OBJECTIVETo investigate the anti-cancer activities and the possible mechanism of Chinese herb Dioscrea bulbifera.

METHODThe herb was extracted sequentially with petroleum ether, ethanol and water. The anticancer screen were carried out in vivo with HepA in mice.

RESULTThe inhibitory effects on the formation of ascites volume and HepA cell viability in ascites were found in those extracted fractions except water fraction, the petroleum ether fraction being the strongest. Life span of mice bearing HepA ascites was prolonged after exposed to 100 mg x kg(-1) petroleum ether fraction and shortened after exposed to water fraction significantly. Besides, abnormal microstructure on HepA cells surface was found and it was supposed to be potential effect against viability of HepA which was convinced with the regeneration of HepA cells from ascites in mice exposed to petroleum ether fraction.

CONCLUSIONAnticancer active compounds are mainly extracted by petroleum ether from hydrophobic constituents of Dioscrea bulbifera and the anticancer effects were related to direct toxicity on tumor cell.

Alkanes ; Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Ascites ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Dioscorea ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Ethanol ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rhizome ; chemistry

Adult ; Biopsy ; DNA ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Glomerulonephritis, IGA ; genetics ; pathology ; Humans ; Kidney ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the resistant mechanism of imipenem-resistant K. pneumoniae.Methods The minimal inhibitive concentrations (MICs) of the antimicrobial agents were determined by Etest.Isoelectric focusing electrophoresis (IEF),plasmid extraction,conjugation, transformation,PCR amplification,cloning and sequencing were carried out for analyzing the encoding gene of ?-1actamases.Results Three kinds of ?-1actamases were detected with pIs of 7.2,6.7,and 5.4.in a clinical strain of K.pneumoniae.These ?-1actamases were TEM-I (pI,5.4),SHV-12 (pI,8.2) and KPC-2 ( pI,6.7 ) confirmed by sequencing of the PCR products.Only one band of ?-1actamase with pI 6.7 was displayed in the transformant.A 1500 bp segment,which contained the KPC-2 gene confirmed by nucleotide sequence analysis,was cloned from a 60 000 bp plasmid of the transformant.Conclusion The strain of K.pneumoniae resistant to imipenem produces a plasmid-mediated carbapenemase KPC-2 which belongs to Bush group 2f,class A ?-1actamase.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the feasibility and safety of CO2 laser supraglottoplasty for severe laryngomalacia in infants.

METHODSFrom January 2009 to December 2011, 32 infants with severe laryngomalacia were confirmed by electronic laryngoscope and clinical assessment in Shenzhen Children's Hospital. According to the choice made by the parents, 16 children accepted CO2 laser supraglottoplasty (group 1), the others were treated conservatively (group 2). The beginning observation point T0 was defined as the age on the first medicine taking day or the age of surgery. T1, T3, T6 were defined as 1, 3, 6 months following T0. Clinical symptoms included stridor, dyspnea, aspiration, and respiratory infections. The body weight, PSG reports, laryngoscope findings, cure rates of the two groups were compared.

RESULTSThe anatomical abnormalities were corrected surgically, and the symptoms ,such as stridor, dyspnea, and aspiration improved rapidly after the operation. The cure rates was higher in group 1 than in group 2 on T1, T3, T6 stage. There were statistically significant differences(χ(2) were 13.9, 28.1, 24.6 respectively; all P < 0.01). Children in group 1 gained weight better than in group 2. There was a statistically significant difference in Z scores median on T1, T3, T6 stage (z score were -0.848, -2.940, -4.110; P < 0.05, or P < 0.01 respectively). The lowest oxygen saturation in group 1 improved one month after the surgery (from average 0.686 ± 0.106 to 0.901 ± 0.041). There was a statistically significant difference (t = -7.876, P = 0.001). Complications included adhesion (1 case) and temporary new-onset aspiration (1 case).

CONCLUSIONSThe CO2 laser supraglottoplasty can resolve severe laryngomalacia symptoms including stridor, dyspnea and aspiration. It can reduce the frequency of respiratory infections, and contribute to weight gaining. The CO2 laser supraglottoplasty is effective, of high security and with rare complications.

Carbon Dioxide ; Glottis ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Laryngomalacia ; radiotherapy ; Laryngoscopes ; Lasers, Gas ; therapeutic use ; Low-Level Light Therapy ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo investigate the prevalence of viral infections and putative association of viral infection with illness severity in young children with severe lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) in Chongqing.

METHODRespiratory secretion specimens were collected from 119 hospitalized patients with severe pneumonia from December 2006 to March 2008.After being processed, the samples were detected for respiratory viruses including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenovirus (ADV), human metapneumovirus (hMPV), human bocavirus (HBoV), parainfluenza virus 1, 2, 3 (PIV 1, 2, 3), influenza virus A and B (IVA and IVB) either by PCR or RT-PCR. Clinical data were analyzed along with virological data by using appropriate statistical methods.

RESULTViral pathogens were identified in specimens of 86 (72.3%) cases, among which RSV was detected in 49 (41.2%) patients. More than one virus was detected in 23 individual (26.7%) samples, of which 19 were dual positive for RSV and another virus. Bacterial cultures were performed for 69 patients. Both bacterial and viral pathogens were identified in 53 (76.8%) patients. Bacterial and viral coinfection was demonstrated in samples from 41 (59.4%) cases.

CONCLUSIONViral pathogens are the main etiology of severe pneumonia in young children in Chongqing area during the study period. RSV was the most frequent viral pathogens, followed by ADV and hMPV. Coinfection with respiratory common viruses was relatively common, though co-infection with viruses did not appear to aggravate the patients' condition.

Adenoviridae ; isolation & purification ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Human bocavirus ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Influenza A virus ; isolation & purification ; Metapneumovirus ; isolation & purification ; Pneumonia, Bacterial ; microbiology ; virology ; Pneumonia, Viral ; microbiology ; virology ; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses ; isolation & purification ; Virus Diseases ; virology

OBJECTIVETo study the expression of galectin 3 (Gal-3) and CD82/KAI1 proteins in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and the correlation between their expression and clinical significance.

METHODSThe expression of Gal-3 and CD82/KAI1 proteins was detected by immunohistochemistry in 160 specimens of NSCLC and 20 specimens of normal lung tissue.

RESULTSThe positive rates of Gal-3 and CD82/KAI1 proteins in the NSCLC were 63.8% and 37.5%, respectively, the positive rates of Gal-3 and CD82/KAI1 proteins in the normal lung tissue were 25.0% and 95.0%, respectively, and there was a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.01). The expression of Gal-3 and CD82/KAI1 proteins was significantly correlated with the grade of tumor, lymph node metastasis, and pathological-TNM stages (all P < 0.05). Spearman analysis showed that there was a negative correlation between expressions of Gal-3 and CD82/KAI1 in NSCLC (r = -0.732, P < 0.01). Overexpression of Gal-3 and low expression of CD82/KAI1 were related to poor prognosis: the survival rate was significantly lower in the positive Gal-3 group (survival time: 23.0 ± 17.5 months) than that in the negative group (survival time: 71.6 ± 21.6 months) (P < 0.01). The survival rates of the CD82/KAI1-positive group (survival time: 72.5 ± 19.5 months) and CD82/KAI1-negative group (survival time: 21.6 ± 16.1 months) were significantly different (P < 0.01). Multivariate analysis indicated that pTNM stage and positive expression of Gal-3 and CD82/KAI1 are independent prognostic factors of NSCLC (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe expression of Gal-3 and CD82/KAI1 may be related to the initiation, development and metastasis of NSCLC. Combined detection of Gal-3 and CD82/KAI1 has an important role in predicting the progression and prognosis of NSCLC.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Galectin 3 ; metabolism ; Humans ; Kangai-1 Protein ; metabolism ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Grading ; Neoplasm Staging ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Survival Rate

Objective:To investigate the effect on the phenotype and function of CIK cells induced from splenic lymphocyte in mice treated with carboxylated single-walled carbon nanotubes.Methods:CIK cells were treated with carboxylated single-walled carbon nanotubes at different concentrations.Cell growth status was observed using inverted fluorescence microscopy.The killing effect was de-termined by MTS method.Immunophenotype was analyzed by flow cytometry.Results: With the increase of the effect target ratio,the killer rate of CIK was gradually enhanced and the optimal effect target ratio was 20:1.With the increase of the dose of carboxylated single-walled carbon nanotubes,the proportion of Treg cells decreased.When CIK cells were treated with 0.5 μg/ml carboxylated single-walled carbon nanotubes(CNTs),the proportion of CD3+CD4+and CD3+CD8+was significantly higher than that of the control group(P<0.05),and the killing effects of CIK anchieved best results to B16 cells,H22 cells and RM-1cells.Conclusion: The carboxylated single-walled carbon nanotubes enhanced the ability of CIK cells to kill tumor cells,significantly which provide has potential value in tumor drug development.

Objective To observe the effect of iodine excess(HI),polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid[Poly(I:C),Poly]and thyroglobulin(TG)on the thyroid of mice by the expression of Toll-like receptor 3(TLR3)to reveal the functional role of TLR3 in autoimmune thyroiditis.Methods Forty-two non-obese diabetic mice,body weight (20±3)g,were divided into six groups:control group,HI group,Poly group,TG group,HI+TG group,HI+Poly group. Fed with deionized water and injected intraperitoneally with physiological saline 0.1 ml each day for a week, the mice in control group were injected with physiological saline every other day at the same dose for 1 week before they were sacrificed; HI group drank 0.05% NaI water and were injected intraperitoneally with physiological saline same as control group; Poly group drank deionized water and were injected intraperitoneally with poly 0.1 ml (1 g/L)each day of the week, then the mice were injected with Poly every other day at the same dose for 1 week before they were sacrificed; TG group drank deionized water and were injected intraperitoneally with physiological saline same as control group, immunized with 0.1 mg TG by subcutaneously injecting and the immunization was enhanced after they were fed half dose for 4 and 8 weeks separately. In HI + Poly group, the treatment was the same as HI group and Poly group; HI + TG group: the treatment was the same as HI group and TG group. Eight weeks later, mice were sacrificed and thyroids were taken to make frozen sections, Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) staining was employed to observe the morphological change of the thyroids. The expression of TLR3 of thyroids was observed under fluorescence microscope after Immumofluorescence using TLR3 antibody and TR3-positive cells were analyzed in the thyroid density. Results HE staining showed thyroids of Poly group had no inflammation under microscope.There were different degrees of inflammatory cell infiltration in HI group and TG group. The inflammatory cell infiltration and the damage of follicular thyroid of HI + TG group and HI + Poly group were serious, and the degrees of inflammation were higher over "++". Thyroid follicular epithelial cell with TLR3 expression could be seen in Poly group and HI group, meanwhile, there were TLR3 strong positive inflammatory cells in HI group under fluorescent microscope. Using stereological analysis of TLR3-positive cell density in the thyroid, the difference between groups was statistically significant(F=7.870, P<0.01 ). TLR3-positive cell density in the thyroid of HI + Poly group was higher[ (9.287 ± 0.522)mm2] than control group[ (0.062 ± 0.025)mm2, P < 0.01] significantly, meanwhile, the density in HI + Poly group was higher than HI group [ (2.574 ± 0.257 )mm2] and Poly group[ (1.361 ± 0.148 )mm2, all P < 0.01]. The density in HI + TG group[ (4.843±0.405)mm2] was higher than HI group and TG group[(1.601 ±0.268)mm2, all P < 0.01 )]. Conclusions Excessive iodine and thyroglobulin can induce thyroiditis, and stimulate the expression of TLR3 in the thyroid follicular epithelial, Poly aggravated thyroiditis induced by iodine excess in NOD mice; TLR3 positive inflammatory cells also appeared in inflammatory region, suggesting that TLR3 is involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune thyroiditis

Objective To investigate the influence of iodine excess on expression of TRAIl/TRAIL-sR1 in NOD and Balb/c mice and to study the effect of TRAIl/TRAIL-sR1 on the pathogenesis of experimental autoimmune thyroiditis(EAT). Methods Both Balb/c and NOD mice were divided randomly into control and iodine excess group by feeding with water containing no NaI or 0.05% Nal. The mice were sacrificed after 8 weeks. TRAIL and TRAIL-sR1 mRNA levels were detected by RT-PCR. The function, morphology and apoptosis of thyroids were also observed by ELISA and Tunnel stain. Results Treated by HI, enlarged follicles and flattened epithelium by accumulation of colloid were found in thyroids of both NOD and Balb/c mice. But significant lymphoid cell infiltration and local fibrosis were only found in thyroids of NOD HI group. The relative weight of thyroids of NOD mice in HI group[(104.8±14.5)mg/kg]was heavier than that of control group [(71.8±20.4)mg/kg]. The level of TT4 declined in HI group[(30.77±3.59)mmol/L]compared with control group[(36.43±2.66)mmol/L], meanwhile, the level of TSH was higher in HI group[(6.98±0.66)μg/L]than that in control group [(5.55±0.56)μg/L]. The difference being statistically significant(t=7.773,-9.526,-4.458, all P < 0.05). The relative weight of thyroids of Balb/c mice of HI group[(155.8±20.8)mg/kg]also heavier than that of control group [(105.1±22.0) mg/kg]. The level of TT4 droped in HI group [(19.75±3.32) mmoL/L]was higher than that in control group[(23.46±6.21)mmoL/L], the level of TSH in HI group[(4.14±1.71)μg/L]was higher than that in control group[(3.55±1.41)μg/L], the difference being statistically significant(t=7.554,-7.239,3.140, all P< 0.05). A great deal of apoptotie ceils observed in NOD (3.97±0.91) and Balb/c mice (1.05±0.45) by Tunnel stain were greater than control groups (0.21±0.15, 0.10±0.03), the difference being statistically significant in beth of the two species(t=-7.167,-17.772, both P < 0.05). The apoptosis index of thyroid follicular epithelium in NOD was obviously higher than Balb/c(t=-7.625, P<0.05). The level of TRAIL mRNA did not remarkably change in Balb/c between control group(0.000 59±0.000 39) and HI group(0.001 24±0.000 46, t=-1.940, P>0.05), but it increased apparently in NOD mice HI group(0.018 88±0.005 77) than that of control group(0.009 61± 0.00591, t=-2.71, P<0.05). The level of the expression of TRAIL-sR1 mRNA increased in HI groups of NOD (0.000 53±0.000 15) and Balb/c mice(0.000 42±0.000 09) than that in control groups of NOD(0.000 28± 0.000 05) and Balb/c mice (0.000 17±0.000 06) and the differences were statistically significant between the two species(t=3.050,3.990, all P<0.05). The differences of the expression of TRAIL and TRAIL-sR1 mRNA between the two species were significant(t=-3.37,-4.76, all P<0.05). Conclusions Iodine excess induces colloid goiter in beth species of mice and thyroiditis in NOD mice. The increase of TRAIL and TRAIL-sR1 influenced by iodine excess is one of the molecular bases of follicular epithelium apoptosis and inflammation in thyroids. Genetic factor is a key factor in the pathogenesis of thyroiditis.

OBJECTIVETo find a simple, fast, accurate, and quantitative PCR-based method for mutation detection, so as to identify mitochondrial DNA 11778 G-->A point mutation in patients with Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON).

METHODOn the basis of sequencing of mtDNA from LHON proband, M primer for mutation and N primer for normal were designed to be coupled with reverse primer respectively. Specific PCRs were done on an amplifying condition with high stringency such as a well controlled annealing temperature, low Mg2+ concentration and less thermal cycles. The objective pedigree includes 10 individuals, were against 40 normal control persons.

RESULTSDifferent ratios of indicative mtDNA 11778A-->G mutation were checked out from the proband, affected maternal members and a 10 year-old boy (up to now no appearance yet), whereas not appeared on normal spouses, paternal offsprings in the family, neither did on 40 controls.

CONCLUSIONThis site-specific PCR method is a kind of general mutation analysis way, without the restriction of existence of endonuclease site. It can be applied for the gene diagnosis of known-mutation hereditary diseases such as LHON.

Adult ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Optic Atrophy, Hereditary, Leber ; genetics ; Pedigree ; Point Mutation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods