Arsenic ; blood ; urine ; Environmental Monitoring ; methods ; Humans ; Spectrometry, Fluorescence ; Spectrophotometry, Atomic

Objective: To express and purify transforming growth factor ?(TGF?)-pseudomonas exotoxin 40 and investigate its cytotoxic effect on cancer cells overexpressing epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor. Methods: Recombi nant plasmid pV28 was constructed by inserting the gene coding TGF?-PE40 into the vector pET28a Expression of fusion protein was conducted using the host BL21. Production of the recombinant protein was induced by IPTG, following extraction and purification of inclusion bodies with His-tag purification system. Cell viability assay (by MTT) was performed to determine the cytotoxic effect of TGF?-PE40 on cancer cells ( A431 and SK-OV3). Results: Recombinant plasmid pV28, which expresses TGF?-PE40, was constructed successfully. Purity of TGF?-PE40 was about 98% after a purification procedure using His-tag column. Cytotoxic experiment showed that at a concentration of 0. 86?0. 07 UUUUg/ml, TGF?-PE40 could reduce 50% viability of A431, which has high expression of EGFR. Whereas the IC50 for ovarian cancer cell SK OV3, which expresses less EGFR, was 6.37?2.18 ?g/ml. There was a significant difference between these two groups (P

AIM: To explore the feasibility of culturing human umbilical vein endothelial cells ( HUVEC ) on acellular corneal stroma and performing the posterior lamellar endothelial keratoplasty ( PLEK ) treating corneal endothelial decompensation.
METHODS: Thirty New-Zealand rabbits were divided into three groups randomly, 10 rabbits for experimental group, 10 for stroma group and 10 for control group. Corneal endothelial cells were removed to establish animal model of corneal endothelial failure. PLEK was performed on the rabbits of experimental group and stroma group, and nothing was transplantated onto the rabbits of control group with the deep layer excised only. Postoperative observation was taken for 3mo. The degree of corneal edema and central corneal thickness were recorded for statistical analysis.
RESULTS:Corneas in experimental group were relieved in edema obviously compared with that in stroma group and the control group, and showed increased transparency 7d after the operation. The average density of endothelial cells was 2 026. 4±129. 3cells/mm2 , and average central corneal thickness was 505. 2±25. 4μm in experimental group, while 1 535. 6±114. 5μm in stroma group and 1 493. 5±70. 2μm in control group 3mo after operation.
CONCLUSION:We achieved preliminary success in our study that culturing HUVEC on acellular corneal stroma and performing PLEK for corneal endothelial decompensation. HUVEC transplanted could survive in vivo, and have normal biological function of keeping cornea transparent. This study provides a new idea and a new way clinically for the treatment of corneal endothelial diseases.

Objective To investigate the relationship between serum interleukin 6( IL-6 ),tumor necrosis factor α( TNF-α)and C reaction protein( CRP)levels and smoking and body mass index( BMI)in the elderly patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease( COPD ). Methods Elderly participants including 50 cases smokers with stable COPD,45 cases ex-smokers with stable COPD and 40 cases healthy ex-smokers were recruited in this study,who were hospitalized in the People's Hospital of Gansu Province from Dec. 2012 to Feb. 2014. Serum IL-6,TNF-α and CRP levels were detected. Correlation analysis was performed between serum IL-6,TNF-α,CRP levels and smoking index( SI),BMI in COPD smokers. Results The levels of serum IL-6,TNF-α and CRP in smoking group were(45. 9 ± 12. 1)mg/L,(58. 2 ± 15. 8)ng/L,(12. 2 ± 4. 1) mg/L,significantly higher than those in stop-smoking group((38. 1 ± 9. 6)mg/L,(45. 9 ± 11. 2)ng/L,(8. 6 ±3. 2)mg/L respectively),and healthy controls group((17. 0 ± 9. 9)mg/L,(27. 3 ± 13. 2)ng/L,(6. 3 ±5. 2)mg/L),and the differences were significant(F=84. 934,57. 224,23. 023;P﹤0. 01). In patients with smoking index≥400,the levels of serum IL-6,TNF-α and CRP were(50. 1 ± 12. 1)mg/L,(64. 2 ± 12. 6) ng/L,(13. 4 ± 3. 7)mg/L,significantly higher than those in patients with SI ﹤400 group((41. 0 ± 10. 2) mg/L,(47. 8 ± 14. 0)ng/L,(10. 8 ± 4. 2)mg/L respectively),and the differences were significant( t=2. 845, 4. 343,2. 347;P ﹤0. 01 or P ﹤0. 05 ). The levels of serum IL-6,TNF-α and CRP in smoking group were positively correlated with SI(r=0. 458,0. 438,0. 313;P﹤0. 01 or P﹤0. 05). The levels of serum IL-6,TNF-αwere negatively correlated with BMI,and the correlation coefficient were - 0. 358,- 0. 319( P ﹤0. 05). Conclusion The increase of serum IL-6,TNF-αand CRP caused by smoking may play an important role in the pathogenesis of COPD. And chronic smoking is the reason of the decline of BMI in COPD patients,and the decline of BMI is related to the high levels of serum IL-6 and TNF-α.

ObjectiveTo study the personality traits,interpersonal trust and coping style of juveniles in criminal gangs and their relationship. Methods 15 male juveniles who committed crimes without gangs ( group1 ),52 male juveniles who committed crimes by gangs( group2 ) and 40 male lawful freshmen( group3 ) were tested with Eysenck Personality Questionnaire ( EPQ),Trust Scale and Coping Style Questionnaire.The data were statistically analyzed by covariance analysis or Pearson relation analysis.ResultsAfter the covariant effect of education levels was removed,the levels of P and N in EPQ of group1 ( P:57.49 ± 2.62,N:59.35 ± 3.55 ) and group2 ( P:57.83 ± 1.24,N:59.60 ± 1.68 ) were higher than those of group3 ( P:43.88 ± 4.72,N:39.07 ±6.40) with statistical difference (P＜0.05).The level of E of group1 (63.41 ±3.86) was higher than that of group2 (53.01 ± 1.83 ) with statistical difference (P ＜ 0.05 ).The levels of P,D and F in Trust Scale of greup1 (P:24.68 ± 1.51,D:14.36 ±2.19,F:15.49 ±2.21) and group2(P:22.95 ±0.71,D:22.48 ± 1.04,F:23.09 ±1.05 ) were lower than those of group3 ( P:33.14 ± 2.72,D:40.22 ± 3.95,F:38.44 ± 3.99) with statistical difference (P ＜ 0.01 ).The levels of self-accusation and fantasy in Coping Style Questionnaire of group1 ( 0.80 ±0.08,0.83 ± 0.06 respectively) and group2 (group2:0.59 ± 0.04,0.68 ± 0.03,respectively) were higher than those of group3 (0.39 ± 0.14,0.44 ± 0.11,respectively) with statistical difference (P＜ 0.05 or 0.01 ),while the levels of problem-solving of group1 ( 0.76 ± 0.06 ) and group2 ( 0.70 ± 0.03 ) were lower than that of group3 ( 0.95 ± 0.11 ) with statistical difference (P ＜ 0.05 ).For the male juveniles who committed crimes by gangs,the P of personality traits had a statistical linkage with the problem-resolving and self-accusation of coping style ( r =- 0.389,- 0.395,P ＜ 0.05 ),the N of personality traits had a statiseical linkage with the F of interpersonal trust and the self-accusation of coping style ( r=-0.473,0454,P ＜ 0.05 ),and the E of personality traits had a statistical linkage with the help-seeking of coping style ( r=0.400,P＜ 0.05 ).ConclusionThe personality traits,interpersonal trust and coping styles of male juveniles who committed crimes with or without gangs and the lawful men are different.These psychological factors may have certain effect on juvenile gang crimes.

Objective To evaluate the biological activity of anti-Rh(D) antibodies in vitro. Methods The titres of plasma Anti-Rh (D) antibodies in the RH(-) patients uncorrectly infused RH(+) blood were detected by various methods. The anti-D antibodies were evaluated for their capacity to sensitize erythrocytes, trigger monocyte and K-cell mediated antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), mediate binding to monocyte and lymphocyte Fc gamma R, and stimulate phagocytosis by monocytes. The synergistic effect of anti-D antibodies in promoting hemolysis was detected by complement fixation test (CFT). Results The titre of plasma anti-D antibodies measured by micro-column gel indirect anti-globulin technique(MGIAT) was the highest compared with the other detection methods. When red cells were sensitized with anti-D antibodies, the binding and phagocytosis of red cells by monocytes and the lysis of red cells by monocytes or lymphocytes were great, and the hemolysis of red cells by alexin was great too. Conclusion Anti-Rh (D) antibodies had great biological activity in vitro, and MGIAT had the highest sensitivity for detecting anti-Rh(D) antibodies.

Child, Preschool ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell ; complications ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Thyroid Gland ; pathology ; Thyroid Nodule ; diagnosis ; etiology ; pathology

BACKGROUND: The full three-dimensional finite element model can not only establish a realistic three-dimensionalmodel, but also can simulate the osteotomy on the model. Analysis of biomechanics guides the clinical operation.OBJECTIVE: To establish a three-dimensional finite element model of ankylosing spondylitis kyphosis and provide an effective digital platform for further studies.METHODS: A 30-year-old male patient with ankylosing spondylitis kyphosis participated voluntarily in the current study. CTimages obtained from CT transverse scanning from C1 to the sacrococcyx were imported into Mimics 17.0 software toestablish a three-dimensional geometric model of the posterior spine. The geometric model was then imported into Studio Geomagic 2013 software. For the subsequent optimization of image processing, the posterior spine convex geometry wasestablished on the three-dimensional geometric model. We used Unigraphics NX 8.5 to establish the spinal kyphosis surfacemodel, then added modeling of calcification of the ligaments, partial resection of useless sacral bone, and finally, imported themodel into ANSYS 15.0 finite element analysis software, then added the ligaments and set the parameters of the material,generating a complete three-dimensional finite element model of ankylosing spondylitis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: A three-dimensional finite element model of complete ankylosing spondylitis wassuccessfully established. Using the ten-node approach, we generated 398370 tetrahedral elements, and 668538 nodes.This will provide a reliable digital platform for the next step of biomechanical analysis.

Abstract: Objective　To investigate the clinical characteristics of silicosis complicated with active pulmonary tuberculosis. Methods A retrospective analysis of 36 patients with silicotuberculosis and 100 patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis was performed from January 2018 to December 2021 at Beijing Chest Hospital，Capital Medical University. The patients were confirmed by etiology or pathology. The patients with silicotuberculosis were designed to observation group and the patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis were designed to control group. The enumeration data were expressed as percentage and were treated with the chi-square test and the nonnormal distribution data is expressed as M(P25, P75). The difference was significant with P<0.05. Results　In the observation group, there were 7 cases (19.4%) of silicosis in stage Ⅰ, 14 cases (38.9%) in stage Ⅱ and 15 cases (41.7%) in stage Ⅲ. 25 cases (69.4%, χ2=17.099) had a course of TB more than 12 months. 32 cases (88.9%, χ2=16.722) with cough, expectoration and dyspnea as the main symptoms. 32 cases (88.9%, χ2=16.722) had nodular lesions, and 30 cases (83.3%, χ2=19.900) had mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy as the main imaging manifestations on chest CT. 17 cases (47.2%, χ2=7.481) were misdiagnosed. Compared with the control group, the difference was significant in these aspects (P<0.05). 27 cases in the observation group were followed up, 1 case died after 5 months of treatment. The negative conversion time of Mycobacteria growth indicator tube (MGIT) liquid culture in sputum was within 2 months in 17 cases (65.4%), between 2 and 12 months in 5 cases (19.2%) and over 12 months in 4 cases (15.4%), and a significant difference was observed comparing with the control group (P<0.05). Conclusions　The patients with silicotuberculosis are mainly in stage Ⅱ and stage Ⅲ with long duration of TB, cough, expectoration and dyspnea as the main symptoms. Chest CT shows that nodules, mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy are the main imaging manifestations. And the silicotuberculosis was easily misdiagnosed. At the same time, screening for latent tuberculosis infection in silicosis patients indispensable due to the poor prognosis of anti-tuberculosis treatment.