?-(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.

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.

Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

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

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

Objective To investigate the impact of hypoxia on the expression of early growth response-1 (Egr-1) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in mouse aorta,and to probe the underlying mechanism involving receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE).Methods 3-month-old C57BL/6 mice were subjected to hypoxia [(6.0±0.5) ％ oxygen] to establish the global hypoxia model(n=6 rats for each).Aortas were dissected,Egr-1 mRNA and MCP-1 mRNA were detected by real time RT-PCR,Egr-1 and RAGE proteins were tested by Western blot,and Egr-1 DNA binding activity was assayed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA).For blockade of RAGE,mice were pretreated with soluble RAGE (sRAGE) for 1 h by intra-peritoneal injection before they were exposed to hypoxia.Mice with normoxia were used as controls.Results After 30 minutes of hypoxic exposure,Egr-1 mRNA in aorta was increased to (28.3±0.9)folds compared with normoxic controls (F=617.17,P＜0.01),and the induction persisted for at least 3 hours.After 45 minutes of hypoxic exposure,Egr-1 proteins in aorta was increased to (5.7 ± 0.3) folds compared with normoxic controls (F =57.18,P＜ 0.01); the enhanced DNA binding activity of Egr-1 by hypoxia was attenuated by pretreatment with anti-Egr-1 lgG.After 4 hours of hypoxic exposure,MCP-1 mRNA expression in aorta was increased to(4.0±0.3)folds compared with normoxic controls (F=30.68,P＜0.01).RAGE antigen was increased significantly within 30 minutes of hypoxic exposure,with the peak at 15 minutes; hypoxia-induced Egr-1 mRNA expression was significantly attenuated by pretreatment with sRAGE (3.3 ± 0.2) folds compared with normoxic controls (F =30.20,P＜0.01).Conclusions Hypoxia significantly induces Egr-1 and MCP-1 upregulation expressions in mouse aorta,and blockade of RAGE significantly attenuates hypoxia-induced Egr-1 expression.Thcsc findings suggest RAGE signaling is involved in hypoxia-induced vascular inflammatory stress,and highlight this receptor as a potential therapeutic target to protect tissues injured by hypoxia.

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 analyze the impact and quality of life of minimally invasive surgery combined with catheter attract surgery on patients with cerebral hemorrhage.Methods A total of 90 patients with cerebral hemorrhage in our department from February 2013 to De-cember 2014 were randomly divided into invasive group and the control group.Minimally invasive surgery group were given to cerebral hemor-rhage minimally invasive surgery combined with catheter attract surgery,the control group received traditional craniotomy.The postoperative recovery,nerve function scores,quality of life and morbidity between two groups were compared.Results The operation time and edema vol-ume of tissue postoperative 7 days in minimally invasive surgery group was significantly lower than those of the control group.The hematoma clearance rate 1 day after surgery was higher than that of control group,with statistically significant difference(P <0.05).NIHSS scores of two groups were gradually decreased 7 d,15 d,30 d after surgery(P <0.05).NIHSS scores of the minimally invasive surgery group 7 d,15 d, 30 d after surgery were lower than that of control group,with statistically significant difference(P <0.05).The scores of vitality,physiological function,physical function,general health,bodily pain,emotional function,social function,mental health after 6 months of the surgery in the min-imally invasive group was higher than those of control group,with statistically significant difference(P <0.05).The rate of postoperative pulmo-nary infection,electrolyte imbalance,gastrointestinal bleeding in MIS group were lower than those in the control group,with statistically signifi-cant difference(χ2 =5.400 0,4.405 7,4.615 4,P <0.05).Conclusion Minimally invasive surgery combined with catheter attract surgery can improve neurological function and quality of life for patients with intracerebral hemorrhage, and reduce the incidence of complications.

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.