OBJECTIVE: To explore the growing development and community succession of main sarcosaphagous insects on pig carcasses in summer indoor and outdoor environment in Shenzhen area and to estimate the postmortem interval (PMI). METHODS: From early May to August in 2013, in Forensic Medical Examination Center of Shenzhen Public Security Bureau, the main insect species and the decomposition process were observed in two adult pig carcasses of simulative indoor and outdoor environment. The different decomposition stages and the community succession of insects were recorded. RESULTS: The indoor and outdoor pig carcasses showed skeleton 412.5 and 325 hours after death, respectively. The main species of flies on pig carcasses were Chrysomya megacephala, Chrysomya rufifacies and Chrysomya chani. The main species of beetles were Crecphilus maxillosus, Necrobia ruficollis, Saprinus splendens and Dermestes maculatu. The dominant species of flies in the outdoor pig carcasses obviously produced the second generations due to the effect of mass rainfall, nor in the indoor pig carcasses. CONCLUSION There are regular patterns on the community succession of insects on pig carcasses in summer indoor and outdoor environment in Shenzhen area. The activity patterns of seven typical insects and their larva show important value for estimating PMI.
Animals ; Autopsy ; Cadaver ; China ; Coleoptera ; Death ; Diptera ; Environment ; Insecta/growth & development* ; Larva ; Population Dynamics ; Postmortem Changes ; Seasons ; Swine

Objective To observe the characteristics of hepatic progenitor cells(HPCs)activation in liver tissues of patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis,and to investigate the relationship between the number of HPCs and HBV infection.Methods Cytokeratin 7(CK7)-was stained immunohistochemically in liver tissues of 16 patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis.HPCs and duetular reactions were quantitively analyzed.The expression of HBsAg and HBcAg were also detected to evaluate its relationship with HPCs activation.Results HPCs were extensively activated and marked duetular reactions can be observed in cirrhotic liver tissues.Tlle expression of HBsAg was positively correlated with HPCs activation.Conclusions HPCs are extensively activated in cirrhotic liver tissues,and HBV infection may facilitate its activation.

Objective To explore the relationship between methionine synthase reductase (MTRR) gene polymorphism and cerebral infarction in young and middle-aged patients. Methods The genotype of MTRR A66G was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restrictive fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and the plasma homocysteine (Hcy) level was measured by high performance liquid chromatography in 105 young and middle-aged patients with cerebral infarction and 116 age-matched healthy controls. Results The genotype distribution and allele frequencies of MTRR A 66G gene between the 2 groups had no statistical significance (P＞0.05).Stratified analysis,performed according to whether cerebral infarction was complicated with hypertension,diabetes or coronary heart disease,indicated that the frequencies ofGG genotype and G allele in cerebral infarction patients without complications were obviously higher than those in controls (36.4％ vs.23.3％,62.1％ vs.52.2％),but no statistical significance was noted between them (P＞0.05).No statistical difference was observed between cerebral infarction patients with complications and controls (P＞0.05). The mean plasma Hcy level in patients and controls with GG genotype was significantly higher than that in patients and controls with AA genotype (P＜0.05). Conclusion No association between MTRR A 66G polymorphism and cerebral infarction is noted in young and middle-aged patients, while GG mutant homozygous ofMTRR A66G gene can significantly raise the plasma Hcy level.

Adolescent ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Influenza A virus ; immunology ; Male ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Students, Medical ; Vietnam ; epidemiology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo further study the mechanism of the inhibitory effect of interferon beta-1a (IFN beta-1a) on the activation of human hepatic stellate cell (HSC) LX-2, and to analyze the differences on the protein expression in LX-2 induced by I IFN beta-1a.

METHODSCultured LX-2 cells were treated with 2000 U/ml IFN beta-1a for 48 h. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) was performed to compare protein patterns of the control (untreated) and IFN beta-1a treated LX-2 and for quantitative and qualitative analyses of protein expression. A rat liver fibrosis model was established and the rats were sacrificed and their various tissues were obtained for the same analyses. Western blotting and RT-PCR were used to validate the expression of the changed proteins after treatment of IFN beta-1a in LX-2 cells and of various tissues of the rats.

RESULTS708 +/- 25 spots were detected in control LX-2 cells and 804 +/- 32 spots in IFN beta-1a-treated LX-2 cells. A match rate of 73%-82% was achieved. The results also showed that 31 protein spots displayed quantitative changes in expression after IFN beta-1a treatment. Of the 31 spots, 21 proteins were identified, of which, one was newly found, two were enhanced in abundance and 18 showed lower expressions. The newly found protein was glia maturation factor beta (GMF beta). The treatment of LX-2 with IFN beta-1a increased the production of GMF beta(GMF beta) protein in comparison with the untreated cells (t=1.81, P < 0.01). The expression of GMF beta protein (1.81 vs 0.10) and mRNA (0.85 vs 0.12) were more in the normal liver tissues than in the cirrhotic liver tissues (t=2.53, 2.13 respectively, P < 0.01). The expressions of GMF beta protein and mRNA were weak in rat heart and lung tissues, however, they were strong in rat liver, kidney, spleen and brain tissues (t=1.91, 1.94 respectively, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThere is a significant difference of protein expression levels between IFN beta-1a untreated and treated LX-2 cells. These proteins, especially GMF beta, may be involved in an inhibition process of IFN beta-1a on activation and apoptosis of LX-2 cells. This proteome study may be useful in further studies of the relationship of IFN beta-1a treatment and human liver diseases.

Animals ; Cell Line ; Female ; Glia Maturation Factor ; metabolism ; Hepatic Stellate Cells ; metabolism ; Humans ; Interferon beta-1a ; Interferon-beta ; pharmacology ; Liver ; cytology ; Liver Cirrhosis ; metabolism ; Proteome ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo conduct a meta-analysis to study the effect of antiviral therapy on the prognosis of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB)-related cirrhosis.

METHODSPubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Chinese Biomedical Database, Chinese Journals Full-text Database, and Wan Fang Digital Journal Full-text Database were searched for studies on nucleoside analogues antiviral treatment outcome of patients with CHB-related cirrhosis (vs. controls without antiviral therapy) published between January 1998 and March 2012. Data extraction and quality assessment was performed by two independent investigators. Heterogeneity was assessed by the I2 index. In the case of homogeneity the random-effects model was applied, and in the case of heterogeneity the fixed-effects model was applied. The odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.

RESULTSSeven studies were included in the meta-analysis: one high-quality randomized-controlled trial (RCT) study, four prospective cohort studies, and two case-control studies. Compared to the control group, the group treated with antiviral therapy showed a significantly lower incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (11.2%, 76/680 vs. 6.7%, 75/1116; OR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.40 to 0.79, P = 0.001) and lower mortality (23.6%, 78/331 vs. 10.8%, 43/398; OR = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.23 to 0.55, P = 0.000).

CONCLUSIONAntiviral therapy with nucleoside analogues significantly reduces the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma and mortality in patients with CHB-related cirrhosis.

Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; complications ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Nucleotides ; therapeutic use ; Prognosis

Objective To observe the protective effects of a mixture for protecting liver and supplementing stomach (保肝益胃合剂) on rat acute liver damage induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl_4). Methods The model of rat acute liver damage was established by injection of CCl_4 2 ml/kg into the abdominal cavity.The rat models were treated respectively by the mixture for protecting liver and supplementing stomach 30 g?kg~(-1)?d~(-1),the polyene phosphatide acid radical choline capsule [Yi Shanfu (易善复), 180 mg?kg~(-1)?d~(-1)],the glycyrrhizic acid diaminogen capsule [Gan Lixin (甘利欣),30 mg?kg~(-1)?d~(-1)] infused into the stomach.The activities of serum alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) were detected.In the mean time,the liver pathological changes were observed,the degree of liver cell necrosis was evaluated,and the rat mortality was noted in various groups of treatment.Results The values of ALT,AST and the score of liver cell necrosis in the group treated with the mixture for protecting liver and supplementing stomach [(1.168?1.066) kU/L,(1.845?2.212) kU/L,(0.56?0.53) score] were significantly lower than those in the model group [(4.982?3.502) kU/L,(7.030?3.616) kU/L, (1.38?0.92) scores],and all the differences being statistically significant (all P

ABSTRACT:OBJECTIVE To investigate the role of connexin proteins (Cx), which form gap junctions (GJ), in progression and chemotherapeutic sensitivity of cervical cancer (CaCx). METHODS We analyze the expression of Cx26, Cx30, Cx32 and Cx43 in human specimens consisting of: Normal cervix (n=78), CaCx FIGO stage Ⅰ (n=148), CaCx FIGO stage Ⅱ (n=165). InCaCx cell lines, Hela- Cx32 (induced expression by doxycycline), C- 33A (endogenously express Cx32) and siHa (transiently transfected plasmid with Cx32), we detected the role of Cx32 against tostreptonigrin/cisplatin-induced apopotosisin presence or absence of functional GJ through using GJ inhibitors or low density cultural.Furtherly, we observed the relativity of Cx32 and EGFR expression in human specimens. Also, we detected the role of EGFR signaling pathway in the process of Cx32 anti-apoptosis through suppressed EGFR expression by inhibitors or siRNA sequences in cell lines. RESULTS We firstly demonstrated the expression of Cx32 was highly upregulated and accumulated in cytoplasm in the CaCx specimens, and the degree of upregulation correlated with advanced FIGO stages. Thus,in three human cervical cell lines, Cx32 was shown to suppress apoptosis when GJ formation is inhibited. No matter in cases of CaCx or cell lines, Cx32 expression was highly correlated with expression of EGFR and the EGFR pathway is an essential component of the Cx32-induced anti-apoptotic effect. CONCLUSION Cx32, traditionally tumor suppressive protein, was shown to be tumor protective against chemotherapy through EGFR pathway in a GJ-independent way.

OBJECTIVESTo study the effects of rat endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) transplantation on hepatic fibrosis in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced hepatic fibrosis rats.

METHODSHepatic fibrosis was developed in 24 healthy female SD rats by feeding them 25% CCl4/olive oil for 8 weeks. Eight of them were sacrificed at the end of the 8 weeks. The rats were subdivided into a EPCs transplanting group (n=8) and a saline control group (n=8). After the EPCs were isolated and cultured for 9 days, the cells were injected into the portal veins of the rats in the EPCs transplanting group. Four weeks later all of the rats were sacrificed. The blood biochemical parameters from the serum were examined. The degree of liver fibrosis was evaluated by reading Masson staining liver slides and by detecting the expression of a-SMA and collagen III.

RESULTSCompared with the saline control group, hepatic activity index (HAI), levels of ALT, AST and TBil in the serum were all lower in the EPCs transplanting group, but the level of Alb was higher and the expression of a-SMA and collagen III were lower. Compared with the 8 week hepatic fibrosis group, the levels of ALT, AST and TBil in the serum of the EPCs transplanting group were all lower. In the saline control group, the serum levels of ALT, AST and TBil were higher, the level of Alb was lower, and the expressions of a-SMA and Collagen III were higher.

CONCLUSIONIn hepatic fibrosis rats, transplantation of rat EPCs could minimize the hepatic fibrosis process and the injuries.

Animals ; Carbon Tetrachloride ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; Female ; Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental ; chemically induced ; pathology ; therapy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Stem Cell Transplantation

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation of multiple primary lung cancer with bronchial epithelial dysplasia and atypical adenomatous hyperplasia of bronchiolo-alveolar epithelium.

METHODSCareful pathological examinations were performed on 114 surgical specimens of primary lung carcinoma. The correlation of multiple primary lung cancer with bronchial epithelial dysplasia and atypical adenomatous hyperplasia of bronchiolo-alveolar epithelium was analyzed.

RESULTSOf 114 cases of primary lung cancer,13 cases of multiple primary lung cancer (11.4 %) was identifiedìwhich consisted of 6 cases containing two primary bronchogenic carcinoma and 7 containing one bronchogenic carcinoma and one bronchiolo-alveolar carcinoma. The rate of multiple primary lung cancers was significantly higher in individuals with high grade bronchial epithelial dysplasia than in those with low grade dysplasia (r=0.238, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONBronchial and alveolar epithelial cells may develop malignancy synchronously or metachronously. The probability of developing multiple primary lung cancer will increase in the lungs with extensive and severe bronchial epithelial dysplasia.

Adenocarcinoma ; pathology ; Adult ; Aged ; Bronchi ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Small Cell ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; pathology ; Cell Proliferation ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Lung Neoplasms ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasms, Multiple Primary ; pathology ; Precancerous Conditions ; pathology ; Pulmonary Alveoli ; pathology ; Respiratory Mucosa ; pathology