Objective To explore a new molecular target for HSV-tk/GCV system in human liver cancer therapy.Methods The lactose and poly-L-lysine covalently linked compound(Lac-PLL) were prepared by using reductive amination methods and purified by using Sephadex G10 gel filtration.The value of n was determined by methods of phenol-vitriol colorimetry.The plasmid r-pAs16Dr was mixed with the conjugate to form a gene delivery complex named GlanPLL-r-pAs16Dr.The GlanPLL-r-pAs16Dr was transformed to different cell lines such as HepG2 and A549 to confirm the expression of RFP.The expression of HSV-tk was confirmed by RT-PCR.Cells with various concentrations of GCV were observed at different time points using MTT.Results The PLL modified by 34 Lac was obtained by using chemical synthesis.The RFP was expressed in HepG2 by 48h after transfection,and was not expressed in A549.The expression of HSV-tk was only detected in HepG2 using RT-PCR.The HepG2 transformed with GlanPLL-r-pAs16Dr was sensitive to GCV and the growth inhibiting rate was 70.5% with the treatment of low concentration of GCV(1mg/L) for 3 days.The A549 was not sensitive to GCV.Conclusion Lac-PLL,which is easy to prepare,is an efficient carrier for HSV-tk to be delivered to hepatoma cell lines by binding to ASGPR.

Objective To evaluate the preliminary outcome of stable vitiligo treatment with ReCell(R )technique.Methods Six patients with stable vitiligo were treated with ReCell(R ) technique.In each patient,a thin razor-thickness cutaneous biopsy was harvested from uninvolved area near the vitiligo patches.It was then processed through the ReCell(R ) system and 1 ml autologous epidermal cell suspension was obtained.The lesion area was dermabraded using a diamond fraise wheel to the dermoepidermal junction.The cell suspension was then sprayed on the wound and covered with non-adhering dressings.Results The patients were followed up for 6 months.5 patients presented with repigmentaion in the treated area.There was no significant response in one patient who was diagnosed as systematic vitiligo.Conclusions The ReCell(R ) technique is an alternative treatment for stable vitiligo patients.The clinical outcome will be satisfactory when appropriate patients are selected.

Objective To explore the predictive capability of different methods for difficult la-ryngoscopy and analyze its optimal cutoff value.Methods Three hundred consecutive patients (aged 18-65 years,weighing 42-88 kg,ASA physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ)scheduled to undergo general anesthe-sia and surgery were invited to participate.Difficult airway assessments were performed by thyromen-tal height (TMH),thyromental distance (TMD),sternomental distance (SMD),modified Mallam-pati test (MMT)and ratio of height and TMD (RHTMD)before anesthetic induction.Cormack-Le-hane (C-L)grade of laryngoscopy view was assessed after induction.Sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value (PPV),negative predictive value (NPV)and accuracy of these tests were calculated. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC)curve of TMH was performed to determine the optimal cutoff value of TMH.Results There were 22 patients diagnosed as difficult airway.Sensitivity,specificity, PPV,NPV and accuracy of TMH were higher than those of TMD,SMD and MMT tests.Sensitivity of RHTMD was lower than that of TMH test,and specificity,PPV,NPV and accuracy of RHTMD were similar to that of TMH.The optimal cutoff value of TMH was 4.9 cm through ROC curve. Conclusion The optimal cutoff value of TMH detecting difficult laryngoscopy was 4.9 cm.Similar to RHTMD,TMH appears to be more effective for prediction of difficult laryngoscopy than TMD, SMD and MMT.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical effect of indirect cast post core by two different impression methods between silicone rubber impression and agar/alginate combination impression.

METHODS389 massive destruction teeth after root canal therapy were randomly divided into two groups (group A and group B). The teeth of group A was treated by silicone rubber impression material for making indirect post core impression. The teeth of group B was treated by agar/alginate combination impression for making indirect post core impression. The effect of two different impression methods was evaluated.

RESULTSThe success rate of making indirect post core impression by silicone rubber impression method was higher than that of making impression by agar/alginate combination impression method. Significant difference was found in making indirect post core impression between premolars and molars by two different impression methods (P<0.05), while there was no significant difference in making indirect post core impression of anterior teeth by two different impression methods (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe clinical effect of making indirect post core impression by silicone rubber impression method is better than that of making impression by agar/alginate combination impression method.

Bicuspid ; Crowns ; Humans ; Post and Core Technique ; Root Canal Therapy

AIMTo investigate the relation between Glu-R and the protective effect of hypothermia on oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) injury in hippocampal slices of rat.

METHODS(1) We had established OGD injury model in rat hippocampal slices. The changes of orthodromic population spike(OPS) during OGD and after administration of hypothermia (32 degrees C, 25 degrees C) were observed. (2) We had established Glu excitatory toxicity injury model in rat hippocampal slices. The changes of OPS after exposure to Glu and the effect of hypothermia (32 degrees C, 25 degrees C) against the Glu excitatory toxicity injury were observed. The non-NMDA receptor-mediated excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSP) in the CA1 area were recorded via adding the GABA-R specific agonists bicuculline (BMI) and NMDAR agonists D-(-)-2-Amino-5-phosphonopentanoic Acid (AP5) in normal artificial cerebrospinal fluid (nACSF), the NMDA receptor-mediated EPSP were recorded via adding the BMI and non-NMDA-R agonists 6,7-Dinitroquinoxaline-2, 3(1H,4H)-dione(CNQX) in nACSF. The variety of the changes of OPS during OGD14min in nACSF groups and added BMI compounded AP5 or BMI compounded CNQX ACSF groups were observed after administration of 25 degrees C hypothermia 28 min. (3) The changes of ultrastructure of CA1 area after OGD 1 h and the effect of hypothermia (25 degrees C) on it were observed.

RESULTS(1) OPS reduced and abolished quickly during OGD14min, and the recovery amplitude of OPS was very low after reoxygenation/glucose 1 h. While the time of OPS abolishing significantly elongated and the recovery of OPS was higher in hypothermia (32 degrees, 25 degrees C) groups. The effect in groups 25 degrees C was more significant than those in groups 32 degrees C. (2) In control groups, Glu (2 mmol/L, 14 min) decreased the amplitude of OPS, after the end of Glu exposure the recovery amplitude of OPS was very low. After administration of hypothermia (32 degrees C, 25 degrees C), the recovery amplitude and rate of OPS were significantly higher than those in the control groups, while the antagonism on Glu excitatory toxicity injury in H 25 degrees C was more significant than those in H 32 degrees C. The changes of OPS during OGD 14 min were no distinct difference in nACSF groups and added BMI (50 micromol/L) compounded AP5(20 micromol/L) or BMI (50 micromol/L) compounded CNQX (100 micromol/L) ACSF groups. The protection of hypothermia (25 degrees C) could not be cancelled by added AP5 compounded BMI or BMI compounded CNQX in nACSF. (3) After OGD (14 min) 1 h, the nuclear membrane of pyramidal cells in CA1 area was irregular, nucleus were homogenized, the organelle in the cytoplasm was degenerate, even more to necrosis or loss, mitochondrion swelled, ridge was vacuoles. In H 25 degrees C the nuclear membrane was regular, mitochondrion swelled only lightly. Small chromatin gathered to edge.

CONCLUSIONHypothermia shows the protective effects of against OGD injury in hippocampal slices. The mechanism is related to the antagonism of Glu excitor toxicity and maintenance the ATP level in cells, and the antagonism perhaps is mediated by NMDA-R and non-NMDA-R.

Animals ; Cell Hypoxia ; Glucose ; metabolism ; Glutamic Acid ; toxicity ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; Hypothermia ; Membrane Potentials ; N-Methylaspartate ; metabolism ; Neurons ; metabolism ; Organ Culture Techniques ; Oxygen ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo study the correlation of polymorphisms of CYP1A1 MSPI and glutathiones S-transferase (GST-M1) independently and in combination with the risk of lung cancer.

METHODSA case control study which included 91 cases of lung cancer and 138 controls collected from the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou Tumor Hospital and The Red Cross Hospital of Guangzhou or conmunity area. All subjects were investigated with a uniform questionnaire. Blood samples were collected from all cases and controls for detecting CYP1A1 MSPI and GST-M1 polymorphisms which were analyzed by PCR and RFLP.

RESULTSIt showed that there was no significant difference in frequencies of this genotypes of CYP1A1 MSPI between the two groups. The frequency of GST-M1 null (0/0) genotype was higher in the case group than in the control group, with an OR of 1.38 (95% CI 0.81 - 2.38), but there was no statistical significance. However, combination of several genotypes was strongly associated with lung cancer. There was a synergistic interaction between the m2m2 genotype of CYP1A1 MSPI and GST-M1 (0/0) genotype, with an OR of 2.47 (95% CI 1.03 - 5.90).

CONCLUSIONThe combination of two genetic polymorphisms significantly increases the risk of lung cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Case-Control Studies ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1 ; genetics ; Female ; Genotype ; Glutathione Transferase ; genetics ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; etiology ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Risk ; Smoking ; adverse effects

In the present study, an ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled with time-of-fight mass spectrometry (UPLC-TOF/MS) based chemical profiling approach was used to evaluate chemical constitution between co-decoction and mixed decoction of ginseng and Radix Aconiti Praeparata. Two different kinds of decoctions, namely co-decoction of ginseng and Radix Aconiti Praeparata: water extract of mixed two herbs, and mixed decoction of ginseng and Radix Aconiti Praeparata: mixed water extract of each individual herbs, were prepared. Batches of these two kinds of decoction samples were subjected to UPLC-TOF/MS analysis. The datasets of t(R) m/z pairs, ion intensities and sample codes were processed with supervised partial least squared discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) to holistically compare the difference between these two decoction samples. Significant difference between the two decoction samples was showed in the results of positive ion mode. The contents of hypaconitine and deoxyaconitine decreased, while that of benzoylmesaconine, benzoylhypaconine and dehydrated benzoylmesaconine increased in the samples of co-decoction of ginseng and Radix Aconiti Praeparata. The content of diester-diterpenoid alkaloids decreased, while that of monoester-diterpenoid alkaloids increased, which is probably the basis of toxicity-attenuated action when combined ginseng with Radix Aconiti Praeparata.
Aconitine ; analogs & derivatives ; analysis ; Aconitum ; chemistry ; Alkaloids ; analysis ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Panax ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization ; methods

OBJECTIVETo study the cytotoxicity induced by chrysotile asbestos (CA), rock wool (RW) and wollastonite (WS).

METHODSV79 cells were divided into 4 groups. i.e. CA group, WS group, RW group and control group (200 microl PBS). The exposure concentration of dusts was 100 mg/L, The cell viability was detected by MTT and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity assays. The technique of scanning electron microscopy was used to examine the change of V79 cells.

RESULTSSiO2 was main constituent for 3 kinds of dusts. In MTT assay, the cell viability of RW and WS groups was 64.8% and 65.7%, respectively, which were significantly higher than that (54.5%) of CA group (P < 0.01). In LDH assay, the LDH activity of RW and WS groups [(15.7 +/- 50.9), (12.3 +/- 3.7) U/L, respectively] was significantly lower than that [(20.2 +/- 0.9) U/L] of CA group (P < 0.05). In scanning electron microscopy examination, it was found that the two ends of V79 cells in CA group contained a great deal of fibers remaining bodies, but the V79 cell appearance in RW and WS groups was normal.

CONCLUSIONThe cytotoxicity induced by RW and WS is significantly lower than that induced by CA for V79 cell.

Animals ; Asbestos, Serpentine ; toxicity ; Calcium Compounds ; toxicity ; Cell Line ; drug effects ; Cricetinae ; Cytotoxins ; toxicity ; Lactate Dehydrogenases ; metabolism ; Mineral Fibers ; toxicity ; Silicates ; toxicity

Objective To investigate the Wallerian degeneration of neural fiber tract in medulla and bilateral middle cerebellar peduncle following pontine infarction and to explore its impacts on neurological recovery.Methods Fourteen patients with a recent unilateral pontine infarct underwent the diffusion tensor imaging(DTI)and evaluations with the NIH stroke scale(NIHSS),the Fugl-Meyer motor scale(FM), ataxia rating scale(ARS)and the Barthel index(BI)at the first week(W1),the fourth(W4)and twelfth week(W12)respectively.Mean diffusivity(MD)and fractional anisotropy(FA)were measured at pons, medulla and middle cerebellar peduncle.Fourteenth age and gender matched volunteers underwent a DTI were studied as controls.Results Compared with the matched regions in controls,the FA values of infarct side medulla and bilateral middle cerebellar peduncle in patients significantly decreased at W1,W4 and W12(on the infarct side of medulla:W1:0.43?0.01;W4:0.37?0.02;W12:0.30?0.02;on the infarct side of middle cerebellar peduncle:W1:0.50?0.01;W4:0.43?0.02;W12:0.35?0.04;on the opposite side of middle cerebellar peduncle infarction:W1:0.54?0.02;W4:0.52?0.03;W12:0.47?0.04,t values are 1.92 to 28.56,P0.05 respectively).The absolute value of percent reduction of FA in infarct side medulla and bilateral middle cerebellar peduncle was correlated negatively to the absolute value of percent change of NIHSS and BI score(P

Objective To evaluate the associations between polymorphisms of LEPR Gln223Arg,LEPR Pro 1019Pro and the risk on obesity.Methods A computerized search on literature was carried out in Wanfang,CNKI,VIP databases and CBM,PubMed,EMBASE databases to collect articles published between 1979 and 2010 concerning the associations between polymorphisms of LEPR Gln223Arg and/or LEPR Pro 1019Pro and risk of obesity in the Chinese population.Odds ratios (ORs) were used to assess the strength of the association,and 95％ confidence intervals (CIs) to present the precision of the estimates.Meta-analysis was performed using the STATA statistical software.Results Fifteen literature were collected for Meta-analysis by the uniform inclusion and exclusion criteria.There were 1096 obese patients and 949 controls for polymorphisms of LEPR Gln223Arg in 9 papers,together with 961 obese patients and 818 controls for polymorphisms of LEPR Prol019Pro in 8 papers.Overall,there were significant associations between decreased risk of obesity and LEPR Gln223Arg polymorphisms (-668 A→G) (G versus A,OR=0.66,95％CI:0.49-0.89; AG and GG versus AA,OR=0.50,95％CI:0.32-0.77; respectively).There were significant associations between increased risk of obesity and LEPR Prol019Pro polymorphisms (-3057 G→A) (A versus G,OR=1.61,95％CI:1.15-2.26; AG and AA versus GG,OR=1.50,95％CI:1.08-2.08; respectively).Conclusion Variant alleles at both LEPR-668 and LEPR-3057 were associated with obesity in the Chinese Han-dominated population.