Objective To explore the expression of PIWIL1 protein and DICER enzyme in hepa tocellular carcinoma (HCC) and their significance.Methods Immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of PIWIL1 and DICER in 47 cases of HCC and the adjacent HCC tissues.Western blot method was used to detect the expression of PIWIL1 and DICER in 31 cases of fresh HCC tissues and their adjacent HCC tissues.The relationship between PIWIL1 and DICER and their relationships were analysed with clinical features.12 cases of normal liver tissues were used as control group.Results The expression of PIWIL1 was high in HCC but low in normal liver tissues (P＜ 0.05).The expression of DICER was high in normal liver tissues but low in HCC (P＜0.05).The expression of PIWIL1 was positively correlated with invasion to adjacent tissues and histological differentiation (P＜0.05).The expression of DICER was negatively correlated with invasion to the adjacent tissues and histological differentiation (P＜0.05).There was a negative correlation between PIWIL1 and DICER (P＜ 0.05).Conclusions High expression of PIWIL1 and low/missing expression of DICER was related to pathological differentiation and invasion of adjacent tissues.

OBJECTIVETo compare the efficacy of different points combination in the treatment of menopausal insomnia.

METHODSNinety-six cases of menopausal insomnia were randomized into 3 groups, Xinshu (BL 15), Shenshu (BL 23), Sishencong (EX-HN 1), Shenmen (HT 7), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) were chosen in the restore interaction between the heart and the kidney group (group A, 32 cases); Zhaohai (KI 6), Jiaoxin (KI 8), Shenmai (BL 62), Pucan (BL 61) were chosen in the acupuncturing qiao mai group (group B, 32 cases); auricular Shenmen (TF4) and sensitive spot at the distribution area of auricular vagus nervus were chosen in the ear acupuncture group (group C, 32 cases). Six days made one session and the treatments were finished after 4 courses. The polysomnography (PSG) and Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) were employed before and after treatment to evaluate the alleviation of insomnia.

RESULTSThe parameters of the sleep latency (SL), rapid wave sleep latency (RL) and sleep efficiency (SE) were significantly improved in the three groups, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The SL and awaking time (AT) in group C [SL (401.08 +/- 16.54) min and AT (4.87 +/- 2.64) times] were significantly superior to those in the other two groups [SL (50.36 +/- 18.47) min, (54.87 +/- 20.92) min, AT (5.98 +/- 2.11) times, (6.13 +/- 3.04) times, all P < 0.05]. The S(3+4) (%) in group C was also significantly higher than those in the other two groups (both P < 0.05). It was indicated by PSQI that the sleep quality of group C (0.78 +/- 0.12) was significantly superior to that in group B (1.32 +/- 0.29), the total score and cured and markedly effective rate in group C [(4.34 +/- 1.43), 68.8% (22/32)] were superior to those in group A [(7.48 +/- 3.09), 53.1% (17/32), both P < 0.05].

CONCLUSIONEar acupuncture has a better curative effect than the restore interaction between the heart and the kidney group and acupuncturing qiao mai group, it is worth of being promoted.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Menopause ; psychology ; Middle Aged ; Sleep ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of photoselective vaporization treatment on benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH)in the elderly over 70 years old.Methods From August 2004 to December 2005,a total of 126 patients with lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to BPH underwent photoselective vaporization of the prostate(PVP)with an 80 W quasicontinuous KTP laser.The patients aged between 70 and 96 years,(median 78.0),with 46 cases above 80 years. Prostatic volume was 24～86 ml,in an average of 47.0 ml,with 46 cases above 60 ml.Results The mean operative time was 46.8 min(range from 30 to 100 min).After operation,the catheter was pulled out in 69 cases within 24 hours and the patients generally urinated well.At three-months follow-up,the mean I-PSS decreased significantly from(25.0?3.7)to(16.3?2.0)(P＜0.01), while the Qmax increased from(5.8?2.7)ml/s to(16.3?4.8)ml/s(P＜0.01).Complications consisted of 4 cases of hematuria,6 urinary infection and 1 acute epididymitis.Conclusions The study indicates that PVP,a minimal invasive surgical procedure,is a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of BPH in the elderly.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the efficiency of blockage of constitutively activated STAT3 signaling by small interfering RNA (siRNA), and to explore the inhibitory effects on the proliferation of human esophageal squamous carcinoma cells (EC9706 and Eca109).

METHODSEC9706 and Eca109 were transfected with chemical synthesized STAT3 siRNA (100 nmol/L). RT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect STAT3 mRNA and protein expression, including phosphorylated-STAT3 (p-STAT3) before and after the transfection respectively. The changes of DNA-binding activity and cell proliferation were evaluated by electrophoretic mobility gel shift assay and MTT, respectively. Stages of cell cycle were determined by flow cytometry.

RESULTSExpression levels of STAT3 mRNA and STAT3, p-STAT3 proteins were progressively inhibited by STAT3 siRNA at various time points after transfection. STAT3-DNA-binding activity was suppressed after transfection evidenced by electrophoretic mobility gel shift assay. The cell cycle was arrested at G(0)/G(1) phase along with a significant inhibition of cell proliferation after STAT3 siRNA treatment.

CONCLUSIONSTAT3 siRNA specifically and efficiently blocks the constitutively activated STAT3 signaling pathway in human esophageal squamous carcinoma cells, resulting in cell cycle arrest and proliferation inhibition.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Phosphorylation ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; STAT3 Transcription Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo explore the neuropsychological characteristics of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

METHODSNeuropsychological tests, including visual working memory, Stroop test, digits inverse reciting, vocabulary fluency, Wisconsin card sort test (WCST), and Temporal discounting were used to evaluate the capacity of response inhibition, phonological working memory, visual working memory executive function and delayed satisfying capacity of subjects.

RESULTS1. The ADHD children spent longer time [ADHD-I (84(20), ADHD-C: 98 (31), normal: 70 (28)] to accomplish color naming and made more errors [ADHD-I: 3 (3), ADHD-C: 6 (19), normal: 2 (5)] than the normal control when the color was inconsistent with the word meaning in Stroop test (P < 0.01). 2. The scores of digits reciting [ADHD-I: 3 (3), ADHD-C: 3 (4), normal 4 (4)] inverse was lower in ADHD than in normal control (P < 0.01). 3. The representation of ADHD was poorer than normal control in visual working memory [ADHD-I: 21 (3), ADHD-C: 20 (5), Normal: 20 (3)], and in delayed visual memory [ADHD-I: 19 (5), ADHD-C: 19 (5), Normal: 20 (5)] (P < 0.01). 4. The scores of vocabulary fluency [ADHD-I: 1 (1), ADHD-C: 2 (1), normal: 0 (0)] was lower in ADHD than in normal control (P < 0.01). 5. In WCST, the ADHD children made more errors [ADHD-I :15 (17), ADHD-C: 15 (15), normal: 13 (13)] and less classification [ADHD-I: 5 (4), ADHD-C: 5 (4), normal: 5 (3)] than normal control (P < 0.01). 6. In Temporal discounting, the ADHD children showed significantly more impairments than normal control did (P < 0.01). 7. There was significant difference between the two subtype groups on some tests (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSObvious cognitive impairments were found in children with ADHD, involving poor response inhibition, impaired working memory, dysfunction of planning and set-shifting, and there was no significant difference between the two subtype groups.

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity ; classification ; immunology ; physiopathology ; psychology ; Child ; Cognition Disorders ; physiopathology ; psychology ; Humans ; Memory ; Memory Disorders ; immunology ; psychology ; Memory, Short-Term ; physiology ; Neuropsychological Tests

BACKGROUNDDiabetes mellitus plays an important role in cancer prevalence and outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of DM on stages and outcomes among patients with colorectal cancer.

METHODSThe study enrolled 945 patients who were diagnosed as having colorectal carcinoma from August 1994 to December 2002. In the cohort, 26 patients were diagnosed as having DM. With a median follow-up of 45.8 months, differences in overall survival and disease-free survival between the diabetes and non-diabetes groups were analyzed.

RESULTSKaplan and Meier analysis showed that there were no significant differences between the two groups in overall survival rates at 3 years or 5 years. At 5 years, patients with DM, compared with patients without diabetes, experienced a significantly lower disease-free survival rate (34.2% diabetics vs. 55.1% non-diabetics; P = 0.025).

CONCLUSIONSDM was associated with an increased risk of recurrence in patients with colorectal cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; mortality ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; mortality ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo explore the better therapy for peripheral facial paralysis.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty patients were randomized into three groups: a common acupuncture group: acupuncture at Yangbai (GB 14), Sibai (ST 2) and Yingxiang (LI 20) as main acupoints, a ST 9 group: acupuncture at Renying (ST 9) as main and a ST 9 plus SGB group: acupuncture at Renying (ST 9) as main cooperated with stellate ganglion block (SGB). Once daily, 7 treatments made one session. After three sessions of treatment, the latency period and amplitude of evoked potential in ENoG, R1 value and R2 value of blink reflex were compared before and after the treatment in different groups separately. The total therapeutic effect was evaluated after treatment.

RESULTSAll the treatments shortened the latency period of ENoG, and elevated the amplitude evoked potential significantly. After treatment, the latency period in ST 9 plus SGB group was reduced significantly as compared with common acupuncture group (P < 0.05). The amplitude of evoked potential in ST 9 group was increased significantly as compared with the other two groups (both P < 0.05). After treatment, in each group, R1 and R2 values were shortened significantly. The difference values of R1 and R2 in ST 9 group and ST 9 plus SGB group were all significantly higher as compared with common acupuncture group (both P < 0.05). Additionally, the difference value of R1 in ST 9 plus SGB group was higher significantly than that in ST 9 group (P < 0.05). The clinical cured and remarkably effective rate was 87.5% (35/40) in ST9 plus SGB group, which was higher than 77.5% (31/40) in ST 9 group, and 65.0% (26/40) in common acupuncture group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAs compared with common acupuncture group, ST 9 group and ST 9 plus SGB group achieve the much superior efficacy on peripheral facial paralysis. The treatment with ST 9 acupuncture and SGB can better repair the early reflex induced by the injury of facial nerve.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Autonomic Nerve Block ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Facial Nerve ; physiopathology ; Facial Paralysis ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stellate Ganglion ; physiopathology ; Young Adult

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mercury ; urine ; Middle Aged ; Reference Values ; Spectrophotometry, Atomic

OBJECTIVETo explore the expression of serine protease Omi/HtrA2 in gastric carcinoma tissue and its association with clinicopathological features and prognosis.

METHODSOmi/HtrA2 protein expression levels were detected by immunohistochemistry method in resected gastric carcinomas(n=68), adjacent noncancerous tissues(n=15), and normal tissues(n=15), and its association with clinicopathological features and prognosis were analyzed.

RESULTSOmi/HtrA2 expression was positive in 73.5%(50/68) of gastric cancer tissues, which was significantly higher than that in adjacent noncancerous tissues and normal tissues(P<0.05). There were no significant differences in Omi/HtrA2 expression with respect to sex, age, tumor size, and depth of invasion(all P>0.05). Omi/HtrA2 expression level was significantly associated with tumor differentiation, extent of lymph node metastasis, and tumor stage(all P<0.05). Overall 5-year survival rate of patients with gastric carcinoma was 63.3%. Five-year survival rate was higher in Omi/HtrA2 positive cases than Omi/HtrA2 negative cases(72.0% vs. 61.1%), however the difference was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONSOmi/HtrA2 expression is more common in gastric carcinoma. Omi/HtrA2 expression is associated with tumor differentiation, extent of lymph node metastasis, and tumor stage.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; High-Temperature Requirement A Serine Peptidase 2 ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mitochondrial Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Serine Endopeptidases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Stomach ; metabolism ; pathology ; Stomach Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Young Adult

Objective: To explore the association between negative life events and smartphone addiction among middle school students, so as to provide theoretical support and practical guidance for prevention and intervention of smartphone addiction among middle school students. Methods: Using cluster sampling, 8 890 students were selected to survey from 27 junior high schools and 3 senior high schools in a district of Shenzhen in 2022 (baseline) and 2023 (followup). Data were collected through selfresigned questionnaires on basic information, the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version, and the Adolescent Selfrating Life Events Checklist. Mixedeffects models were employed to analyze the association. Results: Compared to 2022, the punishment scores of middle school students in 2023 [1.00 (0.00, 6.00) and 1.00 (0.00, 6.00)] decreased (Z=4.27), while the scores of interpersonal stress, learning stress and adaptation [4.00(0.00, 8.00), 4.00(0.00, 8.00); 4.00(1.00, 8.00), 5.00(2.00, 9.00); 2.00 (0.00, 6.00), 3.00 (0.00, 7.00)] increased (Z=-3.04, -8.36, -6.80) (P<0.01). Mixedeffects models revealed a positive doseresponse relationship between negative life events and smartphone addiction (OR=1.08-1.17, P<0.01). Stepwise regression showed independent positive effects of interpersonal stress (OR=1.05), academic stress (OR=1.03), and adaptation stress (OR=1.11) on smartphone addiction (P<0.01). Subgroup analysis of nonaddicted students in 2022 confirmed persistent associations for academic stress (OR=1.03) and adaptation (OR=1.07) (P<0.01). Conclusion Negative life events exhibit a positive doseresponse relationship with smartphone addiction, particularly interpersonal stress, academic stress, and adaptationrelated events.