0.05),which were (5.64?2.00)d in single-circle group,(5.80?3.74)d in double-circle group,(6.22?2.76)d in triple-circle group.According to the treatment effects,CEA value decreased during pre-and post-neoadjuvant chemotherapy in each groups(P0.05).Through our survey,used different neoadjuvant chemotherapy circle,patients in single-circle group and double-circle group were completely accepted within full confidence;but receptance of strategy in triple-circle group was 66.7 %(12/18).All operations were suc- cessful.The difference of postoperative aerofluxus time between single-circle group and double-circle group had sta- tistical significance(P0.05).Conclusion Analyzing neoadjuvant chemo- therapy circles,time between neoadjuvant chemotherapy and operation,treatment effect and operation results,it is a feasible and secure colorectal cancer multi-discipinary strategy for patients in West China that choose the treatment of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with double-circle and short preparation time.

Objective To evaluate the electrocardiographic(ECG)-gated 4-dimensional computed tomographic angiography (4D-CTA) in the determination of pulsation of unruptured cerebral aneurysms (URCAs).Methods This study included 48 patients with 62 URCAs.Examinations of ECG gated 4D-CTA of dual-source CT were performed.Twenty sets of image data with the time intervals of 5％ in a cardiac cycle were obtained after postprocessing on the workstation.The convex was defined as the point of pulsation if small bubble or small pointed convex could be found in continuous three or more images at the same location.The 62 URCAs were divided into two groups based on whether having a point of pulsation.All the URCAs were scanned at the follow-up by 3D-CTA or ECG gated 4D-CTA more than 120 days later.The diameters of aneurysms and aspect ratio between the two groups were compared with independent t test,while neck of aneurysms and follow-up time were compared with two-independent samples Mann-Whitney U test.The other variables including history of hypertension,type 2 diabetes,smoking et al between the two groups were analyzed by x2 test.The sensitivity and specificity of aspect ratio for diagnosis of pulsation were analyzed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.Results Pulsation was observed in 28 of the 62 URCAs.Aspect ratios in whose pulsation was or was not detected were 1.5±0.3 and 1.1±0.3,respectivelyThe difference between the two groups was statistically significant (t=-2.274,P＜0.001).The sensitivity and specificity of the aspect ratio were 75.0％ and 70.6％.After follow-up more than 3 months,of the 28 URCAs in which pulsation was observed,11 showed a change in shape,while in 34 URCAs without visible pulsation,5 showed a change in shape.The aneurysms with detectable pulsation were more likely to show a change in shape (x2=4.891,P=0.027),with an odds ratio of 3.753.Conclusions URCAs with a large aspect ratio are easily to show the pulsation by ECG gated 4D-CTA.Besides,the aneurysms with visible pulsation are more likely to show a change in shape after follow-up,which suggests a higher risk of rupture.

Objective To construct erythromycin-overproducing mutants by tandemly expressing S-adenosylmethionine synthetase gene metK, Vitreoscilla hemoglobin gene vhbS and pleiotropic regulatory gene adpA in Saccharopolyspora eryth-raea.Methods Through PEG-mediated protoplast transformation , the integrative plasmid carrying metK, vhbS and adpA was respectively introduced into erythromycin-producing wild-type strain S.erythraea A226 and industrial strain WB .The engineered strains were generated by apramycin resistance screening and PCR identification .The erythromycin production was compared in original strains and their mutants by the inhibition test of Bacillus subtilis and HPLC analysis .Results and Conclusion Four A226-derived mutants A226-P1-P4 and three WB-derived mutants WB-P1-P3 were independently obtained.Compared with wild-type strain A226, the relative erythromycin titer of the four engineered strains A 226-P1-P4 was increased from 8%to 25%by scoring the growth-inhibition zones .Further HPLC analysis showed that the four mutants had increased erythromycin A yield by 64%-94%.Likewise, the relative erythromycin titer and erythromycin A yield of the three engineered strains WB-P1-P3 were enhanced by 6%-10%and 31%-62%, respectively, in comparison with the original strain WB.The results show the universality of enhancing erythromycin productionvia tandem expression of metK, vhbS and adpA in S.erythraea.

Objective To explore the residual undifferentiated mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) in embryoid bodies. Methods Mouse R1 and Oct-4-GFP transgenic ESCs were firstly cultured in suspension to form embryoid bodies (EBs). Twenty days later, EBs were digested into single cells and then re-plated in standard ESC culture condition. The morphology of residual undifferentiated cells in EBs was observed, and surface makers and in vitro redifferentiation potency of residual cells were examined by flow cytometry and immunofluoreseent staining. The residual cells were expanded and subcutaneously injected into nude mice, and the specimens were harvested from the injection site for histological analysis 6 weeks after injection. Results There were residual undifferentiated ESCs in EBs differentiated for 20 days, which displayed clonal morphology and expressed undifferentiated cell markers of ESCs, including SSEA1, CD31, CD9 and Oct-4. The cells could be differentiated to form EBs again, and could be re-expanded from secondary EBs. The residual cells were able to form teratoma at the injection site, and mature endoderm, mesoderm and ectoderm tissues could be found in teratoma tissues. Conclusion There are residual undifferentiated ESCs after differentiation of ESCs into EBs. The residual ESCs can differentiate again in vitro and in vivo, and can residue again in the in vitro differentiation.

To study the chemical constituents of Cymbopogon citratus, isolation and purification of constituents were carried out on silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 and prepatative HPLC. The structures of the compounds were identified by physicchemical properties and spectral data analysis. Eight compounds were isolated and identified as 3beta-methoxy lanosta-9(11)-en-27-ol (1), 3beta-hydroxylanosta-9 (11)-en (2), (24S) -3beta-methoxylanosta-9(11), 25-dien-24-ol (3), 8-hydroxyl-neo-menthol (4), (2E)-3,7-dimethyl-2,7-octadiene-1, 6-diol (5), (+)-citronellol (6), 7-hydroxymenthol (7) and ethyl nonadecanoate(8). Compounds 1 is a new one. Compounds 2-3 are obtained from C. citratus for the first time.
Cymbopogon ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Molecular Structure ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization ; Triterpenes ; chemistry

Paired box transcription factors (paired box, PAX) and their homologues found in a large number of vertebrates and invertebrates play a key role in many stages of embryonic development. The gene family gets its name because of its conserved paired domain, in addition to its octapeptide and homologous domain. According to the composition of the domain and sequence homology, the gene family is mainly divided into four subfamilies: PAX1 / 9 (PAX1, PAX9), PAX2 / 5 / 8 (PAX2, PAX5, PAX8), PAX3 / 7 (PAX3, PAX7), PAX4 / 6 (PAX4, PAX6). Each subfamily has different characteristic structures, such as PD-OP of PAX1 / 9 subfamily, PD-OP-PTHD of PAX2 / 5 / 8 subfamily, PD-OP-PTHD of PAX3 / 7 subfamily and PD and PTHD of PAX4 / 6 subfamily. Among them, the three members of the PAX family, PAX2 PAX4 and PAX6, play an important role in multiple stages of pancreatic development and differentiation, and also play a key role in regulating the synthesis and secretion of islet hormone. Understanding the original and differentiated roles of these transcription factors in pancreas will help finding potential treatment for diabetes. Furthermore, PAX1 / 9 families may serve as potential biomarkers for evaluation of tumor development and progression, such as the methylation levels of PAX1 and expression of PAX9 in tumor. PAX3 / 7 was transcription factors involved in the development of skeletal muscle. This paper reviewed the special and temporal expression of PAX genes in a wide variety of tumor and the function and structural abnormalities PAX gene were summarized in this paper.

Fistula formation is common during the course of Crohn's disease, whereas duodenocolic fistulas are very rare. The management of internal fistulas in Crohn's disease is a complex issue. Herein, we report a case of duodenocolic fistula manifested by increasing frequency of diarrhea and loss of body weight. The fistula was diagnosed by upper gastrointestinal tract barium series, magnetic resonance enterography, and panendoscopy and was treated with a right hemicolectomy and Whipple procedure because of the simultaneous occurrence of pancreatic head tumor. Subsequent treatment with adalimumab, azathioprine, and mesalazine was prescribed for the maintenance of disease remission, and the patient was well until 18 months after the surgery.
Adalimumab ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized ; Azathioprine ; Barium ; Body Weight ; Crohn Disease* ; Diarrhea ; Fistula* ; Head ; Humans ; Intestinal Fistula ; Magnetics ; Magnets ; Mesalamine ; Upper Gastrointestinal Tract

OBJECTIVETo investigate the characteristics of gene expression of surfactant protein A in Chinese premature infants and the association between surfactant protein A and the risk of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).

METHODSVein-blood samples (2 mL) from 18 Chinese premature infants with RDS and 28 controls were assayed for SP-A genotypes 6A2, 6A3, 1A0 and 1A1 by SSCP.

RESULTSThe frequency of allele distribution of SP-A1 allele 6A2 and 6A3 was 0.50 and 0.056 respectively in the RDS group and was 0.214 and 0.107 in the control group. Compared with the controls, SP-A1 allele 6A2 was over-represented in the RDS group (P<0.05). In contrast, SP-A1 allele 6A3 tended to be under-represented in the RDS group but there was no statistical difference when compared with the controls. The frequency of allele distribution of SP-A2 allele 1A0 and 1A1 was 0.722 and 0.667 respectively in the RDS group and was 0.679 and 0.821 respectively in the control group. There were no significant differences in the distribution frequency of SP-A2 allele 1A0 and 1A1 between the two groups. In the infants born at gestation >32 weeks, SP-A1 allele 6A2 was over-represented in the RDS group compared with the control group (frequency: 0.56 vs 0.15; P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe frequency of SP-A1 allele 6A2 and 6A3 was low, in contrast, the frequency of SP-A2 allele 1A0 and 1A1 was high in normal Chinese premature infants. SP-A1 allele 6A2 may be a susceptible gene for RDS.

Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Male ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein A ; genetics ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn ; etiology ; genetics

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of morbidity and mortality in Malaysia. There is evidence of high traditional and complementary medicine (TCM) use among population with cardiovascular risk and there have been anecdotal reports about substitution of conventional medicines with TCM. We investigated the prevalence of TCM use, treatment preference and substitution of conventional medicines in study population with cardiovascular risk factors in Pahang, Malaysia. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using an interviewer-administered questionnaire in five districts of Pahang. A total of 1250 households were chosen through proportionate and systematic sampling. Respondents aged 18 years and above were selected. Results: The study population with cardiovascular risk factors who used TCM was higher than the general population (31.7% versus 25.9%). There were no clear preferences in using TCM by gender, age groups, educational level and income even though other bumiputeras showed a slight inclination towards TCM use. Among the study population with cardiovascular risk factors who consumed TCM, 20-30% of them were using TCM as a substitute for their conventional medications. Respondents from the younger age group (18-40 years) (57.1%), highest educational level (43.2%), other bumiputeras (38.4%) and highest income group (31.4%) preferred the combination of both conventional and traditional medicine. Conclusion: TCM use among population with cardiovascular risk factors is high. The high preference for combination therapy of TCM and conventional medications among young adults and the use of TCM to substitute conventional medications show that much research is needed to provide proven TCM therapies to avoid self-mismanagement of cardiovascular risk in Malaysia.
Complementary Therapies ; Medicine, Traditional

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and three anthropometric indices, namely waist to hip ratio (WHR), body mass index (BMI) and waist to height ratio (WHtR).

METHODSThis retrospective case-control study involved 77 NAFLD patients and 50 patients without such disease, and their data of the 3 anthropometric indices were collected. Risk correlation analysis and Mantel-Haenszel chi-square test were used for correlation analysis.

RESULTSNAFLD was significantly correlated to WHR (chi(2)(MH)=59.609, P<0.001; odds ratio=30.522, 95% CI 12.815-72.695), WHtR (chi(2)(MH)=45.316, P<0.001; odds ratio=21.037, 95% CI 8.665-51.072) and showed a dose-response relationship with BMI (chi(2)=25.017, P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONThese results support a close correlation between NAFLD and the 3 anthropometric indices, indicating that BMI, WHR and WHtR can be significant predictors of NAFLD and have potential value for evaluating and predicting NAFLD.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Anthropometry ; Body Constitution ; Body Height ; Body Mass Index ; Case-Control Studies ; Fatty Liver ; diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease ; Retrospective Studies ; Waist Circumference ; Waist-Hip Ratio ; Young Adult