Objective To construct a model for persistent genital tract infection with Chlamydia trachomatis in mice with low serum iron. Methods Iron deficiency was induced in female BALB/c mice by lowiron diet. Mice with or without iron-deficency were inoculated intravaginally with direct instillation of 50 μl of bacterial suspension containing 3.4344 × 107 IFU/ml of C. trachomatis serovar E elementary body 1 week after intramuscular injection of progesterone. Moxifloxacin and ferrous sulfate, alone or in combination were given to inoculated mice with iron deficiency daily for 1 week. Subsequently, vaginal discharge was obtained from mice and observed under an immunofluorescence microscope, and tissue specimens were resected from the uterus,uterine tube and ovary of mice and subjected to pathological examination at various time points. Results Compared with normal-iron mice, iron-deficient mice were infected with C. trachomatis for a longer duration (more than 18 weeks). After 18-week infection with C. trachomatis, there was an obvious chronic inflammation and lymphocytic infiltration in tissues specimens from the uterus,uterine tube and ovary of mice. Immunofluorescent examination of vaginal discharge for C. trachomatis turned negative in 60% of iron-deficient mice treated with both moxifloxacin and ferrous sulfate, but not in any of those receiving moxifloxacin or ferrous sulfate alone. Conclusion As animal models show, low serum iron may contribute to the persistent genital tract infection with C. trachomatis.

Objective To compare the biomechanical stability of 4 internal fixations in treatment of acetabular fracture of the lower anterior column through finite element analysis.Methods One normal adult male pelvis was subjected to 0.7mm thin-section CT scanning and 379 CT pictures were obtained.Finite element modeling software was used to establish internal fixation models for acetabular fracture of the lower anterior column,including lag screws (A),anterior column reconstruction plate (B),subcutaneous plate not crossing the pubic symphysis (C) and subcutaneous plate crossing the pubic symphysis (D).Finite element analysis was carried out to compare the biomechanical differences among the 4 internal fixation models which were subjected to the same loading conditions at both standing and sitting positions.Results At standing and sitting positions,the maximum displacement and the mean node displacement of fracture lines were the greatest in group A (0.558 mm and 0.462 ±0.092 mm at standing;0.634 mm and 0.473 ±0.108 mm at sitting),the smallest in group D (0.512 mm and 0.425 ±0.083 mm at standing;0.031 mm and 0.025 ± 0.004 mm at sitting),and in between in group B (0.513 mm and 0.432 ±0.085 mm at standing;0.630 mm and 0.466 ± 0.109 mm at sitting) and in group C (0.514 mm and 0.433 ± 0.085 mm at standing;0.627 mm and 0.464 ± 0.107 mm at sitting).At both standing and sitting positions,the maximum stress at the fracture line was the greatest in group D (10.519 MPa and 24.879 MPa),the smallest in group A (3.254 MPa and 8.954 MPa),and in between in group B (4.873 MPa and 9.431 MPa) and in group C (4.384 MPa and 10.128 MPa).Conclusions In treatment of acetabular fracture of the lower anterior column,subcutaneous plate crossing the pubic symphysis may result in the greatest biomechanical stability,lag screws the smallest biomechanical stability,and anterior column reconstruction plate and subcutaneous plate not crossing the pubic symphysis the moderate biomechanical stability.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy and toxicity of oxaliplatin reintroduction combined with raltitrexed as second-line che-motherapy after the first-line oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy in advanced colorectal cancer patients. Methods:The 48 evaluable pa-tients with advanced colorectal cancer following disease progression prior to the first-line chemotherapy were treated with oxaliplatin and raltitrexed (raltitrexed 3 mg/m2 ivgtt d1, oxaliplatin 100-130 mg/m2 ivgtt d1, q21d). All 48 patients were divided into two groups:Group A, non-oxaliplatin-based regimens as the first-line chemotherapy, 20 cases;Group B, oxaliplatin-based regimens as the first-line chemotherapy, 28 cases. Each group was evaluated every two cycles. Results:The response rates (RR) of Groups A and B were 30.0%(6/20) and 32.1%(9/28), the disease control rates (DCR) were 80.0%(16/20) and 75.0%(21/28), the median progression free survival time (mPFS) was 6.5 and 7.0 months, and the median overall survival time (mOS) was 10 and 13 months, respectively. No statistical sig-nificance was observed between the two groups in their RR, CR, mPFS, and mOS (P=0.264, 0.514, 0.713, 0.788), respectively. The most common adverse effects observed wereⅠ-Ⅱgrades of bone marrow suppression, aminotransferase abnormality, and digestive toxici-ties. The incidence of neurotoxicity (Ⅰ-Ⅱgrades) between the two groups was similar. Conclusion:Instead of irinotecan combined with raltitrexed, oxaliplatin reintroduction combined with raltitrexed for second-line chemotherapy after the first-line oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy in advanced colorectal cancer patients is feasible.

Objective　To study the value of renal CT scan in evaluating split renal function.Methods　147 patients undergone CT scan from June 2009 to June 2011 were involved in this study.There were 73 cases of obstructive hydronephrosis and 74 cases of renal tumors.66 patients were males and 81 were females with a mean age of 53 years ( range 17 - 87 years).GFR detected by single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was used as the reference of split renal function.The kidneys were divided into 3 groups according to the GFR:normal renal function (113 cases,GFR ≥ 34 ml/min),mildly impaired renal function (66 cases,GFR:20 -34 ml/min) and severely impaired renal function (41 cases,GFR ＜20 ml/min).One-way ANOVA and linear regression analysis were used to analyze the relationship between the results of CT scan and split renal functions.　Results　There were significant differences in the cortical thickness among the normal renal function,mildly impaired renal function and severely impaired renal function groups.The cortical thicknesses were (0.62 ±0.11) cm,(0.45 ±0.10) cm and (0.26 ±0.07) cm,respectively (P ＜ 0.01 ).The renal cortical thickness was strongly correlated with GFR (r =0.806,P ＜0.01 ).There were significant differences in the enhancement during the cortical phase among the 3 groups,which were (162.1 ±25.3) HU,(121.6 ±21.0) HU and (63.5 ±20.0) HU,respectively (P＜0.01).The enhancement during the cortical phase was strongly correlated with the GFR (r =0.851,P ＜ 0.01 ).The enhancement during the parenchymal phase and excretory phase was moderately correlated with the GFR ( r =0.467 and r =0.451,P ＜ 0.01 ).　Conclusions　The renal cortical tbickness and the enhancement during the cortical phase detected by CT scan might be useful for the clinical evaluation of split renal function.

Objective To analyse factors associated with onychomadesis in children,and to evaluate the relationship between onychomadesis and hand-foot-mouth disease (HMFD).Methods A retrospective study was performed.Clinical data were collected from 120 children with onychomadesis (average age,3.19 ± 2.06 years) and 120 sex-and age-matched patients with hemangioma.Viral detection was realized by real-time reverse transcriptionPCR in throat swab specimens.Data were analyzed by chi-square test using the SPSS 16.0 software.Results Of the 120 patients with onychomadesis,85 (70.83％) had a history of HMFD,which was 4 to 8 weeks prior to the occurrence of onychomadesis.Onychomadesis was strongly correlated with HMFD (OR,7.621,95％ CI,4.292-13.531),but uncorrelated with the occurrence and peak of fever,abnormality of serum trace elements,existence of latent diseases,or the use of antipyretic drugs or antimicrobial drugs during the clinical course of HMFD (all P ＞0.05).Several viruses were detected in 39.7％ of 68 throat swab specimens from patients with HMFD accompanied by onychomadesis,which included Coxsackievirus A16 in 9 patients,enterovirus 71 in 3 patients and unidentified enteroviruses in 15 patients.Conclusion Onychomadesis appears to be a complication of HMFD.

Objective Toinvestigate the molecular characteristics including antibiotic resistance,strain type,serotype,virulence,biofilm formation of Streptococcus pneumoniae isolated from Shanghai adult patients.Methods A total of 37 non-repetitive S.pneumoniae isolates causing community acquired and hospital acquired infections of adults were collected from Shanghai Huashan Hospital from January 2011 to December 2013.The inhibitory zone diameter or minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 9 antimicrobial agents (penicillin,vancomycin,erythromycin,clindamycin,levofloxacin,cefprozi,ceftriaxone,cefotaxime and linezolid) were determined by Kirby-bauer (K-B) method or Etest method;Serotypes were tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and S.pneumoniae antisera agglutination;Genomic characteristics of different serotype strains were determined by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE)method;Multilocus sequence types (MLST) was used for strain type;Semi quantitative biofilm formation test was used for the biological membrane formation.Ten main pneumococcal virulence genes (cbpA,pspA,cps2A,lytA,nana,pavA,piaA,ply,psaA and spxB) were detected by PCR and gel electrophoresis.Statistical analysis was performed using Stata software and association statistics were tested using Fisher's exact test.Results The most frequent serotypes were 19F (13.5％),23 F (13.5％),14 (10.8％),19A (10.8％).The penicillin resistance rate was 64.9％.Serotypes 19 F,19A and 23 F were significantly associated with penicillin resistance (x2 =5.89,P =0.015) and the isolates belonged to these serotypes were all multi-drug resistant (MDR).ST81 and ST271 showed high resistance rates to several antibiotics including penicillin (x2 =4.57,P =0.033).Biofilm formation was significantly associated with serotypes 19A (x2 =5.55,P =0.018) and strain type ST320 (x2 =4.33,P =0.037),but not associated with penicillin resistance (x2 =0.16,P =0.686).Virulence gene lytA,pavA,ply,psaA,spxB were found in all isolates.Conclusions Penicillin resistance rate of S.pneumoniae in adult is rising.Specific serotype,epidemic clone and antibiotic resistance are closely related,and can provide the basis for the infection control.The virulence factors such as PspA will be the new targets for vaccine development to reduce S.pneumoniae infection in the future.

[Objective]To explore the potential mechanism of action of Huangqi Sijunzi Decoction in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)by network pharmacology combined with bioinformatics methods.[Methods]The bioactive compounds of drugs and their targets were identified using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform(TCMSP)database.Differential gene and module gene of HCC were identified by differential analysis and weighted gene co-expression network analysis(WGCNA).On this basis,the network of"Components-targets of Chinese drug"was constructed.Subsequently,the biological function of the target was investigated and protein-protein interaction(PPI)network was constructed to identify key targets for drug therapy of HCC.Finally,the interaction between the target and the compound was explored by molecular docking.[Results]A total of 156 compounds and 227 targets of 5 Chinese drugs were identified,as well as 2 477 and 685 differential genes in The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)and Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)datasets,and 2 104 and 2 165 WGCNA association module genes.Then,the Chinese drug component-target network containing 4 drugs,85 compounds and 9 targets was constructed.Biological function analysis showed that the 9 targets were mainly related to cell cycle,p53 signaling pathway and cell senescence.Meanwhile,two core components of kaempferol and quercetin and five core targets of cyclin A2(CCNA2),estrogen receptor alpha(ESR1),cyclin B1(CCNB1),cyclin-dependent kinase 1(CDK1)and topoisomerase Ⅱ alpha(TOP2A)were screened.Molecular docking results showed that the kaempferol and quercetin had stable binding ability to the corresponding core targets.[Conclusion]Huangqi Sijunzi Decoction may play a therapeutic role in HCC by regulating pathways and proteins related with cell cycle.This study provides research ideas and theoretical support for the treatment of HCC with Huangqi Sijunzi Decoction.

Telomerase expression and telomere maintenance are critical for long-term cell proliferation and survival, and they play important roles in development, aging, and cancer. Cumulating evidence has indicated that regulation of the rate-limiting subunit of human telomerase reverse transcriptase gene (hTERT) is a complex process in normal cells and many cancer cells. In addition to a number of transcriptional activators and repressors, the chromatin environment and epigenetic status of the endogenous hTERT locus are also pivotal for its regulation in normal human somatic cells and in tumorigenesis.
Animals ; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic ; Chromatin ; genetics ; metabolism ; DNA Methylation ; Epigenomics ; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Transgenic ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Telomerase ; genetics ; Telomere ; enzymology ; Transcription, Genetic

Objective To evaluate the application value of ultrasound in vascularization of different artificial bones . Methods A total of 15 New Zealand rabbits were utilized for model establishment of classic segmental bone defect in bilateral radius . Recombinant human bonemorphogenic protein-2 ( rhBMP-2 ) coralline hydroxyapatite(CHA) and CHA were implanted into left and right limbs . Each CHA was divided into 4 equal parts which were examined with conventional ultrasonography and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography( CEUS ) on 3 d ,7 d ,11 d ,15 d ,30 d and 45 d respectively . CEUS quantitative was performed by time-intensity curve(TIC) ,which parameters including the basic intensity(BI) ,peak intensity (PI) ,increased signal intensity ( ΔSI) and time to peak ( TTP) . Then the results were analyzed and compared to pathology . Results Within the same duration ,the vascularization degree in rhBMP-2 group was stronger than that in the ordinary group with advanced vascularization time . Positive correlation was detected between ΔSI and time of both groups ( r =0 .938 ,0 .890 ;P =0 .000) ,and negative correlation was found between BI/PI or TTP and time ( BI/PI: r = -0 .798 ,-0 .899 ; P = 0 .000 ;TTP= r -0 .874 ,-0 .868 ;P = 0 .000 ) . No statistical significance was observed among four observation points of both CHA ,which indicated no obvious difference in vascularization degree of each observation point . Conclusions The structure of bone graft can be clearly displayed by conventional ultrasound ,and CEUS is able to show the early blood perfusion in two CHA grafts and to accurately evaluate the difference of CHA microvascular growth before and after rhBMP-2 application . The combination of these two techniques is a promising approach of evaluating bone graft vascularization in clinical practice .

Objective:To summarize the relationship between the clinicopathological features and prognosis of immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) after renal transplantation.Methods:A total of 34 patients with IgAN after renal transplantation confirmed by renal biopsy were enrolled. And another 34 patients with primary IgAN confirmed by initial renal biopsy were adopted as controls. Clinical and pathological features of two groups were compared to explore the relationship between clinicopathological features and prognosis of allograft IgAN.Results:As compared with primary IgAN group, renal function in allograft IgAN group included serum creatinine [(158.5±75.9) vs (84.8±26.8) umol/L], urea nitrogen [(9.7±6.1) vs (5.2±1.4) mmol/L], uric acid [(406.7±87.8) vs (359.0±92.6) umol/L], estimated glomerular filtration rate {(57.4±25.4) vs (91.2±28.6) [ml/(min·1.73m 2)]}. All were statistically significantly higher ( P<0.05) while other parameters showed no differences. Pathologically, the proportion of T1 type (50.0% vs 17.6%) of renal tubular atrophy/interstitial fibrosis was significantly higher in allograft IgAN group than control group ( P<0.05). Furthermore, univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses were performed between various pathological parameters and prognosis in allograft IgAN patients. It indicated that the degree of mesangial hyperplasia of patients with transplanted IgAN had a significantly negative impact on the prognosis. Conclusions:The clinicopathological features of patients with allograft IgAN show no difference from those of patients with primary IgAN. And among patients with allograft IgAN, those with severe mesangial hyperplasia often have a worse prognosis.