OBJECTIVETo analyze different mutations in regulatory sequence of prolactin (PRL) gene during the formation of 17 beta-estradiol (E2 ) -induced prolactinoma in eutopic and ectopic pituitary of rats.

METHODSMale Sprague-Dawley rats transplanted with an isologaus pituitary under renal capsule were treated with subcutaneous implantation of an empty or E2-laden silastic capsule. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was employed to evaluate the expression of PRL mRNA in pituitary glands, and DNA sequencing was used to analyze the mutation in regulatory sequence of PRL gene.

RESULTSAfter treated with E2 for 120 days, both the eutopic and ectopic pituitaries were three times more heavier than those from control group (P < 0. 01) , and the body weight of rats was decreased to 42. 90% of the control group (P < 0 01 ). The PRL mRNA expressions in glands from the eutopic and ectopic pituitaries 120 days after treated with E2 were much more than those in untreated pituitary glands (P <0. 01). DNA sequencing showed seven mutations in the regulatory sequence of PRL gene in the eutopic pituitaries 120 days after treated with E2 , while the mutation in the ectopic pituitaries was decreased.

CONCLUSIONSProlactinomas can be induced by chronic treatment with E2 in both the eutopic and the ectopic pituitaries transplanted under renal capsule distant from the hypothalamus. Different mechanisms exist in the formation of eutopic and ectopic prolactinomas.

Animals ; Estradiol ; Male ; Mutation ; Pituitary Gland ; transplantation ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; chemically induced ; genetics ; Prolactin ; genetics ; Prolactinoma ; chemically induced ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Transplantation, Homologous

Adult ; Antiviral Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Hepatitis C ; complications ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Kidney Transplantation ; methods ; Male ; Premedication ; Renal Dialysis ; Uremia ; complications

OBJECTIVE: To solve the problems of DNA testing in trace sample. METHODS: Applying original carrier method to detect known trace blood DNA and to compare it with the results obtained by high effective DNA extracting method of Chelex-100. RESULTS: The carrier method not only could obtain the right STR genotype in the trace blood sample, but also was twice as sensitive as the Chelex-100 method. CONCLUSION The carrier method could improve the DNA detection in trace sample. It is easy to operate and is much more valuable in the forensic case analysis.
DNA/genetics* ; Genotype ; Humans ; Resins, Synthetic ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Specimen Handling/methods* ; Tandem Repeat Sequences/genetics*

OBJECTIVETo study the endogenous hormone of testosterone and cortisol that secretes volume and rhythm in sports fatigued human bodies and animals. To determine secretory volume and rhythm in sports fatigued human bodies and animals when Shixiang yaofa's drug are used.

METHODRadio-immunity method was used to determine secretory volume and rhythm in sports fatigued human bodies and animals and to analyze secretory volume and rhythm. According to the secretory volume and rhythm of testosterone and cortisol, the Shixiang Yaofa's drugs were used. Doses: wenyang jihuo bead 10 g/sack 2 sack, ziyin xiuyang capsule 0.5 g/pill 8 pill pd in human bodies for 28 days. Wenyang jihuo bead 10 g x kg(-1) of crude drug, ziyin xiuyang capsule 4 g x kg(-1) of crude drug pd for hight doses in animals. Other groups for low doses 5 g x kg(-1) and 2 g x kg(-1) of crude drug pd for 15 days. The blood samples were collected for determination.

RESULT(1) In human bodies the peak value of testosterone was appeared in 8:00 and valley value was appeared in 18:00, ranges: 176.93-281.73 x 10(-5) mg x L(-1). The peak value of cortisol was appeared in 8:00 and valley value was appeared in 22:00, ranges: 1.31-16.13 x 10(-3) mg x L(-1). In the same condition, the mouse peak value of testosterone was appeared in 20:00 and valley value was appeared in 0:00, ranges: (0.56 x 10(-5) - 124.0 x 10(-5)) mg x L(-1). The rhythm in animals was compatible with human bodies, howerer, the peak value was delayed for 12 hours. (2) The testosterone was step up and the cortisol was cut down in sports fatigued human bodies and animals when shixiang yaofa's drug were used (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe secretion of testosterone and cortisol in sports fatigued human bodies and animals are existed conclusive biologic rhythm. The secretory volume can be available accommodation by shixiang yaofa's drugs.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Animals ; Chronotherapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Fatigue ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; secretion ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sports ; Testosterone ; secretion

OBJECTIVETo detect absorbed bioactive compounds of the water extract whose pharmacodynamic effect was craniocerebral protection for quality control assessment.

METHODSAnthraquinones in water extract of rhubarb (WER), in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and in ipsilateral cortex of TBI rats following oral WER were respectively explored by ultra performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detector (UPLC-PDA) method developed in the present study. The effects of anthraquinones absorbed into injured cortex on superoxidase dismutase (SOD) activity in TBI rats were detected. The antioxidative anthraquinones absorbed into target organ were evaluated for quality control of WER.

RESULTSAnthraquinones in WER were aloe-emodin, rhein, emodin, chrysophanol, and physcion. Only the last anthraquinone was found in CSF and in ipsilateral cortex under this chromatographic condition. Physcion increased SOD activity in TBI rats significantly.

CONCLUSIONSPhyscion was the main active compound of rhubarb against craniocerebral injury via antioxidant pathway. According to our strategy, the exploration of physcion suggested the possibility of a novel quality control of WER in treating TBI injury.

Absorption ; drug effects ; Animals ; Anthraquinones ; cerebrospinal fluid ; chemistry ; Biological Products ; analysis ; cerebrospinal fluid ; chemistry ; Brain Injuries ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Chromatography, Liquid ; instrumentation ; methods ; Emodin ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Limit of Detection ; Linear Models ; Male ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reference Standards ; Reproducibility of Results ; Rheum ; chemistry ; Water ; chemistry

Accurate methods for identifying pelvic lymph node metastasis (LNM) of prostate cancer (PCa) prior to surgery are still lacking. We aimed to investigate the predictive value of peripheral monocyte count (PMC) for LNM of PCa in this study. Two hundred and ninety-eight patients from three centers were divided into a training set (n = 125) and a validation set (n = 173). In the training set, the independent predictors of LNM were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, and the optimal cutoff value was calculated by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The sensitivity and specificity of the optimal cutoff were authenticated in the validation cohort. Finally, a nomogram based on the PMC was constructed for predicting LNM. Multivariate analyses of the training cohort demonstrated that clinical T stage, preoperative Gleason score, and PMC were independent risk factors for LNM. The subsequent ROC analysis showed that the optimal cutoff value of PMC for diagnosing LNM was 0.405 × 109 l

Objective To investigate the spatio-temporal distribution characteristics of Oncomelania hupensis snail habitats in three cities of Suzhou, Wuxi and Changzhou along the Taihu Lake region, so as to provide technical supports for establishing a sensitive and highly effective surveillance and forecast system for schistosomiasis. Methods Snail distribution data were collected from Suzhou, Wuxi and Changzhou cities from 1950 to 2018, and the changing trend for snail habitats were described over years. In addition, the clusters of snail habitats were detected using Kernel density analysis and SaTScan space-time scan analysis. Results The number of snail habitats appeared a single-peak distribution in Suzhou, Wuxi and Changzhou cities from 1950 to 2018, which peaked in 1970 and then declined rapidly. There were 62.68% of snail habitats eliminated within 10 years after identification, of which 38.24% were eliminated at the year of identification. Kernel density analysis and SaTScan space-time scan analysis revealed that high-density clusters of snail habitats were mainly distributed in Kunshan City, Wuzhong District and Xiangcheng District from 1970 to 1980, and in Yixing City in 1990; since then, the clusters gradually shrank, and overall appeared a move from northeast to west of Taihu Lake. A total of 4 new clusters were detected after 1970, as revealed by space-time scanning of snail habitats. In current snail habitats, emerging snail habitats are mainly identified in Huqiu District (Dongzhu Town), Wuzhong District (Guangfu Town), Taicang City (Shaxi Town) and Jintan District, and re-emerging snail habitats are scattered in 7 districts. Conclusions The distribution of snail habitats are spatio-temporal aggregation in Suzhou, Wuxi and Changzhou cities. The monitoring and prediction of emerging and re-emerging snail habitats are the key points in the future.

Objective: To analyze and compare the distribution of the high-risk population of upper gastrointestinal (UGI) cancer and the factors influencing the compliance rate of endoscopic screening in urban China and rural China. Methods: From 2015 to 2017, an epidemiological survey was conducted on residents aged 40-69 in two rural areas (Luoshan county of Henan province, Sheyang county of Jiangsu province) and two urban areas (Changsha city of Hunan province, Harbin city of Heilongjiang province). As a result, high-risk individuals were recommended for endoscopic screening. Chi-square χ(2) test was used to compare the high-risk rate of UGI cancer between urban and rural residents. In addition, the multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the factors influencing the compliance rate of endoscopic screening. Results: A total of 48, 310 residents aged 40-69 were enrolled in this study, including 22 870 (47.34%) residents from rural areas and 25 440 (52.66%) residents from urban areas. A total of 23 532 individuals were assessed with a high risk of UGI cancer, with an overall risk rate of 48.71%. A higher proportion of participants with high risk was observed in rural China (56.17%, 12 845/22 870) than in urban China (42.01%, 10 687/25 440). A total of 10 971 high-risk individuals with UGI cancer participated in endoscopic screening, with an overall compliance rate of 46.62% (10 971/23 532), 45.15% (5 799/12 845) in rural China, and 48.40% (5 172/10 687) in urban China. In rural population, the compliance rate of endoscopic screening was higher in those of females, aged 50-69 years, primary school education or above, high income, a family history of UGI cancer, history of gastric and duodenal ulcer, history of reflux esophagitis, and history of superficial gastritis, but lower in smokers (P<0.05). Among the urban population, the compliance rate of endoscopic screening was higher in those aged 40-49 years, uneducated, low income, family history of UGI cancer, history of reflux esophagitis, history of superficial gastritis, but lower in smokers (P<0.05). Conclusions: The proportion of participants with high risk of UGI cancer in rural areas is higher than that of urban areas. The compliance rates of endoscopic screening in urban and rural areas are low, and influencing factors of endoscopic screening exhibit some differences in rural China and urban China.
China/epidemiology* ; Early Detection of Cancer ; Esophagitis, Peptic ; Female ; Gastritis ; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms/epidemiology* ; Humans ; Rural Population ; Urban Population

The decline of body function and senile diseases caused by aging seriously affect human health and life span， which is an important topic in the field of life science. Bazi Bushen capsules is a representative Chinese patent medicine for tonifying essence， invigorating Qi and anti-aging， guided by Qiluo doctrine， and essence， Qi and spirit theory. Previous pharmacological and clinical studies have confirmed that this preparation has the comprehensive advantages of anti-aging， and prevention and treatment of aging-related diseases. Among them， pharmacological studies showed that Bazi Bushen capsules had the effect of improving the appearance status of mice， improving the level of sex hormones， inhibiting the formation of atherosclerosis， improving cardiac function， improving learning and memory cognitive ability， improving neurological function， improving osteoporosis and muscle function， improving sperm count and quality. The mechanism was related to the up-regulation of the recombinant sirtuin （SIRT6） level， down-regulation of the levels of aging-related proteins p53 and p16， up-regulation of telomerase reverse transcriptase level， and alleviation of inflammation and oxidative response. Clinical studies have proved that it can improve the symptoms of patients with kidney essence deficiency， improve exercise ability， and improve the sexual function of impotence patients. Anti-aging research of Bazi Bushen capsules based on Qiluo doctrine fully embodies the new mode of academic innovation and transformation of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） with the combination of "theory-new drug-experiment-clinic"， which has made a demonstration for the anti-aging research of TCM.

Objectives: To summarize the clinical phenotypes and the variation spectrum of ATP7B gene in Chinese children with Wilson's disease (WD) and to investigate their significance for early diagnosis. Methods: Retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 316 children diagnosed as WD in Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center during the period from January 2010 to June 2021. The general situations, clinical manifestations, lab test results, imaging examinations, and ATP7B gene variant characteristics were collected. The patients were divided into asymptomatic WD group and symptomatic WD group based on the presence or absence of clinical symptoms at the time that WD diagnosis was made. The χ² test, t test or Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare the differences between groups. Results: Among the 316 children with WD, 199 were males and 117 were females, with the age of 5.4 (4.0, 7.6) years at diagnosis; 261 cases (82.6%) were asymptomatic with the age of 4.9 (3.9, 6.4) years; whereas 55 cases (17.4%) were symptomatic with the age of 9.6 (7.3, 12.0) years. The main symptoms invloved liver, kidney, nervous system, or skin damage. Of all the patients, 95.9% (303/316) had abnormal liver function at diagnosis; 98.1% (310/316) had the serum ceruloplasmin lever lower than 200 mg/L; 97.7% (302/309) had 24-hour urine copper content exceeding 40 μg; only 7.4% (23/310) had positive corneal K-F rings, 8.2% (23/281) had abnormal MRI signals in the lenticular nucleus, and all of them had symptoms of damage in liver, kidney or nervous system. Compared with the group of symptomatic WD, asymptomatic group had higher levels of serum alanine aminotransferase and lower levels ceruloplasmin and 24-hour urine copper [(208±137) vs. (72±78) U/L, (55±47) vs. (69±48) mg/L, 103 (72, 153) vs. 492 (230, 1 432) μg; t=9.98, -1.98, Z=-4.89, all P<0.001]. Among the 314 patients completing genetic sequencing, a total of 107 mutations in ATP7B gene were detected, of which 10 are novel variants, and 3 cases (1.0%) had large heterozygous deletion (exons 10 to exon 11) in ATP7B gene. The percentage of missense mutation in asymptomatic WD children was significantly higher than that in symptomatic WD (81.5% (422/518) vs. 69.1% (76/110), χ²=8.47, P<0.05). WD patients carrying homozygous variant of c.2 333G>T had significantly low levels of ceruloplasmin than those not carrying this variant ((23±5) vs. (61±48) mg/L, t=-2.34, P<0.001). Conclusions: The elevation of serum ALT is an important clue for early diagnosis of WD in children, while serum ceruloplasmin and 24-hour urine copper content are specific markers for early diagnosis of WD. In order to confirm the diagnosis of WD, it is necessary to combine the Sanger sequencing with multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification or other testing technologies.
Ceruloplasmin/metabolism* ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Copper/metabolism* ; Copper-Transporting ATPases/genetics* ; Female ; Hepatolenticular Degeneration/genetics* ; Humans ; Male ; Mutation ; Phenotype ; Retrospective Studies