Objective To establish a arsenic cerium catalytic rate method for determination of urinary iodine,and increase the linear range of urinary iodine determination.Methods Standard series and urine samples after digestion treatment,were tested using dynamics function of spectrophotometer to record the curve of absorbance value (A) change with time (t) during arsenic cerium catalytic reaction for each measurement system,choice (A1,t1) and (A 2,t2) on this curve and calculating the reaction rate (v),v =(lgA1-lgA2)/(t2-t1).Through the determination of the standard series it could calculate regression equation of iodine concentration (C) with X:C =a ± bX,X =1 000 (v-v0),and the v0 is the reaction rate of reagent blank.Results (① C and X were positively correlated.The standard series linear range was 0-1 200 pμg/L and correlation coefficient r was higher than 0.999 1.The minimum detection limit was 3.9 μg/L (0.25 ml urine).②)Precision:5 urine samples (A,B,C,D,E) were selected within the range of 0-1 200 μg/L and the measured value were (72.3 ± 2.7),(148.2 ± 5.2),(210.5 ± 4.4),(562.7 ± 6.8),and (899.3 ± 8.0) μg/L.The relative standard deviation (RSD) was between 0.9％-3.8％.(③)Accuracy:4 samples (A,B,C,D) were measured for standard addition recovery test,recovery was between 94.2％-107.2％;urinary iodine standard material [the given values were (67.9 ± 9.0),(142.0 ± 10.0),(195.0 ± 10.0),(558.0 ± 17.0),(885.0 ± 28.0) μg/L] were determined and the results were in the range of uncertainty of the standard material.④Method contrast:with the national health standard method (method for determination of iodine in urine by arsenic cerium catalytic spectrophotometry) to determinate 120 urine samples,the results showed that there were 60 urine samples within 0-300 μg/L,60 urine samples were more than 300 μg/L.Then rate method was used to test the 120 urine samples.For the 60 samples within the scope of 0-300 μg/L,the determination results of the two methods were positively correlated (r =0.994,P ＜ 0.01);the results of the rate method were lower than those of the standard method and the difference was statistically significant (t =2.047,P ＜ 0.05).But the average deviation was only 2.1 μg/L,for the determination of urine iodine there was no practical significance;for the 60 samples higher than 300 μg/L,the determination results of the two methods were positively correlated (r =0.993,P ＜ 0.01) and the difference was not statistically significant (t =-1.092,P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions Arsenic cerium catalytic rate method has increased the linear range of urinary iodine determination.Using this method,the vast majority samples can be tested directly without dilution,thereby reducing the workload for determination of urine iodine.

Objective:To analyze the sleep quality and sleep structure of patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) complicated with patent foramen ovale (PFO), and to study the effect of PFO on the sleep structure of OSAHS.Methods:Fifty-six patients with OSAHS complicated with PFO, 64 patients with simple OSAHS and 62 controls were collected from December 2018 to March 2020 in Centre of Sleep Disorders, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and polysomnography were used to compare the sleep quality and sleep structure of the three groups.Results:Compared with the control group [6/62(9.68%)], OSAHS complicated with PFO group [54/56(96.43%)] and simple OSAHS group [53/64(82.81%)] had higher incidence of poor sleep quality (χ2=112.08, P<0.0l). Furthermore, compared with the control group, the OSAHS complicated with PFO group and simple OSAHS group showed reduced sleep efficiency [PSQI total score was 0.5 (0, 1), 2 (1, 3) and 2 (1, 2) respectively, H=74.549, P<0.01] and reduced proportions of rapid eye movement (REM; 20.45%±3.49%, 12.19%±5.95% and 15.11%±7.21%,respectively, F=21.17, P<0.01) and slow wave sleep (N3; 21.24%±4.12%, 14.15%±6.08%, 17.68%±6.35%, respectively, F=29.51, P<0.01); the N1 (4.47%±2.40%, 9.50%±5.34%, 9.55%±4.61%, respectively, F=30.07, P<0.05) and N2 sleep (53.88%±4.35%, 64.09%±7.49%, 58.14%±6.67% , respectively, F=46.21, P<0.05) were prolonged; the inocturnal lowest oxyhemoglobin saturation (SpO 2) level was lower, mean SpO 2 reduction at night was higher [3.00% (0, 4.00%),6.00% (5.00%, 8.75%) and 4.00% (4.00%, 5.00%), respectively, H=72.24, P<0.05], and periodic leg movement index [16.30(4.80, 32.82), 33.30(9.26, 54.80) and 23.10(8.38, 31.83),respectively, H=17.86, P<0.05], arousal index [11.60(7.73, 17.55), 23.90(14.03, 30.45) and 15.6(11.23, 20.78), respectively, H=22.80, P<0.05] and sleep apnea and hypopnea index (AHI; 1.60±1.38, 23.90±7.27 and 16.24±4.22,respectively, F=136.97, P<0.05) increased. Compared with the simple OSAHS group, the incidence of poor sleep quality was higher, the proportions of slow wave sleep (N3, F=29.51, P=0.047) and REM ( F=21.17, P=0.012) were decreased, N2 sleep ( F=46.21, P=0.000) was prolonged, mean SpO 2 reduction at night ( Z=54.28, P=0.000), wake after sleep onset [116.00(89.88, 143.00) min vs 135.00(118.50, 168.38) min, Z=25.71, P=0.023], arousal times [14.00(8.25, 8.00) vs 17.50(9.00,23.00),respectively, Z=19.68, P=0.041], microarousal ( Z=23.57, P=0.044), and AHI ( F=136.97, P=0.000) were increased in the OSAHS complicated with PFO group. Conclusions:OSAHS complicated with PFO patients had poor sleep quality and high incidence of sleep disorders. They had sleep disorder at night, which was characterized by the decrease of REM sleep and slow wave sleep, the prolongation of N2, the decrease of nocturnal SpO 2 and the increase of awakening times, and the increase of arousal times and AHI. PFO can aggravate the sleep disorder of OSAHS.

OBJECTIVETo explore the intervention of Huayu Qutan Recipe (HQR) on liver SREBP-2 signal pathway of hyperlipidemia rats of Pi deficiency syndrome (PDS).

METHODSTotally 100 SPF grade SD rats were randomly divided into the blank control group, the hyperlipidemia group, the hyperlipidemia treatment group, the PDS hyperlipidemia group, and the PDS hyperlipidemia treatment group, 20 in each group. Common granular forage was fed to rats in the blank control group. High fat forage was fed to rats in the hyperlipidemia group and the hyperlipidemia treatment group. Rats in the PDS hyperlipidemia group and the PDS hyperlipidemia treatment group were treated with excessive labor and improper diet for modeling. They were administered refined lard by gastrogavage (3 mL each time, twice per day) and fed with high fat forage on the odd days, and fed with wild cabbage freely on even days. The modeling lasted for 30 days. Rats in the hyperlipidemia treatment group and PDS hyperlipidemia treatment group were administered with Huayu Qutan Recipe (20 mL/kg) by gastrogavage, once a day, for 30 successive days. Levels of serum cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and serum amylase (AMY) were detected by automatic biochemical analyzer. D-xylose excretion rate was determined using phloroglucinol method. Morphological changes of liver and the lipid deposition in liver were observed using HE stain and oil red O stain respectively, mRNA and protein expression levels of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR), cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase 1 (CYP7A1), LDL-R, and sterol regulatory element binding protein-2 (SREBP-2) were detected using real time RT-PCR and Western blotting.

RESULTSCompared with the blank control group, serum levels of TC (1.84 ± 0.19 mmol/L, 2.23 ± 0.43 mmol/L) and LDL-C (0.99 ± 0.24 mmol/L, 1.13 ± 0.56 mmol/L) were higher in the hyperlipidemia group and the PDS hyperlipidemia group, serum levels of HDL-C (0.41 ± 0.66 mmol/L, 0.41 ± 0.11 mmol/L) and AMY activities (351 ± 45 mmol/L, 153 ± 30 mmol/L) were lower, and urinary D-xylose excretion rates were lower (26.9 ± 2.1 ng/mL, 15.0 ± 1.7 ng/mL) (all P < 0.05). Lipid deposition occurred in liver cells. Much fat vacuoles occurred in the cytoplasm. Expression levels of HMGCR, CYP7A1, LDL-R, and SREBP-2 mRNA and proteins in liver significantly decreased (P < 0.01). Compared with the hyperlipidemia group, serum levels of TC and LDL-C significantly increased (P < 0. 05), AMY activities and urinary D-xylose excre- tion rates significantly decreased in the PDS hyperlipidemia group (P < 0.01). A large amount of lipid deposition occurred in liver. The atrophy of liver cells was obviously seen. Expression levels of CYP7A1, LDL-R, and SREBP-2 mRNA and proteins in liver were significantly lower (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). Serum levels of TC and LDL-C significantly decreased (P < 0.05), AMY activities and urinary D-xylose excretion rates significantly increased in the hyperlipidemia treatment group (P < 0.01). Expression levels of CYP7A1, LDL-R, and SREBP-2 mRNA and proteins in liver were significantly increased (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). Compared with the PDS hyperlipidemia group, serum level of TC significantly decreased (P < 0.05), HDL-C levels, AMY activities and urinary D-xylose excretion rates significantly increased in the PDS hyperlipidemia treatment group (P < 0.01),expression levels of CYP7A1, LDL-R, and SREBP-2 mRNA and proteins in liver were significantly increased (P < 0.01). Similar changes occurred in the two treatment groups.

CONCLUSIONSPi deficiency exacerbates abnormal serum TC level and the lipid deposition in liver. These might be related to regulating expression levels of LDL-R, HMGCR, and CYP7A1 genes in the SREBP-2 signal pathway. HQR could regulate this pathway to intervene abnormal metabolism of TC.

Animals ; Cholesterol, HDL ; Cholesterol, LDL ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Hyperlipidemias ; drug therapy ; Liver ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; RNA, Messenger ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction ; Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 2 ; metabolism ; Triglycerides

The aim of the experiments was to develop and characterize a murine model for investigating the effects of prenatal cocaine exposure on the mother and fetus. Pregnant mice were separated into three groups: group 1 was treated with cocaine HCl at 10 mg/kg twice daily (COC); group 2 was treated with saline at 10 ml/kg twice daily (SAL); and group 3 was pair-fed with the COC dams and was injected with saline following the same schedule (SPF) from embryonic day (E) 8 to 17. We utilized high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV detector and electrochemical detector to test the concentrations of cocaine, dopamine and serotonin, as well as HE staining to observe morphological alterations of liver and placenta. Though less food intake and lower weight gain were observed in COC and SPF groups but not in SAL dams, lower fetal body weight and brain weight were only seen in COC offspring. Pharmacological analysis revealed that cocaine was found in fetal plasma at 15 min following intraperitoneal administration on E17, accompanied with elevated concentrations of dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) in fetal brain. We also observed morphological changes in liver and placenta of cocaine-exposed fetuses. The present study indicates that pregnancy cocaine exposure can lead to maternal undernutrition and developmental abnormality of the fetal brain, liver and placenta. It is suggested that the developmental abnormality of the fetuses induced by cocaine is due to the toxicological effect of cocaine but not to maternal undernutrition.
Animals ; Brain ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cocaine ; adverse effects ; blood ; Disease Models, Animal ; Dopamine ; metabolism ; Female ; Fetus ; drug effects ; pathology ; Liver ; pathology ; Malnutrition ; Maternal Exposure ; adverse effects ; Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena ; Mice ; Mothers ; Placenta ; pathology ; Pregnancy ; Serotonin ; metabolism

The therapeutic potential of curcumin (Cur) is hampered by its poor aqueous solubility and low bioavailability.The aim of this study was to determine whether Cur nanoemulsions enhance the efficacy of Cur against prostate cancer cells and increase the oral absorption of Cur.Cur nanoemulsions were developed using the self-microemulsifying method and characterized by their morphology,droplet size and zeta potential.The results showed that the cytotoxicity and cell uptake were considerably increased with Cur nanoemulsions compared to free Cur.Cur nanoemulsions exhibited a significantly prolonged biological activity and demonstrated better therapeutic efficacy than free Cur,as assessed by apoptosis and cell cycle studies.In siru single-pass perfusion studies demonstrated higher effective permeability coefficient and absorption rate constant for Cur nanoemulsions than for free Cur.Our study suggested that Cur nanoemulsions can be used as an effective drug delivery system to enhance the anticancer effect and oral bioavailability of Cur.

OBJECTIVETo establish a gap ligase chain reaction (G-LCR) assay for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) in neonates with pneumonia.

METHODSA G-LCR DNA amplification assay that targeted the outer major membrane protein gene (omp1) of Ct was developed to detect Ct. The sensitivity and specificity of the G-LCR test was examined by the use of highly purified elementary bodies (EBs). Nasopharyngeal swabs taken from 328 neonates with pneumonia were analyzed by Gap-LCR and cell culture.

RESULTSThe detection limit of G-LCR was 2 EBs. G-LCR could detect five species of Ct and was not cross-reacted with C psittaci and other bacteria. The prevalence of Ct in 328 neonates with pneumonia, using an expanded gold standard of a positive cell culture or two confirmed positive non-culture tests, was 21% (69/328). After analysis of discrepant results, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for the G-LCR were 98.6%, 100%, 100% and 99.6%, respectively; whereas those for culture were 86.9%, 100%, 100% and 96.6%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThis study demonstrated that the G-LCR was a highly sensitive nonculture technique and good alternative test for the detection of chlamydial infections.

Chlamydia Infections ; diagnosis ; microbiology ; Chlamydia trachomatis ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Ligase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Male ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of p65 gene inhibited by siRNA on neuronic differentiation in the marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).

METHODSThe MSCs were transfected with Rn-p65-siRNA. Fasudil hydrochloride induced MSCs differentiating into neurons. The non-transfected group and negative control group (transfected with negative control siRNA marked by Cy3) were used as controls. The fluorescence expressed by transfected MSCs were observed under inverted fluorescence microscope at 24 h,48 h and 72 h after transfected with negative control siRNA. The viability of MSCs was detected by MTT at 24 h, 48 h and 72 h after transfected with Rn-p65-siRNA. The expressions of p65 mRNA and protein in MSCs were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot respectively. The expressions of p65 protein, NSE, MAP-2 and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were detected by immunocytochemical method after transfection for 6 h.

RESULTSThe fluorescence of MSCs was mostly displayed after transfection of 72 hours and the efficiency of transfection was up to 83.3% ± 3.8%. Meanwhile, the p65 mRNA and p65 protein expressed by MSCs of transfected group were significantly decreased (P < 0.05); MTT displayed that the viability of MSCs was also significantly reduced (P < 0.05). The best efficiency of induction was observed in the transfected group. There were higher expressions of NSE and MAP-2 than the other group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe p65 gene inhibited by siRNA can promote the marrow mesenchymal stem cells to differentiate into neurons.

1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine ; analogs & derivatives ; Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; metabolism ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Neurons ; cytology ; RNA, Messenger ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Rats ; Transcription Factor RelA ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the impact of hand video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (HVATS) and Ivor-Lewis surgery on short term quality of life (QL) of patients with esophageal cancer.

METHODSThirty-nine consecutive patients with esophageal cancer were classified into HVATS group (n = 21) and Ivor-Lewis group (n = 18) randomly, all patients completed the Chinese versions of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ)-C30 and QLQ-OES18 before treatment and at regular intervals until 6 months after operation. MEAN scores were calculated for every patient.

RESULTSBaseline functional and symptom QL MEAN scores were similar in both groups. All patients reported worse functional, symptom and global QL scores (QOL) within 6 months after operation than before. HVATS group gained higher functional, global QL scores and lower symptom scores than Ivor-Lewis group, moreover, patients' QL scores of HVATS group returned to preoperative levels more quickly than those patients in Ivor-Lewis group. Significant differences were found in global health (QOL), physical functioning, fatigue and pain scales between groups. In both groups, QLQ-OES18 dysphagia scales were improved after surgery,but no significant differences were found at scales respect to esophageal cancer.

CONCLUSIONSHVATS esophagectomy is a safe procedure which has a low disturbance to patients' short term Quality of Life compared with Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy. It might seem reasonable to choose HVATS esophagectomy for patients with early stage esophageal cancer.

Esophageal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Esophagectomy ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Longitudinal Studies ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Quality of Life ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDMolecular targeted drugs is now widely used in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) clinical treatment. Icotinib hydrochloride is a new type of oral epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs). In this study, we examined the role of EGFR, K-RAS, B-RAF somatic mutations and EGFR mRNA expression in tumor specimens from advanced NSCLC patients as predicators of the efficacy of icotinib hydrochloride.

METHODSWe analyzed tumor paraffin-embedded specimens, which were obtained from 14 of 40 patients with advanced NSCLC who enrolled in the stage I clinical trial of icotinib hydrochloride. Somatic mutations were evaluated by mutant-enriched liquidchip (MEL) technology, and EGFR mRNA expression was measured by branched DNA liquidchip (MBL) technology.

RESULTSIn the 14 specimens, seven patients showed EGFR mutations, exon 19 deletion (3/7) and exon 21 point mutation (4/7); and two patients showed K-RAS mutation. No mutations in EGFR exon 20 or B-RAF were detected. In patients with EGFR mutation, one patient developed progress disease (PD), three patients had stable disease (SD), two patients had partial responses (PR) and one patient had a complete response (CR). In patients with wild-type EGFR, four patients had PD, three patients acquired SD, and none had PR/CR (P = 0.0407). EGFR mutations were associated with better progress-free survival (PFS) (141 days vs. 61 days) but without a statistically significant difference (P = 0.8597), and median overall survival (OS) (≥ 449 days vs. 140 days). EGFR mRNA expression levels were evaluated (three high, eight moderate, one low, and two that can not be measured due to insufficient tumor tissue) and no statistically significant relationships was observed with response, PFS or OS.

CONCLUSIONSThe EGFR mutation rate was consistent with that reported in the Asian population, so the MEL technology is reliable for measuring EGFR mutation with high throughput and rapidity. EGFR exon 19 deletions and exon 21 point mutation are predictive biomarkers for response to icotinib hydrochloride as second line treatment or above.

Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Crown Ethers ; therapeutic use ; Exons ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf ; genetics ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras) ; genetics ; Quinazolines ; therapeutic use ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; genetics

BACKGROUNDA retrospective analysis of clinical data were conducted reviewing patients who were given erlotinib at Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) Hospital from May 2005 to December 2009. Relationships between clinical factors, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mRNA expression, EGFR gene mutations, KRAS gene mutations and clinical outcomes were investigated in Chinese patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODSPatients with stage IIIB/IV NSCLC who had not previously participated in erlotinib related clinical trials were enrolled into this study. All patients were given oral erlotinib 150 mg per day. Tumor samples of some patients were accessed with mutant-enriched polymerase chain reaction assay (EGFR, KRAS gene mutations) and multiplex branched DNA assay (EGFR mRNA expression).

RESULTSSeventy-nine patients were enrolled in this study, 23 patients had a partial response (PR), 36 patients had a stable disease (SD), 20 patients had a PD, with an objective response rate of 29.1%, and a disease control rate of 74.7%. Females (P = 0.023), non-smokers (P = 0.013), patients with a skin rash (P = 0.047), and with highly differentiated tumors (P = 0.037) were significantly correlated with the objective response rate. Patients with a lower ECOG PS (P = 0.002), highly differentiated tumors (P = 0.014), non-smokers (P = 0.002), and patients with a skin rash (P < 0.001) were significantly correlated with the disease control rate. The median progression-free survival was 35 weeks (95%CI: 13 - 57 weeks) and 1-year survival was 72.3%. Highly-differentiated tumors (P = 0.027) and patients with a skin rash (P < 0.001) were significantly correlated with PFS. Seventeen patients were tested for EGFR/KRAS gene mutations and EGFR mRNA expression. Progression-free survival (PFS) of patients with EGFR exon 19/21 mutations was 66 weeks, longer than patients with wild type EGFR exon 19/21 (P = 0.018). No significant relationships were found between EGFR mRNA expression, EGFR exon 19/21 mutations, and KRAS mutations and objective response rate or disease control rate. The most common adverse events were skin rash (60.9%) and diarrhea (26.6%).

CONCLUSIONSErlotinib was safe and effective in treating Chinese patients with advanced NSCLC. The PFS of patients who had a skin rash, highly differentiated tumors, or EGFR exon 19/21 mutations was significantly longer.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; drug therapy ; Erlotinib Hydrochloride ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Quinazolines ; therapeutic use ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome