblyopia is characterized by the selection of the points mainly from yang meridians,based upon syndromes differentiation plus personal experience,and the points mainly around the eyes and by stressed use of ear points.

To study the identification of Gentianaceae Mongolian medicine Digeda with spectroscopy techniques, near infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry techniques were applied to study on the identification of 4 kinds of Gentianaceae Mongolian medicine Digeda, and characteristic spectrums obtained were systematically analyzed. In NIR study, the four species of Digeda exist some differences in 4 250-4 400 cm(-1) and 5 650-5 800 cm(-1) of one-dimensional spectra, and show significant differences in 4 100- 4 400 cm(-1), 4 401-4 900 cm(-1) and 5 400-5 800 cm(-1) of the second derivative spectra. DSC curves of them present distinct topological pattern, characteristic peak and peak temperature. Using near infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry analysis can realize efficient and accurate identification of four kinds of Mongolian medicine Digeda, and provide scientific basis for the efficient and accurate identification of other Gentianaceae Mongolian medicine Digeda.
Calorimetry, Differential Scanning ; methods ; China ; Gentianaceae ; chemistry ; classification ; Medicine, Mongolian Traditional ; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared ; methods

Objective To explore the possible mechanisms of Arsenic Trioxide in treating rheumatoid arthritis(RA)by observing the changes of HE staining and NF-KB expression as well as the apoptosis of syn- oviocytes in adjuvant-induced arthritis rats.Methods After the animal model was set up on Wistar rats sue- cessfully,they were randomly divided into AA model group and arsenic trioxide treatment group.The treat- ment group were injected with 4 mg'kg~(-1)9?d~(-1)arsenic trioxid fluid for 7 days.All of the rats were killed 3 days after the complete of injections.The joint specimens were exposed,fixed,decalcified,wrapped and cut into slices.All slices were examined by HE stain and immunohistological evaluation.Results HE staining showed that when compared with the normal control group,the layers of synoviocytes of the AA group were increased to 6-8,and the arrangement of synoviocytes was disordered and heavy inflammatory cell infiltration were found in the AA group.In the arsenic trioxide treatment group,the layers of synoviocytes increased to 3～4,and medi- um amount of inflammatory cell infiltration were found.The intensity of synovial NF-kB(p65)positive stain in AA model group was significantly higher than that in the normal control group.The synovial expression and ac- tivation of NF-kB in the treatment group were decreased markedly,and did not return to normal level.The average gray scale calculation showed that there were significant differences between the three groups(P