Objective To understand the status of Ascaris eggs pollution in soil at national monitoring spots of soil-transmit-ted nematodiasis,so as to provide the evidence for making countermeasures and evaluating the control effect. Methods Ten households were selected from each of the 22 national monitoring spots annually according to the National Surveillance Program of Soil-Transmitted Nematodiasis(Trial),and the soil samples from vegetable gardens,toilet periphery,courtyards and kitchens were collected and examined by using the modified floatation test with saturated sodium nitrate. Fertilized or unfertilized eggs as well as live or dead fertilized eggs were discriminated and identified. In addition,a SWOT analysis of monitoring of Ascaris eggs pollution in the soil of rural China was carried out. Results A total of 1 090 households were monitored in 22 monitoring spots from 2006 to 2010. The total detection rate of Ascaris eggs in the soil was 30.73%,and the detection rates of fertilized,unfertilized and live fertilized eggs were 13.21%,26.42%and 20.28%,respectively. The total detection rates of Ascaris eggs in the vegetable garden,toilet periphery,courtyard and kitchen were 16.51%,13.49%,14.22% and 10.73% respectively. The SWOT analysis demonstrated that the monitoring work had both advantages and disadvantages,and was faced with opportunities as well as threats. Conclusion The pollution status of Ascaris eggs in the soil is still quite severe at some national monitoring spots,and the counter-measures such as implementing hazard-free treatment of stool,improving water supply and sanitation and reforming environment should be taken to protect people from being infected.

Hypoxia-induced erythropoietin signaling plays an important role in tumor growth and invasion. In the present study, we investigated the contribution of erythropoietin signaling pathway to castration-resistant prostate cancer and the development of a neuroendocrine phenotype. Immunohistochemical staining showed that the erythropoietin and erythropoietin receptor scores in castration-resistant prostate cancer and androgen-dependent prostate cancer were 7.55 versus 4.5 and 7.45 versus 5.9,respectively (P < 0.001). Furthermore, a cell proliferation assay was conducted, and the differential expression of erythropoietin and erythropoietin receptor in LNCaP cells and hypoxia-induced LNCaP cells was evaluated using western blot and quantitative real-time PCR. The proliferation capacity of hypoxia-induced LNCaP cells was similar in cultures of both fetal bovine serum and charcoal-stripped fetal bovine serum, suggesting that LNCaP cells acquired hypoxia-induced androgen-independent growth. After 2 weeks of hypoxic culture, LNCaP cells showed a neuroendocrine cell change and increased expression of neuron-specific enolase, erythropoietin, and erythropoietin receptor; knockdown of erythropoietin receptor reversed the hypoxia-induced upregulation of neuron-specific enolase in the LNCaP cells. In conclusion, the concurrent upregulation of erythropoietin and erythropoietin receptor in castration-resistant prostate cancer suggests that the erythropoietin/erythropoietin receptor autocrine loop plays an important role in the progression of castration resistance and is responsible for the development of a neuroendocrine phenotype.

Objective To prepare a novel collagen scaffold material using Basa fish (Pangasisus haniltoa) skin as the ingredient and to analyze the structural characteristics, physical properties and degradability of the prepared material, so as to explore whether Basa fish can replace terrestrial mammals for preparing a novel collagen scaffold material. Methods Basa fish skins were lyophilized to obtain the membrane material after repeated degreasing, decolorization and dedoping. Crude protein content was determined by the Kjeldahl method. Structure of the materials and its pore size and distribution were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Porosity was measured by the liquid displacement technique, and tensile strength was tested using universal testing machine. The changes of viscosity with temperatures were detected to determine the denaturation temperature of the material.The material was immersed in the phosphate-buffered solution (0.1 mol/L, pH 7.4), which was placed in a constant temperature shaker at 37°, and the water absorption and weight loss rates of the material were detected. Results The crude protein content of the collagen scaffold material was 95.2%, with visually uniform thickness. SEM photographs showed that one side of the material had a rough surface and porous structure, on which varying sizes of pores distributed uniformly; the other side was smooth with dense pores. The porosity of the material was (55.50±1.94)%, thickness was (0.66±0.10) mm and tensile strength was (18.82±0.94) MPa. The denaturation temperature of the material was 34° before thermo-crosslinking and 36° after thermo-crosslinking. The water absorption of the material was (379.77±77.81)% at 48 h. At 28 d after thermo-crosslinking, the degradation rate was (80.22±2.49)%, and the pH value of buffer was 6.67±0.05. Conclusion The collagen scaffold material from Basa fish skin can be made into the biological membrane with uniform thickness, and the membrane comprises double structures: dense layer and loose layer. This material exhibits excellent mechanical strength and appropriate denaturation temperature, but its degradation is fast, which needs further improvement.

Prostate cancer is the most common malignant tumor in men of western countries and its incidence is increasing in China. However, the traditional methods of screening and diagnosing of prostate cancer are of limited value. Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an examination which combines morphologic sequences with one or more functional sequences. Multiparametric MRI can not only display the anatomical structures and morphologic changes of organs, but also reflect some histological components, providing pathophysiological and biochemical information of tissues and guiding prostate targeted biopsy at the same time. These advantages give multiparametric MRI high application value in the diagnosis and evaluation of prostate diseases. This review summarized the recent progress in multiparametric MRI diagnosis of prostate cancer.

Objective To establish a novel transgenic mouse model of human PRKAG2 cardiac syndrome that overexpresses a PRKAG2G100S mutation, so as to lay a foundation for further studying the role of human PRKAG2 gene in the development, morphology, and function of mouse heart. Methods Human PRKAG2 with G100S mutation was sub-cloned into a multiple cloning site located in the downstream of α-myosin heavy chain (a-MHC) promoter of the plasmid. After the construction of the transgenic expressing vector, C57BL/6J mice were selected as the genetic background, and the transgenic mouse model of PRKAG2-G100S mutation was buitt by microinjection. Genotype was further confirmed using specific primer PCR. Real time PCR and Western blotting analysis were used to examin the expression of human PAKAG2(G100S) mRNA and protein, respectively. Results Two strains of transgenic mice were successfully developed using backcross breeding, which specifically overexpressed the human PRKAG2-G100S mutation in the cardiac tissues of F2 generations by the methods qPCR and Western blotting at both mRNA and protein levels. Moreover, the PRKAG2-G100S mutation was successfully passed steadily. Conclusion We have successfully established a human PRKAG2-G100S transgenic mouse model, which can help to further explore the role of PRKAG2-G100S mutation in the development and function of mouse cardiac tissue in the PRKAG2- G100S cardiac syndrome.

Objective To establish a cardiomyocyte model over-expressing mutant human PRKAG2 by infecting neonatal SD rat myocardial cells with constructed recombinant adenovirus vector Ad-PRKAG2 (R302Q)-IRES2-EGFP. Methods PRKAG2 (R302Q)-IRES2-EGFP was directly cloned into entry vector pDONR221 by using Invitrogen GatewayTM technology. Then BP and LR recombination reactions yielded the recombinant adenovirus vector containing human PRKAG2 (R302Q) gene. The pAd-PRKAG2 (R302Q)-IRES2-EGFP was digested by Pac , and transfected into 293 cells. After packaging, amplification and purification, the virus was used to infect neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. Then the expression of PRKAG2 protein was assayed by Western blotting analysis in the infected neonatal SD rat cardiomyocytes. Results Restriction enzyme digestion analysis and the sequence analysis confirmed that PRKAG2(R302Q) gene was successfully inserted into the adenovirus vector. The myocardial cells infected with Ad-PRKAG2(R302Q)-IRES2-EGFP gave off strikingly bright green fluorescence and PRKAG2 protein was proven significantly over-expressed by Western blotting analysis (P<0.05). Conclusion The recombinant adenovirus containing human PRKAG2(R302Q) gene has been successfully constructed and expressed in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, which paves a way for further study of PRKAG2 (R302Q) gene mutation.

Objective To study the clinical characteristics and differentiation of stroke mimics during super early intravenous thrombolysis of acute ischemic stroke. Methods The clinical data of patients who received intravenous thrombolysis between Sep. 2013 and Feb. 2015 in Changhai Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. And those with stroke mimics were identified and were compared with those with strokes; the clinical symptoms and laboratory findings were compared between the two groups. Results A total of 212 patients received intravenous thrombolysis, and 7(3. 3%) of them were identified as having stroke mimics. There were no notable differences in the baseline characteristics between mimics and stroke groups. Psychiatric and dementia history were of great value for differentiation of stroke mimics from strokes. MRI, vascular assessment, electroencephalogram (EEG), blood and cerebrospinal fluid assay greatly contributed to the final diagnosis of stroke mimics. Conclusion Only few patients receiving intravenous thrombolysis have been confirmed to have stroke mimics. Medical history combined with MRI may be of great value for differentiation of mimics and strokes.

Objective To assess the safety and efficacy of endovascular treatment for basilar tip aneurysms associated with moyamoya disease. Methods Seven patients with basilar tip aneurysms associated with moyamoya disease were treated by endovascular embolization in our department between Oct. 2006 and Jul. 2013. Two patients were treated by pure coiling and the others were treated by stent-assisted coiling. The immediate angiographic result was evaluated by Raymond scale. Postoperative angiographic and clinical follow-ups were obtained in all the 7 cases, and the clinical outcomes were evaluated by the modified Rankin score (mRS). Results All the 7 patients successfully received endovascular embolization without procedure-related complications. Immediate angiographic results showed complete occlusion in 3 cases, neck residual in 2, and partial occlusion in 2. Postoperative angiographic follow-ups were obtained for a mean of (10. 4 ± 3. 5) months, with complete occlusion found in 6 patients and stable in 1 patient. No progressive thrombosis or in-stent occlusion were detected by follow-up angiograms in the stent group. Clinical follow-ups were obtained for a mean of (21. 1 ± 15. 8) months and all the patients reported good outcomes (mRS 0-2). Conclusion Our data suggest that endovascular embolization is a safe and efficient treatment for basilar tip aneurysms associated with moyamoya disease. Stent-assistance might be a safe and effective option for the large or wide-necked aneurysms, though the long-term safety still remains to be confirmed.

Objective To analyze the relationship between the light transmittance and the color value of 3 different brands of zirconia dental ceramic materials of various thicknesses and colors, so as to provide evidence for a new indicator to the Colorimetric system to better simulate the natural dentin color. Methods X-rite color i7 spectrophotometer was used to measure the transmittance and reflectance (L*, a*, b*) of three brands (Lava, Upcera, Doceram) of zirconia ceramic materials of different colors and different thicknesses (0.9, 0.6 and 0.3 mm). The results were analyzed by SPSS18.0 software to investigate the linearity of transmittance with thickness and color values of the materials. Results The transmittance was not significantly different among the three brands of zirconia ceramic materials (P>0.05); the transmittance ranges of different thicknesses of zirconia ceramic (0.9, 0.6 and 0.3 mm) were 13.63%-27.47%, 18.05%-33.96%, and 25.24%-39.73%, respectively, showing significant difference (P<0.05). There was a linear relation of the transmittance with the thickness and color values of the three brands of zirconia ceramic materials: Upcera:TT=0.366×L*-thickness×0.661-0.280×b*; Doceram: TT=0.524×L*-0.536×thickness-0.237×b*; Lava: TT=0.210×L*-0.610×thickness-0.164×b*. Conclusion The transmittance ranges of the three brands of zirconia ceramic material are similar. The transmittance decreases with increase of its thickness and increases with luminance increase. Bluer zirconia ceramic has higher transmittance. Therefore, introduction of transmittance value for ceramic restoration process is important to redefine the natural tooth color perception and representation.

Objective To compare the efficacies of esmolol and urapidial in improving brain beat during microvascular decompression surgery for hemifacial spasm. Methods A total of 226 patients scheduled for microvascular decompression surgery received general anesthesia with controlled blood pressure, with the mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) being 55-65 mmHg (1 mmHg=0. 133 kPa) and the bispectral index being 40-60. Thirty-two of the 226 patients who developed brain beat were randomly assigned to 3 groups; groupA (esmolol, n = 11), B (urapidial, n=11) and C (isotonic NaCl, n=10), receiving intravenous injection of esmolol 10 mg, urapidial 5 mg and isotonic NaCl 2 mL, respectively. Theheart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and cardiac output (CO) at T0 (before injection), T1 (1 min after injection), T2 (5 min after injection), T3 (10 min after injection), T4 (30 min after injection), operating time under microscope, and improvement of brain beat were observed. Results There were no significant differences in HR, MAP or CO at T0 time between the three groups. HR and CO were significantly decreased in group A compared with those in group C at all time points(P<0. 01); MAP values were similar between group A and group C. HR, MAP and CO were similar at different time points in group C. The improvement rate of group A was significantly higher than those of group B and group C(P<0. 01). The operating time under microscope in group A was (18±4) min, which was significantly shorter than those in group B ([28 ± 6] min) and group C ([29 ±5] min). Conclusion Esmolol can notably improve the brain beat during microvascular decompression surgery for hemifacial spasm.