OBJECTIVETo investigate the action mechanisms of the FZD5 gene in prostate cancer bone metastasis and search for some new treatments for this disease.

METHODSWe determined the expression level of the FZD5 gene in prostate cancer PC3 cells and, after transfection of siRNA into the PC3 cells and silence of the FZD5 gene, observed the changes in the migration and proliferation of the cells. We established the model of prostate cancer bone metastasis by tibial injection of prostate cancer cells in the nude mice. Then we injected control siRNA and FZD5-silenced siRNA into the tibia of the mice followed by evaluation of tumor-induced bone destruction by X-ray imaging at 0, 1, and 3 weeks and by HE staining at 3 weeks after injection.

RESULTSAfter transfection of FZD5-silenced siRNA into the prostate cancer PC3 cells, the expression of the FZD5 gene was decreased about 70%. The rate of cell proliferation was significantly lower in the gene silencing group than in the control (P < 0.05), and that of cell migration dropped by 30% in the former as compared with the latter group at 48 hours after FZD5 silencing (P < 0.05). At 3 weeks after injection of control siRNA or FZD5-silenced siRNA into the tibia of the mice, osteolytic damage was observed in both groups, though less in the FZD5 silencing group, with only a few remaining bone trabeculae visible.

CONCLUSIONSilencing the FZD5 gene can reduce the migration and proliferation of prostate cancer cells, help to suppress bone metastasis and destruction, and thereby improve the survival rate and quality of life of the patients.

Animals ; Bone Neoplasms ; genetics ; prevention & control ; secondary ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; genetics ; Cell Proliferation ; genetics ; Frizzled Receptors ; genetics ; physiology ; Gene Expression ; Gene Silencing ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Osteolysis ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Quality of Life ; RNA, Small Interfering ; administration & dosage ; genetics ; Transfection

Objective To explore some characters of auditory steady-state responses (ASSR) to multiple simultaneous stimuli in a sample of normal-hearing adults.Methods The ASSR to multiple simultaneous stimuli were recorded in a sample of 32 normal-hearing adults (64 ears). Simultaneous carrier tones (0.5, 1, 2 and 4 kHz), modulated in amplitude at different rate of 77, 85,93, 101 Hz for left ear and 79, 87, 95, 103 Hz for right ear, were presented binaurally by the insert phones. For each subject the response thresholds (RTHs) at 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 kHz were determined automatically and compared with the corresponding behavioral thresholds (BTHs).Results ①In the normal-hearing adults, RTHs were on average between 7～19 dB above the BTHs.②2-way repeated measures ANOVA (ear?carrier frequencies) showed significant main effect between carrier frequencies on RTH ( F =31.254; ? 3,179; P =0.000). Post Hoc analysis indicated that this effect was due to the highest threshold found at 0.5 kHz. The test showed no significant difference of threshold between left ear and right ear ( F =1.942; ? 1,179; P =0.165). ③Taking 60 dB SPL as analysis level, 2-way repeated measures ANOVA (gender?carrier frequencies) revealed significant difference of amplitude between male and female( F =16.490; ? 1,175; P =0.000); and difference of amplitude between carrier frequencies ( F =2.948; ?3, 175; P =0.034).④The average testing time was 61 minutes for male and 69 minutes for female. Independent t-test showed statistical significance within sex.⑤Two- way ANOVA (state?frequency)showed that background EEG noise were significantly higher in awake than that in sleep ( F =152.511; P =0.000). There were no appreciable significance in background noise among frequencies. Conclusion The ASSR to multiple simultaneous stimuli was proven to be a frequency specific, objective and valid technique for threshold estimation at least for normal-hearing adults. Issues concern ing clinical use were discussed.

Objective To identify the occurrence and microorganism profile of device-associated healthcare-associa-ted infections (DA-HAIs)in the intensive care unit (ICU)of a university hospital in China.Methods From Janua-ry 1 to November 30,2015,patients admitted to the ICU of a university hospital in China for more than 48 hours were performed prospective descriptive study. DA-HAIs were defined according to the criteria of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)of U.S.,descriptive statistical analysis was performed.Results Of 254 pa-tients admitted to ICU,the overall incidence of DA-HAIs was 15.35% ,with 10.23 cases of DA-HAIs per 1 000 ICU-days;the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP ),catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI),and central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI)were 7.05 per 1 000 ventilator-days,4.91 per 1 000 urinary catheter-days,and 3.22 per 1 000 central line-days,respectively. The main infection site was lower respiratory tract,accounting for 48. 27% ,followed by bloodstream system (27. 59% ),urinary tract (22.99% ),and gastrointestinal tract(1.15% ). The major isolated microorganism was Acinetobacterbaumannii (21 .52% ).Conclusion The surveillance system can identify the epidemiological status of DA-HAIs and make effec-tive control measures to ensure the healthcare safety.

Objective To detect K-ras mutations in plasma by a nano capture probe system , and to explore the diagnostic and prognostic value of this method for patients with pancreatic cancer .Methods The clinical data of 62 patients with pancreatic cancer , 38 patients with benign pancreatic diseases and 31 healthy controls admitted in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing Medical College from June 2013 to June 2015 were collected.The diagnosis of all the patients were confirmed by pathology .The DNA were extracted from all plasma samples and were detected for the codon 12 and 13 mutation of K-ras gene by nano capture probe and conventional PCR plus direct sequencing .The correlation of K-ras gene mutation with certain clinical data and the diagnostic and prognostic value in pancreatic cancer were analyzed .Results The K-ras mutation were detected by nano capture probe in 27 pancreatic cancer patients , and the mutation rate was 43.5%(27/62), including 25 cases with codon 12 mutation and 2 cases with codon 13 mutation .The K-ras mutation rate in patients with benign pancreatic diseases was 7.9%(3/38), which were all in codon 12.K-ras mutation was detected in only 17 pancreatic cancer patients by conventional PCR plus direct sequencing , and the mutation rate was 27.4%(17/62), The K-ras mutation rate of benign pancreatic diseases was 5.3%(2/38).The mutation rate detected by nano capture probe was higher than that by conventional PCR , and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.006).K-ras mutation in the plasma of patients with pancreatic cancer was related to TMN stage and liver metastasis , but there was no correlation of the factors such as sex , age, clinical symptoms, tumor size, serum CA19-9 and CEA levels with K-ras mutation.The sensitivity of K-ras gene mutation for diagnosing pancreatic cancer was 43.5%, the specificity was 92.1%, the positive predictive value was 90%, the negative predictive value was 50%, Youden index was 0.356.The 1-year survival rate of patients with K-ras mutation was 44.4%, which was lower than that (71.4%) of patients with wild-type K-ras, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).Conclusions The nano capture probe system could certainly detect K-ras mutation in a small quantity of plasma DNA , and its diagnosis sensitivity for pancreatic cancer is low , but the specificity is relatively high .K-ras mutation in plasma is closely related to the TMN stage and prognosis of pancreatic cancer .

This study was aimed to observe the natural history and evolution of cervical spondylotic myelopa-thy , explore development law of the disease incidence in order to improve the understanding of cervical spondylotic myelopathy and provide a theoretical basis for Chinese medicine treatment . Complete clinical data of 80 cervical spondylotic myelopathy cases were collected from March 1998 to July 2007 in special and ex-pert practice of Prof . Shi's out-patient department . Chinese medicine for q i-blood regulation was given in the treatment . Related measuring scales were designed . More than two-month follow-up was given through means of returning visit, telephone calls and letter inquiries. Changes of clinical symptoms, and scores of different types of evaluations were observed . The SPSS software was used in the data analysis of results from measuring scales for the objective evaluation . The results showed that there were statistical differences on the 40-score and JOA total score between initial visiting and first time follow-up ( P < 0 . 05 ) . It suggested that through Chinese medicine qi-blood regulation treatment, the scores on spinal cord function were increased compared with the previous visiting . For patients who continued long-term Chinese medicine q i-blood regulation treat-ment, there were statistical differences on the 40-score and JOA total score between the first-time follow-up and second-time follow-up ( P < 0 . 05 ) . It suggested that through continued long-term Chinese medicine q i-blood regulation treatment , the scores on spinal cord function were increased compared with the previous visit-ing . In this group of patients , there were no statistical differences on the 40-score and JOA total score be-tween the patient's initial visiting , first time follow-up , and the first-time follow-up and second-time follow-up . The scores on spinal cord function suggested that there was no obvious difference on the relieving degree between the first-time follow-up and second-time follow-up . For patients who were unable to continue the Chinese medicine qi-blood regulation treatment, no matter if it was full score on the spinal cord function in the first-time follow-up , there were statistical differences on the 40-score and JOA total score between the first-time and second-time follow-up . It suggested that the disease became worse when patients were unable to continue the Chinese medicine qi-blood regulation treatment. It was concluded that Chinese medicine qi-blood regulation treatment for cervical spondylotic myelopathy has a significant effect in both short-term and long-term treatment with steady effectiveness. Patients who continue the Chinese medicine qi-blood regulation treatment not only can prevent disease recurrence , but also can promote further relieving of disease condition .

Based on the ecological and economic problems in Good Agriculture Practice (GAP) of Chinese material medica, we introduced the origin, concept, features and operative technology of eco-agriculture worldwide, emphasizing its modes on different biological levels of landscape, ecosystem, community, population, individual and gene in China. And on this basis, we analyzed the background and current situation of eco-agriculture of Chinese materia medica, and proposed its development ideas and key tasks, including: (1) Analysis and planning of the production pattern of Chinese material medica national wide. (2) Typical features extraction of regional agriculture of Chinese materia medica. (3) Investigation of the interaction and its mechanism between typical Chinese materia medica in each region and the micro-ecology of rhizosphere soil. (4) Study on technology of eco-agriculture of Chinese materia medica. (5) Extraction and solidification of eco-agriculture modes of Chinese materia medica. (6) Study on the theory of eco-agriculture of Chinese materia medica. Also we pointed out that GAP and eco-agriculture of Chinese material medica are both different and relative, but they are not contradictory with their own features. It is an irresistible trend to promote eco-agriculture in the GAP of Chinese material medica and coordinate ecological and economic development.
Agriculture ; methods ; standards ; trends ; China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; standards ; Ecosystem ; Humans ; Materia Medica ; chemistry ; standards ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; growth & development

This study was aimed to estimate the effect of different ProDisc-C arthroplasty designs after it was implanted to C5-C6 cervicalspine. Finite element (FE) model of intact C5-C6 segments including the vertebrae and disc was developed and validated. Ball-and-socket artificial disc prosthesis model (ProDisc-C, Synthes) was implanted into the validated FE model and the curvature of the ProDisc-C prosthesis was varied. All models were loaded with compressed force 74 N and the pure moment of 1.8 Nm along flexion-extension and bilateral bending and axial torsion separately. The results indicated that the variation in the curvature of ball and socket configuration would influence the range of motion in flexion/extension, while there were not apparently differences under other conditions of loads. The method increasing the curvature will solve the stress concentration of the polyethylene, but it will also bring adverse outcomes, such as facet joint force increasing and ligament tension increasing. Therefore, the design of artificial discs should be considered comprehensively to reserve the range of motion as well as to avoid the adverse problems, so as not to affect the long-term clinical results.
Arthroplasty ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Finite Element Analysis ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc ; Pressure ; Prostheses and Implants ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Spine ; Zygapophyseal Joint

Objective To compare the performance of Mandarin screening version of hearing handicap inven-tory in elderly (HHIE-S)and the single question of hearing loss in the hearing screening in the old adults.Methods A total of 570 participants,aged from 50~85 years,of native Mandarin speakers were tested with standard pure tone audiometry (PTA),HHIE-S and single questionAre you now having difficulty in hearing?.HHIE-S>8 was taken as an indicator of hearing handicap.Sensitivity,specificity,negative predictive values and positive predic-tive values of both HHIE-S and single question inquiry when 0.5~4 kHz PTA average > 25 dB,>40 dB and >60 dB were compared.Results The prevalence was 83.9% (478)measured by PTA.The prevalence was 55.3%and 52.5% for HHIE-S and positive answer for single question,respectively.The sensitivity of HHIE-S when the participants grouped with 0.5~4 kHz PTA average > 25 dB,>40 dB and > 60 dB was 61%,85% and 96%, respectively,whereas the sensitivity of single question of the above 3 conditions was 58%,81% and 100%,respec-tively.The specificity of HHIE-S decreased with greater hearing loss.It was 72%,88% and 47% respectively for HHIE-S and 75%,61% and 50% for the single question.There was no significant difference either for sensitivity and specificity between the HHIE-S and the single question.Conclusion Both the Mandarin version of HHIE-S and single question are effective in the hearing screening of old adults.Depending on the purpose and availability of resources,one or both of them can be adopted.

This study was aimed to evaluate the clinical effect and safety of Chinese medicine treatment of lumbar disc herniation with qi-tonifying, stasis-resolving and kidney-tonifying method. The randomized con-trolled trial (RCT) was applied in the study to evaluate the clinical effect of qi-tonifying, stasis-resolving and kidney-tonifying method in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation . A total of 122 lumbar disc herniation pa-tients were randomly divided into the treatment group ( n = 61 ) and the control group ( n = 61 ) . Chinese medicine treatment with the qi-tonifying, stasis-resolving and kidney-tonifying method was applied in the treatment group . And Celecoxib and Methycobal were orally administered in the control group . Then , the VAS scores, JOA scores, Oswestry disability index (ODI) were recorded and analyzed pre-treatment, four weeks af-ter treatment and the twelfth week of follow-up in order to evaluate the clinical effect . Adverse reactions were also observed and recorded at the same time to give a comprehensive evaluation on its safety . The results showed that there were no significant differences between the treatment group and control group in the baseline data before treatment . Hence , data from two groups were comparable . Compared with pre-treatment , the VAS scores and ODI scores were obviously reduced in both groups after four-week treatment . The JOA scores were increased obviously ( P < 0 . 05 ) . There were no statistical differences on ODI scores and JOA scores between two groups . The VAS scores of the treatment group were obviously higher than the control group ( P < 0 . 05 ) . In the twelfth week of follow-up , the VAS scores , ODI scores and JOA scores had increasing tendency in
both groups . There were no statistical differences between two groups . There were no statistical differences on the total effective rate between two groups . In the treatment group , four patients received surgery , four cases lost to follow-up , and four cases with mild adverse event . In the control group , six patients received surgery , three cases lost to follow-up , and two cases with mild adverse event . It was concluded that the RCT of Chi-nese medicine treatment of lumbar disc herniation with q i-tonifying , stasis-resolving and kidney-tonifying method received same clinical effect as the combination of Celecoxib and Methycobal . The Chinese medicine treatment can effectively relieve pain degree of lumbar disc herniation , improve function of the lumbar vertebrae and improve the daily life and social activity ability of patients. The short-term follow-up effects were con-firmed . However , the long-term efficacy still requires further study .

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of Gegen Recipe and Guizhi Recipe regulating the expression of IL-1beta, iNOS, TNFalpha and TGFbeta mRNA in degenerated intervertebral disk caused by stimulation of wind, cold and damp. METHODS: Thirty-six rabbits were randomly separated into six groups, viz. control group, stimulation by wind, cold and damp group, head in low-location group, compound model group (head in low-location plus stimulation of wind, cold and damp), Gegen Recipe group and Guizhi Recipe group. The gene expression of IL-1beta, iNOS, TNFalpha and TGFbeta mRNA in degenerated cervical intervertebral disks were assayed by RT-PCR. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, IL-1beta mRNA and iNOS mRNA expression were up-regulated in each model group(P<0.01). Both Gegen Recipe and Guizhi Recipe down-regulated IL-1beta mRNA, iNOS mRNA expression, which had significant differences compared with the stimulation model group(P<0.01 or <0.05). TNFalpha mRNA expression was significantly enhanced in the compound model group compared with the control group (P<0.01). There was no significant difference between the head in low-location group and the stimulation model group. Gegen Recipe down-regulated TNFalpha mRNA expression compared with the stimulation group(P<0.01),while the effect of Guizhi Recipe was not significant. Compared with the control group, TGFbeta mRNA expression went down in each model group(P<0.01). Gegen Recipe up-regulated TGFbeta mRNA expression(P<0.01), while the effect of Guizhi Recipe on adjusting TGFbeta mRNA was not significant. CONCLUSION: Stimulation by wind, cold and damp, head in low-location, and compound of both can down-regulate the expressions of IL-1beta, iNOS, TNFalpha mRNA, and up-regulate the expression of TGFbeta mRNA. These researches certify that these factors take part in the progression of intervertebral disk degeneration. IL-1beta, iNOS, TNFalpha accelerate the degeneration and TGFbeta defers the degeneration. Gegen Recipe down-regulates the expression of TNFalpha mRNA and up-regulates the expression of TGFbeta mRNA. The effect on regulating the cell factors expressions by Guizhi Recipe is lower than that of Gegen Recipe.