Objective To study the epidemiological features of the endemic arsenism in Hohhot of Inner Mongolia in 2004-2006 in order to get scientific evidence for the control and prevention. Methods The historical data in Huhhot revealed that 51 arsenic villages in 3 counties(Tumotezuo,Tuoketuo and Helingeer) were investigated. When arsenic content in drinking water was 0.05-0.15 mg/L,the situation of endemic arsenism was investigated in the households having high arsenic contents of water. When arsenic content in drinking water was greater than 0.15 mg/L,the survey was conducted to investigate arsenic patients with census. Census rate was not lower than 90%. Patients of endemic amenism were diagnosed by The Standard of Diagnosis for Endemic Arsenism (WS/T 211-2001). Results A total 28 083 people were examined,3978 were determined to be patients with arsenism,including 1722 being suspicious, 1897 mild,329 secondary and 30 severe. The total incidence of arsenism was 14.17% (3978/28 083),while the incidence of suspicious,mild,secondary and severe disease was 6.13% (1722/28 083) ,6.75% (1897/28 083),1.17% (329/28 083) and 0.11% (30/28 083),respectively. Suspicious and mild patients were most frequently seen. The incidence of dyspigmentation,pigmentation,ketatoses,both dyspigmentation and pigmentation and all of skin disorders was 8.65% (2428/28 083),3.19% (895/28 083),6.48% (1821/28 083),2.13%(598/28 083) and 0.94%(265/28 083),respectively. The most seen skin disorders were dyspigmentation and ketatoses. The disease mostly occurred in those aged over 40 years,the incidence was 89.52% (3561/3978). The incidence of male [15.08%(2209/14 644)]was more than that of female[13.16%(1769/13 439)].Conclusions Current condition of arsenism in Hohhot is mild,arsenic disease surveillance should keep going. Prevention and control needs to be reinforced in the future.

Hemangioendothelioma, Epithelioid ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasal Cavity ; pathology ; Nose Neoplasms ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the contribution of latent membrane protein (LMP)1 to nasopharyngeal carcinogenesis via Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway.

METHODSThe recombinant plasmid pHA2-LMP1 was constructed; immunofluorescence staining, Dual-Luciferase Reporter Assay, Western blot and immunohistochemistry staining were used to study the effect of LMP1 on the transcriptional activity and expression of β-catenin.

RESULTS(1) Abnormal expression of β-catenin was obtained in 38 cases (50.7%, 38/75), LMP1 expression was obtained in 38 cases (50.7%, 38/75). There was significantly positive correlation between LMP1 expression and abnormal expression of β-catenin in nasopharyngeal carcinoma tissue (P = 0.008). (2) The expression of β-catenin in nuclei of NPC cell line CNE1 and CNE2 transfected with pHA2-LMP1 plasmid dramatically increased, and the expression was remarkable in poorly-differentiated NPC cell line CNE2 than that of well-differentiated CNE1 cells. (3) LMP1 expression dramatically increased the transcriptional activity of β-catenin in CNE1 and CNE2 cells transfected with pHA2-LMP1 and was in a time-dependent. The transcriptional activity of β-catenin was higher in poorly-defferentiated cell line CNE2 than that of well-differentiated NPC cell line CNE1. (4) LMP1 expression did not affect the total protein expression level of β-catenin in both CNE1 and CNE2 cell lines.

CONCLUSIONEB virus-encoded LMP1 may be involved in the pathogenesis of NPC via β-catenin signal pathway.

Adult ; Aged ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Plasmids ; Recombinant Proteins ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Transcriptional Activation ; Transfection ; Viral Matrix Proteins ; metabolism ; Wnt Proteins ; metabolism ; Young Adult ; beta Catenin ; metabolism

Objective To measure and define the distribution of left gastric lymph nodes.Meth- ods From Jan.2004 to Apr.2005,silver clips were set around the root of the left gastric artery in 124 pa- tients with esophageal and gastric cardia carcinoma,X-ray films at 0?and 90?simulator gantry in the radio- therapeutic position were taken.Then,the data of the superior,lower,left,right,anterior and posterior bor- der in each patient was recorded.With SAS 8.02 software,data of minimum area which covered the left gas- tric lymph node in different incidences were obtained.Results According to the analysis of Shapiro- Wilk,Kolmogorov-Smimov,Cramer-von Mises and Anderson-Darling tests,each border was of normal distri- bution,with equal frequency in the male and female,despite the actual results in different genders.Pearson Correlation Coefficients analysis did not suggest a significant relationship between the border and height, weight and size of vertebrae,which formed the minimum area covering the left gastric area at frequency of 100%,95%,90% and 85%,which were drawn out through the calculation.Conclusions Aiming at completely identifying the normal distribution of the left gastric lymph node,more patients are required to be in the pool.For the time being,location in the left gastric area can be obtained from details of the results in the present study.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the frequency and type of PHEX gene mutations in children with X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets (XLH), the possible presence of mutational hot spots, and the relationship between genotype and clinical phenotype.

METHODSClinical data of 10 children with XLH was retrospectively reviewed. The relationship between gene mutation type and severity of XLH was evaluated.

RESULTSPHEX gene mutations were detected in all 10 children with XLH, including 6 cases of missense mutation, 2 cases of splice site mutation, 1 case of frameshift mutation, and 1 case of nonsense mutation. Two new mutations, c.2048T>C and IVS14+1delAG, were found. The type of PHEX gene mutation was not associated with the degree of short stature and leg deformity (P=0.571 and 0.467), and the mutation site was also not associated with the degree of short stature and leg deformity (P=0.400 and 1.000).

CONCLUSIONSMissense mutation is the most common type of PHEX gene mutation in children with XLH, and c.2048T>C and IVS14+1delAG are two new PHEX gene mutations. The type and site of PHEX gene mutation are not associated with the severity of XLH.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Familial Hypophosphatemic Rickets ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Mutation ; PHEX Phosphate Regulating Neutral Endopeptidase ; genetics ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo investigate the genotoxicity and oxidative stress induced by copper oxide nanoparticles in mice.

METHODSThirty mice were randomly divided into control group and low- and high-dose exposure groups. The low- and high-dose exposure groups were given copper oxide nanoparticles (50 and 150 mg/kg) by a single intraperitoneal injection, while the control group was given an equal volume of normal saline containing 0.05%Tween 80. The micronucleus rate of reticulocytes in peripheral blood from the caudal vein and urinary 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG) level were measured before and at 24, 48, and 72 h after exposure. All the mice were sacrificed at 72 h after exposure, the liver, kidney, and femoral marrow were taken for DNA extraction, and 8-OH-dG in DNA was quantified.

RESULTSThe micronucleus rates of peripheral blood reticulocytes in low-dose exposure group at 48 h (3.11±1.46‰ and in high-dose exposure group at 24 and 48 h (4.25±0.43) and 5.42±0.76‰) were significantly increased compared with those before exposure (1.55±0.39‰ and 1.11±0.19‰) and those in control group (1.55±0.28‰ and 1.00±0.67‰) (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The urinary 8-OH-dG levels (ng/mg creatinine) in low- and high-dose exposure groups at all time points were significantly increased compared with those before exposure and those in control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The low- and high-dose exposure groups had significantly higher content of 8-OH-dG in liver DNA than the control group (4.53±1.27 and 7.69±2.78 vs 0.85±0.14, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONCopper oxide nanoparticles cause genotoxicity and increase oxidative stress in mice.

Animals ; Copper ; toxicity ; DNA Damage ; drug effects ; Female ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Nanoparticles ; toxicity ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects

AIM To study the in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory effects of extract from Daphniphyllum calycinum Benth and its mechanism of action.METHODS LPS-induced mouse RAW264.7 macrophage and mouse endotoxemia model were used to observe the influences of D.calycinum extract on the levels of NO,TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-10.The toxicity of D.calycinum extract on RAW264.7 macrophage was determined by MTT assay.Fifty female BALB/c mice were administered with D.calycinum extract by gavage.Fourteen days later,the mice were intraperitoneally injected with LPS,the levels of NO,TNF-α,IL-1 β and IL-10 in serum were determined by Griess and ELISA kit.The protein expressions of NO and TNF-α in mouse liver were studied by immunohistochemistry method.RESULTS D.calycinum extract could significantly inhibit the release of NO,TNF-α,IL-1 β and IL-10.Immunohistochemistry results showed that the extract could inhibit the protein expressions of iNOS and TNF-α.CONCLUSION D.calycinum extract has a significant anti-inflammatory effect,and its mechanism may be related to decreasing the release of inflammatory factors.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the extent of myocardium and coronary artery lesion post atrioventricular ring radiofrequency catheter ablation with different tip catheters.

METHODSTwenty-one healthy dogs were randomly divided into 64 degrees C/50 W/100 s, 64 degrees C/100 W/100 s, 45 degrees C/45 W/100 s groups and ablated by 4 mm tip catheter, 8 mm tip catheter and irrigated tip catheter respectively. Left atrioventricular ring and right atrioventricular ring ablation were performed in all dogs. After ablation, myocardium lesion volume was calculated as 1/6pi x length x width x depth. Histological examinations were performed at the myocardium tissue at ablation sites.

RESULTSThe lesion depths post 8 mm tip catheter ablation (7.18 +/- 1.72) mm and irrigated tip catheter ablation (7.99 +/- 1.77) mm were similar and significantly deeper than that post 4 mm tip catheter ablation (4.54 +/- 1.38) mm, P < 0.01. Similar results were found in terms of lesion volume [(356.76 +/- 94.44) mm(3) post 8 mm tip catheter ablation, (391.69 +/- 109.54) mm(3) post irrigated tip catheter ablation and (191.34 +/- 74.52) mm(3) post 4 mm tip catheter ablation]. Five (5/42, 11.9%) transmural myocardium necrosis and 8 (8/42, 19%) coronary artery lesions were observed post ablations.

CONCLUSIONThe extents of post ablation myocardium and coronary artery lesion were significantly higher induced by 8 mm tip catheter and irrigate tip catheter compared those by 4 mm tip catheter.

Animals ; Cardiac Catheterization ; adverse effects ; Catheter Ablation ; adverse effects ; Coronary Vessels ; pathology ; Dogs ; Myocardium ; pathology

OBJECTIVEThis review discusses the experimental and clinical studies those show the expression of connexin 36 in the central nervous system and the possible role of connexin 36 in epileptic seizure.

DATA SOURCESAll articles used in this review were mainly searched from PubMed published in English from 1996 to 2012.

STUDY SELECTIONOriginal articles and reviews were selected if they were related to the expression of connexin 36 in the central nervous system and its role in epilepsy.

RESULTSThe distribution of connexin 36 is developmentally regulated, cell-specific and region-specific. Connexin 36 is involved in some neuronal functions and epileptic synchronization. Changes in the connexin 36 gene and protein were accompanied by seizures. Selective gap junction blockers have exerted anticonvulsant actions in a variety of experiments examined in both humans and experimental animals.

CONCLUSIONSConnexin 36 plays an important role in both physiological and pathological conditions in the central nervous system. A better understanding of the role of connexin 36 in seizure activity may contribute to the development of new therapeutic approaches to treating epilepsy.

Animals ; Central Nervous System ; metabolism ; Connexins ; metabolism ; Gap Junctions ; metabolism ; Humans ; Seizures ; metabolism

Objective: By observing the body surface temperature changes of different meridian acupoints located at the same or adjacent spinal segments of the uterus during the whole storing and releasing process of the uterus under normal physiological condition by the infrared thermal imaging technology, to explore the specific patterns that the functions of Zang-fu organs are reflected on the biophysical characteristics of acupoints, and to enrich the functional specificity theory of the meridian acupoints, thus to provide a reference for discussing the biophysical characteristics of meridian acupoints associated with the menstrual cycle in healthy female college students. Methods: Ninety healthy subjects were included. Infrared thermal imaging device was used to detect the body surface temperature of the Yuan-Primary points, the Xi-Cleft points, the crossing points, the non-specific points, the unrelated meridian acupoints and the non-meridian non-acupoint points of the three yin meridians of foot located at the same or adjacent spinal cord segment with uterus, during the menstrual phase, the follicular phase, the ovulation phase and the luteal phase. The absolute skin temperature difference between the left and right acupoints with the same name was used as the main outcome indicator. Results: The temperature difference between left and right Diji (SP 8, the Xi-Cleft point of the Spleen Meridian) during the ovulation phase was significantly higher than that during the other 3 phases (all P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the temperature difference between the other meridian acupoints and non-meridian non-acupoint points during the 4 phases (all P>0.05); the absolute temperature difference value of each meridian acupoint was not statistically different from each other in the same phase (all P>0.05). Conclusion: The temperature of Diji (SP 8) specifically reflected the onset of ovulation, and the thermal characteristics of Diji (SP 8) specifically reflected the physiological changes of uterus. The meridian acupoints reflecting the performance of Zang-fu function is not only associated with the spinal cord segment innervating the acupoints, but also associated with the characteristics of the acupoints and the meridians to which the acupoints belong.