To analyze the genetic characteristics of echovirus 6 (E6) isolated from meningitis and encephalitis cases in Shandong Province, China, we collected cerebrospinal fluid samples from meningitis and encephalitis cases in Shandong Province from 2007 to 2012 for virus isolation. Viral RNAs were extracted from positive isolates, and complete VP1 coding regions were amplified by RT-PCR and sequenced. Homology comparison and phylogenetic analysis were performed. Six isolates were identified as E6 by microneutralization assay and molecular typing. The homology analysis showed that the six isolates had 78. 6%-99. 8% nucleotide and 95. 5%-100. 0% amino acid identities with each other, as well as 76. 9%-78. 4% nucleotide and 92. 3%-95. 1% amino acid identities with the prototype strain (D' Amori). The phylogenetic analysis based on the integrated VP1 sequences indicated that all Shandong E6 isolates could be separated into four clusters, designated as A, B, C, and D. The six E6 isolates belonged to clusters A, B, and D. Our study reveals high genetic differences between Shandong E6 isolates and suggests different transmission lineages of E6 co-circulated in Shandong Province.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Echovirus 6, Human ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Encephalitis ; epidemiology ; virology ; Female ; Genetic Variation ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Meningitis ; epidemiology ; virology ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Sequence Alignment ; Viral Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics

To provide theoretical basis for breeding good variety of Dendrobium denneanum, agronomic and qualitative characters of 4 different lines and relationships among them were studied. The stem length, stem diameter, leaf length, leaf width, length/ width ratio and leaf area were measured. The single fresh and dry stem was weighed and drying rate was calculated. The contents of polysaccharides and total alkaloids were determined by sulfuric acid-phenol colorimetry and acid-dye colorimetry, respectively. The correlations between characters were analyzed. The results showed that differences in major agronomic characters between four lines were significant. The plant types of dq-1 and dq-2 were higher, dq-3 was medium and dq-4 was lower. The fresh weigh of stem and content of polysaccharides were the highest in dq-2, 7.81 g and 14.33%. While the highest content of total alkaloids and was 0. 486% in dq-3. There were significant correlations between agronomic characters, but these characters had low or non correlations with qualitative characters such as polysaccharides and total alkaloids. It was shown that the content of polysaccharides and total alkaloids were significantly different among 4 lines of D. denneanum, which could be selected for different uses.
Agriculture ; Dendrobium ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry

Professor GU Wei-chao is with great academic and clinical experience. He has thoughts in ZHANG Xi-chun's academic thoughts, especially his application of Zhang's theory. He added Rhodiolae Crenulatae Radix et Rhizoma, Agrimoniae Herba, Taxilli Herba, Nardostachyos Radix et Rhizoma, Corni Fructus, and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata cum Melle to Shengxian Decoction to make modified Shengxian Decoction to strengthen the efficacy of invigorating qi and ascending qi collapse, reinforcing heart and astringing qi, cultivating the essence and notifying kidney, and inducing resuscitation and allaying tiredness, with a purpose to treat sinking qi syndrome of heart and lung diseases and expand the application areas of Zhang's Shengxian Decoction. This article introduced experience of GU Wei-chao in treating heart and lung diseases by using modified Shengxian Decoction through three clinical cases of effusion after lung surgery, chest and heart pain and difficulties in breathing.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the relation of dose intensity and efficacy, toxicity in advanced breast cancer treated with paclitaxel as a single agent.

METHODSSeventy-one patients with advanced breast cancer received paclitaxel as a single agent with different dose intensities. According to the phase I or phase II trial, the standard dose intensity of paclitaxel was defined as 58.3 mg.(m(2))(-1).week(-1). The dose of paclitaxel was 175 mg/m(2) given every three weeks, ranging 33.3 - 70.3 mg.(m(2))(-1).week(-1) [median delivered dose intensity 58.82 mg.(m(2))(-1).week(-1)]. Efficacy and toxicity was evaluated.

RESULTSThe overall response rate in this group of advanced breast cancer was 40.8%. Responses were seen in lungs, soft tissue, bone and liver, with the response rates of 52.0%, 38.0%, 12.5%, 7.7%, respectively. When the relative dose intensity (RDI) was > 1.0, 0.9 - 1.0, < 0.9, the response rates were 44.2%, 47.6%, 0, respectively. The difference between the group (RDI >/= 0.9% - 1.0%) in 7 patients and the group (RDI < 0.9) was significant (P < 0.05). Toxicity was well tolerated, with the efficacy decreased as soon as the RDI had been reduced without embarrassing the toxicity.

CONCLUSIONPaclitaxel as a single agent therapy with standard dose intensity is effective and well tolerated by patients with advanced breast cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Bone Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; secondary ; Breast Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Female ; Humans ; Leukopenia ; chemically induced ; Liver Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; secondary ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Paclitaxel ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Remission Induction

Molecular typing was conducted for three human enteroviruses (HEV) isolated from acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) cases in Shandong province, China. RNAs from virus supernatants were extracted and complete VP1 genes were amplified by RT-PCR and sequenced. Genotypes of these isolates were identified as HEV type 73, 75 and 97, respectively by BLAST program. Homology and phylogenetic tree analyses were performed. Sequence analysis of VP1 gene showed significant variation compared with prototype strains. This study presents the genetic characteristics of HEV 73, 75 and 97 of specie B in Shandong Province, and the first report of HEV97 in China.
Base Sequence ; Cell Line ; China ; Enterovirus ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Enterovirus Infections ; virology ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Paralysis ; virology ; Phylogeny ; Viral Proteins ; genetics

In order to study the genotypes and molecular evolution of human enterovirus (HEV) A species in Shandong Province, Stool samples were collected from AFP and HFMD patients in Shandong Province and virus isolation was performed. Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reactions (RT-PCR) specific for EV71 and CVA16 were performed with the virus isolates from HFMD patients. Positive isolates were selected for entire VP1 coding gene amplification and sequencing. Isolates with negative PCR results and isolates from AFP patients were selected for entire VP1 coding gene amplification and sequencing using primers specific for HEV A species. Phylogenetic tree was constructed among these VP1 nucleotide sequences and of other strains. Altogether 293 strains classified into 8 genotypes were isolated. The homologous comparison and phylogenetic analysis showed Shandong strains were distinct with prototype strains in every genotype. This report presents an overview of HEV-A in Shandong Province.
Cell Line ; China ; Enterovirus A, Human ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Enterovirus Infections ; virology ; Feces ; virology ; Genotype ; Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease ; virology ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Paraplegia ; virology ; Phylogeny

BACKGROUNDMany patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) develop recurrent angina (RA) during hospitalization. The aim of this non-randomized, prospective study was to investigate the predictive factors of RA in unselected patients with ACS enrolled in the global registry acute coronary events (GRACE) during hospitalization in China.

METHODSBetween March 2001 and October 2004, enrolled were 1433 patients with ACS, including ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (662, 46.2%), non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (239, 16.7%) and unstable angina (532, 37.1%). The demographic distribution, medical history and clinical data were collected to investigate the predictive factors of RA by Logistic regression.

RESULTSDuring hospitalization 275 (19.2%) patients were documented with RA including unstable angina (53.2%), non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (27.5%), ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (19.3%). A comorbidity of dyslipidemia, prior angina, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) within 6 months was more common in patients with RA, P < 0.05. In the patients with RA, a significantly higher proportion of patients with acute pulmonary edema was observed, 23 (8.4%) versus 43 (3.7%), P = 0.001. Acute renal failure was present in 8 (2.9%) of patients with RA versus 19 (1.6%) of patients without RA, P = 0.165. Hemorrhagic events were present in 6 (2.2%) of patients with RA versus 8 (0.7%) of patients without RA, ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation events in 12 patients (4.3%) versus 22 patients (1.9%), congestive heart failure in 69 patients (25.0%) versus 94 patients (8.1%), myocardial re-infarction in 28 patients (10.1%) versus 15 patients (1.3%), P < 0.05, respectively. A lower proportion of patients with RA underwent in-hospital PCI, 687 (59.3%) versus 114 (41.5%), P = 0.000. A higher proportion of patients with RA received heparin, 260 (94.5%) versus 1035 (89.4%), P = 0.006; and beta-blockers 176 (64.0%) versus 864 (74.5%), P = 0.000. Multivarible regression analysis showed that RA was associated with prior angina (OR 2.086, 95% CI 1.466 - 2.967), in-hospital PCI (OR 0.579, 95% CI 0.431 - 0.778), in-hospital congestive heart failure (OR 2.410, 95% CI 1.634 - 3.555), myocardial re-infarction (OR 7.695, 95% CI 3.701 - 15.999), beta-blocker (OR 0.626, 95% CI 0.458 - 0.855), and heparin (OR 3.411, 95% CI 1.604 - 7.382).

CONCLUSIONSIn-hospital congestive heart failure, myocardial re-infarction, prior angina history and use of heparin are stronger independent predictors of RA; beta-blockers and PCI are also important predictive factors for RA.

Acute Coronary Syndrome ; epidemiology ; Adult ; Aged ; Angina Pectoris ; etiology ; therapy ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Recurrence ; Registries

OBJECTIVETo investigate the differentiation of bone marrow derived Thy-1+ beta2M- cells (BDTCs) into liver cells in allyl alcohol (AA) induced liver injury micro-environment.

METHODSBDTCs of male F344 rats were isolated by two-step magnetic separation system (MACS) technique, and infused intraportally into female recipients after labeling with PKH26. Thirty recipients were divided randomly into 3 groups: (1) AA-injured liver + BDTCs infusion, (2) normal liver + BDTCs infusion and (3) AA-injured liver + NS infusion (control). Blood biochemical examination, fluorescence labeled cellular localization, Y-chromosome sry gene in-situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry were carried out to evaluate BDTCs distribution, differentiation and proliferation in recipients's livers after different intervals.

RESULTSFluoromicroscopy and in situ hybridization suggested that BDTCs of donors were interspersed in pieces and cords among the necro-periportals induced by AA; immunohistochemistry indicated that those implanted cells expressed OV-6, AFP, CK19 and albumin successively, while positive cells were hardly seen in the normal liver + BDTCs infusion group. Compared with the controls, the blood biochemical restitution was more rapid in group (1), (9.8 d +/- 3.1 d vs. 13.7 d +/- 4.2 d).

CONCLUSIONThe injury micro-environment induced by AA facilitates BDTCs integration with hepatic cell plates and differentiation into mature liver cells. BDTCs differentiation into liver cells might accelerate endogenous liver cell regeneration and reparation.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; pathology ; Cell Differentiation ; physiology ; Hepatocytes ; pathology ; Liver Cirrhosis ; chemically induced ; pathology ; surgery ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; pathology ; Propanols ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred F344

In previous study, molecular typing method was performed to identify human enteroviruses (HEVs) isolates collected from acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) cases from 1989 to 2011 and hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) patients, and 8 HEV-A serotypes were identified. In order to explore the genotypes and molecular evolution characteristics of HEV-A in Shandong province, viral RNA of the remaining isolates was extracted and entire VP1 coding region was amplified, sequenced and identified with HEV-A primers. Another 7 HEV-A Shandong isolates were obtained, and identified as Coxsackievirus A (CVA) 2, 6, 8 and 12 by molecular typing method. Homologous comparison showed that the nucleotide acid identities of Shandong strains ranged from 80.8% to 85.0% with prototype strains. Phylogenetic analysis based on VP1 sequences indicated that CVA8 and CVA12 strains were genetically related with domestic strains. However, CVA2 and CVA6 strains were distinct from both domestic and foreign strains. In addition, multiple transmission chains of CVA2 and CVA6 existed within Shandong province. So far, a total of 12 HEV-A serotypes were identified in Shandong province. This study enriched the distribution of serotypes and genetic evolution characteristics of HEV-A isolates in Shandong, and revealed different transmission chains of CVA2, 6, 8, 12 serotypes co-circulated in Shandong province or in China.
Child, Preschool ; China ; Enterovirus A, Human ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Enterovirus Infections ; virology ; Evolution, Molecular ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and adverse reactions of Herceptin as a single agent in patients with HER2 overexpressing metastatic breast cancer.

METHODSThere were two kinds of therapy protocol. One was loading-dose of 4 mg/kg intravenously, followed by a 2 mg/kg maintenance dose of weekly intervals. The other was loading-dose of 8 mg/kg, followed by 6 mg/kg of every three weeks intervals.

RESULTSAmong 20 patients with evaluated efficacy, there was no complete response, 5 patients (25.0%) showed partial response (PR), 5 (25.0%) stable disease (SD) and 10 (50.0%) progressive disease (PD). Of 22 patients, the overall response rate was 22.7%. The median time of disease progression and treatment failure was 6 weeks and 6.5 weeks, respectively. The most common adverse reactions were fever and chill. Cardiac symptoms could be seen in some patients.

CONCLUSIONHerceptin is an active agent for the patients with HER2 overexpressing metastatic breast cancer and the adverse events are well tolerated.

Adult ; Aged ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized ; Antineoplastic Agents ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Bone Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; secondary ; Breast Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Disease Progression ; Disease-Free Survival ; Drug Administration Schedule ; Female ; Fever ; chemically induced ; Heart Diseases ; chemically induced ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Receptor, ErbB-2 ; metabolism ; Soft Tissue Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; secondary ; Trastuzumab