Objective To study B lymphocyte subsets(na(?)ve B cells,memory B cells and plas- mablasts)of peripheral blood in patients with rheumatoid arthritis(RA)and its relationship with autoantibod- ies and clinical manifestation.Methods Blood samples and clinical data of 60 patients with RA were enrolled into this study.They were divided into three groups:active,inactive and refractory RA based on clinical mani- festations and 24 healthy controls were included.CD19 and CD27 of B cells in peripheral blood of RA patients and healthy controls were detected using flow cytometry at single-cell level.Frequence of na(?)ve B cells (CD19~+CD27~-),memory B cells(CD19~+CD27~(dim)),plasmablasts(CD19~+CD27~(high))and average fluorescence in- tensity of CD19 were analyzed,and their relationship with clinical manifestations and rheumatoid factor(RF), anti-typeⅡcollagen(anti-CⅡ),anti-cyclic citrullianted peptide(CCP)antibodies were investigatied.Results Frequence of na(?)ve B cells and plasmablasts in peripheral blood of patients with RA was increased compared with normal control.In contrast,memory B cells in patients with RA were decreased.The na(?)ve B cells subset in inactive and refractory RA was higher than that of healthy controls(P＜0.05),and the memory B cells subset in those groups was lower than that of healthy controls(P＜0.05).The plasmablasts in active and refractory groups of RA were higher than those of healthy controls(P＜0.05).The average fluorescence intensity of CD19 in peripheral blood in patients with RA was positively correlated with ESR,C-reactive protein(CRP),healthy assessment questionaire(HAQ),and plasmablasts was positively correlated with arthrocele index.Na(?)ve B cells,memory B cells and plasmablasts subsets had no relation with RF,anti-CⅡand anti-CCP antibodies. Conclusion B cell subsets in peripheral blood of patients with RA are significantly abnormal,characterized by expanded naive B cells and plasmablasts but diminished memory B cells.Plasmablasts are increasesd in active and refractory groups of RA,and have positive correlation with swollen joint index.B cells may play an important rote in the pathogenesis of RA.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma in Situ ; virology ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; virology ; Female ; Human papillomavirus 16 ; isolation & purification ; Human papillomavirus 18 ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Microarray Analysis ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Papillomaviridae ; isolation & purification ; Papillomavirus Infections ; diagnosis ; Paraffin Embedding ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; virology

OBJECTIVETo give some theory support of Cistanche tubulosa cultivation by searching dry matter accumulation and echinacoside content of C. tubulosa.

METHODDry matter accumulation content of C. tubulosa culturing in Huabei plain was analysed in different growth season of C. tubulosa. Echinacoside content was determined by HPLC.

RESULTDry matter accumulation of C. tubulosa showed "S" variation. Dry matter accumulation increased fastest in September among growing seasons. Dry matter amount was 138.58 g after C. tubulosa grew a year. Dry matter amount decreased significantly along with inoculation time retarded. Echinacoside content was 30.59% when C. tubulosa grew in 5 months, decreased guadully after that, and 9.76% in annual.

CONCLUSIONVariation rule of dry matter accumulation and echinacoside content was found in C. tubulosa that grew one year in Huabei plain.

Biomass ; China ; Cistanche ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Glycosides ; metabolism ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Seasons

OBJECTIVE1) To estimate annual direct medical costs of coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke attributable to hypertension among Chinese adults aged 35-74 years in China, 2) to analyze the correlation between the hypertension awareness and hypertension treatment rate.

METHODS2003 National Health Services Survey (n = 93 018) was used to derive direct medical costs including costs for outpatient visits, physician services, inpatient stays, rehabilitation services, nurses fees, and medications. The medical costs of CHD and stroke attributable to hypertension were estimated by multiplying population attributable risk proportion by corresponding disease costs. Using 2002 National Nutrition and Health Survey (n = 148 804), the prevalence of hypertension awareness and hypertension treatment rate in 132 survey sites were calculated. Correlation was used to analyze the correlation between the two variables.

RESULTSThe direct medical costs of hypertension, CHD and stroke were 20.2, 15.7 and 24.3 billion Yuan, respectively. The medical costs attributable to hypertension were estimated at 19.1 billion Yuan (RMB), accounting for 47.7% of the total medical costs of the two chronic diseases. The prevalence of hypertension awareness is highly correlated with hypertension treatment rate (r = 0.9777, P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONThe economic burden of CHD and stroke attributable to hypertension is very high, reaching about 50% of the total medical costs of the two diseases. The prevalence of hypertension awareness could be used as an important indicator to evaluate the effectiveness of hypertension prevention and control at community level.

China ; Coronary Disease ; economics ; etiology ; Cost of Illness ; Data Collection ; Health Care Costs ; statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Hypertension ; complications ; Stroke ; economics ; etiology

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of potassium salts on direct induction of microtubers from different explants in Pinellia ternata.

METHODLeaves, petioles and tubers were cut and cultured on the medium with different kinds of potassium salts and plant growth regulators.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONLow concentration of potassium salts, which were lower than 4.02 mmol x L(-1), could promote the microtuber formation in vitro. While high concentration of potassium salts, which were more than 12.06 mmol x L(-1), inhibited the formation of microtubers.

Culture Media ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Nitrites ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Phosphates ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Pinellia ; growth & development ; Plant Growth Regulators ; pharmacology ; Plant Leaves ; growth & development ; Plant Tubers ; growth & development ; Plants, Medicinal ; growth & development ; Potassium Chloride ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Potassium Compounds ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Tissue Culture Techniques

BACKGROUNDBipolar electro-coagulation has a reported efficacy in treating epilepsy involving functional cortex by pure electro-coagulation or combination with resection. However, the mechanisms of bipolar electro-coagulation are not completely known. We studied the acute cortical blood flow and histological changes after bipolar electro-coagulation in 24 patients with intractable temporal lobe epilepsy.

METHODSTwenty-four patients were consecutively enrolled, and divided into three groups according to the date of admission. The regional cortical blood flow (rCBF), electrocorticography, the depth of cortex damage, and acute histological changes (H and E staining, neuronal staining and neurofilament (NF) staining) were analyzed before and after the operation. The t-test analysis was used to compare the rCBF before and after the operation.

RESULTSThe rCBF after coagulation was significantly reduced (P < 0.05). The spikes were significantly reduced after electro-coagulation. For the temporal cortex, the depth of cortical damage with output power of 2-9 W after electro-coagulation was 0.34 ± 0.03, 0.48 ± 0.06, 0.69 ± 0.06, 0.84 ± 0.09, 0.98 ± 0.08, 1.10 ± 0.11, 1.11 ± 0.09, and 1.22 ± 0.11 mm, respectively. Coagulation with output power of 4-5 W completely damaged the neurons and NF protein in the molecular layer, external granular layer, and external pyramidal layer.

CONCLUSIONSThe electro-coagulation not only destroyed the neurons and NF protein, but also reduced the rCBF. We concluded that the injuries caused by electro-coagulation would prevent horizontal synchronization and spread of epileptic discharges, and partially destroy the epileptic focus.

Adult ; Electrocoagulation ; methods ; Epilepsy ; surgery ; Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Temporal Lobe ; surgery ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe blood lead level and related risk factors among children of 0 - 6-year old in Beijing.

METHODSStratified-clustered-random sampling and simple random sampling were used. A total of 2 262 children of 0 - 6 years old were investigated from May to July 2001. They were permanent residents in Beijing. Blood lead level was tested by graphite atomizer absorption spectrophotometer. At the same time, related factors were investigated using a standardized questionnaire.

RESULTSThe mean lead level of children in Beijing was 96.8 micro g/L with 35.7% of those >/= 100 micro g/L, and 2.5% >/= 200 micro g/L. The proportion of lead poisoning was significantly higher in rural children (P < 0.01). The proportion of lead poisoning in 2-year-old group was higher than that in other age groups. The proportion of lead poisoning in boys was significantly higher than that in girls (P < 0.01). The following factors might serve as major risk factors related to child lead poisoning, such as, never or rarely drinking milk, living in nearby highways (less than 50 meters) or living in the first floor/bungalow, and so on.

CONCLUSIONThe blood lead level of >/= 100 micro g/L among Beijing children appeared to be a big problem. Decision-makers should pay more attention to prevent blood lead level being high, and to cure these children who suffered in lead poisoning. Effective intervention measures on these target populations should be taken.

Child, Preschool ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Lead ; blood ; Lead Poisoning ; therapy ; Male ; Risk Factors ; Sex Factors

OBJECTIVETo examine the expression of cysteinyl leukotriene receptor-1 (CysLTR-1) and cysteinyl leukotriene receptor-2 (CysLTR-2) in the adenoid tissues from children with adenoid hypertrophy (AH) and to explore the role of leukotrienes in the pathogenesis of AH.

METHODSSixty children with AH who were treated by adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy were classified into two groups: simple AH and AH plus allergic rhinitis (n=30 each). Twenty children who underwent tonsillectomy due to recurrent purulent tonsillitis were selected as the control group. The expression of CysLTR-1 and CysLTR-2 in the excised tonsil and/or adenoid tissues was determined by immunofluorescence histochemical labeling and integrated optical density measurement.

RESULTSThe expression of CysLTR-1 and CysLTR-2 in the adenoid and tonsil tissues increased significantly in both the simple AH group and AH plus allergic rhinitis group compared with the control group (P<0.01). The expression of CysLTR-1 and CysLTR-2 in the AH plus allergic rhinitis group increased more significantly compared with the simple AH group (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSCysLTR-1 and CysLTR-2 are highly expressed in the adenoid tissues from children with AH, suggesting that leukotrienes are involved in the pathogenesis of AH.

Adenoids ; chemistry ; pathology ; Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Male ; Receptors, Leukotriene ; analysis ; physiology ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; metabolism

Objective To examine the impact of pregnancy termination before 28 weeks of gestation on the overall prevalence of neural tube defects (NTDs).Methods Data collected during the period of 2004 and 2010 from a birth defects surveillance system in Pingding county and Talgu county of Shanxi province were used.Number of births ≥28 weeks of gestation and number of cases with major birth defects among the births were collected.Terminations of pregnancies before 28 weeks of gestation due to prenatal diagnosis were also collected.The total prevalence of neural tube defects,prevalence before 28 weeks of gestation,and prevalenee of ≥28 weeks gestation were calculated using the total number of pregnancies of ≥28 weeks of gestation as denominator.The prevalence data were compared to examine the impact of pregnancy termination on the total prevalence.The proportions of pregnancy terminations before 28 weeks of gestation due to prenatal diagnosis of an NTD against the total number of NTD cases were also calculated.Results During 2004-2010,52 366 births were recorded,and 485 NTD cases were ascertained.The overall prevalence of NTDs was 92.6 per 10 000 births,with prevalence of ＜28 weeks gestation due to pregnancy terminations as 60.9 per 10 000 births,while the prevalence of ≥28 weeks of gestation was 31.7 per 10 000 births.NTD prevalence of ≥28 weeks gestation was 66.0％ lower than the total NTD prevalence.In the last two years,the proportion of NTDs ascertained ≥28 weeks gestation accounted for about 40.0％ of the total NTD cases.Conclusion A birth-defect-surveillance program that covered only tregnancies ≥28 weeks of gestation resulted in a severe underestimation of the total birth prevalence of NTDs,especially for anencephaly.We would recommend that the current national birth defects surveillance system should include pregnancy terminations before 28 weeks of gestation and the calculation of total NTD prevalence should also include these cases into the numerator,so as to better estimate true population NTD prevalence,upon which the related public health policy is based.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the gene mutations of CHRNB2 and CHRNA2 in Chinese population with autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy (ADNFLE).

METHODSOne hundred and six Han nationality patients (74 sporadic and 32 familial) were recruited and studied. Mutational screening was performed by sequencing all the 6 coding exons of the CHRNB2 gene and exons 6 and 7 of the CHRNA2 gene including the donor and acceptor splice sites.

RESULTSThe results excluded the involvement of all known published mutations of the CHRNB2 and CHRNA2 genes. However, a novel synonymous mutation c.483C>T (H161H) and a single nucleotide polymorphism (c.1407C>G) of CHRNB2 gene were detected in two ADNFLE sporadic patients respectively. The nucleotide variation H161H was heterozygous and absent in 200 healthy control samples. The mutation was also found in the proband's unaffected mother.

CONCLUSIONOur study suggests that the mutations of CHRNB2 and CHRNA2 genes may be rare in Chinese ADNFLE population. The novel synonymous mutation of H161H has not been reported previously and its impact on the pathogenesis of ADNFLE needs to be further studied.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Epilepsy, Frontal Lobe ; genetics ; Female ; Genes, Dominant ; Humans ; Male ; Mutation ; Receptors, Nicotinic ; genetics