Objective To understand the extent and relative changes of equities in using the prenatal care services among premature delivery women from 4 counties/cities in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, from 1995 to 2000. Methods The study population consisted of 97 537women who delivered singleton live birth of 28 to 41 gestational weeks in 4 counties/cities of Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, from 1995 to 2000. The proportions of women with early prenatal visit, of those with at least five prenatal visits and the hospital delivery rates between premature and term delivery groups were calculated. Inequalities in the above indictors by comparing rate difference ( RD), rate ratio ( RR ) and concentration index ( CI ) among women with different educational levels,were examined. Chi-square and One-way ANOVA were used to compare the differences. Results The proportions of having received early prenatal among those women with premature delivery in different education levels were 82.89%, 91.06%, 93.96%, 93.11% respectively, which were less than that of those with full term delivery (86.36%, 93.95%, 95.65%, 96.41%, P=0.008). The proportions of having received early prenatal among the women with high educational levels were higher (RD=-10.05, RR=0.90, CI=0.0104) than those with low educational attainment (RD=-10.22, RR=0.89, CI=0.0131); The proportions of having received at least five prenatal visits among those women with premature delivery in different education levels were 86.54%, 93.17%, 92.99%, 96.49%,respectively, which were less than those with full term delivery (94.60%, 96.65%, 96.15%, 96.66%,P=0.005). The proportions of having had at least five prenatal visits among the women with high educational attainment were higher (RD=-2.06, RR=0.98, CI=0.0006) than those with lower educational attainment (RD=-9.95, RR=0.90, CI=0.0077); The proportions of hospital delivery among the women with full term delivery in different education levels were significantly higher (99.45%, 99.75%, 99.83%, 99.77% ) than those with premature deliveries (98.42%, 99.54%, 99.61%,100.00%, P=0.005). The proportions of hospital delivery among women with high educational attainment was higher (RD =-0.32, CI= 0.0003 ) than those with lower educational attainment ( RD =-1.58, CI=0.0013). Conclusion Education related inequities in prenatal care utilization had not been improved among the Chinese women under our study. Inequities were seen in those women with full-term delivery the preterm delivery ones.

Adenocarcinoma ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Precancerous Conditions ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Vaginal Smears ; methods

Objective: To chine and express the recombinant human endothelial monocyte-activating polypeptide-Ⅱ(EMAP-Ⅱ)and identify its anti-tumor biological activities.Methods: EMAP-Ⅱ_(147-312)was expressed by the expression vector pMAL-p2x and E.coli BL-21 and the product was purified.The production of tissue factor(TF)in human umbili- cal vein endothelial cell ECV-304 mediated by the recombinant EMAP-Ⅱwas determined by chemiluminescence sub- strate.The promoting effect of recombinant EMAP-Ⅱon TNF?-induced ECV-304 cell.Apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry.Its inhibitory effect on human pancreaic cancer cell SW1990 proliferation was determined by MTT method. Results:DNA sequencing verified that EMAP-Ⅱwas correctly cloned.The molecular mass of the protein identified by SDS-PAGE was consistent with the theoretic value.The productivity of recombinant EMAP-Ⅱwas 500?g per 1 g bacteria (wet mass).The purified product induced expression of tissue factor(TF)in ECV-304 cells;it also enhanced the sensi- tivity of ECV-304 cells to the apoptotic effect of TNF?([16.6?2.5]% vs[25.6?2.3]%,P

Objective:To express Tumstatin_(183-230)-TRAIL fusion protein and to observe its biological functions.Methods: SOE-ing PCR was employed to amplify the recombinant sequence of Tumstatin_(183-230)and TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL_(114-281)).An expression vector pMAL-Tu-T was constructed by inserting Tu-T sequence into pMAL-c_2;the vector was used to transfect E.coli BL21(DE3)and expression of MBP-Tu-T fusion protein was induced by IPTG.Amylose Resin columns were employed to purify the fusion protein.The biological functions of MBP-Tu-T protein was examined by inhibitory test of endothelial cell proliferation,standard tumor cell cytotoxic assay,in vitro tube formation inhibition,and electron microscopic observation(apoptosis).Results:The expression rate of MBP-Tu-T fusion protein in E.coli was about 20%. Purified recombinant protein obviously inhibited endothelial cell proliferation(IC_(50)12.5?g/ml),induced apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells,and inhibited tube formation.Conclusion:Constructed MBP-Tu-T fusion protein is bifunctional,which lays a solid foundation for further investigation of antitumor effect of Tumstatin_(183-230)-TRAIL in vivo.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of apoptosis-related protein Bcl-w in adenocarcinoma of the small intestine, and the apoptotic effect of Bcl-w siRNA on small intestinal adenocarcinoma cells HuTu-80.

METHODSForty-two tissue samples were examined in our study, including 7 cases from human small intestinal adenocarcinoma, and 35 cases from normal small intestine served as control. The expression of Bcl-w was detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Western blot analysis was performed to confirm whether Bcl-w siRNA could effectively down-regulate Bcl-w protein after HuTu-80 cells were transfected with Bcl-w siRNA. The cells were treated with chemotherapeutic agent 5-Fu to observe whether Bcl-w protein-silecing affects the pro-apoptotic effect of 5-Fu. Flow cytometry analysis was used for assessment of apoptotic rate of HuTu-80 cells cultured with Bcl-w siRNA alone, with 5-Fu alone, and with combination of Bcl-w siRNA and 5-Fu, using untreated HuTu-80 cells as control.

RESULTSThe positive rate of Bcl-w expression was significantly higher in small intestinal adenocarcinoma than that in normal tissue (85.7% vs. 25.7%, P=0.005). Compared with the control group, Bcl-w siRNA transfection effectively down-regulated the expression of Bcl-w protein (P<0.05). The apoptosis in HuTu-80 cells was not increased significantly in Bcl-w-/-cells compared with that of control group (12.4±2.2)% vs. (8.6±1.7)% (P>0.05). However, compared with the 5-Fu group, the apoptosis in HuTu-80 cells was effectively enhanced after combination treatment with Bcl-w siRNA and 5-Fu (45.7±2.1)% vs. (71.6±3.2)% (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBcl-w protein plays a significant role in the carcinogenesis of human small intestinal adenocarcinoma. Down-regulation of Bcl-w protein in small intestine adenocarcinoma HuTu-80 cells leads them susceptible to 5-Fu.

Adenocarcinoma ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Down-Regulation ; Fluorouracil ; pharmacology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Gene Silencing ; Humans ; Intestinal Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Intestine, Small ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Transfection

As products of interaction of time and space, geoherbs, which are essential parts of Chinese Materia Medica, were characterized in different morphology, unique habitat, continuous and changeable sites. The main fields in molecular mechanism of geoherbs focus on: biodiversity and molecular identification, genetic different and evolutionary genetics, geo-variation and environmental adaptation, germplasm and aimed genus choosing, expression and control of functional gene, gene transfer and bio-safety evaluation. The main tasks are to discover the genetic variation at molecular level, ascertain the molecular characteristics of geoherbs and the effect of environment on gene expression of geoherbs, confirm the genetic factors attribute to the forming of geoherbs, and find out the genetic basis of geoherbs at individual level and population level, respectively. This paper pointed out that the essential of geoherbs is continuers quantities variation at population level, geoherb's populations are different in gene frequency with the others'; geohersm are quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlled by multi - gene or combination with multiple-gene and major gene at individual level. It is very important to pay more attention to the scale effect of geoherbs, refer the theories and methods of quantities genetic, and concern more about the interaction of environment and gene in geoherbs' molecular mechanism research.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Geography ; Plants, Medicinal ; classification ; genetics ; growth & development ; Quantitative Trait Loci

OBJECTIVETo understand the distribution of birth weight among premature infants and the associated social factors.

METHODSThe study population consisted of 97 537 women who delivered singleton live birth of 20 to 41 gestational weeks in 4 counties/cities, Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, China from 1995 to 2000. Chi-square test was employed to test the difference of proportions between respective groups. One- way ANOVA was used to test the differences regarding the mean of gestational weeks at the first prenatal visit and the mean of prenatal visits between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression was conducted to examine the factors associated with premature birth.

RESULTSWomen aged 35 years had higher (8.8%) premature incidence than those aged less than 24 years (5.6%), 25 - 29 years (4.6%), or 30 - 34 years (4.5%, P < 0.001). Women with height less than 149 cm had higher (6.8%) premature incidence than those with height taller than 150 cm (5.0%). Women whose BMI were at least 28 and 24 - 28 had higher (5.5%, 5.5%) premature incidences than those whose BMI were 18.5 - 24.0 (5.0%), < 18.5 (4.6%, P < 0.001). The incidence of premature birth was 6.0% among women without previous pregnancy, higher than that among those women with 4 times of pregnancies (5.7%), 2 times of pregnancies (4.3%), and 3 times of pregnancies (4.0%). Parous women with at least two deliveries had higher (9.3%) premature incidence than the primiparous women (5.2%) and whose women with only one delivery (4.5%, P < 0.001). Women who received early prenatal care had lower 4.7% premature incidence than those who did not receive the service (6.1%). The mean times of prenatal visits among women with premature births was 8.53, less than that of those with full term delivery (10.97). Women with less than four times of prenatal visit had higher (18.9%) premature incidence than those with at least five prenatal visits (4.9%). Multivariate logistic regression showed that premature delivery risk was associated with age, height, BMI, gravidity, parity, early prenatal care, the mean of gestational weeks at first prenatal visit and the mean number of prenatal visits etc.

CONCLUSIONPremature delivery risk was associated with factors as age, height, BMI, gravidity, parity, early prenatal care, the mean of gestational weeks at first prenatal visit, the mean number of prenatal visits etc.

Adult ; Birth Weight ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Infant, Premature, Diseases ; epidemiology ; Pregnancy ; Risk Factors ; Socioeconomic Factors

Objective To explore the relationship between intracellular calcium levels ([Ca2+]1) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in sodium fluoride (NaF)-induced injury in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Methods The levels of [Ca2+]1 and ROS were measured in different exposed times(0,3,6,12,18,24 h) respectively after SH-SY5Y cells were exposed to 40 mg/L NaF in vitro, and the optimal expose time was selected. Furthermore, the changes of [Ca2+]1, ROS and LDH levels in 40 mg/L NaF-treated groups incubated with 38.23 mg/L BAPTA-AM or 380.40 mg/L ethylene glycol-bis-(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N, N, N', N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) or 16.32 mg/L N-acetyl-L-cysteine(NAC) also observed at the optimal expose time(12 h), respectively. Results At 3,6,12,18 and 24 h, [Ca2+]1 level(5620.0±226.3,4775.5±85.6,3312.3±87.5, 3047.0±75.0,2717.0±66.5) was significantly increased, and so was the ROS level(4449.53±324.61,7463.07±117.43,20 227.33±178.04,8817.56±200.13, 7975.61±92.90) except at 3 h, compared with 0 h(2115.0±24.0,4098.01±21.22, all P<0.05). The levels of [Ca2+]1 and ROS reached the peak at 3 h and 12 h, respectively. [Ca2+]1 and LDH levels in NaF-treated group [3279.5±94.0, (1057.50±64.35)U/L], NaF+NAC treated group[ 3583.0±350.7, (561.02±85.50)U/L], NaF+EGTA treated groups[3701.5±157.7, (1074.50±86.97)U/L], and BAPTA-AM treated group[2766.5±38.9, (521.43±40.80)U/L] had increased, compared with the control[2022.5±118.1, (186.97±8.73)U/L], the difference being statistically significant (P<0.05). ROS levels in NaF-treated group (19 003.04±332.34), and NaF+EGTA treated group(19 170.12±95.46) was higher than that in the controls(4060.98±145.66), the difference being statistically significant (P<0.05). NaF and NAC had antagonistic effect on ROS and LDH levels (F=976.11,43.54,P<0.05). And NaF and BAPTA-AM had antagonistic effect on [Ca2+]1, ROS and LDH levels (F=15.65,1515.53,115.00, P<0.05). Conclusions NaF-related calcium is released from the site of intracellular calcium storage, which induces ROS production, both of them caused cytotoxicity and the increase of LDH level in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells.

Nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), including RelA, RelB, c-Rel, NF-κB1, and NF-κB2, plays a crucial role in immune response, inflammatory reaction, tumorigenesis, and development of peripheral lymphoid organs and lymphocytes. There are two NF-κB activation pathways: canonical pathway (classical pathway) and noncanonical pathway (alternative pathway). Previous studies focused on the effects of the canonical NF-κB pathway (mainly p50-RelA) in hematological malignancies. Recently, the noncanonical NF-κB pathway (mainly p52-RelB) is gradually taken importance in pathogenesis of hematological malignancies. Understanding the relations of the noncanonical pathway with hematological malignancies would provide a new therapeutic approach for these diseases. This review focuses on the noncanonical NF-κB signaling transduction pathway and its relation to hematologic malignancies.
Hematologic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Humans ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; NF-kappa B p50 Subunit ; metabolism ; NF-kappa B p52 Subunit ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of combination therapy of tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) with methotrexate (MTX) on collagen induced arthritis (CIA) rats.

METHODSTotally 55 male SD rats were stratified by body weight. Nine of them were randomly recruited as the normal control group. The rest 46 were immunized with type II bovine collagen (C II) for establishing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) model. Forty successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into 4 groups according to swollen toe degree, i.e., the CIA group, the TMP group, the MTX group, and the TMP plus MTX group, 10 in each group. Rats in the MTX group were administered with MTX (1. 2 mg/kg) , once per week for 4 continuous weeks. Those in the TMP group were administered with 40 mg/kg TMP, once per day for 10 continuous days, and then discontinued for 7 successive days, and continued for another 10 successive days. Rats in the TMP plus MTX group were administered with a mixture of equal dose MTX and TMP, and when MTX was discontinue, TMP was administered according to the way in the TMP group. Equal volume of saline solution was given to rats in the normal control group and the CIA group. Clinical parameters including ankle width (mediolateral diameter) and hindpaw swelling were measured at day 0, 4, 11, 18, and 26 after treatment. Rats were sacrificed 28 days after treatment, their knee joints and ankle joints were collected for pathological analyses. Serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-17A were detected by ELISA. Changes of fibrinogen (FIB) and platelet aggregation rate (PAg) were detected.

RESULTSCompared with the normal control group, the ankle width and hindpaw swelling increased significantly (P < 0.01), contents of FIB and PAg increased obviously (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-17 increased remarkably (P <0. 01) in the CIA group. Obvious cell proliferation, inflammatory cell infiltration, hyperemia and edema of synovial tissues could be seen. Pannus formed and immerged in cartilages, resulting in necrosis. Compared with the model group, changes of ankle width and hindpaw swelling were all alleviated in each medicated group (P <0. 05, P <0. 01). Of them, the effect was superior in the MTX group to that of the TMP group and the MTX plus TMP group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Contents of FIB, serum levels of IL-1β and IL-6 decreased significantly in the MTX group (P < 0.05). Contents of FIB, serum levels of IL-1β and IL-6 decreased significantly in the TMP group and the MTX plus TMP group (P < 0.05). Besides, serum levels of FIB and IL-6 were obviously lower in the MTX plus TMP group than in the TMP group and the MTX group (P < 0.01). Levels of PAg and IL-17A were more significantly lowered in the TMP group than in the MTX plus TMP group and the MTX group. Pathological changes could be alleviated in each medicated group, with the optimal effect obtained in the MTX plus TMP group.

CONCLUSIONCombination of TMP with MTX could significantly ameliorate inflammatory reactions and FIB contents of CIA rats.

Animals ; Arthritis, Experimental ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Cattle ; Collagen Type II ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Hemorheology ; Interleukin-17 ; Interleukin-1beta ; Interleukin-6 ; Male ; Methotrexate ; therapeutic use ; Pyrazines ; therapeutic use ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Synovial Membrane