Objective: To prepare an X-ray developable alginate-barium sulfate microspheres as material for embolic agent. Methods: The emulsification-internal gelation technique was used to prepare alginate microspheres and the orthogonal design was adopted to optimize the technique. The diameter, shape, dispersibility, stability, suspension property, coating ratio and developability under X-ray of the microspheres were examined. Results: The average diameter of the microspheres was (53. 08± 32. 72) μm; they were well distributed and had a round shape. The ratio of the destroyed microspheres was (2. 0±1, 1) % after heated at 100°C for 2 h,(86. 0± 19. 2)% after frozen at - 4°C for 24 h, (39. 0± 14. 7)% after vibrated at 37°C for 24 h, and (10. 3±3. 2)% after irradiated with 60Co(10kGy) for 0. 5 h. The ratio of sedimentation volume in 0. 25 % suspension of sodium alginate microspheres was (0. 92±0. 018). The coating rate was (69. 2±13.2) % when the feeding amount of barium sulfate was 2. 0 g, and the result of X-ray development was good. Conclusion: Alginate-chitosan can be used for the preparation of barium sulfate microspheres; and the emulsification-internal gelation technique can prepare the microspheres with good dispersibility and shape.

Objective By analyzing the surveillance result of Brucellosis in human being of Guizhou province from 2005 to 2008,to understand the current situation of relevant population with brucella infection,and then to provide the basis for the development of prevention and control measures.Methods According to the Brucella Disease Monitoring Standards (GB 16885-1997),in Guizhou province,Huaxi,Wudang,Xingyi,Dushan,Ceheng,Long Lane,Xifeng,Carey,Ziyun and so on other areas(city,county) were selected as monitoring points,and occupational groups of animal husbandry in agricultural areas,as well as farmers and students contacted with livestock were selected as monitoring subjects.Rose bengal plate agglutination test(RBPT) and tube agglutination test (SAT) were used to detect Brucellosis antibody.Results From 2005 to 2008,Brucellosis antibody detection rate was 0.63％(37/5904) in target groups of Guizhou province,specifically,the rates in Huaxi,Wudang,Xingyi and Ceheng counties(towns or districts) were 2.28％(19/832),0.16％(2/1274),1.84％(15/815) and 0.14％ (1/735),respectively; the rates in livestock workers,peasants and students contacted with livestock in rural areas were 1.29％ (36/2800),0.04％ ( 1/2814) and 0.00％ (0/290),respectively.In all antibody positive carriers,most were dairy cattle raisers which accounted for 83.78％ (31/37) in the total infected persons.Conclusions Dairy cattle and goat raisers in some counties(towns or districts) of Guizhou province have infected Brucellosis,and direct contacts with brucella-carrying cattle is the major route of Brucellosis transmission in human being.Strengthen livestock quarantine and dispose infected livestock timely are the key of Brucellosis control.

To study the influence of vaccine of bcr-abl fusion gene fragment on inoculated SP2/0/bcr-abl tumor cells in mice, BALB/c mice were immunized with pVbcr-abl, pVbcr-abl/mIL7 plasmids, respectively, then SP2/0/bcr-abl cells expressing the fragment of bcr-abl fusion gene were inoculated subcutaneously into the groin of BALB/c mice in order to observe the effect of vaccine on growth of inoculated SP2/0/bcr-abl tumor cells. The results showed that there were distinct differences on the time of tumor growth, the time of tumor ulceration, tumor volume and survival time of mice bearing tumor between two immunized groups and two control groups (blank and vacant plasmid groups). The mice immunized with pVbcr-abl/mIL7 lived longer as compared to mice immunized with pVbcr-abl. The tissue of inoculated tumor was more compact, tumor organ was larger, tumor form was irregular in 2 control groups, while the tissue of inoculated tumor was looser, tumor volume was smaller, and with mass inflammatory infiltration in two immunized groups. Moreover, the metastatic tumor cells were found in the livers of control groups, but not observed in two immunized groups. It is concluded that the protection occurred in immunized mice which inhibited the growth of SP2/0/bcr-abl tumor cell in vivo.
Animals ; Cancer Vaccines ; immunology ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Female ; Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Multiple Myeloma ; genetics ; immunology ; pathology ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Random Allocation ; Vaccines, DNA ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo study the specific immune response induced by a recombinant eukaryotic expression plasmid encoding bcr-abl fusion gene fragment so as to explore new immunotherapy in mouse.

METHODSA recombinant eukaryotic vector pVbcr-abl expression cDNA fragment of bcr-abl fusion gene was constructed and used to immunize BALB/c mice. Serum level of bcr-abl specific antibody was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Twenty days later the immunized mice were subcutaneously inoculated SP2/0/bcr-abl cells. The survival time, tumor growth time and lymphocytic infiltration were observed. T cells infiltration into tumor tissue was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Changes of T cell subset in the spleen of mice was analyzed by fluorescent-activated cell sorting (FACS) and the cytotoxicity T lymphocyte (CTL) activity in spleen by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)-release assay.

RESULTSThe eukaryotic expression vector pVbcr-abl was constructed successfully, and highly expressed the cDNA fragment of bcr-abl fusion gene. The BALB/c mice immunized with the vector could generate the specific antibody and CTL, resulting in a specific immunoprotection. There were dramatic differences in the tumor-forming time, tumor ulcer appearing time and tumor-growing speed between the immunized and the control groups. The mice had longer survival time in the immunized group than in the control group. There were a large amount of CD3(+) T cells infiltration in tumor tissue of the immunized mice. The spleen cells from the immunized mice had higher CTL activity with a alteration of T cell subset, the CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio being 1.54 +/- 0.29, higher than that of control group (1.18 +/- 0.30).

CONCLUSIONThe recombinant eukaryotic expression plasmid pVbcr-abl can induce in vivo not only the generation of specific antibody, but also high level of specific CTL activity, resulting in killing the SP2/0/bcr-abl tumor cells directly and inhibiting the tumor growth.

Animals ; Female ; Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl ; genetics ; Gene Expression ; Genetic Vectors ; Immunotherapy ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Random Allocation ; Transfection

Objective To etiologically diagnose and analyze a patient with suspected cases of brucellosis,and to provide a experimental basis for the confirmation of the first case of human brucellosis in Guizhou province.Methods Conventional and molecular techniques [genus specific Brucella surface protein 31 PCR (BCSP31-PCR)and Brucella suis species-specific PCR (AMOS-PCR)] were used to identify suspicious bacteria strains isolated from the suspected patient of brucellosis.Results The results showed that the Brucella suspicious colonies were identified as Brucella melitensis biotype 3 using conventional tests and were further identified as Brucella spp.by genus specific Brucella surface protein 31 PCR (BCSP31-PCR) and classified as Brucella melitensis with Brucella abortus,Brucella melitensis,Brucella ovis,Brucella suis species-specific PCR(AMOS-PCR).Conclusions Laboratory diagnostic results show that the bacteria strain isolated from the suspected patient of brucellosis is Brucella melitensis biotype 3.It is the first case of human brucellosis in Guizhou province.

OBJECTIVEThere are scant data about normal reference values of blood glucose (BG) in children. This study was conducted to learn the BG profile of children and adolescents in Beijing area.

METHODThe population for survey was selected as a stratified cluster sample from 8 urban and 10 rural areas in Beijing. Fasting capillary blood glucose (FCBG) was determined in 19,593 children and adolescents aged 6 to 18 years in 4 urban and 3 rural areas using haemosaccharometer model II [Roche Diagnostic, (Shanghai) Ltd].

RESULTSThere were 1 9112 (97.5%) individuals with complete records, the mean age was 12.1 +/- 3.3 years (ranged from 6 to 18.9 years); 9514 (49.8%) were boys, 9598 (50.2%) were girls, 9792 were (51.2%) from urban areas and 9320 (48.8%) from rural areas. The average level of FCBG in boys was higher than that in girls (4.7 +/- 0.5 vs. 4.5 +/- 0.5, u = 28.0, P < 0.01). Among urban children, the trend of variation of FCBG was similar between boys and girls, the levels of FCBG increased with age, the peak of FCBG was reached at 12-13 years in urban girls, and from the age of 15 years, the level of FCBG declined. In boys, the FCBG level increased slowly from 13 years of age, there was no significant variation until 17 years old, and declined at the age of 18. Among suburban children, the trend of variation of FCBG was similar between boys and girls, both of them had two peaks, from 6 to 11 years old, FCBG of both boys and girls increased with age, and both reached the first peak at the age of 11 years. While at 13 years of age, there was an obvious drop in FCBG level. From 14 years of age on, there was a rise of FCBG in both boys and girls, and the second peak of FCBG was reached at 15 and 16 years of age in girls and boys respectively. The FCBG level of urban children was higher than that of rural children (4.7 +/- 0.5 vs. 4.6 +/- 0.5, u = 13.8, P < 0.01). The level of FCBG in overweight and obese children was higher than that of normal children. More boys, more obese and more urban children had abnormal FCBG.

CONCLUSIONSThe blood glucose level of children was associated with age, gender, obesity and district.

Adolescent ; Anthropometry ; Blood Glucose ; Child ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Sampling Studies

OBJECTIVEThe incidence of type 1 diabetes varied in different countries, different nations and different regions. This survey was conducted to clarify the incidence of type 1 diabetes of children in Beijing area between 1997 and 2000, to compare and analyze the difference in incidence of type 1 diabetes between the 2 periods of 1988 - 1996 and 1997 - 2000.

METHODAccording to the criteria of WHO Diabetes Mondial (DIAMOND), data were collected from all the children younger than 15 years of age in Beijing area who had the onset of type 1 diabetes during Jan. 1st, 1997 to Dec. 31st, 2000. Using the capture-recapture methods, 95% confidence intervals of incidence were calculated with Poisson's distribution formula. The significance of differences was tested with Chi-square method.

RESULTSThe incidences of type 1 diabetes during 1997 - 2000 were around 0.76/100 000 to 1.21/100 000. The average yearly incidence was 1.014/100 000 (95% confidence interval was 0.98/100 000 - 1.16/100 000). There was no significant difference in the incidence between 1988 - 1996 and 1997 - 2000, and it showed the same result when the incidences were adjusted by age according to the Chinese population census in 2000 (The incidence was 0.83/100 000 in 1988 - 1996 and 0.86/100 000 in 1997 - 2000, respectively). The incidence was higher in 10 - 14 year-old group than the younger groups (P = 0.002). There was no significant difference between male and female groups, either.

CONCLUSIONSNo significant difference was found between the periods 1988 - 1996 and 1997 - 2000 when the average yearly incidence of type 1 diabetes of children in Beijing was compared. These results were different from the other countries' reports that the incidence of type 1 diabetes was increasing by 3% - 5% per annum. There was no significant difference between male and female groups either and there was a higher incidence of type 1 diabetes in 10 - 14 yr group than the other groups in 1997 - 2000. Although the life-style of Beijing people changed a lot, it didn't affect the incidence of type 1 diabetes in children in this area. But since many people migrated to Beijing from other parts of the country, the changes in constitutive proportions of population might have some impacts on the results of the survey.

Age Factors ; Child ; China ; epidemiology ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 ; epidemiology ; Female ; Health Surveys ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Sex Factors

OBJECTIVE: To determine the short-term efficacy and security of whole body hyperthermia (WBH) combined with chemotherapy for advanced cancer. METHODS: Different chemotherapy regimens were applied in 138 patients with advanced cancer. Among them, 68 patients (Group A) didn't receive any other therapies. The other 70 patients (Group B) received WBH together with chemotherapy. WBH was maintained at 40 degrees C approximately 42 degrees C for 50 approximately 60 min (once or twice every week and 4 times a cycle). RESULTS: In Group A, the rate of complete remission (CR) was 2.9%, partial remission (PR) was 36.8%, stable disease was 35.3%, progressive disease was 25.0%, the overall response rate (CR + PR) was 39.7%; while in Group B, the corresponding figures were 5.7%, 52.9%, 25.7%, 25.0%, and 58.6%, respectively. There was significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). The rates of III + IV gastrointestinal tract andmyelosuppression toxicities were 26.5% and 16.2% in Group A, while 27.1% and 18.6% in Group B. No significant difference was found. CONCLUSION WBH combined with chemotherapy is efficient and safe for advanced cancer, and is worth generalizing extensively.
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperthermia, Induced ; Lung Neoplasms ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; therapy ; Stomach Neoplasms ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVEA suspected Brucella (B.) strain(GZZA), isolated from a case of anti-Brucella antibody positive patient was identified and its' genetic characteristics was analyzed, to provide etiologic basis for the confirmation of patient in Guizhou province.

METHODSConventional methods and polymerase chain reaction(PCR)were used to identify the bacteria strain, with genetic characteristics analyzed by MLVA-16.

RESULTSThe bacteria strain was identified as B. melitensis biovar 3 under the conventional and PCR methods. Results from the MLVA-16 analysis indicated that the bacteria strain was closely clustered with B. melitensis biovar 3, and differences of repeated numbers at VNTR loci bruce42, bruce04, bruce09 and bruce16 were also displayed.

CONCLUSIONBoth traditional and molecular methods to identify one bacteria strain isolated from the human patient as B. melitensis biovar 3 and the genetic characteristics of the strain was closely related to that of B. melitensis biovar 3. Differences of repeated numbers at part of VNTR loci were also showed. The results of this study provided etiologic evidences for the confirmation of Brucella infection of the patient, also providing scientific basis for the control and prevention of Brucellosis in Guizhou province.

Adult ; Bacterial Typing Techniques ; methods ; Brucella ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Brucellosis ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; China ; epidemiology ; DNA, Bacterial ; genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male

This study is designed to evaluate antioxidant and antigenotoxic activities of corn tassel extracts (CTTs). The major bioactive components of CTTs include flavonoid, saponin and polysaccharide. The antioxidant properties of the three bioactive components of CTTs were investigated by Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Property (FRAP) and 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays. The activities of the extracts were determined by assessing the inhibition of mutagenicity of the direct-acting mutagen fenaminosulf, sodium azide, and indirect-acting mutagen 2-aminofluorene using the Ames test (strains TA98 and TA100). The results showed that the extraction rates of flavonoid, saponin, and polysaccharide from the dried corn tassels were 1.67%, 2.41% and 4.76% respectively. DPPH and FRAP assay strongly demonstrated that CTTs had antioxidant properties. CTTs at doses of 625, 1250 and 2500 μg per plate reduced 2-aminofluorene mutagenicity by 12.52%, 28.76% and 36.49% in Salmonella typhimurium TA98 strain assay respectively and by 10.98%, 25.27% and 37.83%, at the same doses in Salmonella typhimurium TA100 assay system, respectively. 3-[4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay showed that the different concentrations of CTTs inhibited the proliferation of MGC80-3 cells in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.01). It is concluded that these integrated approaches to antioxidant and antigenotoxicity assessment may be useful to study corn tassel as a natural herbal material.
Antimutagenic Agents ; pharmacology ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Biphenyl Compounds ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Fluorenes ; pharmacology ; Free Radical Scavengers ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Inflorescence ; chemistry ; Mutagens ; pharmacology ; Picrates ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Polysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Salmonella typhimurium ; drug effects ; genetics ; Saponins ; pharmacology ; Zea mays ; chemistry