Adolescent ; Anemia, Aplastic ; blood ; immunology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphocyte Subsets ; immunology ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Severity of Illness Index ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic ; immunology ; Th1 Cells ; immunology ; Th2 Cells ; immunology

Objective To investigate the effects of in vivo electroporation on plasmid mediated reporter gene expression and immunogenicity of DNA vaccine. Methods Luciferase expression plasmid was administered intramuscularly to BALB/c mice at 8μg and 40μg dosage level through injection with or without eletroporation Luciferase expression level in murine muscle was detected by IVIS imaging system 24 h after injection. DNA vaccine plasmid p1.0-gp1455m carrying codon-optimized env gene of CN54 strain ( HIV-1 CRF07_BC) was administered to mice at dosages of 8μg and 40μg through the two approaches mentioned above. Mice were immunized at week 0,2 and 4. Env-specific immune responses were detected at two weeks post the second and the third vaccinations. Env-specific antibody immune responses were determined by ELISA. Euv-specific cellular immune responses were determined by IFN-γ ELISPOT. Results Luciferase expression level in murine muscle was significantly increased as much as 35 folds through in vivo eletroporation. Results of ELISA and ELISPOT revealed that in vivo eletroporation could significantly enhance both the humoral and cellular immune responses induced by DNA vaccination. The responses induced by electrodelivered p1.0-gp1455m at 8 μg dosage were better than those induced by simple intramuscular injection with 40 μg of plasmid DNA. On the other hand, 2 injections followed by electroporation elicited comparable level of humoral and cellular immune responses with those induced by 3 injections without electroporation. Conclusion In vivo electroporation was capable of enhancing both the plasmid-mediated gene expression and immunogenicity of DNA vaccine.

Objective To explore the changes of CD40 and CD40 ligand(CD40L) levels and investigate their significances in children with graft-versus-host disease(GVHD)after related-donor human leukocyte antigen(HLA) matching allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(HSCT).Methods Nineteen patients with ?-thalassemia major and 1 patient with congenital inherent hemolytic anemia accepted umbilical cord blood transplantation(UCBT) and allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation(allo-PBSCT),respectively,and all cases were received successfully related-donor human leukocyte antigen matching allogeneic HSCT.Peripheral blood samples were obtained before and after transplantation,the time when GVHD happened,the expressions of CD40 and CD40L were measured by using immunofluresence asssy.Results Four UCBT children and 3 allo-PBSCT children had no acute GVHD.Thirteen children had acute GVHD(degreeⅠ-Ⅳ),the expressions of CD40L on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the patients with acute GVHD increased,especially in allo-PBSCT.Five cases of UCBT and 12 cases of allo-PBSCT patients had chronic GVHD,the expressions of CD40L+,CD25+ and CD69+ on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in patients with chronic GVHD increased obviously.The expression of CD19+CD40+ was lower than normal within 3 months after transplantation.Conclusions The high expression of CD40L+T cells in periferal blood after HSCT was related to the activation and proliferation of T cells in the development of GVHD in HSCT.

Adult ; Dermatitis, Occupational ; etiology ; Drug Eruptions ; etiology ; Humans ; Male ; Phthalimides ; adverse effects

The title of a book is, generally, the high concentration of the writer's intention and the theme of content. Translate the title of an ancient Chinese medical book or document accurately and plainly is meaningful for exhibiting the style of the book, also for promoting the international communication of TCM. The principle should be followed is to choose the translating terms accurately to reveal the theme of content and express the cultural connotation of the book perfectly.
Books ; history ; China ; History, Ancient ; Medicine in Literature ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; history ; Terminology as Topic ; Translating

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; economics ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the expression of NPAS2 in colorectal cancer (CRC) and analyze its relationship with the clinicopathological parameters and prognosis of the patients.

METHODSReal-time q-PCR was used to detect the expression of NPAS2 mRNA in 40 fresh CRC tissues and paired adjacent tissues; immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of NPAS2 protein in 120 paraffin-embedded tumor and adjacent tissues. The relationship between NPAS2 expression level and the 5-year survival rate of 78 CRC patients with follow-up data were analyzed with Kaplan-Meier survival analysis.

RESULTSCompared with the adjacent tissues, fresh CRC tissue expressed significantly lower NPAS2 mRNA levels (P<0.01). Among the paraffin-embedded CRC tissues, 19.2% were positive for NPAS2 expression, as compared to a much higher rate of 62.5% in the adjacent tissues (P<0.05). The expression of NPAS2 was correlated with the tumor size, lymph node metastasis and TNM stages (P<0.05) but not with the patients' gender, age, distant tumor metastasis, differentiation, or invasion. Patients with high NPAS2 expression levels had a significantly higher 5-year survival rate than those with low NPAS2 expressions (P=0.0001).

CONCLUSIONNPAS2 is down-regulated in CRC and closely correlated with the malignant biological behavior of the tumor and 5-year survival of the patients, suggesting its value in predicting the prognosis of the CRC patients.

Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; Down-Regulation ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; metabolism ; Prognosis ; RNA, Messenger ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effect of neferine against damages of endothelial cells induced by lysophos-phatidylcholine (LPC) and the relationship with asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA).

METHODThe human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC-12) were treated with LPC (10 mg x L(-1)) for 24 h to establish the model of endothelial cells damages; HUVECs were prior exposed to neferine (0.1, 1.0 or 10.0 micromol x L(-1) ) for 1 h, and then exposed to LPC in the presence of the neferine for 24 h. At the end of the experiment, the cultured medium was collected for measuring the concentration of nitric oxide (NO), aleic dialdehyde (MDA) as well as ADMA and the cells were collected for measuring the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS).

RESULTCompared with control group, exposure of endothelial cells to LPC (10 mg x L(-1)) for 24 h significantly increased the concentration of MDA and ADMA in the medium and the level of intracellular ROS and coinstantaneously significantly decreased the concentration of NO in the medium. Neferine (0.1, 1.0 or 10.0 micromol x L(-1)) significantly inhibited the elevated concentration of MDA, ADMA as well as the level of intracellular ROS and coinstantaneously significantly attenuated the decreased level of NO induced by LPC.

CONCLUSIONNeferine can protect the endothelial cells against damages induced by LPC and the protective effect is related to the decrease of the concentration of ADMA.

Arginine ; analogs & derivatives ; metabolism ; Benzylisoquinolines ; pharmacology ; Cell Line ; Endothelial Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lysophosphatidylcholines ; pharmacology ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism

OBJECTIVEChronic graft versus host disease (cGVHD) is the most common late complication after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) and it represents the major cause of mortality in long-term survivors. Over the past decade, although conventional therapy has achieved complete responses in approximately 50% of patients, the prophylaxis and treatment of cGVHD are still not satisfactory. In the late years, utilization of new immunosuppressant such as tacrolimus (FK506), mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) on cGVHD improved the curative effects. This study tried to analyze the results of combination of methylprednisolone (MP), MMF and FK506 or cyclosporine A (CSA) as immunosuppressive therapies for cGVHD and to explore the effective regimen for children.

METHODSForty-five patients received allo-HSCT. Among them 32 received UCBT and 13 received PBSCT. The conditional regimen mainly consisted of busalphan, cyclophosphamide, antihuman thymocyte globulin, fludarabin, melphalan, thiotepa and total lymph node irradiation. Prophylaxis of GVHD consisted of CSA, MP and MMF. Patients with cGVHD received a regimen with combination of MP, MMF and FK506 or CSA.

RESULTSSeventeen out of 32 patients who received UCBT were engrafted. while 9 out of 13 patients who received PBSCT were engrafted. Nine cases of the 30 engrafted patients developed cGVHD (morbidity 30%). Among the 17 patients who received UCBT, 3 developed cGVHD (18%). Among the 13 patients who received PBSCT, 6 developed cGVHD (46%). Six cGVHD continued from aGVHD (6/9). One patient was given CSA plus MMF, and 8 were given three-drug regimen with MP, MMF and FK506. The overall response rate was 100%. Two patients died of CMV-IP or septicemia (mortality 20%). Seven (78%) patients survived (event free survival, EFS) longer than 3 years. The side effects included hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, hypertension, articular capsulitis and arrhythmia. The main complication and the major causes of death were infection.

CONCLUSIONThe incidence of cGVHD is low in children. The incidence of cGVHD after PBSCT is higher than that after UCBT. aGVHD is a highly dangerous factor. Combined therapy of MP plus MMF and FK506 or CSA is safe and effective for the treatment of cGVHD in children.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; Chronic Disease ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Graft vs Host Disease ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Methylprednisolone ; administration & dosage ; Mycophenolic Acid ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; Tacrolimus ; administration & dosage

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical features and the incidence of early infectious complications following children hematopoietic stem cells transplantation (HSCT).

METHODSThe clinical data of 29 cases with early infectious complications following HSCT was retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSThe incidence of early infectious complications following HSCT in 31 children (including 22 cord blood transplantation and 9 peripheral blood stem cells transplantation) was 94% (29/31). The first occurrence of the early infectious complications was at a median of 6 (0 - 22) days, the peak time of incidence was at a median of 4 - 7 days post transplantation. The duration of the first early infectious complications was at a median of 9 (3 - 20) days. The occurrence of the second early infectious complications was at a median of 19 (13 - 27) days. For all of the 29 children, when they developed early infectious complications their absolute neutrophil counts (ANC) were all > 0.5 x 10(9)/L. The most common infectious sites were the digestive tract (oral and gastro-intestinal mucositis) and then the respiratory tract. Gram negative blood infections were quite frequent and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was common in the oral-pharynx discharge cultures. Two children had Mycoplasma pneumonia infections and there were 4 incidences with fever but no definite infectious foci. The incidence and duration of early infectious complications following hematopoietic stem cells transplantation were associated with the duration of neutropenia. The source and the MNCs dose of the graft, the difference of conditioning regimen and GVHD prophylaxis method did not have a significant impact on the incidence and duration of early infectious complications. Antibiotic prophylaxis (including Tienam) could delay the occurrence of the early infections significantly.

CONCLUSIONThe incidence and duration of early infectious complications following hematopoietic stem cells transplantation were directly associated with the duration of neutropenia. Tienam regimen could postpone the early infections incidence and had effect of preventing the early infectious complications.

Adolescent ; Antibiotic Prophylaxis ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Cilastatin ; therapeutic use ; Drug Combinations ; Female ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Imipenem ; therapeutic use ; Incidence ; Infection ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Leukemia ; therapy ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Time Factors