Medical parasitology education has been facing some difficulties because it is a course of wide range lacking clini?cal cases and concerned specimens of parasites currently. In addition its relationship with life is not closely enough. All these reasons may impact the effect of class education negatively. Therefore it is important to increase the vitality of parasitology edu?cation and diversify the instructional mode by using the resources from Internet. In recent years the Discovery Channel has up?loaded a documentary Monsters Inside Me online. This documentary is high professional and closely linked with parasitology. It maintains numbers of clinical cases about parasitic diseases. Each episode is about 3 minutes and shortly enough to be intro?duced into class teaching. However this resource has not been fully used in domestic temporally. We found that direct introduc?tion of the documentary into class teaching can enrich teaching forms to attract learning interest of students and finally improve the teaching effect of class. Above that another popular documentary A Bite of China involves many related knowledge points of parasitology. The appropriate usage of the knowledge can build up close linkage between book and life which is extremely help?ful to give students a deep impression of parasitology. In brief it is our strong recommendation to introduce the documentary Monsters Inside Me into class.

Adverse environmental stimulation in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) can affect neurodevelopment through epigenetic modification and thus has adverse effects on the long-term developmental outcome of preterm infants. Developmental care can reverse epigenetic changes in genes and promote neurodevelopment in preterm infants. This article reviews the influence of environmental stress in the NICU and developmental care on neurodevelopment in preterm infants, as well as related epigenetic effects, in order to provide a reference for epigenetic studies of preterm infants.
Epigenesis, Genetic ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of pSilencer 1.0-U6-siRNA-STAT3 on the growth of PC3 and LNCaP cells.

METHODSThree pairs of DNA template coding siRNA were synthesized against STAT3 to reconstruct pSilencer 1.0-U6-STAT3-siRNA, which was transfected into PC3 and LNCaP cells. The STAT3 expression in PC3 cells and LNCaP were transfected with pSilencer 1.0-U6-siRNA-STAT3, and it was detected by Western blot and Northern blot. MTT and FCM were used to observe the growth-inhibiting ratio and apoptosis in PC3 cells.

RESULTSWestern blot and Northern blot analyses demonstrated that pSilencer 1.0-U6-siRNA-STAT3 could significantly inhibit the expression of STAT3 in PC3 and LNCaP cells; MIT and FCM results showed that it could suppress the growth of PC3 cells and LNCaP and induce apoptosis of PC3 cells in vitro.

CONCLUSIONPSilencer 1.0-U6-siRNA-STAT3 could significantly inhibit STAT3 expression, suppress the growth of PC3 and LNCaP cells and induce the apoptosis of PC3 cells.

Apoptosis ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Humans ; Male ; Plasmids ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; RNA, Small Interfering ; STAT3 Transcription Factor ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transcription, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of conservative treatment with teriparatide for promoting bone fracture healing in patients with osteoporotic vertebral fracture.

METHODSTwelve postmenopausal patients (aged 73±4.8 years) with osteoporotic spinal fracture confirmed by MRI or CT scanning received conservative treatment with teriparatidesc injection supplemented with calcium and analgesics for 6 months. At the beginning and at the end of the therapy, VAS score, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), bone mass densitometry, and X-ray of the thoracic and lumbar spine, and serum P1NP and beta-CTX levels were measured. Six of the patients received a second MRI scan after the therapy to evaluate the bone healing.

RESULTSAll the 12 patients completed the treatment, during which no new fractures or adverse events occurred. At the end of the first month of treatment, analgesic was withdrawn for all the patients. The average VAS score decreased from 8±2 to 1±2 at 1 month during the therapy, and ODI was reduced from (76±12)% to (20±5)% at 1 month and further to (5±4)% at 6 month. After the 6-month therapy, the height of the fractured vertebrae (presented as the anterior to posterior wall height ratio) was insignificantly decreased from (75±20)% to (61±20)%, the BMD was increased by (20±5)%, P1NP increased significantly from 20.9±11.4 ng/mL to 80.0±41.2 ng/mL, and beta-CTX increased from 0.30±0.17 ng/mL to 0.51±0.3 ng/mL. The 6 patients re-examined with MRI demonstrated complete bone healing after the therapy.

CONCLUSIONTeriparatide is effective for conservative treatment of osteoporotic spinal fracture and can promote bone fracture healing, improve the quality of life, and prevents vertebral collapse, and can be therefore an alternative treatment to PVP or BV.

Aged ; Analgesics ; therapeutic use ; Bone Density ; Calcium ; therapeutic use ; Fractures, Compression ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; pathology ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Osteoporotic Fractures ; drug therapy ; Pain Measurement ; Quality of Life ; Spinal Fractures ; drug therapy ; Teriparatide ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of polysaccharide fraction of Cordyceps sinensis (PSCS) on triptolide (TPL)-induced apoptosis in the HL-60 cells and the involved molecular mechanism.

METHODSThe cultured leukemia HL-60 cells were divided into three groups: control group, TPL group (cells were treated with 5 ng/ml TPL only), and PSCS+TPL cells group (cells treated with 5 ng/ml TPL and 100 microg/ml or 200 microg/ml PSCS for 18 h). Cell viability was tested by MTT assay and apoptotic cells were quantitatively measured by flow cytometry with Annexin V/PI double stain.The expressions of Caspase-3, 6, 7, 9 and NF-kappa B proteins were tested by Western blot.

RESULTMTT assay showed that different concentrations of PSCS inhibited the cell viability. Flow cytometry indicated that TPL markedly increased the apoptosis rate of the HL-60 cells, and PSCS enhanced the apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Western blot showed that TPL did not inhibit the expression of the Caspase-3, 6, 7, 9 and NF-kappa B proteins, and when cells were treated with PSCS, the expression of proteins decreased with the PSCS concentration rising.

CONCLUSIONPSCS can enhance TPL-induced apoptosis in HL-60 cells and inhibit the expression of NF-kappa B and Caspase 3,6,7,9,which might be the possible signaling pathway of inducing apoptosis.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspases ; metabolism ; Cordyceps ; chemistry ; Diterpenes ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drug Synergism ; Epoxy Compounds ; pharmacology ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Phenanthrenes ; pharmacology ; Polysaccharides ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology

To observe the effects of phenylallyl compounds on prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) release in mouse cerebral microvascular endothelial cells (bEnd. 3) stimulated by IL-1beta, and to analyze their structure-activity relationship. Different concentrations of phenylallyl compounds were added separately, and the content of PGE2 induced by IL-1beta in the culture media was measured by ELISA assay. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of PGE2 was calculated. Studies showed that phenylallyl compounds could affect the PGE2 release differently in bEnd. 3 cells induced by IL-1beta. Close relationships were shown between the inhibitory activities and the location and number of the substituent groups. In conclusion, phenylallyl compounds exhibited inhibitory activities at different extent on PGE2 release in bEnd. 3 cells stimulated by IL-1beta and presented certain structure-activity relationship.
Acrolein ; analogs & derivatives ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Brain ; blood supply ; Cells, Cultured ; Cinnamates ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Dinoprostone ; antagonists & inhibitors ; secretion ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Interleukin-1beta ; pharmacology ; Mice ; Microvessels ; cytology ; Propanols ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Structure-Activity Relationship

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of the non-PLC-dependent protein kinase C (PKC) pathway of parathyroid hormone (PTH) on the apoptosis and proliferation of osteoblast MC-3T3E1 cells.

METHODSMC-3T3E1 cells were seeded in 96-well plates at the density of 1.5×10(4) cells/mL and incubated for 3 day. The cells were then exposed to 100 nmol/L of [Gly(1), Arg(19)]hPTH(1-28), 100 nmol/L of [Gly(1), Arg(19)]hPTH(1-34), 100 nmol/L of [Gly(1), Arg(19)]hPTH(1-34)+1 µmol/L Go6983, 1 µmol/L Go6983, or deionized water (control) for 1, 24 or 48 h. After the treatments, cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and Caspase-Glo® 3/7 Assay (Caspase-3) were used to examine the proliferation and apoptosis of MC3T3-E1 cells.

RESULTSCCK-8 results showed that hPTH(1-34) increased the number of MC3T3-E1 cells compared with hPTH(1-34)+Go6983 at 1 h and 24 h, but this difference was not statistically different. At 48 h, treatment with hPTH(1-34), as compared with hPTH(1-28), significantly increased the number of MC3T3-E1 cells (P<0.05), and this effect was blocked by the PKC inhibitor Go6983 (P<0.05). hPTH(1-34) did not result in significant inhibition of MC3T3-E1 cell apoptosis at 1 h and 24 h as compared with hPTH(1-34)+Go6983, but significantly inhibited the cell apoptosis as compared with hPTH(1-28) (P<0.05); this inhibitory effect was blocked by Go6983 (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONs A relatively long time (for 48 h) of exposure to PTH can inhibit apoptosis and promote the proliferation of MC3T3-E1cells through a non-PLC-dependent PKC pathway.

3T3 Cells ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; Cell Proliferation ; Indoles ; pharmacology ; Maleimides ; pharmacology ; Mice ; Osteoblasts ; Parathyroid Hormone ; pharmacology ; Protein Kinase C ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction

OBJECTIVETo determine occupational hazards in work sites of a large solid waste landfill and analyze their adverse health effects.

METHODThe national standardized detection methods were used to determine dust concentration, harmful gas and physical factors in worksites. Routine physical examination, pulmonary function, hearing tests and nervous system test were performed in workers for 2 consecutive years. Urine lead, cadmium and mercury contents were detected. The comet assay was use to measure DNA damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes among workers.

RESULTThe main occupational hazard factors in this solid landfill are dust, harmful gas, high temperature and noise. The oxides, carbon monoxide, and noise and high temperatures in summer at some work sites exceeded the national occupational exposure limits. The prevalence of respiratory inflammation and rate of pulmonary function decrease among front-line workers and on-site technical managers are 21.2% and 11.5%, which are significantly higher than those among administrative staff (7.1% and 0) (P < 0.05). Nervous system abnormalities rate of front-line workers and on-site technical managers was 50.0%, which is significantly higher than that (26.7%) of administrative staff (P < 0.05). Because of long-term exposure to high intensity noice, hearing loss rate of bulldozer drivers was 10.3%. In addition, about 75% of workers with DNA damage in peripheral blood lymphocyte are front-line workers.

CONCLUSIONAdverse health effects from occupational hazards were observed among workers in this solid waste landfill.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Diseases ; epidemiology ; Occupational Exposure ; Refuse Disposal ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; epidemiology ; Risk Factors ; Workplace

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of domestic and imported caffeine citrate in the treatment of apnea in preterm infants. METHODS: A total of 98 preterm infants with a gestational age of 28 - <34 weeks between April 2018 and December 2019 were enrolled. They were randomly administered with domestic (n=48) or imported caffeine citrate (n=50) within 6 hours after birth. The therapeutic effects, complications, adverse effects and clinical outcomes were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the incidence of apnea within 7 days after birth, daily frequency of apnea, the time of apnea disappearance, the failure rate of intubation-surfactant-extubation strategy, the time of non-invasive assisted ventilation, the duration of oxygen therapy, the duration of caffeine citrate therapy, the length of hospital stay, blood gas analysis results, liver and kidney function testing results between the two groups (P>0.05). There were no significant differences in the incidence of complications and the mortality rate between the two groups (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse effects between the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS The efficacy and safety of domestic caffeine citrate in the treatment of apnea are similar to those of imported caffeine citrate in preterm infants.
Apnea ; drug therapy ; Caffeine ; therapeutic use ; Citrates ; therapeutic use ; Double-Blind Method ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Infant, Premature, Diseases ; Prospective Studies

Objective To explore the interaction of smoking and diabetes on stroke.Methods In this case-control study,a face to face questionnaire survey was conducted.Logistic regression models were used to analyze the relationship between smoking or diabetes and stroke.The indicators of interaction were calculated according to the Bootstrap method in this study.Results A total of 918 cases and 918 healthy controls,who participated in the chronic disease risk factor survey in Xuzhou in 2013,were included in this study.Logistic regression analysis found that cigarette smoking was associated with stroke (OR=1.63,95％ CI:1.33-2.00),and diabetes was also associated with stroke (OR=2.75,95％CI:2.03-3.73) after adjusting confounders.Compared with those without diabetes and smoking habit,the odds ratio of stroke in those with diabetes and smoking habits was 8.94 (95％CI:3.77-21.19).Diabetes and smoking combined interaction index was 3.65 (95％CI:1.68-7.94),the relative excess risk was 5.77 (95％ CI:0.49-11.04),the attributable proportion was 0.65 (95％ CI:0.42-0.87).Conclusion The results suggest that there are additive interactions between smoking and diabetes on stroke.