Objective To observe the expression of serine/threonine kinase 31 (STK31) in osteosarcoma and its effect on the malignant biological behavior of osteosarcoma.Methods Fifteen cases of osteosarcoma specimens and adjacent normal tissue were collected.The expression of STK31 in tumor tissues and normal tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry,real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot.The STK31 knockout plasmids PGenesil-STK31-shRNA or control plasmid pGenesil-1 were transfected into osteosarcoma cell line MG63 cells.The effect of STK31 on the proliferation of MG63 cells was detected by CCK8 cell activity assay.Tanswell experiment was used to observed the effect of STK31 on the migration ability of osteosarcoma cells.Results Immunohistochemical showed that STK31 expressed in the tumor tissue,and it was significantly higher than the adjacent normal tissues;Real time quantitative PCR[(3.65±0.83)vs.(1.05±0.14),P＜0.05] and Western blot also revealed that STK31 expression in tumor tissue were significantly higher than adjacent normal tissues(P＜0.05);CCK8 experiments showed that knockdown STK31 inhibited proliferation of MG63 cell when compared with the control group after 36 h[(1.71±0.17)vs.(1.39±0.11),P＜0.05],72 h[(2.15±0.21)vs.(1.54±0.14),P＜0.05];Tansewell experiments showed that transfection of pGenesil-STK31-shRNA could suppress MG63 cell's migration[(13±4)vs.(55±8),P＜0.05].Conclusion STK31 is overexpression in osteosarcoma with increased biological activity of osteosarcoma cells.

Objective To investigate the possible mechanism of the effect of short-term gonadotropin-re-leasing hormone agonist(GnRHa)on linear growth in female pubertal rats. Methods Forty 3-week-old female rats were randomly divided into 5 groups(n=8 each). One group was sacrificed as base-line control. Group OVX was operated for ovariectomy at the beginning of experiment. Group Gn and group E2 each received two intramuscu-lar injections of 2.5mg·kg-1 triptorelin 2 weeks apart, and group E2 received additional daily 1μg·kg-1·d-1estradiol(E2)s. c. at three days after the second GnRHa injection for 11 days. Group Ctrl was sham-operated ascontrol. Each rat, except for the base-line control group. received 30mg/kg oxytetracycline s. c. and 20mg/kgcalcein s. c. 9 and 2 days respectively before sacrifice. Hepatic GH receptor mRNA, insulin-like growth factor(IGF)-I and IGF binding protein(IGFBP)-3, circulating IGF-I and IGFBP-3, local IGF-I/IGF-I receptor(IGF-IR)and proliferation rate(PFR)in epiphyseal growth plate(EGP)were evaluated after 4-week treatment.Results Similar to group OVX, the rats in group Gn became taller and heavier than group Ctrl with greater tibial length, wider EGP, greater longitudinal growth rate(LGR)and higher PFR(P<0.05 or P<0.01). Estrogen supplement reversed the effect of GnRHa. There was no statistical difference among the 4 groups regarding plasma IGF-I and IGFBP-3, hepatic IGF-I and IGFBP-3 mRNA levels, local IGF-I and IGF-I R levels in EGF. GnRHa down-regulated hepatic GHR mRNA expression, which was reversed by estrogen supplement. Conclusion GnRHa accelerates longitudinal growth of female pubertal rats. Estrogen deprivation contributes to GnRHa-induced alteration of linear growth in female rats, through improving PFR and suppressing the senescence of EGP. The underlying mechanism does not attribute to endocrine change of GH/IGF-I axis or local IGF-I/IGF-IR in EGP.

The endophytic microorganisms found widely in many kinds of plants mediate various effects to theirs hosts. In this study, seven different dominant endophytes (SDE01 to 07) isolated from a Hy-peraccumulator-Solanum nigrum L. were resistant to Cd2+, and the strain SDE06 survived even in the medium containing 80 mg/L of Cd2+. Bacteria strain SDE06 was identified as Bacillus sp.. The removal of Cd2+ of SDE06 in different conditions were studied. Under the optimal conditions, the incubating time was 36 h, the solution pH 6.0, the temperature was 37?C and the Cd2+ concentration of medium was 20 mg/L, the highest removal rate was up to 80.2% at this condition.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Zhitiaokang capsule (ZTK) on serum insulin-like growth factor-2 (IGF-2) in patients with hyperlipidemia (HLP).

METHODSPatients with HLP were randomly divided into the treated group (n = 124) and the control group (n = 62), they were treated by ZTK and Zhibituo tablet respectively for 8 weeks as one therapeutic course. The changes of blood lipids and serum IGF-2 before and after treatment were observed.

RESULTSZTK could significantly reduce blood lipids and increase serum content of IGF-2.

CONCLUSIONZTK could improve the insulin resistant status and inhibit the development of hyperlipidemia in patients by means of raising serum content of IGF-2 and suppressing vascular endothelial cell apoptosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Capsules ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; blood ; drug therapy ; Hypolipidemic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor II ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Proteins ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of septoplasty or in combination with out fracture of the inferior turbinate in patients with nasal septum deviation on the airflow field and the nasal airway structure.

METHODSSix patients with nasal septum deviation underwent spiral CT imaging scans before surgery and during the follow-up. The 3D finite element meshes of the nasal airway were developed from the above CT scans. Given three preconditions, the nasal airflow fields were described by the Navier-Stokes and continuity equations at the inspiratory flow rate of 12 L/min. The whole airflow patterns were obtained and then compared with the airflow filed and airway structure changes before and after surgery. SPSS 12.0 software was used to analyze the data.

RESULTSBefore surgery, area of the common airway and the middle and ventral medial regions in the concave side were (1.61 ± 0.18), (0.40 ± 0.10), (0.40 ± 0.14) cm(2) respectively, and those of convex side were (1.30 ± 0.18), (0.33 ± 0.05), (0.36 ± 0.10) cm(2) respectively. The differences between both sides were of no statistical significance (Z value was 1.782, 1.363, 0.526 respectively, all P > 0.05). Airflow of the above airways were (361 ± 68), (131 ± 25), (100 ± 28) ml respectively in concave side and (178 ± 33), (59 ± 26), (59 ± 18) ml respectively in convex side, which differences were significant statistically (Z value were 2.207, 2.201, 2.201 respectively, all P < 0.05). The inferior turbinate in concave side [(0.93 ± 0.10) cm] was statistically (Z = 2.214, P < 0.05) bigger than that in convex side [(0.58 ± 0.12) cm] before surgery. The airflow fields were in disorder in both ill-airways. After surgery, area of the common airway was (2.55 ± 0.44) cm(2) in concave side and (2.20 ± 0.72) cm(2) in convex side respectively, and area of the middle and ventral medial regions in the convex side were (0.58 ± 0.13), (0.81 ± 0.26) cm(2) respectively, which differences were of significance statistically when comparing to areas before surgery (Z value were 2.201, 2.201, 2.201, 2.201, P < 0.05). The airflow passed through nasal airway orderly in both sides. But the thickness of inferior turbinate was (0.73 ± 0.08) cm in concave side after surgery, which difference was significant statistically in comparison to that before surgery (Z = 2.264, P < 0.05). Consequently, nasal resistance decreased from (0.41 ± 0.03) kPa×L(-1)×s(-1) to (0.16 ± 0.01) kPa×L(-1)×s(-1) after surgery, the difference was significantly (Z = -2.207, P = 0.027).

CONCLUSIONSeptoplasty or in combination with out fracture of the inferior turbinate, followed by the self-adaptation consecutively, could improve the airway and breathing capacity of the nose.

Adult ; Air Movements ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Nasal Cavity ; physiology ; Nasal Obstruction ; surgery ; Nasal Septum ; surgery ; Respiration ; Treatment Outcome ; Turbinates ; surgery ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Zhongfengkang on the content of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in brain of focal cerebral ischemia rats.

METHODThe model of focal cerebral ischemia was made by thread-blocking method. In comparison with the curative effect of buchangnaoxintong, the action of Zhongfengkang on infarct volume and the content of IGF-1 in brain of focal cerebral ischemia rats were observed in 6, 12, 24 h and 48 h after cerebral ischemia.

RESULTAs compared with sham operation group, the content of IGF-1 in brain of model group was gradually increased from 6th hour after cerebral ischemia, reaching to the maximal level at 24th hour after the onset of cerebral ischemia (P < 0.01). In comparison with the values in model group at the corresponding time points, the content of IGF-1 in brain of each treatment groups was increased in different extent with a maximal enhancement in the group treated by the high dose of Zhongfengkang (P < 0. 05 or P < 0.01); while the infarct volume of each treatment groups were decreased significantly (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONZhongfengkang could effectively protect the cerebral tissue from injury of focal cerebral ischemia in the rats through increasing the cerebral content of IGF-1 and reducing infarct volume.

Animals ; Brain ; metabolism ; pathology ; Brain Ischemia ; metabolism ; pathology ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; metabolism ; Male ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of patients diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and presented malignancy-associated hypercalcemia (MAH).

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 36 patients with biopsy-proven SCC and presented MAH who were treated at the our department from January 2001 to December 2010. The survival were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox analysis.

RESULTSAmong these 36 patients, the median blood calcium level was 2.94 mmol/L (2.77-4.87 mmol/L), and the median survival time was only 45 days (1-839 d). Log-rank test showed that central nervous system symptoms, bone metastasis, and hypercalcemia occurring over 160 days after cancer diagnosis were predictors for poor survival(p=0.003, P=0.049, P=0.005). In the COX proportional hazard model analysis, central nervous system symptoms and hypercalcemia occurring over 160 days after cancer diagnosis were independent prognostic factors for survival time (RR=5.721, P=0.000; RR=4.624, P=0.001).

CONCLUSIONSPatients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and presented MAH have poor prognosis. Central nervous system symptoms and hypercalcemia occurring over 160 days after cancer diagnosis are independent predictors of the prognosis.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; complications ; Female ; Humans ; Hypercalcemia ; etiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies

The objective of this study was to explore the useful value of circulating galactomannan (GM) for early diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis. All 141 patients were classified as 103 patients of clinical and possible diagnosis, and 38 non-Aspergillus patients. 209 serum samples for the detection of GM by Platelia Aspergillus were collected before anti-fungal vaccine therapy. ELISA method was used in detection of GM. The results showed that (1) the sensitivity of 87.5%, specificity of 81.6%, positive prediction of 66.7% and negative prediction of 93.9% were determined by using cut-off value. According to the result of ELISA, the clinical diagnosed patients was up to 48, while the possible diagnosed patients were 55. (2) Among 62 patients with consecutive examinations of serum samples, 50 patients were successfully diagnosed and treated, while 12 patients died. A progressive reduction of GM level was found in survivors, however, the patients of poor prognosis showed higher antigen titres. It is concluded that GM test has more significance for earlier diagnosis of aspergillosis, the concentration of GM is related to prognosis of disease.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aspergillosis ; diagnosis ; Aspergillus ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Hematologic Diseases ; diagnosis ; microbiology ; Humans ; Male ; Mannans ; blood ; Middle Aged ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical characteristics and antimicrobial resistance of bloodstream infections caused by Gram positive bacteria, so as to provide reference for the rational use of antimicrobial agent.

METHODSOne hundred and eight patients with bloodstream infections of Gram positive bacteria in our hospital from January 2009 to December 2009 were retrospectively reviewed. The clinical manifestations, pathogen types and antimicrobial susceptibility results of pathogens isolated from bloodstream were analyzed.

RESULTSAll patients had fever and 31.89% with rigor, 22.41% of the patients had no local infection lesions, 77.59% had clear infection lesions, including oral infections, respiratory tract infections and soft tissue infections. The pathogen testing showed that 12.82% were staphylococci aureus, 50.42% coagulase-negative staphylococci, 24.8% streptococci, 9.4% enterococci and 2.56% Listeria monocytogenes. Antibiotics resistance of staphylococcus and enterococci in our hospital was severe. The percentage of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus in this investigation was 68.92%. The resistant rates of methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci (MRCNS) to the most antimicrobial agents were higher than that methicillin-sensitive coagulase-negative staphylococci. One strain of MRCNS was found resistant to teicoplanin and linezolid, and 1 strain of enterococci resistant to teicoplanin and linezolid.

CONCLUSIONGram positive bacteria shows serious drug resistance, but still keeps highly sensitive to vancomycin, linezolid, teicoplanin and quinupristin/dalfopristin.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Female ; Gram-Positive Bacteria ; drug effects ; isolation & purification ; Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections ; diagnosis ; microbiology ; Hematologic Diseases ; microbiology ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the value of circulating galactomannan (GM) screening for early diagnosis and treatment monitoring of invasive aspergillosis (IA).

METHODSSerum samples from 141 IA patients for the detection of GM by Platelia Aspergillus (Bia-Rad) were collected before and after systematic anti-fungal therapy.

RESULTS(1) An increase in the clinical diagnosis rate of IA was obtained on the result of GM detection. The GM positivity appeared (10+/-4.1) (8-15) d before positive sputum culture, while (12.6+/-5.7) (6-22) d before the CT positive image. (2) Among the 62 patients with consecutive serum samples, 50 were success in treatment and 12 died. A progressive decrease of GM level was found in the former group, while the rising antigen titres were found in the latter.

CONCLUSIONCompared with other diagnostic test, GM test has an obvious advantage of higher positivity and earlier result. The anti-fungal effectiveness can be estimated by dynamic detection of serum GM.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aspergillosis ; blood ; diagnosis ; Early Diagnosis ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mannans ; blood ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult