Expression analysis of Foxa2 gene in NIPBL+/- deficient mice with cardiac atrial septal defect / 医学研究生学报

ObjectiveThe occurrence of atrial septal defect in Cornelia DE Lange syndrome are rarely reported in previous studies. The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between the formation of atrial septal defect and Foxa2 gene expression in NIPBL+/- mouse model through the analysis of the expression of Foxa2 gene in heart tissue. MethodsThe NIPBL+/- mice were used as the experimental group, and wild-type NIPBL+/+ mice were used as the normal group. There were six mice in each group. The weights of the mice at 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks were measured and recorded. Mouse heart tissues were collected at 4 weeks, and the expression of Foxa2 gene and protein were determined by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (Qrt-PCR) and Western blot. Pathological sections and HE staining were carried out to observe the effect of NIPBL gene defect on the development and changes of the mouse heart, as well as the anatomical structure of the atrial septum of the heart. ResultsThe weight of mice in the experimental group was significantly lower than that of the normal group (P<0.05) at all four time points. Foxa2 gene expression and protein expression in heart tissues of the experimental group were statistically lower than those of the normal group (P<0.05). Abnormal defect was observed in the atrial septum of the heart pathological sections of the NIPBL deficient mice. ConclusionThe decreased expression of Foxa2 gene in the heart tissue of NIPBL+/- deficient mice may be a factor inducing growth retardation and weight loss in mice. The abnormal defect in the atrial septum of nipbl-deficient mice might be associated with the down-regulation of Foxa2 gene expression in cardiomyocytes.

Response surface analysis for the optimization of extraction condition for polysaccharides from Epimedium polysaccharides and studies on its tumor immune activities / 药学学报

To enhance the efficiency of the extraction for Epimedium koreanum Nakai polysaccharides, we conducted the Box-Benhnken experiment and examined the response surface. C57 BL6 mice were used as Lewis-bearing mice model in the study of the polysaccharides in the regulation of tumor immunity. In the first place, different factors including extraction time, temperature, and ratio were evaluated in the yield of polysaccharides. The second order polynomial equation was formed to fit the experimental data. The optimal condition was temperature 87℃, extraction time 3.84 h, and ratio of solution and material 1:16.33 to get polysaccharides from Epimedium koreanum Nakai. Under this condition, model-predicted and experimentally measured values of polysaccharide yield were 1.045% and 1.023%, respectively, with a relative error between them at 2.15%. The extraction method is reliable, simple and applicable to the extraction of Epimedium poly-saccharides. In addition, this data suggests that Epimedium polysaccharides have obvious immune-regulatory activities in the tumor-bearing mice through increasing the immune-enhancing cytokines to override the immune-suppressing factors.

Clinical observation of icotinib hydrochloride for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the efficacy and side effects of icotinib hydrochloride in the treatment of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The efficacy and side effects of icotinib hydrochloride in treatment of 59 cases with stage IV NSCIC and followed-up from March 2009 to January 2012 were retrospectively analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Twenty seven patients (45.8%) showed partial response (PR), 17 patients (28.8%) achieved SD, and 15 (25.4%) had progressive disease. The objective response rate (ORR) was 45.8% (27/59), and disease control rate (DCR) was 74.6% (44/59). Among the 23 patients with EGFR mutation, ORR was 73.9% (17/23), and DCR was 95.7% (22/23). Thirty six patients (61.0%) achieved remission of symptoms to varying degrees. The main symptoms relieved were cough, asthmatic suffocating, pain and hoarseness. The major adverse events were mild skin rash (35.6%) and diarrhea (15.3%). Others were dry skin, nausea and stomach problems. The efficacy of icotinib hydrochloride were related to the ECOG performance status, smoking history, EGFR mutation and rash significantly (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Monotherapy with icotinib hydrochloride is effective and tolerable for patients with advanced NSCLC, especially with EGFR mutation.</p>

Study on the characteristics of sexual networks for men who have sex with men recruited at different sites in Harbin / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To identify the characteristics of the sexual networks and HIV/AIDS related high-risk behaviors among MSM in Harbin city, and to evaluate the possibility of HIV transmission among MSM and from MSM to general population.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A face to face questionnaire investigation was conducted among 673 MSM aged above 18 years older from May to July, 2006 in Harbin, Heilongjiang province. The Key-informant sampling and time-location sampling methods were used at different sites to recruit objectives, including bars, bathrooms, parks and social networks.Mixing matrices were computed based on the demographic characteristics of MSM and their sexual partners. Sexual networks analysis by egocentric methods, such as network size, density and sexual mixing patterns.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 647 questionnaires were completed. The number of them recruited from bars, bathrooms, parks and social networks were 229, 291, 36 and 91. The average size of sexual networks was 14 persons, the least network density was 0.14. The proportion of having sexual relationship in the past year was 30.5% (647/2123). Of which recruited at bars, bathrooms, parks and social networks, the proportions of having long-term relationship with their sex partners were 22.8% (159/699), 35.9% (329/917), 26.4% (28/106) and 32.7% (131/401), respectively. There was statistical significance in MSM having sexual relationship with their partners at different recruited places (chi(2) = 34.07, P < 0.01). Sexual networks of MSM from public bathroom was larger with an average number of 18. Only 35.9% (329/917) of them had long-term relationship with their sex partners. A tendency for age and marriage pairing to cluster around main diagonal suggesting that MSM were similar to choosing sexual partners in the respect of age and marriage status. The proportions of consistent condom use in the past 6 months were 40.9% (647/2123).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>MSM from different sites have greatly different sexual networks characteristics. Sexual mixing patterns are weakly assertive in the MSM and potential of HIV spread among MSM exists.</p>

Study on the patterns of sexual contact and behavioral features of men who have sex with men / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the patterns of sexual contact and behavioral features of men who have sex with men (MSM) and to analyze the related potential risks:</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A face to face interview with a standardized questionnaire was conducted on 673 MSM from May to July, 2006 in Haerbin, Heilongjiang province. Mixing matrices were computed based on characteristics of MSM and their sexual partners and different models were used for goodness-of-fit.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>648 questionnaires were completed. Age and marriage status of sexual contact patterns were assertive with values of Q which were found to be 0.03 and 0.41, respectively. Values of Q showed big difference according to age and marriage status of sexual mixing Patterns among different sites. A tendency for age and marriage pairing in clustering around main diagonal (table 5, table 6) suggested that MSM and their partners were similar in ages and marriages while young MSM tend to have older partners. Most of the MSM had large number of sexual partners and frequently changing their sexual partners. The proportions of consistent condom use changed greatly (chi2 = 76.22, P < 0.001) over time with the proportions of consistent condom use and commercial sex behaviors among 15-24 age groups of 50.9% and 22.5%, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Among MSM, sexual mixing patterns were weakly assertive,suggesting potential HIV transmission risk did exist since high risk behavior often occurred among MSM and their sexual partners.</p>

Angiotensin-converting enzyme gene and the brachial artery endothelial dysfunction in type 2 diabetes without angiopathy / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the relationship between angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene and endothelial dysfunction.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and ten type 2 diabetic patients without angiopathy were selected randomly, and PCR technique was used to determine their ACE genotypes. High resolution ultrasonography was performed to measure the changes in brachial artery diameter at rest, after reactive hyperemia (with increased flow producing an endothelium-dependent dilation) and after sublingual glyceryltrinitrate (GNT, an endothelium-independent dilator). Meanwhile, 50 healthy individuals were selected randomly as controls.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In type 2 diabetes mellitus and control groups, the percentages for flow-mediated arterial dilation in patients with DD genotypes were 3.38% and 3.67% respectively, which were significantly lower than those in patients with II genotypes (4.12% and 4.68% respectively, P<0.05). The baseline blood vessel size, baseline blood flow and GNT induced dilation in both groups showed no significant differences among ACE genotypes (P>0.05). By multiple stepwise regression analysis, reduced flow-mediated arterial dilation was associated with age, baseline vessel size, low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C), Lp(a), D allele, fasting blood glucose (FBG), postparandial blood glucose (PPBG), HbA1c, duration of diabetes in type 2 diabetic patients (P<0.0005).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>ACE DD genotype is related to endothelium-dependent arterial dilation in the early stage of type 2 diabetes mellitus and in healthy individuals.</p>