OBJECTIVETo develop a life quality scale suitable for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients, objectively reflecting its changes.

METHODSAuthors first put forward a theoretical structure model of a scale according to patient-reported outcome (PRO) scale formulation principle by combining basic theories of Chinese medicine (CM). Then authors developed an initial scale on the basis of various life quality scales for respiratory disease patients by using structural decision making. Totally 34 patients with confirmed diagnosis of IPF were tested by questionnaire. Items were screened using expert importance scoring method, factor analysis, correlation coefficient method, Cronbach's alpha coefficient method. IPF patient reported outcomes (IPF PRO, IP) were finally defined.

RESULTSA new IP scale was developed covering three areas and 38 items. Pearson correlation coefficient for correlation analysis of clinical symptom scores in ST-George Respiratory Questionnaire and IP scale was 0.828 (P < 0.01). Pearson correlation coefficient for correlation analysis of activity ability scores was 0.929 (P < 0.01). Pearson correlation coefficient for correlation analysis of total scores was 0.862 (P < 0.01). By reliability of IP scale itself (reliability) analysis, Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.713. By using factor analysis method for data analysis, KMO statistics was 0.902.

CONCLUSIONIP scale fully reflected the connotation of IPF patients' quality of life, so it could be used as CM clinical therapeutic effect evaluation tool.

Objective To evaluate the clinical value of electron beam computed tomography (EBCT)in the diagnosis of atherosclerotic aortic ulcer.Methods Sixty-eight consecutive patients(55 men and 13 women,aged 40—85 years,mean 65.12?9.55 years)with atherosclerotic aortic ulcer,who underwent EBCT scans from December 2001 to December 2004,were studied retrospectively.Contrast- enhanced continuous volume scanning(CVS)was performed by Imatron C-150XP EBCT scanner with 6 mm or 3 mm slice thickness and 100 milliseconds acquisition time.The scan was started 18—30 s after the injection of 80—100 ml contrast medium at the rate of 3.5—4.5 ml/s.Results In sixty-eight patients with atherosclerotie aortic ulcer,50 patients had acute aortic syndromes,36 had intramural hematomas,15 had atherosclerotic aortic aneurysms,3 had aortic dissections.46 patients with progresive ulcer usually had acute aortic syndrome while 22 patients with stable ulcer didn't(P

Type 2 diabetes is a hypermetabolic disease characterized with disorders of glucose/lipid metabolism, absolute or relative lack of insulin, and can induce skeletal muscle atrophy. Hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, insulin resistance, and abnormal release of inflammatory factors can lead to abnormal signal transduction in skeletal muscle, thus make protein synthesis and degradation imbalance and eventually causing muscle atrophy. Under normal conditions, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1)/insulin can activate phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT). AKT not only increases protein synthesis through mammalian target protein of rapamycin (mTOR), but also phosphorylates forkhead box O (FoxO) transcription factor and then inhibits the transcription of several ubiquitin ligases (such as MAFbx/atrogin-1 and MuRF1), or autophagy related genes. The weakened IGF-1/PI3K/AKT pathway in type 2 diabetes is an important factor leading to skeletal muscle atrophy. Studies have shown that the commonly used anti-type 2 diabetic drugs have different effects in regulating the synthesis and degradation of skeletal muscle protein. Studies reported that drugs with effect of anti-diabetic muscle atrophy include thiazolidinediones, glucagon-like peptide analogs, glucose-sodium cotransporter 2 inhibitors, etc.; drugs that are still in controversial or even promote skeletal muscle atrophy include metformin, and some sulfonylurea or non-sulfonylurea insulin secretagogues. This article overviewed and analyzed the currently commonly used drugs for type 2 diabetes and summarized the related mechanisms, with the aim to provide references for the rational applications of drugs for type 2 diabetes.

Objective: To study the factors effecting the expression of the reporter green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene in the mouse embryo stem cell line R1. Methods: Three different kinds of GFP euko-expression vectors were constructed, and the expression efficiency was contrasted both at mRNA and protein levels after they were integrated into the chromosomes of host cells. Results: At protein level, the GFP expression level of the colonies transfected by the expression vector-pEF-GFP with the promoter of the peptide elongation factor (EF) were significantly higher than that of the colonies transfected by pCMV-GFP with CMV promoter and by pdCMV-GFP with double copies of CMV-GFP expression unit. There was no significant difference between the colonies transfected by pCMV-GFP and pdCMV-GFP. The detection results on mRNA level of GFP had the same tendency as that at protein level. Conclusion: (1) GFP gene expression efficiency controlled by EF promoter is distinctly higher than that by CMV promoter in NIH3T3 and R1 ES cell line.(2) A slight increase of the copy number of the foreign gene expression units in the host chromosome can not make obvious increase of its expression efficiency. (3) The vector express GFP in R1 ES cell line efficiently and stablely is obtained.

Objective: To study the factors effecting the expression of the reporter green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene in the mouse embryo stem cell line R1. Methods: Three different kinds of GFP euko-expression vectors were constructed, and the expression efficiency was contrasted both at mRNA and protein levels after they were integrated into the chromosomes of host cells. Results: At protein level, the GFP expression level of the colonies transfected by the expression vector-pEF-GFP with the promoter of the peptide elongation factor (EF) were significantly higher than that of the colonies transfected by pCMV-GFP with CMV promoter and by pdCMV-GFP with double copies of CMV-GFP expression unit. There was no significant difference between the colonies transfected by pCMV-GFP and pdCMV-GFP. The detection results on mRNA level of GFP had the same tendency as that at protein level. Conclusion: (1) GFP gene expression efficiency controlled by EF promoter is distinctly higher than that by CMV promoter in NIH3T3 and R1 ES cell line.(2) A slight increase of the copy number of the foreign gene expression units in the host chromosome can not make obvious increase of its expression efficiency. (3) The vector express GFP in R1 ES cell line efficiently and stablely is obtained.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the value of estimating chronologic age based on the grades of mandibular third molar development. To evaluate whether mandibular third molar could be used as an indicator for estimating the age under or over 18 years. METHODS: The mineralization status of mandibular third molar of 1 845 individuals aged 10 - 30 was graded and marked based on Demirjian's classification of grades reformed by Orhan. Gender difference was examined by t-test. A cubic regression model was established to analyze the correlation between third molar and chronologic age. Each grade of age cumulative distribution diagram and ROC curve was respectively performed to evaluate the relationship between third molar and the age of 18. Using Bayes discriminant analysis, an equation was established for estimating the age of 18. RESULTS: The inner-rater reliability was 0.903. Statistical analysis showed a moderate correlation between age and grade. Significant differences of both genders were found only in grade D and H (P < 0.05). Males at the grades from 1 to D and females at the grades from 1 to C were under 18 years old, and both males and females at grade H were over 18 years old. The area under the ROC curve was 0.797 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Third molar development shows a high correlation with age, and combined with other indicators, it can be used to estimate the age of 18.
Age Determination by Teeth/methods* ; Asian People ; Bayes Theorem ; China ; Female ; Forensic Dentistry ; Humans ; Male ; Molar, Third/diagnostic imaging* ; Radiography, Panoramic ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sex Characteristics

Objective To explore the Schistosoma japonicum cercariae collected method and the quantity of cercariae obtained from a great quantity artificial infected snails. Methods In laboratory condition, Oncomelania snails were infected with schistosome miracidia. Sixty days post-infection all snails were divided into 7 shares. Cercariae shed from 1 share snails every day and the number of all shedding days were 40. Cercariae shed from snails were collected with low-velocity centrifuge and the cercariae sediment were weighted. Results One thousand and nine hundred g snails bred for 120 days post-infection, the infection and survival rates were 36. 00% and 51. 58%. Cercariae col-lected were 10. 5 g from 40 days collection. Cercariae quantity of shedding from 1 000 positive snails per day was 0. 257 4 g.

Objective To observe the molluscicidal effect of 25% suspension concentrate of niclosamide (SCN) against snail eggs and young snails. Methods The experiments with SCN and 50% wettable powder of niclosamide ethanolamide salt (WPN) against the snail eggs and young snails were carried out by the immersion method in laboratory. Results The death rates of snail eggs were both 100% in 0.25 mg/L active content of SCN and in 0.50 mg/L of WPN for 24 hours. The LC_~50(s) of SCN against Oncomelania snail eggs were 0.0506, 0.0496 mg/L and 0.0473 mg/L by immersion for 24, 48 hours and 72 hours respectively, while the LC_~50(s) of WPN were 0.1030, ~0.0962 mg/L and 0.0869 mg/L. The death rates of young snails were both 100% in 0.25 mg/L active content of SCN and WPN for 24 hours. The LC_~50(s) of SCN were 0.0625, 0.0474 mg/L and ~0.0442 mg/L for 24, 48 hours and 72 hours respectively, while the LC_~50(s) of WPN were 0.1088, 0.0825 ~mg/L and 0.0825 mg/L. Conclusion The SCN has high molluscicidal effect against Oncomelania snail in its different developmental stages: egg and young snail.[

0.05).Conclusion MK mRNA overexpresses in the breast cancer tissues.It might be considered to be a reference indicator for deter- mining the angiogenesis and invasion of breast carcinoma.

Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics of epileptic children at early stage,and to explore the high risk factors for children′s refractory epilepsy(RE)in order to provide evidence for the early and timely treatment of RE.Methods A total of 147 epileptic patients with correct diagnosis and reasonable treatment were enrolled.Forty-nine patients were classified as drug non-responsive epilepsy(DNR-EP group).The remaining 98 patients were classified as drug-responsive epilepsy(DR-EP group).With multiple conditional Logistic regression,the clinical characte-ristics between the 2 groups were compared to identify the early predictors for RE.Results Single factor Logistic regression analysis showed that the initial age of onset <1 year,more than 20 seizures before treatment in a week,focal seizures,more than 2 kinds of epileptic seizures,changes in seizure type in the course of disease,neurological impairment,early intellectual disability,abnormal cranial magnetic resonance imaging(MRI),fixed focal abnormalities on video electroencephalogram(VEEG) after seizure-free interval,diffused anomaly of non-epileptic wave in VEEG before treatment,poor response to initial antiepileptic drugs(AEDs) therapy,compliance with the characteristics of epileptic encephalopathy at early stage significantly increased in DNR-EP group.Then multivariate conditional Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that more than 20 seizures before treatment in a week(OR=2.679,P=0.043),more than 2 kinds of epileptic seizures(OR=4.364,P=0.013),fixed focal abnormalities on VEEG after seizure-free interval(OR=3.898,P=0.008),poor response to initial AEDs therapy(OR=2.611,P=0.036),and compliance with the characteristics of epileptic encephalopathy at early stage(OR=6.022,P=0.002) were the risk factors for developing into RE.Conclusions Children are likely to develop into RE if they have more than 20 seizures before treatment in a week,with more than 2 kinds of epileptic seizures,fixed focal abnormalities on VEEG after seizure-free intervals,poor response to initial AEDs therapy,and compliance with the characteristics of epileptic encephalopathy at early stage.