DNA methylation is an important epigenetic modification. Evaluating the status of DNA methylation could be useful for diagnosis, prognostic evaluation and predicting the risk of cancer. Thyroid cancer is the most prevalent endocrine malignancy in humans. Growing evidence shows that epigenetic abnormalities participate with genetic alterations in carcinogenesis of thyroid cancer. This article reviewed the recent research progress of DNA methylation in thyroid cancer.

BACKGROUND:The incorporating of zeolites or porous fillers into polymer membranes can improve the pervaporation separation properties of membranes.But the effect mechanism of zeolites or porous fillers on membrane properties needs to be further studied.OBJECTIVE:The study was designed to prepare ZSM-5 zeolite incorporated chitosan membrane by solution blending method to investigate the effecIs of zeolite on membrane pervaporation properties.DESIGN:A controlled observation.SETTING:Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics,Chinese Academy of Sciences.MATERIALS:This study was performed at the Laboratory of New Type Membrane Separation Technology,Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics,Chinese Academy of Sciences in May 2006.Chitosan,with deacetylation degree of 75%-85%,was obtained from Sigma-Aldrich Chemical Company,USA;Dimethyl carbonate(DMC),with purity of 99%,was purchased from Fluka Chemical Company,USA:ZSM-5 zeolite was kindly supplied by Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics,Chinese Academy of Sciences,China;Methanol,with purity＞99.5%,were purchased from Shenyang Lianbang Chemical Company,China.METHODS:ZSM-5 zeolite incorporated chitosan membranes were prepared by solution blending method.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:①Swelling and sorption of ZSM-5 zeolite-incorporated chitosan membranes in the DMC/methanol mixture.②Effects of zeolite content in the membrane and operating temperature on pervaporation properties.RESULTS:Scanning electron mieroscope demonstrated that zeolite was uniformly distributed in the membrane matrix and the membranes were free from possible defects.The separation selectivity of dimethyl carbonate(DMC)/methanol mixtures was dominated by solubility selectivity rathcr than diffusivity selectivity.Swelling degree increased and the permeation flux of the membranes increased significantly with the zeolite content increasing.From the temperature-dependent permcation values,the Arrhenius activation parameten were estimated.CONCLUSION:The pervaporation results indicated that the membranes incorporated with the ZSM-5 zeolite exhibited better separation properties for DMC/methanol mixtures comparing with homogeneous chitosan membranes.

Objective: To observe the effect of ω-3 fish oil emulsion on the experimental severe acute pancreatitis(SAP)through the morphologic alteration of pancreas,the level of serum amylase(AMS)and the functions of liver and kidney,and explore its possible mechanism. Methods: Rat model of SAP was produced by injecting 5% Sodium Cholate(1 ml/kg)into the biliopancreatic duct.Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: normal group(n=6),fish oil emulsion treatment group(FOG,n=18),soybean oil emulsion treatment group(SOG,n=18) and normal sodium treatment group(NSG,n=18).Then fish oil emulsion(FO,10 ml/kg);soybean oil emulsion(SO,10 ml/kg)and normal sodium(NS,10 ml/kg)were intravenously injected respectively 120 minutes.The pancreatitis were confirmed by levels of serum AMS and histopathologic score.ALT,AST,BUN and Cr were tested 24 hours after the treatments.Expressions of IL-1β and IL-10 were tested by ELISA.The activated NF-kappa B was examined in the pancreases. Results: Lower level of serum AMS(P<0.05)and lower histopathology score(P<0.05) appeared in FOG.Compared with NS,FO decreased the levels of serum ALT and BUN significantly (P<0.05).FO significantly attenuated the expression of IL-1β (P<0.05).FO downregulated the activity of NF-kappa B efficiently.Conclusions: By down-regulating the levels of IL-1β together with up-regulating the level of IL-10,FO reduces inflammatory damage at the beginning of AP.

Objective To evaluate the effectives of high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV)in the treatment of severe NRDS.Methods The severe NRDS who failed to response to conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV) were changed to HFOV treatment.Ventilator parameters and blood gas analysis were compared before and after treatment.Results Among thirty patients,19 cases were significantly improved and 11 cases were failed,the success rate was 63％.Nineteen patients with HFOV,the main ventilator parameters and blood gas results such as FiO2 ( 0 h:0.87 ± 0.09 vs 3 h:0.67 ± 0.10,6 h:0.54 ±0.08,12h:0.44 ±0.08),MAP[0 h:(14.47 ±1.17) mbar vs 3 h:(13.79 ± 1.03) mbar,6 h:(13.26 ±1.05) mbar,12 h:( 12.37 ±0.83) mbar],f[0 h:(7.26 ±0.56) Hz vs 3 h:(7.89 ±0.57) Hz,6 h:(8.42±0.51 ) Hz,12 h:(9.26 ±0.45) Hz] and PaCO2 [0 h:(9.69 ±0.86) kPa vs 3 h:(6.00 ±0.55) kPa,6 h:(5.62 ± 1.03)kPa,12 h:(5.47 ±0.55)kPa] were decreased while pH(0 h:7.21 ±0.06 vs 3 h:7.35 ±0.07,6 h:7.39 ±0.07,12 h:7.40 ±0.06) and PaO2[0 h:(5.46 ±0.82)kPa vs 3 h:(7.92 ± 1.13)kPa,6 h:(9.25 ± 0.99)kPa,12 h:(9.20 ± 0.96)kPa] were significantly increased compared with before treatment ( P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The patients of severe NRDS who failed to response to CMV were treated with HFOV,some patients received a significant effect with HFOV treatment.

Objective To investigate the regenerating effect of muscle satellite cells autografted onto mus-cles injured by chronic compartment syndrome (CCS). Methods Twenty-four adult rabbits were randomly divided into an experimental group (model-transplantation), a non-graft group (model) and a control group (transplanta-tion). The CCS model was established in the experimental and non-graft groups. Transplantation was done in the ex-perimental and control groups. Satellite cells from the experimental and control group rabbits were isolated and then proliferated in vitro. The specific protein was identified by immnochemistry before engrafting. Then the 4',6-diamidi-no-2-phenylindole-tagged satellite cells were transplanted back to the original soleus muscles. After transplantation,the proliferation and differentiation of the satellite cells in vivo was observed and morphological changes at the site of the injury were compared by HE staining. Results At the 28th day after grafting, the satellite cells from the com-pressed soleus muscles in the experimental group had increased significantly, whereas those in the control group had remained the same. In both the graft group and the non-graft group, HE staining showed a large cluster of myofibers and interstitial fibers necrosed in the compressed muscle, while the skeletal muscle fibers and interstitial fibers were in-tact in the control group. At the 28th day after engrafting, the engrafted muscle showed much repair; but the non-en-grafted muscle demonstrated dominant fibrosis. The morphology of the skeletal muscle in the control group was normal.Conclusions Autografting of muscle satellite cells after a small amount of expansion in vitro could improve their regen-eration efficiency for repairing a large cluster of damaged myofibers caused by chronic compartment syndrome.

Objective To investigate the influence of hepatectomy combined with splenectomy on curative effect of primary hepatocellular carcinoma patients associated with hypersplenism.Methods Twenty three cases of primary hepatocellular carcinoma associated with hypersplenism were analyzed retrospectively and divided into hepatectomy combined with splenectomy group (n=10) and hepatectomy combined with ligation of splenic artery (n=13). Peripheral blood samples were collected 1 week before operation and 3 monthes after operation respectively. The levels of CD4, CD8, CD16, CD4/CD8, WBC and PLT in the blood were detected. Survival rate between the two groups was compared. Results There were not significant differences in the expressional levels of CD4, CD8, CD16, CD4/CD8,WBC and PLT before operation, bleeding quantity during the operation and rate of severe complications after operation in the two groups. The expressional levels of CD4, CD16, CD4/CD8, WBC and PLT of hepatectomy combined with splenectomy group were much higher in 3 months after operation than those in 1 week before operation and in hepatectomy combined with ligation of splenic artery group (P

Objective: To establish two methods (HPLC UV and HPLC ELSD)for the determination of 3 kinds of cholic acids in Qingkailing Injection, and compare them with UV method. Methods: Two HPLC methods detected by UV and ELSD, respectively have been developed: Phenomenex Luna C 18 column(250mm?4.6mm,5?)with linear gradient elution using methanol acetotrile(4∶1) and 0.1% aqueous formic acid. Results: Three kinds of cholic acids in Qingkailing could be determined simultaneously by HPLC UV and HPLC ELSD. The recovery of three method were 100%,97%,95%～96% for HPLC/ELSD,HPLC/UV,UV, respectively. Conclusion: The HPLC ELSD method was accurate and specific to determine the content of cholic acids in Qingkailing Injection.

Objective To probe the effect of perioperative therapeutic regime on breast reconstruction after surgery in breast cancer patients.Methods We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of 145 consecutive breast cancer patients with 162 reconstructions.Results 127 of 145 patients got an excellent or good appearance (87.6％),and 42 cases had complications occurring in 162 operations (25.9％).After a median follow-up of 38.4 months,recurrences were found in 9 patients,3 cases died,and the disease free survival rate was 93.1％.Multivariate analysis showed that radiation therapy,without nipple-sparing and one-stage prosthesis implant were independent risk factors for negative postoperative aesthetic outcome;Delayed reconstruction and implant reconstruction were found to be protective factors for the postoperative complications.Conclusions Although the survival rate appears to be scarcely affected,different treatment modalities in reconstruction strategy bring different clinical results and outcomes.The perioperative decision-making of reconstruction strategy should be based on oncological safety,postoperative complications,aesthetic outcomes and subsequent therapies.

Objective To investigate the effect of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologeus protein (CHOP) in Tan Ⅱ A treated acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) cells.Methods APL cell differentiation was monitored by morphology and membrane differentiation antigens; expression of CHOP was inhibited by siCHOP; mRNA and protein expression of CHOP in Tan Ⅱ A-intervened APL cells were examined by RT-PCR and Western blot.Results Expression of CHOP was increased in Tan Ⅱ A induced differentiated APL cells (proteins levels 1.933±0.987 vs 0.537±0.110,F =114.852,P ＜ 0.01,mNRA levels 1.587±0.815 vs 0.713±0.090,F =52.256,P ＜ 0.01),combination of CHOP gene silencing with Tan Ⅱ A treatment induced strong APL cell differentiation [(50.767±1.241) ％ vs (16.167±2.122) ％,F =989.431,P ＜ 0.05] and apoptosis [(89.233±5.581) ％ vs (27.433±2.957) ％,F =308.961,P ＜ 0.05].Conclusion CHOP acts as a negative regulator in Tan Ⅱ A induced differentiation.Inhibition of CHOP may be a promising therapeutic strategy.

AIM To observe the effects of ZMS and ZMR(isomer of ZMS),two active components of Zhimu on learning and memory ability and muscarinic subtype M 1 receptor density in aged rats. METHODS 24 month-old SD rats were randomly divided into aged control group, ZMS and ZMR treatment group. Young rats were used as normal control group. The learning and memory ability was detected by Y-maze method. The muscarinic subtype M 1 receptor density in the brain was detected by 3H-QNB binding tests. RESULTS It was found that daily oral administration of ZMS and ZMR for 40 d significantly enhanced the learning and memory ability and the muscarinic subtype M 1 receptor density in the brain of the aged rats. CONCLUSION These results suggested that ZMS and ZMR probably have potential preventive and curative action for the progressive deterioration of the cholinergic system in Alzheimers disease (AD).