Objective To study the effect of allicin on the growth and radiosensitivity of human pancreatic carcinoma BXPC3 cells.Methods BXPC3 cells were exposed to X-rays in the presence or absence of allicin.Cell proliferation was measured by MTT assay.Cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry assay.Cell radiosensitivity and the influence of allicin on it was evaluated by colony formation assay.The expressions of Bax and Bcl-2 proteins were assayed by RT-PCR and Western blot.Results IC50 values of allicin on cell growth were 76.24,58.34 and 43.58 μmol/L under 12,24 and 48 h treatment,respectively.Treatment of cells with allicin obviously inhibited cell growth after irradiation and hence increased radiosensitivity (t =2.74,P ＜ 0.05).This treament also enhanced radiation-induced cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase (t =11.41,P ＜0.05),apoptosis induction (t =12.36,P ＜ 0.05),and Bax expression (t =4.83,P ＜ 0.05),but it decreased Bcl-2 expression (t =3.69,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Allicin could inhibit cell growth,induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis via Bax/Bcl-2 pathway and hence increases radiosensitivity of BXPC3 cells.

Aim To investigate the role of GC in indu-cing apoptosis of amygdaloid neurons.Methods Cul-turing primary neurons of amygdala,the neurons were identified by immunefluorescence techniques with anti-body against microtubule associated protein-2 (MAP2 ) and antibody against GC receptor.Using flow cytome-try to detect the effects of different concentrations of dexamethasone on the amygdala neuron apoptosis. Then the experiment was divided into four groups:CON ,DEX ,DEX +MIF and MIF .The rate of apopto-sis of the four groups was detected by TUNEL tech-nique and the expressions of BAX mRNA of four groups by Real-time PCR technique.Results (1 )Compared with the control group, the percentage of apoptotic cells increased significantly with DEX(10 -8 mol·L-1~10 -6 mol · L-1 )treatment in a concentration-de-pendent manner.(2)the TUNEL test showed that the percentage of apoptotic cells of DEX group increased significantly,compared with control group.While it decreased significantly in DEX+MIF group,compared with DEX group.There was no difference between MIF group and control group.(3 )Compared with control group,the expressions of BAX mRNA of DEX group increased significantly.While the expressions of BAX mRNA of DEX +MIF group decreased significantly, compared with the DEX group.There was no difference between MIF group and control group.Conclusion GC can independently induce the apoptosis of primary cultured neurons in the amygdala by combining with GC receptor.

Dengue virus (DENV) envelope [E] protein is the major surface protein of the virions that indued neutralizing antibodies. The domain III of envelope protein (EDIII) is an immunogenic region that holds potential for the development of vaccines; however, the epitopes of DENV EDIII, especially neutralizing B-cell linear epitopes, have not been comprehensively mapped. We mapped neutralizing B-cell linear epitopes on DENV-1 EDIII using 27 monoclonal antibodies against DENV-1 EDIII proteins from mice immunized with the DENV-1 EDIII. Epitope recognition analysis was performed using two set of sequential overlapping peptides (16m and 12m) that spanned the entire EDIII protein from DENV-1, respectively. This strategy identified a DENV-1 type- specific and a group-specific neutralizing epitope, which were highly conserved among isolates of DENV-1 and the four DENV serotypes and located at two regions from DENV-1 E, namely amino acid residues 309-320 and 381-392(aa 309-320 and 381-392), respectively. aa310 -319(310KEVAETQHGT319)was similar among the four DENV serotypes and contact residues on aa 309 -320 from E protein were defined and found that substitution of residues E309 , V312, A313 and V320 in DENV-2, -3, -4 isolates were antigenically silent. We also identified a DENV-1 type-specific strain-restricted neutralizing epitope, which was located at the region from DENV-1 E, namely amino acid residues 329-348 . These novel type- and group-specific B-cell epitopes of DENV EDIII may aid help us elucidate the dengue pathogenesis and accelerate vaccine design.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Antibodies, Neutralizing ; immunology ; Dengue ; virology ; Dengue Virus ; chemistry ; genetics ; immunology ; Epitope Mapping ; Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte ; chemistry ; genetics ; immunology ; Humans ; Mice ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Viral Envelope Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo establish a highly sensitive and specific assay to detect dengue virus (DENV) envelope protein domain III (EDIII) IgG antibody, and to explore its value in the diagnosis and seroepidemiological survey of dengue.

METHODSThe DENV EDIII IgG antibody capture ELISA was developed using the recombinant full-length DENV EDIII, which was prepared by Pichia yeast expression system as the capture antigen. The serum samples were collected from the same group of 35 DENV-1 patients of primary infection during disease period in 2006 and their follow-up phase in 2010; and the sensitivity of the assay was compared to that of the commercial Panbio DENV IgG ELISA.

RESULTSThe sensitivity of DENV EDIII IgG ELISA in detecting the serum samples from disease period and follow-up phase was 87% (20/23) and 94% (33/35), respectively; whereas the sensitivity of Panbio DENV IgG ELISA was 71% (25/35) and 0, respectively. The sensitivity of DENV EDIII IgG ELISA in detecting the serum samples from both periods was similar, without statistical significance (χ(2) = 0.946, P = 0.331). For serum samples from disease period, the sensitivity of DENV EDIII IgG ELISA was comparable with that of Panbio DENV IgG ELISA (χ(2) = 1.924, P = 0.165). However, DENV EDIII IgG ELISA demonstrated a significantly higher sensitivity than Panbio DENV IgG ELISA in detecting the serum samples from follow-up phase (χ(2) = 62.432, P = 0.000).

CONCLUSIONDENV EDIII IgG capture ELISA is highly sensitive in detecting IgG in the serum samples from either disease period or follow-up phase. This method might be a promising alternative for diagnosis and seroepidemiologic survey of dengue.

Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Dengue ; diagnosis ; immunology ; virology ; Dengue Virus ; immunology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; methods ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Protein Structure, Tertiary ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Viral Envelope Proteins ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo produce neutralizing antibodies against envelope protein domain III (EDIII) of dengue virus serotype I (DENV-1) and evaluate the nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) antigen capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for identification of antibody neutralizing abilities.

METHODSFive BALB/c mice and one New Zealand Rabbit were immunized with recombinant EDIII protein of DENV-1 for the production of hybridomas and hyperimmune sera. Indirect ELISA, immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and Western Blot analyses were applied to identify specificity of antibodies. Comparing to plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT), the new established DENV-1 specific NS1 antigen capture ELISA was used for detecting the neutralizing abilities of these antibody.

RESULTSFour strains of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) named 1A1, 1B3, 3D3 and 9D6 and one hyperimmune serum of rabbit were obtained, all of which were approved to have neutralizing abilities to DENV-1 with the PRNT titer of 1:1024, 1:512, 1:256, 1:4096 and 1:4096. MAb 3D3 with the lowest neutralization titer in PRNT had not shown neutralizing ability to DENV-1 in NS1 antigen capture ELISA, while MAbs 1A1, 1B3 and 9D6 and the rabbit hyperimmune serum could protect the C6/36 from being infected by DENV-1 with the neutralization titer of 1:32, 1:32, 1:128 and 1:128 in this assay.

CONCLUSIONNS1 antigen capture ELISA could be used to identify antibody neutralizing abilities to DENV, it was a faster and more convenient way to screen antibodies with high neutralization titer and might also be used as one of the methods to evaluate the effects of vaccines.

Animals ; Antibodies, Neutralizing ; immunology ; Antibodies, Viral ; immunology ; Dengue Virus ; immunology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; methods ; Female ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Neutralization Tests ; Rabbits ; Viral Envelope Proteins ; immunology ; Viral Nonstructural Proteins ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo explore the comprehensive program of integrated Chinese and western medicine in the treatment of cognitive impairment in earthquake brain injury.

METHODSThe multi-central randomized controlled trial was adopted. The qualified subjects were randomized into an acupuncture + rehabilitation group (38 cases) and a rehabilitation group (35 cases). In the acupuncture + rehabilitation group, acupuncture, hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) and cognitive rehabilitation training were combined as the comprehensive program of integrated Chinese and western medicine in the treatment. In the rehabilitation group, HBO and cognitive rehabilitation training were adopted. The efficacy and safety were assessed.

RESULTS(1) After treatment of 2 months, the intelligent state, cognitive function and activity of daily life of patients were improved in the both groups (all P < 0.01). (2) After treatment of 2 months, the score of MMSE and the score of activity of daily life were (24.11 +/- 4.08) and (75.45 +/- 13.95) in the acupuncture + rehabilitation group, which were more significant as compared with (17.05 +/- 43.84), (66.06 +/- 12.75) in the rehabilitation group, respectively (both P < 0.01). In 6-month follow-up visit after treatment, the cognitive function and activity of daily life were improved continuously in the acupuncture + rehabilitation group, which was more significant as compared with the rehabilitation group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe integrated Chinese and western medicine of acupuncture, HBO and cognitive rehabilitation training is safe and effective in the treatment of cognitive impairment in earthquake brain injury. The therapeutic effect is more advantageous as compared with the simple rehabilitation program of western medicine.

Activities of Daily Living ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Brain Injuries ; psychology ; rehabilitation ; therapy ; Cognition ; Earthquakes ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Objective To study antioxidant role and mechanism of Rg1 in rats with cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI).Methods One hundred and twenty healthy male rats were randomly divided into six groups: control group, sham operation group, model group, different concentration (30,60,90 mg/kg) of Rg1 treatment group.MCAO SD rats model was established by suture－occluded method;the Rg1 treatment groups were given Rg1 i.p. in advance, after 24 hours of reperfusion, neurobehavioral scores of all groups were examined by Longa’s standard;The expression of Nrf2 and HO－1 were analyzed by western blot;The content of SOD and MDA was detected by kit.Results The score of model group rats are significantly higher than control group,compared with the model group, the score of different concentration of Rg1 treatment group was decreased (P＜0.05) . The Nrf2 and HO－1 expression in model group was mildly higher than the control or sham group (P＜0.05) . Both of them in every Rg1 treatment group was higher than model group. Compared with control or sham group, SOD content was observably depressed but MDA content was dramatically increased in model group,interestingly,SOD content was enhanced, MDA content was attenuated in different concentration of Rg1 treatment group (P＜0.05). Conclusion Rg1 increases Nrf2 and HO－1 protein expression and SOD content, reduces MDA content,improves neurofunctional performance of rats after MCAO,and alleviates cerebral cerebral IRI.

BACKGROUNDAmong the deaths due to trauma, about one half of the patients suffer from road traffic injury (RTI). Most of RTI patients complicate acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and severe multiple injuries. ARDS is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality in trauma patients. Although many injuries and conditions are believed to be associated with ARDS independent risk factors in trauma patients, their relative importance in development of the syndrome are undefined. We hypothesize that not all of the traditional risk factors impacting mortality are independently associated with patients strictly identified by traffic injury. This study aimed to sieve distinctive risk factors in our RTI population, meanwhile, we also hypothesize that there may exist significantly different risk factors in these patients.

METHODSThis was a retrospective cohort study regarding RTI as a single cause for emergency intensive care unit (EICU) admission. Patients identified as severe RTI with post-traumatic ARDS were enrolled in a prospectively maintained database between May 2002 and April 2007 and observed. Twenty-three items of potential risk impacting mortality were calculated by univariate and multivariate Logistic analyses in order to find distinctive items in these severe RTI patients.

RESULTSThere were 247 RTI patients with post-traumatic ARDS admitted to EICU during the study period. The unadjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of mortality were associated with six risk factors out of 23: APACHE II score, duration of trauma factor, pulmonary contusion, aspiration of gastric contents, sepsis and duration of mechanical ventilation. The adjusted ORs with 95% CI were denoted with respect to surviving beyond 96 hours EICU admission (APACHE II score, duration of trauma factor, aspiration of gastric contents), APACHE II score beyond 20 EICU admission (duration of trauma factor, sepsis, duration of mechanical ventilation) and mechanical ventilation beyond 7 days EICU admission (duration of trauma factor and sepsis).

CONCLUSIONSWe have retrospectively demonstrated an adverse effect of six different risk factors out of 23 items in mortality of post-traumatic ARDS within severe RTI patients and, moreover, gained distinct outcomes in stratified patients under real emergency trauma circumstance. An impact of APACHE II score and pulmonary contusion contributing to prediction of mortality may exist in prophase after traffic injury. Sepsis is still a vital risk factor referring to systemic inflammatory response syndrome, infection, and secondary multiple organs dysfunction. Eliminating trauma factors as early as possible becomes the critical therapeutic measure. Aspiration of gastric contents could lead to incremental mortality due to severe ventilation associated pneumonia. Long-standing mechanical ventilation should be constrained on account of severe refractory complications.

APACHE ; Accidents, Traffic ; Adult ; Aged ; Cohort Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult ; mortality ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Wounds and Injuries ; mortality

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the risk factors for metastasis and recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) postoperatively. METHODS: Data of 270 cases of postoperative HCC were analyzed by SPSS software retrospectively. RESULTS: Out of the 270 cases, 162 got follow-up study and 136 showed metastasis and recurrence. Lots of risk factors induced the recurrence of HCC, such as AFP, tumor form, venous blood invasion, HBV infection, resection dimension and perioperative transfusion. There were different risk factors at different stages. CONCLUSION The early recurrence of HCC may be mediated by macro- or micro-vessel blood invasion and metastasis, the late recurrence by multicentric carcinogenesis or introhepatic cacinoma de novo.
Adult ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; surgery ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatectomy ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; surgery ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; epidemiology ; Postoperative Period ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

With the development of industrial robot technology, robotics has entered the medical field, and the research and development of new robots for many medical applications have become a significant research direction in global robotics. Robots are widely used in various aspects of dentistry, such as prosthodontics, orthodontics, implants, endodontics, and oral surgery. This article mainly introduces the application of robots in stomatology from the above five aspects.
Dental Care ; Humans ; Oral Medicine ; Orthodontics ; Robotics ; Surgery, Oral