Objective To observe the effects of mirtazapine to improve the life quality of malignant tumor patients with moderate or severe depres-sion. Methods Patients with mood disorders screened by the physician were then graded by the Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD)under the tu-telage of ward psychological consultant. Fifty patients with moderate or severe depression were selected by psychological doctors and recruited for the study. After obtaining consent,the patients received 15-60 mg/d mirtazapine every night for 9 weeks. According to the Quality of Life Rating Scale (QOL),the scores of these patients were evaluated at the pretreatment,the 3rd week and the 9th week of the post-treatment. Then,the life quality conditions before and after treatment were revaluated. Results The scores of HAMD were 33.16±7.25,28.74±6.24,and 22.58±6.71 at the pretreat-ment,the 3rd week and the 9th week of the post-treatment,respectively. There were significantly different among the HAMD scores at the pretreat-ment,the 3rd week and the 9th week of the post-treatment.(F=30.99,P<0.01). The scores of HAMD were improved significantly between the pre-treatment and the 3rd week of the post-treatment(P<0.05). The scores of HAMD were also improved significantly between the 3rd week and the 9th week of the post-treatment(P<0.05). After treatment by mirtazapine,the appetite,spirit,sleep,fatigue,pain,the reorganization of cancer,the attitude towards treatment,the side effect of treatment and the facial expression were significantly improved(P<0.01). Conclusion Mirtazapine could improve the life quality of malignant tumor patients with moderate or severe depression.

Objective To identify the transcriptional start site and clone a novel transcript variant of MYCT1(Myc target 1)for further study of its structure and function. Methods Transcriptional start site was confirmed using MYCT1 conserved sequence by 5′-RACE method and a novel MYCT1 isoform was cloned by splicing with 3′-RACE PCR product. Then,the cDNA or amino acid sequence between MYCT1 and its isoform was compared using bioinformatics server. Finally,the expression profile of this novel transcript in different cell lines was detected through RT-PCR. Re-sults A 1 106 bp transcript named MYCT1-TV(Myc target 1 transcript variant 1)was successfully cloned,and its transcriptional start site was confirmed which located at 140 bp upstream of the ATG start codon of MYCT1-TV. MYCT1-TV shows no obviously structural difference with MYCT1 and is widely expressed in various cell lines. Conclusion The transcriptional start site analysis and MYCT1-TV cloning provide an experi-mental basis for the further exploration and understanding of the function and the transcriptional regulation mechanism of MYCT1.

Objective To evaluate the effects of dexmedetomidine on the hemodynamics and the heart rate variability(HRV)in patients under-going lower limbs operations with application of tourniquet. Methods Forty patients undergoing lower limbs operations with application of tourni-quet were randomized assigned to dexmedetomidine group(group D,n=20)or control group(group C,n=20). After combined spinal-epidural anesthesia,group D received a continuous infusion of dexmedetomidine(0.5μg/kg for 10 min for loading dose and followed by 0.2μg·kg-1·h-1) until tourniquet deflation. The control group received normal saline instead. Mean arterial pressure(MAP),heart rate(HR),saturation of pulse ox-imetry(SpO2),low frequency power(LF),high frequency power(HF)and LF to HF ratio(LF/HF)were recorded at regular time points:imme-diately before loading dose(T0),before tourniquet inflation(T1),15 min after tourniquet inflation(T2),30 min after tourniquet inflation(T3),45 min after tourniquet inflation(T4),60 min after tourniquet inflation(T5),1 min after tourniquet deflation(T6),5 min after tourniquet deflation (T7)and 10 min after tourniquet deflation(T8). Results Compared with T0,the MAP of group D significantly decreased at T6-T8(P<0.05). Compared with T0 and T1,the MAP of group C increased at T2-T5(P>0.05). Compared with T2-T5,the MAP of group C significantly decreased at T6(P<0.05). Compared with group C,the MAP of group D significantly decreased at T6 and T7(P<0.05). Compared with T0,the HR of group D significantly decreased at T1-T8(P<0.05). Compared with T0,the HR of group C had no significant change at T1-T5(P<0.05). Compared with T1-T5,the HR of group D and group C significantly increased at T6(P<0.05). Compared with group C,the HR of group D significantly decreased at T1-T4 and T6(P<0.05). Compared with T0,the SpO2 of group D and group C significantly decreased at T6(P<0.05). Compared with group C,the SpO2 of group D significantly decreased at T1-T3(P<0.05). Compared with T6,LF of group D and group C significantly increased at T7(P<0.05). LF were comparable between groups D and C(P>0.05). Compared with T0,the HF of group D significantly increased and the LF/HF of group D significantly decreased at T1-T4(P<0.05). Compared with group C,the HF of group D significantly increased and the LF/HF of group D significantly decreased at T1-T4(P<0.05). Conclusion The appropriate dose of dexmedetomidine(loading dose 0.5μg/kg and maintenance dose 0.2μg · kg-1 · h-1)can significantly increase vagal tone and improve cardiac sympathetic and parasympathetic balance during tourniquet appli-cation.

Objective To evaluate microdeletion of DAZ gene on the Y chromosome in patients suffering from idiopathic azoospermia or severe oligozoospermia.Methods The four sites including SY154,SY155,SY254,SY255 and SRY regions of Y chromosome in 38 cases of idiopathic azoospermia and severe oligozoospermia were detected by STS-PCR.Results Six cases of microdeletion of DAZ genes were found in 38 patiens,microdeletion rate was 15.8%.Five cases from 30 patiens suffering from idiopathic azoospermia,microdeletion rate was 16.7%.One case from 8 patients suffering from severe oligozoospermia had microdeletion.The microdeletion rate was 12.5%.Conclusions The microdeletion of DAZ gene is a major cause of idiopathic azoospermia and severe oligozoospermia leading to male infertility.Therefore,DAZ gene should be detected and PGD should be done prior to ICSI for the patients suffering from idiopathic azoospermia and severe oligozoospermia.

Objective To observe the clinical effects of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agent for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in different zones.Methods Retrospective analysis was performed on 24 ROP patients (46 eyes) who received intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF agent in our hospital from April 2013 to April 2014,including 15 patients (28 eyes) with Zone Ⅰ ROP and 9 patients (18 eyes) with Zone Ⅱ ROP.All the patients receive intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF agent Ranibizumab.The patients were observed for postoperative progression of fundus conditions,and the recovery rate and progression rate following initial injection were compared statistically between two groups.Results There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in gestational age at birth or birth weight (both P ＞0.05);And statistically significant difference was found between two groups in gestational age at surgical correction (P =0.001).Following initial injection,the recovery rates were 32.14％ and 66.67％,and the progression rates were 67.86％ and 33.34％ in Zone Ⅰ ROP group and Zone Ⅱ ROP group,respectively,there was statistically significant difference between the two groups in recovery rate (x2 =5.263,P =0.022).The progression rate in Zone Ⅰ ROP group was higher than that in Zone Ⅱ ROP group,there was statistically significant difference (x2 =-2.269,P =0.023).During follow-up,no complications of intravitreal injection as cataract,endophthalmitis or retinal tears was observed;Only 2 patients experienced corneal edema,and 4 patients experienced subconjunctival hemorrhage.Conclusion Intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF agent is effective for both Zone Ⅰ and Zone Ⅱ ROP.While for Zone Ⅰ ROP,the surgery success rate is low and the reoperation rate is high,such treatment can provide favorable time and conditions for reoperation.

Objective To evaluate the coronary lesions with two-dimensional strain echocardiography. Methods Sixty-seven patients with suspected coronary heart diseases who underwent coronary angiography were divided into two groups. Forty-two of them with coronary stenosis ≥70% were considered as patient group, and the other 25 with coronary stenosis ＜50% were regarded as control group. Two-dimensional strain was performed in all patients within 24 h before coronary angiography. Longitudinal systolic strain rate (SRs), early (SRe) and late (SRa) diastolic strain rate, systolic strain (Ss), and time to SRe (T-SRe) were measured and compared. Results Ss, SRs, SRe and SRe/SRa decreased significantly in regions controlled by coronary artery with ≥70% stenosis in patient group compared with those controlled by coronary artery with ＜50% stenosis in control group. SRs and SRe were the independent predictive factors of coronary stenosis ≥70%, and the sensitivity and specificity of SRe ＜0.91 to identify coronary stenosis ≥70% was 72.46% and 89.65%, respectively. Conclusion Two-dimensional strain echocardiography may accurately evaluate the coronary lesions by detecting regional myocardial diastolic function.

Objective To evaluate the effects of curcumin pretreatment on the expression of Nrf2 protein during ventilator-induced lung injury in rabbits.Methods Twenty-four healthy male New Zealand white rabbits,aged 3-6 months,weighing 2.5-3.0 kg,were randomized into 3 groups (n =8 each) using a random number table:two-lung ventilation (TLV) group; one-lung ventilation (OLV) group; and curcumin pretreatment group (group Cur).In group Cur,curcumin 40 mg/kg (dissolved in 2 ml of 1％ sodium carboxymethylcellulose) was given via a gastric tube into the stomach twice a day for 7 consecutive days starting from 7 days before ventilation,while the equal volume of sodium carboxymethylcellulose was given via a gastric tube instead of curcumin in TLV and OLV groups.All the rabbits were tracheostomized,and a tracheal tube was inserted to perform TLV in TLV group,and a tracheal tube was inserted into the right bronchus to establish OLV in OLV and Cur groups.Volumecontrolled ventilation was used in the three groups and the ventilatory parameters were regulated to maintain SpO2 ＞ 90 ％.Immediately before beginning of ventilation (T0) and at 1,2 and 3 h of ventilation (T1-3),arterial blood samples were obtained for blood gas analysis and determination of PaO2.The oxygenation index was calculated.At the end of ventilation,the rabbits were sacrificed and right lungs were removed for determination of wet/dry lung weight ratio (W/D ratio).The right lower lobe was isolated and puhmonary specimens were obtained for determination of malondialdehyde (MDA) content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity (using colorimetric method) and the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 protein (by Western blot) in lung tissues and for microscopic examination of pathological changes of the lung which were scored.Results Compared with group TLV,the W/D ratio,pathological scores,MDA content,and expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 were significantly increased,and the SOD activity and oxygenation index at T2,3 were decreased in OLV and Cur groups (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group OLV,the W/D ratio,pathological scores,and MDA content were significantly decreased,and the SOD activity,oxygenation index at T3,and expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 were increased in group Cur (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Curcumin pretreatment reduces ventilator-induced lung injury through promoting the expression of Nrf2 protein in lung tissues in rabbits.

Applying cellular transplant methods in the treatment of peripheral nerve injury has become a new hot spot in tissue engineering and drawn much attention. Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) grow fast and can be easily purified in vitro. Besides, they have the capability of differentiating into Schwann cells under specific conditions. For all the reasons above, BMSCs are considered good succedaneum of Schwann cells and new seed cells for tissue engineered peripheral nerve. In this review, the physiological functions and bionomics of Schwann cells and BMSCs are introduced, as well as various methods inducing BMSCs into nerve tissue cells and the foreground of the research.

Objective To observe the expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in pancreas, and discuss its significance. Methods The pancreatic fibrosis model was induced by high fat diets. The rats were sacrificed 16 weeks later, and the pancreatic tissue was harvested for routine pathologic examinations. Pancreatic collagen fibrosis I was determined by HE and Sirius red staining;α-SMA and CTGF expression were detected by immunohistochemistry. Results After pancreatic fibrosis, pancreatic lobules and acinar atrophy was observed, lobules gap was widened, interstitial fibrous tissue was significantly proliferated, the synthesis of pancreatic collagen fibrosis I was significantly increased when compared with normal pancreas ( 1500.2 + 255.8 vs. 57.4 ± 23.2, P ＜ 0. 01 ), the expression of α-SMA was significantly increased when compared with normal pancreas( 1500.2 + 255.8 vs. 57.4 + 23.2, P ＜ 0. 01 ), and the expression of CTGF was significantly increased when compared with normal pancreas (2950.5 ± 431.9 vs. 382.2 + 190.8, P ＜0.01 ), and there were abundant activated PSCs. Conclusions CTGF participated in the regulation of pancreatic fibrosis development; the function of CTGF was closely related to PSCs activation.

ObjectiveTo explore the sensitivity of cancer stem cells to chemotherapy in human pancreatic carcinoma.MethodsPANC-1 ceils were cultured in an incubator filled with 5％ CO2 at a temperature of 37℃,and were labeled with Hoechst 33342.The SP analysis and sorting were performed using a FACSVantage SE.RT-PCR was performed to detect the expression of human CD133 ABCG2 and Notch1.SP and non-SP cells from the PANC-1 cell line were treated with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU; 1,10,or 100 μg/ml) or gemcitabine (10,100,or 1000μg/ml),and the cell viability was determined using the MTT assay.The sensitivity of sorted tumor cells to chemotherapeutics was determined in NOD/SCID mice model.ResultsSP cells were found to have higher drug-resistance both in vivo and in vitro and higher levels of mRNA expression for CD133,ABCG2 and Notch1,when compared to non-SP ceils.The xenografted tumors derived from injected SP cells and treated with gemcitabine had more CD133± cells than the untreated group.ConclusionsThe SP of PANC-1 pancreatic carcinoma cells are enriched with highly gemcitabine-resistant CSCs and determine the carcinogenesis of the PANC-1 pancreatic carcinoma cells.