OBJECTIVETo observe the regulatory effects of psoralen, oleanolic acid, and stilbene glucoside, three active components of psoralea fruit, glossy privet fruit and tuber fleeceflower root respectively, on Aβ25-35induced self-renewal and neuron-like differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs).

METHODSEmbryonic NSCs werein vitro isolated and cultured from Kunming mice of 14-day pregnancy, and randomly divided into the control group, the Aβ25-35 group, the Aβ25-35 +psoralen group, the Aβ25-35 +oleanolic acid group, and the Aβ25-35 + stilbene glucoside group. The intervention concentration of Aβ25-35 was 25 µmol/L, and the intervention concentration of three active components of Chinese medicine was 10(-7)mol/L. The effect of three active components of Chinese medicine on the proliferation of NSCs was observed by counting method. The protein expression of Tubulin was observed by Western blot and immunofluorescence. The ratio of Tubulin+/DAPI was caculated. Results Compared with the control group, the sperical morphology of NSCs was destroyed in the Aβ25-35 group, the counting of NSCs, the expression of Tubulin protein, and the ratio of Tubulin /DAPI all decreased (P <0.01, P <0.05). Compared with the Aβ25-35 group, the counting of NSCs, the expression of Tubulin protein, and the ratio of Tubulin + /DAPI all increased in the three Chinese medicine treated groups (P <0. 01, P <0. 05).

CONCLUSIONS25 µmol/L Aβ25-35 could inhibit self-renewal and neuron-like differentiating of NSCs. But psoralen, oleanolic acid, and stilbene glucoside could promote self-renewal of NSCs and neuron-like differentiation.

Amyloid beta-Peptides ; physiology ; Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Embryo, Mammalian ; Female ; Mice ; Neural Stem Cells ; Neurogenesis ; drug effects ; Neurons ; cytology ; Peptide Fragments ; physiology ; Pregnancy

To established an effective GC-MS /MS method for the contents determination of the residual DEHP in injection equipment, and investigate the effect of the pretreatment on the measurement. To simulate the clinical conditions of use, under the condition of 37 degrees C balance extraction, extract liquor by chloroform extraction, then the extract followed by analysis of GC-MS /MS. The method was simple, rapid, sensitive and accurate. The limits of quantitation (LOQ, S/N = 5) of cyclohexanone was 0.075 μg/mL, The spiked average recoveries ranged from 92% to 98%. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) of the method ranged from 1.01% to 1.61%, The method was simple, fast, sensitive and accurate, and may serve as a mass control method for residual DEHP in injection equipment.
Cyclohexanones ; chemistry ; Diethylhexyl Phthalate ; chemistry ; Equipment Contamination ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Injections ; instrumentation ; Limit of Detection ; Plasticizers ; chemistry

Objective To verify the efficiency of a new laparoscopic urethrovesical anastomosis training model by comparing it with the chicken skin model. Methods Chicken posterior trunks and porcine colons were used to construct the training model. The posterior trunk of a chicken was used to simulate a human pelvis, and a 3-mm cloacal stump was used to simulate a human urethral stump. A 15-cm segment of porcine colon with a 1-cm orifice was used to simulate a human bladder or neobladder. An imitation urethrovesical anastomosis was performed with laparoscopic instruments in a laparoscopic training box. Forty trainees with no laparoscopic experience were randomized into 2 groups.The trainees in group A (n=20) practiced using this new model for 8 h, while those in group B (n=20) practiced using the chicken skin model for 8 h. The trainees' skills were assessed using the porcine model before and after training. Results Compared with the chicken skin model, this new training model more accurately resembled the structure and characteristic of human pelvis, urethral stump, and bladder (neobladder). After the training sessions, both groups improved in anastomosis time [GroupA: (64±11)min vs. (123±20)min, P＜0.05; Group B: (77±12)min vs. (121±17)min, P＜0.05] and quality (Group A: 8.8± 1.0 vs. 3.8 ± 1.2, P＜0. 05 ; Group B: 7.7 ± 0.9 vs.3. 7± 1.1, P＜0. 05). Compared with trainees in group B, trainees in group A required less time and achieved a higher quality score (P＜0.05). Conclusions This new training model can help urologic surgeons to reduce learning curve of this technique and improve their suturing skills. It is an effective,convenient training model for laparoscopic urethrovesical anastomosis.

Objective To compare the efficacy,toxicitis and side-effects of Casodex and Flutamide in the hormonal therapy of advanced prostate cancer patients.Methods One hundred and thirty-six advanced prostate cancer patients were treated with with hormonal therapy.The patients were divided into 3 groups,of which 52 patients (group A) used LHRHa and Casodex as intermittent hormonal therapy;60 patients(group B) used LHRHa and Flutamide as intermittent hormonal therapy;24 patients(group C) were treated with surgical castration only.The difference of clinical symptoms,serum PSA,disease progression risk,survival rate,toxicitis and side-effects of 3 groups were compared.Results The relief rates of group A and B were 80.8% (42/52)and 81.7% (49/60) respectively,higher than 70.8% (17/24) of group C.The mean serum PSA of group A and B decreased from 133.3 ng/ml(17.9-982.8 ng/ml) to 15.8 ng/ml(0.02-28.9 ng/ml),142.6 ng/ml (20.2-1001.0 ng/ml)to 16.1 ng/ml(0.07-53.8 ng/ml),respectively,both better than that of group C,which decreased from 142.3 ng/ml (27.1-988.0 ng/ml) to 27.6 ng/ml(6.0-62.1 ng/ml).The mean chemical recurrence rates of group A and B were 34.7% (18/52) and 36.7% (22/60),respectively,lower than 58.3% (14/24) of group C.The mean chemical recurrence time of group A and B was 22(5-52)months and 22(6-65)months,respectively,longer than 11(5-54)months of group C.The mortality rates of group A and B were 26.9% (14/52) and 31.7% (19/60),respectively,lower than 66.7%(16/24) of group C.88.5% (46/52)of group A were treated continuously,while group B had 66.7% (40/60).The side-effects rate of group A was lower than group B.Conclusions Both Cadosex and Flutamide are effective for prostate cancer,and decrease the disease progression risk.Casodex is more effective and safer as for the treatment of prostate cancer compared to Flutamide.

To screening out Chinese vaccine candidate against HIV-1, Chinese vaccine strain 282E4 of fowlpox virus was used as the vector to construct the recombinant fowlpox virus (rFPV) coexpressing gp120 of Chinese HIV-1 strain and IL-18, and the recombinant virus was indentified by PCR and Western blot. The specific DNA fragment could be amplified by PCR from the genome of rFPV. Western blot analysis showed that gp120 and IL-18 could be expressed not only in chicken embryo fibroblast (CEF) cells infected by rFPV, but also in mammalian cells infected by rFPV. After the recombinant fowlpox virus was inoculated into BALB/c mice, the spleen specific CTL activities and serum antibodies in the immunized mice were detected, which demonstrated that the rFPV had good immunogenicity and could induce BALB/c mice to produce specific humoral and cellular immunity. IL-18 palyed the role of immunoadjuvant. The study lays the basis on the preparation of genetic engineering live vector vaccine against HIV-1.
AIDS Vaccines ; immunology ; Adjuvants, Immunologic ; Animals ; Antibodies, Viral ; immunology ; Fowlpox virus ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; Gene Transfer Techniques ; Genetic Vectors ; HIV Envelope Protein gp120 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology ; HIV-1 ; genetics ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunization ; Interleukin-18 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Vaccines, DNA ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo explore the access to tobacco and exam the predictors of successful tobacco purchase attempts among Chinese minors.

METHODSA simulative trial of purchasing cigarettes was participated by 201 sixth grade students to assess the prevalence of illegal cigarette sales to minors in Guangzhou. Methods of Chi-square and unconditional logistic regression were used to identify the significant predictors,with the result of tobacco purchase as the dependent variable and the characteristics of stores, retailers and minors as the independent variables.

RESULTSA total of 165 students succeeded in purchasing cigarettes but 36 failed, and the percentage of successful purchase attempts was 82. 1% . Data from univariate analysis indicated that 9 factors were significantly associated with students' success in purchasing cigarettes. They were age and height of the purchasers, types of stores, seller's gender and age, posting cigarette advertisements,showing warning signs of 'no cigarette selling to minors' ,asking buyer's age,and asking whom you buy the cigarettes for. The results of multivariable analysis showed that only three variables entering the final logistic regression: the age of students, the type of stores, and showing warning signs of 'no cigarette selling to minors'.

CONCLUSIONChinese minors have easy access to purchasing cigarettes, especially in groceries and small markets. Selling cigarettes by sellers to minors should be monitored and managed in the future.

Adolescent ; Child ; China ; Commerce ; legislation & jurisprudence ; statistics & numerical data ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Minors ; statistics & numerical data ; Smoking ; epidemiology ; legislation & jurisprudence ; Students ; statistics & numerical data

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of down-regulated miR-9 expression on ultraviolet rays (UV)-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) damage in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells.

METHODSThe NPC cells were transfected with inhibitors of miR-9 by lipofectamine to decrease the expression of miR-9, and the cells transfected with inhibitor control as the control. ROS levels following UV exposure were examined with DCF-DA method and the concentration of glutathione was analyzed via the benzoic acid method; DNA damage and apoptosis also were evaluated.

RESULTSThere was significant difference in ROS levels between miR-9 expression-inhibited cells and control cells (26 895 ± 218 vs 15 765 ± 927, t = 39.754, P < 0.001), and also there were significant differences in DNA damage rates (28.0% ± 10.0% vs 23.6% ± 9.2%) and in apoptosis rates (8.0% ± 0.9% vs 4.5% ± 0.8%) following UV exposure between two groups of cells. The miR-9 expression-inhibited cells showed lower level (1.87 ± 0.15) µmol/L of glutathione compared with the control cells (9.85 ± 0.15) µmol/L (t = -48.832, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONInhibition of miR-9 expression promoted UV-induced ROS damage in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells.

Apoptosis ; Carcinoma ; Cell Line, Tumor ; DNA Damage ; Humans ; MicroRNAs ; metabolism ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo explore the activation and proliferation of specific T cells induced by artificial antigen-presenting cells (aAPCs) simulated dendritic cells (DCs) and to observed the effect of these T cells on leukemic cell killing.

METHODSaAPCs were developed by coating a human leukocyte antigen-immunoglobulin fusion protein ( HLA-lg), which was connected each one of the four CML28 antigen epitopes (DLMSSTKGL, DLMSSTKGL, ALFCGVACA, VLTFALDSV), and CD28-specific antibody, to magnet-beads CML cell specific peptides (CML28) served as target peptides. Bone marrow (BM) or peripheral blood (PB) mononuclear cells (MNCs) were isolated from HLA-A2 healthy volunteers, and co-cultured with aAPCs. Specific T lymphocyte were detected by flow cytometry. The fresh acute leukemic cells were used as target cells. The specific T cells incubated with leukemic cells for 4 h at ratios of 5:1, 10:1, 20:1, 40:1, 80: 1, respectively. The effect of leukemic cells killing was detected by lactate dehydrogenase release test.

RESULTSThe average ratio of CML-28 specific T lymphocyte in control group was (2.2 +/- 0.4)% and in experimental groups (DLMSSTKGL, DLMSSTKGL, ALFCGVACA, VLTFALDSV) were (13.5 +/- 1.6)%, (15.2 +/- 1.5)%, (14.7 +/- 1.8)% and (34.3 +/- 3.5)%, respectively, being significantly higher than that in control group (P < 0.01). Induction efficiencies of acute leukemic cells killing were significantly enhanced by increase of effector cells. The cytotoxic activity of specific T lymphocyte in one experimental group (VLTFALDSV) was much higher than that in other three experimental group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThis "prime and expand" regimen should be an alternative method for large scale amplification of rare tumor-specific CTLs and aAPCs might be a useful tool for leukemia immunotherapy.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Antigen-Presenting Cells ; immunology ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Coculture Techniques ; Cytotoxicity, Immunologic ; Female ; Humans ; Leukemia ; immunology ; pathology ; Lymphocyte Activation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; T-Lymphocytes ; cytology ; immunology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo analyse the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of different pathogenesis type cases, severe and common cases of hand, foot and mouth disease.

METHODSDescriptive epidemic method was used to analyse the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of laboratory-confirmed cases with hand,foot and mouth disease.

RESULTSThe epidemiological characteristics 113 cases were the same as epidemic situation at the same time in Anji county. Clinical characteristics were difference in different pathogenesis type cases, severe and common cases of hand, foot and mouth disease.

CONCLUSIONPrevention and control work taken should according to the characteristics of the disease, such as early identification of severe cases, handling and controlling over the outbreaks in order to reduce the severe cases and the death.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Enterovirus ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Female ; Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease ; epidemiology ; mortality ; pathology ; virology ; Humans ; Infant ; Male

OBJECTIVETo investigate the cause of an outbreak characterized by diarrhea and vomit in a middle school in Huzhou City.

METHODSComprehensive analysis was conducted based on field epidemiological study, clinical characteristics of the cases and laboratory test.

RESULTS578 cases of acute gastroenteritis were found. The attack rate was 23.58%. The most frequently observed clinical symptoms were diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain and nausea. Some few had fever. Most cases had slight clinical symptom with a course from 1 to 3 days. The cases were distributed in every class, showing no phenomenon of clustering. Norovirus were detected in 11 out of 15 stool samples by using RT-PCR. 6 were genogroup II norovirus. 3 were genogroup I norovirus. enogroup I and II norovirus were detected at the same time in 2 stool samples (the same student with 2 tests). Case-control study showed that drinking unheated bottled water was risk factor (OR = 2.46, 95% CI = 1.19-5.23), and had a dose response relation with the disease (chi = 24.8 P < 0.01). The epidemic was controlled soon through isolating patients during treatment, providing boiled water, disinfecting and health education.

CONCLUSIONThis was an infectious diarrhea outbreak caused by norovirus. The suspected transmission ways were drinking unheated bottled water and contact daily.

Acute Disease ; epidemiology ; Adolescent ; Caliciviridae Infections ; epidemiology ; virology ; Case-Control Studies ; Disease Outbreaks ; Female ; Gastroenteritis ; epidemiology ; virology ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Norovirus ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Water Microbiology ; Water Supply ; analysis