Objective To investigate lymphovascular invasion (LVI) in mid-low rectal cancer following neoadjuvant therapy. Methods A total of 297 consecutive patients with mid-low rectal cancer received radical surgery from August 2002 to August 2005 at Beijing Cancer Hospital. All patients were divided into the neoadjuvant therapy group and a control group according to whether they underwent preoperative radiotherapy or radiochemotherapy. Histological assessment of tumor specimens was made, and correlation of LVI and prognosis was analysed using the chi-square test. The disease-free survival rate and overall survival rate were analysed by the Kaplan-Meier survival curve. Results The overall positive rate of LVI was 23.9% (71/297). The positive rates of LVI in neoadjuvant therapy group and control group were 21.5% (31/144) and 26. 1% (40/153), respectively,with no significant difference between the groups ( x2 = 0.872, P ＞ 0.05). In the neoadjuvant therapy and control groups, LVI was significantly associated with pathologic T and N stages as well as the degree of histological differentiation (x2 =13.490, 27.401,7.323;16. 188, 21.623, 16.534, P＜0.05). In the control group, LVI was closely associated with local recurrence (x2 =4. 010, P ＜0.05 ), whereas this was not the case in the neoadjuvant therapy group (x2 =0.000, P＞0.05). LVI was significantly associated with distal metastasis in both the neoadjuvant therapy and control groups (x2 = 4.950, 14. 332, P ＜ 0.05 ). The disease-free and overall survival rates of patients with LVI were 46.4% (26/56) and 56.7% (34/60), which were significantly lower than 75.1%(148/197) and 79.4% ( 166/209 ) of those with no LVI, respectively ( x2 = 16. 720, 12.660, P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusions Neoadjuvant therapy does not significantly reduce LVI;however, the biological behaviour of LVI has changed. Patients with LVI may benefit from neoadjuvant radiotherapy.

Case teaching method was used to undergraduates’specialized courses of clinical laboratory medicine such as the clinical laboratory hemotology and basic clinical laboratory medicine. This teaching method achieved satisfactory effect in clinical ability culture and obtained the positive opinion of students.

The clinical ability of employees in laboratory medicine refers to their ability to give useful information and helps for clinical diagnosis and treatment.In laboratory medicine education,the cultivation of the undergraduates'clinical ability should be strengthened.Case teaching and clinical signs analysis is practical to the cultivation of clinical ability.In addition,we should carry out the reform of the teaching materials in order to adapt to the requirements of the clinical ability training. Improving the clinical ability should be the students' a lifelong career planning.

Objective To discuss the technical points, safety and clinical effectiveness of DSA-guided percutaneous acetabuloplasty (PA) for the treatment of acetabular metastases. Methods Fifteen patients, including 6 males and 9 females, with acetabular malignant metastases were enrolled in this study.A total of 19 lesions were detected. The lesions were 13 - 25 mm in size (mean 19 ± 4 mm), the dose of PMMA used for per lesion was 5 - 13 ml (mean 8.2 ± 2.3 ml). All patients complained of greater or less degree of pain in their hips, 8 patients had to use walking stick, 4 patients showed limping although they could walk independently and three patients could not walk alone. DSA-guided percutaneous acetabuloplasty was performed in all patients and follow-up after the procedure was conducted for 1 - 12 months. Visual analogue score (VAS), walking state score and analgesic dosage taken by the patients were used for the evaluation of the clinical effectiveness. The complications were analyzed. All the data obtained were statistically analyzed with paired samples t test and analysis of variance by using SPSS12.0 statistical software.Results The procedure was technically successful in all patients. Pain rating evaluated by the VAS decreased from a mean of 7.8 before surgery to a mean of 4.2 in 24 hours after surgery (P < 0.01 ), which further decreased to 2.5 in one month (P < 0.01 ), while walking state score increased from a mean of 1.5before surgery to a mean of 2.5 in 24 hours after surgery (P < 0.01 ). The analgesic dosage taken by the patient was reduced in 14 patients and remained the same in one patient. The bone cement leakage into paraacetabular soft tissues occurred in three cases and peripheral vascular exudation of acetabulum was observed in three cases with no obvious clinical symptoms. Conclusion As a safe, reliable and minimally-invasive technique, DSA-guided percutaneous acetabuloplasty has excellent anti-pain effect in treating acetabular metastases. This therapy can markedlyimprove the patient's walking ability and the quality of life.

Objective To compare clinical efficacy between microendoscopic discectomy (MED) and open discectomy (OD) in the treatment of patients with lumber intervertebral disc herniation (LIDH).Methods 116 cases of LIDH who were given surgical treatment were selected as research subjects to retrospectively analyze their clinical data.Then,these cases were divided into MED group (n=54) and OD group (n=62) according to operation type.The curative efficacy,operation situation and incidence of complications were compared.Results All patients' operations were successful.After the one-year follow-up,the MED group had an excellent and good rate of 96.3％,which was statistically same with that of 93.5％ in the OD group (P ＞0.05) In comparison with the OD group,MED group had a statistically shorter operation time,less bleeding volume in the operation,shorter length of incision and shorter rest time on bed after operation (all P＜0.05).After operation,there's no case of severe complication,and the incidence of complications between the two groups was statistically same (P＞0.05) Conclusions MED and OD are both effective operations for LIDH,which have high excellent and good rate.But in comparison with OD,MED has advantages of less damage and faster recovery.

Ojective To study the pathological changes of testis tissue in SARS patients.Methods Tissue specimens were studied by HE staining、TUNEL and immunohistochemistry(IHC).Results SARS patients showed that widespead germ cells destruction,few or no spermatozoon in the seminiferous epithelium and the lumen,thickened basement membrane、 peritubular fibrosis、 vascular congestion and leukocytes infiltration.The apoptotic seminiferous cells increased significantly(P

To study the expression of hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) protein in prostate cancer (Pca) and its biological significance, the expression of HIF-1alpha was assayed by means of immunohistochemical technique in 42 prostate cancer, 12 prostatic intraepithelial neoplasm (PIN) and 9 normal prostate tissue (NP) specimens. Western blot was used to examine the expression of HIF-1alpha in prostate cancer cell line (PC-3M) induced by different oxygen tension. HIF-1alpha expression was positive in 33 Pca and 9 PIN specimens, and the positive rate of HIF-1alpha was higher in distant metastasis patients than in patients without metastasis of prostate cancer (P<0.05), while there was no expression of HIF-1alpha in NP. The level of HIF-1alpha in PC-3M significantly increased with the decrease of oxygen tension (P<0.01). Overexpression of HIF-1alpha is the preliminary event of the formation of Pca, which may induce carcinoma into malignant phenotype. Thus it may serve as an early diagnosis marker and the novel target for Pca treatment.
Adenocarcinoma/*metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/*biosynthesis ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/genetics ; Prostatic Neoplasms/*metabolism ; Tumor Markers, Biological/*biosynthesis

In our previous study, we identified a novel testis-specific expressed gene 2 (TSEG-2) from mouse testis. To further investigate its functions, 35 male Balb/c mice (8 weeks old) were divided into cryptorchidism group (n=20), sham group (n=10), and control group (n=5). In cryptorchidism group, the right testes were anchored to the inner lateral abdominal wall. In situ hybridization (ISH) was applied to measure the localization of TSEG-2 in mouse testis. Real-time quantitative PCR was performed to detect the expression of TSEG-2 gene. Meanwhile, under the mediation of polyethylenimine (PEI), the recombinant vector pEGFP-TSEG-2 (n=5) or empty vector (mock, n=5) was transfected into the testis of male mice. The transfection efficiencies were measured under a fluorescence microscope. The apoptosis of spermatogenic cells was detected by terminal deoxynuleotidyl-mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL). The results showed that TSEG-2 was expressed in convoluted seminiferous tubules, more precisely, in spermatogonia and spermatocytes. As compared with sham and control groups, the TSEG-2 transcription was significantly enhanced (P<0.05) and was correlated with apoptosis of spermatogenic cells in cryptorchid testes (P<0.05). PEI was efficient in mediating transfection of TSEG-2 into seminiferous tubules of testis. One week post-transfection, intratesticular injection of TSEG-2 resulted in increased apoptosis of spermatogenic cells in vivo (P<0.05). These results indicate that TSEG-2 may participate in the apoptosis of spermatogenic cells and the pathogenesis of cryptorchidism.

To study the expression of hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) protein in prostate cancer (Pca) and its biological significance, the expression of HIF-1alpha was assayed by means of immunohistochemical technique in 42 prostate cancer, 12 prostatic intraepithelial neoplasm (PIN) and 9 normal prostate tissue (NP) specimens. Western blot was used to examine the expression of HIF-1alpha in prostate cancer cell line (PC-3M) induced by different oxygen tension. HIF-1alpha expression was positive in 33 Pca and 9 PIN specimens, and the positive rate of HIF-1alpha was higher in distant metastasis patients than in patients without metastasis of prostate cancer (P<0.05), while there was no expression of HIF-1alpha in NP. The level of HIF-1alpha in PC-3M significantly increased with the decrease of oxygen tension (P<0.01). Overexpression of HIF-1alpha is the preliminary event of the formation of Pca, which may induce carcinoma into malignant phenotype. Thus it may serve as an early diagnosis marker and the novel target for Pca treatment.
Adenocarcinoma ; metabolism ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; biosynthesis ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism

In our previous study,we identified a novel testis-specific expressed gene 2(TSEG-2)from mouse testis.To further investigate its functions,35 male Balb/c mice(8 weeks old)were divided into cryptorchidism group(n=20),sham group(n=10),and control group(n=5).In cryptorchidism group,the right testes were anchored to the inner lateral abdominal wall.In situ hybridization(ISH)was applied to measure the localization of TSEG-2 in mouse testis.Real-time quantitative PCR was performed to detect the expression of TSEG-2 gene.Meanwhile,under the mediation of polyethylenimine(PEI),the recombinant vector pEGFP-TSEG-2(n=5)or empty vector(mock,n=5)was transfected into the testis of male mice.The transfection efficiencies were measured under a fluorescence microscope.The apoptosis of spermatogenic cells was detected by terminal deoxynuleotidyl-mediated nick end labeling(TUNEL).The results showed that TSEG-2 was expressed in convoluted seminiferous tubules,more precisely,in spermatogonia and spermatocytes.As compared with sham and control groups,the TSEG-2 transcription was significantly enhanced(P<0.05)and was correlated with apoptosis of spermatogenic cells in cryptorchid testes(P<0.05).PEI was efficient in mediating transfection of TSEG-2 into seminiferous tubules of testis.One week post-transfection,intratesticular injection of TSEG-2 resulted in increased apoptosis of spermatogenic cells in vivo (P<0.05).These results indicate that TSEG-2 may participate in the apoptosis of spermatogenic cells and the pathogenesis of cryptorchidism.