Objective：This study was designed to evaluate the treatment value of telomerase inhibitors for animal tumor in vivo and investigate radiosensitive effects of telomerase inhibitors. Methods：With orthogonal experiment design, the telomerase inhibitors(azidothymidine AZT 300 mg· kg -1· d -1, lamivudine 150 mg· kg-1· d -1)and radiotherapy (RT, 10 gray in a week, 2 gray/Fx, 5 Fx/wk) were used to treat breast cancers (MA782)xenograft in BALB/c mice for evaluating their influence on tumor size and telomerase expression. The tumor size was measured with a digital vernier scale. Telomerase activity was examined by a PCR-based telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) coupled with ELISA. Results：The tumor size of mice increased 2.7268 times in untreated and 2.5130 times in lamivudine-administrated, which indicated lamivudine having no obvious effect on tumor volume (P >0.05)； AZT, RT, and AZT combined with RT reduced tumor volume of 20.70％ , 47.43％ , and 85.19％ , respectively, and combined model(AZT＋ RT) was more effective than others used alone(P<0.05); The A value of tumor telomerase was untreated,0.817; AZT,0.453; lamivudine,0.760; RT,0.480; AZT 0.340 combined with RT； and AZT plus lamivudine plus RT,0.166 ; which suggested that AZT, RT and lamivudine could decrease the activity of tumor telomerase (P<0.05), and furthermore, AZT combined with RT have an additive effect (P< 0.05). Conclusion： Both AZT and radiotherapy are effective to treat murine breast cancer through decreasing telomerase activity and reducing tumor size. AZT can increase the radiation sensitivity for murine breast cancer MA782. Telomerase is a new target for anticancer treatment.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the unreasonable part of full cost of the public health service items in county level.

METHODSOn basis of typical survey in 2005, 18 questionnaires were released and the response rate was 100%. The whole cost and ladder apportionment of expense methods were employed to account the full cost of items including practice items, items required by government and nationwide items required by government provided by 4 centers for disease control and prevention in county level.

RESULTSIt was found that 28.4% - 54.9% nationwide items required by government had not been provided, but 2.8% - 10.2% items being not required by government had been provided. Furthermore the frequency of the items required by government was not up to par from 8 topmost to 2 bottommost on average every year. The efficiency was not high because of lacking in the vehicle for work, and 33.3% - 43.6% shortage of equipments for laboratory, and 18.1% - 45.8% logistic staff and technicians only 2/3 time of the whole year had a full workload. All the above resulted in the bias from the standard cost of items required by government.

CONCLUSIONFor compensating the cost of items reasonable and accurate by government, a kind standard cost of the items according to the government request should be established.

China ; Costs and Cost Analysis ; Health Systems Agencies ; economics ; Preventive Health Services ; economics ; organization & administration ; Public Health Practice ; economics

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of telomerase inhibitors combined with X-irradiation on bone marrow hematopoiesis in tumor-carrying mice. With an orthogonal experiment design, the telomerase inhibitors [azidothymidine, AZT 300 mg/(kg.day) and lamivudine 150 mg/(kg x day), per os, bid, x 2 weeks] and X-irradiation [total dose 10 Gy (2 Gy x 5) in 1 week] were used to treat BALB/c mice carrying breast cancer MA(782) for evaluating the influence on peripheral blood cells, bone marrow nucleated cells and telomerase activity. Telomerase activity was detected by a PCR-based telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) coupled with ELISA. The results showed that the number of marrow nucleated cells (x 10(7)/femur) was 2.1875 in untreated group, and 1.7375, 1.7500 and 1.3475 in irradiated, lamivudine and AZT groups, respectively, these suggested that AZT and irradiation could obviously decrease the number of marrow nucleated cells (P< 0.01 or P < 0.05). The peripheral WBC increased 3.7% in untreated mice, and irradiation, lamivudine and AZT reduced 18.09%, 16.19% and 41.00% of WBC, respectively (P < 0.05). Irradiation, lamivudine and AZT showed no obvious effect on RBC and platelet counts (P > 0.05). The telomerase activity (A(450) nm) of marrow cells was 1.498, 1.483, 0.816 and 0.727 in untreated, irradiation, lamivudine and AZT groups, respectively. It is concluded that AZT and lamivudine combined with X-irradiation inhibit bone marrow nucleate cells and the peripheral WBC, manifest inhibitory effect on telomerase activity in murine bone marrow, but have no effect on the peripheral RBC and platelet.
Animals ; Bone Marrow ; drug effects ; radiation effects ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Female ; Hematopoiesis ; drug effects ; radiation effects ; Lamivudine ; pharmacology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Telomerase ; antagonists & inhibitors ; X-Rays ; Zidovudine ; pharmacology

Objective To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in adult residents of Shanghai Pudong New Area. Methods A total of 5584 residents aged 20-80 years old were randomly selected from Shanghai Pudong New Area through multistage sampling and interview between April and July 2008. Fasting blood samples and morning urine samples were collected to detect Scr and urinary albumin and creatinine. Urine albumin to creatinine ratio (ACR) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was calculated to estimate the renal function. Logistic regression model was used to examine the associations of demographic and lifestyle factors with indicators of kidney damage. Results The age-standardized prevalence of albuminuria, reduced renal function and CKD was 9.9% (male 8.0%, female 12.4%), 1.1% (male 1.3%, female 0.9%) and 11.0%(male 8.8%, female 12.7%), respectively. The prevalence of CKD was higher in female and increased with age. No significant difference in the prevalence was observed between urban and rural areas. Elder, female, high blood pressure, high fasting glucose, dyslipidemia and obesity were associated with CKD independently. Conclusions The prevalence of CKD in Shanghai Pudong New Area is comparable to that previously reported in China or other developed countries, and even higher. CKD is going to be a public health problem and warrants the community-integrated control strategy to prevent the incidence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and related complications.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of suppressor of cytokine signaling(SOCS)-3 and caspase-3 and their correlative significance in endometriosis.

METHODSImmunohistochemical EnVision method was used to detect the SOCS-3 and caspase-3 protein expression in ectopic and eutopic endometrium (n = 32) of patients with endometriosis, as well as normal endometrium (n = 30) of women without endometriosis.

RESULTSSOCS-3 and caspase-3 proteins were expressed in all three groups and not affected by the menstrual cycles. The expression of SOCS-3 in ectopic endometrium (5.54 ± 2.12) was significantly lower than that in eutopic (7.39 ± 1.09, P = 0.001) and control group (7.48 ± 1.26, P < 0.01), but without difference between the eutopic and control group (P = 0.756). SOCS-3 expression in ectopic and eutopic endometrium was significantly lower in III/IV stages than that in I/II stages of endometriosis (P < 0.05). Significantly lower expression of caspase-3 protein was found in ectopic (3.20 ± 1.24) and eutopic endometrium (3.88 ± 1.93) as compared with the control group (6.49 ± 1.85, P < 0.01), however ectopic and eutopic endometrium showed no significant difference (t = 1.66, P = 0.10). There was no significant difference of the expression of caspase-3 in ectopic and eutopic endometrium at different disease stages (P > 0.05). Positive correlation was found between the expression of SOCS-3 and caspase-3 proteins in ectopic endometrium (r = 0.655, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSOCS-3 may be involved in the development of endometriosis through inhibition of apoptosis of ectopic endometrial cells.

Adult ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Endometriosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Endometrium ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Menstrual Cycle ; Middle Aged ; Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3 Protein ; Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Proteins ; metabolism ; Uterine Diseases ; metabolism ; pathology ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDJaw osteonecrosis possibly associated with the administration of bisphosphonates is expected to be treated with a non-pharmacologic approach. This study aimed to determine whether noninvasive, mechanically mediated vibration would inhibit the decline in bone mineral density (BMD) that follows menopause, enhance the BMD of the lumbar and femoral neck, and reduce chronic back pain in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

METHODSA total of 116 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis participated in this study, and they were divided into groups A (66 patients) and B (50). Group A received vibration treatment (Subjects vertically stand on the vibration platform, with a vibration frequency of 30 Hz, amplitude of 5 mm; they received the treatment five times per week, ten minutes each time and totally for six months), whereas women of group B served as controls without any treatment. L2 - 4 BMD, bilateral femoral neck BMD, and body mass index (BMI) were recorded before the treatment or at the third and sixth months of the treatment respectively. After the ending of the treatment, the change of BMD in each group was compared and analyzed. Chronic back pain was evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS) at baseline and the third and sixth months of the treatment.

RESULTSOf the 116 women, 94 including 51 women from group A ((61.23 +/- 8.20) years) and 43 women from group B ((63.73 +/- 5.45) years), completed the study. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics including age, BMI, menopausal years, lumbar BMD, femoral neck BMD, and VAS between the two groups. The lumbar BMD of the 51 women in group A increased by 1.3% (P = 0.034) after vibration treatment for 3 months and by 4.3% at the sixth month (P = 0.000). The lumbar BMD in group B was decreased at the third month, but there was not statistical significance (P > 0.05). At the sixth month, it was decreased by 1.9% (P < 0.05). The femoral neck BMD of the 51 women in group A was slightly increased after vibration treatment for 3 months, but without statistical significance (P > 0.05). At the sixth month, the BMD was increased by 3.2% (P < 0.05). In group B, the BMD was not decreased significantly (P = 0.185) at the third month, but decreased significantly at the sixth month (1.7%) (P < 0.05) compared with the baseline. Chronic back pain (VAS) reduced more significantly in group A at the third and the sixth months (P < 0.05) after vibration therapy in comparison with the baseline. The BMI was not significantly changed in the two groups during the period of follow-up.

CONCLUSIONSVibration therapy appears to be useful in reducing chronic back pain and increasing the femoral neck and lumbar BMD in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

Aged ; Back Pain ; prevention & control ; Bone Density ; Female ; Femur Neck ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal ; therapy ; Vibration ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo explore anti-angiogenesis effect of Mer, a member of tyrosine kinase receptor family, and its mechanism.

METHODSHuman Mer full length plasmid was transfected into HMEC-1 cells through liposome. G418 was used to select positive clone. Expression of Mer at mRNA and protein level was detected by real-time PCR and Western-blot, respectively. Transwell and Matrigel were used to evaluate the effect of overexpressed Mer on migration and angiogenesis of HMEC-1 cells. Primary angiogenesis associated factor VEGF-A, VEGF-B, VEGF-C, VEGF-D and VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2 were screened by real-time PCR.

RESULTSAfter G418 selection, the Mer expression in transfected HMEC-1 cells was increased 3.61- and 2.12 fold at mRNA and protein level, respectively. Compared with negative control, the migration of Mer-HMEC-1 was decreased (21 +/- 6 vs 36 +/- 11), and angiogenesis capability on Matrigel significantly decreased. By real-time PCR, the expression of VEGF-C and VEGFR-2 was down-regulated to 44.7% and 25.6% of the negative control.

CONCLUSIONOverexpressed Mer tyrosine kinase receptor can inhibit the migration and angiogenesis of HMEC-1 cells through VEGF-C/VEGFR-2 signal pathway.

Cell Line ; Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation ; Endothelial Cells ; metabolism ; physiology ; Endothelium, Vascular ; cytology ; Humans ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Transfection ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors ; metabolism ; c-Mer Tyrosine Kinase

Objective To observe the diagnostic value of non-invasive 128-slice computed tomography coronary angiography(CTA)in comparison with invasive coronary angiography.Methods 128-slice CTA and invasive coronary angiography were performed in 78 unselected consecutive patients(63 patients with suspected coronary artery disease and 15 patients with previous coronary stenting,56 males,mean age 61±10 years)and ＞50% reduction of minimal lumen diameter was defined as significant coronary stenosis.Results Fifty-eight out of 879 segments(7%)from CTA were not assessable because of irreguldr rhythm,vessel calcification or tachycardia.Compared with invasive coronary angiography,segmentbased analysis from the 821 segments showed the sensitivity by CTA was 87%,specificity 97%,PPV 83% and NPV 97%.Four out of 22 stents implanted in 15 patients were not assessable by CTA because of poor image quality.Compared with invasive coronary angiography,the sensitivity of diagnosing in-stent restenosis by CTA was 100%,specificity 77%,PPV 63% and NPV 100% for the remaining 18 stents-Conclusions One hundred and twenty-eight-slice CTA has a high accuracy for detecting coronary artery disease and instent restenosis after coronary stenting and could be considered as a valuable noninvasive technique for screening coronary artery disease in suspected patients.

BACKGROUNDHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is spreading rapidly among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China. Anonymous questionnaires or direct interviews have been frequently used to study their behavior. The aim of the study was to describe the behavioral risk profile of the MSM in Beijing using the randomized response techniques (RRTs).

METHODSA cross-sectional survey of sexual behavior among a sample of MSM was conducted in two HIV counseling and testing clinics in Beijing. The survey was carried out with an anonymous questionnaire containing sensitive questions on sexual behavior. To obtain the honest responses to the sensitive questions, three distinctive RRTs were used in the questionnaire: (1) Additive randomized response model for quantitative questions, (2) randomized response model for multiple choice questions, and (3) Simmons randomized response model for binomial questions. Formulae for the point estimate, variance, and confidence interval (CI) were provided for each specific model.

RESULTSUsing RRTs in a sample of 659 participants, the mean age at first homosexual encounter was estimated to be 21.7 years (95% CI: 21.2-22.2), and each had sex with about three (2.9, 95% CI: 2.4-3.4) male partners on average in the past month. The estimated rate for consistent condom use was 56.4% (95% CI: 50.1-62.8%). In addition, condom was estimated to be used among 80.0% (95% CI: 74.1-85.9%) of the population during last anal sex with a male partner.

CONCLUSIONSOur study employed RRTs in a survey containing questions on sexual behavior among MSM, and the results showed that RRT might be a useful tool to obtain truthful feedback on sensitive information such as sexual behavior from the respondents, especially in traditional Chinese cultural settings.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Homosexuality, Male ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk ; Sexual Behavior ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Objective To investigate the effect of atorvastatin on oxidative stress and intracellular lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells under inflammatory state and explore the underlying mechanism.Methods HepG2 cells were treated with 100 ng · mL-1 TNF-α,100 ng · mL-1 TNF-α ± 10 μmol · L-1 atorvastatin in the presence of LDL for 24 h.Oil red O staining was used to examine the intracellular lipid contents.The mRNA and protein expressions of lipogenic genes (FAS,ACC and SREBP1) were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot.ROS levels were measured with the fluorescent probe of DCFH-DA.Contents of H2O2 and MDA were determined using the colorimetric method.Results Compared with normal group(the gray value of SREBP1 was 1.01 ± 0.001),the gray value of SREBP1 in model group was 1.61 ± 0.34.The mRNA levels in normal group of SREBP1,FAS,ACC respectively were 1.01 ± 0.16,1.03 ± 0.32,0.95 ± 0.29,the values in model group respectively were 3.61 ± 0.39,1.99 ± 0.36,2.37 ± 0.52,the differences were statistically significantly (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with model group,the mRNA levels of SREBP1,FAS,ACC and the gray value of SREBP1 in experimental group respectively were 2.95 ± 0.92,3.99 ± 1.16,2.85 ± 0.91,2.94 ± 0.65,the differences were statistically significantly(P ＜0.05).At the same time,compared with normal group,the levels of ROS(fluorescenceintensity),H2O2,MDA respectively were 1.00 ±0.20,and (2.30 ±0.31) (0.78 ±0.22) nmol · mg-1,the levels in model group respectively were 1.77 ± 0.25 and (4.32 ± 0.77),(1.86 ± 0.23) nmol · mg-1,the differences were statistically significantly (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with model group,the levels of ROS,H2 O2,MDA in HepG2 cells in experimental group respectively were 3.2 ±0.53 and (5.31 ±0.75),(3.43 ± 1.15) nmol · mg-1,the differences were statistically significantly(P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Atorvastatin induced intracellular lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells under inflammatory stress,which may be associated with the increased oxidative stress.