Objective To observe the effect of cervical plexus block combined with cervical vertebra traction treatment of cervical spondylosis of nerve root type .Methods 60 cases of nerve root type cervical spondylosis were divided into two groups by coin tossing:group A(n=32) cervical plexus block combined with cervical traction thera-py, group B( n=28) treated by cervical traction therapy ,according to the severity of pain compared two groups of treatment effect.Results after treatment,20d group 10d,30d,90d pain scores were (4.61 ±0.70)%,(3.71 ± 0.57)%,(3.30 ±0.65)%,(4.44 ±1.04)%,group B respectively (5.88 ±1.47)%,(5.61 ±1.35)%,(4.83 ± 0.86)%,(5.50 ±0.87)%,the difference between two groups was statistically significant (t=5.85,1.06,1.30, 7.51,all P<0.01).Conclusion The cervical plexus block combined with cervical traction for treatment of nerve root type of cervical spondylosis is better than the routine treatment of cervical traction ,which is suitable for promotion of primary health care units .

Hepatitis E ; diagnosis ; Humans

Objective To evaluate the in vitro antifungal activity of Cinnamaldehyde in combination with Voriconazole (VRC) against clinically isolated Aspergillus fumigatus strains. Methods According to the Clinical and Laboratory Stan?dards Institute (CLSI) M38-A2 document,the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of Cinnamaldehyde and VRC alone or in combination against 42 clinical Aspergillus fumigatus isolates were determined by both microdillution method and check?board method respectively. The MIC50, MIC90, MICG and MICs distribution were compared between single drug and both in combination. The concentration-accumulative curve was drawn and fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) was cal?culated to evaluate the interaction between two test agents. Results The values of MIC50, MIC90 and MICG were significant?ly decreased (P<0.001) when combination of the two drugs than those of their single use, with their MIC distribution concen?tration-accumulative curves shifted to the left. The value of FICI of Cinnamaldehye-VRC combination ranged from 0.187 5 to 1.5. Sixteen strains (38.10%) of them showed the synergistic effect, 19 strains (45.23%) showed additive effect, and 7 strains (16.67%) showed an unrelated effect, and no antagonist effect on tested Aspergillus fumigatus strains in vitro. Conclu?sion Cinnamaldehye in combination with VRC mainly shows a combined synergic and additive inhibitory effect on Asper?gillus fumigatus isolates, and this combination appears to be more active against the test strains, which are less susceptible to voriconazole.

Adenine ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Guanine ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Lamivudine ; therapeutic use ; Nucleosides ; therapeutic use ; Organophosphonates ; therapeutic use

Objective To evaluate the reliability of HARSHAW-3500 thermoluminescence dosimetry system by testing its performances.Methods HARSHAW-3500 thermoluminescence dosimetry system had its performances tested and evaluated according to Verification regulation of thermoluminescence dosimetry systems used in persontal and environmental monitoring forXandgammaradiation(JJG 593-2006),Testingcriteriaofpersonneldosimetryperformanceforexternalexposure (GBZ 207-2016),Specifications for individual monitoring of occupational external exposure (GBZ 128-2016) and Thermoluminescence dosimetry systems for personal and environmental monitoring (GB/T 10264-2014),such as batch homogeneity,repeatability,linearity,incidence angle response,stability,energy response and scale factor,quantity inspection,residual dose,detection limit and etc.Results Testing results of various performance indicators proved to be within the limits according to national and industrial standards.Conclusion HARSHAW-3500 thermoluminescence dosimetry system conforms to the requirements for radiation dose measurement.It is beneficial to the improvement of quality and performance of thermoluminescence dosimetry by performances analysis and evaluation.

OBJECTIVETo study the role of the basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

METHODSThe human stromal cells of BPH were isolated and cultured. The proliferation of the stromal cells cultured in serum-free medium was detected by MTT method, the phenotype changes of smooth muscle cells detected by immunohistochemical method, and the effect of different concentrations of bFGF and TGF-beta1 on the cultured stromal cells of BPH observed.

RESULTSbFGF stimulated the cultured BPH stromal cell proliferation (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) and decreased the expression of smooth muscle cell (SMC) phenotype in higher concentration (10 microg/L). TGF-beta1 (> 1 microg/L) inhibited stromal cell proliferation and increased the expression of SMC phenotype (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). 5 microg/ml bFGF and TGF-beta1 (0.001 microg/L, 0.01 microg/L) promoted stromal cell proliferation (P < 0.01), while 5 microg/L bFGF and TGF-beta1 (0.1 microg/L, 1 microg/L, 10 microg/L) inhibited it, slightly in 0.1 microg/L (P > 0.05) and significantly in 1 microg/L and 10 microg/L (P < 0.01), and increased the expression of SMC phenotype in higher concentration (> 1 microg/L, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONbFGF stimulates the proliferation of the prostatic stromal cells of BPH in a time- and dose-dependent fashion and decreases the expression of SMC phenotype, TGF-beta1 inhibits the growth of stromal cells and induces the differentiation of stromal cells to SMC, both playing an important role in the mechanism of BPH.

Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Muscle, Smooth ; cytology ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; pathology ; Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo establish a model of ER stress-induced apoptosis with tunicamycin and to examine whether Bim is dysregulated and its potential role in resistance of melanoma cells to apoptosis under endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress.

METHODSA model of ER stress-induced apoptosis was established with tunicamycin. Apoptotic cells were quantitated using the annexin V/propidium iodide method by flow cytometry. Hoechst staining was also used to confirm the apoptotic cell death. Western blotting was used to measure the activation of caspase-3 and -9, and the expression of Bim, GRP78, CHOP, and Foxo1 at the protein level. The expression of Bim, CHOP and Foxo1 at the mRNA level was quantitated by qPCR. The siRNA technique was used to inhibit the expression of Bim.

RESULTSTreatment of the melanoma cells with tunicamycin did not induce significant apoptosis and activation of caspase cascade, whereas it caused marked activation of caspase-3 and -9, and apoptosis in HEK293 cells which were used as a control. With exposure to tunicamycin (3 µmol/L) for 12, 24, 36 hours the Bim protein levels were not increased in Mel-RM and MM200 cells. Its mRNA levels were 0.37 ± 0.05, 0.13 ± 0.02 and 0.02 ± 0.01 in Mel-RM cells, while 0.41 ± 0.06, 0.16 ± 0.04 and 0.21 ± 0.03 in MM200 cells, respectively. The expression of Bim mRNA was significantly reduced compared with that in the control groups of the two cell lines (P < 0.01). siRNA knockdown of Bim protected HEK293 cells against activation of caspase-3. The cell apoptosis of Bim siRNA group was (5.69 ± 0.38)%, significantly lower than that of the siRNA control group (40.32 ± 1.64)% and blank control group (35.46 ± 2.01)% (P < 0.01). In the melanoma cells after exposure to tunicamycin (3 µmol/L) for 6, 12, 24, and 36 hours the transcription factor CHOP at mRNA level were significantly increased and the expressions at protein level were also up-regulated. The expressions of another transcription factor Foxo1 at mRNA level significantly decreased and the expressions at protein level were down-regulated, too.

CONCLUSIONSThe lack of Bim up-regulation contributes to the resistance of melanoma cells to ER stress-induced apoptosis and may be a mechanism by which melanoma cells adapt to ER stress conditions. Transcription factors CHOP and Foxo1 may be responsible for the dysregulation of Bim in melanoma cells upon ER stress.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Bcl-2-Like Protein 11 ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Caspase 9 ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress ; drug effects ; Forkhead Box Protein O1 ; Forkhead Transcription Factors ; genetics ; metabolism ; HEK293 Cells ; Heat-Shock Proteins ; metabolism ; Humans ; Melanoma ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Transcription Factor CHOP ; genetics ; metabolism ; Tunicamycin ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of DNA vaccine transdermal delivery with microneedle array.

METHODSThe pcDNA3.1-HPV16E7 recombinant vector acting as gene vaccine was established. The infiltration quantity of pcDNA3.1-HPV16E7 getting across the microchannels generated by microneedle arrays in vitro was observed. 30 BALB/c mice were divided into 3 groups (experimental group, in vain plasmid group, negative control). Each group had 10 mice. Then immunized BALB/c mice with a dose of 200 microg with microneedle array every two weeks. The control groups did the same as that as the study groups. Two weeks after the third immunization, the serum and lymphocytes were separated to detect the functions of humoral immunity with indirect immunofluorescence test, while, the functions of cellular immunity with lymphocyte transformation test was also detected.

RESULTSThe DNA vaccine could easily get across the microchannels generated by microneedle arrays in vitro. Moreover, the course was permanent and the whole infiltration quantity was comparatively high, reaching 0.73819 mg/cm2 at the 30th hour. And among immunized BALB/c mouse, DNA vaccine transdermal delivery with microneedle array could induce specific antibodies. Lymphocyte transformation test showed that there was significant difference for the lymphocyte transformation rate between experiment (the average of lymphocyte transformation rate was 47.25%) and control group (the average of lymphocyte transformation rate was 30.00%) (chi2 = 12.903, P < 0.001). Also, the difference was found between in vain plasmid group (the average of lymphocyte transformation rate was 43.00%) and negative control(chi2 = 7.292, P = 0.007). While, no difference was observed in the experimental group and in vain plasmid group (chi2 = 0.817, P = 0.366).

CONCLUSIONThe DNA vaccine combined administering with microneedle array might get across the microchannels generated by microneedle arrays in vitro and induce humoral and cellular immune response in vivo.

Administration, Cutaneous ; Animals ; Human papillomavirus 16 ; genetics ; immunology ; Injections ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Skin Absorption ; Vaccines, DNA ; administration & dosage ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo investigate radiation protection and possible mechanisms of low intensity microwave on gamma-ray exposed mice.

METHODS96 healthy Kunming mice were randomly divided into the following four groups: normal control, microwave (120 microW/cm(2), 900 MHz), gamma-ray irradiation (5 Gy), combined exposure of microwave and gamma-ray (120 microW/cm(2) + 5 Gy). The microwave group and combined group were exposed to 120 microW/cm(2) microwave firstly, 1 h/d, for 14 days. Then the ionization and combined group were exposed to 5 Gy (60)Co gamma-ray irradiation on the 15th day. Animals were sacrificed on the third, 6th, 9th and 12th day after irradiation. The sternum and spleen paraffin section were produced, and the histological changes were observed. Apoptosis rate of mice splenic cells in each group was examined by flow cytometry, and serum concentration of antioxidant and lipid peroxide was detected at the same time.

RESULTSBone marrow was obviously injured either by radiation or microwave exposure, characterized by undergoing four-phase lesions, namely apoptosis-necrosis, void, regeneration and recovery phase. Compared with the gamma-ray group, the pathological changes in combined group were slighter and the recovery was quicker. The pathological injuries of spleen were similar to that of bone marrow. Injuries in the combined group were slighter than gamma-ray group. It showed that apoptosis rate of splenic cells in combined group was significantly lower on the 6th and 9th day after gamma-ray radiation (23.02% +/- 15.18%, 25.37% +/- 11.62% respectively) from FCM results. Assays of oxidative damages suggested that serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) level in combined group increased while lipid peroxide level decreased significantly (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONLow intensity microwave may exert protection effects on injuries induced by ionizing radiation. The underlying mechanisms might be related with suppression on the hematopoietic cells apoptosis induced by gamma-ray radiation, inhibition of oxidative damages, and thus enhanced reconstruction of the hematopoietic system.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; radiation effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation ; Gamma Rays ; adverse effects ; Male ; Mice ; Microwaves ; Radiation Protection

Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte ; HLA-A2 Antigen ; immunology ; Hepatitis B Core Antigens ; genetics ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; immunology ; Humans ; Mutation