Objective To evaluate the clinical value of the quantitative detection of plasma 1,3-β-D-glucan in penicilliposis marneffei. Methods The 1,3-β-D-glucan concentrations were detected by using a G test. Results In 60 New Zealand rabbits infected by Penicillium marneffei,the levels of 1,3-β-D-glucan were positively correlated with infectious severity. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive rate and negative predictive rate were 88.3%、100%、 100% and 58.8% respectively,which were significantly higher than those of the control group(P <0.01 ).Conclusion The quantitative method for the detection of 1,3-β-D-glucan in plasma was simple,sensitive and reliable, and could be used as the assisting diagnosis of penicilliposis marneffei at early stage.

Recent studies suggested that the prostate cancer may arise from prostate cancer stem cells that share some same characteristics with normal stem cells. The purpose of this study was to detect the differences of Nanog expression between PC3 prostate cancer cell line and its tumor stem cells, and the relationship was preliminarily examined between Nanog and prostate cancer and its tumor stem cells. By using magnetic active cell sorting (MACS), we isolated a population of CD44(+)/CD133(+) prostate cancer cells that display stem cell characteristics from PC3 cell line. Immunohistochemistry revealed positive expressions of CD44, CD133 and α(2)β(1)-integin in the isolated cells. CCK-8 analysis showed that isolated cells had a strong proliferative ability. The formation of the cell spheres in serum-free medium and holoclones in serum-supplied medium showed that the cells were capable of self-renewing, indicating that the isolated cells were a population of cancer stem-like cells derived from PC3 cell line. Western blotting exhibited that the isolated cells had higher experession of Nanog, an embryonic stem marker, as compared with PC3 cells. Our study showed that Nanog might be helpful in sustaining the self-renewal and the undifferentiation of prostate cancer stem cells, and may serve as a marker for prostate cancer stem cells for isolation and identification.

Objective To discuss the ultrastructural pathological characteristics and dynamic changes of brain vessel after subarachnoid hemorrhage(SAH),and the mechanism of these changes in delayed cerebral vasospasm.Methods SAH model was made by infusing blood twice into the cistern magna of Japanese rabbits.The animals were divided randomly into SAH group,saline group,puncture group and blank group,at 1 h,3 d,5 d,7 d and 10 d after the first infusion the animals were perfused and basilar artery was harvested.Ultrastructural changes were observed under light microscope and electron microscope.Results Under the light microscope,the vessel wall became thick,the vessel cavity became narrow,the endothelia cells became swollen,vacuoles could be found in the chromatin,inner elastic membrane became reductus and broke.Under the electron microscope,the close connection between the endothelial cells disappeared,the membrane of the cells fell off,and the mitochondria became swollen,vacuoles could be seen,the chromatin became concentrated,heterochromatin could be seen,smooth muscle became deformed,chromatin became uneven, myofilament had derangement and fragmentation and dissolved,vacuolus could be seen in the kytoplasm,mitochondrion became swollen.The structural change of basilar artery under the light microscope got similar to that under the electron microscope;slight change was observed right after 1 h of SAH,significant change was observed at 3 d,and most obvious change was observed between 5 d and 7 d.Conclusion Ultrastructural changes were observed in the basilar artery after SAH,and significant dynamic changes were observed in the progress.The damage of endothelia cells may be the important factors which cause delayed cerebral vasospasm.

Background: Integrative traditional Chinese and western medicine may be a new approach to improve the eradication rate of Helicobacter pylori (Hp).Aims: To compare the efficacy and safety of Weifuchun tablet versus bismuth combined with standard triple regimen as the first-line therapy of Hp infection.Methods: A total of 141 patients with Hp infection and na(i)ve to treatment were randomly assigned into 3 groups receiving a 14-day eradication therapy.In standard triple therapy group, esomeprazole, amoxicillin and clarithromycin were given twice a day;while in Weifuchun group and bismuth group, Weifuchun tablet and bismuth potassium citrate were added, respectively, to the standard triple therapy.Hp eradication was assessed by 13C-urea breath test at least 6 weeks after the end of treatment.Hp isolates were tested for resistance to antibiotics.Results: One hundred and twenty-eight patients completed the study.Hp eradication rates in Weifuchun group, bismuth group and standard triple therapy group were 83.7%, 91.8% and 79.1%, respectively by ITT analysis and 88.4%, 97.8% and 84.6%, respectively by PP analysis.The eradication rate of Weifuchun group was lower than that of bismuth group and higher than that of standard triple therapy group, but the differences were not statistically significant (P>0.05).Only PP eradication rate of bismuth group was significantly higher than that of standard triple therapy group (P<0.05).The resistant rates of Hp to clarithromycin, amoxicillin and metronidazole were 33.3%, 2.9% and 70.5%, respectively.For eradication of clarithromycin resistant strains, bismuth group was superior to Weifuchun group and standard triple therapy group (100% vs.60.0% and 66.7%, P all <0.05).All three eradication regimens showed good compliance, and no significant difference in incidence of adverse events was found between the three regimens (P>0.05).Conclusions: Weifuchun tablet combined with standard triple regimen is safe and effective for use as first-line treatment for Hp infection, however, the eradication rate is relatively low in cases infected with clarithromycin resistant strains.Bismuth combined with standard triple regimen is a good alternative in areas with high clarithromycin resistance and regions where tetracycline is unavailable.

Object To optimize the extraction conditions of Fumai Decoction. Methods Uniform design test was used, and the contents of glycyrrhizinic acid and ginsenoside Rb 1 in extracted solvent were determined by HPLC. Results The ethanol volume and the extracting temperature in the uniform test impacted the test remakably. The best extraction process of Fumai Decoction as follows: the raw drugs were extracted by 10 times of 50% ethanol at 60 ℃ for 4 hours. Conclusion Glycyrrhetinic acid and ginsenoside Rb 1 contents in Fumai Decoction are higher according to the above extraction process.

Objective To evaluate the effect of fingolimod(FTY720) on angiotensin Ⅱ(AngⅡ)-induced renal oxidative stress in rats and its possible mechanisms.Methods Thirty-six male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups through random number tables:AngⅡ infusion group(twelve rats,infusion of AngⅡvia subcutaneous osmotic pumps),0.9% sodium hydrochloride solution infusion group(twelve rats,infusion of equal volume of 0.9% sodium hydrochloride solution via subcutaneous osmotic pumps) and FTY720 intervention group(twelve rats,intra-gastric administration of FTY720 besides AngⅡ infusion).Urine samples were collected for 24 hours every week.Blood samples and kidneys were collected when rats were sacrificed at day 14 and 28 d respectively.MDA and T-SOD assay Kits were used to detect the concentrations of MDA and T-SOD in serum and kidney homogenates.Renal pathological changes were observed by light microscope.The expression of Nox4 in the kidneys was evaluated by immunohistochemistry.Results Compared with 0.9% sodium hydrochloride solution infusion rats of the same period,AngⅡ-infused rats developed significant proteinuria.The concentration of serum creatinine,urea nitrogen,AngⅡ and MDA were increased(P<0.05),T-SOD was significantly decreased on days 14 and 28(P<0.05),the serum albumin was significantly increased on day 28(P<0.05),while FTY720 partially reversed these changes.The renal tissue of AngⅡ-infused rats presented mesangial cells proliferation,mesangial matrix deposition,tubular epithelial cells effacement,sclerosis and atrophy in part of the glomerular.FTY720 can alleviate these changes.Immunohistochemistry showed that Nox4 was primarily located in the distal tubule.The expression of Nox4 was significantly increased in AngⅡ-infused rats as compared with that of 0.9% sodium hydrochloride solution infused group rats,and FTY720 administration prevented the change effectively.Conclusion AngⅡ-induced renal injury could be attenuated by FTY720 via preventing oxidative stress.

BACKGROUND:Currently, there are a lot of studies addressing oral microflora variation in patients wearing fixed orthodontic appliance. OBJECTIVE:To determine the changes in Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacil us and oral health in teenagers wearing metal orthodontic appliances. METHODS:Twenty-three who were subjected to fixed metal orthodontic appliances as testing group and 18 adolescent volunteers with no oral diseases served as controls. We col ected saliva samples from al the participants immediately, 90 days and 180 days after fixed metal orthodontic treatment to detect changes in Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacil us, which can lead to dental caries, and other oral parameters, including gingival index and oral hygiene index. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In the control group, there were no difference in Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacil us, gingival index and oral hygiene index at three time points. In the testing group, the hazard levels of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacil us were significantly increased at 90 and 180 days than immediately after fixed metal orthodontic treatment (P<0.05), as wel as the gingival index at 90 days and oral hygiene index at 180 days became worse (P<0.05). At 180 days after fixed metal orthodontic treatment, the hazard levels of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacil us, gingival index and oral hygiene index were severer in the testing group than the control group (P<0.05). These findings indicate that the fixed metal orthodontic appliance could lead to increasing of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacil us, and reduce oral health status badly.

Objective To investigate the site,MR signal types and morphological characteristics of ulnar nerve in cubital tunnel for healthy adults,in order to improve the awareness of ulnar nerve.Methods Unilateral elbow of forty healthy volunteers were scanned with MR,the sequences were as follows:T1-weighted-spin-echo,T2-weighted-spin-echo-fat-suppression,PD-weighted-spin-echo-fat-suppression,among 40,13 were supine,27 were prone.The site and MR signal types and morphological characteristics of ulnar nerve were observed,the long diameter and short diameter of the ulnar nerve on different axials were respectively measured.Results On axial,ulnar nerve was posterior to the medial condyle of the humerus at proximal elbow,lied between the flexor carpi ulnaris and the flexor digitorum profunds and superficialis muscles distally.The shape of the ulnar nerve was roundness or elliptic,the signal of 40 volunteers'(100％) ulnar nerve was isointensity on T1-weighted,the signal of 17 volunteers'(42.5％)ulnar nerve was isointense on T2-weighted or PD-weighted,the MRI signal of 23 volunteers' (57.5％) ulnar nerve was slight hyperintense on T2-weighted or PD-weighted,especially on the axial of medial condyle of humerus.The variation range of long diameter and short diameter of the ulnar nerve respectively were 1.4-3.8 mm,1.0-3.0 mm.Conclusion The certain location,MR signal types and morphological characteristics of normal ulnar nerve play an important role in the diagnosis of cubital tunnel syndrome.

Transforming growth factor-β is an important cytokine with various bioactivities, including embryonic development, wound healing, chemotaxis and cell cycle regulation. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is the main pathway of tumor cell to obtain the ability of invasion and metastasis. The TGF-β is the key factor known to induce EMT in cancer cells and plays an important role in the process. In recent years, some progress has been obtained. Some TGF-β inhibitors have approved in the market or in clinical trials. TGF-β inhibitors can play an important role on the treatment of tumors, glaucoma, liver and kidney fibrosis disease and scar repair. Novel TGF-β inhibitors reported in recent years were reviewed in this article.
Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Humans ; Neoplasms ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Wound Healing