Objective To study correlation between MRI signal intensity of the lumbar intervertebral disc and collagen content in the nucleus pulposus.Methods Thirty-one cases with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation(male 21,female 10)received percutaneous lumbar disketetomy.Thirty-one specimens of nucleous pulposus were obtained from percutaneous lumbar disketctomy procedure and collagen content in them was measured with reformed hydroxyproline measurement method.The signal intensity(SI) of lumbar intervertebral disc and cerebrospinal fluid was measured in T_2 WI sagittal image and then ratio of disc SI to cerebrospinal fluid SI was calculated.The Pearson analysis was used to analyze the correlation between the collagen content and SI ratio and disc SI on T_2 WI.Results Collagen content and SI ratio were (231.0?63.5)mg/g and 0.19?0.07,respectively.There was negative correlation between them (r=-0.61,P

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*

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of the arthroscopic procedure on the patients with recurrent anterior shoulder dislocation.

METHODSFrom January 2001 to March 2006,52 patients with recurrent anterior shoulder dislocation were treated by arthroscopy. Among them 44 patients were followed up for 12 to 54 months(on average of 26 months). The data of the 44 patients was reviewed. Three evaluation systems, University of California at Los Angeles Shoulder Scores (UCLA), Simple Shoulder Test (SST) and Dawson, were used. The study evaluated the effect based on the Dawson system by the factors as: age, course of the disease, frequency of dislocation and relocation methods and the range of shoulder movement.

RESULTSThe ratio of recurrent dislocation after operation was 4.5%. Assessing through 3 evaluation systems, UCLA, SST and Dawson, results were similar: the follow-up evaluation were extraordinarily different from preoperative assessment, and the rating of good or excellent at the time of the final follow-up reached 91% higher. Based on the Dawson system, the evaluation results had no statistic diversity according to such factors as: age, course of the disease, frequency of dislocation and relocation methods.

CONCLUSIONSThe effects of arthroscopic surgery to the recurrent anterior shoulder dislocation are satisfied and evidence-proved. It is a good option for both common patients and athletes.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Arthroscopy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiography ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Shoulder Dislocation ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

This study was aimed to explore the pathogenesis of type III familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (FHL3) via susceptibility gene UNC13D involving in homologous recombination repair (HRR) of DNA double-strand break (DSB). By means of DNA homologous recombination repair, the change of homologous recombination repair rate of normal control cells and DR-U2OS cells after down-regulation of UNC13D was detected; the UNC13D gene related function was explored. The results showed that DR-U2OS cells displayed a significant reduction in homologous recombination repair of DNA DSB after siRNA knockdown of UNC13D, compared to its normal control cell counterparts (P < 0.05), suggesting that UNC13D was involved in DNA double-stranded breakage repair. It is concluded that UNC13D gene mutation may be involved in the pathogenesis of FHL3 via its dual effects of both the cytotoxic granule exocytosis and decrease of homologous recombination repair rate after the DNA double-strand break, therefore, providing a new theoretical basis to reveal the pathogenesis of FHL3.
DNA Breaks, Double-Stranded ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Humans ; Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic ; classification ; genetics ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; Recombinational DNA Repair

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether the presence of HBV mutant in vaccinees simply reflects the prevalence of HBV mutant in a specific geographic area or is indeed due to the immune pressure induced by vaccination.

METHODSHBV S genes were amplified by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequence analysis of the "a" determinant was performed on sera from 30 childhood patients with immunoprophylaxis and 30 patients without vaccinations.

RESULTSMutations of the "a" determinant were detected in 8 of the 60 patients. They were all of the adw subtype. The prevalence of amino acid substitutions as detected by direct sequencing was higher in those fully-vaccinated than of those not vaccinated. In all 8 vaccinated and also with detectable mutants, the mean age was older than the other vaccinated children.

CONCLUSIONThe prevalence of mutants is related to HBV subtypes and genotypes. Universal vaccination has accelerated an accumulation of HBsAg "a" determinant mutants with amino acid changes critical for immune escape in vaccinated children who became carriers. This suggests that new vaccination strategies should be considered.

Child ; China ; Epitopes ; genetics ; Female ; Hepatitis B ; prevention & control ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; genetics ; Hepatitis B Vaccines ; immunology ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Point Mutation ; Vaccination

BACKGROUNDGrowing preclinical evidence shows that zoledronic acid (ZOL) exhibits direct antitumor activity in various cancer cell lines. However, the cytotoxic effects of ZOL on human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells have not been established. In the present study, we investigated the effect of ZOL on HCC both in vitro and in vivo.

METHODSCytotoxicity and cell cycles were assessed with Sulforhodamine B colorimetric assay and flow cytometry. Expression levels of cell cycle phase-linked proteins were examined. The effect of ZOL on HCC in vivo was explored based on H22-subcutaneous injection (s.c.) and H22-intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) mice model.

RESULTSZOL inhibited the growth of SK-HEP-1 and H22 cells and induced S-phase arrest through downregulating cdc2 protein and upregulating cyclin A. It inhibited the growth of s.c tumors, and increased the survival of both H22-s.c. and H22-i.p. mice in vivo.

CONCLUSIONZOL inhibits growth of HCC cells in vitro and in vivo.

Animals ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Diphosphonates ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Imidazoles ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Liver Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Mice ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

OBJECTIVETo explore the improvement effect of vitamins B1, B2, PP supplementation to the metabolism changes of carbohydrates, lipids, protein and energy in mice exposed to acute hypoxia.

METHODSFifty male Kunming mice were randomly divided into normal, acute hypoxia, acute hypoxia plus 2 times, 4 times and 8 times vitamins B1, B2, PP supplemented groups. All mice were fed corresponding diets for two weeks and then except the normal group were exposed to a simulated altitude of 6 000 meters for 8 hours. The changes of glucose, pyruvate, lactate, urea nitrogen, free fatty acids and beta-hydroxybutyric acid from serum, liver glycogen and blood adenosine triphosphate (ATP) concentration were measured.

RESULTSAfter being exposed to acute hypoxia, the mice glucose, liver glycogen, pyruvate, lactate, free fatty acids, beta-hydroxybutyric acid and urea nitrogen level were increased significantly (P < 0.05), while blood ATP concentration was decreased. In the vitamins B1, B2 and PP supplemented groups, these changes were improved.

CONCLUSIONThe significant changes in carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism were observed in mice exposed to acute hypoxia, and the supplementation of vitamins B1, B2 and PP was proved to be beneficial in improving some metabolic pathways. It is suggested that the supplemented dose of four times was good.

Animals ; Carbohydrate Metabolism ; Hypoxia ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Lipid Metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Niacinamide ; administration & dosage ; Proteins ; metabolism ; Riboflavin ; administration & dosage ; Thiamine ; administration & dosage ; Vitamin B Complex ; administration & dosage

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the relationship between the epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation status and clinicopathological factors, and to analyze the mutation on the effect in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after surgery.

METHODSThe NSCLC patients who were resected and detected EGFR gene from March 2009 to March 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. The relationship between EGFR mutation status and clinicopathological factors, tumor markers, prognostic was analyzed.

RESULTSThe mutation and the wild group had 169 and 214 patients respectively. EGFR mutation in female, non-smoking, adenocarcinoma and less than 60 years old accounted for 63.91%, 61.54%, 88.76% and 62.13% with statistical significance compared with male (χ(2) = 53.490, P = 0.000), smoking (χ(2) = 48.568, P = 0.000), non-adenocarcinoma (χ(2) = 105.560, P = 0.000) and more than 60 years old (χ(2) = 6.057, P = 0.017). Disease free survival (DFS) of the wild group was better than mutation group (χ(2) = 11.329, P = 0.001). In addition, there were some relations between mutation status and excision repair cross complementing (ERCC1) protein, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and Cyfra21-1. ERCC1(+) (χ(2) = 6.739, P = 0.012), SCC(χ(2) = 16.839, P = 0.000) and Cyfra21-1(χ(2) = 6.638, P = 0.013) more than normal value was common in wild group. Increased CEA was common in mutation group (χ(2) = 5.436, P = 0.023).

CONCLUSIONSEGFR mutation is commonly found in female, non-smoking, adenocarcinoma and less than 60 years old NSCLC patients. The wild group obtains better DFS than mutation group. Tumor markers may predict the mutation status, which need further research.

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; genetics ; mortality ; pathology ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Prognosis ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; genetics ; Retrospective Studies

The purpose of this study was to determine the changes of pathogens in hematological ward and susceptibility of patients received chemotherapy to antibiotics. The pathogens were taken from blood, urine and sputum of patients who accepted chemotherapy from years 2001 to 2005, then were isolated and identified. The susceptibility test was performed by disk diffusion method. The results showed that the total of 418 strains were detected. Gram-negative bacteria were the most common of nosocomial infection. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter cloacae, E. coli account for the most of Gram negative- bacteria infection and most resistant to broad-spectrum penicillin, Acinetobacter baumannii showed a trend of increase. The ratios of gram positive bacteria and fungi were increased slowly, mainly as Enterococcus and Candida. Enterococcus is the most common cause of Gram-positive bacterial infection. Vancomycin resistance did not occur. It is concluded that Gram-negative bacteria are main cause of nosocomial infection in patients with hematological malignancies. Gram positive bacteria and fungi had been more frequent. Strains resistant to antimicrobial agents increase.
Cross Infection ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Gram-Negative Bacteria ; drug effects ; isolation & purification ; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; Hematologic Diseases ; microbiology ; Hematologic Neoplasms ; microbiology ; Humans ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests

OBJECTIVETo use a new kind of fixing material, i.e. Sol-Gel organic-inorganic hybridized material to immobilize bacterium to detect Biochemical oxygen demand quickly.

METHODSThe biosensor was fabricated using a thin film in which Hansenula anomala was immobilized by sol-gel and an oxygen electrode. The optimum measurement for biochemical oxygen demand was at pH 7.0; 28 degrees C; response time 3 - 12 min. Pure organic compound, sewage and rate of recovery were detected with the biosensor.

RESULTSIt shows that the BOD biosensor can be used to detect many organic compounds such as amino acid, glucide. It is suitable to monitor sewage and industrial waste water which has low level alcohols and phenols. The microbial membrane can work 3 months and remain its 70% activity. It is measured that the rate of recovery of BOD is between 90% to 105% in sewage.

CONCLUSIONThe study confirmed the effectiveness and usefulness of BOD sensor, which is quick, convenient, low cost and reliable with little interference.

Bacteria ; Biosensing Techniques ; instrumentation ; Cells, Immobilized ; Gels ; Membranes, Artificial ; Nylons ; Oxygen ; analysis ; Sewage ; analysis ; microbiology