The following problems in medical journals of China were analyzed, including limited free full-text access, low international influence power, severe duplicated construction, academic misconducts, weakened peer review, and overemphasis on journal assessment indexes, with suggestions put forwards for their solution, such as exploring novel channels for digital publication and distribution , actively preparing journals publishedin English , and improving the academic level of journals.

Objective To explore the possible relationship between alteration of cell cycle and JAK/STAT3 signal transduction pathway inhibition induced by arsenic trioxide (As_2O_3,) in myeloma cell lines U266 and RPMI8226 in vitro. Methods Multiple myeloma cell lines U266 and RPMI8226 were used as in vitro models. The influence of AS_2O_3 on myeloma cells were evaluated by MTT assay and flow cytometry. Meanwhile, methylation specific PCR and Western blotting were employed to detect the methylation status of gene SOCS-1 and protein expression level of P-STAT3 in these cells after AS_2O_3 treatment. Results AS_2O_3 significantly inhibited the growth of U266 and RPMI8226 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, cell cycle was arrested at G0/G1 phase with inhibition of protein expression level of P-STAT3 and SOCS-1 gene demethylation after exposure to As_2O_3 for 72 h( r = 0. 85, P < 0.05). Conclusion AS_2O_3 could induce the alteration of cell cycle which might be related to JAK/STAT3 signal transduction pathway inhibition and SOCS-1 demethylation in myeloma cell lines. The study puts forward a new idea of AS_2 O_3 treatment in multiple myeloma.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of acupuncture on motor function and serum expressions of TNF-aand IL-6 contents in cerebral hemorrhage rats.MethodSeventy-two male Wistar rats were randomized into sham operation, model and acupuncture groups. A rat model of cerebral hemorrhage was made by intracerebral injection of autoblood. Baihui-to-Qubin acupuncture was performed after successful model making. The TNF-aand IL-6 contents of rat serum were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay at three time points: one, three and seven days.ResultBaihui-to-Qubin acupuncture markedly increased the neurological function score and reduced neurologic deficits in cerebral hemorrhage rats. At the same time point, serum TNF-aand IL-6 contents were significantly lower in the acupuncture group of rats thanin the model and acupuncture group; there were statistically significant differences (P<0.01).ConclusionBaihui-to-Qubin acupuncture can reduce neurologic deficits in cerebral hemorrhage rats. It may be related to decreases in serum TNF-aand IL-6 contents after acupuncture.

Objective To investigate the effects of arsenic trioxide (AS2O3)on SOCS-1 gene methylation and expression of P-STAT3 in multiple myeloma (MM) cells.Methods MM cell lines U266 and CZ-1 were used as in vitro models.Methylation status of SOCS-1 gene was detected by the methylation specific PCR (MSP)while P-STAT3 protein expression was determined by Western blotting assay before and after AS2O3 treatment.Meanwhile growth inhibition and apoptosis of MM cells were determined by flow cytometry.Results Hypermethylation of SOCS-1 gene was observed in each MM cell line compared with wide type.After exposure to AS2O3,it was shown that SOCS-1 gene was demethylated obviously,meanwhile the expression level of P-STAT3 protein and cell proliferation was inhibited significantly in each cell line.The apoptosis rate was increased.When U266 and CZ-1 were treated with AS2O3 of 0,0.5,1.0,2.0 μmol/L respectively,the total cell apoptosisis ratio of U266 was 0.06％,0.56％,48.96％,61.07％ (X2 =9.19,P ＜ 0.05); and the total cell apoptosisis ratio of CZ-1 was 4.2％,,40.3％,,47.72％,,68.49％ (X2 =8.96,P ＜0.05 ).Conclusion AS2O3 could inhibit JAK/STAT signal transduction pathway by inducing SOCS-1 gene demethylation in MM cells which might be related to cell apoptosis.

Objective To determine the serum level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D[25(OH)D] in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and to assess the association of 25(OH)D with clinical presentations.Methods Serum 25(OH)D levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 130 cases with RA and 80 healthy controls.The detailed clinical data of the RA patients were recorded and bone mineral density (BMD) were measured by dual-energy X-ray absor-ptiometry (DXA).Sharp score of both hands were measured for evaluating the effects of 25(OH)D on bone erosion.T-test and one-way ANOVA test were used for data analysis,and x2 test was used to compare the differences between groups.Pearson's test was adsopted for correlation analysis.Muhi-variate analysis and Logistic analysis were carried out for risk factors identification.Results ① The serum levels of 25 (OH)D were markedly lower in the RA group than the control group [(17±6) ng/ml vs (23±6) ng/ml,t=-6.624,P＜0.01],while cases of 25(OH)D insufficiency/deficiency in the RA group were more than the control group (98.5％ vs 81.5％,x2=26.291,P＜0.01); ② Negative correlation was detected between 25(OH) D levels and the following:duration of morning stiffness,tender joint count (TJC),swollen joint count (SJC),erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR),C-reactive protein (CRP),health assessment questionnaire (HAQ) of the patients with RA (r=-0370,-0.307,-0.243,-0.369,-0.175,-0.381,both P＜0.05),respectively; ③ 25 (OH)D levels were signific-antly lower in group with moderate and severe disease activity than in group with stable or low disease activity (both P＜0.05); Insufficiency/deficiency of 25 (OH)D was the risk factor for disease activity by multiple regression analysis (b=-0.46,P=0.029); ④ No statistically significant association was detected between 25(OH)D and degree of bone erosion in RA (P＞0.05); ⑤ BMD was classified into three groups:normal,osteopenia and osteoporosis,and significant differences of serum 25(OH)D levels were found by compared with each group (P＜0.01).Normal serum 25 (OH)D level was a protective factor for RA-induced osteoporosis by Logistic rcgression analysis (OR=0.898,95％CI 0.830-0.972,P=0.008).Conclusion Significantly low 25 (OH)D level could be found in patients with RA.Negative correlation is detected between 25 (OH)D level and disease activity and osteoporosis respectively in patients with RA.Insufficiency/deficiency of 25 (OH)D is the risk factor for disease activity and RA-induced osteoporosis.

Objective To research the antiviral activity of artesunate (ART) in vitro fighting against both standard laboratory strains and ganciclovir(GCV)-resistance strains of human cytomegalovims(HCMV) and to explore whether fractionation dosage method can obviously enhance the antiviral effect of ART.Methods 1.Cytotoxicity assay to ART was performed by the use of 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) colorimetry.The 0％ toxic concentration (TC0) were determined,and median cytotoxic concentration (TC50) was calculated with Probit regression method.2.Antiviral activity assays of ART against HCMV:human embryonic lung fibroblast cells (HELs) were infected with standard laboratory strains and GCV-resistance strains of HCMV,respectively,after which virus was removed and overlays of dulbecco's modified eagle medium(MEM) containing different antiviral drugs were added to the wells.All cells were cultured continuously at 37 ℃ in a 50 mL/L CO2 humidified atmosphere for 7-10 days and the cytopathic effect (CPE) was observed under a microscope.When the degree of CPE was clear (+ + +-+ + + +),the values of absorbency at 490 nm of all cell wells were measured by MTT colorimetry.The cell survival rate (CSR)and drug inhibitory rate (IR) for HCMV were calculated.By Probit regression method,the median inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 2 drugs was calculated respectively.3.To explore whether fractionation dosage method could obviously enhance the antiviral effect of ART against HCMV,the experiment was divided into 3 groups and compared with GCV group,respectively:Group 1:ART antiviral compounds were added to cell layers by one dosage.Group 2:Total drug dosage was divided into 3 parts,and each part was added to cell layers once a day for 3 days.Group 3:Total antiviral compounds were divided into 6 and delivery 2 times a day.The values of absorbency at 490 nm of all cell wells were measured by MTT colorimetry.The CSR and viral inhibitory rates were calculated.All data were statistically analyzed by One-Way ANOVA analyzing using SPSS 18.0 statistical software.P value of ＜0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance.Results 1.Cytotoxicity assay showed that cytotoxicity was not found in the relevant range of ART concentrations under 62.5 μmol/L.TC0 and TC50 value of ART were 62.5 μmol/L and 171.7 μmol/L.2.In concentration of 5 μmol/L,15 μmol/L and 30 μmol/L,ART and GCV could obviously inhibit growth of HCMV AD169 strains.There was no significant difference between them.The value of GCV IC50 was 3.49μmol/L,and the value of ART IC50 was 2.17 μmol/L.Treatment index (TI) of ART was 28.8,and GCV was 716.3.ART could still obviously inhibit growth of HCMV resistant strains,but GCV couldn't.Differences between them were statistically significant.The value of GCV IC50 to HCMV resistant strains was 44.4 μmol/L,and the value of ART IC50 was 2.5 μmol/L.3.Fractionation dosage method (2 times a day) of ART could improve the inhibition rate of virus significantly compared to that used once a day and single dose method.Difference was statistically significant(P ＜ 0.01).GCV delivered as the same method had little different changes in virus suppression ratio(P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions 1.Cytotoxicity was not found in the relevant range of ART concentrations under 62.5 μmol/L.2.ART could obviously inhibit growth of HCMV resistant strains and standard laboratory strains.3.Fractionation dosage method (2 times a day) of ART could improve the inhibition rate of virus significantly compared to that used once a day and single dose method.4.Because the action mode of ART is different from other anti-HCMV drugs,and ART has a high biological activity and fewer side effects,it is expected to become a kind of new antiviral drugs for HCMV infections.

In order to understand the educational organization status of doctor-patient communication courses, 114 medical colleges and universities of China were investigated, including course offerings, teaching methods and teacher condition. The survey showed that the ratio of offering doctor-patient communication courses was 64.9%, but only 51.3% courses were compulsory. The setting of class hours was arbitrary. The target objects were mainly concentrated on medical students before entering clinical practice and the large-class teaching was a main mode. The average number of teachers was three to four, half of whom were part-time teachers. Therefore, we suggest attaching great importance to doctor-patient communication course by setting it as a compulsory course, emphasizing the practicability of the course in teaching content, and properly handling the relationship between full-time teachers and part-time teachers.

OBJECTIVETo monitor human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) drug resistance in recipients of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation by phenotypic and genotypic methods.

METHODSHCMV clinical isolates was isolated from the urine of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation recipients treated with GCV. Tissue cell infection median dose (TCID50) of the isolates was calculated using Reed-Muench method, and their drug susceptibility was determined by plaque reduction assay. We amplified the UL97 DNA fragment of the virus by nested PCR followed by automated DNA sequencing.

RESULTSHCMV clinical strain isolated from the urine samples of the recipients using a human fibroblast cell line showed a TCID50 value of 10(-4.618)/0.1 ml and a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) to GCV of 5.847 µmol/L, suggesting its sensitivity to GCV. Alignment with the AD169 DNA reference sequence identified 4 point mutations of the virus at 1509 (T-C), 1575 (C-T), 1794 (T-C), and 1815 (C-G), and only the last mutation resulted in one amino acid mutation to D605E. No gene mutation was found in relation to GCV resistance.

CONCLUSIONSPhenotypic and genotypic assays were established to examine antiviral drug resistance of HCMV in recipients of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. We did not find any drug resistance of the clinical HCMV isolate.

Antiviral Agents ; pharmacology ; Cell Line ; Cytomegalovirus ; drug effects ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Drug Resistance, Viral ; genetics ; Ganciclovir ; pharmacology ; Genes, Viral ; Genotype ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Humans ; Mutation ; Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor) ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship among -75 bp/+83 bp polymorphism in apolipoprotein A1 (apo A1) gene, lipids levels and the occurrence of coronary atherosclerosis disease (CAD).

METHODSWe determined distributions of two MspI polymorphisms of the apo A1 gene at -75 bp and +83 bp, and blood lipids levels among 137 Chinese patients (92 with CAD and 45 in the control group) in relation to circulating lipids and coronary angiography.

RESULTSThe demographic information for 137 subjects showed that subjects with CAD tended to have more unfavorable lipoprotein variables. Genotype distributions at both sites were different between the CAD and control groups. Furthermore, the control group had higher M1-/M2- frequencies than the CAD group (M1: P < 0.005; M2: P < 0.05) and the "M1-" (A) and "M2-" alleles were associated with increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (M1-: P < 0.0001; M2-: P < 0.05) and apo A1 (M1-: P < 0.0001; M2-: P < 0.05) levels. "M1-" and "M2-" were significantly negatively correlated with CAD (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively).

CONCLUSIONSOur results suggest that changes from G to A at the -75 bp site and from C to T or G to A at the +83 bp site do increase circulating levels of apo A1 and HDL-C. And those individuals with these changes are likely to have a lower risk of developing CAD.

Apolipoprotein A-I ; blood ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; Cholesterol, HDL ; blood ; Coronary Artery Disease ; blood ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether patients, who are at risk of major acute coronary events, are safe to undergo and benefit from early intervention after using simvastatin.

METHODSThe study was a randomized, open, two-dosage-controlled trial to evaluate the safety and benefits of simvastatin administered to 197 patients (10 mg group, n = 98 and 20 mg group, n = 99), within 48 hours of hospitalization for a diagnosis of unstable angina or acute myocardial infarction (MI), with total cholesterol (TC) >/= 180 mg/dL or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) >/= 100 mg/dL. Lipid levels were measured immediately, followed by the 3rd, 6th and 12th month after admission and all adverse events were recorded during follow-up.

RESULTSTC levels fell by 10.15% and 14.52% in the 10 mg and 20 mg groups (P < 0.05), and LDL-C levels fell 13.87% and 19.38% in the 10 mg and 20 mg groups, respectively (P < 0.01), 12 months after using simvastatin. The rates of achieving target TC reached 26.3% and 36.5% in the 10 mg and 20 mg groups (P < 0.01), and that of LDL-C reached 28.2% and 40.3% in the 10 mg and 20 mg groups, respectively (P < 0.01). There were higher rates of MI and re-hospitalization resulting from angina pectoris and revascularization in the 10 mg group compared with the 20 mg group.

CONCLUSIONSThe results suggest that early intervention with the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, simvastatin, in acute coronary syndromes is possible and safe. It also indicates that the clinical dosage of simvastatin are relatively smaller than that for satisfactory lipid control in patients with acute coronary syndromes.

Acute Disease ; Aged ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Cholesterol, LDL ; blood ; Coronary Disease ; blood ; drug therapy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hypolipidemic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Simvastatin ; therapeutic use