The composition of volatile compounds of soils and that of soil bacterial metabolites were identified by using the SPME-GC/MS method. Results showed that some compounds, trimethylamine, 3-methyl-2-pentanoe, dimethyl disulfide, methyl pyrazine, 2,5-dimethyl-pyrazine, benzaldehyde, N,N-dimethyloctylamine and nonadecane, subsisted commonly in soils and soil bacterial metabolites with strong fungistatic activity. These compounds may be the key antifungal factors in soil fungistasis, especially soil volatile fungistasis. Otherwise, the method used in this study was a good tool for further study of soil volatle fungistasis.

BACKGROUNDTo construct recombinant retroviral vector expressing HBcAg in eukaryotic cells.

METHODSThe HBV core gene fragment was amplified by using PCR from pADR which contains complement nucleotide sequence of HBV subtype adr and cloned into retroviral expression plasmid pLXSN, then transfected into packing cell (PT67) with lipofec AMINE. After 2-3 weeks selection with G418, large colonies were isolated and transferred to individual plates. Virus-containing medium was collected and used to infect NIH3T3, EL4 and mouse bone marrow derived dendritic cells(DC). DNA was extracted from infected cells and tested by PCR. Indirect immunofluorescence and FACS were used to detect the expression of HBcAg. Cell mediated immunity of immunized C57BL/6 mice with transduced DC was analyzed.

RESULTSThe insertion of HBV core gene fragment in the recombinant retroviral plasmid was confirmed by PCR as well as enzyme digestion with EcoR1 and BamH2. The viral titer reached 3 x 10(5) CFU/ml. The result of PCR showed that the HBV core gene had been integrated into the genome of infected NIH3T3 cells. Indirect immunofluorescence and FACS analysis showed that HBcAg had been expressed in these cells. HBcAg specific CTL responses could be generated in mice immunized with retrovirus transduced DC.

CONCLUSIONSHBV core gene had been integrated into eukaryotic cells with retroviral vector and target gene had been expressed efficiently. These results may have some impact on gene therapy of chronic hepatitis B.

3T3 Cells ; Animals ; Cloning, Molecular ; Dendritic Cells ; metabolism ; Eukaryotic Cells ; metabolism ; Genetic Vectors ; Hepatitis B Core Antigens ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; Humans ; Mice ; Recombination, Genetic ; genetics ; Retroviridae ; genetics ; Transfection

BACKGROUNDTertiary hospitals serve as the medical service center within the region and play an important role in the medical and health service system. They are also the key targets of public hospital reform in the new era in China. Through the reform of health system, the public hospital efficiency has changed remarkably. Therefore, this study aimed to provide some advice for efficiency assessment of public hospitals in China by comparing and analyzing the consistency of results obtained by three commonly used methods for examining hospital efficiency, that is, ratio analysis (RA), stochastic frontier analysis (SFA), and data envelopment analysis (DEA).

METHODSThe theoretical basis, operational processes, and the application status of RA, SFA, and DEA were learned through literature analysis. Then, the empirical analysis was conducted based on measured data from 51 tertiary public hospitals in Beijing from 2009 to 2011.

RESULTSThe average values of hospital efficiency calculated by SFA with index screening and principal component analysis (PCA) results and those calculated by DEA with index screening results were relatively stable. The efficiency of specialized hospitals was higher than that of general hospitals and that of traditional Chinese medicine hospitals. The results obtained by SFA with index screening results and the results obtained by SFA with PCA results showed a relatively high correlation (r-value in 2009, 2010, and 2011 were 0.869, 0.753, and 0.842, respectively, P < 0.01). The correlation between results obtained by DEA with index screening results and PCA results and results obtained by other methods showed statistical significance, but the correlation between results obtained by DEA with index screening results and PCA results was lower than that between results obtained by SFA with index screening results and PCA results.

CONCLUSIONSRA is not suitable for multi-index evaluation of hospital efficiency. In the given conditions, SFA is a stable efficiency analysis method. In the evaluation of hospital efficiency, DEA combined with PCA should be adopted with caution due to its poor stability.

China ; Hospitals, Public ; methods ; statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Principal Component Analysis ; Stochastic Processes

OBJECTIVEThe aim of the present study is to compare the effects of two alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonist terazosin and alfuzosin together with one alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist phenoxybenzamine on androgen-independent prostate cancer cell lines PC-3 and DU145.

METHODSTwo androgen- independent cell lines, PC-3 and DU145, were used to determine the cell viability, colony-forming ability as well as cell cycle characteristics after exposure to these three drugs.

RESULTSThis study showed that terazosin inhibited not only prostate cancer cell growth but also colony-forming ability, which is the main target of clinical treatment. On the other hand, alfuzosin and phenoxybenzamine have no effect on cell viability and colony forming ability of PC-3 and DU145. In addition, the terazosin inhibits cell growth through G(1) phase cell cycle arrest.

CONCLUSIONThis study provided the evidence that alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonist terazosin may have a therapeutic potential in the treatment of advanced androgen-independent prostate cancer.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists ; pharmacology ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Humans ; Male ; Phenoxybenzamine ; pharmacology ; Prazosin ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; pathology ; Quinazolines ; pharmacology

This study was aimed to prepare the spraying agent of prescriptions of Miao nationality herb and investigate the effect of Miao nationality herbs spray for serum SOD, MDA, and expression of Fas and Caspase-3 mRNA in lung tissues of silica-treated rats. The healthy SD rats were divided into 5 groups. Silica dust suspension was used in the model establishment of 4 groups. After the model was successfully established, 3 groups were randomly selected and given glucocorticoids atomization inhalation, Miao nationality herbs spray, Miao nationality herbs spray combined with intragastric administration of herbal medicine, respectively. After 40-day treatment, water-solubletetrazolium salt (WST-1) was used in the detection of serum superoxide dismutase (SOD). Thiobarbituric acid (TBA) was used in the detection of malondialdehyde (MDA). The mRNA expression variance of the Fas and Caspase-3 were detected by RT-PCR. The results showed that compared with the silica dust suspension group, the SOD activity of serum in the Miao nationality herbs spray group was significantly increased (P< 0.05). MDA content and the mRNA of Fas and Caspase-3 were significantly lower in the Miao nationality herbs spray group (P< 0.05). It was concluded that Miao nationality herbs spray group was able to increase the SOD activity of serum, decrease MDA content, and obviously decrease the expression of Fas and Caspase-3 of lung tissues among silica dust suspension rats.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the therapeutic effect, long term survival and side effect on NSCLC patients treated with nadaplatin combined with paclitaxol and cisplatin combined with paclitaxol.

METHODSNSCLC patients with stage IIIB or IV were randomized into two groups in this prospective clinical study. TN group: nadaplatin 30 mg/m2 dl-3, paclitaxol 175 mg/m2 dl, repeated every 4 weeks. TP group: DDP 30 mg/m2 dl-3, paclitaxol 175 mg/m2 dl, repeated every 4 weeks.

RESULTSSixty patients were enrolled and 57 were evaluable with 30 in TN group and 27 in TP group. The overall response rate were 43.3% vs. 48.1% (P = 0.716), and the disease control rate were 86.7% vs. 88.8% in TN and TP group (P = 0.799), respectively. The median survival time was 14.3 vs. 13.0 months, and the 1- and 2-year survival rate was 62.5% vs. 59.1%, 0% vs. 5.8% in TN and TP group (P = 0.839), respectively. The rates of neutropenia and thrombocytopenia were similar in TN and TP groups whereas more patients in TP group than in TN group suffered from anemia (38.5% vs. 17.5%, P = 0.001), nausea and vomiting (82.6% vs. 35.6%, P = 0.000), fatigue (35.9% vs. 14.1%, P = 0.000) and peripheral neurotoxicity (50.0% vs. 21.9%, calculated by case, P = 0.023).

CONCLUSIONNadaplatin combined with paclitaxol is an effective treatment regimen for NSCLC patients. When compared with similar regimen with cisplatin, the response rate and survival were similar; however, nadaplatin regimen shows some superiority as regards some treatment side effect.

Adult ; Aged ; Anemia ; chemically induced ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Neutropenia ; chemically induced ; Organoplatinum Compounds ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Paclitaxel ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Prospective Studies ; Remission Induction ; Survival Analysis ; Thrombocytopenia ; chemically induced ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo sum up the clinical experience in the reparation of burn wounds with different types of skin flaps in patients with severe electrical injury.

METHODSFree skin flap, axile island flap with vascular pedicle and muscular skin flap were employed to repair 64 wounds in 49 cases.

RESULTSSkin flap necrosis happened in 2 cases, congestion and necrosis at the edge of skin flaps in 4 cases, and complete survival of the skin flaps and primary healing of the wounds in the remaining cases.

CONCLUSIONReparation of wounds with proper skin flaps according to the degree of the electrical injury is effective and reliable, which might be beneficial to the prevention of necrobiosis and the infection in deep tissue.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Burns, Electric ; surgery ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Surgical Flaps

Objective To analyze the risk factors of the infusion pump to provide evidence-based basis for its safety management and monitoring.Methods Totally 1 000 pieces of questionnaires were issued for 100 infusion pumps from 9 grade-A tertiary hospitals in Beijing.The abnormalities and the correlation between the indexes were analyzed for the infusion pump,the indexes were compared on their effects on the abnormalities.Results Statistical analysis on data samples showed that the main factors included the manufacturer of infusion pump and pipeline,service time of infusion pump,compatibility between infusion pump and pipeline as well as the user department.Conclusion The management facility has to pose emphases on safety and utilization management as well as standardized application of the infusion pipeline so as to reduce adverse events efficiently.

OBJECTIVETo study the biological characteristics of cytotoxicity T lymphocyte (CTL) induced by dendritic cell (DC) transfected with the Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein 2A (EBV-LMP2A) recombinant adenovirus. To establish nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) animal models expressing LMP2A and investigate the anti-tumor effect of LMP2A specific CTL in vivo.

METHODSThe mononuclear cells were isolated from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and cultured with the cytokines [granulocyto-monocyte colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interleukin-4 (IL-4) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha TNF-alpha]. The expression of surface markers on mature DC was detected by fluorescence activated cell sorter FACS. Mature DC were transfected with LMP2A recombinant adenovirus. Under the help of interleukin-2 (IL-2), LMP2A specific CTL were induced by coculturing LMP2A-transfected DC with autologous PBMC. The population of CTL was detected by FACS. NPC animal models were constructed by implanting CNE cells expressing LMP2A subcutaneously into BALB/c nude mice. After intra-tumoral injection of LMP2A specific CTL, the size of tumor was measured. The tumors were removed after 30 d and subjected to histological examination.

RESULTSMature DC displaying typical characteristics of morphology and phenotype were obtained from monocytes cultured in the medium containing GM-CSF, IL-4 and TNF-alpha. The LMP2A specific CTL induced by transfected DC were composed of mainly CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. The NPC animal models were constructed three weeks after implanting CNE cells. The study in vivo indicated that the tumors treated with LMP2A specific CTL grew slowly compared with control. Tumor volume of treated groups was significantly smaller than that of controls. The histological sections showed local necrosis and infiltration of lymphocyte in tumor tissue.

CONCLUSIONSTypically mature DC could be generated in vitro by culturing monocytes with the cytokines. LMP2A-specific CTL could be induced by LMP2A transfected DC in vitro. NPC mice models could be constructed by implanting CNE cells. LMP2A specific CTL could inhibit the growth of implanted tumor and produce an anti-tumor effect in vivo.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Dendritic Cells ; immunology ; Female ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; pathology ; therapy ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic ; immunology ; Transfection ; Viral Matrix Proteins ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo present the clinical application of composite graft of acellular allo-dermis matrix (ADM) with thin auto-microskin on burn wound.

METHODS8 inpatients with 18 full thickness skin burn wounds were transplanted with allo-ADM after eschar was excised, then the auto-microskin and allo-human skin were covered on the area of the matrix, the wound where no allo-ADM grafting were covered as control groups only with auto-microskin and allo-human skin. The area of donor to wound is 1:5 - 1:8.

RESULTSSurvived rate of 18 pieces composite skin that allo-ADM with auto-microskin were grafted were 94%. After following up for 3 to 13 months, the skins of complex grifting had well elastic and smooth texture compared to auto-microskin grafted, they appeared less cicatrisation and ulceration. 3 months after operation, it was indicated by histological examination that tightknit the epithelial-dermal conjunction and epidermal papilla structure could be identified in the allo-ADM skin and there were orderly collagenous fibres, but scar skin structure was observed in that auto-microskin grifted area.

CONCLUSIONThe graft effectiveness of allo-ADM and auto-microskin was better than that of auto-microskin, and this method could be used on major deep burn wound healing.

Adult ; Burns ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Skin Transplantation ; methods ; Tissue Donors ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Transplantation, Homologous ; Treatment Outcome