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.

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.

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.

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 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

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

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