Adult ; Aged ; Cystostomy ; Drainage ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pneumothorax ; complications ; therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Silicosis ; complications ; therapy

Objective To optimize the short tandem repeats(STR)which link closely to survival motor neuron(SMN)and have redundant polymorphism information contents,and to use these STR in the prenatal diagnosis of spinal muscular atrophy(SMA).Methods Eleven STR loci(D5S435,D5F153, DSF151,D5S637,D5S1413,D5S125,D5S464,D5S1556,DSF149,D5S351,MAP1B-5')were amplified by PCR.Then the PCR products were detected by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis(PAGE)and analyzed by silver staining.STR loci were evaluated and optimized by their PIC values.PCR-PAGE and gene scan were combined to make genetic link analysis for SMA families based on the optimized STR.Results Three STR loci(D5S435,DSF149 and D5S351)were selected with 8,19 and 18 polymorphic fragments detected respectively in 100 normal individuals.Their PIC values were 0.84,0.91 and 0.92 respectively.Four carriers and 2 normal individuals were detected from 6 SMA families with linkage analysis by using the 3 STR.Conclusion This genetic diagnosis system based on the 3 STR loci can provide rapid prenatal diagnosis for SMA families,can eliminate maternal blood contamination,and also can discriminate carriers from normal individuals in the fetuses,which makes the prenatal diagnosis system of SMA perfect.

This study was to investigate the chemical constituents of the aerial part of Zygophyllumfabago, by phytochemical methods. The compounds were isolated by silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatographies from the EtOAc extract. Their structures were characterized by various spectroscopic data (1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, MS) and comparison with the literature. As a result, thirteen compounds were isolated and their structures were identified as 1-hydroxyhinesol(1), hinesol(2), atractylenolactam(3), beta-eudesmol (4), 5alpha-hydroperoxy-beta-eudesmol(5), 12-hydroxy-valenc-1(10)-en-2-one(6), pubinernoid A(7), (6S,7E)-6-hydroxy-4,7-megastigmadien-3,9-dione(8), 3-hydroxy-5alpha, 6alpha-epoxy-beta-ionone (9), (3S,5R, 6S, 7E)-3, 5, 6-trihydroxy-7-megastigmen-9-one(10), (6R,7E,9R)-9-hydroxy-4,7-megastigmadien-3-one(11), (S)-3-hydroxy-beta-ionone(12), and blumenol A(13). Compounds 1-7 were sesquiterpenoids and 8-13 were megastigmane type norsesquiterpenoids. All the compounds were obtained from Z. fabago for the first time, and compound 1 was a new natural product.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Structure ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization ; Terpenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Zygophyllum ; chemistry

Information of metabolic enzymes and transporters, physiological parameters of animals and demography of Chinese people were integrated to establish a digital liver model (DLM) based on metabolism and transporter and coded with VBA. Clearance and drug-drug interaction (DDI) of candidate drugs in animal and human could be predicted based on the pharmacokinetic data obtained from in vitro and in vivo experiments. Pravastatin and pitavastatin were selected as the samples to examine this model, where their clearance and their DDI with cyclosporine were predicted. The results showed that the predicted values of median parameters in same species were within twofold of observed values for 83.3% (5/6). The program's successful prediction in DDI tendency might indicate its application in optimizing the dosage regimen and reducing the risk of clinical trial.
Animals ; Area Under Curve ; Biological Transport ; Computer Simulation ; Cyclosporine ; pharmacokinetics ; Drug Interactions ; Humans ; Liver ; metabolism ; Metabolic Clearance Rate ; Models, Biological ; Pravastatin ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Quinolines ; blood ; pharmacokinetics

OBJECTIVETo assess DNA repair capacity of human lymphocytes with comet assay.

METHODSFresh lymphocytes form twelve 26-year old donors (6 males, 6 females) were exposed to ultraviolet C (UVC, 254 nm) at the dose rate of 1.5 J/m(2). The lymphocytes of each donor were divided into three parts: UVC group, UVC + aphidicolin (APC) group, UVC + novobiocin (NOV) group. DNA single strand breaks were detected with comet assay in UVC-irradiated cells and unirradiated cells incubated for 30, 60, 90, 120, 180 and 240 min. DNA repair rate (DRR) was calculated and served as an indicator of DNA repair capacity.

RESULTSThe maximum average comet tail length (MTL) in three groups appeared 90 min after UVC exposure. The DRR range of UVC group was 81.84% (62.84% - 98.71%); There was no significant difference in DRR between males and females (P > 0.05). However, the average DRRs of UVC + NOV group and UVC + APC group (52.98% and 39.57% respectively) were significantly lower than that of UVC group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONComet assay is a rapid and simple screening test to assess DNA repair capacity. DRR, as an indicator, may express the individual DNA repair capacity.

Aphidicolin ; pharmacology ; Comet Assay ; methods ; DNA ; drug effects ; genetics ; radiation effects ; DNA Repair ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; Male ; Novobiocin ; pharmacology ; Ultraviolet Rays

The aim of this study was to analyze the promoter methylation patterns of inhibitory killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) which gene expression and the effect of demethylation treatment were studied, and to explore the possible regulation mechanism of inhibitory kir gene expression. The promoter methylation levels of kir2DL1 and kir2DL2/kir2DL3 in NK-92MI cell line were detected by bisulfite sequencing technique. Then NK-92MI cells were treated with 5-azacytidine to induce the demethylation of CpG islands. The levels of gene expression of kir were determined by RT-PCR. The results demonstrated that the methylation frequencies of CpG dinucleotides surrounding the promoter regions of kir2DL1 and kir2DL2/kir2DL3 genes were 25% to 88% and 5% to 80% respectively. DNA-demethylating treatment with 5-azacytidine resulted in re-expression of kir2DL1 gene and increased expressions of kir2DL1, kir2DL2 and kir2DL3 genes in NK-92MI cells. In conclusion, the promoter DNA methylation participates in the regulation of kir gene expression in NK-92MI cells.
Cell Line ; DNA Methylation ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Killer Cells, Natural ; metabolism ; Receptors, KIR2DL1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptors, KIR2DL2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptors, KIR2DL3 ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo provide some possible theoretical and experimental basis for the modern biomedical mechanism of "receiving stimulation, preventing and treating diseases", by exploring the effects of pressure signal's biological transformation of rat "Zusanli" (ST 36) fascia tissue fibroblasts under mechanical stimulation.

METHODSPressure was given on rat "Zusanli" (ST 36) and its adjacent area's fascia tissue cells cultured in vitro and identified by morphology. The contents of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in culture medium were detected.

RESULTSThe fascia tissue cells in "Zusanli" and its adjacent area are almost consisted of fibroblasts. The pressure stimulation significantly accelerated the synthesis and release of PGE2 and IL-6.

CONCLUSIONAcupoint and non-acupoint fibroblasts can directly receive mechanical stimulation, and then the mechanical signals were transformed as biological ones.

Acupressure ; Acupuncture Points ; Animals ; Dinoprostone ; secretion ; Fascia ; cytology ; Fibroblasts ; secretion ; Interleukin-6 ; secretion ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo compare the effect of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) with radiofrequency ablation alone for the treatment of 3 - 5 cm hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODSFrom January 2006 to March 2010, sixty-two HCC patients were randomly treated with RFA combined with TACE (n = 32) or RFA alone (n = 30). This group included the patients who had Child-Pugh class A or B with three or fewer tumors, in which just one tumor size was 3 - 5 cm in diameter, and no evidence of extrahepatic tumor metastasis or macrovascular invasion. The follow up ranged from 9 to 39 months. Survival probabilities were estimated with the Kaplan-Meier method, and differences between survival curves were evaluated with the Log rank test.

RESULTSAt the end of the study, the 1-, 2- and 3-year overall survival rates in the combined treatment group were 90.6%, 72%, and 53.1%, respectively, and in the radiofrequency ablation alone group were 83.3%, 56.75%, and 23.3%, respectively. The differences between the survival curves of the two groups were not statistically significant (P = 0.176). The 1-, 2-, and 3-year progress-free survival rates in the combined treatment group were 75.0%, 50.0%, and 34.3%, respectively, and in the radiofrequency ablation alone group were 63.3%, 33.3%, and 16.7%, respectively. The differences between the two groups were statistically significant (P = 0.027). The 1-, 2-, and 3-year local tumor progression rates in the combined treatment group were 12.5%, 18.75%, and 18.75% vs. 16.7%, 30%, and 36.6% in the radiofrequency ablation alone group, with a significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.047).

CONCLUSIONRadiofrequency ablation plus TACE is better than radiofrequency ablation alone for the treatment of 3 - 5 cm hepatocellular carcinoma.

Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; pathology ; therapy ; Catheter Ablation ; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Disease-Free Survival ; Epirubicin ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Fluorouracil ; administration & dosage ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Survival Rate ; Tumor Burden

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of angelicanaphtha on proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, and collagen synthesis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC).

METHODSHUVEC was cultured and passaged in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) and treated with angelicanaphtha 1 mg/ L, 4 mg/L, and 16 mg/L at 1, 3, 5, and 7 day respectively. The proliferation was measured with MTT method. The cell cycle and apoptosis were analyzed with flow cytometry and collagen synthesis was determined with radioimmunoassay.

RESULTSThe proliferation of the HUVEC was accelerated by angelicanaphtha < or =4 mg/L and inhibited by angelicanaphtha at 16 mg/L (P < 0.05). Lower concentration (< or = 4 mg/L) of Angelicanaphtha decreased cells in G0/G1 phase and increased significantly cells in S phase and inhibited the apoptosis (P < 0.05). However, angelicanaphtha at 16 mg/L increased cells in G0/G1 phase and decreased cells in S phase and induced the apoptosis (P < 0.05). The collagen synthesis of HUVEC was inhibited by angelicanaphtha in concentration-dependent manner (P < 0.05 or 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe proliferation effects of angelicanaphtha on HUVEC had dualistic regulation of increase by lower-concentration and inhibition by higher-concentration. Collagen synthesis of HUVEC was inhibited by angelicanaphtha in concentration-dependent manner.

Angelica sinensis ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Collagen Type III ; biosynthesis ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Oils, Volatile ; pharmacology ; Umbilical Veins ; cytology

OBJECTIVEAlkaline comet assay was used to evaluate DNA repair (nucleotide excision repair, NER) capacity of human fresh lymphocytes from 12 young healthy non-smokers (6 males and 6 females).

METHODSLymphocytes were exposed to UV-C (254 nm) at the dose rate of 1.5 J/m2/sec. Novobiocin (NOV) and aphidicolin (APC), DNA repair inhibitors, were utilized to imitate the deficiency of DNA repair capacity at the incision and ligation steps of NER. Lymphocytes from each donor were divided into three grougs: UVC group, UVC plus NOV group, and UVC plus APC group. DNA single strand breaks were detected in UVC irradiated cells incubated for 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, and 240 min after UVC irradiation. DNA repair rate (DRR) served as an indicator of DNA repair capacity.

RESULTSThe results indicated that the maximum DNA damage (i.e. maximum tail length) in the UVC group mainly appeared at 90 min. The ranges of DRRs in the UVC group were 62.84%-98.71%. Average DRR value was 81.84%. The DRR difference between males and females was not significant (P < 0.05). However, the average DRR value in the UVC plus NOV group and the UVC plus APC group was 52.98% and 39.57% respectively, which were significantly lower than that in the UVC group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe comet assay is a rapid, simple and sensitive screening test to assess individual DNA repair (NER) capacity. It is suggested that the time to detect DNA single strand breaks in comet assay should include 0 (before UV irradiation), 90 and 240 min after exposure to 1.5 J x m(-2) UVC at least. The DRR, as an indicator, can represent the individual DNA repair capacity in comet assay.

Adult ; Aphidicolin ; pharmacology ; Comet Assay ; methods ; DNA Damage ; drug effects ; radiation effects ; DNA Repair ; drug effects ; genetics ; radiation effects ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; Male ; Novobiocin ; pharmacology ; Risk Assessment ; Time Factors ; Ultraviolet Rays ; adverse effects