Cryptosporidiosis ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Humans ; Prognosis

OBJECTIVETo summarize the prognostic factors of stage 3 colorectal cancer.

METHODSThe clinical data of 433 patients with stage 3 colorectal cancer who were admitted to our hospital from January 2005 to December 2008 for radical surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy were retrospectively analyzed. Relationship of their clinicopathologic features and treatment with the prognosis were analyzed.

RESULTSOf these 433 stage 3 patients,the mean disease-free survival was (72.37 ± 2.11) months and mean overall survival was (79.91 ± 2.02) months; however, the median survival times were not reached. The 1-,3-, and 5-year disease-free survival rate were 86.8%,77.9%, and 57.0% and the overall survival rate were 91.5%,75.1%, and 63.3%. Multivariate COX regression analysis displayed that intestine obstruction before surgery, complications after surgery,tumor location,positive surgical margin, neural cell infiltration,vessel cancer embolus, TNM stage, lymph node ratio, adjuvant chemotherapy regimens, and chemotherapy duration were the independent factors affecting disease-free and overall survivals in patients with stage 3 colorectal cancer. The efficacies of FOLFOX and XELOX regimens were significantly correlated with patient's age, complications,tumor location,and chemotherapy duration.

CONCLUSIONSComplications,tumor location, TNM stage, and positive surgical margin are the independent prognostic factors of stage 3 colorectal cancer. FOLFOX and XELOX regimen can remarkably improve prognosis,and a longer duration of chemotherapy can achieve better survival.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Deoxycytidine ; analogs & derivatives ; Disease-Free Survival ; Fluorouracil ; analogs & derivatives ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo identify the incidence and risk factors of perioperative major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in elderly patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) undergoing non-cardiac surgery.

METHODSWe prospectively analyzed the clinical data of 360 CHD patients who aged 75 years or older undergoing elective intermediate-to high-risk surgery in five medical centers across China from January 2008 to January 2010. The clinical variables included the 12-lead ECG and Troponin I levels after surgery. The combined outcome was defined as all the perioperative MACE in hospital. The risk factors of MACE and their indexes were analyzed with univariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression in SPSS software,together with a risk scoring and stratification system established.

RESULTSPerioperative MACE occurred in 11.94% of elderly CHD patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery. Seven independent risk factors of perioperative MACE for this population were identified,which included angina within 6 months (P=0.001), hypertension(P=0.014), preoperative haematocrit (HCT) <40% (P=0.050), serum creatinine (Scr)>150 mmol/L (P=0.014), ejection fraction(EF) <50% (P=0.019), intraoperative hyoxemia (P=0.019), and operative time>150 min (P=0.001). The risk indexes of these factors were 4,3,3,6,4,5, and 4, respectively. The rate of perioperative MACE increased significantly as the level of risk stratification elevated.

CONCLUSIONSElderly CHD patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery are at high risk of perioperative MACE. Angina within 6 months,hypertension, preoperative HCT<40%, Scr>150 mmol/L, EF<50%, intraoperative hyoxemia, and operative time>150 min can increase the risk of MACE. The risk scoring and stratification system based on the risk factor index can be a valuable parameter for assessing the perioperative cardiac risk of noncardiac surgery for elderly CHD patients.

Aged ; China ; Coronary Disease ; Elective Surgical Procedures ; Electrocardiography ; Humans ; Incidence ; Logistic Models ; Perioperative Care ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo investigate the natural outcome of genital tract high risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection and associated factors among women in Xi'an region.

METHODSTotally 760 women with primary genital tract HR-HPV infection were enrolled and followed up by HPV-DNA genotyping technology. The cervical cytological techniques and/or colposcopy were used when necessary.

RESULTSAmong these subjects,the natural clearance rate of HR-HPV infection was 71.58%,with the median time of 8.10 months. The rate of HPV persistent infection was 22.63%, with the median time of 17.23 months. The rate of progression to cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN)/cervical cancer (CC) was 5.79%, with the median time of 29.34 months. The natural clearance rate (P=0.000), persistent infection rate (P=0.000) and progression rate (P=0.040) in women older than 50 years were statistically difference from other age groups. The persistent infection rate in multiple infections group was significantly lower than that in single infection group (P=0.010), with the median time statistically longer than that in single infection group (P=0.018). The most easily progressive genotypes were HPV-16,HPV-33, HPV-58,HPV-18,HPV-52, and HPV-68, among which HPV-16 was the most common genotype in CIN 3/CC cases, accounting for 85.00%.

CONCLUSIONSMost of HR-HPV infections are naturally cleared within 2 years, and only a few cases progresses to CIN/CC. Women older than 50 years have a lower natural clearance rate and higher persistent and progressive rates. Multiple infections can affect the persistent infection. HPV-16 is the most common carcinogenic genotype in Xi'an region.

Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia ; Colposcopy ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Papillomaviridae ; Papillomavirus Infections ; Reproductive Tract Infections ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo analyze the composition and control status of chronic diseases among rural residents in a Beijing suburb district.

METHODSRural residents aged 35 years or older were investigated by stratified random sampling in Pinggu District, Beijing. Each participant received questionnaire-based survey,physical examination,and laboratory tests including routine blood test,urine albumin creatinine ratio (ACR), liver and renal function,serum lipid, fasting blood glucose, and glycosylated hemoglobin.

RESULTSA total of 10 385 residents completed all items. Cerebrovascular disease was leading cause of hospitalization (accounting for 14.4%) and its incidence in the population was 9.6%. The incidences of hypertension,hyperlipidemia,diabetes mellitus,and gout/hyperuricemia,which were the main compositions related with metabolic diseases,were up to 64.4%,42.5%,24.4%, and 9.0%, respectively. The disease onset was significantly related with the age. The incidence of hypertension was gradually elevated with the increasing of age,while the peak age was 55-64 years for diabetes and 35-44 years for gout/hyperuricemia. The awareness rate of hypertension,diabetes,and chronic kidney disease was 60.2%, 55.1%,and 6.0%,respectively. The control rate of chronic disease was 19.2% and 28.8% in hypertensive and diabetic patients, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSCerebrovascular diseases and metabolic-associated diseases are the main chronic diseases affecting rural residents in Pinggu district, Beijing. The awareness rate and control rate of chronic diseases needs to be further enhanced by strengthening health education and improving the community medical service.

Adult ; Beijing ; Chronic Disease ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Hyperuricemia ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Rural Population ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of coroanry artery ectasia (CAE) patients' pooled serum on the main proteinases and extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis and explore whether the growth differentiation factor 15(GDF 15) can regulate the characteristic changes induced by CAE patients' pooled serum.

METHODSSerum samples were collected from 32 CAE patients, 30 patients with coronary heart disease (CHD), and 31 subjects with normal coronary arteries (CON) and then mixed in the same volumes by groups. Then human umbilical vein smooth muscle cells were cultured with the media containing 25% pooled serum. After having been disposed, proteinase system and ECM synthesis system were detected in the cell and culture media samples. GDF15 or GDF15 antibodies was added into the 25% pooled serum in each group to observe if GDF 15 could impact the characteristic changes induced by CAE patients' pooled serum.

RESULTSThe expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) 1 mRNA in CAE group was significantly higher than CON group (P=0.002) and CHD group (P=0.000), the secretory MMP1 protein and total MMPs activity in culture media were also upregulated in CAE group (both P<0.01). After adding GDF 15 into the culture media (GDF15+CAE group), the MMP1 mRNA ,secretory MMP1 protein, and total MMPs activity were significantly lower than CAE group (all P<0.01), while in the GDF15 antibody+CAE group, the MMP1 mRNA and total MMPs activities were significantly higher than in GDF15+CAE group (both P<0.01), but the secretory MMP1 protein was not different from GDF 15+CAE group (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe vascular smooth muscle cells may participate in the CAE process mainly by regulating MMPs system but not the elastase 2 or ECM synthesis system, and GDF15 may be an compensatory factor to prohibit the over-destruction of coronary ECM induced by MMPs.

Biomarkers ; blood ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Dilatation, Pathologic ; Growth Differentiation Factor 15 ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 1

OBJECTIVETo investigate the regulatory effect of miR-29b on gastric cells' resistance to cisplatin.

METHODSThe expression of miR-29b in gastric cancer cell line treated with cisplatin concentration gradient was detected using quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting. CCK8 was used to measure the cell viability after cisplatin treatment in condition of miR-29b knock-down and overexpression.

RESULTSThe expression of miR-29b was significantly upregualted by cisplatin treatment,while its target gene AKT2 was downregulated. The up-regulation of miR-29b enhanced the sensitivity of gastric cancer cells to cisplatin,while the knock-down of miR-29b enhanced the cisplatin resistance. Rescue experiments demonstrated that the miR-29b might regulate cisplatin resistance of gastric cancer cell by targeting PI3K/Akt pathway. The expressions of the other two members of miR-29 family, miR-29a/c, were promoted by cisplatin treatment,but they had no significant effect on gastric cancer cell's resistance to cisplatin.

CONCLUSIONmiR-29b can enhance the sensitivity of S gastric cancer cell by directly targeting PI3K/Akt pathway.

Blotting, Western ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Survival ; Cisplatin ; Down-Regulation ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Humans ; MicroRNAs ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; Signal Transduction ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Up-Regulation

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether sodium valproate (VPA) directly regulates the activity of Ankyrin G(AnkG) promoter in vitro.

METHODSThe mouse AnkG promoter sequence was identified by comparing both human and mouse AnkG promoter sequences. The promoter was amplified from C57BL/6 mouse genome DNA and cloned into pGL3 Luciferase reporter vector. The Luciferase activity was detected in N2a and 293T cells and then treated with 0,0.5, and 1 mmol/L VPA for 12 h. The transcription activity of AnkG promoter in cells and the activity of VPA-treated Luciferase reporter vector in cells were detected using dual Luciferase reporter assay.

RESULTSThe AnkG promoter clone and its expression vector were successfully established, as confirmed by enzyme digestion and sequencing. The AnkG promoter showed high transcription activity in both N2a and 293T cells. The Luciferase activity was significantly induced following 0.5 mmol/L VPA treatment in both N2a and 293T cells. CONCLUSIONS VPA can up-regulate the AnkG expression via directly increasing its transcription activity. Thus, the in vivo AnkG expression may be directly regulated by the VPA at transcriptional level.

Animals ; Ankyrins ; Cell Line ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Luciferases ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Up-Regulation ; Valproic Acid

OBJECTIVETo determine the regulatory role and mechanism of nitric oxide (NO) in the development and hatching of mouse blastocysts.

METHODSThe Kunming female mice were superovulated and then mated with mature male mice. On the day 2.5 of their pregnancy, morulae were flushed from their uterine horns with culture media. Morulae were cultured in different concentrations of N-nitro-L arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), sodium nitroprusside (SNP), or the combination of L-NAME and SNP in culture media for 48 hours. The development and hatching of blastocysts were examined on day 4 and day 5 and the total numbers of blastocyst cells and cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase 3 (caspase 3) were observed under confocal laser scanning microscope.

RESULTSWith the increase of the concentration of L-NAME or SNP, the hatching rate of blastocysts and the total number of blastocyst cells were significantly reduced. The addition of 10 nmol/L SNP in culture media with 5 mmol/L L-NAME significantly increased the development of blastocysts and promoted hatching of blastocysts. However, with increase of SNP concentration in culture media with 5 mmol/L L-NAME, the development and hatching rates of blastocysts were significantly decreased. L-NAME had no obvious effect on the expression of active caspase 3 in blastocyst cells. However,when being above 500 nmol/L,SNP significantly increased the expression of caspase 3 in blastocyst cells.

CONCLUSIONSNO plays an important role in development and hatching of mouse blastocysts. Excessively high or low NO can damage the division of blastomeres, resulting in the failure of the blastocyst development and hatching. Also, excessively high NO can lead to the apoptosis of the blastocyst cells.

Animals ; Arginine ; analogs & derivatives ; Blastocyst ; Culture Media ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Nitric Oxide ; Nitroprusside ; Pregnancy ; Uterus

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the protective effect of S-isopentenyl-L-cysteine,a new cysteine derivative,on DNA damage induced by radiation by using acute radiation injury animal models.

METHODSForty ICR mice were randomly divided into five groups:the control group,1.0Gy gamma irradiation group,1.0Gy gamma irradiation combined with S-isopentenyl-L-cysteine group,7.2Gy gamma irradiation group,and 7.2Gy gamma irradiation combined with S-isopentenyl-L-cysteine group,with 8 mice in each group.The comet assay and bone marrow polychromatic micronucleus experiments were performed to evaluate the double-strand DNA breaks in ICR mice exposed to 1.0 and 7.2Gy gamma-ray, respectively.

RESULTSThe tail DNA percentage,tail length,tail moment,and olive tail moment of peripheral blood lymphocytes in 7.2Gy gamma irradiation group were significantly higher than that of the control group (P<0.01).And it was also observed that above experimental indexes of 7.2Gy gamma irradiation combined with S-isopentenyl-L-cysteine group was significantly less than that of 7.2Gy gamma irradiation group (P<0.05). In addition,the micronucleus rate of 1.0Gy gamma irradiation group and 7.2Gy gamma irradiation group were both significantly higher than in the control group (P<0.01). In addition,in mice given S-isopentenyl-L-cysteine before irradiation,the micronucleus rate of ICR mice exposed to 1.0 and 7.2Gy gamma-ray decreased from (39.5000 ± 3.3141)‰ to (28.1667±4.1345)‰ (P=0.033) and from (76.5000 ± 4.6242)‰ to (22.8333 ± 3.6553)‰(P=0.000),respectively. The bone marrow polychromatic micronucleus experiment indicated that the value of polychromatic erythrocyte (PCE)/normochromatic erythrocyte(NCE) of ICR mice exposed to 1.0 and 7.2Gy gamma-ray was less than the control group(P<0.05). Meanwhile,after irradiating by certain dose,the value of PCE/NCE in mice given S-isopentenyl-L-cysteine before irradiation was significantly higher than the corresponding groups (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS-isopentenyl-L-cysteine has a good protective effect against DNA damage induced by radiation.

Animals ; Bone Marrow ; Cysteine ; DNA Damage ; Disease Models, Animal ; Gamma Rays ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Radiation Injuries ; Radiation-Protective Agents