OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Qinggan Huoxue recipe (QGHXR) in treating alcoholic liver disease (ALD).

METHODSBy adopting the multi-centered, randomized and controlled method, the patients were divided in to the QGHXR group (60 patients) treated orally by QGHXR, the XCHG group (30 patients) treated orally by Xiaochaihu granule and the control group (30 patients) treated orally by conventional therapy such as glucurolactone, vitamin C. The changes in symptoms, signs, liver function, blood lipid, liver fibrosis markers, cytokines, lipid superoxidation parameters and B-untrasonographic figure after treatment of the two groups were observed.

RESULTSThe total therapeutic efficacy of QGHXR, improvements in anorexia, nausea, vomiting and jaundice as well as effect in reducing blood levels of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and triglyceride (TG) were superior in the QGHXR group to those in the other two groups (P < 0.01), and the effect in decreasing gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) in the QGHXR group was more significant than that in the control group (P < 0.01). QGHXR also showed effects in lowering levels of liver fibrosis markers and cytokines, alleviating the anti-lipid superoxidation damage in liver, and could markedly improve the degree of fatty liver.

CONCLUSIONQGHXR shows obvious therapeutic effect in treating ALD, the mechanism could possibly be related with its effects in antagonizing lipid superoxidation, stabilizing hepatic cell membrane, adjusting the lipid metabolic disturbance of liver, regulating immune function, anti-liver fibrosis and promoting the intrahepatic metabolism of alcohol.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Fatty Liver, Alcoholic ; drug therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic ; drug therapy ; Liver Diseases, Alcoholic ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy

OBJECTIVETo explore the implication of karyotype analysis in diagnosis and prognosis of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).

METHODSThe chromosomes were prepared with direct method, brief culture of cells and R-banding techniques, and then the karyotypic analysis was performed.

RESULTSeventy-seven out of 283 patients (27.21%) had karyotypic abnormalities, including the numeral abnormalities of chromosomes and structural alterations. The most common chromosomal aberrations were +8, -20/20q-, -Y, translocation, -7/7q-, +9, -5/5q-. The rate of abnormal karyotype in refractory anemia with erythroblasts (RAEB) and refractory anemia erythroblasts-transformation (RAEB-t) was much higher than in refractory anemia (RA). Patients with abnormal karyotype or higher IPSS scores had a higher risk of transformation into acute leukemia than patients with normal karyotype or lower IPSS scores (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONMDS is a highly heterogenous disorder and karyotype analysis is helpful for its diagnosis and prognosis estimation.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Chromosome Deletion ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 8 ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Karyotyping ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes ; genetics ; Prognosis ; Translocation, Genetic ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo study the role of trisomy 8 in pathogenesis and progression of hematologic disease with trisomy 8.

METHODSThe clinical data on 38 cases with trisomy 8 were investigated retrospectively. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using Spectrum Orange labeled chromosome 8 centromere specific probe was carried out to detect trisomy 8 in 10 cases.

RESULTSThirty-two of 38(84.2%) cases with trisomy 8, and fourteen of 17(82.4%) cases with trisomy 8 as the sole chromosome aberration were myeloid disorders such as myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), acute myelocytic leukemia (AML), chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML). The incidence of trisomy 8 was higher in myeloid disease than in lymphocytic disease (5% vs 1.3%); the incidence of trisomy 8 was higher in acute monocytic leukemia than in other AML (6.1% vs 2.4%), and the incidence of trisomy 8 in chronic myelomonocytic leukemia( CMML) was higher than that in other myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) (25% vs 13.2%); 17 cases had trisomy 8 as the sole chromosome aberration, 21 cases had other additional chromosome aberrations. The chromosome aberration was confirmed by FISH in 10 cases with trisomy 8 as the sole chromosome aberration. Eleven cases were treated with chemotherapy, among them only 10 cases data were available. Seven cases acquired complete remission but 3 of them were M3, the other 3 cases had no response after two courses of chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONTrisomy 8 may play an important role in the pathogenesis and progression of the hematological disease, especially myeloid disease. Trisomy 8 might be related with differentiation abnormality of monocyte.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 8 ; Female ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Leukemia ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes ; genetics ; Trisomy

OBJECTIVETo analyse the WT1 expression and its DNA methylation status of its promoter domain.

METHODThe expression of WT1 gene and its DNA methylation status were assayed in leukemia cell lines and normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) by RT-PCR and MS-PCR.

RESULTSWT1 was overexpressed in HL60, K562 and KG1 leukemia cell lines, but not in U937 and PBMNC. Methylation of WT1 promoter was not observed in HL60 cells.

CONCLUSIONDNA methylation of WT1 gene promotor did not inhibit its expression. Other mechanisms may appear to regulate the WT1 expression.

Cell Line, Tumor ; DNA Methylation ; Genes, Wilms Tumor ; Humans ; Leukemia ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Promoter Regions, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo explore the expression and clinical significance of Caudal-type homeobox transcription factor 2 (CDX2) gene in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients.

METHODReal time quantitative PCR (RQ-PCR) was used to test the expression level of CDX2 gene in 108 de novo AML patients and the clinical features of these patients were analyzed.

RESULTSCDX2 gene transcript levels were detectable in bone marrow mononuclear cells from 108 AML patients and 7 healthy donors, the median expression level were 1179.44 (range 14.15 - 867 961.10) and 105.30 (range 22.30 - 453.11). There was a statistically significant difference in expression level of CDX2 gene between the AML patients and normal donor (P < 0.01). All 14 patients with FLT3-ITD(+) were in CDX2 gene higher expression group (P = 0.018), including 10 patients with normal karyotype. In the 83 treated AML patients (P = 0.046) and 57 higher WBC count (≥ 10×10(9)/L, P = 0.048) patients, the higher expression level of CDX2 gene was associated with lower complete remission (CR) rates.

CONCLUSIONSHigher expression level of CDX2 gene was seen mostly in AML patients with FLT3-ITD mutation and with lower CR rates. CDX2 gene might be a prognostic molecular marker in AML patients with normal karyotype.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; CDX2 Transcription Factor ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Homeodomain Proteins ; genetics ; Humans ; Karyotyping ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Prognosis ; Young Adult ; fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 3 ; genetics

The purpose of this study was to investigate 135 cases of chronic myelogenous leukemia with non-simple Philadelphia chromosome and to analyze their cytogenetic date. Chromosome preparations in 135 cases of patients were performed by using direct method and/or short-term culture, and karyotyping was performed with R-banding technique. The results showed that the overall frequency of chronic myelogenous leukemia with non-simple Philadelphia chromosome (based on 1210 cases of chromosome detection in chronic myelogenous leukemia) was 11.16%, which included 87 cases of chronic phase, 21 cases of accelerated phase and 27 cases of blastic phase. Among 87 cases of patients in chronic phase, 14 cases were with simple variant translocation and 22 cases had complex variant translocation while the others were with other chromosomal abnormalities including 4 cases of +8, 4 cases of + Ph and 2 cases of i (17); among 21 cases of patients in accelerated phage, 4 cases were with +8 and 4 cases were with + Ph while 3 cases were with i (17); among 27 cases of patients in blastic phage, 2 cases were with simple variant translocation and 3 cases had complex variant translocation while the others were with other chromosomal abnormalities including 5 cases of +8, 5 cases of + Ph and 2 cases of i (17). The detection rate of extra chromosomal abnormalities in this group of 135 cases patient were + Ph, +8, i (17), -Y, +19 and +21 in order. There were 16 cases with simple variant translocation and 25 cases with complex variant translocation in in this group of 135 cases. It is concluded that karyotype analysis is helpful in diagnosis, prognosis, pathogenesis and treatment selection for chronic myelogenous leukemia.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Karyotyping ; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Philadelphia Chromosome ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the expression of γ-aminobutyric acid A receptor α1 subunit (GABAAα1) in the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vLPAG) in rats with formalin-induced acute pain. Methods The rats were randomly divided into two groups:control group(group C) and formalin-induced pain group(group F),12 rats in each group:0.9% sodium chloride solution or 2% formaldehyde 50 μL was injected into the ventral surface of right hind paw respectively. The pain scores were recorded for every 5 minutes and the mechanical pain threshold were recorded for every 10 minutes until 1 h. The expression levels of GABAAα1in vLPAG were determined by Western blot analysis in each group.Results The rats in formalin group showed significant nociceptive behaviors immedi-ately, such as paw withdrawal and/or paw licking. Results demonstrated that the rats exhibited a biphasic response to pain. The pain behavior scores in group F were significantly higher than that in group C (P<0.05),and the mechanical pain threshold in group F was decreased after injection compared with group C(P<0.05). The expression of GABAAα1 protein in group F was significantly higher than that in group C (P<0.05).Conclusions The up-regulation of GABAAα1 expression in ventrolateral periaqueductal gray is associated with the decrease of pain threshold in rats with acute pain.

Objective To investigate the treatment effect ofcurcumin on Alzheimer's disease in mice and its related mechanism to provide a theoretical reference for the treatment of AD.Methods Forty-eight Kunming mice with APP/PSI transgenosis were randomly divided into four groups:AD model group,AD model+low-dose curcumin group,AD model+middle-dose curcumin group,AD model+high-dose curcumin group (n=12); mice in these later three groups were intraperitoneally injected curcumin at the dosages of 100 mg/(kg ·d),200 mg/(kg·d) and 400 mg/(kg ·d),respectively (once diary for a consecutive 14 d).Another 12 healthy mice were selected as normal control group.Traction test and Morris water maze test were used to observe the behavioral changes of mice in each group;immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the Shank1 and PSD95 expressions in brain tissues of mice in each group; and Western blotting was used to detect the Shank1 and PSD95 protein expression.Results There were significant differences between normal control group and both AD model group and AD model+low-dose curcumin group in average scores,escape latency and frequency through the original platform and dwell time percentages in the original platform quadrant in the traction experiments,positive cell counts and average gray scale of Shank1 and PSD95 (P＜0.05).Significant differences were noted between AD model+middle-dose curcumin group and AD model group in average scores,escape latency and frequency through the original platform,dwell time percentages in the original platform quadrant in traction experiments,positive cell counts and average gray scale of Shank1 and PSD95 (P＜0.05).As compared with AD model group,the AD model+low-dose curcumin group,AD model+middle-dose curcumin group and AD model+high-dose curcumin group showed significantly different Shank1 and PSD95 protein expressions (P＜0.05).Conclusion The middle-dose curcumin application can better improve athletic ability,learning ability and memory capacity of the AD model mice,whose mechanism may be the improvement of shank1 and PSD9 related synaptic and synaptic structure to increase the number of synapses in hippocampus of AD model mice,thereby improving synaptic plasticity.

OBJECTIVETo explore the expression and clinical significance of ID1 gene in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients.

METHODReal-time quantitative PCR (RQ-PCR) was used to test the expression level of ID1 gene in 114 de novo adult AML patients, and the clinical features of these patients were analyzed.

RESULTSID1 gene transcript levels were detectable in BM mononuclear cells from 114 patients with AML, the median expression level of all samples was 8525 (range: 57 - 11 233 238). There was a statistically significant difference on expression level of ID1 gene among the three different cytogenetic prognosis groups, and the poor prognosis group (median: 36 840, range: 336 - 11 233 238) harbored the significantly higher level of ID1 gene than the intermediate prognosis group (Median: 6630, range: 66 - 1 840 798) (P = 0.006). The expression level of ID1 gene was positively associated with older age (age ≥ 60 years vs < 60 years, P = 0.002) and higher WBC count (WBC ≥ 10×10(9)/L vs < 10×10(9)/L, P = 0.005). Young patients (age < 60 years) who were not obtained the complete remission (non-CR) after the first cycle of chemotherapy harbored the high level of ID1 gene (Median: 9537 of non-CR vs 1268 of CR, P = 0.010).

CONCLUSIONSHigh expression level of ID1 gene was mostly seen in AML patients with adverse cytogenetics and older age (age ≥ 60 years), and may be associated with poor prognosis of AML. ID1 gene might be a prognostic molecular marker of AML.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Differentiation Protein 1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; diagnosis ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the cytogenetic and molecular genetic features of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in Chinese.

METHODSA total of 1193 CML patients were retrospectively studied. Chromosome preparation of bone marrow cells was made using direct and short-term culture. Karyotype and bcr-abl fusion genes were analyzed by R-banding, RT-PCR, respectively.

RESULTSIn the 1193 cases, 98.07% was Ph chromosome positive (Ph+) and 1.93% negative (Ph-). In the Ph+ patients, 95.64% was classical Ph and 4.36% variant rearrangements. Additional genetic changes were demonstrated in 11.88% of classical Ph cases. Cytogenetic clonal evolution was found in 7.94% of patients in chronic phase (CP), 27.78% in accelerated phase (AP), and 49. 04% in blast crisis (BC). Among the classical Ph cases, +Ph, +8, -21 were found in 14.62%, 10.77% and 7.69% of them respectively. In patients in BC and AP, the most common additional chromosome changes were + Ph (28.57%), +8 (16.67%) and +19 (7.14%), while in CP, -21 (10.26%), +Ph (8.97%), and +8 (8.97%). The combination of +Ph and +8 (3.60%) was the most frequent of combination pattern. 524 cases were investigated for bcr-abl fusion gene, and 54.01% was b3a2 (+) and 27.67% b2a2 (+).

CONCLUSIONIn Chinese CML patients seem to have their unique features in terms of cytogenetic clonal evaluation.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl ; genetics ; Humans ; Karyotyping ; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies