OBJECTIVETo explore the inflammatory cascade mechanism through Toll like receptor 2 (TLR2) pathway after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion, and to study molecular mechanisms of Guanmaitong (GMT) Tablet for protecting brain damage.

METHODSWe used bolt-line method to block/release the middle cerebral artery, causing cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury model. GMT Tablet was given by gastrogavage. Rats were then divided into the high dose GMT group (1200 mg/kg), the middle dose GMT group (600 mg/kg), the low dose GMT group (300 mg/kg), the positive control group (Tanakan, 20 mg/kg). Their right brain tissues were fixed in 10% neutral formalin. TLR2 expressions were detected by immunofluorescence staining. The total protein was extracted from right brain tissues by ultrasonica- tion. Expression levels of extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK), phospho-extracellular regulated protein kinases (p-ERK), p38-mitogen activated protein kinases (p-ERK), phospho-p38-mitogen activated protein kinases [p-p38-MAPKs(p-p38)] were assessed by Western blot. Abdominal aortic blood was withdrawn. IL-6 and IL-1β levels were detected by ELISA in brain tissues and serum.

RESULTSCompared with the sham-oepration group, expression levels of TLR2, ERK, p-ERK, p38, p-p38 protein were up-regulated (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), and contents of IL-6 and IL-1β in brain tissues and serum were increased in the model group (P < 0.01). Expression levels of TLR2, ERK, p-ERK, p38, p-p38 were down-regulated (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), and contents of IL-6 and IL-1β were reduced in brain tissues and serum in middle and high dose GMT groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSTLR2 pathway was involved in cerebral I/R injury. GMT protected neurons by down-regulating protein expressions of TLR2, ERK, p-ERK, p38, p-p38 and contents of IL-1β and IL-6.

Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Brain Ischemia ; metabolism ; Cerebral Infarction ; Down-Regulation ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Interleukin-1beta ; Interleukin-6 ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion Injury ; Tablets ; Toll-Like Receptor 2 ; metabolism ; Up-Regulation ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the prevalence of chronic prostatitis in men with premature ejaculation.

METHODSThe segmented urine specimens before and after prostatic massage and the expressed prostatic secretion specimens from 106 patients with premature ejaculation and 38 controls were evaluated by microscopic and/or bacteriological studies. The prevalence of premature ejaculation was also investigated in 120 patients with chronic prostatitis.

RESULTSProstatic inflammation was found in 46.2% and chronic bacterial prostatitis in 34.7% of the subjects with premature ejaculation, respectively. Compared with the controls, the findings were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The prevalence of premature ejaculation in the patients with chronic prostatitis was 47.5% (57/120).

CONCLUSIONSChronic prostatic inflammation may play a role in the pathogenesis of some cases of premature ejaculation and it is important to give a careful examination of the prostate before initiating any therapy for premature ejaculation.

Adult ; Chronic Disease ; Ejaculation ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Prostate ; diagnostic imaging ; Prostatitis ; complications ; epidemiology ; Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological ; etiology ; Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological ; etiology ; Ultrasonography

The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of the human cord blood adult stem cells (ASCs) to differentiate into hepatocytes in vitro induced by combined stimulation with hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), stem cell factor (SCF) and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF). The adult stem cells were obtained through density gradient centrifugation and magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS). The adult stem cells were cultured in DMEM with HGF (10 ng/ml)+SCF (10 ng/ml)+LIF (10 ng/ml) in induced group I. In induced group II the enriched cells were cultured in DMEM with SCF (10 ng/ml)+LIF (10 ng/ml) and the undifferentiated cells acted as the control group without the factors. The morphology of cells was observed by the inverted phase contrast microscopy; the expression of albumin (Alb), human hepatocyte cytokeratin (CK18) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) were detected by immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR assay in the 21-day culture. Alb secreted by hepatocytes in the medium was determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA) at day 7, 14, 21, 23 and 25. The results showed that the shapes of ASCs changed and their sizes and number increased in the course of culture in group I. After being induced for three weeks, the cells turned round and resembled hepatocyte-like cells. The mRNA for Alb could be detected by RT-PCR in the differentiated adult stem cells in group I, and the mRNA for AFP was poorly detected by RT-PCR at day 21. Alb and CK18 were positive through immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry at day 21, compared with group II and the control group. In group I, Alb in the medium significantly increased, compared with control group, and reached the highest level at day 21, then decreased at day 23. It is concluded that under some definite inducing conditions, human cord blood adult stem cells can differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells and HGF plays a critical role during the course.
Adult Stem Cells ; cytology ; Cell Differentiation ; physiology ; Cells, Cultured ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; pharmacology ; Hepatocytes ; cytology ; Humans ; Leukemia Inhibitory Factor ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between the protein expression of T-lymphoma invasion and metastasis gene 1 (Tiam-1) and the biological behaviors of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

METHODSImmunohistochemistry was performed to detect the expressions of Tiam-1 protein in 60 specimens of NPC tissue, 20 specimens of chronic nasopharyngitis (CN) tissue, and 6 tumor tissues from nude mice inoculated with metastatic human NPC cells.

RESULTSThe positivity rate and average score for Tiam-1 expression were significantly higher in NPC tissues than in CN tissue (63.33% vs 36.67%, 2.9167 +/- 1.3057 vs 0.7000 +/- 0.9234; chi(2)=20.429, P=0.001; t=7.0162, P=0.0000, respectively). No difference was found in Tiam-1 expression among NPC patients in different T stages (F=2.36, P=0.0811), while the expression differed significantly between the patients with lymph node metastasis and those without metastasis, and also between patients with organ metastasis and those without (P=0.0001). High Tiam-1 expressions were found in the tumor tissues in nude mice inoculated with metastatic NPC cells.

CONCLUSIONTiam-1 expression is closely associated with the invasiveness and metastasis of NPC, indicating that Tiam-1 is an important factor that promotes the invasion and metastasis of NPC.

Adult ; Aged ; Animals ; Female ; Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Middle Aged ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; T-Lymphoma Invasion and Metastasis-inducing Protein 1

OBJECTIVETo explore the anatomical structures, and depth and direction of needling at Jingming (BL 1), so as to provide anatomical basis for its clinical application.

METHODSForty-eight adult orbital specimens were observed by dissection.

RESULTSWhen a needle was vertically inserted into Jingming (BL 1), the needle tip will past through the skin, subcutaneous tissue, medial palpebral ligament, medialis rectus and orbital adipose body. Above the body of the needle, there are ophthalmic artery, anterior ethmoidal artery and nasociliary nerve. The average distance between the skin at the punctured point and the anterior ethmoidal artery is (18.25 +/- 4.45) mm, with an angle of (12.5 +/- 5.5) degrees, and the average distance between the skin at the punctured point and the optic nerve tunnel frontal point is (43.37 +/- 7.84) mm.

CONCLUSIONTo avoid bleeding caused by injuring the anterior ethmoidal artery, acupuncture at Jingming (BL 1) should avoid deeply inserting needled back-upwards and upwards, and the needling depth should not exceed 30.36 mm to avoid injury of the optic nerve tunnel frontal point.

Acupuncture Points ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Orbit ; anatomy & histology

Objective To analyze the characteristics of drug resistance in tuberculosis patients in Shaoxing and provide scientific basis for prevention and control of tuberculosis.Methods All the sputum smear -positive specimens from tuberculosis patients in Shaoxing tuberculosis designated hospitals from 2010 to June 2013 had been done by susceptibility test using susceptibility Jensen medium.The situation of drug resistance in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis was analysed.Results In the 607 sputum culture -positive cases,the total resistance rate was 20.26%;the multi -drug resistance rate was 12.85%.The resistance rate in descending order was INH,RFP,SM and EMB.In new cases,the total resistance rate was 13.09%,and the multi-drug resistance rate was 5.73%;in retreated cases,the total resistance rate was 50.00%,and the multi-drug resistance rate was 42.37%.Conclusion In Shaoxing City,the total resistance rate of tuberculosis is consistent with the national average level,but the epidemic of MDR-TB is still very serious.

Objective To evaluate the clinical effect of embolization of cerebral dural atreriovenous fistulas (cDAVF) of the eavemous sinus through the superior ophthalmic vein approach. Methods Twnety-seven patients with eDAVF of the cavernous sinus were embolized through the superior ophthalmic vein approach. Cerebral angiography and follow-up examination of the patients were performed to evaluate the effect ofernbolization. Results The fistulae showed complete angiographic disappearance in 15 patients, and 12 patients had blood velocity flow reduction at the fistula orifice. Ocular proptosis and chemosis deteriorated transiently in 11 patients after the procedure. The patients were followed-op for 3 to 48 months, and clinical cure was achieved in 17 patients, and 10 showed significant symptom relief. Conclusion cDAVF of the cavernous sinus can be effectively embolized through the superior ophthalmic vein approach.

OBJECTIVETo develop a new method for the detection of male human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes and to investigate its clinical application value.

METHODSWith computer assistance and based on the classical common primers MY09/11, modified PGMY09/11 with 23 HPV subtypes for PCR and Genbank data on HPV, we designed probes for the simultaneous detection of 18 high-risk subtypes (HPV-16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 53, 56, 58, 59, 66, 68, 73, 83 and MM4) and 5 low-risk subtypes (HPV-6, 11, 42, 43 and 44) and fixed them to the special membrane to make a DNA chip. A total of 112 male urethral samples were collected with swabs and studied for the clinical value. Meanwhile the single subtypes of HPV positive were sequenced and the standard samples detected for their sensitivity.

RESULTSOf the total number, 25 samples were found to be HPV positive, 13 single HPV infection and 12 multiple infection. Nine HPV gene subtypes were noted in the samples: 6, 11, 16, 18, 33, 35, 43, 56 and 73, with sensitivity up to 10 copies of HPV DNA.

CONCLUSIONHuman papillomavirus genotyping by the membrane DNA chip is applicable to the diagnosis of male HPV infection as well as to the related epidemic and etiological investigation.

Adult ; Aged ; Base Sequence ; DNA Probes, HPV ; genetics ; DNA, Viral ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Genotype ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Papillomaviridae ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Papillomavirus Infections ; diagnosis ; virology

OBJECTIVETo explore biological aspects of Tiam1 gene expression in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells.

METHODSTiam1/C1199HA expression plasmids were transfected into nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells of C666-1 and CNE1 by lipofectamine2000. RT-PCR, real-time PCR and Western blot Analyses were performed to evaluate the expression of Tiam1 mRNA and protein levels, respectively. In vitro cell adhesion, wound healing and matrigel invasion assays were used to study the biological impact of Tiam1 on cell adhesion, mobility and invasion.

RESULTSTiam1 over expression significantly increased the abilities of adhesion, migratory and invasion of C666-1 and CNE1 cells, comparing with that of the control untransfected cells (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONTiam1 expression correlates with the invasion and metastasis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells.

Cell Adhesion ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiology ; Humans ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Plasmids ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; T-Lymphoma Invasion and Metastasis-inducing Protein 1

OBJECTIVETo detect breast cancer specific gene 1 (BCSG1) expression in different breast tissue, analysis its correlation with clinical parameters and evaluate the prognosis of breast cancer.

METHODSThe expression of BCSG1 was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in surgical specimens from 84 cases of breast disease patients selected randomly at XinHua Hospital affiliated with Shanghai Second Medical University from September 1999 to December 2002. Of 84 cases, 72 case were breast cancer. Statistic analysis BCSG1 gene expression correlation with clinical parameters of breast cancer. 72 breast cancers were followed up (4 - 43 months) to set up independent prognosis factor by survival analysis.

RESULTSBCSG1 was undetectable in all benign breast lesions, while was detectable in 36.1% of all breast cancer samples (26/72), in which 79.2% of stage III/IV cases were positive (19/24). The expression of BCSG1 was tightly correlated with the stage (P = 0.000) and the size of tumor (P = 0.007). Both ER (P = 0.027) and BCSG1 (P = 0.001) were the independent prognosis factor of breast cancer.

CONCLUSIONBCSG1 is one of independent tumor marker of breast cancer, the expression of BCSG1 is closely correlated to the stage of breast cancer and the tumor size. Maybe, BCSG1 is a new prognosis factor of breast cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Breast Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; genetics ; pathology ; Female ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; gamma-Synuclein ; genetics