OBJECTIVETo apply the Wright-Giemsa stain in micronucleus test and to explore the stain outcomes of Wright-Giemsa dye of various proportions and staining times.

METHODSUse Wright-Giemsa dye, Wright dye (staining time 3 min) and Giemsa dye (staining time 5 min) to stain HepG2 and then observe the staining effect. The Wright-Giemsa dye was applied under 5 different proportions (3:1-1:3) and different staining times (1, 3, 5, 10, 15 min).

RESULTSAfter stained for 3-5 min with the proportion ratio of 3:1 of Wright-Giemsa dye, the HepG2 cells showed much better staining outcomes compared with the single stain of either Wright or Giemsa.

CONCLUSIONSWright-Giemsa stain can be used in cell micronucleus test to obtain good staining outcomes.

Azure Stains ; Coloring Agents ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Micronucleus Tests ; Staining and Labeling ; methods

BACKGROUND: Platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1), also known as CD31, is mainly distributed in vascular endothelial cells. Studies have shown that PECAM-1 is a very significant indicator of angiogenesis, and has been used as an indicator for vascular endothelial cells. The present study aimed to explore the relationship between the expression of PECAM-1 and the degree of acute lung injury (ALI) and fibrosis in paraquat (PQ) induced lung injury in rabbits. METHODS: Thirty-six adult New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into three groups (12 rabbits in each group) according to PQ dosage: 8 mg/kg (group A), 16 mg/kg (group B), and 32 mg/kg (group C). After PQ infusion, the rabbits were monitored for 7 days and then euthanized. The lungs were removed for histological evaluation. Masson staining was used to determine the degree of lung fibrosis (LF), and semi-quantitative immune-histochemistry analysis to determine the expression of PECAM-1. Pearson's product-moment correlation analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between the expression of PECAM-1 and the extent of lung injuries expressed by ALI score and degree of LF. RESULTS: Rabbits in the three groups showed apparent poisoning. The rabbits survived longer in group A than in groups B and C (6.47±0.99 days vs. 6.09±1.04 days vs. 4.77±2.04 days) (P<0.05). ALI score was lower in group A than in groups B and C (8.33±1.03 vs. 9.83±1.17 vs. 11.50±1.38) (P<0.05), and there was statistically significant difference between group B and group C (P=0.03). LF was slighter in group A than in groups B and C (31.09％±2.05 ％ vs. 34.37％±1.62％ vs. 36.54％±0.44％) (P<0.05), and there was statistically significant difference between group B and group C (P=0.026). The PEACAM-1 expression was higher in group A than in groups B and C (20.31％±0.70％ vs. 19.34％±0.68％ vs. 18.37％±0.46％) (P<0.05), and there was statistically significant difference between group B and group C (P=0.017). Pearson's correlation analysis showed that the expression of PECAM-1 was negatively correlated to both ALI score (Coe=–0.732, P=0.001) and degree of LF (Coe=–0.779, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The PECAM-1 expression significantly decreases in New Zealand rabbits after PQ poisoning, and the decrease is dose-dependent. The PECAM-1 expression is negatively correlated with ALI score and LF, showing a significant role in the development of lung injuries induced by PQ.

BACKGROUNDThe coagulation function in carcinoma patients is abnormal, but in renal cell carcinoma the extent and relationships of coagulation function remain unclear. This study retrospectively investigated the relationships between coagulation function, clinical stage and metastasis in patients with renal cell carcinoma.

METHODSA total of 350 consecutive patients admitted to our Urology Department from 2004 to 2010 were diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma by histopathologic examination and were included in this study. A total of 231 cases of renal benign tumors were considered as the control group. Fibrinogen, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time and international normalized ratio were evaluated in all subjects. Tumor size, clinical stage, lymph node metastasis, and distant metastasis were evaluated using radiologic imaging, intraoperative findings, and histological studies.

RESULTSThe preoperative plasma fibrinogen levels of patients with renal cell carcinoma ((383.9 ± 146.7) mg/dl) were significantly higher than those of the control group ((316.7 ± 62.0) mg/dl) (P < 0.01). We divided the renal cell carcinoma group into stages Ia, Ib, II, III, and IV. The fibrinogen values were (315.6 ± 64.6) mg/dl, (358.3 ± 91.1) mg/dl, (465.6 ± 164.7) mg/dl, (500.0 ± 202.1) mg/dl, and (585.8 ± 179.7) mg/dl, respectively. There were no significant differences in fibrinogen values between stage Ia and control groups. However, results of other stages showed significant differences when compared to control group values (P < 0.01). Using the cutoff value of 440 mg/dl, which defines hyperfibrinogenemia, plasma fibrinogen levels had a positive predictive value of 39.8% and a negative predictive value of 93.3% for predicting distant metastasis, with a sensitivity of 64.7% and specificity of 83.3%.

CONCLUSIONSPreoperative plasma fibrinogen levels are elevated in patients with renal cell carcinoma with distant metastasis or lymph node metastasis. Potential metastasis is more likely if the tumor size larger than 4 cm. Increased preoperative plasma fibrinogen levels, especially hyperfibrinogenemia, may be an indicator of metastasis.

Adult ; Aged ; Blood Coagulation ; physiology ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Female ; Fibrinogen ; metabolism ; Humans ; Kidney Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; physiopathology ; Neoplasm Staging ; Retrospective Studies ; Thromboplastin ; metabolism

BACKGROUND:To invent a novel cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) time point recorder to synchronously and automatically record the time and to identify its effectiveness in humans. METHODS:A CPR time point recorder was invented after the doctors were familiar with the traditional Utstein recovery registration mode and mastered the registration time points required. The progress of CPR was simulated. The standard and correct times were recorded, and the doctors performing the recovery collected the data about the times using our CPR time point recorder or the memory registration mode. RESULTS:The deviation times were 21.4±24.7 seconds for the memory group and 3.57±4.58 seconds for CPR time point recorder group. The deviation of times increased significantly depending on the increase of the operation items in the memory group. A similar phenomenon was found in the timer group but with a smaller difference (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: A CPR time point recorder could reduce the deviation of operate-time, especially after a long-time operation, and for procedures with more operating items, compared with the memory mode. It was a more advantageous and accurate method for the Utstein registration.

OBJECTIVETo obtain large quantities of well differentiated urinary bladder transitional epithelial cells for used as the seed cells in bladder tissue engineering, and evaluate the cytocompatibility of silk fibroin film with the transitional cells in vitro to assess the possibility of tissue-engineered urinary organ construction.

METHODSThe urinary bladder transitional epithelial cells were isolated from the bladders of New Zealand rabbits and cultured in vitro as the seed cells, whose morphology was observed and the specific protein (cytokeratin) expression identified by immunofluorescence assay. The cells were seeded in 96-well plates at 1 x 10(>4)/ml and incubated with silk fibroin film leaching solution or culture medium (negative control). MTT assay was performed to determine the cell proliferation rates of the wells and evaluate the cytotoxicity and cytocompatibility of the silk fibroin film.

RESULTSThe isolated urinary bladder transitional epithelial cells reached confluence after 9-10 days of culture, which showed positive staining for immunocytochemistry with monoclonal antibody against cytokeratin. The absorbance of the cells culture in the presence of silk fibroin film leaching solution averaged 0.424-/+0.020, 0.996-/+0.118 and 1.285-/+0.048 after at 24, 72 and 120 h of cell culture, and that of the negative control group at the time points was 0.419-/+0.030, 1.105-/+0.098 and 1.228-/+0.052, respectively, showing no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSilk fibroin film has good cytocompatibility with rabbit urinary bladder transitional epithelial cells, and may serve as good scaffold material for urologic tissue engineering.

Animals ; Biocompatible Materials ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cells, Cultured ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; Fibroins ; chemistry ; Keratins ; analysis ; Rabbits ; Tissue Engineering ; Urinary Bladder ; cytology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of rosuvastatin on the functions of the surviving myocardium and arteriosclerosis plaque in patients with ST-segment elevation after acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODSSixty-five STEMI patients were randomized to receive 40 mg simvastatin (n=32) or 10 mg rosuvastatin (n=33) before sleep in addition to conventional medications. Before PCI and after the 12-month medications, the plasma levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), C-reactive protein (CRP) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were measured, and echocardiography and (99)Tc(m)-MIBI single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) were performed to assess the therapeutic effects.

RESULTSAt the end of 12 months, the patients in simvastatin group showed significantly reduced total cholesterol, LDL-C, CRP, TNF-α, and (99)Tc(m)-MIBI uptake fraction. In rosuvastatin group, these reductions were even more obvious; the intima media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery was reduced significantly after a 12-month rosuvastatin therapy, but almost remained unchanged after simvastatin therapy.

CONCLUSIONRosuvastatin therapy in addition to conventional medications can significantly reduce IMT and improve the functions of the surviving myocardium in patients with STEMI after PCI.

Aged ; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; Coronary Artery Disease ; pathology ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Fluorobenzenes ; therapeutic use ; Heart ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Pyrimidines ; therapeutic use ; Rosuvastatin Calcium ; Sulfonamides ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of different culture media on viability and expression of tau protein in organotypic hippocampal slice.

METHODSBrain slices (400 microm) from 1, 2, 4, and 8 week-old Wistar rats were prepared and cultured in minimum essential medium (MEM) or Dulbecco's modified eagle medium: nutrient mixture (DMEM/F12) medium respectively for 21 days. Viability of the slices was measured by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay and expression of tau protein was detected by Western blot.

RESULTSThe viability of the slices was not influenced significantly by the two different culture media, while the expression level of tau protein was significantly higher in DMEM/F12 than in MEM (P < 0.05), especially in the slices from 2 and 4 week-old rats.

CONCLUSIONThe slices from 2 or 4 week-old rat hippocampi and DMEM/F12 medium may be the preferred choice for tau associated researches. An ideal Alzheimer's disease model may be established based on the results of these researches.

Animals ; Culture Media ; Hippocampus ; growth & development ; metabolism ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; biosynthesis ; Organ Culture Techniques ; methods ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; tau Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics

Objective To evaluate the association between polymorphism of 5,10-methylenetrahydrofolate reductase C677T and risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).Methods Electronic search strategy was carried out among the databases from home and abroad to collect qualified research papers,according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria.Data on case-control studies on association between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and susceptibility to ALL were colleted and analyzed by models of TT vs.CC + CT or TT vs.CC through Meta-analysis.Stratified analysis was carried out according to different age groups (children or adult).Results In systematical analysis,the pooled odds ratios of MTHFR C677T genetype TT vs.CC + CT or TT vs.CC were 0.87(0.69-1.09 ) and 0.82 ( 0.63-1.06 ) respectively; in children' s group,the pooled odds ratios of MTHFR C677T genetype TT vs.CC + CT or TT vs.CC were 0.92 ( 0.79-1.08),0.88 ( 0.75-1.05 ) while in adult group,the pooled odds ratios of MTHFR C677T genetype TT vs.CC + CT or TT vs.CC were 0.45(0.26-0.77),and 0.41 (0.22-0.72) respectively.Conclusion The MTHFR gene 677T variant might not be associated with the risk of children's ALL but might be associated with a reduced risk on adult's ALL.

BACKGROUNDThe feasibility and safety of endoscopic thyroidectomy were evaluated by an approach of systematic review of published studies in the past decade.

METHODSA database searching was performed on MEDLINE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, American College of Physicians Journal Club, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Both comparative and non-comparative studies about endoscopic thyroidectomy were selected and analyzed. For the comparative studies, RevMan 4.2 was used for statistical analysis; and for the non-comparative studies, data analysis was performed by SPSS 13.0.

RESULTSSeven comparative studies involving 367 patients (video-assisted thyroidectomy (VAT), 174 patients; conventional thyroidectomy (CT), 193 patients) were included in VAT-CT group. Age, gender, operative types, and pathological diagnosis were similar. Compared with CT, the mean operative time for VAT was significantly longer (VAT, 80.0 minutes; CT, 61.9 minutes, P < 0.01), but the postoperative hospital stay was shorter (VAT, 1.7 days; CT, 2.5 days, P < 0.01). The complication rate for VAT was 6.9%, while that for CT was 9.3% (P = 0.35). Three studies analyzed the postoperative pain and cosmetic evaluation, and indicated that the VAT group was superior to the CT group, but there was no significant difference after a meta-analysis. Three comparative studies involving 273 patients (totally endoscopic thyroidectomy (TET), 145 patients; CT, 128 patients) were included in TET-CT group and the results generally resembled that of VAT-CT group. There were 18 and 14 non-comparative studies reporting the results of VAT and TET, respectively. The mean operative time for VAT was 76.8 minutes compared with 135.8 minutes for TET. The postoperative hospital stay was 1.8 and 3.8 days for VAT and TET respectively. The rates of conversion to open surgery for VAT and TET were similar (VAT, 2.8%; TET, 3.9%, P = 0.105). The complication rate for VAT was 8.6%, while that for TET was 3.5% (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe feasibility and safety of endoscopic thyroidectomy were initially verified and accepted, and it should be considered as a valid option, offering some advantages to patients in terms of cosmetic results and postoperative distress.

Adult ; Endoscopy ; methods ; Humans ; Pain, Postoperative ; drug therapy ; Thyroidectomy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Video-Assisted Surgery

This study is to reveal the correlation between CNVs of HMGR, SQS1, beta-AS gene and genuineness of liquorice. Real-time PCR was used to detect the copy number of HMGR, SQS1, beta-AS gene of liquorice. According to the results, the range of the copy number variation of HMGR gene was between 1 and 3, the copy number of SQS1 gene was 1 or 2, and the copy number of beta-AS gene was only 1. On the basis of the copy number of HMGR, SQS1 and beta-AS gene, there were five groups, type A (2 + 1 + 1), type B (1 + 1 + 1), type C (3 + 2 + 1), type D (2 + 2 + 1) and type E (3 + 1 + 1). There were two types, type A and type B, in Hangjinqi of Inner Mongolia, and the ratio of A to B was 1:1.3. There were also two types, type A and type B, in Chifeng of Inner Mongolia, and the ratio of A to B was 3:1. There were four types, type A, type B, type C and type D, in Yanchi of Ningxia province, and the ratio of A to B was 1:5.1. There were three types, type A, type B and type E, in Minqin of Gansu province, and the ratio of A to B was 2:1. So CNVs mainly existed in the liquorice from Ningxia and Gansu provinces. While the genetic background of liquorice from Hangjinqi of Inner Mongolia was stabilized. The results of the experiment proved that the correlation between CNVs and origins was one of the reasons of genuineness of liquorice.
China ; DNA Copy Number Variations ; DNA, Plant ; genetics ; Farnesyl-Diphosphate Farnesyltransferase ; genetics ; Glycyrrhiza uralensis ; enzymology ; genetics ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases ; genetics ; Intramolecular Transferases ; genetics ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction