Adolescent ; Adult ; Blood Pressure ; Gravity Suits ; Heart Function Tests ; Humans ; Male ; Positive-Pressure Respiration ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical efficacy and action mechanism of acupuncture for premature ovarian failure (POF).

METHODSAccording to prospective cohort study design, 30 cases were included. Based on theory of regulating Chong and Conception Vessels as well as soothing the liver and calming the nerves, acupuncture at Guanyuan (CV 4), Dahe (KI 12), Taixi (KI 3), Taichong (LR 3), Baihui (GV 20) was applied, three times per week and 3 months were considered as one session. Totally two sessions were performed. The menstruation condition, estradiol (E2), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and scores of the clinical perimenopausal symptoms were taken as treatment outcomes.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 86.7% (26/30) and the cured rate was 16.7% (5/30). The recovery rate of menstruation was 16.7% (5/30) and the regain rate of menstruation was 56.7% (17/30). After the treatment, the level of E2 was significantly increased from (45.41 +/- 18. 09) pmol/L to (59.07 +/- 24.21) pmol/L (P < 0.05), and the score of perimenopausal symptoms was obviously reduced from 14.28 +/- 8. 30 to 4.04 +/- 3.28 (P < 0.01). However, no statistical differences could be seen in FSH before and after treatment (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture has certain effect on improving menstruation and perimenopausal symptoms in POF patients, which is likely to he related with increasing the level of E2.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Adolescent ; Estradiol ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Luteinizing Hormone ; metabolism ; Primary Ovarian Insufficiency ; metabolism ; therapy ; Prospective Studies ; Young Adult

PEG-modified magnetic Fe3O4 (Fe3O4-PEG) nanoparticles were sythesized using a solvothermal reaction and characterized with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA). The photothermal effect and photothermal destruction of cancer cells were evaluated. Then the doxorubicin loaded Fe3O4-PEG (DOX-Fe3O4-PEG) nanoparticles were prepared. The cytotoxicity and combined chemotherapy/photothermal therapy (PTT) effect were investigated. Uniform PEG coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles with particle size of 155 nm were obtained in the experiment. The loading and release of doxorubicin on Fe3O4-PEG were pH-dependent. The drug loading capacity in water was 21%. The results of MTT indicated a good biocompatiblity of Fe3O4-PEG nanoparticles and high cytotoxicity of DOX-Fe3O4-PEG. In combined therapy experiment, photothermal therapy demonstrated unambiguously enhanced chemotherapy efficacy. In conclusion, the obtained Fe3O4-PEG nanoparticles which exhibit good photothermal effect and drug loading capacity can be used for chemotherapy and photothermal therapy. The synergetic anti-tumor activity indicates the potential for the combined application of chemotherapy and photothermal therapy in cancer treatment.
Antibiotics, Antineoplastic ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Doxorubicin ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Drug Carriers ; Ferrosoferric Oxide ; chemistry ; Humans ; Hyperthermia, Induced ; MCF-7 Cells ; Magnetite Nanoparticles ; chemistry ; Particle Size ; Polyethylene Glycols ; chemistry

Calcium hydroxide (CH) is applied to improve disinfection of root canals in most root canal retreatment. This study aimed to analyze the CH removal efficacy using 7 different root preparing files (K file, pre-curved K file, EndoActivator, Ultrasonic file, pre-curved ultrasonic file, F file and needle irrigation alone) with apical transportation. Standardized models of curved canal with such apical transportation or not were set up before applying CH to root canal for 7 days. Seven techniques described above were used for its removal. Then the roots were disassembled and digital photos were taken. The ratio of residual CH in the overall canal surface was calculated using the image analyzer image pro plus 6.0. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA with post hoc Tukey test. Results revealed that CH was effectively removed (P<0.05) by using all 6 mechanical methods except irrigation alone. In curved root canals with apical transportation, EndoActivator, pre-curved ultrasonic file and F file were found to be more effective in removing CH than the other four file (P<0.001), while there was no significant difference among EndoActivator, pre-curved ultrasonic file and F file groups (P>0.05). The percentage of residual CH in the canal with apical transportation was higher than that in the canal without apical transportation (P<0.05). In conclusion, CH can be hardly removed completely. Canal with apical transportation will result in insufficient CH removal. EndoActivator, pre-curved ultrasonic file and F file are more effective in the curved root canal with apical transportation.

Genomic DNA was extracted from the blood samples of 3 patients from 1 pedigree with congenital nephrogenie diabetes insipidus (NDI) and their 12 family members.The whole coding region of the arginine vasopressin receptor 2 (AVPR2) gene was amplified by PCR and then directly sequenced,A mutation of AVPR2 gene [g1236T→C (L292P)]was found in 3 patients.The patients' mothers were found to have both mutant and normal alleles.

Background and purpose:Lung cancer is thought to be caused by multiple-step carcinogenesis. Identification of the genetic alterations that occur in tumors is an important approach to understanding carcinogenesis. We identified chromosomal abnormality in lung cancer by the molecular cytogenetic techniques of comparative genomic hybridisation(CGH),the technology could help to comprehend the relationship between chromosome abnormality, different patho-types,and clinical features of lung cancer.Methods:CGH was used to detect the global genomic aberration in the fresh cancer tissue cells from 30 patients with lung cancer.Results:Chromosomal abnormality were detected in all of 30 cases with lung cancer,the altofrequent gains in 1p11-p22,5p11-p14,16p 11-P12,19q13, 19p 13,20p12,21q21 and the altofrequent losses in 5q,6p24-pter,9p31-qter,13q21-qter,14q21-qter were found in all three types of lung cancer,the marked differences of chromosomal abnormalities in three types of lung cancer were also found.Conclusions:The cytogenetic aberration exists generally in lung cancer cells,the cytogenetic aberration is the base of the initiation and progression of the lung cancer.There are some different chromosomal abnormalities between different types of lung cancer,which may serve as a marker to differential diagnosos of the three types of lung cancer.As to the progression of malignant neoplastic disease,the complexity of chromosomal abnormality is obviously elevated.Different carcinogenic agents(smoking for example)may induce different chromosomal abnormalities.

OBJECTIVETo explore the intervention of baicalin on signal transduction and activating transcription factor expression of ulcerative colitis (UC) patients.

METHODSRecruited were UC patients at Outpatient Department of Digestive Disease, Inpatient Department of Digestive Disease, Center for Digestive Endoscopy of College City Branch, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Southern Hospital affiliated to Southern Medical University from June 2010 to January 2011. They were assigned to the UC group (33 cases) and the diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) group (30 cases). Another 30 healthy subjects were recruited as a healthy control group. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in vitro intervened by different concentrations baicalin were taken from UC patients. IL23R gene expressions in vitro intervened by different concentrations baicalin were detected using Q-PCR. Expressions of signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (STAT4) , STAT6, phosphorylated-STAT4 (p-STAT4), and p-STAT6 were detected using Western blot. Serum levels of IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10 were measured by ELISA. Effects of different concentrations baicalin on expressions of PBMCs, and levels of IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-10 of UC patients were also detected.

RESULTSCompared with the negative control group, 40 µmol baicalin obviously decreased IL23R gene expression of UC patients (P <0. 01). Compared with the healthy control group and the IBS-D group, p-STAT4/STAT4 ratios increased, p-STAT6/STAT6 ratios decreased, levels of IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-10 all increased in the US group (all P <0. 05). Compared with the negative control, 5 and 10 µmol baicalin groups, 20 and 40 moL baicalin obviously decreased p-STAT4/STAT4 ratios (all P <0. 05); 20 and 40 µmoL baicalin obviously increased p-STAT6/STAT6 ratios (all P <0. 05); 20 and 40 µmoL baicalin obviously lowered levels of IFN-γ and IL-4, and elevated IL-10 levels (all P <0. 05).

CONCLUSION40 µmoL baicalin could in vitro inhibit p-STAT4/STAT4 ratios, adjust p-STAT6/STAT6 ratios and related cytokines, thereby balancing the immunity and relieving inflammatory reactions of UC.

Activating Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; therapeutic use ; Blotting, Western ; Colitis, Ulcerative ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Flavonoids ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Interleukin-10 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-4 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Phosphorylation ; STAT6 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction

ObjectiveTo investigate the feasibitity of detecting S100A6 expression at mRNA level in endoscopic ultrasonography guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) specimens and its diagnostic value in PDA.MethodsA total of 18 PDA specimens and 22 normal pancreatic specimens were collected. RNA was extracted for reverse transcription.The expression of S100A6 gene was examined by real-time polymerase chain reaction.The cut-off value of S100A6 expression at mRNA level in PDA diagnosis was established through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. 28 patients with pancreatic head masses were selected for EUS-FNA examination,and the value of S100A6 mRNA expression level in PDA diagnosis was prospectively evaluated. The expression of S100A6 protein in PDA tissue was determined by immunohistochemistry staining.ResultsS100A6 mRNA expression in EUS-FNA and surgical PDA specimens (0.05023±0.10120,0.02083 ± 0.02848) was significantly higher than that of normal pancreatic tissues (0.00164±0.00202),both P＜0.01.The expression of S100A6 in 22 EUS-FNA PDA specimens was significantly higher than that of 6 pancreatic benign disease biopsy specimens (0.00193 ± 0.00278,P =0.0009). There was no significant difference in S100A6 expression between 6 pancreatic benign disease biopsy specimens and normal surgical pancreatic samples (P=0.6143).When S100A6 mRNA expression in EUS-FNA specimens over 0.00525 was taken as positive diagnostic value,the sensitivity,specificity and accuracy in prospective pancreatic cancer diagnosis were 90.01％,100 ％ and 92.85 ％,respectively.ConclusionThe high expression of S100A6 mRNA in EUS-FNA specimens of PDA has good preoperative diagnostic value.

OBJECTIVETo follow up the cohort of a certain factory and analyze the death cause of the employees.

METHODSA dynamic cohort was adopted and the study population consisted of all workers stayed at the factory for more than 1 year. The cohort data was mainly from the personnel ministry in the factory,the death data provided by the personnel ministry,the labour union and the hospital. All cause of death of the all employee and the death condition of radiation group and no-radiation group were analyzed and compared.

RESULTSThe mortality of the workers in the factory was significantly lower than national population, the SMR of all cause of death in all employee, radiation group and no-radiation group were 0.41 (95% CI: 0.37-0.45), 0.24, 0.75 respectively; all cancer death in the three group was 0.59, 0.40 and 0.92. But the death order was different in radiation group and no-radiation group,the order of liver cancer was list first in radiation group, which was unlike that of the nation order and the no-radiation order.

CONCLUSIONThere have no excess death in the factory, but the order of liver cancer is precedence.

Cause of Death ; Cohort Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced ; mortality ; Nuclear Reactors ; Occupational Exposure ; Power Plants ; Prospective Studies ; Workplace

OBJECTIVETo study the mechanism of learning and memory dysfuction in the transgenic mouse expressing human tau 40 isoform with P301L mutation (F10).

METHODSThe human tau protein expression and phosphor-tau protein levels were detected with Western blot method. The neurofibrillary tangles were observed with Bielshowsky silver stain. The behavior changes of learning and memory were observed by open field test and passive avoidance test. Acetyleholine level, activities of acetycholinesterase and choline acetyltransferase of whole brain was detected by colorimetry method. The nitric oxide level of whole brain was detected by nitrate enzyme reduction method.

RESULTSExogenous human tau gene was expressed and an elevation of phosphor-tau protein level in 7 and 3-month transgenic mice's hippocampus andcerebrocortex was observed. The neurofibrillary tangles were observed in cerebrocortex of 7-month transgenic mice; the 7-month transgenic mice also presented an evident reduction of learning and memory ability and nitric oxide level of the whole brain, but not changes in acetylcholine level, acetycholinesterase activity, choline acetyltransferase activity and expression in whole brain.

CONCLUSIONTau transgenic mice (F10) can still inherit their parents' biologiccal characters, and develop learning and memory dysfunction awnodh san obvious decrease in nitric oxide level of whole brain in the 7-month old mice, suggesting a decrease of nitric oxide level of whole brain would be involved in the mechanism of learning and memory dysfunction in these transgenic mice.

Acetylcholine ; metabolism ; Acetylcholinesterase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Brain ; physiopathology ; Choline O-Acetyltransferase ; metabolism ; Humans ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; Memory Disorders ; genetics ; physiopathology ; Mice ; Mice, Transgenic ; Mutation ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism