Abortion, Missed ; chemically induced ; Adult ; Carbon Disulfide ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects ; Pregnancy ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Guilingji Capsule (GC) on the fertility, liver functions, and serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) of adult male SD rats exposed by 900 MHz cell phone.

METHODSTotally 18 adult male SD rats and 36 adult female rats in child-bearing period were selected and randomly divided into three groups according to weight equilibrium principle, i.e., the normal group, the radiated group, and the GC group, 6 males and 12 females in each group. Male rats in the normal group and all female rats were not radiated. Male rats in the radiated group and the GC group received radiation for 4 h per day, lasting for 18 successive days. Rats in the GC group received GC suspension at the daily dose of 0. 15 g/kg by gastrogavage at the same time. Equal volume of normal saline was administrated to other male rats. Then male rats were mated with corresponding female rats from the 14th radiation night to the 18th radiation night in the ratio of 1:2. Male rats were killed following on the next morning of ending the radiation. Female rats were normally fed and then killed before delivery. The pregnant outcomes of female rats in responding groups (the rates of pregnancy and the number of death fetus, birth weight, body length, and tail length) were observed and compared. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transferase (AST), AST/ALT, and LDH levels of the male rats were detected by colorimetry. Histological and morphological changes of liver were observed by HE staining.

RESULTSCompared with the normal group, the pregnancy rates of female rats decreased and the number of death fetus increased, the serum LDH level obviously increased in the radiated group (P < 0.05). Serum levels of ALT, AST, and AST/ALT were no significantly changed in the radiated group. The hepatocyte nuclear atrophy and cytoplasm vacuolar degeneration appeared. Compared with the radiated group, the pregnancy rates increased, the number of death fetus dropped, and the serum level of LDH decreased in the GC group (P < 0.05). There was no obvious change in serum levels of ALT, AST, or AST/ALT. The hepatocyte nuclear atrophy and cytoplasm vacuolar degeneration were significantly attenuated. The histomorphological structures recovered to normal basically in the GC group.

CONCLUSIONSThe pregnancy rates could be decreased, the number of death fetus increased, histomorphological structures abnormal, and serum LDH level increased by exposure toy GSM 900 MHz cell phone. GC could prevent and treat the aforesaid lesion. But there was no statistical difference in serum ALT or AST levels.

Animals ; Cell Phone ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Fertility ; Lactate Dehydrogenases ; blood ; Liver ; drug effects ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Radiation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Traditional Chinese medicine has a long history, unique system and perfect technology, which has been used to prevent or treat a variety of diseases in the form of compound medicine. Recently, some of the active ingredients from Chinese medicine were found to have self-assembly properties, mainly through non-covalent interactions, including π-π stacking, electrostatic interaction, hydrogen bond and coordination interactions, etc. Carrier-free nanoparticles based on self-assembly of active ingredients from Chinese medicine could not only improve the solubility of insoluble active ingredients, but also the bioavailability. As nanocarriers, the natural active ingredients could exert synergistic therapeutic effects. The strategy of self-assembly without carrier is safer and almost non-toxic compared to the commonly used nanocarriers. In addition, some ingredients from Chinese medicine could coordinate with metal ions to form stable nanoparticles, which could be applied to photothermal therapy. In this paper, we summarized and analyzed the recent achievements of carrier-free nanoparticles based on self-assembly of active ingredients from Chinese medicine, and briefly outlined the future development of this kind of nanomedicine.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of celecoxib combined with radiotherapy on apoptosis of CNE-2Z cell lines and the potential mechanisms.

METHODSFour groups were used, a control, celecoxib (25 micromol/L celecoxib), irradiation (8 Gy X ray) and celecoxib plus irradiation. The radiosensitising effect was detected by clone formation experiment. Flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptosis rate of cells. The expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax were assessed by immunocytochemistry. Western blot was used to examine the expression of Caspase-3.

RESULTSCelecoxib enhanced the radiosensitivity of CNE-2Z cells. In experimental group, the mean surviving fraction and the mean lethal dose of CNE-2Z cells were 0.50 and 2.36 respectively. Compared with the irradiated group, there was significant differences between the two groups (P < 0.01). Celecoxib combined with radiotherapy up-regulation the expression of Bax. The score of the expression of Bax in the control group and the experimental group were 1.221 +/- 0.116 and 2.758 +/- 0.256 respectively. Celecoxib combined with radiotherapy could inhibit the expression of the protein of Bcl-2. The score of the expression of Bcl-2 in the control group and the experimental group were 2.559 +/- 0.144 and 1.253 +/- 0.114 respectively, with significant differences (P < 0.01). Celecoxib combined with radiotherapy could increase the apoptosis rate of tumor cells with significant differences (F = 7.63, P < 0.01). Western blot showed that the expression of Caspase-3 was strengthened.

CONCLUSIONCelecoxib combined with radiotherapy could induce apoptosis and enhance the radiosensitivity of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma CNE-2Z cell lines.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; radiation effects ; Carcinoma ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Celecoxib ; Cell Line, Tumor ; drug effects ; radiation effects ; Humans ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; pathology ; therapy ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Pyrazoles ; pharmacology ; Radiotherapy ; Sulfonamides ; pharmacology ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDSeveral studies suggest that cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) contributes to the delayed progression of ischemic brain damage. This study was designed to investigate whether COX-2 inhibition with parecoxib reduces focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats.

METHODSNinety male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to three groups: the sham group, ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) group and parecoxib group. The parecoxib group received 4 mg/kg of parecoxib intravenously via the vena dorsalis penis 15 minutes before ischemia and again at 12 hours after ischemia. The neurological deficit scores (NDSs) were evaluated at 24 and 72 hours after reperfusion. The rats then were euthanized. Brains were removed and processed for hematoxylin and eosin staining, Nissl staining, and measurements of high mobility group Box 1 protein (HMGB1) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels. Infarct volume was assessed with 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining.

RESULTSThe rats in the I/R group had lower NDSs (P < 0.05), larger infarct volume (P < 0.05), lower HMGB1 levels (P < 0.05), and higher TNF-α levels (P < 0.05) compared with those in the sham group. Parecoxib administration significantly improved NDSs, reduced infarct volume, and decreased HMGB1 and TNF-α levels (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSPretreatment with intravenous parecoxib was neuroprotective. Its effects may be associated with the attenuation of inflammatory reaction and the inhibition of inflammatory mediators.

Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Brain Ischemia ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; prevention & control ; Injections, Intravenous ; Isoxazoles ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion Injury ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; prevention & control

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients. Methods Forty-nine cTnI-negative patients with coronary artery disease who were documented by angiography [31 cases with ACS,18 cases with stable angina (SAP)], and 28 healthy persons were selected as controls. PAPP-A and hs-CRP were analysed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results Circulating PAPP-A and ha-CRP levels were significandy higher in patients with ACS than those in patients with SAP and controls (P < 0.05). PAPP-A threshold value of 2.79 μg/ml identified patients who had ACS with a sensitivity of 81.0% and a specificity of 84.6%. PAPP-A levels were correlated with hs-CRP levels in patients with ACS (r = 0.418, P < 0.01). Conclusion PAPP-A is a strong candidate marker of ACS, especially to eTnl-negative patients.

OBJECTIVETo study the risk factors of Acinetobacter baummanii in nosocomial infections, and to verify the nature of Acinetobacter baumannii strains isolated from intensive care unit (ICU).

METHODSA hundred and fourty patients associated with nosocomial infection of Acinetobacter baummanii from four teaching hospitals were selected and compared with controls through a case control study to identify risk factors. The strains isolated from the ICU were typed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with the primer M(13) following electrophoresis in agarose gel.

RESULTSThe odds ratios (ORs) were: state of the illness (OR = 8.69), using immunosuppressant (OR = 4.85), mechanical ventilation (OR = 3.68) and treatment with 3 kinds of antibiotics (OR = 3.014). Data from PCR studies indicated that these strains were sharing identical band pattern from the five strains.

CONCLUSIONRisk factors for nosocomial infection with Acinetobacter baummanii included state of an illness, immunosuppressant, mechanical ventilation, and treatment with antibiotics. A multidrug-resistant strains of Acinetobacter baumannii was identified in ICU.

Acinetobacter baumannii ; classification ; genetics ; Cross Infection ; etiology ; microbiology ; Genotype ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo investigate the mechanisms of apoptosis induced in human hepatoma cell line SMMC7721 by plasmid pVHN constructed with Newcastle disease virus (NDV) HN gene.

METHODSTwenty-four h after transfection with liposome-plasmid pVHN complexes in vitro, the mortality rate of SMMC7721 cells was determined by MTT staining and flow cytometry (FCM) with PI staining. The alteration of mitochondrial trans-membrane potential of the cells was detected by FCM with rhodamine 123 staining. Cell genomic DNA was detected by agarose electrophoresis. The activation of caspase-3 was assayed by its substrate color reaction.

RESULTSSignificant apoptosis was induced by transfection with plasmid pVHN into the cells for 24 h and the mortality rate was 50.0% (the mortality rate of control group was 5.2%). Genomic DNA was fragmented and mitochondrial trans-membrane potential was decreased, but caspase-3 activity increased.

CONCLUSIONSignificant apoptosis in SMMC7721 cells can be induced by NDV HN gene. Apoptosis may be resulted from the decrease of mitochondrial trans-membrane potential and activation of Caspase-3.

Apoptosis ; physiology ; Cancer Vaccines ; immunology ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; pathology ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; HN Protein ; genetics ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; Newcastle disease virus ; genetics ; Transfection ; Vaccines, DNA ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo identify a novel human leukocyte antigen (HLA) allele.

METHODSHLA typing was carried out with PCR-SSOP. Molecular cloning and DNA sequencing were used to identify the sequence of a potential novel allele and the difference between this new allele and other known alleles was analyzed.

RESULTSHLA genotyping of one sample gave different results. The sequencing results showed that the HLA B alleles of the proband were B*151101 and a novel allele. The nucleotide sequence of the novel allele was different from all other known B alleles. It had one nucleotide change from the closest matching allele B*460101 at nucleotide 527 (A to T) in exon 3, resulting in an amino acid change from E (GAG) to V (GTG) at codon 176.

CONCLUSIONA novel HLA B allele was identified and officially designated as HLA B*4609 by WHO Nomenclature Committee for Factors of the HLA System in November, 2006.

Alleles ; Amino Acid Substitution ; Base Sequence ; Cloning, Molecular ; HLA Antigens ; genetics ; immunology ; HLA-B Antigens ; genetics ; immunology ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid

To explore the expression of insulin-like growth factor receptor type I (IGF-IR) and its relationship to apoptosis in hematopoietic cells of MDS and AML marrow, bone marrow nucleated cells from 16 patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and 16 patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) were collected for analysis, respectively. Another 16 normal donors' marrow samples were taken as controls. Immunocytochemical method (APAAP) and TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) fluorescence were used simultaneously on cytospins of nucleated cells from these patients. Then, the ratios of IGF-IR positive cells and apoptosis cells in all nucleated cells were counted separately. The results showed that (1) there was a higher IGF-IR expression rate (56.8 +/- 14.3)% in nucleated cells of MDS marrow than that in normal marrow (40.4 +/- 9.6)% (P < 0.01). Also IGF-IR positive rate in AML marrow (86.8 +/- 13.8)% was significantly higher than that in normal marrow (P < 0.01). Furthermore, IGF-IR had higher expression in AML marrow when compared to MDS marrow (P < 0.01); (2) apoptosis in nucleated cells of MDS marrow (5.4 +/- 3.0)% was significantly higher than that in normal marrow (1.2 +/- 0.9)% (P < 0.01) and AML marrow (0.3 +/- 0.4)% (P < 0.01), while there was less apoptosis in AML marrow than that in normal marrow (P < 0.01); (3) apoptosis occurred mainly in IGF-IR negative cells (9.0 +/- 4.8)% and less in IGF-IR positive cells (1.4 +/- 2.4)% (P < 0.01). IGF-IR expression showed negative correlation with apoptosis (r = -0.852, P < 0.01); (4) IGF-IR of MDS nucleated cells in RAEB/RAEB-t/CMML expressed higher than that in RA/RAS (64.1 +/- 3.2% vs 53.5 +/- 16.2%) subgroup, although no significant difference was found (P > 0.05); and apoptosis in RAEB/RAEB-t/CMML subgroup was lower than that in RA/RAS cases (3.1 +/- 2.1% vs 6.4 +/- 2.8%) (P < 0.05); (5) IGF-IR positive rate in nucleated cells of MDS and AML marrow showed positive correlation with blast rate (r = 0.677; P < 0.01). It is concluded that there is overexpression of IGF-IR in marrow nucleated cells in MDS and AML cases. And it seems that the overexpression of IGF-IR may suggest some malignant proliferation tendency and suppress cell apoptosis through some mechanism in these malignant hematologic ailments. So, anti-IGF-IR will become a new approach for therapy of MDS and AML.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Apoptosis ; Bone Marrow Cells ; metabolism ; pathology ; Child ; Female ; Hematologic Neoplasms ; blood ; pathology ; Humans ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Microscopy, Fluorescence ; Middle Aged ; Receptor, IGF Type 1 ; biosynthesis