OBJECTIVETo study whether combined detection of the methylation status of vimentin, sFRP1, and HPP1 gene can increase the positive methylation rate in colorectal cancer.

METHODSTissue samples were collected from 90 patients with colorectal cancer, 60 patients with adenomatous polyp, and 20 healthy controls. DNA was extracted and the methylation status of vimentin, sFRP1, and HPP1 gene was detected by Methylation-specific PCR (MSP). The relationship between clinicopathologic features of colorectal cancer and gene methylation was analyzed.

RESULTSThe methylation rates of vimentin, sFRP1, and HPP1 were 66.7%, 68.9%, and 72.2% in colorectal cancer, 53.3%, 55.0%, and 50.0% in colorectal adenomas, and 0, 0, and 5.0% in healthy controls, respectively. The methylation of each of the three genes in colorectal cancer tissues was higher than colorectal adenomas and healthy controls(P<0.05). The diagnostic sensitivity by combining three methylation markers was 93.3% in colorectal cancer, 76.7% in colorectal adenomas, which was higher than the sensitivity using single gene testing(P<0.05). No significant associations existed between the methylation status of the three genes and clinical characteristics including sex, age, tumor location, lymph node metastases, distant metastasis, and TNM stage(P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSDNA methylation levels of vimentin, sFRP1 and HPP1 are significantly higher in colorectal cancer tissue. Combined detection significantly improves the positive rate of methylation, and may be used as early diagnosis method for colorectal cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Proteins ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; genetics ; DNA Methylation ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics ; Vimentin ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate lyophilization of SM-SLN.

METHODThe parameters of lyophilization process was optimized. In addition, the protective effect of various types and concentrations of cryoprotectants were tested by shape, colour and disparity.

RESULTThe mixture of 2% lactose and 2% glucose could better prevent nanoparticles from aggregating, the optimal lyophilization process was followed: precooled at -45 degrees C for 10 hr; primary drying at -25 degrees C for 5 hr; secondary drying at 10 degrees C for 3 hr; finally drying at 30 degrees C for 6 hr.

CONCLUSIONChanges in particle size distribution during lyophilization could be minimized by optimizing the parameters of the lyophilization process and adding supporting agent.

Drug Carriers ; chemistry ; Freeze Drying ; methods ; Glucose ; chemistry ; Lactose ; chemistry ; Lipids ; chemistry ; Milk Thistle ; chemistry ; Nanotechnology ; Particle Size ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Silymarin ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods

Objective To explore the epidemics of influenza viruses in Guangzhou area from 1998 to 2003. Methods The specimens for viral isolation were taken with swabs from children's throats and the material was inoculated into the MDCK cells and were incubated at 33 ℃ The supernatant of MDCK cells culture was tested with hemagglutination test. Results Influenza viruses were isolated from 264 of 3444 children; total positive rate of influenza virus isolation was 7.6%. The positive rate of influenza viruses was 16.8% in 1998; the prevailing strain of influenza viruses was H3N2. The influenza viruses isolation rate was 7.4% in 1999;the positive rate was 8.4% ; HIN1 occurred in 2000, the positive rate was 3.8%. H3N2 did not occur in 2001; the positive rate was 7.3% ; influenza B viruses was the prevailing strain in 2002; the positive rate was 1.7% in 2003. Influenza B viruses was Yamagata like strain from 1998 to 2001, Victoria like strain from 2002 to 2003. H9N2 avian influenza virus was isolated from a child. Conclusions Influenza was prevalent in Guangzhou in 1998, but not prevalent from 1999 to 2003. Most of influenza B viruses were Yamagata strain. There were cases avian influenza caused by H9N2 in 1999.

To investigate the inhibitory effect of Pluronic on P-glycoprotein (P-gp) drug efflux pump, Caco-2 cells and animal models were established to study the influence of Pluronic on celiprolol transport across Caco-2 cell monolayer and intestinal mucous membrane with verapamil set as a positive control. Drug concentration was measured by HPLC and the apparent permeability coefficient (P(app)), absorption rate constant (k(a)) and the effective permeability coefficient (P(eff)) were calculated. P(app) of basolateral to apical side and apical to basolateral side was (2.10 +/- 0.13) x 10(-6) and (0.333 +/- 0.018) x 10(-6) cm x s(-1), respectively. Transports of celiprolol across Caco-2 cell monolayer were influenced by both verapamil and Pluronic. The absorption constants (k(a)) of celiprolol at duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and colon were (0.09 +/- 0.03), (0.14 +/- 0.04), (0.11 +/- 0.03) and (0.05 +/- 0.02) h(-1), k(a) of celiprolol in verapamil group were (0.14 +/- 0.03), (0.24 +/- 0.02), (0.25 +/- 0.03) and (0.23 +/- 0.02) h(-1), and k(a) of celiprolol in Pluronic group were (0.13 +/- 0.02), (0.22 +/- 0.02), (0.22 +/- 0.03) and (0.20 +/- 0.03) h(-1), respectively. Pluronic showed significant effect on inhibiting P-gp of Caco-2 cell and intestinal mucosa in rats.
ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; metabolism ; Animals ; Biological Transport ; drug effects ; Caco-2 Cells ; Celiprolol ; pharmacokinetics ; Excipients ; Humans ; Intestinal Absorption ; drug effects ; Intestinal Mucosa ; metabolism ; Jejunum ; metabolism ; Male ; Permeability ; Poloxamer ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVE: To construct a bi-cistronic co-expression plasmid for mouse interleukin-12 and to observe its expression in vitro or in vivo.METHODS: The full-length cDNA encoding p35 and p40 was cloned into eukaryotic cells expression vector pcDNA 3.1 respectively. Subsequently,the p35 expression unit was inserted into pcDNA 3.1/p40 to produce the bi-cistronic co-expression plasmid in which the p35 and p40 genes were controlled by their own CMV.The plasmid was expressed in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS: The mIL-12 in the supernatant was detected by ELISA after the pCmIL-12 was transfected into COS-7 cells. The activity of NK cells could be augmented by the supernatant in vitro and also by by intradermal delivery of pCmIL-12 in vivo. CONCLUSION: The plasmid constructed by us can express biologically active mIL-12 in vitro and in vivo.

Anemia ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Child ; Child Development ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Hemoglobins ; analysis ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Prevalence

Objective To explore whether there are gene mutations of Tolloid-like 1 ( TLL-1 ) gene in Chinese patients with sporadic congenital heart disease (CHD).Methods One hundred and fifteen patients with sporadic CHD were selected as CHD group.One hundred and two age and gender-matched healthy people were recruited as control group.After amplifying the exon 10 of the TLL-1 gene by polymerase chain reaction,the polymerase chain reaction products were purified,sequenced and analyzed in order to investigate the TLL-1 gene mutation.Results An insertion mutation of base A in the exon 10 of TLL-1 gene was identified in 7 out of 115 CHD patients,including 3 patients with atrial septal defect,2 patients with ventricular septal defect,1 patients with patent ductus arteriosus and 1 patients with complex CHD,the total mutation rate was 6.1％ in CHD group and 0 in control group ( P ＜ 0.01 ).Conclusions TLL-1 gene mutation with an insertion mutation of base A in exon 10 is often in Chinese patients with various CHD.The underlying pathogenesis between TLL-1 gene mutation and occurrence of congenital heart disease in Chinese people remains unclear and warrants further investigations.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feeding patterns of infants in Huining County, Gansu Province, an economically undeveloped county in China, so as to provide scientific evidence for nutritional intervention.

METHODSBy cluster sampling based on the area distribution and the economic state, 437 children from 7 different areas in Huining County, Gansu Province were enrolled. A questionnaire on the feeding patterns within 24 months of age was completed by the caregivers. The addition of nutrient supplements (calcium, zinc, ferri, vitamin AD, etc.) during the last year was investigated using the food frequency questionnaires.

RESULTSThe average percentages of breast feeding, mixed feeding and artificial feeding were 45.3%, 40.5% and 14.2% respectively. Delayed introduction of complementary food was the most common. Formula powder was added earliest, at age of 6.4 months. The meats were added latest, at age of 17.2 months. Only 66.8% of infants received an addition of complementary food at age of 4-6 months. Grains, vegetables, fruits and eggs were common complementary additional diets, but fishes and shrimps were seldom provided. The proportion of nutrient supplement use was low. The choice of nutrient supplements in urban districts mainly depended on the physicians' suggestions, but in rural area it depended on the caregivers' experience and media advertisements.

CONCLUSIONSThe feeding patterns for the infants are not reasonable in Huining County, Gansu Province. It is important to provide nutritional education and reasonable feeding program for caregivers from economically undeveloped areas.

Breast Feeding ; Dietary Supplements ; Feeding Behavior ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena ; Infant, Newborn ; Male

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of microsatellite instability(MSI) in Chinese sporadic coloretal cancer.

METHODSA total of 146 patients with colorectal cancer were treated surgically from August 2004 to September 2006 in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Data were collected prospectively. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed for parameters such as age, gender, tumor location, differentiation, MSI, tumor type, lymph node metastasis, TNM stage, and survival.

RESULTSFollow-up was available in 134 patients including telephone call and office visit. MSI(P=0.029), tumor type(P=0.000), TNM stage(P=0.000) were independently associated with survival on Cox regression model. There were 26 patients with MSI, and the 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 100%, 92.3%, and 92.3%, respectively. The remaining 108 patients had microsatellite stable tumor, and the 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 96.3%, 72.2%, and 63.5%, respectively. The difference was statistically significant(P=0.016).

CONCLUSIONMicrosatellite instability is an important factor associated with patient survival in Chinese sporadic colorectal cancer.

Aged ; China ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Microsatellite Instability ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Survival Rate

The treatment of difficulty and prognosis of pelvic fracture are directly related to the pelvic girdle stability. Diagnosis of pelvic fracture is mainly imaging manifestations based on biomechanics of pelvic anatomy. With the progress of biomechanics experiment technology, previousopinion has changed, such as separation of symphysis pubis 2.5 cm could not be seen as distinguishing feature of type I and II for anterior-posterior compression;displacement of sacroilliac joints less than 1 cm could cause loss of vertical stability;lateral extrusion could also cause vertical instability;part description of Young-Burgess classification is not suitable for experiment results;ligament plays an important role in restricting displacement and having proprioceptors;SPECT-CT could improve sensitivity of diagnosis, but could not evaluate stability of pelvic fractures precisely.