Analysis of the clinical characteristics and risk factors of postoperative atrial fibrillation in patients with critical burns / 中华烧伤杂志

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics and risk factors of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) in patients with critical burns. Methods: A retrospective case series study was conducted. From January 2017 to December 2021, two hundred and twenty-seven critically burned aldult patients who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital of Jinan University, including 173 males and 54 females, aged 19-83 (43±14) years. The admission years of patients were collected, and the percentage of patients complicated with POAF in each year was calculated. According to whether the patients were complicated with POAF or not, they were divided into POAF group (n=17) and non-POAF group (n=210). Following data were collected in patients in POAF group, including operation methods, duration of operation, intraoperative blood loss before occurrence of POAF each time, occurrence time and times of POAF, postoperative body temperature, blood pressure, hemoglobin, blood glucose, blood lactate, sepsis, and electrolyte, and type, duration, and treatment of POAF. General data of patients in the two groups including age, gender, burn reason, total burn area, full-thickness burn area, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHEⅡ) and sepsis-related organ failure evaluation (SOFA) scores on admission, combined with underlying diseases (hypertension, diabetes, and other types of arrhythmias), and sepsis were collected and analyzed. The mortality and factors influencing the prognosis of patients in the two groups such as mechanical ventilation time, operations times, and burn intensive care unit (BICU) length of stay were also collected and analyzed. Data were statistically analyzed with independent sample t test, Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test or Kruskal-Wallis H test. The multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed on the general data with statistically significant differences between the two groups, and the independent risk factors influencing the onset of POAF in 227 patients with critical burns were screened. Results: From 2017 to 2021, the percentage of critically burned patients complicated with POAF increased year by year. In POAF group, eschar debridement in limbs was the main surgical procedure prior to POAF complication, with the operation time of (3.5±1.2) h and the intraoperative blood loss volume of (365±148) mL.The POAF occurred 25 times in total in patients of POAF group, mostly within one week after the injury and within 6 hours after the operation with most of these patients having POAF only once. When POAF happened, the patients were often complicated with hypothermia, anemia, hyperglycemia, high blood lactate, sepsis, and electrolyte disturbance, and few patients had complications of hypotension. The POAF lasted (5±3) h, with all being paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, and most of POAF patients were reverted to sinus rhythm after amiodarone intervention. Most patients in the two groups suffered from flame burn, and the gender, age, and SOFA score on admission of patients in the two groups were similar (P>0.05); the APACHEⅡ score on admission, total burn area, full-thickness burn area, incidence proportion of sepsis, combined with diabetes and hypertension and other types of arrhythmias of patients in POAF group were significantly higher or larger than those in non-POAF group (t=3.47, with χ2 values of 7.44, 10.86, 12.63, 14.65, 6.49, and 7.52, respectively, P<0.05 or P<0.01). The full-thickness burn area, combined with other types of arrhythmias, and sepsis were the independent risk factors for POAF in 227 critically burned patients (with odds ratios of 4.45, 0.04, and 3.06, respectively, with 95% confidence intervals of 2.23-8.87, 0.01-0.22, and 1.77-5.30, respectively, P<0.01). Compared with those in non-POAF group, the mechanical ventilation time, BICU length of stay, number of operations, and mortality rate of patients in POAF group were significantly increased (Z=3.89, Z=2.57, t=3.41, χ2=3.72, P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusions: POAF is a common postoperative complication in critically burned patients, and the incidence is increasing year by year, which seriously affects the prognosis of patients. The full-thickness burn area together with other types of arrhythmias and sepsis are the high-risk factors for POAF complication in patients with critical burns.

Prevention and treatment of mucocutaneous adverse reactions associated with epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors / 中华预防医学杂志

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling is aberrantly overexpressed in many solid malignancies, making it an important target for anti-cancer biologic agents. Among them, epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors (EGFRIs), which have been widely used in clinical practice, include anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies and tyrosine kinase inhibitors. A proportion of patients treated with EGFRIs develop specific, dose-dependent skin toxicity such as papulopustular rash, paronychia, xerosis and itch. These side effects can cause physical and psychosocial discomfort that may result in dose reduction, discontinuance, or replacement of the current EGFRIs treatment. Correct diagnosis and treatment of these skin and mucosal adverse effects associated with EGFRIs is of great significance for the tertiary prevention of malignant tumors. A review on EGFRI-related mucocutaneous adverse reactions is presented here, focusing on the pathogenesis, the various clinical manifestations, the strategies for prevention and treatment of these conditions.

Estimation of economic burden of bacillus Calmette-Guérin lymphadenitis in Shandong Province based on compensation for abnormal reaction to vaccination / 中华预防医学杂志

Objective: To investigate the economic burden of bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) lymphadenitis in Shandong Province. Methods: From May 2011 to December 2019, 304 patients applying for the province-level compensation of BCG lymphadenitis was selected from Shandong Province in this study. The basic situation, vaccination, outpatient (inpatient) records, cost and relevant information of those patients were collected to calculate the direct economic burden (including direct medical costs and direct non-medical costs), indirect economic burden and total economic burden. Comparison of the difference of economic burden of cases with different characteristics was taken. Results: The M(Q1,Q3) of age of BCG lymphadenitis patients was 3 (2, 4) months, among which 239 cases (78.6%) were male, 71 cases (23.4%) had lymphadenopathy, and 227 cases (74.7%) underwent surgery.The number of outpatient only, inpatient only and outpatient then inpatient was 25.7% (78 cases), 7.2% (22 cases) and 67.1% (204 cases), respectively. The M(Q1,Q3) of direct, indirect and total economic burden of single case after discount was 9 910 (5 713, 16 074), 2 081 (1 547, 3 122) and 12 262 (7 694, 18 571) yuan, respectively.The direct medical expenses accounted for 89.4% of the direct economic burden, the direct economic burden accounted for 84.9% of the total economic burden, the total economic burden of 80.0% cases accounted for only about 20.0% of the compensation amount, and the total economic burden of only 2.3% cases accounted for more than 60.0% of the compensation amount.The direct, indirect and total economic burden of patients with inpatient only and outpatient then inpatient was higher than that of patients with outpatient only; the direct, indirect and total economic burden of patients with operation was higher than that of patients with non-operation; the direct and total economic burden of patients with unulcerated lymph node was higher than that of patients with ulcerated lymph node(all P values<0.05). Conclusion: The economic burden of BCG lymphadenitis cases in Shandong Province is influenced by the mode of diagnosis and treatment, with direct medical expenses as the predominant component.

Effects of zinc-containing magnesium alloys on proliferation of human osteosarcoma U2OS cells in vitro / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Alloying can improve the corrosion resistance and slow the degradation of pure magnesium. In addition, increasing studies have shown that zinc has good antitumor effect. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of zinc-containing magnesium alloy on the proliferation and apoptosis of human osteosarcoma U2OS cells in vitro.METHODS: The corrosion resistance of pure magnesium and different zinc-containing (2%, 4%, 6%) magnesium alloys were observed and compared by the hydrogen release assay in the Hank's solution. MTT assay was used to examine the effects of different zinc-containing magnesium alloy extractions on the proliferation of U2OS cells (or MC3T3-E1 cells) after co-culture of 1, 3, 5 days. After 24-hour co-culture with pure magnesium, different zinc-containing magnesium alloys and titanium alloy extractions, the apoptotic rates of U2OS cells were analyzed by flow cytometry, and the expression of apoptosis-related proteins were detected by western blot assay.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The corrosion resistance of pure magnesium was improved after addition of Zn within the initial 100 hours, and the magnesium alloy containing 4% zinc exhibited the optimal corrosion resistance. Different zinc-containing magnesium alloy extractions obviously inhibited the U2OS proliferation in a zinc level-depended manner, and the cytotoxicity of different zinc-containing magnesium alloy extractions to MC3T3-E1 was graded 0-1. Different zinc-containing magnesium alloy extractions could also induce obvious apoptosis in U2OS cells in a zinc level-depended manner. Different zinc-containing magnesium alloy extractions, especially the magnesium alloy containing 4% zinc, up-regulated the expression of p53 and Bax proteins and down-regulated the expression of Bcl-2 protein in U2OS cells, leading to the disorder of Bcl-2/Bax. These findings suggest that different zinc-containing magnesium alloy extractions can inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis of U2OS cells in vitro.

Effects of zinc-containing magnesium alloys on proliferation of human osteosarcoma U2OS cells in vitro / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Alloying can improve the corrosion resistance and slow the degradation of pure magnesium. In addition, increasing studies have shown that zinc has good antitumor effect. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of zinc-containing magnesium alloy on the proliferation and apoptosis of human osteosarcoma U2OS cells in vitro.METHODS: The corrosion resistance of pure magnesium and different zinc-containing (2%, 4%, 6%) magnesium alloys were observed and compared by the hydrogen release assay in the Hank's solution. MTT assay was used to examine the effects of different zinc-containing magnesium alloy extractions on the proliferation of U2OS cells (or MC3T3-E1 cells) after co-culture of 1, 3, 5 days. After 24-hour co-culture with pure magnesium, different zinc-containing magnesium alloys and titanium alloy extractions, the apoptotic rates of U2OS cells were analyzed by flow cytometry, and the expression of apoptosis-related proteins were detected by western blot assay.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The corrosion resistance of pure magnesium was improved after addition of Zn within the initial 100 hours, and the magnesium alloy containing 4% zinc exhibited the optimal corrosion resistance. Different zinc-containing magnesium alloy extractions obviously inhibited the U2OS proliferation in a zinc level-depended manner, and the cytotoxicity of different zinc-containing magnesium alloy extractions to MC3T3-E1 was graded 0-1. Different zinc-containing magnesium alloy extractions could also induce obvious apoptosis in U2OS cells in a zinc level-depended manner. Different zinc-containing magnesium alloy extractions, especially the magnesium alloy containing 4% zinc, up-regulated the expression of p53 and Bax proteins and down-regulated the expression of Bcl-2 protein in U2OS cells, leading to the disorder of Bcl-2/Bax. These findings suggest that different zinc-containing magnesium alloy extractions can inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis of U2OS cells in vitro.

Diagnostic value of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration in elderly patients with bronchogenic carcinoma / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value and safety of endobronchial ultrasoundguided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) in elderly patients with bronchogenic carcinoma.Methods From August,2013 and July,2014,31 patients aged 65 years and over with space-occupying mass and enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes detected by CT or positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) underwent EBUS-TBNA.Rapid onsite cytology evaluation was not performed.Results There were 26 males and 5 females in this study,aged 65-77 years (70.1 years old on average).In 31 patients,70 samples were obtained from lymph nodes (LNs) and 4 samples were obtained from intrapulmonary lesions.29 cases were diagnosed as lung cancer,and 2 cases had false-negative diagnoses.The sensitivity and specificity rates of EBUS-guided TBNA method were 93.6％ and 100.0％,respectively.No major complications were observed in this series.Conclusions EBUS-TBNA is an safe and effective method in diagnosing bronchogenic carcinoma in elderly patients.

Economic burden and related factors on inpatients with HBV-related diseases in Shandong province / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the economic burden of patients with acute and chronic hepatitis B, cirrhosis and liver cancer caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Cluster sampling was used on cases consecutively collected during the study period. Questionnaire survey was conducted and information on the expenses during hospitalization was collected from the hospital records and through interviewing those patients.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Yearly costs related to patients with acute hepatitis B, severe hepatitis B, chronic hepatitis B, cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma were 66.7, 138.1, 127.4, 151.7 and 377.2 thousand Yuan, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>from multiple linear regression model showed that the type of medical insurance scheme, annual days of hospitalization, classifications of HBV-related diseases and personal income were major influencing factors on the cost.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>HBV infection caused considerable burden to families and the society, indicating that HBV infection control programs would bring huge potential benefits. The reform of insurance scheme should be administrated to promote social fairness.</p>

Investigation of skin prick test on 2707 patients with allergic rhinitis in Wuhan area / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the distribution of common allergens in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) from 2006 to 2010 in Wuhan area, and provide the objective evidence for the prevention and treatment of AR.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The medical records of skin prick test (SPT) performed on 2707 AR patients from 2006 to 2010 were retrospectively analysed, and the positive rate of different allergens and changing trends in this time were compared. SPSS 17.0 software was used to analyse the data.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were significant differences among the Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus positive rate (χ(2) = 12.11, P < 0.05) and Dermatophagoides farinae positive rate (χ(2) = 11.11, P < 0.05) in the past 5 years. Meanwhile, there was an upward trend in the positive rate of dust mite, which the positive rate of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus increased from 84.5% in 2006 to 90.5% in 2010 (χ(2) = 6.88, P < 0.05), positive rate of Dermatophagoides farinae increased from 81.5% in 2006 to 89.0% in 2010 (χ(2) = 9.68, P < 0.05); There were significant differences among the Mugwort and Ragweed positive rate of 5 years (χ(2) = 194.10, P < 0.05; χ(2) = 67.06, P < 0.05). There were significant differences among the mold I and mold II positive rate of 5 years between (χ(2) = 18.95, P < 0.05; χ(2) = 36.62, P < 0.05). Meanwhile, there was an upward trend in the positive rate of mold and fluctuant trend in the positive rate of spring-pollen.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Nearly five years, dust mites is still the most common allergens in AR patients, presenting upward trend; the positive rate of mold presenting upward trend; the positive rate of wormwood and guinea wood presenting downward trend; the positive rate of pollen presenting fluctuant trend.</p>

Activation of nuclear factor-kappaB and aberrant gene expression of interleukin 6 in middle ear cholesteatoma / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish the activation of NF-kappaB in middle ear cholesteatoma, discuss the relationship of NF-kappaB and the gene expression of IL-6 and explore the pathogenesis of middle ear cholesteatoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ten cases of cholesteatoma and 6 cases of normal external meatal skin were obtained from middle ear surgery. The NF-kappaB DNA binding activity and the mRNA level of IL-6 in these two kinds of tissues were detected by electrophoretic motility shift assay (EMSA) and Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) respectively. The relationship of NF-kappaB DNA binding activity and the mRNA level of IL-6 were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The NF-kappaB DNA binding activities of cholesteatoma [(15.9 +/- 8.2)%] were higher than those in normal skin [(1.36 +/- 0.94)%, t = 3.502, P < 0.05]. The expression of IL-6 mRNA was increased significantly in patients with cholesteatoma, as compared with that in the control specimens (t = 2.166, P < 0.05) and had a significant positive correlation with NF-kappaB DNA binding activity (r = 0.752, P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The IL-6 mRNA expression in cholesteatoma is closely related with the activity of NF-kappaB. It is tempting to speculate that NF-kappaB play a key role in the activation of cytokine in cholesteatoma.</p>

Simultaneous treatment of asthma and allergic rhinitis in children with a nasally inhaled glucocorticosteroid / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the efficacy of a nasally inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) through a spacer with mask aiming at simultaneous treatment of allergic rhinitis and asthma in children and make an analysis on the costs.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>A total of 72 children with allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma were randomized into two groups. Experimental group received budesonide inhaler (400 microg/d) through the nose using a spacer attached to a face mask, control group children orally inhaled budesonide dry powder (400 microg/d) plus a nasal spray of budesonide aquae (256 microg/d).</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The patients were observed for 12 weeks. The symptom scores of rhinitis of both experimental group and control group declined (F=6.529 and 7.014, all P<0.01), symptom scores of asthma in both group were also reduced (F=4.132 and 4.950, P<0.01). The pulmonary function PEF (L/min) in both groups continuously increased (F=2.750 and 3.282, P<0.05). But the clinical scores, PEF value and FEV1 all did not differ between the two groups at admission or at nearly all follow-up visits (P>0.05 for all). The proportion of dry nose was lower in experimental group than in the control group (5.6% vs. 19.4%), but the difference was not statistically significant. The cost in the experimental group was lower than that in the control group (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Nasal inhalation of ICS provides a therapeutic strategy for controlling AR and asthma in children, especially it result in higher compliance, lower costs, and fewer side effects.</p>

Short hairpin RNA silencing of vascular endothelial growth factor, telomerase reverse transcriptase, and Bcl-xl expression in human laryngeal squamous carcinoma xenografted in nude mice / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the biological impact of pEGFP-shVEGF-shTERT-shBcl-xl expression in human laryngeal squamous carcinomas xenografted in nude mice and the related antitumor mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A recombinant plasmid vector containing 3 different short hairpin RNA (shRNA) segments including pEGFP-shVEGF-shTERT-shBcl-xl was constructed and directly injected into the grafted tumors of human laryngeal squamous carcinoma in nude mice. The mRNA and protein expressions were determined by real-time RT-PCR and Western blot respectively. Apoptosis was determined by TUNEL assay using a commercial kit. Intratumoral microvessel density (MVD) was assessed by immunhistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>On the 14th days after the final treatment, mRNA and protein expression of VEGF, TERT, and Bcl-xl were markedly suppressed. The tumor sizes were significantly smaller than those in the other two group, with an overall tumor inhibition ratio of 91.2%. MVD counts in the pEGFP-shVEGF-shTERT-shBcl-xl treated group were significantly lower than those of the other two groups, along with increased apoptotic cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The data showed that inhibition of VEGF, TERT, Bcl-xl expression by RNAi technique induces cellular apoptosis and suppresses the growth of laryngeal squamous carcinoma in vivo. VEGF, TERT and Bcl-xl may be involved in the development of laryngeal cancers. The findings suggest a synergistic tumor therapeutic effect through simultaneous inhibition of the three genes. Multi-target RNA interference may provide a powerful strategy against human laryngeal cancers.</p>

Expression and activation of nuclear factor-kappaB in middle ear cholesteatoma / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the expression and activation of NF-kappaB in middle ear cholesteatoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The protein expression of NF-kappaB p65 in 21 middle ear cholesteatoma tissues and 8 normal external ear canal skin obtained in middle ear surgery were examined by immunohistochemistry; NF-kappaB DNA binding activity in these two kinds of tissues were also detected by electrophoretic motility shift assay (EMSA). The influence of cholesteatoma debris on the NF-kappaB DNA binding activity of HaCat cell were further analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All epithelial cell of cholesteatoma revealed a relatively abundant plasma expression of NF-kappaB p65 protein, among which 12 cases showed nuclear positive expression. In contrast,the normal skin epithelium only revealed a sparse plasma distribution of NF-kappaB protein. The levels of NF-kappaB p65 protein expression in the epithelium of middle ear cholesteatoma tissue and normal skin were 0.168 +/- 0.051, 0.088 +/- 0.019 (t = 4.211, P < 0.01), respectively. The NF-kappaB DNA binding activities of cholesteatoma [(16.5 +/- 10.1)%] were also higher than those in normal skin [(1.38 +/- 1.24)%, t = 3. 600, P = 0.014]. The NF-kappaB DNA binding activity of HaCat cell increased when exposed to cholesteatoma debris in a dose dependent manner.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>NF-kappaB might be an important factor which was involved in the occurrence and development of cholesteatoma.</p>

Analysis on the changing of age patterns among rubella patients after rubella vaccine immunization for children in Shandong Province, China / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the changing of age patterns among rubella patients after implementing rubella vaccine immunization to children in Shandong province since 1995.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Epidemiologic data on rubella through surveillance system for suspected measles from 1999 to 2004 and data on rubella vaccination were used and analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The annual average incidence rate of rubella from 1999 to 2004 had been 0.59 per 100 thousands population while 81.17% of cases were concentrated during the outbreaks. 77.77% of the cases were school children between 7-15 years old and 7.93% of the cases were under 7 years old. The age-median of cases were 10.37, 11.66, 11.41, 12.81, 14.28 and 13.96 years old from 1999 to 2004, respectively. The estimated coverage of rubella vaccine for pre-school children was about 60% but only 20% were for school children.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The peak age of cases moved from youth towards adolescence which indicated that women with child-bearing age might have been under risk of developing the congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). It is necessary to carry out screening test of rubella antibody and vaccination to women with child-bearing age and the immunization strategy should be established to guide the control of rubella and CRS.</p>

Differentially expressed gene profiles of cochlea in rats induced by acute and chronic sodium salicylate injection / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the mechanism of electrophysiologic changes caused by different type of sodium salicylate injection.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Decapitated three group rats ( acute injected, chronic injected and normal rats ) separately, dissected the temporal bones to collect cochlea, and the otic capsules were removed. Then the cochlear materials from each groups were pooled and homogenized respectively, extracted the total RNA, obtained cDNA from purified total RNA by reversed transcription, cDNA were transcripted to cRNA probes in vitro. Hybridized the cRNA probes with tester chip to evaluate the quality of probes, if good, hybridized the probes with real chip. Obtained three gene expression profiles of different groups of cochlea Analyzed the differentially expressed genes among three groups by SOM. Analogized the SOM result to electrophysiologic changes. Then analyzed the genes in clusters of analog results by Gene Ontology. Then the genes in clusters of analog results were analyzed by Gene Ontology. Hsp27 was chosen to validate the result of gene chip using real time quantitative reverse transcription PCR ( RTQ RT-PCR).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The probes was good, and the chip hybridization results was credible. We obtained 6 clusters genes by SOM analysis, in which we choose cluster 3 and cluster 4 as candidate cluster. There were 46 genes in cluster 3 and 30 genes in cluster 4 employing GO analysis, which involved in cell communication, cell motility, metabolism, immune response and nerve ensheathment, et al. The result of RTQ RT-PCR showed high concordance with that of gene chip.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>It's a new method to study the mechanism of electrophysiologic changes caused by sodium salicylate by gene chip and SOM analysis.</p>

Inhibition of growth and proliferation of Hep-2 cells by targeting human telomerase reverse transcriptase mRNA using RNA interference technology / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of RNA interference by targeting human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) mRNA in the larynx cancer cell line, Hep-2.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The primary structures of hTERT cDNA were found in GenBank. Then the structure analysis were done according to RNAi strategy which determined the specific base sequences to design shRNA plasmid. Two types of plasmid, pshRNA1 and pshRNA2, involved in fluorescein gene were synthesized based on the specific base sequences. Control pshRNA3, a random sequence, and control pshRNA4, without additional specific sequence were also constructed. Cells were treated daily with pshRNA1-4 or normal culture medium respectively. The pshRNA1-3 was identified by electrophoresis. After administration of pshRNA1-4, fluorescence expression was detected by confocal microscopy, the expression of hTERT of the transfected cells was determined by Western blotting, telomerase activity was measured by TRAP-PCR ELISA, cell viability was determined by MTT assay, morphological changes and apoptosis were examined by inverted microscope and TUNEL respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was a 400 bp balteum in pshRNA1-3 after cut by SalI, which was identical with the size of the objective gene. Many cells presented green fluorescence after being treated by pshRNA1-4, but there are much more dead green fluorescent cells in the pshRNA1 and pshRNA2 group. hTERT protein and telomerase activity was significantly decreased after treated by pshRNA1 or pshRNA2. It was observed that treatment with pshRNA1 or pshRNA2 in the presence of a valid transfection reagent could reduce cell viability of Hep-2 cells within 96 h (P < 0.01). Under the same culture conditions, cells grew more sparsely and the number of apoptotic cell increased significantly.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>shRNA plasmid directed against human telomerase reverse transcriptase can effectively transfect Hep-2 cells. shRNA targeted hTERT gene can significantly inhibit the growth and proliferation of Hep-2 cells, which results in apoptotic cell death. RNA interference may be a promising strategy for the treatment of laryngeal cancer.</p>

Epidemiological analysis of cases with rash and fever illness after measles vaccine inoculation during 1999 to 2002 in Shandong province, China / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the incidence of cases with rash and fever illness (RFIs) after measles vaccine (MV) inoculation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>During 1999 to 2002, 150 RFIs cases reported by the special measles surveillance system in Shandong province, China, were investigated and analyzed epidemiologically.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>7 674 690 ml MV were distributed during 1999 to 2002 and the annual average incidence of RFIs cases after MV inoculation was 0.20/10 000 ml (0.2 ml per dose). There was significant difference of incidences each year (chi(2) = 10.13, P < 0.05). All RFIs cases were sporadically distributed without epidemiological links. Clinical symptoms showed that 88.67% of the 150 RFIs cases having > 38.5 degrees C fever and 75.33% of all cases appeared typical rash after 4 to 11 days (the medium was 8 days) after MV inoculation. The order of rash onset among RFIs cases was consistent with that of regular measles cases caused by wild virus. 68.67% of the RFIs cases had first MV inoculation and 94.71% were 8 to 12 month-olds. IgM sera antibody test from RFIs cases were rubella negative and 45.65% positive for measles.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>RFIs due to allergic reaction or measles vaccine virus infection might occur after MV inoculation. There seemed to be a correlation between RFIs incidence and the doses of MV. Measles virus genotype analysis needs to be carried out to confirm if the onset of some RFIs cases is aetiologically associated to MV vaccine virus infection.</p>

Immortalization of cultures derived from primary breast carcinoma by ectopic expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase and its significance / 中国癌症杂志

Background and purpose:Most breast cancer cell lines were derived from malignant pleural fluid or other tissues that metastasized from breast carcinoma.Breast carcinogenesis is under represented due to the significant distinction of biological characteristics between cancer cell lines and primary breast cancers.Few primary breast tumors spontaneously developed into immortal cell lines.Overexpression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase(hTERT) in normal epithelial cells led to immortalization.We aimed to establish immortalized cultures derived from primary breast cancer by introducing hTERT and determine the gene profile of hTERT-transfected cultures.Methods:hTERT was introduced into breast tumor cultures with a puromycin-resistant retroviral construct,pBABE-hTERT-puro.Real-Time RT-PCR was used to analyze the expression level of hTERT after transfection.The upregulated gene profile was determined with microarray techniques.Results:hTERT was stably over expressed,at least 1 400-fold in hTERT-transfected cells compared to pBABE-puro transfected cultures.These ectopic over-expressions led to immortalization of transfected cultures,which could undergo at least 40-50 passages.Microarray analysis further confirmed the over-expression of hTERT in transfected cultures and demonstrated that 22 genes were up-regulated due to over-expression of hTERT.No down-regulated genes were observed cross all cultures.Conclusions:Over-expression of hTERT led to immortalization of breast tumor primary cultures and up-regulated certain genes.