Transcription repressor ZHX2 is one of the members in ZHX protein family,which exists widely in human tissue and participates in the occurrence and development of various diseases.Researches show that ZHX2 is closely related to the occurrence and development of cancers,such as liver cancer,multiple myeloma,gastric cancer and colorectal cancer,which has the potential value of tumor treatment.

Objective To prepare a radiofrequency (RF) ablation probe guided by endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) and to evaluate its efficacy and safety. Methods A modified 19-gauge needle ( Olympus) was used, which was electrically insulated with shrink tubing, with the tip of lcm naked. The insulation was tested, and the current signal was stable. Three rabbits were anesthetized with 8% chloral hydrate ( 3 ml/kg) intraperitoneally, fixed on the dissecting table. A standard neutral pad was applied to the thigh of the rabbit to complete the electrical circuit, both the pad and the needle electrode connected with RF generator. After anesthesia was ready, the needle was advanced through the gastric wall into the liver. Ablations were performed three times in the same zone. Extent and tissue lesion were measured after ablation. Results Ablation could be successfully performed by the needle electrode, with brown lesions surrounded by normal hepatic tissue. The mean diameter of the ablated zone in the liver was 1.0 cm× 1.2 cm. After ablation,specimens along the passage were subjected to NADH staining, and no lesions were found. HE and NADH staining showed no viable cells in the central ablation area. Conclusion With the advance of the technology and selection of materials, an EUS-guided needle electrode can be made. This preliminary animal trial demonstrates that radiofrequency ablation can be performed effectively and safely by using this EUS-guided needle electrode.

Objective To develop retrovirus-mediated transfer of the fusion gene encoding EGFP-BMP2 in mesenchymal stem cells. Methods Mesenchymal stem cells from New Zealand white rabbits were transduced with retroviral pLEGFP-BMP2 vector by the optimized retroviral transduction protocol. Fluorescent microscopy's examination was to evaluate the results of the transduction, flow cytometer's analysis was to evaluate the transduction efficiency and the Fluorescence-activated cell sorting method was to sort the transduced cells. Bioactivity test from C2C12K4 cells was to show the expression and bio-activity of the fusion gene. Results Fluorescent microscopy showed the success of the transduction. By flow cytometer's analysis, the mean efficiency of the transduction with EGFP was (42.8±6.1)% SD. Transduced cells were sorted efficiently by the fluorescence-activated cell sorting method and after sorting, almost of those showed the expression of BMP2. Fluorescently and strongly bioactivity test for C2C12K4 cells demonstrated that fluorescent materials were located the surface of cells and the activity of luciferase increased compared with the control. Analysis of long-term expression showed there was no difference between 2 week-time point and 3 month-time point of culture post-sorting. Conclusion Mesenchymal stem cells can be transduced efficiently by retrovirus-mediated transfer of the fusion gene encoding EGFP-BMP2, the highly pure transduced cells are obtained by the fluorescence-activated cell sorting technique, the expressed chimeric protein embraced the double bioactivity of EGFP and BMP2, and moreover, the expression had not attenuated over time.

Objective:To study the expression of caspase-3 and free radical injury in hypoxic-ischemic brain damage ( HIBD) of neonatal rats.Methods:All seven-day-old Wistar rats were randomly divided into HIBD group and sham operation group.Brains was obtained at time of 6 h,12 h,24 h,48 h,72 h,96 h after HIBD.Neuronal cell apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling ( TUNEL).The expression level of caspase-3 protein was detected by immunohisto-chemistry.The level of malondialdehyde ( MDA) and supemxide dismutase ( SOD) were measured by thiobarbitic acid colorimetry and xanthin oxidase,respectively.Results:The number of neuronal cell apoptosis and the expression of caspase-3 protein began to increase at 6 h and reached the peak at 48 h in HIBD group,they were both significantly higher than those in the sham operation group at each time point (P<0.05).The level of MDA began to increase at 6 h and reached the peak at 24 h in HIBD group,it was significantly higher than the sham operation group at each time point (P<0.05).The level of SOD began to decrease at 6 h and reached the lowest level at 24 h in HIBD group,it was significantly lower than the sham operation group at each time point ( P<0.05 ) .The number of neuronal cell apoptosis and the expression of caspase-3 protein were positively correlated with the level of MDA, but they were negatively correlated with the level of SOD.Conclusion: Free radical injury promotes the expression of caspase-3 and neuronal cell apoptosis in HIBD.

Objective To investigate the promoter methylation status of SFRP1 and SFRP2 gene in gastric cardia adenocarcinoma (GCA). Methods Methylation specific PCR (MSP) method was used to examine the methylation status of the 5' CpG island of SFRP1 and SFRP2 gene in tumors and corresponding normal tissues. Results Methylation frequencies of SFRP1 and SFRP2 gene in tumor specimens were 87.2 % (82/94) and 83 %(78/94), which was significantly higher than that in corresponding normal tissues (14.9 % and 55.3 %, respectively) (P <0.001). Methylation frequencies of SFRP1 in lymph node metastasis group (96.4 %) was significantly higher than that in no lymph node metastasis group (73.7 %). Methylation frequencies of SFRP1 and SFRP2 gene in poor differentiation group were all higher than that in moderate and poor-moderate differentiation groups, but both of them did not show significant difference(P >0.05). 63 cases of GCA showed both of SFRP1 and SFRP2 gene simultaneous methylation, which including 36 cases of lymph node metastasis group, 27 cases of no lymph node metastasis group. Simultaneous methylation frequencies of SFRP1 and SFRP2 gene in lymph node metastasis group was higher than that in no lymph node metastasis group, poor differentiation group was higher than that in moderate and poor-moderate differentiation groups, but both of them did not show significant difference (P >0.05). Conclusion Promoter methylation of SFRP1 and SFRP2 might be related with oncogenesis of GCA and hypermethylation of SFRP1 gene might be related with the malignant behavior of GCA.

Objective To investigate the apoptosis of articular chondrocyte and the expression of Bcl-2, Bax, Fas and iNos in articular cartilage with Kashin-Beck disease(KBD) in order to understand the pathogenesis of chondronecrosis in KBD. Methods The collected samples of human articular cartilage were divided into two groups: control group (15 samples from 15 cases), KBD group (15 samples from 15 cases). KBD patients were diagnosed by "Pathological Criteria to Diagnose KBD in China". Chondrocyte apoptosis was detected by TUNEL staining, and the Bcl-2, Bax, Fas and iNos positive articular chondrocytes were stained by the B-SA of immunohistochemistry. Articular cartilage was classified three zones and the positive rate were counted by light microscope for cytoplasimic staining by polyclonal antibodies of Bcl-2, Bax, Fas and iNos and apoptotic chondrocytes by TUNEL. Results ① The percentage of positive apoptotic chondrocytes stained by TUNEL in the middle zone of articular cartilage from the KBD-children group(33.60±2.71%) was higher than that of the control (1.33±0.41% t=11.59, g=28, P<0.01). ②The percentage of chondrocytes staining for Bcl-2, Bax, Fas and iNos among the upper and the middle zone in KBD group were significantly higher than that of the control (t=11.75-18.65, g=14, P<0.01); the remarkable difference in the expression of Bcl-2, Bax, Fas and iNos among the upper, the middle and the deep zones was also seen in KBD articular cartilage (F=73.49-114.42, g=42, P<0.01), and staining for Bcl-2, Bax, Fas and iNos in KBD children was prominent in the upper zone(41.93±12.26%, 45.60±15.78%, 53.60±16.49%, 45.47±14.02%) and the middle zone(14.93±3.50%, 13.87±4.32%, 23.27±4.83%, 21.67±6.82%)of articular cartilage, respectively. Conclusion The chondrocyte apoptosis and the present of Bcl-2, Bax, Fas and iNos positive chondrocytes in articular cartilage of children with KBD were significantly higher than that of the control.

Objective To measure the level of interleukin-15(IL-15) in serum and its expression in lung tissues,and analyze the correlations between IL-15 and IL-4,IFN-?,eosinophil(Eos),and explore the effect of IL-15 on bronchial asthma.Methods Thirty femal BALB/C mice were randomly divided into three group(n=10),group A(asthma model),group B(corticosteroid treatment) and group C(normal control).All mice were killed 24 h after final OVA challenge.Blood were obtained for measurement of serum IgE,IL-4,IFN-? and IL-15 levels by enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay(ELISA).Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BLAF) was collected for Eos count.The left lungs were isolated for pathological examination.The lung sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin(HE).The expressions of IL-15 in lung tissues were measured by immunohistochemical SP method.Results ①The mouse asthma model appeared ethological changes specific to asthma,the Eos count in BALF was increased,and IgE and IL-4 levels in serum were also increased compared with control group(P

BACKGROUND: Greater tuberosity of humerus, as the attachment point of rotator cuff, plays a vital role in shoulder.Neer and AO classification for proximal humeral fractures have been accepted extensively. However, the classification for single greater tuberosity fractures of the proximal humerus is little reported, and its fixation method remains controversial.OBJECTIVE: To explore the curative efficacy of the double-row suture anchors under arthroscopy for avulsion-type greater tuberosity fractures (Mutch type Ⅰ) METHODS: Clinical data of 24 patients with avulsion-type greater tuberosity fractures (Mutch type Ⅰ) undergoing double-row suture anchors under arthroscopy were analyzed retrospectively. The displacement distance of the greater tuberosity of humerus was measured on CT before and after fixation. The shoulder joint was evaluated by Constant-Murley Score and the University of California, Los Angeles score at baseline, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Besides, the visual analogue scale scores were detected at baseline and 12 months postoperatively.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Double-row suture anchors effectively improved the displacement of greater tuberosity and rotator cuff injury. (2) The patients accompanied by rotator cuff injury accounted for 79.16%. (3) The Constant-Murley Score and the University of California, Los Angeles scores were significantly improved at each time point (P < 0.05). The visual analogue scale scores after fixation were significantly superior to those before fixation (P < 0.05). (4) These results suggest that the double-row suture anchors under arthroscopy can effectively improve the displacement of greater tuberosity and alleviate the pain. Moreover, it is conductive for early recovery of the shoulder function with little trauma, so it is a good choice for avulsion-type greater tuberosity fractures (Mutch type Ⅰ).

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of Jiawei Xiaoyao Pills (JWXYP) on immune system of mice exposed to chronic emotional stress, and to compare its effects with blockage of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal cortex axis (HPAA) by metyrapone. METHODS: Eighty male mice were randomly divided into eight groups: normal saline-treated group, normal saline-treated stress group, JWXYP-treated group, JWXYP-treated stress group, metyrapone-treated group, metyrapone-treated stress group, metyrapone and JWXYP-treated group and metyrapone and JWXYP-treated stress group. A box of electrical shock was used to induce chronic emotional stress in mice. The metyrapone was applied to blocking the HPAA. The JWXYP, a classical formula of traditional Chinese medicine, which can alleviate the damages caused by chronic emotional stress, was also used to compare its effects with that of metyrapone. The body weight, thymus index, rate of apoptosis in thymus, serum concentration of glucocorticoid, activity of natural killer cells, lymphocyte transmission rate of mice were all measured and examined after interventions. The pathological changes of thymus tissue were observed. RESULTS: The thymus index, activity of natural killer cells and lymphocyte transmission rate were lower while the rate of apoptosis in thymus as well as the severity degree of pathological damages in thymus tissue were increased in the different drug-treated stress groups as compared with those in the corresponding drug-treated groups without stress. The activity of natural killer cells and the lymphocyte transmission rate induced by lipopolysaccharide were increased while the serum concentration of glucocorticoid and the severity degree of pathological damages in thymus tissue were decreased in both the metyrapone-treated stress group and JWXYP-treated stress group as compared with those in the normal saline-treated stress group. The combined intervention of metyrapone and JWXYP did not show better effects on immune system in mice exposed to chronic emotional stress than single metyrapone or JWXYP intervention. CONCLUSION: Blockage of HPAA by metyrapone intervention shows a significant protective effect on immune system in mice exposed to chronic emotional stress, and the JWXYP also exerts a similar protective effect against damages induced by chronic emotional stress. The HPAA may be one of the action targets of protective effects of JWXYP.

Objective To investigate the correlative factors affecting the plasma D-dimer level in elderly patients. Methods Five hundred and seventy-eight hospitalized elderly patients were included in this study. All participants were di-vided into normal group (＜0.4 mg/L) and elevated group (≥0.4 mg/L) according to the plasma D-dimer value,which was mea-sured by automated quantitative turbidimetric latex agglutination test. The differences in clinical indicators were compared be-tween two groups. The factors leading to the increased plasma levels of D-dimer in elderly patients were also analyzed. Results It was found that the patient age, C-reactive protein, prothrombin time, proportions of type 2 diabetes mellitus, ma-lignant tumor, bacterial pneumonia and (or) acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis were significant higher in elevated group than those of normal group (P＜0.05), but the levels of total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol were lower in elevated group than those of normal group (P＜0.05). There was a positive correlation between serum level of D-dimer and age, C-reactive protein (r=0.254 and 0.265, P ＜ 0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that the factors affecting plasma D-dimer level of elderly patients were aging, elevated C-reactive protein level, existing of malignant tumor, type 2 dia-betes mellitus, and bacterial pneumonia and (or) acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis. Conclusion Aging, existing of type 2 diabetes mellitus, malignant tumor, or acute inflammatory state were the important factors leading elevated plasma D-dimer levels in elderly patients.