Acute Disease ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Electromyography ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nervous System Diseases ; chemically induced ; diagnosis ; Organophosphate Poisoning ; Pesticides ; poisoning

Humans ; Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous/pathology* ; Stomach Neoplasms/pathology*

This study was aimed to explore the effect of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) on proliferation and activity of natural killer (NK) and NK-T cells. MSC was co-cultured with peripheral mononuclear cells from healthy donors in presence of IL-2, phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and mouse anti-human CD3 McAb (culture condition known to expand NK cells). The ratio of NK cells and NK-T cells was measured by flow cytometry and the effect of MSC on killing activity of NK cells against K562 cells was detected by MTT method after co-cultured with different densities of MSC. The results showed that MSC inhibited the production of NK cells in a dose-dependent manner generally. At the densities of 0, 1 × 10(5) and 5 × 10(5)/ml, the ratios of NK cells in the co-culture conditions were (16.9 ± 4.6), (14.0 ± 8.6) and (6.4 ± 4.6), respectively (P < 0.05). However, MSC could promote the formation of NK cells at lower MSC density (1 × 10(4)/ml), the ratio of NK cells reached to (20.9 ± 7.1), which was higher than that of culture condition without MSC (P < 0.05). The different densities of MSC in the co-culture conditions had no much influence on the ratio of NK-T cells (P > 0.05). MTT assay showed that the killing activity of suspended cells in co-culture system against K562 cells was parallel with the ratio of NK cells. Different densities of MSC regulated bidirectionally killing activity of NK to K562 cells by regulating bidirectionally ratio of NK cells. It is concluded that the MSC can promote the formation of NK cells and enhance its activity against tumor cells in the lower doses, while suppress the formation of NK cells and attenuate its tumor-killing effect in higher dose condition.
Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Cell Proliferation ; Coculture Techniques ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Killer Cells, Natural ; cytology ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Natural Killer T-Cells ; cytology

Clinically nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas are the most common types among pituitary adenomas. These tumors are usually diagnosed in their later stages due to the absence of clinical symptoms and detectable hormonal hypersecretion. Although these tumors are benign, they are hard to be completely removed during neurosurgery due to the massive invasion into the surrounding tissues at diagnosis. Furthermore, relapse is common. In recent years, medical treatment of pituitary adenomas has witnessed a rapid development. New medications have shown certain effectiveness in reducing the tumor size and improving the clinical symptoms.
Adenoma ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; drug therapy

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of immunoglobulin on the neuronal expression of IL-1beta and IL-1ra and the neuronal death at hippocampus in rats with convulsion induced by pentylenetetrazol.

METHODSThe epilepsy model was established by injecting intraperitoneally pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) into Wistar rats. Forty-five rats were randomly divided into three groups, normal control group, PTZ plus intravenous immunoglobulin (PTZ-IVIG); PTZ plus normal saline (PTZ-NS). Neuronal death was assessed by light microscopy with the hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and with in situ terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL). IL-1beta and IL-1ra expressions were examined by histochemistry.

RESULTSThe ratio of IL-1beta/IL-1ra at hippocampal CA(1) region in PTZ-IVIG group (0.5 +/- 0.1) was significantly lower than that in PTZ-NS group (1.9 +/- 0.5, t = 12.9, P < 0.05). Apoptotic cell numbers at the hippocampal CA(1) region were significantly decreased in the PTZ-IVIG group, compared to PTZ-NS group (t = 27.1, P < 0.05). The numbers of positive cells were 16.4 +/- 3.3/1000 microm(2) in the former and 41.7 +/- 3.5/1000 microm(2) in the latter. Necrotic cell numbers at the hippocampal CA(1) region were significantly decreased in the PTZ-IVIG group (19.0 +/- 2.6/1000 microm(2)), compared to PTZ-NS group (42.3 +/- 4.9/1000 microm(2), t = 20.9, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONImmunoglobulin could inhibit neuronal death induced by convulsion and its possible mechanism might be the regulation of IL-1 system in neurons.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; immunology ; metabolism ; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous ; pharmacology ; Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein ; metabolism ; Interleukin-1beta ; metabolism ; Neurons ; drug effects ; Pentylenetetrazole ; adverse effects ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Seizures ; chemically induced ; immunology ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the cyclodextrin inclusion complexes of Dragon's blood for improving the drug solubility and the preparation.

METHODThe inclusion complexes were prepared with beta-cyclodextrin, HP-beta-cyclodextrin, SBE-beta-cyclodextrin and confirmed by DTA. The activity of the inclusion complex was tested by animal experiments. Inclusion complexes tablets were prepared and the dissolution test was performed.

RESULTThe solubility of inclusion complexes was increased to 13. 75-168. 39 times. The activity of the inclusion complex was markedly improved, and dissolution rate was 78.69%.

CONCLUSIONThe cyclodextrin inclusion complexes of Dragon's blood have a good solubility, dissolution rate and pharmacological activity.

2-Hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin ; Cyclodextrins ; chemistry ; Drug Stability ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; Solubility ; Tablets ; chemistry ; beta-Cyclodextrins ; chemistry

Familial isolated pituitary adenoma (FIPA) is an autosomal dominant disease, characterized by low penetrance, early-onset disease, more invasive tumor growth, as well as somatotroph and lactotroph adenomas in most cases. It has been indicated that the aryl hydrocarbon receptor interacting protein (AIP) gene is a tumor suppressor gene. Many heterozygous mutations have been discovered in AIP in about 20% of FIPA families. However, the exact molecular mechanism by which its disfunction promotes tumorigenesis of pituitary is unclear.
Growth Hormone-Secreting Pituitary Adenoma ; genetics ; Humans ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; genetics ; Mutation ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of mild hypothermia therapy on severe brain-injured patients whose intracranial pressure (ICP) could be maintained below 25 mm Hg.

METHODSForty severe brain-injured patients with ICP below 25 mm Hg were divided randomly into one treatment group (n=20, mild hypothermia therapy) and one control group (n=20, normothermia therapy) to observe the changes of the concentration of excitatory amino acids (glutamate and glycine) and cytokines (interleukin-1beta and interleukin-6).

RESULTSThere were no significant differences in the daily changes of the concentration of excitatory amino acid and cytokines between two groups. The outcome of two groups had no significant differences.

CONCLUSIONSMild hypothermia has no additional beneficial effects on severe brain-injured patients compared with normothermia therapy if ICP can be maintained below 25 mm Hg by using conventional therapy.

Analysis of Variance ; Chi-Square Distribution ; Craniocerebral Trauma ; cerebrospinal fluid ; therapy ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Glasgow Coma Scale ; Humans ; Hypothermia, Induced ; Intracranial Pressure ; Male ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on chromosome 3p in thyroid tumors.

METHODSLOH at 11 microsatellite loci was analyzed in 74 cases of thyroid tumors (including 20 follicular adenomas, 24 follicular thyroid carcinomas and 30 papillary thyroid carcinomas) by polymerase chain reaction and silver stain.

RESULTSLOH on chromosome 3p was detected in 71% of follicular thyroid carcinoma (17/24), 30% of the papillary thyroid carcinoma (9/30) and 10% of the follicular adenoma (2/20) case. Two minimal common deleted regions (CDR) (3p26-pter and 3p14.2-3p22) involving significant sites of LOH has identified in follicular thyroid carcinoma. There was also one CDR (3p25. 2-26.1) in papillary thyroid carcinoma.

CONCLUSIONSLOH is more frequently identified in follicular thyroid carcinoma than in papillary thyroid carcinoma and follicular adenoma. The 3 CDR on chromosome 3p may harbor tumor suppressor genes involved in the pathogenesis of follicular thyroid carcinoma and papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma, Follicular ; genetics ; Adenoma ; genetics ; Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; genetics ; Chromosome Mapping ; Chromosomes ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 3 ; genetics ; Female ; Genes, Tumor Suppressor ; physiology ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Loss of Heterozygosity ; Male ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Middle Aged ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; genetics ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo construct a recombinant expression vector of the fusion protein epidermal growth factor (EGF)-Linker-trichosanthin (TCS) and achieve its expression in E. coli to obtain purified EGF-linker-TCS fusion protein.

METHODSThe gene fragments of EGF-linker were amplified by PCR and inserted into the expression plasmid PQE30-TCS, followed by transformation of the recombinant plasmid into E. coli M15 for expression of the fusion protein. Ni-FF column chromatography was utilized for purification of the expressed product.

RESULTSThe recombinant plasmid PQE30-EGF-linker-TCS was stably and highly expressed in E. coli M15. The expressed product existed in the form of soluble protein accounting for about 40% of total cellular protein and reached a purity of above 95% after purification with Ni-FF column chromatography.

CONCLUSIONThe recombinant plasmid PQE30/EGF-linker-TCS has been successfully constructed, which provides a basis for further structural and functional study of EGF and TCS and their potential clinical application for cancer therapy.

Blotting, Western ; Cloning, Molecular ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Humans ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; Trichosanthin ; genetics ; metabolism