Uplifting Antitumor Immunotherapy with Lymph-Node-Targeted and Ratio-Controlled Codelivery of Tumor Cell Lysate and Adjuvant.

Cancer vaccines provide a potential strategy to cure patients. Their clinical utilization and efficacy is, however, limited by incomplete coverage of tumor neoantigens and unspecific and restricted activation of dendritic cells (DCs). Tumor cell lysates (TCLs) containing a broad spectrum of neoantigens, while are considered ideal in formulating personalized vaccines, induce generally poor antigen presentation and transient antitumor immune response. Here, intelligent polymersomal nanovaccines (PNVs) that quantitatively coload, efficiently codeliver, and responsively corelease TCL and CpG adjuvant to lymph node (LN) DCs are developed to boost antigen presentation and to induce specific and robust antitumor immunity. PNVs carrying CpG and ovalbumin (OVA) markedly enhance the maturation, antigen presentation, and downstream T cell activation ability of bone-marrow-derived dendritic cells and induce strong systemic immune response after tail base injection. Remarkably, PNVs carrying CpG and TCL cure 85% of B16-F10 melanoma-bearing mice and generate long-lasting anticancer immune memory at a low dose, protecting all cured mice from tumor rechallenge. These LN-directed PNVs being highly versatile and straightforward opens a new door for personalized cancer vaccines.

Traditional Chinese Medicine constitution types of high-normal blood pressure: A meta-analysis.

Objective: We determined the distribution of constitutional types of high-normal blood pressure in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and provided evidence for the prevention of high-normal blood pressure and hypertension. Methods: Eight digital databases were searched from January 2011 to November 2022, including PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, EBSCOhost, CNKI, CBM, Wangfang, and CQVIP. We performed a meta-analysis with the random-effects model or fixed-effects model to describe the distribution of constitutional types of high-normal blood pressure in TCM. The studies were assessed based on heterogeneity testing and the potential for publication bias. The meta-analysis was performed on Stata software 15.0. Results: A total of 17 studies with 8118 participants were included in this meta-analysis. The proportion of the biased constitution (82.3%; 95% CI: 75.6%-89.1%, p < 0.001) was higher than the balanced constitution (17.3%; 95% CI: 10.7-23.8%, p < 0.001). Phlegm-dampness constitution, Yin-deficiency constitution, and damp-heat constitution accounted for 16.0% (95%CI: 10.5-21.5%, p < 0.001), 14.8% (95% CI: 11.0-18.6%, p < 0.001), 11.3% (95% CI: 8.0-14.5%, p < 0.001) of the total high-normal blood pressure cases, respectively. The subgroup analyses performed that region, age and gender were positively associated with the distribution of constitution types of high-normal blood pressure in TCM. Compared with the general population, the risk of high-normal blood pressure in people with the phlegm-dampness constitution, Yin-deficiency constitution, and blood-stasis constitution was 2.665 (95%CI: 2.286-3.106, p < 0.001), 2.378 (95%CI: 1.197-4.724, p = 0.013), 1.965 (95%CI: 1.634-2.363, p < 0.001) times of the general population, respectively. Meanwhile, the risk of high-normal blood pressure was lower in people with a balanced constitution (0.248, 95%CI: 0.165-0.372, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Phlegm-dampness constitution, Yin-deficiency constitution, and damp-heat constitution were the common constitution types of high-normal blood pressure. There might also be differences in the distribution characteristics of TCM constitution among people with high-normal blood pressure in different regions, ages, and genders. Finally, a balanced constitution might be a protective factor for hypertensive people.

A WeChat-based self-compassion training to improve the treatment adherence of patients with schizophrenia in China: Protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: At present, adherence to antipsychotic treatment is often poor, leading to the recurrence of symptoms. This increases the likelihood of the patient experiencing disability and thus increases the disease burden for the patient, their family, and society as a whole. However, to date, there is no clear evidence regarding the effect of medication adherence interventions on outcomes for patients with schizophrenia. Moreover, the traditional intervention methods are limited by manpower and resources in low- and middle-income countries. Recent studies have demonstrated that increasing a patient's level of self-compassion may improve their treatment adherence. Online mental health care interventions have advantages in terms of feasibility and acceptability for patients with schizophrenia. In this regard, a WeChat-based self-compassion training protocol to improve patient treatment adherence was designed in this study and will be evaluated in the future to determine its impact on patients with schizophrenia. Methods: The protocol for the randomized controlled trial (RCT) is based on the SPIRIT 2013 statement. This parallel RCT will aim to recruit 392 patients with schizophrenia who will be randomized at a 1:1 ratio into a 3-week intervention or control group. Both groups will receive routine care. The intervention group will also receive WeChat-based self-compassion training, which requires participants to complete three tasks every day, including a reading task, a meditation task, and a self-compassion journal task. The control group will receive WeChat-based psychological health education, which will only require participants to read positive articles about psychological health every day. Medication adherence, self-compassion, stigma, and social support will be measured at baseline (T0), immediately after the intervention (T1), and 3 weeks after the intervention (T2). Program feasibility will be evaluated throughout the course of the study, and acceptability will be measured immediately after the intervention (T1). Expected results: The intervention described here will address the barriers to accessing mental health care for people with schizophrenia, including patients' desire for independent management, difficulty accessing providers, and concerns about privacy and stigma. The current study provides guidance for clinical nurses to carry out psychological intervention, with the ultimate aim of addressing the problems associated with a shortage of psychological professionals in low- and middle-income countries.

Handheld versus conventional ultrasound for assessing carotid artery in routine volunteers.

AIM: Carotid ultrasound is a key tool for the diagnosis and evaluation of cardio disease, and the measurement of carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and hemodynamic parameters is of paramount importance for the imaging method. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of handheld ultrasound devices for measuring carotid parameters. METHODS: We performed a carotid ultrasound on 25 participants using a handheld ultrasound device and a conventional ultrasound machine. For each participant, max and mean CIMT of common carotid artery (CCA) and peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV) and resistive index (RI) of CCA, bilateral external carotid artery (ECA), internal carotid artery (ICA) and the vertebral artery were measured. Agreement and repeatability were evaluated by linear regression and Bland-Altman analysis. RESULTS: We found a good repeatability and consistent of handheld ultrasound device in measuring mean CIMT (r = 0.68, P < 0.01). Furthermore, there was a moderate to good agreement between handheld and conventional ultrasound systems in measuring max IMT, mean IMT, PSV, EDV and RI of CCA (0.73, 0.79, 0.52, 0.58 and 0.84, respectively). CONCLUSION: Handheld ultrasound devices were able to provide carotid IMT and hemodynamic parameters measurements similar to those of conventional ultrasound. Such capabilities of handheld ultrasound devices might be useful for the primary assessment of carotid in clinical work.

Association between self-care disability and depressive symptoms among middle-aged and elderly Chinese people.

OBJECTIVE: In the context of an increased focus on geriatric depression in recent years, this study examined the associations between different types of self-care disability, the number of self-care disabilities, and depressive symptoms among middle-aged and elderly Chinese people. METHOD: The data for this study were extracted from the follow-up survey (conducted in 2018) of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). The sample comprised 10808 participants aged 45 years and older. The Activities of Daily Living (ADL) scale and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CESD-10) Scale were used to assess self-care disability and depressive symptoms, respectively. RESULT: The prevalence of depressive symptoms and self-care disability among the surveyed residents was 45.1% and 23.4%, respectively. Overall, there was a significant positive association between self-care disability and depressive symptoms. Participants who reported having a self-care disability in relation dressing, bathing, transferring in and out of bed, using the toilet, and controlling urination and defecation were found to have a significantly higher risk of depressive symptoms. In addition, participants with a greater cumulative quantity of self-care disabilities had a higher risk of depressive symptoms, and higher CESD-10 scores. CONCLUSION: Self-care disability is a risk factor for depressive symptoms among middle-aged and elderly Chinese people. A positive correlation between the number of self-care disabilities and the risk of depressive symptoms was found.

Sterols and triterpenoids from Ganoderma lucidum and their reversal activities of tumor multidrug resistance.

Two sterols and seven triterpenoids were isolated and identified from Ganoderma lucidum by silica gel column chromatography, preparative high-performance liquid chromatography and spectra analysis. Then, the multidrug resistance reversal activities of these compounds were assessed using MTT assay. Among these compounds, ganoderol B (3), ganoderone A (4), ganodermanondiol (6) and ganoderiol F (8) were shown to reverse the resistance of human oral epidermoid carcinoma cell line KBv200 to doxorubicin, and the reversal folds were 6.59, 4.70, 4.01 and 7.09, respectively. Ganoderiol F could increase the intracellular accumulation of doxorubicin in KBv200 cells through inhibiting P-glycoprotein transport function. Further mechanistic investigation found that ganoderiol F did not alter P-glycoprotein expression. In conclusion, ganoderiol F has potent effect in reversing P-glycoprotein mediated tumor multidrug resistance. Potential reversal agents against multidrug resistance in tumor may be found in triterpenoids from Ganoderma lucidum.[Formula: see text].

Dignity and its related factors among older adults in long-term care facilities: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore the dignity and related factors among older adults in long-term care facilities. METHODS: Cross-sectional data were obtained from a sample of 253 Chinese older adults dwelling in long-term care facilities. Dignity among older adults was measured using the Dignity Scale, and its potential correlates were explored using multiple linear regressions. RESULTS: Results showed that the total score of the Dignity Scale is 151.95 ± 11.75. From high to low, the different factors of dignity among older adults in long-term care facilities were as follows: caring factors (4.83 ± 0.33), social factors (4.73 ± 0.41), psychological factors (4.66 ± 0.71), value factors (4.56 ± 0.53), autonomous factors (4.50 ± 0.57), and physical factors (4.38 ± 0.55). A higher score of the Dignity Scale was associated with higher economic status, fewer chronic diseases, less medication, better daily living ability and long-time lived in cities. CONCLUSION: Older adults with low economic status, more chronic diseases, and poor daily living ability, taking more medications, or the previous residence in rural areas seem to be most at low-level dignity in long-term care facilities and thus require more attention than their peers.

Sodium Danshensu promotes the healing of stage 2 pressure injury wounds in ischemia/reperfusion injury rat models: possible regulation of apoptosis and inflammatory response.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effect and possible mechanism of sodium Danshensu (SDSS) against pressure injury caused by ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups of eight rats each: control group, model group, 10 mg/kg SDSS-treated group, 20 mg/kg SDSS-treated group, and 40 mg/kg SDSS-treated group. We used two round ferrite magnetic plates of 15 mm diameter and 3 mm thickness to establish stage 2 pressure injury model rats. Each rat was subjected to five cycles of ischemia and reperfusion to induce pressure injury. One cycle consisted of 2 h of ischemia and 0.5 h of reperfusion, which meant that each cycle included 2 h of pressure and 0.5 h of pressure relief. The outline of the wound was delineated by butter paper and marker pen, and histopathological changes were observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. In addition, the number of apoptotic cells and the activity of caspase-3 were assessed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end labeling and caspase-3 assay kits, respectively. The expression of apoptosis-regulatory proteins and inflammatory mediators was investigated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Results showed that treatment with SDSS for 7 d after establishing the pressure injury model remarkably improved the healing rate of the wound. SDSS also inhibited the levels of tumor ne- crosis factor-α, myeloperoxidase, and intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1; decreased the number of apoptotic cells; increased the ratio of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) / Bcl-2-associated X (Bax); and regulated the expression and activity of caspase-3. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that SDSS exhibits a treatment efficacy for pressure injury caused by I/R injury possibly by inhibiting apoptosis and inflammatory response.

Internet-based interventions for postpartum depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIM: To determine the efficacy of Internet-based interventions in decreasing the prevalence of postpartum depression in perinatal women. DESIGN: This review was conducted according to the standards outlined in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. METHODS: We performed a systematic meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on the efficacy of Internet-based interventions for postpartum depression. Studies (2008-2018) were identified through a search conducted on PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library. Risk ratios or weighted mean differences with 95% confidence intervals were calculated using a fixed-effects model or a random-effects model. Stata software 11.0 was used to perform the meta-analysis. RESULTS: Most of the seven eligible studies were randomized controlled trials. The random-effects model indicated that Internet-based interventions significantly improved postpartum depression (d = 0.642, N = 7). Attrition rates ranged from 4.5%-86.9% and from 0%-87.1% for the intervention and control groups, respectively.

Evoking the Withdrawal Reflex via Successive Needle-Pricking on the Plantar and Dorsal Aspect of the Foot Increases the FMA of the Lower Limb for Poststroke Patients in Brunnstrom Stage III: A Preliminary Study.

The withdrawal reflex is a defensive reaction to nociceptive stimuli and can be used to regulate locomotor gait during rehabilitation. We investigated the effect of successive needle-pricking of the plantar and dorsal foot surfaces on poststroke lower limb function. Thirty-five hemiplegic patients, within one month after primary stroke, with an affected lower limb (Brunnstrom stage III) were randomly divided into intervention and control groups. Both groups received routine drug treatment, rehabilitation training, and upper limb acupuncture treatment on the hemiplegic side. The control group also received routine acupuncture on the hemiplegic side of the lower limb, while the intervention group received successive needle-pricking on the sole and instep of both the unaffected and affected side feet. Outcomes were assessed before inception (D0) and after three (D3) and six (D6) treatment days, using Brunnstrom stage (Ueda assessment), total Fugl-Meyer lower extremity assessment (FMA-LE) and its subscores (FMA-LE-ss), active lower limb range of motion (AROM-LL), Modified Ashworth Scale Score (MAS-LL), and manual muscle testing (MMT-LL). The Brunnstrom stage was better in the intervention group than in the control group at both D3 and D6 (P < 0.01). The total FMA-LE score and sections B, C, D, and G FMA-LE-ss were significantly better in the intervention group than in the control group at D3 and D6 (P < 0.05). The AROM-LL hip and knee flexion and hip extension improved more in the intervention group than in the control group (P < 0.05). In the intervention group, MAS-LL hip flexion significantly improved at D6 (P < 0.01). Improvement in lower limb joints on the MMT-LL in the intervention group exceeded that in the control group at D6 (P < 0.01). Successive needle-pricking on the plantar and dorsal foot aspects of Brunnstrom stage III in poststroke patients contributed to rapid lower limb motor function improvement via the withdrawal reflex. This trial is registered with ChiCTR1900020633.

Auricular Electroacupuncture for Late Posttraumatic Epilepsy after Severe Brain Injury: A Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Posttraumatic epilepsy (PTE) is a common complication of traumatic brain injury (TBI), which seriously affects patients' survival and recovery. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a nonpharmacological therapy for epilepsy. The auricular branch of the vagus nerve (ABVN) is the only peripheral branch and has antiepileptic effects, but the efficacy of ABVN stimulation as treatment of late PTE is uncertain. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical efficacy of ABVN stimulation by auricular electroacupuncture for the treatment of late PTE, and investigated the influence of sodium valproate and edaravone on the anti-PTE effects of auricular electroacupuncture. METHOD: Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the relationship of age, cause of PTE, use of auricular electroacupuncture, sodium valproate, and edaravone with the incidence of late PTE. To compare the curative effects of auricular electroacupuncture, 89 cases of late PTE were divided into an auricular electroacupuncture and a control group according to whether they were treated with auricular electroacupuncture. We further analyzed the influence of sodium valproate and edaravone on the effects of the treatment of PTE with auricular electroacupuncture. RESULTS: Among age, cause, use of auricular electroacupuncture, sodium valproate, and edaravone, the use of auricular electroacupuncture was associated with significantly reduced incidence of late PTE (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, there were more seizure-free cases in the auricular electroacupuncture group (P < 0.01). The total effective rate of the auricular electroacupuncture group was 90%. The seizure-free rate among patients treated with auricular electroacupuncture was significantly reduced, regardless of the use of sodium valproate or edaravone (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Auricular electroacupuncture can reduce the incidence of late PTE and is a safe and economical therapy for late PTE.

Association between ambient air pollution exposure and infants small for gestational age in Huangshi, China: a cross-sectional study.

Small for gestational age (SGA) is defined as intrauterine growth retardation or small sample, referring to the 10th percentile of birth weight lower or two standard deviations less than the average weight at the same gestational age. SGA infants bring great economic and psychological burdens to families and society. The association between exposure to air pollution and SGA in underdeveloped cities with poor air quality remains unclear. Thus, this study is conducted to estimate the effects of maternal exposure to air pollutants on SGA numbers. Birth information was collected from the Huangshi Maternity and Children's Health Hospital from January 1st to December 31st in 2017. Data of pregnancy exposure were accessed using stationary monitors. These data included particulate matter less than or equal to 10 µm in aerodynamic diameter (PM10), particulate matter less than or equal to 2.5 µm in aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and sulfur dioxide (SO2). Multivariate logistic regression models were performed to estimate the association between ambient air pollution and the risk of SGA during different exposure windows. It was found that a 1 µg/m3 increase in air pollution concentrations during the entire pregnancy was associated with a higher risk of SGA, with an adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.055 (1.035-1.076), 1.084 (1.053-1.116), 1.000 (0.953-1.049), and 1.051 (0.968-1.141) for PM10, PM2.5, NO2, and SO2, respectively. Thus, it is suggested that exposure to air pollution is associated with an increased risk of SGA. The effects of PM10 and PM2.5 were more stable than NO2 and SO2.

Anticarcinogenic effect of Umbelliferone in human prostate carcinoma: An in vitro study.

PURPOSE: To explore the chemoprotective effect of umbelliferone (UF) on prostate cancer cell lines, i.e. primary stage (LnCap) and last stage (PC3) prostate cancer together with the effect on the induction of apoptosis and alteration on cell cycle arrest. METHODS: Various concentrations of UF were evaluated against the different prostate cancer cell lines. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced cytokines related factor profiling, proinflammatory cytokines, and inflammatory mediators were studied using Western blot analysis. RESULTS: UF showed significant apoptotic effect. Moreover, treatment with UF did not show apoptosis or cell cycle arrest on the non-cancerous cells including BHP-1, suggesting a selective tumor cell specific effect. UF treatment also enhanced the expression of Bax in PC3 cells, but had no significant effect on the activation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB). Thus, the apoptosis induction was independent of NF-κB activation. CONCLUSION: The results of the present investigation confirmed the chemoprotective effect of UF in early-stage (Ln- Cap) and late-stage (PC3) prostate cancer cells.

IRF-3 gene polymorphisms are associated with the susceptibility to and the survival in chronic lymphocytic leukemia and could also serve as an auxiliary index.

The objective of this article was to investigate the relationship between IRF-3 gene polymorphisms and the susceptibility and prognosis of CLL. Between January 2011 and August 2012, 108 CLL patients and 112 healthy were enrolled in the study. DHPLC and Shesis software were applied in our study. In rs7251, CG genotype may increase the CLL risk. In the rs2304206, the alleles T may increase the CLL risk. The GTC haplotype can decrease the CLL risk in normal people, the GTT haplotype can increase the CLL risk in normal people. After treatment, in the rs7251, the event-free survival (EFS) in patients carrying CC genotype was higher than those carrying CG + GG genotype. In the rs2304206, the EFS in patients carrying CC genotype was higher than those carrying CT + TT genotype. IRF-3 gene polymorphisms were associated with the susceptibility and prognosis of CLL, it can be used as an auxiliary index for clinical detection of CLL.

[Otimization of auxiliary lines for proximal femoral intramedullary nail in the treatment of simple femoral intertrochanteric fractures].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical outcomes of C-arm X-ray fluoroscopy before incision to make assistant lines and insert the guide wire of PFNA and PFNA blade. METHODS: From January 1st 2012 to January 1st 2015, 132 intertrochanteric fracture patients of type 31A1 and 31A2 according to AO-classification, were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 62 patients(14 males and 48 females) aged from 52 to 95 years with a mean age of(69.58±8.55) years in traditional group were operated by traditional procedure, while 70 patients in the skin marking group included 15 males and 55 females aged from 61 to 88 years with a mean age of(71.94±7.64) years, on the basis of the traditional operation method, the assistant line of the body surface and the C-arm X-ray was increased, and the guide pin positioning of the proximal femoral nail and the spiral blade was guided by the auxiliary line in the operation. Operative time, frequency of C-arm fluoroscopy, Harris hip score of the third months after surgery and the complications in both groups were queried for statistical analysis. RESULTS: In addition to skin making group 1 patients had superficial wound infection complications, all patients were stage I wound healing. All patients were followed up for 3 to 18 months with an average of (6.81±3.07) months. The operative time was significantly reduced in skin marking group (56.16±6.36) minutes compared to traditional group (59.06±9.19) minutes (P>=0.035). And the frequency of C-arm fluoroscopy of skin marking group was(25.89±5.81) times which was also significantly reduced compared to traditional group(31.32±9.81) times (P<0.001). There was no statistical difference in Harris hip score at 3 months after operation and the complication rate between the two groups(P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, a simple and easy method of assistant line marking can shorten the operation time and reduce the number of times of operation.

Exploration of molecular mechanisms of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma development using a microarray.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to identify key genes, pathways and function modules in the development of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) with microarray data and interaction network analysis. METHODS: Microarray data sets for 7 DLBCL samples and 7 normal controls was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified with Student's t-test. KEGG functional enrichment analysis was performed to uncover their biological functions. Three global networks were established for immune system, signaling molecules and interactions and cancer genes. The DEGs were compared with the networks to observe their distributions and determine important key genes, pathways and modules. RESULTS: A total of 945 DEGs were obtained, 272 up-regulated and 673 down-regulated. KEGG analysis revealed that two groups of pathways were significantly enriched: immune function and signaling molecules and interactions. Following interaction network analysis further confirmed the association of DEGs in immune system, signaling molecules and interactions and cancer genes. CONCLUSIONS: Our study could systemically characterize gene expression changes in DLBCL with microarray technology. A range of key genes, pathways and function modules were revealed. Utility in diagnosis and treatment may be expected with further focused research.

Vitexins, nature-derived lignan compounds, induce apoptosis and suppress tumor growth.

PURPOSE: Lignans such as secoisolariciresinol diglucoside in flaxseed, are metabolizes to bioactive mammalian lignans of END and ENL. Because mammalian lignans have chemical structural similarity to the natural estrogen, they are thought to behave like selective estrogen receptor modulators and therefore have anticancer effect against hormone-related cancers. We isolated a series of lignan compounds, named as Vitexins, from the seed of Chinese herb Vitex Negundo. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We purified several Vitexin lignan compounds. Cytotoxic and antitumor effects were analyzed in cancer cells and in tumor xenograft models. In vivo metabolism of Vitexins was determined in rat. RESULTS: Contrasts to the classic lignans, Vitexins were not metabolized to END and ENL. A mixture of Vitexins EVn-50 and purified Vitexin compound 6-hydroxy-4-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-3-hydroxymethyl-7-methoxy-3, 4-dihydro-2-naphthaldehyde have cytotoxic effect on breast, prostate, and ovarian cancer cells and induces apoptosis with cleavage in poly ADP ribose polymerase protein, up-regulation of Bax, and down-regulation of Bcl-2. This induction of apoptosis seems to be mediated by activation of caspases because inhibition of caspases activity significantly reduced induced apoptosis. We showed a broad antitumor activity of EVn-50 on seven tumor xenograft models including breast, prostate, liver, and cervical cancers. Consistent with in vitro data, EVn-50 treatment induced apoptosis, down-regulated of Bcl-2, and up-regulated Bax in tumor xenografts. CONCLUSION: Vitexin is a class of nature lignan compounds, whose action and anticancer effect is mediated by the mechanisms different from the classic lignans. Vitexin-induced antitumor effect and cytotoxic activity is exerted through proapoptotic process, which is mediated by a decreased Bcl-2/Bax ratio and activation of caspases.

[Detection and identification of seven clinical common pathogenic bacteria by oligonucleotide microarray].

OBJECTIVE: Using 16S rDNA and 23S rDNA genes as the target sequences to develop a system based on oligonucleotide microarray and to detect the seven clinical pathogenic bacteria, commonly seen. METHODS: Double polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was applied to amplify the segments of 16S rDNA and 23S rDNA genes of the target bacteria. An oligonucleotide microarray was constructed to simultaneously detect EHEC O157:H7, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Salmonella sp., Vibrio cholerae, Listeria monocytogenes, Campylobacter jejuni and Shigella sp. Specificity, sensitivity and reproducibility of the microarray during detection were checked. And then microarray was used to detect the microbes in stool specimens of 81 patients with diarrhea and vomiting. RESULTS: The double PCR method could simultaneously amplify the target sequences of 16S rDNA and 23S rDNA genes of the seven pathogens. The sensitivity of the developed oligonucleotide microarray could reach 10(3) cfu/ml but no positive results were presented for non-targeted bacteria. The coefficients of differentiation in one lot or among different lots of the microarray slices were 3.89% - 5.81%. The positive detection rate of the stool specimens by oligonucleotide microarray was 39.5% (32/81), with a coincidence of 96.3% (78/81) for the patients and another coincidence of 96.8% (31/32) for bacterial genus or species identification, when comparing to the results by routine bacteriological examinations. CONCLUSION: The established assay in this study based on oligonucleotide microarray to detect the seven pathogenic bacteria has many advantages such as convenient, rapid, accurate, stable and high flux, which is suitable for clinical specimen examination and epidemiological field investigation.

[Detection and identification of human metapneumovirus by real time reverse transcription PCR].

OBJECTIVE: To develop a rapid, sensitive and specific real time reverse transcription PCR for detecting and identifying human metapneumovirus. METHODS: The Hmpv-L gene of human metapneumovirus was chosen as target gene, the primers and TaqMan probe were designed, and the PCR reaction was optimized systematically. The total RNA was extracted from respiratory specimens, and reverse transcription was performed through random primer. The cDNA was detected by using real time PCR. The specificity, sensitivity and reproducibility of real time PCR were estimated. The real time PCR was applied to detect 180 clinical respiratory specimens. RESULTS: The human metapneumovirus can be detected using real time reverse transcription PCR accurately and quickly, and the sensitivity was 1 copy/microl. The coefficient of variation of intra-assay and inter-assay was less than 5%. Among those 180 specimens, 28 (15.56%) were positive for human metapneumovirus, the clinical diagnoses for these 28 patients were pneumonia (15.60%, 17/109) and bronchiolitis (15.49%, 11/71). 21 positive specimens were from patients under 2 years of age, and 6 positive specimens were from patients between 2 and 5 years of age, only 1 positive specimens was from patients over 5 years. CONCLUSION: It is demonstrated that real time reverse transcription PCR is a reliable, accurate and feasible assay for human metapneumovirus, which has become one of the most important pathogens induced acute respiratory infections in pediatric patients.