OBJECTIVE: To study the correlation of daily living activities with location and severity of trau- matic brain injury (TBI) and to provide a theoretical basis for improving the accuracy of expert opinion. METHODS: Five hundred and one cases of patients with TBI were selected. Detailed records included following: pre-injury situation, location and severity of injury, treatment and education. Daily living activi- ties scale (Barthel index) was applied to test the subjects' daily living activities. The relevance among location and severity of TBI and Barthel index was statistically analyzed. RESULTS: In mild TBI group, there was no significant difference in Barthel index among each location (P>0.05). In moderate TBI group, there were significant differences in Barthel index between subarachnoid hemorrhage and cerebral lobe injury, also between parietal, occipital lobes injury and frontal lobe injury, parietal, occipital lobes injury and temporal lobe (P<0.05), respectively, whereas no significant difference in Barthel index between frontal lobe injury and temporal lobe injury (P>0.05). In severe TBI, there were significant differences in Barthel index between every two different locations (P<0.05). CONCLUSION There is some correlation between the location of TBI and Barthel index, which provides an important reference value for analyzing and determining daily living activities after TBI.
Activities of Daily Living ; Adult ; Brain Injuries/rehabilitation* ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Outcome Assessment, Health Care ; Trauma Severity Indices

OBJECTIVETo assess the reliability and validity of Chinese version of the Abbreviated Burn Specific Health Scale (BSHS-A).

METHODSBSHS-A was translated into Chinese and revised. Eighty-two former burn patients discharged from the Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical College, and now in rehabilitation stage, were surveyed with the Chinese version of BSHS-A according to the simple random sampling. The psychometric properties of the scale, including internal consistency, test-retest reliability, content validity and discriminant validity, were analyzed.

RESULTSOne hundred and sixty-seven scales were sent to 82 participants and all of them were completed and returned. The rate of eligible questionnaire was 98.2% after eliminating 3 ineligible questionnaires. The Crobach's alpha coefficient of total score of questionnaire was 0.97, and in all domains and sub-domains ranged from 0.83 to 0.96. The test-retest coefficients from 20 participants retested within one week were between 0.74 and 0.98 (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Forty-eight participants surveyed within 6 months after burn were divided into mild/moderate burn group and severe burn group. The total scores of questionnaire, scores in all domains and sub-domains of patients in the latter group were lower than those in the former group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe Chinese version of BSHS-A shows satisfactory reliability and validity, and it can be used to investigate quality of life of Chinese burn patients in rehabilitation stage.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Burns ; rehabilitation ; Female ; Humans ; Injury Severity Score ; Male ; Quality of Life ; Reproducibility of Results ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult

Osteosarcoma is suggested to be caused by genetic and molecular alterations that disrupt osteoblast differentiation. Recent studies have reported that transmembrane protein 119 (TMEM119) contributes to osteoblast differentiation and bone development. However, the level of TMEM119 expression and its roles in osteosarcoma have not yet been elucidated. In the present study, TMEM119 mRNA and protein expression was found to be up-regulated in osteosarcoma compared with normal bone cyst tissues. The level of TMEM119 protein expression was strongly associated with tumor size, clinical stage, distant metastasis and overall survival time. Moreover, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) of the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) GSE42352 dataset revealed TMEM119 expression in osteosarcoma tissues to be positively correlated with cell cycle, apoptosis, metastasis and TGF-β signaling. We then knocked down TMEM119 expression in U2OS and MG63 cells using small interfering RNA, which revealed that downregulation of TMEM119 could inhibit the proliferation of osteosarcoma cells by inducing cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase and apoptosis. We also found that TMEM119 knockdown significantly inhibited cell migration and invasion, and decreased the expression of TGF-β pathway-related factors (BMP2, BMP7 and TGF-β). TGF-β application rescued the inhibitory effects of TMEM119 knockdown on osteosarcoma cell migration and invasion. Further in vitro experiments with a TGF-β inhibitor (SB431542) or BMP inhibitor (dorsomorphin) suggested that TMEM119 significantly promotes cell migration and invasion, partly through TGF-β/BMP signaling. In conclusion, our data support the notion that TMEM119 contributes to the proliferation, migration and invasion of osteosarcoma cells, and functions as an oncogene in osteosarcoma.
Apoptosis ; Bone Cysts ; Bone Development ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Cycle Checkpoints ; Cell Movement ; Dataset ; Down-Regulation ; Gene Expression ; In Vitro Techniques ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Oncogenes ; Osteoblasts ; Osteosarcoma* ; RNA, Messenger ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Up-Regulation*

OBJECTIVETo explore the method of inducing and building pancreatic cancer cell sublines with radiation resistance.

METHODSSimulating the clinical radiotherapy, the pancreatic cell lines SW1990, Capan-1 (Cap), AsPC-1 (ASPC), P3, PANC-1 (Pan-1) and MIAPaCa-2 (MIA) were repeatedly given individual dose of X-rays with liner accelerator to induce radiation resistance, the changes of cell morphology, cell cycle and radio sensibility in the induced cell lines were compared with the parental cell lines at the end of inducing course.

RESULTSCompared with the parental cells, there were significant changes in morphology in the pancreatic cancer cell sublines after the radiation. Cell cycle analysis suggested that SW1990-R, ASPC-R, MIA-R, PAN-R and P3-R had lower G(2)/M and greater SF(2) (survival fraction after 2 Gy irradiation) compared with the parental cell lines.

CONCLUSIONSThe method of radiating cells step by step and repeatedly is viable to establish radio-resistant pancreatic cancer cell lines.

Cell Culture Techniques ; methods ; Cell Cycle ; radiation effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; radiation effects ; Cell Shape ; radiation effects ; Cell Size ; radiation effects ; Cell Survival ; radiation effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation ; Humans ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Radiation Tolerance

OBJECTIVEIn the present study, we examined the expression changes of Bcl-2/Bax in C-reactive protein (CRP) treated human endothelium cells in vitro.

METHODSThe human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were cultured by digest method for 2 - 3 posterities and incubated with human CRP (0, 1, 5, 25 mg/L for 24 hours) and analyzed by flow cytometer for apoptosis ratio. The effects of CRP in various concentrations on Bcl-2/Bax mRNA and protein expression were examined by RT-PCR and Western Blotting.

RESULTSApoptosis ratio increased, downregulated Bcl-2 (gene promoting cell survival) and upregulated Bax (gene promoting apoptosis) at mRNA and protein levels in proportion to increased CRP concentrations.

CONCLUSIONThese results demonstrate that Bcl-2/Bax could be regulated by CRP in human HUVECs and might play a causal role in CRP-induced apoptosis.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; C-Reactive Protein ; pharmacology ; Cell Line ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Humans ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; biosynthesis ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Umbilical Veins ; cytology ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; biosynthesis

BACKGROUNDTumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) plays an important role in progressive contractile dysfunction in several cardiac diseases. The cytotoxic effects of TNF-α are suggested to be partly mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS)- and mitochondria-dependent apoptosis. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) or its analogue exhibits protective effects on the cardiovascular system. The objective of the study was to assess the effects of exenatide, a GLP-1 analogue, on oxidative stress, and apoptosis in TNF-α-treated cardiomyocytes in vitro.

METHODSIsolated neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were divided into three groups: Control group, with cells cultured in normal conditions without intervention; TNF-α group, with cells incubated with TNF-α (40 ng/ml) for 6, 12, or 24 h without pretreatment with exenatide; and exenatide group, with cells pretreated with exenatide (100 nmol/L) 30 mins before TNF-α (40 ng/ml) stimulation. We evaluated apoptosis by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay and flow cytometry, measured ROS production and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) by specific the fluorescent probes, and assessed the levels of proteins by Western blotting for all the groups.

RESULTSExenatide pretreatment significantly reduced cardiomyocyte apoptosis as measured by flow cytometry and TUNEL assay at 12 h and 24 h. Also, exenatide inhibited excessive ROS production and maintained MMP. Furthermore, declined cytochrome-c release and cleaved caspase-3 expression and increased bcl-2 expression with concomitantly decreased Bax activation were observed in exenatide-pretreated cultures.

CONCLUSIONThese results suggested that exenatide exerts a protective effect on cardiomyocytes, preventing TNF-α-induced apoptosis; the anti-apoptotic effects may be associated with protection of mitochondrial function.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial ; drug effects ; Mitochondria ; drug effects ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; cytology ; drug effects ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Peptides ; pharmacology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Rats ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; pharmacology ; Venoms ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between aggressive behaviors, parent-child separation and experience of childhood abuse among junior high school students.

METHODSA total of 1417 students in ordinary junior high schools from 3 townships in Huoshan, Anhui were involved in this study. Self-made questionnaire was used to estimate aggressive behaviors, parent-child separation in childhood, child abuse and social demographic information of the students under this study.

RESULTSRelated scores (2.52 ± 0.78) on physical aggression in boys was higher than in girls (2.29 ± 0.79) while the scores related to anger (2.60 ± 0.82) and hostility (2.58 ± 0.80) in girls, were higher than those in boys (2.41 ± 0.75, 2.47 ± 0.78), all with statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). Scores related to different types of aggressive behaviors and the scores in total, were higher in students from the senior class (P < 0.001). Scores on items as verbal aggression, hostility and in total, were higher in those adolescents which had undergone maternal-child separation during their childhood (P < 0.05). Scores on hostility and in total, were higher in those adolescents which had suffered from father-child separation during their childhood (P < 0.05). Scores related to anger, hostility and in total, were higher in those adolescents which had undergone both parent-child separation when they were much younger (P < 0.05). Students who had suffered from various types of repeated abuse showed higher scores in various types of aggressive behaviors and in total, than those who did not have the same experience. Most of the differences among groups were statistically significant (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONStudents that suffered parent-child separation in their earlier childhood and with repeated experiences of abuse in childhood appeared to be risk factors causing aggressive behaviors to develop during the age of adolescence.

Adolescent ; Aggression ; Child ; Child Abuse ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Risk Factors ; Schools ; Students ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUNDRupture of unstable plaque with subsequent thrombus formation is the common pathophysiological substrate of the acute coronary syndrome (ACS). It is of potential significance to explore the blood indexes predicting plaque characteristics. Little studies have focused on this field. Therefore we investigated the relationship between hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), pro-matrix metalloproteinase-1 (proMMP-1), tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) and coronary plaque morphology.

METHODSIntravascular ultrasound (IVUS) examination was done in 152 patients with confirmed coronary heart disease before percutaneous coronary intervention from February 2003 to July 2005. Plasma samples of arterial blood were collected prior to the procedure. The level of hs-CRP, proMMP-1 and TIMP-1 were respectively measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSUnstable and ruptured plaque were found more frequently in patients with acute myocardial infarction and unstable angina. External elastic membrane cross-sectional area (EEM CSA), plaque area, lipid pool area and plaque burden were significantly larger in ruptured and unstable plaque group. Positive remolding, thinner fabric-cap, smaller minimal lumen cross-sectional area (MLA), dissection and thrombus were significantly more frequent in ruptured and unstable plaque group. The levels of plasma hs-CRP, proMMP-1 and TIMP-1 were higher in ruptured plaque group. hs-CRP > 8.94 mg/L was used to predict ruptured plaque with a ROC curve area of 0.76 [95% confidence interval (CI), 67.0% - 85.8%], sensitivity of 71.8%, specificity of 77.0% and accuracy of 69.2% (P < 0.01), similarly for proMMP-1 > 0.12 ng/ml with a ROC curve area of 0.69 [95% CI, 58.2% - 80.2%], sensitivity of 69.2%, specificity of 75.2% and accuracy of 66.2% (P < 0.01), and TIMP-1 > 83.45 ng/ml with a ROC curve area of 0.67 [95% CI, 56.2% - 78.3%], sensitivity of 66.7%, specificity of 61.9% and accuracy of 66.2% (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe plaque characteristics correlate with the clinical presentation. The elevation of hs-CRP, proMMP-1 and TIMP-1 are related to the plaque instability and rupture.

Aged ; C-Reactive Protein ; analysis ; Coronary Artery Disease ; pathology ; Coronary Disease ; blood ; pathology ; Coronary Vessels ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 ; blood ; Middle Aged ; ROC Curve ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; blood ; Ultrasonography, Interventional

The aim of this study is to assess the status of treatment of chronic prostatitis (CP) in Chinese men. A population-based cross-sectional survey was performed, in which 15 000 men aged between 15 and 60 years were randomly selected to receive a questionnaire designed to assess National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptoms Index (NIH-CPSI) status, therapeutic efficacy and 28 other items. A total of 12 743 men (84.95%) completed the questionnaire, of whom 1 071 (8.4%) were identified as having prostatitis-like symptoms and 517 (4.5%) were diagnosed with CP according to NIH-CPSI criteria and prostatitis-like symptomatology. Of the CP patients, 372 (65%) underwent long-term routine treatment 12 times per year. Additionally, 217 (72.8%) patients received antibiotic therapy and 215 (79.3%) men showed therapeutic effects. The treatment cost USD 1 151 (8 059 yuan) per person per year on average. Most CP patients received routine treatment, in most cases with antibiotics. Treatment was costly and most CP patients were not satisfied with its effectiveness. Antibacterial treatment might have been effective primarily in patients with bacterial disease.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; therapeutic use ; Bacterial Infections ; complications ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; China ; epidemiology ; Chronic Disease ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Prostatitis ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Objective To better understand and measure the status of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, we conducted a sero-epidemiological study using the remaining blood samples and data of the nationwide survey of hepatitis B in Chinese residents which was carried out in 2006.Methods The anti-HCV reagent was screened out from the reagents by the HCV infection blood serum plate with anti-HCV positives or negatives. This plate recognized the Murex 3.0 and Ortho 3.0 reagents as gold standards. Anti-HCV in the blood samples were tested using this reagent and confirmed by Chiron HCV RIBA 3.0 reagents. Results Among the population aged 1 year to 59 year-olds, the overall prevalence rate of anti-HCV was 0.43％ (95％CI: 0.33％-0.53％ ), with the rates of anti-HCV among males and females as 0.46％ and 0.40％, respectively. The prevalence rate of anti-HCV in urban area was 0.43％,and in rural area it was 0.43％. The prevalence rate of anti-HCV in the Eastern, Middle and Western areas were 0.37％ (95％ CI: 0.21％-0.53％ ) , 0.67％ (95％ CI: 0.40％-0.94％ ) and 0.31％ (95％CI: 0.20％-0.42％ ) respectively. The prevalence rates of anti-HCV for the three areas did not show significant differences, statistically. The prevalence rate of anti-HCV in the South and North areas were 0.29％(95％CI:0.21％-0.52％) and 0.53％ (95％CI:0.38％-0.64％)respectively. Conclusion Our data revealed that China was in the low prevalence area for hepatitis C infection and the results also suggested that the comprehensive measures for HCV control and prevention had been successfully achieved in the country.