Anti-inflammatory effect of soyasaponins through suppressing nitric oxide production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells by attenuation of NF-κB-mediated nitric oxide synthase expression.

The anti-inflammatory properties of soyasaponins (especially soyasaponins with different chemical structures) have scarcely been investigated. We investigated the inhibitory effects of five structural types of soyasaponins (soyasaponin A(1), A(2), I and soyasapogenol A, B) on the induction of nitric oxide (NO) and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) in murine RAW 264.7 cells activated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

[Dextran sedimentation for study of neutrophil polarization].

Objective: To determine the optimal method for separating neutrophils for studying neutrophil polarization.

Methods: Human neutrophil was separated from healthy human peripheral blood by Percoll density gradient centrifugation and Dextran sedimentation. The cell polarization, purity and activity of the neutrophils were determined, and F-actin polymerization and [Ca2+]i were analyzed.

[Establishment and assessment of Caco-2 cell in vitro absorption model].

Objective: To establish and assess the Caco-2 cell in vitro absorption model.

Methods: Caco-2 cells were cultured on the millipore filters fixed in Snapwell transport chamber. The cell morphology, transepithelial electrical resistance, mannitol efflux rate and alkaline phosphatase activities were monitored during culture.

[A field trial of recombinant human interferon alpha-2b for nasal spray to prevent SARS and other respiratory viral infections].

Objective: To study the preventive effect of recombinant human interferon alpha-2b for nasal spray against SARS and other common respiratory viral infections by serum-epidemiological method.

Methods: A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind field trial study in populations with 14,391 persons from SARS prevalent cities or provinces in China during May-Jun, 2003 and Dec-Apr, 2004. Interferon alpha-2b was given twice per day, once 9 x 10(5) IU by nasal spray for 5 days.

[A field trial for evaluating the safety of recombinant human interferon alpha-2b for nasal spray].

Objective: To evaluate the safety of recombinant human interferon alpha-2b for nasal spray for the prevention of SARS and other upper respiratory viral infections.

Methods: Field epidemiologic evaluation was conducted, the design was randomized and had a synchronously parallel control group. In the study, the drugs were given for five days and all subjects were followed up for ten days.

Seroepidemiological Study on SARS-CoV IgG Antibodies of Different Populations from Several Areas.

Objective: In order to investigate the clinical and epidemiological rules of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), rates and levels SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV) IgG antibodies of the patients and community populations from several areas were detected.

Methods: Indirect immunofluorescent assay (IFA) and double-antigen sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to detect the SARS coronavirus-specific IgG antibodies in sera of 1700, including 1453 general populations from Hongkong, Marco, Guangzhou and Peking and 257 SARS patients from Guangzhou and Peking. The dynamics of the serum antibodies of SARS patients were observed from 3 to 360 days after onset of symptoms.

[Epidemiological study of the features of the index cases in SARS case clusters].

Objective: To understand the epidemiological characteristics of the index cases in severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) cases clusters and to evaluate their importance in the whole epidemic process of SARS.

Methods: Data of the index SARS cases and the subsequent case clusters were collected by means of face-to-face interview in combination with field investigation and case history consultations.

Results: In all three SARS clusters, the index cases all had chronic disease and played the role of infection source that transmitted the virus to the patients' family members, attending medical staff as well as other non-SARS patients sharing the same ward with them.

[Study on serum p53 protein in cops in Guangzhou city].

Objective: Serum p53 protein overexpression was detected in population exposed to traffic exhaust gas to study the relation between traffic exhaust gas and the increased risk in p53 gene mutation.

Methods: Serum p53 protein expression was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Relationship between different types of job and serum p53 protein overexpression were studied by pearson Chi-square tests.