This paper aimed to investigate the botanical origins of Isatidis Radix and Isatidis Folium, and clarify the confusion of its classification. The second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) of ribosomal DNA, the chloroplast matK gene of 22 samples from some major production areas were amplified and sequenced. Sequence assembly and consensus sequence generation were performed using the CodonCode Aligner. Phylogenetic study was performed using MEGA 4.0 software in accordance with the Kimura 2-Parameter (K2P) model, and the phylogenetic tree was constructed using the neighbor-joining methods. The results showed that the length of ITS2 sequence of the botanical origins of Isatidis Radix and Isatidis Folium was 191 bp. The sequence showed that some samples had several SNP sites, and some samples had heterozygosis sites. In the NJ tree, based on ITS2 sequence, the studied samples were separated into two groups, and one of them was gathered with Isatis tinctoria L. The studied samples also were divided into two groups obviously based on the chloroplast matK gene. In conclusion, our results support that the botanical origins of Isatidis Radix and Isatidis Folium are Isatis indigotica Fortune, and Isatis indigotica and Isatis tinctoria are two distinct species. This study doesn't support the opinion about the combination of these two species in Flora of China.
Chloroplasts ; genetics ; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; methods ; DNA, Plant ; genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer ; genetics ; Genes, Plant ; genetics ; Isatis ; classification ; genetics ; Phylogeny ; Plant Leaves ; genetics ; Plants, Medicinal ; classification ; genetics ; Species Specificity

Clinical features and thyroid-stimulating antibody(TSAb)in 32 newly diagnosed patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy(GO)were compared with those in 27 Graves' disease(GD)patients without GO(as control group).All of the patients with GO received intravenous glucocorticoids.The level of serum TSAb in patients with GO was significantly higher than that in patients without GO.TSAb was also associated with the prognosis.It suggests that TSAb seems to be the most active component among the TSH receptor antibodies related to ophthalmopathy and may act as a predictive parameter.

Objective To investigate the changes of serum immunoglobulin E(IgE)?T cell subgroups and cytokines in asthmatic children and to provide theoretical basis for the management of asthmatic children.Methods T cell subgroups were determined by indirect immuofluorence method mono clone antibody, the detection of IgE,interleukin(IL) 4,IL 6,IL 8,interferon ?(IFN ?) were done by ELISA method, and 20 normal children were served as control group.Results There were significant differences of CD3 +,CD4 +,CD4 +/CD8 + among the stages of exacerbation and convalescence of asthmatic children and control group.( P0.05).In the stage of convalescence the levels of IL 2,IFN ? were lower than control group( P0.05).Conclusions Allergic asthmatic patients between the exacerbation and convalescence stages still had immunologic imbalance,indicating increased number of CD4 +T cell(mainly Th2 cells)and hyperfunction;the insufficient number and(or) the inactivity of CD8 +T cell may induce immunological disturbance ,which is the major mechanism of asthmatic attacks. These findings suggest the patients in an abnormal immunological state should receive continuous anti allergic therapy.

Objective To investigate the clinical feature,image of CT scan pulmonary,diagnosis and treatment response in children with pulmonary cavity,and discuss the method of diagnosis and the tactics of treatment for pulmonary cavity in children.Methods A retrospective study of 6 patients with pulmonary cavity,who were diagnosed and treated from Jul. 2003 to Oct. 2009 in Department of Pediatrics of the First Hospital Affiliated to China Medical University.The clinical manifestations,laboratory tests,image of CT scan pulmonary,microbiological evidence,diagnostic procedure and treatment response were collected and evaluated.Results Six patients all didn′t have history of lung di-sease,there were 4 boys and 2 girls,8-15 years old,average age was 10.5 years old.Two cases of them had unrelated pulmonary underlying diseases,1 case had hyperthyroidism,and the other had juvenile idiopathic arthritis and had complication of macrophage activation syndrome,the other 4 cases had no obvious history.All cases had fever (38-40 ℃),3 cases had cough and 1 case had chest pain.Staphylococcus aureus were cultured in 2 cases,no bacteria was cultured in other 4 cases;the count of white blood cell decreased in 2 cases and increased in 4 cases;C-reactive protein increased in 5 cases and was normal in 1 case;plasma IgE level increased in 2 cases and was normal in other 4 cases;plasma 1,3-beta-D-glucan of all 6 cases were negative.Pulmonary cavities were found in the first CT scan of the lungs in 5 cases and only 1 case of patient′s pulmonary cavities was found in the second CT scan of the lung.Five cases were diagnosed infective causes,1 case was diagnosed noninfectious cause,5 cases of infective causes had been treated with anti-microbial drugs for at least 1 week,1 case of noninfectious cause were treated with methylprednisolone cobined cyclosporin A for 2 weeks.Pulmonary CT scan was rechecked in all cases,and the state of the cases were improved before discharged from hospital.Conclusions The causes of pulmonary cavity in children are not only infective factors,but also some non-infective disease,especially some changes of image of pulmonary CT scan has diagnostic value,detailed past medical history and appropriate rechecking of chest radiographic check are very necessary for diagnosis,according to the result of microbial inspection and evaluation of treatment effect in time and then adjust the treatment protocols.

As one branch of epigenetics, the sirtuins family ( ClassⅢ histone deacetylase) receive much attention in recent years. SIRT1 as the most famous of the sirtuins family members has been verified involved in a variety of age-related diseases. While the SIRT1 formation is paid more and more attention in age-related cataract. Now, we briefly overviewed the research progress on the role of SIRT1 in age-related cataract.

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical application value of Provider-Initiated HIV Testing and Counseling (PITC) by analyzing the positive rate of HIV tests for people in need of PITC and that of routine HIV tests.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed the demographic and epidemiologic data about the patients seeking PITC services or undergoing routine HIV tests in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital between January and December 2013.

RESULTSThe positive rate of initial HIV screening was 1.98% in the PITC group and 0.24% in the routine test group, while that of confirmed HIV was 0. 40% in the former and 0.07% in the latter, both with statistically significant differences between the two groups (P < 0.01). The positive rate of HIV was markedly higher in males than in females, particularly in the PITC group.

CONCLUSIONPITC has a high clinical value in HIV detection for targeted subjects and therefore deserves general application in dermatology.

Counseling ; Dermatology ; Female ; HIV Seropositivity ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Male ; Mass Screening ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Sex Factors

Objective To investigate the morbidity of anomalous coronary origin from the opposite coronary sinus, which may cause sudden death of young athletes in Chinese population.And to identify the imaging characteristics of this anomaly and its clinical significance combined with literature review.Methods The computed tomographic coronary angiography (CTCA) database at TEDA International Cardiovascular Hospital was reviewed.All of the patients diagnosed with isolated anomalous origin of a coronary artery from the opposite sinus of valsalva (anomalous origin of coronary artery, AOCA) and subsequent coursing between the pulmonary artery and the aorta were collected from 14 343 Chinese individuals.The location of anomalous coronary origin, the shape and course of the proximal ectopic arterial segments were identified.The nonatherosclerostic stenotic caliber of the segments and the angle between the ectopic coronary artery and the adjacent aortic wall were assessed.Results Seventy-four patients of AOCA (including the left or right single coronary artery) were diagnosed using CTCA.Among the 74 cases, the potentially serious course of the ectopic coronary artery between the pulmonary artery and the aorta were identified in 59 individuals.Fifty-six cases of ectopic right coronary with interarterial course (anomalous origin of right coronary artery, AORCA) and three patients with anomalous origin of the left coronary artery (AOLCA) were found, including two cases judged as potentially serious origin of either single left coronary artery (n=1) or single right coronary artery (n=1).The morbidity of the potentially serious anomalous origin of coronary artery in Chinese population was established as 4.1‰ (59/14 343).In the subgroup of AORCA, the lumen of initial ectopic segment was frequently compressed and stenotic.In 29 cases (52.7%) the stenosis of the lumen were more than 50%, and in 3 cases (5.4%) the stenosis of the ectopic coronary artery were more than 70%.The incidence of AORCA was 17.7 times higher (56/3) than that of AOLCA in Chinese population.Conclusions Nowadays CTCA is considered the most useful imaging technique in identifying the origin, shape and course of ectopic initial segment of the coronary artery.The significance of these anatomic characteristics, that may induce sudden death in Chinese young athletes, need to be investigated further.

Objective:To investigate the effect of staphylococcus aureus on expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) in THP-1 monocytes under high glucose concentrations. Methods:THP- 1 monocytes were incubated at different surroundings with 2×2 factorial design. There were 4 experimental groups in the study, which were analyzed by univariate analysis of variance. The total RNA was distilled. The expressions of iNOS and IL-1β were examined by SQ-RT-PCR. Results:The expressions of iNOS and IL-1β were affected by high glucose concentration, bacteria and both of them together in THP-1 monocytes. The expressions of iNOS and IL-1β were weakened in high glucose concentration compared with that of control(P < 0.01). The expressions of iNOS and IL-1β were weakened in the high glucose concentration and bacterial infection compared with that of the high glucose concentration only(P < 0.01). The expressions of iNOS and IL-1β increased in bacterial infection compared with that of control(P < 0.01). The expression of IL-1β increased in high glucose concentration and bacterial infection compared with that of the high glucose concentration only(P < 0.01) but the expression of iNOS was not distinct. Conclusion:When staphylococcus aureus infected monocytes, the expressions of iNOS and IL-1β were weakened in high glucose concentration, which suggested that the depressed function of immunocyte was related with high glucose concentration.

ObjectiveTo find out if the immune system derived thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH) β splice variant(TSHβ-Ⅴ) would be regulated by circulating thyroid hormone levels to get a further understanding of the function and mechanism of this TSHβ-Ⅴ in thyroid homeostasis.MethodsA total of 20 weaning Balb/c mice (half male and half female) were selected and randomly divided into two groups according to their body mass and gender(n =10).Mice of control group were fed with common diet and deionized water.Mice of the low-iodine(LI) group were fed with low-iodine diet(containing iodine 20 - 40 μg/kg,iodine-intake about 0.25 μg/d) and deionized water.The experimental period was 3 months.At the end of the experiment,mice were executed and the blood was collected to observe the levels of TSH and thyroid hormone by chemiluminescence immunoassay (CIA) ; bone marrow (BM),peripheral blood(PBL),thyroid gland and pituitary were collected to assay the TSHβ-Ⅴ mRNA expression by real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).ResultsThe serum free thyroxine(FT4) and total thyroxine(TT4) levels in LI group of mice[(0.47 ± 0.70)nmol/L,(2.41 ± 0.28)pmol/L] were significantly lower than that of the control group of mice [(55.2 ± 3.68) nmol/L, (32.72 ± 1.02) pmol/L,t =43.81,86.04 、all P ＜ 0.01 ] and the serum total triiodothyronine(TT3) and free triiodothyronine(FT3) reduction in LI group of mice[ (0.76 ± 0.08)nmol/L,(4.01 ± 0.40)pmol/L] were significantly lower than that of the control group of mice [ (1.10 ± 0.06)nmol/L,(5.40 ± 0.38)pmol/L,t =9.81,7.5 1,P ＜ 0.01 ].Iodine insufficiency strongly elevated the serum TSH in LI group of mice[ (35.67 ± 17.39)mU/L] than that in control group of mice[ (0.24 ± 0.10)mU/L,t =- 6.11,P ＜ 0.01 ].The mRNA levels of TSH β-Ⅴ in BM (9.62 ± 0.60) and in PBL( 9.25 ± 0.83 ) of LI group of mice were lower than those in control group of mice (7.69 ± 0.36,7.11 ± 0.41,t =6.77,5.64,P ＜ 0.01),while the mRNA level of TSH β-Ⅴ in pituitary of LI group of mice (1.99 ± 0.61) was increased compared with that in control group of mice (5.75 ± 0.98,t =- 8.02,P＜ 0.01).Compared with control group of mice(9.12 ± 0.62),the level of thyroid TSH β-Ⅴ mRNA in LI group of mice (9.32 ± 0.91 ) was not significantly changed (t =0.45,P ＞ 0.05).There was no detectable native TSHβ in BM,PBL and thyroid.The mRNA level of native TSHβ in pituitary in LI group of mice( - 7.17 ± 1.78) was dramatically elevated compared to that in control group of mice( - 1.43 ± 0.51,t =- 7.60,P ＜ 0.01 ).ConclusionsThe mRNA levels of TSHβ-Ⅴ are suppressed in BM and PBL in low iodinediet induced hypothyroidism mice,which suggest that immune system derived TSHβ-Ⅴ may be more important thannative TSHβ in immune-thyroid regulation.

Objective To establish the long-term culture system for fetal skin fibroblast by performing long time in vitro cultivation of the cells,and study the potential of its differentiation to hepatocytes.Methods Fibroblast was isolated from human fetus skin tissue.Surface phenotypes of cells were detected by ICC and FCM,and biological characteristics were analyzed by the karyotype analysis and soft agar colony formation observation.ALB、CK18、CK19 were detected by ICC,glycogen stain by PAS,AFP and ALB mRNA by RT-PCR after P3～30cells were induced differentiation by cytokines of HGF,FGF4 and OSM.Results CD29,CD49f,HLA- Ⅰ and CD 105 were highly expressed while CD90 hardly in skin fibroblast.The rate of induced differentiation of fibroblast into hepatocyte-like cells was approximately 5％.The cells could be cultured in vitro for almost 50 passages with normal karyotype and no oncogenic and immortalized characteristics.Conclsion The skin fibroblast possesses the characteristic of mesenchymal stem cell and can be induced into hepatocyte-like cell in vitro.