BACKGROUND:Stroke is the leading cause of death and long-term disability. This study was undertaken to investigate the factors influencing daily activities of patients with cerebral infarction so as to take interventional measures earlier to improve their daily activities. METHODS:A total of 149 patients with first-episode cerebral infarction were recruited into this prospective study. They were admitted to the Encephalopathy Center, Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College in Zhejiang Province from August 2008 to December 2008. The baseline characteristics of the patients and cerebral infarction risk factors on the first day of admission were recorded. White blood cell (WBC) count, plasma glucose (PG), and many others of laboratory targets were col ected in the next morning. Barthel index (BI) was calculated at 2 weeks and 3 months respectively after onset of the disease at the outpatient clinic or by telephone cal . Lung infection, urinary tract infection and atrial fibrillation if any were recorded on admission. The National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores and the GCS scores were recorded within 24 hours on and after admission, at the second week, and at the third month after the onset of cerebral infarction respectively. RESULTS:The factors of BI at 2 weeks and 3 months after onset were the initial PG level, WBC count and initial NIHSS scores. Besides, urinary tract infection on admission was also the factor for BI at 3 months. CONCLUSION:Active measures should be taken to control these factors to improve the daily activities of patients with cerebral infarction.

OBJECTIVETo study the apoptosis inducing effects of bufalin on various human osteosarcoma cells and the concerning molecular mechanisms.

METHODMTT assay was used to detect the growth inhibition rates of osteosarcoma cells U-20S, U-20S/MTX300, SaOS-2, IOR/OS9 treated with bufalin in different concentrations and times. The apoptosis of cells was observed flow cytometry 48 h following bufalin treatment. The proteomic techniques were used to separate and compare the treated and control groups 48 h after bufalin-incubation. Then, the proteomic results were validated by western blot.

RESULTBufalin inhibited the growth of human osteosarcoma cells U20S, U20S/MTX300 (methotrexate resistant cells), SAOS2, IOR/OS9 in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The 72 h IC50 were (37.43 +/- 4.1), (32.24 +/- 5.3) nmol x L(-1) in U20S,U20S/MTX300 cells,respectivly. Flow cytometry showed that the apoptosis cells were increased following bufalin treatment. The protein expression profile showed 24 differentiated expression proteins. Among these proteins, the level of an anti-apoptotic protein, heat shock protein 27 (Hsp27) decreased significantly and the result was then validated by western blot. Ectopic expression of Hsp27 could reduce the bufalin-induced apoptosis remarkably in U20S and U20S/MTX300 cells.

CONCLUSIONBufalin could inhibit the cell growth and induce apoptosis on human osteosarcoma cells. The effect of bufalin may be related to the joint intervention with multiple protein targets. Among them, downregulation of Hsp27 plays a critical role in the bufalin-induced apoptosis in human osteosarcoma cells.

Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Bufanolides ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; drug effects ; Humans ; Osteosarcoma ; pathology ; Proteomics

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of fructose-1,6-diphosphete(FDP) on myocardial preservation in pulmonary operations. METHODS: One hundred and six patients undergoing selective pulmonary lobectomy or segmentectomy were randomly divided into 2 groups with 53 patients each. FDP 200 mg/kg was infused intravenously before anesthesia in the FDP group, while 5% glucose with the same volume was given instead of FDP in the control group. ECGs were monitored from before the anesthesia to 72 h after the operation;the time and type of arrhythmia were recorded. Blood samples were taken before the operation (T0), immediately after the operation(T1), at 24 h(T2),48 h(T3)and 72 h(T(4)) after the operation to determine plasma creatine kinase isoenzyme MB(CK-MB) and cardiac troponin I(cTnI) concentrations. RESULTS: The incidence of arrhythmia in FDP group (35 times) was significantly lower than that in the control group(67 times). The incidence of all types of arrhythmia in the FDP group was also significantly lower than that in the control group. The concentrations of CK-MB and cTnI in the FDP group were significantly lower than those in the control group at T1, T2, T3, and T4. CONCLUSION FDP is effective for myocardial preservation in pulmonary operations.
Aged ; Anti-Arrhythmia Agents ; therapeutic use ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Creatine Kinase, MB Form ; blood ; Female ; Fructosediphosphates ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pneumonectomy ; adverse effects ; Troponin I ; blood

BACKGROUNDHuman epididymis secretory protein 4 (HE4) has been proved to be a promising novel biomarker for the detection of epithelial ovarian carcinomas. Compared with CA125, HE4 assay demonstrated an improved ability to discriminate between pelvic mass with malignant and benign disease. Though it is well known that HE4 is overexpressed in ovarian cancer, however, the role of HE4 in the carcinogenesis and progression of ovarian cancer remains unkown.

METHODSIn this study, we explored the role of HE4 in the carcinogenesis and progression of ovarian cancer. We screened nine ovarian cancer cell lines for HE4 expression, and using RNA interference (RNAi), we silenced HE4 gene expression in CaoV3 and SKOV3.ip1 ovarian cancer cell lines. We assessed the effect of HE4 gene silencing on the transformed phenotype by examining the cell cycle, apoptosis, proliferation and transwell migration/invasion in vitro.

RESULTSHE4 gene silencing induces G0/G1 arrest and blocks the progression from the G1 to S phase in CaoV3 and SKOV3.ip1 cells. HE4 knockdown also inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion in SKOV3.ip1 cells in vitro.

CONCLUSIONHE4 may be involved in the regulation of the cell cycle and promote ovarian cancer migration and invasion.

Biomarkers, Tumor ; analysis ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Disease Progression ; Epididymal Secretory Proteins ; analysis ; genetics ; physiology ; Female ; Gene Silencing ; physiology ; Humans ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; pathology ; RNA Interference

Background Human epididymis secretory protein 4 (HE4) has been proved to be a promising novel biomarker for the detection of epithelial ovarian carcinomas. Compared with CA125, HE4 assay demonstrated an improved ability to discriminate between pelvic mass with malignant and benign disease. Though it is well known that HE4 is overexpressed in ovarian cancer, however, the role of HE4 in the carcinogenesis and progression of ovarian cancer remains unkown.Methods In this study, we explored the role of HE4 in the carcinogenesis and progression of ovarian cancer. We screened nine ovarian cancer cell lines for HE4 expression, and using RNA interference (RNAi), we silenced HE4 gene expression in CaoV3 and SKOV3.ip1 ovarian cancer cell lines. We assessed the effect of HE4 gene silencing on the transformed phenotype by examining the cell cycle, apoptosis, proliferation and transwell migration/invasion in vitro.Results HE4 gene silencing induces G0/G1 arrest and blocks the progression from the G1 to S phase in CaoV3 and SKOV3.ip1 cells. HE4 knockdown also inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion in SKOV3.ip1 cells in vitro.Conclusion HE4 may be involved in the regulation of the cell cycle and promote ovarian cancer migration and invasion.

BACKGROUNDDNA hypomethylation of long interspersed nuclear elements-1 (LINEs-1) occurs during carcinogenesis, whereas information addressing LINE-1 methylation in Wilms tumor (WT) is limited. The main purpose of our study was to quantify LINE-1 methylation levels and evaluate their relationship with relative telomere length (TL) in WT.

METHODSWe investigated LINE-1 methylation and relative TL using bisulfite-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) pyrosequencing and quantitative PCR, respectively, in 20 WT tissues, 10 normal kidney tissues and a WT cell line. Significant changes were analyzed by t-tests.

RESULTSLINE-1 methylation levels were significantly lower (P < 0.05) and relative TLs were significantly shorter (P < 0.05) in WT compared with normal kidney. There was a significant positive relationship between LINE-1 methylation and relative TL in WT (r = 0.671, P = 0.001). LINE-1 Methylation levels were significantly associated with global DNA methylation (r = 0.332, P < 0.01). In addition, relative TL was shortened and LINE-1 methylation was decreased in a WT cell line treated with the hypomethylating agent 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine compared with untreated WT cell line.

CONCLUSIONThese results suggest that LINE-1 hypomethylation is common and may be linked to telomere shortening in WT.

Cell Line, Tumor ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; DNA Methylation ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Long Interspersed Nucleotide Elements ; genetics ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Telomere ; genetics ; Wilms Tumor ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo test 32 traditional Chinese medicinal herbs with effects against osteosarcoma in vitro.

METHODSU(2)OS human osteosarcoma cell line was treated with the extracts of the Chinese herbs at various concentrations. The changes in cell proliferation in response to the treatment were examined by MTT assay, and the effects of these extracts against human osteosarcoma growth were compared. Morphological observation, flow cytometry and Annexin V were employed to detect the cell apoptosis after the treatments.

RESULTSAccording to the results of MTT assay, several of the 32 Chinese herbs, especially Venenum Bufonis and oxgall powder, were identified to produce growth inhibition against U(2)OS cells. Further study of the aqueous extracts of Venenum Bufonis and oxgall powder demonstrated their effects in inducing U(2)OS cell apoptosis, and Venenum Bufonis showed the strongest effect. In spite of the obvious growth inhibitory effect of oxgall powder, its extract induced cell apoptosis only at high concentrations.

CONCLUSIONSeveral of the traditional Chinese herbs, especially Venenum Bufonis and oxgall powder, may inhibit the growth of U(2)OS cell line, and the results of this study pave the way for further identification of the effective components in the herbs that inhibit osteosarcoma growth both in vivo and in vitro.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; Bone Neoplasms ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Osteosarcoma ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo analyze the characteristics of cytogenetic aberration of adults with Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) and/or bcr-abl positive (bcr-abl+) acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), and investigate its influence on patients' outcomes.

METHODRetrospective analysis of 100 adult Ph+ ALL patients from January 1, 1996 to December 31, 2007 was carried out. The type, distribution and frequency of chromosome aberration were summarized, and compared among different subgroups.

RESULTS1) In all cases, 72 had chromosome aberrations, including 22 with sole Ph chromosome, 44 Ph+ with additional abnormalities, which included double Ph, monosomy 7, monosomy 20, trisomy 8 trisomy 21, 9p deletion and 22 deletion. 2) Patients with pseudodiploid and hyperdiploid had higher WBC count, and inferior outcome with lower rates of overall survival (OS) and relapse free survival (RFS). 3) Ph+ group also had higher WBC counts and inferior outcome with low OS and RFS rates. There was no statistic significance between sole Ph+ group and Ph plus additional aberrations group. 4) Patients with both abnormal and normal metaphase (AN) and with solely abnormal metaphase (AA) had higher WBC count, less frequent P190 occurrence and inferior outcome than those only normal metaphase (NN) group, whereas, there was no difference between AA and AN groups. 5) Double Ph chromosome had a lower frequency of P190 and inferior OS than non-double Ph group.

CONCLUSIONAdults with Ph+ ALL have complicated cytogenetic abnormalities, pseudodiploid and hyperdiploid indicate inferior outcome, and double Ph chromosome may be a unfavorable prognostic factor.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Female ; Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl ; genetics ; Humans ; Immunophenotyping ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Philadelphia Chromosome ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; genetics ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of K2O addition on the crystallization property of dental glass-ceramics in the Li2O-SiO2-Al2O3-P2O5-ZnO system.

METHODSDifferent content of K2O was added into Li2O-SiO2-Al2O3-P2O5-ZnO glass system. The heat-treated system of the glass-ceramics was determined by differential thermal analyses (DTA), then the crystallization components and the microstmcture of the glass-ceramics with different content of K2O were investigated from X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

RESULTSAddition of K2O helped to reduce the viscosity of the glass system and improved crystallization. More lithium disilicate crystals appeared after heated-treatment of the glass system which contained 5.3 wt% addition of K2O, and the homogeneously lath-shaped crystals were 4 gm in length.

CONCLUSIONCertain content of K2O can improve the crystallization property of dental glass-ceramics in the Li2O-SiO2-Al2O3-P2O5-ZnO system.

Ceramics ; Crystallization ; Dental Porcelain ; Glass ; Hot Temperature ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Silicon Dioxide ; X-Ray Diffraction

OBJECTIVEWith the extremity soft tissue sarcoma close to neurovascular bundle, combined en bloc resection and brachytherapy or simple en bloc resection were performed to evaluate the treatment outcome of the combined en bloc resection and brachytherapy.

METHODSRetrospectively investigation was performed for the extremity soft tissue sarcoma close to neurovascular bundle between 2000 and 2009. Inclusion criteria were primary extremity soft tissue sarcoma, MRI showed that the reaction zone involved the main neurovascular bundle, and the reaction zone closed less than 1 cm to the main neurovascular bundle. 86 cases were included in the study. There were 41 men and 45 women. The average age was 38.5 years old (Range from 15 to 73). There were malignant fibrous histiocytoma, synovial sarcoma, fibrosarcoma, liposarcoma, clear cell sarcoma, epithelioid sarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma and vascular sarcoma etc. The stage were IA (8), IIA (12), IIB (10), IIC (7), III (43) and IV (6).

RESULTSDuring an average follow-up of 53 months (range 24 - 102 months), the distant metastasis rate 32.56% (28/86) and the lymph node metastasis rate was 6.98% (6/86). The local recurrence rates was 13.95% (12/86). In the group of combined en bloc resection and brachytherapy with 38 cases, the local recurrence rates was 5.26% (2/38). Four cases had wound infection and six cases had wound delay healing. The MSTS functional score was 21.11 ± 1.79. In the group of simple en bloc resection with 48 cases, the local recurrence rates was 20.83% (10/48). One case had wound infection and four cases had wound delay healing. The MSTS functional score was 84.23% (26.11 ± 1.79). The local recurrence rates was significant different between.

CONCLUSIONWith the extremity soft tissue sarcoma close to neurovascular bundle, combined en bloc resection and brachytherapy could decrease the local recurrence rate.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Brachytherapy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Retrospective Studies ; Sarcoma ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Soft Tissue Neoplasms ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Young Adult