Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active ; adverse effects ; methods ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; HIV Infections ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Male ; Minority Groups

Background Growth factor-induced proliferation and migration of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells are the major pathological changes of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR).Arsenic trioxide ( As2O3 ) is an active ingredient of Chinese traditional medicines,which has an inhibition on proliferation and migration of tumor cells.However,it is not clear whether As2O3 could inhibit growth factor-induced proliferation and migration of RPE cells. Objective This study was to explore the effects of As2O3 on epidermal growth factor (EGF)-induced proliferation and migration of ARPE-19 cells. Methods RPE cell line (ARPE-19 cells) were cultured.Different concentrations of As2O3(0,0.5,1.0,2.0,5.0,10.0,20.0 μmol/L) were added in the culture plate to treat ARPE-19 cells with or without 10 mg/L EGF in serum-free group for 24 and 48 hours,respectively.The MTT colorimetric assay was used to check the cell viability and evaluate the drug toxicity.The effects of As2O3 on EGF-induced proliferation of ARPE-19 cells were analyzed to get an effective and avirulent concentrations of As2O3.The effects of As2O3 on EGF-induced migration of ARPE-19 cells were observed by scratch-wound assay and the Boyden chamber assay.Results MTT assay showed that the A values were gradually declined with the increase of As2O3 concentrations after As2O3 treatment without EGF for 24 hours and 48 hours ( Fgroup =38.269,P =0.000 ; Ftime =0.874,P =0.358 ).Compared with the control group,no significant differences were seen in the A values of ARPE-19 cells in 0.5-5.0 μmol/L groups (all P＞0.05).Meantime,As2O3 reduced the A values of ARPE-19 cell with 10 mg/L EGF in dose- and time-dependent manner ( Fgroup =152.155,P =0.000 ; Ftime =51.649,P =0.000 ).There were not significant differences in 10 mg/L EGF-induced cell growth after 0.5,1.0,2.0 μmol/L As2O3 was added for 24 and 48 hours ( Fgroup =2.215,P =0.126 ;Ftime =2.230,P =0.155).However,when 5.0-20.0 μmol/L As2O3 added,the A values of 10 mg/L EGF-induced ARPE-19 cells lowed,showing a significant difference in comparison with the control groups ( all P＜0.05),with the cellular inhibiting rate 12％,32％,37％ in 24 hours and 39％,44％ and 53％ in 48 hours.Scratch-wound assay showed that EGF-induced horizontal migration of ARPE-19 cells was slow after 0.5-2.0 μmol/L As2O3 treated,and the same results also appeared in cell lognitudinal migration by Boyden chamber assay,with the inhibitory rates 22％,33％ and 46％ respectively. Conclusions As2O3 is avirulent on ARPE-19 cells within definite concentration range.At ≤ 2.0 μmol/L concentrations,As2O3 dose not affect EGF-induced proliferation of ARPE-19 cells,but it suppresses EGF-induced cell migration.At ≥ 5.0 μmol/L concentrations,As2O3 plays an inhibitory role to EGF-induced proliferation of ARPE-19 cells.

OBJECTIVETo observe the levels of high mobility group box-1 protein (HMGB1), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), IL-6, troponin I (Tn I) release in septic rats, and to explore themechanism of Taohong Qinlian Decoction (TQD) in the treatment of septic myocardial injury.

METHODSA total of 48 healthy male Wistar rats of clean grade were randomly divided into the sham-operation group (Sham), the sepsis model group (CLP), and the TQD treatment group (ZY), 16 in each group. Concen-trations of TNF-α, IL-6, Tn I, and HMGB1 expression were detected in each group at 24 and 48 h after operation. Pathological changes of cardiac muscle were observed under light microscope.

RESULTSConcentrations of TNF-α, IL-6, Tn I and HMGB1 at 24 and 48 h after operation were significantly higher in the CLP group than in the Sham group (P < 0.01). Concentrations of TNF-α, IL-6, Tn I, and HMGB1 at 24 and 48 h after operation were significantly lower in the ZY group than in the CLP group (P < 0.05). Myocardial injury occurred in the CLP and the ZY group under light microscope. And this injury was more severe in the CLP group than in the ZY group.

CONCLUSIONTQL could reduce the level of sepsis-related inflammatory cytokines and protect myocardium in septic rats.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; HMGB1 Protein ; metabolism ; Heart ; drug effects ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Male ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; pathology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Sepsis ; pathology ; Troponin I ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

Objective Objective To verify the accuracy of dose calculation and the precision of beam modeling in a Pinnacle three-dimension treatment planning system(TPS).Methods Based on the photon beam model data of a Varian 600C Linac,output factor verification and 12 tests were carried out ac- cording to the recommendation of Netherlands Commission on Radiation Dosimetry(NCS).The results of ion chamber measurement and TPS calculation at selected points were compared.Deviation and confidence limit were used to evaluate dose calculation accuracy.Results The Pinnacle TPS had a high precision of dose calculation when compared with the measurement data.Deviation of calculated output factors was＜1% on all opening patrols,and was＜3% on wedged portal except one with the size of 15 cm?40 cm and angled 60?.The results of 12 tests were in accordance with the criteria of NCS recommendation,with maximum av- erage deviation＜1%.The overall accuracy is better than those of other TPS reported in the literature. Conclusions Dose verification is a prerequisite before a three-dimension treatment planning system is used in the clinical practice.Pinnacle treatment planning system installed in our institute is reasonably acceptable and satisfactory.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Tongluo Xingnao effervescent tablets on learning and memory capacity and expression of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase in hippocampus of rats with chronic cerebral ischemia-induced learning and memory dysfunction model.

METHODThe 2-VO method was used to establish sd rat model learning and memory dysfunction induced by chronic cerebral ischemia. The 50 rats in the successfully established model were randomly divided into the model control group, the Dihydroergotoxine Mesylate tablets group (0.7 mg x kg(-1), Tongluo Xingnao effervescent tablets high dose (7.56 g x kg(-1)), middle dose (3.78 g x kg(-1)) and low dose (1.59 g x kg(-1)) groups and the sham operation group (n = 10) as the control group. The groups were orally given 10 ml x kg(-1) x d(-1) drugs for consecutively 90 days. On the 86th day, Morris water maze was adopted for them. On the 90th day, a leaning and memory capacity test was held. The brain tissues were fixed with 10% formaldehyde and observed for pathomorphism after routine slide preparation and staining. The expression of hippocampal Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase was detected with immunohistochemistry and image quantitative analysis.

RESULTCompared with the model group, all of Tongluo Xingnao effervescent tablets groups showed significant decrease in the escape latency at the 5th day in the Morris water maze, and notable increase in the frequency of the first quadrant dwell, the frequency passing the escape platform and the frequency entering effective area (p < 0.05). According to the pathomorphological detection, the control group showed a significantly higher pathological score than the sham operation group (p < 0.01), the middle dose group showed a significantly lower pathological score than the model group (p < 0.05). According to the immunohistochemistical detection, the model control group showed a remarkably lower mean OD value of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase than the sham operation group (p < 0.05), high and middle dose groups showed a significantly higher mean od value than the model control group (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONTongluo Xingnao effervescent tablets can improve the learning and memory capacity, reduce pathological changes of hippocampal tissues of rats with chronic cerebral ischemia-induced learning and memory dysfunction model, and promote the expression of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase in hippocampus.

Animals ; Brain Ischemia ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; genetics ; psychology ; Chronic Disease ; drug therapy ; psychology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; enzymology ; Humans ; Learning ; drug effects ; Male ; Memory ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Tablets ; administration & dosage

Objective To evaluate diagnosis and preoperative management of cases with interrupted aortic arch(IAA)in infancy.Methods Fifty-three infants who were admitted to our hospital from Jan.2001 to Nov.2007 were involved.Clinical data,findings of echocardiogram(Echo),spiral CT,MRI,angiocardiography,preoperative management,surgical repair and postoperative outcome were analyzed retrospectively.Results There were 38 boys and 15 girls,weighted 2.18-10.0(4.32?1.60)kg,aged 1 day to 12(3.05?3.53)months,of which 50.94% were neonates.Symptoms at presentation were 90.57% with tachypnea and 83.02% with difficulty in feeding.Eighty three point zero two percentage cases had different degree of congestive heart failure,37.74% of which were in grade Ⅲ heart function.All cases had weakened femoral pulse.All cases were performed Echo,38 cases of them diagnosed as IAA,6 cases as IAA or severe coarctation of aorta(CoA);they were diagnosed as IAA by CT,and 9 as severe CoA who were diagnosed as IAA via CT or operation.Thirty-three cases were performed CT,of which 15 underwent surgical repair,cardiovascular abnormalities revealed by CT were the same as those in surgical findings.Three cases were taken MRI,and 7 cases were performed angiocardiography.According to the results of Echo,CT,MRI,angiocardiography and surgical findings,35 cases were type A,15 cases were type B and 3 cases were type C.Preoperative treatment included maintaining patent ductus areriosis,management of heart failure and supportive treatment.After proper preoperative management of medication,most cases with congestive heart failure were improved.Twenty-six cases underwent surgical repair,16 survived,10 died du-ring perioperative stage.Main cause of death was severe low cardiac output.Conclusions Value of Echo in diagnosis of IAA is limi-ted.Combination of Echo with CT or MRI is a convenient and safe way to diagnose IAA,it can replace the traditional method of Echo combined with angiocardiography.Proper preoperative management is helpful to patients with IAA to pass to surgical repair,and makes for successful operation.

The xylanolytic enzymes found in Thermotoga maritima showed extremely high thermostability and considerable potential in industrial application. Yet expression level of the genes encoding these enzymes was very low. The alpha-glucuronidase gene aguA from T. maritima ATCC 43589 was cloned and expressed in several E. coli strains with different vector. The alpha-glucuronidase was overexpressed in E. coli BL21-CodonPlus(DE3)-RIL with plasmid pET-28a(+), and made up about 20% of the total proteins present in the intracellular soluble fraction. The results proved the assumption that rare codons for arginine (AGA/AGG) and isoleucine (AUA) affect the expression of aguA gene from hyperthermophilic bacterium T. maritima in E. coli. Purification procedure included two steps, heat treatment and immobilized metal affinity chromatography, and over 13.5mg of pure enzyme was obrained from 1L of induced culture. The purified enzyme showed a single band on SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with a purification of 5.1 fold, and a yield of 55.1%. The optimum activity of recombinant alpha-glucuronidase was found at pH 6.0 and 85 degrees C, the enzyme retained 70% of its activity after 1 h of incubation at 85 degrees C. The induction conditions for expression of recombinant strain BL21-CodonPlus(DE3)-RIL/pET-28a-aguA were studied on induction time and duration by IPTG. The results showed that the activity of thermostable alpha-glucuronidase reach the maximum in 5-hour after inducted at the exponential phase (OD600 of 0.7 - 0.8).
Escherichia coli ; genetics ; Glycoside Hydrolases ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; Plasmids ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; isolation & purification ; Thermotoga maritima ; enzymology

OBJECTIVETo establish a new method using AOTF-Near infrared spectroscopy for fast identifying Fufang Danshen tablets.

METHODNear-infrared spectroscopy of Fufang Danshen tablets from different factories and different bacth numbers were collected and the discriminant analysis model (FFDS-C) was established with principal component analysis. This model was applied to predict the the different samples of Fufang Danshn tablets.

RESULTThe model can be used to precisely identify Fufang Danshen tablets from other samples.

CONCLUSIONThe method with low consumption is simple and quick and can be applied to the identification of the Fufang Danshen tablets.

Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared ; methods ; Tablets ; chemistry

This study was aimed to investigate the prevalence and genotype distribution of heterozygotes in beta-thalassemia combining deletional alpha-thalassemia by using molecular detection and haematological methods. Three common deletions of alpha-thalassemia were detected by using gap-PCR. The mutations of beta-thalassemia were identified by using PCR with reverse dot blot hybridization. The routine analysis of blood cells was carried out. The results indicated that 15 cases from the 81 beta-thalassemia traits were found to be the compound heterozygosity for beta-thalassemia and alpha-thalassemia with 9 different types of gene defects with 18.52% detection rate. There were 6 cases (7.41%) of beta-thalassemia heterozygote combining alpha-thalassemia-1 gene (--(SEA)/alphaalpha), 8 cases (9.88%) combining with alpha-thalassemia-2 gene including 6 (7.41%) right ward deletion (-alpha(3.7)/alphaalpha) and 2 (2.47%) left ward deletion (-alpha(4.2)/alphaalpha), and 1 case (1.23%) combining deletional HbH gene (--(SEA)/-alpha(3.7)). No significant differences were found between beta-thalassemia heterozygotes combining deletional alpha-thalassemia and pure beta-thalassemia in all RBC parameters. It is concluded that the incidence of beta-thalassemia heterozygotes combining with deletional alpha-thalassemia is frequent in Wuzhou city. The hematological analysis can not give specificity for diagnosing these dual heterozygotes. Gap-PCR as a routine method for thalassemia screening has the advantages in reducing the possibility of failing to detect the combining heterozygosity for beta-thalassemia and alpha-thalassemia. It is more useful for genetic counselling and prenatal diagnosis of this disease.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Gene Deletion ; Genetic Carrier Screening ; methods ; Genotype ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Male ; alpha-Thalassemia ; genetics ; beta-Thalassemia ; genetics

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this study was to explore suppositional sutural construction and protraction in the three-dimensional finite element model of craniofacial complex.

METHODSCombining spiral CT scanning technology with the three-dimensional finite element method, three-dimensional FEM model of craniofacial complex was developed for analysis. In the model, craniofacial sutures were constructed through the MSC. Patran program and different mechanical properties of sutures were applied. Under the same loading condition, bone displacements of the maxilla were calculated.

RESULTSA three-dimensional FE model of craniofacial complex, comprising teeth and craniofacial sutures, was developed. The displacement of the skeletal structures with sutures was significantly larger than that without sutures.

CONCLUSIONSThe construction of craniofacial sutures in the three-dimensional finite element model of craniofacial complex could improve the accuracy of finite element model, which set up good foundation for biomechanical studies of craniofacial complex.

Cephalometry ; methods ; Child ; Cranial Sutures ; anatomy & histology ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Finite Element Analysis ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Materials Testing ; Radiography