Goiter, Nodular ; Humans ; Thyroid Neoplasms

Immunohistochemical technique was an essential tool of conventional diagnosis,therefore,the application of immunohisto- chemistry in reformation of pathology laboratory teaching would boost pathological experimental teaching standards to a higher level.

Objective To explore the contribution of ultrasonic examination and localization in early breast cancer screening of chinese women with dense breast.Methods From February,2002 to April,2006,the breasts of 5 000 women were examined using ultrasonic examination,and in about 4 000 women a mass was detected,which included 142 cases of breast cancer proved by pathology with diameter ≤2cm occurred in patients with dense breast.In these parients,ultrasonic visualization and molybdenum target mammographic were performed.Results In these with breast cancer and dense breast,there were 47 cases(33.10%) with microcalcification detected by ultrasonography,the sensitivity rate was 74.60% and the accuracy rate was 88.73%.Only 38(26.76%) cases were detected by mammography,the sensitivity rate was(60.32)% and the accuracy was 82.39%.About 44.37% breast cancer with dense brast display as the(microcalcification).There were 110 cases(77.46%) of the small breast cancer detected by ultrasonography,the sensitivity was 88.71% and the accuracy rate was 90.14%.There were 100 cases(70.42%)(detected) by mammography,the sensitivity rate was 80.65% and the accuracy rate was 83.10%.Also,in 12 patients an unpalpation breast lesion was correctly excised by the use of ultrasonic localization.(Conclusions)(1)For the small breast cancer in dense breast the sensitivity and the accuracy of ultrasonography(surpassed) those of mammography.(2)The ultrasonic examination is an effective way for early breast cancer screening in young women with dense breast and flat breast.Ultrasonography can improve the rate of dignosis in early breast cancer,and also improve the breast-conserving surgical rate.Ultrasonography is worth of widespread use spreading.

BACKGROUNDThe number of Clara cells and the Clara cell 16-kDa protein (CC16) levels of the lung decrease in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a powerful antioxidant and can reduce the frequency of acute exacerbations of COPD. But the exact mechanism is unclear. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of NAC on Clara cells in rats with cigarette smoke exposure.

METHODSEighteen adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, 12 exposed to cigarette smoke (CS) thrice a day, 10 cigarettes for 30 minutes each time for 1 week, without (CS group) or with (CS + NAC group) oral intake of NAC 80 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1), and another 6 rats exposed to fresh air (control group). Clara cells were observed by an electron microscope. The mRNA expression of CC16 and CC16 protein in lungs were determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry respectively. The glutathion (GSH) level in plasma and lung tissue were tested by fluorimetry assay.

RESULTSCompared with the controls, the pathologic score of small airways significantly increased in the CS exposed rats (20.3 +/- 14.7 vs. 53.7 +/- 11.5, P < 0.05). The Clara cell particles in cytoplasm decreased in the CS group (P < 0.05). The percentage of CC16-positive cells in bronchioles in the CS group (27.8 +/- 4.3 and 29.5 +/- 2.4 in terminal bronchioles and respiratory bronchioles, respectively) significantly decreased as compared with the control group (37.1 +/- 3.8 and 43.8 +/- 5.8 in terminal bronchioles and respiratory bronchioles, respectively) (P < 0.05). No significant difference was observed in GSH level ((181 +/- 26) nmol/L in the control group vs. (170 +/- 18) nmol/L in the CS group) between the two groups. After treatment with NAC, the pathologic score of small airways (24.1 +/- 17.5) decreased (P < 0.05). Clara cell particles in cytoplasm of Clara cells increased and GSH level in plasma ((213 +/- 40) nmol/L vs. (170 +/- 18) nmol/L in the CS group) increased too (P < 0.05), while the increase in the proportions of CC16 positive cells in bronchioles (30.1 +/- 6.4 and 34.3 +/- 6.3 in terminal bronchioles and respiratory bronchioles, respectively) did not reach the statistical significance (P > 0.05). No significant difference was found in the expression of CC16 mRNA among the three groups. Correlation analysis indicated that the percentage of CC16-positive cells in bronchioles negatively correlated with the pathologic score of small airways (r = -0.592, P < 0.05), but not with GSH level.

CONCLUSIONSOne-week CS exposure decreased the number of Clara cells and the expression of CC16 in bronchioles in rats. NAC might provide protection of the Clara cells from oxidative damage and possibly through the elevation of the synthesis and secretion of CC16. These data indicate that NAC decreases airway inflammation induced by CS via induction of CC16.

Acetylcysteine ; metabolism ; Animals ; Bronchioles ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Fluorometry ; Glutathione ; metabolism ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Smoking ; adverse effects ; Uteroglobin ; genetics ; metabolism

PURPOSE: Although the interferon α (IFNα) signaling and the paired-like homeodomain transcription factor 2 (PITX2) have both been implicated in the progression of breast cancer (BCa), it remains obscure whether these two pathways act in a coordinated manner. We therefore aimed to elucidate the expression and function of PITX2 during the pathogenesis of endocrine resistance in BCa. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PITX2 expression was assessed in BCa tissues using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and immunohistochemistry and in experimentally induced letrozole-resistant BCa cells using RT-qPCR and immunoblotting. Effects of PITX2 deregulation on BCa progression was determined by assessing MTT, apoptosis and xenograft model. Finally, using multiple assays, the transcriptional regulation of interferon-inducible transmembrane protein 1 (IFITM1) by PITX2 was studied at both molecular and functional levels. RESULTS: PITX2 expression was induced in letrozole-resistant BCa tissues and cells, and PITX2 induction by IFNα signaling powerfully protected BCa cells against letrozole insult and potentiated letrozole-resistance. Mechanistically, PITX2 enhanced IFNα-induced AKT activation by transactivating the transcription of IFITM1, thus rendering BCa cells unresponsive to letrozoleelicited cell death. Additionally, ablation of IFITM1 expression using siRNA substantially abolished IFNα-elicited AKT phosphorylation, even in the presence of PITX2 overexpression, thus sensitizing BCa cells to letrozole treatment. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that constitutive upregulation of PITX2/IFITM1 cascade is an intrinsic adaptive mechanism during the pathogenesis of letrozole-resistance, and modulation of PITX2/IFITM1 level using different genetic and pharmacological means would thus have a novel therapeutic potential against letrozole resistance in BCa.
Apoptosis ; Breast Neoplasms ; Breast ; Cell Death ; Heterografts ; Immunoblotting ; Immunohistochemistry ; Interferons ; Phosphorylation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Reverse Transcription ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Transcription Factors ; Transcriptional Activation ; Up-Regulation

BACKGROUNDA new inhalable insulin aerosol (Inh-Ins) was developed in China. The aim of this multicenter clinical study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this new Inh-Ins as a treatment of type 2 diabetes. Regular porcine insulin (RI) was used as a control.

METHODSThis study is a prospective, randomized, open-label, parallel-group multicenter clinical trial in which 253 qualified patients with type 2 diabetes received the insulin Glargine daily at bedtime plus either a pre-meal Inh-Ins or a pre-meal subcutaneous RI for 12 weeks. HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), the 1-hour-postprandial blood glucose (1hPBG) and the 2-hour-postprandial blood glucose (2hPBG) were measured. Events were monitored for adverse effects.

RESULTSAfter 12 weeks, the HbA1c decreased significantly from baseline in both treatment groups, with no significant difference between the two regimens. In the Inh-Ins group, FPG, both 1hPBG and 2hPBG significantly declined from baseline after the 8th- and 12th-weeks of treatment. The reduced values of FPG or 1hPBG between the two groups showed a more significant hypoglycemic effect with the Inh-Ins than the RI. After 12 weeks, the pulmonary carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DLco) was significantly lower in Inh-Ins group than in the RI. The main side effects of Inh-Ins were coughing, excessive sputum, and hypoglycemia.

CONCLUSIONSInh-Ins was effective in decreasing HbA1c like the RI. It was better in lowering the FPG and the 1hPBG than the RI. Its main side effects were coughing, excessive sputum, and hypoglycemia. Also, Inh-Ins slightly impaired DLco.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aerosols ; Aged ; Blood Glucose ; analysis ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Cough ; chemically induced ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; blood ; drug therapy ; Female ; Glycated Hemoglobin A ; analysis ; Humans ; Hypoglycemia ; chemically induced ; Insulin ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo understand the distribution of hepatitis B virus genotype in Guangxi and its clinical significance.

METHODSNested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) was used for amplification of HBV DNA in sera of asymptomatic carrier (ASC) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and patients with different liver diseases from southern and northern Guangxi. Specimens from 161 subjects were positive for HBV DNA and HBV genotype was determined by using restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis, direct sequencing or cloning sequencing.

RESULTSThe prevalence of genotype A was 3.7% in all samples and that of genotype B, C and D was 21.7%, 72.7% and 1.2%, respectively. No other genotypes (such as genotype E, F, G, H) were found. The prevalence of genotype C showed an increasing trend in ASC, chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) group; in contrast, the prevalence of genotype B showed an opposite trend, although no statistically significant difference was observed, except between ASC and HCC (P=0.05). The HBeAg positive rate was higher, and the anti-HBe positive rate was lower in patients with chronic genotype C infection than in those with genotype B (P<0.05 for both). Liver function test (ALT) abnormality was more severe in genotype C group than in genotypes A and B groups having acute or chronic infection (P<0.01 for all comparisons). The prevalence of genotype C in southern Guangxi was higher than that in northern Guangxi. In contrast, the prevalence of genotype B in southern Guangxi was lower than that in northern Guangxi.

CONCLUSIONS1. The predominant HBV genotypes in Guangxi were genotypes B and C. The major genotype in southern Guangxi was genotype C; while that in northern Guangxi was genotype B, which implied that the distribution of HBV genotype C was consistent with the incidence of HCC in Guangxi. 2. Genotype C maybe associated with development of severe liver diseases including HCC. 3. Genotype A,D and B+C were mostly found in acute, hepatitis and chronic hepatitis group.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; virology ; Carrier State ; virology ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; genetics ; Female ; Genotype ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; virology ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; virology ; Liver Neoplasms ; virology ; Male ; Point Mutation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length

To analyze the genomic sequence characteristics of a human Echovirus 9(ECHO-9) strain isolated from a child with Hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) in Kunming, Yunnan Province, in 2010. The complete genome sequence of a human echovirus 9 strain, MSH-KM812-2010 was determined. As other human enterovirus, its genome was 7,424 nucleotides (nts) in length and encoded for 2,203 amino acids (aas). In comparison to other human enteroviruses, MSH-KM812-2010 strain had the highest homology with other strains of human echovirus 9 in structural genomic regions and more homologous to other serotypes of B specie than to human echovirus 9 in non-structural genomic regions. Phylogenetic analysis based on complete VP1 gene revealed that the sequences of human echovirus 9 segregated into three distinct clades A, B and C with more than 15. 0% diversity between clades. All Chinese isolates belonged to the same clade. RDP3 and Blast revealed evident recombination in non-structural genomic regions. This report is the first to, describe the complete genome of the human echovirus 9 in China and provide an overview of the diversity of genetic characteristics of a circulating human echovirus 9.
Base Sequence ; China ; Echovirus 9 ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Female ; Genome, Viral ; Humans ; Infant ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Viral Proteins ; genetics

Objective To assess the fluorine (F), arsenic (As) and selenium (Se) levels in hair of residents from the fluorosis area of Zhaotong and provide reference basis for the evaluation of the health status of populations in fluorosis areas as well as the prevention and control of fluorosis in Zhaotong. Methods Sixty-five hair samples were collected in fluorosis areas(Zhenxiong, Weixin County), including. 41 samples from 6 endemic townships and 24 samples from a non-endemic township. Fluorine content in hair was determined by combustion- hydrolysis-ion selective electrode method. Arsenic and selenium contents in hair were determined by atom- fluorescence method. Results The average contents of hair fluorine, arsenic and selenium contents were (15.1807±15.2397), (2.1806±1.9601), (2.3162±2.4535)mg/kg in the 41 patients with fluorosis and were (18.7703±17.1067), 0.3283±0.2466), (1.2805±0.6970) mg/kg in the 24 inhabitants (control). The difference of fluorine content in hair between patients in fluorosis and control inhabitants was not statistically significant (P 0.05), but the difference in arsenic and selenium content was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusions Mild arsenic pollution exists in Zhaotong fluorosis areas, which aggravates the prevalence of fluorosis. Food roasted with blended coal contains high fluorine. Meanwhile it may bring in the supplement of selenium for the inhabitants in Zhaotong fluorosis areas.