AIM: To study the expression of Survivin and its relationship to prognosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).METHODS: The expression of Survivin protein in 83 cases of HCC and their neighboring noncancerous tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry. The expression of Survivin mRNA in 11 cases of HCC and their neighboring noncancerous tissues was detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. RESULTS: Survivin protein expression was detected in 53 of 83 (63.9%) HCC tissues and 21 of 53 (39.6%) corresponding noncancerous tissues. 22 of 53 Survivin-positive HCCs (41.5%) showed punctate nuclear staining in HCC cells, 24 of 53 Survivin-positive HCCs (45.3%) showed cytoplasmic staining in HCC cells and the remaining 7 showed both nuclear and cytoplasmic staining. The positive rates of nuclear Survivin expression in cases of envelope invasion or tumor metastasis were significantly higher than those in cases without envelope invasion or tumor metastasis (P

Objective To determine the relationship between the viral load of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in newborns with symptomatic congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection.Methods The study cohort comprised 36 newborns with symptomatic congenital CMV infection.CSF from all of the patients were analyzed for the presence of CMV DNA by PCR.Audiological function were performed on them by brain stem auditory evoked potential at birth,at 6 and 12 months of age.Results (1)Of the 36 newborns,15 cases (41.7％) had positive CSF PCR result,17 cases (47.2％) had SNHL.(2) The prevalence of SNHL in the group of newborns with positive CSF PCR result was 60.0％ (9/15),and it was 38.1％ (8/21) in the group of newborns with negative CSF PCR result,there was no significant difference of the prevalence of SNHL between the two groups (P =0.194).(3) In newborns with positive CSF PCR result,the amounts of CSF CMV DNA was not different between the newborns with SNHL and normal hearing (3.35 ± 0.68 vs.3.17 ± 0.56,P =0.36).Conclusion A positive CSF PCR result and the CMV viral load of CSF did not correlate with SNHL.

[Objective] To investigate the expression of NF-κB and IL-lra in gastric cancer, and to explore their correlation with the clinicopathological parameters and prognosis of gastric cancer (GC). [Methods] Expression of NF-κB and IL-1ra was detected by immunohistochemistry in tissue microarry of 359 cases of GC. [Results] The expression rates of NF-κB in the patients with metastasis of lymph node, TNM Ⅲ-Ⅳ stage, and poorly differentiated of histology were 80.2%, 80.0%, and 79.2%, respectively. The expression rates of IL-1ra in the patients with tumor size ≤3 cm, early stage, non-metastasis of lymph node, and TNM Ⅰ-Ⅱ stage were 61.7%, 75.0%, 66.4%, and 61.9%, respectively. The 5-year survival rate of the cases with non-expressed NF-κB was statistically higher than that of the cases with expressed NF-κB(P=0.036). The 5-year survival rate of the patients with negative expression of NF-κB and positive expression of IL-1ra was statistically higher than the others (P=0.021). [Conclusions] NF-κB is the adverse predictors of prognosis of gastric cancer. IL-1ra maybe play a protective role in early gastric cancer stage, but it is necessary to study deeply and get more evidences.

AIM: To analyze clinical data of hospitalized patients with age - related cataract treated through clinical pathway in our hospital, and to investigate the effectiveness of clinical pathway in standardizing medical behavior, advancing work efficiency, and improving quality of hospital management.
METHODS:Data of patients with age-related cataract, who were treated with phacoemulsification combined with intraocular lens implantation in Xi'an North Hospital, were retrospectively analyzed. In clinical pathway group, 220 patients underwent cataract surgery from October 2012 to May 2013 in accordance with clinical pathway. For control group, 213 patients with cataract receiving surgery from October 2010 to June 2011, comply with conventional process. Effect of cataract surgery, average length of hospitalization, average cost of hospitalization, and degree of satisfaction of patients were comprehensive investigated.
RESULTS: In 220 patients of clinical pathway group, 209 ( 95. 0%) got improved vision, the days of hospitalization was 4. 5 ± 1. 4d, and the average hospitalized consumption was 4 522. 3 ± 285. 1 Yuan. Whereas, in control group, visual acuity in 202 (94. 8%) out of 213 patients were improved, and the length and cost of hospitalization were 5. 1±1. 7d and 4 647. 7±271. 2 Yuan. The difference of the length and cost of hospitalization between these two groups were significant (P<0. 05). However, there was no statistically significance in curative effect and patients satisfaction compare (P>0. 05).
CONCLUSION: Practicing of age - related clinical pathway is helpful in standardizing medical heavier, optimizing clinical process, reducing health cost, improving quality of medical care, and providing evidence for hospital management innovation.

Objective To study the clinical value of portable echocardiography system in diagnosis for acute paroxysmal dyspnea.Methods Clinical data of 81 patients with acute paroxysmal dyspnea recorded by a portable echocardiography apparatus at their bedside were retrospectively analyzed,and compared to those of 45 patients by conventional echocardiography.Results The 2D images in portable echocardiograph were similar to those of conventional echocardiograph.Diagnosis could be established in 74 (91.4%),corrected in six (7.4%) and not confirmed only in one (1.2%) of 81 patients with acute paroxysmal dyspnea by portable echocardiography system.And,portable echocardiography system could be used to diagnose pericardial effusion and to monitor perieardial puncturing and draining at bedside. Conclusions Portable echocardiography systems can provide rapid,accurate and valuable information on diagnosis and treatment for acute paroxysmal dyspnea,and make its clinical intervention accurate,scientific and effective,bringing echocardiography performed at bedside possible.

OBJECTIVETo construct E1-deletion and replication-defective human type 5 recombinant adenovirus vector and to study the effect of p16INK4a on proliferation and aging of A549 cells.

METHODSp16INK4a cDNA was cloned into pAdCMV to construct recombinant pAdCMV p16INK4a, which was co-transfected into 293 cell together with pJM17. The recombinant p16INK4a adenovirus (Ad-p16INK4a) was generated by homologous recombination and identified with duplex PCR. Lung cancer cell A549, which has a homozygous deletion of p16INK4a gene, was infected with the prepared Ad-p16INK4a virus. X-gal staining and TRAP-ELISA were used for detecting senescence-associated beta-galactosidase and telomerase activities in A549 cells.

RESULTSImmunohistochemical staining and Western blot indicated that p16INK4a gene was transferred into A549 cell with more than 95% efficiency by recombinant adenovirus and p16INK4a protein was expressed at a high level- p16INK4a could markedly inhibit growth of A549 cells, induced expression of senescence-associated beta-galactosidase and suppressed telomerase activity in A549 cells.

CONCLUSIONRecombinant adenovirus vector could efficiently mediate transfer and expression of foreign genes in human cell and could be used for gene immunization and gene therapy; p16INK4a could inhibit A549 cell growth and induce its replicative senescence.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Cellular Senescence ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; physiology ; Gene Expression ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Recombination, Genetic ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo study the expression of membrane MICA (mMICA), soluble MICA (sMICA) and NKG2D receptor in cases of osteosarcoma and to analyze its clinical significance.

METHODSExpression of mMICA in osteosarcoma tissue of 43 cases was detected with immunohistochemistry. Expression of NKG2D in peripheral blood lymphocytes of 16 cases was analyzed by flow cytometry. Serum level of soluble MICA (sMICA) was measured by ELISA.

RESULTSmMICA was widely expressed in osteosarcoma tissue (37/43). Expression of NKG2D in peripheral blood lymphocytes was significantly decreased. High levels of mMICA and NKG2D expression were associated with better differentiation and earlier tumor stage of osteosarcoma (P < 0.05). A significant increase in serum level of sMICA was demonstrated in patients with metastasis and advanced tumor.

CONCLUSIONSThe mMICA expression in tumor tissue, NKG2D expression in peripheral lymphocytes and serum sMICA level correlate with the differentiation and stage of osteosarcoma. These parameters may thus represent potential diagnostic and prognostic markers in patients with osteosarcoma. Manipulation of the MICA-NKG2D pathway may become a target of immunotherapy for osteosarcoma.

Bone Neoplasms ; blood ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Differentiation ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Flow Cytometry ; Histocompatibility Antigens Class I ; blood ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lymphocytes ; immunology ; NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily K ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Staging ; Osteosarcoma ; blood ; metabolism ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo characterize the biologic featrues of hepatic oval cells and their protein expression profiles during induced differentiation in vitro.

METHODSRat hepatic oval cells were treated with epidermal growth factor (EGF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in vitro, followed by morphological and molecular marker assessment by electromicroscopy, immunocytochemistry, RT-PCR and protein expression chip technology.

RESULTSTen weeks after induction, the levels of GST-P mRNA and M2-PK mRNA were significantly reduced, whereas those of ALB and CK18 were elevated. Significant variations of expression was seen in 8 protein species during the course of the induced differentiation.

CONCLUSIONCombined EGF and HGF treatment in vitro induces cell differentiation of hepatic oval cells, a process in which 8 protein species may play some regulatory roles.

Albumins ; metabolism ; Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; pharmacology ; Glutathione Transferase ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; pharmacology ; Hepatocytes ; cytology ; metabolism ; ultrastructure ; Immunohistochemistry ; Keratin-18 ; metabolism ; Protein Array Analysis ; Pyruvate Kinase ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Rats ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVETo amplify the PCR with the internal transcribed spacerl regions measure the base sequence of the amplified products of DNA, and to set up an identified standard on the level of molecule.

METHODDNA from the seeds of G. dahurica was extracted by conventional method, and composed peculiar primer was used to amplify with the internal transcribed spacerl regions of the rRNA gene, and the base sequence of the amplified products by stopping the circle of the end of double deoxidation of four color fluorescent mark was measured.

RESULTIt was proved by agar sugar gel electrophoresis that the PCR amplified products of the internal transcribed spacerl regions of the rRNA gene existed. The base sequence of the seeds of G. dahurica's internal transcribed spacerl regions of the rRNA gene was measured.

CONCLUSIONTo measure the base sequence of internal transcribed spacerl regions of the rRNA gene in the seeds of G. dahurica's is a method to identify vegetal Chinese traditional medicine on the level of molecule.

Base Sequence ; DNA, Plant ; genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer ; genetics ; Gentiana ; genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Plants, Medicinal ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Ribosomal ; genetics ; Seeds ; genetics

Objective: To estimate the effect of urate-lowering therapy with febuxostat on oxidative stress in chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages 3-5 patients with hyperuricemia (HUA). Methods: The study was a prospective cohort study. The patients of CKD stages 3-5 with HUA between June 2015 and June 2018 in the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University were prospectively analyzed. The patients were assigned to febuxostat (A) group, allopurinol (B) group and non-hyperuricemia (C) group according to the level of serum uric acid and the choice of urate-lowering drugs. Serum uric acid, hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) were measured at baseline, 1 month and 3 months after treatment and the changes of the values of inflammation and oxidative stress before or after treatment were compared. According to the level of serum uric acid, patients were divided into attainment group and nonattainment group, and the correlation between uric acid and oxidative stress was analyzed at baseline and 3 months after treatment respectively. Results: There was no significant difference in baseline levels of serum uric acid, inflammation and oxidative stress between group A and group B (P>0.05). The levels of serum uric acid, hs-CRP, MDA and ET-1 of group A and group B were significantly higher than those of group C, but the level of SOD of group A and group B was significantly lower than that of group C at baseline (P<0.001). After treatment for 1 month and 3 months, the values of serum uric acid, hs-CRP, MDA and ET-1 in group A were significantly lower than those in group B, while the level of SOD in group A was significantly higher than that in group B (P<0.001). Compared with pre-treatment period, both the serum uric acid, hs-CRP, MDA and ET-1 levels of group A and group B were declined significantly while SOD had a significant rise after 3 months treatment (P<0.001). The changes of group A were significantly higher than those of group B (P<0.001). At baseline and 3 months after treatment, serum uric acid was positively related to hs-CRP, MDA and ET-1, but negatively related to SOD in nonattainment group (| r|>0.50, P<0.001); serum uric acid was positively related to hs-CRP, MDA and SOD (| r|>0.70, P<0.001), and there was no correlation between serum uric acid and ET-1 in attainment group (P>0.05). Conclusions Febuxostat performed better than allopurinol in lowering urate and inhibiting oxidative stress in CKD stages 3-5 patients with HUA, thus reducing vascular endothelial injury. Elevated serum uric acid may be one of the important factors that promote oxidative stress and increase endothelial damage in CKD patients.