OBJECTIVETo compare the effect of electro-acupuncture (EA) and maprotiline (Map) in treating depression.

METHODSThirty patients of depression were treated with EA and 31 patients with Map orally taken respectively. The therapeutic effect and side-effect were evaluated by measurement of Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD), Self-Rating Scale for Depression (SDS), Self-Rating Scale for Anxiety (SAS), Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGI) and Asberg Rating Scale for side-effects (ARS) before treatment and on the day 14, 28 and 42 of the therapeutic course.

RESULTSAfter treatment, the scores of HAMD and SDS lowered significantly (P < 0.01) than before treatment, and with insignificant difference between the group (P > 0.05). For patients with somatic syndrome, the HAMD score decrease rate was obviously higher in the Map group than that in the EA group. However, for the patients with anxiety somatization syndrome, the score of SAS, ARS in the EA group were significantly lower than those in the Map group (P < 0.05). Moreover, the efficacy index was higher in the EA group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONBoth EA and Map are effective in treating depression.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation ; therapeutic use ; Depression ; therapy ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Maprotiline ; therapeutic use ; Middle Aged

INTRODUCTIONIt is challenging for dialysis patients to maintain adherence to their medical regimen, and symptoms of depression are prevalent among them. Limited data is available about adherence and depression among patients receiving peritoneal dialysis (PD). This study aimed to examine the rates of treatment non-adherence and depression in PD patients.

METHODSA total of 20 PD patients (response rate 71.4%; mean age 64.4 ± 11.6 years) were assessed using the Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire, Self Efficacy for Managing Chronic Disease Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD) and Kidney Disease Quality of Life-Short Form. A self-reported adherence (PD exchanges, medication and diet) scale developed for the study was also included. Medical information (e.g. most recent biochemistry results) was obtained from chart review.

RESULTSThe mean self-reported scores indicated an overall high level of adherence, although a significant proportion of patients were non-adherent. Among the latter, 20% of patients were non-adherent to medication and 26% to diet due to forgetfulness, while 15% and 26% of patients admitted to deliberate non-adherence to medication and diet, respectively. Treatment modality, employment, self-care status and self-efficacy were associated with overall adherence. Using a cutoff point of 8 for HAD depression and anxiety subscales, 40% of patients were found to be depressed and 30% had symptoms of anxiety.

CONCLUSIONThis is the first study to document treatment adherence and depression among PD patients in Singapore. Findings of high prevalence of depression and anxiety, and reports of poor adherence warrant development of intervention programmes.

Aged ; Anxiety ; complications ; Cohort Studies ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Depression ; complications ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; complications ; therapy ; Male ; Medical Records ; Middle Aged ; Patient Compliance ; Peritoneal Dialysis ; methods ; Prevalence ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Objective To find out the potential risk factor of plague in Wanzhou section of the Three Gorges Reservoir area, and to provide scientific basis for prevention and control of plague. Methods Rodents were captured by rat traps/cages at night and identified into species in Wanzhou section of the Three Gorges Reservoir area from 2001 to 2009. Flea was counted and serum antibodies against plague F1 of rats, cats and dogs were detected by indirect hemagglutination (IHA). Plague surveillances were performed in human beings and rats. Results The rodents captured belonged to 9 species, 2 families, 2 orders and 1 classes. The average indoor rodent density was 1.16% (961/82 558), and was 1.12% (1345/119 671) outdoors. Rattus norvegicus was the dominant species,accounting for 50.37%. The proportion of R. Flavipectus was 3.80% in 2004, 4.50% in 2008 and 10.12% in 2009,showing an increasing trend year by year. There were three kinds of mice infected fleas in Wanzhou, which including Xenopsylla cheopis, Leptopsylla segnis and Ctenocephalides felis. The average rate of flea infected mice was 1.18%(82/6959) and the total flea index was 0.036. No F1 antibody against plague was detected in 6959 dogs and 160 cats serum samples. Conclusions No plague is found in Wanzhou section of the Three Gorges Reservoir area. But R.Flavipectus, Xenopsylla cheopis and Leptopsylla segnis are dominant species in Wanzhou section, and the proportion of which shows an increasing trends year by year. There is a potential risk of plague outbreaks in Wanzhou section of the Three Gorges Reservoir area.

OBJECTIVETo establish a new and rapid GeXP based multiplex PCR assay for the detection and typing of human papillomavirus 6, 11, 31, 33 and 52.

METHODSNucleotide sequences of HPV6, HPV11, HPV31, HPV33 and HPV52 from NCBI were obtained and compared. Genotype-specific primers were then designed and the sensitivity and specificity of multiple PCR assay was evaluated. Optimized assay was further validated with 30 clinical specimens collected from the cervical secretions of patients.

RESULTSA GeXP based multiplex PCR was developed for sensitive detection and reliable differentiation of five HPV genotypes (HPV6, 11, 31, 33 and 52),

CONCLUSIONA GeXP based multiplex PCR assay is demonstrated to be a new and rapid technique for simultaneous detection and typing of 5 different human papillomaviruses.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Papillomaviridae ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods

OBJECTIVETo evaluate autogenous vein grafts and inside-out vein grafts as conduits for the defects repair in the rabbit facial nerves.

METHODSThe 10 mm segments of buccal division of facial nerve were transected for 48 rabbits in this study. Then the gaps were immediately repaired by autogenous vein grafts or inside-out vein grafts in different groups. All the animals underwent the whisker movement test and electrophysiologic test during the following 16 weeks at different time points postoperatively. Subsequently, the histological examination was performed to observe the facial nerve regeneration morphologically.

RESULTSAt 8 weeks after operation, the facial nerve regeneration has significant difference between the experimental group and the control group in electrophysiologic test and histological observation. However, at the end of this study, 16 weeks after operation, there was no significant difference between inside-out vein grafts and standard vein grafts in enhancing peripheral nerve regeneration.

CONCLUSIONThis study suggest that both kinds of vein grafts play positive roles in facial nerve regeneration after being repaired immediately, but the autogenous inside-out vein grafts might accelerate and facilitate axonal regeneration as compared with control.

Animals ; Axons ; physiology ; Facial Nerve ; physiology ; surgery ; Facial Nerve Injuries ; surgery ; Male ; Nerve Regeneration ; physiology ; Rabbits ; Transplantation, Autologous ; methods ; Veins ; transplantation

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes of gene expression file in transitional cell carcinoma of bladder after hepatocyte cell adhesion molecule(hepaCAM) overexpression.

METHODSAffymetrix Human Genome U133 Plus 2.0 Array was used to investigate the changes of gene expression profile between adenovirus-green fluorescent protein(GFP) -hepaCAM group and GFP group in transitional cell carcinoma of bladder EJ cells.Significant Analysis of Microarray(SAM) was used to screen the differentially expressed genes, DAVID software was used to conduct gene ontology analysis and wikiPathway analysis based on the differentially expressed genes. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot were applied to verify microarray data.

RESULTSCompared with the GFP group, a total of 2469 genes were up-regulated or down-regulated by more than 2 times in the GFP-hepaCAM group. Among these genes, 1602 genes were up-regulated and 867 were down-regulated.Most of the differentially expressed genes were involved in the function of cell proliferation and cell cycle regulation. The mRNA expressions of nibrin, liver kinase B1, and cyclin D1 detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in three different bladder cancer cell lines were consistent with the microarray data.The protein expressions of nibrin and liver kinase B1 in these three cell lines measured by Western blot were consistent with the mRNA expression.

CONCLUSIONSHepaCAM can alter the gene expression profile of bladder cancer EJ cells. The well-known anti-tumor effect of hepaCAM may be mediated by regulating the gene expression via multiple pathways.

Carcinoma, Transitional Cell ; genetics ; pathology ; Cell Cycle Proteins ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cyclin D1 ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Genes, Tumor Suppressor ; physiology ; Humans ; Nuclear Proteins ; metabolism ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; metabolism ; Proteins ; genetics ; physiology ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology

A simple, rapid and sensitive colorimetric loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method was established to detect HPV6 and HPV 16 respectively. The method employed a set of four specially designed primers that recognized six distinct sequences of HPV6-E6 or HPV16-E7 for amplification of nucleic acid under isothermal conditions at 63 degrees C for one hour. The amplification process of LAMP was monitored by the addition of HNB (hydroxy naphthol blue) dye prior to amplification. A positive reaction was indicated by a color change from violet to sky blue and confirmed by real-time turbidimeter and agarose electrophoresis. Thirteen cervical swab samples having single infection with 13 different HPV genotypes were examined to evaluate the specificity. A serial dilution of a cloned plasmid containing HPV-E6 or HPV-E7 gene was examined to evaluate the sensitivity. The results showed that no cross-reaction with other HPV genotypes was observed. The colorimetric LAMP assay could achieve a sensitivity of 1000 copies, 10-20 times lower than that of real-time PCR. The assay was further evaluated with 62 clinical specimens and consistent results were obtained compared with the detection using Kai Pu HPV Genotyping Kit. We concluded that this colorimetric LAMP assay had potential usefulness for the rapid screening of the HPV6 or HPV16 infection in the laboratories and hospitals of provincial and municipal region in China.
Colorimetry ; methods ; DNA Primers ; chemistry ; genetics ; Genotype ; Human papillomavirus 16 ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Human papillomavirus 6 ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques ; instrumentation ; methods ; Papillomavirus Infections ; virology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of irbesartan on the proliferation, apoptosis, and VEGF mRNA expression of human umbilical vein cell line EA.hy926 in vitro.

METHODSThe human umbilical vein cell line EA.hyY926 were treated with various concentrations of irbesartan for 24 h. The cell proliferation after the treatment was detected by CCK8 assay, flow cytometry and FITC Annexin V/PI kit were used to detect changes in the cell apoptosis. RT-PCR was used to evaluate the expression of VEGF mRNA.

RESULTSThere were no changes in cell shape with various concentration of irbesartan. CCK-8 assay showed a greater rate of the cell proliferation in irbesartan group than that in control group with a dose-independent manner after 24 h treatment. After incubation with irbesartan, cell proliferation rate was significant (P < 0.05). FCM analysis showed no significantly changes in the cell apoptosis. Irbesartan increased the proliferation of EA.hy926 cells. At concentration of 1 x 10(-4), 1 x 10(-5), 1 x 10(-6) mol/L, VEGF mRNA expression enhanced either (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONIrbesartan could promote the proliferation and up-regulated VEGFmRNA expression in EA.hy926 cell line. This result suggested that in addition to antihypertensive effect, angiotensin receptor antagonist might be a novel therapeutic approach to chronic ischemic heart disease as heart failure.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Biphenyl Compounds ; pharmacology ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Humans ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Tetrazoles ; pharmacology ; Umbilical Veins ; cytology ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in pancreatic cancer and its influence on the proliferation and migration of cancer cells.

METHODSThe expression of CTGF in pancreatic cell line PANC-1 cells was analyzed by real-time PCR and in pancreatic carcinoma (50 cases) tissues by immunohistochemistry. The ability of proliferation and migration in vitro of PANC-1 cells was tested by MTT assay, scratch test and Boyden chamber test after the CTGF gene was overexpressed by Ad5-CTGF or silenced with Ad5-siCTGF transfection.

RESULTSCTGF was overexpressed in both pancreatic cancer cells and tissues. Overxpression of CTGF leads to increased proliferation and migration of PANC-1 cells. The CTGF-transfected PANC-1 cells showed apparent stronger proliferation ability and scratch-repair ability than that of empty vector controls. The results of Boyden chamber test showed that there were 34 cells/field (200× magnificantion) of the CTGF-transfected overexpressing cells, much more than the 11 cells/field of the empty vector control cells; and 6 cells/microscopic field of the Ad5-siCTGF-transfected silenced cells, much less than the 15 cells/field of the control cells.

CONCLUSIONSCTGF is overexpressed in both pancreatic cancer cells in vitro and in vivo, indicating that it may play an important role in the cell proliferation and migration in pancreatic cancer.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation ; Connective Tissue Growth Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Recombinant Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection

AIMBLT1 and BLT2 were both recently cloned and identified as two subtypes of leukotrine B4 (LTB4) receptors. With the usage of U-75302 and LY255283, the specific antagonists of BLT1 and BLT2 respectively, the involvement of BLT1 and BLT2 in the inflammatory and immunological responses was in vitro explored.

METHODS(1) To investigate inhibition of U-75302 and LY255283 on the proliferation of rat synovial cells, 3H-TdR incorporation into the cells was quantified. (2) Flow cytometric assay for interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukine 4 (IL-4) profiles in CD4+ T lymphocytes from rat spleen was carried out to determine the ratio of Th1/Th2.

RESULTS(1) For inhibition on rat synovial cells proliferation, U-75302 exerted its effect only at a high concentration of 10 micromol/L and LY255283 at the concentrations of 10 micromol/L-10 micromol/L. (2) Both U-75302 and LY255283 could elevate the percentage of Th2, but could not influence that of Th1.

CONCLUSIONBLT1 and BLT2 were involved in the synovial cells proliferation change the ratio of Th1/Th2. Their meaning served as targets for prevention and treatment of infectious diseases should be emphasized.

Animals ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Fatty Alcohols ; pharmacology ; Glycols ; pharmacology ; Inflammation ; immunology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptors, Leukotriene B4 ; antagonists & inhibitors ; physiology ; Synovial Membrane ; cytology ; immunology ; Tetrazoles ; pharmacology ; Th1-Th2 Balance