Discrepancy between behavioral-indicated and perceived candidacy for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis among men who have sex with men in Chengdu, China / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the discrepancy between behavioral-indicated candidacy and perceived candidacy (behavioral-perceived gap) and its associated factors of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among men who have sex with men (MSM), so as to identify the focus population of PrEP interventions and to design and implement targeted interventions.@*METHODS@#We recruited a sample of 622 HIV-negative MSM who were regular clients of a community-based organization located in Chengdu, China, from November to December 2021. A cross-sectional questionnaire was used to collect the participants' information on social demographics, PrEP-related knowledge and cognitions, and risk behaviors. In this study, behaviorally eligible for PrEP was defined as performing at least one type of high-risk behavior in the past six months, including inconsistent condom use, sex with an HIV-positive partner, confirmed sexual transmitted infections (STI) diagnosis, substance use, and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) experience. Logistic regression models were fitted, and multivariate analyses were adjusted for social demographics.@*RESULTS@#Among the 622 eligible participants, 52.6% (327/622) were classified as behaviorally eligible for PrEP. Only 37.9% (124/327) of the participants perceived themselves as appropriate candidates for PrEP and 62.1% (203/207) had discrepancy between behavioral-indicated and perceived candidacy. 85.9% (281/327) had heard of PrEP, and 14.2% (40/281) accessed PrEP information through health care providers. Of the 327 participants eligible for behavior-indicated PrEP use, about half (47.1%) knew how to obtain PrEP medication and 33.0% had a professional PrEP counseling experience. The majority (93.3%) had no or few friends using PrEP. 54.1% scored eight or above in PrEP knowledge level. 66.7% reported having two or more sexual partners in the past six months. After adjusting for age and recruitment channel, we found six factors that were associated with perceived candidacy for PrEP, including PEP use [adjusted odds ratio (ORA)=2.20; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.33-3.63], PrEP availability (ORA=1.69; 95%CI: 1.06-2.68), a greater number of PrEP-using friends (ORA=4.92; 95%CI: 1.77-13.65), PrEP know-ledge (ORA=2.21; 95%CI: 1.38-3.56), multiple sexual partnership (ORA=1.77; 95%CI: 1.07-2.94), and perceiving a higher risk of HIV infection (ORA=4.02; 95%CI: 1.73-9.32). Substance use during sex and PrEP information channel were not statistically associated with this beha-vioral-perceived gap.@*CONCLUSION@#We observed a high discrepancy between behavioral-indicated and perceived candidacy for PrEP among Chengdu MSM in China. Future PrEP implementation efforts should be made in skills training in assessing HIV infection risk, increasing PrEP knowledge, providing professional PrEP counselling, and fostering PrEP support environment.

Rapid health technology assessment of four oral Chinese patent medicines in treatment of functional gastrointestinal disorders / 中国中药杂志

To provide proof of the evidence-based medicine and decision-making information for the clinical decision of functional gastrointestinal disorders(FGIDs), this study evaluated and compared the efficacy, safety, and economy of four oral Chinese patent medicines(CPMs) in the treatment of FGIDs using the method of rapid health technology assessment. The literature was systematically retrieved from CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, SinoMed, EMbase, PubMed, Cochrane Library and ClinicalTrials.gov from the establishment of the databases to May 1, 2022. Two evaluators screened out the literature, extracted data, evaluated the quality of the literature, and descriptively analyzed the results according to the prepared standard. Eventually, 16 studies were included, all of which was rando-mized controlled trial(RCT). The results showed that Renshen Jianpi Tablets, Renshen Jianpi Pills, Shenling Baizhu Granules, and Buzhong Yiqi Granules all had certain effects on the treatment of FGIDs. Renshen Jianpi Tablets treated FGIDs and persistent diarrhea. Shenling Baizhu Granules treated diarrhea with irritable bowel syndrome and FGIDs. Buzhong Yiqi Granules treated diarrhea with irritable bowel syndrome, FGIDs, and chronic diarrhea in children. Renshen Jianpi Pills treated chronic diarrhea. The four oral CPMs all have certain effects on the treatment of FGIDs and have specific advantages for specific patients. Compared with other CPMs, Renshen Jianpi Tablets have higher clinical universality. However, there are problems such as insufficient clinical research evidence, generally low quality of evidence, lack of comparative analysis among medicines, and lack of academic evaluation. More high-quality clinical research and the economic research should be carried out in the future, so as to provide more evidence for the evaluation of the four CPMs.

Association between response to repeated negative HIV testing and risk sexual behaviors in men who have sex with men in Chengdu / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective: To investigate the association between the response to repeated negative HIV testing and the risk sexual behaviors in men who have sex with men (MSM) in Chengdu. Methods: A total of 610 MSM were recruited by convenience sampling method through Chengdu Tongle Health Consultation Service Centre from March to May 2022. Data were collected from the MSM through questionnaire survey, including the demographic characteristics, sexual behaviors in the past 6 months, the response to rerpeated negative HIV testing. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were conducted to analyze the association between the response to repeated negative HIV testing and risk sexual behavior. Results: A total of 579 (94.9%) participants participated in the questionnaire survey and 354 (61.1%) subjects were included in the study.For the negative HIV testing, some MSM believed that they had taken effective protection measures (17.03±2.20), some believed that they were lucky (7.50±1.87) and some believed that they were at low risk (8.87±3.62). Multivariate logistic regression model showed that protected sexual behavior was negatively associated with group sex (aOR=0.80, 95%CI: 0.67-0.95), lucky was positively associated with casual sex (aOR=1.20, 95%CI: 1.06-1.35), inconsistent condom use (aOR=1.21, 95%CI: 1.06-1.37), group sex (aOR=1.26, 95%CI: 1.00-1.60), and multiple sexual partners (aOR=1.24, 95%CI: 1.09-1.42) and low risk perception was positively associated with multiple sexual partners only (aOR=1.08, 95%CI: 1.01-1.15). Conclusions: There were high levels of recognition of protected sexual behavior and lucky dimensions in response to repeated negative HIV testing and well risk perception in MSM in Chengdu. In HIV testing and counseling services, intervention and risk warning should be strengthened in MSM who believed that they are lucky to improve their awareness of safe sex and reduce the negative effects of fluke mind.

Association between physical exercise and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in people infected with hepatitis B virus / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective: To investigate the association between physical exercise and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in people infected with HBV. Methods: The information about the 3 813 participants infected with HBV, including the prevalence of NAFLD, prevalence of physical exercise and other covariates, were collected from the National Science and Technology Major Project of China during 2016-2020. The logistic regression model was used to evaluate the association between physical exercise and NAFLD in HBV infected patients, and subgroup analysis was performed to identify the effect modifiers. Results: A total of 2 259 HBV infected participants were included in the final analysis and 454 (20.10%) had NAFLD. After adjusting for covariates, we found that moderate physical exercise was a protective factor for NAFLD (OR=0.66, 95%CI: 0.46-0.94). Subgroup analysis suggested that the protective effect of moderate physical exercise on NAFLD might be stronger in women (OR=0.61, 95%CI: 0.36-1.01), those <45 years old (OR=0.24, 95%CI: 0.06-0.80), those who had low education level (OR=0.16, 95%CI: 0.04-0.49), those who had low annual income (OR=0.39, 95%CI: 0.16-0.89 for <30 000 yuan RMB; OR=0.64, 95%CI: 0.40-1.00 for 30 000-80 000 yuan RMB), those who had hypertension (OR=0.45, 95%CI: 0.21-0.88), those with BMI ≥24.0 kg/m2 (OR=0.66, 95%CI: 0.43-1.01), those who had more daily fruit or vegetable intake (OR=0.61, 95%CI: 0.38-0.97), those who had more daily meat intake (OR=0.49, 95%CI: 0.23-0.97), and those who had no smoking history (OR=0.66, 95%CI: 0.45-0.95) or passive smoking exposure (OR=0.61, 95%CI: 0.37-0.97). Conclusions: Among HBV infected patients, moderate physical exercise was negatively associated with the prevalence of NAFLD. Women, young people, those who had low education level, those who had low annual income, those with hypertension, those with high BMI, those who had more daily fruit or vegetable and meat intakes, and those who had no smoking history or passive smoking exposure might be more sensitive to the protective effect.

Establish a normal fetal lung gestational age grading model and explore the potential value of deep learning algorithms in fetal lung maturity evaluation / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Prenatal evaluation of fetal lung maturity (FLM) is a challenge, and an effective non-invasive method for prenatal assessment of FLM is needed. The study aimed to establish a normal fetal lung gestational age (GA) grading model based on deep learning (DL) algorithms, validate the effectiveness of the model, and explore the potential value of DL algorithms in assessing FLM.@*METHODS@#A total of 7013 ultrasound images obtained from 1023 normal pregnancies between 20 and 41 + 6 weeks were analyzed in this study. There were no pregnancy-related complications that affected fetal lung development, and all infants were born without neonatal respiratory diseases. The images were divided into three classes based on the gestational week: class I: 20 to 29 + 6 weeks, class II: 30 to 36 + 6 weeks, and class III: 37 to 41 + 6 weeks. There were 3323, 2142, and 1548 images in each class, respectively. First, we performed a pre-processing algorithm to remove irrelevant information from each image. Then, a convolutional neural network was designed to identify different categories of fetal lung ultrasound images. Finally, we used ten-fold cross-validation to validate the performance of our model. This new machine learning algorithm automatically extracted and classified lung ultrasound image information related to GA. This was used to establish a grading model. The performance of the grading model was assessed using accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and receiver operating characteristic curves.@*RESULTS@#A normal fetal lung GA grading model was established and validated. The sensitivity of each class in the independent test set was 91.7%, 69.8%, and 86.4%, respectively. The specificity of each class in the independent test set was 76.8%, 90.0%, and 83.1%, respectively. The total accuracy was 83.8%. The area under the curve (AUC) of each class was 0.982, 0.907, and 0.960, respectively. The micro-average AUC was 0.957, and the macro-average AUC was 0.949.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The normal fetal lung GA grading model could accurately identify ultrasound images of the fetal lung at different GAs, which can be used to identify cases of abnormal lung development due to gestational diseases and evaluate lung maturity after antenatal corticosteroid therapy. The results indicate that DL algorithms can be used as a non-invasive method to predict FLM.

Research on Medication Rules of Depression Syndrome Based on Ancient Medical Records / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective::To analyze and excavate the medication rules of ancient physicians in the treatment of depression syndrome, so as to provide reference for clinical treatment of depression syndrome. Method::The ancient medical records of depression syndrome sorted out in Yian Leiju were retrieved and collated, the data of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescriptions in medical records were extracted, the obtained data of TCMs in prescriptions were standardized, and the data mining function of the ancient and modern medical records cloud platform V1.5 was adopted to carry out frequency statistics, cluster analysis, association analysis and complex network analysis of TCM data, the common drugs used by ancient physicians for treatment of depression syndrome, properties and classifications of commonly used medicines, pairs of commonly used medicines and core prescriptions were obtained. Result::After screening, a total of 364 medical cases, 461 visits and 439 prescription data of TCM were included, involving 67 ancient books. A total of 607 Chinese medicines were involved, and the total frequency of medication was 4 127.High frequency medicines included Poria (186 times), Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (115 times), Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (113 times), Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (101 times), Angelicae Sinensis Radix (98 times), Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (94 times), etc. The main properties and flavors of commonly used Chinese medicines were warm, flat, bitter and acrid, which were mainly attributed to the four meridians of spleen, lung, heart and liver. Commonly used couplet medicines were Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma-Poria, Poria-Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Poria-Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma-Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma-Poria, etc. The core prescription was based on the addition and subtraction of Danzhi Xiaoyaosan. Conclusion::In the treatment of depression syndrome, ancient physicians adopt the principles of invigorating the spleen, nourishing Qi and blood, soothing the liver and regulating Qi, nourishing the heart and tranquilizing the mind, giving consideration to both Qi and blood, and harmonizing the liver, spleen and heart.

Investigation on the epidemic characteristics of injuries among left-behind children in rural areas in Qingyuan city, Guangdong Province / 中华疾病控制杂志

Objective To investigate the epidemic character of injuries among rural left-behind children, so as to provide evidence for strategies and processes on preventing injuries. Methods Using stratified cluster sampling, a town was randomly selected from each of the two layers with different economic development levels in Qingxin district, Qingyuan city, Guangdong Province. The local left-behind children of 3-9 grades from 3 elementary schools and 3 middle schools were randomly selected from the local area. The student self-administered questionnaire was used to investigate the occurrence of injuries, personal circumstances, family environment and school situation in the past year. Data of injury situation, personal situation, family situation and school situation during last year were analysed by Chi-square and multiple logistic analysis. Results Injuries were reported to occur in 440 left-behind children, with an injury rate of 17.5%. Significant difference of injury rate was observed between groups divided by grades, being only-child in family, health conditions, anxiety, getting along with other students, teacher’s attitude to students, emphasizing security by teachers, knowledge level about injury, and injury-relative behaviors (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression model results suggested that middle school, physical health, behavioral level, and relationship with classmates are protective factors, anxiety is a risk factor (OR=1.262,95%CI:1.009~1.577,P=0.041). Conclusions We have to take some comprehensive methods to prevent injuries that are influenced by all kinds of factors. While constructing an advantage circumstance to left-behind children, their awareness of security should also be improved to reduce the occurrence of injuries.

Effects of Gualou Xiebai Banxia decoction on blood lipid content, oxidative stress and ox-LDL/Lox-1 pathway in ApoE-/- mice / 中国中药杂志

To observe the functions of Gualou Xiebai Banxia decoction（GXBD） on regulating lipid metabolism, anti-oxidation, and interposing ox-LDL/Lox-1 pathway, and to explore its anti-atherosclerosis (AS) mechanisms. AS models were established by using 42 Apo-E-/- male mice with high fat diet. AS model mice were randomly divided into the model group, simvastatin group, and GXBD high and low dose groups. C57BL/6J male mice were used as the normal control group, n=10 and the treatment lasted for 8 weeks. The levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, HDL-C, SOD, MDA, GSH-px, and ox-LDL in blood serum were tested 24 h after the last administration. The changes of aortic tissues structure were observed by HE staining; the expression levels of Lox-1 protein and the expression levels of mRNA were detected by Western blot and PCR respectively.Results showed that the blood lipid levels and MDA, ox-LDL levels in blood serum of model group were significantly higher than those in the normal control group, but SOD, GSH-px levels were significantly lower than those in the normal control group, and the Lox-1 protein and mRNA expression levels were also significantly higher than those in the control group(P<0.05), namely aortic atherosclerosis lesions were obvious in model group.The levels of blood lipid and MDA, ox-LDL of GXBD high and low dose groups and simvastatin group were significantly lower than those in model group, while SOD, GSH-px levels were significantly higher than those in model group, and Lox-1 protein and mRNA expression levels were significantly lower than those in model group(P<0.05), namely the aortic atherosclerosis lesions were significantly relieved. The above results indicated that GXBD was capable of modulating blood lipid, anti-oxidation, and inhibiting the expression of Lox-1, and interposing ox-LDL/Lox-1 pathway in the AS model Apo-E-/- mice, which may be one of the mechanisms of anti-atherosclerosis.

Effect of tripterygium glycosides and Danshen injection on blood coagulation mechanism in children with allergic purpura nephritis / 中国中药杂志

To observe the effect of tripterygium glycosides combined with Danshen injection on blood coagulation mechanism in children with allergic purpura nephritis, and investigate its treatment efficacy through a randomized controlled study. The results showed that before treatment, there were no significant differences in levels of D-D, APTT, PT, FIB and PLT between treatment group and control group; while after treatment, there were significant differences in levels of D-D, PT, FIB and PLT between two groups, but no difference in level of APTT. The effective rate was 90.38% in treatment group, significantly higher than 79.25% in the control group. There was no significant difference in incidence of adverse reactions between two groups. The results suggested that tripterygium glycosides combined with Danshen injection can enhance treatment efficacy and improve blood coagulation mechanism of children in the treatment of purpura nephritis, with high safety and no adverse effects.

Research advance on diagnosis and treatment for atypical optic neuritis / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

?Optic neuritis ( ON) is one of the most common causes of vision loss by neural eye diseases in youth and middle-aged. In the past, the diagnosis simply according to the risk position, which did not distinguish from the pathogenesis and clinical characteristics, can not meet the current clinical diagnosis and treatment needs. Combining with the etiology, clinical characteristics and prognosis, the latest classification of the current international diagnosis of ON are typical and atypical ON. Typical ON relates to multiple sclerosis ( MS ) or demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, it has a relatively good therapeutic effect and prognosis. Rather than, atypical ON has complex etiology, clinical manifestation, and the treatment and prognosis are also different. At present there are many international ON treatment guidelines with level I evidence-based medical evidence, but with different genetic background, geographical environment and ethnic groups, they are not been determined. China lacks of such a multicenter large sample, a wide range of research evidence. In this paper, we will summarize the progress of the diagnosis and treatment about ON, especially about the atypical ON, in order to provide some suggestions to further improve the standardization and individualization for clinical diagnosis and treatment on ON.

Use of indocyanine green staining technique for phacoemulsification in white cataract / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM:To observe the application efficiency of 5g/L indocyanine green ( ICG ) staining technique for continuous circular capsulorhexis ( CCC ) during phacoemulsification in white cataract. METHODS:Ninety-eight patients (98 eyes) with white cataract were randomly divided into staining group ( 50 cases, 50 eyes) and control group (48 cases, 48 eyes). The control group didn't do anterior capsule staining. The staining group was injected to fill the anterior chamber, 5g/L ICG 0.1mL was applied on the central surface of the anterior capsule, using a 27G blunt needle through the side-port after 30s, and the redundant ICG was replaced by BSS, and continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis was accomplished using capsulorhexis forceps. RESULTS: In staining group: after ICG staining, the capsule, which presented uniform light green and visualization of the anterior capsule was significantly improved. There are 48 eyes capsulorhexis success. The rate of success was 96%. Meanwhile, in control group, there was 29 eyes capsulorhexis success. The rate of success was 60%. The difference was statistically significant (P CONCLUSION:Indocyanine green staining increases the visibility of anterior capsule in over mature cataract, and it should be an effective and helpful method which can increase the success rate of capsulorehxis. At the same time, it can reduce the incidence of intraoperative complications. This will help beginners quickly grasp continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis, and shorten the learning curve.

Identification of main chemical constituents of diterpene lactone effective fraction of Andrographis panniculata by HPLC-DAD/ESI-MS and their preliminary pharmacodynamics research / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish an HPLC-DAD/ESI-MS method for quickly identifying chemical constituents in diterpene lactone effective fraction of Andrographis panniculata and to study its pharmacodynamics.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The separation was performed on an Agilent SB-C18 column (2.1 mm x 150 mm, 5 μm) with a mobile phase of acetonitrile (A) and water (B). The flow rate was maintained at 0.4 mL x min(-1) and detection wavelength was set at 205 nm. The samples were analyzed in positive ion mode, and mass scan range was m/z 50-1 000. Using two kinds of tumor cell lines made living animal models, and studied preliminary pharmacodynamics on anti-tumor aspect.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Five diterpene lactones in the diterpene lactone effective fraction of A. panniculata could be separated in one run. Pharmacodynamic experiments showed that the effectve fraction had an inhibitory effect on the growth of tumor.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>A rapid and efficient HPLC-ESI-MS method to determine the chemical constituents in diterpene lactone effective fraction of A. panniculata has been established, and the preliminary pharmacodynamics research has been done, which could be used for the quality control and further studies of diterpene lactone effective fraction of A. panniculata in vivo.</p>

Comparison of posterior capsular opacification models by phacoemulsification with or without intraocular lens implantation in rabbit / 中华实验眼科杂志

Background Prevention and treatment of posterior capsular opacification (PCO) is a hot issue.To establish a PCO animal model is the basis of relevant studies.The most common methods of creating a PCO model are phacoemulsification surgery with or without intraocular lens (IOL) implantation.But the suitability of different methods is unclear.Objective This experiment was to compare the outcome between the two methods of establishing a PCO model in rabbit eyes.Methods Twenty New Zealand white rabbits were collected and randomized into 2 groups.Phacoemulsification of cataract with IOL or without IOL implantation was performed on the right eyes of rabbits in these two groups.The operative eyes were examined under the slit lamp from day 1 through 3 months after surgery.The inflammatory response was evaluated and compared between the two groups,and the extent of PCO was graded based on Odrich's criteria.The use of the animals complied with the Regulations for the Administration of Affairs Concerning Experimental Animals by State Science and Technology Commission.Results The inflammatory response,including conjunctival congestion,corneal edema and aqueous flare were less severe in the model eyes with IOL implantation than the eyes without IOL implantation 1-3 days after operation.Inflammatory response gradually disappeared and showed the same degree in the PCO grade from 2 weeks through 3 months in both groups.The numbers of eyes with 1-3 grade of PCO were 8 and 9,and those with 0 grade of PCO were 2 and 1 in the with IOL implantation group and without IOL implantation group,respectively,showing a significant difference (P=0.39).PCO appeared at 1 month,extended at 2 months and formed dense fibrosis following operation.Conclusions The model outcome of phacoemulsification combined with IOL implantation is better than without IOL implantation one.It is the ideal animal model for the study of after cataract.

NNIspm, a polyamine derivative, induces cellular senescence of human hepatoma HepG2 cells and its molecular mechanism / 药学学报

This study is to examine the effects of NNIspm-mediated cellular senescence of HepG2 cells and elucidate its potential molecular mechanism. Cellular senescence was detected with senescence-associated beta-galactosidase staining. Cell cycle distribution, intracellular fluorescence intensity and accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected by high content screening (HCS). Protein expression was detected by Western blotting. Polyamines content was analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results demonstrated that NNIspm significantly induced HepG2 cells senescence. This effect was due to the decrease of intracellular polyamines, the arrest at G0/G1 phase and an increase of ROS level. The molecular senescence marker p21 increased significantly after NNIspm treatment. In contrast, the protein expressions of Cyclin E and CDK2 were obvious down-regulation. The results indicated that cellular senescence induced by NNIspm was one of its antitumor mechanisms.

Effects of thyroid hormone on the expression of homeobox gene Nkx6.1 in the cerebrum tissue of offspring of hypothyroidism rat / 中国地方病学杂志

Objective To explore the effects of thyroid hormone on the expression of homeobox gene Nkx6.1 in offspring of hypothyroidism rats and the relationship between gene expression and hormone level by supplying their hypothyroidism pregnant mother with thyroid hormone. Method A total of 240 Wistar rats were half nude and half female. Female rats were randomly divided into eight groups: control, hypothyroidism group, hypothyroidism groups which were supplied with thyroid hormone in high, medium and low dosage in early stage(1- 17 d) and in late stage( 18 - 20 d). According to 100 grams of body weight, the concentration of thyroid hormone were 3.5,2.0,0.5 μg/d in high, medium and low dosage group. All the rats were fed with low-iodine food. The normal control group was given KIO_3 solution and the other groups were given deionized water. After three months female rats were mated with male rats. The content of Nkx6.1 mRNA in brain tissue of 17-day fetal rats, new-born and 20- day old offspring by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR techniques. Results①A rat model of hypothyroidism was successfully established, there were statistical significance between 8 groups in TT_3,TT_4,FT_3,FT_4(F=4.08,31.99,5.79,26.34, all P < 0.01 ). ② The expression of Nkx6.1 mRNA had significant difference(F = 758.720, 1121.589,144.716, all P < 0.01 ) between groups in 17-day fetal rats, new-bern and 20-day old offsprings and intra- groups in different time (F=2898.863,325.605,716.285,56.329,236.727,196.678,7115.752,9152.306, all P < 0.01 ). ③The time factor and dosage factor had influence on Nkx6.1 mRNA expression(F = 1176.655,246.530, all P < 0.01 ). There were interaction between time and dosage factor(F = 1249.934, P < 0.01 ). ④Comparison of Nkx6.1 mRNA expression between hypothyroidism group and normal control group had significant difference in the above three time points(all P < 0.01 ). ⑤Comparisons of Nkx6.1 mRNA expression between 6 hypothyroidism groups which were supplied with thyroid hormone and hypothyroidism group had significant difference(all P < 0.01 ) in new-bern and 20-day old offspring; comparisons of Nkx6.1 mRNA expression between hypothyroidism groups which were supplied with high and medium thyroid hormone and hypothyroidism group had significant difference in 17-day fetal rats(all P < 0.01 ). ⑥Comparison of Nkx6.1 mRNA expression between hypothyroidism groups which were supplied with medium thyroid hormone in early stage and normal control group had no statistical significance (all P > 0.05), while between the other 5 groups which were supplied with thyroid hormone and normal control group had significant difference(all P < 0.01 ) in the above three time points.⑦Multiple comparison of early stage groups which were supplied with thyroid hormone showed that the expression of Nkx6.1 mRNA had significant difference(all P < 0.01) between high, low dosage groups and medium group in 17-day fetal rats, new-bern and 20-day offspring(all P< 0.01). ⑧Multiple comparison of late stage groups supplied with thyroid hormone showed that old offspring and between high dosage groups and low dosage groups in 17-day fetal rats and 20-day the expression of Nkx6.1 mRNA had significant difference(all P < 0.01 ) between three groups in new-bern and 20- day old offspring. Conclusion The expression of Nkx6.1 in rats offspring is highly related to the supply dosage and supply time of thyroid hormone in hypothyroidism pregnant rats.

Effects of supplement of thyroxine for hypothyroid pregnant rat on the expression of homeobox gene Nkx2.1 mRNA in the offspring's cerebrum tissue / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effects of thyroid hormone on the expression of homeobox gene Nkx2.1 mRNA in child rat by supplying their hypothyroidism pregnant mother with different dose of levothyroxine (L-thyroxine, L-T(4)) in different times.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>120 female Wistar rats were randomly divided into eight groups according to the body weight: control group, non-treatment hypothyroidism group, hypothyroidism groups supplied with L-T(4) in high, medium and low dosage in early stage (1st-17th day of pregnancy) and in late stage (18th day of pregnancy-20th day after childbirth). According to 100 grams of body weight, the concentrations of L-T(4) were 3.5, 2.0, 0.5 µg/d in high, medium and low dosage group. All the rats were fed with low-iodine food. The control group was given 200 µg/L potassium iodate solution as drinking water and the other groups were given deionized water. After three months, the rats were mated with normal male rats. After the pregnancy was confirmed, hypothyroidism groups were supplied with L-T(4) of different concentrations. Brain samples were taken from the 17-day fetal rats, new-born and 20-day old offsprings and the levels of Nkx2.1 mRNA in brain tissue were analyzed by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR techniques.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The levels of TT(3) in hypothyroidism groups supplied with L-T(4) in high, medium and low dosages in early and late pregnant stages, non-treatment hypothyroidism group and control group were (0.85 ± 0.17), (0.81 ± 0.18), (0.86 ± 0.21), (0.85 ± 0.20), (0.89 ± 0.18), (0.85 ± 0.20), (0.86 ± 0.20), (1.08 ± 0.07) nmol/L (F = 4.08, P < 0.01); the levels of TT(4) in each group were (0.43 ± 0.16), (0.39 ± 0.11), (0.39 ± 0.13), (0.43 ± 0.17), (0.51 ± 0.19), (0.43 ± 0.16), (0.41 ± 0.15), (39.43 ± 14.16) nmol/L (F = 31.99, P < 0.01); the levels of FT(3) in each group were (3.29 ± 0.61), (3.29 ± 0.61), (3.24 ± 0.61), (3.28 ± 0.63), (3.31 ± 0.59), (3.28 ± 0.50), (3.24 ± 0.49), (4.93 ± 0.46) pmol/L (F = 5.79, P < 0.01); the levels of FT(4) in each group were (3.38 ± 0.80), (3.31 ± 0.67), (3.29 ± 0.73), (3.27 ± 0.71), (3.48 ± 0.81), (3.56 ± 0.66), (3.29 ± 0.61), (27.29 ± 4.53) pmol/L (F = 26.34, P < 0.01). The expression of Nkx2.1 mRNA in non-treatment hypothyroidism group (9.15 × 10(-5) ± 9.17 × 10(-5)) was lower than control group (65.1 × 10(-5) ± 40.90 × 10(-5)) in 17th day of pregnancy (t = 66.224, P < 0.05); the expression of Nkx2.1 mRNA in non-treatment hypothyroidism group (3.16 × 10(-5) ± 0.142 × 10(-5)) was lower than control group (55.6 × 10(-5) ± 51.05 × 10(-5)) in new-born (t = 102.225, P < 0.05); the expression of Nkx2.1 mRNA in non-treatment hypothyroidism group (8.09 × 10(-5) ± 8.21 × 10(-5)) was lower than control group (13.9 × 10(-5) ± 7.43 × 10(-5)) in 20th day after birth (t = 9.235, P < 0.05). The trend of Nkx2.1 mRNA in hypothyroidism groups was decreased in group supplied with L-T(4) in medium dosage in early stage descends in 17th day of pregnancy, new-born and 20th day after birth (57.1 × 10(-5) ± 22.90 × 10(-5)), (30.8 × 10(-5) ± 27.20 × 10(-5)), (17.1 × 10(-5) ± 0.623 × 10(-5)) (F = 13.394, P < 0.01). The expression of Nkx2.1 mRNA in hypothyroidism groups supplied with L-T(4) in medium dosage in early stage in 17th day of pregnancy, new-born and 20th day after childbirth was closest to the control group in every period (t values were 0.225, 0.336, 0.345, all P values > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The difference in the expression of homeobox gene Nkx2.1 mRNA is highly related to the level of thyroid hormone.</p>

Influence of Radix Astragali on nitric oxide and endothelin-1 in pulmonary tissue in hypoxemic pulmonary hypertension in rats / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the influence of Radix Astragali (RA) on pulmonary tissue endothelin-1 (ET-1) and nitric oxide (NO) in hypoxic pulmonary hypertension rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty one healthy male Wistar rats weighing 210-310 g were divided into three group at random with 7 in each. The rats in control group were raised in ordinary room condition; those in hypoxic group were raised in ordinary pressure hypoxic box [concentration of O(2) was (10.0 +/- 0.5)%] for 8 hours a day, for 30 days; those in RA group were raised in the same condition as hypoxic group and treated with an intraperitoneal injection of RA 8 g/kg per day. The rats in the control group and hypoxic group were given the same volume of intraperitoneal injection of normal saline. Mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP), mean carotid artery pressure (mCAP) were measured via right cardiac catheterization, concentration of NO in pulmonary tissue was measured by radioimmunoassay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) The mPAP (mm Hg) (21.9 +/- 1.6) and ET-1 (pg/ml) (309.1 +/- 58.1) in hypoxemic group were significantly higher than those in RA group (16.2 +/- 0.8, 287.7 +/- 57.5) and control group (15.3 +/- 0.8, 241.1 +/- 52.5) (P < 0.01, < 0.05), but the difference between RA group and control group was not significant. (2) NO (micromol/L) in pulmonary tissue in hypoxemic group (6.5 +/- 0.3) was lower than that in RA group and control group (9.2 +/- 0.9), NO in RA group was higher than that in hypoxic group but lower than that in control group (P < 0.05). (3) There was no significant difference in mCAP among the three groups (P > 0.05). (4) Under electron microscope, the endothelial cells of arterioles of the lung tissue of control group were flat and had normal morphology. However, in the lung tissue of hypoxic group, there were proliferation, hypertrophy and swelling of endothelial cells of pulmonary medium and small arteries and plenty of mitochondria and endoplasmic reticula in cytoplasm.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Chronic hypoxia can result in reconstruction and endothelial lesion in pulmonary arterioles of rats, elevation of mPAP and ET-1 in pulmonary tissue, and decrease of NO. Injection of Radix Astraglai can reverse the reconstruction of pulmonary vessels partially, regulate the concentration of ET-1 and NO in pulmonary tissue, which may have certain therapeutic effects on pulmonary arteriolar changes induced by hypoxia.</p>

Value of lymph node micrometastasis detected by RT-PCR assay in determining the stage of gastric carcinoma / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To detect micrometastasis in regional lymph nodes using RT- PCR assay and evaluate the significance of the new assessment of nodal status in determining pN staging in gastric carcinoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In addition to HE,RT- PCR assay for cytokeratin-20 gene marker was used to detect micrometastasis in 850 lymph nodes from 30 patients with gastric carcinoma who underwent gastrectomy with lymphadenectomy from Dec. 2003 to Apr. 2004.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The detection rate of HE staining was 27.1% (233/850), the detection rate of RT-PCR assay was 36.5% (310/850) (Pa< 0.01). Lymph node micrometastasis was further detected in 77 nodes from 14 patients. The detection rate of RT- PCR assay from the routine negative lymph nodes was 12.5% (77/617). Seven of those patients were up- staged (from IB stage to II stage, from IB stage to III A stage, from I stage to III A stage, from III A stage to III B stage, from III A stage to IV stage in one patient respectively, and from III B stage to IV stage in 2 patients).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>RT- PCR assay can increase the detection rate of lymph node metastasis and have a significant impact on the staging system of gastric carcinoma.</p>