This study was conducted to investigate the physicochemical properties of Polyporus umbellatus sclerotial exudate. Morphological characteristics of the sclerotia and its exudate were observed during different stages of sclerotial formation. The pH of the exudate was detected at different time during cultivation. A phenol-sulfuric acid method was employed to determine the polysaccharide content of P. umbellatus sclerotial exudate during cultivating time. Additionally, the protein content was measured by means of BCA protein assay. Furthermore, CAT content was detected using ultraviolet absorption method. That the protein content of the exudate and CAT specific activity rose gradually during the passage of the cultivating time indicated a high level of oxidative stress during P. umbellatus sclerotial exudate formation. The results showed that the pH of the exudate increased gradually and then dropped down during sclerotial formation. That the pH of the exudate maintained the acidity state during the cultivation indirectly indicated that acidic environment would help sclerotial formation. The exudate produced gradually and was absorbed by the sclerotia itself.
Culture Media ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Fungal Proteins ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Fungi ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Oxidative Stress ; Polyporus ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Polysaccharides ; chemistry ; metabolism

Benzamides ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; drug therapy ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Erlotinib Hydrochloride ; Humans ; Imatinib Mesylate ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Piperazines ; administration & dosage ; Pyrimidines ; administration & dosage ; Quinazolines ; administration & dosage ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; antagonists & inhibitors

OBJECTIVETo compare the regional load deflection rate (LDR) of multiloop edgewise arch wire (MEAW) of three dimensions with coupled use of two dimension brackets in the individual interbracket span, to understand the mechanical properties of MEAW.

METHODSThe MEAW arch wires of stainless steel of three dimensions, 0.41 mm x 0.56 mm, 0.43 mm x 0.64 mm and 0.46 mm x 0.64 mm, were bent into single L-loop. The study was performed with the coupled use of 0.41 mm x 0.56 mm wires with 0.46 mm x 0.64 mm bracket (A bracket) and 0.43 mm x 0.64 mm, 0.46 mm x 0.64 mm wires with 0.56 mm x 0.71 mm bracket (B bracket). The LDR of each L-loop at the individual interbracket span when loading and unloading was measured. The data were analysed by SPSS 11.0.

RESULTSCompared the regional LDR for the couple of 0.41 mm x 0.56 mm L-loop with A bracket with those for the couple of 0.43 mm x 0.64 mm L-loop with B bracket, the former showed lower value than the latter at regions between the upper central and lateral incisor, the lower central and lateral incisor, and between the lower lateral incisor and canine (P < 0.05). For the rest regions, the two couples exhibited similar value to the regional LDR (P > 0.05). The regional LDR for the couple of 0.41 mm x 0.56 mm L-loop with A bracket were lower at all regions than those for the couple of 0.46 mm x 0.64 mm L-loop with B bracket (P < 0.05) except that at the region between the lower first and second molars which showed similar value between the two couples.

CONCLUSIONThe coupled use of B bracket with 0.43 mm x 0.64 mm MEAW arch wire and A bracket with 0.41 mm x 0.56 mm MEAW arch wire exhibited similar mechanical properties.

Humans ; Molar ; Orthodontic Brackets ; Orthodontic Wires ; Stainless Steel

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the expression and clinical significance of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in patients with bladder urothelial cell carcinoma.

METHODSImmunohistochemical staining for MIF was performed on tissue sections of 110 patients with bladder urothelial cell carcinoma and 10 normal controls, and the correlations between MIF and clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis were also analyzed.

RESULTSNormal bladder urothelium from control subjects showed negative or weak staining of MIF. Of the cancer specimens, 72/110 (65.5%) showed a moderate to strong staining of MIF. The expression of MIF protein was found predominantly in the tumor cell cytoplasm and inversely correlated with tumor stage. 27 cases also showed a positive intranuclear staining of MIF, which was inversely correlated with tumor grade, stage and tumor size. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the expression of MIF in the cell nuclei was associated with disease-free survival for the cancer patients, but multivariate analysis showed that MIF was not an independent prognostic factors.

CONCLUSIONSThe expression of MIF in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer tissues was more frequently than that in muscle-invasive disease, the positive staining of MIF in cell nuclei might be a favorable biomarker for patients with bladder urothelial cell carcinoma.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Transitional Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Cystectomy ; methods ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intramolecular Oxidoreductases ; metabolism ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Grading ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Urinary Bladder ; metabolism ; pathology ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery

BACKGROUNDMost cardiac regenerative approaches can restore injured heart muscles. In this study, we investigated if fibrin sealant could help neonatal cardiomyocytes restore myocardial function in a rat model of myocardial infarction.

METHODSThe left anterior descending artery in adult female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats was ligated to make a myocardial infarction model. Neonatal ventricular cardiomyocytes from one-day male SD rats were isolated, labeled and cultured. The cells were injected into the infarcted area three weeks later. The animals were randomized into four recipient groups: (1) cardiomyocytes plus fibrin sealant (group CF, n = 10); (2) cardiomyocytes alone (group C, n = 10); (3) fibrin sealant recipients alone (group F, n = 10); (4) control group (n = 10). Four weeks after transplantation, echocardiography and Langerdoff model were used to assess heart function. Immunohistochemical staining and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were performed to track the implanted cardiomyocytes and detect the sex-determining region Y gene on Y chromosome.

RESULTSEchocardiography showed the fraction shortening (FS) in groups CF, C, F and control group was (27.80 +/- 6.32)%, (22.29 +/- 4.54)%, (19.24 +/- 6.29)% and (20.36 +/- 3.29)% respectively with statistically significant differences in group CF compared with the other groups (P < 0.05). The Langendoff model revealed that the left ventricular development of peak pressure (LVDPmax, mmHg) in groups CF, C, F and control group was 104.81 +/- 17.05, 80.97 +/- 21.60, 72.07 +/- 26.17 and 71.42 +/- 17.55 respectively with statistically significant differences in group CF compared with the other groups (P < 0.05). Pathological examination and PCR indicated that transplanted cardiomyocytes in group CF survived better than those in the other groups.

CONCLUSIONTransplanted neonatal cardiomyocytes plus fibrin sealant can survive in myocardial infarctioned area and improve heart function greatly in rat models.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Cell Transplantation ; methods ; Cells, Cultured ; Disease Models, Animal ; Echocardiography ; Embryonic Stem Cells ; transplantation ; Female ; Fibrin Tissue Adhesive ; therapeutic use ; Heart ; physiopathology ; Myocardial Infarction ; pathology ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; transplantation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

BACKGROUND: The quality of chest compressions can be significantly improved after training of rescuers according to the latest national guidelines of China. However, rescuers may be unable to maintain adequate compression or ventilation throughout a response of average emergency medical services because of increased rescuer fatigue. In the present study, we evaluated the performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in training of military medical university students during a prolonged basic life support (BLS). METHODS: A 3-hour BLS training was given to 120 military medical university students. Six months after the training, 115 students performed single rescuer BLS on a manikin for 8 minutes. The qualities of chest compressions as well as ventilations were assessed. RESULTS: The average compression depth and rate were 53.7±5.3 mm and 135.1±15.7 compressions per minute respectively. The proportion of chest compressions with appropriate depth was 71.7％±28.4％. The average ventilation volume was 847.2±260.4 mL and the proportion of students with adequate ventilation was 63.5％. Compared with male students, significantly lower compression depth (46.7±4.8 vs. 54.6±4.8 mm,P<0.001) and adequate compression rate (35.5％±26.5％ vs. 76.1％±25.1％,P<0.001) were observed in female students. CONCLUSIONS: CPR was found to be related to gender, body weight, and body mass index of students in this study. The quality of chest compressions was well maintained in male students during 8 minutes of conventional CPR but declined rapidly in female students after 2 minutes according to the latest national guidelines. Physical fitness and rescuer fatigue did not affect the quality of ventilation.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and side effects of oral Fructus bruceae oil combined with radiotherapy in the treatment of esophageal cancer.

METHODSA total of 80 patients with esophageal cancer were equally and randomly divided into two groups. The patients in Group A were treated with radiotherapy (60-65 Gy, 6-7 weeks) and oral Fructus bruceae oil (20 mL, 3 times per day for 12 weeks), while the patients in Group B were treated with radiotherapy alone. The short-term effect was evaluated by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) and quality of life (QOL) was evaluated by the Karnofsky scoring (KFS). The outcome measures included complete remission (CR) rate, partial remission (PR) rate, effective rate as CR+PR, patients' QOL and adverse effects.

RESULTSAfter 12-week treatment, the CR and CR+PR were significantly higher in Group A than those in Group B (P <0.05). There was an improvement in esophageal obstruction of 87.5% and 60.0%, respectively, and in KFS of 84.6% and 43.9%, respectively, in Groups A and B.

CONCLUSIONOral medication with oral Fructus bruceae oil could effectively improve the efficacy of radiotherapy in esophageal cancer, including a reduction in esophageal obstruction, and also reduce the side effects of radiotherapy; thus it would be very promising for clinical application.

Administration, Oral ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; radiotherapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Quassia ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo summarize the experience in diagnosis and treatment of primary tracheal tumors, and to improve the life quality of patients.

METHODSSixty-three patients with primary tracheal tumors treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University during the past 40 years were included in this study, among them, there were 42 cases of malignant tumors and 21 cases of benign tumors. The 61 patients underwent surgery including tracheal sleeve resection (22), carinal resection and reconstruction (6), semi-carinal resection and reconstruction (6), tracheal resection for tracheal tumors (17); tracheostomy (4), tracheal resection, partial resection of the thyroid (goiter) and esophagomyotomy (1), tracheal tumor resection and vertical hemilaryngectomy with reconstruction of laryngeal ventricle and trachea by sternocleidomastoid flap (2), cervical trachea and laryngeal resection (1), and carinal scrape (2).

RESULTSFifty-five patients had an uneventful recovery. Eight patients suffered from postoperative complications, among them 3 patients died postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONSPrimary tracheal tumors often present atypical symptoms, are easily misdiagnosed and with poor prognosis. The main aim of treatment remains to remove the airway obstruction.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Chondroma ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Papilloma ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Postoperative Complications ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Survival Rate ; Tracheal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Tracheotomy ; methods ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of RKIP, p65 and pERK in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and theIr correlation with invasion and metastasis of HCC.

METHODSReverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of RKIP mRNA. The expression levels of RKIP, p65 and pERK proteins in HCC tumor and peritumoral tissues were determined by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. Statistical analysis was performed to determine the relationship between their expression and clinicopathological parameters.

RESULTSRKIP protein expression level (RKIP/actin) was 0.579 ± 0.380 in HCCs, 1.178 ± 0.659 in peritumoral tissues and 1.115 ± 0.442 in normal liver tissues. The pERK protein level was 1.023 ± 0.478, 0.605 ± 0.367 and 0.461 ± 0.293, p65 protein level was 0.83 ± 0.376, 0.63 ± 0.337 and 0.466 ± 0.345, respectively. Immunohistochemistry analysis showed that the RKIP positive rates in HCCs, peritumoral tissues and normal liver tissues, were 22.2%, 86.0%, and 93.8%, positive rates of p65 were 73.6%, 56.0% and 37.5%, positive rates of pERK were 65.3%, 38.0% and 31.3%, respectively. Statistical analysis revealed that there was a significant difference in RKIP protein expression levels (P < 0.05), but no significant difference in RKIP mRNA expression levels (P > 0.05) among HCC tumors, peritumoral tissues and normal liver tissues. The p65-positive and pERK-positive rates were higher in tumor tissues than that in peritumoral tissues and in normal liver tissues (P < 0.05), but RKIP-positive rates were lower in tumor tissues than that in paritumoral tissues and normal liver tissues (P < 0.05). RKIP protein expression levels were significantly lower in HCCs with intrahepatic or lymphatic metastasis than that in without. The RKIP positive rates in moderately and well differentiated HCCs were significantly higher than that in poorly differentiated HCCs. There was a relationship between RKIP and pERK expressions (P = 0.04), but RKIP expression was not correlated with p65 expression in HCCs (P = 0.143).

CONCLUSIONSOur findings indicate that the down-regulation of RKIP expression may serve as a predictive marker for HCC development, progression and metastasis, which may contribute to the elevated ERK activity. The inhibiting effect of RKIP on invasion and metastasis of liver cancer cells may be due to the down-regulation of pERK expression rather than p65 expression.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Down-Regulation ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases ; metabolism ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Liver ; metabolism ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Phosphatidylethanolamine Binding Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Phosphorylation ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Transcription Factor RelA ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of magnetic Twin-block appliance in the treatment of skeletal class II cases.

METHODSThe magnetic Twin-block appliance was embedded with two pairs of neodymium-iron-boron (Nd(2)Fe(14)B) rare earth permanent magnets in the upper and lower inclined planes of Twin-block appliance. The sample comprised of 13 skeletal class II patients in the late mixed or early permanent dentition treated by magnetic Twin-block appliance. Cephalometric films were taken before and after treatment. Helix CT images of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in all patients were examined before treatment (T1), during treatment (4 months after appliance placement, T2), after treatment (T3) and one year after treatment (T4).

RESULTSA double contour image was detected in the superior posterior part of the condylar head on the pseudo-sagittal reconstruction plane pictures of T2 in 11 patients. The double contour image could be observed in most patients as well. This image also exhibited on the pictures of T3 in several patients. On the pictures of T2 and T3 in some patients, interruption of cortical bone and "bifurcation phenomenon" of condyles were shown. Pictures of T1 and T4 were similar and no signs of remodeling of TMJ were observed. Cephalometric analysis revealed significant changes in the maxillofacial structure after treatment. The profile of patients improved.

CONCLUSIONSBone remodeling of condyle occurred during the magnetic Twin-block treatment in class II patients. Magnetic Twin-block appliance was effective in the treatment of the growing skeletal class II patients.

Adolescent ; Bone Remodeling ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetics ; Male ; Malocclusion, Angle Class II ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Mandibular Condyle ; physiopathology ; Orthodontic Appliances ; Orthodontics, Corrective ; instrumentation ; Treatment Outcome