A worm-like specimen recovered from a patient previously identified as Armillifer sp. in the city of Yulin,Guangxi Autonomous Region. After comparative analysis of habitat (serpents as final hosts and human being as accidental intermediate host) and body size of the 4 known pathogenic pentastomid species of Armillifer (A.agkistrodontis, A.armillatus, A.grandis and A.moniliformis) with the recovered specimen, the present authors consider that the recovered specimen has been misidentified as Armillifer sp. The recovered specimen probably belongs to a nasal leech.

Objective To investigate bone nutritional status of neonates and their mothers as well as the correlation between them by estimating the concentrations of 25-(OH)D3, calcium and phosphorus in maternal blood and cord blood at birth, and by measuring the bone speed of sound (SOS) of neonates and their mothers with quantitative ultrasound within 3 days after birth. Methods The concentrations of 25-(OH)D3, calcium and phosphorus in the serum were estimated both from 32 pregnant women who had a term delivery and from the umbilical cord at birth. Within 3 days after delivery, the bone SOS values of the mothers measured from their radius and neonates from their tibia were estimated and the correlation between the mothers and their neonates was analyzed. Thirty-nine non-pregnant healthy women who at the same age as the pregnant women were selected as control group and had their bone SOS measured. The difference of bone SOS between pregnant and healthy non-pregnant women was compared. Results There was positive correlation between cord blood and maternal blood 25-(OH)D3 concentration [(14. 7±7. 8) nmol/L and (30. 3±10. 2) nmol/L, r= 0 . 680, P=0. 000]. The calcium and phosphorus concentration in cord blood [2.36±0. 28)mmol/L and (1.57±0.76) mmol/L] were significant higher than that in maternal blood E(2.09± 0. 17) mmol/L and (1.04±0. 28) mmol/L], but no correlation was found (r=0. 146, P=0. 467; r=0. 148, P=0. 445). No significant correlation was shown in the bone SOS between the infants and their mothers[(3054±76)m/s and (4170+241)m/s, r=0. 223, P=0. 220]. The concentration of 25-(OH)D3 in cord blood was closely correlated with the bone SOS of infants(r=0. 412, P=0. 026). The SOS of healthy women was obviously higher than that of pregnant women [(4258±100)m/s vs (41704±241)m/s, P=0. 043]. Conclusions There are close correlations between fetus and their mothers in vitamin D status and also between vitamin D status and fetus bone development. Some pregnant women may be short of vitamin D in autumn and winter in Shanghai and we should monitor the bone nutritional states for pregnant women.

Objective To discuss the application of sperm mobility parameters in semen quality analysis. Methods The semen samples from 2343 outpatient males were examinated following theWorld Health Organization (WHO) guide, and sperm mobility parameters were also evaluated.Results There are significant difference of all sperm mobility parameters between normal and unnormal semen groups. As spermatozoa vialibity reduced, VCL、VSL、VAP、MAD、ALH、STR had decreased and BCF had increased significantly. Compared with the group which spermatozoa density and activity were both normal, LIN、STR had reduced and MAD、BCF had increased in the small quantity sperm group. All parameters were significant difference besides ALH in the lower sperm activity group. And for that in the group which spermatozoa density and activity were both unnormal, only MAD and ALH were no significant difference. Conlusion Sperm mobility parameters may serve as key parameters of semen quality analysis and play an important role in evaluating the ability of male fertility.

In recent years,the abnormal expressions of BRAF,Runx2,Runx3 and S100A4 genes in thyroid papillary carcinoma have been found in many studies.The abnomal expressions of those genes are closely related to the tumor invasion,lymph node metastasis,mulifocality of thyroid papillary carcinoma,which may be valuable in clinical diagnosis and treatment.

In recent years,the abnormal expression of microRNA-21 (miR-21) in head and neck carcinoma have been found in many studies,which may be closely related to the genesis and development of thyroid carcinoma,nasopharyngeal carcinoma,laryngocarcinoma and oral carcinoma,etc.MiR-21 may also be valuable for the clinical diagnosis,treatment and prognosis of head and neck carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE:To study the protective effect of butylphthalide on the apoptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) induced by Aβ1-42 and its mechanism. METHODS:HUVECs were divided into normal control group,Aβ1-42 group,TAK242 group(10 nmol/L),DMSO group(1‰DMSO)and butylphthalide low-concentration,medium-concentration and high-concentration groups (40,80,160 μg/L). Except for normal control group and DMSO group,other groups were given 50 μmol/L Aβ1-42 to culture HUVECs for 24 h. TAK242 group,DMSO group and butylphthalide low-concentration,medium-concentra-tion and high-concentration groups were given relevant concentration of drugs for 30 min,with 3 holes for each concentration. The cell viability was determined by CCK-8 assay;cell apoptosis was observed by Hochest 33342/PI double staining;the cell apoptotic rate was detected by AnnexinⅤ-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) flow cytometry;the protein expression of TLR-4 and COX-2 were determined by Western blot assay;the contents of IL-1 and TNF-α were detected by ELISA. RESULTS:Compared with nor-mal control group,cell viability of HUVECs were decreased in Aβ1-42 group;while apoptotic rate,protein expression of TLR4 and COX-2,the contents of IL-1 and TNF-α were increased. Compared with Aβ1-42 group,cell viability of HUVECs were increased in TAK242 group and butylphthalide low-concentration,medium-concentration and high-concentration groups;while apoptotic rate, protein expression of TLR4 and COX-2,the contents of IL-1 and TNF-α were decreased,with statistical significance(P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS:Butylphthalide can reduce HUVECs apoptosis induced by Aβ1-42,which may be related with inhibiting the expression of TLR4,COX-2 and inflammatory factors.

Objective To investigate the epidemiological characteristics and therapeutic strategies of patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV)genotype 6 in Guangxi area.Methods Serum samples were collected from 150 patients with serologic HCV RNA positive in Guangxi, China. Reverse transcription nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR)was employed to amplify HCV NS5B fragments and the DNA products were sequenced.The sequences obtained were compared with the sequences deposited in GenBank to construct a phylogenetic tree.Among the patients who accomplished 48-week treatment of interferon plus ribavirin and 24-week follow-up after stopping medication,10 cases were infected with genotype 6a and 28 cases with genotype 1 HCV.The virological responses were evaluated at week 4,week 12,week 24 of treatment and week 24 after the end of the treatment.Results Among all recruited 150 cases,21 (14.0%)cases were HCV genotype 6 including two subtypes 6a (n = 20 )and 6d (n = 1 ). Genotype 6 HCV mainly affected intravenous drug users, especially with age of ≤ 40 years old. Phylogenetic tree showed that there was very close evolutionary distance between HCV 6 strains of Guangxi and Hongkong,China strains (Y12083,DQ 480515)and Vietnam strain (EU246930).All of 10 HCV genotype 6a patients who completed 48 weeks of antiviral therapy achieved sustained virological response (SVR).The rate of SVR was higher than that of genotype 1 patients,but without statistically different significance (10/10 vs 75 .0%,P >0.05).Conclusion HCV genotype 6 in Guangxi area mainly affects young intravenous drug users with age of ≤ 40 years old,which has high homology with Hongkong,China and Vietnam standard strains.Patients with HCV 6 genotype infection treated with interferon plus ribavirin for 48 weeks usually achieve favorable SVR.

Background and purpose: Multidrug resistance of tumor cells is the main factor for the failure of chemotherapy. It is found that the apigenin has the anti-tumor effect, but its role in multidrug resistant cells was rarely reported. This study aimed to investigate the effect of apigenin on multidrug resistant breast cancer cell line MCF-7/ADR, and to explore the role of apigenin in reversing multidrug resistance. Methods: The MCF-7/ADR cells were cultured with different concentrations of apigenin, and the same cells were cultured with ADR in the control group. Thecell proliferation was detected by MTT, the cell cycle distribution was detected by PI, and the cell apoptosis was detect-ed by Annexin V/PI. The drug sensitivity in vitro was detected by the method of MTT, and the drug retention rate was detected by rhodamine 123 accumulation. The expression of P-gp protein was measured by Western blot, the RT-PCR method was used to detect the transcription of multidrug resistance gene MDR1. Results: The MCF-7/ADR cell prolif-eration was inhibited by the apigenin, the cell cycle progression was blocked by the apigenin, and the cell apoptosis was induced by the apigenin. There were significant differences between the apigenin group and the ADR group (P<0.05). The IC50 of ADR on MCF-7/ADR cell was (12.37±0.18) μg/mL with the apigenin effect, while the IC50 of ADR on MCF-7/ADR cell was (39.83±0.29) μg/mL without the apigenin effect (P<0.05). The reversal index was 3.22. The retention rate of rhodamine 123 in MCF-7/ADR cells in the apigenin group was higher than that in the ADR group. The MDR1 gene transcription level in MCF-7/ADR cells was higher than that in the MCF-7 cells, and the P-gp expression in MCF-7/ADR cells was higher than that in the MCF-7 cells. However, the level of MDR1 gene transcription and P-gp expression were down-regulated by the apigenin in the MCF-7/ADR cells. Conclusion: The apigenin had anti-MCF-7/ADR effect, and played the role of reversing multidrug resistance in the MCF-7/ADR cells. The mechanism may be related to down-regulation of the MDR1 gene transcription and the P-gp mediated drug e?ux function.

Objectives To explore the nutritional status of fatty acids in the newborn and their mother, and the role of the placenta in fetal nutrition. Methods The composition of fatty acids in blood, placenta, and neonatal umbilical cord blood were determined and analyzed by gas chromatography in 20 normal pregnant women. Results In 20 pregnant women in the study, average age was 27.0±4.5 years, the average gestational age of their newborns was 38.0±3.0 weeks, the average birth weight of newborns was 3320±127 g. There were 18 types of fatty acids in maternal blood, umbilical cord and placenta, including saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, and polyunsaturated fatty acids. The total fatty acid content in maternal blood (3.51±0.57 g/L) was 5 times higher than that in umbilical cord blood (0.74±0.18 g/L), and there was statistically difference (P<0.05). The content of linoleic acid (LA) in maternal blood was higher than that in umbilical cord blood and placenta; the content of arachidonic acid (AA) and docosahexenoic acid (DHA) in placenta was significantly higher than that in maternal blood and umbilical cord blood; and the content of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in umbilical cord blood was higher than that in maternal blood and placenta. All differences were significant (P<0.05). Conclusions Mothers preferentially transport long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (AA and DHA) through the placenta to meet the needs of fetal and neonatal growth and development.

Objective To investigate the effect of high iodine traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism in serum VB12,Hcy and thyroid function.Methods 84 patients of subclinical hypothyroidism from August 2014 to May 2016 in our hospital randomly divided into two groups,the control group of 42 cases were treated with levothyroxine sodium tablets treatment,42 cases in the experimental group received more with high iodine traditional Chinese medicine.The changes of serum VB12,Hcy and thyroid function were observed before and after treatment in two groups. Results Compared with before treatment, levels of blood lipid,Hcy and TSH in two groups significantly decreased,levels of VB12 increased(P<0.05);compared with the control group after treatment,levels of blood lipid,Hcy and TSH in experimental group were significantly lower than the control group, the level of VB12 was higher than the control group,the differences were statistically significant (P <0.05).Conclusion High iodine can effectively reduce blood lipids in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism,levels of Hcy and TSH in pregnancy,increased the levels of VB12,which has good clinical curative effect.