Objective:To evaluate the application value of robost optimization of brachytherapy for cervical cancer.Methods:Twenty patients who completed radical treatment were recruited in this study. The dose volume histogram (DVH) parameters were statistically compared between the conventional and robust optimization plans, and the robustness between the conventional and robust optimization plans was evaluated using DVH and DVH bands. The robust optimization method utilized the worst dose distribution to consider the dose in the presence of uncertainties. In each optimization iteration, the dose distributin when the radioactive source shifted along the X, Y, and Z directions (±2 mm), and the dose distribution when the radioactive source was not shifted were calculated. The worst dose distribution for each voxel was the lowest dose in the target and the highest dose outside the target under all circumstances. The iterative objective function was calculated by the worst dose distribution.Results:In the scenario of no shifting of radioactive source position, the mean value of robust optimization was significantly lower and that of V 150% was significantly higher than those of conventional optimization (both P<0.05). When considering the shifting of radioactive source position, the worst dosimetric parameters of multiple dose distributions were statistically compared. The mean HR-CTV D 100% values did not significantly differ between the robust and conventional optimization plans, whereas the mean D 90% value (range: 0.02-0.03 Gy) of robust optimization was significantly higher than that of conventional optimization ( P<0.05). Robust optimization increased the D 2cm 3 of the bladder and small intestine, and the rectum dose was increased with the shifting of the radioactive source position in the robust optimization. The DVH bands did not significantly differ between the conventional and robust optimization plans for all patients. Conclusions:Robust optimization based on the worst dose distribution fails to significantly improve the robustness of brachytherapy for cervical cancer. Alternative methods are required to minimize the dosimetric effect of uncertainties in brachytherapy.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of focused ultrasound ablation in the treatment of submucosal fibroids which broke into uterine cavity less than 50%. Methods From Oct. 2006 to Sept. 2009, 66 patients with 69 submucosal fibroids broke into uterine cavity less than 50% diagnosed by MRI in Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital were enrolled in this study. They were treated by ultrasound-guided focused ultrasound ablation in the outpatient department, which using the contrast enhanced ultrasonography to assess the efficacy after ablation immediately, to measure reduction of fibroids volume and record adverse effect before and after ultrasound ablation. At 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after treatment, ablation outcome and fibroids volumes were evaluated by contrast ultrasound. The changes of clinical symptom were evaluated by the symptom severity score ( SSS) of the uterine fibroid quality-of-life instrument( UFS-QOL). Results The average volume of fibroids in 66 patients with 68 submucosal fibroids were (151 ±134) cm3 before treatment and (114 ± 104) cm3 no enhanced regional after treatment. The ablation rate of target fibroids was (77 ±16)%. All patients completed this treatment successfully, they were followed up for 6 - 44 months, the median follow-up time was 24 months. No serious complication was observed. However, there were 52% (34/66) patients presented vaginal discharge after ablation, it disappeared gradually after 3 to 4 menstrual cycles. The SSS and the menstrual period symptom scores were significantly lower than that before ablation at the follow-up of 3,6, 12 and 24 months, the rates were 20. 9% , 38. 0% , 45. 1% , 47. 1% and 42. 0% , 63. 8% , 64. 2% , 68. 8% , which all reached statistical difference (P ＜ 0. 05 ). The necrotic fibroids were absorbed gradually, the reduction rates of fibroid volume were 44. 7% ,66. 0% ,77. 7% and 89. 8% . Conclusion It was safe and efficacy that focused ultrasound ablation was used in treatment of submucosal fibroids which broke into the uterine less than 50%.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of arctiin on mouse podocyte epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) induced by advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP).

METHODSMouse podocytes were stimulated by 200 µg/ml AOPP for 24 h in the presence of 50, 100, 200, and 400 µmol/L arctiin. The expressions of α-smooth muscle actin, Grp78 and CHOP were detected using Western blotting.

RESULTThe expressions of α-SMA, Grp78 and CHOP were inhibited by arctiin, showing a dose-dependent effect within a given range of arctiin concentration.

CONCLUSIONAOPP causes endoplasmic reticulum stress to induce EMT of mouse podocytes, and arctiin can decrease EMT by alleviating the stress. This finding sheds light on a new scope of research of renal fibrosis.

Actins ; metabolism ; Advanced Oxidation Protein Products ; adverse effects ; Animals ; Cell Line ; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress ; drug effects ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; drug effects ; Furans ; pharmacology ; Glucosides ; pharmacology ; Heat-Shock Proteins ; metabolism ; Mice ; Podocytes ; metabolism ; pathology ; Transcription Factor CHOP ; metabolism

To develop a core-shell structure pDNA-CaPi-PLGA nanoparticles (CS-pDNA-CaPi-PLGA-NPs), calcium phosphate-pDNA nano complexes (CaPi-pDNA) were encapsulated inside of PLGA shells. The characteristics of the nanoparticles, including morphology, average particle size, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, loading efficiency, stability in medium, pDNA protection ability from nuclease degradation, in vitro release, cytotoxicity and cell transfection were investigated and compared with the embedded structured CaPi modified PLGA nanoparticles (embedded-pDNA-CaPi-PLGA-NPs). The results showed that the obtained CS-pDNA-CaPi-PLGA-NPs were spherical in shape with an average particle size of (155 +/- 4.5) nm, zeta potentials of (-0.38 +/- 0.1) mV, entrapment efficiency of (80.56 +/- 2.5)% and loading efficiency of (1.16 +/- 0.04)%. The CS-pDNA-CaPi-PLGA-NPs were stable in the release media and could protect pDNA against nuclease degradation. And they also exhibited sustained release of pDNA in vitro. The highest gene transfection efficiency of the CS-pDNA-CaPi-PLGA-NPs in vitro reached (24.66 +/- 0.46)% (after 72 h transfection), which was significantly higher than that of free pDNA [(0.33 +/- 0.04)%, P < 0.01] and the pDNA-PLGA-NPs [(1.5 +/- 0.07)%, P < 0.01]. Besides, the transfection lasted for longer time than that of embedded-pDNA-CaPi-PLGA-NPs and the cytotoxicity of it was significantly lower than that of PEI (P < 0.01). These results indicate that CS-pDNA-CaPi-PLGA-NPs are a promising non-viral gene vector. Key words: gene delivery system; polylactic-co-glycolic acid; calcium phosphate; nanoparticle
Calcium Phosphates ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; toxicity ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; DNA ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; toxicity ; Drug Carriers ; Genetic Vectors ; HEK293 Cells ; Humans ; Lactic Acid ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Nanoparticles ; Particle Size ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Polyglycolic Acid ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Transfection

Objective: To investigate the incidence of adolescent depressive symptoms in primary and secondary schools in Guangzhou and the effect of gestational complications on adolescent depression, so to provide scientific basis for depression prevention among adolescent. Methods: Stratified cluster random sampling method was used to select 808 primary and secondary schools in 11 districts of Guangzhou. A total of 96 756 parents of adolescents aged 10-20 were surveyed for adolescents depressive symptoms and maternal gestational complications. Results: The parental reported rates of mild, moderate and major depressive symptoms of adolescents were 5.5%, 3.5%, and 0.5%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that the severity of adolescent depression symptoms had statistical significance with maternal gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes mellitus, cholestasis, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, gestational anemia and viral hepatitis ( χ 2=12.42~158.91， P <0.01). Multivariate Logistic regression showed that maternal gestational diabetes mellitus ( OR =1.41, 95% CI =1.18- 1.68 ), hypothyroidism during pregnancy ( OR =1.61, 95% CI = 1.15-2.26), and hyperthyroidism during pregnancy ( OR =1.40, 95% CI =1.03-1.91), anemia during pregnancy ( OR = 1.46 , 95% CI =1.35-1.59), and viral hepatitis during pregnancy ( OR =1.67, 95% CI =1.38-2.02) were positively correlated with the severity of adolescent depression symptoms reported by parents( P <0.05). Conclusion Gestational diabetes mellitus, gestational hypothyroidism, gestational hyperthyroidism, gestational anemia and gestational viral hepatitis are associated with adolescent depressive symptom.

Objective: To analyze household determinants of adolescents non suicidal self injury(NSSI), and to provide scientific basis for NSSI intervention amogn adolescents. Methods: Using stratified random cluster sampling method, 15 623 middle school students aged 11-20 were selected from Heilongjiang, Anhui, Hubei, Yunnan, and Guangdong provinces, and non suicidal self injury and related household determinants were investigated by questionnaire. Results: The survey showed that 28.8% of people who had NSSI in the past year accounted;among them,17.6% had 1-4 times(occasional self injury) and 11.2% had 5 times or more(repeated self injury) univariate results showed that whether they were an only child, family type, educational level of the main caregiver, family rearing style, family monthly income per capita, and whether there was a family history of mental illness was associated with adolescents NSSI ( χ 2=6.30-12.16, P <0.05); multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that whether one child or family parenting style is still significantly related to occasional NSSI( OR =1.11,1.34, P <0.05)after controlling for gender, age, grade, ethnicity, emotional control, resilience, loneliness and social support; whether it is an only child, educational level of the main caregiver and family parenting style are still significantly related to repeated NSSI ( OR =1.19，0.69，1.57， P <0.05); stratified analysis by region shows that the influencing factors of NSSI in adolescents in each region are different. Conclusion Family factors such as the only child and the education level of the main caregiver may be related to the occurrence of adolescents NSSI, but there are regional differences in the family impact of NSSI.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the dynamic correlation between pre-S1 antigen, pre-S2 antigen and HBV DNA in the serum of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients undergoing nucleoside analogue therapy.

METHODS12 CHB patients with transient virological response after lamivudine treatment, and 20 patients treated with adefovir for 5 years were recruited in this study. Serum samples were collected at four time points when HBV DNA fluctuated sharply during lamivudine treatment, and at 0, 8, 12, 28, 52, 104, 156, 208, 260 weeks following adefovir treatment. HBV DNA was quantified by real-time PCR, pre-S1 and pre-S2 antigens were detected by ELISA.

RESULTSThe titers of pre-S1 and pre-S2 antigens were not correlated with the HBV DNA level in the serum of lamivudine treated patients. Only in one case of the adfovir treated patients, the decrease of pre-S1 and pre-S2 antigens was in parallel with the decrease of HBV DNA. Linear regression analysis indicated that neither pre-S1 antigen nor pre-S2 antigen was correlated with HBV DNA in the serum of lamivudine or adfovir treated patients (P more than 0.05).

CONCLUSIONOur results indicate that the titers of pre-S1 and pre-S2 antigens are not correlated with the serum HBV DNA in CHB patients undergoing nucleoside analogue therapy. Neither pre-S1 nor pre-S2 is a good predictor for the outcome of nucleoside analogue treatment.

DNA, Viral ; blood ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Lamivudine ; therapeutic use ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

microRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous, small noncoding RNA molecules discovered in animals, plants and viruses. They play a critical role in developmental and physiological processes and are implicated in the pathogenesis of many human cancers. Presently, human cancer, including colorectal cancer, is recognized as both a genetic and epigenetic disease. Changes induced by miRNAs are considered as epigenetic changes. Experiments were largely performed to analyze the colorectal microRNAome and bio-networking involving miRNAs. This review focuses on recent advances in colorectal miRNA expression profiles. Further, we discuss the regulatory network of miRNAs in the initiation and carcinogenesis of colon cancer in order to open up an avenue of anticancer therapy based on the epigenetic regulation by miRNAs.
Animals ; Colonic Neoplasms ; genetics ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; genetics ; Humans ; MicroRNAs ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo understand the environmental risk factors on attempted suicide, and to study the interaction between factors as gene polymorphism of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) associated to attempted suicide.

METHODSPaired case-control study of 205 suicide attempters (89 male, 116 female) and molecular biological techniques were used to study the relation between gene polymorphism of COMT, environmental factors and the rate of attempted suicide. Controls were paired with cases according to the same gender, similar age (no more than 3 years) and in the same district.

RESULTSThere were no significant differences in gene types and gene frequency between case and control groups. Multivariate conditional logistic regression model analysis showed that COMT Val/Val 158/108, low education level, cigarette smoking, emotional conflicts, psychologic disorders and depression were risk factors of attempted suicide with OR values as 2.43 (95% CI: 1.10 - 5.40), 5.70 (95% CI: 1.88 - 17.27), 3.54 (95% CI: 1.02 - 12.36), 10.96 (95% CI: 4.74 - 25.34), 6.35 (95% CI: 1.68 - 24.05) and 11.30 (95% CI: 4.58 - 27.89) respectively. There was no first level interaction between any two risk factors.

CONCLUSIONThe study supported that low education level, cigarette smoking, affective conflicts, psychiatric disorders, depression were risk factors of attempted suicide and COMT Val/Val 158/108 was suspected to be a susceptible gene type of attempted suicide but needs further study. The study also suggested that 116 bp in gene atlas be possibly correlated to high activity of COMT.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Case-Control Studies ; Catechol O-Methyltransferase ; genetics ; China ; epidemiology ; Depression ; complications ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Risk Factors ; Smoking ; adverse effects ; Suicide, Attempted ; statistics & numerical data

Objective: To explore the association between aggression and social support and their gender differences among Chinese adolescence, and to provide a scientific reference for preventing and reducing aggressive behaviors of adolescents. Methods: Conducted a cross sectional survey of 15 623 adolescents in 5 provinces in China, namely, HeiLongjiang, Hubei, Anhui, Guangdong and Yunnan Province. And the Chinese version of the Adolescent Social Support Scale was employed to assess the aggression and social support, life events, psychological characteristics, family condition and demographic characteristics among adolescents. Results: The prevalence of self reported high level of aggression was 23.5%(3 670/15 623). Males reported higher rate of high level aggression than females (24.4% vs 22.5%, χ 2=19.30, P <0.01). Significant association between aggression and social support was identified in univariate analysis ( χ 2=620.68, P <0.01). After controlling for potential confounders, aggression was also significantly negatively associated with social support ( OR =1.27-1.84), and there was dose response relationship between them( P < 0.05 ). Furthermore, the association between aggression and social support was similar among male participants and female participants ( ROR =1.02-1.10, P >0.05). Conclusion The findings indicate that aggression is associated with social support both in male and female adolescents. Improving the social support for adolescents can reduce their aggressive behaviors.