OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of butyl alcohol extract of Baitouweng decoction ( BAEB) on yeast-to-hyphae transition of Candida albicans isolates from vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) in alkaline pH.

METHODSerial 2-fold dilution assay was used to determine the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of Baitouweng decoction extracts against C. albicans isolates from VVC, XTT assay was applied to determine the metabolic activity of C. albicans hypha treated by BAEB for 6 h. The morphological change of C. albicans treated by BAEB was inspected at different pH by inverted microscope, fluorescence microscope, scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Solid agar plate and semi-solid agar were utilized to evaluate colony morphology and invasive growth of C. albicans, respectively. Quantitative Real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was adopted to observe the expressions of hyphae-specific genes including HWP1, ALS3, CSH1, SUN41 and CaPDE2.

RESULTThe MIC of BAEB against C. albicans is less than that of other extracts; hyphae grow best at pH 8. 0; 512 mg · L(-1) and 1,024 mg · L(-1) BAEB could inhibit formation of hyphae and influence colony morphology. When treated by 512 mg · L(-1) and 1,024 mg · L(-1) BAEB, the colonies became smooth; while by 0 and 256 mg · L(-1) BAEB, the colonies became wrinkled. In semi-solid agar, the length of hyphae decreased steadily as the concentration of BAEB lowered. The expression of HWP1, ALS3, CSHl, SUN41 were downregulated by 5.12, 4.26, 3.2 and 2.74 folds, and CaPDE2 was upregulated by 2.38 fold.

CONCLUSIONBAEB could inhibit yeast-to-hyphae transition of C. albicans isolates from VVC in alkaline pH.

Antifungal Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Candida albicans ; drug effects ; genetics ; growth & development ; Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal ; drug therapy ; microbiology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Hyphae ; drug effects ; growth & development

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Femoral Fractures ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Knee Injuries ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiography ; Tibial Fractures ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery

Objective To study the relationship between the pain of the patients with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation (LIDH) and the changes of serum cytokine,and to discuss the clinical significance.Methods From January 2014 to December 2016,74 cases of LIDH diagnosed in the 323rd Hospital of the PLA were selected,including 45 males and 29 females,whose age was 46.2± 16.1 years,and the duration 22.6± 7.8 months.According to the VAS pain score,37 cases were mild,23 cases were moderate and 14 cases were severe.The control was 30 cases of healthy physical examination in the same period,18 males and 12 females,age 45.3 ± 15.8 years.All subjects were collected for venous blood on fasting.MDA,superoxide dismutase (SOD),interleukin-6 (IL-6),tumor necrosis factor (TNF),thromboxane (TX),endothelin (ET),prostaglandin E (PGE) and calcitonin (CA) were all measured by radioimmunoassay.The results were analyzed statistically.Results The compared with normal control group,serum cytokines MDA,SOD,IL-6,TNF,TX,ET,PGE and CA increased in different degrees (P＜0.05～0.01).The VAS assessment of severe pain in LIDH was significantly higher than that of mod erate or mild pain (P＜0.05～0.01).Logistic analysis showed that these serum cytokines were closely related to the pain of LIDH (OR=2.415～4.127,95％CI=1.146～11.735,P＜0.05).Conclusion The serum cytokines in patients with LIDH are closely related to the degree of pain,suggesting that these cytokines in serum may affect biochemical metabolism in the process of pain.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVEEarly diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is difficult due to the insufficient specificity of the conventional examination method. This study was to investigate potential and consistent biomarkers for NPC, particularly for early detection of NPC.

METHODSA proteomic pattern was identified in a training set (134 NPC patients and 73 control individuals) using the surface-enhanced laser desorption and ionization-mass spectrometry (SELDI-MS), and used to screen the test set (44 NPC patients and 25 control individuals) to determine the screening accuracy. To confirm the accuracy, it was used to test another group of 52 NPC patients and 32 healthy individuals at 6 months later.

RESULTSEight proteomic biomarkers with top-scored peak mass/charge ratios (m/z) of 8605 Da, 5320 Da, 5355 Da, 5380 Da, 5336 Da, 2791 Da, 7154 Da, and 9366 Da were selected as the potential biomarkers of NPC with a sensitivity of 90.9% (40/44) and a specificity of 92.0% (23/25). The performance was better than the current diagnostic method by using the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) capsid antigen IgA antibodies (VCA/IgA). Similar sensitivity (88.5%) and specificity (90.6%) were achieved in another group of 84 samples.

CONCLUSIONSELDI-MS profiling might be a potential tool to identify patients with NPC, particularly at early clinical stages.

Adult ; Aged ; Algorithms ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Antigens, Viral ; blood ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; blood ; Capsid Proteins ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; blood ; diagnosis ; Neoplasm Proteins ; blood ; Proteomics ; methods ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization ; methods

BACKGROUNDAnxiety and depression are two of the commonest and most modifiable comorbidities of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and have an independent effect on health and prognosis. FEV1% has been shown to be a poor predictor of anxiety and depression. The body mass index, degree of airflow obstruction, dyspnea, and exercise capacity (BODE) index is a multidimensional assessment system which may predict health outcome in COPD patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the predictive validity of the BODE index for anxious and depressive symptoms in COPD patients.

METHODSThis was a multicenter prospective cross-sectional study in 256 patients with stable COPD. Anxious and depressive symptoms were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The relationships between anxiety, depression and potential predictors (including the BODE index) were analyzed by a binary Logistic regression model.

RESULTSSubjects who were anxious and depressive walked a shorter six-minute walking distance (6MWD), had more dyspnea, a higher BODE index, and lower health-related quality of life (P < 0.01). Anxiety and depression score was significantly correlated with BODE index, respectively (r = 0.335, P < 0.001; r = 0.306, P < 0.001). The prevalence of anxiety and depression increased with BODE stage increasing (P < 0.05). On the basis of binary Logistic regression, the BODE index was a good and independent predictor of anxiety and depression because it comprised dyspnea and 6MWD, which were shown to be the main determinants.

CONCLUSIONSThe predictive validity of the BODE index for anxiety and depression was demonstrated. We propose that the BODE index should be included in assessment of COPD severity.

Anxiety ; diagnosis ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Depression ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prospective Studies ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; pathology ; psychology

OBJECTIVETo observe the induced apoptosis of recombinant adenovirus carrying melittin gene (Ad-rAFP-Mel) for hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (BEL-7402).

METHODSThe morphological observe, DNA electrophoresis, TUNEL and Flow cytometry assay were used to study the apoptosis of BEL-7042 cell line transfected by Ad-rAFP-Mel.

RESULTSThe morphological changes and apoptosis of BEL-7402 transfected by Ad-rAFP-Mel were confirmed with microscopy and DNA electrophoresis, TUNEL, Flow cytometry assay. The DNA ladder could be demonstrated on DNA electrophoresis in Ad-rAFP-Mel group. The apoptosis rates of BEL-7402 cells in Ad-rAFP-Mel, Ad-rAFP, and control groups were (21.5+/-2.4)%, (10.5+/-4.4)% and (3.0+/-1.4)% respectively by TUNEL assay (F = 38.0, P < 0.05) and were (7.3+/-0.5)%, (3.9+/-0.1)% and (0.8+/-0.1)% respectively by flow cytometry assay (F = 415.1, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONIt seems that melittin inducing apoptosis might be one of the antitumor mechanisms.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Gene Silencing ; drug effects ; Genetic Therapy ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; Melitten ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; pharmacology ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transcription, Genetic ; drug effects ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo evaluated the prognostic impact of splenectomy on patients with advanced proximal gastric cancer.

METHODSThe clinical records of 237 patients with advanced proximal gastric cancer who underwent D2 curative resection combined with splenectomy from January 1980 to June 2003 were analyzed retrospectively. Seventy-five patients presented with No.10 lymph nodes metastasis, while 162 patients did not. Potential patient prognostic factors were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analysis. The independent prognostic factors of patients were performed subgroup analysis.

RESULTSThe 5-year survival rate was 27.7% for patients with No.10 lymph nodes metastasis and 35.4% for patients without, the difference was statistically significant between the two groups (P < 0.05). On univariate analysis, lymph node metastasis, macroscopic appearance, depth of invasion, type of gastrectomy and No.10 lymph nodes metastasis were predictive factors of survival. The depth of invasion, type of gastrectomy and No.10 lymph nodes metastasis were independent prognostic factors. In the subgroup analysis, the survival rates of T3 patients with and without No.10 lymph nodes metastasis was 34.5% and 39.7%, respectively (P > 0.05). For patients undergoing total gastrectomy, survival rates were 31.2% and 36.7%, respectively (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSTo improve patient prognosis, total gastrectomy with splenectomy should be recommended for patients with T3 proximal gastric cancer with No.10 lymph node metastasis.

Gastrectomy ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Prognosis ; Splenectomy ; Stomach Neoplasms ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical value of 3-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the liver and its ductal structures using 64-slice spiral CT data in hepatobiliary surgery.

METHODSThe image data of 64-slice spiral CT scanning was obtained from patients with biliary calculi. Image segmentation was performed both using computer programs and manually, and 3D reconstruction of the liver was carried out using Mimics software. The reconstructed model of the liver and the ductal system was exported in STL format, and then into the FreeForm Modeling System for modification and smoothing, followed by image registration of the liver with the ductal system and the calculi.

RESULTSThe reconstructed liver model accurately represented the actual size of the liver and its anatomic landmarks, and by adjusting the transparency of the liver, the hepatic and intrahepatic arteries, veins, the portal vein, some abdominal vessels and the biliary system with the calculi were clearly visualized. The calculi in the intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts were distinct in terms of the location and number, and dilation and stenosis of the intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts were also clearly observed. The model presented with realistic profile of the liver that allowed vivid 3D observation. The model also allowed zooming and rotation for observation in full views.

CONCLUSIONSThe reconstructed model of the liver and its ductal system can be useful for preoperative planning and intraoperative complete removal of the calculi from the bile duct, and for the bile duct dilation and stenosis detected in the model, appropriate measures should be taken to reduce the residual calculi and prevent reoccurrence.

Bile Ducts, Extrahepatic ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Female ; Gallstones ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Models, Anatomic ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; methods

Objective Serine /threonine kinases (STK) and phosphatases (STP) regulate various physiological activities of prokaryotes by reversible phosphorylation of proteins .This paper aimed to study the effects of simultaneous deletion of the stk and stp1 genes on the biological characteristics and pathogenicity of streptococcus suis type 2, the Chinese virulent strain 05ZYH33. Methods The double mutant of the stk and stp1 genes of 05ZYH33 was constructed by homologous recombination .The biological characteristics of the wild strain 05ZYH33 and the mutant strain Δstk/stp1 were compared.The effects of the stk and stp1 deletion on bacterial virulence was analyzed using cell adhesion assay , anti-phagocytosis assay and the mouse model of infection . Results RT-PCR showed that the stk and stp1 genes were replaced by the spectinomycin resistance gene Spc r and the mutant strain was successfully constructed .Experi-ments of biological characterization revealed gradually increased value of 05ZYH33 and Δstk/stp1 at 2 hours after inoculation and a plateau period at 7 hours.The logarithmic phase of the mutant strain (A600≈0.4) was 1 hour later than that of the wild one , and the bacterial den-sity of the former was lower than that of the latter after the plateau pe -riod (0.8 vs 1.0).On the blood plates of 05ZYH33 and Δstk/stp1 were observed greyish, round, semitransparent, wet and smooth-sur-faced tiny bacterial colonies , around which there were hemolysis rings with no significant differences in colony morphology and hemolytic ac -tivity.In the experiment on pathogenicity , the mice of the 05ZYH33 group all died within 12 hours while 9 of the 30 mice in the Δstk/stp1 group died within 12 hours and all died within 24 hours. Conclusion The simultaneous deletion of the stk and stp1 genes may mainly affect the regulation of the proteins associated with bacte -rial proliferation and division.

OBJECTIVETo explore the impact on prognosis of D(2) lymphadenectomy combined with splenectomy in patients of advanced proximal gastric cancer with No.10 lymph node metastasis.

METHODSClinical data of 216 patients of advanced proximal gastric cancer with No.10 lymph node metastasis undergone D(2) curative resection in our hospital from January 1980 to December 2002 were analyzed retrospectively. Among them, 73 underwent simultaneous splenectomy (splenectomy group), while 143 without splenectomy (spleen-preserving group). The 5-year survival rate, the mean numbers of dissected No.10 lymph nodes and metastatic No.10 lymph nodes, the complication morbidity and mortality were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThe 5-year survival rates of splenectomy group and spleen-preserving group were 30.0% and 19.7% respectively, whose difference was significant(P<0.05). The mean numbers of dissected No.10 lymph nodes and metastatic No.10 lymph nodes in splenectomy group were significantly greater than those in spleen-preserving group(P<0.05). Splenectomy, invasion depth and gastrectomy type were independent prognostic factors. The survival rates of T(3) patients in splenectomy group and spleen-preserving group were 38.7% and 18.9% respectively, whose difference was significant (P<0.05). The survival rates of patients undergone total gastrectomy in splenectomy group and spleen-preserving group were 33.4% and 20.7% respectively, whose difference was significant (P<0.05). The complication morbidity and mortality in splenectomy group were 24.7% and 4.1%, while in spleen-preserving group were 17.5% and 3.5% respectively, whose differences were not significant(P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSSplenectomy is benefit for No.10 lymph node dissection in patients with advanced proximal gastric cancer. To improve the prognosis, total gastrectomy combined with splenectomy should be recommended for patients of T(3) proximal gastric cancer with No.10 lymph node metastasis. Simultaneous splenectomy dose not increase the complication morbidity and mortality.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastrectomy ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Spleen ; surgery ; Splenectomy ; Stomach Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery