Objective To study the growth difference and possible mechanism between nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cell line CNE-2 and its subclone S-18.Methods CNE-2 and S-18 cells were cultured in vitro.6 x 105 cells/mouse were xenografted subcutaneously in the back of nude mice.The volumes of rumors were measured on the 3 rd,7 th,10 th,14 th day after grafting.Mice were sacrificed on the 14 th day and tumors were isolated and weighed.RNA from tumor tissues were extracted and transcriptional levels of HSP27 and NF-K B were detected.Results (1) S-18,instead of CNE-2,grew to form tumor mass 7 days after xenografting subcutaneously;both cell lines formed tumor mass 10 days after xenografting,however,the volumes of S-18 tumors [(223.13 ± 21.32) mm3,10 th day;(420.25 ± 24.52) mm3,14 th day] were significant bigger than CNE-2tumors [(113.70±11.70) mm3,10thday;(279.86±25.78) mm3,14thday];The weights of S-18 umors were significantly higher than CNE-2 tumors on the 14 th day after xenografting;(2) The transcriptional levels of HSP27 and NF-KB in S-18 tumor were significantly higher than in CNE-2 tumor.Conclusion Xenografted S-18 NPC grows faster than Xenografted CNE-2 NPC.HSP27 and NF-κ B are probably involved in the regulation of growth in NPC.

OBJECTIVETo clone tenecin gene, an antibacterial peptide gene, from Tenebrio molitor for its prokaryotic expression and explore the molecular mechanism for regulating the expression of antibacterial peptide in Tenebrio molitor larvae.

METHODSThe antibacterial peptide was induced from the larvae of Tenebrio molitor by intraperitoneal injection of Escherichia coli DH-5α (1×10(8)/ml). RT-PCR was performed 72 h after the injection to clone Tenecin gene followed by sequencing and bioinformatic analysis. The recombinant expression vector pET-28a(+)-Tenecin was constructed and transformed into E. coli BL21(DE3) cells and the expression of tenecin protein was observed after IPTG induction.

RESULTSTenecin expression was detected in transformed E.coli using SDS-PAGE after 1 mmol/L IPTG induction. Tenecin gene, which was about 255 bp in length, encoded Tenecin protein with a relative molecular mass of 9 kD. Incubation of E.coli with 80, 60, 40, and 20 µg/ml tenecin for 18 h resulted in a diameter of the inhibition zone of 25.1∓0.03, 20.7∓0.06, 17.2∓0.11 and 9.3∓0.04 mm, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSTenecin protein possesses strong antibacterial activity against E. coli DH-5α, which warrants further study of this protein for its potential as an antibacterial agent in clinical application.

Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Cloning, Molecular ; Escherichia coli ; drug effects ; genetics ; metabolism ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Insect Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Larva ; chemistry ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Tenebrio ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo explore whether fractional anisotropy (FA) value could be taken as a quantitative indicator for tracing and reexamining amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and to analyze the correlation between FA value and integrative medical treatment.

METHODSTotally 18 ALS patients were recruited in this study. All patients received diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) using 3. OT (Propeller HD) MRI twice. Six regions of interest (ROI) were selected to measure FA values. Survival analyses were performed in 11 cases of end point events.

RESULTS(1) Three ROI (cerebral peduncle, posterior limb of internal capsule, and corona radiata) all indicated that FA value was the highest in patients with mild health status scale of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS/HSS). (2) There was statistical difference in the means of FA values in cerebral peduncle, posterior limb of internal capsule, and corona radiata of 18 cases between initial examination and reexamination (P < 0.01). (3) Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed the survival rate of ALS patients decreased as time went by, with the median survival time of 48 months.

CONCLUSIONSFA value was inversely proportional to the severity of ALS, the more severe, the lower FA values. FA value was an objective indicator for assessing the severity of ALS. ALS is an incurable disease till now. Integrative medical treatment might become one direction for ALS patients.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Anisotropy ; Diffusion Tensor Imaging ; Humans ; Integrative Medicine

In the retina, pH fluctuations may play an important role in adapting retinal responses to different light intensities and are involved in the fine tuning of visual perception. Acidosis occurs in the subretinal space (SRS) under pathological conditions such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Although it is well known that many transporters in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells can maintain pH homeostasis efficiently, other receptors in RPE may also be involved in sensing acidosis, such as acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs). In this study, we investigated whether ASIC1a was expressed in the RPE cells and whether it was involved in the function of these cells. Real-time RT-PCR and Western blotting were used to analyze the ASIC1a expression in ARPE-19 cells during oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)). Furthermore, inhibition or over-expression of ASIC1a in RPE cells was obtained using inhibitors (amiloride and PCTx1) or by the transfection of cDNA encoding hASIC1a. Cell viability was determined by using the MTT assay. The real-time RT-PCR and Western blotting results showed that both the mRNA and protein of ASIC1a were expressed in RPE cells. Inhibition of ASICs by amiloride in normal RPE cells resulted in cell death, indicating that ASICs play an important physiological role in RPE cells. Furthermore, over-expression of ASIC1a in RPE cells prolonged cell survival under oxidative stress induced by H(2)O(2). In conclusion, ASIC1a is functionally expressed in RPE cells and may play an important role in the physiological function of RPE cells by protecting them from oxidative stress.
Acid Sensing Ion Channels ; metabolism ; Cell Line ; Humans ; Ion Channel Gating ; physiology ; Oxidative Stress ; physiology ; Retinal Pigment Epithelium ; cytology ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo establish the animal model of traumatic optic neuropathy similar to clinical feature by injuring the optic nerve of the pipeline through the ethmoid and sphenoid sinus. The electrophysiology and morphology were observed.

METHODSThe optic nerve in 2 cats was anatomically observed. Thirty healthy adult cats were divided into 1 h, 1 d, 3 d, 1 w, 2 w, 4 w injury groups. The right eye was selected as the experiment eye, and the left as the control. The optic canals were damaged by the injury instrument. The changes of optic nerve were observed using light and electron microscope. The pattern reversal visual evoked potential (PR-VEP) was used to determine the succeed model and pupil was monitored. PR-VEP and neural tissue morphology were examined at intervals of 1 h, 1 d, 3 d, 1 w, 2 w, 4 w after trauma.

RESULTSEight cats had Marcus-Gunn's pupil, and 22 cats did not have after injury. Neural tissue was physaliphorous degeneration in light microscope. The neural fibers swelled gradually and fibers physaliphorous degeneration in the first day after damage. At the seventh day, the bubble enlarged to be a big flat. After two weeks, the big flat bubble came out to be a bigger bubble. Under the electronic microscope, axons were physaliphorous degeneration, crack emerged between axon membrane and myelin sheath and myelin sheath were loose in the first day. At the third day, axon swelled, physaliphorous degeneration rose and myelin sheath were loose obviously. At the seventh day, axon and myelin sheath appeared loop in half cycle and bubble-like broke up. A lot of pieces came out and axon became physaliphorous and uniform. Microtubule and microfilament disappeared. After two weeks, myelin sheath became onion-like. On fourth week, myelin sheaths enlarged and squeezed to center. Axoplasm disappeared and neural tissues collapsed.

CONCLUSIONSThis animal model was similar to clinical optic nerve decompression through ethmoid and sphenoid sinus. The change of PR-VEP and neuromorphology were distinct before and after trauma. The pathological changes of optic nerve catching vibrated injury are mainly degeneration, so earlier decompression of optic nerve may improve the visual function.

Animals ; Cats ; Disease Models, Animal ; Evoked Potentials, Visual ; Optic Nerve ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Optic Nerve Injuries ; pathology ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo analyze the expression level of candidate tumor suppressor gene N-Myc downstream-regulated gene 2 (NDRG2) in human colon cancer.

METHODSThirty samples of colon cancer tissues with matched normal colon tissues were collected. The NDRG2 mRNA level was detected by semi-quantitive RT-PCR and the NDRG2 protein level was examined by Western blot and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSTwelve samples of colon cancer tissues had low NDRG2 mRNA level and low protein level. The positive rates of NDRG2 in normal tissues and the tumorous colon tissues were 90.0%(27/30) and 53.3%(16/30) by immunohistochemistry respectively. There was a significant difference between two groups (P<0.05). The NDRG2 expression was not correlated with age, sex, metastasis of lymph node, depth of infiltration, as well as the Dukes staging(P>0.05), while it was correlated to the histology grading. The positive rate of NDRG2 in the well- and moderate-differentiation group was higher than that in the poor-differentiation group(P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe expression of NDRG2 is low in some colon cancer tissues, which indicates that the low level of NDRG2 expression may be engaged in the development of colon cancer.

Blotting, Western ; Colonic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Middle Aged ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the pathogenesis of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and improve the differential diagnosis from myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).

METHODSPolymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) was performed to detect the point mutation of codon 12,13 in N-ras gene and codon 301, 969 in fms gene in adult and aged ITP and MDS patients.

RESULTSIn 25 ITP patients, N-ras mutation and fms mutation were detected in one each (4%). Mutations were found in 3 of 8 MDS patients: two (25%) with N-ras mutation and one (12.5%) with fms mutation.

CONCLUSIONSPatients with N-ras or fms gene mutation diagnosed as MDS rather than ITP.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Genes, fms ; genetics ; Genes, ras ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes ; genetics ; Point Mutation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic ; genetics

Objective To study the positive pressure intravenous catheter in HIV patients' infusion.Methods 4000 HIV out-patients from Feb 2010 to Mar 2012 were studied and divided into experimental group and control group depending on patients' intention for positive pressure venous catheter.2000 cases in the experimental group were applied with positive-pressure intravenous catheter infusion.Traditional needle was used for the infusion in 2000 cases of the control group.Fluid fluency,skin lesions,phlebitis,needle injuries,and incidence of occupational exposure of the patients were observed by the responsible nurses.Results In the experimental group,1 870 cases(93.5％ ) of infusion were fluent; 180 cases (9.0％) had red and swollen at the puncture site; 189 cases (9.5％) had vascular damage.No phlebitis,needle injuries and occupational exposure were observed.On the contrary,fluency,red and swollen at puncture site and vascular damage were found 1 729 (86.5％),250( 12.5％ ) and 235 ( 11.8％ ) cases respectively in the control group.4 cases of needle injuries and occupational exposure were found in the control group.The difference between two groups was statistically significant ( x2 =55.103,12.768,5.582,4.004,4.004,respectively; P ＜ 0.01 or P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusions Positive-pressure intravenous catheter provides a safe and effective infusion for AIDS patients.It avoids the pain caused by repeated puncture to patients,effectively protects blood vessels,reduces the risk of needle injuries and occupational exposure due to repeated puncture.The positive pressure intravenous catheter plays an important role in promoting the treatment of AIDS natients.

Non-neonatal tetanus is an acute, specific, toxic disease in patients over 28 days of age, characterized by continuous rigidity and paroxysmal spasms of the skeletal muscles throughout the body caused by the intrusion of Clostridium tetani through skin or mucosal membrane into the body and reproducing in anaerobic environments to produce exotoxins. The mortality rate of severe patients is close to 100% without medical intervention. Even with aggressive comprehensive treatment, the global mortality rate remains at 30%-50%, making it a potentially fatal disease. In order to standardize the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of non-neonatal tetanus, based on "Regulation for Diagnosis and Treatment of Non-neonatal Tetanus (2019 Edition)", experts have revised this regulation according to clinical practice and recent research progress in this field to guide medical institutions in the prevention and control of non-neonatal tetanus. This article interprets the key points and basis for updating the 2024 edition regulation to guide clinical implementation and application.

Objective:To investigate the effectiveness of an enhanced CT automatic recognition system based on Faster R-CNN for pancreatic cancer and its clinical value.Methods:In this study, 4 024 enhanced CT imaging sequences of 315 patients with pancreatic cancer from January 2013 to May 2016 at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University were collected retrospectively, and 2 614 imaging sequences were input into the faster R-CNN system as training dataset to create an automatic image recognition model, which was then validated by reading 1 410 enhanced CT images of 135 cases of pancreatic cancer.In order to identify its effectiveness, 3 750 CT images of 150 patients with pancreatic lesions were read and a followed-up was carried out.The accuracy and recall rate in detecting nodules were recorded and regression curves were generated.In addition, the accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of Faster R-CNN diagnosis were analyzed, the ROC curves were generated and the area under the curves were calculated.Results:Based on the enhanced CT images of 135 cases, the area under the ROC curve was 0.927 calculated by Faster R-CNN. The accuracy, specificity and sensitivity were 0.902, 0.913 and 0.801 respectively.After the data of 150 patients with pancreatic cancer were verified, 893 CT images showed positive and 2 857 negative.Ninety-eight patients with pancreatic cancer were diagnosed by Faster R-CNN.After the follow-up, it was found that 53 cases were post-operatively proved to be pancreatic ductal carcinoma, 21 cases of pancreatic cystadenocarcinoma, 12 cases of pancreatic cystadenoma, 5 cases of pancreatic cyst, and 7 cases were untreated.During 5 to 17 months after operation, 6 patients died of abdominal tumor infiltration, liver and lung metastasis.Of the 52 patients who were diagnosed negative by Faster R-CNN, 9 were post-operatively proved to be pancreatic ductal carcinoma.Conclusion:Faster R-CNN system has clinical value in helping imaging physicians to diagnose pancreatic cancer.