Objective To characterize the immunogenicity in gene immunization of the conserved regions of hepatitis C virus(HCV) based on different delivery strategies. Methods We first constructed a novel DNA vaccine encoding a fusion gene(from partial NS3 and Core) of HCV. Then we compared different protocols based on naked DNA injection twice or DNA injection with gene electrotransfer(GET) in BALB/c mice. The immune response was measured by antibody ELISA and by IFN-gamma ELISPOT. Results Our data showed that a protocol based on intradermally injection of DNA with optimal GET induced the strongest humoral and cellular immunity, and DNA with GET induced a substantially higher anti-NS3/Core T cell re-spoase than naked DNA injection. Conclusion Our data suggest that DNA vaccines encoding NS3/Core fu-sion protein of HCV immunized by the present strategy could merit further study in the context of future prophylactic and therapeutic HCV T cell based vaccines.

OBJECTIVETo explore the relation between serum vitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations and liver cirrhosis.

METHODSA nested case control study was designed based on the Nutrition Intervention Trial (NIT) cohort, from which non-degraded serum samples and complete baseline and follow-up data were available for 282 individuals diagnosed with liver cirrhosis and 564 healthy controls. The serum samples were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to detect and quantify 25(OH)D, as well as hepatitis B virus surface antigen and core antibody and hepatitis C virus antibody. The study participants were divided into four groups according to quartile range of 25(OH)D concentration and logistic regression modeling was used to evaluate the relation with liver cirrhosis risk by estimating odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTSThe liver cirrhosis group had a significantly lower concentration of 25(OH)D than the control group (median and quartile range in nmol/L, cases: 15.3 and 13.8; controls: 20.2 and 16.6; t = 5.169, P = 0.002). When the first interval was set as the reference level, the ORs(95% CIs) of the second, third, and fourth intervals were: 0.495(0.333 - 0.736), 0.452(0.303 - 0.675), and 0.349(0.231- 0.527). After adjusting the analysis for the presence of pathogenic-related confounding factors, the ORs(95% CIs) of the second, third, and fourth intervals were: 0.499(0.328 - 0.759), 0.427(0.278 - 0.654), and 0.344(0.222-0.532). The 25(OH)D level was inversely correlated with risk of liver cirrhosis (Chi2 = 25.200, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONRisk of liver cirrhosis increases as 25(OH)D serum concentration decreases. Vitamin D might function as a protective factor against development of cirrhosis.

Adult ; Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; blood ; epidemiology ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Vitamin D ; blood

OBJECTIVETo study the clinicopathologic features, immunophenotype and differential diagnosis of plexiform angiomyxoid myofibroblastic tumor (PAMT) of the stomach.

METHODSThe clinical and pathologic findings of 3 cases of PAMT in the gastric antrum were retrospectively analyzed. Immunohistochemical study was carried out and the literature was reviewed.

RESULTSThe age of patients ranged from 31 to 47 years. The male-to-female ratio was 1:2. The clinical presentation included epigastric pain and distension. Endoscopically, the tumor mass protruded into the gastric cavity at the antrum and ranged from 4.5 cm to 8.0 cm in greatest dimension. One of the tumors studied was associated with surface ulceration. Histologically, the tumors were located in the gastric wall. They were composed of bland spindle cells and small vessels arranged in a plexiform or nodular pattern within a myxoid stroma. Immunohistochemical study showed that the spindle cells were consistently positive for smooth muscle actin and muscle-specific actin. There was focal staining for h-caldesmon, desmin in case 3 and focal positive for epithelial membrane antigen, CAM5.2 in case 1. Further, CD10 and progesterone receptor were positive in case 3.

CONCLUSIONSPAMT represents a rare novel mesenchymal tumor of the stomach, with a propensity of gastric antral involvement. The distinctive pathologic features help to differentiate this entity from other benign and malignant tumors.

Actins ; metabolism ; Adenomyoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Adult ; Antigens, CD34 ; metabolism ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Fibromatosis, Abdominal ; metabolism ; pathology ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastrectomy ; methods ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myofibroma ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Myxoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit ; metabolism ; Stomach Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of Erlong Zuoci Pill (, ELZCP) and its disassembled: prescriptions on gentamicin (GM)-induced ototoxicity model in vitro.

METHODSAfter the spiral organ of cochleae: of newborn mice (postnatal days: 2-3) cultured for 24 h, GM alone or combined with water extracting-alcohol precipitating solution of ELZCP or with its disassembled prescriptions was added. Hair cells were observed under a fluorescence microscope after TRITC-phalloidin staining, and the cochlear hair cell loss rate was calculated by counting the whole cochlear hair cells and analyzed by whole cochlear hair cells analyzing software.

RESULTSGM induced cochlear outer hair cells (OHCs) and inner hair cells (IHCs) injuries in a dose-dependent manner, and they were significantly different as compared with those in the normal control group (P<0.05, P<0.01). ELZCP at the concentration of 0.003-3 mg/mL could decrease the hair cells loss induced by the 0.3 mmol/L GM (P<0.05, P<0.01), the effects was in a dose-dependent manner, and the concentration of 0.3 mg/mL showed the optimal protective effect. For the ELZCP disassembled prescriptions, Liuwei-Dihuang could decrease OHC loss rate than that in the 0.3 mmol/L GM model group (P<0.05), but the OHC loss rate was still higher than that in the ELZCP group (P<0.01), which indicated that the protective effect of hair cells by Liuwei-Dihuang was not better than that of ELZCP. Poria decreased OHC loss rate from 72.1 % +/-3.7 % to 58.8 %+/- 8.2 % (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSELZCP could play a role in antagonizing the injury of cochlear hair cells induced by GM ototoxicity,: and its disassembled prescriptions, Liuwei-Dihuang was the main component to protect the cochlear hair cells from GM-induced ototoxicity, and Magnetitum combined with Radix Bupleurui could strengthen the action of the whole prescription; Poria could reduce GM-induced OHC loss.

Animals ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Gentamicins ; toxicity ; Hair Cells, Auditory, Inner ; drug effects ; pathology ; Hair Cells, Auditory, Outer ; drug effects ; pathology ; Mice ; Organ of Corti ; drug effects ; pathology ; Prescriptions ; Tablets

This article made a definition for the concept of medical quality and medical quality evaluation, clarified logical relations between medical quality and medical service quality. Meanwhile, compared domestic and foreign standards of medical quality evaluation, combed the implementation of medical quality evaluation in China since 1970s. It summarized research development in current medical quality evaluation in China. At last, the necessity of medical quality evaluation construction in TCM hospitals was analyzed for further research in the future.

Objective To evaluate the advantage of homemade negative pressure device combined with nano-silver dressing for promoting the healing of infected incision in rats,and explore its clinical curative effect.Methods In-fected incision model rats were randomly divided into conventional treatment group,and simple pressure suction group,pressure suction combined with silver ion dressing group.The healing time and healing area of rats in each group after treatment were evaluated,immunohistochemical and fluorescent quantitative analysis of inflammatory factors in incisional wound tissue were performed.Three methods were applied to patients with surgical site infec-tion(SSI),granulation coverage time,granulation recovery time,and incision healing time of three groups of pa-tients were compared.Results Immunohistochemistry and its IOD value,the relative mRNA expression levels of TNF-α,IL-2,and IL-8 in rat wound tissue treated with pressure suction combined with silver ion dressing were all inferior to conventional treatment group and simple negative pressure suction group,difference was statistically sig-nificant (P < 0.05);in clinical application,wound healing time,postoperative C-reactive protein level,and pain as-sessment scores in patients treated with pressure suction combined with silver ion dressing were all superior to con-ventional treatment group and simple negative pressure suction group,difference were all statistically significant (all P < 0.05).Conclusion Compared with conventional treatment method,pressure suction with silver ions dressing treatment can more effectively control SSI,reduce local inflammation of incision,and promote incision healing.

Purpose: Polyacrylamide hydrogel (PAHG), which had been used widely for breast augmentation, has been banned for more than 15 years. Patients who had been injected PAHG for breast augmentation need evacuation surgery to remove as much as possible. To provide a series of diagnosis and treatment process MRI and intraoperative color Doppler ultrasound are combined for maximal removal of PAHG. Methods: The patients who received evacuation surgery in Peking University Third Hospital from 2010 to 2022 after PAHG injection for breast augmentation were included in this research. MR scanning was performed preoperatively and postoperatively in some of these patients and color Doppler ultrasound was applied to help evacuate PAHG intraoperatively. The mean clearance rate of PAHG was calculated according to the MRI outcomes. Results: Two hundred and 4 patients had received evacuation surgery after PAHG injection for breast augmentation with an average age of 42.8 years and an average body mass index of 21.2 kg/m 2 . The average PAHG retention time was 13.5 years. Among them, 52 patients underwent pre- and postoperative MRI scanning. The mean three-dimensional (3D) volume of PAHG was 684.8 mL (range, 350.0–1,123.9 mL), and the average residual 3D volume of PAHG was 53.7 mL (range, 12.4–98.3 mL). The mean clearance rate was 92.1%. Conclusion MRI and intraoperative color Doppler ultrasound can provide effective and precise location information of PAHG for evacuation surgery, which is a reliable method to ensure the maximal removal of PAHG.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association between concentration levels of fasting serum glucose and liver cirrhosis.

METHODSA nested case-control study was carried out based on the sample cohort from the Nutrition Intervention Trials previously conducted in one country in Henan province. Using an automatic biochemical analysis system and enzyme-linked immunoassay, baseline serum samples from 310 liver cirrhosis patients and 620 healthy controls were tested for fasting glucose concentration, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc), and hepatitis C virus antibody (anti-HCV). Baseline demographic information was collected by questionnaire. The serum glucose values were divided into quintiles and applied to a logistic regression model to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs).

RESULTSThe mean fasting blood glucose level was significantly higher in cases (4.5+/-1.8 mmol/L) than in controls (4.2+/-2.1 mmol/L) (t=-2.414, P=0.016). The individuals in the highest quintile had a significantly higher risk of disease than those in the lowest quintile [OR=1.672 (1.080, 2.588)]. Moreover, increase in glucose level was accompanied by increased risk, and the relation showed statistically significant linearity (P=0.002). The statistical significance of risk remained after adjustment for potential confounders, including sex, age, HBsAg, anti-HBc, and residence running water status [OR=1.96 (1.216, 3.157), P=0.001].

CONCLUSIONElevated serum fasting glucose concentration was an independent risk factor of cirrhosis.

Adult ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; blood ; epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVEThe combination of oxaliplatin (L-OHP), 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) and folinic acid (FA), being one of the effective regimens for advanced gastric cancer, is used in form of chronomodulated chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer to investigate its efficacy and safety.

METHODSTwenty-six patients received a 4-day chronomodulated infusion of L-OHP, 5-Fu and FA. L-OHP (25 mg.m(-2).d(-1)) infused from 10:00 am to 22:00 pm, and followed by 5-Fu (600 mg.m(-2).d(-1)) and FA (300 mg.m(-2).d(-1)) from 22:00 pm to 10:00 am for 4 days using a multichannel programmable pump, every 2 weeks as an cycle for at least 2 cycles.

RESULTSTwenty-six patients with previously untreated advanced gastric cancer were eligible. Two complete and 13 partial remissions were observed with an overall response rate of 57.7%. Stable disease was observed in 6 patients (23.1%) and progressive disease in five (19.2%). Four of these patients underwent surgery. The median remission time was 3.5 months and time to tumor progression (TTP) was 4.5 months. The median overall survival time was 8 months. A total of 80 cycles were given without any grade 4 toxicity observed, but grade 3 thrombocytopenia (1.3%) and mucositis (1.3%) in one patient, two grade 3 neutropenia (2.5%) and nausea/vomiting (2.5%) in 2.

CONCLUSIONChronomodulated intravenous chemotherapy of oxaliplatin, 5-fluorouracil and folinic acid is effective and safe in the treatment of advanced gastric cancer.

Adenocarcinoma ; drug therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Chronotherapy ; Drug Administration Schedule ; Female ; Fluorouracil ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Leucovorin ; administration & dosage ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Organoplatinum Compounds ; administration & dosage ; Stomach Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo explore miRNA expression change of differentiation of mice marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into adipocytes, which lay the foundation for further studies on molecular mechanism of miRNA regulating the differentiation of MSCs into adipocytes.

METHODSC57BL/6 mice MSCs were isolated, cultured through the whole bone marrow method, amplified by the differential adherent method. Cell growth was observed by morphology and the expression of superficial antigen CD29, CD44, CD34 were detected through immunohistochemistry. MSCs was induced to differentiation into adipocytes with adipocyte differentiation medium, and adipogenic differentiation of MSCs was analyzed by oil Red O staining. MicroRNA microarray was used to investigate the differentially expressed miRNAs in MSCs and adipocytes.

RESULTS(1) The fifth passage of MSCs had high purity under an inverted m icroscope. Immunohistochemistry staining showed that CD29, CD44 were positive and CD34 was negative in more than 90% MSCs. There were a large number of lipid droplets in cytoplasm after MSCs were induced with adipocyte differentiation medium, Oil O staining was positive. (2) The microarray experiment showed that 75 differentially expressed miRNAs were obtained in adipocytes compared with MSCs, 20 up-regulated and 55 down-regulated miRNAs were observed among them.

CONCLUSIONThere was a expression change of miRNA of differentiation of MSCs into adipocytes, some miRNAs might play important roles in MSCs adipogenic differentiation.

Adipocytes ; cytology ; Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Cell Differentiation ; physiology ; Cells, Cultured ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; MicroRNAs ; metabolism ; physiology