Inflammatory bowel disease is thought to be regulated by the balance between Th1 and Th2 cytokines secreted by T cells, and NF-kappaB p65 also plays a predominant role in the intestinal inflammation. We evaluated the potency of oxymatrine, one of active components of Sophora Root, in inhibiting the immune responses and inflammation in 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis. The inflammation was markedly ameliorated in the oxymatrine-treated rats. The level of IL-2 was increased and that of IL-10 was decreased in colon tissue in the rat model, which was reversed by the treatment of oxymatrine. Moreover, the elevated expression of NF-kappaB p65 in colon tissue in the model was also improved by oxymatrine treatment. Our results suggest that oxymatrine might be beneficial for the abnormal immune responses and inflammation by regulating the unbalance of Th1 and Th2 cytokines secretion and inhibiting the expression of NF-kappaB p65 in colon tissue.

The effects of Wumeiwan (WMW) on TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and NF-kappaBp65 in rats with ulcerative colitis (UC) were investigated, the curative effectiveness of WMW vs salicylazosulfapyridine (SASP) was compared, and the action mechanism was analyzed. Fifty-Six Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into four groups (n=14 in each group, with equal ratio of male and female): normal control group, model group, SASP group, and WMW group. Except normal control group, the rat UC models in the remaining three groups were established using the method of 2.4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) immunization and acetic acid local enema. The rats in model group, SASP group, and WMW group were treated with distilled water, SASP, and WMW respectively. The changes in the symptoms and signs were observed, and levels of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-alpha, IL-10 and the expression of NF-kappaBp65 in the colonic tissues were statistically analyzed. The results showed that the levels of IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-alpha were significantly increased (P<0.01), while those of IL-10 significantly reduced (P<0.01) after establishment of rat UC models as compared with normal control group. The levels of IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-alpha were obviously lower, but the level of IL-10 was obviously higher in WMW and SASP groups than those in model group (P<0.05). The levels of IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-alpha were lower, while the level of IL-10 was higher in WMW group than in SASP group. NF-kappaBp65 was expressed negatively or weakly in normal colonic tissues. The positive expression rate of NF-kappaBp65 in WMW group and SASP group was obviously lower than in model group (P<0.01), and there was significant difference between WMW group and SASP group (P<0.05). It was concluded that rat UC model was established successfully. WMW could up-regulate the expression of IL-10, down-regulate the expression of TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-8, and inhibit the NF-kappaBp65 activity to adjust immune function, indicating WMW had better curative effects on UC in rats.

The pandemic of avian influenza viruses (AIVs) in Asia has caused enormous economic loss in poultry industry and human health threat, especially clade 2.3.4.4 H5 and H7 subtypes in recent years. The endemic chicken H6 virus in Taiwan has also brought about human and dog infections. Since wild waterfowls is the major AIV reservoir, it is important to monitor the diversified subtypes in wildfowl flocks in early stage to prevent viral reassortment and transmission. To develop a more efficient and sensitive approach is a key issue in epidemic control. In this study, we integrate multiplex reverse transcription recombinase polymerase amplification (RT-RPA) and capillary electrophoresis (CE) for high-throughput detection and differentiation of AIVs in wild waterfowls in Taiwan. Four viral genes were detected simultaneously, including nucleoprotein (NP) gene of all AIVs, hemagglutinin (HA) gene of clade 2.3.4.4 H5, H6 and H7 subtypes. The detection limit of the developed detection system could achieve as low as one copy number for each of the four viral gene targets. Sixty wild waterfowl field samples were tested and all of the four gene signals were unambiguously identified within 6 h, including the initial sample processing and the final CE data analysis.The results indicated that multiplex RT-RPA combined with CE was an excellent alternative for instant simultaneous AIV detection and subtype differentiation. The high efficiency and sensitivity of the proposed method could greatly assist in wild bird monitoring and epidemic control of poultry.

OBJECTIVETo determine whether preoperative contrast delay-enhanced cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (DE-CMR) could help predict long-term survival of patients with severe chronic aortic regurgitation and extremely dilated left ventricular chamber after aortic valve replacement.

METHODSTotally 37 patients enrolled between February 2008 and November 2010 with severe chronic aortic regurgitation and extremely dilated left ventricular chamber, who met the echo criteria, that was left ventricular end diastolic dimension > 70 mm or left ventricular end systolic dimension > 55 mm, and were scheduled to the surgery. The 2-dimensional echocardiographic examinations and CMR with late gadolinium-enhancement (LGE) were performed routinely preoperatively. According to the results of CMR, the patients were divided into 2 groups: the LGE positive(+) group and LGE negative(-) group. The association of LGE with event free survival, postoperative cardiac function and postoperative hospital stay time was investigated. Fifteen patients had significant LGE signals in CMR films, while the other twenty-two were silent. All of them received the operative procedures, including aortic valve replacement in 28 cases, Bentall procedure in 3 cases, aortic valve replacement and ascending aorta replacement in 6 cases, and concomitant mitral valve repair in 11 cases.

RESULTSOver a follow-up of 33.6 months, 1-year, 2-year and 3-year event free survival rates in LGE(-) group were 94.7%, 88.4%, and 72.6%, respectively, compared to 80.0%, 48.9%, and 32.6%, respectively in LGE(+) group (χ(2) = 7.244, P = 0.007). The postoperative hospital stay time of LGE(-) group was (9 ± 2) days, which of LGE(+) group was (10 ± 3) days (t = 1.175, P = 0.248).

CONCLUSIONSLGE positive signal in CMR films is a potential predictor of persistent cardiac failure after aortic valve replacement for patients with severe chronic aortic regurgitation and extremely dilated left ventricular chamber. It has intimate relationship with malignant arrhythmia and sudden death, which makes it a valuable technique in preoperative evaluation and risk stratification.

Aortic Valve Insufficiency ; complications ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular ; complications ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Postoperative Period ; Prognosis

PURPOSE: This study aimed to analyze the efficacy and prognostic significance of adjuvant tamoxifen in breast cancer patients with various hormone receptor statuses. METHODS: Typically, 1,260 female breast cancer patients were recruited in this study. The correlation between estrogen receptor (ER)/progesterone receptor (PR) phenotypes and clinical characteristics was investigated, and the survival rate was assessed after 5-year follow-up. RESULTS: The 5-year overall survival (85%) was better in women under the age of 50 years. Patients with ER+/PR+ tumors had a better 5-year survival rate (94%); those with ER-/PR- tumors experienced the worst outcome (74% survival rate); whereas single-positive cases were in between. In 97 out of 128 patients with ER-/PR+ tumors, tamoxifen was given as adjuvant hormonal therapy, and it increased the survival benefit in the lower grade group in terms of overall survival and disease-free survival (p=0.01 and p=0.03, respectively). CONCLUSION: For high-grade tumors with ER-/PR+, adjuvant tamoxifen therapy may have no survival benefit, whereas for the patients with low-grade ER-/PR+ tumors, adjuvant tamoxifen therapy is highly suggestive.
Breast ; Breast Neoplasms ; Disease-Free Survival ; Estrogens ; Female ; Humans ; Phenotype ; Progesterone ; Receptors, Progesterone ; Survival Rate ; Tamoxifen

Objective: This is a review of our cases and published literature on cheiro-oral syndrome (COS), to better understand its localization, etiology and outcome. Methods: In addition to our database, we reviewed the medical database (including PUBMED, BIOSIS, EMBASE, and SCOPUS) and other sources, searched by the keyword of “cheiro-oral”. The defi nition of COS was a subjective or an objective sensory disturbance confi ned to the perioral area and the fi nger(s)/hand without a detectable abnormality in mental, motor or cerebellar function. Only cases of COS where the clinicoanatomic correlation could be identifi ed by neuroimaging study, autopsy or stereotatic surgery was included. Results: There were a total of 174 patients; 85 patients from our database, 76 patients from medical database, and 13 patients from other sources. They were 111 men and 63 women. Their age ranged from 12 to 85 years; average being 58.2 years. Stroke is the leading etiology and constituted 74% of the patients. The most common location of lesion was thalamus, followed by pons and cortex. Classical unilateral COS was seen in 81% of patients, atypical COS in 19%. Whereas the lesions were from cortex to cervical spinal cord in unilateral COS, atypical COS was associated with lesions in pons or medulla oblongata. An early deterioration was seen in 16.5% of patients, especially in large cortical infarction and subdural hemorrhage. Structural lesions were found in 85% of patients. Conclusion: Classical unilateral COS do not have a high localizing value, the atypical COS is associated with lesion in pons or medulla.

OBJECTIVETo observe amplitude changes of low frequency fluctuation in brain spontaneous nervous activities induced by needling at Hand Taiyin Lung Channel, and to preliminarily explore the possible brain function network of Hand Taiyin Lung Channel.

METHODSBy using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), 16 healthy volunteers underwent resting-state scanning (R1) and scanning with retained acupuncture at Hand Taiyin Lung Channel (acupuncture, AP). Data of fMRI collected were statistically calculated using amplitude of low frequency fluctuations (ALFF).

RESULTSUnder R1 significantly enhanced ALFF occurred in right precuneus, left inferior parietal lobule, bilateral superior temporal gyrus, bilateral middle frontal gyrus, left superior frontal gyrus, left inferior frontal gyrus, left medial frontal gyrus. Under AP significantly enhanced ALFF occurred in right precuneus, bilateral superior frontal gyrus, cerebellum, bilateral middle frontal gyrus, right medial frontal gyrus, and so on. Compared with R1, needing at Hand Taiyin Lung Channel could significantly enhance ALFF in right gyrus subcallosum and right inferior frontal gyrus. Significant decreased ALFF appeared in right postcentral gyrus, left precuneus, left superior temporal gyrus, left middle temporal gyrus, and so on.

CONCLUSIONNeeding at Hand Taiyin Lung Channel could significantly change fixed activities of cerebral cortex, especially in right subcallosal gyrus, right inferior frontal gyrus, and so on.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Brain ; physiology ; Brain Mapping ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging

OBJECTIVETo study the molecular types of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from a severe food-poisoning and to trace the possible strains.

METHODSReal-time PCR was applied to detect nuc gene as a specific marker for S. aureus, mecA gene encoding methicillin resistance and 5 other genes encoding staphylococcal enterotoxins (sea, seb, see, sed, see). Isolates were also performed with 16S rRNA oligonucleotide sequence analyzing by DNAStar MegAlign 5.0 software and pulse-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) by BioNumerics Version 4.0 software.

RESULTSThe nuc gene was detected from the 10 isolated strains, sea and seb genes were detected from 7 strains. There were 4 16 S rRNA types and 5 PFGE types found from all the strains.

CONCLUSIONSThree relative S. aureus strains were involved in the severe food-poisoning at least. Molecular subtyping might give a molecular epidemiological evidence and support the source tracing of an outbreak.

Bacterial Typing Techniques ; China ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field ; Enterotoxins ; Humans ; Staphylococcal Food Poisoning ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; Staphylococcus aureus ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo investigate the incidence of lymph node metastasis (LNM) in early esophageal carcinoma and the techniques of dissection.

METHODSStandard three-field dissection was performed in patients with small superficial esophageal carcinoma detected by endoscopy from 1993 - 2007. The lymph node metastases in different regions were identified by histopathology. The survival rate of the cases was analyzed.

RESULTSA total of 149 patients with early esophageal carcinoma were identified by postoperative pathological examination. The overall lymph node metastasis (LNM) rate was 22.8%, and the degree of LNM was 2.4% in all fields. Most lymph node metastases from upper thoracic esophageal carcinoma were found in cervical and the right upper mediastinal nodes. The LNM from middle thoracic esophageal carcinoma were approximately equal in the cervical, mediastinal, and abdominal lymph nodes, and abdominal lymph node metastasis predominated in lower thoracic esophageal carcinoma. The metastatic rate of LNM adjacent to the right recurrent laryngeaal nerve was the highest (44.1%). Significant differences were shown among the rates of LNM in relation to different macroscopic pattern, depth of invasion and differentiation of tumor (P < 0.01), but not to the longitudinal length of tumor (P > 0.05). The overall 5-year survival rate was 77.9%. It was 87.0% in patients without LNM, and 47.1% in those with LNM.

CONCLUSIONLymph node metastasis in early esophageal carcinoma is in a high frequency. Patients with tumor invasion into the mucosa or lamina propria but without lymph node metastasis may undergo a local operation such as endoscopic mucosectomy and have a good prognosis. Patients with tumor invasion into the muscularis mucosae or submucosa should be treated with radical surgery with three-field lymphadenectomy, especially, to dissect the lymph nodes adjacent to the recurrent laryngeal nerve.

Abdomen ; Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; pathology ; surgery ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; methods ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; surgery ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Mediastinum ; Middle Aged ; Mucous Membrane ; pathology ; Neck ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Staging ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression characteristics of the gene of coiled-coil domain-containing protein 70 (Ccdc70) in the mouse testis and its potential role in spermatogenesis.

METHODSUsing expression profile microarray, we screened the mouse testis-specific gene Ccdc70, studied its expression characteristics in the mouse testis by RT-PCR, real-time PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry, followed by bioinformatic analysis of the Ccdc70 protein.

RESULTSThe Ccdc70 gene was expressed highly in the testis but lowly in the epididymis of the mice. The Ccdc70 protein was expressed mainly in the spermatocytes and round spermatids of the testis and in the epithelial cells of the epididymis. Bioinformatic analysis showed a structural domain in the Ccdc70 protein, which was highly conserved in mammalian evolution.

CONCLUSIONThe Ccdc70 gene is highly expressed in the mouse testis and mainly in the spermatocytes, round spermatids, and epididymal epithelial cells, which indicates that it is involved in the regulation of spermatogenesis and epididymal sperm maturation.

Animals ; Computational Biology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental ; Male ; Mice ; Proteins ; genetics ; Spermatogenesis ; genetics ; Testis ; metabolism