OBJECTIVETo evaluate efficacies of three commonly used oral drugs including Berbamine Hydrochloride Tablet (B), Qijiao Shengbai Capsule (Q), and Leucogen Tablet (L) (by single drug, two drugs or three drugs) combined with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) for treat ment of chemotherapy related leukocytopenia in mice.

METHODSTotally 156 Kunming male mice were divided into the normal control group (A, n=24), the model group (B, n=24), the G-CSF group (C, n =24), the G-CSF+Q group (D, n=12), G-CSF+ B (E, n=12), the G-CSF+L group (F, n=12), the G-CSF + Q + B group (G, n=12), the G-CSF + Q + L group (H, n=12), the G-CSF + L + B group (I, n=12), and the G-CSF + L + Q + B (J, n=12). Mouse models of chemotherapy related leukocytopenia were established by intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide (CTX). A G-CSF group was set up as a positive control. Mice were treated by a single oral drug, a single oral drug combined with G-CSF, and two or three drugs combined with G-CSF respectively, and the death rate calculated. Hemocytes [such as white blood cells (WBC) and its classification, red blood cells (RBC), platelet (PLT), hemoglobin (Hb)] were calculated by hematology analyzer. Mice were anatomized and important organs weighed. Organ indices were calculated.

RESULTSThere was no statistical difference in the mortality rate among all groups (P > 0.05). Compared with Group B, WBC was elevated in all other groups (P < 0.01). WBC and PLT were elevated most in Group J, Hb and RBC were also increased at the same time (P < 0.05, P < 0. 01). Compared with Group B, RBC increased in Group E, F, G, I, and J (P < 0.01); Hb obviously increased in Group C, E, F, H, I, and J (P<0.01). Compared with Group B and D, the promotion of erythroid hematopoiesis by G-CSF could be elevated in any group contained drug B and L (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The spleen index of model mice could be significantly improved in Group C, D, and G (P < 0.01). The thymus index of model mice could be significantly improved in Group H (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe best scheme to treat mice with chemotherapy related leukopenia or decreased three blood series was to administrate three commonly oral drugs combined with G-CSF. Authors speculated that G-CSF and Q might have a certain effect on CTX induced immune inhibition.

Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Blood Platelets ; Cyclophosphamide ; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Erythrocyte Count ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; metabolism ; Hematopoiesis ; Hemoglobins ; Leukocyte Count ; Leukocytes ; Leukopenia ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Male ; Mice ; Pharmaceutical Preparations

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of protein kinase CK2 gene silencing on the radiosensitization in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells and its possible mechanism.

METHODSRNA interference (RNAi) technique was used to down-regulate the protein kinase CK2alpha expression in 5-8F cells, and clonogenic assay was employed to observe the changes in the radiosensitivity of the cells. DNA double-strand break was assessed by immunofluorescence staining of gamma-H2AX foci, and the cell apoptosis was examined using Annexin V-FITC/PI double-staining flow cytometry.

RESULTSCK2alpha protein was successfully silenced by siRNA. CK2alpha knockdown significantly decreased the clonogenic activity and increased the radiosensitivity of the NPC cells. After a 15-min exposure of the cells to 1 Gy radiation, significant difference occurred in the gamma-H2AX foci between CK2alpha knockdown cells and the control cells (P<0.01). CK2alpha silencing significantly increased the cell apoptosis after the exposure (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSProtein kinase CK2 plays an important role in the radiosensitivity of the NPC cells, and suppression of its expression might be a potential therapeutic approach of cancer.

Animals ; Annexin A5 ; metabolism ; Casein Kinase II ; deficiency ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Histones ; genetics ; Humans ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Radiation Tolerance ; genetics ; Transfection

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

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of bitter-cold herbs easing dampness method (BCHEDM) plus Sanhuang Yilong Decoction (SYD) combined with methotrexate (MTX) on expression levels of interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-6, and IL-17 in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients of accumulated dampness-heat syndrome (ADHS).

METHODSFrom January 2011 to January 2013 recruited were 90 RA inpatients of ADHS at Department of Integrative Medicine on Rheumatoid Disease, General Hospital of Chengdu Military Region. They were assigned to the treatment group (45 cases) and the control group (45 cases) according to the random digit table produced by SPSS 11.5 Software. Patients in the treatment group were treated by heavy bitter-cold herbs plus SYD combined with MTX, while those in the control group were treated by MTX alone. Expressional levels of IL-1, IL-6, and IL-17 in serum were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) before treatment, at week 2 and 4 after treatment. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and disease activity score in 28 joints (DAS28) were detected as well.

RESULTSAfter two or four weeks of treatment, ESR, CRP, and DAS28 decreased more in the treatment group than in the control group with statistical difference (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). After four weeks of treatment, IL-1, IL-6, IL-17, ESR, CRP, and DAS28 in the treatment group were all lower than before treatment and those of the control group at corresponding time points with statistical difference (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSYD combined MTX could play roles of improving inflammatory indices within 2 weeks, and inhibiting the expression of IL-1, IL-6, and IL-17 within 4 weeks.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; blood ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Blood Sedimentation ; C-Reactive Protein ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Interleukin-1 ; blood ; Interleukin-17 ; blood ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Methotrexate ; therapeutic use ; Syndrome ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical application of spiral CT 3D reconstruction in forensic diagnosis of rib fracture. METHODS: Thirty-five cases of rib fractures were collectively studied by X-ray, regular CT scan, and adoptive 3D reconstruction with spiral CT. RESULTS: Clear and stereoscopic images of rib fractures without interference of the surrounding soft tissue were obtained in all of 35 cases examined. CONCLUSION Spiral CT 3D reconstruction could be a valuable means in forensic diagnosis of rib fracture.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Forensic Pathology/methods* ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Rib Fractures/diagnostic imaging* ; Ribs/pathology* ; Thoracic Injuries/diagnostic imaging* ; Tomography, Spiral Computed/methods* ; Young Adult

The testis,as one of the important reproductive organs in men,has two major functions of secreting androgens and producing sperm.Androgen and spermatogenesis are the key factors for the evaluation of the testicular function.The lack of androgen or the decline of spermatogenic function is both a symbolic manifestation and a"product"of testis aging.In order to gain a deeper in-sight into the relationship between testis aging and overall health,this article reviews the relevant literature based on the correlation of androgen deficiency with various systemic diseases and the belief in the impacts of testis aging on the health of the cardiovascular and nervous systems through different channels,the development and progression of metabolic diseases,orthopedic diseases,PCa,kidney disease,peptic ulcer and other diseases.All these suggest that adequate attention should be paid to the studies of male reproductive health and its impact on overall health,so as to provide some new ideas and evidence for clinical diagnosis and treatment of relevant conditions.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of ulinastatin (UTI) on cerebral inflammatory response during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). METHODS: Twenty-four NYHA II-III patients (13 males and 11 females) aged 23-45 years, undergoing elective cardiac valve replacement under hypothermic CPB were randomly divided into 2 groups: ulinastatin group (Group U, n=12) and control group (Group C, n=12). In group U, UTI (1.2 x 10(4) U/kg) was given intravenously after the induction of anesthesia, 0.6 x 10(4) U/kg UTI was added to the priming solution, and 0.6 x 10(4) U/kg UTI was given about 5 min before the aortic decamping. In Group C, normal saline was given instead of UTI. Internal jugular vein was cannulated and the catheter was advanced retrogradely till jugular bulb. Blood samples were taken simultaneously from artery and jugular bulb after induction of anesthesia (T1), 60 min (T2) and 6 h (T3) after discontinuation of CPB for determination of TNFalpha, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10. The juguloarterial gradients of these cytokines (deltaTNFalpha, deltaIL-6, deltaIL-8, and deltaIL-10) were calculated. RESULTS: In Group C, arterial levels of TNFalpha, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 at T2 and T3, deltaTNFalpha, deltaIL-8 and deltaIL-10 at T2, deltaTNFalpha, deltaIL-6 and deltaIL-10 at T3 significantly increased (P < 0.01). deltaIL-8 increased at T3 (P < 0.05). In Group U, arterial levels of IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 at T2, arterial levels of IL-6, IL-8,IL-L-10 and deltaTNFalpha, deltaIL-8 at T3 significantly increased (P < 0.01). Arterial levels of TNFalpha at T2 and T3, deltaTNFalpha, deltaIL-10 at T2, deltaIL-6 at T3 increased (P < 0.05). Arterial levels of TNFalpha, IL-6 and deltaTNFalpha, deltaIL-8 at T2, arterial levels of TNFalpha and deltaIL-6 at T3 in Group U were lower than those in Group C (P < 0.05). Arterial levels of IL-6 at T3, IL-8 at T2 and T3 in Group U were significantly lower than those in Group C (P < 0.01). Arterial levels of IL-10 and deltaIL-10 at T3 in Group U were higher than those in Group C (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Systemic and cerebral activation of inflammatory response during CPB can be alleviated by ulinastatin.
Adult ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; adverse effects ; Encephalitis ; etiology ; metabolism ; prevention & control ; Female ; Glycoproteins ; therapeutic use ; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation ; Humans ; Interleukin-10 ; blood ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Interleukin-8 ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Trypsin Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of casein kinase 2β (ck2β) in colorectal cancer in relation to the metastatic ability of the cancer cells.

METHODSThe expression of ck2β in 46 normal colorectal mucosa, 20 colorectal adenomas and 66 colorectal cancers were detected immunohistochemically. In colorectal cancer cells, Ck2β protein expression was knockdown by RNA interference using ck2β-specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) and the interference efficiency was assessed by Western blotting. The effect of ck2β gene knockdown on the proliferation of the colorectal cancer cells was tested with colony formation assay, and the changes in the invasive ability of the cells were observed using Transwell chamber assay.

RESULTSNegative or weak ck2β expression was detected in normal colorectal mucosa, with nuclear positivity in 8.7% and cytoplasmic positivity in 13.0% of the cases. Colorectal adenomas showed moderate ck2β expression, with 60% cases showing positivity in the cell nuclei and 40% in the cytoplasm. In colorectal cancers, significantly stronger expression of ck2β was found than that in colorectal adenomas and normal colorectal mucosa (P<0.05), and 75.8% cases showed positivity in the cell nuclei and 62.1% showed cytoplasmic positivity; the expression of ck2β protein in colorectal cancers with lymph node metastasis was even higher (P<0.05). Ck2β knockdown obviously inhibited the proliferation and invasiveness of colorectal cancer cells in vitro.

CONCLUSIONThe high expression of ck2β in colorectal cancer is closely correlated to the carcinogenesis and metastasis of the tumor.

Adult ; Aged ; Casein Kinase II ; metabolism ; Cell Proliferation ; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Intestinal Mucosa ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tumor Cells, Cultured ; Young Adult

Objective :To explore therapeutic effect of single Chinese medicine Bidens pilosa grain on hyperlipidemia and its influence on serum levels of matrix metalloproteinase‐9 (MMP‐9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases‐1 (TIMP‐1).Methods :A total of 186 hyperlipidemia patients treated in our hospital from Jan 2014 to Jun 2017 were randomly divid‐ed into Bidens pilosa group (n＝94 ,received Bidens pilosa grain based on routine treatment ) and Xuezhikang group (n＝92 ,received Xuezhikang based on routine treatment ).Both groups were treated for two months .Serum levels of total cho‐lesterol (TC) , triglyceride (TG ) ,low density lipoprptein cholesterol (LDL‐ C) , high density lipoprptein cholesterol (HDL‐C) ,MMP‐9 and TIMP‐1 before and after treatment ,and total effective rate were observed and compared between two groups.Results :Compared with before treatment ,after treatment ,there were significant reductions in serum levels of TC ,TG ,LDL‐C and MMP‐9 [ Bidens pilosa group : (24.46 ± 4.92) μg／L vs.(20.53 ± 2.69) μg／L ,Xuezhikang group :(23.40 ± 2.57) μg／L vs.(19.98 ± 2.02) μg／L] ,and significant rise in serum levels of HDL‐C [ Bidens pilosa group :(1.28 ± 0.45) mmol／L vs.(1.54 ± 0.52) mmol／L , Xuezhikang group : (1.28 ± 0.45) mmol／L vs.(1.55 ± 0.52) mmol／L] and TIMP‐1 [ Bidens pilosa group : (4.67 ± 1.26) μg／L vs.(6.02 ± 2.24) μg／L ,Xuezhikang group :(4.63 ± 1.30) μg／L vs.(6.01 ± 2.31) μg／L] in two groups , P＝0.001 all.After treatment ,there were no significant difference in serum levels of TC ,TG ,LDL‐C ,HDL‐C ,MMP‐9 and TIMP‐1 and total effective rate between two groups , P＞0.05 all.Conclusion :Bidens pilosa can significantly improve serum lipid level ,reduce serum level of MMP‐9 and increase serum level of TIMP‐1 in hyperlipidemia patients .It＇s no significant difference compared with Xuezhikang .