AIM: To explore the relevance of Maotai liquor and liver diseases. METHODS: Epidemiological study was conducted on groups of subjects, each consisting of 3 subjects from the Maotai liquor group consisting of 99 indivi...AIM: To explore the relevance of Maotai liquor and liver diseases. METHODS: Epidemiological study was conducted on groups of subjects, each consisting of 3 subjects from the Maotai liquor group consisting of 99 individuals and one from the non-alcoholic control group consisting of 33 individuals. Liver biopsy was performed on 23 volunteers from Guizhou Maotai Distillery who had a constant and long history of drinking Maotai liquor. Experimental histopathological study was conducted as follows: sixty male Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups randomly and fed with Maotai liquor, ordinary white wine, and physiological saline respectively for a period of 8 and 12 weeks. The rats were sacrificed in batches, then serum ALT, AST, TBil, and AKP were measured. Rat livers were harvested to measure the liver indexes, GSH, and MDA. Histopathological examinations were also performed. Another eighty mice were randomly divided into 4 groups and fed with Maotai (at different dosages of 10 ml.kg(-1) and 20 ml.kg(-1)), ethanol, and physiological saline. The animals were sacrificed after 4 weeks and serum ALT was determined. Then the livers were harvested and liver indexes and MDA were measured. RESULTS: The incidence rate of hepatic symptoms, splenomegaly, liver function impairment, reversal of Albumin/Globulin and increased diameter of portal veins in the Maotai liquor group were 1.0% 1/99 , 1.0% 1/99 , 1.0% 1/99 , 1.0% 1/99 , 0 0/99 and 0 0/99 , 0 0/99 ,0 0/99 , 0 0/99 , 0 0/99 , respectively. There was no significant difference between the Maotai group and the non-alcoholic control group P】0.05 . Various degree of fatty infiltration of hepatocytes was found in the 23 volunteers receiving liver biopsy, but there was no obvious hepatic fibrosis or cirrhosis. A comparison was made between the Maotai liquor group and the ordinary white wine group. It was found that hepatic MDA in rats and mice were 0.33+/-0.10 and 0.49+/-0.23 respectively in Maotai group and 0.61+/-0.22 and 0.66+/-0.32 in the ordinary white wine group; MDA had an obvious decrease in the Maotai liquor group (P【0.05); hepatic GSH were 0.12 mg.g(-1)+/-0.06 mg.g(-1) in rats of the Maotai liquor group and (0.08+/-0.02)mg.g(-1) in white wine group, it was obviously increased in the Maotai liquor group (P【0.05). After the 20 rats had been fed with ordinary white wine for 8 weeks consecutively, disarranged hepatocyte cords, fatty infiltration of hepatocytes, and fibrous septa of varying widths due to hepatic connective tissues proliferation were observed; after 12 weeks, the fibrous tissue proliferation continued and early cirrhosis appeared. Compared with the ordinary white wine group, fatty infiltration was observed in the 8-week and 12-week groups, but no necrosis or fibrosis or cirrhosis was found in the Maotai liquor group (P【0.05). CONCLUSION: Maotai liquor may cause fatty liver but not hepatic fibrosis or cirrhosis, and it can strengthen lipid peroxidation in the liver.展开更多
AIM: Heat shock protein (HSP)70 is over-expressed in human gastric cancer and plays an important role in the progression of this cancer. We investigated the effects of antisense HSP70 oligomer on human gastric cancer ...AIM: Heat shock protein (HSP)70 is over-expressed in human gastric cancer and plays an important role in the progression of this cancer. We investigated the effects of antisense HSP70 oligomer on human gastric cancer cell line SGC-7901, and its potential role in gene therapy for this cancer.METHODS: Human gastric cancer cell line SGC-7901 was treated in vitro with various concentrations of antisense HSP70 oligonucleotides at different intervals. Growth inhibition was determined as percentage by trypan blue dye exclusion test. Extracted DNA was electrophoresed on agarose gel, and distribution of cell cycle and kinetics of apoptosis induction were analyzed by propidium iodide DNA incorporation using flow cytometry, which was also used to detect the effects of antisense oligomer pretreatment on the subsequent apoptosis induced by heat shock in SGC-7901 cells. Proteins were extracted for simultaneous measurement of HSP70 expression level by SDS-PAGE Western blotting.RESULTS: The number of viable cells decreased in a doseand time-dependent manner, and ladder-like patterns of DNA fragments were observed in SGC-7901 cells treated with antisense HSP70 oligomers at a concentration of 10 μmol/L for 48 h or 8 μmol/L for 72 h, which were consistent with inter-nucleosomal DNA fragmentation. Flow cytometric analysis showed a dose- and time-dependent increase in apoptotic rate by HSP70 antisense oligomers. This response was accompanied with a decrease in the percentage of cells in the G1 and S phases of the cell cycle, suggesting inhibition of cell proliferation. In addition, flow cytometry also showed that pretreatment of SGC-7901 cells with HSP70 antisense oligomers enhanced the subsequent apoptosis induced by heat shock treatment. Western blotting demonstrated that HSP70 antisense oligomers inhibited HSP70 expression, which preceded apoptosis, and HSP70 was undetectable at the concentration of 10 μmol/L for 48 h or 8 μmol/L for 72 h.CONCLUSION: Antisense HSP70 oligomers can abrogate HSP70 expression in SGC-7901 cells, which may in turn induce apoptosis and inhibit cell proliferation, conversely suggesting that HSP70 is required for the proliferation and survival of human gastric cancer cells under normal conditions.展开更多
AIM:To identify the risk factors and three single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs) of NOD2/CARD15 gene in inflammatory bowel disease(IBD) of the population in Zhejiang,China.METHODS:A case-control study was conducted us...AIM:To identify the risk factors and three single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs) of NOD2/CARD15 gene in inflammatory bowel disease(IBD) of the population in Zhejiang,China.METHODS:A case-control study was conducted using recall questionnaire to collect data on demographic,socioeconomic,lifestyle characteristics and dietary behaviors from 136 determined IBD patients and 136 paired healthy controls.COX regression method was used to screen the statistically significant risk factors for IBD.The polymorphisms of NOD2/CARD15 gene Arg702Trp,Gly908Arg and Leu1007fsinsC were genotyped and further compared between 60 patients with IBD and 60 healthy controls by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism.RESULTS:IBD occurred primarily in young and middle-aged people.The mean age for IBD patients was 42.6 years.The ratio of males to females was 1.23:1.COX regression indicated a higher statistical significance in milk,fried food and stress compared with the other postulated risk factors for IBD.None of the patients with IBD and healthy controls had heterozygous or homozygous SNPs variants.CONCLUSION:Milk,fried food and stress are associated with increased risk of IBD.The common variants in NOD2/CARD15 gene are not associated with IBD in China's Zhejiang population.展开更多
AIM: To explore the possible mechanism why drinkingMaotai liquor dose not cause hepatic fibrosis.METHODS: After being fed with Maotai for 56 daysconsecutively, the male SD rats were decollated fordetecting the biologi...AIM: To explore the possible mechanism why drinkingMaotai liquor dose not cause hepatic fibrosis.METHODS: After being fed with Maotai for 56 daysconsecutively, the male SD rats were decollated fordetecting the biological indexes, and the livers wereharvested to examine the liver indexes and the level ofhepatic metallothioneins (MT). Hepatic stellate cells (HSC)proliferation and collagen generation were also observed.RESULTS: Hepatic MT contents were 216.0 ng@g1 + 10.8 ng@g1 in the rats of Maotai group and 10.0 ng@g-1 ± 2.8 ng@g1 inthe normal control group, which was increased obviously inMaotain group ( P ＜ 0.05). In the rats with grade CCL2poisoning induced by Maotai, hepatic MT content was 304.8ng@ g1 + 12.1 ng@ g-1 whereas in the controls with grade CCL4poisoning, it was 126.4 ng@g-1 +4.8 ng@g-1(P＜0.05).MDAwas 102.0 nmol@ g-1 + 3.4 nmol@ g-1 in Maotai group and 150.8nmol@ g-1 + 6.7 nmol@ g1 in the control group ( P ＜ 0.05).When both of the groups were suffering from grade CCL4poisoning, hepatic MT contents was negatively correlatedwithMDA (r=-0.8023, n=20, P＜0.01). The 570 nmAvalues of each tube with HSC regeneration at concentrationsof 0, 10, 50, 100, and 200g@L-1 of Maotai were 0.818, 0.742,0.736, 0.72, 0.682, and 0.604, respectively. From theconcentration of 10 g@ L1, Maotai began to show obviousinhibitory effects against HSC, and the inhibition wasconcentration-dependent (P＜0.05, P＜ 0.01). Type Icollagen contents in HSC were 61.4, 59.9, 50.1, 49.2, 48.7,34.4μg@g1 at concentrations of 0, 10, 50, 100, and 200g@ L-1of Maotai. At the concentration of 100-200 g@L-1, Maotai hadobvious inhibitory effect against the secretion of type Icollagen (P ＜ 0. 05 ). Gene expression analysis wasconducted on cells with Maotai concentrations of 0, 50, 100g@L-1 respectively and the ash values of β-actin geneexpression were 0. 88, 0. 74, and 0. 59, respectively,suggesting that at the concentration of 100 g@ L-1 , Maotaicould obviously inhibit gene expression of type I procollagen(P＜ 0.05), but the effect was not obvious at theconcentration of 50 g@L-1(P＞0.05). At the concentration of10 g@L-1, HSC growth in vitro inhibition rates were 16.4+2.3 inMaotai group and-8.4+ 2.3 in the control group (P＜0.05).CONCLUSION: Maotai Iiluor can increase metatlothioneins inthe liver and inhibit the activation of HSC and the synthesisof collagen in many aspects, which might be the mechanismthat Maotai liquor interferes in the hepatic fibrosis.展开更多
AIM:To investigate the effects of heme oxygenase(HO)-1 on liver fibrosis and the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma(PPARγ) and nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB) in rats.METHODS:Sixty Wistar r...AIM:To investigate the effects of heme oxygenase(HO)-1 on liver fibrosis and the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma(PPARγ) and nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB) in rats.METHODS:Sixty Wistar rats were used to construct liver fibrosis models and were randomly divided into 5 groups:group A(normal,untreated),group B(model for 4 wk,untreated),group C(model for 6 wk,untreated),group D [model for 6 wk,treated with zinc protoporphyrin Ⅸ(ZnPP-Ⅸ) from week 4 to week 6],group E(model for 6 wk,treated with hemin from week 4 to week 6).Next,liver injury was assessed by measuring serum alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST) and albumin levels.The degree of hepatic fibrosis was evaluated by measuring serum hyaluronate acid(HA),type Ⅳ collagen(Ⅳ-C) and by histological examination.Hydroxyproline(Hyp) content in the liver homogenate was determined.The expres-sion levels of alpha-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA) in liver tissue were measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).The expression levels of PPARγ and NF-κB were determined by RT-PCR and Western blotting.RESULTS:The expression of HO-1 increased with the development of fibrosis.Induction of HO-1 by hemin significantly attenuated the severity of liver injury and the levels of liver fibrosis as compared with inhibition of HO-1 by ZnPP-Ⅸ.The concentrations of serum ALT,AST,HA and Ⅳ-C in group E decreased compared with group C and group D(P < 0.01).Amount of Hyp and α-SMA in the liver tissues in group E decreased compared with group C(0.62 ± 0.14 vs 0.84 ± 0.07,1.42 ± 0.17 vs 1.84 ± 0.17,respectively,P < 0.01) and group D(0.62 ± 0.14 vs 1.11 ± 0.16,1.42 ± 0.17 vs 2.56 ± 0.37,respectively,P < 0.01).The expression of PPARγ at levels of transcription and translation decreased with the development of fibrosis especially in group D;and it increased in group E compared with groups C and D(0.88 ± 0.15 vs 0.56 ± 0.19,0.88 ± 0.15 vs 0.41 ± 0.11,respectively,P < 0.01).The expression of NF-κB increased with the development of fibrosis especially in group D;and it decreased in group E compared with groups C and D(1.43 ± 0.31 vs 1.89 ± 0.29,1.43 ± 0.31 vs 2.53 ± 0.54,respectively,P < 0.01).CONCLUSION:Our data demonstrate a potential mechanism that HO-1 can prevent liver fibrosis by enhancing the expression of PPARγ and decreasing the expression of NF-κB in liver tissues.展开更多
AIM： To investigate the role of Livin and vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） in human esophageal carcinoma, and analyze its relationship to clinical stages.METHODS： Expression of Livin in fresh esophageal c...AIM： To investigate the role of Livin and vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） in human esophageal carcinoma, and analyze its relationship to clinical stages.METHODS： Expression of Livin in fresh esophageal cancer tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry （IHC）, Western blotting and reverse transcriptasepolyrnerase chain reaction （RT-PCR）, and VEGF by Western blotting and RT-PCR. All statistical analyses were performed by SPSS version 11.0. RESULTS： Livin positivity was also significantly correlated with tumor stages, increasing with tumor progression. Expression of Livin and VEGF increased with the process of esophageal carcinoma. In the fourth clinical stage, expression of Livin and VEGF was the most significant. Expression of Livin was positively correlated with VEGF. CONCLUSION： Over-expression of Livin and VEGF contributes to the pathogenesis of esophageal carcinoma.展开更多
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of Bazhen decoction(BZD),Siwu decoction(SWD) and Sijunzi decoction(SJZD) in mice with anemia induced by5-fluorouracil(5-FU) and discussed the possible pharmacological hematopoietic...OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of Bazhen decoction(BZD),Siwu decoction(SWD) and Sijunzi decoction(SJZD) in mice with anemia induced by5-fluorouracil(5-FU) and discussed the possible pharmacological hematopoietic mechanism to provide experimental evidence for the clinical use of the three classical prescriptions in the treatment of anemia.METHODS:Anemia was induced by intravenous injection of 5-FU and 80 female Kunming mice were randomly,assigned to oral administration of SWD,SJZD,or BZD daily for 10 days.Peripheral blood cells count and bone marrow cell cycle were monitored to evaluate anti-anemia effects.Serum cytokines,interferon-γ(IFN-γ),interleukin-3(IL-3),erythropoietin(EPO),granulocyte-macrophage colonystimulating factor(GM-CSF),and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) were assayed.EPO m RNA expression was assayed in kidney and liver tissue homogenates.RESULTS:BZD and SWD significantly increased the number of red blood cells,hemoglobin concentration,and hematocrit,promoted bone marrow cells to enter the cell cycle,proliferate and differentiate,significantly increased IL-3 secretion,and significantly inhibited IFN-γ secretion.BZD stimulated transcription of EPO m RNA in the kidney and liver and enhanced serum EPO expression.A therapeutic effect of SJZD was not observed.CONCLUSION:BZD and SWD treatment specifically enhanced hematopoietic function and mediated myelopoiesis by altering serum cytokines levels and accelerating entry of bone marrow cells into the cell cycle.Better curative effects were achieved via nourishing both Qi and blood(BZD) than by enriching the blood(SWD) or invigorating Qi(SWZD)alone.展开更多
AIM： To identify the proportion, causes and the nature of drug-induced liver injury （DILI） in patients with no- tably elevated alanine aminotransferase （ALT）. METHODS： All the inpatients with ALT levels above 10...AIM： To identify the proportion, causes and the nature of drug-induced liver injury （DILI） in patients with no- tably elevated alanine aminotransferase （ALT）. METHODS： All the inpatients with ALT levels above 10 times upper limit of normal range （ULN） were ret- rospectively identified from a computerized clinical laboratory database at our hospital covering a 12-mo period. Relevant clinical information was obtained from medical records. Alternative causes of ALT eleva- tions were examined for each patient, including bili- ary abnormality, viral hepatitis, hemodynamic injury, malignancy, DILI or undetermined and other causes. All suspected DILI cases were causality assessed usingthe Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences scale, and only the cases classified as highly probable, probable, or possible were diagnosed as DILI. Comments related to the diagnosis of DILI in the medical record and in the discharge letter for each case were also examined to evaluate DILI detection by the treating doctors. RESULTS： A total of 129 cases with ALT 〉 i0 ULN were identified. Hemodynamic injury （n = 46, 35.7%）, DILl （n = 25, 19.4%） and malignancy （n = 21, 16.3%） were the top three causes of liver injury. Peak ALT val- ues were lower in DILI patients than in patients with hemodynamic injury （14.5 5.6 ULN vs 32.5 ：I： 30.7 ULN, P = 0.001）. Among DILI patients, one （4%） case was classified as definite, 19 （76%） cases were clas- sified as probable and 5 （20%） as possible according to the ClOMS scale. A hepatocellular pattern was ob- served in 23 （92%） cases and mixed in 2 （8%）. The extent of severity of liver injury was mild in 21 （84%） patients and moderate in 4 （16%）. Before discharge, 10 （40%） patients were recovered and the other 15 （60%） were improved. The improved patients tended to have a higher peak ALT （808 ＋ 348 U/L vs 623 ＋ 118 U/L, P = 0.016） and shorter treatment duration before discharge （8 ＋ 6 d vs 28 ~ 12 d, P = 0.008） compared with the recovered patients. Twenty-two drugs and 6 herbs were found associated with DILl. Antibacterials were the most common agents causing DILI in 8 （32%） cases, followed by glucocorticoids in 6 （24%） cases. Twenty-four （96%） cases received treatment of DILl with at least one adjunctive drug. Agents for treatment of DILI included anti-inflammatory drugs （e.g., glycyr- rhizinate）, antioxidants （e.g., glutathione, ademetionine 1,4-butanedisulfonate and tiopronin）, polyene phospha- tidyl choline and herbal extracts （e.g., protoporphyrin disodium and silymarin）. Diagnosis of DILl was not mentioned in the discharge letter in 60% of the cases. Relative to prevalent cases and cases from wards of internal medicine, incident cases and cases from surgi- cal wards had a higher risk of missed diagnosis in dis- charge letter [odds ratio （OR） 32.7, 95%CI （2.8-374.1）,CONCLUSION： DILI is mostly caused by use of anti- bacterials and glucocorticoids, and constitutes about one fifth of hospitalized patients with ALT 〉 10 ULN. DILI is underdiagnosed frequently.展开更多
AIM： To investigate the expression of B7-H1 in human colorectal carcinoma （CRC） to define its regulating ef- fects on T cells in tumor microenvironment.
AIM:To study the correlation between high metastasisassociated protein 1(MTA1)expression and lymphangiogenesis in colorectal cancer(CRC)and its role in production of vascular endothelial growth factor-C(VEGF-C). METHO...AIM:To study the correlation between high metastasisassociated protein 1(MTA1)expression and lymphangiogenesis in colorectal cancer(CRC)and its role in production of vascular endothelial growth factor-C(VEGF-C). METHODS:Impact of high MTA1 and VEGF-C expression levels on disease progression and lymphovasculardensity(LVD,D2-40-immunolabeled)in 81 cases of human CRC was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. VEGF-C mRNA and protein expressions in human LoVo and HCT116 cell lines were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting,respectively,with a stable expression vector or siRNA. RESULTS:The elevated MTA1 and VEGF-C expression levels were correlated with lymph node metastasis and Dukes stages(P<0.05).Additionally,high MTA1 expression level was correlated with a large tumor size(P< 0.05).A significant correlation was found between MTA1 and VEGF-C protein expressions in tumor cells(r=0.371, P<0.05).Similar to the VEGF-C expression level,high MTA1 expression level was correlated with high LVD in CRC(P<0.05).Furthermore,over-expression of MTA1 significantly enhanced the VEGF-C mRNA and protein expression levels,whereas siRNAs-knocked down MTA1 decreased the VEGF-C expression level. CONCLUSION:MTA1,as a regulator of tumor-associated lymphangiogenesis,promotes lymphangiogenesis in CRC by mediating the VEGF-C expression.展开更多
AIM:To investigate the relationship between polymorphisms present in the vitamin D receptor(VDR) gene and colorectal cancer risk,a systematic meta-analysis of population-based studies was performed.METHODS:A total of ...AIM:To investigate the relationship between polymorphisms present in the vitamin D receptor(VDR) gene and colorectal cancer risk,a systematic meta-analysis of population-based studies was performed.METHODS:A total of 38 relevant reports published between January 1990 and August 2010 were identified,of which only 23 qualified for this meta-analysis based on our selection criteria.Five polymorphic variants of the VDR gene,including Cdx-2(intron 1e) and FokI(exon 2) present in the 5' region of the gene,and BsmI(intron 8),ApaI(intron 8),and TaqI(exon 9) sites present in the 3' untranslated region(UTR),were evaluated for possible associations with colorectalcancer risk.Review manager 4.2 was used to perform statistical analyses.RESULTS:In the meta-analysis performed,only the BsmI polymorphism was found to be associated with colorectal cancer risk.In particular,the BsmI B genotype was found to be related to an overall decrease in the risk for colorectal cancer [BB vs bb:odds ratio(OR) = 0.87,95% CI:0.80-0.94,P = 3 × 10-4;BB vs Bb + bb:OR = 0.90,95% CI:0.84-0.97,P = 5 × 10-4].Moreover,in subgroup analyses,the BsmI B genotype was significantly associated with colon cancer,and not rectal cancer.An absence of between-study heterogeneity was also observed.CONCLUSION:A meta-analysis of 23 published studies identified the BsmI polymorphism of the VDR gene to be associated with an increased risk of colon cancer.展开更多
AIM： Polo-like kinase 1 （PLK1） serine/threonine kinase plays a vital role in multiple phases of mitosis in gastric cancer cells. To investigate the effect of PLK1 depletion on mitosis and apoptosis of gastric cance...AIM： Polo-like kinase 1 （PLK1） serine/threonine kinase plays a vital role in multiple phases of mitosis in gastric cancer cells. To investigate the effect of PLK1 depletion on mitosis and apoptosis of gastric cancer cells. METHODS： PLK1 expression was blocked by small RNA interference（siRNA）. The expression levels of PLK1, cdc2, cyclin B and caspase 3 were detected by Western blotting. Then, PLK1 depletion, cdc2 activity, cell proliferation, cell cycle phase distribution, mitotic spindle structure, and the rate of apoptosis of the PLK1 knockdown cells were observed. RESULTS： PLK1 gene knockdown was associated with increased cyclin B expression, increased cdc2 activity （but not with the expression levels）, accumulation of gastric cancer cells at G2/M, improper mitotic spindle formation, delayed chromosome separation and delayed or arrested cytokinesis. Moreover, PLK1 depletion in gastric cancer cells was associated with decreased proliferation, attenuated pro-caspase 3 levels and increased apoptosis. CONCLUSION： Blockage of to decreased mitosis or even PLK1 expression may lead apoptosis in gastric cancer cells, indicating that PLK1 may be a valuable therapeutic target for gastric cancer.展开更多
AIM: To evaluate the specific computed tomography (CT) imaging criteria for differentiating tuberculosis involving the small bowel mesenteric lymph nodes from lymphomas. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the anatom...AIM: To evaluate the specific computed tomography (CT) imaging criteria for differentiating tuberculosis involving the small bowel mesenteric lymph nodes from lymphomas. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the anatomic distribution,CT enhancement patterns of lymphoma in 18 patients with mesenteric tuberculosis and 22 with untreated non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas (NHL) involving small bowel mesentery (SBM). Of the 18 patients with tuberculosis,9 had purely mesenteric tuberculous lymphadenopathy (TL),and 9 had mesenteric TL accompanied with tuberculous mesenteritis (TLM). RESULTS: CT showed that tuberculosis and NHL mainly affected lymph nodes in the body and root of SBM. Homogeneously enhanced lymph nodes in the body and root of SBM were found more often in the NHL (P < 0.05). Homogeneously mixed peripheral enhanced lymph nodes in the body of SBM were found more often in mesenteric TL and TLM (P < 0.05). Peripheral enhanced lymph nodes in the root of SBM were found more often in mesenteric TL and TLM (P < 0.01). "Sandwich sign" in the root of SBM was observed more often in NHL (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Anatomic lymph node distribution,sandwich sign and specific enhancement patterns of lymphadenopathy in SBM on CT images can be used in differentiating between tuberculosis and untreated NHL involving SBM.展开更多
Aim: To study the effect of smoking on the semen quality in infertile men in Shandong Province, China. Methods:Adult non-drinker males attending the infertility clinic, including 110 non-smokers and 191 smokers, were ...Aim: To study the effect of smoking on the semen quality in infertile men in Shandong Province, China. Methods:Adult non-drinker males attending the infertility clinic, including 110 non-smokers and 191 smokers, were recruited forthe study. Sixty-one fertile, non-smoker and non-drinker males, who had one or more children, served as the controls.The smokers were divided into subgroups according to the amount and duration of smoking. Semen parameters (semenvolume and sperm density, viability, motility, and morphology) were examined and seminal plasma contents of Zn,Cu and superoxide dismutase (SOD) determined. Results: The semen volume and acidity, and the sperm density,viability and forward progression, as well as the seminal plasma contents of Zn, Cu and SOD were much lower in themedium, heavy and long-term smokers than in the non-smokers ( P < 0.01). The sperm density, viability and forwardprogression, and the seminal plasma Zn, Cu and SOD levels were negatively correlated with the amount and duration ofcigarette smoking (P < 0.01). Conclusion: Medium, heavy and long-term smoking adversely affected the semenquality in a population of men visiting the infertility clinic in Shandong, China.展开更多
AIM： To examine the sensitivity and accuracy of real-time polymerase chain reaction （PCR） for the quantification of hepatitis B virus （HBV） DNA in semen. METHODS： Hepatitis B viral DNA was isolated from HBV carr...AIM： To examine the sensitivity and accuracy of real-time polymerase chain reaction （PCR） for the quantification of hepatitis B virus （HBV） DNA in semen. METHODS： Hepatitis B viral DNA was isolated from HBV carriers＇ semen and sera using phenol extraction method and QIAamp DNA blood mini kit （Qiagen, Germany）. HBV DNA was detected by conventional PCR and quantified by TaqMan technology-based real-time PCR （quantitative polymerase chain reaction （qPCR））. The detection threshold was 200 copies of HBV DNA for conventional PCR and 10 copies of HBV DNA for real time PCR per reaction. RESULTS： Both methods of phenol extraction and QIAamp DNA blood mini kit were suitable for isolating HBV DNA from semen. The value of the detection thresholds was 500 copies of HBV DNA per mL in the semen. The viral loads were 7.5×10^7 and 1.67×10^7 copies of HBV DNA per mL in two HBV infected patients＇ sera, while 2.14×10^5 and 3.02×10^5 copies of HBV DNA per mL in the semen. CONCLUSION： Real-time PCR is a more sensitive and accurate method to detect and quantify HBV DNA in the semen.展开更多
OBJECTIVE：To study the clinical curative effect,safety and mechanism of action of electroacupuncture combined with Zhizhukuanzhong capsules（ZZKZC） in treating gastroesophageal reflux disease（GERD）.METHODS：A tota...OBJECTIVE：To study the clinical curative effect,safety and mechanism of action of electroacupuncture combined with Zhizhukuanzhong capsules（ZZKZC） in treating gastroesophageal reflux disease（GERD）.METHODS：A total of 480 patients with confirmed GERD were randomly divided into four groups：the electroacupuncture group,the ZZKZC group,the combined therapy group,and the control group,with 120 cases in each group.Each case in the electroacupuncture group was treated with electroacupuncture on Zusanli（ST36）,Zhongwan（CV12）,Neiguan（PC6）,Taichong（LR3）and Gongsun（SP 4）once daily for 6 weeks.Each case in the ZZKZC group was treated with oral administration of 1.29 g ZZKZC three times daily.The combined therapy group had electroacupuncture and ZZKZC.The control group was given oral administration of 5 mg mosapride three times and 20 mg pantoprazole twice daily.The 24-hour intraesophageal total number of reflux episodes with pH 0.05）;however,these indices all significantly deteriorated in the ZZKZC and control groups（P〉0.05）.The short and long-term total efficacy rates in the combined therapy group showed significant superiority to those in the other groups（P〈0.05 or P〈0.01）.No serious adverse reactions were found in the four groups.CONCLUSION：Electroacupuncture and ZZKZC play an important role in inhibiting intraesophageal acid and bile reflux,decreasing the endoscopic grading score,and alleviating the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux to improve the quality of life.However,the effect of combined treatment is more effective,with better security and long-term efficacy,and therefore,this combination treatment is appropriate for clinicaluse.展开更多
AIM： To study the protective effect of non-mitogenic human acidic fibroblast growth factor （FGF） on cardiac oxidative injury in vivo. METHODS： Ventricular cardiomyocytes were isolated from 1- to 3-d-old neonatal S...AIM： To study the protective effect of non-mitogenic human acidic fibroblast growth factor （FGF） on cardiac oxidative injury in vivo. METHODS： Ventricular cardiomyocytes were isolated from 1- to 3-d-old neonatal SD mice and cultured in Dulbecco＇s minimum essential medium supplemented with 15% fetal bovine serum under an atmosphere of 50 mL/L CO2-95% air at 37℃, as well as assessed by immunooltochemical assay. We constructed the cardiomyoolte injury model by exposure to a certain concentration of H2O2. Cellular viability, superoxide dismutase （SOD） activity, leakage of maleic dialdehyde and anti-apoptosis effect were included to evaluate the cardiac protective effect of non-mitogenic human acidic FGF. RESULTS： Over 50% of the cardiomyocytes beat spontaneously on the 2nd d of culture and synchronously beat after being cultured for 3 d. Forty-eight hours after plating was completed, the purity of such cultures was 95% myocytes, assessed by an immunocytochemical assay. Cellular viability dramatically decreased with the increasing of the concentration of H2O2. Non-mitogenic human acidic FGF showed significant resistance to thetoxic effect of H2O2, significantly increased the cellular viability as well as the activity of SOD, and dramatically decreased the leakage of maleic dialdehyde as well as the cellular apoptosis rate. CONCLUSION： Hydrogen peroxide shows strong cytotoxicity to the cultured cardiac myocytes, and non-mitogenic human acidic FGF shows strong cardio-protective effect when exposed to a certain concentration of H2O2.展开更多
AIM： To construct the recombinant lentivirus expression plasmid, pLenti6/V5-NT4 p53（N 15）-antennapedia （Ant）, and study its effect on HepG2 cells. METHODS： Plasmid pLenti6/V5-NT4 p53（N15）-Ant was constructed i...AIM： To construct the recombinant lentivirus expression plasmid, pLenti6/V5-NT4 p53（N 15）-antennapedia （Ant）, and study its effect on HepG2 cells. METHODS： Plasmid pLenti6/V5-NT4 p53（N15）-Ant was constructed incorporating the following functional regions, including signal peptide sequence and proregion of neurotrophin 4, N-terminal residues 12-26 of p53 and 17 amino acid drosophila carrier protein, Ant. Hepatocellular carcinoma （HepG2） cells were used for transfection. 3-[4,5-climethyl-thiazol-2yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide （MI-I） assay, lactate dehydrogenase （LDH） release assay, transmission electron microscopy （TEM） and flow cytometric analysis （FCM） were employed to investigate the effects of LV-NT4（Si）- p53（N15）-Ant in vitro on HepG2 cells. In vivo experiment was also performed to investigate the inhibitory effect of LV-NT4（Si）-p53（N15）-Ant on tumor growth in nude mice.RESULTS： LV-NT4（Si）-p53（N15）-Ant significantly suppressed the growth of HepG2 cells. MTT assay showed that the growth of HepG2 cells was mucj more significantly inhibited by LV-NT4（Si）-p53（N15）-Ant than by LV-EGFP. The inhibition rate for HepG2 cell growth in the two groups was 46.9% and 94.5%, respectively, 48 h after infection with LV-NT4（Si）-p53（N15）-Ant, and was 33.9% and 95.8%, respectively, 72 h after infection with LV-NT4（Si）-p53（N15）-Ant （P 〈 0.01）. Light microscopy and TEM showed morphological changes in HepG2 cells infected with LV-NT4（Si）-p53（N15）-Ant, but no significant changes in HepG2 cells infected with LV-EGFR Changes were observed in ultra-structure of HepG2 cells infected with LV-NT4（Si）-p53（N15）-Ant, with degraded membranes, resulting in necrosis. LDH release from HepG2 cells was analyzed at 24, 48, 72 and 96 h after infection with LV-NT4（Si）-p53（N15）-Ant and LV-EGFP, which showed that LDH release was significantly higher in LV-NT4（Si）-p53（N15）-Ant treatment group （682 IU/L） than in control group （45 IU/L, P 〈 0.01）. The longer the time was after infection, the bigger the difference was in LDH release. FCM analysis showed that LV-NT4（Si）- p53（N15）-Ant could induce two different kinds of cell death： necrosis and apoptosis, with apoptosis being the minor type and necrosis being the main type, suggesting that LV-NT4（Si）-p53（N15）-Ant exerts its anticancer effect on HepG2 cells by inducing necrosis. The in vivo study showed that LV-NT4（Si）-p53（N15）-Ant significantly inhibited tumor growth with an inhibition rate of 66.14% in terms of tumor size and weight. CONCLUSION： LV-NT4（Si）-p53（N15）-Ant is a novel recombinant lentivirus expression plasmid and can be used in gene therapy for cancer.展开更多
基金The primary sciences and technology project of Guizhou province,No.19992015
文摘AIM: To explore the relevance of Maotai liquor and liver diseases. METHODS: Epidemiological study was conducted on groups of subjects, each consisting of 3 subjects from the Maotai liquor group consisting of 99 individuals and one from the non-alcoholic control group consisting of 33 individuals. Liver biopsy was performed on 23 volunteers from Guizhou Maotai Distillery who had a constant and long history of drinking Maotai liquor. Experimental histopathological study was conducted as follows: sixty male Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups randomly and fed with Maotai liquor, ordinary white wine, and physiological saline respectively for a period of 8 and 12 weeks. The rats were sacrificed in batches, then serum ALT, AST, TBil, and AKP were measured. Rat livers were harvested to measure the liver indexes, GSH, and MDA. Histopathological examinations were also performed. Another eighty mice were randomly divided into 4 groups and fed with Maotai (at different dosages of 10 ml.kg(-1) and 20 ml.kg(-1)), ethanol, and physiological saline. The animals were sacrificed after 4 weeks and serum ALT was determined. Then the livers were harvested and liver indexes and MDA were measured. RESULTS: The incidence rate of hepatic symptoms, splenomegaly, liver function impairment, reversal of Albumin/Globulin and increased diameter of portal veins in the Maotai liquor group were 1.0% 1/99 , 1.0% 1/99 , 1.0% 1/99 , 1.0% 1/99 , 0 0/99 and 0 0/99 , 0 0/99 ,0 0/99 , 0 0/99 , 0 0/99 , respectively. There was no significant difference between the Maotai group and the non-alcoholic control group P】0.05 . Various degree of fatty infiltration of hepatocytes was found in the 23 volunteers receiving liver biopsy, but there was no obvious hepatic fibrosis or cirrhosis. A comparison was made between the Maotai liquor group and the ordinary white wine group. It was found that hepatic MDA in rats and mice were 0.33+/-0.10 and 0.49+/-0.23 respectively in Maotai group and 0.61+/-0.22 and 0.66+/-0.32 in the ordinary white wine group; MDA had an obvious decrease in the Maotai liquor group (P【0.05); hepatic GSH were 0.12 mg.g(-1)+/-0.06 mg.g(-1) in rats of the Maotai liquor group and (0.08+/-0.02)mg.g(-1) in white wine group, it was obviously increased in the Maotai liquor group (P【0.05). After the 20 rats had been fed with ordinary white wine for 8 weeks consecutively, disarranged hepatocyte cords, fatty infiltration of hepatocytes, and fibrous septa of varying widths due to hepatic connective tissues proliferation were observed; after 12 weeks, the fibrous tissue proliferation continued and early cirrhosis appeared. Compared with the ordinary white wine group, fatty infiltration was observed in the 8-week and 12-week groups, but no necrosis or fibrosis or cirrhosis was found in the Maotai liquor group (P【0.05). CONCLUSION: Maotai liquor may cause fatty liver but not hepatic fibrosis or cirrhosis, and it can strengthen lipid peroxidation in the liver.
文摘AIM: Heat shock protein (HSP)70 is over-expressed in human gastric cancer and plays an important role in the progression of this cancer. We investigated the effects of antisense HSP70 oligomer on human gastric cancer cell line SGC-7901, and its potential role in gene therapy for this cancer.METHODS: Human gastric cancer cell line SGC-7901 was treated in vitro with various concentrations of antisense HSP70 oligonucleotides at different intervals. Growth inhibition was determined as percentage by trypan blue dye exclusion test. Extracted DNA was electrophoresed on agarose gel, and distribution of cell cycle and kinetics of apoptosis induction were analyzed by propidium iodide DNA incorporation using flow cytometry, which was also used to detect the effects of antisense oligomer pretreatment on the subsequent apoptosis induced by heat shock in SGC-7901 cells. Proteins were extracted for simultaneous measurement of HSP70 expression level by SDS-PAGE Western blotting.RESULTS: The number of viable cells decreased in a doseand time-dependent manner, and ladder-like patterns of DNA fragments were observed in SGC-7901 cells treated with antisense HSP70 oligomers at a concentration of 10 μmol/L for 48 h or 8 μmol/L for 72 h, which were consistent with inter-nucleosomal DNA fragmentation. Flow cytometric analysis showed a dose- and time-dependent increase in apoptotic rate by HSP70 antisense oligomers. This response was accompanied with a decrease in the percentage of cells in the G1 and S phases of the cell cycle, suggesting inhibition of cell proliferation. In addition, flow cytometry also showed that pretreatment of SGC-7901 cells with HSP70 antisense oligomers enhanced the subsequent apoptosis induced by heat shock treatment. Western blotting demonstrated that HSP70 antisense oligomers inhibited HSP70 expression, which preceded apoptosis, and HSP70 was undetectable at the concentration of 10 μmol/L for 48 h or 8 μmol/L for 72 h.CONCLUSION: Antisense HSP70 oligomers can abrogate HSP70 expression in SGC-7901 cells, which may in turn induce apoptosis and inhibit cell proliferation, conversely suggesting that HSP70 is required for the proliferation and survival of human gastric cancer cells under normal conditions.
文摘AIM:To identify the risk factors and three single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs) of NOD2/CARD15 gene in inflammatory bowel disease(IBD) of the population in Zhejiang,China.METHODS:A case-control study was conducted using recall questionnaire to collect data on demographic,socioeconomic,lifestyle characteristics and dietary behaviors from 136 determined IBD patients and 136 paired healthy controls.COX regression method was used to screen the statistically significant risk factors for IBD.The polymorphisms of NOD2/CARD15 gene Arg702Trp,Gly908Arg and Leu1007fsinsC were genotyped and further compared between 60 patients with IBD and 60 healthy controls by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism.RESULTS:IBD occurred primarily in young and middle-aged people.The mean age for IBD patients was 42.6 years.The ratio of males to females was 1.23:1.COX regression indicated a higher statistical significance in milk,fried food and stress compared with the other postulated risk factors for IBD.None of the patients with IBD and healthy controls had heterozygous or homozygous SNPs variants.CONCLUSION:Milk,fried food and stress are associated with increased risk of IBD.The common variants in NOD2/CARD15 gene are not associated with IBD in China's Zhejiang population.
基金The primary sciences and technology project of Guizhou province,No.19992015
文摘AIM: To explore the possible mechanism why drinkingMaotai liquor dose not cause hepatic fibrosis.METHODS: After being fed with Maotai for 56 daysconsecutively, the male SD rats were decollated fordetecting the biological indexes, and the livers wereharvested to examine the liver indexes and the level ofhepatic metallothioneins (MT). Hepatic stellate cells (HSC)proliferation and collagen generation were also observed.RESULTS: Hepatic MT contents were 216.0 ng@g1 + 10.8 ng@g1 in the rats of Maotai group and 10.0 ng@g-1 ± 2.8 ng@g1 inthe normal control group, which was increased obviously inMaotain group ( P ＜ 0.05). In the rats with grade CCL2poisoning induced by Maotai, hepatic MT content was 304.8ng@ g1 + 12.1 ng@ g-1 whereas in the controls with grade CCL4poisoning, it was 126.4 ng@g-1 +4.8 ng@g-1(P＜0.05).MDAwas 102.0 nmol@ g-1 + 3.4 nmol@ g-1 in Maotai group and 150.8nmol@ g-1 + 6.7 nmol@ g1 in the control group ( P ＜ 0.05).When both of the groups were suffering from grade CCL4poisoning, hepatic MT contents was negatively correlatedwithMDA (r=-0.8023, n=20, P＜0.01). The 570 nmAvalues of each tube with HSC regeneration at concentrationsof 0, 10, 50, 100, and 200g@L-1 of Maotai were 0.818, 0.742,0.736, 0.72, 0.682, and 0.604, respectively. From theconcentration of 10 g@ L1, Maotai began to show obviousinhibitory effects against HSC, and the inhibition wasconcentration-dependent (P＜0.05, P＜ 0.01). Type Icollagen contents in HSC were 61.4, 59.9, 50.1, 49.2, 48.7,34.4μg@g1 at concentrations of 0, 10, 50, 100, and 200g@ L-1of Maotai. At the concentration of 100-200 g@L-1, Maotai hadobvious inhibitory effect against the secretion of type Icollagen (P ＜ 0. 05 ). Gene expression analysis wasconducted on cells with Maotai concentrations of 0, 50, 100g@L-1 respectively and the ash values of β-actin geneexpression were 0. 88, 0. 74, and 0. 59, respectively,suggesting that at the concentration of 100 g@ L-1 , Maotaicould obviously inhibit gene expression of type I procollagen(P＜ 0.05), but the effect was not obvious at theconcentration of 50 g@L-1(P＞0.05). At the concentration of10 g@L-1, HSC growth in vitro inhibition rates were 16.4+2.3 inMaotai group and-8.4+ 2.3 in the control group (P＜0.05).CONCLUSION: Maotai Iiluor can increase metatlothioneins inthe liver and inhibit the activation of HSC and the synthesisof collagen in many aspects, which might be the mechanismthat Maotai liquor interferes in the hepatic fibrosis.
文摘AIM:To investigate the effects of heme oxygenase(HO)-1 on liver fibrosis and the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma(PPARγ) and nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB) in rats.METHODS:Sixty Wistar rats were used to construct liver fibrosis models and were randomly divided into 5 groups:group A(normal,untreated),group B(model for 4 wk,untreated),group C(model for 6 wk,untreated),group D [model for 6 wk,treated with zinc protoporphyrin Ⅸ(ZnPP-Ⅸ) from week 4 to week 6],group E(model for 6 wk,treated with hemin from week 4 to week 6).Next,liver injury was assessed by measuring serum alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST) and albumin levels.The degree of hepatic fibrosis was evaluated by measuring serum hyaluronate acid(HA),type Ⅳ collagen(Ⅳ-C) and by histological examination.Hydroxyproline(Hyp) content in the liver homogenate was determined.The expres-sion levels of alpha-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA) in liver tissue were measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).The expression levels of PPARγ and NF-κB were determined by RT-PCR and Western blotting.RESULTS:The expression of HO-1 increased with the development of fibrosis.Induction of HO-1 by hemin significantly attenuated the severity of liver injury and the levels of liver fibrosis as compared with inhibition of HO-1 by ZnPP-Ⅸ.The concentrations of serum ALT,AST,HA and Ⅳ-C in group E decreased compared with group C and group D(P < 0.01).Amount of Hyp and α-SMA in the liver tissues in group E decreased compared with group C(0.62 ± 0.14 vs 0.84 ± 0.07,1.42 ± 0.17 vs 1.84 ± 0.17,respectively,P < 0.01) and group D(0.62 ± 0.14 vs 1.11 ± 0.16,1.42 ± 0.17 vs 2.56 ± 0.37,respectively,P < 0.01).The expression of PPARγ at levels of transcription and translation decreased with the development of fibrosis especially in group D;and it increased in group E compared with groups C and D(0.88 ± 0.15 vs 0.56 ± 0.19,0.88 ± 0.15 vs 0.41 ± 0.11,respectively,P < 0.01).The expression of NF-κB increased with the development of fibrosis especially in group D;and it decreased in group E compared with groups C and D(1.43 ± 0.31 vs 1.89 ± 0.29,1.43 ± 0.31 vs 2.53 ± 0.54,respectively,P < 0.01).CONCLUSION:Our data demonstrate a potential mechanism that HO-1 can prevent liver fibrosis by enhancing the expression of PPARγ and decreasing the expression of NF-κB in liver tissues.
文摘AIM： To investigate the role of Livin and vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） in human esophageal carcinoma, and analyze its relationship to clinical stages.METHODS： Expression of Livin in fresh esophageal cancer tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry （IHC）, Western blotting and reverse transcriptasepolyrnerase chain reaction （RT-PCR）, and VEGF by Western blotting and RT-PCR. All statistical analyses were performed by SPSS version 11.0. RESULTS： Livin positivity was also significantly correlated with tumor stages, increasing with tumor progression. Expression of Livin and VEGF increased with the process of esophageal carcinoma. In the fourth clinical stage, expression of Livin and VEGF was the most significant. Expression of Livin was positively correlated with VEGF. CONCLUSION： Over-expression of Livin and VEGF contributes to the pathogenesis of esophageal carcinoma.
基金Supported by National Training Programs of Innovation for Undergraduates(No.201310635015)
文摘OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of Bazhen decoction(BZD),Siwu decoction(SWD) and Sijunzi decoction(SJZD) in mice with anemia induced by5-fluorouracil(5-FU) and discussed the possible pharmacological hematopoietic mechanism to provide experimental evidence for the clinical use of the three classical prescriptions in the treatment of anemia.METHODS:Anemia was induced by intravenous injection of 5-FU and 80 female Kunming mice were randomly,assigned to oral administration of SWD,SJZD,or BZD daily for 10 days.Peripheral blood cells count and bone marrow cell cycle were monitored to evaluate anti-anemia effects.Serum cytokines,interferon-γ(IFN-γ),interleukin-3(IL-3),erythropoietin(EPO),granulocyte-macrophage colonystimulating factor(GM-CSF),and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) were assayed.EPO m RNA expression was assayed in kidney and liver tissue homogenates.RESULTS:BZD and SWD significantly increased the number of red blood cells,hemoglobin concentration,and hematocrit,promoted bone marrow cells to enter the cell cycle,proliferate and differentiate,significantly increased IL-3 secretion,and significantly inhibited IFN-γ secretion.BZD stimulated transcription of EPO m RNA in the kidney and liver and enhanced serum EPO expression.A therapeutic effect of SJZD was not observed.CONCLUSION:BZD and SWD treatment specifically enhanced hematopoietic function and mediated myelopoiesis by altering serum cytokines levels and accelerating entry of bone marrow cells into the cell cycle.Better curative effects were achieved via nourishing both Qi and blood(BZD) than by enriching the blood(SWD) or invigorating Qi(SWZD)alone.
基金Supported by Zhejiang Provincial Bureau of Education,No.200908690Zhejiang Provincial Bureau of Health,No.2012KYA090
文摘AIM： To identify the proportion, causes and the nature of drug-induced liver injury （DILI） in patients with no- tably elevated alanine aminotransferase （ALT）. METHODS： All the inpatients with ALT levels above 10 times upper limit of normal range （ULN） were ret- rospectively identified from a computerized clinical laboratory database at our hospital covering a 12-mo period. Relevant clinical information was obtained from medical records. Alternative causes of ALT eleva- tions were examined for each patient, including bili- ary abnormality, viral hepatitis, hemodynamic injury, malignancy, DILI or undetermined and other causes. All suspected DILI cases were causality assessed usingthe Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences scale, and only the cases classified as highly probable, probable, or possible were diagnosed as DILI. Comments related to the diagnosis of DILI in the medical record and in the discharge letter for each case were also examined to evaluate DILI detection by the treating doctors. RESULTS： A total of 129 cases with ALT 〉 i0 ULN were identified. Hemodynamic injury （n = 46, 35.7%）, DILl （n = 25, 19.4%） and malignancy （n = 21, 16.3%） were the top three causes of liver injury. Peak ALT val- ues were lower in DILI patients than in patients with hemodynamic injury （14.5 5.6 ULN vs 32.5 ：I： 30.7 ULN, P = 0.001）. Among DILI patients, one （4%） case was classified as definite, 19 （76%） cases were clas- sified as probable and 5 （20%） as possible according to the ClOMS scale. A hepatocellular pattern was ob- served in 23 （92%） cases and mixed in 2 （8%）. The extent of severity of liver injury was mild in 21 （84%） patients and moderate in 4 （16%）. Before discharge, 10 （40%） patients were recovered and the other 15 （60%） were improved. The improved patients tended to have a higher peak ALT （808 ＋ 348 U/L vs 623 ＋ 118 U/L, P = 0.016） and shorter treatment duration before discharge （8 ＋ 6 d vs 28 ~ 12 d, P = 0.008） compared with the recovered patients. Twenty-two drugs and 6 herbs were found associated with DILl. Antibacterials were the most common agents causing DILI in 8 （32%） cases, followed by glucocorticoids in 6 （24%） cases. Twenty-four （96%） cases received treatment of DILl with at least one adjunctive drug. Agents for treatment of DILI included anti-inflammatory drugs （e.g., glycyr- rhizinate）, antioxidants （e.g., glutathione, ademetionine 1,4-butanedisulfonate and tiopronin）, polyene phospha- tidyl choline and herbal extracts （e.g., protoporphyrin disodium and silymarin）. Diagnosis of DILl was not mentioned in the discharge letter in 60% of the cases. Relative to prevalent cases and cases from wards of internal medicine, incident cases and cases from surgi- cal wards had a higher risk of missed diagnosis in dis- charge letter [odds ratio （OR） 32.7, 95%CI （2.8-374.1）,CONCLUSION： DILI is mostly caused by use of anti- bacterials and glucocorticoids, and constitutes about one fifth of hospitalized patients with ALT 〉 10 ULN. DILI is underdiagnosed frequently.
基金Supported by Grants from the Major State Basic Research Development Program of China 973 Program,No.2007CB512402National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.31100634+1 种基金Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province,No.BK2010161"333" Project of Wuxi City,Jiangsu Province,No.CAE00901-09
文摘AIM： To investigate the expression of B7-H1 in human colorectal carcinoma （CRC） to define its regulating ef- fects on T cells in tumor microenvironment.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.30772131)Fundamental Research Funds for Central Universities(No.21609313)from Ministry of Education of China
文摘AIM:To study the correlation between high metastasisassociated protein 1(MTA1)expression and lymphangiogenesis in colorectal cancer(CRC)and its role in production of vascular endothelial growth factor-C(VEGF-C). METHODS:Impact of high MTA1 and VEGF-C expression levels on disease progression and lymphovasculardensity(LVD,D2-40-immunolabeled)in 81 cases of human CRC was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. VEGF-C mRNA and protein expressions in human LoVo and HCT116 cell lines were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting,respectively,with a stable expression vector or siRNA. RESULTS:The elevated MTA1 and VEGF-C expression levels were correlated with lymph node metastasis and Dukes stages(P<0.05).Additionally,high MTA1 expression level was correlated with a large tumor size(P< 0.05).A significant correlation was found between MTA1 and VEGF-C protein expressions in tumor cells(r=0.371, P<0.05).Similar to the VEGF-C expression level,high MTA1 expression level was correlated with high LVD in CRC(P<0.05).Furthermore,over-expression of MTA1 significantly enhanced the VEGF-C mRNA and protein expression levels,whereas siRNAs-knocked down MTA1 decreased the VEGF-C expression level. CONCLUSION:MTA1,as a regulator of tumor-associated lymphangiogenesis,promotes lymphangiogenesis in CRC by mediating the VEGF-C expression.
基金Supported by Zhejiang provincial top key discipline in surgery
文摘AIM:To investigate the relationship between polymorphisms present in the vitamin D receptor(VDR) gene and colorectal cancer risk,a systematic meta-analysis of population-based studies was performed.METHODS:A total of 38 relevant reports published between January 1990 and August 2010 were identified,of which only 23 qualified for this meta-analysis based on our selection criteria.Five polymorphic variants of the VDR gene,including Cdx-2(intron 1e) and FokI(exon 2) present in the 5' region of the gene,and BsmI(intron 8),ApaI(intron 8),and TaqI(exon 9) sites present in the 3' untranslated region(UTR),were evaluated for possible associations with colorectalcancer risk.Review manager 4.2 was used to perform statistical analyses.RESULTS:In the meta-analysis performed,only the BsmI polymorphism was found to be associated with colorectal cancer risk.In particular,the BsmI B genotype was found to be related to an overall decrease in the risk for colorectal cancer [BB vs bb:odds ratio(OR) = 0.87,95% CI:0.80-0.94,P = 3 × 10-4;BB vs Bb + bb:OR = 0.90,95% CI:0.84-0.97,P = 5 × 10-4].Moreover,in subgroup analyses,the BsmI B genotype was significantly associated with colon cancer,and not rectal cancer.An absence of between-study heterogeneity was also observed.CONCLUSION:A meta-analysis of 23 published studies identified the BsmI polymorphism of the VDR gene to be associated with an increased risk of colon cancer.
基金Supported by the Major State Basic Research Development Program of China,973 program,No.2002CB713700
文摘AIM： Polo-like kinase 1 （PLK1） serine/threonine kinase plays a vital role in multiple phases of mitosis in gastric cancer cells. To investigate the effect of PLK1 depletion on mitosis and apoptosis of gastric cancer cells. METHODS： PLK1 expression was blocked by small RNA interference（siRNA）. The expression levels of PLK1, cdc2, cyclin B and caspase 3 were detected by Western blotting. Then, PLK1 depletion, cdc2 activity, cell proliferation, cell cycle phase distribution, mitotic spindle structure, and the rate of apoptosis of the PLK1 knockdown cells were observed. RESULTS： PLK1 gene knockdown was associated with increased cyclin B expression, increased cdc2 activity （but not with the expression levels）, accumulation of gastric cancer cells at G2/M, improper mitotic spindle formation, delayed chromosome separation and delayed or arrested cytokinesis. Moreover, PLK1 depletion in gastric cancer cells was associated with decreased proliferation, attenuated pro-caspase 3 levels and increased apoptosis. CONCLUSION： Blockage of to decreased mitosis or even PLK1 expression may lead apoptosis in gastric cancer cells, indicating that PLK1 may be a valuable therapeutic target for gastric cancer.
文摘AIM: To evaluate the specific computed tomography (CT) imaging criteria for differentiating tuberculosis involving the small bowel mesenteric lymph nodes from lymphomas. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the anatomic distribution,CT enhancement patterns of lymphoma in 18 patients with mesenteric tuberculosis and 22 with untreated non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas (NHL) involving small bowel mesentery (SBM). Of the 18 patients with tuberculosis,9 had purely mesenteric tuberculous lymphadenopathy (TL),and 9 had mesenteric TL accompanied with tuberculous mesenteritis (TLM). RESULTS: CT showed that tuberculosis and NHL mainly affected lymph nodes in the body and root of SBM. Homogeneously enhanced lymph nodes in the body and root of SBM were found more often in the NHL (P < 0.05). Homogeneously mixed peripheral enhanced lymph nodes in the body of SBM were found more often in mesenteric TL and TLM (P < 0.05). Peripheral enhanced lymph nodes in the root of SBM were found more often in mesenteric TL and TLM (P < 0.01). "Sandwich sign" in the root of SBM was observed more often in NHL (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Anatomic lymph node distribution,sandwich sign and specific enhancement patterns of lymphadenopathy in SBM on CT images can be used in differentiating between tuberculosis and untreated NHL involving SBM.
文摘Aim: To study the effect of smoking on the semen quality in infertile men in Shandong Province, China. Methods:Adult non-drinker males attending the infertility clinic, including 110 non-smokers and 191 smokers, were recruited forthe study. Sixty-one fertile, non-smoker and non-drinker males, who had one or more children, served as the controls.The smokers were divided into subgroups according to the amount and duration of smoking. Semen parameters (semenvolume and sperm density, viability, motility, and morphology) were examined and seminal plasma contents of Zn,Cu and superoxide dismutase (SOD) determined. Results: The semen volume and acidity, and the sperm density,viability and forward progression, as well as the seminal plasma contents of Zn, Cu and SOD were much lower in themedium, heavy and long-term smokers than in the non-smokers ( P < 0.01). The sperm density, viability and forwardprogression, and the seminal plasma Zn, Cu and SOD levels were negatively correlated with the amount and duration ofcigarette smoking (P < 0.01). Conclusion: Medium, heavy and long-term smoking adversely affected the semenquality in a population of men visiting the infertility clinic in Shandong, China.
基金Supported by The Guangdong Provincial Science and Technology Programs,China,No.2009A030301013the Scientific Funds of Guangzhou Medical College,China,No.2010A29+1 种基金National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.30700398 and 81172831Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province,No.10151008901000200
文摘AIM： To observe the synergistic effects of hyperthermia in oxaliplatin-induced cytotoxicity in human colon adenocarcinoma Lovo cells.
基金Supported by Research Fund for the Control of Infectious Diseases and Research Grant Committee of Hong Kong Government
文摘AIM： To examine the sensitivity and accuracy of real-time polymerase chain reaction （PCR） for the quantification of hepatitis B virus （HBV） DNA in semen. METHODS： Hepatitis B viral DNA was isolated from HBV carriers＇ semen and sera using phenol extraction method and QIAamp DNA blood mini kit （Qiagen, Germany）. HBV DNA was detected by conventional PCR and quantified by TaqMan technology-based real-time PCR （quantitative polymerase chain reaction （qPCR））. The detection threshold was 200 copies of HBV DNA for conventional PCR and 10 copies of HBV DNA for real time PCR per reaction. RESULTS： Both methods of phenol extraction and QIAamp DNA blood mini kit were suitable for isolating HBV DNA from semen. The value of the detection thresholds was 500 copies of HBV DNA per mL in the semen. The viral loads were 7.5×10^7 and 1.67×10^7 copies of HBV DNA per mL in two HBV infected patients＇ sera, while 2.14×10^5 and 3.02×10^5 copies of HBV DNA per mL in the semen. CONCLUSION： Real-time PCR is a more sensitive and accurate method to detect and quantify HBV DNA in the semen.
文摘OBJECTIVE：To study the clinical curative effect,safety and mechanism of action of electroacupuncture combined with Zhizhukuanzhong capsules（ZZKZC） in treating gastroesophageal reflux disease（GERD）.METHODS：A total of 480 patients with confirmed GERD were randomly divided into four groups：the electroacupuncture group,the ZZKZC group,the combined therapy group,and the control group,with 120 cases in each group.Each case in the electroacupuncture group was treated with electroacupuncture on Zusanli（ST36）,Zhongwan（CV12）,Neiguan（PC6）,Taichong（LR3）and Gongsun（SP 4）once daily for 6 weeks.Each case in the ZZKZC group was treated with oral administration of 1.29 g ZZKZC three times daily.The combined therapy group had electroacupuncture and ZZKZC.The control group was given oral administration of 5 mg mosapride three times and 20 mg pantoprazole twice daily.The 24-hour intraesophageal total number of reflux episodes with pH 0.05）;however,these indices all significantly deteriorated in the ZZKZC and control groups（P〉0.05）.The short and long-term total efficacy rates in the combined therapy group showed significant superiority to those in the other groups（P〈0.05 or P〈0.01）.No serious adverse reactions were found in the four groups.CONCLUSION：Electroacupuncture and ZZKZC play an important role in inhibiting intraesophageal acid and bile reflux,decreasing the endoscopic grading score,and alleviating the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux to improve the quality of life.However,the effect of combined treatment is more effective,with better security and long-term efficacy,and therefore,this combination treatment is appropriate for clinicaluse.
基金Supported by the National 863 Project, No. 2001AA215131 and No. 2002AA2Z3318
文摘AIM： To study the protective effect of non-mitogenic human acidic fibroblast growth factor （FGF） on cardiac oxidative injury in vivo. METHODS： Ventricular cardiomyocytes were isolated from 1- to 3-d-old neonatal SD mice and cultured in Dulbecco＇s minimum essential medium supplemented with 15% fetal bovine serum under an atmosphere of 50 mL/L CO2-95% air at 37℃, as well as assessed by immunooltochemical assay. We constructed the cardiomyoolte injury model by exposure to a certain concentration of H2O2. Cellular viability, superoxide dismutase （SOD） activity, leakage of maleic dialdehyde and anti-apoptosis effect were included to evaluate the cardiac protective effect of non-mitogenic human acidic FGF. RESULTS： Over 50% of the cardiomyocytes beat spontaneously on the 2nd d of culture and synchronously beat after being cultured for 3 d. Forty-eight hours after plating was completed, the purity of such cultures was 95% myocytes, assessed by an immunocytochemical assay. Cellular viability dramatically decreased with the increasing of the concentration of H2O2. Non-mitogenic human acidic FGF showed significant resistance to thetoxic effect of H2O2, significantly increased the cellular viability as well as the activity of SOD, and dramatically decreased the leakage of maleic dialdehyde as well as the cellular apoptosis rate. CONCLUSION： Hydrogen peroxide shows strong cytotoxicity to the cultured cardiac myocytes, and non-mitogenic human acidic FGF shows strong cardio-protective effect when exposed to a certain concentration of H2O2.
基金Supported by The National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.30471942the Key Science Research Project of Shaanxi Province,No.2004k11-G3
文摘AIM： To construct the recombinant lentivirus expression plasmid, pLenti6/V5-NT4 p53（N 15）-antennapedia （Ant）, and study its effect on HepG2 cells. METHODS： Plasmid pLenti6/V5-NT4 p53（N15）-Ant was constructed incorporating the following functional regions, including signal peptide sequence and proregion of neurotrophin 4, N-terminal residues 12-26 of p53 and 17 amino acid drosophila carrier protein, Ant. Hepatocellular carcinoma （HepG2） cells were used for transfection. 3-[4,5-climethyl-thiazol-2yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide （MI-I） assay, lactate dehydrogenase （LDH） release assay, transmission electron microscopy （TEM） and flow cytometric analysis （FCM） were employed to investigate the effects of LV-NT4（Si）- p53（N15）-Ant in vitro on HepG2 cells. In vivo experiment was also performed to investigate the inhibitory effect of LV-NT4（Si）-p53（N15）-Ant on tumor growth in nude mice.RESULTS： LV-NT4（Si）-p53（N15）-Ant significantly suppressed the growth of HepG2 cells. MTT assay showed that the growth of HepG2 cells was mucj more significantly inhibited by LV-NT4（Si）-p53（N15）-Ant than by LV-EGFP. The inhibition rate for HepG2 cell growth in the two groups was 46.9% and 94.5%, respectively, 48 h after infection with LV-NT4（Si）-p53（N15）-Ant, and was 33.9% and 95.8%, respectively, 72 h after infection with LV-NT4（Si）-p53（N15）-Ant （P 〈 0.01）. Light microscopy and TEM showed morphological changes in HepG2 cells infected with LV-NT4（Si）-p53（N15）-Ant, but no significant changes in HepG2 cells infected with LV-EGFR Changes were observed in ultra-structure of HepG2 cells infected with LV-NT4（Si）-p53（N15）-Ant, with degraded membranes, resulting in necrosis. LDH release from HepG2 cells was analyzed at 24, 48, 72 and 96 h after infection with LV-NT4（Si）-p53（N15）-Ant and LV-EGFP, which showed that LDH release was significantly higher in LV-NT4（Si）-p53（N15）-Ant treatment group （682 IU/L） than in control group （45 IU/L, P 〈 0.01）. The longer the time was after infection, the bigger the difference was in LDH release. FCM analysis showed that LV-NT4（Si）- p53（N15）-Ant could induce two different kinds of cell death： necrosis and apoptosis, with apoptosis being the minor type and necrosis being the main type, suggesting that LV-NT4（Si）-p53（N15）-Ant exerts its anticancer effect on HepG2 cells by inducing necrosis. The in vivo study showed that LV-NT4（Si）-p53（N15）-Ant significantly inhibited tumor growth with an inhibition rate of 66.14% in terms of tumor size and weight. CONCLUSION： LV-NT4（Si）-p53（N15）-Ant is a novel recombinant lentivirus expression plasmid and can be used in gene therapy for cancer.
