Octylphenol influence growth and development of Rana chensinensis tadpoles via disrupting thyroid function.

Octylphenol (OP), a class of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), could produce adverse effects on developmental process of animals. Thyroid hormone is one of the important hormones involved in animal development. To determine whether OP affect the growth and development of amphibian larvae via interfering the thyroid function, Rana chensinensis larvae at Gosner stage 29 were exposed to 10-8, 10-7 and 10-6 mol/L OP in the present study. Results demonstrated that OP could decrease the body length and mass and retard the development of tadpoles. The histologic evaluation showed microscopic structures of thyroid gland were changed in 10-7 and 10-6 mol/L OP treated groups on day 40. The expression levels of Dio2, Dio3, TRα and TRß mRNA in the liver, brain, skin and tail of tadpoles were detected by qRT-PCR, when treated with OP for 20, 30, 40 and 50 day, respectively. The results of qRT-PCR showed OP could affect the expressions of Dio2, Dio3, TRα and TRß mRNA in the four tissues, and then influence the activity and function of THs, further affecting the growth and development of the tadpoles.

Anaerobic biodegradation of PAHs in mangrove sediment with amendment of NaHCO3.

Mangrove sediment is unique in chemical and biological properties. Many of them suffer polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contamination. However, the study on PAH biological remediation for mangrove sediment is deficient. Enriched PAH-degrading microbial consortium and electron acceptor amendment are considered as two effective measures. Compared to other electron acceptors, the study on CO2, which is used by methanogens, is still seldom. This study investigated the effect of NaHCO3 amendment on the anaerobic biodegradation of four mixed PAHs, namely fluorene (Fl), phenanthrene (Phe), fluoranthene (Flua) and pyrene (Pyr), with or without enriched PAH-degrading microbial consortium in mangrove sediment slurry. The trends of various parameters, including PAH concentrations, microbial population size, electron-transport system activities, electron acceptor and anaerobic gas production were monitored. The results revealed that the inoculation of enriched PAH-degrading consortium had a significant effect with half lives shortened by 7-13 days for 3-ring PAHs and 11-24 days for 4-ring PAHs. While NaHCO3 amendment did not have a significant effect on the biodegradation of PAHs and other parameters, except that CO2 gas in the headspace of experimental flasks was increased. One of the possible reasons is that mangrove sediment contains high concentrations of other electron acceptors which are easier to be utilized by anaerobic bacteria, the other one is that the anaerobes in mangrove sediment can produce enough CO2 gas even without adding NaHCO3.

Association of autoimmune diseases with the occurrence of osteoarthritis: a gene expression and Mendelian randomization study.

Background: Observational studies have indicated a potential association between autoimmune diseases and the occurrence of Osteoarthritis (OA), with an increased risk of mortality among affected patients. However, whether a causal relationship exists between the two remains unknown. Methods: In the Mendelian randomization (MR) study, we accessed exposure Genome-wide association study (GWAS) data from both the MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit (MRC-IEU) and the FinnGen consortium. GWAS data for OA were obtained from MRC-IEU. We employed univariable, multivariable, and reverse MR analyses to explore potential associations between autoimmune disorders and OA. Additionally, a two-step mediation MR analysis was performed to investigate indirect factors possibly influencing the relationship between autoimmune disorders and OA. Afterward, we conducted an observational analysis to further explore the relationship between autoimmune disease and occurrence as well as of OA using a real-world database (the MIMIC-IV database). Based on public gene expression sequencing data, we further explored the potential shared pathogenesis between autoimmune diseases and OA. Results: In our univariable MR study, we identified five autoimmune diseases that are associated with OA. These include Celiac disease (OR = 1.061, 95% CI = 1.018-1.105, p = 0.005), Crohn's disease (OR = 1.235, 95% CI = 1.149-1.327, p = 9.44E-09), Ankylosing spondylitis (OR = 2.63, 95% CI = 1.21-5.717, p = 0.015), RA (OR = 1.082, 95% CI = 1.034-1.133, p = 0.001), and Ulcerative colitis (OR = 1.175, 95% CI = 1.068-1.294, p = 0.001). In the mediation effect analysis, it was found that there is no correlation between cytokines and autoimmune diseases and OA. Based on transcriptome data analysis, it was found that metabolism-related pathways play a key role in the co-morbidity of autoimmune diseases and OA. Conclusion: Our findings revealed that genes associated with Celiac disease, Crohn's disease, Ankylosing spondylitis, RA, and Ulcerative colitis were independently linked to the development of OA. Furthermore, we conducted an analysis of potential pathogenic genes between these diseases and OA, offering a novel approach for the simultaneous treatment of multiple conditions.

Epidemiology of eight common rheumatic diseases in China: a large-scale cross-sectional survey in Beijing.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of eight common rheumatic diseases in a large Chinese population. METHODS: A population-based epidemiological investigation of the prevalence of eight common rheumatic diseases in a suburb of Beijing was conducted in 14 642 individuals. A community-based survey was carried out using a screening questionnaire. Positive responders were included in a clinical and laboratory examination. Diagnosis was based on the criteria of ACR or those used widely in literature. RESULTS: A total of 10 556 inhabitants were interviewed. Forty-three cases of RA were identified with an age-adjusted prevalence of 0.28% (95% CI 0.19%, 0.41%). Gout was diagnosed with a crude prevalence of 0.09% (95% CI 0.05%, 0.17%). Psoriasis was reported in 28 individuals with a prevalence of 0.27% (95% CI 0.18%, 0.38%). This included two cases diagnosed with PsA, resulting in a prevalence of 7.14% (95% CI 0.88%, 23.5%) in psoriasis patients and 0.02% (95% CI 0%, 0.07%) in the general population. Three individuals were identified with SLE, with a prevalence of 0.03% (95% CI 0%, 0.06%). One individual was identified with SSc and the calculated prevalence was 0.01% (95% CI 0%, 0.05%). One case of Behçet's disease was identified, giving a prevalence of 0.01% (95% CI 0%, 0.05%). CONCLUSION: This large-scale epidemiological survey provides an estimate of the burden of rheumatic diseases in China.

Moxibustion attenuates inflammation and alleviates axial spondyloarthritis in mice: Possible role of APOE in the inhibition of the Wnt pathway.

Background and aim: Moxibustion is widely used in China and other East Asian countries to manage the symptom of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). This study investigated the effects of moxibustion intervention on protein expression through proteomics analysis in AS mice. Experimental procedure: Proteoglycan-induced spondylitis (PGISp) was established in Balb/c mice. PGISp mice were intervened with daily moxibustion at ST36, BL23, and DU4 for four weeks. Various biochemical (including pro-inflammatory cytokines and bone metabolism indexes) and histopathological parameters were determined. The effects of moxibustion on protein changes in AS mice were analyzed using data-independent acquisition-mass spectrometry (DIA-MS). The target proteins were then confirmed by Western blot analysis. Results: Moxibustion significantly decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine expression including IL-1ß, TNF-α, IL-17, and IL-6, reduced the mRNA expression of RANKL, RANK, ALP, and OCN, and improved the histopathological examination in AS mice. DIA-MS proteomic technique has identified 25 candidate proteins involved in the mechanisms of moxibustion for AS mice, most of which are mainly associated with the regulation of Wnt/ß-catenin. Integrated pathway analysis revealed that glycine, serine and threonine metabolism together with lipid metabolism were the most important canonical pathways involved in the anti-AS effect of moxibustion. In line with the multi-omic data, the levels of BPGM, APOC2, APOE, and GPD1 modified in the AS mice, intervened with moxibustion as confirmed by Western blot. In particular, APOE may play a key role in linking the lipid metabolism and the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway of new bone formation. Conclusion: In conclusion, moxibustion may reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines and improve bone erosion for AS mice. The regulation of APOE by moxibustion may have a potential inhibitory effect on the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway in AS mice. However, due to the lack of silencing or overexpression of key molecules of the signal pathway, whether the beneficial and positive effect of moxibustion involved in the regulation of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway by APOE or other aspects, needed to be explored in further study.

[Association between inhalable particulate matter and mortality in China: a meta-analysis].

OBJECTIVE: Synthesize the relevant research and then discuss the influence of inhalable particulate matter (PM(10)) on mortality by exposure-response analysis. METHODS: The eligible research papers which studied the association between PM(10) and overall mortality of residents, the mortality of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and the mortality of respiratory diseases; and 21 pieces of the papers were adopted in this study. The papers were analyzed by Stata 9.0 software, and the exposure-response coefficient of PM(10) and mortality were extracted. The effect size was amalgamated by fixed or random effects, and the sensitivity analysis and publication bias of the results were detected and adjusted. RESULTS: Each 10 µg/m(3) increase of PM(10) was associated with estimated relative risk (RR) of daily all-course mortality, the mortality of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and the mortality of respiratory diseases at 1.0033 (95%CI: 1.0022 - 1.0044), 1.0045 (95%CI: 1.0029 - 1.0062) and 1.0056 (95%CI: 1.0033 - 1.0079), respectively. After the publication bias was adjusted, the RR of daily all-cause, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and respiratory diseases mortality was reduced to 1.0012 (95%CI: 1.0002 - 1.0022), 1.0011 (95%CI: 0.9996 - 1.0026) and 1.0023 (95%CI: 1.0001 - 1.0045). CONCLUSION: The increase of the concentration of PM(10) led to the increase of the daily all-course mortality, the mortality of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and the mortality of respiratory diseases.

Design of the anti-tuberculosis drugs induced adverse reactions in China National Tuberculosis Prevention and Control Scheme Study (ADACS).

BACKGROUND: More than 1 million tuberculosis (TB) patients are receiving the standard anti-TB treatment provided by China National Tuberculosis Prevention and Control Scheme (CNTS) in China every year. Adverse reactions (ADRs) induced by anti-TB drugs could both do harm to patients and lead to anti-TB treatment failure. The ADACS aimed to explore ADRs' incidences, prognoses, economical and public health impacts for TB patients and TB control, and build a DNA bank of TB patients. METHODS/DESIGN: Multiple study designs were adopted. Firstly, a prospective cohort with 4488 sputum smears positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients was established. Patients were followed up for 6-9 months in 52 counties of four regions. Those suspected ADRs should be checked and confirmed by Chinese State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA). Secondly, if the suspected ADR was anti-TB drug induced liver injury (ATLI), a nested case-control study would be performed which comprised choosing a matched control and doing a plus questionnaire inquiry. Thirdly, health economical data of ADRs would be collected to analyze financial burdens brought by ADRs and cost-effectiveness of ADRs' treatments. Fourthly, a drop of intravenous blood for each patient was taken and saved in FTA card for DNA banking and genotyping. Finally, the demographic, clinical, environmental, administrative and genetic data would be merged for the comprehensive analysis. DISCUSSION: ADACS will give an overview of anti-TB drugs induced ADRs' incidences, risk factors, treatments, prognoses, and clinical, economical and public health impacts for TB patients applying CNTS regimen in China, and provide suggestions for individualized health care and TB control policy.

[Effect of Rainfall Intensity on the Content of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Components in Plateau Areas: A Case Study of the Fengyu River Watershed].

The runoff formed by rainfall carrying various land surface materials into rivers and lakes is an important factor leading to a change in water quality, and the characteristics of nitrogen and phosphorus output of rivers under different rainfall intensities are different. This study explores the impact of rainfall intensity on the water quality of the Fengyu River Watershed in the plateau agricultural region, based on the water quality monitoring data of the export section of the Fengyu River Watershed from 2011 to 2013, combined with local rainfall monitoring. The effects of four rainfall intensities (light rain, moderate rain, heavy rain, and torrential rain) on the content of different nitrogen and phosphorus components in water were analyzed. The results show that the rainfall intensity has a significant effect on the nitrogen and phosphorus emissions of the Fengyu River Watershed. The average nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations of all components are lower in light rain (<10 mm) and moderate rain (10-25 mm), and higher in heavy rain (25-50 mm) and torrential rain (50-100 mm). The percentage of NH4+-N (57.14%-76.85%) to TN is larger than that of PN (23.15%-42.86%), and the percentage of TDP (22.73%-28.00%) to TP is smaller than that of PP (72.00%-77.27%). The nitrogen concentration of different forms is:TN > NH4+-N > PN; the phosphorus concentration of different forms is:TP > PP > TDP.

[Characteristics of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Concentration Dynamics in Natural Ditches Under an Irrigation-Drainage Unit in the Jianghan Plain].

The paddy field in Jianghan Plain usually exists in the form of an irrigation-drainage unit, and the natural ditch is the main part of the unit. A continuous in situ monitoring of the natural ditch water level and water quality through the entire rice growing season in 2015 was conducted to investigate the dynamics of ditch water level and nitrogen and phosphorus concentration in the ditch. Another objective was to determine the effect of these factors. Results showed that during the entire rice growing season, the ditch water depth was maintained between 30 to 70 cm, and the water depth was higher during irrigation events than during rainfall events. Fertilization was the main factor affecting the nitrogen concentration in the ditch water. Two peaks of total nitrogen (TN) concentration appeared on June 18 and July 30 because of topdressing. In the early stage of rice growing, ammonia nitrogen (NH4+-N) concentration was higher than that of nitrate nitrogen (NO3--N). External disturbances (such as rainfall and irrigation events) were the main factors affecting the total phosphorus (TP) concentration in the ditch water. The dynamic of TP concentration in the ditch water was large, and it was consistent with that of the particulate phosphorus (PP) concentration. Drainage of the irrigation-drainage was mainly controlled artificially. The period from rice transplanting to 3 days after the first top dressing was critical in preventing the outflow of ditch water. During the rice harvest stage, the TN and TP concentration were 0.22 and 0.06 mg·L-1, and the water quality reached theⅡclass standard for surface water quality. This reduced the risk from drainage from the irrigation-drainage unit to the surrounding water environment.

Oxidative stress and hepatotoxicity of Rana chensinensis exposed to low doses of octylphenol.

This study investigated the effects of low doses of octylphenol (OP) on the oxidative stress and hepatotoxicity in amphibian liver. The frog, Rana chensinensis, were exposed to 10-8, 10-7, 10-6 mol/L OP for 10, 20 and 30 days. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in liver were reduced at first, then recovered slightly, and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) were increased significantly. Histopathology showed that in some liver tissues of OP treated frogs, the hematococoel expansion, the fat accumulation, the cytoplasmic vacuolization and even hepatocyte necrosis were present. Ultrastructure revealed that there were lipid droplet accumulation, mitochondria deformation and nuclear condensation in some hepatocytes. These results confirm that low doses OP exposure can give rise to oxidative stress in the liver of frogs, reduce antioxidant enzymes activities, lead to partial organelles damage in hepatocyte and the fat accumulate in hepatic tissue.

[Impact of Human Activities on Net Anthropogenic Nitrogen Inputs (NANI) at Township Scale in Erhai Lake Basin].

Excessive nitrogen inputs from human activities have become the main cause of water eutrophication and related ecological hazards. In order to study the impact of human activities on nitrogen in the basin, and based on statistical data of administrative units in 16 towns and villages, this study used the NANI model to calculate net anthropogenic nitrogen inputs (NANI) at township scale in Erhai Lake basin. Results show that the total amount of NANI in Erhai Lake basin was 29.81×103 t in 2014, and nitrogen input intensity per unit area was 10986 kg·(km2·a)-1, significantly higher than the national average. The input of nitrogen from food by the local tourist population was 0.26×103 t, accounting for 8% of local food nitrogen input. Nitrogen input from chemical fertilizer is the largest NANI input source, accounting for 47% of net nitrogen input in the basin, followed by net nitrogen input of food and feed. The spatial distribution of NANI at township scale shows evident regionalization, with higher values in the north and lower values in the south of the basin. The intensity of NANI in towns with cropland or population is high. The corresponding risk of nitrogen pollution in Erhai Lake basin is therefore a primary concern, and will remain so in the near future.

[Using diagnosis relative groups mortality risk classification to assess medical quality].

OBJECTIVE: To introduce diagnosis related groups to assess the medical quality and try to establish an effective quality evaluation approach. METHODS: Using Australia-Refined Diagnosis Related Groups, version 5.0 (AR-DRGs v5.0) to classify the 160 000 discharged cases from 7 large hospitals in Beijing in 2005. Based on this, mortality risk classification was established to adjust the whole-hospital risks. And then hospital mortality of all the risk groups from each hospital was calculated respectively, which was used as the basic quality assessment criterion. The differences between the assessment results from using the raw hospital mortality and from using Diagnosis Relative Groups Mortality Risk Classification (DRGs-MRC) were compared. RESULTS: (1) The risk types were different among the discharged cases in different hospitals; (2) The assessment results from these two approaches about No.6 hospital were similar in that No.6 hospital had a good quality performance; (3) The raw hospital mortality was the lowest in No.2 hospital (0.98%), but the mortality of low risk group in this hospital was higher than the average level of the same risk group among these 7 hospitals; the status of No.5 hospital was much the same. CONCLUSION: Compared with raw hospital mortality, DRGs-MRC improved the comparability of cases and the reliability of the assessment result.

DHPAC, a novel synthetic microtubule destabilizing agent, possess high anti-tumor activity in vincristine-resistant oral epidermoid carcinoma in vitro and in vivo.

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is one of major obstacles to effective chemotherapeutic treatment of cancer. This study showed that DHPAC, 2-(6-ethoxy-3-(3-ethoxyphenylamino) -1-methyl-1,4-dihydroindeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-7-yloxy) acetamide, a novel compound that binds to the same site on microtubules as colchicine, has high anti-tumour activity in vincristine-resistant oral epidermoid carcinoma (KB/V) cells. It found that the presence of DHPAC strongly inhibited KB/V cell growth in vivo and in mice xenograft. The inhibitory effect of DHPAC is much stronger than that by colchicine in these KB/V cells (IC50: 64.4nM and 458.0nM respectively). Treatment of the cells with DHPAC induced cell apoptosis by reducing mitochondrial membrane potential and altered the expression of several apoptosis-related proteins such as Bcl-2, Bax, Caspase-9, Cytochrome c and PARP. DHPAC treatment also caused cell rest in G2/M phase by regulating of the expression of a number of cell cycle-related proteins (e.g. Cyclin B1, Cdc2, Cdc25b, Cdc25c, RSK2). Furthermore, DHPAC presence inhibits PTEN phosphorylation and PTEN/Akt/NF-κB signalling. Thus, DHPAC has potent anti-cancer activity in MDR tumuors and may be a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of vincristine-resistant human oral epidermoid carcinoma.

The anti-inflammatory effects of Morin hydrate in atherosclerosis is associated with autophagy induction through cAMP signaling.

SCOPE: Although the previous trials of inflammation have indicated that morin hydrate (MO) hold considerable promise, understanding the distinct mechanism of MO against inflammation remains a challenge. METHODS AND RESULTS: This study investigated the effect of MO in atherosclerosis in ApoE-/- mice and underlying cell signaling of MO effect in inflammation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Administration of MO significantly reduced serum lipid level, inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and ICAM-1), and atherosclerotic plaque formation in vivo. MO presence attenuated the expression of TNF-α-induced inflammatory cytokines (ICAM-1, COX-2, and MMP-9), and remarkably enhanced microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3 beta 2 (MAP1LC3B2) expression and sequestosome 1 (SQSTM1/p62) degradation in HUVECs. These MO effects were significantly prevented by the presence of autophagic inhibitors, 3-methyladenine (3-MA), or chloroquine (CQ), as well as siRNA suppression of ATG5 and BECN1. MO increased intracellular cAMP levels and activated cAMP-PKA-AMPK-SIRT1 signaling in vivo and in vitro. These changes resulted in increased expression of autophagy-related protein MAP1LC3B2 and decreased secretion of inflammatory cytokines (ICAM-1, COX-2, and MMP-9). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that anti-AS and anti-inflammatory effects of MO are largely associated with its induction of autophagy through stimulation of cAMP-PKA-AMPK-SIRT1 signaling pathway.

Rosiglitazone elevates sensitization of drug-resistant oral epidermoid carcinoma cells to vincristine by G2/M-phase arrest, independent of PPAR-γ pathway.

Rosiglitazone (ROSI), an oral antidiabetic agent, has been reported the anti-cancer properties recent years. In this paper, the potency of ROSI as a synergistic drug for vincristine (VCR) on resistant oral cancer cells was investigated. We found that ROSI potently enhanced the susceptibility of KB cells or KB/V cells to VCR in a dose manner and the synergy in KB/V cells was much more prominent than that in KB cells. The synergistic anti-proliferative effect of ROSI and VCR was associated with inhibition on tubulin polymerization, cell cycle arrest in G2/M phase and cell apoptosis induction, but has no effect on drug efflux-protein P-gp and was independent with PPARγ. The combination treatment of ROSI and VCR could regulate the PTEN/PI3K/AKT survival pathway with an upregulation of PTEN and down-regulation of p-AKT. The effect of G2/M phase arrest was associated with the upregulation of cyclin B1 and downregulation of p-cdc2. The apoptosis induction of ROSI and VCR was partly due to an upregulation of cleaved PARP and downregulation of Bcl-2/Bax ratio. In addition, combination treatment of ROSI and VCR had also shown anti-angiogenic effect by suppressing the migration and blocking the capillary tube formation of HUVECs. More importantly, this combination treatment induced an acceptably weak cytotoxicity in human normal HL-7702 cells, GES-1 cells and HUVECs. Taken together, ROSI may be used as a potential compound for combinatorial therapy or as a complement to VCR for treatment on oral cancer, especially on that have acquired resistance to VCR therapy.

Free perforating branch flap for primary repairing the huge soft-tissue defects on the scalp and face.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the effect of free perforating branch flap on the reconstruction of huge soft-tissue defects on the scalp and face. METHODS: Sixteen cases of huge soft-tissue defects on the scalp and face were reconstructed by nine latissimus dorsi-free perforator flaps and seven anterolateral thigh-free perforator flaps. The defects area was from 12 cm× 7 cm to 20 cm × 11 cm, while the flaps area was from 14 cm × 8 cm to 23 cm × 12 cm. The survival, planeness, chromatic aberration, radiotherapy toleration of flap and the function, scar of donor site were observed postoperatively. RESULT: All of the flaps were survived completely, and 15 cases presented for primary reconstruction; one underwent secondary reconstruction. One of the patients died one-year postoperatively due to intracranial tumor recurrence and the others had no recurrence. All of the flaps showed perfect shape and appropriate thickness. No roentgen ulcer was observed except for some extent of chromatic aberration. The donor-site scar was larvaceous and the function was good. CONCLUSION: This study indicated that the latissimus dorsi-free perforator flap or anterolateral thigh-free perforator flap was an ideal choice for the reconstruction of defects on the scalp and face.

[Early intravenous thrombolysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator for acute cerebral infarction].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) and to explore the most suitable dosage of rt-PA in the early treatment of the Chinese patients with acute cerebral infarction (ACI). METHODS: The patients who suited for the standard were divided into three groups. Group A received rt-PA at 0.9 mg/kg, group B received rt-PA at 0.7 mg/kg, and group C did not receive any thrombolytic therapy. In thrombolytic groups, rt-PA at 8 mg was injected intravenously in a bolus at first and then the rest was given over 60 minutes. The maximal dosage was 90 mg. The Chinese stroke scale (CSS) and Barthel Index (BI) were used to evaluate the recovery of neurological functions after rt-PA treatment for 24 hours and 90 days. The hemorrhagic rate and 30 days mortality rate were also analysed. RESULTS: In group A the CSS significant effective rate was 41.18 percent at 24 hours and 76.47 percent at 90 days after thrombolysis. At 90 days BI significant effective rate was 58.82 percent. At 30 days hemorrhagic rate was 8.82 percent and mortality rate was 5.88 percent. In group B, the CSS significant effective rate was 39.39 percent at 24 hours and 69.70 percent at 90 days. At 90 days, BI significant effective rate was 54.55 percent, and at 30 days, hemorrhagic rate was 9.09 percent and mortality rate was 9.09 percent. In group C, the CSS significant effective rate was 21.21 percent, at 24 hours and 30.30 percent at 90 days (P>0.05). At 90 days, BI was 21.21 percent the mortality rate was 9.09 percent. At 30 days the mortality rate was no significant difference within three groups At 90 days, significant effective rate was 73.13 percent vs. 30.30 percent in thrombolytic and control groups (P=0.001 7). The significant disability rate was 13.43 percent vs. 24.24 percent. CONCLUSION: For Chinese individuals, with ACI, rt-PA thrombolysis was effective and safe. The dosage of 0.9 mg/kg for foreign people also fitted for Chinese individuals.

Preparation and properties of plasma electrolytic oxidation coating on sandblasted pure titanium by a combination treatment.

Plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) is one of the most applicable methods to produce bioceramic coating on a dental implant and sandblasting is a primary technique to modify metal surface properties. This study aims to deposit bioceramic Ca- and P-containing coatings on sandblasted commercially pure titanium by PEO technique to improve its bioactive performance. The time-dependent modified surfaces are characterized in terms of their microstructure, phase, chemical composition, mechanical properties and bioactivities. The results show that the combination-treated coating exhibits better properties than the PEO-treated one, especially in bioactivities, as evidenced by the HA formation after immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF) for 5 days and the cell viability after seeding for 1 or 3 days. The enhancement of the modified surface is attributed to a combination of the mechanical sandblasting and the microplasma oxidation.

DLJ14, a novel chemo-sensitization agent, enhances therapeutic effects of adriamycin against MCF-7/A cells both in vitro and in vivo.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the chemo-sensitization of a ligustrazine derivate, (E)-2-(2, 4-dimethoxystyryl)-3, 5, 6-trimethylpyrazine (DLJ14) on Adriamycin (Adr, Wanle, Shenzhen, China)-resistant human breast cancer (MCF-7/A) cells both in vivo and in vitro. METHODS: The antitumour effects of DLJ14 and Adr was observed in MCF-7/A cells by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay in vitro and was evaluated by MCF-7/A xenografts in nude mice. The intracellular Adr accumulation was assessed by mean fluorescence intensity of Adr. The messenger RNA level of glutathione (GSH) S-transferase (GST)π in MCF-7/A cells was determined by real-time reverse transcription PCR assay. The expression of GSTπ, c-jun NH2 -terminal kinase (JNK) and phosphor-JNK (p-JNK) was detected by Western blotting method. KEY FINDINGS: The MTT results showed that DLJ14 exhibited a weak inhibition on proliferation of both MCF-7 and MCF-7/A cells, in contrast with the strong inhibition of verapamil. When DLJ14 is combined with Adr, the inhibitory effect on MCF-7/A cells and MCF-7/A xenografts was enhanced significantly through increasing intracellular accumulation of Adr by inhibition of GSH level and the activity of GSH peroxidase and GST. Moreover, DLJ14 could downregulate the expression of GSTπ and increase the expression of JNK and p-JNK in MCF-7/A cells or in xenografts. CONCLUSION: DLJ14 is a promising chemo-sensitization candidate for the reversal of multidrug resistance in cancers.