AIM: To isolate and characterize the anti-complementary polysaccharide from the root of Bupleurum chinense. METHODS: Bioactivity-guided fractionation and purification was used to obtain the anti-complementary polysaccharide from the hot-water extract of the root of Bupleurum chinense. The polysaccharide was characterized by various chemical and spectral analyses. The anti-complementary activities were evaluated by hemolytic assay in vitro. The action targets were identified in the system with individual complement-depleted sera. RESULTS: A homogeneous polysaccharide BC-PS2 was isolated as an anti-complementary agent. It was identified as a branched polysaccharide with an average molecular weight about 2 000 KDa, composed of Glc, Ara, Gal, and Man in the ratio 3.5 : 2.4 : 2.0 : 1.0, respectively, along with a trace of Rha and Xyl, and only 1.11% of protein. The main linkages of the residues of BC-PS2 include terminal, 1, 6-linked, 1, 3-linked and 1, 3, 6-linked Glcp, terminal and 1, 5-linked Araf, terminal, 1, 4-linked, 1, 6-linked and 1, 4, 6-linked Galp, terminal, and, 1, 4-linked and 1, 4, 6-linked Manp. The bioassay experiments revealed that BC-PS2 inhibited complement activation on both the classical and alternative pathways, with CH50 and AP50 of (0.222 ± 0.013) and (0.356 ± 0.032) mg·mL(-1), respectively. Preliminary mechanism studies indicated that BC-PS2 interacted with C1q, C2, and C9 components. CONCLUSION The results demonstrated that BC-PS2 is an anti-complementary polysaccharide, and should be important constituent of the root of Bupleurum chinense for its application in the treatment of diseases associated with the excessive activation of complement system.
Adult ; Bupleurum ; chemistry ; Carbohydrate Sequence ; Complement Activation ; drug effects ; Complement Inactivating Agents ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Hemolysis ; drug effects ; Humans ; Male ; Molecular Weight ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Polysaccharides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of E-cadherin in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and its relationship with cervical lymph node metastasis.

METHODSThe expression of E-cadherin in 80 patients with NPC was detected by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSLower expression of E-cadherin was associated with advanced N-stage of the tumor (P = 0.018). There was no significant correlation between the expression of E-cadherin and lymph node size (P = 0.435). The expression of E-cadherin was higher in patients with cervical lymph node metastasis limited to a single area than that distributing in some scattered areas (P = 0.000). There was a trend that the expression of E-cadherin in the cases with the tumor and lymph nodes in the same side was higher (56.5%) than that in the patients with bilateral lymph node metastases (32.6%), however, the difference was not significant (P = 0.059). The expression rates of E-cadherin in patients with lymph node metastasis in levels II, III and Va were higher than that in levels I, IV, Vb and VI, but with a non-significant difference (P = 0.059).

CONCLUSIONThe expression of E-cadherin has influence on the lymph node metastasis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. E-cadherin expression is negatively correlated with the numbers of the lymph node metastases and the metastasis distance, i.e. a lower expression of E-cadherin leads to an advanced N-stage. The lymph node metastasis of nasopharyngeal cancer from above to below is more considerably influenced by E-cadherin expression than the metastasis towards contralateral lymph nodes.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Cadherins ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Neoplasm Staging ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the clinicopathologic features, immunohistochemical findings and prognosis of precursor lymphoblastic lymphoma/acute lymphoblastic leukemia (LBL/ALL).

METHODSOne hundred and fifty-three cases of LBL/ALL were retrospectively analyzed. Immunohistochemical study was carried out. The pathologic findings were correlated with Ann Arbor tumor stage, Ki-67 index, other clinical parameters (including mediastinum/bone marrow involvement, hepato-splenomegaly, age and gender of the patients) and the survival data.

RESULTSStaining for TdT and CD99 was positive in 79.1% (121/153 cases) and 96.3% (131/136 cases), respectively. The cases were categorized into three groups according to the immunohistochemical findings, as follows: precursor T-cell, precursor B-cell and undefined. T-LBL/ALL accounted for 69.3% (106/153 cases) of all of the cases. The male-to-female ratio was 2.4:1 (including 75 males and 31 females). The median age at diagnosis was 17.5 years (ranged from 2 years to 68 years). Ninety-two patients (86.8%) presented with peripheral lymphadenopathy and 59 of them (55.7%) had mediastinal masses. Ninety-one cases (85.8%) were in stage III or IV at diagnosis. The 1-year and 5-year survival rates in patients with T-LBL/ALL were 36.1% and 8.1%, respectively. Patients older than 25 years and those presented in stage III or IV suggested a poor prognosis (P = 0.049 and 0.001, respectively). On the other hand, 29 of the 153 cases (19.0%) belonged to B-LBL/ALL. The median age of the patients was 14 years (ranged from 9 months to 75 years). The male-to-female ratio was 1.6:1 (including 18 males and 11 females). Seventeen patients (58.6%) presented with peripheral lymphadenopathy and 13 of them (44.8%) had involvement of bone marrow or peripheral blood. Mediastinal involvement was found only in 5 cases (17.2%). Twenty-one patients (72.4%) were in stage III or IV at diagnosis. The 1-year and 5-year survival rates were 53.3% and 36.7%, respectively. The remaining 11.7% cases (18/153 cases) were categorized as undefined type, with a negative staining for the following immuno-markers including: CD3ε/CD3, CD45RO, CD79a, CD20, MPO, CD5, CD56, cyclin D1, cytokeratin, neuron-specific enolase, chromogranin A and synaptophysin. The median age of the patients was 15.5 years (ranged from 4 to 53 years). The male-to-female ratio was 2.6:1 (including 13 males and 5 females). The percentage of T-LBL/ALL patients with mediastinal masses were significantly higher than that of B-LBL/ALL cases (P = 0.0003). There was no significant difference in prognostic parameters of T-LBL/ALL and B-LBL/ALL (P = 0.07). The difference in median survival time however was statistically significant (6.0 months +/- 1.1 months versus 15.0 months +/- 7.0 months).

CONCLUSIONSBoth TdT and CD99 are useful markers for the diagnosis of precursor lymphoblastic malignancy. T-LBL/ALL predominantly affects children or adolescent males and frequently presents with lymphadenopathy and mediastinal masses, whereas B-LBL/ALL are often accompanied by bone marrow and peripheral blood involvement. In general, T-LBL/ALL carries a poor prognosis. The prognostic criteria include age of older than 25 years and a classification of stage III or IV disease.

12E7 Antigen ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Bone Marrow ; pathology ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; metabolism ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; DNA Nucleotidylexotransferase ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Immunophenotyping ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Precursor T-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Young Adult

Human enterovirus 71 (EV71) is one of the major etiological agents for the hand, foot, and month disease (HFMD) and is causing frequent, widespread occurrence in the mainland of China. The single positive-stranded RNA genome of EV71 is translated into a single polyprotein which is autocleavaged into structural and nonstructural proteins. The functions of many nonstructural proteins characterized in the life cycle of virus are potential targets for blocking viral replication. This article reviews the studies of the structures and functions of nonstructural proteins of EV71 and the anti-enterovirus 71 drugs targeting on these nonstructural proteins.
Antiviral Agents ; pharmacology ; Enterovirus A, Human ; enzymology ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease ; drug therapy ; virology ; Humans ; Molecular Targeted Therapy ; Peptide Hydrolases ; chemistry ; metabolism ; physiology ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; RNA, Viral ; genetics ; Viral Nonstructural Proteins ; chemistry ; metabolism ; physiology ; Virus Replication ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the incidence, predisposing factors and therapeutic modalities of acute colonic pseudo-obstruction (ACPO) in patients after total hip arthroplasties (THA) and total knee arthroplasties (TKA).

METHODSFrom January 2006 to December 2009, 12 patients with ACPO after THA and TKA operation were investigated retrospectively,who were viewed as the ACPO group. There were 10 males and 2 females with an average age of (78 +/- 12) years in the ACPO group. Other 853 patients without ACPO after THA and TKA operation were viewed as the control group treated at the same period. The incidence of ACPO was calculated. The clinical data were collected and compared between the two groups including patient age, gender, procedure, anesthetic class, clinical presentation, radiographic findings, duration from index surgery to diagnosis of ACPO, treatment, postoperative mobilization time, and length of hospital stay.

RESULTSThe incidence of ACPO was 1.4%. The incidence of primary THA (1.3%) was higher than that of primary TKA (0.4%); the incidence of hip and knee revisions (5.0%) was higher than that of primary THA and TKA (1.0%); there was no difference in incidence between hip revisions (5.5%) and knee revisions (4.0%). The mean age was (78 +/- 12) years old in ACPO group and (71 +/- 13) in the control group. The male/female ratio was 5:1 in ACPO group and 2:3 in control group. There were statistical differences in mean age and gender ratio between the two groups. No association was found with respect to anesthetic class. On average, ACPO occurred at 2.5 days after index surgery. The abdominal distention occurred in all 12 cases, nausea or vomiting in 8 cases and abdominal pain in 3 cases. Radiographically cecal dilation occurred in all cases and intestinal dilation in 3 cases. All patients initially were treated conservatively with immediate cessation of oral intake,a nasogastric tube and oral mineral oil. Three patients received a rectal tube. Only 1 patient required endoscopic decompression. There were no deaths after ACPO in the series. Mean mobilization time after surgery averaged (5.0 +/- 2.2) days in ACPO group compared with (2.5 +/- 1.1) days in the control group. Mean hospital stay averaged (16.5 +/- 6.4) days in ACPO group compared with (10.5 +/- 4.5) days in the control group. There were statistical differences in mean mobilization time after surgery and mean hospital stay between two groups.

CONCLUSIONACPO mainly happened in old male patients. The majority cases response to conservative treatment and their prognoses are good. But ACPO will delay mobilization time after surgery and increase hospital stay.

Acute Disease ; Aged ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; adverse effects ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; adverse effects ; Case-Control Studies ; Colonic Pseudo-Obstruction ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; etiology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Middle Aged

Objective:To investigate the safety of simultaneous resection of patients suffering with synchronous primary esophageal carcinoma and primary lung cancer.Methods:Seven patients meeting the following diagnostic criteria: histologically.All patients underwent radical resection of esophageal carcinoma, and simultaneously underwent radical resection of lung cancer.Surgical effect and sufety were observed.Results:There were 6 male patients and 1 female patient in all the 7 patients.The mean age was (61±7.26) years old.The average preoperative FEV1 was (2.50±0.63) L, the average FEV1 / FVC was (84.18±18.74)%, and the mean LVEF was (64.83±4.02)%.All of the 7 patients successfully underwent radical resection for esophageal carcinoma and pneumonectomy.The upper abdomen and right thoracotomy incision was performed in 5 cases, and the left thoracic incision in 2 cases.The site of surgical incision was determined by the location of lung tumor.The average intraoperative blood loss was (157.14±53.45) mL.All the patients recovered well after operation.There were no serious or deadly operative complications such as tracheoesophageal fistula and bronchopleural fistula.The average postoperative hospital stay was (11.7±1.98) days.Conclusions:Simultaneous surgical resection does not increase the surgical complications and is a safe treatment of patients with synchronous primary esophageal carcinoma and lung cancer.Good preoperative cardiopulmonary function may be a key factor affecting the safety of surgery.

OBJECTIVEThe purposes of this thesis were to study the behavior about workers exposed to dust and provide scientific basis for health promotion.

METHODSWe designed a questionnaire and carry it on the 746 dust workers in the 3 representative corporations of Machinery, Ceramic, and Metallurgy Industry. All data were input into computer. And a database was established with Excel. SPSS11.5 statistical analysis software was used to analyze the influence on protecting behavioral between the application of qualifications, different jobs, training or protection, and other aspects etc.

RESULTSThe rates were 94.4% and 75.3% about the regular physical examination and requirements for protective equipment. The rate of choosing an effective way of protection was generally low (15.4%). There was significant difference for among different educational background workers (P < 0.01). The rates of choosing an effective way of protection (20.3%), the regular physical examination (98.3%) and requirements for protective equipment (86.4%) in the dust workers who participated in the training of dust protection were superior than those who did not participated in the training. There was the significant difference (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). There was the significant difference for the rate of effective way of protection, regular physical examination, and requirements for protective equipment among the different corporations (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSDust workers' using rate about the choosing an effective way of protection was generally low in Machinery, Ceramic, and Metallurgy Industry. Those who were not educated had a lower using rate about the protection behavior, regular physical examination, and requirements for protective equipment than those educated.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Ceramics ; Choice Behavior ; Dust ; prevention & control ; Female ; Humans ; Industry ; Male ; Metallurgy ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure ; prevention & control ; Respiratory Protective Devices ; utilization ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) gene with carcinogenesis and progression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

METHODSThe MnSOD9 T-->C SNP was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis in 103 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and 195 healthy controls.

RESULTSA significant difference was observed in the MnSOD allelotype distribution among esophageal squamous cell carcinomas and healthy controls (chi(2) = 4.645, P < 0.05). Individuals with the 9 C allele had a significantly higher risk to develop esophageal squamous cell carcinoma compared with those with the TT allele. The frequency of C allelotype among patients with lesions of different lengths ( 5 cm) was 16.3% and 36.7%, respectively. A significant difference was observed in the MnSOD allelotype distribution between patients with lesions of different lengths (chi(2) = 5.147, P < 0.05). No significant association of the MnSOD polymorphism at 9 T-->C with the tumor site, maximal length and clinical staging was found in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

CONCLUSIONSingle nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of MnSOD gene may be correlated with the susceptibility and disease progression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, and may become a tumor marker for prediction of this cancer.

Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; genetics ; pathology ; Case-Control Studies ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Superoxide Dismutase ; genetics ; Tumor Burden

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinicopathological and immunohistochemical features of lymphoblastic lymphoma (LBL).

METHODSA retrospective clinicopathological study of 96 cases LBL was carried out. Immunohistochemical staining was used for the characterization and immunophenotyping.

RESULTSThe patients age ranged from 4 to 72 years, with a median of 16 years, 69 patients were male and 27 female. Seventy-three cases had superficial or multi-lymphoadenopathy and 31 of them had mediastinal masses. Bone marrow was involved in 15 cases. Seventy-three cases were in clinical stages III and IV. The median survival of the followed-up patients was 5.5 (2 approximately 120) months. TdT and CD99 positive reactions were 75.0% and 92.7%, respectively. Of the 96 cases, 78 displayed T-cell marker positivity and 18 B-cell markers. 82.1% of the patients younger than 30 years of age had significantly higher incidences of T-LBL (64 patients), and 93.6% of the patients with mediastinal masses expressed T-cell markers. The poor prognostic factors were T-cell tumors, clinical stages III and IV, Ki-67 PI < 80% and no chemotherapy (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONIn children and young males, mediastinal masses with superficial or multi-lymphoadenopathy favors the diagnosis of LBL, but negative TdT reaction can not exclude this diagnosis. T-LBL is more common than B-LBL. Clinical stages, immunophenotypes and the level of Ki-67 expression were closely related with prognosis of LBL.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antigens, CD20 ; analysis ; CD79 Antigens ; analysis ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Ki-67 Antigen ; analysis ; Leukocyte Common Antigens ; analysis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Prognosis ; Survival Analysis ; Young Adult

Objective To discuss the application of endoscopic ultrasound-guided needle-based confocal laser endomicroscopy ( EUS-nCLE) in the diagnosis of pancreatic neoplasms. Methods Patients with pancreatic neoplasms were diagnosed by endoscopic ultrasonography and punctured by 19 G needle, and then the confocal microprobe was implanted through the needle. The lesions nature was estimated according to obtained images. The diagnostic yield and complication was evaluated and compared with pathology. Results A total of 28 patients successfully underwent EUS-nCLE, and high quality images were obtained in all patients. The final diagnosis were 5 cases of serous cystadenoma ( SCN ) , 3 cases of mucinous cystadenoma, 3 cases of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms ( IPMN) , 1 case of pseudocyst, 10 cases of ductal adenocarcinoma, 1 case of neuroendocrine tumor, 2 cases of solid pseudopapillary tumor, 2 cases of chronic pancreatitis, and 1 cases of lymphoma. The diagnostic yield in 26 patients with pathology was 73. 1%(19/26) and the specificity of SCN and IPMN was 100%(7/7). The complications, mostly pancreatitis and intracystic hemorrhage, occurred in 10. 7% ( 3/28) patients. Conclusion EUS-nCLE is a safe and feasible method in the diagnosis of pancreatic neoplasms, and shows high specificity in SCN and IPMN.