The folate metabolic pathway plays important roles in cellular physiology by participating in nucleotide synthesis, DNA repair and methylation, and maintenance and stability of the genome. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is a key regulatory enzyme involved in folate metabolism. Polymorphisms of MTHFR may change the level of homocysteine and affect DNA synthesis and methylation, leading to an increased oxidative stress and disturbed methylation reactions and consequently affecting reproductive function. This article presents an overview on MTHFR gene polymorphisms, proposing that multicentered, large-sample and long-term prospective studies are needed to reveal the relationship between MTHFR gene polymorphisms and infertility.
DNA ; biosynthesis ; DNA Methylation ; DNA Repair ; Folic Acid ; metabolism ; Homocysteine ; metabolism ; Humans ; Infertility ; enzymology ; genetics ; Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Prospective Studies

Objective To determine the efficacy and tolerability of docetaxel plus capecitabine as first-line treatment for breast cancer with liver metastases(BCLM).Methods Forty-two patients with BCLM received oral capecitabine 1900 mg/m~2/d(950 mg/m~2 twice daily)on days 1 through 14 and intravenous infu- sion of Docetaxel at 75 mg/m~2 on day 1 of each 21-day treatment cycle.Patients were evaluated for the re- sponse after two cycles.Results Among these 42 patients,the overall response rate was 54.76% with 4 CR, 19 PR, 9 SD and 6 PD.The clinical benefit rate was 64.28% and the median overall survival time was 17.5 months.The most common treatment-related adverse events were leukopenia(76.1%),neutropenia(71.4%), hand-foot syndrome(45.2%),nausea and vomiting(52.3%),which were mainly gradeⅠ～Ⅱ.Conclusion The combination of docetaxel plus capocitabine is a highly active and generally well-tolerated regimen for first-line treatment of BCLM.

OBJECTIVETo construct COL1A1-targeted short hairpin RNA (shRNA) vector with pSilencer 4.1-CMV neo siRNA expression vector and to evaluate its effect on proliferation and migration of gastric cancer BGC-823 cells in vitro.

METHODSThree COL1A1-shRNA plasmids (COL1A1-shRNA-1, COL1A1-shRNA-2, COL1A1-shRNA-3), targeting different sites of COL1A1 gene, were constructed using pSilencer 4.1-CMV neo siRNA expression vector and transfected into gastric cancer BGC-823 cells. Real time quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot were performed to detect expression levels of COL1A1. MTT and Transwell migration assays were employed to evaluate the effects of COL1A1 gene silence on cell proliferation and migration.

RESULTThree recombinant plasmids targeting COL1A1 were constructed successfully. The expressions of COL1A1 in BGC-823 cells, including mRNA and protein levels, were significantly inhibited by the COL1A1-shRNA transfectants, which resulted in a clear reduction of cell proliferation and migration capacity.

CONCLUSIONThe COL1A1-shRNA can effectively knock down gene expression and inhibit proliferation and migration of gastric cancer BGC-823 cells.

Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Collagen Type I ; genetics ; metabolism ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Plasmids ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Stomach Neoplasms ; pathology ; Transfection ; Transformation, Bacterial

OBJECTIVETo determine the value of concurrent chemoradiotherapy in patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma from the mainland of China.

METHODSData were extracted from randomized trials comparing chemotherapy plus radiotherapy with radiotherapy alone in locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Actuarial rates of survival and distant metastases were calculated. The followed electronic databases were searched the Chinese Biomedicine database, Pubmed, Medline, Embase and Cochrane library; Data were extracted by tow reviewers and Review manager 4.1 software was applied for statistical analysis.

RESULTSEighteen trials with 1993 patients were include according to the including criterion. The 3-year overall survival rate of the chemoradiotherapy group and the radiotherapy group were 68.47% and 56.38% respectively, and the 5-year overall survival rate of the two groups above were 51.91% and 41.09% respectively, while the distant metastases rate of the chemoradiotherapy group and the radiotherapy group were 26.19% and 38.71% respectively. The result demonstrated that chemoradiotherapy increased overall survival by 12% at 3 years, and 11% at 5 years after treatment. After chemoradiotherapy, the rate of distant metastasis was reduce by 12%.

CONCLUSIONSIn patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma, chemoradiotherapy significantly improves overall survival at 3 years, and 5 years compared with radiotherapy alone.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; China ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Humans ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; radiotherapy ; Radiotherapy ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical characters, management and the prognosis of patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma of the maxillary sinus.

METHODSThe clinical data were analyzed retrospectively for 36 patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma of the maxillary sinus to evaluate the treatment results of different modalities. The contribution of every factors influencing on survival were also analyzed. Survival analysis was performed by life table method, comparison among/between groups was performed using log-rank test, and multivariate analysis was carried out using Cox proportional hazard model.

RESULTSThe 5-year survival rate was 58.33% in all patients, while they were only 75.0% and 42.9% in stage III and stage IV lesions respectively. The 5-year survival rate of 66.7% was obtained in patients who received surgery combined with radiotherapy,71.4% and 12.5% respectively in those treated by surgery and by radiotherapy alone. Multivariate analysis indicated that stage, treatment modality, and the tumour residues in the primary treatment were the predict factors for the prognosis.

CONCLUSIONSAdvanced adenoid cystic carcinoma should be treated by combined surgery and radiotherapy. Stage, treatment approach and short-term therapeutic response are the most important factors affecting the prognosis of the patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma of the maxillary sinus.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic ; diagnosis ; mortality ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Maxillary Sinus Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; mortality ; therapy ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Analysis ; Survival Rate ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the distribution, composition and situation of natural infection pathogen of tick species in the main ports of Inner Mongolia. Methods All ticks were collected manually with white cloth, from the grassland and searching for the hosts followed by detection of pathogens, with PCR. Results 1313 ticks identified, belonged to 1 family,4 geniuses and 7 species in the three surveyed areas, with Dermacentor nuttallia distributed in the Ceke, Mandula and Manzhouli bordering ports. 69.08% of the total species were discovered at Port Ceke, with Rhipicephalus pumilio as the predominant one, which accounted for 74.86%. 5 kinds of tick-borne disease pathogens were detected from ticks in these three bordering ports while only Coxiella burnetii was found at the Port Ceke. In these three ports, the average infection rates of Lyme disease borrelia , Human babesia microti, Spotted fever group Rickettsia, Caxiella burnetii, Ehrlichiosis were 15.08%, 3.35%, 1.98%, 1.07%, 0.99% respectively.The positive rate of tick infected with Borrelia burgdorferi were 13.56%, 22.88%, 5.00% in the 3 bordering ports, respectively with significant differences. The positive rates of Babesia microti and Spotted fever group Rickettsia infections were also significantly different among these areas. Conclusion The natural infection rates of the above mentioned five kinds of tick-borne pathogens were different in the Ports Ceke,Mandula and Manzhouli.

OBJECTIVETo determine the value of elective neck dissection in patients with clinically stage I (cT1N0M0) squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue.

METHODSThis was a retrospective study of patients with surgical treatment between November 1984 and November 1999. A total of 130 patients were included in the study, all of whom received operation of the primary site, meanwhile, 99 of whom underwent elective neck dissection simultaneously including level I -III or level I -IV neck dissection in 20 patients and level I - V neck dissection in 79 patients. Results Among all these patients, the rate of occult metastasis to the neck were 12. 0%. Local failure rate in patients with only local treatment, level I II, II, III/IV neck dissection and level I - V neck dissection were 25. 8%, 15. 0% and 7. 6% respectively. There were significant difference in regional failure between patients with only local treatment and patients with elective neck dissection (P < 0.05). Also, no significant differences were noted in the survival rate between patients with only local treatment, elective neck dissection (level I -III or level I -IV) and level I -V neck dissection (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSElective neck dissection significantly reduced regional control failure but was not able to reduce distant metastasis or increase the overall survival. A prospective randomized study is worthwhile to further evaluate the benefit of elective neck dissection in the treatment of clinically stage I squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; pathology ; surgery ; Elective Surgical Procedures ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neck Dissection ; Neoplasm Staging ; Retrospective Studies ; Tongue Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Based on the first isolated human H5N1 influenza virus strain A/Anhui/1/2005 in China, HA and HA1 genes were amplified and cloned into the eukaryotic expression vector pStar. The recombinant plasmids pStar-HA and pStar-HA1 were transfected into COS7 cells. Western blot and IFA showed that the two recombinant DNA plasmids were successfully expressed in eukaryotic cells. BALB/c mice were immunized with the plasmids DNA by intramuscular injection. Anti-HA specific antibody in peripheral blood of immunized mice was tested by ELISA. The results showed that the recombinant plasmids successfully induced the anti-HA humoral immune response, and there was no significant difference between HA and HA1 as immunogen. This work provides basis for future development of novel avian flu vaccine.
Animals ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; COS Cells ; Cercopithecus aethiops ; Female ; Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus ; genetics ; immunology ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype ; immunology ; Influenza Vaccines ; immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Vaccines, DNA ; immunology

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, risk factors, and effects of primary nocturnal enuresis (PNE) on physical and mental health in young adults in mainland China. Methods: An anonymous questionnaire was used to collect information including the sociodemographic characteristics, history of PNE, family history, daytime voiding symptoms, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores, Self-Esteem Scale (SES), and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS). A total of 22,500 university students from 23 provinces and 368 cities in mainland China were included. Results: In total, 21,082 questionnaires were collected, and 20,345 of them qualified for statistical analysis. The PNE prevalence was 1.17%, and the distribution of monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (MNE) and nonmonosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (NMNE) was 66.1% and 33.9%, respectively. In total, 28% of respondents with PNE reported bedwetting daily, 31.6% between 1 and 7 times weekly, and 40.4% between 1 and 4 times monthly; 80% of PNE cases had no history of treatment. The prevalence of PNE in patients with a family history, frequency, urgency, urinary incontinence, and recurrent urinary tract infections was significantly higher than in those without these conditions (P<0.001). PNE was significantly correlated with the PSQI total score (sleep quality) (P=0.011). The SES score was lower and the SDS was higher (P<0.001) in the PNE group than in those without PNE. Conclusions In mainland China, the PNE prevalence among young adults was found to be high, and PNE had significant effects on physical and mental health. Risk factors included a family history, daytime voiding symptoms, and lack of treatment.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, risk factors, and effects of primary nocturnal enuresis (PNE) on physical and mental health in young adults in mainland China. Methods: An anonymous questionnaire was used to collect information including the sociodemographic characteristics, history of PNE, family history, daytime voiding symptoms, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores, Self-Esteem Scale (SES), and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS). A total of 22,500 university students from 23 provinces and 368 cities in mainland China were included. Results: In total, 21,082 questionnaires were collected, and 20,345 of them qualified for statistical analysis. The PNE prevalence was 1.17%, and the distribution of monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (MNE) and nonmonosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (NMNE) was 66.1% and 33.9%, respectively. In total, 28% of respondents with PNE reported bedwetting daily, 31.6% between 1 and 7 times weekly, and 40.4% between 1 and 4 times monthly; 80% of PNE cases had no history of treatment. The prevalence of PNE in patients with a family history, frequency, urgency, urinary incontinence, and recurrent urinary tract infections was significantly higher than in those without these conditions (P<0.001). PNE was significantly correlated with the PSQI total score (sleep quality) (P=0.011). The SES score was lower and the SDS was higher (P<0.001) in the PNE group than in those without PNE. Conclusions In mainland China, the PNE prevalence among young adults was found to be high, and PNE had significant effects on physical and mental health. Risk factors included a family history, daytime voiding symptoms, and lack of treatment.