Objective: To study the enhancing effects of electret on transdermal delivery of lidocaine patches in vitro. Methods: In vitro rat skin permeation experiment was carried out with lidocaine patches, lidocaine paches with azone, positive/negative electret lidocaine patches, and positive/negative electret lidocaine patches with azone by using Franz diffusion cells. The accumulated lidocaine concentrations in rat skin treated with each kind of patches were examined by HPLC to investigate the influence of electret on transdermal delivery of lidocaine. Results: (1) The enhancement rates of 1%, 3% and 5% azone lidocaine patches 10 h after application were 1. 06, 1. 10 and 1. 66 folds (P<0. 05, 5% azone to lidocaine patch group) that of the lidocaine patch, respectively. (2) Lidocaine patches with negative electret containing 1%, 3% and 5% azone showed similar transdermal behavior to the corresponding chemical enhancer patches. (3) Lidocaine patches with positive electret containing 1%, 3% and 5% azone showed much better enhancing effect than the corresponding chemical enhancer lidocaine patches (P<0. 05). Besides, 5% azone together with positive electret showed a cooperative enhancing effect. Conclusion: Positive electret patch has better effect in enhancing transdermal delivery of lidocaine. Besides, the cooperative enhancing effect of azone with positive electret on transdermal delivery of lidocaine is in a concentration-dependent manner with azone.

OBJECTIVETo study the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and its relation to angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, as well as lymph node metastasis.

METHODSSixty-seven archival specimens from patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma were investigated, whose clinicopathologic data were completely conserved. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to detect the expression of VEGF-C, microvessel density (MVD), lymphatic vessel density (LVD). The correlations between VEGF-C expression and MVD, LVD, as well as other clinicopathological features were measured.

RESULTSAlthough no correlation between VEGF-C expression and tumor location, histological grade, or gender of the patients was observed (P > 0.05), OSCC patients with more advanced clinical stages and lymph node metastasis were prone to have high expression of VEGF-C (P = 0.015 and P < 0.001, respectively). Cases with high-expression of VEGF-C also showed significantly more often higher LVD (P = 0.001) but not MVD (P = 0.125). In addition, cases with lymph node involvement presented higher LVD than other cases (P = 0.026).

CONCLUSIONVEGF-C may promote lymph node metastasis by inducing lymphangiogenesis in OSCC.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphangiogenesis ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Lymphatic Vessels ; Mouth Neoplasms ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Astragalus membranaceus (APS) on the proliferation, osteogenic capacity and structure of periodontal ligament cells (PDLCs) in vitro.

METHODSPDLCs were cultured in vitro with APS of 0.08, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4 mg x mL(-1). Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTr), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and cell structure were detected to determine the proliferation and differentiation of PDLCs proliferation and differentiation.

RESULTSWhen the APS was 0.2 mg x mL(-1), the absorbance of MTT and ALP exhibit significantly increased as compared to the control (P < 0.05). The cells cultured in vitro with APS of 0.2 mg x mL(-1) had the normal structure.

CONCLUSIONAPS with proper concentration in short-term culture may promote the proliferation and differentiation of PDLCs.

Alkaline Phosphatase ; Astragalus membranaceus ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Proliferation ; In Vitro Techniques ; Periodontal Ligament

OBJECTIVETo test the sensitivity and specificity of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) colloidal gold diagnostic strip as compared with RIA-AFP diagnostic kit.

METHODSDouble blind method was used to test sera from 426 healthy people and 1567 patients selected in two general hospitals and a cancer hospital. Each serum was measured by RIA-AFP and AFP colloidal gold diagnostic strip on the same day. RIA-AFP diagnostic results was identified as true positive or negative.

RESULTSAmong 426 healthy people, all the RIA-AFP test showed negative result (serum AFP concentration less than 25 IU/ml), but the AFP colloidal gold diagnostic strip had 1.88% false positive. When comparing the result from 1567 patients measured by RIA-AFP, the sensitivity and specificity of AFP colloidal gold diagnostic strip were 99.3%, and 97.2%, respectively. The crude correspondence rate between the two diagnostic regents was 97.6%.

CONCLUSIONAFP colloidal gold diagnostic strip showed very good result and could be used as a screening diagnostic kit in clinic and hospital settings.

Biomarkers, Tumor ; blood ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; diagnosis ; Double-Blind Method ; Gold Colloid ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Radioimmunoassay ; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; alpha-Fetoproteins ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation between expression of A-kinase anchoring protein 95 (AKAP95) and protein expression of cyclin E1 and cyclin D1 in lung cancer tissue.

METHODSFifty-one cases of lung cancer were included in the study. The protein expression of AKAP95, cyclin E1, and cyclin D1 were measured by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSThe protein expression of cyclin E1 in lung cancer tissues was significantly higher than that in para-cancerous tissues (positive rate: 75.56%vs 20%, P < 0.01); its expression showed no relationship with histopathological type, lymph node metastasis, and cellular differentiation (P > 0.05). The protein expression of cyclin D1 in lung cancer tissues was higher than that in para-cancerous tissues (positive rate: 69.39% vs 14.29%); its expression showed a significant relationship with histopathological type (P < 0.05). The expression of AKAP95 was correlated with the protein expression of cyclin E1 and cyclin D1 in lung cancer tissues (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONCyclin E1 and cyclin D1 are highly expressed in lung cancer tissue, suggesting that they play an important role in the development and progression of lung cancer. The protein expression of cyclin E1 has no relationship with cellular differentiation, lymph node metastasis, and histopathological type of lung cancer, and the protein expression of cyclin D1 has a significant relationship with histopathological type. The expression of AKAP95 is correlated with the protein expression of cyclin E1 and cyclin D1 in lung cancer tissue.

A Kinase Anchor Proteins ; metabolism ; Adult ; Aged ; Cyclin D1 ; metabolism ; Cyclin E ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Middle Aged ; Oncogene Proteins ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the experience on diagnosis and treatment of multiple adrenal aldosterone-producing adenomas (APA).

METHODSEighteen cases of multiple adrenal APA were analyzed retrospectively, which were admitted from October 1992 to April 2006.

RESULTSAdrenalectomy was performed for 4 cases of unilateral synchronous multiple APA, which were discovered with three adenomas by 3D-CT; bilateral tumor resection was performed for 6 cases of bilateral synchronous multiple APA. There were 8 cases of bilateral metachronous multiple APA, including 2 cases of ipsilateral recurrent adrenal APA after adrenal tumor removal, which underwent tumor resection. Another 6 cases were contralateral APA following adrenalectomy due to adrenal APA, and underwent tumor resection. After operation, the adrenal function seemed to be normal, and no recurrence had been found on follow-up.

CONCLUSIONSUnilateral multiple synchronous APA require adrenalectomy. Tumor resection should be performed for bilateral or asynchronous APA, and it is very important to preserve healthy adrenal tissue as much as possible. 3D-CT has much value on diagnosis of small APA, unilateral multiple synchronous APA and ipsilateral recurrent adrenal APA.

Adenoma ; complications ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Adrenal Gland Neoplasms ; complications ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Adrenalectomy ; Adult ; Aldosterone ; blood ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hyperaldosteronism ; blood ; etiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

In order to investigate the expression of heavy chain of HLA-B * 2705 in prokaryotic system and identify its activity, the extra-membrane gene fragment of HLA-B * 2705 was amplified from full-length HLA-B*2705 cDNA by PCR and cloned into pGEM-T vector. After identification by sequencing, the prokaryotic expressing vector pET32a (+)-B * 2705 was constructed. The antigenic activity of expressed protein was identified by Western blot and antibody blocking reaction. The results indicated that the fused HLA-B * 2705 protein expression with high efficiency was obtained. The expressed product was more than 50% of the total bacteria protein. The antigenic activity of expressed protein was confirmed by Western blot and antibody blocking reaction. It is concluded that HLA-B * 2705 fusion protein are obtained as basis for the further studies.
Escherichia coli ; genetics ; metabolism ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; HLA-B27 Antigen ; classification ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the possibility of using generation 5 polyamidoamine dendrimers (G5-PAMAM-D) as gene vector for eukaryotic expression plasmid of siRNA in prostate carcinoma in vitro and vivo.

METHODSFirstly, eukaryotic expression vector of siRNA pSilencing 4.1-EGFP-shRNA, specific for enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP), pSilencing 4.1-STAT3-shRNA for signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3) was constructed. pEGFP-C1 and pSilencing 4.1-EGFP-shRNA were cotransfected into prostate cancer cells PC-3 and 22Rv1 with G5-PAPAM-D as vector, and to observe silencing of EGFP. Next, pSilencing 4.1-STAT3-shRNA was transfected into PC-3 and 22Rv1 cells by G5-PAPAM-D, Western blotting and apoptosis staining was used to detect silencing of STAT3 and growth inhibition. Thirdly, BALB/C mice subcutaneous tumor model was made with PC-3 cells. Polyplex of G5-PAMAM-D and pSilencing 4.1-STAT3-shRNA was injected intratumorally. The tumor volume was measured and recorded.

RESULTSFluorescence detection and Western blotting analysis demonstrated that G5-PAMAM-D was able to deliver Silencing 4.1-EGFP-shRNA and pSilencing 4.1-STAT3-shRNA into the two prostate cancer cell lines, and shRNA was expressed to induce silence of EGFP and STAT3. MTT results showed that proliferation of prostate cancer cells was suppressed by G5-PAMAM-D/pSilencing 4.1-STAT3-shRNA and induced apoptosis of PC-3 cells in vitro. Human prostate cancer in mice was successfully formed by inoculation of PC-3 cells into male BABL/C mice. In G5-PAMAM-D/pSilencing 4.1-STAT3-shRNA treated group, the tumor volume was shrank remarkably at 9 days after treatment and tumor growth was retarded compared with control groups.

CONCLUSIONGS-PAMAM-D nanoparticles can be used to deliver plasmid vector expressing shRNA into prostate cancer cells effectively in vitro and vivo. It appears to be a promising gene vector for RNA interference therapy in prostate cancer.

Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Dendrimers ; Gene Silencing ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Nanoparticles ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Plasmids ; Polyamines ; chemistry ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; STAT3 Transcription Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection ; Tumor Burden

OBJECTIVETo compare the long-term results of procedure for prolapse and hemorrhoids(PPH) and Milligan-Morgan(MM) hemorrhoidectomy in the treatment of third- and fourth-degree hemorrhoids.

METHODSNinety-one patients in PPH group and 120 patients in MM group, treated in our hospital from May 2001 to May 2005, were followed up. All the patients suffered with third- or fourth-degree hemorrhoids. The data including symptoms relief, complication and recurrence were compared between two groups.

RESULTSPPH and MM both significantly relieved bleeding (95.6% vs 92.7%), pain (93.1% vs 94.3%) and prolapse (93.4% vs 93.1%). There were no significant differences between two groups(P >0.05). PPH significantly relieved constipation compared with MM(60.0% vs 32.1%, P <0.05). No significant differences of complete relief rates between PPH group and MM group according to different degrees, types and prolapses of hemorrhoids were found(P >0.05). There were no significant differences in the overall complication rate(14.3% vs 12.7%), recurrence rates(12.1% vs 8.8%) and satisfactory degree (85.1 vs 88.2) between two groups as well.

CONCLUSIONThe long-term outcomes of PPH in the treatment of third and fourth-degree hemorrhoids are similar to Milligan-Morgan hemorrhoidectomy.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anal Canal ; surgery ; Digestive System Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemorrhoids ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Surgical Stapling ; Surgical Stomas ; Young Adult

Objective To observe the improving effect in joint function of moderate skeletal fluorosis treated by traditional Chinese medication(main ingredient was Strychnine).MethodsFrom December 2007 to July 2009,120 moderate skeletal fluorosis patients met the inclusion criteria were divided into the treatment group(60 cases)and the control group(60 cases)in the skeletal fluorosis hospital of Xinzhou,the treatment group was given basic treatment and traditional Chinese medication,the control group wa8 given basic treatment and placebo.The treatment lasted 12 weeks,follow up 24 weeks.Before treatment,after treatment 4 weeks,8 weeks,12 weeks,36 weeks,a third party evaluate comprehensive function of both upper and lower limb and joint dysfunction.Results The main effect of both drugs was statistically significance in the scores of the upper forearm in the finger by touching the posterior contralateral ear, upper arm touched by the finger back in the opposite corner subscapularis function, lower limb function and single-joint dysfunction(F values were 4.08,14.32,35.81,13.02, all P<0.05), the main effect of time also was significant (F values were 82.63,72.82,277.33,328.16, all P<0.05),①the upper forearm in the finger by touching the posterior contralateral ear functions:At the time of 8,12 weeks,scores of the treatment group were lower than those of before treatment and control group (all P<0.05);At the time of 36 weeks,scores of the treatment group were lower than that 12 weeks(all P<0.05);At the time of 8,12,36 weeks, scores of the control group were lower than those of before treatment(all P < 0.05);②upper arm function, namely fingers touching the opposite corner subscapularis:At the time of 4,8,12 weeks, scores of the treatment group were lower than those of before treatment(all P<0.05); At the time of 36 weeks, scores of the treatment group were lower than that 12 weeks(all P<0.05); At the time of 8,12,36 weeks, scores of the treatment group were lower than those of the control group (all P<0.05);③Lower extremity functions: At the time of 8,12 weeks,scores of the treatment group were lower than those of before treatment and control group (all P<0.05);At the time of 36 weeks, scores of the treatment group were lower than that 12 weeks(all P<0.05) ; At the time of 8,12,36 weeks, scores of the control group were lower than those of before treatment (all P<0.05);④single joint functions:At the time of 4,8,12 weeks,scores of the treatment group were lower than those of before treatment(all P<0.05); At the time of 36 weeks,scores of the treatment group were lower than that 12 weeks(all P<0.05) ; At the time of 8,12,36 weeks, scores of the control group were lower than those of before treatment(all P<0.05);At the time of 4,8,12,36 weeks, scores of the treatment group were lower than those of control group(all P<0.05);⑤At the end of treatment and follow-up,the improvement rate in joint functions in the treatment group were 88.33% (53/60),93.33% (56/60); the control group were 28.07%(16/57),40.35%(23/57), (Fisher test, P<0.01,X2=56.21, P<0.01). ConclusionTraditional Chinese medication(its main ingredient is Strychnine), an effective drug for improving joint dysfunction in patients suffering from moderate skeletal fluorosis, is simple and effective.