Objective To investigate the expressions of tissue factor pathway inhibitor-2 (TFPI-2 ) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9)in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC)tissue and their relationship with vasculogenic mimicry (VM).Methods 162 cases of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma tissues were collected. CD34/periodic acid-schiff double staining was performed to observe the distribution of VM in ESCC tissue,and immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expressions of TFPI-2 and MMP-9 in ESCC tissue. The relationship between VM and the clinicopathologic parameters of ESCC, the expressions of TFPI-2 and MMP-9 were analyzed.Results The positive rate of VM in ESCC tissue was 20.37%.The positive rate of VM in poorly differentiated group(40.38%)was significantly higher than those in moderately differentiated group(11.76%)and well differentiated group (7.14%)(χ2 = 20.915, P < 0.01 ). The positive rate of VM in TNM Ⅰ-Ⅱ(11.59%)group was significantly lower than that in TNM Ⅲ group(26.88%)(χ2=5.707,P=0.017).The positive rate of TFPI-2 in VM(+)group(33.34%)was significantly higher than that in VM(-)group(6.45%) (χ2=4.582,P=0.032)in poorly differentiated ESCC.The positive rate of MMP-9 in VM(+)group(78.79%) was significantly higher than that in VM(-)group(44.96%)(χ2=12.05,P=0.001).The expression level of TFPI-2 in poorly differentiated group was positively correlated with VM (r= 0.166,P= 0.032 ), and the expression level of MMP-9 was positively correlated with the VM(r=0.183,P=0.018).The five-year survival rate in VM (-) group was significant higher than that in VM (+) group (χ2 = 22.84, P < 0.001 ). Conclusion VM exists in ESCC tissue,especially in poorly differentiated and advanced ESCC tissue.VM is related to poor prognostis of ESCC.TFPI-2 and MMP-9 might involve in the formation of VM in ESCC.

Objective To study the anatomy and homodynamics of the normal testis vessels in puberty using color Doppler flow imaging to obtain the normal value ranges of each flow parameter and evaluate the waveform characteristics of the testicular and its clinical significances. Methods The anatomy and homodynamic parameters of testicular artery (TA), capsular artery (CA), intratesticular artery (ITA), deferential and cremasteric arteries were studied in 141 normal pubertal volunteers. The following blood flow parameters were included: time average maximum velocity (TAMX), peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV), pulsatility index (PI) and resistance index (RI). Results ① The blood flow in TA, CA and ITA was visualized bilaterally in all the subjects; deferential and cremasteric arteries were identified in 98.6% of the subjects. ② The normal ranges of the homodynamic parameters of supratesticular artery, CA and ITA were obtained in puberty. ③ PSV, PI and RI decreased gradually in the following arteries: TA→CA→ITA. Conclusion The testicular arterial anatomy and arterial waveform characteristics of normal pubertal testis can be accurately evaluated by CDFI. It is helpful for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of testicular diseases in pubertal youngsters.

171.1?mol/L) was 25.0%, 37.7% and 46.3%, the percentage of the fulminating hepatitis was 3.0%, 5.9% and 14.0%, and the mean hospital stay days for the convalescent patients were 31.59?18.97, 31.13?13.70 and 37.51?18.33 days, respectively. All these variables were significantly higher in aged group compared with youth and middle-aged groups. The levels of alanine transaminase (ALT) lowered significantly with the advance of age, and they were 1 711.7?1 063.4, 1 423.0?913.2 and 1 162.7?792.5U/L, respectively. The same was true in serum albumin and choline esterase (ChE). On the other hand, the percentage of acute hepatitis without jaundice decreased to 17.9%, 6.4%and 2.5% from the youth to the aged. However, TBIL on admission (131.41?106.97 vs 169.60?136.11 vs 164.36?106.22?mol/L) and the elevation of the peak of TBIL (135.01?109.15 vs 186.08?150.64 vs 209.63?143.74?mol/L) of the middle-aged and the aged were significantly higher than those of the youth. There was no significant difference in the symptoms, the ratio of direct to total bilirubin, mortality to complications among them. Furthermore, the serum IgM and IgG antibodies against HEV were negative in about 8.1% of the patients with HEV. Conclusion With a higher incidence and more severe hepatic damage, the middle-aged and the aged patients need a longer duration for recovery than the young patients.

Objective To examine the effects of nitroglycerin tolerance on the following myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury (MI/R). Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats were rardomly subjected to either one of the following treatments: GTN 600 ?g/(kg/h) or saline infusion for 12 h. GTN tolerance was determined with the measurement of mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) and isolated arterial tension. All the GTN-tolerated and the control rats were subjected to 40 min of ischemia followed by 4 h of reperfusion. Myocardial apoptosis (TUNEL analysis), myocardial infarction size (Evans blue-TTC stain), plasma creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity were determined. Results Nitrate tolerance aggravated MI/R injury as evidenced by increased myocyte apoptosis and infarction size and plasma CK, LDH activity. However, sole GTN tolerance without MI/R injury failed to show any deleterious effect on rat heart. Conclusion GTN tolerance may exert a “potential" deleterious effect on the ischemic hearts.

As the key phase for medical students to be doctors,clinical internship plays a vital role in the whole medical education process.Interns in the department of gastrointestinal surgery face series of difficulties,such as wide variety of diseases and emergence of new technology and new concepts.In addition,because of the uneven levels of teachers and low enthusiasm of interns,the result of clinical practice teaching is not satisfactory.Based on the above-mentioned problems,measures have been introduced during the process of clinical practice teaching,including selection of typical diseases and surgical procedures,construction of clinical practice teaching team,adoption of pluralistic teaching methods,reinforcement of participation of interns during the clinical practice.Finally,the quality of teaching in our department has been irmproved significandy.

Orange peel was used as lowcost adsorbent in binding of Methylene Blue.The effects of equilibrium time,pH,dye concentration have been studied.Carboxyl,amine and phosphonate functional groups were present in the orange peel.The equilibrium time was 1 hour,the maximum adsorption capacities of the orange peel was 370.3?31.0 mg/g at pH 10.The Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms were well fitted in this biosorption system.Results showed relatively higher rate constant and biosorption capacities.These adsorption performance indicate the orange peel as a potentially economical adsorbent for dye removal.

Objective To study the relationship between oxidative stress and endothelial cell apoptosis in patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypoventilation syndrome (OSAHS). Methods Sixth-seven patients definitely diagnosed by potysomnography (PSG) as OSAHS were divided into three groups according to their apnea-hypoventilation index (AHI), 14 in mild group (5 < AHI≤20), 21 in moderate group (20 < AHI≤40) and 32 in severe group (AHI 40). And, 18 healthy persons (AHI <5) were recruited as controls. Blood samples were obtained form all of them after PSG performance for measuring apoptotic endothelial cells (CD146AnnV+) and serum levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Results Serum level of MDA and CD146AnnV+ in moderate and severe OSAHS group were significantly higher than those in control group (all P < 0.05). Serum level of SOD in moderate and severe OSAHS group was significantly lower than that in control group (P < 0.05). CD146AnnV+ correlated positively with AHI, the longest apnea time (LAT) and oxygen desaturation index (ODI) (r = 0.778, 0.609 and 0.689, respectively, all P < 0.05) and correlated reversely with saturation of arterial blood oxygen at night (SaO2min) (r =-0.635, P < 0.01). CD146AAnnV+ correlated positively with serum level of MDA (r = 0. 698, P < 0.01), and correlated reversely with serum level of SOD (r =-0.705, P < 0.01). Results of linear multivariate regression analysis showed that AHI, serum levels of SOD and MDA were independent risk factors for endothelial cells apoptosis in patients with OSAHS. Conclusions There existed oxidative stress due to intermittent hypoxia in patients with OSAHS, which could be one of the major causes in exacerbating endothelial damage.

Objective To investigate the changes of serum homocysteine (Hcy) level before and after treatment in patients with colorectal cancer,and provide the reference for clinical therapeutic efficacy and prognosis.Methods Enzymatic circling assay was used to measure the serum Hcy levels in 50 controls and 58 patients with colorectal cancer before and after treatment with a.follow-up of 12 months.The changes of Hcy aud the relationship between Hcy and therapeutic efficacy or prognosis were analyzed.Results Scrum Hcy level in patients with colorectal cancer was significantly higher than that in controls [(16.90±5.35) μmol/L vs (10.23±3.06) μmol/L] (P ＜ 0.01),and it was closely associated with TNM stage.Serum Hcy level in patients of stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ was significantly higher than that of stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ [(18.49±5.13) μmol/L vs (15.20±4.86) μmol/L] (P ＜ 0.05).The Hcy level in patients at the end of treatment was significantly lower than that before treatment [(13.39±4.98) μmol/L vs (16.90±5.35) μmol/L] (P ＜ 0.01),and the Hcy level after the treatment for 3 month was significantly lower than that at the end of treatment [(10.23±3.17) μmol/L] (P ＜ 0.05).The Hcy level in patients with recurrence during 12 months after operation was significantly higher than that without recurrence [(17.18±4.82) μmol/L vs (12.36±3.19) μmol/L] (P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion Serum level of Hcy might be a useful marker for predicting therapeutic efficacy and prognosis in patients with colorectal cancer.

Objective To investigate the relationship of B-type natriuretic peptide(BNP),Creactive protein(CRP)and left ventricular diastolic function with cardio-and cerebrovascular disease (CVD)in the elderly patients with hemodialysis.Methods 96 elderly patients with hemodialysis were divided into CVD group(n =35)and non CVD control group(n =61).The patients were followed up once a month for 24 to 30 months.The baseline anthropometric and laboratory parameters were measured.The ratio of mitral peak flow velocity(E)and peak velocities at mitral annuluses (Em)during early diastole of left ventricular was recorded by doppler echocardiography.The time and cause of hospitalization and mortality by CVD were documented.Results The levels of CRP and BNP were significantly higher in CVD group than in control group[(3.1 ± 6.7)mg/L vs.(1.8 ± 1.2)mg/L,(1345.2±1427.8)pmol/L vs.(719.8±1073.8)pmol/L](t=2.14 and-2.82,P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).The ratio of E/ Em was increased in CVD group as compared with control group(t=5.23,P＜0.01).Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed that the morbidity of CVD events was enhanced(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01)at BNP≥500 pmol/L,CRP≥1.5 mg/L and E/Em≥17 which were the independent risk factors of CVD events for the elderly patients with hemodialysis by COX regression model.There was positive correlation between LogBNP and E /Em(r =0.23,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Higher levels of BNP,CRP and E/Em may predict the increasing risks of CVD in the elderly patients with hemodialysis.

We studied the function of connexin 43 (Cx43) gene in Xiao Meishan swine bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) resulting from overexpression. Cx43 eukaryotic expression vector (pEGFP-Cx43) was constructed and transfected into BMSCs by nucleofector, after detecting the transfection efficiency; the expression of Cx43 was verified by RT-PCR, immunofluorescence and western blotting. Furthermore, we detected its cell cycle and apoptosis through flow cytometry. Our results show that pEGFP-Cx43 plasmid was successfully constructed, and green fluorescence in pEGFP-Cx43 transfected BMSCs was highly expressed with 60% transfection efficiency. In transgenic Xiao Meishan swines BMSCs, the expression level of Cx43 mRNA and protein were up-regulated. Meanwhile, the ability of cell proliferation was significantly increased, and the apoptosis rate was significantly reduced. Taken together, Cx43 overexpression could promote the proliferation of Xiao Meishan swine's BMSCs and markedly reduce their apoptosis, which provides evidence for in vivo research.
Animals ; Animals, Genetically Modified ; Apoptosis ; Cell Proliferation ; Connexin 43 ; metabolism ; Flow Cytometry ; Genetic Vectors ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; metabolism ; Plasmids ; Swine ; genetics ; Transfection