miRNAs were discovered less than a decade ago, and have emerged as important regulators of gene expression in mammals. A large number of miRNAs have been identified to be located within the intronic regions of protein-encoding genes(host genes) and called intronic miRNAs. The intronic miRNAs may play a key role in regulating the expression and function of their host genes due to the fact that most of them are co-expressed with the host genes. In this paper, the recent advances on the research on potential relationship between intronic miRNAs and their host genes are reviewed.

OBJECTIVETo observe the impacts of acupoint catgut embedding therapy and acupuncture-moxibustion therapy on the long-term efficacy and patient's life quality in the treatment of allergic rhinitis.

METHODSSixty-nine patients were randomized into the combined acupuncture-moxibustion and acupoint catgut embedding therapy group (combined therapy group, 36 cases) and an acupuncture-moxibustion group (33 cases). In the acupuncture-moxibustion group, acupuncture was applied at Yingxiang (LI 20), Shangyingxiang (EX-HN 8), Yintang (GV 29), Shangxing (GV 23), Tongtian (BL 7) and Zusanli (ST 36). Moxibustion was applied at Zusanli (ST 36), Feishu (BL 13), Dazhui (GV 14) and Fengmen (BL 12). In the combined therapy group, on the basis of the treatment as acupuncture-moxibustion group, the catgut embedding therapy was applied at Feishu (BL 13), Fengmen (BL 12), Pishu (BL 20), Shenshu (BL 23), Zhongwan (CV 12) and Qihai (CV 6). The treatment duration was 4 weeks in the two groups. The clinical efficacy of allergic rhinitis and rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire (RQLQ) score were observed before and after treatment as well as in the 4-weeks follow-up after the end of treatment respectively.

RESULTSThe markedly effective rate was 72.7% (24/33) in the combined therapy group and 48.4% (15/31) in the acupuncture-moxibustion group after treatment. The efficacy was similar between the two groups (P > 0.05). It was 57.6% (19/33) in the combined therapy group and was 22. 6% (7/31) in the 4-week follow-up after treatment, indicating the long-term efficacy in the combined therapy group was superior to that in the acupuncture-moxibustion group (P<0. 05). Scores of RQLO after treatment and in 4-week follow-up after treatment in both groups were improved as compared with those before treatment (all P < 0.05). In 4-week follow-up, the improvements in sleep and affection in the combined therapy group were superior to the acupuncture-moxibustion group (3.27 +/- 3.23 vs 4.61 +/- 3.56, 3.48 +/- 3.67 vs 5.81 +/- 4.15, both P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe acupoint catgut embedding therapy combined with acupuncture-moxibustion therapy are safe and effective in the treatment of allergic rhinitis and display the more roles in the long-term efficacy.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; instrumentation ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Catgut ; utilization ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; Quality of Life ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

【Objective】To observe the efficacy and side effects of hematopietic stem cell transplantation with combination of umbilical cord blood(UCB) and neonatal peripheral blood(NPB) in the treatment of β-thalassemia major.【Methods】28 mL NPB was drawn from a HLA identical neonate within 5 hours after his birth to complement stem cell of the UCB he donated for transplantation to his sibling with β-thalassemia major.Various items of hematopoiesis reconstruction were detected in UCB and NPB respectively.After conditioning with chemotherapy by using busulfan 20 mg/kg,cyclophosphamide 200 mg/kg,melphalan 90 mg/m2 and antithymocyte globulin(ATG) 90 mg/kg,the patient received the 53 mL UCB and 28 mL NPB,achieving 5.7×107/kg nucleated cells(NC),93×105/kg CFU-GM and 3.1×105/kg CD34+CD38- cells from his HLA-identical sibling.【Results】Absolute nucleated cell(ANC) reached 0.5×109/L on 14th day post transplant,and platelets reached 20×109/L on 34th day after transplant.The heterozygosity of β-654 mutation point was detected by the PCR-RDB.The sexual chromosome changed from XX pretransplant to XY posttransplant.The patient was free red blood cell transfusion from 14th day post transplant.Her hemoglobin rose progressively from 86 g/L to 110 g/L.The patient survived for 197 days free from disease after transplantation.Following up for 9 months, the donor grew and developed normally.【Conclusion】The NPB contains a lot of stem cells.The transplantation with combination of suitable NPB and UCB is an effective tactics when the UCB cells are deficient.

Objective:To investigate the expression of wild type estrogen receptor(wER)and the ex-on-5 deleted ER(variant ER,vER)in human hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)samples,and thereafteranalyze the possibility of HCC treatment by endocrine therapy.Methods:The mRNA expressions of wERand vER were analysed from 28 cases of HCC by RT-PCR.The expression of ER at the protein level wasdetected by immunohistochemistry(IHC).Results:IHC results showed that 39.3% of the HCC speci-mens expressed ER.The mRNA of wER was detected in 89.3%(25/28)of the HCC specimens whilethat of vER was detected in 96.4%(27/28).Twenty four out of 28 HCC cases(85.7%)expressedboth wER and vER.One out of 28 patients(3.5%)expressed only wER whereas 3 patients out of 28(10.7%)expressed vER only.Conclusion:Ninety six percent(27/28)of the HCC patients expressedvER,which suggests that the expression of vER is an important event in the development of HCC.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of infliximab plus methotrexate combination therpy in Chinese with rheumatoid arthritis patients.Methods This was a double-blind placebo-controlled phaseⅢclinical trial,173 patients who had active rheumatoid arthritis were randomised to placebo(n=86)or infliximab(n=87)group on a background of a stable dosage of methotrexate.Patients were assessed at weeks 0,2,6,14 and 18.Results At week 2,the American College of Rheumatology(20)response criteria,which represent a 20% improvement from baseline,the same results with swollen joint count,tender joint count,du- ration of morning stiffness,VAS score,CRP,ESR were achieved in 52.9% of patients,compared with 14.0% of patients receiving placebo plus methotrexate.A 20% improvement was achieved in 75.9% of infliximab plus methotrexate at week 18,compared with 48.8% of patients on placebo plus methotrexate(P=0.0003).A 50% improvement was achieved in 43.7% of infliximab plus methotrexate at week 18,compared with 25.6% of pa- tients on placebo plus methotrexate(P=0.011).Infliximab was well-tolerated;withdrawals for adverse events as well as the occurrence of serious adverse events or serious infections were similar to those in the placebo group.There was only one case of tuberculosis in the treatment group.Conclusion Treatment with infliximab plus methotrexate is more effective than methotrexate alone in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis.It has rapid onset of effect and the efficacy is persistent.

Nine compounds were isolated from the leaves of Ilex latifolia. Their structures were respectively identified as 5-hydroxy-6, 7, 8, 4'-tetramethoxyflavone (1), tangeretin (2), nobiletin (3), 5-hydroxy-6, 7, 8, 3', 4'-pentamethoxyflavone (4), 5, 6, 7, 8, 4'-pentamethoxyflavonol (5), 5, 6, 7, 8, 3', 4'-hexamethoxy-flavonol (6), 5-hydroxy-3', 4', 7-trimethoxyflavanone (7), soyacerebroside I (8), and soyacerebroside II (9) by their physicochemical properties and spectroscopic data Compounds 1-9 were isolated from this plant for the first time.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Ilex ; chemistry ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical effects of total vertebral column resection combined with anterior mesh cage support in treating severe congenital kyphoscoliosis.

METHODSFrom April 2008 to April 2012,21 patients with severe congenital kyphoscoliosis were treated with total vertebral column resection and internal fixation through posterior approach combined with anterior mesh cage support. There were 8 males and 13 females with an average age of 19.4 years old (ranged from 10 to 35). And 6 cases were thoracic segments deformity,13 cases were thoracolumbar segments and 2 cases were lumbar segments, of them, 2 cases were accompanied with Chairs deformity, 6 cases with diastematomyelia, 4 cases with syringomyelia,and 1 case with neurofibromatosis. According to the Frankel grade system, 3 cases were grade C, 5 cases grade D and 13 cases grade E. Blood loss, operative time, and perioperative complications were recorded. Coronal and sagittal Cobb angle, apical vertebral offset distance, sagittal offset, the relative height of shoulders, razor back deformities were measured and analyzed before and after operation.

RESULTSThe average operative time was 5.2 h (3.5 to 6.5 h) and blood loss was 2,500 ml (1,400 to 4,900 ml). The 2nd day after operation, apical vertebral offset distance, sagittal offset, the relative height of shoulders, razor back deformities had obviously improved than preoperative (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in above items between postoperative on the 2nd day and final follow-up (P > 0.05). The corrective rate of kyphosis and scoliosis were (60.97 +/- 6.30)% and (62.24 +/- 5.82)%, respectively. On the first day after surgery,2 cases of Frankel grade E aggravated to grade D, and obtained recovery at 2 week after conservative treatment. And 1 case palinesthesia later,grade D aggravated to grade C and obtained recovery after revision surgery in time. One case complicated with permanent blindness of left eye, 1 case occurred injury of pleura and 2 cases had cerebrospinal fluid leak during operation. All patients were followed up from 9 to 31 months with an av- erage of 18.6 months. At final follow-up,all patients obtained bone union, Frankel grade D in 4 cases and grade E in 17 cases, no correction loss and internal fixation loosening was found.

CONCLUSIONTotal vertebral column resection combined with anterior mesh cage support can effectively correct kyphosis and scoliosis in severe congenital kyphoscoliosis and can avoid injury of spine cord by spinal crispation, but intraoperative position and neurologic complications should still be considered.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Kyphosis ; complications ; congenital ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Scoliosis ; complications ; congenital ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Spine ; surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo analyze the condition of early (≤ 30 d) postoperative pulmonary infection in children after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT).

METHODThe clinical data of 36 cases undergoing LDLT in Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University were analyzed retrospectively from June 2006 to December 2009.

RESULTOf 36 cases without preoperative respiratory disease, 17 were boys, 19 were girls. Their age ranged from 2 months to 14 years. Pulmonary infection developed in 24 patients, of whom 4 cases died (17%) and 3 deaths were related to pulmonary infection. Pulmonary infection occurred in 17 of 20 infants (85%) and 10 of 11 cases (91%) with liver function of Child-Pugh grade C. Twenty cases (83%) developed pulmonary infection within first 2 weeks after LDLT. Totally 65 pathogenic strains of microorganisms were isolated, in which Gram-negative bacteria, Gram-positive bacteria and fungi were 46 strains, 5 strains, 14 strains respectively. The most frequently isolated bacteria were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (14 strains), Klebsiella pneumoniae (8 strains) and Acinetobacter baumannii (8 strains). Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed a resistance rate of almost 100% to cotrimoxazole, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, ampicillin, the first, the second and some of the third generation cephalosporins. Klebsiella pneumoniae producing extended spectrum beta-lactamase had a resistance rate of almost 100% to beta-lactams except carbapenems. Acinetobacter baumannii was exquisitely susceptible to carbapenems, but showed a high resistance to penicillins and cephalosporins. Candida albicans, which was the most common fungus, showed a susceptibility rate of 100% to amphotericin B. In the LDLT recipients of pulmonary infection, cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections occurred in 2 patients and Epstein Barr virus (EBV) infection in 1 patient.

CONCLUSIONThe incidence of early postoperative pulmonary infection was high in children undergoing LDLT, especially in infants. And the mortality should not be ignored. The high risk period for infection was within the first 2 weeks after operation. The pathogens were mainly Gram-negative bacteria, which showed high and multidrug resistance.

Adolescent ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; therapeutic use ; Antifungal Agents ; therapeutic use ; Bacterial Infections ; drug therapy ; etiology ; microbiology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Female ; Gram-Negative Bacteria ; drug effects ; isolation & purification ; Gram-Positive Bacteria ; drug effects ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Infant ; Liver Transplantation ; Living Donors ; Lung Diseases ; drug therapy ; etiology ; microbiology ; Male ; Postoperative Complications ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo investigate the therapeutic results after various kinds of partial laryngectomy for patients with glottic carcinoma of the larynx.

METHODSFrom January 1980 to Mar 2004, 98 patients with glottic carcinoma of the larynx were treated by various kinds of partial laryngectomy. The types of operation varied according to stage of the lesion: vertical or frontovertical partial laryngectomy for T1b, T2 and T1a with invasion of anterior commissura, Tuker's operation or supracricoid partial laryngectomy for T1b, T2 or those with invasion of over half of contralateral cord, and extended vertical partial laryngectomy with resection of arytenoids for T3, or with invasion of ipsilateral arytenoids cartilage without involving postcricoid mucosa or posterior commissura. Totally, vertical partial laryngectomy was carried out for 76 patients, extended vertical partial laryngectomy for 7, supracricoid partial laryngectomy for 3 and Tucker's operation for 12. One stage unilateral neck dissection was performed in 5 patients and postoperative radio-therapy was supplemented to 5 (dose 60 Gy). For laryngeal function restoration, pectoro-hyomyo-flap and cricohyoidoepi glotopexy procedures were also performed for some patients. The clinical data of these patients were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSThe 3- and 5-year survival rate was 86.5% (64/74) and 81.7% (49/60), respectively. The total decannulation rate was 94.9% (93/98), though fifteen patients had had symptoms of aspiration. Swallowing function of all patients recovered to the normal level. The phonation of all patients was restored to various degrees and they were able to communicate socially.

CONCLUSIONThe 3- and 5-year survival rates of partial laryngectomy for patients with glottic carcinoma of the larynx are comparable to the results achieved by total laryngectomy, but the quality of life of the patents much better. Complete resection of the tumor and simultaneous preservation of respiratory and vocal function whenever possible by partial laryngectomy is very important for improving patients' life quality. With a suitable size and good blood supply, the sternohyoid muscle flap of unipedical and half-thickness instead of whole thickness is ideal in the reconstruction of laryngeal defect after vertical partial laryngectomy.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; surgery ; Female ; Glottis ; surgery ; Humans ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Laryngectomy ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Quality of Life ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of pGCsi-H1-APRIL on the growth of human colorectal cancer cells in transplated tumor in nude mice and to improve the effect of APRIL on proliferation and apoptosis of colorectal cancer (CRC).

METHODSHuman CRC model was established in nude mice, and the nude mice were treated with APRIL siRNA twice per week for 2 weeks. APRIL mRNA expression was surveyed by PCR and APRIL protein expression was detected by immunohistochemistry. The expression of PCNA protein was detected by ELISA. The expression of bcl-2 and bcl-xl was assessed by immunohistochemical staining, and TUNEL staining was used to detect apoptosis.

RESULTSThe expression of APRIL mRNA in the APRIL siRNA group was (0.13 ± 0.05) × 10(-3), significantly lower than that in the vector group (0.95 ± 0.04) × 10(-3) and the PBS group (0.96 ± 0.05) × 10(-3). The expression of APRIL protein in the APRIL siRNA group was (87.5 ± 5.0)% lower than that in the vector and PBS groups (P < 0.05). APRIL siRNA significantly suppressed the growth of SW480 tumor: the IR (inhibitory rate) of APRIL siRNA group was (60.7 ± 1.5)% (P < 0.05). The expression of PCNA in APRIL siRNA group was (176.8 ± 18.1) ng/ml, was (56.5 ± 2.0)% lower than that of PBS group (328.4 ± 22.8) ng/ml. Furthermore, the expressions of anti-apoptosis proteins bcl-2 and bcl-xl of APRIL siRNA group were (82.6 ± 4.5)% and (79.2 ± 3.5)% lower than those of the PBS group. The apoptotic rate of the APRIL siRNA group was 40.1% ± 2.5%, significantly higher than that in the vector group (2.5 ± 0.1)% and PBS group (2.5 ± 0.2)% (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAPRIL siRNA may significantly suppress the growth and promote apoptosis in transplanted tumor of human colorectal cancer in nude mice. APRIL may become a candidate gene of gene therapy of human colorectal cancer.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Ligands ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Random Allocation ; Tumor Necrosis Factor Ligand Superfamily Member 13 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; bcl-X Protein ; metabolism