Child ; Humans ; Plasma Exchange ; Thrombotic Microangiopathies ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo explore the role of TBX3 gene in the pathogenesis of breast cancer.

METHODSThe total RNA of 51 fresh breast cancer tissues and the corresponding adjacent tissues were extracted and reverse transcribed into cDNA to detect the expression of TBX3 mRNA by real-time PCR. The correlation between TBX3 mRNA expression and the clinicopathologic parameters in relation to breast cancer metastasis was analyzed.

RESULTCompared to that in the adjacent tissues, the expression of TBX3 mRNA was markedly increased in breast cancer tissues. TBX3 mRNA expression was significantly higher in metastatic breast cancer than in non-metastatic tumors.

CONCLUSIONIncreased expression of TBX3 mRNA suggests the involvement of TBX3 in the pathogenesis and metastasis of breast cancer.

Breast Neoplasms ; etiology ; genetics ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; T-Box Domain Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo clarify the role of RhoC in the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma cells and its molecular mechanism, so as to explore the molecular target of tumor cell growth.

METHODSsiRNA-RhoC plasmid was constructed and RhoC gene silencing the cell-line of hepatocellular carcinoma was setup. Cell growth was assessed by MTT assay. AgNORs staining was applied to determine cell proliferation. Plate cell clone test was conducted to examine the capacity of cell clone formation. FACS was adopted to measure the course of cell cycle and semi-quantitative RT-PCR was used to determine the expression of cell cycle proteins. In order to further determine the effect of RhoC expression on cell growth, a RhoC over-expression human hepatocellular cell line was setup by PcDNA3-RhoC plasmid transfection.

RESULTSThe inhibition rate of RhoC was 82.3%. From the fourth day of cell culture, the growth of cells in RNAi group was significantly slower than that in parental Bel7402 and negative control groups (0.41 ± 0.10 vs. 0.73 ± 0.11 and 0.71 ± 0.07 respectively, P < 0.05). AgNORs staining showed that average cell stained particles in RNAi group was significantly lower than that in parental Bel7402 and negative control(1.23 ± 0.35 vs. 3.47 ± 0.93 and 3.17 ± 0.78, P < 0.01). Plate clone formation test showed that clone formation efficiency in the RNAi group was notably lower than that in the control group [(20.33 ± 5.42)% vs. (70.58 ± 10.10)% and (69.83 ± 14.77)%, respectively, P < 0.01]. Cell cycle analysis by FACS showed that G(0)/G(1) cell percentage in the RNAi group was significantly higher than that in the control group [(73.14 ± 5.93)% vs. (57.05 ± 5.97)% and (52.99 ± 4.80)%, P < 0.05]. Compared with Bel7402 and negative control groups, the expression of following growth associated genes was significantly decreased: cyclin D1(0.45 ± 0.21 vs. 1.25 ± 0.24 and 1.12 ± 0.15, respectively, P < 0.05)and CDK4 (0.55 ± 0.08 vs. 1.18 ± 0.32 and 1.10 ± 0.29, respectively, P < 0.05); the following genes were notably increased: p16(1.07 ± 0.23 vs. 0.36 ± 0.12 and 0.35 ± 0.13, respectively, P < 0.01)and p21(0.42 ± 0.12 vs. 0.17 ± 0.06 and 0.19 ± 0.08, respectively, P < 0.05). RhoC was highly expressed in PcDNA3-RhoC transfected hepatocellular cell line. From the third day on of the cell culture, cell growth in PcDNA3-RhoC group was remarkably higher than that in the HL7702 and PcDNA3 groups (0.83 ± 0.10 vs. 0.54 ± 0.11 and 0.58 ± 0.55, respectively, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSRhoC is the key molecule in promoting hepatocellular cell growth, and is a promising target for tumor cell growth controlling.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Cyclin D1 ; metabolism ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4 ; metabolism ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16 ; metabolism ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21 ; metabolism ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Plasmids ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Transfection ; rho GTP-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; rhoC GTP-Binding Protein

OBJECTIVETo probe into the mechanisms of thread implantation at Zusanli(ST 36) and Chinese herbs in treatment of chronic renal failure(CRF).

METHODSCRF rat model was made by Platt subtotal nephrectomy. They were divided into 5 groups, sham operation group, model group, Chinese herbs group, thread implantation group and thread implantation plus Chinese herbs group. After treatment of 8 weeks, serum parathyroid hormone (PHT), transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) expression in residual renal cells, malondialdehyde(MDA) content in the residual renal tissue, serum urea nitrogen(BUN) and creatinine(Scr), protein in urine and pathological changes were investigated.

RESULTSThe above indexes after treatment by thread implantation at acupoint, Chinese herbs, and acupoint thread implantation plus Chinese herbs showed begin reversion, especially, the most obviously improvement in the acupoint thread implantation plus Chinese herbs treatment group.

CONCLUSIONThe mechanism of acupoint thread implantation and Chinese herbs in improvement of CRF is related with decrease of PTH, inhibition of TGF-beta1 expression, decrease of MDA content and resisting lesion of renal fibrosis.

Acupuncture Points ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; blood ; therapy ; Male ; Parathyroid Hormone ; blood ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; blood ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the therapeutic effects of intraarticular injection of ligustrazine on knee osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: Seventy-one cases of knee osteoarthritis (82 knees) were randomly divided into ligustrazine (LI) group and sodium hyaluronate (SH) group. The patients were intraarticularly injected ligustrazine or sodium hyaluronate once a week for 5 consecutive weeks, and were followed-up for 3 months. Lequesneos protocol for the evaluation of OA severity and activity was used. The therapeutic effects and changes of Lequesneos index were observed after the treatment. RESULTS: There was significant decrease in Lequesneos index in SH group after the treatment (P<0.01), but not in LI group (P>0.05). Three weeks later, there was significant decrease in Lequesneos index in both groups after the treatment (P<0.01), with no significant difference between SH and LI group (P>0.05). After the 5-week treatment, the efficacy rate of the LI group was 82.1%, and that of the SH group was 87.2%. No serious toxic or side effect was observed during the treatment and the follow-up. CONCLUSION Intraarticular injection of ligustrazine has a therapeutic effect on knee OA. No adverse effect is observed, but it needs long time to take effect.
Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Injections, Intra-Articular ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; drug therapy ; Pyrazines ; administration & dosage

Objective To analyze the expression changes of related mRNA and microRNA(miRNA)during spinal cord regeneration after tail amputation of Gekko japonicus, and to explore the biological effects of differentially expressed mRNA and miRNA during spinal cord regeneration. Methods Fifty Gekko japonicus, the tail amputation model of Gekko japonicus was constructed, divided into normal group, 15 days tail amputation group, and 25 days tail amputation group, 5 in each group, repeat the experiment 3 times, 5 spare. Samples of each group were collected, RNA of each group was extracted and high-throughput sequencing. Bioinformatics analysis identifies differentially expressed mRNA and miRNA between groups, Gene Ontology(GO) enrichment analysis of differentially expressed mRNA functional annotations, and construction of miRNA and mRNA gene regulatory networks related to spinal cord regeneration. Results The differential expression of mRNA and miRNA in the normal and newborn spinal cords of Gekko japonicus was analyzed by sequencing. The 15 days and 25 days tail amputation groups identified 538 and 510 differential mRNA expressions and 446, 127 differential miRNA expressions, respectively. GO analysis found that the differentially expressed mRNA aggregated in biological processes related to cell proliferation and neurodevelopment. In the spinal cord regeneration-related miRNA and its target gene regulatory network, 21 mRNA expression was down-regulated in the 15 days tail amputation group, which was regulated negatively by 41 up-regulated miRNAs; 12 mRNA expression was up-regulated and was regulated by 29 down-regulated miRNAs. In the 25 days tail amputation group, 8 mRNA expression was down-regulated and regulated negatively by 10 up-regulated miRNAs; 20 mRNA expression was up-regulated and regulated by 32 down-regulated miRNAs. Conclusion Through the analysis of the differential expression of miRNA and mRNA in the regenerated spinal cord of Gekko japonicus, the expression changes of mRNA and miRNA in spinal cord regeneration were initially revealed, which provided experimental data for elucidating the molecular mechanism of spinal cord regeneration.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of standard large trauma craniotomy (SLTC) on outcomes of patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) (GCS<=8).

METHODS230 patients with severe TBI were randomly divided into two groups. 115 patients underwent SLTC (10 cm x 12 cm) as an SLTC group, and other 115 patients underwent temporo-parietal or fronto-temporal craniotomy (6 cm x 8 cm) according to the position of hematomas as a routine craniotomy (RC) group. Other treatments were identical in two groups. According to Glasgow outcome scale (GOS), the prognosis of the patients was evaluated and the complications were compared between two groups.

RESULTS27 patients got good outcome and moderate disability (23.5%), 40 severe disability and vegetative survival (34.8%), and 48 died (41.7%) in SLTC group. 21 patients got good outcome and moderate disability (18.3%), 28 severe disability and vegetative survival (24.3%), and 66 died (57.4%) in RC group. The incidence of incision hernia was lower in SLTC group than in RC group. However, the incidence of operative encephalocele, traumatic epilepsy and intracranial infection were not different in two groups.

CONCLUSIONSStandard large trauma craniotomy significantly reduces the mortality of patients with severe TBI without serious complications, but does not improve the life quality of the patients.

Adult ; Brain Injuries ; mortality ; surgery ; Chi-Square Distribution ; Craniotomy ; standards ; Female ; Glasgow Coma Scale ; Humans ; Intraoperative Complications ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical values of ultrasound-guided percutaneous composite thermal ablation technique in the treatment of medium and large hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODSBy the composite technique of multiple-needle insertion and multi-point energy application, ultrasound-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or microwave ablation (MWA) were employed to treat 68 patients of HCC with tumor nodule > or = 3.1 cm in diameter. There was a total number of 73 tumor nodules, with a mean diameter of (4.5 +/- 1.7) cm (3.1-13.0 cm). Sixty-three patients had single tumor nodule, and the remaining 5 had 2 nodules. With a follow-up time of 1.9 - 67.6 months [(16.0 +/- 14.8) months], the local and long-term efficacy was analyzed.

RESULTSHepatic subcapsular hematoma were found in 1 patient. And skin burning in 1 patient 1. Complete ablation rate was 78.1% (57/73), local tumor progression was presented in 24.6% tumor nodules (14/57) and distant recurrence developed in 56.7% patients (38/67). The 1-, 3-, 5-years survival rate was 62.3%, 29.6% and 21.6%, respectively, with a median survival time of 18.6 months, (95% confidence interval: 10.9 months, 26.3 months). There were no remarkable differences in complete ablation rate, local tumor progression, distant recurrence rate and survival rate between RFA and MWA.

CONCLUSIONSBy the composite ablation technique, ultrasound-guided percutaneous thermal ablation was effective in treating medium and large unresectable HCC. And the advantage is minimal invasiveness. RFA and MWA had no marked differences in terms of therapeutic efficacy.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; diagnostic imaging ; mortality ; surgery ; Catheter Ablation ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; mortality ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Survival Rate ; Treatment Outcome ; Ultrasonography, Interventional

BACKGROUNDNevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (NBCCS) is a rare autosomal dominant disease characterized by a combination of development anomalies and a predisposition to tumour formation. Mutation of patched gene (PTCH), considered the molecular defect of NBCCS, in a Chinese NBCCS family was investigated in this study.

METHODSGenomic DNA was isolated from blood samples of all 12 members of this family. The mutated PTCH gene was screened by polymerase chain reaction amplification and direct sequencing.

RESULTSA new mutation of 3 bp (GAT deletion) was found in all seven affected members of this family. This mutation caused one aspartate deletion in the fourth transmembrane domain of the PTCH protein located within the sterol sensing domain (SSD). This deletion was not found in any unaffected members of this family nor in 200 control samples.

CONCLUSIONSOur findings suggest that one 3-bp deletion in PTCH gene was the cause of nevoid basal cell carcinoma in a Chinese family through affecting the conformation and function of PTCH protein.

Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome ; genetics ; Humans ; Mutation ; Patched Receptors ; Patched-1 Receptor ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the differential diagnosis of solid focal lesions of pancreas (s-FLPs).

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 56 s-FLPs examined with contrast agent combined with low mechanical indicators contrast-enhanced ultrasound.

RESULTSThe surrounding pancreas parenchyma enhancement time, lesion enhancement time, and peak enhancement time between different groups of s-FLPs had no significant differences (P > 0.05), while the beginning to peak enhancement time showed significant difference (P < 0.05). When using the enhancement speed as a diagnostic indicator to differentiate pancreatic carcinoma from tumor-like pancreatitis, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 90.5%, 71.4%, and 85.7% for pancreatic carcinoma and 75.0%, 91.7%, and 89.3% for tumor-like pancreatitis. When using the enhancement pattern as a diagnosis indicator to differentiate pancreatic carcinoma from tumor-like pancreatitis, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 85.7%, 78.6%, and 83.9% for pancreatic carcinoma and 75.0%, 100%, and 94.6% for tumor-like pancreatitis. When different indicators were combined, enhancement pattern and enhancement speed showed the best diagnostic results; however, the Youden index was not improved.

CONCLUSIONSDifferent s-FLPs show different enhancement findings on contrast-enhanced ultrasound. The enhancement pattern and enhancement speed are the most useful diagnostic indicators.

Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Pancreas ; diagnostic imaging ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; Pancreatitis ; diagnostic imaging ; Retrospective Studies ; Ultrasonography