Hospitals ; statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Population Surveillance ; Quality Control ; Wounds and Injuries ; epidemiology

The envelope gene of ADOL-4817 strain of avian leukosis viru s subgroup J (ALV-J) was amplified by polymerase chain reaction （PCR） and clo ned into TA vector. The sequence analysis results showed that the envelope gene is composed of 1?746 bp, 1?554 bp of which could be translated into 517 amino acids for gp85 and gp37. The molecular weight of envelope protein is 57.7kD. T here are 15 potential glycosylation sites in the envelope protein, 13 of which i s located in gp85. Analysis of sequences of envelope gene indicate that ADOL -4817 showed high degree of sequence identity to other ALV-J strains, and m ost close ly related to the like-envelope gene of endogenous virus EAV-HP but divergent from these of other ALV subgroup A-E . These data support the hypothesis that envelope gene of avian leukosis virus subgroup J maybe acquired by recombination with expressed sequences.

Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical significance of serum vascular endothelial growth factor(S-VEGF)in patients of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma with the end-point of progress-free survival rate.Methods Sera from 89 patients with esophageal squamous carcinoma,who presented and treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy or surgical resection in Cancer Center d Sun Yat-Sen University from December 2002 to May 2004,were sampled at the time of pre-treatment.30 cases of health individuals without any evidence of disease were selected as control group.For patients with surgical resection were performed with esophagectomy and extended lymphadenectomy.For patients with concurrent chemoradiotherapy comprised of cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil.The radiotherapy dose of 2 Gy per day was initiated on Day 1 of chemotherapy and continued daily for 5 days per week for 6 weeks,for a total close of 60 Gy.Two courses of chemotherapy were given during radiotherapy at 6-week intervals.The serum vascular endothelial growth factor(S- VEGF)levels were measured with a solid phase enzyme Human VEGF Immunoassay ELISA kit.The end point of this study was progress-free survival,and time was calculated from the date of diagnosis to date of relapse or last follow evaluation.Results S-VEGF level of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma was significantly higher than that of heahhy controls(475.93?44.76 pg/ml vs.294.20?23.40 pg/ml;P=0.020).S-VEGF levels in patients with StageⅢand StageⅣdisease were significantly higher than those in patients with Stage I and StageⅡdisease.The 1-year progress-free survival rate d high S-VEGF group(≥475 pg/ml)was significantly lower than that of the low S-VEGF group(＜475 pg/ml)(24% vs.66%;P=0.0004).The 1-year progress-free survival rate of the patients with StageⅠand StageⅡdisease was significantly higher than that of patients with StageⅢand StageⅣdisease(71% vs.29%;P=0.0015).The variables were assessed by multivariate analysis using the Cox proportional hazards model,and the results revealed that the clinical stage and the S-VEGF were first and second independent prognosis factor,respectively.Conclusions In the current study,a high S-VEGF was found to be associated with tumor progression,poor treatment response,and poor survival in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus.

OBJECTIVETo study features of brain gray matter injury in cerebral infarction patients and intervention of scalp acupuncture by using voxel-based morphology.

METHODSA total of 16 cerebral infarction patients were recruited in this study, and assigned to the scalp acupuncture group and the control group, 8 in each group. Another 16 healthy volunteers were recruited as a normal group. All patients received scanning of T1 structure. Images were managed using VBM8 Software package. Difference of the gray matter structure was compared among the scalp acupuncture group, the control group, and the healthy volunteers.

RESULTSCompared with healthy volunteers, gray matter injury of cerebral infarction patients mainly occurred in 14 brain regions such as cingulate gyrus, precuneus, cuneus, anterior central gyrus, insular lobe, and so on. They were mainly distributed in affected side. Two weeks after treatment when compared with healthy volunteers, gray matter injury of cerebral infarction patients in the scalp acupuncture group still existed in 8 brain regions such as bilateral lingual gyrus, posterior cingulate gyrus, left cuneus, right precuneus, and so on. New gray matter injury occurred in lingual gyrus and posterior cingulate gyrus. Two weeks after treatment when compared with healthy volunteers, gray matter injury of cerebral infarction patients in the control group existed in 23 brain regions: bilateral anterior cingulum, caudate nucleus, cuneate lobe, insular lobe, inferior frontal gyrus, medial frontal gyrus, precuneus, paracentral lobule, superior temporal gyrus, middle temporal gyrus, lingual gyrus, right postcentral gyrus, posterior cingulate gyrus, precentral gyrus, middle frontal gyrus, and so on. New gray matter injury still existed in 9 cerebral regions such as lingual gyrus, posterior cingulate gyrus, postcentral gyrus, and so on.

CONCLUSIONSBrain gray matter structure is widely injured after cerebral infarction. Brain gray matter volume gradually decreased as time went by. Combined use of scalp acupuncture might inhibit the progression of gray matter injury more effectively.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Brain ; physiopathology ; Brain Injuries ; therapy ; Cerebral Infarction ; therapy ; Gray Matter ; pathology ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Scalp ; Stroke ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between the geo-authentic and geologic background system (GBS) and physicochemical properties of soil for the cultivation of Panax notoginseng.

METHODThe physicochemical properties of soil were analyzed, the geologic background system between producing areas of Yunnan and Guanxi of P. notogiseng was compared.

RESULTThe distribution of P. notoginseng was restricted by GBS, The yellow-red soil of fragmentary rock mixed with carbonate seems to be most suitable for the growth.

CONCLUSIONThe most suitable soil for growing P. notoginseng is the neutral or weakly acidic soil with loam clay, particularly that with low base saturation percentage.

China ; Ecosystem ; Geologic Sediments ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Panax ; anatomy & histology ; growth & development ; Pharmacognosy ; Plants, Medicinal ; anatomy & histology ; growth & development ; Quality Control ; Soil

The real sanghuang is a new species belonging to the Inonotus, which is commonly used for cancer treatment and human immune system improvement. This review summarized the progress on the studies of Phellinus Quel in recent years, including its taxonomy status, bioactive components, pharmacodynamics, separation and purification technologies. In addition, some related problems and perspectives were also discussed.
Animals ; Basidiomycota ; chemistry ; classification ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods

Objective:To defermine the optimal harvest time for P. notoginseng through studying the changes of saponin contents with growth periods.Methods: P.notoginseng samples were collected from the experiment al plot regularly, and then the contents of total saponin and some main single saponins were analyzed by HPLC. Results:Total saponin contents decreased from April through July, and increased from August through December. Conclusion:The optimal harvest time is determined as from October through December, which corresponds to the traditional harvest time.

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of PRCB1a (one component of polysaccharides from Radix Cynanchi Bungei) on transformation of T lymphocytes of rabbit in vitro and immune function in mice.

METHODThree doses of PRCB1a (2,4,6 g x L(-1)) were respectively put in bottle with PHA and blood of rabbit. The effect of PRCB1a on immunity in vitro was studied by observing transformation of T lymphocytes; The dosage of PRCB1a (50,100,150 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) was given orally for seven days. The effects on immune function were investigated in mice.

RESULTThree doses of PRCB1a could significantly promote (P < 0.01) the ability of T lymphocytes proliferation; PRCB1a could improve the mouse thymus and spleen index, the celiac macrophage ability of engulfing CRBC, the delayed type hypersensitivity ability and the macrophage engulfing carbon granula ability.

CONCLUSIONThe results indicate PRCB1a can enhance nonspectific and specific cellular immune function.

Adjuvants, Immunologic ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Cynanchum ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Female ; Lymphocyte Activation ; drug effects ; Male ; Mice ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Polysaccharides ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Rabbits ; Random Allocation ; T-Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo observe central immediate effect of acupuncture at Yanglingquan (GB 34) on passive movement of cerebral infarction paitents with hemiplegia by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and provide reference for clinical treatment.

METHODSWith 1. 5 T MRI scanner, six cases of right cerebral infarction paitents with left hemiplegia in recovery stage were scanned during passive fingers movement before and after acupuncture at Yanglingquan (GB 34), which was controlled with sham-acupoint acupuncture to observe immediate activated part of the corresponding brain.

RESULTSThe activated areas of the passive movement in all the patients were mainly motor sensory cortex on the right side. Compared with sham-acupoint, in the left anterior insula, in ferior frontal gyrus, central gyrus, fusiform gyrus, cerebellum, acupuncture at Yanglingquan (GB 34) has better central effect. These areas were involved with several brain networks.

CONCLUSIONThe acupuncture at Yan glingquan (GB 34) could promote recover of helmiplegia by regulating motor-related network.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Brain ; diagnostic imaging ; Cerebral Infarction ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Movement ; Radiography ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDNumerous studies have shown that reducing the level of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) through the use of anti-TNF antibodies or soluble TNF receptor is a safe and efficacious treatment to inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore, novel approaches to achieve this outcome are desired. The aim of this study was to investigate the characterization of a small molecule inhibitor, Y316, which blocks TNF mRNA upregulation and TNF production by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) stimulated monocytes.

METHODSPeripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from healthy volunteers were plated in 24-well plates and stimulated with LPS (1 µg/ml), phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) (100 ng/ml), zymosan (10 µg/ml) and Tsst (100 ng/ml). Supernatants were collected after 4-hour culture at 37°C, and quantitative determination of TNFα, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and IL-2 production in the supernatants was performed by colorimetric enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Total RNA of PBMC was isolated and cytokine mRNA quantitation was performed by using a RNA level measuring kit (R & D Systems). PBMC were pretreated with Y316 (10 µmol/L, 1 µmol/L, 0.1 µmol/L, 0.01 µol/L and 0.001 µmol/L) or dimethyl sulfoxide at 37°C for 10 minutes, and then stimulated with LPS or PMA, protein concentrations of p44.42, IKBα, P38 and Jun NH2-terminal kinase were determined by Western blotting. Cyclic adenosine-3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) of PBMC was measured by enzyme immunoassay kit (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech).

RESULTSY316 blocked TNF production and inhibited the upregulation of TNF mRNA levels in response to LPS, and also prevented the production of IL-1 and IL-6. In contrast, Y316 augmented the production of IL-10 in LPS-stimulated monocytes. Y316 failed to prevent the production of IL-2 and TNF in antigen-stimulated T cells, suggesting that its effects may be cell-type specific. Y316 prevented the phosphorylation and activation of the MAPK, ERK, and therefore appeared to mediate its effects on TNF by acting at an early point in the signaling cascade induced in response to LPS. There was no effect of Y316 on cAMP levels either alone or in the presence of LPS.

CONCLUSIONSY316 appears to be a small molecule inhibiting TNF production, which may act via a novel mechanism. Identification of the target of Y316 may lead to the development of alternative strategies for achieving selective cytokine inhibition.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; pharmacology ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases ; metabolism ; Humans ; Interleukin-1 ; antagonists & inhibitors ; biosynthesis ; Interleukin-6 ; antagonists & inhibitors ; biosynthesis ; Lipopolysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Monocytes ; drug effects ; immunology ; Phosphorylation ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; antagonists & inhibitors ; biosynthesis