[Silencing MSH3 expression enhances cisplatin sensitivity of human tongue cancer cells].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of MSH3 knock-down on sensitivity of tongue cancer cells to cisplatin. METHODS: Three small interfering RNA (siRNA) fragments targeting MSH3 CDS region were synthesized and transfected into CAL27 cells via Lipofectamine. Real-time PCR and Western blotting were used to assess the efficiency of MSH3 silencing. MTS, apoptosis staining and cell immunofluorescence assay were used to examine the cisplatin sensitivity, apoptosis and DNA repair of transfected CAL27 cells. RESULTS: s One of the 3 siRNAs was found to significantly reduce the expression of MSH3 protein in CAL27 cells (P<0.05). MTS assay showed that MSH3 silencing resulted in an significant reduction of IC50 of cisplatin from 21.32 to 13.95 µmol/L (P<0.05) and increased the apoptotic index of the exposed cells from 4.23∓1.27 to 11.32∓1.82 (P<0.05). Immunofluorescence assay demonstrated that silencing MSH3 markedly reduced the number of γ-H2AX foci. CONCLUSION: Silencing MSH3 can significantly increase cisplatin sensitivity of tongue cancer cells, the mechanism of which involves mainly attenuation of repair of DNA double-strand damage in the cells.

Health status, intention to seek health examination, and participation in health education among taxi drivers in jinan, china.

BACKGROUND: Taxi drivers are exposed to various risk factors such as work overload, stress, an irregular diet, and a sedentary lifestyle, which make these individuals vulnerable to many diseases. This study was designed to assess the health status of this occupational group. OBJECTIVES: The objective was to explore the health status, the intention to seek health examination, and participation in health education among taxi drivers in Jinan, China. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The sample-size was determined scientifically. The systematic sampling procedure was used for selecting the sample. Four hundred taxi drivers were randomly selected from several taxi companies in Jinan. In total, 396 valid questionnaires (from 370 males and 26 females) were returned. Health status, intention to seek health examination, and participation in health education were assessed by a self-designed questionnaire. Other personal information including sex, age, ethnicity, marital status, years of employment as a taxi driver, education level, and habits were also collected. RESULTS: This survey revealed that 54.8% of taxi drivers reported illness in the last two weeks and 44.7% of participants reported chronic diseases. The prevalence rates of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, gastroenteritis, arthritis, and heart disease were 18.2%, 8.8%, 26%, 18.4%, and 4.8% of questioned taxi drivers, respectively. Significant self-reported symptoms included fatigue, waist and back pain, headache, dyspepsia, and dry throat affecting 49.7%, 26.2%, 23.5%, 26%, and 27% of participants, respectively. In total, 90.1% of subjects thought that it was necessary to receive a regular health examination. Only 17.9% of subjects had been given information about health education, and significantly, more than 87% of subjects who had been given information about health education reported that the information had been helpful. CONCLUSIONS: Taxi drivers' health was poor in our survey. Thus, using health education interventions to improve knowledge and change in behaviors are necessary and effective programs that improve the health of individuals in this special occupational group are needed.

[Clinical analysis of peripheral branch evulsion of trigeminal nerves on treatment of trigeminal neuralgia:report of 136 cases].

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical effect of peripheral branch evulsion of trigeminal nerves on trigeminal neuralgia, especially on the aspect of odynolysis and recurrence. METHODS: 136 patients with trigeminal neuralgia underwent peripheral branch evulsion of trigeminal nerves were retrospectively reviewed with three years follow-up period. The odynolysis and recurrence of pain were observed. RESULTS: Excellent effect was obtained in one patient underwent branch I evulsion. Excellent, good, and no effect were obtained in 57.7% (45/78), 34.6% (27/78), and 7.7% (6/78) of patients underwent branch II evulsion, respectively, with the total effective rate of 92.3%. Excellent and good effect was obtained in 91.1% (82/91) and 8.9% (9/91) of patients underwent branch III evulsion, respectively, with the total effective rate of 100%. During the 3-year follow-up period, no pain recurrence occurred in the patient underwent branch I evulsion, pain recurrence occurred in 24 out of 68 patients underwent branch II evulsion, and in 3 out 72 patients underwent branch III evulsion. Furthermore, pain of branch II occurred in 6 patients underwent branch III evulsion, and pain of branch III occurred in 2 patients underwent branch II evulsion. CONCLUSIONS: The factors of pain recurrence and odynolysis are complicated. Clinically incomplete evulsion may be the main factor. Standard criteria are necessary for identification of pain recurrence and ectopic pain. Electrothermal treatment though infraorbital foramen, buccal nerve evulsion, and ligation of broken nerve are effective to treat odynolysis and pain recurrence.