OBJECTIVETo investigate the reliability, practicability and limitations of cytopathological scrape method in the diagnosis of superficial lesions of skin and mucosal membrane.

METHODSThe quantity of cells harvested by different collecting methods were compared in 18 cases of malignant tumors of the skin and mucosal membrane. The scrape method was performed in 456 cases, of which 148 cases had corresponding histological specimens.

RESULTSGlass slide scraping provides the most satisfactory cell numbers from the lesions of skin and mucosal membrane. The specificity for diagnosing benign lesion in 37 patients was 100% and that for diagnosing malignant tumors in 111 patients was 92.8% (103). The overall diagnostic accuracy was 94.6% (140/148). The false negative rate, false positive rate and the overall misdiagnostic rates were 7.2% (8/111) , 0, and 5.4% (8/148) respectively.

CONCLUSIONSFor cytopathological examination of superficial skin and mucosal membrane lesions, the glass slide scraping methodprovides broad applications with high diagnostic accuracy and advantages of simplicity, safety and efficiency. Certain limitations do exist, but can be resolved by histological examination of the lesion.

Biopsy, Needle ; Breast Neoplasms ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Basal Cell ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; pathology ; Cytodiagnosis ; Female ; Histocytological Preparation Techniques ; methods ; Humans ; Lip Neoplasms ; pathology ; Male ; Mouth Mucosa ; pathology ; Mouth Neoplasms ; pathology ; Neoplasms ; pathology ; Paget's Disease, Mammary ; pathology ; Skin Neoplasms ; pathology ; Tongue Neoplasms ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical efficacy of the Chinese medicine Yiqigushen Capsule combined with levofloxacin on type III A prostatitis.

METHODSA total of 180 patients with type III A prostatitis were equally randomized into a treatment group, which received Yiqigushen Capsule combined with levofloxacin, and a control group, which was given Yiqigushen Capsule only, both for 4 weeks. NIH-CPSI scores and leukocyte counts in the expressed prostatic secretions of all the patients were analyzed before and after the treatment.

RESULTSAfter the treatment, NIH-CPSI scores and leukocyte counts in the expressed prostatic secretions of both the groups were significantly decreased compared with pre-treatment (P < 0.05 or 0.01), with statistic differences in NIH-CPSI scores but not in leukocyte counts (P < 0.05) between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONYiqigushen Capsule combined with levofloxacin is highly effective for type III A prostatitis.

Adult ; Anti-Infective Agents, Urinary ; therapeutic use ; Capsules ; Chronic Disease ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Levofloxacin ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Ofloxacin ; therapeutic use ; Prostatitis ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Treatment Outcome

This study was aimed to investigate the protocol in vitro to incubate the dendritic cell (DC) derived from peripheral blood monocytes using serum-free medium X-VIVO 20. Peripheral blood monocytes from healthy donors were treated with 100 ng/ml GM-CSF and 500 U/ml IL-4, respectively. After cultivation for 6 days, they were treated with 100 ng/ml calcium ionophore A23187. After cultivation for 24 hours the cellular morphology was observed under invert microscope, the surface markers were analyzed by flow cytometry, the proliferation of allogenetic T cells was detected by MTT colorimetry, the specific cytotoxicity of T cells primed with DC was examined by MTT assay. The results showed that in all three groups with serum-free, fetal calf serum (FCS) and human AB serum mediums, cells displayed characteristic morphological features of DC. Simultaneously CD14 expression was decreased, and CD83, HLA-DR and CDw123 expression were increased on these cells. In addition, DCs cultured with these methods could evidently stimulate the proliferation of allogenetic T cell. As compared with the two controls of serum containing groups, the cultured cells in the serum-free groups showed almost the same allo-stimulatory capability and cellular morphology and surface markers, and T lymphocytes primed with the culture-derived DC exhibited the similar killing activity to K562 (P > 0.05). It is concluded that there is no significance in DC numbers, morphology, epitope and ability to stimulate the proliferation of allogenetic T cells between DC induced by serum-free X-VIVO 20 medium and DC induced by serum-contained medium. DC cultured and induced by serum-free medium is worth using in practice widely.
Cell Culture Techniques ; Culture Media, Serum-Free ; Dendritic Cells ; cytology ; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Interleukin-4 ; pharmacology ; Monocytes ; cytology ; Recombinant Proteins ; T-Lymphocytes ; cytology ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic

OBJECTIVETo explore the quality of life and related social support among people living with HIV/AIDS with related factors.

METHODS331 people living with HIV/AIDS and 148 of their family members were selected using a typical sampling method. Questionnaires on general conditions, tables on history of infection, generic quality of life inventory-74 (GQOLI-74) and social support scale (SSS) were used.

RESULTSData from one-way analysis suggested that people living with HIV/AIDS and their family members with the different sexs, different villages and different cultural backgrounds had differences in GQOLI-74 scores (P < 0.05) while people living with HIV/AIDS with the different villages had differences in SSS scores (P < 0.05). Results from Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that being elderly and negative life events were negatively associated with social support (P < 0.05), while factors as more advanced educational background, harmonious neighborhood relationship and having bother pouring nature were the predictive factors (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONMany factors might affect dimensions of quality of life among people living with HIV/AIDS and their family members in rural areas of northern Anhui. Community care and social support of HIV/AIDS should still be greatly enhanced in the countryside of China. A community care mode based on family and neighborhood was expected to be developed.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; complications ; ethnology ; psychology ; China ; Cultural Characteristics ; Family Relations ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Quality of Life ; Social Support

OBJECTIVETo explore the correlation between homozygous deletions and mutation of p16 gene and the carcinogenesis and progression of squamous cell carcinoma of buccal mucosa.

METHODSThirty buccal cancers, 10 leukoplakias and 8 buccal mucosas were involved. DNA was extracted from the tissues. PCR was used to analyses homozygous deletion of p16 gene. PCR-SSCP-DNA sequencing was performed to detect the point mutation of p16 gene. Immunohistochemical techniques were used to detect the expression of P16 protein.

RESULTSGene deletions and point mutations were not found in leukoplakia and normal buccal mucosa. Gene deletions were found in 7 samples out of 30 cases of squamous cell carcinoma of buccal mucosa (23.3%), while point mutations were found in 5 samples out of 30 cases of squamous cell carcinoma of buccal mucosa (16.7%). Sequencing analysis showed that 5 cases point mutations were missense mutations, occurred on exon 2. Three cases occurred in the same point, codon 99 (GAT --> AAT). The result of immunohistochemical stains showed that 11 out of 12 cases gene inactivation did not expressed P16 protein.

CONCLUSIONHomozygous deletion and point mutation of p16 were the main pattern of gene inactivation in squamous cell carcinoma of buccal mucosa. There was a closely correlation between p16 gene inactivation and the carcinogenesis of squamous cell carcinoma of buccal mucosa.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16 ; Gene Deletion ; Genes, p16 ; Humans ; Mouth Mucosa ; Mutation ; Point Mutation

Objective To summarize the clinical experience in 58 cases of split liver transplantation (SLT).Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 58 cases of SLT during June 2006 to January 2011.There were 13 cases performed at the first phase (2006.6-2008.12),and 45 cases at the second phase (2009.1 2011.1). The survival rate of patients,recovery of liver function,re-transplantation rate,incidence of vascular complications and biliary complications were observed,and the causes of death were analyzed.Results The median follow-up time of all the patients was 11.4 months (0-48 months).The 1- and 2-year cumulative survival rate was 77.4％ and 68.3％ respectively,re-transplantation rate was 6.9％,the incidence of vessel complications was 13.8％,and biliary complication rate was 32.1％.Fifteen cases died,including 8 deaths which were related to surgical complications.Conclusion With the donor split technology improvements and refinements in partial liver transplantation, the survival rate of SLT recipients is significantly increased,but selection of recipients is still the key factor that impacts survival rate of recipients receiving SLT.SLT can expand the resource of liver donors,and adequate selection of recipients can obtain better results.

BACKGROUNDSnake venom contains a number of components with different pharmacological and biological activities, especially in cancer therapy, and has increasingly become a research focus. This study was designed to isolate and purify a novel anti-clotting protein component from the venom of Agkistrodon acutus, and to explore its physico-chemical properties and biological activity.

METHODSThe venom of Agkistrodon was isolated and purified by ion-exchange chromatography on diethylaminoethyl (DEAE)-Sepharose Fast Flow, molecular sieve filtration through Sephadex G75, SP-Sepharose Fast Flow and molecular sieve filtration through Sephadex G50. We detected the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) of the eluant to select the anti-clotting protein component of interest. The molecular weight was determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamid gel electrphoresis (SDS-PAGE) and liquid chromatography. Its protein content was detected by bicinchoninic acid (BCA).

RESULTSSDS-PAGE vertical gel electrophoresis showed that the anticoagulant factor is a tripolymer composed of three proteins whose molecular weights are 25 KDa, 30 KDa and 50 KDa. The factor contains about 65% percent protein.

CONCLUSIONSA novel anti-clotting protein component was purified by ion-exchange chromatography and molecular sieve filtration from the venom of Agkistrodon acutus and was found to be composed of three kinds of proteins.

Agkistrodon ; metabolism ; Animals ; Anticoagulants ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Chromatography, Ion Exchange ; Crotalid Venoms ; chemistry ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Proteins ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes of gene expression in rat neuron induced by 1.8 GHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMF) to screen for RF EMF-responsive genes and the effect of different exposure times and modes on the gene expression in neuron.

METHODSTotal RNA was extracted immediately and purified from the primary culture of neurons after intermittent exposed or sham-exposed to a frequency of 1.8 GHz RF EMF for 24 hours at an average special absorption rate (SAR) of 2 W/kg. Affymetrix Rat Neurobiology U34 array was applied to investigate the changes of gene expression in rat neuron. Differentially expressed genes (Egr-1, Mbp and Plp) were further confirmed by semi-quantitative revere transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT PCR). The expression levels of Egr-1, Mbp and Plp were observed at different exposure times (6, 24 h) and modes (intermittent and continuous exposure).

RESULTSAmong 1200 candidate genes, 24 up-regulated and 10 down-regulated genes were found by using Affymetrix microarray suite software 5.0 which are associated with multiple cellular functions (cytoskeleton, signal transduction pathway, metabolism, etc.) after functional classification. Under 24 h and 6 h intermittent exposure, Egr-1 and Plp in experiment groups showed statistic significance (P < 0.05) compared with the control groups, while expression of Mbp did not change significantly (P > 0.05). After 24 h continuous exposure, Egr-1 and Mbp in experiment groups showed statistic significance (P < 0.05) compared with the control group, while expression of Plp did not change significantly (P > 0.05). Under the same exposure mode 6 h, expression of all the 3 genes did not change significantly. Different times (6, 24 h) and modes (intermittent and continuous exposure) of exposure exerted remarkable different influences on the expression of Egr-1, Mbp, Plp genes (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe changes of many genes transcription were involved in the effect of 1.8 GHz RF EMF on rat neurons; Down-regulation of Egr-1 and up-regulation of Mbp, Plp indicated the negative effects of RF EMF on neurons; The effect of RF intermittent exposure on gene expression was more obvious than that of continuous exposure; The effect of 24 h RF exposure (both intermittent and continuous) on gene expression was more obvious than that of 6 h (both intermittent and continuous).

Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation ; Down-Regulation ; radiation effects ; Electromagnetic Fields ; Neurons ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; Rats ; Up-Regulation ; radiation effects

This study was aimed to analyze the biological characteristics of rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (rBM-MSCs) and their response to different growth factors. Rabbit BM-MSCs were separated from bone marrow mononuclear cells by using adherent cultivation. Biological characteristics were investigated by optical and electron microscopy. Immunophenotype of rBM-MSCs was measured by flow cytometry. The expression of collagen was detected by RT-PCR. Differentiation potential was identified by specific staining and RT-PCR. The response of rBM-MSCs to IL-1, 3, 8 and HGF with different concentrations were tested by MTT. The results showed that the rBM-MSCs gave rise to a population of adherent cells characterized by the presence of a predominant cell type with a typical fibroblast-like morphology and could be cultured for over 15 passages. CD44 was highly expressed on F5 rBM-MSCs (32%) and CD45 was lowly expressed (4.7%). Type I collagen was highly expressed, while type II collagen was lowly expressed and type X collagen was not detected on rBM-MSCs using RT-PCR method. In various conditions inducting differentiation, rBM-MSCs could differentiate into the osteoblast, chondrocyte, adipocyte and neuron-like cells. The rBM-MSCs were sensitive to IL-3, even low concentration (10 ng/ml) of IL-3 could promote the proliferation of rBM-MSCs effectively (>32%, P < 0.01), whereas high concentration IL-3 inhibited it significantly. It is concluded that rabbit BM-MSCs were successfully isolated and culture-expanded. The biological characteristics of rabbit BM-MSCs are similar to those of human and rhesus BM-MSCs. IL-3 with low concentration can promote the proliferation of rBM-MSCs effectively, but high concentration of IL-3 can inhibit their proliferation.
Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; physiology ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Cytokines ; pharmacology ; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; pharmacology ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; physiology ; Rabbits ; Recombinant Proteins

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes of gene expression in rat neurons induced by 1.8 GHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMF) and to screen for the RF EMF-responsive genes.

METHODSNewly-born SD rats in 24 hours were sacrificed to obtain cortex and hippocampus neurons. The cells were divided randomly into two groups: the experiment group (the irradiation group) and the control group (the false irradiation group). In the irradiation group, after twelve days' culture, neurons were exposed to 1.8 GHz RF EMF modulated by 217 Hz at a specific absorption rate (SAR) of 2 W/kg for 24 hours (5 minutes on/10 minutes off) while in the false control group, the neurons were put in the same waveguide as in the irradiation group, but were not exposed to any irradiation. The total RNA was isolated and purified immediately after exposure. The affymetrix rat neurobiology U34 assay was used for detecting the changes in gene expression profile according to the manufacturer's instruction. RF EMF-responsive candidate gene was confirmed by using ribonuclease protection assay (RPA).

RESULTSAmong 1200 candidate genes, the expression levels of 34 genes were up or down regulated. Microtubule associated protein 2 (Map2) gene was selected as the candidate and subjected to further analysis. RPA data clearly revealed that Map2 was statistically significantly up-regulated after neurons were exposed to the RF EMF (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe modulation of gene expression and function of Map2 as a neuron specific cytoskeleton protein is crucial to maintain the normal framework and function of neurons. The finding that 1.8 GHz RF EMF exposure increases the expression of Map2 might indicate some unknown effects of RF EMF on neurons.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Cell Phone ; Cells, Cultured ; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation ; Down-Regulation ; Electromagnetic Fields ; Female ; Gene Expression ; radiation effects ; Male ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Neurons ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; Radio Waves ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Up-Regulation