Adult ; Bone Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Curettage ; methods ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Giant Cell Tumor of Bone ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Sacrum ; Time ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of infrasonic field of minesweeper on psychology of minesweeper crews.

METHODSAn experimental ship was selected to conduct infrasonic minesweeping, a control ship of the same type was selected to operate likewise with the infrasound generator turned off, and another group of coast-servicemen was chosen as blank control. Attention-span test, digit memory test, two-digital numbers list and profile of mood states (POMS) were used to test the ship crews and coast-servicemen.

RESULTSThere were no significant differences in psychological parameters between the two ship crews before the experiment. But the scores of two-digit figures list in ship crews were significant lower than that in coast-servicemen, (31.2 +/- 11.8, 36.4 +/- 14.5 respectively vs 45.8 +/- 13.9, P < 0.05). POMS showed that the scores of anger-hostility, fatigue-inertia, and confusion-bewilderment in both ship crew groups [(15.5 +/- 6.4, 18.3 +/- 6.8), (12.1 +/- 5.0,12.3 +/- 4.9), (11.6 +/- 4.4, 12.5 +/- 4.8), respectively] were higher than those in coast-servicemen (13.9 +/- 7.0, 7.6 +/- 4.1, 8.2 +/- 4.3, respectively, P < 0.05 or 0.01), while vigor-activity in experimental group (15.0 +/- 5.9) was lower than that in coast-servicemen (19.7 +/- 4.7). After the experiment, the scores of experimental crews in digit memory test (14.5 +/- 5.0), vigor-activity (12.2 +/- 5.8), fatigue-inertia (15.8 +/- 6.2) were significantly different from those of control crews (17.3 +/- 4.8, 16.5 +/- 4.6, 11.3 +/- 5.1).

CONCLUSIONSThe infrasonic field from minesweeper may injure the crew's psychological health and some neurobehavioral function.

Adult ; Humans ; Mental Health ; Noise, Occupational ; adverse effects ; Ships

The effects of different physical and chemical factors on hairy root growth and flavonoids production were studied in suspension culture of Saussurea medusa hairy root in 1/2 MS medium. The results showed that the following culture conditions, nitrogen concentratiaon (involved NH4+ and NO3-), 30 mmol/L; the ratio of ammonium to nitrate, 5:25; the combination of 2% sucrose and 3% glucose; 0.5 mg/L GA3; 0.5 mg/L IBA; initial pH 5.8; light cycle, 18 h/d (3500lx); temperature, 24 degrees C; shaker revolutions per minute, 100 r/min, were favourable to hairy root growth and flavonoids production. Under the above culture conditions, up to 12.8 g/L (DW) of hairy root and 1922 mg/L of flavonoids were obtained after 21 days of culture. The content of total flavonoids in hairy root was 15%, which was about 25 times as that in the wild plantlet.
Culture Media ; Flavonoids ; biosynthesis ; Plant Roots ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Saussurea ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Temperature ; Tissue Culture Techniques

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of color silk cocoon extraction-sericine on transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) and Smad3 protein expression in kidney of diabetic nephropathy (DN) rats.

METHODS60 male SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (n = 12): normal control group, DN model group, sericine treatment group, metformin group and sericine prevention group. The rats in model group, sericine treatment group, metformin group and sericine prevention group were all established DN rats model by intraperitoneally injected streptozotocin (STZ). Blood glucose > or = 16.7 mmol/L was taken as standard to judge if the rats model were successfully established. After the rats model were successfully established, the rats in sericine treatment group were lavaged with sericine (2.4 g/(kg x d), 35 d). The rats in metformin group were lavaged with metformin (55.33 mg/(kg x d), 35 d). The rats in sericine prevention group were lavaged with the same dose sericine for 35 d before injecting STZ. The blood glucose and kidney weight/body weight of rats in each group were respectively detected. Immunohistochemical staining was used to observe the expression of TGF-beta1 and Western blot to detect the expression of Smad3 in kidney.

RESULTSCompared with normal control rats: the blood glucose, kidney weight/body weight, TGF-beta1 and Smad3 expression in kidney of rats in model group increased obviously (P < 0.01). The blood glucose, TGF-beta1 and Smad3 expression in kidney of rats in sericin treatment group, sericin prevention group and metformin group were significantly lower than that of model group (P < 0.01). Moreover, there were no obvious differences between sericin treatment group, sericin prevention group and metformin group (P > 0.05). The kidney weight/body weight of rats in sericin treatment group, sericin prevention group and metformin group were significantly lower than that of model group (P < 0.01). Moreover, the kidney weight/body weight of rats in sericin treatment group and sericin prevention group were obviously lower than that of metformin group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSericin can inhibit activation of TGF-beta1/Smad3 signal pathway in kidney of DN rats, lighten glomerulosclerosis and renal interstitial fibrosis, so has protective and preventive effects on kidney injury of DN rats. Moreover, the therapeutical and preventive effects of sericin on DN are similar with metformin.

Animals ; Bombyx ; chemistry ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; drug therapy ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; drug therapy ; Kidney ; metabolism ; Male ; Materia Medica ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Smad3 Protein ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDSix provinces in China accounted for 70% - 80% of all reported HIV/AIDS cases in the country in 2009 and five provinces accounted for 78% of all reported mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV cases. Because Guangxi belonged to both groups, the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) Plus program was established there to understand better low birth weight (LBW) and preterm delivery (PD) birth outcomes and their associated risk factors better.

METHODSPregnancy outcomes were examined among HIV-infected pregnant women who enrolled in the PMTCT Plus program from June 2006 to February 2009 in Guangxi, China. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the risk factors associated with LBW (< 2500 g) and PD (gestational age < 37 weeks).

RESULTSThe prevalence of LBW and PD among 194 HIV-positive mothers was 19.6% (38/194) and 9.8% (19/194), respectively. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that CD4 cell count < 100 cell/µl (multivariate-adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 5.52; 95%CI 1.11 - 25.55) and CD4 cell count 100 - 199 cells/µl (AOR 3.40; 95%CI 1.03 - 11.25, compared to CD4 cell count ≥ 350 cells/µl), gestational age < 37 weeks (AOR 4.38; 95%CI 1.29 - 14.82, compared to ≥ 37 weeks), maternal weight < 45 kg (AOR 5.64; 95%CI 1.09 - 29.07) and maternal weight 45 - 54 kg (AOR 3.55; 95%CI 1.31 - 9.60, compared to ≥ 55 kg) at enrollment, and HIV RNA ≥ 100 000 copies/ml at enrollment (AOR 4.22; 95%CI 1.24 - 14.32) and 20 000 - 99 999 (AOR 2.77; 95%CI 1.01 - 7.77, compared to < 20 000 copies/ml) were associated with a higher risk of LBW. For PD, only maternal injection drug use as the route of HIV transmission (AOR 5.30; 95%CI 1.33 - 21.14, compared to those infected with HIV through sexual transmission) was significantly associated with a higher risk of PD.

CONCLUSIONSLower CD4 cell count and higher HIV RNA viral load at enrollment were associated with LBW. Optimal antenatal care, including earlier antenatal screening and HIV diagnosis, is critical to earlier PMTCT prophylaxis and/or HIV treatment to prevent transmission of HIV to the infant and also to prevent LBW pregnancy outcomes.

Adolescent ; Adult ; CD4 Lymphocyte Count ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Gestational Age ; HIV Infections ; complications ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; physiology ; Infant, Newborn ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious ; epidemiology ; Premature Birth ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Risk Factors ; Viral Load ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo identify the fibrinogen (Fg) gene mutations in a Chinese pedigree of congenital afibrinogenemia.

METHODSThe plasma Fg activity and protein of the proband and his family members were detected. Genomic DNA was isolated from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells. All the exons and exon-intron boundaries of fibrinogen gene were amplified by PCR and sequenced thereafter.

RESULTSTwo mutations, 7972 del G in FGB and T2543A in FGG, were found in the proband.

CONCLUSIONSFGG2543 is a polymorphism site, which lead to the polymorphism of gamma144 I/K. The G deletion at base 7972 of FGB contributes to the frameshift mutation after amino acid 419, resulting in the truncated beta chain without the terminal 27 amino acids. The latter may contributes to the pathogenetic mechanisms in Chinese congenital afibrinogenemia patients. The G deletion at base 7972 of FGB is identified for the first time.

Adult ; Afibrinogenemia ; congenital ; genetics ; metabolism ; Base Sequence ; Blotting, Western ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Exons ; genetics ; Female ; Fibrinogen ; genetics ; Humans ; Introns ; genetics ; Male ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVETo create a stable and reliable model of skin avulsion in rats.

METHODS30 male, SD rats were randomly divided into axial pattern skin flap (9 cm x 3 cm) group and random pattern skin flap group (6 cm x 4 cm), each having the control groups and avulsion groups. Flaps were subjected to avulsion force of 6 kg in axial pattern skin flaps or 8 kg in random pattern skin flaps, and the lasting time was 8 s or 12 s, respectively. Retraction of wounds and necrosis of skin flaps were observed.

RESULTSThere was more significant wound retraction in avulsion groups than that in control groups on post-operation day 7 (P < 0.05). The proportion of the wound retraction increased by 1 fold in avulsion groups on post-operation day 14 as compared to post-operation day 7 (P < 0.01). Interestingly, necrosis of partial or most of skin flaps was observed in all animals of avulsion groups, while slight necrosis happened in one of six in control animals. The necrosis area of flaps was 38% - 77% when avulsed for 8 s, and was 40% - 80% when avulsed for 12 s in axial pattern skin flaps. However, the necrosis area in random pattern skin flaps was smaller than that in axial pattern skin flaps, from 17% - 40% when avulsed for 8 s to 24% - 43% when avulsed for 12 s.

CONCLUSIONSIt might be possible to create animal model of skin avulsion injuries with rats.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Lacerations ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Skin Transplantation ; Surgical Flaps

Adenoma, Sweat Gland ; metabolism ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Keratin-14 ; metabolism ; Keratin-17 ; metabolism ; Keratin-18 ; metabolism ; Keratin-7 ; metabolism ; Keratins ; metabolism ; Papilloma ; metabolism ; Sebaceous Gland Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Skin Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Sweat Gland Neoplasms ; metabolism

A full-length cDNA encoding a MYB-related regulatory gene was isolated from a cDNA library prepared from mRNAs of the red line callus of S. medusa by TD-PCR. The cDNA, designated SmP, is 969 nucleotides long and has an open reading frame of 771 bp with a deduced amino acid sequence of 256 residues. The putative protein of SmP has two typical conversed R2R3-Myb DNA-binding domains in N-terminal and displays a rather high degree of similarity to OsMYB from rice and LBMI from tobacco, showing 73% and 70% identity within the DNA-binding domains. However, the C-terminal domain of the SmP protein does not show obvious similarity to any other known protein sequence. It is rich in hydrophilic amino acids, especially in serine residues (18.38%), partly organized in homopolymeric stretches, a feature often found in activation domain of transcription factors.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Cloning, Molecular ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Plant Proteins ; chemistry ; classification ; genetics ; metabolism ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Saussurea ; classification ; genetics ; metabolism ; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid ; Transcription Factors ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDThe role of epigenetics in gene expression regulation and development significantly enhances our understanding of carcinogenesis. All the tumor related genes may be the target of epigenetical or genetic regulation. We selected some epigenetically regulated genes for cDNA array analysis and observed variability in the expression of the DICER1 gene in distinct stages of gastric cancer. The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between the expression of DICER1, an epigenetically regulated gene, and gastric cancer.

METHODSTo detect the expression of 506 tumor-associated genes, including DICER1, in the matched cancerous mucosa, pre-malignant lesion (adjacent mucosa), non-cancerous gastric mucosa and distant lymphocyte metastatic lesion in 3 cases of gastric cancers using cDNA array. DICER1 mRNA expression and DICER1 protein expression were further analyzed by Real-time PCR and Western blot in 32 cases of progressive gastric cancer. DICER1 protein expression was also detected in 33 early and 30 progressive gastric cancers by the immunohistochemistry (IHC) method.

RESULTSIn 3 cases of gastric cancer cDNA array showed dramatically decreased expression of DICER1 in pre-malignant lesion, cancerous mucosa and distant lymphocyte metastatic lesions compared with matched noncancerous gastric mucosa, pre-malignant lesion and cancerous mucosa. Real-time PCR results showed that the expression level of DICER1 mRNA in gastric cancer was significantly down-regulated compared to normal gastric tissue (P < 0.05). The IHC assay also showed that the expression of DICER1 was significantly decreased in progressive gastric cancer. Among the 63 cases of gastric cancers, 13/33 early (39.4%) and 19/30 (63.3%) progressive cancers showed negative expression of DICER1 (50.8%). The difference in expression of DICER1 between early and progressive gastric cancers was significant (P < 0.01). The result of Western blotting showed that DICER1 protein was down-regulated significantly in advanced gastric cancer (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSDICER1 expression is decreased during the progression of gastric cancer, especially in progressive gastric cancers, which indicating DICER1 may play an important role in the development of cancer and the epigenetical regulation involved.

Blotting, Western ; DEAD-box RNA Helicases ; analysis ; genetics ; physiology ; Endoribonucleases ; analysis ; genetics ; physiology ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Ribonuclease III ; Stomach Neoplasms ; chemistry ; etiology ; genetics