To verify the effect of echinacoside on replication and antigen expression of hepatitis B virus (HBV) by using HBV-transfected HepG2. 2. 15 cells as the in vitro model. The ELISA method was used to determine HBeAg and HBsAg levels in cellular supernatants. The effect of echinacoside on HBV replication was studied by using HBV transgenic mice as the in vivo model. First of all, the HBV DNA level in hepatic tissues was quantified with PCR method. Meanwhile, the serum transaminase levels and hepatic pathological changes were also evaluated. Subsequently, HBV transgenic mice were divided into five groups: the control group, the lamivudine group (50 mg · kg(-1)) and echinacoside high, medium and low dose group (50, 25 and 12.5 mg · kg(-1)). The mice were orally administered with drugs once per day for 30 days. At the 31st day, the mice serum was separated to measure HBsAg, HBeAg and HBV DNA. Additionally, the liver HBV DNA level and histopathological change were detected. The results indicated that echinacoside at 50 and 100 mg · L(-1) suppressed significantly HBsAg and HBeAg expressions on the sixth day, with the maximum inhibition ratios of 42.68% and 46.29%; And echinacoside at 100 mg · L(-1) also showed an inhibitory effect on HBV DNA. Besides, echinacoside at 50 mg · kg(-1) inhibited significantly HBsAg and HBeAg expressions of HBV transgenic mice, with the inhibition ratios of 42.82% and 29.12%, and reduced markedly the serum HBV DNA level in HBV transgenic mice. In conclusion, the study suggested that echinacoside has a strong effect against HBV replication and antigen expression.
Animals ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; Female ; Glycosides ; pharmacology ; Hep G2 Cells ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B virus ; drug effects ; physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Virus Replication ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes in electromyographic activities of the temporal and masseter muscles at different positions of the mandible.

METHODSTwenty orthodontic patients with Angle Class II malocclusion and mandibular retrusion (ANB<6°) aged 10-14 years were enrolled in this study. All the patients were treated with Forsus fixed functional appliance combined with MBT straight-wire appliance. The electromyographic activities of the temporal (T) and masseter (M) muscles before, during and after functional treatment were evaluated by assessing the average integrated electromyogram (EMG) and T/M ratio at clenching status in different mandibular positions.

RESULTSAfter functional forward positioning of the mandible, the electromyographic activities of the temporal and masseter muscles decreased and T/M ratio increased significance at the clenching status (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe appliance insertion and activation is associated with a decreased EMG activity of the temporal and masseter muscles, and the T/M ratio is correlated to the position of the mandible.

Adolescent ; Child ; Electromyography ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Malocclusion, Angle Class II ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Masseter Muscle ; physiopathology ; Orthodontic Appliances ; Retrognathia ; physiopathology ; Temporal Muscle ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo retrospectively analyze the clinical value of diffusion-weighted MR imaging in the detection of prostate cancer in suspected patients.

METHODSBetween January 2009 and December 2010, the 551 patients suspected as prostate cancer underwent prostate biopsy. Patients in group A were accepted to a transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) guided transrectal prostate biopsy (n = 410), while patients in group B were accepted to a diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) and TRUS jointly guided transrectal prostate biopsy (n = 141). The two groups were divided into 4 subgroups by prostate specific antigen (PSA) < 10 µg/L, 10 µg/L ≤ PSA < 20 µg/L, 20 µg/L ≤ PSA < 50 µg/L and PSA ≥ 50 µg/L. Then, the diagnostic rates of prostate biopsy guided by combination of DWI and TRUS with only TRUS were compared.

RESULTSThe diagnostic rate of patients with PSA < 10 µg/L, 10 µg/L ≤ PSA < 20 µg/L, 20 µg/L ≤ PSA < 50 µg/L and PSA ≥ 50 µg/L were 12.1%, 31.1%, 48.0%, 91.2% in group A, and 23.7%, 35.5%, 66.7%, 96.3% in group B, respectively. In the patients with PSA less than 10 µg/L, there were significant differences in diagnostic rate between the two biopsy techniques (χ(2) = 4.405, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe combination of DWI and TRUS showed the potential to guide biopsy to cancer foci in patients suspected as prostate cancer. For patients with PSA < 10 µg/L, a DWI and TRUS jointly guided transrectal prostate biopsy was recommended.

Biopsy, Needle ; methods ; Endosonography ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Prostate ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVEThe progression of prostate cancer (PCa) after endocrine therapy varies widely in different PCa patients. This study aims to analyze the factors that influence the progression-free survival time of PCa patients after endocrine therapy in an attempt to improve the prognosis of the disease.

METHODSWe reviewed the clinicopathological data of 116 cases of prostate cancer treated by endocrine therapy, analyzed the clinicopathological factors that influence the progression-free survival time of PCa patients using univariate (log-rank test) and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models, and investigated the correlation among these factors by Spearman rank correlation analysis.

RESULTSIn the stepwise Cox proportional hazard model, the independent prognostic factors for PCa progression after endocrine therapy were found to be Gleason score (P < 0.01) and clinical stages (P < 0.01). The hazard of PCa progression after endocrine therapy increased 2.126 times that of the baseline for each unit of increase in Gleason score, and 6.625 times for each unit of increase in the clinical stage. The pretreatment PSA level was correlated with both clinical stages (P < 0.01) and Gleason score (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONClinical stages and Gleason score were important factors that influenced the progression-free survival time after endocrine therapy in this cohort of PCa patients.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Disease-Free Survival ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Prostate ; pathology ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; mortality ; pathology ; therapy

The aim of this study was to explore the effect of emodin on lipid accumulation and inflammation in hepatocytes. The cell morphology was observed by microscopy. LDH release was detected by the kit. Levels of intracellular lipid droplets were observed by oil red O staining. The contents of TC and TG in cells were detected by the kit. Western blot was used to determine protein expressions of FASN,SREBF2,APOB,IL-6 and p-NF-κB in hepatocytes. The results showed that the levels of L02 cell LDH were significantly increased after being treated with emodin,and the cells showed shrinkage,volume reduction,decrease in quantity with the increase of dose. Red lipid droplets were observed in L02 hepatocytes. Intracellular TC and TG contents of L02 cell increased in a concentrationdependent manner,with significant differences between medium and high-dose groups( P < 0. 05). Protein expressions of FASN,SREBF2,IL-6 and p-NF-κB were significantly higher than those of the control group,and the expression level of APOB was significantly lower than that of the control group( P<0. 05). In conclusion,emodin could induce lipid accumulation and inflammatory damage in hepatocytes in a dose-dependent manner,which in turn could damage liver cells. This process was related to the up-regulation of FASN,SREBF2,IL-6,p-NF-κB,as well as the down-regulation of the protein expression of APOB.
Apolipoprotein B-100 ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Emodin ; pharmacology ; Fatty Acid Synthase, Type I ; metabolism ; Hepatocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Lipid Metabolism ; Lipids ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 2 ; metabolism

Background: and Purpose Intravenous tenecteplase (TNK) efficacy has not been well demonstrated in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) beyond 4.5 hours after onset. This study aimed to determine the effect of intravenous TNK for AIS within 4.5 to 24 hours of onset. Methods: In this pilot trial, eligible AIS patients with diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI)-fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) mismatch were randomly allocated to intravenous TNK (0.25 mg/kg) or standard care within 4.5–24 hours of onset. The primary endpoint was excellent functional outcome at 90 days (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] score of 0–1). The primary safety endpoint was symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH). Results: Of the randomly assigned 80 patients, the primary endpoint occurred in 52.5% (21/40) of TNK group and 50.0% (20/40) of control group, with no significant difference (unadjusted odds ratio, 1.11; 95% confidence interval 0.46–2.66; P=0.82). More early neurological improvement occurred in TNK group than in control group (11 vs. 3, P=0.03), but no significant differences were found in other secondary endpoints, such as mRS 0–2 at 90 days, shift analysis of mRS at 90 days, and change in National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score at 24 hours and 7 days. There were no cases of sICH in this trial; however, asymptomatic intracranial hemorrhage occurred in 3 of the 40 patients (7.5%) in the TNK group. Conclusion This phase 2, randomized, multicenter study suggests that intravenous TNK within 4.5–24 hours of onset may be safe and feasible in AIS patients with a DWI-FLAIR mismatch.

Resin-containing drugs in Dracaena from four different appearances were analyzed by headspace sampling-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(HS-GC-MS) metabolomics technique and hierarchical clustering analysis(HCA) chemometrics method. This study was to analyze differential volatile components in resin-containing drugs in Dracaena from different appearance and metabolic pathways. The results of partial least squares discriminant analysis(PLS-DA) and HCA analysis indicated that there was little difference in volatile components between fiber-rich sample and hollow cork cambium sample, however, the volatile components in the two samples compared with whole body resin-containing sample and resin-secreting aggregated sample had a large metabolic difference. Twenty differential metabolites were screened by VIP and P values of PLS-DA. The content of these differential metabolites was significantly higher in whole body resin-containing sample and resin-secreting aggregated sample than in fiber-rich sample and hollow cork cambium sample. Sixteen significant metabolic pathways were obtained through enrichment analysis(P<0.05), mainly involved in terpenoids biosynthesis and phenylpropanoid metabolism. This result provided a reference for further study of resin formation mechanism of resin-containing drugs in Dracaena from different appearances. At the same time, it also provided a reference for establishing a multi-index quality evaluation system.
Cluster Analysis ; Discriminant Analysis ; Dracaena ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Resins, Plant

OBJECTIVEThis study was to expand the cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) through inducing the differentiation of umbilical blood monomuclear cells (UBMNC) by using various combination of cytokines, and to investigate the functions of expanded CTL.

METHODSThe MNC were isolated by ficoll density gradient centrifugation. Then, the PHA-P, IFN-γ combined with IL-2, IL-15 and other cytokines were used for induction and expansion of the cord blood-derived CTL. The biological function of CTL was examined by phenotype analysis, cytotoxic tests and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR.

RESULTSAfter expansion for 15 days, the cell number increased by 1522% ± 137%. The content of CD3(-)CD8(-) cells in uncultured cord blood MNC was 95%, and the CD3(+)CD8(+) CTL cells reached 82.77% in cultured cord blood MNC after expansion for 15 days. The expanded CTL cell showed the cytotoxic activity against K562 and HeLa cell line. The killing rate of MNC was 61.88 ± 1.08%. After expansion, the killing rate could reach to 90% with the average value of 90.33 ± 2.02%. The expanded CTL cells highly expressed some key cytokines, such as granzyme A, granzyme B, GM-CSF, granulysin, IFN-γ, TGF-β, TNF-α and perforin. Compared with the control group, the expression of IFN-γ and TGF-β significantly increased (P < 0.05), and the other factors dramatically increased (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe cord blood-derived CTL can be expanded by different combinations of cytokines. These protocols may provide alternative choices for CTL cell expansion in tumor adoptive immunotherapy.

Cytokines ; Fetal Blood ; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; Granzymes ; Histocompatibility Antigens Class I ; Histocompatibility Antigens Class II ; Humans ; Immunotherapy, Adoptive ; Perforin ; Phytohemagglutinins ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at "Zusanli" (ST 36) versus "Yanglingquan" (GB 34) in the pregnant rats on perinatal nicotineexposureinduced lung function and morphology of newborn rats and explore the rule of acupoint effect in EA for the prevention from lung dysplasia in newborn rats. METHODS: A total of 24 female SD rats were randomized into a normal saline group (S group), a nicotine group (N group), a nicotineST 36 group (N + ST 36 group) and a nicotineGB 34 group (N+GB 34 group), 6 rats in each one. Starting at the 6th day of pregnancy, 0.9% sodium chloride solution was injected subcutaneously in the S group, 1 mg/kg; and in the rest 3 groups, nicotine of the same dose was injected through to the 21st postnatal day to establish the perinatal nicotineexposure model. Simultaneously, during model preparation, EA was applied at "Zusanli" (ST 36) and "Yanglingquan" (GB 34) in the N+ST 36 group and the N+GB 34 group respectively, once a day, through to the 21st postnatal day. The lung function analytic system for small animal was adopted to observe the changes in lung function indicators in newborn rats, such as peak inspiratory flow (PIF), peak expiratory flow (PEF), expiratory resistance (RE), inspiratory resistance (RI) and dynamic compliance (Cdyn). HE staining was used to observe the morphological changes of lung, such as alveolar fusion and rupture. RESULTS: Compared with the S group, PEF and Cdyn were lower and PIF, RI and RE higher in the N group (all <0.01), additionally, alveoli were fused and ruptured, alveolar wall thickened, the numbers of alveoli reduced, the interspace of alveoli enlarged and the diameter increased (<0.01). Compared with the N group, in the N+ST 36 group, PEF and Cdyn were increased, PIF, RI and RE reduced (<0.05, <0.01), the alveolar fusion and rupture relieved, the numbers of alveoli increased, alveolar wall thinner, the interpsace of alveoli became normal and the diameter was reduced significantly (<0.01). In the N+GB 34 group, the changes of lung function and morphological indicators were not significant (>0.05). CONCLUSION Electroacupuncture at "Zusanli" (ST 36) in the pregnant rats significantly improves the perinatal nicotineexposureinduced lung function and morphology of newborn rats than electroacupuncture at "Yanglingquan" (GB 34).
Acupuncture Points ; Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Lung ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Nicotine ; toxicity ; Pregnancy ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVE: To develop an automated chimeric analysis and reporting platform based on short tandem repeat (STR) and capillary electrophoresis methods for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) so as to improve work efficiency. METHODS: Apache, MySQL, PHP and HTML5 were used to build the database and interface. The STR locus geno typing and chimeric analysis logic and flow were set up on the basis of STR rules and capillary electrophoresis. STR genotyping and 194 times of chimeric testing data of 100 patients after allo-HSCT were used to test the platform for automatic STR locus genotyping, chimeric calculation and report generation. RESULTS: The established platform could realize the functions of STR locus customization, STR genotype determination, automatic chimeric analysis, and detection information database management, which can automatically generate an integrated report including multiple sequential chimeric results and trend graphs for the same patient and can be accessed and used simultaneously by different users through different browser interfaces. The results of automated analysis by the platform are completely consistent with that of manual analysis by experienced technicians, and the possibility of manual analysis error is reduced through automation. The time required for automatic analysis using this platform is approximately 1/6-1/5 of manual analysis. CONCLUSION The automatic analysis platform built in this study is operation stable and reliable in analysis results, which can improve work efficiency and report connotation, thus worthing popularized and applicable.
Electrophoresis, Capillary ; Genotype ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Humans ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Tissue Donors