The inhibitory effect of rBCG on EB virus-positive tumours using an EB virus fusion gene.

At present, studies have found that latent Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is associated with a variety of human tumours, and a vaccine is not available in this field. In this research, RT-PCR was used to obtain BZLF1 (immediately expressed early antigen Z) and LMP2 (latent membrane protein 2) cDNA from EBV. A ZLP2 fusion gene containing a linker sequence that encoded the polypeptide (Gly4Ser)3 was obtained using the sequence splicing overlap extension method. Then, ZLP2 was inserted into pMV261 cells, and the recombinant plasmid pMV-ZLP2 was transformed into BCG competent cells. After EB virus-positive tumour cell (NPRC18) cancer models were established with C57BL/6 J mice, tumour weight, tumour formation time and mouse survival conditions were analyzed, and flow cytometry was used to analyze the quantities of CD8 + and CD4 + T cells. HE staining was used to detect and analyze lymphocyte infiltration, and statistical analysis was used to analyze the immunological effect of recombinant BCG (rBCG). Compared with the control group, rBCG could significantly prolong the survival time of mice, slow tumour growth and delay tumour formation time. Recombinant BCG exhibits an obvious immune effect in mice and an inhibitory effect on EBV-positive cancer.Key points• AZLP2 fusion gene with BZLF1 and LMP2 of EB virus was constructed.• ZLP2 fusion gene was expressed with rBCG.• rBCG with ZLP2 has an obvious effect on EBV-positive cancer.

Diagnostic value of endometrial volume and flow parameters under 3D ultrasound acquisition in combination with serum CA125 in endometrial lesions.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to discuss the differential diagnosis value of endometrial volume and flow parameters in combination with serum carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) in endometrial benign and malignant lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data of 250 patients with endometrial lesions were retrospectively analyzed. Carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) was determined before the operation. The morphology, hemodynamics, volume and flow parameters of the endometrium were measured by transvaginal three-dimensional-power Doppler angiography (3D-PDA). The endometrial volume (EV), 3D-PDA vascular index (VI), flow index (FI) and vascularization flow index (VFI) were calculated using the virtual organ computer-aided analysis software (VOCAL). RESULTS: According to the pathological results, 202 patients (80.8%) had benign endometrial lesions and 48 patients (19.2%) had endometrial cancer (EC). The endometrium of EC patients was thicker (15.64 ± 7.26 mm vs. 9.24 ± 5.06 mm, P < 0.001), the endometrial volume was larger (9.23 ± 4.08 ml vs. 2.26 ± 3.42 ml, P < 0.001), and the flow parameters VI, FI and VFI were higher, when compared to those of benign lesions (P < 0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROCC) of VI receptors was 0.86, while the AUC of endometrial thickness (ET) was only 0.66. Therefore, the best variable for distinguishing benign and malignant endometrial lesions was VI. The level of CA125 in the EC group significantly increased (40.57 ± 17.45 vs. 17.87 ± 7.64, P < 0.001), and the level of CA125 increased (P < 0.05) with the increase in clinical grade, degree of tumor differentiation, and pelvic lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05). However, the difference in myometrial invasion was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Transvaginal 3D-PDA can clearly show the morphological and hemodynamic characteristics of endometrial lesions, and assist in the detection of EC in combination with serum CA125. This may have important clinical application value.

A study of community-acquired Mycoplasma pneumoniae in Yantai, China / Estudio de Mycoplasma pneumoniae adquirido en la comunidad en Yantai, China

Abstract Introduction: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a global disease responsible for a large number of deaths, with significant economic impact. As diagnostic tools have increased in sensitivity, understanding of the etiology of CAP has begun to change. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is one of the major pathogens causing CAP. Macrolides and related antibiotics are first-line treatments for M. pneumoniae. Macrolide resistance has been spreading for 15 years and now occurs in worldwide. We undertook the first study on macrolide resistance of M. pneumoniae in Yantai. This may be helpful to determine the appropriate therapy for CAP in this population. Objective: To investigate the rate and mechanism of macrolide resistance in Yantai. Methods: Pharyngeal swab samples were collected from adult CAP patients. Samples were assayed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and cultivated to test for M. pneumoniae. Nested PCR was used to specifically amplify M. pneumoniae 23S rRNA gene fragments containing mutations, and amplicons were analyzed by CE-SSCP for macrolide resistance mutations. Results were confirmed by sequencing. Twenty-seven strains of M. pneumoniae were isolated and the activities of nine antibiotics against M. pneumoniae were tested in vitro. Results: Out of 128 samples tested, 27 were positive for M. pneumoniae. Mycoplasma 100% macrolides resistance to Mycoplasma pneumoniae. The mechanism of macrolides resistance was A2063G point mutation in the sequence directly binding to macrolides in the 23S rRNA V domain in vitro. The mean pyretolytic time for the fluoroquinolone group was 4.7 ±2.9 d, which was significantly shorter than 8.2 ±4.1 d for the azithromycin group. Conclusions: Macrolides are not the first-line treatment for M. pneumoniae respiratory tract infections in Yantai.

Resumen Introducción: Neumonía adquirida por en la comunidad (NAC) es una enfermedad responsable por un gran número de muertes y un impacto económico importante. Debido a que el diagnostico incrementó la sensibilidad, se cambió la etiología de la NAC. Adicionalmente, Mycoplasma pneumoniae es uno de los patógenos que causan la NAC. Los macrólidos y antibióticos relacionados son la primera línea de tratamiento para M. pneumoniae. La resistencia a macrólidos se aumentó en los últimos 15 años y ahora se encuentra distribuido en todo el mundo. Nosotros realizamos el primer estudio de resitencia a M. pneumoniae a los macrólidos en Yantai. Esto podría ser útil para determinar una terapia apropiada para NAC en esta población. Objetivo: Investigar la tasa y el mecanismo para la resitencia a los macrólidos en Yantai. Métodos: Se colectaron muestras faringeas usando un hisopo. Las muestras se analizaron mediante la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR) y por cultivo para M. pneumoniae. Se uso una PCR anidad para amplificar fragmentos del gen 23S rRNA especifico con las mutaciones para M. pneumoniae. Se analizaron amplicomes por CE-SSCP para determinar la resitencia a los macrólidos. Estos resultados se confirmaron por secuenciación. Se aislaron 27 cepas de M. pneumoniae y se probaron nueve antibióticos in vitro. Resultados: De 128 muestras, 27 fueron positivas para M. pneumoniae. Se determinó una resistencia a macrólidos por Mycoplasma del 100%. Los mecanismos de esta resitencia fue una mutacion punctual A2063G en la secuencia que se une directamente a los macrólidos en el dominio 23S rRNA V in vitro. El tiempo piotolítico medio para el grupo de fluoroquinolonas fue 4.7 ±2.9 d, que fue significativamente más corto que para el grupo de azitromicina: 8.2 ±4.1 d. Conclusiones: Los macrólidos no son la primera linea de tratamiento para las infecciones del tracto respiratorio contra M. pneumoniae respiratory tract infections en Yantai.

Microbiological and clinical data analysis of 32 patients with Nocardia infections in Yantai

Background/aim: Nocardia is an opportunistic pathogen that mostly affects hosts with immune deficiencies. Recently, the widespread use of immunosuppressive agents and antitumor drugs has led to an increasing number of Nocardia infections being reported. However, it is difficult to confirm this diagnosis owing to the slow growth of the bacterium and its complex resultant clinical manifestations, potentially delaying treatment and increasing mortality. Thus, further knowledge on the clinical characteristics of Nocardia infection is required. Hence, this study aimed to review the demographics, comorbidities, clinical presentation, microbiology, treatment, and outcomes of Nocardia infections in Yantai. Materials and methods: This is a retrospective study including 32 patients identified to have Nocardia infection from the Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital. The relevant patient samples were collected by two researchers, while the other researchers analyzed the relevant data. Results: The male to female ratio among the 32 patients was 3:5, and 23 patients (71.9%) were immunocompromised. Pulmonary sites of infection were the most common (65.6% of patients). N. brasiliensis infections were present in 25.0% and N. asteroides infections were present in 21.9% of patients. Because of limited biotechnological resources, Nocardia spp. in 50.0% of cases were not classified. The TMP-SMX resistance rate among isolates was 9.4%. All isolates were susceptible to amikacin, ceftriaxone, and imipenem. Conclusion: In Yantai, immunocompromised patients predominate among cases of Nocardia infection. The rate of occurrence was higher in females than in males. Because of potential TMP-SMX resistance, treatment for Nocardia infection should be based on drug susceptibility or should include combination therapy.

Capsaicin enhances the antitumor activity of sorafenib in hepatocellular carcinoma cells and mouse xenograft tumors through increased ERK signaling.

Sorafenib, a small inhibitor of tyrosine protein kinases, is currently the standard chemotherapy drug for the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although sorafenib improves the survival of HCC patients, its efficacy is not optimal and requires further improvement. Capsaicin, the major active component of chili peppers from the genus Capsicum, is not only the agonist of TRPV1 channel, but also displays antitumor activity and enhances the sensitivity of cancer cells to cytotoxic drugs. In this study, we investigated the antitumor effects of combined sorafenib and capsaicin on HCC cells in vitro and xenograft tumors. Treatment with capsaicin alone dose-dependently inhibited the proliferation of the HCC cell lines PLC/PRF/7, HuH7 and HepG2 with IC50 values of 137, 108 and 140.7 µmol/L, respectively. No obvious expression of TRPV1 channel was detected in the 3 HCC cell lines and TRPV1 channel blockers did not alleviate the cytotoxicity of capsaicin. By contrast, combining capsaicin and sorafenib significantly enhanced the suppression on cell proliferation, achieving a high-level synergistic effect (inhibition rates over 50%) and promoting HCC cell apoptosis. In nude mice with PLC/PRF/5 xenografts, combined administration of capsaicin and sorafenib significantly enhanced the suppression on tumor growth without apparent gross toxicity compared to either agent alone. Mechanistically, capsaicin (10-200 µmol/L) dose-dependently increased the levels of phosphorylated ERK (p-ERK) in PLC/PRF/5 cells, thus leading to enhanced sorafenib sensitivity and a synergistic suppression on the tumor cells. Taken together, our results suggest that capsaicin-increased phosphorylation of ERK contributes to the enhanced antitumor activity of sorafenib, and capsaicin may be useful in improving the efficacy of sorafenib for the treatment of HCC.

Clinical data analysis of 19 cases of community-acquired adenovirus pneumonia in immunocompetent adults.

The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of clinical manifestations, laboratory tests and imaging changes of community-acquired adenovirus pneumonia in immunocompetent adults. A retrospective study was performed on 19 adult community-acquired adenovirus pneumonia cases in Yantai, whereby the clinical data were collected and analyzed. Of 19 cases, 14 (73.68%) had fever and 17 (89.47%) had cough symptoms. Moreover, 14 cases (73.68%) had normal white blood cell counts, while 11 cases (57.89%) exhibited a reduction in lymphocyte proportion. Among the 19 cases, 17 cases exhibited lesions in a single lung, while 2 cases involved bilateral lungs. The lesions predominantly exhibited ground glass-like changes. The clinical manifestations of adult community-acquired adenovirus pneumonia patients with normal immune functions were mild, with such presenting symptoms as fever, cough, and sputum; most patients did not exhibit high levels of white blood cells or low lymphocyte counts, and the imaging features (ground glass-like effusion) were indicative of single-lung involvement.

PTA wastewater molecular toxicity detected with gene chip.

The purified terephthalic acid (PTA) petrochemical wastewater molecular toxicity detected by use of Mouse Genome 430A 2.0 GeneChip was conducted in this research. The toxic dose to male mice was 0.03 g/(kg x d) of PTA in the wastewater. The mice liver total RNA was isolated as the temple for synthesis of cDNA and then the cDNA as the temple for synthesis of cRNA. Hybridizing the cRNA with the target genes on the gene chip, there were 232 genes expression levels up-regulated and 74 genes down-regulated discovered obviously. The foremost 40 genes for both the highest and the lowest expression levels involved endogenetic steroid and hormone metabolism, immune system, the leukocyte activity and inflammation, detoxification in liver, reproduction and growth hormone, regulation immune factors of anti-tumor and anti-infection and cancer to the mice sampled. The data suggest the PTA wastewater contained over 5 aromatics and their toxicities integrated were much higher than the pure chemical PTA. And the pure chemical PTA toxicities data cannot be used to evaluate the toxicity of the PTA wastewater instead.