OBJECTIVETo define the differences in gene expression patterns between glycidyl methacrylate (GMA)-transformed human lung fibroblast cells (2BS cells) and controls.

METHODSThe mRNA differential display polymerase chain reaction (DD-PCR) technique was used. cDNAs were synthesized by reverse transcription and amplified by PCR using 30 primer combinations. After being screened by dot blot analysis, differentially expressed cDNAs were cloned, sequenced and confirmed by Northern blot analysis.

RESULTSEighteen differentially expressed cDNAs were cloned and sequenced, of which 17 were highly homologous to known genes (homology = 89%-100%) and one was an unknown gene. Northern blot analysis confirmed that eight genes encoding human zinc finger protein 217 (ZNF217), mixed-lineage kinase 3 (MLK-3), ribosomal protein (RP) L15, RPL41, RPS 16, TBX3, stanniocalcin 2 (STC2) and mouse ubiquitin conjugating enzyme (UBC), respectively, were up-regulated, and three genes including human transforming growth factor beta inducible gene (Betaig-h3), alpha-1,2-mannosidase 1A2 (MAN 1A2) gene and an unknown gene were down-regulated in the GMA-transformed cells.

CONCLUSIONAnalysis of the potential function of these genes suggest that they may be possibly linked to a variety of cellular processes such as transcription, signal transduction, protein synthesis and growth, and that their differential expression could contribute to the GMA-induced neoplastic transformation.

Air Pollutants, Occupational ; toxicity ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; genetics ; pathology ; Cell Line, Transformed ; Epoxy Compounds ; toxicity ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Glycoproteins ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lung ; cytology ; Male ; Mannosidases ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Methacrylates ; toxicity ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Ribosomal Proteins ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; genetics ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Ubiquitins ; metabolism ; Zinc Fingers ; drug effects ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the genotoxic and nongenotoxic effects of short-term exposure to glycidyl mathacrylate (GMA) on human lung fibroblast cells (2BS cells) in vitro.

METHODSDNA strand breakage was determined by single cell gel electrophoresis, and DNA ladder formation assay and flow cytometric analysis were carried out to detect apoptic responses of cells to GMA exposure. The HPRT gene mutation assay was used to evaluate the mutagenicity, and the effect of GMA on gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) in the exposed cells was examined with the scrape loading/dye transfer technique. The ability of GMA to transform 2BS cells was also tested by an in vitro cell transformation assay.

RESULTSExposure to GMA resulted in a dose-dependent increase in DNA strand breaks but not apoptic responses. GMA was also shown to significantly induce HPRT gene mutations and morphological transformation in 2BS cells in vitro. In contrast, GMA produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of GJIC.

CONCLUSIONSGMA elicits both genotoxic and nongenotoxic effects on 2BS cells in vitro. The induction of DNA damage and gene mutations and inhibition of GJIC by GMA may casually contribute to GMA-induced cell transformation.

Cell Communication ; Cell Differentiation ; Comet Assay ; DNA Damage ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Epoxy Compounds ; toxicity ; Fibroblasts ; Gap Junctions ; Humans ; Hypoxanthine Phosphoribosyltransferase ; genetics ; Lung ; cytology ; Methacrylates ; toxicity

Objective To investigate the cholagogic and anti -infla-mmatory effects and acute toxicity of Jinshalidan Granules.Methods The cholagogic effect of Jinshalidan Granules was observed and deter-mined by common bile duct drainage in mouse .The acute inflammatory models was established by xylene -induced ear edema to research the inflammatory effects of Jinshalidan Granules.The acute toxicity and the maximum tolerated dose in mice were also studied.Results Compared with the normal control group , the bile secretion for the mouse and the degree of swelling of mice ear induced by xylene were significantly improvemed in all the 3 different dosages of Jinshalidan Granules.After 14 days, continuous observation ,no mouse was found dead and no signifi-cant toxicity occurred by naked eyes.The maximum tolerated dose of Compound Jinshalidan Granules is 244.8 g · kg -1 ( crude drug ).Conclusion Compound Jinshalidan Granules have obviously effects on the increased the bile secretion and anti -inflammatory ,it is has very low acute toxicity in mice and preliminary proven to be safe .

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of hepatitis C virus core protein (HCV-C) on human normal biliary epithelial cells (BEC) transformation and tumor development.

METHODSBEC cells were transfected with plasmid pcDNA HCV-C (expressing HCV-C) by lipofectamine and selected in G418. The expression of HCV-C gene and protein was determined by PCR and immunohistochemical staining, respectively. Biological effect of transfected cells was observed through cell proliferation assay, anchor independent growth, and tumor development in nude mice. The expression of HCV-C protein in the induced tumor was evaluated by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSHCV-C was strongly expressed in BEC cells transfected with plasmid pcDNA HCV-C and the positive signal was located in cytoplasm. The HCV-C expression protein in the induced cytoplasm. Cell proliferation assay showed that the population doubling time in the pcDNA HCV-C transfected cells was much shorter than that in the pcDNA3 and non-transfected cells (14 h, 28 h, 30 h respectively). The cloning efficiencies of transfected cells with pcDNA HCV-C, pcDNA3 and non-transfected cells were 36%, 2.5% and 1.5%, respectively (P < 0.01). Tumor developed in nude mice inoculated with pcDNA HCV-C transfected cells after the inoculation. HE staining showed bile duct carcinoma character and immunohistochemistry confirmed HCV-C expression in the tumor tissue. The positive control group also showed tumor development, while no tumor mass obtained in the nude mice inoculated with pcDNA3 and non-transfected cells even 36 days after the injection.

CONCLUSIONHCV-C protein showed human normal biliary epithelial cells transformation and tumorigenic features.

Animals ; Bile Duct Neoplasms ; etiology ; Bile Ducts ; cytology ; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic ; Cell Transformation, Viral ; Cells, Cultured ; Epithelial Cells ; pathology ; Female ; Hepacivirus ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Plasmids ; Transfection ; Viral Core Proteins ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo compare curative effects of various surgical procedures of bile duct stones.

METHODSTwo thousand nine hundred and fifty-five patients with intrahepatic bile duct lithiasis who had undergone various surgical procedures were analysed with Meta-analysis. Some of these cases were reported in Chinese Medical Journals from January 1990 to March 2001 and others were from Tongji Hospital.

RESULTSThere was a significant difference between curative effects of non-hepatectomy and that of hepatectomy (chi(2) = 62.945, P < 0.01), and the outcomes of hepatectomy were much better than those of non-hepatectomy with OR(S) equalled to 0.303 (0.222 - 0.413). There was not a significant difference between curative effect of interposed jejunum and that of hepatectomy (95% CI of RR from 0.98 to 1.04). All the other operation, effects were worse than hepatectomy (upper limit of 95% CI of RR < 1).

CONCLUSIONSHepatectomy is the most ideal surgery for intrahepatic bile duct stones and operation methods should be diversified since good effect could also be obtained when other operations are performed on suitable cases.

Bile Duct Diseases ; surgery ; Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic ; Choledochostomy ; statistics & numerical data ; Cholelithiasis ; surgery ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatectomy ; statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To establish the determination method for the content of paeoniflorin in Fufang Jinsha Lidan Keli and the standard for the quality control of Fufang Jinsha Lidan Keli.Methods The analysis was performed on a Welch Utimate XB-C18 (4.6 mm ×250 mm, 5μm) column .The mobile phase was acetonitrile and water (17∶83) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL· min -1 .The column temperature was room temperature and the detection wavelength was 230 nm.The injection volume was 20μL.Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi , Cynanchum otophyllum and Fructus aurantii were identified qualititatively by Thin—Layer Chromatography ( TLC).Paeoniflorin in Fufang Jinsha Lidan Keli were determined by HPLC.Results The TLC spots were highly clear without the interference of negative control.The calibration curve for Paeoniflorin was linear ( r=0.9995 ) in the range of 3.92~98.00 μg· mL-1.And the mean recovery was 98.11%.RSD was 1.10%(n=6).Conclusion This method is ac-curate,simple,sensitive and reliable and it can be used for the quality con-trol of Fufang Jinsha Lidan Keli.

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical characteristics and effects of immunoglobulin treatment in children with the different types of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS).

METHODData of 108 patients hospitalized for GBS were retrospectively analyzed; 75 cases in this group were given acute high dose of gamma globulin (IVIG) 400 mg/(kg·d) intravenously for 5 d. Clinical and electrophysiological data and information on treatment and recovery of the children were collected during the follow-up and were analyzed.

RESULTAccording to the clinical and electrophysiologic findings, 32 patients manifested acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (AIDP), 34 had acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN), 3 had acute motor and sensory axonal neuropathy (AMSAN), 4 were inexcitable, 2 were unclassified. The clinical progress of the AMAN was faster than the AIDP group. Except for sensory nerve involvement, there was no significant difference in the clinical feature and severity. The mean time of the muscle strength began to recover was (5.59±3.63) days in the AIDP group and (7.21±4.68) days in the AMAN group after IVIG treatment. The time of the AIDP group was shorter than the AMAN group, but the difference was not statistically significant (t=-1.5702, P>0.05). The mean time of the muscle strength increased one grade was (8.88±4.39) days in the AIDP group and (12.67±8.35) days in the AMAN group. The difference was statistically significant (t=-2.3689, P<0.05). No patients in this group died. Follow-up data showed that the complete recovery time was not significantly different (t=0.2041, P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe clinical progress of the AMAN was faster than the AIDP group. Besides sensory nerve involvement, there was no significant difference in the clinical feature and severity. The AIDP group's clinical recovery was faster than AMAN's after the immunoglobulin treatment. The two groups were not significantly different in long-term prognosis.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Guillain-Barre Syndrome ; classification ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the prognostic significance of micropapillary pattern (MPP) in adenocarcinoma of lung.

METHODSNinety-one consecutively excised cases of pulmonary adenocarcinoma, including follow-up data, were retrospectively studied. These tumors were divided into 2 major groups: those with MPP and those without MPP. The former was further subdivided according to extent of the micropapillary component, as follows: MPP + (constituting 1% to 10% of the tumor), MPP ++ (constituting 11% to 30% of the tumor) and MPP +++ (constituting more than 30% of the tumor).

RESULTSThe overall 5-year survival rate was 64.8%. The 5-year survival rates were 88.9% for stage I tumors, 46.2% for stage II tumors, and 23.8% for stage III tumor respectively (P = 0.000). The extent of micropapillary component showed no correlation with tumor stage, size and 5-year survival rate (P = 0.065, 0.358 and 0.206, respectively). On the other hand, the 5-year survival rate was 41.5% for patients in the MPP-positive group (number = 41) and 84.0% for patients in the MPP-negative group (number = 50). The percentage of nodal metastasis in MPP-positive group was also higher than that in MPP-negative group (P = 0.000). In pulmonary adenocarcinoma, this characteristic histology correlated with tumor stage and size, but not with patient's gender and smoking history. Within the same stage, the 5-year survival rates of MPP-positive and MPP-negative groups were as follows: for stage I, 78.6% versus 92.6% (P = 0.1548), for stage II, 30.0% versus 100% (P = 0.0598), and for stage III, 17.7% versus 28.6% (P = 0.4045).

CONCLUSIONSMPP in primary pulmonary adenocarcinoma, even when only constituting a minor component, predicts an aggressive clinical behavior and is associated with poor prognosis. Although it may not be an independent prognostic factor, presence of this histologic pattern should alert clinicians for more active treatment and closer follow up.

Adenocarcinoma ; pathology ; surgery ; Adenocarcinoma, Bronchiolo-Alveolar ; pathology ; surgery ; Adenocarcinoma, Papillary ; pathology ; surgery ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lung ; pathology ; surgery ; Lung Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Analysis

BACKGROUNDPatients with schizophrenia have prominent abnormality in information processing that can be observed by measures of prepulse inhibition (PPI) of acoustic startle reflex and PPI deficits have been considered as a candidate endophenotypic marker of schizophrenia. However, there has been little information on PPI and related measures in Chinese patients with schizophrenia. The research was to explore the deficits of acoustic startle reflex that might exist in Chinese patients with schizophrenia.

METHODSStartle response to acoustic stimuli, habituation, and PPI were examined in 31 Chinese patients with first-episode, medication-naïve schizophrenia and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy Chinese controls. At the same day of startle testing, psychopathological symptoms of the patients were assessed with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS).

RESULTSCompared with healthy controls, patients exhibited the significant reduction in startle response and PPI deficits at 60 milliseconds (ms) intervals (PPI60, P < 0.05) but not at 30 or 120 ms intervals. Furthermore, there was a relatively strong correlation between PPI60 (P < 0.05) and scores of positive scale of PANSS in patients with schizophrenia.

CONCLUSIONOur findings confirmed impaired PPI in Chinese patients with schizophrenia and suggested that a relationship between sensorimotor gating deficits and clinical symptoms of patients with schizophrenia might exist.

Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Schizophrenia ; physiopathology ; Sensory Gating ; physiology ; Young Adult