OBJECTIVETo study the inhibition of berberine (BBR) against ECV-304 apoptosis induced by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus).

METHODSECV-304 cells were pre-treated with 128 microg/mL BBR for 2 h and then S. aureus was added (1:100). The viability of cells was detected by MTT (3-4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. The morphological changes were observed by Hoechst 33258 staining. The protection of BBR for infected cells was detected by DNA Ladder.

RESULTSECV-304 cells' viability were not obviously affected by berberine. But S. aureus induced ECV-304 cells' viability could be significantly inhibited by pre-treatment of BBR (P < 0.05). Besides S. aureus-induced ECV-304 apoptosis could be reduced, with significantly lessened apoptotic body and unobvious DNA degradation.

CONCLUSIONBBR could significantly inhibit S. aureus induced ECV-304 apoptosis.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Berberine ; pharmacology ; Cell Line ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; drug effects ; microbiology ; pathology ; Humans ; Staphylococcus aureus

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the feasibility and safety of the peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) as a venous access for newborns who need a long-term venous transfusion.

METHODSSixty-five newborns receiving PICC and 80 newborns receiving peripheral intravenous catheters (PIV) from April 2006 to February 2008 were included in this study. A retrospective cohort study was used to compare the indwelling time of catheters, catheter-related mechanical complications, the incidence of sepsis, and the mortality between the two groups.

RESULTSThe indwelling time of catheters in the PICC and the PIV groups was 18.75+/-7.62 days (range:7-62 days) and 1.49+/-0.57 days (range: 30 minutes to 4 days) respectively. The indwelling time of catheters in the PICC group was significantly longer than that in the PIV group (<0.01). The incidence of catheter-related mechanical complications in the PICC group was significantly lower than that in the PIV group (27.7% vs 63.8%; <0.01). There were no significant differences in the incidence of sepsis and the mortality between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONSThe application of PICC can cause a decrease in the number of venous puncture. PICC is a safe and effective venous access in newborns.

Catheterization, Central Venous ; adverse effects ; Catheterization, Peripheral ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Sepsis ; etiology ; Time Factors

Abnormalities, Multiple ; Crying ; Facial Asymmetry ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male

OBJECTIVETo study the expression and localization of nuclear transcription factor Sp1 in macrophages after stimulated by silicon dioxide in vivo and in vitro.

METHODSForty Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into the control group and the silica exposure group, 20 in each group. The rat silicosis models were established by direct tracheal instillation of silica into rat lung (0.2 g/kg) only once while the control group was instilled with equal amount of saline. Animals were killed at 1st, 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th day after instillation. Dynamic changes of Sp1 protein expression and its cellular localization were detected by immunohistochemistry in pulmonary macrophages. In vitro, Sp1 mRNA and protein expression and their dynamic changes were monitored by RT-PCR and western blotting after stimulated by silicon dioxide in cultured RAW264.7 macrophages respectively. Cellular localization of Sp1 protein was characterized by immunocytochemistry.

RESULTSCompared to the control group, the Sp1 protein expression was increased in pulmonary macrophages and reached the peak at the 14th day in the silica exposure group. In vitro, the Sp1 mRNA level began to rise at 30 minutes after the administration of silicon dioxide and reached the peak at 240 minutes and then decreased to the minimal level at 960 minutes. The Sp1 total protein and nuclear protein also exhibited the similar trend. The former reached the peak at 240 minutes and the latter at 480 minutes. The significant nuclear translocation of Sp1 protein was observed at 120 minutes after the administration of silicon dioxide and became most significant at 480 minutes.

CONCLUSIONSilicon dioxide can activate nuclear transcription factor Sp1 in macrophages in vivo and in vitro. Sp1 might play an important pathogenic role in the development of silicosis.

Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Immunohistochemistry ; Macrophages, Alveolar ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Macrophages, Peritoneal ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Silicon Dioxide ; pharmacology ; Sp1 Transcription Factor ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of AP-1 in the secretion of Type I collagen in TGF-beta1-stimulated human lung fibroblasts. METHODS: Human lung fibroblasts cell line (HLF-02) was cultured, and then stimulated with 10 microg/L TGF-beta1 at different time points. Curcumin was added into the culture medium to inhibit the AP-1 activity before incubating with TGF-beta1. AP-1 DNA binding activity was assayed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), and the expression of Type I collagen was detected by Western blot and RT-PCR. RESULTS: TGF-beta1 could induce the transcription and secretion of Type I collagen in HLF-02 cells(P<0.05). TGF-beta1 could upregulate the AP-1 DNA binding activity ( P<0.05). Curcumin ( 5, 10, 15, and 20 micromol/L) could inhibit the AP-1 DNA binding activity in TGF-beta1-stimulated cells (the inhibition ratio was 17.1%, 17.6%, 24.2%, and 31.3%; P<0.05). Curcumin (5, 10, 15, and 20 micromol/L) could also inhibit the secretion of Type I collagen significantly (the inhibition ratio was 62.1%, 58.8%, 62.1%, and 59.6%; P<0.05). CONCLUSION AP-1 is responsible for the secretion of TGF-beta1-induced Type I collagen in human lung fibroblasts.
Cell Line ; Collagen Type I ; metabolism ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lung ; cytology ; Signal Transduction ; Transcription Factor AP-1 ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; pharmacology

Objective To explore the compliance and clinical effect of anti-inflammation and antipruritic spray on perianal eczema in patients with diarrhea .Methods One hundred and sixty patients with perianal eczema induced by diarrhea were chosen and randomly divided into the observation group and the control groups , each with 80 cases.The control group received anti-inflammation and antipruritic lotion in bath , and the observation group received anti-inflammation and antipruritic spray in external use .The compliance , the improvement of clinical symptoms and clinical effect were compared between two groups .Results The compliance was 97 .50%in the observation group , and was 85% in the control group , and the difference was statistically significant (χ2 =7.83, P<0.01).The total efficiency was 97.5% in the observation group, and was 80%in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (χ2 =4.42, P<0.05).The improvement of clinical symptoms on papule , pruritus, erosion, exudation, incrustation and furfuration in the observation group was better than that of the control group , and the difference was statistically significant (χ2 =4.10, 28.27, 10.62, 6,62;P<0.05).Conclusions Anti-inflammation and antipruritic spray is effective in the treatment of perianal eczema and easy to be used .

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of lesion removal,bone grafting,fusion,and external fixation in the treatment of late-stage wrist tuberculosis.Methods From October 2015 to May 2019,25 patients with late-stage wrist tubercu-losis were treated using lesion removal,bone grafting,fusion,and external fixation.Among these patients,there were 14 males and 11 females,aged from 40 to 74 years old,with an average age of(60.72±8.45)years old.The duration of the disease ranged from 5 to 24 months,with an average of(11.52±7.61)months.There were 11 cases of left wrist tuberculosis and 14 cases of right wrist tuberculosis,with 5 cases accompanied by sinus formation.Postoperative regular anti-tuberculosis treatment was continued.Visual analogue score(VAS),inflammatory indicators,Gartland-Werley wrist function score,and upper limb function score were observed before and after treatment.Results All 25 patients were followed up for ranging from 12 to 36 months with an average of(19.7±6.3)months.At the latest follow-up,all wounds were healed satisfactorily,and there was no recurrence of tuberculosis or infection.VAS at one week before operation and three months after operation were(5.16±1.14)score and(1.68±0.80)score respectively.One week before operation and three months after operation,erythrocyte sedimenta-tion rate(ESR)was(44.20±20.56)mm·h-1 and(14.44±1.14)mm·h-1,and C-reactive protein(CRP)was(12.37±7.95)mg· L-1and(4.3±3.37)mg·L-1.The differences in all three data sets were statistically significant(P＜0.01).According to Gartland-Werley wrist function scoring,the scores at one week before operation and one year after operation were(21.32±3.44)and(14.96±1.37)respectively,showed a statistically significant difference(P＜0.01).According to the upper limb function score(disabilities of the arm,shoulder,and hand,DASH),the score was(70.52±7.95)at one week before operation and(28.84± 2.30)at one year after operation.The difference was statistically significant(P＜0.01).At the latest follow-up,no patient had a recurrence of tuberculosis.Conclusion The short-term clinical efficacy of treating wrist tuberculosis with lesion removal,bone grafting,fusion,and external fixation is satisfactory.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical manifestation and pathological features of chronic rejection (CR) and the management of CR after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT).

METHODSFrom January 2004 to December 2006, there were 516 patients who had undergone OLT. All the clinical and pathological data were collected and retrospectively studied. Clinical manifestation, histopathological feature, diagnosis and anti-rejection treatment of CR were summarized and analyzed.

RESULTSThe incidence of CR was 2.3% (12/516), including 7 cases with early phases of CR and 5 cases with late phases of CR. The main pathological changes of CR were the vanishing bile duct syndrome and obliterative arteriopathy;and the early stage of CR were the damage of inter lobular bile duct, necrotic inflammation in central lobule, and inflammatory cells infiltration in portal area. Among 12 patients with CR, 7 cases with early CR were reversed by methylprednisolone (MP) pulse treatment and adjusting immunosuppressant dose, including 2 cases of whom were prescribed OKT3 treatment and 2 cases treated by ATG, and 5 cases with late CR underwent liver retransplantation (re-LT). Two patients died from infection, 1 case died from multiple organ failure in perioperative period after re-LT, another 2 cases were cured by re-LT, and the CR related mortality was 25.0% (3/12).

CONCLUSIONSChronic rejection following OLT is lack of typical clinical manifestation and pathological features, and the pathological changes can overlap and coexist. Post-transplant liver biopsy and graft specimen after re-LT is still "gold standard" to CR diagnosis. Some of early CRs can be reversed by early diagnosis and early treatment; for late CR recipient, re-LT should be considered.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Chronic Disease ; Female ; Graft Rejection ; diagnosis ; pathology ; therapy ; Humans ; Liver Transplantation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of hepatitis B virus(HBV) X gene on the expression of SPG21.

METHODSThe expressions of SPG21 mRNA and protein in HepG2 and HepG2.2.15 cells were tested by RT-PCR and western blot. HepG2 cells were co-transfected with reporter plasmid pGL3-SPG21 and plasmids carrying individual genes of HBV, the luciferase activity was measured and the expressions of SPG21 were detected by RT-PCR and western blot.

RESULTSThe expressions of SPG21 mRNA and protein were higher in HepG2.2.15 cells than in HepG2 cells (0.36+/-0.06 vs 0.21+/-0.05, P value is less than 0.05). The activity of SPG21 in HepG2 cells transfected with pCMV-X was higher (875+/-27 vs 67+/-12, P value is less than 0.01) as compared to blank control group (transfected with pCMV-tag2B). HBV X gene enhanced SPG21 gene promoter activity, SPG21 mRNA expression and SPG21 protein production in HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONHBV X gene can specially activate SPG21 expression.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing ; genetics ; metabolism ; DNA, Viral ; genetics ; Hep G2 Cells ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; Humans ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Trans-Activators ; genetics ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of MAPK signal transduction in TGF-beta1 induced phenotypic differentiation of human lung fibroblasts.

METHODHuman lung fibroblasts cell line (HLF-02) were cultured and then stimulated with 10 ng/ml TGF-beta1 for different time; SB203580 or PD98059 was added into culture medium to prevent p38 or Erk kinase pathway before incubating with TGF-beta1; the expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) was detected by Western blotting and RT-PCR; Western blotting was used to assay phosphorylation of p38, Erk, and JNK kinase.

RESULTS(1) In the process of stimulation by TGF-beta1, the alpha-SMA mRNA expression levels of 24, 48 and 72 h groups were 1.87 +/- 0.11, 2.49 +/- 0.10, 3.02 +/- 0.15 respectively; and the alpha-SMA protein expression levels of 24, 48 and 72 h groups were 3.20 +/- 0.14, 3.96 +/- 0.21, 4.57 +/- 0.13 respectively. (2) TGF-beta1 induced p38, Erk kinase phosphorylation but not JNK kinase. (3) The inhibitors SB203580 and PD98059 suppressed TGF-beta1-induced p38 kinase and Erk phosphorylation respectively. (4) SB203580 significantly attenuated TGF-beta1-induced alpha-SMA mRNA and protein expression (inhibition rate: 30% and 40%); PD98059 also significantly inhibited TGF-beta1-induced alpha-SMA mRNA and protein expression (inhibition rate: 10% and 20%).

CONCLUSIONTGF-beta1 is capable of inducing the phenotypic differentiation of HLF-02, which is regulated by p38 and Erk kinase signal pathway.

Actins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Cell Line ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Fibroblasts ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Imidazoles ; pharmacology ; Lung ; cytology ; Phenotype ; Phosphorylation ; Pyridines ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; pharmacology ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism