Objective To investigate the expression of Cofilin in alveolar and peripheral blood mononuclear cells in COPD patients and the correlation with the function of phagocytic aspergillus. Methods 20 COPD pa-tients were selected from July 2015 to May 2016 in the outpatient department of respiratory medicine of Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University ,then divided into the experimental group 1(group Aand B in 2011 version of GOLD),group 2(test group C and group D in 2011 version of GOLD),and the healthy control group in 10 people. The AM and MDM in the peripheral bloodwere extracted respectively in the 3 groups by bronchoalveolar lavage and,and the ability of AM and MDM in each group were detected. The expression of Cofilin protein was measured by real-time fluorescence quantitative(qRT-PCR) and Western blotting ,and the differenceswere compared among the three groups. Results The colony numbers of MDM/AM in the 3 groups were 17 ± 3,16 ± 2, 42 ± 3(F = 73.446 ,P < 0.001),and the colony numbers of MDM/AM in the two test groupshad significantly different from the healthy group ,while no significant difference was found in the two test groups. The results of fluorescence quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis showed that the expression of Cofilin in the two test groups was significantly higher than that in the healthy group. Conclusion The decreased function of phagocytic aspergillus in the alveolar and peripheral blood mononuclear cells in COPD patients may relates to the increase of cofilin.

Objective To explore the mechanism of gastric carcinoma cell SGC-7901 apoptosis induced by chlorogenic acid-like compounds extracted from Broussonetia papyrifera (CALCBP) bark. Methods The SGC-7901 cells were used to evaluate the anti-tumour activity of the extract in vivo, and the proliferation of cells was examined by MTT assay. The cell morphological changes of cells were observed by DAPI staining; The cell apoptosis and the cell cycle were detected respectively by flow cytometry after PI and Annexin V/PI staining; The intracellular ROS were determined under the fluorescence microscope using DCHF-DA probe, the changes of mitochondrial membrane potential were observed by JC-1 staining. The protein expression of p53, Bcl-2, Bax, and Cytochrome C, p-p38, p-JNK, JNK, p-ERK, ERK were analyzed by Western blotting. Results The proliferation of SGC-7901 cells was inhibited significantly by CALCBP in dose-dependent and time-dependent manner, the condensed chromosome and apoptotic body can be observed in the treated cells and the cell cycle was arrested in G2/M phase, the mitochondrial membrane potential was significantly decreased, whereas the cellular ROS levels of the treated cells were significantly increased. Moreover, the protein expression of p53, Bax, Cytochrome C, and p-p38 were significantly up-regulated and p-ERK and Bcl-2 expression were significantly down-regulated. Conclusion The apoptosis of gastric cancer cell SGC-7901 induced by CALCBP was probably related to oxidative stress of the cell mitochondrial via p38-MAPK and ERK-MAPK signal pathways.

Intraperitoneal administration of timosaponin A-III (TA-III) has therapeutic effects on high-fat diet-induced metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), but oral administration has no effect. This suggests that gut microbiota may affect the oral bioavailability of TA-III. Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is an inflammatory subtype of MASLD. To investigate the therapeutic effect of different administration modes of TA-III on MASH and its relationship with gut microbiota metabolism. In this study, a MASH mouse model was induced by choline-deficient, L-amino acid-defined, high-fat diet (CDAHFD). Comparing the therapeutic effect of intraperitoneal injection (10 mg·kg^-1, ip) and intragastric administration (100 mg·kg^-1, ig) of TA-III. The concentration of TA-III in serum of rats under the two administration modes was analyzed. On this basis, the metabolic effect of gut microbiota on TA-III in mice was verified by the experiment of metabolism of gut microbiota in vitro. The pharmacokinetic experiment of combined antibiotic intervention in mice further verified the metabolism of TA-III by gut microbiota in mice. Finally, the concentration of TA-III in serum of mice after the administration of TA-III by intragastric administration under different antibiotic intervention conditions was compared, and 16S rRNA sequencing analysis was combined to find the key bacteria that may participate in the metabolism of TA-III. The animal welfare and experimental procedures in this paper were in accordance with the provisions of the Animal Ethics Committee of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The ethics approval number is PZSHUTCM2307030004 and PZSHUTCM2310200003. The results showed that TA-III (10 mg·kg^-1, ip) had definite therapeutic effect on MASH mice, but TA-III (100 mg·kg^-1, ig) was ineffective. The analysis showed that the prototype concentration of TA-III in serum and liver of mice in TA-III (100 mg·kg^-1, ig) was significantly lower than TA-III (10 mg·kg^-1, ip), suggesting that the oral administration of TA-III may be metabolized by gut microbiota. The concentration of TA-III in serum of streptomycin (Str) treated mice was higher than normal mice. Combined with 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis, it was found that the abundance of Akkermansia_muciniphila (A. muciniphila) was significantly reduced in the Str group. In vitro experiments showed that A. muciniphila could metabolize TA-III. In conclusion, gut microbiota is an important factor affecting the efficacy of TA-III administration through the gastrointestinal tract, in which A. muciniphila may play an important role.

OBJECTIVETo study possible mechanisms of Shangjuxu (ST37) and the large intestine.

METHODSTotally 40 SD rats were selected. The distension of end colon was used as injured afferent stimulus. Activities of locus coeruleus (LC) neurons were recorded by extracellular microelectrode technique. Shangjuxu (ST37) and Hegu (L14) were needled to observe general features of discharge reactions, distention of colon induced discharge reactions of LC, and its effects on distention of colon induced discharge reactions of LC.

RESULTSDistention of colon could induce incrased discharge of LC neurons by 127.33% ± 45.48%. But needling at Shangjuxu (ST37) and Hegu (L14) could inhibit this injured response by 38.24% ± 7.69% and 21.29% ± 13.16% respectively (all P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSNeedling at Shangjuxu (ST37) and afferent signals of colon distension converged and interacted with each other. Needling at Shangjuxu (ST37) could significantly inhibit colon distension induced discharge of LC neurons, which might be one of mechanisms for Shangjuxu (ST37) and the large intestine relationship.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Animals ; Colon ; Intestine, Large ; Locus Coeruleus ; physiology ; Neurons ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

AIMTo set up an artificial neural network system and optimize by genetic algorithm (GA) to predict drug bioavailability.

METHODSGenetic algorithm was used to optimize weights of the artificial neural network. The optimal solution of the artificial neural network model at a specific condition was obtained using the good search ability of genetic algorithm in order to predict drug bioavailability. Volume, refractivity, lgP(c), hydration, polarizability, E(HOMO) and E(LUMO) are inputs of the drug bioavailability prediction neural network, and its output is average drug bioavailability.

RESULTSThe prediction precision of average drug bioavailability of the GA- neural network model is 95.9%.

CONCLUSIONThis model can be used in the forecasting of drug bioavailability.

Algorithms ; Biological Availability ; Neural Networks (Computer)

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to compare transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) plus ¹³¹I-labelled metuximab with TACE alone for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Chinese BioMedical Literature Database with published date from the earliest to February 29th, 2016. No language restrictions were applied, but only prospective randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or non-RCTs were eligible for a full-text review. The primary outcome was the overall survival (OS) and effective rate (the rate of partial atrophy or complete clearance of the tumor lesion). The odds ratios (ORs) were combined using either the fixed-effects model or random-effects model. RESULTS: Eight trials (3 RCTs and 5 non-RCTs) were included, involving a total of 1121 patients. Patients receiving combined therapy of TACE plus ¹³¹I-labelled metuximab showed significant improvement in effective rate {OR = 4.00, (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.40–6.66), p < 0.001}, 1-year OS (OR = 2.03 [95% CI: 1.55–2.67], p < 0.001) and 2-year OS (OR = 2.57 [95% CI: 1.41–4.66], p = 0.002]. CONCLUSION: TACE plus ¹³¹I-labelled metuximab is more beneficial for treating advanced HCCs than TACE alone in terms of tumor response and OS. Large, multi-center, and blinded randomized trials are required to confirm these findings.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Atrophy ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Humans ; Odds Ratio ; Prospective Studies ; Radioimmunotherapy

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical characteristics of anti-HBc IgM positive chronic hepatitis B patients and the relation of anti-HBc IgM development to serum HBV DNA load and the state of HBeAg/anti-HBe.

METHODSThe clinical data were collected from patients with chronic hepatitis B hospitalized in the Infectious Diseases Hospital, Zhangjiakou city, and in Ditan Hospital, some of whom were anti-HBc IgM positive and some others were negative. Their HBV DNA load was examined by real-time PCR, and HBeAg/anti-HBe was detected by AXSYM auto-enzyme analyzer with the third generation EIA regent.

RESULTSTotally 200 patients were enrolled in this study. The number of patients with mild, moderate and severe hepatitis was 71, 83 and 46. The anti-HBc IgM positive patients were older and had longer course of disease than those of anti-HBc IgM negative patients. Of the anti-HBc IgM positive group, 45.71 percent and 54.29 percent had mild and moderate hepatitis, which were significantly different from those in the anti-HBc IgM negative patients (30.00 percent and 70.00 percent). But there was no difference between anti-HBc IgM positive and negative patients in serum HBV DNA level, the state of HBeAg/anti-HBe and outcome.

CONCLUSIONThe anti-HBc IgM state of chronic hepatitis B patients was related to the severity of hepatitis, but not with virus load and state of HBeAg/anti-HBe.

Adult ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; genetics ; Female ; Hepatitis B Antibodies ; blood ; Hepatitis B Core Antigens ; immunology ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; immunology ; physiology ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; immunology ; virology ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin M ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Viral Load ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the detection limit of multicolor combinational probe coding real-time PCR (MCPC-PCR) in detection of Salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus suspended in the food samples, and to apply MCPC-PCR to detect the samples of food poisoning.

METHODSSeries concentration of bacterium suspension (10(1) - 10(9) CFU/ml) was prepared by using 22 simulated samples including fresh meat and cakes and then MCPC-PCR was applied to detect Salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus in 22 samples. Enrichment broth of 101 frozen samples and 5 early patients' anal swabs in food poisoning cases were detected after the DNA samples were extracted.

RESULTSThe limits of MCPC-PCR assay in detecting Salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus were about 10(2) copies/test; 101 frozen enrichment broth of samples in food poisoning cases were detected by MCPC-PCR assay, of 23 positive samples, 18 were confirmed by bacteriology techniques; 96 samples detected by MCPC-PCR and bacteriology techniques had the same results, and the coincidence rate was 95.05%. Anal swabs, collected from 5 of early patients in a food poisoning case gave a clue to be Vibrio parahaemolyticus by MCPC-PCR assay and then were perfectly consistent with bacteriology assay.

CONCLUSIONAs a method of high sensitivity and good specificity, MCPC-PCR assay can quickly and conveniently detect multiple pathogens existing in food samples, therefore we recommend it to be used in rapidly screening or simultaneous detection of food-borne diseases.

Bacteriological Techniques ; methods ; Food Contamination ; analysis ; Food Microbiology ; Molecular Probe Techniques ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Salmonella ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Staphylococcus aureus ; genetics ; isolation & purification

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVECybeKnife is a newly developed technology in the field of stereotactic radiosurgery/radiotherapy (SRS/SRT). Compared with conventional SRS/SRT, there are many advantages for CyberKnife in terms of treating tumors that move with respiration, being real-time image-guidance, frameless, high accurateness, and so on. Recently, it has been used to treat different types of malignant carcinoma including intracranial and caudomedial tumors. This study was designed to evaluate the short-term efficacy and toxicity of the CyberKnife radiotherapy for locally advanced pancreatic cancer.

METHODSA total of 20 patients with locally advanced (stage II-III) pancreatic cancer treated with CyberKnife were recruited between April 2009 and December 2009. Of 20 patients, 13 were with cancer located at the pancreatic head and 7 were located at the pancreatic body and tail. The planning target volume (PTV) was defined as gross tumor volume (GTV) plus 2-3 mm, and more than 95% PTV should be covered by 75% isodose surface. The median of PTV was 47 cm³ (26-64 cm³). The median total prescription dose was 40 Gy (32-55 Gy) at 3-6 fractions. During treatment delivery, X-Sight Spine Tracking System was used in 5 patients to track movement of the tumor. Other 15 patients were implanted fiducials in the tumors to track movement of the tumor and patient breathing patterns.

RESULTSThe median follow-up time was 7 months (3-11 months). All patients had finished the treatment and 19 were alive by the last follow-up. Slight fatigue was the most common complain. Evaluated by CT scan, 6 were complete response, 9 were partial response, 3 were stable disease, and 1 was progression; 1 was dead. There were 6 patients with grade I granulocytopenia, 7 with grade I nausea, and 5 with grade II vomiting.

CONCLUSIONSThe CyberKnife radiosurgery for the locally advanced pancreatic cancer shows a high rate of local control and minimal toxicity. Long-term follow-up is necessary to evaluate the survival and late toxicity.

Adult ; Aged ; CA-19-9 Antigen ; blood ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Leukopenia ; etiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nausea ; etiology ; Neoplasm Staging ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Quality of Life ; Radionuclide Imaging ; Radiosurgery ; adverse effects ; Radiotherapy Dosage ; Remission Induction ; Thrombocytopenia ; etiology

Objective To improve the voltage regulator for the traditional X-ray machine to provide heating voltage and current to X-ray tube filament heating circuit.Methods The circuits included the ones for regulator output voltage sampling,desired voltage generation,control voltage generation,synchronous pulse triangular signal generation,phase control,siliconcontrolled rectifier (SCR) and regulator input voltage sampling.Negative feedback control was executed by the sampling,detection and comparison of the regulator output voltage,and the comparison was carried out with the synchronous pulse triangular signal to generate the signal for controlling SCR.The regulator output voltage was kept stable by regulating the modes of SCR conduction angle.Results Installing and debugging of designed circuit for domestic power frequency X-ray machine contributed to realizing voltage regulation for the filament heating circuit.The test also measured voltage waveform distortion in AC circuits,and this kind of adverse effect did not affect the filament heating circuit.Conclusion The improved system has small volume,low heat,little noise and high performance,which can replace the traditional MSVR.