Objective To evaluate the clinical significance of serum thyroglobulin autoantibody(TGAb) in thyroglobulin(TG)-negative and TGAb-positive patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma(DTC)after thyroid ablation and ascertain the optimal operating point(OOP)of TGAb.Methods A total of 169 patients with histologically confirmed DTC and thyroid remnant ablation showed TG-negative and TGAb-positive results which were assessed by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay(ECLIA).The cases were divided into group A(59 cases)and group B(110 cases)with or without evidence of recurrence or metastasis,respectively.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve and positive likelihood ratio of different threshold values were analysed according to their serum TGAb level.Results Serum TGAb level(1368?1343)IU/ml in group A was significantly higher than that(154?539)IU/ml in group B(P1000 IU/ml was 1.12 times that of 204 IU/ml≤TGAb≤1000 IU/ml,4.03 times that of 100 IU/ml≤TGAb

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of thyroglobulin(Tg)mRNA in peripheral blood samples of patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma(DTC)after remnant ablation.Methods Tg mRNA Was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)in peripheral blood of 162 patients.SPSS 13.0 was used for date analysis.Results The Tg mRNA assay had higher sensitivity than the conventional serum Tg measurement[86.61%(97/112)vs 53.57%(60/112),X2=29.153,P＜0.001]which Was the"gold standard"for the identification of recurrence or metastases.In the anti-Tg antibodies(TgAb)positive DTC patients,the sensitivity of Tg mRNA was higher than that of serum Tg[86.54%(45/52)vs 0]in identifying recurrent or metastatic thyroid disease(X2=79.322,P＜0.001).There was a significantly positive correlation between Tg mRNA expression and the clinical stages(Kendall correlation coefficient=0.515,P＜0.001).There was no difference of Tg mRNA expression in peripheral blood among ages,sex,pathological types and location of metastases,respectively(Kendall correlation coefficient=0.020,0.069,0.050 and 0.028;all P＞0.05).Conclusions Circulating Tg mRNA is a more sensitive marker than serum Tg in identifying recurrent or metastatic DTC,particulady in patients during levo-thyroxine(l-T4)therapy and with TgAb-positive.The DTC patients who have positive expression of Tg mRNA indicates poor prognosis.

Objective To observe the change of serum leptin in different risk stratifications of coronary heart disease (CHD) and to investigate its relationship with the severity of coronary artery lesion and the coronary artery Gensini score and its value in the coronary heart disease risk stratification .Methods According to coronary angiography ,120 research subjects were enrolled and di-vided into 4 groups :the non-CHD group ,stable angina(SAP) group ,unstable angina pectoris(UAP) group and myocardial infarc-tion group(AMI) ,respectively .The serum leptin levels in 4 groups were determined by immunoassay and the correlation between the leptin level with the coronary heart disease risk factor and biochemical markers of risk assessment was analyzed .Results The serum leptin level in the AMI group was significantly higher than that in the non-CHD group and the SAP group ,the leptin level showed the increasing trend with the increase of the coronary lesion severity and the Gensini scores and was positively related with the CHD risk stratification indicators cTnT and smoking index ,and negatively related with blood uric acid .Conclusion The serum leptin may be used as the valuable marker for evaluating the occurrence of acute coronary event and has good correlation with usual biochemical markers of CHD risk stratification and the severity of coronary artery lesion .

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between uroflowmetry and age, the course of disease, premicturition volume, transition zone index and proportion of stroma-to-epithelium in benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) patients. METHODS: Eighty-nine BPH patients in our hospital from 2000 to 2003 were evaluated. With the CMM3 pathology image analysis system, transrectal ultrasound and Dantec 2000 urodynamic instrument, the value of influence factors was determined. A linear regression was applied to analyze all the data by SPSS software. RESULTS: The flow rate was correlated to premicturition volume ( r = 0. 477, P < 0.01) and proportion of stroma-to-epithelium significantly ( r = - 0.437, P < 0.05) , but was not correlated to the age, the course of disease and transition zone index significantly. The parameter of flow rate/premicturition volume had no difference in 3 micturitions in all patients. CONCLUSION The parameter (flow rate/premicturition volume)could be used to evaluate the micturition status of the BPH patients whose bladder volume is less than 200 ml. We should pay more attention to receptor blockers when we treat BPH patients.
Aged ; Circadian Rhythm ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; physiopathology ; Urination ; physiology ; Urodynamics ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expressions of vinculin (VCL) and the androgen receptor (AR) in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer (PCa) and analyze their relationship with the clinical stage and pathological grade of PCa and the level of PSA.

METHODSWe detected the expressions of VCL and AR in 18 cases of BPH and 38 cases of PCa by immunohistochemistry, analyzed the differences of VCL and AR expressions in BPH and PCa in different clinical stages and pathological grades of PCa, compared the primary levels of PSA, and studied their correlations.

RESULTSThe positive rate of VCL was significantly higher in PCa than in BPH tissues (P < 0.05), while that of AR showed no significant differences between the two groups (P > 0.05). Both the expressions of VCL and AR were closely related with the clinical stage and pathological grade of PCa (P < 0.05), but not with the PSA level (P > 0.05). There was a positive correlation between the expressions of VCL and AR in PCa tissues (r = 0.489, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONVCL is expressed differently in BPH and PCa, which may serve as an indicator for the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant prostate diseases. The expressions of AR and VCL are gradually reduced with the progression of PCa, with a positive correlation between them, and could be used jointly to evaluate the progression and prognosis of PCa.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; metabolism ; pathology ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Receptors, Androgen ; metabolism ; Vinculin ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo clone a novel human testis-specific gene TDRG1.

METHODSA new contig of expression sequence tags (ESTs) Hs.180197 was identified from the testis libraries using digital differential display (DDD) to screen the novel human testis-specific gene. To validate the use of bioinformatics approaches in gene discovery, the ESTs Hs.180197, which was predicted to be testis specific, was chosen for further study. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed on different normal tissues to identify the expression of Hs.180197 in human testis. Using bioinformatics methods and IMAGE cloning of this contig, the full-length cDNA sequence of the noval human gene was cloned.

RESULTSThis novel gene was 1197 bp in length, located in chromosome 6p21.1-p21.2. The sequence of the open reading frame was 504-806 bp, as confirmed by RT-PCR and sequencing in human testis. The cDNA encodes a novel protein of 100 amino acids with a theoretical molecular weight of 10 000 and isoelectric point of 6.81. The sequence shares no significant homology with any known protein in the databases. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis of multiple tissues further showed that the novel gene was expressed specifically in adult human testis. Considering a possible relation of this novel gene with the function of human testis, we named this new gene TDRG1 (testis development related gene 1, GenBank accession number: DQ168992).

CONCLUSIONDDD combined with laboratory validation is an efficient method for identifying new human functional genes.

Adult ; Cloning, Molecular ; DNA, Complementary ; genetics ; Databases, Genetic ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Homeodomain Proteins ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Organ Specificity ; Proteins ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Alignment ; Testis ; metabolism

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVEThe effectiveness rate of all-trans-retinoic acid (RA) is only about 30% in the clinical application of inducing thyroid carcinoma differentiation. In addition, there are severe toxic side effects, which limit its clinical application. Phase I-III clinical studies have been conducted on the combined application of two or more kinds of inductors in tumors. Nevertheless, the combination of RA with histone deacetylase inhibitors is rarely reported. This article studied the effects of differentiation for papillary thyroid carcinoma and follicular thyroid carcinoma cell lines induced by RA combined with trichostatin A (TSA), enhancing the effect of induction, while reducing the toxic side effects of a single drug, to provide a theoretical basis for preclinical trials.

METHODSAfter incubation with RA combined with TSA, K1 and FTC-133 were grouped into Group 1 (RA 10(-4) mol/L plus TSA 1.65 x 10(-7) mol/L), Group 2 (RA 1 x 10(-4) mol/L plus TSA 3.31 x 10(-7) mol/L), Group 3 (RA 10(-5) mol/L plus TSA 1.65 x 10(-7) mol/L), Group 4 (RA 1 x10(-5) mol/L plus TSA 3.31 x 10(-7) mol/L) by four varied concentrations and three time points (12 h, 24 h, and 48 h). The cell proliferation, conformation, toxic effect, and induced differentiation on K1 and FTC-133 cell lines were studied microscopically with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) to observe cell quantity and morphology, methyl-thiazolyl-tetrazolium (MTT) to calculate cell survival rates, and electrochemiluminescence analysis measuring in vitro thyroglobulin (Tg) levels.

RESULTSThe research showed that K1 and FTC-133 cells had cell spacing increases, with an outer edge of smooth, nuclear chromatin condensation after RA combined TSA. Survival rate were assessed by an analysis of variance (ANOVA) by concentration and time point, F values of K1 and FTC-133 were 23.52 and 170.14, and 57.09 and 224.35, respectively. There were significant differences for both cells (P < 0.01). The SNK analysis indicated that survival rates were in the order of Group 2 < Group 1 < Group 4 < Group 3. Tg was also assessed by ANOVA, F values of K1 were 69.63 and 101.07, and F values of FTC-133 were 79.77 and 81.72 (P < 0.01). Group 1 was compared with Group 3 of K1 and FTC-133 by the least significant difference (LSD) method, and there was no statistical difference between the two group (P = 0.06, 0.2, respectively; P > 0.05), yet a significant difference was seen between the other Groups.

CONCLUSIONSLower concentrations of RA combined with lower concentrations of TSA have both inhibited cell proliferation, decreased toxicity of the drugs, and increased the effect of K1 and FTC-133 cell differentiation. The mechanism of action may be that TSA has pretranscription DNA regulation and that RA has posttranscriptional signal regulation to enhance the effects of inhibited proliferation and differentiation of cells by transcription systems.

Adenocarcinoma, Follicular ; Antineoplastic Agents ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Carcinoma ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drug Synergism ; Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Hydroxamic Acids ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Thyroglobulin ; secretion ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; pathology ; secretion ; Tretinoin ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology

Liver cancer is a common malignant tumor in China and a major health concern. We aimed to estimate the liver cancer incidence and mortality in China in 2010 using liver cancer data from some Chinese cancer registries and provide reference for liver cancer prevention and treatment. We collected and evaluated the incidence and mortality data of liver cancer in 2010 from 145 cancer registries, which were included in the 2013 Chinese Cancer Registry Annual Report, calculated crude, standardized, and truncated incidences and mortalities, and estimated new liver cancer cases and deaths from liver cancer throughout China and in different regions in 2010 from Chinese practical population. The estimates of new liver cancer cases and deaths were 358,840 and 312,432, respectively, in China in 2010. The crude incidence, age-standardized rate by Chinese standard population (ASR China), and age-standardized rate by world standard population (ASR world) were 27.29/100,000, 21.35/100,000, and 20.87/100,000, respectively; the crude, ASR China, and ASR world mortalities were 23.76/100,000, 18.43/100,000, and 18.04/100,000, respectively. The incidence and mortality were the highest in western regions, higher in rural areas than in urban areas, and higher in males than in females. The age-specific incidence and mortality of liver cancer showed a rapid increase from age 30 and peaked at age 80-84 or 85+. Our results indicated that the 2010 incidence and mortality of liver cancer in China, especially in undeveloped rural areas and western regions, were among high levels worldwide. The strategy for liver cancer prevention and treatment should be strengthened.
China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Liver Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; mortality ; Male ; Registries ; Rural Population ; Sex Distribution ; Urban Population

BACKGROUNDUrotensin II (UII) is a new vasoconstrictive peptide that may activate the adventitial fibroblasts. Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) is an important factor that could induce the phenotypical transdifferentiation of adventitial fibroblasts. This study aimed to explore whether TGF-β1 is involved in UII-induced phenotypic differentiation of adventitial fibroblasts from rat aorta.

METHODSAdventitial fibroblasts were prepared by the explant culture method. TGF-β1 protein secretion from the cells was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The mRNA and protein expression of α-smooth nuscle actin (α-SM-actin), the marker of phenotypic differentiation from fibroblasts to myofibroblasts, were determined using real-time quantitative RT-PCR (real-time RT-PCR) and Western blotting, respectively.

RESULTSUII stimulated the secretion of TGF-β1 in cultured adventitial fibroblasts in a time-dependent manner. The secretion reached a peak at 24 hours, was higher by 69.8% (P < 0.01), than the control group. This effect was also concentration dependent. Maximal stimulation was reached at 10(-8) mol/L of UII (P < 0.01), which was increased by 59.9%, compared with in the control group (P < 0.01). The secretion of TGF-β1 induced by UII was significantly blocked by SB-710411 (10(-7) mol/L), a specific antagonist of UII receptor. In addition, both UII (10(-8) mol/L) and TGF-β1 significantly stimulated α-SM-actin mRNA and protein expression. Moreover, the α-SM-actin induced by UII was inhibited by the specific neutralizing antibody (20 µg/ml) of TGF-β1, while the α-SM-actin expression stimulated by TGF-β1 (20 ng/ml) was inhibited by SB-710411 (10(-7) mol/L), the UII receptor antagonist.

CONCLUSIONThis study suggests that UII could induce TGF-β1 secretion in adventitial fibroblasts via UT activation, and TGF-β1 might be involved in phenotypic differentiation from adventitial fibroblasts into myofibroblasts induced by UII, and TGF-β1 signaling might be one of the important pathways by which UII is involved in vascular fibrosis.

Actins ; analysis ; genetics ; Animals ; Aorta ; cytology ; Cell Transdifferentiation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; Male ; Myofibroblasts ; cytology ; Phenotype ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Signal Transduction ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; physiology ; Urotensins ; antagonists & inhibitors ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVEStudying on the routes of vas deferens to provide anatomy basis for surgical operation, especially, reconstruction of long segment loss of vas deferens.

METHODSThe routes of vas deferens were observed and anatomic distances along epididymal, infrainguinal, inguinal, retroperitoneal and ampullar segments of vas deferens, the distances from external ring to extremity of vas deferens were measured respectively in 18 formalin fixed adult cadavers.

RESULTSThe vas deferens have a large curve from external ring to extremity in its route, draw it out from the external ring. Eliminating this curve will allow to shorten this segment of vas deferens for vasovasostomy by 6.1 - 12.9 (9.31 +/- 1.30) cm. The length of each segment of vas deferens, respectively, is epididymal: 3.2 - 5.6 (4.53 +/- 0.79) cm, infrainguinal: 4.5 - 9.5 (7.31 +/- 1.78) cm, inguinal: 4.4 - 7.5 (5.52 +/- 0.74) cm, retroperitoneal: 12.5 - 19.5 (16.75 +/- 1.87) cm and ampullar: 2.9 - 3.8 (3.63 +/- 0.23) cm. There was no significant differences in segment length and the distances from external ring to extremity of vas deferens between the right and left.

CONCLUSIONReconstruction of long segment loss of vas deferens can be performed by mobilization retroperitoneal vas deferens and draw it out from external ring. There were no significant differences in lengths of vas deferens and the distances from external ring to vassal extremity between the left and right in adults. The surgical operations of vas deferens are closely related each segment of vasa.

Adult ; Autopsy ; Humans ; Male ; Vas Deferens ; anatomy & histology