OBJECTIVEThis study aims to investigate and compare the toxic effects of four types of metal oxide (ZnO, TiO(2), SiO(2,) and Al(2)O(3)) nanoparticles with similar primary size (∼20 nm) on human fetal lung fibroblasts (HFL1) in vitro.

METHODSThe HFL1 cells were exposed to the nanoparticles, and toxic effects were analyzed by using MTT assay, cellular morphology observation and Hoechst 33 258 staining.

RESULTSThe results show that the four types of metal oxide nanoparticles lead to cellular mitochondrial dysfunction, morphological modifications and apoptosis at the concentration range of 0.25-1.50 mg/mL and the toxic effects are obviously displayed in dose-dependent manner. ZnO is the most toxic nanomaterials followed by TiO(2), SiO(2), and Al(2)O(3) nanoparticles in a descending order.

CONCLUSIONThe results highlight the differential cytotoxicity associated with exposure to ZnO, TiO(2), SiO(2), and Al(2)O(3) nanoparticles, and suggest an extreme attention to safety utilization of these nanomaterials.

Aluminum Oxide ; chemistry ; toxicity ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Line ; Cell Shape ; drug effects ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Fibroblasts ; drug effects ; pathology ; Humans ; Lung ; drug effects ; embryology ; pathology ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Microscopy, Fluorescence ; Microscopy, Phase-Contrast ; Nanoparticles ; chemistry ; toxicity ; Silicon Dioxide ; chemistry ; toxicity ; Surface Properties ; Titanium ; chemistry ; toxicity ; Zinc Oxide ; toxicity

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical effect of combination of acupressure and magnetic sticker on the quality of life (QOL) including appetite, defecation, and sleep in patients with advanced gastroenteric tumor.

METHODSTotally 147 patients with advanced gastroenteric tumor were assigned to 4 groups according to different treatment methods, i.e., the supportive treatment group (A, 20 cases), the acupressure treatment group (B, 41 cases), the magnetic sticker treatment group (C, 40 cases), and a combination of acupressure and magnetic sticker treatment group (D, 46 cases). They were respectively treated with different methods, supportive treatment for group A, acupressure for group B, magnetic sticker for group C, and a combination of acupressure and magnetic sticker for group D. The scores of food intake, defecation frequency, sleep time, Karnofsky, and QOL were compared before treatment and at day 14 after treatment.

RESULTSAfter treatment, the scores of food intake, defecation frequency, and sleep time were obviously improved in B, C and D groups (P < 0.01). There was statistical difference between group D and group A (P < 0.01). In addition, in comparison with A group, both Karnofsky score and QOL score increased in B, C and D groups (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe assisted therapy of the combination of acupressure and magnetic sticker could ameliorate QOL such as the digestive functions and sleep in patients with advanced gastroenteric tumor.

Acupressure ; methods ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms ; therapy ; Humans ; Magnetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Quality of Life ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To study the expression of VEGF-C and its receptor in breast carcinoma tissue and in peritumoral tissue,as well as their clinic significance.Methods Immunohistochemistry SP method was used to examine the expression of VEGF-C and VEGFR3 in 70 cases of breast cancer and in its peritu- moral tissue.Results In all 70 cases of breast cancer,the positive expression rate of VEGF-C in breast car- cinoma tissue was 78.6 %,and its rate in peritumoral tissue was 54.3 %.There was a significant stastistic dif- ference between the two groups(P

Adult ; Eosinophilic Granuloma ; Humans ; Male

The present study is to elucidate the mechanisms underlying Gleevec-induced apoptosis of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) K562 cells in vitro. The apoptotic cell death and cell cycle distribution after Gleevec treatment and the effect of PDCD4 siRNA on Gleevec-induced apoptosis of K562 cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. The effect of Gleevec on p-Crkl, caspase-3, PARP and PDCD4 protein levels, and the knockdown efficacy of PDCD4 siRNA were detected by Western blotting. The results showed that Gleevec dramatically suppressed the phosphorylation level of Crkl in a dose-dependent manner and induced significant apoptosis and G0/G1 cell cycle arrest of K562 cells in time- and dose-dependent manners. In addition, Gleevec activated caspase-3 and its downstream substrates PARP, and the caspase pan inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK (50 micromol x L(-1)) markedly reduced Gleevec-induced apoptosis from 47.97% +/- 10.56% to 31.05% +/- 9.206% (P < 0.05). Moreover, Gleevec significantly increased the protein expression of programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4). PDCD4 knockdown by siRNA reduced Gleevec-induced apoptosis from 46.97% +/- 14.32% to 42.8% +/- 11.43%. In summary, Gleevec induced apoptosis in K562 cells via caspase-3 activation.
Amino Acid Chloromethyl Ketones ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Benzamides ; pharmacology ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Humans ; Imatinib Mesylate ; K562 Cells ; Phosphorylation ; Piperazines ; pharmacology ; Pyrimidines ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Ginkgo Leaves Tablet (GLT) on memory quotient (MQ) of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients.

METHODSOne hundred and thirteen patients were randomly assigned to the control group (55 cases) and the treatment group (58 cases). Patients in the control group received dietetic therapy and physical exercises, while those in the treatment group additionally took GLT, 19.2 mg each time, three times daily. The treatment course was 12 months for all. The MQ of all the patients was assessed by WMS-RC before treatment,at 6-month of treatment, and 12-month of treatment.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the improvement of MQ increased in the treatment group 0.5 and 1 year after treatment (P < 0.05). The clinical efficiency of MQ obviously increased in the treatment group (48.28% and 50.00%), showing statistical difference when compared with the control group (30.91% and 27.27%, P < 0.05, P < 0.01). There was statistical difference in added scores of recognition, regeneration, understanding, and recitation test at 6-month of treatment and 12-month of treatment between the treatment group and the control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONGLT was effective in improving MQ of MCI patients, especially in improving recognition, regeneration, understanding, and recitation test.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cognitive Dysfunction ; drug therapy ; psychology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Ginkgo biloba ; chemistry ; Humans ; Male ; Memory ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of dual-energy CT pulmonary angiography (DE-CTPA) and dual-energy CT lung perfusion (DE-CTLP) in the assessment of pulmonary embolism comparing with pulmonary ventilation-perfusion scintigraphy. Methods Fifty patients suspected of PE (26 males, 24 females) underwent both DE-CTPA, DE-CTLP and pulmonary ventilation-perfusion scintigraphy. The results were compared and the correlation between the intravascular clots in DE-CTPA and the perfusion defects in DE-CTLP was analyzed. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of DE-CTLP for PE were assessed according to scintigraphic results which was considered as a "gold" standard. Result ( 1 ) Of 50 cases,920 segments in 46 cases were diagnostable, 4 cases were not included because of the poor image quality. lntravascular clots were found in 262 segments on DE-CTPA and perfusion defects in 266 segments were identified on DE-CTLP, while 268 segments were positive on scintigraphy. (2) The perfusion defects on DE-CTLP were correlated well with the clots on CTPA ( r = 0. 883, P < 0. 01 ). The Dual energy CT Lung perfusion imaging had a good consistence with scintigraphy (Kappa = 0. 940, P <0. 01 ). The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value were 96. 2% (279/290), 98.0%(641/654), 95. 5% (279/292) and 98. 3% (641/652), respectively. (3)The radiation dose of DE-CTPA and CE-CTLP scan was(4. 37 ± 0. 47) mSv by using CareDose 4D technique. Conclusion DE-CTPA and CE-CTLP can provide pulmonary vascular morphology and parenchyma perfusion information which are useful and valuable for the diagnosis of PE.

Objective:To investigate the analgesic time-effect characteristics and changes in concentrations of rabbit's hypothalamic 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and noradrenaline (NE) caused by buccal acupuncture in the rheumatoid arthritis (RA) rabbits,and to reveal the analgesic central mechanism of buccal acupuncture,thereby providing a theoretical basis for the treatment of pain by buccal acupuncture.Methods:Forty rabbits were randomly divided into a normal group,a model group,a body acupuncture group,and a buccal acupuncture group,with 10 rabbits in each group.No model was established in the normal group,while equal dose of normal saline was injected at the matched site and time point;rabbits in other groups were subjected to the establishment of RA models using egg protein.From the 27th day of the experiment,rabbits in each group received the designated intervention.Rabbits in the normal group and the model group were fixed for 30 min every day using the same method as those in the other groups.In the acupuncture group,Dubi (ST 35) and Zusanli (ST 36) on bilateral hind limbs were selected.Perpendicular needling (using the needles with 0.25 mm in diameter and 25 mm in length) was performed with twirling manipulation for 15 s at intervals of 5 min.The needles were retained for 30 min and acupuncture was performed once a day.In the buccal acupuncture group,the knee point in the buccal acupuncture and needles with a diameter of 0.25 mm and a length of 15 mm were selected.Oblique needling was performed with twirling manipulation for 15 s at intervals of 5 min.The needles were retained for 30 min and acupuncture was performed once a day.The thermal pain thresholds at the 0,5,15,30,60,120 and 240 min after the 1st and 10th acupuncture therapy were measured with a PL-200 thermal-inducing pain meter.After the 10th acupuncture therapy,rabbit's hypothalamus was removed,and the 5-HT and NE concentrations in the hypothalamus at the peak point of the acupuncture pain threshold curve were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).Results:The analgesic effect was obvious at 5 min after buccal acupuncture started,peaked at 30 min,and decreased to the lowest value at 240 min.Rabbits in the body acupuncture group began to show significant analgesic effect at 15 min,which was peaked at 30 min,and began to decline at 60 min.The pain threshold at 240 min was still higher than that at 0 min.Compared with the model group,the concentrations of hypothalamic 5-HT in the buccal acupuncture group and the body acupuncture group was significantly increased,and the between-group differences were statistically significant (both P＜0.05).The NE/5-HT ratios in hypothalamus in the buccal acupuncture group and the body acupuncture group were significantly lower than the ratio in the model group,and the differences were statistically significant (both P＜0.05);difference in the decrease was statistically significant between the buccal acupuncture group and the body acupuncture group (P＜0.05).Conclusion:The analgesic effect of buccal acupuncture shows an obvious time-dependent curve.It is characterized by rapid onset of pain relief,rapid increase and decline in pain threshold.5-HT and NE levels in rabbit's hypothalamus can be affected by buccal acupuncture,with increased 5-HT concentration and reduced NE/5-HT ratio.

OBJECTIVETo isolate and characterize indigenous algicidal bacteria and their algae-lysing compounds active against Microcystis aeruginosa, strains TH1, TH2, and FACHB 905.

METHODSThe bacteria were identified using the Biolog automated microbial identification system and 16S rDNA sequence analysis. The algae-lysing compounds were isolated and purified by silica gel column chromatography and reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography. Their structures were confirmed by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Algae-lysing activity was observed using microscopy.

RESULTSThe algae-lysing bacterium LTH-2 isolated from Lake Taihu was identified as Serratia marcescens. Strain LTH-2 secreted a red pigment identified as prodigiosin (C20H25N3O), which showed strong lytic activity with algal strains M. aeruginosa TH1, TH2, and FACHB 905 in a concentration-dependent manner. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of prodigiosin with the algal strains was 4.8 (± 0.4)× 10⁻² μg/mL, 8.9 (± 1.1)× 10⁻² μg/mL, and 1.7 (± 0.1)× 10⁻¹ μg/mL in 24 h, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe bacterium LTH-2 and its pigment had strong Microcystis-lysing activity probably related to damage of cell membranes. The bacterium LTH-2 and its red pigment are potentially useful for regulating blooms of harmful M. aeruginosa.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Bacteria ; classification ; genetics ; metabolism ; Lakes ; Microcystis ; growth & development ; Phylogeny

OBJECTIVETo study the value of carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) in the diagnosis of neonatal jaundice.

METHODSThis study consisted of 189 patients with neonatal jaundice due to hemolytic disease (n=75), infectious disease (n=52), intracranial hemorrhage (n=32) and breast-milk feeding (n=30). One hundred and forty-two neonates without pathological jaundice that were gestational age, postnatal age- and birth weight-matched were used as the Control group. The level of arterial capillary blood COHb was detected by a 270 CO-oximeter connected to an 800 series system. Total serum bilirubin (STB) content was measured using an Abbott Spectrum CCX chemistry analyzer. The levels of COHb and STB were measured at baseline, and again in patients with jaundice due to hemolytic disease after intravenous gammaglobulin treatment for 2 days.

RESULTSThe levels of COHb [(3.64 +/- 0.83)%] and STB (330.84 +/- 77.15 micromol/L) in patients with jaundice due to hemolytic disease were significantly higher than those measured in the Control group [COHb (2.38 +/- 0.35) %; STB 130.18 +/- 32.86 micromol/L] (P < 0.01). The levels in patients with jaundice due to intracranial hemorrhage were also significantly higher than those in the Control group [COHb (2.48 +/- 0.53) % vs (2.24 +/- 0.32) %; STB 184.15 +/- 29.35 micromol/L vs 112.11 +/- 17.45 micromol/L; P < 0.05]. The patients with jaundice due to infectious disease or breast-milk feeding only demonstrated higher levels of serum STB (P < 0.01) while COHb levels were not different compared with the Control group. The patients with jaundice due to hemolytic disease or intracranial hemorrhage presented with hemolytic unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia and had significantly higher COHb levels and lower STB levels than those patients with nonhemolytic unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia (caused by breast jaundice) (P < 0.01). The levels of COHb [(2.68 +/- 0.51) %] and STB (230.18 +/- 42.96 micromol/L) in patients with jaundice due to hemolytic disease decreased markedly after intravenous gammaglobulin treatment (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe COHb level can be used as a supplementary indicator of increased bilirubin production. The elevation of COHb can be useful in the diagnosis of neonatal jaundice since COHb is elevated in hemolytic disease and intracranial hemorrhage.

ABO Blood-Group System ; immunology ; Bilirubin ; blood ; Carboxyhemoglobin ; analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous ; therapeutic use ; Infant, Newborn ; Jaundice, Neonatal ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Male