Cancer-testis antigen (CTA) is a kind of tumor-associated antigen, which expresses in various types of human tumor tissues but only express in a few of normal tissues. The CTA has numerous functions that not yet are fully understood. The CTA possesses immunogenicity that may induce cellular and humoral responses in vivo, which can provide a new approach for cancer immunotherapy.

Objective To observe the changes of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in spinal tissues of rats with acute spinal cord injury after electroacupuncture (EA) treatment, and its association with inflammatory reaction and apoptosis after spinal cord injury. Methods The spinal cord injury of all the rats was induced by a 10 g × 2.5 cm impact with the reformative Allen equipment. The IL-1β and caspase-3 in spinal nerves of rats were detected with immunohistochemistry, while the level of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in spinal tissues with the Colourimetry, neuron apoptosis with the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuredine triphosphate-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL). Results At the end of EA therapy, the expression of IL-1β and caspase-3, the level of MDA, and the number of TUNEL positive cells in EA group were all significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.01), and the activity of SOD was obviously higher (P<0.01). Conclusion The EA therapy can decrease the expression of IL-1β and caspase-3 in rats of acute spinal cord injury, and alleviate the inflammatory reaction and apoptosis after spinal cord injury.

Objective:To investigate the effect of activation of proteinase activated receptor(PAR)2 on mediator release from mast cells.Methods:P815 cells(a mast cell line) were challenged with various concentrations of PAR-2 agonist peptide,trypsin,tryptase or elasetase with or without PAR-2 antagonist peptide.The supernatants were collected and analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) to detect the quantity of released IL-4,IL-6 and histamine.Results:PAR-2 agonist peptide,trypsin or tryptase induced a concentration-dependent IL-4,but not histamine release from P815 mast cells.Trypsin and tryptase induced IL-4 release from the mast cells was blocked by addition of PAR-2 antagonist peptide.No IL-4,IL-6 and histamine release was observed when P815 cells were incubated with elasetase.Conclusion:Induction of IL-4 release from mast cells by trypsin and tryptase through activation of PAR-2 added some novel information on the hypothesis of self-amplification mechanism of mast cell activation.

Objective To probe the advantages of BTX-A for the treatment of axillary hyper-hidrosis. Methods 42 cases were treated by BTX-A injection, 50 units per axillae, 25 sites with 2 u-nits each, 1.5 cm apart. They consisted of 24 cases of axillary hyperhidrosis, 10 cases of axillary hy-perhidrosis combined bromidrosis, and 8 cases of bromidrosis. Results All hyperhidrosis patients a-chieved good effects. Among patients with axillary hyperhidrosis combined bromidrosis, it had effects on hyperhidrosis, but only one case effected on bromidrosis. Among patients with bromidrosis, only one case had effect. Conclusions In the treatment of hyperhidrosis, BTX-A is very useful, and side effect is temporary and slight. But for bromidrosis, BTX-A is not very useful.

Objective To detect the mutations in connexin genes in a family with hidrotic ectodermal dysplasia(HED)complicated by pseudo-ainhum.Methods Peripheral blood samples were collected from a 20-year-old patient with HED complicated by pseudo-ainhum,and from his unaffected sister.Total DNA was extracted from these samples,and PCR was performed to amplify the partial coding region of GJB2,GJB5 and GJB6 genes.Subsequently.PCR products were bidirectionally sequenced in both subjects.Results No mutation was detected in GJB5 or GJB6 gene in either subjects.Two mutations (V27I and V37I)were detected in the GJB2 gene in the patient but not in his sister.Conclusion The mutation in the GJB6 gene may be absent in patients with HED;there might be other genes involved in the pathogenesis.

Objective To analyze the correlations between pediatric intersive cave unit (PICU) nurses′job satisfaction and their perception of job characteristics. Method One hundred and thirty-six PICU nurses from a women and children′s hospital of Guangzhou participated in the study and the job diagnostic survey (JDS) and Minnesota satisfaction questionnaire short-form (MSQ20) were used to investigate the relationship between the job characteristics and job satisfaction. Results The average score on general satisfaction was (3.57 ± 0.41). The dimensions like skill variety, task integrity, feedback from job and feedback from others, had a significant positive impact on general satisfaction (all P<0.05). Conclusion Nurses generally have a relatively middle level of job satisfaction and measures should be taken to improve their job satisfaction as well as the quality of nursing.

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that Gingko biloba leaf extract (GbE) is effective in promoting the functions recovery of the brain that follows traumatic injury, in improving the dysfunctions of learning and memory of the elderly, and it is also effective in improving the plasticity in central nervous system (CNS). However, what is the effect on learning and memory functions of rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus?OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of GbE on the learning and memory dysfunction and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expressions in hippocampus of diabetic rats.DESIGN: Complete-random design, controlled experimental study.SETTING: Department of Pharmacology, Guangxi Medical University.MATERIALS: A total of 84 male Wistar rats (180-220 g), 8 weeks old,SPF, were used in this study. GbE (containing 24.8% flavone glycosides and 6.2% diterpene lactone) was purchased from Guilin Xintejia Natural plants Pharmaceutical Factory, Guangxi Province, Lot No. 200405.METHODS: The experiment was completed at the Pharmacology Lab (Provincial Lab) of the Experimental Center of Guangxi Medical University from June 2004 to March 2005. ① A total of 70 rats were rendered diabetic by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin at a dose of 55 rmg/kg dissolved in citrate buffer (pH4.4) after 24 hours fasting. Tail vein blood glucose concentration was determined 4 days later using ONE TOUCH glucose meter. A total of 56 streptozotocin-treated rats with a blood glucose concentration of ＞ 15 mmol/L were recognized as type 2 diabetic rats. ② These diabetic rats were randomly divided into model group, insulin group, high-dose GbE group, and low-dose GbE group. There were 14 rats in each group. There was no difference in the blood glucose concentration among the groups. Another 14 male rats with an intraperitoneal injection of citrate buffer solution were served as control group. After division, drugs were given. Insulin 10 μ/kg was injected subcutaneously every day for 6 months. GbE 100 mg/kg and GbE 50 mg/kg were administered through intra-gastric method every day for 6 months.The diabetic group and control group were administered normal solution through intra-gastric method every day for 6 months. ③ Six months later,Morris water maze was operated on each group of rats. The Morris water maze consisted of a large circular pool [100 cmdimension, 60 cm height,filled to a depth of 42 cm with water at (25±1) ℃]. Within the pool a submerged platform (round, black, 8 cm diameter, 2 cm below the water surface) was hidden on a fixed location, 20 cm from the edge of the pool,in which milk powder was dissolved to obscure the platform. The rat could climb on the platform to escape from the necessity of swimming. The rats were trained to locate the hidden platform. The animals were received 4 trials (2 in the morning, and 2 in the afternoon) per day on 4 consecutive days. The rat was given a maximum of 90 s to find the hidden platform.On the 5th day, the rat's learning ability was examined by observing the time to find the hidden platform (escape latency) in 90 s and the platformfinding strategy (prompt and straight way, marked 4 scores; hesitating first and then straight way, marked 3 scores; random way, marked 2 scores;aimless way and around the pool border, marked 1 score). On the 8th day,the escape latency and the platform-finding strategy were observed to examine the rat's memory level. ④ After the Morris water maze test, 8 rats of each group were sacrificed by decapitation for RT-PCR of GFAP mRNA expression, and 6 rats of each group were sacrificed for immunohistochemistry of GFAP protein expression. GFAP mRNA expression level was analyzed by the expression ratio of the interest GFAP to the control β-actin according to the computer image analysis. The GFAP protein expression was analyzed by the volume density of GFAP in hippocampus. ⑤ Data were analyzed with one-way ANOVA and q-test.MAIN OUTCOME MESURES: The effects of GbE-on the performances of the water maze Morris of type 2 diabetic rats and both GFAP mRNA and protein expressions in hippocampus.RESULTS: A total of 14 streptozotocin-treated rats with a blood glucose concentration of ＜ 15 mmol/L were rejected from the study. ① The performance of diabetic rats in the Morris water maze was significantly impaired compared to control group, the results on the 5th day and the 8th day showed that both escape latency and platform-finding strategy scores were decreased (P ＜ 0.01). The escape latency of both insulin treatment and GbE treatments on the 5th day and the 8th day was shorter than that of diabetic group, the platform-finding strategy scores was higher than that of diabetic group (P ＜ 0.05-0.01). There was no marked difference among the insulin treatment and GbE treatments groups in performance of the water maze Morris (P ＞ 0.05). ② The levels of both GFAP mRNA and protein expressions in hippocampus: Statistical analyses indicated that the level of GFAP mRNA expression of diabetic rats was significantly higher than that of the 3 other groups (P ＜ 0.01). Compared to control group, the diabetic rats showed a high immunoreactivity, the GFAP body was enlarged markedly, apophysis was obviously longer, the expressed numbers were increased, and the volume density of GFAP was also increased significantly (P ＜ 0.01). Compared to the diabetic group, the insulin treatment and GbE treatments groups showed a low immunoreactivity, the GFAP body was markedly smaller, apophysis was obviously shorter, the expressed numbers were decreased, and the volume density of GFAP was also decreased significantly (P ＜ 0.01). There were no marked differences in both GFAP mRNA and protein expressions among the insulin treatment and GbE treatments groups (P ＞ 0.05).CONCLUSION: There is cognition impairment in type 2 diabetic rats, the responsive GFAP may take a part in the progress of the learning and memory dysfunction. GbE can decrease markedly the reactive hypertrophy of astrocytes of diabetic hippocampus and improve the learning and memory dysfunction in diabetic rats.

AIM: To investigate the effect of 3-methyladenine (3-MA) combined with trichostatin A (TSA) on triple-negative breast cancer cells and the mechanism involved.METHODS: The viability of MDA-MB-231 cells was detected by MTT assay, the migration ability was determined by scratch assay, and the expression of autophagy-related proteins was detected by Western blot.RESULTS: TSA significantly inhibited the viability of MDA-MB-231 cells in a time-and dose-dependent manner.The results of scratch assay showed that TSA inhibited cell migration ability.Western blot data indicated that TSA resulted in a moderate increase in LC3-Ⅱ expression.Moreover, 3-MA inhibited cell autophagy induced by TSA, and combination of 3-MA and TSA further inhibited the viability of MDA-MB-231 cells.CONCLUSION: Combination of 3-MA and TSA may effectively inhibit the growth of triple-negative breast cancer cells.

Objective To explore job satisfaction of nurses in the pediatric department and the influential factors.Methods Four hundred and fifty four nurses from children’s hospital in Guangzhou involved the study.The Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire Short-Form(MSQ20)was used to measure their satisfaction.Results The score on job satisfaction was 70.41±9.28,with the inner satisfaction(3.62±0.45),the extrinsic satisfaction(3.30±0.60)and general satisfaction(3.52±0.46).Salary was one of the important factors affecting job satisfaction.Conclusions The job satisfaction of the nurses of pediatric departments or hospitals can be improved by raising their salary level and benefits and improving their educational level.

Aim To observe the protective effects of breviscapine against lung fibrosis and investigate its possible mechanism.Methods Effects of breviscapine on cell proliferation,activation and extracellular matrix secretion were examined in mouse embryonic lung fibroblast L929 cells in vitro.The mouse model of bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis was used to assess the protective effect of breviscapine against lung fibrosis.Results In vitro,breviscapine had no cytotoxicity directly on L929 cells,however,it could suppress cell proliferation,activation and secretion of laminin(LN) and collagen Ⅰ(ColⅠ) induced by transforming growth factor beta1(TGF-?1) in L929 cells.In vivo,breviscapine could prevent increase in serum TGF-?1 and decrease in superoxide dismutase(SOD),peroxidase(POD) and catalase(CAT) in mice with lung fibrosis caused by bleomycin.In addition,breviscapine was able to reduce pulmonary hydroxyproline,collagen,malondialdehyde(MDA)and TGF-?1 in lung fibrosis mice.Conclusion Breviscapine has protective effect against lung fibrosis and the possible mechanism is to enhance antioxidative defense activities and prevent TGF-? signal.