Objective To validate the analytical performance of three Cys C reagents with particle-enhanced turbidimetric immunoassay(PETIA) method used on the automatic biochemistry analyzer for preliminary clinical application.Methods The performance of three Cys C reagents (labeled as A, B, C) with PETIA method from Shanghai Jing Yuan Co., Beijing Leadman Co. and Beijing Jiuqiang Co. on OlympusAU2700 automatic biochemistry analyzer were assessed.According to the standard of CLSI EP6-A, EP15-A and EP7-P, the precision, linearity range, disturbance (bilirubin, hemoglobin, chyle) were assessed, and compared with those of Cys C reagent based on particle-enhanced nephelometric immunoassay(PENIA) from Dade Behring Co.. The reference ranges for Cys C in serum of 120 healthy individual were evaluated.Results The within-run CVs of the three reagents (A, B and C) were 3.08%-3.2%, 2.3%-4.15% and 1.38%-1.53% respectively.The total CV in A, B and C were 3.29%-3.44%, 2.65%-5.18% and 1.67%-1.69% respectively, lower than the stated.Limits of quantitative determination (LOQ) of the three reagents were 0.41, 0.23 and 0.07 mg/L, basically meeting the testing requirement.The linearity range was 0.22-7.26 mg/L(r=0.996), 0.20-7.72 mg/L(r=0.999)and 0.20-7.62 mg/L(r=0.997)in the three reagents, which demonstrated a sound linear correlation. For interference tests, no remarkable interference (<±10%) of reagent C was detected when bilirubin≤684 μmol/L, hemoglobin≤9.7 g/L and Chyle turbidity≤6 200 FTU; and no significant interference of reagent B was found when bilirubin≤684 μmol/L, hemoglobin≤6.79 g/L and Chyle turbidity≤6 200 FTU; when bilirubin≤684 μmol/L, hemoglobin≤4.85 g/L and Chyle turbidity≤1 240 FTU reagent A was not interfered significantly. The comparison afte and before the high-speed centrifugation reveals that the average percentage of bias for reagents A, B, C measured Cys C in chylous serum samples of patients was -8.31%, 1.52%, 1.32%, respectively.In method comparison tests, the regression equations of the three reagents compared with Dade Behring PENIA Cys C reagent were as follows:Y=0.787X+0.492 (R2=0.976), Y=1.098X+0.137 (R2=0.982) and Y=1.037X+0.249 (R2=0.996), respectively. Agreement rates of the high Cys C in reagent A, B, C and Dade Behring Cys C reagent were 80% (Kappa=0.615,P=0.000), 100% (Kappa=1.000,P=0.000), 91.2% (Kappa=0.824,P=0.000); While for reference range of preliminary clinical assessment, diagnosis coincidence rate of reagent A increased to 98.8% (Kappa=0.974,P=0.000). Conclusions When used in automatic biochemical analyzer, the three Cys C reagent with PETIA showed high precision,sensitivity, and sound correlation with Dade Behring PENIA reagents.The three reagents are all able to meet clinical test requirements, nevertheless, anti-interference capability were diffierent and the reference range should be further validated.

OBJECTIVETo identify the expression characteristics of the 1700001022RIK (RIKEN cDNA 1700001022) gene in mice and explore its function by bioinformatic analysis.

METHODSUsing the expression profile of gene microarray, we detected the expression of a new testis-specific gene, 1700001022RIK, in mice. We analyzed its expression characteristics in the testis tissue and their changes in different developmental stages of the testis by RT-PCR, real-time RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry. We performed bioinformatic analysis using a bioinformatic software.

RESULTSThe 1700001022RIK gene was specifically expressed in the mouse testis in an age-dependent manner, most highly in the adult mice. The 1700001022RIK protein was mainly expressed in the spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and round spermatids of the adult mice. Bioinformatic analysis showed that the 1700001022RIK protein amino acid sequence had a high similarity in human and mice, which indicated that this gene was highly conserved in mammals.

CONCLUSION1700001022RIK is a testis-specific gene mainly expressed in the spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and round spermatids of seminiferous tubules, which might be involved in the regulation of spermatogenesis.

Age Factors ; Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Computational Biology ; DNA, Complementary ; Gene Expression ; Genomics ; Male ; Mice ; Molecular Chaperones ; genetics ; Seminiferous Tubules ; Spermatids ; Spermatocytes ; Spermatogenesis ; genetics ; Spermatogonia ; Testis

PURPOSE: This study aimed to analyze the efficacy and prognostic significance of adjuvant tamoxifen in breast cancer patients with various hormone receptor statuses. METHODS: Typically, 1,260 female breast cancer patients were recruited in this study. The correlation between estrogen receptor (ER)/progesterone receptor (PR) phenotypes and clinical characteristics was investigated, and the survival rate was assessed after 5-year follow-up. RESULTS: The 5-year overall survival (85%) was better in women under the age of 50 years. Patients with ER+/PR+ tumors had a better 5-year survival rate (94%); those with ER-/PR- tumors experienced the worst outcome (74% survival rate); whereas single-positive cases were in between. In 97 out of 128 patients with ER-/PR+ tumors, tamoxifen was given as adjuvant hormonal therapy, and it increased the survival benefit in the lower grade group in terms of overall survival and disease-free survival (p=0.01 and p=0.03, respectively). CONCLUSION: For high-grade tumors with ER-/PR+, adjuvant tamoxifen therapy may have no survival benefit, whereas for the patients with low-grade ER-/PR+ tumors, adjuvant tamoxifen therapy is highly suggestive.
Breast ; Breast Neoplasms ; Disease-Free Survival ; Estrogens ; Female ; Humans ; Phenotype ; Progesterone ; Receptors, Progesterone ; Survival Rate ; Tamoxifen

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical manifestations, complications and treatment of medicament-like dermatitis due to trichloroethylene (TCE), so as to provide basis for studying its etiology and mechanism.

METHODSFifty patients with dermatitis due to TCE from 1997 to 2000 were analysed retrospectively.

RESULTSThe occurrence of the dermatitis was not parallel to TCE exposure levels, without significant dose-effect relationship. This disease could be caused by both inhalation and skin exposure. The latency period of TCE dermatitis ranged from 5 to 66 days, and the average was 31.5 d (Medium). The major clinical manifestations included skin lesions, fever, superficial lymph node swelling and liver dysfunction. Infection was the major complication. Glucocorticoid was effective for treatment of this disease.

CONCLUSIONThe clinical manifestations due to TCE exposure were similar to dermatitis medicamentosa. The major clinical types of TCE dermatitis included exfoliative dermatitis and erythema multiforme. The dermatitis is considered to be mediated by delayed-type (IV) hypersensitivity. The key factors to treat this disease successfully included the use of glucocorticoid in time with sufficient dose and full course, professional skin care, active treatment to protect the liver and to avoid infection.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Allergens ; adverse effects ; Dermatitis, Exfoliative ; diagnosis ; etiology ; therapy ; Drug Eruptions ; diagnosis ; etiology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects ; Retrospective Studies ; Trichloroethylene ; adverse effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression characteristics of the gene of coiled-coil domain-containing protein 70 (Ccdc70) in the mouse testis and its potential role in spermatogenesis.

METHODSUsing expression profile microarray, we screened the mouse testis-specific gene Ccdc70, studied its expression characteristics in the mouse testis by RT-PCR, real-time PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry, followed by bioinformatic analysis of the Ccdc70 protein.

RESULTSThe Ccdc70 gene was expressed highly in the testis but lowly in the epididymis of the mice. The Ccdc70 protein was expressed mainly in the spermatocytes and round spermatids of the testis and in the epithelial cells of the epididymis. Bioinformatic analysis showed a structural domain in the Ccdc70 protein, which was highly conserved in mammalian evolution.

CONCLUSIONThe Ccdc70 gene is highly expressed in the mouse testis and mainly in the spermatocytes, round spermatids, and epididymal epithelial cells, which indicates that it is involved in the regulation of spermatogenesis and epididymal sperm maturation.

Animals ; Computational Biology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental ; Male ; Mice ; Proteins ; genetics ; Spermatogenesis ; genetics ; Testis ; metabolism

The multifunctional cephalostat is able to hold the patients' head better and firmly at prone position after tracheal intubation under general anesthesia According to the size of patients head,the anesthetist can properly adjust the distance of the malor holder and the distance between the superciliary ridge and the lower jaw,and fix the two tempora to prevent the head swaying.So this instrument greatly facilitates the anesthesia managements.

OBJECTIVESTo evaluate the impairment of fenvalerate on reproductive and endocrine systems and clarify the mechanism of action.

METHODSDifferent doses of fenvalerate (0, 2, 4, 12, 60 mg/kg) were orally treated to the adult male SD rats for 15 days and 30 days, respectively. The levels of serum follicle stimulating hormone(FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone(T) and testis homogenate T were determined by radioimmunoassay(RIA). Besides, the activity of testicular marked enzymes such as acid phosphatases(ACP) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase(gamma-GT) were examined, and sperm head counts were measured to explain the changes of daily sperm production(Spr).

RESULTSIn fifteen days, serum FSH levels markedly increased in rats exposed to fenvalerate of < or = 12 mg/kg groups(P < 0.01) and serum levels of LH increased in 12 mg/kg group(P < 0.01). In addition, T levels in testis homogenates decreased after treated with the doses of > or = 12 mg/kg groups compared with the control group(P < 0.01). In thirty days, serum contents of FSH were significantly elevated in the doses of > or = 12 mg/kg groups(P < 0.01) and homogenate levels of T were diminished in the low dose group(2.4 mg/kg) (P < 0.05). Activity of ACP increased in 12 mg/kg group after fifteen days(P < 0.05) and was restrained in the high dose group(60 mg/kg) in thirty days(P < 0.05), but the contents of gamma-GT were arrested with different doses dependently in the testis(P < 0.05). Fenvalerate caused dose-dependent reduction in sperm head counts and daily sperm production, which markedly reduced at the doses of > or = 12 mg/kg groups(P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSFenvalerate has obvious reproductive toxicity on male rats and can change their serum and testis homogenate levels of sex hormone or activity of testicular marked enzymes, which may be correlated with the impairment of Sertoli cell and spermatogenic epithelium.

Animals ; Endocrine System ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; blood ; Insecticides ; toxicity ; Luteinizing Hormone ; blood ; Male ; Nitriles ; Pyrethrins ; toxicity ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reproduction ; drug effects ; Spermatozoa ; drug effects ; Testosterone ; blood

Objective: To explore the incidence and risk factors of vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) for in-hospital atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. Methods: A total of 303 in-hospital AF patients were studied. Based on MMSE score evaluation, the patients were divided into 2 groups: Non-VCI group, n=216 and VCI group, n=87. The incidence of VCI was assessed and different cognitive functions were studied by uni- and multivariate regression analysis. Results: Compared with Non-VCI group, the patients in VCI group had the elder age, higher proportion of CHA2DS2-VASC score ≥ 2, more with persistent/permanent AF, more combining diabetes and heart failure (HF), more had increased systolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, pulse pressure, left atrial (LA) diameter and serum creatinine; less male and decreased left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, P<0.05 and P<0.001. The occurrence rate of VCI for in-hospital patients was 40.3％, with age and CHA2DS2-VASC score increasing, the incidence of VCI was elevating and the occurrence rates in female was higher than male, the patients with persistent/permanent AF was higher than paroxysmal AF, P<0.05 and P<0.001. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that age (OR=-0.1135, 95％ CI -0.1708 to -0.0562, P=0.0001), female (OR=-1.2528, 95％ CI -2.2056 to -0.3000, P=0.0105), education [primary school level (OR=3.2193, 95％ CI 1.844-4.5940, P<0.0001),middle school and above level (OR=5.9104, 95％ CI 4.6055-7.2154, P<0.0001)], HF (OR=-1.9357, 95％ CI -3.5522 to-0.3192, P=0.0196), stroke (OR=-1.6349, 95％ CI -2.7517 to -0.5181, P=0.0044) and LA diameter (OR=-0.1252, 95％ CI-0.1962 to -0.0541, P=0.0006) were related to VCI occurrence in hospitalized AF patients. Conclusion: The incidence of VCI was high in hospitalized AF patients; elder age, female, lower education, HF, stroke and enlarged LA diameter were the risk factors for VCI occurrence in AF patients.

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between polymorphisms of natural resistance-associated macrophage protein 1 (NRAMP1) gene and genetic susceptibility of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in workers exposed to silica dusts.

METHODSA 1:2 case control study of 61 male workers with PTB (50 silicosis patients and 11 unsilicosis workers) as the case group and 122 male PTB-free workers (100 silicosis patients and 22 unsilicosis workers) as the control group was conducted with the frequency matched for age of +/- 5 years, the job, the silica exposure, and the condition of cigarette smoking and alcohol drinking. The polymerase chain reaction-restrained fragment length polymorphism technique (PCR-RFLP) was used to detect the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of NRAMP1 INT4 and D543N.

RESULTSThere was a 2.73 times (95% CI: 1.32 approximately 5.64) increased risk of silicosis for individuals with C allele of NRAMP1 INT4 compared with individuals carrying homozygote (G/G), while SNPs of NRAMP1 D543N was not associated with PTB (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe G > C mutation of intron 4 of NRAMP1 gene might be a susceptible factor of silica for the workers exposed to PTB.

Aged ; Alleles ; Case-Control Studies ; Cation Transport Proteins ; genetics ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Silicosis ; complications ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary ; complications ; genetics