OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Baichanting Compound (BC) on dopamine (DA) in striatum of Parkinson's disease (PD) mice, and to screen the optimal component proportion.

METHODSThe PD model was established in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) induced C57BL/6 mice. By using uniform design, they were intervened by three extracts of BC in different proportions [Acanthopanax senticosus extract (X1): white peony root extract (X2): Uncaria rhynchophylla extract (X3) = 30.00: 34.92: 82.50, 48.00: 19.98: 72.19, 18.00: 44.88: 61.88, 36.00: 29.94: 51.56, 54.00: 15.00: 41.25, 24.00: 39.90: 30.94, 42.00: 24.96: 20.63). Equal volume of 5% carboxymethylcellulose sodium was administered to mice in the model group and the normal group by gastrogavage. All medication was lasted for 20 successive days. The dopamine (DA) content was determined by ultra performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS). Except 10 in the normal group, 20 PD model mice were screened and divided into the model group and the BC group (with the optimal proportion) according to random digit table. BC extract in optimal proportion was administered to mice in the BC group by gastrogavage, while equal volume of 5% carboxymethylcellulose sodium was administered to mice in the model group and the normal group by gastrogavage. All medication was lasted for 20 successive days. Praxiology was observed in each group. DA content in striatum was also detected. Results Compared with the normal group, the DA content in striatum decreased significantly in the model group (P < 0.01), suggesting a successful PD modeling. Compared with the model group, the DA content in striatum increased significantly in 1 and 2 groups (P<0.05). According to results of quadratic polynomial stepwise regression statistics, the regression equation obtained was: Y = 0.265 + 0.026 X 2 - 0.056 X 3 + 0.334 x 10(-3) x X1 x X3 + 0.691 x 10(-3) X X3(2). X3 extract was the main factor influencing the effectiveness (P < 0.01). The optimal proportion of BC was predicted by the regression equation: X1 = 54.00 mg/(kg x d), X2 = 44.88 mg/(kg x d), the X3 = 82.50 mg/(kg x d). The pole climbing time was shortened, times of autonomic activities increased, DA content was elevated, all with statistical difference in BC groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBC could increase DA content in PD model mice with the optimal proportion as 54.00: 44.88: 82.50.

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Dopamine ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Mass Spectrometry ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Motor Activity ; Parkinson Disease ; drug therapy ; metabolism

Animals ; Bromodeoxyuridine ; metabolism ; Cerebral Cortex ; injuries ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Nerve Regeneration ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective To analyze the situation of smoking control calls at 12345 citizens′ hotline in Shanghai and investigate the smoking control hotspots concerned by citizens, the handling efficiency and quality of the hotline management, especially after the tobacco control ordinance was amended. Methods Statistical analysis was made on 48 945 smoking control calls, and data model established by natural language processing. Results After amendment of the tobacco control ordinance, there was a great increase in the number of smoking control calls, which reached a peak in 2017, and became 6.7 times that of 2016.Complaint report was the most important part of tobacco control calls, accounting for 76.24% of the total.Work and dining places were the main venue for complaints, while restaurants and offices were with the largest number of calls.The proportion of health departments in all responsible departments was the largest, accounting for 29.71%.Criticism and education were still the main way to deal with the problem, which was far from meeting the demands of citizens in this regard. Conclusion Publicity can mobilize the enthusiasm of the citizens to participate in tobacco control.The working efficiency and quality of responsible departments still needs to be improved.Citizen′s appeal can serve as a reference for future amendments to the law.

OBJECTIVETo examine the expressions of HLA class I antigen and CD8 in various cervical diseases and investigate their association with cervical cancer.

METHODSThe expressions of HLA class I antigen and CD8 in cervical tissues sampled from patients with cervical cancer, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), and chronic cervicitis were detected using SP immunohistochemistry. The association of the expressions of HLA class I antigen and CD8 with the clinicopathologic indices of the patients was analyzed.

RESULTSThe positive expression rates of HLA class I antigen in cervical cancer, CIN, and chronic cervicitis were 22.6%, 100.0%, and 100.0%, and the positive expression rates of CD8 were 22.6%, 95.5%, and 100.0%, respectively. The positive rates of HLA class I antigen and CD8 were significantly lower in patients with cervical cancer (P<0.01). Patients with stage I cervical cancer had significantly higher positive rates of HLA class I antigen and CD8 than those with stage II cervical cancer (46.7% vs 0.0%, 46.7% vs 0.0%, both P<0.01). The expressions of HLA class I antigen and CD8 decreased with the progression of the clinicopathological stages, and may even become undetectable. The expressions of HLA class I antigen and CD8 were not related to the differentiation degree of the tumor or lymph node metastasis (P>0.05). A positive correlation was found between HLA class I antigen expression and CD8 expression.

CONCLUSIONThe expressions of HLA class I antigen and CD8 are down-regulated or deleted in CIN and cervical cancer, and they may play important roles in the development and progression of CIN and cervical cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; CD8 Antigens ; immunology ; metabolism ; Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia ; immunology ; pathology ; Down-Regulation ; Female ; Histocompatibility Antigens Class I ; immunology ; metabolism ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; immunology ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinicopathological characteristics, surgical treatment and prognosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumors(GIST).

METHODSThe clinicopathological data of 84 patients with GIST undergone resection between April 1997 and June 2008 were analyzed retrospectively, and the prognosis was evaluated.

RESULTSOut of 84 cases, 42 tumors located in stomach, 24 in small intestine, 18 in other sites. Tumor sizes ranged from 0.5 to 25 cm(average 5.6 cm). Positive rate of CD117 expression determined by immunohistochemical methods was 96.4%. Seventy-nine cases underwent complete tumor resection, while 5 cases received palliative resection or biopsy. Seventy-eight patients were followed up and their 1-, 3-, 5-year survival rates were 92.0%, 79.2%, 72.0% respectively. The Fletcher's classification of malignancy risk groups for GIST was related to the survival rates(P=0.001). The differences of survival rate among very low risk group, low risk group and high-risk group were significant(P=0.003, P=0.000).

CONCLUSIONSComplete tumor resection in the initial operation of GIST should be emphasized. The Fletcher's classification of malignancy risk groups for GIST is related to the survival rate. Extended surgical resection is required for GIST of higher malignancy risk.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; mortality ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo identify the genetic defect underlying congenital afibrinogenemia in a Chinese family.

METHODSPlasma fibrinogen (Fg) was assessed by both Clauss method and immunonephelometry. Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood of the proband and 13 members of her family. All the exons and exon-intron boundaries of the three fibrinogen genes (FGA, FGB, FGG) were amplified by PCR followed by direct sequencing. Restriction endonuclease analysis was performed for the PCR products of the family members and 50 healthy donors to exclude gene polymorphism.

RESULTSNo Fg was detected in the plasma of the proband and her father by Clauss method, while low levels (< 0.02 g/L) were detected by immunonephelometry. A homozygous C to T mutation was found in the two cases at nucleotide 3108 in exon 4 of FGA gene, resulting in a null mutation which encoded severely truncated alpha-chains owing to its premature termination at the Gln 150 codon. The C-->T mutation eliminated a unique recognition site for restriction enzyme RsaI. The PCR amplified fragments of the proband and her father could not be digested by RsaI, showing that they are homozygous. Her mother and some family members are heterozygous at this site since the fragment could partly be digested, while the same fragment of controls could be completely digested as expected.

CONCLUSIONThe Gln (CAG)-->150stop (TAG) nonsense mutation in FGA gene is a novel genetic defect of congenital afibrinogenemia which, to our knowledge, has not been described before.

Adolescent ; Afibrinogenemia ; congenital ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Codon, Nonsense ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Exons ; genetics ; Female ; Fibrinogen ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Pedigree

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects and prognosis of surgical treatment in primary gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST).

METHODSThe clinicopathological data of 73 patients with primary GIST underwent operation from April 1997 to December 2007 was retrospectively analyzed, and the prognosis was evaluated too.

RESULTSAmong the 73 cases, 68 cases received complete tumor resection, among which 12 cases underwent laparoscopic operation; while palliative resection and biopsy only were carried out in the other 5 cases. There was significant difference in survival rate between the two groups (P = 0.000). The 1-, 3-, 5-year survival rates of the 66 cases had been followed up was 91.0%, 78.2% and 74.1%, respectively. The malignancy risk grades of GIST was related to the survival rates on statistical analysis (P = 0.002). Significant differences were found in the survival rates between the patients with very low grade, low grade and high grade malignancy tumors (P = 0.012, 0.002).

CONCLUSIONSComplete tumor resection should be emphasized in primary GIST, and more attention should be paid to the initial surgical treatment. Extended surgical resection is required for tumors of higher malignancy risk. The indications of laparoscopic surgery in GIST should be selected with caution for tumor complete resection.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Analysis

BACKGROUNDFolic acid is very important for embryonic development and dihydrofolate reductase is one of the key enzymes in the process of folic acid performing its biological function. Therefore, the dysfunction of dihydrofolate reductase can inhibit the function of folic acid and finally cause the developmental malformations. In this study, we observed the abnormal cardiac phenotypes in dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) gene knock-down zebrafish embryos, investigated the effect of DHFR on the expression of heart and neural crest derivatives expressed transcript 2 (HAND2) and explored the possible mechanism of DHFR knock-down inducing zebrafish cardiac malformations.

METHODSMorpholino oligonucleotides were microinjected into fertilized eggs to knock down the functions of DHFR or HAND2. Full length of HAND2 mRNA which was transcribed in vitro was microinjected into fertilized eggs to overexpress HAND2. The cardiac morphologies, the heart rates and the ventricular shortening fraction were observed and recorded under the microscope at 48 hours post fertilization. Whole-mount in situ hybridization and real-time PCR were performed to detect HAND2 expression.

RESULTSDHFR or HAND2 knock-down caused the cardiac malformation in zebrafish. The expression of HAND2 was obviously reduced in DHFR knock-down embryos (P < 0.05). Microinjecting HAND2 mRNA into fertilized eggs can induce HAND2 overexpression. HAND2 overexpression rescued the cardiac malformation phenotypes of DHFR knock-down embryos.

CONCLUSIONSDHFR plays a crucial role in cardiac development. The down-regulation of HAND2 caused by DHFR knock-down is the possible mechanism of DHFR knock-down inducing the cardiac malformation.

Animals ; Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors ; genetics ; physiology ; Female ; Heart ; embryology ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; etiology ; Tetrahydrofolate Dehydrogenase ; genetics ; physiology ; Zebrafish ; Zebrafish Proteins ; genetics ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo identify the genetic defect of inherited coagulation factor (F) deficiency in a Chinese family and to explore its molecular mechanism.

METHODSThe activity and antigen of plasma F were measured by photometric test and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and rocket-electrophoresis, respectively. All the exons and exon-intron boundaries of the FA subunit gene were amplified by PCR and then DNA sequencing was performed. Restriction endonuclease analysis was used for the PCR products of the family members and 80 healthy donors to exclude gene polymorphism.

RESULTSRapid dissolution of the proband's fibrin clot occurred within 30 minutes, and antigen of his plasma F was significantly decreased, two compound heterozygous missense mutations (a C to T transition at nucleotide 177,246 which caused Arg703Trp, and a A to G transition at nucleotide 177,286 which caused His716Arg) in exon 15 of FA subunit gene were found. The possibility of gene polymorphism was excluded by restriction endonuclease analysing. Each of these two missense mutations was respectively found in his mother and father. Molecular modeling based on 3D crystallographic data predicted that the mutant protein decreased stability and was likely to be rapidly degraded.

CONCLUSIONSThe inherited F deficiency in the Chinese family is caused by two compound heterozygous missense mutations-Arg703Trp and His716Arg in the FA subunit, which to our knowledge, are reported for the first time.

Base Sequence ; Child ; Exons ; Factor XIII ; genetics ; Factor XIII Deficiency ; genetics ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutation, Missense ; Pedigree

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical therapeutic effect of catgut implantation at acupoint on climacteric syndrome (CS) and its mechanism.

METHODSSixty cases were randomly divided into a catgut implantation group and a western medicine group, 30 cases in each group. The catgut implantation group was treated by catgut implantation at Shenshu (BL 23), Zigong (EX-CA 1), Sanyinjiao (SP 6). The western medicine group was treated by oral administration of Diethylstilbestrol tablet. Their therapeutic effects and changes of content of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteotrophic hormone (LH), estradiol (E2) and beta-endorphin (beta-EP) in serum were observed.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 93.3% in the catgut implantation group and 70.0% in the western medicine group with a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). After treatment, the beta-EP concentration in the catgutation implant group was significantly increased (P < 0.05), the FSH concentration was significantly reduced and E2 concentration was significantly increased as compared with those in the western medicine group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONCatgut implantation at acupoint has an obvious therapeutic effects on CS. It can significantly improve the ovaries function and has a favorable regulative action on the endogenous opioid peptides.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Catgut ; Female ; Gonadal Hormones ; metabolism ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Premenopause ; metabolism ; Prostheses and Implants ; beta-Endorphin ; metabolism