Objective To investigate the distribution characteristics of Oncomelania hupensis in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, so as to provide insights into the assessment of the risk of schistosomiasis transmission and the scientific formulation of the schistosomiasis surveillance strategy. Methods From 2015 to 2019, a total of 19 national schistosomiasis surveillance sites were assigned in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, including 4 fixed sites and 15 mobile sites. Snail survey was performed by means of systematic sampling in combination with environmental sampling, and the infection of Schistosoma japonicum was detected by the crushing method combined with loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay. Results From 2015 to 2019, snail habitats were detected at areas of 17 040 to 39 527 m², including 6 214 m² emerging snail habitats and 16 563 m² re-emerging snail habitats. The overall mean density of living snails was 0.019 2 snails/0.1 m² and the occurrence of frames with snails was 1.11% in the national schistosomiasis surveillance sites; however, no S. japonicum infection was identified in snails. The area of snail habitats increased by 121.46% in the national surveillance sites in 2019 as compared to that in 2015; however, 50.34% (Z = −0.422, P > 0.05) and 42.85% (χ² = 130.41, P < 0.01) reductions were seen in the overall means density of living snails and the occurrence of frames with snails. All snail habitats were distributed in the 4 fixed surveillance sites, and were mainly found in ditches, paddy fields and dry lands, with weeds as the primary vegetation type. Conclusions There are still risk factors leading to re-emergent transmission of schistosomiasis in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, such as local snail spread, and the monitoring of schistosomiasis remains to be reinforced to further consolidate the achievements of schistosomiasis elimination in the region.

Objective: To explore the effect of moxibustion at Shenque (CV 8) on myocardial structure and function in exercise-induced fatigue rats. Methods: A 12-week treadmill running training was performed to create an exercise-induced fatigue rat model. Sixty eligible male specific-pathogen-free grade Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a control group, a model group, a non-meridian non-acupoint group, a Zusanli (ST 36) group and a Shenque (CV 8) group, with 10 rats in each group. Rats in the blank group did not receive treadmill running training or moxibustion. Rats in the control group did not receive treadmill running training but received mild moxibustion at Shenque (CV 8). Rats in the model group received treadmill running training but no moxibustion. Rats in the non-meridian non-acupoint group, the Zusanli (ST 36) group and the Shenque (CV 8) group received moxibustion at the non-meridian non-acupoint points, Zusanli (ST 36) or Shenque (CV 8) immediately after each treadmill running training, 15 min each time, once a day for 5 consecutive days a week at a 2-day interval, 60 times of moxibustion in total. Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDd), left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESd), left ventricular diastolic volume (LVDv), left ventricular systolic volume (LVSv), ejection fraction (EF), stroke volume (SV), early diastolic peak flow velocity of mitral valve (E) and late diastolic peak flow velocity of mitral valve (A) of each group before and after the last treadmill running training were measured. Blood was collected 6 h after the last treadmill running training, and serum C-reactive protein (CRP), myoglobin (Mb), creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB), cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and cardiac troponin T (cTnT) levels were detected. Finally, the heart was separated, the heart mass (HM) was measured, the cTnT level of the myocardial tissue was detected, the ultrastructural changes of the left ventricular myocardium were observed by transmission electron microscope, the left ventricular fraction shortening (LVFS), E/A and heart mass index (HMI) were calculated. Results: Compared with the same group before treatment, the rat cardiac LVEDd, LVESd, LVDv, LVSv, SV, E and A were significantly increased (all P<0.01), and the rat LVFS, E/A and EF were significantly decreased (all P<0.01) in the model group and the non-meridian non-acupoint group after treatment; the rat cardiac SV, LVDv, LVSv, E and A were all increased (all P<0.01), while E/A and EF were decreased (all P<0.01) in the Zusanli (ST 36) group after treatment; the rat cardiac LVDv, E and A were significantly increased (P<0.01 or P<0.05), and E/A was significantly decreased (P<0.01) in the Shenque (CV 8) group after treatment. After treatment, compared with the blank group, the rat cardiac LVEDd, LVESd, SV, LVDv, LVSv, E, A, the serum CRP, Mb, CK-MB, cTnI, cTnT and HMI, and the myocardial cTnT were increased (all P<0.01), and the LVFS, E/A and EF were all reduced (all P<0.01) in the model group; compared with the model group and the non-meridian non-acupoint group, rats in the Zusanli (ST 36) group and the Shenque (CV 8) group showed decreased LVEDd, LVESd, SV, LVDv, LVSv, E, A, serum CRP, Mb, CK-MB, cTnI, cTnT and HMI, and myocardial cTnT (P<0.01 or P<0.05), along with increased LVFS, E/A and EF (all P<0.01); compared with the Zusanli (ST 36) group, Mb and A of the Shenque (CV 8) group were decreased (both P<0.01), while both E/A and EF were increased (P<0.01, P<0.05). Transmission electron microscopy examination showed that myofibrils in the blank group and the control group were neatly arranged with clear light and dark bands; the model group and the non-meridian non-acupoint group showed different degrees of myofibril disintegration and breakage, increased and aggregated mitochondria of different sizes, and increased electron density. The myofibrils in the Shenque (CV 8) group and Zusanli (ST 36) group were arranged neatly with clear light and dark bands, and compensatory hyperplasia of mitochondria. Conclusion: Moxibustion at Shenque (CV 8) and Zusanli (ST 36) both can effectively improve the occurrence of myocardial remodeling in exercise-induced fatigue rats, and the effect of moxibustion at Shenque (CV 8) is better in improving cardiac function.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Shenfu Injection (SF) on the apoptosis of prostate cancer PC-3 cells and its possible mechanism.

METHODSWe divided prostate cancer PC-3 cells into a blank control group and three experimental groups, the latter treated with SF at 50, 100, and 200 microl/ml, respectively, for 24, 48, and 72 hours. Then we determined the proliferation of the cells by MTT assay, measured their apoptosis by Annexin V/PI flow cytometry, and detected the expression of P53 mRNA by RT-qPCR.

RESULTSCompared with the blank control group, the survival rates of the prostate cancer PC-3 cells in the 50, 100, and 200 microl/ml SF groups were (93.76 +/- 2.63)%, (81.21 +/- 1.80)% and (18.01 +/- 3.84)% at 24 hours, (94.67 +/-1.11)%, (78.33 +/- 2.89)% and (10.34 +/- 1.44)% at48 hours, and (91.30 +/- 0.47)%, (36.67 +/- 1.56)% and (1.33 +/- 0.32)% at 72 hours, all significantly increased in a dose- and time-dependent manner (P < 0.05). The expression of p53 mRNA was also markedly increased in all the three experimental groups at 48 hours (P < 0. 05).

CONCLUSIONSF can inhibit the proliferation and induce the apoptosis of PC-3 cells, which may due to its upregulation of the p53 mRNA expression.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of cyclopamine on the proliferation and apoptosis of LNCaP cells and the expression of the PCA3 gene in human prostate cancer in vitro.

METHODSLNCaP cells were treated with cyclopamine at the concentrations of 1, 5, 10 and 15 micromol/L for 24, 48 and 72 hours. The inhibitory effects of cyclopamine on the proliferation and apoptosis of the LNCaP cells were detected by MTT and flow cytometry respectively, the morphological changes of the cells observed by Hoechst 33258 staining, and the expression of the PCA3 gene determined by real-time fluorescence quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (FQ-RT-PCR).

RESULTSCompared with the blank control group, cyclopamine significantly inhibited the proliferation of the LNCaP cells at 5, 10 and 15 micromol/L (P <0.01), reaching IC50 at 10 micro mol/L at 48 hours. The apoptosis rates of the LNCaP cells at 24, 48 and 72 hours were 37.21%, 57.38% and 57.98% in the 10 micromol/L group and 21. 16% , 71.31% and 72.90% in the 15 micro.mol/L group, significantly different from those in the control (P <0. 01). The cell apoptosis showed a rising trend with the increase of cyclopamine concentration and acting-time, while the expression of the PCA3 gene was decreasing with the increased concentration of cyclopamine, significantly lower than that of the blank control group (P <0.01) , and extremely low in the 10 micromo/L group

CONCLUSIONCyclopamine intervention at 10 and 15 micromol/L for 48 and 72 hours could significantly inhibit the at all time points. Proliferation and induce the apoptosis of LNCaP cells and reduce the expression level of PCA3.

Antigens, Neoplasm ; genetics ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; Veratrum Alkaloids ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the sensitivity of imatinib mesylate (IM) on Sup-B15 Ph⁺ acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cells knockdown of VE-cadherin (CD144), and to further explore its mechanism.

METHODSCD144 in Sup-B15 leukemia cells was stably knock downed via lentivirus-mediated RNA interference (named as Sup-B15/shVEC). The inhibitory effects of IM on Sup-B15/shVEC and Sup-B15 leukemia cells were measured by CCK-8 test, and the apoptosis of those cells was determined by AnnexinV/7-AAD dyeing using flow cytometry, the percentage of CD34⁺CD38⁻ leukemia cells also by flow cytometry. ALDH1 mRNA levels were detected by real-time RT-PCR, and protein levels of CD144, CD133, Bcr-abl and β-catenin by Western blot.

RESULTSIM treatment presented inhibitory effects on Sup-B15/shVEC and Sup-B15 leukemia cells at multiple concentrations of IM. The IC50 of IM on Sup-B15/shVEC and Sup-B15 leukemia cells were 25.1μmol/L and 18.7μmol/L, respectively (P<0.05). After 48h of 20 μmol/L IM treatment, the percentages of apoptosis cell in Sup-B15/shVEC cells and Sup-B15 cell were (13.52±2.06)% and (3.03±0.72) %, respectively (P<0.05). The percentage of CD34⁺CD38⁻ cells in Sup-B15 cells was significantly higher than in Sup-B15/shVEC cells [(2.39±0.28)% vs (0.96±0.07)%, P<0.05). As compared to Sup-B15 cells, the transcription of ALDH1 in Sup-B15/shVEC was remarkably downregulated, and the CD133 protein level was also downregulated in Sup-B15/shVEC cells. Both cytoplasmic and nucleic β-catenin protein levels (but not for Bcr-abl levels) decreased in Sup-B15/shVEC cells as compare to Sup-B15 cells.

CONCLUSIONKnockdown of CD144 sensitized Sup-B15 Ph+ ALL cells to IM. The possible mechanisms underlying this phenomenon might be via inhibiting β-catenin nucleic translocation and facilitating β-catenin degradation.

Antigens, CD ; genetics ; Benzamides ; pharmacology ; Cadherins ; genetics ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; genetics ; Endothelium, Vascular ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Gene Knockdown Techniques ; Humans ; Imatinib Mesylate ; Piperazines ; pharmacology ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; genetics ; metabolism ; Pyrimidines ; pharmacology ; RNA Interference ; beta Catenin ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma agonists on angiotensin II-induced cellular response in cultured fibroblasts derived from patients with hypertrophic scars, so as to investigate its effects on preventing the formation of hypertrophic scars.

METHODSFibroblasts were freshly isolated from hypertrophic scars and cultured with angiotensin II, rosiglitazone and GW9662 at a certain concentration. Fibroblasts proliferation were assessed via Cell Counting Kit-8; the mRNA and protein expressions of Collagen I and Fibronectin (FN) were determined by quantitative real-time RT-PCR and Western blotting.

RESULTSThe absorbance of CCK-8 and relative expression of Collagen I, FN mRNA and protein were 1.082 5 +/- 0.007, 6.45 +/- 0.97, 4.92 +/- 0.86, 2.92 +/- 0.41, 2.78 +/- 1.04 in Ang II group; 0.722 4 +/- 0.012, 1.82 +/- 0.34, 1.78 +/- 0.27, 1.57 +/- 0.46, 1.68 +/- 0.39 in Ros + Ang II group; 0.554 7 +/- 0.012, 0.97 +/- 0.12, 1.07 +/- 1.08, 1.05 +/- 0.43, 1.14 +/- 0.36 in Ros group; 1.056 0 +/- 0.005, 5.83 +/- 0.24, 4.47 +/- 0.32, 2.69 +/- 0.35, 2.62 +/- 0.27 in GW9662 + ros + Ang II group. The results showed a significant difference between the Ang II group and the control group (P < 0.05). The effect of Ang II could be markedly inhibited by Ros (P < 0.05). In addition, Ros did not influence cell proliferation and production of extracellular matrix (P > 0.05). There was a significant difference between the GW9662 + Ros + Ang II group and the Ros + Ang II (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSPPAR-gamma agonists inhibit Ang II-induced proliferation and extracellular matrix synthesis effectively in the hypertrophic scar fibroblasts. Thus PPAR-gamma agonists may have potential therapeutic effect for hypertrophic scar.

Angiotensin II ; pharmacology ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; metabolism ; Collagen Type I ; biosynthesis ; Extracellular Matrix ; drug effects ; Fibroblasts ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Fibronectins ; biosynthesis ; Humans ; PPAR gamma ; agonists

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility of the classification of the spino-pelvic sagittal alignment in adluts according to lumbar lordosis (LL) and inflection point (IP).

METHODSWhole spine, standing radiographs of 223 adult volunteers were taken from July to August in 2011 .There were 111 cases(56 female and 55 male) enrolled in the study based on the inclusion criteria. The pelvic and spinal parameters, including thoracic kyphosis(TK), thoracolumbar kyphosis(TLK), LL, sacral slope(SS), pelvic tilt(PT), pelvic incidence(PI), intervertebral endplate angle, sagittal vertical axis (SVA), spino-sacral angle (SSA) and IP were measured. The spino-pelvic sagittal alignment were classified in to 3 types according to LL and IP. Type I: LL > -40°, IP located below L2 ∼ 3; Type II: -60° ≤ LL ≤ -40°, IP located in L1 ∼ 2 or T12 ∼ L1; Type III: LL < -60°, P located above T11 ∼ 12. Pearson correlation analysis was used to test the correlation between the variables. The parameters in each type were compared by oneway-ANOVA respectively,then additional multiple comparisons were performed.

RESULTSThe mean value of LL was -49° ± 10°, TK was 36° ± 7°, TLK was 6° ± 7°, PT was 11° ± 7°, SS was 34° ± 8°, PI was 45° ± 9°, SSA was 127° ± 9° and SVA was (-2.7 ± 22.8)mm, respectively. Only LL had significant statistical correlation with all the other parameters. Negative correlation presented between LL and TK, PI, SS, SSA (r = -0.387, -0.536, -0.858, -0.801,P < 0.05). Positive correlation presented between LL and TLK, SVA, PT (r = 0.319, 0.296, 0.262, P < 0.05). All the volunteers were classified into the 3 types: Type I1 9 cases, Type II 75 cases,Type III 17 cases. Oneway-ANOVA results showed statistical difference in LL, TK, TLK, PT, SS, PI, SSA, SVA among the 3 types, (F = 164.559, 7.431, 14.099, 4.217, 53.856, 6.252, 35.995, 8.626, P < 0.05 ). Multiple comparisons showed that LL, SS, SSA, PI had statistical difference between each two types comparison (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSLL is the central parameter of the spino-pelvic sagittal balance. The patterns of the spino-pelvic sagittal alignment in adults could be classified into three types, according to LL and IP. The classification could describe the morphological differences and balance of the spino-pelvic sagittal alignment.

Adult ; Analysis of Variance ; Anthropometry ; Female ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pelvis ; anatomy & histology ; Postural Balance ; Radiography ; Spine ; anatomy & histology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the indications, safety and efficacy of catheter directed thrombolysis for early left lower extremity deep venous thrombosis (DVT) without vena cava filters protection.

METHODSClinical data of 54 cases of early left lower extremity DVT received catheter directed thrombolysis without vena cava filters from July 2008 to June 2010 were retrospectively analyzed. The thrombosis was entire without free floating clots and no thrombosis in vena cava detected with ultrasound scan. Twenty-five patients were male and 29 were female with the average age of 52.8 years. Fifty-one of which were iliofemoral and popliteal, the other 3 were iliofemoral. The course were ≤ 7 d in 45 cases and these were 8 to 30 d in 9 cases. Urokinase of 300 000 U was infused through catheters per 2 h twice a day. Meanwhile 4000 U of low weight heparin was administered subcutaneously per 12 h, or heparin infusion at dosage of 18 U×kg(-1)×h(-1).

RESULTSThe procedure technically succeeded in all patients. In total cases venous score decreased to 4.6 ± 2.1 post 6 to 10 d of thrombolysis from 10.8 ± 1.0 with thrombolysis rate of 58% ± 18% which was not significantly different between groups of ≤ 7 d and 8 to 30 d (t = 1.02, P = 0.34). On 14(th) day, 11 patients (20.4%) completely recovered, 35 cases (64.8%) experienced large improvement, 8 patients (14.8%) had mild improvement and nobody was failed, resulting in total efficacy of 100%. No patient developed clinical symptomatic pulmonary embolism. SpO2 did not alter markedly post thrombolysis [(91.0 ± 2.6)% vs. (90.8 ± 2.4)%, t = 2.03, P = 0.05]. No patients suffered from cerebral hemorrhage and haemoturia, and catheter induced inflammation occurred in 4 cases (7.41%). There was mild bleeding in puncture sites in 11 patients (20.4%) during the course. There were 36 patients (66.7%) had been followed up with the time of 6 to 21 months. In which 31 cases had no lower extremity edema or had mild edema after activities. Two patients developed serious edema after activities for deep venous insufficiency. Three cases combined with malignant tumor or renal failure recurred.

CONCLUSIONSFor early left extremity DVT which is entire without free floating clots and no thrombosis in vena cava, catheter directed thrombolysis without filter protection maybe administered with safety, efficiency and lower expense.

Catheterization, Peripheral ; Female ; Fibrinolytic Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; blood supply ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pulmonary Embolism ; prevention & control ; Retrospective Studies ; Thrombolytic Therapy ; methods ; Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Vena Cava Filters ; Venous Thrombosis ; complications ; therapy

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this article is to examine the effect of curcumin on the proliferation and metastasis of human tongue squamous cell carcinoma and analyze its mechanism.

METHODSSCC-4 were treated with curcumin of 0, 5, 10, 20, 30, 60, 100 micromol x L(-1) in 24 h. MTT assay, Matrigel invasion assay, flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy were used to examine the effect of curcumin on the growth and metastasis of SCC-4. cDNA microarray and RT-PCR were employed to analyze the expression of genes treated by curcumin.

RESULTSThe results showed that curcumin could concentration-dependently inhibit SCC-4 cell proliferation at the concentration range from 20 to 100 micromol x L(-1). Furthermore, Matrigel invasion assay indicated that curcumin can reduce SCC-4 cell invasion under the dosage of 20, 30, 60 micromol x L(-1). Flow cytometry also showed that curcumin can influence the distribution of cell cycle of SCC-4 cell with the dosage of 20, 30, 60 micromol x L(-1). And the dosage of 30 micromol x L(-1) curcumin could lead to the recruitment of alpha-tubulin. cDNA microarray showed that 87 genes were activated and 198 genes were inhibited with the effect of curcumin. These results were validated by the real time quantitative RT-PCR.

CONCLUSIONAccording to the results, it suggests that curcumin has the potential as the leading compound for anti-cancer proliferation and invasion in oral cancer treatment, and cdc27, EGFR substrate 15, PPAR-alpha and H2A histone may play an important role among this multiple anticancer-targeting ability.

Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Curcumin ; Humans ; Mouth Neoplasms

BACKGROUNDThe non-operation treatment of intra-abdominal trauma guided contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is one of the hottest research topic. Gelatin/thrombin/calcium (GTC) was developed as a novel haemostatic agent for non-operable intra-abdominal trauma. We hypothesized that GTC can achieve haemostasis (without the use of pressure) within a short time in a large wound model by percutaneous injection under CEUS guidance.

METHODSForty Wister rats received large liver injuries by haemostatic clamp and were randomly divided into four groups, according to the haemostatic agent used. These included normal saline (NS) group A, lyophilising thrombin powder (LTP) group B, GTC group C, and absorbable α-cyanoacrylate (ACNA) group D. Each injury site was treated with one of the above materials and total bleeding time was recorded. All liver wounds were evaluated using CEUS at three periods: pre-injury, injury and post-treatment. The liver wounds were also evaluated by histology 3, 6, and 9 days after injury and the extents of abdominal adhesions were recorded.

RESULTSThe sensitivity of CEUS (100%) in detecting blunt traumatic liver lesions was significantly higher than conventional ultrasound (42.5%). Bleeding times at the injury site in the GTC group C ((129.3 ± 14.0) seconds) and ACNA group D ((5.2 ± 1.0) seconds) were significantly shorter than those in the NS group A ((369.5 ± 48.8) seconds, P < 0.01) and LTP group B ((324.7 ± 52.22) seconds, P < 0.01). The LTP group B showed no significant difference compared with the NS group A. Gross examination of liver tissue revealed that there were fewer intra-abdominal adhesions in the GTC group C (10%) than in the ACNA group D (100%). Histopathologic examination showed that GTC was completely absorbed after nine days.

CONCLUSIONSGTC, delivered by percutaneous injection under CEUS, may achieve haemostasis (without the use of pressure) within a short time in a large wound model. GTC is absorbable and may prevent intra-abdominal adhesions. Therefore, it may be the optimal choice for first aid treatment of large abdominal wounds in the setting of blunt trauma.

Animals ; Calcium ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Gelatin ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Hemorrhage ; diagnostic imaging ; drug therapy ; Hemostatics ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Injections ; Liver ; diagnostic imaging ; injuries ; Male ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Thrombin ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Ultrasonography