Objective To investigate the influential factors on the effectiveness of the first 131I ablation therapy on thyroid remnant and of 131I treatment on metastatic lesions in differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) patients. Methods Retrospectively,46 DTC cases (divided into complete-ablation group and incomplete-ablation group) of first 131I ablation were enrolled,and 40 DTC cases (divided into remission group and in-remission group) of consecutive 131I treatments on metastatic lesions were enrolled. Influential factors were analyzed (t-test,t'-test,x2-test,Fisher exact test) and logistic regression analysis was performed. Results For the first 131I ablation effectiveness,surgical method,remnant thyroid weight,thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level,interval between surgery and 131I ablation therapy,metastatic status were selected as influential factors (x2 = 5. 804,t' = - 5. 258,t' = 7. 376,x2 = 8. 867,x2 = 8. 615,all P ＜0. 05). After logistic regression analysis,formula was obtained as y = 3. 766 - 0. 947x1 ( remnant thyroid weight) -3. 149 x2 (lymph node metastasis) -3. 373 x3 (distant metastasis). For metastatic treatment effectiveness,remission rate of papillary DTC was higher than that of follicular DTC,remission rate of patients with lymph node metastasis was higher than that of distant metastasis,remission rate of total thyroidectomy was higher than that of other types of thyroidectomy ( Fisher exact test,x2 = 7. 278,P ＜ 0. 05 ). In remission group,serum TSH level was much higher and thyroglobulin (Tg) level was much lower before the first ablation therapy (t =4. 489,t' = -4.906,all P ＜0.01 ). After logistic regression analysis,formula was obtained as y = - 0. 363 + 0. 065 x4 ( TSH level) - 0. 250 x5 ( Tg level). Conclusions Influential factors of success rate of the first 131I ablation therapy included surgical method,remnant thyroid weight,TSH level,interval between surgery and 131I ablation therapy and metastatic status,while determinant factors were thyroid remnant weight,lymph node metastatic status and distant metastatic status. The influential factors of success rate of 131I treatment on metastatic lesions included pathological type,surgical method,metastatic status,TSH level and Tg level,while determinant factors were TSH level and Tg level before the first 131I ablation therapy.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect ofZuogui Jiangtang Jieyu Formula on the expressions of glutamate, NR2A and NR2B in hippocampus of diabetic rats with depression;To explore the mechanism of protective effect. Methods Diabetes with depression rat models were established and then were randomly divided into the model group, positive medicine group, high-, medium- and low-doseZuogui Jiangtang Jieyu Formula groups. Normal rats acted as normal group, 16 rats per group. After 28 days of administration, Open-field test was used to detect the behavior of the rats;glutamate content of hippocampus was detected by ELISA;the expressions of NR2A and NR2B in rat hippocampus were detected by immunofluorescence.Results Compared with normal group, automatic activity times of rats in model group decreased significantly (P<0.01);both glutamate content (P<0.01) and expressions of NR2A, NR2B (P<0.01) increased significantly. Compared with the model group, automatic activity times of rats in positive medicine group and high-doseZuogui Jiangtang Jieyu Formula group significantly increased (P<0.01);glutamate content dropped (P<0.01);expressions of NR2A and NR2B decreased (P<0.05).ConclusionZuogui Jiangtang Jieyu Formula can improve depressive behavior of diabetic rats with depression, which may be related to the regulation of glutamate content and expressions of NR2A and NR2B in hippocampus.

To develop a cell-penetrating chimeric apoptotic peptide AVPI-LMWP/DNA co-delivery system for cancer therapy, we prepared the AVPI-LMWP/pTRAIL self-assembled complexes containing a therapeutic combination of peptide drug AVPI and DNA drug TRAIL. The chimeric apoptotic peptide AVPI-LMWP was synthesized using the standard solid-phase synthesis. The cationic AVPI-LMWP could condense pTRAIL by electrostatic interaction. The physical-chemical properties of the AVPI-LMWP/pTRAIL complexes were characterized. The cellular uptake efficiency and the inhibitory activity of the AVPI-LMWP/pTRAIL complexes on tumor cell were also performed. The results showed that the AVPI-LMWP/pTRAIL complexes were successfully prepared by co-incubation. With the increase of mass ratio (AVPI-LMWP/DNA), the particle size was decreased and the zeta potential had few change. Agarose gel electrophoresis showed that AVPI-LMWP could fully bind and condense pTRAIL at a mass ratio above 15:1. Cellular uptake efficiency was improved along with the increased ratio of W(AVPI-LMWP)/WpTRAIL. The in vitro cytotoxicity experiments demonstrated that the AVPI-LMWP/pTRAIL (W:W = 20:1) complexes was significantly more effective than the pTRAIL, AVPI-LMWP alone or LMWP/pTRAIL complexes on inhibition of HeLa cell growth. Our studies indicated that the AVPI-LMWP/pTRAIL co-delivery system could deliver plasmid into HeLa cell and induce tumor cell apoptosis efficiently, which showed its potential in cancer therapy using combination of apoptoic peptide and gene drugs.
Antineoplastic Agents ; chemistry ; Cell-Penetrating Peptides ; chemistry ; DNA ; chemistry ; Drug Delivery Systems ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Particle Size ; Plasmids

BACKGROUND: Ulinastatin (UTI) is a urinary trypsin inhibitor extracted and purified from urine of males. This study aimed to explore the effects of UTI on paraquat-induced-oxidative stress in human type II alveolar epithelial cells. METHODS: The human type II alveolar epithelial cel s, A549 cel s, were cultured in vitro. The A549 cel s were treated with different concentrations of paraquat (200, 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1200 μmol/L) and ulinastatin(0, 2000, 4000, 6000, 8000 U/mL) for 24 hours, the cell viability was measured by cell counting kit-8 and the median lethal concentration was selected. In order to establish an in vitro model of paraquat intoxication and to determine the safe dose of ulinastatin, we calculated LD50 using cell counting kit-8 to determine the survival rate of the cells. A549 cells were divided into normal control group, paraquat group and paraquat+ulinastatin group. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were detected by biochemistry colorimetry, while the level of reactive oxygen spies (ROS) was detected by DCFH-DA assay. RESULTS: The survival rate of A549 cells treated with different concentrations of paraquat decreased in a concentration-dependent manner. Whereas there was no decrease in the survival rate of cells treated with 0–4000 U/mL ulinastatin. The levels of MDA, MPO, and ROS were significantly higher in the paraquat group than in the normal control group after 24-hour-exposure. And the survival rate of the paraquat+ulinastatin group was higher than that of the paraquat group, but lower than that of the normal control group. The levels of MDA, MPO, and ROS were lower than those of the paraquat group. CONCLUSION: Ulinastatin can alleviate the paraquat-induced A549 cell damage by reducing oxidative stress.

PURPOSE: The proposed Men's Health Index (MHI) aims to provide a practical and systematic framework for comprehensively assessing and stratifying older men with the intention of optimising their health and functional status. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature search was conducted using PubMed from 1980 to 2012. We specifically looked for instruments which: assess men's health, frailty and fitness; predict life expectancy, mortality and morbidities. The instruments were assessed by the researchers who then agreed on the tools to be included in the MHI. When there was disagreements, the researchers discussed and reached a consensus guided by the principle that the MHI could be used in the primary care setting targetting men aged 55-65 years. RESULTS: The instruments chosen include the Charlson's Combined Comorbidity-Age Index; the International Index of Erectile Function-5; the International Prostate Symptom Score; the Androgen Deficiency in Aging Male; the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe Frailty Instrument; the Sitting-Rising Test; the Senior Fitness Test; the Fitness Assessment Score; and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21. A pilot test on eight men was carried out and showed that the men's health index is viable. CONCLUSIONS: The concept of assessing, stratifying, and optimizing men's health should be incorporated into routine health care, and this can be implemented by using the MHI. This index is particularly useful to primary care physicians who are in a strategic position to engage men at the peri-retirement age in a conversation about their life goals based on their current and predicted health status.
Aging/*physiology ; *Health Status ; Humans ; Life Expectancy/*trends ; Male ; Men's Health/*standards/*trends

OBJECTIVETo explore curative effects of advanced elastic intramedullary nail technology in treating children with femoral subtrochanteric fracture.

METHODSForm March 2009 to December 2010, 16 children with femoral subtrochanteric fracture were treated with advanced elastic intramedullary nail technology. There were 12 males and 4 females ranging in age from 7 to 15 years old with a mean of 9.8 years old. According to fracture classification, 9 cases were stable fractures (traverse or short oblique type) and 7 cases were unstable fractures (comminuted or long oblique type). Radiographs and complications were retrospectively reviewed. Fracture healing were evaluated according to Flynn criteria.

RESULTSAll children were followed up from 11 to 32 months with an average of 21 months. No incision infecton,bone nonunion and breakage of screw occurred. The fracture healing time was from 8 to 16 weeks with an average of 10.1 weeks. According to Flynn criteria, 14 cases got excellent results, 1 moderate and 1 poor.

CONCLUSIONAdvanced elastic intramedullary nail technology for the treatment of children with femoral subtrochanteric fracture is a safe and effective fixation, which is good for early mobilization, shorter the duration of hospital stays and reduce complications.

Adolescent ; Child ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary ; methods ; Hip Fractures ; surgery ; Humans ; Male

Objective To explore the effects of Chinese herbal compound, Tengmei decoction, on type II collagen-induced arthritis ( CIA) in rats, and to examine the changes of arthritis index ( AI) , limb swelling, joint tissue inflammatory infiltration, and the effects on immune-inflammatory factors.Methods Sprague-Dawley rat models of arthritis were successfully established by intradermal injection of type II collagen and Freund’ s complete adjuvant.The model rats were randomly divided into model group, positive drug group, and high-and low-dose Chinese medicine groups, 6 rats in each group.The intervention and treatment period was 12 weeks.To measure weekly the anteroposterior and transverse diameters of the rear ankles and wrists, the transverse diameter of the claw foot palm pad, the thickness and the highest point width of hind limb plantar joint swelling, and to evaluate the integrated scores of joints and limbs swelling using a vernier caliper.Results ①Compared with the normal group, the total arthritis scores and hind limbs AI scores of the model group were significantly increased ( P <0.05 or P <0.01 ) .The left forelimb AI scores were significantly increased during 10 -12 weeks ( P <0.05 ) .The anteroposterior and transverse diameters of the left hind limb, the thickness of the highest point measurement of the left hind foot pad metatarsal were significantly increased ( P<0.05 or P<0.01) in different time periods between 1-12 weeks.Compared with the model group, the total scores and the left hind limb joints AI scores of the high-and low-dose drug groups were decreased after 6 weeks (P<0.05).②Compared with the normal control group, levels of mRNA transcription and protein expression of IL-6 and TNF-αwere significantly up-regulated ( P<0.01 ) in the model group.Compared with the model group, the levels of mRNA transcription and the expression of IL-6 and TNF-αproteins were significantly down-regulated in the positive group and Chinese medicine groups ( P <0.01 ) .③ Histological examination showed that the low-dose TCM significantly improved the CIA synovial hyperplasia and inflammatory cell infiltration.Conclusions The molecular mechanism of Chinese herbal compound Tengmei decotion in improving joint pathological injury of CIA rat models may be related to its inhibitory effect on the high expression of immune-inflammatory factors in the synovial tissue of CIA rats.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the high expression of HPV16L2N120E7E6 fusion protein by prokaryotic expression system, and evaluate its immunogenicity and antitumor efficacy in vaccinated mice.

METHODSThe HPV16L2N120E7E6 fusion gene, its codons were optimized to increase the expression of the protein, was constructed by overlap extension PCR and inserted into prokaryotic expression vector pET9a. Then the fusion protein was expressed by inducing with IPTG in E. coli strain BL21 (DE3) harboring with plasmid pETL2N120E7E6, and further detected by SDS-PAGE and Western-blot. Finally, the humoral and cellular immune responses were measured by ELISA and ELISPOT, respectively, in vaccinated mice with the purified HPV16L2N120E7E6 fusion protein, and the antitumor efficacy was assessed in mice using the TC-1 tumor challenge model.

RESULTSThe codon-optimized HPV16L2N120E7E6 fusion gene was highly expressed in E. coli strain BL21 (DE3) harboring with plasmid pETL2N120E7E6, and the amount of fusion protein was nearly 48.6% of the total bacterial protein. The purified fusion protein could induce high titer of specific antibody against L2, E7 and E6 in vaccinated mice. When accompanied with the adjuvant CpG, the fusion protein was able to elicit strong and moderate cellular immune responses in vaccinated mice against peptide HPV16E7(49-57) and peptide pools of HPV16E6, respectively. Furthermore, the tumor therapeutic experiment showed that HPV16L2N120E7E6 + CpG could prevent the tumor formation in 80.0% (8/10) vaccinated mice.

CONCLUSIONSThe data of this study suggest that HPV16L2N120E7E6 fusion protein could be a promising candidate vaccine for treatment of chronic HPV16 infection and post-operative adjuvant therapy for cervical cancer.

Adjuvants, Immunologic ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Cancer Vaccines ; immunology ; therapeutic use ; Capsid Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Codon ; Escherichia coli ; immunology ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Immunization ; methods ; Immunotherapy ; methods ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Oligodeoxyribonucleotides ; immunology ; Oncogene Proteins, Viral ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; Papillomavirus E7 Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; Papillomavirus Vaccines ; immunology ; therapeutic use ; Plasmids ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; Repressor Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of compound qingqin liquid (CQL) on Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in rats with urate nephropathy, and to explore its renal protection mechanism.

METHODSTotally 55 SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, i.e., the normal control group (n =5), the model group (n =10), the positive drug group (n=10), and the high-, medium-, low-dose CQL groups (n=10) respectively. The urate nephropathy model was induced by intragastrically administering adenine and feeding yeast. Distilled water was intragastrically administered at the daily dose of 10 mL/kg to rats in the normal control group and the model group. Allopurinol was intragastrically administered at the daily dose of 9.33 mg/kg to rats in the positive control group. CQL was intragastrically administered at the daily dose of 3.77, 1.89, 0.94 g/kg to rats in the high-, medium-, and low-dose CQL groups. Rats of each group were executed in batches at the 4th and 6th week respectively. Their kidney tissues were taken out to determine the mRNA transcription level of TLR2 and TLR4 by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The protein expression level of TLR2 and TLR4 were determined by Western blot. The protein expression level of TLR4 was also detected by immunohistochemical assay.

RESULTSAt week 4 and 6, the protein expression of TLR2 and TLR4 as well as the mRNA transcription of TLR4 increased in the model group, when compared with the control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, there was no statistical difference in the transcription level of TLR2 mRNA or TLR4 mRNA among the 3 CQL groups (P > 0.05) at week 4 and 6. Additionally, at week 6, the protein expression of TLR4 and TLR2 could be reduced by CQL (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONCQL might protect kidney tissue against inflammatory injury by inhibiting the protein expression levels of TLR2 and TLR4.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Kidney ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Kidney Diseases ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Toll-Like Receptor 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Uric Acid

Aim To investigate the effect of Ding''s herb enema prescription on intestinal tissue related target in rat colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium(DSS), and to elucidate the mechanism of Ding''s herb enema prescription in improving the intestinal inflammation and intestinal fibrosis.Methods Rats were fed with 3.5％ DSS.The rats were randomly divided into positive drug group, model group, Control group, and Ding''s herb enema prescription group.The positive drug group was treated with mesalazine enema, and Ding''s herb enema prescription group was treated with Ding''s herb enema prescription.The colon mucosa was taken once a day for 6 weeks.The changes of intestinal inflammatory response and intestinal fibrosis related proteins were detected by GSR-CAA-67 antibody protein array, and the differentially expressed proteins were screened out.Results Eight proteins showed statistical differences, including IFN-γ, erythropoietin(EPO), TIMP-2, TIM-1, IL-6, TIMP-1, TNF-α, IL-22 (P<0.05).On the other hand, Ding''s herb enema prescription and mesalazine significantly antagonized the effect of IL-6 and TIMP-1 (P<0.05).The antagonized effect of Ding''s embolization enema on TNF-α and IL-22 was also significant(P<0.05), but mesalazine had no similar effect (P>0.05).Conclusions Ding''s herb enema prescription has the effect of multiple targets, which may improve the intestinal inflammatory response and intestinal fibrosis to achieve the purpose of treatment of ulcerative colitis(UC).