Adenocarcinoma ; genetics ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Base Sequence ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; genetics ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sequence Deletion ; Smoking ; genetics

Curcumin has a wide spectrum of pharmaceutical properties such as antitumor, antioxidant, antiamyloid, and anti-inflammatory activity. However, poor aqueous solubility and low bioavailability of curcumin are major challenge in its development as a useful drug. To overcome many of these problems, curcumin-loaded long-circulating liposomes (Cur-LCL) were prepared by the ethanol injection method. Morphology of Cur-LCL was observed by transmission electron microscope, mean particle size and Zeta potential were detected by laser particle size analyzer, entrapment efficiency and drug loading were evaluated by ultracentrifugation. The drug release behavior in vitro and pharmacokinetic behavior in rats of Cur-LCL were investigated with curcumin (Cur) and curcumin liposomes (Cur-Lips) as control. The results showed that the mean diameter of Cur-LCL was 110 nm, the Zeta potential was -5.8 mV. The entrapment efficiency and drug loading of Cur-LCL was 80.25%, 2.06%, respectively. The release behavior in vitro studied by dialysis in PBS buffer showed significant sustained release profile that 48.95% Cur were released from Cur-LCL in 7 h, 88.92% in 24 h. The pharmacokinetic parameters showed that compared with Cur and Cur-Lips, the t(1/2beta) of Cur-LCL was extended to 13 and 1.8-fold, respectively. Besides, the AUC values was significantly increased (P < 0.01), and the clearance was evidently decreased (P < 0.01). These results from in vitro and in vivo indicated that Cur-LCL were able to realize controlled drug release and increase circulation time.
Animals ; Curcumin ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Drug Carriers ; chemistry ; Female ; Humans ; Liposomes ; chemistry ; Male ; Particle Size ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Solubility

OBJECTIVETo investigate variations of mtDNA in mouse tumors and to explore the relationship between mtDNA mutations and murine carcinogenesis.

METHODSVariations of D-loop, ND3 and tRNAIle + Glu + Met gene fragments of mtDNA from six mouse tumor cell lines were analyzed by PCR-RFLP and PCR-SSCP techniques.

RESULTSND3 and tRNAIle + Glu + Met gene fragments of mtDNA from the tumors showed no variations at 27 endonuclease sites. The D-loop of mtDNA from Hca-F demonstrated an additional endonuclease site of Hinf I in contrast to the inbred mouse. Upon PCR-SSCP analysis, the D-loop of mtDNA was found to possess mutations in 4 of 6 tumors.

CONCLUSIOND-loop appears to be the hot spot for tumor mtDNA mutations, which may contribute to the carcinogenesis of murine tumors.

Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; genetics ; DNA, Neoplasm ; genetics ; Electron Transport Complex I ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Inbred C3H ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mutation ; Neoplasms, Experimental ; genetics ; pathology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational ; Proteins ; genetics ; RNA, Transfer, Glu ; genetics ; RNA, Transfer, Ile ; genetics ; RNA, Transfer, Met ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo screen low molecular weight protein biomarkers relevant to portal vein tumor thrombi (PVTT) in serum of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients.

METHODSSerum samples were obtained from 12 healthy volunteers, 12 HCC patients without PVTT and 12 HCC patients with PVTT. Using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) in which the second dimension was 16% SDS-PAGE, serum protein images of the 3 groups were analyzed by ImageMaster software. The differential protein spots were further identified by MALDI-TOF MS/MS.

RESULTSComparing the results using 12.5% SDS-PAGE gel, there were more protein bands (between 3 x 10(3) and 20 x 10(3)) and low molecular weight (MW) protein spots (less than 20 x 10(3)) were clearly shown in the 16% SDS-PAGE gel. Fifteen differential protein spots representing 5 proteins were found in the 3 groups by inter-class comparison and they were then identified. Compared with those in the healthy group, apolipoprotein A-I, lipoprotein CIII, transthyretin and DNA topoisomerase II were all down regulated in HCC groups and haptoglobin-2 was over expressed. All 5 proteins decreased more in the PVTT group than in the non-PVTT group.

CONCLUSIONThe expression of low MW serum protein obviously changes in the beginning and in the progressive stage of HCC, and differentially expressed low MW proteins might be potential biomarkers in an early prognostic prediction and surveillance in the treatment for HCC and PVTT.

Adult ; Blood Proteins ; analysis ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; blood ; pathology ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplastic Cells, Circulating ; pathology ; Portal Vein ; pathology ; Proteome ; analysis

Objective To analyze the difference of teaching modes of course of digital signal processing for the undergraduates and postgraduates.Methods The teaching modes were compared from the aspects of educational objective,teaching content, teaching method,examination mode and etc.Results Differentiated teaching modes contributed to the satisfactory education of the undergraduates and postgraduates. Conclusion The differentiated teaching modes for the undergraduates and postgraduates provide references for the high-level education in universities and colleges of science and technology. [Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2018,39(5):87-89,102]

Objective:To establish a model of patellar dislocation by femoral osteotomy or surgical release of medial retinaculum in immature rabbits, and observe morphological and trabecular microarchitectural changes in the trochlea.Methods:Forty rabbits at 3 months of age were included. All right knees underwent surgery, 20 knees were treated with femoral osteotomy and internal rotation of distal femur to increase femoral anteversion angle (Osteotomy group, OS group), and another 20 knees were treated with surgical release of medial retinaculum and overlap suture of lateral retinaculum (Soft tissue group, ST group). All left knees were acting as internal controls. Micro-CT scans for distal femur were acquired after 4 months post surgery. the height of Medial, central, and lateral trochlear, sulcus angle, and lateral and medial trochlear slope were measured to describe the trochlear morphology, and bone volume fraction (BV/TV), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), trabecular number (Tb.N), trabecular spacing (Tb.Sp), and bone mineral density (BMD) were calculated to evaluate the microarchitectural structure. All parameters were compared between groups.Results:In OS group, one rabbit sustained a hip dislocation without patellar dislocation. Three knees developed complete patellar dislocation in daily flexion position, and the remaining 16 patellae were dislocated when the knee was placed in the maximal extension position. In ST group, 15 knees were complete patellar dislocation in daily flexion position, and 5 knees were without dislocation. A local boss was formed proximal to the entrance of the groove and the articular cartilage was smooth, and no obvious osteoarthritis was observed in OS group. In ST group no boss was formed, while obvious cartilage degeneration and defect was seen. Compared to the control group, the central trochlear height and sulcus angle were greater in both groups, but without significant difference between the two groups. The Tb.Th was increased in both medial and lateral condyle, and Tb.N was decreased in medial condyle compared with its control knees in OS group. The BV/TV, Tb.Th, Tb.N and BMD were decreased and Tb.Sp was increased in both medial and lateral condyle compared with its control knees in ST group. Compared to the OS group, the BV/TV, Tb.Th, Tb.N and BMD were smaller and Tb.Sp was greater in both medial and lateral condyle in ST group, with significant differences.Conclusion:The model of patellar dislocation could be successfully achieved by femoral rotational osteotomy to increase femoral anteversion or surgical release of medial retinaculum and overlap suture of lateral retinaculum, and subsequent morphological and trabecular microarchitectural changes in the trochlea are different. Different bony and soft tissue factors should be addressed for different patients with patellar dislocation in clinical practice.

BACKGROUNDThe role of plasma high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in in-stent restenosis (ISR) remains controversial. We investigated plasma hs-CRP level at both admission and follow-up in patients with stable angina (SA) after successful coronary stenting in order to clarify the predictive value of hs-CRP for ISR.

METHODSWe summarized 303 consecutive chronic SA patients with coronary drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation. The ISR was analyzed by quantitative coronary analysis (QCA) at a mean follow-up of 8 months, and the patients were divided into two groups according to the detected ISR as ISR group (n = 48) and non-ISR group (n = 255). Plasma hs-CRP was examined at both admission and 8-month follow-up in all patients, standard medication continued throughout the investigation period.

RESULTSQCA presented that 48 patients (15.8%) suffered from ISR at follow-up. The basic clinical characteristics were similar between the two groups, while plasma hs-CRP was higher in ISR group than that in non-ISR group at both admission and follow-up, P < 0.001 respectively. Multivariate regression analysis indicated that plasma hs-CRP level at either admission or follow-up could independently predict ISR occurrence (OR = 5.581, 95%CI 2.532-12.302, P < 0.001 and OR = 6.299, 95%CI 2.722-14.577, P < 0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSIONSOur data indicate that plasma hs-CRP level may independently predict ISR at both admission and follow-up in SA patients with coronary DES implantation, which implies that a chronic, sustained systemic inflammatory response might be involved in ISR pathogenesis.

Aged ; Angina Pectoris ; therapy ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Coronary Restenosis ; blood ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the diagnostic utility of Warthin-Starry silver stain, immunohistochemistry and transmission electron microscopy in the detection of human Bartonella henselae infection and pathologic diagnosis of cat scratch disease (CSD).

METHODSThe paraffin-embedded lymph node tissues of 77 histologically-defined cases of cat scratch disease collected during the period from January, 1998 to December, 2008 were retrieved and studied using Warthin-Starry silver stain (WS stain) and mouse monoclonal antibody against Bartonella henselae (BhmAB stain). Five cases rich in bacteria were selected for transmission electron microscopy.

RESULTSUnder electron microscope, the organisms Bartonella henselae appeared polymorphic, round, elliptical, short rod or bacilliform shapes, ranged from 0.489 to 1.110 microm by 0.333 to 0.534 microm and often clustered together. Black short rod-shaped bacilli arranged in chains or clumps were demonstrated in 61.0% (47/77) of CSD by WS stain. The organisms were located outside the cells and lie mainly in the necrotic debris, especially near the nodal capsule. In 72.7% (56/77) of the cases, dot-like, granular as well as few linear positive signals were observed using BhmAB immunostain and showed similar localization. Positive results for both stains were identified in 59.7% (46/77) of the cases. When applying both stains together, Bartonella henselae was observed in 74.0% (57/77) of the case. The difference between the results obtained by WS stain and BhmAB immunostain was of statistical significance (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBartonella henselae is the causative pathogen of cat scratch disease. WS stain, BhmAB immunostain and transmission electron microscopy are helpful in confirming the histologic diagnosis. Immunostaining using BhmAB can be a better alternative than WS stain in demonstrating the organisms.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antibodies, Bacterial ; blood ; Bartonella henselae ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; ultrastructure ; Cat-Scratch Disease ; diagnosis ; microbiology ; pathology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; methods ; Infant ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Middle Aged ; Paraffin Embedding ; Staining and Labeling ; methods ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore clinical outcomes of patients undergoing emergent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) following failed percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the stent era.

METHODSEleven patients who underwent emergent CABG following failed PCI from January, 2002 to December 2010 were enrolled. The in-hospital follow-up included cardiac deaths, Q-wave myocardial infarction, kidney failure, and cerebrovascular events. The clinical end-point of out-hospital follow-up was the major adverse cardiac events including death, myocardial infarction, and target lesion revascularization.

RESULTSThe patients were (61 ± 5) years old. Coronary angiography showed 5 patients had triple vessel lesions. There were 9 target lesions on left anterior descending artery. There were 3 (27.3%) severe calcified, 4 (36.4%) chronic total occlusion, and 4 (36.4%) diffused long lesions. Reasons for emergent CABG were dissection (n = 5, 45.5%), perforation (n = 3, 27.3%), failure to sufficient predilation (n = 1, 9.1%), acute closure (n = 1, 9.1%) and stent loss (n = 1, 9.1%). The average duration of follow-up was (47 ± 33) months. During in-hospital follow-up, there were 1 (9.1%) cardiac death and 2 (18.2%) Q wave myocardial infarction. During follow-up after hospital discharge, 1 patient (9.1%) died of kidney failure, and there was no rehospitalization due to cardiac events.

CONCLUSIONSEmergent CABG after failed PCI often happened in patients with complex coronary lesions. The long term outcome of patients requiring emergent CABG after failed PCI was favorable in this cohort.

Aged ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; Coronary Artery Disease ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Emergency Treatment ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical and laboratory characteristics of a complex translocation t (6; 21; 8) (p22; q22; q22) in two patients with acute myeloid leukemia.

METHODSBone marrow (BM) samples were collected at presentation, prepared by short-term (24 hours) unstimulated culture and R-binding, for conventional cytogenetic assay (CCA). The complex translocation was assayed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with a dual-color AML1/ETO-specific probe. AML1/ETO chimeric transcript was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSIn both cases CCA demonstrated a complex translocation, t (6; 8; 21) (p22; q22; q22), which was confirmed by interphase and metaphase FISH and AML1/ETO fusion transcript was detected by RT-PCR. Both the two patients were diagnosed as AML-M(2), but with different immunophenotype and therapeutic outcome.

CONCLUSIONThe t (6; 21; 8) (p22; q22; q22) is a rare variant of complex translocation of t (8; 21) (q22; q22). More such cases are needed for elucidating its clinical features and prognosis.

Acute Disease ; Adolescent ; Chromosome Banding ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 21 ; genetics ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 6 ; genetics ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 8 ; genetics ; Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit ; genetics ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Karyotyping ; Leukemia, Myeloid ; genetics ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion ; genetics ; RUNX1 Translocation Partner 1 Protein ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Translocation, Genetic