Objective To study the etiolgy and clinical features of pathological fracture in femur. Methods 17 cases of pathological fracture in femur,including 10 males and 7 females with average age 39.5(13～74),were all treated surgically and their pathological diagnosis were achieved,which were consistent with the clinical diagnosis.Results 12 patients (70.59%) suffered from fracture resulted from malignant tumor,of which lung cancer and breast cancer were the commonest with 3 cases respectively (50%).The fracture of proximal end accounted for 65%.8 cases of spontaneous fracture and 2 cases of multiple fracture were all malignancy sufferers.Conclusion Malignancy is the main cause of pathological fracture in femur,of which lung cancer and breast cancer are the commonest.Proximal end of femur is the most frequent part to which fracture happens.Both spontaneous and multiple fractures are resulted from malignancy.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of human telomerase catalytic subunit, hTERT, in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its correlations to c-myc gene.

METHODShTERT and c-myc mRNA expressions were detected by semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Statistical correlation analysis was made to estimate whether there was interrelation between them.

RESULTSPositive rate of hTERT expression in 51 surgically resected lung cancer specimens was 86.3%, significantly higher than that in adjacent non-neoplastic lung tissues and benign lesions, which were 14.3% and 27.3% respectively. No statistical significance was observed between the frequency of hTERT expression and histologic types, degree of differentiation, TNM stages, tumor size or lymph nodes metastases. Correlation analysis revealed that the expression of c-myc gene was significantly related to that of hTERT (correlation coefficient, r = 0.633, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONShTERT may be a useful tumor marker in diagnosing lung cancer. Significant correlation between the expression of hTERT and c-myc mRNA indicates that the activation and up-regulation of hTERT might be conferred by over-expression of c-myc gene.

Adenocarcinoma ; genetics ; pathology ; Adult ; Aged ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; analysis ; Carcinoma, Adenosquamous ; genetics ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; genetics ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; genetics ; pathology ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; Female ; Genes, myc ; genetics ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Telomerase ; analysis

BACKGROUND: Embryonic stem cells fESCs) develop from early blastular inner cell mass.Under proper condition,ESCs can maintain undifferentiated state in vitro,normal diploid nuclear type,and proliferative potential.In addition,ESCs possess multi-directional differentiation capacity and can differentiate into all sorts of cells of three germ layers. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility of directed differentiation of ESCs towards thyroid cells in vitro as well as related molecular expression. DESIGN,TIME AND SETTING: A cell-based observational experiment was performed at the Bank of Cord Blood,Second Hospital Affiliated to Sun Yat-sen University between January 2004 and December 2006.MATERIALS: Balb/c pregnant mice at pregnancy 12.5-14.5 days were used for preparation of embryonic fibroblast feeder layer.E14 mouse embryonic stem cell (ESC) strains were gifted by professor Xu from Harvard University.METHODS: Murine El4 ESCs were cultured in methylcellulose semisolid medium to form embryoid bodies (Ebs).These Ebs were transferred for further inductive culture with the stepwise addition of growth factors- thyrotropin (TSH),insulin and kalium iodidum (KI).The cultured thyroid cells of adult Kunming mice were taken as positive control.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ①Cellular morphological change in the process of differentiation.② Detection of expression levels of TSHR,PAX8,TTF-2,and TIF-1 by immunofluorescence assay.③ Detection of expression levels of TSHR,PAX8,NIS,TPO,and Tg by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).RESULTS: The differentiated cells had clear boundary,exhibiting round,oval,shuttle-shaped,or polygon adhesive growth.On day 6 of inductive ifferentiation,the differentiated cells showed the expression of PAX8,NIS,TPO,Tg,and TSHR,the specific gene of thyroid ceils.On day 8 of inductive differentiation,the expression of TSHR,TIF-1,PAX8,and TIF-2 was detectable in the differentiated cells with morphous similar to thyroid cells.CONCLUSION: ESCs can differentiate towards thyroid cells under given inductive conditions.

BACKGROUNDTo detect the expression of human epidermal-growth-factor receptor 4 (HER4) and elucidate the relationship between its overexpression and the clinicopathological characteristics in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODSThe expression of HER4 was detected in 70 cases of paraffin-embedded NSCLC tissues by immunohistochemical assay.

RESULTSHER4 were overexpressed in 91.4% of NSCLC. The overexpression of HER4 was significantly related to lymph node metastasis (P=0.007), TNM stages (P=0.011) and postoperative survival rate (P= 0.0258).

CONCLUSIONSerbB4 is one of the genes to regulate the growth of advanced NSCLC. The artificial interference with HER4 overexpression may be a good way in the treatment of advanced NSCLC.