OBJECTIVESTo investigate the effect of nafate (compound fetal cow liver extract tablets) in hepatic fibrosis patients with chronic liver diseases.

METHODSOne hundred fifteen hepatic fibrosis patients with chronic liver diseases from 3 medical centers were included in this study. All patients were given nafate orally for twenty-four weeks. Before treatment and 12, 24 and 36 weeks after the treatment, serum levels of hyaluronic acid (HA), laminin (LN) and type IV collagen (IV-C) of the patients were measured by radioimmunoassay and their liver biopsy specimens were also assessed.

RESULTSBefore treatment and 24 and 36 weeks after the nafate treatment, serum levels of HA were (279.2+/-81.4) ng/ml, (136.8+/-56.7) ng/ml and (86.9+/-40.7) ng/ml respectively, serum levels of LN were (170.8+/-73.0) ng/ml, (112.5+/-39.5) ng/ml, and (60.8+/-31.8) ng/ml respectively, and IV-C levels were (153.7+/-60.1) ng/ml, (112.4+/-43.1) ng/ml, and (96.3+/-44.1) ng/ml respectively. There was a significant reduction in these serum values after the treatments. Histopathological examinations of the liver biopsies showed that the degree of hepatic fibrosis obviously declined by one or two degrees after the treatments.

CONCLUSIONSnafate has positive effects in treating hepatic fibrosis.

Adult ; Aged ; Animals ; Cattle ; Drug Combinations ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; therapy ; Liver Extracts ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo establish a simple and rapid method to detect Streptococcus mutans and streptococcus sobrinus simultaneously in human saliva.

METHODSChromosomal DNA from the bacteria was obtained by the extraction method with phenol-chloroform. A nested PCR method with two sets of primers specific for portions of the glucosyltransferase genes (gtfB of S. mutans and gtfI of S. sobrinus), was optimized to detect S. mutans and S. sobrinus from standard strains, clinical strains and directly in human saliva.

RESULTSThe first process of nested PCR was capable of amplifying DNA fragments specific for these species from chromosomal DNA extracted from 10(5) CFU cells of standard and clinical strains, or from 1 ml clinical saliva samples containing 10(5) CFU cells of either species. a second process of nested PCR, using the first PCR product as a template with new internal primers to detect 10(3) CFU of either streptococcal species in 1ml saliva samples.

CONCLUSIONNested PCR could detect S. mutans and S. sobrinus rapidly and simply in human saliva. This finding would be important to studies of elucidation the role of these two streptococcal species in the etiology of dental caries.

Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Saliva ; microbiology ; Streptococcus mutans ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Streptococcus sobrinus ; genetics ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical efficacy of Ganxian recipe (GXR) and lamivudine (LVD) in a two-year treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

METHODSOne hundred and twenty patients with CHB were randomly divided into the combinedly treated group (combined group) of 40 CHB patients who were treated with GXR combined with LVD. Another 40 CHB patients were treated with LVD alone (WM group), and still another 40 CHB patients were treated with GXR alone (TCM group). All these cases were randomly controlled and observed for two years.

RESULTSComprehensive efficacy: Total effective rate of the combined group (complete response and partial response) was 92.5%, while that of the WM group was 67.5% and TCM group 57.5%, respectively, with the difference between them was significant (P < 0.01); after treatment, the hepatic functions (AST, ALT, SB) of the three groups were all reduced, and the reduction in the combined group was particularly significant in comparison with the WM group or TCM group, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01 respectively, suggesting that the effect in the combined group was better than that in the other two groups; the rate of tyrosine-methionine-aspartate-aspartate (YMDD) virus mutation: it was 7.5% in the combined group, 40.0% in the WM group, and 5.0% in the TCM group; liver fibrosis improvement parameter: after treatment, the results in the combined group got better than those in the other two groups.

CONCLUSIONGXR could inhibit the appearance of YMDD after long-term application of LVD, and combined use has marked synergism.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genes, Viral ; Hepatitis B Antibodies ; blood ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; blood ; immunology ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; complications ; physiopathology ; therapy ; virology ; Humans ; Lamivudine ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Liver ; physiopathology ; Liver Cirrhosis ; pathology ; virology ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Phytotherapy ; adverse effects ; Plant Preparations ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome

Adult ; Aged ; China ; ethnology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Thrombospondin 1 ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo isolate, culture and identify glioma stem cells from human malignant glioma cell line U87, and investigate the changes of pro-angiogenic factors production by glioma stem cells followed by activation of CXCR4 and observe their tumorigenesis as well as the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor when implanted into nude mice.

METHODSThe ratio of CD133 positive cells was detected by flow cytometry. Magnetic separation of CD133 positive cells was carried out on the magnetic cell sorting system (MACS). Expression of nestin, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and CXCR4 on tumorspheres was detected by indirect immunofluorescence under confocal laser scanning microscopy. The functional activation of CXCR4 was assessed by calcium mobilization experiments. ELISA was used to detect the production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) in conditioned medium. Glioma stem cells were implanted into nude mice to assess their tumorigenesis ability and the expression of VEGF.

RESULTSThe ratio of CD133 positive cells with stem cell property was 0.5% in U87 cells. Activation of CXCR4 on glioma stem cells induced calcium mobilization and increased VEGF and IL-8 protein secretion. CD133 positive cells secreted more VEGF and IL-8 than their negative counterparts in vitro. Tumors derived from CD133 positive cells grew more rapidly and expressed elevated level of VEGF than their negative counterparts.

CONCLUSIONSThere are a small fraction of glioma stem cells in human glioblastoma cell line U87. Expressing functional CXCR4 and secreting more pro-angiogenic factors may be involved in tumor angiogenesis mediated by glioma stem cells.

AC133 Antigen ; Animals ; Antigens, CD ; analysis ; Brain Neoplasms ; blood supply ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; metabolism ; Glioblastoma ; blood supply ; metabolism ; pathology ; Glycoproteins ; analysis ; Humans ; Interleukin-8 ; metabolism ; Intermediate Filament Proteins ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Neoplastic Stem Cells ; metabolism ; transplantation ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; metabolism ; Nestin ; Peptides ; analysis ; Receptors, CXCR4 ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo analyze the incidence and time trends of esophageal and gastric cancers in Linzhou city bassed on the data of Linxian Tumor Registry, and to provide valid reference data for research and effective estimation of cancer control in this area.

METHODSAll incidence records for the both cancers during 1988-2003 were drawn from Linzhou Tumor Registry and grouped by sex, age, year and then linked to corresponding population data. The incidence rates of those two topographic site cancers were calculated and the age-adjusted rates were calculated by direct standardization to the world population. A joinpoint model was used to get the annual percentage change (APC) of the age-adjusted rates, and to estimate the epidemiological trends of both cancers in population of Linzhou city.

RESULTSIn the year 2003 the age-adjusted incidence rates of esophageal and gastric cancers were 81.78 per 100 000 and 77.08 per 100 000, respectively, in the population of Linzhou city. The incidence rate of both cancers showed a decreasing trend from 1988 to 2003. The APC of the incidence rates of esophageal cancer was - 2.6% and that of gastric cancer was - 1.8%, and both indexes were statistically significant (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe incidence rates of esophageal and gastric cancers have presented a decreasing trends in the population of Linzhou city. This trend will continue along with the development of social economy, elevation of living standard and improvement in living habit and environment.

Cardia ; China ; epidemiology ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Sex Factors ; Stomach Neoplasms ; epidemiology

OBJECTIVETo establish and characterize a lung adenocarcinoma cell line from a female patient in Xuanwei, Yunnan province.

METHODSSurgical specimen of the lung adenocarcinoma was obtained and cultured immediately in RPMI 1640 medium with 10% fetal bovine serum and 10(5) U/L penicillin and 100 mg/L streptomycin. When stable proliferation of the cells was achieved after over 40 passages in culture, the biological features of the cell line were investigated by cell morphology, karyotyping, protein marker expression [cytokeratins (CKs), epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) and CD proteins], growth kinetics, cell cycle phase distribution, mitotic index, colony formation in soft agar, cell invasion and tumorigenicity in Balb/c nude mice.

RESULTSThe established cell line was stably cultured for over 80 passages during a one-year period as an anchorage-dependent monolayer of short spindle, polygonal to epithelioid cells under phase contrast microscope. Microglandular cavities and disordered microfilaments were observed under transmission electron microscope. The growth curve presented in an "S" shape with the cell population doubled every 46.7 hours. The mitotic index was 1.5% and the colony formation rate was 8.3%. The cell cycle distribution included 76.9% in G(0)/G(1), 15.1% in S and 8.0% in G(2)/M. The cell line displayed a hypotriploid karyotype with a mode of 66 chromosomes and a median of 64 chromosomes. The cells expressed CK7, CK8, CK (Pan) and EMA by immunohistochemistry. A high level of cell surface expression of CD13 and CD59 was evident by flow cytometry. The cells were able to penetrate Matrigel in vitro but failed to form a stable xenograft in nude mice.

CONCLUSIONA new human lung adenocarcinoma cell line, designated as XLA-07, is successfully established from a Xuanwei lung cancer patient.

Adenocarcinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Animals ; CD13 Antigens ; metabolism ; CD59 Antigens ; metabolism ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Line, Tumor ; ultrastructure ; Cell Proliferation ; Female ; Humans ; Karyotyping ; Keratins ; metabolism ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Mucin-1 ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Polyploidy ; Tumor Stem Cell Assay

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic ; genetics ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Troponin T ; genetics

The study was aimed to evaluate the yield of the COBE Spectra blood cell separator with auto-peripheral blood stem cell program for collection of peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cells (PBHSC) from HLA-matched ABO-incompatible allogeneic PBHSC donor, and observe the safety and effect of allogeneic peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-PBHSCT) without removal of erythrocytes and plasma. PBHSC from 28 allogeneic donors were collected by COBE Spectra blood cell separator with auto-peripheral blood hematopoiEtic stem cell (auto-PBHSCT) program. Control group included 15 HLA-matched patients who received allo-PBHSCT with ABO-compatible grafts. The amount of PBHSC was harvested and the parameter was modified according to the hematocrit and mononuclear cell (MNC) counts of donors. The nucleated cell count, proportion of MNC, number of CD34(+) cells were detected, and reconstitution status of hematopoietic function and time for change into donor's blood group were observed. The results showed that the nucleated cell count proportion of MNC and number of CD34(+) cells showed no significant difference between groups of ABO incompatible and compatible (p > 0.05). All their hematopoietic functions were reconstituted. Between the ABO incompatibility and the compatible groups, the time of neutrophil and platelet recovery was not significantly different (p > 0.05), In ABO blood major incompatible and the compatible groups, the recovery of erythropoiesis were significantly delayed (p < 0.01). The blood type of 18 patients in ABO incompatible group was turned into donor's blood type successfully at 35-139 days after transplantation. It is concluded that major ABO incompatibility did not affect the erythropoiesis reconstitution in HLA matched allo-HSCT. the major incompatibility may be a main reason of erythropoietic delay.
ABO Blood-Group System ; immunology ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Blood Donors ; Blood Group Incompatibility ; immunology ; Cell Separation ; Female ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo analyze the survival level and variation of esophageal cancer in Linzhou city of Henan province from 1988 to 2004, and evaluate the effects of diagnosis and treatments on esophageal cancer in this area.

METHODSAll incidence and death records for esophageal cancer during 1988 to 2004 were collected from Linzhou Tumor Registry. Cases with duplicate information or death certificate only were excluded. A total of 12,160 cases of esophageal cancer were collected, of which, 6914 cases were male, and 5246 cases were female. The sex-specific and age-specific probabilities of survival in 1992, 1997 and 2002 were calculated and linked to the data of incidence and death on esophageal cancer in this area. Five-year observed survival rate and five-year relative survival rate during 1990 to 1994, 1995 to 1999, 2000 to 2004 were calculated respectively using period survival analysis and cohort survival analysis and Z test.

RESULTSThe 5-year relative survival rates among the three-episode were 28.24%, 35.24% and 40.76% respectively during 1988 to 2004. This showed an increasing trend by periods (Z values were 3.94 and 3.07, P < 0.05). The 5-year observed survival rates in men among the three-episode were 13.67%, 18.08% and 22.46% respectively, the 5-year relative survival rates were 29.94%, 36.96% and 38.40%. The 5-year observed survival rates in women among the three-episode were 15.56%, 19.29% and 28.01% respectively, the 5-year relative survival rates were 26.78%, 33.12% and 43.70%. During the two former periods, there was no significant difference in the 5-year observed survival rate and relative survival rate between men and women (Z values of observed survival rate were 1.48 and 0.88, P > 0.05. Z values of relative survival rate were 1.27 and 1.50, P > 0.05). In the third period, the 5-year observed survival rate and relative survival rate in women was higher than that in men (observed survival rate Z = 3.56, P < 0.05; relative survival rate Z = 2.09, P < 0.05). The relative survival rate that calculated using period method (respectively 35.24% and 40.76%) was higher than that using cohort method (respectively 28.77% and 33.35%) from 1995 to 1999, and from 2000 to 2004.

CONCLUSIONThe survival rate on esophageal cancer in Linzhou city was increasing in the three different periods. This indicated a rising status in the secondary prevention and clinical diagnosis and treatments on esophageal cancer.

China ; epidemiology ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; mortality ; Female ; Humans ; Life Tables ; Male ; Survival Analysis