OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of different graft ratios of PEG on the toxicity in vitro and cellular uptake of PAMAM G5 dendrimers. METHODS: Nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy were used to confirm the structure of PEG-PAMAM G5 dendrimers with four different graft ratios. The particle size and Zeta potential of the nanoparticles were determined by nanoparticle size-Zeta potential analyzer. The toxicity in vitro,cellular uptake, and intracellular localization were tested by hemolysis assay,cytotoxicity assay,cellular uptake test,and laser scanning confocal microscope images,respectively. RESULTS: The particle sizes of dendrimers with PEG graft ratios of 7.8%,14.1%, 20.3%,and 24.2% were (17.05 ± 1.77), (20.77 ± 1.02),(21.68 ± 1.04),and (23.19 ± 0.54) nm,respectively. The Zeta potential decreased from (25.57 ± 1.37) mV of PAMAM G5 to (9.27 ± 0.40) mV of PEG31-PAMAM G5. In addition, the hemolytic toxicity and cytotoxicity of PAMAM G5 dendrimers also markedly decreased especially at high concentrations because of PEG modification. Moreover, the PEG-PAMAM G5 dendrimers with particle diameter of nearly 20 nm not only could be taken in by HBMEC cells, but also accumulated in the cell nucleus. CONCLUSION: Modification of PEG can greatly reduce the toxicity of PAMAM G5 dendrimers in vitro, and the higher the degree of modification, the more obvious is the attenuated effect. The PEG-PAMAM G5 dendrimers with particle diameter larger than 20 nm still can be taken in by HBMEC cells and accumulate in the cell nucleus, which provide a foundation for the further research using modified PEG-PAMAM G5 as a basic carrier for genes and nuclear targeting agents in nano medicine.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the application value of postmortem multi-slice spiral computed tomography (MSCT) in cases of fall from height through observing and analyzing the injury features of the fall and reconstructing the process of the fall based on the the above procedure. METHODS: One real fatal case due to fall from height was fully examined using MSCT and three-dimensional reconstruction technique. Analyzing the manner and cause of death through combination of MSCT and systemic autopsy was also implemented. The differences between autopsy and MSCT in getting information of injuries were compared. RESULTS: Fractures involving multiple body regions and liver rupture were found through MSCT and three-dimensional reconstruction. The autopsy got the same results with imageological examination. The case of death was deduced to be fall leading to systemic polytrauma. CONCLUSION Application of MSCT can be used as the complimentary for traditional autopsy in the analysis of injury manner of fall from height.
Autopsy ; Death ; Forensic Pathology ; Fractures, Bone ; Humans ; Multiple Trauma ; Tomography, Spiral Computed

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this study was to develop RT- PCR assay for Rapidly detect and distinguish between Norovirus genogroup I and genogroup II with a pair of primers.

METHODSA pairs of primers specific to capsid prote in ORF2 gene of G I and G II Norovirus were dsigned according to the published complete genome sequence, with which the RNA of Norovirus was extracted and RT-PCR amplification. The sensitivity, specificity of the RT- PCR assay was estimated and apply it to the detection of Norovirus in clinical specimens.

RESULTSThe results showed that the assay possessed high specificity for Norovirus detection and without any evident cross-reaction with other viruses, including rotavirus, enteric adenovirus and hepatitis A virus. The detection limit of RT-PCR assay for Norovirus G I and G II were up to 100 pg/ml and 10 pg/ml respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe RT- PCR assay provide rapid and sensitive detection of Norovirus G I and G II and should prove to be useful for Norovirus diagnosis in the outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis.

Caliciviridae Infections ; diagnosis ; virology ; DNA Primers ; genetics ; Gastroenteritis ; diagnosis ; virology ; Humans ; Norovirus ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; instrumentation ; methods

OBJECTIVE: To explore the application value of postmortem multi-slice spiral computed tomography (MSCT) by observing and analyzing the injury features in the traffic accident victims. METHODS: Ten traffic accident victims were scanned with whole body MSCT. The systemic autopsy was subsequently performed to compare with the results of MSCT. The advantages and disadvantages of autopsy and MSCT for obtaining the information of traffic accident injuries were then analyzed. RESULTS: MSCT could reveal 3D shape of fractures clearly and detect air accumulation in different positions of the body, which showed the obvious advantages compared with autopsy. However, the resolution of MSCT was limited compared to the detection of organ and soft tissue injuries. CONCLUSION A combination of MSCT and autopsy is the best way for determining the manner and the cause of death in traffic fatality victims.
Accidents, Traffic ; Autopsy ; Fractures, Bone ; Humans ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; Tomography, Spiral Computed

Emodin is an effective active ingredient extracted from Chinese herbal medicine, which has the function of antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and scavenging oxygen free radicals, inhibiting platelet aggregation, improving microcirculation, protecting various organs and tissues as well as a wide range of anti-tumor effect. Primary biliary gallbladder is a common malignant tumor resection rate and lack of effective adjuvant treatment. It has been confirmed that emodin has broad spectrum antitumor effect, whereas, whether it has curative effect in the treatment of gallbladder carcinoma there is no reliable clinical trials confirmed that its resistance to gallbladder carcinoma function needs further experimental research. In this review, we report the research progress of emodin anti-gallbladder carcinoma.
Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Emodin ; therapeutic use ; Gallbladder ; drug effects ; Gallbladder Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Humans

A novel targeting drug carrier (FA-BO-PAMAM) based on the PAMAM G5 dendrimer modified with borneol (BO) and folic acid (FA) molecules on the periphery and doxorubicin (DOX) loaded in the interior was designed and prepared to achieve the purposes of enhancing the blood-brain barrier (BBB) transportation and improving the drug accumulation in the glioma cells. 1H NMR was used to confirm the synthesis of FA-BO-PAMAM; its morphology and mean size were analyzed by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Based on the HBMEC and C6 cells, cytotoxicity assay, transport across the BBB, cellular uptake and anti-tumor activity in vitro were investigated to evaluate the properties of nanocarriers in vitro. The results showed that the nanocarrier of FA-BO-PAMAM was successfully synthesized, which was spherical in morphology with the average size of (22.28 ± 0.42) nm, and zeta potential of (7.6 ± 0.89) mV. Cytotoxicity and transport across the BBB assay showed that BO-modified conjugates decreased the cytotoxicity of PAMAM against both HBMEC and C6 cells and exhibited higher BBB transportation ability than BO-unmodified conjugates; moreover, modification with FA increased the total uptake of DOX by C6 cells and enhanced the cytotoxicity of DOX-polymer against C6 cells. Therefore, FA-BO-PAMAM is a promising nanodrug delivery system in employing PAMAM as a drug carrier and treatment for brain glioma.
Biological Transport ; Blood-Brain Barrier ; Bornanes ; chemistry ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Dendrimers ; Doxorubicin ; pharmacology ; Drug Carriers ; chemistry ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Folic Acid ; chemistry ; Glioma ; Humans

The combination use of dexamethasone and calcium gluconate can be applied to hypersensitivity. Severe hypokalemia is a usual complication of dexamethasone and calcium gluconate therapy, which occurs frequently with therapeutic use. Fatal cases, accidental and intentional, occur frequently in forensic practice. The current case report presented a 43-year-old man with diabetes mellitus with infection, to whom dexamethasone and calcium gluconate were administered in the private clinic. With the development of such clinical symptoms of severe hypokalemia as quadriplegia, he was confirmed to have severe hypokalemia through a biochemical test before dying of arrhythmia. And also it presented pathophysiologic mechanism underlying severe hypokalemia as well as suggestions for clinical practice regarding combination use of dexamethasone and calcium gluconate.
Adult ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/adverse effects* ; Calcium Gluconate/adverse effects* ; Dexamethasone/adverse effects* ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Fatal Outcome ; Humans ; Hypokalemia/chemically induced* ; Male

Postmortem chemistry is becoming more and more essential in routine forensic pathology and has made considerable progress over the past years. Biochemical analyses of vitreous humor, blood, urine and cerebrospinal fluid may provide important information in determining the cause of death or in elucidating forensic issues. Postmortem chemistry may be essential for the determination of cause of death when morphological methods (diabetes mellitus, alcoholic ketoacidosis and electrolytic disorders) cannot detect the pathophysiological changes involved in the death process. It can also provide many information in other forensic situations, including myocardial ischemia, sepsis, inflammation, infection, anaphylaxis and hormonal disturbances. The most recent relevant research advances on glucose metabolism, liver function, cardiac function, renal function, sepsis, inflammation, infection, anaphylaxis and hormonal aspect are hereby reviewed.
Anaphylaxis ; Autopsy/trends* ; Biomarkers/analysis* ; Body Fluids/chemistry* ; Death ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Forensic Pathology/methods* ; Humans ; Postmortem Changes ; Sepsis ; Vitreous Body

Enterotoxins ; analysis ; Humans ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Staphylococcal Food Poisoning ; microbiology ; Staphylococcal Protein A ; analysis ; Staphylococcus aureus ; isolation & purification

This study was aimed to investigate the clinico-pathological features, diagnosis and treatment of the 8p11 (eight p11) myeloproliferative syndrome (EMS). Morphological changes of cells were evaluated by bone marrow smear and biopsy. The cell immunophenotypes were analysed by flow cytometry. Karyotypes were determined by conventional cytogenetic method, and bcr/abl fusion gene was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The results indicated that EMS was a relatively rare disease characterized by the occurrence of a bcr/abl-negative myeloproliferative disorder and a T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LBL). Bone marrow examination showed myeloid hyperplasia or myeloproliferative neoplasm, often accompanied by eosinophilia. Flow cytometric immunophenotyping showed increased myelomonoblasts; cytogenetic analysis showed a translocation at the 8p11 locus; RT-PCR demonstrated non bcr/abl fusion gene. At the molecular level, all cases carried a chromosomal abnormality involving the fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) at chromosome 8p11. Up to now, 11 partner genes have been identified and associated with FGFR1 rearrangements. The most common partner is ZNF198 on chromosome 13q11-12. Majority of patients terminate in acute myeloid leukemia which is resistant to conventional chemotherapy. Currently, the only curative option appears to be allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. In conclusion, EMS is myeloid and lymphoid neoplasm, associates with FGFR1 rearrangements. It is usually misdiagnosed as T-LBL, atypical chronic myeloid leukemia (aCML) or chronic myelogenous-monocytic leukemia (CMML). Timely cytogenetic and molecular biological examination is vital in order to avoid misdiagnosis and mistreatment.
Bone Marrow Cells ; pathology ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 8 ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myeloproliferative Disorders ; pathology ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; pathology ; Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 1 ; genetics