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Ultraviolet irradiation (UVI) of varied duration caused cross-linking and neutralization of polystyrene (PS) homopolymers of molar mass (Mn) from 6 to 290 kg mol–1 on a silicon-oxide surface. An op...

Lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA), a critical component of the glycolytic pathway, relates to the development of various cancers, including thyroid cancer. However, the regulatory mechanism of LDHA inhibition and the physiological significance of the LDHA inhibitors in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) are unknown. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) plays a vital role in tumor growth and progression. Here, we identified a novel lncRNA LINC00671 negatively correlated with LDHA, downregulating LDHA expression and predicting good clinical outcome in thyroid cancer. Moreover, hypoxia inhibits LINC00671 expression and activates LDHA expression largely through transcriptional factor STAT3. STAT3/LINC00671/LDHA axis regulates thyroid cancer glycolysis, growth, and lung metastasis both in vitro and in vivo. In thyroid cancer patients, LINC00671 expression is negatively correlated with LDHA and STAT3 expression. Our work established STAT3/LINC00671/LDHA as a critical axis to regulate PTC growth and progression. Inhibition of LDHA or STAT3 or supplement of LINC00671 could be potential therapeutic strategies in thyroid cancer.

The coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has become the worst public health crisis in a century. However, knowledge about the dynamics of antibody responses in patients with COVID-19 is still poorly understood. In this study, we performed a serological study with serum specimens collected at the acute and the convalescent phases from 104 patients with severe COVID-19 who were part of the first wave of COVID-19 cases in Wuhan, China. Our findings revealed that neutralizing antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 are persistent for at least 6 months in patients with severe COVID-19, despite that IgG levels against the receptor binding domain (RBD) and nucleocapsid protein (N) IgG declined from the acute to the convalescent phase. Moreover, we demonstrate that the level of RBD-IgG is capable of correlating with SARS-CoV-2-neutralizing activities in COVID-19 serum. In summary, our findings identify the magnitude, functionality, and longevity of antibody responses in patients with COVID-19, which sheds light on the humoral immune response to COVID-19 and would be beneficial for developing vaccines.

Background Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among elderly individuals. Patients with CHD are at high risk for mental health disorders, and psychological issues may affect the quality of life (QoL) of these patients. Nevertheless, there is little evidence regarding the psychological issues and QoL of patients with CHD among the elderly population. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between comorbidities and mental status as well as QoL among elderly patients with CHD. Methods Overall, 216 patients were included in this cross-sectional, observational, single-center study. The demographics and clinical manifestations of the patients were collected from electronic medical records. All patients were interviewed using the Chinese version of Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90) to assess the mental health status and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) to assess the QoL. Results In total, 96 men and 120 women, with a mean age of 71.69 ± 8.30 years, were included. When controlling for the patients’ sex, marital status and stroke, multiple stepwise linear regression analyses suggested that for CHD patients, comorbid type 2 diabetes mellitus had the significant influence on average positive factors (Coef., 5.809; 95% CI [2.467–9.152] p = 0.001); when controlling for the patients’ sex, marital status and type 2 diabetes mellitus, multiple stepwise linear regression analyses suggested that for CHD patients, comorbid stroke had the significant influence on average positive factors (Coef., 8.680; 95% CI [4.826–12.534]; p < 0.001); when controlling for the patients’ sex, marital status, type 2 diabetes mellitus and stroke, multiple stepwise linear regression analyses suggested that for CHD patients, comorbid primary hypertension had the significant influence on phobic anxiety (Coef., 0.178; 95% CI [0.010–0.347]; p = 0.038). Conclusions For elderly CHD patients, comorbid type 2 diabetes mellitus and stroke were at risk for psychological problems and lower QoL. Our findings may guide patients and clinicians to make better decisions and achieve better outcomes.

BACKGROUND: The role of caudal-related homeobox 2 (CDX2) in the pathogenesis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the mRNA (message RNA) expression of CDX2 in NSCLC, and to determine its relationship with miR-744 (microRNA744) and its potential as a biomarker of NSCLC. METHODS: MiR-744 is overexpressed in A549, H460, and H1299 cell lines. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression. A chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) essay was performed to determine the CDX2 binding sites. We then conducted a luciferase reporter essay to analyze interaction between MiR-744 and 3'UTRs (the 3' untranslated sequences). The migration and Boyden chamber method were used to study cell mobility. RESULTS: In this study, we found that ectopic CDX2 increased the expression of miR-744, while the attenuation of CDX2 reduced the expression of miR-744 by qRT-PCR. Chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments confirmed that CDX2 directly binds to the promoter of miR-744. The luciferase reporter assay further verified the binding sites of −347 to −358 bp in the most likely promoter like sequence of miR-744. CDX2-induced up-regulation of miR-744 can significantly promote the migration and invasion of NSCLC cells, while overexpression CDX2 is sufficient to rescue the migration and invasion capacity of these cells following knockdown of miR-744. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, our results confirmed for the first time the regulatory mechanism of CDX2 on miR-744 transcription and provided a potential mechanism for CDX2 as an oncogene in lung cancer.

Background and purpose: Primary intracerebral hemorrhage is a common neurologic emergency, with high mortality rate, severe sequela and also burdens for families and society. Hematoma expansions after acute primary intracerebral hemorrhage are very important complications that worsen the clinical outcome. Thus, the aim of this research is to predict some factors of the mobidity. Methods: We performed a descriptive, observative study of 32 patients with acute primary intracerebral hemorrhage within 6 hours after onset at The Emergency Department, Bach Mai Hospital from November 2014 to July 2016. The computed tomography (CT) and computed tomography angiography (CTA) were indicated for all patients before 6 hours of onset and repeated CLVT without contrast after 24 hours. Patients were divided into 2 groups with or without hematoma expansions to investigate clinical symptoms and signs, blood tests and neuroimaging in univariable analysis of some predicting factors of hematoma expansion. Results: Research on 32 patients with striCLVT criteria showed that the rate of hematoma expansion occurred in 40.6% and spot signs on CTA was seen in 25% (8/32) of cases. There were 5 factors which might associate to hematoma expansions including time from onset to admission less than 3 hours (55% before 3h vs 16.7% after 3h, p

To enhance the quality of human life in a rapidly urbanized world plagued with high transportation, the masterful contribution of improved urban and local air quality cannot be overemphasized. In order to reduce human exposure to near-road air pollution, several approaches including the installation of roadside structural barriers especially in open street areas, such as city entrances are being applied. In the present study, the air quality around real world and idealized green infrastructures was investigated by means of numerical simulation and a short field measurement campaign. Fair agreement was found between ENVI-met modelled and measured particulate matter's concentration data around a realistic vegetation barrier indicating a fair representation of reality in the model. Several numerical experiments were conducted to investigate the influence of barrier type (vegetation/hedge and green wall) and dimensions on near-road air quality. The results show different horizontal/vertical patterns and magnitudes of upwind and downwind relative concentration (with and without a barrier) depending on wind condition, barrier type and dimension. Furthermore, an integrated dispersion-deposition approach was employed to assess the impact on air quality of near-road vegetation barrier. At last, recommendations to city and urban planners on the implementation of roadside structural barriers were made.

Objective: To explore the common mutation gene and mutation rule of cholangiocarcinoma and gallbladder cancer, and to confirm the therapeutic effect of PD1 inhibitor through follow-up. Method: From 2017 to 2019, 42 patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICCA), 49 patients with extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ECCA) and 40 patients with GBC were followed up in Eastern Hepatobiliary Hospital for new generation sequencing (NGS). And we also followed up 25 cases of cholangiocarcinoma with PD1 inhibitor and observed the therapeutic effect. Result: The result show that TP53, KRAS, ARID1A, CDKN2A, SMAD4 and ERBB are the most common mutations in ICCA. TP53, KRAS, CDKN2A, ARID2, SMAD4 and ARID1A are the most common mutations in ECCA. TP53, ERBB，CDKN2A, ARID1A, CCNE1 are the most common mutations in GBC. 25 patients who used PD1 inhibitors had no complete remission, 6 patients had partial remission, 6 patients had no effect at all, and the disease progressed. The objective remission rate reached 24% and progression free survival was 5.2±4.8 months. Conclusion: TP53, ARID1A, CDKN2A are the most common mutations in CCA or GBC. We believe that through continuous clinical trials, we will find drugs to inhibit these mutations. PD-1 inhibitor can be used as a choice for patients with advanced stage of CCA or GBC, but not all of them have good therapeutic effect. It is suggested to combine other methods for treatment.

Teriparatide (hPTH(1-34)) exhibits both osteoanabolic and osteocatabolic effects. We generated a novel PTH analog by duplicating the PTH(29-34) domain to hPTH(3-34) (named MY-1), which was identified to activate PKC but not PLC and cAMP/PKA signaling. It increased osteo-differentiation but did not affect osteoclastogenesis and RANKL expression in primary osteoblasts or bone marrow cells. MY-1 and hPTH(1-34) increased the synthesis and decreased the degradation οf β-catenin protein in osteoblasts, while PKC inhibitor blunted such effects. In vivo results indicated that intermittent MY-1 and hPTH(1-34) prevented bone loss in ovariectomized mice, and that MY-1 infusion increased bone volume in normal mice. Histological analysis observed more osteoclasts surrounding the cancellous bone surface in hPTH(1-34), but not MY-1 treated mice. We conclude that MY-1 mimicked the osteoanabolic but not the osteocatabolic effects of hPTH(1-34), which is related to PKC and β-catenin signaling. Such anabolic-only analog provides a new strategy to study PTH's versatile functions and design new medicines to treat osteoporosis and bone defects.

Background The age-related osteoporosis is an increasing risk severely threatening the live quality of aged people. Human parathyroid hormone (hPTH) is applied to the therapy of osteoporosis successfully, however, the mechanism, especially the signaling pathway activated in the healing fracture by PTH is still unknown. Methods The once daily injections of hPTH(1–34) and GR (1–34) (the PLC deficient analog) into the orchiectomized male mice with bone fracture, were started at the second day after fracture and lasted for 4 weeks. To explore the role of phospholipase C signaling in the androgen-deficient fracture healing, the fracture healing were evaluated via radiography, micro-CT, biomechanics testing, serum biochemistry, bone marrow cell culture and gene expression quantification. Results After two weeks of fracture, both peptides significantly increased bone mineral density (BMD), bone mass content (BMC) and bone volume (BV/TV) in the healing area. However, compared to hPTH(1–34), GR(1–34) induced more woven bones, the higher BMC and BMD, as well as the less serum TRAP and osteoclasts. After four weeks of treatment, the effects of hPTH(1–34) on fracture healing showed no difference to those of GR(1–34). Consistently, GR(1–34) induced the similar osteogenesis but less osteoclastogenesis under the ex vivo condition immediately after administration compared to hPTH(1–34), which was verified by the weaker activation of RANKL, NFATC1, TRAP and Cathepsin K in GR(1–34) treatment. Conclusion These results indicated that the PLC signaling activated by the intermittent injection of hPTH(1–34) leads to the bone resorption by rapidly activating the osteoclastogenesis in the fracture healing zone. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12891-018-2231-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

For higher geometrical accuracy requirement of optical lens, much research has been conducted either by changing the injection process parameters or changing the material of the mold or the mold manufacturing process. Although some degree of improvements was achieved, those were occasional but not-repeatable. One conventional procedure has been: the injection mold core must be polished several times to obtain qualified lens product in preproduction trial, very uneconomical and inefficient. In this paper, modern engineering tools were applied to simplify the correction process in optical lens fabrication. Combining virtual manufacturing with reverse engineering technology, the method was demonstrated very powerful. For the optical lens of 70x29.1mm in this research, the maximum deviation from the flatness after regular plastic injection molding was 0.208mm. While with combined technology of VM and RE the error was reduced to 0.008mm only by once iteration with an improvement of 96.15%. Not only the technology could be extended to larger or more challenging lens fabrication, it could also be applied to curved surfaces. This is really great tool to achieve higher quality optical lens production with much lower expending in labor and funding.

Ethnopharmacological relevence Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) caused by neurons and/or myelin loss lead to devastating effects on patients׳ lives. Although the causes of such complex diseases have not yet been fully elucidated, oxidative stress, mitochondrial and energy metabolism dysfunction, excitotoxicity, inflammation, and apoptosis have been recognized as influential factors. Current therapies that were designed to address only a single target are unable to mitigate or prevent disease progression, and disease-modifying drugs are desperately needed, and Chinese herbs will be a good choice for screening the potential drugs. Previous studies have shown that bajijiasu , a dimeric fructose isolated from Morinda officinalis radix which was used frequently as a tonifying and replenishing natural herb medicine in traditional Chinese medicine clinic practice, can prevent ischemia-induced neuronal damage or death. Materials and methods In order to investigate whether bajijiasu protects against beta-amyloid (Aβ 25-35 )-induced neurotoxicity in rats and explore the underlying mechanisms of bajijiasu in vivo , we prepared an Alzheimer׳s disease (AD) model by injecting Aβ 25-35 into the bilateral CA1 region of rat hippocampus and treated a subset with oral bajijiasu . We observed the effects on learning and memory, antioxidant levels, energy metabolism, neurotransmitter levels, and neuronal apoptosis. Results Bajijiasu ameliorated Aβ-induced learning and memory dysfunction, enhanced antioxidative activity and energy metabolism, and attenuated cholinergic system damage. Our findings suggest that bajijiasu can enhance antioxidant capacity and prevent free radical damage. It can also enhance energy metabolism and monoamine neurotransmitter levels and inhibit neuronal apoptosis. Conclusion The results provide a scientific foundation for the use of Morinda officinalis and its constituents in the treatment of various AD. Future studies will assess the multi-target activity of the drug for the treatment of AD.

Ethnopharmacological relevence Male infertility is a stressful and frustrating problem for the society, but a number of male infertility treatments are available as traditional Chinese medicine strategies which have been tried with variable success, while evidence is still limited on whether-or how much-herbs or supplements might help increase fertility, so the aim of this study was to investigate if the oligosaccharides extracted from Morinda officialis , a Chinese herb, is the active constituents to the fertility. Materials and methods In this study, we prepared the H 2 O 2 -demaged human sperm, cocultured with the oligosaccharides in vitro , then observed the changes of the DNA using confocal micro-Raman spectroscopy, and comparative analysis the differences of the spectra of different treated groups. Results The results showed that the oligosaccharides extracted from Morinda officialis can keep the “Raman fingerprints” of the human sperm DNA almost the same as those of the control groups, but very different from the H 2 O 2 -induced groups, especially the intensity of bands at 787, 993, 1094, 1254, 1340, 1376, 1421, 1443, 1487, 1577 and 1662 cm −1 which could be as potential targets for the drugs finding, and further principal component analysis was successfully used to classify the Raman spectra of normal control and model groups. Conclusion This results suggested that the oligosaccharides can protect the DNA of human sperm from being damaged by H 2 O 2 , and which was one of the active constituents of Morinda officialis on treating infertility. It was also demonstrated that Morinda officialis as a tonifying and replenishing natural herb medicine can be used to enhance reproductive functions, and the Raman spectroscopy could be an applicable technology for screening active components in vitro from herbs.

Beta-amyloid peptide (Aβ), a major protein component of senile plaques associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), is also directly neurotoxic. Mitigation of Aβ-induced neurotoxicity is thus a possible therapeutic approach to delay or prevent onset and progression of AD. This study evaluated the protective effect of Bajijiasu (β- d-fructofuranosyl (2–2) β- d-fructofuranosyl), a dimeric fructose isolated from the Chinese herb Radix Morinda officinalis, on Aβ-induced neurotoxicity in pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells. Bajijiasu alone had no endogenous neurotoxicity up to 200 μM. Brief pretreatment with 10–40 μM Bajijiasu (2 h) significantly reversed the reduction in cell viability induced by subsequent 24 h exposure to Aβ25–35 (21 μM) as measured by MTT and LDH assays, and reduced Aβ25–35-induced apoptosis as indicated by reduced annexin V-EGFP staining. Bajijiasu also decreased the accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species and the lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde in PC12 cells, upregulated expression of glutathione reductase and superoxide dismutase, prevented depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane potential (Ψm), and blocked Aβ25–35-induced increases in [Ca2+] i . Furthermore, Bajijiasu reversed Aβ25–35-induced changes in the expression levels of p21, CDK4, E2F1, Bax, NF-κB p65, and caspase-3. Bajijiasu is neuroprotective against Aβ25–35-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells, likely by protecting against oxidative stress and ensuing apoptosis.

Brassinosteroids (BRs) play key roles in plant growth and development, and regulate various agricultural traits. Enhanced BR signaling leads to increased seed number and yield in Arabidopsis bzr1-1D (AtBZR1P234L, gain-of-function mutant of the important transcription factor in BR signaling/effects). BR signal transduction pathway is well elucidated in Arabidopsis but less known in other species. Soybean is an important dicot crop producing edible oil and protein. Phylogenetic analysis reveals AtBZR1-like genes are highly conserved in angiosperm and there are 4 orthologues in soybean (GmBZL1-4). We here report the functional characterization of GmBZL2 (relatively highly expresses in flowers). The P234 site in AtBZR1 is conserved in GmBZL2 (P216) and mutation of GmBZL2P216L leads to GmBZL2 accumulation. GmBZL2P216L (GmBZL2*) in Arabidopsis results in enhanced BR signaling; including increased seed number per silique. GmBZL2* partially rescued the defects of bri1-5, further demonstrating the conserved function of GmBZL2 with AtBZR1. BR treatment promotes the accumulation, nuclear localization and dephosphorylation/phosphorylation ratio of GmBZL2, revealing that GmBZL2 activity is regulated conservatively by BR signaling. Our studies not only indicate the conserved regulatory mechanism of GmBZL2 and BR signaling pathway in soybean, but also suggest the potential application of GmBZL2 in soybean seed yield.

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to assess the specificity of auricular acupoints in responding to changes of qi and blood which, in traditional Chinese medicine, are considered as the fundamental substances in the human body for sustaining normal vital activity. METHODS A miniature fiber optic system was used to invasively measure the diffuse reflectance spectra of three auricular acupoints, namely, Uterus (TF2), Gan (CO12) and Neifenmi (CO18), at different stages of menstruation, when the female body exhibits regular changes of qi and blood. The spectra of different acupoints were compared to find their difference in responding changes of qi and blood, especially the reflectivity of absorption peaks of hemoglobin. RESULTS The reflectivity of the same auricular acupoint during menstruation is higher than that before and after menstruation, and this trend is more obvious for the Uterus point compared with the points Gan and Neifenmi. The average reflectivity of the Uterus point during menstruation was significantly higher than that before or after menstruation (P

OBJECTIVE In this study, optical data on color of tongue tips were collected by using a visible reflection spectrum system. Quantitative method of tongue inspection and classification of tongue states including pale, pale red, red and crimson manifestations were investigated. METHODS Chromaticity coordinates of the tongue tips from 98 subjects were calculated on the basis of the visible reflection spectrum. The tongue color was quantified and classified by the visible reflection spectrum in the range from 590 nm to 780 nm, based on the higher red-band energy distribution on the tongue tip color. RESULTS It was found that comparison and analysis of tongue tip color from different samples would be well-suited after spectrum vector normalization, and the difference of tongue tip color between different samples could be observed easily when the tongue tip optical data were sited in CIE 1931 chromaticity diagram. The tongue tip colors were analyzed quantitatively and classified by the spectral energy intensity at the wavelength of 670 nm and (or) spectral energy ratio of red bank from 590 nm to 780 nm. The results of classification showed that there was sound corresponding accuracy with the clinical diagnosis of pale tongue, pale red tongue, red tongue and crimson tongue. CONCLUSION In this study, based on the collection of the information data on tongue tip characteristics with the visible spectrum from 380 nm to 780 nm, the quantitative analysis of tongue inspection for pale tongue, pale red tongue, red tongue and crimson tongue was established. The quantitative value for tongue tip color is an effective method for classification of the condition of the tongue tip, which provides a useful tool for the modernization of tongue inspection in traditional Chinese medicine.

An exact solution to the buckling behavior of tri-layer beams with two overlapped delaminations is presented for the first time. In addition, new nondimensionalized parameters, axial and bending stiffnesses and effective slenderness ratio, are introduced. The characteristic equation governing buckling is derived by using the Euler-Bernoulli beam theory, performing proper linearization and by imposing appropriate equilibrium, kinematical continuity, and boundary conditions. Results of the present method are compared with those of homogeneous beams having single and double equal delaminations reported previously, and showed an excellent agreement. A parametric study has been carried out. The buckling load varies monotonically with the normalized axial stiffness whereas it does not with the normalized bending stiffness, where a transition region is observed. The effect of spanwise delamination location on critical buckling load is discussed for a tri-layer beam of carbon/epoxy, glass/epoxy, and carbon/epoxy. The accurate solution can serve as a benchmark solution for other numerical schemes.

Complexation between poly(methyl vinyl ether-maleic anhydride) copolymer (Gantrez AN 169) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP K-90D) in aqueous solutions were investigated using a viscometric method and Raman spectroscopy. The composite films with different weight ratios of PVP to Gantrez were prepared in the presence of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone. The release profiles of diclofenac sodium (DS) from these films were determined and the bioadhesive properties measured. An interpolymer complex was formed through hydrogen bonding between the carbonyl groups of PVP and the hydroxyl groups of Gantrez. The formation of interpolymer hydrogen bonds reduced the interaction of the polymers with water molecules, thus resulting in a lower solubility of the complex in water and a further retarded release of DS from the composite films. The interpolymer complexation was also found to increase the bioadhesive properties of the composite films to a silicone elastomer substrate. The complexation of PVP and the Gantrez copolymer in the composite films was a critical factor affecting the release of DS from the films and the bioadhesive properties of the films.

There are many ongoing investigations to improve the oral bioavailability of peptide and protein formulations. Bioadhesive polysaccharide chitosan nanoparticles (CS-NPs) would seem to further enhance intestinal absorption of them. In this study, Insulin-loaded CS-NPs were prepared by ionotropic gelation of CS with tripolyphosphate anions. Its particle size distribution and zeta potential were determined by photon correction spectroscopy and laser Dopper anemometry. The ability of CS-NPs to enhance intestinal absorption of insulin and increase the relative pharmacological bioavailability of insulin was investigated by monitoring the plasma glucose level of alloxan-induced diabetic rats after oral administration of various doses of insulin-loaded CS-NPs. CS-NPs had a particle size in the range of 250-400 nm and its polydispersity index was smaller than 0.1, positively charged, stable. Insulin association was found up to 80% and its in vitro release showed a great initial burst with a pH-sensitivity property. CS-NPs enhanced the intestinal absorption of insulin to a greater extent than the aqueous solution of CS in vivo. Above all, after administration of 21 I.U./kg insulin in the CS-NPs, the hypoglycemia was prolonged over 15 h and the average pharmacological bioavailability relative to SC injection of insulin solution was up to 14.9%.

The weight; testis/body coefficient; levels of LDH, SDH, SODH, G-6PD, and testosterone; cell cycle; and cell apoptosis of the male mice were influenced after being treated with 200 mg/[kg/day] of rare earths suspension for 3 weeks. The "Raman fingerprints" of the human sperm DNA exposed to 0.040 mg/ml CeCl3 were very different from those of the untreated; the Raman bands at 789 cm(-1) (backbone phosphodiester), PO4 backbone at 1,094 cm(-1), methylene deformation mode at 1,221 cm(-1), methylene deformation mode at 1,485 cm(-1), and amide II at 1,612 cm(-1), of which intensities and shifts were changed, might be the diagnostic biomarkers or potential therapeutic targets. The injury mechanism might be that the rare earths influence the oxidative stress and blood testosterone barrier, tangle the big biomolecule concurrently, which might cause the testicular cells and vascular system disorder and/or dysfunction, and at the same time change the physical and chemical properties of the sperm directly.

Among six grades of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), PVA V (degree of hydrolysation 99.45%, molecular weight 140000-150000) and PVA VI (degree of hydrolysation 98-99%, molecular weight 85000-146000) were selected for combination with PVA I (degree of hydrolysation 99%, molecular weight 17300) to prepare composite films with different amounts of PVA I and film thickness. The permeability coefficients of diclofenac sodium through these films were determined and the elastic moduli measured. The permeability coefficients increased with the amount of PVA I in the PVA V-I films. Conversely, the presence of PVA I in the PVA VI-I films decreased the permeability of the composite films to diclofenac sodium. PVA VI-I films showed significantly higher permeability than PVA V-I films. These results indicated that PVA I content in the composite films was a critical factor, affecting the apparent solubility and/or swelling properties, and thereby permeability of the composite films. For PVA V-I films, the effect of PVA I on increasing solubility played a dominant role, but for PVA VI-I films, the effect of PVA I on decreasing swelling properties was a more important factor. Film thickness also influenced the permeability coefficients of diclofenac sodium through the composite films; film permeability decreasing with increasing film thickness. The addition of PVA I raised the elastic moduli of PVA VI-I film but showed minimal effect on PVA V-I films. Proper selection of PVA grades and weight ratio was the key element to successful preparation of PVA composite films with the desired characteristics.

Alzheimer’s disease irreversibly and progressively damages the brain, but the treatments in clinical trials are too slow. So, we hypothesized that the presence of erythrocyte variants with AD could be used as a noninvasive means to predict or trigger for administration of the preventive therapeutics, and the aim of this study is to develop a method using Raman spectroscopy in a rat model of Aβ 25−35 -induced neurotoxicity, and then evaluate the protective effect of bajijiasu by this method. Results showed that the Raman spectra fingerprints of the erythrocyte of model group were obvious different from those of the normal control, as peaks around the region 650 cm −1 belonged to the s–s makers, 1605 cm −1 corresponded to the high spin (deoxygenated-Hb) marker, 1374 cm −1 arises from ν4 as a sign of concentration of O 2 , and 1123 and 1033 cm −1 are associated with the trans stretching vibrations of CAC skeleton. Results also showed that bajijiasu can make these changes recover. Our study also suggested that erythrocyte variants detected using Raman spectroscopy should be tested in a specific longitudinal study for the association with AD diagnosis, and if positive, can be used as a prognostic marker.

BACKGROUND Eps8 is a novel proto-oncogene related to the tumorigenesis, proliferation, metastasis, chemo-resistance, and prognosis of many human solid cancers. However, the function of Eps8 in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is still unclear. Thus, this study aims to develop a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for Eps8 in AML. METHODS Eps8 was amplified and cloned into pMD18-T to generate the recombinant plasmid pMD18-T/Eps8 as standard DNA for the establishment of real-time quantitative PCR. This assay was used to detect the expression level of Eps8 in bone marrow samples from AML patients and healthy volunteers (control group). RESULTS The limit of detection achieved using this standard was 100 copies, which was 10 times more sensitive than that achieved using conventional PCR, indicating high sensitivity. Melting curve analysis demonstrated that the primers designed for the established real-time quantitative PCR assay were specific and available. The expression level of Eps8 in the AML patients increased compared with that in the control group (p = 0.013). Furthermore, the expression level of Eps8 showed significant correlation with the complete remission rate of AML patients to chemotherapy (p = 0.024). CONCLUSIONS The established assay is useful in detecting the expression level of Eps8. The results suggest that Eps8 may serve as a prognostic factor of responsiveness to chemotherapy in AML patients.

Objective Using the data from normal tongue and lip colors of normal people which were collected by the visible reflection spectrum, we analyzed the colorimetric parameters of tongue and lip colors. Methods In this study, 516 healthy students aging from 19 to 26 from the colleges and universities of Guangdong Province of China were taken as research subjects. After collecting the data of tongue and lip colors of the 516 subjects using visible reflectance spectroscopy, CIE XYZ tristimulus values as defined by the International Commission on Illumination in 1964 were calculated, and the colorimetric parameters of the normal tongue and lip colors were obtained, such as the CIE 1964 chromaticity coordinate, brightness, dominant wavelength and excitation purity. Results The results of CIE 1964 chromaticity diagram calculated on the visible reflection spectrum showed that the normal tongue color chromaticity coordinate x(10) was 0.341 3±0.008 5 and y(10) was 0.332 6±0.005 1, and the normal lip color chromaticity coordinate x(10) was 0.357 7±0.009 2 and y(10) was 0.338 3±0.005 7; the brightness Y values of the normal tongue color and lip colors were 17.96±3.78 and 19.78±3.72, the dominant wavelength values of the normal tongue color and lip color were (626.3±51.6) nm and (600.4±18.2) nm, and the excitation purity values of the normal tongue color and lip color were 0.083±0.031 and 0.144±0.036, respectively. Conclusion Application of the visible reflection spectrum is a standard way to collect colorimetric data for inspection of the complexion. The investigation of chromaticity coordinates, brightness, dominant wavelength and excitation purity of the normal tongue and lip colors may offer the basic reference for diagnosing morbid complexion on the tongue and lip colors in traditional Chinese medicine.

To investigate the incidence of incidental gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) and its etiopathogenesis.From January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2007, 13804 cases of gastrointestinal epithelial malignant tumor (EMT) and 521 cases of pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAC) were successfully treated with surgery at the Department of General Surgery and the Department of Thoracic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, China. The clinical and pathologic data of 311 cases of primary GIST, including 257 cases with clinical GIST and 54 cases of incidental GIST were analyzed.Of the 311 patients, 54 had incidental GIST, accounting for 17.4%. Of these tumors, 27 were found in 1.13% patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), 22 in 0.53% patients with gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC), 2 in 0.38% patients with PAC, 2 in 0.03% patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma, and 1 in one patient with GAC accompanying ESCC, respectively. Patients with incidental GIST presented symptoms indistinguishable from those with EMT. All incidental GIST lesions were small in size, and the majority had a low mitotic activity while only 1.9% (5/257) of clinical GIST lesions had a high risk.Incidental GIST may occur synchronously with other tumors and has a high prevalence in males. Surgery is its best treatment modality.

BACKGROUND Recently, bilateral transpedicular kyphoplasty with a single balloon was performed for osteoporotic vertebral body compression fractures (OVCFs) to reduce the fees of the operation, but the time of operation and radiation exposure are longer. The aim of this study was to determine the safety and effectiveness of a single balloon cross-midline expansion via unipedicular approach in kyphoplasty for OVCFs. METHODS Thirty-six patients with painful OVCFs (61 vertebrae) were enrolled in this research. Unilateral transpedicular puncture was performed under the fluoroscopy monitoring of an oblique angle down the pedicle. A single balloon was introduced through unipedicular approach. The final balloon position was in the midline of the vertebral body with the balloon cross-midline expansion and bone cement filled. Clinical outcomes were determined by comparison of the preoperative and postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI). Radiographic assessment included restoration of vertebral height and correction of kyphosis. Follow-up was conducted for 6 - 12 months (mean 9.2 months). RESULTS Thirty-six consecutive patients with 61 vertebrae were successfully operated on with a mean operation time of 37.4 minutes per vertebra. All patients had dramatic pain relief and functional recovery within 96 hours after the procedure with no surgery or device-related complications. VAS score improved from 7.27 +/- 1.02 preoperatively to 2.71 +/- 0.75 postoperatively (P < 0.01). ODI score was decreased from (71.14 +/- 10.94)% preoperatively to (26.56 +/- 6.35)% postoperatively. The average loss of anterior body height was (14.33 +/- 2.76) mm before procedure and (10.03 +/- 1.83) mm after procedure (P < 0.01), while the average loss of middle body height was (10.15 +/- 2.70) mm before procedure and (5.89 +/- 1.83) mm after procedure (P < 0.01). The kyphotic deformity was corrected from (23.43 +/- 5.00) degree to (16.16 +/- 2.77) degree (P < 0.01). The pain relief and functional recovery were substantial and maintained to the last follow-up without any re-collapse or adjacent level fracture. CONCLUSIONS A single-balloon cross-midline expansion via unipedicular approach in kyphoplasty for OVCFs is an effective and safe procedure with less cost, less operation time and less radiation exposure when compared with the conventional kyphoplasty technique.

Inspection of tongue is an age-old technique used by Trad itional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners to determine a patient’s health status. Because tongue examination is a subjective and inaccurate diagnostic method, a scientific tool which can provide objective and accurate information is needed to assist the TCM practitioners in their practice. The purpose of the study was to examine the feasibility of developing a glossoscopy from an optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging system. In the present study, an OCT system was used to examine the tongue of the rat. After examination, the tongue was surgically removed, sectioned by a microtome and put on a glass slide for histological examination. The slides were examined under a bright-field microscope. Resu lts of the OCT imaging studies showed that the OCT system was capable of showing the images of three distinct regions of the tongue: the tongue coating layers, the interface between the tongue coating and th e tongue body, and the tongue body. It was also possible to assign an index number to each of the coating layers. When the tongue tissue was examined under a microscope, three separate regions of the tongue also were visible. Results of this pilot study shows that the OCT potentially can be developed into a glossoscopy for clinical ap plication in TCM practice. Key words: Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT); Glossoscopy; Tongue Coating; Microstructures of Tongue

Intravascular low intensity laser therapy (ILILT) was originally put forward in USA in 1982, but popularized in Russia in1980s and in China in 1990s, respectively. A randomized placebo-controlled study has shown ILILT clinical efficacy inpatients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. As Chinese therapeutic applications ofILILT were the most widely in the world,its basic research, such as intracellular signal transduction research, blood research in vitro, animal blood research in vivo,human blood research in vivo and traditional Chinese medicine research, was also very progressive in China. Its basic studieswill be reviewed in terms ofthe biological information model ofphotobiomodulation in this paper. ILILT might work in viewofits basic studies, but the further randomized placebo-controlled trial and the further safety research should be done..Keywords: photobiomodulation, intravascular low intensity laser therapy, randomized placebo-controlled trial

Objective To study the effects of aerobic exercise on exercise cardiac output and related parameters in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Methods Total of 50 CHF patients were enrolled in the study, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) Results The differences of cardiac output (CO), peak CO, peak cardiac power output (peak CPO), resting heart rate (HR), heart rate at AT (HR AT), HR peak, resting mean arterial pressure (MAP), peak MAP between baseline and 3 months later in both T group and non-T group were not statistically significant (p>0.05), and the differences of ▱CO, ▱Peak CO, ▱Peak CPO, ▱resting heart rate (HR), ▱HR AT, ▱HR peak, ▱resting mean arterial pressure (MAP), ▱Peak MAP between T group and non-T group were not statistically significant (p>0.05). Conclusion After 3 months of aerobic exercise, the effect on exercise cardiac output and related parameters in patients with CHF are poor.

Raman spectroscopy (RS) and a genetic algorithm (GA) were applied to distinguish nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) from normal nasopharyngeal tissue. A total of 225 Raman spectra are acquired from 120 tissue sites of 63 nasopharyngeal patients, 56 Raman spectra from normal tissue and 169 Raman spectra from NPC tissue. The GA integrated with linear discriminant analysis (LDA) is developed to differentiate NPC and normal tissue according to spectral variables in the selected regions of 792-805, 867-880, 996-1009, 1086-1099, 1288-1304, 1663-1670, and 1742-1752 cm-1 related to proteins, nucleic acids and lipids of tissue. The GA-LDA algorithms with the leave-one-out cross-validation method provide a sensitivity of 69.2% and specificity of 100%. The results are better than that of principal component analysis which is applied to the same Raman dataset of nasopharyngeal tissue with a sensitivity of 63.3% and specificity of 94.6%. This demonstrates that Raman spectroscopy associated with GA-LDA diagnostic algorithm has enormous potential to detect and diagnose nasopharyngeal cancer.

Background There is no research focusing on assessing cardiopulmonary functional reserve and exercise tolerance in patients with pulmonary embolism (PE) both at home and abroad, but the benefits of early exercise are well recognised. The goal of this study was to assess cardiopulmonary functional reserve in patients with PE by using the inert gas rebreathing method of cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET), and compare with the traditional methods. Methods CPET on the bicycle ergometer were performed in 40 patients with age, gender, body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure, and pulmonary function matched. The first group was PE group composed of 16 PE patients (5 male, 11 female) who were given the standard antithrombotic therapy for 2 weeks. The other group was composed of 24 normal individuals (10 male, 14 female). Both the two groups were evaluated by cardiac ultrasound examination, 6 min walking test (6MWT), and CPET. Results (1) Right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) of PE group increased significantly than the control group ((34.81±8.15) mm Hg to (19.75±3.47) mm Hg, p 0.05; RVDD: (32.75±4.19) mm to (31.06±4.12) mm, p>0.05). 6 min walk distance was significantly reduced in patients with PE compared with normal subjects ((447.81±79.20) m to (513.75±31.45) m, p 2 AT and VO 2 peak were significantly decreased in patients with PE compared with controls (VO 2 AT: (9.44±3.82) ml/kg/min to (14.62±2.93) ml/kg/min, p 2 peak: (12.26±4.06) ml/kg/min to (23.46±6.15) ml/kg/min, p 2 slope was increased in patients with PE ((35.47±6.66) to (26.94±3.16), p 0.05), while peak cardiac output (peak CO) and the difference between exercise and resting cardiac output (CO) were both significantly reduced in patients with PE (peak CO: (5.97±2.25) l/min to (8.50±3.13) l/min, p 2 peak (r=0.675, p Conclusions Cardiopulmonary functional reserve was reduced in patients with PE in our study. CPET is an accurate, quantitative evaluation of cardiopulmonary functional reserve in patients with PE.

Objective To study the effects of aerobic exercise on left atrial and ventricular remodelling in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Methods Total of 50 CHF patients were enrolled in the study, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 2 and BMI 24 kg/m 2 ∼), cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) were performed. The patients of T group executed the aerobic exercise prescription which exercise intensity is decided by anaerobic threshold (AT) before 10W (1 min before) of the oxygen consumption, non-T group required daily activities. After six sessions under supervised aerobic exercise training, the home-based aerobic exercise training began. Echocardiography were reviewed 3 months later respectively. Results The differences of the left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVEDD), left ventricular end systolic diameter (LVESD), left atrial diameter (LAD), left ventricular mass (LVM), left ventricular mass index (LVMI) between baseline and 3 months later in both T group and non-T group were not statistically significant (p>0.05), and the differences of ▱LVEDD, ▱LVESD, ▱LAD, ▱LVM, ▱LVMI between T group and non-T group were not statistically significant (p>0.05). But the patients in subgroup of BMI lower than 24 kg/m 2 , LVESD, LVM, LVMI in T group were decreased compared with baseline, LVEDD enlarged less than non-T group, and the differences of ▱LVEDD, ▱LVESD, ▱LVM, ▱LVMI between T group and non-T group were significant (p 0.05). Conclusion After 3 months of aerobic exercise, the effect on left ventricular and left atrial remodelling are poor, only to improve or delay the left ventricular remodelling of BMI 2 patients with CHF.

Peripheral blood and bone marrow from seronegative and seropositive myasthenics were evaluated for antibody-secreting cells (ASC). Cells secreting antibody to acetylcholine receptor (AchR) and to presynaptic membrane receptor (prsmR) were counted using an immunospot assay. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) anti-AchR ASC were present in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from nine of 13 seronegative and nine of 12 seropositive myasthenics and in bone marrow lymphocytes (BML) from nine of 13 seronegative and eight of 12 seropositive myasthenics. The mean number of IgG anti-AchR ASC was lower for seronegative than for seropositive patients (P < 0.01 for PBL and P < 0.0001 for BML). In seropositive patients the mean number of IgG anti-AchR ASC was higher for BML than for PBL (P < 0.01); in seronegative patients it was not. IgG anti-prsmR ASC were detected in PBL from four of eight seronegative and six of eight seropositive myasthenics and in BML from three of eight seronegative and five of eight seropositive patients. The mean number of IgG-anti-prsmR ASC did not differ between seronegative and seropositive patients for PBL but for BML the value was higher for seropositive than for seronegative patients (P < 0.01). We conclude that seronegative myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease and that ASC to AchR and to prsmR are present both in the blood and the bone marrow in seronegative patients as in seropositive ones. A major difference between the groups lies in the significantly greater number of ASC found in the bone marrow in the seropositive cohort.

To investigate the effects of short-term application of low-dose growth hormone on trace element metabolism and blood glucose in surgical patients.A total of 48 consecutive patients undergoing abdominal operations were randomized to receive either subcutaneous rhGH (0.15 IU/kg) or placebo (menstruum) injections daily for 7 d after surgery. The two groups had similar nutrition intake. Blood, feces, urine and drain samples were collected to measure zincum, cuprum and ferrum as well as glucose levels. Accumulative intake, excretion and balance of zincum, cuprum and ferrum, apparent absorption (AA) and apparent utilization (AU) of zincum, cuprum and ferrum, blood glucose levels and adverse events were estimated.There were no differences in accumulative intake and drain excretion between the two groups. The feces excretion and accumulative excretion of cuprum were lower in the rhGH group (P0.05). The urinary excretion of zincum, cuprum and ferrum was all significantly decreased in the rhGH group (P0.05) and the accumulative balance of zincum, cuprum and ferrum was improved compared with the placebo group (P0.05). AA of cuprum in the rhGH group was almost twice as much as the placebo group (P0.05), and AU of zincum, cuprum and ferrum was all improved in the rhGH group (P0.05). The mean blood glucose level was significantly higher in the rhGH group than in the placebo group from d 3 to d 6 after operation (P0.05).Postoperative low-dose rhGH treatment improves the retention of zincum, cuprum and ferrum and decreases the excretion of zincum, cuprum and ferrum, improves the balance of zincum, cuprum and ferrum, and promotes the AA and AU of zincum, cuprum and ferrum. rhGH can be well tolerated without significant adverse effects and the blood glucose level can be well controlled.