BACKGROUNDTo investigate natural history of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and related factors in China.

METHODSTotally 41 women infected with HCV 10-15 years ago were evaluated in this study. Their clinical manifestations were recorded and sera tested for alamine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyltransferase (gamma-GT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin (TBIL), direct bilirubin (DBIL), total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), and alpha-fetoprotein (alpha-FP), as well as virus markers. The B-type ultrasound examination was performed on the liver, gall bladder, spleen and pancreas. For virus markers, HCV RNA was detected with fluorogenic-quantitative polymerase-chain-reaction, HBsAg and anti-HCV antibody, with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSTen to 15 years after infection, the infection was cleared spontaneously in 8 cases (19.51%); 73%(30/41) cases had signs at present, 32% (13/41) cases had mild ALT and/or AST elevation. On ultrasound examination, 83%(34/41) had mild degree 17%(7/41) moderate degree changes of the viral hepatitis.

CONCLUSIONWomen with HCV infection for 13 +/- 1 (10-15) years after transfusion had slight hepatic inflammation. A part of them had cleared the virus spontaneously.

Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepacivirus ; genetics ; Hepatitis C, Chronic ; epidemiology ; transmission ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; RNA, Viral ; blood ; Transfusion Reaction

OBJECTIVETo develop a real-time fluorescent PCR protocol suitable for the routine screening of AZFc/DAZ microdeletions on the Y chromosome in azoospermic and oligozoospermic male infertility patients.

METHODSA set of real-time fluorescent PCR was established. Eighty-seven azoospermic and ligozoospermic patients undergoing ICSI in the IVF center and 30 azoospermic men undergoing testicular biopsy in the clinic of urology surgery were screened for AZFc/DAZ microdeletions of Y chromosome.

RESULTSEleven cases (9.4%) of AZFc/DAZ microdeletions were found in 117 cases of azoospermic and oligozoospermic patients by screening of realtime fluorescent PCR. Four cases (6.6%) were found in 61 oligozoospermic patients, and 7 cases (12.5%) were found in 56 azoospermic patients.

CONCLUSIONThe real-time fluorescent PCR protocol presented in this study is an easy and reliable method for detection of AZFc/DAZ microdeletions on the Y chromosome, which yields identical results to those of the multiplex PCR.

Chromosome Deletion ; Chromosomes, Human, Y ; Deleted in Azoospermia 1 Protein ; Fluorescence ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; genetics ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; RNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo develop a multiplex PCR protocol, which could be suitable for routine screening of microdeletions on the Y chromosome in azoospermic and oligozoospermic male infertility patients.

METHODSFive multiplex sets were established. Eighty-seven azoospermic and oligozoospermic patients undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in the in vitro fertilization (IVF) center and 30 azoospermic men undergoing testicular biopsy in the clinic of Urology Surgery were screened for microdeletions of Y chromosome.

RESULTSA total of 19 (16.2%) cases of microdeletions were found in 117 azoospermic and oligozoospermic patients by screening of Y chromosome microdeletions. Of these, 11 cases (18.0%) were found in 61 oligozoospermic patients, and 8 cases (14.3%) were found in 56 azoospermic patients.

CONCLUSIONThe multiplex PCR protocol presented in this study is an easy-to-do and reliable method for detecting microdeletions on the Y chromosome. Routine screening of microdeletions on the Y chromosome for azoospermic and oligozoospermic patients is essential.

Chromosome Deletion ; Chromosomes, Human, Y ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Testing ; methods ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVETo investigate the quantitative and qualitative changes of TCRVα24(+)Vβ11(+) natural killer T (NKT) cells from bone marrow (BM) of aplastic anemia (AA) after in vitro stimulation of α-galactosylceramide (α-Galcer).

METHODSNKT cells in the bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNCs) from either AA patients or healthy controls were enumerated with flow cytometry. BMMNCs were cultured in RPMI1640 medium supplemented with either α-Galcer and rhIL-2 or α-Galcer, rhIL-2 and rhG-CSF. The proliferative capacity of NKT cells was determined by NKT cell numbers before and after in vitro culture. Expression of intracellular IFNγ and IL-4 in activated NKT cells was analyzed with flow cytometry.

RESULTSIn AA group, the percentage of NKT cells in BMMNCs was (0.19 ± 0.09)%. Addition of rhG-CSF into the α-Galcer/rhIL-2 culture medium resulted in significantly reduced expansion of NKT cells (67.45 ± 29.42-fold vs 79.91 ± 40.56 fold, P < 0.05). Meanwhile, addition of rhG-CSF reduced IFNγ positive NKT cells \[(37.45 ± 7.89)% vs (62.31 ± 14.67)%, P < 0.01\] and increased IL-4 positive NKT cells \[(55.11 ± 12.13)% vs (27.03 ± 9.88)%, P < 0.01\]. In healthy control group, the percentage of NKT cells in BMMNCs was (0.25 ± 0.12)%. Addition of rhG-CSF into the α-Galcer/rhIL-2 culture medium also significantly reduced expansion of NKT cells (97.91 ± 53.22-fold vs 119.58 ± 60.49-fold, P < 0.05), reduced IFNγ positive NKT cells \[(28.65 ± 10.63)% vs (50.87 ± 12.66)%, P < 0.01\], and increased IL-4 positive NKT cells \[(66.53 ± 14.96)% vs (31.11 ± 10.07)%, P < 0.01\].

CONCLUSIONCompared to those from healthy controls, BMMNCs from AA patiants have a reduced fraction of NKT cells, which possesses a decreased potential to expand in vitro in response to α-Galcer stimulation, and produce more IFNγ(+) NKT1 cells. rhG-CSF, in combination with α-Galcer, confers polarization of NKT cells towards IL-4(+) NKT2 subpopulation.

Anemia, Aplastic ; metabolism ; Bone Marrow ; metabolism ; Humans ; Interleukin-4 ; metabolism ; Killer Cells, Natural ; cytology ; Natural Killer T-Cells

OBJECTIVETo evaluate visual inspection with Lugol's iodine (VILI) in cervical cancer screening program and to provide evidence for designing a cervical cancer screening algorithm in high risk areas of existing low-resource settings to reduce the incidence and mortality of cervical cancer.

METHODSWomen in Yangcheng county, Shanxi province were screened with VILI, colposcopy, liquid-based cytology test and human papilloma virus (HPV) DNA test. The efficacy of different screening tests was compared by Youden's index based on the pathology as the gold standard.

RESULTSIn the population being screened, the mean age was 40.80 +/- 10.75 years old. Based on pathological findings, 4.35% (32/735) of the subjects had >or= CIN (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia) II. The sensitivity and specificity for the VILI test (>or= positive) were 53.13 and 82.19, while 56.25 and 79.09 were for colposcopy (>or= low grade dysplasia) respectively. Comparing by the Youden's indexs, there was no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05) between VILI and colposcopy. However, statistical significant difference (P < 0.05) was found between VILI and liquid-based cytology test and HPV DNA test. In addition, there was no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05) found between the experienced doctors and the newly-trained doctors working in the field station.

CONCLUSIONWith low sensitivity when using microscope but low cost of equipments, VILI can be one of the primary screening tests in China's rural area with low-resource settings if the screening frequency is to be increased.

Adult ; Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; China ; epidemiology ; Early Detection of Cancer ; economics ; methods ; Female ; Health Resources ; Humans ; Incidence ; Iodides ; Program Evaluation ; Rural Health ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; epidemiology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the survival, complication and postoperative mortality after D(1) or D(2) lymph node dissection for gastric cancer.

METHODSAll the randomized clinical trials about nodal dissection for gastric cancer published within the last 20 years were collected. Quality assessment was done on each trial and relevant data were extracted from qualified trials. Meta-analysis was performed with the use of RevMan 4.2 (Cochrane) for statistic analysis.

RESULTSThree hundred and ninety-four trials were yielded at the initial search. Four trials, recruited 1316 cases of gastric cancer in total, were included after quality assessment. Results of Meta-analysis showed that standard D(2) dissection could effectively improve patients' long-term survival [RR 1.35, 95%CI(1.12-1.62), NNT=9] as compared with D(1) dissection. If splenectomy (or pancreatico-splenectomy) was involved, D(2) dissection only improved the clinical outcome of T(3)-staged cases [RR 1.80,95%CI(1.03-3.15), NNT=13]. D(2) dissection produced higher rates of postoperative complication [RR 1.72,95%CI(1.46-2.03), NNT=6] and mortality [RR 2.12,95%CI(1.39-3.25), NNT=21] than D(1) dissection.

CONCLUSIONSStandard D(2) dissection can increase the overall survival rate when compared with D(1) dissection. If splenectomy (or pancreatico-splenectomy) cases are involved,D(2) dissection can only improve the survival rate of T(3)-staged patients. D(2) dissection yields higher postoperative morbidity and mortality than D(1) dissection.

Gastrectomy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; adverse effects ; methods ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Stomach Neoplasms ; surgery ; Survival Rate ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects and mechanism of radiation-sterilized allogeneic bone sheets in inducing vertebral plate regeneration after laminectomy in sheep.

METHODSTwelve adult male sheep (aged 1.5 years and weighing 27 kg on average) provided by China Institute for Radiation Protection underwent L3-4 and L4-5 laminectomy. Then they were randomly divided into two groups: Group A (n=6) and Group B (n=6). The operated sites of L4-5 in Group A and L3-4 in Group B were covered by "H-shaped" freeze-drying and radiation-sterilized allogeneic bone sheets (the experimental segments), while the operated sites of L3-4 in Group A and L4-5 in Group B were uncovered as the self controls (the control segments). The regeneration process of the vertebral plate and the adhesion degree of the dura were observed at 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 weeks after operation. X-ray and CT scan were performed in both segments of L3-4 and L4-5 at 4 and 24 weeks after operation.

RESULTSIn the experimental segments, the bone sheets were located in the anatomical site of vertebral plate, and no lumbar spinal stenosis or compression of the dura was observed. The bone sheets were absorbed gradually and fused well with the regenerated vertebral plate. While in the control segments, the regeneration of vertebral plate was not completed yet, the scar was inserted into the spinal canal, compressing the dura and the spinal cord, and the epidural area almost disappeared. Compared with the control segments, the dura adhesion degree in the experimental regenerated segments was much milder (P less than 0.01), the internal volume of the vertebral canal had no obvious change and the shape of the dura sack remained well without obvious compression.

CONCLUSIONSFreeze-drying and radiation-sterilized allogeneic bone sheets are ideal materials for extradural laminoplasty due to their good biocompatibility, biomechanical characteristics and osteogenic ability. They can effectively reduce formation of post-laminectomy scars, prevent recurrence of post-laminectomy spinal stenosis, and induce regeneration of vertebral plates.

Animals ; Bone Transplantation ; methods ; Laminectomy ; methods ; Regeneration ; Sheep ; Spinal Stenosis ; prevention & control ; Spine ; physiology ; Transplantation, Homologous

Adult ; Anemia, Aplastic ; pathology ; therapy ; Female ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Humans ; Remission Induction ; Thymoma ; pathology ; therapy ; Thymus Neoplasms ; pathology ; therapy ; Transplantation, Homologous

OBJECTIVETo summarize the prognostic factors of stage 3 colorectal cancer.

METHODSThe clinical data of 433 patients with stage 3 colorectal cancer who were admitted to our hospital from January 2005 to December 2008 for radical surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy were retrospectively analyzed. Relationship of their clinicopathologic features and treatment with the prognosis were analyzed.

RESULTSOf these 433 stage 3 patients,the mean disease-free survival was (72.37 ± 2.11) months and mean overall survival was (79.91 ± 2.02) months; however, the median survival times were not reached. The 1-,3-, and 5-year disease-free survival rate were 86.8%,77.9%, and 57.0% and the overall survival rate were 91.5%,75.1%, and 63.3%. Multivariate COX regression analysis displayed that intestine obstruction before surgery, complications after surgery,tumor location,positive surgical margin, neural cell infiltration,vessel cancer embolus, TNM stage, lymph node ratio, adjuvant chemotherapy regimens, and chemotherapy duration were the independent factors affecting disease-free and overall survivals in patients with stage 3 colorectal cancer. The efficacies of FOLFOX and XELOX regimens were significantly correlated with patient's age, complications,tumor location,and chemotherapy duration.

CONCLUSIONSComplications,tumor location, TNM stage, and positive surgical margin are the independent prognostic factors of stage 3 colorectal cancer. FOLFOX and XELOX regimen can remarkably improve prognosis,and a longer duration of chemotherapy can achieve better survival.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Deoxycytidine ; analogs & derivatives ; Disease-Free Survival ; Fluorouracil ; analogs & derivatives ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate

57 rubella virus strains were isolated using Vero cell line or Vero/SLAM cell line from patients' throat swabs during rubella outbreaks and sporadics in 10 provinces of China from 2003 to 2007. Fragments of 1107 nucleotides of E1 genes of the isolates were amplified by RT-PCR, the PCR products were directly sequenced and analyzed. The phylogenetic analysis based on 739 nucleotides showed that out of 57 Chinese rubella virus strains, 55 belong to a distinguish branch of 1E genotype when comparing with 1E genotype rubella strains from other countries, and the other 2 Chinese rubella virus strains belong to 2B genotype. Most of the nucleotide mutations of 57 rubella viruses were silent mutations, and the amino acid sequences were highly conserved. Except one amino acid change (Thr212 --> Ser212) in two rubella viruses at the hemagglutination inhibition and neutralization epitopes, there had no change found at the important antigenic epitope sites of the other rubella viruses. 1E genotype rubella viruses isolated from 10 provinces of China from 2003 to 2007, and two imported 2B genotype rubella viruses from Vietnam suggested that 1E genotype was the predominant genotype in this period of time. The rubella virus genotypes circulated during 2003 to 2007 were different from that circulating during 1979 to 1984 and 1999 to 2002, the rubella prevailed in recent years was mainly caused by 1E genotype rubella viruses with multi-transmission routes.
Genotype ; Mutation ; Phylogeny ; Rubella virus ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Time Factors