OBJECTIVEThe pEgr-TNFalpha plasmid was constructed to investigate the effect of gene-radiotherapy on melanoma and host immune system.

METHODSpEgr-TNFalpha plasmids were constructed and injected into tumor tissue, 36 hours later, the tumors were given 20 Gy X-ray irradiation. Tumor growth at different timepoints was record and immunologic parameters were detected 15 days later.

RESULTSFrom 3 to 15 d after pEgr-TNFalpha gene-radiotherapy the tumor growth was significantly slower than irradiation or genetherapy alone. NK activity, IL-2, TNFalpha and IL-1beta secretion activities of pEgr-TNFalpha gene-radiotherapy group and pEgr-TNFalpha gene group were higher than those of irradiation alone group significantly.

CONCLUSIONThe anti-tumor effect of pEgr-TNFalpha gene-radiotherapy is better than that of either one applied solely, and it can alleviate the lesion caused by radiation therapy.

Animals ; Combined Modality Therapy ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Early Growth Response Protein 1 ; Female ; Genetic Therapy ; Immediate-Early Proteins ; genetics ; Interleukin-2 ; secretion ; Killer Cells, Natural ; immunology ; Melanoma, Experimental ; immunology ; therapy ; Mice ; Plasmids ; Transcription Factors ; genetics ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; genetics

EMG, This paper introduces a slope variability algorithm which uses the CU Database and the AHA Database. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictivity and accuracy are calculated and these values are compared with the results from two earlier detection algorithms. The results show this algorithm is more effective and fast than other algorithms.
Algorithms ; Defibrillators ; Electric Countershock ; instrumentation ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of ulinastatin on renal function and ultrastructure changes after renal ischemia-reperfusion in rats.

METHODSAcute ischemic renal injury model was established (45 min of bilateral renal ischemia and reperfusion for 24 h). Thirty Male SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: sham operation group (control group or group C, without renal ischemia), renal ischemia-reperfusion group (ischemia-reperfusion group or group I, without ulinastatin), renal ischemia-reperfusion and ulinastatin intravenous injection group (ulinastatin group or group U). BUN level, serum creatinine values and renal ultrastructure were measured.

RESULTSSerum creatinine (167 +/- 39) micromol/L and BUN concentration (21 +/- 7) mmol/L in group I were significantly higher than those in group U: serum creatinine (116 +/- 13) micromol/L and BUN concentration (14.1 +/- 2.6) mmol/L (P < 0.05). The renal ultrastructure was greatly injured in group I, meanwhile, it was obviously ameliorated in group U.

CONCLUSIONUlinastatin greatly improved renal function and provides remarkable protection on renal ultrastructure after ischemia-reperfusion of kidney in rats.

Animals ; Glycoproteins ; pharmacology ; Kidney ; blood supply ; drug effects ; ultrastructure ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion Injury ; drug therapy ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo observe the efficacy of electroacupuncture on sepsis and explore its mechanism.

METHODSFifty cases were randomized into an observation group (26 cases) and a control group (24 cases). The therapeutic programs of anti-infection, anti-shock, respiratory support and nutritional support were provided, but the drugs that might affect gastrointestinal motility were not prescribed in two groups. In the observation group, on the basic treatment as above, electroacupuncture was applied to Zusanli (ST 36), Tianshu (ST 25), Shangjuxu (ST 37), Xiajuxu (ST 39). The excretion ratio of lactulose to mannitol (L/M) in urine and serum D-lactic acid level were detected before and after treatment, as well as the time of target feeding of the patients in two groups. The efficacy was compared between two groups.

RESULTSAfter treatment for 3 days, L/M was (0.083 +/- 0.020) and serum D-lactic acid was (0.155 +/- 0.196) mmol/L in the observation group, which were apparently reduced as compared with (0.123 +/- 0.034) and (0.193 +/- 0.377) mmol/L in the control group respectively (both P < 0.05). The time of target feeding was (93.69 +/- 27.58) h in the observation group, which was shortened apparently than (118.17 +/- 40.28) h in the control group (P < 0.05). The total effective rate was 80.8% (21/26) in the observation group, which was better than 54.2% (13/24) in the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONConventional treatment combined with electroacupuncture can improve intestinal permeability in sepsis patients, recover intestinal function as quickly as possible to achieve target feeding.

Acupuncture Points ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Humans ; Intestines ; metabolism ; Lactulose ; metabolism ; Male ; Mannitol ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Permeability ; Sepsis ; metabolism ; therapy

The effect of sowing date on grain protein, hordein fraction content and malting quality of two-rowed spring barley was investigated by using ten commercial cultivars with different grain protein content and the relationships among these traits were examined. The results showed that grain protein content and B hordein content increased as the sowing date postponed and were significantly affected by sowing date, while C and D hordein contents were less influenced by sowing date. There were significant differences in grain protein and hordein fraction content among the ten cultivars. The coefficient of variation of D hordein content was much larger than that of B and C hordein contents, suggesting its greater variation caused by different sowing dates. Beta-amylase activity and diastatic power were also significantly affected by sowing date, with malt extract being less affected. Significant differences in measured malt quality were found among the ten cultivars. Grain protein was significantly correlated with B hordein and malt extract positively and negatively, respectively. There was no significant correlation between beta-amylase activity or diastatic power and grain protein content. B hordein was negatively and significantly correlated with malt extract, but no significant correlations between C hordein, D hordein and malting quality traits.
Edible Grain ; chemistry ; Food Analysis ; Food Technology ; Glutens ; Hordeum ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Plant Proteins ; metabolism ; Seeds ; growth & development ; metabolism

Purpose: While numerous epidemiological studies have indicated that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids have anticancer properties in various cancers, the effects and mechanisms of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in ovarian cancer cell growth are poorly understood. Materials and Methods: ES2 ovarian clear cell carcinoma cells and SKOV3 adenocarcinoma cells were treated with palmitic acid or EPA, followed by flow cytometry and cell counting to measure apoptosis and proliferation, respectively. A modified protein lipid overlay assay was used to further verify whether EPA was a ligand of G protein–coupled receptor 30 (GPR30) in ES2 cells. The levels of apoptosis-related genes, phosphorylated AKT, and phosphorylated ERK1/2 were detected to explore the underlying mechanism. Finally, inhibitory effect of EPA on tumor growth via GPR30 was determined in vitro and in vivo. Results: EPA suppressed ES2 ovarian clear cell carcinoma cells growth via GPR30, a novel EPA receptor, by inducing apoptosis. As a ligand of GPR30, EPA activated the GPR30-cAMP– protein kinase A signaling pathway. When GPR30 was suppressed by siRNA or its inhibitor G15, the antiproliferative action of EPA was impaired. Furthermore, EPA inhibited tumor growth by blocking the activation of AKT and ERK. In the mouse xenograft model, EPA decreased tumor volume and weight through GPR30 by blocking tumor cell proliferation. Conclusion These results confirm that EPA is a tumor suppressor in human ovarian clear cell carcinoma cells and functions through a novel fatty acid receptor, GPR30, indicating a mechanistic linkage between omega-3 fatty acids and cancers.

OBJECTIVETo explore whether angiotensin-(1-7) [Ang-(1-7)] protects cardiac myocytes against high glucose (HG)-induced injury by inhibiting ClC-3 chloride channels.

METHODH9c2 cardiac cells were exposed to 35 mmol/L glucose for 24 h to establish a cell injury model. The cells were treated with Ang-(1-7) or the inhibitor of chloride channel (NPPB) in the presence of HG for 24 h to observe the changes in HG-induced cell injury. Cell counter kit 8 (CCK-8) assay was used to test the cell viability, and the morphological changes of the apoptotic cells were detected using Hoechst 33258 staining and fluorescent microscopy. The intracellular level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was examined by DCFH-DA staining, SOD activity in the culture medium was measured using commercial kits, and the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) of the cells was tested with rodamine 123 staining. The expression level of cardiac ClC-3 chloride channels was detected with Western blotting.

RESULTSExposure of H9c2 cardiac cells to 35 mmol/L glucose for 24 h markedly enhanced the expressions of cardiac ClC-3 channel protein (P<0.01). Co-treatment of the cells with 1 µmol/L Ang-(1-7) and HG for 24 h significantly attenuated HG- induced upregulation of ClC-3 channel protein expression (P<0.01). Co-treatment of the cells exposed to HG with 1 µmol/L Ang-(1-7) or 100 µmol/L NPPB for 24 h obviously ameliorated HG-induced injuries as shown by increased cell viability, enhanced SOD activity, decreased number of apoptotic cells, and reduced intracellular ROS generation and loss of MMP (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONClC-3 channels are involved in HG-induced injury in cardiac cells. Ang-(1-7) protects cardiac cells against HG-induced injury by inhibiting ClC-3 channels.

This study was aimed to investigate the incidence of thrombosis in patients with primary thrombocytosis (PT) and its correlation with function changes of platelets, and to explore the effect of thromboxane A2 (TXA2) inhibitor-ozagrel sodium on platelet activity and its efficacy for prevention and treatment of thrombosis. The CD62P and PAC-1 levels on platelet surface were detected by flow cytometry; the levels of TXB2 (metabolic product of TXA2) and 6-keto-PGFIalpha (metabolic product of prostacyclin) were detected by FLISA. The function change of platelets and its correlation with thrombosis were observed and compared in PT patients with and without thrombosis. The results indicated that the TXB2, PAC-1 and CD62P level, and TXB2/6-keto-PGF1alpha ratio in PT patients with thrombosis were higher than those in PT patients without thrombosis before treatment with ozagrel sodium (p<0.01). After treatment with ozagrel sodium, the function indexes of platelets such as CD62P, PAC-1, TXB2 and TXB2/6-keto-PGF1alpha except 6-keto-PGF1alpha in PT patients with and without thrombosis decreased obviously (p<0.01), but there was no significant difference in TXB2, 6-keto-PGF1alpha and TXB2/6-keto-PGF1alpha levels between PT patients with and without thrombosis except CD62P and PAC-1. It is concluded that the multi-index of platelets in PT patients with thrombosis are higher than that in PT patients without thrombosis, the activation of platelet function is a high risk factor for thrombosis of PT patients. The ozagrel sodium can obviously reduce the platelet activation, decrease the production of TXA2 and ameliorate the TXB2/6-keto-PGF1alpha ratio. The ozagrel sodium not only possesses therapeutic effect, but also preventive efficacy for thrombosis.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Fibrinolytic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Methacrylates ; therapeutic use ; Middle Aged ; Thrombocythemia, Essential ; complications ; drug therapy ; Thrombosis ; complications ; drug therapy ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDNeuromyelitis optica (NMO) and multiple sclerosis (MS) are autoimmune demyelinating diseases of the central nerve system. Interleukin-7 (IL-7) and interleukin-7 receptor alpha (IL-7Rα) were proved to be important in the pathogenesis of both diseases because of the roles they played in the differentiations of autoimmune lymphocytes. The variants of both genes had been identified to be associated with MS susceptibility in Caucasian, Japanese and Korean populations. However, the association of these variants with NMO and MS has not been well studied in Chinese Southeastern Han population. Here, we aimed to evaluate the association of six IL-7 variants (rs1520333, rs1545298, rs4739140, rs6993386, rs7816065, and rs2887502) and one variant of IL-7RA (rs6897932) with NMO and MS among Chinese Han population in southeastern China.

METHODSMatrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MassARRAY system) and Sanger sequencing were used to determine the variants of IL-7 and IL-7RA in 167 NMO patients, 159 MS patients and 479 healthy controls among Chinese Han population in southeastern China. Samples were excluded if the genotyping success rate <90%.

RESULTSStatistical differences were observed in the genotypes of IL-7 rs1520333 in MS patients and IL-7RA rs6897932 in NMO patients, compared with healthy controls (P = 0.035 and 0.034, respectively). There was a statistically significant difference in the genotypes of IL-7 rs2887502 between MS and NMO patients (P = 0.014). And there were statistically significant differences in the rs6897932 genotypes (P = 0.004) and alleles (P = 0.042) between NMO-IgG positive patients and healthy controls.

CONCLUSIONSThe study suggested that among Chinese Han population in southeastern China, the variant of IL-7RA (rs6897932) was associated with NMO especially NMO-IgG positive patients while the variant of IL-7 (rs1520333) with MS patients. And the genotypic differences of IL-7 rs2887502 between MS and NMO indicated the different genetic backgrounds of these two diseases.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Child ; China ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; genetics ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Interleukin-7 ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Sclerosis ; genetics ; Neuromyelitis Optica ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; genetics ; Receptors, Interleukin-7 ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the efficacy of 2-month course of sleeping position correction in the treatment of positional plagiocephaly in infants aged <8 months.

METHODSA total of 73 infants with positional plagiocephaly between January 2015 and June 2016 were divided into treatment group (n=46) and control group (n=27) according to parents' wishes. The treatment group received sleeping position correction, while the control group received sleep curve mattress. The oblique diameters A and B in the two groups were measured and the cranial vault asymmetry (CVA) was calculated before and after treatment. The severity of positional plagiocephaly based on CVA was compared between the two groups before and after treatment. The Gesell Developmental Scale was used to determine the developmental quotients (DQs) in the motor, adaptive, language, and social domains in the two groups before and after treatment.

RESULTSBefore treatment, there were no significant differences in oblique diameters A and B, CVA, and DQs in the four specific domains between the two groups (P>0.05). After 2 months of treatment, the treatment group had a significantly greater oblique diameter B and a significantly smaller CVA than the control group (P<0.05); there were no significant differences in DQs in the four specific domains between the two groups (P>0.05). After treatment, both groups had significant improvements in oblique diameters A and B, CVA, and DQs in the motor and adaptive domains (P<0.01); moreover, the treatment group showed a significant improvement in the DQs in the social domain (P<0.01). There was no significant difference in the severity of positional plagiocephaly between the two groups before and after treatment (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSFor infants with positional plagiocephaly, sleeping position correction has better efficacy and is more convenient and economical than the sleep curve mattress, so it holds promise for clinical application.

Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Plagiocephaly, Nonsynostotic ; etiology ; therapy ; Posture ; Severity of Illness Index ; Sleep