Current treatments for cancer and the central nervous system diseases are limited,partly due to the difficulties posed by the insolubility,poor distribution of drugs among cells and lack of selectivity of drugs,the inability of drugs to cross cellular barriers and blood brain barrier (BBB).Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) possess many distinct properties including good electronic properiies,remarkably penetrating capability on the cell membrane,high drug-loading and pH-dependent therapeutic unloading capacities,thermal properties,large surface area and easy modification with molecules,which render them as a suitable candidate to deliver drugs to cancer and brain.CNTs as a drug delivery could achieve a high efficacy,enhance specificity and diminish side effects.Whereas CNTs have been primarily employed in cancer treatment,a few studies have focused on the treatment and diagnosis of the central nervous system diseases using CNTs.Here,we review the current progress of in vitro and in vivo researches of CNTs-based drug delivery to cancer involving CNTs-based tumor-targeted drug delivery systems (DDS),photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT).Meanwhile,we also review the current progress of in vitro and in vivo researches of CNTs-based drug delivery to brain.

AIM: To estimate the pooled prevalence of myopia among primary school students in mainland China during 1980- 2013. Myopia had become a growing public health issue, with high prevalence rates in mainland China, particularly among children. However, we still had no population-based nationwide studies of the prevalence of myopia among primary school students in recent years. METHODS: Wanfang, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure and PubMed databases were searched independently until Dec. 31, 2013 to identify relevant articles. Data from the eligible articles were extracted by two reviewers. All of the data analyses were conducted using Meta-Analyst software (version 3. 13, USA).
RESULTS: Thirty - seven eligible studies published between 1980 and 2013 were selected with a total of 245248 individuals. The pooled prevalence of myopia among the included individuals was 26. 5% (95% CI: 21. 8% -31. 7%). The prevalence of myopia increased with age (from 8. 4%at 6-8y to 57. 4% at 12-14y).
CONCLUSION: The pooled prevalence of myopia among primary school students in mainland China was much higher than that of western countries or regions. The prevalence of myopia increased with age among primary school students. This study should be valuable for myopia prevention and treatment in mainland China.

Aged ; Brain Abscess ; etiology ; Brain Neoplasms ; complications ; secondary ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; complications ; secondary ; Humans ; Male ; Neoplasms, Unknown Primary ; Parietal Lobe

In order to mutate a carbofuran degrading strain CFDS-1,transposon of pSC123 was introduced into the genomic DNA of strain CFDS-1 by conjugation with E.coli DH5? (pSC123) as donor and strain CFDS-1 as recipient,6 mutants which lost carbofuran degrading ability were obtained with a kanamycin resistant gene in the middle of transposon and the disappearance of a red compound during the degrading of carbofuran as preliminary selecting marks,they were designated as CFDS-M1～CFDS-M6. UV scanning and GS assay results also proved their mutations. PCR was carried out respectively with primers designed according to the sequence of transposon and genomic DNA of 6 mutants as templates,restriction analysis of PCR products showed that the mutation of carbofuran degrading genes of these mutants was caused by transposon insertion.

Objective To propose a new blood purification modality-hemodialysis with plasma- based dialysate (HD-PBD) plus high volume hemofiltration (HVHF) for patients with liver failure, and to evaluate the effect of this treatment on plasma cytokines.Methods Twelve patients with liver failure were included in this study.All patients received HD-PBD therapy in the first 6 hours,and then were treated with HVHF for 24 hours with the same filter (AV600).The levels of TNF-?,IL-1?, IL-6 and IL-8 in plasma before and after HD-PBD plus HVHF for 6 and 24 hours were examined respectively by ELISA,and changes of clinical parameters were observed at the same time point. Serum bilirubin,total bile acids (TBA),serum ammonia,blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (Scr) were detected before and after treatment.Arterial blood gas analysis and the concentration of electrolytes were monitored before and after treatment.Results (1)HD-PBD for 6 hours was more effective than HVHF for 24 hours in removal of serum bilirubin and TBA(P＜0.05). (2)Serum ammonia,BUN,Ser,arterial blood HCO_3~-,PCO_2,PO_2 and electrolytes did not show significant difference before and after HD-PBD (P＞0.05),but these parameters significantly changed before and after HVHF (P＜0.05).(3)The average level of serum bilirubin was sharply decreased after HVHF for 24 h following HD-PBD(P＜0.05).(4)After HD-PBD plus HVHF,there was a marked reduction of the plasma levels of TNF-?,IL-6 and IL-8.Conclusions HD-PBD plus HVHF,a newly proposed modality for patients with liver failure,can effectively decrease serum bilirubin,TBA,BUN,Scr,ammonia and cytokines,and adjust water-electrolyte as well as acid- alkali balance.It is a low-cost,safe,simple and convenient therapy.

Pseudomonas sp. M18 is one of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria capable of producing two kinds of anti-fungal agents: phenazine-1-carboxilic acid (PCA) and pyoluteorin (Plt). The pqsR gene, which encodes a LysR family member PqsR, was amplified from chromosomal genome of strain M18. Using the homologous recombination technique, a chromosomal pqsR inactivated mutant strain M18PRG was constructed in Pseudomonas sp. M18. To study the effect of pqsR gene on Plt biosynthesis, the dynamic curves of Plt production by strains M18 and M18PRG was measured in KMB media. As a result, Plt production of the pqsR mutant was three to four folds higher than that of its parent strain M18. The Plt production was restored to the wild-type level when strain M18PRG was complemented with pqsR gene in trans. The regulation of pqsR gene on Plt production was further confirmed by the pltA′-′lacZ translational fusion analysis. These results indicate that pqsR gene negatively controls the Plt biosynthesis. Additionally, by analyzing the growth curves of wild type strain M18 and pqsR mutant, wecan readily find that PqsR has a negative influence on cell growth. It was also shown that the production of red pigments in strain M18 required the expression of pqsR gene. In conclusion, the data presented in this study clearly demonstrate that PqsR acts as a global regulator involved in many physiological activities in Pseudomonas sp. M18.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of gene expression of mouse uroplakin II (UPII) promoter on human bladder cell cancer cell line.

METHODSThe mRNA expression of different cell lines was quantified by RT-PCR. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) and luciferase (Luc) were used as reporter genes. The plasmids carrying UPII or GFP were constructed and transfected into human cell lines of bladder transitional cell cancer (BIU-87), kindey cancer (GRC-1), vascular endothelium (EC), lung cancer cell line (A549) and skin fibroblast cell line (Hs27). GFP activity of cells was detected by confocual microscopy and flow cytometry (FCM). Luciferase value was measured by luminometer (microplate) and luciferase to beta-galactosidase ratios (L/G values) were used for evaluating transfection efficiency.

RESULTSRT-PCR showed high expression level of UPII mRNA in bladder cancer cell line BIU-87, whereas low level or no expression in nonbladder cancer cell lines. The activity of GFP in bladder cancer (BIU-87) cell was higher than that in the other cell lines (5 - 10/HP versus 0 - 2/HP), with 4.34% positive cells in BIU-87 detected by FCM, but no positive cell was found in the other cell lines. L/G values indicated that the luciferase expression in human bladder cancer cells transfected with mouse UPII promoter was 1.8 - 8.2-fold as high as that in the nonbladder cell lines.

CONCLUSIONMouse UPII promoter gene can be expressed in a tissue-specific fashion in human urinary bladder cancer. It is capable of initiating transcription of reporter genes in human bladder cancer cell line.

Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Flow Cytometry ; Genetic Therapy ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; Humans ; Luminescent Proteins ; genetics ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; Mice ; Organ Specificity ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Transfection ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; genetics ; therapy ; Uroplakin II

OBJECTIVETo observe the protective effects of vitamin E on the testicular injury by cyclophosphamide in mice, and the correlative mechanism.

METHODSFifty sexually mature male mice were randomly divided into five groups: the cyclophosphamide group (the CP group), the low-dose vitamin E group (the low-dose group), the middle-dose vitamin E group (the middle-dose group), the high-dose vitamin E group (the high-dose group), the matched control group (the control group). The first four groups were given cyclophosphamide by gavage at a dose of 5 mg/(kg x d). The low-dose group, the middle-dose group and the high-dose group were given vitamin E by subcutaneous injection at doses of 30 mg/(kg x d), 50 mg/(kg x d) , 70 mg/(kg x d) after 4 h of cyclophosphamide treatment. The control group was gavaged with equivalent normal saline. The treatment period for all groups was 28 days. The level of plasma FSH, LH, T and the activity of testicular SOD, GSHPx, CAT and the level of testicular MDA were detected. The histological structure and the ultrastructure of the testis were examined by light microscope and electron microscope.

RESULTSAs compared with the CP group, the plasma FSH, LH, T level and the SOD, GSHPx, CAT activity in the middle-dose group and the high-dose group were higher (P< 0.05, P< 0.01), MDA level significantly lower(P<0.01). The histological structure and the ultrastructure of the testis were in the normal range.

CONCLUSIONVitamin E has protective effects on the testicular injury by cyclophosphamide in mice. The possible mechanism of vitamin E may be its scavenging free radical and antioxidant effects, as well as it may have some stimulatory effects on gonadotrophin releasing of pituitary anterior lobe.

Animals ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Cyclophosphamide ; antagonists & inhibitors ; toxicity ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Random Allocation ; Testis ; drug effects ; pathology ; Vitamin E ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of periodontal infection on circulating C-reactive protein (CRP) in type 2 diabetes patients.

METHODS32 diabetes patients with advanced periodontitis participated in this study. They were compared to a group of 32 diabetes patients without periodontal disease, who were mathed with regard to age (+/- 3 years), gender and body mass index (+/- 1 kg/m2). The concentration of CRP on circulation was measured by ELISA.

RESULTSSignificant difference was found in the level of CRP and the percentage of subjects with elevated CRP levels > or = 3 mg/L on circulation between the two groups(P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONPeriodontal infection results in higher circulating CRP in type 2 diabetes patients. This elevated inflammatory factor may exacerbate insulin resistance and increase the risk for great vessels complications of diabetes mellitus.

Adult ; C-Reactive Protein ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Periodontal Attachment Loss ; Periodontal Pocket ; Periodontitis

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTRT) and malignant transformation of esophageal dysplasia.

METHODSTelomerase activity and hTRT expression in esophageal dysplasia (n = 47), squamous cell carcinoma (n = 29) and normal esophagus (n = 11) were detected by telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) and in situ hybridization, respectively.

RESULTSTelomerase activity was detected in none of the 11 cases of normal esophageal tissues (0%) but in 21 of 47 cases (44.7%) of dysplasia, and in 25 of 29 cases (86.2%) of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. There were statistically significant differences among the telomerase activity in normal esophagus, esophageal dysplasia, and in squamous cell carcinoma (chi(2) = 5.89, P < 0.05; chi(2) = 11.35, P < 0.01). hTRT mRNA was expressed in none of the 11 cases of normal esophageal tissues (0%) but in 23 of 47 cases (48.9%) of dysplasia, and in 24 of 29 cases (82.8%) of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. There were statistically significant differences among the expression of hTRT mRNA in normal esophagus, esophageal dysplasia, and in squamous cell carcinoma (chi(2) = 6.99, P < 0.01; chi(2) = 7.32, P < 0.01). Significant correlation was found between the telomerase activity and the expression of hTRT mRNA (chi(2) = 57.91, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONThe mRNA expression of hTRT which paralleled to telomerase activity implied that there was a crucial role to play in regulating the activation of telomerase, and was closely related to the malignant transformation of esophageal dysplasia. hTRT might serve as a new, valuable biomarker to detect esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Adult ; Aged ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; analysis ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; enzymology ; pathology ; Esophagus ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Precancerous Conditions ; enzymology ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Telomerase ; genetics ; metabolism