Hypoxia-induced TRPM7 promotes glycolytic metabolism and progression in hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Hypoxia disrupts glucose metabolism in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily M, member 7 (TRPM7) plays an ontogenetic role. Thus, we aimed to explore the regulation of TRPM7 by hypoxia-induced factor (HIF) and its underlying mechanisms in HCC. METHODS: hypoxia was induced in multiple HCC cells using 1% O2 or CoCl2 treatment, and subsequently blocked using siRNAs targeting HIF-1α or HIF-2α as well as a HIF-1α protein synthesis inhibitor. The levels of HIF-1α and TRPM7 were assessed using quantitative PCR (qPCR) and Western blot analysis. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and luciferase assays were performed to observe the regulation of TRPM7 promoter regions by HIF-1α. A PCR array was utilized to screen glucose metabolism-related enzymes in HEK293 cells overexpressing TRPM7 induced by tetracycline, and then verified in TRPM7-overexpressed huh7 cells. Finally, CCK-8, transwell, scratch and tumor formation experiments in nude mice were conducted to examine the effect of TRPM7 on proliferation and metastasis in HCC. RESULTS: Exposure to hypoxia led to increase the levels of TRPM7 and HIF-1α in HCC cells, which were inhibited by HIF-1α siRNA or enhanced by HIF-1α overexpression. HIF-1α directly bound to two hypoxia response elements (HREs) in the TRPM7 promoter. Several glycolytic metabolism-related enzymes, were simultaneously upregulated in HEK293 and huh7 cells overexpressing TRPM7 during hypoxia. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that TRPM7 promoted the proliferation and metastasis of HCC cells. CONCLUSIONS: TRPM7 was directly transcriptionally regulated by HIF-1α, leading to glycolytic metabolic reprogramming and the promotion of HCC proliferation and metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Our findings suggest that TRPM7 might be a potential diagnostic indicator and therapeutic target for HCC.

Particulate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in rural households burning solid fuels in Xuanwei County, Southwest China: occurrence, size distribution, and health risks.

The study is about the size distribution and health risks of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in indoor environment of Xuanwei, Southwest China particle samples were collected by Anderson 8-stage impactor which was used to gather particle samples to nine size ranges. Size-segregated samples were collected in indoor from a rural village in Xuanwei during the non-heating and heating seasons. The results showed that the total concentrations of the indoor particulate matter (PM) were 757 ± 60 and 990 ± 78 µg/m3 in non-heating and heating seasons, respectively. The total concentration of indoor PAHs reached to 8.42 ± 0.53 µg/m3 in the heating season, which was considerably greater than the concentration in the non-heating season (2.85 ± 1.72 µg/m3). The size distribution of PAHs showed that PAHs were mainly enriched in PMs with the diameter <1.1 µm. The diagnostic ratios (DR) and principal component analysis (PCA) showed that coal and wood for residential heating and cooking were the main sources of indoor PAHs. The results of the health risk showed that the total deposition concentration (DC) in the alveolar region (AR) was 0.25 and 0.68 µg/m3 in the non-heating and heating seasons respectively. Throughout the entire sampling periods, the lifetime cancer risk (R) based on DC of children and adults varied between 3.53 ×10-5 to 1.79 ×10-4. During the heating season, the potential cancer risk of PAHs in adults was significant, exceeding 10-4, with a rate of 96%.

[Characterization and Health Risk of Heavy Metals in PM2.5 from Road Fugitive Dust in Five Cities of Yunnan Province].

In order to study the contents, sources, and health risk of PM2.5 in road fugitive dust in Yunnan, road fugitive dust samples were collected from five typical cities including Kunming, Baoshan, Wenshan, Zhaotong, and Yuxi. Particulate matter resuspension technology was used to levitate the dust samples and collect PM2.5. Eight heavy metals including chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), selenium (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) in PM2.5 were detected using ICP-MS. The results showed that the contents of Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Pb in road fugitive dust seriously exceeded the background values of Yunnan soil. The enrichment factors showed that most of the heavy metals in PM2.5 of road fugitive dust in the five cities of Yunnan were moderately enriched and strongly enriched, which were greatly influenced by human activities. The results of correlation analysis and principal component analysis showed that the heavy metals in PM2.5 of road fugitive dust in Yunnan were all affected by soil and traffic sources. The other sources varied greatly in different cities:Kunming was affected by iron and steel melting sources, Baoshan and Yuxi were affected by non-ferrous metal smelting sources, and Zhaotong was affected by coal sources. Health risk analysis showed that Cr, Pb, and As in road fugitive dust PM2.5 had non-carcinogenic risk in children in Kunming, Yuxi, and Zhaotong, respectively, and Cr in Kunming also had a lifetime carcinogenic risk.

Epididymis cell atlas in a patient with a sex development disorder and a novel NR5A1 gene mutation.

This study aims to characterize the cell atlas of the epididymis derived from a 46,XY disorders of sex development (DSD) patient with a novel heterozygous mutation of the nuclear receptor subfamily 5 group A member 1 (NR5A1) gene. Next-generation sequencing found a heterozygous c.124C>G mutation in NR5A1 that resulted in a p.Q42E missense mutation in the conserved DNA-binding domain of NR5A1. The patient demonstrated feminization of external genitalia and Tanner stage 1 breast development. The surgical procedure revealed a morphologically normal epididymis and vas deferens but a dysplastic testis. Microfluidic-based single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis found that the fibroblast cells were significantly increased (approximately 46.5%), whereas the number of main epididymal epithelial cells (approximately 9.2%), such as principal cells and basal cells, was dramatically decreased. Bioinformatics analysis of cell-cell communications and gene regulatory networks at the single-cell level inferred that epididymal epithelial cell loss and fibroblast occupation are associated with the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. The present study provides a cell atlas of the epididymis of a patient with 46,XY DSD and serves as an important resource for understanding the pathophysiology of DSD.

Mass Concentration, Source and Health Risk Assessment of Volatile Organic Compounds in Nine Cities of Northeast China.

From April 2008 to July 2009, ambient measurements of 58 volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including alkanes, alkenes, and aromatics, were conducted in nine industrial cities (Shenyang, Fushun, Changchun, Jilin, Harbin, Daqing, Huludao, Anshan and Tianjin) of the Northeast Region, China (NRC). Daqing had the highest concentration of VOCs (519.68 ± 309.88 µg/m3), followed by Changchun (345.01 ± 170.52 µg/m3), Harbin (231.14 ± 46.69 µg/m3), Jilin (221.63 ± 34.32 µg/m3), Huludao (195.92 ± 103.26 µg/m3), Fushun (135.43 ± 46.01 µg/m3), Anshan (109.68 ± 23.27 µg/m3), Tianjin (104.31 ± 46.04 µg/m3), Shenyang (75.2 ± 40.09 µg/m3). Alkanes constituted the largest percentage (>40%) in concentrations of the quantified VOCs in NRC, and the exception was Tianjin dominated by aromatics (about 52.34%). Although alkanes were the most abundant VOCs at the cities, the most important VOCs contributing to ozone formation potential (OFP) were alkenes and aromatics. Changchun had the highest OFP (537.3 µg/m3), Tianjin had the lowest OFP (111.7 µg/m3). The main active species contributing to OFP in the nine cities were C2~C6 alkanes, C7~C8 aromatic hydrocarbons, individual cities (Daqing) contained n-hexane, propane and other alkane species. Correlation between individual hydrocarbons, B/T ratio and principal component analysis model (PCA) were deployed to explore the source contributions. The results showed that the source of vehicle exhausts was one of the primary sources of VOCs in all nine cities. Additionally, individual cities, such as Daqing, petrochemical industry was founded to be an important source of VOCs. The results gained from this study provided a large of useful information for better understanding the characteristics and sources of ambient VOCs incities of NRC. The non-carcinogenic risk values of the nine cities were within the safe range recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (HQ < 1), and the lifetime carcinogenic risk values of benzene were 3.82 × 10−5~1.28 × 10−4, which were higher than the safety range specified by the US Environmental Protection Agency (R < 1.00 × 10−6). The results of risk values indicated that there was a risk of cancer in these cities.

Interfering with CSE1L/CAS inhibits tumour growth via C3 in triple-negative breast cancer.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer. However, the treatment regimens for TNBC are limited. Chromosome segregation 1-like (CSE1L), also called cellular apoptosis susceptibility protein (CAS), is highly expressed in breast cancer and plays a crucial role in the progression of various tumours. However, the involvement of CAS in TNBC remains elusive. In this study, we showed that the expression of CAS was higher in TNBC samples than in non-TNBC samples in the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Knockdown of CAS inhibited MDA-MB-231 cell growth, migration and invasion. Further RNA-seq analysis revealed that complement pathway activity was significantly elevated. Of note, complement component 3 (C3), the key molecule in the complement pathway, was significantly upregulated, and the expression of C3 was negatively correlated with that of CAS in breast cancer. Lower C3 expression was related to poor prognosis. Interestingly, the expression level of C3 was positively correlated with the infiltration of multiple immune cells. Taken together, our findings suggest that CAS participates in the development of TNBC through C3-mediated immune cell suppression and might constitute a potential therapeutic target for TNBC.

[Pollution Characteristics and Health Risk of Heavy Metals in Fugitive Dust Around Zhaotong City].

In order to explore the pollution characteristics and health risks of heavy metals in fugitive dust around the urban areas of Zhaotong City, road dust and soil dust samples were collected in the Zhaoyang District of Zhaotong City in May 2019. The dust samples were suspended using a particle resuspension system to obtain PM2.5 (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 2.5 µm). The concentrations of Ca, Al, Fe, Mg, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb in PM2.5 were quantified by ICP-MS and ICP-OES. By analyzing 10 types of heavy metals in PM2.5, the results showed that the average concentration of Mn was the highest in the soil fugitive dust, followed by Cr, Ni, Zn, Cu, Co, Pb, V, As, and Cd. The average concentration of Zn in the road fugitive dust was the highest, followed by Mn, Cu, Cr, Pb, Ni, As, Co, V, and Cd. The enrichment factor (EF) indicated that Cd was strongly enriched in the two types of fugitive dust. The EFs of Cu, Zn, and Pb in road fugitive dust showed a moderate enrichment, and they were higher than those in soil fugitive dust. Correlation and principal component analysis showed that heavy metals in the two types of fugitive dust were affected by coal burning sources. At the same time, heavy metals in soil fugitive dust were affected by agricultural activity sources, and heavy metals in road fugitive dust were affected by traffic sources. The results of the health risk assessment indicated that the carcinogenic risks of Cr, Co, Ni, As, and Cd in soil fugitive dust were higher than those in road fugitive dust. The non-carcinogenic risks of heavy metals in the two types of fugitive dust for children were higher than those for adults, and the non-carcinogenic risks of Cu, Zn, and Pb in road fugitive dust were higher than those in soil fugitive dust.

Concentrations, Source Characteristics, and Health Risk Assessment of Toxic Heavy Metals in PM2.5 in a Plateau City (Kunming) in Southwest China.

To explore the mass concentration levels and health risks of heavy metals in the air in dense traffic environments, PM2.5 samples were collected at three sites in the city of Kunming in April and October 2013, and January and May 2014. Ten heavy metals--V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd and Pb--were analyzed by ICP-MS, and the results showed PM2.5 concentrations significantly higher in spring and winter than in summer and autumn, especially for Zn and Pb. The concentration of heavy metals on working days is significantly higher, indicating that vehicle emissions are significant contributors. An enrichment factor analysis showed that Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd and Pb come mainly from anthropogenic sources, while V and Co may be both anthropogenic and natural. The correlation and principal component analysis (PCA) showed that Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb mainly come from vehicles emissions and metallurgical industries; Cr and Mn, from vehicles emissions and road dust; and As, mainly from coal combustion. The health risk assessment shows that the non-carcinogenic risk thresholds of the heavy metals in PM2.5 to children and adult men and women are all less than 1. The carcinogenic risk of Cr for men and women in traffic-intensive areas exceeds 10-4, reaching 1.64 × 10-4 and 1.4 × 10-4, respectively.

[Pollution Characteristics and Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Road Dust from Non-ferrous Smelting Parks].

In order to explore the pollution characteristics and health risks of heavy metals in dust from roads around non-ferrous smelting activities in different regions, dust samples from urban roads, non-ferrous smelting industry park roads, and tunnel roads were collected from the Mengzi area of Yunnan Province. The dust samples were suspended on Teflon filters by re-suspension equipment to obtain PM2.5 and PM10 samples. Eight heavy metals (Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb) were analyzed by ICP-MS. The results showed that the average content of the total heavy metals in PM2.5 was higher than that in PM10. The average contents of Pb, Cd, As, and Zn were highest in all three types of road dust, and the difference in the total average content in different types of road dust was ranked as:tunnel roads > non-ferrous smelting industrial park roads > urban roads. The average contents of Pb and As in PM2.5 from the tunnel road dust were higher than other heavy metals, and reached up to 92338.3 mg·kg-1 and 12457.7 mg·kg-1, respectively. The average contents of Pb and Zn in PM2.5 from the industrial park road dust were the highest of all heavy metals (4381.7 mg·kg-1 and 4685.0 mg·kg-1, respectively). The average content of Zn and Pb in PM2.5 were the highest of all the heavy metals in the urban road dust (1952.6 mg·kg-1 and 1944.8 mg·kg-1, respectively). The average contents of Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb in the different types of road dust were all higher than their background values in Yunnan Province. The results of the enrichment factor analysis and principal component analysis indicated that Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb were obviously enriched in all three types of road dust, which were significantly affected by the non-ferrous smelting industry and traffic sources. In contrast, Cr, Mn, and Ni were not obviously enriched in the three types of road dust and were less affected by anthropogenic sources. The results of the health risk assessment testified that ingestion was the main exposure route, and that the children's non-carcinogenic risk was higher than that of adults. In PM2.5, As, Cd, and Pb in all types of road dust were associated with non-carcinogenic risks for adults and children. In PM10, As, Cd, and Pb in dust from the non-ferrous smelting industry park roads and tunnel roads had non-carcinogenic risks for humans. As in PM10 from the urban road dust was associated with a non-carcinogenic risk for children, whereas As in dust from the tunnel roads had carcinogenic risks.

Cellular apoptosis susceptibility protein (CAS) suppresses the proliferation of breast cancer cells by upregulated cyp24a1.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. Although several studies demonstrated cellular apoptosis susceptibility protein (CAS) involved in the development of breast cancer, the underlying mechanisms of CAS regulating cell processes in the breast cancer remain elusive. In the present study, we explored the possible mechanism of CAS in contributing to the cell proliferation in the breast cancer cell line MCF-7. Knockdown of CAS led to the reduction of cell viability and proliferation. Furthermore, cell cycle was arrested in G0/G1 phase after knocking down CAS with the decrease of cyclinD1. In addition, RNA-seq analysis for the CAS knockdown cells demonstrated that total eleven genes were significantly altered (Fold changes > 2). Of note, the expression of cyp24a1 was dramatically increased in the shCAS cells compared to that of shNC cells as well as confirmed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). These observations clarified the previous conflicting results on the cell fates of the breast cells regulated by CAS and provide new insight into the role of CAS in the development of breast cancer.

Analysis of the structure and activity of the promoter regions of the metallothionein genes of the freshwater pearl mussel Hyriopsis schlegelii.

To investigate the regulation of metallothionein genes (HsMTs) of Hyriopsis schlegelii, 1,121-bp and 1,270-bp regions of the HsMT1 and HsMT2 promoters were cloned and analyzed, respectively. The two promoters shared partially conserved features and possessed distinct characteristics such as the number or position of metal response elements (MREs). Further analysis of the HsMT1 and HsMT2 promoters was performed by the reporter assay using the luciferase gene. Both promoters were activated by various metals, and presented different levels of metal ions inducibility in human hepatoblastoma cells. Deletion mutant assays demonstrated that both the longest promoter regions achieved the maximum inducibility, and the metal inducibility was dependent on the presence of the MRE in HsMT1 and the distal MRE in HsMT2. In addition, we cloned a putative metal responsive transcription factor (hereby designated as HsMTF-like) and studied its effect on HsMTs expression in human hepatoblastoma cells. An in vivo assay demonstrated that HsMTF-like activates basal HsMTs transcription level, and the MRE in the HsMTs promoter mediates this activation process. Moreover, this basal transcription level can be further boosted by zinc treatment. In conclusion, the regulation mechanism for MT activation in H. schlegelii should be evolutionarily conserved.

Emission and profile characteristic of volatile organic compounds emitted from coke production, iron smelt, heating station and power plant in Liaoning Province, China.

107 kinds of C2-C12 volatile organic compound (VOC) mass concentrations and profiles for four types of coal-fired stationary sources in Liaoning Province were studied by a dilution sampling system and GC-MS analysis method, which are of significant importance with regard to VOC emissions in northeast of China. The results showed that there were some differences among these VOC source profiles. The total mass concentrations of analyzed 107 VOC species varied from 10,917 to 19,652 µg m(-3). Halogenated hydrocarbons exhibited higher mass percentages for the VOC source profiles of iron smelt (48.8%) and coke production plant (37.7%). Aromatic hydrocarbons were the most abundant in heating station plant (69.1%). Ketones, alcohols and acetates held 45.0% of total VOCs in thermal power plant. For non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHCs), which are demanded for photochemical assessment in the USA, toluene and n-hexane were the most abundant species in the iron smelt, coke production and thermal power plant, with the mass percentages of 64.8%, 52.7% and 38.6%, respectively. Trimethylbenzene, n-propylbenzene and o,m-ethyltoluene approximately accounted for 70.0% in heating station plant. NMHCs emitted from coke production, iron smelt, heating station and power plant listed above presented different chemical reactivities. The average OH loss rate of NMHCs from heating station, was 4 to 5.6 times higher than that of NMHCs from iron smelt, coke production and power plant, which implies that VOCs emitted from heating station in northeast of China should be controlled firstly to avoid photochemical ozone pollution and protect human health. There are significant variations in the ratios of benzene/toluene and m, p-xylene/ethylbenzene of these coal-fired source profiles. The representativeness of the coal-fired sources studied and the VOC samples collected should be more closely examined. The accuracy of VOC source profiles related to coal-fired processes is highly dependent on location and sampling method.

Molecular cloning, sequence analysis, and cadmium stress-rated expression changes of BTG1 in freshwater pearl mussel (Hyriopsis schlegelii).

The B cells translocation gene 1 (BTG1) is a member of the BTG/TOB family of anti-proliferative genes, which have recently emerged as important regulators of cell growth and differentiation among verteates. Here, for the first time we cloned the full-length cDNA sequence of Hyriopsis schlegelii (Hs-BTG1), an economically important freshwater shellfish and potential indicator of environmental heavy metal pollution, for the first time. Using rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) together with splicing the EST sequence from a haemocyte cDNA liary, we found that Hs-BTG1 contains a 525 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding a 174 amino-acid polypeptide, a 306 bp 5' untranslated region (5' UTR), and a 571 bp 3' UTR with a Poly(A) tail as well as a transcription termination signal (AATAAA). Homologue searching against GenBank revealed that Hs-BTG1 was closest to Crassostrea gigas BTG1, sharing 50.57% of protein identities. Hs-BTG1 also shares some typical features of the BTG/TOB family, possessing two well-conserved A and B boxes. Clustering analysis of Hs-BTG1 and other known BTGs showed that Hs-BTG1 was also closely related to BTG1 of C. gigas from the inverteate BTG1 clade. Function prediction via homology modeling showed that both Hs-BTG1 and C. gigas BTG1 share a similar three-dimensional structure with Homo sapiens BTG1. Tissue-specific expression analysis of the Hs-BTG1 via real-time PCR showed that the transcripts were constitutively expressed, with the highest levels in the hepatopancreas and gills, and the lowest in both haemocyte and muscle tissue. Expression levels of Hs-BTG1 in hepatopancreas (2.03-fold), mantle (2.07-fold), kidney (2.2-fold) and haemocyte (2.5-fold) were enhanced by cadmium (Cd²âº) stress, suggesting that Hs-BTG1 may have played a significant role in H. schlegelii adaptation to adverse environmental conditions.

[Effects of fluid resuscitation programs on the levels of inflammatory mediators during burn shock stage].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of different methods of fluid resuscitation on the levels of inflammatory mediators during burn shock stage. METHODS: Twenty-four miniature swine were numbered from 1 to 24 and randomly divided by EXCEL 2007 into 4 groups of succinylated gelatin, hydroxyethyl starch, Parkland and allogeneic plasma (n = 6 each). Severe burn shock model was established. Succinylated gelatin, hydroxyethyl starch (130/0.4), Ringer's lactate and swine allogenic plasma were used as resuscitation fluid (alternative colloid) according to the burn shock recovery principles (beginning at 2 h post-injury). The parameters of heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), urine volume and central venous pressure (CVP) before and within 48 h post-burn were recorded. And the levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL) -1ß and IL-8 were measured at the time of pre-injury as well as 4 h, 8 h, 24 h and 48 h post-injury. Statistical analyses were performed. RESULTS: All swine survived the shock stage. TNF-α in succinylated gelatin group was significantly higher at 48 h post-injury than that in allogeneic plasma group ((351 ± 74) vs (215 ± 44) ng/L, P < 0.05). TNF-α in hydroxyethyl starch group was significantly higher at 8 h post-injury than that in allogeneic plasma group ((327 ± 38) vs (249 ± 29) ng/L, P < 0.05). And they were both higher than the pre-burn levels (both P < 0.05). Compared with pre-injury ((508 ± 64) ng/L), the level of IL-1ß in succinylated gelatin group increased substantially at 4 h ((563 ± 76) ng/L), 8 h ((589 ± 76) ng/L) and 48 h ((736 ± 42) ng/L) post-injury (all P < 0.05). The hydroxyethyl starch group was higher at 48 h post-injury than that at pre-injury ((574 ± 72) vs (492 ± 41) ng/L, P < 0.05). Also in Parkland group, the levels were higher at 24 h and 48 h hours post-injury than that at pre-injury ((575 ± 31), (584 ± 65) vs (498 ± 33) ng/L, both P < 0.05). Only succinylated gelatin group was significantly higher (P < 0.01) at 48 h post-injury than allogeneic plasma group ((561 ± 48) ng/L). Compared with pre-injury ((561 ± 48) ng/L), the level of IL-8 in succinylated gelatin group increased significantly at 8 h ((1012 ± 100) ng/L), 24 h post-burn ((993 ± 87) ng/L), significantly higher than allogeneic plasma group ((866 ± 99) ng/L) at 24 h (all P < 0.05). Although hydroxyethyl starch and Parkland groups increased significantly at 4 h post-injury and 8 h, 48 h post-injury versus those at pre-injury (all P < 0.05). There was no significant difference at each time point compared with pre-burn (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The recovery regimens of hydroxyethyl starch and Parkland groups may restrain the levels of inflammatory mediators. And the effects are similar to those of allogeneic plasma group.

[The relationship between rhGH and blood sugar on different ages of severe degree burned patients].

OBJECTIVE: Probe the effects of rhGH on severe degree burned patients' blood sugar in different age of years. METHODS: Elected 210 patients hospitalized in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College from January 2005 to December 2008, who were burned in 48 h, older than 18 years, ever had no diabetes and tumor history and placidly pull through shock stage. Among the patients there were 132 males and 78 females. The age was from 18 to 65 years old, average (40.7 +/- 7.2) years old. The extent of burn were form TBSA 25% to TBSA 86%, average TBSA (40.4 +/- 12.5)%. The depths of burn were from superficial second degree to third degree. All of the total divided into A (18 - 44 years old) and B (> 45 years old)groups. Each group had 105 patients. Two groups were randomly divided into A(1), A(2), A(0) and B(1), B(2), B(0) groups. Each group had 35 patients. The A(1) and B(1) groups were used 0.15 U/(kg.d) growth hormone (Somatropin, S19990021), A(2) and B(2) groups were used 0.2 U/(kg.d) growth hormone, A(0) and B(0) groups were used NS as control. Observed and analyzed the change of blood sugar and insulin amount used in 210 patients. RESULTS: Of all the patients in 6 groups, there were 190 patients finished the experimentation in four weeks. The insulin amount of A(1), A(2), A(0) groups used were (2123.3 +/- 152.3), (2885.6 +/- 148.5), (724.1 +/- 31.1) U, B(1), B(2), B(0) group were (2715.1 +/- 95.3), (3652.2 +/- 198.1), (801.8 +/- 22.2) U. The consequence showed that the number need insulin to control blood sugar in B group was more than A group, as well as using 0.2 U/(kg.d) does to 0.15 U/(kg.d) does, and using growth hormone to no using(P < 0.01). The time that blood sugar of A(1), A(2), B(1), B(2) group recovered to normal range without using insulin were (5.11 +/- 0.82), (4.93 +/- 0.89), (5.2 +/- 0.65), (5.13 +/- 1.02) d (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The blood sugar's alteration has positive correlation with the age of years and the does of rhGH. As long as normative using rhGH it doesn't induce diabetes.

1(2,3),2(3,2),3(2,3),4(3,2)-Tetra-kis(1-benzothio-phena)cyclo-tetra-phane benzene sesquisolvate.

In the title compound, C(32)H(16)S(4)·1.5C(6)H(6), the substituted cyclo-octa-tetra-ene (COT) ring compound has approximate local D(2) point symmetry of the so-called 'saddle' form: the dihedral angles between neighboring benzo[b]thio-phene units are 61.33 (4), 61.61 (4), 56.443 (14) and 58.32 (4)°. The short distance [3.545 (1) Å] between an S atom and the centroid of a benzene ring in a neighboring mol-ecule may indicate S⋯π inter-actions in the crystal.