OBJECTIVETo investigate the efficacy of CO2 laser combined with 32P-patch contact brachyradiotherapy for the treatment of keloids.

METHODSFrom 2001 to 2006, 121 cases with 151 keloids, which reoccurred after treatment with more than 2 methods, underwent continuous CO2 laser treatment to remove the hypertrophic scar tissue, following by ultra-pulse CO2 laser to treat the fresh granulation tissue. After wound healing, 32P-patch contact brachyradiotherapy was used for the lesion, 0.5-1 MBQ/cm2 for 72-96 hours, every 1-2 months. 2-3 treatment were applied.

RESULTSAmong the 151 keloids, good result was achieved in 111 keloids, and effective result in 40 keloids. Adverse effect included hyperpigmentation in 21 lesions and hypopigmentation in 32 lesions. The patients were followed up for 2-6 years without relapse.

CONCLUSIONCO2 laser combined with 32P-patch contact brachyradiotherapy is an effective and safe method for the treatment of recalcitrant keloids.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Keloid ; therapy ; Lasers, Gas ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phosphates ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Phosphorus Radioisotopes ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Transdermal Patch ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the changes of serum cardiac troponin I(cTnI)and brain natriuretic peptide(BNP)in heart failure of children with pneumonia and their relationship with heart function.Methods Thirty healthy children aged from 5 months to 3 years old were randomly selected with 17 male and 13 female(healthy group).Thirty children with severe heart failure aged from 3 months to 2 years old were selected at the same time with 21 male and 9 female(heart failure group).Thirty children with ordinary pneumonia aged from 3 months to 3 years old were also sampled with 16 male and 14 female(ordinary pneumonia group).The peripheral bloods of 2-3 mL of all children were taken.The BNP level were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the cTnI level was determined by micro-particle enzyme immunoluminescent.Left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) and left ventricular fractional shor-tening(LVFS)were detected by echocardiography.SPSS 11.0 software was used to analyze the data.Results The levels of cTnI [(0.389?0.030) ?g/L] and BNP [(0.572?0.090) ?g/L] of heart failure group increased significantly compared with healthy and ordinary pneumonia group,while their LVEF and LVFS decreased significantly(Pa

Objective:To investigate the subtype distribution of HIV-1 strains prevalent in four areas of China,and to study the characteristics of gag gene variation and changes in antigen epitopes under the host immune pressures. Methods:The plasma of HIV-1 infected people from Henan, Guangdong, Sichuan and Beijing in China were collected. Virion RNA was extracted directly from plasma after the virion was condensed. The gag gene was amplified by RT-PCR and nested-PCR.Sequences were subtyped by Genotyping Tool software, and phylogenetic analysis of gag gene were performed using the MEGA 4.1 software.The gene distances intra each subtype were calculated by Distance program. The Ks/Ka ratios were calculated using SNAP program. The variation analysis of CTL antigen epitopes restricted by main HLA-Ⅰ specificities in China was performed.Results:Six subtypes or circulating recombinant forms(CRFs)of HIV-1,including B',CRF07_BC,CRF01_AE,B,CRF08_BC and CRF02_AG,were identified in four areas of China.The gene distances intra each subtype were CRF01_AE>B>CRF08_BC> CRF07_BC>B' listed in order of size, meanwhile the order of Ks/Ka ratios was CRF01_AE>B>CRF08_BC>B'>CRF07_BC. Far more diversity of antigen epitopes in P17 region was observed than that in P24.Epitope mutations intra subtypes were CRF01_AE>B>B'>CRF07_BC listed in order of size. Conclusion:Itseems that CRF01_AE is under the strongest immune pressures,and displays the most diversity of gene and variation of epitopes intra subtypes prevalent in China, followed by subtype B, B' and CRF07_BC. The discrepancy of epitope mutations intra the subtypes is significant.

OBJECTIVEFrequency, type and clinical implications on protease and reverse transcriptase drug resistance mutations were investigated and phylogenetic analysis in antiretroviral drug-naïve AIDS patients was carried out in Henan province.

METHODS45 plasma samples were separated from the anticoagulatory whole blood, from which reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction technique was used to amplify the partial pol gene. The sequences were analysed for genotypic antiretroviral resistance and phylogenetic relation through landing the websites http://hivdb.stanford.edu and http://hiv-web.lanl.gov, under BioEdit and DNAClub software.

RESULTSPartial pol sequences of 36 samples were successfully amplified. The major mutation rate of resistance to protease was 8.3% (3/36), including types D30A, V32A, G73C and V82A. Minor mutation rate of resistance was 100%, including types of L63PS (36/36), I93L (35/36), V77IL (34/36), A71IVT (10/36) and D60E (2/36). The mutation rate of resistance to reverse transcriptase was 38.9% (14/36). Mutation-scoring and clinical implication clewed drug resistance rates were 5.6% (2/36) and 22.2% (8/36) to protease inhibitors and reverse transcriptase inhibitors respectively, while 1 sample was potentially low-level resistant to all of the protease inhibitors and 3 samples to part of the reverse transcriptase inhibitors. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the pol gene of 36 samples were highly homologous and having a near relative to B.US.83.RF ACC M17451. 36 samples seemed to have the same infection source while their resistance mutations were not due to drug-resistant virus infection but to the evolving of virus in vivo.

CONCLUSIONMost of the antiretroviral drug-naïve AIDS patients in Henan province were sensitive to the currently available antiviral medicine, but antiviral treatment must be in accordance with the strict procedure and to keep better adherence, to avoid the epidemics caused by drug-resistant virus.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; genetics ; Adult ; Anti-HIV Agents ; pharmacology ; China ; Drug Resistance, Viral ; genetics ; Female ; Genes, pol ; genetics ; Genotype ; HIV Protease ; genetics ; HIV Protease Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Male ; Mutation ; Phylogeny ; RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the direct effects of dobutamine as compared to adenosine on the coronary microcirculation in both normal and stenotic segments using myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE).

METHODSLeft anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery stenosis, which was not flow limiting at rest, was established in 9 dogs. At the baseline and during intracoronary infusion of dobutamine (2 mg.kg(-1).min(-1)) and adenosine (5 mg.kg(-1).min(-1)), the radiolabeled microsphere (RM)-derived myocardial blood flow (MBF) were determined, and the double product (DP) and myocardial vascular resistance (MVR) were calculated. MCE was performed to determine the myocardial blood volume (MBV, represented by A) and microbubble velocity (beta).

RESULTSAs compared to the baseline level, the MBF increased and MVR decreased significantly in both the normal and abnormal beds during infusion of both drugs (P<0.05). In the normal bed, adenosine had no effect on MBV, the decrease in MVR was the result of decreased arteriolar (plus venular) resistance, and the increase in MBF was predominately due to the increase in b (deltabeta/ deltaA=13.6). Dobutamine caused a 28% increase in MBV, responsible for 32% of the decrease in the total MVR, but the increase in MBF arose mainly from the increase in b (deltabeta/deltaA=5.9). In the abnormal bed, both the drugs caused a similar increase in MBF entirely by increasing b, and 14% and 15% of the increases in capillary resistance were associated with the capillary derecruitment during administration of dobutamine and adenosine, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe direct effects of intracoronary dobutamine infusion on the coronary microcirculation are similar to that of adenosine, and the increase in MBF occurs mostly as the result of increased myocardial blood velocity.

Adenosine ; pharmacology ; Adrenergic beta-Agonists ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Blood Flow Velocity ; drug effects ; Coronary Circulation ; drug effects ; Coronary Stenosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Coronary Vessels ; diagnostic imaging ; Dobutamine ; pharmacology ; Dogs ; Echocardiography ; methods ; Microcirculation ; drug effects ; Vasodilator Agents ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the distribution of Nontuberculous mycobacteria in the environment of Shenzhen city and its related sensitivity to drugs.

METHODS145 samples in the environment of Shenzhen city were collected and the samples were isolated, identified and its drug sensitivity were detected according to the "Procedure of Bacteriological Determination Regulation for Tuberculous Diagnosis", issued in 1995 by the Antituberculosis Association of China.

RESULTSAll together, 53 strains of Mycobacteria were detected from the 145 sample, including 6 of them isolated from the polluted water in the hospital before disinfected, 4 from the polluted water in the hospital after disinfected, 4 from the dirt of air condition in the hospital, 34 from the polluted water in the residential area, 3 from the ocean water and 2 from the fountain. M. nonchromogenicum, M. avium, M. fortuitum, M. gordonae, M. genavense, M. chelonae and M. intracellulare were identified.

CONCLUSIONNontuberculous mycobacteria seemed to widely exist in the environment of Shenzhen city and the ratio of drug-resistant was high. Attention should be paid to the influence of Nontuberculous mycobacteria on humans in order to formulate effective control measure.

Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Humans ; Mycobacterium ; Mycobacterium Infections ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; Water Microbiology

OBJECTIVETo explore potential epigenetic biomarkers for toxic effects, tumor-related chemical prevention and biological monitor by a genome-wide screening for differential DNA methylation during human cell malignant transformation in vitro.

METHODSThe two in vitro cell transformation models included B(a)P-induced human bronchial epithelial cell introduced by H-Ras (HBER) cell transformation and simian vacuolating virus 40 small T antigen induced (SV40 ST-induced) HBER cell transformation. Methylated genes were collected by methylated DNA immunoprecipitation and whole genome amplification (MeDIP-WGA) at three time points during cell transformation which represented different transformation stage. Then, CpG island microarray was used to screen differentially methylated genes. The mRNA levels of hypermethylated genes were also observed by RT-PCR.

RESULTSThe CpG island microarray showed that the number of hypermethylated genes in HBER, HBERNT, HBERT cells were 733, 661 and 738 respectively.83 genes were hypermethylated in pre-transformed cell and transformed cell. Moreover, 25 of 83 genes were also hypermethylated in SV40 ST-transformed cell (HBERST). We further confirmed that the mRNA expression of six of these 25 genes, namely family with sequence similarity 178, member A (FAM178A), retinoic acid receptor responder (tazarotene induced) (RARRES1), ubiquitin specific peptidase 28 (USP28), Scm-like with four mbt domains 2 (SFMBT2), family with sequence similarity 59, member A (FAM59A) and nuclear receptor subfamily 4, group A, member 3 (NR4A3) were suppressed during B(a)P-induced transformation.

CONCLUSIONThe abnormal hypermethylation of specific genes was a common event in the two kinds of human cell transformation models, which shed light on the study for chemical exposure monitor and tumor-related epigenetic biomarkers.

Biomarkers ; analysis ; Carcinogens, Environmental ; analysis ; Cell Line ; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic ; genetics ; CpG Islands ; DNA Methylation ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Genome ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo investigate the in vitro effect of erythropoietin (EPO) on hepcidin of monocytes and its molecular mechanisms.

METHODSHepcidin and signaling molecules including C/EBPalpha, Smad1/5/8, p-Smad1/5/8 and p-STAT3 were detected by real time PCR and Western blot. THP-1 monocytes were stimulated by interleukin-6 (IL-6) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS). EPO receptor (EPOR) antibody was added to observe its antagonistic effect on EPO and impact on the signaling proteins.

RESULTSEPO suppressed mRNA expression of THP-1 hepcidin of monocytes induced by 20 ng/ml IL-6 or 1 microg/ml LPS in both dose and time dependent manner. The most decrease of hepcidin expression was observed at 2 IU/ml EPO for 6 hours. EPO also down-regulated hepcidin protein induced by 20 ng/ml IL-6. At 2 IU/ml EPO for 6 hours hepcidin protein was down-regulated, as was C/EBPalpha, p-Smad1/5/8 and p-STAT3. Antibody to EPOR antagonized the down-regulation of EPO on hepcidin and signaling proteins.

CONCLUSIONSMonocytes hepcidin can be reduced by EPO when stimulated by IL-6 or LPS. The mechanism of which may be at least in part, via suppression of C/EBPalpha, p-Smad1/5/8 and p-STAT3 signaling.

Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Erythropoietin ; pharmacology ; Hepcidins ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; pharmacology ; Lipopolysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Monocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction

OBJECTIVE: To study the epidemiologic characteristics of human herpes virus (HHV) activated infection in the diseases of blood system and patients received allo-HSCT by statistically analyzing the screening results of 8 human herpes viruses (HHVs) of 4164 patients in Hebei Yanda LU Dao-Pei Hospital from 2012 to 2017. METHODS: PCR was used to screen 8 HHVs. RESULTS: Two thousand and fifty-two patients (49.28%) were HHV-positive among 4164 patients screened. Among these patients screened, the infection spectra of 8 human HHVs in hematological diseases as well as patients received allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation of totally 2994 patients were summarized as follows: the positive rate of EBV (29.49%) was the highest, that of HCMV (23.15%), HHV-6 was 18.77% and HHV-7 was 17.64%, while the remaining 4 HHVs all≤2.1%. The rate of co-infection of various HHVs was significantly higher than that of single infection of HHV among all these disease groups except familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, for which single EBV infection was the most common. The differences of positive rates among these 8 human HHVs in hematological diseases as well as patients received allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation were statistically significant by Chi-square test of R*C tables (χ=54.99, P＜0.05). For each HHV, the differences of positive rates among the above-mentioned disease groups were also statistically significant except HHV-8 (P＜0.05). CONCLUSION The patients with various blood diseases have different activated infection spectra of HHVs. EBV, HCMV, HHV-6 and HHV-7 are most common in HHVs infection. Different HHVs infections correlate with different hematologion diseases.

The last essential enzyme in the biosynthetic pathway of trilobatin, phloretin-4'-O glycosyltransferase (P4'-OGT), catalyzes the conversion of trilobatin to phloretin in vitro. However, only a few P4'-OGTs have been found in plants. This study used Malus domestica phloretin-4'-O glycosyltransferase (MdPh-4'-OGT) as a query to identify and clone two UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) genes, designated UGT74L2 and UGT74L3, from the transcriptome of Andrographis paniculata. According to a phylogenetic tree analysis, UGT74L2 and UGT74L3 belonged to the UGT74 family, which has been linked to several activities in other species. The in vitro enzymatic reaction demonstrated that UGT74L2 could particularly catalyze the formation of trilobatin from phloretin, but UGT74L3 had no effects. By using Ni-NTA affinity chromatography to extract the soluble UGT74L2 recombinant protein, the enzymatic kinetics of the activity was investigated using phloretin as the substrate. The results showed that the optimal temperature and pH for UGT74L2 enzymatic reaction were 40 ℃ and 8.0 (Tris-HCl system), respectively. Three metal ions (Ca²⁺, Mn²⁺ and Co²⁺) showed inhibitory effect on the activity of UGT74L2, while Mg²⁺ could improve the activity of UGT74L2. Other tested metal ions have no significant effect on UGT74L2. The results of enzymatic kinetic parameters that the K_m value was 29.84 μmol·L^-1, the k_cat was 0.02 s^-1, and the k_cat·K_m^-1 was 572.6 mol^-1·s^-1. By homology modeling, molecular docking and mutation experiments, we found that multiple amino acids residues around the substrate binding pocket play quite an important role during catalytic process, In summary, we identified a novel P4'-OGT gene from medicinal plant Andrographis paniculata and provided a new efficient catalyst to synthesize trilobatin. Meanwhile, this study provides a reference for mining new efficient glycosylation modules from plants.