Prostate cancer is a common malignancy that affects men's health in the Western countries. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), as the third generation of genetic markers, can influence the development, progression, and prognosis of prostate cancer. The same SNP may be related differently with prostate cancer among different races. This paper describes the relationship between SNPs and prostate cancer according to their related genes. SNPs can predict the risk of prostate cancer as well as the possible adverse reactions in its treatment, but at present they do have some limitations.
Humans ; Male ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; genetics

Objective To investigate the long-term prognosis an d recorery of children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis(JRA).Methods The cases diagnosed JRA in our hospital over the period of 1988～1992 we re followed up for the conditions of disease,the deteriorated joints,the treatme nt and the living conditions of patients.Results Ninty-six ca ses were followed up(involving male 66 cases,female 29 cases,the mean age of on set 8.21?3.17 years )except for a case who died of lymphoma.There were 44 cases with systemic JRA ,2 cases of them died after 7-years onset and 23 cases developed severe destructive arthritis.There were 38 oligoarthritis cases,27 cases of them stiu had active disease during 10-year following-up and 9 cases were diagnosed sacroiliitis.There were 13 polyarthritis and 3 cases of them were RF positive, who had developed severe destructive arthritis.Conclusions The prognosis of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is not desirable,especially in systemic JRA,whose prognostic factors are related to age of onset,the lasting of fever,the markers of phlegmasia activity and the condition of systemic involvement and treatment.Oligoarthritis about 30 % may develop into ankylosing spondylitis.The probability of destructive arthritis is hi gher in polyarthritis with more RF positive and poor prognosis.

Objective To analyze the correlations between pediatric intersive cave unit (PICU) nurses′job satisfaction and their perception of job characteristics. Method One hundred and thirty-six PICU nurses from a women and children′s hospital of Guangzhou participated in the study and the job diagnostic survey (JDS) and Minnesota satisfaction questionnaire short-form (MSQ20) were used to investigate the relationship between the job characteristics and job satisfaction. Results The average score on general satisfaction was (3.57 ± 0.41). The dimensions like skill variety, task integrity, feedback from job and feedback from others, had a significant positive impact on general satisfaction (all P<0.05). Conclusion Nurses generally have a relatively middle level of job satisfaction and measures should be taken to improve their job satisfaction as well as the quality of nursing.

Using the field sampling and indoor soil cultivation methods, the dynamic of ginseng rhizosphere soil microbial activity and biomass with three cultivated ages was studied to provide a theory basis for illustrating mechanism of continuous cropping obstacles of ginseng. The results showed that ginseng rhizosphere soil microbial activity and biomass accumulation were inhibited observably by growing time. The soil respiration, soil cellulose decomposition and soil nitrification of ginseng rhizosphere soil microorganism were inhibited significantly (P <0.05), in contrast to the control soil uncultivated ginseng (R0). And the inhibition was gradual augmentation with the number of growing years. The soil microbial activity of 3a ginseng soil (R3) was the lowest, and its activity of soil respiration, soil cellulose decomposition, soil ammonification and soil nitrification was lower than that in R0 with 56.31%, 86.71% and 90. 53% , respectively. The soil ammonification of ginseng rhizosphere soil microbial was significantly promoted compared with R0. The promotion was improved during the early growing time, while the promotion was decreased with the number of growing years. The soil ammonification of R1, R2 and R3 were lower than that in R0 with 32.43%, 80.54% and 66.64% separately. The SMB-C and SMB-N in ginseng rhizosphere soil had a decreased tendency with the number of growing years. The SMB-C difference among 3 cultivated ages was significant, while the SMB-N was not. The SMB of R3 was the lowest. Compared with R0, the SMB-C and the SMB-N were significantly reduced 77.30% and 69.36%. It was considered by integrated analysis that the leading factor of continuous cropping obstacle in ginseng was the changes of the rhizosphere soil microbial species, number and activity as well as the micro-ecological imbalance of rhizosphere soil caused by the accumulation of ginseng rhizosphere secretions.
Agriculture ; Ammonium Compounds ; metabolism ; Bacteria ; growth & development ; Biomass ; Cellulose ; metabolism ; Nitrification ; Panax ; growth & development ; microbiology ; Plant Roots ; growth & development ; microbiology ; Rhizosphere ; Soil ; chemistry ; Soil Microbiology ; Time Factors

To unveil genetic variations between the predominant soybean mosaic virus (SMV) strains in China and in the USA, as well as to reveal the potential relevance between the similarity of gene sequences and the virulence of the viruses, we isolated and sequenced the coat protein (CP) gene of Chinese SMV strain SC7 by RT-PCR and compared the SC7 sequence with those of SMV strains from the USA. Analysis is showed that the CP gene of SC7 was 795 nucleotides in length and encoded 265 in amino acids'. The CP gene of SC7 and those of the strains from the USA exhibited 4%-5% nucleotide diversity and 1%-2% diversity amino acids. The conserved amino-acid sequence associated with aphid spread in the USA strains was DAG, and corresponded to DAD in SC7. The virulence of SC7 was greater than that of the SMV strains from the USA. Nevertheless, no clear relationships between sequence similarity of the CP genes from different strains and their virulence on differential hosts were found.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Capsid Proteins ; genetics ; China ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mosaic Viruses ; Soybeans ; virology ; United States

Rotating wall vessels (RWVS), an ingenious apparatus for three-dimensional suspension culture, is widely used to build a simulated microgravity-effect on cell. Independent researchers have proposed hypotheses to illustrate why RWVS can simulate certain aspects of microgravity. Many of the hypotheses stated that the culture condition in RWVS is determined by the cellular mechanical environment which is a result of low fluid shear and microcarrier's motion. The microcarrier's motions consist of primary and secondary motions. In the light of the analysis of forces loaded by the microcarriers, some conclusions are drawn from the data on microcarriers' primary and secondary motions about which many simulations and observations have already been conducted.
Cell Culture Techniques ; instrumentation ; methods ; Gravitation ; Models, Theoretical ; Motion ; Rotation ; Stress, Mechanical ; Weightlessness Simulation

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of drug-containing serum of Chinese herbal compounds [Xiongshao Capsule (XS, for activating blood) and Huanglian Capsule (HL, for dispelling toxin)] on tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-induced adherence between human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN), inflammatory reaction and expression of related proteins in mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway.

METHODSThirty-two rats were randomly divided into four groups (8 in each group) using random digit table: the blank control group treated with distilled water, the test group I treated with Chinese herbal compound of XS (0.135 g/kg), the test group II treated with Chinese herbal compound of HL (0.135 g/kg), and the test group Ill treated with Chinese herbal compound of XS (0.135 g/kg) and HL (0.135 g/kg). All medication was given by gastrogavage once a day for a week. Rats' blood serum was harvested 1 h after the last administration to prepare drug-containing serum. HUVECs were exposed to TNF-alpha (100 ng/mL) to induce cell injury model and incubated with corresponding drug-containing serum (10%) for 24 h. Normal rats' serum was given to cells in the blank control group and the model group, while XC + HL containing serum was given to cells in the rest 3 groups. The adherence of HUVECs and PMN cells was detected by using rose bengal strain. Levels of E-selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and interleukin-1beta (IL-1P) in the supernatant of cultured HU-VECs were determined by ELISA. Protein expressions of mitogen-activated protein kinases p38 (p38MAPK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK 12) were determined by Western blot.

RESULTSCompared with the blank control group, HUVECs were seriously injured; PMN adherence amount significantly increased; levels of E-selectin, ICAM-1, and IL-1beta increased; expression levels of p-p38MAPK and p-ERK 1/2 in the supernatant of HUVECs significantly increased in the model group (all P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, HUVECs-PMN adherence amount decreased (P < 0.05); levels of E-selectin, ICAM-1, and IL-1 beta in the supernatant of HUVECs decreased (P < 0.01, P < 0.05); expression levels of p-p38MAPK and p-ERK 1/2 of endothelial cells decreased in the test group I, II, and III (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSDrug-containing serums of activating blood, activating blood and dispelling toxin could attenuate TNF-alpha induced injury of HUVECs, inhibit HUVECs-PMN adherence and the release of adhesion factors. Its mechanism might be involved with protein phosphorylation of p38MAPK and ERK 1/2 in the MAPK pathway.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; E-Selectin ; Endothelial Cells ; physiology ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-1beta ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 ; Neutrophils ; Rats ; Serum ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism

Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma and Atractylodis Rhizoma were widely used in strengthening spleen under different disease conditions, and were easily and often misused each other. Therefore, DNA barcode was used to distinguish Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma and Atractylodis Rhizoma from their adulterants to ensure the safe use. The sequence lengths of ITS2 of Atractylodes macrocephala, Atractylodis Rhizoma (A. lancea, A. japonica and A. coreana) were both 229 bp. Among the ITS2 sequences of A. macrocephala, only one G/C transversion was detected at site 98, and the average GC content was 69.42%. No variable site was detected in the ITS2 sequences of A. lancea. The maximum K2P intraspecific genetic distances of both A. japonica and A. coreana were 0.013. The maximum K2P intraspecific genetic distances of A. macrocephala, A. lancea, A. japonica and A. coreana were less than the minimum interspecific genetic distance of adulterants. The ITS2 sequences in each of these polytypic species were separated into pairs of divergent clusters in the NJ tree. DNA barcoding could be used as a fast and accurate identification method to distinguish Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, Atractylodis Rhizoma, from their adulterants to ensure its safe use.
Atractylodes ; classification ; genetics ; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; methods ; DNA, Plant ; genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer ; genetics ; Drug Contamination ; prevention & control ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; classification ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Quality Control ; Rhizome ; classification ; genetics

Objective To discuss the optimal radiation dose in the treatment of the late course accelerated hyperfractionation(LCAH) radiotherapy for esophageal carcinoma by using two different treatment doses,focusing on the difference of the short term results,local control rates,treatment tolerance and long term survival rates between the two groups.Methods One hundred patients with esophageal carcinoma were randomly divided by the envelope method into two groups:the 60Gy group and the 75Gy group.Patients in 60Gy group received conventional fraction radiation for the first 3 weeks,and then hyperfractionation radiation(1.5Gy per fraction,two fractions a day with 6 hour interval,10 fractions per week) to the total dose of 60Gy/35 fractions/5 weeks.The radiation schedule of the 75Gy group was the same as the 60Gy group: conventional fractionation of radiation for the first 3 weeks and then hyperfractionation radiation for the rest 3 weeks to the total dose of 75Gy/45 fractions/6 weeks.Results There was no significant difference between the two groups in short term results.The 1-,3-,5-year local control rates were 86%,42%,32% in 60Gy group and 88%,52%,48% in 75Gy group,respectively.The 1-,3-,5-year survival rates were 86%,40%, 28% in 60Gy group and 72%,34%,16% in 75Gy group,with no significant difference(P= 0.283).The median survival time was 25 months for the 60Gy group and 19 months for the 75Gy group.Patients suffered from heavy radiation-induced esophagitis in the 75Gy group were significantly more than those in the 60Gy group(28% vs 10%,P= 0.022).But it was similar for patients who died of side effects in the two groups.Conclusions It is not suitable to pursue high dose in treating esophageal carcinoma with late course accelerated hyperfractionation radiotherapy as high incidence of side effects are unadvoidable if the dose is increased without changing the radiation fields and techniques.When escalating the dose to the esophagus,the radiated lung volume as well as the other normal tissues should be first subjected to meticulous and careful consideration.

The clinical analgesic effect of electro-acupuncture (EA) stimulation (EAS) on breakthrough pain induced by remifentanil in patients undergoing radical thoracic esophagectomy, and the mechanisms were assessed. Sixty patients (ASAIII) scheduled for elective radical esophagectomy were randomized into three groups: group A (control) receiving a general anesthesia only; group B (sham) given EA needles at PC4 (Ximen) and PC6 (Neiguan) but no stimulation; and group C (EAS) electrically given EAS of the ipsilateral PC4 and PC6 throughout the surgery. The EAS consisting of a disperse-dense wave with a low frequency of 2 Hz and a high frequency of 20 Hz, was performed 30 min prior to induction of general anesthesia and continued through the surgery. At the emergence, sufentanil infusion was given for postoperative analgesia with loading dose of 7.5 μg, followed by a continuous infusion of 2.25 μg/h. The patient self-administration of sufentanil was 0.75 μg with a lockout of 15 min as needed. Additional breakthrough pain was treated with dezocine (5 mg) intravenously at the patient's request. Blood samples were collected before (T1), 2 h (T2), 24 h (T3), and 48 h (T4) after operation to measure the plasma β-EP, PGE2, and 5-HT. The operative time, the total dose of sufentanil and the dose of self-administration, and the rescue doses of dezocine were recorded. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores at 2, 12, 24 and 48 h postoperatively and the incidence of apnea and severe hypotension were recorded. The results showed that the gender, age, weight, operative time and remifentanil consumption were comparable among 3 groups. Patients in EAS group had the lowest VAS scores postoperatively among the three groups (P<0.05). The total dose of sufentanil was 115±6.0 μg in EAS group, significantly lower than that in control (134.3±5.9 μg) and sham (133.5±7.0 μg) groups. Similarly, the rescue dose of dezocine was the least in EAS group (P<0.05) among the three groups. Plasma β-EP levels in EAS group at T3 (176.90±45.73) and T4 (162.96±35.00 pg/mL) were significantly higher than those in control (132.33±36.75 and 128.79±41.24 pg/mL) and sham (136.56±45.80 and 129.85±36.14 pg/mL) groups, P<0.05 for all. EAS could decrease the release of PGE2. Plasma PGE2 levels in EAS group at T2 and T3 (41±5 and 40±5 pg/mL respectively) were significantly lower than those in control (64±5 and 62±7 pg/mL) and sham (66±6 and 62±6 pg/mL) groups. Plasma 5-HT levels in EAS group at T2 (133.66±40.85) and T3 (154.66±52.49 ng/mL) were significantly lower than those in control (168.33±56.94 and 225.28±82.03) and sham (164.54±47.53 and 217.74±76.45 ng/mL) groups. For intra-group comparison, plasma 5-HT and PGE2 levels in control and sham groups at T2 and T3, and β-EP in EAS group at T3 and T4 were significantly higher than those at T1 (P<0.05); PGE2 and 5-HT levels in EAS group showed no significant difference among the different time points (P>0.05). No apnea or severe hypotension was observed in any group. It was concluded that intraoperative ipsilateral EAS at PC4 and PC6 provides effective postoperative analgesia for patients undergoing radical esophagectomy with remifentanil anesthesia and significantly decrease requirement for parental narcotics. The underlying mechanism may be related to stimulation of the release of endogenous β-EP and inhibition of inflammatory mediators (5-HT and PGE2).