Objective To study the correlation between single nucleotide polymorphisms of -238,-308 G/A in promoter region of tumor necrosis factor -?(TNF-?) gene and the type of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).Methods Clinical data and blood preparation of 127 children with JIA and 106 healthy children were evaluated.Subgroups of JIA were defined according to the Edmonton criteria.The -238 G/A and -308 G/A polymorphisms in DNA analysis in this study were extracted from the whole blood.The restricted fragment length polymorphisms were determined in the cases of all JIA children and control group.Results 1.The TNF-?-238 G/A allele frequencies of JIA group and control group:allele frequency of JIA group was 92.9% and 7.1%,and the control group was 95.3% and 4.7%.The distribution of allele frequencies was no significantly different between JIA group and control group(?2=1.149 P=0.284).But there were significant difference between polyarticular JIA (RF negative) and control group(?2=7.621 P=0.006).2.The TNF-?-308 G/A allele frequencies of JIA group and control group:allele frequency of JIA group was 94.1% and 5.9%,the control group was 95.3% and 4.7%.The distributions of allele frequencies was no significantly different between JIA group and control group(?2=0.322 P=0.571).There were significantly difference between polyarticular JIA (RF negative) and control group (?2=7.621 P=0.006).Conclusions The TNF-?-238,-308 polymorphisms of A in the-238 and-308 TNF-? gene are important to the joint destruction of JIA.The study will be beneficial to provide indirect support to the application of anti-TNF drugs to the treatment of JIA.

Objective To investigate the correlation between the single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP) of macrophage migration inhibitory factor(MIF) gene -173G/C and the susceptibility in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis(JIA).Methods Study group consisted of 97 children of JIA.All patients included in this study met the International League of Associations for Rheumatology criteria for JIA.Control group consisted of 102 healthy individuals.Germline DNA was extracted from peripheral blood by AxyPrep blood genomic DNA miniprep kit.Polymerase chain reaction-restrictivon fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP) was used for genotyping the -173G/C polymorphism of MIF.Genotype distribution and allele frequencies were obtained by direct counting.Statistical analysis was performed by using SPSS Bosoftware.Allele and genotype distributions were compared using the chi-square test.The relative risk of alleles was described by odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI).Hardy-weinberg equilibrium was confirmed with the chi-square test.Results We detected 3 kinds of genotypes at the MIF-173 locus.The frequency of each genotype was 54.6%(GG),42.3%(GC),3.1%(CC) in JIA group,and 79.4%(GG),20.6%(GC),0(CC) in control group.The C allele frequencies in the JIA and control group were 24.7% and 10.3%,respectively.There was significant difference was observed between the JIA and control group in the frequencies of mutant genotype(GC and CC) of MIF-173G/C polymorphism(?2=13.872 P=0).Individuals possessing a MIF-173C allele did have an increased risk of JIA(OR=2.79,95% CI 1.62-4.81 P=0).When the genotype and allele distributions of the MIF-173 gene in the subtypes of JIA and contronl group were compared,a significant difference wad found in the systemic JIA and control group (P0.05).Conclusions MIF-173G/C SNP may be associated with the sensitivity of JIA.MIF-173 C allele may increase susceptibility to JIA.

OBJECTIVETo compare the incidence of metabolic disorders (MS) in patients with primary aldosteronism (PA) and essential hypertension (EH).

METHODSMS prevalence was observed in 200 EH patients (male 104) and 220 PA patients (male 117) hospitalized to our hospital from August 2005 to March 2007.

RESULTS(1) The prevalence of MS in PA group was significantly higher than that of EH group (47.3% vs. 31.5%, P = 0.009). (2) Blood pressure was significantly higher in PA group than that of EH [SBP: (150.67 +/- 15.45) mm Hg vs. (145.69 +/- 17.13) mm Hg, P = 0.042; DBP: (93.03 +/- 10.51) mm Hg vs. (85.83 +/- 14.44) mm Hg, P = 0.037]. (3) Incidences of abdominal obesity (86.8% vs. 78.5%, P = 0.024) and insulin resistance (insulin sensitivity index: 42.42 +/- 16.11 vs. 49.58 +/- 22.43, P = 0.008) were significantly higher in PA group than in EH group.

CONCLUSIONThe prevalence of MS in hospitalized PA patients was significantly higher than that of EH patients characterized by prevalent abdominal obesity, insulin resistant and severe hypertension.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperaldosteronism ; epidemiology ; metabolism ; Hypertension ; epidemiology ; metabolism ; Incidence ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome ; epidemiology ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo perform a pharmacognostical study of the leaf of Uncaria hirsuta Havil.

METHODSThe specimens of Folium Uncariae Hirsutae were collected for studying its characteristics, microscopic appearance and thin-layer chromatography.

RESULTSThe leaf of Uncaria hirsuta Havil was characterized by numerous multicellular non-glandular hairs, 2 lines of palisade tissue, a diacytic type of stoma, and clustered crystals in its parenchyma. At least two kinds of alkaloids identical to the control were identified in the specimens.

CONCLUSIONThe results can be used as the evidence for identification, formulation of the quality-control standards as well as further utilization of Folium Uncariae Hirsutae.

Alkaloids ; isolation & purification ; Chromatography, Thin Layer ; methods ; Pharmacognosy ; methods ; Plant Leaves ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; Uncaria ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo study the distribution of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) strains subtypes in Shandong province and to study their source in order to predict the epidemic trend.

METHODSEpidemiological investigation was made and 93 DNA fragments of HIV-1 env, gag, tat gene were amplified by nested polymerase chain reaction from people infected with HIV-1, in 2002 - 2003. Their C2-V3, P17/P24, 1st exon of tat and adjacent region were sequenced.

RESULTSSequence analysis showed that there were 7 HIV-1 strains or circulating recombinant forms (CRFs), B' (n = 71), CRF01-AE (n = 9), CRF07-BC (n = 3), CRF08-BC (n = 3), B (n = 2), C (n = 2), CRF02-AG (n = 2). B' strains was the predominant which, covered 10 cities and 4 kinds of population including blood donors, blood receivers, spouses of the infected people and clients of the sex workers. CRF07-BC, CRF08-BC strains were identified in 5 cities, mainly from injecting drug users. CRF01-AE and other strains were found distributed in developed cities, among sex workers.

CONCLUSIONThere were many kinds of subtypes and CRFs of HIV and their genomes which generated obvious variation in Shandong province, suggesting that they might facilitate the spread of the disease in Shandong province.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; China ; epidemiology ; DNA, Viral ; genetics ; Female ; HIV Infections ; epidemiology ; genetics ; HIV-1 ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Molecular Epidemiology

BACKGROUNDTo determine the feasibility of inhibition of duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV) DNA replication by antisense phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides corresponding to DHBV transcription region.

METHODSThe authors designed three antisense phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides which correspond to DHBV PreS1,PreS2 and S antigen gene promotors respectively. The DNA replication level was detected with Southern blot method and cpm calculation.

RESULTSPrimary duck hepatocyte culture was treated with 1.5 micromol/L antisense oligodeoxynucleotides in vitro, all the antisense fragments caused a firm inhibition of viral DNA replication and the inhibition rates were 61.5%, 69.3% and 62.4%, respectively. In vivo, the animals were treated with 10 microgram/g PreS1 antigen gene promotor antisense oligodeoxynucleotides per day for 6 days and a very strong inhibition rate of 87.9% was obtained.

CONCLUSIONSThe results demonstrated the potential clinical application of antisense phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides in clinics.

Animals ; DNA Replication ; drug effects ; DNA, Viral ; drug effects ; Ducks ; Hepadnaviridae Infections ; virology ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B Virus, Duck ; genetics ; physiology ; Hepatitis, Viral, Animal ; virology ; Oligodeoxyribonucleotides, Antisense ; pharmacology ; Protein Precursors ; blood ; Virus Replication ; drug effects

To investigate the Fe2+ effects on root tips in rice plant, experiments were carried out using border cells in vitro. The border cells were pre-planted in aeroponic culture and detached from root tips. Most border cells have a long elliptical shape. The number and the viability of border cells in situ reached the maxima of 1600 and 97.5%, respectively, at 20-25 mm root length. This mortality was more pronounced at the first 1-12 h exposure to 250 mg/L Fe2+ than at the last 12-36 h. After 36 h, the cell viability exposed to 250 mg/L Fe2+ decreased to nought, whereas it was 46.5% at 0 mg/L Fe2+. Increased Fe2+ dosage stimulated the death of detached border cells from rice cultivars. After 4 h Fe2+ treatment, the cell viabilities were > or =80% at 0 and 50 mg/L Fe2+ treatment and were <62% at 150, 250 and 350 mg/L Fe2+ treatment; The viability of border cells decreased by 10% when the Fe2+ concentration increased by 100 mg/L. After 24 h Fe2+ treatment, the viabilities of border cells at all the Fe2+ levels were <65%; The viability of border cells decreased by 20% when the Fe2+ concentration increased by 100 mg/L. The decreased viabilities of border cells indicated that Fe2+ dosage and treatment time would cause deadly effect on the border cells. The increased cell death could protect the root tips from toxic harm. Therefore, it may protect root from the damage caused by harmful iron toxicity.
Iron ; toxicity ; Oryza ; cytology ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Plant Roots ; cytology ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Seedlings ; cytology ; drug effects ; growth & development

BACKGROUNDRevision anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery can be expected to become more common as the number of primary reconstruction keeps increasing. This study aims to investigate the factors causing instability after primary ACL reconstruction, which may provide an essential scientific base to prevent surgical failure.

METHODSOne hundred and ten revision ACL surgeries were performed at our institute between November 2001 and July 2012. There were 74 men and 36 women, and the mean age at the time of revision was 27.6 years (range 16 - 56 years). The factors leading to instability after primary ACL reconstruction were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTSFifty-one knees failed because of bone tunnel malposition, with too anterior femoral tunnels (20 knees), posterior wall blowout (1 knee), vertical femoral tunnels (7 knees), too posterior tibial tunnels (12 knees), and too anterior tibial tunnels (10 knees). There was another knee performed with open surgery, where the femoral tunnel was drilled through the medial condyle and the tibial tunnel was too anterior. Five knees were found with malposition of the fixation. One knee with allograft was suspected of rejection and a second surgery had been made to take out the graft. Three knees met recurrent instability after postoperative infection. The other factors included traumatic (48 knees) and unidentified (12 knees).

CONCLUSIONTechnical errors were the main factors leading to instability after primary ACL reconstructions, while attention should also be paid to the risk factors of re-injury and failure of graft incorporation.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Joint Instability ; etiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies

In order to compare the differences of 35 Menthae Herba samples collected on the market and at producing areas, the contents of six total terpenoids, the essential oil and chromatographic fingerprints were analyzed, which provided evidences for drawing up the commodity specifications and grading criteria of Menthae Herba. GC-MS method was used to analyze the chemical constituents of 35 different samples. The chromatographic fingerprints obtained by using GC were then evaluated by similarity analysis, hierarchical clustering analysis and principal component analysis. The relativity between the content of six terpenoids and the essential oil were studied. In this study, the chemical profiles of 35 samples from different producing areas had significant disparity. All samples collected in the report could be categorized into four chemical types, L-menthol, pulegone, carvone and L-menthone, but the chemical profiles had no relationship with the areas. The chromatographic fingerprints of the samples from different types were dissimilar, while the different producing areas were difficult to be separated. It was indicated that the content of volatile oil was positively correlated with the content of L-menthol and the sum of six total terpenoids. The content of the essential oil, L-menthol and the sum of six total terpenoids of Menthae Herba were considered as one of the commercial specifications and grading criteria. These results in the research could be helpful to draw up the commercial specification and grading criteria of Menthae Herba from a view of chemical information.
Cluster Analysis ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Mentha ; chemistry ; Oils, Volatile ; analysis ; Principal Component Analysis ; Terpenes ; analysis

Mitochondria regulate numerous crucial cell processes, including energy production, apoptotic cell death, oxidative stress, calcium homeostasis and lipid metabolism. Here, we applied an efficient mitochondria-based centrifugal ultrafiltration/liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) method,also known as screening method for mitochondria-targeted bioactive constituents (SM-MBC). This method allowed searching natural mitochondria-targeting compounds from traditional Chinese medicines(TCMs), including Puerariae Radix (PR) and Chuanxiong Radix (CR). A total of 23 active compounds were successfully discovered from the two TCMs extracts. Among these 23 hit compounds, 17 were identified by LC/MS, 12 of which were novel mitochondria-targeting compounds. Among these, 6 active compounds were analyzed in vitro for pharmacological tests and found able to affect mitochondrial functions. We also investigated the effects of the hit compounds on HepG2 cell proliferation and on loss of cardiomyocyte viability induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation injury. The results obtained are useful for in-depth understanding of mechanisms underlying TCMs therapeutic effects at mitochondria level and for developing novel potential drugs using TCMs as lead compounds. Finally, we showed that SM-MBC was an efficient protocol for the rapid screening of mitochondria-targeting constituents from complex samples such as PR and CR extracts.