Objective To explore the mutation situation of pancreatic cancer cell mitochondria DNA D-loop region. Method PCR and direct sequencing was used to analyze the mutational site of mitochondria DNA D-loop region in two pancreatic cancer cell lines SW1990 and JF-305 and normal primary cultured pancreas cell. Result The point mutations were found in two pancreatic cancer cell lines and normal primary cultured pancreas cell. Eight point mutations were found in SW1990 and 9 point mutations were found in JF-305. Three point mutations (73 site A-G,16223 site C-T, and 16358 site c-T) existed in all two pancreatic cancer cell lines and normal primary cultured pancreas cells, which can be considered as polymorphism. Other two point mutations (16211 site C-T and 16311 site T-C) were only found in two pancreatic cancer cell lines, which can be considered as special mutations. Conclusion The mitochondrial DNA D-loop region of pancreatic cancer cells existed polymorphism and special mutations, and the special mutations might be new molecule marker.

Objective To investigate the early diagnosis and disease evaluation value in patients with acute pancreatitis by various serum cytokines measurement.Methods Forty-eight acute pancreatitis patients were divided into two groups based on the results of computed tomography (CT) examination:mild acute pancreatitis group (30 cases) and severe acute pancreatitis group (18 cases).The other 30 normal persons were selected as control group.The various serum cytokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results The serum concentrations of interleukin(IL)-1,IL-10 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in mild acute pancreatitis group were significantly higher than those in control group [(25.00 ± 1.92) ng/L vs.(10.08 ± 2.65) ng/L,(59.78 ± 4.51) ng/L vs.(1.80 ± 0.66) ng/L,(55.31 ± 8.54) ng/L vs.(18.72 ± 7.84) ng/L,P ＜ 0.05].The serum concentrations of IL-1,IL-6,IL-8,TNF-α and platelet activating factor (PAF) in severe acute pancreatitis group were significantly higher than those in mild acute pancreatitis group [(93.27 ± 3.98) ng/L vs.(25.00 ± 1.92) ng/L,(397.84 ± 13.05) ng/L vs.(34.12 ± 4.96) ng/L,(93.32 ±3.40) ng/Lvs.(13.06± 1.86) ng/L,(181.94 ±7.54) ng/Lvs.(55.31 ±8.54) ng/L,(284.53 ±7.88) ng/L vs.(175.25 ±30.15) ng/L,P＜0.05].Conclusion The various serum cytokines measurement has great importance on the early diagnosis of acute pancreatitis and discrimination between the mild acute pancreatitis and severe acute pancreatitis.

Objective To examine the effects of comprehensive family intervention on family function among HIV-infected injection drug users (IDUs). Methods Ninety-eight HIV-infected IDUs in 3 AIDS treatment sites in Hunan Province were selected by random cluster sampling and were randomly divided into the intervention group (50 cases) and the control group (48 cases). Subjects in the intervention group were given a 9-month comprehensive family intervention, while those in the control group received standard treatment and care. When the study was completed, APGAR questionnaire was used to analyze the effects of comprehensive family intervention. Results Before the intervention ,the scores of family function were not significantly different the intervention group and the control group. After the intervention, the scores of family function among the control group were(4.26± 3.73) points and the intervention group was (6.53± 4.29) points, the scores of family function were significantly different between the two groups. Conclusions The comprehensive family intervention is an effective model to improve the family function of HIV-infected injection drug users.

Objective To investigate the effect of hyperthermia on human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line SMMC-7721 after down-regulating the expression of mTOR,and its possible mechanisms.Methods An antisense mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) gene eukaryotic expression vector was transfected into SMMC-7721 cells.The expression of mTOR mRNA and protein were detected using RT-PCR and Western blotting,respectively.Hyperthermia was applied after the transfection,and the vitality of cell proliferation was evaluated using CCK-8 assays and the clone formation rate was determined by colony-forming assays.The migration of SMMC-7721 cells was measured using scratch assays.Apoptosis and the cell cycle were analyzed by flow cytometry.Results The expression of mTOR mRNA and protein were significantly decreased after transfection,indicating that the antisense vector could down-regulate the mTOR gene effectively.The proliferation,clone formation and migration of SMMC-7721 cells all were decreased markedly by hyperthermia after transfection.Flow cytometry showed that the rate of apoptosis was significantly increased.The number of cells in the S phase was increased and the cell cycle was induced to arrest at the S phase.Conclusions Down-regulating the expression of mTOR can increase the thermosensitivity of SMMC-7721 cells.The mechanism involves increased apoptosis and S phase arrest.

Objective To understand the variation of arsenic concentration in underground water at the endemic arsenic poison disease area of Jianghan Plain so as to better understand the spatial distribution of high arsenic groundwater,hydro-chemical evolution and source of arsenic in this region.Methods Thirty underground water samples were collected respectively around 3 km radius of the two houses where arsenic poisoning patients lived,in Xiantao and Honghu.Sediment cores of three drillings were collected as well.Both paired t-test or paired Wilcoxon Signed Ranking Test were used to compare the arsenic concentration of water.Results The arsenic concentration in 2011-2012 appeared lower than that in 2006-2007 at the Nanhong village of Xiantao (t=4.645 3,P＜0.000 1),but was higher(S=-150,P＜0.000 1) in the Yaohe village of Honghu.The pH value showed weak acidity with Eh as weak oxidated.Positive correlations were observed between arsenic concentration and C1,HCO3-,Fe,Mn.However,negative correlations were found between As and SO42-,NO3-.The range of arsenic content in the sediment was 1.500 mg/kg to 17.289 mg/kg.The maximum arsenic content existed in the soil layer,while the minimum arsenic content existed in the sand layer.Conclusion The concentration of arsenic varied widely with time and space at endemic arsenic poison disease area of Jianghan Plain.Characteristics of these water chemicals showed significant differences,when compared to the groundwater from Datong Basin,Shanxi Shanyin and Hetao Plain of Inner Mongolia,which presented a typical environment with high arsenic contents in the groundwater.The arsenic content in the sediment samples seemed related to the lithologic structure.

Objective The effect of left atrial (LA) dimension on the occurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) has been examined in some small studies.Less is known about the relationship of LA dimension,hemodynamic with AF during echocardiographic evaluation,especially,the flow dynamics in LA poorly described.The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between LA dimension and the occurrence of AE Methods Two hundred and forty-five consecutive patients with heart disease scheduled to undergo open heart surgery were prospectively enrolled in the study.Patients were divided into 2 groups according to atrial fibrillation:AF group (n=148,99 men and 49 women,with a mean age 59.3+8.4 years),and no-AF group (n= 97,60 men and 37 womem).Echocardiography was performed before surgery.All measurements were performed following the American Society of Echocardiography recommendations.Results There were more patients with congestive heart failure in AF group than in no-AF group (45.9% vs 39.1%,P ＜0.05).The mean LA volume was 49.2±12.2 ml/m2 in AF group and 33.1±10.8 ml/m2 in no-AF group.There were also significant differences between two groups in left atrial end systolic dimension (LAESD) (50±13mm vs 27±14mm),left atrial end diastolic dimension (LAEDD) (79±17mm vs 53±13mm),PA pressure ( 41.3+11.6 mmHg vs 37.5±10.4 mmHg),and ratio of mitral E velocity and septal mitral annulus motion velocity (E/E') .The percentage of abnormal diastolic function grades (DGF) was also higher in AF than in no-AF group (89.9% versus 59.8% );.Conclusion Atrial fibrillation is associated more frequently with an increased LA dimension and more severe atrial hemodynamics disorder.(J Geriatr Cardiol 2008;5:11-4)