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.

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

OBJECTIVETo analyze the clinical results and complications of three methods for microgenia, including chin augmentation with silicone implant, bone autograft, and genioplasty.

METHODSThe advantages and disadvantages of the three methods for microgenia were assessed through 3-D CT reconstruction, X-ray and intraoperative observation during the second operation. The indications for each technique were also studied.

RESULTSThe frequently observed problems for chin augmentation with silicone implants were implant malposition, underlying bone absorption, periosteal reaction and undercorrection. Chin augmentation with bone autograft had a great long-term bone graft absorption which led to undercorrection. Genioplasty showed a satisfactory cosmetic result with no serious complication.

CONCLUSIONSChin augmentation with silicone implant is suitable for mild microgenia with a shallow mentolabial groove, but without facial vertical insufficient and facial asymmetry. Genioplasty can be used in all kinds of microgenia in any severity, especially those with deviated chin and facial asymmetry. Chin augmentation with bone autograft can't achieve good long-term result and should be applied prudently.

Adult ; Chin ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Prostheses and Implants ; Silicone Elastomers ; Surgery, Plastic ; methods ; Young Adult

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

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of repeated treatments with low-dose rituximab for relapsing neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD).Methods A perspective study.21 patients who were diagnosed with NMOSD one year ago were recruited for rituximab treatment.Of 21 patients,one was male,20 were females.Onset age was 10-51 years,the mean onset age was (26.2± 12.0) years.Duration of disease was 2.3-25.8 years,the mean duration was (9.2 ± 5.9) years.Best corrected vision activity (BCVA),expanded disability status scale (EDSS),annualized relapsing rate (ARR) were valued to investigate the efficacy and safety of repeated treatments with low-dose rituximab.The BCVA was examined using Snellen chart,and converted to logMAR.The mean BCVA was 1.13 ± 1.09,the mean BCVA in better eyes was 0.4±0.68,the mean BCVA in latter eyes was 1.87±0.90.The mean EDSS was 3.09±0.70.The mean ARR was 1.04± 0.65.All patients underwent two cycles of RTX treatment.The annually induction treatment was RTX 100 mg per week for 4 weeks.Of 21 patients,12 patients had treatment within one month after attack.The mean follow-up period was (28.4±4.9) months.The side effects were recorded,BCVA,EDSS,ARR were valued to investigate the efficacy and safety of repeated treatments with low-dose rituximab.Paired t test,independent sample t test and Chi-squared test were used.Results The mean BCVA at last follow-up was 0.62 ± 0.91,the mean BCVA in better eye was 0.62±0.91,the BCVA in latter eye was 1.0± 1.01.The mean EDSS was 2.26± 1.07.The mean ARR was 0.21 ± 0.3.After the treatment,patient had significant improvement on BCVA in worst eye (t=4.256),ARR (t=2.900),EDSS (t=4.620) with the significant differences (P＜0.05).Thirteen relapses in 9 patients were observed.B lymph cells were more than 0.01％ in all relapses.There was no significant difference on the BCVA in better eye (t=1.840,P＞0.05).There were 9 patients had relapse,13 times in total.Of 13 relapses,B lymph cell count was performed in 12 relapses,and the counts were 0.01％-0.14％.There were no significant difference between relapsed patients and non-relapsed patients on onset age (t=0.67,P=0.51),whether underwent plasma exchange treatment (x2=1.61,P＞ 0.05),with/without auto-immune antibody ratio (x2=1.61,P＞ 0.05).Of 21 patients,8 patients had side effects,including 5 patients with infection,4 patients with chest congestion,3 patients with hair losing,2 patients with skin rashes,headache and short of breath,1 patient with tinnitus,palpitation and fatigue.Four patients had more than one symptom.Of all patients who had side effects,slowing down the infusion speed of RTX or infusing 5 mg of dexamethasone could relieve the discomfort.Conclusion Lose-dose rituximab reduces the frequency of NMOSD relapses and is well tolerated.

OBJECTIVE:To establish a method for simultaneous determination of gallic acid,magnoflorine,ellagic acid,jatrorrhizine hydrochloride,palmatine hydrochloride,berberine hydrochloride and curcumin in Siwei jianghuang decoction powder.METHODS:HPLC method was adopted.The determination was performed on Capcell Pak C18-MG Ⅱ column with mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile-0.1％ phosphoric acid (gradient elution) at the flow rate of 0.8 mL/min.The detection wavelengths were 270 nm (0-60 min,gallic acid,magnoflorine,ellagic acid,jatrorrhizine hydrochloride,palmatine hydrochloride,berberine hydrochloride) and 428 nm (60-70 min,curcumin).The column temperature was set at 30 ℃,and sample size was 10 μL.RESULTS:The linear ranges of gallic acid,magnoflorine,ellagic acid,jatrorrhizine hydrochloride,palmatine hydrochloride,berberine hydrochloride and curcumin were 0.249 6-1.497 6,0.284 0-1.704 0,0.075 6-0.453 6,0.015 9-0.095 9,0.023 6-0.141 6,0.098 2-0.589 0 and 0.060 4-0.362 4 μtg (r≥0.999 8).The limits of detection were 6.24,4.73,7.56,2.36,3.20,6.54,6.04 ng,and the limits of quantitation were 17.47,16.08,20.86,7.31,10.24,19.62,19.32 ng,respectively.RSDs of precision,stability (12 h),reproducibility tests were lower than 2.0％ (n=6).The recoveries were 95.45％-103.47％ (RSD=0.86％-1.98％,n=9).CONCLUSIONS:Established method is simple,accurate,reliable and suitable for simultaneous determination of 7 components such as gallic acid in Siwei jianghuang decoction powder.

OBJECTIVE:To optimize extraction technology of cortex of Berberis dictyophylla by ethanol. METHODS:Using the contents of magnoflorine,jatrorrhizine hydrochloride,palmatine hydrochloride and berberine hydrochloride,the amount of extract as evaluation indexes,the effects of ethanol amount,volume fraction of ethanol and extraction time on extraction technology were investigated by uniform design method-comprehensive scoring method. The extraction methods of first time, second time and third time were investigated by 3 times of uniform design test. The optimal schemes of 3 times of extraction test were determined and validation test was conducted,and the transfer rates were calculated. RESULTS:The optimal technology was as follows as coarse powder of cortex of B. dictyophylla,15-fold 75% ethanol,extracting for 2 times,120 min each time. In validation test,the contents of magnoflorine,jatrorrhizine hydrochloride,palmatine hydrochloride and berberine hydrochloride were 58.96,4.82,3.07,23.29 mg/g after B. dictyophylla was extracted by optimization technology for 2 times. The transfer rates were 93.85%,95.02%,96.28%,94.88%,respectively(RSD=3.87%,2.64%,4.00%,3.91%,n=3). CONCLUSIONS:The optimal ethanol reflux extraction technology of cortex of B.dictyophylla is reasonable and feasible with good stability.