Objective To evaluate the prognostic significance of MMP-2 , MMP-9 and Cathepsin-D expression in lymph node-negative human breast carcinoma. Methods Specimens from the primary breast tumors of 270 axillary lymph node negative breast cancer patients were studied for MMP-2 , MMP-9 and Cathepsin-D protein expression by immunohistochemical staining. Results The positive expression of MMP-2, MMP-9 and Cathepsin-D was 56.7%(153/270),59.6%(161/270) and 55.6%(150/270), respectively. In univariate analysis, MMP-2, MMP-9 and the co-expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were significantly associated with tumor free survival. In multivariate analysis, co-expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 was unfavorablely related with tumor free survival(RR=2.487; P

Objective To investigate blood plasma melatonin level in night-shift nurses and explore the relationship of blood plasma melatonin level with nervous system symptom (insomnia、anxiety、depression). Methods ELISA were used for detection of blood plasma melatonin level in 80 night-shift nurses of different age group. Results Blood plasma melatonin level of shift work nurses (36to40、41to45 yearold) were significant lower than the corresponding age group of the control group, the nervous system symptom of these age group night-shift nurses correlated to melatonin level of melatonin. Conclusions Blood plasma level of melatonin have a close relation to nervous system symptom(insomnia、anxietydepression).

Objective To analyze the local control rate and the desimetric patterns of local recurrence in nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC)patients having been treated with standardized conventional radiotherapy and to evaluate the delineation of rational target volume.Methods From Jan.2000 to Dec.2000,476 patients with untreated NPC were treated by standardized conventional radiotherapy alone at the Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center.The radiation ports were designed on a X-ray simulator.The nasopharyngeal lesion demonstrated by CT scan and the subclinical spread regions adjacent to the nasopharynx were defined as the target volume.Kaplan- Meier method was used to calculate the cumulative local recurrence rate.For patients with locad recurrence,the primary and recurrent local tumor volumes(V_(nx),V_(recur))were delineated with three-dimensional treatment planning system(3DTPS),and the dataset of radiation ports and delivered prescription dose to the 3DTPS were transferred according to the first treatment.The dose of radiation received by V_(recur)was calculated and analyzed with dose- volume histogram(DVH).Local recurrence was classified as:1.“in-port”with 95% or mere of the recurrence volume((recur)_V_(95))was within the 95% isedase;2.“marginal”with 20% to95% of _(recur)V_(95)within the 95% isedese; 3.“outside”with only less than 20% of _(recur)_V_(95)within the 95% isodose curve.Results With the median follow- up of 42.5 months(range 8～54 months),52 patients developed local recurrence.The 1-,2-,3 and 4-year cumulative local failure rate was 0.6%,3.9%,8.7% and 11.5%,respectively.Among the 42 local recurrent patients who could be analyzed by 3DTPS,52% were in-port,40% were marginal and 7% were outside.For most of the marginal recurrence and all the outside recurrence patients,the main reason of recurrence were related to the unreasonable design of the radiation port and inaccuracy in the interpretation image findings.Conclusions The outcome of better local control rate and the dosimetric pattern of local recurrence show that the target volume is reasonable for NPC in Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center.Enhancing the capability of correct interpretation of images,accurate design of the radiation pouts and making most useful molecular or functional imaging techniques to escalate the local radiation dose are promising ways to improve the local control further and better.

OBJECTIVETo establish a method of acutely isolating dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons for patch clamp study of single-channel.

METHODSDRG neurons of rats were acutely isolated by enzymatic digestion and mechanical blowing.

RESULTSThe acutely isolated DRG cells were easy to form the higher sealing resistance (> 5G Omega), which lowered noise level, so that pA-level single channel currents could be recorded.

CONCLUSIONThe acutely isolated DRG neurons in this study are an ideal for patch-clamp study of single-channel.

Animals ; Cell Separation ; methods ; Female ; Ganglia, Spinal ; cytology ; Ion Channel Gating ; physiology ; Ion Channels ; Male ; Neurons ; cytology ; physiology ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

BACKGROUNDTreatment for malignant glioma generally consists of cytoreductive surgery followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. In this study, we intended to investigate the effects of 2-propylpentanoic acid (VPA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor, on chemosensitivity and radiosensitivity in human glioma cell lines.

METHODSHuman glioma cell lines, T98-G, and SF295, were treated with temozolomide (TMZ) or irradiation (IR), with or without VPA (1.0 mmol/L). Then, cytotoxicity and clonogenic survival assay was performed. Cell cycle stage, apoptosis, and autophagy were also detected using flow cytometry and dansyl monocadaverin (MDC) incorporation assay. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and t-test were used to analyze the differences among variant groups.

RESULTSMild cytotoxicity of VPA was revealed in both cell lines, T98-G and SF295, with the 50% inhibiting concentration (IC50) value of (3.85 ± 0.58) mmol/L and (2.15 ± 0.38) mmol/L, respectively; while the IC50 value of TMZ was (0.20 ± 0.09) mmol/L for T98-G and (0.08 ± 0.02) mmol/L for SF295. Moreover, if combined with VPA (1.0 mmol/L) for 96 hours, the sensitivity of glioma cells to TMZ was significant increased (P < 0.05). The surviving fractions at 2 Gy (SF2) of T98-G and SF295 cells exposed to IR alone were 0.52 and 0.58. However, when VPA was combined with IR, the SF2 of T98-G and SF295 dropped to 0.39 (P = 0.047) and 0.49 (P = 0.049), respectively. Treatment with VPA plus TMZ or IR also resulted in a significant decrease in the proportion of cells in the G2 phase and increased apoptotic rates as well as autophagy in T98-G and SF295 cell lines (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONVPA may enhance the activities of TMZ and IR on glioma cells possibly through cell cycle block and promote autophagy, and thus could be a potential sensitizer of glioma treatment.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; radiation effects ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; radiation effects ; Dacarbazine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Flow Cytometry ; Glioma ; metabolism ; Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Valproic Acid ; pharmacology

Antibiotic-associated diarrhea(AAD) is a frequent adverse effect of antibiotic in children.AAD is associated with longer hospitalization, higher healthcare cost and even lead to death.Pediatricians usually do not pay enough attention to AAD.Domestic experts from pulmonary medicine, infection and gastroenterology are organized to develop the consensus, to improve the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of AAD, and contribute the children health in future.

Objective To investigate the current status and influencing factors associated with the health literacy of the elderly. Methods 24 communities were randomly selected from Jinan City, and 1 201 elderly people were surveyed by the eHealth literacy scale. Univariate analysis was performed using the Chi-square test and multivariate analysis was performed using binary Logistic regression. Results The qualification rate of eHealth literacy among 1 201 older adults was 11.1%. Multivariate analysis showed that primary school education and below (OR=4.50, 95% CI:1.924-10.530, P=0.001), family pension (OR=3.08, 95% CI:1.326-7.165, P=0.009), poor self-rated health (OR=2.12, 95% CI:1.022-4.406, P=0.044), great self-rated life pressure (OR=4.09, 95% CI:1.686-9.938, P=0.002) were risk factors for eHealth literacy in the elderly; urban household registration (OR=0.52, 95% CI:0.337-0.815, P=0.004), the main person to taking care of grandchildren (OR=0.43, 95% CI:0.273-0.682, P<0.001 ), urban basic medical insurance or NCMS medical insurance (OR=0.22, 95% CI:0.047-0.998, P=0.05), commercial medical insurance (OR=0.10, 95% CI:0.019-0.552, P=0.008) and the parents being alive (OR=0.44, 95% CI:0.264-0.719, P=0.001) were protective factors for the elderly eHealth literacy . Conclusion The type of household registration, the level of education, the type of medical insurance, the way of caring for grandchildren, the way of providing for the elderly, the self-rated of health status, with the parents being alive, and the self-rated life pressure are the influencing factors of the eHealth literacy of the elderly.

OBJECTIVEIn order to clarify the exact molecular weight of tumor metastasis suppressor gene-1 (TMSG-1) protein and its cellular localization, a monoclonal antibody against TMSG-1 was prepared, characterized and applied to evaluate the metastatic potential of human tumors.

METHODSA dominant epitope-TMSG-1(15)-derived from TMSG-1 was synthesized based on Fmoc method, and the hapten was conjugated to Imject Maleimide activated mcKLH as a carrier protein. The antigen preparation was used to immunize BAL B/C mice. Hybridomas were generated and screened by ELISA for specific monoclonal antibodies, which were further characterized by western blotting and immunohistochemical staining.

RESULTSOne hybridoma cell line secreting anti-TMSG-1 antibody, designated as C8, was eventually established after primary ELISA screening, followed by rapid limited dilution procedure. It was confirmed that C8 was of IgM isotype. Result of competitive inhibition assay showed that the antibody was TMSG-1 specific. Using this antibody, an expected protein band of about 45,000 (relative molecular mass) was detected in the non-metastatic variants PC(3)-2B4 and PG-LH7 cells by Western blotting, but not in the isogenetic metastatic variants of PC3-1E8 and PG-BE1 cells. Immunohistochemistry using C8 showed a positive staining of cell membrane and cytoplasm of 2B4 and LH7 cells, whereas 1E8 and BE1 cells were non-reactive. Immunostaining using C8 of paraffin sections of 52 breast carcinomas and 41 colon cancers demonstrated a strong positivity in non-metastatic tumors, but none to weakly reactive in metastatic tumors (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONC8 monoclonal antibody against the synthetic peptide is TMSG-1 specific and is effective for Western blot and immunohistochemistry assays to detect TMSG-1 expression in cancer cells. TMSG-1 protein is about 45 000 (relative molecular mass) at cell membrane and cytoplasm of tumor cells. Expression of TMSG-1 protein correlates well, inversely with the tumor metastatic potential.

Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; biosynthesis ; immunology ; Breast Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Membrane ; metabolism ; Colonic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cytoplasm ; metabolism ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Hybridomas ; immunology ; secretion ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; immunology ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Sphingosine N-Acyltransferase ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins ; immunology ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETaking Caulis Aristolochiae Manshuriensis (Guanmutong in Chinese, derived from the stem of Aristolochia manshuriensis) as an example, to study the affection of different preparations on the content of toxic constituents in traditional Chinese medicines.

METHODThe separation was performed on a zorbax SB-C18 column with mobile phase of acetonitrile-3.7 mmol x L(-1) phosphoric acid buffer, detected at 260 nm.

RESULTThe extraction percentage of aristolochic acids I, II and IV a in water extraction (1 h x 2) of Guanmutong were 53.4%, 75.5% and 61.9%, respectively; the remaining quantity of aristolochic acids I, II and IVa in the dregs of the decoction were 22.3%, 15.7% and 30.3%, respectively; Aristolochic acid I was still main substance among these aristolohic acids in the decoction of Guanmutong.

CONCLUSIONThe content of toxic constituents of the traditional Chinese medicines varies evidently with different preparations of Guanmutong. So the preparation methods of traditional Chinese medicines should be suitably selected according to characteristics of the toxic constituents so as to lessen the body damages of human.

Aristolochia ; chemistry ; Aristolochic Acids ; analysis ; Drug Residues ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Pharmaceutical Solutions ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Powders ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo investigate the quantities of monocyte-derived dendritic cell precursors (pDC1) and plasmacytoid dendritic cell precursors (pDC2) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of severe aplastic anemia (SAA) patients before and after immune suppressive therapy (IST), the ratio of the pDC1 to pDC2, and the expression of co-stimulating molecules (CD80, CD86, CD40) on dendritic cells (DC) and B cells in SAA patients.

METHODSBy means of three color monoclonal antibody labeling technology, the quantities and ratio of pDC1 and pDC2 in PBMC were detected in 26 SAA patients at active phase, 13 at recovery phase and 15 normal controls respectively. The aforementioned parameters of 10 SAA patients were tested before and 2 months after IST. The expression of CD80, CD86 and CD40 on DC and B lymphocytes were detected in 16 SAA patients and 15 normal controls.

RESULTSThe percentages of pDC1 and the ratio of pDC1/pDC2 of controls were (0.41 +/- 0.05)% and 1.58 +/- 0.18 respectively, and those of SAA patients at active phase were (0.67 +/- 0.13)% and 2.70 +/- 0.32 respectively, [pDC1 (P < 0.05); pDC1/ pDC2 ratio (P < 0.01)]. The aforementioned parameters in convalescent SAA patients decreased to (0.43 +/- 0.10)%, and 1.78 +/- 0.36 respectively, being no difference from those of normal controls. The percentages of pDC1 and pDC2 in 10 SAA patients were (0.87 +/- 0.31)%, and (0.35 +/- 0.09)%, before IST, and (0.24 +/- 0.09)%, (0.14 +/- 0.04)%, after IST, being significantly decreased (P < 0.05). The percentages of CD86 expression on DC of controls was (11.97 +/- 4.31)%, and that of SAA patients was (29.84 +/- 3.02) % (P < 0.05). The percentages of CD80, CD40 and CD86 expression on lymphocytes of controls were (2.57 +/- 0.44)%, (7.34 +/- 1.22)% and (1.86 +/- 1.11)%, respectively, and those of SAA patients were (5.17 +/- 0.68)%, (8.85 +/- 2.94)% and (5.98 +/- 0.96)% respectively (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The percentage of CD86 expression on B lymphocytes in controls was 8.04 +/- 0.66%, and in SAA patients was (20.46 +/- 2.78)%, (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe pDC subtypes were abnormal and the percentage of pDC1 is increased in SAA patients, which are associated with stage of this disease. DC and B Lymphocytes in SAA patients upregulated expression of costimulatory molecules (CD86) which cause the T lymphocyte abnormally activated.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Anemia, Aplastic ; immunology ; B-Lymphocytes ; immunology ; metabolism ; B7-1 Antigen ; blood ; B7-2 Antigen ; blood ; CD40 Antigens ; blood ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Convalescence ; Dendritic Cells ; immunology ; metabolism ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged