CircRNA-32011 regulates apoptosis induced by arsenic trioxide in cardiac myocytes / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the effect of circRNA- 32011 on myocardial apoptosis induced by arsenic triox- ide (ATO).Methods Primary cardioniyocytes of suckling neonate mouse were treated with ATO ( final concentration 10 (xniol • L_1 ) for 24 h.Then cell via¬bility was measured by M IT assay.The mKNA expres¬sion levels of Bel-2/ Bax and circRNA-3201 I were de¬tected by KT-PCK.Bcl-2/Bax protein expression lev¬els were detected by Western blot.Overexpression and knock down circHNA-32011 respectively by plasmid and siHNA were used to verify its function in ATO-in- duced cardiomyocyte apoptosis.Results Myocardial cell viability decreased, Bel-2 expression significantly decreased while Bax expression increased in ATO group compared with the control group.CircKNA- 32011 was down-regulated in ATO ineuhated cardio¬niyocytes.Ovcrex press ion of circRNA-32011 in ATO- incubated cardioniyocytes increased myocardial cell vi¬ability and Bel-2 expression and decreased the expres¬sion of Bax.Knockdown of circRNA-32011 could fur¬ther reduce cardiomyoevte activity and Bel-2 expression and increase the experssion of Bax induced by ATO.Conclusions CircRNA-32011 protects cardiac myo¬cytes from apoptosis induced by arsenic trioxide, which may provide a new potential therapeutic strategy for ATO-induced myocardial injury.

Feasibility of computed tomography-guided irreversible electroporation for porcine kidney ablation

Objective: The objective was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous irreversible electroporation (IRE) in porcine kidneys. Materials and Methods: Under CT guidance, two monopole probes were used to precisely puncture through the renal parenchyma into the renal hilum in nine anesthetized adult Bama miniature pigs. After which, IRE ablation was performed. Biochemical and pathological examinations were carried out 2 h, 2, 7, and 14 days after the procedure. Results: All procedures were performed successfully without any serious complications such as bleeding, infection, or death. All pigs survived until the end of the study. Pathological examinations showed that cells in the ablation area were dead within 2 days after the procedure, whereas the vascular endothelium showed only slight damage. After 2 days, endothelialization ensued and regrowth of smooth muscle cells was observed after 14 days. Hemogram tests indicated a transient increase but gradually returned to baseline levels 14 days after the procedure. Conclusion: IRE was essentially safe, however further studies on tumor ablation using several different animal models are needed

Genetic Diversity and Drug Susceptibility of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Isolates in a Remote Mountain Area of China / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>We determined the genetic diversity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) in a remote mountainous area of southwest China and evaluated the resolving ability of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping combined with variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) genotyping for Beijing family strains in association with drug resistance status.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Three hundred thirty-one MTB strains were isolated from patients living in mountainous regions of southwest China, and 8-loci SNP, VNTR-15 genotyping assays, and drug susceptibility testing of 9 drugs were performed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 183 [55.29% (183/331)] strains were classified into the Beijing family. Of the 183 strains, 111 (60.66%) were defined as modern Beijing strains. The most predominant modern Beijing sub-lineage and ancient Beijing sub-lineage were Bmyc10 [39.34% (72/183)] and Bmyc25 [20.77% (38/183)], respectively. Of the isolates, 19.64% (65/331) were resistant to at least 1 of the 9 anti-TB drugs and 17 [4.98% (17/331)] MTB isolates were multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). Two hundred sixty-one isolates showed a clustering rate of 14.18% (37/261) and a discriminatory index of 0.9990. The Beijing lineage exhibited a significantly higher prevalence of MDR-TB, as well as resistance to isoniazid (INH), rifampin (RIF), and para-aminosalicylic acid (PAS) when analyzed independently (P = 0.005, P = 0.017, P = 0.014, and P = 0.006 respectively). The Beijing lineage was not associated with genetic clustering or resistance to any drug. In addition, genetic clustering was not associated with drug resistance.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>MTB strains demonstrate high genetic diversity in remote mountainous areas of southwest China. Beijing strains, especially modern Beijing strains, are predominant in remote mountainous area of China. The combination of 8-loci SNPs and VNTR-15 genotyping is a useful tool to study the molecular epidemiology of MTB strains in this area.</p>

The Association of Maternal Body Composition and Dietary Intake with the Risk of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus during the Second Trimester in a Cohort of Chinese Pregnant Women / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the association of maternal body composition and dietary intake with the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total 154 GDM subjects and 981 controls were enrolled in a prospective cohort study in 11 hospitals from May 20, 2012 to December 31, 2013. Bioelectrical impedance analysis and dietary surveys were used to determine body composition and to evaluate the intake of nutrients in subjects at 21-24 weeks' gestation (WG). Logistic regression analysis was applied to explore the relationships of maternal body composition and dietary intake with the risk of GDM morbidity.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Age, pre-pregnant body weight (BW), and body mass index (BMI) were associated with increased risk of GDM. Fat mass (FM), fat mass percentage (FMP), extracellular water (ECW), BMI, BW, energy, protein, fat, and carbohydrates at 21-24 WG were associated with an increased risk of GDM. In contrast, fat free mass (FFM), muscular mass (MM), and intracellular water (ICW) were associated with a decreased risk of GDM.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Maternal body composition and dietary intake during the second trimester of pregnancy were associated with the risk of GDM morbidity.</p>

Effects of Electro-Acupuncture at Zusanli, Guanyuan for Sepsis Patients and Its Mechanism through Immune Regulation / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effect of electro-acupuncture on Zusanli (ST 36), Guanyuan (RN 4) in patients with sepsis, and explore its mechanism in term of immune regulation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In this prospective randomized controlled trial, 60 patients with sepsis were randomly assigned to the control group and the intervention group equally by block randomization. Patients in the control group received routine treatment and those in the intervention group received electro-acupuncture at bilateral Zusanli and Guanyuan in addition to routine treatment, respectively. The mortality at 28 days, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE)-II score were compared to evaluate the effect, and the levels of T cell subsets (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD4+/CD8+) and monocytes of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR using flow cytometry were compared to explore the mechanism of this combined treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Fifty-eight patients completed the trial with 29 in each group. There was no significant difference of mortality in the 28th day between the two groups, with 5 death of 29 patients in the intervention group (17.2%) and 9 of 29 in the control group (31.0%). After treatment, APACHE-II score of both groups was significantly decreased, however, score of the intervention group was lower than the control group (13.28±7.07 vs. 17.10±5.83; P<0.01). The levels of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ and CD4+/CD8+ ratio of the intervention group improved after treatment and were higher than the control group (59.71%±11.94% vs. 52.54%±11.86%; 36.46%±7.60% vs. 31.58%±10.23%; 18.40%±8.82% vs. 23.07%±7.30%; 2.38±1.14 vs. 1.54±0.80, respectively; all P<0.05). The expression of HLA-DR significantly increased after treatment in the intervention group than that in the control group (7.28%±9.26% vs. 1.27%±7.00%; P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Electro-acupuncture at Zusanli and Guanyuan could improve clinical curative effect in patients with sepsis, which might be achieved by regulation of the immune system.</p>

Chemical constituents from Bletilla striata and their anti-tumor activities / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the chemical constituents from Bletilla striata (Thunb.) Reichb.f and study their antitumor activities and effect on progression of cell cycle. METHODS: The compounds were isolated by various chromatographic methods including silica gel, ODS, Sephadex LH-20, and so on. Their structures were identified by extensive analysis of spectroscopic data. The antiproliferative effects of the compounds were evaluated using MTT test, and compound 1 was tested for the effect on the cell cycle of A549 cells. RESULTS: Five compounds were isolated from Bletilla striata and identified as 3β-hydroxyoleane-12-en-28-oic acid 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-glucopyranoside(1), 2-hydroxysuccinic acid(2), 4-hydroxybenzylamine(3), palmitic acid(4), and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid(5). Compound 1 showed antiproliferative activity against the cancer cells and could induce G0/G1 phase arrest effectively after 24 h treatment. CONCLUSION: Compounds 1-4 are isolated from Bletilla striata for the first time. Compound 1 shows potent inhibitory effect and might produce their action through inducing cell cycle arrest.

Analysis on current situation of intellectual property of Chinese materia medica based on weighted average method / 中草药

Chinese materia medica (CMM) has the great economic value in modern society, which depends on its industrialization. And the development of industrialization needs the protection of intellectual property rights. This paper built the evaluation index system of intellectual property of CMM including 6 first class indicators, 15 second class indicators, and 18 third class indicators. Then we used the standard deviation method to determine the weight of each evaluation index and evaluated the intellectual property of CMM from 2004 to 2013 in China by weighted average method. The results showed that, the intellectual property of CMM was in a steady growth trend in 2004-2013. Finally, the countermeasures and suggestions have been put forward from the government, enterprises, and research staffs.

Pure Red Cell Aplasia in a Patient with Cri-Du-Chat.

Background: The Cri-Du-Chat syndrome also known as 5p- syndrome is a rare genetic autosomal disorder with the characteristic deletion of the short arm (p) of chromosome 5. To date, hematologic manifestations characteristic of BM failure have not been linked to this syndrome. Aims: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of cyclosporine to treat pure red cell aplasia in the clinical setting of 5p- syndrome. Presentation of Case: We report here a patient with 5p- syndrome who subsequently developed idiopathic pure red cell aplasia. He was treated with cyclosporine 1mg/kg twice a day, and achieved a complete remission, with no toxicities. Conclusion: This case suggests that cyclosporine can be used safely and effectively in such clinical scenario.

A comparative study of laparoscopic-assisted and open distal gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the safety, feasibility and the long-term outcomes of laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy (LAG) for advanced gastric cancer (AGC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical and follow-up data of 46 cases after LAG from June 2008 to December 2009 were analyzed, and compared with 85 cases after conventional open gastrectomy (OG) for advanced gastric cancer at the same period at our hospital. The surgical safety, postoperative recovery, complications, radical degree, survival rate were compared.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>As compared with OG group, operation time was longer in LATG group ((274 ± 78) min vs. ( 217 ± 41) min, t = 4.635, P = 0.000). Estimated blood loss in the LAG group ((254 ± 112) ml) was significantly less than in the OG group (t = 3.942, P = 0.000). Time to ambulation ((63 ± 16) hours), first flatus ((77 ± 20) hours), resumed liquid diet ((88 ± 15) hours), duration of analgesic medication ((53 ± 20) hours) and postoperative hospital stay ((11.1 ± 4.6) days) were significantly shorter in the LAG group (t = 5.549, 6.508, 9.436, 9.464 and 2.980 respectively, all P < 0.01). The distance of the proximal and distal resection margin were (5.7 ± 1.4) cm and (3.9 ± 1.5) cm in LAG group, (5.8 ± 1.1) cm and (4.7 ± 1.5) cm in OG group respectively, but the difference was not significant. The number of lymph node dissections was also similar, (30.5 ± 10.4) in LAG group and (32.6 ± 12.3) in OG group (t = 0.960, P = 0.339). The incidence of postoperative complications and mortality rate in LAG group (8.7% and 0 respectively) were also lower than in the OG group, with no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05). The mean follow-up was 31.0 months (range 6-48 months), and the cumulative survival of the 2 groups was similar (χ(2) = 1.594, P = 0.207).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer is not significantly different with open surgery in surgical safety, radical degree, and survival rate. It is less traumatic and of fewer complications.</p>

Differences in willingness to donate cadaveric organ between young donor families and adult donor families: evidence from the Hunan Province, China / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The Red Cross of China and Ministry of Health jointly started a pilot program of organ donation after cardiac death to overcome the shortage of available organs since 2010. The purpose of this qualitative study were to compare the consent rate of organ donation between young donor families and adult donor families; to explore and determine factors associated with differences in willingness to donate organs between them. Research objective was to provide a rationale for further preparation of professionals involved in this sensitive work.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Between March 2010 and June 2012, 24 young deceased patients including donors and non-donors and 96 potential adult donors were collected, and consent rates of young donors' families and adult donors' families were calculated. A χ(2) test analysis to compare the consent rates of the two groups was conducted. We studied through semistructured interviews 15 parents of young donors and 15 relatives of old donors who were interviewed for petition of consent. Data collection and analysis of the overall study were performed according to the grounded theory methodology. Factors that influenced the families' decisions were identified and classified. We found the differences in willingness to donate organs between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The consent rate of young donor families was 66.67%, while the consent rate of adult donor families was 26.04%. Young donor families easily consented to organ donation than adult donor families (P < 0.005). The donors' families had been affected by various factors throughout the process of deciding to give consent for donation. The findings led to the formulation of an empirically based model of interlinking categories that influence families' decision-making process in organ donation. These factors are grouped into five main categories: (1) personal factors, (2) conditions of organ request, (3) interpersonal factors, (4) ethical factors, and (5) traditional views. The funeral tradition influenced the young donor parents' consent to donation, but had no relation with family decision of adult donors. And the family members of young donors are relatively less, who are more likely to reach a consensus.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Young donor families influenced by traditional funeral beliefs are easier to consent to organ donation than adult donor families. Family members of young donors are relatively less who are more likely to reach a consensus. Acceptance of the expanded criteria donors may improve the organ donation rates, especially those of the advanced age.</p>

Protective effects of interleukin-10 and insulin-like growth factor-1 gene combination therapy on islet β cells of non-obese diabetic mice / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To investigate whether IL-10 gene combined with insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1)gene transfer could attenuate pancreatic insulitis,increase the percentage of CD4 + CD25 + Foxp3 + regulatory T cells,and protect β cells from autoimmune destruction.Methods An adenoviral vector containing IL-10 gene (Ad-IL-10) or IGF-1 gene(Ad-IGF-1) was constructed separately.Forty female non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice were injected intraperitoneally with Ad-IL-10 and/or Ad-IGF-1,Ad-green fluorescent protein(GFP) and phosphate buffered saline(PBS)separately,repeated after 3 weeks.Blood glucose concentration was measured weekly.Serum insulin,cytokine production were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.CD4 + CD25 + Foxp3 + Treg cells were determined by flow cytometry.Pancreatic histology was measured for determination of insulitis grades.Pancreatic insulin content and β-cell mass,proliferation were measured.Apoptosis was measured by using a terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay.Results A significantly lower diabetes incidence (P ＜ 0.01) was observed in NOD mice treated with Ad-IL-10 and/or Ad-IGF-1,compared with mice treated with Ad-GFP or PBS alone,especially combined group.Lower insulitis score compared to control mice was found in Ad-IL-10 + Ad-IGF-1 group (all P ＜ 0.01).The serum level of TNF-α and IFN-γwere decreased and the level of IL-10 increased in combination therapy.The CD4 + CD25 +Foxp3 + cells was (7.17 ±0.38)％ in combined group,higher than that in the control groups.There was significantly less β-cell apoptosis(10.29 ±2.20)％ in combined group than that in other groups(all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Combination therapy with IL-10 and IGF-1 gene is able to increase the percentage of CD4 + CD25 + Foxp3 + regulatory T cells,reduce autoimmunity and increase pancreatic β-cell mass,indicating promising potential of these therapies as a new treatment strategy for diabetes mellitus.

Research progresses of plant polysaccharides on cell adhesion / 药学学报

Cell adhesion mediated by cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) constitutes essential life phenomenon. In inflammation, immunity, infection, thrombosis, tumor metastasis and wound healing, cell adhesion comes into being the basic physiological and pathological process. Intervening with cell adhesion has been the important therapeutic and prophylactic strategies for diseases. Accumulated evidence has indicated that plant polysaccharides especially those exacted from Chinese traditional and herbal drugs displayed various pharmacological effects such as anti-inflammation, anti-cancer, anti-infection, immunomodulation, cardiovascular protective effects and so on. In this paper, the research progress of plant polysaccharides on cell adhesion is reviewed.

LiCl suppresses tumor growth and inhibits DNA replication in prostate cancer / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the effects of LiCl on prostate cancer growth and to explore the underlying mechanisms.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Effects of LiCl on cell growth in vitro and in vivo were determined by cell counting and xenografts of prostate cancer cells. Alterations in cell proliferation and the expression of DNA replication-related protein were determined by MTT assay, BrdU incorporation and Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared to PBS control group, the number of prostate cancer cells (PC-3) were lower treated with 10 mmol/L LiCl, the number was 1.9×10(5), 4.8×10(5) and the difference was significant (P < 0.05). The inhibition rate of cellular proliferation were 50%, 95% and 98%, respectively, in LiCl group, NaCl and KCl control group, the difference was significant (P < 0.05). The A-Value of BrdU incorporation was 1.5, 1.3 treated with 10 mmol/L, 30 mmol/L LiCl, while the A-value of BrdU incorporation was 4 in PBS control group, the difference was significant (P < 0.05). On the protein level, LiCl downregulates expression of cdc 6, cyclins A and cyclins E, and cdc 25C, and upregulates expression of the CDK inhibitor p21(CIP1). The mean volume and weight of xenograft tumor were 50 mm(3) and 296 mg after LiCl intraperitoneal injection, But PBS control group were 180 mm(3) and 957 mg, the difference was significant (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>LiCl disrupts DNA replication and suppresses tumor growth of prostate cancer cells in vitro and in vivo.</p>

Protection of chronic intermittent hypobaric hypoxia against collagen-induced arthritis in rat through increasing apoptosis / 生理学报

The aim of present study was to investigate the effect of chronic intermittent hypobaric hypoxia (CIHH) on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in rat. Fifty male adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: CIHH pre-treatment group (Pre-T), pre-control group (Pre-C), CIHH post-treatment group (Post-T), post-control group (Post-C) and blank control group (Con). The rats in Pre-T and Post-T groups were exposed to 28 d of hypobaric hypoxia (simulated 3 000 m altitude, 5 h per day, pO2 = 108.8 mmHg, 14% O2) in a hypobaric chamber before and 12 days after CIA induction, respectively. The rats in Pre-C and Post-C groups were only experienced CIA induction, being control groups for Pre-T and Post-T groups, respectively. The rats in Con group were not given any treatment. The thickness of two-hind paw of rat was measured with spiral micrometer and the degree of arthritis was evaluated by arthritis index (AI). Morphological changes of ankle joint were observed through HE staining. The apoptotic rate in synovial tissue was measured by terminal dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) and the apoptotic rate of CD3(+) T lymphocyte in spleen was measured by flow cytometry technique. The protein expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax were measured using immunohistochemistry SP method. The results showed that incidence rate of CIA in Pre-T rats was lower than that in Pre-C rats (P < 0.05). AI in Pre-T and Post-T rats were smaller than those in Pre-C and Post-C, respectively (P < 0.05). In Pre-C and Post-C rats, there were hyperplasia of synovial cell, pannus forming, infiltration with inflammatory cell, and destroyed cartilage and bone in ankle joint. On the contrary, pathological changes of ankle joint were alleviated significantly in Pre-T and Post-T rats. Compared with Pre-C and Post-C rats, apoptotic rates of synovial cell and T lymphocyte in Pre-T and Post-T rats were increased (P < 0.05). As to the possible anti-apoptosis mechanism, CIHH, no matter before and after CIA induction, decreased Bcl-2 expression and increased Bax expression in joint synovial cells and spleen T lymphocytes (P < 0.05), respectively. In conclusion, CIHH possesses a protective effect against CIA in rat by enhancing apoptosis of synovial cells and T lymphocytes, which may be related to the inhibition of Bcl-2 protein expression and the promotion of Bax protein expression.

Gastrointestinal adenocarcinomas with a micropapillary pattern: a clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical study / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the clinicopathologic features and immunophenotype of gastrointestinal adenocarcinomas with a micropapillary pattern differentiation (GAMPD).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seventy-three cases of GAMPD arising in gastrointestinal tract were retrospectively reviewed. Immunohistochemical study for epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), insulin-like growth factor II mRNA-binding protein-3 (IMP3) and E-cadherin was performed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Amongst the 73 cases studied, the micropapillary pattern accounted for 5% to 70% of the tumor component. It was often seen in a background of moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma. As compared with conventional adenocarcinoma, nodal metastasis was more frequently observed and the TNM tumor stage was statistically higher in GAMPD. The occurrence of micropapillary component in metastatic lymph nodes positively correlated with the proportion of micropapillary pattern in primary lesions. EMA staining on the stroma-facing surface of tumor micropapillae was demonstrated in 52.1% (38/73) of the cases. As compared with EMA-negative GAMPD, EMA-positive GAMPD was more in the stomach (P = 0.018), and with more metastatic lymph nodes (6.6 ± 5.8 vs 3.8 ± 4.7, P = 0.029). The rate of IMP3 expression in EMA-positive GAMPD was 86.8%(33/38), which was higher than that in conventional adenocarcinoma. In contrast, the rate of E-cadherin expression in GAMPD was lower than that in conventional adenocarcinoma.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>GAMPD is a distinctive variant of gastrointestinal adenocarcinomas and different from conventional adenocarcinoma in tumor morphology, immunophenotype and biologic behavior. It carries an aggressive clinical course and poor prognostic outcome. Immunohistochemical study for EMA, IMP3 and E-cadherin would be helpful in the diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of GAMPD.</p>

Expression of BRG1 and BRM proteins in prostatic cancer / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of BRG1 and BRM, the catalytic subunits expressed by SWI/SNF, in benign and malignant prostatic tissues and to correlate the BRG1/BRM expression with the development and progression of prostatic cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The expression levels of the BRG1 and BRM proteins in benign and malignant prostatic tissues were studied using semi-quantitative immunohisto-chemistry. The results correlated with various clinical and pathologic parameters.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The average immuno-reactive score for BRG1 expression in prostatic cancer tissues was significantly higher than that in benign prostatic tissues (57+/-9.8 and 19+/-4.1, respectively, P = 0.000 17). The difference was more obvious in the high-grade cancer. On the other hand, BRM expression exhibited a heterogeneous pattern. The average immuno-reactive score for BRM expression was lower in cancer tissues than in benign tissues (112+/-17 and 151+/-19, respectively, P = 0.0047). BRG1 and BRM demonstrated a reciprocal expression pattern in benign and malignant tissues. The average immuno-reactive score for BRG1 expression was higher in the cancer cases with a larger tumor volume than in the cases with a smaller tumor volume (P = 0.0112).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The expression of BRG1 and BRM correlates with the development of prostatic cancer. Increased BRG1 expression may have certain implications in tumor progression.</p>

Comparative study on abdominal acupuncture and western medicine for treatment of menopause depressive disorder / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the therapeutic effects between abdominal acupuncture and Deanxit for treatment of menopause depressive disorder, and to explore the efficacy and safety of abdominal acupuncture.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty cases were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each. The observation group was treated with abdominal acupuncture at Zhongwan (CV 12), Xiawan (CV 10), Qihai (CV 6) and Guanyuan (CV 4), etc. The control group was treated with oral administration of Deanxit. The patients in both groups were treated for 4 weeks and followed up for another 4 weeks, and they were evaluated by Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) every couple weeks.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total HAMD scores of 2 and 4 weeks treatments and 2 and 4 weeks follow-up were all reduced in both groups (all P < 0.01). The total scores of 2 and 4 weeks follow-up in observation group were lower than those in control group, with significant differences in statistical analysis (both P < 0.05). Compared with the clinical therapeutic effect of both groups after 4 weeks treatment, there was no significant difference (P > 0.05), however, after 4 weeks follow-up, the therapeutic effect in observation group was superior to that in control group, with significant difference in statistical analysis (P < 0.05). The safety indexes before and after treatment of both groups were normal, and the adverse reaction rate in observation group was much lower than that in control group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Abdominal acupuncture is an effective and safe method for menopause depressive disorder, it improves the menopause depressive symptoms with persistent action, less symptoms relapse and adverse reactions.</p>

Pituitary hyperplasia secondary to primary hypothyroidism in children: report of 8 cases / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the changes in hormone levels and the therapy of pituitary hyperplasia secondary to primary hypothyroidism in children.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of 8 children with pituitary hyperplasia secondary to primary hypothyroidism (5 girls and 3 boys) at ages of 5 to 9 years were studied retrospectively. All of the children had a short stature. They were followed up 1 to 6 years.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The thyroid hormone levels decreased and the serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and prolactin (PRL) levels increased in the 8 children. After 2 to 6 months thyroxine replacement therapy, the levels of free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4) and serum TSH and PRL returned to normal, and the pituitary enlargement regressed to normal in the 8 children. Of them, 6 children's height growth rate increased significantly from 3.1+/-0.5 cm per year to 11.6+/-1.7 cm per year (p<0.01). The other 2 cases had low growth rate and then received additional recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) therapy. Their height growth rate increased by 11 cm per year. Pituitary hyperplasia did not recur in the 8 children during the follow-up.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The thyroid function and pituitary examinations are necessary for children with a short stature. Thyroxine substitution therapy appears to be effective for primary hypothyroidism secondary to pituitary hyperplasia. rhGH replacement therapy after regression of the pituitary enlargement can result in a satisfactory height growth in children with low thyroid hormone levels and growth hormone deficiency.</p>

Epidemiological survey on the infection of hepatitis E virus among pigs in Henan province / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection among pigs in Henan province.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 623 swine sera, collected from 5 districts, were divided into two groups, under 3-month of age and over 3-month of age. They were tested for HEV antigen and antibody by using ELISAs, respectively. The sera positive for HEV antigen were tested for HEV RNA with RT-PCR. The positive products of RT-PCR were cloned and sequenced.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The positive rates of anti-HEV antibody of the groups under 3-month and over 3-month of age were 90.27% and 92.55%, respectively, without statistical difference, while those of HEV antigen were 15.93% and 5.69%, respectively, with significant difference. The positive rates of anti-HEV antibody and HEV antigen were significantly different among different districts. HEV RNA was detectable in 5 of 47 HEV antigen positive samples. The sequence analysis showed that in 4 of 5 specimens the sequence belonged to genotype 4 while in the remaining one the sequence was genotype 1.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The prevalence rate of HEV infection in pigs was high in Henan province and the rate differed in different districts.</p>