Child, Preschool ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular ; complications ; Humans ; Leriche Syndrome ; complications ; Male

Objective To assess the potential clinical signiifcance of myocardial composite index (MCI) in the evaluation of left ventricular myocardial function in breast cancer patients with postoperative chemotherapy by speckle tracking echocardiography (STE). Methods A total of 33 consecutive breast cancer patients with postoperative chemotherapy were prospectively enrolled in Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University, from February 2012 to February 2013. Thirty-six female healthy volunteers were enrolled as the controls. Routine echocardiographic parameters [left ventricular end diastolic volume (EDV), end systolic volume (ESV), interventricular septum thickness at diastole (IVSTd), left ventricular posterior wall thickness (PWTd) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)] were obtained. EDV and ESV were corrected for body surface area, and then end diastolic volume index (EDVI) and end-systolic volume index (ESVI) were calculated. STE-derived parameters [left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS), global radial strain (GRS), left ventricular twist (LVtw) and myocardial composite index (MCI)] were evaluated. All above data were obtained after 5 anthracycline-based chemotherapeutic cycles and compared with baseline measurements in controls respectively. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed to determine optimal sensitivity and specificity of continuous variables for the prediction of future cardiotoxicity. Results (1)Changes in EDV, ESV, IVSTd, PWTd and LVEF showed no significant decreases compared with baseline and controls (F=1.35, 2.04, 1.28, 2.34, 2.16, P > 0.05 for all), while the changes in ESVI and EDVI showed statistically decreases (F=4.73, 6.86, P < 0.05 for all);(2)The changes in EDVI and ESVI showed signiifcant decreases compared with baseline (t=6.10, 5.13, P<0.05 for all) and controls (t=5.26, 4.24, P<0.05 respectively);(3)The change in GRS showed no statistical signiifcance compared with baseline and controls (F=1.23, P>0.05), while change in GLS, LVtw and MCI showed statistical significances compared with baseline and controls (F=4.29, 5.02, 12.35, P<0.05 for all);(4)The changes in GLS, LVtw and MCI showed signiifcant decreases compared with baseline (t=5.33, 13.94, P<0.05 respectively) and controls (t=4.97, 4.46, 7.18, P<0.05 all);(5)The area under receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC) of MCI was 0.894, and its optimal cut-off value was-265.7 (%×degree) with sensitivity of 82.6%and specificity of 78.7%. Conclusion MCI based on STE, combining myocardial strain and cardiac twist, may be an accurate predictor in identifying potential cardiotoxicity in postoperative chemotherapeutic survivors with breast cancer.

Objective To investigate the effects of hypoxia on the features and chemoresistance of cancer stem cells in Hep-2 cells and underlying mechanism. Methods The shRNA interference recombinant plasmid targeting HIF-1α was synthesized and transfected into Hep-2 cells. The HIF-1αknockdown Hep-2 cells were established after clonal selection and the expression of HIF-1α was measured.The cellular features including proliferation,clonal formation,cell cycle,apoptosis and CD133 phenotype were measured in Hep-2 cells cultured under hypoxic condition in vitro. CD133 + cells were sorted from Hep-2 cells with flow cytometry. Clonal formation test and cisplatin treatment were carried out,and theexpressions of related genes( Oct-4,suvivin and p53 ) in CD133 + cells were measured.Results HIF-1αknockdown Hep-2 cells was successfully established,as evidenced by the reduced mRNA and proteinexpressions of HIF-lα. The Hep-2 cells cultured under hypoxic microenvironment showed higher proliferation and clonal formation activity,cell cycle arrest in G0/G1,lower apoptosis,up-regulated CD133,however the effects of hypoxia reduced in HIF-1α knockdown Hep-2 cells.CD133 + cells were successfullysorted from Hep-2 cells,and the CD133+ cells showed increased clonal formation activity and cisplatintreatment resistance in hypoxia. Also the effects of hypoxia on CD133 + cells decreased with HIF-1αknockdown,showing down-regulated Oct-4 and survivin and up-regulated p53.Conclusions Hypoixa caninduce the features of cancer stem cells in Hep-2 cells and increase proliferation,differentiation and chemoresistant ability of CD133 + cells,which might be correlated with the changes in expressions of HIF-1 αand related genes regulated by HIF-1 α.

BACKGROUNDIn addition to the well-known antibodies against human leukocyte antigens (HLA)-induced kidney-graft rejection, polymorphic major-histocompatibility-complex (MHC) class I-related chain A (MICA) antigens can elicit antibodies and have been suggested to play a role in the antibody-mediated allograft rejection (AMR). We carried out a prospective study of MICA antibodies in post-renal transplant patients to determine the association between MICA antibodies, C4d staining, histological features, and graft outcome.

METHODSWe tested 52 patients who had biopsy results due to graft dysfunction. The MICA antibodies in concurrent sera were determined by Luminex. All patients were followed up for one year after renal biopsy. The influence of antibody production on the function of graft was analyzed.

RESULTSAntibodies against MICA were positive in 15 out of the 52 patients (28.9%). The presence of MICA antibodies was associated with renal-allograft deterioration. During one-year follow-up, the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decreased (24.0 ± 3.4)% among recipients with anti-MICA antibodies. However, among recipients without anti-MICA antibodies, the eGFR has declined only (8.4 ± 3.0)% (P = 0.017). The association between C4d staining, histological features and MICA antibody production was found no significant difference.

CONCLUSIONBesides anti-HLA antibodies, the presence of post-transplant MICA antibody is associated with poor graft outcome and increases the risk of graft failure.

Adult ; Antibodies ; blood ; immunology ; Female ; Histocompatibility Antigens Class I ; immunology ; Humans ; Kidney Transplantation ; immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Transplantation, Homologous ; immunology

Objective:To investigate the relationships of C4d,HLA antibody,and MⅠCA antibody with renal pathology.Methods:Totally 52 patients with complete pathological data were included and followed up for one year.The C4d was stained with indirect immunofluorescence,the levels of HLA antibody and MⅠCA antibody in peripheral blood were detected by Luminex method.The relationships of C4d with antibodies in peripheral blood and pathology of renal graft were analyzed,and their influences on renal function were exposed.Results:The positive rate of HLA antibody was 88.9 ％ in cases with positive C4d and 40％ in the cases with negative C4d.The positive rate of HLA antibody was higher in patients with positive C4d than that in patients with negative C4d(P=0.003).The proportion of glomerulitis was higher in cases with positive C4d (P=0.023),and vasculitis and arterial intimal thickening of transplanted renal were more common in cases with positive HLA antibody than those with negative HLA antibody (P＜0.05),while no correlations between histological features and MⅠCA antibody were found.There was no difference in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) between cases with positive and negative C4d,but in patients of positive C4d with positive HLA antibody or MⅠCA antibody,the GFR decreased more remarkably compared with those of single positive C4d (P＜0.05).Conclusions:For patients of acute rejection,positive C4d combined with positive antibodies of HLA and MⅠCA in peripheral blood has better predictive value for graft survival compared with single positive C4d.

Multi-stage countercurrent extraction technology, integrating solvent extraction, repercolation with dynamic and countercurrent extraction, is a novel extraction technology for the traditional Chinese medicine. This solvent-saving, energy-saving and high-extraction-efficiency technology can at the most drive active compounds to diffuse from the herbal materials into the solvent stage by stage by creating concentration differences between the herbal materials and the solvents. This paper reviewed the basic principle, the influence factors and the research progress and trends of the equipments and the application of the multi-stage countercurrent extraction.
Countercurrent Distribution ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; Particle Size ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Solvents ; chemistry ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; instrumentation ; methods ; Temperature ; Time Factors

5' and 3' flanking region of ovine BLG were amplified from sheep genomic DNA according to the published whole sequence of ovine BLG and cloned to pGEM-T vector correspondently. By partially sequencing, the sequences of BLG 5' and 3' flanking were the same as that of publication completely. The recombinant structure used to direct exogenous gene especially to express in mammary gland was constructed by joining 4.2 kb 5' flanking with 2.1 kb 3' flanking. In order to assess the efficiency of BLG regulatory elements, green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene as a reporter was fused with BLG construct and transfected the mammary epithelial cells (TD47). Through observation under UV microscope and detection by fluorometer, it is demonstrated that the GFP has been successfully expressed in TD47 cell line. By virtue of direct observation and quantitative analysis, the BLG-GFP construct can be served as a model for the quick assessment of mammary gland expression construct.
3' Flanking Region ; genetics ; 5' Flanking Region ; genetics ; Animals ; Breast ; cytology ; Cell Line ; Cloning, Molecular ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Genes, Reporter ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; Lactoglobulins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Luminescent Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Sheep

The paper reports the development of a quality evaluation method for Angelica different processed products. The data of high-performance liquid chromatography, water, total ash and extract were analyzed with SPSS Clementine 11.0 software. Discriminant analysis (DA) established the classification model and parameter for Angelica different processed products. Fish's discriminant functions of Angelica different processed products were generated using 8 predictor variables selected from 59 indexes. The correct rate of discriminating back substitution is 96.7%. Angelica different processed products can be accurately and reliably recognized and validated with DA of SPSS Clementine 11.0 software.
Angelica ; chemistry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Data Mining ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; standards ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Software

The high price of the reference substances is an obstacle for the HPLC analysis of Lonicerae Japonicae Flos. To solve this problem, a new method based on the standard reference extract (SRE) was proposed. In this study, the extract of Lonicerae Japonicae Flos was calibrated, and the long-term stability was investigated. Different concentration solutions of SRE were prepared for establishment of the calibration profiles, and 6 organic acids were determined. T-test was used for the comparison of the determination results via reference substances and SRE, and the results demonstrated that there is no significant difference between the two methods. The presented method can be used for the quality control of Lonicerae Japonicae Flos, and will also offer reference to resolve similar problems.
Flowers ; chemistry ; Lonicera ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; standards ; Quality Control ; Reference Standards

OBJECTIVETo investigate the process factors and characteristic of four-effect countercurrent extracting process of Danshensu from Salvia miltiorrhiza. Optimizing the parameters by using regression analysis and principal components analysis (PCA).

METHODApplying the orthogonal design method to optimize the extracting process. The factors of extraction time, solvent volume, extraction temperature and the degree of grinding were considered. And also, the new process was compared with the refluence process.

RESULTThe optimal condition of four-effect countercurrent extraction of Danshensu from S. miltiorrhiza was 1 h extraction time, solvent to sample ratio of 12 mL x g(-1), 80 degrees C , 20 - 40 mesh of particle size. Compared with the refluence process, the countercurrent extracting process has the advantages of higher recovery, less solvent consumption and shorter extraction time.

CONCLUSIONThe four-effect countercurrent extraction process has great advantages and is good for Chinese medicinal materials.

Lactates ; analysis ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Principal Component Analysis ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; chemistry ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods