Objective To identify interleukin (IL)-17-producing T cells and Foxp3 positive CD4 positive T ceils from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and investigate their cytokine levels as well as their correlations. Methods Flow cytometry was used to analyze the subsets of T cells in peripheral blood from 39 RA patients and 40 healthy donors. IL-17, IL-6, IL-23 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta levels in sera of these subjects were tested by ELISA. Results IL-17+CD4+ T cells increased significantly and IL-17, IL-6 and IL-23 elevated markedly in peripheral blood of RA patients compared to healthy donors (P< 0.01 ). However,Foxp3+CD4+T cells decreased evidently (P<0.01) and TGF-beta did not increase in RA pati-ents when compared to healthy donors (P>0.05). Conclusion This study suggests that Th17 cells predomin-ance coupled with relatively insufficient CD4+ regulatory T cells in RA is mainly caused by alterations of rela-ted cytokines.

Purpose To investigate the expression and significance of androgen receptor (AR) in breast carcinoma with different ER and PR status.Methods Immunohistochemical method was used to detect AR, ER and PR expression in 173 cases of breast carcinoma, and all the cases were grouped according to: (1) AR status: AR~- positive subgroup and AR~- negative subgroup, (2) ER status: En subgroup (negative for both ER and PR), Ep subgroup (positive for ER and/or PR), (3)AR, ER and PR status: En-AR~+ subgroup (AR~- positive cases of En subgroup), En-AR~- subgroup (AR~-negative cases of En subgroup), Ep-AR~+ subgroup (AR~- positive cases of Ep subgroup), and Ep-AR~- subgroup (AR~-negative cases of Ep subgroup).En-AR~- subgroup also was called negativE-for-all subgroup, and the rest three subgroups were called partly-or-completely positive subgroup (positive for at least one of the three markers), and then, the groups were compared with clinicopathological features.Results The positive rate of AR was 62.8% (54/86) in Ep subgroup and 37.9%(33/87) in En subgroup, and there was significant difference between them (P=0.001).Compared to AR~-negative subgroup, AR~-positive subgroup had smaller tumor size, less mitosis count and lower grade(P<0.05).Compared to the other three subgroups, En-AR~- subgroup had more mitosis count and higher grade (P<0.01).In En subgroup,AR~- positive cases had less mitosis count and lower grade (P<0.05), and in Ep subgroup,AR~- positive cases had higher stage(P=0.000), but no significant difference were found among partly or completely positive subgroups.Conclusions The expression of AR may play a different role in breast carcinoma with different ER and PR status, because it indicates good prognosis in negative for both ER and PR subgroup, but bad in ER and/or PR positive subgroup. When choosing a personalized therapy, all the combinations of hormone receptor status should be considered for the patients.

Purpose To investigate the relationship between molecular phenotype of ductal carcinoma in situ ( DCIS) and that of inva-sive ductal carcinoma ( IDC) of the breast. Methods Immunohistochemical method was used to detect ER, PR, HER-2 and CK5 ex-pression in 165 cases of breast cancer, with DCIS and IDC existed in every one of the samples. Results In the 165 cases of breast cancer, the ER, PR, HER-2 and CK5 expression of IDC was positively correlated with that of DCIS, respectively. To evaluate IDC phenotype, the number of basal phenotype was 18 (10. 9%), HER-2-overexpression 20 (12. 1%), luminal A 102 (61. 8%), lumin-al B 20 (12. 1%), null phenotype 6 (3. 6%);to evaluate DCIS phenotype, the number of basal phenotype was 19 (11. 5%), HER-2-overexpression 20 (12. 1%), luminal A 104 (63%), luminal B 17 (10. 3%), null phenotype 5 (3%). 157 cases (95. 2%) of IDC had the same phenotype with DICS, but the rest 8 cases (4. 8%) not, three cases of luminal A DCIS transformed into one HER-2-overexpression and two null phenotype IDC, three of HER-2-overexpression DCIS transformed into luminal B IDC, one null pheno-type DCIS transformed into one luminal A IDC, and one basal phenotype DCIS transformed to HER-2-overexpression IDC. Conclusion Most of IDC have the same phenotype with DCIS, but there exist small part of DCIS which could transform into other phenotype IDC.

The study is to prepare taste masking and enteric-coated clarithromycin granules by melting and fluid bed coating technology. Clarithromycin and matrix materials were melted at a certain temperature, and then made into particles by fluidized bed coating. X-ray powder diffraction and scanning electron microscopy were used to identify the crystal and morphology of drug loading granules. In vitro dissolution method was used for the observation of the drug release behavior. The results showed that the drug particles size range was 0.2 - 0.6 mm; the crystal form of clarithromycin in the granule did not change; enteric-coated granules accumulated release in 0.1 mol L(-1) hydrochloric acid in 2 h was less than 10%, while in pH 6.8 phosphate buffer in 1 h was more than 80%. The taste masking and enteric-coated clarithromycin granules not only have good taste masking effect, but also have a good release behavior. It is expected to have better clinical application.
Clarithromycin ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Crystallization ; Drug Carriers ; Drug Compounding ; methods ; Excipients ; chemistry ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Particle Size ; Tablets, Enteric-Coated ; Taste ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; X-Ray Diffraction

Objective To assess the feasibility of using PET molecular imaging to evaluate the therapeutic effects of traditional Chinese medicine FuZhiSan (FZS) on the model of aging Alzheimer's disease (AD) rats. Methods Twenty aged AD rats (Sparague-Dawley rats,male) were randomly divided into FZS treated group (n = 10) and control group (n = 10). Another 10 healthy adult rats were as blank controls. Morris water maze record system was used for cognitive function assessment. Before and after FZS treatment 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and 11 C-2- [4'-(methylamino) phenyl] benzothiazol-6-ol ( PIB )PET imaging was undertaken. After post-treatment imaging procedures the brain tissues of all animals were taken for histochemical study,such as staining with HE,congo red,amyloid β (Aβ) immunofluorescence,5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU) immunofluorescence and NeuN immunofluorescence. Paired t-test was performed with SPSS 13.0 software for the data analysis. Results The cognitive dysfunction of aging AD rats was improved after FZS treatment. The escape latency in FZS treated group was significantly shorter than that of control group ((32.5 ±10.8) s vs (102.6±8.8) s,t =15.7987,P=0. 0001). Diffuse neuronal loss and Aβ deposition were detected in the hippocampus and cortex in the aged AD rats. The imaging data showed that brain glucose metabolism was amended in FZS treated group while the abatement of amyloid deposition was not significant. Immunofluorescence results indicated that the neuronal proliferation was more remarkable in FZS treated group. Conclusions It may be feasible to use PET imaging as a method to evaluate the therapeutic effect in AD rats. FZS may ameliorate memory dysfunction of aged AD rats. Its mechanism may be partly contributed to the enhancement of the neuronal proliferation and survival.

Objective To investigate the characteristics of renal hemodynamic and the esoteric prostacyclin(PGI2),thromboxane A2(TXA2)level in children with early Henoch-Schonlein purpura(HSP),and study the function of TXB_2/6-Keto-prostaglandin F(6-Keto-PGF_(1?))(T/K)numerus in early changes of kidney injury.Methods Children involved in the experiment were dicided into 3 groups.Thirty-one patients with HSP,divided into 2 groups according to routine urianlysis:children with HSP without renal damage group(n=16)and Henoch-Schonlein purpura nephritis(HSPN)group(n=15).Control group with 16 healthy children,their age and sex match with the other 2 groups.The urine of all children,including the children in control group,was sampled in 24 hours.The urinary production of the samples were kept in the freezer at-20 ℃.The radioimmunoassay was applied to determine the 6-Keto-PGF_(1?),TXB_2 quantitatively,and calculate the number of T/K.In the early morning the children accept the Doppler arteria renalis sonography with an empty stomach to determine the Vmax of the period of contraction of the arteria renalis the Vmin of diastolic phase and the resistent index(RI).SPSS 13.0 software was used to analyze the data.Results 1.The renal hemodynamic indicated a change of high velocity and resistance,the masculine rate(83.9%)was ob-viously higher than that in routine urinalysis(48.4%)(?2=5.79 P0.05).The RI in the former group(0.798?0.165)was much higher than that in the other one(0.637?0.116)(t=4.02 P

Objective: To analyze the relationship between thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor ( TAFI ) and coronary heart disease ( CHD ), and to provide evidence for the prevention of CHD. Methods: The patients with CHD in Fushun Central Hospital in Liaoning Province were selected as the case group, the patients without CHD in the same hospital and period were selected as the control group. The demographic information and clinical examination results ( serum TAFI, lipid, glucose, etc. ) were collected to analyze the association between TAFI and CHD by logistic regression models.The multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to explore the relationship between TAFI and CHD. Results: There were 222 cases, including 100 cases of stable angina, 44 cases of unstable angina and 78 cases of acute myocardial infarction, and 222 controls. The median ages of cases and controls were 62 and 57 years old. The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that serum TAFI>22.88 μg/mL ( P75 of controls ) was associated with the risk of CHD ( OR=1.619, 95%CI: 1.011-2.593 ), unstable angina ( OR=2.917, 95%CI: 1.433-5.939 ) and acute myocardial infarction ( OR=2.626, 95%CI: 1.007-6.847 ). Conclusion The high level of TAFI is related to CHD, unstable angina and acute myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVE: To delineate laboratory and clinical characteristics of a case with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and co-occurrence of t(9;22)(q34;q11) and t(8;21)(q22;q22). METHODS: The patient was subjected to cytogenetic, molecular, morphological and immunophenotypic analyses. RESULTS: Cytogenetic analysis revealed presence of t(8;21)(q22;q22) in addition to t(9;22)(q34;q11) in the patient. Chimeric BCR/ABL and AML1/ETO genes were detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Transcripts of BCR/ABL210 and AML1/ETO fusion genes were detected by relative quantity PCR. Morphological study suggested that the patient was at the chronic phase of CML. No significant immunophenotypic abnormality was detected by flow cytometry. CONCLUSION Co-occurrence of t(8;21)(q22;q22) and t(9;22)(q34;q11) is rare in CML. Only 5 similar cases have been described previously. This case suggested that chromosomal alterations may precede morphological, flow cytometric and clinical changes and accelerate progression of the disease.
Chromosome Aberrations ; Chromosomes, Human ; Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive ; genetics ; Translocation, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo explore the prediction of the site for microsurgical vasoepididymostomy (VE) in the treatment of epididymal obstructive azoospermia (OA).

METHODSThis study involved 56 infertile men with confirmed OA whose obstruction was suspected to be in the epididymis. Based on their medical history and results of preoperative physical examination and ultrasonography, we predicted the sites for VE. We performed surgical scrotal exploration for the status of epididymal obstruction, conducted palpation and microscopic observation for the epididymal tubules to be anastomosed, and finally decided on the sites for VE by making sure of the presence of motile sperm in the epididymal fluid of the patients. After surgery, we followed up the patients for the rate of pregnancy.

RESULTSAll the patients received bilateral scrotal ultrasonography and surgical scrotal exploration, totaling 112 procedures, including 98 VE procedures. The accuracy rate of the predicted sites for VE was 80.5% (153/190) by medical history and physical examination, 80.3% (90/112) based on the results of ultrasonography, and 87.4% (90/103) according to the first selected epididymal tubules. Of the 28 patients followed up for more than 12 months, motile sperm were found in 19 (67.9% ) at 2 to 12 months and spontaneous pregnancies were achieved in 10 (35.7%), all with the anastomotic sites in the corpus or cauda.

CONCLUSIONMedical history and physical examination contribute to the selection of anastomotic sites and non-invasive scrotal ultrasonography is effective and practical for positioning epididymal obstruction. The epididymal tubules with motile sperm for anastomosis could be easily obtained from the most dilated ones in indurated epididymides.

Azoospermia ; surgery ; Body Fluids ; Epididymis ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Microsurgery ; methods ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate ; Scrotum ; diagnostic imaging ; Ultrasonography ; Vas Deferens ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the safety and the clinical value of external use of jiuyi Powder (JP) in treating plasma cell mastitis using partial least-squares discriminant analysis (PLSDA).

METHODSTotally 50 patients with plasma cell mastitis treated by external use of JP were observed and biochemical examinations of blood and urine detected before application, at day 4 after application, at day 1 and 14 after discontinuation. Blood mercury and urinary mercury were detected before application, at day 1, 4, and 7 after application, at day 1 and 14 after discontinuation. Urinary mercury was also detected at 28 after discontinuation and 3 months after discontinuation. The information of wound, days of external application and the total dosage of external application were recorded before application, at day 1, 4, and 7 after application, as well as at day 1 after discontinuation. Then a discriminant model covering potential safety factors was set up by PLSDA after screening safety indices with important effects. The applicability of the model was assessed using area under ROC curve. Potential safety factors were assessed using variable importance in the projection (VIP).

RESULTSUrinary β2-microglobulin (β2-MG), urinary N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), 24 h urinary protein, and urinary α1-microglobulin (α1-MG) were greatly affected by external use of JP in treating plasma cell mastitis. The accuracy rate of PLSDA discriminate model was 74. 00%. The sensitivity, specificity, and the area under ROC curve was 0. 7826, 0. 7037, and 0. 8084, respectively. Three factors with greater effect on the potential safety were screened as follows: pre-application volume of the sore cavity, days of external application, and the total dosage of external application.

CONCLUSIONSPLSDA method could be used in analyzing bioinformation of clinical Chinese medicine. Urinary β2-MG and urinary NAG were two main safety monitoring indices. Days of external application and the total dosage of external application were main factors influencing blood mercury and urine mercury. A safety classification simulation model of treating plasma cell mastitis by external therapy of JP was established by the two factors, which could be used to assess the safety of external application of JP to some extent.

Acetylglucosaminidase ; Alpha-Globulins ; Discriminant Analysis ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Least-Squares Analysis ; Mastitis ; drug therapy ; Plasma Cells ; ROC Curve ; Safety