Objective:To investigate the inhibitory effects of melanoma differentiation associated gene-7(mda-7/IL- 24)on lymphoma cell line Namalwa in vitro and in vivo.Methods:Using RT-PCR,the expression of mda-7/IL-24 was examined in 10 malignant hematopoietic cell lines,including Namalwa,Raji,K562,NB4,U937,Ramous,CEM,KG1a, HL60,J6-1,etc.The coding region of mda-7/IL-24 was cloned from LPS-treated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMC)by RT-PCR,and the eukaryotic expression vector pTarget-IL-24 was constructed.The recombinant vector, after sequenced,was transfected into Namalwa cell line via lipofectamine reagent.The stable expression transfectants were selected by G418.The expression of mda-7/IL-24 mRNA and protein was verified by RT-PCR and Western blotting.MTT assay,colony forming assay,apoptosis detection,and tumorigenesis in nude mice were used to assess the effects of mda- 7/IL-24 on tumor proliferation,growth characteristics,colony forming,apoptosis,and tumorigenesis.Results:Expression of mda-7/IL-24 mRNA was not found in any of the 10 malignant hematopoietic cell lines and the expression of mda-7/IL- 24 mRNA and protein was found in Namalwa cells transfected with recombinant plasmid pTarget-IL-24.Significant de- crease in tumor cell viability was observed in Namalwa cells stably transfected with mda-7/IL-24,compared with control cells transfected with empty plasmid pTarget(P

Objective To explore the dynamic change and meaning of JAK/STAT signal path in the invasive course of collagen-induced arthritis(CIA).Methods Forty-eight rats were divided into 6 groups ran- domly,eight rats served as the control group,the rest were for the development of CIA models.Rats were sac- rificed at the 2nd,3rd,4th,5th and 6th week after the initial immunity respectively.Then HE staining,im- munohistochemistry and immunoblotting were used to detect the pathological changes of synovium in different st ages and the expression of p-STAT1 and p-STAT3.Results On the second week after initial immunity,the rats had arthritis,and the inflammation achieved its peak at the 4th week,then gradually relieved,and a few joints developed rigidity,synovium hyperplasia and inflammatory cell infiltration could be seen at the second week of initial immunity,and pannus could be seen at the 4th week as well as cartilage destroy at the 6th week by HE staining.In the invasive course of CIA,STAT1 and STAT3 were all in activated state detected by im- munohistochemistry and immunoblotting,which were significantly different from those of control group and they had a positive correlation with arthritis index,the Pearson's value of them were 0.798 and 0.873 respectively. However,there was some difference on time.STAT3 kept at activated state and had positive correlation with pathology score of synovium,and the Pearson's value was 0.622.On the contrary,the activation of STAT1 was obviously delayed and only confined to the middle and advanced stage of the disease.Conclusion JAK/STAT signal pathway participates the pathological course of CIA,and blocking the different point of JAK/STAT path- way'activation process may reach the goal of reversing the RA's pathological course.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of electroacupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36) on phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (pERK1/2) in the dorsal horn of spinal cord induced by plantar inflammation in the rat.

METHODSAll the rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: normal control group, simple electroacupuncture group, formalin group, formalin plus ipsilateral electroacupuncture group and formalin plus contralateral electroacupuncture group. The acute inflammation animal model was made by injection of 100 microL of 4% formalin into the right posterior foot pad. Electroacupuncture was given at "Zusanli" (ST 36) for 30 min, with sparse-dense waves, frequency 2-15 Hz, and intensity 2-3 mA. One and a half hours latter, the rats were killed under anesthesia, and pERK1/2 expression in the lumbar dorsal horn were investigated with immunohistochemical method.

RESULTSThe positive cells were rarely seen (6.45 +/- 1.05) in the superficial spinal cord in the control group; a few cells (14.07 +/- 3.19) in ipsilateral superficial spinal cord were found in the electroacupuncture group. The number of pERK1/2-positive neurons (26.57 +/- 4.93) in lamina I - II0 of the ipsilateral dorsal horn in the formalin group increased significantly. After electroacupuncture at ipsilateral Zusanli (ST 36), the number of positive cells (20.79 +/- 5.21) had a tendency to decrease, but with no statistically significant difference. However, after electroacupuncture at contralateral Zusanli (ST 36), the number of positive cells (14.75 +/- 3.03) significantly decreased as compared with the non-acupuncture group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe inhibition of ERK1/2 phosphorylation in the spinal cord dorsal horn by electroacupuncture is possibly involved in acupuncture analgesic effect.

Acupuncture Analgesia ; Acupuncture Points ; Animals ; Electroacupuncture ; Male ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 ; metabolism ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 ; metabolism ; Phosphorylation ; Posterior Horn Cells ; enzymology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to do a meta-analysis of the existing literature to assess the accuracy of prostate cancer studies which use magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) as a diagnostic tool. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospectively, independent, blind studies were selected from the Cochrane library, Pubmed, and other network databases. The criteria for inclusion and exclusion in this study referenced the criteria of diagnostic research published by the Cochrane center. The statistical analysis was adopted by using Meta-Test version 6.0. Using the homogeneity test, a statistical effect model was chosen to calculate different pooled weighted values of sensitivity, specificity, and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). The summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curves method was used to assess the results. RESULTS: We chose two cut-off values (0.75 and 0.86) as the diagnostic criteria for discriminating between benign and malignant. In the first diagnostic criterion, the pooled weighted sensitivity, specificity, and corresponding 95% CI (expressed as area under curve [AUC]) were 0.82 (0.73, 0.89), 0.68 (0.58, 0.76), and 83.4% (74.97, 91.83). In the second criterion, the pooled weighted sensitivity, specificity, and corresponding 95% CI were 0.64 (0.55, 0.72), 0.86 (0.79, 0.91) and 82.7% (68.73, 96.68). CONCLUSION: As a new method in the diagnostic of prostate cancer, MRS has a better applied value compared to other common modalities. Ultimately, large scale RCT (randomized controlled trial) randomized controlled trial studies are necessary to assess its clinical value.
Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy/*diagnostic use ; Male ; Prospective Studies ; Prostatic Neoplasms/*diagnosis/metabolism ; ROC Curve ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the bond strength of total-etch or self-etch dentin bonding agents after using two different dentin desensitizers on exposed dentin and investigate the bond interface by scanning electron microscope (SEM).

METHODSThirty intact and non-carious human third molars were used. The occlusal enamel was removed with the use of a slow-speed saw under water cooling. These teeth were divided into three groups using a table of random numbers with 10 teeth each. These three groups were treated with water (Group C), UltraEZ (Group U) and MI Paste (Group M) respectively. Then 10 teeth from each group were divided into A subgroup (n = 5) bonded with Single Bond 2 adhesive system and B subgroup (n = 5) bonded with Xeno III adhesive system according to manufacturers' instructions. A block of composite resin was build up to 4-5 mm. All the teeth were sectioned occluso-gingivally to obtain bar-shaped specimens with bonded surface area about 0.9 mm x 0.9 mm. The tension of the sample was tested by a microtensile tester at 1 mm/min. The mean values of bond strength were compared using one-way ANOVA. Three samples were chosen randomly from each of six groups for SEM investigation.

RESULTSThere were no significant differences between Group U and Group C both in A and B subgroups. While there were significant differences between Group M and Group C in two bonding-agent subgroups. For SEM, the hybrid layer was thin and dense in six groups. Both total-etch and self-etch bonding systems could get fair resin tag infiltration in Group C and Group U. In Group M, the resin tags were relatively shorter and fewer than the anterior mentioned two groups.

CONCLUSIONSUltraEZ had no effect on bond strength of both kinds of dentin bonding agents, while MI paste could diminish bond strength.

Bisphenol A-Glycidyl Methacrylate ; chemistry ; Dental Materials ; Dental Stress Analysis ; Dentin-Bonding Agents ; chemistry ; Humans ; Materials Testing ; Molar, Third ; Nitrates ; chemistry ; Potassium Compounds ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation between lifestyle factors, parental obesity and adiposity in children, in order to provide theoretical evidence for public health policy establishment.

METHODSA cross-sectional observation study was conducted among approximately 20 thousand children aged 2 - 18 years old in urban and rural regions of Beijing, by using stratified randomization clustering sampling methods. Familial environmental risk factors of children adiposity and parental obesity were assessed with standardized questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements, including height and weight, were conducted. SPSS 13.0 software was applied to analyze the data, including general description, chi(2) trend test and non-condition logistic analyse.

RESULTSWith IOTF obesity references, the prevalence of obesity in 21,198 children aged 2 - 18 years old was 5.6%. The behavioral characters (for example, smoking and drinking) and children obesity showed significant familial aggregation. In groups including "both parents not smoke", "only one parent smoke" and "both parents smoke", the smoking rates of offsprings were 1.50%, 2.93% and 6.01%, respectively (chi(trend)(2) = 107.009, P < 0.01). A similar pattern was found for offsprings' alcohol consumption rates (5.85%, 9.12% and 13.96%; chi(trend)(2) = 107.009, P < 0.01). Based on parents' BMI status, in groups including "both parents had normal weight", "father was obese", "mother was obese" and "both parents were obese", the prevalence of obesity in children were 3.29%, 11.48%, 9.12% and 27.01%, respectively (chi(trend)(2) = 293.404, P < 0.01). After controlling for sex and ages, factors such as physical exercises, sleeping times per day, fat intakes, watching TV, drinking alcohol were impact factors of children obesity. After controlling of confounding factors, such as children gender, age, birth weight, puberty, smoking history, drinking history, fat intakes, soft drink, physical exercises, education experiences of parents, smoking history, drinking history, family income and so on, maternal obesity had a greater influence on daughters than on sons (OR = 5.93, 95% CI: 3.57 - 9.84), and paternal obesity showed similar influence on sons (OR = 4.29, 95% CI: 3.21 - 5.72). Comparing to parents with normal weight, obese parents had more powerful impact on daughters (OR = 28.51, 95% CI: 15.13 - 53.72) than on sons (OR = 7.21, 95% CI: 4.07 - 12.75), regarding to 2 - 5 years group and 10 - 12 years group versus other age group (OR = 18.67, 95% CI: 1.49 - 234.46; OR = 22.25, 95% CI: 10.62 - 46.59).

CONCLUSIONParental obesity is an independent risk factor of adiposity in children; gender and age affect this association. The lifestyle patterns of parents should have great impact on children. When prevention or intervention with children obesity, familial environmental factors should be emphasized.

Adolescent ; Alcohol Drinking ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Family Characteristics ; Female ; Humans ; Life Style ; Male ; Obesity ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Parents ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Sampling Studies ; Smoking ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo observe the dynamic time-phase expressions of key genes of brain-gut CaM signal pathway of spleen Qi deficiency rats and the intervention effect of Sijunzi decoction.

METHODMale Wistar rats were randomly divided into the normal control group, model 14 d, 21 d, 28 d groups, and Sijunzi decoction 14 d, 21 d, 28 d groups. Except for the normal control group, the remaining groups were included into the spleen Qi deficiency model with the bitter cold breaking Qi method (ig 7.5 g · kg⁻¹ · d⁻¹ of Rheum officinale, Fructus aurantii immaturus, Magnolia officinalis preparation) and the exhaustive swimming method. On the 7th day after the modeling, the Sijunzi decoction groups were orally administered with Sijunzi decoction 20 g · kg⁻¹ · d⁻¹. The expressions of key genes CaM/CaMK II of CaM signaling pathway in hippocampus and intestine at different time points by immunohistochemical method and Western blot. At the same time, the intervention effect of Sijunzi decoction on spleen Qi deficiency rats and its mechanism were analyzed.

RESULTSpleen Qi deficiency rats showed higher intestinal CaM/CaMK II expression and lower hippocampus CaM/CaMK II expression than normal rats (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). After the treatment of Sijunzi decoction, spleen Qi deficiency rats showed reduction in intestinal CaM/CaMK II expression and increase in hippocampus CaM/CaMK II expression (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe formation of spleen Qi deficiency syndrome may be related to the high expression of CaM/CaMK II in small intestine tissues and its low expression in hippocampus tissues. Sijunzi decoction may achieve the therapeutic effect in spleen Qi deficiency syndrome by reducing the CaM/CaMK II expression in intestinal tissues and increasing it in hippocampus tissues.

Animals ; Brain ; drug effects ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Calmodulin ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Intestines ; drug effects ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Male ; Qi ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Spleen ; drug effects ; Splenic Diseases ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the viral prevalence of acute lower respiratory tract infection (ALRTI)in children. Methods Totally 1165 children with clinical diagnosis of ALRTI during the period from August 2007 to September 2008 were involved in our study. The nasopharyngeal aspirate specimen was collected from each patient. RT-PCRs were performed to detect common respiratory tract viruses including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), rhinovirus (HRV), parainfluenza virus (PIV, type 1 -3 ), influzenza virus type A and B (IFA,IFB), and PCR was used to detect adenovirus (ADV). Results 783 patients were identified to have at least one kind of viral pathogens and the overall positive rate was 67.2%. The most common virus was RSV (27%), followed by HRV ( 17.4% ) and PIV3 ( 13. 9% ). The peak infection seasons were winter and autumn. The etiological spectrum of ALRTI varied in different age groups. Two or more viruses were identified in 284 out of 783 cases ( 36. 3% ). The mixed infection rate was high in infants under 1 year old (63.7%) while it decreased to 8. 5% in children older than 3 years of age. Conclusion RSV, HRV and PIV3 were the most predominant pathogens in children less than 1 year old. The peak infection seasons were winter and autumn. The infection rate and mixed infection rate in infants under 1 year old were highest. The most common style was RSV and HRV mixed infection.

OBJECTIVETo study the prevalence, clinic features and epidemiologic characteristics of human adenovirus diarrhea in Nanjing.

METHODS730 stool specimens were collected from children with diarrhea in Nanjing Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from June 2009 to June 2011. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to detect human adenovirus. The total positive PCR products were typed by nest-PCR or multiple PCR.

RESULTS21 samples (21/730) were positive for human adenovirus of all 730 samples from June 2009 to June 2011 and enteric HAdV-41 is the predominant stain.

CONCLUSIONEnteric HAdV-41 and non-enteric adenovirus were the major etiological agents of viral diarrhea among infants and children in Nanjing from 2009 to 2011. We should take the long-term systematic surveillance seriously.

Adenoviruses, Human ; classification ; genetics ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Diarrhea ; virology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Phylogeny

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect and safety of perineal, crissal and progenital pruritus treated with acupuncture according to differentiation.

METHODSSelf-control method was applied in these 32 cases. Changqiang (GV 1), Huiyin (CV 1), Qugu (CV 2), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Ashi points etc. were punctured as main points, and adjunct points were added according to differentiation: Taichong (LR 3) and Ququan (LR 8) etc. were added for wind and heat excess of liver meridian, Xuehai (SP 10) and Quchi (LI 11) etc. were added for blood deficiency and wind dryness. Itchiness, skin lesions sign scores and therapeutic effects were observed before and after treatment.

RESULTSThe total scores of itchiness before and after treatment were 6.06 +/- 1.46 and 2.19 +/- 1.71 respectively, and the total scores of skin lesions sign were 4.38 +/- 2.21 and 1.50 +/- 1.44, indicating that the scores and the total scores of itchiness and skin lesions sign reduced obviously after treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); the cured and markedly effective rate was 73.4% (11/15) for wind and heat excess of liver meridian, and 70.6% (12/17) for blood deficiency and wind dryness, presenting similar therapeutic effect (P > 0.05). Hematoma or ecchymosis appeared in 2 cases, and disappeared spontaneously after 2-3 days, without obvious adverse reaction.

CONCLUSIONSimple perineal, crissal and progenital pruritus treated with acupuncture according to differentiation is effective, safe and applicable.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pruritus Ani ; therapy ; Pruritus Vulvae ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult