Humans ; Liver Neoplasms

BACKGROUNDMalignant tumor is the most common complication occurred in transplant recipients. It is widely recognized that immunosuppressive treatments increase the risk of cancer in transplant recipients. The efficacy and safety of rapamycin (RPM) in combination with low-dose calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) in treating 15 renal allograft recipients which developed urothelial carcinoma were observed.

METHODSImmunosuppressive regimen in all recipients was altered with rapamycin to replace mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) or azathioprine (Aza). The initial loading dosage was 2 mg/d, and the next dosage was 1 mg/d. The dosage of rapamycin was carefully adjusted according to the blood drug level and concentration of the drug was maintained at 4 - 6 microg/L. In all the 15 patients, the calcineurin inhibitor was reduced down to one third of the original dosage after the rapamycin blood concentration became stable. Surgical treatment and intravesical instillation chemotherapy were carried out in all patients. Recurrence of the tumor was monitored throughout the study. Post-transplant renal function and side effects were also closely monitored.

RESULTSAmong the 15 patients, 9 had no tumor recurrence in 2 years, 2 had tumor recurrences twice, and 4 had once. There was no acute rejection observed during RPM treatment. Post-transplant renal function in 11 patients was improved, with a decreased creatinine level. Hyperlipoidemia and thrombocytopenia were the most frequent adverse events which responded well to corresponding treatments.

CONCLUSIONAmong the renal allograft recipients with urothelial carcinoma, combination of rapamycin and low dose calcineurin inhibitor treatment is effective and safe.

Adult ; Azathioprine ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Kidney Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mycophenolic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Sirolimus ; therapeutic use ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Urothelium ; pathology

The FTIR method was used to investigate the correlation of bacteria in the contaminated drug and the environmental microbes in the clean room for pharmaceutical microbial test. The similarity of bacteria in the contaminated drug and environmental microbes was compared by critical hit value method and cluster analysis method. This constructed the FTIR spectra library of clean room environmental microbe, and determined the criterion to promptly judge if the bacteria isolated from pharmaceuticals were contaminated by environment or not, hence the exactness of "one-off report" of sterile test result can be guaranteed, and can be used for the dynamic monitoring of environmental bacteria of clean room. The method is proven to be simple, accurate and rapid, and can be easily spread to the pharmaceutical microbial control.
Bacteria ; isolation & purification ; Cluster Analysis ; Drug Contamination ; Drug and Narcotic Control ; Environment, Controlled ; Environmental Microbiology ; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared ; methods

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of two major alternative transcripts of RASSF1 gene (RASSF1A and RASSF1C) in human primary ovarian cancers and their biological implication as a new tumor suppressor gene.

METHODSReverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and laser capture microdissection (LCM) were used to determine mRNA expression of the two major alternative transcripts of RASSF1 gene (RASSF1A and RASSF1C) in 3 ovarian cancer cell lines and 80 cases of primary ovarian cancers.

RESULTSRASSF1A mRNA was undetectable in SK-OV-3 cell line. Expression of RASSF1A and RASSF1C in 80 primary ovarian cancers were 40.0% (32/80) and 91.3% (73/80) respectively. RASSF1A mRNA expression was detectable more frequently in stage I and II (71.4%, 10/14; 75.0%, 9/12) than in stage III and IV ovarian cancers (26.7%, 12/45; 14.1%, 1/9) (P < 0.05). The expression level was also higher in well and moderately differentiated tumor groups (58.6%, 17/29; 50.0%, 10/20) than in poorly differentiated tumor group (16.1%, 5/31) (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThere is a preferential loss of RASSF1A expression in human ovarian cancers and its expression is correlated with the tumor stage and the degree of histological differentiation which, as a tumor suppressor gene, might play an important role in the tumorigenesis of human primary ovarian cancer.

Carcinoma, Endometrioid ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cystadenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Genes, Tumor Suppressor ; Humans ; Neoplasm Staging ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Prognosis ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate hypermethylation of promoter region of RASSF1A and its relationship with ovarian malignant epithelial tumors.

METHODSMethylation-specific PCR (MSP) was used to determine the hypermethylation of promoter region of ras association domain family 1 (RASSF1A) gene in 80 cases of ovarian malignant epithelial tumors.

RESULTSNo methylation of promoter region of RASSF1A gene was found in all 80 normal control tissues (0). Of 80 ovarian malignant epithelial tumors 42 were hypermethylated in promoter region of RASSF1A gene (52.5%). There was no statistically significant difference in the frequency of hypermethylation of RASSF1A gene among serious adenocarcinomas, mucinous adenocarcinomas and endometrioid adenocarcinomas (54.2%, 52.4% and 45.5%, respectively; P > 0.05). Hypermethylation of RASSF1A gene happened more often in tumors in stage III and IV (66.7% and 77.8%) than that in stage I and II (21.4% and 16.7%; P < 0.05). It was less frequently observed in well and moderately differentiated tumors (34.5% and 35.0%) than in poorly differentiated tumors (80.6%; P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONHigh frequency of methylation of RASSF1A promoter exists in ovarian malignant epithelial tumors as a tumor suppressor gene, its suppressor activity may be abrogated by an epigenetic mechanism. Hypermethylation of RASSF1A promoter in patients with epithelial malignant ovarian tumors is related to clinical stage and histopathological grade. It indicates poor prognosis.

Carcinoma, Endometrioid ; genetics ; Cystadenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; genetics ; Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous ; genetics ; DNA Methylation ; Female ; Humans ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; genetics ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins ; genetics

Objective To investigate whether timing of image acquisition influenced infarct size estimation using delayed CeMRI,and the association of left ventricular ejection fraction between magnetic resol3anee imaging and left ventrieulography Was also studied.Method From Junary 2005 to April 2006,27 first,onset AMI patients [23 male,mean age(54.3±10.5)years]were enrolledinthistudr.Allpatients receivedleft ventrictdographyas well as coronary angiography.The average checking time was(13.2±5.2)clays after the onset of AMI.MR imaging was performed with a 1.5-T magnet(SIMENS).After breath-hold eine images were acquired,patients re.ceived afI intravenous bolus of 0.05 mmol/kg Gd-DTPA at a rate of 5 ml/8.A first-pass perfusion scan was ac.qllired.Then a second bolus of 0.15 mmoVkg Gd-DTPA was give.at a rate of 2 mE/Is.After the hyperenhancement localized,the typical short axis slice with hyperenhancement WaS chosen to repeat imaging for IlleasuriIin.farct size every5minutesfrom5minutes after secondinjection ofcontrast until 20minutes.Results Twexty-seren patients showed hyperenhancement at the delayed CeMRI and hypoenhancement at the first pass enhancement(FPE).The average infarct size estimated by CeMRI WaS(17.9士9.8)%of LV nlass.Myocardial enhancement at a repesentative short-axis slice WIllS(7.2±6.2)%of LV Imss at 5 minutes,(8.5±7.4)%at 10 minutes,(7.3±6.3)%at 15 minutes and(6.9-t-6.4)%at 20 minutes respectively.There WltlS significant difference be-tween lmfninmes and 20-minutes enhancement size(P<0.05).Correlations of EF obtained by cineventriculo-grapIIy and MR irr,lg were significant(r=0.867,P<0.01).There were also correlations between infarction size and pe.k CK(r:O.819,P

OBJECTIVETo construct an operable strategic framework for cholera prevention and control which mobilized the advantages of local resources and adapted to social developments in Chengdu, and to evaluate its application effects.

METHODS(1) After analyzing the local epidemic data of cholera in Chengdu from 1994 to 2004, we determined the main problems of cholera prevention and control works as well as the efficiency and deficiency of employed measures, and then formed a basic strategic framework. (2) After 55 invited experts preliminarily scored the strategic framework, we selected 72 specific measures to establish a measure entry database, and then the importance and operability of each measure were scored by 17 core experts. (3) Finally, the effectiveness of this strategic framework was evaluated according to the analyzing results of infection control, health education and etiological monitoring.

RESULTS(1) The framework took government leadership as main scenario and the informatization as subordination scenario. Meanwhile, it focused on three points: the improvement of social environment, the completion of system and mechanisms for monitoring and early warning, and the enhancement of CDC response to public health emergencies. Total importance score and operability score of 35 specific measures included in this framework was 4.20 ± 0.86 and 4.09 ± 0.87, respectively. (2) Chengdu had maintained zero cholera incidence for five consecutive years from 2005 to 2009 since it gradually began to implement the strategic framework in 2002. There were 19 positive cholera cases detected by etiological monitoring and all of them were seafood or fishery products including soft-shelled turtles, silver carps and bullfrogs. The coverage rate and qualification rate of the training for grassroots cadres, grassroots medical workers, mobile cooks and their assistants was 98.14% (198 452/202 220) and 98.17% (194 820/198 452) in average, respectively. The qualification rate of the training for employees in food industry was over 96.00% (912 470/950 489). The average awareness rate of cholera prevention and cure knowledge in rural residents, grassroots cadres, grassroots medical workers, mobile cooks and their assistants was 93.87% (1653/1761) and the average formation rate of good hygiene habits was 70.58% (1243/1761).

CONCLUSIONA strategic framework suitable for cholera prevention and control in Chengdu has been successfully established in this study. The incidence rate of cholera has maintained zero in Chengdu for five consecutive years under incessant threatening conditions such as the occurrence of cholera cases from time to time in its surrounding areas and the continuous existence of Bacillus comma in seafood or fishery products that entered local markets. Therefore, it demonstrated a good application effects.

China ; epidemiology ; Cholera ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Communicable Disease Control ; organization & administration ; Health Education ; organization & administration ; Humans ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Public Health

OBJECTIVETo investigate the application of free anterolateral thigh myocutaneous flap in the reconstruction of tongue and mouth floor defect after radical resection of tongue carcinoma.

METHODSFrom June 2006 to April 2009, 14 cases with tongue carcinoma underwent radical resection, leaving tongue and mouth floor defects which were reconstructed by anterolateral thigh myocutaneous flaps at the same stage. These 14 cases included tongue carcinoma at lingual margin (n=9), at ventral tongue (n=3) and at mouth floor (n=2). The flap size ranged from 7 cm x 9 cm to 5 cm x 7 cm.

RESULTSAll the 14 flaps survived completely with primary healing. There was no functional morbidity in the lower extremities. The patients were followed up for 12-26 months with satisfied esthetic and functional results in reconstructed tongue. Only one case (T4 N1 M0) died of metastasis carcinoma 14 months after operation. No local recurrence happened.

CONCLUSIONSThe anterolateral thigh myocutaneous flap has abundant tissue volume to reconstruct the tongue and mouth floor defect, while leaving less morbidity at donor site. Both satisfied esthetic and functional results can be achieved.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mouth Floor ; surgery ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Surgical Flaps ; Thigh ; surgery ; Tongue ; surgery ; Tongue Neoplasms ; surgery

Patent foramen ovale(PFO)is a congenital heart disease with a relatively high prevalence in the population.Past studies have clarified its association with strokes and recognized the significance of PFO closure for PFO-related strokes.In recent years,research on diseases related to PFO has gradually increased and deepened our understanding.Meanwhile,the number of closure treatments for PFO in China has also significantly increased.This article reviews the latest research progress in the PFO field for the year 2023,mainly including the expansion of the spectrum of PFO-related diseases(such as epilepsy,unexplained syncope,etc.),exploration of the mechanisms of disease,and means of risk assessment.Regarding PFO closure treatment,this article introduces the latest research results concerning the effects of closure and prognosis,as well as the relationship between closure treatment and atrial fibrillation.China has always been in a leading position in the development of new devices for PFO closure,and this article also introduces the latest achievements in this area.

BACKGROUNDFilamentous fungal infections are associated with a high morbidity and mortality in solid organ transplants. The present study aimed to investigate the aspergillus pneumonia in renal transplant recipients, and its diagnosis as well as treatment.

METHODSApproximately 2000 cases of renal transplants were retrospectively studied and we focused on cases hospitalized during August 1, 2005 and February 1, 2007, as the study period. The clinical database and electronic records were analyzed. Recently published literature was reviewed.

RESULTSThere was more diabetes and hypertension in the infected group than in the non-infected group (86% vs 62% and 57% vs 39%, respectively). Eighty-six percent of recipients from the infected group had delayed graft function. Seven cases with aspergillus pneumonia were identified based on either fungal culture or radiology. Of the 7 cases, 4 died in a few days after diagnosis. Liposomal amphotericin B was used as a first-line therapy.

CONCLUSIONSIncidences of fungal infection are increasing among renal transplant recipients. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical steps in curing aspergillosis.

Adult ; Aspergillosis ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Cohort Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Lung Diseases, Fungal ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pneumonia ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed