OBJECTIVETo analyze the toxicity of high-frequency electromagnetic field (HF-EMF) on the reproductive and endocrine functions of female workers.

METHODS180 female workers exposed to HF-EMF for more than one year were selected as the exposure group, and 349 female workers in the marketplace were selected as the control group. Their menstrual status and pregnancy outcomes were evaluated with historical cohort study. Meanwhile, the serum levels of reproductive hormones including follicle stimulation hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E(2)) and progesterone (P(4)) from 30 workers respectively in the exposure group and the control group selected randomly (in periovulatory period) were detected with the radio immunoassays.

RESULTSWith the increase of residue of HF-EMF, the incidence of menstrual disorder was increased (33.8% and 26.8% in the exposure group compared with 12.0% in the control group) (P < 0.01) and the incidence of menorrhagia in the exposure I group (16.9%) was significantly higher than that in the control group (8.0%) (P < 0.01). However, serum P(4) was significantly lower in the exposure group [(2.10 +/- 1.57) and (2.39 +/- 1.35) mg/L] than in the control group [(3.80 +/- 2.67) mg/L] (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in serum E(2), LH and FSH between the exposure and the control groups.

CONCLUSIONIncrease of the incidence of menstrual disorder as well as that of menorrhagia, and decrease of levels of some reproductive hormones are closely associated with HF-EMF (25 approximately 30 MHz).

Adolescent ; Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Electromagnetic Fields ; adverse effects ; Endocrine System ; radiation effects ; Female ; Hormones ; blood ; Humans ; Menstruation Disturbances ; epidemiology ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo analyze the effects of high-frequency electromagnetic field (HF-EMF, 30 MHz, 0-1600 V/m) on the apoptosis and ultramicrostructure of the hippocamp and demonstrate the cytotoxicity of hippocamp.

METHODS120 Wistar female adult rats were randomly divided into ten groups based on body weight with different levels of 30 MHz electromagnetic field (0, 25, 100, 400, 1600 V/m) for eight hours daily. Five group rats were irradiated for three days. The other five group rats were irradiated for fifty-six days. Weekly the rats were continuously exposed five days. The apoptotic rate of the hippocamp was detected with TUNEL System. Meanwhile, the ultramicrostructure was observed with the transmission electron microscope.

RESULTS(1) There was no significant difference on the apoptotic rate and pathological change of the hippocamp cell between the exposure and the control groups through short term experiment (P > 0.05). (2) The apoptotic rate of the granulocyte on the DG campus of the hippocamp in the 400 V/m group and the 1600 V/m group (0.165% +/- 0.049%, 0.189% +/- 0.049% respectively) were increased significantly (P < 0.01) through inferior chronic experiment compared with the control group (0.052% +/- 0.016%). Along with the increase of radiation dose, the ultramicrostructure of the neuron cell appeared more abnormal cells. Especially there were marked change on the neuron in the 1600 V/m group.

CONCLUSIONSThere is no association between cell apoptotic rate of the hippocamp and short period exposure to HF-EMF (30 MHz, 25-1600 V/m). However inferior chronic exposures to HF-EMF might induce the cytotoxicity, especially in the high dose exposure (1600 V/m) under our experiment.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; radiation effects ; Electromagnetic Fields ; Endocytosis ; radiation effects ; Female ; Hippocampus ; cytology ; pathology ; radiation effects ; Neurons ; pathology ; radiation effects ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo dynamically investigate the morphology of human gastric cancer SGC-7901 cell clones, and then compare the tumorigenic ability of different clones in order to identify the tumor stem cell clones.

METHODSClones derived from gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells were assessed by morphological observation, and the clone formation rate and proportion of each clone were calculated. The expression of CD44 and CDX2 in different clones was detected by immunofluorescence microscopy and Western blot. Furthermore, different clones were isolated and cultured, and their self-renewal property was assayed. Cells of different clones were subcutaneously inoculated into nude mice and the tumorigenic ability of each group was determined.

RESULTSClones derived from gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells had three types, i.e. clones of tight, transitional and loose types. The total clone formation rate was (9.80 ± 1.07)%, and the proportion of tight, transitional and loose type clones was 10.2%, 56.0% and 33.8%, respectively. The results of immunofluorescence microscopic examination showed that the signal of CD44 was significantly stronger in the tight clones than in the transitional and loose clones, however, the signal of CDX2 was weakest in the tight colonies. The results of Western blot were consistent with that of immunofluorescence microscopic observation. SGC-7901 cells of tight clones possessed strong ability of self-renewal and in vivo tumorigenicity in the nude mice.

CONCLUSIONSGC-7901 cell clones vary in morphology and differentiation, and the tight type clones may include rich gastric cancer stem cells.

Animals ; CDX2 Transcription Factor ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Clone Cells ; classification ; Female ; Homeodomain Proteins ; metabolism ; Humans ; Hyaluronan Receptors ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Neoplastic Stem Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Stomach Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology

Adult ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Pancreas ; abnormalities ; Steatorrhea ; etiology

BACKGROUNDStudies on new vertebral internal fixations of animals are very important prior to clinical application. This study aimed to determine the feasibility of vertebral internal fixation on morphologic and biomechanical properties using deer and sheep as animal models and comparing to human data.

METHODSThirty sets of fresh Sika deer lumbar, 30 sets of fresh sheep lumbar, and 20 sets of fresh lumbar from male cadavers were used. We examined the morphology of the centra and pedicles of the three groups, and determined the cancellous bone density and biomechanical properties in all groups.

RESULTSThere were marked differences in all parameters measured between the different species. The sizes of the upper, middle, and lower transverse diameter were largest in the human, followed by the deer, then the sheep. The index of centrum transverse diameters and sagittal diameters were less than 0.8 (a triangle), and the deer was more similar to the human. The heights of the right vertebral pedicles and the anterior disc heights (IDH) were largest in the human, followed by the deer, then the sheep. The apparent density, elastic modulus, and ultimate load were largest in the sheep, followed by the deer, then the human. The range of motion (ROM) of functional lumbar units (FLUs) with a combined flexion-extension moment was largest in the human, followed by the deer then the sheep.

CONCLUSIONSThe deer lumbar is more similar to that of human in anatomical form and biomechanics than the sheep lumbar. As such, deer is more appropriate as an animal model for use in vertebral internal fixation studies.

Adult ; Animals ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Bone Density ; Deer ; Elastic Modulus ; Feasibility Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Models, Animal ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Sheep ; Spine ; anatomy & histology

Adolescent ; Adult ; Biopsy ; Female ; Hepatitis Antigens ; analysis ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; pathology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Liver ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo research comparatively on the RHD gene structures in unrelated RhD negative individuals of Chinese Uigur and Han population.

METHODSThe upstream, downstream, hybrid box and 10 exons of RHD gene were detected with sequence specific primer-PCR technique.

RESULTSThe results showed the genotypes of RhD negative individuals to have the significant difference between Chinese Uigur and Han population, that 94.44% Uigur individuals were with RHD(-)/RHD(-) genotype but just 61.40% Han population were with this genotype(94.44% versus 61.40%, P<0.01); 2.78% Uigur individuals were with RHD(+)/RHD(-) genotype but 34.21% Han population were with this genotype(2.78% versus 34.21%, P<0.01). However, there was significantly no RHD(+)/RHD(+) genotype difference between Chinese Uigur and Han population(2.78% versus 4.39%, P>0.05). In 78 cases of RhD negative Chinese Hans with single RHD gene, of which the RHD gene structure showed that 53(67.95%) cases were RHD(1-10) allele(of 53 RHD(1-10) alleles, 14 alleles were unexpressed); 15(19.23%) were RHD-CE(2-9)-D(2) allele; 5(6.41%) cases were RHD-CE(2-7)-D(2) allele; 2(2.56%) were similar to RHD-CE(3-6)D allele; 1(1.28%) case was RHD-CE(5-6)-D allele; and 2(2.56%) were RHD-CE(6)-D or point mutation respectively. Of 2 RhD negative Chinese Uigurs with RhD(-)/RHD(+) genotype, one carried RHD(1-10) allele, another carried RHD-CE(2-9)-D(2) allele.

CONCLUSIONThe most frequently unexpressed RHD alleles were RHD-CE(2-9)-D(2), RHD(1-10) and RHD-CE(2-7)-D(2) respectively in Chinese Han population who carried single RHD allele with RHD(-) phenotype and RHD(+) genotype. It showed the confluent character of RH gene in Chinese Han and Uigur population that there existed unexpressed RHD-CE(2-9)-D(2) allele in Chinese Uigur nationality, which was infrequent in Chinese Uigur population but frequent in Chinese Han population.

Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; China ; ethnology ; Ethnic Groups ; ethnology ; genetics ; Exons ; genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Population Groups ; Rh-Hr Blood-Group System ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo study the difference and similarity between Hans and Uighurs in regard to Rhesus box and its significance.

METHODSThe sequence specific primers of upstream, downstream and hybrid Rhesus boxes were designed on the basis of RHD gene sequence. The upstream, downstream and hybrid Rhesus boxes were determined by polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific primer(PCP-SSP) and mismatched PCR.

RESULTSThe percentage of RHD-/RHD-, RHD+/RHD- and RHD+/RHD+ genotypes ascertained in the unrelated Hans with RhD(-) were 61.40%, 34.21% and 4.39% respectively, while those in the unrelated Chinese Uighurs with RhD(-) were 94.44%, 2.78% and 2.78% respectively. Furthermore, all 6 cases of some other minorities were RHD-/RHD- types. The percentage of RHD-/RHD- and RHD+/RHD- genotypes ascertained in the unrelated Chinese Uighurs were significantly higher than those in Chinese Hans (P < 0.01), whereas no statistically significant difference in the percentage of RHD+/RDH+ genotype between the two groups was observed (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe Rh blood group of Uighurs in Xingjiang possesses both Oriental and Caucasian characteristics, which embodies a special ethnical aspect of the Chinese nation and is in accord with the anthropologic research results.

China ; Genetics, Population ; Genotype ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Rh-Hr Blood-Group System ; genetics

OBJECTIVESTo detect the expressions of Tec tyrosine kinase in hepatocellular carcinoma and the levels of phosphorylation of tyrosine kinase in liver cancer tissues, paracancerous tissues and normal liver tissues and to find the significance of their differences.

METHODS200 specimens of tissues, including liver cancer tissues, surrounding liver tissues not more than 1.5 cm from the cancers, and normal liver tissues were investigated for Tec protein expression and Tec phosphorylation by tissue microarrays and immunohistochemistry (SP method).

RESULTSThe positive immunohistochemical stainings of Tec in cancerous tissues and non-cancerous tissues showed no obvious differences, nevertheless, the immunostaining levels in liver cancer tissues were much higher than in non-cancerous tissues and they correlated with the grading of tumors (P < 0.05). The phosphorylation of Tec was significantly expressed in liver cancer tissues (73%) in comparison with other tissues (42%, 10% both P < 0.05), but it did not correlate with any clinicopathological characteristics.

CONCLUSIONOverexpression of Tec is associated with the tumorigenesis and development of liver cancer; inhibiting Tec or degrading Tec phosphorylation directly might affect the progression of liver cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Phosphorylation ; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo genotype the RHCE gene of Hans, Xinjiang's Uigurs and Kazakstans in China, and to compare the results of RHCE genotyping with that of RhCc/Ee phenotyping.

METHODSRHCE genes of 98 Hans with RhD positive and 230 Hans, 72 Uigurs and 18 Kazakstans with RhD/RHD negative were genotyped with PCR-sequence specific primer (SSP) technique.

RESULTSThe results of RHE/RHe genotyping from samples with RhD positive and negative were in accord with that of phenotyping. It would result in 4.44% error using C-->G polymorphism at nt48 of RHCE gene to genotype RHCE, and 4.05% failure of detection using the 109 bp insertion to detectRHCE gene in Chinese Hans. The results of RHE/RHe genotyping in unrelated 72 Uigurs and 18 Kazakstans with RhD phenotype were consistent with that of phenotyping, and false positive and false negative were not found in genotyping in Uigurs and Kazakstans tested.

CONCLUSIONThe results of RHE/RHe and RHc genotyping were correct with PCR-SSP and accordant with that of phenotyping. Using the C48G polymorphism in exon 1 of RHCE to genotype RHC gene would result in false positive resulting from RHc mutation at this locus, and using the 109 bp insertion to genotype RHC gene would result in false negative because of the absence of the 109 bp. Therefore it is necessary to genotype RHC gene using more than two polymorphic loci.

Ethnic Groups ; genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Phenotype ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Rh-Hr Blood-Group System ; blood ; genetics ; Serologic Tests ; methods