OBJECTIVETo explore the protective effect of baicalin against rotenone-induced injury on PC12 cells, and the po-tential mechanism of action action was also explored.

METHODPC12 cells were injured by rotenone and were treated with different concentrations (0.1, 1, 10 μmol x L(-1)) of baicalin at the same time. Cell viability was analyzed by MTT, and morphology was observed by phase-contrast microscopy. The cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry by Annexin V-FITC/PI staining. The intracellular ROS level was determined by fluorescence microscope with DCF-DA staining. The expression of Bcl-2, Bax and Caspase-3 was analyzed by Western blot.

RESULTThe viability of PC12 cells exposure to rotenone for 24 hour was gradually decreased with dose escalating and 1.5 μmol x L was adopted to do the following experiment. Baicalin increased cell viability, improved cell morphology and decreased intracellular ROS level. Moreover, FACS indicated baicalin attenuated the apoptosis induced by rotenone significantly. Western blot showed that Bcl-2, Bax and Caspase-3 expression in rotenone-induced PC12 cells was reversed by baicalin.

CONCLUSIONThis study has demonstrated that baicalin protects PC12 cells against rotenone-induced apoptosis, at least in part, by scavenging excessive ROS and inhibiting the mitochondrion-dependent apoptotic pathway.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Cytoprotection ; drug effects ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Intracellular Space ; drug effects ; metabolism ; PC12 Cells ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Rats ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Rotenone ; pharmacology ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

Objective To evaluate the damage caused by high intensity ultrasound(HIU)on tumor micro- vessels.Methods Rabbit models of the VX_2 tumor were set up.The target hepatic carcinomas were treated with HIU,and the results were observed using hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining,vascular endothelial cell biotinylated-ulex europaeus agglutininiⅠ(UEAI)immunohistochemical staining,tumor micro-vessel counts,and electron microscopy. Results Histological examination through HE staining indicated that HIU induced carcinoma vascularities with whole tumor tissue coagulative necrosis.The UEAI immunohistochemical staining of the target lesions treated by HIU was ne- gative,and complete tumor micro-vessel uhrastructure damage was observed under the electron microscope.Conclu- sion HIU can damage tumor micro-vessels thoroughly,in such way that it may inhibit tumor growth and metastasis.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) exposure on the behaviors and hippocampal oxidative stress and ATPase in rats and the molecular mechanism of neurobehavioral toxicity of B[a]P.

METHODSA total of 120 male SD rats (21 days old) were randomly and equally assigned to five groups: blank control group, vegetable oil (solvent control) group, and 2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg B[a]P exposure groups. The rats in B[a]P exposure groups were injected intraperitoneally with B[a]P once a day for 4 consecutive weeks. Then, Morris water maze and shuttle box were used to evaluate the learning and memory abilities of rats; colorimetric assay was used to measure the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase, and Ca(2+)/Mg(2+)-ATPase and the content of malonaldehyde (MDA) in the hippocampus; the concentration of Ca(2+) in the hippocampus was measured by fluorescent labeling.

RESULTSCompared with the blank control group and solvent control group, the B[a]P exposure groups exhibited significant increases in escape latency, active avoidance response latency, and passive avoidance response latency and significant decreases in number of platform crossings and active avoidance response frequency in the last test (P < 0.05 for all comparisons), with a dose-effect relationship. In addition, the B[a]P exposure groups had significantly lower activities of SOD, Na(+)/K(+)-AT-Pase, and Ca(2+)/Mg(2+)-ATPase and significantly higher MDA level and Ca(2+) concentration than the blank control group and solvent control group (P < 0.05 for all comparisons), with a dose-effect relationship.

CONCLUSIONThe neurobehavioral toxicity of B[a]P may be related to increased oxidative stress and decreased activities of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase and Ca(2+)/Mg(2+)-ATPase in the hippocampus of rats.

Animals ; Benzo(a)pyrene ; toxicity ; Ca(2+) Mg(2+)-ATPase ; metabolism ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

Pin1 is a phosphorylation-dependent peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase, which specifically catalyzes the amide bond isomerization of phosphoserine-proline or phosphothreonine-proline in mitotic phosphoproteins. Pin1 induces the conformational changes to control the function of phosphoproteins. Depletion of Pinl on various human cancer cell lines cause mitotic arrest and apoptosis. Pin1 is an attracting therapeutic target for anticancer and its inhibitors might be potential anticancer drug. In this review, Pin1 inhibitors and the catalytic mechanism, the biological function of Pin1 and its role in oncogenesis are summarized.
Apoptosis ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; chemical synthesis ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Mitosis ; drug effects ; NIMA-Interacting Peptidylprolyl Isomerase ; Neoplasms ; enzymology ; Peptidylprolyl Isomerase ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Phosphoproteins ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Phosphorylation ; drug effects ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo determine the efficacy of recombinant hepatitis B (rHB) vaccine and low-dose hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) in the prevention of mother-infant transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.

METHODSrHB vaccine was administered to two groups of healthy neonates born to mothers with both hepatitis B surface antigen and e antigen positive in Guangxi, Hunan and Hebei province. Two hundred eighty-nine subjects were included in active immunization group, receiving triple doses of rHB vaccine given i.m. at 0, 1 and 6 month intervals; while 186 subjects receiving 50 IU HBIG at birth with triple doses of rHB vaccine in the low-dose HBIG group.

RESULTSEfficacy of active immunization alone was 87.8% (95% CI: 83.6 - 91.9). Efficacy of rHB vaccine and HBIG was 91.2% (95% CI: 86.7 - 95.6). No significant differences in efficacy by type of rHB vaccine (P = 0.707 2), immunoprophylaxis programs (P = 0.295 5) and regions of living (P = 0.998 7) were noticed. Seroprotection rates (anti-HBs >or= 10 mIU/ml) were detected in 91.1% and 93.5% in rHB vaccine alone recipients and rHB vaccine plus HBIG recipients, with geometric mean titer (GMT) of 153 mIU/ml and 164 mIU/ml at 1 year of age, respectively. Anti-rHBs decreased significantly with years after vaccination (chi(2) = 60.47, P = 0.000 1). Seroprotection rates of anti-rHBs antibodies decreased to 65.0% and 66.6% at 4 years of age in rHB vaccine alone recipients and rHB vaccine plus HBIG recipients, with GMT of 55 mIU/ml and 56 mIU/ml, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThese results suggested that the effectiveness of rHB vaccine plus low-dose HBIG was much better than only active plasma-derived vaccine; however, methods used for anti-rHBs assay need to be evaluated and verified.

China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Hepatitis B ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; transmission ; Hepatitis B Antibodies ; administration & dosage ; Hepatitis B Vaccines ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunization Schedule ; Immunoglobulin G ; administration & dosage ; Infant, Newborn ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical ; prevention & control ; Male ; Vaccination ; Vaccines, Synthetic ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of hepatitis B vaccination on hepatitis B prevention and on hepatocellular carcinoma.

METHODSBirth cohort study, cross-sectional seroepidemiological survey, and surveillance of hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatocellular carcinoma were used to evaluate the efficacy of hepatitis B vaccination.

RESULTSDuring the 14 years after hepatitis B vaccination, the HBsAg positive rates were found to be 0.7% - 2.9%, with an average of 1.5%, and the protective rates were 83.5% - 96.6%. Hepatitis B virus infection rates of children immunized with hepatitis B vaccine were 1.1% - 5.1%, with an average of 2.2% and the protective rates of 93.5% - 98.4%. 15 years after hepatitis B vaccination, the incidence of hepatitis B dropped from 3.27/10 000 to 0.17/10 000, a 94.8% decrease, in the group of 0 - 19 year-olds.

CONCLUSIONThe universal infant hepatitis B vaccination has proved to be effective in reducing the incidence rate of acute hepatitis B as well as the mortality of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; virology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Cohort Studies ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Hepatitis B ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Hepatitis B Vaccines ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunization Schedule ; Infant ; Liver Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; virology ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Vaccination ; Vaccines, Synthetic ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the long-term efficacy of infant hepatitis B (HB) immunization program on preventing hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, and to assess its impact on the incidence of HB in children.

METHODSSince 1986, the universal HB vaccination for newborn babies with standard, pediatric dose had been launched without serologic prescreening of pregnant women for HBsAg, in a high endemic county of Long-An. A hepatitis surveillance system was set up to evaluate the possible impact on the incidence of hepatitis B. To serologically evaluate the effectiveness of the program, a stratified random sampling of 1000 children in 1987 birth cohorts, who received plasma-derived HB vaccine, was recruited for long-term follow up at the age of 1 to 13 years. A cross-sectional seroepidemiological survey was conducted in the county in 1985, before the program, and in 2001, for 1551 children born in 1996-2000 who were administered yeast recombinant HB vaccine.

RESULTSDuring the 1 to 13 years after the program, the rates of HBsAg-positive were 0.7% to 2.9% with an average of 1.7% and the protective rates were 83.5% to 96.6%. HBV infection rates were 1.1% tp 5.1% with an average of 2.4% and the protective rates were 93.5% to 98.4%. For the population aged 1 to 4 years who were immunized with recombinant HB vaccine, HBsAg positive rates were 1.8% to 2.4% with an average of 2.0% and the protective rates were 78.4 to 85.2%. 14 years after the program, the cumulative incidence of acute hepatitis B in the children aged 1 to 14 years fell to 1.5 cases per 100,000 children, down 91.8% as compared with that in 1985 to 1987. However, the cumulative incidence of 14.4 cases per 100,000 population in unvaccinated children was not significantly different from that in the history controls. Acute hepatitis B children had not been reported, showing that the vaccination program was 100% protective in children.

CONCLUSIONThe universal infant HB vaccination program in a hyperendemic area has proved to be effective in controlling HBV infection and decreasing the incidence of acute hepatitis B in children. Booster dose is unnecessary in 13 years after the immunization. The protective efficacy of yeast recombinant HB vaccine is similar to that of plasma-derived HB vaccine.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatitis B ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; blood ; immunology ; Hepatitis B Vaccines ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunization Programs ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Vaccination

Objective: To understand the cognition and needs of medical personnel for the Horizon Scanning System(HSS)for emerging health technology based on the survey conducted in two provinces(municipalities)in some general public hospitals in eastern and western China,to provide a reference for establishing a proper,new HSS for emerging health technology in China.Methods:A total of 10 general public hospitals in Shanghai and Gansu were selected by convenience sampling method.The self-designed anonymous questionnaire survey was conducted on medi-cal staff.Results:There were 837 respondents,59.95%of which considered it of great necessity to establish a HSS for emerging health technology in China and 91.53%of which would use this system.The most expected functions of the HSS were identifying innovations in the field of health technology,and providing reference for decision-making of the introduction/distribution/use of the technology.The most expected feature of the HSS was involving clinicians and technical experts,and maintaining independence and justice.Conclusions:Medical personnel had a great demand for the HSS.The HSS was expected to identify new technologies efficiently and timely,and provide relevant information for decision makers.

Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics and long-term outcomes of patients underwent percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI) with prior ischemic stroke.Methods A total of 2053 patients underwent PCI in Peking union medical college hospital from January 2003 to December 2007 were included in this analysis and patients were followed up to December 2009.End-point included all-cause mortality,cardiac death,stent thrombosis,target-lesion revascularization,myocardial infarction,re-cerebral infarction.Major bleeding events were recorded during follow-up.Results There are 1945 coronary heart disease patients were followed up and 222 patients with prior ischemic stroke.Compared patients without prior ischemic stroke,patients with prior ischemic stroke were older ( P = 0.000),had higher hypertension morbidity(P = 0.000 ),higher diabetes mellitus morbidity ( P = 0.005 ),higher incidence of multi-vessels disease( P = 0.000).During the follow-up of (35.0 ± 19.6) months,cardiac death rate( 8.5％ vs.3.9％,P=0.002)and re-cerebral infarction rate (5.8％ vs.1.4％,P=0.000) were higher in patients with prior ischemic stroke than patients without prior ischemic stroke.Dual antiplatelet therapy treatment time[ ( 13.77 ±11.33 ) months vs.( 13.94 ± 11.33 ) months,P = 0.986 ] and major bleeding events (5.8％ vs.3.6％,P =0.l00)were similar between the two groups and cerebral hemorrhage rate( 1.8％ vs.0.5％,P =0.028)were higher in patients with prior ischemic stroke than patients without prior ischemic stroke.Conclusion Patients with prior ischemic stroke were associated with increased rate of risk factors,multiple coronary artery disease,cardiac death and re-cerebral infarction and higher cerebral hemorrhage rate during follow-up despite similar dual-anti platelet therapy time.

Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of extraperitoneal robot-assisted laparoscopic modified Y-V plasty(LMYVP)in the treatment of refractory bladder neck contracture(BNC).Methods:We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data on 10 cases of refractory BNC after transurethral resection of the prostate between September 2020 and January 2023,all with a history of recurrent urethral dilatation and at least two failures in transurethral surgical treatment of scarring.After definite diagnosis and re-moval of some of the scar tissues to flatten the elevated bladder neck under the cystoscope,we performed robot-assisted LMYVP using the da Vinci Si robotic system and a four-port extraperitoneal approach.The surgical procedure involved an inverted T-shaped incision in the bladder neck and urethral stricture ring,an inverted V-shaped excision of the scar area at the 3-9 o'clock position on the ventral side of the prostatic urethra,continuous full-layer suturing of the bladder neck and inverted V-shaped urethra with 3-0 barbed thread,and indwelling of an F20 silicone catheter for 2 weeks.At 3 months after surgery,we performed cystoscopic examination,measured the maximum urinary flow rate(Qmax),and obtained the IPSS and quality of life(QOL)scores of the patients.Results:Operations were successfully completed in all the cases.At 3 months after surgery,the patients showed significantly increased Qmax([3.65±1.27]vs[20.3±1.77]ml/s,P＜0.05),IPSS(5.9±2.02 vs 30±1.15,P＜0.05)and QOL score(1.3±0.95 vs 5.2±0.79,P＜0.05)compared with the baseline.Cystoscopy revealed a wide and flat bladder neck with good survival and hemody-namics of the bladder flap.All the patients met the criteria for clinical cure at a median follow-up of 13.2 months.Conclusion:Extraper-itoneal robot-assisted LMYVP provides a new strategy for urinary tract reconstruction in the management of refractory BNC,with the ad-vantages of minimal invasiveness,high efficiency and high success rate.