Trends in the incidence of cancer in Qidong, China, 1978-2002.

A population-based cancer registry was established in Qidong, Jiangsu Province, China, in 1972, and the trends in incidence rates of the major cancer sites have been analyzed for a 25-year period, 1978-2002. Five-year age-specific rates, crude incidence rates, world age-standardized rates (ASR), percent change (PC) and annual percent change (APC) were calculated using annual data on population size, and estimates of its age structure. The indices of histological verification of diagnosis, death certificate only and proportion of mortality to incidence were employed for assessing the registration quality.

[Evaluation of secular trend of liver cancer incidence in Qidong, Jiangsu province, 1973-2002].

Objective: To evaluate the secular trend of liver cancer incidence 1973-2002 in Qidong, a high-prevalent area in Jiangsu province.

Methods: The population-based cancer registration data collected during the period of 1973-2002 were used to calculate the crude rate (CR), world age-standardized rate (WASR), five-year age-specific rate, truncated rate of those aged 35-64, cumulative rates of those aged 0-64 and 0-74, percent change (PC), and annual percent change (APC). The incidence rates by age, period/age, and cohort/age were analyzed and compared.

Effects of glucosinolate-rich broccoli sprouts on urinary levels of aflatoxin-DNA adducts and phenanthrene tetraols in a randomized clinical trial in He Zuo township, Qidong, People's Republic of China.

Residents of Qidong, People's Republic of China, are at high risk for development of hepatocellular carcinoma, in part due to consumption of aflatoxin-contaminated foods, and are exposed to high levels of phenanthrene, a sentinel of hydrocarbon air toxics. Cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, contain anticarcinogens. Glucoraphanin, the principal glucosinolate in broccoli sprouts, can be hydrolyzed by gut microflora to sulforaphane, a potent inducer of carcinogen detoxication enzymes.

The paradoxical effects of SKF83959, a novel dopamine D1-like receptor agonist, in the rat acoustic startle reflex paradigm.

While the benzazepine SKF83959 elicits classical behavioral responses associated with dopamine D1 receptors, it also acts as a D1 receptor antagonist biochemically. The paradoxical properties of this agent remain an enigma. In the present study, we sought to determine the behavioral effects of SKF83959 in the rat acoustic startle reflex test.

The ectopic study of tissue-engineered bone with hBMP-4 gene modified bone marrow stromal cells in rabbits.

Background: Tissue-engineering techniques combined with gene therapy have been recently reported to improve osteogenesis. In this study, tissue-engineered bone constructed by human Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4 (hBMP-4) gene-modified bone marrow stromal cells (bMSCs) was explored in an ectopic bone formation model in rabbits.

Methods: A pEGFP-hBMP-4 mammalian plasmid (EGFP: Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein) was constructed by subcloning techniques.

[An age-period-cohort modelling study on primary liver cancer incidence rate in Qidong].

Objective: To analyze the incidence trends of primary liver cancer (PLC) in Qidong.

Methods: Data of PLC incidence from 1975 to 1999 in Qidong were analyzed to delineate temporal trends and birth cohort patterns, using age-period-cohort models.

Results: Significant moderation or decreasing trends were began to notice in incidence rates on cohorts born in 1913 - 1917 and 1958 - 1962.

Potentiation of 5-HT3 receptor function by the activation of coexistent 5-HT2 receptors in trigeminal ganglion neurons of rats.

5-HT receptor subtypes are widely expressed in primary sensory neurons, yet so far little is known about the interaction among them. This study aimed to investigate whether the activation of 5-HT2 and 5-HT1 receptors could modulate 5-HT3 receptor mediated current in rat trigeminal ganglion (TG) neurons using whole-cell patch clamp technique. The majority of TG neurons examined responded to 5-HT (10(-7)-10(-3) M) with a fast activating and rapid desensitizing inward current (77.

Chemoprevention of hepatocellular carcinoma in aflatoxin endemic areas.

Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Infection with hepatitis B virus and exposure to aflatoxins in the diet act synergistically to amplify risk. From a public health perspective, hepatitis virus vaccination programs and efforts to both reduce aflatoxin exposures and to attenuate the toxicological consequences of unavoidable exposures should have major impacts on the global incidence of this disease.

[Analysis on incidence for cervical cancer in Qidong during 1972 - 2000].

Objective: To investigate the trends of incidence for cervical cancer in the years of 1973 - 2000, in Qidong, a city in south China, with a population of 1.16 M.

Methods: Crude incidence rate of cervical cancer was calculated by using incident case data from Qidong Cancer Registry, which was founded in 1972, and age-standardized rates were computed according to China age structure of 1964 (CASR), and world age structure of 1960 (WASR).

Inhibitory effects of berberine on ion channels of rat hepatocytes.

Aim: To examine the effects of berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid with a long history used as a tonic remedy for liver and heart, on ion channels of isolated rat hepatocytes.

Methods: Tight-seal whole-cell patch-clamp techniques were performed to investigate the effects of berberine on the delayed outward potassium currents (I(K)), inward rectifier potassium currents (I(K1)) and Ca(2+) release-activated Ca(2+) currents (I(CRAC)) in enzymatically isolated rat hepatocytes.

Results: Berberine 1-300 micromol/L reduced I(K) in a concentration-dependent manner with EC(50) of 38.

Characterization of acid-sensing ion channels in dorsal horn neurons of rat spinal cord.

Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are ligand-gated cation channels activated by extracellular protons. In periphery, they contribute to sensory transmission, including that of nociception and pain. Here we characterized ASIC-like currents in dorsal horn neurons of the rat spinal cord and their functional modulation in pathological conditions.

Substance P potentiates 5-HT3 receptor-mediated current in rat trigeminal ganglion neurons.

The present study aimed to investigate the interaction between the coexistent SP receptor and 5-HT3 receptor in trigeminal ganglion (TG) neurons using whole-cell patch clamp technique. The majority of the neurons examined responded to 5-HT with an inward current (I5-HT) (78.2%, 79/101) that could be blocked by 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, ICS-205,930.

Sustained potentiation by substance P of NMDA-activated current in rat primary sensory neurons.

This study aimed to explore the modulatory effect of substance P (SP) on the current response mediated by N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor in rat primary sensory neurons and its time course using whole-cell patch clamp technique. The majority of neurons (179/213, 84.0%) examined were sensitive to NMDA (0.

[A clinical study of doxycycline slow-release gel on periodontitis chemotherapy].

Objective: To observe the effect of Doxycycline slow-release on periodontitis therapy.

Methods: 30 patients with chronic periodontitis were chosen and divided into 2 groups randomly,these cases were given Doxycycline slow-release and Zinciodati Comp solution. PLI,GI,SBI,PD,AL,MD and clinical symptoms were observed before and after taking drug.

[The study of hBMP-4 gene modified tissue-engineered bone].

Objective: Bone marrow stromal cells (bMSCs) of rabbits transferred with mammalian hBMP-4 expression plasmid were used to construct tissue-engineered bone. Gene therapy combined with tissue-engineering technique was explored to further improve osteogenesis.

Methods: pEGFP-hBMP-4 plasmid was constructed by subcloning technique.

[Analysis of serum insulin-like growth factor-1 and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 in benign prostatic hyperplasia].

Objectives: To determine changes of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) in serum samples from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients and to evaluate the value of these molecules as possible etiologic factors for BPH.

Methods: The serum IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels were measured with immunoradiometric assay(IRMA) in 64 cases of BPH and in 30 healthy subjects as controls. The cases of BPH were divided into 3 groups according to the prostate volume(PV).

[Effects of transient transfection of human BMP-4 gene on rabbit bone marrow stromal cells].

Objective: Bone marrow stromal cells (MSCs) were transfected with human bone morphogenetic protein-4 (hBMP-4) gene in vitro to provide BMP gene modified cells for tissue-engineered bone.

Methods: MSCs were cultured and transfected with pEGFP-hBMP4, pEGFP plasmids respectively or left uninfected as control. Transcription of BMP-4 gene as well as gene transfection efficiency was tested.

[Reproductive toxicity of metadoxine in rats].

Objective: To study the reproductive toxicity of metadoxine.

Methods: Male and female rats were given metadoxine before pregnancy and early gestation, i.e.

Three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiographic demonstration of innominate artery dissection.

We describe an adult patient with type I aortic dissection in whom it was feasible to demonstrate the extension of the dissection into the innominate artery using color Doppler three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography.

14-3-3gamma is upregulated by in vitro ischemia and binds to protein kinase Raf in primary cultures of astrocytes.

The 14-3-3 protein family comprises critical regulatory molecules involved in signaling during cell division, proliferation, and apoptosis. Despite extensive study, the functions of the 14-3-3 proteins in brain remain unclear. 14-3-3gamma, a subtype of the 14-3-3 family of proteins, was thought to be brain- and neuron-specific.

Translational strategies for cancer prevention in liver.

Unlike many other types of human cancer, the aetiology of liver cancer is well understood. Infection with hepatitis viruses, coupled with dietary exposure to the fungal toxin aflatoxin, increases the risk of the disease. Although primary prevention, based on vaccination and avoiding exposure to these agents, is an appealing option, such strategies will require considerable investment of time and resources to be successful.