Objective To study the expression and clinical significance of Notch3 and Notch intracellular domain (NICD) in ovarian carcinoma and the effects of N-[N-(3 ,5-difluorophenyl) acetyl-L-alanyl]-S-phenyl glycine t-butyl ester (DAPT), a γ-secretase inhibitor on the proliferation and apoptosis in OVCAR3, A2780 ovarian carcinoma cell lines. Methods Western blot was used to detect the expression of NICD in the tissues from 58 ovarian carcinomas patients and 21 normal ovarie, who were admitted in Peking University First Hospital from July 2006 to June 2009. Immunohistochemistry was also used to detect the expression of Notch3 in these tissues. The relationship with clinical features of ovarian carcinoma was also analyzed. Proliferation of OVCAR3 and A2780 ovarian cancer cells was determined by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay, cell cycles and apoptosis and index of proliferation were detected by flow cytometry method. The expression of NICD in OVCAR3 and A2780 cells incubated with DAPT was detected by western blot. Results (1)The expression level of NICD in ovarian carcinomas was significantly higher than that in normal ovarian tissues (1.64 ±0. 19 vs. 0.98 ±0.20;P <0.05). The NICD expression was higher in ovarian cancers with low grade or advanced stage than those in high-middle grade or early stage,respectively (1.90 ± 0. 22 vs. 1.25 ± 0. 21,1.80 ± 0. 21 vs. 1.21 ± 0. 15; all P < 0. 05). The Notch3 protein was stained positively in cytoplasm, nuclear and cell membrane. The expression of Notch3 was higher in ovarian carcinomas than that in normal ovaries [78% (45/58) vs. 24% (5/21); P < 0. 01]. While,there were no stasistical difference in different pathological types, stages, differentiation of ovarian carcinoma. There was no difference between the patients with adjuvant chemotherapy or not. (2)After OVCAR3 and A2780 cells incubated with DAPT 24, 48, 72 hours, NICD expression was significantly lower than that in control group (P < 0. 05). The effects of DAPT inhibited the proliferation and prompted the apoptosis of OVCAR3 and A2780 cells were depended on the concentrations and times. Conclusions Notch3 and NICD may play a key role in the occurrence and progress of ovarian carcinoma. The mechanism of DAPT inhibited the proliferation and prompted the apoptosis of OVCAR3 and A2780 cells may be due to decreased the formation of NICD.

Objective To study the expression of Notch 1,Jagged1 and Notch intracellular domain (NICD) in epithelial ovarian carcinoma tissues and analyze the clinical significance.To explore the activity of γ-secretase in epithelial ovarian carcinoma cell line SKOV3 and the effect of N-[N-(3,5-dil uorophenacetyl)-L-alanyl]-S-phenylglycine t-butyl ester (DAPT),a γ-secretase inhibitor on the activity of γ-secretase in SKOV3.Methods Immunohistochemistry staining method was performed in 43 patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma and 11 patients with benign epithelial ovarian tumor to detect the expression of Notch1,Jagged1 and NICD.The differences of expressionof Notch1,Jagged1 and NICD between malignant and benign ovarian tumors was compared and alsoanalyzed the correlation with clinicopathological parameters of ovarian carcinoma.Human serous ovarian cancer cell line SKOV3 and immortalized nontumorigenic ovarian epithelial cell line T29 were incubated in vitro.The activities of γ-secretase in SKOV3 and T29 with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and DAPT were detected respectively by Gal4VP16/UAS and dual luciferase reporter assay system.Results (1) The immunohistochemical composite scores (ICS) of Notch1 in epithelial ovarian carcinoma (6.7±2.2) were not significantly different with those in benign epithelial ovarian tumor (5.4± 2.7,P=0.153),while the ICS of Jagged 1 and NICD in epithelial ovarian carcinoma (5.3± 2.4,5.3± 2.3) were higher than those in benign epithelial ovarian tumor (1.6± 1.4,3.1± 1.7; all P＜0.01).The expression of Notch 1,Jagged 1 and N ICD had no correlation with patients' aged,history of carcinoma,ascites,the level of serum CA125,maximum length of ovarian tumor,Federation International of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage,grade and pathology subtypes (all P＞0.05).The hazard ratio between the high expression of Notch1,Jagged1,or NICD and the moderate to low expression of Notch1,Jagged1,or NICD,and Jagged1 were 0.771,1.648 and 1.316,respectively (all P＞0.05).The 5-year survival rate and median survival time between the high expression of Notch,Jagged 1 or NICD in subgroup and moderate to low expression in subgroup were of no difference (all P＞0.05).The activity of γ-secretase in SKOV3 was significantly higher than that in T29 [(12.2± 1.4)％,P=0.019].(2)After DAPT treated,the relative activity of γ-secretase in SKOV3 (50 μmol/L) was declined from (100.0±5.3)％ to (6.6±0.8)％ (P=0.001).Conclusions Jagged1 and NICD in Notch1 pathway may play a key role in the occurrence of ovarian carcinoma.The activity of γ-secretase in epithelial ovarian carcinoma was higher than that in ovarian epithelial cell which suggest that DAPT,γ-secretase inhibitor,may become the target of ovarian carcinoma treatment.

Objective To study the expression and clinical significance of Notch intracellular domain (NICD) in cervical cancer and the effects of N-[N-(3,5-difluorophenyl)acetyl-L-alanyl]-S-phenyl glycine t-butyl ester (DAPT), a γ-secretase inhibitor on the proliferation and apoptosis of cervical cancer cell lines. Methods Western blot was used to detect the expression of NICD in the tissues of 40 cervical cancers and 21 normal cervix and its relationship with clinical features of cervical cancer was also analyzed. Proliferation of SiHa and HeLa cervical cells was determined by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay, cell cycles and apoptosis and index of proliferation were detected by flow cytometry method. The expression of NICD in SiHa and HeLa cells incubated with DAPT was detected by western blot. Results The expression level of NICD in cervical cancers was significantly higher than that of normal cervical tissues (1.237±0.353 vs 0.938±0.105, P<0.05). The NICD expression was higher in cervical cancers with high grade,lymph node involvement and parametrial invasion than that with low-middle grade (1.496±0.540 vs 1.150±0.216), without lymph node involvement (1.419±0.532 vs 1.159±0.210) and no parametrial invasion (1.718±0.710 vs 1.183±0.258), respectively (all P<0.05). The expression of NICD in cervical adenocarcinoma was higher than that of squamous cell cancer (1.463±0.395 vs 1.162±0.187, P<0.05). After SiHa and HeLa cells were incubated with DAPT, NICD expression was significantly lower than that in control (P<0.05). The effects of DAPT inhibited the proliferation and prompted the apoptosis of SiHa and HeLa cells was depended on its concentrations and times. Conclusions NICD may play a key role in the occurrence and progress of cervical cancer. The mechanism of DAPT inhibited the proliferation and prompted the apoptosis of SiHa and HeLa cells may be due to decreased the formation of NICD.

Objective To assess the distribution of vaginal microflora in healthy women and investigate their cognition of lower reproductive tract infection-related knowledge as well as personal hygiene habits and character of behavior in seeking medical treatment. Methods Total of 1660 healthy women who had physical check-ups at the Medical Center of Renji Hospital were selected and received gynecologic examination, as well as routine examination, pH examination and bacterial culture of the vaginal discharge. In addition, 860 of them were randomly selected for questionnaire survey, in which reproductive tract infection -related knowledge and personal hygiene habits as well as behavior in seeking medical treatment were involved. Results Among the 1660 eensused women, vaginal average pH was 4. 16±0.21. The positive rate of Candida in vaginal discharge routine examination was 3.86% (64/1660), which was lower than that in aerobes culture 7.71% (128/1660). Candida alhicans was the most populous species 78.9% (101/128) ,followed by 7.8% (10/128) and 7.0% (9/128) for the Candida glabrata and Candida krusei respectively. The most populous species of vaginal microflora were hemolytic streptococcus A (63.80%, 1059/1660), Staphylococcus epidermidis (14.28%, 237/1660), and Enterococcus faecalis (D) group ( 11.44%, 190/1660). The questionnaire survey showed that 88.4% (760/860) of 860 women took active treatment when feeling unwell, 92.1% (792/860) of them had good hygiene practices, and only 21.2% (182/860) had the habit of vaginal douching. In addition, 50.0% (430/860) of them had the desire to obtain reproductive health knowledge through out-patient consultation. Conclusions Vulvovaginal Candida disease ranks the first in all types of vaginitis, among which, Candida albicans is the most populous species followed by the Candida glabrata and Candida krusei. Hemolytic streptococcus A and Staphylococcus epidermidis are the most common species of vaginal mieroflora in healthy women. The censused women have high awareness of reproductive health care and pay mueh attention to common gynecologic diseases such as lower reproductive tract infection. Nevertheless, we should strengthen the public education of reproductive health-related knowledge.

Objective To understand the immigrants' recognition of schistosomiasis and their relevant behaviors in the South-North Water-Diversion Middle-line Project areas in Hubei Province.Methods The investigation objects were selected by the method of stratified sampling among immigrants in the project areas and were surveyed through oral interview and questionnaire.Results A total of 1 010 immigrants were investigated and 1 005 questionnaires were indentified as effective ones.The awareness rates of schistosomiasis and the correct rates of related behaviors among the immigrants were still not satisfying.Conclusions The immigrants' recognition of schistosomiasis and their relevant behaviors in South-North Water-Diversion Middle-line Project areas in Hubei Province still need to be improved through health education and other measures.

Objective To investigate the effects of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy (CT) and chemoradiotherapy (CRT) or radiotherapy(RT) for Ⅰ b-Ⅱ a cervical cancer with risk factors.Methods From March 1995 to June 2010,there were 137 patients underwent radical hysterectomy and systematic pelvic lymphadenectomy for stage Ⅰ b-Ⅱ a cervical cancer admitted at Peking University First Hospital.These patients had risk factors,intermediate risk factors including bulky tumor (＞4 cm),lymph vascular space invasion,deep stromal invasion; high risk factors including positive surgical margin,parametrial invasion,lymph node involvement.Of the all patients,79 cases of them were treated with CT,58 of them were treated with RT or CRT.The 5-year survival and prognosis factors were analyzed retrospectively,the prognosis was compared between two adjuvant therapy groups.Results The univariate analysis shown that types of pathology,different grade of risk factors,stroma invasion and lymph node involvement were prognostic factors of 5-year overall survival Patients with squamous cell carcinoma,intermediate risk factors,no parametrial invasion,and no lymph node involvement had better prognosis (P ＜ 0.05).Whether patients with high-risk factors or intermediate-risk factors,the 5-year overall survival and 3-year disease-free survival had no difference between CT and RCT or RT groups respectively.Cox regression multivariate analysis of survival indicated that clinical stages,types of histology,different grade of risk factors were independent prognostic indicator.Patients with early stage,squamous cell carcinoma,intermediate risk factors had better prognosis.Univariate and multivariate analysis indicated that different postoperative adjuvant therapies had no effects on the prognosis.The 5-year overall survival was 88.6％ in patients treated with CT,and 89.7％ in patients treated with RT or CRT (P =0.455).Conclusion There are equivalent therapeutic results between CT and RT or CRT for patients with risk factors after radical surgery,CT may be as one choice of postoperative adjuvant therapy for stage Ⅰ b-Ⅱ a cervical carcinoma with risk factors.

Objective To investigate the profile of local immunity of vagina and the immune defense mechanisms against lower genital tract infections. Methods Vaginal lavage was collected from healthy women and patients of vulvovaginal candidiasis, bacterial vaginosis, Trichomonol vaginitis, human papilloma virus infection(VVC), and chlamydia trachomatis infection. Each group included 60 cases. The level of interleukin (IL) 2,4,5, 13,8 and human defensin 5 (HD5) were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Results (1) Cytokine of helper T cell 1(Th1): the level of IL-2 between healthy women and VVC/ bacterial vaginosis (BV)/ trichomonol vaginitis (TV)/ chlamydia trachomatis (CT) patients had no significant difference. The IL-2 level(96±33 )×10-3 pg/L of human papilloma virus (HPV) infection patients was significantly higher than that of healthy women( P<0.05). (2)Cytokine of helper T cell 2 (Th2) : the level of IL-4 between healthy women and VVC/CT patients had no significant difference. The level of IL-5 between healthy women and BV patients had no significant difference. The IL-13 level(42±15)×10-3 pg/L of TV patients was significantly higher than that of healthy women (30±29)×10-3 pg/L (P<0.05). The IL-4 level (103±28)×10-3 pg/L of HPV infection patients was significantly higher than that of healthy women (36±22)×10-3 pg/L (P<0. 05 ). (3) IL-8 : the IL-8 level (5.8± 2.7) pg/L of TV infection patients was significantly higher than that of healthy women (2. 6±2.4) pg/L (P<0.05). The level of IL-8 between healthy women and BV patients had no significant difference. (4)HD5:the HD5 level of TV , BV, VVC, HPV and CT infection patients were significantly higher than that of healthy women (P<0.05). Conclusions (1) HD5 plays an important role in the defence of vaginal epithelial cell. (2) Th2 may be more important than Thl in lower genital tract infections.(3) IL-8 plays an important role in extrinsic source infections.

Objective To investigate the correlated pathogenetic factors and vaginal local immunity in vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). Methods A case control study was conducted to compare VVC group (60 cases) with normal group (60 cases). All of the women filled up the specific questionnaires. Routine examination, pH test and bacterial culture were done on the vaginal discharge. Cytokines of the vaginal lavage were measured by enzyme linked immanosorbent assay. Results (1) Outcomes of the questionnaires: there was no significant difference between the two groups in educational background,knowledge of gynecologic infection, history of gynecologic infection, hygienic habit, sex life, or use of medicine (P >0. 05). The incidence of chronic cervicitis in normal group (43%, 26/60) was higher than in VVC group (22%, 13/60; P <0.05). (2) There was no difference in vaginal pH between the two groups ( P > 0. 05 ). (3) Detection rate of candida albicans by vaginal discharge routine examination was 72% (43/60). (4) The concentrations of interleukin (IL) 2, and IL-4 in vaginal lavage did not show significant difference between the two groups ( P > 0. 05 ), but the concentrations of human defensin 5,human beta-defensin (HBD) 1, and HBD2 in WC group [(0.94±0.44) mg/L, (3.1±0.4) μg/L,(10±6) μg/L] were higher than normal group (P < 0.05). Conclusions VVC is a common vulvovaginitis. There is no significant correlation between the incidence of VVC and educational background,knowledge of gynecologic infection, history of gynecologic infection, hygienic habit, sex life, or use of medicine in the child-bearing period. Human defensin may be closely correlated with the pathogenesis of VVC.

Objective To evaluate the effect of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/Smad signaling pathway during acute lung injury (ALI) in rats.Methods Healthy clean-grade adult male Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 4-5 weeks,weighing 100-120 g,were selected,and BMSCs were prepared and cultured in vitro.Eighty-four healthy clean-grade adult male Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 4 weeks,weighing 170-190 g,were selected and divided into 4 groups (n=21 each) using a random number table method:control group (group C),group ALI,ALI plus BMSCs group (group ALI + BMSCs),and ALI plus phosphate buffer solution (PBS)group (group ALI+PBS).ALI was induced by intraperitoneally injecting 5 mg/kg lipopolysaccharide 0.5 ml in anesthetized rats.In group ALI+BMSCs,1×104 cells/ml BMSCs 0.5 ml (in PBS) was injected via the tail vein after intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide.PBS 0.5 ml was injected via the tail vein after intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide in group ALI+PBS.Arterial blood samples were collected at 6,24 and 48 h after injecting BMSCs for blood gas analysis and for determination of wet to dry weight ratio (W/D ratio),pathological changes (using haematoxylin and eosin staining),and expression of TGF-β1,Smad2 and Smad3 in lung tissues (by Western blot).Results Compared with group C,PaO2 was significantly decreased,PaCO2 and W/D ratio were increased,the expression of TGF-β1,Smad2 and Smad3 in lung tissues was up-regulated (P＜0.05),and the pathological changes of lung tissues were accentuated in ALI,ALI+BMSCs and ALI+PBS groups.Compared with group ALI,PaO2 was significantly increased,PaCO2and W/D ratio were decreased,the expression of TGF-β1,Smad2 and Smad3 in lung tissues was down-regulated (P＜0.05),and the pathological changes of lung tissues were significantly reduced in group ALI+BMSCs.Conclusion The mechanism by which BMSCs mitigates ALI may be associated with inhibiting TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway in rats.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy,bleeding profile and safety of low-dose levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS 8) in Chinese healthy women of childbearing age.Methods A multi-center,open-label,single-arm clinical trial conducted at 16 centres in China enrolled 773 healthy women of childbearing age (mean age 31.6 years old,range 18 to 40 years old),who demanded contraception,from April 2006 to June 2013.All women placed LNG-IUS 8 for 3 years and then been followed up at 3,6,9,12,18,24,30,36 months.The efficacy variables including pregnancy rate and expulsion rate were analyzed using life table,while observing adverse events (AE) to evaluate the safety.The bleeding profile happened during the study was assessed using 90-day reference intervals (World Health Organization criteria).Results Eight pregnancies occurred among 773 women,resulting in a overall Pearl index of 0.42 per 100 women years.The 3-year cumulative pregnancy rate was 0.37 per 100 women years and the 3-year cumulative expulsion rate was 1.99 per 100 women years.The number of women with bleeding/spotting reduced and the bleeding/spotting days declined over time.Totally 219 AE were reported related to LNG-IUS 8 placements.The most common AE were vaginal bleeding (8.2％,63/773)and the ovarian cyst (6.2％,52/773).LNG-IUS 8 had an improving effect on dysmenorrhea that the percentage of women with dysmenorrhea as well as the days of dysmenorrhea decreased over time.The percentage of women satisfied or very satisfied with LNG-IUS 8 was 87.2％ (622/713).Conclusion LNG-IUS 8 is highly effective and safe for Chinese healthy women of childbearing age.