OBJECTIVETo study the effect of nano-SiO2 on spatial learning and memory.

METHODSTwenty-four male rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: control group (C group), low dose group (L group) and high dose group (H group). The rats were intragastrically administrated with nanometer particles at 25 and 100 mg/kg body weight every day for 4 weeks. After exposure, the ability of learning and memory of rats was tested by Morris water maze, and electrophysiological brain stereotactic method was used to test long-tear potentiation (LTP) in dentate gyrus (DG) of the rats.

RESULTSThe increase rate of body weight in H group was reduced significantly compared with C group ( P < 0.05). In the space exploration experiment of Morris water maze test, the escape latency of H group was longer than that of C group (P < 0.05). The rats of H group spent less time in finding the target quadrant (P < 0.05) . The rate of LP induction of H group was significantly lower than that of C group (P < 0.05). After high fre quency stimulation (HFS), The changes of amplitude of population spike (PS) of L group and H group were lower than those of C group significantly (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONNano-SiO₂may result in impairment of spatial learning and memory ability by reducing the rate of LTP induction and the increase of PS in hippocampus.

Animals ; Dentate Gyrus ; drug effects ; Long-Term Potentiation ; drug effects ; Male ; Maze Learning ; drug effects ; Memory ; drug effects ; Nanoparticles ; adverse effects ; Rats ; Silicon Dioxide ; adverse effects ; Spatial Learning ; drug effects

Objective:To investigate the mechanism of PE_PGRS60 protein in the pathogenesis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Methods:The cloned and purified PE_PGRS60 protein from Mycobacterium tuberculosis was used to stimulate RAW264.7 cells. The expression of cyclooxygenase 2(COX2) mRNA and protein was detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. The signal pathways that may regulate the expression of COX2 were screened, and the expression of inflammatory cytokines induced by PE_PGRS60 was detected by ELISA. The level of cell death was measured by lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) release test and flow cytometry PI staining. Western blot was used to detect the expression of COX2 in Peripheral blood mononuclear cell(PBMC) from active tuberculosis patients. Results:PE_PGRS60 protein was found to promote the expression of COX2 in RAW264.7 cells and activate the three major members of the mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK) family: extracellular regulated protein kinase(ERK), p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase(JNK). Interestingly, only JNK-IN-7, the inhibitor of JNK was observed to suppress the up-regulation expression of COX2 induced by PE_PGRS60. This up-regulated expression of COX2 was also found in PBMCs from active tuberculosis patients. The COX2 inhibitor celecoxib can effectively block the expression of the inflammatory factors IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6 induced by PE_PGRS60 and promote macrophage death.Conclusions:PE_PGRS60 can promote macrophages to release inflammatory factors by activating JNK/COX2 signal axis. Some macrophages still die under the protection of COX2.

OBJECTIVETo study relationship between daunorubicin (DNR) pharmacokinetics and efficacy and toxicity in children with acute leukemia.

METHODS(1) The concentration of DNR in plasma of children with acute leukemia was determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-fluorescence detection method. Plasma was sampled frequently from the start of the infusion till the end of 24 h. DNR pharmacokinetics was studied by determination of the concentrations. (2) Efficacy and toxicity were monitored in each period after chemotherapy. Laboratory studies included examination of bone marrow, white blood cell count, electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, myocardial enzymogram, the liver and kidney function.

RESULTS(1) DNR was eliminated from plasma in a two-compartment manner. The maximum concentration was seen 1 - 3 h after infusion. Cmax was 63.50 microg/L. Tmax was 1.45 h. The concentration decreased quickly to a low level of about 11.52 microg/L from the end of 2 hours infusion. There was a large inter-individual difference in pharmacokinetic parameters of DNR. The difference of CL was 9-fold, AUC was 8-fold, Cmax was 5-fold. (2) CL of male patients [57.99 L/(h.m(2))] was significantly lower than that of female patients [93.71 L/(h.m(2))] (P < 0.05). Tmax of children older than 6 years was 1.1 h, and that of children younger than 6 years was 1.8 h (P < 0.05); Cmax of children older than 6 years was 90.77 microg/L, younger than 6 years was 57.44 microg/L (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION(1) There is a large inter-individual difference in pharmacokinetic parameters of DNR in children. It may predict individual variety of efficacy and toxicity. Therapeutic drug monitoring is important. (2) Male patients and children older than 6 years had a higher bioavailability and lower metabolism, toxicity may easily occur in such children, therefore they may need lower dose.

Antibiotics, Antineoplastic ; adverse effects ; pharmacokinetics ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Daunorubicin ; adverse effects ; pharmacokinetics ; therapeutic use ; Drug Monitoring ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Leukemia ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Male

Objective To understand the perceived stigma and discrimination and received stigma and discrimination as well as the differences and reasons of them among people living with HIV/AIDS and their family members. Methods 307 people were investigated and 117 of which were HIV/AIDS and the others were their family members. Face to face interview was carried out. Results HIV/AIDS and their family were living in the social environment rounded by stigma and discrimination. Stigma and discrimination could be divided into perceived stigma and discrimination and received stigma and discrimination, and these two kinds of stigma and discrimination were statistically significant different between HIV/AIDS and their family members (t=-12.540, P=0.000) , and the perceived stigma and discrimination was more serious than received stigma and discrimination. The perceived stigma and discrimination were related to their self-efficacy (OR=0.558, P=0.041 ), family APGAR (OR= 0.650, P=0.027), infected with HIV or not (OR= 2.116,P=0.004). The received stigma and discrimination were related to their self-efficacy (OR=0.468,P=0.028), family APGAR (OR=0.427, P=0.000) whether infected by HIV (OR=3.412, P=0.001 ). Conclusion Stigma and discrimination did exist in the environment where HIV/AIDS and their family lived, suggesting that it was necessary to develop a series of policies and measures to fight against stigma and discrimination.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Anxiety ; epidemiology ; Family Relations ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Students, Medical ; psychology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe the efficacy of retention enema with Huchang Jiedu Decoction (, HJD) in treating chronic severe hepatitis B (CSHB).

METHODSSixty patients of CSHB were equally randomized into the treated group and the control group. Both groups were treated with conventional integrative medicine, but to patients in the treated group, retention enema with HJD was given in addition, once every day for 3 weeks. The dominant symptoms, physical signs, and related biochemical indices, as well as the incidence of complications in patients before and after treatment, were observed.

RESULTSGood therapeutic effects were shown in the treated group, with a total effective rate better than that in the control group (83.3% versus 60.0%, P<0.05), superior in terms of lowering alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin (TBil), globulin (Glb), and endotoxin (ET) levels and increasing prothrombin activity (PTA), total cholesterol (TC), and calcium (Ca) levels, as well as eliminating ascites and preventing hepatic encephalopathy (P<0.05); especially in treating middle/early stage patients with Chinese medicine syndrome differentiated as water-toxin accumulation pattern.

CONCLUSIONRetention enema with HJD is surely effective in treating CSHB, and its primary mechanism may be related to the mitigation of enterogenous endotoxemia.

Adult ; Aged ; Ascites ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Endotoxins ; blood ; Enema ; Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; blood ; complications ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To describe the current epidemiological characteristics of injuries among primary and middle school students in one rural area of Anhui province and to explore the relationship between the ways of coping and related injuries.Methods Through cluster sampling methods,all students from 3 to 9 grades in 5 primary schools and 3 middle schools in Changfeng county of Anhui province were investigated with questionnaire.All participants completed an anonymous questionnaire concerning their experiences with injuries during the 12 months preceding the survey.The ways of coping to injuries were evaluated by Trait Coping Style Questionnaire.Factors associated with injuries were identified using a negative binomial regression analysis.Results Of 2917 students,the annual event-based rate of injuries was 17.4 per 100 students.Positive coping score had no significant differences between the injury and non-injury groups (33.98 ± 6.38 vs.33.66 ± 6.37) (t=0.979,P=0.328).The score of negative coping style was higher in injury group than in non-injury group (27.65 ± 7.79 vs.26.54 ± 7.62) (t=2.775,P=0.006).Statistically,the annual injury rates were significantly different in three groups on their negative styles of coping (x2=6.131,P=0.013 ).Data from the multivariable negative binomial regression analysis,after adjusted for demographic characteristics,showed no significant difference on the relationship between positive coping style and injury incidence.Those with moderate negative style of coping had lower risks compared to those with highly negative one (IRR＝0.77,95％ CI:0.63-0.94).Conclusion Negative ways of coping was an important risk factor for injuries.Data from our research suggested that psychological preventive measure need to be taken to improve the style of coping.It was also important to promote the related personality development in planning the strategies for future prevention on injuries.

Objective:To investigate the value of CT findings of childhood hepatoblastoma (HB) in predicting preoperative tumor risk stratification.Methods:Totally 46 children with HB confirmed by surgery and pathology were retrospectively enrolled from October 2010 to October 2019 in Shenzhen Children′s Hospital and Xuzhou Children′s Hospital. The preoperative abdominal plain CT and three-phasic contrast-enhanced CT with complete clinical files were evaluated. According to the clinical risk stratification established by the multidisciplinary diagnosis and treatment consensus for children with HB, the HB children were divided into high-risk group and non-high-risk group with 16 and 30 cases respectively. The maximum diameter of tumor, relative tumor volume index, cystic change or necrosis, bleeding, calcification, fibrous septations, tumor rupture, liver capsule retraction and subcapsular effusion were evaluated. Enhancement percentage and enhancement index on arterial, venous and delayed phases of each tumor were measured and calculated. Pearson′s χ 2 test or Fisher′s exact test were used to compare the differences in gender and lesion morphological characteristics between the high-risk group and the non-high-risk group. Two independent sample t test or Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare the differences in age, gestational age, birth weight, α-fetoprotein, platelets, maximum diameter of tumor, relative tumor volume index and CT parameters of the lesion between the two groups. Statistically significant features were included in the binary logistic regression analysis and independent predictors related to high-risk group were obtained. The ROC curve was used to determine the critical value of the high-risk group. Results:There were statistically significant differences in age, maximum diameter of tumor, relative tumor volume index and tumor rupture between the high-risk group and the non-high-risk group (all P<0.05). The logistic regression analysis showed that the maximum diameter of tumor (OR=1.906, P=0.004) and tumor rupture (OR=16.558, P=0.005) were risk factors of the high-risk group. Based on ROC curve, the optimum cut-off point of maximum diameter of tumor to predict high-risk group was 10.5 cm. Tumor rupture, maximum diameter of tumor and maximum diameter of tumor combined with tumor rupture for predicting the incidence of high-risk group resulted in the area under the curve of 0.744, 0.807 and 0.879, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of maximum diameter of tumor combined with tumor rupture were 75.0% and 96.7%, respectively. Conclusion:The age of onset in high-risk group is relatively older. The maximum diameter of tumor greater than 10.5 cm accompanied by tumor rupture can be regarded as a high-risk sign.

OBJECTIVETo investigate gene mutations of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and K-ras in Chinese patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its clinicopathological significance, and to analyze the correlation between these mutations and tumor response to erlotinib treatment.

METHODSMutations of exons 18, 19, 20 and 21 of the EGFR and codons 12, 13 of the K-ras in 301 cases of NSCLC were detected by PCR-amplification and gene sequencing. The relationship between the mutations and clinicopathological characteristics of the 301 patients was analyzed.

RESULTSEGFR mutations were present in 32.9% (99/301) of the samples: 3 mutation in exon 18, 59 in exon 19, 2 in exon 20, and 35 in exon 21. Mutations of K-ras were present in 4.7% (14/301) of the samples: 13 in codon 12 and 1 in codon 13. EGFR mutations were never found in tumors with K-ras mutations, suggesting a mutually exclusive relationship. EGFR mutations were more common in adenocarcinomas, non-smokers and females. Seven out of 10 erlotinib-treated patients with disease control carried EGFR mutation.

CONCLUSIONThe frequency of EGFR mutation in Chinese NSCLC patients is higher than that in Westerners, but the frequency of K-ras mutation is quite opposite. Combined detection of EGFR gene and K-ras gene mutation may help clinicians to choose patients who may gain benefit from EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) treatment, and to predict their response to erlotinib treatment and prognosis.

Adenocarcinoma ; drug therapy ; genetics ; pathology ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; drug therapy ; genetics ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; drug therapy ; genetics ; pathology ; Codon ; Erlotinib Hydrochloride ; Exons ; Female ; Genes, erbB-1 ; Genes, ras ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; genetics ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; genetics ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras) ; Quinazolines ; therapeutic use ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; genetics ; Sex Factors ; Smoking ; Young Adult ; ras Proteins ; genetics

OBJECTIVEAcute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common childhood cancer, while glucocorticoid (GC) is a critical component in multi-agent chemotherapy protocols currently used for the treatment of ALL. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the glucocorticoid induction test and the clinical features and the prognosis of Chinese childhood ALL.

METHODThe study recruited 309 hospitalized patients (187 male and 122 female) with childhood ALL, the sex, age, initial WBC count, immunophenotype, chromosome and gene expression were recorded. After diagnosis, all patients received GC induction test for 7 days. Then they were divided into prednisone good response (PGR) group and prednisone poor response (PPR) group according to the peripheral lymphoblast count on D8. Early responses to chemotherapy and treatment outcomes of the patients in the two groups were also analyzed.

RESULTOf the 309 patients, 263 belonged to PGR group and 46 belonged to PPR group. Initial WBC count was higher in PPR group than in PGR group (86.30×10(9)/L vs. 30.97×10(9)/L, P < 0.01) . B lineage ALL showed more sensitive to GC than T-ALL (86.6% vs. 60%, P < 0.05). Different initial-risk-group's sensitivity to GC differed from one another (high-risk:51.4%, medium-risk: 82.7%, standard risk: 93.7%, P < 0.0125). There was no significant difference between two groups in chromosomal karyotypes (P > 0.05). BCR-ABL positive ALL showed lower sensitivity to GC (P < 0.05) , while MLL, TEL-AML1, E2A-PBX1 positive rates in two groups were of no statistical significance (P > 0.05). Bone marrow was reviewed on D15 and D33, and the CR rates in PGR group were significantly higher than that in PPR group (D15: 60.5% vs. 32.6%, D33: 94.6% vs. 73.3%, P < 0.01) ; Minimal residual disease (MRD) levels were examined on D33, W12, and both were much lower in PGR group (D33: P < 0.01, W12: P < 0.05). Of the PGR group 215 patients (81.7%) remained continuously in complete remission (CCR) while only 28 cases (60.9%) in PPR group did so. The CCR rate was much higher in PGR group than that in PPR group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONClosely related to clinical features and the outcomes of treatment, GC induction test is also an important prognostic factor in Chinese childhood ALL.

Adolescent ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Glucocorticoids ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Infant ; Leukocyte Count ; Male ; Neoplasm, Residual ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; genetics ; mortality ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Prognosis ; Remission Induction ; Survival Rate