Diagnosis, Differential ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Eczema ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo evaluate efficacies of three commonly used oral drugs including Berbamine Hydrochloride Tablet (B), Qijiao Shengbai Capsule (Q), and Leucogen Tablet (L) (by single drug, two drugs or three drugs) combined with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) for treat ment of chemotherapy related leukocytopenia in mice.

METHODSTotally 156 Kunming male mice were divided into the normal control group (A, n=24), the model group (B, n=24), the G-CSF group (C, n =24), the G-CSF+Q group (D, n=12), G-CSF+ B (E, n=12), the G-CSF+L group (F, n=12), the G-CSF + Q + B group (G, n=12), the G-CSF + Q + L group (H, n=12), the G-CSF + L + B group (I, n=12), and the G-CSF + L + Q + B (J, n=12). Mouse models of chemotherapy related leukocytopenia were established by intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide (CTX). A G-CSF group was set up as a positive control. Mice were treated by a single oral drug, a single oral drug combined with G-CSF, and two or three drugs combined with G-CSF respectively, and the death rate calculated. Hemocytes [such as white blood cells (WBC) and its classification, red blood cells (RBC), platelet (PLT), hemoglobin (Hb)] were calculated by hematology analyzer. Mice were anatomized and important organs weighed. Organ indices were calculated.

RESULTSThere was no statistical difference in the mortality rate among all groups (P > 0.05). Compared with Group B, WBC was elevated in all other groups (P < 0.01). WBC and PLT were elevated most in Group J, Hb and RBC were also increased at the same time (P < 0.05, P < 0. 01). Compared with Group B, RBC increased in Group E, F, G, I, and J (P < 0.01); Hb obviously increased in Group C, E, F, H, I, and J (P<0.01). Compared with Group B and D, the promotion of erythroid hematopoiesis by G-CSF could be elevated in any group contained drug B and L (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The spleen index of model mice could be significantly improved in Group C, D, and G (P < 0.01). The thymus index of model mice could be significantly improved in Group H (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe best scheme to treat mice with chemotherapy related leukopenia or decreased three blood series was to administrate three commonly oral drugs combined with G-CSF. Authors speculated that G-CSF and Q might have a certain effect on CTX induced immune inhibition.

Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Blood Platelets ; Cyclophosphamide ; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Erythrocyte Count ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; metabolism ; Hematopoiesis ; Hemoglobins ; Leukocyte Count ; Leukocytes ; Leukopenia ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Male ; Mice ; Pharmaceutical Preparations

Heat-labile enterotoxin (LT) from Escherichia coli is a bacterial protein toxin with an AB5 hexamer structure. LT is a powerful mucosal adjuvant when co-administered with soluble antigens. However, its use in mucosal immunity is inconvenient because of its low yield and depolymerization during long-term storage under normal condition. In this study, we report an efficient expression system and optimized purification and storage strategy of LT. A gene encoding LT was cloned into the vector pET11c and transformed in E. coli BL21(DE3). By growing this strain on modified M9-CAA medium, LT was expressed efficiently. About 46mg/L LT could be purified from the supernatant of bacteria lysate. Using D(+)-Immobilized galactose column, LT could be purified at a wide pH range with various elution buffers. The optimized elution buffers are TEAN (pH 7.3) containing 0.3mol/L galactose and carbonate buffer (pH 10.4) containing 0.3mol/L galactose. After dried by freeze and placed in 4 degrees C, LT dissolved in TEAN (pH 7.3) and carbonate buffer (pH 10.4) were assayed by HPLC. The results indicated that the integrity of AB5 hexamer was kept well. LT could undergo long-term storage under this condition. This was proved to be an optimized strategy of LT storage. The results of GM1 binding assay and toxicity assay showed that the purified recombinant LT has normal biological character.
Animals ; Bacterial Toxins ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; CHO Cells ; Cell Shape ; drug effects ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Cricetinae ; Cricetulus ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Enterotoxins ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; metabolism ; Escherichia coli Proteins ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Female ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Toxicity Tests

OBJECTIVETo investigate the progression of visual field loss and to explore the prognosis of glaucomatous optic neuropathy in patients with chronic angle-closure glaucoma (CACG) after their intraocular pressures were well controlled under 21 mmHg.

METHODSForty-seven eyes of 29 patients in the Department of Ophthalmology in PUMC Hospital were included. All the patients had at least two separate tests of visual fields using the 24-2 program of the Humphery Visual Field Analyzer after their intraocular pressure were well controlled under 21 mmHg after sugery. The visual fields of patients were followed routinely for at least 1 year. In addition, all patients were divided into 2 groups according to follow-up period: 1-2 years group and over 2 years group. Visual field scores were calculated with the Advanced Glaucoma Intervention Study (AGIS) method. The visual fields were divided 5 sections and the sensitivity and defect depth of each section were calculated.

RESULTNo statistically significant differences were found in terms of AGIS scores, localized sensitivities and localized defects within the time interval of the observation.

CONCLUSIONGlaucomatous optic neuropathy is not likely to progressively deteriorate in CACG cases once their intraocular pressure are well controlled under 21 mmHg.

Aged ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glaucoma, Angle-Closure ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Intraocular Pressure ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Optic Disk ; physiopathology ; Optic Nerve Diseases ; physiopathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Visual Fields

Based on the improved design of the existing thoracic cavity closed drainage system, a new multi-functional device is developed and is described here in detail. The device is more convenient and more efficient than the existing system. Besides, it has a function of autotransfusion. Animal experimental results show that it has attained the goal of the improved design.
Drainage ; instrumentation ; methods ; Equipment Design ; Humans ; Thoracic Cavity ; Thoracic Surgical Procedures ; instrumentation

In eukaryotes protein phosphorytion is a key event. By reversible protein phosphorylation eukaryotes control many cellular processes including signal transduction, gene expression, the cell cycle etc. Phosphoproteomics involves identification of phosphoproteins and phosphopeptides, localization of the exact residues that are phosphorylated and quantitation of phosphorylation. Because protein phosphorylation is a dynamic process, and it is present at low abundance within cells, and the phosphorylated sites on proteins might vary, and mass spectrometry (MS) signals from phosphopeptides are usually suppressed etc., so phosphoprotein analysis have more difficulties than nonphosphoprotein. In this article, we outline several analysis techniques for separation, identification and quantitation of phosphorylated proteins and peptides, and discuss the progress in these techniques. At present, MS is still an essential core identification technology for phosphoproteomic studies, To search better enrichment strategies are the main challenges in this rapidly evolving field. A major goal of quantitative proteomics is precise quantification and identification of proteins in complex mixtures. A common method for quantitative proteome analysis is the stable isotope labeling method. Today there is no single method that supersedes all others techniques for Phosphoproteomic studies. With continued development of sample preparation techniques and instrumentation, it should be possible to perform a global analysis of protein phosphorylation.
Animals ; Humans ; Mass Spectrometry ; Phosphoproteins ; analysis ; Phosphorylation ; Proteomics ; methods

OBJECTIVETo establish a new method for the preparation of porcine acellular dermal matrix.

METHODSThe antigenicity of the porcine dermis was weakened by removing epidermal and dermal cells from the porcine skin through the digestion with low-concentration trypsin and repeated freeze-thaw cycles. Split thickness porcine skin was treated with 0.05% trypsin to remove the cells from the epidermis and dermis. Repeated freeze-thaw cycles were employed to further weed out the residual cells within the dermis. The prepared acellular dermis was then examined grossly, as well as histologically, and also by immunohistochemical method.

RESULTSNo cell could be identified in the prepared porcine acellular dermal matrix. The integral basement membrane was preserved on the surface of dermal matrix with compact dermal matrix collagen structure.

CONCLUSIONLow concentration trypsinization and repeated freeze-thaw cycles seemed to be a simple and effective method for the preparation of xenogeneic acellular dermal matrix.

Animals ; Dermis ; cytology ; transplantation ; Extracellular Matrix ; transplantation ; ultrastructure ; Freezing ; Skin Transplantation ; Swine ; Tissue Engineering ; methods ; Trypsin ; administration & dosage

Objective:To investigate the prognostic value of texture analysis of MRI diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) for neonatal hypoglycemic encephalopathy (HE).Methods:The clinical data and MRI data of 119 patients with neonatal HE admitted to Children′s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from July 2013 to September 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The children were followed up to 7—8 months and scored by Bayley scales of infant and toddler development. According to the overall development index, the children were divided into three groups: normal group (≥85, group A, n=42), mild developmental retardation group (70－84, group B, n=46) and developmental retardation group (≤69, group C, n= 31). The whole brain region (except sulcus and cisterna) was delineated as region of interest (ROI) by LIFEx 3.4 software in MRI apparent diffusion coefficient images. A total of 37 parameters were calculated automatically by the software, The clinical data, including gender, gestational age, age at MRI scan, birth weight, mode of delivery, history of asphyxia at birth, maternal preeclampsia or diabetes, minimum blood glucose, duration of hypoglycemia, neonatal behavioral neurological assessment (NBNA), presence or absence of polycythemia); the texture parameters, including histogram, volume, gray level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM), gray level run length matrix (GLRLM), neighborhood gray tone difference matrix (NGTDM), gray level size zone matrix (GLSZM), in the three groups were analyzed; and the diagnostic efficacy of clinical parameters and texture parameters was analyzed. Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze statistically significant clinical parameters and texture parameters, and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to evaluate the prognostic efficacy of these parameter for neonatal HE. Results:There were no significant differences in gender, gestational age, age at MRI scan, delivery mode and blood glucose minimum among the three groups ( P>0.05). There were significant differences in birth weight [(3 150±130)g, (3 020±220)g, (2 880±140)g, F=-0.31, P=0.015], history of suffocation (10 cases, 18 cases, 20 cases, P=0.001), history of maternal diabetes or preeclampsia (14 cases, 29 cases, 21 cases, P=0.002), blood glucose duration [(5.0±0.2)d, (8.0±0.4)d, (14.0±1.7)d, F=-3.09, P=0.030] and NBNA scores (32.0±3.2, 28.0±2.6, 22.0±1.9, F=-4.21, P=0.010) among three groups. There were significant differences in kurtosis and entropy of histogram (2.57±1.12, 3.66±0.98, 4.23±0.37, F=3.54, P=0.010;5.89±1.09, 7.67±2.12, 8.92±1.62, F=-4.42, P=0.020); energy, contrast and dissimilarity of GLCM (0.48±0.01, 0.36±0.02, 0.23±0.01, F=-3.12, P=0.001;2 419±21, 3 354±31, 4 313±26, F=-4.16, P=0.020;126±14, 153±23, 344±43, F=-3.50, P<0.001); long run emphasis of GLRLM (0.78±0.15, 1.12±0.12, 1.76±0.31, F=-4.13, P=0.006), run length non-uniformity and run percentage (71.7±13.9, 96.6±10.7, 104.1±13.5, F=-0.98, P=0.001;0.91±0.05, 0.84±0.21, 0.72±0.17, F=2.97, P=0.010); coarseness and busyness of NGTDM [0.09±0.01, 0.13±0.03, 0.26±0.07, F=-1.95, P=0.003;0.16(0.04, 4.14), 0.32(0.05, 9.84), 0.45(0.15, 10.14), H=-3.24, P=0.030], short-zone emphasis and short-zone high gray length emphasis of GLSZM (4.74±0.45, 3.44±1.03, 1.88±0.67, F=-3.14, P=0.040; 278 963±239, 164 607±544, 111 653±618, F=-3.84, P=0.001) among three groups. Multivariate Logistic regression showed that duration of hypoglycemia, NBNA score, energy, kurtosis, run percentage and short zone effect were independent risk factors for poor prognosis of neonatal HE ( OR=7.43, 4.09, 1.10, 2.11, 1.36, 1.68, P=0.002, 0.027, 0.001, 0.006, 0.007, 0.010, respectively). ROC curve showed that for combined hypoglycemic duration, NBNA and texture parameters, the area under the curve (AUC) was the highest (AUC=0.94, P<0.001). Conclusion:Texture analysis of the MRI diffusion weighted imaging can predict the prognosis of neonatal hypoglycemic encephalopathy at an early stage, which has better prediction efficiency when combined with clinical features.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association between hemoglobin scavenger receptor (CD163) expression levels on monocytic surfaces and coronary atherosclerotic severity in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) as well as the roles of CD163 in inflammation and lipidperoxidation.

METHODSEighty-four patients were diagnosed as CHD according to the results of coronary angiography and ACC/AHA diagnostic criteria. The patients were divided into 3 groups: acute myocardial infarction (AMI) group (n = 30), unstable angina (UA) group (n = 30), stable angina (SA) group (n = 24). Another 20 patients with normal coronary artery served as control. Expression levels of CD163 on monocytes were detected by means of flow cytometry, and the results were shown as mean fluorescence intensity (mfi). All patients underwent coronary angiography and the results were further evaluated by Jenkins score. Serum CRP and LDL-C were also measured.

RESULTSThe expression levels of CD163 on monocytes in peripheral blood were significantly higher in CHD patients compared to controls (P < 0.01) in the order of AMI group [(84.4 +/- 6.9) mfi] > UA group [(64.1 +/- 5.5) mfi, P < 0.01 vs. AMI] > SA group [(46.7 +/- 6.5) mfi, P < 0.01 vs. AMI and UA] > control group [(22.0 +/- 6.1) mfi, P < 0.01 vs. AMI, UA and SA]. The expression levels of CD163 on monocytes in patients with CHD were positively correlated with Jenkins score (r = 0.9107, P < 0.01), CRP (r = 0.766, P < 0.01) and LDL-C (r = 0.749, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSExpression levels of CD163 was significantly increased in patients with CHD and positively correlated with coronary heart disease severity and serum CRP and LDL-C.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic ; metabolism ; C-Reactive Protein ; analysis ; Cholesterol, LDL ; blood ; Coronary Disease ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; metabolism ; Severity of Illness Index

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical response, pathological complete response (pCR), tumor resection rate and safety of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with docetaxel and epirubicin (ET) for locally advanced breast cancer (LABC).

METHODSFrom March to December 2001, 40 women with LABC, aged from 28-67 (medium 48) years were alloted. Twenty patients had clinical stage IIIa disease, 15 had stage IIIb disease and 5 stage IV patients who had ipsilateral sura-clavicular metastasis. The dose was: epirubicin (E) 60 mg/m2, docetaxel (T) 75 mg/m2 every 3 weeks, with G-CSF given preventively. After 2 cycles of ET, a pilot clinical response evaluation was performed by investigators for each patient to decide if she should receive another 1-2 cycles of ET before surgery or radiation therapy.

RESULTSThirty-eight patients received 2-3 cycles of ET regimen. The pCR, clinical complete response (cCR) and clinical partial response (cPR) rates were 15.0%, 20.0% and 52.5%, respectively. Tumor resection rate in this group was 92.5%. Incidence of III/IV Grade neutropenia was 8.4%/14.0% of cycles, and 3 patients suffered from neutropenia with fever. Non-hematological adverse events were alopecia, nausea, vomiting, fluid retention, myalgia, arthralgia and nail disorders, which were mild to moderate.

CONCLUSIONNeo-adjuvant chemotherapy with a combination of docetaxel and epirubicin is effective and well tolerated by women with locally advanced breast cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Breast Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; surgery ; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast ; drug therapy ; surgery ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Drug Administration Schedule ; Epirubicin ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neutropenia ; chemically induced ; Paclitaxel ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Remission Induction