OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of baicalein on the gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) in the TM4 Sertoli cells of the mouse testis and its related mechanism.

METHODSWe measured the cytotoxicity of different concentrations of baicalein on the TM4 Sertoli cells in the mouse testis by MTT, detected the fluorescence transfer of the TM4 Sertoli cells by parachute assay, and determined the expression of the protein connexin 43 ( Cx43) in the baicalein-treated cells by Western blot and immunofluorescence assay.

RESULTSBaicalein produced no obvious cytotoxicity on the TM4 Sertoli cells at the concentration below 60 µmol/L but significantly increased their GJIC at 0-20 µmol/L (P < 0.01). Western blot and immunofluorescence assay showed that 0-20 µmol/L baicalein remarkably elevated the expression of Cx43 in the TM4 cells (P < 0.01) and on the membrane of the TM4 cells.

CONCLUSIONBaicalein at the concentration of 0-20 µmol/L can significantly enhance GJIC in mouse TM4 Sertoli cells by increasing the expression of the Cx43 protein.

Animals ; Cell Communication ; drug effects ; Connexin 43 ; metabolism ; Flavanones ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Gap Junctions ; drug effects ; Male ; Mice ; Sertoli Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; ultrastructure

Objective To quantitatively analyze the image quality of megavoltage cone-beam CT (MVCBCT) under different scanning conditions to provide reference in clinical applications. Methods Si-emens ONCOR linear accelerator with MVCBCT was used to scan the phantom under different conditions. The image quality was evaluated in terms of image noise, uniformity, spatial resolution, contrast resolution, the number of Monitor Units(MUs) used in imaging,and the size of the reconstruction matrix. The comparison of the image quality between MVCBCT and conventional simulator CT was also analyzed. Results The image noise was decreased with the increase of the number of MUs. The uniformity index showed that the system u-niformity was weakly dependent on MU numbers or the size of the reconstruction matrix. Except for the ima-ges with 5 MUs,all other images had the spatial resolution of 0.4 lp/mm with a reconstruction matrix of 256 ×256. Better low contrast resolution was achieved by using more MUs. For typical pelvis and head-and-neck patients,the imaging dose at the center was 0.8 cGy/MU and 0.7 cGy/MU, respectively,and the maxi-mum dose was about 1.2 cGy/MU. For typical abdomen patients,the image maximum dose and center dose was 1.3 cGy/MU and 0.7 cGy/MU,respectively. Conclusions The image quality of MVCBCT is inferior to the conventional kilo-voltage CT. However,with the optimization of the parameters in imaging,we can a-chieve sufficient image contrast in the bone,air and some soft-tissue structures with low imaging dose to pa-tients. Such images can be used for IGRT.

Objective To investigate the risk factors of nosocomial infections in patients with head and neck cancer during radiotherapy .Methods Clinical data of 189 patients with head and neck cancer receiving radiotherapy in Huzhou Central Hospital during August 2011 and December 2014 were retrospectively studied .Chi-square test and multivariate Logistic regression analysis were performed to explore the risk factors of nosocomial infections in patients during radiotherapy .Results Among 189 patients with head and neck cancer receiving radiotherapy , nosocomial infection was observed in 64 (33.86%) patients.Univariate analysis showed that radiation-induced oral mucositis (χ2 =11.47, P<0.01), underlying disease (χ2 =6.59, P<0.05), stage of tumor Ⅲ-Ⅳ (χ2 =4.36, P<0.05), whole-neck radiation (χ2 =7.64, P <0.05), dose of radiation ≥50 Gy(χ2 =8.92, P <0.05), combined chemotherapy (χ2 =6.53, P<0.01), invasive operation (χ2 =4.21, P<0.05), PS score=1 (χ2 =3.58, P<0.05) and low body mass index (χ2 =9.56, P <0.05) were risk factors of nosocomial infections . Multivariate Logistic regression analysis indicated that radiation-induced oral mucositis ( OR=3.46, χ2 =8.72, P<0.01),underlying disease (OR=1.91, χ2 =4.66, P<0.05), stage of tumor Ⅲ-Ⅳ (OR=2.01,χ2 =5.22, P<0.05), whole-neck radiation (OR=1.78,χ2 =4.89, P<0.05), dose of radiation ≥50 Gy (OR=1.69,χ2 =3.25, P<0.05), combined chemotherapy (OR=1.84, χ2 =6.91, P<0.05) and low body mass index (OR=1.53, χ2 =2.59, P<0.05) were independent risk factors of nosocomial infection.Conclusions Nosocomial infections are popular in patients with head and neck cancer during radiotherapy.Radiation-induced oral mucositis, underlying disease, stage of tumor, radiation field, dose of radiation, combined chemotherapy and body mass index are associated with the occurrence of nosocomial infections in these patients .

We have constructed an immunotoxin(Ng76-TCS),which was composed of a monoclonalantibody directed against human melanoma and trichosanthin(TCS)——a single chain ribosomeinactivating protein.The cultured human melanoma cells(M21)were inhibited effectively byNg 76-TCS.The cytotoxicity of Ng76-TCS to M21 cells was 2,000-fold higher than that of free TCS and Ng76 mixture.A conjugate,which was prepared with normal mice immunoglobulinand TCS(NIgG-TCS),was 160-fold less cytotoxic to M21 cells.Meanwhile Ng76-TCS was125-fold less cytotoxic to nontarget cells Hela.These results showed that the immunotoxinNg76-TCS was a potent and specific anti-human melanoma agent.

Objective: To explore the survival difference of patients with colon and rectal neuroendocrine neoplasm (NEN) at different stages. Methods: We identified 8 679 patients with colorectal NEN diagnosed between 1988 and 2014 from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registry, including 5 437 rectal NEN and 3 242 colon NEN ( 1 681 cecum NEN ). Survival curve was drawn by Kaplan-Meier method. Prognostic factors were analyzed by univariate analysis and multivariate Cox regression model. Results: The ratio of male patients with colon and rectal NEN was similar to female (P=0.095). Rectal NEN patients were younger (P<0.001), more highly differentiated (P<0.001), and with earlier stage (P<0.001). Survival analysis showed that the survival of rectal NEN was superior to that of colon NEN, with 10-year tumor-specific survival rates of 86.8% and 44.8% respectively (P<0.001). Multivariate Cox analysis showed that age, gender, marital status, primary tumor site, grade, stage and surgery were independent prognostic factors of colorectal NEN (all P<0.01). The most important factor was stage (HR=3.531), followed by differentiation grade (HR=1.856). Stratified analysis displayed that the survival of rectal NEN in stage Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅳ were better than those of corresponding stage of colon NEN (all P<0.05), but worse in stage Ⅲ (P=0.012). While the survival of rectal NEN were significantly better than those of colon NEN within all stages after excluding 1681 cases of cecal NEN (all P<0.05). Among the patients with well-differentiated NEN, the survival of rectal NEN in stage Ⅰ, Ⅲ and Ⅳ were better than those of corresponding stage of colon NEN (all P<0.05) while there was no significant difference in stage Ⅱ(P=0.169). For poor-differentiated NEN, only the survival of rectal NEN patients in stage Ⅳ (P=0.001) was significant longer than those of colon NEN, while there was no significant difference in stage Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ (stage Ⅰ: P=0.760; stage Ⅱ: P=0.181; stage Ⅲ: P=0.313). Conclusions The survival of NEN patients in colon and rectum is different. Cecum NEN should be considered as a separated tumor for prognostic analysis due to its special clinicopathologic characteristics.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship of leptin gene polymorphism with obesity in ethnic minority Hui and Uygur children in China.

METHODSSixty-eight ethnic minority (35 Hui and 33 Uygur) children with obesity and 69 age-matched minority (36 Hui and 33 Uygur) children without obesity were recruited from six primary schools in the sub-urban areas of Urumqi. Venous blood was sampled from all subjects after fasting for 12 hours. Leptin gene C2549A polymorphism was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism methods. Blood concentrations of lipids, leptin and insulin were measured with biochemical methods and radioimmunoassys, respectively.

RESULTSIn the 137 children tested, the prevalence of AA, AC and CC genotype was 9.5%, 33.6% and 56.9%, respectively. A allele frequency was significantly different between the two ethnic (i.e. Hui and Uygur) groups (P<0.05). A allele frequency and AA+ AC genotype frequency were not significantly different between obese and non-obese children in both ethnic groups (P>0.05). Blood leptin levels were not significantly different between obese and non-obese children with an AA+AC or CC genotype in both ethnic groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSLeptin gene polymorphisms exist in Hui and Uygur children. The C2549A polymorphism is not significantly associated with the prevalence of obesity in both Hui and Uygur children.

Child ; China ; ethnology ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Leptin ; blood ; genetics ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Obesity ; blood ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo study the sleep quality and quantity and their influencing factors in Uigur and Hui children in Xinjiang Province.

METHODSFrom March to December of 2007, 912 Uigur and 1019 Hui school children (6 to 14 years) were randomly sampled from 6 cities of Xinjing Province. The questionnaire on children's sleep states and sleep environments was filled in by children's parents.

RESULTSThe mean sleep time of Uigur and Hui children was 10.1±1.4 hrs. The sleep time in Uigur children was significantly less than that in Hui children (9.7±1.2 hrs vs 10.4±1.5 hrs; P<0.05). The mean incidence of sleep disorders was 23.56%. The Uigur children had a lower incidence of sleep disorders compared with the Hui children (18.42% vs 28.16%; P<0.001). Ethnic group, sleep latency, use of a swing bed, family history of snore, watching TV before sleeping, hypertrophy of tonsils, eating before sleeping, feeding patterns and recurrent upper respiratory tract infection were the factors associated with the sleep quality and quantity.

CONCLUSIONSThe influencing factors of sleep quality and quantity are multifactorial in Uigur and Hui children in Xinjiang Province. Pediatrician, child health care doctors and parents should pay more attention to children's sleep. The incidence of sleep disorders is different between Uigur and Hui children, suggesting that more research for the prevention and treatment of sleep disorders should be performed in different ethic groups.

Adolescent ; Child ; China ; epidemiology ; ethnology ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Risk Factors ; Sleep ; physiology ; Sleep Wake Disorders ; epidemiology ; ethnology ; etiology ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes in phosphorylated JAK2 and STAT3 protein expression of and cell apoptosis following focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.

METHODSA rat models of focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury was established by middle cerebral artery occlusion using modified filament method. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis were used to detect the expression of P-JAK2 and P-STAT3 proteins, and TUNEL assay was employed to examine the cell apoptosis.

RESULTSP-JAK2 and P-STAT3 protein expression increased significantly after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats. The immunoreactivity was prominent in the peripheral of the ischemic region and reached the peak level at 24 h of reperfusion, followed by slight decrement. The apoptotic cells increased obviously after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, also reaching the peak level at 24 h of reperfusion.

CONCLUSIONThe expression of phosphorylated JAK2 and STAT3 may be involved in the ischemic cellular events including apoptosis. JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway plays a role in the pathophysiological process of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion cell injury and repair.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Blotting, Western ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery ; physiopathology ; Janus Kinase 2 ; metabolism ; Male ; Phosphorylation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion Injury ; genetics ; physiopathology ; STAT3 Transcription Factor ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo summarize and analyze the clinical characteristics and diagnostic and therapeutic measures for the first human case of H5N1 avian influenza pneumonia in mainland of China.

METHODSThe clinical data of the first case of H5N1 avian influenza virus infection in China were analyzed and summarized.

RESULTSThe case is a 9-year old boy, who developed acute symptoms of a light common respiratory infection, including fever and dry cough without obvious catarrh. On the 7th day after onset, his temperature reached 40 degrees C, tachypnea occurred, distinct rales could be heard and large areas of consolidation were seen in the lungs on chest X-ray. The patient's peripheral blood leukocyte count was 2.81 x 10(9)/L and neutrophils dominated. After comprehensive therapeutic approaches, including antiviral therapy (amantadine) and use of low-dosage glucocorticoid, the patient's temperature returned to normal on the 3rd hospitalization day, chest X-ray showed absorbed inflammatory change on the 5th day after admission, and leukocyte count became normal on the 6th day. No complication occurred during the whole course. The case was diagnosed by the 4 fold raised antibody to the H5N1 influenza virus in recovery stage serum because the H5N1 nucleic acid test in early stage was negative. The case was cured and discharged after 3 weeks comprehensive treatment.

CONCLUSIONSIt is very important for clinicians to pay enough attention to epidemiological history, especially history of exposure to avian influenza virus contaminated material, which will be very helpful for early detection, early diagnosis of the disease, and also very important for effective treatment and better prognosis.

Amantadine ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; immunology ; Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; Birds ; Child ; China ; Glucocorticoids ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; Influenza in Birds ; transmission ; Influenza, Human ; complications ; diagnosis ; Male ; Pneumonia ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; virology ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of combined treatment with sansanmycin and macrolides on Pseudomonas aeruginosa and formation of biofilm.

METHODSMicro-dilution method was used to determine the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of sansanmycin, gentamycin, carbenicillin, polymyxin B, roxithromycin, piperacillin, and tazobactam. PA1 and PA27853 biofilms were observed under optical microscope after staining and under SEM after treatment with sansanmycin at different dosages and combined treatment with sansanmycin and roxithromycin. Viable bacteria in PA1 and PA27853 biofilms were counted after treatment with sansanmycin at different dosages or combined treatment with sansanmycin and roxithromycin.

RESULTSThe MIC of sansanmycin was lower than that of gentamycin and polymyxin B, but was higher than that of carbenicillin. Roxithromycin enhanced the penetration of sansanmycin to PA1 and PA27853 strains through biofilms. PA1 and PA27853 biofilms were gradually cleared with the increased dosages of sansanmycin or with the combined sansanmycin and roxithromycin.

CONCLUSIONSub-MIC levels of roxithromycin and sansanmycin substantially inhibit the generation of biofilms and proliferation of bacteria. Therefore, combined antibiotics can be used in treatment of intractable bacterial infection.

Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Bacterial Adhesion ; drug effects ; Biofilms ; growth & development ; Cercopithecus aethiops ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Macrolides ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Oligopeptides ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; drug effects ; physiology ; ultrastructure ; Uridine ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Vero Cells