Objective To compare the consistency of immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in detecting c-erbB-2 status in breast cancer tissues. Methods A total of 50 breast cancer paraffin embedded samples were selected, of which there were 10 cases of c-erbB-2 protein expression (+), 20 cases of (++) and 20 cases of (+++). FISH was used to assess the amplification of c-erbB-2 gene, and SPSS 13.0 software was employed to analyze the difference and consistency between the two methods. Results IHC and FISH methods had a good consistency when detecting c-erbB-2 (+) and (+++) expressions in breast cancer tissues, with the coincidence rate of 89.2%. However, when IHC was used to test c-erbB-2 (++), the result of FISH was quite different, with the coincidence rate of only 35.3%. Conclusion IHC is a preliminary method to detect c-erbB-2 status in breast cancer. IHC and FISH methods have a good consistency in detecting c-erbB-2 (+) and (+++) status in breast cancer tissues. As detection of c-erbB-2 (++) with IHC has a different result from FISH, such patients should receive FISH confirmation for herceptin therapy.

Objective To establish the linear regression equation between body height and com bined length of manubrium and mesosternum of sternum m easured by CTvolum e rendering technique (CT-VRT) in southw est H an population. Methods One hundred and sixty subjects, including 80 m ales and 80 fem ales w ere selected from southw est H an population for routine CT-VRT(reconstruction thickness 1 m m ) ex-am ination. The lengths of both manubrium and mesosternum w ere recorded, and the com bined length of manubrium and mesosternum was equal to the algebraic sum of them . The sex-specific linear regression equations between the com bined length of manubrium and mesosternum and the real body height of each subject w ere deduced. Results The sex-specific sim ple linear regression equations between the com bined length of manubrium and mesosternum (x3) and body height (y) w ere established (m ale:y=135.000+2.118x3 and fem ale:y=120.790+2.808x3).Both equations show ed statisticalsignificance (P<0.05) w ith a 100% predictive accuracy. Conclusion CT-VRTis an effective m ethod for m easurem ent of the index of sternum . The com bined length of manubrium and mesosternum from CT-VRTcan be used for body height estim ation in southw est H an population.

Objective To investigate the associations of variants in signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (STAT4) in Chinese Han population with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods The study was performed in 228 RA cases and 228 controls. Haplotypes from the HapMap database Chinese population were used to select tag-single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (r2=0.9) in STAT4 gene. Twenty-three SNPs located in STAT4 gene were examined by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). The Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) was tested by a chi-square and Fisherˊs analysis. Differences in genotypes of the STAT4 polymorphism variants were evaluated using a Chi-square test. All statistical analyses were done with Haploview 4.1 software. Results Significant difference was detected in three SNPs (rs11685878, rs129888 and rs16833437) in allele frequencies analysis (χ2=6.014 8, 4.024 8, 5.539 1, P<0.05). Association was detected for three SNPs (rs11685878, rs16833437 and rs12988825) in genotype analysis ( χ2=6.814 9, 6.098 7, 6.691 7, P<0.05). Conclusion STAT4 may associate with susceptibility in Chinese Han population.

Objective To compare the effects of different maternal rats food restriction on newborn rats.Methods Pregnant rats were randomly divided into 4 groups:3 model groups and control group.The model groups were given middling food restriction throughout pregnancy,severe food restriction from pregnant day 14,severe food restriction from pregnant day 7,respectively.Effects of maternal rats food restriction on newborn rats in growth,main organs weight,and small for gestational age(SGA) occurrence were compared.And his-(tiocyte) morphology of cerebra and stomach were observed.Results The weight,height,trail length,and weight of cerebra,heart,lung,(liver),stomach,spleen,and kidney of newborn rats in model groups were significantly different from those in control group(all P

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Shenfu Injection (SF, ginesenoside and aconite alkaloid) on the apoptosis of intestinal mucosal epithelial cells during ischemia-reperfusion in rats and its potential mechanisms.

METHODSIschemia-reperfusion model was established in rats. Twenty-four rats were divided into 3 groups with 8 rats in each, eg, ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) group, SF-treated group, and control group. In both SF and I/R groups, the superior mesenteric artery was closed with forceps for 1 hour and then reperfused for 2 hours. Either SF (3 ml/kg, SF group) or normal saline (I/R and control groups) was injected intravenously and continuously for 5 ml/kg with a micropump before the superior mesenteric artery was closed. The superior mesenteric artery was not closed for animals in control group. The expression of casapse-3 and Fas, and the level of TNF-alpha and pathological changes of the ileal mucosal tissue were assayed.

RESULTS(1) The number of apoptosis cells increased obviously in I/R group and was significantly higher than that in SF and control groups (P<0.05). (2) The expression of caspase-3, Fas, and TNF-alpha was significantly higher in I/R group than SF and control groups (P<0.01); however, there was not significant difference in the expression of capase-3 between control group and SF group. There was a positive correlation between the expression of caspase-3, Fas, and TNF-alpha, and the number of apoptosis cells. (3) Under light microscope, intestinal mucosal impairment was found milder in SF group than I/R group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSSF can depress the apoptosis of intestinal mucosal epithelial cells during ischemia-reperfusion by restraining the expression of TNF-alpha, Fas, caspase-3, and accordingly alleviate the ischemia and reperfusion injury of intestinal mucosal epithelial cells.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 3 ; Caspases ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Epithelial Cells ; pathology ; physiology ; Female ; Intestinal Mucosa ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion Injury ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism ; fas Receptor ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE: To establish the linear regression equation between body height and combined length of manubrium and mesostenum of sternum measured by CT volume rendering technique (CT-VRT) in southwest Han population. METHODS: One hundred and sixty subjects, including 80 males and 80 females were selected from southwest Han population for routine CT-VRT (reconstruction thickness 1 mm) examination. The lengths of both manubrium and mesosternum were recorded, and the combined length of manubrium and mesosternum was equal to the algebraic sum of them. The sex-specific linear regression equations between the combined length of manubrium and mesosternum and the real body height of each subject were deduced. RESULTS: The sex-specific simple linear regression equations between the combined length of manubrium and mesostenum (x3) and body height (y) were established (male: y = 135.000+2.118 x3 and female: y = 120.790+2.808 x3). Both equations showed statistical significance (P < 0.05) with a 100% predictive accuracy. CONCLUSION CT-VRT is an effective method for measurement of the index of sternum. The combined length of manubrium and mesosternum from CT-VRT can be used for body height estimation in southwest Han population.
Asian People ; Body Height ; Female ; Forensic Anthropology ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Male ; Manubrium/anatomy & histology* ; Regression Analysis ; Sternum/anatomy & histology* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

AIMTo explore the changes of rat platelet phospholipase A2 (PLA2) mRNA content in bacteria infected rat and study the cDNA and amino acid sequences of the PLA2 structure to lay a good foundation for the development of new antibiotics.

METHODSThe PLA2 mRNA level in blood was determined by RT-PCR. The DNA sequence was cloned and analyzed.

RESULTSAfter injection of bacteria in rats, the mRNA level of PLA2 in blood increased markedly. The cDNA and amino acid sequence were highly homologous to other PLA2 cDNA from different tissues of the rat.

CONCLUSIONPlatelet PLA2 in blood responded quickly to bacteria infection in gene level. Therefore, the PLA2 protein was produced increasingly which was shown to control the infection with bacteria. Although there are little difference between PLA2 cDNA cloned from blood and other sources in DNA and amino acid sequences, the catalytic site for enzymatic activity and basic structure are identical.

Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Base Sequence ; Cloning, Molecular ; DNA, Complementary ; metabolism ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phospholipases A ; blood ; genetics ; metabolism ; Phospholipases A2 ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Staphylococcal Infections ; blood ; Staphylococcus aureus

The presence of large segmental defects of the diaphyseal bone is challenging for orthopedic surgeons. Free vascularized fibular grafting (FVFG) is considered to be a reliable reconstructive procedure. Stress fractures are a common complication following this surgery, and hypertrophy is the main physiological change of the grafted fibula. The exact mechanism of hypertrophy is not completely known. To the best of our knowledge, no studies have examined the possible relationship between stress fractures and hypertrophy. We herein report three cases of patients underwent FVFG. Two of them developed stress fractures and significant hypertrophy, while the remaining patient developed neither stress fractures nor significant hypertrophy. This phenomenon indicates that a relationship may exist between stress fractures and hypertrophy of the grafted fibula, specifically, that the presence of a stress fracture may initiate the process of hypertrophy.
Adult ; Female ; Fibula ; pathology ; transplantation ; Fractures, Stress ; pathology ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tibia ; surgery ; Tibial Fractures ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo analyze the change of the neuronal restricted silencing factor (NRSF) gene as well as the NRSF regulation genes in beta-mercaptoethanol induction of the marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to neurons, and to discuss the function of NRSF in neural induction of the MSCs and the mechanism of the differentiation from MSCs to neurons.

METHODWe used beta-mercaptoethanol, serum-free DMEM, and dimethyl sulfoxide to induce rat MSCs to differentiate to neurons, and then analyzed the changes of the expressions of NRSF gene and NRSF-regulated genes through real-time PCR.

RESULTSThe rat MSCs were successfully induced to differentiate into neuron-like cells. The induced neuron marker, neuron-specific enolase, was positive. Real-time PCR showed that the expression of NRSF gene remarkably declined. The expressions of neurotrophic tyrosine kinase receptor, type 3, synaptosomal-associated protein 25, L1 cell adhesion molecular,neuronal pentraxin receptor in the NRSF-regulated genes also increased at varied extents.

CONCLUSIONSThe differentiation from MSCs to neurons is relevant with the decline of NRSF expression and the increase of the expressions of NRSF-regulated genes. The NRSF may be the key gene during the differentiation from MSCs to neurons.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Cell Differentiation ; physiology ; Cells, Cultured ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Neurons ; cytology ; metabolism ; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Repressor Proteins ; metabolism ; physiology ; Synaptosomal-Associated Protein 25 ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE:To study the rational use of antibacterials in inpatients.METHODS:A discussion was made on the use of antibacterials for 4 948 inpatients in 2004 and 5 476 inpatients in 2005 in our hospital,managed in accordance with the requirements for hospital management by level and the Guidelines for Clinical Use of Antibacterials.RESULTS & CONCL- USIONS:The inpatient use of antibacterials in our hospital has been made basically rational through implementation of systematic management,enactment of antibacterials management by level,monitoring on usage of antibacterials and enforcement of warning system for overusing.