Aim To establish a rat aortic calcification sub-chronic model induced by vitamin D3 and nicotine.Methods The vascular calcification model was produced by vitamin D3(300 kIU?kg-1,im) plus nicotine(25 mg?kg-1,5 ml?kg-1,po).Rat body weight and blood pressure were monitored on a regular basis.Ratio of heart to body weight,plasma calcium,plasma phosphate content,vascular calcium content,Von Kossa staining,activity of alkaline phosphatase(ALP) and 45Ca deposition in aorta were measured as the index of calcification at the 8th and the 16th week.Results Compared with control group,the VDN group rats showed higher values of blood pressure from the 3rd week(all P

ObjectiveTo study the relationship between condom use and sexually transmitted infection (STI) incidence among men who have sex with men (MSM) in 9 cities in China.MethodsA sectional survey was carried out by using targeted sampling method (snowball sampling) in MSM who often consumed at bars in 9 cities in China,including Harbin,Shenyang,Xi'an,Zhengzhou,Nanjing,Shanghai,Wuhan,Chengdu and Chongqing.The survey respondents were required to complete an anonymous questionnaire,and blood samples were obtained from them.Data were analyzed by SPSS 13.0 software.ResultsOverall,2250 respondents were included in this survey.Most MSM recognized that condom use could prevent STI,and no significant difference was observed in the percentage of MSM who had the recognition between MSM with STI and MSM without STI (P ＞ 0.05).The incidence of STI was statistically lower in MSM who used condom during sexual intercourse than those who never used ( 17.2％ vs.24.5％,P ＜ 0.05 ),Iower in MSM who used condom at every time of anal intercourse in the last 6 months than those who used condom not at every time or never used condom (14.2％vs.19.3％,P ＜ 0.01 ).The respondents who thought that the insistence on using condom would make the partner suspicious that they suffered from STI showed a higher incidence of STI(34.0％) compared with those who believed that they just had one partner(16.6％,P ＜ 0.05 ),those who thought that condom use was detrimental to their close relationship (16.1％,P ＜ 0.05),and those who thought condom use was unnecessary (11.5％,P ＜0.01 ).ConclusionsCondom use is definitely beneficial to the prevention of transmission of STI/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).MSM who use condom at every time are associated with a lower incidence of STI,while those who think that the insistence on using condom will make their partners suspicious that they suffer from STI are associated with a high incidence of STI.

DNA transposon is a kind of factor that is able to translocate gene in its genome, thus offering an efficient method for permanently modifying the genome of mammals. The piggyBac (PB) transposon system has been proven effective in mammalian genomic engineering, including cancer gene discovery, animal transgenesis, in vivo gene delivery as well as in vitro genetic modification like induced pluripotent stem cells. In addition, piggyBac has many desirable features, such as seamless excision of transposons from the genomic DNA and the potential to target integration events to desired DNA sequences. Therefore, the piggyBac translocation system is an ideal genetic tool in the construction of animal models and gene therapy, and we can anticipate that the piggyBac transposon system will play a more and more important role in biomedical research.

A series of andrographolide derivatives with the structure of 12-N-substituted-14-deoxyandrographolide were synthesized from the parent compound andrographolide.Their antitumor activities were preliminarily evaluated on various cancer cell lines and compound 4d stood out due to its potent growth inhibitory effect in comparison with andrographolide.Compound 4d also demonstrated significant antitumor effect on human hepatoma HepG2cells in vitro and on sarcoma 180 (S180) and hepatoma 22(H22)-bearing mice in vivo.Then,the apoptosis induced by compound 4d in HepG2cells was detected by Annexin V/PI double staining assay.Further mechanic study showed that the expression of p53 and Bax was significantly elevated and that of Bcl-2was downregulated in 4d-treated HepG2cells.Collectively,these data suggested that compound 4d had remarkable antitumor effect both in vitro and in vivo and could effectively induce apoptosis via a p53-dependent pathway in HepG2 cells,thus deserving further investigation.

Objective To evaluate the feeding effect of semi-demand feeding and abdominal massage on the feeding process, feeding performances and clinical safety (including the time of returning to birth weight, feeding tolerance, apnea). Methods A total of 120 preterm infants that met inclusion criteria of the study were randomly assigned to three groups, and each group had 40 cases. Control group:received standard feeding care. Semi-demand feeding group: received 5-10 minutes of oral motor intervention every time before feeding(including oral stimulation and non nutritional sucking), then decided feeding methods according to its consciousness behavior state. Semi-demand feeding combined abdominal massage group: received both semi-demand feeding and abdominal massage before feeding. Observed and recorded the three groups′ transition time, whether there were statistically significant differences in feeding performance and clinical safety. Results The feeding transition time was (11.55± 4.69), (10.98±3.85), (8.50±3.87)d in control group, semi-demand feeding group and semi-demand feeding combined abdominal massage group, and there were significant differences (F=6.088, P=0.003). In terms of feeding performance, the feeding efficiency were (7.27 ± 2.65), (9.74 ± 2.63), (9.52 ± 2.13) ml/min, the feeding proficiency were (66.31 ± 14.51)%, (76.64 ± 12.46)%, (82.26 ± 10.65)%, the volume transfer were (63.99 ± 11.02)%, (80.16 ± 14.41)%, (84.97 ± 11.16)% in control group, semi-demand feeding group and semi-demand feeding combined abdominal massage group, and there were significant differences (F=12.189, 16.383, 31.959, all P < 0.01).Among the clinical safety, the time of restoration of birth weight were (10.55 ± 1.99), (9.28 ± 1.77), (10.05 ± 2.46) d in control group, semi-demand feeding group and semi-demand feeding combined abdominal massage group, and there were significant differences(F=3.759, P=0.026). The incidence of feeding intolerance were 50.0%(20/40), 40.0%(16/40), 22.5%(9/40), and there were significant differences(χ2=6.613, P=0.037). The incidence of apnea were 37.5%(15/40), 20.0%(8/40), 15.0%(6/40), and there were significant differences(χ2=6.093, P=0.048). Conclusions The combined intervention methods could accelerate the feeding process, improve feeding performance as well as reduce the incidence of feeding intolerance and apnea. Hence, semi-demand feeding combined abdominal massage is a recommended choice for clinical use.

Objective To investigate the sniff nasal inspiratory pressure (SNIP) of Chinese boys. Methods 299 healthy boys aged 5-12 years were measured with SNIP. Their height, weight, and age were recorded. Results The SNIP averaged (76.9±22.6) cmH2O, and was (59.1±14.2) cmH2O, (76.9±19.5) cmH2O, (85.3±23.5) cmH2O and (83.0±22.6) cmH2O in the boys of 5-6 years old, 7-8 years old, 9-10 years old and 11-12 years old, respectively. It was significantly different among boys of 5-6 years old, 7-8 years old and 9-10 years old (P<0.05), but no significant difference between 9-10 years old and 11-12 years old (P=0.55). Regression analysis indicated significant relations of SNIP with age, height, weight and Body Mass Index (P<0.01). Conclusion The SNIP of Chinese healthy boys are different from abroad. It is necessary to establish the Chinese children SNIP reference range.

ObjectiveTo evaluate digital chrome endoscopy (I-Scan) and confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) for diagnosis of Barrett esophagus (BE).MethodsFrom July 2010 to July 2011,a total of 878 outpatients who had upper gastrointestinal symptoms underwent routine endoscopy and I-Scan examination,screened patients with suspected Barrett's epithelial were further referred to CLE and endoscopy.The detection rate and image features of BE between routine endoscopy and I-Scan,and the diagnosis of BE between pathology and CLE,were compared respectively.ResultsSuspected BE was diagnosed in 46 patients (5.2％) by routine endoscopy,and in52 (5.9％) by I-Scan,and there was no significant difference in detection rate between 2 methods (x2 =0.533,P ＞ 0.05 ).The detection rate of paliform blood vessels between SCJ and GEJ was higher using I-Scan (35/52,67.3％ ) than routine endoscope (21/46,45.7％,P ＜0.05).A total of 19 suspected BE underwent CLE and biopsy,and BE was diagnosed by CLE with a sensitivity of 93％ and a specificity of 100％.ConclusionI-Scan is capable of identifying paliform blood vessels between SCJ and GEJ,and can improve the detection rate of suspected BE.CLE is able to provide in-vivo histological diagnosis of BE with a high sensitivity and specificity.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of i-scan endoscopy in detecting small colorectal precancerous lesions.Methods A total of 127 patients were randomized into 2 groups to underwent conventional colonoscopy and i-scan endoscopy respectively.The findings were compared with pathologic examinations.Results A total of 84 lesions were detected by conventional endoscopy in 64 patients,while 147 lesions were found in 63 patients with high resolution detection only,which was increased to 259 with i-scan,including 102 flat lesions.With respect to histology,adenomatous lesions could be predicted with a high sensitivity (80％) and a high specificity ( 100％ ) by i-scan endoscopy.Conclusion More small colorectal lesions can be detected by i-scan endoscopy,which can distinguish neoplasm from non-neoplasm colorectal lesions.

Objective To explore the effect of self-made venous compressor on hemostasis after withdrawing femoral vein catheter in patients with liver failure.Methods 200 patients with liver failure undergoing femoral venous intubation were divided randomly into observation group and control group in equal number.Hemostasis was performed after withdrawing the catheter using the self-made venous compressor and bandage combined with pressure dressing in the former and latter group respectively.The two groups were compared in terms of the complication rate,time for hemostasis manipulation and time limb immobilization.Results The rate of complications in the observation group was significantly lower than that of the control group.The time for hemostasis manipulation and time for limb immobilization in the observation group were both significantly shorter than those of the control group(P<0.01). Conclusion Performance of hemostasis using self-made venous compressor may lower the rate of complication from withdrawing femoral vein catheter and shorten the time for hemostasis manipulation and the time for limb immobilization.

Objective To study the induction of nitrous oxide(N2 O)and to compare safety and effec-tiveness of conscious sedation by nitrous oxide inhalation and intravenous sedation with propofol for upper gas-trointestinal(UGI)endoscopy.Methods A total of 400 patients undergoing UGI endoscopy in our hospital from April 2013 to October 2013 were randomly assigned to two groups,N2 O inhalation group(n=200)and in-travenous propofol group(n=200).The systolic pressures,diastolic pressures,heart rates and oxygen satura-tion,onset time,procedure duration,degree of sedation,recovery time,length of hospital stay,complica-tions,satisfaction ratings of doctors and patients,and the number of patients willing to accept the examination again were analyzed.Results The mean time of ideal anesthesia state for N2 O was (3. 16 ±0. 65 )min and there was no difference between the male and female(3. 16 ±0. 71)min vs.(3. 16 ±0. 58)min,t=0. 006,P>0. 05).The mean concentration was (43. 68 ±5. 05 )%,which was higher in male than that in female [(45. 3 ±4. 99)% vs.(41. 46 ±4. 30)%,t=3. 042,P<0. 05].Compared with before,the systolic pres-
sures,diastolic pressures,heart rates and oxygen saturation of patients in the propofol group significantly re-duced during the procedure(P<0. 05),while the same measurements excluding oxygen saturation for those in the N2 O group significantly increased(P<0. 05 ).Compared with the propofol group,patients inhaling N2 O had significantly shorter recovery and hospital stay time,but a longer onset time and procedure duration(P<0. 05 ).Complications that occurred in some patients of propofol group included hyoxemia,hypotension,brady-cardia,while the major complication in the N2 O group was nausea.The satisfaction ratings of doctors or pa-tients and the number of patients willing to accept the examination again in N2 O group were smaller than those in propofol group(86 ±3. 7 vs.96 ±2. 6,87 ±2. 8 vs.98 ±1. 2,87%vs.99%,P<0. 05).Conclusion Both conscious sedation by N2 O inhalation and intravenous sedation with propofol are effective for diagnostic UGI en-doscopy,but the safety of the former is superior to the latter.The key to complete the conscious sedation by ni-trous oxide inhalation is to accurately identify the ideal anesthesia state of N2 O.It is significant to pay attention to the nine factors concerning safe and effective sedation during operation.