Heat-Clearing Chinese Medicines in Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammation / 中国结合医学杂志

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation causes massive threatening diseases, such as sepsis, acute lung injury and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. Efficient treatment to prevent inflammation is crucial in LPS-induced inflammatory diseases. Heat-clearing Chinese medicines (CMs) have been used to ameliorate LPS-induced inflammation in China for centuries. Heat-clearing CMs regulate inflammatory pathways, thereby inhibiting the release of inflammatory factors. This review aimed to introduce promising heat-clearing CMs countering LPS-induced inflammation in the last 5 years, exploring the underlying molecular mechanisms.

Antioxidant and Antiapoptotic Polyphenols from Green Tea Extract Ameliorate CCl-Induced Acute Liver Injury in Mice / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the phenolic composition, antioxidant properties, and hepatoprotective mechanisms of polyphenols from green tea extract (GTP) in carbon tetrachloride (CCl)-induced acute liver injury mouse model.@*METHODS@#High-performance liquid chromatography was used to analyze the chemical composition of the extract. Antioxidant activity of GTP was assessed by O, OH, DPPH, and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay in vitro. Sixty Kunming mice were divided into 6 groups including control, model, low-, medium-, and high-doses GTP (200, 400, 800 mg/kg) and vitamin E (250 mg/kg) groups, 10 in each group. GTP and vitamin E were administered at a level of abovementioned doses twice per day for 7 days prior to exposure to a single injection of CCl. Hepatoprotective effects of GTP were evaluated in a CCl-induced mouse model of acute liver injury, using commercial enzyme linked immunosorbent assay kits, histopathological observation, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTPNick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay and Western blot.@*RESULTS@#GTP contained 98.56 µg gallic acid equivalents per milligram extract total polyphenols, including epicatechingallate, epigallocatechin gallate, epicatechin, and epigallocatechin. Compared with the model group, low-, medium-, or high doses GTP significantly decreased serum levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate transaminase (P<0.01). Histopathological observation confirmed that pretreatment of GTP prevented swelling and necrosis in CCl-exposed hepatocytes. Hepatoprotective effects of low-, medium-, and high-dose GTP were associated with eliminating free radicals and improving superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activity in the liver. Additionally, low-, medium-, and high-dose GTP decreased cell apoptosis in the CCl-exposed liver (P<0.01). Phosphorylated nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), p53, Bcl-2 associated x protein/B-cell lymphoma/leukemia-2 gene, cytochrome C, and cleaved caspase-3 levels were downregulated compared with the model group (P<0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#GTP achieves hepatoprotective effects by improving hepatic antioxidant status and preventing cell apoptosis through caspase-3-dependent signaling pathways.

Study of blastocyst transfer in increasing the risk of blighted ovum / 中国实用妇科与产科杂志

OBJECTIVE: To explore the incidence and embryo factors of blighted ovum in twin pregnancies achieved by assisted reproductive technology(ART)under controlling for maternal factors by vanishing twin.METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted in 610 cases of twin pregnancies achieved by IVF/ICSI twin transfer,who were treated in Nanfang Hospital of Southern Medical University from Jan. 2012 to Jan. 2018,including 474 twin live-birth pregnancies and 136 blighted ovum with singleton live-birth pregnancies. The clinical data of the 2 groups were analyzed for comparisons of the maternal factors,including maternal age,paternal age,BMI,AFC,bFSH/bLH and so on,and embryonic factors,like methods of fertilization,embryo types,proportion of high-quality embryos on DAY3 and so on.RESULTS: There was statistical difference in the serum β-hCG and rate of blastocyst transfer betweeen the two groups(P0.05). Also methods of fertilization,proportion of high-quality embryos on DAY3 and FET cycles were not statistically different between 2 groups.Multifactor Logistic regression analysis showed that blastocyst transfer was the risk factor of blighted ovum(OR=19.386,P<0.05),and β-hCG level was the protective factor(OR=0.290,P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Studying blighted ovum with singleton live birth pregnancies,a kind of vanishing twin syndrome,can control blighted ovum-related maternal factors. Blastocyst transfer may increase the risk of blighted ovum,and low β-hCG level is the predictor of the incidence of blighted ovum.

Association between human papillomavirus infection and adverse pregnancy outcome / 预防医学

Objective To investigate the infection rate of human papillomavirus(HPV)among pregnant women, and to explore the effect of HPV infection on adverse pregnancy outcome. Methods A total of 1 679 pregnant women in hospital were collected for the research. The flow-through hybridization and genechip(HybriMax)method was used to detect the infection of HPV. Univariate analysis was used to analyze the factors affecting HPV infection in pregnant women. The binary logistic analysis was used to analyze risk factors affecting adverse pregnancy outcome. Results HPV infection rate was 31.39%(527/1 679), including 14.23%(239/1 679)of HR-HPV, 15.54%(261/1 679)of LR-HPV and 1.61%(27/1 679)of mixed of HR-HPV and LR-HPV. Univariate analysis showed that there was significant difference in initial sex age, education level and smoking history between infection group and non-infection group, with statistical difference(P<0.05). The incidence rate of adverse pregnancy outcomes in infection group(31.50%) was significant higher than that of non-infection group(9.81%), with statistical difference(P<0.01). The incidence rate of premature rupture of fetal membranes, newborn respiratory papillomatosis and other adverse pregnancy outcomes among HR-HPV group, LR-HPV group and mixed group had no significant difference (P>0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis showed HR-HPV infection(OR=4.194, 95% CI: 3.099-5.675), LR-HPV infection(OR=1.771, 95%CI: 1.288-2.434)and mixed type infection(OR= 3.350, 95%CI: 1.630-7.735)were the risk factors affecting adverse pregnancy outcome(P<0.01), however, age and times of gestation had no statistical significance in the binary logistic analysis(P>0.05). Conclusion HPV infection was the risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcome, which indicated that screening work in pre-pregnancy and pregnancy, and persisting in early prevention, early detection and early treatment could reduce the incidence rate of adverse pregnancy outcome.

Research progress on role of exosomes-shuttle-RNAs within central nervous system / 中国药理学通报

Exosomes are nanoscale vesicles produced and secre-ted into extracellular fluid by all cells. They mediate cell com-munication through carrying and transferring informational car-goes ( proteins, nucleic acids, lipids and so on ) to recipient cells. In central nervous system, exosomes can be released from all cell types including neurons, neural stem cells and neuroglia cells. These exosomes shuttle nucleic acids ( miRNAs, mRNAs and so on) and play an important role in nervous system devel-opment and function as well as diseases including Alzheimer's disease and drug addiction. Furthermore, the functional effects and targeting characteristics of exosomes-shuttle-RNAs suggest that exosomes-shuttle-RNAs can be diagnostic and therapeutic targets. In this review, we elaborate the effects, functions and mechanisms of exosomes-shuttle-RNAs in order to gain a new recognition of CNS development and diseases.

Triterpene acids from roots of Symplocos laurina / 中草药

Objective: To study the triterpene acids from the roots of Symplocos laurina. Methods: The constituents were isolated by repeated chromatography with silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, ODS columns, and semi-preparing liquid chromatography. The structures were elucidated by sepectroscopic anaylsis. Results: Ten compounds were isolated from 95% ethanol extract of the roots of S. laurina and their structures were identified as: 19α-hydroxy-4-oxo-3,24-dinor-2,4-secoolean-12-en-2,28-dioic acid (1), negundonorin A (2), 2α,3β,19α,23-tetrahydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid (3), 2α,3β,19α,23-tetrahydroxylean-12-en-28-oic acid (4), 2α,3β,23-trihydroxyurs- 12-en-28-oic acid (5), 2α,3β,23-trihydroxylean-12-en-28-oic acid (6), 2α,3α,19α,23-tetrahydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid (7), 1α,3β,19α,23-tetrahydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid (8), 3β,19α,23-trihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid (9), and 2-oxo-3β,19α,23- trihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid (10). Conclusion: All the compounds are isolated from this plant for the first time. In addition to compounds 3 and 7, the other compounds are isolated from the plants of Symplocos Jacq for the first time.

Protective effect of Sanhuangyinchi Fang drug serum on hydrogen peroxide-induced DNA oxidative damage in LO2 cells / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the protective effect of Sanhuangyinchi Fang drug serum (SF) against hydrogen peroxide-mediated DNA oxidative damage in LO2 cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The LO2 cells were randomly divided into the control group, H(2)O(2) group, SF groups (5%, 10%, and 15%) and vitE group. The morphological features of the treated LO2 cells were observed under inverted microscope. The viability of the treated cells was assessed with CCK-8 method, and the activity of SOD, CAT and GSH-PX were detected biochemically. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, the content of 8-OHdG, and DNA damage of the cells were evaluated by flow cytometry, ELISA, and Comet assay, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with H(2)O(2) group, the cells in SF groups (10% and 15%) and vitE group showed higher cell survival rate (P<0.05) and higher SOD, CAT, GSH-PX (P<0.05) and ROS scavenging activities (P<0.01) with markedly decreases the content of 8-OHdG (P<0.01) and reduced tailing ratio, tail length, tail moment and Olive tail moment (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>SF drug serum, especially at the concentration of 15%, can protect LO2 cells from H(2)O(2)-mediated DNA oxidative damage.</p>

Relation between insulin resistance and insulin receptor gene methylation in the endometrium of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the relationship between insulin resistance and methylation of insulin receptor (INSR) gene in the endometrium of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Based on the HOMA index, 35 patients with PCOS were divided into insulin resistant group (IR group, n=18) and non-resistant group (NIR group, n=18). The patients age, serum estriol, testosterone, FSH and LH, fasting insulin and fasting blood glucose were compared between the two groups. The endometrial samples were obtained from the patients to examine DNA methylation status of INSR gene in the endometrial cells using methylation-specific PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The BMI, WHR, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, and HOMA index differed significantly between the two groups (P<0.05). PCR analysis showed partial methylation in the promoter region of INSR gene in 13 samples in IR group and 11 samples in NIR group, without detection of full methylation of the INSR gene in either group. The methylation status showed no significant difference between the two groups (P=0.328).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Partial methylation of the INSR gene occurs in the endometria of PCOS patients, but this study does not provide a strong evidence supporting the relationship between insulin resistance and INSR gene methylation in women with PCOS.</p>

Development of mental health of the 104 adolescents: a twin study / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective To investigate the impact of genetic and environmental factors on mental health status in adolescents twins. Methods A total of 52 pairs of twins aged 11 years were recruited with support from educational committees and school. After the guardians of these twins had signed an informed consent form,the Chinese version growth and the state of health evaluation (Development and Well-Bing Assessment,DAWBA) carries on twins' mental health growth condition investigation to the twins of Age greater than 11-year-old,and focus on a-nalysis of DAWBA youth-assessment version of more than 11-year-old twins. Buccal mucosa samples were collected from all twins for DNA extraction and zygosity identification test. Results The mood, the behavior symptom and the symptom produced the influence of the DAWBA and in the computer diagnosis' s result showed that the intra-pair correlation coefficience of the emotional disorder(rMZ=0, 200, P = 0. 28; r DZ = 0. 198, P = 0. 447) (MZ means was monozygotic,DZ means was dizygotie, r means was correlation), the special phobia symptom(r MZ = 0.440, P = 0.013;rDZ =0.419, P=0.094),the social phobia (rMZ =0.2%, P = 0. 106; r DZ = -0.119, P = 0.648),the depressive symptom (rMZ =0.556, P=0.001; rDZ = -0.254, P=0.325), and the oppositional/con-duct disorder(rMZ =0.503, P = 0.014; rDZ = -0.270, P = 0.295),eating disorder(r MZ =0.764, P=0.046; rDZ = -0.091, P=0.728) in Monozygotic twins was more remarkable than that in dizygotie twin. Conclusion The genetic factors play the vital role in affects in the child twins' mental health growth.

Analysis of driving adaptability based on psycho-social factors / 中华创伤杂志

Objective To discuss the impact of relevant psycho-social factors on the driving adaptability. Methods A total of 870 vehicle drivers were screened out by stratified cluster sampling,and 620 drivers were finally selected for this study after eliminating those who had 1 -2 accidents. The 620 drivers were divided into accident group and non-accident group. Demographic questionnaire, life event scale, SCL-90 Scale and Eysenck Personality Questionnaire were applied to investigate their general condition, life event, mental health and personality. All data were analyzed by t test and stepwise Fisher discriminatory, and then the discriminatory equations of driving eligibility were established. Results The scores of factors including positive life events, negative life events, family events, work events and social events in accident group were 9.62 ± 11.36, 34.53 ± 30.01, 24.05 ± 23.09, 16.78 ± 17. 12 and 2.82 ± 5.07, respectively, which were higher than 4.67 ± 6.25, 6.38 ± 10. 15, 6.48 ± 9.43, 3.96 ±6.55 and 2.02 ± 5.43 respectively in the non-accident group ( P ＜ 0. 01 ). The total SCL-90 score and the scores of all factors in the accident group were higher than those in the non-accident group ( P ＜0. 01 ). The Eysenck Personality Questionnaire scores of the accident group were significantly higher than the non-accident group in N dimension ( 56. 32 ± 8.77 vs. 45.23 ± 8.06 ) and P dimension (52.22 ±10.43 vs. 48.31 ± 9.35 ) ( P ＜ 0. 01 ). Fisher discriminatory equations: Faccident group = 0. 258 × X6 + 0.119 ×X9 +0.637 ×X17 +0.043 × X5-7.476; Fnon-accident group =0. 137 × X6-1. 000 ×X9 + 1.423 ×X17 +0.003× X5-2.601. Total discrimination accuracy of verification was 88.3%, and the total accuracy of prospective discrimination was 88.0%. Conclusions There is clear correlation of driving adaptability with coercion, anxiety, emotion and negative factors. The discriminatory equations are useful for selecting drivers because of high accuracy, and may play an important role in reducing the occurrence of traffic accidents.

Mental health of frequent hit-and-run driver and related analysis of life events and personality / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective To investigate the mental health of the frequent hit-and-run driver,and to explore its relationship with their life events and personality.Methods Stratified cluster sampling method was used to draw 870 motor vehicle drivers,and chose the 620 met the study conditions.They were investigated by the demographic questionnaire,life event scale,symptom check list-90(SCL-90)and eysenck personality questionnaire (EPQ).Results (1)The SCL-90 total score and the factor scores of the accident group were significantly higher than the non-accident group(respectively,65.17±39.68 vs 18.65±13.85,9.24±5.44 vs 3.48±2.84,6.96±4.81 vs 1.83±2.11,10.19±7.19 vs 2.53±2.74,7.00±4.96 vs 1.48±1.77,4.68±3.66 vs 1.24±1.48,3.51±3.58 vs 0.62±1.29,3.84±3.36 vs 1.00±1.33,5.34±4.17 vs 1.27±1.72,8.93±6.54 vs 2.96±2.97,6.08±4.81 vs 2.11±2.18),the differences were significant(P＜0.01).(2)The related analysis showed there existed the statistically positive relation between the total scores of SCL-90 and the factors of the life event scale and EPQ expect for the sense of concealing factor(r=0.146～0.393,P＜0.05).(3)Analysis of regression showed the factors of life event and personality had different influences on total scores and factor scores of SCL-90,and negative life events were the most important predictor of SCL-90 total score of frequent hit-and-run driver.Conclusion There are many mental problems among the frequent hit-and-run drivers.Life events,mood and psychoticism factors of personality are important influencing factor to their mental health.

Research on a novel method for the evaluation of left ventricular diastolic function / 生物医学工程学杂志

The methods for evaluating left ventricular diastolic function completely and simply are lacking in our country at present. To solve this problem, we presents in this paper a novel method, which is developed according to certain algorithms and mathematic models and is carried out by a MATLAB program. This method mainly obtains dP/dt loops, and calculates four important indices, including left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), Maximal decrease in velocity of left ventricular pressure (--(dP/dt)max), Time constant of ventricular isovolumic relaxation (tau) and Chamber stiffness (Kd), according to the changes of left ventricular pressure. The results obtained from the experiment of isolated rat hearts during ischemia/reperfusion have demonstrated the usefulness and validity of this method. Therefore, with the use of tau and Kd as indicators, this is a sensitive and effective method for evaluating the left ventricular diastolic function, and it can be applied to early detection of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction.

Effect of pressure phase plane derived τ and K on evaluation of left ventricular diastolic function in isolated rat heart during ischemia/reperfusion / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM: To analyze and compare the changes of pressure phase plane(PPP) derived τ and K on isolated rat heart during ischemia/reperfusion, and to explore the value of PPP derived τ and K for evaluation of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction. METHODS: LVEDP, -d(p/dt)_(max), τ and K were measured and calculated during ischemia/reperfusion in Sprague-Dawley rat hearts. Meanwhile, the level of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the coronary effluent was measured, and the ultrastructure changes in myocardium were observed under electron microscope. RESULTS: Compared with control group, τ increased and K reduced significantly in each ischemic group in a time dependent manner (P<0.05). With prolonged ischemia, τ was even higher and K was even lower (P<0.05). Compared with control group, except ischemia 15 min, LDH in other groups increased significantly at 10 min and 20 min after reperfusion (P<0.05). Compared with ischemia 30 min, LDH of ischemia 45 min and ischemia 60 min were even higher at 10 min and 20 min after reperfusion (P<0.05). With prolonged ischemia, the abnormal changes of the myocardial ultrastructure were observed. CONCLUSION: PPP derived τ and K may be promising indexes for quantitative assessment of left ventricular diastolic function on isolated) rat heart during ischemia/reperfusion, and indication of the severity of ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Ischemic hepatitis in hepatitis B related liver cirrhotic patients with upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage: clinical features and prognostic implications / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the incidence, clinical features and prognostic implications of ischemic hepatitis in hepatitis B related liver cirrhotic patients with upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>By retrospective review of the medical records of all 264 inpatients with upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage of hepatitis B related liver cirrhosis from January 1st 2007 to November 30th 2008, 11 patients with ischemic hepatitis (IH) were identified. The clinical features and prognostic implications were compared between the IH patients and 30 patients without ischemic hepatitis (control group).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The incidence of ischemic hepatitis was 4.17% in hepatitis B related liver cirrhotic patients with upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage. The patients in IH group were younger than those in control group, the average age was (43.1+/-5.7) in IH group and (52.3+/-11.1) in control group (P=0.013). The serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase were increased more than 20-fold above the upper limit of normal values, and returned to normal values within 10 days. Compared to the control group, total bilirubin, lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphates, gamma-glutamyltransferase, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and white blood cells were increased, while serum cholinesterase was decreased in IH group (P<0.05). The fatality rate of ischemic hepatitis was much higher than that of control group (54.5% vs 16.7%, P=0.041). The main causes of death in IH group were infection, hepatorenal syndrome and hepatic encephalopathy. The patients in IH group lost 200 to 3600 milliliter blood, and hemorrhagic shock occurred in 63.6% (7/11) of IH patients. Therefore the bleeding volume was not correlated with the occurrence rate of ischemic hepatitis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Ischemic hepatitis may occur secondary to upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage in hepatitis B related liver cirrhosis. The risk factors of ischemic hepatitis in cirrhositic patients with upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage are young and with hemorrhagic shock, and poor liver function. It is important to use antibiotics in time to improve the prognosis of these patients.</p>

Effects of allergen and intranasal glucocorticoid on Th17 and RORgamma t in peripheral blood in patients with allergic rhinitis / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of specific immunotherapy and intranasal glucocorticoid on T help 17 (Th17) cells and RORgammat in peripheral blood in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty patients with allergic rhinitis (group A) were divided randomly into two subgroups (group A1 and A2), and each subgroup had 20 patients. The patients in group A1 were treated with intranasal glucocorticoid (INGS) for one-year. The patients in group A2 were treated with special immunotherapy (SIT) for 4 weeks. Blood samples were respectively taken from 10 healthy individuals (group B), 20 AR patients (group A1) before and after SIT with specific standardized allergen and 20 AR patients (group A2) before and after INGS. The ratio of Th17 cells in peripheral blood monouclear cells (PBMC) were analysed by flow cytometry. The expression of RORgammat mRNA were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction and the interleukin-23(IL-23), IL-17, IL-6 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The ratio of Th17 cells in PBMC and the expression of RORgammat mRNA in group A [(18.97 +/- 1.05)% and (0.604 +/- 0.027)] were respectively higher than those in group B [(15.12 +/- 1.09)% and (0.447 +/- 0.024)] and the difference reached statistical significance (t were respectively -10.056 and -17.986, each P < 0.01). The level of IL-6, IL-17 and IL-23 in group A were respectively higher than those in group B and the difference reached statistical significance (t were respectively -41.149, -17.618 and -26.824, all P < 0.01). The ratio of Th17 cells in PBMC, the expression of RORgammat mRNA, the level of IL-6, IL-17 and IL-23 before INGS did not show significant difference from those of after INGS in group A1 (t were respectively 0.298, 0.240, -1.136, 0.283 and -1.670, all P > 0.05). The ratio of Th17 cells in PBMC and the expression of RORgammat mRNA were respectively (18.99 +/- 1.14)% and (0.603 +/- 0.027) before SIT and were respectively (16.30 +/- 1.63)% and (0.429 +/- 0.023) after SIT in group A2, and the difference reached statistical significance (t were respectively 6.035 and 22.015, all P < 0.01). The level of IL-6, IL-17 and IL-23 before SIT were lower respectively than those of after SIT in group A2 and the difference reached statistical significance (t were respectively 9.235, 11.289, 7.267, all P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The ratio of Th17 cells in PBMC, the expression of RORgammat mRNA, the level of IL-6, IL-17 and IL-23 were up-regulated in patients with AR. The treatment of SIT could get the 5 items down and the treatment of INGS couldn't.</p>

Study on the time of retention and related influencing factors of patients receiving methadone maintenance treatment in Hunan province / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective to explore the current situation and related influencing factors on the retention time of patients receiving methadone maintenance treatment (MMT). Methods Information on basic situation and daily treatment of the patients were collected from the 7 MMT clinics opened in the pro-two batch in Hunan province. Retention rate and influencing factors were analyzed. Results (1) The retention rates after 6 and 12 months of MMT became 72.06% and 49.65% respectively. (2) The retention rates of high-dosage group and low-dosage group were 85.03% and 68.03% after 6 months on MMT program while became 60.48% and 46.28% after 12 months of MMT respectively. (3) The mean retention time of HIV+ patients and HIV- patients were 9.46 months and 8.62 months respectively during the 12 months follow-up observation, showing a significant difference. (4) Patients who took large dose methadone, did not share needles, at older age or HIV+ , were prone to keep MMT at a long period. Conclusion The retention rates for 6 months and 12 months in the MMT program in Hunan province were similar to the national data. Dose, type of drug abuse, age and HIV status were related to the period of retention.

Curative effect and possible mechanisms of topiramate in treatment of Tourette syndrome in rats / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The pathogenesis of Tourette syndrome (TS) is associated with the disorders of neurotransmitters, such as dopamine (DA) and excitatory amino acids (EAA). Antiepileptic drugs such as topiramate have shown some effects on TS, but the mechanism has not been clearly identified. The objective of the research was to evaluate the relationship between the pathogenesis of TS and abnormality of neurotransmitters by determining the levels of brain free DA and plasma EAA in iminodipropionitrile (IDPN) induced head twitch response (HTR) rats, and to investigate the effects of topiramate on HTR induced by IDPN.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-eight Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups: blank control, TS model, and haloperidol-(0.5 mg/kg) and topiramate-treated (5, 10 and 20 mg/kg). HTR was induced by 7-day peritoneal injections of IDPN (150 mg/kg daily) and was used as TS model. Brain free DA levels and plasma levels of EAA were measured using ELISA and high performance liquid chromatography respectively 35 days after haloperidol or topiramate administration.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Brain free DA levels were significantly lower and plasma EAA levels were significantly higher in the TS model group compared with those in the blank control group (P<0.05). Topiramate of 10 and 20 mg/kg significantly decreased the frequency of IDPN-induced HTR and significantly increased the level of brain free DA when compared with the TS model group (P<0.05). Topiramate of 20 mg/kg treatment as haloperidol treatment significantly decreased plasma EAA levels compared with the TS model group (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The pathogenesis of TS is related to the super-sensitivity of DA receptor in the center nervous system and the over-effect of plasma EAA. Topiramate can reduce IDPN-induced HTR, probably through the inhibition of DA and DA-receptor combination in the brain and the secretion and release of plasma EEA.</p>

Relationship of Dopamine ?-hydroxylase Gene with Qualitative and Quantitative Characters of Schizophrenia / 中国药房

0.05). The factor score of "preoccupation"in patients with Ins/Del genotype was higher than that with Ins/Ins and Del/Del genotypes(P=0.052),as well as in male patients of experimental group(P=0.052). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that D?H gene-4784-4803del polymorphism may not be associated with qualitative and quantitative characters of schizophrenia. Male schizophrenia patients with Ins/Del encoding D?H gene-4784-4803del are significantly characterized with the character of "preoccupation".

Expression of T-bet and its relation with IgE and eosinophil cationic protein in patients with allergic rhinitis / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression of T-bet mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) as well as its relations with total IgE (TIgE), eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) in serum and nasal allergic symptoms in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The allergen, TIgE and ECP in serum of patients with AR were detected by Unicap CAP system. Blood sample was taken from 8 healthy individuals and 22 patients with allergic rhinitis. PBMC was isolated by density gradient centrifugation and one part of them was cultured with 50 microg/ml mite allergen. PBMC was subjected to analysis of T-bet mRNA expression using semiquantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The ratio of T-bet to beta-actin mRNA levels was 0.381 +/- 0.099 in patients and 0.750 +/- 0.067 in normal individuals, the difference was significantly (P <0.01). The expression intensity of T-bet mRNA had no relation to varying severity of allergic symptoms and concentration of ECP and the correlation coefficient was 0.187 and -0.165 (all P > 0.05). However, there was an inverse correlation between expression intensity of T-bet mRNA and TIgE concentration (r = -0.525, P < 0.05). Mean mRNA level (x +/- s) of T-bet expression before and after being stimulated by allergen was 0.381 +/- 0.099 and 0.365 +/- 0.104 respectively, which indicated no significant differences (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Among allergic patients whose allergen was mite, there was a down-regulated expression of T-bet mRNA, which had no relation to ECP concentration and allergic symptoms, but was one of important links in mechanisms of imbalance of Th1/Th2 in AR. There was no effect of specific allergen on T-bet mRNA in patients with AR T-bet was one of indirect factors that affected the level of IgE.</p>

Y-chromosome-specific microsatellite variation in Li ethnic groups of Hainan Island, China / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The study was conducted to reveal the distribution of genetic polymorphism of four Y chromosome specific short tandem repeat (Y-specific STR) loci in Li ethnic groups in Hainan Island, China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Four tetranucleotide STR loci were simultaneously amplified with fluorescently labeled primers, and genotypes were determined with an automated DNA sequencer.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among 230 unrelated males, the alleles at the four Y-specific STR loci were composed of some complex repeat structure. 4,5,4,5 alleles were observed in loci DYS3891, DYS390, DYS391, DYS393 respectively. A set of human allele ladders for the typing of the four Y-specific STRs was obtained in Li ethnic population. Gene diversity index (D) and haplotype diversity data were estimated for the four Y-STRs.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The preliminary study indicates a reference population for detecting male migration events and should be useful in population genetics and forensic applications.</p>