Objective To investigate the effect of drug dependence severity on the relationship between impulsivity and craving.Methods 36 abstiuent drug-dependent individuals were recruited in the study.The participants were divided into the heavy depeudence group (HDG) or the low dependence group (LDG) according to the scores of Addiction Severity Index (ASI).The Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11) and classical Stroop task were used to measure the trait impulsivity and state impulsivity.Block designed cue-induced craving paradigm was presented to measure cue-elicited craving.Results For the HDG,a significant positive correlation was found between trait impulsivity (the mean value of BIS-11-CI scale was (39.03± 16.50)) or state impulsivity (the difference of reaction time between congruent and incongruent situation was (87.77±36.95)ms)and cue-elicited craving (0.83± 1.91)(r=0.487,0.500,P＜0.05).However,for the LDG subjects,the impulsivity was not found significantly correlated with the cue-elicited craving(r=-0.261,0.081,P＞0.05).Conclusion The addiction severity influences the relationship between impulsivity and craving,and impulsivity can only be used as a predictor of relapse in HDG.The findings suggest that the drug may influence the shared brain mechanism between impulsivity and craving.

Objective To explore the effect of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) on the proliferation of co-cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs). Methods Mononuclear cells were isolated from fresh cord blood by 6% hydroxyethyl starch (HES) and density gradient centrifugation. Isolated mononuclear cells were cultured in EGM-2 medium supplemented with 20% fetal bovine serum (FBS), VEGF,bFGF and other growth factors. Biological features of EPCs were observed at different time points, and EPCs were identified by morphology, fluorescence double-staining and flow cytometry. Indirect immunofluorescence was performed to analyze the expression of α-SM-actin, calponin of VSMCs special antigen. Co-culture system of EPCs and VSMCs was established by transwell permeable support. FBS (20%) was used to stimulate the proliferation of VSMCs. In a VSMCs/EPCs co-culture system, the DNA synthesis ability, total protein level and cell cycle of VSMCs were determined by BrdU marking method,protein quantitation and flow cytometry after co-culture for 6, 12, 24,48 and 72 h. Results After co-culture for 12, 24, 48, and 72 h, the DNA synthesis ability and total protein level of VSMCs significantly decreased compared with the control group(P＜0.05). Flow cytometry showed that the percentage of S phase of VSMCs in VSMCs/EPCs co-cultured group significantly decreased and the percentage of G_1 phase increased markedly compared with the control group(P＜0.05). The maximal inhibitory effect was observed at 48 h. Conclusion Early EPCs could inhibit the proliferation of VSMCs.

Objective To investigate the effect of bortezomib with arsenic trioxide different concentration on the cell cycle and apoptosis of Raji cells. Methods Flow cytometry analysis showed that the relative number of cells in different phases and the percentages of cells calculated in G1 and S phase of the cell cycle and apoptosis were assessed after treatment with As2O3 and BOR or in combination with BOR in different concentration at indicated time (24 h, 48 h, 72 h). Results Flow cytometric analysis showed that the cell cycle was arrested at G1 phase, the number of cells G1 period increased significantly, and S phase decreased on Raji cells after As2O3 treatment. The relationship between the cellular DNA contents and the concentration of As2O3 showed a dose-and time-dependent manner (P ＜0.0001). But it was found that BOR had no effect on Raji cell cycle, but, in two drugs combination, cell apoptosis rate significantly increased from 16.98 % to 45.84 %. Conclusion The results show that As2O3 exerted variable and definite effects on lymphoma Raji cells, which indicated that As2O3 might induce apoptosis and arrest cell cycle. The combination of two drugs had a effective and synergistic effect on apoptosis.

Objective:To explore Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and TLR4 polymorphism in Han people from Hunan region and its association with coronary atherosclerotic heart disease.Methods:Sanger sequence and statistical analysis were performed to identify the polymorphism of TLR2 and TLR4 genes in 347 unrelated Hunan Han subjects,including 180 healthy people (control group) and 167 patients with coronary atherosclerotic heart disease (coronary atherosclerotic heart disease group).Results:There was no significant difference in the genotype frequency and allelic frequency for TLR2 SNP2258G＞A and TLR4 SNP896A＞G between the 2 groups (P＞0.05),while there was significant difference in the TLR4 SNP1196C＞T between the 2 groups (P＜0.05).Conclusion:TLR4 SNP 1196C ＞T polymorphism is associated with coronary atherosclerotic heart disease in Chinese Han populationin in Hunan region.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic mechanism of ~(125)I seeds based on physical properties, the significance of therapeutic planning system (TPS), the therapeutic means and the clinical efficacy. Methods Eighteen cases with advanced carcinoma were treated through percutaneous implantation of 125 I for interstitial radiotherapy. Results No serious complications occurred in the patients after radiotherapy associated with apparent improved living quality. Two months after therapy, the tumors had shrunk in different degrees with conspicuous decrease in 12, of which 5 tumors disappeared. Conclusions Short-term efficacy demonstrates that intra-tissue radiotherapy of ~(125)I had significant efficacy for advanced tumors.

Objective To understand the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of migrant workers with pneumoconiosis who received basic medical treatment in Hunan Province. Methods A total of 613 migrant workers with pneumoconiosis who received basic medical treatment and assistance in Hunan Province was selected as the study subjects using stratified random sampling method. The European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) questionnaire was used to assess their HRQOL. Results The abnormality of the five dimensions of the EQ-5D health description system, from high to low, were as follows： daily activities, mobility, pain/discomfort, anxiety/depression, and self-care, with the abnormal rates of 50.9%, 46.8%, 41.1%, 21.0%, and 14.5%, respectively. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score of EQ-5D was (63.5±18.6) points. Patients with stage Ⅲ pneumoconiosis had high abnormality in mobility, daily activities, and pain/discomfort compared with those with stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ disease (all P<0.02). Patients in stage Ⅱ and Ⅲ of pneumoconiosis had higher incidence of anxiety/depression compared with those with stage I disease (all P<0.02). Patients with complications in addition to pneumoconiosis had higher abnormality in mobility, self-care, and pain/discomfort compared to those with simple pneumoconiosis or those eligible for lung lavage treatment (all P<0.02). Patients with simple pneumoconiosis had a higher incidence of anxiety/depression compared with those eligible for lung lavage treatment (P<0.02). Patients with stage Ⅲ pneumoconiosis had lower average VAS scores compared with stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ patients (all P<0.02). Patients with simple pneumoconiosis or those with complications had lower average VAS scores compared with those eligible for lung lavage treatment (all P<0.05). Conclusion The HRQOL of pneumoconiosis patients among migrant workers needs improvement, especially for patients with stage Ⅲ disease and those with complications. This study indicates the need of optimizing policies, raising the hospitalization expense limit for critically ill patients with stage Ⅲ pneumoconiosis or with complications, and improving their HRQOL.

Butanol is not only an important chemical feedstock but also expected to become a new generation biofuel. Thus, biological butanol production using renewable feedstocks has attracted renewed attention due to the worries of global oil supply and its impact on social and economic development. However, compared with petrochemical-derived butanol, biological butanol production is still not economically competition, because of its major drawbacks: high cost of the feedstocks, low butanol concentration in the fermentation broth and the co-production of low-value byproducts acetone and ethanol. Recently, Shanghai cooperative bio-butanol group (SCBG) developed a simple-to-complex technical route to improve bio-butanol production with a focus on: increasing butanol ratio in the solvent through metabolic engineering of Clostridia spp.; introducing and optimizing the butanol synthetic pathway in the species with high butanol tolerance; overcoming the glucose repression effect to utilize low-cost non-grain based feedstocks. SCBG believes that, through extensive domestic and international industry-university-research cooperation, a sustainable and economically viable process for biological butanol production can be established in the near future.
Biofuels ; Butanols ; metabolism ; Clostridium ; genetics ; metabolism ; Clostridium beijerinckii ; genetics ; metabolism ; Fermentation ; Genetic Engineering ; methods ; Industrial Microbiology ; methods ; trends

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the operative effect and value of window partial laryngectomy with endoscopy for treatment of stage T1b--T3 laryngeal cancer. METHOD: Twenty-seven cases with glottic laryngeal cancer were treated by window partial laryngectomy with endoscopy. After 3-year and 5-year survival rate and laryngeal functions (respiratory, pronunciation, swallowing function) recovery were evaluated. RESULT: The 3- and 5-year survival rates were 83.3% (15/18) and 75.0% (9/12) respectively. The decannulation rate was 92.6% (25/27) 4 weeks after operation. Three months after decannulation of respiratory function evaluation: the march to fast runner 77.8% (21/27), the jogger 14.8 (4/27), who walk briskly 7.4% (2/27). All patients had recovered after four weeks swallowing without choking cough and satisfied with phonation. Local recurrence rates at 3 and 5 year after operation were 10.5% (2/19) and 15.4% (2/13) respectively. CONCLUSION The research shows that window partial laryngectomy with endoscopy was applicable to stage T1b--T2 and selecting T3 laryngeal cancer patients. Postoperative respiratory, pronunciation and swallowing function recovery rate is satisfactory.
Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glottis ; pathology ; Humans ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Laryngectomy ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Neoplasm Staging ; Survival Rate ; Thyroid Cartilage ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

To investigate the effects of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) on expression of inflammatory factors induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), and to elucidate the possible mechanisms.
 Methods: Mononuclear cells were isolated from human umbilical cord blood by density gradient centrifugation, RT-PCR was performed to detect the expression of inflammatory factors induced by LPS (1 mg/mL) in EPCs, the effect of low concentration (5 μmol/L) of ATP on expression of IL-1β, MCP-1 and ICAM-1, and the effect of different concentrations (5, 50 μmol/L) of ATP on the expression of Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4, myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 (MyD88) and CD14. Western blot was performed to detect expression of TLR4 regulated proteins MyD88 and CD14 or to detect the low concentration (1, 5 μmol/L) of ATP on the expression of TLR4, MyD88 and CD14 and the NF-κB signaling pathway.
 Results: EPCs highly expressed TLR4, and its ligand LPS (1 mg/mL) significantly upregulated mRNA expression of IL-1β, MCP-1 and ICAM-1 and protein expression of MyD88 and CD14 in a time-dependent manner (P<0.01), accompanied by activation of ERK and NF-κB signal pathway. ATP at low concentration (5 μmol/L) significantly inhibited LPS-induced mRNA expression of IL-1β, MCP-1 and ICAM-1(P<0.05), downregulated the LPS-induced protein expression of TLR4, MyD88 and CD14 in EPCs (P<0.05), and suppressed LPS-induced activation of NF-κB signaling pathway (P<0.05).
 Conclusion: ATP at low concentration may suppress LPS-induced expression of inflammatory factors in EPCs through negative regulation of the TLR4 signaling pathway.
Adenosine Triphosphate ; pharmacology ; Endothelial Progenitor Cells ; drug effects ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; cytology ; Lipopolysaccharide Receptors ; genetics ; Lipopolysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88 ; genetics ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; genetics