BACKGROUND:Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a multi-potent cytokine that makes considerable contribution to the regulation of inflammatory response and immune response in the body. MIF rs1007888 is associated with various inflammatory diseases, but the correlation between rs1007888 and coronary heart disease in the Kazakhs of China has been rarely explored. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the relationship between rs1007888 gene polymorphisms in MIF gene and coronary heart disease in the Kazakhs from Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China. METHODS:A total of 230 Kazakh patients with coronary heart disease evidenced by coronary arteriography between December 2012 and July 2014 were recruited, and another 478 Kazak controls were free from coronary artery disease with normal angiograms. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR assay was used to detect the rs1007888 polymorphisms of MIF gene. Alele and genotype distributions of the rs1007888 polymorphism were compared between patients and controls. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Distribution of genotypes in the two groups appeared to be in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P> 0.05). The alele frequencies and genotypes of MIF-rs1007888 showed no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). Therefore, the genetic variation of rs1007888 in MIF gene is not associated with coronary heart disease in the Kazakhs of China.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Acanthopanax senticosus injection (ASI) on the activities of human tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and natural killer cell (NKC) in the patients with lung cancer and the underlying mechanism.

METHOD73 cases with lung cancer were randomly divided into two groups, namely, the treatment group (n = 39) and observation group (n = 34); 61 cases with or without other diseases were respectively divided into control A (n = 30) and B (n = 31) groups. The patients in treatment group were injected with ASI for 21 days. The activities of human TNF and NKC and the levels of IgG, IgA and IgM were detected respectively.

RESULTAfter injection with ASI the activity of TNF-alpha in treatment group was comparable with that in the two control groups and was significant lower that that in observation group. The activity of TNF-beta and the levels of IgA, IgG and IgM were significantly higher than those in observation group and two control groups (P < 0.01). The activity of NKC was also remarkably higher than observation and two control groups.

CONCLUSIONASI can regulate the cellular immunity and factor, indicating that ASI can be used as an assistant drug to regulate the function of cellular immunity in the patients with lung cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Eleutherococcus ; chemistry ; Female ; Humans ; Immunity, Cellular ; drug effects ; Immunoglobulin Isotypes ; blood ; Infusions, Intravenous ; Killer Cells, Natural ; drug effects ; Lung Neoplasms ; blood ; immunology ; pathology ; Lymphotoxin-alpha ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Polysaccharides ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

Animals ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Atherosclerosis ; prevention & control ; Ceramides ; analysis ; Dietary Fats ; administration & dosage ; Emodin ; pharmacology ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Rabbits ; Signal Transduction ; Sphingomyelin Phosphodiesterase ; metabolism ; Sphingomyelins ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression profiles of serum Golgi protein-73 (GP73) in liver cirrhosis and primary hepatic carcinoma (PHC) and determine its clinical value for differential diagnosis.

METHODSSerum protein expressions of GP73 and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and chemiluminescence assay, respectively, in patients with PHC (n=80), liver cirrhosis (n=65), and healthy controls (n=50). Inter-group changes were assessed by Kruskal-Wallis test, and significance of these differences was assessed by Mann-Whitney test. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency and determine the cut-off values for GP73 and AFP. Sensitivity and specificity were compared by the Chi-squared test. Correlation between serum GP73 expression and clinical parameters was determined by Spearman's rank correlation analysis.

RESULTSThe PHC group showed significantly higher serum GP73 (282.0 mug/L) than the liver cirrhosis group (211.8 mug/L) and control group (58.3 mug/L) (H = 93.30, P less than 0.01). For differential diagnosis of PHC and liver cirrhosis, the cut-off value was 318.1 mug/L for GP73 and 13.4 mug/L for AFP. Sensitivity of GP73 was lower than AFP (45% (36/80) vs. 65% (52/80); X2 = 8.02, P less than 0.05). Specificity of GP73 was lower than AFP but no significance was found (83.1% (54/65) vs. 87.7% (57/65); X2=0.27, P more than 0.05). The areas under the ROC curves were not significantly different between GP73 and AFP (0.65 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.54~0.72) vs. 0.75 (95% CI: 0.67~0.83); Z = 1.88, P more than 0.05). The area under the ROC curves increased but not significantly (0.80 (95% CI: 0.73~0.88) vs. 0.75 (95% CI: 0.67~0.83); Z=2.61, P more than 0.05). Serum GP73 was correlated with liver cirrhosis (r=0.27), vascular invasion (r=0.29), and TNM staging (r=0.27) (all P less than 0.05), but not with sex (r=0.13), age (r=0.10), enhanced AFP (> 13.4 mug/L; r=0.03), tumor size (r=0.18), or distant metastasis (r=0.04), all P less than 0.05.

CONCLUSIONSerum GP73 and AFP have comparable diagnostic efficiency, but the sensitivity of AFP is superior for differential diagnosis of liver cirrhosis and primary hepatic carcinoma. Elevated serum GP73 may be correlated with liver tumor load and aggressiveness.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; diagnosis ; Case-Control Studies ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; diagnosis ; Liver Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; blood ; Middle Aged ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Transcriptome ; alpha-Fetoproteins ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDTo investigate the relationship among human papillomavirus (HPV)16 infection and the expression of telomerase catalytic protein subunit (hTERT), tumor suppressor gene p21waf1, proliferation antigen Ki67 in cervical intraepithelial neoplasias (CIN) and squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) of cervix uteri and their significance.

METHODSTissue microarray combined with in situ hybridization (ISH) and immunohistochemical staining (EliVision plus method) was used to detect the expression of HPV16 RNA, hTERT, Ki67 and p21waf1 proteins in the cervix uteri specimens from 130 subjects, including normal cervical tissue (n=26), CIN (n=46) and SCC (n=58).

RESULTS(1) The positive rate of HPV16 hybridization signals and expression of hTERT, Ki67 in CINII-III, in situ carcinoma and invasive SCC were all significantly higher than in normal cervical tissue (P < 0.05 for all), and was also higher in SCC than in CIN (P < 0.05 for all). There was a significant difference among CIN I, II and III (P < 0.05 for all). (2) The positive expression of p21waf1 protein only in SCC was significantly lower than in normal cervical tissue (P < 0.05), but there was no significant differences among other groups (all P > 0.05). (3) The positive rate of HPV16 and the expression of Ki67 showed respectively positive being correlated with the expression of hTERT (P < 0.05, r=0.339; P < 0.05, r=0.398); HPV16, hTERT and Ki67 showed respectively negative correlation with the expression of p21waf1 (P < 0.05, r=-0.337; P < 0.05, r=-0.248; P < 0.05, r=-0.446); There was no significant relation between HPV16 and Ki67 (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe results suggest that in tissues of CIN and SCC changes in hTERT, p21waf1 and Ki67 expression may be associated with HPV16 infection and they interact with each other, which can influent the progression of CIN and carcinogenesis of SCC. These biomarkers may be analyzed comprehensively to reveal the detailed mechanism by which HPV16 participate in malignant transformation and to provide some informations on the diagnosis of patients with high risk for malignant progression. Tissue microarray is an efficient platform for high-throughput analysis of genes and their expression products in investigations.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; genetics ; metabolism ; virology ; Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia ; genetics ; metabolism ; virology ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Host-Pathogen Interactions ; Human papillomavirus 16 ; physiology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Hybridization ; Ki-67 Antigen ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; Papillomavirus Infections ; genetics ; metabolism ; virology ; Peptide Fragments ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Telomerase ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Tissue Array Analysis ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; virology

Objective To investigate the risk factors of schistosomiasis transmission in Jingmen City. Methods The Onco-melania hupensis snails,the wild animal feces,and infection source were selected as the monitoring objects to carry out the schistosomiasis risk monitoring. I-III levels of risk environments were treated with appropriate measures. Results A total of 52 environments and three water systems were monitored and 1542 snails were dissected but no Schistosoma infected snails were found. Nine fecal samples were collected from the areas with snails,and no eggs of Schistosoma were found. Eighty-nine samples of cattle/sheep faces,and mice and dogs were collected,and three samples of cattle feces were found with Schistosoma eggs. Five environments were assessed as Grade II,and 48 environments were assessed as Grade III,and 2 environments were as-sessed as no risk of schistosomiasis transmission. Conclusions In Jingmen City,the mollusciciding work from May to June could decrease the density of snails and the risk of schistosomiasis transmission efficiently. The schistosome-infected cattle were the main infection source,and therefore,the cattle and snails should be administrated simultaneously.

OBJECTIVEThe effects of Jing'an capsule on the quality of rat sperm were studied to supply data for its safe clinical use.

METHODSEighty SD male rats were evenly and randomly divided into three test groups and one control group. Then the test groups were continuously given Jing'an capsule at different dosages: 557.1 mg/kg, 5,571 mg/kg or 11,420 mg/kg and the control group was given starch (20 g/L). Sixty days later, one of the epididymides, the sperm density was made and the sperm motility and morphology were investigated. The data obtained were analyzed by ANOVA, chi 2 test and Kruskal-Wallis test.

RESULTSThe sperm density, motility and morphology were variable at different dosages. Compared with the control, the sperm density increased significantly at the dosage of 557.1 mg/kg(P < 0.05), and a significant decrease was observed in the sperm density and motility (P < 0.05) at the dosage of 11,420 mg/kg. Although the rate of abnormal sperm morphology decreased at the dosage of 557.1 mg/kg and increased at the dosage of 5,571 mg/kg or 11,420 mg/kg compared with the control, there was no statistic significance(P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSA low dosage of Jing'an capsule might ameliorate the quality of sperm, while a high dosage could do damage to sperm.

Animals ; Arginine ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drug Combinations ; Male ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; drug effects ; Spermatozoa ; drug effects ; Zinc Sulfate ; pharmacology

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVEOxaliplatin is one of the effective drugs for the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer (CRC). Oxaliplatin-induced allergic reactions in European and American patients have been reported, but in China there are only a few case reports. This study investigated the incidence rate and characteristics of oxaliplatin-induced allergic reactions in Chinese patients with CRC.

METHODSClinical data of 109 patients with advanced CRC receiving oxaliplatin plus capecitabine (the XELOX regimen) as first-line therapy were collected and analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTSOf 109 patients, 13 (11.9%) patients had hypersensitivity. In 546 cycles, 23 (4.2%) cycles involved hypersensitivity. Grade-I,-II, and -III reactions were seen in 13 cycles, 8 cycles, and 2 cycles, respectively, and no grade-IV reaction was observed. Allergic reactions usually occurred at the median time during the fifth cycle (range, the 1st-8th cycle) of oxaliplatin-containing therapy, and the cumulative oxaliplatin dose was 1200 mg (range, 400-1600 mg). Symptoms associated with anaphylaxis appeared 5-360 min (median, 180 min) after oxaliplatin infusion, and were relieved after withdrawing the oxaliplatin infusion and treating with antiallergic drugs. A total of 8 patients continued to receive oxaliplatin therapy after prophylactic administration of antiallergic drugs, such as steroids, and 4 patients did not report persistent allergic reactions. Compared with men, oxaliplatin-induced allergic reactions were more commonly seen in women patients (P<0.05), while age, body surface area, performance status, tumor location, and pathologic type showed no significant difference.

CONCLUSIONOxaliplatin-induced allergic reactions occurred in Chinese patients with CRC, and the incidence rate, occurrence time, degree of severity, and clinical outcome were consistent with literature published abroad.

Adenocarcinoma ; drug therapy ; pathology ; secondary ; Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; drug therapy ; pathology ; secondary ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Anaphylaxis ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Anti-Allergic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Antineoplastic Agents ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Capecitabine ; Child ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Deoxycytidine ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; analogs & derivatives ; Drug Hypersensitivity ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Female ; Fluorouracil ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; analogs & derivatives ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; secondary ; Lung Neoplasms ; secondary ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Organoplatinum Compounds ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Retrospective Studies ; Sex Factors ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate three alternative methods for LD50 test-Fixed Dose Procedure (FDP), the Acute Toxic Class Method (ATC) and Up and Down Procedure (UDP).

METHODSFemale SD rats (8-12 weeks of age, 160-200 g) were used. Three alternative methods from OECD were applied to assess 22 chemicals (10 cosmetic raw materials and 12 raw materials of personal and home care products). The toxicity ranking for tested chemicals was established according to Globally Harmonized System (GSH). The results LD50 test were compared for the consistency and correlation between alternative methods and traditional test.

RESULTSFor cosmetic raw materials, the concordance rate of the three alternative methods was 80% (8/10); for raw material of personal and home care products, the concordance rates of FDP, ATC and UDP was 91.7% (11/12), 75.0% (9/12) and 83.0% (10/12), respectively. The number of animals required in three alternative methods was significantly lower than that in traditional test (P < 0.05), but the time required in three alternative methods was significantly higher than that in traditional test (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSHigh consistency and correlation were found between each alternative method and LD50 test. FDP may be more potential when applied to assess acute oral toxicity of cosmetic raw materials.

Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Cosmetics ; toxicity ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Female ; Hazardous Substances ; toxicity ; Lethal Dose 50 ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Toxicity Tests, Acute ; methods

The effects of cephradinum and ceftazidime on the metabolism of Escherichia coli (E. coli) DH5alpha was determined by microcalorimetry. The microbial activity was recorded as power-time curves through an ampoule method with a TAM Air Isothermal Microcalorimeter at 37 degrees C. The parameters such as the growth rate constant (k), inhibitory ratio (I), the maximum power output (Pm) and the time (tm) corresponding to the maximum power output were calculated. The results show that the ceftazidime has a better inhibitory effect on E. coli DH5alpha than cephradinum.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Calorimetry ; methods ; Ceftazidime ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Cephradine ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Escherichia coli ; drug effects ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests