mazEF, which is a toxin-antitoxin system located in bacterial chromosome, can mediate programmed cell death induced by various stressful conditions. In this review, the genetic structure, physiological and biochemical function of mazEF system were outlined, cellular signals and the regulation of cell factors involved in the process of cell death were introduced, and the controversy on the theory of mazEF-mediated programmed cell death was discussed. Based on the present results, It is pointed out that some questions about bacterial programmed cell death should be taken into more consideration.

Animals ; Corticosterone ; pharmacology ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; physiology ; In Vitro Techniques ; Long-Term Potentiation ; drug effects ; physiology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

Objective To investigate the change of the intestinal permeability,the expression level of intestinal trefoil factor (ITF) mRNA and the relationship between them after total body irradiation (TBI),and explore the effect of TBI on the development of intestinal permeability and the expression level of ITF mRNA.Methods Twenty two BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 4 equal groups: 3 groups at 4,8 and 12 d after TBI with the total dose of 8.0 Gy and the dose rate of 1.0 Gy/min respectively,and a control group.Lactulose (L) and mannitol (M) were perfused into the esophagus before the experiment and urine samples were collected.Liquid chromatography was used to measure the L/M excretion ratio in the urine samples collected 4,8,and 12 days after the TBI.And then the mice were killed with their intestine were taken out.The expression of ITF mRNA in the jejunum tissue was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR.Results The urine L/M ratio levels of the groups 4,8 and 12 days after TBI were (0.5092 ± 0.0352),(0.7174 ± 0.0116),and (0.7295 ± 0.0533) respectively,all significantly higher than that of the control group [(0.2908 ± 0.0533),F = 321.47,P ＜ 0.05].The ITF mRNA expression levels of groups 4,8 and 12 days after TBI were (0.78612 ±0.1428),(0.2521 ±0.1223),and (0.2306 + 0.0221 ) respectively,all significantly lower than that of the control group [( 1.3498 + 0.0476),F = 235.71 ,P ＜ 0.05].The urine L/M ratio was significantly negatively correlated with the expression of ITF mRNA in all TBI groups (r = - 0.985,P ＜ 0.01 ).Conclusions The intestinal permeability increases and the expression level of ITF mRNA decreases after TBI.The urine L/M ratio is negatively correlated with the expression level of ITF mRNA after TBI.ITF is involved in protection against intestinal permeability induced by TBI.

Objective To study the efficacy of radical surgery for the invasion of chest wall by lung cancers and the different methods of chest wall reconstruction. Methods A retrospective analysis of clinical data was conducted in 27 cases of lung cancer with chest wall invasion in this hospital. 24 cases received lobectomy, 3 cases received pneumonectomy, and all cases received wall reconstruction. The size of chest wall defect after resection ranged from 6.5 cm × 5.4 cm × 5.0 cm to 15.5 cm × 12.5 cm ×10.0 cm. The number of rib resection for each patient ranged from 1 to 4. The reconstructive methods were as follows: using polyester fabric to reconstruct costal pleura, using plexiglass, stainless steel wire and grid-like titanium plate to reconstruct bone defect, and using nearby muscle flap and pedunculated muscle flap to reconstruct muscle defect. Results Pathologic diagnosis was non-small cell lung cancer,including 22 cases of squamous cell carcinomas and 5 adenocarcinomas. There were pulmonary infections in 6 cases, chest hemorrhage in 1 case and chest purulence in 1 case. One-year survival was 77. 9 %,3-yearsurvival was 58.3 %, and 5-year survival was 29. 1 %. Conclusion The lung cancer with chest wall invasion is advisable to make active use of radical surgery. The different methods and repair materials are chosen to reconstruct the chest wall defect, supplemented by comprehensive treatments.

Objective To evaluate the examination of non-small-cell lung (NSCLC) vein formation and the dynamic characteristics of blood stream through enforced SCT scanning for the research on and clinical diagnosis of tumor.Methods Double period enhanced SCT scanning was done to 152 NSCLC cases identified pathologically.Makes the color coding the tumour blood stream irrigation chart,the analysis blood stream irrigation characteristic.Compare the enforced morphologic manifestation of cancer focus with histology and analyze their pertinence.Results The enforced CT peak value (PV) of the low differentiation is bigger than that of the medium differentiation,which is bigger than the high differentiation.63 cases are 45-70 HU,78 cases are 20-45 HU and 11 cases are 10-20 HU.67 case are of abnormal arteriola; 23 cases are of abnormal hemal sinus development; 35 cases are pistil-like.Conclusion Accurately examining and quantifying cancer focus vein formation according to SCT double period enforced scanning is of high guiding value in the enactment of the plan for treating NSCLC and the comprehensive treatment of tumors.

Objective To analyze the risk factors for the external hydrocephalus (EH) after traumatic brain injury in the infants. Methods The clinical data of 178 cases of infants and young children with traumatic brain injury from March 2004 to April 2009 were retrospectively analyzed. Univariate and logistic regression analysis were performed to identify the clinical risk factors for EH after traumatic brain injury. Results By univariate regression analysis, age, GCS score after trauma, coma duration, brain contusion, subarachnoid hemorrhage and epilepsy were risk factors for external hydrocephalus in the infants and young children (Ps < 0.05). Gender,traumatic wet lung and usage of mannitol were less relevant to EH (Ps >0. 05). The incidence of EH after traumatic brain injury in the infants and young children was 14% (25/178 ). Age ( OR = 0.5743 ) , coma duration after trauma (OR =3.0628) ,subarachnoid hemorrhage (OR =3.7093),brain contusion(OR = 4.7892) and post-trauma epilepsy (OR =2. 9976) were risk factors for EH (Ps < 0. 05). Conclusion Younger than 2 years old, low GCS score, long coma duration, brain contusion, subarachnoid hemorrhage and epilepsy would increase the risk of EH after traumatic brain injury in the infants and young children. This study provides information for the prevention of EH after traumatic brain injury in the infants and young children.

Objective To analyze the correlation between the position and the removal extent of the tumor and the postoperative sodium metabolic disturbance in patients with craniopharyngiomas. Methods Retrospective analysis of the postoperative sodium metabolic disturbance in craniopharyngioma patients admitted from Feb.2006 to Oct. 2010 was performed. Results In the 30 casese,10 cases occurred hypernatremia,9 with hyponatremia and, 2 with fluctuating hyponatremia and hypematremia. One cases died in the population. No sodium metabolic disturbance occurred in patients with craniopharyngiomas located in the interasellar region, whereas 8 occurred in the inter and suprasellar region(61.5% ,8/13) , and 3 occurred post and beside assellar region(60.0% ,3/5) , 10 occurred in the third and lateral cerebral ventricle (100.0%, 10/10). Sodium metabolic disturbance occurred in 15 cases(62. 5% ) among 24 cases underwent total resection,in all 4 cases underwent sub-total resection (100.0% ) ,and all 2 cases underwent paritical resection ( 100. 0% ). The degree of resection was not correlated with Sodium metabolic disturbance(x2 = 3.21 ,P>0.05). Conclusion Sodium metabolic disturbance after craniopharyngioma surgery may be correlated with the position of tumor, but not correlated with the removal extent.

Esophageal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Melanoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Melanoma-Specific Antigens ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; S100 Proteins ; metabolism

Implementation of information technology in clinical research has resulted in revolutionary changes in drug development. Based on the good clinical practice (GCP) requirements on data, processes and documentations, and the era of fast growth in clinical studies using up-to-date information technology, we explore an integrated e-clinical solution in clinical studies in China.
China ; Clinical Trials as Topic ; Data Collection ; methods ; Medical Informatics ; methods

OBJECTIVE: To examine the clinical benefits of acupuncture combined with intra-articular injection of sodium hyaluronate for knee osteoarthritis (KOA) patients. METHODS: A total of 150 KOA patients were randomized into simple medication and acupuncture plus medication (combined treatment) groups (n＝75 in each). For all the patients, intra-articular injection of sodium hyaluronate (2 mL) was performed once a week for 5 weeks, and for patients of the combined treatment group, filiform needles were separately inserted into unilateral or bilateral Zusanli (ST 36), Liangqiu (ST 34), Yanglingquan (GB 34), Yinlingquan (SP 9), Xiyangguan (GB 33), Dubi (ST 35), Neixiyan (EX-LE 4) and Xuehai (SP 10) according to the focus, and manipulated with the uniform reinforcing and reducing technique, followed by retaining the needles for 30 min. The acupuncture treatment was given once every day or every other day, 5 weeks in total. The visual analog scale (VAS) was used to assess the pain severity of knee-joint, and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) employed to assess the 1) pain severity during various positions or movements (20 points), 2) severity of joint stiffness (8 points), and 3) difficulty in performing daily functional activities (68 points). The therapeutic effect was evaluated according to the decreased level of WOMAC subscale scores and improvement of daily activities. RESULTS: After the treatment, the VAS scores of both medication and combined treatment groups were decreased significantly in comparison with their own pre-treatment in each group (P<0.05), and that of the combined treatment group was significantly lower than that of the medication group (P<0.05). WOMAC and daily activity fin-dings showed that of the two 75 KOA patients in the medication and combined treatment groups, 16 (21.33%) and 32 (42.67%) experienced marked improvement, 46 (61.33%) and 38 (50.67%) were improved, and 13 (17.33%) and 5 (6.67%) ineffective, with the total effective rates being 82.67% and 93.33%, respectively. The therapeutic effect of the combined treatment group was apparently superior to that of the simple medication group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture combined with intra-articular injection of sodium hyaluronate is effective in improving KOA patients' pain severity and other symptoms as well as functional activities.