OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the therapeutic effects of Chinese materia medica in treating patients with different syndromes by tongue image analysis software 1.0 based on tongue colors, and to discuss the feasibility of applying this computer science-based techniques into drug evaluation. METHODS: The tongue colors and the areas of tongue fur were examined and analyzed by the tongue image analysis software 1.0 in healthy persons and the patients with different syndromes before and after treatment. The parameters of tongue colors consisted of the followings: the hue (H), the lightness (L), the saturation (S), and the values of red (R), green (G) and blue (B). RESULTS: Obvious differences could be revealed in tongue color index between the healthy persons and the patients in five groups of different syndromes. There also existed some significant differences in those index between patients before and after treatment. CONCLUSION: The tongue image analysis software 1.0 based on tongue colors is helpful to evaluate the therapeutic effects of Chinese materia medica.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of enteral ecoimmunonutrition (EIN) on hepatic injury in swine with acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP).MethodWith 20 pigs,swine model of ANP was induced by injecring 5％ sodium taurocholate into the pancreatic duct.24 hours after the ANP models were established,2 pig were dead,and the remaining 18 pigs were randomly divided into total parenteral nutrition (TPN) group ( n =6),elemental enteral nutrition (EEN) group ( n =6 ),and EIN group ( n =6 ),and received nutrition support for 8 days.The level of plasma endotoxin and serum concentrations of AST,ALT,TNF-α,and IL-6 were measured at different time points ( before model establishment,24 hours after model establishment,and the 1,2,4,8 days of nutrition support).All the pigs were sacrificed after the 8-day nutrition support,and ascites quantity,hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA),superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured.The mRNA expression of TNF-α and IL-6 in hepatic tissue were detected by RT-PCR.Pathologic changes of the livers were analyzed.Results24 hours after the ANP models were established,the plasma endotoxin,AST,ALT,TNF-α,IL-6 in EIN group were significantly higher than the levels before model establishment ( all P ＜ 0.01 ),but not significantly different from the 9ther 2 groups.After 8 days of nutrition support,the above 5 indexes in EIN group were significantly lower than those in TPN group and EEN group ( all P ＜ 0.05 ).In addition,the ascites quantity,hepatic concentration of MDA,the expression of TNF-α and IL-6,and hepatic pathological score in EIN group were lower than those of TPN group and EEN group,while hepatic SOD activity was higher in EIN group than in the other 2 groups (all P ＜ 0.05 ).ConclusionEarly EIN could attenuate hepatic injury in ANP from various aspects.

Objective To discuss the clinical presentations and imaging features of a novel avianorigin influenza (H7N9).Methods Anteroposterior chest radiographs and serial thin-section CT images in 5 patients with H7N9 were reviewed retrospectively by two radiologists,the predominant inaging patterns of lung abnormalities and clinical data were recorded and analyzed.Results The large consolidation of the right lung with air bronchograms was the most common radiographic appearance in all patients with H7N9 at admission,and the abnormalities were more severe in the bilateral lower lobes.Both lungs developed large,scattered consolidations and ground-glass opacities with the progression of disease.The lesions in the left lung were more rapidly absorbed than those in the right lung.Conclusion Influenza H7N9 has certain chest imaging characteristics in the onset,progression and recovery of disease.

BACKGROUNDCardiovascular diseases, including dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and hypertension, are the leading cause of death worldwide. The role of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in the pathogenesis of these diseases has not been completely clarified. In this study, we evaluate whether A8701G mutation is associated with maternally inherited hypertension and DCM in a Chinese pedigree of a consanguineous marriage.

METHODSFourteen subjects in a three-generation Han Chinese family with hypertension and DCM, in which consanguineous marriage was present in the parental generation, were interviewed. We divided all the family members into case (7 maternal members) and control group (7 nonmaternal members) for comparison. Clinical evaluations and sequence analysis of mtDNA were obtained from all participants. Frequency differences between maternal and nonmaternal members were tested to locate the disease-associated mutations.

RESULTSThe majority of the family members presented with a maternal inheritance of hypertension and DCM. Sequence analysis of mtDNA in this pedigree identified eight mtDNA mutations. Among the mutations identified, there was only one significant mutation: A8701G (P = 0.005), which is a homoplasmic mitochondrial missense mutation in all the matrilineal relatives. There was no clear evidence for any synergistic effects between A8701G and other mutations.

CONCLUSIONSA8701G mutation may act as an inherited risk factor for the matrilineal transmission of hypertension and DCM in conjunction with genetic disorders caused by consanguineous marriage.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Cardiomyopathy, Dilated ; genetics ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Humans ; Hypertension ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mitochondrial Proton-Translocating ATPases ; genetics ; Mutation ; genetics ; Pedigree ; Risk Factors

Objective To understand the malaria epidemic situation and characteristics in Jiangsu Province in 2015,so as to provide the evidence for malaria elimination. Methods The data of malaria cases in Jiangsu Province in 2015 were collected from China's routine diseases surveillance information system. Results Totally 405 imported cases were reported in Jiangsu Province in 2015,and the cases increased by 14.08％compared with those in 2014. All the malaria cases were imported,and 5 cases(1.23％)were from Southeast Asia and 400(98.77％)were from 25 African countries or regions. The imported malaria cases were reported in 13 cities across Jiangsu Province,where Taizhou,Lianyungang,Nantong,Huaian and Yangzhou cities accounted for 68.64％of all the cases in the province. Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases(JIPD)reference lab checked all the cases and classified 299 falciparum malaria cases,13 vivax malaria cases,18 quartan malaria cases,71 ovale malaria cas-es,and 4 mixed Plasmodium infection cases. Conclusions In Jiangsu Province,there are no local malaria cases for 4 consecu-tive years,but the imported cases are on the rise. Compared to 2014,the imported vivax cases increased significantly in 2015. It should be the key points to strengthen the surveillance of imported malaria cases,improve malaria diagnosis and treatment abili-ties for all levels of medical institutions,and promote the abilities of Plasmodium check,and focus survey and disposal of all Center for Disease Control(CDC)staffs across Jiangsu Province.

OBJECTIVETo establish the method of promoting human peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferation by polysaccharide of snakegourd root and identify the effects of polysaccharide of snakegourd root on lymphocyte proliferation, T lymphocyte subsets and the different levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6.

METHODThe polysaccharide of snakegourd root preparations were purified with dialysis and ethanol precipitation. The healthy human PBMC were used as the target cells for screening potency of the drugs. MTT colorimetry was established to examine the levels of lymphocyte proliferation on human PBMC by polysaccharide of snakegourd root in vitro. The percents of lymphocyte subsets (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ T lymphocyte) and the different levels of TNF-a and IL-6 in PBMC were analysed by FCM and ELISA, respectively.

RESULT1.0-50.0 mmol x L(-1) of polysaccharides of snakegourd root showed the significant effects of promoting proliferation of human PBMC (P < 0.05). The percents of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ T lymphocytes in PBMC treated with 5.0 and 10.0 mmol x L(-1) of polysaccharides of snakegourd root were significantly higher than those of the control group (P < 0.05). The levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6 were significantly higher than those of the control group after 1.0, 5.0, 10.0 mmol x L(-1) of polysaccharides of snakegourd root stimulation on the human PBMC at 8 hours (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe significant effects on promoting lymphocyte proliferation and activation of the polysaccharide of snakegourd root are confirmed in this study. The percents of lymphocyte subsets are increased in different degrees by the polysaccharide of snakegourd root. The high levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6 are secreted after the polysaccharides of snakegourd root stimulation on the human PBMC, which lays a foundation for further elucidating the immunocompetence effects and mechanism of the polysaccharide of snakegourd root.

Dietary Carbohydrates ; Humans ; Immunocompetence ; drug effects ; Polysaccharides

OBJECTIVETo compare the clinical results of early and delayed intramedullary nailing and locked plating for the treatment of multi-segments tibial fractures of type AO/ASIF-42C2.

METHODSBetween January 2010 and January 2013,45 patients with multi-segments closed tibial fractures of AO/ASIF-42C2 were treated by early primary intramedullary nailing and locked plating in 20 cases as early group and delayed in 25 cases as delayed group. In early group,20 cases included 13 males and 7 females with an average age of (37.9±14.3) years old ranging from 20 to 56 years;according to soft tissue injury Tscherne classification, 8 fractures were frade I,12 were grade II. In delayed group, 25 cases included 17 males and 8 females with an average age of (38.7±17.2) years old ranging from 24 to 55 years,4 fractures were grade I ,19 were grade II ,2 were grade III. The operative time, blood loss, hospital stay,fracture healing time and complications were recorded. At final follow-up, the Johner-Wruhs score were used to evaluate functional efficacy, and the posterior-anterior and lateral X-ray to evaluate fracture reduction and alignment.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up for (12.5±2.5) months in early group and (13.2±2.8) months in delayed group (P>0.05). No wounds infections were happened. At the last follow-up, the mean range of knee joint was 10°-0°-120°. According to Johner-Wruhs scoring,there were 15 cases in excellent,3 in good,fair in 2 in early group; 21 in excellent,2 in good,2 in fair. The average operative time,blood loss had no significant differences between two groups (P>0.05), but hospital stay in early group was significantly shorter than those in delayed group(P<0.05). Average fracture healing time of early group and delayed group were (5.3±2.6) months and (6.0±2.9) months, respectively (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONFor multi-segments tibial fractures of type AO/ASIF-42C2 with preoperative minor soft tissue injuries lighter of Tscherne grade I or II, early primary intramedullary nailing and locked plating does not significantly increase the postoperative incidence of soft tissue complications for patients. The early and delayed primary intramedullary nailing and locked plating for treatment of AO/ASIF-42C2 proximal third tibial fractures can get similar curative effect.

Adult ; Bone Plates ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tibial Fractures ; surgery

Objective To compare the effects of rat proinsulin gene therapy via intraportal infusion and intramuscular injection blood glucose level in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rots. Methods (1) Recombinant eukaryotic cell expression plasmid of rat proinsulin gene pCMV/proiusulin was transferred into streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats by intraportal infusion and intramuscular injection to observe the effect of rat proiusulin gene therapy in diabetic rats. The treatment group by intraportal infusion (group A) and the group by intramuscular injection (group C) were given pCMV/proinsulin naked plasmid DNA 100 μg, while the control groups by intraportal infusion (group B) or by intramuscular injection (group D) were treated with similar amount of pCMV DNA. Normal group and diabetes mellitus group were also observed at the same time. (2) Blood glucose level was tested and serum insulin was determined by radioimmunoassay. RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry were used to detemine proinsulin mRNA and protein expressions in liver and skeletal muscle and protein. Results (1) The blood glucose levels in two treated groups were both decreased. In group A, levels of blood sugar decreased about 7 mmol/L and glycemie control was maintained for 3-4 weeks. Serum insulin levels step up significantly after pCMV/proinsulin gene therapy. The blood glucose level in group A was significantly lower than those of group B and DM group (P<0.05), while the serum insulin level was higher than those of two groups (P<0.05). In group C, blood glucose levels decreased about 4 mmol/L and glycemic control was maintained for 1-2 weeks. Meanwhile, the concentrations of insulin increased markedly after gene therapy. The blood glucose in group C was significantly lower than those of group D and DM group (P<0.05), while the serum insulin level was higher than those of two groups (P<0.05). (2) Proinsulin mRNA and protein expressions could be detected in either hepatic cell of group A or skeletal muscle cell of group C, not in group B and group D. Conclusion Proiusulin genetherapy via intraportal infusion or intramuscular injection lowers significantly blood glucose in diabetic rats, and thus offers a potential approach to treatment of diabetes.

OBJECTIVETo study in vitro and in vivo protein expression and biological function of gene pp1158, a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)-related gene.

METHODSpp1158 was expressed with fusion expression vector pET-32a in E. Coli-BL21 (DE3), and rabbit anti-pp1158 fusion protein polyclonal antibody was prepared. The biological function and differential expressions of pp1158 were studied by in vitro colony formation assay nude mouse in vivo tumor formation assay of transfected BEL7402 cell line and immunohistochemistry and Western blot. Differential expression of pp1158 in human fetal tissues were examined by Northern blot.

RESULTSIn vitro experiment showed that pp1158 inhibited colony formation rate of transfected BEL 7402 cells, with an inhibition rate of 58.3% (P < 0.01). Tumor formation assay indicated that tumor formation of pCMV-Script-1158 transfected BEL 7402 cell line was significantly inhibited (P < 0.05) as compared with that of the control group. Immunohistochemical assay showed that pp1158 was expressed in human tissue in the following sequence: normal liver >/= noncancerous liver tissue > HCC. Western blot indicated that a 60kD protein (pp1158 protein) was expressed in BEL 7402 cells transfected with pCMV-Script-pp1158 DNA, while it was detected in BEL 7402 cells transfected with pCMV-Script vector DNA. Northern blot showed pp1158 was expressed in the placenta at a very high level, heart, liver, muscle, pancreas and lung but expressed poorly in the brain and kidney.

CONCLUSIONpp1158 is a new candidate tumor suppressor gene of HCC.

Angiopoietin-like 4 Protein ; Angiopoietins ; Animals ; Blotting, Northern ; Blotting, Western ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Genes, Tumor Suppressor ; Humans ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Liver Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Neoplasms, Experimental ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Proteins ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transplantation, Heterologous ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Objective To observe the effect of PIF1 knockdown on cell growth and cell cycle arrest induced by ionizing radiation.Methods HeLa cell lines that consistently down-regulated PIF1 were prepared by the lentivirus granules interfering technology and confirmed by real-time PCR and Western blotting.The effect of down-regulation of PIF1 on cell growth and cell cycle arrest induced by ionizing radiation was evaluated by cell counting and flow cytometry.Results HeLa cell lines consistently down-regulating PIF1 were established.The growth of HeLa that down-regulated PIF1 was inhibited greatly after 4 Gy of γ-ray irradiation.There was little cell proliferation until the 5th day post 4 Gy γ-ray.Moreover, the S phase block and G2/M phase block of PIF1 knock-downed cell lines were significantly delayed after 8 Gy γ-ray irradiation.Conclusion Knockdown of PIF1 can significantly enhance the radiation sensitivity and delayes the S phase block and G 2 /M phase block induced by ionizing radiation.