Objective To study the inhibitory effect of APE1 expression vector pSilence APE1 on growth of osteosarcoma in nude mice, and to elucidate the role of APE1 in pathogenesis and development of osteosarcoma. Methods Nude mice model bearing osteosarcoma was reproduced by implanting human osteosarcoma cell line 9901. Twenty mice were randomly divided into two groups: control group in which the mice were treated with lipofectamine, and experimental group in which the mice were treated with pSilence APE1. The tumor inhibition rate was calculated after 12 days of treatment. Meanwhile, the expression of APE1 protein, intratumor microvessel density (MVD), and proliferation index were observed by immunohistochemistry. Apoptosis index was assessed by terminal dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) technique. Results Down-regulation of APE1 expression of tumor cells was found in the group treated with pSilence APE1. The tumor inhibition rate was 38.23%. The intratumoral microvessel density (MVD) in experimental groups and proliferation index were significantly lower than the control group, while the apoptosis index was much higher. Conclusion Targeted knock down of APE1 by pSilence APE1 may inhibit the growth of osteosarcoma in vivo.

Objective To compare the efficacy and safety of 2 mg/d and 4 mg/d of terazosin in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).Methods A total of 120 BPH patients were randomly divided into 2 groups receiving 2 mg or 4 mg terazosin per day for 2 months. Arterial blood pressure, International Prostatic Symptom Score (IPSS) and peak flow rate (Qmax) before and after treatment were compared while side effects were estimated. Results Forty-six patients receiving 2 mg and 54 patients receiving 4 mg terazosin completed this study. Patients' age and pre-treatment blood pressure, IPSS and Qmax had no difference between the 2 groups. The improvement of IPSS (including obstructive score, irritating score and total IPSS) and Qmax was significantly better in 4 mg group. The percentage of patients experiencing greater than 30% improvement in Qmax in the 4 mg treatment groups was significantly higher than that of the 2 mg group (46.3% vs 23.9%, P=0.02). Side effects were rare and mild in both groups.Conclusion The improvements of IPSS and Qmax are significantly greater in 4 mg treatment of terazosin than that of 2 mg with no obvious increase of side effects.

Objective To investigate the correlated factors of pulmonary metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC),so as to provide theoretical evidences for the prevention and treatment.Methods The clinical data of 862 patients with HCC who were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University from January 2008 to March 2012 were retrospectively analyzed.There were 107 patients with pulmonary metastasis.Factors including serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP) level,serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) level,hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection,presence and treatment of intrahepatic tumor were analyzed to screen out relevant factors of pulmonary infection of HCC.Univariate and multivariate COX regression model analysis were performed for data analysis.Results The results of univariate analysis showed that high level of AFP (≥400 μg/L),ultra-high level of GGT (≥ 150 U/L),presence of HBV infection,the number of intrahepatic tumors ≥2,no radical resection (or radiofrequency ablation) for intrahepatic tumors,combining with tumor thrombi in the vessels,lymph node metastasis were risk factors of pulmonary metastasis of HCC (RR =1.986,3.653,0.365,3.675,0.252,0.379,0.352,P ＜ 0.05).The results of multivariate analysis showed that high level of AFP (≥400 μg/L),HBV infection,the number of intrahepatic tumors ≥2,no radical resection (or radiofrequency ablation) for intrahepatic tumors,combining with tumor thrombi in the vessels were risk factors of pulmonary metastasis of HCC (RR =2.391,3.462,3.425,3.396,2.418,0.638,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions AFP ≥400 μg/L,HBV infection,the number of intrahepatic tumors ≥ 2,no radical resection (or radiofrequency ablation),tumor thrombi in the vessels and lymph node metastasis are risk factors of pulmonary metastasis of HCC.Anti-hepatitis virus treatment and early treatment are helpful for the prevention and treatment.

Objective To compare two methods 3D flash and diffusion-weighted images(DWI)in reconstructing the brain surface anatomy,and to evaluate their displaying ability,advantages,limitations and clinical application.Methods Thrity normal cases were prospectively examined with 3 D flash sequence and echo-planar DWI.Three-dimensional images were acquired with volume-rendering on workstation.Brain surface structures were evaluated and scored by a group of doctors.Results Main structures of brain surface were clearly displayed on three-dimensional images based on 3D flash sequence.Average scores were all above 2.50.For images based on DWI,precentral gyrus,postcentral gyrus,superior parietal lobule, superior frontal gyrus,precentral sulcus,central sulcus,postcentral sulcus,intraparietal sulcus and superior frontal sulcus were best shown with average scores between 2.60-2.75,However,supramarginal gyrus, angular gyurs,middle frontal gyrus,inferior frontal gyrus,superior temporal gyrus,lateral sulcus,inferior frontal sulcus could not be well shown,with average scores between 1.67-2.48.Middle temporal gyrus, inferior temporal gyrus,superior temporal sulcus and inferior temporal sulcus can only get scores from 0.88 to 1.27.Scores of images based on 3D flash were much higher than that based on DWI with distinct differentiations,P values were all below 0.01.Conclusion Three-dimensional images based on 3D flash can really display brain surface structures.It is very useful for anatomic researches.Three-dimensional reconstruction of brain surface based on DWI is a worthy technique to display brain surface anatomy, especially for frontal and parietal structures.

Trichinella spiralis nudix hydrolase (TsNd) gene encoding a 46 kDa protein was expressed in Escherichia coli and the potential of recombinant TsNd protein (rTsNd) as an antigen for the serodiagnosis of trichinellosis was investigated by ELISA and compared with those of ELISA with T. spiralis muscle larval excretory–secretory (ES) antigens. The sensitivity of both ELISA was 100% (30/30), for the detection of anti-Trichinella IgG antibodies in sera of the experimentally infected mice, and the specificity of rTsNd-ELISA and ES-ELISA was 100% (54/54) and 98% (53/54), respectively (P>0.05). Serum anti-Trichinella antibodies were firstly detected by rTsNd-ELISA at 14 days post infection (dpi), then continued to increase with a detection rate of 100% at 36 dpi. The anti-Trichinella antibody levels at different times after infection were statistically different (P<0.05). The results showed that the rTsNd might be a potential candidate antigen for specific serodiagnosis of trichinellosis. But, it needs to be further evaluated with sera of the patients with trichinellosis and other helminthiasis.

Objective To study Keshan disease and its developmental trend in Zhangjiakou City in 2010 and to provide a scientific basis for further prevention of the disease.Methods From the eight diseased counties of Zhangjiakou City,five diseased countries were selected; in each diseased county a diseased village was selected as the clinical investigating point.Physical examination and Electrocardiography (ECG) tracings were carried out to suspicious patients with Keshan disease.Suspected heart enlargement,and ECG abnormalities were taken anteroposterior chest X-ray to measure the cardiothoracic ratio.Results A total of 2519 people were examined,16 cases were diagnosed as chronic Keshan disease,79 as latent Keshan disease,and the detection rate was 0.64％ (16/2519) and 3.14％(79/2519),respectively.Total of 2519 ECG tracings were taken,and electrocardiogram abnormalities were 268 cases,with a abnormal rate 10.64％,and most of them were complete right bundle branch block[accounted for 17.16％ (46/268)].Totally 94 cases of anteroposterior chest X-ray films were taken and 42 cases were cardiac enlargement,with a detection rate 44.68％.The numbers of mild,moderate and severe cases were 20,12 and 10,respectively,and the constituent ratio was 47.62％ (20/42),28.57％ (12/42),23.81％ (10/42),respectively.Conclusions The incidence of Keshan disease in Zhangjiakou City is relatively low,and the condition is stable.But monitoring and comprehensive prevention and control measure still should be strengthened.

ObjectiveTo observe the effects of XinShu parenteral solution (XSPS) on the activation of platelet, the activity of fibrinolysis system after intima denudation of rabbits.Methods20 male Japanese white rabbits (2.5±0.5)kg were randomly divided into the control group and XSPS group .The celiac arterial endothelium of all rabbits were denuded with balloon. Before the operation and 3d, 7d, after balloon denudation, vein blood samples were obtained from each group rabbits for measurement of α granule membrane protein of platelets(GMP-140), tissue-type plasminogen activator(t-PA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-type Ⅰ(PAI-1).ResultsPlasma GMP-140 and PAI-1 activity obviously elevated after balloon injury, and there was a little elevation in plasma t-PA activity in control group. Activity of plasma GMP-140 in XSPS group remained bottom level after balloon injury, and there was a significant increase in plasma t-PA activity and a marked reduce in PAI-1 activity in XSPS group. There was a notable difference between group B and group C (P<0.05). ConclusionXSPS obviously inhibits platelet activation, and improves fibrinolysis activity after balloon injury.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Ornidazol on acute pericoronitis of wisdom tooth (PWT).Methods125 patients with PWT were randomly divided into the experiment group (63 cases, treated with Ornidazol) and control group (62 cases, treated with Metronidazole). The curative effect was observed when teeth extracted.ResultsThe effective rate of the experiment group was 95.2%, that of control group was 82.2%. There was a significant difference between two groups (P<0.05).ConclusionOrnidazol has an obvious effect on acute PWT.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of ethyl acetate extract of Huanglian Jiedu decoction (EAHD) , alone and in combination with fluconazole (FLZ) on FLZ-resistant Candida albicans.

METHODThe minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and sessile MIC80 (SMIC80) of EAHD and FLZ to FLZ-resistant C. albicans were determined by CLSI M27-A3 microdilution method, and the synergy of EAHD combined with FLZ were examined by the checkerboard microdilution assay. Agar plate-method was adopted to observe the rate of antifungal activity according to time-kill curve. HPLC and qRT-PCR were utilized to evaluate the changes of ergosterol content and expressions of related genes, respectively.

RESULTMICs of EAHD ranged from 156 to 1,250 mg · L(-1), those of FLZ from 256 to above 2,048 mg · L(-1) with FICI approximate 0.066 in combination; SMIC80 of EAHD were higher than 1,250 mg · L(-1), SMIC80 of FLZ were higher than 512 mg · L(-1) and up to above 2,048 mg · L(-1). Combination group also showed synergy effect except one group showing addition effect. The results of T-K experiment also confirmed obviously fungicidal effect when treated for 12 h. When compared with control groups, the ergosterol was reduced 85% and 50% in the treatments of combination and EAHD alone by HPLC, respective- ly. The expressions of ERG1, ERG2, ERG6, ERG7 and ERG11 were upregulated, and ACS1, ACS2, MET6 were downregulated when exposed to FLZ. The expressions of the above genes were downregulated by treatment of EAHD. The expressions of ERG2, ERG6, ERG11 were upregulated, while ERG1, ERG7, ACS1, ACS2, MET6 were downregulated in combination group.

CONCLUSIONThe combination of EAHD and FLZ exhibited synergy against FLZ-resistant C. albicans through decreasing the synthesis of ergosterol, and resulting in the breakage of cell membrane.

Antifungal Agents ; pharmacology ; Candida albicans ; drug effects ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Drug Resistance, Fungal ; drug effects ; Drug Synergism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Ergosterol ; biosynthesis ; Fluconazole ; pharmacology ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of butyl alcohol extract of Baitouweng decoction ( BAEB) on yeast-to-hyphae transition of Candida albicans isolates from vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) in alkaline pH.

METHODSerial 2-fold dilution assay was used to determine the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of Baitouweng decoction extracts against C. albicans isolates from VVC, XTT assay was applied to determine the metabolic activity of C. albicans hypha treated by BAEB for 6 h. The morphological change of C. albicans treated by BAEB was inspected at different pH by inverted microscope, fluorescence microscope, scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Solid agar plate and semi-solid agar were utilized to evaluate colony morphology and invasive growth of C. albicans, respectively. Quantitative Real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was adopted to observe the expressions of hyphae-specific genes including HWP1, ALS3, CSH1, SUN41 and CaPDE2.

RESULTThe MIC of BAEB against C. albicans is less than that of other extracts; hyphae grow best at pH 8. 0; 512 mg · L(-1) and 1,024 mg · L(-1) BAEB could inhibit formation of hyphae and influence colony morphology. When treated by 512 mg · L(-1) and 1,024 mg · L(-1) BAEB, the colonies became smooth; while by 0 and 256 mg · L(-1) BAEB, the colonies became wrinkled. In semi-solid agar, the length of hyphae decreased steadily as the concentration of BAEB lowered. The expression of HWP1, ALS3, CSHl, SUN41 were downregulated by 5.12, 4.26, 3.2 and 2.74 folds, and CaPDE2 was upregulated by 2.38 fold.

CONCLUSIONBAEB could inhibit yeast-to-hyphae transition of C. albicans isolates from VVC in alkaline pH.

Antifungal Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Candida albicans ; drug effects ; genetics ; growth & development ; Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal ; drug therapy ; microbiology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Hyphae ; drug effects ; growth & development