Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of community-based self-help groups for cancer survivors form supportive functions and benefit findings. Methods: A survey consisting of two scales was conducted with a sample of 109. The first scale measured the benefit finding in cancer experience, and the second scale measured supportive functions of self-help groups. Results: Exploratory factor analyses indicated that “benefit finding scale” included four factors, and the supportive functions of self-help group could be classified into four aspects. Benefit findings were related to the supportive functions. Conclusion: These results imply that the participation in self-help group is related to positive cognition of cancer survivors.

Objective To explore the relationship between MP and HSP.Methods The HSP children treated in our hospital during 2004 to 2006 were tested with MP,and the positive patients were treated with the anti-infectious methods.Results (1)The positive rate of MP was 24.14%.(2)By treating with the anti-infectious methods,all positive patients recovered.All syndrome of the patients disappeared in 3 weeks.The mean time in hospital Was (18.9±3.3)days.Conclusion MP infection Was one of the risk factors tIlat might cauge HSP.

Objective: The reliability and validity of a scale to evaluate the supportive functions of community-based self-help groups (SHGs) for cancer survivors, which was named the Evaluation of Supportive Functions Scale (ESFS) was investigated. Moreover, factors related to the evaluation of supportive functions were identified. Methods: An anonymous, self-administered survey comprised of items related to the background, evaluation of supportive functions of SHGs, and participation status (frequency of participation, satisfaction with participation, and types of activities undertaken) was conducted with members of SHGs for cancer survivors (n=1,350). Valid responses (573 valid responses, 42.4%) were analyzed and ESFS was developed based on the responses. Results: The 21-item ESFS had excellent internal consistency. Factor analyses revealed a 4-factor solution of internally consistent subscales: Learning, Helping each other, Social involvement and Catalyst for personal growth. There was a significant relationship between participants' evaluation of supportive functions of SHGs with gender, role in the SHGs and type of cancer. The subscales were significantly related to the frequency of participation, satisfaction, and the type and range of activities that were undertaken. Conclusions: ESFS can measure participants' recognition of the utility of SHGs. We have discussed the practical applications of the scale as a tool for measuring the effectiveness of SHGs.

Objective To study the effect of neuropeptide on migration of epidermal stem cells in wound repair. Methods 90 new born rats (3～4d old) were randomly divided into three groups: SP group, capsaicin group, and normal group. BrdU labeling, combined with specific protein markers of epidermal stem cells, K19 and ?1 integrin, were used to identify epidermal stem cells. The migration of epidermal stem cells was observed in full thickness skin wound on back on 21 days after injury. Substance P was applied to the skin wound after injury in SP group. The status of migration of epidermal stem cells in SP group was compared with that in capsaicin group, in which capsaicin was injected to destroy sensory neuron before skin injury, and with normal group, in which the skin wound was not treated with any medication. Results Wounds of rats in SP group were healed 18 days after injury. It was shortened by three days compared with normal group. Only 25.54% of wound area was healed in capsaicin group on day 18. There were many epidermal stem cells in the edge of the wound and granulation tissue in Group SP. Only a small number of epidermal stem cells were seen in capsaicin group, where SP release was blocked by chemical destruction of sensory neurons, in the wound edge, but not in granulation tissue. The amount of epidermal stem cells as seen in the wound edge, but not in granulation tissue, in normal group was less than in the SP group but more than in capsaicin group. Conclusions SP obviously promotes wound healing and shortens the healing period. SP can induce epidermal stem cells to migrate into the skin wound edge and granulation tissue.

After the dogs were inflicted with blast injury,high velocity shell fragment injury on one extremity,and blast-fragment combined injury,the morphological changes of the lungs were examined under gross inspection and with optical and transmission electron microscopes,and the lung/body weight index and lung water ratio were determined.It was found that high velocity shell fragment injury on one extremity could intensify the blast injury on the lungs by one grade.

The changes of mean pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) and 6-keto-PGF1a and TXB2 in the plasma and lung tissues of 3 groups of dogs (7 in each group) with blast injury (group Ⅰ),high velocity shell fragment injury on one of the extremities (group Ⅱ),and combined injury of the both (group Ⅲ) were investigated.It was found that PAP and TXB2 in the plasma and lung tissues increased after all the 3 kinds of injuries.The changes of PAP was most marked in group Ⅰ while those of TXB2 was more marked in groups Ⅲ and Ⅲ than in group Ⅰ.6-kcto-PGF1a increased in the plasma and lung tissues after blast and shell fragment injury but decreased in the plasma and showed no changes in the lung tissues after combined injury.The significance of these changes of 6-keto-PGF1a and TXB2 in the 3 kinds of injuryies were discussed.

BACKGROUND:Alveolar distraction osteogenesis is an important method for treating alveolar bone atrophy, the osteogenesis process and biomechanics play a crucial role in the fol owing implantation and repair. At present, no related experimental studies are found.
OBJECTIVE:To analyze the biomechanical and histological characteristics of alveolar distraction osteogenesis in a canine model.
METHODS:Twelve adult mongrel canines received premolars extraction and alveoloplasty in mandible to establish an atrophy alveolar model. After 3 months, a segmental alveolar osteotomy was performed in the randomly selected unilateral atrophy alveolar and two intra-osseous distractors were placed. After a 7-days latency period, the alveolar ridge was augmented at a rate of 1.0 mm/d for 5 days. After a consolidation of 1, 2, and 3 months, the canines were sacrificed and the specimens of the distracted alveolar bone were harvested for clinical, radiographic, histological and biomechanical analysis.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The alveolar distractors obtained good healing with surrounding tissue. The atrophy alveolar bones were augmented for (4.80±0.50) mm and (5.12±0.47) mm by clinical and radiographic findings immediately after distraction, respectively. The bone trabeculae in the distracted chamber matured from 1 to 3 months of consolidation by histological analysis. The shearing force of alveolar distraction chamber increased from 1 to 3 months. After 3 months’ consolidation, the shearing force of distracted chamber was comparable to host bone. The histological and biomechanical property of distracted alveolar chamber is comparable to host bone after 3 months’ consolidation.

OBJECTIVE:To optimize the preparation technology of substance P multivesicular liposomes(Depo-SP)and investigate its property.METHODS:Depo-SP was prepared by multiple emulsion method,with encapsulation efficiency taken as index,molar ratio of phospholipid to cholesterol(A),ultrasound emulsification time(B),volume ratio of colostrum to two-phase water(C)and coemulsifier concentration(D)as factors to design the orthogonal experiment for optimizing the preparation technology.The encapsulation efficiency,distribution of particle size,in vitro drug release profiles,phase transition temperature and melting point of the optimized preparation were determined.RESULTS:The optimized preparation conditions of Depo-SP were as follows:A-2:1,B=30 s,C=1:2 and D=2%.The encapsulation efficiency of the preparation reached 85%;the particle size stood at 0.75～27.75?m;the SP release in normal sodium was t_(1/2)=11 h and the sustained release maintained for 72 hours;the phase transition temperature was 34℃and the melting point was 110℃. CONCLUSION:The prepared Depo-SP had high encapsulation efficiency and stable in physical property,and it is an ideal sustained release preparation.

Objective To investigate the gene expression of PIWIL2 in the bladder urothelial carcinoma (BTCC) and siRNA interact on PIWIL2 gene expression in human bladder cancer cell line BIU-87.Methods Semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was applied to detect the PIWIL2 expressions in tissues of BTCC (46 cases),cystitis glandularis(21 cases),adjacent non-cancerous tissues (17 cases) and normal bladder tissues (7 cases). 3 specific siRNA targeted PIWIL2 gene were synthesized after designed and transferred. After siRNA was transferred into BIU-87 cells, MTI and TUNEL methods were applied to detect the proliferation inhibitory rate (IR) and apoptosis index (AI) in BIU-87 cells,qRT-PCR and Western blot were used to examine effects of siRNA on the expressions of the PIWIL2 gene and protein,respectively.Results The expression rate of PIWIL2 mRNA in BTCC tissues was 76.08 ％(35/46) and significantly higher than those in the cystitis glandularis tissues (42.86 ％,9/21),adjacent non-cancerous tissues (41.17 ％,7/17) and normal tissues (7.14 ％,1/14) (P =0.008,P =0.010,P =0.000).The IR [(37.52±8.84) ％,(64.36±9.64)％] and (62.94±8.43) ％] and AI [(26.18±5.42) ％,(38.75±6.19) ％ and (40.02±5.64) ％] of BIU-87 cells in the siRNA 1～3 groups were respectively significantly higher than those [(1.97±0.02) ％ and (3.35±0.47) ％] in the control group(P=0.000),and expressions of PIWIL2 mRNA and protein in the siRNA groups were both lower than those in the control group. Moreover, the effects of siRNA 2 group and siRNA 3 group on inhibiting PIWIL2 expression, IR and AI of BIU-87 cells were stronger than siRNA 1 group. Conclusion The over-expression of PIWIL2 suggested that it played an important role in the mechanism of development and malignant progression of BTCC. The siRNA of transcription can significantly inhibit its expression, induce cell apoptosis and inhibit the growth of BIU-87 cells which might provide the experimental evidence for the gene targeting therapy of bladder tumor.

Objective To observe the effects of ( - )-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on human prostate cancer xenografted tumor growth and connexin43 expression in nude mice,and explore the mechanism of the EGCG on prevention for prostate cancer.Methods The methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium and annexin-V/PI double-labeled flow cytometry methods were used to observe the growth inhibiting rate (IR)and apoptosis rate (AR) of human prostate cancer cell line PC-3 which was treated by EGCG at different concentration (10,20 and 40 mg/L,respectively).The scrape-loading fluorescence dye transfer method was applied to assess the gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) through fluorescence microscope.PC-3 cells were subcutaneously transplanted to establish tumor-bearing nude mice model.A total of 32 mice were randomly divided into four groups,both control group and three treatment groups were treated with different doses of EGCG ( 10,20 and 40 mg/kg,respectively).After two weeks,the mice prostate tumor tissues were taken out.The tumor wet weight was measured and tumor growth inhibiting rate was calculated.The tumor microvascular density (MVD) and apoptosis index (AI) were detected by the immunohistochemical techniques and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling techniques,respectively.Semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to examine the expression level of the Cx43 mRNA.Results EGCG at concentration ( 10 and 20 mg/L) could significantly inhibit the proliferation[(22.33 ±4.62)％,(38.67 ±5.67)％ vs (3.47 ±0.31 )％,P ＜0.01],induce the apoptosis [(7.84 ± 1.37 ) ％,( 24.53 ± 2.28 ) ％ vs ( 2.17 ± 0.70 ) ％,P ＜ 0.01] and enhance the GJIC of PC-3 cells.EGCG of different doses could inhibit prostate cancer xenografted tumor growth,induce tumor cells apoptosis and inhibit angiogenesis.EGCG ( 20 and 40 mg/kg) could effectively up-regulate Cx43 mRNA expression in xenografted tumor (0.58 ± 0.08,0.80 ± 0.07 vs 0.42 ± 0.04,P ＜ 0.0 ).The effects had significant correlation with the dose-dependent of EGCG ( P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusions EGCG could up-regulate the Cx43 expression and enhance the gap junction intercellular communication mediated by Cx43 in the prostate tumor,which provide the experimental evidence for the mechanism of its effectively inhibiting the prostate cancer growth.