Research progress on traditional Chinese medicine in treatment of neurodegenerative diseases by delaying neurovascular unit aging / 中国中药杂志

Neurodegenerative diseases are a collective term for a large group of diseases caused by degenerative changes in nerve cells. Aging is the main risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases. The neurovascular unit(NVU) is the smallest functional unit of the brain, which regulates brain blood flow and maintains brain homeostasis. Accelerated aging of NVU cells directly impairs NVU function and leads to the occurrence of various neurodegenerative diseases. The intrinsic mechanisms of NVU cell aging are complex and involve oxidative stress damage, loss of protein homeostasis, DNA damage, mitochondrial dysfunction, immune inflammatory response, and impaired cellular autophagy. In recent years, studies have found that traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) can inhibit NVU aging through multiple pathways and targets, exerting a brain-protective effect. Therefore, this article aimed to provide a theoretical basis for further research on TCM inhibition of NVU cell aging and references for new drug development and clinical applications by reviewing its mechanisms of anti-aging, such as regulating relevant proteins, improving mitochondrial dysfunction, reducing DNA damage, lowering inflammatory response, antioxidant stress, and modulating cellular autophagy.

Gut microbiota controls the development of chronic pancreatitis: A critical role of short-chain fatty acids-producing Gram-positive bacteria

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a progressive and irreversible fibroinflammatory disorder, accompanied by pancreatic exocrine insufficiency and dysregulated gut microbiota. Recently, accumulating evidence has supported a correlation between gut dysbiosis and CP development. However, whether gut microbiota dysbiosis contributes to CP pathogenesis remains unclear. Herein, an experimental CP was induced by repeated high-dose caerulein injections. The broad-spectrum antibiotics (ABX) and ABX targeting Gram-positive (G+) or Gram-negative bacteria (G-) were applied to explore the specific roles of these bacteria. Gut dysbiosis was observed in both mice and in CP patients, which was accompanied by a sharply reduced abundance for short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)-producers, especially G+ bacteria. Broad-spectrum ABX exacerbated the severity of CP, as evidenced by aggravated pancreatic fibrosis and gut dysbiosis, especially the depletion of SCFAs-producing G+ bacteria. Additionally, depletion of SCFAs-producing G+ bacteria rather than G- bacteria intensified CP progression independent of TLR4, which was attenuated by supplementation with exogenous SCFAs. Finally, SCFAs modulated pancreatic fibrosis through inhibition of macrophage infiltration and M2 phenotype switching. The study supports a critical role for SCFAs-producing G+ bacteria in CP. Therefore, modulation of dietary-derived SCFAs or G+ SCFAs-producing bacteria may be considered a novel interventive approach for the management of CP.

Application of parallelly promoting teaching in the training of ERCP skills for surgeons / 中华医学教育探索杂志

Objective:To explore the application of parallelly promoting teaching in a short-term refresher training of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) skills for surgeons.Methods:In the study, 30 surgeons who underwent a short-term refresher training of ERCP skills were randomized divided into the parallelly promoting teaching group (observation group) and the progressive teaching group (control group). The normative scores of operation, complications and the incidence of successful intubation between two groups were compared. SPSS 13.0 was performed for t test and chi-square test. Results:Compared with the surgeons in control group, the surgeons in observation group had significantly higher normative scores of operation [(79.86±3.73) vs. (77.20±2.31)], lower incidence of total complications (%) [(8.80±2.11) vs. (10.53±2.44)] and higher incidence of successful intubation (%) [(75.73±3.99) vs. (71.87±3.51)].Conclusion:Compared with the progressive teaching, the parallelly promoting teaching is more effective in the short-term refresher training of ERCP skills for surgeons.

Single oblique lumbar interbody fusion with robot-assisted posterior internal fixation for lumbar degenerative diseases / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the efficacy of single oblique lumbar interbody fusion(OLIF) with robot-assisted posterior internal fixation for the treatment of lumbar degenerative diseases.@*METHODS@#The clinical data of 67 patients with lumbar degenerative diseases treated from September 2019 to December 2020 was retrospectively analyzed. According to different surgical methods, the patients were divided into traditional group and robot group. The traditional group received traditional OLIF with posterior fluoroscopy percutaneous nail fixation, and the robot group received OLIF with robot-assisted posterior internal fixation. There were 33 patients in traditional group, including 13 males and 20 females, aged from 44 to 82 years old with an average of (59.7±9.1) years; and 34 cases in robot group, including 7 males and 27 females, aged from 45 to 81 years old with an average of(61.6±8.8) years. The operation time, fluoroscopy time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative out of bed time and hospital stay were recorded. The visual analogue scale (VAS) of low back pain and Oswestry Disability Index(ODI) were compared before operation and 3 days, 3 months after operation between two groups. The accuracy of nail placement was evaluated by postoperative CT scan.@*RESULTS@#Both groups of patients successfully completed the operation and were followed up for more than 3 months. The operation time, fluoroscopy time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative out of bed time and hospital stay in traditional group were(299.85±15.79) min, (62.58±10.83) min, (118.33±10.80) ml, (2.5±0.7) d, (9.67±2.13) d;and robot group was(248.53±14.22) min, (19.47±3.51) min, (115.74±9.86) ml, (2.3±0.6) d, (9.44±1.93) d, respectively. The symptoms of postoperative low back pain, lower limb pain and numbness were significantly improved in all patients. The operation time and fluoroscopy time in robot group were significantly less than those of traditional group. There was no significant difference in intraoperative blood loss, postoperative out of bed time, hospital stay, VAS and ODI before and after operation (P>0.05). The accuracy of nail placement in robot group was 98.8% (2/160), which was higher than 89.9% (16/158) in traditional group.@*CONCLUSION@#Treatment of lumbar degenerative diseases with single body position OLIF with robot-assisted posterior minimally invasive internal fixation has less operation time and fluoroscopy time, high nail placement accuracy and accurate surgical effect, which is worthy to be popularized in clinic.

Clinical efficacy of hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy plus target therapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma / 中华消化外科杂志

Primary liver cancer is one of the common malignant tumors and its mortality ranks third in the world. Because there are no obvious symptoms in the early stage of liver cancer, most patients are diagnosed as advanced stage, without the opportunity of surgical resection. The authors report a case of hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombus, which reduced significantly after hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy combined with bevacizumab and atezolizumab, showing the safety and efficacy.

Analysis on HIV/AIDS surveillance among pregnant women in Taizhou City from 2014 to 2018 / 中华疾病控制杂志

Objective To analyze the time trend of HIV epidemic and to provide basis for comprehensive HIV infection prevention among pregnant women. Methods From 2014 to 2018, continuous cross-sectional surveys were conducted among pregnant women in two maternity and child health care hospitals. 800 blood samples were collected each year to test HIV infection, syphilis and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Results A total of 4 000 eligible pregnant women completed the interview and blood testing. The awareness rate of knowledge about HIV/AIDS was 91.2%, and the rate was increasing year by year. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the awareness rate was associated with at age of more than 35, with lower education than college and the husband used to work in other places. Conclusions The rate of HIV infection among PRGs was at a low level in Taizhou.

Ribosomal protein 16 overexpresses in prostate cancer and promotes tumor progression / 上海交通大学学报（医学版）

Objective: To investigate the effects of ribosomal protein 16 (RPS16) on tumorigenesis and development of prostate cancer. Methods: Western blotting (WB) was used to detect the differences of RPS16 levels in 25 cases of prostate cancer tissues and 33 prostate hyperplasia, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed to detect RPS16 levels in 48 prostate cancer tissues and 42 benign tissues. The relationship between RPS16 level and clinical pathological parameters of the patients was analyzed. The RPS16 small interfering RNA (siRNA) was transiently transfected into DU145 and LNCaP cells by liposome method, including RPS16-siRNA1, RPS16-siRNA2 and RPS16-siRNA3. Random disturbance RPS16-siRNANC was used as negative control, cells without transfection were blank control. The efficiency of RNA interference was detected by WB 48-72 h after transfection. RPS16-siRNA with highest efficiency was chosen for subsequent cell proliferation assay, flow cytometry (FCM) and transwell assay in order to detect the effects of RPS16 on cell proliferation, cell cycle and invasion ability of DU145 and LNCaP cells. Results: WB results showed that the level of RPS16 protein in the tissues of prostate cancer was higher than that of the benign group (P=0.008). IHC results showed RPS16 protein level was significantly higher in tumor tissues than benign tissues (P=0.009). RPS16 expression was not correlated with age and metastasis, but significantly correlated with clinical stage (P=0.044) and pathological grade of the tumor (P=0.004). RPS16 siRNA can not only significantly reduce the expression of RPS16 protein in DU145 and LNCaP cells, but also inhibit the proliferation and invasion of the cancer cells, so that the cell cycle arrested in G2/M phase. Conclusion: The high expression of RPS16 protein could enhance the proliferation and invasive ability of prostate cancer cells.

Ribosomal protein 16 overexpresses in prostate cancer and promotes tumor progression / 上海交通大学学报（医学版）

Objective·To investigate the effects of ribosomal protein 16 (RPS16) on tumorigenesis and development of prostate cancer.Methods·Westem blotting (WB) was used to detect the differences of RPS16 levels in 25 cases of prostate cancer tissues and 33 prostate hyperplasia,and immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed to detect RPS16 levels in 48 prostate cancer tissues and 42 benign tissues.The relationship between RPS16 level and clinical pathological parameters of the patients was analyzed.The RPS16 small interfering RNA (siRNA) was transiently transfected into DU145 and LNCaP cells by liposome method,including RPS16-siRNA1,RPS16-siRNA2 and RPS16-siRNA3.Random disturbance RPS16-siRNANC was used as negative control,cells without transfection were blank control.The efficiency of RNA interference was detected by WB 48-72 h after transfection.RPS16-siRNA with highest efficiency was chosen for subsequent cell proliferation assay,flow cytometry (FCM) and transwell assay in order to detect the effects of RPS 16 on cell proliferation,cell cycle and invasion ability of DU 145 and LNCaP cells.Results·WB results showed that the level of RPS 16 protein in the tissues of prostate cancer was higher than that of the benign group (P=0.008).IHC results showed RPS 16 protein level was significantly higher in tumor tissues than benign tissues (P=0.009).RPS16 expression was not correlated with age and metastasis,but significantly correlated with clinical stage (P=0.044) and pathological grade of the tumor (P=0.004).RPS 16 siRNA can not only significantly reduce the expression of RPS16 protein in DU145 and LNCaP cells,but also inhibit the proliferation and invasion of the cancer cells,so that the cell cycle arrested in G2/M phase.Conclusion·The high expression of RPS 16 protein could enhance the proliferation and invasive ability of prostate cancer cells.

"Comparison and evaluation of three ""two-hit"" animal models of acute respiratory distress syndrome induced by different methods" / 中国实验动物学报

Objective To find an ideal animal model of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) through investigating the characteristics of three two-hit animal models of ARDS.Methods Forty-eight SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: Control group [2.5 mL/kg normal saline (NS) i.v.given at 0 min and 30 min];OA+OA group [0.5 mL/kg oleic acid (OA) i.v.given at 0 min and 30 min];LPS+LPS group [2.5 mg/kg lipopolysaccharide (LPS) i.v.given at 0 min and 30 min];and OA+LPS group [0.5 mL/kg OA i.v.given at 0 min and 2.5 mg/kg LPS,i.v.given at 30 min].The samples were collected at 5 h after the second drug injection.White blood cells count (WBC),polymorphonuclear leukocyte ratio (PMN%),total protein concentration,tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) level in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF),arterial blood gas analysis and lung wet-dry weight ratio (W/D) were measured,respectively.Pathological changes in the lung tissues were observed and histological scores were evaluated.Results Compared with those in the control group,PaCO2,WBC,PMN%,total protein concentration and TNF-α levels in BALF were significantly increased,while PaO2 was dramatically decreased (P<0.01) in the OA+OA,LPS+LPS and OA+LPS groups.The levels of protein concentration in BALF and lung W/D ratio in the OA+LPS group were significantly higher than these in the LPS+LPS group (P<0.05 for all),but had no statistically significant difference compared with these in the OA+OA group.The levels of WBC,PMN% and TNF-α in BALF in the OA+LPS group were significantly higher than those in the OA+OA group (P<0.05),but not significantly different from those in the LPS+LPS group.The most typical pathological changes and the highest pathological scores were found in the OA+LPS group.Conclusions All the three different methods including OA+OA,LPS+LPS,and OA+LPS can be used to establish “two-hit” animal models of acute respiratory distress syndrome.The “two-hit” animal model of acute respiratory distress syndrome induced by OA+LPS is more closer to clinical ARDS and is useful for studies on the pathophysiology of ARDS,and is an ideal “two-hit” animal model of ARDS.

Effects of butylphthalide on cognitive ability and mitochondrial function in dementia model rats / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

Objective To explore the protective effects of butylphthalide against Aβ25-35 induced dementia-like pathological rat model and reveal the mechanism.Methods Rats were divided into five groups:control group, model group and NBP groups (10,30,and 100 mg/kg).In model group and butylphthalide groups,Aβ25-35 was injected into the lateral ventricle,while the rats in intervention group were administered with butylphthalide (gastric infusion dose of 2.5 mL/kg).Learning and memory abilities of the rats were observed with water maze test. Mitochondrial function in brain tissue was observed by ATP assay,and the mitochondrial related enzyme activities were detected by the kit.Results Water maze test showed that learning and memory abilities of model group were poorer than those of control group.They were significantly improved in NBP 10 mg/kg group and 30 mg/kg group (P <0.05),but did not change significantly in 100 mg/kg group.Compared with control group,model group had significantly decreased ATP level (P < 0.05 ); cytochrome c oxidase, pyruvate dehydrogenase complex and ketoglutarate dehydrogenase activities were also significantly decreased (P < 0.05 ).Compared with model group, butylphthalide group had significantly improved activities of mitochondrial enzymes that improved mitochondrial function.Conclusion Butylphthalide can improve learning and memory abilities of rats with Aβ25-35 -induced dementia by improving mitochondrial function.

Effects of butylphthalide on cognitive ability and mitochondrial function in dementia model rats / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

Objective To explore the protective effects of butylphthalide against Aβ25-35 induced dementia-like pathological rat model and reveal the mechanism.Methods Rats were divided into five groups:control group, model group and NBP groups (10,30,and 100 mg/kg).In model group and butylphthalide groups,Aβ25-35 was injected into the lateral ventricle,while the rats in intervention group were administered with butylphthalide (gastric infusion dose of 2.5 mL/kg).Learning and memory abilities of the rats were observed with water maze test. Mitochondrial function in brain tissue was observed by ATP assay,and the mitochondrial related enzyme activities were detected by the kit.Results Water maze test showed that learning and memory abilities of model group were poorer than those of control group.They were significantly improved in NBP 10 mg/kg group and 30 mg/kg group (P <0.05),but did not change significantly in 100 mg/kg group.Compared with control group,model group had significantly decreased ATP level (P < 0.05 ); cytochrome c oxidase, pyruvate dehydrogenase complex and ketoglutarate dehydrogenase activities were also significantly decreased (P < 0.05 ).Compared with model group, butylphthalide group had significantly improved activities of mitochondrial enzymes that improved mitochondrial function.Conclusion Butylphthalide can improve learning and memory abilities of rats with Aβ25-35 -induced dementia by improving mitochondrial function.

Advances in drug treatment of retinal vein occlusion / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

Retinalvein occlusion (RVO) is the most common retinal vascular disease.The main causes of visual impairment and blindness are macular edema and retinal neovascularization.Drug therapies are the effective and safe method in the treatment of RVO currently.The main drugs conclude corticosteroid drugs,anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs,thrombolytic drugs and traditional drugs.This article reviews the recent progress in RVO in order to provide some valuable references for clinical treatment.

Correlation of serum omentin-1 and chemerin with gestational diabetes mellitus / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the relationship of serum omentin-1 and chemerin with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Serum levels of omentin-1 chemerin, glycolipids biochemical index, inflammation index, fasting insulin (FINS), and insulin resistance indexes (HOMA-IR) were determined in 85 women with GDM and 85 pregnant women with normal glucose tolerance (NGT).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>BMI, FPG, hs-CRP, blood lipids, blood glucose, FINS, HOMA-IR and serum chemerin level were all significantly higher while serum omentin-1 significantly lower in GDM group than in NGT group (P<0.05). In both groups, serum omentin-1 level was significantly lower and serum chemerin was significantly higher in obese subjects than in the non-obese subjects (P<0.05). Obesity before delivery and/or HOMA-IR ≥2 was associated with a significantly decreased serum omentin-1 level; serum chemerin increased significantly in obese women before delivery but was not associated with HOMA-IR. Serum omentin-1 level was positively correlated with HDL but inversely with BMI (at pregnancy and before delivery), FPG, FINS and HOMA-IR; Chemerin was positively correlated with TC, TG, hs-CRP and FPG; serum omentin-1 and chemerin levels were not significant correlated (P=0.301). In women with GDM, BMI at pregnancy, TG, FPG, and FINS were all independent factors affecting serum omentin-1; TG, LDL, and hs-CRP were independent factors affecting serum chemerin.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>An decreased serum omentin-1 can be indicative of glucose and lipid metabolism disorder and insulin resistance, and an increased serum chemerin level indicates hyperlipidemia and chronic inflammation in pregnant women. Both of the adipokines are closed associated with GDM and probably participate in the occurrence and development of GDM.</p>

Activation of necroptosis in a rat model of acute respiratory distress syndrome induced by oleic acid / 生理学报

The present study was aimed to investigate the role of necroptosis in the pathogenesis of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The rat model of ARDS was induced by intravenous injection of oleic acid (OA), and observed for 4 h. The lung injury was evaluated by arterial blood gas, lung wet-dry weight ratio (W/D) and histological analyses. Simultaneously, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected for total and differential cell analysis and total protein determination. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) level in BALF was determined with a rat TNF-α ELISA kit. Expressions of receptor interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1), RIPK3 and mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL) in lung tissue were determined by Western blot and immunohistochemical staining. The interaction between RIPK1 and RIPK3 was explored by immunoprecipitation. The results showed that, compared with those in control group, total white blood cells count (WBC), polymorphonuclear percentage (PMN%), total protein concentration, TNF-α level in BALF, W/D, and the alveolar-arterial oxygen tension difference (P(A-a)O) in OA group were significantly increased at 4 h after OA injection. Western blot and immunostaining further showed remarkably increased expressions of RIPK1, RIPK3 and MLKL in lung tissue from OA group. Additionally, immunoprecipitation results indicated an enforced interaction between RIPK1 and RIPK3 in OA group. Collectively, the TNF-α level in BALF and the RIPK1-RIPK3-MLKL signaling pathway in lung tissue were found to be upregulated and activated with the process of ARDS. These findings implicate that RIPK1/RIPK3-mediated necroptosis plays a possible role in the pathogenesis of ARDS, which may provide a new idea to develop novel drugs for the therapy of ARDS.

CyPA-CD147-ERK1/2-cyclin D2 signaling pathway is upregulated during rat left ventricular hypertrophy / 生理学报

The changes of serum cyclophilin A (CyPA), its receptor CD147 and the downstream signaling pathway during the process of cardiac hypertrophy remain unknown. The present study aims to investigate the relationships between CyPA-CD147-ERK1/2-cyclin D2 signaling pathway and the development of cardiac hypertrophy. Left ventricular hypertrophy was prepared by 2-kidney, 2-clip in Sprague-Dawley rats and observed for 1 week, 4 and 8 weeks. Left ventricular hypertrophy was evaluated by ratio of left ventricular heart weight to body weight (LVW/BW) and cardiomyocyte cross sectional area (CSA). CyPA levels in serum were determined with a rat CyPA ELISA kit. Expressions of CyPA, CD147, phospho-ERK1/2 and cyclin D2 in left ventricular myocytes were determined by Western blot and immunostaining. Compared with sham groups, systolic blood pressure reached hypertensive levels at 4 weeks in 2K2C groups. LVW/BW and CSA in 2K2C groups were significantly increased at 4 and 8 weeks after clipping. ELISA results indicated a prominent increase in serum CyPA level associated with the degree of left ventricular hypertrophy. Western blot revealed that the expressions of CyPA, CD147, phospho-ERK1/2 and cyclin D2 in left ventricular tissues were also remarkably increased as the cardiac hypertrophy developed. The results of the present study demonstrates that serum CyPA and CyPA-CD147-ERK1/2-cyclin D2 signaling pathway in ventricular tissues are time-dependently upregulated and activated with the process of left ventricular hypertrophy. These data suggest that CyPA-CD147 signaling cascade might play a role in the pathogenesis of left ventricular hypertrophy, and CyPA might be a prognosticator of the degree of left ventricular hypertrophy.

Effects of chronic aluminum exposure on learning and memory and brain-derived nerve growth factor in rats / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of chronic aluminum exposure on the learning and memory abilities and brain-derived nerve growth factor (BDNF) in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-two male SD rats were randomly and equally divided into 4 groups: control group and high-, middle-, and low-dose exposure groups. The rats in high-, middle-, and low-dose exposure groups were fed with the feed mixed with AlCl(3) (120.0, 12.0, and 1.2 mg/kg, respectively), while the rats in control group were fed conventionally. After 6 months of feeding, brain aluminum levels were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry; Morris water maze was employed to test the learning and memory abilities; the expression and content of BDNF in brain tissue were measured by Western blot and enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The high- and middle-dose exposure groups had significantly higher brain aluminum levels than the control group (P<0.05). The Morris water maze test showed that the high- and middle-dose exposure groups had significantly prolonged escape latency (P<0.05), significantly prolonged time taken to first reach the target quadrant (P<0.01), and significantly decreased number of platform crossings and time spent in the target quadrant (P<0.05), as compared with the control group. The Western blot and ELISA showed that the expression and content of BDNF in brain tissue decreased as the dose of AlCl(3) increased, and they were significantly lower in the high- and middle-dose exposure groups than in the control group (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Chronic aluminum exposure (12.0 and 120.0 mg/kg) can lead to cognitive dysfunction in rats, and the decreased expression of BDNF may be one of the mechanisms of learning and memory deficits induced by aluminum.</p>

The application of network scale-up method on female sex workers and clients size estimation in Taizhou city / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To estimate the size of female sex workers and clients in Taizhou city.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A household survey using network scale-up method (NSUM) was conducted among the 3000 community residents in Taizhou city from August to October in 2011, which aimed to estimate the social network size (c value) of Taizhou residents, and the c value was adjusted by demographic characteristics, back estimation and outlier elimination. Using the adjusted c value, the number of acquaintance of female sex workers or clients and the respect level toward female sex workers or clients were used to estimate the size of female sex workers and clients.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 2783 valid questionnaires were collected, among which 1380 (49.6%) were collected from Taixing city, 1403 (50.4%) were collected from Jingjiang city. 1334 respondents were male (47.9%) and 1449 (47.9%) respondents were female. The mean age was (39.4 ± 10.7) years. The average personal social network size using original data for Taizhou residents was 525, which differed from place, sex, age, educational level and marriage status. Using the remaining known populations through back estimation, the social network size was 419 and became 424 after the elimination of outliers. The estimated population size for female sex worker was 6370 (95%CI: 5886 - 6853), which accounted for 0.52% (6370/1 229 980) of the total number of female aged from 15 to 49. The estimated population size for clients was 15 202 (95%CI: 14 560 - 15 847), which accounted for 1.28% (15 202/1 190 340) of the total number of males aged from 15 to 49 and the ration of clients to female sex worker was 2.39:1.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>NSUM is an easy and quick way to estimate the size of female sex workers or clients, but the estimated sizes are subject to bias and error due to estimate effect and sample representativeness.</p>

Progress in molecular mechanisms of HBV reverse transcription / 病毒学报

HBV infections leads to severe public health problems around the world, especially in China. Improved understanding of the molecular mechanisms of HBV reverse transcription is fundamental for optimization of treatment and solution to drug-resistance. Recently, the main structural basis involved in the process of HBV reverse transcription and the cis-elements were revealed by means of biochemistry and genetics. The entire process of reverse transcription is completed mainly through the first template switch mediated by the P- epsilon structure; the second template switch mediated by 5E/3E and M structure; and the third template switch mediated by 5' r / 3' r structure. The important structure and the cis-elements involved in this process are the focus of this review, at the same time, an overview of the progress in relevent studies is demonstrated to show the whole picture of the HBV reverse process.

Cyclin D1 expression in acral melanoma: a case control study in Sarawak

Acral melanoma has been reported to have distinctive clinical presentation and ethnic distribution compared to other histological types of malignant melanoma. Acral melanoma also exhibits distinctive focused gene amplifi cations, including cyclin D1 overexpression. We reviewed archived histological material of malignant melanoma in the Sarawak General Hospital from year 2004 to 2010. 43 tumours, comprising 28 acral melanoma and 15 non-acral melanoma, had suffi cient material to be included in the study. The majority (36%) of acral melanoma tumours occurred in the heel. The tumours were analyzed for cyclin D1 expression by immunohistochemistry. 68% of acral melanoma were cyclin D1 positive compared to a positivity of 33% in non-acral tumours. This difference was statistically signifi cant (p <0.05). This fi nding may improve the histological diagnosis of acral melanoma and detection of positive resection margins.

Establishment and pathologic analysis of imatinib-resistant gastrointestinal stromal tumor xenografts / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish and characterize imatinib-resistant gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) xenografts. Further provided an ideal experimental platform through the imatinib-resistant GIST xenografts to investigate the mechanism of resistance to imatinib.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Imatinib-resistant GIST cells were injected under the skin of athymic nude mice to establish animal models of human imatinib-resistant GIST. The molecular and histopathologic features of GIST xenografts were also analysed and compared with their counterpart of cell lines.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The xenograft tumor models had been established by subcutaneously injection of GIST cells into nude mice. Immunohistochemistry results showed CD117 expression was positive in GIST-PR2 xenograft tumor, but negative in GIST-R. In GIST-PR1, tumor areas showing rhabdomyoblastic differentiation were presented next to areas with classic GIST morphology. The rhabdomyoblastic component demonstrated consistently positivity for desmin and myogenin, whereas CD117 was completely negative. The mutation profiles of these xenograft tumors were the same as their counterpart of cell lines.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Human GIST xenografts with mutation in c-kit have been established from imatinib-resistant GIST lines. Those models will enable further studies on mechanisms of resistance, combination therapies and allow testing of novel targeted therapies.</p>