Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by infiltration of T-lymphocytes,which plays a key role in the immune response of human.Exploration on the characters of immune response in the pathologic process related to COPD may be useful to explore the mechenism of immunity response in COPD patients,thus,contrubute to improve the knowledge of COPD and investigating new avenues of treatment.

Objective To study the pathological characteristics of interleukin-16 (IL-16) and CXC chemokine receptor 3 (CXCR3) in pulmonary artery of smokers with normal lung function and smokers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods We examined surgical specimens from three groups of subjects undergoing lung resection for localized pulmonary lesions: group NS(nonsmokers with normal lung function, n=10); group S (smokers with normal lung function, n=13); group COPD (smokers with stable COPD, n=10). The clinical datas including blood gas analysis, pulmonary function,BMI, smoking index, BODE index, six-minute-walk distance (6MWD), Medical Research Council dyspened scale (MRC), St. George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) were recorded in all subjects before the operation. We applied technique of hematoxylin-eosin staining to observe pathomorphological changes of the pulmonary arteries. The concentration of IL-16 in lung tissues were measured by ELISA. Muscularized arteries were examined with immunohistochemical methods to identify T-lymphocytes (CD_3), CD_4 T-lymphocytes, CD_8 T-lymphocytes, IL-16, CXCR3. The correlation of IL-16 and CXCR3 in muscnlarized arteries in smokers with stable COPD were analysed. Results (1) The group COPD showed the highest concentration of IL-16 in lung tissue (P <0. 01) . The concentration of IL-16 in group S was higher than group NS (P<0.05). (2) Both in group S and group COPD, the percentage of the muscularized arteries that contained CXCR3 and IL-16 were increased as compared with group NS (P < 0. 01). Moreover there were statistical significance have been observed between group COPD and group S(P < 0.01). (3) The intensity of IL-16 infiltrating the muscularized arteries in group COPD showed a positive correlation with CD_3~+ T-lymphocytes, CD_8~+ T-lymphocytes, CXCR3 (r=0.639,0. 803,0. 696; P < 0. 05 or P < 0. 01), smoking index, BODE index (r= 0.737,0. 704; P < 0. 05). There was inverse relationship between the content of IL-16 in the muscularized arteries in group COPD and forced expiratory volume in one second% predicted (FEV_1 % Pred) and 6MWD (r=-0.803,-0.787; P<0.01). We also found the intensity of CXCR3 infiltrating the muscularized arteries in group COPD showed a positive correlation with CD_3~+ T-lymphocytes,CD_8~+ T-lymphocytes(r=0.650,0.767; P<0.05), smoking index, BODE index (r=0.650,0.767; P< 0.05). There was inverse relationship between the content of CXCR3 in the muscularized arteries in group COPD and FEV_1 % Pred and 6MWD (r=-0.778,-0.774;P<0.01). Conclusions (1) Both in group S and group COPD, IL-16 and CXCR3 were mainly expressed in lymphocytes which were correlated with CD_8~+ T-lymphocytes infiltrating the muscularized arteries. There were some suggestion that IL-16 prohaly recruited CD_8~+ T-lymphocytes into muscularized arteries by enhancing the expression of CXCR3. (2) The intensity of IL-16 and CXCR3 were correlated with the index of clinical and pulmonary function that suggested pulmonary arterial inflammation might be one of the key factors associated with the progression of COPD, and inhibiting the pulmonary artery inflammation played an important role in prevention and cure of COPD.

ObjectiveTo study the pathological characteristics of intra-acinar pulmonary artery inflammation and its correlation with smoking index and disease progression in smokers with normal lung function and smokers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).MethodsPatients requiting lung resection for peripheral lung cancer were divided into group A (nonsmokers with normal lung function,n = 10), group B (smokers with normal lung function, n = 13), and group C (smokers with stable COPD,n = 10).The lung tissue far away from rumor were resected to compare the pathological changes of intraacinar pulmonary arteries and infiltration level of inflammatory cell in pulmonary non-muscularized arteries (NMA), pulmonary partially muscularized arteries (PMA) and muscularized arteries (MA) among the three groups.The correlation analysis was made among infiltration level, smoking index, percentage of predicted value of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV,％ Pred), six-minute-walk distance (6MWD) and BODE index.Results (1) Both group B and group C showed the intima and media thickness of MA was significantly higher, the lumen area of MA was narrower and the proportion of MA was higher, and collagenous fiber of MA adventitial proliferated and area increased in group C(P ＜0.05 or P ＜0.01).(2) In group B and group C, the percentage of the intra-acinar pulmonary arteries that contained leukocytes, T lymphocytes, CD8+ T lymphocytes and the number of these positive cells infiltrating the intraacinar pulmonary arteries were increased, especially an increased number of CD8+ T lymphocytes infiltrating in the arterial adventitia as compared with group A, moreover there were significant difference between group C and group B (P ＜ 0.05 or P ＜ 0.01).In group B and group C, the degree of these positive cellsinfiltrating NMA, PMA and MA presented a decreasing sequence (P ＜ 0.05 or P ＜ 0.01).Among the intima, media and adventitia of MA, the infiltration of these positive cells was the highest in the adventitia.Among group A, group B and group C, infiltration degree of CD4+ T lymphocyte, B lymphocyte, macrophage and neutrophil demonstrated no significant difference, also among NMA, PMA and MA (P ＞ 0.05).(3)The number of leukocytes, T lymphocytes, CD8+T lymphocytes infiltrating MA showed a positive correlation with the thickness of MA (r =0.563,0.627,0.589 ,P ＜0.01 ,respectively) and smoking index (r =0.551,0.665, 0.600, P ＜ 0.01, respectively), moreover the degree of these cells infiltrating MA demonstrated negative correlation with FEV1 ％ Pred (r = - 0.763, - 0.703, - 0.767, P ＜ 0.01, respectively).Also infiltrating degree of T lymphocytes and CD8+ T lymphocytes was positively correlated with BODE(r = 0.390,0.476,P ＜ 0.05, respectively). Furthermore the infiltrating degree of CD8+ T lymphocytes had negative correlation with 6MWD (r = - 0.356, P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions(1) Pulmonary arterial inflammation appears in smokers with normal lung function and smokers with COPD patients.It involves in all types of intra-acinar pulmonary arteries especially NMA and infiltrates whole layer of MA with a characteristic of CDs+T lymphocytes infiltrating in the adventitia of intra-acinar pulmonary arteries. (2)Pulmonary inflammation is closely correlated to cigarette smoking and clinical parameters such as BODE index, FEV1％pred and 6MWD.It is one of the key factors affecting the progression of COPD.

OBJECTIVETo study effects of a combined regime of auricular-plaster and body acupuncture in treatment of cervical spondylosis of vertebral artery type and make a preliminary revelation of the mechanism.

METHODSNinety-two patients were randomly divided into 2 groups, the treatment group (n = 56) received the combined regime of auricular-plaster and body acupuncture, and the control group (n = 36) received treatment with body acupuncture. Clinical symptoms and signs, therapeutic effect and some indexes about vertebrobasilar hema-kinetics and hema-rheology were investigated before and after treatment.

RESULTSThe treatment group was better than the control group in the clinical overall effective rate (89.29%) and the clinically control rate (17. 85%), and in improving the following indexes, including dizziness and headache, the vertebrobasilar volume and rate of blood flow etab and IR (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSA combined regime of auricular-plaster and body acupuncture ameliorates not only main signs but also some indexes about vertebrobasilar hema-kinetics and hema-rheology. This treatment is an effective therapy for cervical spondylosis of vertebral artery type both in Malaysia and in China.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Headache ; Humans ; Spondylosis ; therapy ; Vertebral Artery

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between genetic polymorphisms of microsomal epoxide hydrolase (mEH) and susceptibility of chronic benzene poisoning (BP).

METHODA case-control study was conducted. 152 BP patients and 152 workers occupationally exposed to benzene without poisoning manifestations were investigated. Polymerase chain reaction-restrained fragment length polymorphism technique (PCR-RFLP) was applied to detect the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on c.113 and c.139 of mEH gene.

RESULTSThe risk of BP for individuals carrying mEHc.113 C/C genotype was 0.60 (OR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.37 - 0.97, P = 0.04) of those carrying T/T and T/C genotypes. In non-smoking population, the risk of BP for subjects carrying mEHc.113 C/C genotype was 0.56 (OR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.33 - 0.96, P = 0.03) of those carrying T/T and T/C genotypes, and in non-drinking population, the individuals carrying mEHc.113 C/C genotype was 0.51 (OR = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.30 - 0.86, P = 0.01) of those carrying T/T and T/C genotypes.

CONCLUSIONThe subjects carrying mEHc.113 C/C genotype and together with non-smoking or non-drinking habit may have lower risk of chronic benaene poisoning.

Adult ; Benzene ; metabolism ; poisoning ; Case-Control Studies ; Epoxide Hydrolases ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Humans ; Life Style ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Diseases ; genetics ; Point Mutation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between genetic polymorphisms in apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease (APE1) and ADP ribosyltransferase (ADPRT) and individuals' susceptibility to chronic benzene poison ing (BP).

METHODSA case-control study was conducted. One hundred and fifty-two B P patients and 152 workers occupationally exposed to benzene without poisoning manifestations were investigated. The mismatched bases combined to create restriction site with restrained fragment length polymorphism technique (CRS-RFLP) was used for detecting the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at Asp148Glu of APE1 gene and Val762Ala of ADPRT gene.

RESULTSThere was no significant difference in the distribution of genotypes of APE1Asp148Glu and ADPRTVal762Ala between the patients and the control groups. Compared with individuals having genotype of APE1Asp148Glu T/T without habit of alcohol consumption, there was a 4.13 times increased risk of BP for the alcohol user with genotype of APE1Asp148Glu T/T (OR = 4.13, 95% CI: 1.07 - 15.85, P = 0.03). The analysis of Logistic regression showed that smoking may play some role in modifying the risk of cironic benzene poisoning (OR = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.14 - 0.75, P = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe genetic polymorphisms in APE1Asp148Glu, ADPRTVal762Ala are not related to the risk of BP. Potential interaction is found between alcohol consumption and polymorphism of APE1Asp148Glu. Further study is needed to elucidate this interaction.

ADP Ribose Transferases ; Alcohol Drinking ; genetics ; Benzene ; poisoning ; Case-Control Studies ; Chronic Disease ; DNA-(Apurinic or Apyrimidinic Site) Lyase ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Occupational Exposure ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

TSO18 gene was subcloned into the Pichia pastoris expression vector pPIC9K. The recombinant plasmid pPIC9K-TSO18 was transformed into P. pastoris GS115 by electroporation so that the plasmid will be integrated with chromosome of P. pastoris. The P. pastoris strains containing multi-copy recombinant were screened by G418 and induced by methanol. The expression product was analyzed by SDS-PAGE, Western blot, deglycosylation, and purified by Sephadex column, and was used to immunize mice. The results indicated that the target protein was efficiently expressed in P. pastoris, and glycosylated moderately, and had immunological activity. In a 5 liter fermentor, the expression level of the target protein was up to 2.54 mg/mL. These results will benefit for the development of genetically engineering vaccine.
Animals ; Antigens, Helminth ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology ; Cloning, Molecular ; Electroporation ; Gene Expression ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Mice ; Pichia ; genetics ; metabolism ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology ; Swine ; Taenia solium ; genetics ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo observe the efficacy and side effect of the all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide (As(2)O(3)) combination in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL).

METHODSTwenty APL patients were treated with the ATRA and As(2)O(3) combination, and 18 of them could be evaluated. The treatment protocol was as following: 10 mg As(2)O(3) (0.1% solution) in 500 ml 50 g/L glucose solution for intravenous drip over 4 to 6 hours once a day, ATRA was given 25 mg/m(2) every day.

RESULTSSeventeen of the 18 patients achieved complete remission (CR), the CR rate was 94.4%. All 14 newly diagnosed patients and 3 of 4 relapsed patients achieved CR. No significant side effect was observed.

CONCLUSIONThe As(2)O(3) and ATRA in the treatment of APL can obtain a higher CR rate and a shorter duration for achieving CR.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Arsenicals ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Child ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Oxides ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Remission Induction ; Treatment Outcome ; Tretinoin ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of echinacoside (ECH) on cholinergic neurotransmitter extracellular of hippocampus and striatum and its possible mechanisms of neuro-protective effect against vascular dementia rats. In this study brain microdialysis technique combined with HPLC-IMER-ECD (high-performance liquid chromatography-immobilized enzyme reactor-electrochemical detector) was used. The bilateral common carotid arteries occluded in two times operation at 72 h interval for vascular dementia model rats were used and the successful vascular dementia model rats were examined by Morris water maze. The content of acetylcholine (ACh) and choline (Ch) of microdialysate extracellular of hippocampus and striatum was determined by HPLC-IMER-ECD and the AChE activity in the hippocampus was measured. The results showed that the success rate of vascular dementia model was 83.08% after six weeks; the results also showed that echinacoside and galantamine could increase the content of ACh and reduce the content of Ch extracellular of hippocampus and striatum significantly and the AChE activity increased significantly compared with that of the model group. The results suggested that echinacoside could promote the recovery of cholinergic neurotransmitter levels in vascular dementia rats' brain, which may be one of the mechanisms of neuro-protection.
Acetylcholine ; metabolism ; Animals ; Choline ; metabolism ; Corpus Striatum ; metabolism ; Dementia, Vascular ; metabolism ; Glycosides ; pharmacology ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; Male ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo explore the association of polymorphisms of metabolizing enzyme genes with chronic benzene poisoning (CBP) comprehensively by case-control design.

METHODS152 CBP patients and 152 workers occupationally exposed to benzene without poisoning manifestations were investigated. 30 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 13 genes such as CYP2E1 were tested by PCR-RFLP, sequencing approaches. Logistic regression model was used to detect main effects and 2-order interaction effects of gene and/or environment. Multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR) was used to detect high-order gene-gene or gene-environment interactions.

RESULTSBased on logistic regression, the main effects of GSTP1 rs947894, EPHX1 rs1051740, CYP1A1 rs4646903, CYP2D6 rs1065852 and rs1135840 were found to be significant (P < 0.05) while the confounding factors of sex, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption and the intensity of benzene exposure were controlled. EPHX1 rs1051740 might be associated with CBP (P = 0.06). There existed 3 types of interactions were as followed: interactions of GSTP1 rs947894 with alcohol consumption, CYP2E1 rs3813867 with EPHX1 rs3738047, EPHX1 rs3738047 with alcohol consumption(P < 0.05), while the main effects of CYP2E1 rs3813867 and EPHX1 rs3738047 were not significant (P > 0.05). The other SNPs did not show any significant associations with CBP. According to MDR, a 3-order interaction with the strongest combined effect was found, i.e. the 3-factor combination of CYP1A1 rs4646903, CYP2D6 rs1065852 and CYP2D6 rs1135840.

CONCLUSIONGene-gene, gene-environment interactions are important mechanism to genetic susceptibility of CBP.

Adult ; Benzene ; poisoning ; Case-Control Studies ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1 ; genetics ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2D6 ; genetics ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2E1 ; genetics ; Epoxide Hydrolases ; genetics ; Female ; Gene-Environment Interaction ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multifactor Dimensionality Reduction ; Occupational Exposure ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Young Adult