[Retrospective analysis of 273 benign fibro osseous lesionsin the sinus and maxillofacial region]

Objective:To compare and analyze the incidence, clinical features ,imaging features, the preoperative serum alkalinosis phosphatase (ALP) and recurrence rates of osteoma, ossifying fibroma (OF), and fibrous dysplasia (FD) in sinus and maxillofacial benign fibrosis (FOLS). Method: The 273 cases of FOLS with paranasal sinus and maxillofacial region in our hospital, among which there were 153 cases of osteoma, 44 cases of OF, and 76 cases of FD, were reviewed retrospectively and were follow-up for 6 months to 5 years. The incidence, gender, age, lesion location, preoperative serum ALP levels and recurrence rate of different lesions were analyzed and compared. Result:Most Osteoma occurred in paranasal sinus (72.5%),among which the most common part was ethmoid sinus (50.3%) and followed by the frontal sinus (22.1%),the ratio of female to male was 2:1,and there were 27 cases (17.7%) accompanied by sinusitis.None of the patients relapsed. Most OF occurred in the maxillofaCIal bone (65.9%) and most of the lesions were monostotic (75.0%).For those occurred in the paranasal sinuses,the ethmoid sinus (27.3%)were the most common part than others. The ratio of femal to male was almost 1∶1 and there were 12 cases (27.3%) accompanied by sinusitis. The recurrence rate of the OF was 13.6%.Most FD occured in maxillofacial bone (64.5%) were the monostotic form(64.5%) ,and in which the most common part was the maxilla (50.0%). While,most of those occurred in the paranasal sinuses were the polyostotic ones,and sphenoid sinus (34.2%) were the most common parts.The ratio of femal to male was almost 1∶1 and there were 10 cases (13.2%) accompanied by sinusitis. 12 cases relapsed (14.5%),and there were 9 cases (75.0%) acceptted the first surgery before the age of 20.The average age of onset among Osteoma［(40.7±14.55)y］,OF［(28.0±17.9)y］ and FD［(20.32±15.2)y］ were significant different (P<0.01).The preoperative serum ALP content among Osteoma［(68.3±24.1)U/L, OF(130.1±107.0) U/L and FD were (127.7±78.7) U/L significant different(P<0.01).Nevertheless,there were no differences of the preoperative serum ALP content between the monostotic and polyostotic in OF cases［(117.2±92.6) U/L,(168.7±140.1) U/L respectively,( P>0.01)］,as well as that between FD cases［(122.2±82.9) U/L, (137.7±70.7) U/L (P>0.01)］. Conclusion:The differences of the inCIdence,the age of onset,leision location,preoperative serum ALP content and reccurence rate among Osteoma,OF and FD are statistically significant.Surgery is the most effective treatment at present.

[Individualized treatment of chronic pharyngitis and its clinical significance]

Objective:Analysis of the etiology of chronic pharyngitis. Study on the individualized therapeutic effect of chronic pharyngitis caused by different causes and its clinical significance.Method:One hundred and sixty-eight cases of chronic pharyngitis in our department from October 2016 to December 2017.It was divided into the experimental group and the control group,2 groups of patients were evaluated by questionnaire.According to clinical manifestations and etiologies,the experimental group was divided into chronic naso pharyngitis,32 cases, pharyngology and reflux related chronic pharyngitis,36 cases,OSAHS related chronic pharyngitis,30 cases, and allergic chronic pharyngitis,30 cases.Individualized treatment in each group,40 cases in control group were given symptomatic treatment. The effect of two groups was compared.Result:There was no significant difference in the total score of the groups before the treatment（P> 0.05）.After treatment,the total score of the 2 groups was reduced（P< 0.05）.The reduction of the experimental groups were significantly higher than that of the control group（P< 0.05）.The total effective rate and effective rate of the experimental groups were significantly higher than that of the control group（P< 0.05）.Conclusion:The individualized treatment of chronic pharyngitis is better than the traditional treatment of chronic pharyngitis.It has important guiding significance in clinical treatment.

[Clinical analysis of 872 cases with epistaxis and application of hypothermy plasma]

Objective:To explore the best method to cure nasal bleeding based upon the patients age, complications, bleeding reasons, bleeding site. Method:A retrospective study of 872 patients with a diagnosis of nasal bleeding in our hospital.The location of bleeding was determined according to the specialized examination,nasal endoscopy and surgical exploration, and the reasons of epistaxis and its characteristics were also analyzed according to the history, biochemical examination, physical examination, imaging examination. Result:The case number significantly increased with age. The main reason for nasal bleeding were deviation of nasal septum, hypertension, taking anticoagulant drugs, vascular tumor and diabetes mellitus. The main bleeding sites are the unknown parts, the olfactory cleft, little area, meatus nasi inferior, basis nasi and spur. The main methods for the treatment of nosebleed are endoscopic surgery and nasal packing. Conclusion:Because of the different nasal bleeding reasons and bleeding sites among individuals, individualized treatment methods are required to cure nasal bleeding. With the advantages of the clear vision, accurate location, fast stop bleeding,endoscopic method has become the first treatment for nosebleed.

Effects of indole alkaloids from leaf of Alstonia scholaris on post-infectious cough in mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Leaf of Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br. (Apocynaceae), a wide used ethic-medicine in many Asia and Africa counties, has also been recorded as the common traditional Chinese medicine for treatment of illnesses in respiratory system by Dai people.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To provide experimental data of clinical adaption of total indole alkaloids (TA) from leaf of A. scholaris for treating post-infectious cough in phase II clinical trial.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To model post-infectious cough, all animals except control group were instilled intra-tracheal with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (80 μg/50 µL/mouse), followed by subsequent exposure to cigarette smoke (CS) for 30 min per day for a total of 30 days. Mice were orally given TA at dose of 10, 25, 50 mg/kg, and four main alkaloids (Sch: scholaricine, Epi: 19-epischolaricine, Val: vallesamine, Pic: picrinine) once daily. Cellular infiltration was assessed in the broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in the serum was determined, the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the serum and homogenate were examined. Finally, histopathological examination in the lungs was assessed by H. E. staining.

RESULTS

After administration of TA and four major alkaloids respectively, the symptoms of cough in mice were obviously attenuated. Total white blood cells (WBC) and neutrophils (NEU) amounts in BALF were reduced obviously and the pathological damage of lung was also attenuated. There was also significant reduction in IL-6, CRP, MDA and a marked improvement in SOD.

CONCLUSIONS

The efficacy of indole alkaloids against post-infectious cough (PIC) was shown in the down-regulation of inflammatory cells, cytokines, and the balance of antioxidants. What's more, the pharmacological effects of TA were better than single indole alkaloid, which might be related to the synergic effect of four major alkaloids.

[Effect of NCCN (2015) risk stratification on prognosis of patients with acute myeloid leukemia after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation]

Objective: To analyze the effect of NCCN (2015) risk stratification on prognosis of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) . Methods: Retrospective analysis of 258 patients with AML in CR (186 cases in CR(1), 72 cases in CR(2)) who underwent allogeneic HSCT in our hospital between April 2012 and March 2015 according to NCCN (2015) risk stratification. Of them, 63 cases were classified as low risk, 112 cases intermediate risk and 83 cases high risk. Results: ①With the median follow up of 18 (5-41) months, two-year disease free surviva (DFS) in 258 patients was 78.0% (95% CI 60.4%-96.6%) . Two-year DFS in AML after transplantation was 78.6% (95% CI 61.0%-96.2%) in low risk, 76.0% (95% CI 84.0%-93.6%) in intermediate risk and 80.3% (95% CI 62.7%-97.9%) (P=0.886) in high risk groups respectively. ②Univariate analysis showed that DFS has no significant difference in patient age, the median disease course before HSCT, the WBC number at the beginning of the disease, blood routine and chromosomes examination before transplantation, extramedullary disease before transplantation, disease status before transplantation, conditioning regimen, donor type, donor and recipient sex, recipient blood type, transfused MNC number, transfused CD34(+) cell number and transfused CD3(+) cell number. DFS was significant lower in primary AML than that in secondary AML (P=0.006) and also lower in MRD positive than that in MRD negative (P=0.003) . The accumulative relapse was significant higher in CR(2) compared to that in CR(1) (P=0.046) . Accumulative non-relapse mortality (NRM) was significanlyt higher in secondary AML compared to that in primary AML (P=0.004) and also higher in MRD positive compared to that in MRD negative (P=0.010) . ③Multivariate analysis showed that MRD positive was the only significant factor in DFS and NRM. Conclusion: Allo-HSCT treatment of AML CR patients could achieve a high efficacy, which is similar between CR(1) and CR(2) patients. There is no significant correlation between NCCN (2015) risk stratification and the prognosis of AML patients with allo-HSCT treatment. Pre-conditioning MRD status monitored by multiparameter flow cytometry was the only impact factor on DFS and NRM in allo-HSCT for CR-AML patients.

[Effect of minimal residual disease monitoring by multiparameter flow cytometry pre-conditioning on prognosis of acute myeloid leukemia after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation]

目的

分析预处理前多参数流式细胞术（MFC）监测的骨髓微小残留病（MRD）对急性髓系白血病（AML）异基因造血干细胞移植（allo-HSCT）预后的影响，探讨MFC监测MRD在AML allo-HSCT预后评估中的价值。

方法

回顾性分析2012年4月至2015年3月行allo-HSCT的186例AML患者，预处理前骨髓细胞形态学均达第1次完全缓解（CR₁）。采用8色MFC对预处理前骨髓进行MRD检测，任何水平异常均定义为MRD阳性。

结果

①186例AML患者中151例MRD阴性；35例MRD阳性，其中25例MRD<1%，10例MRD为1%~3%。②2年总体无病生存（DFS）率为80.0%（95% CI 68.5%~92.3%）。与MRD阴性组比较，MRD阳性组DFS率低[62.9%（95% CI 50.6%~75.2%）对88.9%（95%CI 76.6%~100.0%），P<0.001]、复发率高[11.4%（95%CI 4.1%~29.0%）对3.3%（95%CI 0.6%~20.9%），P=0.003]、非复发死亡率（NRM）高[25.7%（95%CI 8.1%~43.3%）对7.9%（95%CI 1.3%~26.5%），P=0.001]。继发性AML组DFS率低（P=0.004），NRM高（P=0.003）。③多因素分析结果显示预处理前MFC检测的MRD阳性是DFS[HR=4.565（95%CI 2.918~9.482），P<0.001]、复发[HR=5.854（95% CI 1.538~22.288），P=0.010]及非复发死亡[HR=3.379（95%CI 1.361~8.391），P=0.009]的独立危险因素。

结论

预处理前MFC监测的MRD阳性是影响allo-HSCT治疗CR₁-AML独立危险因素，MFC监测MRD可用于AML allo-HSCT的预后评估。

Pharmacokinetic changes induced by focused ultrasound in glioma-bearing rats using dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI measurement

It has been shown that focused ultrasound (FUS) can be effectively used for brain tumor therapy, and as a noninvasive, targeted drug delivery technique combined with microbubbles. In this study, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to measure the kinetics of Gadolinium diethylenetriamine Penta acetic acid (Gd-DTPA) in glioma-bearing rats. Ten glioma-bearing rats (9-12 weeks, 290-340 g weight) were used in the study. After the use of dynamic contrast enhancement (DCE)-MRI, the spatial permeability of FUS-induced blood-brain barrier disruption (BBB-D) was evaluated, and the kinetic parameters by the general kinetic model (GKM) were calculated. The results show that mean trans K of the contralateral tumor was significantly lower than the mean trans K of sonicated tumor. Moreover, the transfer constant trans K in ultrasound tumors was closely related to tissue extravasation (R = 0.95), suggesting that DCE-MRI can determine drug accumulation in the brain. Except for a few small red blood cell extravasations, there was no macroscopic damage according to the histologic analysis. The study showed that the DCE-MRI can be a valuable tool in quantifying BBB permeability in tumors and monitor the kinetics of FUS-induced BBB-D processes.

[Topoisomerase inhibitor upregulates MICA/B expression in breast cancer cells through ATM/ATR and NF-κB pathway]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of chemotherapeutic agents widely used in clinical practice on major histocompatibility complex class I-related chain A and B (MICA/B) expression in breast cancer cells, and to explore the molecular mechanisms involved.

METHODS

We examined MICA/B mRNA and surface protein expressions in breast cancer cells treated with chemotherapeutic agents by real-time RT-PCR and flow cytometry respectively. The blocking effects of ataxia telangiectasia mutated and Rad3-related kinase (ATM/ATR) inhibitor caffeine and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) inhibitor pynolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) on etoposide-upregulated MICA/B mRNA and surface protein expressions were investigated. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) was taken to investigate whether etoposide enhanced the binding of NF-κB to MICA/B gene promoter.

RESULTS

Three topoisomerase inhibitors etoposide, camptothecin and doxorubicine upregulated MICA and MICB mRNA expressions in breast cancer cell MCF-7. Comparing to no-drug-treated cells, MICA mRNA levels increased to (1.68±0.17), (2.54±0.25) and (3.42±0.15) fold, and levels of MICB mRNA increased to (1.82±0.24), (1.56±0.05) and (5.84±0.57) fold respectively in cancer cells treated by etoposide at the concentrations of 5, 20 and 100 μmol/L (P<0.05). MICA and MICB mRNA levels also increased significantly when MCF-7 cells were incubated with camptothecin or doxorubicine at the specific concentrations (P<0.05). MICB mRNA expression also increased slightly in another breast cancer cell SK-BR-3 treated by topoisomerase II inhibitors etoposide and camptothecin (P<0.05). Furthermore, etoposide and camptothecin upregulated MICA/B surface protein expression in MCF-7 cells (P<0.05), and the upregulation was found in both living and apoptotic cells. Our study showed that etoposide induced-MICA/B expression in MCF-7 was inhibited by caffeine at different concentrations. When cancer cells were treated by caffeine with 1, 5 and 10 mmol/L, MICA mRNA levels decreased from (3.75±0.25) to (0.89±0.05), (0.81±0.02) and (0.48±0.04) fold respectively (P<0.001), and MICB mRNA levels decreased from (6.85±0.35) to (1.36±0.13), (0.76±0.06) and (0.56±0.03) fold (P<0.05), while MICA/B protein levels decreased from (3.42±0.05) to (1.32±0.03), (1.21±0.06) and (1.14±0.03) fold (P<0.001), indicating that etoposide-induced MICA/B expression was inhibited by ATM/ATR inhibitor. Similarly, NF-κB inhibitor PDTC also inhibited MICA/B mRNA and protein expressions induced by etoposide significantly when MCF-7 cells were incubated with PDTC at the concentrations of 10, 50 and 100 μmol/L (P<0.05), indicating that NF-κB was also involved in this process. EMSA showed that the binding of NF-κB to MICA/B promoter enhanced in MCF-7 cells after etoposide treatment.

CONCLUSION

Topoisomerase inhibitor increased MICA/B mRNA and protein expressions in breast cancer cells, indicating that chemotherapeutic agents might increase the recognizing and killing ability of immunocytes to breast cancer cells. ATM/ATR and NF-κB pathways might be involved in it.

[Study on sleep quality and related determinants among centenarians in Hainan province]

Objective: To investigate the sleep quality and related determinants among centenarians in Hainan. Methods: A cross-sectional study of centenarians from 16 cities/counties was carried out in Hainan province between June 2014 and June 2016. Data related to demography, chronic diseases and lifestyles of the centenarians were collected. Pittsburg sleep quality index (PSQI) was used to assess the quality of sleep while multivariable logistic Regression model was used to determine the risk factors on the quality of sleep. Results: Of the 730 centenarians in this study, 225 suffered from sleep disorders (30.8%). The average score of PSQI was (6.44±3.05), with the top three problems related to sleep as sleep inefficiency (48.5%), sleep latency (35.5%), and daytime dysfuntion (20.6%) among the centenarians. Results from the multivariate logistic analysis showed that incontinence, cardiovascular disease and chronic pain were risk factors, while habitual afternoon nap, and regular diet appeared as protective factors (P<0.05), related to sleep disorder. Conclusions: Quality of sleep had been a problem to the centenarians in Hainan. Intervention on risk factors of sleep disorder should be helpful on these centenarians.

Outbreak of mass mortality of yearling groupers of Epinephelus (Perciformes, Serranidae) associated with the infection of a suspected new enteric Sphaerospora (Myxozoa: Myxosporea) species in South China Sea

A suspected new enteric Sphaerospora species was believed to be directly associated with the mass mortality of yearling groupers of Epinephelus spp. in South China. The epizootic generally emerged from late September to late April of the following year. The infection prevalence and mortality rate were significantly negatively correlated with fish size. Clinical signs included anorexia, cachexia and extrusion of white pulp-like substance from anus after gentle pressure on the abdomen. Upon necropsy, severe intestinal oedema, thin and transparent intestinal wall, swollen spleen, kidney and gall bladder could be observed. Wet preparation of the infected samples showed large amount of typical disporous plasmodia of the genus Sphaerospora, but no mature spores were observed. Epidemiological investigation showed that this parasite exclusively infected Epinephelus groupers. Histopathologically, this species mainly infected the epithelium of intestine and kidney tubules and caused severe epithelia sloughing and the collapse of intestinal villus. Interestingly, this enteric myxosporidiosis did not cause severe emaciation of infected fish for mass mortality usually emerged within 2-3 days after appearance of clinical signs. The species was most genetically related to Sphaerospora fugu (89% sequence identity) and phylogenetically positioned within marine Sphaerospora lineage. This is the first report of enteric sphaerosporosis of groupers.

[Stratified sampling survey of major human parasitic diseases in Henan province]

Objective: To understand the prevalence of major human parasitic diseases and related factors in Henan province. Methods: This stratified sampling survey was carried out according to the requirement of national survey protocol of major human parasitic diseases, 2014-2015. The prevalence of soil-transmitted helminths infection, taeniasis and intestinal protozoiasis were surveyed in 104 sites selected from 35 counties (districts) and the prevalence of clonorchiasis was surveyed in 62 sites selected from 37 townships. In each survey spot, 250 persons were surveyed. A total of 26 866 persons and 15 893 persons were surveyed. Modified Kato-Katz thick smear was used to detect the eggs of intestinal helminthes. Tube fecal culture was used to identify the species of hookworm. The Enterobius eggs were detected in children aged 3 to 6 years by using adhesive tape. The cyst and trophozoite of intestinal protozoa were examined with physiological saline direct smear method and iodine stain method. Results: The overall infestation rate of intestinal parasites was2.02% in Henan, and the worm infection rate was higher than protozoa infection rate. Fourteen kinds of intestinal parasites were found, including nematode (5 species), trematode (2 species), and protozoan (7 species). The infection rate of Enterobius vermicularis was highest, and Qinba Mountain ecological area had the highest infestation rate of intestinal parasites in 4 ecological areas of Henan. There was no significant difference in intestinal parasite infection rate between males and females (χ(2)=3.630, P=0.057), and the differences in intestinal parasite infection rate among different age groups had significance (χ(2)=124.783, P=0.000 1). The infection rate reached the peak in age group ≤9 years and the major parasite was Enterobius vermicularis. Furthermore the overall human infection rate of parasite showed a downward trend with the increase of educational level of the people (χ(2)=70.969, P=0.000 1), the differences had significance (χ(2)=120.118, P=0.000 1). For different populations, the infection rate of intestinal parasites was highest among preschool children. The infection of intestinal helminth was mainly mild, only 2 severe cases were detected. The infection rate of Clonorchis sinensis in urban residents was only 0.006%. Logistic regression analysis showed that being preschool children (χ(2)=15.765, P=0.000 1) and drinking well water (χ(2)=45.589, P=0.000 1) were the risk factors for intestinal parasite infection, and annual income per capita of farmers was the protective factor against intestinal parasite infection. The infection rates of protozoa and intestinal parasites decreased sharply compared with the results of previous two surveys, and the rate of intestinal helminth infection also dropped sharply compared with the second survey. The numbers of protozoa, helminth and intestinal parasites detected in this survey were all less than the numbers found in the previous two surveys. Conclusions: Compared the results of three surveys in Henan, the infection rate of protozoa and intestinal parasites showed a downward trend. The prevention and treatment of Enterobius vermicularis infection in children should be the key point of parasitic disease control in the future.

[Comparison of the efficacies of cross priming amplification and RealAmp with XpertMTB/RIF for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis at peripheral microscopic center]

Objective: To compare the efficacies of cross priming amplification (CPA) and RealAmp with XpertMTB/RIF for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis(TB) at peripheral microscopic centers. Methods: From December of 2014 to December of 2015, 3 193 patients suspected with TB were enrolled consecutively at 3 county level TB clinical clinics in Zhongmu, Xinmi and Dengzhou of Henan province. Totally 3 193 collected sputum samples were detected by smear microscopy, L-J media culture, CPA, RealAmp and Xpert MTB/RIF. The culture positive samples were tested by MPB64 for strain identification. The sensitivity and specificity of CPA, RealAmp and Xpert MTB/RIF were calculated according to L-J solid culture results and clinical diagnosis results. Results: The sensitivity of CPA, RealAmp and Xpert MTB/RIF were 85.5%(413/483), 85.5%(413/483) and 87.9%(422/480), respectively, compared with L-J solid culture, the difference among the 3 methods being not significant(χ(2)=1.6, P>0.05). The specificity of CPA, RealAmp and Xpert MTB/RIF were 96.8%(2 624/2 170), 93.2%(2 527/2 170) and 95.3%(2 567/2 170) compared with culture; and there was a significantly statistic difference among the 3 methods(χ(2)=37.8, P<0.001). The sensitivity of smear microscopy, culture, CPA, RealAmp and Xpert MTB/RIF was 21.7%(300/1 383), 34.9%(483/1 383), 34.6%(478/1 383), 39.2%(542/1 383) and 38.1%(526/1 381) compared with clinical diagnosis. The sensitivity of CPA, RealAmp and Xpert MTB/RIF was higher than that of smear (χ(2) =31.9, P<0.01), but there was no significantly statistic difference between the 3 molecular methods(χ(2)=2.9, P>0.05). The specificity of smear microscopy, L-J solid culture, CPA, RealAmp and Xpert MTB/RIF was 100%(1 810/1 810), 100%(1 810/1 810), 98.8%(1 789/1 810), 98.8%(1 756/1 810) and 97.0%(1 788/1 810), and there was no significantly statistic difference among the 3 molecular methods(χ(2)=0.16, P>0.05). Conclusion: The capability of CPA and RealAmp for diagnosing pulmonary TB was similar to Xpert MTB/RIF.The former 2 methods were more suitable to apply to the diagnoses of pulmonary TB in peripheral laboratories.

A MEMS SOI-based piezoresistive fluid flow sensor

In this paper, a SOI (silicon-on-insulator)-based piezoresistive fluid flow sensor is presented; the presented flow sensor mainly consists of a nylon sensing head, stainless steel cantilever beam, SOI sensor chip, printed circuit board, half-cylinder gasket, and stainless steel shell. The working principle of the sensor and some detailed contrastive analysis about the sensor structure were introduced since the nylon sensing head and stainless steel cantilever beam have distinct influence on the sensor performance; the structure of nylon sensing head and stainless steel cantilever beam is also discussed. The SOI sensor chip was fabricated using micro-electromechanical systems technologies, such as reactive ion etching and low pressure chemical vapor deposition. The designed fluid sensor was packaged and tested; a calibration installation system was purposely designed for the sensor experiment. The testing results indicated that the output voltage of the sensor is proportional to the square of the fluid flow velocity, which is coincident with the theoretical derivation. The tested sensitivity of the sensor is 3.91 × 10^-4 V ms²/kg.

Indole Alkaloids Inhibiting Neural Stem Cell from Uncaria rhynchophylla

Uncaria rhynchophylla is commonly recognized as a traditional treatment for dizziness, cerebrovascular diseases, and nervous disorders in China. Previously, the neuro-protective activities of the alkaloids from U. rhynchophylla were intensively reported. In current work, three new indole alkaloids (1-3), identified as geissoschizic acid (1), geissoschizic acid N ₄-oxide (2), and 3β-sitsirikine N ₄-oxide (3), as well as 26 known analogues were isolated from U. rhynchophylla. However, in the neural stem cells (NSCs) proliferation assay for all isolated compounds, geissoschizic acid (1), geissoschizic acid N ₄-oxide (2), isocorynoxeine (6), isorhynchophylline (7), (4S)-akuammigine N-oxide (8), and (4S)-rhynchophylline N-oxide (10) showed unexpected inhibitory activities at 10 μM. Unlike previous neuro-protective reports, as a warning or caution, our finding showcased a clue for possible NSCs toxicity and the neural lesions risk of U. rhynchophylla, while the structure-activity relationships of the isolated compounds were discussed also.

[Prenatal exposure to outdoor air pollution and preterm birth: a Meta-analysis]

OBJECTIVE

To assess the association between exposure to prenatal outdoor air pollution and preterm birth to provide evidence in setting up programs for prevention on premature birth.

METHODS

Case-control studies regarding association between pregnant exposure to outdoor air pollution and preterm birth were collected. Data were analyzed with Stata 12.0.

RESULTS

Ten articles including 48 556 cases and 548 495 controls were qualified for inclusion. RESULTS from Meta-analyses showed pooled ORs for exposure to NO2, PM10, CO, PM2.5, and NO during the entire pregnancy were 0.960 (95%CI: 0.935-0.985), 1.068 (95%CI: 1.035-1.103), 1.122 (95%CI: 1.078-1.168), 1.110 (95% CI: 1.043-1.181) and 0.994 (95% CI: 0.973-1.016). Association between air pollution and preterm birth varied with the periods of exposure. Pooled ORs for NO2, PM10 and SO2 exposure during the first trimester were 1.117 (95%CI: 1.052-1.186), 0.968 (95%CI: 0.812-1.153) and 1.258 (95%CI: 0.758-2.089). Pooled ORs for NO2, PM10, SO2 exposure during the second trimester were 1.000 (95% CI: 0.982-1.019), 1.127 (95% CI: 0.896-1.416) and 0.977 (95% CI: 0.711-1.342). Pooled ORs for NO2, PM10, SO2 exposure during the third trimester were 1.006 (95%CI: 1.002-1.010), 1.053 (95% CI: 0.973-1.139) and 1.003 (95% CI: 1.000-1.006).

CONCLUSION

Exposures to PM10, CO and PM2.5 during the entire pregnancy, to NO2 during the first trimester, or to NO2 and SO2 during the third trimester were associated with preterm births.

Airways antiallergic effect and pharmacokinetics of alkaloids from Alstonia scholaris

BACKGROUND

Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br. (Apocynaceae), an important herbal medicine, has been widely used to treat respiratory tract diseases, such as cough, asthma, phlegm, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

PURPOSE

To evaluate pharmacological effect of alkaloids from A. scholaris on ovalbumin induced airways allergic inflammatory model, and explore whether the dosing frequency is related to pharmacokinetics.

STUDY DESIGN

After oral administration of total alkaloids, the pharmacokinetic study of it was investigated. In addition, anti-allergic studies were carried out on ovalbumin-sensitized airways allergic inflammatory model of mice.

METHODS

The pharmacokinetics of total alkaloids (TA) was investigated in SD rat plasma by a fully-validated LC-MS/MS method. Then, an ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized airways allergic inflammatory model was established, in which mice were intra-gastrically administrated by 3 times a day (8.3 and 16.7mg/kg) based on the pharmacokinetic behavior of TA) and single (25, 50mg/kg) treatment regimen. Dexamethasone was used as a positive control for corticosteroid drugs. Cellular infiltration was assessed in the broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Expressions of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in the BALF were determined, levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE) and eotaxin in serum were measured, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the serum and BALF were examined. Finally, histopathological examination in the lung was assessed by H. E. staining.

RESULTS

The time course of plasma concentration of 4 bioactive indole alkaloids fitted an open two-compartment model after oral administration of total alkaloids at doses of 10, 25, and 50mg/kg. The area under the curve and the maximum concentration values of four major alkaloids increased dose-dependently, and half-life suggested a short-lasting pharmacological effect. Then, an ovalbumin-provoked airways allergic inflammatory model indicated that the pharmacological effect of administration of total alkaloids 3 times a day was a little better than that of single dose daily. The percentage of eosinophils in BALF was reduced obviously and the pathological damage of lung was also attenuated. There was also a significant reduction in IL-4 and promotion in IL-10 in the BALF. Serum IgE and eotaxin expression also significantly decreased in treated animals. Furthermore, the activity of SOD elevated remarkably and lipid peroxidation product (MDA) decreased in the administrated mice.

CONCLUSION

The pharmacological effects administrated for 3 times a day had precedence over single dose daily, which was related to the prolonged retention time and the maintained plasma concentration. Moreover, scholaricine and vallesamine might be responsible for the treatment of allergic asthma, mainly in total alkaloids.

[Growth patterns of appropriate for gestational age infants of gestational diabetic mothers during the first year]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the growth pattern of appropriate for gestational age (AGA) infants of mother with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

METHODS

The objects of this study were offspring of women who delivered in our hospital from January to December 2011. The GDM group included 70 AGA infants (36 male cases and 34 female cases) of mother with GDM. The control group included 154 AGA infants (66 male cases and 88 female cases) of women with normal glucose tolerance. The data of demographic characteristics of mothers of two groups were collected. Body weight and length of infants in two groups were measured at 3, 6 and 12 months age respectively. Body mass index (BMI), weight and height gain during infancy (0-3 months, 3-6 months and 6-12 months) of infants in two groups were also calculated.

RESULTS

Body weight, length and BMI of male AGA infants in GDM group were less than that of control group at 3 months and 6 months age, but more than that of control group at 12 months age, however, there were no significant differences between two group(P>0.05). The weight and height gain during infancy (0-3 months, 3-6 months) of male AGA infants in GDM group were lower than that of control group, but the difference was statistically significant only at 3-6 months[(1.1±0.4) vs (1.4±0.4) kg, P=0.040; (4.9±2.3) vs (6.3±1.2) cm, P=0.026]. The weight and height gain during infancy (6-12 months) of male AGA infants of gestational diabetic mothers were higher than that of control group, but the difference was not statistically significant[(2.1±0.5) vs (1.8±0.5) kg, P=0.361; (8.4±1.3) vs (7.8±1.4) cm, P=0.464].

CONCLUSION

Male infants of gestational diabetic mothers grew slowly during their infancy of 0-6 months, and then their growth became increasingly fast, which suggested that the influence of intrauterine hyperglycemia environment of GDM mothers on fetal growth might continue after birth.

Redescription of Chloromyxum ellipticum Li & Nie, 1973 (Myxosporea: Chloromyxidae) infecting the gall bladder of grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idellus Valenciennes, 1844, supplemented by morphological and molecular characteristics

The traditional taxonomy of the genus Chloromyxum Mingazzini, 1890 has been intensively challenged to be paraphyletic by recent ribosomal DNA (rDNA)-based phylogenetic analysis. Undersampling to get rich sequence data to infer more scientific phylogenetic relationships makes scientists conservatively assign all non-marine elasmobranch-infecting species as Chloromyxum sensu lato. Although complex ridge pattern on the spore surface observed by scanning electron microscopy was thought to be critical for the identification of Chloromyxum species, insufficient data also prevent this ultrastructural data to be a valid taxonomic feature for this genus. It is especial for Chloromyxum species to be reported in China. Molecular and ultrastructural characteristics are yet available for all 22 Chloromyxum species recorded in China. During the investigation of the diversity of coelozoic fish myxosporeans, Chloromyxum ellipticum Li & Nie, 1973 was found to highly infect the gall bladder of Ctenopharyngodon idellus Valenciennes, 1844 in Poyang Lake watershed of Jiangxi province, Eastern China. Here, we redescribed it by the currently recommended holistic approach of combining morphological, ultrastructural, and molecular characteristics. Mature spores were found floating free in the gall bladder, but no plasmodium observed. Spores are typical freshwater teleost-infecting Chloromyxum species, spherical or subspherical in lateral view, measuring 7.7 ± 0.08 μm (6.9-9.1) in length, 6.3 ± 0.09 μm (5.6-7.6) in width, and 5.8 ± 0.20 μm (5.2-6.3) in thickness. Four pyriform polar capsules, located at the anterior end of the spores, were equal in size, 3.3 ± 0.06 μm (2.2-4.1) long and 2.1 ± 0.03 μm (1.7-2.5) wide. Polar filaments coiled with four to five turns. Two equal spore valves are symmetrical, with 10-16 surface extrasutural ridges per valve, aligned along the longitudinal axis. The obtained partial 18S rDNA of C. ellipticum did not match any sequences available in GenBank. Phylogenetic analysis showed that C. ellipticum clustered firstly with Chloromyxum legeri with robust nodal support and grouped then with urinary system of freshwater teleost-infecting Chloromyxum clade, rather than other gall bladder of freshwater teleost-infecting clade.

[Effect of smart-phone application on complications of chemoradiotherapy and quality of life in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma]

Objective:To investigate the interventional effect of smart-phone application on development of complications of chemoradiotherapy in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) after discharge.Method:Sixty-five NPC patients receving first chemoradiotherapy were randomly divided into two groups. Control group including 33 patients, use traditional oral Health education. Intervention group including 32 patients, use a smart-phone application after discharge. The smart-phone application with text and graphics was established to conduct health education and dynamically manage discharged patients for promoting themselves health management. Poisonous side reactions and quality of life of two groups were investigated at discharge and 6 months after discharge.Result:There were not significant difference between two groups on complications of chemoradiotherapy and quality of life at discharge. After discharge 6 months, the incidence of oral mucositis, dry mouth, nasal obstruction and difficulty in opening mouth of intervention group were lower than control group significantly, while the quality of life of intervention group higher than control group significantly (P< 0.05). Conclusion:Smart-phone application can reduce complications of chemoradiotherapy, and improve the quality of life in patients with NPC after discharge.

Association of ectomycorrhizal fungi with Picea crassifolia (Pinaceae, Piceoidae) from high-altitude stands in Mount Helan Nature Reserve, China

We investigated the diversity of ectomycorrhiza associated with the endemic Picea crassifolia in Mount Helan National Nature Reserve in Inner Mongolia, China. Toward this objective, we conducted morphological and molecular identification of ectomycorrhizae in soil cubes taken from pure P. crassifolia stands. Eleven types of ectomycorrhizal (ECM) organisms were separated, briefly described, and identified. Nine morphotypes belonged to the phylum Basidiomycotina [Amphinema byssoides, Cortinarius sp (cf. limonius), Cortinarius vernus, Inocybe cf. nitidiscula, Inocybe sp 1, Sebacina incrustans, Sebacina sp, Suillus luteus, and Piceirhiza tuberculata x Picea crassifolia (comb. Nov.)], and two morphotypes to the phylum Ascomycotina (Cenococcum geophilum and Helvella sp). The diversity of ECM organisms in P. crassifolia was lower than that reported by other studies on spruce or pine forests, or on sporocarp diversity in the high-mountain forests of China. Most of the fungi in the rhizosphere did not correspond to species previously recorded as sporocarps above ground. Here, several new ectomycorrhiza morphotypes are proposed and described. We also confirmed the ectomycorrhizal status of the genus Sebacina (order Sebacinales).

[Expression analysis of a transformer gene in Daphnia pulex after RNAi]

In order to explore the importance of the transformer (tra) gene in reproductive mode switching in Daphnia pulex, we studied the effect of silencing of this gene using RNA interference (RNAi). We obtained Dptra dsRNA by constructing and using a dsRNA expression vector and transcription method in vitro. D. pulex individuals in different reproductive modes were treated by soaking in a solution of Dptra dsRNA. We then assayed the expression of the endogenous Dptra mRNA after RNAi treatment using RT-PCR and obtained the suppression ratio. Expression of the tra gene in the RNAi groups was down-regulated compared with the controls after 16 h (p < 0.05). We also analyzed the effect of RNAi on the expression of the TRA protein using Western blot, which showed that the expression level of the TRA protein was reduced after RNAi treatment. Our experimental results showed that soaking of D. pulex adults in tra-specific dsRNA transcribed in vitro can specifically reduce the level of tra mRNA and also reduce the expression of the TRA protein, demonstrating effective in vivo silencing of the tra gene.