To analyze and compare the protective effects of active components in different ethyl acetate extracts (EAEEPs) from Eclipta prostrate, in order to study the comparison of materials bases protecting normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells. The MTT assay was taken to compare the protective effect of different EAEEPs on cigarette smoke extracts (CSE) -induced NHBE cells. The ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) was applied to analyze the content of phenolic acid, coumaric grass ether and flavonoid in EAEEPs. According to the results, all of the eight EAEEPs (0-200 mg x L(-1)) showed certain protective effect on NHBE cells, with statistical difference. Specifically, the total mass of EAEEP VII (89.15 mg x L(-1)) and EAEEP VIII (57.44 mg x L(-1)), which showed the strongest activity, was not the highest, while EAEEP III (132.25 mg x L(-1)) displayed the highest total mass. In the combination with the "component structure" theory, the analysis showed a significant difference in the mass structure among phenolic acid, coumaric grass ether and flavonoid in EAEEP VIII and EAEEP VIII, which were 1.0: 1. 0: 0.5 and 1.0: 1.9: 0.8, respectively. The results suggested a specific optimal "component structure" relationship may exist in EAEEP, which could provide reference for the material base study and quality control.
Bronchi ; cytology ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Eclipta ; chemistry ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Humans ; Protective Agents ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Tobacco Smoke Pollution ; adverse effects

Objective To screen the arsenic content situation of drinking water in lower reaches of Yellow River and survey the amount of threatened people drinking high arsenic water and the condition of endemic arsenism.Methods Four counties of Yuncheng,Jiaxiang,Dongchangfu and Boxing were selected to colleft the water samples by CroOSS-sectional survey method.The water arsenic content wag determined by semi-quantitative rapid kit.All water samples having arsenic were re-determined by atomic fluorescence spectrometry.And the nurober of threatened people who drinking high arsenic water were investigated.Results In 4765 water wells screened,303 water samples had contained arsenic,arsenic content of 35 samples Was≥0.030 mg/L,12 samples were exceeding the international standard (arsenic content≥0.050 ms/L),they distributed in 3 counties of Dongchangfu,Yuncheng and Jiaxiang.The residents drinking water wells of arsenic content≥0.030 mg/L were surveyed by epidemiological investigation.And in the 28 villages 13 032 residents and 11 Bu8picious patient8 wlere checked out.Conclusion The wells with excesive water arsenic content are existing in the lower reaches of Yellow River and people suspicious of endemic arsenism need to be further identified.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the contribution of latent membrane protein (LMP)1 to nasopharyngeal carcinogenesis via Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway.

METHODSThe recombinant plasmid pHA2-LMP1 was constructed; immunofluorescence staining, Dual-Luciferase Reporter Assay, Western blot and immunohistochemistry staining were used to study the effect of LMP1 on the transcriptional activity and expression of β-catenin.

RESULTS(1) Abnormal expression of β-catenin was obtained in 38 cases (50.7%, 38/75), LMP1 expression was obtained in 38 cases (50.7%, 38/75). There was significantly positive correlation between LMP1 expression and abnormal expression of β-catenin in nasopharyngeal carcinoma tissue (P = 0.008). (2) The expression of β-catenin in nuclei of NPC cell line CNE1 and CNE2 transfected with pHA2-LMP1 plasmid dramatically increased, and the expression was remarkable in poorly-differentiated NPC cell line CNE2 than that of well-differentiated CNE1 cells. (3) LMP1 expression dramatically increased the transcriptional activity of β-catenin in CNE1 and CNE2 cells transfected with pHA2-LMP1 and was in a time-dependent. The transcriptional activity of β-catenin was higher in poorly-defferentiated cell line CNE2 than that of well-differentiated NPC cell line CNE1. (4) LMP1 expression did not affect the total protein expression level of β-catenin in both CNE1 and CNE2 cell lines.

CONCLUSIONEB virus-encoded LMP1 may be involved in the pathogenesis of NPC via β-catenin signal pathway.

Adult ; Aged ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Plasmids ; Recombinant Proteins ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Transcriptional Activation ; Transfection ; Viral Matrix Proteins ; metabolism ; Wnt Proteins ; metabolism ; Young Adult ; beta Catenin ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the serial changes of condition and related factors of Keshan disease (KSD) and provide the scientific basis for disease control and further research.

METHODSThe villages in KSD epidemic area of Juxian, Yishui, Pingyi, Zoucheng counties were selected. Since 1990, every five-year was counted as a stage. For the first to third stage, 3-14 year-old residents and over 14 year-old suspicious patients were selected as surveillance subjects. And in the fourth stage, all residents were selected as surveillance subjects. The same group of surveillance subjects in each stage were observed consecutively for 5 years. Surveillance contents included physical checkup, electrocardiogram (ECG) and Xray. At the same time, the selenium (Se) concentration in hair, wheat, corn and sweet potato was measured. The economic income and grain availability were also investigated.

RESULTSTotally, 14,510 cases were visited during 18 years. The incidence of KSD was 3.02% in the first stage, 2.31% in the second stage, 3.57% in the third stages and 3.65% in the fourth stage. Totally, 14,510 cases were examined by ECG, 809 cases showed the abnormal ECG and the total incidence of abnormal ECG was 5.49%. The incidence of abnormal ECG was 3.52% -5.24% from 1990 to 2004 but was 10.97%-10.91% from 2005 to 2007. 732 of hair samples, 701 of wheat samples, 615 of corn samples and 643 of sweet potato samples were collected and the Se concentration was determined by the fluorescent method. Se levels in hair samples had increased (P < 0.05) year by year but Se levels in food have not changed significantly. The economic income and grain availability had increased gradually from 535.8 yuan and 254.6 kg per person in 1990 to 2968.0 yuan and 602.0 kg per person in 2007.

CONCLUSIONThe condition of KSD was in a stable situation in Shandong Province. Related factors improvement should be an important environmental condition.

Adolescent ; Cardiomyopathies ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Hair ; chemistry ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Nutritional Status ; Selenium ; analysis ; deficiency

Objective To investigate the current condition of Keshan disease(KD), and inner and outer environmental selenium (Se) levels in Shandong Province, in order to provide scientific evidence for the research, prevention and control work. Methods Inhabitants from 20 villages of 8 counties in KD endemic areas were selected as subjects undergoing general physical examination and electrocardiogram (ECG). Suspicious cases were followed up by chest X-ray radiographs. Meanwhile the Se contents in hair, wheat, corn and sweet potato were measured. Results Ninety one patients with KD, including 82 with latent KD and 9 with chronic KD, were screened out of 2613 inhabitants. The total incidence of KD was 3.48% (91/2613), while the incidence of latent and chronic KD was 3.14%(82/2613) and 0.34%(9/2613) respectively. No new cases of acute or sub-acute KD were found. A total of 368 abnormal ECCs were discovered and the rate of abnormal ECG detected among surveyed population was 14.08% (368/2613). Out of 113 suspects who took X-ray, 57 cases had cardiomagaly. In 217 samples of hair, 228 samples of wheat, 214 samples of corn and 190 samples of sweet potato that were collected, the Se contents were determined by fluorescence. The average Se content in hair, wheat,corn and sweet potato were (0.406±0.090), (0.026±0.009), (0.023±0.010), (0.024±0.006)mg/kg respectively. Conclusions Current condition of KD in Shandong Province remains relatively stable. Se content was increased in the hair, nearly achieving the level in normal areas, but remains low in food.

This study was undertaken to establish a murine model for unrelated allogeneic umbilical cord blood transplantation (UCBT). The characteristics and percentage of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells between near-term fetal and neonatal murine peripheral blood (FNPB) and bone marrow (BM) were evaluated by flow cytometry and semisolid methylcellulose culture. BABL/c (H-2(d)) recipient mice conditioned with high dose CTX were transplanted with FNPB form C57BL/6 (H-2(b)) mice and the survival rate, hematopoietic and immunological reconstruction, graft versus host disease (GVHD) and engraftment level were observed. The results showed that the numbers of day 14 CFU-GM and CFU-GEMM in FNPB (176.40 +/- 78.39)% and (141.40 +/- 56.57)%, respectively were much higher than those in BM (75.20 +/- 26.41)% and (68.80 +/- 23.95)%, respectively. Moreover the percentage of Sca-1(+) CD34(+) cell subsets in FNPB (3.63 +/- 1.13)% was also higher than that in BM (1.41 +/- 0.8 7)%. FNPB transplantation improved survival rate and reconstituted hematopoietic and immune function in recipients. There was no evidence of GVHD. Chimeric analysis showed that the proportion of donor cells in BM of recipients was 27.94% at 21 days after transplantation. It was concluded that FNPB contains more hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells with high expansion ability and weak allogeneic immunity, which was similar to human UCB. The murine model for allogeneic UCBT (C57BL/6-->BALB/c) was established successfully.
Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; Flow Cytometry ; Graft vs Host Disease ; etiology ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Immunity ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Models, Animal ; Transplantation, Homologous

The purpose of the present study was to explore the expression changes of intermedin/adrenomedullin 2 (IMD/ADM2), a novel small molecular bioactive peptide, and its receptors, calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CRLR) and receptor activity modifying proteins (RAMP1, RAMP2, RAMP3) in the right ventricle of rats with chronic hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension. Twenty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4-week hypoxia group and normal control group (each n=10). The rats in hypoxia group were placed in an isobaric hypoxic chamber, in which O(2) content was maintained at 9%-11% by delivering N(2), and CO(2) content was maintained at <3% for 4 weeks (8 h/d, 6 d/week). The rats in the control group were housed in room air. The protein levels of IMD/ADM2 and adrenomedullin (ADM) in blood plasma and right ventricular tissue were measured by radioimmunoassay. The mRNA expressions of IMD/ADM2, ADM and their receptors CRLR, RAMP1, RAMP2, RAMP3 in right ventricular tissue were determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The results showed that the ratio of right ventricle weight to left ventricle plus septum weight [RV/(LV+S)] and mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) were higher in hypoxia group than those in the control group (all P<0.01), suggesting that the rat model of pulmonary hypertension was successfully established. However, the mean carotid arterial pressure (mCAP) between the two groups had no significant difference. Compared with that in the control group, ADM contents in plasma and right ventricular tissue in hypoxia group increased by 1.26 and 1.68 folds (all P<0.01), respectively. Likewise, IMD/ADM2 contents in blood plasma and right ventricular tissue in hypoxia group increased by 0.90 and 1.19 folds (P<0.01), respectively, compared with that in the control group. The data of RT-PCR showed that mRNA levels of ADM, IMD/ADM2 and RAMP2 in hypoxia group increased by 155.1% (P<0.01), 80.9% (P<0.01) and 52.9% (P<0.05), respectively, compared with those in the control group. There were no significant differences in mRNA expressions of CRLR, RAMP1 and RAMP3 between the two groups (all P>0.05). Taken together, the results show that the level of IMD/ADM2 increases in the rats with chronic hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension.
Adrenomedullin ; metabolism ; Animals ; Calcitonin Receptor-Like Protein ; metabolism ; Heart Ventricles ; metabolism ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; etiology ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Hypoxia ; complications ; Male ; Neuropeptides ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptor Activity-Modifying Proteins ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the variance and drug resistance of pathogenic bacteria isolated from children with infectious diseases seen between 2001 and 2006 in Chengdu area.

METHODSA total of 2888 pathogenic bacterial strains isolated from children in Chengdu Children's Hospital from 2001 to 2006 were analyzed. Tests were performed according to the guidelines of National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) of the United States.

RESULT(1) Of the 2888 strains, 1845 (63.9%) were Gram negative bacteria. The main pathogenic bacteria included Escherichia coli (Ec, 718 strain, 24.9%), Hemophilus (H, 476 strain, 16.5%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (Sp, 412 strain, 14.3%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kp, 369 strain, 12.8%), Staphylococcus aureus (Sa, 353 strain, 12.2%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (Se, 278 strain, 9.6%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa, 146 strain, 5.1%) and other non-zymocyte (Onz, 136 strain, 4.7%). (2) The common pathogens found in blood specimen were 158 strain, which included Se (78 strain, 49.4%), Ec (23 strain, 14.6%), Kp (17 strain, 10.8%), Sa (14 strain, 8.9%), Onz (14 strain, 8.9%), Sp (7 strain, 4.4%) and Pa (5 strain, 3.2%). (3) The number of common pathogens isolated from patients with lower respiratory tract infection was 2018, including Ec (441 strains, 21.9%), H (430 strains, 21.3%), Sp (368 strains, 18.2%), Kp (253 strains, 12.5%), Sa (207 strains, 10.3%), Se (149 strains, 7.3%), Pa (97 strains, 4.8%) and Onz (73 strains, 3.6%). (4) There were 120 strains of common pathogens isolated from urine specimens, including Ec (78 strains, 65%), Kp (25 strains, 20.8%), Onz (7 strains, 5.8%), Pa (5 strains, 4.2%) and Se (5 strains, 4.2%). (5) There were 497 strains of common pathogens found in pus specimens, including Ec 167 strains, (33.6%), Sa (126 strains, 25.4%), Se (46 strains, 9.3%), H (44 strains, 8.9%), Onz (37 stains, 7.4%), Kp (31 strains, 6.2%), Sp (26 strains, 5.2%) and Pa (20 strain, 4.0%). The trend of drug resistance of pathogenic bacteria to antibiotics deteriorated. The proportion of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was 6.7% and the methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative Staphylococci (MRCNS) rate was 20% in 2001 - 2003. The total proportion of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase stains (ESBL(S)) in Ec and Kp was 21.8%, and the rate of beta-lactamase production stains of Hemophilus influenzae (Hi) was 19.4% in 2001 - 2003.The proportion of MRSA was 17.2% and the MRCNS rate was 70.2%, the total proportion of ESBL(S) in Ec and Kp was 43.8%, and the rate of beta-lactamase producing stains of Hi was 39.7% in 2004 - 2006.

CONCLUSIONThe distribution of common pathogenic bacteria seen in Chengdu Children's Hospital has changed and the trend of drug resistance of pathogenic bacteria to antibiotics deteriorated in recent three years. Regionally monitoring the changes in pathogenic bacteria and the trend of drug resistance to antibiotics is paramount in guiding the pediatric clinical treatment.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Bacterial Infections ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; Child ; China ; epidemiology ; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial ; drug effects ; Humans ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of Xiezhuo Chubi Decoction (XZCBD) on the microRNA expression patterns of kidney in mice with hyperuricemia.

METHODSSixty Kunming male mice were randomly divided into the high-, medium-, and low-dose XZCBD groups, benzbromarone group, model group, and control group. Except the control group, all mice were established with yeast method combined with uricase inhibition method to build hyperuricemia model, and the corresponding drugs (37.5 g/kg, 18.75 g/kg, 9.375 g/kg, and 0.02 g/kg per day) were administrated on the 7th day. On the 22nd day, the blood uric acid concentration was detected, and microRNA with obvious changes in kidney was screened with qRT-PCR.

RESULTSThe uric acid in the model group was higher than that in the control group, and the levels of the uric acid were reduced after being treated with XZCBD; the differences among groups were significant (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, 32 kinds of microRNA expression changes were detected on the 15th day after being treated with high-dose XZCBD by microRNA expression profile screening. Among them, miR-34a could inhibit the expression of human urate anion exthanger 1, and miR-146a might have inhibited the inflammatory reaction.

CONCLUSIONXZCBD could significantly reduce the serum uric acid level; its effect on hyperuricemia might be through affecting microRNA expressions.

Animals ; Base Sequence ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Hyperuricemia ; blood ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Kidney ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Organic Anion Transporters ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Uric Acid ; blood

OBJECTIVETo explore the plausibility of laryngeal preservation in salvage surgery of recurrent laryngeal carcinoma.

METHODSComprehensive clinical and radiological assessments on a specific group of patients with recurrent laryngeal cancer and their relapsed tumors were carried out to determine the methods and indications of salvage surgery for preservation of laryngeal functions. Salvage surgery with preservation of larynx was performed in a selective of 36 laryngeal cancer patients with relapsed tumors in their larynges after radiotherapy or partial laryngectomies. All patients were regularly followed up after discharge from the hospital. Postoperative survival was calculated by Kaplan-Meier's method.

RESULTSAmong various laryngeal preservation regimens given, a second transoral laser surgery was carried out in 4 cases, horizontal hemilaryngectomy in 4 cases, vertical hemilaryngectomy in 13 cases and Majer-Piquet's operation in 15 cases, respectively. Simultaneous neck dissection was conducted in 18 cases. Postoperative complications were encountered in 6 cases, most common of which were local infection and laryngeal fistula with no hospital mortality and other major morbidities. Five cases with immediate postoperative complications were cured with proper management. The remained one case undergone vertical partial laryngectomy for recurrence after tumor resection via laryngeal fissure received postoperative radiation due to positive surgical margin, and complicated laryngeal atresia and obstruction with loss of his laryngeal functions. Local recurrence was observed in 5 cases and simultaneous locoregional recurrence was seen in 1 case, with the resulting local control rate of 83.3% (30/36). The 3-year postoperative survival rate was 80.6%. The cause of death was tumor recurrence in 3 cases, distant metastasis in 3 cases and non-tumor-associated disease (heart attack) in 1 case, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSSalvage surgery with laryngeal preservation can be carried out in the selected cases with early or locally-confined recurrent lesions within the larynx, on the condition that the recurrent tumors be assessed thoroughly and indications for associated surgical techniques be evaluated properly.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Laryngectomy ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; surgery ; Salvage Therapy ; Treatment Outcome