Objective To study the characteristics of EEG after tramsient ischemic attack and to offer reference for screening procedure of aircrew and astronaut selection. Method The dominant frequency uncertainty of alpha band EEG in 12 pilots(males; age 30±5) with transient ischemic episodes in middle cerebral artery(MCA) territories and in 20 normal healthy pilots was analyzed with frequency-fluctuation analysis. Result The dominant probability of the main frequency coinciding with sites affected by transient ischaemic attack(TIA) in patient pilots was higher than that in healthy pilots (P<0.01),and the dominant probability ratio logarithmic index I≥0 in all patient pilots with normal EEG, but I<0 in all healthy pilots. It was also found that not only I≥0, but the second component shifted to lower frequency(8 Hz) in patients with slight focal EEG alterations,i.e. slowing of frequency. The relative entropy values (percentage) were decreased significantly in pilots with TIA as compared with healthy pilots (P＜0.05). Conclusion The dominant frequency uncertainty analysis of alpha band showed clear superiority of computerized evaluation over routine visual assessment for the diagnosis of minor cerebral ischemia. It offers not only a possibility of studying pathophysiological functional parameter, but also the reference for screening procedure in aircrew and astronaut selection.

Objective To retrospectively analyze medical data of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) so as to provide evidence for clinical use of opportunistic screening.Methods A total of 2450 CRC patients (male 1377,female 1073) who were treated at five hospitals in North China during October 2001 and September 2011 and had complete medical records and pathological results were recruited.The correlations of incidenceofCRCwithage,gender,tumorlocationandhistologicaltypeswere analyzed.Results Of all the CRC patients,those less than 50 years old accounted for 18.14％ ; and the incidence of CRC was substantially increased in those over 50 years old.Seventy-three percent of tumor occurred at the rectum and sigmoid colon,6％ at descending colon,7％ at transverse colon and 14％ at ascending colon.Moderately,well or poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma accounted for 50.33％,40.35％and 9.32％,respectively.Histological differentiation was not correlated with age and gender ( P ＞ 0.05 ).Conclusions Age and gender should not be considered a determination of opportunistic screening for CRC.Colonoscopy is recommended as an alternative CRC screening procedure.

An enhance matrix removal ( EMR) QuEChERS method for simultaneous determination of 22 triazine herbicide residuals such as atrazine, propazine, terbumeton, and desmetryn in corn was established and validated. The corn samples were initially extracted with acetonitrile ( MeCN ) in high-speed homogenization, and the targeted pesticides were prepared using EMR-Lipid (Enhanced matrix removal-lipid) method to clean-up and EMR-Polish to salt out, separated on a Kinetex XB-C18 with acetonitrile and 0. 1%formic acid aqueous as eluant, and then detected by UFLC-MS / MS under positive ( ESI+ ) electrospray ionization and MRM models. The average recoveries of 22 herbicides were in the range of 72% -105% at the spiked level of 5, 10 and 20 μg / kg. The relative standard deviations were less than 15% . In the method validation, correlation coefficients were higher than 0. 993 with the linear range from 1. 0 μg / L to 50 μg / L. The qualitative analysis and quantitative analysis were investigated by UFLC-MS / MS and matrix-matched calibration curves. The results showed that EMR QuEChERS combined with UFLC-MS / MS purification method was rapid, accurate and sensitive for the determination of 22 triazine herbicides residues in corn.

PURPOSE: Sorafenib, a multikinase inhibitor, is the standard therapy for patients with advanced-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, resistance develops to the treatment, therefore, we tried to unravel the underlying mechanism in the resistance of HCC cells to sorafenib via the development of more effective therapeutic strategies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Various liver cancer cell lines were treated with either sorafenib only or with sorafenib after infection of adenovirus expressing short hairpin RNA (shRNA) against transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and p38 activity was examined using western blotting. RESULTS: p38 MAP kinase activity was inhibited by low concentrations of sorafenib, which could potentially lead to sorafenib resistance in HCC cell lines. Subsequently, we used constitutive form of MKK3/6 (MKK3/6E) to confirm that massive cell death was induced by the activation of p38, and demonstrated the ability to activate p38 without any stimulation. In addition, sorafenib resistance was reduced by the activation of p38. Subsequently, we confirmed that TGF-β shRNA effectively recovered the phosphorylation of p38 inhibited by sorafenib, and increased the sensitivity of HCC cells to sorafenib, thereby inducing cell death and overcoming the resistance of HCC cells to sorafenib. CONCLUSION: Our study provides a new therapeutic strategy for HCC that overcomes the resistance of HCC to sorafenib by down-regulation of TGF-β.
Adenoviridae ; Blotting, Western ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Cell Death ; Cell Line ; Down-Regulation* ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; Phosphorylation ; RNA, Small Interfering

Objective To analyze the mutations of SLC12A1 gene in nine Chinese families with Bartter syndrome type I (BS1),and analyze the relationship between genotype and phenotype.Methods The next generation sequencing was used to detect mutations in nine BS1 patients including eight with antenatal BS (aBS) and one with classical BS (cBS).Clinical characteristics and biochemical findings at the first admission as well as follow-up were reviewed.Results 15 different mutations of SLC12A1 gene were identified,including 11 novel ones.Among nine probands,seven were compound heterozygotes,two were homozygotes.All patients presented with polydipsia and polyuria,and eight with growth retardation.All patients had lower than-normal serum chloride concentration,metabolic alkalosis,and elevated basal renin activity and aldosterone,and seven had hypokalemia.Through treatment of indomethacin and/or potassium chloride,biochemical indicators could roughly restored normal.Conclusion These findings will enrich the human gene mutation database (HGMD) and provide valuable references to the genetic counseling and diagnosis for Chinese population.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) manifests as a series of disorders in reproductive system, endocrine, and metabolism, and there is a significant increase in the prevalence rate of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in the population with PCOS. At present, the risk factors for PCOS with NAFLD have not been fully clarified. This article introduces the research advances in PCOS with NAFLD from the aspects of hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance, obesity, dyslipidemia, chronic low-grade inflammation, and intestinal flora imbalance, so as to provide ideas and methods for improving the awareness and management of PCOS with NAFLD.

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are expressed in different species and different tissues, and perform different functions, but little is known about their involvement in the synthesis or secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). In general, we have revealed lncRNA‍‒‍microRNA (miRNA)‍‒‍‍messenger RNA (mRNA) interactions that may play important roles in rat primary pituitary cells. In this study, a new lncRNA was identified for the first time. First, we analyzed the gene expression of lncRNA-m18as1 in different tissues and different stages by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and observed the localization of lncRNA-m18as1 with fluorescence in situ hybridization, which indicated that this lncRNA was distributed mainly in the cytoplasm. Next, we used RT-qPCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to analyze the regulation of FSH synthesis and secretion after overexpression or knockdown of lncRNA-m18as1 and found that lncRNA-m18as1 was positively correlated with FSH synthesis and secretion. In addition, mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 2 (Smad2) was highly expressed in our sequencing results. We also screened miR-18a-5p from our sequencing results as a miRNA that may bind to lncRNA-m18as1 and Smad2. We used RNA immunoprecipitation-qPCR (RIP-qPCR) and/or dual luciferase assays to confirm that lncRNA-m18as1 interacted with miR-18a-5p and miR-18a-5p interacted with Smad2. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) showed that lncRNA-m18as1 and miR-18a-5p were localized mainly in the cytoplasm. Finally, we determined the relationship among lncRNA-m18as1, miR-18a-5p, and the Smad2/3 pathway. Overall, we found that lncRNA-m18as1 acts as a molecular sponge of miR-18a-5p to regulate the synthesis and secretion of FSH through the Smad2/3 pathway.
Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone/metabolism* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; RNA, Long Noncoding/metabolism* ; Rats