Objective To investigate the contribution of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP)variation in folate metabolism pathway genes and its interaction with environmental risk factors to the etiology of NTD. Methods In 275 families from central China, a total of 278 aborted fetal tissues or blood samples were collected from NTD individuals, 478 maternal and/or paternal blood samples were also obtained as controls. Folate supplementation, maternal diabetes mellitus and medication before pregnancy and during the first trimester of pregnancy were investigated. SNP analyses of all samples were performed by CEQ 8800. Case-parent control study and transmission/disequilibrium tests (TDT) were performed according to environmental cofactors stratification to evaluated 28 SNP in 12 folate pathway genes associated with human NTD. Results Only gene MTHFR rs1801133 was significantly associated with NTD, and synergistic effects of environmental risk factors (no folate supplementation and maternal diabetes) were shown on the occurrence of NTD. Linkage disequilibrium between BHMT rs3733890 and NTD existed in case of no folate supplementation,whereas the genotype alone did not contribute to the etiology of NTD. Other SNP were not significantly associated with NTD. Conclusions MTHFR rs1801133 is a risk factor of NTD, but BHMT rs3733890 is not an independent risk factor. Further investigations in folate and methionine cycle genes are requird in larger scale to enclose the interactions between gene and gene, or gene and environmental factors.

Objective To study the correlation between drug-resistance of paclitaxel and the expres- sion levels of anti-apoptotic protein survivin and the role of matrine reversal resistance of PTX in non-small cell lung cancer.Methods The expressions of survivin in 120 samples of human lung cancer with paclitaxel chemotherapy were detected by immunohistochemical staining.Results The positive expression rate of sur- vivin was 57.5%.In the positive expression of survivin group,chemotherapy combined matrine could improve response rate and survival time(P0.05).Conclusion The survivin expression was related to the response rate of paclitaxel in lung cancer.It might be a valuable new marker to predict the drug-resistance of paclitaxel.In this prospective research,survivin protein,which promoted the apoptosis caused by paclitaxel,may be the target of martine.It could partly reverse the drug re- sistance to paclitaxel.

Objective To apply team based learning (TBL) in the teaching of dental endodontics for undergraduates in order to expand and deepen the TBL teaching in stomatology education.Methods TBL was used among 2008 grade oral undergraduates in Chongqing Medical University.Average test scores of 2008 grade undergraduates before and intra class were calculated and questionnaire was designed.At the same time,final examination scores between 2007 grade and 2008 grade under-graduates were compared.Results There was no significant correlation in average test scores before and intra class (r =0.027,P ＞ 0.05).Final examination scores were higher in 2008 grade than in 2007 grade.Based on the questionnaire survey,learning interests,sense of teamwork and classroom knowledge grasp of 2008 grade undergraduates were obviously elevated.Conclusions TBL teaching significantly improve students' learning effect and it can be promoted in stomotology education.

[Summary] Neuroischemic diabetic foot ulcer ( NDFU) is characterized by infection, ulceration of deep tissues, neurological abnormalities, and various degrees of peripheral vascular disease in the lower limbs. The patients often have multiple risk factors such as older, longer duration, cardiovascular disease. The treatment is very difficult. The prognosis depends on the severity of complications, tissue range of infections, and the peripheral vascular disease. In this article, the treatment process of an old inpatient with NDFU and severe complications was reviewed and to propose a standard pathway for its management.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; transmission ; China ; HIV Infections ; transmission ; Humans ; Models, Theoretical

Objective To improve the awareness of clinical manifestation, endocrine changes and prognosis in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN). Methods The clinical features and endocrine functions of 28 patients with AN were analysed, and the prognosis was based on the results of 4 months-7 years follow-up of these patients. The change of serum leptin level was observed during different therapeutic periods in 13 patients. Results Most of AN patients were young women (92.9%, 26/28), age of onset was (19.4?3.8)years old and the duration of follow-up was from 4 months to 7 years. Self-starvation, extreme weight loss and amenorrhoea were the characteristic manifestations. This investigation discovered 24 patients with hypofunctional hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad axis, 12 with hyperfunctional hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis, 9 with decreased levels of thyroid hormones, 2 with increased level of GH (n=10), 8 with decreased level of IGF-Ⅰ (n=10). Leptin levels in AN patients (n=9) weresignificantlydecreasedascomparedwiththecontrol group (n=26) 〔(1.21?0.36 vs 7.70?4.15)?g/L, P

This study was aimed to explore the difference of NK cell receptor NKG2D and NKG2A expression on NK cells and CD3(+) T cells and their ligand MHC-I A/B (major histocompatibility complex class I-related chains A/B) and HLA-E expression in leukemia cells, as well as its immunological significance. Flow cytometry was used to detect the killing rate of NK92 cells to 8 leukemia cell lines, and the expression of NKG2D and NKG2A on NK cells and CD3(+) T cells as well as their ligand MHC-I A/B and HLA-E expression on leukemia cells. The results indicated that the NK92 showed different killing activity to different leukemia cell lines. The positive expression rate of NKG2D and NKG2A on NK cells and CD3(+) T cells in ALL patients was no significantly different from that in AML patients (p > 0.05), but positive expression rate of MHC-I A/B and HLA-E in ALL patients was obviously higher than that in AML patients (p < 0.05). It is concluded that there is difference of immune cell function between ALL and AML patients, this difference may be associated with the expression difference of NKG2D and NKG2A ligands on leukemia cells while does not associated with the killing and inhibiting receptors expressed on NK cells and CD3(+) T cells.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Histocompatibility Antigens Class I ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Infant ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily C ; genetics ; metabolism ; NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily K ; genetics ; metabolism ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; genetics ; metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the potential role of serum citrulline level in evaluating the intestinal absorptive area and capacity in patients with short bowel syndrome (SBS).

METHODSSerum citrulline concentration was determined using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in SBS patients (n=22) and healthy controls (n=33). In SBS patients, the remnant small bowel lengths and diameters were measured by radiography, and their 5- hour urine D- xylose excretion and intestinal protein absorption were also determined. The correlationship of serum citrulline level with remnant small bowel length, surface area, protein and D- xylose absorption was analyzed. The 6 patients receiving intestinal rehabilitative therapy, serum citrulline level, protein and D- xylose absorption after therapy were also measured.

RESULTSSerum citrulline level of SBS patients was significantly lower than that of healthy controls [(5.94+/- 2.65) vs [(16.87 +/- 5.97) micromol/L, P < 0.01]. In SBS patients, serum citrulline was positively correlated with remnant small bowel length and surface area (r=0.82 and r=0.86 respectively). There was also a significant correlationship of serum citrulline level with 5- hour D- xylose excretion (r=0.56) and intestinal protein absorption (r=0.48). Serum citrulline, 5- hour D- xylose excretion and intestinal protein absorption were all significantly raised in patients after rehabilitative therapy, although no correlation of increasing percentage was found among above three parameters.

CONCLUSIONSSerum citrulline concentration is positively correlated with intestinal absorptive area and capacity in SBS patients. It is a potential marker for evaluating the severity of intestinal failure and the efficacy of rehabilitative therapy in short bowel patients.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Citrulline ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Intestine, Small ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Short Bowel Syndrome ; blood ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Xylose ; metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVEExposure to high concentrations of oxygen in the neonatal period may impair lung growth and is a major contributing factor to the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Cell death from hyperoxic injury may occur through either an apoptotic or nonapoptotic pathway. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of hyperoxia on caspase-3 and p53 gene expression and apoptosis in the lungs of neonatal rats, so as to determine the type of cell death that occurs in the lungs of neonatal rats exposed to hyperoxia.

METHODSHyperoxic lung injury model was established by exposing to 95% O(2) in the neonatal period of Spraque-Dawley rats. The levels of caspase-3 mRNA and p53 mRNA expression in the lungs of neonatal rats exposed to 95% hyperoxia or room air were detected by RT-PCR. To quantify PCR products, PCR products were electrophoretically separated with 1.5% agarose gels. The optical density (A) values of the DNA bands were quantified by complete gel documentation and analysis system. The A ratios of p53/beta-actin denoted the relative content of p53 mRNA, results were showed as mean +/- standard deviation. The specific positive or negative bands of caspase-3 in electrophoresis gels were counted, Fisher's exact test of propabilities was used to determined statistically significant differences between two groups. We determined the extent of apoptosis taking place in the lungs of neonatal rats exposed to 95% hyperoxia using terminal deoxyribonucleotide transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-fluorescence nick-end labeling (TUNEL) in 7-d-old neonatal lung. Under light microscope, five areas of lung parenchyma were systematically and randomly photographed from each animal and positive cells among 500 lung cells were calculated. Results were showed as mean +/- standard deviation.

RESULTSWe found increased levels of p53 messenger RNA, a gene associated with apoptosis, in the lungs of neonatal rat born and raised in 95% hyperoxia. Moderate increase in the level of p53 mRNA was found in the hyperoxic-treated group at 24 h (q = 3.2305, P > 0.05). Significant increase in the level of p53 mRNA was found in the hyperoxic-treated group at 48 h (q = 7.2941, P < 0.01). The levels of p53 mRNA expression in neonatal rat lungs exposed to 95% O(2) for 72 h or 96 h returned to normal level. The levels of caspase-3 mRNA expression were very low or absent in the hyperoxic-treated groups at 12 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h and 96 h or in the air-breathing groups at 12 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h and 96 h. An increase in the number of cells undergoing apoptosis was found in the hyperoxic-treated group at 7 d (F = 56.5010, P < 0.001) which was significantly greater than the number of apoptotic cells found in the lungs of rats of the same age exposed to room air.

CONCLUSIONOur results suggested that 95% hyperoxia could temporarily up-regulate the gene expression of p53, which induced the transcription of p21(WAF/CIP1) mRNA. Furthermore, p21(WAF/CIP1) could lead to cell cycle arrest and inhibit proliferation of lung cells. Meanwhile, p53 could also promote apoptosis of lung cells. Therefore, exposure to high concentrations of oxygen in the neonatal period may impair lung growth and is a major contributing factor to the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), and hyperoxia may affect the future lung growth and lead to barrier of lung development. The treatments of anti-apoptosis and promoting alveoli growth hold a promising perspective in hyperoxic lung injury. The level and ratio of caspase-3 gene expression were very low or absent in the lungs of neonatal rats exposed to 95% O(2) or room air. We speculated that caspase-3 gene expression was not essential in the hyperoxia induced lung cell apoptosis in neonatal rats.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Apoptosis ; Caspase 3 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Hyperoxia ; metabolism ; pathology ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of different liquid therapies on the intracranial pressure, brain water content, and expressions of aquaporin-4 and N-methyl-D-aspartate-1 in the brain tissue.

METHODSTwo intervention factors including the colloids (two levels: 4% gelofusine; 6% hydroxyethyl starch and sodium chloride injection) and the crystal/gel ratios (two levels: 0:1; 1:1) were set based on the results of the analysis of variance of factorial design. Thirty-two patient who had undergone epilepsy surgery were equally and randomly divided into four groups: group A (4% gelofusine, crystal/gel ratio 0:1); group B (6% hydroxyethyl starch and sodium chloride injection, crystal/gel ratio 0:1); group C (4% gelofusine, crystal/gel ratio 1:1); and group D (6% hydroxyethyl starch and sodium chloride injection, crystal/gel ratio 1:1). The intracranial pressure during operation was recorded. After the operation, the intracranial pressure and brain water content were measured and the expressions of aquaporin-4 and N-methyl-D-aspartate-1 in the brain tissue were determined with Western blot. Glasgow coma scores were obtained 2 hours after operation.

RESULTSThe intracranial pressure (F=55.714, P=0.000; F=142.432, P=0.000) and the brain water content (F=31.477, P=0.000; F=84.896, P=0.000) significantly increased after the application of the 6% hydroxyethyl starch and sodium chloride injection and crystal/gel ratio 1:1, and the expressions of aquaporin-4 (F=37.205, P=0.000; F=149.652, P=0.014) and N-methyl-D-aspartate-1(F=29.664, P=0.000; F=65.951, P=0.000) in the brain tissue significantly increased. There were additive effects between two of them (the intracranial pressure: F=11.056, P=0.002; the brain water content: F=8.007, P=0.008; the expression of aquaporin-4: F=9.845, P=0.004; and the expression of N-methyl-D-aspartate-1: F=5.020, P=0.033). However, the Glasgow coma score showed no significant difference after the administration (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe liquid therapy with 4% gelofusine and crystal/gel ratio 0:1 can result in better control on the intracranial pressure, brain water content and expressions of aquaporin-4 and N-methyl-D-aspartate-1 in the brain tissue better than the liquid therapy with 6% hydroxyethyl starch and crystal/gel ratio 1:1 during neurosurgery, although it may not improve the coma status.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aquaporin 4 ; metabolism ; Brain ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Female ; Fluid Therapy ; methods ; Humans ; Intracranial Pressure ; drug effects ; Male ; Middle Aged ; N-Methylaspartate ; metabolism ; Water ; metabolism ; Young Adult