To explore the mechanisms of Xiaotan Sanjie Decoction (XTSJD), a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, in inhibiting the tumor growth and preventing recurrence by testing the protein expressions of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and its receptors chemokine receptor 1 (CXCR1) and chemokine receptor 2 (CXCR2) in gastric tumor xenografts and gastric tissue adjacent to the tumor in mice.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the biomechanics of treatment for lumbar spondlolisthesis using nail-grooved tail steel plate and WDFC (Wendeng Fusion Cage) implant.

METHODSThere were nine permanent waist-sacrum wet bone (L3-S3) in 1 to 2 clay-cold hours including 6 men and 3 women. They were seldom separated into 3 groups, which were fixed by nail-grooved fail plus WDFC. The model was separate into two kinds for single and across. With electrometry, deal experiment date with Graftool software. Each piece should be tested twice respectively.

RESULTSThe single and across segment non-destructive compression experiment. No-mid-compression from 0 to 750 N,the related coefficient and curves had no obvious change on inclined rate. In the single segment curvedly serial experiment, the stress at all point measured by two sides steel plate-was mostly linear growth. In the across segment curvedly serial experiment, the inclined rate become big and appear anisomerous.

CONCLUSIONIt's proved by biomechanics that the steel plates with single furrow and cylinder wing plus WDFC has a good stability to cure lumbar vertebra slips.

Adult ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Bone Nails ; Bone Plates ; Female ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Spinal Fusion ; instrumentation ; Spondylolisthesis ; physiopathology ; surgery

BACKGROUNDThe role of epigenetics in gene expression regulation and development significantly enhances our understanding of carcinogenesis. All the tumor related genes may be the target of epigenetical or genetic regulation. We selected some epigenetically regulated genes for cDNA array analysis and observed variability in the expression of the DICER1 gene in distinct stages of gastric cancer. The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between the expression of DICER1, an epigenetically regulated gene, and gastric cancer.

METHODSTo detect the expression of 506 tumor-associated genes, including DICER1, in the matched cancerous mucosa, pre-malignant lesion (adjacent mucosa), non-cancerous gastric mucosa and distant lymphocyte metastatic lesion in 3 cases of gastric cancers using cDNA array. DICER1 mRNA expression and DICER1 protein expression were further analyzed by Real-time PCR and Western blot in 32 cases of progressive gastric cancer. DICER1 protein expression was also detected in 33 early and 30 progressive gastric cancers by the immunohistochemistry (IHC) method.

RESULTSIn 3 cases of gastric cancer cDNA array showed dramatically decreased expression of DICER1 in pre-malignant lesion, cancerous mucosa and distant lymphocyte metastatic lesions compared with matched noncancerous gastric mucosa, pre-malignant lesion and cancerous mucosa. Real-time PCR results showed that the expression level of DICER1 mRNA in gastric cancer was significantly down-regulated compared to normal gastric tissue (P < 0.05). The IHC assay also showed that the expression of DICER1 was significantly decreased in progressive gastric cancer. Among the 63 cases of gastric cancers, 13/33 early (39.4%) and 19/30 (63.3%) progressive cancers showed negative expression of DICER1 (50.8%). The difference in expression of DICER1 between early and progressive gastric cancers was significant (P < 0.01). The result of Western blotting showed that DICER1 protein was down-regulated significantly in advanced gastric cancer (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSDICER1 expression is decreased during the progression of gastric cancer, especially in progressive gastric cancers, which indicating DICER1 may play an important role in the development of cancer and the epigenetical regulation involved.

Blotting, Western ; DEAD-box RNA Helicases ; analysis ; genetics ; physiology ; Endoribonucleases ; analysis ; genetics ; physiology ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Ribonuclease III ; Stomach Neoplasms ; chemistry ; etiology ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo explore the norms of treatment of acute organophosphorus pesticide poisoning (AOPP), and observe the curative effect.

METHODSOn basis of the pre-research, the norms of treatment of AOPP were summarized, and a multi-center clinical trial was performed in 6 hospitals selected from high incidence of AOPP in Shandong Province.

RESULTS422 patients of AOPP in 6 hospitals in observation period were treated and observed by the norms of treatment. Among them, the proportion of oral poisoning was 97.16%, middle and severe degree were 87.44%. Compared with themselves 2 years ago before standard treatment, the curative effect of the norms of treatment for AOPP was much better than before. The mortality rate of AOPP declined from 9.87% to 1.66% (Chi2 = 27.92, P < 0.01), that was much better than the average therapeutic effect level of all our province in the same period (the mortality rate: 8.92%) (Chi2 = 26.05, P < 0.01). The average amount of atropine [(37.54 +/- 17.76) mg], dropped greatly [(1280.70 +/- 69.22) mg] (U = 439.22, P < 0.01).The usage of atropine by continuous intravenous injection with venous pump was better than ordinary intravenous injection. The mean dosage of pralidoxime chloride increased twice than the previous (U = 19.48, P < 0.01). There was no drug poisoning.

CONCLUSIONThe standard treatment of AOPP is urgently needed in our country, especially in rural area. By this trial, the satisfactory effect of the norms of treatment for AOPP summarized is observed and it reduces the fatality rate remarkably.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Organophosphate Poisoning ; Pesticides ; poisoning ; Poisoning ; therapy ; Standard of Care ; standards ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVECord blood (CB) provides a rich source of stem cells for transplantation. CB transplantation has been used widely after myeloablative therapy. One major disadvantage of CB transplantation is delayed platelet engraftment. The aim of this study was to hasten platelet engraftment by investigating the ability of different hematopoietic growth factor combinations to generate large numbers of megakaryocyte (Mk) from CB and by evaluating the biologic characteristics and function of the expanded Mk.

METHODSCB samples were obtained at the end of normal full-term deliveries with informed consent. Mononuclear cells (MNCs) were isolated from CB using Ficoll density centrifugation. MNC population was positively selected for CD(34) expression by magnetic cell sorting (MACS). CD(34)(+) cells were cultured in serum-free and stroma-free medium containing the following two different cytokine combinations: thrombopoietin (TPO) + stem cell factor (SCF) + interleukin (IL) -3 + IL-6 and TPO + SCF. Cultures were characterized after 3, 7, 10 and 14 days by flow cytometry, colony forming unit-megakaryocyte (CFU-Mk) and maturation evaluation (Mk ploidy). The expanded Mk function was examined by the platelet activation in vitro and severe combined immunodiffiency (SCID) mice transplantation in vivo.

RESULTSDifferent results were observed with different culture conditions. With the first cytokine combination optimal expansion of CD(41)(+) cells was observed on day 10, but the optimal expansion of Mk progenitors (CD(34)(+)CD(41)(+)) was observed on day 7, with a median 121 and 44-fold increase at the starting cell dose. This result was also proven by CFU-Mk. The largest numbers of CFU-Mk were also observed on day 7. The degree of maturation of Mk cells also increased as suggested by DNA content of CD(41)(+) cells, which means that CD(34)(+) cells cultured for 3 - 7 days were richer in primitive Mks, while those cultured for 10 - 14 days had greater numbers of more differentiated Mks. For the second cytokine combination, CD(41)(+) and CD(34)(+)CD(41)(+) cells were fewer than the first one, but it produced 36 and 85-fold CD(34)(+)CD(41)(+) and CD(41)(+) respectively on day 7. Platelet activation test confirmed that the expanded Mks had normal function. Therefore, the expanded Mks could be transplanted into the SCID mice bone marrow and produce human platelet in the peripheral blood of the mice.

CONCLUSIONEx vivo expanded Mk might facilitate CB transplantation and help shorten the period of post-transplant thrombocytopenia.

Animals ; Antigens, CD34 ; Cell Culture Techniques ; methods ; Cells, Cultured ; Culture Media ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; cytology ; Megakaryocytes ; cytology ; Mice ; Mice, SCID

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between pathogenic bacteria in the nasal middle meatus and acute bacterial respiratory infection in children.

METHODSThree hundred and twenty eight children with respiratory infection (mean age 8 years) were included into the prospective cohort study. The mucosal fluid specimens from the nasal middle meatus were collected under an endoscope for bacterial culture. The patients with bacterial culture positive were defined as the Exposed group and those with bacterial culture negative as the Non-exposed group. The grouping of the patients was blinded to the patients, patients' parents and physicians. Both groups received anti-virus and symptomatic treatments, without antibiotic administration. Five days later, the patients were evaluated as to whether they had bacterial infection based on the leucocyte count and CRP results.

RESULTSOf the 328 patients, 168 had a positive nasal bacterial culture. The incidence of bacterial respiratory infection in the Exposed group [51.2% (86/168)] was significantly higher than in the Non-exposed group [13.1% (21/160)] (P < 0.01). The relative risk of bacterial respiratory infection occurrence in patients with nasal bacterial culture positive was 3.9002.

CONCLUSIONSThe children with respiratory infection who had potential pathogenic bacteria in the nasal middle meatus were more prone to develop bacterial respiratory infection.

Acute Disease ; Bacterial Infections ; etiology ; Child ; Cohort Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Nose ; microbiology ; Prospective Studies ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; etiology

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of fenofibrate on the proliferation and apoptosis and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) mRNA expression of cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) induced by lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC). METHODS: HUVECs were cultured in vitro. The study was designated to 5 groups according to fenofibrate concentration: control group, LPC group, LPC + low-concentration fenofibrate (10 micromol/L), LPC + middle-concentration fenofibrate (50 micromol/L), and LPC + high-concentration fenofibrate (100 micromol/L). The study was designated to 6 groups according to the intervention time: control group, LPC group, LPC + fenofibrate (50 micromol/L) 6 h, LPC + fenofibrate 12 h, LPC + fenofibrate 24 h, and LPC + fenofibrate 48 h. The proliferation and apoptosis of HUVECs were evaluated by MTT assay, flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy, respectively. eNOS mRNA were assayed by real time-PCR. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, LPC could inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis, and downregulate eNOS mRNA expression and decrease NO production of HUVECs. Fenofibrate could increase the proliferation and decrease the apoptosis, and up-regulate eNOS mRNA expression and enhance NO production in HUVECs. CONCLUSION Fenofibrate could improve the proliferation and inhibit the apoptosis, and up-regulate eNOS mRNA expression of HUVECs induced by LPC, which may be responsible for fenofibrate to prevent and treat atherosclerosis.
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelium, Vascular ; cytology ; Fenofibrate ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Hypolipidemic Agents ; pharmacology ; Lysophosphatidylcholines ; pharmacology ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Umbilical Veins ; cytology

To explore the change of telomerase activity in acute leukemia (AL) cells and its relationship with cell cycle, PCR-ELISA was used to detect telomerase activity of bone marrow cells from 148 AL patients, including 92 cases with acute non-lymphocytic leukemia (ANLL) and 56 cases with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). Thirty-six patients without bone marrow disorders were detected as normal control. The cell cycle of 16 patients and 4 controls was detected with flow cytometry. The results showed that the positive rate of telomerase was 71.6% (106/148) in the cells from AL patients, which was higher than that in the control group 5.6% (2/36). It was 88.9% (32/36) in the relapse group and 81.3% (61/75) in the untreated group. Both rates were higher than that in the CR group (35.1%, 13/37). There was no significant difference in the ALL and ANLL groups. The cell number in various phases of cell cycle had no significant difference between telomerase positive and negative groups. It was concluded that the activation of telomerase was very common in acute leukemia cells. Telomerase positive rate was closely associated with the different stages and progress of acute leukemia, and it might be a molecular marker for increased proliferation of leukemic cells during the process of the disease. Activation of telomeras had no correlation with cell number in different phases of cell cycle, while telomerase activity is modulated by other biological factors in addition to cell cycle.
Adult ; Cell Cycle ; physiology ; Child ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; methods ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; enzymology ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Neoplasm Staging ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; enzymology ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Telomerase ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo identify gene expression patterns in distinct stages of intestinal-type gastric cancer(GC).

METHODSGene expression patterns of distinct stages of intestinal-type GC samples from 3 patients were compared with cDNA microarray, which contained 576 genes. There were 506 target genes, which included 51 genes identified from our previous experiment with suppression subtractive hybridization(SSH) and other 455 genes chosen for their important roles in cancers. Hierarchical clustering was performed to clarify genes in association with distinct stages of GC.

RESULTSOne hundred and eighty-one differentially expressed genes with average Cy5:Cy3 ratios higher than 2.0 or lower than 0.5 in at least one stage of GC were identified by cDNA microarray. Among them, 48 genes were up-regulated and 133 down-regulated. Hierarchical clustering analysis separated the differentially expressed genes in different stages of GC into 5 main characteristic groups. Some important differentially expressed genes in different stages of GC were identified, such as SEC23IP, LIPF, ES(BQ291520), SLC5A1, PG(encoding similar to pepsin A precursor), CXCR4, DICER1, SH3GL2, and IGF2R.

CONCLUSIONThe differentially expressed gene patterns and some important genes were identified, which might be useful in further study on carcinogenesis, progression and metastasis of intestinal-type GC.

DNA, Neoplasm ; analysis ; Gene Expression ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Gene Library ; Humans ; Microarray Analysis ; Nucleic Acid Hybridization ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Stomach Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transcription, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo construct cDNA subtracted libraries from gastric dysplasia and further screen differentially expressed genes.

METHODSRelatively pure dysplasia and normal tissue were procured by manual microdissection, and amplified by cDNA-PCR, which was used to carry on for suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH). Subtracted cDNA fragments were linked with vector, cloned, screened, sequenced, and made homologous search. Differentially expressed fragments were verified by dot hybridization.

RESULTSTwo subtracted cDNA libraries were constructed. Among 26 sequenced clones, 15 fragments corresponded to known genes, 3 fragments were known EST and 8 fragments were unknown EST (GenBank BQ164614-BQ164616, BQ291516-BQ291520). Fifteen fragments were verified to be differentially expressed in gastric dysplasia.

CONCLUSIONSSubtracted cDNA libraries from gastric dysplasia are constructed using combination of microdissection-cDNA PCR and SSH setup in our laboratory. Some fragments have been screened and verified to help to search for novel associated genes with gastric carcinogenesis.

Cloning, Molecular ; DNA, Complementary ; genetics ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Gene Library ; Humans ; Microdissection ; Nucleic Acid Hybridization ; methods ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Precancerous Conditions ; genetics ; pathology ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Stomach Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology