Occupational delay of gratification among community healthcare workers / 预防医学

Objective@#To investigate the occupational delay of gratification among community healthcare workers and its influencing factors, so as to provide insights into the sustainable development of primary healthcare personnel.@*Methods@#The in-service community healthcare workers from 5-7 community health service centers in 9 cities (prefectures) of Guizhou Province were selected using a multi-stage stratified random sampling method. Gender, age, and educational level and other basic information were collected through questionnaire surveys. The status of occupational delay of gratification was investigated using the Occupational Delay of Gratification Scale. Multiple linear regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors of occupational delay of gratification.@*Results@#A total of 2 076 respondents were surveyed, including 367 males (17.68%) and 1 709 females (82.32%). There were 112 respondents (5.39%) with secondary vocational school degree or below, 872 respondents (42.00%) with junior college degree, 1 087 respondents (52.36%) with bachelor's degree, and 5 respondents (0.24%) with master's degree or above. There were 665 respondents (32.03%) with managerial positions. The monthly income of 1 705 respondents (82.13%) was ≤5 000 Yuan. The total score of occupational delay of gratification was (33.22±4.33) points, and the total average score was (2.77±0.36) points. The average scores of work delay, career delay and persistence were (2.67±0.48), (2.96±0.45) and (2.75±0.46) points, respectively. Multiple linear regression analysis identified educational level (junior college, β=0.089; bachelor's degree, β=0.088), management position (not have, β=-0.046) and monthly income (>6 000 Yuan, β=0.085) as factors affecting occupational delay of gratification (all P<0.05).@*Conclusion@#The community healthcare workers with an education below secondary vocational school, no management position and lower income have relatively lower level of occupational delay of gratification.

Comparison between carotid ultrasound and digital subtraction angiography in the diagnosis of carotid artery stenosis in patients with cerebral infarction / Comparación entre la ecografía carotídea y la angiografía por sustracción digital en el diagnostic de estenosis de la arteria carótida en pacientes con infarto cerebral

SUMMARY: This study aimed to compare the clinical value of carotid ultrasound and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) for carotid artery stenosis in patients with cerebral infarction. Sixty patients with cerebral infarction underwent carotid ultrasound and DSA. Carotid artery stenosis, degree of stenosis (mild, moderate, severe, and occlusion), and carotid artery plaques were recorded and compared. Carotid stenosis rate was 96.67 % (58/60) and 91.67 % (55/60) on DSA and carotid ultrasound, respectively, and the difference was not statistically significant. Mild, moderate, and severe carotid artery stenosis and occlusion were diagnosed in 35, 28, 20, and 17 arteries, respectively, with DSA, and in 39, 25, 10, and 9 arteries, respectively, with carotid ultrasound. There was a statistically significant difference in the degree of carotid stenosis between the two methods (p<0.05). The kappa value of carotid plaques detected by carotid ultrasound and DSA was 0.776, indicating good consistency. Both carotid ultrasound and DSA are effective for screening carotid artery stenosis and carotid atherosclerotic plaques. While carotid ultrasound is faster and more convenient, DSA can more accurately detect the degree of stenosis and presence of occlusion. Thus, our recommendation is a combination of carotid ultrasound and DSA in clinical settings to improve the convenience and accuracy of diagnosis.

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo comparar el valor clínico de la ecografía carotídea y la angiografía por sustracción digital (DSA) para la estenosis de la arteria carótida en pacientes con infarto cerebral. Sesenta pacientes con infarto cerebral fueron sometidos a ecografía carotídea y DSA. Se registraron y compararon la estenosis de la arteria carótida, el grado de estenosis (leve, moderada, grave y oclusión) y las placas de la arteria carótida. La tasa de estenosis carotídea fue del 96,67 % (58/60) y del 91,67 % (55/60) en DSA y ecografía carotídea, respectivamente, y la diferencia no fue estadísticamente significativa. Se diagnosticaron estenosis y oclusión de la arteria carótida leve, moderada y grave en 35, 28, 20 y 17 arterias, respectivamente, con DSA, y en 39, 25, 10 y 9 arterias, respectivamente, con ecografía carotídea. Hubo una diferencia estadísticamente significativa en el grado de estenosis carotídea entre los dos métodos (p<0,05). El valor kappa de las placas carotídeas detectadas por ecografía carotídea y DSA fue de 0,776, lo que indica una buena consistencia. Tanto la ecografía carotídea como la DSA son eficaces para detectar la estenosis de la arteria carótida y las placas ateroscleróticas carotídeas. Si bien la ecografía carotídea es más rápida y conveniente, la DSA puede detectar con mayor precisión el grado de estenosis y la presencia de oclusión. Por lo tanto, nuestra recomendación es una combinación de ecografía carotídea y DSA en entornos clínicos para mejorar la conveniencia y precisión del diagnóstico.

Antihypertensive drug-related genes polymorphisms in hypertensive patients at a certain hospital / 中国热带医学

@#Abstract: Objective　By analyzing the frequency distribution of antihypertensive drug-related genotypes in hypertensionpatients treated in our hospital, so as to provide a clinical basis for individualized treatment of hypertension patients. Methods　A total of 72 hypertensive patients treated in Hainan Hospital of PLA General Hospital from June 2021 to April 2022 were collected. PCR-melting curve method was used to detect CYP2D6*10 (c.100 C>T), CYP2C9*3 (c.1075 A>C), ADRB1 (c.1165 G>C), AGTR1 (c.1166 A>C), ACE (I/D), NPPA (T2238C) and CYP3A5*3 (A6986G), and the relationship between different genotypes and biochemical indexes was analyzed. Results　According to the statistics of the gene and genotype frequency of each point in 72 patients, the gene frequencies of 7 sites all conformed to Hardy Weinberg equilibrium. There were gender differences in ADRB1 genotypes (χ2 = 5.878, P<0.05). There were statistical differences in triglycerides [AA: 1.4 (1.0, 2.0)mmol/L; AC: 2.2 (1.5, 2.5)mmol/L; P=0.038], total cholesterol [AA: 4.0 (3.1, 4.9) mmol/L; AC: 4.8 (4.0, 5.3) mmol/L; P=0.040] and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [(AA: 2.4 (1.8, 3.3) mmol/L; AC: 3.2 (2.5, 3.5) mmol/L; P=0.035] among patients with different genotypes of AGTR1 locus. The patients with different genotypes of CYP2C9 locus had significant differences in their alanine transferase (ALT) [AA:16.9 (11.4,30.2) mmol/L; AC:10.4 (9.4, 18.2) mmol/L; P=0.040]. Aftergene-directed individualized therapy, different genotypes of CYP3A5 andAGTR1 affected the heart rate [CYP3A5: AA: (79.3±7.0) beats/min; AG： (69.8±6.8) beats/min; GG： (68.8±7.3) beats/min; P=0.010], systolic blood pressure [AGTR1: AA: (131.3±16.7) mmHg; AC: (140.6±11.8) mmHg; P=0.014] and diastolic blood pressure [CYP3A5: AA: (90.0±8.3) mmHg; AG: (78.7±10.8) mmHg; GG: (74.9±10.7) mmHg; P=0.025; AGTR1: AA: (75.3±10.2) mmHg; AC: (86.3±10.6) mmHg; P=0.001] of patients. Conclusions　The related gene loci of antihypertensive drugs are an important basis for guiding the diversification and individualization of clinical medication. Clinicians need to consider the impact of related genes on drug efficacy and adverse reactions when prescribing.

Targeting cancer stem cells for cancer therapy / 中国肿瘤生物治疗杂志

@#[摘 要] 具有独特的分子表达、表面标志物、干性相关信号通路和代谢模式等方面特征的肿瘤干细胞（cancer stem cell, CSC）因其具有高致瘤、高转移、高治疗抵抗能力，可能是多种类型恶性肿瘤生长、转移、治疗抵抗的关键因素，也是肿瘤发生和复发的重要根源。正常干细胞在产生了第一个致癌突变之后将逐步发展成为癌前干细胞和CSC，随后在突变和微环境的共同作用下进一步积累突变增加异质性，并与CSC可塑性转变交织在一起推动肿瘤的发生和进展，促进肿瘤的复发、转移及治疗抵抗。为了更好地治疗肿瘤，现已研发了多种类型的靶向CSC的治疗策略，包括靶向CSC的细胞表面标志物、信号转导途径、微环境、代谢模式等，以及促CSC分化、靶向CSC的免疫治疗等其他策略。多个靶向CSC治疗肿瘤的新药在临床试验中已经展现出良好的治疗效果，然而，也有一些抗肿瘤新药的失败为未来研发提供了值得注意的教训。未来肿瘤治疗中，特异地靶向患者肿瘤中所有异质性的CSC，并同时清除癌前干细胞和子代肿瘤细胞，将会更好地抑制肿瘤生长、转移和复发，从而为治愈肿瘤带来新的希望。

Anti-ENO1 antibody combined with metformin reverses the resistance of human non-small cell lung cancer A549 cells to cetuximab by targeting cancer stem cells / 中国肿瘤生物治疗杂志

@#[Abstract] Objective: To explore the effect of anti-ENO1 (enolase 1) antibody and metformin (MET) treatment on the proliferation, migration, invasion and stemness of cetuximab (CTX) -resistant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells through targeting cancer stem cells and the possible mechanism. Methods: 10 mmol/L MET combined with 40 μg/ml anti-ENO1 antibody was used to treat CTX(35 µg/ml)-resistant NSCLC A549 cells for 4 d, and the effects of combined treatment on A549 cells were detected with proliferation experiment, colony formation assay, migration and invasion experiments and methylcellulose ball formation experiment. In the meanwhile, FCM was used to detect the effects of CTX, MET and anti-ENO1 antibody single-drug treatment as well as the three-drug combination treatment on ALDH+ and CD44+ lung cancer stem cell subsets. Results: CTX combined with MET and anti-ENO1 antibody treatment significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration, invasion and self-renewal capacity of A549 cells. FCM analysis found that MET could significantly inhibit ALDH+ stem cell subpopulations, while anti-ENO1 antibody could significantly inhibit CD44+ stem cell subpopulations, and the three-drug combination treatment could simultaneously suppress ALDH+ and CD44+ stem cell subpopulations. Conclusion: MET and anti-ENO1 antibody respectively target ALDH+ and CD44+ cancer stem cell subsets, and the combined treatment of MET and anti-ENO1 antibody can effectively reverse the resistance of A549 cells to CTX, and thereby more effectively inhibiting stemness, proliferation, metastasis of A549 cells and tumor recurrence.

The epidemic trend of viral hepatitis in Nanjing from 1989 to 2020 / 预防医学

Objective@#To analyze the epidemic trend of viral hepatitis in Nanjing from 1989 to 2019 and predict the incidence in 2020, so as to provide reference for the prevention and control of viral hepatitis.@*Methods@#The incidence data of viral hepatitis in Nanjing from 1989 to 2019 was retrieved from Nanjng Center for Disease Control and Prevention and National Infectious Disease Reporting System. The epidemic trend was analyzed by estimating the annual percent change ( APC ) and the average annual percent change ( AAPC ). The seasonal incidence of different types of viral hepatitis was analyzed by seasonal index. The autoregressive integrated moving average model ( ARIMA ) was built to predict monthly incidence rate of viral hepatitis in 2020. @*Results@#The annual incidence rate of viral hepatitis was 62.00/100 000 in Nanjing from 1989 to 2019, showing a downward trend ( AAPC=8.4%, P<0.05 ). From 1998 to 2019, the annual incidence rates of hepatitis A, B, C and E were 1.98/100 000, 14.31/100 000, 2.30/100 000 and 2.60/100 000. The incidence of hepatitis A and B showed downward trends ( AAPC=-11.81%, -6.02%, both P<0.05 ); the incidence trend of hepatitis C was not obvious ( P>0.05 ); the incidence of hepatitis E showed an increasing trend ( AAPC=4.82%, P<0.05 ). From 2015 to 2019, the third and fourth quarters were the epidemic seasons of hepatitis A, B and C, while the first and second quarters were the epidemic seasons of hepatitis E. The ARIMA model predicted that the monthly incidence rates of viral hepatitis in 2020 would range from 1.26/100 000 to 3.69/100 000, among which hepatitis B ranged from 1.21/100 000 to 2.58/100 000, hepatitis C from 0.20/100 000 to 0.48/100 000, hepatitis E from 0.09/100 000 to 0.25/100 000. @*Conclusions@#The incidence of viral hepatitis in Nanjing shows a downward trend. Among different types of hepatitis, hepatitis B has a higher incidence. All types of hepatitis have epidemic seasons. It is predicted that the monthly incidence rates of viral hepatitis will be 1.26/100 000 to 3.69/100 000 in 2020.

The interaction between Cyclophilin A and CD147 and its clinical significance in periodontal diseases / 口腔疾病防治

@#Cyclophilin A (CypA) is the first foldable enzyme in human cells that has peptidyl proliferase-trans isomerase activity and has a strong proinflammatory effect. CD147 can act as the signal receptor of CypA. The interaction of the two through cell-surface heparin binding activates extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK1/2) and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) signaling pathways in macrophages and increases the expression of MMPs and other inflammatory factors. The CypA/CD147 interaction regulates inflammation, promotes the inflammatory response and bone resorption and is involved in the pathological processes of a variety of systemic diseases. CypA and CD147 may take part in the chemotaxis of inflammatory cells, increase white blood cell infiltration in tissues, and increase CypA and CD147 expression in periodontitis gum tissue and gingival groove liquid with inflammation, prompting their interaction to promote the progression of periodontitis. However, the specific function of the signaling pathways in the periodontitis mechanism still requires further elucidation.

Monoclonal antibody 18H12 suppresses the self-renewal and invasion of PAMC-82 gastric cancer stem cells / 中国肿瘤生物治疗杂志

@#[Abstract] Objective: To investigate the effect of 18H12, a functional monoclonal antibody that can target gastric cancer stem cells, on the self-renewal and invasion ability of gastric cancer cells. Methods: The gastric cancer cell line PAMC-82 was used as cell model, the expression of ENO1 (enolase-1) on the membrane surface of its parental cells and enriched stem cells by sphere culture was detected by Flow cytometry. Flow cytometry was used to separate ENO1+ cells and ENO1- cells to detect their self-renewal ability and invasion ability. With the commercial ENO1 antigen and antibody as the samples, CoIP (co-immunoprecipitation) was used to verify whether 18H12 antibody targeting ENO1 could able to accurately recognize ENO1. After being treated with 18H12 for 12 h, 24 h and 48 h, the selfrenewal and invasion ability of PAMC-82 cells were detected by methylcellulose pelletization experiment and Transwell chamber assay, respectively. Results: Flow cytometry showed that the expression of ENO1 on the membrane surface of PAMC-82 sphere cells was significantly higher than that of its parental cells (P<0.01), so ENO1 could be a potential target for targeting gastric cancer stem cells. The self-renewal ability and invasion ability of the sorted ENO1+ cells were significantly stronger than those of the ENO1- cells and the parental cells (P<0.05 or P<0.01). 18H12 antibody could accurately recognize ENO1, which was consistent with the commercial antibody recognition band. 18H12 could significantly inhibit self-renewal ability and invasion ability of PAMC-82 cells (P<0.01). Conclusion: Monoclonal antibody 18H12 can significantly inhibit the self-renewal and invasion of gastric cancer stem cells and is expected to be a candidate antibody drug targeting gastric cancer stem cells.

Oral isotretinoin for treating mucocutaneous human papillomavirus infections: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction: Some viral warts are refractory to treatment, some others tend to recur. Oral isotretinoin is useful against warts to varying degrees. Objective: To determine the efficacy of oral isotretinoin for treating mucocutaneous human papillomavirus infections. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies published from the date of inception of the databases to December 30, 2017 were conducted. Randomized controlled trials or case series with ≥10 patients with mucocutaneous human papillomavirus infection who had received oral isotretinoin treatment were analyzed. The meta-analysis estimated the pooled odds ratio and pooled response rate. Results: The review included eight studies. Trials of oral isotretinoin versus placebo treatment revealed that isotretinoin effectively treated mucocutaneous human papillomavirus infections (odds ratio: 43.8, 95% confidence interval: 9.7–198.8). The pooled estimate of the complete response rate of oral isotretinoin to mucocutaneous human papillomavirus was 67.7% (95% confidence interval: 49.5–81.7%). Another pooled estimation revealed that 83.9% (95% confidence interval: 59.7–94.9%) of patients exhibited at least 50% lesion clearance, whereas 12.3% with complete response experienced recurrence. Limitations: This meta-analysis had a small sample size and high inter-study heterogeneity. Conclusion: Oral isotretinoin is superior to placebo for treating mucocutaneous human papillomavirus infections, particularly plane warts. The recurrence rate and risk of severe side effects are low.

Distribution of oral Streptococcus mutans and its correlation with dental caries in children of Bortala Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture / 口腔疾病防治

Objective@#To study the detection rate of Streptococcus mutans in oral cavities of 3-5-year-old Han, Uygur and Mongolian children in Bortala Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, and the correlation between genotype and dental caries of preschool children.@*Methods @# Ninety children were randomly selected from the sample bank of children′s oral epidemiological survey data in the Bozhou area of Xinjiang. Forty-five children were included in the high caries group (more than 5 missing teeth), and 45 children were included in the noncaries group (0 missing teeth); each group comprised 15 children of each of the Han, Uygur and Mongolian nationalities. Plaque samples were collected and cultured with light saliva-bacillin agar medium and brain-heart infusion medium. Streptococcus mutans were cultured, and clinical isolates were further isolated and identified by Gram staining, biochemical identification and polymerase chain reaction. Genotype distribution was detected by random primer polymerase chain reaction.@*Results @#The detection rate of Streptococcus mutans in the 90 included children was 75.5%. The detection rate of Streptococcus mutans in the high caries group was 86.7%, which was significantly higher than that in the caries-free group (64.4%) (P=0.014). There was no significant difference in the distribution of Streptococcus mutans among Han, Uygur and Mongolian nationalities (P=0.457). A total of 549 clinical strains of Streptococcus mutans were obtained, and 113 different genotypes were found. In the high caries group, 61.5% carried more than one genotype of Streptococcus mutans, and 37.9% of the caries-free group had more than one genotype. The genetic polymorphism of Streptococcus mutans in the high caries group was significantly higher than that in the caries-free group (P=0.035). Spearman correlation analysis showed that there was a positive correlation between oral Streptococcus mutans gene polymorphism and caries sensitivity (r=0.258, P=0.034).@*Conclusion@#The distribution of Streptococcus mutans in children′s oral cavity in the Bozhou area was different between the high caries group and the caries-free group, but there was no difference among nationalities. Streptococcus mutans in the high caries group had more genotypes than those in the caries-free group. The genetic polymorphism of Streptococcus mutans might be related to the caries-causing ability of Streptococcus mutans.

A novel chlorpyrifos hydrolase CPD from Paracoccus sp. TRP: molecular cloning, characterization and catalytic mechanism

Background: Biodegradation is a reliable approach for efficiently eliminating persistent pollutants such as chlorpyrifos. Despite many bacteria or fungi isolated from contaminated environment and capable of degrading chlorpyrifos, limited enzymes responsible for its degradation have been identified, let alone the catalytic mechanism of the enzymes. Results: In present study, the gene cpd encoding a chlorpyrifos hydrolase was cloned by analysis of genomic sequence of Paracoccus sp. TRP. Phylogenetic analysis and BLAST indicated that CPD was a novel member of organophosphate hydrolases. The purified CPD enzyme, with conserved catalytic triad (Ser155-Asp251-His281) and motif Gly-Asp-Ser-Ala-Gly, was significantly inhibited by PMSF, a serine modifier. Molecular docking between CPD and chlorpyrifos showed that Ser155 was adjacent to chlorpyrifos, which indicated that Ser155 may be the active amino acid involved in chlorpyrifos degradation. This speculation was confirmed by site-directed mutagenesis of Ser155Ala accounting for the decreased activity of CPD towards chlorpyrifos. According to the key role of Ser155 in chlorpyrifos degradation and molecular docking conformation, the nucleophilic catalytic mechanism for chlorpyrifos degradation by CPD was proposed. Conclusion: The novel enzyme CPD was capable of hydrolyze chlorpyrifos and Ser155 played key role during degradation of chlorpyrifos.

Impacts of albumin synergized with hydroxyethyl starch on early microvascular albumin leakage after major abdominal surgery in rabbits

Abstract Purpose: To investigate the impacts of albumin synergized with hydroxyethyl starch (HES) on early microvascular albumin leakage after major abdominal surgery in rabbits. Methods: Forty male Japanese rabbits were randomly divided into four groups: the control group, the saline group, the albumin group, and the Syn group (hydroxyethyl starch+albumin). The latter three groups were performed gastrectomy plus resection of pancreatic body and tail and splenectomy. The serum albumin concentration was detected before and 48h after surgery, and the conditions of mesenteric microvascular leakage in these 4 groups were observed under microscope 48 h after surgery to calculate the leakage rate. Results: Compared with the saline group, the albumin group and the Syn group exhibited significantly increased serum albumin concentrations 48h after surgery (P<0.05). The albumin leakage rate was the most obvious in the albumin group, followed by the saline group, while that in the Syn group was the minimal, and there existed significant differences among these groups (P<0.05) . Conclusion: Simple administration of albumin in the early stage after major abdominal surgery could increase the albumin leakage, while the synergization of albumin and hydroxyethyl starch could reduce the albumin leakage.

Neuron-derived CCL2 contributes to microglia activation and neurological decline in hepatic encephalopathy

BACKGROUND: CCL2 was up-regulated in neurons and involved in microglia activation and neurological decline in mice suffering from hepatic encephalopathy (HE). However, no data exist concerning the effect of neuron-derived CCL2 on microglia activation in vitro. METHODS: The rats were pretreated with CCL2 receptor inhibitors (INCB or C021, 1 mg/kg/day i.p.) for 3 days prior to thioacetamide (TAA) administration (300 mg/kg/day i.p.) for inducing HE model. At 8 h following the last injection (and every 4 h after), the grade of encephalopathy was assessed. Blood and whole brains were collected at coma for measuring CCL2 and Iba1 expression. In vitro, primary neurons were stimulated with TNF-α, and then the medium were collected for addition to microglia cultures with or without INCB or C021 pretreatment. The effect of the medium on microglia proliferation and activation was evaluated after 24 h. RESULTS: CCL2 expression and microglia activation were elevated in the cerebral cortex of rats received TAA alone. CCL2 receptors inhibition improved neurological score and reduced cortical microglia activation. In vitro, TNF-α treatment induced CCL2 release by neurons. Medium from TNF-α stimulated neurons caused microglia proliferation and M1 markers expression, including iNOS, COX2, IL-6 and IL-1ß, which could be suppressed by INCB or C021 pretreatment. The medium could also facilitate p65 nuclear translocation and IκBα phosphorylation, and NF-κB inhibition reduced the increased IL-6 and IL-1ß expression induced by the medium. CONCLUSION: Neuron-derived CCL2 contributed to microglia activation and neurological decline in HE. Blocking CCL2 or inhibiting microglia excessive activation may be potential strategies for HE.

Inhibitory effect of lotus seedpod oligomeric procyanidins on advanced glycation end product formation in a lactose-lysine model system

Background Industrial food processing induces protein glycation modifications and toxic advanced glycation end products (AGEs) which affect human health. Therefore, it is of interest to monitor AGEs in food processing. The present study was carried out to investigate the influence of lotus seedpod oligomeric procyanidin (LSOPC) concentrations, solution pH value and metal ions on AGE formation by heat treatment of lactose-lysine model solutions. Ne-(carboxymethyl) lysine (CML), as one of the common AGEs was also determined by HPLC-MS/MS in this experiment. Results The results showed that LSOPC can inhibit the formation of AGEs effectively at higher concentrations, lower temperature, and it can reverse the promotion function of metal ions because of its high inhibition activity. Also, LSOPC can inhibit CML formation in the Maillard reaction as well. Conclusion These results indicated that LSOPC could be used as functional food ingredients to inhibit AGE formation.

Preparation of PLLA/bpV(pic) microspheres and their effect on nerve cells / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

In this study, we prepared PLLA/bpV(pic) microspheres, a bpV(pic) controlled release system and examined their ability to protect nerve cells and promote axonal growth. PLLA microspheres were prepared by employing the o/w single emulsification-evaporation technique. Neural stem cells and dorsal root ganglia were divided into 3 groups in terms of the treatment they received: a routine medium group (cultured in DMEM), a PLLA microsphere group (DMEM containing PLLA microspheres alone) and a PLLA/bpV(pic) group [DMEM containing PLLA/bpV(pic) microspheres]. The effects of PLLA/bpV(pic) microspheres were evaluated by the live-dead test and measurement of axonal length. Our results showed that PLLA/bpV(pic) granulation rate was (88.2±5.6)%; particle size was (16.8±3.1)%, drug loading was (4.05±0.3)%; encapsulation efficiency was (48.5±1.8)%. The release time lasted for 30 days. In PLLA/bpV(pic) microsphere group, the cell survival rate was (95.2 ±4.77)%, and the length of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) was 718±95 μm, which were all significantly greater than those in ordinary routine medium group and PLLA microsphere group. This preliminary test results showed the PLLA/bpV(pic) microspheres were successfully prepared and they could promote the survival and growth of neural cells in DRG.

Preparation of PLLA/bpV(pic) microspheres and their effect on nerve cells / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

In this study, we prepared PLLA/bpV(pic) microspheres, a bpV(pic) controlled release system and examined their ability to protect nerve cells and promote axonal growth. PLLA microspheres were prepared by employing the o/w single emulsification-evaporation technique. Neural stem cells and dorsal root ganglia were divided into 3 groups in terms of the treatment they received: a routine medium group (cultured in DMEM), a PLLA microsphere group (DMEM containing PLLA microspheres alone) and a PLLA/bpV(pic) group [DMEM containing PLLA/bpV(pic) microspheres]. The effects of PLLA/bpV(pic) microspheres were evaluated by the live-dead test and measurement of axonal length. Our results showed that PLLA/bpV(pic) granulation rate was (88.2±5.6)%; particle size was (16.8±3.1)%, drug loading was (4.05±0.3)%; encapsulation efficiency was (48.5±1.8)%. The release time lasted for 30 days. In PLLA/bpV(pic) microsphere group, the cell survival rate was (95.2 ±4.77)%, and the length of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) was 718±95 μm, which were all significantly greater than those in ordinary routine medium group and PLLA microsphere group. This preliminary test results showed the PLLA/bpV(pic) microspheres were successfully prepared and they could promote the survival and growth of neural cells in DRG.

TNFR 2 M196R Polymorphism and Acne Vulgaris in Han Chinese: A Case-control Study / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

In this case-control study,the relationship between M196R(676 T→G)variant in exon6 of tumor necrosis factor receptor type 2(TNFR2)gene and genetic susceptibility of ache vulgaris in Han Chinese was investigated.A total of 93 acne vulgaris patients and 90 healthy subjects from Han Chinese ethnic group were enrolled in this study.Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP)technique was adopted to analyze the single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)of TNFR2 M 196R gene,and to examine the association between ache vulgaris and the polymorphisms in TNFR2 M196R gene.The relationship between different genotypcs and the susceptibility of acne vulgaris was analyzed.The results showed that there was significant differencein the frequency of the genotype M/R+R/R in the TNFR2 M196R genetic polymorphisms between acne vulgaris patients and healthy controls(X2=4.343; P=0.037; OR=1.899; 95% CI: 1.036-3.445);and there was significant difference in the allele(R)frequency between acne vulgaris patients and healthy controls(X2=5.588; P=0.018; OR=1.838; 95% CI: 1.105-3.057).It was concluded that the high frequency of 196R allele in the functional M196R polymorphism of TNFR2 is a risk factor for acne vulgaris in Han Chinese.

Significance of glypican-3 mRNA expression in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues and peripheral blood cells / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expressions of glypican-3 (GPC3) mRNA in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues and peripheral blood cells (PBCs), and to determine the values of GPC3 mRNA in the diagnosis of HCC and HCC micrometastasis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Using semi-quantitative and nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reactions (RT-PCR), we detected the expressions of AFP and GPC3 genes in the tissues of 41 HCC, 41 paracancer and 52 non-HCC liver samples (41 far from HCC tissues and 11 normal liver tissues), and in the PBCs of 67 specimens from subjects.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The semi-quantitative RT-PCR displayed GPC3 mRNA was expressed in all samples of tissues and PBCs, and the relative intensities of its expressions in HCC, paracancer, non-HCC liver tissues were 78.9 +/- 35.5, 30.6 +/- 21.6, 23.8 +/- 15.5 respectively. The AFP mRNA expression values were 61.2 +/- 32.6, 31.5 +/- 23.6, and 21.2 +/- 15.9 respectively. The expression of each gene in HCC differed significantly from those in other two kinds of tissue samples (P < 0.01). The expressions of GPC3 mRNA and AFP mRNA, accounting for 80.5% and 63.4% in all the HCC tissues, were higher than their respective peak values in the tissues of non-HCC liver (+1.96s), but the expressions of at least one of the two genes was elevated in 92.7% of all the HCC tissues. There was a significant difference between combined detection of two genes and single AFP mRNA detection in HCC tissues (P < 0.01). Clinicopathologically, AFP mRNA was related with the grade of HCC and serum AFP, while GPC3 mRNA was related with not only the grade of HCC but also the invasion of HCC. The relative intensities of GPC3 mRNA expressions in PBCs of 67 specimens was 15.9 +/- 9.0, and GPC3 mRNA expressed in three kinds of tissue samples were all stronger than its counterparts in PBCs (P < 0.01). The GPC3 mRNA expression values in PBCs of the HCC group and the non-HCC group were respectively 16.1 +/- 8.3, 15.6 +/- 10.2, there was no significant difference between the two groups. Of the HCC metastasis group and the HCC non-metastasis group, the respective GPC3 mRNA expression values in PBCs were 16.0 +/- 9.0 and 16.3 +/- 7.7, there was also no significant difference between the two groups. The nested RT-PCR showed that the positive rates of AFP mRNA expressions in PBCs from the HCC group and the non-HCC group were 56.1% and 23.1%, and the difference between the two groups was significant (P = 0.011). The positive rates of AFP mRNA expressions in PBCs from the HCC metastasis group and the HCC non-metastasis group were 80.9% and 30.0%, and there was also a significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.002).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Although GPC3 mRNA is expressed broadly, it still may serve as a potential tissue biomarker in the diagnosis of HCC. Detecting the expression of the two genes in the tissues will improve the screening and diagnosis of HCC. GPC3 is prevalently transcribed in the PBCs, but we have not found any relationship between the GPC3 expression in PBCs and the metastasis or recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma, thus we can not identify HCC micrometastasis with GPC3 mRNA.</p>