BackgroundChoriodal neovascularization is an important ocular manifestation of angiogenesis in eyes,which derives from the choroid capillaries.Recent studies have found that complement activation is playing a key role in the laser-induced CNV.Because of the key position of CFB in the alternative pathway,bytargeting CFB and blocking the alternative pathway may provide an approach to observe the role of this alternative pathway in the generation of CNV.Objective This study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of reconstructed complement factor B (CFB)-small interfering ribonucleicacid(siRNA)on choroidal neovascularization (CNV)and its mechanism. Methods Experimental CNV was induced by laser photocoagulation in 96 eyes of 48 clean Brown Norway rats.The rats were randomly divided into 4 groups.25,50 and 75 μg B factor siRNA were injected via caudal vein on 1 day,3,5 days after photocoagulation in different dose groups,and normal saline solution was injected at the same way in experimental control group.Other 12 normal rats were used as blank control group.Fundus fluorescein angiography(FFA) was performed on 3,7,14,21,28 days after injection of CFB-siRNA and CNV was scored.The expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) and factor Ⅷ in choroid were detected by immunochemistry.The expressions of CFB-siRNA,VEGF,transforming growth factor β2( TGF-β2 )proteins in choroid were determined using immunochemistry in 7,14,21,28 days,and the expressions of mRNA of CFB-siRNA,VEGF,TGF-β2 were examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). ResultsFFA revealed that the CNV rates in various doses of CFB-siRNA groups were significant lower than those of experimental control group in various time points(P＜0.05),and those in 75 μg B factor siRNA were decreased in comparison with 25 μg B factor siRNA (P＜0.05).Immunochemistry showed that the intensities of the VEGF and factor Ⅶ expression in various doses of CFB-siRNA groups were weaker than the blank control group ( P ＜ 0.05 ).Compared with the control group,the expression of CFB reduced in 7 days,and then approached to the level near the control group.Fourteen to twenty-one days after injection of CFB-siRNA,VEGF and TGF-β2 depressions in different doses of CFB-siRNA groups were lower than blank control group( P＜0.05 ).CFB expression in choroid showed the lower levels in CFB-siRNA injection group compared with blank control group in from 7 through 21 days (P＜0.05).RT-PCR displayed the gradual increase of CFB mRNA and curve-like changes of VEGF and TGF-β2 with time prolong. Conclusions Recombinated CFB-siRNA can effectively inhibit laser-induced CNV by down-regulating the expression of VEGF and factor Ⅷ.Alternative pathway of complement plays an important role in the production of CNV.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and side effects of adjuvant chemotherapy plus in-tensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) after breast-conserving surgery for stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ breast cancer.Methods After breast-conserving surgery, 108 patients received six cycles of chemotherapy followed by IM-RT. The irradiation dose of the whole breast was 50 Gy given by 25 fractions, followed by 10 Gy boost to the tumor bed given by 5 fractions with electron beams. Patients with positive estrone receptor or progesterone re-ceptor were given endocrine treatment, mostly with tamoxifen. Results The follow-up rate was 100% by December 2007. The number of patients followed-up at 1-, 2- and 3-year was 108,88 and 58. The 1-, 2- and 3-year over survival rates were 100% ,100% and 98%. Three patients had local recurrence. Different degree of dermatitis occurred with good long-term cosmetic results. No severe side effects occurred such as radiation-induced pneumonitis, pulmonary fibrosis and heart injury. Conclusions Breast cancer patients treated by adjuvant chemotherapy plus IMRT after breast-conserving surgery have high survival rate and low side-effect rate. The survival quality and local control can be improved.

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical and molecular characteristics of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection in children.

METHODA total of 37 MRSA strains were isolated from hospitalized patients in Children's Hospital of Fudan University from March 2009 to November 2011. The clinical characteristics were investigated by a cohort study. Furthermore, the mecA, Panton-Valentine leucocidin (PVL) genes were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the genotypes of SCCmec were determined by multiplex PCR.

RESULT(1) Among the 37 MRSA isolates, infections with 21 were acquired from hospital (HA-MRSA), and 16 isolates were acquired from community (CA-MRSA). (2) In the study, MRSA frequently caused respiratory tract infection, and most of the strains were isolated from intensive care unit (ICU). (3) CA-MRSA was most frequently associated with skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI), suppurative tonsillitis, even pneumonia and septicemia. HA-MRSA infection was more aggressive, most frequently associated with pneumonia, septicemia, and central nervous system (CNS) infections, such as meningitis. In children with fever caused by HA-MRSA or CA-MRSA infection, HA-MRSA showed a longer duration of fever, for 10.5 days. C-reactive protein (CRP) level caused by HA-MRSA (63.00 mg/L) was higher than CA-MRSA (9.50 mg/L) , and there were statistically significant differences between the groups (t = 2.5670, P < 0.05). However, there were no statistically significant differences between the groups in white blood cell count (WBC) or procalcitonin (PCT) level. (4) Among 37 MRSA isolates, the whole isolates were mecA gene positive (100%). SCCmec genotyping results showed that the most frequent SCCmec types were type III, 17 isolates, the others including type IV 8 isolates, type II1 isolates, nontypable 11 isolates, type I and type V were not found in this group. Therein, among 21 HA-MRSA isolates, SCCmec III was the most common, 15 isolates, type IV 1 isolates, nontypable 5 isolates; among 16 CA-MRSA isolates, SCCmec type IV was the most common, 7 isolates, type III 2 isolates, type II 1 isolate, nontypable 6 isolates. (5) Among the 37 MRSA isolates, 28 were PVL gene positive; and among 21 HA-MRSA isolates, 17 were PVL gene positive; Among 16 CA-MRSA isolates, 11 were PVL gene positive; There were no statistically significant differences between the groups (χ(2) = 0.735, P > 0.05) .

CONCLUSIONCompared with CA-MRSA, HA-MRSA infection was more aggressive, and induced higher C reactive protein; the dominant epidemic strains of CA-MRSA was SCCmec type IV, and HA-MRSA was SCCmec type III; the positive rate of PVL gene was high.

Adolescent ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Bacterial Proteins ; genetics ; Bacterial Toxins ; genetics ; Bacterial Typing Techniques ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Cohort Studies ; Community-Acquired Infections ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; Cross Infection ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; DNA, Bacterial ; genetics ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Methicillin ; pharmacology ; Methicillin Resistance ; genetics ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Penicillin-Binding Proteins ; Staphylococcal Infections ; epidemiology ; microbiology

OBJECTIVETo compare the difference between J-hook and micro-implant anchorage in the treatment of patient with bimaxillary protrusion.

METHODSThirty patients with bimaxillary protrusion were divided into two groups (J-hook and micro-implant groups) and treated with MBT appliance. Four first premolars were extracted in all patients. Cephalometric analyses were carried out before and after treatment.

RESULTSIn J-hook group and micro-implant group,computerized cephalometric analysis revealed that before treatment U6C-PP was (12.4 +/- 0.2) mm and (12.5 +/- 0.1) mm, respectively,and after treatment U6C-PP was (12.6 +/- 0.1) mm and (12.8 +/- 0.1) mm,respectively. The difference between J-hook group and microimplant group was significant (P < 0.01). The other differences of cephalometric analyses between J-hook group and micro-implant group was not significant.

CONCLUSIONSBoth J-hook and micro-implant could provide adequate anchorage in the treatment of patients with bimaxillary protrusion.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Malocclusion, Angle Class I ; therapy ; Orthodontic Anchorage Procedures ; instrumentation ; Orthodontic Appliances ; Orthodontics, Corrective ; instrumentation ; methods ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the apoptosis effect of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma cell line (DLBCL) SUDHL-4 induced by IL-21 and its related mechanism.

METHODSSUDHL-4 cells were treated with IL-21 at different concentration (1000 ng/ml, 100 ng/ml, 10 ng/ml, 1 ng/ml) for 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, respectively. The inhibitory rate of cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8 assay. The cell growth curves were drawn and half inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) values were calculated. The cell apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry (FCM), the expression of the caspase-9, caspase-3, cleaved caspase-3, Bcl-2, Bcl-XL, Bid, Bax and c-myc protein in SUDHL-4 cells treated with IL-21 by western blot, the mRNA expression of Bcl-2, Bcl-XL, Bid, Bax, c-myc by Survivin gene with RT-PCR.

RESULTSIL-21 markedly inhibited SUDHL-4 cell growth in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The 48 hIC(50) was 140.9ng/ml; The FCM showed that the apoptosis proportion of SUDHL-4 cells treated with 100 ng/ml of IL-21 apoptosis (AnnexinV-FITC(+) positive cells) gradually increased (48 h: 19.7 ± 2.3%). The protein expression of caspase-9, caspase-3, Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL decreased in a time-dependent manner. The Bax and c-myc protein markedly increased, but the Bid protein level did not change. IL-21 up regulated c-myc and Bax gene expression, however down regulated Bcl-2 and BCL-XL gene expression, but the gene expression of Bid and Survivin hadn't been changed significantly.

CONCLUSIONSIL-21 can inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of SUDHL-4 cell. The mechanism may involve in endogenous mitochondrial pathway mediated by the c-myc and the Bcl-2 genes.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Caspase 9 ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Humans ; Interleukins ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; bcl-X Protein ; metabolism

This study was aimed to investigate the impact of specific siRNA on survivin gene in transfected lymphoma cell line and provide experimental evidences for future treatment of mantle cell lymphoma. The small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeted survivin mRNA was synthesized in vitro and was transfected into Jeko-1 that showed high survivin expression in mRNA level. The levels of survivin mRNA and protein expression were detected by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot respectively. The apoptosis effect was examined by calculating the ratio of Annexin V-FITC/PI positive cells using flow cytometry. The inhibition of cell proliferation was assayed with CCK-8 reagent after transfection. The results showed that expression of survivin mRNA was markedly suppressed by the siRNA. The relative expression levels were 0.49 ± 0.03, 0.38 ± 0.02 and 0.17 ± 0.02 at time points of 24, 48 and 72 h respectively, compared with the control group; the inhibitive rates of cell proliferation were (31.2 ± 2.1)%, (43.3 ± 3.4)% and (52.6 ± 2.5)%; the apoptotic rates of cells were (6.3 ± 0.5)%, (13.5 ± 1.1)% and (23.6 ± 1.6)% respectively; survivin protein expression levels were gradually reduced. It is concluded that the siRNA targeting survivin down-regulates the expressions of survivin mRNA and protein evidently. The siRNA of survivin displays the potent ability to inhibit the proliferation of lymphoma cell line Jeko-1; survivin may become a potential molecular target for the therapy of lymphoma in the future.
Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Gene Silencing ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Transfection

Six heavy metals, including As, Cu, Hg, Cd, Pb and Cr in Panax notoginseng were determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) combined with wet digestion method. The samples of P. notoginseng were collected in 12 different regions, including Yunnan and Guangxi Province. Green Standards of Foreign Trading Medicinal Plants & Preparations was used as the standard to evaluate the pollution status of As, Cu, Hg, Cd, Pb and Cr in P. notoginseng. The results showed that content of As and Cd exceeded the limit of the standard and the percentage was 32.4% and 29.7%, respectively, while Cu, Hg and Pb were all bellow the limit. The SPSS 16.0 software was used to analyze the data. The occurrence of contained heavy metals has been discussed.
China ; Drug Contamination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Metals, Heavy ; analysis ; metabolism ; Panax notoginseng ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Soil Pollutants ; analysis ; metabolism

The study was aimed to investigate the changes of T-cell subgroups in the peripheral blood (PB) of patients with aplastic anemia (AA) and the relationships between these changes and the pathogenesis of AA and the immunosuppressive therapeutic effects in AA, in order to provide a basis for selecting rational therapy of AA patients. T-cell subtype and the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ cell in the PB of 88 AA patients which had been diagnosed clearly and given conventional therapy or conventional therapy combined with immunotherapy were analyzed by tri-colour fluorescence-labeled monoclonal antibody and using multiparameter flow cytometry. The patients with AA were divided into normal type of ratio, inverted type of ratio, hypernormal type of ratio according to the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ cell in normal group, and then the relations of these subtype with patients' conditions and therapeutic effects were investigated. The results showed that the percentage of normal type of ratio in all patients was 39.8%, the percentage of inverted type of ratio in all patients was 44.3%, The percentage of hypernormal type of ratio in all patients was 15.9%. In the conventional therapy alone, there was no significant difference on therapeutic effects among these three immunological subtypes. In combined immunotherapy, total therapeutic efficacy of AA patients with inverted type of ratio and AA patients with immunologic abnormality (inverted type + hypernormal type) was 84.2% and 82.6% respectively, which were more than that in conventional therapy (45.5% and 42.8%) (p < 0.05). Total therapeutic efficacy in these patients was better than that in AA patients with normal type. It is concluded that significant abnormal ratios of CD4+/CD8+ exist in the majority of AA patients, abnormal ratios of CD4+/CD8+ both may be showed as increase or decrease, immunologic abnormality may play a role in pathogenesis of the patients with AA. The detection of PB T-cell subtype in patients with aplastic anemia contributes to evaluation of patients' condition and choice of rational treatment prescription, and enhancement of diagnostic level and therapeutic efficacy significantly, which is an important indicator for therapeutic strategy also.
Adult ; Anemia, Aplastic ; immunology ; CD4-CD8 Ratio ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; cytology ; immunology ; Young Adult

AIMTo report the preliminary result of the HIV inhibitor screening based on cheminformatics tools and the traditional Chinese medicine database.

METHODSDatabase search was carried out with saquinavir molecule as a template, further screening was made with docking. Detailed studies using molecular dynamics simulation of 50 ps and 200 ps were made with respect to a potential leading compound, leucovorin.

RESULTSThe leucovorin molecule distinguished from other molecules as a potential drug candidate and is subject to extensive studies. The bonding profile and energy were calculated with MD simulations.

CONCLUSIONOur results could be very helpful when we modify leucovorin or design new inhibitors against HIV.

Anti-HIV Agents ; chemistry ; Databases, Factual ; Drug Design ; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical ; methods ; HIV Protease ; chemistry ; HIV Protease Inhibitors ; chemistry ; Leucovorin ; chemistry ; Ligands ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Models, Molecular ; Molecular Conformation ; Saquinavir ; chemistry

WU polyomavirus (WUPyV), a new member of the genus Polyomavirus in the family Polyomaviridae, is recently found in patients with respiratory tract infections. In our study, the complete genome of the two WUPyV isolates (FZ18, FZTF) were sequenced and deposited in GenBank (accession nos. FJ890981, FJ890982). The two sequences of the WUPyV isolates in this study varied little from each other. Compared with other complete genome sequences of WUPyV in GenBank (strain B0, S1-S4, CLFF, accession nos. EF444549, EF444550, EF444551, EF444552, EF444553, EU296475 respectively), the sequence length in nucleotides is 5228bp, 1bp shorter than the known sequences. The deleted base pair was at nucleotide position 4536 in the non-coding region of large T antigen (LTAg). The genome of the WUPyV encoded for five proteins. They were three capsid proteins: VP2, VP1, VP3 and LTAg, small T antigen (STAg), respectively. To investigate whether these nucleotide sequences had any unique features, we compared the genome sequence of the 2 WUPyV isolates in Fuzhou, China to those documented in the GenBank database by using PHYLIP software version 3.65 and the neighbor-joining method. The 2 WUPyV strains in our study were clustered together. Strain FZTF was more closed to the reference strain B0 of Australian than strain FZ18.
Adult ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Evolution, Molecular ; Genome, Viral ; genetics ; Genomics ; Humans ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Polyomaviridae ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; methods