Objective To observe the expression of matrix metalloproteinase(MMP-2, MMP-9 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in retinoblastoma (RB) and its relationship with the differentiation and optic nerve infiltration of RB. Methods Forty paraffin specimens of pathological confirmed RB were studied. They were divided into differentiated group (15 cases) and undifferentiated group (25 cases) , optic nerve infiltration group( 13 cases) and without optic nerve infiltration group(27cases). The expression of MMP-2, MMP-9 and VEGF were detected by immunohistochemistry, their relationships with the differentiation and optic nerve infiltration were also analyzed. Results The positive rate of MMP-2, MMP-9 and VEGF expression in 40 RB cases were 52.5%, 57.5% and 72.5%respectively. The expression of MMP-2, MMP-9 and VEGF in the undifferentiated group were significantly higher than those in the differentiated group (χ2= 9. 037, 9. 253, 8. 095;P＜0. 05). The expression ofMMP-2, MMP-9 and VEGF in RB with optic nerve infiltration group were significantly higher than those in RB without optic nerve infiltration group (χ2=11.045,10. 243, 8. 956;P＜0. 05). The expression of MMP-2,MMP-9 had a positive correlation with the expression of VEGF in RB (r= 0. 126, 0. 314;P ＜ 0. 05).Conclusions MMP-2, MMP-9 and VEGF expressed in RB tumor tissues. The expression of MMP-2,MMP-9 has a positive correlation with the expression of VEGF. The levels of MMP-2, MMP-9 and VEGF expression are related to optic nerve infiltration of RB cells.

Objective To summarize the experience in nursing children with pediatric advanced intraocular retinoblastoma treated with 23-gauge microinvasive vitrectomy. Methods Eleven infants (12 eyes) suffered from advanced intraocular (D or E) retinoblastoma and treated with 23-gauge microinvasive vitrectomy. Preoperative psychological nursing, postoperative complication nursing and follow-up nursing were performed. Results The retinal tumors was completely removed in all 12 eyes. After the follow-up of a half year, the conditions in 8 eyes were stable, and the tumors in 4 eyes recurred. Visual acuity in 4 eyes improved and that in 1 eye remained unchanged. Conclusions Microinvasive vitreous operation can effectively remove advanced intraocular retinoblastoma. Active efficient perioperative nursing plays an important role for the prevention of complications and promoting the recovery of affected eyes.

Objective To investigate the effects of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on the levels of hemorheology and C-reactive protein in patients with obstructive sleep hypopnea apnea syndrome (OSAHS). Methods 58 moderate to severe OSAHS subjects were selected as treatment group and 32 healthyadults were selected as control group. Hemorheology and C-reactive protein in all subjects were examined and compared. The levels of hemorheology and C-reactive protein were also examined and compared before and after 3 months CPAP treatment in treatment group. Results In treatment group, the levels of the whole blood viscosity and hs-CRP were significantly higher than those in control group (P < 0.01). After treatment of CPAP for three months, the levels of the whole blood viscosity and hs-CRP obviously decreased (P < 0.01). Conclusion Levels of hemorheology and hs-CRP are elevated in patients with OSAHS and CPAP therapy could effectively decrease serum levels of hemorheology and hs-CRP in patients with OSAHS.

Objective To investigate the effect of shRNA-mediated down-regulation of the receptor for activated C kinase 1 (RACK1) gene on the chemotherapeutic sensitivities in human lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549.Methods The shRNA recombinant plasmid targeting to human RACK1 gene was designed and transferred into A549 cells by lipofectin technique.The protein level of RACK1 was measured by Western blot to confirm the function of shRNA plasmid.Drug sensitivities of A549 cells to cisplatin,gemcitabine,pemetrexed and paclitaxel were analyzed by MTT assay.The protein expression of LRP and MRP were detected by Western blot.Results After 24 hours transfection,the relative expression quantity of RACK1 protein in RACK1-shRNA group was 0.267± 0.470,which was significantly lower than that in vector-shRNA group (0.821±0.109) and control group (0.842±0.060) (F =54.438,P ＜ 0.05).The results of MTT showed that the growth of A549 cells in the RACK1-shRNA group was markedly inhibited.The sensitivities of A549 cells to cisplatin and paclitaxel were significantly enhanced compared with that in the vector-shRNA group and control group (P ＜ 0.05).The relative expression quantity of LRP and MRP protein in RACK1-shRNA group were 0.163±0.056 and 0.246±0.050,which were lower than that in vector-shRNA group and control group (F LRP =19.430,F MRP =61.548,both P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Targeted gene silencing of RACK1 improves the sensitivity of A549 cells to the ascisplatin and paclitaxel medicines,which might be achieved through down-regulation of the expression of LRP and MRP.

Objective To explore the therapeutic effects of statin in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in stable period. Methods 83 patients with COPD in stable period were recruited and randomly divided into two groups, treatment group (n = 41) and control group (n = 42).The control group received conventional routine therapy, and treatment group was given rosuvastatin calcium 20 mg once per day on the basis of routine treatment. The levels of sera C-reactive protein (CRP), pulmonary function (FEV1、FEVl%pred), and COPD assessment test (CAT) were observed at the time points of 0 week and 12th week, 24th week and 48th week were compared between two groups. Results At 12th week after the treatment, sera CRP levels, FEV1, FEV1%pred and CAT scores in either control group or treatment group showed some extent of improvements as compared to those at the time point of 0 week, and there was statistical difference of sera CRP levels and CAT scores between two groups (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference of FEV1, FEV1%pred between two groups (P > 0.05) .24th week and 48th week after the treatment; sera CRP levels, FEV, FEV1%pred and CAT scores in two groups all significantly improved and were statistical different between two groups (P < 0.05). Conclusion Statin can alleviate inflammatory reaction, improve pulmonary function and life quality of patients with COPD.

AIM:To investigate the protective effect of losartan(Los) on apoptosis of H9c2 cells induced by isoprenaline(ISO),and to discover its related mechanism.METHODS:H9c2 cells cultured on plastic plates were divided into control,ISO,ISO+Los,ISO+Los+LY294002 and DMSO groups.Cell apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometery and agarose gel electrophoresis.The mRNA levels of bax,bcl-2 and caspase-9 were detected by RT-PCR and the expressions of phosphorylated and total Akt(p-Akt and t-Akt) were assessed by Western blotting.The cAMP was measured by radioimmunoassay.RESULTS:ISO at concentration of 10 ?mol/L induced apoptosis of H9c2 with an increase in bax/bcl-2,caspase-9 and cAMP.Addition of 10 ?mol/L losartan inhibited apoptosis obviously with a decrease in bax/bcl-2,caspase-9 and cAMP.A significant increase in p-Akt was observed,and its protein level was elevated.LY294002 at concentration of 1 ?mol/L abolished the protective effects of losartan on ISO-induced apoptosis in H9c2 cells.CONCLUSION:ISO might induce H9c2 cell apoptosis through stimulation of ?-adrenergic receptor(?-AR).Los inhibits downstream signaling of ?-AR,and promotes the activation of Akt.Subsequently it might attenuate the apoptosis induced by ?-adrenergic stimulation of ISO.

OBJECTIVETo screen for CGG repeats in the FMR1 gene among patients with fragile X syndrome and carriers of pre-mutations.

METHODSPotential full and pre-mutations of the FMR1 gene were detected with a Tri-primer-florescence PCR-Sanger sequencing method. The results were validated with positive and negative controls.

RESULTSAll positive and negative controls were confirmed. A male patient was found to have > 200 CGG repeats (full mutation). For a pregnant women who was heterozygous for 35/115 CGG repeats, > 200 CGG repeats were also found with amniotic fluid sample from her fetus who was a male. The result was confirmed by following selective abortion with informed consent.

CONCLUSIONTri-primer-florescence PCR-Sanger sequencing is a simple, effective and reliable method for routine screening of patients/carriers with full/pre-mutations of the FMR1 gene in the population.

DNA Primers ; genetics ; Female ; Fluorescence ; Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein ; genetics ; Fragile X Syndrome ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Mutation ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods

BACKGROUNDThoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is an emerging treatment modality, which has been rapidly embraced by clinicians treating thoracic aortic disease. However, the clinical manifestations of systemic inflammatory response after TEVAR as post-implantation syndrome (PIS) resemble the perioperative infection. This study aimed to evaluate changes and diagnostic value of procalcitonin (PCT) and other traditional inflammatory markers for infections after TEVAR.

METHODSWe conducted a prospective clinical study that enrolled 162 consecutive aortic dissection cases, who underwent TEVAR in our institution between July 2011 and November 2012. The PCT, C-response protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and blood routine examination were monitored before the operation and on days 1, 2, 3 and 5 after the operation. The diagnosis of infection was confirmed by the infection control committee with reference to Hospital Acquired Infection Diagnostic Criteria Assessment, released by the Ministry of Health of the People's Republic of China.

RESULTSPost endovascular repair of thoracic aorta, PCT changes significantly at different time points (χ(2) = 13.225, P = 0.021), without significant difference between the PIS group and the control group (0.24 ± 0.04 vs.0.26 ± 0.10, P = 0.804). PCT values were significantly higher in the first day after TEVAR than the preoperative levels (0.18 ± 0.03 vs. 0.11 ± 0.02, P < 0.001). Compared with PIS patients, the level of PCT, CRP, White blood cell (WBC) and neutrophil (NEU) in the infection patients elevated significantly (relatively χ(2) = 6.062, P = 0.048; χ(2) = 6.081, P = 0.048; χ(2) = 11.030, P = 0.004; χ(2) = 14.632, P = 0.001). According to the ROC analysis, the PCT levels in the first day after TEVAR (AUC = 0.785, P = 0.012) had better predictive values of infection than WBC, NEU CRP and ESR (AUC = 0.720, P = 0.040; AUC = 0.715, P = 0.045; AUC = 0.663, P = 0.274; AUC = 0.502, P = 0.991). The best predictive index was the changes of PCT between preoperative and postoperative (PCT), which possess AUC as 0.803 (P = 0.014). And PCT = 0.055 could be considered as an infection diagnosis cutoff value with a sensitivity of 83.3% and specificity 69.0%.

CONCLUSIONSPCT provides better diagnostic value of infection compared with other inflammatory markers. The potential applications of PCT in differential diagnosis of PIS and infection after percutaneous TEVAR deserve further studies.

Adult ; Aged ; Blood Sedimentation ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Calcitonin ; metabolism ; Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Protein Precursors ; metabolism ; Vascular Surgical Procedures