Background Following the accelerated speed of population aging in China,the incidence of cataract is rising gradually.Researches indicated that senescenee marker protein-30 ( SMP-30 ) is closely associated with the occurring and developing of cataract. Objective This study was to investigate the expression of SMP-30 in human lens epithelial cells(LECs) of age-related cataract and study the relationship between SMP-30 and apoptosis.Methods Capsulotomy was performed on 80 eyes of 59 patients with simple cortex age-related cataract and 70 eyes of 53 age-matched patients with nucleus age-related cataract.The anterior capsular specimens were obtained by circularly capsulorhexis during the operation.Expressions of the SMP-30 protein and mRNA in the LECs of two types of cataract were detected using immunochemistry and real-time PCR respectively.Apoptosis of the LECs was assayed by TUNEL.The differences of expression of SMP-30 and apoptosis were compared between the two types of cataract.Results Immunochemistry showed that SMP-30 was expressed in cytoplasm of LECs.The expression intensity of SMP-30 was higher in the center zone compared with periphery zone.The apoptosis rate of LECs was significantly higher in the center of the anterior capsule than the periphery in both two types of cataract ( nucleus cataract:19.34％±0.11％ vs 8.32 ％ ± 0.57 ％,P =0.025 ; cortex cataract:42.07 ％ ± 0.86 ％ vs 13.55 ％ ± 0.64 ％,P =0.010 ).The expression amount of SMP-30 mRNA was lower at the periphery than the center of lens in both two types of cataract (nucleus cataract:45.21±2.79 vs 76.42±11.21,P=0.042 ;cortex cataract:108.32±4.32 vs 206.34±15.67,P=0.037 ),and that of nucleus cataract was significantly lower than cortex cataract (60.02±9.08 vs 157.33 ± 13.01,P =0.034),and the apoptosis rate of LECs was declined in the nucleus cataract group compared with the cortex cataract group ( 14.05％ ±0.22％ vs 27.70％ ±0.81％,P =0.007 ). Conclusions LECs apoptosis exists in age-related cataract.SMP-30 probably plays an important role in the formation of cataract.

OBJECTIVETo explore prognostic factors and the expression of glypican-3, hepatocyte antigen (HEP), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), CD34 and CD10 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and their prognostic value.

METHODSClinicopathologic data were analyzed in 375 cases of HCC, in which 80 cases with follow-up were examined by immunohistochemical staining to detect the expression of glypican-3, HEP, AFP, CD34 and CD10 proteins. The relationship between the proteins expression and clinicopathologic features was also evaluated.

RESULTSTumor number (P = 0.000), tumor size (P = 0.025), tumor differentiation (P = 0.001) and vessel invasion (P = 0.000) were closely related to prognosis of HCC patients; the expression of glypican-3 (66/80,82.5%; P = 0.002), HEP (64/80,80.0%; P = 0.021), AFP (38/80,47.5%; P = 0.014) and CD10 (28/80,35.0%; P = 0.002) was significantly related to tumor differentiation; that of glypican-3 was significantly correlated with tumor number and presence of satellite nodules (P = 0.028) and that of AFP and CD10 was significantly correlated with portal vein thrombi (P = 0.000, P = 0.010). On Kaplan-Meier regression analysis, both low expression of HEP and high expression of AFP were closely related to poor prognosis.

CONCLUSIONSTumor number, size, differentiation and vessel invasion were important factors affecting the prognosis of patients with HCC. HEP and AFP have prognostic significance in HCC.

Antigens ; metabolism ; Antigens, CD34 ; metabolism ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Cell Differentiation ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glypicans ; metabolism ; Hepatocytes ; immunology ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Male ; Neprilysin ; metabolism ; Portal Vein ; pathology ; Prognosis ; Survival Rate ; Tumor Burden ; Venous Thrombosis ; etiology ; pathology ; alpha-Fetoproteins ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation between fetal chromosomal abnormalities and the characteristic features of prenatal ultrasound findings.

METHODSA total of 510 cases were underwent chromosome examination by amniotic fluid or cord blood analysis to identify fetal chromosomal abnormalities. The correlation between the abnormalities and the characteristics of the prenatal ultrasound findings was analyzed.

RESULTSFifty-three cases of abnormal karyotypes were detected with a positivity rate of 10.2%. Of these cases, 32 cases had chromosome number abnormalities, including 15 with 21-trisomy, 11 with 18-trisomy, 2 with 13-trisomy, 2 with 45, XO monomer and 2 with 92, XXXX tetraploid. Chromosome structural abnormalities were found in 21 cases, including 4 with translocation, 3 with insertion, 6 with inversion, 4 with deletion and 4 with derivation. Prenatal ultrasound showed obvious structural abnormalities in 22 cases (41.5%), structural malformation with ultrasonographic soft markers in 18 cases (34.0%), and separate ultrasonographic soft markers in 8 cases (15.1%).

CONCLUSIONPrenatal ultrasound fetal abnormalities and chromosome abnormalities are closely related. Prenatal ultrasound of fetal chromosomal abnormalities usually presents with a variety of significant structural abnormalities. A greater number of malformations is associated with a greater risk of chromosomal abnormalities and increased occurrence of ultrasonographic soft markers.

Adult ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 18 ; Down Syndrome ; diagnosis ; Female ; Fetal Diseases ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Trisomy ; diagnosis ; Ultrasonography, Prenatal ; methods

OBJECTIVETo establish a human ovarian cancer-bearing mouse model via orthotopic transplantation of human HO-8910 cells expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP).

METHODSGFP-expressing human ovarian carcinoma HO8910/GFP cells (2 x 10(6)) in exponential phase of growth were inoculated subcutaneously in nude mice, and the generated tumor tissues were collected and transplanted below the capsule of the left ovary of 6 nude mice. The growth of the tumors was observed in vivo using a fluorescence stereomicroscope. The nude mice were sacrificed 4 weeks after transplantation to assess the tumor growth and metastasis.

RESULTSThe tumors showed progressive growth at the orthotopic sites in all animals. Two weeks after the transplantation, green fluorescent mass was observed at the left costovertebral angle, and the mass increased thereafter and invaded or metastasized to the peritoneum, omentum, spleen, liver, uterus, and the pelvic lymph nodes, with a metastatic rate as much as 66.7%.

CONCLUSIONThe nude mouse model bearing orthotopic human ovarian carcinoma expressing GFP has been successfully established.

Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Microscopy, Fluorescence ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Neoplasms, Experimental ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Transplantation, Heterologous

OBJECTIVETo analyze the clinicopathologic features and prognostic factors of hepatocellular carcinoma.

METHODSClinicopathological data of 185 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma treated in our hospital between 2000 and 2005 were collected and their follow up information was obtained. The clinicopathological features and prognostic factors were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier and multivariate Cox regression analysis.

RESULTSThe 185 patients had a median age of 51.0 ± 11.0 (range, 19 - 72) years. The apparent peak incidence age was 40 to 60 years old, and the ratio of male to female was 10.6:1; the 3- and 5-year postoperational survival rates were 52.0% and 38.0%; respectively. The tumour numbers (P = 0.000), tumor size (P = 0.025), histological pattern (P = 0.000), nuclear features (P = 0.000), differentiation (P = 0.001) and vascular invasion (P = 0.000) were significantly correlated with prognosis. The postoperational survival times of patients with thin trabeculae pattern, compact pattern and pseudoglandular pattern were significantly longer than that of thick trabeculae, scirrhous pattern, and solid pattern (P ≤ 0.009). The postoperational survival time of patients with nuclear features grade 1 and 2 was significantly longer than that of grade 3 and 4 (P = 0.000). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the tumor number (P = 0.001), tumor size (P = 0.042), nuclear features (P = 0.023) and vascular invasion (P = 0.000) were independent prognostic factors.

CONCLUSIONThe postoperational survival rate of HCC patients is low. The tumor size, tumor number, differentiation and vascular invasion are major prognostic factors of hepatocellular carcinoma, The higher is the tumor number, tumor size, degree of differentiation and presence of vascular invasion, the higher risk of mortality is.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; blood ; complications ; pathology ; surgery ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Nucleus ; pathology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; blood ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; complications ; Liver Neoplasms ; blood ; complications ; pathology ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplastic Cells, Circulating ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Survival Rate ; Tumor Burden ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the value of diffusion weighted imaging(DWI)in predicting delayed encephalopathy of the rabbits brain after carbon monoxide(CO)poisoning.Methods Sixty healthy rabbits were put into self-made poisoning cabinet and were poisoned by inhalation of CO.Aeration of CO was stopped when the rabbits became comatous,and the cabinet was kept airpoof for 6 h.The rabbits underwent MRI before poisoning,at 1 h,3 d,5 d,7 d,15 d,30 d,45 d,and 60 d after poisoning respectively. Axial and sagittal T_2WI,axial T_1WI and DWI were performed.In the rabbits that did not show symptoms of delayed encephalopathy,the observation was discontinued on the 60~(th)day.In the rabbit that showed the symptoms,the observation was discontinued on the 30~(th)——45~(th)day.The changing pattern of cortical ADC values before and after CO poisoning was observed and its relationship with delayed encephalopathy was investigated.Results In the group without delayed encephalopathy(15 rabbits),the ADC value at 1 h after poisoning[(7.58?0.36)?10~(-4)mm~2/s]decreased significantly compared with the pre-poisoning value[(8.02?0.35)?10~(-4)mm~2/s](q=0.4441,P0.05).In the group with delayed encephalopathy(15 rabbits),the ADC value at 1 h after poisoning [(7.40?0.32)?10~(-4)mm~2/s]decreased significantly compared with the pre-poisoning value[(8.08? 0.32)?10~(-4)mm~2/s](q=0.6728,P

Objective To investigate the origin of tumor cells and vascular endothelial cells in intraeranial brain tumor stem cell (BTSC) xenografls and elucidate the role of BTSCs in brain tumor tissue remodeling. Methods BTSC spheres were injected into the right candate nucleus of nude mice, and the mice were sacrificed after the occurrence ofcachexia to obtain the tumor tissue. Routine paraffin embedding, slicing, HE staining and human leucocyte antigen (HLA) staining of the tumor tissues were performed for observation of the tumor tissues under optical microscope. Results HE staining displayed dissemination growth of the tumor cells in the host brain tissue. HLA staining revealed the presence of blood vessels constituted directly by the tumor cells. Conclusion In the intracranial xenografts of BTSCs, the tumor cells are extensively distributed and constitute the blood vessels. The BTSCs play an important role in glioma tissue remodeling by differentiating into vascular endothelial cells in the tumors.

Objective To investigate the correlation between the number and activity of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), insulin resistance and severity of coronary lesions in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods Patients with coronary angiography evidenced CAD were divided in insulin resistance group ( IR, n = 25 ) and insulin sensitive group ( IS, n = 44) according to insulin level, 25 health volunteers served as control. Circulating EPCs were marked as KDR/CD133<'+ cells via fluorescence- activated cell sorter analysis. EPCs were also isolated from peripheral blood and cultured in vitro for 7 days, identified by DiI-acLDL uptake and lectin staining methods. EPCs migration activities were determined by modified Boyden chamber assay, EPCs proliferation activities were determined by MTT assay. Result Circulating EPCs number was significantly lower in IR group compared with IS group [ (0. 34±0. 08 ) ‰ vs. (0. 47±0. 09 )‰, P < 0. 01 ] and control group ( P < 0. 05 ). Both insulin resistence index (r = - 0. 291, P = 0. 01) and Gensini score ( r = - 0. 3984, P = 0. 006) were negatively correlated with number of circulating EPCs. Proliferation and migration capacities of EPCs were also significantly lower in IR group compared to those in IS group ( all P < 0. 05 ) and control group ( all P < 0. 05). Conclusions Insulin resistence/hyperinsulinemia could aggravate severity of coronary artery lesions via reducing the number and activities of circulating EPCs in patients with CAD.

AIM:To observe the effects of panaxadiol saponins(PDS)on up-regulation of MAPK/ERK signal pathway in bone marrow cells and increase in regulatory T(Treg)cells in spleen tissue of aplastic anemia(AA)mice,and to explore the mechanisms.METHODS:For preparation of immune-mediated AA model,BALB/c mice were exposed to sublethal dose(5.0 Gy)of [60Co]-γradiation, followed by transplantation of lymphocytes from DBA /2 donor mice. BALB/c mice(n=60)were randomly divided into 6 groups,including normal mouse group,AA model group,PDS treat-ment groups at low,medium and high doses,and cyclosporine group as positive control.PDS and cyclosporine were given by gavage for 14 d.The peripheral blood cell counts and bone marrow pathological examination were tested.The protein levels of MEK1/2,p-MEK1/2,ERK1/2 and p-ERK1/2 in the bone marrow cells were analyzed by Western blot and im-munohistochemistry experiment.Flow cytometry was used to detect the proportion of Treg cells in spleen tissue of each group.RESULTS:The peripheral blood cell counts were significantly decreased in AA mouse group as compared with nor -mal mouse group(P<0.05).The bone marrow sections showed markedly inhibition status of hematopoiesis and the de -crease in cellularity.In response to PDS treatment,the peripheral blood cell counts and Treg cells in the spleen tissues of AA mouse treated with PDS were significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner(P<0.05).Treatment with PDS at medium and high doses up-regulated the protein levels of MEK1/2,p-MEK1/2,ERK1/2 and p-ERK1/2 in the bone mar-row of AA mice(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:PDS is effective to enhance recovery of hematopoietic function in AA mice. This effect may be related to up-regulating multiple protein kinases of MAPK/ERK signal pathway in the bone marrow cells of AA mice.In addition,PDS has an impact on immune function of AA mice.

OBJECTIVETo identify antithrombin III (AT-III) gene mutation and polymorphisms in pregnant women and parturients with cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) using denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC).

METHODSThe genomic DNA was extracted from the blood samples of 50 pregnant women and parturients with CVT and 52 matched healthy women for molecular analysis using a PCR/DHPLC assay followed by DNA sequence analysis. Ten primer pairs were designed for amplifying the AT- III promoter region and exons 1-6 including the exon/intron boundaries. A rapid screening assay based on DHPLC was established to screen the mutation and polymorphisms of AT- III gene.

RESULTSSix abnormal peaks were detected in 40 of the patients by DHPLC. Direct DNA sequencing was performed on representative samples detected by DHPLC profiling. One pathogenic heterozygous G13328A missense mutation in exon 6, and a novel silent mutation in exon 4+243 G>A were identified. Six single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) sites were found, including 4 previously reported ones in the SNP library and two were novel SNP sites. An abnormal peak was detected in the control group by DHPLC.

CONCLUSIONDHPLC allows automated and rapid high-throughput detection of AT- III gene mutation and polymorphisms in the clinical setting and prenatal diagnosis. Our findings suggested that AT- III gene mutation, as well as its polymorphisms, contributes to the occurrence of CVT in pregnant women and parturients.

Adult ; Antithrombin III ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Case-Control Studies ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Female ; Genetic Testing ; methods ; Humans ; Intracranial Thrombosis ; genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutation ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; genetics ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic ; genetics ; Young Adult