Anti-tumor effects of Solanum nigrum L. extraction on C6 high-grade glioma.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Solanum nigrum L. (SN) is a traditional Chinese medicine with anti-tumor effects, has been used in cancer for centuries, but the role on high-grade gliomas (HGG) is not clear. AIM OF THE STUDY: This work was to investigate the anti-tumor effects of SN extract on rat C6 glioma in vitro and in vivo, providing a new medium for the treatment of HGG. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After identification and quality inspection of SN medicinal materials by HPLC-MS/MS and HPLC, CCK8 and colony formation assay were conducted to study the effects of SN on vitality and proliferation of C6 cells. Cell morphology was evaluated by HE staining, and flow cytometry was used for apoptosis analysis. The effects on cell migration and invasion were determined by transwell and wound healing assay. Western blot was used to further investigate the influence of SN on migration, invasion and apoptosis of tumor cells. In addition, the rat intracranial transplanted tumor model was used to evaluate the effects of SN on growth and infiltration of tumor and proliferation of transplanted tumor cells. RESULTS: SN extract suppressed the viability of C6 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The extract attenuated cell cloning, migration and invasion, and induced cell Annexin V+ PI+ late-stage apoptosis. Besides, SN induced the expression of apoptotic proteins including Bax and Cleaved Caspase-3, downregulated anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, and decreased the level of migratory proteins MMP-2 and MMP-9. Moreover, SN reduced the growth and infiltration of C6 glioma tissue and suppressed the proliferation of tumor cells in rat brain. CONCLUSIONS: SN extract has significant inhibitory activity on the growth and invasion of C6 HGG in vivo and in vitro.

Wetting Behavior and Tribological Properties of Polymer Brushes on Laser-Textured Surface.

Polymer brush layers can act as effective lubricants owing to their low friction and good controllability. However, their application to the field of tribology is limited by their poor wear resistance. This study proposes a strategy combining grafting and surface texturing to extend the service life of polymer brushes. Surface microstructure and chemical composition were measured through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Water contact angles were measured to evaluate the surface wettability of the grafted silicon-based surface texture. Results showed the distinct synergistic effect between polymer brushes and laser surface texturing (LST). The prepared polymer brushes on textured surface can be a powerful mechanism for friction reduction properties, which benefit from their strong hydration effect on the lubrication liquid and promote the formation of a local lubricating film. Moreover, the wear life of polymer brushes can be immensely extended, as micro-dimples on the textured surface can effectively protect the polymer brushes. This study presents a method to enhance the load-bearing capacity and wear resistance of the grafted surface of polymer brushes.

[Epidemiological investigation of second intermediate hosts of Clonorchis sinensis in Pizhou and Xinyi cities of Jiangsu Province].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the endemic situation of Clonorchis sinensis in its second intermediate hosts in Pizhou and Xinyi cities of Jiangsu Province, so as to provide the evidence for the further control and treatment. METHODS: Pseudorasbora parva and Abbottina rivularis were caught from the natural water body of Pizhou and Xinyi cities, and the tabletting microscopy method was applied to test the metacercaria of C. sinensis. RESULTS: Totally 1 117 fishes were caught and dissected, including 792 P. parva (70.90%) and 325 A. rivularis (29.10%). The metacercaria of C. sinensis infection rates of P. parva and A. rivularis were 29.80% (236/792) and 4.62% (15/325) respectively, and the difference between the two kinds of fishes was significant (χ² = 83.88, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The metacercaria of C. sinensis infection rate of freshwater fishes in Pizhou and Xinyi cities is high, and the local residents are facing the higher risk of clonorchiasis sinensis.

[Effects of training of human intestinal parasitic diseases for basic health staff in Jiangsu Province].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of the training of human intestinal parasitic diseases for basic health staff. METHODS: A workshop including theory courses and practical operations was carried out. At the end of the workshop, the effects were evaluated through the examinations of theory and film-reading. The total score of film-reading was one hundred including reading ten modified thick Kato-Katz slides in five minutes per slide. The results were analyzed statistically with SAS 9.0. RESULTS: There were 162 trainees from 13 cities. All of them took part in the final examination. The highest score of theory test was 99 and the lowest was 60 with the average of 86.3. The average score of the female was higher than that of the male, and the average score of 30-40 years' age group was higher than that of the other groups. The average score of the staff in Northern Jiangsu Province was higher than that of the staff in southern area and middle area of Jiangsu Province (P < 0.05). The highest score of film-reading was 100 and the lowest score was 20 with the average of 73.4. Among the total 9 species, the egg detection rates of five species were more than 60.00%. The detection rate of Trichuris trichiura was highest (88.17%) and the rate of Taenia was only 14.7%. The total average score of the staff in Nanjing City was highest (181.3) and the score of the staff in Changzhou City was lowest (138.3). There were significant differences among different regions (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The technical capability of examining the human intestinal parasitic diseases of basic health staff is different among the different regions of Jiangsu Province. We still need to strengthen the capability of pathogen detection for basic health staff.

[Prediction of hookworm incidence with time-series model in Jiangsu Province].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility of autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) to predict the infection rates of hookworm in Jiangsu Province. METHODS: From 1990 to 2006, the infection rates of hookworm were used for a training data set. As to obtain a stationary data set, the training data set was second-order differenced using the version SAS 9.0. The model parameters were screened by using the minimum information criterion. The ARIMA model was constructed to predict the infect rates of hookworm form 2007 to 2011. RESULTS: The time-series model ARIMA (1, 2, 0) was confirmed preliminarily. The model fitted well the training data set. The predictive infection rates were main accordance with the actual status of hookworm from 2007 to 2011, and the most minimum error was only 9.23%. CONCLUSION: The model constructed has a good predictive effect and applied value for control of hookworm.

[Comparison between two expression ways on cysteine protease of Clonorchis sinensis].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the prokaryotic expression system and eukaryotic expression system for the expression of cysteine protease of Clonorchis sinensis, and the diagnostic efficiency of their objective products. METHODS: According to the sequence of cysteine protease of C. sinensis, two pairs of primers were designed to amplify the genes from the total cDNA of C. sinensis. The genes were cloned into plasmid pET28a (+) and pPIC9K, respectively, and these recombinant plasmids were transformed into E. coli BL21 and GS115 separately after they were identified through double digests and sequencing. The cysteine protease of C. sinensis was expressed and purified, and then the sero-diagnostic effects of the purified proteins for clonorchiasis by ELISA were compared. RESULTS: The cysteine protease of C. sinensis was expressed as inclusion bodies in BL21, and its yield was 6.8 mg/L, while it was expressed as a kind of soluble protein in GS115, and its yield reached to 65.00 mg/L. Their sensitivities for serodiagnosis of clonorchiasis were 95.00% and 93.30%, respectively, and their specifities were 91.67% and 94.10%, respectively, with no statistically significant differences between them (all P values were above 0.05). CONCLUSION: The application value on cysteine protease of C. sinensis expressed through eukaryotic expression system is higher than that expressed through prokaryotic expression system.

[Epidemiological survey of echinococcosis in some areas of Jiangsu Province].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the prevalence of echinococcosis in some areas of Jiangsu Province, so as to provide the evidence for making practical control measures. METHODS: The cases were determined by a retrospective survey and case-clues survey. All canine feces were tested by immunological fecal antigen in the villages of the local infection suspected cases. The antigen-positive feces were detected for E. chinococcus eggs by Kato-Katz technique. A serological investigation was administrated to search infected persons by double methods of enzyme-labeled immune assay and point immuno-gold filtration assay in the focus groups around the local infection suspected cases, and some students aged from seven to twelve years in their townships and in five different-orientation townships sampled randomly in their counties. The antibody-positive people were confirmed further by using imaging detection. RESULTS: There were 10 imported cases and 16 local infection suspected cases. Twenty canine feces were positive among 1 938 samples, and the positive rate was 1.03%. However, no pathogen was found. Of 12 473 serum samples, 72 were positive in sera immunological antibody test (0.58%), but no cystic nodules were found by imaging detection. CONCLUSION: There is no direct evidence for confirming the presence of infectious source and foci of echinococcosis in Jiangsu Province. However, the surveillance of echinococcosis is still needed.

[Effect of mass chemotherapy in late stage of soil-borne nematodiasis control].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects and influencing factors of mass chemotherapy in the late stage of soil-borne nematodiasis control so as to provide the evidence for the development of control programs. METHODS: Six villages were divided into three groups: the target chemotherapy, the selective chemotherapy and the control. By observation in three consecutive years, the indexes, mass infection rates, infection degrees and re-infections of soil-borne nematodes, were compared among the 3 groups. The influencing factors were also analyzed. RESULTS: The population infection rates of soil- borne nematodes decreased by 85.94%, 43.10% and 20.87%, respectively, in the three groups after chemotherapy compared with those before the intervention. A higher hookworm infection rate appeared and the chemotherapy effect was impacted in the target chemotherapy group, as some key population applied fresh human waste in vegetable plots. The re-infection rate was 16.65 times of the new infection rate. CONCLUSIONS: Chemotherapy is still useful in the late stage of soil-borne nematode control. It is more important to enhance management of using manure and health education on focus population.

[Epidemic situation and control of soil-transmitted nematodiasis in Jiangsu Province].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the prevalence changes and the control measures of soil-transmitted nematodiases in Jiangsu Province in the recent 20 years and evaluate the control effect, so as to explore the control strategies and measures appropriate to current epidemic characteristics. METHODS: The data on surveillance, control measures and control effect of soil-transmitted nematodiases in Jiangsu Province from 1990 to 2009 were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Different control programs were taken in different control stages in Jiangsu Province. A total of 106 916.6 thousand person-times accepted chemotherapy and 2 042.9 thousand person-times were surveyed in the last 20 years. The infection rate of soil-transmitted nematodiases was 1.31% in 2009, which decreased by 97.79% comparing with 59.32% in 1990. The results showed that the control effectiveness was significant. CONCLUSIONS: The epidemic situation of soil-transmitted nematodiases has been controlled effectively in Jiangsu province. In order to consolidate the control achievements, the control strategies should put emphasis on health education, water supply and sanitation and environment sanitation improvement, meanwhile, the surveillance and medication in key population should continue to be strengthened, as well as soil-transmitted control among migrant population.

[Process for lymphatic filariasis elimination in Jiangsu Province, China].

OBJECTIVE: To review the process of lymphatic filariasis elimination in Jiangsu Province, and summarize the control experience. METHODS: The data of epidemic status, control and surveillance of lymphatic filariasis were collected and analyzed in Jiangsu Province from 1950s to 1990s. RESULTS: Lymphatic filariasis was endemic in 71 counties (cities) among all 75 counties (cities) in Jiangsu Province. Filariasis bancrofti distributed widely in the province, and in some areas of the south of Jiangsu, there were filariasis bancrofti and Brug' s filariasis co-existing. Before 1971, the microfilaria rate (mfr) in some areas had ever reached 20. 15% , from 1979, large scale control programme was carried out and the mfr in all endemic villages decreased to below 1% , and in 1989, the rate dropped to 0.016%. By 2001, the whole regions of the province reached the criteria of filariasis elimination. CONCLUSION: The elimination of lymphatic filariasis in Jiangsu Province provides valuable experience for lymphatic filariasis control in other areas.

[Performance evaluation of rural latrine renovation in key schistosomiasis control areas, Jiangsu Province].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the hygienic, environmental, social and economic benefits achieved by rural latrine renovation in key schistosomiasis control areas, Jiangsu Province. METHODS: Eights villages (evaluation villages) that finished and the three villages (control villages) that did not finish the latrine renovation work were sampled and investigated through field visits, questionnaire, referring to information and so on, to collect relevant data, and human waste samples were detected for laboratory indicators in hygiene and environment, in key schistosomiasis control areas in three counties (cities, districts), Jiangsu Province. RESULTS: A total of 11 villages and 220 households were investigated. In the evaluation villages, the owning rate and quality conformity rate of three-format sanitary latrines were 98.6% and 98.8%, respectively. The human schistosome infection rate, intestinal parasite infection rate, the incidence of intestinal infectious diseases, and related medical costs decreased by 100%, 44.5%, 34.2% and 82.8%, respectively, compared with those before latrine renovation. In laboratory testing, the removal rates of fecal coliform values, CODcr, BOD5 and ammonia nitrogen in the third cell of household latrine were 99.99%, 68.50%, 63.17% and 52.30%, respectively, compared to those in the first cell. The village appearance had changed fundamentally, the villagers were satisfied with the latrine renovation, and their health knowledge and health behavior improved significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Rural latrine renovation in key schistosomiasis control areas has got great achievements in hygienic, environmental, social and economic benefits. It plays an important role in the promotion of schistosomiasis control, economic development and social harmony.

[Cloning, expression and evaluation on effect in serological diagnosis of cysteine protease of Clonorchis sinensis].

OBJECTIVE: To clone and express the cysteine protease of Clonorchis sinensis and evaluate its effect on immunodiagnosis of human clonorchiasis. METHODS: Based on a cysteine protease gene fragment of C. sinensis (CS-CP, GenBank accession: AF093242), a pair of primers were designed and amplified from total cDNA of C. sinensis, and the gene was cloned into plasmid pPIC9K and expressed in Pichia pastoris GS115. The expressed product was purified. Ten BALA/c mice were immunized with the purified CS-CP, and the anti CS-CP antibody in the sera of immunized mice was tested with ELISA. Finally, its effect on serodiagnosis was evaluated with Dot-ELISA and Western blot. RESULTS: The CS-CP gene (approximately 927 bp) was successfully amplified, cloned and expressed in Pichia pastoris GS115. The sera of mice immunized with purified rCS-CP could be recognized by the soluble antigen of C. sinensis adult worms and its special anti CS-CP antibody titer was high (1: 64 000). The rCS-CP was probed by Dot-ELISA and Western-blot with sera from patients with clonorchiasis and other parasitic infections, and it had a sensitivity of 91.7% (55/60) in diagnosis of clonorchiasis and a specifity of 97.6% (82/84) for healthy population. The rCS-CP had no cross-reaction with the patients of schistosomiasis japonica, but had a cross-reactivity of 20.0% (2/10) with the patients with paragonimiasis westermani. CONCLUSIONS: rCS-CP possesses a favorable diagnostic effect and it is a better serodiagnostic one among recombinant antigens.