Objective To increase the preoperative diagnosis rate,reform the operation and improve the prognosis in children with ganglio -nauroma.Methods Clinical data of 20 children with ganglioneuroma hospitalized in Tongji hospital of Huazhong university of science and technology from Nov.1986 to May.2006 were reviewed(male 9,female 11).The biological,clinical and pathological characteristics of patients were analyzed.Results Among these 20 patients,15 cases were discovered to have no clinical symtom.The B ultrasound showed low-echo in all 16 cases.Under CT scan,20 cases showed low to moderate density shadows,and the distinct enhancement in these tumors was noted with enhanced CT scan.Fourteen cases undergoing MRI all showed low signals in T1W1 and inhomogeneous high signals in T2W1.All patients underwent surgical operations,completely removed in 14 cases,partly in 4 cases, and biopsy was performed only in 2 cases.Fifteen cases were followed up from 7 months to 6 years,tumor recurrence happened only in 1 case.Conclusions Ganglioneuroma is mostly found in chest-abdominal sympathetic chain,it grows up slowly and seems to be innocent.The imaging data of B ultrasound,CT and MRI can give helpful information in the diagnosis of ganglioneuroma.We shall pay attention to the choice of incision and avoidance of injuring the important blood vessels during the operation.Children who have neuroblastoma cells should receive prophylactic chemoprophylaxis treatment and the result of long-time follow up is satisfactory.

Using cDNA from Rehmannia glutinosa leaf as template, a 972 bp fragment of expansin gene which containing a 762 bp ORF that encoded 253 amino acids, was cloned, named RgEXPA10, which GenBank accession number for this gene is KF011918. A 1 207 bp genomic sequence of RgEXPA10 was amplified by PCR with leaf DNA as template, sequencing analysis revealed that three exons and two introns in RgEXPA10 genomic sequence, and which GenBank accession number is KF011919. Molecular and bioinformatic analyses indicated that RgEXPA10 protein have DPBB_1 and Pollen_allerg_1 domain, also including a 26 aa nuclear localization signal and a 19 aa transmembrane region. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that RgEXPA10 showed the highest homology with AtEXPA8 among the 26 α-expansins in Arabidopsis thaliana. However, the RgEXPA10 indicated the highest homology with the expansin from Solanum lycopersicum among 22 plant species. Expression patterns using qRT-PCR analysis showed that RgEXPA10 mainly expressed in unfolded leaf, followed by the tuberous root at stage of expanding period, and rarely expressed in senescing leaf. And RgEXPA10 showed higher expression level in tuberous root at 60 and 90 days after emergence. The transcription level of RgEXPA10 significantly reduced under all the three stresses including continuous cropping conditions, salinity and waterlogging. This study will lay foundations for molecular function in development and regulation of different stresses for R. glutinosa.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Cloning, Molecular ; DNA, Complementary ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Genes, Plant ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Plant Leaves ; Plant Proteins ; genetics ; Plant Roots ; Rehmannia ; genetics

italic>Alangium chinense is a commonly used medicinal plant of Alangiaceae Alangium, one of the characteristic Miao medicines in Guizhou. The genus is strongly differentiated and has complex morphological variation, with significant differences in active ingredients and potency among herbs. In this paper, we sequenced the chloroplast genomes of Alangium chinense subsp. Pauciflorum, Alangium chinense subsp. Strigosum and Alangium kurzii Craib using Illumina high-throughput sequencing technology. The genomes of Alangium chinense subsp. Pauciflorum, Alangium chinense subsp. Strigosum and Alangium kurzii Craib chloroplasts were sequenced, their assembly annotation and structural characterization were completed, and the genomes of the congeners Alangium chinense and Alangium alpinum were downloaded from NCBI for comparative analysis. Finally, the phylogenetic tree was constructed by selecting published species with close affinity to Alangium chinense family from NCBI. The results were as follows: Alangium chinense subsp. Pauciflorum, Alangium chinense subsp. Strigosum and Alangium kurzii Craib chloroplast genomes were 156 670, 156 672 and 156 871 bp in length, with a typical four-segment structure, all containing one long single copy region (LSC), one short single copy region (SSC) and two inverted repeat regions (IRa and IRb). All of them were annotated to 133 genes, including 88 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes and 8 rRNA genes. Three types of long repeat sequences and SSR loci, forward repeats, palindrome repeats and reverse repeats, were found in all chloroplast genomes. Comparative genomic analysis showed that there was diversity in the boundary transition regions of the five species, no rearrangements or inversions were found in the chloroplast genome, and there were significant differences in the coding regions of ndhA, ycf1, rpl16, ycf2, and petD genes, which provided new loci for molecular identification of Patagonia. In the phylogenetic analysis, Alangium kurzii var. kurzii clustered as a single species, and Alangium chinense subsp. Pauciflorum and Alangium chinense subsp. Strigosum clustered as a single species, with a support rate of 93 and close affinity, indicating that the phylogenetic tree can be used for the species identification. This paper can provide a basis for the taxonomic identification of Alangium, ensure the safety of clinical use of anise herbs and regulate the market of Alangium chinense herbs.

BACKGROUNDExposure of adult mice to more than 95% O(2) produces a lethal injury by 72 hours. Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) is thought to contribute to the pathophysiology of murine hyperoxia-induced acute lung injury (ALI). Osteopontin (OPN) is a phosphorylated glycoprotein produced principally by macrophages. OPN inhibits inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), which generates large amounts of nitric oxide production. However, the relationship between nitric oxide and endogenous OPN in lung tissue during hyperoxia-induced ALI has not yet been elucidated, thus we examined the role that OPN plays in the hyperoxia-induced lung injury and its relationships with NOS.

METHODSOne hundred and forty-four osteopontin knock-out (KO) mice and their matched wild type background control (WT) were exposed in sealed cages > 95% oxygen or room air for 24- 72 hours, and the severity of lung injury was assessed; expression of OPN, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and iNOS mRNA in lung tissues at 24, 48 and 72 hours of hyperoxia were studied by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR); immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed for the detection of iNOS, eNOS, and OPN protein in lung tissues.

RESULTSOPN KO mice developed more severe acute lung injury at 72 hours of hyperoxia. The wet/dry weight ratio increased to 6.85 +/- 0.66 in the KO mice at 72 hours of hyperoxia as compared to 5.31 +/- 0.92 in the WT group (P < 0.05). iNOS mRNA (48 hours: 1.04 +/- 0.08 vs. 0.63 +/- 0.09, P < 0.01; 72 hours: 0.89 +/- 0.08 vs. 0.72 +/- 0.09, P < 0.05) and eNOS mRNA (48 hours: 0.62 +/- 0.08 vs. 0.43 +/- 0.09, P < 0.05; 72 hours: 0.67 +/- 0.08 vs. 0.45 +/- 0.09, P < 0.05) expression was more significantly increased in OPN KO mice than their matched WT mice when exposed to hyperoxia. IHC study showed higher expression of iNOS (20.54 +/- 3.18 vs. 12.52 +/- 2.46, P < 0.05) and eNOS (19.83 +/- 5.64 vs. 9.45 +/- 3.82, P < 0.05) in lung tissues of OPN KO mice at 72 hours of hyperoxia.

CONCLUSIONOPN can protect against hyperoxia-induced lung injury by inhibiting NOS.

Animals ; Hyperoxia ; genetics ; physiopathology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lung ; metabolism ; Lung Injury ; etiology ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Knockout ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; genetics ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; genetics ; Osteopontin ; genetics ; physiology ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVETo determine the risk factors in the development of central nervous system (CNS) congenital malformations.

METHODSA hospital-based 1:2 matched case-control study was conducted. Each case was matched with two normal controls on sex and residential area, date of birth, within half a year. By means of simple and multivariable conditional logistic regression, 48 factors were analyzed.

RESULTSMaternal exposure to pesticide or having cold with fever, family history of positive congenital malformations, preference eating pickled vegetables, negative life events, large consumption of meat, eggs, beans and milk during pregnancy and paternal exposure to poisonous chemicals were significantly associated with CNS congenital malformations, with odds ratios 16.471, 12.621, 10.246, 7.274, 3.730, 0.229, 5.616, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSMaternal exposure to pesticides, cold with fever, positive congenital malformations family history, preference of eating pickled vegetables, negative life events during pregnancy, and paternal exposure to poisonous chemicals were the key risk factors contributing to CNS congenital malformations, while maternal exposure to big consumption of meat, eggs, beans and milk during pregnancy was protective factors that reducing CNS congenital malformations.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; epidemiology ; Environmental Exposure ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Maternal Exposure ; Nervous System Malformations ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Neural Tube Defects ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Paternal Exposure ; Pregnancy ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effects of the natural medicinal monomer isopsoralen (ISR) with estrogenic activity against oxidative damage in human lens epithelial cells B3 (HLE-B3) caused by hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) and to pursue the possible mitochondrial proteomic regularity of the protective effects.

METHODSHLE-B3 cells were treated with H(2)O(2) (300 μ mol/L), β-estradiol (E(2): 10(-8) mol/L) and H(2)O(2), ISR (10(-5) mol/L) and H(2)O(2), or left untreated. Altered expressions of all mitochondrial proteins were analyzed by protein array and surfaceenhanced laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF-MS). The mass/charge (m/z) ratios of each peak were tested by the Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test, and the protein peak value of the m/z ratio for each treatment by pair comparison was analyzed with the Nemenyi test.

RESULTSH(2)O(2) up-regulated the expressions of two protein spots (with m/z of 6532 and 6809). E(2) mitigated the oxidative damage, and the expression of one protein spot (m/z 6532) was down-regulated. In contrast, ISR down-regulated both of protein spots (m/z 6532 and 6809).

CONCLUSIONSISR could effectively inhibit H(2)O(2)-induced oxidative damage in HLE-B3 cells. The protein spot at m/z of 6532 might be the target spot of ISR against oxidative damage induced by H(2)O(2).

Cell Line ; Epithelial Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Estradiol ; pharmacology ; Furocoumarins ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; toxicity ; Lens, Crystalline ; pathology ; Mitochondria ; metabolism ; Oxidation-Reduction ; drug effects ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Proteome ; metabolism ; Proteomics ; methods

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the value of normalization window of tumor vasculature (NWTV) in patients with unresectable gastric cancer undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

METHODSFrom October 2010 to March 2011, 93 patients with unresectable advanced or locally advanced gastric carcinoma were prospectively collected and randomly divided to Group A(n=30), Group B(n=29), and Group C(n=34). Group A received FOLFOX4 as conventional neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Group B received FOLFOX4 plus bevacizumab. The treatment was adjusted in Group C according to the hypothesis of NWTV with neoadjuvant chemotherapy delivered 5 days after bevacizumab treatment. The efficacy, drug toxicity and clinical outcome were assessed and compared between the three groups.

RESULTSThere were no significant differences among the 3 groups in demographics(P>0.05). All the patients completed the neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Efficacy and toxicity between the three groups were comparable(P>0.05). The rates of tumor downstaging in the three groups were 56.7%(17/30), 72.4%(21/29), 85.3%(29/34), respectively, with a significantly lower downstaging rate in Group C as compared to Group A(P<0.05). R0 resection rates were 23.3%(7/30), 27.6%(8/29), 52.9% (18/34), respectively, with significantly higher R0 resection rate in Group C as compared to Group A and Group B(All P<0.05). There was no perioperative death in this cohort. Postoperative complications were comparable among the 3 groups(P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSAnti-angiogenesis agent can improve the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in unresectable gastric cancer. Furthermore, administration according to NWTV may achieve better outcomes.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized ; therapeutic use ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Bevacizumab ; Female ; Fluorouracil ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Leucovorin ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; drug therapy ; Organoplatinum Compounds ; therapeutic use ; Prospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; blood supply ; drug therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the human mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variations associated with longevity in Bama elderly population from Guangxi.

METHODSMitochondrial genome of 20 individuals over 96 years of age was sequenced, and seven target single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) were observed by comparing with the standard rCRS sequence, and two were tested by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method in a larger population including 208 individuals of 90-113 years old, and 586 unrelated control individuals from Guangxi.

RESULTSThe 4824G frequency of the mtDNA4824A/G locus increased with age both in the long-lived elderly and in controls. And it was significantly higher in controls than that in long-lived population (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe mtDNA4824 A/G is not only an age-related locus, its mutation is also negatively correlated with longevity.

Aged ; China ; ethnology ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; analysis ; genetics ; Genome, Mitochondrial ; genetics ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Longevity ; genetics ; Mutation ; Myanmar ; ethnology ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; genetics ; Population Groups

Objective:To delineate the distribution and abundance of interleukin 17 receptor mRNA in normal tissues of rhesus macaques.Methods:Tissue samples were collected from different systems including lymphoid system,digestive system and genital system and the mRNA levels of IL-17RA and IL-17RC were examined by real time RT-PCR.Meanwhile the levels of IL-17RA and IL-17RC mRNA in the PBMCs of rhesus macaques,African green monkeys and cynomolgus monkeys were examined.Results:IL-17RA mRNA was expressed in all the tested tissues and the levels were significantly different among these systems (P＜0.05).IL-17RC mRNA level in the large intestine was higher than that in the small intestine.IL-17RA mRNA level in rhesus macaque PBMCs was 3 and 5 times higher than that of cynomolgus monkeys and African green monkeys respectively,while IL-17RC mRNA in the PBMCs was below the limit of detection.Conclusion:IL-17RA is widely distributed in rhesus macaques;the expression level is different among different tissues and species.

Objective To compare the therapeutic effects of embryonic nature orifice transumbilical endoscopic surgery(ENOTES) with conventional laparoscopic(CL) surgery in Hirschsprung disease(HD).Methods A total of 111 children from Sep.2009 to Dec.2010 were included in the retrospective study.The patients were divided into 2groups:ENOTES group (66 cases) and CL group (45 cases).The general conditions of children were reviewed operative situation,postoperative complications and defecation 1 year after operation.Results In the left colectomy,there was no difference between 2 groups in age,weight,operative blood loss and postoperative stay (all P ＞ 0.05),but ENOTES took up less time than CL(P ＜ 0.05) ;in the subtotal colectomy,no significant difference existed in all series.All children underwent primary radical surgery,neither transfer to open surgery nor dead case.In ENOTES group,there were 9 cases suffering from enterocolitis postoperatively (13.6％),while 7 cases (15.6％) in CL group.Twenty-eight patients in ENOTES group and 12 in CL group were followed up for 1 year.Less abdominal distension postoperatively was noted in ENTOES group than CL group(P ＜ 0.05),but no other difference in other available data.In addition,no obvious operative scar was noted on the abdomen in ENOTES group,what meant better cosmetic benefit than CL.Conclusion HD treated with ENOTES can gain the same outcomes with CL with better cosmetic effect.