Acute Disease ; Adult ; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Hypopituitarism ; etiology ; therapy ; Male

Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Occupational Exposure ; Occupational Medicine ; standards

Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Sarcoma, Alveolar Soft Part ; diagnosis

This study was aimed to investigate the effect of genistein (gen) on the expression of hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) induced by cobalt chloride (CoCl(2)) in human leukemia cell line K562. The hypoxia condition was simulated by CoCl(2); the dose- and time-effect groups were prepared as follows: the former were exposed to 0, 50, 100 and 150 micromol/L of CoCl(2) for 72 hours, the latter were detected at 0, 24, 48 and 72 hours while treated with CoCl(2) 100 micromol/L. The gen-treated samples were divided into five groups: (1) normal control; (2) CoCl(2) 150 micromol/L; (3) CoCl(2) 150 micromol/L + gen 50 micromol/L; (4) CoCl(2) 150 micromol/L + gen 100 micromol/L; (5) CoCl(2) 150 micromol/L + gen 200 micromol/L. The HIF-1alpha mRNA and protein were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot respectively. The results indicated that the expression of HIF-1alpha protein in K562 cells induced by CoCl(2) increased in dose-and time-dependent manner (p<0.01), while the expression of HIF-1alpha mRNA in K562 cell remained the similar level (p>0.05). Gen significantly inhibited the expression of HIF-1alpha protein induced by CoCl(2) in dose-dependent manner (p<0.01) while the HIF-1alpha mRNA expression was not affected by treatment of gen (p>0.05). It is concluded that CoCl(2) dose- and time-dependently induced the HIF-1alpha protein expression; HIF-1alpha mRNA was constantly expressed regardless of normoxic conditions or in the presence of cobalt ion under normoxic conditions. Gen can inhibit HIF-1alpha expression in K562 cell induced by CoCl(2) at level of protein, but not mRNA.
Cobalt ; pharmacology ; Down-Regulation ; Genistein ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; genetics ; metabolism ; K562 Cells ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical features in children with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC)-associated cardiac rhabdomyomas (CRM).

METHODSThe clinical data of 15 children with TSC complicated by CRM were collected. The clinical features of the patients were analyzed, and TSC gene mutations were detected.

RESULTSEleven cases (73%) developed multiple CRM. The majority of the tumors were located in the left and right ventricles. Most tumors presented as a round-like hyperechogenic mass with a clear margin on echocardiography. Arrhythmias occurred in 3 patients and 2 patients experienced heart failure. Gene mutation tests were performed in 2 patients, and pathogenic mutations were detected in both patients, which were TSC1 mutation and TSC2 mutation, respectively. Three patients were followed up for 6 to 38 months, and their CRM shrank or regressed spontaneously.

CONCLUSIONSTSC-associated CRM is generally multiple. Heart failure and arrhythmias may occur in some patients. Echocardiography is important for diagnosis of CRM. TSC-associated CRM has an inclination to spontaneous regression. TSC can be diagnosed at a molecular genetic level by TSC gene mutation detection.

Child, Preschool ; Female ; Heart Neoplasms ; complications ; genetics ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Mutation ; Rhabdomyoma ; complications ; genetics ; Tuberous Sclerosis ; etiology ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins ; genetics

AIM: To establish an animal model of experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM) in BALB/c mice and to investigate the expression and significance of Toll-like receptor 3 in mouse EAM. METHODS: BALB/c mice were immunized with cardiac myosin extracted from porcine ventricular myocardium covered by complete freund's adjuvant (CFA) on 0 d and 7 d, then divided into immunized with CFA only. Serum and myocardium samples were collected at 14 d and 21 d after the first immunization. HE staining was used to identify the areas of inflammation. The myosin IgG antibody was examined by indirect ELISA assay. The changes of TLR3 protein and mRNA expression in myocardial tissue were measured by immunohistochemistry and real time-PCR. RESULTS: Compared to control group, immunohistochemistry results showed that there was positive expression of TLR3 in the myocardium of mice with EAM and the mRNA of TLR3 were more than 20 times (P<0.05). The expression of interferon beta mRNA in EAM group was more than 14 times as many as basal expression, that of tumor necrosis factor alpha was more than 18 times (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The expression of Toll-like receptor 3 in myocardium is up-regulated in experimental autoimmune myocarditis. The inflammatory response to cardiac myosin may associate with the TLR3 signal transduction pathway.

OBJECTIVETo assess the clinical value of modified transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) repair of groin hernias in adult patients.

METHODFrom May 2006 to April 2008, modified TAPP repair for hernia was performed in 403 adult patients with groin hernia and 22 with femoral hernia. Indirect hernia sac was treated by high ligation of the hernia sac in similar fashion with the management in children, while direct or femoral hernia was treated by dissecting the hernia sac. An incision was made on the lateral umbilical ligament, and the mesh was stapled and covered completely by the peritoneum of the lateral umbilical ligament, followed by fixation of the mesh with stapling and absorbable sutures.

RESULTSAll the operations were accomplished successfully with the operating time from 20 to 30 min for unilateral hemioplasty and the blood loss volume was 4-5 ml. Two patients developed scrotal edema and three showed scrotal seroma. No hernia recurrence was found in follow-up for 2-22 months. The patients complained of no intestinal obstruction symptoms including traction pain, abdominal pain, or nausea or urinary bladder stimulation symptoms.

CONCLUSIONSModified TAPP repair of groin hernias requires simple operation and produces reliable effect, and is therefore of clinical values for wide application.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Hernia, Inguinal ; surgery ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peritoneum ; surgery ; Surgical Mesh ; Surgical Procedures, Operative ; methods ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo construct COL1A1-targeted short hairpin RNA (shRNA) vector with pSilencer 4.1-CMV neo siRNA expression vector and to evaluate its effect on proliferation and migration of gastric cancer BGC-823 cells in vitro.

METHODSThree COL1A1-shRNA plasmids (COL1A1-shRNA-1, COL1A1-shRNA-2, COL1A1-shRNA-3), targeting different sites of COL1A1 gene, were constructed using pSilencer 4.1-CMV neo siRNA expression vector and transfected into gastric cancer BGC-823 cells. Real time quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot were performed to detect expression levels of COL1A1. MTT and Transwell migration assays were employed to evaluate the effects of COL1A1 gene silence on cell proliferation and migration.

RESULTThree recombinant plasmids targeting COL1A1 were constructed successfully. The expressions of COL1A1 in BGC-823 cells, including mRNA and protein levels, were significantly inhibited by the COL1A1-shRNA transfectants, which resulted in a clear reduction of cell proliferation and migration capacity.

CONCLUSIONThe COL1A1-shRNA can effectively knock down gene expression and inhibit proliferation and migration of gastric cancer BGC-823 cells.

Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Collagen Type I ; genetics ; metabolism ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Plasmids ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Stomach Neoplasms ; pathology ; Transfection ; Transformation, Bacterial

OBJECTIVETo summarize the experience of lymph node dissection patterns in hand-assisted laparoscopic radical gastrectomy.

METHODSOne hundred and eleven patients with gastric carcinoma between December 2010 and September 2012 were operated by hand-assisted laparoscopic system designed by us. Clinical data were analyzed retrospectively. The lymph nodes were dissected from left to right together with total tumor resection(reverse lymph nodes scavenge pattern), then digestive tract was reconstructed.

RESULTSTotal gastrectomy, distal gastrectomy and proximal gastrectomy were performed in 57, 46 and 8 cases respectively. Combined cholecystectomy and lateral segment of left liver lobe were needed in 4 and 2 patients respectively, and 1 case underwent combined splenectomy and pancreatic body and tail resection. TNM staging of patients in I(, II(, III(A, III(B, and IIII( were 16, 8, 35, 14, and 38, respectively. Histological type was poorly differentiated in 78 cases, moderate differentiation in 26 cases and good differentiation in 7 cases. The incision length was(6.8±0.3) cm, blood loss was(238.4±113.6) ml, operative time was (171.9±23.3) min, number of removed lymph node was 17.2±5.7, hospital stay was (10.1±3.7) d, postoperative complication rate was 9.0%. One case died during perioperative time.

CONCLUSIONSHand-assisted laparoscopic D2 radical gastrectomy(reverse lymph nodes scavenge pattern) can avoid the multiple conversion of open-laparoscopic operation model, and is beneficial to the standardization for surgical procedure.

Gastrectomy ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymph Nodes ; Neoplasm Staging ; Operative Time ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo compare the relative merits between chordal shortening and artificial chordae to repair the anterior leaflet prolapses (ALP).

METHODSThe clinic data of 50 cases underwent repair of ALP from March 1990 to March 2008 were analyzed retrospectively. There were 29 male and 21 female patients with a mean age of (42.6 +/- 11.3) years old. There were 23 patients in chordal shortening group and 27 patients in artificial chordae group.

RESULTSThere were 3 operative deaths in chordal shortening group (13.0%), and 1 death in artificial chordae group (3.7%, P = 0.199). With a mean follow-up of (5.8 +/- 4.8) years and a total follow-up of 278 patient-years, there were 3 late deaths respectively in each group. According the Kaplan-Meier survival curve, the actuarial survival rate at 5-8 years was 70.0% +/- 18.2% for chordal shortening group and 86.8% +/- 9.2% for artificial chordae group (chi(2) = 8.17, P = 0.046). There were 5 reoperations, of which 4 in chordal shortening group and 1 in artificial chordae group. According to the Kaplan-Meier freedom from reoperation curve, the freedom from reoperation at 5 years was 83.3% +/- 15.2% for chordal shortening group and 100% for artificial chordae group (chi(2) = 12.06, P = 0.007). The COX proportional hazard regressions revealed that chordal-shortening technique was the independent risk predictor for the late cardiac event after ALP surgical repair.

CONCLUSIONArtificial chordae techniques has a relative superiority to chordal shortening for repair of mitral valve ALP.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Chordae Tendineae ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mitral Valve Prolapse ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome