Aged ; Humans ; Male ; Neoplasms, Muscle Tissue ; Skull Neoplasms ; Temporal Bone ; pathology

Objective To compare proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) levels between premenopausal and postmenopausal women,and to investigate the relationship between serum PCSK9 and metabolic factors.Methods Totally 515 women were enrolled from the study on diabetes of prediction,prevention,and intervention in Nanjing in 2009.Survey,physical examinations,and determination of related metabolic indexes were performed.Serum PCSK9 level was measured by sandwich ELISA.Results Serum PCSK9 level was positively correlated with low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C),total cholesterol (TC),triglyceride,fasting plasma glucose,body mass index,waist-hip ratio,and age in women (all P＜0.01).PCSK9 level was significantly lower in premenopausal women than that in postmenopausal women [(58.18 ± 25.44 vs 80.91 ± 33.74) ng/ml,P ＜0.01].Conclusion Higher level of PCSK9 exists in postmenopausal women compared with premenopausal women.The level of PCSK9 is closely correlated with age,TC,and LDL-C.

Objective To evaluate the value of reconstruction of three-dimentional CT in development dislocation of hip(DDH)in children.Methods Twelve cases of DDH concluded 4 bilateral and 8 unilateral cases.To sum up,16 sick hips were operated and 8 normal hips were also obtained by three-dimensional CT(Hip speed Fi/x,GE Co).Results 3D reconstruction were used to show femoral head,(acetabulum) and relationship of acetabulum and femoral head respectively.The difference between FNA measurement of sick hips and those of normal hips were significant(P

Objective To investigate the clinical epidemiologic features of transient synovitis(TS) of hip in children occurred in Shen-zhen district.Methods The medical files were reviewed and a standard questionnaire was filled according to the conditions of 705 cases such as pathogeny,clinical manifestation,therapy and prognosis.Results Transient synovitis occurred in a sporadic form all the year round.The peak age of patients with TS was 3-7 years old.The ratio of boys to girls was 2.9:1.About 19.3% patients were attacked an upper respiratory tract infection and 11.9% patients attributed the symptoms to trauma or severe activities before 1 week.A varying degree of painful limp and restriction of movement at the hip were found clinically.All of cases were cured by skin traction.The incidence of recurrence was 6.95%.Conclusions Male predominance is found in TS.It is characteristic of sporadic form in the 4 seasons and intently relation to an upper respiratory tract infection and trauma or severe activities.TS is recurrent and the prognosis is good by skin traction.

To examine whether or not the regulatory sequence of chicken ovalbumin gene can drive transgene expression specifically in hen oviduct, the authors constructed an oviduct-specific expression vector (pOV), containing 3.0 kilobases (kb) of the 5'-flanking sequence and 3.0 kb of the 3'-flanking sequence of the chicken ovalbumin gene. Jellyfish green fluorescence protein (EGFP) reporter gene and bacterial LacZ reporter gene were respectively inserted into the downstream of the 5'-regulatory region. The recombinants were named as pOVEGFP and pOVLacZ. Two transfer systems, in vitro and in vivo, were used to verify the function of the vector. In vitro, the plasmid DNA pOVEGFP and pEGFP-N1 were transfected respectively by the polyethyleneimine procedure into the primary chicken oviduct epithelium (PCOE) and fibroblasts cells isolated from laying hens. In vivo, the recombinant vector pOVLacZ was injected into egg-laying hens via wing vein and the tissues were collected for RT-PCR analysis. The results showed that expression of pEGFP-N1 was achieved at low level in oviduct epithelial cells and at high level in fibroblasts, but that the recombinant vector was not expressed in both cells. RT-PCR analysis showed that the LacZ gene was transcribed in the oviduct, but not in the heart, liver, kidney and spleen of the injected hens. Accordingly, the beta-galactosidase activity was only detected in the oviduct magnum (116.7 mU/ml) and eggs (16.47 mU/ml). These results indicated that the cloned regulation regions of chicken ovalbumin gene could drive exogenous gene expression specifically in the oviducts of hens. In vivo gene injection via wing vein may serve as a rapid production system of recombinant proteins in chicken eggs. In addition, the cultured primary oviduct cells from laying hens were not efficient temporary expression systems for analyzing the function of regulating elements of ovalbumin gene.
Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Chickens ; Cloning, Molecular ; methods ; Fallopian Tubes ; metabolism ; Female ; Organ Specificity ; Ovalbumin ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Protein Engineering ; methods ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; Transfection ; methods ; Women

Associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) could induce extensive and rapid future liver remnant hypertrophy. However, the morbidity for ALPPS is very high. This paper reports a modified ALPPS (associating microwave ablation and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy, AMAPS), which was successfully applied in the treatment of huge hepatocellular carcinoma with cirrhosis, and the procedure of operation was greatly simplified. Hence, AMAPS is feasible and safe in selected patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Fibrosis* ; Hepatectomy* ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Ligation* ; Liver ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Microwaves* ; Portal Vein*

Objective Clinical data of 19 Chinese patients with 21 hydroxylase deficiency (21OHD) were analyzed to improve the diagnosis and treatment level. Methods Clinical features and laboratory data were collected from 19 patients with 21OHD before and after treatment. Results In male patients, the average age of early appearance of secondary sexual character was (9.3?2.8)yrs, and excess androgen resulted in phallic enlargement. Primary amenorrhea was the most common complaint in female(87.5%), and the signs included a varying degree of labioscrotal fusion and clitoral enlargement. The average level of 17-hydroxy progesterone(17OHP) was (63.42?35.07) ?g/L, and adrenocorticotrophic hormone(ACTH), dehydroepiandrosterone(sodium) sulfate(DHEAS) and testosterone(T) were obviously elevated. CT scan showed bilateral adrenal hyperplasia. The level of 17OHP was significantly decreased after treatment[(63.42?35.07) ?g/L vs (3.15?2.71) ?g/L](P

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of cytoskeleton integrity on the expression of c-fos gene in osteoblasts induced by fluid shear stress.

METHODSBALB/c mouse primary osteoblasts were divided into four groups (according to fluid shear stress loaded or not and cytochalasin D used or not). The Tagman probe real-time PCR and immunofluorescence were performed to detect the expression levels of c-fos mRNA, c-fos protein and cytoskeleton, respectively. The data were analysed using two-way ANOVA.

RESULTSIn control group and cytochalasin D group, fluid shear stress could significantly increase the expression levels of c-fos mRNA (0.1637 +/- 0.0303 and 0.0104 +/- 0.0070, respectively) and protein (177.14 +/- 9.37 and 150.95 +/- 6.17, respectively) in osteoblasts, compared with the unloaded osteoblasts of the control group and the cytochalasin D group (0.0057 +/- 0.0021 and 0.0032 +/- 0.0014, respectively for c-fos mRNA, and 117.96 +/- 4.11 and 119.77 +/- 5.19, respectively for protein, P < 0.05). Induced by the fluid shear stress, the expression levels of c-fos mRNA and protein in cytochalasin D group were lower than control group, and the difference had statistical significance (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe cytoskeleton integrity in osteoblasts was essential to the expression of c-fos gene induced by fluid shear stress.

Analysis of Variance ; Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Cytochalasin D ; pharmacology ; Cytoskeleton ; physiology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Osteoblasts ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Rheology ; Stress, Mechanical

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Kuntai Capsule (KC), a Chinese patent medicine, in add-back therapy for gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) treatment for moderate-severe endometriosis (EM).

METHODSTotally 100 patients suffering from stage III/IV EM, who were confirmed by laparoscopic surgery were randomly assigned to the GnRH-a group (A) and the KC combined GnRH-a group (B), 50 in each group. Patients in Group A were hypodermically injected with goserelin (3.6 mg), once per 4 weeks. Those in Group B additionally took KC, 4 pills each time, three times per day. The therapeutic course for all was 12 weeks. Serum levels of estradiol (E2), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), bone gamma-carboxyglutamic-acid-containing proteins (BGP) were measured respectively. Kupperman Menopausal Index (KMI) and bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar vertebra were also compared between the two groups.

RESULTSSerum levels of E2 and FSH both significantly decreased in the two groups at week 12 of the treatment (P < 0.05), when compared with pre-treatment. Compared with before treatment in the same group, KMI increased in the two groups (P < 0.05). Compared with before treatment in the same group, BMI decreased in the two groups with no statistical difference (P > 0.05). Serum BGP increased after 12-week treatment (P < 0.05). Compared with Group A after treatment, serum levels of E2 and FSH both significantly increased in Group B (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in KMI between the two groups (P > 0.05). As for the incidence of menopausal symptoms, better effects in improving symptoms such as hot flashes, sleep disorders, and vaginal dryness were obtained in Group B than in Group A (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the post-pre-treatment difference of BMI between the two groups, but with statistical post-pre-treatment difference in the BGP level (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSHKC combined GnRH-a could effectively reduce GnRH-a treatment induced partial low estrogen symptoms, improve increased serum BGP levels after GnRH-a therapy.

Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Endometriosis ; drug therapy ; Estradiol ; blood ; Female ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; blood ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; agonists ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of adenovirus-mediated endostatin gene transfer on transplanted lung cancer in mice and its mechanism of action.

METHODSTransplant tumor model was induced by subcutaneous inoculation of 2 x 10(6) Lewis lung cancer (LLC) cells into the back of C57BL/6 mice. The mice were treated by intratumoral injection of 2 x 10(9) pfu Ad-mEndostatin. The expression of endostatin in situ and its maintaining time were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western Blot, respectively. The endostatin level in serum was determined by ELISA . The inhibition of tumor growth and changes of survival were recorded and the microvessel density (MVD) was determined by histochemical stainingwith CD31 and CD105 antibodies. The tumor apoptosis was observed by electron microscopy.

RESULTSIn comparison with controls, intratumoral injection of Ad-mEndostatin significantly inhibited the tumor growth and metastasis, and prolonged the survival rate of mice (P < 0.05). Strong positive expression of mEndostatin was seen in the tumor tissue after injection of Ad-mEndostatin, immunhistochemically ostained by mouse endostatin monoclonal antibody, while the control groups showed only very low expression or absence. Serum endostatin concentration was 1540 +/- 560 ng/ml at the second week of administration, the expression of endostatin diminished a month later. The microvessel density (MVD)) decreased from 42.4 +/- 4.8 to 10.5 +/- 3.2 per x 200 magnificetion microscopic field by CD10 staining and from 68.5 +/- 4.5 to 37.5 +/- 4.6 by CD31 staining, respectively (P < 0.05). More apoptotic tumor cells were seen under the transmission electron microscope.

CONCLUSIONEndostatin gene therapy mediated by adenoviral vector efficiently induces expression of endostatin in vivo, and inhibits the growth and metastasis of tumor. It is concluded that its action is targeted to tumor neovasculature and the mechanism is inhibition of tumor angiogenesis.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Angiogenesis Inhibitors ; genetics ; metabolism ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Carcinoma, Lewis Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Endostatins ; genetics ; metabolism ; therapeutic use ; Genetic Therapy ; Genetic Vectors ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Microvessels ; pathology ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; pathology ; Random Allocation ; Transfection ; Tumor Burden