AIM: To investigate the effects of globular adiponectin (gAd) on the expression of adiponectin receptor 1 (AdipoR1) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), and on the apoptosis induced by advanced glycation end products (AGEs). METHODS: HUVECs were treated with the indicated concentrations of AGEs for 24 h or 48 h in vitro. The cells in gAd treatment group were pretreated with gAd for 24 h, and then were treated with AGEs for another 24 h or 48 h. Cell variability was quantified by MTT assay. Apoptotic cells were detected by flow cytometry with Annexin-FITC/PI double staining. AdipoR1 mRNA in the cells was determined by quantitative real time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: The viability of HUVECs treated with AGEs decreased significantly as compared to the cells treated with HSA (control, P<0.05). Under the same condition of AGEs exposure, the viability of the cells treated with gAd was greatly higher than that of the cells without gAd treatment (P<0.01). The apoptotic rate of HUVECs was significantly elevated by AGEs treatment vs HSA treatment observed by Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining analysis with flow cytometry (P<0.05). Under the condition of AGEs stimulation, the apoptosis of HUVECs was decreased by pretreatment with gAd as compared to that of the cells without gAd treatment (P<0.01). Measured by quantitative real time PCR, AGEs decreased the expression level of AdipoR1 mRNA and gAd increased the expression of AdipoR1 mRNA contrarily (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: AGEs increase the apoptotic rate of HUVECs in a concentration dependent manner and gAd promotes the AdipoR1 mRNA expression.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the intermediate term efficacy of posterior stabilized (PS) total knee arthroplasty(TKA) and posterior cruciate-retaining(CR) TKA and explore the clinical related problem.MethodsThe clinical data of 84 patients (87 knees) who treated with primary TKA from May 1992 to May 2006 were analyzed retrospectively.The intermediate term efficacy was compared between PS TKA (PS group,41 cases with 43 knees) and CR TKA (CR group,43 cases with 44 knees).ResultsAll the patients were followed up for 5-10(7.6 ± 1.5 ) years,no infection,dislocation or neurovascular injury occurred in both groups.But 1 knee occurred intraoperative posterolateral femoral condyle fracture in PS group.The lateral retinacular release rate was 2.3％ ( 1/43 ) and 2.3％ (1/44) in PS group and CR group,respectively.The incidence of anterior knee pain was 4.7％(2/43 ) and 4.5％(2/44) after 6 months surgery in PS group and CR group.The incidence of anterior knee pain was 0 at the end of follow-up in both groups.There was no significant difference in the lateral retinacular release rate and the incidence of anterior knee pain between two groups (P ＞0.05).The range of motion and American knee society score(KSS) was similar and no statistical difference was found between two groups(P ＞ 0.05 ).The incidence of patellar tilt or subluxation in X-ray was 2.3％ (1/43) and 2.3％ (1/44) at the end of follow-up in PS group and CR group.There was no significant difference between two groups (P ＞ 0.05 ).At the end of follow-up,no osteolysis,X-ray radiolucent zone and prosthesis loosening were found in both groups.There was no revision owing to loosening or other reasons.ConclusionsThe intermediate term efficacy of PS TKA and CR TKA is near a tie.However,the future efficacy still need further follow-up.

Objective To investigate IL-17 as adjuvant effect on the humoral and cellular immune responses to HIV DNA vaccine by immunizing mice with HIV DNA vaccine plus IL-17. Methods We immunized the BALB/c mice with pGX-Env alone, or with pcDNA3-IL-17 by intramuscular injection. The immunization was performed on week 0, 2. The concentration of the anti-Env IgG, the stimulated index of T lymphocyte proliferation, and the expression of IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-17 in CD4~+T cell and IFN-γ in CD8~+ T cell, specific in vivo cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity were detected at week 4. Results We show here that IL-17 as a molecular adjuvant with the HIV DNA vaccine, pGX-Env, can enhance immune responses. Interestingly, IL-17 has no adjuvant effect on the responses for T cell proliferation, antibody production and expressions of IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-17 in CD4~+ T cells, but rather on the up-regulation of IFN-γ in CD8~+ T cells and CTL in vivo significantly(P<0.05). Conclusion The data suggest that IL-17 as the molecular adjuvant may not effect the development and differentiation of CD4~+ Th cells, but directly affect on the CD8~+ T cell functions. The novel functionality of IL-17 on adaptive immunity may lead to develop effecfive HIV DNA vaccination targeted to potentiate the CD8~+ T cell functions.

The aim of this study was to develop the data element standard directory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) clinical pharmacy information, to provide application standards and models of TCM clinical pharmacy for the electronic medical record (EMR). The developed line of work is as follows: initially establish research through four forms: literature analysis, questionnaires, discussion groups, expert advice. The research range from the Chinese herbal medicine research, herbal origin, harvesting, processing, identification of traits, physical and chemical identification, modern research, character, taste, Indications, clinical application, processing, dispensing medicine, Chinese medicine specifications, usage, dosage, caution, efficacy indications to small packaging applications, drug research, management and other related issues, including traditional Chinese medicine theory, application and hospital management information; according to the general and part 16 content of the national "Health Information Data Element Standards", and the basic method of extracting data element to study and develop the data element of TCM clinical pharmacy information from the defining content. Correspondingly propose the ideas and methods of construction of the "Data Element Standard Directory of TCM Clinical Pharmacy Information", sort out medicine clinical information data element standard catalog, divided into basic categories, clinical application class, management class three parts, and set norms and standards of identifying data elements, definitions, allowable value of traditional Chinese medicine clinical information, and discuss the sources and standards of information collection, leaving the interface, standardized and scientific terminology, docking with the existing standards, maintenance and management program and oter issues.
China ; Data Mining ; methods ; statistics & numerical data ; Database Management Systems ; standards ; statistics & numerical data ; Electronic Health Records ; standards ; statistics & numerical data ; Evidence-Based Medicine ; methods ; statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Information Dissemination ; methods ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Phytotherapy ; methods ; statistics & numerical data

Purpose To explore the biological significance of BCL-6 and ZEB2 in invasion,metastasis and prognosis of breast cancer.Methods The expressions of BCL-6,ZEB2 protein and mRNA were detected respectively in 228 cases of breast cancer and 80 cases of breast benign lesions by immunohistochemical SP two-step staining and situ hybridization.Result The expression levels of BCL-6,ZEB2 protein and mRNA in breast cancer tissues were significantly higher than in breast benign lesions (P ＜ 0.05).The expressions of BCL-6 was positively correlated with tumor size,lymphatic metastasis,histological grade,TNM staging and HER-2 expression (P ＜ 0.05).The expressions of ZEB2 was positively correlated with tumor size,lymphatic metastasis,TNM staging and HER-2 expression (P ＜ 0.05).The overall survival and relapse-free survival of BCL-6 and ZEB2 positive expression were significantly less than the negative expression (P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion The BCL-6 and ZEB2 are closely correlated with the evolution process of breast cancer,which may become important means for monitoring and warning the metastasis,invasion,and prognosis of breast cancer.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Chinese medicine and pharmacy (CMP) on the mortality of senile HIV/AIDS patients as adjunctive therapy.

METHODSHIV/AIDS patients of a certain rural area of Hanna Province, who were recruited in national CMP HIV treatment trial program (NTCMTP) in 2004, were enrolled as the CMP treatment group. HIV/AIDS patients in the same village without recruiting in NTCMTP were enrolled as the non-CMP treatment group. Data related to subjects were collected from the database of NTCMTP and National HAART Reporting System. Multiple regression analysis under Cox proportional hazard model was applied to examine the risk factors for death of senile HIV/AIDS patients.

RESULTSA total of 436 HIV/AIDS were enrolled in this study, 204 in the CMP treatment group and 232 in the non-CMP treatment group. There were 70 AIDS-relative deaths in the CMP treatment group, with 8-year mortality rate of 37.74%. There were 111 AIDS-relative deaths in the non-CMP treatment group, with 8-year mortality rate of 48.34%. The 8-year mortality rate was higher in the non-CMP treatment group than in the CMP treatment group (chi2 = 5.136, P < 0.05). Results of univariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis showed the hazard ratio in the non-CMP treatment group was 1.41 times that of the CMP treatment group (P < 0.05). Result of multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis showed the hazard ratio in the non-CMP treatment group was 1.44 times that of the CMP treatment group (P < 0.05). Besides, gender and marital conditions were significantly associated with death of HIV/AIDS patients.

CONCLUSIONCMP treatment was favorable to lower the mortality rate of senile HIV/AIDS patients, and its objective evaluation awaits for further prospective study.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; drug therapy ; mortality ; Alzheimer Disease ; therapy ; Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active ; Communicable Diseases ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; HIV Infections ; drug therapy ; mortality ; Humans ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors

There are 250 species of Zanthoxylum (Rutaceae) in the world. This genus distributed in tropical and subtropical regions. Alkaloids are the major and representative ingredients in these plants including quinolines, isoquinolines, and amide alkaloids, with such biological activities as anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-virus, anti-platelet aggregation, anti-bacteria and anti- oxidant. These species have been used for a long time to treat toothache, urinary and venereal diseases, lumbago and rheumatism. This review summarizes the chemical constituents and pharmacological activities from the Z. sppplants, in an effort to the systematic research and application of the alkaloids of this genus.
Alkaloids ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Molecular Structure ; Zanthoxylum ; chemistry

In the present study, packaging system composed of pAAV-CMV-GFP, pAAV-RC and pHelper were transfected into human embryonic kidney 293 cells (HEK293 cells) mediated by polyethyleneimine (PEI) to explore an optimal transfection condition. Different total plasmid DNA dosages (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 μg) and different PEI/Plasmid ratios (1:1, 3:1, 5:1, 7:1) were tested with detection of green fluorescence protein (GFP) with ImagePro Plus6. 0 Software. Then transfection efficiency of the optimized transfection system was further observed for different time periods(12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72 h). The results showed that total plasmid dosage of 4 μg/well with PEI/plasmid ratio of 3 : 1-5 : 1 was an efficient transfection condition. Transfection efficiency-time curve was an S-shaped curve. Transfection efficiency reached a plateau at 60 h after transfection. The optimized conditions for PEI-mediated transfection at the optimal time result in enhanced transfection efficiency of triple plasmid into HEK293 cells.
Green Fluorescent Proteins ; HEK293 Cells ; Humans ; Plasmids ; Polyethyleneimine ; Transfection ; methods

Objective To investigate the impact of polyclonal neural cell adhesion molecule antibody (P-NCAM-Ab) on the potency of botulinum toxin A (BTX-A).Methods Ninety male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 equal groups:a normal control group,a BTX-A group and a P-NCAM-Ab group.The rats in the normal control group were injected with 100 μl of saline solution in their right gastrocnemius,while those in the BTX-A and P-NCAM-Ab groups were injected with 100 μl of BTX-A (0.5 U).In addition,the rats in the P-NCAM-Ab group were also injected with 100 μl of P-NCAM-Ab (the dosage was 20 U) at the same site on the 3rd day after the BTX-A injection.The rats' gastrocnemius muscle strength was evaluated with a self-made system for evaluating neuromuscular function before and after the toxin injection,on the 3rd day,as well as 1,2,4,6,8,10 and 12 weeks after the BTX-A injection.Any wet weight changes in the muscles were observed,and immunochemistry methods were employed to observe any structural changes in the motor endplates and nerve fibers at the different time points.Results After the saline injection,the average gastrocnemius muscle strength of the control group increased with time,while strength in the BTX-A and P-NCAM-Ab groups demonstrated a decrease in strength followed by a gradual increase.The average gastrocnemius muscle strength of the rats in the BTX-A and P-NCAM-Ab groups was significantly lower than that of the control group at all time points.Compared with the BTX-A group,the muscle strength of the P-NCAM-Ab group rats decreased further.Strength recovery in the BTX-A and P-NCAM-Ab groups was significantly slower than in the control group.The wet weight percentage in the BTX-A and P-NCAM-Ab groups at first decreased and then recovered with time.After the BTX-A injection,the average wet weight percentage of the P-NCAM-Ab group rats was significantly lower than that of the BTX-A group after 3 days,and 1,2 and 4 weeks.Karnovsky-Roots AchE staining showed that the motor endplates' color in the BTX-A and P-NCAM-Ab groups deepened gradually,though the color of the P-NCAM-Ab group was lighter than that of the BTX-A group at each time point.The mean optical density of the motor endplates' positive reaction area increased with time in both groups,but the P-NCAM-Ab group was lower than that of the BTX-A group at 1,2,4,8 and 12 weeks.Counting the nerve fibers dyed by gold chloride showed similar trends with both experimental groups significantly different from the control group.Conclusion P-NCAM-Ab can increase the potency of BTX-A and prolong its action.

For most variety of vaccines, two types of effects-direct and indirect, can result from immunization programs. Unimmunized individuals in the population that receive immunization program can benefit from the vaccines in addition to the protection from immunization.The classical vaccine trails allocate individuals into study and control arms with individual randomization, so the programs' cost-benefit is underestimated due to the impossible measurement on indirect effect. The objectives of the present work are to introduce the conceptual framework,developed by Halloran et al, for four types of study designs that differentiate and account for direct,indirect, total and overall effects of intervention programs, and to explain the relationships of these effects as well. With the examples of field trails of oral cholera vaccines in Bangladesh and Vi typhoid vaccine in India, further issues refer to the identification of indirect effect. The application in practice is also discussed.