?AlM: To investigate the expression of miR-181 in the lens tissue of cataract and the regulating mechanism of miR-181 on apoptosis of human lens epithelial cell.
?METHODS:Real time q-PCR was used to measure the expression of miR-181 in the anterior lens capsules of age - related cataract and human lens epithelial cell apoptosis model. miR- 181 mimic and inhibitor were transfected using Lipofectamine 2 000 to regulate the expression of miR-181, and then Real time q-PCR was used to verify transfection efficiency. Flow cytometry was used to detect the change of cell apoptosis rate.
? RESULTS: Compared with control group, the expression of miR-181 was significantly higher in both the anterior lens capsules of age-related cataract and human lens epithelial cell apoptosis model; the relative expression of miR-181 in lens epithelial cells transfected with miR-181 mimic was increased, whereas decreased in cells transfected with miR-181 inhibitor;the apoptosis rate of cells transfected with miR - 181 mimic was increased, while reduced in miR-181 inhibitor group. Each result was statistically significant (P<0. 01).
?CONCLUSlON:High expression of miR-181 is detected in anterior lens capsule of age-related cataract. miR-181 might play a certain role in the pathogenesis of cataract via promoting human lens epithelial cell apoptosis. miR-181 probably becomes a new approach for the nonoperative treatment of cataract, but the concrete mechanism still needs to be further studied.

A test was conducted to examine the effect of several electron donors such as glucose, sodium acetate, Fe0, Fe0+glucose and Fe0+sodium acetate on reductive dechlorination of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) through inoculating the unacclimated anaerobic mixed bacteria. The optimum condition and sus-tainability of Fe0 as electron donor was also been discussed. The results showed that, Fe0+glucose enhanced the dechlorination of contaminant effectively compared to glucose. Sodium acetate, Fe0 and Fe0+sodium acetate were all effective electron donors and Fe0 was the optimum, the optimum initial pH was 8.0 and quantity of added Fe0 was 2.0 g/L. 4-CP was the mainly intermediate product for 2,4-DCP dechlorination. Fe0 could support the electron for reductive dechlorination of 2,4-DCP continuously. In contrast, when so-dium acetate as electron donor, the effect of dechlorination was inferior to Fe0 with the consumption of sodium acetate.

Objective: To observe the clinical effect of acupoint sticking therapy with Mian Tan Gao (facial paralysis paste) plus electroacupuncture (EA) for treating peripheral facial paralysis and its influence on patients' facial nerve functions, facial disability index and clinical symptoms and signs. Methods: A total of 96 peripheral facial paralysis patients were allocated into an observation group, a medicine group and an EA group by simple randomization, with 32 cases in each group. Patients in the medicine group were treated with oral mecobalamine and prednisone acetate; patients in the EA group were treated with EA on the basis of the medicine treatment; while patients in the observation group were treated with acupoint sticking therapy with Mian Tan Gao (facial paralysis paste) plus EA. After 4-week treatment, the clinical efficacy, the adverse events, and the scores of House-Brackmann (H-B) facial nerve function grading scale, visual analog scale (VAS), clinical symptoms and signs, and facial disability index (FDI) were compared. Results: After 4-week treatment, the total effective rate was 96.9％ in the observation group, higher than 68.7％ in the medicine group and 75.0％ in the EA group (both P<0.05). After 4-week treatment, the scores of H-B grading scale, VAS and clinical symptoms and signs in the three groups dropped significantly compared with those before treatment, and the scores in the observation group were lower than those in the medicine group and EA group (all P<0.05). After 4-week treatment, the facial disability index-physical function (FDIP) in the FDI in the three groups increased significantly, with a higher value in the observation group compared with that in the medicine group and EA group (both P<0.05). The facial disability index-social function (FDIS) in the FDI dropped significantly, with a lower score in the observation group compared with that in the medicine group and EA group (both P<0.05). However, the comparisons of the items above between the medicine group and the EA group showed no statistical significance (all P>0.05). The between-group comparison of the adverse event across the three groups showed no statistical significance (P>0.05). Conclusion: Acupoint sticking therapy with Mian Tan Gao (facial paralysis paste) plus EA can decrease H-B grade, reduce pain severity and improve clinical symptoms and signs as well as the facial disability condition in peripheral facial paralysis patients. This method produced more significant efficacy compared with oral medicine and medicine plus EA.

Background: Extensive studies have confirmed the efficacy of taxanes in combination with anthracycline-basedchemotherapy on breast cancer. However, few studies have assessed the efficacy of weekly taxane–anthracyclineregimens on locally advanced breast cancer. This study was to compare the efficacy and safety of a weekly taxane–anthracycline regimen with those of tri-weekly anthracycline-based regimen in patients with locally advanced breastcancer.Methods: Patients with locally advanced breast cancer were randomized to receive 4–6 cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapywith tri-weekly 5-fluorouracil–epirubicin–cyclophosphamide (FEC) regimen or weekly paclitaxel–epirubicin(PE) regimen. The primary endpoint was the pathologic complete response (pCR) rate. Other endpoints included theclinical tumor response, breast-conserving surgery rate, and adverse events.Results: Between March 2010 and September 2013, 293 patients were randomized to the FEC (n = 151) and PE(n = 142) arms. The overall clinical response rate was significantly higher in the PE arm than in the FEC arm (76.06% vs.59.95%, P = 0.001). Consistently, the post-chemotherapy pathologic T and N stages were significantly lower in the PEarm than in the FEC arm (P < 0.001). However, the pCR rate was similar in the two arms (10.61% vs. 12.31%, P = 0.665).Overall, 36 (27.27%) patients in the FEC arm and 6 (35.28%) in the PE arm were qualified for breast-conserving surgery.Most adverse events were comparable in both arms, with more severe neutropenia in the PE arm than in the FEC arm(11.97% vs. 5.96%, P = 0.031).Conclusions: In patients with locally advanced breast cancer, weekly PE was not superior to FEC in terms of pCR.However, weekly PE has a higher response rate and superior down-staging effects. On this account, the PE regimenmay be considered an alternative option for locally advanced breast cancer. Long-term follow-up data are needed toconfirm the efficacy of this regimen on locally advanced breast cancer.

Under guiding of correct thinking of scientific research, development of clinical scientific research of acupuncture and moxibustion is of important significance for promoting academic progresses of acupuncture and moxibustion, increasing clinical therapeutic effect of acupuncture and moxibustion. This paper probes thinking of clinical scientific research of acupuncture and moxibustion and puts forward the guiding principles, i.e. testing and verifying therapeutic effect, searching for laws, expounding mechanisms and guiding clinical practice.
Acupuncture ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Biomedical Research ; Humans ; Moxibustion

An improved edge detection algorithm is proposed in this paper for the medical images with strong noises and fuzzy edges. The algorithm modified the combination of morphological operations, so that the unclear edges of the images are avoided. In this paper is also introduced the algorithm of multi-structure elements which can reserve integrated edges from different directions of the images. Furthermore, the contrast enhancement and morphological filter processing are implemented. This method can detect the edges efficiently, keep the detected edges smooth and obtain coherent image edges. Experiments demonstrate that this edge detector has a better performance of noise reduction and keeps the edges more accurate than do the traditional edge detectors; thus its practicality is enhanced.
Algorithms ; Humans ; Image Enhancement ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

To evaluate the changes induced in tumor tissue, the feeding artery, and neovascularization upon pingyangmycin-lipiodol emulsion treatment via transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) using the rabbit VX2 liver cancer model. The VX2 liver tumor model was established in 28 rabbits, and baseline tumor volume (V1, in mm3) was measured by spiral scan computed tomography (CT). Then, the rabbits were randomly divided into four groups (n = 7 each) and administered intraarterial therapies of: ultrafluid lipoidol embolization (group A); pingyangmycin (group B); pingyangmycin-lipiodol emulsion (group C); or saline (group D). All rabbits were sacrificed seven days later, and the response to therapy was determined by measuring the tumor volume (V2, in mm3), calculating the tumor growth rate, detecting expression of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) tumor biomarker, and performing histological analysis of the microvessel density (MVD) in the liver. Prior to therapy, the average V1 of the groups was statistically similar (A: 389.8+/-167.3, B: 404.1+/-184.9, C: 355.1+/-158.3, D: 378.1+/-189.0; (F = 0.257, P more than 0.05). In contrast, after therapy the average V2 of the groups was significantly different (A: 922.6+/-32.9, B: 665.9+/-99.9, C: 349.5+/-177.8, D: 1403.5+/-411.2; F = 26.23, P less than 0.05), as was the tumor growth ratio (A: 1.4, B: 0.6, C: -0.02, D: 2.7) and the mean positive ratio of VEGF (A: 57.1%, B: 42.9%, C: 28.6%, D: 100%; F = 8.407, P less than 0.05). MVD was highest in group D and lowest in group C (all, P less than 0.05). Bivariate correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between VEGF expression and MVD (r = 0.743, P less than 0.01). Pingyangmycin exerts anti-tumor effects in the rabbit VX2 liver cancer model, but is more effective when administered as the combination therapy of pingyangmycin-lipiodol emulsion with TACE.
Animals ; Antibiotics, Antineoplastic ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Bleomycin ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic ; methods ; Emulsions ; Ethiodized Oil ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Iodized Oil ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental ; blood supply ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Male ; Microvessels ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; Rabbits ; Random Allocation ; Tumor Burden ; drug effects ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism

Objective - To analyze the relationship between cobalt level of post shift urine and individual exposure level of ， cobalt and its compounds in cobalt exposed workers and to explore the feasibility of using urine cobalt as a biomarker. Methods - A total of 148 occupational cobalt exposed workers from a new material company were selected as the exposed ， - - group and 44 non occupational cobalt exposed workers from the company were selected as the control group using the typical sampling method. The exposure concentration of time weighted average of cobalt and its compounds in the workplace air of the - two groups was determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry as the individual exposure level. The cobalt levels - - of pre shift and post shift urinary samples of the two groups were detected by this method. The linear relationship between the - cobalt level of post shift urine and the individual exposure level of cobalt and its compounds in the air of the workplace was Results - 3 analyzed. The individual exposure level of cobalt and its compounds in the exposed group was 1.10 131.71 μg/m with （M） 3 the median of 12.23 μg/m. No cobalt and its compounds were detected in the workplace air in the control group. The cobalt - - levels of pre shift and post shift urines in exposed group were higher than those in the control group at the same time point （M： vs ， vs ， P ） - - 1.54 0.56 μg/L 8.77 0.83 μg/L all <0.01 . The cobalt level of post shift urine was higher than that in pre shift （M： vs ，P ）， urine in the exposed group 8.77 1.54 μg/L <0.01 and it was positively correlated with the individual exposure level （ ，P ） ， of cobalt and its compounds Spearman correlation coefficient=0.86 <0.01 . After common logarithm conversion the linear regression equation of the cobalt level of post shift urine and the common logarithm of individual exposure level of cobalt and （x） ：ŷ x（ ；F ， its compounds in the exposed group was as follows = −0.178 + 0.988 coefficient of determination=0.72 =374.75 P ；t ， P ） Conclusion - <0.01 = - 19.36 <0.01 . There was a linear correlation between cobalt level of post shift urine and occupational cobalt exposure level of cobalt exposed workers. Urinary cobalt can be used as a biomarker of occupational cobalt

OBJECTIVETo observe effects of syndrome-differentiation acupuncture on life quality in patients with functional dyspepsia (FD) in order to evaluate its clinical efficacy.

METHODSOne hundred and five cases of FD were randomly divided into a syndrome-differentiation acupuncture group, a regular acupuncture group and a non-acupoint group, 35 cases in each one. Zhongwan (CV 12), Tianshu (ST 25), Zusanli (ST 36) were selected as main acupoints in the syndrome-differentiation acupuncture group. After syndrome differentiation, Danzhong (CV 17) and Zhangmen (LR 13) were added for those with stagnation of liver qi; Pishu (BL 20) and Weishu (BL 21) were added for those with deficiency of spleen-stomach qi; Qimen (LR 14) and Taichong (LR 3) were added for liver-qi invading stomach and Yinlingquan (SP 9) and Neiting (ST 44) were added for dampness-heat blocking stomach. The selection of acupoints in the regular acupuncture group was the same as main acupoints in the syndrome-differentiation acupuncture group. The points 10 mm lateral to the main acupoints were selected in the non-acupoint group. The treatment was given once a day, six days as a treatment course and totally two courses were required. The symptom total score, health-related quality of life survey (SF-36) and Nepean dyspepsia index (NDI) were evaluated before and after the treatment as well as one month after the treatment (follow-up visit), respectively. The efficacy was also assessed.

RESULTSAfter the treatment, the total effective rate was 87.5% (28/32) in the syndrome-differentiation acupuncture group, which was superior to 74.2% (23/31) in the regular acupuncture group and 20.7% (6/29) in the non-acupoint group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared before the treatment, the SF-36, NDI and symptom total score after the treatment and in the follow-up visit were all obviously improved in the syndrome-differentiation acupuncture group and regular acupuncture group (all P < 0.05), which was the most obvious in the syndrome-differentiation acupuncture group [after the treatment, SF-36: 84.54 +/- 5.93 vs 81.44 +/- 6.22, 63.46 +/- 6.59; NDSI: 18.94 +/- 9.30 vs 21.23 +/- 8.39, 43.93 +/- 11.26; NDLQI: 71.42 +/- 7.23 vs 63.11 +/- 7.06, 54.87 +/- 6.00; symptom total score: 22.06 +/- 15.80 vs 32.52 +/- 16.88, 47.97 +/- 10.92]; the improvement in the regular acupuncture group was more obvious than that in the non-acupoint group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). Compared before the treatment, only NDSI score was improved in the non-acupoint group after the treatment (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe syndrome-differentiation acupuncture could obviously improve patient's life quality in the treatment of FD, which is an effective therapy for FD.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Dyspepsia ; physiopathology ; psychology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Quality of Life ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of recombinant interleukin-6 (IL-6) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) on inhibiting bone absorption induced by receptor activator for nuclear factor-kB ligand (RANKL) in murine osteoclast precursor cells (OCPs) model.

METHODSRAW 264.7 cells were solely treated with 50 ng/ml RANKL for 1 day, and then they were divided into three groups: RANKL (control group), RANKL+IL-6 (IL-6 group) and RANKL+IL-6+OPG (combination group). These cells were harvested and investigated by means of HE staining under light microscope after consecutive 9 days. Furthermore, staining tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase(TRAP)-positive multinucleated cells were detected by inverted phase contrast microscope. The absorption pits of bone slices were observed under scanning electron microscope.

RESULTSThe number of mature osteoclast cells in control group was more than that in IL-6 alone or IL-6 combined with OPG group (P less than 0.05). Interestingly, this experiment has also demonstrated that there was a large number of TRAP-positive multinucleated osteoclasts (more than 3 nuclei) and several bone absorption formation in the control group, whereas the outcome was completely different in both IL-6 group and IL-6+OPG group (P less than 0.05).

CONCLUSIONIL-6 can suppress the differentiation of mature osteoclasts as directly adding it into the RAW 264.7 cells induced by 50 ng/ml RANKL, and further the effect of osteolysis is remarkably reduced. When treatment with IL-6 combined with OPG, a more effective strategy for the treatment of osteoporosis is reached.

Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Interleukin-6 ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Mice ; Osteoclasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; Osteoprotegerin ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; RANK Ligand ; pharmacology ; Recombinant Proteins ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology