AIM: The aim of the present study is to investigate changes of five biochemical markers of bone turnover during the formation of ovariectomized rat model. METHODS: Three-month-old female SD rats were divided randomly into ovariectomized (OVX) group, sham-operated (sham) group and control group. Five biochemical markers of bone turnover levels, including serum osteocalcin (OC), total alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) and hydroxyproline (HYP) were measured before and at 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3 and 4 months after surgery. The right proximal tibias of rats were excised at the same time point for histopathological observation. RESULTS: Serum OC, ALP, BALP, TRAP and HYP levels in OVX group were significantly higher than that in sham group. As regard to the time of peak level arrived, the sequence of changes was as follows: TRAP/HYP→OC→ALP/BALP. There was a significant positive correlation between five markers. The pathological changes of trabecular bone in OVX group were only observed 3 months after surgery. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that postmenopausal osteoporosis has a high bone turnover rate. During the formation of ovariectomized rat model, changes of bone resorption markers precede changes of bone formation markers. Serum OC, ALP, BALP, TRAP and HYP are sensitive to evaluate the bone loss in the earlier stage of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Objective To investigate the prevalence of clonorchiasis among residents of Huachuan Country,Heilongjiang Province and to provide a basis for development of control strategies.Methods From 2011 to 2012,cluster random sampling was performed to survey the incidence of clonorchiasis in Huachuan Country.Fecal specimens were collected and examined the clonorchis sinensis eggs by Kato-Katz method.A questionnaire survey was conducted to collect related information such as age,gender,occupation and eating habits.The infection characteristic was analyzed.Results Totally 884 patients with clonorchiasis were found among 2248 residents,and the infection rate was 39.32％.The infection rate in male[47.15％(611/1296)] was significantly higher than females [28.68％(273/952),x2 =34.55,P ＜ 0.01].The infection rate increased with age,which was higher in the 20-69 years old people,with the highest infection rate in the 50-59 years old groups[45.34％ (219/483)].Of the occupational distribution,farmers had the highest infection rate [47.24％ (420/889)],followed by cadres and staffs[38.38％(190/495)].Of residents with fresh fish eating history,the prevalence of clonorchiasis was 53.38％(150/281).Conclusions The prevalence of clonorchiasis is still high in Huachuan County.To reduce the prevalence of clonorchiasis,comprehensive prevention measures,health education and group chemotherapy should be carried out.

Objective To retrospectively analyze the treatment results and prognostic factors in patients with primary bone lymphomas (PBL).Methods Thirty-one patients with PBL treated between April 1994 and May 2009 at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center were analyzed.All patients were diagnosed by pathology.Twenty-two patients had stage Ⅰ E, 4 patients had stage Ⅱ E and 5 patients had stage ⅣE diseases.One patient was treated with surgical resection alone, 1 patient with radiotherapy (RT) alone, 2 patients with chemotherapy (CT) alone and 4 patients with resection followed by chemotherapy.The remaining 23 patients received CT combined with RT.The median radiation dose was 50 Gy.Results The median follow-up time was 45.2 months.The follow-up rate was 83.9%.Nine patients had a follow-up time of 10 years.The 5-year and 10-year overall survival rates were 92% and 92%, respectively.The 5-year and 10-year disease-free survival rates were 79% and 70%, respectively.In the group who received non-combined chemoradiotherapy, the complete response rate was 50%, the incidence of progression or recurrence was 2/8 and the median recurrence time was 6.8 months.In the group who received combined chemoradiotherapy, the complete response rate was 65%, the incidence of progression or recurrence was 13% and the median recurrence time was 39.1 months.In univariate analyses, favorable prognostic factors for survival included age≤50 years (χ2=5.32,P=0.021) and ECOG PS score 0-1(χ2=5.48,P=0.019).Favorable prognostic factors for DFS included IPI score≤1(χ2=7.81,P=0.005) and ECOG PS score 0-1(χ2=18.70,P=0.000).Conclusions Treatment results of patients with PBL can be generally well.CT combined with RT appears to be the treatment of choice.RT dose ≥40 Gy is safe and feasible.Younger age and better performance status are associated with a better outcome.

To observe in vitro the effect of rat drug serum on the proliferation of HSC-T6 hepatic stellate cells in the pharmacokinetic model for determining peoniflorin in Fufang Biejia Ruangan tablet, in order to discover the rational daily administration frequency of Fufang Biejia Ruangan tablet. Fufang Biejia Ruangan tablet was orally administered to rats with different daily administration frequency. Their blood was collected from veins behind eye sockets at different time points before the administration and after the first administration, in order to determine the concentration of peoniflorin in blood plasma and the effect of rat drug serums on the proliferation of HSC-T6. A comprehensive analysis was made on the relationship between pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics to determine the rational daily administration frequency of Fufang Biejia Ruangan tablet. The results showed a good correlation between the inhibitory effect of Fufang Biejia Ruangan tablet-contained serum on HSC-T6 and the concentration of peoniflorin in blood. The two-time administration group showed higher pharmacologic and pharmacokinetic AUCs than one-time administration and three-time administration groups. In conclusion, Fufang Biejia Ruangan table is recommended to be taken twice a day for treating liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis.
Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Area Under Curve ; Benzoates ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Bridged-Ring Compounds ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Glucosides ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Hepatic Stellate Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Liver Cirrhosis ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Male ; Monoterpenes ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tablets ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics

This study aimed to establish a method for the detection and identification of H7N9 avian influenza viruses based on the NA gene by pyrosequencing. According to the published NA gene sequences of the avian influenza A (H7N9) virus, a 15-nt deletion was found in the NA gene of H7N9 avian influenza viruses. The 15-nt deletion of the NA gene was targeted as the molecular marker for the rapid detection and identification of H7N9 avian influenza viruses by pyrosequencing. Three H7N9 avian influenza virus isolates underwent pyrosequencing using the same assay, and were proven to have the same 15-nt deletion. Pyrosequencing technology based on the NA gene molecular marker can be used to identify H7N9 avian influenza viruses.
Animals ; Base Sequence ; Birds ; Chickens ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; methods ; Influenza A Virus, H7N9 Subtype ; classification ; enzymology ; isolation & purification ; Influenza in Birds ; virology ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Neuraminidase ; genetics ; Phylogeny ; Poultry Diseases ; virology ; Viral Proteins ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo study the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the wrist joint of coal miners who work in excavation and vibration department.

METHODSForty-three coal miners with the hand-arm vibration disease served as the observation group while 20 workers who were not working in the vibration department acted as the control group. The patients in the observation group were divided into five subgroups according to the time when they received vibration. The regularity of the development of signs and symptoms of MRI was observed and analyzed.

RESULTSThe hydroarthrosis was most found in MRI. There were significant difference in hydroarthrosis (chi(2) = 8.80, P < 0.01), osteoporosis and osteomyelitis (chi(2) = 3.91, chi(2) = 5.01, P < 0.05 respectively) between the observation group and the control group. The edema of bone marrow and the avascular necrosis of ossa carpi were found only in the observation group and not found in the control group. The hydroarthrosis and the edema of bone marrow occurred most in the early stage of vibration. The signal in the edema of the bone marrow of the distal end of the radius was decreased in the GE sequence T(2)WI with the specificity.

CONCLUSION(1) Changes in the wrist joint occur in the early stage of the vibration work, and can be found in the MRI. (2) The edema of the bone marrow of the distal end of the radius is of great value in the diagnosis of the hand-arm vibration disease.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Coal Mining ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Diseases ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Vibration ; adverse effects ; Wrist Joint ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of human epididymal secretary protein 2 isoform human epididymal protein 2beta1(HE2beta1) in the testis and epididymis of adolescent male rats along with its significance.

METHODSImmunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression and localization of HE2beta1 in the testis and epididymis of 15 adolescent SD rats.

RESULTSHE2beta1 immunoreactive staining was detected in the testis and epididymis. In the epithelia of the epididymal duct, HE2beta1 expressed mainly in the supranuclear region of the principle cells and the basement membrane of some epithelial cells; there were no immunostaining in the n clear cells, halo cells and basal cells. The immunopositive reaction was detected, weak in the distal caput, strong in the proximal, middle corpus and the cauda, but negative in the initial segment. Immunopositive results of HE2beta1 were also observed in some of the nuclei of spermatogonia and Sertoli cells with negatively-stained cytoplasm.

CONCLUSIONImmunohistochemical staining is a fairly sensitive method for detecting HE2beta1 expression. The localization and expression level of HE2beta1 in the genital duct of adolescent male rats exhibited a region- and cell-specific expression pattern, which suggests that HE2beta1 may play an important role in spermatogenesis, maturation and epididymal epithelial innate defense mechanisms.

Animals ; Antigens, Surface ; biosynthesis ; Epididymis ; metabolism ; Glycopeptides ; biosynthesis ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Leydig Cells ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Testis ; metabolism

Objective To detect mutations of the type Ⅱ human basic hair keratin (hHb) gene in a family of Han nationality with monilethrix.Methods Clinical data were collected from a family of Han nationality with monilethrix.Dermoscopy was performed to observe hairs of the family members,and light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were conducted to investigate the features of lesional hairs.Blood samples were obtained from the proband,other family members and 100 healthy controls,and DNA was extracted from these blood samples.Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to amplify the exons 1 and 7 of the hHb1,hHb3 and hHb6 genes,and DNA sequencing results were compared with their sequences in the GenBank database.Results The proband was an 8-year-old girl,whose head hairs had become fragile and easy to pull out since 2 months after birth.Skin examination showed diffuse sparsehairs,most of which were 2-cm-long broken hairs with abnormal appearance.Moniliform hairs were scattered all over the head,especially on the occipital region,and follicular keratotic papules were observed on the back of the neck.The proband was diagnosed with monilethrix.There were a total of 15 members in the 3-generation family,and 4 were diagnosed with monilethrix.The hair shafts of the 4 patients all showed typical moniliform structures.After 9-month consecutive treatment with topical minoxidil 2％ solution,the hairs of the proband turned longer and denser.A heterozygous mutation c.1237G＞A (p.E413K) was identified in the exon 7 of the hHb6 gene in the 4 patients,but not in the other family members or 100 healthy controls.Conclusion The E413K mutation of the hHb6 gene was firstly found in the patients in a Chinese Han family with monilethrix,which may be responsible for moniliform hairs.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of integrin-linked kinase (ILK) in kidneys of mice with unilateral ureteral obstruction and its relevance with the epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

METHODSMice were randomly divided into two groups, sham operation (C, n = 20) and unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO, n = 40). The animals were sacrificed at day 1, 3, 7 and 14 respectively after the surgery. Tubulointerstitial fibrosis (TIF) was graded according to Masson staining. The protein level of ILK was examined by Western blot. Tissue/cytological expression for ILK, alpha-SMA and E-cadherin were investigated by immunohistochemistry. The mRNA levels of ILK, alpha-SMA and E-cadherin were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR.

RESULTSIn the control animals (group C), weak staining for ILK was detected mainly in the podocytes. Significant increase of staining for ILK in the experimental mice (UUO group) was detected from day 1 onward (t = 16.5, P < 0.01), reaching the peak at day 7. The protein expression of E-cadherin was continuously down-regulated from day 3 onward after surgery (t = 21.0, P < 0.01), while expression for alpha-SMA was up-regulated. From day 1 to day 7, the protein expression of ILK was positively correlated with alpha-SMA (R = 0.88, P < 0.01), but negatively correlated with E-cadherin (R = -0.87, P < 0.01). The mRNA expression of ILK and alpha-SMA analyzed by real-time PCR increased from postoperative day 1 and 3 respectively, but the mRNA expression of E-cadherin decreased from day 3 onward.

CONCLUSIONIncreasing expression of ILK occurs in the early phase of UUO mouse and may play an important role in the process of TIF through mediating the epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

Actins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Cadherins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Epithelial Cells ; metabolism ; pathology ; Fibrosis ; Immunohistochemistry ; Kidney Tubules ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Mesoderm ; metabolism ; pathology ; Mice ; Muscle, Smooth ; chemistry ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Ureteral Obstruction ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical safety and effect on local recurrence in unresectable small hepatocellular carcinoma treated by radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with and without chemotherapy through a prospective randomized trial.

METHODSThirty-eight unresectable small hepatocellular carcinoma patients with diameter

RESULTSThere was no local recurrence of the tumor in the two groups 1 month after RFA treatment. The 6- and 12-month local recurrence rates were significantly lower in the combined group than that in RFA group alone (P < 0.01). There were no severe complications in the two groups, and nor was there any significant difference in liver function and WBC count.

CONCLUSIONRFA combined with systemic chemotherapy is safe, and it can reduce the local recurrence of unresectable small hepatocellular carcinoma
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; drug therapy ; therapy ; Catheter Ablation ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Epirubicin ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Fluorouracil ; administration & dosage ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Prospective Studies ; Ultrasonography, Interventional