This study aims to analyze and compare the effect of cell wall-broken decoction pieces, conventional decoction pieces and conventional powder of Rhodiolae Crenulatae Radix et Rhizoma on the intestinal flora of normal mice. The conventional bacterial culture and PCR-DGGE (polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis) were adopted for the mice after the oral administration for 14 days. According to the bacterial culture results, the 1/8 dose cell wall-broken decoction pieces group showed fewer Enterococcus and Escherichia coli bacillus but more Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium than the conventional decoction pieces group and the traditional powder group (P <0.05). Meanwhile, on the basis of the PCR-DGGE results, the 1/8 dose cell wall-broken decoction pieces group revealed the highest Shannon-Wiener index (H) and species richness (S) among the seven groups, with extremely significant differences compared with the normal group (P <0.01), significant differences compared with the conventional decoction pieces group and the conventional powder group (P <0.05) and a high intra-group similarity. In conclusion, the long-term intake of 1/8 dose Rhodiolae Crenulatae Radix et Rhizoma cell wall-broken decoction pieces showed a certain effect in regulating intestinal tract by promoting the growth of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. Furthermore, the intestinal flora community will become more stable.
Animals ; Bifidobacterium ; drug effects ; genetics ; growth & development ; Cell Wall ; Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis ; Intestines ; microbiology ; Lactobacillus ; drug effects ; genetics ; growth & development ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Rhizome ; Rhodiola

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of ursolic acid (UA) on T-cell proliferation and activation, as well as to examine its effect on nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway in T cells.

METHODST-cells isolated from BALB/c mice were incubated with UA at concentrations ranging from 5-30 μmol/L in the presence of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) or PMA plus ionomycin. The proliferation of T cells was measured by the MTT assay. The expressions of CD69, CD25, and CD71 on T-cell surface were analyzed using flow cytometry. The level of interleukin-2 (IL-2) in the culture supernatant of activated T cells was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The level of phosphorylated IκB-α (p-IκB-α) in total protein and p65, a subunit of NF-κB, nuclear translocation were measured by Western blot analysis.

RESULTSUA in a dose-dependent manner significantly decreased the proliferation and inhibited the surface expressions of CD69, CD25, and CD71 in murine T lymphocytes upon in vitro activation (P<0.01). Significant reduction of IL-2 production was found in activated T cells treated with UA (P<0.01). The PMA-induced increase in p-IκB-α protein was inhibited, and nuclear translocation of p65 from the cytoplasm was blocked by UA.

CONCLUSIONUA is a potent inhibitor for T cell activation and proliferation; these effects are associated with the inhibition of NF-κB signaling pathway.

Animals ; Cell Nucleus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; I-kappa B Proteins ; metabolism ; Interleukin-2 ; secretion ; Ionomycin ; pharmacology ; Lymphocyte Activation ; drug effects ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Phosphorylation ; drug effects ; Protein Transport ; drug effects ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; T-Lymphocytes ; cytology ; drug effects ; immunology ; secretion ; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate ; pharmacology ; Triterpenes ; pharmacology

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Leukemia, Prolymphocytic, B-Cell ; diagnosis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies

Objective To analyze the normal anatomy of petrosal vein and the space adjacent relationship between the petrosal vein and the homolateral trigeminal nerve by balanced turbo field echo (B-TFE) Cine-MR imaging and enhanced T1 high-resolution isotropic volume excitation (e-THRIVE)imaging.Methods Forty-one patients with facial spasm and epileptiform neuralgia were selected and taken a scan with ACHIEVA NOVA DUAL A-serial 1.5T MR machine using the BTFE and e-THRIVE series.The space adjacent relationship between the petrosal vein and the trigeminal nerve in cerebellopontine angle were observed.Results The 82 sides of petrosal veins and homolateral trigeminal nerves (41 cases) were displayed well.Petrosal veins were located in cavitas subarachnoidealis,partly in free state; the number of trunk ofpetrosal vein could be 1,2,3,respectively,responding to 70 (86%),10 (12%),2 (2%).The petrosal veins located in the dorsal-lateral of trigeminal nerve were found in 74 sides (37 cases,91%,by BTFE,e-THRIVE series),the petrosal veins located in the ventri-lateral of trigeminal nerve in 6 sides (3 cases,7%,by e-THRIVE series),and the petrosal veins located in the right upon trigeminal nerve in 2 sides (1 cases,2%,by BTFE series).Conclusion B-TFE MR imaging and e-THR/VE imaging,showing the petrosal veins and trigeminal nerves clearly and evaluating their relationship accurately,can provide information of topographic anatomy before microsurgical vascular decompression.

Objective To explore the applied value of balanced turbo field echo (BTFE)Cine-MR imaging and enhanced T1 high-resolution isotropic volume excitation (e-THRIVE) imaging in patients with trigeminal neuralgia (TN) and hemifacial spasm (HFS) before performing microvascular decompression (MVD).Methods One hundred and twenty-one patients (74 patients with TN and 47 with HFS),admitted to our hospital from April 2009 to December 2011,were chosen in our study; a scan with ACHIEVA NOVA DUAL A-serial 1.5 T MR Machine using the BTFE and e-THRIVE serial besides conventional head MR imaging was performed on these patients.All the MR imaging data were retrospectively analyzed.Results All the patients were confirmed by microvascular decompression.The facial nerves of 74 patients with TN and 47 with HFS were displayed well.Responsible capillaries were found in 118 patients (98％):the related vessel was superior cerebellar artery in 52 patients (70％) of 74 patients with TN and anterior inferior cerebellar artery in 29 patients (625) of 47 patients with HFS.The compression style included oblique cross,parallel or vertical compression.Conclusion BTFE MR imaging and e-THRIVE imaging can show the trigeminal nerve,facial nerve and microvascular vessel in the posterior cranial fossa clearly; combining space-link method and multiplanar reconstruction,they can help us find the related vessel and provide preoperative guidance before microvascular decompression for patients with TN and HFS.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficiency of micro-implant anchorage (MIA) for posterior teeth intruded and the result of the treatment of scissors bite on one-side posterior teeth.

METHODSThe study included 3 females and 1 male. All the overextruding upper posterior teeth were intruded by the MIA. The micro-implant screws were inserted into the buccal and lingual alveolar hone of the maxillary posterior teeth or the buccal alveolar hone of mandibular posterior teeth. About 0.833 N force was used to intrude the overgrowthing upper posterior teeth, and about 0.559 N force was used to draw buecally the low posterior teeth tilting lingually.

RESULTSThe overextruding upper posterior teeth were intruded 2.0 mm on average, the low posterior teeth tilting lingually were upreared buccally. All the MIA screws kept stable during the treatment, but there was a slight inflammation around the implant screws.

CONCLUSIONMIA could be used as an efficient method to correct scissors bite on one-side posterior teeth with intruding overgrowth upper posterior teeth, or uprearing buccally the tilting low posterior teeth.

Bone Screws ; Dental Occlusion ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Molar ; Open Bite ; Orthodontic Anchorage Procedures ; Tooth Movement Techniques

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) on cell adhesion molecule expression and adhesion capacity of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC) in patients after conditioning treatment for peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT). BMSC of 27 patients before and after conditioning treatment for PBSCT were cultured in vitro. After treated with ATRA at 0.01, 0.1, or 1 micromol/L, expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) protein and vascular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) protein were detected by flow cytometry, and soluble ICAM-1 (sICAM-1) protein was determined by using radioimmunoassay. Then BMSC was co-cultured with CD34+ cells, and adhesion rate of BMSC to CD34+ cells was measured. The results showed that after pretreatment with conditioning regimen for PBSCT, the expressions of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 proteins in BMSC and the expression level of sICAM-1 protein in supernatant of BMSC culture were down-regulated, and the adhesion rate of BMSC to CD34+ cells was decreased, after administration of ATRA, the expression of ICAM-1 protein in BMSC, sICAM-1 protein in culture medium and adhesion rate of BMSC to CD34+ cells all increased significantly, but expression of VCAM-1 protein changed no significantly. It is concluded that the ATRA can partly restore adhesion function of BMSC injured by pretreatment for PBSCT and contribute to hematopoietic reconstitution.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Antigens, CD34 ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Bone Marrow Cells ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Adhesion ; drug effects ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Child ; Coculture Techniques ; Hematologic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation ; Stromal Cells ; metabolism ; pathology ; Tretinoin ; pharmacology ; Tumor Cells, Cultured ; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dimethyl amiloride (DMA), a specific inhibitor of Na(+)/H(+) exchanger-1 (NHE-1), on intracellular pH value (pHi), proliferation and apoptosis of HL-60/ADM cells in vitro. After treatment with DMA at different doses, pHi of HL-60 and HL-60/ADM cell lines were determined by using pH-sensitive fluorescence dye BECEF-AM; the rate of growth inhibition of cells was detected with MTT assay; cell cycle was detected by flow cytometric DNA analysis; cell apoptosis was observed with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). The results showed that pHi in HL-60/ADM cells was higher than that in HL-60 cells. After treatment with DMA at different doses, pHi decreased, the rate of growth inhibition and the rate of apoptotic cells in HL-60/ADM cells were all higher than those in HL-60 cells. Meanwhile, after treatment with DMA during 100 micromol/L to 150 micromol/L, the increase amplitude of G(0)/G(1) phase cells and the decrease amplitude of S + G(2)/M cells in HL-60/ADM cells were higher than those in HL-60 cells. It is concluded that by causing intracellular acidification, the NHE-1-specific inhibitor DMA inhibits proliferation of HL-60/ADM cells and induces apoptosis of HL-60/ADM cells, and the degree of this growth inhibition of HL-60/ADM cells is higher than that of HL-60 cells.
Amiloride ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Doxorubicin ; pharmacology ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Sodium-Hydrogen Exchangers ; antagonists & inhibitors

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of a chemoimmunotherapy regimen of rituximab, fludarabine and cyclophosphamide (FCR) for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia(CLL).

METHODSThe clinical data of 26 CLL patients receiving FCR regimen in our hospital from April 2003 to January 2012 were analyzed retrospectively. Patients were grouped according to indicators including Rai risk stratification, β(2)-MG, LDH, ZAP-70, CD38, cytogenetics and immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region gene (IgVH) mutation status. Therapy efficacy and survival were evaluated and the safety of FCR regimen was assessed.

RESULTSAmong 26 patients, the overall response rate ( ORR ) was 76.9%, 10 patients (38.5%) achieved complete remission(CR) and 10(38.5%) partial remission(PR). With a median follow-up time of 30 ( 3-98 ) months, the median estimated progression-free survival(PFS) for all patients was 42(16-68) months and median overall survival(OS) was 63(41-85)months. Clinical parameters associated with higher CR rates were ＜2 courses of prior treatment regimens, proportions of bone marrow lymphocytes declining ≥ 50% after 2 courses of FCR, low LDH, low β(2)-MG and ZAP-70 negative (P = 0.014, 0.008, 0.027, 0.035 and 0.013, retrospectively). PFS and OS time in minimal residual disease(MRD)-negative, normal LDH and proportions of bone marrow lymphocytes declining ≥ 50% after 2 courses of FCR patients were significantly better than that of the control group (P＜0.05), PFS in the non-high-risk genetics group was significantly better than that in the high-risk genetics group (P = 0.005), while OS between two groups showed no statistically significant difference. The most common toxicities were gastrointestinal reactions (88.5%), followed by bone marrow suppression (80.8%): including neutropenia, anemia and thrombocytopenia. Infections accounted for 30.8%, mainly lung infection.

CONCLUSIONFCR is an effective and well-tolerated therapy for patients with CLL. Patients with MRD-positive, elevated LDH, proportions of bone marrow lymphocytes declining＜50% after 2 courses of FCR and high risk genetics patients are suitable for more effective treatment after achieving treatment response.

Adult ; Aged ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived ; administration & dosage ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Cyclophosphamide ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Rituximab ; Treatment Outcome ; Vidarabine ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of inhibiting stromal cell derived factor-1 (SDF-1) expression by RNA interference (RNAi) on adhesion and drug sensitivity of Jurkat cells co-cultured with bone marrow stromal cells.

METHODSSDF-1 specific short hairpin RNA (shRNA) expressing plasmid was transferred into cultured human acute leukemic bone marrow stromal cells, positive clones were isolated by screening G418 resistance (Group A) , SDF-1 protein level in culture supernatant was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The adhesion rates to bone marrow stromal cells layer and the drug sensitivity to doxorubicin of co-cultured Jurkat cells were detected by cell counting and MTT assay, respectively. The un-transfected bone marrow stromal cells of acute leukemia patient (Group B) or normal subject (Group C) were taken as control.

RESULTSThe level of secreted SDF-1 protein (pg/10(5) cells/week) in the supernatants of Group A, B and C were 1920 +/- 205, 12,370 +/- 1355 and 6620 +/- 770, respectively. Of co-cultured Jurkat cells in Group A, B and C, the adhesion rates after 24 h co-culturing were (28.8 +/- 2.6)%, (57.4 +/- 3.8)% and (45.2 +/- 4.0)%, respectively, and the IC50 values of doxorubicin were 585, 6162 and 1758 nmol/L, respectively.

CONCLUSIONDown-regulating SDF-1 expression of bone marrow stromal cells by RNAi reduces adhesion rates and enhances drug sensitivity to doxorubicin of their co-cultured Jurkat cells.

Bone Marrow Cells ; metabolism ; Cell Adhesion ; Cells, Cultured ; Chemokine CXCL12 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Coculture Techniques ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Jurkat Cells ; RNA Interference ; Stromal Cells ; metabolism