Background and purpose: Accumulation of genetic and epigenetic changes that lead to the activation of proto-oncogenes or inactivation of tumor suppressor genes play important roles in development and progression of bladder cancer. We aimed to investigate the methylation patterns of TWIST1 gene in bladder cancer. Methods:A total number of 78 histologically conifrmed bladder tumor samples and paired 75 urine samples constituted the study group and was compared with 75 age-matched and gender-matched non-cancerous individuals. DNA was puriifed from both tumor, adjacent tissues and urine samples. The methylation status of the TWIST1 gene was analyzed by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP) in both urinary bladder cell carcinoma samples, adjacent tissues and urine samples. Sensitivity and speciifcity values of the method were assessed and compared with the results of the cytology test. Results:Methylation of TWIST1 was detected in 88.5%of carcinoma samples and 84%of the paired urine samples,respectively;11.5%carcinoma adjacent tissues and 5.3%control urine sample was methylated. The sensitivity by urine cytology detection method was 49.3%in in bladder cancer patients, and was 17.3%in control group. The sensitivity of TWIST1 genes was 66.7%for low-grade cases. The sensitivity of urine cytology was 33.3%for the same low-grade cases. Conclusion:The methylation analysis of TWIST1 gene may be a simple, non-invasive, sensitive, and speciifc method for early detecting bladder cancer cells in urine.

?-(1,3)-D-glucan is a core structure of many bioactive fungal polysaccharides. It has drawn intensive attentions in recent because of its multiple bioactivities, particularly the immunomodulatory and antitumorous actions. In this review, we introduced the studies of structure-activity correlation of these ?-(1,3)-D-glucans, particularly the contributions of main backbone, branch degree and residues, molecular weight and conformation to the activities. We also summarized the recent progress in the detective methods for both quantitation and qualification using limulus G factor assay,galactosyl ceramide ELISA and etc.

Objective To retrospectively compare the clinical results of locking plate of proximal humerus (LPPH) and traditional AO plates in treatment of proximal humerus fractures in aged osteoporotic population. Methods From July 2002 to May 2005, 37 old osteoporotic patients with humerus fractures were treated with LPPH and traditional AO plates respectively in our department. The results were compared retrospectively. Results Follow-ups were conducted six weeks, 12 weeks and one year postoperatively to assess shoulder scores, bone healing and necrosis of humerus head. Comparison showed that the results for LPPH group were statistically better than those for traditional AO plate group in rate of implant loosening and SPADI (shoulder pain and disability index) scores. Conclusion LPPH has an obvious advantage over traditional AO plate in treatment of proximal humerus fractures in aged osteoporotic people.

Humans ; Male ; Osteosarcoma ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Ultrasonography ; Wounds and Injuries ; complications ; Young Adult

Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Coxsackievirus Infections ; metabolism ; Enterovirus B, Human ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; cytology ; metabolism ; virology ; Osteopontin ; metabolism ; Rats

Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

Objective To investigate the clinical features of patients with superinfection of HEV and HBV related acute on chro-nic liver failure(ACLF) .Methods Clinical data of 35 patients diagnosed with superinfection of HEV and HBV related ACLF and 37 patients diagnosed with HBV related ACLF were collected for this retrospective study .The liver and kidney function ,HBV DNA level ,blood platelet count(BPC) ,coagulation function ,model for end-stage liver disease(MELD)score and mortality at 24 weeks were analyzed .Furthermore ,comparison of the clinical data between the survival patients and died patients in superinfection group was made .Unconditioned binary response logistic regression model was used to determine the corresponding risk factors .Results The level of total bilirubin(TBIL) ,MELD score ,incidence rate of hepatic encephalopathy and mortality at 24 weeks were signifi-cantly higher and prothrombin activity(PTA)was significantly lower in superinfection patients(P<0 .05) .The level of serum creat-inine(Cr) ,MELD score and incidence rate of hepatic encephalopathy were significantly higher and PTA was significantly lower in died patients than that of superinfection group(P< 0 .05) .Logistic regression analysis identified TBIL(P= 0 .024 ,OR= 1 .006) , BPC(P=0 .019 ,OR=0 .983) ,PTA(P=0 .001 ,OR=0 .795) ,MELD score(P=0 .005 ,OR=1 .497)and hepatic encephalopathy(P=0 .001 ,OR=4 .147)as prognostic factors for patients with superinfection of HEV and HBV related ACLF .Conclusion The clini-cal features of patients with superinfection of HEV and HBV related ACLF were more serious .The higher level of TBIL ,MELD score and hepatic encephalopathy and the lower level of BPC and PTA ,the worse prognosis .

Objective To observe the change of brain iron content in deep gray nucleus using susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) in patients with Parkinson's diseases (PD). Methods The SWI examination was performed in 40 PD patients (10 patients with Hoehn-Yahr stage Ⅰ , 9 patients with Hoehn-Yahr stage Ⅱ , 9 patients with Hoehn Yahr stage Ⅲ , 6 patients with Hoehn-Yahr stage Ⅳ, 6 ptients with Hoehn Yahr stage Ⅴ ) and 33 gender- and age- matched controls, after conventional brain magnetic resonance imaging examination on a 3.0T magnetic resonance imaging.The signal values of substantia nigra zona compacta (SNc), substantia nigra zona reticulate (SNr),red nucleus (RN), putamen (Pu), globus pallidus (GP) and caudate nucleus (CN) were assessed.Results Compared with the controls, the PD patients had statistically significance of signal value differences of SNc (P=0.002), SNr (P=0.043). RN (P= 0.003), Pu (P=0.023). GP (P=0.001) andCN (P=0.033). The more significant differences of SNc(P=0.001), SNr (P=0.010),RN (P＜0. 001 ), Pu (P=0. 008), GP (P＜0. 001) and CN (P=0. 011) were observed between more severe PD lesion and control. The signal values of SNc and GP showed obviously negative correlations with Hoehn-Yahr grading (SNcr=-0.943. P＜0.001; GPr=-0.923, P＜0.001). But there was weakly correlation of the signal values of SNr, RN, Pu, CN with Hoehn Yahr grading (SNr r=0. 496. P=0.001; RN r=-0. 480. P=0.002; Pu r=-0. 494, P=0.001; CN r=-0.471, P=0.002) Conclusions Measurement of the brain iron content of SNc and GP using SWI on MRI is a reliable means of diagnosing PD, and it has significant correlation with Hoehn-Yahr grading, It could evaluate the severity of PD.

Objective To assess the influencing factors of the progression of carotid atherosclerotic stenosis using color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI). Methods From January 2009 to December 2014, a total of data 279 consecutive patients first assessed by CDFI as moderate stenosis of carotid atherosclerosis (stenosis rate 50 -69%)and regularly reexamined with CDFI at 12,24 and 36 months after initial examination were enrolled retrospectively. The residual diameter of vascular lesions and the changes of hemodynamic parameters were documented,and they were divided into either a progression group (n = 40)or a non-progression group (n = 239,and the non-progression group was divided into steady group[n = 210]and improved group [n = 29])according to whether the degree of stenosis progressed into severe stenosis (stenosis rate 70 -99%)or occlusion. The effects of the risk factors for common cerebrovascular disease and taking lipid lowering drugs (atorvastatin 20 mg/ d)on stenosis progression were compared in patients between the 2 groups. There were significant differences in hypertension,smoking and the regular use of atorvastatin . The effects of those factors on the progression of carotid stenosis were compared further through Logistic regression analysis. Results The residual vascular diameters of stenosis at 24,and 36 months were reduced obviously in the progression group compared with those of the non-progression group. There was significant difference (all P < 0. 05),and both the stenotic sites and distal peak systolic flow velocity ratio were significantly higher than those of the steady group and improved group (all P < 0. 05). Among the risk factors for cerebrovascular disease,hypertension (OR,2. 686,95% CI 1. 120 -6. 442,P = 0. 027)and smoking (OR,2. 265,95% CI 1. 081 -4. 746,P = 0. 030)were the major risk factors for affecting the progression of carotid stenosis. Regularly taking atorvastatin was a protective factor of delaying the progression of carotid stenosis (OR,0. 383,95% CI 0. 178 -0. 827,P = 0. 015). Conclusions CDFI may objectively evaluate the progression of carotid stenosis. Smoking and hypertension are the independent risk factors for affecting the progression of carotid stenosis,and regularly taking atorvastatin contributes to delay the progression of carotid stenosis.

Objective To investigate the correlation between carotid artery plaque and blood pressure variability (BPV) in elderly patients with hypertension.Methods One hundred sixty elderly patients with hypertension were divided into plaque and non-plaque groups according to the results of carotid artery ultrasonography.All the patients were measured by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring.The mean blood pressure,mean pulse pressure,and blood pressure variability coefficient of two groups were calculated and compared during whole day,daytime,and nighttime.The related factors of carotid artery plaque were analyzed by multivarite logistic regression analysis.Results The 24 h systolic blood pressure standard deviation,daytime and nighttime of systolic blood pressure standard deviation,daytime diastolic blood pressure standard deviation of plaque group were higher than those of non-plaque group (P ＜ 0.05).The 24 h systolic blood pressure variation (24 h SBPV) and night systolic blood pressure variation (nSBPV) were higher than those of non-plaque group (P ＜0.01).Multivariate regression analysis results showed that carotic artery plaque was associated positively with 24 h BPV and blood pressure variability coefficient of nighttime (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The elderly hypertensive patients with carotid artery plaque is associated positively with 24 h systolic blood pressure variability coefficient and blood pressure variability of nighttime.