[摘 要] 目的：探讨精氨酸-甘氨酸-天冬氨酸（RGD）修饰对肿瘤抑素19肽（T-19）抗肝癌活性的影响，比较分析T-19及RGD修饰的T-19（RGD-T-19）对肝癌SK-Hep-1细胞增殖、侵袭和迁移能力的影响。方法：用Fmoc固相法合成T-19及RGD-T-19，用高效液相色谱仪和质谱进行分离、鉴定。常规培养SK-Hep-1细胞，用0、50、100、150、200、250 mg/mL的T-19及RGD-T-19分别处理细胞，分为0 mg/mL（对照）组、50 mg/mL组、100 mg/mL组、150 mg/mL组、200 mg/mL组、250 mg/mL组。CCK-8法、克隆形成实验、划痕愈合实验和Tanswell小室实验、WB法和qPCR法分别检测SK-Hep-1细胞的增殖、迁移、侵袭能力，以及环氧合酶-2（COX-2）、基质金属蛋白酶-2（MMP-2）、MMP-9、组织基质金属蛋白酶抑制剂-1（TIMP-1）、TIMP-2蛋白和MMP-1、MMP-2 mRNA的表达。结果：经质谱鉴定，用Fmoc固相法合成的T-19及RGD-T-19纯度高。T-19和RGD-T-19均能显著抑制SK-Hep-1细胞的增殖、迁移、侵袭能力，抑制COX-2蛋白、MMP-2和MMP-9蛋白及mRNA的表达、促进TIMP-1、TIMP-2蛋白的表达（P < 0.05, P < 0.01, P < 0.001），RGD-T-19的抑制或促进效应均明显强于T-19（均P < 0.05）。结论：利用Fmoc固相法合成了纯度高、活性好的T-19及RGD-T-19，两种肽均能抑制SK-Hep-1细胞增殖、侵袭和迁移能力，RGD-T-19作用明显强于T-19。

BACKGROUND: To enhance articular cartilage healing, microfractures (Mfx) and bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) are commonly used, and some form of scaffold is often used together to increase its efficacy. Herein, we compared the efficacy of atelocollagen scaffold to that of collagen scaffold when used with Mfx or BMAC on osteochondral defect of animal. METHODS: This experiment was designed in two stages, and therapeutic effects of Mfx and BMAC were respectively evaluated when used with atelocollagen or collagen scaffold. Femoral condyle defects were artificially created in male New Zealand White rabbits, and in each stage, 12 rabbits were randomly allocated into three treatment groups: test group with additional atelocollagen scaffold, the positive control group with collagen scaffold, and the negative control group.Then, for 12 weeks, macroscopic and histological evaluations were performed. RESULTS: At 12 weeks, defects in the test group were fully regenerated with normal cartilage-like tissue, and were well integrated with the surrounding cartilage at both stages experiment, whereas defects in the control groups were not fully filled with regenerated tissue, and the tissue appeared as fibrous tissue. Histologically, the regenerated tissue in the test group showed a statistically significant improvement compared to the positive and negative control groups, achieving a similar structure as normal articular cartilage. CONCLUSION The results showed that implantation of the atelocollagen scaffold enhanced cartilage regeneration following osteochondral defects in rabbits. This suggests that the atelocollagen scaffold can be used with Mfx or BMAC for effective regeneration of osteochondral defects.

Radical gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy has been widely performed as the standard surgery for patients with gastric cancer in major medical centers in China and abroad. However, the exact extent of lymph node dissection is still controversial. In the latest version of the Japanese Gastric Cancer Treatment Guidelines, No. 14v lymph nodes (along the root of the superior mesenteric vein) are again defined as loco-regional lymph nodes, and it is clarified that distal gastric cancer presenting with infra-pyloric regional lymph node (No.6) metastasis is recommended for D2+ superior mesenteric vein (No. 14v) lymph node dissection. To explore the relevance and clinical significance of No.6 and No.14v lymphadenectomy in radical gastric cancer surgery, a review of the national and international literature revealed that No.6 lymph node metastasis was associated with No.14v lymph node metastasis, that No.6 lymph node status was a valid predictor of No.14v lymph node negative status and false negative rate, and that for gastric cancer patients with No. 14v lymph node negative and No.6 lymph node positive, the dissection of No.14v lymph node may also have some significance. The addition of No. 14v lymph node dissection in radical gastrectomy is safe, but it is more important to distinguish the patients who can benefit from it. Professor Liang Han of Tianjin Medical University Cancer Hospital is currently leading a multicenter, large-sample, prospective clinical trial (NCT02272894) in China, which is expected to provide higher level evidence for the clinical significance of lymph node dissection in No.14v.
Humans ; Stomach Neoplasms/pathology* ; Lymphatic Metastasis/pathology* ; Prospective Studies ; Retrospective Studies ; Lymph Nodes/pathology* ; Lymph Node Excision ; Gastrectomy ; Multicenter Studies as Topic

Objective. Chronic cancer pain and depressive symptoms are interrelated in clinical settings. As local data is lacking, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of depressive symptoms among chronic cancer pain patients seen at the Philippine General Hospital - Pain Clinic (PGH-PC).

Methods. In this retrospective, descriptive, cross-sectional study, data were collected from the charts of chronic
cancer pain patients seen at the PGH-PC. The Pain Clinic Self-Report Questionnaire (SRQ) tool was used to assess depressive symptoms. Clinico-demographic data were obtained and analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Results. Of the 129 patients included in the study, 61 had depressive symptoms corresponding to a prevalence of 47.29% (38.72 - 56.01 95% CI). Overall, a more significant number of patients included in the study were female, belonged to age 41-50, were married, attained secondary education, and were unemployed. Demographically, there were no statistically significant differences between chronic cancer pain patients who exhibited depressive symptoms and those who did not. The cancer type showed a statistically significant difference among those cancer patients with or without depressive symptoms (p = 0.016). Breast and gynecologic malignancies comprised more than half of the patients studied. Neither the cancer stage nor the pain scores had a statistically significant difference among those cancer patients with or without symptoms of depression.

Conclusion. Almost 1 in every two chronic cancer pain patients studied had depressive symptoms. Routine screening of patients for depressive symptoms could identify patients and may initiate interventions in this vulnerable population

INTRODUCTION: Dengue continues to be a major health concern in the Philippines. This study aimed to establish trends and correlations between the incidence of dengue and rainfall, humidity and temperature, respectively, in the different regions. METHODS: Using 2018 records obtained from DOH and PAGASA, correlations were made between monthly measurements of climatic factors and the incidence of dengue using Pearson’s r, while maps and interpolations were generated using quantum geographical information system software. RESULTS: There was a significant positive but weak correlation between the incidence of dengue and rainfall (r = 0.379, 95% CI 0.255, 0.491; p < 0.001) and humidity (r = 0.215, 95% CI 0.080, 0.342; p = 0.002). There was a significant negative but weak correlation between the incidence of dengue and temperature (r = -0.145, 95% CI -0.277, -0.008; p = 0.039). A strong positive correlation was noted between the incidence of dengue, and rainfall and humidity, respectively, in several regions. Multiple regression indicates that rainfall, humidity and temperature are poor predictors of the incidence of dengue (R2 = 0.1436, 0.0461 and 0.0209, respectively). CONCLUSION This study showed overall a significant but weak correlation between an increased incidence of dengue and heavy rainfalls and high relative humidity, and a weak negative correlation for temperature. A high positive correlation of an increased incidence of dengue and heavy rainfalls and high relative humidity was observed in several regions.
Dengue ; humidity ; temperature

The sigma-1 receptor (R) is a unique intracellular protein. R plays a major role in various pathological conditions in the central nervous system (CNS), implicated in several neuropsychiatric disorders. Imaging of R in the brain using positron emission tomography (PET) could serve as a noninvasively tool for enhancing the understanding of the disease's pathophysiology. Moreover, R PET tracers can be used for target validation and quantification in diagnosis. Herein, we describe the radiosynthesis, PET/CT imaging of novel R C-labeled radioligands based on 6-hydroxypyridazinone, [C]HCC0923 and [C]HCC0929. Two radioligands have high affinities to R, with good selectivity. In mice PET/CT imaging, both radioligands showed appropriate kinetics and distributions. Additionally, the specific interactions of two radioligands were reduced by compounds and (self-blocking). Of the two, [C]HCC0929 was further investigated in positive ligands blocking studies, using classic R agonist SA 4503 and R antagonist PD 144418. Both R ligands could extensively decreased the uptake of [C]HCC0929 in mice brain. Besides, the biodistribution of major brain regions and organs of mice were determined . These studies demonstrated that two radioligands, especially [C]HCC0929, possessed ideal imaging properties and might be valuable tools for non-invasive quantification of R in brain.

Background: A rise in the number of immunocompromised patients has increased the risk of opportunistic fungal infections. Identifying novel sources of antifungal agents from commonly discarded materials (i.e. potato peelings) can provide a cheaper alternative for antifungal drugs.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine the antifungal activity of crude glycoalkaloid extract from Solanum tuberosum L. (white potato) peelings against opportunistic fungi Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Aspergillus flavus.

Methods: The glycoalkaloid content from dried potato peelings were extracted using ethanol and confirmed using colorimetric tests.The extract had a concentration 833.33 microgram/mL. Determination of the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the extract via two-fold broth dilution was performed for the five fungi with amphotericin B and fluconazole as the reference antifungal drugs.

Results: MICs of the crude extract for C. albicans, C. glabrata, A. fumigatus, and A. niger were not found within the concentration range of the studies and would thus need further experiments using a broader range of glycoalkaloid concentrations. The extract was found to have a MIC of 104.17microgram/mL for A. flavus, thereby verifying the antifungal effect of glycoalkaloid against A. flavus at said concentration.

Conclusion: Glycoalkaloids from Solanum tuberosum are a potential source of antifungals against certain opportunistic fungi.

Objective: To evaluate the association of educational level with anthropometric measurements at different adult stages and their long-term changes in adults who participated in the second re-survey of China Kadoorie Biobank (CKB). Methods: The present study excluded participants who were aged >65 years, with incomplete or extreme measurement values, or with major chronic diseases at baseline survey or re-survey. The weight at age 25 years was self-reported. Body height, body weight and waist circumference at baseline survey (2004-2008) and re-survey (2013-2014) were analyzed. Results: The present study included 3 427 men and 6 320 women. Both body weight and waist circumference (WC) increased with age. From age 25 years to baseline survey (mean age 45.2±6.5), the mean weight change per 5-year was (1.70±2.63) kg for men and (1.27±2.10) kg for women. From baseline survey to re-survey (53.2±6.5), the mean changes per 5-year for body weight were (1.12±2.61) kg for men and (0.90±2.54) kg for women; and that for WC was (3.20±3.79) cm for men and (3.83±3.85) cm for women. Among women, low educational level was consistently associated with higher body mass index (BMI) and WC at age 25 years, baseline survey and re-survey. Among men, low educational level was associated with higher BMI at age 25 years. At baseline survey and re-survey, the educational level in men was not statistically associated with BMI; but men who completed junior or senior high school showed slight higher WC and increase of WC from baseline survey to re-survey than other male participants. Conclusions: Body weight and WC increased with age for both men and women. The associations of educational level with BMI and WC were different between men and women.
Adult ; Asian People/statistics & numerical data* ; Body Height ; Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; China/epidemiology* ; Educational Status ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Obesity/ethnology* ; Risk Factors ; Sex Distribution ; Waist Circumference/ethnology*

Objective: This study aimed to understand the herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2) infection and related factors among female drug abusers in the women's compulsory drug rehabilitation center of Shandong province and to provide reference for the prevention and control of HSV-2 in these settings. Methods: We screened all of 451 female drug abusers in the women's compulsory drug rehabilitation centers in of Shandong province and conducted a study using both questionnaire investigation and serological tests for HSV-2, HIV and syphilis. We also used EpiData 3.1 software to establish a database and SPSS 20.0 software to conduct the χ(2) test and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: A total of 451 female drug abusers were under study. We noticed that the rates for HSV-2 infection, HIV infection and syphilis infection appeared as 72.1% (325/451), 2.2% (10/451) and 33.5% (151/451) respectively. Results from univariate analysis showed that factors as: awareness on AIDS, having temporary sex partner after using the drug, having multiple sex partners after using the drug, providing commercial services or having temporary sex practice before being detained, with syphilis infection etc., were associated with HSV-2 infection. Data from the multivariate analysis showed that the OR (95%CI) value of HSV-2 infection was 2.90 (1.19-7.06) for those who providing commercial service, when comparing to those who did not. Compared to those who did not suffer from syphilis infection, the OR (95%CI) value of HSV-2 infection for those with syphilis infection was 2.75 (1.63-4.63). Conclusions: The rate of HSV-2 infection was high in the women's compulsory drug rehabilitation center of Shandong province. We should enhance measures and promote condom use to prevent from HSV-2 and other sexually transmitted diseases among them.
Drug Users ; Female ; HIV Infections/epidemiology* ; Herpes Genitalis/epidemiology* ; Herpes Simplex/epidemiology* ; Herpesvirus 2, Human/isolation & purification* ; Humans ; Opiate Substitution Treatment ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Serologic Tests/methods* ; Sexual Behavior ; Sexual Partners ; Substance Abuse Treatment Centers ; Substance-Related Disorders/rehabilitation* ; Syphilis/epidemiology*