DNA barcoding method was conducted for the authentication of pollen materials due to difficulty of discriminating pollen materials bearing morphological similarity. In this study, a specific focus was to identify cattail pollen (Puhuang) and pine pollen (Songhuafen) samples from their adulterants which are frequently mixed-together. Regions of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) from 60 samples were sequenced, and new primers for cattail pollen were designed according to the sequence information. The results from the NJ trees showed that the species of pine pollen, Puhuang and their adulterants can be classified as obvious monophyly. Therefore, we propose to adapt DNA barcoding methodology to accurately distinguish cattail pollen, pine pollen and their adulterant materials. It is a great help for drug regulatory agency to supervise the quality of medicinal materials.
China ; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; methods ; DNA, Plant ; genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer ; genetics ; Drug Contamination ; prevention & control ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; classification ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Pinus ; classification ; genetics ; Pollen ; classification ; genetics ; Quality Control ; Typhaceae ; classification ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between DNA homologous recombination (HR) repair genes RAD51-G135C/XRCC3-C241T polymorphisms and development of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with recurrent chromosome translocation.

METHODSGenomic DNA was extracted from bone marrow cells of 625 de novo AML patients and peripheral blood cells of 806 patient family members and 704 unrelated volunteers. Genotypes of RAD51-G135C and XRCC3-C241T were analyzed by PCR-RFLP. Cell lines with genotypes differed from XRCC3-C241T were selected and irradiated in vitro. The CBFβ-MYH11 fusion gene was detected by TaqMan real-time PCR.

RESULTSThe XRCC3-C241T variant (C/T + T/T) showed 6.22-fold and 6.99-fold increase in the risk of developing the AML with inv(16)/t(16;16)/CBFβ-MYH11 as compared with the volunteer and family member controls respectively; the RAD51-G135C homozygote-type (C/C) variant showed 0.87-fold (P = 0.010) and 1.15-fold (P = 0.001) respectively increase in the risk of this subtype AML. In the irradiated group, the CBFβ-MYH11 mRNA level in HL-60 cells was 59.49 times increased than that in KG1a cells. However, the RAD51-G135C and XRCC3-C241T variants had no correlations with the risk of development of t(15;17)/PML-RARα(+)AML, t(8;21)/AML1-ETO(+) AML and 11q23 AML subtypes.

CONCLUSIONThe XRCC3-C241T variant and the RAD51-G135C homozygote-type significantly increase the risk of the development of AML with inv(16)/t(16;16)/CBFβ-MYH11.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; etiology ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Rad51 Recombinase ; genetics ; Translocation, Genetic ; Young Adult

To explore the genetic characteristics of viral quasispecies in HIV-1 CRF07_BC infections among intravenous drug users (IDU), the gp120 fragments of HIV-1 env gene were amplified from plasma samples collected from 6 CRF07_BC infected persons using single genome amplification and sequencing (SGA/ SGS) method, and 11 to 28 sequences were obtained from these samples, respectively, A neighbor-joining phylogenetic tree was reconstructed to describe the genetic characteristics of viral quasispecies. The Simplot, segments' phylogenetic trees and diversity plots based on average pairwise distance (APD) were used to identify the recombination events between quasispecies. The SGA sequences derived from single specimen formed a large monophyletic cluster in the neighbor-joining phylogenetic tree and showed the complex topologic structures of viral quasispecies. Of the 6 CRF07_BC infected patients, only one possessed the high genetic homogeneity, whereas the other five individuals showed high heterogeneity, with two to four subclusters inside the monophyletic cluster for each specimen. In addition, the recombinant events were identified among viral quasispecies from 3 cases. The results show SGA technique and phylogenetic analyses are useful tool to investigate the intrahost CRF07_BC gp120 complex quasispecies variation and high genetic diversity.
Adult ; Drug Users ; Female ; HIV Infections ; virology ; HIV-1 ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Substance Abuse, Intravenous ; virology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the frequencies of heterozygosity in X-linked G6PD, P55, BTK, and FHL-1 gene exonic polymorphic loci among Chinese females and the value of determination of hematopoietic clonality by detection of these X-chromosome exonic polymorphisms based on X-chromosome inactivation patterns (XCIP)-transcription-based clonality assays (TCA).

METHODSGenomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood of 446 Chinese healthy females. Allele-specific PCR (ASPCR) or PCR-restriction enzyme digestion method was applied for detecting G6PD, P55, BTK and FHL-1 polymorphisms. Those heterozygotic loci were used as markers to examine the hematopoietic clonality of bone marrow mononuclear cells by TCA from essential thrombocythemia (ET) patients with JAK2V617F mutation and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) patients with abnormal karyotype.

RESULTSAmong the total 446 genomic DNA samples, the frequencies of heterozygosity in G6PD, P55, BTK and FHL-1 loci were 12.8%, 29.4%, 52.0% and 46.4%, respectively. About 81.4% of females were heterozygous at one or more loci. All 10 ET patients with JAK2V617F mutation and 2 MDS patients with abnormal karyotype, which were heterozygotic in either locus, had monoclonal/oligoclonal hematopoiesis.

CONCLUSIONClonality detection based on X chromosome inactivation patterns-transcription based clonality assays is applicable to about 80% of Chinese females.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Chromosomes, Human, X ; Exons ; Female ; Genes, X-Linked ; Genetic Carrier Screening ; Genetic Linkage ; Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase ; genetics ; Hematopoiesis ; genetics ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; X Chromosome Inactivation ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission through different modes of sharing injection equipment and sexual behavior among injecting drug users (IDUs) in Liangshan of Sichuan province.

METHODSA community-based survey was conducted to investigate past and current demographic data, injection equipment sharing patterns and sexual behavior of IDUs. Blood samples were also taken to test for HCV. The survey was conducted between Nov 8 and Nov 29, 2002. 379 subjects were screened through outreach recruitment and peer informing. SPSS (11.5) was used for data analysis.

RESULTSHCV prevalence was 71.0% (269/379). Needles or syringes sharing in the past three months and past syphilis infection were strongly associated with HCV transmission after univariate analysis using chi-square test. Trend analysis indicated that HCV infection rate increased along with the increase of needles or syringes sharing, sharing of rinse water and the number of peers sharing the equipments. Data from multivariate logistic regression showed that sharing of needles or syringes and history of syphilis infection were significantly associated with HCV transmission. No significant difference was found between HCV infection and sexual behavior after univariate analysis using chi-square test.

CONCLUSIONFurther sero-epidemiological prospective cohort studies should be conducted to clarify the relationship between different modes of sharing injection equipment, sexual behavior and HCV infection.

Adult ; China ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Hepacivirus ; immunology ; Hepatitis C ; blood ; transmission ; Humans ; Injections, Intravenous ; adverse effects ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Multivariate Analysis ; Needle Sharing ; adverse effects ; Sexual Behavior ; Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral ; blood ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo investigate the prognostic factors and the principles of treatment of primary esophageal small cell carcinoma (SCEC) retrospectively.

METHODSThe data of 126 patients with histologically confirmed SCEC treated in our department between May 1985 and June 2005 were retrospectively analyzed. 85 patients were in limited disease stage (LD) and 41 patients as extensive disease stage (ED) according to the Veterans Administration Lung Study Group staging system. Among the 84 patients treated with esophagectomy, 8 cases were in stage I, 16 in stage IIa, 10 in stage IIb, 40 in stage III, 4 in stage IVa and 6 in stage IVb, according to the TNM system (6(th) edition, AJCC). Cox's hazard regression model was used to identify the prognostic factors, and Chi-square test to detect the difference of frequencies among different groups. Kaplan-Meier and log-rank methods were used to estimate and compare the survival rates.

RESULTSThe median follow-up duration of this series was 13 months. One hundred and eight patients died of the disease during the follow-up, 10 were still alive and 8 were lost to follow-up. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates (OS) were 52.2%, 15.9%, and 12.2%, respectively, with a median survival time (MST) of 12.5 months. The 1-, 2-, and 3-year OS were 62.1%, 30.8%, and 22.4% with a MST of 14.0 months for LD, and 29.3%, 13.6% and 2.7% with a MST of 7.0 months for ED, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in OS between LD and ED (P = 0.0001). The MST of the patients treated with chemotherapy was 14.5 months, significantly longer than the 5.2 months of the patients without (P = 0.0001). Multivariate analysis showed that stage (HR 1.91, 95% CI 1.26 approximately 2.91, P = 0.002), length of the primary lesion (HR 1.75, 95% CI 1.17 approximately 2.63, P = 0.007), and chemotherapy (HR 0.42, 95% CI 0.28 approximately 0.65, P = 0.000) were independent prognostic factors.

CONCLUSIONEsophageal small cell carcinoma is a systemic disease. The tumor stage (LD or ED), length of the primary lesion and chemotherapy are independent prognostic factors. Therefore, a systemic therapy based on chemotherapy should be recommended.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Small Cell ; pathology ; therapy ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; pathology ; therapy ; Esophagectomy ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Radiotherapy, High-Energy ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo investigate the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and syphilis incidence rates as well as the retention rate in a cohort with 6-month follow-up study among female sex workers (FSWs).

METHODSFrom December, 2004, to January, 2005, a community-based baseline survey was conducted to recruit 343 FSWs for a prospective cohort study in Xichang county of Sichuan province, China. Follow-up visits were conducted at 6 months to analyze risk factors associated with cohort retention for subjects' baseline sociodemographic and sexual behavioral characteristics. Blood specimens were also collected to test antibodies against HIV and syphilis.

RESULTSDuring the 6-month follow-up period, HIV and syphilis incidence appeared to be 1.00 per 100 person-years and 6.23 per 100 person-years, respectively. The rate of retention in the cohort was 53.6% (184/343). Results from multivariate logistic regression model showed that factors were significantly associated with cohort retention including people with minority ethnic background (OR = 0.36; 95% CI: 0.18-0.74), people having participated in AIDS prevention program (OR = 1.83; 95% CI: 1.17-2.86) or being clients in the last 6 months > or = 50 (OR = 1.75; 95% CI: 1.11-2.77) and having changed living/working place (OR = 0.56; 95% CI: 0.33-0.94).

CONCLUSIONThe results of this study showed that the syphilis incidence and unprotected sex behavior were high among local FSWs. People belonged to Han nationality, having participated in AIDS prevention program and having a steady living/working place were associated with cohort retention at 6-month follow-up study among FSWs, respectively.

China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; HIV Infections ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Incidence ; Risk Factors ; Sex Work ; Sexual Behavior ; Substance-Related Disorders ; Syphilis ; epidemiology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the feasibility, therapeutic effects and normal tissue complications of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) for locoregionally recurrent non-small cell lung cancer after initial radiotherapy.

METHODSBetween August 1999 and August 2003, 27 such patients were treated with 3DCRT after initial radiotherapy. This series consisted of 25 men and 2 women with a median age of 64 years. Radiotherapy was delivered at 2 Gy per fraction, 5 fractions per week, to a median dose of 50 Gy. Treatment results and normal tissue complications were assessed with WHO and RTOG/EORTC criteria.

RESULTSBased upon a median follow-up time of 20.6 months, 25 patients (92.6%) completed the planned 3DCRT treatment. Their clinical symptom relief rate was 79.1%, and the response rate was 59.3% with a complete remission rate of 14.8% (4/27), partial remission rate of 44.4% (12/27). The overall 1- and 2-year survival (OS) rates were 73.8% and 25.4% with a median survival time (MST) of 20 months. The 1- and 2-year local progression free survival (LPFS) rates were both 88.8%. Grade 2 and grade 3 acute radiation pneumonitis developed in 7.4% (2/27) and 11.1% (3/27). Grade 2 late radiation pneumonitis developed in 11.1% (3/27).

CONCLUSION3DCRT is feasible and advisable for locoregionally recurrent non-small-cell lung cancer, giving a good immediate tumor response and acceptable normal tissue complications.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; radiotherapy ; Neoplasm Staging ; Radiation Pneumonitis ; etiology ; Radiotherapy Dosage ; Radiotherapy, Conformal ; adverse effects ; methods ; Remission Induction ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo compare the treatment results of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) and conventional radiotherapy (2D) for patients with locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODSFive hundred and twenty seven patients with stage III NSCLC treated between Jan 2000 and Dec 2006 were included in this study. Among them, 253 cases were treated with 3D-CRT, and 274 with conventional radiotherapy. In the 3D group, 159 (62.8%) patients received chemoradiotherapy, 77 with total radiotherapy dose of > 60 Gy, 49 with 50 - 60 Gy. In the 2D group, 127 (46.4%) patients received chemoradiotherapy, 48 with total radiotherapy dose of > 60 Gy, 75 with 50 - 60 Gy.

RESULTSThe 1-, 3-, 5-year overall survival rates (OS) and median survival time for patients treated with 3D-CRT were 73.3%, 26.1%, 14.4% and 20.1 months, respectively, and that of patients treated with 2D radiotherapy were 61.0%, 13.8%, 8.0% and 15.6 months, respectively (P = 0.002). The 1-, 3-, 5-year cause-specific survival rates (CSS) were 79.0%, 33.3%, and 20.8% for the 3D group and 65.1%, 16.7%, 11.2%, respectively, for the 2D group (P = 0.000). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year locoregional control rates were 71.6%, 34.3% and 31.0% for patients treated with 3D radiotherapy and 57.3%, 22.1% and 19.2%, respectively, for patients treated with 2D treatment (P = 0.002). The results of multivariate analysis showed that 3D-CRT, KPS, clinical tumor response and pretreatment hemoglobin level were independently associated with increased OS and CSS. No statistically significant differences were found between the radiation complications in the two groups.

CONCLUSIONSThe results of our study demonstrate that 3D-conformal radiotherapy improves the survival rate in patients with stage III NSCLC compared with that of 2D radiation therapy.

Aged ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Chemoradiotherapy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemoglobins ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Male ; Neoplasm Staging ; Radiation Pneumonitis ; etiology ; Radiotherapy Dosage ; Radiotherapy, Conformal ; adverse effects ; methods ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association between survival and postoperative three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) in patients with resected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODSEighty-four patients were treated with surgery and postoperative 3DCRT for NSCLC. Sixty-five (77.4%) patients received lobectomy, and 19 (22.6%) received pneumonectomy. Fifty-four (64.3%) patients achieved R0 resection and 30 cases (35.8%) received R1/R2 resection. Fifty-two patients were of stage IIIA and 24 patients were of stage IIIB. Photon energy of 6 MV was used for all the patients. The median 3DCRT dose was 60 Gy (40 - 70 Gy) with a fraction size of 2 Gy. Thirty-seven patients received median 3 cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy. The median follow-up was 35.5 months for survivors.

RESULTSThe overall 3-year survival rate was 58.6%, and the 4-year overall survival rate was 43.9%. Of the 43 patients who had treatment failure, only 8 (9.9%) patients showed intrathoracic recurrence, but 38 (46.9%) patients had distant metastasis. The univariate analysis for all patients showed that sex, age, weight loss, tumor size, pathology and stage were not correlated with prognosis. R1/R2 resection was associated with a significantly worse survival. Toxicities were acceptable, with 9 (11.1%) patients appeared higher than NCI CTC grade 2 radiation pneumonitis.

CONCLUSIONIn a population-based cohort, postoperative 3DCRT for NSCLC provides a good prognosis, and the radiation-related pneumonitis is acceptable.

Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Neoplasm Staging ; Pneumonectomy ; methods ; Radiation Pneumonitis ; etiology ; Radiotherapy Dosage ; Radiotherapy, Conformal ; adverse effects ; methods ; Radiotherapy, High-Energy ; adverse effects ; Survival Rate