Autopsy ; Female ; Humans ; Reye Syndrome ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Young Adult

In traditional Chinese medicine herbs (TCM), including Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae (Danshen), Radix Puerariae Lobatae (Gegen), Radix Angelicae Sinensis (Danggui), and Rhizoma Chuanxiong (Chuanxiong) are widely used for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases and also often co-administered with Western drugs as a part of integrative medicine practice. Carboxylesterase 1 (CES1) plays a pivotal role in the metabolisms of pro-drugs. Since (S)-2-(2-(6-dimethylamino)-benzothiazole)-4,5-dihydro-thiazole-4-carboxylate (NLMe) has recently been identified by us as a selective CES1 bioluminescent sensor, we developed a rapid method using this substrate for the direct measurement of CES1 activity in rats. This bioluminescence assay was applied to determine CES1 activity in rat tissues after a two-week oral administration of each of the four herbs noted above. The results demonstrated the presence of CES1 enzyme in rat blood and all tested tissues with much higher enzyme activity in the blood, liver, kidney and heart than that in the small intestine, spleen, lung, pancreas, brain and stomach. In addition, the four herbs showed tissue-specific effects on rat CES1 expression. Based on the CES1 biodistribution and its changes after treatment in rats, the possibility that Danshen, Gegen and Danggui might alter CES1 ac-tivities in human blood and kidney should be considered. In summary, a selective and sensitive biolu-minescence assay was developed to rapidly evaluate CES1 activity and the effects of orally administered TCMs in rats.

The aim was to construct a prokaryotic expression plasmid encoding the fusion gene of single-chain variable fragment and monocyte chemotactic protein-3 (MCP-3). The cDNAs of immunoglobulin (Ig) VH and Ig VL were amplified by RT-PCR and assembled into the single-chain variable fragment (scFv) by recombinant PCR method. The cDNAs of Ig VH and Ig VL were connected by a (Gly4Ser)3 linker. Then, the fragments of scFv and MCP-3 were connected with a NDAQAPKS spacer, using recombinant PCR method again. The results indicated that the fusion gene of scFv-MCP-3 were constructed correctly and cloned into the prokaryotic expression plasmid successfully identified by sequencing and restriction endonucleases examination. Finally, the fusion protein was expressed in E coli DH5alpha under induction by arabinose. And the fusion protein was 65 kD and account for 30% of the total protein of the bacteria. In conclusion, a prokaryotic plasmid, encoding the fusion gene of single-chain variable fragment with MCP-3 and expressing idiotype protein vaccination against B cell lymphoma, was constructed correctly.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Cancer Vaccines ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology ; Chemokine CCL7 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin Idiotypes ; immunology ; Immunoglobulin Variable Region ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology ; Lymphoma, B-Cell ; immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Prokaryotic Cells ; metabolism ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology ; Vaccines, DNA ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression and mutation of Mad1, Mxi1 and Rox genes in leukemia cells.

METHODSExpression and mutation of Mad1, Mxi1 and Rox genes in bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNC) from 26 de novo acute leukemia (AL) patients, and in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) from 30 healthy volunteers, as well as in 7 human leukemic cell lines were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), single strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) and DNA sequencing.

RESULTSRT-PCR showed that all the above cells expressed Mad1, Mxi1 and Rox mRNA. SSCP revealed four polymorphisms: two in Mad1, one each in Mxi1 and Rox. DNA sequencing detected nine missense mutations: two in Mad1 in AL patients, four in Mxi1 (three in AL patients and one in KG-1 cell line), and three in Rox in AL patients. The mutations of Mad1, Mxi1 and Rox mRNA were detected in 2, 3 and 3 patients, respectively.

CONCLUSIONIt is for the first time to demonstrate the mutations of Mad1, Mxi1 and Rox genes in AL patients suggesting these mutated genes involve in the pathogenesis of leukemia.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cell Cycle Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Leukemia ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Nuclear Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational ; Repressor Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate changes of two sodium channels, PN(3) and NaN, during orofacial pain by occlusal trauma in rat.

METHODSExpressions of PN(3) mRNA and NaN mRNA in trigeminal ganglion were tested during various periods of persistent occlusal trauma with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSIn groups, including control, occlusal trauma groups, PN(3) mRNA and NaN mRNA were all expressed in trigeminal ganglion neurons. In the control group, there were similar density values bilaterally. In the occlusal trauma group, the density values in gel electrophoresis of PN(3) mRNA and NaN mRNA on the intervention side were slightly greater than those on the control side.

CONCLUSIONSThe stimulation of occlusal trauma upregulates expressions of PN(3) mRNA and NaN mRNA, which suggests the signal occurring and conduction of chronic pain by occlusal trauma have the same molecular mechanism of sodium channel as inflammatory pain.

Animals ; Dental Occlusion, Traumatic ; physiopathology ; Facial Pain ; etiology ; Male ; NAV1.8 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sodium Channels ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Trigeminal Ganglion ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of the treatment for comminuted fractures of proximal humerus with open reduction and internal fixation, and the influence of the different internal fixation.

METHODSFrom January 2003 to June 2007, 423 cases of comminuted fractures of proximal humerus were treated with open reduction and internal fixation. Among them, 139 patients included 51 males and 88 females were treated with the Kirschner needle with an average age of 55.8 years old ranging from 35 to 72 years, and the average course was 7 days (from 3 to 20 days); 103 patients included 48 males and 55 females were treated with the cloverleaf plate with an average age of 56.7 years old (from 22 to 76 years), and the average course was 8.5 days (from 3 to 23 days); 181 patients included 85 males and 96 females were treated with the locking plate with an average age of 57.1 years old (from 29 to 77 years), and the average course was 7.9 days (from 3 to 21 days). The pain, daily activities, orbit, and the strength of the shoulder were evaluated with the Constant's scale.

RESULTSThe wound of all the cases was primary healing. All patients were followed-up for over 12 months, the sings and symptoms of all the patients were improved very well. There was significant difference between, before and after operation on Constant's scoring. While there was not significant difference among the different internal fixation.

CONCLUSIONOpen reduction and internal fixation is effective for comminuted fractures of proximal humerus. There is no significant difference on therapeutic efficacy in different internal fixation.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; adverse effects ; Fractures, Comminuted ; physiopathology ; surgery ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; Shoulder Fractures ; physiopathology ; surgery ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVEUsing simple method to reform depressed middle part of the face and to prolong nasal columella.

METHODSFill silicone into the subcutaneous cavity of the nase and maxillary attended by using nasal columella base and bilateral labial mucosa flaps.

RESULTSObtain a satisfactory result to reform depressed nose,nasal columella and maxilla.

CONCLUSIONSIt is a propagable economic way to resolve a complex deformation using this simple method, and get a satisfactory result.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Craniofacial Abnormalities ; surgery ; Face ; abnormalities ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mouth Mucosa ; transplantation ; Rhinoplasty ; methods ; Silicones ; Skin Transplantation ; Surgical Flaps ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of traumatic occlusion on CGRP-immunoreactive (CGRP-IR) nerve fibres in rat molar pulp and observe the recovery of CGRP-IR nerve fibres after removal of traumatic occlusion.

METHODSTo observe immunohistochemically the change of CGRP-IR nerve fibres in molar pulp during traumatic occlusion and after removal.

RESULTSThe increase of number, density and morphology of CGRP-IR nerve fibres in traumatic occlusion group was more than in control group, however, the changes of CGRP-IR nerve fibres in removal of traumatic occlusion group were less than in control group.

CONCLUSIONSThe changes of CGRP-IR nerve fibres in number, morphology, and density are induced by traumatic occlusion in rat molar pulp, however, the nerve fibres recover to normal by removal of traumatic occlusion.

Animals ; Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide ; analysis ; Dental Occlusion, Traumatic ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Dental Pulp ; innervation ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Molar ; innervation ; Nerve Fibers ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo study the expression and significance of cyclin E, cyclin D1, CDK4 and p27 protein in esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC) and their correlation with tumor differentiation and lymph node metastasis.

METHODSExpressions of cyclin E, cyclin D1, CDK4 and p27 protein in 65 patients with ESCC were quantitatively detected by flow cytometry.

RESULTSThe expressions of cyclin E, cyclin D1, CDK4 in poorly-differentiated ESCC were higher than those in well-differentiated ESCC (P = 0.0275, 0.0001, 0.0174). The expression of p27 in poorly-differentiated ESCC was lower than that in well-differentiated ESCC (P = 0.0042). There was positive correlation between cyclin E and cyclin D1, cyclin D1 and CDK4, but negative correlation between cyclin D1 and p27. The expressions of all four proteins were not correlated with lymph node metastasis.

CONCLUSIONThe expressions of cyclin E, cyclin D1, CDK4 and p27 are closely related to tumor differentiation of ESCC. An imbalance between positive and negative control of cell cycling might be critical in the carcinogenesis of esophageal squamous cell cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; secondary ; Cell Differentiation ; Cyclin D1 ; metabolism ; Cyclin E ; metabolism ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4 ; metabolism ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27 ; metabolism ; Cyclins ; metabolism ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo summarize our experiences in the treatment of type C3 (AO/OTA) distal radius fractures fixed with AO 2.4 mm locking plates combined with percutaneous pinning after manipulative reduction.

METHODSFrom May 2009 to March 2012, 19 patients (2 cases of both sides) with type C3 (AO/OTA) distal radius fractures were treated with volar locking plates combined with percutaneous pinning for distal radius after manipulative reduction. Among the patients, the average age was (45.3 ± 17.4) years old (ranged, 31 to 66 years old). The fracture were complicated with ulnar styloid fracture in 14 wrists and 6 wrists had distal radioulnar joint instability. All the patients had closed fracture and the mean duration was (6.7 ± 3.5) days (4.5 to 9 days). The Henry approach was applied to expose the fracture site. Joint capsule and ligaments were retained for indirect reduction. After indirect reduction, the poking reduction technique was used to correct the residual compression, and congruence of distal ulnar radial joint was verified under fluorscopic guidance. Styloid process was first pinned percutaneously and then AO 2.4 mm volar locking plate was used to support rigid fixation. The fractures complicated with distal radioulnar joint instability and ulnar styloid fracture were treated with forearm plaster support in supination for 6 weeks.

RESULTSNineteen patients (21 wrists) were followed up for an average duration of 10.5 months (ranged, 7 to 17 months). Radiographic bone union of distal radius was achieved in all cases, nonunion of the ulnar styloid occurred in 3 cases, and no distal radioulnar joint instability occurred. Tendon irritation was found in 2 cases and disappeared after the internal fixation was removed. The volar tilt, radial angle, radial length, incongruence of articular surface and distal radioulnar joint were observed at the follow-up. According to Batra and Gupta scoring system, 13 wrists were assessed to have a score of more than 80, 5 wrists 70 to 90, 3 wrists less than 70. Meanwhile, the subjective and objective evaluation was executed,range of motion of wrist, residual deformity and complications were observed. According to Sarmiento's modification of the system of Gartland and Werley, 17 wrists got an excellent result, 3 good and 1 fair.

CONCLUSIONType C3 (AO/OTA) distal radius fractures could be managed with manipulative reduction. Locking plate internal fixation combined with percutaneous pinning can offer enough support for early mobilization and rehabilitation, resulting in a better clinical outcome and satisfactory prognosis.

Adult ; Aged ; Bone Plates ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Manipulation, Orthopedic ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Radius Fractures ; complications ; surgery