OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between serum testosterone levels and the plaque formation of the carotid artery in a population-based cohort of independently living healthy women above 60 years of age.

METHODSAnalysis of the healthy elders from a population-based cohort study in 9 communities of Beijing. Carotid intima-media thickness and atherosclerotic plaques were determined ultrasonographically. Serum testosterone levels were measured by immunoassay. The data were analyzed with ANOVA and logistic regression analysis.

RESULTSThere was an inverse correlation between testosterone and plaque formation in old females (P < 0.01), while no association was found in males. Female with testosterone levels in the lowest quartile (< 0.49 nmol/L) had more risk of plaque formation (OR = 3.805, P < 0.01) after adjusted with age and other traditional factors of atherosclerosis.

CONCLUSIONTestosterone concentrations are negatively associated with carotid artery atherosclerosis in old women in Beijing, experimental and prospective studies are needed to determine the possible therapeutic role of testosterone in atherosclerosis.

Aged ; Atherosclerosis ; blood ; Carotid Arteries ; pathology ; Carotid Intima-Media Thickness ; Carotid Stenosis ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Prospective Studies ; Testosterone ; blood

Objective Insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R),similar to insulin receptor,is one of the families of re- ceptor tyrosine kinases.,which has been found to be overexpressed in a variety of cancer.It is the main proliferation and survival sig- nal molecule in cancer cell and plays an important role in cancer growth and progress.Blocking signal transduction of IGF-1R by vari- ous strategies can suppress tumor growth and induce regression of established tumor.This study is to construct the siRNA expression vector targeting IGF-1R and to evaluate its ability to induce cell apoptosis in human lung cancer cells.Methods Two siRNA expres- sion vector,pENTR/U6-shRNA-1 and pENTR/U6-shRNA-2 targeting IGF-1R,were constructed using pENTR/U6 vector,and a vector targeting hieiferase gene,pENTR/U6-shRNA-Iuc,was constructed as control.After vectors were transfected into A549 for 48h, knockdown of IGF-1R mRNA and protein and Akt phosphorylation were accessed,and DNA ladder and flow cytometry were used for cell apoptosis.Results siRNA expression vectors targeting IGF-1R were successfully constructed,which was confirmed by PCR and DNA sequencing,pENTR/U6-shRNA-1 and pENTR/U6-shRNA-2 demonstrated the expression were (22.1?2.5) % and (80.1? 3.9) % in IGF-1R mRNA level,(15.2?3.1)% and (47.1?4.1)% in protein level,respectively,compared with pENTR/U6- shRNA-luc.Suppression of IGF-1R by pENTR/U6-shRNA-1 blunted Akt phosphorylation,increased cell apoptosis induced by 3% ethanol,and retained 77.5 % A549 cells in the G0/G1 phase.Conclusion siRNA expression vector targeting IGF-1R can effectively suppress the expression of IGF-1R expression in A549.This study suggests that DNA vector-based RNAi has the potential to be effec- tive and practical cancer gene therapy strategy.

Objective To synthesize PEG-P[Asp(DET)] with 10% cholesterol chloroformate modified on its side chain and to study the physicochemical properties and cellular uptake of polymer complex PEG-P[Asp(DET)]-chole/hsa-miR-15a. Methods PEG-P[Asp(DET)] was synthesized by ring opening polymerization and modification with cholesterol chloroformate to acquire hydrophobicity, and MRI was used to verify its structure. The particle size, Zeta potential, stability, encapsulation efficiency, and cytotoxicity of the polymer complex PEG-P[Asp(DET)]-10% chole/hsa-miR-15a were examined. Finally, in vitro cellular uptake experiment was carried out with the leukemia cell line K562. Results The synthesized polymer PEG-P[Asp(DET)]-10% chole had fine solubility and could form into stable polymer complex PEG-P[Asp(DET)]-chole/hsa-miR-15a. When nitrogen-phosphorus ratio (N/P) was at 20 and concentration of the miRNA was 5 μmol/mL, the particle size was (192. 4±10. 8) nm, Zeta potencial was (6. 9±0. 9) mV, andencapsulation efficiency was (90. 5±3. 2)%. The complex displayed good stability under experimental condition. In vitrr cellular uptake experimental indicated that the uptake capacity of PEG-P[Asp(DET)]-10%chole/hsa-miR-15a was higher than that of the commercial agent lipo2000. Conclusion PEG-P[Asp (DET)]-10%chole is a fine gene polymer carrier for miRNA and can achieve stable cellular uptake of miRNA.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Guilingji Capsule (GC) on the fertility, liver functions, and serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) of adult male SD rats exposed by 900 MHz cell phone.

METHODSTotally 18 adult male SD rats and 36 adult female rats in child-bearing period were selected and randomly divided into three groups according to weight equilibrium principle, i.e., the normal group, the radiated group, and the GC group, 6 males and 12 females in each group. Male rats in the normal group and all female rats were not radiated. Male rats in the radiated group and the GC group received radiation for 4 h per day, lasting for 18 successive days. Rats in the GC group received GC suspension at the daily dose of 0. 15 g/kg by gastrogavage at the same time. Equal volume of normal saline was administrated to other male rats. Then male rats were mated with corresponding female rats from the 14th radiation night to the 18th radiation night in the ratio of 1:2. Male rats were killed following on the next morning of ending the radiation. Female rats were normally fed and then killed before delivery. The pregnant outcomes of female rats in responding groups (the rates of pregnancy and the number of death fetus, birth weight, body length, and tail length) were observed and compared. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transferase (AST), AST/ALT, and LDH levels of the male rats were detected by colorimetry. Histological and morphological changes of liver were observed by HE staining.

RESULTSCompared with the normal group, the pregnancy rates of female rats decreased and the number of death fetus increased, the serum LDH level obviously increased in the radiated group (P < 0.05). Serum levels of ALT, AST, and AST/ALT were no significantly changed in the radiated group. The hepatocyte nuclear atrophy and cytoplasm vacuolar degeneration appeared. Compared with the radiated group, the pregnancy rates increased, the number of death fetus dropped, and the serum level of LDH decreased in the GC group (P < 0.05). There was no obvious change in serum levels of ALT, AST, or AST/ALT. The hepatocyte nuclear atrophy and cytoplasm vacuolar degeneration were significantly attenuated. The histomorphological structures recovered to normal basically in the GC group.

CONCLUSIONSThe pregnancy rates could be decreased, the number of death fetus increased, histomorphological structures abnormal, and serum LDH level increased by exposure toy GSM 900 MHz cell phone. GC could prevent and treat the aforesaid lesion. But there was no statistical difference in serum ALT or AST levels.

Animals ; Cell Phone ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Fertility ; Lactate Dehydrogenases ; blood ; Liver ; drug effects ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Radiation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma in Situ ; virology ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; virology ; Female ; Human papillomavirus 16 ; isolation & purification ; Human papillomavirus 18 ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Microarray Analysis ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Papillomaviridae ; isolation & purification ; Papillomavirus Infections ; diagnosis ; Paraffin Embedding ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; virology

Adenoma ; pathology ; Brain Neoplasms ; secondary ; Chromogranin A ; metabolism ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Reoperation ; Synaptophysin ; metabolism ; Temporal Lobe ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo compare therapeutic effects of clavicular hook-plate fixation and modified Weaver-Dunn surgery combined with clavicular hook-plate fixation in treating Tossy type III acromioclavicular joint dislocation.

METHODSForty-one patients with Tossy type III acromioclavicular dislocation treated by operation were retrospectively analysis from January 2012 to January 2014. The patients were divided into clavicular hook-plate fixation group (group A) and modified Weaver-Dunn surgery combined with clavicular hook-plate fixation (group B) according to surgical procedures. In group A, there were 15 males and 6 females aged from 17 to 51 years old with an average of (31.60 ± 12.58) years old, preoperative Constant-Murley score was 40.25 ± 9.80, and treated with clavicular hook-plate fixation. In group B, there were 13 males and 7 females aged from 18 to 48 years old with an average of (29.40 ± 11.27) years old, preoperative Constant-Murley score was 41.45 ± 8.81, and treated with modified Weaver-Dunn surgery combined with clavicular hook-plate fixation. Operative time, blood loss, imaging changes before and after operation, postoperative complications were compared; Constant-Murley score at 3, 6 and 12 months after operation were evaluated.

RESULTSIn group A, operative time was 40.50 ± 24.36) min, blood loss was (75.30 ± 30.36) ml; In group B, operative time was (60.10 ± 23.55) min, blood loss was (100.70 ± 40.12) ml. Twenty-one patients in group A were followed-up from 12 to 18 months with an average of (14.8 ± 3.1) months; 20 patients in group B were followed-up from 12 to 14 months with an average of (13.6 ± 1.5) months. There were no significant differences in operative time, blood loss and follow-up time between two groups. Complications were in six patients of group A and 3 patients of group B, and there were no significant meaning between two groups. At 6 months after operation, Constant-Murley score in group A was 88.85 ± 4.23, 92.15 ± 3.82 in group B; and had significant meaning between two groups (t = -2.56, P = 0.022 < 0.05). While there were no differences in Constant-Murley score in other times.

CONCLUSIONBoth of clavicular hook-plate fixation and modified Weaver-Dunn surgery combined with clavicular hook-plate fixation are effective operative methods for the treatment of Tossy type III acromioclavicular dislocation. Clavicular hook-plate fixation has advantage of less trauma, while modified Weaver-Dunn surgery combined with clavicular hook-plate fixation could reconstruct coracoclavicular ligament more stronger, clavicular hook plate could take out earlier, also improve shoulder joint function earlier.

Acromioclavicular Joint ; injuries ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Bone Plates ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Shoulder Dislocation ; surgery

Background With the development of phacoemulsification surgery,the minimization of the size of the incision in order to reduce the damaging of eye tissue and postoperative complications becomes a focus.Objective This study aimed to assess the clinical efficacy of coaxial phacoemulsification type cataract surgery through a 1.8 mm microincision with foldable intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in eyes with age-related cataract.Methods Informed consent was obtained from each patient at the beginning of this study.A serial case observation study was designed.Thirty-two eyes of 32 patients with age-related cataract were enrolled in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region People' s Hospital from April 2012 to May 2012,including 8 eyes of grade Ⅱ hard nucleus cataract,16 eyes of grade Ⅲ hard nucleus cataract and 8 eyes of grade Ⅳ hard nucleus cataract.Ocular axial length was measured by an A-mode ultrasonic apparatus,and IOL diopter was calculated using the SRK-Ⅱ formula.Under ocular surface anesthesia,a 1.8 mm clear corneal tunnel incision was made at the 10-11 o' clock position,and then an auxiliary incision was made at the 2 o' clock position.The opaque lens was extracted by routine phacoemulsification.An Akreos MI60 IOL was implanted through the 1.8 mm incision.The time and level of ultrasonic power required for phacoemulsification,postoperative visual acuity and incidence of postoperative complication were assessed.Postoperative examinations were scheduled at 1 day,1 week and 1 month after the surgery.Results All the operations proceeded smoothly.The mean phaco-time was (7.0±3.6) seconds and the mean ultrasonic power level was (15.3 ±6.1)％ among the different grades of cataract groups.The number of eyes presenting an uncorrected distance visual acuity of ≥ 0.5 was 18 (56.25％),28 (87.50％) and 30 (93.75％) 1 day,1 week and 1 month after surgery,respectively.The number of eyes with a best corrected distance visual acuity of ≥ 0.5 and 0.8 were 31(96.88％) and 26 (81.25％),respectively,1 month after surgery.Negligible changes were detected in the anterior chamber depths,and no thermal damage was found at the incision during the operation.Conclusions Coaxial phacoemulsification and IOL implantation through a 1.8 mm microincision is safe and effective.Thorough planning and precise execution are necessary.

The skin ulceration syndrome of sea cucumber is a kind of desease induced by bacterium.In order to investigate the bacterium of infected sea cucumber and detect the N-acyl-homoserine lactones(AHLs) se-cretion of the bacterium,7 bacterial strains were isolated from the infected sea cucumber.These strains were identified by physiological-biochemical characteristics and 16S rDNA sequence.Results show that strain C6 belongs to Tenacibaculum,strain 4 belongs to Shewanella putrefaciens group,strain TB belongs to Vibrio,strain BP2,BP3,BP4 and BP6 belong to Pseudoalteromonas,respectively.AHLs were detected with strain Agrobacterium tumefaciens KYC55.Among these bacterial strains,strain C6,4,TB,BP3 and BP4 can se-cret AHLs,while strain BP2 and BP6 can’t.And the AHLs activity differs,from the highest to the lowest are 4,TB,BP4,BP3 and C6.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Chinese herbs for stasis removing and collaterals dredging (CHSRCD) upon angiotensin-converting enzyme 2-angiotensin-(1-7)-Mas axis in the renal cortex of diabetic nephropathy rats.

METHODSTotally 89 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the blank control group (C group, n=22), the high-glucose high-fat control group (H group, n=10), and the streptozotocin (STZ)-injecting group (n=57). The diabetes rat model (n=50) was induced by feeding high-glucose high-fat diet in combination with intraperitoneal injection of STZ, which were further divided into the model group (M group, n=24), the irbesartan group (I group, n=13), and the CHSRCD (Z group, n=13). Rats in I and Z groups were intragastrically fed with suspension of irbesartan and CHSRCD, once daily for 16 weeks. Equal volume of drinking water was administrated to rats in the rest groups. Blood glucose and 24 h urine protein quantitation were tested at four time points. And the mRNA expression of ACE2 and Mas at various time points was detected by Real-time PCR, immunohistochemical assay, and Western blot. Quantitative analyses of ACE2 and Mas protein expression were performed at the end of week 16.

RESULTSCompared with the C group, blood glucose increased in the H and M groups (P < 0.01). It was higher in the H group (P < 0. 01). 24 h urine protein quantitation at different time points increased in the M group, and it was higher than that in the H group (P < 0.05). Compared with the M group, 24 h urine protein quantitation decreased at the end of week 8 in the I group, and at the end of week 8 and 16 in the Z group (P < 0.05). It was lower in the Z group than in the I group at the end of week 16 (P < 0.05). Compared with the C and H groups, the expression of ACE2 mRNA in the renal cortex was lower in the M group at the end of week 16 (P < 0.01). Compared with the M group, it was higher in the Z group (P < 0. 01). There was no statistical difference in the expressions of Mas mRNA at the end of week 16 between the C group and the M group (P > 0.05). It was lower in the M group than in the H group (P < 0.05). It was higher in the Z group than in the M group (P < 0.05), and higher than in the I group (P < 0.05). The expression of ACE2 and Mas protein in the M group decreased as time went by. The expression quantitation of ACE2 and Mas protein at the end of week 16 was lower in the M group than in the C group (P < 0.05). Compared with the M group, ACE2 expression of the Z group and Mas of the I and Z groups increased more significantly (P < 0. 05).

CONCLUSIONCHSRCD could play a role in renal protection for diabetic nephropathy rats by up-regulating the mRNA and protein expression of ACE2 and Mas, promoting the ACE2-Ang-(1-7)-Mas axis, and lowering urinary protein.

Angiotensin I ; metabolism ; Animals ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; metabolism ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Kidney Cortex ; metabolism ; Male ; Peptide Fragments ; metabolism ; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled ; metabolism