Aim Toinvestigatetheeffectsoftotalsap-onin of Dioscorea (TSD)on rats with monosodium u-rate crystal-induced acute gouty arthritis (AGA)and mechanisms.Methods Totally72Wistarratswere randomly devided into six groups,Each group was giv-en corresponding drug before,then rat acute gouty ar-thritis model was made by injection of monosodium u-rate in the ankle joint cavity.The gait,articular swell-ing degree and physiological changes of rats were ob-served.The concentration of TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-18 in serum were detected by ELISA.The levels of pro-IL-1β, NALP3, ASC, pro-caspase-1, and cleaved caspase-1 were detected by Western blot.Results AllTSDgroupsandcolchicinesignificantlychangedthe gait of rats and TSD high and middle groups signifi-cantly reduced joint swelling and diminished the patho-logical changes.The levels of TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-18 in serum were significantly decreased,and the levels of pro-IL-1β,NALP3,ASC,pro-caspase-1 and cleaved caspase-1 were apparently reduced in TSD high and middlegroups.Conclusion TSDpossessesanti-goutfunction and the mechanism may be related to sup-pressing the NALP3 inflammasome activation and in-hibiting the cytokine production.

Objective To analyze the response rate and prognostic factors for patients with locally recurrent rectal cancer treated with hypofractionated chemoradiotherapy without reresection.Methods Totally 52 patients with locally recurrent rectal cancer received hypofractionated irradiation and concurrent chemotherapy from January 2006 to January 2013 were enrolled.All patients received intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT).The median dose was 63.4 Gy (61.6-64.4 Gy) at 2.2-2.3 Gy/f,5 f/week.Thirteen patients underwent prophylactic irradiation at lymph nodes region,the total dose of 45-50.4 Gy with conventional fraction and a simultaneous integrated boost was used.All patients received concurrent chemotherapy,capecitabine at 1 650 mg·m-2 ·d-1,divided into 2 times,5 d/week.The variables were compared by the chi-square test or Fisher's exact test.Local control (LC) and overall survival (OS) were calculated with using the Kaplan-Meier method.Results For all patients,the clinical complete response (CR),partial response (PR),stable disease (SD) and progressive disease (PD) was 23.1％,38.5％,32.7％ and 5.8％,respectively.The response rate (CR + PR) for patients with previous irradiation to pelvis and without were 37.1％ and 71.1％,respectively (x2 =5.40,P ＜ 0.05);for patients with 1 and 2 or more recurrent subsites were 81.8％ and 46.7％,respectively (x2 =6.63,P ＜ 0.05).Acute grade 3 skin and hematologic toxicities occurred in 19 patients (36.5％) and 1 patient (1.9％),respectively.None occurred grade 4 toxicity and none occurred grade 3 or more gastrointestinal and urologic toxicities.Four patients showed severe late toxicity of anastomotic stricture and performed a stoma at transverse colon.No other severe late toxicities were observed.The LC at 5 years was 49.1％ and the OS was 23.1％.Conclusions For patients with locally recurrent rectal cancer,hypofractionated chemoradiotherapy without resection is an acceptable and effective regimen,the response rate and long-term outcomes are promising.

The premembrane and envelope proteins (prM-E),which contains the mainly protective antigen related with virulence and tropism,are the primary structural protein of flavivirus.However,prM-E in ZIKV is rarely understood.We have analyzed the structure and biological effects of prM-E in ZIKV by bionformatics methods.The prM-E proteins virus-like particles of dengue virus was introduced in the present.Then,the prM-E proteins virus like particles of ZIKV was prospected.

Objective To determine the margins of planning target volume (MPTV) in primary cervical cancer patients with tomotherapy and evaluate the importance of automatic registration(AR) plus manual registration.Methods The setup errors of 29 primary cervical cancer patients receiving external radiation from June 2012 to Dec 2014 were measured by megavoltage computed tomography (MVCT),which were performed at least two times weekly before treatment and were registered with the planning CT.The setup errors between automatic registration and total shift (TS) including both AR and manual registration were compared MPTV was calculated.Results Setup errors were collecte from 443 sets of MVCT in 29 patients.AR and total shift (TS) values in the x,y,z directions and rotation angle were (-0.9±2.3),(0.0±3.1),(1.0±2.6) mm,0.2° ±0.8° and (-0.8±1.8),(-0.4±3.4),(l.4 ± 2.5) mm,0.1° ± 0.5°,respectively.There were statistically significant differences between the two groups in all directions except for the x axis (t =5.1,-5.2,3.2,P ＜ 0.05).MPTV were 4.6,5.7,3.3 mm in the x,y,z directions,respectively.Conclusions Manual registration is necessary after automatic registration in cervical cancer patients with tomotherapy.For patients with cervical cancer treated by tomotherapy,planning target volume MPTV parameters are suggested to be 5,6,4 mm in the x,y,z directions.

Ultrasonic microbubbles were used to open blood-brain barriers (BBB) with a reversed and limited behavior feature in the study, which could improve the brain-targeted delivery of anti-tumor drugs. The glioma rat model was prepared. Low-frequency ultrasound was combined with microbubbles to affect the permeability of BBB compared with the permeability of independently administered Evans blue (EB) crossing BBB. Time point and length of ultrasound were investigated whether they affect the permeability of BBB and the damage of brain tissue. The effect of the growth time of glioma on BBB permeability was explored. Only glioma had a very little impact on BBB permeability. However, ultrasonic microbubbles opened the BBB with the features of temporary, limited and reversed behavior and improved EB and magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent penetrating BBB. A length of 30 s ultrasound is appropriate for opening BBB and no damage of brain tissue. Drugs should be injected before ultrasound so that they enter into brain as BBB opening. Ultrasonic microbubbles can open BBB effectively and safely, which improve drugs penetrating BBB under proper time point and length.
Animals ; Blood-Brain Barrier ; Contrast Media ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Glioma ; drug therapy ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Microbubbles ; Permeability ; Rats ; Ultrasonics

BACKGROUND: Non-specific protein adsorption resistance is the most important factor for biocompatibility; pre-adsorption of hydrophilic polymer on artificial material surface is one of the effective methods to inhibit protein adsorption. OBJECTIVE: To study pre-adsorption and protein adsorption resistance of poly (isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM)-based amphiphilic comb-block copolymers on polystyrene (PS) surface, and to understand the effect of the copolymer structure, i.e. the chain length and the number of hydrophilic polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) or polyethylene oxide (PEO) comb-branches, on protein adsorption resistance. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: An observational study was performed at College of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology from November 2007 to November 2008. MATERIALS: Monodisperse PS microsphere was employed to simulate surface of hydrophobic materials, and lysozyme was used as protein model. METHODS:① Qualitative analysis: Aqueous suspension of PS microspheres (0.1 g/L) was treated with PNIPAM-based copolymer (0.1 g/L) at room temperature for 24 hours to allow pre-adsorption of the copolymer on PS surface to build up a hydrophilic layer. Lysozyme (0.1 g/L) was mixed with the PS suspension at 37 ℃ and the mixture was kept for 24 hours. Apparent particle size and turbidity of the suspension were measured at 37C to observe coagulation or flocculation of PS microspheres, which related to the extent of protein adsorption on PS surface. ②Quantitative analysis of protein adsorption: The PS suspension containing lysozyme was subjected to ultracentrifuge (15 000 r/min) to collect clear aqueous solution. The lysozyme concentration in the clear solution was measured by spectrophotometry at 280 nm. The amount of protein adsorbed on PS surface was calculated based on the decrease in the protein concentration in the supernatant solution. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Apparent particle diameter, turbidity, mass concentration of aqueous phase residual protein. RESULTS: ① Suspension of bare PS microspheres flocculated in the presence of lysozyme at 37℃ due to protein adsorption,which caused significant decrease in the turbidity of the suspension. Bare PS surface could adsorb 25.5 mg lysozyme per square meter.② PS microsphere surface pre-adsorbed by PNIPAM-based amphiphilic comb-block copolymer adsorbed much less protein. No flocculation and only limit coagulation was observed when the suspension of the surface modified PS microspheres was mixed with lysozyme, due to less protein adsorption on the PS surface. CONCLUSIONS: ① Pre-adsorption of water-soluble PNIPAM-based comb-block copolymer on PS microsphere surface can inhibit protein adhesion on the surface. ② The structure of the copolymer strongly affects the performance of protein resistance. A proper amount of hydrophilic branch unit, VP or EO, is required to exhibit good protein resistance of the copolymer. However, excess hydrophilic branches in the copolymer results in worse protein resistance probably due to less stability of the pre-adlayer of the copolymer on PS surface.

A case of porokeratoma is reported.A 35-year-old man presented with asymptomatic verrucous nodules on both buttocks for more than 1 year.Skin examination at the first visit revealed two pea-sized verrucous nodules on bilateral buttocks.The lesions recurred at the primary site 3 months after surgical resection.At the second visit,there were 4 verrucous nodules,including 1 on the left buttock and 3 on the right buttock.Histopathological examination showed a well-defined lesion characterized by acanthosis and compact,thick orthokeratosis with seveal broad cornoid lamellae.A diagnosis of porokeratoma was made.The lesion was resected again followed by oral acitretin treatment.No recurrence was observed during 15 months of follow up.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Weifuchun on inflammation of Helicobacter pylori (Hp)-infected gastric epithelial cells (GES-1) and its correlation with NF-kappaB signaling pathway.

METHODSHp standard home-made strain (CagA +, VacA +) NCTCI 1637 infected GES-1 cells were used. Weifuchun was used as intervention. Weifuchun of different concentrations (5,10, and 20 microg/mL) were screened by MTT assay. A blank group and the model group were set up. Then the growth inhibition rate of drugs on gastric epithelial GES-1 cells was detected with MTT assay. Cell cycle was detected using flow cytometry. The supernatant liquid was separated to detect the contents of IL-8 and IL-4 by ELISA.The protein expression level of NF-kappaB was detected by Western blot analysis.

RESULTSMTT assay indicated significantly inhibitory effect of Weifuchun on GES-1 cells [5% inhibiting concentration (IC5)] was 10 microg/ml in the Weifuchun group. After GES-1 and Hp were cultured together,the contents of IL-8 in the supernatant were more obviously higher in the model group than in the blank group (P < 0.05), and then gradually decreased. After treatment with different concentrations of Weifuchun, the levels of IL-8 in the supernatant were less when compared with the model group at 12, 24, 48, and 72 h (P < 0.05). The decrement was the most significant in the high dose Weifuchun group. The IL-4 level in the supernatant was obviously lower in the model group than in the blank group. It obviously increased in the high concentration Weifuchun group (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in the IL-4 level between middle, low concentration Weifuchun group and the blank group (P > 0.05). The protein expression of intranuclear P65 increased and that of IkBalpha decreased 60 min after Hp infection. But the protein expression of intranuclear P65 decreased and the protein expression of IkBalpha increased after intervention of Weifuchun.

CONCLUSIONSWeifuchun adjusted H. pylori induced IL-8 and IL-4 production by gastric epithelial cells through blocking NF-kappaB pathways. Its mechanisms might possibly lie in inhibiting p65 from entry into nucleus and the degradation of IkBalpha. Weifuchun was an effective drug for treatment of Hp correlated chronic gastritis.

Cell Line ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Epithelial Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Helicobacter Infections ; metabolism ; Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; I-kappa B Proteins ; metabolism ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-4 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-8 ; metabolism ; NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Transcription Factor RelA ; metabolism

Objective To observe the interfractional variation and actual dose for cervical cancer patients treated with tomotherapy.Methods Five patients who received tomotherapy were chosen from Aug 2013 to Feb 2014.A megavohage computed tomography (MVCT) scan was performed before treatment and then registered with the planning CT images.Dose distributions were recalculated and targets were contoured on the MVCT images.The differences between the actual radiation and planning were analyzed.Results In the patients received external radiotherapy, the decline in cervix volume and maximum diameter was 68.90％ and 26.91％ , respectively (t =5.21, 8.39, P ＜0.05).Cervix, uterus and CTV movement in left-right, anteroposterior, superoinferior were 1.43,-7.72, 0.02,-0.40,-1.24, -6.51,-0.43,-1.68and-0.22mm.The medianCTV V95％ was 99.40％ (95.96％-100％), and missing volume was 6.94 cm3 (0-32.30 cm3).Conclusions During radiotherapy for cervical cancer patients, the volume, position and doses are different between initial plan and actual radiation.Based on image guided radiation therapy (IGRT), missing targets are limited.

Objective To explore the association between family function and self-esteem in college students.Methods Totally 2560 college students were sampled.They were assessed with the self-compiled questionnaire on family information,Rosenberg' s self-esteem scale (SES) and family assessment device (FAD).Results The students from only-child family (30.32±4.19) scored higher on SES than students with siblings (29.54±3.97).The students with experience of grandparents raising (29.84±4.19) scored lower on SES than students raised by parents (30.29±4.13).Students from harmonious family and with monthly incoming above 10000 Yuan scored higher on SES than other groups.All the differences were statistically significant (P＜0.01,P＜0.05).There was significant correlation between SES and all of the dimensions of FAD (r=-0.260-0.379,P=0.000).Multiple regression showed that such dimensions of FAD as role,communication,behavior control,problem solving and general functioning,as well as social economic status of the family played important role on self-esteem of the students(β=0.039-0.169,P＜0.01 orP＜0.05).Conclusion Family factors have significant impact on self-esteem of the college students,especially family role and communication which are important positive predictors on self-esteem of college students.