Objective To explore the effect of different concentrations of endothelin-1 (ET-1)on the en-dogenous nitric oxide (NO)and hydrogen sulfide (H2S)pathways of vascular smooth muscle cells (A7r5 cell lines)in rats.Methods A7r5 cell lines were divided into the control group and the experimental group.ET-1 at a concentra-tion of 10 -8-10 -6 mol/L was added into the experimental group,and as for the control group,the same volume of sterile phosphate buffered saline (PBS)buffer solution was added.The content of NO and H2S in A7r5 cell lines was detected by fluorescent NO probe and H2S probe after ET-1 stimulation for 48 h,respectively.The content of NO in the supernatant was measured by NO assay kit at 48 h of the incubation.The content of H2S in the supernatant was measured by polarographic H2S sensor at 48 h of the incubation. The expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS2),endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS3),cystathionine -γ -lyase (CSE),cystathionine -β -synthase (CBS)and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)were detected by the Western blot method.Results The rela-tive fluorescence intensity of the content of NO in the A7r5 cell lines of ET-1 10 -8,10 -7 and 10 -6mol/L groups (0. 078 ± 0. 080,0.075 ± 0.002,0.056 ± 0.009)was markedly lower than that in the control group(0.094 ± 0. 061), and the differences were statistically significant(F＝15.248,P＜0.05);Compared with the control group[(2. 131 ± 0. 484)μmol/L],the content of NO in the supernatant of the experimental groups [(1.391 ± 0.134 )μmol/L, (1.219 ± 0. 280)μmol/L,(1.116 ± 0.181)μmol/L]was significantly decreased,and the differences were statistically significant(F＝20.833,P＜0.01);NOS2 protein expression(0.457 ± 0.097,0.462 ± 0.116,0.438 ± 0.180)was decreased markedly compared with that of the control group(0.721 ± 0.222),and the differences were statistically sig-nificant(F＝6.196,P＜0.01),but the expression of NOS3 showed no significant differences(F＝2.669,P＞0.05). The relative fluorescence intensity of the content of H2S in the A7r5 cell lines of ET-1 10 -8,10 -7 and 10 -6mol/L groups (0.063 ± 0.002,0.056 ± 0.008,0.042 ± 0.009)was markedly lower than that in the control group (0.082 ± 0. 006),and the differences were statistically significant(F ＝16.297,P＜0.01);Compared with the control group [(29.439 ±4.236)μmol/L],the content of H2S in the supernatant of the experimental groups [(17.516 ±5.144) μmol/L,(14.481 ± 4.885)μmol/L]was significantly decreased,and the differences were statistically significant (F＝12.518,P ＜0.01).CBS protein expression(0.359 ± 0.096,0.270 ± 0.038,0.174 ± 0.051)was decreased markedly compared with that of the control group(0.707 ± 0.107),and the differences were statistically significant (F＝20.833,P＜0.01),and the expression of CSE showed no significant differences(F＝0.708,P＞0.05).The data showed that PCNA protein expression in the 10 -7mol/L ET-1 group(0.686 ± 0.180)significantly increased com-pared with that of the control group(0.437 ± 0.191),and the difference was statistically significant (t＝ -2.840,P＜0.01).Conclusion ET-1 stimulation can lead to the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells and down-regu-late its endogenous NO and H2S pathways.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the differences in the clinical therapeutic effects on perimenopausal syndrome (PMS) between the combined treatment with the transcutaneous electrostimulation at Shuitu (ST 10) and the seed-pressure therapy at the auricular points and the hormone replacement therapy. METHODS: A total of 64 PMS patients were divided into an observation group (30 cases) and a control group (34 cases) according to patient's willingness. In the observation group, the transcutaneous electrostimulation at Shuitu (ST 10) was combined with the seed-pressure therapy at the auricular points. The stimulation intensity at Shuitu (ST 10) was ranged from 15 to 20 mA, for 20 min in each treatment, twice a week. The 8 treatments made one course and 3 courses were required. Additionally, the seed-pressure therapy was used at neifenmi (CO), Shenmen (TF), luanchao, zigong, gan (CO), shen (CO), once a week, retained for 5 days. The 4-week treatment was as one course and a total of 3 courses were required. In the control group, the hormone replacement therapy was applied. On Day 5 of menstruation, progynova was prescribed for oral administration, 1 mg, once a day, continuously for 21 days. On Day 12 in the oral administration of progynova, dydrogesterone was used, 20 mg, once every day, continuously for 10 days. Totally, 3 courses were required. Separately, before treatment and in 1 and 3 months after treatment, Kuppermann score, the sexual hormone levels [follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and estradiol (E)] and the adverse reactions were observed in the patients of the two groups. RESULTS: In 1 and 3 months after treatment, Kuppermann scores were reduced significantly as compared with those before treatment in the two groups (all <0.05). The levels of serum FSH and LH were reduced remarkably as compared with those before treatment in the two groups (all <0.05) and the level of serum E was increased remarkably as compared with that before treatment in the two groups (all <0.05). After treatment, the differences in the above indexes were not significant between the two groups (all >0.05). In the control group, the incidences of the adverse reactions such as vaginal bleeding, bread distending pain and endometrial thickening were higher than those in the observation group [17.6% (6/34) vs 0% (0/30), 20.6% (7/34) vs 3.3% (1/30), 8.8% (3/34) vs 0% (0/30), all <0.05]. CONCLUSION The combined treatment with the transcutaneous electrostimulation at Shuitu (ST 10) and the seed-pressure therapy at the auricular points achieves the similar therapeutic effects on PMS as compared with the hormone replacement therapy. This combined therapy effectively relieves the clinical symptoms and improves the sexual hormone levels. The adverse reactions and the complications are less obviously as compared with the hormone replacement therapy.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture, Ear ; Female ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; Humans ; Luteinizing Hormone ; Perimenopause

Objective: To analyze the correlation between circumcision and incidence and clearance of male genital HPV infection. Methods: From May to July 2014, 18-55 year old men who had sexual behavior history were recruited from the general population in Liuzhou, Guangxi to set up a cohort. Totally, 113 circumcised and 560 uncircumcised men were enrolled and interviewed using a questionnaire (including information on demographic characteristics and sexual behaviors), then they were followed-up with 6-month interval for 2 times. On each visit, specimens of male external genitalia were collected and genotyped for HPV DNA. The differences of incidence and clearance of genital HPV infections between circumcised and uncircumcised men were analyzed by Log-rank test. Cox regression was used to analyze the relationship between circumcision and incidence and clearance of HPV infection. Results: The median age (P₂₅, P₇₅) of circumcised and uncircumcised men were 28 (24, 35) and 32 (24, 31), respectively. The incidences of any HPV infections were 9.1 (95%CI: 2.4-15.7) and 8.4 (95% CI: 5.6-11.2) per 1 000 person-months (χ²=0.10, P=0.758), respectively. The clearance of circumcised men [136.3 (95%CI: 70.0-202.7) per 1 000 person-months] was higher than that in uncircumcised men [89.6 (95%CI: 65.9-113.3) per 1 000 person-months] (χ²=8.19, P=0.004). In multivariate COX regression analysis, compared with uncircumcised men, circumcised men had higher possibility to clear any HPV infections (HR: 2.41, 95%CI: 1.30-4.46). Compared with men having one sexual partner, people having more than 4 sexual partners had lower possibility to clear any HPV infections (HR: 0.49, 95%CI: 0.25-0.96). Compared with 18-25 years old men, men aged 26-35 years old had higher possibility to clear high-risk HPV infections (HR: 2.14, 95%CI: 1.08-4.23). Conclusion Circumcised and uncircumcised men had similar incidence of genital HPV infection, whereas, men conducted circumcision and having fewer sexual partners could increase the clearance of genital HPV infections.

Objective To investigate the association of red cell distribution width (RDW) with prognosis in patients with sepsis. Methods Patients with sepsis admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) of the First Hospital of Soochow University from January 2011 to December 2016 were enrolled. All clinical data were collected for participants, which mainly included basic data, main underlying disease, site of infection, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHE Ⅱ ) score, blood routine test, biochemical test, blood gas analysis, coagulation index, procalcitonin (PCT), hospitalization days, and 28-day and 90-day mortality. Patients were divided into two groups according to whether the RDW levels were higher than the time of admission or not. Kaplan-Meier survival curve was performed to analyze 28-day and 90-day cumulative survival rates in two groups. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was done to find the independent risk factors of death in patients with sepsis. Results 196 septic patients were eligible to participate into this study. 150 patients (53.57%) had higher RDW levels than those at the time of admission. Compared to negative or static change of RDW group, positive change of RDW group had higher APACHE Ⅱ score (20.42±6.29 vs. 16.17±6.37), more percentage of chronic kidney insufficiency (35.24% vs. 19.78%), bloodstream infection (32.38% vs. 15.38%), continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT: 32.38% vs. 16.48%), higher level of C-reactive protein [CRP (mg/L): 14.71±3.52 vs. 11.15±7.94], and higher serum creatinine [SCr (μmol/L): 128.0 (74.0, 263.5) vs. 90.0 (57.0, 145.5)], PCT [μg/L: 3.45 (2.39, 6.64) vs. 2.35 (0.56, 3.54)], and lactic acid [Lac (mmol/L): 3.40±1.72 vs. 2.70±1.61]; and had lower levels of hematocrit (Hct: 0.357±0.128 vs. 0.437±0.143), hemoglobin [Hb (g/L):103.60±22.63 vs. 115.67±28.49], platelets [PLT (×109/L): 133.37±87.29 vs. 191.43±87.65], albumin [Alb (g/L):28.15±5.72 vs. 35.51±5.91], total cholesterol [TC (mmol/L): 2.43±1.12 vs. 3.05±1.55], estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR (mL·min-1·1.73 m-2): 82.02±63.90 vs. 125.46±83.47], and oxygenation index [PaO2/FiO2 (mmHg, 1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa): 229.69±60.61 vs. 264.21±74.78]; and longer time of hospitalization [days: 17.0 (12.0, 21.7) vs. 11.0 (7.0, 18.0)], higher 28-day and 90-day mortality (57.14% vs. 36.26%, 62.86% vs. 47.25%) with statistically significant differences (all P < 0.05). It was shown by Kaplan-Meier survival curve that the 28-day and 90-day cumulative survival rate in positive change of RDW group was significantly lower than that of negative or static change of RDW group (χ 12 = 8.462, χ22 = 6.411, both P < 0.05). It was shown by multivariate Cox regression that high APACHE Ⅱ score [odds ratio (OR) = 1.049, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 1.010-1.090, P = 0.013] and positive change of RDW (OR = 0.517, 95%CI = 0.280-0.953, P = 0.034) were the risk factors of death in patients with sepsis. Conclusions The change of RDW values during hospitalization was related to the poor outcomes in patients with sepsis. The increase of RDW predicts the progress of sepsis and bad prognosis. Serial surveillance of RDW values could provide useful information for long-term prognosis in sepsis.

OBJECTIVE:To explore the role of clinical pharmacists in therapy for patient with interstitial lung disease (ILD) induced by erlotinib. METHODS:Clinical pharmacists participated in the therapy for ILD in a patient receiving erlotinib target treat-ment after thoracic vertebra and lumbar radiation,analyzed the cause of ILD and suggested to stop taking imipenem and cilastatin sodium,fluconazol and erlotinib according to lab indexes and patient’s symptom;took prednisone 30 mg,po,qd,for anti-inflam-mation instead of methylprednisolone;adjusted the dose of prednisone to 40 mg/d,and additionally took Carbocisteine oral solution 10 ml,tid,for improving respiratory symptom;panipenem betamipron 1 g,ivgtt,bid,instead of piperacillin sodium and sulbactam sodium. RESULTS:Physicians adopted the suggestions of clinical pharmacists,and the symptom of anhelation and double pneumo-nia recovered;discharged medication plan was erlotinib 150 mg,po,qd. CONCLUSIONS:The patient with radiation history easily suffers from ILD when using erlotinib,and should use erlotinib carefully in the clinic. Clinical pharmacists participated in drug ther-apy and promote safe and rational use of drugs in the clinic.

Objective To explore the regulation mechanism for miR - 125a - 5P in epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR)signaling pathway in medulloblastoma. Methods The potential targets of miR - 125a - 5P in the EGFR signaling pathway were predicted by TargetScan and Sanger software,there were 3 groups:control group,non -sense group and miR - 125a - 5P group. Their relationship,between miR - 125a - 5P and cyclin - dependent kinase in-hibitor 2B( CDKN2B),E2F transcription factor 3( E2F3),mitogen - activated protein kinase 14( MAPK14)and growth factor receptor - bound protein 10(GRB10),were tested by luciferase experiments. After miR - 125a - 5P oligo-nucleotide was transfected to D341 cells,miR - 125a - 5P level was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Then the thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide assay was used to draw the cell growth curves,and Transwell assay was used to detect cell migration ability. The expression levels of GRB10,EGFR,phosphatidylinositol 3 - kinase(PI3K) and Ras were tested by Western blot method. Results The results of luciferase experimental results showed that GRB10 was the only target gene of miR - 125a - 5P. After miR - 125a - 5P being transfected,the D341 cell prolifera-tion obviously declined markedly. Compared with control group[(38. 16 ± 7. 47)% ]and the non - sense group [(36. 79 ± 8. 94)% ],cell migration rate in the miR - 125a - 5P group was lowest[(13. 59 ± 4. 41)% ],and there was a significant difference among 3 groups(χ2 = 11. 495,P < 0. 05);in the miR - 125a - 5P group,the expression level of EGFR increased 1. 67 times,GRB10,PI3K and Ras levels were reduced to 23% ,61% and 42% . Conclusion miR - 125a - 5P can inhibit tumor growth by silenced GRB10 expression targeting EGFR downstream signaling pathways in medulloblastoma.

Objective To study the difference in pathogenicity and genotype between two isolates of Veronaeae botryosa with different temperature tolerance. Methods Two strains of Veronaeae botryose were isolated from two patients with phaeohyphomycosis in Jiangsu and Henan province respectively. Of them, the Jiangsu strain could grow well at 37 ℃, but Henan strain could not grow at 36 ℃. Eighty mice were equally classified into immunocompetent and immune-suppressed (induced by cyclophosphamide) groups to be inoculated with the two strains of Veronaeae botryosa respectively. Ten mice remained uninoculated and served as the control. The general condition, growth and organic involvement of mice were observed for 4 weeks followed by the killing of surviving mice. Homogenated tissue samples were obtained from liver, spleen, lung, kidney and brain; then, tissue culture, direct microscopy and pathological examination were performed. Genomie DNA was extracted from tissue samples and subjected to random amplified polymor-phic DNA (RAPD) analysis. PCR was performed to amplify the intemal transcribed spacer (ITS) of rDNA followed by sequencing Results Systemic phaeohyphomycosis was induced in both immunocompetent and immune-suppressed mice by the Jiangsu strain of Veronaeae botryose; the mortality was 30% in immune-competent mice and 65% in immune-suppressed mice with statistical significance between the two groups. In immune-suppressed mice inoculated with the Jiangsu strain, the infection rate was 100% in the lung,signifi-cantly higher than in other organs; on direct microscopy the infection rate reached 64.7% in the liver, and 70.5% on tissue culture. There was no significant difference in the infection rate among these organs in immunocompetent mice inoculated with the Jiangsu strain, with the infection rate being 57.8% in the lung and 42.1% in the liver. Increased infection rate was observed in the lung of immune-suppressed mice com-pared with immunocompetent mice (P < 0.05). No definite infection was seen in immunoeompetent or immune-suppressed mice innoculated with the Henan strain. RAPD analysis and sequencing revealed that there was a base variation (A/G) at position 236 of ITS gene between the two strains. Conclusions The two strains of Veronaeae botryosa have different genotypes. Systemic phaeohyphomycosis can be caused in immunocompetent and immuno-suppressed mice by the Veronaeae botryosa isolate from Jiangsu Province; the mortality was higher in immuno-suppressed mice than in immunocompetent mice. The pathogenicity of Veronaeae botryose is associated with the immune status of hosts. In immuno-suppressed mice, lung is the organ most susceptible to infection by Veronaeae botryosa.

Objective To study population frequencies of CD4+,CD154+ T cell subset in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and controls with positive PPD reaction. Methods Flow cytometry was used to detect the CD4+,CD154+ T cell subset, the population frequen-cies in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and controls were compared. Results The expression level of CD154 was higher when PE-la-beled CD154 antibody was added during stimulation period, compared with CD154 labeling after stimulation(1.51±0. 36/0. 40±0. 13, P <0.05). The CD154+ cells were not detectable in fresh isolated CD4+ T cells, but significantly increased after stimulation with specific anti-gens. The population of CD4+, CD154+ T cell subset was significantly reduced in patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis, compared with healthy controls with PPD positive reaction(0. 72±0. 32/1.65±0. 76, P <0. 01). Conclusions The population of CD4± ,CD154± T cell subset was significantly reduced in patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis, which indicated that it may play an important role in the de-velopment of tuberculosis.