Objective To investigate the expression of P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) and the effect of P2X7R agonist 2'-3'-O-(4-benzoyl-benzoyl) ethane adenosine triphosphate three amine salt (BzATP) on cell growth and apoptosis in non-small cell lung cancer A549 cells,and to explore the related mechanism.Methods The expression of P2X7R in A549 cells was detected by immunofluorescence.Cells were treated with different concentrations (150,300,600 μmol/L) of BzATP.Cells untreated with BzATP were used as control group.3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazoly)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTF) assay and Hoest33342 staining were respectively used to detect cell viability and apoptosis.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was uesd to detect the concentration of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) of cell culture supernatants.The expressions of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65,inhibitor of α of NF-κB (IκBα) and the phosphorylation of inhibitor of α of NF-κB (phospho-IκBα) were detected by Western blotting.Results P2X7R was expressed on the cell membrane of A549 cells.Survival rate of A549 cell was significantly decreased with the concentrations of BzATP at 300 and 600 μmol/L [(67.87 ± 8.98) ％,(44.73 ± 6.92) ％],compared with the control group (98.60 ± 1.44) ％,the differences were statistically significant (t =4.481,P =0.027;t =3.920,P =0.038).BzATP promoted apoptosis,and increased the concentration of TNF-α of supernatant at 300 and 600 μmol/L [(57.35 ±6.41) pg/ml,(78.63 ± 11.33) pg/ml],compared with the control group (42.56 ±0.37) pg/ml,the differences were statistically significant (t =6.410,P =0.035;t =11.330,P =0.005).In addation,the expressions of NF-κB p65 and IκBα were respectively downregulated and upregulated by BzATP,while the expression of phospho-IκBα was not significantly altered.Conclusion P2X7R is expressed on A549 cell membrane.BzATP can inhibit cell proliferation and induce the apoptosis of A549 cells,and the mechanism of action may be related to promoting the release of TNF-α and inhibition of NF-κB pathway.

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is an autoimmune liver disorder characterized by chronic inflammation of liver. Although the etiology of AIH remains obscure, genetic and environmental factors may contribute to the development of AIH. In the past years, investigators have attempted to uncover the genetic architecture of AIH. Multiple genetic loci have been reported to be associated with AIH, in which human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles were strongly associated with disease onset and clinical manifestations for decades. A recent genome wide association study identified that two loci (SH2B3 and CARD10) increased susceptibility of AIH, in addition to the HLA loci. The genetic study is aiming to help to elucidate the genetic pathogenesis for AIH.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of natural type ginsenoside Rg2 (Rg2) and its stereoisomers [20 (R)-Rg2 and 20 (S)-Rg2] at different concentrations on oxygen-glucose deprivation/ reperfusion (OGD/R) induced cortical neuronal injury model in vitro, and to explore the mechanism, and compare their differences of action.

METHODSCortical neurons after 7-day culture were randomly divided into 5 groups, i.e., the control group, the model group, the Rg2 group, 20 (R) -Rg2 group, and 20 (S) - Rg2 group. Cortical neurons in the Rg2 group, 20 (R)-Rg2 group, and 20(S)-Rg2 group were pretreated with 20, 40, and 80 μmol/L Rg2, 20 (R) -Rg2, and 20 (S) -Rg2 for 24 h to prepare OGD/R model. The cell survival rate, the activity of Caspase-3, the intracellular Ca2+ concentration, contents of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were detected 24 h later.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, cell survival rates and activities of SOD obviously decreased, the activity of Caspase-3, Ca2+ fluorescent optical gray value, and contents of MDA significantly increased with statistical difference (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, cell survival rates and activities of SOD obviously increased, the activity of Caspase-3, Ca2+ fluorescent optical gray value, and contents of MDA significantly decreased in 20 μmol/L Rg2 group, 40 μmol/L 20 (R) -Rg2 group, and 80 μmol/L 20 (S) -Rg2 group (P < 0.05). Compared with 20(S)-Rg2 group, cell survival rates increased and contents of MDA significantly decreased in 20, 40, and 80 μmol/L Rg2 and 20 (R)-Rg2 groups (P < 0.05). The activity of Caspase-3 decreased and contents of SOD increased in 80 μmol/L 20 (R)-Rg2 group, and 40, 80 μmol/L Rg2 groups (P < 0.05). Ca2+ fluorescent optical gray value decreased in 40, 80 μmol/L Rg2 and 20 (R)-Rg2 groups (P < 0.05). Compared with 20 (R)-Rg2 group, Ca2+ fluorescent optical gray value decreased in 80 μmol/L Rg2 group (P < 0.05); contents of SOD increased in 40 and 80 μmol/L Rg2 groups (P < 0.05); contents of MDA decreased in 20, 40, and 80 μmol/L Rg2 groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSRg2 and its stereoisomers could improve cell vitality of cortical neurons against OGD/R induced injury. This might be related to improving anti-apoptotic capacities and antioxidant abilities, and reducing Ca2+ inflow. Besides, the neuroprotective effect of 20 (R) -Rg2 was better than that of 20 (S) -Rg2, but inferior to that of Rg2.

Antioxidants ; metabolism ; Apoptosis ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cell Survival ; Cells, Cultured ; Ginsenosides ; pharmacology ; Glucose ; Humans ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Neurons ; drug effects ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; Oxygen ; Random Allocation ; Reperfusion Injury ; Stereoisomerism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

OBJECTIVEThe history of clinical application of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been more than 30 years. But in China, there were only a few ECMO centers with limited successful cases reported by the end of twentieth century. The high morbidities and mortalities in current pediatric ECMO practice are noted in China. Therefore, it is necessary to review the experience on rescue use of ECMO in critically ill pediatric patients.

METHODA retrospective analysis was done for patients who had been receiving ECMO treatment to rescue refractory cardiorespiratory failure from different causes in a hospital between July 2007 and May 2011.

RESULTA total of 12 patients were treated with ECMO; 7 of them were male and 5 female, they aged 6 days to 11 years, weighed 2.8 - 35 (17.21 ± 11.64) kg. The underlying causes of cardiorespiratory failure were as follows: two cases with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) leading to respiratory failure, 4 with failure of weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass, 3 with fulminant myocarditis, 1 with right ventricular cardiomyopathy leading to repeated cardiac arrest, 1 with preoperative severe hypoxemia, and 1 with anaphylactic shock complicated with massive pulmonary hemorrhage and severe hypoxemia. Of the 12 cases, 3 were established ECMO (E-CPR) while underwent chest compression cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The mean ECMO support time was 151.75 (15 - 572) h. Seven patients (58.33%) were weaned from ECMO, 6 patients (50.00%) were successfully discharged. Six cases had bleeding from sutures, 2 cases with severe bleeding underwent thoracotomy hemostasis, 2 presented with acute renal failure. Infection was documented in 3 cases, hyperbilirubinemia in 2 cases, lower limb ischemia in 1 case, hyperglycemia in 3 cases, disseminated intravascular coagulation in 1 case, membrane lung leakage in 2 cases, systemic hemolysis in 3 cases, oxygenator failure in 2 cases and oxygenator thrombosis in one case. During the follow-up between 6 months and 4.5 years, 5 patients survived with good quality of life, without any documented central nervous system disorders. One case survived with the right lower extremity disorder from ischemic damage. His motor function has been improved following orthopedic operation at one year after discharge.

CONCLUSIONECMO is a justifiable alternative treatment for reversible severe cardiopulmonary failure in critically ill children.

Cardiac Output, Low ; etiology ; therapy ; Cause of Death ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Critical Illness ; mortality ; therapy ; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation ; adverse effects ; Female ; Heart Failure ; etiology ; mortality ; therapy ; Hemorrhage ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Postoperative Complications ; mortality ; therapy ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; etiology ; mortality ; therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Analysis ; Thrombosis ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Treatment Outcome

In this study, the current status for breast diseases in a region with high-incidence of cervical cancer were epidemiologically investigated. From March to August, 2009, 17618 women, from Wufeng area of Hubei province, China, were recruited to screen breast diseases by using breast infrared diagnostic apparatus. Other diagnostic methods, such as B-mode ultrasound, X-ray mammography, needle biopsy and pathological examination were, if necessary, used to further confirm the diagnosis. The screening showed that 5990 of 17618 cases (34.00%) had breast diseases, 5843 (33.16%) had mammary gland hyperplasia, 48 (0.27%) had breast fibroadenoma, 11 (0.06%) had breast carcinoma, and 88 (0.50%) had other breast diseases. The peak morbidity of breast cancer was found in the women aged 50-60 ages. The morbidity of breast cancer was significantly increased in women elder than or equal to 50 years old (n=8, 0.157%) in comparison with that in the subjects younger than 50 years old (n=3, 0.024%) (u=2.327, P<0.05). It was shown that the occurrence of breast diseases was concentrated in women aged 20-40 years, while the total morbidity reached its peak at the age of 30 years and then decreased sharply after age of 40. Compared with the patients elder than or equal to 40 years old (n=3289, 27.46%), the morbidity rate of breast diseases was significantly increased in women less than 40 years old (2648 cases, 47.18%; P<0.001). However, there was no significant difference in the morbidity of breast diseases between the age group of 20-29 years and that of 30-39 years (P=0.453), and both of them were high. There was no significant association between the morbidity of breast diseases and cervical cancer. Since the morbidity of breast diseases was higher among young women, more attention should be paid to the screening of breast diseases among young women for early diagnosis.

Objective To explore the influence of drug dosage, solvent and other main influencing factors on the successful establishment of alloxan-induced hyperglycemia mouse model and the effect on the stability of this model. Methods 160 6-8-week-old Kunming mice ofSPF grade, (male:female=1:1) were used in this study.The influences of different dosages of alloxan and solvent combinations on the successful establishment rate of the model, survival rate, body weight, fasting blood glucose, blood glucose area under curve, serum insulin level and their stabilities were dynamically observed for six weeks.Results By single intraperitoneal injection of 160 mg/kg bw alloxan ( pH 4.5 citrate sodium as solvent) , we were able to obtain a stable experimental hyperglycemic mouse model with higher levels of successful establishment rate (70%), survival rate (75%), fasting blood glucose (15-20 mmol/L), glucose area under the curve (55-65 mmol/L) and a lower but not loss of serum insulin levels (21 mIU/L).Conclusions In the present study we have carefully considered the influence of main factors such as drug dosages, solvent, etc., on the alloxan-induced experimental hyperglycemic mouse model, and successfully established this model after 6-week period observation of its stability.This model may provide a useful tool in the research of experimental diabetes and hypoglycemic functional studies.

OBJECTIVETo compare the effect between lumbar backwards flexion manipulation and rotating manipulation for treating lumbar intervertebral disc herniation.

METHODSTwo hundred and nine patients of lumbar intervertebral disc herniation, male 131, female 78, the age from 20 to 79 years old, 58 cases of all these patients age above 50. According to diagnosis the ladder of the 92 cases bulging type, 69 hernia type, 48 cases free type. The patients were randomly divided into treatment group (107 cases) and control group (102 cases). All the patients were treated with the three-dimensional computer-controlled traction therapeutic apparatus, with continued traction for 30 minutes. After traction, lumbar backwards flexion manipulation and rotating manipulation were respectively adopted in treatment group and control group (on alternate days one time, 3 times as a course of treatment). The symptoms and signs (including back pain and discomfort, lower limb pain and numbness, powerless urination and defecation, numbness in perineum, straight-leg raising degree, ability of lower extremity walking, work and live) of patients were observed after treatment.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up from 1 to 6 months with an average of 3.2 months. After treatment, the symptoms and signs of patients have markedly improved (P < 0.01), but the lower back pain and discomfort, lower limb walking ability in treatment group were better than control group (P < 0.05). According therapeutic criteria, the effect of treatment group was better than of control group (P < 0.01). In cases with bulging type, 47 in treatment group and 45 in control group, the effect of treatment group was better than of control group (P < 0.05); in cases with hernia type, 35 in treatment group and 34 in control group, there was no significantly difference in effect between two groups (P > 0.05); in cases of free type, 25 in treatment group and 23 in control group, there was no significantly difference in effect between two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe global effect of lumbar backwards flexion manipulation was satisfactory than rotating manipulation for treating lumbar intervertebral disc herniation. But rotating manipulation suited to free type.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; surgery ; therapy ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; pathology ; Male ; Manipulation, Orthopedic ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome

Abnormalities, Multiple ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Anus, Imperforate ; surgery ; Colon ; abnormalities ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Ischium ; abnormalities ; Treatment Outcome ; Twins, Conjoined ; surgery

This study was aimed to evaluate the impact of regular donating platelets on serum ferritin (SF) of donors. A total of 93 male blood donors including 24 initial plateletpheresis donors and 69 regular plateletpheresis donors were selected randomly. Their SF level was measured by ELISA. The results showed that the SF level of initial plateletpheresis donors and regular plateletpheresis donors were 91.08 ± 23.38 µg/L and 57.16 ± 35.48 µg/L respectively, and all were in normal levels, but there was significant difference between the 2 groups (p < 0.05). The SF level decreased when the donation frequency increased, there were no significant differences between the groups with different donation frequency. Correlation with lifetime donations of platelets was not found. It is concluded that regular plateletpheresis donors may have lower SF level.
Adult ; Blood Donors ; Ferritins ; blood ; Humans ; Iron ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Platelet Count ; Plateletpheresis ; Serum ; chemistry ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the aberrant methylation of fragile histidine triad (FHIT) gene and to explore possible relationship between the aberrant methylation of FHIT and clinicopathological features in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODSThe hypermethylation of FHIT was detected by the methylation specific PCR (MSP) method in 45 patients with HCC (tumoral and nontumoral tissue), 14 cases of normal livers and 4 HCC cell lines (SK-Hep-1, Hep-G2, Hep-3B and Huh7). The correlation of FHIT methylation and clinicopathological features was analyzed.

RESULTSThe frequencies of hypermethylation of FHIT in tumoral and nontumoral tissue, normal liver and cell lines were 71.1%, 64.4%, 14.3% and 75.0%, respectively. A significant relation between hypermethylation of FHIT and poor survival was present (P = 0.0430).

CONCLUSIONSHypermethylation of FHIT is a frequent and early event in HCC, it might relate to a poor prognosis for patients with HCC.

Acid Anhydride Hydrolases ; genetics ; Adult ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; genetics ; pathology ; surgery ; DNA Methylation ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; Prognosis