Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; surgery ; Esophagus ; surgery ; Humans ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Laryngectomy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phonation ; Postoperative Period ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Speech, Alaryngeal ; Trachea ; surgery

Objective To investigate the effect of insulin on D_5 dopamine receptor expression and function in renal proximal tubule (RPT).Methods Immortalized RPT cells and D_5 receptor transfected HEK293 (HEK-D_5) cells were used in the study to investigate the effect of insulin on D_5 receptor expression and function,and those effects were compared in RPT cells from Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The function of D_5 receptor was determined by measurement of the Na~+-K~+-ATPase activity in HEK-D_5 cells. Results Insulin increased D_5 receptor protein expression in a concentration and time-dependent manner in WKY RPT cells,but not in SHR.The basal level of D_5 receptor expression was higher in WKY cells than that in SHR cells. Stimulation with fenoldopam(D_1-like dopamine receptor agonist) inhibited the Na~+-K~+-ATPase activity;pretreat- ment with insulin increased the inhibitory effect of fenoldopam on Na~+-K~+-ATPase activity in HEK-D_5 cells. Conclusion The abnormal regulation of insulin on D_5 receptor expression and function might be involved in the path- ogenesis of essential hypertension.

To investigate the effect and possible mechanism of echinacoside-containing serum on the osteogenic differentiation in rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. Rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were cultivated by the whole bone marrow adherence method. The 3rd generation of cells were divided into 3 groups: the blank control group, the classic osteogenic-induced group and the 10% echinacoside-containing serum group. The expression of alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin were detected by ELISA. The ex- pression of ZHX, protein was detected by Western blot technique. RT-PCR technique was used to detect the expression of ZHX₃mRNA. According to the result, the expressions of the alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin in the classic osteogenic-induced group and the 10% echinacoside-containing serum group were significantly higher than that of the blank control group (P <0. 01). And expressions of the alkaline phosphatase activity and osteocalcin in the 10% echinacoside-containing serum group were significantly higher than that in the classic osteogenic-induced group (P < 0.01). Meanwhile, the classic osteogenic-induced group and the 10% echinacoside-containing serum group showed obviously higher ZHX₃ protain and mRNA expression than that of the black control group, with significant differences (P < 0.01); the 10% echinacoside-containing serum group showed obviously higher ZHX₃ protain and mRNA expression than that of the classic osteogenic-induced group, with a significant difference (P < 0.01). In conclusion, 10% echinacoside-containing serum can promote the differentiation of the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells cultured in vitro. Its mechanism may be correlated with the increase in the ZHX₃expression.
Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Female ; Glycosides ; blood ; pharmacology ; Homeodomain Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Osteogenesis ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Serum ; chemistry ; Transcription Factors ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo seek for a good therapy for childhood hyperkinetic syndrome (CHS).

METHODSTwo hundred and ten patients of CHS were randomly divided into three groups, the Yizhi mixture (YZM) group, the Ritalin group and the combined treated group, 70 in each group. They were treated with YZM alone, Ritalin alone and combined YZM and Ritalin respectively for 12 weeks. The effect was assessed by Conners' questionnaire for hyperkinetic scoring, Achenbach's questionnaire for behavior estimation, clinical general image questionnaire and Tess's questionnaire before and after treatment.

RESULTSThe total effective rate in the YZM group, Ritalin group and combined treated group was 75.7%, 74.2% and 82.8% respectively, and the markedly effective rate in the three groups was 44.3%, 45.7% and 80.0% respectively. By chi 2 test, comparison among the three groups showed that the difference of the total effective rate was insignificant, while that of the markedly effective rate was significant (chi 2 = 23.31, P < 0.01). Further analysis conducted by partitioning method to make comparison between each two groups showed that the markedly effective rate was significantly higher in the combined treated group than that in the YZM group (chi 2 = 18.98, P < 0.01) and in the Ritalin group (chi 2 = 17.62, P < 0.01). The low hyperkinetic score, behavior score, achievement of Chinese and mathematics in the CHS patients were improved after treatment, the improvements were significantly higher in the combined treated group than those in the other two groups (P < 0.05, by q-test). Moreover, the soft nerve signs and abnormal encephalogram were significantly improved in the combined treated and the YZM groups, and the side-effect occurred in the two groups was less than that in the Ritalin group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe therapeutic effect of combined treatment of YZM and Ritalin was better than that of YZM or Ritalin alone.

Adolescent ; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity ; drug therapy ; Central Nervous System Stimulants ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Methylphenidate ; therapeutic use ; Phytotherapy

Objective:To investigate the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-2α (HIF-2α)in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)tissue,and to analyze its relationships with angiogenesis,cell proliferation and chemotherapy resistance. Methods: Total 112 cases of NSCLC and 20 cases of normal lung tissues were selected, immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expressions of HIF-2α,CD31,Ki67 and GST-π in 112 cases of cancer tissue and 20 cases of normal lung tissue,and the correlations of HIF-2α expression with microvessel density (MVD),Ki67, and GST-π were analyzed.Results:The positive expression rate of HIF-2α in NSCLC tissue was significantly higher than that in normal lung tissue (P < 0.05 ), the expression rate of HIF-2α in 112 cases of NSCLC was 47.3% (53/112).The MVD in HIF-2α protein high expression NSCLC group (31.1 ± 14.7)was higher than that in HIF-2αprotein low expression NSCLC group (24.3±15.8)(P <0.05).The cases of high expression of Ki67 in HIF-2αhigh expression group occupied 54.7% (29/53),and it was higher than that in HIF-2αlow expression group (16/59,27.1%);there was significant difference (r = 0.281,P = 0.003).The high expression of HIF-2α had no obvious correlation with the expression of GST-π (r = 0.122,P = 0.202). Conclusion:HIF-2αmay play an important role in the carcinogenesis and development of NSCLC by promoting the angiogenesis and enhancing the cell proliferation of NSCLC,but it may have no correlation with chemotherapy resistance.

To explore the epidemiological character of Methicillin-resistant Stapkylococcus aureus (MRSA) by the phenotyping and genotyping motheds and to investgate the source, transmission, and the spread of nosocomial MRSA infection, consequently, reducing the nosocomial infection of MRSA. In this study, 19 MRSA strains were isolated from patients and environment in a hospital in two months. Patterns of resistantce against 16 antimicrobial agents and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis ( PFGE) of these strains were analyzed to find the relationship among those isolates Clustering analysis was made from the patterns. Some isolates with high homology was found in 19 MRSA, 11 of them belong to type A, and 8 of them belong to the same subtype A1. They were endemic in burn ward, oncological ward and ICU. In addition, 4 isolates were clustered into group B, all found in the same ward of burn unit Thus, our results indicated a outbreak of MRSA ( A type) in this hospital and the potential prevalence of MRSA (B type) , which might be mediated by health care stuff. It is essential to enhance the infection control implementation and to utilize the PFGE genotyping system for the real-time surveillance of MRSA.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the contribution of latent membrane protein (LMP)1 to nasopharyngeal carcinogenesis via Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway.

METHODSThe recombinant plasmid pHA2-LMP1 was constructed; immunofluorescence staining, Dual-Luciferase Reporter Assay, Western blot and immunohistochemistry staining were used to study the effect of LMP1 on the transcriptional activity and expression of β-catenin.

RESULTS(1) Abnormal expression of β-catenin was obtained in 38 cases (50.7%, 38/75), LMP1 expression was obtained in 38 cases (50.7%, 38/75). There was significantly positive correlation between LMP1 expression and abnormal expression of β-catenin in nasopharyngeal carcinoma tissue (P = 0.008). (2) The expression of β-catenin in nuclei of NPC cell line CNE1 and CNE2 transfected with pHA2-LMP1 plasmid dramatically increased, and the expression was remarkable in poorly-differentiated NPC cell line CNE2 than that of well-differentiated CNE1 cells. (3) LMP1 expression dramatically increased the transcriptional activity of β-catenin in CNE1 and CNE2 cells transfected with pHA2-LMP1 and was in a time-dependent. The transcriptional activity of β-catenin was higher in poorly-defferentiated cell line CNE2 than that of well-differentiated NPC cell line CNE1. (4) LMP1 expression did not affect the total protein expression level of β-catenin in both CNE1 and CNE2 cell lines.

CONCLUSIONEB virus-encoded LMP1 may be involved in the pathogenesis of NPC via β-catenin signal pathway.

Adult ; Aged ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Plasmids ; Recombinant Proteins ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Transcriptional Activation ; Transfection ; Viral Matrix Proteins ; metabolism ; Wnt Proteins ; metabolism ; Young Adult ; beta Catenin ; metabolism

Objective To evaluate the prognostic value of serial 18F-fluorodeexyglucose (FDG) PET/CT in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).Methods Thirty-seven NPC patients who had 18F-FDG PET/CT scan before and after external beam intensity-modulated radiotherapy, were studied retrospectively.All patients were followed for five years.Correlation analysis between metabolic tumor volume (MTV)/uptake volume index (UVI) and survival was performed by Kaplan-Meier analysis, Log-rank test and multivariate Cox model.Results The 5-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rates were 70.3% (26/37) and 62.2% ( 23/37 ), respectively.Patients with a lower MTV (MTV＜30 cm3) had significantly higher 5-year OS ( 82.6% ( 19/23 ) ) and DFS (73.9% ( 17/23 )) rates than those with a higher MTV (OS:50.0% (7/14),x2 =5.28, P＜0.05; DFS:42.9% (6/14),x2 =4.84, P＜0.05).Patients with a lower UV1 (UVI＜150) had significantly higher 5-year OS( 87.5%( 21/24 )) and DFS (79.2% (19/24)) rates than those with a higher UVI (OS:38.5% (5/13),x2 =10.72, P＜0.01;DFS:30.8% (4/13), x2 =11.04, P＜0.01).Multivariate analysis showed that UVI and metabolic response (MR) were independent predictors of DFS.Conclusions Tumor volume parameters, UVI and MR, are independent prognostic factors for patients with NPC.Patients with a high UVI may benefit from more aggressive treatment.

OBJECTIVETo compare the clinical efficacy of 3 different treatment programs for oligospermia patients of Shen-essence deficiency syndrome (SEDS).

METHODSTotally 450 male patients were randomly assigned to 3 groups, i.e., the treatment group, the control group 1, and the control group 2, 150 in each group. Patients in the treatment group were treated by Bushen Yijing Decoction (BYD), tamoxifen tablet (TT), Licorzine Capsule (LC), and Vitamin E Soft Capsule (VESC). Those in the control group 1 were treated by BYD, LC, and VESC. Those in the control group 2 were treated by TT, LC, and VESC. All patients were treated for 3 months. Their pregnant rates were compared. Clinical efficacies of each Chinese medical symptom and sperm parameters [sperm density, grade a sperm motility rate, grade (a + b) sperm motility rate, grade (a + b + c) sperm motility rate, and normal sperm morphology rate] were compared before and after treatment.

RESULTSAt 3 months after treatment 61 patients were pregnant in the treatment group, 36 patients were pregnant in the control group 1, and 30 patients were pregnant in the control group 2. The differences in the sperm density, grade a sperm motility rate, and grade (a + b) sperm motility rate, and grade (a + b + c) sperm motility rate between before and after treatment were significantly higher in the treatment group than in the control group 1 and the control group 2 (P < 0.01). The difference in the normal sperm morphology rate between before and after treatment was obviously higher in the treatment group and the control group 1 than in the control group 2 (P < 0.01). Better results were obtained in the treatment group and the control group 1 in improving the sexual apathy, soreness and weakness of waist and knees, impotence, premature ejaculation, seminal emission, dizziness, tinnitus, forgetfulness, alopecia, when compared with the control group 2 (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in the total effective rate of improving Chinese medical symptoms between the treatment group and the control group 1 (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBYD combined with TT, LC, and VESC could significantly improve sperm qualities and clinical Chinese medical symptoms of oligospermia patients of SEDS.

Adult ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Oligospermia ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Phytotherapy ; methods ; Young Adult

An efficient system of genetic transformation and plant regeneration via somatic embryogenesis was established in crownvetch (Coronilla varia L.) by infecting the segments of cotyledons and hypocotyls of 15d-old seedlings with Agrobacterium rhizogenes strain 15834. Hairy roots were produced directly from the wounded surface of the explants or via calluses on hormone-free Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium after infection by A. rhizogenes. Transformed roots grew rapidly either on solid or liquid MS medium, and exhibited typical hairy root phenotypes. The highest transformation frequency (87.4%) was achieved by preculturing cotyledons for 2d and pre-treating the A. rhizogenes with suitable concentration of acetosyringone at logarithmic phase (OD600 = 0.8). The embryogenic calluses with 100% induction frequency were induced from hairy roots on MS medium containing 0.2mg/L 2,4-D, 0.5mg/L NAA and 0.5mg/L KT. Globular-, heart-, torpedo-, and cotyledon shaped somatic embryos were produced orderly and developed into plantlets when transferred the embryogenic calluses on MS medium supplemented with 0.5mg/L KT, 0.2mg/L IBA and 300mg/L proline. The transformed plants did not show differences in morphology except abundant lateral root branches compared to the non-transformed plants. However, the contents of 3-nitropropanic acid in hairy roots and leaves of one of 5 transformed clones were 57.68% and 58.17% in roots and leaves of untransformed plants, respectively. Opine paper electrophoresis revealed the integration and expression of TR-DNA. PCR analysis confirmed that the TL-DNA including 654 bp rol B sequence was inserted into the genome of transformed hairy roots and their regenerated plants.
Fabaceae ; genetics ; growth & development ; physiology ; Plant Roots ; genetics ; growth & development ; physiology ; Plants, Genetically Modified ; genetics ; growth & development ; Regeneration ; Rhizobium ; genetics ; Tissue Culture Techniques ; Transformation, Genetic