Lysins are efficient bacteria cell wall digesting enzymes encoded by DNA bacteriophage. Gram-positive bacteriophage lysins feature similar domain structure, high lytic efficiency, synergic antibacterial effect with antibiotics, rare neutralization by antibodies, less chance of developing drug-resistant strains, et al. The past decade has seen a considerable amount of research worldwidely focused on lysin, and lysins have been used successfully in a variety of animal models to control pathogenic antibiotic resistant bacteria found on mucosal surfaces and infected tissues. The great potential of lysins as an anti-infective agent prompted this review.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Chinese medicine and pharmacy (CMP) on the mortality of senile HIV/AIDS patients as adjunctive therapy.

METHODSHIV/AIDS patients of a certain rural area of Hanna Province, who were recruited in national CMP HIV treatment trial program (NTCMTP) in 2004, were enrolled as the CMP treatment group. HIV/AIDS patients in the same village without recruiting in NTCMTP were enrolled as the non-CMP treatment group. Data related to subjects were collected from the database of NTCMTP and National HAART Reporting System. Multiple regression analysis under Cox proportional hazard model was applied to examine the risk factors for death of senile HIV/AIDS patients.

RESULTSA total of 436 HIV/AIDS were enrolled in this study, 204 in the CMP treatment group and 232 in the non-CMP treatment group. There were 70 AIDS-relative deaths in the CMP treatment group, with 8-year mortality rate of 37.74%. There were 111 AIDS-relative deaths in the non-CMP treatment group, with 8-year mortality rate of 48.34%. The 8-year mortality rate was higher in the non-CMP treatment group than in the CMP treatment group (chi2 = 5.136, P < 0.05). Results of univariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis showed the hazard ratio in the non-CMP treatment group was 1.41 times that of the CMP treatment group (P < 0.05). Result of multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis showed the hazard ratio in the non-CMP treatment group was 1.44 times that of the CMP treatment group (P < 0.05). Besides, gender and marital conditions were significantly associated with death of HIV/AIDS patients.

CONCLUSIONCMP treatment was favorable to lower the mortality rate of senile HIV/AIDS patients, and its objective evaluation awaits for further prospective study.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; drug therapy ; mortality ; Alzheimer Disease ; therapy ; Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active ; Communicable Diseases ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; HIV Infections ; drug therapy ; mortality ; Humans ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors

Objective Investigated the treatment effect of ISCOM leukemia vaccine combination with 1-methyl tryptophan on tumor burden mice .Methods Saponin was added lipase protein (1 mg/mL) 7 ℃ for 12 h ,adding 80 μL lipid mixed solution and 5 mL saponin solution (1 mg/mL ) to prepare ISCOM leukemia vaccine .C57BL /6 mice were randomly divided into model group , ISCOM leukemia vaccine group ,1-methyl tryptophan group and combination group ,Mice were injected FBL-3 cell to built leukemia tumor-burdened mice model .After treatment for 4 weeks ,tumors weight ,NK and Mφ and CTL cell killing activity ,serum levels of IL-10 ,IL-12 were detected .Results Tumor weight in combination group was less than 1-methyl tryptophan and ISCOM leukemia group [(0 .64 ± 0 .26)g vs .(2 .49 ± 0 .91)g ,P< 0 .01 ,(0 .64 ± 0 .26)g vs .(1 .28 ± 0 .73)g ,P< 0 .05] ;NK cell killing activity in com-bination group was higher than 1-methyl tryptophan group[(38 .41 ± 8 .27)% vs .(67 .22 ± 12 .74)% ,all P< 0 .01)] ;M φ activity in combination group was significantly higher than 1-methyl tryptophan group[(55 .69 ± 13 .69)% vs .(69 .47 ± 14 .79)% ,P< 0 .01] ;CTL activity in combination group was significantly higher than 1-methyl tryptophan group and ISCOM leukemia group[(43 .77 ± 8 .89)% vs .(69 .68 ± 11 .44)% ,P< 0 .01 ,(58 .87 ± 9 .45)% vs .(69 .68 ± 11 .44)% ,P < 0 .05] ;IL-10 in combination group were significantly lower than 1 - methyl tryptophan group and ISCOM leukemia group [(76 .2 ± 6 .82)pg /L vs .(98 .3 ± 13 .4)pg/L ,P<0 .01 ,(76 .2 ± 6 .82)pg/L vs .(202 .3 ± 44 .5)pg/L ,P < 0 .01] ;IL-12 in combination group were significantly higher than 1-methyl tryptophan group and ISCOM leukemia group[(381 .2 ± 47 .3)pg/L vs .(332 .1 ± 30 .2)pg/L ,P < 0 .05 ,(381 .2 ± 47 .3)pg /L vs . (291 .2 ± 17 .3)pg/L ,P< 0 .01] .Conclusion Combination with 1-methyl tryptophan and ISCOM leukemia vaccine has a well anti-tumor effect ,its mechanism may be through mediated and the expression of IL-12 and IL-10 .

Objective To investigate the MRI and echocardiography manifestations of noncompaction of ventricular myocardium(NVM)and assess the role of MRI in the diagnosis of NVM by comparing it with echocardiography.Methods Fourteen cases of NVM diagnosed by echocardiography were examined with MRI,including scanning of black-blood sequences,double inversion recovery fast spin echo (DIRFSE)and triple inversion recovery fast spin echo(TIRFSE),and white blood sequence:fast imaging employ steady state acquisition(FIESTA).Scanning plane includes short axis view,four-chamber view and long axis view.Results Both MRI and echocardiography displayed involvement of left ventricles in thirteen cases and involvement of double ventricles in one case.Apexes of heart and the intermedius are commonly affected.MRI showed 54 segments and echocardiography showed 53 segments affected,and there is no significant difference between the capability of MRI and echocardiography(P=1.000).The affected myocardium consisted of two layers:subendoeardial noncompacted myocardium and epicardial compacted myocardium,and the ratio measurement of N/C by MRI was 3.37?0.89 and it was 3.19?0.82 by echocardiography.Noncompacted myocardium was characterized by prominent and excessive myocardial trabeculations and deep intratrabecular recesses,in which the blood flow was communicated with the ventricle.One case was complicated with ventricular aneurysm,and coronary arteriography was performed with unremarkable findings.One case underwent heart transplantation because of progressive heart failure, Gross findings demonstrated prominent muscular trabeculations with deep intratrabecular recesses,which coincided well with MRI findings.Conclusion The MRI manifestation of NVM is characteristic,and MRI with multiple series and planes is helpful in the diagnose of NVM.Compared with echoeardiography,MRI could display the pathological cardiac muscle more clearly,because of its high soft-tissue resolution and spatial resolution.

Objective To demonstrate the MRI manifestations of congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation(CCAM)and to evaluate the diagnostic value of MRI.Methods Thoracic axial,sagittal and coronal plane scanning were performed with SSFSE in 9 fetuses diagnosed or suspected of CCAM by ultrasound(US)within 1—2 days after US examination.The diagnosis was confirmed by postnatal autopsy or follow-up.Results In nine fetuses,seven cases of CCAM were diagnosed with MRI and confirmed by autopsy,one case was congenital pulmonary sequestration,one was normal on MRI and two weeks late US.In seven cases of CCAM(5 males and 2 females),four cases were in the right side,three in the left.Four cases of macrocystic type CCAM showed single or multiple cystic long T_2 signal in the unilateral lung,three cases of microcystic type CCAM presented long T_2 signal without cyst.Vessels with flow void phenomenon were found in 2 cases of CCAM and 1 case of pulmonary sequestration.Conclusion MRI can clearly show the location,range and contour of CCAM.The vessel originated from the aorta is suggestive of pulmonary sequestration.

OBJECTIVEOptimization of combining electroencephalography (EEG), short latency somatosensory evoked potentials (SLSEP) and transcranial Doppler (TCD) techniques to diagnose brain death.

METHODSOne hundred and eleven patients (69 males, 42 females) from the major hospitals of Zhejiang Province were examined with portable EEG, SLSEP and TCD devices. Re-examinations occurred < or =12 h later.

RESULTSThe first examination revealed that the combination of SLSEP and EEG led to more sensitive diagnoses than the combination of SLSEP and TCD. Re-examination confirmed this and also revealed that the combination of TCD and EEG was the most sensitive.

CONCLUSIONThe results show that using multiple techniques to diagnose brain death is superior to using single method, and that the combination of SLSEP and EEG is better than other combinations.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Brain Death ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Child ; Electroencephalography ; methods ; Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial ; methods ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDGreen tea is an important source of flavonoids in human diets and epidemiological data correlate green tea consumption with a reduced cancer risk. Given its complicated properties at effective concentrations, we put epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) that previously reported on its anti-proliferative activities against several cancer cell lines on our research agenda to further examine the mechanism of its chemopreventive potential.

METHODSRNA interference (RNAi) expression vector pSilencer 3.1-H1 was used to construct recombinant nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2)-targeting RNAi plasmids. EGCG (5 microg/ml) was added into the culture fluid of cells before and after transfection. RT-PCR and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of uridine 5'-diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) 1A in cells. Forty male BALB/c mice were assigned to four groups: a normal unexposed control and three groups treated with varying doses of EGCG. Four weeks later, the mice were sacrificed, and their colon tissues were subjected to mRNA and protein expression of Nrf2 and UGT1A via RT-PCR and Western blotting analysis.

RESULTSEGCG up-regulated the expression of Nrf2 and increased the level of UGT1A in cells. The blockade of Nrf2 activity via RNA intervention largely attenuated the induction of UGT1A expression by EGCG. In mice, the mRNA and protein levels of Nrf2 and UGT1A detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting increased (both P < 0.05 compared with the control). This increase in Nrf2 expression also had a positive correlation with an increased UGT1A expression.

CONCLUSIONSEGCG mediated its effect in part by inducing the NRF2 signaling pathway and increasing UGT1A expression. Both in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated the role of NRF2 and UGT1A expression in the potential use of EGCG as a possible chemopreventive agent and supported further study of EGCG for cancer treatment.

Animals ; Anticarcinogenic Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Blotting, Western ; Caco-2 Cells ; Catechin ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Colonic Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Glucuronosyltransferase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

Based on the technology of platelet proteomics, the key regulatory proteins and pathogenesis of coronary heart disease with phlegm and blood stasis syndrome were explored and analyzed. Based on the previous laboratory research, the model of coronary heart disease in mini-swine with phlegm-stasis cementation syndrome was duplicated. The model was judged by the changes in blood lipid and myocardial tissue characteristics. Furthermore, the platelet proteins were studied by quantitative proteomics, and the differentially expressed proteins were screened. The critical regulatory proteins and biological pathways of coronary heart disease with phlegm-stasis cementation syndrome were analyzed by bioinformatics. After ten weeks of modeling, the levels of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL-C), triglyceride (TG), creatine kinase (CK) and creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) in the model group were significantly increased, reflecting the pathological changes such as increased blood lipid, abnormal coagulation function and myocardial ischemia in the model group. In addition, compared with the sham group, there were 26 up-regulated proteins and 8 down-regulated proteins in the platelets of the model group. Combined with bioinformatics analysis, it was found that differential proteins mainly involved in glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, pyruvate metabolism, lipid and atherosclerosis, Ras protein signal transduction. Among them, lactate dehydrogenase B (LDHB), alcohol dehydrogenase 5 (ADH5), neuroblastoma ratsarcoma viral oncogene homolog (NRAS) and Kirsten ratsarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) play a central role when interacting with other proteins and simultaneously participate in multiple action pathways. The results showed that LDHB, ADH5, NRAS, and KRAS may be the marker proteins in CHD with phlegm-stasis cementation syndrome by regulating glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, pyruvate metabolism, lipid and atherosclerosis, Ras protein signal transduction and other biological processes.

Objective To analyze the acupoint selection rules of acupuncture for the treatment of tic disorders in children based on data mining techniques.Methods A computerized search was conducted for the clinical research literature on acupuncture treatment of tic disorders in children included in the CNKI,Wanfang,VIP,SinoMed,and PubMed databases from January 1992 to December 2022.A database was established by Excel 2019 to count the commonly used treatment methods and analyze the high-frequency application methods acupuncture(high-frequency acupoints,channel entry of acupoints,acupoint association rules,and acupoint clustering),auricular point seed-pressing(high-frequency auricular points,and acupoint association rules),and the high frequency division of cluster needling of scalp point.Results A total of 190 valid literature articles were included,involving 270 acupuncture prescriptions;among them,184 acupoints were counted in the acupuncture method,with a total application frequency of 1 906 times,and the high-frequency application of the acupoints in descending order were Baihui(DU20),Taichong(LR3),Fengchi(GB20),Hegu(LI4),Sanyinjiao(SP6),Neiguan(PC6),Shenmen(HT7),Zusanli(ST36),Yintang(EX-HN3),Sishencong(EX-HN1);and the high-frequency meridians were governor vessol,foot taiyang stomach meridian,foot taiyang stomach meridian,foot shaoyang gallbladder meridian,hand taiyang large intestine meridian,foot taiyang bladder meridian,foot jueyin gallbladder meridian;three sets of strong association rules and five clusters of acupoints were analyzed by SPSS modeler 18.0 and IBM SPSS Statistics 26.0 software.There were 29 acupoints of auricular point seed-pressing,application total frequency was 206 times,high-frequency application of auricular points in descending order of Shenmen(HT7),liver,heart,subcortex,kidney;four groups of acupoint strong association rules were obtained through the analysis of SPSS modeler 18.0 software.A total of 14 zones were involved in the application of cephalic acupoint plexus zoning,of which the high-frequency zones were parietal anterior temporal diagonal,parietal parietal 1,and chorea tremor control zone.Conclusion Acupuncture treatment of tic disorders in children,according to its pathogenesis(liver hyperactivity,kidney depletion,spleen deficiency,phlegm disturbance,etc.)and tic site,select acupoints compatibility,and mostly choose yang meridian acupoints,which is related to the nature and treatment characteristics of wind pathogen.Children's tic disorders are closely related to emotional disorders,therefore acupuncture and auricular acupoints all emphasize the method of soothing the liver and clearing the heart,and regulating the emotional state.Cluster needling of scalp point mostly used parietal temporal anterior oblique line,parietal 1 line,and dance tremor control area for the treatment of tic disorders.For children,auricular point seed-pressing and cluster needling of scalp point has the minimun of pain,the effect of treatment is long,and it is not easy to have dangerous situations such as bent needle,broken needle and so on.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the diagnostic value of serum CEACAM1 in patients with pancreatic cancer.

METHODSFifty patients with pancreatic cancer and 50 with chronic pancreatitis were examine for serum levels of CEACAM1 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The cut-off values and area under curve (AUC) of CEACAM1 was obtained by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The diagnostic efficiency of the tumor markers for pancreatic cancer was assessed by the fourfold table.

RESULTSThe serum level and positivity rate of CEACAM1 in pancreatic cancer patients were higher than those in chronic pancreatitis patients (P<0.05). Based on the ROC curve, the cut-off values and AUC of CEACAM1 were 13.835 ng/ml and 0.780, respectively (P<0.05). In pancreatic cancer patients, the diagnostic sensitivities of the tumor markers decreased in the order of CEACAM1 < CA242 < CA19-9 (P<0.05), and the specificity in the order of CA242 < CA19-9 < CEACAM1 (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONCEACAM1 shows a higher diagnostic sensitivity than CA19-9 and CA242 for pancreatic cancer, but due to its low specificity this marker alone is not sufficient for diagnostic purposes.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antigens, CD ; blood ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; blood ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; blood ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; blood ; diagnosis ; ROC Curve