Background The thyroid gland is one of the organs sensitive to ionizing radiation, and there are few studies on the effects of long-term exposure to low doses of ionizing radiation on the thyroid gland of radiation workers. Objective To investigate thyroid abnormalities in workers in medical radiology departments in Guangdong Province and to identify potential influencing factors of thyroid abnormalities. Methods A total of 1657 radiation workers from 48 hospitals in Guangdong Province were selected as survey subjects using convenience sampling, and their personal dose monitoring results and health examination information were retrospectively analyzed to determine the factors affecting thyroid abnormalities. Results The M (P₂₅, P₇₅) of thyroid absorbed dose (D_T) was 1.55 (0.65, 3.96) mGy in the 1657 investigated workers. The attribute-specific medians of D_T were 1.29, 1.38, 1.99, and 3.51 mGy for departments of diagnostic radiology, interventional radiology, radiotherapy, and nuclear medicine, respectively; and 1.10, 1.55, and 1.80 mGy for job titles of nurse, technician, and physician, respectively. Differences in D_T by gender, age, years of radiological work, age of radiation exposure onset, occupational category, and job title were statistically significant (Z=−6.35, H=708.52, 918.20, 31.19, 95.64, 39.28, P<0.05). The positive rate of thyroid abnormalities in investigated workers was 46.53% (771/1657). Among them, the positive rate of abnormal thyroid function was 22.87% (379/1657), that of abnormal thyroid morphology was 33.98% (563/1657), and that of thyroid nodule was 26.55% (440/1657). The differences in thyroid abnormality rates by gender, age, years of radiation work, age of radiation exposure onset, D_T, and job title of radiation workers were statistically significant (χ²=51.89, 49.64, 20.54, 18.29, 12.07, 16.16, P<0.05). The differences in abnormal thyroid function positive rate by gender, age of radiation exposure onset, and job title were statistically significant (χ²=26.21, 6.21, 8.32, P<0.05). The differences in the positive rates of abnormal thyroid morphology and nodules were statistically significant by gender, age, years of radiological work, age of radiation exposure onset, D_T, and job title (abnormal thyroid morphology, χ²=40.24, 64.17, 37.63, 15.17, 19.28, 15.05; nodules, χ²=31.41, 77.98, 42.11, 19.16, 21.70, 13.52, P<0.05). The positive rates of thyroid abnormality, thyroid morphology abnormality, and nodules all showed a linear increasing trend with increasing age, years of radiation work, and age of radiation exposure onset (P<0.05). The results of logistic regression analysis indicated that the factors influencing thyroid abnormalities were female (OR=2.17, 95%CI: 1.72-2.74), increased years of radiological work (OR=1.04, 95%CI: 1.03-1.06), onset of radiation exposure in age groups of 30-34 and ≥35 years (OR=1.63, 95%CI: 1.12-2.37; OR=2.58, 95%CI: 1.74-3.29), and working in department of diagnostic radiology (OR=1.40, 95%CI: 1.07-1.84). Conclusion Long-term exposure to low doses of ionizing radiation has an effect on thyroid abnormalities in medical radiation workers. Among them, being female, physicians, and working in department of diagnostic radiology are at a higher risk of abnormal thyroid function; being female, increased years of radiation work, and radiation exposure onset at age ≥30 years are associated with a higher risk of reporting abnormal thyroid morphology.

Objective:To investigate the exposure level of ionizing radiation in medical radiation workers in Guangdong province, as well as their abnormality in the lens of the eye, and to analyze associated influence factors.Methods:In this study, 1 501 radiation workers from 60 hospitals were selected by using convenient sampling method for retrospecotive analysis of absorbed doses ( DL) to the lens of the eye, health examination information and the relevant influence factors. Results:The median value M and the 25 th and 75 th percentile values ( P25, P75)of the distribution of absorbed doses were 4.86, 2.99 and 7.90 mGy, respectively. The median values for male and female were 5.14 and 3.94 mGy, respectively. The median values for the Levels I, Ⅱ and Ⅲ medical institutions were 2.95, 3.51 and 5.06 mGy, respectively. The median values were radiotherapy 4.05 mGy, radiodiagnosis 4.84 mGy, interventional radiology 5.39 mGy and nuclear medicine 6.71 mGy, as well as nurses 3.48 mGy, physicians 5.03 mGy and technologists 5.03 mGy, respectively. There were statistically significant differences in dose distribution for different gender, age, length of radiation service, age at the beginning of radiation exposure, level of medical institution, occupational category and post ( Z=-6.72, H=389.64, 511.17, 70.29, 53.29, 49.06, 39.89, P<0.05). The detectable rate for increased cortical density of lens was 22.45% (337/1 501) and for lens turbidity was 8.19% (123/1 501). The detectable rate of increased cortical density showed a linear increasing trend with the increase in age, age of radiation service, age at the beginning of exposure to radiation, level of medical institution and dose ( χ2=366.36, 313.77, 15.18, 21.61, 92.13, P<0.05). The detectable rate of lens opacity increased linearly with the increase in age, length of radiation service, level of medical institution and dose( χ2=69.64, 67.65, 67.65, 37.37, P<0.05), and decreased linearly with the increase in age at the beginning of radiation exposure ( χ2=4.25, P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that age was the influencing factor of increased cortical density ( χ2=165.98, P<0.05), and the risk of cortical densification increased with age ( OR=1.33, 95% CI: 1.27-1.39). Age, length of radiation service and occupation were the influencing factors of lens opacity ( χ2=25.78, 4.99, 6.88, P<0.05). The risk of lens opacity increased with age ( OR=1.17, 95% CI: 1.10-1.24). The risk of lens opacity increased with age of radiation service ( OR=1.06, 95% CI: 1.01-1.12). The risk of ocular opacity was higher in interventional radiology than that in diagnostic radiology, radiotherapy and nuclear medicine ( OR=2.59, 95% CI: 1.27-5.25). Conclusions:Long-term exposure to low dose ionizing radiation has a certain correlation with the abnormal lens detectable rate of medical radiation workers. Age, length of radiation service and occupation are the influencing factors of lens opacity.

Objective To investigate the effect of Osthole on memory function of sleep deprivation(SD) mice. Methods Forty-eight male mice were randomly divided into 4 groups;normal control group(NC group ), large platform control group(TC group),sleep deprivation group(M group)and Osthole group(Ost group). The model of SD in mice was estabished by using improved multi platform method. The ability of learning and memory was tested by using Morris water maze test and pathological changes of hippocampal neurons in mice were observed by HE staining. The serum,hippcampus malondialdehyde(MDA)contents and superoxide dismutase(SOD)activity, so as the hippocampus No content,were detected. Results Compared with NC group and TC group,the escape la-tency of M group increased significiantly and the number of crossing platform decreased significantly. There were in-creased levels hippocampus tissue,serum MDA level,hippocampal SOD activity and NO content. After supplemen-tation of Osthole,the escape latency significantly shortened in mice. The number of crossing platform was increased while the contents of MDA both in hippocampus and serum were decreased,and the SOD activity in hippocampus re-turned to normal. However,the level of NO in hippocampus was not decreased. Conclusion Osthole can protect the memory function of SD mice by reducing the the damage of hippocampal neurons through antioxidant stress.

The vegetative state is a complex condition with unclear mechanisms and limited diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic methods. In this study, we aimed to explore the proteomic profile of tears from patients in a traumatic vegetative state and identify potential diagnostic markers using tears-a body fluid that can be collected non-invasively. Using iTRAQ quantitative proteomic technology, in the discovery phase, tear samples collected from 16 patients in a traumatic vegetative state and 16 normal individuals were analyzed. Among 1080 identified tear proteins, 57 were upregulated and 15 were downregulated in the patients compared to the controls. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that the differentially-expressed proteins were mainly involved in the wound response and immune response signaling pathways. Furthermore, we verified the levels of 7 differentially-expressed proteins in tears from 50 traumatic vegetative state patients and 50 normal controls (including the samples used in the discovery phase) using ELISA. The results showed that this 7-protein panel had a high discrimination ability for traumatic vegetative state (area under the curve = 0.999). In summary, the altered tear proteomic profile identified in this study provides a basis for potential tear protein markers for diagnosis and prognosis of the traumatic vegetative state and also provides novel insights into the mechanisms of traumatic vegetative state.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Biomarkers ; metabolism ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Eye Proteins ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mass Spectrometry ; Middle Aged ; Persistent Vegetative State ; metabolism ; Proteome ; Proteomics ; ROC Curve ; Tears ; metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the growth arrest and DNA damage gene 45( GADD45) mRNA expression in peripheral blood of radiation workers,and its relationship with exposure dose. METHODS: Using a typical sampling method,97 radiation workers from a hospital of Guangdong were selected as radiation group,48 hospital administrative staff without exposure to radiation and other occupational hazard factors were selected as control group. The real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to detect GADD45 mRNA expression of two groups. With the use of thermoluminescence dosimetry,we detected and collected personal dose data of radiation group over the past year. RESULTS: The GADD45 mRNA relative expression of the radiation group was higher than that of the control group( P < 0. 01).There was no correlation between GADD45 mRNA relative expression and factors such as personal dose,sex,age,length of service,smoking,and alcohol drinking( P > 0. 05). CONCLUSION: The ionizing radiation can lead to up-regulation of GADD45 mRNA expression in peripheral blood of radiation workers,but there was no linear relationship between GADD45 mRNA expression and its personal dose.

Objective To observe the changes of mRNA expression related to kidney yang deficiency and the ul-trastructure of hypothalamus in Lewis rats, and further study the constitution of kidney yang deficiency in Lewis rats.Meth-ods Ten 7-8-week old SPF male Lewis rats and twenty 7-8-week old SPF male Wistar rats were used in this study.The rats received subcutaneous injection of hydrocortisone to establish kidney yang deficiency model.The expressions of TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-10, CRH, MR and GR mRNA in the hypothalamus of the two groups were detected and the ultrastructural changes of hypothalamus and adrenal gland were observed to compare the differences between the two groups, and to ex-plore the mechanism of kidney yang deficiency constitution in the Lewis rats.Results Compared with the normal Wistar rats, the expressions of GR and IL-2 mRNA in the hypothalamus were significantly increased ( P<0.01 ) , while the ex-pressions of CRH, TNF-α, IFN-γand IL-10 mRNA were significantly decreased in the Lewis rats (P<0.01).The zona fasciculata of the adrenal cortex was slightly thinner, the mitochondria were slightly swollen and the amount of mitochondria was decreased.The nuclei of hypothalamic neurons were larger, and the mitochondria, neuron synapses and secretory vesi-cles in the presynaptic neurons were decreased.Conclusions There are abnormal expression of immune-related cytokines and CRH mRNA, and ultrastructural changes in the hypothalamus and adrenal gland of Lewis rats with kidney yang defi-ciency.Such changes may be related to the functional imbalance of the hypothalamus-pituitury-adrenal axis.

Background and purpose:Differentiation of tumor tissue is an important factor on determining the prognosis of gastric cancer. This study aimed to investigate the expression levels and clinical signiifcance of gender determining region Y-box 2 (SOX2) gene and octamer binding factor 4 (OCT4) gene in gastric cancer tissues varying different differentiation degrees. Methods: Sixty cases with gastric cancer were recruited in this study. The gastric cancer tissues and corresponding normal mucosa of the 60 cases were obtained. The mRNA and protein level of SOX2, OCT4 gene are evaluated by the quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), Western blot and immunohistochemistry, respectively. The relationship between the expression levels of SOX2, OCT4 gene and clinical pathological parameters were also analyzed in this study. Results:The expression of SOX2 in both mRNA and protein levels had no signiifcant difference between the well-differentiated gastric cancer tissues and normal gastric mucosa (mRNA levels:t=0.1033, P>0.05;protein levels:t=0.116, P>0.05). However, both the mRNA and protein expression of SOX2 in patients with well-differentiated gastric cancer tissues were signiifcant higher than not only in patients with moderately differentiated gastric carcinoma (mRNA levels: t=12.48, P<0.05; protein levels: t=22.78, P<0.05) but also in patients with than poorly differentiated gastric carcinoma (mRNA levels:t=17.56, P<0.05;protein levels:t=30.00, P<0.05). In contrast to SOX2, both the mRNA and protein expression of OCT4 in patients with well-differentiated gastric cancer tissues were signiifcant lower than not only in patients with moderately differentiated gastric carcinoma (mRNA levels:t=13.23, P<0.05; protein levels: t=25.56, P<0.05) but also in patients with poorly differentiated gastric carcinoma (mRNA levels: t=12.10, P<0.05; protein levels: t=69.48, P<0.05). There was no significance of OCT4 mRNA and protein expression between the well-differentiated gastric cancer tissues and normal gastric mucosa (mRNA levels:t=2.436, P>0.05;protein levels:t=1.064, P>0.05). Immunohistochemical study demonstrated that the positive rate of SOX2 in patients with well-differentiated gastric cancer tissues (10/21) were higher than in patients with not only moderately differentiated gastric carcinoma (7/20) but also poorly differentiated gastric carcinoma (2/19, P<0.05), while the positive rate of OCT4 in cases with well-differentiated gastric cancer tissues (2/21) were lower than in cases with not only moderately differentiated gastric carcinoma (6/20) but also the poorly differentiated gastric carcinoma (12/19, P<0.05). There was no correlation between the expression of SOX2, OCT4 in gastric cancer and gender or age (P>0.05). Nevertheless, the expression of SOX2, OCT4 were positive or negative correlated with the pathological staging, the degree of inifltration and lymph node metastasis (P<0.05). Conclusion:Decreased SOX2 expression and increased expression level of OCT4 can promote the formation, development and invasion of gastric cancer and they may become biomarkers or the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis evaluation in gastric carcinoma.

Objce tive To investigate the effect and significance of down-regulation of Oct4 gene on biological characteristics of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer stem cells.Methods Breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 cells were used in this study.Breast cancer stem cells were isolated and enriched by serum-free culture.The obtained stem cells were identified through calculating the percentages of CD44 and CD24 stem cells by FACS and evaluating the paclitaxel resistance in vitro and tumorigenicity in mice.RT-PCR, real-time PCR (qPCR) and Western blot were used to detect Oct4 expression.RNA interference was applied to induce Oct4 down-regulation.The interference experiment set up a control group ( no siRNA transfection) , negative control group ( negative siRNA group,transfection of siRNA sequences without any interfering effect on the cells) and Oct4 siRNA group ( transfection of siRNA with interfering effect on the Oct4 gene) .Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium ( MTT ) and Transwell chamber tests were conducted to detect the proliferation and invasion ability of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer stem cells after Oct4 knock-down, and paclitaxel inhibition test was applied to evaluate drug resistance of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer stem cells after Oct4 knock-down. Resulst MDA-MB-231 breast cancer stem cells grew as spheres cultured in serum-free suspension.MDA-MB-231 breast cancer stem cells showed a higher percentage of CD44+C/D24 -/low cells (97.2%) than that in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells ( 76.6%) ( P<0.05) .The tumor size in mice inoculated with MDA-MB-231 breast cancer stem cells was (124.60±13.65)mm3, significantly larger than that of mice inoculated with breast cancer cells (68.20±9.99 mm3) (P=0.0007).MDA-MB-231 breast cancer stem cells were less sensitive to paclitaxel inhibition than MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells showing by 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) [(4.40±0.48) μg/ml vs.(8.20±0.34) μg/ml, P<0.05].However, the expression of transcriptional factors Oct4 was higher in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer stem cells than that in breast cancer cells (P<0.05).The proliferation potential of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer stem cells with Oct4 siRNA interference was significantly lower than that in the negative siRNA and control groups ( P<0.05) from the third day.The invasion ability of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer stem cells with Oct4 siRNA interference was obviously reduced than that in the control and negative siRNA groups shown by number of penetrated cells [(46.52±2.58) vs.(79.67±3.85) and (77.29±2.13), P<0.05 for both].As for resistance to paclitaxel, IC50 of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer stem cells with Oct4siRNA interference was significantly decreased [(4.48±0.22) μg/ml] compared with that in the control [(7.99±0.59) μg/ml] and negative siRNA group [(8.10±0.68) μg/ml] (P<0.05 for both).Conclusions MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells are successfully obtained by serum-free culture. The proliferation potential, invasion ability and drug resistance of breast cancer stem cells were down-regulated by Oct4 gene knock-down.

Objce tive To investigate the effect and significance of down-regulation of Oct4 gene on biological characteristics of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer stem cells.Methods Breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 cells were used in this study.Breast cancer stem cells were isolated and enriched by serum-free culture.The obtained stem cells were identified through calculating the percentages of CD44 and CD24 stem cells by FACS and evaluating the paclitaxel resistance in vitro and tumorigenicity in mice.RT-PCR, real-time PCR (qPCR) and Western blot were used to detect Oct4 expression.RNA interference was applied to induce Oct4 down-regulation.The interference experiment set up a control group ( no siRNA transfection) , negative control group ( negative siRNA group,transfection of siRNA sequences without any interfering effect on the cells) and Oct4 siRNA group ( transfection of siRNA with interfering effect on the Oct4 gene) .Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium ( MTT ) and Transwell chamber tests were conducted to detect the proliferation and invasion ability of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer stem cells after Oct4 knock-down, and paclitaxel inhibition test was applied to evaluate drug resistance of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer stem cells after Oct4 knock-down. Resulst MDA-MB-231 breast cancer stem cells grew as spheres cultured in serum-free suspension.MDA-MB-231 breast cancer stem cells showed a higher percentage of CD44+C/D24 -/low cells (97.2%) than that in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells ( 76.6%) ( P<0.05) .The tumor size in mice inoculated with MDA-MB-231 breast cancer stem cells was (124.60±13.65)mm3, significantly larger than that of mice inoculated with breast cancer cells (68.20±9.99 mm3) (P=0.0007).MDA-MB-231 breast cancer stem cells were less sensitive to paclitaxel inhibition than MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells showing by 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) [(4.40±0.48) μg/ml vs.(8.20±0.34) μg/ml, P<0.05].However, the expression of transcriptional factors Oct4 was higher in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer stem cells than that in breast cancer cells (P<0.05).The proliferation potential of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer stem cells with Oct4 siRNA interference was significantly lower than that in the negative siRNA and control groups ( P<0.05) from the third day.The invasion ability of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer stem cells with Oct4 siRNA interference was obviously reduced than that in the control and negative siRNA groups shown by number of penetrated cells [(46.52±2.58) vs.(79.67±3.85) and (77.29±2.13), P<0.05 for both].As for resistance to paclitaxel, IC50 of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer stem cells with Oct4siRNA interference was significantly decreased [(4.48±0.22) μg/ml] compared with that in the control [(7.99±0.59) μg/ml] and negative siRNA group [(8.10±0.68) μg/ml] (P<0.05 for both).Conclusions MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells are successfully obtained by serum-free culture. The proliferation potential, invasion ability and drug resistance of breast cancer stem cells were down-regulated by Oct4 gene knock-down.

Objective To discuss fluvastatin intervention on ventricular remodeling and plasma brain natri-uretic peptide( BNP) levels in dilated cardiomyopathy( DCM) .Methods 64 cases of DCM patients were selected and randomly divided into the intervention group and control group,each group in 32 cases.Both groups were treated with conventional drug therapy, including angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors,β-blockers, diuretics, etc.In conven-tional drug treatment intervention group based on the use of fluvastatin 40mg/d.Intervention in both groups before and 6 months after the intervention,plasma BNP levels were examined and ventricular remodeling indicators,analyzed and compared using Pearson Univariate correlation of each index.Results The total efficiency of the intervention group was higher than that of the control group(87.51%vs 65.63%,χ2 =4.730,P<0.05);6 months after the interven-tion groups,plasma BNP levels were significantly decreased left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),left ventricular end systolic diameter(LVESD),left ventricular end-diastolic diameter(LVEDD) and relative wall thickness(RWT) were significantly improvements.BNP levels and LVEF and RWT was negatively correlated( r=-0.45,-0.39,all P<0.05);Positively correlated with LVESD and LVEDD showed(r=0.35,0.44,all P<0.05),the difference was statistically significant.Conclusion Fluvastatin intervention can significantly reduce plasma BNP levels in DCM and improve ventricular remodeling.