Objective To investigate the association of ret gene rearrangement mutation with the pathogenesis of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Methods Twenty-seven cases of PTC were analysed for expression of ret gene rearrangement (ret/PTCs) by multiplex-PCR at first, and then ret/PTC1-3 were identified by identification-PCR (ID-PCR). Finally, the specific ret/PTC was affirmed by automated direct sequencing. Ten specimens of malignant thyroid tissues of other histological types, 33 benign thyroid lesions and 30 normal thyroid specimens beside tumor (as the control) were also included. Results (1) Fifteen samples showed positive ret/PTCs, 11 of which harboured ret/PTC1,3 were positive for ret/PTC3, and 1 for ret/PTC2. All the rearrangements were clearly identified by automated direct sequencing of ID-PCR products. (2) All the 15 ret/PTC-positive tissue samples were histologically confirmed to be PTC. The prevalence of the tumor-specific ret rearrangements in 27 patients with PTC is 55.6% (15/27). (3) No significant difference was found regarding the gender and age of the patients, tumor size and metastasis of neck lymph node. 33.3% (2/6) of the PTC with invasion of extrathyroidal soft tissue were ret/PTC-positive, as compared with 66.7%(4/6) for ret/PTC-negative group (P

Objective The present study was designed to investigate the efficiency of simvastatin therapy for experimental pul‐monary hypertension (PH) in rat ,and the effects on the number and function of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) . Methods Twenty four Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups randomly :model group ,treatment group and control group , 8 rats in each group .Rats were treated with a single subcutaneous injection of monocrotaline to induce PH (PBS used as control) . The rats in the experimental group were administrated with simvastatin 3 days following subcutaneous injection of monocrotaline .In the 21st day ,the number of circulating EPC ,the right ventricle systolic pressure of rat ,pulmonary vascular structural changes and the quantity of cultured EPC were measured .At the same time ,EPC in each group were cultured in vitro ,then the ability of prolif‐eration and function were analyzed and compared .Results The number of circulating EPC in model group was decreased signifi‐cantly compared to both control and model groups (P< 0 .01) .Compared with model group ,simvastatin treatment markedly de‐creased the RVSP and the ratio of media thickness to eternal diameter (P<0 .01) ,but the ratio of vessel area to total arterial area (VA/TAA) was definitively increased(P<0 .01) .After 7 days of culture in vitro ,both the output of EPC and the ability of prolif‐eration ,conglutination and migration of EPC in treatment group were up -regulated compared with those in model group (P<0 .01) .Conclusion This study confirmed that simvastatin effectively treat experimental PH through improving quantity and func‐tion of circulating EPC .

Objective To report the outcome of emergency repair traumatized limbs by vascularized free tissue transplantation.Methods From April 1988 to August 2004,86 patients,58 men and 28 women,had undergone emergency vascularized free tissue transplantation to have their injured limbs repaired in 54 cases and the missing thumbs reconstructed in 32.The patients aged from 5 to 55 (mean 27.9) years. The transplants included latissimus dorsi myocutaneons flap,anterolateral femoral skin flap,medial crural skin flaps,dorsal pedal flaps,medial plantar flap,composite tissue mass of the discarded limbs and big toe skin- nail flap.The operations were performed 1 to 5 days after injuries.Results Postoperative vascular crises occurred in 8 cases and were all followed by exploration with successes in 5 cases while failure in 3.The total survival rate of the transplants was 96.5% (83/86).In this series all the patients were followed up for 1 to 16 years with a mean of 7.5 years only to reveal satisfying functional recovery in all the repaired limbs and an ex- cellent and good rate of 87.5% in the reconstructed thumbs.Conclusion Emergency vascularized free tis- sue transplantation is an effective way to repair a traumatized limb and to reconstruct a traumatically missing thumb.

Objective To discuss the value of moving darkroom and accompanying X-rays protective shield in endemic fluorosis areas.Methods Using moving and fixed darkrooms,the X-rays photos of the forearms and shanks of the 320 persons were developed in the endemic fluorosis areas,while the time for development and installing-uninstalling films was documented.The films develpoed in the darkroom were evaluated for the quality.Results Among the 320 films develpoed in the moving darkroom,the 268 had fingerprints,47 had scratches,298 were in good quality(93.13%),while in the fixed darkroom,the figure was correspondingly 735,384,227(70.93%);The moving darkroom increased excellent film rate significantly than fixed darkroom(χ2=53.43,P＜0.01),The detectable rate of skelelal fluorosis and degree Ⅰ skelelal fluorosis were highter than that in the fixed darkroom did (χ2=10.34,χ2=9.56,P＜0.01).Conclusions The films developed in moving darkroom have superior quality and higher diagnostic value,so it is important to use moving X-rays photographing in ecdemic fluorosis areas.

Child ; Humans ; Plasma Exchange ; Thrombotic Microangiopathies ; therapy

AIM: To test the ability of multifocal visual evoked potential (mfVEP) in the detecting of glaucoma by comparing the mfVEP recorded from normal subjects and glaucoma patients.METHODS: The mfVEP of 32 normal eyes (n =21) and of 58 eyes (n =37) with primary glaucoma were recorded with the Vision Monitor electrophysical apparatus by the second kernel analysis and to determine the correlation of the topographic location between them.RESULTS: There were significant variability (the coefficient of variation was 43.05%) in mfVEP RMS amplitude in the normal subjects; The RMS amplitude of eyes with glaucoma were smaller than that of the normal eyes and significantly statistical difference were found in the relatively center (namely the 0° -10° ring zone) and in superior nasal quadrant (P＜0.05) while there were no significantly statistical differences of the latency time between them.CONCLUSION: The normal subjects have large individual variability of mfVEP responses. The RMS amplitude of the mfVEP of glaucomatous eyes descends, especially in center zone and superior nasal quadrant.

Objective To confirm the distribution of high arsenic drinking water and the situation of endemic arsenism in Hubei Province, to provide reference basis for prevention and control of endemic arsenic disease. Methods Using typical investigation and sample investigation in 2006 and 2007, the arsenic content of water was detected sampled from 19 counties(cities or communities). And those water samples which were close to or exceeded the stipulated standard were rechecked by the national standard method. Furthermore, the situation of endemic arsenism was investigated in the cities having high arsenic contents of water. Results In 2006,10 028 water samples of 446 villages in 6 counties (cities or communities) were tested, the wells of high arsenic (> 0.05 mg/L) were found in 5 counties (cities or communities) and the proportion of the well that exceeded stipulated standard was 5.29%(530/10 028); In 2007,19 086 water samples of 1282 villages in 17 counties(cities or communities) were tested, the wells of high arsenic were found in 11 counties(cities or communities), and the proportion of the well that exceeded stipulated standard was 1.74%(333/19 086). In these two years, 29 114 water samples were tested, in which 863 water samples were exceeding the stipulated standard. The 2.96% of total wells exceeded stipulated standard and mainly distributed in 179 villages of 12 counties(cities or communities). And the highest arsenic content of water sample was 2.012 mg/L. In the endemic arsenism area, 2 critical, 1 moderate and 1 mild arsenism patients had been found. Conclusions The water of high arsenic content are scattered in Hubei Province and the situation of endemic arsenism disease is mild. Improving water aiming at decreasing arsenic and establishing patient files should be carried out immediately.

Objective The present study was to differentiate the hyperdensities on CT immediately after intra-arterial thrombolysis in patients with acute isehemic stroke.Methods Twenty two patients with acute ischemic stroke were treated with intra-arterial combining with intravenous thrombolysis within 6 hours after onset.All patients underwent nonenhaneed CT scans before,immediately and 24 hours after thrombolytic therapy.The hyperdensities on CT after intra-arterial thrombolysis were analyzed retrospectively.Results Five hyperdense areas were seen in 22 patients immediately after thrombolytie therapy.According to their locations, CT values and follow-up CT scans,the hyperdensities on CT imaging were classified into two groups:contrast enhancement and hemorrhagic transformation.The former was characterized by rapid clearance of the hyperdensity lesion with maximum Hounsifild Unit＜90,on the contrary,the latter was noted by persistence of hyperdensity lesion after 24 hours CT scan with maximum Hounsifild Unit＞90.Two of the five hyperdense lesion patients were confirmed to be contrast enhancement with location in cerebral cortex,the other were hemorrhagic transformation,mostly located in basal ganglia.Hyperdensity in patients with contrast enhancement showed neurological improvement although no further medical cares were offered.Conclusions Different kind of hyperdensity on CT immediately after intra-arterial thrombolysis in patients with acute ischemic stroke can be differentiated according to its location,CT value and follow-up CT scan.When contrast enhancement occurred,no further medical care is needed.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the sustaining effects of gene-transferring hepatic stellate cell strain CFSC/HGF on the development of hepatocytes.

METHODSA CFSC/HGF strain, expressing HGF steadily and effectively was established by recombined retroviral vector pMSCV-HGF infection. Morphology and ultra structure of hepatocytes, albumin and urea production, as well as ICG uptake and excretion were studied continuously following the hepatocytes cultured on the CFSC/HGF feeder layers. Parallel group of collagen-dependent hepatocytes culturing and hepatocytes culturing on CFSC were also conducted. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis was made to evaluate the expression of HGF receptor c-Met.

RESULTSThe hepatocytes cocultured on CFSC/HGF feeder layers had a higher survival rate, and the functions of albumin secretion and urea syntheses and ICG uptake and excretion, were superior to the other two culture methods. The result of RT-PCR indicated that the c-Met expressed on the CFSC/HGF coculturing hepatocytes was up-regulated 2.23 times.

CONCLUSIONGene-transferring hepatic stellate cell strain CFSC/HGF exhibited a remarkable sustaining effect on the hepatocytes development. The up-regulation of c-Met expressed on the surfaces of the hepatocytes induced by CFSC/HGF might play some part in this function.

Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Coculture Techniques ; Colony-Forming Units Assay ; Gene Transfer Techniques ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Hepatocytes ; cytology ; Humans ; Liver ; cytology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met ; metabolism ; Transfection