Adenocarcinoma ; pathology ; Carcinoma ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; pathology ; Humans ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; classification ; pathology ; World Health Organization

Objective To observe the effects of genistein on PCNA expression and cell cycle in fibroblasts derived from human hypertrophic scar in order to explore the mechanism of its inhibition on hypertrophic scar (HS) fibroblast proliferation. Methods The human hypertrophic scar fibroblasts were cultured in vitro. Genistein with various concentrations (25, 50, 100 μmol/L) was co-cultured in the medium for 48 hours. The expression of PCNA was detected with immunocytochemical staining method and the cell cycle was measured with flow cytometry. Results Genistein could significantly decrease PCNA expression in HS fibroblasts, especially when its concentration at 50 μmol/L or 100 μmol/L. The cell percentage of G0～G1 phase decreased with drug′s concentration, and G2～M percentage increased conversely, implying the suspension of mitosis. In 100 μmol/L group, most cells blocked at S phase and a hypodiploid apoptosis peak could be observed ahead of G1 phase. Conclusion Genistein can inhibit the proliferation of human hypertrophic scar by blocking cell division as well as decreasing DNA synthesis.

Objective To explore the mechanism of skeletal fluorosis via observation on the expression of bone γ-carboxyglutamic acid-containing protein (BGP) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) in the residents of coal-burning fluorosis regions, and to provide a basical data for further monitoring and evaluating the effects of fluoride-reducing projects. Methods Stratified sampling was applied, the 6 villages of fluorosis were chosen as focusing areas for investigation. The residents of villages underwent clinical examination of the skeletal fluorosis. And according to the degree of skeletal fluorosis, villages were divided into three groups, namely light, moderate and severe villages. Radio-Immunoassay and Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to check the expression of BGP and OPG in the serum. Results The levels of serum BGP in the severe skeletal fluorosis cases[(6.78±4.43)μg/L] were significantly higher(P<0.05) than those in the normal, moderate and the severe groups [ (3.58±1.53), (3.44±2.66), (3.41±2.20)μg/L], respectively. The expression of OPG in the light, moderate and the severe groups [(1251.55±998.31), (1265.94±931.77), (1560.55±858.07)ng/L] were significantly higher (P<0.05) than those in the normal[(520.81±385.05)ng/L], respectively. The levels of BGP in mixed type[(6.09±2.62)μg/L] were much higher(P<0.05) than no mixed type[(3.97±1.53), (3.20±2.12)μg/L]. The levels of OPG in the osteosclerosis, osteoporesis and mixed type[(1321.63±1017.00), (1205.42±852.22), (1529.01±402.83)ng/L] were significantly higher(P<0.05) than those of the normal, respectively. The levels of OPG in the light villages [(452.06±338.10)ng/L] were significantly lower(P<0.05) than moderate and severe villages[(1266.30±899.14), (1851.80±956.08 )ng/L], respectively. The levels of OPG in the severe villages were significantly higher(P<0.05) than moderate villages. Conclusions It indicates that OPG can be used as an early indicator in coal-burning pollution endemic fluorosis results in biochemical changes in the composition of bone.

Ex vivo expansion of hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) is valuable for clinical application, however, traditional ex vivo culture negatively affects long-term hematopoietic reconstitution ability. In the hematopoietic system, the expression of Notch receptors and their ligands has been widely reported. Active Notch signal inhibits the differentiation of HSCs while promotes their expansion, suggesting that ex vivo expansion of hematopoietic progenitor cells could be enhanced by manipulating Notch signal pathways. In this article the Notch signal pathways, Notch signal and maintenance of hematopoietic progenitor cells, Notch signal and expansion of hematopoietic progenitor cells and molecular mechanism of Notch signal maintaining undifferentiation of hematopoietic progenitor cells were reviewed.
Animals ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Humans ; Receptors, Notch ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction

Objective To understand the nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) incidence and pathological changes in Zhongshan city,during 1970-2007.Methods Data on NPC in Zhongshan during 1970-2007 was from the Zhongshan Cancer Registry system.Indices as incident numbers,crude incidence rates,age-adjusted incidence rates,incident pathological proportion and trend etc.were calculated and analyzed.Results The NPC world-adjusted incidence rates on males and females were relatively stable as 27.54/105 and 11.28/105 respectively.Non-keratinizing carcinoma accounted for 84.57 percent of all the new NPC cases while Keratinizing carcinoma only accounted for 5.81percent.The proportion of pathological types of cancers had not been obviously changed in Zhongshan during 1970-2007.Conclusion Although relatively stable on the trends of NPC incidence in Zhongshan during 1970-2007,it was still higher than data from the world or the nation.

OBJECTIVEAntigen-presenting cells such as monocytes and dendritic cells (DCs) stimulate T-cell proliferation and activation during adaptive immunity. This cellular interaction plays a role in the growth of atherosclerotic plaques. Tanshinone II A (TSN) had been shown to decrease the growth of atherosclerotic lesions. We therefore investigated the ability of TSN to inhibit human monocyte-derived DCs and their T-cellstimulatory capacity.

METHODSDCs derived from human monocytes cultured with recombinant human interleukin (IL)-4 and recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor were co-cultured with TSN and lipopolysaccharide for 48 h. Phosphate-buffered saline was used as a negative control. Activation markers and the capacity of DCs for endocytosis were measured by flow cytometry, and proinflammatory cytokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. DCs were co-cultured with lymphocytes to measure T-cell proliferation and IL-2 secretion by mixed lymphocyte reactions.

RESULTSTSN dose-dependently attenuated DC expression of costimulatory molecules (CD86), and decreased expression of major histocompatibility complex class II (human loukocyte antigen-DR) and adhesion molecules (CD54). Moreover, TSN reduced secretion of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-12 and IL-1 by human DCs, and restored the capacity for endocytosis. Finally, TSN-preincubated DCs showed a reduced capacity to stimulate T-cell proliferation and cytokine secretion.

CONCLUSIONSTSN inhibits DC maturation and decreases the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, while impairing their capacity to stimulate T-cell proliferation and cytokine secretion. These effects may contribute to the influence of TSN on the progression of atherosclerotic lesions.

Antigen-Presenting Cells ; drug effects ; Atherosclerosis ; immunology ; pathology ; B7-2 Antigen ; metabolism ; Cell Membrane ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Cytokines ; secretion ; Dendritic Cells ; drug effects ; immunology ; secretion ; Diterpenes, Abietane ; pharmacology ; Endocytosis ; drug effects ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Immunity, Cellular ; drug effects ; Inflammation Mediators ; metabolism ; Lymphocyte Activation ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo prepare a lymph node-targeted ultrasound/fluorescence bi-functional imaging contrast agents, and observe its effectiveness both on contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and vivo near infrared fluorescence (NIR) imaging through animal experiments.

METHODSThe chimeric lymph node-targeted ligand (phosphatidylserine) and near-infrared fluorescent substance were assembled to form bi-functional contrast microbubbles. The morphology and size distribution were detected by optical microscope and Malvern potential tests. Five normal New Zealand white rabbits were subcutaneously injected with the prepared contrast agent in bilateral footpads, and the imaging effectiveness of lymph nodes and lymphatic vessel were observed by CEUS and NIR technique. Then blue dye was subcutaneously injected at the same site, and the rabbits were sacrificed for lymph nodes pathological examination.

RESULTSLipid ultrasound microbubbles,with a mean size of 3-5 Μm in diameter, appeared to be uniform in distribution and regular in configuration. The images of inflow lymphatic vessel and relevant lymph node were quickly showed up after the subcutaneous injection by CEUS, which was identical to the result detected by NIR. Biopsy confirmed that all the blue-stained lymph nodes could be displayed by NIR.

CONCLUSIONSThe self-made bi-functional contrast agent has a good imaging ability in CEUS and NIR imaging. It may be a better agent as lymph node tracer.

Animals ; Contrast Media ; chemistry ; Fluoresceins ; chemistry ; Lymph Nodes ; anatomy & histology ; diagnostic imaging ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; pathology ; Male ; Rabbits ; Ultrasonography

Coal ; Dust ; analysis ; Gases ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure ; analysis ; Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis ; etiology

OBJECTIVETo determine whether blood lipids profile, fibrinogen and viscosity were associated with passive smoking (i. e. environmental tobacco smoke, ETS) in Chinese women who never smoke.

METHODSIn Xi'an, China, a case-control study was carried out on 115 cases of coronary heart disease (CHD) defined by coronary arteriography (CAG) and 208 non-CHD controls confirmed by CAG and/or exercise electrocardiography. Data on exposure to ETS, defined as exposure from cigarettes smoking husband or co-workers or both for at least 5 years, was obtained through standardized interviews. Standard laboratory methods were used and the lipid measurements were under US CDC quality control programs.

RESULTSIn the subjects defined by CAG, the levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), HDL2C, apolipoprotein (apo) A1 among passive smokers appeared lower than those in non-passive smokers,but the low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), apoB, apoB/A1, fibrinogen, plasma and whole blood viscosity were higher than that in non-passive smokers. There were positive associations of the numbers of coronary arteriosclerosis with the levels of blood lipids,fibrinogen and viscosity. In the non-CHD controls, 81 subjects were not exposed and 127 were exposed to ETS. The P values of t-test for the adjusted (for age, body mass index, present diseases history) means between two groups were listed below: 0.06 (total cholesterol), 0.30 (triglyceride), 0.004 (HDL-C), <0.001 (HDL2-C), < 0.001 (apoA1), 0.009 (apoB), <0.001 (apoB/apoA1), <0.001 (fibrinogen), <0.001 (plasma viscosity), <0.001 and 0.004 [two measures (5.75/s and 230/s) of whole blood viscosity]. The correlation coefficients between cumulative exposure of passive smoking and HDL-C,HDL2-C,apoA1, apoB, apoB/apoA1, fibrinogen, plasma viscosity, and two measures of whole blood viscosity were -0.25, -0.27, -0.30, 0.24, 0.31, 0.32, 0.43, 0.51 and 0.36 (all P<0.01), respectively.

CONCLUSIONPassive smoking could affect blood lipid metabolism, fibrinogen and viscosity in the never smoking women which might contribute to the causation of coronary heart disease.

Apolipoprotein A-I ; blood ; Blood Viscosity ; drug effects ; Cholesterol, HDL ; blood ; Cholesterol, LDL ; blood ; Coronary Disease ; etiology ; Female ; Fibrinogen ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tobacco Smoke Pollution ; adverse effects

OBJECTIVETo study the epidemiologic characteristics of hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) in Guiyang between 2008 and 2010.

METHODSThe epidemiologic characteristics of HFMD were analyzed by descriptive statistical methods based on the data from the China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention.

RESULTSA total of 27383 cases of HFMD were recorded in Guiyang between 2008 and 2010. The incidence of HFMD increased from 66.4439/100000 in 2008 to 163.9276/100000 in 2009 and 471.5515/100000 in 2010 (P<0.01). The mortality rate was 0.1026/100000 in 2010, which was significantly lower than in 2009 (0.2821/100000) (P<0.05). HFMD occurrence showed seasonality and reached a peak between April and June. HFMD cases were commonly noted in children under 5 years old, and especially in children under 3 years old. The main detected pathogen was human enterovirus 71 (EV17) in 2009. Whereas in 2010 the disease was mainly caused by CoxA16 and other intestinal viruses.

CONCLUSIONSThe incidence of HFMD in Guiyang increased year by year from 2008 to 2010, but the mortality rate decreased year by year. HFMD occurrence showed an obvious seasonality. HFMD was common in children under the age of five. The main pathogens of this disease included EV17, CoxA16 and other intestinal viruses.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Enterovirus A, Human ; isolation & purification ; Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease ; epidemiology ; virology ; Humans ; Infant ; Middle Aged ; Time Factors