Esophageal Atresia ; complications ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Respiratory System Abnormalities ; complications ; Trachea ; abnormalities ; Tracheoesophageal Fistula ; complications

Background and purpose:The occurrence and development of lung cancer are closely correlated with the immune function in the human body.The patients with malignant tumors have shown a disorder of immune function,especially in terms of loss of cellular immune function.The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible auxiliary effect of sipulin in the treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer(NSCLC).methods: Ninety-three patients were randomly divided into two groups:sipulin group:sipulin plus docetaxel+cisplatin;control group:only administered docetaxel+cisplatin.The leukocyte,haemoglobin and platelet,toxicity of digestive tract,body weight,Karnofsky status and efficacy of those patients were evaluated before and after therapy,respectively.Results: Overall response rates were 46.67% and 30.23%(P=0.023)in sipulin group and control group,respectively.The median survival time was 10.1months versus 8.3 months(P=0.035)in sipulin group and control group,respectively.The 1-year survival rate for sipulin group and control group was 52.9% versus 39.4%(P=0.038),respectively.The clinical efficacy and the frequence of leukocyte reduction were better in sipulin group than in control group,the quality of life and clinical symptom of the patients in sipulin group were improved more significantly than those in control group (P

To study the chemical constituents of Lepidium meyenii, the air-dried rhizome of L. meyenii was extracted with 70% EtOH. The extract was condensed to a small amount of volume and extracted with petroleum ether, EtOAc and n-BuOH, successively. The compounds were isolated and purified by column chromatography, and identified based on spectral analyses (1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, HRESIMS). Eighteen compounds were isolated from L. meyenii, including 7 alkaloids and 4 fatty acids and 7 other compounds. They were characterized as (3-hydroxybenzyl) carbamic acid(1), phenylmethanamine(2), N-benzylformamide (3), N-benzylacetamide (4), pyridin-4-ylmethanamine(5), n-(4-methoxybenzyl) aniline(6), uracil(7), succininc acid(8), decanedioic acid(9), n-hexa- decanoic acid methyl ester(10), heptanoic acid(11), solerole(12), pyromucic acid methyl ester(13), 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furancar- boxadehyde(14), 5-(methoxymethyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carbaldehyde(15), 1,7-dihydroxy-2,3, 4-trimethoxyxanthone (16), 1,7-di- hydroxy-3,4- dimethoxy-xanthone(17), (+)-pinoresinol(18). Meanwhile, compounds 1-18 were obtained from L. neyenii for the first time.
Lepidium ; chemistry ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

Objective　To explore the role of acute infection of Chlamydia pneumoniae (Cpn) in respiratory diseases. Methods　Microimmunofluorescence test was used to detect IgG antibodies for Cpn in serum obtained from 93 inpatients and PCR was used to test Cpn in detection of Cpn DNA in throat specimens from 55 of the 99 patients. Results　Acute Cpn infection was diagnosed in 35.5% of the respiratory diseases. Antibodies for Cpn (titer of ≥512) were present in 47.6% of the pneumonia group, which may suggest that during 1998 to 1999, Cpn caused an epidemic in Beijing. They were also present in 50% of asthma group, 50.0% of pulmonary heart disease group and 26.3% of lung cancer group. Only five patients (9.1%) were positive by PCR. There exists discrepancy between serological and PCR results. Conclusion　Detection of IgG antibodies for Cpn conduces to diagnosis of acute Cpn infection and give advice for appropriate therapy.

Female ; Gastroscopy ; Humans ; Infant ; Intestinal Obstruction ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome

Resistance to chemotherapy is a major obstacle for the effective treatment of advanced ovarian cancer. The mechanism of chemoresistance is still poorly understood. Recently, more and more evidence showed microRNAs (miRNAs) modulated many key molecules and pathways involved in chemotherapy. microRNA-106a (miR-106a) has been implicated in many cancers, but its role in ovarian cancer and drug resistance still remains unexplored. This study was to investigate whether miR-106a mediated resistance of the ovarian cancer cell line A2780 to the chemotherapeutic agent cisplatin (DDP). The different levels of miR-106a in A2780 cells and their resistant variant A2780/DDP cells were identified by using real-time PCR. MTT assay and flow cytometry were used to analyze the effect of miR-106a on cisplatin resistance of these paired cells. Real-time PCR, Western blotting and luciferase reporter assay were applied to explore whether Mcl-1 was a target of miR-106a. As compared to A2780 cells, the expression of miR-106a was down-regulated in the cisplatin resistant cell line A2780/DDP. Moreover, knockdown of miR-106a dramatically decreased antiproliferative effects and apoptosis induced by cisplatin in A2780 cells, while overexpression of miR-106a significantly increased antiproliferative effects and apoptosis induced by cisplatin in A2780/DDP cells. Furthermore, miR-106a inhibited cell survival and cisplatin resistance through downregulating the expression of Mcl-1. Mcl-1 was a direct target of miR-106a. These results suggest that miR-106a may provide a novel mechanism for understanding cisplatin resistance in ovarian cancer by modulating Mcl-1.
Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cisplatin ; pharmacology ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein ; genetics ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; genetics

Ovarian cancer is the fifth lethal gynecologic malignancy. Metastasis-associated gene 1 (MTA1) is overexpressed in many malignant tumors with high metastatic potential. This study investigated whether down-regulation of MTA1 expression by RNAi in A2780 ovarian cancer cells could affect proliferation, anoikis, migration, invasion and adhesion of the cells and to research the potential for MTA1 gene therapy of ovarian cancer. After transfection with effective Mta1 gene siRNA, the effects on proliferation, anoikis, migration, invasion and adhesion of A2780 cells were tested by MTT assay, flow cytometry, wound-healing assay, Transwell assay and adhesion assay. Expression levels of PTEN, beta 1 integrin, MMP-9, phosphor-AKT (Ser473), and total AKT activity were evaluated in control and transfected cells. The results showed that inhibition of MTA1 mediated by Mta1-siRNA transfection decreased the cell invasion, migration and adhesion, and induced the increased cell anoikis, but no significant difference was found in proliferation of A2780 cancer cells. In addition, beta 1 integrin, MMP-9, and phosphor-AKT protein levels were significantly down-regulated, while PTEN was significantly up-regulated. These results demonstrated that MTA1 played an important role in the cell metastasis in ovarian cancer. MTA1 could serve as another novel potential therapeutic target in ovarian cancer.
Apoptosis ; genetics ; Carcinoma ; genetics ; pathology ; secondary ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Survival ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Targeting ; methods ; Genetic Therapy ; methods ; Histone Deacetylases ; genetics ; Humans ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; therapy ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; therapeutic use ; Repressor Proteins ; genetics ; Treatment Outcome

By using Zinc nitrate as precursor and hydraZine hydrate as reducing agent, polydiallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride modified reduced graphene oxide/Zinc oxide composite materials ( PDDA-rGO/ZnO) were prepared by simultaneous reduction of graphene oxide ( GO) and Zinc nitrate.The composite materials were characteriZed by Fourier transform infrared ( FTIR ) spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometer ( XRD ) and transmission electron microscopy ( TEM) , and their electrochemical catalytic activity for uric acid was studied by cyclic voltammetry ( CV ) and linear sweep voltammetry ( LSV ) measurements.The result showed that PDDA-rGO/ZnO modified glassy carbon electrode prepared here was sensitive, reproducible and stable, and had significant electrocatalytic activity for UA.When using linear sweep voltammetry for detection of UA, the responses of modified electrode were linear with UA concentration in the ranges of 0.02-0.1 mmol/L and 0.1-1.0 mmol/L respectively, with detection limit of 15.9 nmol/L (S/N=3).

OBJECTIVETo investigate the factors involved in the development of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), and to provide the preliminary data for the evaluation of current criteria for ROP screening.

METHODPremature infants with birth body weight (BBW) ≤ 2000 g or gestational age (GA) ≤ 34 weeks in the two hospitals in Zhejiang between March 2005 and November 2008 were recruited and examined by indirect ophthalmoscopy. The records were analyzed.

RESULTOne thousand two hundred and twenty-five premature infants were included. Of them, 713 were male and 512 female. There were 179 twins and 21 triplets in the premature infants. The incidence of ROP was 10.8% (132 in 1225 patients). There were 12 cases (0.98%) to the point of pre threshold ROP. 4 cases (0.3%) developed threshold ROP. Only one case developed pre threshold ROP of low risk among 65 cases without history of oxygen treatment (1.5%). The percentage has significant difference compared to that of cases with history of oxygen (χ(2) = 5.115, P < 0.01).Between ROP and Non-ROP groups, there was significant difference in BBW(F = 26.39, P < 0.001), gestational age (F = 19.73, P < 0.001), but there was no significant difference in sex (χ(2) = 0.279, P > 0.05) or twins and triplets (χ(2) = 3.449, P > 0.05). The incidence of ROP among premature infants with BBW ≤ 1000 g was more than three times of that with BBW > 1000 g, and the incidence of ROP among premature infants with GA ≤ 28 weeks was about 2.5 times of that with GA > 28 weeks. Logistic regression analysis indicated that less BBW or shorter GA or undulation of blood oxygen concentration was a significant risk factor involved in the development of ROP (r = 0.57, P < 0.05). All ROP patients were cured.

CONCLUSIONLess BBW, shorter GA and undulation of blood oxygen concentration are the important risk factors for the development of ROP. Premature infants with BBW ≤ 1000 g or GA ≤ 28 weeks, who had oxygen history, should be given very special attention in the ROP screening. The current criteria for ROP screening should be narrowed. In general, the ROP screening has lowered the incidence of blindness among children by investigating and treating ROP timely.

China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Male ; Neonatal Screening ; Retinopathy of Prematurity ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVEChronic myocardial ischemia (CMI) has become the most important cause of heart failure (HF) all over the world. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effects of Sarco-endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase 2a (SERCA2a) gene transfer on cardiac function and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) associated myocardial apoptosis in a minipig HF animal model induced by CMI.

METHODSHF was induced in minipigs by implantation of ameroid constrictor in the initial segment of left anterior descending (LAD) branch of coronary artery. After confirmation of myocardial perfusion defects and cardiac function impairment by myocardial perfusion imaging and echocardiography, animals were divided into 4 groups (n = 4 each): HF group, HF + enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) group, HF + SERCA2a group, and shamed animals as control group. A total amount of 1 × 10(12) v.g. of rAAV1-EGFP or rAAV1-SERCA2a were injected intramyocardially to each animal of HF + EGFP and HF + SERCA2a groups. Sixty days after gene transfer, protein level and activity of SERCA2a were examined, cardiac functions and changes of serum inflammatory and neuro-hormonal factors were determined. Apoptotic index of the ischemic myocardium, protein levels of ER stress marker glucose regulated protein 78 (GRP 78) and ER stress specific apoptotic marker caspase-12 were also assayed.

RESULTSAt the study end, echocardiographic and hemo dynamic measurements indicated a significant improvement of both cardiac systolic and diastolic function in HF + SERCA2a group compared with HF/HF + EGFP groups [LVEF (60.2 ± 8.6)% vs (44.2 ± 7.1)% and (46.8 ± 6.7)%, Ev/Av 1.28 ± 0.24 vs 0.77 ± 0.17 and 0.80 ± 0.21, +dp/dt(max) (2713.9 ± 434.0) mm Hg/s (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa) vs (1892.3 ± 434.2) mm Hg/s and (1931.2 ± 397.4) mm Hg/s, -dp/dt(max) (1422.1 ± 334.4) mm Hg/s vs (848.3 ± 308.3) mm Hg/s and (849.5 ± 278.3) mm Hg/s, P < 0.05], along with increase in both SERCA2a protein level (1.13 ± 0.26 vs 0.73 ± 0.17 and 0.64 ± 0.18, P < 0.05) and activity [(16.2 ± 5.5) IU/ml vs (7.9 ± 3.1) IU/ml and (7.5 ± 2.8) IU/ml, P < 0.05] compared with HF/HF + EGFP groups. Serum concentrations of inflammatory factor tumor necrotic factor α [(382.3 ± 114.4) ng/L vs (732.3 ± 201.4) ng/L and (689.8 ± 192.5) ng/L, P < 0.05], neural-hormonal factors brain natriuretic peptide [(142.6 ± 45.3) ng/L vs (422.3 ± 113.6) ng/L and (393.7 ± 103.3) ng/L, P < 0.01], endothelin-1 [(111.4 ± 37.5) ng/L vs (193.5 ± 54.3) ng/L and (201.0 ± 72.1) ng/L, P < 0.05] and angiotensin II [(189.7 ± 65.2) µg/L vs (538.3 ± 135.2) µg/L and (525.5 ± 144.1) µg/L, P < 0.01] were also significantly decreased in HF + SERCA2a group compared with HF/HF + EGFP groups. The apoptotic index [(12.71 ± 4.11)% vs (23.22 ± 7.23)% and (24.31 ± 6.38)%, P < 0.05], protein levels of GRP 78 (1.27 ± 0.33 vs 3.23 ± 1.14 and 4.18 ± 1.13, P < 0.05) and protein level ratios of cleaved caspase-12 to total caspase-12 [(4.62 ± 1.93)% vs (9.71 ± 2.70)% and (10.14 ± 2.81)%, P < 0.05] were also significantly reduced in the ischemic myocardium of HF + SERCA2a group compared with the HF/HF + EGFP groups.

CONCLUSIONOverexpression of SERCA2a significantly improved cardiac systolic and diastolic function in this HF model partly through attenuation of ER stress related myocardial apoptosis, suggesting its therapeutic potential for CMI related heart failure.

Animals ; Chronic Disease ; Disease Models, Animal ; Genetic Therapy ; Heart Failure ; therapy ; Myocardial Ischemia ; therapy ; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium-Transporting ATPases ; genetics ; Swine ; Swine, Miniature