OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of negative emotions on serum levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and neuropeptide Y (NYP) in hepatitis B liver cirrhosis (HBLC) patients.

METHODSTotally 617 HBLC patients were assigned to the negative emotion group (415 cases) and the non-negative emotion group (202 cases) judged by negative emotions. Case numbers of various grading Child-Pugh were recorded in the two groups. Their liver functions were compared between the two groups. Serum levels of ACTH and NPY were detected using double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the two groups.

RESULTSThere was no statistical difference in Child-Pugh grading between the two groups (χ2 = 0.65, P = 0.72). Compared with the non-negative emotional group, serum ACTH levels decreased significantly in the negative emotion group with statistical difference (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in serum ACTH levels between the two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe negative emotion of HBLC patients was not related to the serum ACTH level, but to relatively lower-concentration serum NPY levels.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; blood ; Emotions ; Hepatitis B ; blood ; psychology ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; blood ; psychology ; Neuropeptide Y ; Serum

[ ABSTRACT] AIM: To observe the effect of circadian rhythms on wound healing of mouse corneal epithelium. METHODS:The C57BL/6 male mice were used in the study.A part of corneal epithelium (2 mm in diameter) was struck off by a golf-like knife to form a round wound area.The dynamics of epithelial healing in the wound area were ob-served under microscope with fluorescein staining.In addition, with related antibodies and DAPI, the dynamic changes of the neutrophils, platelets and dividing cells were also investigated.RESULTS:The healing rates in LL group (12 h light/12 h light) and DD group (12 h dark/12 h dark) were obviously slower than that in LD group (12 h light/12 h dark), mainly showing delayed re-epithelialization, decreased epithelial cells, increased diameter of blood vessel, and delayed re-cruitment of neutrophils and platelets, but more cell number.CONCLUSION:Disruption of circadian rhythms significant-ly inhibits the wound healing of corneal epithelium, mainly through delaying the inflammation and re-epithelialization, but aggravating the inflammatory responses.

Objective To determine whether Fudenine is a novel membrane protein. Methods Green fluorescence protein(GFP)was used to localize Fudenine in vivo. GFP, as a control, was targeted to cytoplasm.Epithelial cell, CBRH7919, and non-epithelial cell, L-6TG, were cultured and transiently transfected by using the lipofectamine reagent. After 48 h, intact cells were examined with fluorescence microscope for Fudenine. Results Reporter plasmid pEGFP-N1, as a control , was expressed and localized to cytoplasm. But Fudenine, driven by the cytomegalovirus promoterenhancer contained in the pEGFP-N1 vector, was overexpressed and targeted to cellular membrane. Conclusions Fudenine is a novel membrane protein. It may play the similar role with its homologues AC133 antigen and prominin in human and mouse.respectively. It might be involved in signaling transduction and regulate blood glucose metabolism in vivo.

Notopterygium incisum is the important medicinal materials of the Tibetan-Qiang medical system in China, also one of the rare and endangered medicinal materials in the Plateau areas in the meantime. Taking the planting of in Sichuan province as an example, research on the N. incisum in Sichuan utilize remote sensing and GIS techniques, bind growth environment factor, including height factor, average annual precipitation, average annual temperature, forest information, were chosen according to habitat conditions. And combine field measurement to verify. The results indicate that N. incisum resources in Sichuan province were mainly distributed in the alpine valley and the northwest of the plateau, which suitability distribution areas of 4145 km2 approximately and accounting for 2% of the total area. Suitability areas accounting for more than 2% of the respective total area in Heishui county, Lixian county, Xiaojin county, Kangding county, ect. According to the field investigation and the related document information record, drawn that the suitability distribution based on RS and GIS were corresponded with the actual distribution areas of N. incisum resources. It's feasible to divide the suitability distribution area of N. incisum using RS and GIS, which will provide a scientific basis for a comprehensive investigation of the distribution as well as its rational exploitation and protection.
Apiaceae ; China ; Conservation of Natural Resources ; Geographic Information Systems ; Telemetry

Objective To investigate the changes of iodide uptake and the expression of thyroidspecific genes in poorly differentiated follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) cells after transfection of human TSH receptor (hTSHR) gene in vitro. Methods The recombinant eukaryotic expression plasmid PcDNA3. 1/hTSHR-cDNA was transformed into DH5a bacterial for amplification and then the recombinant plasmid was extracted. The recombinant was identified with PCR amplifying, restriction enzyme digestion analysis and DNA sequencing. The recombinant plasmid pcDNA3.1/hTSHR was transfected into FTC-133 cell line by lipofectin methodin vitro. Immunofluorescence, iodide uptake studies and real time-PCR were applied to detect target protein expression. Statistical analysis was performed with t-test using SPSS 13. 0 software. Results Kpn Ⅰ and Xba Ⅰ restriction enzyme digestion, PCR amplifying and DNA sequencing confirmed that pcDNA3. 1/hTSHR was successfully constructed. After transfection of the recombinant plasmid pcDNA3. 1/hTSHR-cDNA and the stimulation of hTSH, the tumor cells displayed the expression of hTSHR protein at cell surface and cytoplasm. The iodine uptake in pcDNA3. 1/hTSHR transfected cells was 2. 9 times higher than that of control(pcDNA3.1(+) transfected cells) group(t = 28.63, P ＜0. 01). The expression of TSHR,NIS, TPO and Tg (mRNA levels) in pcDNA3. 1/hTSHR transfected cells were also significantly elevated by 1.74 (t =5.959, P＜0.01), 7.2 (t =3.807,P＜0.05), 2.88 (t=4.769,P＜0. 01) and 2.67 times (t=6.388,P ＜0.01) respectively compared to those of the control group. Conclusion The study demonstrates that iodide uptake may be reactivated by hTSHR receptor gene transfection in poorly differentiated FTC cell.

OBJECTIVETo observe the distribution of the pre-cancerous condition and pathological changes of esophageal cancer of the community residents in high-incidence area, and to provide etiological evidences for secondary prevention.

METHODSAn iodine-staining endoscope census was conducted in 9536 residents with high-risk factors at Feicheng, a high esophageal cancer incidence community in Shandong province. Of which, 1507 pathologic biopsies were performed and chi2 test administrated.

RESULTSThere was no statistical significance found in biopsy pathologic diagnosis between females and males among 1507 samples. The mild and medium atypical hyperplasia was taken as pre-cancerous condition and severe atypical hyperplasia was taken as pre-cancerous lesion. Taking all the population attending census as denominator, the detection rate of the precancerous state and precancerous lesion were 6.98% (294/4214) and 1.23% (52/4214) for the males, and 3.68% (196/5322) and 0.47% (25/5322) for the females, respectively. A statistical significance was observed when comparing males with females (chi2 were 52.349 and 15.267, respectively, P < 0.05). Analyzed by age group, severe atypical hyperplasia pathological changes were mainly distributed in the age group of 50- and 65-. The constituent ratio between 45 - and 50 - was the highest for CIS. Early carcinoma was mainly distributed in five age groups from 45- to 65-. It showed that high incidence town had a high detection rate of cancer and pathological changes of esophageal cancer in the analysis of urban and rural distribution.

CONCLUSIONThe distribution of the pre-cancerous state and pathological changes of esophageal cancer of the residents should have provided a scientific basis for the primary and secondary prevention.

Adult ; Age Distribution ; Aged ; China ; epidemiology ; Community Health Services ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; pathology ; prevention & control ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Middle Aged ; Precancerous Conditions ; epidemiology ; pathology ; prevention & control ; Preventive Health Services

Human infections with Lophomonas blattarum are rare. However, the majority of the infections occurred in China, 94.4% (136 cases) of all cases in the world. This infection is difficult to differentiate from other pulmonary infections with similar symptoms. Here we reported a case of L. blattarum infection confirmed by bronchoalveolar lavage fluid smear on the microscopic observations. The patient was a 21-year-old female college student. The previous case which occurred in Chongqing was 20 years ago. We briefly reviewed on this infection reported in the world during the recent 20 years. The epidemiological characteristics, possible diagnostic basis, and treatment of this disease is discussed in order to provide a better understanding of recognition, diagnosis, and treatment of L. blattarum infection.
Female ; Humans ; Lung Diseases, Parasitic/diagnosis/*parasitology ; Parabasalidea/*isolation & purification ; Protozoan Infections/*parasitology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between polymorphisms of interleukin-4 (IL-4) gene (-33, +45, VNTR, +429, +448) and the susceptibility of silicosis.

METHODSIn a case-control study, the case group consisted of 101 patients with silicosis, and was matched with the control group (121 workers without silicosis), according to the age, sex, nationality, working place, exposure to dust. The polymorphisms of IL-4 (five locus) detected by the method of polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) techniques.

RESULTSThere was no difference of age, exposure and smoking between case group and control group (P > 0.05). The two groups had good comparability. Only the GA genotype in the IL-4 (+429) locus was found, the genotypes of AA and GG were not found. The CC genotype in the IL-4 (+448) locus was found, the genotypes of CG and GG were not found. The frequencies of AA, GG and AG of IL-4 (+45) locus in the case and control groups were 55.4%, 10.9%, 33.7% and 62.0%, 11.6%, 26.4%, respectively, there was no the significant difference between case and control groups (P > 0.05). The frequencies of B1B1, B2B2 and B1B2 of IL-4 (VNTR) locus in the case and control groups were 73.3%, 1.0%, 25.7% and 68.6%, 1.7%, 29.8%, respectively, there was no the significant difference between case and control groups (P > 0.05). The frequencies of TT, CC and CT in IL-4 -33 locus in the case group were 55.4%, 11.9% and 32.7%, which were significantly higher than those (69.4%, 4.1%, 26.4%) in control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThere was no relationship between IL-4 (+45, VNTR) genotypes and prevalence of silicosis in this study. The polymorphisms of IL-4 (+448) site were not found which may be related to the race. The relationship between genetic polymorphism of IL-4 (-33) locus and silicosis development was found, Workers with IL-4 (-33) allele C are susceptible to the silica.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Interleukin-4 ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Silicosis ; epidemiology ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the relationship between lifestyle habits and the components of metabolic syndrome (MS).

METHODSBased on the routine health check-up system in a certain Center for Health Management of Shandong Province, a longitudinal surveillance health check-up cohort from 2005 to 2010 was set up. There were 13 225 urban workers in Jinan included in the analysis. The content of the survey included demographic information, medical history, lifestyle habits, body mass index (BMI) and the level of blood pressure, fasting blood-glucose, and blood lipid, etc. The distribution of BMI, blood pressure, fasting blood-glucose, blood lipid and lifestyle habits between MS patients and non-MS population was compared, latent variables were extracted by exploratory factor analysis to determine the structure model, and then a partial least squares path model was constructed between lifestyle habits and the components of MS.

RESULTSParticipants'age was (46.62 ± 12.16) years old. The overall prevalence of the MS was 22.43% (2967/13 225), 26.49% (2535/9570) in males and 11.82% (432/3655) in females. The prevalence of the MS was statistically different between males and females (χ(2) = 327.08, P < 0.01). Between MS patients and non-MS population, the difference of dietary habits was statistically significant (χ(2) = 166.31, P < 0.01) in MS patients, the rate of vegetarian, mixed and animal food was 23.39% (694/2967), 42.50% (1261/2967) and 34.11% (1012/2967) respectively, while in non-MS population was 30.80% (3159/10 258), 46.37% (4757/10 258), 22.83% (2342/10 258) respectively. Their alcohol consumption has statistical difference (χ(2) = 374.22, P < 0.01) in MS patients, the rate of never or past, occasional and regular drinking was 27.37% (812/2967), 24.71% (733/2967), 47.93% (1422/2967) respectively, and in non-MS population was 39.60% (4062/10 258), 31.36% (3217/10 258), 29.04% (2979/10 258) respectively. The difference of their smoking status was statistically significant (χ(2) = 115.86, P < 0.01) in MS patients, the rate of never or past, occasional and regular smoking was 59.72% (1772/2967), 6.24% (185/2967), 34.04% (1010/2967) respectively, while in non-MS population was 70.03% (7184/10 258), 5.35% (549/10 258), 24.61% (2525/10 258) respectively. Both lifestyle habits and the components of MS were attributable to only one latent variable. After adjustment for age and gender, the path coefficient between the latent component of lifestyle habits and the latent component of MS was 0.22 with statistical significance (t = 6.46, P < 0.01) through bootstrap test. Reliability and validity of the model:the lifestyle latent variable: average variance extracted was 0.53, composite reliability was 0.77 and Cronbach's a was 0.57. The MS latent variable: average variance extracted was 0.45, composite reliability was 0.76 and Cronbach's a was 0.59.

CONCLUSIONUnhealthy lifestyle habits are closely related to MS. Meat diet, excessive drinking and smoking are risk factors for MS.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Life Style ; Longitudinal Studies ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome ; epidemiology ; Middle Aged ; Models, Statistical ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo assess the predictive value of Neuropad test on occurrence of diabetic foot ulceration (DFU) among type 2 diabetic patients.

METHODSWe divided 725 cases of type 2 diabetic patients into the high-risk and the non-high-risk groups of DFU based on the results of vibration perception thresholds(VPT) examination, which was widely used as a criteria for predicting DFU. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to compare the effectiveness of Neuropad with 10 g Semmes-Weinstein monofilament (10 g SWMF) testing in predicting the risk of DFU.

RESULTSAmong 725 patients of type 2 diabetes, 6.1% were at a high risk of DFU. Compared to non-high-risk group, patients in high-risk group had older age, longer diabetes duration, higher values of complete colour change time (CCC time) of Neuropad and higher abnormal rate of 10 g SWMF (P<0.01). CCC time of Neuropad was shown to be better in predicting the risk of DFU than 10 g SWMF, and the area under the ROC curve was about 0.8, and the best cut-off value was 22.25 min.

CONCLUSIONNeuropad is an effective means for predicting of the risk of DFU, and can be used to prevent diabetic foot ulceration.

Adult ; Aged ; Diabetic Foot ; diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neurologic Examination ; methods ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Risk Assessment