To develop a cell-penetrating chimeric apoptotic peptide AVPI-LMWP/DNA co-delivery system for cancer therapy, we prepared the AVPI-LMWP/pTRAIL self-assembled complexes containing a therapeutic combination of peptide drug AVPI and DNA drug TRAIL. The chimeric apoptotic peptide AVPI-LMWP was synthesized using the standard solid-phase synthesis. The cationic AVPI-LMWP could condense pTRAIL by electrostatic interaction. The physical-chemical properties of the AVPI-LMWP/pTRAIL complexes were characterized. The cellular uptake efficiency and the inhibitory activity of the AVPI-LMWP/pTRAIL complexes on tumor cell were also performed. The results showed that the AVPI-LMWP/pTRAIL complexes were successfully prepared by co-incubation. With the increase of mass ratio (AVPI-LMWP/DNA), the particle size was decreased and the zeta potential had few change. Agarose gel electrophoresis showed that AVPI-LMWP could fully bind and condense pTRAIL at a mass ratio above 15:1. Cellular uptake efficiency was improved along with the increased ratio of W(AVPI-LMWP)/WpTRAIL. The in vitro cytotoxicity experiments demonstrated that the AVPI-LMWP/pTRAIL (W:W = 20:1) complexes was significantly more effective than the pTRAIL, AVPI-LMWP alone or LMWP/pTRAIL complexes on inhibition of HeLa cell growth. Our studies indicated that the AVPI-LMWP/pTRAIL co-delivery system could deliver plasmid into HeLa cell and induce tumor cell apoptosis efficiently, which showed its potential in cancer therapy using combination of apoptoic peptide and gene drugs.
Antineoplastic Agents ; chemistry ; Cell-Penetrating Peptides ; chemistry ; DNA ; chemistry ; Drug Delivery Systems ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Particle Size ; Plasmids

Objective To probe the clinic significance ofintraopcrative ultrasonography in brain tumor resection. Methods The intraoperative ultrasonography, adopted in the brain tumor resection of 29 cases, assisted the brain mantle operative approach and the rumor resection monitoring through acquiring the tumors' position, the hemisphere, the internal structure and the adjoining with blood vessels.After the operation, ultrasonography was performed again to observe the tumor surviving. Results The tumor detection rate with intraoperative ultrasound in 29 cases was 100% and best approach was chosen to accurately locate the tumor according to the tumors' position and the hemisphere. Meningiomas got abundant blood supply and were often closely correlated to the sinuses, therefore, preoperative detections of the blood supply and the possible erosion of the sinus wall of meningiomas was performed to provide basis for rapid repair and to shorten the operation time. Repeated detection on the surgery hemisphere and residue detection were performed to help maximize the glioma resection, particularly the functional glioma resection. Conclusion Preoperative color Doppler ultrasound can accurately locate tumor tissue, suggesting the best surgical approach; intraoperative ultrasonography, assisting in the resection of brain tumors, can improve the operation safty and decrease the happening of trauma.

OBJECTIVETo explore the association of the Thr241Met polymorphism of X-ray cross-complementing group 3 (XRCC3) gene with genetic susceptibility to aflatoxin B1(AFB-1)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)in Guangxi population.

METHODSWe conducted a hospital-based case-control study, including 257 HCC cases and 711 controls without cancers or liver diseases. The XRCC3 Thr241Met polymorphism was analyzed by PCR.

RESULTSThe XRCC3 genotypes XRCC3-Thr/Met or XRCC3-Met/Met were related with an elevated risk of HCC. The risk of HCC was associated with the number of mutant Met copies (adjusted OR were 2.20 and 8.56 for XRCC3-Thr/Met and Met/Met, respectively); moreover, there seemed to be combined effects for HCC risk between the variant genotypes and AFB1-DNA adduct levels from peripheral blood leukocytes (adjusted OR was 2.34 to 20.44, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThese results suggested that XRCC3 polymorphism may be associated with the risk of AFB1- related HCC among the Guangxi population, and interacts with AFB1 exposure in the development of HCC induced by AFB1.

Aflatoxin B1 ; toxicity ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; chemically induced ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; genetics

To evaluate flow-cytometry and Nageotte method for counting residual WBC in thrombocytaphoresis concentrates, their accuracies were determined by dilution studies separately; the repeatability was determined by measuring the interassay coefficient of variation for 14 replicates of a sample with known leukocyte concentration. 102 samples of leukocyte-depleted thrombocytaphoresis concentrates were detected by the above mentioned two methods, and the results were compared each other. The results showed that no difference was observed between two methods over a range of leukocyte concentrations from 0.8 to 10 WBC/microl (P > 0.05). In conclusion, flow-cytometry and Nageotte methods can be used for quality control of WBC-reduced blood components.
Blood Component Transfusion ; Evaluation Studies as Topic ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Leukocyte Count ; methods ; Leukocyte Reduction Procedures ; methods ; Plateletpheresis

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect of scalp electroacupuncture on Parkinson disease (PD) of grade 1.5-3.0 on Hoehn-Yahr scale.

METHODSThirty patients with Parkinson disease were randomized equally into the treatment group and control group. Patients in the treatment group were treated by scalp eletroacupuncture at the contralateral points of MS6, MS4, MS8, MS9 and MS14 in cases of unilateral lesions or at the bilateral points for bilateral lesions, with also medication with Madopar. The patients in the control group were given Madopar only. The scores of Webster scale and the motor function of United Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) were used to for assessment before and after the therapeutic course (6 weeks).

RESULTSTremor, rigidity and bradykinesia were obviously improved in both the groups (P<0.05). The difference in the score of Webster scale was not significant between the two groups (P>0.05), but the treatment group showed greater improvement in motor functions than the control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONScalp electroacupuncture is effective and safe for therapy of Parkinson disease.

Aged ; Electroacupuncture ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Parkinson Disease ; therapy ; Scalp

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical characteristics of ceftriaxone-associated biliary pseudolithiasis in children with renal diseases.

METHODThree children with renal diseases developed biliary pseudolithiasis when they were treated with ceftriaxone. Their clinical and laboratory data were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSCase one was an 11-year-old boy. The initial diagnosis was primary nephrotic syndrome. Ceftriaxone was administered intravenously at a dose of 2 g/d [50 mg/(kg * d)] for gastroenteritis. After that the boy complained of nausea and loss of appetite. Abdominal sonogram obtained on day 3 of ceftriaxone therapy revealed gallbladder sludge. After cessation of ceftriaxone treatment, symptoms and ultrasound abnormalities gradually disappeared, with complete sonographic resolution after 16 days. Case two was a 10-year-old boy. The primary diagnosis was post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis with acute renal failure. The child was treated with 1.5 g/d [30 mg/(kg * d)] intravenous ceftriaxone for gastroenteritis. After that, the boy complained of nausea and abdominal pain with positive Murphy's sign. Gallstone was detected by ultrasonographic examination on day 6 of ceftriaxone therapy. After cessation of ceftriaxone treatment, symptoms and sonographic abnormalities gradually disappeared, with complete sonographic resolution after 18 days. Case three was a 12-year-old boy. The primary diagnosis was nephrotic syndrome. He was treated with 2 g/d [40 mg/(kg.d)] ceftriaxone for gastroenteritis. Gallbladder lithiasis was detected 17 days after the initiation of ceftriaxone therapy (3 days after cessation of ceftriaxone treatment). Gallbladder sonogram was found to be normal two months after the discontinuation of the therapy.

CONCLUSIONSBiliary pseudolithiasis occurred in 3 cases with renal diseases receiving low doses of ceftriaxone. The risk of developing ceftriaxone-associated biliary pseudolithiasis might increase in patients with renal diseases who are treated with ceftriaxone.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Ceftriaxone ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Cholecystolithiasis ; chemically induced ; Humans ; Kidney Diseases ; complications ; drug therapy ; Male ; Retrospective Studies

Purpose: To evaluate the use of signal intensity index (SII) of skull-base invasion in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), select a best cut-off SII value to predict the outcome of NPC. Materials and Methods: One hundred and twenty-two NPC patients (92 men, 30 women) with skull-base invasion were included. All patients underwent MRI, signal intensities on T1-weighted imaging (T1WI) were measured for each invaded site and its contralateral normal counterpart. The SIIs were calculated, receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed. The optimal cut-off values were extracted. The overall survival (OS) rates of 5-year follow-up were performed. Results: Sensitivities for differentiating skull-base invasion from normal contralateral anatomy were 98.9%, 88.5% and 70.0%, and specificities were 98.9%, 96.0% and 74.4%, respectively. There were three cut-off values for differentiating invasion from normal anatomy of skull-base, 49%, 98%, and 60%. Significant difference in OS rates (84.2% vs. 57.1%, p=0.007) was seen for SII threshold values > 60% and those ≤ 60%. Conclusions: The SII might be a useful means of differentiating invasion from normal tissue at the skull-base in NPC. The cut-off value of quantitative SII at the skull-base may aid in monitoring the response to treatment of NPC patients.

Objective To investigate the neutralized antibody level of poliomyelitis among healthy children before and after implementation of the new immunization strategy in Shanghai. Methods The poliomyelitis levels of healthy children were detected by neutralization test of the micro cells. Results The neutralizing antibody positive rates were 100% for polioⅠand polioⅢ before and after implementation of the new immunization strategy.GMTs (geometric mean titers) for polioⅠwere 1:1 047.46 before it, and 1:254.70 after it; those for polio Ⅲ were 1:513.52 before it and 1:185.49 after it. Conclusion The neutralized antibody levels of the poliomyelitis among healthy infants maintain a high level before and after implementing the new immunization strategy in Shanghai.

Objective To investigate the design,incisional method and clinical experiences of using the mi cro-dissected polyfoliate anterolateral thigh perforator flap to repair of complex soft tissue defect in extremities.Methods From June,2017 to September,2018,12 cases of different kinds of complex soft tissue defect in extremities were repaired by micro-dissected free polyfoliate anterolateral thigh perforator flap.Each flap was divided into two cutaneous perforators to give two separate flap with a common vascular supply.The flaps were cut from the superficial layer of the deep cervical fesciae and without fascia lata.The donor sites were treated by subcutaneous cosmetic suture.Patients were followed-up by outpatient service,telephone and WeChat video to observe and record the flap's appearance,sensory recovery,extremities function and the scars of the donor site to evaluate its clinical efficacy.Results All flaps survived without vascular crisis happened except one-leaf necrosis occurred,which healed with local flap transferring.The donor sites remained linear scars.The mean flap thickness of this group after micro-dissection was (4.5±0.5) mm.All the patients were followed-up for 5-15 months.The 2 point discrimination ranged between 0.5-2.0 cm.Sensory restoration ranking was S3-S3+.The range of montion of wrist joint was 65°-90°,and that of ankle joint was 40°-60°.Conclusion The micro-dissected polyfoliate anterolateral thigh perforator flap is an ideal method for complex and irregular multiple sites soft tissue defect in extremities as it can keep good economic benefit and minimal damage to the donor site.

OBJECTIVEThe choice of surgical approaches for salvage surgery based on the location and invasion of recurrent and residual lesions of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), surgical results, complications, and survival were assessed.

METHODSThirty-seven cases with recurrent and residual lesions of NPC underwent salvage surgery between March 1991 and January 2005 were analysed retrospectively. Of 37 patients, 23 were men and 14 women, with a median age of 46.5 years (26 - 57 years); 4 were at stage I, 10 at stage II, 14 at stage III, and 9 at stage IV; 5 cases were with cervical metastasis, including 3 cases of N1 and 2 cases N2. All recurrent and residual lesions of NPC were determined by biopsy. On the location and invasion of recurrent and residual lesions of NPC, 8 cases underwent endoscopic resection of lesions, 12 cases of the palate nasopharyngectomy, 5 cases of maxillary swing, 4 cases of maxillary swing plus prerenal approach, 2 cases of lateral rhinotomy plus coronal flap approach, and 6 cases transfacial plus nasal pyramid swing approach. Five cases with cervical metastasis received neck dissection in addition to the operations for recurrent and residual lesions of NPC. Postoperatively 31 cases received radiotherapy with dosage of 60 Gy, among them 15 cases with concurrent chemoradiation therapy, and 6 cases with clear surgical margin did not received radiotherapy or chemotherapy. The cases were followed up for 12 - 72 months, with a median of 45 months.

RESULTSTotal resection for the recurrent and residual lesions of NPC accounted for 91.8% (34/37) and subtotal resection for 8.2% (3/37). The accident of perioperative complications was 24.3% (9/37). The 3- and 5-year overall disease-free survival rates (DFSR) were 62.1% and 43.3%, respectively. The 3- and 5-year overall survival rates (OSR) were 72.9% and 51.3%, respectively. The 5 year DFSR of cases at stage I-IV were 100%, 40%, 28% and 11% (χ(2) = 10.0, P < 0.01), respectively. The 5 year OSR were 100%, 70%, 35% and 28% (χ(2) = 11.5, P < 0.01), respectively.

CONCLUSIONSSalvage surgery is a justified treatment for the recurrent and residual lesions of NPC, by which some patients with recurrent and residual lesions of NPC can be salvaged.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; surgery ; Neoplasm Staging ; Neoplasm, Residual ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Salvage Therapy ; methods