Objective To evaluate the preventive effect of BCG-PSN on respiratory infection of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.Methods 48 cases with COPD were randomly divided into two groups:the BCG-PSN group and the control group.The BCG-PSN group received BCG-PSN,0 5mg,im,twice a week for 18 times injection in addition to the routine therapy,and the control group only received routine therapy.Both groups were followed up every two weeks for six months.The serum IgA,IgG,IgM levels were determined before and 4,24 weeks after the treatment.Results Cases of infection and their lasting days,infective rate in the BCG-PSN group were significantly lower than that of the control group(P

Objective To investigated the expression of intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1)in mouse to rat cardiac xenograft and the effects of leflunomide and cyclosporine.Methods NIH mice and Wistar rats served as donors and recipients respectively.Mouse to rat heterotopic heart transplantation was performed(in the neck).The experiments were divided into 4 groups:CsA group,leflunomide(Lef)group,CsA+Lef group,control group.It was the time of rejection that no pulsation could be detected in the transplanted heart.The expression of ICAM-1 protein in cardiac xenograft tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot in each group.Results The survival time of cardiac xenograft in control group,CsA group,Lef group and CsA+Lef group was (2.17?0.41),(2.50?1.05),(4.17?1.33)and(6.50?2.56)days respectively.The expression of ICAM-1 protein(IOD)in cardiac xenograft tissue in control group,CsA group,Lef group and CsA+ Lef group was 155.40?5.33,150.73?5.13,104.65?6.15 and 29.24?2.76 respectively.Conclu- sion The expression of ICAM-1 protein was strong in mouse to rat cardiac xenograft.The combined use of Lef and CsA can significantly suppress the expression of ICAM-1 protein in the cardiac xenograft.

Objective To discuss the impact of repeated contrast media exposure on renal function in patients who received coronary angiography ( CAG) or percutaneous coronary intervention ( PCI) within 1 week after CTA of coronary ateries. Methods A total of 258 patients who received CAG or PCI after coronary CTA were divided into the study group ( n=132, patients had CAG/PCI within 1 week after CTA) and the control group ( n=126, patients had CAG/PCI 1-2 weeks after CTA). Serum creatinine, cystatin C and estimated GFR were tested before and on day 1, 2 and 3 after procedures. The occurance of contrast-induced nephropathy ( CIN ) was recorded. Resu1ts The baseline clinical characteristics of the patients between the two groups had no significant difference. Preoperative and postoperative serum creatinine, cystatin C and eGFR values on day 1, 2 and 3 had no significant difference between the two groups (all P﹥0. 05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of CIN between two groups (5. 3% in the study group vs. 4. 8% in the control group, P﹥0. 05 ) . Conc1usions It is safe and feasible for patients with eGFR≥60 ml/( min?1. 73 m2 ) to undergo CAG or PCI within 1 week after coronary CTA.

OBJECTIVETo develop an analytical method and quality control for determination of zolmitriptan and related substances.

METHODSZolmitriptan and related substances were separated and determined on a shimadzu CLC-C(8) column (150 mm x 6 mm, 10 microm) with a mobile phase of acetonitrile-10 mmol/L phosphate buffer (25:75 pH 7.5) and a flow-rate of 1 ml/min; the UV-VIS detector was operated at 229 nm.

RESULTThe limit of detection for the related substances was 0.5 ng on the zolmitriptan basis (S/N >3). Linear calibration curve was gene rated from 4 - 40 microg/ml with a correlation coefficient of 0.9999. The recovery rate of zolmitriptan was 99.1% with a standard deviation of 0.2%. The results of HPLC method were consistent with those of nonaqueous titration method.

CONCLUSIONHPLC method is a rapid sensitive and accurate method for the determination of zolmitriptan and its related substances.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Oxazolidinones ; analysis ; Tryptamines

BACKGROUNDThis study was undertaken to obtain differentially expressed genes related to human glioma by cDNA microarray and the characterization of a novel full-length gene.

METHODSTotal RNA was extracted form human glioma and normal brain tissue, and mRNA was used as a probe. The results of hybridization procedure were scanned with the computer system. The gene named 507E08 cone was subsequently analyzed by northern blot, bioinformatic approach, and protein expression.

RESULTSFifteen differentially expressed genes were obtained from human glioma by hybridization and scanning for four times. Northern blot analysis confirmed that the 507E08 clone was low expressed in human brain tissue and over expressed in human glioma tissues. The analysis of BLASTn and BLASTx showed that the 507E08 clone was a novel full-length gene, which codes 203 amino acid of protein and is called human ribosomal protein 14.22 gene. The nucleotide sequence had been submitted to the GenBank with the accession number of AF329277. After expression in E. coli., protein yielded a major band of apparent molecular mass 22 kDa on an SDS-PAGE gel.

CONCLUSIONScDNA microarray technology can be successfully used to identify differentially expressed genes. The novel full-length gene of human ribosomal protein 13.22 may be correlated with the development of human glioma.

Amino Acid Sequence ; Base Sequence ; Blotting, Northern ; Cloning, Molecular ; DNA, Complementary ; chemistry ; genetics ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; Glioma ; genetics ; pathology ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Recombinant Proteins ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; Ribosomal Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical feature, imaging and their diagnostic value for Joubert syndrome (JS).

METHODThe clinical data, imaging feature, and 31 references from China Biomedical literature database (CBMdise) were reviewed and analyzed.

RESULTThe age of onset of 32 patients including male 20 and female 12 ranged from 3 days to 6 years (mean 2.2 years). All the 32 patients with Joubert syndrome showed "slow growth" and "reduced muscle tension", 26 cases (81.3%) showed "gasp for breath", 26 cases (81.3%) showed "unusual motion of eyeball", 2 cases (6.3%) showed additional fingers (toes), 6 cases (18.8%) showed stretching tongue with agape. The typical imaging features of Joubert syndrome included "molar tooth sign", "midline cleavage" between cerebellar hemispheres and "bat-wing" like fourth ventricle, all the 32 patients with Joubert syndrome showed "midline cleavage", "molar tooth sign" was present in 29 cases (90.1%), and "bat-wing" like fourth ventricle in 30 cases (93.8%).

CONCLUSIONJoubert syndrome is a rare congenital brain malformation. The typical clinical manifestations included "gasp for breath", "reduced tension of muscle", "slow growth" and "unusual motion of eyeball", and at the same time the patients had the following typical imaging features of brain: "molar tooth sign", "midline cleavage" and "bat-wing" like fourth ventricle.

Abnormalities, Multiple ; Cerebellar Diseases ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Cerebellum ; abnormalities ; Child ; Eye Abnormalities ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Diseases, Cystic ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Male ; Retina ; abnormalities ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of interleukin (IL)-18 ASPODN on regeneration of allogeneic partial liver graft in rats.

METHODSNinety donor SD rats and ninety recipient LEW rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: 50% partial liver transplantation group (PLT group); PLT+IL-18 antisense phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotide (ASPODN) treatment group (IL-18 ASPODN group) and PLT+IL-18 SPODN treatment group (IL-18 SPODN group) in which liposomes encapsulated IL-18 ASPODN or IL-18 SPODN were intravenous injection every day after PLT. BrdU labeling of hepatocytes, expression of IL-18 protein and IFN-gamma mRNA in liver graft, and serum level of IFN-gamma were measured with immunohistochemistry analysis, Western blotting, semi-quantification RT-PCR, and ELISA, respectively.

RESULTSAlthough regeneration of liver graft from each group peaked 72 hour after transplantation, BrdU labeling of hepatocytes in IL-18 ASPODN group (58.3%+/-7.5%) were significantly higher than those of PLT group (31.6%+/-6.7%) (t=6.503, P<0.001) and IL-18 SPODN group (33.4%+/-5.5%) (t=6.558, P<0.001). Expression of IL-18 protein and IFN-gamma mRNA in liver graft, and serum level of IFN-gamma in IL-18 ASPODN group from 48 hour, 72 hour and 96 hour after transplantation were significantly suppressed compared with PLT group (IL-18protein: t=2.950, t=5.916, t=7.947, P<0.05, P<0.001; INF-gamma mRNA: t=2.558, t=6.292, t=8.925, P<0.05, P<0.001; IFN-gamma level: t=16.998, t=15.483, t=54.723, P<0.001) and IL-18 SPODN group (IL-18 protein: t=2.845, t=6.062, t=6.973, P<0.05, P<0.001; INF-gamma mRNA: t=3.117, t=6.154, t=8.738, P<0.05, P<0.001; IFN-gamma level: t=14.531, t=18.139, t=46.924, P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONIL-18 ASPODN could promote hepatocyte regeneration of allogeneic partial liver graft by the suppression of IL-18 and IFN-gamma production.

Animals ; Hepatocytes ; physiology ; Interferon-gamma ; biosynthesis ; Interleukin-18 ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; Liver Regeneration ; Male ; Oligodeoxyribonucleotides, Antisense ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred Lew ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transplantation, Homologous

BACKGROUNDRetinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells play an important role in the occurrence of choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as a positive regulatory growth factor is produced by the RPE in an autocrine or paracrine manner, promoting CNV development. Duplexes of 21 nt RNAs, known as short interfering RNAs (siRNAs), efficiently inhibit gene expression by RNA interference when introduced into mammalian cells. We searched for an efficient siRNA to interfere with VEGF expression in RPE cells and shed light on the treatment of CNV.

METHODSHuman primary RPE (hRPE) cells were cultured and identified. Three pairs of siRNAs were designed according to the sequence of VEGF 1-5 extrons and synthesized by T7 RNA polymerase transcription in vitro. To evaluate the inhibitory activity of T7-siRNAs, hRPE cells were transfected via siPORT Amine. The interfering effect of T7-siRNAs in hRPE cells was examined by semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and immunofluorescence.

RESULTSThree pairs of T7-siRNAs synthesized by in vitro transcription with T7 RNA polymerase suppressed VEGF gene expression with efficiency from 65% to 90%. T7-siRNA (B), targeted region at 207 nt to 228 nt and double stranded for 21 nt with 2 nt UU 3' overhangs, was the most effective sequence tested for inhibition of VEGF expression in hRPE cells. Compared with nontransfected cells, the mean fluorescence in hRPE cells transfected with T7-sRNAs was significantly less (P < 0.01). siRNA with a single-base mismatch and ssRNA(+) did not show suppressing effect. Furthermore, it was found that siRNAs had a dose dependent inhibitory effect (5 to 10 pmol).

CONCLUSIONT7-siRNA can effectively and specifically suppress VEGF expression in hRPE cells and may be a new way to treat CNV.

Base Sequence ; Cells, Cultured ; Choroidal Neovascularization ; therapy ; DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases ; metabolism ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Pigment Epithelium of Eye ; cytology ; metabolism ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering ; biosynthesis ; pharmacology ; Transcription, Genetic ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; Viral Proteins ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effectiveness of injectable tissue engineering to repair full-thickness meniscal defects.

METHODSFrom June 2008 to February 2009 full-thickness of meniscal defects were created in the anterior corner of goats, which with no blood supply, in a diameter of 2 mm. Then bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) was mixed with injectable calcium alginate gel to fill the defects. Other groups include the calcium alginate gel and empty group were served as control groups. At different time points, the animals were sacrificed and macroscopy, microscopy determination, electroscopy and MRI detection were performed to assess the outcomes of repairing.

RESULTSThe meniscal defects had been filled thoroughly in 16 weeks after operation with white, tough and elastic repair tissue similar to normal meniscal fibrocartilage in the tissue engineering groups. The repair tissue was mainly fibrochondrocytes in line with the calcium alginate fiber. Thick matrix secreted by the cells crammed the space between fibers. The view under electroscopy demonstrated that the microstructure of the repair tissue was normal and cells were in a fibrocartilage phenotype.

CONCLUSIONThe full-thickness meniscal defects in regions without blood supply can be reconstructed effectively with injectable tissue engineering.

Alginates ; Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; Cells, Cultured ; Disease Models, Animal ; Gels ; Glucuronic Acid ; Goats ; Hexuronic Acids ; Injections ; Male ; Stem Cells ; Tibial Meniscus Injuries ; Tissue Engineering ; methods ; Tissue Scaffolds

The effects of Arecoline (Are) on calcium mobilization were investigated. In isolated single ventricular myocyte of guinea pig, patch clamp whole cell recording techniques were used to record the current of L-type calcium channel and cytosolic Ca2+ level ([Ca2+]i) labeled with fluorescence probe Fluo-3/AM was measured under a laser scanning confocal microscope. Results revealed that Are (3-100 mumol/L) could inhibit L-type calcium current in a concentration-dependent manner and the value of IC50 was 33.73 mumol/L (n = 5). In the absence of extracellular calcium, the resting levels of [Ca2+]i was not affected by Are (n = 6, P > 0.05), but pretreatment with Are (30 mumol/L) could significantly inhibit the [Ca2+]i elevation induced by caffeine (10 mmol/L, n = 6, P < 0.01). It was concluded that Are could inhibit not only calcium influx through L-type calcium channel but also calcium release from sarcoplasmic reticulum.
Animals ; Arecoline ; pharmacology ; Biological Transport, Active ; Caffeine ; pharmacology ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Calcium Channels, L-Type ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Cell Separation ; Cholinergic Agonists ; pharmacology ; Guinea Pigs ; Heart Ventricles ; cytology ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; cytology ; metabolism ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum ; metabolism