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Objective: To compare the incidence of radiation-related toxicities between conventional and hypofractionated intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for limited-stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC), and to explore the risk factors of hypofractionated radiotherapy-induced toxicities. Methods: Data were retrospectively collected from consecutive limited-stage SCLC patients treated with definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy in Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from March 2016 to April 2022. The enrolled patients were divided into two groups according to radiation fractionated regimens. Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE, version 5.0) was used to evaluate the grade of radiation esophagus injuries and lung injuries. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with radiation-related toxicities in the hypofractionated radiotherapy group. Results: Among 211 enrolled patients, 108 cases underwent conventional IMRT and 103 patients received hypofractionated IMRT. The cumulative incidences of acute esophagitis grade ≥2 [38.9% (42/108) vs 35.0% (36/103), P=0.895] and grade ≥ 3 [1.9% (2/108) vs 5.8% (6/103), P=0.132] were similar between conventional and hypofractionated IMRT group. Late esophagus injuries grade ≥2 occurred in one patient in either group. No differences in the cumulative incidence of acute pneumonitis grade ≥2[12.0% (13/108) vs 5.8% (6/103), P=0.172] and late lung injuries grade ≥2[5.6% (6/108) vs 10.7% (11/103), P=0.277] were observed. There was no grade ≥3 lung injuries occurred in either group. Using multiple regression analysis, mean esophageal dose ≥13 Gy (OR=3.33, 95% CI: 1.23-9.01, P=0.018) and the overlapping volume between planning target volume (PTV) and esophageal ≥8 cm(3)(OR=3.99, 95% CI: 1.24-12.79, P=0.020) were identified as the independent risk factors associated with acute esophagitis grade ≥2 in the hypofractionated radiotherapy group. Acute pneumonitis grade ≥2 was correlated with presence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD, P=0.025). Late lung injuries grade ≥2 was correlated with tumor location(P=0.036). Conclusions: Hypofractionated IMRT are tolerated with manageable toxicities for limited-stage SCLC patients treated with IMRT. Mean esophageal dose and the overlapping volume between PTV and esophageal are independently predictive factors of acute esophagitis grade ≥2, and COPD and tumor location are valuable factors of lung injuries for limited-stage SCLC patients receiving hyofractionated radiotherapy. Prospective studies are needed to confirm these results.
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Humans , Small Cell Lung Carcinoma/pathology , Lung Neoplasms/pathology , Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated/methods , Retrospective Studies , Lung Injury , Radiotherapy Dosage , Radiation Injuries/epidemiology , Esophagitis/epidemiology , Risk Factors , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/complicationsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE To study the improvement effect and mechanism of Gastrodia elata active ingredient 3，4- dihydroxybenzaldehyde （3，4-DD） on oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation（OGD/R） injury in rat primary brain microvascular endothelial cells （BMECs）-rat adrenal chromaffin cells PC12 co-culture system. METHODS The co-culture model of BMECs and PC12 cells was replicated in the Transwell chamber， and divided into control group， model group， butylphthalide group （positive control group， 0.1 mmol/L） and 3，4-DD group （0.1 μmol/L）. OGD/R injury model of the co-culture system was induced in those groups except for the control group. After preventively intervention in BMECs with relevant medicine or culture medium for 24 h， cell transendothelial electronic resistance （TEER） value， lactate dehydrogenase （LDH） activity， brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF） level and mRNA expressions of TrkB， Plc-γ， Map-2， GAP-43 in PC12 cells was detected. RESULTS Compared with the control group， TEER of the co-culture model， LDH activity and BDNF level of PC12 cells were decreased significantly in the model group （P＜0.01）， while mRNA expressions of TrkB， Plc-γ， Map-2 and GAP-43 in PC12 cells were increased significantly （P＜0.01）. Compared with the model group， TEER of the co-culture model， LDH activity， BDNF level， and the mRNA expressions of TrkB， Plc-γ， Map-2 and GAP-43 in PC12 cells were increased significantly in the 3，4-DD group and butylphthalide group （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS 3，4-DD can relieve the damage of neuronal OGD/R by acting on BMECs， the mechanism of which may be associated with activating the BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway.
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Objective To test the activity of aromatic pyrrole-based compounds against cercariae of Schistosoma japonicum and test their acute toxicity to fish. Methods A series of aromatic pyrrole-based compounds were synthesized using 4-benzyl-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrrole-3-nitrile as the lead compound. The synthesized compounds were prepared into solutions at concentrations of 10.00, 1.00, 0.10, 0.01 mg/L, and the activity of these solutions against S. japonicum cercariae was tested in 30 min, while 0.10 mg/L and 0.01 mg/L niclosamide solutions served as a positive control and dechlorinated water with 1% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was used as a negative control, with 10 to 30 cercariae of S. japonicum in each group. In addition, the compounds were prepared into solutions at concentrations of 0.50, 0.25, 0.12, 0.06, 0.03 mg/L, and their toxicity to zebrafish was tested in 72 h, while 0.15 mg/L and 0.30 mg/L niclosamide solutions served as a positive control and dechlorinated water with 1% DMSO was used as a negative control, with 10 zebrafishes in each group. Results A total of 7 aromatic pyrrole-based compounds were successfully synthesized. Treatment with compounds 102, 104 and 106 at a concentration of 0.01 mg/L for 30 min killed all S. japonicum cercariae, and compounds 105 and 107 showed no activity against cercariae. No death of cercariae was found in the blank control group, while treatment with 0.10 mg/L niclosamide for 10 min caused a 100% mortality rate of S. japonicum cercariae and 0.01 mg/L niclosamide failed to kill S. japonicum cercariae. No zebrafish death was found 72 h post-treatment with compounds 101, 104 and 105 at a concentration of 0.03 mg/L, and exposure to compounds 102, 103 and 106 at a concentration of 0.03 mg/L for 12 h resulted in a 100% mortality rate of zebrafish. No zebrafish death occurred 72 h post-treatment with 0.50 mg/L Compound 104, and no zebrafish death was found in the blank control group, while treatment with 0.30 mg/L niclosamide for 24 h resulted in a 100% mortality rate of zebrafish. Conclusions Compound 104 achieves a 100% mortality rate against S. japonicum cercariae at a concentration of 0.01 mg/L for 30 min, and causes no death of zebrafish at a concentration of 0.50 mg/L for 72 h, which may serve as a cercaricide candidate.
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Objective To compare the effects of levo-praziquantel (L-PZQ) and dextro-praziquantel (D-PZQ) on the proliferation and activation of the human hepatic stellate cell line LX-2 in vitro. Methods LX-2 cells were stimulated with transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). LX-2 cell proliferation was measured using the CCK-8 assay after 24 h stimulation with 0 to 50 μg/mL concentrations of praziquantel, and the gene and protein expression of type Ⅰ collagen (collagen Ⅰ), type Ⅲ collagen (collagen Ⅲ) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was quantified in LX-2 cells using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and Western blotting assays 24 h and 48 h following stimulation with 15 μg/mL praziquantel to detect LX-2 cell activation. Results There were significant differences in the survival rate of LX-2 cells between L-PZQ and D-PZQ treatments at all concentrations (F = 6.119 and 79.180, both P values < 0.05). Either L-PZQ or D-PZQ at a concentration of < 30 μg/mL showed no remarkableeffectsonthe LX-2 cell proliferation (both P values > 0.05), and L-PZQ at a concentration of > 50 μg/mL and D-PZQ at a concentration of > 40 μg/mL inhibited the LX-2 cell proliferation (both P values < 0.05), while D-PZQ at concentrations of 40 μg/mL and 50 μg/mL showed greater inhibition on LX-2 cell proliferation than L-PZQ (t = 3.419 and 8.776, both P values < 0.05). There were significant differences in the collagen Ⅰ, collagen Ⅲ and α-SMA expression in LX-2 cells at both transcriptional (F = 21.55, 79.99 and 46.70, all P values < 0.05) and translational levels (F = 20.12, 30.29 and 32.93, all P values < 0.05) among the blank control group, TGF-β stimulation group, L-PZQ treatment group and D-PZQ treatment group. L-PZQ treatment resulted in remarkable inhibition on collagen Ⅲ and α-SMA gene expression in LX-2 cells (both P values < 0.05); however, the treatment showed no remarkable inhibition collagen Ⅰ gene expression or collagen Ⅰ, collagen Ⅲ or α-SMA protein expression in LX-2 cells (all P values > 0.05). In addition, D-PZQ treatment resulted in significant inhibition on collagen Ⅰ, collagen Ⅲ and α-SMA expression in LX-2 cells at both translational and transcriptional levels (all P values < 0.05), and D-PZQ showed higher inhibition on collagen Ⅰ, collagen Ⅲ and α-SMA gene expression in LX-2 cells than L-PZQ (all P values < 0.05). Conclusions Both L-PZQ and D-PZQ inhibit the proliferation and activation of LX-2 cells, and D-PZQ shows a higher inhibitory activity than L-PZQ.
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OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of arctiin （ARC）relieving lipopolysaccharide （LPS）induced inflammatory injury of human nasopharyngeal epithelial cells NP- 69. METHODS The effects of 24 h treatment of 0.000 1，0.001，0.01，0.1， 1.0，10 μmol/L ARC on the proliferation of NP-69 were determined by MTS method. After 0.01，0.1，and 1.0 μmol/L ARC was applied to NP- 69 for 24 h and NP- 69 was pre-treated with 0.01，0.1 and 1.0 μmol/L ARC for 24 h，and then stimulated with 1.0 μg/mL LPS for 24 h，scratch tests were used to detect cell migration in both experiments. LPS stimulated NP- 69 to establish an inflammation injury model. The levels of nitric oxide （NO），tumor necrosis factor α（TNF-α）interleukin-6（IL-6），and IL- 1β in cell supernatants were detected ，and mRNA and protein expression of zonula oecludens protein 1（ZO-1），β-defensin 3（BD3）， Janus kinase 1 （JAK1），signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （STAT3） in cell supernatant were also detected. RESULTS Compared with normal group ，0.000 1，0.001，0.01，0.1，1.0，10 μmol/L ARC had no effect on the proliferation of NP-69 after 24 h treatment （P＞0.05）. ARC （0.1，1.0 μmol/L）could significantly promote the rate of cell migration （P＜0.05）. For the inflammatory injure of NP- 69 cells stimulated by LPS ，ARC（1.0 μmol/L）could significantly reduce the release of NO ， TNF-α and IL-6（P＜0.05），significantly increased mRNA and protein expression of ZO- 1 and BD 3 but decreased mRNA and protein expression of STAT 3（P＜0.01 or P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS ARC has the effect of reducing the inflammatory injury of NP-69 cells induced by LPS ，promoting the physical and immune defense ability of the nasal mucosa epithelial barrierunder inflammatory environment. The mechanism of action may be related to inhibiting IL- 6/JAK1/STAT3 signaling pathway.
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OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the storage stability of metabolites from actinomycetes Streptomyces nigrogriseolus XD 2-7 and the mollcuscicidal activity against Oncomelania hupensis in the laboratory, and to preliminarily explore the mechanisms of the molluscicidal activity.@*METHODS@#The fermentation supernatant of S. nigrogriseolus XD 2-7 was prepared and stored at -20, 4 °C and 28 °C without light for 10 d; then, the molluscicidal effect was tested against O. hupensis following immersion for 72 h. The fermentation supernatant was boiled in a 100 °C water bath for 30 min and recovered to room temperature, and then the molluscicidal effect was tested against O. hupensis following immersion for 72 h. The pH values of the fermentation supernatant were adjusted to 4.0, 6.0 and 9.0 with concentrated hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide, and the fermentation supernatant was stilled at room temperature for 12 h, with its pH adjusted to 7.0; then, the molluscicidal effect was tested against O. hupensis following immersion for 72 h. The fermentation product of S. nigrogriseolus XD 2-7was isolated and purified four times with macroporous resin, silica gel and octadecylsilane bonded silica gel. The final products were prepared into solutions at concentrations of 10.00, 5.00, 2.50, 1.25 mg/L and 0.63 mg/L, and the molluscicidal effect of the final productswas tested against O. hupensis following immersion for 72 h, while dechlorination water served as blank controls, and 0.10 mg/L niclosamide served as positive control. The adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and adenosine diphosphate (ADP) levels were measured in in O. hupensis soft tissues using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) following exposure to the final purified fermentation products of S. nigrogriseolus XD 2-7.@*RESULTS@#After the fermentation supernatant of S. nigrogriseolus XD 2-7 was placed at -20, 4 °C and 28 °C without light for 10 d, immersion in the stock solution and solutions at 10- and 50-fold dilutions for 72 h resulted in a 100% (30/30) O. hupensis mortality. Following boiling at 100 °C for 30 min, immersion in the stock solution and solutions at 10- and 50-fold dilutions for 72 h resulted in a 100.00% (30/30) O. hupensis mortality. Following storage at pH values of 4.0 and 6.0 for 12 h, immersion in the fermentation supernatant of S. nigrogriseolus XD 2-7 for 72 h resulted in a 100.00% (30/30) O. hupensis mortality, and following storage at a pH value of 9.0 for 12 h, immersion in the fermentation supernatant of S. nigrogriseolus XD 2-7 for 72 h resulted in a 33.33% (10/30) O. hupensis mortality (χ2 = 30.000, P < 0.05). The minimum concentration of the final purified fermentation products of S. nigrogriseolus XD 2-7 was 1.25 mg/L for achieving a 100% (30/30) O. hupensis mortality. The ATP level was significantly lower in O. hupensis soft tissues exposed to 0.10 mg/L and 1.00 mg/L of the final purified fermentation products of S. nigrogriseolus XD 2-7 than in controls (F = 7.274, P < 0.05), while no significant difference was detected in the ADP level between the treatment group and controls (F = 2.485, P > 0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#The active mollcuscicidal ingredients of the S. nigrogriseolus XD 2-7 metabolites are maintained stably at -20, 4 °C and 28 °C for 10 d, and are heat and acid resistant but not alkali resistant. The metabolites from S. nigrogriseolus XD 2-7 may cause energy metabolism disorders in O. hupensis, leading to O. hupensis death.
Subject(s)
Animals , Adenosine Diphosphate/pharmacology , Adenosine Triphosphate , Molluscacides/pharmacology , Silica Gel/pharmacology , Snails , Streptomyces , WaterABSTRACT
ObjectiveTo explore the therapeutic effect and possible mechanism of Banxia Xiexintang and its disassembled prescriptions in regulating the flora disorder induced by mixed antibiotics in young rats. MethodSeventy male BALB/C young rats were randomly assigned into 7 groups： blank group， model group， Bifidobacterium tetralogy viable tablets （0.68 g·kg-1） group， Banxia Xiexintang （9.1 g·kg-1） group， Xinkai （3.19 g·kg-1） group， Kujiang （1.82 g·kg-1） group， and Ganbu （4.1 g·kg-1） group， with 10 rats in each group. Except the blank group， the other groups were given mixed antibiotics by gavage to induce intestinal flora disorder. After 14 days， the rats in different drug groups were administrated with corresponding drugs by gavage， and those in the blank group and model group with the same amount of normal saline once a day for 14 days. After that， fecal samples were collected aseptically for 16S rDNA sequencing of intestinal flora， and lipopolysaccharide （LPS， 10 mg·kg-1） was injected intraperitoneally to induce inflammatory reaction. The tissue morphology of colonic mucosa was observed via hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining， and the macrophage infiltration of colonic mucosa was observed via toluidine blue staining and immunohistochemistry. The expression of interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， interleukin-8 （IL-8）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， and interleukin-10 （IL-10） mRNA were determined by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. ResultCompared with the blank group， the modeling changed the intestinal flora structure of the young rats （P<0.01）， damaged the colonic mucosa， reduced the macrophage infiltration， and down-regulated the mRNA levels of IL-1β， IL-6， IL-8， TNF-α， and IL-10 （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， bifidobacterium quadruple viable tablets， Banxia Xiexintang and its disassembled prescriptions increased the diversity of intestinal flora and the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes （P<0.01）. At the same time， they ameliorated colonic mucosal injury （P<0.05， P<0.01）， increased macrophage infiltration （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and up-regulated the mRNA levels of IL-6， IL-8， and TNF-α （P<0.01）. The mRNA level of IL-1β was up-regulated in Bifidobacterium tetralogy viable tablets， Banxia Xiexintang， Kujiang， and Ganbu groups （P<0.01）， and that of IL-10 was up-regulated in Bifidobacterium tetralogy viable tablets， Banxia Xiexintang， Xinkai， and Ganbu groups （P<0.01）. ConclusionBanxia Xiexintang and the disassembled prescriptions can adjust the intestinal flora of young rats exposed to antibiotics and protect the immune barrier of colonic mucosa after intestinal flora disorder. In particularly， the whole prescription of Banxia Xiexintang demonstrates the best performance.
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Praziquantel not only has broad-spectrum anti-trematode and anti-tapeworm effects, but also has pharmacological effects such as regulating inflammatory response and anti-fibrosis. Hereby, the anti-fibrosis effect of praziquantel and its mechanism were reviewed in order to provide theoretical basis for the treatment of liver fibrosis.
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Objective To investigate the sensitivity of adult worms of filial generations from praziquantel-resistant and -sensitive Schistosoma japonicum mixed infections to praziquantel. Methods Mice were infected with the cercariae of an experimentally generated praziquantel-resistant S. japonicum isolate [median effective dose (ED50) = 277.4 mg/kg] and a laboratory-maintained praziquantel-sensitive S. japonicum isolate (ED50 = 99.6 mg/kg) at a mixture ratio of 1:1 and 2:1, which was maintained in the laboratory via the mouse-snail cycle for 8 generations. Then, mice were infected with the cercariae of the 8th filial-generation parasite, and grouped 35 days post-infection. Mice in the 5 treatment groups were given praziquantel treatment by gavage at a single oral dose of 37.5, 75, 150, 300 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg, while animals in the control group was administered orally with 2.5% cremophor EL. All mice were sacrificed 14 days post-treatment and adult worms were collected by perfusion of the portal vein. The worm burden reductions and praziquantel ED50 values were calculated. The praziquantel-resistant S. japonicum isolate generated from experimental induction with 12 rounds of praziquantel treatment with sub-curative doses was maintained in the laboratory via the mouse-snail cycle, and mice were infected with the cercariae of the 8th filial-generation parasite. The praziquantel ED50 value against the 8th filial-generation adults was measured. Results After mice were infected with the mixture of cercariae of PZQ-resistant and -sensitive S. japonicum isolates at a ratio of 1:1, the praziquantel ED50 was 135.2 mg/kg against the adults of the 8th filial-generation parasite. After mice were infected with the mixture of cercariae of PZQ-resistant and -sensitive S. japonicum isolates at a ratio of 2:1, the praziquantel ED50 was 129.2 mg/kg against the adults of the 8th filial-generation parasite. In addition, the praziquantel ED50 was 208.4 mg/kg against the adults of the 8th filial-generation S. japonicum without the selection pressure of praziquantel. Conclusions Compared with the experimentally induced praziquantel-resistant S. japonicum isolate, the adult worms of the filial-generation S. japonicum show a reduced sensitivity to praziquantel in the same host following infection with the mixture of cercariae of praziquantel-resistant and -sensitive S. japonicum isolates. The adult worms of the filial generation of the praziquantel-resistant S. japonicum isolate without the selection pressure of praziquantel may still maintain the resistance to praziquantel.
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ObjectiveTo investigate the factors affecting the degradation of niclosamide in the soil, so as to provide the evidence for the assessment of the environmental safety in the field snail control with niclosamide. MethodsA high performance liquid chromatography was established for the determination of niclosamide in the field. Then, the degradation of niclosamide was investigated in soils with different moistures (10%, 30%, 50%, 70% and 90%), temperatures [(15 ± 1), (25 ± 1), (35 ± 1) °C], initial concentrations (1, 5, 10 mg/kg) and in sterilized and non-sterilized soils. In addition, the degradation of niclosamide was fitted with the first-order kinetics equation, and the degradation half-life was calculated. Results The niclosamide residues gradually decreased over time in soils with different moistures, and a higher rate of degradation was seen in soils with a higher moisture. The degradation half-life of niclosamide reduced from 4.258 d in the soil with a 10% moisture to 2.412 d in the soil with a 90% moisture. The niclosamide residues gradually decreased over time in soils with different temperatures, and a higher rate of degradation was seen in soils with a higher temperature. The degradation half-life of niclosamide reduced from 4.398 d in the soil with a temperature of (15 ± 1) °C to 2.828 d in the soil with a temperature of (35 ± 1) °C. The degradation half-lives of niclosamide were 3.212, 3.333 d and 3.448 d in soils containing niclosamide at initial concentrations of 1, 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg, and > 30 d and 3.273 d in sterilized and non-sterilized soils. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that soil microorganisms (P = 0.010), moisture (P = 0.000) and temperature (P = 0.002) affected the half-life of niclosamide degradation. Conclusions The degradation of niclosamide in soils fits the first-order kinetics equation, and presence of microorganisms, a high temperature and high moisture may accelerate the degradation of niclosamide in the soil.
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BACKGROUND@#Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is sensitive to radiotherapy (RT). However, neurocognitive complications such as memory loss and learning and attention deficits emerge in the survivors of NPC who received RT. It remains unclear how radiation affects patient brain function. This pilot study aimed at finding cerebral functional alterations in NPC patients who have received RT.@*METHODS@#From September 2014 to December 2016, 42 individuals, including 22 NPC patients and 20 normal volunteer controls in National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Peking Union Medical College, were recruited in this study. All patients received resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging scans and neurocognitive tests 1 day before the initiation of RT (baseline) and 1 day after the completion of RT; the 20 normal controls were also subjected to the same scans and tests. The amplitude of the low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF) in blood oxygen level-dependent signals and functional connectivity (FC) were used to characterize cerebral functional changes. Independent t test, paired t test, and analysis of variances were used to obtain statistical significance across groups.@*RESULTS@#After RT, NPC patients showed significantly decreased ALFF values in the calcarine sulcus, lingual gyrus, cuneus, and superior occipital gyrus and showed significantly reduced FC mainly in the default mode network (P < 0.05, corrected by AlphaSim). Relative to the controls, ALFF was decreased in the lingual gyrus, calcarine sulcus, cingulate cortex, medial prefrontal gyrus (P < 0.05, corrected by AlphaSim), and FC reduction was found in multiple cerebellar-cerebral regions, including the cerebellum, parahippocampus, hippocampus, fusiform gyrus, inferior frontal gyrus, inferior occipital gyrus, precuneus, and cingulate cortex (P < 0.001, corrected by AlphaSim).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Cerebral functional alterations occur immediately after RT. This study may provide an explanation for the cognitive deficits in the morphologically normal-appearing brains of NPC patients after RT and may contribute to the understanding of the complex mechanism of RT.
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Background@#Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is sensitive to radiotherapy (RT). However, neurocognitive complications such as memory loss and learning and attention deficits emerge in the survivors of NPC who received RT. It remains unclear how radiation affects patient brain function. This pilot study aimed at finding cerebral functional alterations in NPC patients who have received RT.@*Methods@#From September 2014 to December 2016, 42 individuals, including 22 NPC patients and 20 normal volunteer controls in National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Peking Union Medical College, were recruited in this study. All patients received resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging scans and neurocognitive tests 1 day before the initiation of RT (baseline) and 1 day after the completion of RT; the 20 normal controls were also subjected to the same scans and tests. The amplitude of the low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF) in blood oxygen level-dependent signals and functional connectivity (FC) were used to characterize cerebral functional changes. Independent t test, paired t test, and analysis of variances were used to obtain statistical significance across groups.@*Results@#After RT, NPC patients showed significantly decreased ALFF values in the calcarine sulcus, lingual gyrus, cuneus, and superior occipital gyrus and showed significantly reduced FC mainly in the default mode network (P < 0.05, corrected by AlphaSim). Relative to the controls, ALFF was decreased in the lingual gyrus, calcarine sulcus, cingulate cortex, medial prefrontal gyrus (P < 0.05, corrected by AlphaSim), and FC reduction was found in multiple cerebellar–cerebral regions, including the cerebellum, parahippocampus, hippocampus, fusiform gyrus, inferior frontal gyrus, inferior occipital gyrus, precuneus, and cingulate cortex (P < 0.001, corrected by AlphaSim).@*Conclusions@#Cerebral functional alterations occur immediately after RT. This study may provide an explanation for the cognitive deficits in the morphologically normal-appearing brains of NPC patients after RT and may contribute to the understanding of the complex mechanism of RT.
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Invasion of alien species has increasingly become a major environmental problem that damages human health, economic development and ecological security in China, which has been paid much attention. Until now, there have been 753 invasive species reported in China, and invasive medical molluscs include Pomacea canaliculata, Achatina fulica, and Biomphalaria straminea. This review summarizes the status of biologically invasive species in China, describes the species and distribution of invasive medical molluscs, analyzes the damages of the invasive medical molluscs-transmitted diseases, and proposes the preventive and control measures.
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Objective To compare the difference of fertility of Biomphalaria glabrata snails between self-fertilization and cross-fertilization and to observe the circadian rhythm of laying eggs, the effect of light on laying eggs and the tolerance of the snail to water and food deficiency, so as to provide the evidence for control and elimination of B. glabrata snails in the field. Methods Under laboratory conditions, a single B. glabrata egg for self-fertilization was separated and hatched individually, and young snails were raised in different plastic boxes individually. The eggs for cross-fertilization were hatched and the young snails were fed in the same plastic box. The ability of spawn, the development of the eggs, and the number of snails growing from young to adult snails were compared between the self-fertilization and cross-fertilization. The snails were in the water under four environments, all day illumination, all day without illumination, daytime lighting and night without illumination, and daytime without illumination but night lighting. The eggs were collected and counted daily. The circadian rhythm of spawn and the effect of illumination on spawn were observed. The adult snails were divided into 6 groups and exposed to the environments with relative humidity of 0, 65%, 87% and 100%, respectively. The survival rates of the adult snails exposed to the different environments after different time were observed. The adult snails were placed at 25 °C in the oven to remove water content from the soft body of snails. When the dehydration rates of the soft bodies achieved 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 52%, 55%, 57%, 60%, and 70% respectively, the survival rates of the adult snails exposed to the oven were observed. Results In the 25 °C water, the average laying egg number for 15 days per snail was (8.77 ± 16.92) eggs/snail in the self-fertilization snail. The average laying egg number for 15 days per snail was (149.71 ± 142.28) eggs/snail in the cross-fertilization snails. There was a significant difference between the self-fertilization snail and cross-fertilization snail (t = 0.999 999, P < 0.01). The hatching rate and reproductive maturation rate of the self-fertilization snails and cross-fertilization snails were 50.1% and 78.9%, and 19.3% and 3.8%, respectively, There was a significant difference (the hatching rate: χ2 = 18.18, P < 0.01, the reproductive maturation rate: χ2 = 11.83, P < 0.01) . In the natural environment of daytime with illumination and nighttime with darkness, the amount of laying 20 eggs of B. glabrata snail was (944.07 ± 392.53) eggs/day during a whole day, among them the amount of laying eggs during daytime account for 10.1% and the amount of laying eggs during nighttime account for 89.9%, and the laying egg was given priority to with the night. The above results suggested that the dark environment was conducive to B. glabrata snails to lay eggs. The above results suggested that light can promote the increase of spawning of B. glabrata. When B. glabrata was exposed to the environments with the relative humidity of 0, 65%, 87% and 100% at 25 °C, respectively, and the longest survival times of snails were 7, 70, 150 d and 100 d, respectively. In the 25 °C water, the snails could survive for 50 days without food. The adult snails were placed at 25 °C in the oven to remove water content from the soft body of snails. When the dehydration rates of the soft bodies achieved 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 52%, 55%, 57%, 60%, and 70% respectively, the survival rates of the adult snails exposed to the oven were 100%, 100%, 100%, 100%, 70%, 30%, 0, 0, 0 and 0, respectively. Conclusions B. glabrata can achieve the reproductive process by cross-fertilization or self-fertilization. There is a significant difference in reproductive ability between the cross-fertilization snail and self-fertilization snail, cross-fertilization is stronger than self-fertilization, but the rate of reproduction in the self-fertilization is higher than that in the cross-fertilization. It is indicated that B. glabrata that survive after the dry season plays an important role in the maintenance of local snail populations and transmission of schistosomiasis mansoni.
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Invasion of alien species has increasingly become a major environmental problem that damages human health, economic development and ecological security in China, which has been paid much attention. Until now, there have been 753 invasive species reported in China, and invasive medical molluscs include Pomacea canaliculata, Achatina fulica, and Biomphalaria straminea. This review summarizes the status of biologically invasive species in China, describes the species and distribution of invasive medical molluscs, analyzes the damages of the invasive medical molluscs-transmitted diseases, and proposes the preventive and control measures.
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Objective To compare the difference of fertility of Biomphalaria glabrata snails between self-fertilization and cross-fertilization and to observe the circadian rhythm of laying eggs, the effect of light on laying eggs and the tolerance of the snail to water and food deficiency, so as to provide the evidence for control and elimination of B. glabrata snails in the field. Methods Under laboratory conditions, a single B. glabrata egg for self-fertilization was separated and hatched individually, and young snails were raised in different plastic boxes individually. The eggs for cross-fertilization were hatched and the young snails were fed in the same plastic box. The ability of spawn, the development of the eggs, and the number of snails growing from young to adult snails were compared between the self-fertilization and cross-fertilization. The snails were in the water under four environments, all day illumination, all day without illumination, daytime lighting and night without illumination, and daytime without illumination but night lighting. The eggs were collected and counted daily. The circadian rhythm of spawn and the effect of illumination on spawn were observed. The adult snails were divided into 6 groups and exposed to the environments with relative humidity of 0, 65%, 87% and 100%, respectively. The survival rates of the adult snails exposed to the different environments after different time were observed. The adult snails were placed at 25 °C in the oven to remove water content from the soft body of snails. When the dehydration rates of the soft bodies achieved 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 52%, 55%, 57%, 60%, and 70% respectively, the survival rates of the adult snails exposed to the oven were observed. Results In the 25 °C water, the average laying egg number for 15 days per snail was (8.77 ± 16.92) eggs/snail in the self-fertilization snail. The average laying egg number for 15 days per snail was (149.71 ± 142.28) eggs/snail in the cross-fertilization snails. There was a significant difference between the self-fertilization snail and cross-fertilization snail (t = 0.999 999, P < 0.01). The hatching rate and reproductive maturation rate of the self-fertilization snails and cross-fertilization snails were 50.1% and 78.9%, and 19.3% and 3.8%, respectively, There was a significant difference (the hatching rate: χ2 = 18.18, P < 0.01, the reproductive maturation rate: χ2 = 11.83, P < 0.01) . In the natural environment of daytime with illumination and nighttime with darkness, the amount of laying 20 eggs of B. glabrata snail was (944.07 ± 392.53) eggs/day during a whole day, among them the amount of laying eggs during daytime account for 10.1% and the amount of laying eggs during nighttime account for 89.9%, and the laying egg was given priority to with the night. The above results suggested that the dark environment was conducive to B. glabrata snails to lay eggs. The above results suggested that light can promote the increase of spawning of B. glabrata. When B. glabrata was exposed to the environments with the relative humidity of 0, 65%, 87% and 100% at 25 °C, respectively, and the longest survival times of snails were 7, 70, 150 d and 100 d, respectively. In the 25 °C water, the snails could survive for 50 days without food. The adult snails were placed at 25 °C in the oven to remove water content from the soft body of snails. When the dehydration rates of the soft bodies achieved 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 52%, 55%, 57%, 60%, and 70% respectively, the survival rates of the adult snails exposed to the oven were 100%, 100%, 100%, 100%, 70%, 30%, 0, 0, 0 and 0, respectively. Conclusions B. glabrata can achieve the reproductive process by cross-fertilization or self-fertilization. There is a significant difference in reproductive ability between the cross-fertilization snail and self-fertilization snail, cross-fertilization is stronger than self-fertilization, but the rate of reproduction in the self-fertilization is higher than that in the cross-fertilization. It is indicated that B. glabrata that survive after the dry season plays an important role in the maintenance of local snail populations and transmission of schistosomiasis mansoni.
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Recently, China’s participation in global health governance has been paid increasing global attention. This paper analyzed the current status and needs of African schistosomiasis control, the participation of China and international organizations in African schistosomiasis control and the progress of China Aid of Schistosomiasis Control in Zanzibar, with China Aid of Schistosomiasis Control in Zanzibar as an example. It is suggested that China may improve the capability of participation in global public health governance and international reputation through strengthening intergovernmental and international collaborations, providing successful disease control experiences and products and improving capability and team building.
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Objective To compare the toxicity of different extraction parts of Aconitum sinomontanum Nakai;To screen out"toxic sections"of Aconitum sinomontanum Nakai; To provide references for further study on toxicity components of Aconitum sinomontanum Nakai. Methods Systematic solvent method was used to extract the 95% ethanol extracts of Aconitum sinomontanum Nakai,and six different extraction fractions(petroleum ether,chloroform, ethyl acetate, butanol, alcohol and water) were obtained. Median lethal dose (LD50) and maximum dose method were used to conduct comparative study on acute toxicity of different extraction parts of Aconitum sinomontanum Nakai. Results Chloroform, water and butanol extractions in LD50of Aconitum sinomontanum Nakai were 89.65, 1805.40 and 24 409.41 mg/kg, and 95% confidence limits were 76.39~108.41, 1521.60~2240.00 and 20 422.54~24 246.95, respectively. The maximum dose of petroleum ether, ethyl acetate and alcohol extractions were 2686.01, 3108.13 and 28 376.21 mg/kg, respectively. Conclusion The maximum toxicity is the extracted section of chloroform, and the minimal toxicity is the extracted section of ethanol.
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Objective To predict the colonization risk and potential geographical distribution of Biomphalaria glabrata in the Mainland China based on the past period temperature data.Methods The survival extreme high temperatures and low tem-peratures of B.glabrata eggs,young and adult B.glabrata snails and the average effective accumulated temperature of genera-tion development were determined in laboratory conditions.The temperature data in January and July from 1955 to 2010 were collected from the national meteorological monitoring sites in the southern part of China,including Chongqing,Zhejiang,Yun-nan,Sichuan,Jiangxi,Hunan,Hainan,Guizhou,Guangdong,Guangxi and Fujian provinces(11 provinces).A database of ambient temperature related to B.glabrata was established based on the Geographic Information System(GIS).The colonization risk and potential geographical distribution of B.glabrata in the southern part of China were analyzed and predicted by ArcGIS 10.1 software.Results The half lethal low temperatures of B.glabrata eggs,young and adult B.glabrata snails were 6.80,6.34℃ and 6.60℃ respectively;the half lethal high temperatures of B.glabrata eggs,young and adult B.glabrata snails were 35.99,33.59℃ and 32.20℃,respectively.The developmental threshold temperature was 7.16℃;the average effective accumu-lated temperature of generation development was(1 970.07 ± 455.10)days-degree.The GIS overlay analysis of the half lethal low and high temperatures of B.glabrata showed that the local temperature conditions in all Hainan and part regions in Yunnan,Guangxi,Guangdong and Fujian were conformed to the survival temperature of B.glabrata snails.The regions,where the aver-age effective accumulated temperature was more than the average effective accumulated temperature of generation development of B.glabrata,were Guangdong and Hainan,and part regions of other 9 provinces.The overlay analysis of GIS maps of the sur-vival extreme high temperatures and low temperatures of B.glabrata with the GIS map of the average effective accumulated tem-perature of generation development in 2010 showed that the whole region of Hainan and part regions of Guangdong,Guangxi,Yunnan and Fujian were potential geographical distribution regions of colonization risk of B.glabrata.The overlay analysis of GIS maps of the survival extreme high temperatures and low temperatures of B.glabrata with the GIS map of the average effective accumulated temperature of generation development from 1955 to 2010 showed that the potential geographical distribution re-gions of B.glabrata was expanding from the whole region of Hainan and part regions of Guangdong in 1955 to the whole region of Hainan and part regions of Guangdong,Guangxi,Yunnan and Fujian in 2010.Conclusions If B.glabrata snails were intro-duced into the Mainland China,the potential geographical distribution regions would be the whole region of Hainan and part re-gions of Guangdong,Guangxi and Yunnan.The changes of risk range and risk intensity present the trends of expanding and in-creasing from the south to the north gradually.
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AIM:To investigate the effect of sodium hydrosulfide(NaHS)on cardiac function and activity of renin-angiotensin(Ang)-aldosterone(ALD)system(RAAS)in the rats with chronic heart failure(CHF).METHODS:The CHF rat model was established by abdominal aortic coarctation.SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group,model group,low dose of NaHS group and high dose of NaHS group(n=6).The left ventricular end-diastolic di-ameter(LVEDD), left ventricular end-systolic diameter(LVESD)and left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)were measured before and after treatment by echocardiography in each group.The levels of renin,AngⅡand ALD in the plasma were measured by ELISA.The expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme(ACE)and angiotensin Ⅱ type 1 receptor (AT1R)at mRNA and protein levels in the myocardium tissues was determined by qPCR and Western blot,respectively. RESULTS:After treatment with NaHS,compared with model group and before treatment,LVEDD and LVESD in low dose of NaHS group and high dose of NaHS group were decreased significantly, while LVEF was increased significantly(P<0.05).Compared with low dose of NaHS group,LVEDD and LVESD were decreased,while LVEF was increased in high dose of NaHS group(P<0.05).Compared with sham operation group,the levels of renin,AngⅡand ALD in the plasma of model group were significantly increased(P<0.05),and the expression of ACE and AT1R at mRNA and protein levels in the myocardium tissues of model group were significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with model group,the plas-ma levels of renin,AngⅡand ALD in low dose of NaHS group and high dose of NaHS group were significantly decreased (P<0.05),and the myocardial expression of ACE and AT 1R at mRNA and protein levels was significantly down-regulated (P<0.05).The plasma levels of renin,AngⅡand ALD,and the myocardial expression of ACE and AT 1R at mRNA and protein levels in high dose of NaHS group were significantly lower than those in low dose of NaHS group(P<0.05). CONCLUSION:NaHS inhibits the activation of RAAS,thus improving the cardiac function of CHF rats,and the effect of high-dose NaHS is better than that of low-dose NaHS.