Objective: To investigate the expression of HIF-1α and its relationship with angiogenesis in osteosarcoma. Methods: Osteosarcoma MG-63 cells were cultured in vitro under hypoxia and mimic hypoxia conditions. Thirty paraffin-embedded osteosarcoma tissues and 20 fresh frozen osteosarcoma specimens were collected. The mRNA and protein expression of HIF-1α and VEGF were detected by RT-PCR, Western blotting, ELISA, and immunohistochemistry methods. The mean vessel density (MVD) were also calculated. Results: The mRNA level of HIF-1α had no change under hypoxia and minic hypoxia conditions, whereas the protein expression was increased dramaticaly. The mRNA and protein expression of VEGF was significantly increased under hypoxia and minic hypoxia conditions. The positive rate of HIF-1α mRNA (90%) and VEGF(100%) in 20 fresh frozen tissues were higher than those of the para-tumor tissues(P<0.05). The positive rates of HIF-1α and VEGF protein in paraffin-embedded osteosarcoma were 86.7% and 93.3%, respectively, significantly higher than those in the para-tumor tissues (6.7%,26.7%, P<0.05). Spearman related analysis demonstrated that the expression of HIF-1α (P = 0.005, r = 0.767) and VEGF(P<0.002, r = 0.701) had a positive relation with MVD. Conclusion: HIF-1α is overexpressed in osteosarcoma and might be closely associated with tumor angiogenesis. Overexpression of HIF-1α might indicate a poor prognosis of osteosarcoma.

Objective: To investigate the anticancer activity of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor trichostatin A (TSA) on osteosarcoma in vitro and its possible mechanism. Methods: Osteosarcoma MG-63 cells were cultured under the mimic hypoxia condition induced by desferrioxamine and treated with TSA in vitro. The effects of TSA on invasion of MG-63 cells was detected by Transwell migration assay. The effect of TSA on mRNA and protein expressions of HIF-1α and VEGF were tested by RT-PCR, Western blotting, and ELISA at various concentrations and different time points. Results: After treatment with TSA at 50, 100, 200, 300, and 500 nmol/L the invasion capability of MG-63 cells decreased significantly compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Mimic hypoxia induced the expression of HIF-1α and VEGF protein. TSA markedly inhibited the expression of HIF-1α and VEGF protein in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Conclusion: The histone deacetylase inhibitor TSA had an significant anticancer activity in vitro and inhibitory effects on the expression of HIF-1α and tumor angiogenesis. It might be a novel anti-cancer agent by targeting HIF-1α and subsequently inhibiting angiogenesis in osteosarcoma.

Objective: To employ the subtraction technique of 64-slice spiral CT angiography for intra- and extra-cranial arteries imaging, so as to study the managing method and assess the clinical outcome. Methods: The pre-contrast and post-contrast images of 100 patients were obtained by 64-slice spiral CT angiography. A special head holder was used during the scanning to guarantee the accurate overlapping of the pre-contrast and post-contrast images. A reconstructed three-dimensional model of the pre-contrast bone dataset was subtracted from the post-contrast dataset to produce the subtracted images. (1) An experienced operator performed the conventional and subtraction reconstructions; the periods for image generation of both methods were recorded and compared. (2) The quality of the images were evaluated and graded (grade 1-5) by 2 experienced radiologists in a double-blinded manner. Results: (1) The new subtraction technique using 64-slice spiral CT angiography needed significantly less time than the conventional method did (11.01±1.89 min vs 14.30±2.25 min, P<0.01). (2)The correlation coefficient of the results of 2 radiologists was 0.87. The score of image quality by subtraction 64-slice spiral CT angiography was significantly higher than that by the conventional method (4.22±050 vs 2.93±0.36, P<0.05). Conclusion: Subtraction 64-slice spiral CT angiography is easy to use and time saving for intra- and extra-cranial artery imaging; it does not has the difficulty of separating artery from bone and is worth popularizing in clinic.

Objective To evaluate the clinical results of biofeedback and pelvic electric stimulation therapy for stress urinary incontinence in women. Methods Totally 36 women with stress urinary incontinence were prospcctively studied by treating with biofeedback and pelvic electric stimulation therapy (MeprasolBIO2001). All the patients were follow-up for 3 months. Results About 70% of the patients were completely dry and 22% reported subjective improved,the recurrence rate at 3 months follow-up was 60%. Conclusion Biofeedback and pelvic electric stimulation therapy is a safe method for treating stress urinary incontinence. It is effective and easy to perform as an outpatient treatment. But the therapy should be performed for a longterm.

The sulfonylureas as insulin secretagogues,have formed a cornerstone of pharmacotherapy for type 2 diabetes over 50 years.Although sulfonylureas are effective antihyperglycemic agents,individual variability exists in drug response (i.e.,pharmacodynamics) and adverse effects which may be related to some genes.This article mainly reviews the advance of recent studies about drug metabolism and pharmacogenomics of sulfonylureas.

Objective To evaluate the differential diagnostic values of combined detection of adenosine de aminase (ADA),carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA),carbohydrate antigen 153 (CA153),neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and carbohydrate antigen 199 (CA199) in patients with pleural effusion.Methods Serum and hydrothorax fluid of CEA,CA153,NSE and CA199 in patients with plearal effusion were measured by electrochemiluminescence assay(ECLA),ADA from pleural effusions were measured by enzyme rate assay,and the clinical value of combined detection in the differential diagnosis of pleural effusion was evaluated.Results The levels of ADA(65.89±19.81 U/L) in hydrothorax fluid group with tuberculous pleural effusion were beth higher than those in the groups with inflammatory pleural effusion (17.33±16.58) U/L and malignant pleural effusion(27.44±22.64) U/L (q=12.19 and 10.72,P＜0.01).The positive rate of A DA was 82.88% (29/135) in hydrothorax fluid group with tuberculous pleural effusion,13.41% (11/135) in malignant pleural effusion and 11.11% (2/135) in inflammatory pleural effusion (X~2=59.07,P＜0.01).The levels and positive rate of CEA,CA153,NSE,and CA199 in serum and hydrothorax fluid group with malignant pleural effusion were both higher than those in the group with tuberculous pleural effusion (P＜0.05).Compared with the group with malignant pleural effusion,the levels of CA153 and CA199 in serum and the levels and the positive rate of NSE in serum and hydrothorax fluid were not statistically different in inflammatory pleural effusion group.In the 82 cases with malignant pleural effusion,the positive rate of the four kinds of serum tumor markers including CEA,CA153,NSE and CA199 was 74.39% (61/82) and the positive rate of those hydrothorax fluid tumor markers was 82.93% (68/82).Conclusions Combined detection of ADA,CEA,CA153,NSE and CA199 is of some significance to the differential diagnosis of pleural effusion.

Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion is a common pathological state. Cognitive impairment is its main manifestation in early stage, and it will eventually result in persistent or progressive cognitive impairment and neurological deficits. Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion caused neuronal damage, synapse abnormity, energy impairment and the function defects of central cholinergic system and monoaminergic system are its pathophysiological mechanisms resulting in cognitive impairment.

Bone marrow microenvironment is a complex network consisting of hematopoietic stem/pro-genitor cells (HSPCs),non-hematopoietic cells,extracellular matrix and various cytokines.Its components interact to support normal hematopoiesis.Emerging evidence indicates that the dysfunction of mesenchymal stem cells,myeloid-derived suppressor cells,cytokines and the epigenetic alterations of HSPCs in the bone marrow microenvironment could influence normal hematopoiesis.Abnormal hematopoiesis contributes to the occurrence of hematological malignancies,such as myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).Animal models have confirmed that bone marrow microenvironment plays an important role in the original generation and maintenance of malignant diseases of hematopoietic system.

Objective To investigate the clinical effect of acellular allogenic dermis combined with split-thickness autogenous skin graft for coverage of wound in extremity joint. Methods After contraction scar, giant pigmented nevus and capillary hemangioma being removed, acellular allogenic dermis with split-thickness autogenous skin graft was used to repair 25 cases of wounds of elbow, ankle, knee and wrist joints. The area of wounds was from 7cm?11cm to 12cm?19cm. Out of 25 wounds, there were 4 in wrist, 8 in elbow, 7 in ankle and 6 in knee joints. The survival rate of graft skin and improvement degree of joint function were observed. Results All grafts survived and had the smooth surface without obvious pigmentation and wound contraction. The function of joint was significantly improved after operation. Conclusion Tissue-engineered dermis with autogenous epithelium is an ideal graft for coverage of various wounds in extremity joint.