OBJECTIVETo study the clinical efficacy and adverse reaction of comprehensive therapy mainly with Chinese anti-cancer medicinal perfusion/embolization and assisted with Chinese drug-therapy based on TCM Syndrome Differentiation in treating primary liver cancer.

METHODSForty-one patients with liver cancer were divided into the treated group and the control group. To the treated group turmeric oil microballoon, cinobufotalin, Aidi injection and iodized oil were given via hepatic artery perfusion/embolization, and to the control group chemotherapeutic agents and iodized oil were given for instead. Besides, both groups were given Chinese herbs according to TCM Syndrome Differentiation additionally.

RESULTSThe tumor inhibitory rate in the treated group and the control group was 77.78% and 69.57% respectively, with insignificant difference between them. The improvement of fatigue and anorexia in the treated group was better than that in the control group (P < 0. 05). The 6-month, 12-month and 24-month survival rate in the treated group and control group was 61.11% vs 56.62%, 27.78% vs 30.43% and 22.22% vs 26.09%, respectively, the difference between the two groups was insignificant. The occurrence of adverse reactions such as decreasing of white blood cells, platelet and hemoglobin, nausea and vomiting were obviously lower in the treated group than those in the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONChinese anti-cancer medicinal perfusion/embolization has affirmative short-term clinical effect in treating primary liver cancer with few adverse reactions, which was tolerable to patients, but its long-term clinical efficacy needs further observation.

Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; administration & dosage ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; drug therapy ; therapy ; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic ; methods ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; therapy ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy

OBJECTIVETo screen and characterize the short peptides which bind specifically to interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor alpha chain (IL-2Ralpha) for acquisition of small antagonists for blocking the binding of IL-2 with IL-2Ralpha.

METHODS12-mer phage displayed peptide library was screened with the target cells of MT-2 cells which expressed IL-2Ralpha at high levels. The binding phage clones were eluted by anti-IL-2Ralpha monoclonal antibody. After 3 rounds of screening, the positive phage clones were identified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunohistochemistry, and the amino acid sequences of the positive clones were deduced from the DNA sequences.

RESULTSSeven positive clones were screened out of the 17 phage clones bound to MT-2 cells. The positive clone M15 could bind specifically to MT-2 cell and PHA-activated peripheral blood monouclear cells. Amino acid sequence analysis identified 6 sequences, all of which contained hydrophilic residues, and 5 of these 6 sequences included Tyr, Phe and Leu conservative residues.

CONCLUSIONThe peptide sequences containing Tyr, Phe conservative residues identified in this study can bind to cell surface IL-2Ralpha.

Amino Acid Sequence ; Cell Line, Transformed ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Interleukin-2 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit ; metabolism ; Peptide Library ; Peptides ; genetics ; metabolism ; Protein Binding ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; metabolism ; T-Lymphocytes ; cytology ; metabolism

Multiple displacement amplification (MDA) is a new technology for whole genome amplification (WGA), which can generate large amount of high-quality DNA and features high amplification efficiency and fidelity. MDA combined with conventional PCR techniques has been successfully applied for preimplantation genetic diagnosis, which has broaden latter's clinical applications.
Genome, Human ; Humans ; Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques ; methods ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Preimplantation Diagnosis ; methods

To investigate the interaction between tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) mimotopes and TNF alpha-binding peptides screened from random phage display peptide library with TNF alpha mimotopes displayed on phage clone as the target, the computational docking program AutoDock (with confirmation calculations using Discover) was used to predict and analyze the binding modes of LLT-18 (TNF alpha binding peptide, sequence EHMALTYPFRPP) with TNF alpha, after which LCS-7 (TNF alpha mimic phage clone, displayed positive sequence c-RRPAQSG-c) was docked to LLT-18 manually. The binding between LLT-18 and TNF alpha or LCS-7 was stabilized predominantly through electrostatic interaction and H-bond formation. The Arg residues in TNF alpha or LCS-7 were important for their interaction with LLT-18. For LLT-18, the key amino acid residues were Glu1, His2, Met3 and Tyr7. These results suggest the feasibility of screening ligand to single epitope with specific phage clone as the target, and of predicting the interaction between small peptides by computer-aided molecular modeling.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; immunology ; Biotinylation ; Computer Simulation ; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical ; methods ; Epitopes ; immunology ; Humans ; Ligands ; Models, Molecular ; Oligopeptides ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Peptide Library ; Protein Conformation ; Solubility ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; chemistry ; immunology ; metabolism

BACKGROUND: Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), commonly known as bone cement, has been widely used in the orthopedic surgery. It ensures the immediate stability of prosthesis and the minimal micromotion at the cement-bone interface, allowing early weight-bearing after surgery. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the biomechanical performance of Sanders type III fracture of the calcaneus by using PMMA bone cement as a treatment. METHODS: Eight adult cadaveric ankle and calcaneus specimens were selected and served as normal controls after detection of biomechanical properties. Another eight specimens were collected and randomized into experimental group and control group to make a model of Sanders type III fracture in the calcaneus. In the experimental group, PMMA bone cement was injected into the defect area. In the control group, the artificial bone was implanted in the defect area and a steel plate was used to fix the lateral calcaneus. Biomechanical properties of the specimens in the experimental and control group were detected. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Strain and stress of the calcaneus: The stress distribution of the calcaneus in the normal control group was consistent with that in the experimental group, and there was no significant difference between the two groups. The stress of the calcaneus in the experimental group was similar to that in the control group with no significant difference. (2) Displacement and axial stiffness of the calcaneus: Compared with the normal control group, the calcaneal displacement in the experimental group only decreased slightly, and there was no significant difference between the two groups, and likewise, the calcaneal displacement in the control group increased slightly. In the experimental group, the axial compression strength was (21.98±1.88) MPa and the axial compression stiffness was (1 633±150) N/mm. Therefore, there was no significant difference between the experimental group and the normal control group (P > 0.05). (3) Contact strength of the subtalar joint: Fractures basically recovered with good outcomes after PMMA bone cement injection. To conclude, by using PMMA bone cement in the treatment of calcaneus fractures, the scientific validity and clinical utility can be ensured.

TT virus(TTV)DNA was tested by nested-PCR from sera of hepatitis patients and volunteer blood donors in Minnan area. The amplified segment was a 189 base pair region in TTV ORF2. A total of six sequences were obtained from three non-A to G hepatits patients and two from volunteer blood donors. The sequences were found to be with 82.9% to 99.3% homology to TTV Japanese strain and Chinese strain. The divergence of sequence in these six segments varied from 0.7% to 17.1%, which indicated that the TTV had been existing for a long time in this area. In the serum of a non-A to G hepatitis patient who was negative for TTV DNA in the 14th day of disease course turned to be positive in the 30th day, two TTV sequences were obtained which showed 92.1% nucleotide homology. It indicated that different TTV strains can co-exist in the same person. This patient's blood had been transfused ten times between the collection of his TTV negative sample and his positive serum sample. Seven of the blood donors were traced and sampled for sera, of which three were positive for TTV. For all 161 patients tested, the history of exposure to blood products was associated with an increased risk of TTV infection(relative risk, 3.0; 95% confidence intervals, 1.89～4.81).

OBJECTIVETo determine 3-amino-5-morpholinomethyl-2-oxazolidinone (AMOZ) residues released from protein bound AMOZ in animal tissues.

METHODSPolyclonal and monoclonal antibodies were produced in this study. A rapid, sensitive, and specific competitive direct enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cdELISA) was developed.

RESULTSRabbit polyclonal antibodies were used in the optimized cdELISA method, and exhibited negligible cross-reactivity with other compounds structurally related to AMOZ. The IC(50) of the polyclonal antibody was 0.16 ng/mL. The method limit of detection in four different types of animal and fish tissues was less than 0.06 μg/kg. Recoveries ranged from 80% to 120% for fortified samples with the coefficient of variation values less than 15%. The results of the cdELISA method were in good agreement with the results from an established liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry confirmatory method used for AMOZ residues.

CONCLUSIONThe cdELISA method developed in the present study is a convenient practical tool for screening large numbers of animal and fish tissue samples for the the detection of released protein bound AMOZ residues.

Animals ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; methods ; Molecular Structure ; Morpholines ; analysis ; chemistry ; Nitrofurans ; analysis ; chemistry ; Oxazolidinones ; analysis ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo report our experience of ultrasound guided transperineal 6-core prostate biopsy (UG6CPB) in the diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa).

METHODSIn a prospective study, we performed UG6CPB in 104 suspected PCa patients with tPSA more than 4 microg/L and analysed the positive rate and complications of the diagnostic approach.

RESULTSPCa was detected in 24 of the 104 patients (23%), with low grade Gleason 2 to 4 in 3 cases (12.5%), intermediate grade Gleason 5 to 7 in 15 (62.5%) and high grade Gleason 8 to 10 in the remaining 6 (25%). Complications included temporary hematuria in 5 patients (4.8%), mild postbiopsy perineal discomfort in 5 (4.8%) and fever in 4 (3.8%). TPSA > or =10 microg/L, fPSA > or = 2 microg/L, fPSA/tPSA < 0.16, PSAD > or = 0.2 and prostate volume < 40 ml were the significant influencing factors of biopsy positive rate (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONUG6CPB is an exact and a safe way of detecting PCa.

Biopsy, Needle ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Perineum ; Prospective Studies ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; blood ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVETo assess the diagnostic value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the follow-up of patients with hepatocellular carcinomas treated with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and to compare it with that of computed tomography (CT).

METHODSFrom December 2009 to September 2011, 40 patients (47 hepatocellular carcinomas) were treated with RFA after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization and underwent MRI and CT for follow-up. RFA margins were assessed on a five-point scale with receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy were evaluated.

RESULTSThe interobserver agreement rate for MRI was significantly higher (Kappa=0.935) than for CT (Kappa=0.714; P < 0.05). The scores of 1 and 5 points for MRI, which confirms the presence or absence of residual tumor, accounted for 89.4% (84/94), while for CT accounting for only 31.9% (30/94). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of MRI was significantly higher than that of CT (P < 0.05), as were the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of detection rate (mean, 100%, 96.4%, 76.9%, 100%, and 96.8% for MRI, respectively, vs. 30.0%, 57.1%, 10.3%, 87.7%, and 63.8% for CT).

CONCLUSIONMRI is superior to CT in assessing the RFA margins in terms of the diagnostic accuracy and detection rate .

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; diagnosis ; pathology ; surgery ; Catheter Ablation ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; surgery ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm, Residual ; diagnosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo investigate the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in a representative sample of primary and middle school students in Hunan Province.

METHODSA total of 9 495 children aged 5-17 years from Hunan urban and rural schools were enrolled by a cluster sampling and a two-phase design. The students' psychiatric status was assessed using the Investigation Screening Inventory for Child Mental Disorder and a semi-structured interview designed based on the DSM-IV criteria.

RESULTSThe overall prevalence of psychiatric disorders was 16.22%. Attention-deficit and disruptive behavior disorders were the commonest in the diagnostic categories of psychiatric disorders (10.69%). Regarding specific disorders, the most prevalent was attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (5.95%). Psychiatric disorders were more prevalent in boys than in girls (20.49% vs 11.16%; p<0.01). The prevalence of attention-deficit and disruptive behavior disorders in boys was higher than in girls (14.76% vs 5.87%; p<0.01). The prevalence of psychiatric disorders in middle school students (12-17 years) was significantly higher than in primary students (5-11 years) (18.38% vs 14.64%; p<0.01). There were no significant differences in the prevalence of psychiatric disorders between urban and rural students.

CONCLUSIONSPsychiatric disorders are common among primary and middle school students in Hunan Province. The prevalence of this disorder in boys is higher than in girls. The middle school students have higher prevalence than primary students.

Adolescent ; Age Factors ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mental Disorders ; epidemiology ; Prevalence ; Sex Factors