Objective: To evaluate the influence of BAT (brown adipose tissue) activity on 18F-FDG (18F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose) uptake in tumors in cancer-bearing mice by using PET/CT (positron emission tomography/computed tomography) imaging. Methods: The model of mice bearing NCI-H1299 human non-small cell lung cancer was established. The activity of BAT in mice was adjusted through regulating the experimental conditions. Two groups were designed in this study, including BAT-activation group (the activity of BAT in mice was stimulated by cold exposure and food diet during the period of 18F-FDG uptake) and BAT-inhibition group (the activity of BAT in mice was inhibited by fasting, anesthesia and heating). The mice were scanned with micro-PET/CT and the uptake of 18F-FDG in tumors in the two groups was analyzed and compared. The SUV (standard uptake value) was calculated. Results: The tumor in BAT-activation group was nearly invisible on PET image and its 18F-FDG uptake value (SUV 0.15±0.06) was significantly lower than that in the BAT-inhibition group (SUV 0.58±0.20) (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The enhancement of BAT activity will significantly decrease the uptake of 18F-FDG in tumors and influence the imaging of the tumors. Copyright © 2013 by TUMOR.

Objective: To investigate the rates on prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in population older than 15 years of age in Beijing, 2013-2014. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Beijing between 2013-2014. Stratified multistage random sampling method was used to select representative sample of 13 057 Chinese individuals aged over 15 years, from the general population. Blood pressure was measured for three readings at sitting position after resting for at least five minutes with an average reading recorded. A standardized structured questionnaire was developed to collect history of hypertension and antihypertensive treatment. Results: A total of 4 663 community residents aged over 15 years were hypertensive among the 13 057 individuals, with the standardized prevalence rate as 32.7%, in Beijing area. The age-standardized prevalence rates of hypertension appeared 34.6% in men and 30.8% in women. The age-and sexstandardized prevalence of hypertension rates were 33.3% in urban and 24.6% in rural areas. The prevalence of hypertension increased with age and appeared higher in men than in women, in urban than in rural residents. Among the hypertensive patients, rates of awareness, treatment and control were 66.8%, 64.6% and 31.6%, respectively. Conclusion: High prevalence of hypertension with low rates on awareness and treatment and control, appeared in the general population of Beijing. Related strategies should be developed regarding prevention, control and management of hypertension, to reduce the burden of this disease.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Distribution ; Aged ; Antihypertensive Agents/therapeutic use* ; Asian People/statistics & numerical data* ; Awareness ; Blood Pressure ; Blood Pressure Determination ; China/epidemiology* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Humans ; Hypertension/epidemiology* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Rural Population ; Sex Distribution ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Urban Population ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore a method of quantitative evaluation on operation behavior of acupuncture manipulation and further analyze behavior features of professional acupuncture manipulation.

METHODSAccording to acupuncture basic manipulations, Scales for Operation Behavior of Acupuncture Basic Manipulation was made and Delphi method was adopted to test its validity. Two independent estimators utilized this scale to assess operation behavior of acupuncture manipulate among 12 acupuncturists and 12 acupuncture-novices and calculate interrater reliability, also the differences of total score of operation behavior in the two groups as well as single-step score, including sterilization, needle insertion, needle manipulation and needle withdrawal, were compared.

RESULTSThe validity of this scale was satisfied. The inter-rater reliability was 0. 768. The total score of operation behavior in acupuncturist group was significantly higher than that in the acupuncture-novice group (13.80 +/- 1.05 vs 11.03 +/- 2.14, P < 0.01). The scores of needle insertion and needle manipulation in the acupuncturist group were significantly higher than those in the acupuncture-novice group (4.28 +/- 0.91 vs 2.54 +/- 1.51, P < 0.01; 2.56 +/- 0.65 vs 1.88 +/- 0.88, P < 0.05); however, the scores of sterilization and needle withdrawal in the acupuncturist group were not different from those in the acupuncture-novice group.

CONCLUSIONThis scale is suitable for quantitative evaluation on operation behavior of acupuncture manipulation. The behavior features of professional acupuncture manipulation are mainly presented with needle insertion and needle manipulation which has superior difficulty, high coordination and accuracy.

Acupuncture ; education ; instrumentation ; manpower ; standards ; Acupuncture Therapy ; instrumentation ; methods ; standards ; Health Personnel ; education ; Humans ; Quality Control

The organization of the brain follows a topological hierarchy that changes dynamically during development. However, it remains unknown whether and how cognitive training administered over multiple years during development can modify this hierarchical topology. By measuring the brain and behavior of school children who had carried out abacus-based mental calculation (AMC) training for five years (starting from 7 years to 12 years old) in pre-training and post-training, we revealed the reshaping effect of long-term AMC intervention during development on the brain hierarchical topology. We observed the development-induced emergence of the default network, AMC training-promoted shifting, and regional changes in cortical gradients. Moreover, the training-induced gradient changes were located in visual and somatomotor areas in association with the visuospatial/motor-imagery strategy. We found that gradient-based features can predict the math ability within groups. Our findings provide novel insights into the dynamic nature of network recruitment impacted by long-term cognitive training during development.
Child ; Humans ; Cognitive Training ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Brain ; Brain Mapping ; Motor Cortex

Schizophrenia (MIM 181500) is a complex disorder affecting approximately 1% of the population worldwide. Epidemiologic evidences, together with recent linkage and association studies, have clearly demonstrated the high heritability of schizophrenia (up to 80%). Uncovering the genetic mechanism of schizophrenia has became one of the greatest challenges for both psychiatry and genetics. In recent years, remarkable advances in the genetics of this disorder has been achieved with the rapid growth of human genome information and experiment technologies. Several candidate genes within some of the best-supported linkage regions have been reported and, more importantly, replicated. Moreover, these genes present a significant connection in the signaling pathways implicated in the development of schizophrenia, especially NMDA receptor-mediated glutamate transmission. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in the genetics of schizophrenia, focusing particularly on linkage disequilibrium analysis and the latest understanding of the neurobiology of the disorder.
Acyltransferases ; genetics ; Carrier Proteins ; genetics ; Dysbindin ; Dystrophin-Associated Proteins ; Humans ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; genetics ; Neuregulin-1 ; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate ; genetics ; Schizophrenia ; genetics

INTRODUCTIONThe device closure of atrial septal defects has evolved over the years. In the early days of transcatheter occlusion, balloon sizing was used to choose an appropriate sized device. We postulate that balloon sizing does not value-add to the procedure and is unnecessary.

MATERIALS AND METHODSPatients who had balloon sizing, with (Group 1, n = 38) or without (Group 2, n = 21) atrial septal defect closure, were compared to another group (Group 3, n = 64) who had atrial septal defect closure without balloon sizing. Although the atrial septal defect size (mm) in those without balloon sizing (Group 3) compared to patients who had balloon sizing (Group 1) (18.3 +/- 5.4 vs 14.8 +/- 5.8; P = 0.021) was larger, the Amplatzer septal occluder size chosen (mm) (21.6 +/- 6.3 vs 21.2 +/- 8.1; P = 0.693) was similar.

RESULTSWe analysed the degree of absolute sizing, defined as [(Balloon or Amplatzer occluder size) - (transoesophageal echocardiography size)], versus relative sizing, which is defined as [(Balloon or Amplatzer occluder size)--(transoesophageal echocardiography size) / (Balloon or Amplatzer occluder size)]. It was evident that there was greater absolute and relative over-sizing (6.3 +/- 4.4 mm vs 4.2 +/- 2.1 mm; P = 0.009 and 28.3 +/- 15.4% vs 20.0 +/- 7.0%; P = 0.001, respectively) in patients with balloon sizing (Group 1) compared to those who did not (Group 3). Even a greater degree of absolute (5.1 +/- 3.9 mm vs 9.5 +/- 4.7 mm; P <0.001) and relative over-sizing (24.8 +/- 15.6% vs 33.0 +/- 13.6%; P = 0.001) was observed in patients who had balloon sizing but there was no closure (Group 2) compared to those who had balloon sizing and closure of their defects (Group 1).

CONCLUSIONOur results showed that balloon sizing tended to over-size the atrial septal defect. This may have an important bearing in selecting a larger device than necessary, or even precluding transcatheter closure of the larger atrial septal defects. It is also associated with increased procedural, fluoroscopy time and cost. We suggest that balloon sizing may no longer be necessary in the protocol of device closure of an atrial septal defect.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Cardiac Catheterization ; instrumentation ; methods ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Echocardiography, Transesophageal ; Female ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Septal Occluder Device ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo monitor the level of phthalates in human biological samples.

METHODSThe concentrations of three commonly-used phthalate (di-ethyl phthalate, DEP; di-n-butyl phthalate, DBP; di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate, DEHP) in the human biological samples were measured by using reversed-phase HPLC. The blood serum samples were collected from 52 women and 8 men, semen specimens from 36 men, and fat samples from 6 women and 5 men. All these people were randomly selected, from 23 to 50 years of age and residing in Shanghai. We also measured hormone levels of serum and conventional indices of semen specimens.

RESULTSThe three phthalates were detected in most of the biological samples, with median levels of 5.71 mg/L (ND-37.91 mg/L) in blood serum, 0.30 mg/L (0.08 -1.32 mg/L) in semen specimens, and 0.72 mg/kg (ND-2.19 mg/kg) in fat samples. The spearman correlation coefficients between concentrations of phthalates and levels of hormone in serum were 0.442 for DBP and E(2), and -0.486 for DEP and testosterone. There was a positive association between liquefied time of semen and semen concentrations of phthalates. The correlation coefficients were 0.456 for DEP, 0.475 for DBP, and 0.457 for DEHP, respectively. There was no significant difference between semen concentrations of phthalates and sperm density.

CONCLUSIONThese results suggest that people residing in Shanghai area are exposed to phthalates (particularly to DBP and DEHP) though the level is still relatively low.

Adipose Tissue ; metabolism ; Adult ; Aged ; China ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; analysis ; blood ; Diethylhexyl Phthalate ; analysis ; blood ; Environmental Exposure ; analysis ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Hormones ; blood ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phthalic Acids ; analysis ; blood ; Pyrrolidines ; analysis ; blood ; Semen ; metabolism ; Transcription Factors ; analysis ; blood

Inhalation injury is caused by inhalation of heat, toxic or irritating gases which lead to respiratory and pulmonary parenchyma damage. At present, the clinical understanding about it is still limited and lack of effective diagnosis and treatment standard. Based on the experience of diagnosis and treatment of domestic inhalation injury, combined with reports of international researches, criteria (expert consensus) for inhalation injury were systematically discussed from pathological and pathophysiological changes, clinical diagnosis and evaluation, and clinical treatment, which provides reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment of patients inflicted with inhalation injury.
Burns, Inhalation ; Consensus ; Humans ; Lung ; Smoke Inhalation Injury ; diagnosis ; therapy

Objective:To investigate the effect of Toll‐like receptor 3(TLR3) gene deficiency on the degree of liver fibrosis in mouse model of carbon tetrachloride(CCl4 )‐induced liver fibrosis .Methods :A total of 20 wild‐type male mice and 20 male mice with TLR3 gene deficiency (TLR3‐/‐) were divided into wild‐type control group and wild‐type model group ,TLR3‐/‐ control group and TLR3‐/‐ model group ,respectively ,with 10 mice in each group .The control group was injected with corn‐oil by intraperitoneal injection while the model group was injected with CCl4 by intraperitoneal injection .After 8 weeks ,blood sample wascollectedandserumlevelofalanineaminotransferase(ALT),aspartatetransaminase(AST),totalbilirubin(TBIL),and albumin(Alb) was analyzed by automatic biochemical analyzer .And the degree of collagen deposition in liver tissue was evaluated by Masson trichrome staining .And the activation of hepatic stellate cells was detected by immunohistochemistry staining of α‐smooth muscle actin(α‐SMA).And hydroxyproline content of liver tissue was detected with detection kit . Furthermore ,real‐time fluorescence polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the expression of liver fibrotic marker type I collagen ,and inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) , interleukin‐6 (IL‐6 ) and monocyte chemotactic protein‐1(MCP‐1) ,as well as pro‐fibrotic molecule including transforming growth factor‐beta (TGF‐β) ,tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1(TIMP1) and platelet‐derived growth factor receptor(PDGFR) .Results:TLR3 gene deficiency had no effect on CCl4‐induced change regarding serum level of ALT ,AST ,TBIL ,ALB .TLR3 gene deficiency aggregated the CCl4‐induced collagen deposition and hepatic stellate cell activation in liver tissue .And it promoted the CCl4‐induced elevation of hydroxyproline content and expression increase of fibrotic marker type I collagen .Furthermore ,the expression increase of inflammatory cytokines including TNF‐α,IL‐6 and MCP‐1 ,as well as that of pro‐fibrotic molecule including TGF‐β,TIMP1 and PDGFR ,was promoted .Conclusions :TLR3 gene deficiency could promote liver collagen deposition and hepatic stellate cell activation in mouse model of CCl4‐induced liver fibrosis ,and it could promote inflammatory cytokine release and pro‐fibrotic molecule up‐regulation .All above suggest that TLR3 is a protective gene during liver fibrosis pathological process .

Objectives To establish a new transgenic mouse model for determining the function and role of human scavenger receptor A (SR-A) in atherosclerosis in vivo. Methods Human scavenger receptor minigene-driven mouse tie-1 promoter was constructed and confirmed by endonuclease digestion and sequence analysis. Transgenic mice were generated via the microinjection method. PCR and Southern blot were used to screen the positive transgenic mice. RT-PCR and immunohistochemical analysis were used to detect the level and location of human SR-A Ⅰ expression in transgenic mice. The activity of human SR-A Ⅰ was determined by morphologic observation of aortic endothelial cells of transgenic mice under transmission electron microscopy. Results The electrophoresis assay showed the expected 4 fragments of 0.9 kb, 1.1 kb, 1.2 kb and 4.2 kb in the Sma Ⅰ digest and 2 fragments of 0.8 kb and 6.7 kb in Bgl Ⅱ digest of plasmids pTie-1/hSR-A. The fragment sequence of tie-1 promoter and human SR-A cDNA in plasmids pTie-1/hSR-A was correct and no ATG before the translation initiation sites of human SR-A was found by sequence analysis. 561 injected and surviving embryos with the purified human SR-A minigene were implanted into the oviducts of 19 ICR pseudopregnant mice. Among the 54 surviving pups from 13 foster mothers, 7 were identified by PCR and Southern blot analysis. The results of RT-PCR and imrnunohistochemical analysis showed human SR-A was specifically expressed on vascular endothelial cells of the aorta and renal artery, as well as hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells in transgenic mice. Transmmion electron microscope (TEM) of aorta of transgenic mice showed that a large number of vesicles, multivesicle bodies and swollen mitochondria filled the plasma of endothelial cells. Conclusions A transgenic mouse model with overexpression of human SR-A in endothelial cells was successfully established. The transgene was integrated and transmitted into the chromosome of transgenic mice. Tie-1 promoter controlled the transgene to express in endothelial cells in mice. Pinocytic activity of aortic endothelial cells in transgenic mice was higher than that of C57BL/6J mice. Our studies will provide a new transcgenic model for investigation of atherosclerosis and functions of human SR-A.