Objective: To investigate the effects of protocatechuic acid (PCA) on the midbrain dopaminergic neurons injured by 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+). Methods: Midbrain neuron cells from KM mice pregnant 14 d were used in this experiment, and divided into control group, model group, low-, mid-, and high-dose (0.05, 0.1, and 0.5 mmol/L) groups. MTT method was used to determine the neuronal survival rate. The activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in culture, content of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), activity of mitochondrial complex I, and mitochondrial membrane potential were further determined. Results: PCA can enhance the viability of dopaminergic neurons damaged by MPP+, reduce the release of LDH and the generation of ROS, increase the activity of the mitochondrial complex Ι, and prevent the reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential. Conclusion: PCA has the neroprotective effects against MPP+-induced damage of midbrain dopaminergic neurons.

Animals ; Carcinogens ; toxicity ; Female ; Lung Neoplasms ; chemically induced ; pathology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Urethane ; toxicity

This study was aimed to investigate the expression of FLT3 internal tandem duplication (FLT3-ITD) in pediatric patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and to analyse the clinical features of patients with mutations and the relation of FLT3-ITD with multidrug resistance gene 1 (mdr1). RT-PCR was used to determine the expressions of FIT3-ITD and mdr1 gene in bone marrow samples from 81 new diagnosed pediatric patients with AML, the cytogenetics and immunophenotypes of bone marrow cells were routinely examined. The results indicated that the FLT3-ITDs were detected in 8 out of 81 pediatric patients (9.88%) and all mutations detected were hybrid, while less frequently this mutation was detected in adult patients. Although they were irrelevant with sex and immunophenotypes, the mutations seemed predominant in older pediatric patients. The leukocyte counts and bone marrow blast cell counts in pediatric patients with FLT3-ITD at diagnosis were higher than those in pediatric patients without FLT3-ITD (p = 0.001 and p = 0.041 respectively), but the normal chromosomes were found in most pediatric patients with FLT-ITD. The patients with FLT3-ITD had lower induction remission rate (only 25%), but the patients without FLT3-ITD had higher remission rate (76.1%). According results detected by RT-PCR, the mdr1 gene was found in 27 pediatric patients, but only 3 out of 8 pediatric patients with FLT3-ITD were detected to express both FLT3-ITD and mdr1, which suggests unrelation between FLT3-ITD occurrence and mdr1 expression. It is concluded that the FLT3-ITD is frequent mutation in pediatric patients with AML, the prognosis is worse and the induction remission rate is lower in these patients, but the FLT3-ITD not relates with the mdr1, which suggests that the common MDR modulators may be un effective for therapy of the patients with FLT3-ITD.
ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Sub-Family B ; ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; genetics ; Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; genetics ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Duplication ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; genetics ; Male ; Mutation ; Prognosis ; Tandem Repeat Sequences ; fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 3 ; genetics

Objective To assess the outcomes of ischemic stroke patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).Methods Six thousand six hundred and ninety-five patients with acute ischemic stroke,admitted to our hospital from May 2005 to December 2013,were recruited consecutively.These patients were divided into combined AF group (n=583) and non-combined AF group (n=6112).The clinical data,including stroke subtypes,stroke severity,risk factors of stroke,NIHSS scores and Barthel index,and outcomes,including mortality,unfavourable prognosis and recurrence at 3,12,and 36 months after stroke were analyzed.Results The prevalence rate of AF in the patients enrolled in this study was 8.7％ (583/6695).There was a higher frequency of AF in female than that in male,with significant difference (45.8％ vs.33.0％,P＜0.05).The patients from combined AF group were older than those without AF.The percentage of severe stroke in AF patients (34.8％) was significantly higher than that in non-combined AF group (8.3％,P＜0.05).The patients with AF were less likely than the patients without AF to have hypertension (63.8％ vs.73.3％),diabetes (24.9％ vs.32.3％),dyslipidemias (26.1％ vs.31.5％),artery stenosis (17.2％ vs.23.4％),current smoking (22.6％ vs.39.0％),and alcohol consumption (7.5 ％ vs.18.9％),with significant differences (P＜0.05).After adjusting age,gender,stroke subtype,and severity,and risk factors,multivariate analysis showed that there was a higher recurrence risk in combined AF group at 3 months after stroke than that in non-combined AF group (P＜0.05);patients with AF had significantly higher mortality,dependency,and recurrence rates at 12 and 36 months after stroke than those without AF (P＜0.05).Conclusion The long-term prognosis of patients with stroke complicated with AF is poor;therefore,normalized anticoagulant therapy should be taken to decrease the recurrence rate and burdens of stroke in China.

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to observe the association between the occurrence of esophageal cancer lesions and esophageal mucosa fold (white ridges), and further identify where is the initial origin of esophageal cancer lesions in the esophagus mucosa.

METHODSThis was a cohort study which recruited 551 subjects underwent endoscopic examination in a high risk area of esophageal cancer in Linxian, Henan Province in 1987. 339 subjects with esophageal white ridges, and with red area or erosion lesion at the surface of the white ridges, was studied as exposure group. Other 212 subjects whose esophagus had no white ridges and pathological diagnosis was negative, was studied as control group. The endpoint was occurrence of pathologically confirmed esophageal cancer. After a 15-year follow-up, the results were compared between two groups.

RESULTSAmong the 551 subjects, there were 339 cases with esophageal mucosal white ridges in the exposure group. During the period of 15 year follow-up, the incidence of esophageal cancer was 11.8% (9/76) in 76 case with simple mucosal white ridges, 33.5% (88/263) in 263 subjects with white ridges and red area, or erosions on the surface of white ridge. While only 8.0% of subjects (17/212) developed esophageal cancer after the 15-year follow up in the control group. There was a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONEsophageal mucosal white ridge, especially white ridge with red area or erosions is closely associated with subsequent esophageal cancer occurrence in the esophageal cancer high risk area in China. It is suggested that esophageal mucosa with white ridge may be the initial origin of esophageal cancer. Further investigations focused on this spot are required.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; epidemiology ; pathology ; China ; epidemiology ; Cohort Studies ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; pathology ; Esophagoscopy ; Esophagus ; pathology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; pathology ; Incidence ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mouth Mucosa ; pathology ; Precancerous Conditions ; epidemiology ; pathology ; Prospective Studies

OBJECTIVEDue to its minimal-invasive approach, endovascular procedure had replaced surgery in treating Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS). The interventional therapy was a safe and effective treatment in adults with BCS and the cure rate was high. However Budd-Chiari syndrome in children and adolescents is rare. Published literature on interventional procedure for Budd-Chiari syndrome in children and adolescents is scarce. The aim of the study was to present results of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) and stents placement in children and adolescents with BCS and to evaluate the efficacy and safety in these patients of this approach.

METHODTwenty-five patients [16 boys and 9 girls; average age of (14.5 ± 3.4) years old; age ranged from 5 to 17 years] with Budd-Chiari syndrome who were hospitalized from December 1990 to August 2012 were presented. All of them were diagnosed by color Doppler ultrasound scan while 12 of them had magnetic resonance venography (MRV) scan. All of the patients had undergone angiographic examination. Four cases with membranous obstruction of the inferior vena cava (IVC) were treated with PTA. One case with segmental block of IVC was treated with PTA and stent placement. Five cases with membranous obstruction of IVC and hepatic vein (/and accessory hepatic vein) were treated with PTA. Among 8 cases with membranous obstruction of hepatic veins, 6 cases were treated with PTA and the others with PTA and stent placement. Among 4 cases with blocks of 3 hepatic veins (HVs), one was treated with PTA, one with PTA plus catheter thrombolysis plus PTA, one with PTA and stent placement and the other one was unsuccessful. Three cases with obstruction of HV and accessory HV (AHV) were treated with PTA. Totally, 24 patients were treated with interventional approach and followed up.

RESULTThe procedure was successful in 24 patients. The involved veins (hepatic veins or IVC) were patented after interventional procedure. The pressure of hepatic vein was (42.1 ± 4.2) cm H2O (37-50 cm H2O) (1 cm H2O = 0.098 kPa) before the interventional therapy, while it was (17.3 ± 3.3) cm H2O (14-26 cm H2O) after it. The pressure of IVC was (30.6 ± 2.9) cm H2O (26-36 cm H2O) before the interventional therapy, while it was (18.8 ± 4.2) cm H2O (15-26 cm H2O) after it. The symptoms and signs vanished instantly after interventional procedure. There were no procedure-related complications. The rate of overall initial cure was 96%. The patients were followed up for a mean of 25.8 months (range 6 months to 8 years). Seven cases developed restenosis after first procedure. Five of them were treated with PTA, one with PTA plus catheter thrombolysis plus PTA, one with PTA and stent placement. All of the involved veins were patented again. Clinical symptoms were relieved. There were no procedure-related complications as well.

CONCLUSIONThe interventional procedure in children and adolescents with BCS is the same as in adults. Radiological therapeutic intervention is efficacious and safe in children and adolescents with BCS.

Adolescent ; Angioplasty ; Budd-Chiari Syndrome ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; therapy ; Catheterization, Peripheral ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatic Veins ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Humans ; Liver ; blood supply ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Phlebography ; methods ; Radiography, Interventional ; Retrospective Studies ; Stents ; Thrombolytic Therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Vena Cava, Inferior ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Venous Thrombosis ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo clone the urea membrane channel gene (ureI) from Helicobacter pylori (Hp) for its expression in E. coli, and evaluate the expression conditions and immunological features of the fusion protein.

METHODSureI gene cloned by PCR from Hp was inserted into the plasmid pET32a (+) to construct the recombinant plasmid pET32a/ureI, followed by identification by BglII and HindIII digestion and sequencing. E. coli BL-21+(DE3) was transformed with pET32a/ureI to obtain the engineered bacterium BL21+/UreI, which was cultured at different temperatures and induced with 1.0 mmol/L IPTG for expression of the recombinant protein. The expressed proteins were identified by SDS-PAGE and analyzed by Pro-gel analyzer 4.0. Western blotting was performed to evaluate the immunogenicity of the expressed protein.

RESULTSThe cloned gene fragment was about 650 bp in length, and BglII and HindIII digestion of pET32a/ureI yielded a 650-bp band. Sequence analysis revealed that the cloned ureI gene contained 646 bp without reading frame alterations. Comparison against GenBank indicated a homology of 100% of the cloned gene with ureI gene of the corresponding Hp strains, and also one no less than 98.5% with ureI gene from other strains. The engineered E. coli BL21+/UreI could express recombinant UreI (rUreI) with His tag, and the target protein accounted for 20.2% of the total bacterial proteins after 1.0 mmol/L IPTG induction of the bacterium at 37 degrees C for 14 h. SDS-PAGE and Western blotting showed that the recombinant UreI protein was produced mainly in the inclusion bodies and fused with his-tag (rUreI/his), which could react with human anti-Hp and mAb to his tag but not with mAb to Hp UreB.

CONCLUSIONSWe have successfully cloned ureI gene and constructed the prokaryotic expression plasmid for efficient rUreI expression, and the fusion protein rUreI/his expressed in the inclusion bodies can react specifically with both Hp antibody and his-tag antibody.

Bacterial Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Blotting, Western ; Cloning, Molecular ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; Helicobacter pylori ; genetics ; Humans ; Membrane Transport Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; metabolism

Objective To study the role of dendritic cells in the function of a recombinant protein TFPR 1 as an adjuvant .Methods Bone marrow cells were collected from four-to five-week-old male BALB/c mice under aseptic conditions, and cultured with complete RPMI 1640 containing rmGM-CSF and rmIL-4 for six days.TFPR1 was added on day 6, and cells were incubated for another 24 hours.LPS was used as positive control , while PBS as negative .The morphology of dendritic cells was observed under an optical microscope and laser confocal microscope , cell surface makers (CD40,CD80,CD86 and MHCⅡ)were detected with flow cytometry, and the cytokines in the supernatant were detected with ELISA.Results Compared with negative control ,dendritic cells incubated with TFPR1 for 24 hours were significantly different in morphology as was observed by optical and laser confocal microscopes , but were similar to positive control .Most of the dendritic cells treated with TFPR 1 showed less adherence and became round , whose podosomes became shorter , and even disappeared .Actin distribution changed from two poles of the cell to the membrane .CD40,CD80, CD86 and MHCⅡon the cell surface were up-regulated on stimulation by TFPR1,as was detected by FACS.These results showed that TFPR1 was capable of promoting dendritic cell maturation .ELISA showed dendritic cells treated with TFPR 1 secreted high levels of cytokines(IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α).Conclusion TFPR1 is capable of promoting dendritic cell maturation , and activating cells to produce cytokines , indicating that dendritic cells can play an important role in the function of TFPR 1 as a novel ad-juvant .

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes and development of surgical treatment for breast cancer from 1999 to 2008 in China, and compare the differences between the surgical methods used in high-resource and low-resource areas.

METHODSClinicopathological data of surgical treatment for female primary breast cancer was collected via medical chart review at hospitals in seven geographic areas in China. Chi-square test and chisqure test for linear trends were used to analyze the changes and development of the surgical methods used for breast cancer in the 10 years.

RESULTSA total of 4211 primary breast cancer patients were selected from the 10-year database, including 4078 women (97.5%) treated by surgical operation. Among 3271 women (80.21%) treated with modified radical mastectomy, the surgical rate was rising from 68.89% in 1999 to 80.17% in 2008, ascending by 11.28% (χ(2) = 31.143, P < 0.001). In high-resource areas, the surgical rate of modified radical mastectomy was rising from 45.64% in 1999 to 76.13% in 2008, ascending by 30.49% (χ(2) = 89.393, P < 0.001), while in low-resource areas it kept a steady rate at 80% in the ten years (χ(2) = 2.113,P = 0.146). Among 231 women (5.66%) treated with breast-conserving surgery, the surgical rate was rising from 1.29% in 1999 to 11.57% in 2008, ascending by 10.28% (χ(2) = 102.835, P < 0.001). In high-resource areas, the surgical rate of breast-conserving surgery was rising from 2.68% in 1999 to 16.87% in 2008, ascending by 14.19% (χ(2) = 69.544, P < 0.001), while in low-resource areas it was rising from 0.42% in 1999 to 6.22% in 2008, ascending by 5.80% (χ(2) = 30.003, P < 0.001). Among 469 women (11.50%) treated with Halsted radical mastectomy, the surgical rate was declining from 28.28% in 1999 to 4.96% in 2008, descending by 23.32% (χ(2) = 206.202, P < 0.001). In high-resource areas, the surgical rate of Halsted radical mastectomy was declining from 50.34% in 1999 to 3.29% in 2008, descending by 47.05% (χ(2) = 274.830, P < 0.001), while in low-resource areas it was declining from 14.58% in 1999 to 6.64% in 2008, descending by 7.94% (χ(2) = 8.166, P = 0.004). Among 3786 women treated with breast mastectomy (including modified radical mastectomy and Halsted radical mastectomy), the surgical rate was declining from 98.46% in 1999 to 86.36% in 2008, descending by 12.10% (χ(2) = 95.744, P < 0.001). In high-resource areas, the surgical rate of breast mastectomy was declining from 96.64% in 1999 to 80.66% in 2008, descending by 15.98% (χ(2) = 53.446, P < 0.001), while in low-resource areas it was declining from 99.58% in 1999 to 92.12% in 2008, descending by 7.46% (χ(2) = 36.758,P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONSThe main primary surgical treatment for breast cancer is modified radical mastectomy during the period 1999 - 2008. Halsted radical mastectomy is gradually replaced by modified radical mastectomy and breast-conserving surgery. The rate of changes for breast-conserving surgery and mastectomy is higher in high-resource areas than that in low-resource areas. Breast-conserving surgery will become the main treatment for early-stage breast cancer.

Breast Neoplasms ; economics ; pathology ; surgery ; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast ; economics ; pathology ; surgery ; Chi-Square Distribution ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Mastectomy ; methods ; trends ; Mastectomy, Modified Radical ; Mastectomy, Radical ; Mastectomy, Segmental ; Neoplasm Staging ; Retrospective Studies ; Socioeconomic Factors

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of combination of docetaxel plus epirubicin (TE) versus docetaxel plus cisplatin (TP) as first-line chemotherapy for locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer.

METHODSEighty-eight patients were randomized into two groups with a ratio of 2:1, either to receive TE or TP regimen. The patients received docetaxel 75 mg/m2 plus epirubicin 60 mg/m2 (TE group) or docetaxel 75 mg/m2 plus cisplatin 75 mg/m2 (TP group) administrated intravenously. Both regimens were once repeated 3 weeks later. The efficacy, time to progression and safety were evaluated at the end of the second cycle.

RESULTSComplete response was achieved in 5% of TE group and 3.6% of TP. Overall (complete plus partial) response rates in TE and TP group were 48.3% and 60.7%, respectively (P = 0.2788). Disease control rates (CR + PR + SD) for TE and TP groups were 83.6% and 80%, respectively (P = 0.4899). The median time to progression (TTP) was 10 months for TE versus 8 months for TP groups (P = 0.7119). The major grade III or IV toxicities were neutropenia (66.7% in TE; 53.6% in TP, P = 0.2373); and alopecia (30.0% in TE; 10.7% in TP, P = 0.0508).

CONCLUSIONBoth TE and TP regimens as first-line chemotherapy were similarly effective, safe and tolerable in the treatment for locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Alopecia ; chemically induced ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Breast Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; secondary ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Epirubicin ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Neutropenia ; chemically induced ; Prospective Studies ; Remission Induction ; Taxoids ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Young Adult