Adult ; Female ; Fibroma ; etiology ; Heart Neoplasms ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Leiomyoma ; physiopathology

Objective To investigate the dynamic changes of the spinal cord during neck flexion in Hirayama disease for diagnosis.Methods MRI examinations in neutral neck position and a fully flexed neck position were performed on 18 cases of Hirayama disease and 31 young normal control subjects.We measured an antero-posterior diameter(APD)and transverse diameter(TD)of the cervical cord at the superior margin of the C6 vertebral body for each position,and investigate the dynamic changes.The different in frequency of these findings between the control and patient groups was examined by means of the x~2 test.The group means were compared by independent-sample t-test.Significance was defined as P

Objective To investigate the effects of estrogen on mismatch repiar gene expression in colonic mucosa in vivo. Methods A total of 42 healthy individuals underwent colonoscopy were enrolled in the study. Half an hour before colonoscopy examination, blood sample was taken for determining the serum estradiol (E2) level. N ormal colonic mucosal tissues determined by naked eye under colonoscopy examination were taken in the right hemi colon to detect HMLH1 and hMSH2 gene expression by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry staining. Then the correlation of serum E2 levels with hMLH1 and hMSH2 expression in colonic mucosa was analyzed. Results A bimodal curve was presented for the correlation between serum E2 level in healthy individuals and hMLH1 expression in colonic mucosa. A strong positive correlation of E2 level with hMLH1 expression in normal colonic mucosa was observed when serum E2 level was more than 45 pg/ml (For mRNA, P=0. 003, r=0. 701; for immunohistochemistry positivity index, P=0. 000, r=0. 874).However there was no correlation between E2 level and hMSH2 expression. Conclusion High serum E2 level might increase the hMLH1 gene expression in colonic mucosa in vivo.

AIM: To investigate gene expression of bax, bcl-2 and p53 in fetal skin at different gestational ages and children skin in order to explore their potentially biological significance. METHODS: Apoptosis in skin specimens was determined by terminal deoxynucleotidy transferase mediated dUTP-biotin nick-end labeling technique (TUNEL). Gene expressions of bax, bcl-2 and p53 in skin at different developmental stages was examined with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: Along with fetal growth and development, the incidence rate of apoptosis was increased progressively in skin. In skin from early gestational fetus, bcl-2 was strongly expressed. This gene expression was progressively decreased with increment in gestational age. In children skin, the mRNA content of this gene was significantly reduced compared with fetal skin (P

Objective To identify clinicopathological features of high MSI (MSI-H).Methods We enrolled 150 patients,standard microsatellite loci (BA T25,BA T26,D2S123,D5S346,D17S250) were amplified by polymerase chain reaction(PCR) with fluorescent primers,and the PCR products were analyzed by GeneMapper software;age at diagnosis,gender and site were obtained;various pathological features were observed by light microscopy;the expression of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (CD4~+ and CD8~+) was detected by immunohistochemistry.Using a stepwise logistic regression model,a formula was generated that could be used to calculate the probability of a colorectal carcinoma being MSI-H based on pathological features.Results Among 150 cancers,MSI-H was 13.33%.Independent identifiers inclucle poor differentiation,histologic heterogeneity,Crohn's-like reaction and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes,logistic regression formula shows a sensitivity of 70.0% and a specificity of 99.2% and a accurate ratio of 95.3% for MSI-H.Conclusion MSI-H phenotype cancer is a type of nonfamilial colorectal cancer with specific pathological features,Clinicopathological features can efficiently identify MSI-H colorectal cancers.

Objective To investigate the effect of immediate and delayed post space preparation on the integrity of the apical seal.Methods Seventy extracted human single-rooted human teeth were biomechanically prepared using the step-back technique.They were randomly assigned to 2 experimental groups of 35 teeth each and filled with two root canal sealants (AHplus and Cortisomol) separately.Thirty teeth in each group were prepared and the other five served as negative controls.Apical microleakage was evaluated with ink dye penetration.Results Cortisomol group showed better apical sealing effect than did other groups when teeth were prepared immediatlly,and microleakage values showed no statistically significant difference ( P ＞ 0.05 ),Vitapex group generated more microleakage than did the other Two groups with delayed preparation ( 2.03 ± 0.33 mm),the difference was statistically significant ( P ＜ 0.05 ).Cortisomol group had a greater microleakage than other groups did when prepared immediately,but the difference was not statistically significant.The other two groups showed significantly greater microleakage with delayed preparation than they did with immediate preparation group ( P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusions Immediate post space preparation creates less microleakage than delayed preparation does.

OBJECTIVEHeadspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) was used pre-concentration procedure for the determination of tetrahydrofuran in urine by gas chromatography with hydrogen flame detector.

METHODSSeveral parameters controlling SPME was studied and optimised: SPME fiber, extraction time and extraction temperature, desorption time and desorption temperature.

RESULTSUnder optimal conditions, the correlation coefficient was 0.9998 and good recoveries (range from 93.0% ∼ 100.8%) were achieved, the detection limit was 0.5 µg/L.

CONCLUSIONThe method can be applied to the determination of trace amount of tetrahydrofuran in urine.

Chromatography, Gas ; methods ; Furans ; urine ; Humans ; Occupational Exposure ; analysis ; Solid Phase Microextraction ; methods

Cellular stress severely disrupts endoplasmic reticulum (ER) function, leading to the abnormal accumulation of unfolded or misfolded proteins in the ER and subsequent development of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS). To accommodate the occurrence of ERS, cells have evolved a highly conserved, self-protecting signal transduction pathway called the unfolded protein response. Notably, ERS signaling is involved in the development of a variety of diseases and is closely related to tumor development, particularly in breast cancer. This review discusses recent research regarding associations between ERS and tumor metastasis. The information presented here will help researchers elucidate the precise mechanisms underlying ERS-mediated tumor metastasis and provide new directions for tumor therapies.
Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress* ; Endoplasmic Reticulum* ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Signal Transduction ; Unfolded Protein Response

The clinical efficacy and safety of auricular acupuncture (AA) for treatment of primary insomnia was evaluated. After a comprehensive retrieval in domestic and foreign databases, literatures were strictly screened and Revman 5.2 software was applied to perform a Meta-analysis on eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The evidence quality was assessed with GRADE profiler 3.6 software. As a result, 8 articles were included involving 894 patients. Compared among AA and sham AA, placebo AA, blank control, there was significant difference in Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) [WMD = -3.48, 95% CI (-3.96, -3.00)], sleep latency LWMD = -10.14, 95% CI (-17.16, -3.12)] and sleep awakening times [WMD = -9.98, 95% CI (-1.10,-0.48)]. Compared between AA and western medication, there was significant difference in PSQI [WMD = -3.62, 95% CI (-4.59, -2.65)]. The evidence quality was moderate in AA vs. sham AA, placebo AA or blank control, while that of the rest was extremely low. No reports of adverse events were described in all studies. In conclusion, for the treatment of primary insomnia, AA could effectively improve sleep quality, but due to the low evidence quality, cautious attitude should be taken on this conclusion, and clinical trials with large sample and high quality were needed in the further.
Acupuncture, Ear ; Humans ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Sleep ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders ; physiopathology ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo identify the anatomical variability of the left spermatic vein (LSV) and determine its effect on the induction of experimental left varicocele (ELV) in adolescent rats.

METHODSWe equally randomized 30 adolescent male SD rats to groups A (LSV collaterals fully ligated and the left renal vein constricted), B (only the left renal vein constricted), and C (sham operation), observed the courses of the LSVs and measured their diameters. At 30 days after operation, we analyzed the changes in the left kidneys and the diameters of the LSVs.

RESULTSIrregular collaterals were observed in 90% of the LSVs and no abnormal changes were found in the left kidneys after surgery. The postoperative LSV diameter was remarkably increased in group A as compared with the baseline ([1.47 +/- 0.15 ] vs [0.16 +/- 0.08] mm, P < 0.01), but showed no significant difference in group B ([0.31 +/- 0.49] vs [0.15 +/- 0.07] mm, P > 0.05) and C ([0.17 +/- 0.07] vs [0.16 +/- 0.06] mm, P > 0.05), and it was significantly longer in A than in B (P < 0.01). The success rate of ELV induction was 100% in group A and 10% in group B, but no varicocele was observed in group C.

CONCLUSIONCorrect identification of the anatomical course of the LSV and ligation of its irregular collaterals are essential for the establishment of a stable and consistent ELV model.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Kidney ; pathology ; Ligation ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spermatic Cord ; blood supply ; Varicocele ; Veins ; abnormalities