PEACE-S risk coping: A qualitative study exploring protective behavioral strategies of first-degree relatives of breast cancer survivors.

PURPOSE: Breast cancer is a major cause of morbidity worldwide and first-degree relatives of breast cancer survivors have a significantly higher risk of breast cancer that can be reduced by altering controllable risk factors. This study examined protective behavioral strategies used to cope with the risk in female first-degree relatives based on descriptions of their experiences, as well as their reason(s) for choosing a particular coping strategy. METHODS: A total of 25 first-degree relatives of breast cancer survivors in 13 families were recruited for this descriptive qualitative study. Data were collected between January and November 2020 through individual interviews, and a thematic analysis was performed using MAXQDA software. RESULTS: Three themes under an overarching theme of 'competition with breast cancer risk' were identified: (1) protective behavioral strategies for coping with breast cancer risk (four coping types); (2) barriers and facilitators for behavior change (five unfavorable and favorable factors related to the type of coping); and (3) significant determinants of coping strategy types. Based on these three themes, we developed a Personal restrictions, Exposure hazards, Adverse circumstances, Coping ability, Endorsement from social network, and Significant determinants ('PEACE-S') scale model of first-degree relatives' strategies for coping with breast cancer risk. CONCLUSIONS: First-degree relatives present different risk coping strategies that are shaped by individual and external factors and specific determinants. Our results provide insights that can help healthcare professionals design targeted interventions based on first-degree relatives' individual circumstances to mitigate breast cancer risk in this group through the adoption of healthy lifestyle choices.

[The Effect of γ-secretase Inhibitor Combined with BMSC on the aGVHD in Mice Model].

OBJECTIVE: To establish the aGVHD mouse model，and investigate the regulatory effect and its mechanism of low-dose GSI combined with BMSC on aGVHD mice. METHODS: C57BL/6 (H-2b) and BALB/c (H-2d) were selected as donor and recipient of allogeneic transplantation to establish the aGVHD mouse model. BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 6 groups, which were the bone marrow cell infusion after irradiation (BM) group; the bone marrow cells + spleen cells after irradiation (BM+SC) group; the bone marrow cells + spleen cells + DMSO (BM+SC+DMSO) (transplant control) group; bone marrow cells + splenocytes +GSI after irradiation (BM+SC+GSI) group; bone marrow cells + spleen cells + bone marrow mesenchymal stromal infusion after irradiation cell (BM+SC+BMSC) group; bone marrow cells + spleen cells + bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells +GSI infused after irradiation (BM+SC+BMSC+GSI) group. The mice in the two groups containing GSI were intraperitoneally injected with GSI at 5 µmol/kg on day 1, 2, and 3 after transplantation with DMSO as a control. The general conditions, survival time and hematopoietic recovery of mice were observed, cytokines were detected by ELISA, and histopathological changes were detected by immunohistochemistry. The effects of low-dose GSI combined with BMSC on hematopoietic reconstruction and aGVHD development after allo-BMT were investigated. RESULTS: The survival rate of the mice in BM+SC+BMSC+GSI combination group was 80% during the observation period, which was significantly higher than that in the other groups; the incidence of aGVHD was reduced in the BMSC GSI or their combination groups after 21 days of transplantation. GSI could partly promote the recovery of leukocytes, and show no significant delayed effect on the recovery platelets. Moreover, the level of Th1 cytokines (IFN-γ) in BM+SC+BMSC+GSI combined group was lower than that in BM+SC+GSI group (P<0.01), the level of Th2 cytokines (IL-4) in the combination group was higher than that in BM+SC+GSI group (P<0.01), also the level of IL-17 was significantly lower than that in the corresponding control group (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Low dose GSI combined with BMSC can promote hematopoietic reconstruction and regulate cytokines secretion including IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-17. GSI combined with BMSC achieve the goal of synergistically inhibiting the occurrence and progression of aGVHD.

Tropolone derivatives with hepatoprotective and antiproliferative activities from the aerial parts of Chenopodium album Linn.

Chenopodium album Linn is used as the traditional Chinese medicine for treating cough, anorexia, piles, dysentery, diarrhea, and kills small worms in China. Nine new tropolones (1-9), and fourteen known tropolone derivatives (10-23) were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic data analysis and references from C. album Linn for the first time. Compounds (1-4) and compounds (13-14) displayed notably hepatoprotective activities in intro for lowering AST levels (19.63 ± 2.34 to 29.87 ± 1.27 U•L-1) and ALT levels (15.21 ± 1.18 to 20.29 ± 2.11 U•L-1) in HepG2 cells treated with H2O2. Compounds (8-9) and compounds (15-17) exhibited moderate antiproliferative activities in vitro against the human tumor cell lines with IC50 values ranging from 0.5 ± 0.2 to 15.5 ± 2.7 µM. A preliminary structure activity relationship was summarized and discussed scientifically, which provided new clues to design novel hepatoprotective and antiproliferative drugs based on the tropolone derivatives.

High-efficacy adsorption of Cr(VI) and anionic dyes onto ß-cyclodextrin/chitosan/hexamethylenetetramine aerogel beads with task-specific, integrated components.

To significantly enhance the adsorption efficacy of hexavalent chromium from aqueous medium, a novel and non-toxic chitosan-based composite beads were prepared by integrating task-specific components into one sample, namely ß-cyclodextrin/chitosan/hexamethylenetetramine (ß-CD-CS@HMTA). The pseudo- second-order kinetic and Langmuir isotherm model was used to describe the adsorption process. The maximum capacity Cr(VI) removal reached 333.8 mg/g which was superior to most of reported CS derivative adsorbents. The sorption mechanism of composite was investigated by employing FT-IR, SEM-EDS and XPS techniques. It showed that the reason for efficient removal of Cr(VI) onto resultant sample including chemisorption and reduction of Cr(VI) to the non-toxic Cr(III), and the two components of ß-CD and HMTA with task-specific had played a crucial role during the adsorption process. Most importantly, for fixed-bed column sorption testing, the breakthrough curves were well fitted by Thomas model under different flow rates (1, 2 and 3 mL/min). Moreover, the ß-CD-CS@HMTA had also manifested perfect adsorption capability towards anionic dyes in initial concentration 500 mg/L. This research indicated that as-fabricated chitosan-based composite beads are promising adsorbents for Cr(VI) and anionic dyes because of its superiority of low-cost, easy regeneration and environmental friendly.

Efficient removal of Pb(II), Cr(VI) and organic dyes by polydopamine modified chitosan aerogels.

Chitosan is highly suitable for removing metal ions and dyes from water; however, the sorption performance, stability and recycling are still critical issues in practical applications. Herein, polydopamine-modified-chitosan (CS-PDA) aerogels were synthesized through dopamine self-polymerization and glutaraldehyde cross-linking reactions to enhance the adsorption capacity and acid resistance of chitosan. The self-polymerization of dopamine and gelation of chitosan were accomplished simultaneously, simplifying the synthesis process of CS-PDA aerogels, which is meaningful for the popularization and industrial application of adsorbent. CS-PDA exhibited superior adsorption performances in the removal of Cr(VI), Pb(II) and organic dyes. Adsorption isotherms and kinetic data were well fitted by Langmuir and pseudo-second-order kinetic models. The maximum adsorption capacities of CS-PDA for Cr(VI) and Pb(II) were 374.4 and 441.2 mg g-1, respectively. After eight cycles, adsorption capacity of CS-PDA showed no obvious decline. These superiorities make CS-PDA a promising multifunctional adsorbent for the purification of metal ions and dyes.

TPX2 gene silencing inhibits cell proliferation and promotes apoptosis through negative regulation of AKT signaling pathway in ovarian cancer.

Ovarian cancer (OC) is the leading cause of death from gynecological malignancy. Accumulated studies have revealed that targeting protein for Xklp2 (TPX2) was tightly associated with the development and progression of OC. The present study further determined a novel mechanism of TPX2 in OC via the AKT signaling pathway. The differentially expressed genes were screened in GEO database for gene expression microarray of OC. Bioinformatics was used to analyze the key differentially expressed genes in OC. We prepared CD133/1+ OC stem cells. Then cells were treated with TPX2-1 siRNA and perifcsine to explore the correlation of TPX2 and the AKT signaling pathway. We determined the expression of TPX2, AKT, Pl3 K, PTEN, caspase-3, Bax and Bcl-2 in OC cells. Cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis rate were respectively measured using MTT and EdU assays, Transwell assay, Scratch test, and flow cytometry. Xenograft tumor in nude mice was used to determine the effect of TPX2 in OC cells in vitro. Initially, TPX2 overexpression was observed in OC, and TPX2 mediated the effect of the AKT signaling pathway in OC. TPX2 knockdown decreased expression of AKT, Pl3 K, and Bcl-2, and the extent of AKT phosphorylation, but increased expression of PTEN, Caspase-3, and Bax. Furthermore, TPX2 knockdown suppressed OC cell proliferation, migration and invasion, but promoted OC cell apoptosis. Taken together, TPX2 silencing negatively regulates the AKT signaling pathway by which OC cell proliferation was inhibited yet cell apoptosis was accelerated, suggesting a potential therapeutic approach to OC.

Characterization of peripheral blood TCR repertoire in patients with ankylosing spondylitis by high-throughput sequencing.

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic and progressive autoimmune disease affecting the invasion of the spine, sacroiliac joints and peripheral joints. T cells play a vital role in the underlying pathogenesis of AS, which mediated autoimmune and inflammatory responses via specific recognition of autoantigen peptides presented by susceptibility HLA. Antigen-specific T cells triggered by HLA/antigen complexes will undergo a massive expansion that forming an uneven T cell repertoire. To enhance our understanding of T-cell-mediated autoimmune in AS, we applied TCR ß chains high-throughput sequencing to AS patients for in-depth TCR repertoire analysis. A significantly lower TCR repertoire diversity was observed in peripheral blood of AS patients relative to controls. And severe patients in our AS cohort have a more restricted TCR repertoire than mild patients, suggesting that the TCR repertoire diversity might be associated with the clinical severity of disease. No V, J and VJ pairs with significant biased usage were identified, which indicated that the usage frequency deviation of certain V/J/V-J genes in AS patients is little. This is a pilot study with potentially interesting observation on reduced diversity of T cells repertoire in peripheral blood of AS patients and further studies are needed.

[Research Progress on Notch Signal Pathway in Acute Graft-Versus-Host Disease -Review].

The Notch signaling pathway is a highly conserved cell signaling system that plays an essential role in many biological processes. Notch signaling regulates multiple aspects of hematopoiesis, especially during T cell develop-ment. Recent data suggest that Notch also regulates mature T cell differentiation and function. The latest data show that Notch also plays an essential role in alloreactive T cells mediating acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD), the most severe complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Notch inhibition in donor-derived T cells or blockade of individual Notch ligands and receptors after transplantation can reduce GVHD severity and mortality in mouse models of allo-HSCT, without causing global immunosuppression. These findings indicate Notch in T cells as an attractive therapeutic target to control aGVHD. In this article, the pathophysiology of aGVHD, the Notch signal pathway and aGVHD are reviewed.

Radiation-induced expression of IER5 is dose-dependent and not associated with the clinical outcomes of radiotherapy in cervical cancer.

This study aimed to investigate the expression of the immediate-early response 5 (IER5) gene in cervical cancer tissues and explore the association between the expression of IER5 and the clinical outcomes of radiotherapy. We collected specimens by surgery or biopsy and obtained 53 specimens from tissues after radiotherapy and 16 specimens from tissues before radiotherapy. Immunohistochemistry and western blotting were used to assess the protein expression levels of IER5. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was performed to assess the mRNA expression levels of IER5. The protein and mRNA expression levels of IER5 in cervical cancer patients treated with radiation doses ≥20 Gy were significantly higher than in those treated with radiation doses <20 Gy (P<0.05) and before treatment with radiotherapy. Moreover, the expression of IER5 was significantly positively correlated with the radiation dose (immunohistochemistry: r=0.548, P=0.019; qPCR: r=0.671, P=0.002; western blotting: r=0.573, P<0.0001). Radiotherapy induced the upregulated expression of IER5 and this was dependent on the radiation dose. However, the radiation-induced expression of IER5 was not associated with the clinical outcomes of radiotherapy in cervical cancer.

Application of variance components estimation to calibrate geoid error models.

The method of using Global Positioning System-leveling data to obtain orthometric heights has been well studied. A simple formulation for the weighted least squares problem has been presented in an earlier work. This formulation allows one directly employing the errors-in-variables models which completely descript the covariance matrices of the observables. However, an important question that what accuracy level can be achieved has not yet to be satisfactorily solved by this traditional formulation. One of the main reasons for this is the incorrectness of the stochastic models in the adjustment, which in turn allows improving the stochastic models of measurement noises. Therefore the issue of determining the stochastic modeling of observables in the combined adjustment with heterogeneous height types will be a main focus point in this paper. Firstly, the well-known method of variance component estimation is employed to calibrate the errors of heterogeneous height data in a combined least square adjustment of ellipsoidal, orthometric and gravimetric geoid. Specifically, the iterative algorithms of minimum norm quadratic unbiased estimation are used to estimate the variance components for each of heterogeneous observations. Secondly, two different statistical models are presented to illustrate the theory. The first method directly uses the errors-in-variables as a priori covariance matrices and the second method analyzes the biases of variance components and then proposes bias-corrected variance component estimators. Several numerical test results show the capability and effectiveness of the variance components estimation procedure in combined adjustment for calibrating geoid error model.

Apparent diffusion coefficient measurements and Gd-DTPA enhanced-imaging in staging hepatic fibrosis in rats.

To evaluate the utility of ADC values and Gd-DTPA equilibrium phase MR imaging in staging hepatic fibrosis in rats. 48 rats were allocated into experimental and control groups. Experimental rats were subcutaneously injected with a mixture of CCl4. From 4th-12th weeks, MR images were obtained, which include pre-enhanced phase imaging, DWI and equilibrium phase imaging. Then the rat groups were subdivided according to the stages of fibrosis (S0, S1, S2, S3 and S4) after histopathological analysis. The original MRI data were forwarded to the workstation to obtain apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps at b value of 500 s/mm(2). Pre-enhanced phase and equilibrium phase signal intensities and relative contrast enhancement index (RCEI) were measured as well. Lastly, the ADC values and RCEI of the experimental group were compared with each other and with the control group. All statistical analyses were carried out with SPSS, where P < 0.05 is considered to represent a significant difference. Hepatic ADC values are significantly different between the experimental and control groups (P = 0). There is a statistically significant difference between the experimental and control groups on RCEI (P = 0). Comparing the S1, S2, S3 and S4 groups, there is a statistically significant difference between the mild group (S1 and S2) and the severe group (S4) in terms of ADC values and RCEI (all P < 0.05). A statistically significant difference is also found between the moderate group (S3) and the severe group in ADC values. As the degree of fibrosis increases, there are a reduction in ADC values and an increase in RCEI. Comparing the groups with ADC values and enhancement index, there are statistically significant differences in sensitivity and specificity on diagnosis of hepatic fibrosis. The ADC values have the best sensitivity (93.1%) and specificity (83.3%). Quantitative ADC values and RCEI may be helpful to the staging of rat fibrosis, but their application in human is controversial.

Detection of microvesicle miRNA expression in ALL subtypes and analysis of their functional roles.

Microvesicles (MVs) are the heterogeneous mixtures of vesicles. MVs released by leukemia cells constitute an important part of the leukemia microenvironment. MVs might act as important reservoirs of microRNAs (miRNAs). It is worth evaluating whether MVs possess some unique miRNA contents that are valuable in understanding the pathogenesis. In this study, we investigated the miRNA expression patterns of Nalm-6-derived MVs, Jurkat-derived MVs and normal cell-derived MVs using miRNA microarrays. The potential target genes regulated by differentially expressed miRNAs were also predicted and analyzed. Results demonstrated that 182 miRNAs and 166 miRNAs were differentially expressed in Nalm-6-MVs and Jurkat-MVs, respectively. Many oncogenes, tumor suppressors and signal pathway genes were targeted by these aberrantly expressed miRNAs, which might contribute to the development of B-ALL or T-ALL. Our findings expanded the potential diagnostic markers of ALL and provided useful information for ALL pathogenesis.

Phylogeny and divergence times of gymnosperms inferred from single-copy nuclear genes.

Phylogenetic reconstruction is fundamental to study evolutionary biology and historical biogeography. However, there was not a molecular phylogeny of gymnosperms represented by extensive sampling at the genus level, and most published phylogenies of this group were constructed based on cytoplasmic DNA markers and/or the multi-copy nuclear ribosomal DNA. In this study, we use LFY and NLY, two single-copy nuclear genes that originated from an ancient gene duplication in the ancestor of seed plants, to reconstruct the phylogeny and estimate divergence times of gymnosperms based on a complete sampling of extant genera. The results indicate that the combined LFY and NLY coding sequences can resolve interfamilial relationships of gymnosperms and intergeneric relationships of most families. Moreover, the addition of intron sequences can improve the resolution in Podocarpaceae but not in cycads, although divergence times of the cycad genera are similar to or longer than those of the Podocarpaceae genera. Our study strongly supports cycads as the basal-most lineage of gymnosperms rather than sister to Ginkgoaceae, and a sister relationship between Podocarpaceae and Araucariaceae and between Cephalotaxaceae-Taxaceae and Cupressaceae. In addition, intergeneric relationships of some families that were controversial, and the relationships between Taxaceae and Cephalotaxaceae and between conifers and Gnetales are discussed based on the nuclear gene evidence. The molecular dating analysis suggests that drastic extinctions occurred in the early evolution of gymnosperms, and extant coniferous genera in the Northern Hemisphere are older than those in the Southern Hemisphere on average. This study provides an evolutionary framework for future studies on gymnosperms.

[Inhibitory effects of gamma secretase inhibitor on human multiple myeloma xenograft mouse model].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the tumor growth inhibition of gamma secretase inhibitor MRK003 on human multiple myeloma xenograft mice by inhibition of AKT and Notch1 expression. METHODS: NOD/SCID mice were injected with human multiple myeloma cell lines RPMI8226 to establish a xenograft mouse model. Mice were randomized into two groups：the experimental group were injected with MRK003 at a dose of 5 mg× kg⁻¹×d⁻¹ for 14 days; the inhibitor was replaced by an equal saline in the control group. Mice were sacrificed by cervical dislocation on the next day after the last injection and tumor tissue was removed to detect the expression of Notch1 and AKT by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: After subcutaneous injection with RPMI8226, mice had tumor formation in 5-7 days and the largest tumor block in 10-12 days. Before RPMI8226 injection, the mean sizes of tumor block in the experimental and the control groups were 509.2 mm³, 511.2 mm³(P>0.05). 9 days after injection, the mean sizes of tumor tissue in the experimental and the control groups were 636.6 mm³, 691.2 mm³(P<0.01). On the next day after the last injection, the tumor sizes of the experimental and the control groups were 683.5 mm³ and 1798.7 mm³(P<0.01). The size of tumor block in the experimental group was significantly smaller than that of the control group(P<0.01). Immunohistochemistry staining showed that the positive expression rates of Notch1(11.1%, P<0.01) and AKT(13.3%, P<0.01) in experimental group were significantly decreased compared with the control group(Notch1: 95.6%; AKT: 93.3%). Western blot results showed that Notch1 and AKT protein in experimental group were significantly lower than those in the control group. CONCLUSION: MRK003 could inhibit the tumor growth of human multiple myeloma xenograft mice by downregulated expression of Notch1 signaling pathway.

[A 2-year follow-up results of knee arthroscopic synovectomy plus disease modifying antirheumatic drugs for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of knee arthroscopic synovectomy plus disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. METHODS: A total of 97 RA patients were treated with knee arthroscopic synovectomy plus DMARD after arthroscopy. The control group received only DMARD. The patients were assessed at pre-treatment and 1, 6, 12, 24 month post-treatment. Tender joint count, swollen joint count, morning stiffness, resting pain, patient global assessment, physician global assessment, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), rheumatoid factor (RF) and disease activity score (DAS) 28 were observed. RESULTS: Tender joint count, swollen joint count, morning stiffness, resting pain, patient global assessment, physician global assessment and DAS 28 score improved significantly at 1, 6 month post-treatment in the combined treatment group versus the control group. At 2 years post-treatment, there was still significant difference in DAS28 between two groups. CONCLUSION: The combined treatment of knee arthroscopic synovectomy and disease modifying antirheumatic drugs can control the disease activity of RA during an early period. And a long-term efficacy may be maintained.

[Significance of arthroscopy in the diagnosis of unilateral knee arthritis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of arthroscopy in the diagnosis of unilateral knee arthritis of unknown causes. METHODS: During December 2005 to February 2008,74 patients of unilateral knee arthritis of unknown origins were treated with arthroscopy. And magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were performed for all of them before knee arthroscopy. The diagnosis was made by the synovial appearance in gross examination in arthroscopy combined with synovial pathology, synovial fluid analysis and clinical manifestations. RESULTS: Among these patients, 71 cases were definitely diagnosed and 3 cases had unknown causes. Thirty-nine cases (52.9%) were of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 7 (9.5%) of seronegative spondyloarthropathy (SPA), 7 patients (9.5%) of septic arthritis, 6 patients (8.1%) of RA coexisting gout arthritis, 5 patients (6.5%) of gout arthritis, 5 patients (6.5%) of tuberculosis of knee joint, 1 patient (1.3%) of pigmented villonodular synovitis and 1 patient (1.3%) of multicentric reticulohistiocytosis. CONCLUSION: Arthroscopy provides valuable diagnostic information in unilateral knee arthritis of unknown causes. RA is the major cause of unilateral knee arthritis of unknown causes. Synovial appearance in gross examination in arthroscopy, synovial pathology and crystals are helpful to make a diagnosis.

Evolution of the Cinnamyl/Sinapyl Alcohol Dehydrogenase (CAD/SAD) gene family: the emergence of real lignin is associated with the origin of Bona Fide CAD.

Lignin plays a vital role in plant adaptation to terrestrial environments. The cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) catalyzes the last step in monolignol biosynthesis and might have contributed to the lignin diversity in plants. To investigate the evolutionary history and functional differentiation of the CAD gene family, we made a comprehensive evolutionary analysis of this gene family from 52 species, including bacteria, early eukaryotes and green plants. The phylogenetic analysis, together with gene structure and function, indicates that all members of land plants, except two of moss, could be divided into three classes. Members of Class I (bona fide CAD), generally accepted as the primary genes involved in the monolignol biosynthesis, are all from vascular plants, and form a robustly supported monophyletic group with the lycophyte CADs at the basal position. This class is also conserved in the predicted three-dimensional structure and the residues constituting the substrate-binding pocket of the proteins. Given that Selaginella has real lignin, the above evidence strongly suggests that the earliest occurrence of the bona fide CAD in the lycophyte could be directly correlated with the origin of lignin. Class II comprises members more similar to the aspen sinapyl alcohol dehydrogenase gene, and includes three groups corresponding to lycophyte, gymnosperm, and angiosperm. Class III is conserved in land plants. The three classes differ in patterns of evolution and expression, implying that functional divergence has occurred among them. Our study also supports the hypothesis of convergent evolution of lignin biosynthesis between red algae and vascular plants.

Determination and pharmacokinetics of gastrodin in human plasma by HPLC coupled with photodiode array detector.

In present study, an HPLC method coupled with photodiode array detector (HPLC-PDA) was established for determination and pharmacokinetics of gastrodin (GAS) in human plasma after an oral administration of GAS capsule. In the method, ethanol and dichloromethane were respectively used for deproteinization and purification during the sample preparation procedure. Separation of GAS was achieved on an AichromBond-AQ C18 column (5 microm, 150 mm x 4.6 mm) with the mobile phase of methanol-0.1% phosphoric acid solution (2:98, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.8 ml/min. The wavelength was set at 220 nm and the injection volume was 20 microl. Under the conditions, the calibration curve was linear within the concentration range of 50-4000 ng/ml with the correlation coefficient (r) of 0.99554 (weight=1/X(2)) and the lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 50 ng/ml. The inter- and intra-day precisions were less than 11% and the accuracies (%) were within the range of 95.55-103.78%. The extraction recoveries were over 65% with RSDs less than 5.50%. The GAS was proved to be stable under tested conditions. Thus, the method was valid enough to be applied for pharmacokinetic study of GAS in human plasma. The pharmacokinetic parameters of GAS in human plasma after an oral administration of 200 mg GAS capsule were described as: C(max), 1484.55+/-285.05 ng/ml; T(max), 0.81+/-0.16 h; t(1/2alpha), 3.78+/-2.33 h; t(1/2beta), 6.06+/-3.20 h; t(1/2Ka), 0.18+/-0.53 h; K(12), 0.18+/-0.41/h; K(21), 0.20+/-0.16/h; K(10), 4.11+/-15.81/h; V1/F, 180.35+/-89.44 L; CL/F, 62.50+/-140.03 l/h; AUC(0-->t), 5619.41+/-1972.88 (ng/ml) h; and AUC(0-->infinity), 7210.26+/-3472.74 (ng/ml) h, respectively. These will be useful for the clinical application of GAS.

Serum zinc, copper, and zinc/copper in healthy residents of Jinan.

Sera of 890 healthy Jinan residents were chosen randomly, and the concentrations of serum Zn and Cu were detected by atomic absorption spectrometry. The mean serum Zn and Cu concentrations and Zn/Cu were 1.32 +/- 0.49 mg/l, 0.99 +/- 0.26 mg/l, and 1.41 +/- 0.56, respectively. Significantly higher levels of serum Zn and Zn/Cu but lower serum Cu were found in the men. Descending tendency of serum Zn and Zn/Cu was observed with social-economic status and age but not significant. Alcohol consumption produced higher level of serum Zn and Zn/Cu but lower Cu concentration. Smoking caused significant lower level in serum Cu concentration but no significance in serum Zn and Zn/Cu. Serum Zn and Zn/Cu were normal only when hours of sleep a night were kept within 7-9 h. Higher level of serum Zn and Cu concentrations and Zn/Cu were observed in individuals with regular physical exercise, but still no significant difference existed. No clear relationship between educational levels with serum Zn and Cu concentrations and Zn/Cu was observed.

Detection and characterization of hepatocellular carcinoma in rats with liver cirrhosis: diagnostic value of combined use of MR positive and negative contrast agents.

BACKGROUND: Gadolinium-enhanced multi-phase dynamic imaging has improved the accuracy of the diagnosis of hypervascular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but using gadolinium-enhanced dynamic imaging alone is problematic in evaluating hypovascular HCC. This work aimed at evaluating the combined use of superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO)-enhanced and gadolinium set in distinguishing HCCs from regenerative nodules (RNs) in a rat model induced by diethylnitrosamine (DEN). METHODS: DEN-induced HCC model rats (n=40) and control rats (n=10) were studied. From weeks 16 to 19 after DEN administration, 4 animals were scanned every week. The hepatic changes were tested with a 1.5 Tesla magnet, and MR images of SPIO-enhanced and gadolinium set were obtained. According to the pathologic changes, the tumorigenesis was divided into HCC and RN (diameter of nodules > or =3 mm). Diagnostic accuracy of the combined SPIO-enhanced and gadolinium set and the gadolinium set alone was evaluated using receiver-operating characteristic curves. Sensitivity and specificity of the combined SPIO-enhanced and gadolinium set and the gadolinium set alone were calculated. RESULTS: The listed tests were completed in 29 rats (21 treated and 8 controls). One hundred and six nodules (82 HCCs, 24 RNs) were analyzed. The Az value and sensitivity with the combined SPIO-enhanced and gadolinium set (Az 0.94, sensitivity 0.96) were higher than those with the gadolinium set alone (Az 0.92, sensitivity 0.89). Using the combined SPIO-enhanced and gadolinium set led to detection of 6 nodules which were negative in the gadolinium set alone and 3 nodules were correctly characterized. CONCLUSION: Using the combined SPIO-enhanced and gadolinium set improved the detectability of HCCs and the SPIO-enhanced imaging compensated for the gadolinium set in differentiating HCCs from RNs in a rat model.