Objective To explore the feasibility of language sample analysis in assessment of language development in children in order to provide evidences for its clinical application. Methods The study population consisted of a cross-sectional sample of 50 preschool Putonghua-speaking children aged 4 to 6 years. The data on measurement of utterance length (MLU) and lexical diversity (D) were computed from 20 minutes' conversational language samples, and correlation analysis was conducted among MLU, D, age, Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI) and Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT). Splited sample analysis by comparing MLU of first one hundred utterances and MLU of last one hundred utterance, D of odd lexicals and D of even lexicals were conducted to test the validity of language sample indictors. Results MLU and D development of the preschool Putonghua-speaking children were positively related to age. MLU, D, age, verbal intelligence quotient (VIQ) and PPVT were associated with each other (P<0.05 or P≤0.01) except age and VIQ(P>0.05). There were significant correlations between MLU of first one hundred utterances and MLU of last one hundred utterances and between D of odd lexicals and D of even lexicals(P=0.000). Conelusion Language sample analysis proves to be feasible in assessment of language development in preschool children aged 4 to 6 years.

Objective To compare the effects of remifentanil infused at different rates on median effective target plasma concentration (EC50) of propofol inhibiting responses to laryngeal mask airway (LMA) insertion and determine the optimum infusion rate of remifentanil when used for fiberoptic bronchoscopy in pediatric patients.Methods Eighty-four ASA Ⅰ or Ⅱ pediatric patients,aged 7 months-3 years,scheduled for elective fiberoptic bronchoscopy,were randomly assigned into 3 groups (n =28 each):normal saline group (group C),remifentanil infused at 3 ng· kg-1 ·min-1 group (group R1) and remifentanil infused at 5 ng· kg-1 · min-1 group (group R2).Responses to LMA insertion were defined as body movement and/or bucking during insertion.The initial target plasma concentrations of propofol were 5.2,4.8 and 4.4 μg/ml in groups C,R1 and R2,respectively.The target plasma concentration of propofol was determined by up-and-down sequential allocation.Each time the target plasma concentration increased/decreased by 0.2μg/ml.EC50 and 95 ％ confidence interval of propofol blunting responses to LMA insertion were determined by probit method.Results EC50 (95 ％ confidence interval) of propofol was 5.03 (4.92-5.12) μg/ml,4.71 (4.58-4.84) μg/rnl and 4.46 (4.20-4.94) μg/ml in groups C,R1 and R2,respectively.There was no significant difference in EC50 of propofol between groups R1 and C (P ＞ 0.05).EC50 of propofol was significantly lower in group R2 than in groups C and R1 (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion The infusion rate of remifentanil should not be lower than 5 ng· kg-1· min-1 when combined with propofol in pediatric patients undergoing fiberoptic bronchoscopy.

OBJECTIVETo explore the feasibility of preparing novel gypenosides long-circulating liposomes with PEG grafted on beta-sitosterol (PEG-Sito).

METHODSuccinicanhydride was adopted to connect beta-sitosterol and PEG 2000. Sphingomyelin and PEG-Sito was used as material to prepare gypenosides long-circulating liposomes by using ethanol injection method. Encapsulation efficiency was determined by using protamine precipitation method. H-NMR was used to verify the synthesis of PEG-Sito, the novel gypenosides long-circulating liposomes were characterized by particle size, zeta potential and atomic force microscope.

RESULTThe synthesis of PEG-Sito was verified by 1H-NMR. Encapsulation efficiency of long-circulating liposomes prepared by ethanol injection method was 74.3%, particle size was 288.1 nm, zeta potential was -20.25 mV, the morphology were round observed by AFM.

CONCLUSIONThe novel gypenosides long-circulating liposomes prepared with PEG-Sito was feasible, it had a high encapsulation efficiency and good morphology.

Drug Compounding ; methods ; Feasibility Studies ; Gynostemma ; chemistry ; Liposomes ; blood ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; Polyethylene Glycols ; chemistry ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sitosterols ; chemistry ; Sphingomyelins ; chemistry

Adolescent ; Antigens, CD34 ; metabolism ; Bone Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; metabolism ; pathology ; Chondrosarcoma, Mesenchymal ; metabolism ; pathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Hemangiopericytoma ; diagnostic imaging ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism ; Sarcoma, Synovial ; metabolism ; pathology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Vimentin ; metabolism

Background and purpose:Thalidomide can enhance the radiation sensitivity on tumor effectively, but the mechanism of radiosensitization is still unclear. The present study aimed to investigate whether thalidomide could enhance the radiation sensitivity on colon cancer transplanted tumor of mouse, and to investigate the underlying mechanism. Methods: We established the model of colon26 colonic carcinoma, and the mice were divided into 4 groups:Control group, the thalidomide group, the radiotherapy group and thalidomide+radiotherapy group. From the day of treatment, tumors were measured every other day. Then, the xenograft tumor growth curve was depicted. Tumor volumes were measured in different treatment groups, then, the inhibitory rates of tumor growth were calcutated. Using immunohistochemical method in to detect the expression of microvessel density (MVD) in tumor tissue. Results:The mean tumor volumes at day 22 were (4.97±1.20)cm3 (control group), (2.90±0.92)cm3 (T group), (2.66±0.88)cm3 (R group), and (1.89±0.76)cm3 (T+R group). The tumor inhibition rate in the combination group (61.9%) was signiifcantly higher than the other groups (41.7%, 46.5%, P<0.05). The radiotherapy sensitization enhancement ratio of the combined treatment group was 2.27 times than in the radiotherapy group. Thalidomide combined with radiation therapy can significantly inhibit microvessel density of tumor:The decreasing MVD of T+R group, T group and R group were respectively 46.8%, 40.7%and 37.7%, and there was statistical significance between T+R group and T group (P<0.05 ), so as between T+R group and R group. It could be found more necrotic cells in tumor of group, and there was statistical signiifcance between T+R group and control group (P<0.05). Conclusion:Thalidomide can enhance the radiosensitivity mice of colonic carcinoma, and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of tumor angiogenesis related.

China ; epidemiology ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Folic Acid ; blood ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Incidence ; Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo identify HLA-A0201 restricted cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) epitopes derived from the hepatitis B virus e (HBe) antigen, for future use in a specific immunotherapy based on the identified epitope(s).

METHODSHBe gene sequences from the hepatitis B virus serotypes with the highest frequencies in China were analyzed by bioinformatic web-based interfaces for quantitative motif prediction, extended motif prediction, and peptide super-motif prediction. Four candidate peptides were identified: HBe1, HBe2, HBe3, and HBe4. The affinities of each were tested in vitro with T2 cells, which lack the transporter-associated with antigen transport (TAP) protein but express low levels of the MHC class I surface molecule, and measured by the T2 binding assay and DC50 assay. Flow cytometry was used to detect the fluorescence index of control and experimental groups.

RESULTSThe peptides HBe1 (LLWFHISCL), HBe2 (YLVSFGVWI), HBe3 (CLTFGRETV), and HBe4 (DLLDTASAL) were identified and tested as candidate targets. HBe2 and HBe3 showed higher HLA-A0201 affinity. HBe1, HBe2, and HBe3 showed better binding stability.

CONCLUSIONTwo peptides based on HBe antigen, YLVSFGVWI and CLTFGRETV, possess both sufficient binding affinity and stability and may represent useful HLA-A0201-restricted CTL epitopes. Further study is needed to determine the immunogenic properties of these two peptides in vivo.

Amino Acid Sequence ; Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; Hepatitis B virus ; immunology ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo explore the laws of anovulatory infertility patients of Gan-yin deficiency syndrome (GYDS), and to analyze the correlation between GYDS and partial sex hormones and metabolic parameters.

METHODSRecruited were 103 anovulatory infertility patients, including 48 of GYDS and 55 of non-GYDS. At the same time, 20 healthy pluripara at the child-bearing period were recruited as the control group. The body mass index (BMI) and waist to hip ratio (WHR) were measured. Serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone (T), prolactin (PRL), estradiol (E2), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting insulin (FINS), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), and leptin were detected. The inter-group difference of the above indices was compared between the two groups.

RESULTSLevels of BMI, FINS, HOMA-IRI, leptin, TC, TG, LDL-C, T, PRL, and LH were higher in the GYDS group and the non-GDS group than in the control group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), while SHBG was lower in the GYDS group and the non-GYDS group than in the control group (P < 0.01). Only the PRL level was higher in the GYDS group than in the non-GYDS group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSGan-yin deficiency is a predominant manifestation in anovulatory infertility patients. Partial disorder of some sex hormones and metabolic derangement might be common pathological factors for anovulatory infertility, while increased PRL levels was dominant in GYDS.

Adult ; Anovulation ; metabolism ; Body Mass Index ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Gonadal Steroid Hormones ; blood ; Humans ; Infertility, Female ; metabolism ; Lipids ; blood ; Prolactin ; blood ; Yin Deficiency

BACKGROUND: As a cytokine highly expressed in internal organs, visfatin could be used as a biomarker of systemic inflammation response for chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, but few studies have reported the use of visfatin in severe pneumonia. The present study was undertaken to determine the plasma levels of visfatin in patients with severe pneumonia. METHODS: A total of 70 patients, including 40 patients with severe pneumonia (group A) and 30 patients with non severe pneumonia (group B) who had been admitted to the ICU from June 2009 to June 2010, were enrolled in this prospective study. And another 30 healthy physical examinees served as healthy controls (group C). Patients were excluded if they suffered from severe diseases of the heart, brain and kidney, cancers, autoimmune diseases, or received special treatment in the latest month. The plasma levels of visfatin, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α were measured by ELISA, while the level of CRP was determined by immuneturbidimetry, and the routine blood test was performed. Blood gas analysis and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) were performed in patients with pneumonia. Comparisons between the groups were conducted by Student's t test, ANOVA or nonparametric test. Correlation analysis was carried out by Pearson's correlation test or Spearman's rank-order correlation test. RESULTS: The plasma level of visfatin in group A was significantly higher than that in groups B and C (P<0.001), and the level of visfatin in group B was significantly higher than that in group C (P<0.001). The plasma level of visfatin was positively correlated with CRP, TNF-α, APACHE II and PMN％ in patients with severe pneumonia (rho=0.653, r=0.554, r=0.558, r=0.484, respectively, P<0.05 for all), while it was negatively correlated with PaO2 and PaO2/FiO2 (rho=?0.422, r=?0.543, respectively, P<0.05 for all). CONCLUSION: Visfatin may be involved in the systematic inflammation response in patients with severe pneumonia as a pro-inflammatory cytokine, and it is valuable in assessing the severity of pneumonia..

Flexible matching has recently been proposed as a method of improving interactions efficiency. In this study, the concept of flexible matching has been introduced, and the applicability of this strategy has also been described based on the power calculation of interaction between HER-2 polymorphism and smoking with breast cancer. A large-sample approximation method is used to estimate the power and efficiency of gene-environment interactions. In the basic scenario, power of interaction between HER-2 polymorphism and smoking of unmatched case-control study appears to be 30% while in the frequency matching case-control study it is 56%. However, when increasing the smoking prevalence in controls, greater power can be obtained (power=74%). Conclusions: Flexible matching strategies can increase the power and efficiency of case-control studies to detect and estimate the gene-environment interactions when compared with traditional frequency matching and it is especially useful under those scenarios when low environmental exposure of population, adverse gene-environment interactions or less paired controls are seen. Optimal matching design should be made available by weighing the benefits and loss due to flexible matching.