Research Progress of Radical Treatment of Helicobacter Pylori Based on Drug Sensitivity Test as First-Line Treatment

Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection is a global problem that affects about half of the world’s population and requires sufficient attention in clinical and scientific work. Due to differences in economic and medical conditions among countries around the world, there is currently no unified treatment plan for anti-HP. In China, empirical quadruple therapy is mainly used. With the abuse of antibiotics, many patients face the problem of secondary eradication after failure, and the resistance rate of HP is gradually increasing. After eradication failure, drug sensitivity cultivation is carried out to choose sensitive antibiotics for treatment. A new strategy is currently needed to address how to improve the eradication rate of HP during the first eradication. This article aims to discuss the first-line treatment plans and research progress for eradicating HP based on drug sensitivity testing before eradication. Compared with traditional empirical therapies, treatment based on drug sensitivity results can effectively improve the eradication rate of HP, and reduce drug resistance rates, and adverse reactions, among other benefits. .

Analysis of Culture and Drug Sensitivity Tests of Mycoplasmas for 387 Patients with Nongonococcal Urethritis (Cervicitis) in Chongqing

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of myco-plasma infections and the sensitivity to antibiotics among patients with nongonococcal urethritis or cer-vicitis (NGU) in Chongqing. Methods: 387 NGU cases with mycoplasma-positive results upon culture were analysed retrospectively. RESULTS: The majority of patients with mycoplasma infections were in the 20-40 year old age group. No significant difference was found between males and females. Ureaplasma urealyticum is the main pathogen of these NGU cases and no clear relationship between its concentration and pathogenic ability was noted. Drug sensitivity was tested against nine antibiotics; the sensitivity rates to josamycim, minocycline and doxycycline were 94.06%, 88.89% and 86.82% respectively, while the resistance rates to lincomycin, ofloxacin, azithromycin and roxthromycin were 74.94%, 42.12%, 41.60% and 40.31% in turn. Conclusions: Josamycin, minocycline and doxycycline could be used as the first choice to treat NGU with mycoplasma infections in Chongqing. It is important to select antibiotics for NGU treatment with mycoplasma infections based on the results of drug sensitivity tests.

Patch testing and cross sensitivity study of adverse cutaneous drug reactions due to anticonvulsants: A preliminary report

AIM To evaluate the utility of patch test and cross-sensitivity patterns in patients with adverse cutaneous drug reactions(ACDR) from common anticonvulsants. METHODS Twenty-four(M:F = 13:11) patients aged 18-75 years with ACDR from anticonvulsants were patch tested 3-27 mo after complete recovery using carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbitone, lamotrigine, and sodium valproate in 10%, 20% and 30% conc. in pet. after informed consent. Positive reactions persisting on D3 and D4 were considered significant. RESULTS Clinical patterns were exanthematous drug rash with or without systemic involvement(DRESS) in 18(75%), Stevens-Johnsons syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis(SJS/TEN) overlap and TEN in 2(8.3%) patients each, SJS and lichenoid drug eruption in 1(4.2%) patient each, respectively. The implicated drugs were phenytoin in 14(58.3%), carbamazepine in 9(37.5%), phenobarbitone in 2(8.3%), and lamotrigine in 1(4.7%) patients,respectively. Twelve(50%) patients elicited positive reactions to implicated drugs; carbamazepine in 6(50%), phenytoin alone in 4(33.3%), phenobarbitone alone in 1(8.3%), and both phenytoin and phenobarbitone in 1(8.33%) patients, respectively. Cross-reactions occurred in 11(92%) patients. Six patients with carbamazepine positive patch test reaction showed cross sensitivity with phenobarbitone, sodium valproate and/or lamotrigine. Three(75%) patients among positive phenytoin patch test reactions had cross reactions with phenobarbitone, lamotrigine, and/or valproate. CONCLUSION Carbamazepine remains the commonest anticonvulsant causing ACDRs and cross-reactions with other anticonvulsants are possible. Drug patch testing appears useful in DRESS for drug imputability and cross-reactions established clinically.

Isolation and Identification of Pseudomonas solanacearum and Its Drug Sensitivity Test

Ten pathogenic strains were isolated fi-om gingers infected by blast, and were identified by substrate utilization test and biochemical test. The identifica- tion results showed that these ten strains accorded with the basic characteristics of Pseudomonas solanacearum. Drug sensitivity test of ten strains was carried out, and prevention agents were screened to provide an experimental basis for the control of ginger blast.

Drug Sensitivity Test and Regression Verification of Escherichia coli from Rex Rabbit

[ Objectives] The paper aimed to select drugs reasonably for treatment of rex rabbit colibacillosis, and to isolate the pathogenicity of Escherichia coll. [ Methods ] Pathogen isolation, drug sensitivity test and pathogen regression test were performed with rex rabbits killed by E. coli in clinic. [ Results] The isolate was E. coli 0-23, susceptible to amikacin and cefotaxime sodium; when the challenge dose was 1.0 mL/rabbit （about one billion E. coli）, the test animal would discharge mucous feces. [ Conclusions] The results provided model support for clinical medicine selection against rex rabbit colibacillosis.

Isolation, Identification and Drug Sensitivity Test of a Pathogenic Escherichia coli Strain from Minks with Diarrhea

[Objectives] The study aimed to identify the pathogen that causes diarrhea in minks. [Methods] Liver tissues were aseptically collected from dead minks with diarrhea. By bacterial isolation and culture,morphological observation,biochemical test and pathogenicity test,the isolated strain was identified as pathogenic E. coli. [Results]The pathogen causing diarrhea in minks was confirmed as a pathogenic E. coli strain. Drug sensitivity test indicated that the isolated pathogenic E. coli strain was highly sensitive to ceftazidime,cefotaxime,enrofloxacin,florfenicol and cephradine,moderately sensitive to ampicillin,ciprofloxacin,amikacin,doxycycline,lincomycin and gentamycin,and resistant to amoxycillin,neomycin,spectinomycin,polymyxin and penicillin. [Conclusions] This study provided reference for the prevention and control of abortion in female minks in Qinhuangdao region.

Test and Study of the Rock Pressure Sensitivity for KeLa-2 Gas Reservoir in the Tarim Basin

KeLa-2 gas reservoir is the largest uncompartimentalized gas field so far discovered in China, with a reserve of hundreds of billions of cubic meters of dry gas. It has such features as extremely long interval (550m), high pressure (74.5MPa) and pressure coefficient (2.022). Gas reservoirs with a pressure coefficient of over 2.0 are not commonly found. The abnormal high-pressure reservoirs are quite different in characteristic and performance during the process of depletion exploitation. Therefore, it is necessary to know the property of pressure sensitivity for this abnormal high-pressure reservoir. The aim of this paper is to test the reservoir pressure sensitivity and to analyze its effect on the deliverability of gas. Through some experiments, the permeability change with the confining pressure of rock samples from KeLa-2 abnormal high-pressure gas reservoir is measured. A power function is used to match the measured data, and to derive an empirical equation to describe the change of permeability through the change of the reservoir pressure or effective overburden pressure. Considering the permeability change during the development of reservoirs, a conventional deliverability equation is modified, and the deliverability curve for KeLa-2 gas reservoir is predicted. The research indicates that the extent of the pressure sensitivity of rock samples from KeLa-2 is higher than that from the Daqing oilfield. KeLa-2 reservoir rock has the feature of an undercompaction state. The pressure sensitivity of a reservoir may decrease the well deliverability. It is concluded that for KeLa-2 reservoir the predicted absolute open flow (AOF), when the pressure sensitivity is taken into account, is approximately 70% of the AOF when permeability is constant and does not change with pressure.

Selection of Test Samples for Monitoring Veterinary Drug Residue in Bred Animals

[Objective] This study aimed to compare the residue situation of cimaterol,a kind of forbidden veterinary drug in hair, urine and flesh of pig, so as to provide theoretical basis for monitoring veterinary drug residue in bred animals. [Method]Total three different concentrations of cimaterol were administered to pigs, and the residue amounts of cimaterol in pig hair, urine and flesh were monitored at different raising stage. [Result] During the administration period, the residue amount of cimaterol was highest in urine, so urine is the suitable sample for rapid detection of cimaterol in manufacturing enterprises. Cimaterol could be accumulated in pig hair,where cimaterol was metabolized slowly. Thus, pig hair can be used as the test sample for tracing illegal use of veterinary drugs and for vivo detection. Flesh can be used as test sample for direct judgment whether cimaterol residue exceeds the relevant standard. [Conclusion] This study will provide certain theoretical basis for drug monitor in animal husbandry.

Pregnane receptor gene polymorphisms,pathogenic bacteria distribution and drug sensitivity,and TCM dyndrome differentiation in patients with cholelithiasis

Objective:To investigate the distribution of pathogens and drug resistance in bile and the association between the pregane X receptor(PXR) gene polymorphisms,traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) syndromes and the risk of cholesterol gallstone disease(CGD).Methods:A total of 392 samples were enrolled in this study from January 2014 to February 2015.among which 192 patients were with CGD.and 200 samples were healthy.Strains were isolated and susceptibility testing was the disk diffusion method susceptibility testing.The patients were divided into hepatochlic hygropyrexia.stagnation of liver-qi.and the accumulation of damp.The PXR gene polymorphisms were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism.The association between the PXR gene polymorphisms and the risk of CGD was examined by logistic regression analysis.Results:A total of 192 cases were detected in 230 of bile culture pathogens,including Grain-negative bacteria 133(57.83%),Gram-positive bacteria76(33.04%),and fungi 21(9.13%).The top five pathogens were Escherichia coli,Klebsiella pneumoniae.Enterococcus faecalis,Candida albicans,and Enterococcus feces,ot which 110 cases was of single infection.48 cases of mixed infection of two strains,eight cases of mixed infection of three bacteria.Among 59 Escherichia coli,the yield extended-spectrum beta-laetamases had 40(67.80%).The hepatochlic hygropyrexia was the most TCM syndrome,followed by stagnation of liver-qi.and the accumulation of damp was least.Different pathogens and the rs6785049 genotypes distributed differently in cholelithiasis patients with different TCM syndromes(P<0.05).In hepatochlic hygropyrexia patients the Gram-negative bacteria was most.There was significant differences between CGD group and control group in rs6785049(P<0.001).Comparison with wild-type portable GG.GA genotype increased the risk of the occurrence of gallstones(OR=0.40.95%CI:0.16-0.79);likewise,carrying the GA + AA genotype also increased the risk(OR=0.38,95%CI:0.19-0.81).There was no significant differences in rs2276707,rs3814055 site polymorphic loci alleles in CGD group and control group.Conclusions:In the treatment of cholelithiasis,bile samples should be collected for bacterial culture and sensitivity test,and drugs should be strictly chosen based on the results.The rs6785049 polymorphisms in PXR gene may increase the risk of gallstones ontogeny,and gallstones can he early detected and prevented by detecting genotypes.rs6785049 polymorphisms in PXR gene may has relationship with TCM syndromes.

Drug sensitivity and drug resistance profiles of human intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma cell lines

AIM: To study the effect of a number of chemotherapeutic drugs on five human intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) cell lines. The expressions of genes that have been proposed to influence the resistance of chemotherapeutic drugs including thymidylate synthase (TS), dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD), glutathione-S-transferase PI (GSTP1), multidrug resistance protein (MDR1) and multidrug resistance-associated proteins (MRPs) were also determined. METHODS: Five human CCA cell lines (KKU-100, KKU-M055, KKU-M156, KKU-M214 and KKU-OCA17) were treated with various chemotherapeutic drugs and growth inhibition was determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) assay. Semi-quantitative levels of gene expression were determined by a reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results of IC_(50) values and the ratios of gene expression were analyzed by linear regression to predict their relationship. RESULTS: Among five CCA cell lines, KKU-M055 was the most sensitive cell line towards all chemotherapeutic drugs investigated, particularly taxane derivatives with IC_(50) values of 0.02-3 nmol/L, whereas KKU-100 was apparently the least sensitive cell line. When compared to other chemotherapeutic agents, doxorubicin and pirarubicin showed the lowest IC_(50) values (＜5 μmol/L) in all five CCA cell lines. Results from RT-PCR showed that TS, MRP1, MRP3 and GSTP1 were highly expressed in these five CCA cell lines while DPD and MRP2 were only moderately expressed. It should be noted that MDR1 expression was detected only in KKU-OCA17 cell lines. A strong correlation was only found between the level of MRP3 expression and the IC_(50) values of etoposide, doxorubicin and pirarubicin (r=0.86-0.98, P＜0.05). CONCLUSION: Sensitivity to chemotherapeutic agents is not associated with the histological type of CCA. Choosing of the appropriate chemotherapeutic regimen for the treatment of CCA requires knowledge of drug sensitivity. MRP3 was correlated with resistance of CCA cell lines to etoposide, doxorubicin and pirarubicin, whereas other chemotherapeutic drugs showed no association. The role of this multidrug resistance-associated protein, MRP3, in chemotherapeutic resistance in CCA patients needs to be further investigated.

Down-regulation of Hsp90 could change cell cycle distribution and increase drug sensitivity of tumor cells

AIM:To construct Hsp90 antisense RNA eukaryotic expression vector, transfect it into SGC7901 and SGC7901/VCR of MDR-type human gastric cancer cell lines, HCC7402 of human hepatic cancer and Ec109 of human esophageal cancer cell lines, and to study the cell cycle distribution of the gene transected cells and their response to chemotherapeutic drugs.METHODS:A 1.03kb cDNA sequence of Hsp90beta was obtained from the primary plasmid phHSP90 by EcoR I and BamH I nuclease digestion and was cloned to the EcoR I and BamH I site of the pcDNA by T4DNA ligase and an antisense orientation of Hsp90beta expression vector was constructed. The constructs were transfected with lipofectamine and positive clones were selected with G418. The expression of RNA was determined with dot blotting and RNase protection assay, and the expression of Hsp90 protein determined with western blot. Cell cycle distribution of the transfectants was analyzed with flow cytometry, and the drug sensitivity of the transfectants to Adriamycin (ADR), vincrinstine (VCR), mitomycin (MMC) and cyclophosphamide (CTX) with MTT and intracellular drug concentration of the transfectants was determined with flow cytometry.RESULTS:In EcoR I and BamH I restriction analysis, the size and the direction of the cloned sequence of Hsp90beta remained what had been designed and the gene constructs were named pcDNA-Hsp90.AH-SGC7901, AH-SGC7901/VCR, AH-HCC7402 and AH-Ec109 cell clones all expressed Hsp90 anti-sense RNA. The expression of Hsp90 was down-regulated in AH-SGC7901, AH-SGC7901/VCR, AH-HCC7402 and AH-Ec109 cell clones. Cell cycle distribution was changed differently. In AH-SGC7901/VCR and AH-Ec109 cells, G(1) phase cells were increased; S phase and G(2) phase cells were decreased as compared with their parental cell lines. In AH-SGC7901 cell, G(1)phase cells were decreased, G(2) phase cells increased and S phase cells were not changed, and in AH-HCC7402 cells G(1), S and G(2) phase cells remained unchanged as compared with their parental cell lines. The sensitivity of AH-SGC7901, AH-SGC7901/VCR, AH-HCC7402 and AH-Ec109 to chemotherapeutic drugs, the sensitivity of AH-SGC7901/VCR to ADR, VCR, MMC and CTX the sensitivity of AH-HCC7402 to ADR and VCR, and the sensitivity of Ec109 to ADR, VCR and CTX all increased as compared with their parental cell lines. The mean fluorescence intensity of ADR in AH-SGC7901, AH-SGC7901/VCR, AH-HCC7402 and AH-Ec109 was also significantly elevated (P 【 0.05).CONCLUSION: Down-regulation of Hsp90 could change cell cycle distribution and increase the drug sensitivity of tumor cells.

An Improvement of the Mass Flux Convection Parameterization Scheme and its Sensitivity Tests for Seasonal Prediction over China

A modified cumulus parameterization scheme, suitable for use in a seasonal forecast model, is presented. This parameterization scheme is an improvement of the mass flux convection scheme developed by Gregory and Rowntree (1989; 1990). This convection scheme uses a 'bulk' cloud model to present an ensemble of convective clouds, and aims to represent shallow, deep, and mid-level convection. At present, this convection scheme is employed in the NCC T63L20 model (National Climate Center, China Meteorological Administration). Simulation results with this scheme have revealed some deficiencies in the scheme, although to some extent, it improves the accuracy of the simulation. In order to alleviate the deficiencies and reflect the effect of cumulus convection in the actual atmosphere, the scheme is modified and improved. The improvements include (i) the full estimation of the effects of the large-scale convergence in the lower layer upon cumulus convection, (ii) the revision of the initial convective mass flux, and (iii) the regulation of convective-scale downdrafts. A comparison of the results obtained by using the original model and the modified one shows that the improvement and modification of the original convection scheme is successful in simulating the precipitation and general circulation field, because the modified scheme provides a good simulation of the main features of seasonal precipitation in China, and an analysis of the anomaly correlation coefficient between the simulation and the observations confirms the improved results.

Drug Susceptibility Test of Volatile Oil of Artemisiaargyi to Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli

The volatile oil of Artemisia argyi was extracted by ultrasonic assisted extraction, and the extraction rate of volatile oil was 0.68%. Thevolatile oil of A. argyi was emulsified with 1% Tween-80, and drug susceptibility test was conducted with avian Escherichia coli. The results showedthat the volatile oil of A. argyi had antibacterial effect against avian E. coli, and the minimal inhibitory concentration was 50 mg/mL. Taking sixcommon antibiotics as the control, drug susceptibility test was conducted with volatile oil of A. argyi. The results showed that 10 strains of E. coliwere sensitive to the volatile oil of A. argyi, three of which had different degrees of resistance and one had the tendency of resistance.

Improving quality of life in self-reported gastrointestinal disorders: An open trial of a food elimination diet guided by the ImmunoBloodprint food sensitivity test

Purpose: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and gastrointestinal (GI) disorders are genuine health problems that have serious consequences on a patient’s quality of life (QoL). IBS is a functional disorder characterized by chronically recurring symptoms, including abdominal pain or discomfort, altered stool frequency and consistency, and abdominal bloating in the absence of structural or biochemical abnormalities. Studies have indicated that symptoms and disability related to IBS and GI disorders correlate with QoL measures. Additionally, those who respond to therapy have an improvement in QoL. Therefore, we explored an open trial of a food elimination diet guided by the ImmunoBloodprint food sensitivity test and its effect on QoL in patients self-reporting an unresolved GI disorder. Methods: Eighty-four subjects aged 18 and above participated in the study. Subjects eliminated all IgG-mediated reactive foods from their diet for 90 days. QoL was assessed with the Irritable Bowel Syndrome-36 (IBS-36) and the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (SF-36) at baseline and 30-, 60-, and 90-day follow-up. The data were analyzed with linear mixed models. Results: Subjects had statistically significant improvements in all indicators of QoL according to the IBS-36 and SF-36 from baseline to 90- day follow-up. Conclusions: Subjects with unresolved self-reported GI disorders were able to improve all indicators of QoL in response to eliminating IgG- reactive foods from the diet. Given the inconvenience of keeping track of foods and symptoms to eliminate intolerant foods, a food sensitivity test combined with an elimination diet may be an effective method for improving subjective markers of QoL and health.

Application of the extended Fourier amplitude sensitivity testing(FAST)method to inflated,axial stretched,and residually stressed cylinders

This paper is dedicated to applying the Fourier amplitude sensitivity test(FAST)method to the problem of mixed extension and inflation of a circular cylindrical tube in the presence of residual stresses.The metafunctions and the Ishigami function are considered in the sensitivity analysis(SA).The effects of the input variables on the output variables are investigated,and the most important parameters of the system under the applied pressure and axial force such as the axial stretch and the azimuthal stretch are determined.

Sensitivity analysis of relevant parameters in complicated mine ventilation network by numerical test

Depending on the numerical test approach on a computer, the relationships among relevant parameters, eg branch number, node number, mesh number, computation accuracy, preliminary value of airflow rate, iteration number, computation time and convergence in a mine ventilation network analysis, were investigated based on 5 mine ventilation systems. The results show that a higher computation accuracy greatly influences the iteration number. When the accuracy reaches 10-6m3·s-1 for solving a complicated mine ventilation network, the running time is too long though a high-speed computer is used. The preliminary value of airflow rate in the range of 1100m3·s-1 has little effects the iteration number. The structure of network also has some effect on the iteration number.

THE SENSITIVITY TEST STUDY OF AIR-SEA SURFACE FLUX MODEL

In this article, a sensitivity test of air-sea surface flux model was carried out with the field observation data of Project “South China Sea Air-Sea Flux Measurement in 2000”. The results show that sensible heat fluxes are sensitive to observation errors, increasing the error of model calculation; In contrast, the latent heat flux and momentum flux are not as sensitive to observation errors as the sensible heat, and their calculated results are reliable. The test result also verifies the rationality of the surface flux values calculated and the conclusions can be used to detect errors in observed data.

Evaluation of Abuse Drugs and Clinical Laboratory Tests Variations in Whole Blood ＆ Urine Samples of Abusers

In this study, five hundred urine samples and five hundred blood samples of abusers were examined for the presence of alkaloid substances and abuse drugs in urines and bloods. These numbers of blood and urine samples of addicts in clinics of welfare organization, during detoxification treatment or maintenance treatment were screened for abuse drugs presence. The all of samples were tested through as a view of clinical laboratory methods. Age ranges of female patients were 35 ~ 15 and age range of males patients were 45 ~ 15. All patients filled questionnaire and satisfy forms too. First, all fresh urine and blood samples were examined to confirm presence drugs abuses, depend on their addiction and treatment, so all samples were confirmed by two tests. Then they were examined to other clinical laboratory tests. All data were analyzed by t-test and were Anova one way and two ways of Anova Turkey, and p 〈 0.05 was considered significant. The p-value of this study was p = 0.0001. The results of this study were showed that 4% of abusers had mild increase in hematocrite level and 2% of narcotic drugs abusers had mild lower level of blood sugars than normal range and 4% of participants had increase liver enzymes such ALT （alanine transferase）, AST （aspartat transferase）, ALP （alkaline phosphatease） and 1% of them had renal failure. Although blood level BUN （blood urea nitrogen） and creatinin were examined to evaluation of their renal failure .The results in Tabriz/Iran undrevision of welfare organization clinics were approximately showed that positive results of addiction are in each of urine and blood samples. Because some of abusers directly consumed full long time agonist or partial agonists＇ drugs such as methadone and buprenorphine for their maintenance therapy in clinics. Also doing test on blood samples has high importance in distinguishing and confirmation of drugs abuse in samples. Also in this study we conclude that among all drug analytical methods the cheapest and easiest test to screening opioids and other abuse drugs in urine and blood samples is strip test for rapid diagnosis, also tests on blood samples have high importance as a view point of accuracy to distinguishing of drugs abuse, and serum levels of some other parameters showed all abusers patients situation such as liver and renal dysfimction through clinical laboratory tests.

Effect of Survivin-siRNA on Drug Sensitivity of Osteosarcoma Cell Line MG-63

Objective： Survivin is one of the apoptosis inhibitor genes and is rarely expressed in adult tissues. However, survivin expression has been detected in various human cancers and correlations have been recognized between the level of expression of this gene in tumors and prognosis. In this study, we investigated the effect of Survivin-siRNA on the drug sensitivity of osteosarcoma cell line MG-63. Methods： Two siRNAs （Survivin-siRNA1, Survivin-siRNA2） specifically targeting Survivin gene were chemically synthesized and transfected into MG-63 ceils. The Survivin mRNA level was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR）. The survivin protein expression and cell apoptosis rate were analyzed by flow cytometry （FCM）. The 50% inhibition concentration （IC50） of cisplatin （DDP） and adriamycin （ADM） on MG-63 cells was determined by MTT method. Results： Two short siRNA targeting survivin down-regulated the transcription of survivin gene dramatically and elevated apoptosis rate. They increased the drug sensitivity of MG-63 cells to ADM by five-fold and to DDP by nine-fold. Conclusion： Validated Survivin specific siRNA can effectively inhibit Survivin expression in survivin-overexpressing osteosarcoma MG-63 cell line and enhance the drug sensitivity of MG-63 cell line to ADM and DDP. Short survivin-siRNA mediated gene silencing may be a useful therapeutic strategy for osteosarcoma. These results suggest that survivin might be helpful for diagnosis of osteosarcoma and survivin siRNA combined with adriamycin or cisplatin may be a feasible strategy to enhance the effects of chemotherapy in patients with osteosarcoma.

Comparative studies of serum-free media and detection techniques for <i>in vitro</i>drug sensitivity assessment of <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i>

Malaria continues to be a devastating disease. In a previous study, we formulated a chemically defined culture medium that is able to sustain the complete intraerythrocytic growth of Plasmodium falciparum. We tested the feasibility of using the medium (CDRPMI) as well as human serum-free media enriched with commercially available human-serum substitutes (GFSRPMI and ALBRPMI) to assess the drug sensitivity of P. falciparum, using chloroquine diphosphate (CQ) and dihydroartemisinin (DHART) as conventional antimalarial drugs. Growth inhibition was measured by four different methods: flow cytometry with SYBR Green I (FCM), microscopy (Giemsa method), enzymatic estimation of parasite lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH), and histidine-rich protein 2 (HRPII) determination. In drug sensitivity tests on asynchronous parasites cultured for 96 h in the presence of drugs, the dose-response curves were similar and differences in the 50% growth inhibition concentrations for the drugs, which were estimated by the four methods, were not statistically significant for the three culture media. The effect of the drugs on the growth of synchronous parasites at the ring stage was also assessed in micro-volume tests by three different methods of FCM: tracking fluorescent erythrocytes, schizont test, and merozoite test. Dose-response curves for the drugs were similar, and differences in the 50% growth inhibition concentrations were not statistically significant for CDRPMI and GFSRPMI. Thus CDRPMI as well as GFSRPMI and ALBRPMI can be similarly useful media for drug sensitivity testing of P. falciparum. The FCM, pLDH and HRPII estimations were fast and reliable detection methods, with FCM allowing schizont and merozoite tests to be performed with shorter periods of culture.