Objective: To investigate the killing activity of cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells after incubation with autologous tumor cell lysate-pulsed dendritic cells (Ag-DC) and to evaluate the immune functions of patients, the clinical efficacy and side effect of Ag-DC in combination with CIK on hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from 24 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, and cultured with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and interleukin-4 to produce dendritic cells (DCs). The DCs were pulsed with autologous tumor cell lysate. T lymphocytes from PBMC were cultured with interferon-Y (IFN-γ), IL-2, CD3-moAb, and IL-1α to prepare CIK. The killing effect of CIK on SMMC-7721 was investigated after CIK was incubated with Ag-DC. After immunotherapy with Ag-DC and CIK, immunolog-ic and clinical responses of the 24 patients were evaluated. Results: The killing effect of CIK was remarkably improved after CIK was incubated with Ag-DC. The immunotherapy with DC and CIK alleviated symptoms and improved the immune functions of the patients. Except for transient fever and chill, no remarkable adverse events were observed. Conclusion: Ag-DC in combination with CIK shows short-term efficacy on hepatocellular carcinoma through inducing specific anti-tumor immunity and can be an effective adjuvant therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the efficacy of a medium-chain triglyceride ketogenic diet on patients with drug-resistant epilepsy over a period of 1 year and 8 months. Methods: Patients with refractory epilepsy on a medium-chain triglyceride ketogenic diet were prospectively enrolled. Their clinical condition and the effectiveness of the ketogenic diet were followed-up every month for 1 year. Adverse events and the reasons for discontinuing the diet were recorded. Results: Fifty-three patients (27 males and 26 females) were enrolled. At the end of the study, 21 patients remained on the diet, 14 of whom were followed-up for 1 year. Among the 53 patients, 22.6% had a more than 50% reduction in seizure frequency, and 16.9% became seizure-free. Conclusions: After a 1-year follow-up, the use of a medium-chain triglyceride ketogenic diet for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy was found to be a safe and effective therapy, and may be considered to bean alternative for patients with difficult-to-control seizures in children as well as young adults.
Epilepsy

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical manifestation of patients with renal injury induced by chronic mercury intoxication and the application of the diagnostic criteria of occupational mercury poisoning.

METHODSThe clinical data of 8 patients with chronic occupational mercury intoxication were analysed and evaluated.

RESULTSAll the observed clinical signs of chronic mercury intoxication correspond with the items of the diagnostic criteria of occupational mercury poisoning. The increasing beta2-MG was one of the clinical manifestations of renal injury induced by chronical mercury intoxication. The renal injury obviously was dose-dependent and reversible.

CONCLUSIONSThe national diagnostic criteria of occupational mercury poisoning is practically valuable. The renal injury induced by chronic mercury intoxication should not be neglected.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mercury Poisoning ; diagnosis ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Diseases ; diagnosis ; Reference Standards

OBJECTIVETo investigate the change of indicators of oxidative stress in serum and NF-kappaB in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with silicosis, and explore the mechanism of the development of silicosis.

METHODSThe subjects were divided into (1) 200 workers exposed to SiO2 for at least 1 years in a foundry served as the dust-exposure group; (2) 130 cases with silicosis (I phase silicosis 64 cases, II phase 46 cases III phase 20 cases) served as the silicosis group; (3) 32 cases with 0+ phase silicosis in the foundry served as the observed group,(4)100 subjects from a hotel served as the control group. The serum including superoxide dismutase (SOD), nitric oxide (NO), serum glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), nitric oxide synthase (NOS), lipid malondialdehyde (MDA) and NF-kappaB protein levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were determined, respectively.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, NO levels in dust-exposed group and silicosis group significantly increased, and SOD decreased significantly (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Compared with the control group and dust-exposed group, T-AOC, NOS, MDA levels in silicosis group significantly increased (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). GSH-Px in dust-exposed group and silicosis group were (231.164 +/- 36.484) and (270.469 +/- 39.228)U/ml, respectively which were significantly than that [(223.360 +/- 46.838) U/ml] in control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), and there was significant difference of GSHPx between the silicosis group and the dust-exposed group significantly (P < 0.01) . GSH-Px level [(290.750 +/- 39.129) U/ml] in III phase silicosis group were significantly higher than those [(256.906 +/- 21.41) and (259.594 +/- 34.79) U/ml] in observation group and I phase silicosis group (P < 0.05). NF-kappaB levels [(72.06 +/- 9.12) and (85.25 +/- 11.64) ng/L] in dust-exposed group and silicosis group were significantly higher than that [(59.71 +/- 9.27) ng/L] in control group (P < 0.01), and there was significant difference of between the silicosis group and the dust-exposed group (P < 0.01). There was a positive correlation between serum GSH-Px level and the silicosis stages (r = 0.507, P < 0.01). Also there was a positive correlation between NF-kappaB level and silicosis stages, age, GSH-Px or NO levels (r = 0.376, 0.243, 0.233, 0.221, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe imbalance of oxidative and anti-oxidation system and the activation of NF-kappaB are related with the occurrence and development of silicosis. The monitoring of oxidative stress indicators and NF-kappaB is beneficial to the prediction and prognosis assessment of silicosis.

Adult ; Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; metabolism ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; Silicosis ; blood ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) exposure on the growth and development of placenta, uterine natural killer (uNK) cell number and angiogenesis at the maternal-fetal interface in pregnant mice.

METHODSFrom day 1 of pregnancy, pregnant mice were exposed daily to DEHP by oral gavage at 125, 250, or 500 mg/kg for 13 consecutive days. The uterine and placental tissues were then harvested for HE staining and immunohistochemistry to examine the effect of DEHP exposure on the growth and development of the placenta and angiogenesis and uNK cell number at the maternal-fetal interface.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the mice exposed to 500 mg/kg DEHP, but not those exposed to 125 and 250 mg/kg, showed significantly reduced number of embryo implantation (P<0.05). DEHP exposure significantly increased the rate of abortion. DEHP exposure at 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg significantly and dose-dependently lowered the placental weight compared with that in the control group (0.0637±0.0133, 0.0587±0.0176, 0.0524±0.0183 g vs 0.0786±0.0143 g, respectively; P<0.01), and significantly reduced the total area of the placenta and area of spongiotrophoblasts. DEHP exposure resulted in a significant reduction in the number of fetal vascular branches, and collapse and atresia of blood vessels. The mice exposed to DEHP at 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg had significantly lowered numbers of uNK cells (83.2±10.3, 60.7±12.4, and 50.4±14.5/HP, respectively) as compared with the control group (105.1±14.2/HP) at the maternal-fetal interface (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONDEHP exposure significantly affects the growth and development of the placenta in mice possibly by suppressing angiogenesis and reducing uNK cell number at the maternal-fetal interface during pregnancy.

Animals ; Diethylhexyl Phthalate ; adverse effects ; Embryo Implantation ; Female ; Fetal Blood ; Killer Cells, Natural ; cytology ; Maternal Exposure ; adverse effects ; Mice ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; Placenta ; drug effects ; Placentation ; drug effects ; Pregnancy ; Uterus ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo illustrate the significance of expression of phosphatase and tensin homologue derived from chromosome ten (PTEN) encoding product in normal mucosa, intestinal metaplasia (IM), dysplasia and carcinoma of the stomach, and to evaluate its clinical implication in tumorigenesis and progression of gastric carcinoma.

METHODSFormalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissues from 184 cases of gastric carcinoma, its adjacent normal mucosa, IM and dysplasia were evaluated for the expression of PTEN by SABC immunohistochemistry. PTEN expression was assessed as to tumor stage, lymph node metastasis, Lauren's classification and WHO histological classification of gastric carcinoma. Expression of VEGF protein was also studied in 60 cases of gastric carcinoma, with its correlation with PTEN concerned.

RESULTSThe positive rates of PTEN protein were 100% (102/102), 98.5% (65/66), 66.7% (4/6) and 47.8% (88/184) in normal mucosa, IM, dysplasia and carcinoma of stomach, respectively. The positive rates in the last two groups were lower than the first two (P < 0.01). PTEN was less expressed in advanced gastric carcinoma than in early ones (42.9% vs 67.6%, P < 0.01). The positive rate of PTEN protein was lower in gastric carcinoma with lymph node metastasis than without (40.3% vs 63.3%, P < 0.01). PTEN was less expressed in diffuse-type gastric carcinoma than in intestinal-type (41.5% vs 57.8%, P < 0.05). Signet ring cell carcinoma expressed PTEN stood the lowest (25.0%, 7/28), which was less than well and moderately differentiated ones (61.8%, 21/34) (P < 0.01). Expression of PTEN was inversely correlated with expression of VEGF though without any significance (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONLoss or reduced expression of PTEN protein is common in carcinogenesis and progression of gastric cancer. Altered expression of PTEN may contribute to carcinogenesis and progression of gastric cancer by increasing angiogenesis, cellular adhesion and mobility and so on. PTEN may be an objective marker for pathologically biological behavior of gastric carcinoma.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinogenicity Tests ; Cell Adhesion ; Cell Movement ; Disease Progression ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; PTEN Phosphohydrolase ; Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Stomach Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics

Accidents, Traffic ; Adult ; Fractures, Compression ; diagnostic imaging ; etiology ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Radiography ; Spinal Fractures ; diagnostic imaging ; etiology ; pathology ; surgery

Objective To explore the endoscopic characteristics of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) combined with tracheobronchial tuberculosis (TBTB). Methods 248 MDR-TB as study group, they hospitalized from October 1st 2008 to June 31st, 2016. 274 cases of non MDR-TB with bacteria positive as control group over 2015, all of them received bronchoscopy, sputum cultured and drug sensitivity tested of Isoniazid and Rifampicin. We analyzed the results of bronchoscopy and demographic data. Results 248 cases of MDR-TB patients, of 175 (70.56%) were diagnosed TBTB by bronchoscopy, of 73 (29.44%) without TBTB. 274 cases of non MDR-TB with bacteria positive patients, of 146 (53.28%) were diagnosed TBTB, of 128 (46.72%) non TBTB, the difference of comparisons was statistically significant (χ2 = 16.42, P = 0.000). MDR-TB combined with TBTB median age was 32 years, non MDR-TB combined with TBTB median age 42 years, the difference was statistically significant (U = 9932.00, P = 0.001). Among the MDR-TB patients, of 75 (42.86%) TBTB in the upper right bronchial, of71 (40.57%) upper left bronchus, while non MDR-TB patients, of 70 (47.95%) and 60 (41.10%), there was no statistically significant difference (χ2 = 2.44, P = 0.786). Among the MDR-TB, of 76 (43.43%) were inflammation infiltration type, of 11 (6.29%) were necrosis type, of 13 cases (7.43%) granulation proliferative type, of 72 (41.14%) were scar stricture type, of 3 (1.71%) tube wall softening type. Among the non MDR-TB, in turn, TBTB type were 50 (34.25%), 41 (28.08%), 9 (6.16%), 40 (27.40%), 5 (3.43%), the difference were statistically significant (χ2 = 30.50, P = 0.000). Conclusions The detection rate of TBTB was higher in MDR-TB patients, that common occur in younger patients. TBTB common infringe on upper right bronchial and upper left bronchus, TBTB type most are inflammatory infiltration type and scar stricture type. More attention should be paid to bronchoscopy among MDR-TB patients.

Xiaoer-Feire-Kechuan (XFK) is an 11-herb Chinese medicine formula to treat cough and pulmonary inflammation.The complicated composition rendered its chemical analysis and effective-component elucidation.In this study,we combined quantitative analysis and bioactivity test to reveal the anti-inflammatory constituents of XFK.First,UPLC-DAD and UHPLC/Q-Orbitrap-MS methods were estab-lished and validated to quantify 35 analytes (covering 9 out of 11 herbs) in different XFK formulations.Parallel reaction monitoring mode built in Q-Orbitrap-MS was used to improve the sensitivity and selectivity.Then,anti-inflammatory activities of the 35 analytes were analyzed using in vitro COX-2 inhibition assay.Finally,major analytes forsythosides H,I,A (8-10),and baicalin (15) (total contents varied from 21.79 to 91.20 mg/dose in different formulations) with significant activities (inhibitory rate ≥ 80％) were proposed as the anti-inflammatory constituents of XFK.The present study provided an effective strategy to discover effective constituents of multi-herb formulas.

BACKGROUNDOff-label application of drug-eluting stents (DES) during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was not uncommon in daily practice, however DES in treating Chinese patients with complex lesion subset was under-investigated. The primary objective of the FIREMAN registry was to evaluate the long term efficacy and safety of the Firebird sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) in treating patients with complex coronary lesions. Here we report the mid-term of one-year clinical outcomes and eight-month angiographic follow-up results of FIREMAN registry.

METHODSThe FIREMAN registry was a prospective multi-center registry, which included 1029 consecutive patients undergoing PCI with Firebird SES implantation between September 2006 and July 2007 in 45 centers in China. The clinical follow-up was designed to be performed at 1, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30 and 36 months post index procedure, and non-mandatory angiographic follow-up at 8 months was planned. One hundred percent site monitoring was conducted.

RESULTSLong lesions (59.2%), multi-vessel disease (50.4%), and small vessel disease (31.6%) were mostly found in angiography. Major adverse cardiac events (MACE) occurred in 51 (5.1%) patients at 1 year clinical follow-up, including cardiac mortality in 6 (0.6%), non-fatal myocardial infarction in 11 (1.1%), and target lesion revascularization in 36 (3.5%) of the patients. Definite and probable stent thrombosis (ST) by Academic Research Consortium (ARC) definition occurred in 12 (1.36%) patients at one-year clinical follow-up. The 8-month binary restenosis rate was 5.7% in-segment and 4.3% in-stent, respectively. Late lumen loss was (0.21 ± 0.40) mm in-segment and (0.23 ± 0.36) mm in-stent, respectively. Furthermore, Cox regression analysis revealed that diabetes, small vessel diameter, and chronic total occlusion were independent predictors of ST.

CONCLUSIONSThe results showed that the Firebird SES was effective and safe in treating Chinese patients with complex coronary lesions and occurrence of ST rate at one-year clinical follow-up was acceptable, however further long-term follow-up was still necessary. (NCT00552656)

Aged ; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; adverse effects ; methods ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Disease ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Drug-Eluting Stents ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Sirolimus ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome