BACKGROUND:An electronic moxibustion apparatus that simulates the mechanism of traditional moxibustion therapy is designed and developed to overcome shortcomings of traditional moxibustion therapy, such as non-standardized treatment, limited body position, and production ofsmokeandashduring the treatment.
OBJECTIVE:To develop a kind of electronic moxibustion apparatus which simulates the traditional moxibustion therapy and has obtained the patent so as to industrialize and modernize moxibustion therapy.
METHODS:Bio-waves launched from far infrared materials are beneficial to the human body. An electronic moxibustion apparatus including time temperature control er and moxibustion head was developed, and the closed loop control technique was used to precisely control the temperature and time. Thermal radiation infrared spectrum that moxibustion head generated could simulate the emission spectrum of moxibustion in combination with wormwood oil coating or drug interval, thereby achieving the therapeutic effect similar to traditional moxibustion.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The prototype of DZWJY-1 electronic moxibustion instrument has been developed and its safety and electromagnetic compatibility have been detected in Shanghai Testing&Inspection Institute for Medical Devices, China. Relevant clinical trials are ongoing to verify the efficacy. Preliminary clinical evidence shows that the electronic moxibustion apparatus has the same therapeutic effect to the traditional moxibustion therapy, which realizes the safety and environmental protection of moxibustion therapy and provides objective, standardized and modernized evidence for moxibustion therapy

Objective To study the changes of gene expression profiling in HL-60 cells treated by Chan'su, and the possible mechanisms of Chan'su-induced apoptosis in HL-60 cells. Methods Apoptosis was determined by morphology and agarose gel electrophoresis of DNA fragmentation. The changes of gene expression profiling were detected with DNA microarray. Results 1%(v/v) Chan'su could obviously induce HL-60 cells apoptosis. In the tested 1152 genes, mRNA expression levels of 9 genes changed prior to apoptosis in Chan'su-treated HL-60 cells. Of the 9 genes, 8 gene mRNA levels were up-regulated and 1 gene mRNA level was down-regulated. Conclusion Apoptosis in HL-60 cells treated by Chan'su was involved in many genes. Bcl-2 down-regulation and IL-8 up-regulation were closely correlated with the Chan'su-induced HL-60 cells apoptosis.

Objective: To analyze the prognostic factors of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma(NHL)and to investigate the prognostic value of peripheral blood absolute lymphocyte count(ALC)at admission for patients with NHL. Methods: Clinical features and follow-up data of 108 patients with pathologically confirmed NHL seen in our hospital between January 2000 and January 2008 were reviewed.SPSS14.0 package was used for statistical analysis.Kaplan-Meier was applied to assess the survival probability.All parameters statistically significant concluded by univariate analysis were then computed as co-variates for multivariate analysis with Cox regression model. Results: The ratio of males to females was approximately 1.5:1.The median age of patients was 48 years.Before treatment.the Ann Arbor clinical classification showed that 61.1% of the cases were of stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ.Approximately 93%of the patients had ECOG performance status(PS)score of 0-1 and 19.2%of the cases had elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase(LDH).According to intemational prognosis index score.80.6%of the patients were in a low risk group.At admission，35.2%of the cases had ALC≤1×10~9/L.Hemoglobin (Hb)≤110g/L and B symptoms were seen in 29.6%and 26.9%of the patients.The mean Hb was 129.2±17.5g/L in cases with ALC>1×10~9/L(n=70)and 98.1±20.6g/L in cases with ALC≤1×10~9/L(n=38),with a statistically significant difference between the two groups(P<0.05).With a median follow-up duration of 2 years，the median overall survival(OS)time was 2.3 years for all patients.The 2-year and 5-year OS rates were 73.2%and 39.6%，respectively.ALC≤1×10~9/L,Hb≤110g/L,B symptoms and intemational prognostic index(IPI)≥2 were statistically significant unfavorable prognostic factors for NHL revealed by univariate analysis.Multivariate analysis showed that ALC≤1×10~9/L,B symptoms and IPI ≥2 were statistically significant unfavorable prognostic factors for NHL. Conclusion: ALC and B symptoms may be prognostic factors independent of IPI for NHL.Evaluation of the prognosis with IPI,ALC，and B symptoms is of clinical value for individualized therapy of NHL patients.

Objective To construct a prokaryotic plasmid to express the testis development related gene 1 (TDRG1) recombinant protein and obtain anti-TDRG1 mAb by immunizing mice, and to identify the biological properties of the mAb. Methods The coding sequence of TDRG1 was amplified by RT-PCR from normal human testis tissue and cloned into the vector pET21, and then was expressed in the E. coli BL 21(DE3) to get TDRG1 recombinant protein. The purified TDRG1 recombinant protein was injected to immunize the BALB/C mice to develop anti-TDRG1 mAb. Splenocytes of the immunized mice were collected and fused with the mouse myeloma cell line Sp2/0 cells. The hybridoma cells that secreted anti-TDRG1 mAb were subcloned with limited dilution. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to evaluate titers and subtypes of mAb. Western blot and immunohistochemistry were used to detect specificity of mAb.Results The prokaryotic plasmid expressing the recombinant protein was constructed, and the TDRG1 recombinant protein was expressed and purified. Two hybridoma cell lines that secreted anti-TDRG1 mAb were obtained. The titer of the mAb in ascites was 1∶1.6×10~6, and the subtype of the mAb was IgG_1. Westem blot and immunohistochemistry analysis indicated the mAb showed specific combination with TDRG1 protein in human testes.Conclusion The TDRG1 recombinant protein is highly purified and has strong antigenicity. The anti-TDRG1 mAb is produced successfully.

Objective To investigate the nutritional risks in hospitalized patients with liver diseases and work out nursing countermeasures.Methods Forty patients with liver cirrhosis, 40 patients with primary liver cancer and another 40 revisiting after liver transplantation involved in the investigation with a self-designed general information questionnaire and the nutritional risk screening 2002. The three groups were compared in terms of nutritional risks.Results Among the total 120 patients,38.3%(46/120)of them took the nutritional risk and even 12.5%(15/120)had the risk of undernourishment.The risk in the patients with liver cirrhosis was higher than that in the other two groups(χ2=9.899 and 11.4299 and P=0.002 and 0.001,respectively).Conclusions The nursing staffs should pay attention to the nutritional status of patients with liver diseases, especially the patients with liver cirrhosis.It is necessary to take effective measures in order to improve the nutritional status of the patients to reduce the nutritional risks.

It is very important to establish and execute the all -sided experimental animal quality monitoring in order to guarantee human health , animal health and welfare as well as the authenticity , validity, and repeatability of the experimental research results.Setting corresponding sentinel animals in the experiment can effectively monitor the quality of experimental animals.This article gives a general review of the selection of sentinel rats in the microbiological quality monitoring of the experiment animals , contact form and time between the sentinel rats and the rats being monitored , the placement of sentinel rats, and the number of rat cages being monitored by each cage of sentinel rats , as well as the test quantity, test frequency and the project.

Objective To investigate the clinicalmanifestation,monitoring and therapeutic measure of severe enterovirus 71 ( EV71 ) infection in children.MethodsForty-five cases of severe EV71 infectionwere admitted in our PICU from May 2010 to Sep 2011.The vital sign and arterial blood pressure,central venous pressure,mixed venous oxygen saturation,dynamic non-invasive heart function and urine volume were monitored.Forty-five cases were divided into 3 stages according to clinical manifestation:( 1 ) nervous system involvement stage; (2) respiratory system involvement stage; ( 3 ) circulatory system involvement stage ( compensation and decompensation).We adopted individualized remedy measure according to different stages.ResultsIn 45 cases,38 cases discharged from hospital,the cure rate was 84.4％.Among all the 38 cases,nervous system involvement was found in 19 cases,respiratory system involvement was found in 12 cases,circulatory system involvement was found in 7 cases.Seven cases died,who had circulation failure.ConclusionWe should identify severe EV71 infection early.Positive control of high fever,appropriate liquid treatment,control of high blood pressure,early respiratory support,preventment of circulation failure are the key measures for treatment.Individualized monitoring and treatment are effective in children with severe EV71 infection.

Objective: To investigate the effect of zinc supplementation on expression of MT-1 and MT-2 mRNA in placenta and small intestine of pregnant rats. Method: Eighteen healthy pregnant SD rats were randomly divided into two groups,normal control (ZC) and zinc supplement group (ZS). Rats in both groups were fed the same normal diet. Rats in ZC group drank deionized water and those in ZS group drank the water supplemented with 1.26 mmol/L Zn. At gestational 9.5d and 17.5d, serum zinc was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer and the expression of MT-1 and MT-2 mRNA of placenta and small intestine was examined by RT-PCR. Results: Serum zinc levels at gestational 9.5d and 17.5d were higher in ZS group. Relative expression of both MT-1 and MT-2 mRNA in placenta, MT-1 mRNA at gestational 17.5d and MT-2 mRNA at each time point were higher in ZS group. At gestational 9.5d, there was no difference between two groups in expression of MT-1 mRNA. Conclusion: The expression of MT-1 and MT-2 mRNA in placenta and small intestine was up-regulated by dietary zinc supplementation during pregnancy.

Objective:To discuss the treatment options for patients with azoospermia factor (AZF)c microdeletion on Y chromosome.Methods:One hundred and eighty three patients,who were diagnosed as AZFc microdeletion on Y chromosome in Peking University Third Hospital,were recruited in our stu-dy.In order to get better treatment option for this kind of patients,we retrospectively analyzed their clinic data including the treatment process and pregnancy outcome and found out the characteristics of their se-men.Results:Among the 183 patients,sperms can be found in ejaculated semen in 105 patients (57.4%,105 /183).One hundred and three patients (98.1%,103 /105)were diagnosed as severe or extremely severe oligospermia.Regular medication was given to 98 patients,6 patients (6.1%,6 /98) of which got natural pregnancy.The other 99 patients who have sperms in their semen received intracyto-plasmic sperm injection (ICSI),68 patients (68.7%,68 /99)of which got pregnancy.Seventy eight patients were diagnosed as azoospermia among all the 183 patients.Forty nine patients received testicular sperm aspiration (TESA),and 21 patients choose to receive micro-TESE directly.Among the 49 patients with TESA,sperms were retrieved in 17 patients (34.7%,17 /49),and sperms were not retrieved in 32 patients (65.3%,32 /49),of which 12 patients (37.5%,12 /32)gave up treatment and 20 patients (62.5%,20 /32)choose micro-TESE.Among the 41 patients who choose to receive micro-TESE,ope-ration has been done on 19 patients,of which 11 patients (57.9%,11 /19)got sperms.Among the 11 patients,TESA has been done on 6 patients before micro-TESE,of which 4 patients (66.6%,4 /6)got sperms.ICSI has already been done on 7 azoospermia AZFc microdeletion patients who underwent micro-TESE,of which 4 patients (57.1%,4 /7)get pregnancy.Conclusion:AZFc microdeletion patients who had sperms were always diagnosed as severe or extremely severe oligospermia.ICSI was their first choice instead of drug therapy.For AZFc microdeletion patients who were diagnosed as azoospermia, TESA was one of their choices,however,the success rate is not high.Micro-TESE is still possible to get sperms even after the failure of TESA.Therefore,we may choose micro-TESE instead of TESA in some azoospermia patients in order to reduce surgical trauma on patients.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide, and its high rates of relapse and metastasis are associated with a poor prognosis. Despite extensive research, the underlying regulatory mechanisms of CRC remain unclear. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a major type of noncoding RNAs that have received increasing attention in the past few years, and studies have shown that they play a role in many biological processes in CRC. Here, we summarize recent studies on lncRNAs associated with CRC and the signaling pathways and mechanisms underlying this association. We show that dysregulated lncRNAs may be new prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers or therapeutic targets for clinical application. This review contributes not only to our understanding of CRC, but also suggests novel signaling pathways associated with lncRNAs that can be targeted to block or eradicate CRC.
Biological Processes ; Biomarkers ; Colon ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; RNA, Long Noncoding ; RNA, Untranslated