Objective To explore the setting of logos on tobacco control information at outlets for retails and restaurants in 12 selected cities of China.Methods For all the shops for retail of tobacco,alcohol,food and restaurants under survey in 333 blocks of 12 cities (Beijing,Tianjin,Shanghai,Qingdao,Hangzhou,Shaoxing,Suzhou,Nantong,Zhenjiang,Chengdu,Xining and Harbin),setting and contents of logos on tobacco control information,inside and outside them were examined.Results 45 700 objectives were included in the study.Among all types of retail shops,the identification rate of tobacco control information at the entrance and inside were 3.6％ and 4.4％,with an overall identification rate as 7.0％.The overall rate at the entrance of all the restaurants was 4.6％ which was larger than the ones at the retail shops.Our result showed that there were differences between cities and types of establishments and higher rates seen in the larger ones.Of all the places that having had placement of information on tobacco control,only 18.5％ of them had put them both inside and outside.Slogans or images on "No Smoking" were the main forms of information but less than 10％ of them would show signs as ‘exclusive non-smoking'.Conclusion Data from our survey showed that the identification rate of tobacco control information was at a low level in 12 cities,and differences were seen between cities,size of establishment,that called for improvement of the existing tobacco control policies in China.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of acupoint Shuigou (GV 26) and non-acupoint on inhibiting the neuronal necrosis induced by the middle cerebral artery obstruction (MCAO) in rats through the morphological observation.

METHODSForty two healthy adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into a normal group, false-ope ration group, model control group, non-acupuncture group, Shuigou-acupuncture group and non-acupoint acupuncture group, 7 rats in each group. Besides the normal and false-operation groups, the experimental modal of MCAO was established in the other groups by using the Zea-Longa thread method. Acupoint Shuigou (GV 26) and non-acupoint (below the costal region) were selected respectively in the Shuigou-acupuncture group and non-acupoint acupuncture group for puncturing at 180 times/min for 5 seconds. Its effect was estimated by measuring the rate of the neuronal necrosis at the level of the light microscope and the degree of the neuronal necrosis at the level of the electron microscope.

RESULTS(1) At the level of the light microscope, comparing with the model control group (0.66 +/- 0.18), of the neuronal necrosis there were no significant differences in the rate of neuronal necrosis in the non-acupuncture group (0.67 +/- 0.34) and non-acupoint acupuncture group (0.59 +/- 0.11) (both P > 0.05), while it was significantly decreased in the Shuigou-acupuncture group (0.200 +/- 12) (P < 0.05). It indicates that no intervention and wrong (non-acupoint) intervention could light the damage of the neurons, however, only right intervention (Shuigou, GV 26) can obviously decrease the rate of the neuronal necrosis, showing with the specificity of acupoint. (2) At the level of the electron microscope, the ultrastructure of the involved neurons in the non-acupuncture group and non-acupoint acupuncture group is similar to that of the model control group, showing with the serious edema and structure damage. In contrast, the ultrastructure of the involved neurons in the Shuigou-acupuncture group is similar to that of the normal group and false-operation group, showing with light neuronal damage.

CONCLUSIONAcupuncturing Shuigou (GV 26) could protect the involved neurons and inhibit the neuronal necrosis induced by the MCAO in rats, but acupuncturing the non-acupoint couldn't, which imply that there is the specificity of acupoint in the acupuncture.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Animals ; Brain Ischemia ; pathology ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Disease Models, Animal ; Humans ; Male ; Necrosis ; Neurons ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo probe into effective methods for treatment of ischemic cerebral infarction and specificity of acupoints in the acupuncture treatment.

METHODSThe rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was established with thread ligation according to Zea-Longa's method. They were divided into normal group, non-operation group, model control group, non-acupuncture group and acupuncture group, and the acupuncture group was divided into sham-acupuncture group and four Xingnao Kaiqiao groups (contain Shuigou group, Neiguan group, Chize group, Sanyinjiao group and Weizhong group). Then they were treated by acupuncture at "Shuigou" (GV 26), "Neiguan" (PC 6), "Chize" (LU 5), "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6), "Weizhong" (BL 40) and non-acupoints, 3 times/second, for 5 seconds. Cerebral blood blow (CBF) was used for assessment of the effect.

RESULTSAs compared with the model control group, in the non-acupuncture group CBF did not significantly change (P>0.05); compared with the non-acupuncture group, after acupuncture CBF was significantly increased in the Shuigou group and the Neiguan groups (all P<0.05), but did not significantly increased in the Chize group, Sanyinjiao group and Weizhong group (all P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONCBF has a tendency of spontaneous cure within 72 h after cerebral infarction in the MCAO rat; acupuncture can significantly improve CBF in the MCAO rat, so it is an effective method for treatment of ischemic stroke; among the acupoints in the "Xingnao Kaiqiao" needling method, "Shuigou" (GV 26) and "Neiguan" (PC 6) have obvious effect in improvement of CBF, indicating acupoint specificity of "Shuigou" (GV 26) and "Neiguan" (PC 6) in treatment of ischemic stroke.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Animals ; Brain ; blood supply ; Brain Ischemia ; therapy ; Cerebral Infarction ; therapy ; Disease Models, Animal ; Humans ; Male ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

Objective To study the epidemic tendency of emerging influenza A (H1N1) in mainland China, and to explore the different patterns of spread on the disease under the following contexts: (1) To stop the temperature screening program at the border areas of the country; (2)To stop measures of prevention and control on those identified cases and their close contacts; (3) To strengthen programs for the foreign immigrants on 'home quarantine'. Methods Under relevant parameters and information on the transmission link from different reference data, the patterns of influenza spread were simulated by Monte Carlo method. Results The temperature screening on border could inhibit the transmission of influenza A (H1N1) to some extent, so that after 3 months the cumulative number of cases will be reduced by 21.5% (1718 cases) and transmission speed of influenza A (H1N1) in mainland China will be delayed by about 4 days. Furthermore, taking positive measures of prevention and control could efficiently slow down the epidemic, so that after 3 months the cumulative number of cases will be reduced by 93.4%(about 90 thousand cases) and it would be delayed by about 15 days if influenza A (H1N1) spreads to the whole country. In addition, if the immigrants were able to practise quarantine measures consciously by themselves at home the effect of prevention and control against influenza A(H1N1) would be more significant. If 30%, 60% and 90% of immigrants would take quarantine measures home consciously, after 3 months the cumulative number of cases will be reduced by about 15% (about 940 cases), 34% (about 2230 cases) and 64% (about 4180 cases), respectively. Also, influenza A (H1N1) spreads to the whole country will be delayed by about 4 days, 10 days and 25 days, respectively. It is difficult to curb fully the development of the epidemic by taking existing control measures, and influenza A (H1N1) may spread to almost all provinces after about 3 months. Conclusion The effects of existing prevention and control measures were objectively assessed and the results showed the necessity and effectiveness of these measures against the transmission of influenza A (H1N1) , in the mainland of China.

OBJECTIVETo compare clinical outcome and quality of life of subtotal colectomy with antiperistaltic cecoproctostomy and total colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis (TAC-IRA) in patients with severe slow transit constipation (STC).

METHODSOf the 56 patients enrolled in this study from January 1999 to June 2008, 32 cases underwent subtotal colectomy with antiperistaltic cecoproctostomy, and 20 patients underwent TAC-IRA. The patients' clinical characteristics, operative data, postoperative outcome, functional result and gastrointestinal quality of life index (GIQLI) survey were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up for 1-7 years (median, 4 years). The basic clinical characteristics between the two groups was comparable. During the follow-up period, the number of daily bowel movements in the subtotal colectomy group was significantly fewer than that in TAC-IRA group (2.5+/-0.8 vs. 3.4+/-0.8; P=0.000). The Wexner continence score was significantly lower in subtotal colectomy group (4.4+/-1.6 vs. 5.8+/-1.9; P=0.011), and the GIQLI score in subtotal colectomy group was significantly higher than that in the TAC-IRA group (120.7+/-7.5 vs. 111.1+/-12.0; P=0.005).

CONCLUSIONSubtotal colectomy with antiperistaltic cecoproctostomy appeared to be the superior treatment than the TAC-IRA for selected patients with slow transit constipation for improved functional outcomes and quality of life.

Adult ; Aged ; Anastomosis, Surgical ; methods ; Cecum ; surgery ; Colectomy ; methods ; Constipation ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Ileum ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Quality of Life ; Rectum ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVELetrozole is an aromatase inhibitor that is used in the treatment of estrogen-sensitive tumors such as endometrial carcinoma, however, its therapeutic effect is still to be further improved. It is reported that curcumin has antitumor capability and can enhance the sensitivity of tumor cells to anticancer agents. This study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of letrozole combination with curcumin on the implanted endometrial tumor growth.

METHODSNude mice were implanted with endometrial carcinoma RL-952 cells. All tumor-bearing mice were randomly divided into 5 groups: control(without treatment), Let(1) (letrozole, 1 microg/d), Let(10) (letrozole, 10 microg/d), Cur [ curcumin, 300 mg/kg.d)], and Let + Cur group [10microg/d letrozole + 50mg/ (kg.d) curcumin]. The tumor growth was monitored. Tumor cells apoptosis was detected in both control and treated groups. The expressions of bcl-2 mRNA and bcl-2 protein were detected using RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively.

RESULTSFifty mice were successfully implanted with the endometrial tumor. Treatment with letrozole markedly inhibited tumor growth; the inhibitory effect was further enhanced by the combination of letrozole and curcumin. The inhibitory rates in Let (1), Let (10), the Cur, and the Let + Cur groups were 15.95%, 22.49%, 21.57%, and 35.89%, respectively. Treatment with curcumin inhibited the expression of bcl-2 in tumor cells at the mRNA and protein levels. The apoptosis rates in the control group and the four experimental groups mentioned above were 16.97%, 32.90%, 35.80%, 34.16%, and 47.24%, respectively. Tumor cells apoptosis were observed in mice treated with either letrozole or curcumin; however, combination of letrozole and curcumin further enhanced the inhibitory rate in tumor growth.

CONCLUSIONSTreatment with letrozole or curcumin could inhibit the xenografted endometrial tumor growth by inducing apoptosis in tumor cells. Combination of letrozole and curcumin further enhanced the inhibitory effect of tumor growth.

Adenocarcinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Curcumin ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Drug Synergism ; Endometrial Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Nitriles ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Receptors, Estrogen ; metabolism ; Triazoles ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Tumor Burden ; drug effects ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of mitofusin-2 gene (mfn2) in apoptosis in human breast carcinoma cell line MCF-7 cells after in vitro transfection.

METHODSpEGFP mfn2 was transfected by sofast in vitro. Expression of GFP was observed by Western blot, and the MCF-7 cell proliferation was measured by MTT and cell counting. Apoptosis in MCF-7 cells was observed in annexin-V/PI and chondrosome transmembrane potential of MCF-7 marked in JC-1 by FCM. The Ultrastructure of cells was observed by transmission electron microscopy.

RESULTSThe stable expression of GFP in MCF-7 cells was confirmed by Western blot. Mfn2 significantly inhibited cell proliferation, revealed by MTT, and decrease chondrosome transmembrane potential. Exogenous mfn2 gene significantly induced apoptosis. The apoptotic rate was increased from 3.6% to 16.0% (P < 0.05). Mfn2 gene induced break down and loss of mitochondrial cristae, and rarefaction of mitochondrial ground substance. Swollen mitochondria intensely aggregated around the cell nuclei.

CONCLUSIONMfn2 can strongly induce apoptosis in MCF-7 cells, which may be associated with decrease of mitochondrial transmembrane potential.

Apoptosis ; Breast Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Female ; GTP Phosphohydrolases ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mitochondria ; ultrastructure ; Mitochondrial Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Plasmids ; Recombinant Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo study the value of basal antral follicle count (AFC) and age in predicting ovarian response and clinical outcome of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET).

METHODSA total of 1319 oocyte retrieval cycles in women with an AFC≤10 and complete IVF/ICSI cycles were analyzed retrospectively. According to the AFC, the patients were divided into groups A, B, and C with AFC≤4, of 5-7, and of 8-10, respectively, and each was further divided into <38 years old group and ≥38 years old group. The oocytes retrieved, ovarian response, implantation rate, cancellations, pregnancy, pregnancy loss, and live births were evaluated.

RESULTSAs the AFC increased, the total gonadotrophin (Gn) dose increased and the follicles aspirated and oocytes retrieved decreased significantly (P<0.001). Patients below 38 years of age had a lower total Gn dose and more follicles aspirated and oocytes retrieved than older patients. An AFC>7 and age≥38 years was associated with significantly lower total Gn dose, greater number of follicles aspirated and oocytes retrieved, and lower pregnancy rate than an AFC≤7 and age<38 years (P<0.05). Bivariate correlation and linear regression analysis identified AFC as the best single predictor of ovarian response in IVF. The pregnancy rate differed significantly between the 3 groups, and older patients (≥38 years) had higher early miscarriage rate.

CONCLUSIONAntral follicle count≤7 or age≥38 years old with AFC≤10 is the suitable threshold of diminished ovarian reserve in controlled ovarian stimulation for infertile women. Combination of AFC and age is the best predictor of ovarian response in IVF. Age has a better predictive value of pregnancy rate than AFC. AFC influences mainly the oocytes quantity, while age also affects oocyte quality.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Embryo Transfer ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Humans ; Ovarian Follicle ; anatomy & histology ; cytology ; physiology ; Ovulation Induction ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Retrospective Studies

Cardiac Catheterization ; Heart Arrest ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pulmonary Embolism ; complications ; therapy ; Thrombolytic Therapy ; methods