When albino rats were fed with high cholesterol diet or injected With a large dose of carbon tetrachloride or chloroform, severe fatty liver developed but without any morphological changes in the pancreas. However, when fatty liver was produced with a protein free diet, the atrophic change in the acinar cells was observed prior to fatty infiltration in the liver. No change was found in the islets of Langerhans.The presence of lipocaic factor as an internal secretion of the pancreas cannot be verified by these studies or by our previous works.

Objective To determine whether prenatal ultrasonography (US) score is more effective than renal pelvic anterior posterior diameter (PAPD) for the prognostic evaluation of fetal hydronephrosis.Methods Fetuses with hydronephrosis (PAPD≥ 10 mm) were examined by prenatal US in the third trimester.PAPD,renal parenchyma thickness (RPT) and pelvicaliceal morphology (PM) were measured and graded from 0 to 3 score on the basis of severity of hydronephrosis,then the total US score of each kidney was obtained.According to the follow-up results after birth,all the cases were divided into two groups:physiological and pathological hydronephrosis.Via Z test,paired comparison was made to analyze area under the curve (AUC) of US score and each of the other three factors.Results Confirmed by postnatal US and other clinical examinations,of 198 kidneys (158 cases ) with hydronephrosis,139 (70.20％ ) were physiological hydronephrosis and 59 (29.80％ ) were pathological hydronephrosis.AUC of PAPD,RPT,PM,US score was 0.897 (minimum),0.957,0.944 and 0.982 (maximum) respectively,and there was significant difference between AUC of US score and each of the other three ( P ＜0.05).US score was the best approach for differential diagnosis of fetal hydronephrosis.Conclusions Prenatal US score is more effective and accurate than the single factor (PAPD,RPT,PM) to differentiate fetal physiological and pathological hydronephrosis.It was a new quantitative method to evaluate the prognosis of fetal hydronephrosis,and should be disseminated and applied clinically.

AIM To study the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of ethanol extract of Toddalia asiatica Lamn.and the mechanism.METHODS Both inflammatory rat model induced by carrageenan and pain model induced by formalin were applied to investigating the analgesic effect of extract of Toddalia asiatica Lam.ELISA kit was used to detect the contents of β-EP,5-HT and PGE2 in serum of carrageenan-treated rats,contents of TNF-αand IL-1β in skin tissue of inflammatory rats,and content of LTB4 in serum of formalin-treated rats;immunohistochemical method was used to observe the SP and FOS protein expressions in rat spinal cord.RESULTS The ethanol extract of Toddalia asiatica Lam.could significantly reduce the rate of toe swelling.In the formalin test,the ethanol extract of Toddalia asiatica Lam.reduced not only the total licking time,but also the content of PGE2,especially in the high dose group.And lowered serum 5-HT contents were observed in all the three dose groups,but a much better performance was found in both the high and low dose groups,and the high dose group's capability in increasing serum β-EP content was also noticed.TNF-α and IL-1β contents in skin tissue were reduced in various dose groups.Middle and high dose groups inhibited FOS protein expression.And the content of LTB4 in serum was obviously decreased in the high dose group.CONCLUSION The anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of ethanol extract of Toddalia asiatica Lam.may associate with its power in increasing β-EP in serum,decreasing PGE2,5-HT,LTB4 contents,reducing TNF-α,IL-1β contents in skin tissue,and lowering SP and FOS protein expressions in spinal cord.

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Chevron minimally-invasive osteotomy and internal fixation with ISO intramedullary plate plus traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)bone-setting manipulations for the treatment of moderate hallux valgus.Methods A retrospective study was conducted.A total of 49 patients(62 feet)with moderate hallux valgus were treated with Chevron minimally-invasive osteotomy and internal fixation with ISO intramedullary plate,and were given TCM bone-setting manipulations before the operation,during the operation,and after the operation.The efficacy was evaluated by using the Visual Analogue Scale(VAS)score and the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society(AOFAS)forefoot score after the operation.Before the operation and 12 months after the operation,the hallux valgus angle(HVA),intermetatarsal angle(IMA)between the first and second metatarsal bone,and the distal metatarsal articular angle(DMAA)showed by X-ray imaging in the weight-bearing position of the foot were recorded.Results(1)All of the 49 patients were followed up for 12 to 24 months,with a mean of(20.6±3.1)months.(2)The X-ray imaging assessment showed that 12 months after the operation,the mean HVA,IMA and DMAA values of the 49 patients(62 feet)were significantly lower than those before the operation,and the differences were all statistically significant(P＜0.01).(3)Twelve months after the operation,the pain VAS score of 49 patients was(3.14±1.21)points,which was significantly lower than the preoperative score points(7.26±2.52),and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.01).(4)The assessment of joint function showed that 12 months after the operation,the scores of various AOFAS items of pain,function and hallux alignment as well as the overall AOFAS scores of 49 patients were significantly higher than those before the operation,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.01).(5)For the 62 feet in 49 patients,the excellent efficacy was achieved in 53 feet,good efficacy was achieved in 7 feet,and fair efficacy was achieved in 2 feet,with the fine rate of 96.77%(60/62).Conclusion For the treatment of moderate hallux valgus,the application of Chevron minimally-invasive osteotomy and internal fixation with ISO intramedullary plate plus TCM bone-setting manipulations is effective on promoting the reset of hallux-metatarsophalangeal joint,restoring the balance of the joint,and maintaining the equilibrium state of the joint through postoperative rehabilitation guidance.The combined therapy exerts certain efficacy,reduces the recurrence rate,and eventually achieves the early rehabilitation after the operation.

BACKGROUND: Although mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from different sources share many similar characteristics, they also exhibit individual properties. OBJECTIVE: To compare the biological characteristics of MSCs derived from umbilical cord and decidua parietalis. METHODS: Growth curve, cell doubling time, clone formation rate, immune phenotype, differentiation capacity and secreted cytokine levels were analyzed in MSCs derived from umbilical cord and decidua parietalis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: MSCs from umbilical cord and the decidua basalis exhibited similar morphology, spiral growth, S-shaped growth curve, immunophenotype, and differentiation potentials to osteogenesis and adipogenesis. For two kinds of MSCs, the positive rates of CD73, CD90 and CD105 were over 95% and the positive rates of CD34 and CD45 were below 1%. The growth rate, cell doubling time and clone formation rate of umbilical cord derived MSCs at passages 2 and 5 were significantly higher than those of decidua parietalis derived MSCs at passages 2 and 5 (P < 0.05). The level of epidermal growth factor secreted from umbilical cord MSCs was significantly higher that that from decidua basalis derived MSCs, while the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor and stem cell growth factor from umbilical cord derived MSCs was significantly lower those from decidua basalis derived MSCs (P < 0.05). These findings indicate that MSCs from both sources have similar biological properties, but umbilical cord derived MSCs are deemed to have better application prospects.

OBJECTIVETo investigate genetic polymorphisms of 12 X chromosome short tandem repeat (X-STR) loci in ethnic Hebei Han population using an Investigator Argus X-12 amplification kit.

METHODSDNA was extracted for 198 unrelated individuals (96 males and 102 females) and amplified with a fluorescence labeled multiplex PCR system. PCR products were separated and genotyped with capillary array electrophoresis.

RESULTSOnly DXS10103 and DXS10101 showed significant linkage disequilibrium at the 12 X-STR loci. One hundred and forty-eight alleles, including 22 off-ladder (OL) alleles, were observed at the 12 X-STR loci in the population. The heterozygosity and polymorphic information content (PIC) were 0.5074-0.9143 and 0.4377-0.9079, respectively. The power of discrimination (PD) was 0.5074-0.9143 in males and 0.6876-0.9863 in females. The mean exclusion chance was 0.4377-0.9079 in the trios cases and 0.2984-0.8373 in the duo cases, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe Investigator Argus X12 amplification system is highly polymorphic in ethnic Han population from Hebei and is useful for personal identification and paternity testing.

Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; ethnology ; genetics ; China ; Chromosomes, Human, X ; genetics ; Female ; Genetics, Population ; Humans ; Male ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo study the antitumour effects of sodium valproate (VPA) on the proliferation, differentiation and cell cycle of Molt-4 cell and to investigate its demethylation mechanisms.

METHODSAfter Molt-4 cells trated with VPA at different concentrations, cell viability and growth curve were assessed by MTT assay. Cell cycle changes were analyzed by flow cytometry. The expression level of p15, DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT-1), DNMT3A and 3B mRNA were detected by RT-PCR and the methylation level was detected by hn-MSPCR.

RESULTSVPA significantly inhibited the proliferation of Molt-4 cells. After 48 h culture with 5.0 mmol/L VPA, the percentages of Molt-4 cells in G(0)/G(1) phase was (66.87 ± 3.31)% and in S phase was (8.47 ± 2.56)%, while in control group, the cells in G(0)/G(1) phase increased and in S phase decreased significantly. The p15 gene in Molt-4 cells failed to express due to its hypermethylation. The expression level of p15 gene mRNA increased significantly after exposure to VPA for 48 h. As compared with control group, the expression of DNMT-1 was down-regulated in a dose-dependent manner. The expression level of DNMT3B decreased at 10.0 mmol/L concentration.

CONCLUSIONVPA has a demethylation effect on p15 INK4B gene by inhibiting the DNMT-1 and DNMT3B gene activities to recover p15 gene activity, which arrests Molt-4 cell in G(0)/G(1) phase.

Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; DNA Methylation ; drug effects ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Valproic Acid ; pharmacology

A 558 bp cDNA fragment was amplified by RT-PCR from adult Schistosoma japonicum(Chinese strain) mRNA with a pair of primers that were designed according to published Sj21.7p gene encoding 21.7 kD protein of Schistosoma japonicum(Philippines strain). Sequence analysis indicated that this frame, named Sj21.7 (Ch), with 99% homology to Sj21.7 p, contained a complete open reading fragment (ORF) of 21.7 kD protein gene of Schistosoma japonicum(Chinese strain). The amino acid sequence shared 98% homology with 21.7 kD protein of Schistosoma japonicum. This fragment was cloned into the expression vector pET28a (+) and subsequently expressed in Escherichia coli with IPTG induction. SDS-PAGE analysis revealed that the molecular weight of this expressed product was 25.4 kD. Western blotting showed that the recombinant protein reacted well with the rabbit serum immunized with Sj worm antigen, indicating that this expressed product had good antigenicity.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Cloning, Molecular ; Helminth Proteins ; biosynthesis ; chemistry ; genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Molecular Weight ; Open Reading Frames ; Rabbits ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; chemistry ; immunology ; Schistosoma japonicum ; genetics ; Sequence Homology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the health care status of female workers exposed to occupational hazards in Haidian district of Beijing and improve the labor protection of female workers.

METHODSA questionnaire provided by National Center for Women and Children's Health of Chinese CDC was used in the survey conducted to collect information about health care status of female workers in 141 factories with occupational hazards including chemical poisons and physical factors (noise, libration, microwave, high frequency and low temperature).

RESULTS141 factories were investigated, including 53 state-owned enterprises, 21 collective enterprises, 46 joint-stock enterprises, and 21 non-public enterprises. 12 251 female workers were surveyed, 10.19% (1249/12 251) of whom were exposed to occupational hazards. Of 141 factories studied, 16.31% (23/141) had no labor protection management organization.27.66% (39/141) did not provide pre-employment physical examination service to female workers.48.94% (69/141) didn't establish labor protection system for female workers in menstrual period. While, 21.28% (30/141) of the studied institutes deducted some salaries in the pregnancy, and 32.62% (46/141) deducted their wages during the puerperal period. 2.13% (3/141) arranged female workers in the posts which are forbidden by law (continuous heavy work load operation).9.93% (14/141) arranged pregnant female workers on the post forbidden by law.31.91% (45/141) and 33.33% (47/141) would deduct the time of prenatal medical examination and lactation from their working hours, respectively.39.01% (55/141) didn't afford the cost of fertility. 68.09% (96/141) had annual gynecological examination.45 factories were collected occupational examination reports, accounted for 31.91% (45/141). No female workers were found suffering from occupational disease. Of the 1865 occupational hazard factor monitoring points in 34 factories, there were 155 monitoring points, which were all noise monitoring points, did not meet the standard.

CONCLUSIONThe current health-care status of female workers is not optimistic. It is necessary to consistently improve health care legislations, establish coordinated management mechanism and strengthen the publicity of policy to protect female workers.

China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Occupational Diseases ; epidemiology ; Occupational Exposure ; statistics & numerical data ; Occupational Health ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Women's Health Services ; Work Capacity Evaluation ; Workplace

Objective To summarize our experience in the diagnosis and treatment of hepatic epithelioid angiomyolipoma (HEAML),with the aim to reduce the future misdiagnosis rate.Methods The PubMed,Medline,China Science Periodical Database (CSPD),and VIP Databases were searched from January 2000 to March 2018 on all reports on HEAML.Results There were 409 cases of HEAML in 97 reports.The ratio of men to women was 1∶4.84.The age ranged from 12 to 80 years and the median age was 44 years.61.9％ of patients (205/331) were asymptomatic,while 34.7％ (115/331) had upper or right upper quadrant abdominal discomfort.Some patients presented with abdominal mass,gastrointestinal reaction,low grade fever or weight loss.The clinical symptoms in 78 patients were not mentioned in the reports.The misdiagnostic rate of HEAML was as high as 40.3％ (165/409).The imaging findings of HEAML were nonspecific.Ultrasound,CT and MRI scan usually showed contrast enhancement in the arterial phase.Most lesions were accompanied by central vessels with early drainage veins.The enhanced scans showed varied characteristics.The ratios of fast wash-in and fast wash-out,to fast wash-in and slow wash-out,and to delayed enhancement were roughly 4∶ 5∶ 1.A definitive diagnosis of HEAML is based on the pathological findings of epithelioid cells in the lesions and the expressions of HMB45,SMA,Melan-A and Actin on immunohistochemical staining.HEAML had a relatively low malignant rate of 3.9％.Surgical resection was the main treatment for HEAML.Conclusion HEAML was a rare and easily misdiagnosed disease.,which could be diagnosed by taking into account the clinical course,imaging,pathological and immunohistochemical findings.HEAML.