Objective: To explore the relationship between expressions of estrogen (ER) and progesterone (PR) receptors and syndromes of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in gastric carcinoma and to establish prognostic indicators for gastric carcinoma. Methods: A total of 72 patients with gastric carcinoma were divided into six groups according to TCM syndrome differentiation. Specimens were collected after operation and ER and PR protein expressions were detected by EnVision immunohistochemical method. Results: The common syndromes in female patients with gastric carcinoma were disharmony between liver and stomach, yin impairment due to stomach heat, and insufficiency of both qi and blood; while in males, interior retention of stagnant toxin, interior retention of phlegm and dampness, and deficiency-cold in spleen and stomach were common. Different TCM syndromes were related with gender (P<0.01), pathology (P<0.01), cell differentiation (P<0.05), infiltration depth (P<0.01), lymphaden metastasis (P<0.05), distant metastasis (P<0.05), and TNM stage (P<0.01). Deficiency and excess syndromes were associated with gender (P<0.05), pathology (P<0.05), tumor location (P<0.01) and TNM stage (P<0.05). The deficiency syndromes were common in female patients. The total positive rates of ER and PR expressions were 8.33% and 37.5% respectively. There was a significant difference in PR expression among different TCM syndromes (P<0.01). PR expression was significantly higher in the syndrome of yin deficiency due to stomach heat than in the other syndromes. The PR expressions in deficiency syndromes were significantly higher than those in excess syndromes (P<0.01). No correlation was found between ER expression and different TCM syndromes. Conclusion: There is a correlation between PR expression and different TCM syndromes in gastric carcinoma.

Objective:To investigate the variation characteristics and influencing factors of HIV/AIDS subtypes in Wuxi city of Jiangsu Province from 2014 to 2016.Methods:HIV/AIDS population in Wuxi city in 2014 was selected as the research object, and the HIV molecular epidemiology and follow-up study were carried out. Collect epidemiological information, extract DNA from blood samples, amplify pol gene fragment by nest-PCR and sequence, use ChromasPro 1.6 software and MEGA 7.0 software to construct the HIV-1 sequence database, and use FastTree2.1.10 software to construct the phylogenetic tree to confirm the subtype; in 2016, the same population was followed up, and the HIV subtype variation was analyzed, and the influencing factors of subtype variation were explored by multivariate logistic regression. Results:A total of 612 HIV/AIDS cases in 2014 and 2016 were collected. The age of the subjects was mainly 30 years old or above (85.46%, 523/612), and the proportion of people over 50 years old was higher (228/612, 37.25%). The main route of transmission was homosexuality, accounting for 49.67%. A total of 1224 samples were detected and CRF01 _ AE、CRF07_ BC、B、CRF08_ BC、CRF67_ 01B、CRF55_ 01B、CRF68_ 01B, 7 subtypes of HIV-1 and 5 unique recombinant types (URFs) was detected. CRF01_ AE and CRF07_ BC was still the main genotype in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, accounting for 66.75%. There were 29 cases (3.56%) of URFs recombinant strains. During 2014-2016, the variation rate of subtypes was 14.63%, and the most common variation was CRF01_ AE changes to CRF07_ BC(13.95%). Marital status (OR=0.363, 95% CI: 0.137-0.964) and baseline CD4 level (OR=0.414, 95% CI: 0.192-0.891) were associated with subtype variation.Conclusions:The HIV-1 subtypes of HIV/AIDS patients in Wuxi city are diverse and complex, the proportion of recombinant subtypes is rising, the URFs that are difficult to determine the genotype increase significantly, and the variation rate of HIV-1 subtypes among HIV/AIDS infected people is high. It is necessary to strengthen the monitoring of HIV-1 subtypes.

OBJECTIVETo assess the curative effects of different drugs on liver cell damage of rats induced by acute nickel carbonyl poisoning.

METHODSIn present study 220 SD rats were divided into control group (10 rats), carbonyl nickel group (10 rats), 20 mg/kg methylprednisolone group (40 rats), 100 mg/kg DDC group (40 rats), 10 µmol/kg sodium selenite group (40 rats), 0.25 ml shenfuhuiyangtang group (40 rats) and 20 mg/kg methylprednisolone with 100 mg/kg DDC group (40 rats). All rats except for control group inhaled passively 250 mg/m(3) carbonyl nickel for 30 minutes. At 4h and 30h after exposure, the drugs were given intraperitoneally to the rats. On the 3rd and 7th days after exposure, the liver samples were taken from 10 rats each group. The DNA damage of liver cells was detected using comet assay, the ultrastructure changes in liver cells were examined under an electronmicroscope.

RESULTSCompared to carbonyl nickel group, the tail lengths of liver cells in 5 groups administrated at 4 h or 30 h and tested on the 3rd or 7th day after exposure decreased significantly (P < 0.05). Compared to the control group, the tail lengths of liver cells in sodium selenite and shenfuhuiyangtang groups administrated at 4h after exposure or sodium selenite, shenfuhuiyangtang and methylprednisolone with DDC groups administrated at 30h after exposure increased significantly (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), when tested on the 3rd day after exposure. Except from methylprednisolone sub-group administrated at 4h and tested on the 7th day after exposure, the tail lengths of liver cells in other groups administrated at 4 h or 30 h and tested on the 7th day after exposure increased significantly (P < 0.05). Compared to carbonyl nickel group, the Olive moment of liver cells in 5 groups administrated at 4 h or 30 h tested on the 3rd or 7th day after exposure decreased significantly (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Compared to the control group, the Olive moment of liver cells in following groups (selenite and shenfuhuiyangtang groups administrated at 4 h or 30 h and tested on the 3rd or 7th day after exposure, DDC group administrated at 4 h or 30 h and tested on the 7th day after exposure, DDC group administrated at 30h and tested on the 3rd day after exposure, and methylprednisolone with DDC group administrated at 30 h and tested on the 7th day after exposure) increased significantly (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). As compared with carbonyl nickel group, the ultrastructure observation indicated that the nucleus and other organelles of liver cells in methylprednisolone, DDC and methylprednisolone with DDC groups administrated at 4h and tested on the 3rd day were access to normal levels.

CONCLUSIONThe results of present study showed that methylprednisolone, DDC and methylprednisolone with DDC could improve obviously the repair of rat liver cell damage induced by acute carbonyl nickel poisoning, and the curative effects of early treatment were better than those of later treatment.

Animals ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury ; drug therapy ; pathology ; DNA Damage ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Hepatocytes ; pathology ; Male ; Methylprednisolone ; therapeutic use ; Organometallic Compounds ; poisoning ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sodium Selenite ; therapeutic use ; Zalcitabine ; therapeutic use

Objective The aim of the longitudinal was to explore the level of posttraumatic growth (PTG) and the effect on rehabilitation outcome in patients who received renal transplant. Methods A questionnaire survey was carried out in patients after renal transplant in one month (T1) and six months (T2) in China during hospitalization. PTG was measured by the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), depression by the Patient Health Questionaire (PHQ-9), anxiety by the Generalised Anxiety Disorder Questionaire (GAD-7). Totally 180 patients were recruited, and 160 completed the follow-up measure. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS 20.0. Results There were 88.3% (158/180) patients reported positive PTG in T1, and 94.3% (151/160) in T2. The mean score of posttraumatic growth at T1 and T2 had no significant difference (T1:77.96 ± 16.36,T2:79.54 ± 17.58;t=-1.302,P=0.195). PTG was not significant to the recovery of physical symptoms (χ2Creatinine=0.504,P=0.841,χ2recover=0.609,P=0.777, χ2complication=6.131,P=0.150), while it affected the incidence of anxiety (χ2=7.541, P=0.021), but not related with the incidence of depression (χ2=3.926,P=0.130). Conclusions There is no difference in the level of PTG in time. PTG has no obvious effect on body health recovery for patients with renal transplantation after six months, while for the mental health, PTG has no effect on depression symptoms, but can reduce the occurrence of anxiety symptoms.

This study was aimed to investigate the effect of rhIL-6 and rhEPO on hepcidin mRNA expression in HepG2 cells and human primary hepatocytes, and mechanism of rhEPO in treatment of anemia of chronic disease (ACD). The HepG2 cells and human primary hepatocytes were cultured with medium containing different concentrations of rhIL-6 and rhEPO for a certain time, then mRNA was isolated and its RT-PCR was performed, the bands were photographed and analyzed by UVI band, the hepcidin and G3PDH mRNA ratio were semi-quantitatively analyzed. The expression levels of hepcidin in GepG2 cells and human primary hepatocytes at different conditions were compared. The results showed that the hepcidin mRNA expression in HepG2 cells and human primary hepatocytes could be enhanced by rhIL-6, the rhEPO could inhibit rhIL6-induced hepcidin mRAN expression. The rhEPO alone basically did not influence hepcidin mRNA expression in HepG2 cells. It is concluded that Hepcidin mRNA expression in HepG2 cells and human primary hepatocytes can be elevated by rhIL-6 with concentration- and time-dependent manner in certain range. rhEPO can inhibit this effect of rhIL-6.
Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides ; genetics ; metabolism ; Erythropoietin ; pharmacology ; Hep G2 Cells ; Hepatocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Hepcidins ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Recombinant Proteins ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo clone an A3IP gene and investigate its cellular and histological localization based on previous research which has identified part of A3IP sequence interacting with carboxyl-terminal of ataxin-3.

METHODSBioinformatic and Northern blotting were applied to clone the A3IP gene and detect the expression of its transcripts in various human tissues and brain regions. Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining were applied to detect expression of A3IP protein in cultured cells. Immunohistochemistry staining was applied to study the expression of A3IP protein in various human tissues and brain regions.

RESULTScDNA cloning of A3IP gene's reading frame and its sequence assembly were completed. Three transcripts (1 kb, 1.35 kb and 6 kb, respectively) of A3IP were found to express in various human tissues and brain regions. A3IP pEGFP expresses in cytoplasm of cultured COS-7 cells and various human tissues and brain regions including cerebral cortex, cerebellum, muscle, peripheral nerve, liver and kidney.

CONCLUSIONThe cloned A3IP gene encodes A3IP, a novel ataxin-3 interacting protein. Three transcripts of A3IP are expressed in various human tissues and brain regions. A3IP is a cytosolic protein.

Ataxin-3 ; Base Sequence ; Carrier Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cloning, Molecular ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Nuclear Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Protein Binding ; Protein Transport ; Repressor Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDBoth survivin and lung resistance related protein (LRP) are related to the chemoresistances in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). But the relationship between survivin and LRP is indefinite. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of down-regulation of survivin on LRP expressions and the reversal of chemoresistances in HCC both in vitro and in vivo.

METHODSThe expressions of survivin were detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting in HCC cell line SMMC-7721 and SMMC-7721/ADM. The sensitivities of these two cell lines to ADM were evaluated by MTT assays. SiRNA which targeted survivin was transfected into SMMC-7721/ADM cells, then the sensitivity of SMMC-7721/ADM cells to ADM and the expressions of survivin and LRP were detected respectively. SMMC-7721/ADM cells were transplanted subcutaneously into nude mice to establish xenograft tumors. Antitumor activities of RNA interference (RNAi) targeting survivin, various doses of ADM and combination therapies were observed respectively. Possible toxicities were evaluated. LRP expression changes were tested. Student's t test was used for evaluating statistical significance.

RESULTSThe expressions of survivin in SMMC-7721/ADM cell line showed significant elevation compared to those in SMMC-7721 cell line (P < 0.05). Positive siRNA down-regulated the expressions of survivin significantly (P < 0.05). SiRNA targeting survivin could sensitize SMMC-7721/ADM cells to ADM and down-regulate the expressions of LRP significantly (P < 0.05). Growths of the tumors were significantly inhibited in positive siRNA group as compared with those in the control group from the 8th day (P < 0.05). Combination therapies caused significant tumor inhibitions compared with tumors of nude mice in the other three groups respectively (P < 0.05). No toxicities were found in nude mice treated by siRNA and combination therapies. The expressions of LRP were markedly reduced in tumors treated with siRNA targeting survivin (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSDown regulation of survivin gene by RNAi can increase chemosensitivity of HCC both in vitro and in vivo. The reversal of drug resistance may be reduced through the inhibitions of LRP.

Animals ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Blotting, Western ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Doxorubicin ; therapeutic use ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mitolactol ; therapeutic use ; Mitomycins ; therapeutic use ; RNA Interference ; physiology ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; physiology ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Vault Ribonucleoprotein Particles ; genetics ; metabolism ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Objective To understand the current status and relevant factors influencing the duration of breastfeeding in rural areas in China.Methods Children under two years old were selected as subjects from the study on "Physical growth among the under 7-years-old children from the rural areas of ten provinces in China in 2006".Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate the survival curves and Cox multivariate stepwise regression was used to identify the relevant factors on the duration of breastfeeding.Results Median of the duration for breastfeeding was 12 months in rural areas of 10 provinces in China.Results of this study suggested that factors as sex,birth order,areas of residency,nationality,initiation of formula,parents' education levels,maternal services and famliy income were correlated with the duration of breastfeeding.Conclusion Duration of breastfeeding among rural children under 2-years of age was short in the 10 provinces of China.Factors as level of education,residential areas and family income of the parents as well as sex of the chilaren were correlated with the duration of breastfeeding.Intervention program should be implemented to improve the current status on breastfeeding.

Aim To investigate the effects of combined administration of loganin and berberine on bone structure and metabolism in diabetic mice and its potential mechanism.Methods The diabetic ICR mouse model was induced by high fat diet(HFD).After 10 weeks of combined intervention, the effects of loganin and berberine on body weight, body fat rate, blood glucose, blood lipid and serum oxidative stress levels were observed.Bone microstructure was scanned by micro-CT.Biomechanical characteristics of bone were measured by three-point bending test, and material properties were detected by fourier transform infrared(FTIR).The pathological changes were observed by HE and TRAP staining.Protein expressions involved in advanced glycation end products(AGEs)and their receptors(RAGE)/nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)signaling pathway were detected by immunohistochemistry.Results The combined administration of loganin and berberine could significantly inhibit the weight gain, reduce the levels of blood glucose, blood lipid and oxidative stress, as well as improve glucose tolerance.In addition, combined intervention also decreased the expression levels of the proteins involved in AGEs/RAGE/NF-κB signaling pathway, and improved bone microstructure, finally contributing to increasing bone quality in diabetic mice.Conclusions The combination of loganin and berberine could improve bone metabolism in diabetic mice, which may be related to AGEs/RAGE/NF-κB signaling pathway.

BACKGROUNDIt is very common for professional divers to have damage on the retinas. Severe retinal lesions can profoundly affect athletes' training efficacy and their daily lives. At present, it is not clear if there is effective preventive action. Thus, in our study, we continuously tracked the ocular changes in athletes and closely monitored the risk factors associated with retinal detachment. Also, we analyzed possible interventions, their associated factors, and efficacies for timely preventions to protect the retina from damage in professional divers.

METHODSBetween 2009 and 2012, a total of 39 professional divers enrolled in follow-up management. The conducted examinations included ocular examination, record screening on retinal lesion, monitoring best-corrected visual acuity, and checking intraocular pressure (IOP) and the scope of retinal lesion. The management included optimizing training methods, taking customized follow-up based on different retinal lesions, laser treatments for definite cases of retinal tear, retinal degeneration caused by retinal layer thinning or vitreous traction, and observing the changes in the scope of retinopathy.

RESULTSEvery year, the percentage of divers who have various degrees of retinal lesions is between 43.3% and 56.2%. During the 4 years, there were no statistically significant differences in divers' best-corrected visual acuity and retinal lesions. There were also no statistically significant differences between male and female athletes. However, there were statistically significant differences in IOP during these years. Moreover there were statistically significant differences in IOP and the scope of retinal lesions between platform divers and springboard divers.

CONCLUSIONSOur management of retinal lesions could be effective to prevent severe retinopathy in professional divers. At the same time, platform divers are more likely to have retinal lesions than springboard divers.

Adolescent ; Diving ; injuries ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Retina ; pathology ; Retinal Detachment ; etiology ; Retinal Diseases ; therapy