Aim To investigate the effects of 3 ,5 ,2 ’ , 4’-tetrahydroxychalcone (P40) on urate excretion, as well as mRNA and protein expressions of renal URAT1 and GLUT9 in hyperuricemic mice. Methods Sixty Kunming mice were randomly divided into six groups:normal control group, hyperuricemic group ( model group), P40 2. 0, 4. 0, 8. 0 mg·kg-1 groups and positive control group. All drugs were administered in-tragastrically to mice for 5 doses. Hyperuricemic mice were induced by intraperitoneal injection of uric acid (0. 15 g·kg-1 body weight) for 3 times. The urate levels were assayed with the phosphotungstic acid method. The mRNA and protein expressions of GLUT9 and URAT1 were determined by RT-PCR and Western blot. Results P40 at a dose of 4. 0 and 8. 0 mg · kg-1 significantly reduced the serum urate levels in a dose-dependent manner, when compared with untreat-ed hyperuricemic mice ( P<0. 05 or 0. 01 ) . The he-patic urate contents decreased in untreated-and treated-hyperuricemic mice as compared with normal mice ( P<0. 01 ) . Furthermore, P40 had no influence on the renal URAT1 mRNA and protein expression levels, while it could down-regulate renal GLUT9 protein ex-pression but not mRNA expression in hyperuricemic mice. Conclusion P40 possesses potent uricosuric effects associated with urate reabsorption by down-regu-lating the protein expression of GLUT9 in kidney.

BACKGROUND:Compared with conventional medications, drug micro-capsule system can control the release of drugs and have wel target properties and biocompatibility. The drugs can be concentrated at the focus and play an important role in clinic. OBJECTIVE:To prepare dacarbazine magnetic micro-capsules with different capsule materials and gelatin complex by coacervation, and to optimize capsule materials and preparation process. METHODS:Fe 3 O 4 RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The solution complex coacervation method was better than the emulsion coacervation method. As for the solution complex coacervation method, the optimal capsule material was gelatin-sodium alginate, with drug embedding rate 37.90%, the yield rate 72.31%, and the average magnetization intensity 8.53 emu/g. The second material was gelatin-chitosan. As a capsule material, the gelatin was better than chitosan with single coagulation method. Drug embedding rate was 51.58%, the yield rate was 64.50%, and the average magnetization was 6.93 emu/g. Single coagulation method was better than coacervation method. complex coacervation, we prepared the gelatin-Arabic gum magnetic micro-capsule, gelatin-sodium alginate magnetic micro-capsules, gelatin-sodium carboxymethyl cel ulose magnetic micro-capsules, and gelatin-chitosan magnetic micro-capsules. With the emulsion complex coacervation method, we further prepared the gelatin-Arabic gum magnetic micro-capsule, gelatin-sodium alginate magnetic micro-capsules, gelatin-sodium carboxymethyl cel ulose magnetic micro-capsules, and gelatin-chitosan magnetic micro-capsules. The magnetic gelatin micro-capsules and magnetic chitosan micro-capsules were prepared with single coagulation method. The micro-capsules were determined for the embedding rate, the magnetic susceptibility, the micro-capsule size and the release performance, to define the optimal preparation technology of dacarbazine magnetic micro-capsules.

Histopathological examination of testes is important in assessing spermatogenesis and testicular function. Modified Davidson's fluid (mDF) has been proposed as a superior substitute for Bouin's fluid (BF) for fixation of adult animal testes. Besides, 4% paraformaldehyde (PFA) has been commonly used to fix testes with convenience. We compared the morphology of the rat testis fixed in 4% PFA, mDF, or BF using hematoxylin and eosin (HE)-stained sections. Fixation in 4% PFA resulted in obvious tissue shrinkage artifacts, especially between seminiferous epithelium cells. Shrinkage artifacts were also observed in the central area of the testes fixed in BF. Use of mDF did not cause shrinkage artifacts between seminiferous tubules, though a small amount can be observed in seminiferous tubules between germ cells. Clarity of nuclear detail in testes fixed in mDF and BF is better compared to 4% PFA. Our study demonstrated that fixation in mDF provided better morphologic details in the rat testis as compared with 4% PFA and BF.

Histopathological examination of testes is important in assessing spermatogenesis and testicular function.Modified Davidson's fluid (mDF) has been proposed as a superior substitute for Bouin's fluid (BF) for fixation of adult animal testes.Besides,4％ paraformaldehyde (PFA) has been commonly used to fix testes with convenience.We compared the morphology of the rat testis fixed in 4％ PFA,mDF,or BF using hematoxylin and eosin (HE)-stained sections.Fixation in 4％ PFA resulted in obvious tissue shrinkage artifacts,especially between seminiferous epithelium cells.Shrinkage artifacts were also observed in the central area of the testes fixed in BF.Use of mDF did not cause shrinkage artifacts between seminiferous tubules,though a small amount can be observed in seminiferous tubules between germ cells.Clarity of nuclear detail in testes fixed in mDF and BF is better compared to 4％ PFA.Our study demonstrated that fixation in mDF provided better morphologic details in the rat testis as compared with 4％ PFA and BF.

Objective To investigate the effects of the intervention,rehabilitation and speech development of children with severe hearing loss in some rural areas.Methods 61 children,including 35 males and 26 females,were diagnosed as severe hearing loss with ABR and 40 Hz-AERP from June 2004 to July 2008.All the children failed hearing screening or visited the hospital as outpatients.The ages ranged from 2 to 72 months with the average age of 17.59 months.During telephone follow-up,the questionnaire was used to gather the data regarding the usage of hearing aids,hearing and speech rehabilitation,speech development,and communication abilities.Results 33 (54.10%) children were fitted with hearing aids,and 2 (3.28%) received cochlear implants,while 26(42.62 %) neither had hearing aids nor cochlear implants.10 cases with hearing aids also had speech training,whereas 23 children with hearing aids did not receive the training.2 cases with cochlear implants and 2 cases with hearing aids were found to have good speech development and communication ability,while 31 cases with hearing aids had delayed speech development.26 cases without any devices had to rely on sign language for their commumication.Conclusion Children in rural area with severe hearing loss experience greater speech and communication difficulties because many of them have no access to intervention and speech training.The results suggest that it would be very important to increase public awareness and educate parents to have their children wear hearing aids and receive speech training.

Objective To investigate the significance of genomic amplification of the telomerase RNA component (TERC) gene to serve as a genetic biomarker in the screening of cervicallesions.Methods A total of 715 cases were recruited,with liquid-based cytology diagnosis as normal (n=347),atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS,n=180),atypical squamous cells cannot exclude a high-grade lesion (ASC-H,n=13),low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL,n=115),high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions(HSIL,n=59)and atypical glandular cells(AGC,n=1).The remaining cervical cells in the cytological preserving fluid were analyzed using a two-color fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) probe targeted to chromosome 3q26 containing TERC gene.The TERC gene findings were compared to the cytological and histological detected results,as well as high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) detected results.Results Genomic amplification of TERC gene was found in 5.8% of normal specimens,22.2% of ASCUS.30.8% of ASC-H,27.8% of LSIL,86.4% of HSIL and 1/1 of AGC.The positive rate was significantly lower in normal,ASCUS,ASC-H and ISIL.compared with HSIL(all P<0.01).Significantly more cells with genomic amplification of TERC gene were found in cervical intraepithelial lesion(CIN) Ⅱ-Ⅲ than CIN Ⅰ (77.8% vs.9.3%),as well as invasive cervical cancer (96.7% vs.9.3%).both P < 0.01.The rate of TERC gene amplification was higher in HPV positive patients (33.5%) than in HPV negative patients(5.2%,P<0.01).The sensitivity of TERC gene amplification was significantly higher than that of cytological screening (81.88% vs.36.96%,P<0.01) in the differentiation of CIN Ⅱ or higher and CIN Ⅰ or lower diseases,its specificity Was hisher than high-risk HPV test (93.32% vs.33.93%,P<0.01) and positive prediction value (81.29%) was similar with cytological method (86.44%,P>0.05);but its negative prediction value (93.56%) was lower than HPV test (97.06%,P<0.05).Conclusions The positive rates of TERC gene amplification increased as cervical diseases worsened.TERC gene amplification is related to HPV infection.The gain of chromosome 3q26 in cytological specimens is an effective molecular genetic biomarker in screening of CIN Ⅱ or higher and invasive cervical cancer.

Objective:To investigate the feasibility of universal newborn hearing screening in countryside in order to provide reliable evidence in launching this program all over the countryside of China. Method:Subjects were 12 638 infants who were born in 9 counties from Jan 2004 to Dec 2005. TEOAE was used for the fast hearing screening. Infants were screened on the 2-7 days after the birth. The re-screening was conducted in 4-6 weeks if failed in the initial screening,and follow-up were provided continually if they also failed in the re-screening. Result; Ten thouand eight hundred and forty-five of 12 638(85. 8%) were screened including 9 963(91. 9%) normal newborns and 882(8. 1%) newborns with high-risk. Seven thouand four hundred and fifty (68. 7%) newborns passed the initial screening, and 3 395 (31. 3%) people failed. One thouand seven hundred and ninty-three (14. 2%) infants were refused to be screened.Only 2 536 (74. 7%) were re-screened on time, and 859(25. 3%) did not receive re-screening. One hundred and twenty were failed in the re-screening or first screening, and 79 (65. 8%)of them received diagnostic assessment. Among the infants received diagnostic assessment, 6(7.6%)ca-ses were found to have profound hearing loss in both ears, 9(11. 4%)cases were found to be severe hearing loss(7 in both ears and 2 in single ear) , 11(13. 9%)cases were found to be moderate hearing loss (5 in both ear and 6 in single ear), 26 (32. 9%) were found to have slight hearing loss (11 in both ear and 15 in single ears), and 27 (34.2%) were normal. Fifty-two infants were diagnosed as hearing loss with a prevalence of congenital hearing loss(in binaural and monaural) of 0. 5%(52/10845)and a prevalence of bilateral hearing loss of 0. 3%(29/10845). A prevalence of congenital hearing loss was 0. 2% (22/9 963) in well infants and 3. 4% (30/882) in high risk infants. Among the 13 cases of children with severe and profound hearing loss in both ears children, 8(61. 5%)cases were fitted with hearing aids and 1 (7. 7%) case was implanted with cochlear implants. Conclusion:It is necessary and feasible to conduct hearing screening program in the rural area. However, the suitable model to perform the program in the countryside needs to be set up as soon as possible in order to get more poor infants to participate into the hearing screening program for free and increase the screening rate.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility of universal newborn hearing screening in countryside in order to provide reliable evidence in launching this program all over the countryside of China. METHOD: Subjects were 12,638 infants who were born in 9 counties from Jan 2004 to Dec 2005. TEOAE was used for the fast hearing screening. Infants were screened on the 2-7 days after the birth. The re-screening was conducted in 4-6 weeks if failed in the initial screening, and follow-up were provided continually if they also failed in the re-screening. RESULT: Ten thousand eight hundred and forty-five of 12,638 (85.8%) were screened including 9,963 (91.9%) normal newborns and 882 (8.1%) newborns with high-risk. Seven thousand four hundred and fifty (68.7%) newborns passed the initial screening, and 3,395 (31.3%) people failed. One thousand seven hundred and ninety-three (14.2%) infants were refused to be screened. Only 2,536 (74.7%) were re-screened on time, and 859 (25.3%) did not receive re-screening. One hundred and twenty were failed in the re-screening or first screening, and 79 (65.8%) of them received diagnostic assessment. Among the infants received diagnostic assessment, 6 (7.6%) cases were found to have profound hearing loss in both ears, 9 (11.4%) cases were found to be severe hearing loss (7 in both ears and 2 in single ear), 11 (13.9%) cases were found to be moderate hearing loss (5 in both ear and 6 in single ear), 26 (32.9%) were found to have slight hearing loss (11 in both ear and 15 in single ears), and 27 (34.2%) were normal. Fifty-two infants were diagnosed as hearing loss with a prevalence of congenital hearing loss (in binaural and monaural) of 0.5% (52/10845) and a prevalence of bilateral hearing loss of 0.3% (29/10845). A prevalence of congenital hearing loss was 0.2% (22/9,963) in well infants and 3.4% (30/882) in high risk infants. Among the 13 cases of children with severe and profound hearing loss in both ears children, 8 (61.5%) cases were fitted with hearing aids and 1 (7.7%) case was implanted with cochlear implants. CONCLUSION It is necessary and feasible to conduct hearing screening program in the rural area. However, the suitable model to perform the program in the countryside needs to be set up as soon as possible in order to get more poor infants to participate into the hearing screening program for free and increase the screening rate.
China ; epidemiology ; Feasibility Studies ; Hearing Loss ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; Hearing Tests ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Neonatal Screening ; Otoacoustic Emissions, Spontaneous ; Prevalence ; Rural Population

Objective To investigate the genomic amplification of the human telomerase RNA component (hTERC) gene in cervical cytology and evaluate its role in screening of cervical lesions. Methods A total of 301 cases were recruited, with liquid-based cytology diaghoses as normal (n=203), atypical squamous cells (ASC, n=66), low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions ( LSIL,n=18), and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions ( HSIL, n=14). Following cytological examination, the slides were analyzed using a two-color fluorescence in aitu hybridization ( FISH ) probe targeted to chromosome 3q26 containing hTERC. The hTERC findings were compared to the cytologic and histologie results, as well as high-risk human papilloma viruses (HPV) results. Results Genomie amplification of hTERC was found in 3.0% (6/203)of normal specimens, 21.2% (14/66) of ASC, 44.4% (8/18) of LSIL and 92.9% (13/14) of HSIL, with a significant difference in each pair wise (all P<0.05). Significantly more cells with 3q26 gain were found in cervical intraepithelial lesion (CIN) Ⅱ than in CIN Ⅰ(75.0% vs. 20.0% ), as well as in CIN Ⅲ (86.7% vs. 20.0% ) and squamous cervical cancer (SCC) than in CIN Ⅰ (100.0% vs. 20.0%) ( all P<0.01). The sensitivity of hTERC amplification was significantly higher than cytological screening (82.6% vs. 17.4%, P<0.01), and its specificity was higher than high-risk HPV test (67.8%-73.5% vs. 25.6%-27.7%, P<0.01) in the diagnosis of HSIL (CIN Ⅱ - Ⅲ). The abnormal hTERC signal type mostly was 2:3 in CIN Ⅰ (84.9% ) ; whereas in CIN Ⅱ-Ⅲ, 2: 3, 2:4 and 4:4 accounted for 44.6%, 24.8% and 17.8%, respectively. Conclusion Testing the gain of chromosome 3q26 in cytological specimens using specific probe for hTERC is powerful in screening of HSIL, and the amplification patterns of 2:4 and 4:4 may serve as potential prognosis markers.

ObjectiveTo study the value of liquid-based cytology and colposcopy in screening for cervical lesion among urban community women of Beijing.MethodsA total of 795 women aged 20～54 years with sexual activity living in Zhanlanlu Community of Beijing were screened for cervical lesion Cervcal specimen was collected for thin-layer,liquid-based cytology test (LCT) from each of the participants in gynecologic examination.Colposcopy and biopsy were performed for the women with positive LCT.ResultsForty-five of 795 (5.7%) women were positive for LCT[≥ASC-US (atypical squamouscell of undetermined significance)],with 33 of ASC-us,eight of low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL),three of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL),one of atypical glandular cells (AGC).Five of 45 women with positive LCT refused to accept colposcopy.Among 40 women with colposcopy and biopsy,chronic cervicitis was diagnosed in 11(27.5%),cervical condyloma acurninatum in 14(35.0%),cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 1 in seven(17.5%),CIN 2 in three (7.5%),CIN 3 in four(10.0%),and early invasive cervical cancer in one(2.5%).In 750 women with negative LCT,cervical condyloma acuminature was diagnosed in two(0.3%),CIN 1 in five(0.7%)and low-grade glandular intraepithelial lesion (LGIL) bin one(0.1%).Sensitivity and specificity of LCT screening for cervical lesion(≥CIN 1)were 71.4%and 94.2%,respectively,with positive and negative predictive values of 37.5%and 99.2%.respectively,and those screening for cervical lesion more than CIN 2 were 100.0%, 96.0%,20.5%and 100.0%,respectively.ConclusionsMore attention should be paid to early screening for cervical lesion in urban community women.LCT combined with colposcopy and biopsy provide very helpful information in screening for early cervical cancer.