OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between serum testosterone levels and the plaque formation of the carotid artery in a population-based cohort of independently living healthy women above 60 years of age.

METHODSAnalysis of the healthy elders from a population-based cohort study in 9 communities of Beijing. Carotid intima-media thickness and atherosclerotic plaques were determined ultrasonographically. Serum testosterone levels were measured by immunoassay. The data were analyzed with ANOVA and logistic regression analysis.

RESULTSThere was an inverse correlation between testosterone and plaque formation in old females (P < 0.01), while no association was found in males. Female with testosterone levels in the lowest quartile (< 0.49 nmol/L) had more risk of plaque formation (OR = 3.805, P < 0.01) after adjusted with age and other traditional factors of atherosclerosis.

CONCLUSIONTestosterone concentrations are negatively associated with carotid artery atherosclerosis in old women in Beijing, experimental and prospective studies are needed to determine the possible therapeutic role of testosterone in atherosclerosis.

Aged ; Atherosclerosis ; blood ; Carotid Arteries ; pathology ; Carotid Intima-Media Thickness ; Carotid Stenosis ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Prospective Studies ; Testosterone ; blood

Objective To study the impacts of lipopolysaccharide on expressions of Cx43 and TLR4 proteins in bladder cancer cell lines and on cell proliferation and apoptosis. Methods 5637 cells were cultured in vitro. After stimulation with LPS,expressions of Cx43 and TLR4 proteins were detected by Western blot in bladder cancer 5637 cell. The proliferation and apoptosis in the 5637?control group,5637?LPS group,and 5637?LPS +cisplatin group were detected by CCK?8(cell counting kit)and flow cytometry. Results The gene expression of Cx43 in the 5637?LPS group was significantly higher than that in the 5637?control group(t=3.892,P=0.012). The expressions of TLR4 and Cx43 in 5637?LPS group were significantly higher than those in the 5637?control group(t=7.029,P=0.019;and t=18.17,P=0.003). The proliferation was significantly decreased in the 5637?control group as compared with the 5637?LPS group (t = 8.756,P = 0.018). The apoptotic rate was (8.3 ± 1.58)% in the 5637?control group and (7.8 ± 2.03)% in the 5637?LPS group,with no significant statistical difference(t = 2.935,P = 0.099). However,the rate of the 5637?cisplatin group(60 ± 4.35)%was higher than that in 5637?cisplatin + LPS group(52 ± 6.25)%,the difference was statistically significant(t = 6.992,P =0.019). Conclusions Under the stimulation of LPS,bladder tumor cells may induce tumor cells to escape immune surveillance by increasing the expressions of TLR4 and Cx43.

Objective To investigate the pathogenic role of melioidosin in pathogenicity of Burkholderia pseudomallei (B. pseudomallei). Methods A synthetase gene associated with melioidosin synthesis in B. pseudomallei was inactivated by homologous recombination. Melioidosin producting ability and the virulent effects of the wild-type and mutant B. pseudomallei upon microorganisms (Penicillium spp., Aspergillus niger spp., Streptococcus faecalis spp. and Staphyloccocus arreus spp.), C. elegans and BALB/c mice were compared. Results The mutant B. pseudomallei underwent notable morphology change, lost the ability to form bacterial membrane and the virulent effects to microorganisms, C. elegans and BALB/c mice. Conclusion It suggests that melioidosin is one of the main virulent factors of B. pseudomallei.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the characteristics of lymphatic metastasis in different types of adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (AEG) and provide guidance for surgical approach adoption.

METHODSClinical data of 228 patients with AEG undergoing surgery were analyzed retrospectively. According to Siewert classification, there were 9 cases of type I (3.9%) who all underwent left thoracoabdominal approach procedures. A total of 121 patients belonged to type II (53.1%), of whom 12 underwent left transthoracic approach, 48 left thoracoabdominal approach, and 61 transabdominal approach. Ninety-eight patients belonged to type III (43%), of whom 22 underwent left thoracoabdominal approach procedures and 76 transabdominal. The pattern of lymph node metastasis was analyzed and the association between surgical approach and oncological clearance was examined.

RESULTSThe resection margin was positive in 20(8.8%) patients, including 10 with type II (8.3%) and 10 with type III (10.2%), and the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The rate of positive resection margin was 12.4%(17/137) in the transabdominal group and 16.7%(2/12) in the left transthoracic group, both significantly higher than the left thoracoabdominal group (1.1%, 1/88) (both P<0.05). Lymph node metastasis was found in 159(69.7%) patients. The metastasis was found in 4 of 9 patients with type I cancer and two were thoracic metastasis, no metastasis was found in the upper mediastinum. For type II cancer, the rate of lymph node metastasis was 66.9%(81/121), including thoracic metastasis ( n=32, 26.4%) and abdominal metastasis (n=81, 66.9%). For type III cancer, the rate of lymph node metastasis was 66.9%(81/121), including thoracic metastasis (n=15, 15.3%) and abdominal metastasis (n=69, 70.4%).

CONCLUSIONSFor type I AEG, left thoracoabdominal approach should be used because the pattern of lymph node metastasis is similar to that of the distal esophageal carcinoma. For type II , left thoracoabdominal approach should be used to ensure adequate resection of the tumor and clearance of lymph node in the lower esophagus and upper mediastinum because of high rate of intrathoracic lymph node metastasis. For type III cancer, transabdominal incision offers better benefit with less impact on respiratory function. However, thoracic incision should be used to ensure adequate clearance for tumors of larger size and significant external invasion.

Adenocarcinoma ; pathology ; surgery ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Esophagectomy ; methods ; Esophagogastric Junction ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; methods ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDThis study evaluated the feasibility, efficacy and safety of CT-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation in patients with spinal osteoid osteoma.

METHODSTwo patients suffered spinal osteoid osteoma were treated with CT-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation under local anesthesia. Lesions located in sacral vertebrae and cervical vertebrae, which were adjacent to nerve root and spinal canal respectively. Tumors were treated under 90°C radiofrequency temperature lasting 4 minutes by an electrode placement. Visual analog scale was used to evaluate the pain improvement.

RESULTSNo complications were observed pre- and post-operation. Patients recovered to normal activities immediately and achieved complete pain relief in 24 hours. No symptoms were recurrent in 5 months and 4 months follow up. Mild scoliosis has been recovered in case 2.

CONCLUSIONSCT-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of spinal osteoid osteoma is safe, effective and has more clinical benefits. The long-term outcome needs further observation.

Adult ; Catheter Ablation ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoma, Osteoid ; therapy ; Spinal Neoplasms ; therapy ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of allogenic strut bone graft and instrumentation for anterior cervical fusion following subtotal corpectomy and decompression in cervical myelopathy.

METHODSThirty-five patients with cervical myelopathy were treated by the procedure of allogenic strut bone graft and instrumentation for anterior cervical fusion following subtotal corpectomy and decompression. The preoperative average JOA scale score was 8.7 point (Range 4-15).

RESULTSSixty-nine vertebral were corpectomized and 104 levels were decompressed and fused with an average of 3 levels. Among the cases, 1 vertebrae was corpectomized in 7 cases, 2 vertebra in 22 cases, 3 vertebra in 6 cases. There were no surgery-related complications. The patients were followed up from 11-37 months, with an average of 17.4 months. No plate breakage, screw loose, graft infection, lysis and absorption was discovered. The fusion rate was 100%, the average time of fusion was 9.3 months (range from 6-15 months). The postoperative average JOA scale score was 14.8 point (range 7-17), the recovery ratio was 73.5% and the excellent and good results was 82.8%.

CONCLUSIONSThe use of allogenic strut bone graft and instrumentation for anterior cervical fusion following subtotal corpectomy and decompression in cervical myelopathy may not only simplify surgical procedure and decrease injuries and complications, but also the fusion is satisfactory and reliable.

Bone Transplantation ; Cervical Vertebrae ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Laminectomy ; Male ; Spinal Fusion ; Spinal Osteophytosis ; surgery ; Transplantation, Homologous ; Treatment Outcome

In order to separate and purify the PEGylated recombinant human granulocyte stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) at large laboratory-scale level, a two-step ion-exchange chromatographic separation procedure was designed. Cation-exchange chromatography was applied first to separate PEGylated rhG-CSF from un-reacted rhG-CSF, followed by anion-exchange chromatography to dissolve individual PEG-rhG-CSF species (mono-, di- and tri-PEGylated rhG-CSF) and remove the free PEG. The molecular weight of individual PEGylated rhG-CSF was determined by MALDI-TOF and SDS-PAGE. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry revealed that the molecular weights of mono-, di- and tri-PEGylated rhG-CSF are 23.8 kD, 28.6kD and 33.8kD, respectively. Cell proliferation activity was detected by MTT assay using NFS-60 cell. The in vitro residual bioactivity of mono-, di- and tri-PEGylated rhG-CSF were 90%, 75% and 43% respectively, comparing with the un-conjugated rhG-CSF. These results indicated that the un-conjugated rhG-CSF and excess free PEG can be removed completely and the three conjugate species can be purified into homogeneity by the two consecutive ion-exchange chromatographic steps. The purification procedure is easy to scale-up, high in performance and recovery.
Chromatography, Ion Exchange ; methods ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; biosynthesis ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Polyethylene Glycols ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Recombinant Proteins

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical signification of c-kit gene mutation in gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) and examine whether the presence of mutation of c-kit gene is important as a prognostic factor.

METHODSThe c-kit mutation had been detected by PCR-SSCP, DNA sequence, statistical comparison were used for the relationship of c-kit gene mutation and clinical pathology, clinical behavior, recurrence, et al.

RESULTSThe presence of c-kit mutation correlated with tumor size, proliferating cell nuclear antigen index, mitotic cell number, presence of necrosis, microscopic invasion to adjacent tissues, recurrence and distant metastasis. The age, sex, location of tumor, cell type, the presence of hemorrhage, and c-kit expression were independently related to the presence of c-kit mutation.

CONCLUSIONSThe c-kit gene mutation is an important prognostic factor for GIST.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Base Sequence ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational ; Prognosis ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit ; genetics ; Sex Factors ; Stromal Cells ; pathology

Objective To explore the risk factors of cardiovascular disease in adolescents with a family history of hypertension.Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in 3874 adolescents ages 13-18 years,with normal BP in 3724 people.Based on family history of hypertension (FH),the cohort of adolescents were dichoto- mized as postive family history (FH~+,n=1145) and negative (FH~-,n=2579).Height,weight,waist circum- ference,hip circumference,blood pressure and fasting plasma glucose(FPG),total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride (TG) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C) were determined.Results FH~+ adolescents had signifi- cantly higher levels of body mass index(BMI),waist circumference,WHR,FPG,TC and LDL-C(P

Objective To delineate the relationship between body mass index(BMI),waist-to-height ratio (WHtR)and hypertension in adolescents.Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in 3874 adolescents ages 13-18 years.They were classified into four groups according to BMI and WHtR,group A:normal BMI and WHtR