Astragaloside IV regulates STAT1/IκB/NF-κB signaling pathway to inhibit activation of BV-2 cells / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The study was aimed to investigate the inhibitory effect and mechanism of astragaloside IV (ASI) on the activation of microglial cells.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>After pre-incubated with ASI for 2 h, microglial cells BV-2 were stimulated with interferon-γ (IFN-γ) for 1. 5 h and 24 h, respectively. Secretion of nitric oxide (NO) in the medium was measured by Griess method. Production of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) was detected by ELISA approach. Cellular gene expressions of CD11b, TNF-α, interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and induced nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were examined by quantitative-PCR analysis. Total and phosphorylation of STAT1, IκB and NF-κB was analyzed by Western blot method.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>ASI could significantly inhibit the increased secretion of TNF-α and NO from BV-2 cells upon IFN-γ stimulation (P < 0.001). Further study showed that ASI significantly down-regulated gene expression of IL-1β and TNF-α (P < 0.01, P < 0.05) and exhibited a trend to reduce that of iNOS. IFN-γ and ASI have no obvious effect on gene expression of CD11b. Moreover, ASI inhibited the phosphorylation of STAT1, IκB and NF-κB elicited by IFN-γ stimulation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>ASI could restrain microglial activation through interfering STAT1/IκB/NF-κB signaling pathway, reducing gene expres- sion of IL-1β and TNF-α, and thus inhibiting the production of proinflammatory mediators such as NO and TNF-α.</p>

The firstly confirmed pregnant woman case of avian influenza A (H5N1) by etiological research in China / 病毒学报

To investigate the cause of death of a pregnant woman with undefined pneumonia reported from the People's Hospital of Tongling City in Anhui Province on November 8, 2005, the patient's tracheal aspirates and serum samples were collected and tested by RT-PCR and Real-time PCR to detect viral nucleic acids of HA of A/H5N1, A/H7N7, A/H9N1 and A/M. Tracheal aspirates were inoculated into special pathogen free (SPF) embryonated eggs for cultivation and identification of virus. The HA gene of the virus was sequenced and analyzed. Serum samples were tested by HI assay to detect antibody of H5N1. The results showed that HA gene of A/H5N1 virus and A/M were positive in tracheal aspirates by both PCR tests. The serum sample collected on Nov. 9 was A/M gene positive by Real-time PCR. The analysis of HA gene of A/AnHui/1/2005 sequence showed that the receptor specificity and the connecting peptide between HA1 and HA2 were still avian influenza origin. The HI antibody of H5N1 was negative at 7th, 8th, 9th d of disease onset. This undefined pneumonia case was confirmed as the first pregnant woman case of avian influenza (H5N1) virus infection by etiology in the mainland of China.

Suspending of M. temporal, temporal fascia and parietal periosteum to correct late facial palsy / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore a simply, effective dynamical method to correct late facial palsy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The method of suspending of M. temporalis, temporal fascia was reformed below: (1) To prolong flap of M. temporalis, temporal fascia by parietal periosteum. (2) To elevate the reversal level of compound flap. (3) To fill depressed temporal area by silica gel piece.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The compound flap is united structurally and long enough to transfer. Temporal defect is recontoured. And zygomatic area is no longer protruded.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The reformative method resists defect of the old one and obtains a dynamical result.</p>

An 1-year prospective cohort study on mortality of injecting drug users / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the mortality among injecting drug users (IDUs) from an IDUs cohort in Liangshan of Sichuan province.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In November 2002, 376 injecting drug users were recruited and followed up for 1 year as part of a prospective cohort study. Socio-demographics and risk behaviors on drug use were recorded. After one year, the mortality rate was estimated and risk factors for mortality were analyzed using Cox regression.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Out of the original cohort of 376 participants, there were 28 reported and confirmed deaths during the one year follow-up period. The mortality rate of the cohort was 77.32 per 1000 person-years (95% CI: 48.68 - 105.95) with the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) as 47.62 (95% CI: 31.63 - 68.71). Out of the 28 deaths, 64.3% (18/28) caused by overdoses of drug. No variables were found to be associated with death of all causes, but being un-married and >or= 9 year history of injecting drugs were found to be associated with overdose-related mortality in the final model of Cox regression. The hazard ratios were 4.51 (95% CI: 1.03 - 19.67) and 2.77 (95% CI: 1.10 - 7.00) respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Overdose served the most frequent cause of deaths in Liangshan of Sichuan province. Future studies should be conducted to focus on mortality and risk factors associated with mortality among IDUs to provide targeted interventions in reducing unnatural mortality.</p>

Reconstruction of the remnant penis: a 52-case report / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effects of the combined method of abdominal axial flap transposition and penile elongation for the treatment of the remnant penis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty-two cases of the remnant penis treated with the combined method from 1984 April to February 2004 were analyzed retrospectively. Follow-up ranged from 0.5 to 20 years postoperatively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The lengths (both in normal and erectile conditions) and the circumferences of the penis gained after operation were (5.6 +/- 1.4) cm, (6.8 +/- 2.5 cm and (6.9 +/- 2.3) cm respectively. The recovery rates of the sensory function were 94.2% and 100% in the glans (immediately and 3 months after operation) and 32.7%, 51.9% and 75% in the flap area (3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively). The two-point distinguishing sense in the glans and the flap area was (5.1 +/- 0.9) mm and(7.9 +/- 1.3) mm 5 years after operation. Early complications included distant flap necrosis (3 cases), disruption of the wound (2 cases), part necrosis of the skin graft in the abdominal wall (2 cases) and poor contours occurred in 4 cases in the later period because of the thickness of the flaps. All of them were corrected with satisfactory results.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The combined method of abdominal axial flap transposition and penile elongation was recommendable for the treatment of the remnant penis because of its positive effects and less complications.</p>

Community-based survey on human immunodeficiency virus infection among injection drug users in Sichuan, China / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and risk factors for its transmission among injection drug users (IDUs) in Liangshan Yizu Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan Province, China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A community-based survey was conducted to investigate demographic characteristics, pattern and frequency of sharing injection equipment, and sexual behaviors in IDUs. Blood samples were also collected from them to detect for antibodies against HIV and syphilis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 379 subjects were recruited with informed consent for study through community outreach and peer recruiting methods. Their prevalence of HIV infection was 11.3% (43/379). Ethnicity, frequency of sharing syringes and cotton swab during the past three months and syphilis infection associated with HIV infection by univariate analysis using chi-square test. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed odds ratio of frequency of sharing syringes for HIV infection during the past three months was 2.28 (95% CI 1.18 - 4.43), and that for syphilis infection 3.10 (95% CI 1.48 - 6.48).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Frequency of sharing syringes during the past three months associated with syphilis and HIV infection.</p>

Study on the relationship between hepatitis C virus infection and sharing injection equipment, sexual behavior among injecting drug users / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission through different modes of sharing injection equipment and sexual behavior among injecting drug users (IDUs) in Liangshan of Sichuan province.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A community-based survey was conducted to investigate past and current demographic data, injection equipment sharing patterns and sexual behavior of IDUs. Blood samples were also taken to test for HCV. The survey was conducted between Nov 8 and Nov 29, 2002. 379 subjects were screened through outreach recruitment and peer informing. SPSS (11.5) was used for data analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>HCV prevalence was 71.0% (269/379). Needles or syringes sharing in the past three months and past syphilis infection were strongly associated with HCV transmission after univariate analysis using chi-square test. Trend analysis indicated that HCV infection rate increased along with the increase of needles or syringes sharing, sharing of rinse water and the number of peers sharing the equipments. Data from multivariate logistic regression showed that sharing of needles or syringes and history of syphilis infection were significantly associated with HCV transmission. No significant difference was found between HCV infection and sexual behavior after univariate analysis using chi-square test.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Further sero-epidemiological prospective cohort studies should be conducted to clarify the relationship between different modes of sharing injection equipment, sexual behavior and HCV infection.</p>