The purpose of this study was to identify the tick species native to Xindi Township,Yumin County,Xinjiang,China.Preliminary morphological identification of parasitic ticks collected from animals in the area was conducted with an ultra-depth of field three-dimensional VHX 600 digital stereo microscope.Total DNA of the ticks was extracted,amplified by PCR based on the COI and ITS2 gene loci,and the posi-tive PCR products were sequenced.The sequence were a-ligned with reference sequences from the NCBI database were aligned with the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool.A genet-ic phylogenetic tree was generated with the neighbor-joining method of MEGA 7.0 software to determine the evolutionary biological characteristics of ticks.Morphological identification showed that the ticks collected from Xindi Township of Yu-min County were consistent with the characteristics of Hya-lomma asiaticum.An evolutionary tree based on the COI and ITS2 gene sequences showed that the ticks collected in this study were clustered with known H.asiaticum sequences.The PCR products of COI and ITS2 were sequenced and compared,which confirmed that the collected tick species were H.asiaticum,in agreement with the morphological and molecular biological results.These findings help to clarify the distribution of ticks in Xindi Township of Xinjiang,and provide basic data for the analysis of tick genetic and evolutionary characteristics,as reference for surveillance and control of ticks in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of albumin-bound paclitaxel in the treatment of advanced malignant tumors. Methods: Patients in advanced stage of cancer who had had drug-resistant relapse after receiving multiple-line treatment received chemotherapy with albumin-bound paclitaxel from May 2016 to April 2018 in Daxing Hospital of Capital Medical University. Their clinical data were collected to evaluate the treatment efficacy and safety profile. Results: 36 patients who had advanced treatment-resistent tumors with evaluable data were enrolled. Of 36 patients, 55.56% (20) had previously received chemotherapy with paclitaxel. The objective response rate (ORR) was 8.33%, the disease control rate (DCR) was 25.0%, the median progression free survival (PFS) was 106 days, and the median overall survival (OS) was 183 days. The main adverse reactions of grade 3-4 were hematological toxicity, including neutropenia [36.11% (13/36)], anemia and thrombocytopenia [5.56% (2/36) and 16.67% (6/36)] in patients without neutropenia fever. Adverse effects of 3-4 degrees related to non-hematologic toxicity were not observed. Conclusions Chemotherapy regimen with albumin-bound paclitaxel has certain efficacy for advanced malignant tumors resistant to multiple lines of therapy and the adverse effects could be generally tolerated.

Objective To investigate relationship of platelet (PLT) count with clinicopathological features and prognosis of patients with breast cancer,and explore the susceptibility index to evaluate prognosis of patients with breast cancer.Methods A retrospective analysis of clinical data of 498 patients with breast cancer in January 1995 to December 2005 was carried out.PLT count was tested.Those patients were divided into group A (PLT ＜ 150 × 109/L),group B[(150-250) × 109/L],and group C (PLT ＞ 250 × 109/L) according to PLT count level.The relationship of platelet count with clinicopathological features was analyzed.Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards model were used for univariate analysis and multivariate analysis of PLT impact on survival time.Results There was positively correlated between PLT count and clinicopathological features (Pearson coefficient ＞ 0,P ＜ 0.05).There was negative correlated between PLT count and survival time (Pearson coefficient =-O.583,P ＜ 0.05).The survival time of groups A,B and C were significantly different (P =0.018).Cox proportional hazards model multi-factor analysis showed that PLT count was an independent factors affecting survival time (OR =2.256,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Patients with breast cancer associated with increased emphasis and PLT count.PLT count had negative correlation with survival time.PLT count could be a susceptible index to predict the prognosis of patients with breast cancer.

Objective To explore the feasibility,safety and efficacy of laparoscopy assisted ultrasound guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) beneath the diaphragm.Methods Twentythree consecutive patients with solitary HCC beneath the diaphragm were treated by laparoscopy assisted ultrasound guided RFA in the Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2013 to March 2016.We observed the p erioperative complications and followedup long-term effect.Results All the 23 patients successfully underwent laparoscopy assisted ultrasound guided radiofrequency ablation.No serious complications such as massive hemorrhage,biliary fistula and severe pleural effusion,hemopneumothorax occurred in the patients during perioperative period.CT examination 2-3 days after the operation revealed that the tumor was completely covered by the ablation area.Besides,the survival condition was satisfactory during follow-up period of 9-38 months.Conclusion Laparoscopy-assisted ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation is effective and safe for HCC beneath the diaphragm.

Objective: To investigate the role of neutrophil elastase inhibitor, sivelestat, in preventing and treating nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and its underling mechanisms. Methods: A total of forty 4-week-old male C57BL/6J ApoE-/-mice were equally divided into the following four groups: standard chow (SC)+isotonic saline; SC+sivelestat; high-fat, high-cholesterol (HFHC) diet+isotonic saline; and HFHC+sivelestat. These mice were treated with above methods for 12 weeks. Blood and liver tissue samples were collected to measure biochemical parameters, hepatic steatosis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) activity score (inflammation) were evaluated by oil red O staining and HE staining, respectively. The mRNA and protein expression levels of hepatic inflammatory cytokines, CD68, and F4/80 were determined by quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Comparison of means between the four groups was made by one-way analysis of variance, and comparison between any two groups was made by the LSD or SNK method (for data with homogeneity of variance) or the Tamhane or Dunnett method (for data with heterogeneity of variance). Results: Mice fed with an HFHC diet for 12 weeks developed typical pathological features of NASH compared with those fed with SC. Compared with mice fed with HFHC diet without sivelestat, those treated with HFHC and sivelestat exhibited the following features: (1) significantly reduced fast blood glucose, blood cholesterol, and hepatic biochemical parameters, as well as increased insulin sensitivity; (2) significantly reduced NAFLD activity score (5.71±1.11 vs 3.16±1.16, P < 0.05); (3) reduced monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and tumor necrosis factor -α; (4) significantly reduced mRNA levels of CD68 and F4/80; and (5) reduced expression of CD68 in the liver. Conclusion Sivelestat alleviates the hepatic steatosis and inflammation of NASH in mice by inhibiting the activation of Kupffer cells.

BACKGROUND: The stress distribution is different between implants and natural teeth, and the biomechanical characters of implant-natural tooth supported fixed partial dentures need to be explored.OBJECTIVE: To analyze the distributions of stress and strain on the implant interface and natural tooth ligaments by loading a vertical force to a single implant crown, natural tooth crown and a implant-natural tooth supported fixed partial denture.METHODS: Two male healthy Beagle dogs were selected, and their right mandibular first molars were exacted under general anesthesia. Three months later, a 3.3 mm×10 mm RN ITI implant was implanted into the defect region of each dog. The dogs were killed under anesthesia after another 3 months to remove the mandible. One dog was restored by a single implant and natural tooth crown, and the other was restored by the implant-natural tooth supported fixed partial dentures. The specimens were fixed to the load device after embedded with self caring acrylic resin, and the strain gauges were pasted to the cortical bone around the implant and natural tooth neck. The vertical force was loaded to the implant, natural tooth and fixed denture with 40, 60, 80,120, and 160 N.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: When the force was loaded to the implant of combined denture, the implant stress of combined denture was less than that of the single implant repair, and partial force was loaded on natural teeth; when the force was loaded to the natural tooth of combined denture, the stress to the natural tooth of combined denture was less than that of the single natural tooth repair. When the force was loaded to the natural tooth of combined denture, the stress was assumed by the whole prostheses. However, the stress was almost assumed by the implant when the force was loaded to the implant of combined denture. That is to say, it is feasible to use the implant-natural tooth supported fixed partial dentures.

This work was designed to investigate proteins differentially expressed in cultivated Pseudostellaria heterophylla and its wild type using iTRAQ proteomics approach. The extracted proteins were digested using FASP method and identified by iTRAQ coupled with LC-MS/MS technology and then analyzed by Protein Pilot 5.0 search engine. Proteins differentially expressed were searched through comparison of relatively quantified proteins. The analysis was conducted using GO (gene ontology), KEGG and STRING. A total of 3 775 proteins were detected, among them, 3 676 proteins can be quantified, of which 127 proteins were up-regulated and 205 were down-regulated in cultivated Pseudostellaria heterophylla. We found 71 significantly differentially expressed proteins for further analysis. These proteins were classified into nine categories:heat shock proteins, transferases, oxidoreductases, lyases, isomerases, ligases, hydrolases, tubulin and translocases. The results indicated that the carbohydrate and cellular amino acids metabolism of cultivated Pseudostellaria heterophylla were weaker than its wild type and its ability of responding to stress was much stronger. GWD1, PHS1, GBE1, PGM, and BAM1 are the important proteins to regulate sucrose; metE and CYS are the key proteins that regulate amino acids in cultivated and wild Pseudostellaria heterophylla. This will provide the basic information for exploring the cause of secondary metabolites differences in different ecotype of Pseudostellaria heterophylla and the protein mechanism of its quality formation.

Objective To investigate the optimal dose of oxycodone for severe pain in cancer patients so as to try to alleviate the suffering rapidly.Methods Totally 135 cases with severe pain in terminal cancer patients were randomly divided into groups A,B,and C,45 cases in each group.Groups A,B,and C were treated with oxycodone hydrochloride sustained-release tablets 20 ～ 140 mg/d,150 ～ 290 mg/d,300 ～ 640 mg/d,respectively.Pain relief and incidence of adverse reactions were evaluated 2 weeks later.Results Pain intensity scores (numerical rating scale,NRS) in 3 groups dropped with statistical difference (P ＜ 0.05).Pain relief rates in groups B and C were statistically significant compared to group A (P ＜ 0.05).Quality of life score (appetite,mental status,sleep,daily activities,and interpersonal life) in group C had statistical significance compared to groups A and B (P ＜ 0.05).Group C had slightly higher incidence of adverse reactions than that of groups A and B without significant difference (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions Large dose and extra large dose of oxycodone hydrochloride sustained-release tablets can effectively relieve severe pain in advanced cancer patients.Extra large dosage can improve patient's quality of life in spite of the higher incidence of adverse reactions,and patients can still be tolerated well.

Gynandromorphic ticks are extremely rare, and often attract parasitologists' attention. During our examination of tick specimens, an engorged gynandromorph of Hyalomma asiaticum was noticed. This is the first record of gynandromorphic ticks from China. In this study, several important morphological structures of normal and gynandromorphic H. asiaticum were analyzed. Comparing to the normal H. asiaticum, the gynandromorphic specimen was a typical bipartite protogynander. Its right side showed normal female characteristics, whereas the left side had normal male traits. Different from other gynandromorphic ticks containing 1 anus, this tick reported here had 2 complete anuses, and the anus of the male part had a single adanal plate.
Animals ; Chimera/*anatomy & histology/genetics ; China ; Female ; Ixodidae/*anatomy & histology/genetics ; Male ; Sheep ; Sheep Diseases/*parasitology ; Tick Infestations/parasitology/*veterinary

OBJECTIVETo investigate the efficacy and adverse effects of dapoxetine in the treatment of premature ejaculation.

METHODSWe randomly assigned outpatients with premature ejaculation in the proportion of 2:1 to receive 30 mg dapoxetine on demand (n =78) or 50 mg sertraline qd for one month (n = 39). Follow-up was accomplished in 95 cases, 63 in the dapoxetine group and 32 in the sertraline group. We recorded the intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (IELT), clinical global impression of change (CGIC) score, and adverse reactions of the patients and compared them between the two groups.

RESULTSIELT was significantly increased in both the dapoxetine (from [0.87 ± 0.31] to [2.84 ± 0.68] min, P < 0.05) and the sertraline group (from [0.84 ± 0.28] to [2.71 ± 0.92] min, P < 0.05) after medication. Based on the CGIC scores in premature ejaculation, the rate of excellence or effectiveness was 36.5% in the dapoxetine and 37. 5% in the sertraline group, and the rate of improvement was 63.5% in the former and 71.9% in the latter. The incidence rates of dizziness, nausea, headache, and diarrhea were slightly higher (P > 0.05) while those of fatigue, somnolence, and dry mouth significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the sertraline than in the dapoxetine group.

CONCLUSIONOn-demand oral medication of dapoxetine is effective and well-tolerated for the treatment of premature ejaculation.

Benzylamines ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Double-Blind Method ; Ejaculation ; drug effects ; physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Naphthalenes ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Outpatients ; Premature Ejaculation ; drug therapy ; Reaction Time ; drug effects ; physiology ; Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Sertraline ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome