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Abelmoschus manihot (L.) Medik. (A. manihot) is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine with a variety of pharmacological properties. It was first recorded in Jiayou Materia Medica dating back to the Song dynasty to eliminate urinary tract irritation by clearing away heat and diuretic effect. However, its pharmacological action on urinary tract infections has not been investigated. The present study aims to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of A. manihot on a mouse model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cystitis. The results showed that A. manihot decreased white blood cell (WBC) count in urine sediments of the cystitis mice, alleviated bladder congestion, edema, as well as histopathological damage, reduced the expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and interleukin-1β simultaneously. Moreover, A. manihot administration significantly downregulated the expression levels of TLR4, MYD88, IκBα, p-IκBα, NF-κB p65, and p-NF-κB p65 in LPS-induced cystitis mice. These findings demonstrated the protective effect of A. manihot against LPS-induced cystitis, which is attributed to its anti-inflammatory profile by suppressing TLR4/MYD88/NF-κB pathways. Our results suggest that A. manihot could be a potential candidate for cystitis treatment.
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Animals , Female , Humans , Male , Mice , Abelmoschus/metabolism , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use , Cystitis , Lipopolysaccharides/pharmacology , Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88/metabolism , NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha/metabolism , NF-kappa B/metabolism , Signal Transduction , Toll-Like Receptor 4/metabolismABSTRACT
Objective:Based on the AAPM TG-263, a Content-Based Standardizing Nomenclatures (CBSN) was proposed to explore the feasibility of its standardization verification for organs at risk (OAR) of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).Methods:The radiotherapy structure files of 855 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) receiving intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) from 2017 to 2019(15 of whom showed clinical anomalous structures) were retrospectively collected and processed. The Matlab self-developed software was used to obtain the image position, geometric features, first-order gray histogram, and the Gray-level Co-occurrence Matrix′s texture features of the OAR contour outlined by the doctor to establish the CBSN Location Verification model and CBSN Knowledge Library. Fisher discriminant analysis was employed to establish a CBSN OAR classification model, which was evaluated using self-validation, cross-validation, and external validation, respectively.Results:99%(69/70) of the simulated anomalous structures were outside the 90% reference range of the CBSN Knowledge Library and the characteristic parameters significantly differed among different OARs (all P<0.001). The accuracy rates of self-validation, cross-validation and external verification of the CBSN OAR classification model were 92.1%, 92.0% and 91.8%, respectively. Fourteen cases of clinical abnormal structures were successfully detected by CBSN with an accuracy rate of 93%(14/15). In the simulation test, the accuracy of the left and right location verification reached 100%, such as detecting the right eye lens named Len_L. Conclusion:CBSN can be used for OAR verification of NPC, providing reference for multi-center cooperation and standardized radiotherapy of NPC patients.
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Objective To understand the current health literacy level of students in a medical university and its influencing factors, so as to provide references for health education of medical college students. Methods By means of random stratified cluster sampling, health literacy questionnaire survey was conducted among 1 428 students in three grades of a medical university. Ratio and constituent ratio were used to describe the resuls. Chi-square test was used fot comparison among groups. Logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors. Results The percentage of sampled undergraduates in Hebei who had met the health literacy criteria was 57.18%.The percentages of students who had met the health literacy criteria on health concepts and the basic knowledge, and on healthy lifestyles and behaviors, and on the basic health skills were 58.68%, 30.88%, 65.48%,respectively. The health literacy of female college students was higher than that of males. There were statistically significant differences in health literacy among subjects of different grades, majors, fathers with education and fathers with different occupations ( 2=27.748, 46.525, 19.327, 30.779, all P<0.01). Logistic regression analysis showed that girls' health literacy was higher than boys' (OR=1.521, 95% CI:1.160-1.993). The health literacy level of students from different majors was in order of clinical medicine, nursing, pharmacy and other majors; The health literacy of the children with highly educated mothers was higher than that of the children with less educated mothers. Conclusions Overall level of health literacy of students in this school is higher than that of undergraduates nationwide. Medical colleges should focus on cultivating healthy lifestyles of medical students, so as to improve the overall health literacy of college students.
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[Objective]To investigate the safety and efficacy of phosphorylcholine oligomer grafted graphene oxide as a drug carrier for transcatheter arterial chemoembolization in the treatment of liver cancer.[Methods]Doxorubicin loaded folic acid labeled phosphorylcholine oligomer grafted graphene oxide(DOX@GO-PCn-FA)was prepared. Graphene ox-ide(GO)and DOX@GO-PCn-FA were injected intravenously via marginal ear vein in New Zealand white rabbits respec-tively to assess their safety and biodistribution for intravenous administration.Ten male New Zealand rabbits were used to establishe the VX2 liver cancer model and the tumor characteristics were confirmed by dynamic contrast enhanced CT scan.Catheter was inserted via femoral artery and advanced into hepatic lobar or segmental artery.Digital subtraction angi-ography(DSA)was performed to validate the tumor feeding vessels.DOX@GO-PCn-FA was injected through the cathe-ter to carry out selective transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE). Dynamic enhanced CT scan and pathological examinations of major tissues and organs were implemented 7 days post TACE to evaluate the efficacy of embolization effect of DOX@GO-PCn-FA against liver tumor as well as the biodistribution and safety.[Results]Intravenous injection of GO resulted in significant thrombosis and pulmonary embolism whereas DOX@GO-PCn-FA of same dosage did not. DOX@GO-PCn-FA was capable of effectively diminishing the blood supply of liver tumors when applied in TACE. Pathologic exploration revealed that DOX@ GO-PCn-FA mainly deposited in the tumor,and no obvious complications were observed.[Conclusions]GO-PCn presented superior biocompatibility and exerted effective chemoembolization against liver cancer.
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Objective To explore the implementing process and application effect of risk management in blood transfusion compatibility testing.Methods 16 957 patients receiving transfusion therapy along with blood transfusion compatibility testing at our hospital between July,2013 and June,2015 were selected as the control group,without any risk control in place.19 011 patients receiving such therapy yet with blood transfusion compatibility testing between July, 2015 and June, 2017 were selected as the observation group,and managed by the risk management procedure.The risk incidence and satisfactory rate of doctors,nurses and patients were analyzed between the two groups.Results The risk incidence was zero in the observation group, and 0.09% in the control group, indicating the risk incidence rate in the observation group significantly lower than the control group(P<0.05).The satisfactory rate of doctors, nurses and patients in the observation group(98.33%)was significantly higher than the control group (71.25%)(P <0.05).Conclusions Implementing risk management procedure in blood transfusion compatibility testing may effectively prevent and reduce the risk incidence, enhance the satisfactory rate of doctors,nurses and patients,and ensure the clinical transfusion safety.
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Objective To investigate the value of platelet, serum sodium and serum creatinine levels in the prognosis of patients with liver failure. Methods The clinical data of 155 patients with liver failure were retrospectively analyzed, and the patients were divided into improvement survival group (87 cases) and deterioration died group (68 cases) according to the prognosis. The hospitalization time of every patient was divided into 4 roughly equal time period, and observed at 5 points of time:T1-T5. The levels and abnormal rates of platelet, serum sodium and serum creatinine were compared. Results The T3 - T5 serum creatinine levels in deterioration died group were significantly higher than those in improvement survival group: (102.14 ± 75.67) μmol/L vs. (78.21 ± 26.68) μmol/L, (116.45 ± 110.64)μmol/L vs. (78.77 ± 29.25) μmol/L, (161.43 ± 153.23) μmol/L vs. (76.40 ± 27.26) μmol/L, and the T1 - T5 serum sodium and platelet levels were significantly lower than those in improvement survival group:(135.05 ± 6.24) mmol/L vs. (137.52 ± 5.26) mmol/L, (137.01 ± 4.99) mmol/L vs. (139.00 ± 3.89) mmol/L, (134.80 ± 16.74) mmol/L vs. (139.15 ± 3.77) mmol/L, (134.40 ± 11.69) mmol/L vs. (138.30 ± 8.75) mmol/L, (133.30 ± 8.93) mmol/L vs. (139.01 ± 9.10) mmol/L, and (122.46 ± 72.59) × 109/L vs. (149.70 ± 71.70) ×109/L, (110.18 ± 65.10) × 109/L vs. (152.09 ± 82.79) ×109/L, (107.32 ± 70.49) ×109/L vs. (169.32 ± 100.65) ×109/L, (97.06 ± 58.15) ×109/L vs. (183.57 ± 112.68) ×109/L, (94.66 ± 57.00) × 109/L vs. (191.36 ± 118.64) ×109/L, and there were statistical differences (P<0.05). The abnormal rates of T3-T5 serum creatinine, T2 - T5 serum sodium and T1 - T5 platelet in deterioration died group were significantly higher than those in improvement survival group, the serum creatinine: 22.06%(15/68) vs. 6.90% (6/87), 27.49% (19/68) vs. 8.05% (7/87) and 42.65% (29/68) vs. 10.34% (9/87), the serum sodium: 32.35% (22/68) vs. 13.79% (12/87), 39.71% (27/68) vs. 14.94% (13/87), 48.53% (33/68) vs. 12.64%(11/87) and 60.29%(41/68) vs. 11.49%(10/87), the platelet:45.59%(31/68) vs. 21.84%(19/87), 55.88% (38/68) vs. 24.14% (21/87), 54.41% (37/68) vs. 25.29% (22/87), 55.88% (38/68) vs. 21.84%(19/87) and 61.76% (42/68) vs. 20.69% (18/87), and there were statistical differences (P<0.05). Abnormal rate of platelet was highest in each time point. Conclusions In the course of pathological changes in deterioration and dead patients, the platelet is the first and most easily affected compare with serum sodium and serum creatinine; the platelet may be a sensitive marker for predicting clinical outcome in patients with liver failure.
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Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of MRI-navigation system EMT-100 in assisting the performance of precise percutaneous puncture biopsy.Methods With the help of MRI-navigation system EMT-100,percutaneous puncture biopsy of thoracic and abdominal lesions was performed in 42 patients.The puncture success rate was used as the main index to evaluate the effectiveness of MRI-navigation system EMT-100.The success rate of puncture biopsy,the total time used for procedure,the average number of puncturing,the average number of scanning,and the incidence of complications were recorded.Results In the 42 patients,the success rates with single and twice puncturing were 86％ (36/42) and 14％ (6/42) respectively.The success rate of puncture biopsy was 100％.The mean time used for locating puncture site was (11.5±5.5) min;the average number of puncturing was (1.4±0.5) times,and the average number of scanningwas(4.2±0.8) times.Among the 32 patients with pulmonary lesions,bloody sputum occurred in 2 patients (6.2％) and small amount pneumothorax in one patient (3.1％),and no serious complications occurred in other patients.Conclusion In performing percutaneous puncture biopsy of thoracic and abdominal lesions,the use of MRI-navigation system is safe.This technique has certain advantages,such as accurate positioning,high puncture success rate,wide range of application,radiationless,etc.It can help precisely obtain the lesion tissue and get pathological diagnosis.Therefore,it is really a valuable guiding technology.(J Intervent Radiol,2017,26:263-265)
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Objective To discuss the safety and efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) in treating patients with inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who has a history of hepatic failure. Methods A total of 7 HCC patients who had a history of hepatic failure (study group) were enrolled in this study. TACE was carried out in all these 7 patients. Other 51 patients who had no liver failure history were used as the control group. All the patients were followed up for at least six months. The postoperative adverse events, changes of liver function and the prognosis were recorded, and the results were compared between the two groups. Results In the study group, neither treatment-related death nor severe adverse events occurred. No significant difference in the occurrence of mild adverse events existed between the two groups. After TACE the liver functions, including alanine aminotransferase, total bilirubin, prolonged prothrombin time, albumin, etc. in the study group were significantly worse than those in the control group,groups. Conclusion For patients with inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma who has a history of hepatic failure, TACE is a safe and effective treatment.
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ObjectiveTo study the appearances and dynamic changes of chest high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) in clinically diagnosed critical influenza A (H1N1) pneumonia.MethodsOne hundred chest HRCT scanning examinations were performed in 36 cases of influenza A (H1N1) pneumonia who were diagnosed by the clinical manifestations in one month.The onset,progress and resolve of pulmonary manifestations were analyzed.Results Chest HRCT was performed in six patients,and small patchy opacity presented in three cases and ground-glass opacities presented in the other three cases within 3 days after onset when the disease was at the initial stage.Multiple larger opacities were visualized in all cases at the progressive stage (3 days later after onset),which included the pure ground-glass opacities (9 cases,25.0％ ),ground-glass opacities accompanied by consolidations (20 cases,55.6％),prominent consolidations (7 cases,19.4％),and accompanied pleural lesions (10,27.8％).The lesions strongly progressed within (8.0± 2.6) d and distinctly absorption in all cases (100.0％,36/36) within (16.0±4.8) d after onset of the disease.The pulmonary interstitial hyperplasia was found in 23 cases (63.9％).Dynamic change types of the lesions include absorption after progression,absorption and progression coexistence then absorption and gradually absorption,andabsorptionafterprogressionwas themajor type(41.7％).ConclusionHRCT could distinctly demonstrate the shape,range and dynamic changes of pulmonary lesions of critical influenza A (H1 N1) pneumonia.
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Objective To explore the chest features of patients with the novel influenza type A H1N1 on HRCT. Methods One hundred and seventy-two chest HRCT examinations on 163 cases with Influenza type A H1N1 (9 cases were reexamed) were retrospectively analyzed using standard pulmonary window and mediastinal window, respectively. HRCT imaging appearances were summarized. Results Ninety-seven cases showed normal on chest HRCT, while the others showed abnormalities of parenchymal and interstitial. Among them, HRCT identified ground-glass opacity in 35 cases (53.0%), centrilobular nodules in 30 cases (45.5%), thickening of intralobular septa in 31 cases (47.0%), intralobular thin reticulation and micro-nodule in 8 cases (12.1%), single-lobular inflammation in 19 cases (28.8%), consolidation of lung(the large consolidation and multiple small consolidations)in 15 cases (22.7%), pulmonary atelectasis in 3 cases (4.5%), and irregular lines in 2 cases (3.0%). Pleurisy was also revealed including 8 cases with right pleurisy, 5 cases with left pleurisy, and 19 cases with bilateral pleurisy. Mediastinal and axillary lymphadenopathy were found in 7 cases, who were spared of pleural effusion. All above abnormalities resolved quickly after anti- virus treatment. Conclusion Parenchymal and interstitial abnormalities, mediastinum and axillary fossa lymphadenopathy, and pleural effusion were the common findings on HRCT in patients with Influenza type A H1N1, which were similar to those of other viral pneumonia.
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Penile erection hardness is one of the key factors for successful sexual intercourse, as well as an important index in the diagnosis and treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). This article gives an overview on the component and impact factors of erection hardness, summarizes some commonly used evaluation methods, including those for objective indexes, such as Rigiscan, axial buckling test and color Doppler ultrasonography, and those for subjective indexes of ED patients, such as IIEF, the Erectile Function Domain of IIEF (IIEF-EF), and Erection Hardness Score (EHS), and discusses the characteristics of these methods.
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Humans , Male , Erectile Dysfunction , Diagnosis , Penile ErectionABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of angiotensin II type-1 (AT-1) alpha receptor gene silencing on nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activity in hepatic Kupffer cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The expression of AT-1 alpha receptors in primary isolated cultured hepatic Kupffer cells was detected by immunohistochemistry. pSilencer/AT-1 alpha receptor siRNA plasmids were transfected into Kupffer cells, which were subsequently exposed to 10(-6) mol/L angiotensin II (Ang II) for 60 min. The changes in the DNA binding activity of NF-kappaB in the cells was assessed using electrophoretic gel mobility shift assay (EMSA).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>AT-1 alpha receptor expression was detected in Kupffer cells. NF-kappaB DNA binding activity was markedly increased in Kupffer cells after Ang II stimulation, and obviously inhibited by transfectiom with pSilencer/AT-1 alpha receptor siRNA plasmid.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Ang II stimulation of Kupffer cell results in increased activation of NF-kappaB via AT-1 alpha receptor.</p>
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Humans , Cells, Cultured , Kupffer Cells , Cell Biology , NF-kappa B , Metabolism , RNA Interference , RNA, Small Interfering , Genetics , Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1 , Genetics , MetabolismABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of angiotensin II (AngII) type 1 (AT-1) receptor and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene silencing on nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activity in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>pSilencer/AT-1 alpha receptor siRNA and pSilencer/ACE siRNA plasmids were transfected into cultured HSC-T6 cells, which were subsequently stimulated by 10(-6) mol/L AngII or ACE inhibitor (ACEI). The DNA binding activity of NF-kappaB in the transfected cells was analyzed using electrophoretic gel mobility shift assay (EMSA).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>s Gel shift studies showed that stimulation of the HSCs by AngII markedly increased the DNA-binding activity of NF-kappaB, which was inhibited by the transfection with pSilencer/ AT-1 alpha receptor siRNA plasmid or pSilencer/ACE siRNA plasmid.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>AT-1 alpha receptor and ACE gene silencing result in inhibition of NF-kappaB activity in HSCs in vitro.</p>
Subject(s)
Humans , Cell Line , Hepatic Stellate Cells , Cell Biology , Metabolism , NF-kappa B , Genetics , Metabolism , Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A , Genetics , RNA Interference , RNA, Small Interfering , Genetics , Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1 , Genetics , TransfectionABSTRACT
Objective To discuss the efficacy of application combination Of minimal immunosuppressive drugs in chronic allograft nephropathy after renal transplantation. Methods Data were drawn from the First Hospital of Tsinghua University.From September 1,2004 to July 1,2006,31 cadaver kidney transplantations were performed using triple immunosuppression with tacrolimus(n=31)and MMF plus steroids before using new strategy.The new strategy is Rapamycin+tacrolimus+MMF+Prednisone.The serum ereatinine,GFR(ml/min/1.73 m2)and 24-hours urine protein before and after 12 months of using lOW dose combination of calcineurin inhibitors,MMF,Rapamune,Predsone and Q80 were recorded.During this time,the concentration of tacrolimus,rapamune were monitored as well. Results After 12 months follow-up,the serum creatinine of 28 patients were decreased from(300±21)μmol/L to(215±38)μmol/L.GFR(ml/min/1.73m2)was elevated from 42.54±2.95 to 49.98±3.05.Three patients whose serum creatinine was 416-464μmol/L had to take hemodialysis.The 24-hours urine protein(g)of 31 patients below 0.8 g did not increase urine protein during follow-up.One patient's 24-hours urine protein(g)increased from 0.95 to 1.29.The patient and graft survival rate was 100%(31/31),90.3%(28/31)respectively.The rapamune main side effect was hyperlipidemia. Conclusions Rapamune and low dose Tacrolimus+Myeophenolate Mofetil+Corticosteroid could be a safe treatment.It may improve renal function in chronic allograft nephropathy.
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Patient-centered questionnaires, as widely used tools for the diagnosis of erectile dysfunction (ED) and the assessment of ED treatment efficacy, are increasing in number and kinds. This review focuses on a few effective and most commonly used ED-related questionnaires, including the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM), Erectile Function Domain of the IIEF (IIEF-EF), Erection Hardness Grading Scale (EHGS), Self-Esteem and Relationship Questionnaire (SEAR), Erection Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction (EDITS), Quality of Erection Questionnaire (QEQ), Treatment Satisfaction Scale (TSS), Psychological and Interpersonal Relationship Scales (PAIRS), and Sexual Experience Questionnaire (SEX-Q). The objectives, contents and characteristics of these questionnaires are explained and discussed.
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Humans , Male , Erectile Dysfunction , Diagnosis , Drug Therapy , Psychology , Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the in vivo colonization, migration, and differentiation of in vitro cultured human fetal hepatic stem cells (HSCs) following intrasplenic transplantation for treatment of acute liver injury in mice with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Human fetal HSCs were isolated from the normal fetal liver (16-24 weeks) and purified, and the morphology of HSCs was observed under optical and transmission electron microscopes. The expressions of stem cell markers were examined in these HSCs by means of immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry. The passaged human fetal HSC suspension (0.2 ml) were injected into the spleen of SCID mice with acute liver injury induced by two-third partial hepatectomy, and 15, 30, 60, and 90 days after cell transplantation, immunohistochemistry was performed to examine the location and expressions of human hepatocytes, alpha1-AT and AFP antigen in the spleen and liver of the recipient SCID mice. PAS staining was used to examine the expression of glycogen and RT-PCR employed for detection of the expressions of AFP and albumin mRNA in the spleen of the mice on the scheduled time points.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Under optical microscope and transmission electron microscope, most of the HSCs were small, about 1/6 to 1/3 of the size of the hepatocyte, with relatively large nucleus-cytoplasm ratio and only small quantities of endocytoplasmic reticulum, chondriosome, and ribosome. Immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry identified positive expressions of AFP, Thy-1, C-kit, CD34 and CK19 in the HSCs, and after cell transplantation, positive expressions of human hepatocyte, alpha1-AT, and AFP antigen occurred in the liver and spleen of the recipient SCID mice. PAS staining confirmed the presence of glycogenosome in the spleen of the mice following cell transplantation. RT-PCR on days 30, 60, and 90 showed positive expressions of human AFP and albumin mRNA in the spleen of the mice.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Human fetal HSCs can survive and settle in the spleen and liver, and migrate to the damaged liver of the recipient mice after intrasplenic transplantation, with the capacity of proliferation and differentiation into hepatocytes in the recipient target organs.</p>
Subject(s)
Animals , Female , Humans , Mice , Cells, Cultured , Fetal Stem Cells , Cell Biology , Transplantation , Flow Cytometry , Hepatectomy , Methods , Hepatocytes , Cell Biology , Metabolism , Transplantation , Immunohistochemistry , Liver , Wounds and Injuries , General Surgery , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Mice, SCID , Microscopy, Electron, Transmission , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction , Spleen , Metabolism , General Surgery , Stem Cell Transplantation , Methods , Transplantation, Heterologous , alpha-Fetoproteins , GeneticsABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To identify the FTIR spectroscopic characterization of breast cancer and explore the possibility of application of FTIR in differentiation of malignant and benign breast lesions.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>FTIR spectra of surgically removed fresh breast tissues were measured by spectrometer equipped with mid-infrared fiber optics and an ATR probe. Peaks in the spectra were measured and relative intensity ratios were calculated and analyzed if there are significant differences between the spectra of malignant and benign breast lesions.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were significant differences (P < 0.05) between the spectra of malignant breast cancers and benign breast tissues in the relative intensity ratios of different peaks (I1640/ I1550 and I1160/I1120 for protein structures; I1640/I1460 and I1550/I1460 for relative content of protein and lipid; I1460/I1400 for lipid structures; I1310/I1240 for nucleic acid).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>FTIR spectroscopy could be a useful tool in clinical diagnosis of breast cancer.</p>
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Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Breast , Chemistry , Pathology , Breast Neoplasms , Diagnosis , Metabolism , Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast , Diagnosis , Metabolism , Fibroadenoma , Diagnosis , Metabolism , Lipids , Neoplasm Proteins , Reproducibility of Results , Sensitivity and Specificity , Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared , MethodsABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate whether photochemical smog emitted during the process of electric arc welding might cause oxidative stress and potential oxidative damage in the bodies of welding operators.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seventy electric arc welding operators (WOs) and 70 healthy volunteers (HVs) were enrolled in a randomized controlled study design, in which the levels of vitamin C (VC) and vitamin E (VE) in plasma as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and the level of lipoperoxide (LPO) in erythrocytes were determined by spectrophotometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the average values of the above experimental parameters in the HVs group, the average values of VC and VE in plasma as well as those of SOD, CAT and GPX in erythrocytes in the WOs group were significantly decreased (P < 0.005-0.0001), while the average value of LPO in erythrocytes in the WOs group was significantly increased (P < 0.0001). The findings from the partial correlation analysis on the controlling of age suggested that with a prolonged duration of exposure to photochemical smog the values of VC, VE, SOD, and GPX, except for CAT, in the WOs were decreased gradually (P < 0.05-0.005), the value of LPO in the WOs was increased gradually (P < 0.001), and that with the ozone dose increased in the air in each worksite VC, VE, SOD, CAT and GPX decreased (P < 0.005-0.001), but LPO increased (P < 0.001). The findings from the reliability analysis for the VC, VE, SOD, CAT, GPX, and LPO values which were used to reflect oxidative stress and potential oxidative damage in the WOs showed that the reliability coefficients' alpha (6 items) was 0.8021, P < 0.0001, and that the standardized item alpha was 0.9577, P < 0.0001.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Findings in the present study suggest that there exists an oxidative stress induced by long-term exposure to photochemical smog in the bodies of WOs, thereby causing potential oxidative and lipoperoxidative damages in their bodies.</p>
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Adult , Humans , Middle Aged , Antioxidants , Metabolism , Ascorbic Acid , Blood , Catalase , Blood , Erythrocytes , Metabolism , Glutathione Peroxidase , Blood , Lipid Peroxides , Blood , Nitric Oxide , Blood , Oxidants, Photochemical , Oxidative Stress , Ozone , Toxicity , Risk Assessment , Smog , Superoxide Dismutase , Blood , Vitamin E , Blood , WeldingABSTRACT
Binding sites or receptors for prolactin were identified in crude membrane fractions prepared from female lactating Sprague-Dawley rat using receptor radioassay. The results further indicated that the membrane of rat liver cells are rich in prolactin receptors, and the Scatchard analysis of the binding of ~(125)I-oPRL to receptors revealed that female rat liver cells contained two classes of prolactin receptors (Kd_1=3.20?10~(-10) M, Kd_2=1.26?10~(-8)M) with high specificity.