Acupoint selection for cancer pain: based on current evidence and Delphi method / 中国针灸

Based on literature research and Delphi expert consensus method, the important acupoints for cancer pain was summarized to provide evidence basis for the formulation of

Analysis of AIDS sentinel surveillance among college students in Taizhou of Zhejiang Province in 2016‒2018 / 上海预防医学

Objective:To determine the prevalence of AIDS/HIV， sexual behavior， knowledge， and access to HIV-related services among college students in Taizhou from 2016 through 2018， and provide scientific evidence for developing targeted strategies and measures. Methods:Based on the National HIV/AIDS Sentinel Surveillance， a cross-sectional survey was conducted annually among college students in three sentinels by a multi-stage cluster sampling across Taizhou， using questionnaire and laboratory examination. Results:A total of 4 185 college students were surveyed during 2016–2018， in which the proportion of reporting sexual behavior was 7.7%， with 58.4% using condom at. Sexual behavior， with fixed sexual partners， casual partners， commercial partners， and homosexual partners accounted for 68.7%， 23%， 4.0%， and 4.0%， respectively. Sexual experience and sexual behavior with fixed partners were statistically different among colleges and gender， which was much higher in male and vocational schools. The awareness rate of HIV/AIDS knowledge was 65.8%； 3.6% was found to have HIV voluntary counseling and testing， in which 7.8% had sexual behavior， indicating an upward trend over years. No college student tested positive for HIV from 2016 to 2018， and only one tested positive for anti-syphilis antibody and one positive for anti-hepatitis C antibody. Conclusions:Young male and vocational students in Taizhou are likely to have more sexual behavior and lower awareness on HIV/AIDS. College students have at-risk sexual behavior， insufficient awareness of HIV/AIDS， which may facilitate high risk of infection. It warrants further strengthening HIV/AIDS health education.

Associations between normal serum levels of uric acid and knee symptoms, joint structures in patients with knee osteoarthritis / 中华疾病控制杂志

Objective To investigate the associations between normal serum uric acid (UA) levels and knee symptoms and structural changes in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA).Methods A total of 205 patients with knee OA were enrolled. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 122 patients with OA were included in the study. The general condition of patients were investingated. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score was used to assess severity of the knee joint symptoms. The Kellgren-Lawrence (K-L) grading system was used to assess radiological severity of the knee joint. Osirix software was used to assess changes of knee structure in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Peroxidase method was used to measure the serum levels of uric acid. Patients with normal range of uric acid were included in the study.Results The patients with lower levels of UA (split at the median level, 263 μmol/L) had a higher proportion of women, lower height, weight and lower proportions of K-L grade≥2. After adjustment for sex, age and body mass index, serum UA was negatively associated with total WOMAC scores (β=-16.15, P=0.018), WOMAC pain (β=-3.15, P=0.037), and WOMAC stiffness (β=-1.65, P=0.025). However, there were no significant associations between serum UA levels and knee joint structure changes.Conclusions In OA patients with normal serum UA, serum UA is negatively associated with the severity of joint symptoms, suggesting that UA within normal range may play a protective role in OA symptoms.

Prevalence and risk factors of hyperuricemia in physical examination group of Zhangjiakou / 预防医学

Objective To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of hyperuricemia in physical examination group of Zhangjiakou, and to provide evidence for the prevention of hyperuricemia. Methods The physical examination people in the Number One Hospital of Zhangjiakou were selected as the research objects from May 2016 to May 2017 . Their physique indexes such as height, weight and blood pressure were tested, and their blood sample were collected and biochemical indexes such as fasting plasma glucose (FPG), blood uric acid (UA), triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) were detected. Logistic regression model were used to analyze the influencing factors of hyperuricemia. Results A total of 17273 examinees were recruited, with the average age of (47.42±14.28) years. There were 10324 men (59.77％) and 6949 women (40.23％) . The prevalence rate of hyperuricemia was 22.14％. The prevalence rate of hyperuricemia in men was 28.39％, higher than that of women (12.87％) (P<0.001) . Logistic regression analysis showed that obesity/overweight (OR=2.206, 95％ CI: 1.986-2.450), high TG (OR=2.089, 95％CI: 1.903-2.293) and high TC (OR=1.121, 95％CI: 1.006-1.249) were risk factors of the male patients with hyperuricemia, while the elderly (OR=0.982, 95％CI: 0.979-0.985) and high FPG (OR=0.657, 95％ CI: 0.587-0.736) were protective factors. The risk factors of the female patients with hyperuricemia were the elderly (OR=1.008, 95％CI: 1.001-1.014), obesity/overweight (OR=2.193, 95％CI: 1.864-2.579), high FPG (OR=1.379, 95％CI: 1.128-1.687) and high TG (OR=2.209, 95％ CI: 1.879-2.597) . Conclusion The prevalence of hyperuricemia among residents in Zhangjiakou of Hebeiis high. Overweight / obesity and high TG are the risk factors for hyperuricemia.

Bigelovii A induced autophagy in MCF7 cells by inhibiting mTOR signal pathway / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the effects of Bigelovii A on autophagy and its mechanism.Methods Fluorescence microscope,flow cytometry and Western blot were employed to analyze autophagy.Western blot was used to detect the protein expressions of mTOR pathway.MTT colorimetry was used to assay cell viability after treatment with 3-MA and Bigelovii A or Bigelovii A alone.Results Bigelovii A-treated MCF7 cells displayed a dramatic increase in the number of MDC-labeled vesicles and the expressions of LC3-Ⅱ,indicating cell autophagy.Ⅰt was proved that in MCF7 cells,Bigelovii A inhibited mTOR signaling by decreasing Akt and p-ERK.Consistently,Bigelovii A decreased phosphorylation levels of mTOR,p70S6K (Ser371,Thr389) and 4EBP1 proteins.Inhibiting Bigelovii Ainduced autophagy with the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine significantly decreased cell viability,which suggested that Bigelovii A-induced autophagy played a pro-survival role.Conclusion Bigelovii A is likely to induce autophagy through inhibiting mTOR pathway.

Application of electronic portal imaging device in postoperative intensity modulated radiotherapy of rectal cancer / 医疗卫生装备

Objective To measure and analyze the set-up errors of postoperative intensity modulated radiation therapy of rectal cancer (PIMRTRC)with electronic portal imaging device (EPID),and to provide theoretical foundation for clinical realizing of accurate PIMRTRC.Methods Totally 30 patients after rectal carcinoma resection underwent sagittal and coronal photographing with EPID before the first time of therapy and one time per week during the treatment course.The obtained images were compared with DRR images in treatment planning system to get the setup errors at X(left-right),Y(head-foot) and Z (front-back)directions,and the extending margins of CTV and PTV in postoperative intensity modulated radiation therapy were calculated.EPID was used for setup correction,and SPSS 19.0 was involved in to execute statistical analysis. Results The linear displacement had the mean values plus/minus standard deviation at X, Y and Z directions before and after error correction being(-1.392 4±3.670 9)mm vs(-0.816 5±2.670 5)mm,(0.969 7±4.076 1)mm vs(0.418 2±2.911 4)mm, and(0.704 4±1.805 6)mm vs(0.471 7±1.641 3)mm respectively;the extending margin had the values being 7 mm vs 5 mm, 6 mm vs 4 mm, and 4 mm vs 3 mm respectively.Conclusion EPID ensures the correctness and accuracy in postoperative intensity modulated radiotherapy of rectal cancer,which makes target area gifted with maximized dose,the surrounding tissue and organs at risk protected adequately,and provides theoretical support for extending CTV margin.[Chinese Medical Equip-ment Journal,2018,39(5):59-63]

Effects of collagen-bioactive glass-polycaprolactone scaffold on proliferation, migration and differentiation of human dental pulp cells / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:Collagen-bioglass-polycaprolacton (COL-BG-PCL) composites have good biocompatibility, mechanical properties and biodegradability that are beneficial to cell adhesion, proliferation and angiogenesis. OBJECTIVE:To study the effect of COL-BG-PCL bioactive scaffold on the proliferation, migration and differentiation of human dental pulp cells (hDPCs). METHODS:hDPCs were isolated and cultured on the COL-BG-PCL bioactive scaffold. MTT, cell scratch test and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) assay were used to detect the proliferation, migration and differentiation abilities of hDPCs before and at 1, 3, 7, 14, 24 days after inoculation onto the COL-BG-PCL bioactive scaffold. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the cells without inoculation onto the COL-BG-PCL bioactive scaffold, (1) the proliferation ability of the cells cultured on the COL-BG-PCL scaffold was significantly enhanced (P<0.01), and with the prolongation of the inoculation time, the cell proliferation ability was gradually increased; (2) the cell migration ability of the cells cultured on the COL-BG-PCL scaffold was significantly enhanced (P<0.01), and with the prolongation of the inoculation time, the migration ability of the cells cultured on the COL-BG-PCL scaffold was gradually increased; (3) the level of alkaline phosphatase in the supernatant of the cells cultured on the COL-BG-PCL scaffold was significantly increased (P<0.01), and with the prolongation of the inoculation time, the level of alkaline phosphatase in the supernatant was gradually increased. In summary, the COL-BG-PCL scaffold can promote the proliferation, migration and differentiation of hDPCs.

Effect of intravitreal injection of Ranibizumab on choroid in patients with severe NPDR with macular edema / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM:To investigate the changes of choroidal thickness in patients with severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) after vitreous injection of ranibizumab,and to analyze the relationship between the thickness of choroid and the visual acuity of the patients.METHODS:Eighty patients with severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy were selected from January 1,2014 to January 1,2017.All patients were divided into observation group and control group according to the random number table,40 cases in each group.The control group was treated in a conventional manner,and the observation group was injected with ranibizumab in the vitreous.The thickness of the choroid in the macular area and the thickness of the retinal neuroepithelium in the macular area were compared between the two groups before and after treatment.The changes of the corrected visual acuity were analyzed at 1mo before and after treatment.The relationship between the thickness of the choroid and the thickness of the retinal neuroepithelium and the best corrected visual acuity were compared.The complications and adverse events were compared between the two groups after 6wk of treatment.RESULTS:The thickness of the choroid and the retinal neuroepithelium in the macular area before were 219.57± 51.24μm and 474.76 ± 95.56μm,respectively,in the observation group and the control group,217.56± 50.36μm and 473.27 ± 96.48μm,respectively.The thickness of the choroid and the thickness of the retinal neuroepithelium in the macular area after treatment were 180.15±42.06μm and 382.18±84.26,202.48±48.28μm and 407.88± 44.25μm,respectively.The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P＜0.05).The best corrected visual acuity in the observation group and the control group were 0.47±0.19 and 0.53±0.25 respectively (P＜0.05).There was a positive correlation between the choroidal thickness and the best corrected visual acuity in the macular fovea (regression coefficient=1.12,S=0.48,OR=1.376,P＜ 0.05).There was a positive correlation between retinal neuroepithelial thickness and best corrected visual acuity in the macular area (regression coefficient =0.95,S=0.27,OR=1.020,P＜ 0.05).There were 2 eyes (5％) with subconjunctival hemorrhage,1 eyes (2.5％) of glaucoma,1 eyes (2.5％) of vitreous hemorrhage,0 of choroidal detachment,retinal detachment in 0 in observation group at 6wk after treatment.There were 4 eyes (10％) with subconjunctival hemorrhage,2 eyes (5％) of glaucoma,2 eyes of vitreous hemorrhage (5％),2 eyes of choroidal detachment (5％),retinal detachment in 2 eyes (5％) in the control group,and the difference between the two groups on the complications and adverse reactions was statistically significant (P＜0.05).CONCLUSION:The choroidal thickness of patients with macular edema in severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy is correlated with the best corrected visual acuity.Intravitreal injection of ranibizumab can effectively reduce the macular fovea choroidal thickness,reduce macular edema and improve vision,and less complications.

C-reactive Protein -717A>G and -286C>T>A Gene Polymorphism and Ischemic Stroke / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Inflammation plays a pivotal role in the formation and progression of ischemic stroke. Recently, more and more epidemiological studies have focused on the association between C-reactive protein (CRP) -717A > G and -286C > T > A genetic polymorphisms and ischemic stroke. However, the findings of these researches are not conclusive.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We performed a meta-analysis to determine whether these two polymorphisms are associated with the risk of ischemic stroke. Eligible studies were identified from the database of PubMed, Medline, Embase, Web of Science, CNKI, Weipu, and Wanfang. We calculated odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to assess the strength of the association.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Four articles were included in our study, including 1926 cases and 2678 controls for -717A > G polymorphism, 652 cases and 1103 controls for -286C > T > A polymorphism. The results of meta-analysis showed that single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) -717A > G was not significantly associated with the risk of ischemic stroke (GG vs. AA, OR = 1.12, 95% CI = 0.83-1.50, P = 0.207; GG + GA vs. AA, OR = 1.04, 95% CI = 0.93-1.17, P = 0.533; GG vs. GA + AA, OR = 1.10, 95% CI = 0.82-1.47, P = 0.220). Meta-analysis of SNP - 286C > T > A also demonstrated no statistical evidence of a significant association with the risk of ischemic stroke (AA vs. CC, OR = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.59-1.25, P = 0.348; AA vs. CC, OR = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.80-1.06, P = 0.609; AA vs. CC, OR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.62-1.30, P = 0.374).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>This meta-analysis demonstrated little evidence to support a role of CRP gene -717A > G, -286C > T > A polymorphisms in ischemic stroke predisposition. However, to draw comprehensive and more reliable conclusions, further larger studies are needed to validate the association between CRP gene polymorphisms and ischemic stroke in various ethnic groups.</p>

A new dimeric diarylheptanoid from the rhizomes of Alpinia officinarum / 中国天然药物

AIM@#To study the chemical constituents of the rhizomes of Alpinia officinarum Hance.@*METHOD@#Compounds were isolated by repeated column chromatography, and their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral analysis. The cytotoxic activities of these compounds were evaluated with the T98G and B16F10 cell lines by the MTT assay.@*RESULTS@#A dimeric diarylheptanoid, named alpinin B (1), along with three known diarylheptanoids were obtained, and their structures were identified as alpinin B (1), 1, 7-diphenyl-3,5-heptanedione (2), (4E)-1, 7-diphenylhept-4-en-3-one (3) and (4E)-7- (4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-phenylhept-4-en-3-one (4).@*CONCLUSION@#Compound 1 is a new dimeric diarylheptanoid. The biosynthetic pathway of 1 was speculated to originate from a Michael reaction between compounds 2 and 3. Compound 3 showed cytotoxicity against the human glioblastoma T98G cell line with IC50 of 27 μmol·L(-1).

A new quinoline alkaloid from the roots of Dictamnus angustifolius / 中国天然药物

AIM@#To investigate the quinoline alkaloids from the roots of Dictamnus angustifolius G.Don ex Sweet (Rutaceae).@*METHOD@#The quinoline alkaloids were isolated by various column chromatographic methods and their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral analysis.@*RESULTS@#A new quinoline alkaloid, 5-methoxylrobustine (1), along with five known quinoline alkaloids were obtained, and their structures were identified as dictamnine (2), robustine (3), isopteleine (4), γ-fagarine (5), and skimmianine (6). Cytotoxicity testing of these alkaloids showed that all of them had weak cytotoxic activities against human breast cancer cells (MCF7).@*CONCLUSION@#Compound 1 is a new quinoline alkaloid. Alkaloid 3 showed stronger anti-proliferation effect than the other alkaloids.

Isolation and diversity analyses of endophytic fungi from Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis / 中国中药杂志

The paper is aimed at studying the diversity of endophytic fungi community from Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis, and to provide a scientific basis for the utilization value of the endophytic fungi as bioactive material resources. In the present study, endophytic fungi were isolated from roots, rhizomes and leaves of wild P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis collected from Baoshan, Heqing county and Songming city of Yunnan province, and identified and classified by morphological methods together with its ITS sequence analysis. Seven and forty-nine strains of endophytic fungi were isolated from P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis. They were identified belonging to 41 genus. In these 41 genus, 3 genus exist in root only, 12 genus only exist in rhizome and 8 genus only exist in leaf. There was difference in endophytic fungi isolated from different sample sites. Endophytic fungi diversity from rhizomes of Heqing site was the highest. Endophytic fungi similarity coefficient was low among different sites and tissues. Based on these results, it is reasonable to propose that endophytic fungi of P. polyphylla var. yannanensis from different tissue and different sample sites has a certain difference which is possibly relate to their different habitats, different structure and composition of each tissue.

Enhanced biosynthesis of scopolamine in transgenic Atropa belladonna by overexpression of h6h gene / 中国中药杂志

Transgenic Atropa belladonna with high levels of scopolamine was developed by metabolic engineering. A functional gene involved in the rate limiting enzyme of h6h involved in the biosynthetic pathway of scopolamine was over expressed in A. belladonna via Agrobacterium-mediation. The transgenic plants were culturing till fruiting through micropropogating and acclimating. The integration of the h6h genes into the genomic DNA of transgenic plants were confirmed by genomic polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. Analysis of the difference of plant height, crown width, stem diameter, leaf length, leaf width, branch number and fresh weight was carried out using SPSS software. The content of hyoscyamine and scopolamine in roots, stems, leaves and fruits was determined by HPLC. The investigation of the expression levels of Hnh6h by qPCR. Both Kan(r) and Hnh6h genes were detected in five transgenic lines of A. belladonna plants (A8, A11, A12, C8 and C19), but were not detected in the controls. The plant height, crown width, stem diameter, leaf length, leaf width, branch number and fresh weight of transgenic plants did not decrease by comparison with the non-transgenic ones, and furthermore some agronomic characters of transgenic plants were better than those of the controls. The highest level of scopolamine was found in leaves of transgenic A. belladonna, and the content of scopolamine was also higher than that of hyoscyamine in leaves. The contents of scopolamine of leaves in different transgenic lines were listed in order: C8 > A12 > C19 > A11 > A8, especially, the content of scopolamine in transgenic line C8 was 2.17 mg x g(-1) DW that was 4.2 folds of the non-transgenic ones (0.42 mg x g(-1) DW). The expression of transgenic Hnh6h was detected in all the transgenic plants but not in the control. The highest level of Hnh6h expression was found in transgenic leaves. Overexpression of Hnh6h is able to break the rate limiting steps involved in the downstream pathway of scopolamine biosynthesis, and thus promotes the metabolic flux flowing toward biosynthesis of scopolamine to improve the capacity of scopolamine biosynthesis in transgenic plants. As a result, transgenic plants of A. belladonna with higher level of scopolamine were developed.

Investigation of the anti-terminal maturation effects of parathyroid hormone on human osteoarthritis chondrocytes / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the inhibition in parathyroid hormone (PTH) to terminal differentiation of human osteoarthritis chondrocytes.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Human osteoarthritis chondrocytes were isolated and cultured. The cells were divided into PTH group and control group, and the cells of two groups were treated respectively with PTH and saline every day. The morphology of cells was observed by microscope. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining was performed to detect the ALP protein. The hypertrophic marker genes mRNA and protein expressions were detected by real-time RT-PCR and Westernblot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Human osteoarthritis chondrocytes had characteristic of terminal differentiation. Compared with control group, PTH group can obviously degrade ALP staining density, and decrease marker gene mRNA and proteinic expression of promoting terminal differentiation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>PTH has a role of inhibition of terminal differentiation of human osteoarthritis chondrocytes.</p>

Effects of electroacupuncture on embryo implanted potential for patients with infertility of different symptom complex / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the impacts of electroacupuncture on embryo implanted potential and its molecular mechanism in the patients with infertility of different symptom complex.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Among the patients with infertility treated with electroacupuncture and in vitro fertilization and embryo transplantation (IVF-ET), 82 cases of kidney deficiency (group A), 74 cases of liver qi stagnation (group B) and 54 cases of phlegm dampness (group C) were selected. All of the patients in three groups received long-program ovarian hyper-stimulation. Additionally, electroacupuncturecan was applied before controlled ovarian hyper-stimulation (COH) and in the process of ovarian hyper-stimulation. The levels of human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) in the serum were determined on the 2nd day of the menstruation (M2), on the day of human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) injection and on the day of embryo transplantation in the culture solution in three groups separately. The fertilization rate, implantation rate and clinical pregnancy rate were observed for the patients in three groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The levels of HLA-G in the serum on hCG injection day and in the culture solution on embryo transplantation day in group A and B were significantly higher than those in group C (all P < 0.05). But, there was no significant difference in serum HLA-G levels on M2 day among three groups. The high-quality embryo rate in either group A (73.6%, 352/478) or group B (70.6%, 379/537) was higher significantly than that in group C (54.2%, 208/384) separately, presenting statistical significant difference (all P < 0.01). But there were no significant differences in clinical pregnancy rate, fertilization rate and cleavage rate among three groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Electroacupuncture can increase the contents of HLA-G in the body and the level of HLA-G secreted in embryos for the patients in the process of IVF-ET. Eventually, the pregnancy outcome and the pregnancy rate are improved. The clinical effects of electroacupuncture for the patients of kidney deficiency and liver qi stagnation are better than those for the patients of phlegm dampness.</p>

The expression and significance of decorin in chronic rejection of liver transplantion / 国际外科学杂志

Objective To investigate expression and significance of decorin(DCN)in liver tissue and serum of liver transplant patients with chronic rejection(CR).Methods Immunohistochemistry(SP method)was used to detect expression of DCN in liver tissue of 16 normal controls, 20 patients with cirrhosis, 46 liver translantion patients without CR and 8 patients with CR.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method(ELISA method)was used to determined the content of DCN in serum of all research subjects.Results The expression of DCN was negative in normal hepatic tissues and with/without CR, cirrhosis tissues showed strong expression of DCN.The positive expression rate and the average optical density value of DCN in liver transplant tissues with CR had significant difference comparing with Cirrhosis tissues(25% vs 55%, 0.1249 ±0.0039 vs 0.2357 ±0.0396, P <0.01,while no statistic siqnificance compared to normal liver tissues and those without CR.The level of DCN in serum was significantly higher in liver transplant patients with CR, with significant difference comparing with normal people, liver cirrhosis and transplant liver patients without CR(54.0833 ± 6.0325)μg/L vs(1.0232 ± 0.9105)μg/L,(12.6202 ± 1.5370)μg/L,(17.7102 ± 2.3562)μg/L, P < 0.01).The concentration of DCN in serum showed a positive correlation with the degree of CR.Conclusions DCN showed negative expression in liver tissue and increased significantly in serum of liver transplantation patients with CR.This suggests that DCN may be involved in occurrence and development of CR.At the same time the determination of DCN in serum maybe become an important indicator of the early diagnosis, development and prognosis of CR for liver transplant patients.

Thyroid function of women of reproductive age in iodine sufficiency and iodine deficiency / 中国地方病学杂志

Objective To study the effects of different level of iodine nutrition on the thyroid function in women of reproductive age. Methods A total of 100 (50 from each) women of reproductive age but not pregnant were collected from iodine deficient and adequate areas. The questionnaire was obtained individually with items concerning personal history of thyroid diseases, goiters and category of edible salt and drinking water based on the project design. The household salt and drinking water were collected for measuring iodine content, and blood samples were obtained for TSH, FT4 and FT3 testing. Results The coverage of iodized salt and the median level of urinary iodine in iodine deficient women(72.0% and 95.5 μg/L) were obviously lower than that in iodine sufficient women(100.0% and 167.4 μg/L, χ2=16.28, U = 632.00, P < 0.01). Median level of serum TSH in iodine deficient women (2.56 m U/L) appeared in an increasing tendency compared to the iodine sufficient women (1.88 mU/L), but there was no significance (U=990.50, P > 0.05). Serum FT4 mean level in iodine deficient women [(14.7±2.0) pmol/L]was lower than that in iodine sufficient women[(17.0±3.8)pmoI/L, t=3.76, P<0.01]. There was no difference in serum FT3 between two group women[(5.1±1.4), (4.8±0.5)pmoI/L, t = 1.59, P > 0.05]; but FT3/FT4 ratio in iodine deficient women(0.33±0.04) was markedly higher than that in the iodine sufficient women(0.30±0.04, t=3.13, P<0.01). The percentage of thyroid dysfunction in iodine deficient women[20.0% (10/50)]was higher compared with the iodine sufficient women[8.0%(4/50)], but without significance(χ2=2.99, P>0.05). Conclusions Iodine deficiency is a primary cause leading to hypothyroid in women of reproductive age. Long term of iodized salt usage is an efficient way to correct iodine deficiency.

Clinical effect of Sizi Zhongwang capsule combined with Western medical therapy in treating male sterility / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the clinical effect of Sizi Zhongwang Capsule (SZC) combined with Western medicine (WM) in treating male sterility.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two hundred and sixty-one male patients with sterility were assigned to 3 groups, 64 in the WM group were treated with conventional Western medical therapy alone, 87 in the SZC group were treated with SZC alone, and 110 in the combined group were treated with SZC combined Western medical therapy. The treatment lasted for 90 days in total. Changes of semen related parameters before and after treatment were observed, and the conditions of pregnancy in patients' spouse were followed-up.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The difference in semen related parameters before and after treatment showed insignificant in the WM group (P > 0.05), but it did show statistical significance in the SZC group and the combined group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Moreover, the best effect was shown in the combined group, showing significant difference to the other two groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The pregnancy rate of patients' spouse in the combined treated group was higher than that in the other two groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>SZC combined with Western medical therapy could effectively improve the quality of semen in males with infertility and enhance the pregnancy rate in their spouse.</p>

Effect of icogenin on and its mechanism in anti-metastasis of pancreatic cancer BxPC3 cells / 药学学报

This study is to investigate the effect of Icogenin on and its mechanism in anti-metastasis of pancreatic cancer BxPC3 cells in vitro. Using transwell assay, the effects of Icogenin on the invasion of BxPC3 cells were measured. The abilities of cell motility and adhesion in BxPC3 cells were detected by MTT assay and wound healing assay, respectively. The MAPK signal pathway protein expressions were analyzed with Western blotting. Also, the activity of MMP2 was observed by zymography assay. Icogenin inhibited the abilities of motility, adhesion and invasion of pancreatic cancer BxPC3 cells in vitro (P < 0.05), in a dose-depended manner, and inhibited the secretion of MMP2 and phosphorylation of ERK. PD98059 and U0126 which were ERK inhibitors could suppress the abilities of invasion and metastasis of pancreatic cancer BxPC3 cells. It is concluded that Icogenin can inhibit the abilities of invasion and metastasis of pancreatic cancer in vitro by inhibiting the secretion of MMP2 and phosphorylation of ERK.

Correlation between birth defects and dietary nutrition status in a high incidence area of China / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the association between birth defects and dietary nutrient intake in a high risk area of China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A dietary survey was performed and serum folic acid was measured in women whose pregnancy was affected by neural tube defects (NTDs) or unaffected by any birth defects (BDs) in Zhongyang and Jiaokou Counties in Shanxi Province of China.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The local average consumption of foods including dark green vegetables, fruits, fat and meat, and nutrient intake (e.g., energy, protein, retinol, riboflavin, vitamin E, and selenium) were lower than the national average level. In women of childbearing age, these regions, the intake of nutrients was much lower than the recommended nutrient intake (9%-77%). The case-control dietary nutrition study of women whose pregnancy was affected by BDs (including NTDs and congenital heart defects) demonstrated that, in early pregnancy, adequate nutrition (i.e., eating meat, fresh vegetables, fruit more than once a week) was a protective factor, while eating germinated potatoes was a risk factor. The geometrical mean (p5-p95) of serum folic acid in women with NTD birth defects was 9.6 nmol/L (3.6, 23.03), which was significantly lower than that in normal women (14.03 nmol/L).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Women of childbearing age in the two counties of Shanxi Province, China, have a marked insufficient intake of some nutrients, especially folic acid, zinc, vitamins A and B12. This nutrient deficiency may be an important risk factor for the high prevalence of birth defects in these regions. Therefore, adequate dietary nutrition in early pregnancy can prevent BDs.</p>