To investigate the effects of the property of drugs and the structure of drug delivery devices on the drug release rate, the effects of sealing methods, length, thickness and drug-loading manner of the silicone tubes on the drug release rate were examined using progestin, testosterone, estradiol as the delivery drugs. The results showed that the property of the drug was the crucial factor to the drug release rate. The sealing methods, length, thickness and drug status of the silicone tubes had significant effects on the drug release rate and the effects were closely related to the property of the drugs. In addition, our newly developed glass-silicone tube has larger drug deposition capability and smaller drug release area, offers an effective and convenient method for the sustained drug delivery with quick release traits in vivo.
Delayed-Action Preparations ; chemistry ; Drug Carriers ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Estradiol ; administration & dosage ; Progesterone Congeners ; administration & dosage ; Silicones ; Testosterone ; administration & dosage

OBJECTIVETo explore the vulnerability to HIV infection and related risk behaviors of the out-of-school adolescents who migrated with their parents from rural areas to cities.

METHODSFrom September to October 2005, 260 out-of-school adolescents aged 14-20 years were interviewed through a questionnaire.

RESULTSOut-of-school adolescents lacked HIV/AIDS knowledge and related life skills, and their psychosocial competency was relatively low. The interviewed adolescents were open in their sexuality, showing a low rate of condom use. Their attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS and HIV/AIDS prevention competency were positively correlated with family well-being, harmonious relations between their parents, a stable job, knowledge, life skill, and psychosocial competency for emotion control and empathy.

CONCLUSIONOut-of-school adolescents are highly vulnerable to HIV/AIDS infection and transmission. Practical and feasible health and life skill education and psychosocial competency are the keys to effective HIV/AIDS prevention among out-of-school adolescent migrants.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Distribution ; China ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Data Collection ; Female ; HIV Infections ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Humans ; Male ; Risk-Taking ; Surveys and Questionnaires

ObjectiveTo observe the thyroid status of pregnant women during the 1st and 2nd trimester of gestation,and its role in brain and neural development of their offspring's.MethodsFrom 2008 to 2009,pregnant women from nine townships of two counties in Wushi and Baicheng in Aksu prefecture of Xinjiang were selected as research subjects according to the survey standard.After informed consent signed,their urinary iodine,serum thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH) and free thyroxin(FT4) were analyzed.The value of thyroid hormone of normal pregnant women was used in diagnosis of subclinical hypothyroidism and hypothyroxinemia in pregnant women.From 2010 to 2011, The brain and neural development status among offspring born by those pregnant women were evaluated with DDST.In accordance with the results of Denver Development Screen Test (DDST) screening,pregnant women were classified into survey and control groups,and the survey group was the suspicious and abnormal of the result of DDST screening(delay),the control group was normal of the result.According to gestational age,pregnant women were divided into 4 gestation groups:G1(6 to 13 weeks),G2(14 to 18 weeks),G3 ( 19 to 23 weeks) and G4(24 to 28 weeks).ResultsA total of 396 cases of pregnant women during the 1st and 2nd trimester of gestation were investigated(survey group 102 cases,control group 294 cases).The median value of urinary iodine concentration among pregnant women in survey group was 152.4 μg/L The prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism and hypothyroxinemia among pregnant women was 10.78％(11/102) and 3.93％(4/102),respectively.In control group,the median value of urinary iodine concentration was 180.0 μg/L The prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism and hypothyroxinemia among pregnant women was 7.48％ (22/294) and 4.42％ (13/294),respectively.During the pregnant period from G1 to G3,the median serum TSH of pregnant women in DDST survey group (2.24,3.49,2.85 mU/L) was higher than that of DDST control group( 1.59,2.70,2.28 mU/L).Especially,the difference of TSH between the two groups during the period of G3 was statistically significant (t =4.906,P ＜ 0.05 ).ConclusionsHypothyroidism tendency of pregnant women during the period from gestation week 19th to 23rd may be an important factor in the development of brain abnormalities of their offsprings.

Objective To explore the relationships between training burnout , body mass index (BMI), fasting plasma glucose ( FPG) and blood lipids of soldiers .Methods A total of 140 soldiers stationed in Xinjiang who had received intensive behavioral stress training before entering the plateau ( referred to as the "great intensity training") were studied by the integrated method of a questionnaire survey with test in situ .The questionnaire was a self-compiled soldiers′training burnout questionnaire ,in which BMI , FPG, and blood lipids were the observation indices .The relationships between the indices and training burnout were analyzed by linear regression analysis .Results The total score of training burnout and scores of training alienation among soldiers were significantly increased after high intensity training (P<0.01).While the values of FPG, TC, TG and BMI among soldiers were significantly decreased after high intensity training (P<0.05, P<0.01).After high intensity training, the total scores of training burnout and score of training alienation among overweight soldiers were significantly compared to higher than those who had normal BMI (P<0.05, P<0.01).After high intensity training, the total score of training burnout and scores of physical and mental exhaustion and training alienation among soldiers that had high levels of FPG were significantly increased those who had low levels of FPG (P<0.01).And the total score of training burnout and scores of physical and mental exhaustion and training alienation among soldiers that had high levels of cholesterol were significantly higher than those of soldiers who had low levels of cholesterol (P<0.01).Regres-sion analysis showed that there was a linear regression relationship between physical and mental exhaustion , training aliena-tion on one hand, and BMI, FPG, total cholesterol (TC),and triglycerides (TG) on the other hand among soldiers before and after intensive training (P<0.05, P<0.01).Conclusion Physical and mental exhaustion are important influencing factors of FPG and TC, while training alienation is an important influencing factor of TC and TG .

Objective To explore the effect of group mind-games and group counseling on training burnout among soldiers who quickly marched to the plateau for the first time .Methods Totally 399 soldiers who quickly marched to the plateau for the first time were divided randomly into to the control group ( n=201 ) and test group ( n=198 ) .The test group had particinated in group mind-games and psychological counseling twice a week for a total of 5 weeks, while the control group received no counseling .Soldier training fatigue questionnairs were used to compare the difference between the two groups before and after group mind-games and psychological counseling .Results ①The total scores of training burnout and the scores of all the factors of soldiers before counseling in the two groups was of no statistical significance (P>0.05). After counseling , the total scores of training burnout and the scores of all factors in test group were remarkably lower than those in control group,and the difference was of statistical significance (P<0.05).The total scores of training burnout and the scores of physical and psychologica exhaustion and alienaties decreased significantly after training in test group ( P<0.05), but the change was of no statistical significance in control group (P>0.05).②Soldiers who had served 1 to 2 years or over 9 years had significant difference in the scores of training burnout , physical and psychologica exhaustion ( P<0.05).Soldiers who had served 3 to 8 years had significant difference in the scores of training and the scores of each factor after counseling(P<0.05).Conclusion Group mind-games and psychological counseling can effectively help alleviate the training burnout of soldiers who quickly march to the plateau for the first time.

Objective To explore the current profile of drowning related high risk behaviors among the floating children inNingbo City and to identify the risk factors on these behaviors.Methods A total of 7 600 students from grade 1 -9 ineight urban migrant workers'children schools were recruited and surveyed by the questionnaires.And the logistic regressionmodel was used for the analysis of risk factors.Results In last one year,without adult supervision,the incidence rate ofdrowning related high risk behaviors was 27.53%.The results of multivariate logistic regression showed that males (OR =2.30,95%CI:1.99 ~2.65),senior grade (OR =1.23,95%CI:1.18 ~1.27),other juvenile companion on the way toschools (OR =1.26,95%CI:1.06 ~1.51),being able to swim (OR =2.09,95%CI:1.77 ~2.46)and there being theopen water around school and home (OR =1.75,95%CI:1.52 ~2.00)could increase the incidence of drowning relatedhigh risk behaviors.And higher awareness of drowning prevention (OR =0.99,95%CI:0.98 ~0.99),higher rate ofcorrect attitude (OR =0.99,95%CI:0.98 ~0.99),getting along well with schoolmates (OR =0.69,95%CI:0.51 ~0.95)and with family members (OR =0.33,95%CI:0.24 ~0.46)could reduce the incidence of drowning related highrisk behaviors.Conclusion The incidence rate of drowning related high risk behaviors was high among the floatingchildren in Ningbo City,and males,being able to swim might increase the occurrence of high risk behaviors.

Objective This study was operated to investigate the association between urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) and physical situations as hypertension and prehypertension among women.Methods Blood pressure,height,weight and waist circumference were measured and factors such as cigarette smoking,alcohol intake,family history of hypertension,were investigated.Blood glucose and lipid,serum uric acid,urinary albumin and urinary creatinine were tested on 1796 women aged ≥30 years living in the Jinchang district of Suzhou.Associations between UACR and hypertension as well as prehypertension were analyzed,by using ordinal multinomial logistic regression models.Results The mean levels of UACR were 15.54 (7.67,32.53),9.01 ( 5.45,18.06),7.13 (4.60,12.50 ) mg/g and the rates of higher UACR were 27.57％,13.42％,9.61％ in hypertensive,pre-hypertensive and normotensive subjects,respectively,with significant differences noticed among the three groups (P＜0.05).The average systolic blood pressure/diastolic blood pressure appeared to be 125.3/80.9,128.8/82.7,130.8/84.0 and 135.1/85.9 mm Hg for participants with UACR in the first,second,third and fourth quartile,respectively.The risks of prehypertension or hypertension increased with increasing UACR levels.Dose-response relationship was seen between UACR and risks of prehypertension or hypertension.Multivariable adjusted odds ratios (95％CI) of prehypertension or hypertension in the upper quartiles of UACR were 1.32 ( 1.02,1.70),1.72 ( 1.32,2.24),and 2.37 (1.80,3.11 ),respectively,when compared with the lowest quartile.Conclusion Elevated UACR was associated with both hypertension and prehypertension among women.

BACKGROUNDA satisfactory animal model of breast cancer metastasizing to bone is unavailable. In this study, we used human breast cancer stem-like cells and human bone to build a novel "human-source" model of human breast cancer skeletal metastasis.

METHODSHuman breast cancer stem-like cells, the CD44+/CD24-/lower subpopulation, was separated and cultured. Before injection with the stem-like cells, mice were implanted with human bone in the right or left dorsal flanks. Animals in Groups A, B, and C were injected with 1 x 10(5), 1 x 10(6) human breast cancer stem-like cells, and 1 x 10(6) parental MDA-MB-231 cells, respectively. A positive control group (D) without implantation of human bone was also injected with 1 x 10(6) MDA-MB-231 cells. Immunohistochemistry was performed for determination of CD34, CD105, smooth muscle antibody, CD44, CD24, cytokine, CXC chemokine receptor-4 (CXCR4), and osteopontin (OPN). mRNA levels of CD44, CD24, CXCR4, and OPN in bone metastasis tissues were analyzed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

RESULTSOur results demonstrated that cells in implanted human bones of group B, which received 1 x 10(6) cancer stem-like cells, stained strongly positive for CD44, CXCR4, and OPN, whereas those of other groups showed no or minimum staining. Moreover, group B had the highest incidence of human bone metastasis (77.8%, P = 0.0230) and no accompaniment of other tissue metastasis. The real-time PCR showed an increase of CD44, CXCR4, and OPN mRNA in metastatic bone tissues in group B compared with those of groups C and D, however the expression of CD24 mRNA in group B were the lowest.

CONCLUSIONSIn the novel "human source" model of breast cancer, breast cancer stem-like cells demonstrated a higher human bone-seeking ability. Its mechanism might be related to the higher expressions of CD44, CXCR4, and OPN, and the lower expression of CD24 in breast cancer stem-like cells.

Animals ; Bone Neoplasms ; secondary ; Breast Neoplasms ; pathology ; CD24 Antigen ; analysis ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Hyaluronan Receptors ; analysis ; Immunohistochemistry ; Mice ; Neoplastic Stem Cells ; pathology ; Osteopontin ; analysis ; Phenotype ; Receptors, CXCR4 ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the polymorphisms of cluster of differentiation 14(CD14)gene promoters and explore whether such polymorphisms are associated with the susceptibility to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome(MODS) in Chongqing population.

METHODSThe single nucleotide polymorphisms of the promoter region of CD14 gene at position -1145 and -159 were detected using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method in 106 patients with severe chest trauma, among whom 47 were with MODS.

RESULTSTrauma patients carrying G allele tended to have a higher risk of MODS than those carrying A allele at position-1145, the MODS scores in trauma patients carrying G allele were significantly higher than those carrying A allele (P=0.217 for dominant effect and P=0.037 for recessive effect), and the MODS scores in trauma patients carrying T allele were significantly higher than those carrying C allele at position -159 (P=0.048 for dominant effect and P=0.198 for recessive effect). The genotypes of CD14 gene at positions -1145 and -159 were significantly correlated with the MODS scores (P=0.043,P=0.046). Compare with single-point mutation, simultaneous two-point mutation had significantly higher risk of MODS (Pü0.01), while the difference of MODS scores showed no statistical significance (P=0.239).

CONCLUSIONThe polymorphisms of CD14 gene promoters are associated with MODS after severe chest trauma in Chongqing population.

Adult ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Lipopolysaccharide Receptors ; genetics ; Male ; Multiple Organ Failure ; etiology ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Thoracic Injuries ; complications

The role of hepatic CD69+ natural killer (NK) cells in virus-induced severe liver injury and subsequent hepatic failure is not well defined. In this study, a mouse model of fulminant liver failure (FHF) induced by murine hepatitis virus strain 3 (MHV-3) was used to study the role of hepatic CD69+NK cells in the development of FHF. The CD69 expression in NK cells in the liver, spleen, bone marrow and peripheral blood was detected by using flow cytometry. The correlation between the CD69 level in hepatic NK cells and liver injury was studied. The functional marker (CD107a), and activating and inhibitory receptor (NKG2D and NKG2A) expressed on CD69+NK cells and CD69-NK cells were detected by using flow cytometry. Pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-9, IFN-γ and TNF-α) were also examined by using intracellular staining. After MHV-3 infection, the number of CD69+NK cells in the liver of BALB/cJ mice was increased markedly and peaked at 72 h post-infection. Similar changes were also observed in the spleen, bone marrow and peripheral blood. Meanwhile, the CD69 expression in hepatic NK cells was highly correlated with the serum level of ALT and AST. The expression of CD107a and NKG2D, as well as the production of TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-9 in hepatic CD69+NK cells was all significantly up-regulated during 48-72 h post-infection. In contrast, the NKG2A expression was increased in hepatic CD69-NK cells but not in CD69+NK cells. These results suggested that hepatic CD69+NK cells play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of FHF by enhancing degranulation and cytotoxic ability of NK cells and increasing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Animals ; Antigens, CD ; immunology ; Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte ; immunology ; Coronavirus Infections ; immunology ; Female ; Hepatitis, Viral, Animal ; immunology ; Killer Cells, Natural ; immunology ; Lectins, C-Type ; immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Murine hepatitis virus ; immunology