Immobilization of the bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens UP-3 was studied in this paper. The results showed that the immobilized cells with the mixture of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and sodium alginate (SA) as the immobilizing carrier had good biodesulfurization characteristics; The optimum operation immobilization conditions were 4℃, the total concentration of PVA and SA being 7%(wt), and the concentration of cells being 0.05 g/mL. When DBT addition was 2.7 mmol/L, the DBT degradation of immobilized cells was above 60% while that of resting cells is 13%. The optimum degradation time and temperature of immobilized cells were 5d and 28℃～32℃, respectively.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Lianggesan on the expression of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) in rats with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury and explore the possible mechanisms of the therapeutic effects.

METHODSEndotoxemia was induced in Wistar rats by intravenous injection of LPS (5 mg/kg). The rats were randomly divided into 6 groups, namely the control group, acute lung injury group (LPS group), 3 Lianggesan groups treated at different doses, and LPS+DEX treatment group. Each group, except for the control group, was further divided into 5 subgroups and examined at 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 h after LPS injection. Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression of STAT1 and p-STAT1 in the lung tissue.

RESULTSIn LPS group, the expression of STAT1 began to increase at 1 h following LPS injection, reaching the peak level at 4 h; the peak expression of p-STAT1 occurred at 2 h after LPS administration (P<0.01). Compared with LPS group, the 3 Lianggesan groups and DEX group showed significantly decreased expressions of STAT1 and p-STAT1 at 2, 4 and 8 h after LPS injection (P<0.05 or 0.01).

CONCLUSIONAbnormal expression of STAT1 occurs in the lung tissue in the event of ALI. Lianggesan can relieve LPS-induced acute lung injury in rats by decreasing the expression of STAT1 and p-STAT1.

Acute Lung Injury ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Lung ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; STAT1 Transcription Factor ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the effect of 4-hydroxytamoxifen on the expression of pituitary tumor transforming gene (PTTG) in GH3 prolactinoma cells. Methods RT-PCR and Western blotting were employed to detect the expressions of PTTG mRNA and protein in human GH3 prolaetinoma cells. Different concentrations of estradiol (E2) or 4-hydroxytamoxifen (OHTam) were addedl into the hormone-depleted medium, and the viable cell number and expression levels of PTTG mRNA and protein were measured. Results The growth of OH3 prolaetinoma cells was significantly inhibited in hormone-depleted medium. E2 at a concentration of 1×10<'-8> mol/L obviously promoted the cell growth, the effect of which was inhibited by the application of OHTam (1×10<'-6> mol/L) to cause slowed cell growth. The expressions of PTTG at both the mRNA and protein levels were detected in detected in untreated GH3 prolactinoma cells, and OHTam at the concentration of 1×10<'-6> mol/L significantly inhibited their expressions. Conclusion The growth of GH3 cells is estrogen-dependant and can be inhibited by estrogen antagonist OHTam, which also results in reduced expression of PTTG gene in the cells.

Objective To evaluate the clinical effects of CT guided percutaneous aspiration and sclerotherapy in treatment of hepatic cysts.Methods Sixty three patients with single(n=41)and muttiple(n= 22)hepatic cysts were undertaken CT guided pereutaneous aspiration and sclerotherapy with injection of absolute alcohol.Results Sixty three patients underwent follow-up for 3-15 months after the operation showing effective indexes as grade 0 for 4(6.39%),gradeⅠfor 8(12.69%),gradeⅡfor 23(36.51%)and gradeⅢfor 28(44.44%)cases.The total effective rate reached 93.61%.No serious complications occurred. Conclusion Sclerosing therapy with absolute alcohol is safe,economic,simple and effective for treating hepatic cysts.(J Intervent Radiol,2007,16:850-852)

OBJECTIVETo clarify the clinicopathologic significance of the expression of the Bcl-2 protein (pBcl-2) and the Bax protein (pBax), and their clinical implications in Chinese and Japanese patients with human invasive ductal carcinomas (IDCs) of the pancreas.

METHODSThe study included 59 Chinese and 65 Japanese patients with IDCs of the pancreas. pBcl-2 and pBax expression were immuno-stained with streptavidin-biotin (SAB) method.

RESULTSpBcl-2 (+) was seen in 35.6% of Chinese and in 23.1% of Japanese patients. pBax (+) was seen in 49.2% of Chinese and 64.7% of Japanese patients. A comparison between them showed that there were significant differences in the male patients, in the patients with the moderately differentiated cancer, and in the elderly patients (chi squared = 4.447, P = 0.035; chi squared = 4.114, P = 0.043; chi squared = 6.657, P = 0.010 respective). In both Chinese and Japanese patients, those with pBcl-2 positive expression had a significantly higher survival rate than those with negative one (chi squared = 9.99, P = 0.0016; chi squared = 7.63, P = 0.0058). The group with pBax positive expression had a significantly higher survival rate in Japanese patients (chi squared = 9.37, P = 0.0022). Japanese patients whose tumors exhibited pBcl-2 and pBax positive immunostaining survived significantly longer than Chinese patients did (chi squared = 4.48, P = 0.0342; chi squared = 5.23, P = 0.023).

CONCLUSIONSThe expressions of both pBcl-2 and pBax are high found in Chinese and Japanese patients. The pBcl-2 positive expression implies a better prognosis in both Chinese and Japanese patients with IDCs of the pancreas. The effect of pBax expression on prognosis is different between Chinese and Japanese patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal ; metabolism ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Japan ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; ethnology ; metabolism ; Prognosis ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; biosynthesis ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; biosynthesis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the efficiency of a peptide nucleic acid (PNA) delivery system by using liposome via PNA-DNA hybrids and to test the inhibitive action of antisense PNA on expression of multidrug resistance (MDR) related P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in human neuroblastoma cell line SK-N-SH.

METHODSTwo antisense PNAs were designed targeting at MDR-1 mRNA and then combined with partially complement DNAs respectively. The hybrids were delivered into cells using cationic liposome. The transfection efficiency, expression of P-gp and MDR-1 mRNA, intracellular adarimycin (ADM) were measured by flow cytometry, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

RESULTSTransfection of PNA increased the cell average fluorescence intensity significantly and the extent of increase was dependent on the concentration of PNA. After being transfected by both PNAs, P-gp expression of SK-N-SH cells decreased significantly and the intracellular ADM level was increased by about 3 times. The level of MDR-1 mRNA expression slightly decreased after transfection, but no statistical significance was observed.

CONCLUSIONSPNA can be delivered into tumor cells in form of PNA-DNA hybrids by cationic liposome. Properly designed antisense PNA can inhibit MDR related P-gp expression of SK-N-SH cells efficiently and specifically.

ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Animals ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; genetics ; Humans ; Nervous System Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Neuroblastoma ; metabolism ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense ; pharmacology ; Peptide Nucleic Acids ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transfection ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

OBJECTIVETo establish a drug-resistance cell line of human glioma mediated by MGMT.

METHODSSimulated the clinical usage of BCNU to establish a BCNU-resistant human glioma subline by cyclic exposing the U251 parent cells to a constant concentration of BCNU. The resistance index and the expression of MGMT mRNA of U251/BCNU were detected and compared the difference of in vitro proliferation between U251 and U251/BCNU.

RESULTSA subline--U251/BCNU was successfully established in about 4-month culture, which had a stable resistance to BCNU. U251/BCNU cells showed 17-fold higher resistance to BCNU than did U251 cells by MTT assay, while U251/BCNU cells expressed MGMT mRNA. The doubling time of U251 and U251/BCNU had no statistical difference.

CONCLUSIONA drug-resistance cell line of human glioma mediated by MGMT is established, which could provide experimental basis for further studies on the resistance mechanism and reversal methods of glioma chemotherapy.

ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; biosynthesis ; Brain Neoplasms ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; DNA Modification Methylases ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; genetics ; Glioma ; pathology ; Humans ; O(6)-Methylguanine-DNA Methyltransferase ; metabolism ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo explore the association of Parkinson's disease (PD) with cigarette smoking.

METHODSOne hundred of fourteen PD patients were compared with 205 control subjects who were matched by gender, race and residency. A previously validated questionnaire including smoking, alcohol/tea consumption as well as some other environmental exposure data was administered.

RESULTSWith never-smokers as the reference category, we observed reduced risk for PD among ever smokers (OR=0.49, 95% CI: 0.30 to 0.79) current smokers (OR=0.44, 95% CI: 0.23 to 0.86) and ex-smokers (OR=0.54, 95% CI: 0.30 to 0.96). When ever smokers were stratified by years of smoking, there was an inverse correlation between those whose smoking history was longer than 20 years (OR=0.40 95% CI: 0.21 to 0.81) and an even mild protective correlation between those who smoked less than 20 years (OR=0.57, 95% CI: 0.33 to 0.99). Those who had quitted smoking for more than 20 years were less likely to have the disease than never smokers, and those who had quitted for less than 20 years were least likely to have PD, while those who were current smokers were still least likely to have the disease. We found significant inverse gradient with pack-day smoking (trend P<0.05), and the inverse correlation between cigarette smoking and PD was not confounded by alcohol/tea consumption and other confounding bias.

CONCLUSIONSThe inverse correlation between Parkinson's disease risk and smoking as well as the trend of gradient dose response is again observed in our study. More future researches are needed to confirm these correlations and to explore further biochemical evidence.

Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Odds Ratio ; Parkinson Disease ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Risk Factors ; Smoking ; adverse effects

OBJECTIVETo observe monocyte (Mo) development in wild type C57BL/6 mice and apoE gene knockout (apoE(-/-)) mice, and to evaluate the immuno-regulatory effect of Huanglian Jiedu Decoction (HJD) on peripheral Mo development in apoE(-/-) mice.

METHODSFour, 8, 12, and 16 weeks old female C57BL/6 mice were set up as control groups of different ages, while 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks old female apoE(-/-) mice were set up as hyperlipidemia groups of different ages. Four-week old female C57BL/6 mice were recruited as a blank group. Four-week old female apoE(-/-) mice were randomly divided into the control group, the Western medicine group, and the Chinese medicine group by paired comparison, 5 in each group. Equivalent clinical dose was administered to mice according to body weight. Mice in the Western medicine group were administered with Atrovastatin at the daily dose of 10 mg/kg by gastrogavage, while those in the Chinese medicine group were administered with HJD at the daily dose of 5 g/kg by gastrogavage. Body weight was detected each week. After 4 weeks blood lipids levels (such as TG, TC, LDL-C, and HDL-C), and the proportions of Mo and Ly6c(hi) were detected.

RESULTSCompared with 4-week-old homogenic mice, the proportion of Mo decreased in 16-week-old C57BL/6 mice (P < 0.05). Levels of TC and TG, and the proportion of Ly6c(hi) subtype increased, but the proportion of Mo de- creased in 8-week-old apoE(-/-) mice (P <0. 05). Levels of TC, TG, and LDL-C increased in 12-week-old apoE(-/-) mice (P < 0.05). Levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, and HDL-C increased in 16-week-old apoE(-/-) mice (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with 8-week-old homogenic mice, the proportion of Mo decreased in 16-week-old C57BL/6 mice (P < 0.05); levels of TC and LDL-C increased in 12-week-old apoE(-/-) mice (P < 0.05); levels of TC and HDL-C increased in 16-week-old apoE(-/-) mice (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with C57BL/6 mice of the same age, TC and TG increased, HDL-C decreased (P < 0.01) in 4-and 8-week-old apoE(-/-) mice (P < 0.01); levels of TC, TG, LDL-C increased, and HDL-C level decreased in 12- and 16-week-old apoE(-/-) mice (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); the proportion of Mo increased in 4-week-old apoE(-/-) mice (P < 0.05); proportions of Mo and Ly6c(hi) increased in 8-week-old apoE(-/-) mice (P < 0.05). Compared with the blank control group, levels of TC, TG, and LDL-C, proportions of Mo and Ly6c(hi) increased (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), but HDL-C level decreased (P <0. 01) in the control group after intervention. Compared with the control group, body weight gained less in the Western medicine group and the Chinese medicine group (P < 0.05); the proportion of Ly6c(hi) subtype decreased in the Chinese medicine group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSIn development process blood lipids levels in apoE(-/-) mice are not only associated with age. Blood lipids levels induced growth changes in natural immune system are also correlated with age. In early stage of lipids development HJD intervention could correct this special immune disorder in apoE(-/-) mice.

Animals ; Apolipoproteins E ; genetics ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Gene Knockout Techniques ; Hyperlipidemias ; Lipids ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Knockout ; Monocytes ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo analysis the risk factors of pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD).

METHODSA retrospective clinical study had been done in 97 patients who underwent PD between June 2001 and June 2006. The two groups were first compared by the univariate analysis;logistic regression was then used to determine the effect of multiple factors on pancreatic fistula. A P-value of less than 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

RESULTSOf the 97 patients, 13 patients were identified as having pancreatic fistula. Factors significantly increasing the risk of pancreatic fistula by univariate analysis included preoperative serum total bilirubin (P = 0.038), operative time (P = 0.003) and whether or not Braun anastomosis (P = 0.034), and prophylactic use of somatostatin (P = 0.003) after operation. A multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed the factors most highly associated with pancreatic fistula to be preoperative serum total bilirubin (OR = 11.687, P = 0.021) and postoperative prophylactic use of somatostatin (OR = 0.056, P = 0.020).

CONCLUSIONSPreoperative serum total bilirubin more than 170 mmol/L was a risk factor of pancreatic fistula after PD, and postoperative prophylactic use of somatostatin was a protect factor of pancreatic fistula after PD.

Adult ; Aged ; Bilirubin ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreatic Fistula ; etiology ; Pancreaticoduodenectomy ; adverse effects ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Somatostatin ; therapeutic use ; Young Adult