Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of vinorelbine combined with cisplatin (NP regimen) in the treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer ( NSCLC). Methods: ninety-one patients with advanced NSCLC were confirmed by pathology or cytology. There were 56 patients with lung adenocarcinoma, 27 with squamous carcinoma and 4 with alveoli cell cancer, 3 with large-cell lung cancer, one case diagnosed by cytological smear section. The eighty patients had no prior chemotherapy and 11 were those without received previously chemotherapy. Thirty-two patients had stage Ⅲ disease and 59 had stage Ⅳ. Results: Partial response was observed in 37 patients with an overall response rate of 40. 7% (95%CI:30. 5%-50. 7%). Median time to progression (TTP) were 5 months(95% CI: 4-6 months). Median survival duration was 13 months (95% CI: 11-15months), one-year survival rate was 52. 7% ( CI: 42. 4%-62. 9%). The dose limiting toxicity was neutropenia that was observed in 87. 9% of the patients (40.7% in grades Ⅲ and Ⅳ). The remission response rate is 40. 6% , TTP is 5 months, MS is 13 months and 1-year survival rate was 52.7% . Conclusions: The results indicate NP regimen for advanced NSCLC is promise, and the toxicities are tolerable.

Objective To evaluate the effect of short-wave ultraviolet combined with millimeter-wave irradiation on pressure ulcers.Methods Fifty-three patients with 87 pressure ulcer wounds were randomly divided into 3 groups.Group A consisted of 17 patients with 28 pressure ulcers,group B had 18 patients with 29 ulcers and group C had 18 patients with 29 pressure ulcers.All the patients in the 3 groups accepted routine care.Group B was treated with short-wave ultraviolet radiation in addition,and group C received millimeter-wave combined with short-wave ultraviolet radiation.Braden's scale was used to evaluate the integrity of the patients' skin before treatment,and the pressure sore status tool (PSST) was used to evaluate exudation and skin recovery before and after treatment.Results Before treatment the patients demographics and pressure sores of the three groups had no significant differences.In group A there was no significant difference in the average PSST-5 score between before and after treatment.Compared with the scores before therapy,the average scores of groups B and C decreased significantly.They were also significantly lower than in group A after treatment.The effect in group C was better than in group B.With regard to improvement rate,the improvement percentages of groups B and C were significantly higher than that of group A,while there was no statistically significant difference between groups B and C.The rate of excellent recovery of group C was better than that of group A or B,but there was no significant difference between groups A and B.Conclusions Combining short-wave ultraviolet irradiation with millimeter-wave irradiation has remarkable effects on exudation from and the recovery of pressure ulcers.

AIM:To establish a rat hyperlipidemia model for studying the aortic expression of heat shock protein 22 (HSP22), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and the effect of atorvasta-tin intervention.METHODS:Hyperlipidemia model was established in SD rats.Afterwards, the rats were divided into nor-mal control group, high fat group and high fat+atorvastatin intervention group.The expression of HSP22 and TNF-αin the rat aortas was detected by immunohistochemical assay and the expression of eNOS was assessed by Western blotting.RE-SULTS:No detectable expression of HSP22 and TNF-αin the normal control group was observed.However, the expression of HSP22 and TNF-αwas positive in the high fat group and the atorvastatin intervention group.The mean densities of HSP22 and TNF-αpositive particles were significant lower in the atorvastatin intervention group as compared with high fat group ( both P<0.05) .The expression of eNOS protein in the high fat group and atorvastatin intervention group was significantly lower than that in normal control group (P<0.01).However, no marked difference of eNOS protein expression between high fat group and atorvastatins intervention group was observed.CONCLUSION:The expression of HSP22 and TNF-αin the rat aortas is increased in the hyperlipidemia rat model.This effect can be restored by atorvastatin treatment.The expression of eNOS in the rat aortas is decreased in the hyperlipidemia rat model, but this tendency could not be attenuated by atorvastatin.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Forkhead Transcription Factors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immune System Diseases ; immunology ; Male ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of Qiling Decoction (QD) combined highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) on expression levels of peripheral blood Th17 and Treg cells in HIV/AIDS patients.

METHODSTotally 55 HIV/AIDS patients were randomly assigned to the treatment group (28 cases) and the combination group (27 cases). Besides, 21 HIV negative patients were recruited as the healthy control group. Those in the treatment group received HARRT alone, while those in the combination group received HAART combined QD. The observation lasted for 24 weeks. Meanwhile, according to peripheral blood CD4+ T cell counts before treatment, HIV/AIDS patients were assigned to three subgroups. For patients in subgroup 1, 1 cells/microL < CD4+ T cell counts < or = 100 cells/microL; For patients in subgroup 2, 101 cells/microL < CD4+ T cell counts < or = 200 cells/lL; For patients in subgroup 3, 201 cells/microL < CD4+ T cell counts < or = 350 cells/microL. Expression of peripheral blood Th17 and Treg cells, and number of CD4+ T cell counts were detected using flow cytometry (FCM)in HIV/AIDS patients at the pre-treatment baseline, week 4, 12, and 24, as well as those in the healthy control group.

RESULTSCompared with the healthy control group, CD4+ T cell counts and the baseline expression level of Th17 cells in the peripheral blood of HIV/AIDS patients significantly decreased, the expression level of Treg cells significantly increased P < 0.01). Compared with before treatment in the same group, CD4+ T cell counts all increased at week 4, 12, and 24 in the two treatment groups, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). There was no statistical difference in the effective rate at various CD4+ T cell levels between the two groups (P > 0.05). There was no statistical difference in expression levels of Th17 and Treg cells between the combination group and the treatment group at any time point (all P >0.05). The Th17/Treg ration significantly increased in the combination group after 24 weeks of treatment, showing statistical difference when compared with the treatment group (U = 2.135, P = 0.038).

CONCLUSIONQD could improve the immune balance of Th17/Treg cells, which might be one of its mechanisms for improving HIV/AIDS patients' immunity.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Adult ; Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active ; CD4 Lymphocyte Count ; Case-Control Studies ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; HIV Infections ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; cytology ; Th17 Cells ; cytology

Objective To construct an expression system to produce the virus-like particles containing a part of the sequence of PSA mRNA, which are ribonuclease-resistant due to the encapsulation of the mRNA by bacteriophage MS2 coat proteins. Methods The PCR products of PSA cDNA fragments were cloned to TA vector pBS-T, then the targeted segments could be obtained when the pBS-T-PSA were digested by restriction endonuclease Hind Ⅲ and cloned to prokaryocytic expression vector pNCCL1. The recombinant plasmids named PNCCL1-PSA were transfected into E. Coli BL21-DE3 and induced to express with IPTG. Results The recombinant plasmids were successfully constructed. The bacteriophage MS2 coat protein which expressed in BL21 can self- assemble to form ribonuclease resistant virus-like particles and the PSA mRNA was encapsulated into virus-like particles. Conclusions The virus-like particle containing PSA mRNA can be expressed in prokaryocyte and it can be used as standard and control in detecting PSA mRNA. It provides a new, stable and ribonuclease-resistant RNA standard in RNA detection.

AIM:To investigate the feasibility of using human amniotic epithelial cells(HAECs) sheets,which are cultured by using a biodegradable fibrin sealant to re-establish corneal surface layer.METHODS:Human amniotic membrane(AM) harvested at the time of elective caesarean section was digested by collagenase and trypsin respectively to obtain HAECs.The HAECs were planted on Millicell culture dishes coated with biodegradable fibrin glue,and cultured by using the air-lifting cultivation.The HAECs sheets were investigated morphologically by Hematoxylin-Eosin staining,scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and were identified by cytokeratin immunohistochemistry.RESULTS:HAECs sheets were transparent and successfully cultured by using a biodegradable fibrin sealant.Most of the cultured cells were round or polygon and typical slabstone-like appearance.Many microvilli were observed on cell surfaces by SEM.Cytokeratin staining was positive.HAECs had stratificated growth tendency and became corneal-like stratificating epithelial cells.CONCLUSION:A commercially available fibrin sealant was an effective means of tissue engineering to create a carrier-free,transplantable HAECs sheets.The sheets were potential graft to re-establish corneal surface layer.

Objective To studythe cephalocaudal relationship ofabdominal aortic bifurcation relative toumbilicus and iliac crest vertex and their correlations with abdominal adipose tissue thickness and age. Methods The vertical distances,cephalocaudal relationship and other related anatomic parameters of aortic bifurcation relative to umbilicus and iliac crest vertex in 108 patientswere measured by consecutive abdominal CT scanning. The correlations of the acquired data with abdominal adipose tissue thickness and age were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient. Results Umbilicus was located at cephalad to aortic bifurcation in 67 patients(62.0%), caudal in 34(31.4%)andthe same level in 7(6.5%),with the vertical distance of(4.53 ± 17.51)mm to the aortic bifurcation. No statistically significant relationship was found between abdominal adipose tissue thickness(P>0.05) or age(P>0.05). Iliac crest vertex relative to aortic bifurcationwas located at cephalad,caudal and the same level in 31,71 and 6 patients,taking up 28.7%,65.7%and 5.6%,respectively. Its vertical distance to the bifurcation was(-6.34 ± 14.49)mm,nonrelated with abdominal adipose tissue thickness(P>0.05),but positively correlated with age(P<0.01). The difference in the cephalocaudal relationship of aortic bifurcation relative to umbilicus and iliac crest vertex was statistically significant(P<0.01). Conclusion Compared with iliac crest vertex,umbilicus is an important landmark of locating abdominal aortic terminal occlusion position in vitro because it mostly lies cephalad to aortic bifurcation in the front of the body,not easy to vary with abdominal adipose tissue thickness and age.

AIM:To investigate the maturation of mice immature myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs) induced by antigen(Ag)85B of mycobacterium tuberculosis, and the expression of TSLPR and OX40L mediated by TSLP in vitro. METHODS:Recombinant mouse GM-CSF ( rmGM-CSF) and rmIL-4 were used to induce bone marrow precursor cells of C57BL/6 mice to differentiate into immature mDCs in vitro.mDCs were identified followed by purification using CD 11c binding magnetic beads .The morphological characteristic of mDCs was observed under inverted phase-contrast microscope and scanning electron microscope .The surface phenotypes of mDCs were determined by flow cytometry .To obtain the opti-mal concentrations of Ag85B and TSLP, immature mDCs were cultured with different concentrations of Ag 85B or TSLP at 0 (control group), 50, 100 and 200 μg/L for 24 h, and the expression of cell surface molecules CD 80, CD86, TSLPR and OX40L was detected by flow cytometry.In addition, the expression of TSLPR and OX40L in Ag85B and TSLP-co-stimula-ted mDCs was determined by flow cytometry .RESULTS:After 7 d of culture in vitro, the cells showed irregular dendritic protrusions under the inverted-phase contrast microscope , and had wrinkles and dendritic splits under scanning electron mi-croscope , conformed to the morphological characteristics of immature mDCs .The mDCs cells expressed higher level of spe-cific marker CD11c, lower level of co-stimulatory molecules CD80 and CD86, which conformed to the phenotype of imma-ture mDCs.The CD80 +and CD86 +cell ratios of mDCs displayed significant increases in 50, 100 and 200μg/L Ag85B or TSLP groups compared with control group (P<0.05).The ratios of TSLPR +and OX40L+cells did not differ among dif-ferent concentrations of Ag 85B groups.The ratios of TSLPR +and OX40L+cells were significantly increased in 100 μg/L and 200μg/L TSLP groups compared with control group and 50μg/L TSLP group (P<0.05).Under the circumstance of optimal Ag85B or TSLP treatment concentration at 200 μg/L, there was significantly decreased in TSLPR and OX 40L cell ratio of mDCs in Ag85B group or Ag85B combined with TSLP group when compared with TSLP group (P<0.05), and no significant difference among Ag85B group, Ag85B combined with TSLP group and control group was observed .CONCLU-SION: Ag85B enhances mDCs maturation by up-regulating the expression of co-stimulatory molecules CD80 and CD86, and inhibit the expression of pro-inflammatory specific molecules TSLPR and OX40L on TSLP-activated mDCs, indicating that Ag85B modifies the development of asthmatic airway inflammation through the pathway of TSLP -activated mDCs.

Objective To investigate the correlation between the mutation of pncA gene and the susceptibility to pyrazinamide ( PZA) in Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex ( MTBC) strains and to analyze the mutation of panD and rpsA genes in wild type isolates without pncA gene mutation.Methods The sus-ceptibilities of 108 MTBC strains to first-line drugs including PZA were detected by using the MGIT 960 TB system.PCR was performed to amplify the 16S rDNA and pncA, panD and rpsA genes.The PCR products were analyzed by DNA sequencing analysis .Results Among the 78 multidrug-resistant MTBC strains , 47 isolates (60%) were resistant to PZA.Four out of 30 (13%) strains that were sensitive to ethambutol , iso-niazid, rifampicin and streptomycin (EIRS) were resistant to PZA.The drug-resistant MTBC strains showed higher resistance rate to PZA than that of the EIRS sensitive strains .There were 49 ( 96%) PZA-resistant isolates and 4 (7%) PZA-sensitive isolates occurred pncA gene mutation.Most of the pncA gene mutations in the genomes of PZA-resistant strains were base substitution mutation , especially the His57Asp substitu-tion.The pncA gene mutations centralized in the regions of 160-169, 203-289, 309-396 and 413-467.Seven novel mutation sites of pncA gene were observed including T175C, C188A, G insertion at 68, AGC insertion at 235, C insertion at 339, CC insertion at 392 and GT deletion at 395.The mutation sites founded in the genomes of PZA-sensitive strains were different from those of the PZA-resistant strains .No mutation of the pncA gene and the upstream regulatory sequence was found in two PZA-resistant strains , NJ44 and NJ108 . The sequence analysis of panD and rpsA gene showed that the NJ 108 strain had panD gene mutation at G419A, but no mutation was detected in the NJ 44 strain.Conclusion The multidrug-resistant MTBC strains showed higher resistance rate to PZA .The pncA gene mutation was common in PZA-resistant MTB strains and the panD gene mutation was also worthy of attention .