Objective To elucidate the deleterious diabetogenic effect of tacrolimus on Chinese Han people.Methods According to patients' whole blood trough levels,the concentration of tacroli- mus was 5,15 and 25?g/L.Human islet cells cultured in vitro were exposed to various concentra- tions of tacrolimus for 72 h respectively,then stimulated by glucose at low (2.8 mmol/L) and high (16.7 mmol/L) levels.Glucose-stimulating insulin secretion during subsequent static incubation was measured using the ultrasensitive human insulin ELISA kit.The assessment of islet cell viability was studied with acridine orange (AO)-propidium iodide (PI).According to fasting plasma glucose,461 subjects were divided into normal glucosetolerance group (FPG＜5.55 mmol/L),impaired fasting glu- cose group (5.55 mmol/L＜FPG＜6.88 mmol/L) and posttransplant diabetes mellitus group (FPG≥6.89 mmol/L).A retrospective review of 461 non-diabetic kidney recipients completing at least 12 months of follow-up was performed to determine risk factors,incidence,and characteristics of post- transplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM).Results In vitro,lower tacrolimus concentration had not dele- terious effect on insulin secretion and viability of islet;high tacrolimus impaired?-cell survival as well as insulin secretion.Of the 461 patients with no history of diabetes at transplantation over the study period of 12 months,123 received tacrolimus and 338 received cyclosporine A (CsA).For patients receiving tacrolimus the cumulative incidence of PTDM was 13.8%,compared with 7.7% for pa- tients receiving CsA,showing no significant difference between them.The reduced tacrolimus level within the therapeutic window resulted in an increase in better glucose metabolism.Older age,family history of diabetes,acute rejection episodes and pre-transplant impaired fasting glucose were identified as risk factors for PTDM.Conclusion The diabetogenic effect of TAC is dose-dependent,and in the majority is reversible.Low initial doses,more rapidly tapering and lower maintenance levels of tacroli- mus decrease the incidence of PTDM in patients receiving tacrolimus.

OBJECTIVETo observe Modified Zhisou Powder (MZP) on the lung function of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) model rats of northwest China cold dryness syndrome (NCCDS).

METHODSTotally 90 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups, i.e., the normal control group (n =20), the COPD model group (n =35), and the COPD of NCCDS group (n =35). The COPD model was established by tracheal dripping porcine pancreatic elastase (PEE) in combination with fumigation for 90 days. The COPD of NCCDS model was set up by tracheal dripping PEE +fumigation + cold and dry environmental stress for 90 days. Then rats in the COPD of NCCDS were randomly divided into the MZP intervention group (n =11 )and the normal saline intervention group (n =10).All intervention lasted for 15 successive days. The lung function was detected using Small Animal Lung Function Device at day 90 and day 105. And the lung pathology was also observed.

RESULTSLittle amount of sputum sound could be heard in the airway of the COPD model group and the COPD of NCCDS group. Pathological section showed alveolar ectasia, narrowed and broken alveolar septa, forming larger capsular space with infiltration of inflammatory cells. Rats in the COPD of NCCDS group showed chills, increased amount of drinking water, and loose stool. MZP could improve their symptoms. As for lung function test, compared with the normal control group, Te increased in the COPD model group (P <0.01), and EF50 decreased (P<0.05). PEF and EF50 decreased (P <0.01), Ti and Te increased (P <0.01, P <0.05) in the COPD of NCCDS group. Compared with the normal saline intervention group, PEF and EF50 increased (P < 0.01), Ti and Te decreased (P <0.01) in the MZP intervention group.

CONCLUSIONMZP could improve the symptoms of COPD rats of NCCDS, and delay the velocity of decreased lung function.

Animals ; China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Lung ; physiopathology ; Male ; Models, Animal ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; drug therapy ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Respiratory Function Tests

Objective: To investigate the protective factors and risk factors of nosocomial infection of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) among health care workers (HCWs) , and thus provide the scientific basis for prevention and control of nosocomial infection. Methods: With the case-control study,a standardized questionnaire was used for data collection in three general hospitals where nosocomial infection had occurred. Univariate analysis was done at first. All concerned factors about SARS infection were scanned by using Chi-square test and Fisher' s exact test one by one, and determined as to whether they were risk factors or protective factors according to odd ratio (OR) score. Then, multivariate unconditional logistic regression analysis was used to re-analyze the picked-out factors for finding out which factors played independent roles. Results: Twenty-two factors (nineteen protective factors and three risk factors), among the total fifty-six factors, were significantly associated with SARS infection. Multivariate unconditional logistic regression revealed that factors such as double exposure suits ( OR = 0.053 ), education ( OR =0.072), gloves ( OR =0.102), hands sterilized by iodine ( OR =0.231 ), room air ventilation (OR = 0.32), were significantly protective; conversely, tracheal intubation ( OR = 30.793 ) was a significant risk factor. Conclusion: Strict defense and antisepsis measures were pivotal in preventing SARS infection among high-risk medical personnel. Education about associated knowledge and effective air ventilation were also important factors.

Objective To reveal the effects of cold-dryness and modified Zhisou Power on epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and neutrophil elastase (NE) in rats with COPD. Methods COPD model was established with an elastase dose into the trachea combined with exposure to smoking for 90 d; cold-dryness COPD group was further developed by exposure to a cold, dry environment for 90 d. After 90 days, cold-dryness COPD rats was divided into cold-dryness group and Zhisou Power intervention group (treated with modified Zhisou Power for 7 days). On the 97th day, all rats were killed. Pathological changes in lungs were observed. mRNA and protein expression of EGFR were measured by RT-qPCR and Western blot, and the amount of NE in serum and BALF were examined by ELISA. Results EGFR mRNA and protein expression were significantly higher in COPD group, cold-dryness group and Zhisou Power intervention group than in control group. EGFR was significantly lower in Zhisou Power intervention group than in COPD group and cold-dryness group. NE was significantly higher in serum and BALF in COPD group, cold-dryness group and Zhisou Power intervention group than in control group. NE in BALF was significantly higher in cold-dryness group than in COPD group. NE in BALF was significantly lower in Zhisou Power intervention group than in cold-dryness group. Conclusion Modified Zhisou Power can down-regulate the expression of EGFR and the mount of NE in cold-dryness COPD rats to treat COPD.

In this study, the flow injection (FI) technology combined with the unique step wise multiple ions monitoring scanning (step-wise MIM) mode of Qtrap-MS was first established for the identification and discrimination of eight Murraya species. It only takes 5 min for each sample to detect approximate 600 compounds. The characteristic MS chromatograms of eight Murraya plants were analyzed by Analyst and SIMCA-P. The results of PCA showed that sect. Murraya and sect. Bergera were clearly divided into two categories, suggesting that there is difference in the chemical compositions between these two groups. Further detail analysis of the MS data could realize the preliminary structure elucidation of the component types contained in different plants. The main components in M. exotica and M. alata are coumarins, and polymethoxyflavones are rich in M. paniculata, while carbazole alkaloids are the major ones in sect. Bergera plants. The results are consistent with our previous comprehensive analysis of the chemical components of Murraya species. In conclusion, our research confirmed that FI-Qtrap-MS technology can be used for rapid identification and differentiation of similar plant species, providing reference for chemical taxonomy and a new method for the quality evaluation of medicinal materials.

OBJECTIVETo construct a vector expressing small interfering RNA (siRNA) against Rac1 gene and observe its effect on soft agar colony formation of SW480 cells in vitro.

METHODSOligos of 64 base pairs for hairpin RNA targeting Rac1 were chemically synthesized and annealed. The siRNA constructs for Rac1, produced by inserting the annealed oligos into the downstream of H1 promoter of linearized pSUPER, were confirmed by restriction digestion and DNA sequencing. The constructed Rac1-siRNA was transfected into SW480 cells and Western blotting was performed to assess the expression and interference efficiency of siRNAs against Rac1.The soft agar colony formation assay was used to study the effect of Rac1 gene silencing on SW480 cells.

RESULTSRestriction digestion and DNA sequencing showed that the siRNA targeting Rac1 gene was successfully constructed. The siRNA could effectively down-regulate the expression of Rac1 in SW480 cells. Soft agar colony formation assay showed that the colony number and diameter of SW480 cells was reduced after siRNA transfection.

CONCLUSIONA vector expressing hairpin RNA against Rac1 gene are successfully produced, which significantly reduces the colony numbers and size of SW480 cells in vitro, suggesting that Rac1 plays an important role in the growth of colorectal cancer in vitro.

Base Sequence ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Colonic Neoplasms ; pathology ; Down-Regulation ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Transfection ; rac1 GTP-Binding Protein ; genetics

Objective To observe the influencing of Yiqi Huayu Jiedu Prescription on the growth of HepG2 nude mice transplantation tumor and the expression of related factors of vascular mimicry. Methods Models of transplanted tumors, which were made by HepG2 cells in nude mice, were randomly divided into 7 groups, Yiqi Huayu Jiedu Prescription group, Astragali Radix group, Curcumae Rhizoma group, Paridis Rhizoma group, Gecko group, cis-platinum group, and model group. Except for the model group, the rest groups were given relevant medicine for intervention. 21 days later. HIF-1α, MMP-2, MMP-9, and E-cad were detected by immunohistochemistry, and Twist1 and Bcl-2 were detected by fluorescence quantitative PCR. Results Compared with the model group, tumor volume in the rest groups decreased (P<0.05), and the effect in the Yiqi Huayu Jiedu Prescription group was more obvious than the Astragali Radix group, Paridis Rhizoma group and Gecko group (P<0.05);The expression of vasculogenic mimicry structure was rare in each group, and the model group and cis-platinum group were the most obvious;Except for the Astragali Radix group, the expressions of HIF-1α, MMP-2, and MMP-9 showed statistical significance compared with model group (P<0.05);The expression of E-cad in the Yiqi Huayu Jiedu Prescription group and Astragali Radix group showed statistical significance (P<0.05);The expression of Bcl-2 in the Yiqi Huayu Jiedu prescription group, Paridis Rhizoma group, and Gecko group decreased significantly compared with the model group (P<0.05);The expression of Bcl-2 in the Yiqi Huayu Jiedu prescription group was much better than the other groups (P<0.05);The expression of Twist1 showed statistical significance in the Yiqi Huayu Jiedu Prescription group, Curcumae Rhizoma group, Paridis Rhizoma group, and cis-platinum group (P<0.05). Conclusion Yiqi Huayu Jiedu Prescription can reduce expression of HIF-1α, Twist1, Bcl-2, MMP-2, and MMP-9, and increase expression of E-cad, thereby inhibiting the formation of vascular mimicry.

Objective To survey knowledge of the local people's understanding of Brucellosis,and to explore the risk factors for brucellosis infection,and to determine the key issue of next comprehensive health promotion intervention.Methods Two counties,Yanggao and Guangling,which are old endemic areas with Brucellosis in history,and with epidemic rebounding in recent years,were selected.The survey was carried out by two stage stratified cluster sampling method.The questionnaires included respondents' demographic data(gender,age,education level,etc.),Brucellosis (hereinafter referred to as Brucellosis) knowledge of the investigation and behavior and attitude of people toward the measure for control of Brucellosis.Results A total of 5372 people were investigated in two counties of which 62.7％(3362/5372) of farmers.The investigated crowd had low culture level.The awareness of Brucellosis infection route of Yanggao and Guangling counties were 84.03％ (2379/2831) and 333％(847/2541 ).The average awareness of Brucellosis infection route was 18.60％(6001/32 260).In the investigation of knowledge on Brucellosis prevention of the two counties,29％ believed that it was necessary to wear gloves to process flow product,and 70％ of people answered do not know.For farmers on how to deal with dead animals,results showed that 79.1％(664/839) in Yanggao choose to sell dead animals to the market; 61.2％ (267/361) in Guangling choose to kill and bury,there were inappropriate treatment on handling of ill and dead animals in the two counties.Conclusions Spread of Brucellosis is caused mainly due to emphasis on the disease is not enough,and inappropriate handling of dead livestock.Measures like strengthening health education and behavioral intervention,increasing public awareness of the disease prevention and ability to change the incorrect way of life and cognitive concepts,can effectively reduce human infection and the spread of Brucellosis.

Objective To improve the accuracy of diagnosis and differential diagnosis by summarizing imaging characteristics of spinal giant cell tumor of bone (GCTB).Methods Total 28 cases of spinal GCT were confirmed by pathology,of which 2 localized in cervical vertebra,8 in thoracic vertebra,8 in lumbar vertebra,and the other 10 lesions in the sacrum.All patients underwent X-ray,CT,and MRI scanning.Results (1)The incidence of spinal GCTB in the sacrum is highest,up to 35.7%.Lesions can locate in single or more vertebral bodies.All of the 10 cases with primary lesion locating the sacrum were involved in more vertebral bodies. (2)X-ray and CT showed central or eccentric vertebral destruction with 22 cases involving in adnexal bones,21 cases with bone crest or bony septum and 26 cases with soft tissue mass.(3)Lesions examined with MRI showed inhomogeneous isointense or slight hy-pointense on T1 WI,inhomogeneous hyperintense or isointense on T2 WI and inhomogeneous hyperintense or slight hyperintense on STIR.(4)Expansive bone destruction and soft tissue mass occurred again in postoperative recurrent lesions.Conclusion X-ray,CT and MRI are of significant value in the diagnosis of the spinal GCT.The combination of the three is helpful to improve the accuracy of diagnosis and differential diagnosis.

Organoids are tissue structures, generated from pluripotent stem cells and cultured in vitro, which form self-organize and recapitulate tissues with similar structure and function to the original organs. Organoids have similar appearance and function to the original tissues, and have been widely applied in basic research and clinical trial. At present, the organoids of liver, kidney, islet, brain, intestine and other organs have been successfully cultivated. The use of islet organoid is a hotspot in the field of organoid research. However, islet organoid is currently applied in basic research because rejection after organ transplantation and other issues remain unresolved. In this article, the origin, development and basic application of islet organoid were reviewed, aiming to provide reference for the transformation from basic research of islet organoid into clinical application as well as the treatment of diabetes mellitus.