Adult ; Colitis ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Cysts ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Rectum ; pathology ; surgery

Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with PA-MSHA injection for the treatment of locally advanced breast cancer. Methods An open, randomized, controlled clinical trial was conducted in this study. 42 locally advanced breast cancer patients were randomly assigned to two groups, namely the experimental group (20 cases) and control group (22 cases). All the patients received chemotherapy of TEC regimen, while, in addition, the patients in experiment group received PA-MSHA injection. After the treatment, the efficacy of treatment was evaluated. The safety and tolerance of patients were also measured during the treatment. Results The overall response rate (CR+PR) [75.0 %(15/20)]in the experiment group was significant higher than that [54.6 %(12/22)]in control group (P < 0.01). Adverse reactions were found for 9 cases in experiment group, four of whom received medical care while the others recovered automatically. Conclusion PA-MSHA injection can significantly enhance the efficaey of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on the patients with locally advanced breast cancer. The PA-MSHA injection which has been proved safety in treatment is an ideal supplementary therapy for breast cancer.

BACKGROUNDSevere acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is an infectious disease caused by SARS-CoV. There are no effective antiviral drugs for SARS although the epidemic of SARS was controlled. The aim of this study was to develop an RNAi (RNA interference) approach that specifically targeted the N gene sequence of severe acute respiratory syndrome associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) by synthesizing short hairpin RNA (shRNA) in vivo, and to assess the inhibitory effect of this shRNA on SARS-CoV N antigen expression.

METHODSThe eukaryotic expression plasmid pEGFP-C1-N, containing SARS-CoV N gene, was co-transfected into 293 cells with either the RNAi plasmid pshRNA-N or unrelated control plasmid pshRNA-HBV-C4. At 24, 48 and 72 hours post transfection, the green fluorescence was observed through a fluorescence microscope. The RNA levels of SARS-CoV N were determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The expression of Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) and protein N were detected using Western blot.

RESULTSThe vector, pshRNA-N expressing shRNA which targeted the N gene of SARS-CoV, was successfully constructed. The introduction of RNAi plasmid efficiently and specifically inhibited the synthesis of protein N. RT-PCR showed that RNAs of N gene were clearly reduced when the pEGFP-C1-N was cotransfected with pshRNA-N, whereas the control vector did not exhibit inhibitory effect on N gene transcription.

CONCLUSIONSOur results demonstrate that RNAi mediated silencing of SARS-CoV gene could effectively inhibit expression of SARS-CoV antigen, hence RNAi based strategy should be further explored as a more efficacious antiviral therapy of SARS-CoV infection.

Antigens, Viral ; genetics ; Cells, Cultured ; Genetic Vectors ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; genetics ; Humans ; Nucleocapsid Proteins ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; RNA Interference ; SARS Virus ; genetics ; immunology ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of Twist in regulating the proliferation, migration, and invasion of osteosarcoma cells with different levels of malignancy.

METHODSThe baseline expressions of Twist in 3 different osteosarcoma cell lines (143B, MG63 and TE85) were detected using real-time PCR and Western blotting. The cells were infected with the recombinant adenoviruses Ad-Twist or Ad-siTwist for Twist overexpression or knockdown, respectively, and the cell growth curves were drawn to assess the cell proliferation. The migration abilities and invasiveness of the cells were evaluated using wound healing assay and Transwell assay. Luc-labeled 143B cells infected with Ad-Twist or Ad-siTwist were intrathecally injected to establish nude mouse models bearing osteosarcoma xenografts, in which the tumor formation was monitored using living body imaging technique.

RESULTSThe baseline expressions of Twist in the 3 osteosarcoma cells were significantly higher than that in C3H10 cells (P<0.05). Twist expression was the highest in 143B cells followed by MG63 cells, and was the lowest in TE85 cells, indicating its positive correlation with the level of malignancy of the osteosarcoma cells. Ad-Twist or Ad-siTwist infection efficiently enhanced or lowered Twist expressions at both mRNA and protein levels in osteosarcoma cells (P<0.05). Twist overexpression resulted in enhanced proliferation, migration and invasion abilities of osteosarcoma cells, and Twist knockdown obviously inhibited the cell proliferation, migration and invasion. In nude mice, 143B cells with Twist overexpression showed accelerated tumor formation compared with the control cells, while Twist knockdown significantly inhibited the tumor formation ability of the cells.

CONCLUSIONTwist overexpression can promote the proliferation, migration, invasion and tumorigenicity of osteosarcoma cells.

OBJECTIVESTo observe the inhibition of HBV replication and antigen expression by RNA interference aimed at different parts of the HBV genome.

METHODSFollowing the rules of shRNA expression vector design and construction, we constructed seven kinds of sequence specific vectors and two kinds of mutant shRNA expression ones. We then cotransfected those shRNA and HBV expression vectors into HepG2 cells using lipofectamine2000. The level of HBV replication was investigated using Southern blot and the antigen expression using ELISA.

RESULTSThe replication of HBV DNA was inhibited by many shRNAs, especially the ones against P1, S2, C2, S1 and X. The inhibition rate against P1 was as high as 95%. Results obtained with ELISA showed that the shRNAs targeting C2, C1 and S2 had high rates of inhibition to HBsAg.

CONCLUSIONThe replication and antigen expression of HBV could be inhibited by shRNAs aimed at four different open read frames, and higher inhibition rates of HBV replication and surface antigen expression could be obtained by P1 and C2, respectively.

Gene Expression ; Hep G2 Cells ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiology ; Humans ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Transfection ; Virus Replication

OBJECTIVETo study the influence of serum from scalded rats on the cytoskeleton of colonic smooth muscle cells (CSMC) of rats cultured in vitro, and to probe the possible mechanism of gastrointestinal motility disorder after burn.

METHODSCSMC isolated from healthy adult Wistar rat were cultured and divided into scald serum group (SS) and normal serum group (NS) according to the random number talbi. Two normal Wistar rats were used, one of which was inflicted with deep partial-thickness scald. Serum was obtained from blood collected from these two rats respectively and diluted to 20% in concentration. Serum from scald and normal rats were respectively added to the culture of CSMC in SS and NS groups. The expression of actin and the relative content of β-tubulin in CSMC was respectively determined with flow cytometry and Western blot at post treatment hour (PTH) 1, 3, 6, and 12 (with 10 samples in each group at each time point). Data were processed with t test.

RESULTSFluorescence intensity of actin in SS group at PTH 1, 3, 6, and 12 was respectively 59 ± 4, 26 ± 6, 39 ± 6, and 42 ± 6, all significantly lower than those in NS group (95 ± 10, 91 ± 10, 102 ± 9, and 97 ± 9, with t value respectively 10.528, 18.069, 18.748, 16.647, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). In SS group, the fluorescence intensity decreased to the nadir at PTH 3, and then increased persistently at PTH 6 and 12. (2) Relative content of β-tubulin in SS group at PTH 1, 3, 6, and 12 was respectively 14.44 ± 0.26, 8.61 ± 0.19, 11.76 ± 0.31, and 12.13 ± 0.29, all significantly less than those in NS group (22.37 ± 1.15, 21.87 ± 1.79, 23.24 ± 1.55, and 21.99 ± 2.02, with t value respectively 21.176, 23.365, 23.000, 15.273, P values all below 0.01). In SS group, the relative content of β-tubulin decreased to the nadir at PTH 3 and increased slowly at PTH 6 and 12.

CONCLUSIONSThe reduction of CMSC content which has the tendency of increasing later, can be attributed to the influence of scald serum in initial stage. This may be related to the tolerance and adaptation to scald serum and self-repair of CMSC.

Animals ; Burns ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Colon ; cytology ; Cytoskeleton ; metabolism ; Male ; Microtubules ; metabolism ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Serum

BACKGROUNDThe imaging evaluation of pain in patients who have had a hip arthroplasty (HA) is challenging, and traditional imaging techniques, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computerized tomography (CT), are limited by metallic artifact. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the use of modified MRI techniques to visualize periprosthetic soft tissues and the bone-implant interface, and to evaluate the value of MRI for the assessment of patients with painful hip arthroplasty.

METHODSFifty-six painful hips in fifty-six patients following primary HA were assessed using optimized MRI, CT and standardized radiographs. The diagnosis of MRI was correlated with intraoperative findings as well as with microbiological and histological examinations (when available). The sensitivity and the specificity of MRI diagnosis were determined according to final diagnosis. The chi-square test was performed to detect a difference between MRI and final diagnosis.

RESULTSForty-eight patients have received revision surgery and final diagnosis were established. MRI was demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity in detecting aseptic loosening (93% and 95%), periprosthetic infection (94% and 97%), adverse local tissue reaction (100% and 100%) and periprosthetic fracture (100% and 100%). MRI was determined to be the most sensitive technique in detecting implant loosening for any reason, with a sensitivity of 93.8% for acetabular shell and 97.1% for femoral stem, compared to 81.3% and 80.0% on CT, 75.0% and 77.1% on radiographs.

CONCLUSIONSOptimized MRI was effective for the assessment of the periprosthetic soft tissues and bone. The use of modified magnetic resonance imaging parameters provided a useful adjunct to conventional examinations for the evaluation of patients with painful hip arthroplasty.

Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; adverse effects ; Hip Prosthesis ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Pain ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Prospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo analyse the effectiveness and toxicity of combined chemotherapy regimen containing pirarubicin (THP) in the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL).

METHODSThree hundred and ninety two patients with NHL were treated by THP containing regimen with or without involved field radiotherapy. The clinical characteristics, response, toxicity and long-term survival rates were analysed.

RESULTSThe median age of the patients was 47 (5 - 87) years and 26.0% aged more than 60 years. 61.0% of the patients were males and 39.0% females. B-cell and T/NK cell NHL accounted for 68.4% and 23.2% respectively with 56.9% of diffuse large B cell lymphoma and 12.5% of peripheral T cell lymphoma. 92.6% of the patients were ECOG < 1, 63.2% in stage I + II, 84.7% with IPI score 0 - 2 and 25% with B symptoms, 93.9% (368/392) of the patients received CTOP (containing THP) regimen chemotherapy and among them 28.5% (112/392) plus involved field radiotherapy. Altogether 1598 courses were administered on 368 patients. The overall response rate was 88.5% (341/385) with a complete remission (CR) rate of 63.6%, major toxicity was myelosuppression with 12.8%, 1.0% and 1.5% of grade III - IV neutropenia, thrombocytopenia and anemia, respectively. G-CSF support was given for 553 courses (34.6%). Alopecia account for 19.8%. The incidence of mild cardiotoxicity was 5.8%. Treatment-related mortality was 1.6% (6/368). Median follow-up was 24 months. The 1, 3 and 5 year actuarial survival rates were 86.4% , 66.5% and 59.2%, respectively. Median survival time has not been achieved.

CONCLUSIONThe efficacy of THP based regimen CTOP for the treatment of aggressive NHL is promising. Further clinical trial is warranted.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Doxorubicin ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Survival Rate ; Treatment Outcome

The manufacture of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) products is always accompanied by processing complex raw materials and real-time monitoring of the manufacturing process. In this study, we investigated different modeling strategies for the extraction process of licorice. Near-infrared spectra associate with the extraction time was used to detemine the states of the extraction processes. Three modeling approaches, i.e., principal component analysis (PCA), partial least squares regression (PLSR) and parallel factor analysis-PLSR (PARAFAC-PLSR), were adopted for the prediction of the real-time status of the process. The overall results indicated that PCA, PLSR and PARAFAC-PLSR can effectively detect the errors in the extraction procedure and predict the process trajectories, which has important significance for the monitoring and controlling of the extraction processes.

Objective To investigate the effect of Wnt5a on inducing differentiation of Cp15-5a cell to myocardial cell.Methods Recombinant adenovirus wnt5a (Ad-wnt5a) and Ad-GFP was amplified with human embryo kidney 293 cells (HEK293 cells),and then transfected into CP15-5a cells and 3 experiment groups were set up:wnt5a group,GFP group and blank control group.Flow cytometry was used to detect the transfection efficiency of Ad-wnt5a and Ad-GFP.One week after transfection,the expressions of genes GATA binding protein 4 (GATA4) and myocardial enhancement factor 2C (MEF2C) were analyzed by realtime quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR).Two weeks after transfection,the expressions of cardiac-specific connexin 43 (Cx43) and cardiac troponin T (cTnT) in Ad-wnt5a-induced CP15-5a cells were detected by Western blotting and immunofluorescence techniques.The sodium current expression (INa) was detected by whole cell patch clamp techniques.Results The transfection efficiency of Ad-wnt5a and Ad-GFP was 42.8％ and 44.3％,respectively.One week after transduction,the expressions of GATA4 and MEF2C were significantly higher in wnt5a group (1.717 ± 0.220 and 1.847 ± 0.190) than in GFP group (1.003 ± 0.087 and 0.456 ± 0.042,P＜0.05) and blank control group (0.961 ± 0.063 and 0.500 ± 0.095,P＜0.05),while no significant difference existed between GFP group and blank control group.Two weeks after transduction,the expressions of CX43 and cTnT were significantly higher in wnt5a group (1.597 ± 0.267 and 0.727 ± 0.100) than in GFP group (0.723 ± 0.047 and 0.217 ± 0.021,P＜0.05) and blank control group (0.783 ± 0.1333 and 0.253 ± 0.102,P＜0.01),while no significant difference existed between GFP group and blank control group.INa was detected in the wnt5a group compared with GFP group and blank control group.Conclusion wnt5a may induce differentiation of cp 15-5a cell into myocardial cell.