Objective To assess the value of high-resolution ultrasonography in diagnosis of cubital tunnel syndrome. Methods Forty-two patients (43 elbows) initially diagnosed as cubital tunnel syndrome underwent ultrasonography (US), while 15 healthy contralateral elbows of these patients taken as self controls, and 15 healthy volunteers as normal controls underwent US of the ulnar nerve. The findings of US measurements were compared with that of intra-operative results and pre-operative electromyography. Results High-resolution US displayed changes and some etiological factors of cubital tunnel syndrome. The measurements of ulnar nerve at the proximal part of the compression were higher than those in the control groups. The cut-off point of cross-sectional area (CSA) and CSA tumefaction ratio was 0.11 cm~2 and 141.50%, respectively. The sensitivity of US was 92.86% compared with intra-operative results, and was 100% when combined with pre-operative electromyography. Conclusion High-frequency ultrasound can be used as an effective method to diagnose cubital tunnel syndrome.

Objective:Screening out NPC from susceptable crowd by serological test for EB virus.Methods:Checking antibody of EB virus by ELISA. At first, EBNA1 IgA was detected for susceptable crowd as a primary screening index, secondary , EBNA1 IgG and Zta IgG were detected in the EBNA1 IgA positive group.Results:The sensitivity and specificity of EBNA1 IgA were 91.8% and 91.4%, both were higher than those of EBNA1 IgG and Zta IgG; the sencondary detection of EBNA1 IgG and Zta IgG raised the specificity of NPC screening to 96.5% and also helped to divide the crowd into 3 groups as high, median, and low risk. And the high risk group accounted for 0.39%.Conclusion:Two-stage screening of NPC raise the sensitivity and specificity of NPC detection. It also helps to divide the crowd into 3 groups of risk.

Objective: This study was to observe the changes of IL-6 gene expression in acute repetitive hypoxia. Method: When the ratio of living cells was more than 95%, nerve cells cultured were passed through with mixed gases of 95% N_2+5%CO_2 for 3 min followed by another gases mixture of 95% O2+5% CO_2 for 10 min. After repeated the experiment as above, the alteration in the expression of IL-6 gene was measured using the RT-PCR method. The prod ucts of PCR were analyzed with computer Gel imaging and image analysis instrument. Result: After the first hypoxia IL-6 gene expression enhanced, and after the second hypoxia, it was still stronger than baseline although it declined slightly. There was no significant RNA disintegration. Conclusion:The IL-6 involves in the cellular defense in hypoxia adaptation.

The activity of tPA and PAI of rabbits receiving different dosages of the Svate -3 were assayed with special substrata decomposition method. It was found that after Svate- 3 infusion, the activity of tPA increased but the activity of PAI decreased and it was related to the dosage and the speed of administration. The size of fibrinolysis in blood fibrin plate was in positive correlation to the activity of t-PA(r=0. 861,P

BACKGROUND:Few reports are found about the effect of ovariectomized rats' bone histomorphometry parameters using non-destructive dynamic loading system.OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of different loads situations on the bone histomorphometry parameters in ovariectomized rats.DESIGN,TIME AND SETTING:A controlled observation on the bone histomorphometry was performed in the Biomedical Engineering Laboratory of Jilin University from April 2007 to August 2007.MATERIALS:A total of 35 9-month-old Sprague-Dawley female rats were randomly divided into five groups,including sham operation group,ovariectomized (OVX) control group,OVX loading 1 N group,OVX loading 2 N group,OVX loading 4 N group.There were 7 rats in each group.METHODS:Rats in OVX control group and castration load group were processed into bilateral OVX on the back. The sham operation group only underwent the excision of fat tissues on back,and then sutured. After castration for 1 week,rats were loaded with non-destructive dynamic loading system in the two sides of the tibia,15 minutes a day. The mechanical loads would continue for 4 weeks and the loads were 1N,2N and 4N.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Changes of proximal tibia bone histomorphometry parameters.RESULTS:The area,number and thickness of trabecular bone in OVX loading group were all higher than OVX control group (P＜0.05,P＜0.01).The trabecular bone area and thickness in OVX 4 N and OVX 2 N groups were significantly higher than OVX control group (P ＜ 0.001).There was a downward trend of trabecular separation in OVX 4 N group compared with OVX control group (P ＜ 0.05). With the increasing loads,there was an increasing trend of the area,number and thickness of trabecular bone,which were close to sham-operated group. The trabecular separation was declined. Single fluorescent labeled surface and double fluorescent labeled surfaces in sham operated group were all lower than that in OVX control group. With the increase in loads,the single fluorescent labeled surface,double fluorescent labeled surface,interlabeled width and mineral apposition rate had been shown to increase. The OVX 2 N and OVX 4 N groups exhibited a remarkably higher level of mineral apposition rate than OVX control group (P ＜ 0.05).CONCLUSION:With the increase in load at the range of 1-4 N,all parameters of bone histomorphometry improve in the OVX rats,the bone microstrcture is greatly ameliorated,bone mass loss is reduced and the process of osteoporosis is delayed.

Objective To explore the role of cancer stem cells in EMT-induced acquired resistance to EGFR-TKIs in NSCLC. Methods The EGFR del E746-A750 mutated human lung adenocarcinoma PC-9 cell line and gefitinib acquired resistance cell line PC-9/AB were used in this study. EMT was assessed by western blotting assay. The sensitivity to gefitinib was tested with CCK8. Flow cytometry for antibody analysis was used to quantify CSCs within the cell lines. Results Compared with PC-9, PC-9/AB underwent EMT and showed no-table resistance to gefitinib (P < 0.01). Compared with PC-9, the proportions of CSCs were much higher in PC-9/AB. Conclusion EMT plays an important role in the acquired resistance to EGFR-TKIs in NSCLC , possibly through the up-regulation of CSCs.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen 1/immunoglobulin A (EBNA1/IgA), BamH1 Z transactivator/IgA (Zta/IgA), capsid antigen/IgA (VCA/IgA), and Epstein-Barr virus deoxyribonucleic acid (EBV-DNA) in detecting different stages of na-sopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The relationship between the EBV markers and stages of NPC was also analyzed. Methods:Blood sam-ples of 152 untreated patients with NPC and 675 healthy subjects were collected.ELISA was used to detect the serum levels of EBNA1/IgA, Zta/IgA, and VCA/IgA. Fluorescence quantitative PCR (FQ-PCR) was used to detect the plasma levels of EBV-DNA. ROC and correla-tion analyses were employed to assess the detection assays for NPC diagnosis. The positive rates of EBV markers in NPC patients in dif-ferent stages were analyzed statistically. Results: The positive rates of EBNA1/IgA, Zta/IgA, VCA/IgA, and EBV-DNA in NPC patients were higher than those in the healthy individuals. The expression of EBNA1/IgA was relatively high in early NPC. The sensitivity of EB-NA1/IgA was 77.8%. In advanced NPC, the level of EBV-DNA was high, and the sensitivity of EBV-DNA was 88.8%. The specificity of EBV-DNA and EBNA1/IgA could reach more than 96%. The combination of EBV-DNA and EBNA1/IgA showed the best diagnostic value, with a sensitivity of 92.1%(early stage 82.5%, advanced stage 98.9%) and a specificity of 96.9%. The positive rates of EBV-DNA were positively associated with the NPC clinic stage and N stage. The positives rates of Zta/IgA were positively associated with the NPC N stage. Conclusion:The best single index for NPC screening in an asymptomatic population is EBNA1/IgA. EBV–DNA is an ideal index for auxiliary diagnostics of advanced NPC. The combination of EBV-DNA and EBNA1/IgA shows the best diagnostic value. EBV-DNA is an important index in the stage and illness monitoring of NPC. Zta/IgA can indirectly reflect the character of lymph node metastasis, and it may be useful in assessment of NPC surveillance.

Objective To study the expression of TGF-?1 and CTGF and the prevention effects of leflunomide in diabetic nephropathy rats,and to study the mechanism of curing DN of leflunomide.Methods Thirty-six male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups : control group,diabetic model group,diabetes treated with leflunomide group.After being removed the right renal of rats,diabetic model was created by injecting STZ(40mg/kg),while control group received identical volum of citrate buffer solution.When the model was established,rats in the leflunomide-treated group were daily garvage of leflunomide(5mg/kg).The same capacity saline was given to control group and diabetic model group.24-hour urine volume and 24-hour urine protein were determined after eight and twelve weeks,as well as serum creatinine and urea nitrogen.The kidney sections were studied for pathological changes with light microscopy.The expression of TGF-?1 and CTGF was determined by immunohistochemistry respectively.Results With the course extending,immunohistochemistry analysis showed that the expression of TGF-?1 and CTGF increased significantly in DN group,as compared with control group,while TGF-?1 and CTGF reduced in diabetes treated with leflunomide group(P

BACKGROUND:As the pharmacological effect of eugenol constantly being discovered, its application in medical and food industry becomes wider. However, its toxicity studies have not established a complete database, especialy in the improvement of safety assessment of developmental toxicity and teratogenicity. OBJECTIVE:To establish a model of embryonic stem cel test to evaluate the embryotoxicity of eugenol. METHODS:Mouse fibroblasts (3T3) and mouse embryonic stem cels (E14TG2a) were culturedin vitro, and MTT test was performed to detect the cytotoxicity of 3T3 cels and E14TG2a cels with positive control 5-fluorouracil, negative control penicilin G and tested compound eugenol. The concentration of the tested compounds that inhibiting 50% viability of embryonic stem cels (IC50 E14TG2a) and 3T3 fibroblasts (IC50 3T3) was calculated. The hanging-suspension-adherent culture systems were used to induce embryonic stem cels into cardiomyocytes, and the concentration of tested compounds that caused 50% inhibition of differentiation of E14TG2a cels into cardiomyocytes (ID50 E14TG2a) was calculated. The embryotoxic potential of eugenol was classified by prediction model of the embryonic stem cel test. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The proliferations of E14TG2a and 3T3 cels were inhibited by eugenol, of which the IC50 3T3 and IC50 E14TG2a values were (3.613±0.192) and (1.799±0.131) mg/L. The differentiation of E14TG2a was also inhibited by eugenol, of which the ID50 E14TG2a was (3.501±0.158) mg/L. Eugenol was evaluated as a chemical compound with strong embryotoxicity by the model of embryonic stem cel test.

Objective To establish a model of embryonic stem cell test(EST)and utilize this model to evaluate the embryotoxici-ty of hydroquinone.Methods Mouse 3T3 fibroblasts and mouse embryonic stem(ES)cells(ES-E14TG2a)were cultured in vitro, and methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT)test was performed to detect the cytotoxicity of 3T3 cells and ES-E14TG2a cells induced by the positive control(5-fluorouracil),negative control(penicillin G)and tested compound(hydroquinone).The concentrations of the test compounds that inhibited 50% viability of ES-E14TG2a cells(IC50 ES)and 3T3 fibroblasts (IC50 3T3)were calculated.The hanging-suspension-adherent culture systems were used to induce embryonic stem cells into cardiomyocytes,and the concentrations of test compounds that caused 50% inhibition of differentiation of ES-E14TG2a cells into cardiomyocytes (ID50 ES)was calculated. The embryotoxic potential of hydroquinone was classified by prediction model of the embryonic stem cell test.Results The prolif-eration of ES-E14TG2a and 3T3 cells were inhibited by hydroquinone,of which the IC50 3T3 and IC50 ES values were (5.97±0.48) and (2.57±0.10)μg/mL respectively.The differentiation of ES-E14TG2a cells were also inhibited by hydroquinone,of which the ID50 ES was (3.77±0.31)μg/mL.Hydroquinone was evaluated as a strong embryotoxicity chemical by prediction model of EST. Conclusion Hydroquinone exhibits a strong embryotoxicity.