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.

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

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

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

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.

Objective To investigate the effects of Shenfu injection on blood pressure and heart rate of patients receiving carotid artery stenting.Methods One hundred and twenty patients were randomly divided into the treatment group and the control group , sixty cases in each group.The control group received conventional medication under custodial care , and the treatment group was given Shenfu ( 1 mL · kg -1 ) 10 minutes before surgery.Mean arterial pressure(MAP), heart rate (HR), oxygen satu-ration (SpO2), as well as the frequency of intra -operative hypotension, and the applications of ephedrine and atropine were recorded respectively at the beginning of surgery , the 30 th minute during surgery , the end of surgery and 24 hours after the surgery.Results The operations were all successful , and no adverse reactions occurred.MAP in treatment group at the 30th minute during surgery was higher than in the control group , while it was lower than of the control group at the end of surgery ( P<0.01).HR in the treatment group (68.25 ±7.35) times· min-1 was lower than that of the control group (73.28 ±10.43)times· min-1 at the end of surgery (P<0.05 ).Conclusion Shenfu injection helps stabilize blood pressure and heart rate of patients receiving carotid artery stenting through the two-way adjustment , and it could reduce the occurrence of cerebrovascu-lar accident during the per -operative period.

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

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

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