Objective:To search the marker of micrometastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods:Peripheral blood samples were obtained from 65 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma,21 non HCC malignant tumors,22 chronic hepatitis B or cirrhosis,and 21 normal healthy volunteers.To identify hepatocellular carcinoma cells in peripheral blood, liver specific alpha fetoprotein(AFP)mRNA was amplified from total RNA extracted from whole blood by nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (Nested RT PCR).Results:AFP mRNA was not detected in the normal healthy volunteers and patients with non HCC malignant tumors.The presence of AFP mRNA in patients with HCC(44/65,67.7%)was higher than those with chronic hepatitis B or cirrhosis(2/22,9.1%, P

Objective:To analyze the 3D changes of pharyngeal airway in patients with skeletal Class Ⅲ malocclusion after rapid maxillary expansion(RME)and maxillary protraction.Methods:53 patients underwent orthodontic treatment with Hyrax palatal ex-panders and maxillary protraction.Cone-Beam computed tomography(CBCT)scan was taken before treatment(T0),after 1 6 d RME (T1 )and after about 5 month maxillary protraction(T2).Data were reconstructed into 3D model,sagittal and transversal measure-ments,cross sectional areas,volumes of the pharyngeal airway were computed.Results:After RME,the transversal measurements, cross sectional areas,volumes of nasal passage were increased(P <0.05).After maxillary protraction,the 4 nasopharyngeal measure-ments were increased(P <0.05).Conclusion:RME and maxillary protraction may increase pharyngonasal airway.

Objective To investigate the phototoxicity effects of the nanocompound of upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) on rat astrocytes in vitro.Methods The spinal astrocytes cells were cultured successfully in vitro and then incubated with the UCNPs-MC540 of various concentrations and exposured 980 nm infrared laser irradiation of different energy densities.The cell survival rates of each group were detected by MTT assay.The cellular morphology was observed via transmission electron microscope after photodynamic therapy.Results UCNPs-MC540 of different concentrations without laser irradiation or laser of different energy had no significant effects on cell survival rates.when cells incubated with 100 μg/ml UCNPs-MC540 for 12 h underwent laser irradiation of different energy,the cellular survival rates significantly decreased with the increased energy densities.when the cells incubated with UCNPs-MC540 of various concentrations for 12 h underwent laser irradiation of 2 000 J/cm2,the cellular survival rates significantly decreased with the increased concentrations.Compared with controls,the TEM show the apoptosis sign in the cells incubated with 200 μg/ml UCNPs-MC540 after laser irradiation of 2 000 J/cm2.Conclusion The UCNPs-MC540 mediated photodynamic therapy have effective killing effect on astrocytes by the mechanism of induction the apoptosis.

Objective To provide a better cell model of closely nature infectious state for further research of hepatitis B virus(HBV). Methods Primary tupaia hepatocytes were isolated by the two-step perfusion method. The hepatocytes were then infected with purified serum from patients with hepatitis B. DNA and RNA isolated from the hepatocytes were detected with Southern blot and Northern blot. HBsAg in supernatant was tested by immunohistochemical method. Results cccDNA, pgRNA and sgRNA could be detected by Southern blot and Northem blot, and strong signals could be seen from day 7 to day 14 post-in-fection. The S/CO value of HBsAg in supernatant decreased from day 1 to day 5 and then increased after 5 day. Conclusion Primary tupaia hepatocytes are competent for infection with HBV. HBV can stably repli-cate and express in HBV-infected tupaia hepatocytes.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Receptor, ErbB-2 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Receptor, ErbB-3 ; biosynthesis ; genetics

BACKGROUNDIdiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and lethal fibrotic lung disease of unknown etiology. Host susceptibility or genetic factors may be important for the predisposition to it. Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1, a potent profibrotic cytokine) and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) play important roles in the development of pulmonary fibrosis. The objective of the study was to investigate the association between the gene polymorphisms of TGF-β1 869 T > C and PAI-1 4G/5G and the susceptibility to IPF in Han ethnicity.

METHODSPolymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism were performed to analyse the gene polymorphisms of TGF-β1 in 869T > C and PAI-1 4G/5G in 85 IPF patients and 85 healthy controls matched in age, gender, race and smoker status.

RESULTSThere was a significant difference in 869T > C genotype distribution of TGF-β1 between IPF cases and controls, a significant negative association between TC genotype and the development of IPF (OR = 0.508, 95%CI: 0.275 - 0.941) and a positive association between CC genotype and the development of IPF (OR = 1.967, 95%CI: 1.063 - 3.641). There was a significant positive association between PAI-1 5G/5G genotype and the development of IPF (OR = 0.418, 95%CI: 0.193 - 0.904).

CONCLUSIONSGene polymorphisms of TGF-β1 in 869T > C and PAI-1 4G/5G may affect the susceptibility to IPF in Han ethnicity. Further investigations are needed to confirm these findings and assess their biological significance in the development of the disease in this ethnic population.

Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Humans ; Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; genetics ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents of the essential substance from the root of Gerbera piloselloides and its antitussive and de-sputum effects.

METHODThe essential substance (G4) was extracted from the root by alcohol and ethyl acetate, then it was separated by silica gel column eluted by the mixture of ethyl acetate and petroleum ether (5:95). Its chemical components were separated and identified by GC-MS. Its antitussive and de-sputum effect was tested by mice.

RESULT4 main peaks were separated and identified by GS-MS. They are beta-caryophyllene (15.160%), caryophyllene oxide (21.140%), aristolenepoxide (2.673%) and 6-acetyl-2,2-dimethyl-8(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-2H-chromoene (60.077%) respectively. Its antitussive and de-sputum effect was prominent when the mice was given G4 2,000 mg.kg-1 ig.

CONCLUSIONItis the first time that the antitussive and de-sputum essential substance was separated from the root of Gerbera piloselloides and its main compositions were analyzed.

Animals ; Antitussive Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Asteraceae ; chemistry ; Chromones ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Expectorants ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Female ; Mice ; Oils, Volatile ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Sesquiterpenes ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; Glypicans ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics

BACKGROUNDPulmonary hypertension (PH) frequently complicates the course of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients and is associated with significantly worse outcomes. The aim of the present study was to investigate the incidence of PH in IPF patients and evaluate the correlation between clinical parameters and systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP).

METHODSHospitalized patients with IPF, who were evaluated for sPAP by Doppler echocardiography from January 2004 to December 2011, were enrolled in our study. Patients were defined as PH by an estimated sPAP > 50 mmHg and graded as PH likely, PH possible and PH unlikely, based on the 2009 European Society of Cardiology/European Respiratory Society PH Guidelines. The correlations between clinical parameters and sPAP were analyzed by multiple linear regression.

RESULTSTotally, 119 IPF patients were enrolled in our study and 28 (23.5%), 20 (16.8%) and 71 (59.7%) patients were PH likely, PH possible and PH unlikely, respectively. Borg dyspnea score was positively correlated with sPAP, r = 0.467, P < 0.001. Oxygen saturation was negatively correlated with sPAP, r = -0.416, P < 0.001. Diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide percentage predicted was negatively correlated with sPAP, r = -0.424, P = 0.003. N-terminal fragment of pro-brain natriuretic peptide and pulmonary artery width was positively correlated with sPAP, r = 0.452, P = 0.011 and r = 0.513, P < 0.001, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSThe incidence of PH in IPF patients was 23.5% in a single center of China. PH may worsen the dyspnea, right heart dysfunction and decrease the life quality of the patients with IPF.

Aged ; Echocardiography, Doppler ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; blood ; epidemiology ; physiopathology ; Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis ; blood ; epidemiology ; physiopathology ; Incidence ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; blood ; Peptide Fragments ; blood ; Pulmonary Artery ; physiopathology ; Smoking

OBJECTIVETo detect the expression and variation of p53 gene during tree shrews' hepatocarcinogenesis induced by hepatitis B virus (HBV) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1).

METHODSTree shrews were divided into four groups: the tree shrews were infected with HBV and fed with AFB1 in group A, only infected with HBV in group B, fed with AFB1 alone in group C, and normal control in group D. All the tree shrews were performed liver biopsy every 15 weeks. The tissues of liver and tumor were detected by immunohistochemistry and molecular biotechnologies.

RESULTS(1) The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in group A (66.7%) was higher than that in Group B and C (30%). HCC appearance in group A was earlier than that in group C (120.0 weeks +/-16.6 weeks vs 153.3 weeks +/-5.8 weeks, t = 3.336, P<0.01). (2) Mutated p53 protein was not found before the 75th week of the experiment in each group. (3) At the 105th week, the expression rates of mutated p53 protein were 78.6%, 60% and 71.4% in group A, B and C respectively, which were much higher than that (10%) in group D (x2 > or = 5.03, P<0.05). An abnormal band of p53 gene was detected in both group A and C. (4) The mutation points of p53 gene in liver cancer of tree shrew were at codon 275, 78 and 13. The nucleotide sequence and amino acids sequence of tree shrew's wild-type p53 showed 91.7% and 93.4% homology with those of human p53 respectively.

CONCLUSIONSThere is a remarkable synergistic effect between HBV and AFB1 on HCC. Mutated p53 protein is expressed before HCC occurrence, which promotes the development and progress of HCC. HBV and AFB1 may synergistically induce p53 gene mutation.

Aflatoxin B1 ; toxicity ; Animals ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; genetics ; Cocarcinogenesis ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Genetic Variation ; Hepatitis B ; virology ; Hepatitis B virus ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental ; genetics ; Point Mutation ; RNA, Neoplasm ; analysis ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; genetics ; Tupaiidae