ObjectiveTo investigate the expression of miR-21 in diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL)and normal lymph tissues and its potential relevance with clinicopathological characteristics.MethodsThe expression levels of miR-21 in 50 primary DLBCL and 12 normal lymph node tissue specimens were examined by TaqMan real-time polymerase chain reaction.The expression of bcl-2 and p53 was detected by immunohistochemistry staining. ResultsThe expression of miR-21 was significantly higher in tumor tissues than that in normal tissues, in GCB subtypes higher than in non-GCB subtypes. And it was negatively correlated with bcl-2(P=0.020),while positively correlated with p53(P=0.022). Up-regulated miR-21 expression was low in three years of survival rate. ConclusionMiR-21 may indicate a more aggressive phenotype and serve as a molecular prognostic marker in DLBCL. High-expression of miR-21 is a key feature that is correlated with cell proliferation in DLBCL.miR-21 may have some guiding significance in prognosis.bcl-2,p53 is possibly one of the targets of miR-21 in DLBCL.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of butyl alcohol extract of Baitouweng decoction ( BAEB) on yeast-to-hyphae transition of Candida albicans isolates from vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) in alkaline pH.

METHODSerial 2-fold dilution assay was used to determine the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of Baitouweng decoction extracts against C. albicans isolates from VVC, XTT assay was applied to determine the metabolic activity of C. albicans hypha treated by BAEB for 6 h. The morphological change of C. albicans treated by BAEB was inspected at different pH by inverted microscope, fluorescence microscope, scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Solid agar plate and semi-solid agar were utilized to evaluate colony morphology and invasive growth of C. albicans, respectively. Quantitative Real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was adopted to observe the expressions of hyphae-specific genes including HWP1, ALS3, CSH1, SUN41 and CaPDE2.

RESULTThe MIC of BAEB against C. albicans is less than that of other extracts; hyphae grow best at pH 8. 0; 512 mg · L(-1) and 1,024 mg · L(-1) BAEB could inhibit formation of hyphae and influence colony morphology. When treated by 512 mg · L(-1) and 1,024 mg · L(-1) BAEB, the colonies became smooth; while by 0 and 256 mg · L(-1) BAEB, the colonies became wrinkled. In semi-solid agar, the length of hyphae decreased steadily as the concentration of BAEB lowered. The expression of HWP1, ALS3, CSHl, SUN41 were downregulated by 5.12, 4.26, 3.2 and 2.74 folds, and CaPDE2 was upregulated by 2.38 fold.

CONCLUSIONBAEB could inhibit yeast-to-hyphae transition of C. albicans isolates from VVC in alkaline pH.

Antifungal Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Candida albicans ; drug effects ; genetics ; growth & development ; Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal ; drug therapy ; microbiology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Hyphae ; drug effects ; growth & development

OBJECTIVETo investigate anti-attachment effect of ethyl acetate extract of Huanglian Jiedu decoction (EAHD) on Candida glabrata.

METHODSerial 2-fold dilution assay was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations MICs of EAHD to C. glabrata. XTT assay was used to evaluate the effect of EAHD against adhesion of C. glabrata. Inverted microscope, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and fluorescein diacetate (FDA) staining were applied to observe the morphological changes of C. glabrata in adhesion. PCR was adopted to inspect the expression of attachment-related genes such as EPA1, EPA6 and EPA7.

RESULTThe MIC of EAHD and fluconazole to C. glabrata were 320 mg · L(-1) and 1 mg · L(-1) respectively. The total cells including budding cells decreased in a dose-dependent manner following EAHD treatment. The expressions of EPA1, EPA6 and EPA7 were downregulated dramatically after EAHD treatment.

CONCLUSIONEAHD could effectively inhibit adherence of C. glabrata.

Acetates ; Candida glabrata ; drug effects ; physiology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Fungal Proteins ; genetics ; Lectins ; genetics ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo determine the predictive value of HATCH score on recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) after radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA).

METHODSThe data of 123 consecutive AF patients (74 paroxysmal and 49 persistent AF) who underwent RFCA between April 2009 and December 2010 in our department were retrospectively analyzed. Of theses patients, 65 (52.9%) patients had HATCH score = 0, 41 (33.3%) patients had HATCH score = 1, and 17 (13.8%) patients had HATCH score ≥ 2 (HATCH = 2 in 11 patients, HATCH = 3 in 5 patients, HATCH = 4 in 1 patient). The recurrence was defined as atrial tachyarrhythmia lasting more than 30 seconds after 3 months post RFCA. The patients were divided into recurrence group and no recurrence group. Relationship between HATCH score and recurrence was observed.

RESULTSThere were 43 cases in recurrence group and 80 cases in no recurrence group. After 12 months follow-up, HATCH score was significant higher in recurrence group than in non-recurrence group [(0.91 ± 0.94) score vs. (0.53 ± 0.80) score, P < 0.05]. The ratio of patients with HATCH ≥ 2 in recurrence group was higher than in non-recurrence group [23.3% (10/43) vs. 8.8% (7/80), P < 0.01]. The sensitivity and specificity of HATCH ≥ 2 to define the risk of recurrence was 25.0%, 92.4% respectively. Cumulative non-recurrence rate of patients with HATCH score ≥ 2 was lower than patients with HATCH score = 0 and 1 (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONHigher HATCH score is associated with increased risk of AF recurrence post RFCA.

Aged ; Atrial Fibrillation ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Catheter Ablation ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

Pathological cardiac hypertrophy induced by angiotensin II (AngII) can subsequently give rise to heart failure, a leading cause of mortality. Nardosinone is a pharmacologically active compound extracted from the roots of Nardostachys chinensis, a well-known traditional Chinese medicine. In order to investigate the effects of nardosinone on AngII-induced cardiac cell hypertrophy and the related mechanisms, the myoblast cell line H9c2, derived from embryonic rat heart, was treated with nardosinone (25, 50, 100, and 200 μmol/L) or AngII (1 μmol/L). Then cell surface area and mRNA expression of classical markers of hypertrophy were detected. The related protein levels in PI3K/Akt/mTOR and MEK/ERK signaling pathways were examined by Western blotting. It was found that pretreatment with nardosinone could significantly inhibit the enlargement of cell surface area induced by AngII. The mRNA expression of ANP, BNP and β-MHC was obviously elevated in AngII-treated H9c2 cells, which could be effectively blocked by nardosinone at the concentration of 100 μmol/L. Further study revealed that the protective effects of nardosinone might be mediated by repressing the phosphorylation of related proteins in PI3K/Akt and MEK/ERK signaling pathways. It was suggested that the inhibitory effect of nardosinone on Ang II-induced hypertrophy in H9c2 cells might be mediated by targeting PI3K/Akt and MEK/ERK signaling pathways.
Angiotensin II ; physiology ; Animals ; Cardiotonic Agents ; pharmacology ; Cell Line ; Cell Size ; drug effects ; Hypertrophy ; metabolism ; pathology ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Myoblasts, Cardiac ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Sesquiterpenes ; pharmacology ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of auricular points sticking-pressing (APSP) in treating post-cesarean hypogalactia (PCH).

METHODSA randomized, controlled, single-blinded clinical trial on 116 patients with PCH was carried out. They were equally assigned to the treatment group and the control group. The treatment group received APSP, with the pellets pressed for 4 times daily, while the control group was only asked to do lactation to meet infant demand. The therapeutic efficacy and the changes in scores of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome, volume of milk secretion, supplementary feeding and serum level of prolactin (PRL) in the two groups were estimated and compared after the patients had been treated for 5 days.

RESULTSThe cured and markedly effective rate in the treatment group was 89.7%, which was significantly higher than that in the control group (27.6%, P<0.05), 95% CI (0.1543, 0.2527). The improvement of TCM syndrome, elevation of milking volume, decrease of the supplementary feeding and increase of PRL level revealed in the treatment group were all superior to those in the control group, showing statistical significance (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONAPSP shows an apparent efficacy in treating PCH and is worthy of application in clinical practice.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture, Ear ; adverse effects ; methods ; Adult ; Cesarean Section ; adverse effects ; rehabilitation ; Female ; Humans ; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena ; Infant, Newborn ; Lactation ; physiology ; Lactation Disorders ; blood ; therapy ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; adverse effects ; methods ; Milk, Human ; secretion ; Postoperative Complications ; therapy ; Pregnancy ; Pressure ; Prolactin ; blood ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

This study was aimed to evaluate the long-term effects of telbivudine (LdT) in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and HBV-related liver cirrhosis (LC) and to observe the changes of immunological responses during LdT treatment. Clinical data of 80 CHB and 28 HBV-related LC patients who were administered with LdT for 108 weeks and followed up were retrospectively analyzed. The liver function indicators including ALT, AST and γ-GT, HBV DNA copy number in serum and the rates of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion were analyzed before and 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96 and 108 weeks after LdT treatment in CHB and LC groups. Four serum fibrosis-related markers, including hyaluronic acid (HA), human laminin (LN), human type IV collagen (IV-C) and human N-terminal procollagen III peptide (PC-III), were detected before and after LdT treatment in LC group. The results showed favorable viral suppression and biochemical responses after treatment with LdT for 12 weeks, and a high rate of virological and biochemical control was maintained during the course of 108-week treatment in both CHB and LC groups. The four fibrosis-related markers, especially HA and LN, were down-regulated to some degrees in LC group. Moreover, LdT treatment led to the fluctuation of the circulating interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels at different time points in CHB group. It was concluded that LdT could favorably lead to the virological suppression and biochemical remission. Besides, IFN-γ and IL-10 may represent a suitable and effective predictor of responsiveness during LdT therapy.
Adult ; Aged ; Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Thymidine ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo study the selective effect to tumor cells mediated by a recombinant adenoviral vector carrying E2F-1 promoter.

METHODSThe AdEasy-1 adenoviral vector system was used in this experiment. Several recombinant adenovirus with tumor-targeting E2F-1 promoter were constructed and then the E2F-1 promoter gene was checked by PCR and sequencing. The two adenovirus expressing GFP gene which is regulated by E2F-1 promoter or CMV promoter were used to respectively transfect tumor cells and non-proliferating normal cells, then observed and analyzed the different results caused by different promoters. Vpr gene was cloned into the targeting recombinant adenovirus. The new adenovirus named rvAdE2F-1/vpr was used to transfect tumor cells SMMC-7721, LS174T and non-proliferating normal cells H292, L-02. The surviving rate of each group was registered; the level of E2F-1 protein expressed in normal and tumor cell lines were checked by Western Blot.

RESULTE2F-1 promoter can regulate the downstream gene GFP selectively expressed in LS174T and its activity in LS174T was similar with CMV promoter's; Vpr gene regulated by E2F-1 promoter can suppress the proliferation of tumor cells and no toxicity to normal cells; In all of the tumor cells, a much higher level of E2F-1 was expressed compared with normal cell lines. E2F-1 promoter's activity correlated well with E2F-1 protein levels.

CONCLUSIONSE2F-1 promoter can control a selective cell killing to cancer cells, with no effect to normal cells. The system of E2F-1 promoter is a useful method for tumor-targeting gene therapy.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Line ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; E2F1 Transcription Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Gene Products, vpr ; genetics ; physiology ; Genetic Therapy ; methods ; Genetic Vectors ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; therapy ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection

Objective To explore the efficacy and safety of autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (APBSCT) in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus.Methods Nine patients with systemic lupus erythematosus were enrolled in this study.Patients were given cyclophosphamide and granu- locyte colony-stimulating factor(G-CSF)as the mobilization regimen.Urine was alkalinized and hydrolyzed to protect the function of the heart,liver and kidney of the patients.A CS3000 Plus blood cell separator was used to collect peripheral blood stem cells,which were preserved in liquid nitrogen.Two to five days before the administration of the stem cells,the patients were pretreated with intravenous injection of cyclophos- phamide (50 mg?kg~(-1)?day~1) for 4 consecutive days and antithymocyte globulin (ATG,2.5 mg?kg~(-1)?day~1) for 3 consecutive days.Granulocytes were recoverd by G-CSF stimulation.Then,the peripheral blood stem cells were reinfused.Therapeutic effect was evaluated by assessment of alteration of clinical manifestation (skin erythema),levels of proteinuria and antoantibodies,hematopoietic reconstitution and occurrence of transplantation related complications.Results After transplantation,all patients had been successfully en- grafted.The time for peripheral leucocyte count to reach 1.0?10~9/L was 7～15d;the time for platelets to reach 20?10~9/L was 0～21 d.The skin erythema resolved in all patients;proteinuria decreased to normal level and the autoantibodies became negative in most of the patients.Serum sickness-like response occurred in all patients,renal and heart failure in 1 patient,hemorrhagic cystitis in 3 patients,psychiatric disorders in 1 patient,candidal infection in 1 patient.Conclusion One-year follow up suggests that autologous stem cell transplantation is markedly effective and relatively safe for systemic lupus erythematosus.However,the duration of remission remains to be investigated in a long-term follow up study.

Objective To study the clinical efficacy of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) combined with agitation thrombolysis in treatment of acute portal vein thrombosis (PVT) in patients with liver cirrhosis.Methods The clinical data of 37 cirrhotic patients with acute PVT treated from January 2014 to December 2017 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Science and Technology was analyzed.There were 20 males and 17 females with age ranging from 29 to 71 years.The patients were divided into the combined group (n =15) and the anticoagulation group (n =22).The combined group was treated with TIPS combined with agitation thrombolysis anticoagulation.The anticoagulation group was treated with anticoagulation.The changes in liver function and hemodynamics of portal vein of the two group were compared.Follow-up studies included postoperative portal vein patency,bleeding and survival rates of patients.Results The postoperative portal vein pressure and maximum burden of PVT in the combined group were significantly lower than those before operation,and the portal vein maximum blood volume and flow velocity of portal vein were significantly higher than those before operation (all P ＜ 0.05).At 2 weeks,6 months and 12 months after operation,the maximum burden of PVT of the combined group was (13.9 ±5.4)％,(16.1 ±5.5)％ and (13.8 ±6.2)％,respectively,which was significantly lower than that of the anticoagulant group (84.1±31.3)％,(85.9±27.6)％ and (88.2±39.5)％ (all P＜0.05).At 2 weeks,6 months and 12 months after operation,the flow velocity of portal vein of the combined group was (21.6 ± 5.7) cm/s,(16.1 ± 6.3) crn/s and (17.6 ± 4.9) cm/s,respectively,which was significantly higher than that of the anticoagulation group (9.7 ± 4.6) cm/s,(8.1 ± 4.3) cm/s and (8.2 ± 3.5) cm/s (all P ＜ 0.05).After operation,3 patients in the combined group developed recurrence of portal vein thrombosis,while the remaining patients had smooth blood flow in the portal vein and shunt.In the anticoagulation group,only 3 patients had unobstructed portal vein blood flow.The cumulative rate of no gastrointes tinal bleeding in the combined group was significantly better than the anticoagulant group.The cumulative survival rate of the combined group was also significantly better than the anticoagulation group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion TIPS combined with agitation thrombolysis was more effective than the traditional anticoagulant therapy in treatment of acute portal vein thrombosis in cirrhotic patients.