OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of Shengjiang Xiexin Decoction (SXD) on the intestinal mucosal and functional cells of rats after irinotecan (CPT-11) chemotherapy.

METHODSTotally 24 healthy Sprague-Dawley (SD) male rats were divided into three groups, the normal control group, the CPT-11 group, the SXD combined CPT-11 group according to random digit table, 8 in each group. CPT-11 was injected at the daily dose of 150 mg/kg to rats in the CPT-11 group and the SXD combined CPT-11 group from the caudal vein on the 4th day, once daily for 2 successive days to duplicate delayed diarrhea model. Equal volume of normal saline was injected to rats in the normal control group from the caudal vein. SXD at 2 g/mL (10 g/kg body weight) was administered to rats in the SXD combined CPT-11 group by gastrogavage for 9 successive days. Deionized water was administered to rats in the CPT-11 group and the normal control group. Diarrhea was observed at 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, and 108 h to calculate the incidence rate of diarrhea. Meanwhile, scoring for diarrhea was performed by referring methods of Akinobu Kurita. Rats were killed on day 10, ileum, cecum, and colon tissues were collected and fixed in 10% formalin solution. HE staining was performed. Intestinal mucosa injuries were graded under light microscope according to the criterion of Chiu's score. The expressions of goblet cells and Paneth cells were observed by PAS stain. Enteroendocrine cells were observed by immunohistochemical CgA staining. Positive cells were counted and cumulative optical density (IOD) analyzed by Image-Pro-Plus 6.0.

RESULTSNo diarrhea occurred in rats of the normal control group at each time point. The incidence rate of diarrhea was 75.0% (6/8) at 48 h, 100.0% (8/8) at 60 h, 100.0% (8/8) at 72 h, 87.5% (7/8) at 84 h, 75.0% (6/8) at 96 h, and 75.0% (6/8) at 108 h in the CPT-11 group. The incidence rate of diarrhea was 25.0% (2/8) at 48 h, 50.0% (4/8) at 60 h, 12.5% (1/8) at 72 h, 0.0% (0/8) at 84 h in the SXD combined CPT-11 group. Compared with the same group at 60 h, scores for diarrhea at 48, 84, 96, and 108 h obviously decreased in the CPT-11 group, and scores for diarrhea at 48, 72, 84, 96, and 108 h obviously decreased in the SXD combined CPT-11 group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the same group at 72 h, scores for diarrhea at 84, 96, and 108 h obviously decreased in the CPT-11 group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the normal control group, scores for diarrhea increased in the CPT-11 group at each time point (P < 0.01); grading of ileum, cecum, and colon mucosal tissues increased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); expressions of ileum and cecum mucosal epithelial goblet cells obviously decreased (P < 0.05); the number and expressions of ileum and cecum mucosal epithelial Paneth cells increased (P < 0.01). Expressions of ilium endocrine cells increased, while those of cecum and colon endocrine cells decreased in the CPT-11 group (P < 0.01). Compared with the CPT-11 group, scores for diarrhea were obviously lowered (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), grading of ileum, and cecum mucosal tissues decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); expressions of ileum, cecum, and colon mucosal epithelial goblet cells obviously increased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); the number and expressions of ileum cecum mucosal epithelial Paneth cells increased (P < 0.05); expressions of cecum and colon endocrine cells increased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) in the SXD combined CPT-11 group.

CONCLUSIONSXD played roles in preventing and treating CPT-11 induced delayed diarrhea by improving CPT-11 chemotherapy induced apoptosis and necrosis of intestinal mucosal and functional cells.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Camptothecin ; adverse effects ; analogs & derivatives ; Colon ; Diarrhea ; Drug Therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Ileum ; Intestinal Mucosa ; drug effects ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Wound Healing ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo observe the temporal modification of transcription factor Mef2c by histone acetylases (HATs) P300, PCAF, and SRC1 during cardiogenesis and to provide a basis for investigating the pathogenesis of congenital heart disease.

METHODSThe normal heart tissues from embryonic mice (embryonic days 14.5 and 16.5) and neonatal mice (postnatal days 0.5 and 7) were collected. The binding of P300, PCAF, and SRC1 to Mef2c gene and level of histone H3 acetylation in the promoter region of Mef2c were evaluated by chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. Meanwhile, real-time PCR was used to measure the mRNA expression of Mef2c.

RESULTSP300, PCAF, SRC1 were involved in histone acetylation in the promoter region of Mef2c during cardiogenesis in mice, and binding of P300, PCAF, and SRC1 to the promoter of Mef2c varied significantly in different stages of cardiogenesis (P<0.01). The level of histone H3 acetylation and mRNA expression of Mef2c in the promoter region of Mef2c also varied significantly in different stages of cardiac development (P<0.01). The levels of acetylated H3, Mef2c mRNA, and HATs (P300, PCAF, SRC1) changed over time. They were highest on embryonic day 14.5 (P<0.01), decreased gradually with cardiac development, and were maintained at low levels after birth.

CONCLUSIONSThe mRNA expression of Mef2c varies during cardiogenesis in mice, which indicates that Mef2c plays an important role in the process of cardiac development. Meanwhile, histone acetylation in the promoter region of Mef2c is regulated temporally by HATs P300, PCAF, and SRC1.

Animals ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental ; Heart ; embryology ; Histone Acetyltransferases ; physiology ; MEF2 Transcription Factors ; genetics ; physiology ; Male ; Mice ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo define changes in clusterin expression following short-term neoadjuvant hormone therapy (NHT) and its biological significance in prostate cancer tissues.

METHODSTwenty-six archival radical prostatectomy (RP) specimens without receiving NHT, 19 needle biopsies and corresponding 19 RP specimens following 3-month NHT, were subjected to immunohistochemical clusterin staining.

RESULTSStaining for clusterin was mainly found in cytoplasm and part of extracellular matrix. Clusterin expression was significantly greater in RP specimens with preoperative NHT (t = 2.91, P < 0.01); Needle biopsies obtained before NHT consistently demonstrated lower staining intensity (1.42 +/- 0.51) than corresponding RP specimens (2.16 +/- 0.60) following 3-month NHT (t = 7.10, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSUpregulation of clusterin in part accounts for malignant progression of prostate cancer through its anti-apoptotic action following androgen withdrawal. These findings support that adjuvant therapy targeting clusterin may enhance androgen ablation therapy in advanced prostate cancer.

Aged ; Clusterin ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; methods ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense ; therapeutic use ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of rapamycin on cell growth and apoptosis in the myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) cell line MUTZ-1 and possible mechanism. MUTZ-1 cells were treated with rapamycin, cell proliferation capability was determined with MTT, protein expression including Annexin V/PI, caspase 3, PTEN, p-Akt, p-mTOR and the cell cycle were analyzed with flow cytometry. The results indicated that the proliferation of MUTZ-1 cells was inhibited by rapamycin in concentration-and time-dependent manners (r=0.67, 0.61, 0.72). After treatment with rapamycin for 24-72 hours, cell count in G0/G1 were significantly higher than that of the control (p<0.01), and this effect showed a time-and concentration-dependency (r=0.94, 0.93, 0.92), the cell cycle was blocked in G0/G1 phase. As compared with control group, the proportion of Annexin V+PI-MUTZ-1 cells and the cellular PTEN levels increased in the treated group dramatically and in time-and dose-dependent manners (p<0.01). To the contrary, level of p-mTOR expression markedly decreased as compared with control group (p<0.05). It is concluded that the rapamycin inhibits the proliferation of MUTZ-1 cells, down-regulates the PTEN/PI3K-Akt/mTOR signaling pathway by interaction with mTOR, which induces the apoptosis of mUTZ-1 cells.
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes ; metabolism ; pathology ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Sirolimus ; pharmacology ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the overall diet quality and diet model of labor workers in Shenzhen using Chinese Diet Balance Index (DBI).

METHODSIn May 2009, 14 canteens from Baoan, Longgang and Nanshan districts were selected by stratified random sampling and 60 workers were randomly selected from each canteen by using random number method. Diet measurements were carried out among the 840 labor workers. Diet quality was evaluated by using DBI scoring and evaluating system.

RESULTSThe median values of labor workers' food intakes of cereal and meat & poultry were 483.8 and 121.7 g/d, which were more than the recommended amounts of their intakes of Chinese residents (cereal: 250 - 400 g/d, meat & poultry: 50 -70 g/d). The median values of the labor workers' intakes of fruit, dairy and eggs were 37.3, 20.6 and 23.5 g/d,which were less than recommended amounts in fruits (200 - 400 g/d), dairy (300 g/d) and eggs (25 - 50 g/d). The DBI-HBS scores of males and females in Shenzhen migrant workers were 24.4 +/- 6.1 and 22.6 +/- 6.3, respectively with a statistically significant difference (t = 4.21, P < 0.01). DBI-HBS scores of < 20 age group, 20 - 29 age group, 30 - 39 age group and > or = 40 age group in labor workers were 12.7 +/- 5.9, 11.3 +/- 6.3, 12.8 +/- 6.4 and 11.2 +/- 5.6 respectively (F = 3.67, P = 0.01). There were 7 dietary patterns among labor workers in this survey. Nearly 8.2% (68/830) of them belonged to Pattern A. Pattern B and E were the main dietary patterns, which accounted for 37.3% (310/830) and 31.0% (257/830) of the total population.

CONCLUSIONDBI can describe and evaluate the overall dietary quality and the major problem of the dietary patterns in labor workers. It is necessary to strength nutritional education to increase the intake of fruits, milk and eggs to improve nutritional status in labor workers in Shenzhen.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Dairy Products ; Diet ; statistics & numerical data ; Diet Surveys ; Eggs ; Feeding Behavior ; Female ; Fruit ; Humans ; Male ; Meat ; Middle Aged ; Nutritional Status ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effect of tert-butylhydroquinone on bone marrow cells in rats from cytotoxicity induced by benzene in vitro.

METHODSThe bone marrow cells in rats were divided into two groups randomizedly. Cells of the control group were stimulated by 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 mmol/L benzene for 2, 4, 6 hours respectively. Cells of the tBHQ-pretreated group were treated by 100 micromol/L tBHQ for 12 hours followed by the same conditions as the control group. The DNA damage was detected by single cell gel electrophoresis assay (SCGE) and cell apoptosis was examined by flow cytometry. The activities of NAD (P) H: quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1) in bone marrow cells of rats were also measured before benzene treatment in two groups.

RESULTSIn control group, the DNA damage and the apoptosis of bone marrow cells was increased with the growing concentration and time of benzene treatment. The DNA migration and the lengths of DNA migration of the bone marrow cells in the rats under 5, 10, 15, 20 mmol/L benzene treatment in the tBHQ-pretreated group were significantly lower than those in control group at the same time point (P < 0.05). The apoptosis of the bone marrow cells in the rats stimulated by 15, 20 mmol/L benzene for 2 hours and 10, 15, 20 mmol/L benzene for 4 hours as well as 5, 10, 15, 20 mmol/L benzene for 6 hours were also significantly lower than those in control group (P < 0.05). The activities of NQO1 in the bone marrow cells in the rats were increased after tBHQ treatment (P < 0.01) (1.62 +/- 0.16 min(-1).mg(-1) vs. the control group: 0.95 +/- 0.08 min(-1).mg(-1)).

CONCLUSIONThe benzene can induce the DNA damage and the apoptosis of bone marrow cells in rats in a time dependent and dose dependent manner to some extent. The tBHQ can protect the bone marrow cells in rats from the cytotoxicity induced by benzene, which can be partly explained by the increase of the NQO1 activity induced by tBHQ.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Benzene ; toxicity ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; enzymology ; Cells, Cultured ; DNA Damage ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Hydroquinones ; pharmacology ; Male ; NAD(P)H Dehydrogenase (Quinone) ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo explore a new surgical procedure for vaginal reconstruction with pedicled deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap.

METHODSSince June 2007, 6 cases underwent vaginal reconstruction, including five congenital vaginal absence and one immediately after total vaginal resection due to carcinoma. Intensive CT scans were performed preoperatively for perforator selection. The DIEP flaps were designed vertically on the anterior abdominal wall and transferred for vaginal reconstruction.

RESULTSAll the patients recovered uneventfully with no flap loss and other complication. The patients were followed up for 1 to 8 months (mean, 4 months) with satisfactory results.

CONCLUSIONVaginal reconstruction with vertical DIEP flaps is a safe and reliable method.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Epigastric Arteries ; transplantation ; Female ; Humans ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Surgical Flaps ; Vagina ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVEAcute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a specific type of hematopoietic malignancy, accounting for 10% of the de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The data on long-term outcome of APL in children are limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical biological features, diagnosis, prognosis and long-term survival of childhood APL.

METHODSA total of 46 children with newly diagnosed APL from April 1998 to October 2005 were enrolled into this study. Induction treatment containing all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) plus daunorubicin (DNR) or pirarubicin (THP) was performed on these patients, followed by 6 courses of chemotherapy consolidation: DNR, homoharringtonine or etoposide plus Ara-C. A maintenance therapy was then administered once 3-6 months. The total period of treatment was 2.5 years.

RESULTSOf the 39 patients who had completed the regular treatment, 36 (92.3%) achieved a complete remission. The 5-year cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR) was 28.6%. The estimated overall survival (OS) rates at 1, 3 and 5 years were (86.1 +/- 5.8)%, (76.1 +/- 7.5)% and (70.2 +/- 8.9)% respectively, while the event free survival (EFS) rates were (78.4 +/- 6.8)%, (63.6 +/- 8.7)% and (53.1 +/- 10.0)% respectively. The 5-year OS rate of patients with WBC less than or equal to 10.0 X 10(9)/L was (81.4 +/- 10.3)%, which was significantly higher than that with WBC greater than 10.0 X 10(9)/L[(51.6 +/- 14.7)%, P < 0.05]. Five patients with RT-PCR positive for PML/RARalpha S (short) subtype died eventually although all of them achieved CR, but none of the 13 patients with PML/RARalpha L (long) subtype died.

CONCLUSIONSRemission induction therapy with ATRA + DNR or THP is effective and safe for newly diagnosed childhood APL. The remission induction therapy combined with chemotherapy containing high/intermediate dose Ara-C can improve the long-term survival rates of APL patients. High WBC count and S subtype of PML-RARa are two poor prognostic factors for children with APL.

Adolescent ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infant ; Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute ; drug therapy ; mortality ; Male ; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion ; genetics ; Prognosis ; Survival Rate ; Treatment Outcome ; Tretinoin ; administration & dosage

OBJECTIVETo examine whether the polymorphisms of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene are associated with the susceptibility to high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) in Chinese railway construction workers at Qinghai-Tibet where the altitude is over 4 500 m above sea level.

METHODSA case-control study was conducted including 149 HAPE patients in the construction workers and 160 healthy controls randomly recruited from their co-workers, matching the patients in ethnicity, age, sex, lifestyle, and working conditions. Three polymorphisms of eNOS gene, T-786C in promoter, 894G/T in exon 7, and 27bp variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) in intron 4, were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and confirmed with DNA sequencing.

RESULTSThe frequencies of 894T allele and heterozygous G/T of the 894G/T variant were significantly higher in HAPE patients group than in the control group (P=0.0028 and P=0.0047, respectively). However, the frequencies of the T-786C in promoter and the 27bp VNTR in intron 4 were not significantly different between the two groups. Haplotypic analysis revealed that the frequencies of two haplotypes (H3,T-T-b, b indicates 5 repeats of 27 bp VNTR; H6, C-G-a, a indicates 4 repeats of 27 bp VNTR) were significantly higher in HAPE patients (both Pü0.0001). On the contrary, the frequencies of H1 (T-G-b) and H2 (T-G-a) were lower in HAPE patients than in healthy controls (both Pü0.001).

CONCLUSIONSTwo haplotypes (T-T-b and C-G-a) may be strongly associated with susceptibility to HAPE. Compared with the individual alleles of eNOS gene, the interaction of multiple genetic markers within a haplotype may be a major determinant for the susceptibility to HAPE.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Altitude ; Base Sequence ; Case-Control Studies ; DNA Primers ; Genotype ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; genetics ; Occupational Diseases ; enzymology ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Pulmonary Edema ; enzymology ; genetics ; Tibet ; Young Adult

In order to explore the adsorption characteristics of proteins on the membrane surface and the effect of protein solution environment on the permeation behavior of berberine, berberine and proteins were used as the research object to prepare simulated solution. Low field NMR, static adsorption experiment and membrane separation experiment were used to study the interaction between the proteins and ceramic membrane or between the proteins and berberine. The static adsorption capacity of proteins, membrane relative flux, rejection rate of proteins, transmittance rate of berberine and the adsorption rate of proteins and berberine were used as the evaluation index. Meanwhile, the membrane resistance distribution, the particle size distribution and the scanning electron microscope (SEM) were determined to investigate the adsorption characteristics of proteins on ceramic membrane and the effect on membrane separation process of berberine. The results showed that the ceramic membrane could adsorb the proteins and the adsorption model was consistent with Langmuir adsorption model. In simulating the membrane separation process, proteins were the main factor to cause membrane fouling. However, when the concentration of proteins was 1 g•L⁻¹, the proteins had no significant effect on membrane separation process of berberine.