Crassostrea sikamea (C.sikamea) is an important edible and medicinal seafood in China. In the present study, a compound named flazin was separated and identified from the ethyl acetate extract of C.sikamea (EAECs) for the first time. In addition, the 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetra zolium (MTS) assay revealed that EAECs and flazin inhibited the transformation of splenic lymphocytes in vitro. Moreover, flazin (20 μg·mL
Animals ; Carbolines ; Crassostrea ; Furans ; Lymphocytes ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spleen

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of Caspase 1 inhibitor Ac-YVAD-CMK on acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(allo-HSCT) and its mechanism.

METHODSExperiments were divided randomly into 3 groups: allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation combined with splenic cell infusion group (TS group, n=12), allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation combined with splenic cell infusion plus injection of low dose Caspase 1 inhibitor group (TS+low dose of C group, n=16) and plus high dose Caspase1 inhibitor (TS+high dose of C group, n=19). The body weight of mice in each group was dynamically detected, and the clinical manifestation of GVHD and score of aGVHD were determined, and the chimerism rate of mice was detected after transplantation for 14 days. Th1, Th2 and Th17 cells in peripheral blood were examined by flow cytometry. Peripheral proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IFN-γ, IL-1α and IL-18 were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). The tissues sections of GVHD target organs (liver, lung, colon and skin) were stained with HE for histopathologic examination and histopathologic score.

RESULTSAc-YVAD-CMK could alleviate murine aGVHD and pathological injury, decreare the incidence and severity of aGVHD in recipient mice. The detection of Th cell subsets in peripheral blood by flow cytometry showed that compared with TS group, the Th1 cell ratio in TS+low dose of C and TS+high dose of C groups was significantly reduced (P<0.05), while the Th2 and Th17 cell ratio was significantly enhanced (P<0.05) in TS+low dose of high dose of C groups. The detection of peripheral inflamematory cytokines by ELISA demonstrated that the inflammatory cytokines including IL-1β,IFN-γ,IL-18 and IL-1α were reduced significantly (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONAc-YVAD-CMK can improve aGVHD by inhibiting Caspase 1 and reducing the release of some inflammatory cytokines, thereby alleviated the aGVHD pathological damage.

The aim of the present study was to develop three-dimensional (3D) culture model, a more pathologically relevant model, of human breast cancer for drug resistance study. MCF-7 cells were embedded within collagen gel to establish 3D culture model. Cellular morphology was observed using Carmine and HE staining. Cell proliferation was evaluated by CCK-8 assay, and cell activity was detected by Live/Dead staining kit. Drug sensitivities of the 3D culture to doxorubicin, carboplatin, 5-fluorouracil were assayed and compared with those of monolayer (2D) culture. In addition, the levels of drug resistance-related genes P-glycoprotein (P-gp), mrp2 mRNA expressions were detected by real time RT-PCR. Expression level of P-gp protein was detected by Western blot. The results showed that MCF-7 cells in 3D culture formed a number of cell aggregates, and most of them displayed good cell viability. The IC50 values of doxorubicin, carboplatin, 5-fluorouracil were all increased significantly in 3D culture compared with those in 2D culture. Moreover, compared with MCF-7 cells in 2D culture, the cells in 3D culture showed increased mRNA levels of P-gp and mrp2, as well as up-regulated protein expression of P-gp. These results suggest that in vitro collagen-embedded culture system of human breast cancer cells represents an improved pathologically relevant 3D microenvironment for breast cancer cells, providing a robust tool to explore the mechanism of drug resistance of cancer cells.
ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; Breast Neoplasms ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Proliferation ; Cell Survival ; Doxorubicin ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Humans ; MCF-7 Cells

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect and mechanism of norcantharidin (NCTD) on hematopoiesis function in leucopenia model rat induced by cyclophosphamide (CTX).

METHODSLeucopenia model was replicated in SD rat with cyclophosphamide(CTX) and model animal was treated with NCTD. Peripheral blood and bone marrow tissue samples were collected from the rats in each experimental group. Peripheral white blood cells (WBC) were counted and analyzed by automatic blood cell analyzer. Histopathologic changes of the biopsied bone marrow tissues were observed by histopathological techniques. The cell cycle and apoptosis rate of bone marrow cells were detected by flow cytometry. Immunohistochemical method was applied to observe the expression of apoptosis-related proteins BCL-2 and BAX in bone marrow.

RESULTSAfter NCTD treatment in model rats, the WBC count of peripheral blood obviously increased, the cell structure of bone tissue significantly recovered, NCTD could promote the cell proliferation and cycle changes of bone marrow cells, inhibit the bone marrow cell apoptosis and necrosis induced with CTX, up-regulate the expression of apoptosis-related protein BCL-2 and downregulated the BAX.

CONCLUSIONNCTD can stimulate the bone marrow hematopoiesis and promote recovery of peripheral white blood cell level in the leukopenia model induced by CTX, and its mechanism may be related with NCTD regulating bone marrow cell cycle and with NCTD inhibiting cell apoptosis.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Bone Marrow ; Bone Marrow Cells ; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Proliferation ; Cyclophosphamide ; Disease Models, Animal ; Flow Cytometry ; Hematologic Diseases ; Hematopoiesis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics and the interventional effects of hysteria in leftbehind children in Chongqing rural area for early detection,early treatment and prevention of the disease.Methods One hundred and three left-behind children aged from 7 to 17 years were diagnosed as hysteria from Jun.2008 to Jun.2011.Their general information,clinical presentations were analyzed retrospectively.After comprehensive intervention,they were assessed the clinical efficacy in accordance with Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale,and some of them were tested by Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ) and Symptom Checklist (SCL-90).Results There were many clinical forms of hysteria in 103 left-behind children.Physical dysfunction accounted for 72 cases(69.90％),whose symptoms were mainly paralysis and convulsive seizure,which was significantly higher than mental disorder(5 cases,4.9％).The mixed episode of physical dysfunction and mental disorder accounted for 26 cases (25.40％).Seventy-eight cases (75.73 ％) were cured,19 cases (18.45％) improved significantly,and 6 cases (5.83％) improved respectively after intervention of 3 to 12 days.Emotional instability accounted for 12 cases(63.16％) in personality factors with EPQ test in 19 cases.Their factors of somatization,interpersonal relationship,depression,anxiety,and hostility with SCL-90 significantly decreased(all P ＜0.05) after intervention of 7 to 12 days.Conclusions The main forms of hysteria in leftbehind children in Chongqing rural area are physical dysfunction and mixed episode,which are paralysis and convulsive seizure.Emotional instability is common in personality factors for them.It can be achieved good results of hysteria in left-behind children to pay attention to the emotional exchange between the children and their parents,early detect,early treat and active prevent the disease.

OBJECTIVETo improve clinicians' ability of diagnosing testicular torsion.

METHODSWe reviewed the data of a case of testicular torsion that resulted in necrosis because of delayed presentation and repeated misdiagnosis, and analyzed its anatomic features, clinical manifestations, ultrasound results, the causes of misdiagnosis and relevant literature.

RESULTSThe patient presented 5 hours after the onset of symptoms, complaining of severe paroxysmal pain in the lower left abdomen, accompanied with nausea and vomiting, and was twice misdiagnosed as having enterospasm or ureteral calculus at two different hospitals. Fifteen hours later, surgical exploration revealed an about 900-degree testicular torsion in the spermatic cord, which necessitated orchiectomy for non viability of the testis. Postoperative pathological examination confirmed testicular necrosis and diffused hemorrhage in the testis and epididymis.

CONCLUSIONTimely presentation, correct diagnosis and proper treatment are keys to saving the affected testis. Color Doppler ultrasound is an ideal option for the definite diagnosis of acute scrotal diseases, and it offers a valuable guidance for related surgery as well.

Adult ; Diagnostic Errors ; Humans ; Male ; Necrosis ; Spermatic Cord Torsion ; diagnosis ; Testis ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo compare the long-term results of procedure for prolapse and hemorrhoids(PPH) and Milligan-Morgan(MM) hemorrhoidectomy in the treatment of third- and fourth-degree hemorrhoids.

METHODSNinety-one patients in PPH group and 120 patients in MM group, treated in our hospital from May 2001 to May 2005, were followed up. All the patients suffered with third- or fourth-degree hemorrhoids. The data including symptoms relief, complication and recurrence were compared between two groups.

RESULTSPPH and MM both significantly relieved bleeding (95.6% vs 92.7%), pain (93.1% vs 94.3%) and prolapse (93.4% vs 93.1%). There were no significant differences between two groups(P >0.05). PPH significantly relieved constipation compared with MM(60.0% vs 32.1%, P <0.05). No significant differences of complete relief rates between PPH group and MM group according to different degrees, types and prolapses of hemorrhoids were found(P >0.05). There were no significant differences in the overall complication rate(14.3% vs 12.7%), recurrence rates(12.1% vs 8.8%) and satisfactory degree (85.1 vs 88.2) between two groups as well.

CONCLUSIONThe long-term outcomes of PPH in the treatment of third and fourth-degree hemorrhoids are similar to Milligan-Morgan hemorrhoidectomy.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anal Canal ; surgery ; Digestive System Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemorrhoids ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Surgical Stapling ; Surgical Stomas ; Young Adult

This paper developed a sensitive and specific liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) method for the determination of decapeptide LXT-101 in Beagle dog plasma. Plasma samples spiked with internal standard (IS) were treated with acetonitrile to precipitate the protein. Selected reaction monitoring (SRM) using the precursor --> product ion combinations of m/z 472.1-->587.9 and m/z 502.8-->633.8 were used to quantify LXT-101 and IS, respectively. The linear calibration curves were obtained in the concentration range of 0.5 - 500.0 ng x mL(-1). The limit of quantification (LOQ) was 0.5 ng x mL(-1). The inter-day and intra-day precision (RSD) across three validation run over the entire concentration range was below 10.9%, and the accuracy (RE) was within +/- 1.8%. The main pharmacokinetic parameters of LXT-101 after muscle injection of 20 microg x kg(-1) were as follows, AUC(0-t): (176.8 +/- 116.7) microg x h x L(-1), MRT(0-t): (2.52 +/- 0.53) h, T(1/2): (1.4 +/- 0.3) h; CL: (0.16 +/- 0.09) L x h(-1) x kg(-1), and Vd: (0.30 +/- 0.16) L x kg(-1), respectively. The method is proved to be specific, sensitive and suitable for the investigation of LXT-101 pharmacokinetics in Beagle dog.
Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Area Under Curve ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Dogs ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Injections, Intramuscular ; Male ; Oligopeptides ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

OBJECTIVETo investigate the experience on diagnosis and treatment of multiple adrenal aldosterone-producing adenomas (APA).

METHODSEighteen cases of multiple adrenal APA were analyzed retrospectively, which were admitted from October 1992 to April 2006.

RESULTSAdrenalectomy was performed for 4 cases of unilateral synchronous multiple APA, which were discovered with three adenomas by 3D-CT; bilateral tumor resection was performed for 6 cases of bilateral synchronous multiple APA. There were 8 cases of bilateral metachronous multiple APA, including 2 cases of ipsilateral recurrent adrenal APA after adrenal tumor removal, which underwent tumor resection. Another 6 cases were contralateral APA following adrenalectomy due to adrenal APA, and underwent tumor resection. After operation, the adrenal function seemed to be normal, and no recurrence had been found on follow-up.

CONCLUSIONSUnilateral multiple synchronous APA require adrenalectomy. Tumor resection should be performed for bilateral or asynchronous APA, and it is very important to preserve healthy adrenal tissue as much as possible. 3D-CT has much value on diagnosis of small APA, unilateral multiple synchronous APA and ipsilateral recurrent adrenal APA.

Adenoma ; complications ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Adrenal Gland Neoplasms ; complications ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Adrenalectomy ; Adult ; Aldosterone ; blood ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hyperaldosteronism ; blood ; etiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Anxiety ; etiology ; Asthma ; psychology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Depression ; etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mental Disorders ; etiology