Accidents, Occupational ; statistics & numerical data ; Adult ; Extraction and Processing Industry ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Petroleum

GJ-4 is crocin enrichments extracted from Gardenia jasminoides J. Ellis, and our previous studies have shown that GJ-4 significantly improved learning and memory impairment induced by Aβ in mice. Herein, a memory deficit model was developed by injecting okadaic acid (OA) into the lateral ventricle of mice, and the neuroprotection and underlying mechanism of GJ-4 on neuronal injury caused by Tau hyperphosphorylation were investigated. The Animal Care & Welfare Committee, Institute of Materia Medica, CAMS & PUMC has approved all procedures (No.00000318). GJ-4 at different doses was intragastric administration to mice for 16 days. Step-down test and Morris water maze test showed that GJ-4 could significantly improve OA-induced memory impairment in mice, and reduced the loss of Nissl bodies in the hippocampus of mice. GJ-4 could also decrease the phosphorylation level of Tau protein at Ser396, Thr231 and Ser404 via increasing protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) activity and inhibiting glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) activity. Besides, further researches indicated that GJ-4 could inhibit the level of oxidative stress in the brain of OA mice, reduce neuronal apoptosis and inhibit the neuroinflammation mediated by activation of astrocytes in the hippocampus of mice, and eventually achieve its effects in improving learning and memory impairment in mice. According to these findings, we anticipated that GJ-4 might be a potential therapeutic drug for Alzheimer's disease.

In this study, the buffering capacity of amphiphilic pH-sensitivity copolymer poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline)-cholesteryl methyl carbonate (PEOZ-CHMC) was evaluated. The ammonium sulfate gradient method was used to prepare doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX x HCl)-loaded liposomes (DOX-L), and then the post-insertion method was used to prepare PEOZ-CHMC and polyethylene glycol-distearoyl phosphatidyl ethanolamine (PEG-DSPE) modified DOX x HCl-loaded liposomes (PEOZ-DOX-L and PEG-DOX-L). The physico-chemical properties, in vitro drugs release behavior, cellular toxicity and intracellular delivery of liposomes were evaluated, separately. The results showed that PEOZ-CHMC has a satisfactory buffering capacity. The sephadex G-50 column centrifugation method and dynamic light scattering were used to determine the encapsulation efficiency (EE) and particle size of liposomes. The EE and particle size of DOX-L were (97.3 ± 1.4) % and 120 nm, respectively, and the addition of PEOZ-CHMC or PEG-DSPE had no influence on EE and particle size. The zeta potentials of three kinds of liposomes were negative. The release behavior of various DOX liposomes in vitro was investigated by dialysis method. In phosphate buffer solution (PBS) at pH 7.4, DOX x HCl was released from PEOZ-DOX-L in a sustained manner. While in PBS at pH 5.0, the release rate of DOX x HCl from PEOZ-DOX-L increased significantly, which suggested DOX x HCl was released from PEOZ-DOX-L in a pH-dependent manner. The intracellular delivery of liposomes was investigated by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The CLSM images indicated that PEOZ-DOX-L showed efficient intracellular trafficking including endosomal escape and release DOX x HCl into nucleus, as well as the DOX-L and PEG-DOX-L had no this effect. The cytotoxicity of liposomes against MCF-7 cells was detected by using MTT assay. The results showed that antiproliferative effects of PEOZ-DOX-L enhanced with pH value decreased, whereas DOX-L and PEG-DOX-L did not have any significant difference in inhibitions at different pH conditions. Therefore, the problems of the inhibition of cellular uptake of liposomes and the failed endosomal escape of pH-sensitive liposomes by PEG chain can be overcome by the pH-sensitive liposomes constructed by PEOZ-CHMC.
Cell Nucleus ; Doxorubicin ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; Endosomes ; Formates ; chemistry ; Humans ; Liposomes ; chemistry ; MCF-7 Cells ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Particle Size ; Phosphatidylethanolamines ; Polyamines ; chemistry ; Polyethylene Glycols ; chemistry

BACKGROUNDTo study the deletion and mutation in carboxy terminal region of LMP1 gene derived from nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in Guangdong and Guangxi, the high risk areas of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in China.

METHODSLMP1 gene carboxy terminal region was amplified from nasopharyngeal carcinoma tissues by PCR, and then cloned and sequenced.

RESULTSOf the 20 cases, 17 were LMP1 positive. In all positive cases, only 1 case did not show deletion. Four positive cases were chosen for DNA sequencing, The rusult showed that all the four cases had mutation and the 30bp deletion.

CONCLUSIONSHigh frequency of deletion and mutation in LMP1 gene of nasopharyngeal carcinoma tissues was found in Guangdong and Guangxi. Whether it related to the high incidence of NPC should be further studied.

Amino Acid Sequence ; Base Sequence ; Gene Deletion ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; genetics ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; virology ; Point Mutation ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Viral Matrix Proteins ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo study the etiological role of human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) infection in the development of esophageal cancers.

METHODSA recombinant retrovirus containing the E6E7 ORFs of HPV16 was packaged and human fetal esophageal fibroblasts were infected. The tumorigenecity of the fibroblasts was tested in SCID mice in synergy with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA).

RESULTSHuman esophageal fibroblasts infected with the recombinant retrovirus induced sarcomas in SCID mice, the existence and expression of E6E7 ORFs was confirmed in the sarcomas. Fibroblasts cultured from the sarcoma were demonstrated heteroploid by cytoflowmetry. However, tumors were not observed in human fetal esophagus infected with such virus.

CONCLUSIONSThese results revealed that the established recombinant retroviral system can successfully mediate the transference of HPV16 E6E7 genes, and such system is applicable to researches on tumorigenesis of HPV.

Animals ; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic ; Cells, Cultured ; Esophagus ; pathology ; virology ; Fetus ; Fibroblasts ; metabolism ; virology ; Human papillomavirus 16 ; genetics ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, SCID ; Oncogene Proteins, Viral ; genetics ; metabolism ; Open Reading Frames ; genetics ; Papillomavirus E7 Proteins ; Recombination, Genetic ; Repressor Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Retroviridae ; genetics ; Transfection

Objective To investigate the effect of community intervention on symptoms and quality of life in patients with moderate or severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and bronchiectasis.Methods Sixty-three cases of stable patients with moderate or severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and bronchiectasis were chosen and randomly divided into the observation group (n =32) and the control group (n =31).The observation group was given periodical home visits and telephone follow-up for 6 months,while the control group only received health education on discharge.Patients' symptoms and quality of life were compared between two groups.Results Intervention in the first two groups,there was no statistically significant different (P ＞ 0.05) ; The scores of cough,sputum volume and dyspnea were (0.67 ± 0.44),(0.69 ± 0.32) and (1.04 ± 0.53) in the observation group,and its annual number of hospitalization was (0.85 ± 0.64).The scores of cough,sputum volume and dyspnea were (1.04 ± 0.31),(0.94 ± 0.53) and (1.52 ± 1.04) in the control group,and its annual number of hospitalization was (1.61 ± 0.82).The differences were statistically significant (t =3.85,2.28,2.32,4.11,respectively ; P ＜ 0.05).The score of life quality was (39.84 ± 11.42) for respiratory symptoms,(40.68 ± 11.23) for activity limitation,(32.19 ± 9.50) for disease impact and (34.09 ± 11.26) in total in the observation group.And the score of life quality was (55.64 ± 17.37) for respiratory symptoms,(49.07 ± 10.35) for activity limitation,(39.45 ± 12.51) for disease impact and (45.98 ± 12.77) in total in the control group.The differences were statistically significant (t =4.26,3.05,2.60,3.92,respectively; P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Community intervention has significant effect on patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and bronchiectasis,which can improve patients' respiratory symptoms,comfort level and quality of life as well as reduce re-hospitalization rate.

BACKGROUNDDiagnosis and treatment for respiratory symptoms (RSs) of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is more difficult than that for common esophageal symptoms. The goal of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of radiofrequency (RF) treatment on RSs of GERD in a preliminary 12-month follow-up observation.

METHODSFrom April 2006 to October 2008, 505 GERD patients with mainly respiratory presentations such as wheezing, chronic cough or hoarseness, were treated by endoscopic RF. A questionnaire was completed before and after treatment, using a six-point scale ranging from 0 to 5 to assess symptom severity and frequency. The symptom score was the sum of frequency and severity.

RESULTSSymptom scores were significantly improved at the end of the follow-up period. The mean heartburn score decreased from 5.31 to 1.79. The mean regurgitation score decreased from 5.02 to 1.64; mean cough score decreased from 6.77 to 2.85; mean wheezing score decreased from 7.83 to 3.07; and mean hoarseness score decreased from 5.13 to 1.81 (P < 0.01). No major complications or deaths occurred. Minor complications included temporary post-procedural retrosternal unease or pain (n = 106; 21.0%), mild fever (n = 86; 17.0%), transient nausea/vomiting (n = 97; 19.2%), and transient dysphagia (n = 42; 9.3%). Thirty-five (6.9%) patients had recurrence of symptoms. Endoscopic RF treatment was repeated in six patients, and laparoscopic fundoplication was performed in seven.

CONCLUSIONEndoscopic RF is an effective and safe means to treat RSs in patients with GERD.

Adult ; Aged ; Cough ; surgery ; Esophagogastric Junction ; physiopathology ; radiation effects ; Esophagoscopy ; methods ; Female ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Heartburn ; surgery ; Hoarseness ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radio Waves ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the current status of antibiotic use for very and extremely low birth weight (VLBW/ELBW) infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) of Hunan Province. METHODS: The use of antibiotics was investigated in multiple level 3 NICUs of Hunan Province for VLBW and ELBW infants born between January, 2017 and December, 2017. RESULTS: The clinical data of 1 442 VLBW/ELBW infants were collected from 24 NICUs in 2017. The median antibiotic use duration was 17 days (range: 0-86 days), accounting for 53.0% of the total length of hospital stay. The highest duration of antibiotic use was up to 91.4% of the total length of hospital stay, with the lowest at 14.6%. In 16 out of 24 NICUs, the antibiotic use duration was accounted for more than 50.0% of the hospitalization days. There were 113 cases with positive bacterial culture grown in blood or cerebrospinal fluid, making the positive rate of overall bacterial culture as 7.84%. The positive rate of bacterial culture in different NICUs was significantly different from 0% to 14.9%. The common isolated bacterial pathogens Klebsiella pneumoniae was 29 cases (25.7%); Escherichia coli 12 cases (10.6%); Staphylococcus aureus 3 cases (2.7%). The most commonly used antibiotics were third-generation of cephalosporins, accounting for 41.00% of the total antibiotics, followed by penicillins, accounting for 32.10%, and followed by carbapenems, accounting for 13.15%. The proportion of antibiotic use time was negatively correlated with birth weight Z-score and the change in weight Z-score between birth and hospital discharge (r=-0.095, -0.151 respectively, P<0.01), positively correlated with death/withdrawal of care (r=0.196, P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Antibiotics used for VLBW/ELBW infants in NICUs of Hunan Province are obviously prolonged in many NICUs. The proportion of routine use of third-generation of cephalosporins and carbapenems antibiotics is high among the NICUs.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Birth Weight ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Extremely Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal ; Surveys and Questionnaires