Humans ; Infection ; etiology ; therapy ; Pancreatitis ; complications ; therapy

The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical feasibility of adult stem cell transplantation for lethal mono-gene inherited disease, Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). A total of 30 blood samples from DMD patients were genotyped with HLA-A,-B and -DR alleles by means of polymerase chain reaction-reverse sequence specific oligonucleotide (PCR-RSSO). The HLA gene types in 30 DMD patients were compared with those of 668 unrelated donors from Umbilical Cord Blood Center of Guangdong Province and 34 910 unrelated donors from Chinese Bone Marrow Bank. The results showed that HLA gene of the DMD group was inherited in normal distribution. There was no striking difference of HLA-A, -B and -DR alleles expression between the DMD patients group and control healthy group. 25% of the DMD patients got suitable donors for stem cell transplantation, in which 15 patients found donors with >or= 5/6 HLA match at the Umbilical Cord Blood Center of Guangdong Province, i.e. occupying 50% of the total. Eight patients got 6/6 HLA matching donors at the Chinese Bone Marrow Bank, i.e. occupying 26% of the total. It is concluded that stem cells transplantation therapy for DMD patients is feasible, which will benefit these patients suffered from the lethal neuromuscular disease, and create a new way to treat this tough nervous system disease.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Alleles ; Blood Banks ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cord Blood Stem Cell Transplantation ; Feasibility Studies ; Genotype ; HLA Antigens ; genetics ; Histocompatibility Testing ; methods ; statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Male ; Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne ; blood ; genetics ; surgery

Enhanced green fluorescent protein( EGFP), myc epitope and polyhistidine metal-binding tag are often used as a marker for recombinant fusion protein in many gene expression vectors, each marker has its own function, EGFP emits green fluorescence for direct detection, myc epitope facilitates recombinant fusion protein detection using its antibodies, polyhistidine tag allows purification of recombinant fusion protein using resin.Hitherto, no a plasmid vector can integrate all of these functions. In this study we constructed a novel eukaryotic expressive plasmid, designated as pcDNA6/myc-his-EGFP B, which integrated the functions of EGFP, myc epitope and polyhistidine tag. Importantly, a linker octo - peptide in N terminal of EGFP was designed using LINKER program. A DNA fragment encoding a putative protein containing a signal peptide of human interleukin 2(IL-2) in N terminal was cloned into pcDNA6/myc-his-EGFP B in frame with the C-terminal peptide to construct pMHES. 2.2.15 Cells were transfected with pcDNA6/myc-his-EGFP B and pMHES, and Balb/c mice were intravenously injected with pcDNA6/myc-his-EGFP B by tails, results revealed that both of the plasmids worked in 2.2.15 Cells and livers of Balb/c mice. Assuming gene of the IL-2 was inserted into pcDNA6/myc-his -EGFP B in frame with EGFP, myc and 6 × His, three-dimensional structure for this putative expression product was simulated using Modeller8V2, results revealed that IL-2, EGFP, myc and 6 × his did not interfere each other and octo- peptide linker owned certain flexibility. The results suggest that pcDNA6/myc-his-EGFP B may be useful as a genetic tool for mammalian cells and a vector for gene therapy.

Objective To assess the income status of primary care providers and to explore the determinants of income in a county of Dali. Methods In August 2016, the questionnaire was employed to collect the data of income status of 191 rural health workers and 217 village doctors in the county. Results Through the study, we found that the income of rural health workers in the county was 34, 000 (26, 000, 46,000) yuan with a satisfaction rate of 62.3% (95% CI 55.4%～69.2%) and no change (74.7%) was seen in the income among majorities after implementing the Zero Mark-up Policy for essential medicines. For the village doctors, the income was 20,000 (15,000, 24,000) yuan with a satisfaction rate of 40.6% (95% CI 34.0%～47.1%) and a fall of the income was found in more than half of the doctors after the implement of the policy. Conclusion Health care workers in towns are quite satisfied with their income whereas those in health stations of villages are not content, compared with the average income at the national level. We should increase government's investments on grass-root healthcare team, improve the incentive pay plans and promote the integrated management of health facilities in towns and villages.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the function of nuclear factor (NF)-κB in the epithelial to mesenchymal transition induced by hypoxia in pancreatic cancer cells.

METHODSFor cultured pancreatic cancer cells (BxPC-3 and Panc-1) under hypoxic and normoxic conditions, the differences in the morphology were observed by optical microscope. The expression of markers of epithelial and mesenchymal phenotypes, E-cadherin, vimentin and N-cadherin, were determined by Western blot. NF-κB P65 activity was measured by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Invasion and gemcitabine resistance of pancreatic cancer cells were evaluated in matrigel invasion assay and cell counting kit-8 assay. Both molecular and pharmacologic means of inhibiting NF-κB P65 were used in these hypoxic cells and then the above resulting phenotypes were compared with those of the control-treated cells.

RESULTSAfter cultured pancreatic cancer cells under hypoxic conditions for 48 h, normoxic cells exhibited a polygonal shape and formed tight clusters of cells, whereas hypoxic cells took on an elongated, fibroblastoid morphology associated with a more highly invasive character and resistance to gemcitabine; hypoxic cells exhibited an suppression of E-cadherin and increase in vimentin and N-cadherin expression. NF-κB P65 activity was elevated in hypoxic cells. On the contrary, on molecular or pharmacologic inhibition of NF-κB P65, hypoxic cells regained expression of E-cadherin, lost expression of N-cadherin, and reversed their highly invasive and drug resistant phenotype.

CONCLUSIONSPancreatic cancer cells underwent epithelial to mesenchymal transition exposed to hypoxia, exhibited highly invasive and drug resistant phenotype. Inhibition of NF-κB P65 under hypoxic conditions, pancreatic cancer cells regained expression of E-cadherin, lost expression of N-cadherin, and reversed their highly invasive and drug resistant phenotype.

Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Cadherins ; metabolism ; Cell Hypoxia ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Humans ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Transcription Factor RelA ; metabolism ; Vimentin ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo assess the efficacy and safety of Saw Palmetto Extract Capsules in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

METHODSWe conducted a multi-centered open clinical study on 165 BPH patients treated with Saw Palmetto Extract Capsules at a dose of 160 mg qd for 12 weeks. At the baseline and after 6 and 12 weeks of medication, we compared the International Prostate Symptom Scores (IPSS), prostate volume, postvoid residual urine volume, urinary flow rate, quality of life scores (QOL), and adverse events between the two groups of patients.

RESULTSCompared with the baseline, both IPSS and QOL were improved after 6 weeks of medication, and at 12 weeks, significant improvement was found in IPSS, QOL, urinary flow rate, and postvoid residual urine. Mild stomachache occurred in 1 case, which necessitated no treatment.

CONCLUSIONSaw Palmetto Extract Capsules were safe and effective for the treatment of BPH.

Capsules ; Humans ; Male ; Plant Extracts ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; drug therapy ; Quality of Life

OBJECTIVETo provide an ideal method for flap prefabrication.

METHODSThe superficial temporal fascial flap has been elevated based on the superficial temporal vessels during the first-stage procedure. A subcutaneous tissue pocket with appropriate site was formed in the retroauricular and mastoid process region. The fascial flap was transferred into the pocket and fixed properly. The tissue expander was placed under the fascial flap. When the expanding process has been finished, the expander was removed and the expanded induced prefabricated skin flap of the retroauricular and mastoid process region pedicled on the superficial temporal vascular bundle was elevated and transferred to repair the facial skin defect.

RESULTSThere were nine cases in the group. Facial defects after resection of the melanotic nevus was repaired in 2 cases and facial defects after resection of the facial haemangioma and scar were repaired in 2 and 5 cases respectively. Pedicle length of the superficial temporal fascial flap was ranged from 5.5 cm to 7 cm (mean length 6.2 cm). The size of the fascial flaps was ranged from 4 cm x 3 cm to 7 cm x 7 cm (mean size 5.7 cm x 4.9 cm). The size of the prefabricated skin flaps was ranged from 5 cm x 5 cm to 8.0 cm x 7.5 cm (mean size 6.4 cm x 6.1 cm). The average time of the tissue expansion process is 16.1 weeks. All flaps survived postoperatively and the donor sites of the flaps were appropriated directly in 5 cases. The split-thickness skin grafting was used to recover the donor site defects in 4 cases.

CONCLUSIONSThe superficial temporal fascial flap owns the following advantages: the vascular pedicle is much longer and vascular supply is plentiful, and it is convenient to transfer. Meanwhile, the skin of the retroauricular and mastoid process region is most similar to that of the face in texture, color and depth. For the patients selected strictly, the technique mentioned above is somewhat an ideal method for facial defect repair.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Ear, External ; surgery ; Facial Injuries ; surgery ; Fascia ; transplantation ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Skin Transplantation ; methods ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; surgery ; Surgical Flaps ; Tissue Expansion ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVESTo identify the host single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of myxovirus resistance A (MxA) protein and eukaryote initiation factor 2alfa regulatory region 2(eIF-2a-reg2) and to predict interferon (IFN) treatment responses in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

METHODSTwo hundred sixty-two patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) were treated with interferon alfa (IFN ) for 12 months. Six months later the therapeutic effectiveness was evaluated. All the patients had signed a formal consent form. The patients were grouped into a sustained response (SR) group and a non-sustained response (NSR) group according to their responses to the IFNa treatment. Single nucleotide polymorphisms of the antiviral protein MxA promoter -88,-123 and protein kinase(PKR) activated eIF-2a-reg2 sites were examined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and were compared with the responsiveness to IFN treatment of these CHB patients.

RESULTSAmong the 262 patients, 212 (80.9%) were non-sustained responders to IFNa and 50 (19.1%) were sustained responders. The rate of sustained responders with GT heterozygote at MxA promoter -88 was higher than that of the GG genotype (OR: 5.3, 95% CI: 2.46-11.43, P less than 0.01) and also higher than that of the TT genotype (OR: 4.1, 95% CI: 1.86-9.09, P less than 0.01). There were no statistically significant differences in IFN therapeutic effectiveness among the patients with different genotypes at MxA promoter -123, eIF-2a-reg2 and haplotypes made by MxA promoter -88 G/T, and -123 C/A alleles (P more than 0.05).

CONCLUSIONPatients with GT genotype at MxA promoter -88 responded well to IFN treatment. SNP as a potential marker could be used to predict IFN treatment responses of patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-2 ; genetics ; Female ; GTP-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Genotype ; Hepatitis B virus ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myxovirus Resistance Proteins ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid ; genetics ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo apply the scapular free flap extended to the upper arm for resurfacing the face and neck, as well as the upper lip in one stage.

METHODSThe scapular free flap was designed with extended portion to the posterior and interior part of the upper arm. Then the free flap was transferred to resurface the face and neck with the routine portion and to resurface the upper lip with the extended portion.

RESULTS6 cases with extensive upper lip, facial and cervical burn scar were treated with the extended scapular free flaps. The flap size ranged from 22 cm x 11 cm to 40 cm x 9.5 cm (36.57 cm x 10.20 cm in average) for the routine portion and from 7 cm x 4 cm to 12 cm x 4 cm (10.32 cm x 3.67 cm in average) for the extended portion. All flaps survived completely.

CONCLUSIONSThere are direct communicating branches ("choke vessel") between the circumflex scapular artery (CSA) and the posterior humeral circumflex artery (PHCA). When the blood supply of PHCA is cut off, the CSA can provide blood supply through the communicating branches to the upper arm skin area previously nourished by PHCA. So the blood supply of the extended portion of the scapular free flap is not only from the branches of CSA, but also from the direct communicating branches between the CSA and PHCA. The extended scapular free flap has a reliable blood supply and can be applied to construct the facial and cervical scar contraction with the extended portion to resurface the upper lip. The satisfactory result can be expected.

Adult ; Arm ; surgery ; Cicatrix ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Neck ; Scapula ; Skin Transplantation ; methods ; Surgical Flaps ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo summarize the surgical technique and perioperative management of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG).

METHODSA total of 57 morbid obesity patients undergoing LSG surgery from May 2010 to December 2012 were enrolled in the study, whose clinical data in perioperative period were analyzed retrospectively. These patients had more than 1 year of follow-up. All the patients received preoperative preparation and postoperative management, and postoperative excess weight loss(EWL%) and improvement of preoperative complications was evaluated.

RESULTSAll the cases completed the operation under laparoscopy, except 1 case because of the abdominal extensive adhesion. The average operation time was(102.0±15.2) min and the mean intraoperative blood loss (132.3±45.6) ml. Of 2 postoperative hemorrhage patients, 1 case received conservative treatment, and another one underwent laparoscopic exploration. The EWL% at 3 months, 6 months and 1 year after procedure was (54.9±13.8)%, (79.0±23.6)% and (106.9±25.1)% respectively. The preoperative complications were improved in some degree. There were no operative death, and anastomotic leak, anastomotic stenosis, or surgical site infection occurred.

CONCLUSIONLSG is a safe and effective surgical technique, whose safety and efficacy may be increased by improving the perioperative management.

Gastrectomy ; methods ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Obesity, Morbid ; Retrospective Studies ; Weight Loss