Objective To compare radiation dose and image quality between prospective electrocardiograph(ECG)-triggered axial seau and retrospective ECG-gated helical scan in coronary 64-slice CT angiography(CTA).Methods Seventy-seven consecutive patients[group A.Average body mass index (BMI):24.6,heart rate＜70 bpm]underwent 64-slice CTA using prospective ECG-triggered axial scan protocol(120 kV,mA tailored to BMI).For each patient,the simulated radiation dose using retrospective ECG-gated scan protocol without ECG-driven X-ray current modulation technology was calculated and recorded at sanle kV and mA.Retrospective ECG-gated scan protocol was performed on 30 consecutive patients in another group(group B.Average BMI:23.9,heart rate＜70 bpm).The image quality was blindly evaluated between group A and B(paired t-test was used and P＜0.05 as a significant difference).Results There Was a significant difference(t=18.50,P＜0.01)between radiation dose of group A (3.37 mSv)and that of group B(18.13 mSv),decreased by 81.4%.The image quality of group A could fulfill clinical diagnostic needs.The average radiation dose of using simulated helical scan without optimization was 17.29 mSv,which wag similar to that of group B(18.13 mSv)(t=0.87,P＞0.05).Condusion Prospective ECG-triggered axial scan in 64-slice coronary CTA Call significantly reduce radiation exposure and the image quality can fulfill clinical diagnostic needs.

Objective To investigate the role of increased microRNA-21 (miR-21) in the development of renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis secondary to aristolochic acid induced acute kidney injury.Methods C57BL/6J male mice were intraperitoneally injected with aristolochic acid at a dose of 10 mg/kg.Blood samples and kidneys were harvested at day 1,3,7,14,28 after aristolochic acid treatment.To assess the role of miR-21 in aristolochic acid induced acute kidney injury to chronic kidney disease progression,mice were intravenously injected with anti-miR-21 or anti-scramble (10 mg/kg) at 1 h before aristolochic acid dosing,as well as d5 and d10 after aristolochic acid dosing.Results Increased serum creatinine and severe kidney injury were found at d3 after aristolochic acid treatment.Renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis was developed at d14 after aristolochic acid treatment.Protein expression of α-SMA,vimentin and collagen Ⅰ were significantly up-regulated at d7 and peaked at d14 (P ＜ 0.01),while protein abundance of E-Cadherin decreased at d14 and lasted until d28 (P ＜ 0.01).The abundance of miR-21 increased at d7 after aristolochic acid dosing,peaking at d14 and thereafter maintaining at a high level.Anti-miR-21 intervention relieved renal injury with reduced serum creatinine (P ＜ 0.05) and attenuation of renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis.Besides,the protein expression of α-SMA,vimentin,and collagen Ⅰ/Ⅳ was all down-regulated after anti-miR-21 treatment (P ＜ 0.05).PTEN was up-regulated and the ratio of its downstream genes p-AKT/AKT was decreased.(P ＜ 0.05) Conclusions A single high dose of aristolochic acid leads to acute kidney injury and the development of renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis secondary to AKI.Renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis could be partially reversed by inhibiting miR-21 via PTEN/p-AKT pathway.

OBJECTIVETo study the expression of the Trp-p8 protein in the prostate tissue of the PSA "grey zone" with different PSA density of the transition zone (PSADTZ) and explore the value of determining Trp-p8 expression and PSADTZ in the early diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa).

METHODSThis study involved 30 cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and another 30 cases of PCa with different PSADTZ values. Using a data imaging and analysis system, we determined the expression levels of Trp-p8 in BPH and PCa tissues and analyzed their correlation with PSADTZ.

RESULTSThe expression of Trp-p8 was weak or negative in the BPH but strong in the PCa tissue and even stronger in the PCa tissue with high PSADTZ (F = 34. 05, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe Trp-p8 protein is expressed differently in BPH and PCa tissues of the PSA " grey zone" and its expression is positively correlated with PSADTZ. Determination of the Trp-p8 expression and PSADTZ contributes to the early diagnosis of prostate cancer.

Biomarkers, Tumor ; metabolism ; Early Detection of Cancer ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Prostate ; metabolism ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; metabolism ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; TRPM Cation Channels ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Treg) and other lymphocyte subsets in the peripheral blood of patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma.

METHODSPeripheral blood samples were obtained from 64 patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma (case group) and analyzed by flow cytometry. The ratios of CD4+CD25+Treg T cells and other T lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood were compared with those from 33 healthy controls (control group).

RESULTSThe percentages of CD3+ and CD3+CD4+ were (66.5±11.0)% and (37.7±10.6)% respectively in the peripheral blood of the case group, which were significantly lower than those [(72.0±6.0)% and (42.0±6.4)%] in the control group (t=-3.2,-2.4; P=0.020, 0.015, respectively). The ratio of CD4+ CD25+ Treg cells in case group (10.5±4.0)% was significantly higher than that [(8.4±3.5)%] in the control group (t=-2.2, P=0.013). CD4+/CD8+ value of case group (1.4±0.8) was significantly lower than that (1.8±0.7) in control group(t=-2.2, P=0.029). CD3+CD8+, CD8+CD28-, and CD8+CD28+ showed no significant differences (all P>0.05). Smoking, differentiation grade, and size of the tumor showed no association with the function damage of T lymphocyte subsets, while the carcino-embryonic antigen level did.

CONCLUSIONSIn patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma, Treg increases and CD4+/CD8+ decreases, suggesting remarkably suppressed immune functions. However, more research is warranted to validate the association of T cells subset dysfunction with smoking, differentiation grade, and size of tumor.

Adenocarcinoma ; immunology ; Adult ; Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; immunology

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy and prognostic factors of radical hepatectomy of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods The retrospective case-control study was conducted.The clinicopathological data of 760 HCC patients who were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from August 2003 to June 2015 were collected.Surgical procedures were determined according to the location,number and size of tumors and anatomical relations among vessels.Observation indicators included:(1)intra-and post-operative situations:surgical procedures,operation time,volume of intraoperative blood loss,cases of intraoperative blood transfusion,postoperative complications,duration of postoperative hospital stay and pathological examination;(2) follow-up:1-,3-,5-year overall and tumor-free survival situations;(3) prognostic factors analysis of HCC patients.Follow-up using outpatient examination and telephone interview was performed to detect patients' survival up to January 2016.Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as-x±s.The survival curve and survival rate were respectively drawn and calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method.The univariate analysis and multivariate analysis were done using the COX regression model.Results (1) Intra-and post-operative situations:all the 760 patients underwent successful operations,including 419 undergoing anatomical hepatectomy and 341 undergoing non-anatomical hepatectomy.R0 and R1 resections were respectively applied to 742 and 18 patients.Two patients were combined with portal vein resection and reconstruction and 1 was combined with resection and reconstruction of inferior vena cava.Operation time,volume of intraoperative blood loss and cases of intraoperative blood transfusion were (226± 115) minutes,(714±706) mL and 88,respectively.Fifty-five patients had postoperative complications,including 20 with abdominal effusion or abscess,16 with pleural effusion,9 with recurrent fever,8 with incisional infection,7 with intra-abdominal hemorrhage,6 with liver failure,3 with pyloric or intestinal obstruction and 2 with renal failure (some patients with multiple complications).Of the 55 patients with postoperative complications,7 with hemorrhage underwent reoperation or interventional therapy and other patients underwent conventional symptomatic treatment.Of 55 patients,5 patients died and other 50 patients were improved.Duration of postoperative hospital stay was (14±6) days.There were 457 patients with minimum margin of tumors ≤ 1.0 cm and 303 with minimum margin of tumors ＞ 1.0 cm.(2) Followup:all the 760 patients were followed up for 1-139 months,with a median time of 25 months.The overall and tumor-free median survival times were 59 months and 31 months,respectively.The 1-,3-,5-year overall and tumor-free survival rates were 81.7％,63.4％,47.9％ and 68.7％,44.9％,29.6％,respectively.(3) Prognostic factors analysis of HCC patients:results of univariate analysis showed that clinical symptoms,alpha-fetoprotein (AFP),Barcelona clinic liver cancer staging,surgical procedures,intraoperative blood transfusion,minimum margin of tumors,number and diameter of tumors,tumor capsule,tumor differentiation,vascular cancer embolus,macrovascular invasion and tumor staging of American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) were related factors affecting prognosis of HCC patients after radical hepatectomy [HR =1.39,1.50,1.92,0.65,1.45,1.68,1.96,1.66,2.26,1.50,2.68,3.37,2.00,95％ confidence interval (CI):1.08-1.79,1.16-1.94,1.68-2.20,0.50-0.84,1.04-2.02,1.28-2.20,1.54-2.49,1.42-1.94,1.69-3.02,1.22-1.85,1.99-3.60,2.61-4.36,1.77-2.27,P＜0.05].Results of multivariate analysis showed that AFP,number and diameter of tumors,tumor differentiation and tumor staging of AJCC were independent factors affecting prognosis of HCC patients after radical hepatectomy (HR=1.61,1.62,1.31,1.40,1.78,95％CI:1.14-2.26,1.22-2.14,1.06-1.63,1.10-1.79,1.27-2.51,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The anatomical and non-anatomical hepatectomies are safe and feasible for optional HCC patients,with a good long-term outcome.AFP,number and diameter of tumors,tumor differentiation and tumor staging of AJCC are independent factors affecting prognosis of HCC patients after radical hepatectomy.

The present study was to determine the effect of c-SRC on the viability of human cervical cancer HeLa cells and the expression of phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (p-STAT3) of the cell. Post-transfection of c-SRC RNA interference vector, RT-PCR and Western blot were utilized to observe the contents of c-SRC mRNA and protein, respectively, in HeLa cells. The MTT was used to observe the viability of the cells. Cell cycle was observed by flow cytometry. The content of p-STAT3 in the cells was also investigated after knockdown of c-SRC. Knockdown of c-SRC significantly decreased the contents of c-SRC mRNA and protein in the cells. The viability of the cells decreased by 23.1%, 29.3%, 38.6% and 45.0% (all P < 0.05), respectively, after the cells were transfected with c-SRC RNA interference vector for 24, 48, 72, and 96 h. The number of S-phase cells decreased by 5.6%, 10.0%, 15.2% and 19.9% (all P < 0.05), respectively, after transfection of c-SRC RNA interference vector for 24, 48, 72, and 96 h. The content of p-STAT3 also decreased when c-SRC was knockdowned. Compared with the control group, after treatment of HeLa cells with STAT3 inhibitor Piceatannol for 24, 48, 72, and 96 h, the cell viability decreased by 23.8%, 29.7%, 37.3% and 45.4% (all P < 0.05), respectively, while increase of c-SRC content could not reverse the inhibitory effect. These results suggest that the inhibited viability of HeLa cells caused by knockdown of c-SRC is associated with the decreased content of p-STAT3 protein.
Cell Survival ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Gene Knockdown Techniques ; Genes, src ; genetics ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; Phosphorylation ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; STAT3 Transcription Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection

UNLABELLEDOBJECTIVE To compare anti-oxidative effects of acupuncture at different Shichen (traditional twelve two-hour periods) accordin-17:00), You (17:00-19:00), Xu (19:00-21:00), Hui (21:00-23:00) periods according to the eight methods of the intelligent turtle, once each day, for 7 consecutive days. Changes of malondialdehyde (MDA) content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity after treatment were observed.

RESULTSSOD activities and MDA contents at the 12 periods were different in the healthy guinea pigs, SOD activity at Wu period was the highest and the lowest at Zi period; MDA content was the highest at Zi period and the lowest at Wu period. The needling method according to eight methods of the intelligent turtle could increase SOD activity in the guinea pigs. The increasing amplitude of SOD activity was the largest at Mao period and the smallest at the Wu period; it also could decreased MDA content, the decreasing amplitude of MDA was the largest at Wu period and the smallest at Hai period.

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture at different periods according to eight methods of intelligent turtle has different effects on serum SOD and MDA, which can increase SOD activity and decrease MDA content in the healthy guinea pig.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Animals ; Female ; Guinea Pigs ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; blood ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood ; Time Factors

Objective: To investigate the levels of vitamin D and the correlation between DPN and vitamin D in elderly patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy(DPN). Methods: A total of 849 patients aged 60 years and over admitted into endocrinology department from June 2016 to September 2017 were enrolled in this retrospective case-control study.According to DPN diagnostic criteria, patients were divided into the non-DPN group(n=542)and the DPN group(n=307). The 25(OH)-vitamin D[25(OH)D]level and blood biochemical parameters were determined and compared between the two groups.The risk factors for DPN were analyzed using logistic regression analysis and plotting receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves. Results: The mean of serum 25(OH)D level in the 849 patients was 43.9±19.4 nmol/L.Serum 25(OH)D level was lower in the DPN patients than in the non-DPN patients[(40.9±20.4)nmol/L vs.(45.7±18.6)nmol/L, P<0.05]. The incidence of 25(OH)D deficiency was higher in the DPN group than in the non-DPN group(72.3% or 222/307 vs. 64.6% or 350/542, P<0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis indicated that 25(OH)D was a protective factor for DPN(OR=0.980, 95% CI: 0.964~0.995, P<0.05)and the disease duration was a risk factor for DPN(OR=1.048, 95% CI: 1.027~1.070, P<0.001). ROC analysis indicated that the diagnostic cut-off value of serum 25(OH)D for predicting DPN was 37.5nmol/L, with a Youden index of 0.17, sensitivity of 0.65 and specificity of 0.52. Conclusions The 25(OH)D level is much lower in diabetic patients, especially in DPN patients.Higher 25(OH)VD level might be a protective factor for DPN, and vitamin D might be one of potential biomarkers for DPN in diabetic patients.

Objective To investigate drug resistance genes and epidemic characteristics of β-lactamase carried by carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) in the respiratory intensive care unit(RICU) in a hospital.Methods Clinically isolated CRAB from RICU patients in October-December 2015 were collected.Five drug resistance genes (KPC-2,IMP,VIM,NDM-1,OXA-23) were specifically amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR),amplified products were performed agarose gel electrophoresis and sequencing analysis,the homology was analyzed with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE).Results A total of 22 CRAB strains were isolated in October-December 2015,19 (86.36％) of which were isolated from sputum.The resistance rate of 22 CRAB strains to compound sulfamethoxazole was 59.09 ％,resistance rate to minocycline was 9.09 ％,all were sensitive to polymyxin B,resistance rates to other antimicrobial agents were more than 80％.Three kinds of resistance genes KPC-2,IMP and NDM-1 were not found by PCR amplification,positive rates of VIM and OXA-23 were both 100％.PFGE homology analysis revealed that 22 strains were divided into 13 different types,each type contained 1-5 strains,9 types(69.23％) contained only 1 strain respectively,the other 4 types (30.77％) contained 2-5 strains.A5,A7,and A8;A9,A11,A14,A19 and A22;A4,A10 and A12;A16 and A18 were of the same type respectively.Conclusion The main types of β-lactamase-resistant genes of CRAB in RICU are VIM and OXA-23.Homology analysis shows a small parts are of the same clone strains,which reveals epidemic of a small scale.

OBJECTIVETo survey the sleep habits (bedtime, wake time), sleep duration, and sleep problems in school-age children of China.

METHODFrom November to December, 2005, a total of 19,299 school-age children from 55 elementary schools of 9 cities entered the study by a cross-sectional survey. A parent-administered questionnaire and the Chinese version of the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire were applied to investigate children's sociodemographic characteristics and sleep behaviors, respectively.

RESULTSThe mean sleep duration was 9 hours and 10 minutes (9:10, SD:48 min) during the weekdays and 9:48 (SD: 63 min) during the weekends. In about 71.4% and 41.8% school-aged children the sleep duration per day did not reach the lowest criterion of 10 hours recommended by the Ministry of Education of China during weekdays and weekends, respectively. Sleep problems were common with prevalence ranging from 14.5% for sleep-disordered breathing to 75.3% for daytime sleepiness. Parasomnia (chi(2) = 13.76, P < 0.01) and sleep-disordered breathing (chi(2) = 119.83, P < 0.01) were more prevalent in boys than in girls; however, sleep anxiety was more prevalent in girls than in boys (chi(2) = 19.42, P < 0.01). Except for night waking, other types of sleep problems were significantly associated with age.

CONCLUSIONSInadequate sleep duration and sleep problems prevail among school-age children, which indicates that children's sleep health may be a major public health concern in China.

Child ; China ; epidemiology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Habits ; Humans ; Male ; Sleep ; Sleep Stages ; Sleep Wake Disorders ; epidemiology ; Students ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Urban Population