Objective: To investigate the factors associated with the patient's adherence to screening in the five years before the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) related to chronic hepatitis B ( CHB ), so as to provide reference for improving the screening rate. Methods: From June 2016 to April 2018, the patients with newly diagnosed HCC and a history of CHB for more than five years in Southwest Hospital in Chongqing were interviewed. The information about socio-demographic characteristics, health status, medical care and HCC screening in the past five years were collected. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the factors associated with adherence to screening. Results: Among 420 participants, 140 ( 33.33% ) adhered to HCC screening, 124 ( 29.53% ) had irregular/incomplete screening, while 156 ( 37.14% ) never had screening. The proportion of early-stage HCC at diagnosis was significantly higher in patients who adhered to screening ( 77.14% ) than that in patients who had irregular/incomplete screening (35.48%) or no screening ( 12.82% ) and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05 ). The multivariate analysis demonstrated that five factors were significantly associated with patient's adherence to screening, including education level of high school and above ( OR=2.346, 95%CI: 1.370-4.017), family history of HCC ( OR=2.795, 95%CI: 1.457-5.362 ), history of chronic diseases ( OR=3.860, 95%CI: 2.052-7.262), acceptance of antiviral therapy ( OR=17.816, 95%CI: 9.702-32.716 ) and specialized clinic visits ( OR=8.332, 95%CI: 1.588-43.710 ). Conclusions Adherence to screening is conducive to the early detection of HCC, but the screening rate is low in the patients with CHB. Education level, history of HCC, health status and medical status are significantly related to screening adherence.

OBJECTIVETo supply basis for the establishment of quality standard of Cryptolepis buchanaii.

METHODCharacters of crude drugs, microscopic characteristic as well as UV spectrum of the herb were studied.

RESULTLaticifers were found in the cortex and pith of the stem; much papillary non-glandular hair was found covering the stomata in the sub-cuticle of the leaf.

CONCLUSIONThe results can be employed as the basis for identifying the herb.

Cryptolepis ; anatomy & histology ; cytology ; Drug Contamination ; Pharmacognosy ; Plant Leaves ; anatomy & histology ; cytology ; Plant Stems ; anatomy & histology ; cytology ; Plants, Medicinal ; anatomy & histology ; cytology ; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet

The medicinal plant resource reserve refers to the natural resources of medicinal plants in a certain time and a certain region within the scope of the volume. In recent years, with the demand of medicinal plant resources surging and the change of the environment and human intervention factors, the medicinal plant resources reserve had accelerated pace of change. It is the prerequisite and basis for the development and utilization of medical plants that how to quickly and accurately attain reserve of some medicinal plants resources, the selection of suitable and accurate estimating method is reliable basis and can guarantee medicinal plant reserve survey, and also is one of the key reserve investigation of success. This paper systematically summarized the estimation method of medicinal plants in recent 30 years, and discussed the basic principle, the estimation model of development and evolution, advantages and disadvantages and applicability, and it aimed to improve the accuracy about reserves survey of medicinal plant resources, and provide scientific and reliable support data to medicinal plants resources for sustainable development and utilization of resources.
China ; Conservation of Natural Resources ; Models, Statistical ; Plants, Medicinal ; growth & development

To study the relationship between the interleukin (IL)6 -572G/C polymorphism and risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in men.A hospital-based case-control study was conducted with 500 male HCC patients without tumor history in other organs and 590 healthy male controls without history of tumors or chronic diseases. All HCC cases were diagnosed by histopathology. The controls were recruited from the Department of Orthopedic Trauma and Ophthalmology at the same hospital. The IL-6 promoter -572G/C polymorphism and its genotype variants were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. The Chi-squared test and unconditional logistic regression analyses were applied to determine the risk of HCC among men carrying the different genotype variants.The frequencies of alleles and distribution of genotypes in the -572G/C loci were not significantly different between the HCC cases and controls (P more than 0.05). The Chi-squared test indicated that the polymorphisms of the loci were not associated with HCC in our male population. However, after adjusting by multivariate logistic regression, the odds ratio (OR) of HCC for the G allele (CG + GG genotypes) carriers was 1.31 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.00 - 1.71) compared with the CC genotype. Among the male HBV carriers, the CG genotype increased HCC risk significantly (OR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.14 - 2.24) compared with the CC genotype. A trend test indicated that HCC risk was significantly increased with the numbers of G alleles (P trend less than 0.05). Breslow-Day tests of homogeneity of the ORs indicated an interaction between hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and polymorphisms of IL-6 (P less than 0.05). The synthetic odds ratio (OReg) of HBV infection and harboring a G allele was 5.95 (95% CI: 3.99-8.87), which represented a super multiplication interaction.Polymorphism of the IL-6 promoter -572 loci may be associated with HCC occurrence in men. Moreover, there is a super multiplication interaction for HCC risk between HBV infection and harboring the IL-6 G allele.
Adult ; Alleles ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; genetics ; pathology ; Case-Control Studies ; Genotype ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; genetics ; Liver Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Risk Factors

The fruit of Lycium ruthenicum is a common folk medicine in China. Now it is popular for its antioxidative effect and other medical functions. The adulterants of the herb confuse consumers. In order to identify a new adulterant of L. ruthenicum, a research was performed based on NCBI Nucleotide Database ITS Sequence, combined analysis of the origin and morphology of the adulterant to traceable varieties. Total genomic DNA was isolated from the materials, and nuclear DNA ITS sequences were amplified and sequenced; DNA fragments were collated and matched by using ContingExpress. Similarity identification of BLAST analysis was performed. Besides, the distribution of plant origin and morphology were considered to further identification and verification. Families and genera were identified by molecular identification method. The adulterant was identified as plant belonging to Berberis. Origin analysis narrowed the range of sample identification. Seven different kinds of plants in Berberis were potential sources of the sample. Adulterants variety was traced by morphological analysis. The united molecular identification-origin-morphology research proves to be a preceding way to medical herbs traceability with time-saving and economic advantages and the results showed the new adulterant of L. ruthenicum was B. kaschgarica. The main differences between B. kaschgarica and L. ruthenicum are as follows: in terms of the traits, the surface of B. kaschgarica is smooth and crispy, and that of L. ruthenicum is shrinkage, solid and hard. In microscopic characteristics, epicarp cells of B. aschgarica thickening like a string of beads, stone cells as the rectangle, and the stone cell walls of L. ruthenicum is wavy, obvious grain layer. In molecular sequences, the length of ITS sequence of B. kaschgarica is 606 bp, L. ruthenicum is 654 bp, the similarity of the two sequences is 53.32%.
Berberis ; classification ; cytology ; genetics ; China ; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; methods ; DNA, Plant ; chemistry ; genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer ; chemistry ; genetics ; Drug Contamination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; standards ; Lycium ; classification ; cytology ; genetics ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Phylogeny ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Species Specificity

Objective To analyze the genetic diversity of Aconitum brachypodum, an endangered medicinal plants. Methods Three pair primers were used to evaluate the relevant genetic parameters and clustering pattern for four natural populations containing 105 individuals by using POPGENE32, MEGA4, NTSYS and other biometric softwares. Results For A. brachypodum, the Nei’s genetic diversity index (He), Shannon’s information index (I), percentage of polymorphic loci (PPB) were 0.322 9 ± 0.179 8, 0.472 0 ± 0.251 7, and 80.57%, respectively; and the population level were 0.115 4 ± 0.044, 0.168 0 ± 0.065 3, and 12%, respectively. The genetic differentiation index (Gst) was 0.864 2. The clustering results showed that, Luquan and Dongchuan populations are grouped together, Lijiang and Huize populations are clustered together. Conclusion A.brachypodum possesses the relatively high level of genetic diversity at the species level, however, low within populations. This study should provide an initial insights for A.brachypodum germplasm conservation

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of metformin on the apoptosis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cells in vitro and its mechanisms.

METHODSFluorescent microscopy and flow cytometry were used to examine the changes in the apoptosis of 786-O cells after metformin treatment. The possible signaling molecules involved in this process were analyzed by immunoblot analysis of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling and caspase 9.

RESULTSMetformin induced apoptosis and caspase 9 activation in 786-O cells in low-serum medium but not in normal-serum medium. Metformin also induced AMPK activation in 786-O cells, but this activation was not associated with the cell proliferation inhibition or apoptosis-inducing effect of metformin.

CONCLUSIONMetformin can induce apoptosis of RCC cells in vitro, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent for RCC.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; pathology ; Caspase 9 ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Kidney Neoplasms ; pathology ; Metformin ; pharmacology

Objective To explore the normal aerification of paranasal sinuses in Chinese children with magnetic resonance imaging. Methods Two hundred and eighty Chinese children aged from 17 days to 14 years without any symptoms related to sinusitis were statistically analyzed in MRI features, including counting the number of paranasal sinus pneumatization and the maximum axial and sagittal area of the left maxillary. Results The pneumatization rate of maxillary sinus was 85% in children aged from 0 to 1 years.Until 3 years the pneumatization rate of maxillary sinus was 95% and there was no significant difference in boys and girls( x2 = 0. 741, P = 0. 389 ). The pneumatization rate of maxillary sinus reached 100% after 4 years old. The pneumatization rate of ethmtoid sinus was 100% in this study. The pneumatization rate of sphenoid sinus was 0 within 1 year old, 49% within 4 years old and 100% after 7 years old. There was no significant difference in boys and girls on the pneumatization rate of sphenoid sinus ( x2 = 2. 452, P =0. 117 ). The pneumatization rate of frontal sinus was 0 within 5 years old, 62% within 9 years old and 95% after 10 years old. There was no significant difference in boys and girls on the pneumatization rate of frontal sinus(x2 =0. 124,P =0. 724). The axial and sagittal maximum area of maxillary sinus was (689. 28 ±221.79) and (659.76 ±263.31 )mm2 in girls and (668. 13 ±206.38) and (638.60 ±207.67) mm2 in boys. The differences were significant( t = - 19. 78 ,P ＜0. 001 ;t = - 19. 89 ,P ＜0. 001 ). Conclusion The study of the development and normal aerification of paranasal sinuses of children can help radiologist make correct diagnosis of paranasal sinuses in children.

BACKGROUNDLymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare disease that predominantly affects young females. It is considered as an "orphan" life-threatening disease of unknown etiology, with uncertain clinical prognosis, and no effective treatment. LAM can arise sporadically or in association with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), an autosomal inherited syndrome characterized by hamartoma-like tumor growth and pathologic features that are distinct from manifestations of pulmonary LAM. The clinical course of LAM is characterized by progressive dyspnea on exertion, recurrent pneumothorax, and chylous fluid collections.

METHODSFourteen cases of LAM from Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University are reviewed, twelve were confirmed by lung biopsy, one by retroperitoneal lymphangioleiomyoma resection, and one by autopsy.

RESULTSAll 14 patients were women, aged 18 to 69 years (mean 43.3 years, median 46.5 years). Haemoptysis (57.1%) and chylothorax (35.7%) were more frequent than those described in previous case series. Extrapulmonary findings such as renal angiomyolipoma (AML), enlarged abdominal lymph nodes, liver AML and retroperitoneal lymphangioleiomyoma were seen in 21.4%, 14.3%, 7.14% and 7.14% in 14 cases respectively, which is remarkably lower than in the previously reported. Abnormal smooth muscle cells (LAM cells) were found to line the airways, bronchioles, lymphatics and blood vessels leading to airflow obstruction and replacement of the lung parenchyma by cysts. There were some surprises in the autopsy case as several LAM cell emboli were found in the veins of mediastinum lymph nodes; LAM cells were found to be disseminated in soft tissues adjacent to the ilium.

CONCLUSIONSWomen with unexplained recurrent pneumothorax, tuberous sclerosis, or a diagnosis of primary spontaneous pneumothorax or emphysema in the setting of limited or absent tobacco use should undergo high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scan screening for LAM. Routine abdominal and pelvic imaging examinations should be performed to detect extrapulmonary involvement. The autopsy studies histologically suggested that LAM could be a multisystemic disease and LAM cells might possess metastatic potential.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Contraceptives, Oral, Synthetic ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lymphangioleiomyomatosis ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Medroxyprogesterone ; therapeutic use ; Middle Aged ; Ovariectomy ; Progesterone ; therapeutic use ; Progestins ; therapeutic use ; Young Adult

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of interferon-alpha-2b (IFN-α-2b) in polycythemia vera patients(PV patient) with or without post-polycythemic myelofibrosis (post-PV MF), 30 patients with mutated JAK2V617F were enrolled in this study, from which 29 patients were evaluable. The percentage of mutated JAK2V617F allele (V617F%) was evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) before and after treatment with IFN-α-2b. The correlation of V617F allele burden with the major clinical outcomes was studied. Adverse effects appeared in patients was observed. The results showed that the median follow-up was 24 (12 - 42) months for 29 evaluable patients. Complete hematologic response was achieved in 10%, 48%, 72% and 78% of patients after treatment for 6, 12, 24 and 36 months respectively. The detection of V617F allele burden revealed that the molecular remission of patients (V617F%) was achieved in 41%, 76%, 89% and 89% after treatment for 6, 12, 24 and 36 months respectively. Molecular complete remission (JAK2V617F undetectable) was achieved in 4 patients, lasted from 6 to 12 months after IFN-α-2b discontinuation. The decrease of V617F% in patients with post-PV MF was significantly higher than that in patients without post-PV MF (53 ± 18% vs 32 ± 22%, respectively; p = 0.031) after treatment for 12 months. PV patients had a good tolerance to IFN-α-2b. It is concluded that IFN-α-2b can decrease the mutated V617F allele burden. Patients with PV, especially with post-PV MF, can achieve molecular remission after treatment with IFN-α-2b.
Adult ; Alleles ; Female ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; therapeutic use ; Janus Kinase 2 ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Polycythemia Vera ; drug therapy ; genetics ; pathology ; Primary Myelofibrosis ; drug therapy ; genetics ; pathology ; Recombinant Proteins ; therapeutic use