Objective To study the expression of protein and mRNA of caspase-3 during hepatocyte apoptosis in the mice with fulminant hepatic failure (FHF). Methods Liver damage was induced by tumor necrosis factor-? (TNF-?) in D-galactosamine (GalN) sensitized BALB/c mice. Hepatocyte apoptosis was examined by electric microscopy, in site end labeling (ISEL) and DNA electrophoresis on 1.5% agarose gel. The expression of protein and mRNA of caspase-3 was detected by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results After 1.5 h, 3.5 h, 6 h, and 9 h of administration of GalN and TNF-?, rates of hepatocyte apoptosis were found to be 0.0%, 0.3%, 3.15% and 3.19% respectively. The rates of caspase-3 positive hepatocytes were 0.7%, 4.6% , 17.8% and 24.2% respectively. The relative expressive density of caspase-3 mRNA were 0.26%, 0.29%, 0.41% and 0.38% respectively. Conclusions The expression of caspase-3 is up regulated in the TNF-? induced FHF model and may trigger hepatocyte apoptosis and finally lead to FHF.

Obejective To assess the influence of apheresis and wash on platelet function and morphology.Methods To determine the count,size,distribution,agglutination,aggregation,GMP 140 & GPⅡb/Ⅲa of the platelet from the peripheral blood prior to apheresis and aphersed or washed platelets produced by CS 3000 plus.Results Both apheresed and washed platelets showed decreased PDW,PCT & MPV,but there were no statistical difference between groups.There were no difference in platelet adhesion,aggregation,CD 62p +,CD 41a +,and CD 62p +expression.Both apheresed and washed platelets showed increased CD 41a + expression,but there was no difference between apheresed and washed platelets.Conclusion Flow cytometry measurement of GMP 140 & GPⅡb/Ⅲa may be used for in vitro platelet function assessment.Although apherisis can induce mild platelet activation,platelets apheresed or washed by CS 3000 plus have reliable quality and can be used in a variety of clinical conditions.

Objective To investigate the situation and distribution of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) infection in volunteer blood donors during SARS epidemic phase and non-SARS epidemic phase in Guangzhou and provide scientific basis for developing preventive strategies. Methods Blood samples from volunteer donors were tested for SARS-CoV Ab by ELISA,and samples from 31 plasma donors recovered from SARS were tested as control. Donors with positive SARS-CoV Ab were further tested for SARS-CoV RNA by fluorescent polymerase chain reaction. Standardized questionnaires were adopted to conduct investigation by telephone on 20 donors with positive SARS-CoV Ab. Results SARS-CoV Ab was positive in 56 of 6120 volunteer blood donors and in 30 of 31 plasma donors recovered from SARS. The positive rates of SARS-CoV Ab were 0.92% and 96.77% respectively. In volunteer blood donors of SARS epidemic phase and non-SARS epidemic phase, the positive rates of SARS-CoV Ab were 0.91% and 0.92% respectively, and there was no significant difference between them. The mean S/CO and the titer of SARS-CoV Ab were 2.34 and ≤1∶2 respectively in the 56 volunteer blood donors, significantly lower than those of the 30 plasma donors recovered from SARS (S/CO 14.8,titer ≤1∶32). All donors with positive SARS-CoV Ab were negative for SARS-CoV RNA. Telephone consultation of 20 random blood donors with positive SARS-CoV Ab found that they were in good health and had not have close contact with SARS patients. Conclusion There is a low positive rate of SARS-CoV Ab among random blood donors in Guangzhou. Further studies are needed to find out whether those donors have been infected by SARS. It is also possible that those reactions were false positive, which might be caused by cross reactions. It is suggested that the present measures of SARS prevention could ensure blood safety.

Purpose To study the clinicopathologic features of juxtaglomerular cell tumor ( JGCT) . Methods The microscopic and immunohistochemical features were examined in 5 cases of JGCT, with review of related literatures. Results Four patients were fe-males and 1 was male, average aged 39 years ( range, 26-60 years) . Four patients had hypertension at diagnosis. Postoperative serum renin and aldosterone levels decreased obviously than before the operation in one patient. In one patient tumor had metastasized to liver and bone and died 14 months after operation. Microscopically, the tumors were well circumscribed and at least partially invested by a thick fibrous capsule. Entrapped tubules were identified. Numerous hemangiopericytoma-like vessels were focally present. The tumor tissue was made up of sheets of ovoid to polygonal cells with regular nuclei, distinct cell borders, moderately abundant eosinophilic cy-toplasm. Mast cells and lymphocyte were common. Thick-walled hyalinized blood vessels were obvious. Necrosis and high mitotic ac-tivity were identified in one case. Immunohistochemically, tumor cells were positive for renin, CD34, vimentin, and SMA (focally). Conclusions JGCT is a rare renal neoplasm. Its diagnosis and differential diagnosis must be established on the clinicopathologic fea-tures, immunohistochemical findings and ultrastructural features. Malignant JGCT is very rare. Its criteria are unknown, but malignant JGCT include histological vascular invasion, a large tumor size, relatively advanced patient age or child, necrosis and/or high mitotic activity.

Background and purpose:Loss of the tumor suppressor phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) is one of the most common somatic genetic aberrations in prostate cancer in Western countries and is frequently associated with tumor progression and poor prognosis. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of PTEN protein loss in Chinese prostate cancer patients and to determine its association with the biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer.Methods:The data from 225 diagnosed localized prostate cancer patients with radical prostatectomy from 2006 to 2011 were collected retrospectively, including patient’s age at diagnosis, prostate-speciifc antigen (PSA) level at diagnosis, Gleason score, clinical stage, surgical margin, and time to biochemical recurrence or not. This study performed PTEN protein immunohistochemistry on tissue microarrays, which were made from 225 Chinese prostate cancer patients mentioned above, treated by radical prostatectomy with one case including 2 cancer spots and 2 adjacent normal gland spots. Correlations of PTEN loss with clinicopathological features were analyzed usingχ2 test. Kaplan-Meier survival model and Cox proportional hazards regression model were used to evaluate the predictive role of PTEN protein expression and patient characteristics for biochemical recurrence. Results:PTEN protein loss was observed in 15% of the patients and was associated with increased preoperative PSA levels (P=0.03) and old age (P=0.009). In univariate Kaplan–Meier analysis, the factors associated with the biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer included PSA levels (P=0.000 4), Gleason sum (P=0.019 8), and PTEN status (P=0.013 1). In multivariable Cox regression analysis, PTEN expression (HR=0.536, P=0.044), PSA levels (HR=1.879, P=0.001), and Gleason score (HR=1.361,P=0.03) were signiifcant in predicting biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer.Conclusion:PTEN protein loss is associated with an increased risk of recurrence, independent of known clinicopathological factors.

Biomarkers, Tumor ; analysis ; Humans ; Male ; MicroRNAs ; analysis ; Prognosis ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; chemistry ; genetics

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Smad7 antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (ASODN) on proliferation in human pancreatic cancer cell line SW1990,with a focus on the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2).To explore the underlying mechanism of the role of Smad7 in the pathogenesis and development of pancreatic cancer.MethodsSmad7 ASODN was transfected into SW1990 cells through lipofectamine.Nosense oligodeoxynucleotide (NSODN),ASODN and lipofectamine was used as control. The transfection efficiency was assessed by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry.The expressions of Smad7,MMP-2 and TIMP-2 in transfected cells were detectedby RT-PCR and Western blot.Cell viability was assessed by dimethyl thiazoldiphenyltetrazoliumbromide (MTT) method. Results Smad7 was expressed in SW1990 cells.The transfection efficiency of SW1990 was 81.2％.The expressions of Smad7 mRNA were 0.34 ± 0.06,0.95 ±0.07,1.03 ± 0.11 in transfected group,ASODN and lipofectamine group; and the expressions of MMP-2 mRNAwere 0.54 ± 0.08,1.15 ± 0.13,1.27 ± 0.16 ; and the expressions of TIMP - 2 mRNA were 0.26 ±0.07,0.72 ± 0.13,0.78 ± 0.17,the mRNA expressions were significantly reduced in Smad7 ASODN transfected group,compared with other two groups (P ＜0.01 ).The expressions of Smad7 protein were 0.14 ± 0.03,0.29 ± 0.05,0.28 ± 0.07 in transfected group,ASODN and lipofectamine group; the expressions of MMP-2 protein were 0.17 ±0.02,0.29 ±0.05,0.31 ±0.04,and the expressions of TIMP-2 protein were 0.20 ± 0.03,0.41 ± 0.11,0.43 ± 0.09,the protein expressions were significantly reduced in Smad7 ASODN transfected group,compared with other two groups (P ＜0.01 ).The A490 values of proliferation were 0.83 ± 0.03,1.02 ±0.02,0.99 ±0.02 in transfected group,ASODN and lipofectamine group,the proliferation were significantly reduced in Smad7 ASODN transfected group,compared with other two groups (P ＜0.01 ).ConclusionsSmad7 ASODN could effectively inhibit the expressions of Smad7,therefore decrease the expressions of MMP-2,TIMP-2 and reduce the proliferation.

Objective To evaluate the different effeotions among laparoseopic choleeysteotomy (LC)combined with bile duct exploration (LCBDE)and stone removal,LC with endoacopic sphincterotomy (EST),and open-choleeysteetomy (OC)with exploration of common bile duct (ECBD)for treating choleeys-tolithiasis with choledocholithiasis.Methods Among 289 cases of choleeystolithiasis and choledocholithla-sis,132 patients were treated by OC with ECBD,36 cases by LC with LCBDE,121 cases by EST combined with LC.The stone residual rate and leakage of bile rate,operation time,the loss of blood in operation,re-covery time of gastrointestinal function,length of hospital stay of the three groups were compared.Results There was no statistical difference in the stone residual rate and leakage of bile rate among the three groups,but OC with ECBD group had significantly longer operation time,more loss of blood in operation,later re-covery time of gastrointestinal function and longer hospital stay than the other groups.Conclusions There are respective indications,advantages and disadvantages in the three groups.We found that the operation of LC with LCBDE is the better choice for the patients of cholecystolithiasis with choledocholithiasis,single choledocholithiasis;However,the patients with obviously infection of biliary tract or acute pancreatitis is not suitable for this method.

Purpose To investigate the clinicopathological features of multilocular cystic renal cell carcinoma ( MCRCC) , and to im-prove the understanding of this disease. Methods Thirty-two of MCRCC were studied by clinic data, pathological features and immu-nophenotype. All the thirty-two cases were followed up. Results In this study, thirty-two patients were diagnosed as MCRCC with a male-to-female ratio of 2.2 : 1, thirteen of whom had the tumor in the left kidney, eighteen in the right kidney, another in the double kidneys. The mean of tumor diameter was 4.6 cm (1.0~8.0 cm). Eleven patients underwent radical nephrectomy while the other 21 patients received nephron sparing surgery. Microscopically, all the cases were multiocular, lined in the cyst wall by a single layer of tumor cells with the clear or pale cytoplasm and Fuhrman grade 1 nuclei. Occasionally, the lining consisted of several layers of tumor cells or a few small papillae were present. The linings of the cyst wall were rich in thin-wall blood vessels. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were positive for CK(32/32), CK7(25/32), EMA(32/32), CD10(23/32) and vimentin(20/32), while negative for CD68. Conclusions MCRCC is characteristic by low grade nuclei, lacking solid nodules, and in the cyst wall, and has a favourable prognosis. The rich in thin-wall blood vessels and the lining cells with the clear or pale cytoplasm are diagnosis clues.

Background and purpose:Adrenal schwannoma is extremely rare, mostly benign, lack of special characteristics in clinical and imaging presentation. The aim of this study was to analyze the computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of adrenal schwannoma, in order to improve the accuracy of diagnosis. Methods:The CT and MRI features of 8 patients with pathology-proven adrenal schwannoma were reviewed. Among the 8 patients, 4 patients underwent CT scanning, 3 patients underwent MR scanning, 1 patient underwent both CT and MR scanning.Results:The tumors were located at the left adrenal in 5 cases and at the right in 3 cases. Tumors showed no signs of endocrine activity in all cases. All tumors were well-circumscribed, oval or lobulated masses, 2 cases with calcification, 5 cases with cystic change, 2 cases with intratumoral hemorrhage. CT or MR enhancement showed moderate, heterogeneously delayed enhancement in 7 cases with enhanced capsule. Four cases showed rabbit tail sign.Conclusion:The imaging and pathological features of adrenal schwannoma have certain characteristics. The CT and MRI features, such as intact capsule, cystic degeneration, rabbit tail sign, calcification and progressive enhancement, are helpful to improve the accuracy of diagnosis of adrenal schwannoma.