OBJECTIVETo observe the functional changes of dendritic cells (DCs) after infection by recombinant retrovirus carrying human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) gene fragment.

METHODSInterleukin-12 (IL-12) levels in DC culture supernatant was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The abilities of DCs infected with recombinant retrovirus carrying hTERT gene (hTERT-DCs) and non-infected DCs (N-DCs) to stimulate allogeneic lymphocyte proliferation were evaluated with mixed leukocytes reaction (MLR), and the surface markers of DCs including CD80, CD83, CD86 and HLA-DR were detected by flow cytometry. Cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) assay was performed with CytoTox 96 non-radioactive cytoxicity assay.

RESULTSCompared with N-DCs, hTERT-DCs showed no significant changes in IL-12 secretion and capacity to stimulate allogeneic lymphocytes reaction, but had significantly lower CD83 expression. Specific CTLs induced by hTERT-DCs resulted in higher cytotoxicity against telomerase-positive target cells than that against the negative target cells.

CONCLUSIONInfection with the recombinant retrovirus carrying hTERT fragment may jeopardize the maturation of DCs, which, however, still retain their capacity to activate and stimulate lymphocyte proliferation and to prime autologous T lymphocytes to generate specific CTL against hTERT.

Cells, Cultured ; Dendritic Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; virology ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Interleukin-12 ; biosynthesis ; Recombination, Genetic ; Retroviridae ; genetics ; metabolism ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic ; immunology ; Telomerase ; biosynthesis ; genetics

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of do-cetaxel in the treatment of advanced gastric cancer .Methods Eighty-five patients with advanced gastric cancer were randomly divided into control group (n=42) and treatment group (n=43).Control group was given irinotecan hydrochloride 60 mg? m-2 , day 1 +60 mg? m-2 cisplatin, intravenous infusion, day 1.Treatment group was given 40 mg? m-2 docetaxel , intravenous infusion , day 1.Two groups were trea-ted for 4 courses with 7 d per course.The total effective rate , levels of carcinoembryonic antigen ( CEA ) and carbohydrate antigen 199 ( CA199 ) , incidence of adverse drug reactions were compared between two groups.Results After treatment, the total effective rate in treatment group was 93.02%(40/43), which was significantly higher than that in control group [69.05%(29/42), P <0.05] .After treatment, the serum levels of CEA were ( 37.61 ±5.87 ) , ( 59.73 ±6.97 )μg? L-1 and CA199 were ( 49.25 ±6.83 ) , ( 98.23 ±14.63 ) U? L-1 in the treatment and control group .And those indexes after treatment in treat-ment group were significantly lower than those in control group (P<0.05).The adverse drug reactions were based on gastrointestinal reactions and bone marrow suppression for two groups .Also, the inci-dence of adverse drug reactions was not statistically significant in the two groups ( 9.30% vs 16.67%, P >0.05 ) .Conclusion Docetaxel has a definitive clinical efficacy for the treatment of advanced gastric cancer , which was better than irinotecan hydrochloride combined with cisplatin , without increasing the incidence of adverse drug reactions .

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of thymosin α1 injection combined with entecavir capsules in the treatment of cirrhosis with decompensated liver function.Methods Eighty patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) e antigen (HBeAg) positive patients with decompensated liver function were randomly divided into control group (n =40 cases) and treatment group (n =40 cases).Control group was received oral entecavir 0.5 mg qd.Treatment group was given subcutaneous injection of thymosin α1 1.6 mg biw,on the basis of control group.Two groups were treated for 24 weeks.The clinical efficacy,alanine aminotransferase (ALT),aspartate aminotransferase (AST),total bilirubin,negative rates of HBV-DNA and HBeAg,adverse drug reactions were compared in two groups.Results After treatment,the total rates of treatment and control groups were 92.50％ (37/40 cases) and 75.00％ (30/40 cases) with significant difference (P ＜ 0.05).After treatment,the main indexes in treatment and control groups were compared,ALT were (51.39 ± 8.17),(64.12 ± 6.24) U·L-1;AST were (33.49 ± 5.14),(40.05 ± 5.28)U · L-1;total bilirubin were (17.59 ± 1.59),(16.32 ±1.32)mmol · L-1;negative rates of HBV-DNA were 77.50％,40.00％;negative rates of HBeAg were 70.00％,32.50％;conversion rates of HBeAg/anti-HBe were 35.00％,22.50％,there were statistically significant difference (P ＜ 0.05).Adverse drug reactions in treatment group were nausea,vomiting and dizziness,which in control group were nausea,vomiting,dizziness and allergies.The incidence of adverse drug reactions were 7.50％ and 17.50％ in treatment and control groups,with significant difference (P ＜0.05).Conclusion Thymosin α1 injection combined with entecavir capsules has a definitive clinical efficacy and safety for the treatment of HBeAg positive cirrhosis with decompensated liver function.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between parental exposure to chemicals and the risk of childhood acute leukemia.

METHODSAn exploratory case-control study was conducted among 201 new cases of childhood acute leukemia under 15 years old who went to 3 children's hospitals in Shanghai, China from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2010, as well as 201 sex- and age-matched children (as controls) who went to the child health care clinic or department of orthopedics in the above hospitals. A survey was performed by face-to-face interviews with children's mothers.

RESULTSThe risk factors for childhood acute leukemia might include maternal exposure to total chemicals (diesel oil, gasoline, paints, insecticides, pesticides, herbicides, and chemical fertilizers) from 3 months before pregnancy to the end of pregnancy (OR = 2.9, 95%CI = 1.1 ∼ 7.8), paternal exposure to insecticides (OR = 10.1, 95%CI = 1.2 ∼ 82.9) and chemical fertilizers (OR = 9.5, 95%CI = 1.1 ∼ 79.6) within 3 months before pregnancy, maternal working experiences in agriculture and forestry before pregnancy (OR = 8.4, 95%CI = 1.4 ∼ 50.2) and in spinning, leather processing, decoration, and vehicle repair before pregnancy (OR = 3.0, 95%CI = 1.2 ∼ 7.9) and during pregnancy (OR = 3.2, 95%CI = 1.1 ∼ 9.6), and paternal working experiences in agriculture and forestry (OR = 9.6, 95%CI = 2.1-44.8) and in spinning, leather processing, decoration, and vehicle repair (OR = 2.3, 95%CI = 1.1-5.0).

CONCLUSIONParental exposure to chemicals may increase the risk of childhood acute leukemia in their offspring.

Acute Disease ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Leukemia ; etiology ; Male ; Maternal Exposure ; adverse effects ; Paternal Exposure ; adverse effects ; Pregnancy ; Risk Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo explore the relation between the level of metallic elements in urine and childhood acute leukemia.

METHODSA total of 71 patients under 15 years old who were newly diagnosed with acute leukemia between September 2007 and August 2008 without Downs' syndrome or other tumors, and 113 gender- and age-matched controls without tumors or congenital diseases were enrolled for the case-control study. The general data and potential risk factors were obtained by questionnaires. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to determine the metal concentrations in urine, which was collected randomly before chemotherapy. Logistic regression model was performed for univariate and multivariate analysis.

RESULTSThe questionnaire showed that there was significant difference in the proportion of children whose mothers had taken iron supplements during or 3 months before pregnancy between case group and control group, which was 28.2% (20/71) and 14.2% (16/113) respectively (Wald χ(2) = 5.438, P = 0.02). Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that levels of vanadium, manganese, iron, cobalt, copper, arsenic, and barium in urine from case group were all higher than those of control group with significant difference. The median values for vanadium in urine from case and control groups were 5.39 and 3.04 ng/mg creatinine (Wald χ(2) = 9.03, P < 0.05); the median values for manganese were respectively 4.46 and 2.44 ng/mg creatinine (Wald χ(2) = 10.57, P < 0.05); the median values for iron were separately 58.69 and 14.09 ng/mg creatinine (Wald χ(2) = 13.41, P < 0.05); the median values for cobalt were respectively 0.98 and 0.77 ng/mg creatinine (Wald χ(2) = 4.46, P < 0.05); the median values for copper were 61.17 and 10.90 ng/mg creatinine (Wald χ(2) = 8.15, P < 0.05); the median values for arsenic were respectively 55.93 and 36.11 ng/mg creatinine (Wald χ(2) = 4.57, P < 0.05); and the median values for barium were 8.55 and 2.87 ng/mg creatinine (Wald χ(2) = 4.82, P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the level of iron in urine had a significantly positive relation with the incidence of childhood acute leukemia (OR = 1.009, 95%CI = 1.002 - 1.016).

CONCLUSIONThe level of iron in urine might be related to the occurrence of childhood acute leukemia, but its specific role needs further investigation.

Acute Disease ; Adolescent ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Iron ; urine ; Leukemia ; etiology ; Male ; Metals ; urine

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the correlation of pesticide exposure with childhood acute leukemia.

METHODSAn exploratory case-control study was conducted among childhood acute leukemia patients under 15 years old in Shanghai, China. From January 1st, 2006 to December 31st, 2008, a total of 80 newly diagnosed acute leukemia patients were recruited from Shanghai Children's Medical Center for the case group. Another 96 age-matched patients who visited the hospital for health examination, pediatric treatment or osteological therapy excluding hematological system diseases and neoplastic disease, were recruited for the control group. A questionnaire survey was conducted in both groups; and a 30 - 40 ml random urine sample was collected from each participant. Five types of organophosphorus pesticide metabolites was then detected among the samples, using Gas Chromatography with Flame Spectrophotometry.

RESULTSAccording to result of the questionnaire survey, more participants (55.0% (44/80)) in case group than in the control group (33.3% (32/96)) reported using mosquitocidal, which might increase the risk of childhood acute leukemia (OR = 2.444; 95%CI: 1.326 - 4.506). At the same time, the detection showed that the concentration (median) of organophosphate metabolites diethyl phosphate, dimethyl phosphate, dimethyl thiophosphate, diethyl thiophosphate and diethyl dithiophosphate in case group were 0.0682, 0.0082, 0.0183, 0.0233, 0.4259 µg/g Cr, which were all significantly higher than in control group (0.0865, 0.0025, 0.0112, 0.0123, 0.1207 µg/g Cr) except the concentration of diethyl phosphate (Z = -1.081, P = 0.279). The difference showed statistical significance (Z = -5.752, -2.800, -3.316, -8.120, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONPesticide exposure may be one of the risk factors for childhood acute leukemia.

Acute Disease ; Adolescent ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Environmental Exposure ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Leukemia ; etiology ; Male ; Maternal Exposure ; Pesticides ; adverse effects ; Pregnancy ; Risk Factors

Exosomes represent a class of nanoscale extracellular vesicles that facilitate the exchange of genetic information among various cells.Alzheimer's disease(AD)stands as a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by its subtle and advan-cing onset,representing the foremost form of dementia lacking effective therapeutic interventions.Notably,investigations have illuminated the involvement of exosomes in the pathogenesis of AD,attributing diagnostic and therapeutic significance to their role,particularly concerning exosomal microRNAs(miRNA).The miRNAs carried by exosomes serve as potential biomarkers for AD,while also exhibiting potential benefits in ameliorating cognitive dysfunction in individuals afflicted by AD.This article aims to comprehensively review the origins of exosomes(encom-passing both mesenchymal cell-derived exosomes and brain-de-rived exosomes)and their potential as therapeutic agents targe-ting AD.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the distribution of genotype and allele frequencies of the dopamine D4 receptor(DRD4) gene exon 3 48 bp variable number of tandem repeats polymorphism in Hunan Han population.

METHODSThe genotype and alleles of 304 healthy persons were examined with polymerase chain reaction, denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and silver staining.

RESULTSSeven alleles and twelve genotypes were found. The most common allele was allele 5 with a frequency of 70.6%. There was statistically significant difference in allele distribution between the Hunan Han population and the Han population of other regions such as Shanghai, Beijing and Sichuan in China (P< 0.05). Different allele frequency distributions were observed when compared to other ethnic populations such as Japanese, American, Mexican, and Italian (P< 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe distributions of allele of DRD4 gene exhibit regional and ethnic heterogeneity.

Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; China ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Minisatellite Repeats ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Receptors, Dopamine D4 ; genetics

Adult ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; metabolism ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; genetics ; Proto-Oncogene Protein c-ets-1 ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVEThis study examined the effects of maternal deficiency of folic acid during pregnancy on pulmonary development and protein A (SP-A) expression in newborn rats in order to explore the possible mechanism of lung developmental disorders.

METHODSThirty-six adult Sprague-Dawley female rats were randomly assigned into two groups: control and study (n=18). The study and the control groups were fed with fodder containing folic acid or not respectively. Two weeks later, the female rats in the two groups copulated with normal male rats. Newborn rats were sacrificed at 1, 7 and 14 days after birth (8 pups at each time point). Lung sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin for histological examination. SP-A expression of protein and mRNA were determined by immunohistochemistry and real-time quantitative RT-PCR, respectively.

RESULTSThe newborn rats from the study group showed damaged lung tissue structures. The mean optical density of type II cells with positive expression of SP-A decreased significantly from 1 to 14 days in newborn rats of the study group compared with the control newborn rats (P<0.05). The real-time quantitative RT-PCR showed that the expression of lung SP-A mRNA also decreased significantly from 1 to 14 days in newborn rats of the study group compared with control newborn rats (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSMaternal deficiency of folic acid during pregnancy can decrease the expression of SP-A in lung tissues of newborn rats, which might lead to the disorder of lung development maturation.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Female ; Folic Acid Deficiency ; metabolism ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lung ; embryology ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications ; metabolism ; Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein A ; analysis ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction