Objective To investigate the protective effects of Wnt-7a protein on renal interstitial fibrosis in mice of unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO)model.Methods Eighteen male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 3 groups:sham-operation group,the UUO model group and Wnt-7a treatment group.The body weight of mice was measured everyday.All the mice were sacrificed at thc seventh day after the operation.The left kidney was taken for histology evaluation and molecular biology assay.Masson's stain was performed as a main indicator of interstitial fibrosis.The expression of vimentin,α-smooth muscle actin,and E-adherin in renal tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry staining and the expression of α-smooth muscle actin and E-cadhe(nn) in renal tissue was detected by Western blotting.Results Compared with sham-operation group,body weight of the (,)odel group was significantly lower (P＜0.05),and the relative area of interstitial fibrosis was significantly larger (P＜0.05).Furthermore,the expression of vimentin and α-SMA was significantly up-regulated (P＜0.05),and the expression of E-cadherin was significantly down-regulated (P＜0.05).Compared with model group,all the above-mentioned abnormalities were restored to some extent and showed significant differences (P＜0.05) in Wnt-7a treatment group.Conclusion Wnt-7a protein can decrease the interstitial fibrosis by inhibiting epithelial to mesenchymal transition in UUO mice.

Objective To investigate the expression of macrophage migration inhibitory factor(MIF) in renal tissue of children with Henoch-Schonlein purpura nephritis(HSPN),and its correlation with clinical indexes and pathological changes,and to explore its effect on the pathogenesis of HSPN.Methods According to the clinical manifestation,60 children with HPSN were divided into only purpura group,mixed group and HSPN group.MIF concentration of Henoch-Schonlein purpura(HSP) groups and healthy control group were detected with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).MIF protein expression and the marker of human macrophage(CD68) in renal tissues of HSPN and normal control group were detected with immunohistochemistry method.The total urine protein for 24 hours and urinary N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) level were detected with laboratory routine method.Results MIF concentration in mixed group and HSPN group were significantly higher than that in only purpura group and healthy control group(Pa

Objective: To compare the efficacy of different treatment protocols in treating transient synovitis of the hip (TSH) in children and to optimize the clinical treatment strategy for this condition. Methods: Ninety kids with TSH were divided into a control group, a chiropractic group and a chiropractic plus foot bath group using the random number table method, with 30 cases in each group. The control group was treated with conventional traction; the chiropractic group was given chiropractic treatment based on the control group; the chiropractic plus foot bath group was given Chinese medicine foot bath based on the chiropractic group. Traction and foot bath were conducted once daily while chiropractic was done once every other day, all with 14 d as a treatment course for a total of two courses. Changes in the visual analog scale (VAS) score and range of motion (ROM) of the hip joint in the three groups were observed, and the efficacy was compared. Results: The total effective rate was 93.3％ in the chiropractic plus foot bath group, versus 76.7％ in the chiropractic group and 66.7％ in the control group, and the total effective rate was notably higher in the chiropractic plus foot bath group than in the other two groups (both P<0.05). Respectively after the first and second treatment course, the VAS score decreased significantly in each of the three groups compared with that before treatment (all P<0.01), and the ROM of the hip joint in flexion increased significantly (all P<0.01). After two treatment courses, the VAS score was lower in the chiropractic plus foot bath group than in the other two groups (both P<0.05), and its ROM of the hip joint in flexion was larger than that in the other two groups (both P<0.05). Conclusion: Based on traction, chiropractic plus Chinese medicine foot bath can effectively reduce pain and improve motor function of the hip joint in treating TSH.

Objective To explore the establishment of a rat model of acute radiation-induced liver injury and sig-nificance of the dynamic changes of TGF-β1 expression.Methods Forty healthy 6-week old male SD rats were randomly divided into model group (n=30) and control group (n=10).The right liver of rats in the model group was given a single dose of 25 Gy 6 MV X-ray irradiation.Histopathological examination using HE staining and transmission electron microsco-py were conducted to observe the liver pathological changes in rats at 3, 5, and 10 days after irradiation, serum TGF-β1 was detected, and relevant indicators of liver function ( ALT, AST, ALP) were determined.Statistical analysis was per-formed using SPSS 17.0 software.Results At 3, 5 and 10 days after irradiation, early pathological changes in the liver cells were observed by electron microscopy, the expression of TGF-β1 was gradually increased with the time prolongation, and significant differences were found between the model group and the control group at different time points (P<0.05). The light microscopic observation of liver tissues did not show significant differences between the control group and model group.The liver ALT, AST, ALP at different time points did not show significant differences between the two groups ( P>0.05).Conclusion Electron microscopy can be used to evaluate the early changes of radiation-induced liver injury, pri-or to the alterations visible by routine light microscopy.TGF-β1 can be used to predict the degree of radiation-induced liver injury, and may be used as a sensitive serum cytokine in predicting the degree of radiation-induced acute liver injury.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression profiles of serum Golgi protein-73 (GP73) in liver cirrhosis and primary hepatic carcinoma (PHC) and determine its clinical value for differential diagnosis.

METHODSSerum protein expressions of GP73 and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and chemiluminescence assay, respectively, in patients with PHC (n=80), liver cirrhosis (n=65), and healthy controls (n=50). Inter-group changes were assessed by Kruskal-Wallis test, and significance of these differences was assessed by Mann-Whitney test. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency and determine the cut-off values for GP73 and AFP. Sensitivity and specificity were compared by the Chi-squared test. Correlation between serum GP73 expression and clinical parameters was determined by Spearman's rank correlation analysis.

RESULTSThe PHC group showed significantly higher serum GP73 (282.0 mug/L) than the liver cirrhosis group (211.8 mug/L) and control group (58.3 mug/L) (H = 93.30, P less than 0.01). For differential diagnosis of PHC and liver cirrhosis, the cut-off value was 318.1 mug/L for GP73 and 13.4 mug/L for AFP. Sensitivity of GP73 was lower than AFP (45% (36/80) vs. 65% (52/80); X2 = 8.02, P less than 0.05). Specificity of GP73 was lower than AFP but no significance was found (83.1% (54/65) vs. 87.7% (57/65); X2=0.27, P more than 0.05). The areas under the ROC curves were not significantly different between GP73 and AFP (0.65 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.54~0.72) vs. 0.75 (95% CI: 0.67~0.83); Z = 1.88, P more than 0.05). The area under the ROC curves increased but not significantly (0.80 (95% CI: 0.73~0.88) vs. 0.75 (95% CI: 0.67~0.83); Z=2.61, P more than 0.05). Serum GP73 was correlated with liver cirrhosis (r=0.27), vascular invasion (r=0.29), and TNM staging (r=0.27) (all P less than 0.05), but not with sex (r=0.13), age (r=0.10), enhanced AFP (> 13.4 mug/L; r=0.03), tumor size (r=0.18), or distant metastasis (r=0.04), all P less than 0.05.

CONCLUSIONSerum GP73 and AFP have comparable diagnostic efficiency, but the sensitivity of AFP is superior for differential diagnosis of liver cirrhosis and primary hepatic carcinoma. Elevated serum GP73 may be correlated with liver tumor load and aggressiveness.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; diagnosis ; Case-Control Studies ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; diagnosis ; Liver Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; blood ; Middle Aged ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Transcriptome ; alpha-Fetoproteins ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate prevalence, location, negotiation and the effect of operating microscope (OM) in the treatment of the second mesiobuccal canal (MB2) in maxillary molars.

METHODS113 maxillary molars were studied. The crowns of the teeth were removed 1 mm above the chamber bottom for searching MB2 canal. Initially location and negotiation of MB2 canal were attempted without OM. Teeth in which MB2 canal were not located or negotiated were further explored under OM. Canal orifices including MB orifice, MB2 orifice and palatal orifice were filled by red gutta-percha cones, then the teeth were scanned by scanner. The images were analyzed by Image-Proplus 4.0 software to measure the relationship between MB2 canal and other canals.

RESULTSThe MB-MB2 distance is (1.47 +/- 0.54) mm, MB-P distance is (5.77 +/- 0.66) mm, the vertical distance from MB2 to MB-P line is (0.53 +/- 0.28) mm, the angle between MB-P line and MB-MB2 line is 23.07 degrees +/- 13.08 degrees. MB2 orifices were located in 70 teeth (61.9%) and negotiated in 53 teeth (46.9%) without OM. With OM, additional MB2 orifices were located in other 6 teeth, 4 were negotiated; and 2 were negotiated in which MB2 canal were not negotiated without OM.

CONCLUSIONSMB2 canal can be located in 67.3% and negotiated in 52.2% of maxillary molars. Ability to locate and negotiate MB2 canal is facilitated by OM. The MB2 canal was located less than 1 mm mesially to the MB-P line and 2 mm palatally from the MB orifice.

Dental Pulp Cavity ; anatomy & histology ; Humans ; Maxilla ; Microscopy ; Molar ; anatomy & histology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical epidemiological characteristics and the major causes of primary liver cancer (PLC) in Xinjiang region.

METHODSThe clinical epidemiological information on the first page of case history of 3602 PLC patients, which were diagnosed in our hospital from January 2002 to December 2010, were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed.

RESULTSAmong the 3602 cases, the men/women gender ratio was 3.72:1; The proportion of Han, Uighur, Kazakh, and other nationality (Hui, Mongolian, Manchu, Xibo nationality) was 81.95%, 9.30%, 4.14%, 2.89%, and 1.72%, respectively. The comparative difference between Uighur and Han nationalities was significant (P < 0.05). The hepatitis virus detection results showed that HBs-Ag was positive in 1680 cases (59.57%), HCV-Ab was positive in 229 cases (9.41%). Virus detection was negative in 888 patients (24.65%). The hepatitis B virus positive rate in Uygur patients was 36.13% and in Kazakh patients was 40.37%, both significantly lower than that in patients of Han nationality (63.18%, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSIn Xinjiang region, the infection rate of hepatitis B virus in Uygur and Kazak people is significantly lower than that in Han people. The distribution of gender and age does not differ significantly among different nationalities, compared with those in other regions. The prevalence of primary liver cancer in Xinjiang region has certain regional characteristics and features.

Adult ; Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; ethnology ; China ; epidemiology ; ethnology ; Ethnic Groups ; Female ; Hepatitis B ; epidemiology ; ethnology ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; analysis ; Hepatitis C ; epidemiology ; ethnology ; Hepatitis C Antibodies ; analysis ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; ethnology ; virology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical significance and diagnostic value of GP73 in early-stage primary hepatocelluar carcinoma (PHC).

METHODSGP73 levels in 50 healthy controls, 65 cases of liver cirrhosis and 40 early stage PHC were detected by ELISA. The areas under ROC, sensitivities and specificities were also compared. The relationship between GP73 and liver function parameters was analyzed.

RESULTSThe median of serum GP73 in early PHC was 291.3 µg/L, significantly higher than that in the cirrhosis group 211.8 µg/L and in the control group 58.3 µg/L (all P<0.01). The sensitivity of GP73 (72.5%) was significantly higher than that of AFP (50.0%), P<0.05. The specificity of GP73 (70.4%) was lower than that of AFP (95.7%), P<0.05. The sensitivity and specificity in combination for diagnosis were 77.5% and 79.1%, and the area under ROC curve in the combining form was 0.838 (95% CI:0.760-0.917). In the early PHC patients, the median of GP73 in the Child C group was 365.2 µg/L, significantly higher than that in the Child B group 310.6 µg/L and Child A group 266.4 µg/L, P = 0.002. In patients with liver cirrhosis, the median of GP73 in the Child B group was 307.3 µg/L, significantly higher than that in the Child A group 176.6 µg/L, P = 0.031. The level of serum GP73 was positively correlated with ALT, AST, negatively with ABL, A/G, and with no significant correlation with AFP, TBLB, DBLB, IBLB, and GGT.

CONCLUSIONSGP73 has a superior sensitivity in detecting early-stage PHC in liver cirrhosis patients. The sensitivity can be further increased by combining with AFP. The changes of GP73 expression may be related with the decline of liver function.

Aged ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; blood ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; blood ; diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; blood ; diagnosis ; Liver Neoplasms ; blood ; diagnosis ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; blood ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; ROC Curve ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; alpha-Fetoproteins ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo assess the performance of a minimally invasive thoracic drainage tube (14 F) made of polyurethane (PU) in a rabbit model of hemothorax in comparison with the conventional 28 F chest tube (CCT).

METHODSThirty New Zealand rabbits were divided into experimental chest tube (ECT) group (n=9), CCT group (n=6), and blood provider group (n=15). Blood samples (20 mL) collected from the blood providing rabbits were injected into the chest cavity of the rabbits in the other two groups, and the time taken for closed drainage of the thoracic cavity was recorded. The rabbits in ECT and CCT groups were subjected to blood injections (20 mL for each injection) into the chest cavity every 20 min for 5 times, and the volumes of blood drained by ECT and CCT were measured. Two hours later, the rabbits were sacrificed and the residual blood and blood clots in the chest cavities were observed.

RESULTSCompared with CCT, the use of ECT significantly shortened the operation time (P<0.05) and produced more effective blood drainage at 20 min and 40 min after the placement of the drainage tube (P<0.05). No significant difference was found in the total blood volume drained between ECT and CCT groups, but the volume of residual blood in the thoracic cavity was significantly smaller in ECT group than in CCT group. No post-operative complications were found in the rabbits in ECT group while all the rabbits in CCT group had abutment pressure to the lung.

CONCLUSIONCompared to CCT, ECT is less invasive and allows more effective thoracic drainage with more convenient operation and reduced postoperative complications, suggesting its potential for use in closed thoracic drainage in single-port video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) or in pediatric patients.

OBJECTIVEMultiple sclerosis is a demyelinating disease frequently showing a relapsing-remitting disease course. Clinical manifestations of 25 inpatients with MS were summarized and analyzed so that the clinical features and therapeutic approaches to childhood multiple sclerosis (MS) were investigated in order to improve its diagnosis and management.

METHODSClinical features and information during following-up of 25 cases with MS from June 1993 to May 2006 were collected and analyzed.

RESULTSAmong the 25 cases, 16 were female and the F:M ratio was 1.78:1. The relapsing-remitting type was seen in 21 cases, the secondary progressive MS in 3 cases and the classification was impossible in one case. The mean age of onset was 6.7 years (2-12) with various initial symptoms including visual loss (11 cases), cortical symptoms (8 cases with seizures, consciousness disturbance, aphasia and apraxia, etc.), myeleterosis (3 cases), symptoms of brainstem (2 cases) and cerebellar ataxia (1 case). Fever was present in 10 cases at the onset. Nine cases were monosymptomatic, while the other 16 had multiple symptoms. Visual loss occurred in 19 cases during the course of MS and 22 were found to have abnormal visual evoked potential (88%). The mean course of disease was 8.5 years (1.2-17.2) and 0-4 times of recurrences (0 means no new clinical attack occurred during following-up period).

CONCLUSIONSMS is increasingly recognized as a disease affecting children though it is uncommon. Childhood MS possesses some manifestations different from those of adults. There was a female predominance. The most common finding at the onset of disease was optic neuritis. Other features include acute onset and shorter course of disease. Atypical demyelinating symptoms were often seen. White matter lesions on MRI are required for the diagnosis. CSF oligoclonal bands could be found less commonly than in adults. Neurological sequelae were less often seen than in adults MS even though optic nerve atrophy and visual loss were relatively common. Steroid and IVIG are effective in acute period treatment.

Age of Onset ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Demyelinating Diseases ; etiology ; Disease Progression ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous ; immunology ; Male ; Multiple Sclerosis ; immunology ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Optic Neuritis ; etiology ; immunology ; Secondary Prevention