Objective To observe the therapeutic effect of intermittent pneumatic compression pump to prevent deep venous thrombosis for patients after hip surgery. Methods A total of 104 bedridden patients 72 hours after hip surgery were divided into the treatment group and the control group. Patients in the control group were administrated routine antithrombotic drugs and active functional exercise. While patients in the treatment group were provided with intermittent pneumatic compression pump as assistant based on the routine treatment and active functional exercise. The condition of deep venous thrombosis in the two groups were observed. Results Intermittent pneumatic compression pump had remarkable therapeutic effect on preventing deep venous thrombosis of lower extremity for patients lying in bed over 72 hours after hip surgery. Conclusions Intermittent pneumatic compression pump as an assistant treat -ment based on the routine antithrombotic therapy contributes to prevent deep venous thrombosis of lower extremity for patients lying in bed over 72 hours after hip surgery.

Background:Studies have shown that promoter methylation of MGMT gene is closely related to many malignant tumor including gastric cancer.DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) is highly expressed in many malignant tumor tissues.However, studies on relationship between methylation of MGMT gene and DNMT1 expression in gastric cancer are rare.Aims:To investigate the relationship between methylation of MGMT gene, protein expression of DNMT1 and gastric cancer.Methods:Promoter methylation status of MGMT gene in 60 gastric adenocarcinoma tissues and corresponding paracancerous tissues were detected by methylation-specific PCR (MSP).RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry were used to measure mRNA and protein expressions of MGMT and DNMT1, respectively.Results:Methylation rate of MGMT gene promoter in gastric cancer was significantly higher than that in paracancerous tissue (45.0% vs.13.3%, P<0.001).The positivity rate of MGMT mRNA in gastric cancer was significantly lower than that in paracancerous tissue (41.7% vs.93.3%, P<0.001), while the positivity rate of DNMT1 mRNA expression in gastric cancer was significantly higher than that in paracancerous tissue (76.7% vs.18.3%, P<0.001).Methylation rate of MGMT promoter in MGMT mRNA-negative expressed gastric cancer tissue was significantly higher than that in MGMT mRNA-positive expressed gastric cancer tissue (57.1% vs.28.0%, P<0.05).It showed a negative correlation between MGMT protein expression and DNMT1 protein expression in gastric cancer tissue (r=-0.795, P<0.01).Conclusions:Promoter methylation of MGMT gene and high expression of DNMT1 may be associated with the development and progression of gastric cancer.

Background and purpose:The prognosis of advanced esophageal carcinoma is poor,there are no standard regimens for these patients. This study was to observe and evaluate the clinical feasibility and effi cacy of combined esophageal stent insertion with radiotherapy and concurrent chemotherapy in the treatment of locally advanced esophageal carcinoma. Methods:66 patients with esophageal carcinoma who were not suitable for operation were analyzed retrospectively. In the therapy group,stent was placed in order to relieve esophageal stenosis,and then followed by 3D-CRT and concurrent chemotherapy,while patients in the control group were treated with the placement of stent alone. According to the evaluating standards of WHO and Stooler classifi cation,we evaluated the effi cacy. Results:In the study group,72.2% of 36 cases was observed as partial response(PR),and 13.9% with complete response(CR),overall response rate was 86.1%. 6 and 12 months survival rates were 88.9% and 72.2% in the study group,compared to 53.3% and 26.7% in the control group,respectively(P

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have indicated that hyperhomocysteinemia can induce atherosclerosis by enhancing oxidative stress, whereas Ginkgo biloba extract (GbE) can scavenge oxygen-derived free radicals.OBJECTIVE: To observe the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) in the expression of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) induced by homocysteine (Hcy), and investigate the effect of GbE.DESIGN: A randomized controlled animal trial.SETTING: Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology.MATERrALS: Twenty-four healthy male rabbits of 6 months old. Dl-methionine (Sigma Chemical, Co.,Ltd.); GbE (Guizhou Yibai Pharmaceutical Company; powder).METHODS: The experiment was accomplished in the Laboratory of Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology from March 2003 to April 2004. ① After adaptive feeding for 2 weeks, the rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: Model group (n =12): The rabbits were treated with subcutaneous injection of dl-methionine (80 mg/kg per day); GbE group (n =8): The rabbits were administrated with GbE (mixed with feed, 50 m/kg per day) at 1 hour before the subcutaneous injection of dl-methionine; Control group (n=4): The rabbits were injected with equivalent sodium chloride. They were administrated for 7 weeks continuously. ②Histological changes were observed under light and electron microscopes: ROS level was determined with colorimetries (721 visible spectrophotometer); The expressions of CAMs and NF-κB in endothelial cells were detected with immunohistochemical methods; The concentration of plasma Hcy was measured with high-performance liquid chromatography.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Histological changes, ROS level and expressions of CAMs and NF-κB in endothelial cells.RESULTS: All the 24 rabbits were involved in the analysis of results. ① ROS level: After administration, the ROS level in the model group was obviously increased (2.92±0.20,2.48±0.26, P ＜ 0.05), whereas those in the GbE group and control group (2.41±0.23, 2.43±0.20) had no obvious differences as compared with those before administration (2.31±0.27,2.47±0.32, P ＞ 0.05). ② Histological changes: Aortas of rabbits in the model group presented initial changes of atherosclerosis, including shedding or necrosis of endothelial cells and nuclear pyknosis or standing in a clutter of smooth muscle cells. There were scarcely any changes in the GbE group and control group. ③ Expressions of CAMs and NF-κB in endothelial cells: After treatments, the expressions of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and NF-κB in the model group were obviously higher than those in the control group (P ＜0.05), and there were no significant differences between the GbE group and control group (P ＞ 0.05). ④ Concentration of plasma Hcy: After 7 weeks, the concentration of plasma Hcy was higher in the model group and GbE group than in the control group [(25.01±6.80), (26.71±2.36), (16.85± 1.64) μmol/L, P ＜ 0.05].CONCLUSION: Hcy-induced oxidative stress plays an important role in NF-κB activation. GbE might suppress the activation of NF-κB and expression of CAMs by reducing ROS.

OBJECTIVE To develop the strong and the specific multi-epitope antigen for the exploiting diagnosis of Treponema pallidum.METHODS The immuno-dominant epitopes of Tp0453 and Tp17 were amplified by PCR respectively,and subcloned into the expression vector pQE32 to generate multi-epitopes recombinant plasmid pQE32/Tp0453-17.The recombinant protein was expressed in Escherichia coli M15.The immunoresponse of recombinant fusion protein was analyzed by Western blot.RESULTS The multi-epitopes recombinant plasmid was successfully constructed,enzyme digestion analysis and sequencing showed that the inserted target genes were Tp0453 and Tp17 gene,compared with the gene reported by GenBank,it had 100% similarity;SDS-PAGE analysis showed the recombinant plasmid could be expressed in M15,its relatively molecular mass(Mr) of expressed product was about 52.0?103.The Western blot result showed the recombinant protein could be recognized by anti-T.pallidum positive serum.CONCLUSIONS The expressed multi-epitopes recombinant antigen showed excellent immunoresponse.The results lay the foundation for research on development of quick diagnostic kit applying to detection of T.pallidum infection.

Objective Study the value of clinical application of BaiJi and absorbable Gelatin in embolizing uterine myoma together with its effecty, side effect and complication.Methods 21 women with uterine myoma undergoing selective uterine arterial embolization by Seldinger's technique were studied. After retrograde transfemoral introduction of a 5 french catheter, the uterine arteries were successively catheterized. Bai Ji and absorbable Gelatin sponge particles were injected through free flow until devasculariztion. Results Uterine myoma's blood supply came from bilaterial uterine arteries demonstrated by angiography. All the supplying artering images disappeared after the embolization. 3～6 months follow up study showed: a marked reduction in the size of myomata by 38%～90%. Clinical symptoms were improved. There was one failure cas and then underwent uterotomy due to infection. Conclusions The short term effect of using Bai Ji and absorbable Gelatin for embolizing uterine myoma is clinically significant, while long term effects is still wating for research.

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the achievements of technique of tissue engineered tendon transplant on the basis of recent development of materials of tendon transplant at home and aboard.DATA SOURCES: A computer-based online search of Medline database was undertaken to identify articles about materials of tendon transplant and technique of tissue engineered tendon transplant published in English from January 1980 to January 2005, and the keywords were "tendon transplant, tissue engineer, progress". Meanwhile, Chinese relevant articles published between January 1990 and January 2005 were reviewed in CBM database with the keywords of "tendon transplant, tissue engineer, summarization" in Chinese.STUDY SELECTION: Relevant literatures about materials of tendon transplant and technique of tissue engineered tendon transplant were retrieved firstly, and the full-tests were further searched. Those about the materials of tendon transplant and technique of tissue engineered tendon transplant were selected; however, the reviews, repetitive studies and Meta analytic ones were excluded.DATA EXTRACTION: Among 45 articles, 30 ones about materials of tendon transplant and technique of tissue engineered tendon transplant met the required criteria.DATA SYNTHESIS: Main materials of tendon transplant are as follows: autologous tendon, allogeneic tendon, artificial tendon and tissue engineered tendon. Recently, studies on allogeneic tendon are more and more favorable. In late 1980s, establishment and development of tissue engineering bring a new way for repairing deficiency of tendon tissue.Studies on tissue engineered tendon are designed to transplant made-up tendon in vitro to deficient site of tendon in vitro in order to recover articular function. At present, we devote ourselves to study cytoskeleton which is characterized by virtues of both two materials. Combination with tendon cells in vitro can produce a nonvolatile and active tissue engineered tendon.CONCLUSION: Main materials of tendon transplant are as follows: autologous tendon, allogeneic tendon, artificial tendon and tissue engineered tendon. Further application of seed cells and extracellular matrix (ECM) will develop the research in tissue engineered tendon.

Apoptosis action is primarily exerted at the level of mitochondira, in which Bcl-2 family of proteins play an important role in its regulation. Bcl-2 family consists of anti-apoptotic and pro-apoptotic members. The anti-apoptotic members usually exist in the outer mitochondrial membrane and inhibit cell death via interaction with pro-apoptotic counterparts BH3 domain. Pro-apoptotic members are commonly localize in the cytoplasm. A series of events occured, such as typical Bax conformational change, BAD and Bik phosphorylation as well as Bid and Bim proteolysis in response to several death stimuli. As a result, these pro-apoptotic proteins directly integrate to the outer mitochondrial membranes. Finally, mitochondrial permeability transition pore is opened, by followed the release of apoptogenic factors from the mitochondrial intermembrane space, including cytochrome c, apoptosis inducing factor(AIF) and Smac, then the activation of downstream caspases and execution of cell death.

Objective To study the sleep patterns in ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and to investigate gender difference in sleep and pain. Methods Fifty seven male and 23 female patients with AS (modified New York criteria) completed a sleep questionnaire. The results were analysed and compared with clinic material. Result Sleep disturbance was reported by 74% of the female and 46% of the male patients (P

Objective To evaluate the in vitro differentiation of human amniotic epithelial cells (hAECs ) into hepatocyte-like cells. Methods Combined approach of dexamethasone, HGF, IGF and other cytokines were used to induce the differentiation of hAECs into hepatocyte-like cells. The induction lasted 2 weeks. During the induction, the expression of albumin ALB, CYP1A1, CYP1A2, IGFR, c-met and key functional genes related to liver cells as well as transcription factors HNF3, HNF4 and C/EBPa were monitored by RT-PCR. Time dependent changes of the surface marker colony ALB, AFP and CK18 were analyzed by cell flow cytometry. Results After the 2 week induction, the expressions of liver hepatocyte-like cell functional genes such as albumin, CYP1A1, CYP1A2, c-met, and transcription factors such as HNF3, HNF4, C/EBPa and HNF1 were observed. Six days after the induction, hAECs mainly were stained AFP+, and the positive rate was (15.1±2.1)%. While 10 days after the induction, part of the hAECs showed AFP+/ALB+ (6.5±1.4)%; and on 14th day, hAECs only showed ALB+, and the rate was (13.9±2.3)%. ALB+ cell increase indicated a gradual functional maturation from the hAECs to hepatocyte-like cells. Similaritly, the number of CK18+ cells in the whole population was also increased: On 10th day, the rate was (16.1±1.2)%; on 14th day, that was (21.3±4.6)%, which proved the above hypothesis of the trandifferentiation. By extending the induction time, the expression of functional genes increased gradually, and a maturing process of hAECs was detected by cell surface markers. Conclusion The differentiation of hAECs induced in vitro has the characteristics of hepatocyte-like cells.