Flavonoids baicalin is the main bioactive component extracted from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. Baicalin has high medicinal value and shows extensive pharmacological effects including antitumor, antibiosis, anti-inflammatory, antioxidation, neuro-protection, and significant potential in tumor treatment. Recent studies have shown that baicalin suppresses the growth of many kinds of human cancer. The underlying mechanisms include induction of apoptosis, induction of cell cycle arrest, inhibition of tumor metastasis, suppression of angiogenesis, and so on. This article reviewed the research progress of baicalin on its antitumor pharmacology and possible mechanisms at home and abroad, and provided the basis for its further research.

Objective:To establish an experimental model for intracellular antibacteria and endotoxin neutralization in vitro to detect the antibacterial and endotoxin neutralization activity of the muBPI_(25) protein.Methods: RAW264.7 cells were transfected with pcDNA3.1(+)muBPI_(36-259), and then were infected with intracellular bacterial of either G ~+/G~-to establish the experimental model of intracellalar antibacteria.The RAW264.7 cells were co-transfected with the pSecTag2B-muBPI_(36-259) and dual-luciferase reporter gene plasmids for establishment of the experimental model of endotoxin neutralization.Results:The experimental model of intracellular antibacteria confirmed that the muBPI_(25) protein could inhibit/kill Salmonella typhi.The experimental model of endotoxin neutralization indicated that the muBPI_(25) protein could neutralize endotoxin.Conelusion: We firstly demonstrate that murine BPI N-terminal functional fragment(muBPI_(25) protein)can inhibit/kill Salmonella typhi,and can neutralize, its lysating product, endotoxin.

OBJECTIVETo prevent and manage frequent complications after endovascular repair of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).

METHODSThe data of 71 cases of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) treated by endovascular repair were analysed retrospectively. The reasons, managements, results and prognosis of frequent complications were investigated.

RESULTSSeventy-one cases of infrarenal AAA were treated by endovascular repair with 100% success rate. There was no surgical conversion to open aneurysm repair. There were 8 cases of primary endoleak, 1 case of nervous complication and acute thrombosis. An average follow-up period was 26 +/- 5 months. Three persistent endoleaks and 4 secondary endoleaks were found during the follow-up period. The endoleak rate was 9.8% (7/71) within 1 month postoperatively and mortality rate was 1.3% (1/71). Total mortality rate was 4.2% (3/71). Two patients died from acute myocardial infarction and one from acute heart failure.

CONCLUSIONSEndovascular treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm is technically feasible and can effectively exclude aortic aneurysms from the circulation. Endoleak is a chief complication after endovascular repair of infrarenal AAA.Additional procedures and follow up are very important. Endoleak with enlarged aneurysm should be treated actively.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal ; surgery ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation ; adverse effects ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology ; prevention & control ; therapy ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Stents ; Treatment Outcome ; Vascular Fistula ; etiology ; prevention & control ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) supplemented with arginine on cellular immune function of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after radical tumor resection.

METHODSFifty-six HCC patients undergoing radical surgery received fat-free TPN support, routine TPN or TPN with arginine supplementation, and their clinical data were analyzed prospectively. The percentages of T lymphocyte subpopulation and national killer (NK) cells in peripheral blood are determined, and the levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4 and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) were measured.

RESULTSNo marked changes were noted in peripheral blood CD4+, CD8+ T cells and NK cells, or in IL-2, IL-4 and IFN-gamma levels after fat-free TPN and routine TPN support. TPN supplemented with arginine resulted in significant increase in CD4+ T cells, NK cells and CD4+/CD8+ T cell ratio in the peripheral blood, as well as in IL-2 and IFN-gamma levels. Peripheral blood IL-4 level was decreased significantly.

CONCLUSIONTPN with arginine supplementation can augment the percentages of CD4+ T lymphocytes and NK cells, and increase IL-2 and IFN-gamma levels, suggesting that arginine can enhance cell-mediated immunity in postoperative patients with HCC.

Adult ; Aged ; Arginine ; pharmacology ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; immunology ; metabolism ; surgery ; therapy ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Dietary Supplements ; Female ; Humans ; Immunity, Cellular ; drug effects ; Liver Neoplasms ; immunology ; metabolism ; surgery ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Parenteral Nutrition ; methods ; Postoperative Period ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; drug effects ; immunology

BACKGROUNDCatheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) has been a mainstay in treating deep venous thrombosis (DVT). However, the optimal dosage of a thrombolytic agent is still controversial. The goal of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of low dosage urokinase with CDT for DVT.

METHODSA retrospective analysis was performed using data from a total of 427 patients with DVT treated with CDT in our single center between July 2009 and December 2012. Early efficacy of thrombolysis was assessed with a thrombus score based on daily venography. The therapeutic safety was evaluated by adverse events. A venography or duplex ultrasound was performed to assess the outcome at 6 months, 1 year and 2 years postoperatively.

RESULTSThe mean total dose of 3.34 (standard deviation [SD] 1.38) million units of urokinase was administered during a mean of 5.18 (SD 2.28) days. Prior to discharge, Grade III (complete lysis) was achieved in 154 (36%) patients; Grade II (50-99% lysis) in 222 (52%); and Grade I (50% lysis) in 51 (12%). The major complications included one intracranial hemorrhage, one hematochezia, five gross hematuria, and one pulmonary embolism. Moreover, no death occurred in the study.

CONCLUSIONSTreatment of low-dose catheter-directed thrombosis is an efficacious and safe therapeutic approach in patients with DVT offering good long-term outcomes and minimal complications.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Drug Administration Schedule ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Venous Thrombosis ; drug therapy ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the immunoregulatory effect of hepatitis B virus (HBV) e antigen (HBeAg) on peripheral blood monocytes (PBMCs).

METHODSPBMCs were isolated from patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB; both HBeAg- and HBeAg+) and healthy controls, and cultured with recombinant HBeAg. The HBeAg-induced changes in expression of PD-1/PD-L1 were measured by flow cytometry of the cells and in secreted cytokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of the supernatants. Comparisons between two groups were made by the independent-samples t-test; the relationship between PD-1/B7-H1 level and HBV DNA copy number was evaluated by Spearman's correlation analysis.

RESULTSExposure to HBeAg led to a significant decrease in CD3+CD4+ T lymphocyte-specific expression of IFNa for both the CHB patients' and healthy controls' samples (t = 2.382 and -4.190 respectively, P less than 0.01). For the HBeAg- CHB patients' and healthy controls' samples, the HBeAg exposure led to increased levels of secreted cytokines IL-6, IL-10 and TNFa (t = 2.504, 3.583 and 4.324, P less than 0.01 and t = 3.542, 6.246 and 5.273, P less than 0.01 respectively) and of CD14+ PBMC-specific expression of PD-L1 (t = 4.815 and 3.454, P less than 0.05 respectively). Compared to the HBeAg-negative CHB patients' and healthy controls' samples, the HBeAg+ CHB patients' samples had significantly lower CD3+CD4+ T cell-specific expression of IFNa (t = -3.177 and -4.541, P less than 0.01 respectively), but significantly higher levels of secreted IL-4 (t = 3.382 and 4.393, P less than 0.01 respectively), of CD3+ T cells-specific expression of PD-1/PD-L1 (t = 4.755, 2.942 and 4.518, 4.595, P less than 0.01 respectively), and of CD14+ T cells-specific expression of PD-L1 (t = 5.092 and 5.473, P less than 0.01 respectively). The CD3+ T cells-specific expression of PD-L1 was significantly higher in the samples from HBeAg- CHB patients than from the healthy controls (t = 3.214, P less than 0.01).

CONCLUSIONHBeAg was able to down-regulate the production of Th1-type cytokines (IFNgamma), and up-regulate the secretion of Th2-type cytokines (IL-6, IL-10) and the expression of PD-1/PD-L1on monocytes. These changes are conducive to the formation of immune tolerance to HBV. Therefore, HBeAg may play an important role in immune tolerance to chronic HBV infection.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Cells, Cultured ; Female ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; genetics ; immunology ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; blood ; immunology ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; immunology ; Interleukin-10 ; immunology ; Interleukin-6 ; immunology ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; immunology ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Recombinant Proteins ; immunology ; Th1 Cells ; immunology ; Th1-Th2 Balance ; Th2 Cells ; immunology

OBJECTIVEThis study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of multi-disciplinary treatment approaches in reducing neurological disabilities in premature infants.

METHODSA total of 117 infants who were born premature in our hospital between March 2008 and February 2010 but had no congenital malformations and no severe neonatal complications, were enrolled in this study. They were randomly allocated to a multi-disciplinary treatment group (n=63) and a control group (n=54). While patients in the control group underwent an early conventional treatment, those in the multi-disciplinary treatment group were subjected to regular development monitoring, neurological examination and screening for brain injury, neuro-nutrition and neurodevelopment therapies, and rehabilitation training.

RESULTSThe incidence rates of abnormalities in posture, reflex, sleep, muscle tone and EEG were significantly lower in the multi-disciplinary treatment group than in the control froup (P<0.05) at corrected postnatal ages of 6-12 months. At corrected postnatal ages of 6, 12, 18 and 24 months, both mental development index (MDI) and psychomotor development index (PDI) scores were significantly higher in the multi-disciplinary treatment group than in the control group (P<0.05). At corrected postnatal age of 3 years, incidence rates of cerebral palsy, language barrier, abnormal muscle tone and hearing impairment were significantly lower in the multi-disciplinary treatment group than in the control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSEarly multi-disciplinary intervention approaches may significantly improve mental and motor developments and reduce the incidence of cerebral palsy-associated neurological disabilities in premature infants.

Cerebral Palsy ; prevention & control ; Child, Preschool ; Developmental Disabilities ; prevention & control ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Infant, Premature, Diseases ; prevention & control ; Male

OBJECTIVETo investigate the treatment efficacy of tympanostomy microtube placement surgery for middle ear atelectasis.

METHODSA retrospective analysis was conducted on 26 patients (28 ears) with middle ear atelectasis, who complained fullness or pressure in the ears.Otoscope showed tympanic membrane invagination, scattered or disappeared cone of light, tympanic membrane was pale and dull. The pure tone audiometry air-bone gap >10 dB. Acoustic immittance showed tympanic negative pressure. All the ears had atelectasis of I-III grade. Patients were performed tympanic membrane microtube placement under local anesthesia, and were followed up for 6-12 months.

RESULTSTwenty-five ears recovered from the fullness after operation, in which, 23 ears reverted from type "C" to type "A" in acoustic immittance tests and the pure-tone average (PTA) of hearing thresholds were decreasing from 5 to 20 dB, while 2 ears relapse after removal of the microtube. Three ears with middle ear atelectasis of III grade were ineffectiveness. All the 26 cases had no complications including middle ear infection, tympanosclerosis, and permanent perforation after removal of the microtubes.

CONCLUSIONSThe placement of tympanostomy microtube can be used to treat middle ear atelectasis, especially to the patients with middle ear atelectasis of I-II grade as it is effective on elimination of middle ear negative pressure and remission of fullness.

Adult ; Aged ; Ear Diseases ; surgery ; Ear, Middle ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Middle Ear Ventilation ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Tympanic Membrane ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo observe the safety and efficacy of lyophilized purified human rabies vaccine CTN-Vero RV, CTN strain produced in Vero cells.

METHODS450 healthy volunteers were divided into two groups, with 300 of them receiving CTN-Vero-RV (rabies vaccine for human use made in Vero cells with CTN strain) while 150 of them receiving PVRV to serve as control group. All the subjects were immunized on days 0, 3, 7, 14 and 28 at deltoid muscle respectively. Local and systemic reactions were observed and sera were collected for neutralizing antibody testing using RFFIT. 365 and 730 days after the first dose, sera from the 212 and 176 subjects of the studied group while 97 and 80 subjects from the control group were collected to test for neutralizing antibody.

RESULTSNo severe local or systemic reactions were observed after immunization was performed in the two groups. On days 3, 7, 14, 28 and 365 after the first dose, the antibody positive rates appeared to be 2.35%, 80.78%, 100.00%, 100.00%, 98.58% and 73.30% in the study group and 4.00%, 87.20%, 100.00%, 100.00%, 97.94% and 76.25% in the controls respectively. On day 0, 3, 7, 14, 28, 365 and 730, GMT of the neutralizing antibody level were 0.12, 1.01, 9.83, 12.61, 3.68 and 2.81 IU/ml in the study group while 0.13, 1.18, 10.24, 11.61, 4.18 and 1.92 IU/ml were seen in the control group respectively. There were no significant differences in both antibody positive rates and GMT between the two groups on days 3, 7, 14, 28, 365 or 730 (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONCTN-Vero-RV was safe and effective as well as could generate a persistent immune response.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Animals ; Antibodies, Neutralizing ; blood ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Cercopithecus aethiops ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Freeze Drying ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Rabies Vaccines ; adverse effects ; immunology ; Vaccination ; adverse effects ; Vero Cells ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the biological function of fusion gene HRX-EEN and its role in leukemogenesis, and to provide an ideal animal model for anti-leukemia drug screening.

METHODSHRX-EEN fusion gene was constructed by use of three different DNA fragments, and it was inserted into hCG transgenic vector. G(0) transgenic mice were obtained by microinjection of the recombined DNA into the pronucleus of zygotes, followed by implantation of the injected zygotes into pseudopregnant mice. The integration of the transgene was tested by PCR and its expression by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSThe sequence of recombined HRX-EEN gene was confirmed by sequencing. PCR testing revealed a total of 7 G(0) transgenic mice, these mice were then mated with C57 wild type mice. Except mouse No. 35 that died, the others all had their F1 offsprings. From these 6 lines of transgenic mice, HRX-EEN gene was found to be stably expressed in 3 lines by RT-PCR. Up to now, all transgenic mice expressing the fusion gene have no obvious abnormal phenotypes.

CONCLUSIONA transgenic mice model in which the HRX-EEN fusion gene can be stably expressed has been established.

Animals ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Mice ; Mice, Transgenic ; Myeloid-Lymphoid Leukemia Protein ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Proteins ; genetics ; Proto-Oncogenes ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; genetics ; Transcription Factors