OBJECTIVETo investigate the estrogenic activity of icariin and genistein with estrogen-dependent human breast cancer (MCF-7) cells.

METHODMCF-7 cells were incubated with media containing 5% charcoal dextran-treated FBS in phenol red-free media for 48 h. CCK-8 kit was used to study the impact of defferent concentration of icariin and genistein on MCF-7 proliferation in vitro. Optimal concentration icariin and genistein were added into medium and total RNA was isolated after 12, 24, 36, 48 h. The gene expression of ERalpha, ERbeta, PS2, and PR were investigated by Real-time RT-PCR Total protein was also isolated and secretion of ERalpha, ERbeta, PS2, and PR were examined by Western blot.

RESULT10 micromol x L(-1) icariin and genistein could promote the proliferation of MCF-7 evidently. However, the ability of genistein to promote the proliferation was better than icariin. With the concentration of 10 micromol x L(-1), genistein group had a stronger expression of ERa, PS2 and PR mRNA levels than icariin while ERbetaexpression had no significant difference in two group. The same effects were detected by western blotting.

CONCLUSIONBoth genistein and icariin have a strong estrogen-like effect, but the estrogenic activity of genistein is stronger than icariin. It showed that the activity of icariin is stron-ger than genistein to promote ROB maturation. So it must be that icariin promotes the maturation of osteoblasts in vitro by a estogen-independent mechanism.

Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Estrogen Receptor alpha ; genetics ; metabolism ; Estrogen Receptor beta ; genetics ; metabolism ; Estrogens ; pharmacology ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Genistein ; pharmacology ; Humans ; MCF-7 Cells ; Osteoblasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Presenilin-2 ; metabolism

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of combining auricular point sticking and a healthy diet to treat simple obesity in children aged 6-9 years old.Methods: A total of 190 eligible obese kids were divided into an observation group and a control group using the random number table method, with 95 cases in each group. The observation group was intervened by auricular point sticking plus guide on a healthy diet, while the control group was only provided with the guide on a healthy diet. The therapeutic efficacy was observed after intervention for three consecutive months, as well as the changes in body mass (BM), body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), and subcutaneous fat thickness. Results: After the 3-month intervention, the total effective rate was 91.6％ in the observation group, versus 74.7％ in the control group, and the between-group difference was statistically significant (P<0.01); in both groups, the BM, BMI, WC, HC, and subcutaneous fat thickness all decreased significantly (P<0.05), and were lower in the observation group than in the control group, showing statistical significance (P<0.05). Conclusion: Auricular point sticking plus a healthy diet is safe and effective in treating simple obesity in children, producing more significant efficacy than healthy diet intervention alone.

Objective To find out the status of drinking-water-borne endemic fluorosis and the effect of preventive measures in Hebei Province,so as to provide a basis to prevent and cure fluorosis.Methods One affected county (city,district) with drinking-water-borne endemic fluorosis was sampled in every city and 10 water improvement projects were investigated in that county.Three villages were taken out in every county.The operating state of the projects,the water fluoride content,and the dental fluorosis of children aged 8-12 and skeletal fluorosis of adults were investigated in these villages.Results A total of 93 projects were investigated,among which 94.6％(88/93) were operating properly and the qualified rate(fluoride content ≤ 1.2 mg/L) of the projects was 54.84％(51/93).Among the 9 large projects,the water fluoride content of 7 projects exceeded 1.2 mg/L.A total of 23 villages with water improvement projects were investigated and only 43.4％ (10/23) of them water fluoride content were lower than 1.2 mg/L.The dental fluorosis rate,the dental fluorosis index and the rate of skeletal fluorosis were 33.2％ (532/1601),0.74 and 5.7％ (66/1155),respectively.In the 7 villages without water improvement projects,2 of them exceeded 2.0 mg/L,but lower than and equal to 4.0 mg/L of water fluorosis and 5 of them were normal(＜ 1.2 mg/L).The dental fluorosis rate,the dental fluorosis index and the rate of skeletal fluorosis were 33.4％ (111/332),0.72 and 2.9％ (10/350),respectively.Conclutions The qualified rate of water improvement projects of fluoride content ≤ 1.2 mg/L is low and the endemic fluorosis is still comparatively serious in Hebei Province.The progress of water improvement projects in the areas with endemic fluorosis should be accelerated and the quality of water improvement projects should be increased.

OBJECTIVETo investigate osthole effect on femoral tissue resorption activity of rat in vitro.

METHODSSix SD rats weighted (80 ± 5) g were used to isolate and culture femoral tissue (diaphyses and metaphysis) in vitro. The cultured tissue were devided into control group, estradiol group and osthole group. The femoral tissue was treated with final concentration of 1 x 10(-5) mol/L osthole and 1 x 10(-8) mol/L estradiol culture in vitro at 48 hours after cultured. Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (StrACP) activity, glucose and Lactic acid content, StrACP, MCSF (Macrophage colony stimulating factor) and CTSK (Cathepsin K) mRNA was detected by Real-Time RT-PCR were detected.

RESULTSConcetration of Alkaline phosphatase activity were 2226 and 2498 in 1 x 10(-5) mol/L osthole and 1 x 10(-8) mol/L estradiol respectively. As compared with control group, the activity of StrACP of 1 x 10(-5) mol/L osthole and 1 x 10(-8) mol/L estradiol were inhibited at 6, 9, 12 days (P < 0.05); under treatment of in l x 10(-5) mol/L osthole, the content of Lactic acid were increased and the content of glucose were decreased at 3, 6, 9 days (P < 0.05); StrACP, MCSF and CTSK mRNA expression level were inhibited at 6, 9 days (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONOsthole can inhibit bone resorption and raise the level of nutrition metabolism of femurs tissue.

Acid Phosphatase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Bone Resorption ; prevention & control ; Coumarins ; pharmacology ; Estradiol ; pharmacology ; Femur ; drug effects ; Glucose ; analysis ; Lactic Acid ; analysis ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective To observe the dynamic changes of prevalence of Keshan disease (KD) in Hebei province from 1990 to 2007, to provide scientific basis for its prevention and treatment. Methods The surveillance data of KD was analyzed according to "the National Scheme of KD Surveillance and the Surveillance of KD" (W/T 78-1996) in Hebei province from 1990 to 2007 by the Institute for Prevention of Endemic Disease in Hebei Province Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The data included physical examination, electrocardiogram (ECG), the chest X-ray film of KD patients and the suspected patients, as well as selenium contents of hair collected in 1990, 1992 and 1999. Results No new cases of acute and subacute types of KD patients were found at the surveillance sites from 1990 to 2007. Thirty-five cases of new latent KD and one case of spontaneous chronic KD were identified respectively. Prevalence of chronic and latent KD ranged from 1.12% (8/713) to 8.18% (27/330) and 2.29% (19/831) to 8.20% (45/549) in Hebei province from 1990 to 2007, respectively. The prevalence of KD in children aged 3 - 14 years old and childbearing woman aged 20 - 45 years old decreased year by year, however population over 45 years old were more likely suffering from KD. The major abnormal changes of ECG in KD) patients were complete fight bundle branch block, ST-T change frequent premature ventricular contraction, and left anterior faseicular block. The prevalence of the heart enlargement in KD patients was 47.00% (211/449) averagely, and the prevalence of heart enlargement of medium grade increased remarkably after 2005 [28.57%(8/28) - 48.39%(15/31)]. The average mortality in chronic KD patients was 18.0%(18/100) from 1990 to 2007. Conclusions The prevalence of KD decreased slowly in Hebei province. Hebei province is still the region with higher prevalence of KD around the country, and the tasks of prevention and treatment of KD is still urgent. Enhancing the surveillance of of KD and carrying out management and treatment of KD patients should be emphasized in the future.

Long non-coding RNAs(lncRNAs) defined as RNAs of more than 200 nucleotides in length don't en-code protein but are closely related to the development of breast cancer.Plenty of lncRNAs are dysregulated in breast cancer,and they can regulate the invasion and metastasis of breast cancer through various mechanisms such as transcription and post-transcriptional regulation which is greatly important to guide the treatment and prognosis of breast cancer.

Objective:To observe the effects of Chinese herbal compound'Jisuikang'on the phagocytosis of microglia and the regeneration of injured neurons in co-culture system.Methods: Prepared drug serum of 'Jisuikang′ and isolated and identified the primary neuron and microglia.The neuron cells were induced apoptosis by glutamic acid and the microglia cells were predisposed by drug serum of'Jisuikang'.Then,the co-culture system of injured neurons and microglia cells was established.24 h and 96 h after co-culture,engulfment of neuron debris by microglia cells and regeneration of injured neurons were observed by immunofluorescence double labeling method.Results: 24 h after co-culture,middle and high dose of'Jisuikang' showed greater phagocytic percentage and phagocytic index than that of control.In comparison of LPS,high dose of'Jisuikang' showed no significant difference.96 h after co-culture,first grade of neuritis of middle and high dose of'Jisuikang' were more than that of control,and there were no significant difference in comparison of LPS.Neuritis' mean length per cell of middle and high dose of'Jisuikang' were larger than that of con-trol.Neuritis' mean length per cell of high dose of'Jisuikang' showed significant difference in comparison of LPS.Conclusion:Traditional Chinese medicine compound'Jisuikang'may enhance engulfment of neuron debris by microglia to improve local microenvi-ronment,which promote the repair and regeneration of injured neurons.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the pathogen profiles and the use of perioperative antibiotics after surgical site infection (SSI) in pancreas operation.

METHODWe retrospectively analyzed the pathogen profiles and the use of perioperative antibiotics in 48 SSI patients who received pancreas operations from Jan 2001 to Dec 2005.

RESULTSTotally 79 strains of pathogens (74 strains of bacteria) were isolated, including 17 strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), 17 strains of enterococcus species, 12 strains of Escherichia species, and 5 strains of enterobacteriaceae. Combination of the third generation of cephalosporins and antianaerobic agents were the main prophylactic therapies, with an average duration of (4.7 +/- 1.2) days. Most SSI episodes happened 6-14 days postoperatively (median 9 days). Celiac infections were most common (n=39). Therapeutic antibiotics gave priority to combined-antibiotics of the third cephalosporins and antianaerobic antibiotics, glycopeptides and carbapenems.

CONCLUSIONSSSI commonly occurs on the 6-14 postoperative day, with MRSA and enterococci as the common pathogens of SSI after pancreas surgery. Antibiotic resistance should be considered when applying prophylactic therapies.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; therapeutic use ; Antibiotic Prophylaxis ; Drug Resistance, Microbial ; Humans ; Perioperative Care ; Surgical Wound Infection ; microbiology ; prevention & control ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo investigate the surgical site infection (SSI) rate of pancreas operation and its related risk factors.

METHODWe retrospectively analyzed sex, age, hospitalization time before operation, wound class, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status score, and operation time in 196 patients after pancreas operation.

RESULTSSI occurred in 14 patients (7.1%). The sex, age, hospitalization time before operation, wound class, and ASA score had no significant difference between SSI group and non-SSI group (P>0.05), while statistically significant difference was found in the term of operation time (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSOperation time is a significant risk factor of SSI. There were no any relations between hospitalization time before operation, wound class, and ASA score.

Female ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Male ; Pancreas ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Sex Factors ; Surgical Wound Infection ; etiology ; Time Factors

A field trial was carried out to study the influence of different kinds of spring topdressing on growth, yield and quality of Ligusticum chuanxiong. The results showed that the spring topdressing had effects of improving root length, tiller numbers and plant height to some extent. At the same time the chlorophyll content and dry weight accumulation especially the dry weight of root increased significantly. It also showed that the yield increased and quality was improved significantly. The effect of different treatment with urea58.7 kg x hm(-2)(N 27 kg x hm(-2)) was the best and the treatment with N,P,K the second.
Alkaloids ; metabolism ; Coumaric Acids ; metabolism ; Fertilizers ; Ligusticum ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Seasons