Group A,the differences among the three groups were statistically significant(P0.05). TCR,CCR,DAP,OD,BRC in Groups B and C showed trends of increasing,the differences in terms of the contents of BMP-RⅠamong the 3 phases were statistically significant(P0.05);the ER in Group B and C showed a trend of decreasing,thee difference between 4- and 8-week and 4- and 12-week were signifieantly dif- ferent(P0.05).Conclusion After application of glucocorticoid for a short term,pathological changes maintained and showed trends of inereasing in early stage.HBO can reverse these changes.The outcome of 3-course HBO therapy is better than that of 1-course therapy.

Objective To study the effects of two stimulators of the innate immune system, polyinosine-polycytidylic acid [Poly (I:C)] and R848, on the activation of microglia in rat spinal cord. Methods Thirty male Lewis rats (6 to 8 weeks old) were divided into Poly(I:C) group (n=12), R848 group (n=15) and control group (n=3). According to the killing time, the Poly(I:C) group and R848 group were divided into 4 and 5 sub-groups, respectively, with 3 rats in each sub-group. The rats in the subgroups received intraperitoneal injection of a single bolus of Poly(I:C) (5 mg/kg) or R848 (1 mg/kg) accordingly, and in the control group, the same volume of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) was administered. Activated microglia were observed using immunohistochemistry for ED-1, AIF-1, EMAP Ⅱ, OX6, and P2X4R, and BrdU staining was used to identify the proliferating cells. Results Compared with the control group, both Poly (I:C) and R848 groups showed a significant but transient increase of ED-1-positive spinal cord microglia 4 days after the injection, while no significant differences were found in the microglial markers AIF-1, EMAP Ⅱ, OX6, P2X4 receptor (P2X4R), indicating that the microglia were not fully activated. Tracing of the cell proliferation by BrdU revealed that only a small fraction of the proliferating cells were microglia (less than 5%). Conclusion Poly(I:C) and R848 have definite effects on the innate immune system of the spinal cord and modulate the immune activity in the spinal cord, suggesting the value of these agents in modulating local regenerative processes in injured spinal cord.

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) exposure and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and the interaction of PAH exposure and other HCC risk factors to HCC.

METHODSBaseline blood samples, collected from 345 HCC cases and 961 controls, were used to determine the level of PAH-albumin adducts by competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Conditional logistic regression analysis was used to assess the effect of PAH-albumin adducts on risk of HCC.

RESULTSThe mean level of PAH-albumin adducts was significantly higher in cases than in controls ((5.68 +/- 0.72) fmol/mg albumin vs (5.46 +/- 0.63) fmol/mg albumin) (u = 5.98, P < 0.01). When compared to subjects in the lowest quantile (< 1.76 fmol/mg albumin), there was an increase in risk of HCC, with adjusted ORs (95%CI) of 1.03 (0.65 - 1.60), 1.18 (0.76 - 1.78), 2.01 (1.42 - 2.82) for subjects in the second (1.76-fmol/mg albumin), the third (15.28-fmol/mg albumin), and the fourth quantile (> 34.21 fmol/mg albumin), respectively (chi(2)(trend) = 15.06, P < 0.01). There was a significant interaction between PAH-albumin adducts and HBsAg, family history of cancer and diabetes mellitus on HCC after adjusted for other risk factors, and relative excess risks due to the interaction (RERI) were 2.50 (u = 3.60, P < 0.01), 0.52 (u = 2.13, P < 0.05) and 0.88 (u = 2.26, P < 0.05), respectively.

CONCLUSIONPAH-albumin adducts was related with HCC, and there is a trend of HCC prevalence increasing with the content of PAH-albumin adducts. There are interactions between PAH-albumin adducts and HBV infection, family history of cancer and diabetes mellitus on HCC.

Adult ; Aflatoxins ; blood ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; blood ; epidemiology ; Case-Control Studies ; Causality ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; blood ; epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons ; blood ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors

Objective To investigate the change of the basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF) leve in human detrusor muscle(DM)in bladder outlet obstruction(BOO)due to benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH)and its implication.Methods Fifty-four patients with BPH were divided into two groups:the obstructive DM stability and instability groups;and 15 men with bladder tumor who underwent operation in the same period were enrolled in the control group.The bFGF mRNA level in DM was measured by reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)and the bFGF protein level was measured by immunohistochemical staining method.Results The bFGF-mRNA expression level of bladder smooth muscle cells was significantly lower in the control group than that in the obstructive DM stability and instability groups(all P＜0.05),but there was no significant difference between the obstructive DM stability and instability groups(P＞0.05). Conclusions The expression level of bFGF mRNA in bladder DM is elevated in BOO due to BPH,but there is little or no correlation between the increased expression of bFGF mRNA and detrusor muscle instability.

Objective To evaluated the independent effects of different types of smoking exposure along with multiple risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and determined whether the magnitude of smoking was modified by other risk factors, both in men and women.Methods We conducted a case-control study in Xiamen China. 345 HCC patients and 961 healthy control subjects were personally interviewed for several HCC risk factors. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for each potential risk factor. Results Cigars and pipes were not related to HCC among non-cigarette smokers. However, passive smoking exposure was associated with HCC in women:AOR, 2.35 (95%CI: 1.19-4.07). Regular cigarette smoking was associated with HCC in men: AOR,2.27 (95% CI: 1.14-3.31). Cigarette smoking and chronic infection of hepatitis B virus showed positive additive model interactions in men: RERI(relative excess risk due to interaction) was 98.70and AP (attributable proportion due to interactions) was 81.0%. Data on cigarette smoking with high AFB1-albumin adducts in women showed that the RERI was 2.69 and AP was 50.0%. Conclusion We concluded that sex differences were seen in HCC relationship with cigarette smoking. Controlling of exposure to smoking might be a prudent approach to the prevention of HCC, especially in patients with chronic viral hepatitis infections.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of Wnt signaling suppression on proliferation of non small cell lung cancer to gefitinib, and its related mechanisms.

METHODSPC9 and PC9/AB2 cells of both gefitinib sensitive and resistant were treated with different concentrations of gefitinib, and the proliferation index was measured using CCK8 kit. The members of Wnt signaling pathway were detected by Western blot. Dual luciferase reportor gene assay (TOP Flash) was used to document the transcriptional level of β-catenin. β-catenin siRNA was transfected into PC9/AB2 cells to suppress the Wnt signaling transcription, followed by treatment with different concentrations of gefitinib. Western blot was then used to detect the expression of EGFR and its downstream signaling after inhibit the expression of β-catenin.

RESULTSTreating with different concentrations of gefitinib, the resistance of PC9/AB2 cells to gefitinib was significantly increased (P < 0.05). The members of Wnt signaling expressed at higher level in PC9/AB2 cells than in PC9 cells (t = 24.590, P = 0.000). TOP Flash examination showed that the endogenous transcriptional activity of Wnt signaling was higher in PC9/AB2 cell than that in PC9 cell (t = 4.983, P = 0.008). Compared with the negative control group, apoptotic rate and sensitivity to gefitinib significantly increased in interfered group (P < 0.05). The expression of p-ERK1/2 significantly decreased after Wnt signaling suppression, although other proteins showed no significant alterations.

CONCLUSIONSuppressing the activity of Wnt signaling can partly reverse the celluar resistance to gefitinib in non small cell lung cancer.

Antineoplastic Agents ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 ; metabolism ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 ; metabolism ; Phosphorylation ; Quinazolines ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Wnt Signaling Pathway ; drug effects ; beta Catenin ; metabolism

The aim of this study was to analyze the hematopoietic chimerism after non-myeloablative allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (NAPBSCT). 28 patients received NAPBSCT were evaluated. The conditioning regimen included FBC (fludarabine, busulphan, cyclophosphamide) +/- Ara-C. Peripheral blood was collected before and after transplantation in different periods. Semi-quantitative assessment of hematopoietic chimerism was performed by short tandem repeat-polymerase chain reaction (STR-PCR), polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and silver staining, and analyzed by Image Analysis System. The results showed that on day 30 after transplantation, one patient failed to engraft, but 22 cases formed complete chimerism (CC) and 5 cases were of mixed chimerism. On day 7 after transplantation, the average percentage of donor cells was 74.71%. The time of dominance of the donor-specific allelic pattern preceded the recovery time of neutrophils and platelets. The incidence of aGVHD in group CC was significantly higher than that in group MC (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of cGVHD and disease relapse between group CC and group MC (P > 0.05). One patient relapsed in CC status without a transitional stage of MC. One patient with MC rejected grafts in early stage. 3 patients with MC transferred to CC and got complete remission after early implementation of therapy. It is concluded that sequential and quantitative detection of chimerism may be of great value to evaluate engraftment and to predict graft rejection, disease relapse and GVHD. Furthermore, it may provide a basis for early intervention treatment in the related complications.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Chimerism ; Female ; Graft vs Host Disease ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation ; Transplantation Chimera ; blood ; genetics ; Transplantation Conditioning ; Transplantation, Homologous

BACKGROUNDOligosaccharides in human milk may protect infants by improving the intestinal micro-flora and fermentation. This study was to investigate effects of infant formula milk consisting of galacto-oligosaccharide (GOS) on intestinal microbial populations and the fermentation characteristics in term infants in comparison with that of human milk.

METHODSThe test formula (Frisolac H, Friesland, Netherland) was supplemented with GOS at a concentration of 0.24 g/dl. Human milk and another formula without oligosaccharides (Frisolac H, Friesland, Netherland) were used as positive and negative control respectively. Growth, stool characteristics, and side effects of the recruited infants were recorded after 3 and 6 months' follow-up, and the fecal species were collected for the analysis of intestinal micro-flora, short chain fatty acid (SCFA) and pH.

RESULTSAt the end of 3- and 6-month feeding period, intestinal Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli were significantly increased in infants fed with GOS supplemented formula and human milk when compared with infants fed with negative control formula; however, there was no statistically significant difference between GOS supplemented formula and human milk groups. Stool characteristics were influenced by the supplement and main fecal SCFA (acetic), and stool frequency were significantly increased in infants fed with GOS supplemented formula and human milk, while the fecal pH was significantly decreased as compared with that of negative control (P < 0.05). Supplementation had no influence on incidence of side effects (including crying, regurgitation and vomiting).

CONCLUSIONSSupplementing infant formula with GOS at a concentration of 0.24 g/dl stimulates the growth of Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli in the intestine and stool characteristics are similar to in term infants fed with human milk.

Bifidobacterium ; isolation & purification ; Dietary Supplements ; Galactose ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant Formula ; Infant, Newborn ; Intestines ; microbiology ; Lactobacillus ; isolation & purification ; Oligosaccharides ; administration & dosage

Animals ; Cattle ; Child Development ; Dietary Supplements ; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated ; administration & dosage ; blood ; Growth ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena ; Milk

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of high frequency stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus on the levels of amino acids neurotransmitters in striatum of hemi-parkinsonian monkeys.

METHODSTwo rhesus monkeys were successfully prepared for the subsequent microdialysis sessions. Collecting the dialysate before turning on the pulse generator, and collecting at 1 week, 1, 8 and 12 months after high frequency stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus. The level of Glu, GABA and Tau were determined by high performance liquid chromatography and fluorometric detection (HPLC-FD).

RESULTSAfter high frequency stimulation (HFS), PD symptoms of monkeys significantly improved. The levels of Glu in putamen and caudate nucleus of electrodes side at 1 week, 1, 8 and 12 months were increased significantly. The levels of GABA in putamen and caudate nucleus of electrodes side at 1 week, 1 month increased significantly compared with before turning on the pulse generator while decreased at 8, 12 months. The level of Tau in putamen and caudate nucleus increased significantly.

CONCLUSIONLong-term STN HFS can increase the level of glutamate and taurine, while decrease the level of GABA in putamen and caudate nucleus of electrodes side. It improves symptoms of hemi-parkinsonian rhesus monkey significantly.

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine ; Amino Acids ; metabolism ; Animals ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Corpus Striatum ; metabolism ; Deep Brain Stimulation ; methods ; Disease Models, Animal ; Glutamic Acid ; metabolism ; Macaca mulatta ; Microdialysis ; Neurotoxins ; toxicity ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; metabolism ; Parkinson Disease, Secondary ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; therapy ; Subthalamic Nucleus ; Taurine ; metabolism ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid ; metabolism