Studies on the Mutagenicity of Hair Dyes Made in China

A total of 13 commercial hair dye products made in China were tested for mutagenicity in 2 short-term bioassays, the histidine-requiring mutants of Sahnonella typhhnurium (strains TA98 and TA100) and the micronucleus test with mouse bone-marrow polychromatic erythrocyte cells in vivo. The results showed that the 13 hair dyes were not mutagenic in strains TA98 and TA100 with and without S-9. In the micronucleus test, no mutagenic effect was observed.     

Experimental St■■■es on the Mutagenicity of Hydroxypiperaquine Phosphate

The mutagenicity of hydroxypiperaquine phosphate (HPQP) was detected by a battery of assays including Amestest, chromosomal aberration test in vitro, micronucleus testand dominant lethal test The results obtained have shownthe absence of mutagenicity of HPQP up to the inhibitoryconcentration to Salmonella typhimurium TA97a. TA98.TA100 and TA102 with or without S-9 mix. The incidence     

Study on the Mutagenicity of Diesel Exhaust Particles

The mutagenicity of diesel exhaust particles(DEP)was studied by using Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98 and TA100 in vitro and mice micronucleus in vivo test.DEP from six kinds of medium and heavy-duty diesel vehicles,which were made in China and imported,were tested.The vehicles wer eoperated under free accelerating condition.The results showed that the EP contained mutagenic activity.An increase in the number of the Salmonella TA98 was observed in the presence and especially in the absence of S9 Mmix.Positive results were also obtained from mice micronucleus assay.The frequency of mice bone marrow micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes(M PCE)was increased and it showed a definite dose-response relationship.Comparing the different types of the vehicles,we found that the mutagenicity of DEP from domestic made vehicles was stronger than that from the imported ones.     

Mutagenicity and Induction of Drug—metabolizing Enzyme Activity by LPG Combustion Particulates in Rats

Methylene chloride extracts of particulates from liquefied petroleum gas(LPG)combustion appliance were studied by using Ames test,micronucleus test and inducibility of pulmonary and hepatic aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase(AHH)and glutathione S-transferase(GST)in rats.The extracts showed mutagenicity for Salmonella typhimurium strain TA98 and its derivatives TA98NR and TA98/1,8-DNP6 with or without S9 mix.The revertants in strains TA98NR and TA98/1,8-DNP6 were less than 40%and 50% of than in strain TA98 without S9 mix,respectively.Positive results were obtained in mouse bone marrow micronucleus assay.Intratracheal instillation of the extracts led to increase in pulmonary(but not hepatic)AHH and GST activities in rats.In was seen that AHH was more sensitive than GST to induction by the extracts.     

Mutagenicity of Urine From Individuals Exposed to LPG Combustion Products

The mutagenicity of urine from individuals exposed to the combustion products of liquefied petroleum gas(LPG)was detected with Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and its newly developed derivatives YG1021(nitroreductase overproducing)and YG1024(O-acetyltransferase overproducing).The detection showed significantly increased mutagenicity for two YG strains and increased positive rates for all three strains in the presence of both rat liver S9 and β－glucuronidase.Further analysis demonstrated that urine samples taken from smoking and non-smoking exposed individuals exhibited significatly higher mutagenic potency(revertants/10μl urine concentrate)than their corresponding controls.These results indicate that the increased urine mutagenicity is caused by the exposure to LPG combustion products or smoking.The mutagenic potency of urine samples of all exposed individuals tested with YG 1024 was found to be about 7 times higher than with TA98.The difference in mutagenic potency was smaller for the same samples when comparison was made betweenTG1021 and TA98.This suggests that the mutagenic compounds present in the urine samples contain mainly armatic compounds as glucuronide conjugates.Our results demonstrate that YG1024 is more sensitive than TA98 in detecting the mutagenicity of these samples.In addition ,no significant difference in the mutagenic potency between the‘pure’ exposed(non-smokers‘) and the ‘pure’ smokers’(unexposed) samples was found in all three tester strains.This might mean that the exposure extent of mutagens/carcinogens in LPG combustion products for exposed individuals roughly corresponds to the smoking level of smokers who smoke 20-40 cigarettes per day.Furthermore,the results also suggest that synergism might exist in the mutagenic effects of exposure to LPG combustion products and cigarette smoking.     

Pure Mucinous Carcinoma of the Breast：a Clinicopathologic Analysis with 56 Patients

Objective To assess recent trends and prognostic features in the treatment of pure mucinous carcinoma（PMC） of the breast.Methods Fifty-six patients diagnosed with PMC of the breast in our hospital from December 1982 to June 2008 were included.We evaluated the general information and tumor characteristics of the patients,examined the relationship between these factors and prognosis.Fisher＇s exact test was applied to analyze tumor characteristics.Results The mean age of the patients was 53.7 years.The majority of the patients presented with early stage disease.Tumor size was found not a significant prognostic factor in this study.Mean follow-up period was 39 months and no breast cancer-related deaths were identified in the patient cohort.Conclusions PMC of the breast has a favorable prognosis.Tumor size does not appear to significantly impact survival.     

Potential association of lead exposure during early development of mice with alteration of hippocampus nitric oxide levels and learning memory

Objective Chronic lead （Pb） exposure during development is known to produce learning deficits. Nitric oxide participates in the synaptic mechanisms involved in certain forms of learning and memory. This study was designed to clarify whether Pb-induced impairment in learning and memory was associated with the changes of nitric oxide levels in mice brains. Methods Sixty Balb/c mice aged l0 days were chosen. A model of lead exposure was established by drinking 0.025%, 0.05% 0.075% lead acetate, respectively for 8 weeks. The controls were orally given distilled water. The ability to learn and memorize was examined by open field test, T-water maze test. In parallel with the behavioral data, NO level of hippocampus tissue was detected by biochemical assay. Results Compared with control groups, （1） the weight of 0.075% group was significantly reduced （P〈0.05）; （2） The number of times in mice attaining the required standards in T-water maze test was lower in 0.075% group （P〈0.01）. No significant difference was found between experimental and control groups in open field test （P〉0.05）; （3） NO level of mouse hippocampus tissue was decreased in 0.075% group （P〈0.01）. Conclusions The findings suggest that decreased hippocampus NO level may contribute to the Pb-induced deficits in learning and memory processes.     

Expression of CⅡTA Gene in Five Human Malignant Hematological Cell Lines and Its Significance

The role of MHC class Ⅱ transactivator (CⅡTA) in constitutive or IFN-γ inducib|e expression of HLA molecules in human malignant hematological cell lines was investigated. The expression of HLA molecules and CⅡTA protein was detected by Western blot, immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. The expression of CⅡTA gene was determined by RT-PCR. The capability of peripheral blood T cell reaction stimulated by tumor cells was monitored by mixed lymphocyte reaction. It was found that the HLA Ⅱ-positive tumor cells expressed the CⅡTA quite well, andthe expression of HLA Ⅰ＋Ⅱ was increased in the tumor cells with constitutive or inducible expression of CⅡTA after induced by IFN-γ. The tumor cells which did not express CⅡTA after in-duced by IFN-γ were not response to the expression of HLA Ⅱ promoted by IFN-γ. It suggests a correlation between the inability of some malignant hematological cell lines in response to IFN-γ for HLA expression and the deficiency in the inducible expression of CⅡTA, indicating CⅡTA might take part in the regu|ation of HLA Ⅰ＋Ⅱ expression in the tumor cells, which might p|ay an important role in tumor immunologic escape.     

Application of immunosuppressant facilitates the therapy of optic neuritis combined with Sj（o）gren＇s syndrome

Background Optic neuritis （ON） is often the first symptom of multiple sclerosis （MS） and neuromyelitis optica （NMO） while there has been very little research reported on ON combined with Sj（o）gren＇s syndrome （SS）.The aim of this study is to provide different treatments and services for and NMO patients combined with SS.Methods Twenty-seven patients with ON combined SS were divided into two groups：corticosteroid group （C group,methylprednisolone sodium succinate,14 patients） and corticosteroid＋ immunosuppressant group （C＋I group,leflunomide,13 patients）.ON relapse times in 1 year after treatment,number of patients who relapsed to NMO/MS in 1 years,visual acuity and retina nerve fiber layer （RNFL） thickness were measured.Mann Whitney-Wilcoxon test was used to compare continuous variables and Chi-square test or Fisher＇s exact test was to compare proportions.Results ON combined with SS patients had higher incidence rates in middle-aged women who have binocular damage and heavier visual function damage or when there is an easy relapse,and the patients are often hormone dependent.The patients are more likely anti-aquaporin-4 IgG seropositive （70.4％）.They are liable to form a centrocecal scotoma and tubular vision.The times of relapse decreased in patients who used immunosuppressant,and a significant difference was found between immunosuppressant and non-immunosuppressant groups in visual acuity recovery during 6-month followup period （P ＜0.05）; however,the RNFL thickness at the four quadrants was not significantly different.Conclusions The effect of immunosuppressant plus corticosteroid on the early onset of ON combined with SS was to provide ON remedy and to prevent recurrence in clinics.This study provides a significant reference for the prevention and treatment of ON on the basis of immunosuppressant and corticosteroid.     

Pharmacological effects of scorpin venom associating with activities of nerve cells and regulation of inflammatory cells

Objective To study scorpin venom from Buthus martensii pharmacological effects on activities of nerve cells and regulation of inflammatory cells. Methods We applied the rabbit biventer cervicis muscle, venom （0.1 mg/ml） abolished nerve-mediated twitches.This inhibition was established by prior incubation of the venom with the phospholipase A inhibitor. Venom produced dose-dependant contractions of the rat colon. Including tumor associated macrophage （TAM）, mast cell （MC） and eosinophil leucocyte （EL） densities and angiogenesis, as well as the relation of TAM, MC and EL densities and anglogenesis to tumor stage were investigated in specimens of 63 non-small cell lung carcinoma （NSCLC）. Results 33 the rabbit phrenic nerve diaphragm preparation displayed greater sensitivity to venom. In the rabbit biventer muscle, venom fraction inhibited responses to acetylcholine but not KC1, indicating activity at post-synaptic nicotinic receptors. Venom did not show direct muscle stimulation. Contractile responses were signifcantly inhibited by indomethacin （1 mM） or prior incubation of the venom. There was statistically significant correlation between tumor＇s stage and TAM and EL counts. MC count and NVES were found to be higher in early stages. Conclusion The differing results may be due to wide variations in methodologies which were used for demonstration of inflammatory cells and vessels and variations in the degree of activation and complexity of functions of these cells.     

Study of Relationship between Mycobacterium tuberculosis Beijing Family and Epidemiological Characteristics of Tuberculosis in the Northwestern Region of Russia

The study aims to investigate the relationship of genotypes and dynamics of drug resistance of MBT （Mycobacterium Tuberculosis） in North-West territories. Patients with pulmonary tuberculosis from areas with similar epidemical situation but different trends were selected using random sampling technique： the first group--90 patients from the Pskov region, and the second--90 patients from the Kaliningrad region. Genotyping of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains was performed by test system of CJSC ＂Syntol＂ Russia ＂Amplitub-Beijing＂. Drug sensitivity of MBT was determined by the method of absolute concentrations on Lowenstein medium. The frequency of determination of MBT Beijing family is found equal in 45.6% of cases in the Pskov and Kaliningrad regions. Excretion of drug-resistant M/3T in the Pskov region was higher （61.1%） than that in Kaliningrad （45.6%）. Beijing strains identified in similar high proportion of drug resistance （85.4% and 80.5%）, including MDR （multidrug resistance） （58.5% or 65.9%） in the territories. Among ＂not Beijing＂ family strains in the Pskov region drug resistance was in 40.8%, which is 2.5 times more than that in Kaliningrad region （16.3%, P 〈 0.01）. More significant differences are obtained in MDR cases： 32.7% and 6.1%, P 〈 0.001. MBT Beijing family dominates in the Northwest and growth of DR （drug resistance） and MDR of MBT is mainly due to this family MBT. But ＂not Beijing＂ strains also significantly often acquire drug resistance. Along with the MBT genotype, the differences in the epidemiological trends may be associated with problems in TB treatment organization.     

Purification and characterization of anti-clotting protein component （ACPF-7221） from venom of Agkistrodon acutus

Background Snake venom contains a number of components with different pharmacological and biological activities, especially in cancer therapy, and has increasingly become a research focus. This study was designed to isolate and purify a novel anti-clotting protein component from the venom of Agkistrodon acutus, and to explore its physico-chemical properties and biological activity. Methods The venom of Agkistrodon was isolated and purified by ion-exchange chromatography on diethylaminoethyl （DEAE）-Sepharose Fast Flow, molecular sieve filtration through Sephadex G75, SP-Sepharose Fast Flow and molecular sieve filtration through Sephadex G50. We detected the activated partial thromboplastin time （APTT） of the eluant to select the anti-clotting protein component of interest. The molecular weight was determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamid gel electrphoresis （SDS-PAGE） and liquid chromatography. Its protein content was detected by bicinchoninic acid （BCA）. Results SDS-PAGE vertical gel electrophoresis showed that the anticoagulant factor is a tripolymer composed of three proteins whose molecular weights are 25 KDa, 30 KDa and 50 KDa. The factor contains about 65% percent protein. Conclusions A novel anti-clotting protein component was purified by ion-exchange chromatography and molecular sieve filtration from the venom of Agkistrodon acutus and was found to be composed of three kinds of proteins.     

Evaluation on Antisperm Antibody in Infertile Men with Oligoasthenoteratozoospermia

To evaluate the level of antisperm antibody （ASA） in infertile men with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia （OAT）. Methods Forty-six infertile men with OAT were enrolled into this study. Sperm samples were screened by the direct immunobead test for ASA type IgG and lgA according to the WHO laboratory manual. Results Of the 46 patients with OAT assessed for ASA-IgG, 2 had immunobead binding which were 22% and 27%, respectively, and the sub-positive rate was 4.3%. No case had the clinical positive level according to the WHO criteria （ ≥ 50% of the motile sperm with immunobead binding）. ASA-IgA was not detected in all cases. Conclusion A significant incidence or high level of ASA could not be found in infertile men with OAT, which suggests that ASA is not associated with the pathogenesis of infertile men with OAT.     

HLA-DRB genotype and specific IgE responses in patients with allergies to penicillins

Background Because of the pivotal role of the human leukocyte antigen （HLA） class II molecules in regulating the immune response and their extensive polymorphism, it is not surprising that particular HLA class II alleles have been implicated in susceptibility to allergic diseases and in restriction of the IgE responses to a variety of allergens. We investigated the relationship between HLA-DRB genotype and allergies to various penicillins and explored HLA-DRB restriction of IgE responses to these derivatives of penicillin. Methods Radioallergosorbent test was used to examine 8 kinds of specific IgE antibodies （4 major and 4 minor antigenic determinants） in the sera of 248 patients with an allergy to penicillins and 101 healthy subjects without any allergic reaction. Some （113 patients and 87 healthy control subjects） were chosen from all subjects to type for HLA-DRB alleles by sequence specific primer-polymerase chain reaction. Results Compared with control subjects, a sign/ficantly increased frequency of DR9 was present in 77 patients with allergic reactions, with immediate hypersensitive reaction and with urticaria （P = 0.011; P = 0.019; P = 0.005 respectively）. Conversely, a significantly decreased frequency of DR14.1 was found in 80 patients with positive IgE antibodies, with immediate reaction and with urticaria compared with control group （P = 0.024; P = 0.038; P = 0.038）. A possible excess of HLA-DR17 was found in subjects who were responsive to benzylpenicilloyl compared with those were not （X^2 = 5.134, P = 0.023）, and of HLA-DR4 was found in subjects responsive to phenoxomethylpenicillanyl （PVA, X^2 = 4.057, P = 0.044）. Conclusion I-ILA-DRB gene may be involved in allergy to pcnicillins through modulating spvcific serum IgE to penicillins.     

Biocompatibility of KLD-12 peptide hydrogel as a scaffold in tissue engineering of intervertebral discs in rabbits

KLD-12 peptide with a sequence of AcN-KLDLKLDLKLDL-CNH2 was synthesized and its biocompatibility was assessed in animals. Rabbit MSCs were cultured in the hydrogel for 2 weeks. Live cells were counted by using Calcein-AM/P1 fluorescence staining. MTT was employed to assess the viability of MSCs cultured in KLD-12 peptide solution of 0.01%, 0.03%, and 0.05%. Hemolysis test, skin irritation test and implantation test were conducted to evaluate its biocompatibility with host tissues. Our results demonstrated that the MSCs in hydrogel grew well and maintained round shape. Cell survival rate was 92.15% （mean： 92.15%±1.17%） at the 7th day and there was no difference in survival rate between day 7 and day 14. Cell proliferation test showed that the A value of the KLD-12 solutions was not significantly different from that of control groups （complete culture media） （P〉0.05） at the 24th and 48th h. The hemolysis rate of KLD-12 solution was 0.112%. Skin irritation test showed that the skin injected with KLD-12 solution remained normal and the score of skin irritation was 0. The histological examination with HE staining exhibited that the skin layers were clear and there was no infiltration with neutrophilic granulocytes and lymphocytes. It is concluded that KLD-12 peptide hydrogel bad a good biocompatibility with host rabbit and MSCs, and KLD-12 pep- tide hydrogel can provide an appropriate microenvironment for MSCs.     

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in CAPN10 Gene of Chinese People and Its Correlation With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Han People of Northern China

To investigate the distribution of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in CAPN10 gene in Chinese population and their relation with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Han people of Northern China. Methods CAPN10 gene was sequenced to detect SNPs in different nationalities of China. Five SNPs were chosen to perform case-control study and haplotype analysis in 156 normal Han people of Northern China and 173 type 2 diabetes. One SNP was also analyzed with transmission-disequilibrium test (TDT) and sib transmissiondisequilibrium test (STDT) in 68 type 2 diabetes pedigrees (37Tpeople). Results A total of 40 SNPs were identified in length of 8 936bp, with an average of 1 in every 223bp. The SNPs in CAPN10 gene did not distribute evenly and the SNPs in Chinese were different from those reported in Mexican American. There was no significantly statistical difference in the allele frequency of the 5 SNPs between case and control, and the haplotype frequencies in the two groups were not significantly different. No positive results was found in TDT and STDT analysis. Conclusions The SNP distribution of CAPN10 gene differs in different nationalities. The studied SNPs in CAPN10 gene may not be the major susceptibility ones of type 2 diabetes mellitus in Han people of Northern China.     

Clinical observation on the efficacy of Xiaoshui decoction (消水方) combined with intrapleural perfusion of cisplatin in treating malignant pleural effusion

Objective： To observe the clinical efficacy of Xiaoshui decoction （XSD,消水方） combined with intrapleural perfusion of cisplatin in the treatment of malignant pleural effusion. Methods： Fifty-one patients with malignant pleural effusion were randomly assigned to two groups. The treated group patients） received oral administration of XSD combined with intrapleural perfusion of cisplatin, and control group （25 patients） was only treated with intrapleural perfusion of cisplatin. The effects of 26 he he short-term efficacy, quality of life scores and clinical symptom scores of malignant pleural effusion were evaluated. Results： The short-term efficacy in the treated group and the control group was 72.0% and 58.3%, respectively, and no significant difference was found （P〉0.05）. In contrast, the quality of life in the treated group was significantly improved compared to that of the control group （P〈0.05）, and so was the symptom remission （P〈0.05）. Conclusions： The combined therapy of XSD and intrapleural perfusion of cisplatin did not show obvious improvement in short-term efficacy, but the therapy remarkably alleviated the symptoms and improved the quality of life of patients.     

Expression of Heat Shock Protein 70 and 27 in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer and Its Clinical Significance

The heat shock proteins （HSPs） 70 and HSP 27 expression in patients with non-small cell lung cancer （NSCLC） was studied and the relation.ship between HSP 70 and HSP 27 with the clinicopathological features of NSCLC was investigated. The expression of HSP 70 and HSP 27 was detected in tumor tissues from 60 patients with NSCLC by S-P immunohistochemistry. The findings were analyzed in combination with the histological types, histopathological differentiation, lymph node metastasis, patients＇ clinical stages, smoking history and gender. The results showed that of the 60 NSCLC tissue specimens studied, the immunoreactivity of HSP 70 and HSP 27 was detected in 47 （78.3 %） and 43 （71.7 %） specimens, respectively. A positive correlation was found between the overexpression of HSP 70 and HSP 27. The histopathological differentiation, lymph node metastasis, clinical stages and smoking history were correlated to the expression of HSP 70, but not to the expression of HSP 27. No statistical significance was observed in histological types and gender with respect to both HSP 70 and HSP 27 expression. It is suggested that the HSP 70 expression is a powerful and significant prognostic indicator and is related to histopathological differentiation, lymph node metastasis, patients＇ clinical stages, smoking history, whereas HSP 27 expression is not.     

尖吻蝮蛇血凝酶对腹部外科手术患者切口止血作用及安全性的多中心随机对照研究

Background Hemocoagulase Agkistrodon for injection is a single component thrombin which has passed phases I and II clinical trials. The purpose of this phase III clinical trial was to evaluate the effect of Hemocoagulase Agkistrodon on hemostasis and coagulation in abdominal skin and subcutaneous incisions and to assess the safety of this agent in surgical patients. Methods This is a phase III, prospective, randomized, double-blind, and controlled multicenter clinical trial including 432 consecutive patients randomized into either a study group （injected with hemocoagulase Agkistrodon at 2 U, n=-324） or a control group （injected with hemocoagulase Atrox, n=108）. The hemostatic time, hemorrhagic volume, hemorrhagic volume per unit area, blood coagulation, and adverse events were measured and compared between the two groups. Results The mean hemostatic time in the study group was （36.8±18.7） seconds; the hemorrhagic volume was （3.77±3.93） g; and the hemorrhagic volume per unit area was （0.091±0.125） g/cm2. In the control group, the corresponding values were （38.1±19.7） seconds, （4.00±4.75） g, and （0.095±0.101） g/cm2, respectively. No significant difference in values existed between the two groups （P 〉0.05）. Blood coagulation results and hepatic and renal function were also similar between the two groups. Adverse events were reported in two cases, but were deemed non-drug-related. Conclusions Hemocoagulase Agkistrodon has good hemostatic and coagulative function and is safe for the use of arresting capillary hemorrhage that occurs while incising the abdomen during surgery.     

Atrial natriuretic peptide gene polymorphism is not associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Background Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy （HCM） is a primary autosomal dominant inheritant myocardial disease with heterogeneity in clinical manifestations, natural history and prognosis. Even carrying an identical gene mutation among family members, a va[iety of clinical phenotypes have been found in patients with HCM. Modifier genes may contribute to the diversity. The plasma levels of atrial natriuretic peptides （ANP） were found previously to be elevated in HCM. Our studies suggested that ANP gene promoter polymorphism is associated with left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertension. The present study aimed to determine whether the two SNPs in the ANP gene are associated with HCM Methods We determined the relationships between the ANP gene polymorphism and HCM in 262 HCM patients and 614 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals. All of the subjects were genotyped for -A2843G and A188G polymorphisms. Results The genotype frequency in the -A2843G and A188G polymorphisms of the ANP gene was not significantly different between the HCM patients and controls. The -A2843G and A188G polymorphisms were also not associated with clinical phenotype in cardiomyopathy patients. Conclusions The polymorphisms of the ANP gene are not associated with increasing risk of HCM or clinical phenotypes. The variations of the ANP gene may not serve as a genetic modifier for the development of HCM.