Pregnancy ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic/complications*

OBJECTIVETo explore whether there is phenotypic modulation of mesangial cells in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats and study the effect of Tujian Mixture (TJM) on it.

METHODSSD rats were divided into the normal control group (NC group, n = 8), the unilateral nephrectomized control group (QC group, n = 8), the STZ induced diabetes mellitus with unilateral nephrectomy model group (DM group, n = 8), the Valsartan treated group (VT group, n = 8) and the TJM treated group (ZY group, n = 9), rats in the latter two groups were modeled as in the DM group and treated with Valsartan (20 mg/kg.d) and TJM (20 g/kg.d) respectively for 12 weeks. The expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) in rats glomeruli were observed by immunohistochemistry assay, and the ratio of alpha-SMA and TGF-beta 1 positive area/total glomerule tuft area (SMA/GT and TGF/GT) were analyzed using computer-assisted image analysis software.

RESULTSIn the NC and the QC groups, only trace of alpha-SMA positive staining was found. But there was prominant alpha-SMA positive staining in glomeruli of the DM group, with SMA/GT and TGF/GT increased significantly (P < 0.01), and marked increase of 24 hrs proteinuria excretion (P < 0.01). As compared with the DM group, the three indexes were all significantly lower in the VT and ZY groups (P < 0.01), and the lowering of proteinuria was more significant in the ZY group than that in the VT group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe expression of alpha-SMA in glomeruli in STZ induced diabetic rats with unilateral nephrectomy is pronounced, indicating that phenotypic modulation of mesangial cells involvement in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. TJM and Valsartan can reduce 24 hrs proteinuria excretion, inhibit the phenotypic modulation of mesangial cells and the expression of TGF-beta 1 in glomeruli of diabetic rats, and the effect of TJM is more potent than that of Valsartan in lowering urinary protein excretion.

Animals ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; metabolism ; pathology ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; etiology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Glomerular Mesangium ; metabolism ; pathology ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Male ; Nephrectomy ; Phenotype ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the possibility of measuring quality of life by Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey scale and to subdivide grade range of Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-From Health Survey (SF-36) total cents through a Quality of Life questionnaire among the elderly Chinese.

METHODSThe quality of life of the 167 elderly Chinese in Suzhou was measured simultaneously by SF-36 and the Quality of Life questionnaire developed by Epidemiology Group of Geriatric Medicine Committee of China for the elderly. Validity and reliability were analyzed and subdivided the grade range of SF-36 total scores by Quality of Life questionnaire for the Chinese elderly.

RESULTSEight common factors from factorial analysis were in accordance with their theoretical structure, and the cumulative contribution rates of the Quality of Life questionnaire for the elderly and SF-36 were 74.244% and 72.081%. The split-half reliability of the Quality of Life questionnaire for the elderly was 0.6676. The split-half reliability of SF-36 was 0.9384. In SF-36, the Cronbach's alpha coefficient of internal consistency reliability ranged from 0.81 to 0.89, which was satisfactory for group comparison except 0.63 for the social functioning and 0.42 for mental health scale and 0.69 for vitality scale. The Quality of Life questionnaire for old people seemed to have good validity and reliability but the SF-36 was better. The cent of the furthest truncation between the good quality of life and the medium one in the SF-36 was 117 with a Kappa value of 0.58.

CONCLUSIONThe SF-36 scale could be used for measuring and evaluating the quality of life for the Chinese elderly. The cent of the furthest truncation could provide reference to judge the level of the quality of life of the elderly.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Quality of Life ; Random Allocation ; Reproducibility of Results ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; standards

Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of transnasal endoscopic resection and eraniofacial resection through an external approach for olfactory neuroblastoma(ONB).Methods Thirty two Patients With ONB treated between 1987 and 2006 were retrospectively reviewed.Results The patients were followed up for 8-135 months,the median follow-up time was 20 months.The longest followe-up time of Patients treated by endoscope was 79 months,and patients treated by combined endoscope and transcranial surgery was 87 months.At Kadish stage B the 3-year survival rate of patients with transnasal endoscopic resection was 78.8% and at Kadish stage C it was 50.0%.At Kadish stage B the 3-year survival rate of patients with craniofacial resection through an external approach was 60.0% and at Kadish stage C it Was 44.4%.The bleeding amounts in above two approaches were 140 ml and 450 m1.The average length of stay in hospital in ransnasal endoscopic resection approach was markedly reduced(P<0.01).Conclusions Olfactory neuroblastoma Can be safely and effectively excised and reconstructed endoscopieally with comparable degrees of tissue removal as with external approaches.The time of stay in hospital Can be reduced and the surgical trauma can be diminished.

BACKGROUNDPreS/S gene was derived from hepatitis B virus (HBV) integration fragment of human hepatocellular carcinoma genome, containing the promoter of preS/S and the C terminal truncated preS/S open reading frame. PreS/S protein may have important roles in processing hepatoma in some HBV-infected patients. The aim of the study was to study the activity of HBV preS/S protein on proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) promoter and to localize compartment of the preS/S protein in the liver cell line L02.

METHODSThe authors studied the effect of the 3 -truncated preS/S on human PCNA promoter by co-transfecting the expression plasmids of luciferase reporter gene, used the immunohistochemical method to localize the preS/S protein.

RESULTSThe expression product of the plasmid, pKSH7C-HpaI which contained the 3 -truncated preS/S and the flanking cellular sequences, stimulated the expression of PCNA promoter dose dependently,and its effect was 0.5 folds higher than control. Immunohistochemistry showed that the preS/S protein located in the cytosolic region of the liver cell line L02.

CONCLUSIONSThe HBV preS/S protein could stimulate the PCNA promoter of the liver cell, its effect was not direct, which suggests that the effect of preS/S protein on PCNA promoter was probably through the cell signal transduction pathway.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; genetics ; virology ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; genetics ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; genetics ; virology ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; genetics ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Protein Precursors ; genetics ; Tumor Cells, Cultured ; Virus Integration

OBJECTIVETo study the regulatory mechanism of SATB1 repression in cells other than T cells or erythroid cells, which have high expression level of SATB1.

METHODSHeLa epithelial cells were treated with either histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) trichostatin A (TSA) or DNA methylation inhibitor 5-Aza-C before detecting SATB1 expression. Luciferase reporter system was applied to measure effects of EZH2 on SATB1 promoter activity. Over-expression or knockdown of EZH2 and subsequent quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction were performed to determine the effect of this Polycomb group protein on SATB1 transcription. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay was applied to measure enrichment of EZH2 and trimethylated H3K27 (H3K27me3) at SATB1 promoter in HeLa cells. K562 cells and Jurkat cells, both having high-level expression of SATB1, were used in the ChIP experiment as controls.

RESULTSBoth TSA and 5-Aza-C increased SATB1 expression in HeLa cells. Over-expression of EZH2 reduced promoter activity as well as the mRNA level of SATB1, while knockdown of EZH2 apparently enhanced SATB1 expression in HeLa cells but not in K562 cells and Jurkat cells. ChIP assay Results suggested that epigenetic silencing of SATB1 by EZH2 in HeLa cells was mediated by trimethylation modification of H3K27. In contrast, enrichment of EZH2 and H3K27me3 was not detected within proximal promoter region of SATB1 in either K562 or Jurkat cells.

CONCLUSIONSATB1 is a bona fide EZH2 target gene in HeLa cells and the repression of SATB1 by EZH2 may be mediated by trimethylation modification on H3K27.

Azacitidine ; pharmacology ; Base Sequence ; Cell Line ; Chromatin Immunoprecipitation ; DNA Methylation ; DNA Primers ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; physiology ; Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; physiology ; Epithelium ; metabolism ; Gene Silencing ; Humans ; Hydroxamic Acids ; pharmacology ; Matrix Attachment Region Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Transcription Factors ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between tobacco smoking, drinking and p53 alteration in esophageal carcinoma.

METHODSLiterature on the relationship between p53 alteration in esophageal carcinoma and tobacco smoking, drinking through Meta-analysis were reviewed.

RESULTSIn 14 selected papers related to tobacco smoking, pooled odds ratio (OR) of tobacco smoking with P53 overexpression and p53 alteration were 1.99 (95% CI: 1.30- 3.06) and 1.64 (95% CI: 1.13 - 2.37), respectively (P < 0.05). Pooled OR of tobacco smoking with p53 mutation was 1.11 (95% CI: 0.47 - 2.76) (P > 0.05). In 11 selected papers on alcohol drinking, pooled OR of drinking with P53 overexpression, p53 mutation and p53 alteration were 1.30 (95% CI: 0.83 - 2.04), 1.13 (95% CI: 0.67 - 1.90) and 1.22 (95% CI: 0.87 - 1.72) respectively (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThere were significant relations between tobacco smoking and p53 alteration while there were no significant relations between alcohol drinking and p53 alteration.

Alcohol Drinking ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; etiology ; genetics ; Female ; Genes, p53 ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Mutation ; Risk Factors ; Smoking ; adverse effects ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo compare the effect and safety of the no-flip method versus the external method in Shang Ring circumcision.

METHODSWe searched relevant randomized controlled trials published in China and abroad comparing the no-flip method and external method of Shang Ring circumcision. Based on the Cochrane Handbook for systematic review, two reviewers independently eval- uated the quality of the included studies and abstracted relevant data, followed by a meta-analysis using the statistical software Review Manager 5.1.0.

RESULTSTotally 7 studies with 1 200 cases were included. Compared with the external method, the no-flip method was associated with a lower total rate of complications (RR = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.18, 0.87, P = 0.02), a lower incidence of postop- erative edema (RR = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.09, 0.81, P = 0.02), and a lower 24 h postoperative pain score (MD = -0.35, 95% CI: -0.55, -0.14, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONThe no-flip method of Shang Ring circumcision was superior to the external method for its advantages of fewer complications, lower incidence of postoperative edema, and mild postoperative pain. However, our findings need further support by more high-quality randomized controlled trials.

China ; Circumcision, Male ; adverse effects ; instrumentation ; methods ; Edema ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Male ; Pain Measurement ; Pain, Postoperative ; epidemiology ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 expression in neurons and activation of brain astroglial cells, and the relationship between astrocytes and neurons in mice after a single intracerebroventricular (ICV) stereotaxic injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). METHODS: C57BL/6J mice of different ages were divided into a control group and an experiment group. Immunohistochemistry to Bcl-2 and that to GFAP were conducted to observe the expression of Bcl-2 protein in neurons and GFAP in astrocytes in the brain at different time-points after the LPS injection. The glial cell type expressing Bcl-2 was characterized with immunofluorescence double labeling. RESULTS: GFAP-immunoreactive cells in the control mice were observed mainly within hippocampal formation, piriform, entorhinal cortex, septum, striatum, amygdaloid nucleus, subcortical white matter, as well as in the main fiber tracts. At 24 h after the LPS treatment there was no obvious difference in GFAP immunoreactivity compared with the controls. Astrocytes were markedly activated in periventricular brain regions such as hippocampus, the hypothalamic parenchyma surrounding the third ventricle, with larger cell body and hypertrophic processes 2 days after the endotoxin treatment. After the LPS injection, Bcl-2 positive cells were distributed widely in the brain, such as in the cortex (primary and secondary motor cortex, somatosensory cortex), hypothalamic parenchyma surrounding the third ventricle, diagonal band, hippocampus, septum and the red nucleus of the midbrain. At these sites, Bcl-2 induction increased significantly 2 days after the ICV LPS injection, with some subregional differences, peaking on 4th day. No immunofluorescent double labeling cells for GFAP and Bcl-2 were observed in the brain of the mice after the LPS administration, but merging GFAP positive astrocytes and Bcl-2 positive neurons were seen. Double staining for Bcl-2 and GFAP also showed that the projections of activated astrocytes were found in the sheath of Bcl-2 positive neurons 4 days after the ICV LPS administration. CONCLUSION LPS can activate astroglial cells and upregulate of Bcl-2 expression in the neurons in the mouse brain, which may participate in the administration of central nervous system to central-immunity stimulated regulation and the protective response to the inflammatory stimulus. The projections of activated astrocytes are found in the sheath of Bcl-2 positive neurons, indicating that there is close relationship between astrocytes and neurons.
Animals ; Astrocytes ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Brain ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; biosynthesis ; Immunohistochemistry ; Injections, Intraventricular ; Lipopolysaccharides ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Neurons ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; biosynthesis ; Random Allocation

OBJECTIVE: To design and manufacture a new type instrument and its matching tools for the proximal femur. METHODS: A new type instrument of subtrochanterical fracture-static 3-dimensional screw-plate system(STDSP)was designed and manufactured. The different types of accessory instruments which adapted to STDSP,the aiming guide, and the accessory tools were also designed and manufactured, and they were tested on bones. RESULTS: STDSP included 3 special lag screws and 1 anatomic plate. The lag screws distributed in femoral neck like "or"shape. There was 135 degree between the lag screws and femoral shaft. The shape of the plate was similar to the anatomic structure of the proximal thighbone. The posterior screw was stably connected to the plate. The plate was affixed crosswise to the lateral and anterior side by bicortical screws. The aiming guides and all kinds of accessory tools could help to install STDSP exactly and conveniently,which was verified on cadavers and X-ray photographs. CONCLUSION STDSP has the function of dynamic compressing in 3-dimensional space, and can match with the structure of the proximal femur preferably. STDSP may be a suitable instrument to the subtrochanteric fractures. The accessory apparatus of STDSP has simple configuration,and can let the STDSP be installed accurately, conveniently and rapidly.
Bone Plates ; Bone Screws ; Cadaver ; Equipment Design ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary ; instrumentation ; Hip Fractures ; surgery ; Humans