Humans ; Occupational Exposure ; prevention & control ; Respiratory Protective Devices ; classification ; standards ; utilization ; United States

Background and purpose:Methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) plays an important role in metabolism of folate and DNA methylation. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism and chemotherapy side effects in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Methods:A total of 100 patients with advanced NSCLC conifrmed by pathology were included into this study in Zhejiang Cancer Hospital from Jun. 2007 to May. 2009. All patients received the combined chemotherapy of platinum drug and gemcitabine. MTHFR genotypes were determined by allele-specific-PCR technology. Results:In the 100 cases, genotype frequency of MTHFR C677T T/T, T/C and C/C were 20%, 44%and 36%, respectively. Compared with patients of T/T and T/C genotype, patients of C/C genotype were correlated with decreased rate of thrombocytopenia to chemotherapy (P=0.039). No signiifcant differences were observed concerning gastrointestinal toxicity. Conclusion:MTHFR C677T gene polymorphism can be used to predict the adverse reactions to platinum-based chemotherapy in patients with advanced NSCLC.

OBJECTIVE:To compare whether the numbers and species of strains of5probiotic products for medical pur-poses sold in the market are in line with those stated on the labels.METHODS:Viable count of probiotic products was per-formed by selective plating count method and species of the isolated strains were analyzed and identified using16S rDNA se-quencing.RESULTS:Regarding viable count,only one of the total25batches of samples in5products was lower than that stated on the label.As for species,of the10isolated strains,3failed to be in consistent with that stated on the label.CONCLU_ SIONS:For the5products investigated,inconformity was noted between strain species and that stated on the labels,however,the same viable counts are noted between the products and that stated on the labels.

ADAM Proteins ; genetics ; ADAM17 Protein ; Animals ; Gene Library ; Genetic Vectors ; Male ; Mice ; Two-Hybrid System Techniques

BackgroundThe favorable effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on the reconstruction of injured corneas have been reported,but the mechanism remains unclear.ObjectiveThis study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antiangiogenic effect after transplantation of BMSCs in chemically burned corneas.Methods BMSCs were isolated and extracted from the bone marrow.The cells were cultured and passaged and then were seeded on the amniotic membrane.Corneal alkali injury models were created in 18 clean SD rats by sticking the filter paper containing 1 mol/L NaOH at the central cornea for 40 seconds.The rats were then randomized into 3 groups.Amniotic membrane with BMSCs or amniotic membrane without BMSCs were transplanted in 1 week after the establishment of models,and the rats without transplantation were used as the control group.The severity of corneal lesion was graded,and angiogenesis area was measured 2 weeks after the transplantation.The expression of interleukin-2 ( IL-2 ),interferon-γ(IFN-γ),IL-10 and transforming growth factor-β ( TGF-β ) were examined by ELISA,and the mRNA of the matrix metalloproteinase-2 ( MMP-2 ),vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF),epidermal growth factor(EGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF) were analyzed by real-time PCR.ResultsThe positive rates of the cells were 99.78％ and 99.79％ for CD90 and CD29,7.90％,1.16％ and 1.28％ for CD34,CD45 and CDllba.The cells grew well on the amniotic membrane.The corneal inflammatory score and neovascularization area were similar among the three groups ( F =0.021,P-- 0.979 ; F =0.076,P =0.927 ).However,the corneal inflammatory score was significantly reduced and neovascularization area was significantly less in the amniotic membrane group compared with the BMSCs group and control group(P=0.011,0.001 ;P=0.005,0.000).The levels of IL-2 and IFN-γ secreted by Th1 cells were decreased (P =0.000,0.002;P =0.003,0.045 ) and the levels of IL-10 and TGF-β secreted by Th2 cells were increased in the BMSCs group compared with the amniotic membrane and control group ( P =0.000,0.000 ; P =0.000,0.021 ).No significant difference was found in VEGF expression among three groups( F=4.880,P =0.056).But the mRNA of the MMP-2 and bFGF were lower in the BMSCs group than the amniotic membrane group(P=0.009,0.003 ) and control group(P＜0.01 ).Conclusions BMSCs modulate the expression of inflammatory-related and angiogenic-related cytokines and therefore play the antiinflammatory and anti-angiogenic effects in the chemically burned cornea.

Objective To explore the effect of preoperative chemotherapy for children with malignant extragonadial germinoma. Methods Twenty patients with malignant extrogonadal germinoma had been treated with preoperative chemotherapy from Mar.2003 to Mar.2007.Protocol 1 of chemotherapy was to improve PEB:(cisplatin plus etoposide plus bleomycin A5);Protocol 2 was VAC(vincristine plus actinomycin D plus cyclophosphamide) the average time span of the chemotherapy was 16 weeks.Upon completion of chemotherapy,tumor resection was performed.The content of alpha fetoprotein(AFP) was determined before operation and compared with the content before chemotherapy.Re-gular follow-up procedure was taken after operation. Results All 20 patients received chemotherapy and underwent operation.The removal rate of resection operation was 100%,the process of operation was smooth.The volume of tumors in 14 patients decreased over 50% compared with those before chemotherapy.The response rate was 70%.The content of AFP decreased significantly in 15 patients(75%).Fifteen patients had been living without tumor for up to 2 years,for 5 cases the survival time went beyond 5 years. Conclusions Malignant extrogonadal ger-minoma in children grow infiltratively,bring detrimental effects to neighboring organs,and bring obstacles to resection operation.Chemotherapy for children with malignant extragonadal germinoma before operation can reduce volume of tumor and bleeding during operation,raise the resectability rate and lower the content of AFP.It will enhance the effectiveness of operation and improve prognosis.Therefore,it can be used as a conventional clinical method.

AlM:To investigate the effect of teaching mode of problem- based learning ( PBL ) in the teaching of medical students' clinical ophthalmology.
METHODS: Five classes ( total 148 students ) were randomly selected as experimental group, using PBL method, at the same time another 5 classes ( total 151 students) were also randomly selected as control group, using lecture-based learning ( LBL) mode in 2010 grade. The scores of the experimental group were compared with control at the end of term. ln addition, students and teachers were respectively interviewed using self -administered questionnaire to obtain their evaluation for PBL practice.
RESULTS:The mean scores of PBL group (78. 35±7. 63) were significantly higher than control group (71. 68±6. 37) (P<0. 001). Most of students thought that their ability of referring, synthesizing and analyzing information was enhanced by PBL, and their skills both in written and oral were also improved. PBL made it easier to understand the contexts of course. lt was the best way to improve the effect of teaching in ophthalmology based on the increase of quality in novitiate that gives more chance to students of contacting with practice, developing the ability of clinical thinking and verifying the theory in clinical novitiate. Lots of teachers considered that the classroom atmosphere was more active, students were becoming more and more proactive on their classes and the relationship between students and teachers were more harmonious when PBL was used.
CONCLUSlON:Using PBL teaching mode can highly improve the teaching effectiveness of clinical epidemiology, which is worth popularizing.

To establish a convenient and rapid method for identification of Pseudostellariae Radix by molecular identification, the rDNA-ITS sequences of Pseudostella riaheterophylla and its adulterants had been aligned to find out specific fragment. The specific primers against the fragment were designed and the PCR amplification conditions were optimized. The fluorescence reaction of the PCR products colored by 100 x SYBR Green I was observed under UV. The concentration of reaction buffer included 5.5 μL DNA Taq polymerase premix, 10 pmol Tzs-2F and 10 pmol Tzs-2R, 20-80 ng template DNA, and plus double sterile distilled water to 25 μL. The PCR thermal profile was as follows: predenaturation at 95 degrees C for 1 min, followed by 30 cycles of denaturation at 95 degrees C for 5 seconds, primer annealing and extension at 56 degrees C for 15 seconds, then it was extension at 72 degrees C for 30 seconds. The fluorescence reaction of Pseudostellariae Radix showed green fluorescence, while adulterants had not. Extraction, amplification DNA and all steps of molecular identification could be completed successfully in 40 minutes. The approach could amplify DNA template of Pseudostellariae Radix specificity, and its product with 1 μL 100 x SYBR Green I could engender green fluorescence under UV. The method was simple and accurate, so it could be used for identification of Chinese traditional medicine.
Caryophyllaceae ; classification ; genetics ; DNA Primers ; genetics ; Drug Contamination ; prevention & control ; Plant Roots ; classification ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods

To understand the kinds and the characteristics of combination of traditional Chinese medicines and western medicines using on adults with type 1 diabetes in general hospitals,This research brings into 4 602 hospitalized adult patients with type 1 diabetes from hospital information system (HIS) of 13 third class A hospitals. These research objects were hospitalized in December 2003-July 2011. The research analyzes the operating frequency and associated usage of western medicines and traditional Chinese medicines by the method of frequency statistics and association rules. Through the analysis, the research says that in the clinical treatment of adult patients with type 1 diabetes, the western medicine used most frequently is insulin, a total of 1 539 cases, accounted for 8.47%; the traditional Chinese medicine used most frequently is oral agents of pseudo-ginseng, a total of 183 cases, accounting for 6.25%; the combinations of Chinese and western medicines commonly used include Huoxue Huayu Tongmai Shuluo decoction + vasodilator, support degree is 45.93%, followed by Huoxue Huayu Tongmai Shuluo decoction + vasodilator + hypoglycemic drugs, support degree is 45.50%; Huoxue Huayu Tongmai Shuluo decoction + vasodilator + nutritional agent, support degree is 36.29%.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Electronic Health Records ; Female ; Humans ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Insulin ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Panax

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of composite factors, like long-term high-salt & fat diet and alcohol abuse on blood viscosity and blood pressure in rats, and compare with a model induced by high molecular dextran, in order to build a chronic hyperviscosity aminal model which is similar to human hyperviscosity in clinic and lay a foundation for efficacy evaluation on traditional Chinese medicines.

METHODMale SD rats were randomly divided into the normal group, the high molecular dextran (HMD) group and the high salt & fat and alcohol (HSFA) group. The HMD group was given normal diet and water for 23 day and then 10% HMD through tail vein for 5 days. The HSFA group was fed with high salt and high fat diets every day and alcohol for 20 h x d(-1) for 13 weeks. After the modeling, whole blood viscosity and plasma viscosity were measured in the 5th, 8th and 11th week. Blood pressure was measured in the 5d, 7h, and 10th week. Red cell count (RBC) and hematocrit (HCT) were measured in the 11th week. PAgT, Fb, ET-1, NO, PGI, TXA2 contents of the normal group and the HSFA group were measured in the 13th week, and IECa21 content was measured with flow cytometry. Result: After the modeling, the HMD group was in good conditions with glossy hairs and active behaviors. The HSFA group was depressed with withered hairs and less activities. During the 5th-11th weeks, the HMD group and the HSFA group showed higher values in high and low shear whole blood viscosity (WBV) than the normal control group. The plasma viscosity (PV) of HMD rats was significantly increased only in the 5th week, and that of HSFA rats significantly increased in the 8"' and 11th week, particularly in the 11'h week. In the 111h week, the HSFA group showed significant increases in RBC and HCT. After the modeling, the blood pressure of HMD rats showed no significant changes, but the blood pressure of HSFA rats significantly increased during 7' and 101h weeks, particularly in the 10"' week. In the 13th week, PAgT, IECa2+, Fb, ET-1 of HSFA rats significantly increased, but with decreases in NO and PGI2.

CONCLUSIONLong-term high salt & fat and alcohol diets can cause abnormal blood viscosity in rats. WBV significantly increased since the 5th week in rats, and PV increased since the 8th week. The mechanism for increasing BV may be: (1) increases in RBC, HCT, and IECa2+, (2) PAgT increase, (3) Fb content increase, or (4) TXA2/PGI2, ET-1/NO imbalance. Although the modeling time with the method is longer than that with the HMD method, the model is more stable and moderate, and could lead to abnormal increases in WBV and PV; Whereas the HMD method only induced transient increase in plasma viscosity and abnormal increase in SBP. The model is more similar to traditional Chinese medicine syndromes and pathogenesis, with higher value for studies on efficacy of traditional Chinese medicines.

Alcoholism ; blood ; metabolism ; Animals ; Blood Pressure ; Blood Viscosity ; Diet, High-Fat ; adverse effects ; Disease Models, Animal ; Ethanol ; adverse effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sodium Chloride, Dietary ; adverse effects ; metabolism