OBJECTIVETo investigate the diagnostic value and clinical significance of serum tumor markers CEA, CA19-9 and CA242 in patients with colorectal cancer.

METHODSThe serum levels of CEA, CA19-9 and CA242 were determined by ELISA before surgery in 134 patients with colorectal cancer and in 200 healthy people as a control.

RESULTSThe CEA, CA19-9 and CA242 levels in patients were significantly higher than those in controls (P < 0.01, respectively). The sensitivity of CEA and CA242 for colorectal cancer diagnosis was higher than that of CA19-9, and the combined sensitivity of CEA + CA242 and CEA + CA242 + CA19-9 were higher than that of single item or the other two combinations (CEA + CA19-9 and CA19-9 + CA242). In Dukes stages A, B, C and D, serum levels and sensitivity of the three tumor markers were significantly and successively increased. In the cases with lymph node metastasis, levels of the three tumor markers were significantly increased. The markers levels were also significantly and successively increased along with the extent of cancer infiltration.

CONCLUSIONThe results indicate that the combined use of CEA and CA242 or the three markers is an useful adjuvant diagnostic measure for colorectal cancer, and is helpful in the evaluation of lymph node metastasis, degree of invasion and Dukes staging in cancer treatment.

Adult ; Aged ; Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate ; blood ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; blood ; CA-19-9 Antigen ; blood ; Carcinoembryonic Antigen ; blood ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVETo identify antigens which may help evaluate the therapeutic effect of angiostrongyliasis from adult worm antigen of Angiostrongylus cantonensis.

METHODSThe adult worm antigens of A. cantonensis were analyzed by Western blotting with the sera of rats infected with A. cantonensis before and after treatment. The sera of rats were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSThe antigens with relative molecular mass between 38,000 and 78,000 reacted not only with the sera of rats before treatment, but also with that after treatment. The antigens with M(r) between 190,000 and 17,000 reacted with the sera of rats before treatment but not with that after treatment; those with M(r) between 32,000 and 24,000 antigens strongly reacted with the former, but the reaction became much weakened with the latter. The AC32-IgG antibody appeared earlier than the AC-IgG, and disappeared rapidly after treatment. Six of the 10 treated rats became negative for AC-IgG as found by ELISA.

CONCLUSIONThe antigens of adult worm antigen of A. cantonensis with M(r) of 190,000, 32,000, 24,000, 17,000 and 16,000 may serve as candidate antigens for therapeutic effect evaluation of angiostrongyliasis.

Angiostrongylus cantonensis ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; Animals ; Antibodies, Helminth ; blood ; Antigens, Helminth ; blood ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; Blotting, Western ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Strongylida Infections ; diagnosis ; immunology ; parasitology

OBJECTIVETo prepare a biodegradable drug-eluting stent in myocardium channel and evaluate its effect on myocardium channel after transmyocardial revascularization (TMR).

METHODSA biodegradable drug-eluting stent was prepared using poly (epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL), bovine serum albumin (BSA), and poly (D, L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) as material of stent, model protein drug, and drug carrier respectively. The amount of BSA in stent and in vitro released BSA of stent were determined by the Coomassie brilliant blue assay. The mechanical strength of stent was tested by universal material testing machines. The material and structure of stent was characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The effect of stent on myocardium channel after TMR was evaluated in vivo by a standard animal model of chronic myocardial ischemia in miniswine.

RESULTSThe stent could carry 13.1 microg BSA per mg of stent and the stent could release about 95% of BSA after 30 days. The stent diminished 80% of initial scale under the stress of 1.7 Mpa. It also kept the myocardium channel patency after TMR.

CONCLUSIONSA biodegradable drug-eluting stent in myocardium channel was successfully prepared. It can sustain the pressure from the heart and achieve the controlled release of drug. The stent can ensure the myocardium channel patency after TMR.

Animals ; Biocompatible Materials ; chemistry ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis ; Caproates ; chemistry ; Cardiac Surgical Procedures ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drug Delivery Systems ; instrumentation ; Heart ; drug effects ; Humans ; Lactones ; chemistry ; Myocardial Ischemia ; drug therapy ; surgery ; Myocardial Revascularization ; instrumentation ; Random Allocation ; Swine ; Swine, Miniature

OBJECTIVETo investigate the fat decreasing effects of fenofibrate on alcoholic fatty liver and drug-induced fatty liver in rats.

METHODSAlcoholic fatty liver and drug-induced fatty liver rats models were established. The two kinds of rats with fatty liver were seperatedly divided into fenofibrate treatment group (80 mg/kg daily) and control group without treatment. Rats were killed after four weeks, then the levels of serum triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein (HDL) and malondialdehyde (MDA), hepatic lipase (HL), lipoprotein lipase (LPL) both in serum and liver tissue were measured according to the Test Kits. Histopathological changes in liver was dyed with HE and observed under light microscope.

RESULTSAfter treatment by fenofibrate, in the serum of rats with alcoholic fatty liver, the level of TG decreased significantly (1.07 mmol/L 0.06 mmol/L vs 1.56 mmol/L 0.29 mmol/L, t=5.115, p<0.001), while the level of TC had no alteration. The levels of MDA both in serum and liver tissue decreased (1.10 nmol/L 0.22 nmol/L vs 1.26 nmol/L 0.21 nmol/L, t=0.592, p<0.05; 5.92 nmol/g 1.24 nmol/g vs 7.42 nmol/g 1.22 nmol/g, t=3.477, p<0.05, respectively), while the levels of HL, LPL in serum and liver tissue increased significantly (Serum: 0.053muEq/ml/h 0.006muEq/ml/h vs 0.037 muEq/ml/h 0.006muEq/ml/h, t=-5.086, p<0.001; 0.018 muEq/ml/h 0.004 muEq/ml/h vs 0.014muEq/ml/h 0.004muEq/ml/h, t=-2.485, p<0.05. Liver tissue: 0.075muEq/ml/h 0.010muEq/ml/h vs 0.065muEq/ml/h 0.007muEq/ml/h, t=-2.437, p<0.05; 0.022 muEq/ml/h 0.014 muEq/ml/h vs 0.008 muEq/ml/h 0.002 muEq/ml/h, t=-2.876, p<0.05). Fat content in liver decreased (26.01 mg/g 1.69 mg/g vs 71.45 mg/g 2.66 mg/g, t=-43.224, p<0.001). The pathological changes of liver in fenofibrate-treated rats with alcoholic fatty liver were improved. For the drug-induced fatty liver rats, fenofibrate treatment group had no difference from the untreated control group.

CONCLUSIONFenofibrate can significantly decrease the fat content in liver tissue of rats with alcoholic fatty liver, as well as ameliorating liver pathological changes. But fenofibrate has no effect on drug-induced fatty liver.

Animals ; Carbon Tetrachloride ; toxicity ; Fatty Liver ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Fatty Liver, Alcoholic ; blood ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Fenofibrate ; therapeutic use ; Hypolipidemic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Lipids ; blood ; Liver ; pathology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo understand the environmental risk factors on attempted suicide, and to study the interaction between factors as gene polymorphism of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) associated to attempted suicide.

METHODSPaired case-control study of 205 suicide attempters (89 male, 116 female) and molecular biological techniques were used to study the relation between gene polymorphism of COMT, environmental factors and the rate of attempted suicide. Controls were paired with cases according to the same gender, similar age (no more than 3 years) and in the same district.

RESULTSThere were no significant differences in gene types and gene frequency between case and control groups. Multivariate conditional logistic regression model analysis showed that COMT Val/Val 158/108, low education level, cigarette smoking, emotional conflicts, psychologic disorders and depression were risk factors of attempted suicide with OR values as 2.43 (95% CI: 1.10 - 5.40), 5.70 (95% CI: 1.88 - 17.27), 3.54 (95% CI: 1.02 - 12.36), 10.96 (95% CI: 4.74 - 25.34), 6.35 (95% CI: 1.68 - 24.05) and 11.30 (95% CI: 4.58 - 27.89) respectively. There was no first level interaction between any two risk factors.

CONCLUSIONThe study supported that low education level, cigarette smoking, affective conflicts, psychiatric disorders, depression were risk factors of attempted suicide and COMT Val/Val 158/108 was suspected to be a susceptible gene type of attempted suicide but needs further study. The study also suggested that 116 bp in gene atlas be possibly correlated to high activity of COMT.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Case-Control Studies ; Catechol O-Methyltransferase ; genetics ; China ; epidemiology ; Depression ; complications ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Risk Factors ; Smoking ; adverse effects ; Suicide, Attempted ; statistics & numerical data

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the association between serum level of leptin and leptin receptor gene (LEPR) polymorphism and patients with breast cancer.

METHODSLEPR G1n223Arg polymorphism was detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism in 94 patients with breast cancer and 128 healthy controls. The level of leptin were analyzed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTSIn univariate regression analyses, we found serum level of leptin and LEPR Gin223Arg genotype polymorphism were significantly higrer than those of the controls (P < 0.05-0.001, respectively). Through multivariable analyses, we found that increased risk estimates for breast cancer were among those with leptin level (OR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.13-2.07, P = 0.006), LEPR Gin223Arg genotype (OR = 4.87, 95%CI:1.30-18.22, P = 0.019), WHR (OR = 3.68, 95% CI: 1.34-10.11, P = 0.011).

CONCLUSIONResults from this study suggested that LEPR Gln233Agr polymorphism, the elevated WHR and serum level of leptin might be correlated with increased risk of breast cancer.

Breast Neoplasms ; blood ; genetics ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Humans ; Leptin ; blood ; Lipids ; blood ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Receptors, Leptin ; genetics ; Risk

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the urinary nuclear matrix protein (NMP22) as an adjuvant diagnostic index for transitional cell carcinoma of urinary tract and monitoring the state of disease.

METHODSUrinary samples were collected from 262 patients with transitional cell carcinoma, 198 non-transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary tract and 65 patients with benign diseases. Urinary NMP22 concentration was determined through enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSThe urinary NMP22 concentration had significant difference among the three groups (Kruskal Wallis, chi(2) = 197.17 P < 0.001). The detection sensitivity and specificity of urinary NMP22 to transitional cell carcinoma were 71.37% and 87.69% respectively. The NMP22 concentration showed significant difference among three groups divided according to the pathological grade (Kruskal-Wallis test, chi(2) = 34.06 P < 0.01). The NMP22 concentration was significant lower in the recovery patients after the operation than the peoples of pre-operation and recurrence (Kruskal-Wallis test, chi(2) = 37.53, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONMP22 is a helpful tumor marker for the diagnosis of transitional cell carcinoma and monitoring the state of illness with increased efficacy.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; urine ; Carcinoma, Transitional Cell ; diagnosis ; urine ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nuclear Proteins ; urine ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; urine

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of the mutations of leptin receptor gene exon 4, exon 6, exon9, and exon20 with the tumorigenesis of breast cancer.

METHODSGenomic DNA was extracted from breast cancer tissues of 155 patients, benign lesions of 56 patients and normal tissues and blood samples from 100 health control subjects. The leptin receptor genes were assayed with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and direct sequence analysis.

RESULTSNucleotide substitutions no mutations were found at exon 4, and nucleotide substitutions occurred at codon 1029 in exon 9, no significant difference among the three groups (P = 0.574). The nucleotide substitutions at codon 668 in exon 6 resulted in Gln223Arg polymorphisms. The occurring frequencies of GG, GA, AA in breast cancer, breast benign lesions tissues and health tissues control group were 70.9% and 17.4%, 12.3%; 80.4%, 14.3% and 5.4%; and 81.0%, 16.0%, and 3.0%, respectively. Alleles of G and A in the three groups were 79.1% and 20.8%, 87.5% and 12.5%, and 89.0% and 11.0%, respectively. Compared the Gln223Arg genotype with the three allele groups, there were significant differences (χ(2) = 16.11, P < 0.005 and χ(2) = 11.41, P < 0.01), respectively. The nucleotide substitutions at codon 3057 in exon 20 resulted in Pro1019Pro polymorphisms. The occurrence frequencies of GG, GA, AA in the breast cancer, benign disease and health control groups were 11.6%, 30.3% and 56.1%; 32.1%, 44.0% and 28.5%; and 32.0%, 45.0% And 23.0%, respectively. Alleles of G and A in the three groups were 26.8% and 73.2%, 51.8% and 48.2%, and 54.5% and 45.5%, respectively. There are significant differences among the three groups (χ(2) = 6.56, P < 0.03 and χ(2) = 5.45, P < 0.05), respectively. Nucleotide substitutions occurred at relatively high frequencies at exon 6 and exon 20 in obese and overweight breast cancer patients compared with those in normal weight breast cancer patients, there were significant differences (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSOur findings show that there is no relationship between the variations of leptin receptor gene exon 9 and tumorigenesis of breast cancer. The variation rate of leptin receptor gene exon 6 and exon 20 are significantly increased in the obese and overweight breast cancer patients.

Adenoma ; genetics ; Adult ; Aged ; Breast ; pathology ; Breast Neoplasms ; etiology ; genetics ; Carcinoma ; etiology ; genetics ; Exons ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; Obesity ; genetics ; Point Mutation ; Receptors, Leptin ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo analyze the association between G894T (Glu298Asp) mutation at exon 7 in the endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene and essential hypertension.

METHODSOne hundred and sixteen essential hypertensives without taking hypertensive medication and 136 normotensives screened from health workers in a steel factory were selected as subjects in this study. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Ban II restriction enzyme digestion were performed to detect the G894T mutation.

RESULTSG894T mutation was significantly associated with essential hypertension. The T allele frequency in essential hypertensive group was significantly higher than that in normotensive group (16.0% versus 8.8%, P = 0.019, OR = 1.96, 95% CI: 1.14 - 3.37). The levels of systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure in the G894T mutant genotypes were all significantly elevated in hypertensive, normotensive, and the total subjects (P < 0.05). After adjusting factors as age, sex, smoking, alcohol drinking, body mass index, triglyceride, serum total cholesterol, serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol by analysis of multiple covariance, significant positive effect of the G894T mutant genotypes on blood pressure in the total subjects (P < 0.01) was noticed.

CONCLUSIONThis study suggested that the G894T mutation in the endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene might serve as a major risk factor of essential hypertension in this study population.

Adult ; Alleles ; Blood Pressure ; genetics ; China ; epidemiology ; Exons ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Hypertension ; enzymology ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; genetics ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; Point Mutation ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Risk Factors

AIMTo improve the biological activity of A-ring modified analogues of camptothecin.

METHODSA-ring modified camptothecins were synthesized from 10-hydroxycamptothecin or 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (SN-38) in three or four steps. Their cytotoxicity was evaluated using MTY assay, and their in vivo antitumnor activity against mouse liver cancer H22 was tested. Results Five hexacyclic camptothecins (6a, 6b, 6c, 7a and 7b) are target compounds, and ten camptothecin derivatives are new compounds.

CONCLUSIONThe modification of a 1,4-oxazine-2-one ring fused with positions 9 and 10 of A-ring will reduce the antitumor activity of camptothecins.

Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; chemical synthesis ; pharmacology ; Camptothecin ; analogs & derivatives ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; drug effects ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Mice ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Polycyclic Compounds ; chemical synthesis ; pharmacology