Objective: To investigate the survival and individualized therapy of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients who achieved a stable disease state after induction chemotherapy. Methods:Data were reviewed from 204 metastatic colorectal cancer pa-tients, who presented a stable disease state after first-line and second-line chemotherapy at Tianjin Medical University Cancer Insti-tute and Hospital. The clinical and pathological characteristics were analyzed. Moreover, we analyzed the significance of maintenance treatment in patients with certain mCRC characteristics. Results:Univariate analysis indicated that the line of chemotherapy, levels of CA724, CEA, and CA19-9, and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were considered prognostic factors of treatment after induction che-motherapy. According to the multivariate analysis, first-line chemotherapy, as well as low levels of CA19-9 and PLR, with maintenance treatment after the induction chemotherapy was significantly associated with better survival. Among the patients with high levels of PLR, those who underwent maintenance treatment achieved a progression-free survival of 13.43 months (versus 10.63 months in pa-tients from the observation group, P=0.003). Conclusion:The levels of CA19-9 and PLR, and treatment after chemotherapy were signif-icant prognostic factors for mCRC patients who achieved a stable disease state after induction chemotherapy. These patients, especial-ly those with high PLR, could benefit from the maintenance treatment.

Objective To understand the status and difference of breastfeeding behavior in urban and rural areas of Southwest China.Methods From March to July in 2011,3659 infants aged 6-24 months were selected by stratified cluster randomized sampling method in urban and rural areas of three provinces of Southwest China (Sichuan,Yunnan and Guizhou),including 1801 (49.2％)infants from urban areas and 1858(50.8％) from rural areas.Basic information of these infants,their families and breastfeeding was obtained by a questionnaire for the mothers or baby-carers.Descriptive analysis and survival analysis (Kaplan-Meier method) were used to describe breastfeeding behavior.Chi-square test and Log-Rank test were used to identify the differences of breastfeeding behavior between urban and rural areas.Results Early breastfeeding initiation rate within one hour after birth was 10.7％(355/3315),and the numbers of urban and rural areas were 12.3％(198/1604) and 9.2％ (157/1711),respectively,x2 =8.691,P＜0.05.Totally,20.3％(725/3575) of all infants were initially fed by breast milk after delivery,and 25.1％ (440/1754) in urban areas and 15.7 ％ (285/1821) in rural areas,x2 =49.192,P＜0.05.The exclusive breastfeeding rate and breastfeeding rate within four months after birth were 35.5％ (27.4％ in urban and 43.6％ in rural areas,x2=88.678,P＜0.05)and 76.2％ (68.5％ in urban and 84.3％ in rural areas,x2 =124.702,P＜0.05),respectively.However,the exclusive breastfeeding rate and breastfeeding rate within six months after birth reduced to 11.3％ (7.9％ in urban and 14.4％ in rural areas,x22 =18.001,P＜0.05) and 65.0％ (54.0％ in urban and 76.3％ in rural areas,x2 =199.662,P＜0.05),respectively.The median breastfeeding duration was 8.0 months (7.0 months in urban and 9.0 months in rural areas,x2 =96.780,P＜ 0.05).The most common reason of weaning was insufficient breast milk which accounting for 48.7 ％ of families [56.9％ (1161/2385) in urban and 39.9％(462/1157) in rural areas,x2=68.840,P＜0.05].Conclusions In Southwest China,intervention program should be implemented to improve the breastfeeding status.Breastfeeding behaviors are different between urban and rural areas in Southwest China.The initiation of breastfeeding in urban area is better,but the sustainability of breastfeeding is better in rural area.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of low-dose exogenous estrogen nonylphenol (NP) on the proliferation of human prostate cancer cell lines DU-145 and the expression of the membrane estrogen receptor GPR30 in the DU-145 cells.

METHODSWe exposed DU-145 cells to different concentrations of NP for 24 hours, followed by measurement of the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of the cells by cell proliferation assay and determination of the concentration of exposure to low-dose NP. We also observed the expressions of 3 estrogen receptors (ER), including ER-alpha, ER-beta and membrane estrogen receptor GPR30, in the DU-145 cells exposed to low-dose NP by RT-PCR.

RESULTSCell proliferation assay showed that within a certain range of doses, NP inhibited the proliferation of the DU-145 cells with an IC50 of 46 micromol/L, a much lower dose of NP than IC50, 0.01, 0.1.1 micromol/l NP, that can promote the proliferation of DU-145 cells. The results of RT-PCR indicated that the expressions of the three ERs in the DU-145 cells were similar to those in prostate epithelial cells, and that low-dose NP promoted the expression of GPR30.

CONCLUSIONMembrane estrogen receptor GPR30 may play a role in low-dose NP promoting the proliferation of DU-145 cells.

Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; physiology ; Estrogen Receptor alpha ; metabolism ; Estrogen Receptor beta ; metabolism ; Estrogens ; Humans ; Male ; Phenols ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Receptors, Estrogen ; metabolism ; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

Objective To discuss the surgical techniques and results of internal fixation supplemented with soft tissue repair of triad injury of the elbow via the combined anterior-lateral approach.Methods A retrospective analysis was done on 15 patients with triad injury of the elbow treated from January 2011 to August 2014.There were 10 males and 5 females,aged 38.4 years (range,20-61 years).Injury resulted from traffic accidents in nine patients,high-level falls in three and groundlevel falls in three.Radial head fractures were Mason type Ⅰ in five patients,type Ⅱ in eight,and type Ⅲ in two.Fractures of the coronoid process of the ulna were Regan-Morrey type Ⅰ in four patients,type Ⅱ in ten and type Ⅲ in one.Time interval between injury and operation was 8.5 d.All patients were firstly operated on through the anterior approach to have Herbert screw fixation or anterior capsule suture lasso fixation of the coronoid fracture as well as Herbert screw fixation of the radial head fracture.And then,elbow lateral incision was made to repair lateral collateral ligament complex and common extensor tendon by 2-0 Ethibon suture.Elbow flexion-extension,forearm pronation-supination and Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS) were used to evaluate the clinical elbow functions.Complications were recorded after operation.Results All patients were followed up for mean 19.6 months (range,12-30 months).All coronoid fractures healed.Radial head fractures in 14 patients healed.Comparison of preoperative to final follow-up variables presented significant differences in elbow flexion-extension [(45.1 ± 5.6) °:(129.5 ± 9.3) °],forearm pronation-supination [(55.4 ±.8.7) °:(140.5 ± 10.3) °] and MEPS [(25.1 ± 9.6) points:(91.2 ± 5.2) points] (P ＜ 0.01).Complications included heterotopic ossification in one patient and nonunion of radial head fracture in one patient.No neurovascular injury of the elbow,elbow residual instability,dislocation,elbow stiffness and active pain occurred.Conclusion Combined anterior-lateral approach with internal fixation and soft tissue repair is a simple and safe method that effectively restore the elbow joint function.

Objective To evaluate the forecasting capability of serum N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide ( NT-proBNP) level for Left ventricular ( LV) remodeling of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) through observation of the relationship between serum NT-proBNP on the 3rd day and LV remodeling following onset of AMI. Methods Electrochemilumin-escence was adopted to determine the serum NT-proBNP level on the 3rd day after AMI attack for 106 cases of patients with anterior, anteroseptal and anterolateral AMI, with echocardiography performed to detect LV end-diastolic diameter (LVDd) and leftventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) respectively on the 3rd day and 3 months after the attack. Results The serum NT-proBNP level of AMI patients on the 3rd day averaged 1039. 28 (241. 50-1 184. 25) ng/L For AMI patients on the 3rd day and 3 months after, LVDd rose to (53?7) mm (P 0.05) from (53?8) %. NT-proBNP concentration on the 3rd day after AMI onset was positively correlated with△LVDd significantly, r =0. 403 (P 5mm during the 3 months and LVEF at the 3rd month≤40 % , AUC was 0. 893. Conclusion The test results showed serum NT-proBNP level for AMI patients on the 3rd day may be used as one of forecasting indexes of LV remodeling for AMI of advanced stage.

This study is to investigate the effect of osthol on osteoclasts' activity, bone resorption as well as apoptosis in vitro, and explore the mechanism of osthol in preventing osteoporosis. Osteoclasts were separated from long-limb bones of new born rabbits, cultured in 24-well plate with glass slices and bone slices, and treated by 1 x 10(-5) mol x L(-1) osthol. Osteoclasts were identified by observing live cells with phase contrast microscope, HE staining, TRAP staining and toluidine blue staining of bone resorption pits. The numbers of bone resorption pits were counted as well as the surface area of bone resorption on bone slice. Osteoclasts were stained with acridine orange to detect the cell apoptosis. The ratio of apoptotic osteoclasts was observed under fluorescence microscope. The gene expression of RANKL, OPG, TRAP and p-JNK1/2 protein expression were examined using real time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Comparing with the control group without osthol, the rates of apoptotic osteoclasts increased obviously and the number and area of bone resorption pits decreased evidently with 1 x 10(-5) mol x L(-1) osthol. There is significant difference between control group and experiment group treated by 1 x 10(-5) mol x L(-1) osthol. Therefore, the osthol through RANK+RANKL/TRAF6/Mkk/JNK signal pathway inhibits the osteoclasts activity, enhances osteoclasts apoptotic and inhibits the bone resorption.
Acid Phosphatase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Bone Resorption ; Cells, Cultured ; Cnidium ; chemistry ; Coumarins ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Gene Expression ; Isoenzymes ; metabolism ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 8 ; metabolism ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 9 ; metabolism ; Osteoclasts ; metabolism ; pathology ; Osteoprotegerin ; metabolism ; Phosphorylation ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; RANK Ligand ; metabolism ; Rabbits ; Seeds ; chemistry ; Signal Transduction ; Tartrate-Resistant Acid Phosphatase

Objective To study the influence of let-7b on cell proliferation and aerobic glycolysis of human melanoma cell A375.Methods Transfect A375 cell line with hsa-let-7b oligonucleotide or antisense.Glucose and lactate in medium were determined by spectrophotometry at 24 h and 48 h time point after transfection.The cell proliferation was determined by methylthiazol tetrazolium (MTT) assay.Results Over expression of let-7b in melanoma cell reduced cell proliferation notably,compared to the other groups by MTT(P ＜0.05).However,the glucose consumption and lactate production differences were not observed during 24 h or 48 h ( P ＞ 0.05 ),the blank control group transformed about 57％ and 43％ glucose to lactate during 24 h and 48 h.Conclusions Melanoma cell line A375 has notably aerobic glycolysis hallmark,let-7b could inhibit proliferation of melanoma cell line A375,but it may has no influence on glucose metabolism.

This study was aimed to investigate the relationship between CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells, IL-2, TGF-beta and acute graft-versus host disease (aGVHD) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). The percentage of peripheral blood CD4(+)CD25(+) Treg cells in CD4(+) T cells of 13 patients with hematological malignancies after allo-HSCT were detected by flow cytometry; serum levels IL-2 and TGF-beta in these patients were measured by ELISA. The results indicated that all the patients achieved engraftment. 5 patients developed aGVHD of grade I-II, 4 patients developed aGVHD of grade III-IV. The percentage of peripheral blood CD4(+)CD25(+) Treg cells out of CD4(+) T cells in patients without aGVHD was higher than that in patients with aGVHD (p < 0.05); the serum level of IL-2 in patients without aGVHD was lower than that of patients with aGVHD (p < 0.05); the serum level of TGF-beta in patients without aGVHD was higher than that of patients with aGVHD (p < 0.05). It is concluded that CD4(+)CD25(+) Treg cell level and the serum level of IL-2 and TGF-beta all are related to incidence and severity of aGVHD. These factors may be used as indicators for early evaluating and monitoring aGVHD after allo-HSCT.
Adult ; Female ; Graft vs Host Disease ; etiology ; immunology ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Interleukin-2 ; blood ; Lymphocyte Count ; Male ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; immunology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; blood

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Jiangu granule (JGG) on quality of bone in model rats with osteoporosis.

METHODSOsteoporosis model was established by means of ovariectomy. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured with dual energy X-ray densitometry. Osseous tissue structure of upper tibia was observed by ono-decalcified section and toluidine blue staining, and morphometry was carried out. Compressive strength limit and elastic modulus of first lumbar vertebrae, and bend load of femur were measured by light-based elastometer.

RESULTSJGG can significantly increase BMD, area of trabecula and thickness of bone cortex/diameter of marrow cavity ratio of model rats, to elevate the compressive strength limit of vertebrae and bend load of femur.

CONCLUSIONJGG could increase BMD of osteoporosis model rats, and also could effectively improve the structure of osseous tissue, biomechanical property of bone and enhance the overall quality of bone.

Absorptiometry, Photon ; Animals ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Bone Density ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Osteoporosis ; drug therapy ; etiology ; metabolism ; Ovariectomy ; Phytotherapy ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective To investigate the binding ability of the terminase large subunit of Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteriophage PaP3 to the cos site. Methods The gene tls was amplified from the genome of bacteriophage PaP3 by PCR and subcloned into pMD18-T vector. Then the gene tls cut down from the vector was inserted into the plasmid pQE31 which could give a 6-His tag at the N-terminal of the expressed protein. The recombinant vector pQE-tls was transformed to E.coli. JM109, after induction with IPTG, the expressed bacteria were resuspended and sonicated, then after centrifugation, the inclusion body was obtained. The inclusion body was dissolved with lysis buffer, then the tagged protein was purified by Ni-NTA affinity chromatography and renatured by dialysis. Finally the DNA-binding ability of the fusion protein rTLS was determined by EMSA. Results The expression plasmid pQE31-tls was successfully constructed, and the target protein yield was up to 30% of the total bacterial proteins. After purification and renaturation, the fusion protein rTLS can partially bind the cos fragment. Conclusion The fusion protein rTLS was successfully expressed, purified and renatured. The rTLS has the specific DNA-binding activity. The present work lays the foundation for the further research of the gene tls.