To investigate the effects of matrine on apoptosis and expression of adhesion molecules in human multiple myeloma cell line RPMI8226 cells, RPMI8226 cells were incubated with indicated concentrations of matrine. The growth of RPMI8226 cells was observed by CCK-8 colorimetric assay and apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry using Annexin V-FITC/PI staining. The cell cycles were analyzed by PI staining. Flow cytometry using Annexin V-FITC/PI staining was used to detect the expression of cell adhesion molecules, including CD44, CD44v6, CD54 and CD106. The results showed that RPMI8226 cell viability in presence of matrine decreased markedly in a dose- and time-dependent manners. The apoptosis could be induced by matrine and its level increased following the augmentation of the drug concentration. After treated by matrine for 48 hours, a concentration-dependent increase of cells in G(0)/G(1) phase and a decrease in S phase could be detected, but no obvious change of cell count was found in G(2)/M phase. Treatment of RPMI8226 cells with matrine for 48 hours resulted in decrease of expression levels of CD44 and CD54, while expressions of CD44v6 and CD106 had no significant change. It is concluded that matrine induces in vitro apoptosis, suppresses proliferation in multiple myeloma cells and depresses expression of some adhesion molecules.
Alkaloids ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Hyaluronan Receptors ; metabolism ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism ; Multiple Myeloma ; pathology ; Quinolizines ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the distribution features of Chinese medical constitutions in hypertension complicated diabetes patients.

METHODSRecruited were 251 primary hypertension inpatients at the Department of Neurology and the Department of Cardiology, Mindong Hospital of Ningde City from October 2010 to March 2011. They were assigned to two groups according to whether they were complicated with diabetes, i.e., the primary hypertension complicated diabetes (as the case group, 78 cases) and the primary hypertension without complicated diabetes (as the control group, 173 cases). The constitution types were investigated by questionnaire. The constitution type distribution was compared between the two groups. The data including gender, age, and the distribution of the constitution type were compared between the two groups. The levels of TG, TC, LDL-C, Hb, FPG, and ALB were detected on the 2nd day after admission. The levels of TG, TC, LDL-C, Hb, and ALB were compared be- tween the two groups in patients of yin deficiency constitution, phlegm dampness constitution, and qi deficiency constitution.

RESULTSThere was no statistical difference in the hypertension grading, the disease course, and chronic disease complications between the two groups (P > 0.05). The main constitution types were yin deficiency (accounting for 26.0%), phlegm dampness (accounting for 19.1%), and qi deficiency (accounting for 19.1%) in the control group. The main constitution types were yin deficiency (accounting for 32.1%), phlegm dampness (accounting for 30.8%), and qi deficiency (accounting for 17.9%) in the case group. The ratio of phlegm dampness type in the case group was higher than that in the control group with statistical difference (P = 0.041). There was no statistical difference in the constitution distribution in the same gender between the two groups (P > 0.05). There was no statistical difference in the constitution distribution in those younger than 80 years between the two groups (P > 0.05). Compared with those older than 80 years in the control group, the ratio of phlegm dampness was higher, and the ratios of yang deficiency, yin deficiency, qi deficiency, and dampness heat were lower in the case group with statistical difference (P = 0.020). There was no statistical difference in the constitution distribution among different age stages in the case group (P > 0. 05). But there was statistical difference in the constitution distribution among different age stages in the control group (P < 0.05). The yin deficiency and qi deficiency constitutions were dominated in thinner patients of the control group, while yin deficiency constitution was dominated in thinner patients of the case group, showing no statistical difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). There was no statistical difference in the distribution of constitution type in overweight patients between the two groups (P = 0.458). Compared with those of gentle type constitution in the same group, the levels of TC and LDL-C increased in those of phlegm dampness constitution in the two groups (P < 0.05). The level of TC increased in those of qi deficiency constitution in the case group. The level of Hb decreased in those of qi deficiency constitution in the control group (P < 0.05). Compared with those of qi deficiency constitution in the same group, the levels of TC and Hb obviously increased in those of phlegm dampness constitution in the control group (P < 0.05). The level of ALB increased in those of yin deficiency constitution in the case group (P < 0. 05). Compared with the control group, the level of FPG of those of each constitution increased in the case group (P < 0.05) ,.and the level of TC increased in those of qi deficiency constitution (P = 0.007).

CONCLUSIONSThe main constitution types of hypertension complicated diabetes patients were yin deficiency, phlegm dampness, and qi deficiency. The ratio of phlegm dampness was higher in hypertension complicated diabetes patients than hypertension without complicated diabetes patients. The levels of TC and LDL-C were higher in those of phlegm dampness constitution type. The level of TC was higher in hypertension complicated diabetes patients of qi deficiency constitution.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Case-Control Studies ; Diabetes Complications ; diagnosis ; Diabetes Mellitus ; diagnosis ; Essential Hypertension ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; complications ; diagnosis ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Surveys and Questionnaires

The risk factors and precautions of inpatient suicide were explored. Thirty suicide victims were drawn from the adverse event reports of suicidal act during hospitalization in a general hospital from 2008 to 2014. Data were gathered from the focus group interviews of twelve nurses who had experienced inpatient suicide. The data were analyzed by using analytical technique based on grounded theory, and software QSR NVIVO8 was used to aid the collation of data. Three main themes of risk factors about inpatient suicide emerged from the analysis: individual value, social factors and environmental factors. The individual value was categorized into different groups such as sense of guilt, hopelessness and low self-esteem. Social factors included two aspects of negative life events and social support. Three themes of precautions about inpatient suicide appeared in this study: evaluation, nursing and information exchange. Evaluation was elaborated from both physical and psychological assessments. This finding extends existing work of risk factors and precautions about inpatient suicide and brings new knowledge about the reasons why inpatients commit suicide.
Adult ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nursing Staff, Hospital ; psychology ; Qualitative Research ; Risk Factors ; Suicide

OBJECTIVETo observe the prevalence of hypertension and associated risk factors in the Guangxi Bai Ku Yao populations.

METHODSA total of 1170 subjects of Bai Ku Yao aged 15 and over were surveyed by a stratified randomized cluster sampling. Blood pressure, body height, weight, waist circumference, serum lipid and apolipoprotein levels were measured, and body mass index (BMI) were calculated, matched 1173 subjects of Han Chinese from the same region served as control.

RESULTSThe standardized prevalence of hypertension in Bai Ku Yao was significantly lower than that in Han (11.53% vs.16.79%, P < 0.01). The mean levels of systolic, diastolic blood pressure, and pulse pressure in Bai Ku Yao were also significantly lower than those in Han [(115.7 +/- 16.3) vs. (120.0 +/- 16.3) mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa), P < 0.01; (74.1 +/- 9.4) vs. (75.9 +/- 10.4) mm Hg, P < 0.01; and (41.6 +/- 12.0) vs. (44.2 +/- 11.2) mm Hg, P < 0.01; respectively]. Hypertension was positively correlated with male, age, physical activity, BMI, waist circumference, and the intakes of total energy, total fat, and sodium, and negatively associated with education level in both ethnic groups (P < 0.05 - 0.01), but was positively associated with alcohol consumption only in Han. The rates of awareness, treatment and control of hypertension were significantly lower in Bai Ku Yao than those in Han population [(11.81% vs. 21.76%), P < 0.05; (5.51% vs. 12.95%), P < 0.05; and (2.36% vs. 8.29%), P < 0.05; respectively].

CONCLUSIONThe prevalence of hypertension was significantly lower in Bai Ku Yao population than in Han population and diet, low sodium intake, life style, and genetic factors might be responsible for the lower hypertension prevalence in Bai Ku Yao population.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; China ; epidemiology ; Feeding Behavior ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; epidemiology ; ethnology ; Life Style ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo develop a specific SARS virus-targeted antibody preparation for emergent prophylaxis and treatment of SARS virus infection.

METHODSBy using phage display technology, we constructed a naive antibody library from convalescent SARS patient lymphocytes. To obtain the neutralizing antibody to SARS virus surface proteins, the library panning procedure was performed on purified SARS virions and the specific Fab antibody clones were enriched by four rounds of repeated panning procedure and screened by highthroughput selection. The selected Fab antibodies expressed in the periplasma of E. coli were soluble and further purified and tested for their binding properties and antiviral function to SARS virus. The functional Fab antibodies were converted to full human IgG antibodies with recombinant baculovirus/insect cell systems and their neutralizing activities were further determined.

RESULTSAfter four rounds of the panning, a number of SARS-CoV virus-targeted human recombinant Fab antibodies were isolated from the SARS patient antibody library. Most of these were identified to recognize both natural and recombinant SARS spike (S) proteins, two Fab antibodies were specific for the virus membrane (M) protein, only one bound to SARS-CoV nucleocapsid protein. The SARS-CoV S and M protein-targeted Fab or IgG antibodies showed significant neutralizing activities in cytopathic effect (CPE) inhibition neutralization test, these antibodies were able to completely neutralize the SARS virus and protect the Vero cells from CPE after virus infection. However, the N protein-targeted Fab or IgG antibodies failed to neutralize the virus. In addition, the SARS N protein-targeted human Fab antibody reacted with the denatured N proteins, whereas none of the S and M protein specific neutralizing antibodies did. These results suggested that the S and M protein-specific neutralizing antibodies could recognize conformational epitopes which might be involved in the binding of virions to cellular receptors and the fusion activity of the virus.

CONCLUSIONThe SARS-CoV spike protein and membrane proteins are able to elicite efficient neutralizing antibodies in SARS patients. The neutralizing antibodies we generated in this study may be more promising candidates for prophylaxis and treatment of SARS infection.

Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Antibodies, Viral ; immunology ; Cercopithecus aethiops ; Humans ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; immunology ; Neutralization Tests ; Peptide Library ; Protein Binding ; Protein Engineering ; Recombinant Proteins ; immunology ; SARS Virus ; immunology ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; immunology ; virology ; Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus ; Vero Cells ; Viral Envelope Proteins ; immunology ; Viral Matrix Proteins ; immunology

To investigate the changes of donor's peripheral blood immunocytes after mobilization with medium-dose recombinant human granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (rhG-CSF), the amounts of immunocytes in peripheral blood cells and the immunocyte components of donor peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) in 12 healthy donors were detected by flow cytometry before and after mobilization with rhG-CSF 10 microg/(kg.day). The results showed that the median amounts of peripheral blood leukocytes before mobilization was 6.25 (4.7-7.8) x 10(9)/L, for lymphocytes it was 2.07 (1.63-3.10) x 10(9)/L, and for monocytes it was 0.163 (0.078-0.414) x 10(9)/L. In the fifth day after mobilization, the median amounts of peripheral blood leukocytes was 37.47 (24-72.57) x 10(9)/L, and for lymphocytes it was 3.22 (1.46-5.31) x 10(9)/L, and for monocytes, it was 1.2 (0.706-3.627) x 10(9)/L. The average amount of leukocytes after mobilization was 6.26 +/- 2.14 multiple of that before mobilization (P < 0.01), and the median amounts of lymphocytes after mobilization was 1.45 +/- 0.76 multiple of that before mobilization (P < 0.05), and the amount of monocytes after mobilization was 7.48 +/- 4.41 multiple of that before mobilization (P < 0.01). The median percentage of CD3(+) T lymphocytes before mobilization was 46.96% [(32.36-57.45)%], but 40.94% [(25.31-48.9)%] after mobilization. The ratio of CD4(+)/CD8(+) before mobilization was 1.27 +/- 0.46, while 1.36 +/- 0.51 after mobilization. The median percentage of CD4(+)CD8(+) T lymphocytes was 0.41% [(0.16-1.51)%], and 0.49% [(0.09-2.0)%] after mobilization. The median percentage of CD16(+)CD56(+) NK cells was 13.98% [(4.08-25.08)%] versus 16.65% [(12.06-33.05)%] after mobilization. The median percentage of CD3(+)CD16(+)CD56(+) NK-T cells was 2.75% [(0.37-6.38)%], but 3.13% [(0.46-5.95)%] after mobilization. The median percentage of CD20(+) B cells was 9.28% [(5.97-16.33)%], while 9.94% [(7.36-20.41)%] after mobilization. The median percentage of CD14(+) monocytes was 12.48% [(3.54-19.35)%] versus 29.52% [(16.51-36.76)%] after mobilization. The percentage of CD3(+) T lymphocytes, CD4(+)CD8(+) T lymphocytes, NK cells, NK-T cells and B lymphocytes in PBMNC did not change markedly before and after mobilization with middle-dose rhG-CSF. The ratio of CD4(+)/CD8(+) did not change significantly (P > 0.10). The percentages of CD14(+) monocytes in PBMNC after mobilization increased up to 2.87 +/- 1.51 higher than that before mobilization (P < 0.05). It is concluded that the changes of the CD14(+) monocytes after mobilization with rhG-CSF may be involved in graft rejection and graft versus host disease after allo-PBSCT.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Antigens, CD20 ; analysis ; Blood Donors ; CD3 Complex ; analysis ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; cytology ; drug effects ; immunology ; CD56 Antigen ; analysis ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; cytology ; drug effects ; immunology ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization ; methods ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; cytology ; drug effects ; immunology ; Lipopolysaccharide Receptors ; analysis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Monocytes ; cytology ; drug effects ; immunology ; Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation ; Receptors, IgG ; analysis ; Recombinant Proteins

OBJECTIVETo evaluate whether involved-field (IF) radiotherapy is equally effective and less toxic in comparison with extended-field (EF) radiotherapy for patients with early-stage Hodgkin's disease (HD) who received combined modality therapy.

METHODSThe data of 88 early-stage HD patients treated with combined modality therapy were retrospectively reviewed. According to Ann Arbor classification, 12 patients (13.7%) had stage IA disease, 56 stage IIA (63.6%), and 20 IIB (22.7%). Forty-two (47.7%) patients underwent involved field radiotherapy (IF group), whereas the other 46 (52.3%) received extended field radiotherapy (EF group).

RESULTSOf 6 patients who developed recurrence, 3 (7.1%) were in IF group and the other 3 (6.5%) in EF group. Only one patient's recurrence developed inside the radiation field in EF group. Three patients (7.2%) in IF group and 9 (19.5%) in EF group had WHO grade 1 and 2 leukopenia (P = 0.089). Overall survival rate at 1-, 2- and 3-year was 100.0%, 97.1%, and 97.1% in IF group versus 100.0%, 100%, and 95.8% in EF group (P = 0.86), respectively. Freedom from progression survival rate at 1-, 2- and 3-year was 97.6%, 94.8%, and 91.7% in IF group versus 97.8%, 93.2%, and 93.2% in EF group (P = 0.65), respectively.

CONCLUSIONCompared with extended-field radiotherapy, involved-field radiotherapy is equally effective and less toxic for patient with early-stage Hodgkin's disease treated with combined modality therapy.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Bleomycin ; administration & dosage ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Dacarbazine ; administration & dosage ; Doxorubicin ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hodgkin Disease ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Humans ; Leukopenia ; etiology ; Lymphatic Irradiation ; adverse effects ; methods ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Mechlorethamine ; administration & dosage ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prednisone ; administration & dosage ; Procarbazine ; administration & dosage ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Vinblastine ; administration & dosage ; Vincristine ; administration & dosage

Objective To understand the epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 epidemic in Huangpu District of Shanghai, and to provide scientific evidence for prevention and control of COVID-19. Methods Descriptive statistics were used to study the suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported from January 21 through March 10, 2020 in Huangpu District, Shanghai. Results A total of 120 suspected cases of COVID-19 were reported, of which 12 were diagnosed and 108 were excluded.The first confirmed case was reported on January 21, and the last case was on February 10; the majority (11/12) of the confirmed cases were reported from January 21 through February 1.The average duration of time from the symptom onset to the first medical visit was 2.6 days, whereas the average duration from the first medical visit to the hospital diagnosis was 2.2 days.There were 15 suspected cases with a confirmed history of residence or tourism in Wuhan, in which 6 were confirmed cases.Moreover, 5 suspected cases had a confirmed history of contact with other confirmed cases, in which 3 were confirmed cases.Thus, exposure in Wuhan and exposure to confirmed cases were the most significant risk factors at this stage of the epidemic. Conclusion The 12 cases identified in Huangpu District of Shanghai are all adults, half of whom had confirmed history of exposure in Wuhan.The first cluster of COVID-19 cases in Shanghai is documented in Huangpu District.Epidemiological investigation reveals that the confirmed cases might be infectious the day before the symptom onset.

Novel coronavirus Omicron variant infection can cause severe illness and even death in certain populations. Omicron variant infection may lead to systemic inflammatory response, coagulation disorder, multi-organ dysfunction and other pathophysiological changes, which are different from other Novel coronavirus variants to a certain extent, so therapeutic strategies should not be the same. The National Medical Center for Major Public Health Events invited experts in fields of infectious diseases, respiratory medicine, intensive care, pediatrics and fever clinic to develop this quick guideline based on the current best evidence and extensive clinical practices. This quick guideline aims to standardize the diagnosis and treatment of novel coronavirus Omicron infection, and to improve the disease management abilities of clinicians.

BACKGROUNDAlcohol dependence (AD) is a complex disorder characterized by impaired control over drinking. It is determined by both genetic and environmental factors. The recent approach of genome-wide association study (GWAS) is a powerful tool for identifying complex disease-associated susceptibility alleles, however, a few GWASs have been conducted for AD, and their results are largely inconsistent. The present study aimed to screen the loci associated with alcohol-related phenotypes using GWAS technology.

METHODSA genome-wide association study with the behavior of regular alcohol drinking and alcohol consumption was performed to identify susceptibility genes associated with AD, using the Affymetrix 500K SNP array in an initial sample consisting of 904 unrelated Caucasian subjects. Then, the initial results in GWAS were replicated in three independent samples: 1972 Caucasians in 593 nuclear families, 761 unrelated Caucasian subjects, and 2955 unrelated Chinese Hans.

RESULTSSeveral genes were associated with the alcohol-related phenotypes at the genome-wide significance level, with the ankyrin repeat domain 7 gene (ANKRD7) showing the strongest statistical evidence for regular alcohol drinking and suggestive statistical evidence for alcohol consumption. In addition, certain haplotypes within the ANKRD7 and cytokine-like1 (CYTL1) genes were significantly associated with regular drinking behavior, such as one ANKRD7 block composed of the SNPs rs6466686-rs4295599-rs12531086 (P = 6.51 × 10(-8)). The association of alcohol consumption was successfully replicated with rs4295599 in ANKRD7 gene in independent Caucasian nuclear families and independent unrelated Chinese Hans, and with rs16836497 in CYTL1 gene in independent unrelated Caucasians. Meta-analyses based on both the GWAS and replication samples further supported the observed significant associations between the ANKRD7 or CYTL1 gene and alcohol consumption.

CONCLUSIONThe evidence suggests that ANKRD7 and CYTL1 genes may play an important role in the variance in AD risk.

Adult ; Aged ; Alcohol Drinking ; genetics ; Blood Proteins ; Cytokines ; Female ; Genome-Wide Association Study ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Proteins ; genetics ; Receptors, Cytokine ; genetics