Animals ; Humans ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization ; Spectrophotometry, Atomic ; Thallium ; analysis ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the effect of a newly developed photosensitizer—chlorophyll derivative combined with irradiation of 650 nm laser for PC3, an androgen independent cell line in vitro. Methods PC3 was cultured and designed to 4 groups,including blank control,laser irradiation,medication of photosensitizer and medication of photosensitizer with laser irradiation (treated).The medicated concentration of chlorophyll was 0.1 g/L and irradation fluence of 650 nm semiconductor laser was 6 J/cm2.Intracellular distribution of photosensitizer and cellular morphological alterations were studied through light microscopy, electron microscopy and laser confocal microscopy. Results It showed the shrinkage, round-up and membrane integrity of treated PC3 under light microscopy.Sable deposits were observed in cytoplasm of cells in both photosensitizer and treated groups.Transmission electron microscopy showed the fragmentation of DNA and condensation of chromatin beneath the karyolemma in treated cells.In cytoplasm,the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria swell to form vesicles and vacuoles.It showed the strong red fluorescence in the cytoplasm of treat cells compared with the red fluorescence indifferent to the background through laser confocal microscopy. Conclusions Chlorophyll derivative based photodynamic therapy is able to induce apoptosis of PC3 in vitro.Mitochondria is presumed to be the primary target of photodynamic therapy and trigger the apoptotic pathway.

Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) is an antiangiogenic factor which is effective in tumour inhibition in a variety of tumours and has not yet been studied in bladder tumour before. In this study the expression of PEDF, interleukin-1α (IL-1α) and -8 (IL-8) in bladder tumours was investigated. Immunohistochemistry was performed on 64 bladder tumour and 23 normal uroepithelium samples. Expression change of the factors was compared with clinicopathological parameters. Correlations between PEDF, IL-1α and IL-8 were analyzed. None of the factors was in relation to gender, tumour occurrence, and size or onset pattern. PEDF (P=0.014) and IL-1α (P=0.049) expression was down-regulated with grade progression. PEDF expression was lower in normal uroepithelium than in papillary urothelial neoplasm of low malignant potential (PUNLMP) (P=0.000) and carcinoma (P=0.009) whilst IL-1α (P=0.000 and P=0.000 respectively) and IL-8 (P=0.000 and P=0.023 respectively) expression was higher in the same grouping. PEDF expression had a negative correlation with IL-8 in PUNLMP (P=0.049, r=-0.578) as well as in tumour grouping (P=0.033, r=-0.276). Deranged expressional change of PEDF, IL-1α and IL-8 could be in relation to loss of differentiation from normal uroepithelium to papillary lesion and eventually to carcinoma.

Objective To study the clinical significance of the mRNA expression level of a novel gene which encodes a kind of transmembrane prostate protein induced by androgen-PMEPA1, as it may predict the progress of prostate cancer from hormone-dependent to hormone-independent. Methods We used Real-time PCR to detect the mRNA expression of PMEPA1 and GSTP1 in prostate cancer cell lines (LNCaP, PC-3), epithelia cells of benign prostatic hyperplasia and tissues from 33 patients with prostate cancers and 16 cases of prostatic hyperplasia. Results We found the mRNA expression of GSTP1 and PMEPA1 were both down-regulated in prostate cancer cell lines. The mRNA expression of GSTP1 was up-regulated in 6.1% of cases, down-regulated in 81.8%, and showed no difference in 12.1%. While PMEPA1 was highly expressed in 27.3% of cases, lowly expressed in 27.3%, and not differently expressed in 45.4%. Statistical analysis showed that the mRNA expression of GSTP1 was relevant to ages, but had no relationship with PSA, TNM stage, osseous metastasis or tumor differentiation, while the mRNA expression of PMEPA1 was relevant to osseous metastasis and tumor differentiation, but had no relationship with age, PSA or TNM stage. Conclusions PMEPA1 is possibly a useful biomarker, as it can identify patients with unfavourable prognosis, however, this hypothesis needs to be further studied with large samples.

Objective To investigate the features of familiar facial palsy,ophthalmoplegia and dysphagia characterized by autosomal dominant inheritance in a family and to discuss the classification and pathogenesis of the disease.Methods Clinical,electrophysiological,pathological examinations were performed and blood samples were obtained from 5 patients and 26 family members.PCR protocol was used to identify a certain gene. Results In the 5 patients receiving physical examination,all had ptosis,external ophthalmoplegia,facial paralysis,dyphagia,hoarseness,decreased pharyngeal reflex;4 had amyotrophy of muscle of tongue,temporal nuscle,masseter and muscles of distal lower limbs;3 had proximal limb asthenia and distal limbs amyotrophy.Compared to those of oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy(OPMD)with similar symptoms and signs,both electrophysiological manifestation and pathological findings of the family members supported the diagnosis of muscular dystrophy,but the(GCG)6(GCA)3GCG in the first exon of PABPN1 mutated neither in normal family members nor in patients.Conclusions This family presents clinical manifestations somewhat resembling to those of OPMD and distinctive to other disorders,but has a totally different genetic background from OPMD.It may be a new subtype of muscular dystrophy.

Tissue samples of Fabricius' bursa collected from Nanning, Yulin, Beihai and Wuzhou in the provinces of Guangxi in China during the years of 2000-2007, were detected by a established reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique for IBDV. Viral isolation was performed on the positive samples by chicken embryo inoculation via chorio-allantoic membrane (CAM). Results showed that 27 isolates of IBDV were obtained. A set of primers were designed to amplify the vVP2 of 27 isolates by RT-PCR and the PCR products were sequenced. The sequences of all the isolates and reference viruses were analyzed and compared, and their phylogenetic trees were constructed based on the nucleotide sequences. The results indicated that isolate BH11, TZ(3), 050222, YL051, NN0603, NN0611and QX0602 etc, altogether 17 isolates, which accounted for 62.96 percent of total isolates, were identified to be very virulent IBDV (vvIBDV) and have the highest homology to vvIBDV reference strains. In the phylogenetic analysis, they are divided into 3 groups and have a long distance to commonly used vaccine stains. Isolate NN040124 and YL052 were identified as intermediate-plus virulent strains and showed a highest homology to classical strains of 52-70 and STC. 8 isolates of YLZF2, 040131 etc were identified as attenuated vaccine strains and showed a highest homology to classical strain of CU1. The results from the study demonstrated that the viruses prevailing in chickens in these 4 regions in Guangxi province in the recently 7 years were vvIBDV and their origins were complex. The antigenicity of some isolates may have been drifted.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Birnaviridae Infections ; epidemiology ; veterinary ; virology ; Chickens ; China ; epidemiology ; Infectious bursal disease virus ; chemistry ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Epidemiology ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Poultry Diseases ; epidemiology ; virology ; Sequence Alignment ; Viral Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics

Adolescent ; Adult ; Analgesics ; administration & dosage ; Anesthetics, Intravenous ; administration & dosage ; Flurbiprofen ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Hypnotics and Sedatives ; administration & dosage ; Midazolam ; administration & dosage ; Middle Aged ; Molar, Third ; Pain Measurement ; Pain, Postoperative ; prevention & control ; Patient Satisfaction ; Preoperative Care ; Prospective Studies ; Tooth Extraction ; Young Adult

Objective To summarize the clinical characteristics and make genetic diagnosis in the patients with hereditary spinocerebellar ataxia type 7 (SCA7).Methods Pedigree analysis and clinical examination were performed in one family with SCA7 by clinical findings,of which retinal morphology and visual electrophysiology were available on part numbers.The polymorphic cytosine adenine guanine (CAG) repeats in the encode region of SCA7 gene were detected by combining polymerase chain reaction with deoxyribonucleic acide (DNA) sequencing on 19 familial numbers and 12 controls.Results 6 patients were identified,who manifesting cerebellar ataxia,decreased visual acuity and colour vision defect,as was pigmentary retinopathy on fundoscopy;The 6 patients had not only extinction of the electroretinogram (ERG) but also remarkably reduced amplitudes of oscillatory potentials and flash-visual evoked potentials. On normal alleles CAG repeat size ranges from 8 to 25 repeats,wherease on mutated alleles of the 6 numbers it ranges from 50 to 97 repeats.The 6 numbers were diagnosised as SCA7 patients.One asymptomatic individual of this family,who displayed a normal allele with 18 CAG repeats and another containing abnormal expantion of 56 repeats,was diagnosised as a asymptomatic carrier whose age maybe still below the age of onset.Conclusion The clinical manifestations of SCA7 are heterogeneous,and the detection of CAG repeats can provide an effective way for the gene diagnosis and the prediction of asymptomatic patients.

BACKGROUNDThere are few studies to assess whether the effect-site concentration of propofol can predict anesthetic depth during the target-controlled infusion (TCI) induction in elderly patients. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between effect-site concentration of propofol and depth of anesthesia during the TCI induction in elderly patients.

METHODSNinety patients (60 - 80 years) with an American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status of 1 - 3, undergoing scheduled abdominal and thoracic surgery under general anesthesia were randomly allocated into one of three groups, Group S1, S2 and S3 (30 patients in each group). The patients in Group S1 received propofol with a target plasma concentration of 4.0 microg/ml; patients in Group S2 received propofol with an initial target plasma concentrations of 2.0 microg/ml that was raised to 4.0 microg/ml 3 minutes later; patients in Group S3 received an infused scheme of 3 steps; starting from a target plasma concentration of 2.0 microg/ml that was increased stepwised by 1 microg/ml until a target plasma concentration of 4.0 microg/ml was achieved, the interval between the two steps was 3 minutes. When an Observer's Assessment of Alertness/Sedation (OAA/S) score of 1 was achieved, remifentanil (effect-site concentration (Ce) of 4.0 ng/ml) and rocuronium 0.9 mg/kg were administered. Tracheal intubation was started 2 minutes after rocuronium injection. Changes of propofol Ce, blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and bispectral index (BIS) were recorded.

RESULTSWhen an OAA/S score of 1 was achieved, Ce of propofol were (1.7 +/- 0.4) microg/ml, (1.9 +/- 0.3) microg/ml, (1.9 +/- 0.4) microg/ml and the BIS values were 64 +/- 5, 65 +/- 8, and 62 +/- 8 in Groups S1, S2 and S3. Before intubation, Ce of propofol was (2.8 +/- 0.2) microg/ml, (2.8 +/- 0.3) microg/ml, (2.7 +/- 0.3) microg/ml, and the BIS values were 48 +/- 7, 51 +/- 7, and 47 +/- 5 in Groups S1, S2 and S3. By linear regression analysis, a significant correlation between Ce of propofol and BIS values was found (r = -0.580, P < 0.01). Systolic blood pressure (SBP) before intubation was significantly lower in Group S1 than in Groups S2 and S3. SBP and HR after intubation in the three groups were significantly increased when compared with pre-intubation values, but they did not exceed baseline values.

CONCLUSIONSDuring the TCI induction, Ce of propofol with (1.9 +/- 0.3) microg/ml may make the elderly patients unconscious. When remifentanil with a Ce of 4.0 ng/ml is added a Ce of propofol with (2.8 +/- 0.3) microg/ml is suitable for intubation. The Ce of propofol has a close correlation with the BIS values. Also, a two-step TCI technique seems to be a more suitable method of anesthesia induction in elderly patients compared with the no-stepwise TCI technique and three-step TCI technique.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Androstanols ; therapeutic use ; Anesthesia, General ; methods ; Anesthesia, Intravenous ; methods ; Anesthetics, Intravenous ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; therapeutic use ; Awareness ; physiology ; Female ; Humans ; Infusions, Intravenous ; methods ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; Linear Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neuromuscular Nondepolarizing Agents ; therapeutic use ; Piperidines ; therapeutic use ; Propofol ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of rhein on the development of hepatic fibrosis.

METHODSThe animal models were made with carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) mixed with vegetable oil (3/2, v/v), which was injected subcutaneously twice a week for 6 weeks, and with 5% ethanol for free drinking water. At the same time, Rhein was administrated at the dose of 25 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg once a day for 6 weeks. The changes of both biochemical markers, such as the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), hyaluronic acid (HA), procollagen type III (PCIII) in serum and SOD, malondialdehyde (MDA) in liver, and related histopathological parametres were determined.

RESULTSCompared with the model group, there were three kinds of changes in the larger quantity of rhein treated group. (1) The levels of ALT, HA, PCIII in serum and MDA in liver homogenate were decreased significantly (from 150 U/L +/- 16 U/L to 78 U/L +/- 18 U/L, 321 microg/L +/- 97 microg/L to 217 microg/L +/- 75 microg/L, 31 microg/L +/- 14 microg/L to 16 microg/L +/- 6 microg/L and 3.67 nmol/mg +/- 0.68 nmol/mg to 1.88 nmol/mg +/- 0.34 nmol/mg, respectively, t > or 2.977, P<0.01). However the level of SOD in liver was increased (from 62.45 NU/mg +/- 8.74 NU/mg to 91.26 NU/mg +/- 14.04 NU/mg, t=4.453, P<0.01). (2) The expressions of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) and alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) in liver were markedly reduced (P<0.05 and P<0.01). (3) The collagen staining positive area was decreased and the grade of fibrosis was reduced significantly in liver (P<0.05 and P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONRhein can protect hepatocyte from injury and prevent the progress of hepatic fibrosis in rats, which may associate with that rhein plays a role in antioxidation, anti-inflammation, inhibiting the expression of TGF-beta1 and suppressing the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs).

Animals ; Anthraquinones ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; pharmacology ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Collagen ; analysis ; Liver ; drug effects ; pathology ; Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1