Objective To discuss the imaging technology and characteristic of perfusion-weighted imaging in rabbit models of hepatic VX2 tumors. Methods Twenty-eight New Zealand rabbits were implanted in liver with VX2 tumor by tissue block. After routine scans were performed on 1.5 T MR scanner, 28 New Zealand white rabbits with VX2 carcinoma were divided randomly into treatment group and control group. Treatment group was divided randomly into group A, group B and group C, 7 animals per group. Perfusion weighted imaging(PWI) was performed in day 14, 25 and 35, respectively, after tumor implantation in all animals. Select the regions of interest (ROI) of the VX2 tumor center, tumor border and pars-tumor parenchyma. Maximal signal reduction slope ( SRSmax ) of the signal intensity versus time curves were created as quantitative variable, and the parameters were calculated and compared in all groups. Results Maximal signal reduction slope ( SRSmax ) of the signal intensity versus time curves were studied in 4 groups, 23 VX2 rabbits,7,5 and 6 in group A , B and C, respectively. The SRSmax of tumor center were ( 12. 6 ± 3.4), ( 9. 8 ± 2. 6 ) and ( 1.0 ± 0. 4 ), the difference was significant ( F = 10. 855, P < 0. 05 ). The SRSmax of tumor border were(48. 3 ± 2.4), (46. 2 ± 1.5 ) and (43. 6 ± 1.8 ) ( P > 0. 05 ). The SRSmax of para-tumor parenchyma were ( 14.4 ± 3.0 ), ( 12. 2 ± 1. 4 ) and ( 14. 8 ± 5.0 ) ( P > 0. 05 ). The difference was significant in different ROI in treatment groups( F value was 7. 435,8. 625 and 12. 595, respectively, P < 0. 05 ). Conclusion PWI can be used in evaluating the liver tumor angiogenesis and angio-degeneration with the treatment of HIFU. It will be possible for qualitative analysis of rabbit models of hepatic VX2 tumors by different treatments.

There are 250 species of Zanthoxylum (Rutaceae) in the world. This genus distributed in tropical and subtropical regions. Alkaloids are the major and representative ingredients in these plants including quinolines, isoquinolines, and amide alkaloids, with such biological activities as anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-virus, anti-platelet aggregation, anti-bacteria and anti- oxidant. These species have been used for a long time to treat toothache, urinary and venereal diseases, lumbago and rheumatism. This review summarizes the chemical constituents and pharmacological activities from the Z. sppplants, in an effort to the systematic research and application of the alkaloids of this genus.
Alkaloids ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Molecular Structure ; Zanthoxylum ; chemistry

Objective To optimize the volatile oil extraction and inclusion process of Wenweiyang capsules. Methods An orthogonal test was adopted in this study. The extraction technology was optimized for the yield of volatile oil regarding the amount of water loaded, grain size of medicinal material, and decoction time as factors. The inclusion technology was optimized for the inclusion yield and volatile oil inclusion rate using the ratio ofβ-CD:oil, amount of water and grinding time as factors. Results The optimized extraction parameters were as follows:breaking medicinal material through 10 mesh screen, adding 6 fold volume of water and extracting for 5 h. The optimized inclusion progress was grinding at theβ-CD:oil ratio of 81, loading equivalent amount of water and grinding for 30 minutes. The average yield of volatile oil is 1. 72%, the average inclusion rate is 93. 01% and the average volatile oil inclusion rate is 74. 82%. Conclusion The extraction and inclusion technology is simple, reliable, which can effectively retain the volatile oil and provide evidence for the preparation of Wenweiyang capsules.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the significance of detecting specific serum IgG antibodies in clinical diagnosis of SARS as well as affecting factors.

METHODSEnzyme-linked immunoassay kit for SARS coronavirus antibodies developed by HuaDa Biological Company was applied to detect specific serum IgG from SARS patients and the production of SARS specific antibodies among patients of different age groups, sex and with or without steroid treatment were statistically compared.

RESULTSOut of 121 patients studied, 71.1% were SARS specific IgG positive. Patients younger than 15 years, between 15 to 59 years, older than 59 years had positive rates of 60.0%, 70.2%, and 85.7%, respectively with no statistically significance (P=0.766); patients with or without steroid treatment showed positive rates of 70.6% and 72.4%, respectively (P=0.84); patients exhibiting either severe or light syndromes showed positive rates of 78.1% and 67.4%, respectively (P=0.493); both male and female patients showed the same positive rate of 71.1%.

CONCLUSIONThe sensitivity of the SARS specific IgG kit utilized needs to be further improved. The production of SARS IgG is not notably correlated with sex, age, seriousness of symptoms, and steroid treatment.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; SARS Virus ; immunology ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; diagnosis ; immunology

Humanin(HN,its analogue [Gly14]-Humanin,HNG)was originally identified as an endogenous peptide that protects neuronal cells from apoptosis induced by various types of Alzheimer's disease-related insults.But the relative low content of this peptide in its natural sources limits its further characterization.An expression vector pET32a/HNG was corstructed and transformed it into E.coli BL21 trxB(DE3).HNG was expressed as a fusion protein in the soluble fraction and was purified by nickel affinity chromatography.Subsequently,the purified fusion protein was cleaved by enterokinase and was further purified by reverse-phase HPLC.A 23 mg recombinant HNG(rHNG)from 1 L bacterial culture was purified.The molecular weight of rHNG determined by ESI-MS was 2876.5 Da which was the expected size for correctly processed peptide.The N-terminal amino acid sequence of rHNG determined by Edman degradation method is identical to the theoretical sequence.Neuroprotective bioassay studies of rHNG exhibited its potential neuroprotective effect comparable to that of the natural HNG peptide.

Objective To study the diagnosis and treatment of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection after liver transplantation. Methods The clinical data of 111 patients who received liver transplantation from November 2000 to December 2007 in our hospital were analyzed retrospectively. The recipients were diagnosed as having CMV infection by the predisposing factors, clinical symptoms and detection of CMV-PP65 and CMV-IgM in peripheral blood specimens in combination with chest X-ray. The treatment of CMV infection was administration of Ganciclovir. Results Five recipients were diagnosed as having CMV infection, with the incidence of 4.5%. Two were diagnosed as having CMV pneumonitis, with the incidence of 1.8% (40% of the recipients having CMV infection). Two were both improved. Three were diagnosed as having CMV active infection. Two of them were cured and one was improved. Conclusion The detection of CMV-PP65 is necessary for early diagnosis and guiding treatment of CMV infection. Ganciclovir can exert significant therapeutic effects on CMV infection.

BACKGROUND: Recently the prevalence rate of mass in mammary gland increases significantly than before. To use which kind of technology is not only related with the post-operation recurrence, but also related with the reconstruction of their confidence. Therefore, how to reduce the trauma physically and psychologically in patients to the maximal degree has become the chief factor to choose technology by surgeons.OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap, latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap with breast prothesis, local flap and simple breast prothesis after skin-sparing mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction.DESIGN: Case analysis.SETTING: Department of Plastic Surgery, Shenzhen People's Hospital,Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University.PARTICIPANTS: A total of 15 ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and huge breast benign tumor patients were enrolled into Shenzhen People's Hospital between October 1997 and May 2004, aged from 20 to 46 years. They all got disease in single breast, and 8 of them had preoperative diagnosis of DCIS, T1N0M0 and 7 of them had huge breast benign tumor. Operation program was informed to the patients before operation so as to gain their agreement.METHODS: Skin-sparing mastectomy was performed with circular shape incision at areola and using TRAM flap, latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap with breast prothesis, local flap and simple breast prothesis to fill breast. Slight skin of musculo-cutaneous flap could compensate the nipple and areola when performing reconstruction. At the reoperation, nipple was made at the transferred flap.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: To observe the patients with or without recurrence or transfer after operation and local healing of wound.RESULTS: With the cooperation of general surgeons the operation was done in 15 cases and 14 cases of them were followed up for more than 1 year. The reconstructed breasts were with good symmetry with the opposite one, normal skin sensation, natural shape and inconspicuous scar.CONCLUSION: This is an excellent alternative method for mastectomy and breast reconstruction based on the avoidance of recurrence of breast cancer in severe operation.

OBJECTIVETo establish HEK293 cell lines with stable expression of human parathyroid hormone (PTH) receptors.

METHODSThe purified gene fragments of PTH-related peptide receptor (PTHR) and its mutant form (DSEL) were cloned separately into pcDNA3.1(+) vector after digestion with EcoR I and Not I, and the resulted pcDNA3.1(+)-PTHR and pcDNA3.1(+)-DSEL plasmids were verified by restriction enzyme digestion and DNA sequencing. HEK293 cells were transfected with these plasmids and the expression of PTHR and DSEL in the cells were examined by RT-PCR and ELSIA.

RESULTSSequencing and restriction enzyme digestion analysis showed that PTHR and DSEL cDNAs were correctly cloned into pcDNA3.1(+)vector. After a 48-h transfection of HEK293 cells with the recombinant plasmids and G418 selection, the positive cell clones stably expressing the constructs were obtained, which showed expressions of PTHR and DSEL mRNAs detected by RT-PCR. These positive cells showed high levels of PLC and aAMP production in response to PTH stimulation.

CONCLUSIONThe HEK293 cell lines with stable expression of PTH1R or DSEL gene established in this study provide useful cell models for studying the physiological functions of PTH peptides.

Gene Expression ; Genetic Vectors ; HEK293 Cells ; Humans ; Plasmids ; Receptors, Parathyroid Hormone ; genetics ; metabolism ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Signal Transduction ; genetics ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of antibody-targeted chemotherapy against human prostate cancer LNCaP cells in vitro.

METHODSThe monoclonal antibody 7E11C5.3 against human prostate cancer was conjugated to pingyangmycin (PYM), mediated by dextran T-40, and the immunoreactivity of 7E11C5.3 was determined by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The bacteriostatic activity of the conjugate was determined using TTC assay, and its cytotoxicity against LNCaP cells was determined by MTT assay.

RESULTSThe 7E11C5.3:PYM molar ratio was l:54 in the conjugate, and the immunoreactivity of 7E11C5.3 was decreased by approximately 10% to 20% after conjugation. The bacteriostatic activity of conjugated PYM was 25% of that of free PYM. The 50% inhibitory doses (IC50) of 7E11C5.3-PYM conjugate and free PYM against the in vitro cultured LNCaP cells were 9.41-/+1.98 microg/ml and 29.92-/+7.88 microg/ml, respectively.

CONCLUSION7E11C5.3-PYM conjugate displays stronger cytotoxicity against anti-prostate cancer effects than free PYM.

Antibiotics, Antineoplastic ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Bleomycin ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Cytotoxicity, Immunologic ; drug effects ; immunology ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Humans ; Immunoconjugates ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; immunology ; pathology

Adult ; Female ; Helicobacter Infections ; complications ; Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Hyperemesis Gravidarum ; etiology ; Pregnancy