Objective To explore the aberrant expressions of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and its activation form,pmTOR,in stage IIIB human colon cancer,and analyze the association of mTOR and pmTOR with clinicopathologic characteristics and patients' prognosis. Methods A total of 104 patients with stage IIIB (T 3-4 N1M0) colon cancer with available follow-up data were enrolled. The specimens of colon cancer and clinical data were acquired from these subjects. The expressions of mTOR and pmTOR in tumor tissues and matched normal tissues were detected with immunohistochemistry. The relationship and its significance between the expressions of mTOR and pmTOR and some clinicopathological features,such as gender,age,location of primary tumor,pathological stage and TNM stage,were analyzed. Results The mTOR and pmTOR were found to be expressed in cell membrane and cytoplasm of tumor tissues. Out of the total 104 specimens,positive rate of mTOR and pmTOR accounted for 75.9% (79/104) and 76.9% (80/104),respectively. No significant correlation was noted between the expressions of mTOR and pmTOR and the clinicopathological features by partial correlation analysis. Both univariate analysis and multivariate analysis showed that the expressions of mTOR and pmTOR threw no significant influence on the 5-year overall survival of patients. Nevertheless,subgroup analysis suggested that a high expression of pmTOR along tumor border was likely to contribute to higher risk of death in patients. Conclusion Aberrant expressions of mTOR and pmTOR are noted in patients with locally advanced colon cancer. High expression of pmTOR along the border of tumor tissue may suggest the possibility of invasion and metastasis.

Objective To investigate the diagnostic threshold value and diagnostic performance of high-sensitivity troponin T (hs-cTnT)for elderly patients with acute myocardial infarction(AMI).Methods 835 emergency department patients with chest pain were recruited in the study,then these patients were divided into elderly group (≥65 years old)and control group(<65 years old).Hs-cTnT concrentrations were compared between the two groups;The difference of hs-cTnT concentrations between AMI pa-tients and non-AMI patients were compared in elderly group and control group respectively;The optimal threshold values of the hs-cTnT for acute myocardial infarction were determined by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Results The hs-cTnT con-centrations of non-AMI patients in elderly group were 18.4(14.5-32.5)ng/L,which were higher than those of non-AMI patients in control group[3.2(3.0-8.2)ng/L],and the difference were statistically significant(P <0.05);The hs-cTnT concentrations of AMI patients in elderly group were 136.1 (51.6 - 384.1 )ng/L,which were higher than those of AMI patients in group 68.5 (25.6-217.1)ng/L,and the difference were statistically significant(P <0.05).According to the ROC curve,the optimal threshold value for AMI diagnosis in elderly group by using hs-cTnT was 32 ng/L,which was higher than that in control group(14 ng/L). The specificity and the positive predictive value of the optimal threshold value determined by ROC were apparently higher than the 99th percentile(P 99 )in elderly group respectively,the difference were statistically significant(P <0.05).Conclusion The hs-cTnT levels were positively related with age.The optimal threshold value of hs-cTnT for AMI(32 ng/L)was higher than the P 99 (14ng/L)in elderly group.

Objective To evaluate the current status of intestinal nematode infection in Shanghai and make recommendations for further control activities Methods Retrospective review of the control program was made based on the change of nematode prevalence in Shanghai area since the 1950s, and challenges under the current situation were analysed. Results The intervention measures included chemotherapy, health education, sanitary disposal of human excreta and safe water supply. With the control strategy, socio\|economical development and the change of farming patterns, the prevalence of intestinal nematode infection in population was reduced by 88\^5%, from 62\^6% in 1955 to 8\^2% in 2000. Among them, ascaris infection decreased by 89\^0%, from 52\^1% to 6\^3%, hookworm infection decreased by 99\^0%, from 12\^9% to 0\^1%, but pinworm infection was still as high as 18\^9% in 1999. Conclusion Prevalence of nematode infection in Shanghai was considerably reduced. To match it with the current socio\|economical development in the Municipality, however, more needs to be done. Sustainable control activities and surveillance are recommended.

Objective To study the anti-depressant effect and mechanism of Peiyuan Jieyu Fang (Tonifying-original Qi Releasing-depression Formula).Methods The reserpine depression model was established by intraperitoneal injection of reserpine (2.5 mg/kg) in mice,acute stress depression model,by forced swimming test (FST) in mice,and chronic stress depression model,by long-term bandage (14 d) and noise in mice.The influences of Peiyuan Jieyu Fang on body temperature,ptosis and rate of overstepping bound in reserpine depression model,and on immobility time of FST in acute stress depression model and chronic stress depression model were observed.The content of brain 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT),noradrenalin (NA) and indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) in acute stress depression model,and content of 5-HT and IDO in chronic stress depression model were detected by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).The expression of IDO mRNA was detected by using fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in chronic stress depression model.Results The decrease of body temperature was antagonized in all Peiyuan Jieyu Fang groups (abbreviated as high-dose group,mid-dose group and low-dose group) in reserpine depression model (P ＜ 0.01).The ptosis and akinesia induced by reserpine were relieved in high-dose group (P ＜ 0.05),and akinesia was relieved in low-dose group (P ＜ 0.05).The immobility time of FST was shortened (P ＜ 0.05,P ＜ 0.01),and content of 5-HT and NA were significantly increased in acute stress depression model in mid-dose group and low-dose group (P ＜0.05,P ＜0.01).The immobility time of FST was shortened in varying degrees,content of 5-HT was increased,content of IDO was decreased and IDO mRNA expression was up-regulated in chronic stress depression model in high-dose group,mid-dose group and low-dose group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Peiyuan Jieyu Fang has some relief effects on depression symptoms induced by reserpine,FST and chronic stress in mice.The mechanism may be related to that Peiyuan Jieyu Fang can increase the content of 5-HT and NA,inhibit IDO activity,and down-regulate IDO mRNA expression.

A simple and sensitive capillary electrophoresis method with field-enhanced stacking concentration for the analysis of protocatechuic aldehyde, protocatechuic acid, danshensu, rosmarinic acid and salvianolic acid B in Salvia miltiorrhiza var. miltiorrhiza f. alba was developed. The separation was achieved with a fused-silica capillary (75 microm x 50.2 cm, effective length was 40 cm) and a running buffer 15 mmol x L(-1) borax (pH 10.0) containing 20% CH3 OH. The UV detection wavelength was 210 nm. The applied voltage was 28 kV, and the cartridge temperature was 25 degrees C. Water plug was introduced from the anode by 0.5 psi x 4 s before injection. Sample was injected by electrokinetic injection - 8 kV x 3 s. The linear range of protocatechuic aldehyde is 3.0-60.00 mg x L(-1) (R2 = 0.999 8); that of protocatechuic acid, danshensu, rosmarinic acid and salvianolic acid B are 1.0-20.00 mg x L(-1) (R2 are 0.999 1, 0.999 4, 0.998 9 and 0.999 8, respectively), and the limits of detection of five analyts are 0.55, 0.40, 0.25, 0.32, 0.38 microg x L(-1), respectively, Stacking factor is higher and precision is satisfactory. The recoveries ranges were from 97.3% to 99.8%. The proposed method was used to determine the protocatechuic aldehyde, protocatechuic acid, danshensu, rosmarinic acid and salvianolic acid B in S. miltiorrhiza var. miltiorrhiza f. alba. The proposed method is simple, rapid, accurate and high sensitivity, and can be used to control of the quality of S. miltiorrhiza var. miltiorrhiza f. alba.
Benzaldehydes ; analysis ; Benzofurans ; analysis ; Catechols ; analysis ; Cinnamates ; analysis ; Depsides ; analysis ; Electrophoresis, Capillary ; methods ; Hydroxybenzoates ; analysis ; Lactates ; analysis ; Plant Extracts ; analysis ; Quality Control ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; chemistry ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Solubility ; Water

Objective To investigate the diagnosis of colon cancer patients and the prediction of postoperative recurrence and metastasis in patients with colon cancer by serum angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) , vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) , carbohydrate antigen 199 and carcinoembryonic antigen CEA. Methods 100 patients with colon cancer, 100 patients with benign colonic lesions and 100 healthy subjects were examined. The levels of Ang-2, VEGF, CA19-9 and CEA in serum were detected, and the diagnosis and postoperative recurrence and metastasis of colon cancer were investigated. Results The levels of serum Ang-2, VEGF, CA19-9 and CEA in colon cancer group were higher than those in benign lesions and healthy controls (P < 0.05). The levels of Ang-2, VEGF, CA19-9 and CEA were detected. The sensitivity and specificity of each index were significantly higher in the diagnosis of colon cancer. The preoperative recurrence and metastasis rates of patients with positive Ang-2, VEGF, CA19-9 and CEA were higher than those of the negative patients respectively. Survival analysis showed a statistically significant difference in the time of distant metastasis between different expression states (P < 0.05). Conclusion The detection of serum levels of Ang-2, VEGF, CA19-9 and CEA has clinical significance for the diagnosis of colon cancer. Combined detection can improve the diagnostic efficiency; the levels of Ang-2, VEGF, CA19-9 and CEA in serum before surgery colon cancer is associated with recurrence and metastasis, and combined testing can help to assess tumor metastasis.

Objective To study the effects of Peiyuan Jieyu Formula ( PYJYF) on rats treated with glu-cocorticoid, its influences on metabolism of the TRP-KYN pathway and the impacts on hippocampal and cortical neuronal plasticity. Methods 70 rats were randomly divided into the following 7 groups ( n=10 in each group): normal blank group, model group, fluoxetine group, mid- and high-dose Tiansi Yin ( TSY) groups, Sini San ( SNS) groups, and PYJYF groups. Rat model of depression was established by intraperitoneal injection of glucocorticoid for 28 days. Sucrose solution consumption and Open-field test were conducted. The content of TRP, KYN, KA and Q in serum was measuredby using HPLC-MS/MS technique. The mRNA expressions of NR and BDNF in brain tissue were measured by using RT-PCR. Results 28 days after the injection of glucocorticoid in model group, the consumption of sucrose solution and total score in open-field test was significantly decreased ( P <0 . 05 ) . The ratios of KYN/TRP and KYN/KA increased significantly ( P<0 . 05 ) . The mRNA expression level of BDNF in hippocampal de-creased significantly ( P<0 . 05 ) . The mRNA expression level of NR increased significantly ( P<0 . 05 ) . Peiyuan Jieyu Formula increased the consumption of sucrose solution (P<0. 05),the total score in open-field test,the ratios of KYN/Q and the mRNA expression level of BDNF in hippocampus(P<0. 05) when compared with the model group. The ratios of KYN/TRP and KYN/KA(P<0. 05) and the mRNA ex-pression level of NR in cortex ( P <0. 05 ) of Peiyuan Jieyu Formula group decreased. Conclusion Peiyuan Jieyu Formula can reduce the metabolism of TRP-KYN, inhibit neurotoxicity, improve neural protection, and promote the hippocampal and cortical neural plasticity.