OBJECTIVETo observe the curative effects of biliary drainage via endoscope (ENBD) combined with Chinese drug medication on acute biliary tract infection (ABTI) and the influence of treatment on complement 3 (C3), C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6).

METHODSSixteen patients with ABTI were randomly assigned to two groups: the 9 patients in the combined treatment group (CTG) treated with ENBD combined with Chinese medicine and the 7 patients in routine treatment group (RTG) treated with ENBD alone. Another 18 patients with simple gallbladder stone were taken as the control group (CG). The curative effect was observed and the serum concentrations of C3, CRP and IL-6 were determined before and after treatment.

RESULTSBefore treatment, the concentrations of CRP and IL-6 were significantly higher and C3 lower in all ABTI patients than those in patients with simple gallbladder stone (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). After treatment, the general condition of patients was improved, the recovery time of intestinal tract function was shortened and the concentrations of C3, CRP and IL-6 significantly decreased in CTG, with the effects better than those in RTG respectively (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONENBD combined with Chinese drug medication shows favorable curative effects on ABTI. Treatment with Chinese medicine according to syndrome differentiation could decrease blood level of pro-inflammatory cytokines and promote recovery of the injured immune function.

Adult ; Aged ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Cholangitis ; blood ; therapy ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Complement C3 ; metabolism ; Drainage ; instrumentation ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Endoscopy, Digestive System ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To provide a reference about choosing the methods of isolating exosomes derived from tumor cells including laryngocarcinima Hep-2 cells by comparing advantages and defects of two methods of isolation and extraction exosomes. METHOD: Previously, laryngocarcinoma Hep-2 cells were cultivated massively, then the cells were processed with hot shock in 42 degrees C for 1 h. Sucrose density gradient centrifugation ultrafiltration (method 1): cells culture supernatant 90 ml was gathered, the supernatant was clarified through a 3/0.8 μm small filter to remove impurities and fragments which in larger diameter. Then the filtering fluid was concentrated and purified through sucrose density gradient centrifugation and ultrafiltration, the concentrated fluid was obtained. Exosome Isolation Kit (method 2): cells culture supernatant 4 ml was gathered, the solutions of the kit were added into the supernatant in proper sequence, then filtered by the special column, the concentrated fluid was obtained. Both products are observed by high resolution transmission electron microscopy. RESULT: Both methods could isolate and extract exosomes feasibly. In single high power view of transmission electron microscopy, exosomes of method 1 disperse better, but lower density, and more impurity in background, exosomes of method 2 arrange closer, higher density, and less impurity. CONCLUSION Exosome isolation Kit require less supernatant, cost less time, process procedure briefly, harvest higher yield. It may become a new option of isolating exosomes derived from Laryngocarcinoma Hep-2 cells.
Cell Line, Tumor ; Exosomes ; ultrastructure ; Humans ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; pathology ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission

Objective To compare the effects of UVA irradiation on cell morphology,quantity and expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA and protein in human fibroblasts versus a kerati- nocyte cell line HaCaT.Methods Human fibroblasts and HaCaT cells were cultured and irradiated by 5 J/cm~2 UVA.Then,at 24,48 and 72 h after the stimulation,the cell morphology was observed under an in- verted microscope,and iNOS mRNA and protein were measured by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry method,respectively.Results After the irradiation,human fibroblasts showed shrinkage at the three time points,the quantities of the cells began to decrease significantly at 24 h (P

The metabolic transformation of the drugs containing carboxylic acid groups can lead to the formation of acyl glucuronide metabolites through catalysis by glucuronosyltransferase, and produce pro-acyl glucuronide intermediate metabolites with electronic activity. Then, protein or DNA adducts appeared after a series of non-enzyme or enzyme reactions. These adducts would change the protein activity and potentially lead to idiosyncratic and genotoxicity. In this paper, we discussed the chemical activity, drug-induced mechanisms, distribution and toxicity resulting from this metabolic activation for these drugs, and stated the status and prospects of research in this field.
Biological Transport, Active ; Biotransformation ; Carboxylic Acids ; metabolism ; toxicity ; DNA Damage ; drug effects ; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions ; Glucuronides ; metabolism ; toxicity ; Glucuronosyltransferase ; metabolism ; Hepatocytes ; metabolism ; Humans ; Pharmaceutical Preparations ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of sustained-release alpha-lipoic acid tablets (SRLA) on blood lipid, glucose and insulin levels in hyperlipidemic New Zealand rabbits.

METHODSTwenty-four New Zealand rabbits were randomized into normal diet group, high-fat diet group, and high-fat diet + SRLA (300 mg/tablet) group with corresponding feed. At the beginning and 4 weeks after the feeding, the serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), blood glucose, and serum insulin were measured, and insulin sensitivity index (ISI) was calculated.

RESULTSFour weeks after feeding with high-fat diet, the insulin levels was elevated and the ISI lowered in the New Zealand rabbits, indicating successful establishment of the animal model of hyperlipidemia. Compared with the high-fat diet group, the serum levels of TG, TC, LDL-C and insulin were significantly reduced (P<0.05), and the ISI was significantly increased (P<0.05) in high fat diet + SRLA group. But no statistically significant difference was found in the blood glucose among the 3 groups.

CONCLUSIONSRLA can significantly correct blood lipid and insulin disorders in hyperlipidemic New Zealand rabbits and prevent the occurrence of insulin resistance and hyperlipidemia.

Animals ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; Hyperlipidemias ; blood ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Insulin ; metabolism ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Rabbits ; Tablets ; Thioctic Acid ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo construct a dendritic cell vaccine transduced by murine alpha-fetoprotein (mAFP) gene, and evaluate its immunoprotective effect on C57BL/6J mice during the induction of hepatocellular carcinoma by diethylnitrosamines, carbon tetrachloride and ethanol.

METHODSDendritic cells (DCs) were induced and augmented by murine IL-4 and GM-CSF, and transfected by recombinant adenovirus engineered with mAFP gene. Major MHC class I and II, B7.1 (CD80), B7.2 (CD86), CD18a, and CD54 molecules on DC were analyzed by FACS. 80 C57BL/6J male mice were randomly divided into 4 groups (20 mice per group): Simple DC inoculated group, pAdBM5-mAFP-DC inoculated group, pAdBM5-mAFP plasmid inoculated group, and PBS control group. They were immunized once with 5 x 10(5) DCs (0.1 ml)/mouse administered s. c. in the left flank or 100 mg pAdBMS-mAFP plasmid/mouse administered i. m. in the left tibialis anterior muscle. Inoculation was conducted once a week for 4 weeks after 3 times consecutive immunization initially. At the same time of immunization, DEN/CCl4/ethanol were given to induce hepatocellular carcinoma. Tumor incidence was assessed after 20 weeks.

RESULTSA transgenic DC vaccine was successfully constructed and the mAFP transgenic DCs expressed high level molecules of major MHC class I and II , B7.1, B7.2, CD18a, and CD54. After the 20-week induction, the incidence of primary hepatocellular carcinoma (PLC) was 70.0% in simple DC inoculated group, 25.0% in pAdBMS-mAFP-DC inoculated group, 65.0% in pAdBM5-mAFP plasmid inoculated group, and 75.0% in PBS control group. There was a significant difference between group B and other groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONmAFP transgenic DC tumor vaccine inoculation may induce strong immunoprotection against liver carcinogenesis and tumor development and reduce PLC incidence induced by DEN/CCl4/ethanol.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Animals ; B7-1 Antigen ; metabolism ; Cancer Vaccines ; Carbon Tetrachloride ; Cells, Cultured ; Dendritic Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; metabolism ; Diethylnitrosamine ; Ethanol ; Genetic Vectors ; Histocompatibility Antigens Class I ; metabolism ; Histocompatibility Antigens Class II ; metabolism ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental ; chemically induced ; immunology ; prevention & control ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Random Allocation ; Recombinant Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection ; alpha-Fetoproteins ; genetics ; metabolism

UNLABELLEDOBJECTIVE To explore the effects of human macrophage inflammatory protein-1 beta (hMIP-1beta) modification on the in vivo tumorigenicity and vaccine efficacy of tumor cells.

METHODSMurine colorectal adenocarcinoma CT26 cells were transfected with a recombinant adenovirus carring the hMIP-1beta gene (AdhMIP-1beta). The efficacy of gene transfection was tested by X-gal staining. The hMIP-1beta level in the supernatant of hMIP-1beta gene-modified CT26 cells was assayed by ELISA, and the chemotactic activity for CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, NK cells and immature dendritic cells (imDCs) were assayed by a transwell chamber. The changes of growth characteristics and in vivo tumorigenicity of hMIP-1beta gene-modified CT26 cells were also assessed. BALB/c mice were immunized with hMIP-1beta gene-modified CT26 tumor vaccine and the antitumor effect was evaluated.

RESULTShMIP-1beta gene could be transfected into CT26 cells by AdhMIP-1beta with an efficiency over 95%. The level of hMIP-1beta in the culture supernatant of hMIP-1beta gene-modified CT26 cells was 980 pg/ml and the supernatant displayed ramarkable chemotactic activity to CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, NK cells and imDCs compared with LacZ gene-modified CT26 cells and control. When the hMIP-1beta gene-modifited CT26 cells were subcutaneously inoculated in BALB/c mice, the tumorigencity was delayed and suppressed, and overt necrosis and lymphocyte infiltration were observed in the tumor tissue, but not in those inoculated with LacZ gene-modified CT26 cells or parental CT26 cells. The mice immunized with hMIP-1beta gene-modified CT26 tumor vaccine could induce tumor specific CTL activity and nonspecific NK activity, and exhibited resistance to later challenge with wild-type CT26 cells.

CONCLUSIONhMIP-1beta gene-modified CT26 cells exhibit decreased tumorigenicity, and hMIP-1beta gene-modified tumor vaccine may induce a powerful specific and nonspecific antitumor response. The data suggested that hMIP-1beta gene-modified tumor vaccine may play a potent role in prevention of metastasis and recurrence of malignant tumors.

Adenocarcinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Animals ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; immunology ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; immunology ; Cancer Vaccines ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Chemokine CCL4 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Chemotaxis, Leukocyte ; Colonic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cytotoxicity, Immunologic ; Dendritic Cells ; immunology ; Female ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Killer Cells, Natural ; immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Random Allocation ; Recombinant Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection ; Tumor Burden

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the short-term effect and experience of Nuss procedure on 120 cases of patients with pectus excavatum.

METHODSThoracoscopy assisted Nuss procedure with different ways of anesthesia were applied to 120 cases of patients with pectus excavatum, including 7 cases of recurrence after traditional surgical procedure (6 cases) and Nuss method (another one). The patients ranged in age from 2.5 to 43 (mean 14.1) years and in Haller index from 2.91 to 29. Of the 120, 73 had symmetric and 47 had asymmetric pectus excavatum. The Nuss procedure is performed with general anesthesia and a convex steel bar is inserted under the sternum with thoracoscopy through small bilateral thoracic incisions. The steel bar is inserted with the convexity facing posteriorly, and when it is in position, the bar is turned over, thereby correcting the deformity.

RESULTSThe operation was successfully accomplished without severe complications in all the 120 cases. The mean operative time was 58 minutes and the mean volume of blood loss was 30 ml. 103 patients had one bar inserted while the other 17 cases with more extremely diffuse depression required 2 or even 3 bars to get a satisfactory correction. Such methods as modifications to the fixing points and the shape of the bar, partial osteotomy, were developed to deal with asymmetric ones.

CONCLUSIONThe Nuss procedure is a minimally invasive technique for correction of pectus excavatum. It can lead to a satisfactory outcome and surgical time is less.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Funnel Chest ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Orthopedic Procedures ; methods ; Thoracoscopy ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the safety profile of subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) versus sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) caused by house dust mites. The treatment compliance and related factors were also evaluated.

METHODSA total of 160 patients with AR were enrolled in this study and received either SCIT (Alutard SQ, ALK-Abelló) or SLIT (Chanllergen-Df drops, Wolwo Pharma). All subjects were divided into two groups: SCIT group consisted of 81 patients aged 7 to 62 years [(21.5 ± 14.6) years, x ± s], and SLIT group consisted of 79 patients aged 6 to 53 years [(15.1 ± 10.3) years]. The selected patients were persistent and moderate to severe AR sensitized to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae. Local and systemic reactions, as well as patient's adherence to the treatment, were carefully recorded and analyzed during the immunotherapy schedules (followed up for 6 months to 2 years). Statistical analysis was performed using a SPSS13.0 software.

RESULTSLocal swelling commonly occurred following injections throughout the treatment duration (62.9% of overall injections) in the SCIT group. Oral itching associated with drop intakes was reported by 4 subjects (5.1%) in the SLIT group. All local reactions were mild, well tolerated and self-limiting in both groups. A total of 11 patients (13.6%) with 18 injections (0.9%) experienced systemic reactions in the SCIT group, involving respiratory distress, asthmatic attacks, and urticaria. These adverse effects were mostly immediate reactions, and occurred more frequently in patients during the maintenance phase of treatment. There were also 11 patients (13.9%) who experienced systemic reactions in the SLIT group, including gastrointestinal symptoms, urticaria, and rhinitis exacerbations. However, systemic reactions to SLIT were mainly observed in patients during the up-dosing phase of treatment. No significant difference in the overall incidence of systemic adverse effects was found between the SCIT and SLIT groups (13.6% and 13.9% respectively, χ(2) = 0.004, P > 0.05). There was only one case of non-life-threatening systemic reaction (severe asthma) in the SCIT group. Others were mild or moderate and no anaphylactic shock occurred in any group. No significant difference in treatment compliance was found between the SCIT and SLIT groups (86.4% and 79.7% respectively, χ(2) = 0.84, P > 0.05), with an overall rate of compliance (83.1%) among 160 patients. The most common cause for treatment withdrawal was insufficient ineffectiveness, in both groups of SCIT (6.2%) and SLIT (10.1%).

CONCLUSIONThe results suggest that the frequency of systemic adverse effects of SCIT is not significantly different from SLIT in mite-sensitized patients with AR, and both treatments are well tolerated and had favorable compliance during the study period.

Administration, Sublingual ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Animals ; Child ; Desensitization, Immunologic ; Female ; Humans ; Injections, Subcutaneous ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Patient Compliance ; Pyroglyphidae ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; therapy ; Young Adult

Different factors including hybridization solution components, hybridization temperature, and the concentration and proportion of the labelled primer, which affected the sensitivity and specificity of single mutation identification, were exploited. Asymmetric PCR increased the hybridization sensitivity, and the asymmetric multi-PCR did not affect the specificity, while the sensitivity was improved a little. Among 30 lung cancer samples detected with the oligonucleotide microarray, 12 was found P53 gene mutations and 5 had K-ras gene mutations. The P53 gene mutations identified by the oligonucleotide microarray was proved 80% same as the sequencing results. The obvious statistical relations of K-ras and P53 gene mutations with tumor type, tumor stage and smoking were not obtained because of less samples and mutation sites.
Genes, ras ; genetics ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; Mutation ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; methods ; Oligonucleotides ; genetics ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; genetics