Suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) is a protein family negatively regulating signal transduction pathway of a certain class of cytokines and growth factors. More than 20 members have been found in SOCS family, SOCS3 is one of them and has been studied hottest and most clearly. Recent studies demonstrated that SOCS3 abnormalities were found in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN), suggesting that SOCS3 plays a significant role in the pathogenesis, development and metastasis in MPN. In this review, the advances of research on relationship between SOCS3 and MPN were summarized, including general profile of SOCS family; structure, function and regulation of SOCS3, relation of SOCS3 to MPN and so on.
Cytokines ; metabolism ; Humans ; Myeloproliferative Disorders ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3 Protein ; Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Proteins ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE: To establish an animal model imitating post-menopausal atherosclerosis in rabbit and observe the effect of the herbal formula of tonifying-kidney on this animal model. METHODS: The New Zealand rabbits were treated with ovariectomy, high cholesterol diet plus immune injury, and both of ovariectomy and high cholesterol diet plus immune injury respectively. The blood lipid level and the intima and media of the aorta were observed. RESULTS: The rabbits treated with ovariectomy and high cholesterol diet plus immune injury changed markedly and had low level of estrogen, high levels of CHOL, TG and dysfunction of the arterial endothelium cells. however, the chinese herbal formula of tonifying-kidney could relieve these changes. CONCLUSION: The New Zealand rabbits treated with both of ovariectomy and high cholesterol diet plus immune injury could result in the changes imitating post-menopausal atherosclerosis, and it could be improved by the treatment of herbal formula of tonifying-kidney, so we think that the changes of the animal model are related to the deficiency of the kidney in traditional Chinese medicine.

To set standards for histomorphological studies on Lysimachia fortunei, an efficacious and widely applied folk medicine in this study, in order to develop its resources. Its species were identified by observing plant morphology and herbs appearance characters, preparing slices with routine methods and defining structural characters. According to the results of morphologic observation, leaves, stamen and pistil of this plant were different from the descriptions in Flora of China. The whole herb can be used in medicines, mainly including rhizomes, stems and leaves. According to the findings in the first study on microscopic structures, its rhizomes, stems and leaves were characteristic and worth identifying. The transaction tissue structures of rhizomes and stems were under developed and contained endodermis, secretory structures; Stems had sclerenchymata of different shapes of sclereids; Leaves were bifacial and had vascular bundles under midribs, which were surrounded by parenchymal sheathes. On the surface of leaves, stomata, glandular hairs and keratin lines were morphologically different in upper and lower epidermis. The herbal power had glandular hairs, sclereids and vessels. In conclusion, herbs of L. fortunei can be identified by the above histomorphological characteristics, which lays a foundation for further development and application of L. fortunei.
Medicine, Traditional ; Plant Leaves ; anatomy & histology ; growth & development ; Plant Stems ; anatomy & histology ; growth & development ; Plants, Medicinal ; anatomy & histology ; growth & development ; Primulaceae ; anatomy & histology ; growth & development

OBJECTIVETo investigate how network education can improve college students' knowledge on sexual and reproductive health in Ningbo city.

METHODSFrom December 2012 to June 2013, we conducted a questionnaire investigation among college students in Ningbo city about the effects of network education on their knowledge about sexual psychology, sexual physiology, sexual ethics, and reproductive health.

RESULTSA total of 7 362 college students accomplished the investigation, of whom 2 483 (42.1% males and 57.9% females) received network education, while the other 4 879 (24.1% males and 75.9% females) did not. Approximately 47.1% of the male and 28.0% of the female students acquired sexual and reproductive knowledge via network education. Reproductive health-related network education significantly enriched the students' knowledge about the reproductive system and sex, pubertal development, sexual physiology, conception and embryonic development, methods of contraception, sexual psychology, sexually transmitted diseases and their prevention, pregnancy care and eugenics, and environment- and occupation-related reproductive health (P < 0.01). It also remarkably improved their cognitive attitude towards reproductive health knowledge (P < 0.01). Those who received reproductive health-related network education showed a significantly higher rate of masturbation (P < 0.01) but markedly later time of the first masturbation (P < 0.01) than those who did not.

CONCLUSIONNetwork education can enhance the effect of reproductive health education among college students and improve their sexual experience and health.

China ; Contraception ; Female ; Health Education ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Humans ; Male ; Masturbation ; Pregnancy ; Reproduction ; Reproductive Health ; Sexual Behavior ; physiology ; psychology ; Sexually Transmitted Diseases ; Students ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Universities

Bone turnover is regulated by local concentrations of cytokines such as osteoprotegerin (OPG) and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB ligand (RANKL). To explore the in vivo biological function of Opg and the mechanism of osteoporosis due to deficiency of Opg, Opg knockout mice have been generated through homologous recombination. Opg-/- mice exhibit a sharply decrease in bone density and strength as expected. The number of osteoclasts in Opg-/- mice significantly increases. Morphologically, osteoclasts appear more cuboidal in shape in Opg-/- mice than those of wt mice, suggesting that active osteoclastogenesis occurs in the absence of Opg. In consistent with this finding, an increase of osteoblast activity was also observed with accelerated mineral accumulation rate by histomorphometric measurement and elevated serum alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP) in Opg-/- mice. Interestingly, more than 50% of 2-month-old Opg-/- mice manifest medial calcification of aorta with comparable serum concentrations of calcium and phosphorus to wt mice. In conclusion, Opg-/- mice have a high-bone-rurnover type osteoporosis. The aortic calcification in Opg-/- mice is not due to abnormality of calcium and phosphorus metabolism. The mechanism underlying aortic calcification in Opg-/- mice needs to be further investigated.

Objective To discuss and analyze the diagnosis,management and surgical techniques for cranioplasty of skull vault defects and skull base reconstruction in order to raise the therapeutic effect. Methods The clinical data of 169 cases of skull vault and skull base defects treated with cranioplasty of skull vault defect and skull base reconstruction were retrospectively analyzed.Results Overlay tech- nique or inlay technique with imported titanium alloy mesh was used in 160 cases,and homologous bone was used in 9 cases.The surgical time ranged from 3 months to 8 years after injury.Eight cases presented with complications such as hematoma,subcutaneous effusion,infection and epilepsy postoperatively,but no operative death occurred.Conclusion For patients with skull vault defect with the diameter≥3 cm the best operative time is 3 months after injury,and for patients with intracranial and extracranial communica- ting tumors,skull base reconstruction can be performed when tumors are removed.Much attention should be paid to perioperative management and surgical skills.

OBJECTIVETo study relationship between acute dipterex poisoning and oxidative stress and free radical damage.

METHODSEighty-two patients with acute dipterex poisoning (ADPP) and ninety-two healthy adult volunteers (HAV) were enrolled in the study with randomized controlled trial design. Plasma levels of vitamin C (VC) and vitamin E (VE), as well as level of lipoperoxide (LPO) and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the red blood cells (RBC), were determined by spectrophotometry.

RESULTSLevels of VC and VE, and activities of SOD and AChE were (37.35 +/- 9.98) micromol/L, (16.57 +/- 4.54) micromol/L, (1 785 +/- 154) U/g Hb and (213.1 +/- 57.6) U/g Hb, respectively, in the ADPP group, significantly lower than those in the HAV group, (55.34 +/- 15.98) micromol/L, (25.66 +/- 7.24) micromol/L, (2 124 +/- 185) U/g Hb and (305.3 +/- 83.6) U/g Hb, respectively. Plasma level of LPO was (35.20 +/- 5.29) nmol/g Hb in the ADPP group, significantly higher than that in the HAV group, (27.87 +/- 4.66) nmol/g Hb. Partial correlation analysis suggested that there existed negative correlation between activity of AChE in the RBC and plasma level of LPO (r = -0.274, P = 0.013) and positive correlation between activity of AChE in the RBC and plasma levels of VC and VE, and activity of SOD in the RBC (r = 0.333, P = 0.002, r = 0.269, P = 0.015 and r = 0.248, P = 0.026, respectively) in the ADPP, adjusted for age. Coefficient of reliability alpha was 0.682 (P < 0.001), with a standardized alpha of 0.868 (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONThere exist severe oxidative stress and free radical damage in patients with acute dipterex poisoning.

Acetylcholinesterase ; blood ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Ascorbic Acid ; blood ; Erythrocytes ; metabolism ; Female ; Free Radicals ; Humans ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Male ; Oxidative Stress ; Oxygen ; metabolism ; Poisoning ; blood ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood ; Trichlorfon ; poisoning ; Vitamin E ; blood

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the values of whole body diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) in screening primary unknown tumor in patients with metastases.

METHODSTotally, 34 patients with metastases of primary unknown tumors were scanned with whole body DWI, and conventional magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was performed if suspected lesions were detected. All the metastases including 27 cases of osseous metastases, 2 brain metastases, 2 liver metastases, 1 pulmonary multiple metastasis, 1 neck metastasis and 1 malignant ascites, were diagnosed by computed tomography, single photon emission computed tomography, or MR imaging. For the proven primary tumors diagnosed by biopsy or pathology of surgical specimens, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of the primary and metastatic lesions were measured respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of this technique for screening primary tumors were evaluated.

RESULTSWe found 24 cases with suspected primary lesions, in which 23 lesions were proved to be primary tumors, and 1 was proved to be benign lesion. And no definite primary lesion was found in 10 cases on whole body DWI, but in which 1 case was diagnosed with primary tumor by biopsy later, and the other 9 cases remained unknown within follow-up of over half a year. The difference was not significant in ADC values between primary and metastatic lesions (P>0.05). The sensitivity and specificity of whole body DWI for searching primary tumors was 95.8% and 90.0%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONCombined with conventional MR scanning, whole body DWI can help to search primary lesions of patients with metastases.

Adult ; Aged ; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Whole Body Imaging ; methods

OBJECTIVETo explore the optimal methods for the reconstruction and preservation of the glans after partial penis resection in the treatment of early-stage penile cancer.

METHODSBetween January 2012 and June 2015, we treated 6 cases of early- stage penile cancer by partial penis resection, inner thigh skin graft, and glans reconstruction and followed them up for 0.5-3 years.

RESULTSThe length of the penis before and after operation was ([6.5 ± 1.2] vs [4.5 ± 1.8] cm) in the flaccid state and ([12.8 ± 2.3] vs [9.1 ± 2.1] cm) in the erectile state. The sense of the reconstructed glans was completely recovered at 3 months after surgery. The glans skin was pale red and soft, nearly normal at 12 months, with no obvious graft contracture or scar formation. All the patients achieved normal erection and their partners were satisfied with their intercourse. No recurrence or metastasis was observed.

CONCLUSIONThe strategy of partial penis resection, inner thigh skin graft and glans reconstruction, simple, effective, and with few complications, is one of the best treatments of early-stage penile cancer, which not only ensures radical removal of the tumor but also maximally reserves the function of the organ.

Humans ; Male ; Penile Neoplasms ; surgery ; Penis ; surgery ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Skin Transplantation ; Thigh

The study was purposed to investigate the effect of arsenic trioxide (As(2)O(3))- induced p16 gene demethylation by a sensitive and specific PCR-based method (nested-methylation specific PCR, n-MSP) and DNA sequencing for rapid analysis of the promoter demethylation status, and to explore the possible mechanism of the p16 gene demethylation in human multiple myeloma U266 cells induced by As(2)O(3). The methylation status of the p16 gene in U266 cell line before and after treatment with As(2)O(3) was detected by the nested-methylation specific PCR and DNA sequencing, the mRNA of p16, DNA methyltransferase (DNMT 1, DNMT3A and 3B) gene were determined by RT-PCR, and the induced growth inhibition of U266 cell was assayed by growth curve, MTT and CFU; the DNA content of U266 cells was analyzed by flow cytometry after being exposed to As(2)O(3). The results showed that (1) all cytosines in CpG dinucleotides in untreated U266 cell not were changed, while all cytosines in treated U266 cells with As(2)O(3) had been converted to thymidine. (2) p16 gene was not expressed in U266 cell line after methylation. As compared with the beta-actin, the expression of U266 cell p16 gene mRNA was increased to (0.22 +/- 0.10), (0.59 +/- 0.11), (0.68 +/- 0.09) after exposed to 0.5 micromol/L, 1.0 micromol/L and 2.0 micromol/L As(2)O(3) for 72 hours respectively. (3) As(2)O(3) could significantly down-regulate DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT 1), DNMT3A and DNMT3B gene at mRNA level in a dose-dependent manner. (4) U266 cells line grew slowly and arrested at G(0) - G(1) phase after treatment with three different concentrations of As(2)O(3). It is concluded that As(2)O(3) can activate and up-regulate the expression of p16 gene which inhibits the proliferation of U266 cell through inducing the G(0) - G(1) arrest by demethylation or/and by inhibiting DNMT 1, DNMT3A and 3B gene.
Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Arsenicals ; pharmacology ; Base Sequence ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferase 1 ; DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; DNA Methylation ; drug effects ; Genes, p16 ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Multiple Myeloma ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Oxides ; pharmacology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transcription, Genetic ; drug effects