Effect of apigenin on dendritic cells maturation and function in murine splenocytes / 药学学报

This study was designed to explore the effect of apigenin (Api) on dendritic cell (DCs) maturation and function in murine spleen cells. The single spleen cell was isolated, and then cultured with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the present and absence of apigenin. After 24 h, the toxicity of Api and the T cell proliferation were determined by CCK8 kit. In addition, we collected the cell-free supernatants to measure cytokine production using ELISA, collected the cells to determine the DC maturation using flow cytometry. Finally, we purified Api and/or LPS-treated CD11c+ DCs which were pulsed with ovalbumin (OVA)323-339 and then were adoptive transferred into C57BL/6 mice to detect the OVA323-339-specific T cell proliferation and T helper (Th1) and Th2 cell secreting IFN-γ and IL-4 production, respectively. We found that Api did not affect splenocyte viability, but inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α, not anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. In addition, Api inhibited the expression of co-stimulatory CD80, CD86 and MHCII of CD11c+ DCs. Finally, compared to LPS+OVA DCs group, DCs from Api and LPS co-treated splenocytes (Api+LPS+DCs) impaired OVA323-339-specific T cell proliferation and the production of IFN-γ and IL-4 in CD4+ T cells, which had the similar responses with OVA+DCs. These data suggest that Api exhibits anti-inflammatory properties via inhibiting DC activation and function, as a new immune-modulator, which may induce immune-tolerance with a benefit to those with chronic inflammation.

Serological and molecular capsular typing, antibiotic susceptibility and multilocus sequence typing of Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates from invasive and non-invasive infections / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) is a major causative agent of severe infections, including sepsis, pneumonia, meningitis, and otitis media, and has become a major public health concern. We report the pneumococcal serotype and sequence type (ST) distribution, and antimicrobial resistance of 39 S. pneumoniae strains from seven hospitals in China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Blood/cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and sputum isolates from patients were analyzed to determine S. pneumoniae serotypes by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the Neufeld Quellung reaction, the multilocus sequence types (MLST) by PCR and sequencing, and susceptibility to antimicrobial agents by the VITEK Gram Positive Susceptibility Card.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 39 isolates were collected including 21 blood/CSF and 18 sputum isolates. Conventional serotyping by the Quellung reaction required 749 reactions. In contrast, PCR based typing needed only 106 PCR reactions. The most frequent serotypes from the blood/CSF isolates were 14 (38.1%), 19A (14.3%), 23F (9.5%), and 18C (9.5%). In the sputum isolates the most frequent serotypes were 19F (33.3%), 23F (16.7%), 19A (11.1%), and 3 (11.1%). The incidence of penicillin resistance in the blood/CSF and sputum isolates was 66.7% and 55.6%, respectively. Statistical analysis showed that patients = 5 years old had a higher resistance to penicillin when they compared with the patients = 65 years old (P = 0.011). Serotypes 14, 19A and 19F were significantly associated with penicillin resistance (P < 0.001). ST320, ST271, and ST876 isolates showed high resistant rates to several antibiotics including penicillin (P = 0.006). All of the isolates of serotype 19A were resistant to both penicillin and erythromycin, and they were all multi-drug resistant (MDR) isolates.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The specificity and sensitivity of multiplex-PCR are good, and this method represents a substantial savings of time and money, and can be widely used in the laboratory and clinical practice. Data from this research showed an extremely high prevalence of penicillin resistance and an increasing prevalence of multi-drug resistant (MDR) rate in S. pneumoniae. A distinctive emergence of serotype 19A was observed which was also associated with the increasing prevalence of antimicrobial resistance. Therefore, nationwide surveillance of pneumococcal resistance and serotypes is strongly warranted.</p>

Effectiveness of Bufei Yishen Granule combined with acupoint sticking therapy on quality of life in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the efficacy of Bufei Yishen Granule BFYSG) combined with Shufei Tie acupoint sticking therapy on quality of life of patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A multi-center, double-blinded, double-dummy and randomized controlled method was adopted in this trial. A total of 244 patients were randomly assigned to a trial group and a control group according to the random number, each with 122 patients; treatment allocation occurred when the participants met the inclusion criteria and signed the informed consent form. In the trial group, patients were treated with BFYSG combined with "Shufei Tie" acupoint sticking therapy and sustained-release theophylline dummy, and in the control group patients were treated with oral sustained-release theophylline and BFYSG dummy combined with "Shufei Tie" acupoint sticking therapy dummy. The therapeutic course for two groups was 4 months and the follow-up was 6 months. The frequency and duration of acute exacerbation calculated by adding up each frequency and duration of acute exacerbation in treatment and follow-up time respectively, the quality of life measured by the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL)-BREF scale and adult COPD quality of life (COPD-QOL) scale were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among the 244 enrolled patients, 234 were screened for full analysis set (FAS); 221 were screened for per-protocol analysis set (PPS). After 4-month treatment and 6-month follow-up there were differences between the trial group and the control group in frequency of acute exacerbation (FAS: P=0.013; PPS: P=0.046); duration of acute exacerbation (FAS: P=0.005; PPS: P=0.006); scores of physiological, psychological and environment aspects of the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire (FAS: P=0.002, P=0.006, P=0.000; PPS: P=0.00, P=0.001, P=0.000); scores of daily living ability, social activity, depression symptoms aspects of the COPD-QOL questionnaire (FAS: P=0.000, P=0.000, P=0.006; PPS: P=0.002, P=0.001, P=0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>BFYSG combined with acupoint sticking therapy could improve the quality of life of patients with stable COPD.</p>

Value of QT hysteresis during treadmill exercise test for diagnosing coronary heart disease / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the value of QT hysteresis index during treadmill exercise test (TET) in diagnosing coronary heart disease (CHD).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred consecutive patients suspected for CHD were referred for TET and selective coronary angiography (CAG). Patients were divided into positive [n = 55, age (56.0 ± 7.9) years] and negative [n = 45, age (53.2 ± 6.7) years] group based on their CAG results. For each TET recording, 50 points were selected for the RR, QTp, and QTe interval measurements. QTp and QTe interval was plotted against corresponding RR interval. QT/RR curve was constructed by connect all point, QT hysteresis index was calculated for each patient.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The QTp [(22.4 ± 10.3) ms vs. (6.7 ± 4.6) ms, P < 0.001] and QTe [(27.1 ± 11.1) ms vs. (7.6 ± 4.6) ms, P < 0.001] hysteresis index of patients in positive group were significantly higher than those in negative group. The sensitivity of QTp and QTe hysteresis index for diagnosing CHD was 89.1% (49/55) and 94.5% (52/55), respectively, and the specificity was 82.2% (37/45) and 80.0% (36/45), respectively. If the patient fulfilled both the classical TET and QT hysteresis criteria, the sensitivity for diagnosing CHD increased to 94.3% (33/35, QTp) and 94.6% (35/37, QTe), and the specificity were both 100% (26/26, 26/26). Moreover, QTp (r = -0.399, P < 0.001) and QTe (r = -0.547, P < 0.001) hysteresis index highly correlated to Duke treadmill score.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>QT hysteresis index is useful parameter for CHD diagnosis and which could improve the diagnostic value of TET for CHD in combination with the classical TET criteria for diagnosis of CHD.</p>

Extended pancreaticoduodenetomy combined with mesentery root resection in treatment of patients with pancreatic and duodenal malignancy involving root of mesentery / 第二军医大学学报

Objective: To search for a method for radical resection of pancreatic and duodena malignancy involving the mesentery root and for the long post-operation survival of patients. Methods: From Jan. 2004 to Aug. 2006, a total of 26 (16 male and 10 female, aged 27-70) patients with pancreatic and duodenal malignancy involving the mesentery root were treated in our department. The patients included 3 with duodenal malignancy and 23 with pancreatic malignancy. Curative resection was performed by the extended pancreaticoduodenetomy (Whipple procedure) combined with mesentery root resection (MRR) for all patients. The outcomes, safety and the post-operation survival rate were analyzed retrospectively. Results: Thirteen patients were treated with Whipple procedures combined with MRR, 9 were treated with partial portal vein/superior mesenteric vein (PV/SMV) and reconstruction of the vessel, and 4 patients received pre-shunt between PV and SMV with artificial vessel graft before the extended Whipple and NMR procedures. The operation time was 2. 5 to 7 (4. 4 ± 1. 1) hour 9 and blood loss was 300 to 5 000 (1 892 ± 1 414) ml with the blood transfusion of 0 to 5 600 (2 100 ± 1 586) ml. There was no death in our group and 7 (27%) had post-operation complication. The post-operation hospital stay was 10 to 30 days. The pathologic examination showed negative surgical margins for all specimens. The tumor size was 4 to 10 (6.17 ± 2.03) cm. After a follow-up of 9 to 38 months, the pain was relieved in all patients. One of the 3 patients with duodenal adenocarcinoma had liver metastasis at 10 months after operation, and the other 2 survived 10 months and 27 months without evidence of tumor reccurence. The patient with pancreatic micro-adenocarcinoma died of local reccurence 9 months after operation. The patient with neuroendocrine carcinoma died of organ failure 24 months after operation. The patient with lymphoma have survived for 24 months after operation. The 1-year and 2-year accumulated survival rates in the 20 cases with pancreatic ductal cancer were 86.6% and 45.6%, respectively. Conclusion: The extended Whipple procedure with MRR is safe and effective. It can obtain RO resection in patients with malignant tumors (over 5 cm in diameter) in the head, neck and uncinate process of the pancreas and duodenal.

The role of full length superior mesenteric artery isolation in extended pancreaticoduodenectomy in the treatment of ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas in the uncinate process / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To improve the prognosis and safety of extended pancreaticoduodenectomy for patients with pancreatic cancer in the uncinate process of pancreas.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From January 2004 to March 2008, 26 extended pancreaticoduodenectomies with full length superior mesenteric artery (SMA) isolation and mesentery root resection were performed for the ductal adenocarcinomas in the uncinate process of pancreas. There were 16 males and 10 females aging from 30 to 75 years old [medium age (55.0 +/- 13.0) years old]. Eleven of 26 patients were combined with portal vein-superior mesenteric vein resection. The effect and safety of this procedure were analyzed retrospectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was no operative mortality in all patients. The pathological examination showed that all the incisal margins were negative. After a follow-up of 7 to 45 months, the pain relief was occurred in all patients. The 1-year, 2-year accumulated survival rates were 72.2%, and 48.1%, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Full length SMA isolation and the mesentery resection in extended pancreaticoduodenectomy are safe and effective. The procedure is also benefit for the patients in improving the survival rate and quality of life.</p>

Clinicopathological study of lymphatic vessel density and distribution in pancreatic cancer / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To clarify the clinicopathological significance of lymphatic vessel density (LVD) and distribution in pancreatic cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We measured LVD in 43 pancreatic cancer specimens by immunostaining with specific lymphatic endothelium marker, and examined their relationship with well-defined clinicopathological variables.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Intratumoral LVD (9.4 +/- 10.0) was significantly lower than periturmoral (16.0 +/- 9.7) (P < 0.001) and nontumoral LVD (13.5 +/- 6.0) (P < 0.01). Increased peritumoral LVD correlated significantly with tumor staging (P < 0.05) and lymph node involvement (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The lymphatic vessels distribution in pancreatic cancer samples and peritumoral lymphangiogenesis may promote the malignant progression and lymph node metastasis of pancreatic cancer.</p>

Clinical significance of regional lymphadenectomy in radical resection of ductal adenocarcinoma in the pancreatic head / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To prospectively evaluate the long-term effect of pancreaticoduodenectomy with regional lymphadenectomy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and twenty-one patients with ductal adenocarcinoma in the pancreatic head treated from 1996 to 2001 were studied prospectively. The enrollment of the patients was dependent on 7 criteria. The patients were divided into two groups: regional lymphadenectomy (group A, n = 50) and routine Whipple procedure (group B, n = 71). Their pre- and postoperative conditions, clinicopathological data, survival rates were studied.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>It was comparable between the 2 groups in age, sex, preoperative risk factors, operative management, and postoperative complication. Clinicopathological results showed no difference in tumor size and plexus invasion; but the frequency of lymph node involvement and the amount of resected lymph node in group A were significantly higher than those in group B. The rate of local recurrence was significantly higher in group A than in group B. The survival rates of 1-, 3-, 5-year in group A were 70.8%, 31.4%, 20.9%, respectively, which were higher than those in group B. No direct relations were observed between nodal involvement and survival rate.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Lymphadenectomy in radical pancreaticoduodenectomy could remove lymph nodes effectively and sufficiently, and reduce the rate of local recurrence so as to improve the long-term survival rate.</p>

Extended pancreaticoduodenetomy combined with mesentery root resection in treatment of patients with pancreatic and duodenal malignancy involving root of mesentery / 第二军医大学学报

Objective:To search for a method for radical resection of pancreatic and duodenal malignancy involving the mesentery root and for the long post-operation survival of patients.Methods:From Jan.2004 to Aug.2006,a total of 26(16 male and 10 female. aged 27-70)patients with pancreatic and duodenal malignancy involving the mesentery root were treated in our department.The patients included 3 with duodenal malignancy and 23 with pancreatic malignancy.Curative resection was performed by the extended pancreaticoduodenetomy(Whipple procedure)combined with mesentery root resection(MRR)for all patients.The outcomes,safety and the post-operation survival rate were analyzed retrospectively.Results:Thirteen patients were treated with Whipple procedures combined with MRR,9 were treated with partial portal vein/superior mesenteric vein(PV/SMV)and reconstruction of the vessel,and 4 patients received pre-shunt between PV and SMV with artificial vessel graft before the extended Whipple and MRR procedures.The operation time was 2.5 to 7(4.4?1.1)hour,and blood loss was 300 to 5 000(1892?1414)ml with the blood transfusion of 0 to 5 600(2 100?1 586)ml.There was no death in our group and 7(27%)had post-operation complication.The post-operation hospital stay was 10 to 30 days.The pathologic examination showed negative surgical margins for all specimens.The tumor size was 4 to 10 (6.17?2.03)cm.After a follow-up of 9 to 38 months,the pain was relieved in all patients.One of the 3 patients with duodenal adenocarcinoma had liver metastasis at 10 months after operation,and the other 2 survived 10 months and 27 months without evidence of tumor reccurence.The patient with pancreatic micro-adenocarcinoma died of local reccurence 9 months after operation.The patient with neuroendocrine carcinoma died of organ failure 24 months after operation.The patient with lymphoma have survived for 24 months after operation.The 1-year and 2-year accumulated survival rates in the 20 cases with pancreatic ductal cancer were 86.6% and 45.6%. respectively.Conclusion:The extended Whipple procedure with MRR is safe and effective.It can obtain R0 resection in patients with malignant tumors(over 5 cm in diameter)in the head,neck and uncinate process of the pancreas and duodenal.