Objective To establish a digital system for forensic identiifcation of the palatal rugae and evaluate its application effects. Methods High-resolution digital images of the palatal rugae were harvested under the standard condition and processed including data collection, noise reduction, contrast enhancement, image segmentation, feature extraction, edge detection, and information matching. Apply an MATLAB software system to develop a digital system for forensic identiifcation of the palatal rugae ,and its application effects were evaluated. Results A digital system for forensic identification of the palatal rugae was successfully established. The digital system had an accuracy rate of 100%. Conclusion Establishing a digital system for forensic identiifcation of the palatal rugae provides a novel method for forensic identiifcation.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of Bushen Huoxue Fang (BSHX) on the apoptosis of epithelial cells in the prostatic ductal system of rats with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and its possible action mechanism.

METHODSOne hundred 3- month-old male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups of equal number (control, castrated, BPH model, and BSHX). BPH models were made by subcutaneous injection of testosterone following castration; the rats in the BSHX group were treated intragastrically with BSHX at 2.34 g/ml after modeling, while those in the other two groups with equal volume of saline, all for 37 days. On the 38th day, all the rats were sacrificed and their prostates harvested for detection of the distribution of TGF-beta1 and alpha-actin and the count of positive cells in the prostatic ductal system by immunohistochemical staining. The apoptosis rate of epithelial cells in the prostatic ductal system was determined by TUNEL assay.

RESULTSThe expression of TGF-beta1 was significantly increased in the rats of the BSHX group as compared with the BPH models in both the proximal prostatic duct ([15.28 +/- 4.30]% vs [36.42 +/- 8.10]%, P < 0.01) and the distal prostatic duct ([4.42 +/- 2.07]% vs [8.71 +/- 2.28 ]%, P < 0.05), while the expression of alpha-actin in the proximal duct was remarkably higher in the BSHX-treated rats than in the models ([28.14 +/- 7.43]% vs [18.28 +/- 4.07]%, P < 0.01), but lower than in the control animals ([33.57 +/- 6.85]%, P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the BPH models and BSHX-treated rats both exhibited markedly decreased apoptosis of epithelial cells in the proximal prostatic duct ([39.42 +/- 9.20]% vs [3.86 +/- 1.34]%, P < 0.01, and [31.14 +/- 5.64]%, P < 0.01) and distal prostatic duct ([17.60 +/- 4.86]% vs [3.07 +/- 1.14]%, P < 0.01, and [12.37 +/- 2.25]%, P < 0.05). The apoptosis rate of epithelial cells in the prostatic ductal system was significantly higher in the BSHX-treated rats than in the BPH models (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONBy upregulating the expression of TGF-beta, BSHX can suppress the reduction of smooth muscle cells in the proximal prostatic duct, promote the apoptosis of prostatic epithelial cells, and thus effectively inhibit benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Actins ; metabolism ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Epithelial Cells ; drug effects ; pathology ; Male ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism

Acquired hemophilia A is a deficiency disease caused by blood coagulation factor Ⅷ antibodies due to a variety of causes, The disease incidence rate is extremely low, but the mortality rate is high. This disease is often misdiagnosed,resulting in delays in treatment, so early diagnosis and timely treatment is crucial for reducing the mortality. The principle of treatment for the disease is mainly to control acute bleeding, eradicate inhibitor, and treat the primary disease,therefore, rational and personalized choices of treatment are also critical.

Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of mumps in Hefei City from 2011 to 2016, in order to provide a basis for effective prevention of mumps. Methods The data of mumps in Hefei City from 2011 to 2016 was analyzed by descriptive epidemiology. Results There were a total of 9 678 cases of mumps in Hefei City from 2011 to 2016. The average annual incidence was 22.7/100 000, with the highest in 2013 being 40.56/100 000. Mumps had obvious seasonality with high incidence in spring. Mumps cases increased in winter but the peak was not distinct. The group with the largest number of cases was mainly students, accounting for 64.5% of the total number of cases, followed by childcare and residentially-scattered children. The average annual morbidity of nine counties existed differences( 2=256.845，P<0.001). Conclusions There was a high incidence of mumps in Hefei City from 2011 to 2016. More effective measures should be taken to prevent the incidence of mumps and reduce the spread of mumps virus.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the predictive value of the adenosine triphosphate-tumor chemosensitivity assay (ATP-TCA) in the chemotherapy applied in primary epithelial ovarian cancer (PEOC), and to analyze if the neoadjuvant chemotherapy have any influence on the postoperative chemosensitivity.

METHODSATP-TCA results from 61 PEOC specimens were analyzed retrospectively. Patients were divided into sensitive group and resistant group according to the ATP-TCA results. Sensitive index (SI) was applied to analyze the ATP-TCA results. The correlation between in vitro results and clinical outcome was assessed by univariate and multivariate analysis.

RESULTSSI set at > 250 had the highest test sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of 91.6%, 73.9%, 84.6% and 85.0%, respectively. The ATP-TCA results had significant correlation with clinical outcome (chi(2) = 26.9, P < 0.001). Patients with tumors shown to be resistant had a higher risk of recurrence in comparison with those who were tested as sensitive (P = 0.030, OR = 0.033, 95%CI 0.002 approximately 0.724). The median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of in vitro-sensitive patients were 26 months and 39 months, respectively, significantly longer than those in the in vitro drug-resistant group of patients (PFS 10 months and OS 25 months) (both P < 0.01). Neoadjuvant chemotherapy had a significant correlation with the clinical chemoresistance (chi(2) = 15.214, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONATP-TCA assay may effectively predict the chemosensitivity of primary ovarian cancer, and predict the early recurrence of the tumor.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Carboplatin ; administration & dosage ; Carcinoma, Transitional Cell ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; Cyclophosphamide ; administration & dosage ; Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Disease-Free Survival ; Doxorubicin ; administration & dosage ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Female ; Humans ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Paclitaxel ; administration & dosage ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate

Chuangxinmycin (CM) from Actinoplanes tsinanensis was an antibiotic discovered by Chinese scientists about 40 years ago. It contains a new heterocyclic system of indole fused with dihydrothiopyran, whose biosynthetic mechanism remains unclear. CM is used as an oral medicine in the treatment of bacterial infections in China. The simple structure makes CM as an attractive candidate of structure modification for improvement of antibacterial activity. Recently, we analyzed the secondary metabolites of Actinoplanes tsinanensis CPCC 200056, a CM producing strain, as a natural CM analogue. We discovered the first natural CM analogue 3-demethylchuangxinmycin (DCM) as a new natural product. Compared to CM, DCM exhibited a much weaker activity in the inhibition of the bacterial strains tested. The finding provides valuable information for the structure-activity relationship in the biosynthesis of CM.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; China ; Indoles ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Micromonosporaceae ; chemistry ; Structure-Activity Relationship

OBJECTIVETo study the changes of peripheral blood chromosomal centromere aberration in patents with cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection after anti-viral treatment.

METHODSSixty-two patients with early spontaneous abortion and CMV infection analyzed for their peripheral blood chromosomal centromere using simultaneous silver staining before and after anti-viral treatment.

RESULTSThe patients with CMV infection had high rate of centromere aberration, which was decreased significantly after anti-viral treatment (P<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONCMV infection is a risk factor for peripheral blood chromosomal centrimere aberration. Anti-viral treatment can decrease the rate of centrimere aberration aberration. Detection of peripheral blood chromosomal centrimere aberration allows the assessment of the severity of infection and the condition after treatment.

Abortion, Spontaneous ; blood ; genetics ; Adult ; Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; Centromere ; genetics ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Cytomegalovirus Infections ; blood ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious ; blood ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the adrenocortical function in children with severe and critical enterovirus 71 infection by using a high-dose (250 µg) adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test. And to at provide experimental basis for glucocorticoid in the treatment of hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD).

METHODThis was a prospective multi-center study which was carried out in PICUs of Beijing Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou Children's Hospital, Kaifeng Children's Hospital and Linyi People's Hospital in Shandong province. Children with severe and critical hand-foot-mouth disease admitted to PICUs of the four hospitals from June 2009 to April 2010 were enrolled in this study, and EV71 virus nucleic acid test and high-dose (250 µg) ACTH stimulation started at the same time. EV71 virus nucleic acid positive 51 cases were eventually enrolled in the study. Cortisol test was performed at baseline (T0) and after high-dose (250 µg) ACTH stimulation at 30 minutes (T30), 60 minutes (T60) in the first 6 hours after admission, but before glucocorticoid was given. The adrenocortical function was evaluated according to ΔTmax [ΔTmax=(T30, T60 maximum)-T0]. Diagnostic criteria of adrenal insufficiency (AI) is increment (ΔTmax)≤9 µg/dl.

RESULTThe incidence of AI in 51 cases was 52.94% (27/51). The incidence of AI in severe group was 44.74% (17/38), which was significantly higher in critical group 76.92% (10/13), P<0.05. Of the cases with a pediatric critical illness score (PCIS)≤70, 81.82% (9/11) had adrenal insufficiency, and it was 28.57% (4/14) when PCIS≥90. The incidence of AI was 75% (6/8) and 48.84% (21/43) in death and survivor group respectively, but there were no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). Baseline (T0) cortisol in death group was higher than survivor group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONAI may occur in children with enterovirus 71 infection. The critical enterovirus 71 infection had a high incidence of AI. AI may affect the prognosis of patients with severe and critical enterovirus 71 infection. Exogenous glucocorticoids administration may be considered when AI is identified or highly suspected. The timing, dosage and regimen of glucocorticoid are still unclear. Further animal experiments and clinical trials are needed.

Adrenal Insufficiency ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Child, Preschool ; Enterovirus A, Human ; pathogenicity ; Female ; Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease ; complications ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; virology ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Prognosis ; Prospective Studies

OBJECTIVESince males are at higher risk of cardiovascular diseases than females, the aim of the study was to examine whether there is an association between BP and a polymorphic Hind III biallelic marker in nonrecombining region of Y chromosome in essential hypertension in Tangshan district in China.

METHODSIn the study, 225 patients with essential hypertension and 187 healthy people were enrolled into this study as control group. DNA was extracted from white blood cell. Segments of polymorphic Hind III restriction site of the Y chromosome were amplified from DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PCR products were restricted with 10 U of Hind III for a night at 37 degrees C. The digested products were subjected to electrophoresis in 3% agarose gels, and stained with ethidium bromide.

RESULTSWe amplified 178 controls (95.2%) and 216 essential hypertensive patients (96.0%) successfully. Hind III(-) genotype was found in 45.8% of the men in essential hypertension and in 32.0% of the men in the controlled group. The Hind III(-) genotype was significantly higher than that in the controls (chi2 = 7.782, P = 0.007). However, the Hind III(+) genotype was lower in SBP (133.16 mm Hg +/- 21.60 mm Hg vs. 143.58 mm Hg +/- 24.16 mm Hg, P < 0.001), DBP (82.82 mm Hg +/- 11.72 mm Hg vs. 86.82 mm Hg +/- 12.65 mm Hg, P = 0.001), pulse pressure (50.34 mm Hg +/- 14.31 mm Hg vs. 56.76 mm Hg +/- 14.20 mm Hg, P < 0.001) and mean arterial pressure (99.59 mm Hg +/- 14.19 mm Hg vs. 105.74 mm Hg +/- 15.31 mm Hg, P < 0.001) than the Hind III(-) genotype.

CONCLUSIONPolymorphic Hind III restriction site of the Y chromosome seemed to be associated with essential hypertension in Tangshan district in China.

Case-Control Studies ; China ; Chromosomes, Human, Y ; genetics ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Humans ; Hypertension ; genetics ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Site-Specific DNA-Methyltransferase (Adenine-Specific) ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the value of adenosine triphosphate-tumor chemosensitivity assay (ATP-TCA) in individualized treatment of recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer (REOC), and to evaluate the correlation between the in vitro chemosensitivity assay and clinical drug sensitivity.

METHODSSixty-nine REOC specimens were tested by ATP-TCA assay retrospectively. The patients were divided into strong sensitive, moderate sensitively and resistant groups according to the ATP-TCA assay results. The clinical results were evaluated according to imaging and serum CA125 analysis. The correlation between in vitro ATP-TCA assay and clinical outcome was statistically analyzed by χ(2) test. The progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of each group were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTSThe results of ATP-TCA assay had significant correlation with clinical outcome. The clinical chemotherapy outcome became better with increased drug sensitivity in vitro (χ(2) = 9.066, P = 0.004). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy rate for ATP-TCA method to predict the clinical chemotherapy sensitivity of REOC were 87.5%, 45.9%, 58.3%, 80.9% and 65.2%, respectively. The mean PFS of strong sensitive group, moderately sensitive group and resistant group were 187.1 days, 195.0 days and 60.3 days, respectively. The mean OS were 476.7, 335.7 and 237.5 days, respectively, following the start of TCA-directed therapy. The PFS and OS of the two sensitivity groups in vitro were significantly longer than that of the in vitro-resistant group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe results of ATP-TCA assay are well correlated with clinical treatment responses. The assay may be an important and useful method for individualized chemotherapy for recurrent ovarian cancer.

Adenosine Triphosphate ; metabolism ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; CA-125 Antigen ; blood ; Carcinoma, Endometrioid ; blood ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous ; blood ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Deoxycytidine ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; Disease-Free Survival ; Doxorubicin ; administration & dosage ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor ; methods ; Etoposide ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Luminescent Measurements ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; blood ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Paclitaxel ; administration & dosage ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Survival Rate ; Topotecan ; administration & dosage