BACKGROUND:The living standard of farmers and herdsmen in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China is significantly lower than that of urban residents in general. Meanwhile, the shortage of doctors and medicines and lack of medical knowledge are the main reasons for local farmers and herdsmen to suffer from knee osteoarthritis. Most of the farmers and herdsmen are not aware of or prevent knee osteoarthritis in the early days to remove pathogenic factors, which results in a serious condition at the time of their medical treatment. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the main pathogenic factors of knee osteoarthritis in Uygur, Kazakh and Han populations in pastoral areas of northern Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China.METHODS:The permanent residents of Uygur, Kazakh and Han ethnic groups in northern Xinjiang, China who met the criteria were selected by the method of stratified, multistage and cluster random sampling during June 2012 to October 2014. The investigation of knee osteoarthritis was conducted among al the residents who meet the inclusion criteria using the method of home scene closed questionnaire. X-ray lateral plain film examination of the knee joint was performed among the patients presenting with the symptoms of knee osteoarthritis. The database was established. The multi-factor and unconditional Logistic regression analysis was conducted among the 40 variables using SPSS 20.0 software. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The 3 402 of 3 540 questionnaires were valid. The Logistic regression analysis suggest that the common pathogenic factors in Han, Uygur and Kazakh ethnic groups are associated with older ages, female gender, high body mass and drink alcohol. Smoking, history of internal disease, high education level, standing position, climbing, trauma, family history, fried food, housing conditions and amenorrhea, different nationalities, churchgoing of ethnic minorities are also the major risk factors. Among the three ethnic groups, the prevalence of female patients in Uygur and Kazak ethnic groups is significantly higher than that of Chinese Han nationality. The morbidity is different among these three nationalities. The dietary preferences cannot be determined as the related influencing factor of knee osteoarthritis. Whether the means of transportation, residence climate and environment, the number of pregnancies and deliveries, drinking tea or not, the type of tea are related to knee osteoarthritis remains unclear.

Objective To assess iron bioavailability of three iron-biofortified maizes using an in vitro digestion/ Caco-2 cell culture model. Method Three maize varieties rich in iron (Zhongtie 2, 3 and 4) and two maize varieties with lower content of iron (Zhengda 818 and 619) were pulverized, and the content of iron and phosphorus in each maize variety was measured. After digestion the iron bioavailability per g food was determined by using Caco-2 cell ferritin formation per mg cell protein as indicator. Results The iron content (33.250 mg/kg), iron bioavailability and the iron bioavailability per g food of Zhongtie 2 maize was the highest among all varieties, but its phosphorus content was lower. The maize varieties with the next higher iron bioavailability were Zhongtie 3 and Zhengda 818, and the lowest was Zhengda 619. Conclusion Zhongtie 2 maize contained the hightest content and bioavailability of iron,so it was optimal to use for the following human trials.

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of different full spectrum light times in treating patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD).Methods A total of 127 AD patients with sleep disorder were randomly divided into a blank group (n=34),a 30 min group (n=31),a 60 min group (n=33) and a 120 min group (n=29).After one month treatment by 10 000 lux full spectrum fluorescent light,the improvements of sleep quality,excessive daytime sleepiness,cognitive ability,mental state,dementia degree were graded by Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PQSI),Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS),Neuropsychiatric inventory (NPI),mini-mental state examination (MMSE),global deterioration scale (GDS).The scores were compared among the groups before the treatment and after the treatment respectively.Results (1) Compared with before treatment,the scores of PQSI,ESS,NPI of the 30 min group,60min group and 120min group were statistically significant (in 30 min group 14.4 ±5.2vs 11.7±4.9,14.4±4.1 vs 11.8±3.7,14.2±1.3 vs 10.9±1.7,t=2.071,2.609,8.446.P=0.043,0.011,0.000; in 60 min group13.4±4.0 vs 8.1±3.7,14.5±3.0 vs 9.4±2.0,13.7±5.8 vs 8.7±4.3,t=5.650,8.209,3.902,all P＜0.01 ;in 120 min group 14.0±3.2 vs 7.0±2.3,14.7-±2.3 vs 7.0± 1.9,14.9±3.6 vs 8.1±3.7,t=9.474,13.926,7.062,all P＜0.01),but the scores of MMSE,GDS were not statistical significances(all P＞0.05).(2)Compared with the blank group,the scores of PQSI,ESS,NPI of 30 min group,60 min group and 120 min group were statistically significant (30 min group t=1.936,4.524,2.482,P=0.031,0.000,0.016.60 min group t=5.945,5.153,7.319,all P=0.000.120 min group t=7.896,6.767,10.776,all P=0.000), but the scores of MMSE,GDS were not statistical significances(all P＞0.05).(3)Compared with the 30 min group,the scores of PQSI,ESS,NPI of 60 min group and 120 min group were statistically significances (60 min group t =3.288,2.694,3.354,P=0.002,0.009,0.001.120 min group t=4.615,3.930,6.303,all P =0.000),the scores of MMSE,GDS were not statistical significances (all P＞0.05).Compared with the 60 min group,the scores of ESS of 120 min group was statistically significant(t=4.854,P=0.000),but the scores of PQSI,NPI,MMSE,GDS were not statistical significances (all P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion It is demonstrated good curative effects that light therapy treat patients on AD patients in the matter of sleep quality,excessive daytime sleepiness,mental state,but have not apparent effect for their cognitive ability and dementia degree.And the effect of light therapy with 60 or 120 minutes is better than that of 30 minute,illumination time of 120 minutes is superior to that of 60 minutes in improving excessive daytime sleepiness.Light therapy has no obvious impacts in the cognitive ability and the degree of dementia in the patients with AD and has not appear obvious adverse reaction in the process of treatment.

OBJECTIVEThe spikes of Schizonepeta tenuifolia from different habits were predicted by UV-Vis spectrum.

METHODThe dimensions of spectrum data obtained from ten habits were reduced by principal component analysis, and the first six new variables with 99.82% of cumulative reliability were put into the backpropagation neural network for model building.

RESULTThe recognition rate of backpropagation neural network coupled with principal component analysis (PCA-BPNN) was 100%, and its mean square error was 0.001 0.

CONCLUSIONPCA-BPNN can be used for the classifying of spikes of S. tenuifolia from different producing area, and this method is simple and fast.

China ; Consumer Product Safety ; Lamiaceae ; chemistry ; Neural Networks (Computer) ; Principal Component Analysis ; Quality Control ; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet ; methods

BACKGROUNDTo study the specific expression of tumor-related genes (p53, bcl-2 and c-myc) in non small cell lung cancer with neuroendocrine differentiation (NSCLC-NE).

METHODSThe expression of neuron-specific enolase (NSE), chromogranin A (CgA), synaptophysin(Syn), c-myc, bcl-2 and p53 was detected in 60 surgically resected and paraffin-embedded non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) specimens by immunohistochemistry (S-P method).

RESULTSThe positive rates of NSE, CgA, Syn expressed in 60 cases of NSCLC were 45.00%(27/60), 13.33%(8/60), 31.67% (19/60) respectively. According to the results of these three markers, 41.67%(25/60) of 60 specimens was proved to be as NE differentiation cancer. The NE differentiation in NSCLC was remarkably related to differentiation of tumor cells (P < 0.05). NSCLC-NE had a higher metastatic rate (P < 0.05) and a higher clinical staging (P < 0.05) than NSCLC without NE differentiation. The positive rates of bcl-2, p53 and c-myc expression in NSCLC-NE were 68.00% (17/25), 80.00% (20/25), 68.00% (17/25) respectively, and the expression of bcl-2 and p53 was closely related to NE differentiation (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSA certain part of NSCLC have NE differentiation, which has different biological features from NSCLC without NE differentiation. High expression of bcl-2 and mutant p53 can be observed in NSCLC-NE, and bcl-2/Bax unbalance associated with p53 mutation may play an important role in oncogenesis and development of NSCLC-NE.

Aim To explore the possibility of the multiple epitope DNA vaccines of hepatitis C virus (HCV). Methods A synthetic multiple epitope antigen gene PCX of HCV was cloned into vector pREP9(RSV promoter) and pcDNA3 (CMV promoter) to construct eukaryotic expression vectors pREP9/PCX and pcDNA3/PCX, then they were used to immunize mice and rabbits, the titer of specific humoral and cellular responses were detected and their safety were observed. Results In mice, specific anti-GZ-PCX antibody(IgG) was lower than 1∶ 1 000 and did not persist well. In rabbits, the highest titer of anti-GZ-PCX IgG reached at 1∶ 3 200 and remained for about one month. Delayed type hypersensitivity reactions (DTH)and proliferation response of peripheral lymphocytes were induced by GZ-PCX antigen. Body weights of immunized mice were normal and no obvious toxic reaction was observed. Conclusion The multiple epitope antigen gene of HCV could induce specific immune responses without obvious toxicity and it might be able to serve as an effective HCV vaccine candidate.

BACKGROUNDTo analyse the relationship between caspase-3 expression and cell proliferation, and to find molecular-biology markers to adjust canceration during rat lung squamous cell carcinogenesis.

METHODSThe 3-methylcholanthrene(MCA) and diethyinitrosamine (DEN) were used to induce lung squamous cell carcinoma by intra-left lobar-bronchial instillation in 50 Wistar rats, and 10 normal rats as controls. Expression of caspase-3 and PCNA were evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC).

RESULTSCaspase-3 protein positive rate was 44.12% in 34 rat lung squamous cell carcinomas, and positive coefficient value was 1.38±0.95, which were significantly lower than that of normal bronchial epithelium (P=0.007, P < 0.01) and premalignant lesions (P < 0.05, P < 0.05). The mean PCNA-labeling indexes (PCNA-LI) of normal rat bronchial epithelium, premalignant lesions and lung cancer were 14.10±5.02, 28.13±8.72 and 41.88±14.24 (P < 0.05), respectively. There was a negative correlation between caspase 3 and PCNA LI (r=-0.730 6, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSLoss expression of caspase-3 may promote tumor cell growth, and it may be important in rat lung squamous cell carcinogenesis. Detection of caspase-3 and PCNA proteins can be regarded as major markers in the diagnosis of lung canceration.

BACKGROUNDTo investigate the different expressions of p53 gene family members p53, p63 and p73, and their clinical significance in non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODSp53, p63 and p73 protein expressions were detected in 60 NSCLC tissues and 7 normal lung tissues by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSIn NSCLC, positive rate of p53, p63 and p73 protein was 61.67%(37/60), 80.00%(48/60), 73.33% (44/60) respectively. There were significant differences in positive rate of three proteins as compared to normal lung tissue ( P < 0.05). p53 protein expression was closely associated with tumor cell differentiation degree ( P =0.023), but was not associated with histological classification, lymph node metastasis and clinical stages ( P > 0.05). Expression of p63 protein was closely related to lymph node metastasis ( P =0.028) and histological classification ( P =0.001), but not to cell differentiation degree and clinical stages ( P > 0.05). There was no significant relationship between p73 protein expression and clinical characteristics of NSCLC ( P > 0.05). A positive correlation was present between p63 and p73 protein expressions ( P =0.000 1). No statistical correlation was found between p53 and p73 ( P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSp53 gene family may be related to the oncogenesis and development of NSCLC. p63 and p73 proteins may have different biological function from p53 protein, and both might play oncogenic roles.

BACKGROUNDTobacco-specific 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) is the most important carcinogen in cigarette. Models induced by NNK are widely used in investigations about the mechanisms of pulmonary neoplasia and chemoprevention studies. The aim of this study is to explore the pulmonary precancerous lesions induced by NNK and its possible mechanisms.

METHODSFifteen Wistar rats were divided into two trial groups, in which the high-dose group was instilled with iodized oil including 10 mg (50 mg/kg) NNK into the left lower lobar bronchus, and the low-dose group received 5mg ( 25mg/kg) NNK. Another 15 Wistar rats were instilled only with iodized oil as control group. All rats were examined immediately after instillation and followed up periodically by pulmogram. The pulmonary tissues of rats were pathologically examined, and the expression of AE1/AE3, PCNA and p53 was detected by immunohistochemical method.

RESULTSThe pulmograms showed that the iodized oil localized at the bottom of left lobe and disappeared 107 days later. In trial group, 10 of 15 rats (67%) had nodus at the bottom of left lobe. All of rats in trial group (15/15) displayed atypical hyperplasia in alveolar region, showing single or multiple layers of proliferative epithelial cells along intact alveolar septa with irregular and non-discrete margins of lesion, but continuous alveolar spaces were not obliterated by proliferative epithelial cells. Ten of 15 rats in trial group showed severe atypical hyperplasia of glandular epithelium with occasional infiltrating to muscular layer. All of those atypical hyperplasia cells showed positive AE1/AE3 expression. The positive rate of PCNA was 90% (9/10) and 100% (5/5) in low-dose group and high-dose group respectively, which was significantly higher than that in control group (13%, 2/15) (P=0.000, P=0.001). The positive rate of p53 expression was 50% (5/10) and 60% (3/5) in low-dose group and high-dose group respectively, which was significantly higher than that in control group (0) (P=0.005, P=0.009). However, there was no remarkable difference in PCNA and p53 expression between low-dose group and high-dose group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSTransbronchial instillation of iodized oil including tobacco-specific NNK can induce pulmonary lesions as atypical hyperplasia of alveolar cell and glandular epithelium in Wistar rats. This model can be used in experimental studies about tobacco-related lung cancer.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of two inflammation related enzymes - cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) during the experimental rat lung carcinogenesis.

METHODSEighty Wistar rats were instilled with 3-methylcholanthrene (MCA) and diethylinitrosamine (DEN) into the left lobar branchus to induce lung squamous cell carcinoma. To obtain specimen in every pathological phase during the carcinogenesis, these rats were sacrificed at different intervals. The expression of COX-2 and iNOS in every pathological phase during the carcinogenesis were examined by immunohistochemical method. The immunohistochemical scores (IHS) were calculated by combining an estimate of the percentage of immunoreactive cells with that of the stain intensity.

RESULTS155 specimens of every pathological phase during the carcinogenesis showed: hyperplasia 14, squamous metaplasia 25, dysplasia 33, carcinoma in situ 12, infiltrating carcinoma 54 and metastasis 17. Inflammation and elevated expressions of COX-2 and iNOS were shown in the precancerous lesions. The COX-2 IHS was significantly increased in dysplasia, carcinoma in situ and metastasis (P < 0.01, P < 0.05, P < 0.01 respectively). The iNOS IHS significantly increased in hyperplasia and metastasis (P < 0.05, P < 0.01 respectively). There was a positive correlation between the expression of COX-2 and iNOS (gamma = 0.601 6, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONCOX-2 and iNOS, two inflammation related enzymes, playing important roles in the carcinogenesis of MCA and DEN, induce rat lung squamous cell carcinoma as well as its metastasis. The relation between inflammation and carcinogenesis may partly be explained by the elevated expression of these two enzymes. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (COX-2 inhibitors) and iNOS inhibitors may possess antitumor activities because of their prevention of bronchial dysplasia, carcinogenesis and metastasis.

Animals ; Carcinogens ; adverse effects ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; chemically induced ; enzymology ; pathology ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; Female ; Immunohistochemistry ; methods ; Isoenzymes ; biosynthesis ; Lung Neoplasms ; chemically induced ; enzymology ; pathology ; Male ; Methylcholanthrene ; adverse effects ; Neoplasms, Experimental ; chemically induced ; enzymology ; pathology ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; biosynthesis ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases ; biosynthesis ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar