Objective:To explore in state of Chlamydia trachomatis persistent infection,the STAT3-TLR2 axis may be activated and mediating abnormal secretion of inflammatory cytokines.Methods: We established acute infection and IFN-γinduced persistent infection model of Ct in HeLa cell.Gene transcription, cytokine secretion and protein expression were detected by using qRT-PCR, ELISA and Western blot respectively in STAT3-TLR2 signaling axis in each Ct infection model.Results: Persistent Ct infections upregulated the transcription of TLR2,significantly increased both the secretion of inflammatory cytokine IL-1αand the expression of STAT3 and TLR2,moreover,enhanced the activation of STAT3 simultaneously.Conclusion: In the Ct persistent infection induced by IFN-γ,the STAT3-TLR2 signaling axis activated significantly in HeLa cell.

Objective To evaluate the long-term results of extended parietal cell vagotomy (EPCV) for the treatment of acutely perforated duodenal ulcer. Methods EPCV was performed on 239 patients. Results were analyzed retrospectively. Results Follow up was made on 203 out of 239 patients (84.9%). There was no operative mortality. Inhospital complications included injury to the spleen in 4 cases (1.7%), adhesive ileus in 6(2.5%), acute diarrhea in 3 (1.3%), and postprandial epigastric distention in 18 (7.5%). Long-term complications included epigastric pain and sour regurgitation in 16 cases(7.8%), enterolysis in 4(1.9%), duodenal bulb allaxis in 39(18.2%), chronic gastritis in 21(10.3%), and recurrent ulcer in 6(2.9%). Basic acid output, maximal acid output and peak acid output decreased by 84.7%, 60.0%, and 58.0% respectively(all P

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of intern doctor training by 360 degree evaluation scale and to provide references for formulating targeted training plan. Methods A 360-degree evaluation scale with 6 subscales(Attendings, Peers, Nurse, Patients, Directors and Students) was employed to measure the status quo of medical education , represented by professional ethics and communication skills, among 129 intern doctors in medical clinical college. Cronbach's alpha was used to evaluate the reliability of the scale,one-way ANOVA was used to compare the difference of score among different scorers,and t test and Mann-Whitney test were employed to compare scores be-tween male group and female group, 5-year class and 8-year class (The significance level was set at P<0.05). Results Cronbach' α coefficients were 0.878, 0.948, 0.914, 0.908, and 0.934 for six sub-scales and 0.964 for the general scale. There were significant differences in evaluation scale scores a-mong differ-ent evaluators(P<0.01). After being adjusted by weight index, the average scores of pro-fessional ethics and communication ability & interpersonal relationship were ( 92 . 52 ± 8 . 09 ) and (93.32±8.67) respectively. No differences was observed between male and female, 5-year class and 8-year class(P>0.05). Conclusions 360 degree evaluation scale has reasonable reliability and it can provide valuable references for future similar survey in China. Meanwhile, intern doctors exhibit rela-tively good performances in professional ethics and communication ability & interpersonal relationship in the present study.

Objective To evaluate the safety and accuracy of CT-guided cutting needle biopsy for the hepatic lesions near diaphragmatic dome.Methods A total of 25 cases with hepatic lesions near the diaphragmatic dome were undertaken CT-guided cutting needle biopsy using 16 gauge or 18 gauge core biopsy needles.Results Histological examination showed malignancy in 17 cases and benign in 8 with 2 false negative results(8%),and there were no false positive results.The specificities of malignant and benign lesions were 100% and 75%,respectively.Overall accuracy was 92%.Pneumothorax,needle tract hemorrhage,and subcapsular hepatic hemorrhage occurred in 2(8%),1(4%)and 1(4%),respectively.Conclusion CT-guided cutting needle biopsy for the hepatic lesions near diaphragmatic dome is a reliable and relatively safe diagnostic method.(J Intervent Radiol,2007,16:838-840)

Artemisnin is a novel sesquiterpene lactone with an internal peroxide bridge structure, which is extracted from traditional Chinese herb Artemisia annua L. (Qinghao). Recommended by World Health Organization, artemisinin is the first-line drug in the treatment of encephalic and chloroquine-resistant malaria. In the present study, transgenic A. annua plants were developed by overexpressing the key enzymes involved in the biosynthetic pathway of artemisinin. Based on Agrobacterium-mediated transformation methods, transgenic plants of A. annua with overexpression of both HDR and ADS were obtained through hygromycin screening. The genomic PCR analysis confirmed six transgenic lines in which both HDR and ADS were integrated into genome. The gene expression analysis given by real-time quantitative PCR showed that all the transgenic lines had higher expression levels of HDR and ADS than the non-transgenic control (except ah3 in which the expression level of ADS showed no significant difference compared with control); and the HPLC analysis of artemisinin demonstrated that transgenic A. annua plants produced artemisinin at significantly higher level than non-transgenic plants. Especially, the highest content of artemisinin was found in transgenic line ah70, in which the artemisinin content was 3.48 times compared with that in non-transgenic lines. In summary, overexpression of HDR and ADS facilitated artemisinin biosynthesis and this method could be applied to develop transgenic plants of A. annua with higher yield of artemisinin.
Artemisia annua ; genetics ; metabolism ; Artemisinins ; metabolism ; Biosynthetic Pathways ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Mixed Function Oxygenases ; genetics ; Oxidoreductases ; genetics ; Plant Proteins ; genetics ; Plants, Genetically Modified ; genetics ; metabolism ; Plants, Medicinal ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Schisandra chinensis lignans (SCL) on neuronal apoptosis and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway of rats in the cerebral ischemia injury model, and study its possible mechanism.

METHODRats were orally administered SCL high, middle and low dose groups (100, 50, 25 mg x kg(-1)) for 14 days. The cerebral ischemia injury model was established by using the suture-occluded method to rate the neurological functions. The cerebral infarction area was observed by TTC staining. The pathological changes in brain tissues were determined by HE staining. Bcl-2 and Bax expressions were detected by immunohistochemical assay. The protein expressions of p-AKT and AKT were assayed by Western blotting.

RESULTCompared with the model group, SCL high, middle and low dose groups showed reduction in the cerebral infarction area to varying degrees, improve the pathological changes in brain tissues, promote the expression of apoptin Bcl-2 and p-AKT, and inhibit the expression of apoptin Bax.

CONCLUSIONSCL shows a protective effect on rats with cerebral ischemia injury. Its mechanism may be related to the increase in p-AKT ability and antiischemic brain injury capacity and the inhibition of nerve cells.

Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Blotting, Western ; Brain Ischemia ; metabolism ; pathology ; prevention & control ; Disease Models, Animal ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lignans ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Male ; Neurons ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; metabolism ; Phosphorylation ; Phytotherapy ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Schisandra ; chemistry ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

Antimicrobial peptides, a cluster of small peptides secreted by the majority of creatures, have been demonstrated with activity against a wide range of microorganisms including bacteria, protozoa, yeast, fungi, viruses and even tumor cells. These peptides have some features such as broad spectrum , high effi-cacy and stability, little drug resistance. A lack of new antibiotics combined with emerging multi-drug resis-tance issues demands that new antimicrobial strategies be explored for treating these infections. It has been proposed that the antimicrobial peptides might form the foundation for a new class of clinically useful an-timicrobials. We review the advantages of these molecules in construction features and bioactivity, with the focus on the mechanism and clinical applications.

Objective To evaluate the functional outcome,predicting response and toxicity of CT- guided permanent implanted ~(125)I seed branchytherapy for metastatic cancers in vertebrae.Methods Forty three vertebrae with metastatic cancer were treated by CT-guided percutaneous permanent implanted ~(125)I seed branchytherapy in 15 patients.There were 8 male and 7 female patients with average age of 54.6 years and 2 to 5 vertebrae involved in this group.According to the size of tumor,the optimal activity and quantity of seeds were calculated by TPS and correlative formula.~(125)I seeds were implanted percutaneous puncture under CT- guidance with coaxial needles to pass the normal osseous tissue for approaching the lesions including 3 routes of pedicnlar lateral and anterior ways.The distance between seeds and posterior border of vertebral body was over 3 nun(3-10mm).Permanent ~(125)I seed implantation brachytherapy for paraspinal metastatic lesions were also taken place.Results Mean follow-up time was 12.3 months(range 3-30 months)and outcome was evaluated clinically and radiographieally in 10 of 15 procedures,with 5 only on clinical data.No new pain occurred at 11 sites with no previous complaint.The pain was completely controlled at 18/32 sites,partial control at 14/32 sites.No complications correlated to the radiotherapy damage of nerve and spinal cord were found.Conclusion The procedure of CT-guided permanent implanted ~(125)I seeds brachytherapy for vertebral metastatic cancers is a safe effective and minimal invasive method with few complications.It is beneficial not only for pretherapeutic metastasis but also for recurrent tumors after radiotherapy;bearing rather high tolerance and safety.(J Intervent Radiol,2007,16:834-837)

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic role of multi-slice CT(MSCT)angiography for tumors of intra-abdominal testes.Methods MSCT angiography of 5 cases with seminoma of intra-abdominal testes proved by surgery and pathology was analyzed.All patients were male,and the age ranged from 33 to 59 years with the mean of 43.6 years.Results(1)The arterial-supply of tumors completely came from the testicular artery of the same side.The arteries went into tumors from the posterior side.(2)The tumors had comparatively large volume with complete or incomplete amicula.The tumor density of 3 cases was inhomogeneous.The degree of entity augmentation of 5 patients was about 14—25 HU.Conclusion MSCT angiography can reveal the tumor vessel and is essential for the diagnosis of tumors of intra-abdominal testes.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between Transitional CK19 positive cells and hepatic precancerous lesion in chronic hepatitis B patients.

METHODSWe observed the expression of CK19 in liver tissue of chronic hepatitis B patients by LSAB immunohistochemical staining, and examined serum AFP and ultrasonography one time per 3 months for one year.

RESULTSWe observed a population of CK19 positive cells-with size and structure between those of human oval cells and mature hepatocytes-that usually occurred along with oval-cell proliferation. It was suggested that these transitional cells may partly account for the elevation of serum AFP. One patient occurred hepatic carcinoma, another patient had low-echogenic nodules in liver parenchyma within the 1 year follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONTransitional CK19 positive cells could be regarded as a new possible pathological marker of hepatic precancerous lesion.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; Female ; Humans ; Keratins ; analysis ; Liver Neoplasms ; chemistry ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Precancerous Conditions ; chemistry ; pathology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; alpha-Fetoproteins ; analysis