AIM: To investigate the effect of IL-4, CD40L on RANTES production in murine renal tubular epithelial cells (TEC). METHODS: TEC were obtained from mouse, expression of RANTES and CD40 on TEC were measured. RESULTS: (1) Activation of TEC with IL-4 resulted in significant increase in CD40 expression (P

BACKGROUNDSeasonal influenza epidemic occurs every year in Guangzhou, which can affect all age groups. Young children are the most susceptible targets. Parents can decide whether to vaccinate their children or not based on their own consideration in China. The aim of this study was to identify factors that are important for parental decisions on vaccinating their children against seasonal influenza based on a modified health belief model (HBM).

METHODSA cross-sectional study was conducted in Guangzhou, China. A total of 335 parents who had at least on child aged between 6 months and 3 years were recruited from women and children's hospital in Guangzhou, China. Each eligible subject was invited for a face-to-face interview based on a standardized questionnaire.

RESULTSUptake of seasonal influenza within the preceding 12 months among the target children who aged between 6 months and 36 months was 47.7%. Around 62.4% parents indicated as being "likely/very likely" to take their children for seasonal influenza vaccination in the next 12 months. The hierarchical logistic regression model showed that children's age (odds ratio [OR] =2.59, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.44-4.68), social norm (OR = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.06-4.06) and perceived control (OR = 2.96, 95% CI: 1.60-5.50) were significantly and positively associated with children's vaccination uptake within the preceding 12 months; children with a history of taking seasonal influenza vaccine (OR = 2.50, 95% CI: 1.31-4.76), perceived children's health status (OR = 3.36, 95% CI: 1.68-6.74), worry/anxious about their children influenza infection (OR = 2.31, 95% CI: 1.19-4.48) and perceived control (OR = 3.21, 95% CI: 1.65-6.22) were positively association with parental intention to vaccinate their children in the future 12 months. However, anticipated more regret about taking children for the vaccination was associated with less likely to vaccinate children within the preceding 12 months (OR = 0.21, 95% CI: 0.08-0.52).

CONCLUSIONSThe modified HBM provided a good theoretical basic for understanding factors associated with parents' decisions on their children's vaccination against seasonal influenza.

Child, Preschool ; China ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Influenza Vaccines ; therapeutic use ; Influenza, Human ; immunology ; prevention & control ; Male

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of smoking and rush-mat dust exposure on pulmonary function.

METHOD122 rush-mat dust exposed workers and 118 controls without dust exposure were selected. Questionnaire and FEVY1.0 measurement were performed on them.

RESULTSFor dust exposure, FEV1.0% of cases (81.8% +/- 13.9%) was statistically lower than controls (95.9% +/- 15.3%) (t = -7.49, P < 0.01), the abnormal rate of FEV1.0% was 46.7% (57/122) for cases, statistically higher than controls (8.5%, 10/118), chi2 = 43.6, P < 0.01. For smoking, FEV1.0% of cases (82.02% +/- 12.9%) was statistically lower than controls (93.33% +/- 12.4%), t = -5.18, P < 0.05, the abnormal rate of FEV1.0% is 55.9% for cases, statistically higher than controls (16.7%), chi2 = 22.2, P < 0.05. The exposing ages of workers has negative correlation with FEV1.0% (R(S1) = -0.299, P = 0.0008). Exposure and smoking could affect FEV1.0% (Fe = 259.06, P < 0.01, F(s) = 42.42, P < 0.01), and their interactive effect on FEV1.0% was greater than single ones (F = 34.70, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONRush-mat dust exposure, smoking and their interaction have influence on FEV1.0%.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Dust ; Female ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Humans ; Lung ; physiology ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects ; Smoking ; adverse effects

A simple and cost-effective indirect competitive enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay (ic-ELISA) was developed to rapidly screen the content of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in lotus seeds, and the results were confirmed by ultra-fast liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry( UFLC-MS/MS). Matrix-matched calibration expressed a good linearity ranging from 0. 171 to 7. 25 µg · L(-1) for AFB, with R2 > 0.978. The medium inhibitory concentration( IC50 ) for AFB1 was 1.29 µg · L(-1), the recovery for AFB1 was 74.73% to 126.9% with RSD < 5%, and the limit of detection (IC10) was 0.128 µg · L(-1). The developed ic-ELSIA method was applied to rapid analysis of AFB, in 20 lotus seeds samples and the results indicated that the contents of AFB, in samples 1-15 were in the range of 1. 19- 115. 3 µg · kg(-1) and in 40% of the samples exceeded the legal limit(5 µg · kg(-1)), while the contamination rate of AFB, in samples 16-20 was 40%. Pearson correlation coefficient(r) reached 0.997 for AFB1 content in the samples detected by ic-ELSIA and UFLC-MS/MS methods. The results proved that the developed ic-ELISA method is simple, sensitive and reliable, and can be used for rapid and high-throughput screening of AFB1 in lotus seeds
Aflatoxin B1 ; analysis ; Drug Contamination ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; methods ; Loteae ; chemistry ; Seeds ; chemistry

OBJECTIVE: To explore MSCT optimal examination time for patients with unconspicuous rib fracture. METHODS: Sixty-three patients with thoracic trauma from January 2009 to June 2011 were collected. They were examined by MSCT in the first week after trauma and re-examined during eighth weeks after trauma. The number of rib which had been found fractured in the first examination was compared to that in re-examinations. RESULTS: Patients with fine rib fracture often have different diagnostic results at different examination time after trauma. There was statistical difference between the number in the first week and the third week to the fifth week. CONCLUSION MSCT could show the pathophysiological changes of rib fracture objectively in the stage between the third week and the fifth week after trauma, which is optimal examination time for the fine rib fracture.
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multidetector Computed Tomography ; Pleura/pathology* ; Radiography, Thoracic/methods* ; Rib Fractures/physiopathology* ; Thoracic Injuries/physiopathology* ; Time Factors ; Wounds, Nonpenetrating/physiopathology* ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the safety and feasibility of en-bloc resection of a primary sacral chordona based on a 3-dimensional printing model.Methods 31 patients with primary sacral chordoma underwent en-bloc resection via a onestage posterior approach or combined anterior and posterior approaches in our oncology department from January 2013 to December 2014.They comprised 21 males and 10 females of mean age (49.2±12.5) years (range,26-67 years).Preoperative 3-D printing models were created by 3D printing technology,it included tumor tissue,the around vascular and nerves involved in sacral chordoma.The sacral chordomas were en-bloc resection with decompression and internal fixation.Results With the mean (29.0±6.8)months follow-up (range from 19 to 41),all patients underwent en bloc excision via 26 cases with posterior approach,5 cases combined posterior and anterior approaches in one stage.The mean operative time and estimated blood loss were (275.0±58.1) min and (3 250.0±1 304.4) ml,respectively.The visual analogue scale (VAS) score was (5.6±1.9) in average (range from 3 to 9) at preoperation,and (2.0±1.5) at post-operation,which was significantly lower than that of preoperation,and the pain was relief obviously.There were 13 cases in grade C,11 cases in grade D,7 cases in grade E of American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grade neurological function before surgery,compared with the pre-operation,there were 5 cases in grade C,6 cases in grade D,20 cases in grade E of post-operation,which was significantly improved.MSTS (Musculoskeletal Tumor Society) 93 score was 6-29 points (20.0％-96.7％) at the follow-up 3 months after surgery,with the average of (19.8 ± 5.8) points,which excellent in 8 cases,good in 14 cases,general in 5 cases,poor in 4 cases.Two cases of dysporia for the reasons of resecting on one side of the S1,2 nerve roots involved by the sacral chordoma,after sacrificing the nerve root of complete tumor resection,the urine left dysfunctional,while the pain of other 29 patients were thoroughly relief after surgery.The ones were relieved with the disturbance of sensation of the perineum before the operation.2 cases were recovery of leakage of cerebrospinal by the drainage of lumbar cistern with normal temperature.One hypostatic pneumonia patient was cured by anti-inflammatory.One with the urinary infection got better by the effective bladder irrigation,which had diabetics mellitus with the bladder stoma before.1 case of skin necrosis due to vascular thrombosis before operation,recevied flap translocation half month after surgery,got recovery 3 months later.Only one underwent tumor resection for the recurrence at 15 months follow-up.Conclusion It is feasible and safe to perform en bloc resection of primary sacral chordoma.This is the most effective means of managing method of the marginal resection of the tumor.Preoperative 3-D printing modeling enables better anatomical understanding of the relationship between the tumor,and can avoid vascular and nerves tissue injury,which can also assist in planning the surgical procedure,and be worth recommendation.

Chromosomes, Human, Y ; Deleted in Azoospermia 1 Protein ; Gene Deletion ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; genetics ; Male ; RNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation of male infertility with abnormality of chromosomal quantity and construction and with the deletion of DAZ gene copy in the AZFc region of Y chromosome.

METHODSIncluded in the study were 247 azoospermic and 206 severe oligozoospermic patients, as well as 210 fertile men as controls. Multi-PCR and PCR-RFLP were used to analyze the deletion of DAZ gene copies in the AZFc region of Y chromosome. Chromosomal quantity and construction were detected by G-band in the 453 patients.

RESULTSIn the azoospermic and severe oligozoospermic patients, the incidences of chromosomal abnormality were 12.6% and 8.3%; the rates of complete DAZ deletion were 7.7% and 11.2%, and the rates of DAZ1/DAZ2 deletion were 7.3% and 4.9% respectively, but no deletion was detected in the controls.

CONCLUSIONThere is a high frequency of chromosomal abnormality and DAZ gene copy deletion in patients with azoospermia and oligospermia, which suggests that chromosomal abnormality and partial and complete deletion of DAZ gene copy might be important genetic causes of Chinese male infertility.

China ; epidemiology ; Chromosome Deletion ; Chromosomes, Human, Y ; genetics ; Deleted in Azoospermia 1 Protein ; Gene Dosage ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Male ; Oligospermia ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; RNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Sex Chromosome Aberrations

To investigate the effects of 2-(4-methoxycarbonyl-2-tetradecyloxyphenyl)carbamoylbenzoic acid (CX09040) on protecting pancreatic β cells, the β cell dysfunction model mice were induced by injection of alloxan into the caudal vein of ICR mice, and were treated with compound CX09040. Liraglutide was used as the positive control drug. The amount and the size of islets observed in pathological sections were calculated to evaluate the β cell mass; the glucose stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) test was applied to estimate the β cell secretary function; the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was taken to observe the glucose metabolism in mice; the expressions of protein in pancreas were detected by Western blotting. The effects on the target protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) were assessed by the PTP1B activities of both recombinant protein and the intracellular enzyme, and by the PTP1B expression in the pancreas of mice, separately. As the results, with the treatment of CX09040 in alloxan-induced β cell dysfunction mice, the islet amount (P<0.05) and size (P<0.05) increased significantly, the changes of serum insulin in GSIS (P<0.01) and the values of acute insulin response (AIR, P<0.01) were enhanced, compared to those in model group; the impaired glucose tolerance was also ameliorated by CX09040 with the decrease of the values of area under curve (AUC, P<0.01). The activation of the signaling pathways related to β cell proliferation was enhanced by increasing the levels of p-Akt/Akt (P<0.01), p-FoxO1/FoxOl (P<0.001) and PDX-1 (P<0.01). The effects of CX09040 on PTP1B were observed by inhibiting the recombinant hPTP1B activity with IC50 value of 2.78x 10(-7) mol.L-1, reducing the intracellular PTP1B activity of 72.8% (P<0.001), suppressing the PTP1B expression (P<0.001) and up-regulating p-IRβ/IRβ (P<0.01) in pancreas of the β cell dysfunction mice, separately. In conclusion, compound CX09040 showed significant protection effects against the dysfunction of β cell of mice by enlarging the pancreatic β cell mass and increasing the glucose-induced insulin secretion; its major mechanism may be the inhibition on target PTP1B and the succedent up-regulation of β cell proliferation.
Alloxan ; Animals ; Benzoates ; pharmacology ; Biological Assay ; Disease Models, Animal ; Glucose ; metabolism ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Insulin ; secretion ; Insulin Resistance ; Insulin-Secreting Cells ; drug effects ; Liraglutide ; pharmacology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Molecular Weight ; Pancreas ; drug effects ; enzymology ; Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase, Non-Receptor Type 1 ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Signal Transduction

BACKGROUNDEndothelial dysfunction is thought to be critical events in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) have provided insight into maintaining and repairing endothelial function. To study the relation between EPCs and AD, we explored the number of circulating EPCs in patients with AD.

METHODSA total of 104 patients were recruited from both the outpatients and inpatients of the geriatric neurology department at General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University. Consecutive patients with newly diagnosed AD (n = 30), patients with vascular dementia (VaD, n = 34), and healthy elderly control subjects with normal cognition (n = 40) were enrolled after matching for age, gender, body mass index, medical history, current medication and Mini Mental State Examination. Middle cerebral artery flow velocity was examined with transcranial Doppler. Endothelial function was evaluated according to the level of EPCs, and peripheral blood EPCs was counted by flow cytometry.

RESULTSThere were no significant statistical differences of clinical data in AD, VaD and control groups (P > 0.05). The patients with AD showed decreased CD34-positive (CD34(+)) or CD133-positive (CD133(+)) levels compared to the control subjects, but there were no significant statistical differences in patients with AD. The patients with AD had significantly lower CD34(+)CD133(+) EPCs (CD34 and CD133 double positive endothelial progenitor cells) than the control subjects (P < 0.05). In the patients with AD, a lower CD34(+)CD133(+) EPCs count was independently associated with a lower Mini-Mental State Examination score (r = 0.514,P = 0.004). Patients with VaD also showed a significant decrease in CD34(+)CD133(+) EPCs levels, but this was not evidently associated with the Mini-Mental State Examination score. The changes of middle cerebral artery flow velocity were similar between AD and VaD. Middle cerebral artery flow velocity was decreased in the AD and VaD groups and significantly lower than the normal control group (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference of the blood flow velocity between the AD and VaD patients (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe results provided evidence that patients with AD have reduced circulating EPCs. Endothelial function is impaired in patients with AD and vascular factors have a role in the pathogenesis of AD. CD34(+)CD133(+) EPCs may be a novel biomarker of AD dementia.

AC133 Antigen ; Aged ; Alzheimer Disease ; metabolism ; pathology ; Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Antigens, CD34 ; metabolism ; Dementia, Vascular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Female ; Glycoproteins ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Peptides ; metabolism ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; metabolism