OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of dendritic cells (DCs) transfected with survivin gene, and to observe the effective and specific anti-tumor immunological effect induced by modified DC in vitro.

METHODSSurvivin gene was transfected to DCs with liposomes. Survivin expression could be detected both in DCs cells and in cell culture with method of Western blot. Cytokines as well as cellular surface molecule such as IL-12, TNF-alpha, CD1 alpha, CD83, MHCII, CD80 and CD86 were detected. The competence of inducing human specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTLs) was also detected with MTT.

RESULTSSurvivin expression could be detected both in DCs which were transfected with survivin cDNA and in cell culture superior. The IL-12 and TNF-alpha level was (265.2 +/- 32.7), (437.1 +/- 83.5) pg/ml, and much higher in transgened DC cells than blank DC cells (P < 0.05). CD1 alpha, CD83, MHCII, CD80 and CD86 was high expressed in survivin-DC cells, however, it was low expressed in blank DC cells. The lyse rate to gastric cancer cell, colon cancer cell and bile duct cancer cell was 65%, 77%, and 85% respectively, and these were much higher than those of blank DC cells.

CONCLUSIONSDCs transfected with survivin gene could induce specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes and strikingly raised DC cell's antigen present function, and have specific CTL killing activity.

Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Dendritic Cells ; immunology ; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms ; therapy ; Humans ; Immunotherapy, Active ; In Vitro Techniques ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; Interleukin-12 ; secretion ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; genetics ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; Transfection ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; secretion

At present, the objective of cutting and pruning Cistanche deserticola is to harvest in successive years and enhance the harvesting yield and quality of C. deserticola in the process of the artificial cultivating C. deserticola. An experiment was conducted focusing on cutting and pruning C. deserticola in artificial forests of Haloxylon ammodendron drip-irrigated with saline water at the hinter-land of the Taklimakan desert, according to different growth stages and lengths. The results were following: (1) The effect of cutting on C. deserticola was similar to that of pruning, which resulted in three kinds of morphological types, not related to the bloom and size of C. deserticola. (2) The growth forms were diversified after pruning. Among them, there had sprouting new body, died or maintaining life with no sprouting, mildewed on its surface layer, etc. However, some of new bodies were sprouting from the lower part of the old body. The death rate of bloomed C. deserticola was higher than that of the underground, and the death rate of the 40 cm in stubble height for C. deserticola was higher than those with the stubble height of 20 cm and 5 cm. (3) Most of the diameter of living C. deserticola after pruning was increasing, but some of them changed little. (4) The mildew and rot of C. deserticola and the broken of the roots of the H. ammodendron and the fallen of the point of the inoculated when it was dug, which would cause the death of the C. deserticola. On the other, the yield-increasing effect and the economic benefit of the techniques of the pruning of Cistanche would need further research and evaluate. Therefore, the application of this technique needs to be cautious.
Amaranthaceae ; growth & development ; Cistanche ; growth & development ; Forests ; Fruit ; growth & development ; Plant Roots ; growth & development

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to detect the lymphatic drainage pattern of internal mammary area and verify the concept of internal mammary sentinel lymph node (IM-SLN) in breast. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A small particle radiotracer ((99m)Tc-Dextran 40) was prepared and tested. (99m)Tc-Dextran 40 was injected into intraparenchyma at the sound breast by a modified radiotracer injection technique. Subsequently, dynamic single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), computed tomography (CT), and SPECT/CT combination images were performed to identify the radioactive lymph vessels and internal mammary lymph nodes (IMLNs). The direction of lymph drainage and the location of the IMLNs were identified in the SPECT/CT imaging. RESULTS: The radiochemical purity of (99m)Tc-Dextran 40 was > 95%. (99m)Tc-Dextran 40 could drainage into first, second, and third lymph node and the radioactive lymph node could be detected by the γ detector in the animal experiment. After (99m)Tc-Dextran 40 injecting into intraparenchyma, 50.0% cases (15/30) were identified the drainage lymphatic vessels and radioactive IMLNs by SPECT. The drainage lymphatic vessel was found from injection point to the first IMLN (IM-SLN) after 10.5±0.35 minutes radiotracer injection, and then (99m)Tc-Dextran 40 was accumulated into the IM-SLN. The combination imaging of SPECT/CT showed the second IMLN received the lymph drainage from the IM-SLN. The lymphatic drainage was step by step in the internal mammary area. CONCLUSION: The lymph was identified to drain from different regions of the breast to IM-SLN, and then outward from IM-SLN to other IMLN consecutively. It demonstrated the concept of the IM-SLN and provided more evidences for the application of internal mammary sentinel lymph node biopsy.
Animal Experimentation ; Breast Neoplasms ; Breast ; Drainage ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphatic Vessels ; Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy ; Tomography, Emission-Computed ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes in thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb) and its influencing factors in differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) patients with positive TgAb (>115 U/ml) after total thyroidectomy and radioiodine (¹³¹I) therapy.

METHODSWe collected the clinical data of 118 DTC patients with positive TgAb and analyzed their TgAb levels before surgery, before ¹³¹I therapy, and after ¹³¹I therapy with a median follow-up of 2.3 months and 5.2 months. Multiple linear regression (MLR) was applied to analyze the time of TgAb concentration decreased by more than 50% (T₅₀) and its influencing factors.

RESULTSCompared with the previous TgAb levels, TgAb decreased significantly 2.3 months and 5.2 months after surgery or after ¹³¹I therapy, respectively (both P=0.000). The proportions of patients with TgAb decreased by more than 50% in each stage were 28.6%,33.3%, and 37.2%,respectively. The negative conversion ratios were 23.4%,48.9%, and 62.8%,respectively. MLR showed that only the interval between surgery and ¹³¹I therapy was correlated with T₅₀ (B=1.125, P=0.000).

CONCLUSIONSThe TgAb levels in DTC patients remarkably decrease after surgery and after ¹³¹I therapy. The interval between surgery and ¹³¹I therapy remarkably influences the lowering speed of TgAb levels. Prompt application of ¹³¹I therapy after surgery helps to lower TgAb levels.

Adenocarcinoma ; Autoantibodies ; Humans ; Iodine Radioisotopes ; Thyroglobulin ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; Thyroidectomy

BACKGROUNDIncreased risk of atherosclerosis has been reported in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection since highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has come into use. However, there is no clear evidence of premature atherosclerosis in Chinese HIV-infected patients. Our study was designed to determine the relationship between HIV infection and atherosclerosis in Chinese HIV-infected patients.

METHODSOne hundred and forty-five patients were enrolled in this study. These included 82 HIV-infected patients (41 HAART-treated and 41 antiretroviral therapy (ART) naïve patients) and 43 HIV-negative control subjects. Data on traditional cardiovascular risk factors, HIV infection parameters, and treatment regimens were collected. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) was determined using a pulse pressure analyzer to evaluate the function of the arterial wall as an indicator of atherosclerotic vascular damage.

RESULTSA higher PWV ((1358.3 ± 117.8) cm/s vs. (1270.2 ± 189.2) cm/s, P = 0.010) was found in ART naïve HIV-infected patients compared with control subjects. However, HAART treated patients had lower PWV compared to ART naïve patients ((1283.8 ± 181.4) cm/s vs. (1358.0 ± 117.8) cm/s, P = 0.033). Multiple regression analysis revealed that age (B = 5.218, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.420 - 9.016, P = 0.008), current smoking (B = -74.671, 95%CI -147.003 to -2.339, P = 0.043) and HAART (92.7% patients on a protease inhibitor-free regimen) (B = -169.169, 95%CI -272.508 to -65.831, P = 0.010) were associated with reduced PWV in HIV-infected patients.

CONCLUSIONSReduced PWV in HIV-infected Chinese patients indicates that they are more likely to develop arterial wall stiffness, possibly by atherosclerosis. A protease inhibitor-free regime may be protective for arterial wall of HIV infected patients.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; complications ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Adult ; Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active ; Atherosclerosis ; etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pulsatile Flow ; Regression Analysis ; Vascular Stiffness

BACKGROUNDPainful physical symptoms (PPS) may present as a component of major depressive disorder (MDD). Their effect in Chinese patients has not been investigated. This analysis reports the changes in disease severity, treatment patterns, quality of life and outcomes in a Chinese cohort according to the presence (PPS+) or absence (PPS-) of painful physical symptoms.

METHODSA subgroup of Chinese patients from a large observational 3-month study of patients from Asian countries and regions of China were classified using the modified Somatic Symptom Inventory (SSI) as PPS+ (mean score >or= 2) or PPS- (mean score < 2). Depression severity was assessed with the Clinical Global Impression of Severity (CGI-S) scale and 17-item Hamilton depression rating scale (HAMD(17)). Pain severity was measured using a visual analogue scale (VAS), while the EuroQoL (EQ-5D) assessed patient well-being. Antidepressants were compared with regard to their efficacy.

RESULTSOf the 299 Chinese patients enrolled in the study, 105 were classified as PPS+ (73/105, 70% women). At baseline, PPS+ patients reported greater pain severity (VAS, mean (SD): 49.56 (26.49) vs. 16.60 (20.99) for PPS-, P < 0.01), were more depressed (HAMD(17), mean (SD): 25.32 (5.47) vs. 23.33 (5.24) for PPS-, P = 0.002) and had poorer quality of life (EQ-5D Health State, mean (SD): 38.48 (22.38) vs. 49.57 (18.54) for PPS-, P < 0.001). PPS+ patients showed less overall improvement in depressive symptom severity (HAMD(17), change from baseline (95%CI): -17.38 (-18.65, -16.12) vs. -19.20 (-20.05, -18.35) for PPS-, P = 0.032; CGI-S, change from baseline (95%CI): -2.85 (-3.11, -2.58) vs. -3.20 (-3.38, -3.02) for PPS-, P = 0.044).

CONCLUSIONSPPS were less frequent than expected compared with previous studies of Asian populations. PPS+ were associated with greater MDD severity and less improvement than PPS- when antidepressants were given.

Adult ; Antidepressive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Depressive Disorder, Major ; drug therapy ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pain ; drug therapy ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Quality of Life ; Severity of Illness Index

OBJECTIVETo investigate the change of thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb) after the application of selenious yeast tablet (SYT) in differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) patients with positive TgAb (>115 U/ml).

METHODSWe enrolled 41 DTC patients with positive TgAb who had undergone total thyroidectomy and subsequent ¹³¹I therapy as well as applied SYT in group 1 (G1). Patients with an interval of more than 6 months between SYT use and ¹³¹I therapy or with repeated TgAb measurements before the use of SYTs were divided into group 2 (G2) and group 3 (G3), respectively. Changes in TgAb after application of SYT in both G1 and G2 were observed and analyzed by rank sum test. Comparison of TgAb gradient over certain time before and after the application was analyzed by t-test.

RESULTSThe proportions of patients with decreased or elevated TgAb were 85.4% and 14.6% in G1 and 90.9% and 9.1% in G2, respectively. Compared with the previous TgAb levels, TgAb decreased significantly after the application of SYT in either G1 (P=0.000) or G2(P=0.003). In G3, the TgAb level rose by 5.6% every month before applying SYT and fell 8.3% every month after the application (P=0.086).

CONCLUSIONApplication of SYT in DTC patients with positive TgAb can effectively decrease the TgAb level.

Adenocarcinoma ; Autoantibodies ; Humans ; Tablets ; Thyroglobulin ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; Thyroidectomy ; Yeasts

OBJECTIVE： To study the improvement effect and mechanism of methylated urolithin A on oleic acid-induced lipid accumulation in human liver cancer Huh-7 cells. METHODS： Oleic acid was adopted to induce lipid accumulation model cells. Huh-7 cells were divided into control group （culture medium）， model group （1 mmol/L oleic acid）， low-dose group （1 mmol/L oleic acid+10 μmol/L methylated urolithin A） and high-dose group （1 mmol/L oleic acid+20 μmol/L methylated urolithin A）. Oil red O staining was used to observe lipid accumulation in cells. Triglyceride（TG） enzyme assay was applied to determine the TG content in cells. PCR was employed to detect the mRNA expression of FASN， SREBP-1， PPAR-α and PPAR-γ in cells. Western blotting was used to determine the protein expression of FASN in cells. RESULTS： After induced by oleic acid， a large amount of lipid droplet accumulated around the cells； the intracellular lipid and TG content， mRNA expression levels of FASN， SREBP-1 and PPAR-γ， protein expression levels of FASN were increased significantly， while mRNA expression level of PPAR-α was decreased significantly （P＜0.01）. After intervened with methylated urolithin A， lipid droplet around the cells decreased significantly； the contents of lipid and TG in cells were decreased significantly， while the mRNA expression levels of FASN， SREBP-1 and PPARγ and protein expression level of FASN were decreased significantly （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS： Methylated urolithin A can improve oleic acid-induced lipid accumulation in Huh-7 cells， the mechanism of which may be associated with inhibiting fat synthesis， promoting lipid metabolism and down-regulating the expression of metabolism-related factors as FASN， SREBP-1 and PPAR-γ.

Objective To explore a new long-term efficient embedding technique of tumor spheres.Methods Tumor spheres,mainly composed of cancer stem cells,were cultured from glioblastoma tissues.The fifth generation of tumor spheres was chosen for egg-white-paraffin embedding and section.Then,those tumor sphere slices were observed by HE staining,immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining.And the immunofluorescence results of these tumor sphere slices were compared with those tumor spheres kept with traditional methods.Results Immunofluorescence results showed that tumor spheres kept with traditional methods looked blurry,and the positive cells and the positive protein expression sites in the cells could not be displayed.HE staining demonstrated that the tumor sphere slices had well-distributed intact spheres and coloring cells with high karyoplasm contrast.Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining of tumor sphere slices showed clear background,from which positive cells and positive locus could be easily displayed; therefore,semi-quantitative analysis of the positive cells could be performed.Conclusion Egg-white-paraffin embedding technique of the tumor sphere slices can reduce experimental errors and cut down the costs,which enjoys its advantage as compared with traditional embedding technique of the tumor sphere slices.

To study the effects of ellagic acid(EA)on inflammation and oxidative stress in mice with fatty liver disease induced by AKT gene transfection,the 20 female FVB mice were randomly divided into normal control group,model group and ellagic acid administration group(150,300 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1))(n=5).EA experimental groups and model group were using a high pressure into the tail vein transfection plasmid AKT.The next day,EA was started to administered continuously for 5 weeks after the AKT gene transfection,while the model group and the normal control group were given the same amount of saline.After the administration,the liver tissue and serum of mice were taken.HE and oil red O staining were using to observe the histopathological changes in liver;liver function to detect the serum and liver tissue as well as MDA and SOD levels;real-time quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)was used to measure the mR-NA expression of NF-κB and TNF-α;Western blot and immunohistochemistry were used to measure the expression of NF-κB,TNF-αand COX-2 in liver tissue.RESULTS:: show that after AKT gene transfection,the model group had significant increase in the serum levels of AST,ALT,elevated the levels of MDA and decreased the levels of SOD in serum and liver tissue,aggravated histopathology degeneration and Liver inflammation,and significantly higher expression of NF-κB,TNF-α,IL-6,COX-2 and other inflammatory-related factors in liver tissue.EA administration group significant reductions in the serum levels of AST,ALT,and improved in hepatocyte fatty degeneration and liver inflammation,lower the levels of MDA and increased the levels of SOD in serum and liver tissue,and significant reductions in the expression of NF-κB,TNF-α,IL-6 and COX-2 in liver tissue.These results suggest that EA has obvious anti-inflammatory effect and inhibits oxidative stress and EA has a significant therapeutic effecton AKT gene inducing fatty liver,and the mechanism possibly by inhibiting inflammatory factors of NF-κB,TNF-α,IL-6,COX-2 and anti-oxidative stress-related.
Animals ; Ellagic Acid ; pharmacology ; Fatty Liver ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Female ; Inflammation ; drug therapy ; Mice ; Oxidative Stress ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; genetics ; Random Allocation ; Transfection