An immunopotentiating compound has been isolated from the metabolites of Bacillus mycoides under the bioassay-guided isolation and identification for its immunopotentiating effect and chemical structure. The isolation and purification of the compound were consisted of macroporous adsorptive resins, silicagel chromatographic column and Sephadex G-200 chromatographic column. The immunopotentiating effect was assayed in every step isolation. At last, the only substance having the strongest immunopotentiating effect had been isolated and purified. Through the procedure consisiting of Ultra-Violet spectroscopy (UV), IR (Infrared Radiation), Time of Flight Mass Spectrum (TOF-MS), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Element analysis, the possible structure of compound M had been identified as cyclic (Pro-Gly) dipeptide (C7H10O2N2) (Diketopiperazine). To be determined the immunopotentiating effect, the mice were treated by intraperitoneal injection of cyclic (Pro-Gly) dipeptide in the treatment group and physiologic saline in the control group. At the 14th day after the injection, the SOD activity and the phagocytosis activities reached the peak value and were significantly higher than those in control group. At the 21st day, the bactericidal activity reached peak value and was significantly higher than that in the control group. From the above results, we concluded that the main active component enhancing the immunity of mice was cyclic (Pro-Gly) dipeptide in the metabolism of Bacillus mycoides.

Objective:To investigate the therapeutic efficacy of double-J catheter in treatment of renal tuberculosis(TB)and in rescuing the structure and function of the kidney.Methods:Thirty-four patients with renal TB(22 combined with single side hydronephrosis)were divided into 2 groups randomly.Group A were treated with antituberculous therapy and group B with antituberculous therapy combined with pre-treatment with double-J catheter.All 34 patients were followed up for 3 months and were re-examined.Results:The results of B ultrasound,intravenous urogram(IVU),CT and isotope nephrogram were comparable between the 2 groups before treatment,and the results were significantly different between the two groups after 3 months'drug treatment(P

Adult ; Coronary Aneurysm ; complications ; Endocarditis, Bacterial ; complications ; Fistula ; complications ; Humans ; Male

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Humans ; Laser Therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo examine the expression of Osterix (Osx) mRNA and protein after application of mechanical force on human periodontal ligament cells (HPDLCs), and to investigate the role of Osx in orthodontic alveolar bone remodeling.

METHODSHPDLCs were isolated and cultured in vitro with explant method. Approximately 2.5 x 10(5) cells were seeded onto six-well cell culture plates and then were exposed to centrifugal force for 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 or 12 h at 631 r x min(-1). The expression of Osx mRNA and protein was measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain raction (RT-PCR) and Western blot respectively. Immunofluorescence assay was used to detect the expression and subcellular At the initial time point, Osx mRNA had a weak exlocalization of Osx protein by green fluorescence.

RESULTSpression and protein was not detected. Under the mechanical stimulation, both mRNA and protein levels of Osx were upregulated in a time-dependent manner. Furthermore, Osx protein was translocated gradually from the cytosol into the cell nuclei.

CONCLUSIONThe expression and activation of Osx were enhanced by mechanical stress in HPDLCs, which indicates that Osx may play an important role in HPDLCs osteogenic differentiation and periodontal tissue remodeling induced by mechanical stress.

Bone Remodeling ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Line ; Humans ; Osteogenesis ; Periodontal Ligament ; RNA, Messenger ; Stress, Mechanical

OBJECTIVETo compare the therapeutic effects of the greenlight photoselective vaporization of prostate (PVP) and transurethral electrovaporization resection of prostate (TUVP) for the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

METHODSOne hundred and sixty-three cases of BPH were treated with PVP and TUVP. All patients were followed up with International Prostatic Symptom Score (IPSS), quality of life (QOL), blood loss, operative time, indwelling catheterization, mean Qmax, residual urinary volume (RUV) and operative complications.

RESULTSIPSS, QOL, Qmax and RUV were significantly improved after either of the procedures (P < 0.05), no significant difference in the improvement of subjective symptoms and objective signs had been noted with the different procedure (P > 0.05). Mean operative time was (37 +/- 15) min for TUVP and (45 +/- 28) min for PVP, the resection time was longer for PVP than TUVP (P > 0.05), but the intraoperative bleeding and catheterization time were less for PVP than TUVP (P < 0.05). Postoperative complications were less for PVP than TUVP (P < 0.05). The incidence of hematuria in TUVP group had been 41.4%, and urinary irritation after PVP group was 55.2% (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSPVP has the same therapeutic effect as TUVP and less adverse side effects than TUVP. It is a new technique for the treatment symptomatic BPH.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Laser Therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostate ; pathology ; surgery ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; surgery ; Quality of Life ; Transurethral Resection of Prostate ; methods ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of a case-finding program on tuberculosis (TB) in richer rural areas.

METHODSScreening was implemented every three months for a total period of 9 months, in rural areas with high case notification rates. Three villages, each with ten thousand population, were selected to carry out a household screening program. A suspect was defined as who coughed for more than 3 weeks. The suspect was then referred to further diagnosis in county TB dispensary to undergo chest X-ray and sputum test.

RESULTSOf the 86,168 community population screened, 26 TB patients were identified with 7 of them were smear positive. The ratio of effectiveness vs. cost decreased on the second but slightly increased on the third screening program. The direct costs for the 3 screening programs were 6,312,397 and 1637 RMB respectively. Of total direct cost, 5.9% was paid by TB patients, whereas 35.9% was through financing of the county itself.

CONCLUSIONThe community household screening program could achieve higher case detection rate than passive case-finding approach which could be used in richer areas with low case detection rate in China.

China ; Chronic Disease ; Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Cough ; etiology ; Family Characteristics ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; economics ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Rural Health ; Sputum ; microbiology ; Tuberculosis ; complications ; diagnosis

Background The treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) remains a challenge for most urologic surgeons. We studied a cumulative cohort of patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) who underwent photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP) and evaluated the efficacy and safety of this procedure.Methods A total of 196 patients with lower urinary tract obstruction symptoms secondary to BPH were treated using laser vaporization of the prostate under sacral canal anesthesia at our institutions. The therapeutic results were assessed using following variables: the safety and efficacy of sacral anesthesia, blood loss, operative time, indwelling catheterization. Preoperative and perioperative parameters were evaluated in the international prostate symptom score (IPSS), quality of life score (QoL), maximal urinary flow rate (Qmax), post-void residual urine volume (PVR) and the change of sexual function. Patients were also assessed for 3-month follow up. Results PVP was performed successfully for all patients. There were 195 patients under sacral anesthesia and 1 patient under epidural anesthesia. Mean operative time was (45.2±18.5) minutes. The mean IPSS decreased from (26.6±3.2) to (5.6±1.4) and the QoL score decreased from (5.7±0.4) to (1.6±0.5), respectively (P<0.05), while mean Qmax increased from (6.7±2.5) ml/s preoperatively to (19.6±2.4) ml/s, PVR decreased from 158.4 to 25.8 ml, respectively (P<0.05). Average catheterization time was (1.8±0.9) days. There was no significant blood loss or fluid absorption during the period of PVP. Complications consisted of transient dysuria in 3 patients (1.5%), delayed gross hematuria in 5 patients (2.5%), respectively. Significant improvement in clinical outcomes were noted as early as 3 months after PVP treatment.Conclusions PVP is considered as a high satisfaction rate by patient and a minimal postoperative complication. Hence, PVP is a novel, safe, effective and minimal invasive treatment for patients with symptomatic BPH.

OBJECTIVETo explore mechanism of S100A8 in the oncogenesis and development of laryngeal cancer.

METHODSProteins interacting with S100A8 were isolated from laryngeal cancer cell lines Hep-2 by immunoprecipitation assay with anti-S100A8 antibody. The target bands were cut out and identified by maxtrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight (MALDI-TOF). The peptide mass fingerprinting data of the proteins identified were analyzed based on the Mascot database. The NF-kappa B binding sites of the proteins were predicted by P-Match software. The binding ability of one of the proteins to S100A8 was confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation and immunocytochemistry methods.

RESULTSFour proteins interacting with S100A8 were obtained, which were hypothetical protein LOC80154, MHC class I HLA-B, similar to T-box 1 isoform C and sarcolemmal associated protein 1. The four genes were predicted to have NF-kappa B binding sites. MHC class I HLA-B, which is one of targets in NF-kappa B pathway, was first confirmed to have the binding ability to S100A8.

CONCLUSIONThe novel partners of S100A8 identified in the study might be involved in NF-kappa B pathway. The binding ability of MHC class I HLA-B to S100A8 implies that S100A8 might function as a new member with other proteins including HLA-B in NF-kappa B pathway. These findings provide a new clue to further study on the molecular mechanism of S100A8 in the genesis of laryngeal carcinomas.

Animals ; Binding Sites ; Calgranulin A ; genetics ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; HLA-B Antigens ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction

OBJECTIVEWith the objective of discovering novel putative chromosomal regions and special genes involved in the carcinogenesis, progression and metastasis of laryngeal squamous cell cancer (LSCC).

METHODSDNA copy profile of LSCC were obtained and analyzed by comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) and a computerized digital image analysis system. cDNA microarray of LSCC was performed and the profile was analyzed by Hierarchical clustering.

RESULTSCGH analysis showed average-12.9 gains and losses of chromosomes in LSCC. Relatively high frequencies of gains were found at 3q15-21 (14/18), 5p12-13 (11/18), 8q22-24 (6/18), 11q12-13 (8/18), 15q21-23 (7/18) and 18p11 (8/18), while those of losses at 1p13-21 (8/18), 3p21-23 (14/18), 5q21-22 (14/18), 9p12-pter (11/18) and 13q21-31 (8/18). Hierarchical clustering analysis showed that the differentially expressed genes were segregated into three groups. Three genes differentially expressed in process I (normal tissue to cancer) and process II (cancer to lymph node metastasis), and the Cy5/Cy3 ratios of twelve genes were either higher than 5.0 or lower than 0.2 in process I or process II. The fifteen special genes were first reported possibly to be the relationships with LSCC. In particular, 4 genes of them, which were cytochrome C oxidase Va, PPBP, EPHX2 and PON1, were first reported to correlate with tumorigenesis. SH3GL2, which was one of the 15 special genes, was located at one of the special chromosome regions, 9p12-pter.

CONCLUSIONThe important genes and special chromosomal aberrances might provide us a clue for further investigation of carcinogenesis, progression and metastasis in LSCC.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; genetics ; pathology ; Chromosome Aberrations ; DNA, Neoplasm ; analysis ; Disease Progression ; Female ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Karyotyping ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Nucleic Acid Hybridization ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis