Objective To investigate the anti-tumor activities of cell-penetrating peptide ( CPP) - mediated trichosanthin ( TCS) , which is a recombinant protein obtained from Radix Trichosanthis. Methods Cysteine residue was introduced to the C-terminus of TCS by protein recombinant technique, and then with the newly-formed terminal as the modification site, TCS was coupled with CPP. As a target protein, CPP-mediated TCS was isolated and purified by affinity chromatography. The expression of the target protein and its responsiveness to reducing substances were detected by using the sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The cellular uptake rate of CPP-mediated TCS was determined by using cell uptake test, and its anti-tumor activity was measured by using methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. Results The TCS-CPP compound had been successfully developed in this study, and showed certain reducing responsiveness. After modified with CPP, TCS had higher cellular uptake rate and stronger anti-tumor effect on HeLa and MCF-7 cells. Conclusion TCS modified by CPP can enhance the anti-tumor activities of TCS.

Adult ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; blood ; Humans ; Liver Transplantation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tissue Donors

OBJECTIVETo investigate the therapeutic effect of digital dorsal flap based on vascular network for skin defects at fingers.

METHODSFrom August 2005 to August 2010, 49 cases with 61 skin defects at fingers were treated with the digital dorsal flaps, including 19 at the index fingers, 19 at the middle fingers, 16 at the ring fingers and 3 at the little fingers. The defects were 42 at the distal end, 12 at the middle segment and 7 at the proximal segment. The flaps size ranged from 27 mm x 20 mm to 10 mm x 8 mm.

RESULTS61 flaps in 49 cases survived completely. 52 fingers were followed up for 6-22 months. The aesthetic and functional results were both satisfactory. The flaps sensation was graded as S3, with a discrimination distance of 6-9 mm (median, 7.6 mm). No complication happened in donor sites.

CONCLUSIONSThe digital dorsal flap based on vascular network has reliable blood supply with less morbidity to the main artery. It is safe and easily performed with good effect for skin defect at finger.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Finger Injuries ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Skin ; injuries ; Skin Transplantation ; methods ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; surgery ; Surgical Flaps ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of different vibration frequency on the back muscle fatigue during simulated driving.

METHODSThirty-six subjects performed three simulated driving experiments under three vertical vibration frequencies which were 1.8, 4.0, 6.0 Hz respectively and the driving time was 90 minutes. At the same time the electromyography of low back was recorded.

RESULTSThe median frequencies calculated from the power spectrum were decreased exponentially under three vertical vibration frequencies, especially under 4.0 Hz vibration frequency.

CONCLUSIONThe 4.0 Hz vibration frequency has the most important effect on the back muscle fatigue under simulated driving condition.

Adult ; Automobile Driving ; Electromyography ; methods ; Humans ; Low Back Pain ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Male ; Models, Biological ; Muscle Fatigue ; physiology ; Muscles ; physiology ; Posture ; physiology

AIMThe purpose of this study was to develop a mathematical model to quantitatively describe the passive transport of macromolecules within dental biofilms.

METHODOLOGYFluorescently labeled dextrans with different molecular mass (3 kD, 10 kD, 40 kD, 70 kD, 2000 kD) were used as a series of diffusion probes. Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguinis, Actinomyces naeslundii and Fusobacterium nucleatum were used as inocula for biofilm formation. The diffusion processes of different probes through the in vitro biofilm were recorded with a confocal laser microscope.

RESULTSMathematical function of biofilm penetration was constructed on the basis of the inverse problem method. Based on this function, not only the relationship between average concentration of steady-state and molecule weights can be analyzed, but also that between penetrative time and molecule weights.

CONCLUSIONThis can be used to predict the effective concentration and the penetrative time of anti-biofilm medicines that can diffuse through oral biofilm. Furthermore, an improved model for large molecule is proposed by considering the exchange time at the upper boundary of the dental biofilm.

Actinomyces ; growth & development ; Algorithms ; Biofilms ; growth & development ; Biological Transport ; Dental Plaque ; microbiology ; Dextrans ; pharmacokinetics ; Diffusion ; Fluorescent Dyes ; pharmacokinetics ; Fusobacterium nucleatum ; growth & development ; Macromolecular Substances ; pharmacokinetics ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Models, Biological ; Molecular Probe Techniques ; Streptococcus mutans ; growth & development ; Streptococcus sanguis ; growth & development

Objective To investigate the potential of neural stem cells (NSCs) injected into the cistema magna to migrate into the injured brain tissue to survive and differentiate into neural cells in rats with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods Embryonic NSCs cultured in vitro were labeled with BrdU and identified using immunofluorescence assay for nestin and BrdU expression. The labeled NSCs were stereotactically injected into the subarachnoid spaces of rats 24 h after experimental traumatic brain injury. The motor neurological function of the rats was assessed 24 h before and 24 h and 1 and 2 weeks after the injury, and immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expressions of BrdU, MAP2 and GFAP in the brain tissues. Results Positive expressions of nestin and BrdU were detected on the neurospheres by immunofluorescence assay. NSC transplantation resulted in significantly improved motor neurological function of the rats with traumatic brain injury (P<0.05). Immtmohistochemistry demonstrated the presence of BrdU-positive NSCs, MAP2-positive neurons and GFAP-positive glial cells in the traumatic brain tissue of rats 1 and 2 weeks after NSC transplantation. Conclusion Neural stem cells injected via the subarachnoid space can migrate into the injured rat brain tissue and differentiate into neural cells to promote the recovery of motor neurological function of rats with traumatic brain injury.

OBJECTIVETo study the epidemic pattern and trend of HBV infection in the area where the people had been immunized by HBV vaccine for 20 years.

METHODSThe whole sampling method was applied in combination with cross-sectional investigation. Blood samples were taken from every member of families. Markers of HBV infection were determined by using solid-phase radioimmunoassay (SPRIA).

RESULTS(1) The average HBsAg positive rate was 7.5%. The positive rate of markers for HBV infection of 0-19 years old subjects were lower than those of > or = 20 years old subjects. (2) The positive rate of HBsAg of 0-19 years old subjects in 1985 was higher than that in 2005. The anti-HBs positive rate in 1985 stemmed to be higher with age. It was 12.4% in 1- age group to 53.8% in >60 years age group. While the result of 2005 showed that the anti-HBs positive rate of 0-19 years old subjects dropped with age. The anti-HBc positive rate in 1985 also tended to be higher with age. But the result of 2005 showed that the rate of 0-19 years old subjects was just 1.4% to 16.8%.

CONCLUSIONThe epidemic patterns of HBV infection have had significant variations in the target population. HBV vaccine immunization has obtained excellent efficacy.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Hepatitis B ; blood ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Hepatitis B Vaccines ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Immunization ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the epidemiological pattern and trends of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in the area where people had been immunized by HBV vaccine for long time.

METHODSThrough cluster sampling and cross-sectional study, relative information and blood samples from people in Long-an county by families were collected. Signals of HBV infection were tested by solid-phase reverse immunosorbent test.

RESULTS(1) The average HBsAg positive rate was 7.5% with anti-HBs as 44.5 %, and anti-HBc as 47.8%. The positive rates of HBsAg and anti-HBc among 0-19 year-olds were lower than those of > or = 20 year-olds. (2) The positive rates of HBsAg, anti-HBc and HBV infection among HBV vaccine immunized group were 2.8%, 12.0% and 12.5% respectively, comparing with which among the un-immunized group as 10.2%, 69.8% and 71.2% respectively. (3) The HBsAg positive rate of male was higher than the female's but with no significant difference of anti-HBs and anti-HBc between different sexes. (4) The average HBsAg positive rate of 0-19 years old group was only 2.4%, while that of 20-30 years old group was 13.6%-17.7% and dropped from 60 years old group and on. The anti-HBs positive rate of 0-19 years old people started to drop significantly by age. The anti-HBs and anti-HBc positive rates of > or = 20 years people were showing a rising trend by ages.

CONCLUSIONIt seemed obviously that the HBV epidemiological patterns had changed after HBV vaccine had been universally used for long time in newborns. The age peak of infection had been pushed backward for nearly 20 years. It had been proved that the HBV vaccine immunization program had obtained excellent efficacy.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Distribution ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Hepatitis B ; epidemiology ; immunology ; prevention & control ; Hepatitis B Antibodies ; immunology ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; immunology ; Hepatitis B Vaccines ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was designed to evaluate the outcomes of liver transplant recipients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) receiving either lamivudine monotherapy or lamivudine combined with individualized low-dose hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) therapy.

METHODSA total of 111 liver transplant recipients with CHB were divided not randomly into two groups according to the availability of HBIG before liver transplantation (LT). Thirty-two patients received lamivudine monotherapy (100 mg/d) and 79 patients received lamivudine (100 mg/d) combined with individualized low-dose HBIG (intramuscular administration) to maintain the titer of antibody to hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen (anti-HBs) not less than 100 U/L. The patients were followed-up for a median time of 32 months (1 to 88 months).

RESULTSIn the lamivudine monotherapy group, 5 patients hepatitis B relapsed (3/5 developed YMDD mutants of HBV), with 1-, 2-, and 3-year cumulative recurrence rates of 7.1%, 14.3% and 17.9% and survival rates of 87.5%, 84.4% and 74.6%. In the lamivudine and HBIG combination therapy group, 2 patients hepatitis B relapsed (2/2 developed YMDD mutants of HBV), with 1-, 2-, and 3-year cumulative recurrence rates of 0, 1.8% and 5.7% (P < 0.01) and survival rates of 83.5%, 80.9% and 77.6% (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSCompared with lamivudine monotherapy, lamivudine combined with individualized low-dose HBIG can further reduce the recurrence risk of hepatitis B in liver transplant recipients. This combined therapy could be used as a rational strategy for prophylaxis of hepatitis B recurrence in such patients.

Adult ; Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatitis B ; pathology ; prevention & control ; Hepatitis B virus ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; therapeutic use ; Lamivudine ; therapeutic use ; Liver Transplantation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Secondary Prevention

Objective To summarize and review the comparative results of the isotope dilution mass spectrometry in Cholesterol Reference Method Laboratory Network (CRMLN)project of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)of the United States in order to provide quality controls for determination of blood lipid.Methods The isotope dilution liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (ID-LC/MS/MS)methods for determination of serum total cholesterol (TC)and triglycerides (TG)were developed to participate in the comparison of CRMLN.The survey was conducted every three months before 2016 and every half year from 2016.Four kinds of reference materials with two parallel tubes for each material and each tube in duplicate were determined in every survey.At least two certified reference materials used as quality control samples were analyzed simultaneously in each determination.Results In the 15 comparisons the CV of the TC determination method in our laboratory was 0.43％ while the CV of all the participated laboratories in CRMLN was 0.42％.The bias from the overall mean value in our laboratory was 0.22％ while the bias from the CDC target values was 0.58％.The CV of the TG determination method in 15 tests of our laboratory was 0.62％ and the bias was-0.98％ from the overall mean value and-0.80％ from the target values of CDC.Among the 60 results for comparison,98％ (59/60)of CV in the TC determination met with CDC requirement for precision (CV≤ 1％),and 70％ of bias (42/60) of the results met with CDC requirement for accuracy (bias ≤ 1％).For the 60 results in comparison of TG determination,92％ (55/60)of bias of the results met with the accuracy requirement of CDC (bias ≤2.55％).Conclusion In CRMLN comparison the results of TC and TG determined by ID-LC/MS/MS method were consistent with the values which were certified by CDC and determined by other network laboratories.The comparative surveys may play an important role in the standardization of lipid determination,and should be expected to provide experiences and technical supports in the comparative plan for reference measurement in our country.