Objective The three-dimensional reconstructed images of maximum intensity projection (MIP) for membranous labyrinth and internal auditory meatus in Chinese adults were observed and measured in order to provide anatomic basis for otolosurgery and nerosurgery. Methods Thirty inner ears of 15 volunteers were scanned by using a circular temporal coil and three-dimension fast spin echo sequence with a 1^5T GE-signal MRI scanner. All original images were transferred to MRI workstation and all the structures of inner ear were reconstructed, rotated from various angles and measured by using maximum intensity projection. All the data were analyzed using SPSS 10.0 software. Results Anatomic structures of membranous labyrinth and internal auditory meatus were well demonstrated in three-dimensional reconstructed images of MIP in all volunteers. All three semicircular ducts, utricle, saccule, cochlear duct and internal auditory meatus produced high intensity signal. The results of measurement were statistically in significant.Conclusion Three-dimensional reconstruction of MlP might document, lively, stereoscopically and directly, the minute structures of membranous labyrinth and internal auditory meatus. We provide the basic data for the establishment of the MRI measurement criterion of inner ear.

Background Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications.Peroxiredoxin 6(Prx6) is a doubly-functional protein.and its ability to eliminate phospholipid hydroperoxides is essential. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the dynamic expression of Prx6 in the retina of streptozotocin(STZ)-induced diabetes and explore its correlation with the progression of diabetic retinopathy. Methods Diabetes was induced by an intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin(STZ)in 48 clean Wistar rats.The rats were sacrificed at 1,2,and 4 months after the injection of STZ,and expressions of Prx6 protein and Prx6 mRNA in the retina was determined by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.Another 12 matched normal Wistar rats were used as the control group. Results The resuh of immunohistochemistry showed that Prx6 protein was expressed in the cytoplasm of the outer nuclear layer(ONL)and inner nuclear layer(INL)in normal rats,and low expression of Prx6 protein was observed in the ganglion cell layer (GCL).In the first month,Prx6 protein was strongly expressed in the INL and the ONL of diabetic rats.However.two and three months after STZ administration,the expression of Prx6 protein was absent in the retina,showing a considerable difference among different course groups(F=22 967.63,P＜0.05).Furthermore,the expression trend of Prx6 mRNA in the retina was similar to that of the Prx6 protein with a significant difference among different course groups(F=942.84,P＜0.05). Conclusion It is conceivable that normal maintenance of Prx6 expression may be important to the prevention of diabetic retinopathy.We hypothesize that oxidative impairments in the retina that develop over time may partly contribute towards the development of retinal dysfunction,which eventually leads to retinal degeneration during the progressive phase of STZ-induced diabetes in adult rats.

Bone Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Langerhans Cell Sarcoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; S100 Proteins ; metabolism ; Talus ; Vimentin ; metabolism

Objectives：This study was designed to investigate the clinical pathological characteristics of malignant lymphoepithelial lesion(MLEL) of salivary glands and the relationship with EBV（ Epstein-Barr Virus） . Methods：In situ hybridization and immunohistochemical methods were used to detect EBERs (EBV-encoded small RNAs), latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1), EBNA2(EB nuclear antigen-2), and ZEBRA (Z EBV replication activator) in paraffin embedded tissues of 41 MLEL cases. Results：(1)Forty cases of MLEL showed staining with EBERs. Positive rate of EBERs by in situ hybridization in 41 cases of MLEL was 97.56％ . (2)LMP1 expression was detected in 75.6％ (31/41), positive rate of ZEBRA was 2.5％ (1/41), no EBNA2 was found (0/20). Conclusion：EBV might play an important role in pathogenesis of MLEL.

Objective To investigate the relationship between matrix metalloproteinase(MMP)1 gene-519A/G polymorphism and the risk of coronary heart disease(CHD)in Northern Chinese Han population.Methods A total of 517 patients with CHD and 380 healthy adults diagnosed by coronary angiography were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and DNA sequence technology for the-519A/G polymorphism in MMP1 gene.Results (1)The frequency of AA genotype was significantly higher in patients with CHD than that in controls[67.70%(350/517) vs.40.26%(153/380),OR=1.64,P＜0.001,95%CI:1.44-1.86].People carrying A allele had increased risk for CHD(OR=1.49,P＜0.001,95% CI:1.33-1.69).(2)The frequency of AA genotype was higher in patients with acute coronary syndrome(ACS)than patients with stable angina pectoris[68.81%(278/404)vs.51.76%(44/85,),P＜0.01,95% CI:1.04-1.27].The A allele carriers were more likely to develop ACS(OR=1.11,95% CI:1.01-1.21,P＜0.05).Conclusion Our data shows MMP1 gene -519A/G polymorphism is associated with the risk of CHD,and A allele carriers are more susceptible for CHD in Northern Chinese Han population.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the physical growth changes in Chinese children aged from 0 to 7 years old during the past 30 years.

METHODSFour national physical growth surveys of the children under 7 years old were undertaken in the same urban and suburban areas of nine main cities in China from 1975 to 2005. The nine cities were Beijing, Harbin and Xi'an in the northern part; Shanghai, Nanjing and Wuhan in the central part; Guangzhou, Fuzhou and Kunming in the southern part of China. Random cluster sampling method was used. The children aged from 0 to 7 years old were classified into 22 groups by age. The sample size was ranged from 150 to 200 persons for each sex-age group in each area (urban/rural) of each city. Totally, 158 400, 152 874, 157 362 and 138 775 healthy children were examined in 1975, 1985, 1995 and 2005 respectively. The data of weight, height, chest and head circumference obtained from these surveys were analyzed.

RESULTSAverage weight and height in most of the age groups for both boys and girls from urban and suburban rural areas has been significantly improved during the past 30 years, the average increments of weight were 0.76 kg to 1.14 kg in 12 - 15 months group and 2.58 kg to 3.26 kg in 6 - 7 years group; and the average increments of height were 2.7 cm to 3.8 cm in 12 - 15 months group and 5.0 cm to 7.6 cm in 6 - 7 years group. Chest circumference did not show an increase in infants younger than 4 months and increased slightly after 4 months. The average increments of head circumference were 0.1 cm to 1.0 cm. From 1975 to 2005, the increments of weight and height per 10 years was in an increasing trend, e.g. weight increments of 5 - 6 years old were 0.58 kg, 1.02 kg and 1.67 kg and the height increments were 1.5 cm, 2.0 cm and 2.6 cm for every 10 years. The urban-rural difference in height has become smaller, the height difference in 6 - 7 years group for boys was decreased from 4.9 cm in 1975 to 2.6 cm in 2005. The weight has become smaller in children under 3 years old but becoming greater after 3 years, such as the difference increased from 1.14 kg in 1975 to 1.72 kg in 2005 for boys aged 6 - 7 years old. The regional difference also showed a decreasing trend.

CONCLUSIONThe physical growth of Chinese children had been much improved during the past 30 years and the secular trend should be still continuing at an accelerated growth stage. The urban-rural difference and regional difference in weight and height had become smaller.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Body Height ; Body Weight ; Child ; Child Development ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Rural Population ; Sampling Studies ; Urban Population

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that regulates gene expression in a range of cells, including immune and epithelial cells. AhR signaling plays important roles in the immune system in both health and disease states. Tapinarof is a first-in-class small-molecule topical therapeutic AhR modulating agent launched for the treatment of psoriasis. To improve the activity and chemical stability of Tapinarof, a series of 2-phenylchromen-4-one derivatives were designed, synthesized and evaluated as novel AhR agonists. Compounds 5a, 5c, 5e and 5f potently activated AhR with an EC₅₀ value of 7, 9, 6 and 6 nmol·L^-1, respectively, which are 10-14 fold more potent than Tapinarof. Compounds 5a and 5e exhibit comparable inhibitory effects on IFN-γ production as Tapinarof. Furthermore, compounds 5a-5f exhibited favorable photochemical stability compared to Tapinarof. The compounds may eventually serve as lead compounds for the development of new AhR agonists.

OBJECTIVETo observe the special staining of cells cultured on nitrocellulose (NC) membrane and evaluate the application of the novel method for cell culture and pathological staining.

METHODSHuman colorectal carcinoma SW1116 cell line and SW480 cell line were cultured using nitrocellulose membrane as the culture matrix, with the same cells cultured on slides serving as the control.

RESULTSThe cells cultured on NC membrane appeared transparent with sharp edge and purple background by macroscopic observation, showing on obvious difference in terms of cell morphology and number from the cells cultured on glass slides. Irregular polygonal SW1116 cells and SW480 cells were found on the NC membrane, on which the cells grew in colony and showed blue nucleus and red cytoplasm.

CONCLUSIONSNC membrane produces no cytotoxicity and can be used for cell culture without affecting the normal cell morphology and number during cell culture, thus providing a new means for cell culture and pathological staining.

Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Collodion ; Humans ; Staining and Labeling

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between T lymphoma invasion and metastasis 1 (Tiam1) and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in human colorectal carcinomas.

METHODSTiam1, E-cadherin, CK, and vimentin expressions in normal colorectal epithelium, colorectal carcinomas (CRC) and CRC with lymphatic metastasis were determined by immunohistochemistry using a two-step method.

RESULTSTiam1 expression was significantly higher in CRC than in normal colorectal epithelium (P<0.01) in close correlation to the degree of tumor differentiation (P<0.05). Higher Tiam1 expression was detected in CRC with lymphatic metastasis than in primary CRC (P<0.05). The expressions of E-cadherin and CK in CRC tissues were significantly lowered in comparison with those in normal colorectal epithelium (P<0.01), showing a correlation to tumor differentiation (P<0.01) but not to lymphatic metastasis. Vimentin was significantly overexpressed in CRC (P<0.01) and correlated to tumor differentiation (P<0.01) but not to lymphatic metastasis. Tiam1 expression was inversely correlated to E-cadherin and CK, but positively to vimentin.

CONCLUSIONTiam1 is related to the metastasis of colorectal carcinoma, and may induce EMT to promote CRC metastasis.

Adenocarcinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cadherins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cell Movement ; physiology ; Cell Transdifferentiation ; genetics ; physiology ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Epithelial Cells ; pathology ; Female ; Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Keratins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; T-Lymphoma Invasion and Metastasis-inducing Protein 1 ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes of high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and monocyte chemotactic factor-1 (MCP-1) following percutaneous coronary interventional procedures (PCI) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), and evaluate the impact of PCI on the inflammatory indices and postoperative vascular restenosis.

METHODSThis study involved 80 patients undergoing PCI procedures for CAD compromising a single coronary artery. Forty healthy individuals with normal findings by coronary angiography were selected as the control group. Before and after PCI or coronary angiography, plasma hs-CRP and MCP-1 were measured in all the subjects by immunonephelometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA), respectively.

RESULTSIn the CAD patients, the plasma hs-CRP level was significantly elevated after PCI as compared with the preoperative level (2.37-/+0.56 microg/L vs 1.59-/+0.41 microg/L, P<0.01), whereas in the control group, the hs-CRP level underwent no significant changes after coronary angiography (1.18-/+0.37 microg/L vs the preoperative level of 1.13-/+0.32 microg/L, P>0.05). PCI procedures also resulted in significant elevation of plasma MCP-1 level in the CAD patients (26.04-/+5.43 pg/L vs the preoperative level of 18.07-/+4.30 pg/L, P<0.01), but in the control group, MCP-1 showed no significant variation after coronary angiography (9.80-/+2.64 pg/L vs the preoperative level of 9.63-/+2.52 pg/L, P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONPlasma hs-CRP and MCP-1 are elevated in CAD patients following PCI procedures, but their roles in the vascular restenosis following the procedures need further investigation.

Aged ; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; C-Reactive Protein ; analysis ; Chemokine CCL2 ; blood ; Coronary Artery Disease ; blood ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged