OBJECTIVETo study the differences in a special region (SR) corresponding to five internal organs between the young and the elderly and to verify the effectiveness of a developed system for objectifying research in colour inspections of Chinese medicine (CICM).

METHODSAn image acquisition device imitating daylight to meet the requirement of CICM was designed. Image processing software based on CICM theory was developed. A total of 83 normal people were sampled and assigned to two groups. The first group (Group I) included 30 people with an average age of 24±2, and the second group (Group II) included 53 people with an average age of 74±4. After image processing, the chromaticity of 10 SRs corresponding to five internal organs was calculated. R, G, and B represent the chromaticity of color red, green, and blue, L indicates color brightness, whereas a and b denote red and yellow respectively. The difference between the young and the elderly was analyzed.

RESULTS(1) The chromaticity of each SR corresponding to five organs was obtained. The average R, G, B, L, a, and b of the sample were 194.4, 147.6, 119.3, 65.2, 15.5, and 22.3, respectively. (2) The R, G, B, and L of the young were greater than those of the elderly, but the a and b of the young were less than those of the elderly. (3) A statistically significant difference in each SR was found between the young and the elderly (P <0.05). The total differences for the Lung (Fei), Heart (Xin), Liver (Gan), Spleen (Pi), and Kidney (Shen) were 50% (3/6), 66.7% (4/6), 66.7% (4/6), 83.3% (5/6), and 91.7% (33/36), respectively. However, the Kidney SR had the greatest statistical discrepancy.

CONCLUSIONThe old Chinese saying that human Kidney deficiency worsens with age was verified by the results. The objectifying system used to examine CICM was effective. Thus, this system may be used as a basis for further research.

Aged ; Color ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Organ Specificity ; Probability ; Young Adult

Adolescent ; Anti-Glomerular Basement Membrane Disease ; pathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis ; pathology ; Humans ; Kidney ; pathology ; Lung ; pathology ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; pathology ; Male

OBJECTIVETo assess the value of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) combined with chromosomal analysis for the detection of Robertsonian translocation type trisomy 21 in amniotic fluid cells.

METHODSAmniotic fluid samples from pregnant women requesting prenatal diagnosis were cultivated. Metaphase cells were prepared for G-banding karyotype analysis. For the 5 Robertsonian translocation type trisomy 21, interphase nuclei from amniotic fluid and parental peripheral blood cells were prepared for FISH analysis.

RESULTSIn 2 cases, analysis of parental peripheral blood cells showed normal karyotypes. FISH analysis of amniotic fluid cells indicated that one sample had two copies of chromosome 21, which has a 46, XY, rob(21;21)(q10;q10) karyotype, whilst another had trisomy 21 by FISH, which has a 46, XY, rob(14;21)(q10;q10) karyotype. For the remaining three samples, analysis of parental peripheral blood cells indicated that their karyotypes were 45, XX, rob(14;21)(q10;q10), 45, XX, rob(15;21)(q10;q10) and 45, XX, rob(21;22)(q10;q10), whilst the karyotypes of amniotic fluid cells were 46, XX, rob(14;21)(q10;q10), 46, XY, rob(15;21)(q10;q10) and 46, XX, rob(21;22)(q10;q10), respectively.

CONCLUSIONCombined FISH and chromosomal analysis is an efficient method for detecting non-homologous Robertsonian translocation type trisomy 21. However, FISH has limited ability to detect homologous Robertsonian translocation type trisomy 21.

Adult ; Down Syndrome ; diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; methods ; Karyotyping ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Translocation, Genetic

Adult ; Aged ; Bacterial Infections ; diagnosis ; immunology ; Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; diagnosis ; immunology ; microbiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; immunology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to explore the possibility of creating a toxin, C-CPE-ETA', by fusing C-terminal high affinity binding domain of CPE (C-CPE) with a truncated form of Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A (ETA') and to examine whether C-CPE-ETA' could specifically target CLDN-3, 4 molecule and the targeted toxin was cytotoxic against CLDN-3,4-overexpressing ovarian cancer.

METHODSCLDN-3 and CLDN-4 expressions were analyzed at the mRNA level in three ovarian cancer cell lines and epithelial ovarian cancer tissues from 20 patients. After transforming an expression plasmid of C-CPE-ETA' into E. coli BL21 (DE3) plysS strain, the recombinant protein was purified using His-Bind resin chromatography column and analyzed by Western blot and Coomassie blue staining. The specific binding, proapoptotic and cytolytic activities were evaluated by flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy with the JC-1 probe and MTT assay in CLDN-3,4-overexpressing ovarian cancer cells.

RESULTSQuantitive RT-PCR results showed there existed high levels of CLDN-3 and CLDN-4 in ovarian cancer cells, CAOV3, OVCAR3 and SKOV3. Moreover, high expressions of CLDN-3 and CLDN-4 were observed in 90.0% (18/20) and 60.0% (12/20) of ovarian cancer tissues, with an expression level 10-fold higher than that in the normal ovarian tissue. A 58 000 recombinant protein C-CPE-ETA' was demonstrated by Western blot and Coomassie blue staining. Purified and recombinant C-CPE-ETA' was bound with high affinity to CLDN-3,4-overexpressing ovarian cancer cells, CAOV3, OVCAR3 and SKOV3 cells. C-CPE-ETA' was strongly proapoptotic and cytotoxic towards the CLDN-3,4-overexpressing ovarian cancer cells. The concentration of IC(50) was 7.364 ng/ml for CAOV3 cells, 8.110 ng/ml for OVCAR3 cells and 22.340 ng/ml for SKOV3 cells, respectively. However, control CLDN-3,4-deficient cell line HUVEC was not susceptible to the recombinant C-CPE-ETA' at a concentration up to 10 µg/ml.

CONCLUSIONSThe C-CPE-ETA' protein exhibits remarkably specific cytotoxicity for CLDN-3,4-overexpressing ovarian cancer cells. Its therapeutic potential warrants further development for ovarian cancer molecular targeted therapy.

ADP Ribose Transferases ; metabolism ; physiology ; Apoptosis ; Bacterial Toxins ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Claudin-3 ; Claudin-4 ; Claudins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Enterotoxins ; metabolism ; physiology ; Exotoxins ; metabolism ; physiology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunotoxins ; metabolism ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; metabolism ; physiology ; Virulence Factors ; metabolism ; physiology

OBJECTIVEWe aimed to examine the current developments and challenges confronted by old age security in rural China.

DATA SOURCESThis study is based on the data from PubMed, Elsevier, Wiley, EBSCO, EMBASE, SCI Expanded, ProQuest, Google, and CNKI which is the most informative database in Chinese.

STUDY SELECTIONArticles were selected with the search terms "rural", "China", "old", "older", or "elder", "elderly", or "aged", "aging", "security", "culture", "value", "medical insurance" or "community based medical insurance" or "cooperative medical scheme". Related websites and yearbooks were searched as well.

RESULTSThe socio-economic development has made the burden of traditional care for the rural elderly heavier than ever, and new challenges are emerging in rural communities, such as poor economic, deteriorating natural environment and health crisis.

CONCLUSIONSThe governments should improve the scale and caliber of rural old age security and strengthen regulations with great efforts in developing the rural economy and protecting the natural environment of rural communities.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Old Age Assistance ; legislation & jurisprudence ; statistics & numerical data ; trends ; Rural Population ; statistics & numerical data

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Xiaojianzhong Decoction plus Dachaihu Decoction in the treatment of chronic atrophic gastritis(CAG),and to provide scientific evidence for the clinical application of the formula.Methods The clinical observation was carried out in 80 CAG patients with spleen deficiency and stasis-heat syndrome of normal-people pulse type(the ratio of patients'pulse to the number of respirations within one minute being 4-5 evaluated by Changsangjun pulse-taking method)who attended the clinic of the Department of Gastroenterology of Shunde Hospital,Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine,from January 2020 to December 2023.According to the treatment method,the patients were divided into the treatment group and the control group,with 40 cases in each group.The control group was given conventional western medicine treatment,and the treatment group was given Xiaojianzhong Decoction plus Dachaihu Decoction.Seven days constituted one course of treatment,and the treatment covered 6 months.The changes of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome score,gastroscopy score,pathological score and gastric function indicators in the two groups were observed before and after the treatment.After treatment,the clinical efficacy and safety of the two groups were evaluated.Results(1)After 6 months of treatment,the total effective rate of the treatment group was 90.00%(36/40),and that of the control group was 60.00%(24/40).The intergroup comparison(tested by chi-square test)showed that the efficacy of the treatment group was significantly superior to that of the control group(P＜0.05).(2)After treatment,the scores of TCM syndromes in the two groups were significantly lower than those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the decrease of the scores in the treatment group was superior to that in the control group(P＜0.05).(3)After treatment,the gastroscopy scores of the two groups were significantly lower than those before treatment(P＜0.05),but there was no significant difference between the two groups after treatment(P＞0.05).(4)After treatment,the total pathological scores of the two groups and the scores of the gastric mucosal atrophy and intestinal metaplasia of the gastric antrum,gastric angle and gastric body in the treatment group were significantly improved compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the improvement of the gastroscopy scores in the treatment group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.05).No statistically significant differences were presented in the scores of the gastric mucosal dysplasia and chronic inflammation of gastric antrum,gastric angle and gastric body in the two groups and in the scores of the gastric mucosal atrophy and intestinal metaplasia of gastric antrum,gastric angle and gastric body in the control group when compared with those before treatment(P＞0.05).(5)After treatment,the serum levels of gastric function indicators of pepsinogen Ⅰ(PGⅠ),pepsinogen Ⅱ(PGⅡ)and gastrin 17(G-17)in the two groups were significantly decreased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the decrease in the treatment group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.05).(6)There were no obvious adverse reactions occurring in the two groups during the treatment,with high safety.Conclusion Xiaojianzhong Decoction plus Dachaihu Decoction can significantly enhance the clinical efficacy of CAG patients with spleen deficiency and stasis-heat syndrome of normal-people pulse type,significantly improve the gastrointestinal function and pathological scores of the patients,and has high safety.

OBJECTIVETo provide more information for rational evaluation of potential risks of terephthalic acid (TPA), we studied the effects of TPA on rats' bladders in 90 days after TPA exposure.

METHODSSprague Dawley rats were subdivided into five groups, ingesting 0%, 0.04%, 0.2%, 1%, and 5% TPA respectively for a sub-chronic feeding study lasting for 90 days. Urine, serum and samples of brain, liver, lung, kidney, bladder, etc. were collected and analyzed.

RESULTSTPA ingesting decreased the value of urinary pH, and increased the contents of Ca2+, Zn2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+ in urine. The volume of 24 h urine was significantly increased in male rats in the 1% and 5% TPA groups. Urinary white sediment was found in both sexes, and its formation in male rats seemed more susceptible than that in female rats. Alpha 2u-globulin (AUG) in serum and urine of male rats was markedly increased in a dose-dependent manner. Fifteen cases of hyperplasia (simple or atypical) were determined in the 5% TPA ingesting group, 14/52 in male rats and 1/23 in female rats. Among them 3 male rats had no stone or calculus. Those with either bladder stones or hyperplasia were accompanied with urinary white sediments.

CONCLUSIONWhite sediment accompanied with elevated urine AUG is the basis of TPA induced urolith formation, and is also associated with TPA induced bladder epithelial cell proliferation. It can act as an early biomarker for the potential toxic effect of TPA.

Alpha-Globulins ; urine ; Animals ; Biomarkers ; urine ; Female ; Hyperplasia ; chemically induced ; Male ; Phthalic Acids ; toxicity ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Urinary Bladder ; drug effects ; pathology ; Urinary Bladder Calculi ; chemically induced

Objective:Using an area in east of China as a case,the paper exploit the methodology to define and visualize the scope of the medical insurance pharmacy service through using ArcGIS and its function modules to analy-zing the basic data including this area's population distribution,address of drugstores,administrative districts,road network and soon.Plan A based on the 15-minute walk distance norm for defining the scopes, shows that this area need to increase 548 medical insurances designated drugstore,the effect of which was service area can be increased by 12.36%,service population can be increased by 10.82%, designated drugstore healthy competition rate can be increased by 8.36%;Plan B based on the 10-minute walk distance norm for defining the scopes, displays that this area need to increase 1197 medical insurance designated drugstore, the effect of which was service area can be in-creased by 15.23%,service population can be increased by 20.49%,designated drugstore healthy competition rate can be increased by 19%.

Objective To evaluate the role of tumor budding in the prognostic value of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma(ICC) after radical resection.Methods The clinicopathological data of patients undergoing radical resection for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma between 2011 and 2016 were retrospectively analyzed.The number of tumor budding was counted in a ×200 microscopic field (0.785mm2).Based on receiver operation curve (ROC),the number of tumor budding ≥ 15 was defined as high-grade group,and ＜ 15 was low-grade group.Multivariate analysis were performed on predictors of the tumor.Results Low-grade group was observed in 32 cases and high-grade group in 50.High-grade group appeared to develop tumors with higher CA199,poor differentiation,larger tumor diameter,advanced stage and high risks of lymphnode metastasis (respectively x2 =5.470,4.359,5.101,4.696,5.960,all P ＜ 0.05).Univariate analysis showed that tumor budding,CA199,differentiation,tumor diameter,T classification and lymphnode metastasis were related to the overall survival of patients with ICC (respectively x2 =11.704,4.876,5.056,5.152,8.442,16.725,all P ＜ 0.05).On multivariable analysis,high-grade group was a significant independent predictor of worse OS (HR =2.707 95％ CI 1.558-4.705,P ＜ 0.001).Conclusions High-grade tumor budding is an important negative prognostic factor for ICC.