Folic Acid ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Neural Tube Defects ; prevention & control

Covellite oxidation was evaluated with two acidophilic thiobacilli that are important in bioleaching processes.The experiments were carried out in shake flasks in the absence and presence of 4 g/L Fe2+ (as ferrous sulphate) at pH 2.0, 150 rpm and 35 ℃. The tests showed that the copper extraction by the Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans culture was nearly the same as that by the mixed culture of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans and Acidithiobacillus caldus. On the other hand, additional iron clearly improved Cu leaching.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinicopathologic features and the prognostic factors of endometrial stromal sarcoma (ESS).

METHODS55 cases of endometrial stromal sarcoma were reviewed and categorized into 3 pathologic types based on the related literatures, i.e., low grade endometrial stromal sarcoma (LGESS), undifferentiated endometrial sarcoma with nuclear uniformity (UES-U) and undifferentiated endometrial sarcoma with nuclear pleomorphism (UES-P). Meanwhile, the pathologic features were reviewed, including fibroid, myoid, mucoid, and epithelioid differentiation and mitotic index. Clinical and follow-up data were collected.

RESULTSIn endometrial stromal sarcoma, two or three pathologic types co-existed in one case, including 12.8% (5/39) of LGESS, 5/9 of UES-U, and 5/7 of UES-P. Mitotic index varied in different regions of one tumor from rare to high. Multi-differentiation was also commonly seen in ESS. The numbers of cases in LGESS, UES-U and UES-P were 39, 9 and 7, with recurrence rate of 51.6% (16/31), 5/6 and 2/3, respectively. There was no death case in LGESS, and 2 cases were died in UES-U and UES-P, respectively. In the 2 death cases of UES-U, both had focus of UES-P. There was a significant difference in the recurrence rate between cases with different mitotic index (≥ 10/10 HPF and < 10/10 HPF, P = 0.009), especially in LGESS group. All death cases had high mitotic index (> 30/10 HPF).

CONCLUSIONSIt is a common phenomenon in ESS that two or three pathologic types may exist in one case, especially in UES-U and UES-P. And multi-differentiation is also commonly seen in ESS. So adequate pathologic sampling is important for pathologists to make a correct diagnosis of ESS in daily work. The recurrence rates are significantly higher in cases with high mitotic index, especially in LGESS. In addition, the presence of UES-P and high mitotic index may increase the risk of death in the patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cell Differentiation ; Endometrial Neoplasms ; classification ; pathology ; surgery ; Endometrial Stromal Tumors ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Middle Aged ; Mitotic Index ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Sarcoma, Endometrial Stromal ; classification ; pathology ; surgery ; Survival Rate ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDThere are few researches for the healing of metaphyseal fractures; moreover, the animal models to study the metaphyseal fractures are usually made by the oscillating saw osteotomy without reliable fixation, which is not in accordance with our current clinical practice. In this study, we established a new model to observe the healing process of metaphyseal fractures.

METHODSEighteen New Zealand rabbits were used in the study. The fracture model was created by splitting the medial tibial plateau in rabbits, then reset, and fixed with compression screws. At 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 weeks postoperatively, the tibial specimens were collected; firstly, a general observation and an X-ray examination of the specimens was done, and then they were embedded in methylmethacrylate and cut into sections with hard tissue slicer. The sections were stained with Giemsa reagent and examined under light microscopy.

RESULTSThere was no fracture displacement in the tibial specimens of all time points, except for one showing a collapse. No external callus formation could be observed by X-ray and general examination. After 1 week of the operation, the fracture gap was filled by mesenchymal tissue; 2 weeks postoperatively, a large number of woven bones were formed; from the third week onwards, the woven bone began to turn into lamellar bone, and new trabecular structure began to form. In all of the slices, no obvious chondrocytes formed in fracture areas; thus, there was no endochondral ossification.

CONCLUSIONSThis model was an ideal fracture animal model and suitable for the study of metaphyseal fracture healing. The X-ray and histological images demonstrated that metaphyseal fracture healing was a process of direct bone healing through intramembranous bone formation under the conditions of minor trauma, good reduction, and firm fixation.

Animals ; Fracture Healing ; physiology ; Fractures, Bone ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Rabbits ; Radiography

Dermophytosis is a common fungal disease that affects fast-growing antlers of sika deer (Cervus nippon)and red deer (Cervus elaphus),causing the so-called 'white-skin antlers'and 'crusted antlers'.Here we described the features of dermophytosis in deer antler observed from 20 affected deer from 8 farms in Jilin and Liaoning province by clinical findings,he-matology,pathological examination and fungal species distribution.The fungal infection in the antlers as indicated by HE stai-ning,affected only epidermis and the dermis layers,with the main lesion of necrosis of the dermis tissue and inflammatory in-filtrate.Hematologic profile suggested the insignificant cell count change of lymphocyte,neutrophil,white blood cell between dermophytosis and healthy deer(n=10).A total of 68 fungi isolates were then recovered from the antlers with dermophytosis, of which 64.7% (44/68)were identified as members within Deuteromycotina,the rest 35.3% (24/68)belonged to the Saccha-romycotina.Notably,the well-known opportunistic pathogen,including species within Trichophyton,Epidermophyton as well as Candida albican,might account for the dermophytosis of deer antler.In conclusion,'white-skin antlers'and 'crusted antlers'are high likely caused by opportunistic fungi.

Objective To investigate the effects of panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) combined with total flavonoids from epimedium (TFE) on testicular dysfunction in natural aging rats; To discuss its mechanism of action. Methods Thirty 18-month old male SD rats were randomly divided into natural aging group, PNS combined with TFE low and high dose groups, with 10 rats in each group. Another 10 2-month old rats were set as young control group. PNS combined with TFE low and high dose groups were given gastric gavage of 10 mg/kg PNS combined with 10 mg/kg TFE, and 20 mg/kg PNS combined with 20 mg/kg TFE, respectively. Rats in young control group and natural aging group were given saline for 6 d each week, lasting for 4 months. Then, rats were sacrificed, and the testes were obtained to calculate the testicular weight and the testicular index. The testicular tissue morphology was observed by using HE staining. Testicular germ cell apoptosis was detected by using TUNEL method. The levels of Bcl-2, Bax and γ-H2 AX protein expression in testicular tissue were detected by Western blot. Results Compared with natural aging group, low and high dose of PNS combined with TFE significantly elevated the testicular weight and testicular index, improved the histological changes of testicular seminiferous tubule, significantly reduced number of apoptosis of spermatogenic cells in the testis, upregulated the expression of Bcl-2 protein in the testis, downregulated the expression of Bax and γ-H2 AX protein, and decreased the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2. Conclusion PNS combined with TFE can improve testicular dysfunction in natural aging rats by inhibiting apoptosis and DNA damage of germ cells.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of survivin antisense RNA on apoptosis and chemosensitivity to docetaxel in gastric cancer line SGC7901 cells, and its relation to mdr-1.

METHODSsurvivin antisense eukaryotic vector anti-pcDNA3-svv was transfected into SGC7901 cells by electorporation and positive clone was screened out. survivin protein and mdr-1 mRNA were determined by Western blot and RT-PCR. Apoptosis-inducing effect was examined by electron microscopy. Sensitivity to docetaxel was examined by MTT. Expression of mdr-1 and survivin mRNA were detected in the SGC7901 cells after drug-resisitance induction.

RESULTSThe expression of survivin protein of SGC7901 cells after transfection reduced significantly than that of non-transfected cells. MDR indexes of transfection group and non-transfection group were 0.196 +/- 0.013 and 3.126 +/- 0.019, respectively. The IC50 of transfection group to docetaxel was (16.7 +/- 1.98) microg/L and non-transfection group was (55.7 +/- 1. 89) microg/L, with a statistically significant difference. Expression of survivin mRNA in drug-resistant cells decreased along with the decreasing of mdr-1.

CONCLUSIONAntisense surivivin RNA can induce apoptosis in gastric cancer cells and increase sensitivity to docetaxel. The reversing mechanism of drug resistance is related with decreasing of mdr-1.

ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; drug effects ; genetics ; Electroporation ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Neoplasm Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA, Antisense ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Stomach Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Taxoids ; pharmacology ; Transfection ; methods

Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Cyclosporine ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Fibronectins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Hepatocytes ; cytology ; drug effects ; PPAR gamma ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Rats ; Thiazolidinediones ; pharmacology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics

Objective To establish a hypothermic pleural effusion model with SD rats,and to observe the relationship between hypothermic pleural effusion production and cold water immersion duration.Methods Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats of(290.3 ± 7.5) g were randomly divided into experimental group(n =50) and control group(n =10).The experimental group was divided into group A1,A2,A3,A4 and A5 according to the different immersion time with 10 rats in each group.The experimental group was placed in a self-made cylindrical erected rat holders and then immersed in cold water at (20 ±0.2) ℃.The soaking depth was the level of clavicle of the rats.Group A1 and A2 were respectively removed and anesthetized after immersing 12 hours and 24 hours,and the serum and pleural effusion were collected to detect total protein and lactate dehydrogenase concentration.The remaining rats of experimental group were rewarmed by incubating at 37 ℃ for 1 hour.Group A3,A4 and A5 were respectively anesthetized at 12 hours,24 hours and 36 hours after the initiation of rewarming for detecting the serum and pleural effusion.The control group was directly anesthetized to collect serum to detect total protein,lactate dehydrogenase concentration.The pleural effusion quality was analyzed by Light standard.Results There was no obvious pleural effusion in normal rats.The amount of pleural effusion in the group A2 was higher than that in the group A1.After the rewarming,the amount of pleural effusion gradually decreased with the prolongation of time,and disappeared 36 hours later.Pleural effusion total protein/serum total protein was about 50％ in group A1,while it was more than 50％ in the group A2,A3 and A4.Pleural effusion lactate dehydrogenase/serum lactate dehydrogenase were all less than 60％ in each experimental group.The pleural effusion lactate dehydrogenase of experimental group was 2 times greater than that of the control group.Conclusion The method of establishing hypothermia pleural effusion SD rats model by immersing in 20 ℃ water is stable and reliable.The pleural effusion increased with the prolongation of the cold water immersing.After rewarming,the pleural effusion was gradually absorbed and then dispeared.

Objective To explore factors influencing the incidence of carotid atherosclerosis in different genders so as to provide reference for the specific prevention of the disease. Methods A nested case-control study was conducted to analyze factors influencing the incidence of carotid atherosclerosis in Jinchang cohort population who were randomly selected through stratified sampling by age and followed up. A risk prediction model was established and the goodness of fit was evaluated by the area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC). Results The standardized incidence of carotid atherosclerosis in this follow-up population was 12.32%, and the incidence rate of males (13.65%) was greater than that of females (11.29%). The difference was statistically significant ( 2=4.267, P<0.001). Age, education, elevated systolic blood pressure, and elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were common risk factors for carotid atherosclerosis in both men and women. Elevated fasting plasma glucose (OR=2.556, 95% CI: 1.618-4.038) and elevated triglyceride (OR=1.535, 95% CI: 1.058-2.227) were only associated with men. Abdominal obesity (OR=1.414, 95% CI: 1.013-1.974) was only associated with women. The area under ROC of male and female prediction models was 0.835 (95% CI: 0.815-0.856) and 0.809 (95% CI: 0.788-0.831), respectively. The sensitivity was 78.0% and 78.9%, the specificity was 78.8% and 73.1%, and the diagnostic coincidence rate was 91.3% and 82.4%, respectively. Conclusions There are different risk factors for carotid atherosclerosis in males and females, and targeted prevention and control measures should be taken according to gender. The risk prediction model established by Logistic regression had certain guiding value.