Many flaviviruses are emerging and reemerging pathogens, such as West Nile virus (WNV), dengue virus (DENV), yellow fever virus (YFV), and Japanese encephalitis virus. Serological assay is the dominant method for diagnosis of flavivirus infections in human. Because antibodies generated during flavivirus infections cross-react with other flavivirus members, plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT) is the only available assay to determine the infecting flavivirus type.Since PRNT requires culturing raw viruses, it must be performed in biosafety level-3 or level-4 containment for many flaviviruses, and takes more than ten days to complete. To overcome these problems, we have developed flavivirus viral-like particles (VLPs) that could be used to replace raw viruses in the neutralization assay. The VLPs were prepared by trans packaging a luciferase-reporting replicon with viral structural proteins. This novel assay involves three simple steps: (ⅰ) VLPs from a panel of flaviviruses are incubated with flavivirus-infected sera at 37℃ for 1 h; (ⅱ)the neutralized VLPs are used to infect Vero cells; and (ⅲ) the infected cells are measured for luciferase activities at 22 h post-infection. The virus type whose VLP is most efficiently neutralized by the serum specimen (as quantified by the luciferase activities) is the etiologic agent. As a proof-of-concept, we show that a WNV-infected mouse serum neutralized the WNV VLP more efficiently and selectively than the DENV and YFV VLPs. Our results demonstrate that the VLP neutralization assay maintains the "gold standard" of the classic PRNT; importantly, it shortens the assay time from ＞10 days to ＜1 day, and can be performed in biosafety level-2 facility.

In view of the deficiencies of both Qi and Yin in most cases of this tumor, Jinfukang oral solution (JFK). a remedy mainly for benefiting Qi and nourishing -yin. was formulated. 96 cases were treated with one case of CR. 8 cases PR, 52 NC. the rate of PR + NC being 63. 5%. Another 52 cases were treated with chemotherapy +JFK. with 11 cases of PR, 26 cases NC, the rate of PR + NC being 71. 2%. While 25 cases were treated by chemotherapy alone, the cases of PR was 4; NC 26. the rate of PR + NC being 60. 0%, This demonstrated that the effect of JFK and JFK + chemotherapy were all superior to effect of chemotherapy alone. For 1 - and 2 - year survival rates, the JFK group was 67. 3% and 66. 7% respectively, whereas that of JFK + chemotherapy. 67. 3% and 66. 7%. For the chemotherapy group , 1 - year survival rate was 40. 3%, with no survivals within 2 years. For symptom improvement, body weight gaining, and health condition (KPS evaluation) after treatment, the JFK and JFK + chemotherapy groups were, again, superior to the chemotherapy group. The Immunity indices and blood picture in JFK group after treatment were markedly improved as compared with those before treatment, but, those in the chemotherapy group were decreased, while those of the JFK + chemotherapy group remained unchanged.

Background and purpose:Quality of life (QOL) questionnaires are tools to assess the quality of life of patients. How to choose a proper questionnaire is the fi rst problem of QOL assessment in clinic research. However, there is few report on it. Our current research compares the data obtained from two world-wide used QOL questionnaire of lung cancer patients EORTC QLQ-LC43 (European Organisation for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Lung Cancer43) and FACT-L (Functional Assessment of Cancer Treatment-Lung) by various statistic methods in order to show differences between the two questionnaires and to provide some suggestions for choosing questionnaires to assess patients’ QOL in clinic research. Methods:The clinic data were obtained from 125 lung cancer patients by two different international QOL questionnaires of lung cancer patients EORTC QLQ-LC43 and FACT-L, and analyzed by various statistic methods such as Pearson correlation analysis, canonical correlation analysis and multiple regression. In addition, we also compare the general modality such as the frame, item numbers and the contents of the subscales, etc. Results:Of the two QOL there are some parts similar in length, ranking type and time construction, even in items. They all contain items in measuring the physical domain, emotion domain, function domain, society domain and lung domain. Correlations between corresponding subscales of the FACT-L and the EORTC QLQ-LC43 are all signifi cant ranging from r=0.331 for the social domain to r=0.664 for the emotional domain. Canonical correlation analysis for the two sets of subscales revealed there are four signifi cant canonical variables (canonical correlation coeffi cient r=0.87 to 0.26 and overall redundancy about 41% ). The eight EORTC QLQ-LC43 subscales are well represented by the fi ve FACT-L subscales (multiple linear regression, R 2=0.531 to 0.766) and the fi ve FACT-L subscales (except relationship with doctors) are also well represented by EORTC QLQ- LC43 subscales (R 2=0.537 to 0.823). The proportion of the corresponding subscale in the total explanation is 50% to 90%. Conclusion:These two questionnaires cover some common parts, but they measure different contents of QOL. Though have the same name, some domains cann’t be compared directly. The two questionnaires cann’t be alternative and the results of them shouldn’t be compaired directly. Both questionnaires are suited for clinic study (e.g compare the effect of two different theropies). But each has its own characters and should be chosen according to reseach goals.

The anatomical features of the digestive system in 126 new-born cadavers were examined. In the oral cavity, the palatal ridges on the anterior part of the hard palate were very conspicous. The tongue, in most of the cases, was found to protrude out into the vestibule. This condition was contradictory to most of the textbooks, which state the tongue of the new born infant is short. The pharynx showed usual appearance as in the adult. Its lower end, taking the level of the lower border of the larynx as a land-mark, was at the level of the 4th or 5th cervical vertebra. The distance between the lower margin of the soft palate to the above mentioned level was 3—4 cm. The oesophagus showed no distinct constriction throughout its length. The distance between the upper alveolar process to the cardiac orifice of the stomach was 13—16 cm., being 15 cm. in average. In the majority of cases, the stomach assumed a "J" shape, and its general outline was very much like that of the adult. The liver was relatively large, its weight being 3—4% of that of the body. The umbilical vein when coursing in the left longitudinal fissure of the liver showed a dilation, from which 2—3 branches were given out to the left lobe; 1 or 2 branches to the caudate lobe; 1 to the right lobe after anastomosing with the portal vein. From this anastomotic branch, 1 twig was given to the quadrate lobe. The termination of this vein then became the ductus venosus, much diminished in size, before joining the inferior vena cava. The pancreas was 3—5 gms. in weight. Its course was in front of the left suprarenal gland instead of the left kidney. The small intestine appeared lengthy. No measurement was made on account of the embalmed bodies. A second duodenal papilla was found in 86% of the total cases. The caecum assumed a funnel-shape, lying above the iliac crest in most of the cases. In 3 cases the caecum was observed to be high up under the liver. The vermiform appendix was 3—5 cm. in length, and no valve was found at its orifice. A certain quantity of meconium was found in the lumen of the appendix. The position of the appendix was found to be variable. The taeniae coli were visible. In the majority of cases, neither sacculations nor ap- pendices epiploicae were present. The descending and sigmoid colon were largely distended by the meconium. No visible fat deposition was found in the omentum and mesentery in which the blood vessels and lymph nodes were clearly visible. The great omentum was rather short and extended only 2—3 cm. downwards from the great curvature of the stomach.

Objective To explore the clinical effects and prognostic factors of postoperative radiotherapy for malignant gliomas. Methods From June 1998 to October 2007, seventy-eight cases of malignant gliomas patients were treated with radiotherapy after surgery, including -28 cases received whole brain radiotherapy, 34 cases local field irradiation and 16 cases three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy. Thirty-one cases received chemotherapy which included semustine, semustine plus teniposide and temozolomide. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and COX regression analysis were used to analyze the prognostic factors. Results The median survival time and 1-, 3-, 5-year survival rate were 16 months, 65.4 %, 32.8 % and 17.9 % for all patients, respectively; 24 months, 72.7 %, 41.5 % and 22.8% for grade 1 patients; 11 months, 47.8 %, 10.9 % and 5.4 % for grade IV patients. Univariate analysis showed the age, Karnofsky, pathologic grade, surgical approach and the time from surgery to radiotherapy were significantly correlated with the survival time (P <0.05). Karnofsky (P =0.000), pathologic grade (P =0.004) and age (P =0.011) were independent prognostic factors in the multivariate analysis. Conclusion Prognosis of the patients with Karnofsky ≥70, age < 50 years and grade Ⅲ is better in malignant gliomas. Postoperative radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy may prolong the survival time.

This paper discusses the definition , classification, selection, monitoring and evaluation of animal biosafety isolation device .Evaluation order of animal biosafety isolation device follows animal survival needs -biosafety needs-animal welfare requirements .

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of Feiji Formula, a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, on lung cancer metastasis in mice. METHODS: The lung cancer metastasis model of mice was established in this experiment study. Twenty-four mice were randomly divided into three groups: untreated group, cisplatin group and Feiji Formula group. Mice in the Feiji Formula group were treated with Feiji Formula decoction; in cisplatin group, with cisplatin by intraperitoneal injection; and in the untreated group, with normal saline (NS). After twenty-day treatment, the body and tumor weights as well as the number of metastatic tumors in both lungs of each mouse were measured. RESULTS: The body weight of mice in cisplatin group was significantly less than that of Feiji Formula group and untreated group (P<0.01); the tumor weight of mice in cisplatin group and Feiji Formula group was markedly lower than that of untreated group (P<0.01); and the number of metastatic tumors in cisplatin group and Feiji Formula group was markedly lower than that of the untreated group (P<0.01), no significant difference between the Feiji Formula group and cisplatin group in terms of the weights and the numbers of metastatic tumors in bilateral lungs. CONCLUSION: Feiji Formula can suppress tumor growth and decrease the number of lung metastatic tumors in the mice, and maintain the body weight of the mice.

Objective This study was designed to observe the impact of cigarette cessation on anxiety and depression in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD).Methods A total of 690 cigarette smoking patients with CHD identified by coronary angiography (CAG) were included and analyzed in the study.The mental state were scored with Hamilton anxiety (HAMA) and depression (HAMD) scale both on admission and at 6-month follow-up.The patients were divided into two groups based on the cigarette cessation.The score of mental state between the two groups were compared.The patients were treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI),coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG),or medicine therapy (MT).Results The clinic data and score of mental state were similar at the time of admission (HAMA:10.66±5.53 vs 11.09 ±5.61,P =0.311;HAMD:29.81 ± 10.13 vs 28.94 ± 10.22,P =0.266 4) between the two groups.After 6 months,the proportions of subjects in smoking cession group with anxiety (24.2％ vs 32.3％,P ＜0.05),depression (18.0％ vs 27.5％,P ＜0.05),and anxiety and depression (7.0％ vs 16.2％,P ＜0.001) decreased significantly compared with those in smoking group irrespective of the treatment strategy.Both the HAMA and HAMD scores were lower in smoking cessation group (HAMA:9.83±3.40;HAMD:24.91 ±7.90) than in smoking group (HAMA:10.98 ±4.87;HAMD:27.70 ± 11.16) (all P ＜ 0.001).Conclusions Smoking cessation is good for the relief of anxiety and depression in CHD patient.

AIM: To explore the role of TGF-?_1 and signaling transduction molecule, Smad4, in the development of glomerulosclerosis. METHODS: Expression levels of TGF-?_1, Smad4, collagen Ⅰ proteins were evaluated by immunohistochemistry in renal biopsies from 38 cases with a spectrum of glomerulonephritis, and compared with 20 normal kidney tissue with image analysis system. After stimulation with TGF-?_1, expressions of endogenous Smad4 and collagen Ⅰ mRNA and proteins and its modulation by TGF?_1 were evaluated by RT-PCR and Western blotting analyses in cultured human mesangial cells. RESULTS: All types of proliferative and sclerotized glomerulonephritis showed an increased expression of TGF-?_1, Smad4 and collagen Ⅰ ompared with the 20 normal kidney tissue in glomerular (P

0.05). CONCLUSION: Serum Cys C is significantly increased in ARF and correlated well with the severity of ARF. Serum Cys C can be one of the detectable markers of ARF, but it is independent of the mortality and does not predict the prognosis of these patients.