OBJECTIVE: To explore the expression and significance of programmed cell death 5 (PDCD5) and Bcelllymphoma/lewkmia-2(Bcl-2) in sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma (SNSCC). METHOD: Immunohistochemical method and Western Blot method was used to determine the expression of PDCD5 and Bcl-2 in specimen of SNSCC in thirty cases, sinonasal inverted papillomas (SNIP) in thirty-eight cases, and normal nasal mucosa in twenty cases. RESULT: (1) The expression of PDCD5 protein in SNSCC significantly decreased compared with SNIP and normal nasal mucosa. (2) The expression of Bcl-2 protein in SNSCC up-regulated obviously compared with SNIP and normal nasal mucosa. (3) Positive rate of PDCD5 protein and Bcl-2 protein in well, moderate and low differentiatied group is respectively 100.00%, 83.33%, 38.89% and 50.00%, 70.83% and 100.00%, the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). (4) In the follow-up cases, the survival rate of the patients with higher expression of PDCD5 protein was higher, but that with lower expression of Bcl-2 protein was higher. CONCLUSION The inactivation of PDCD5 protein and the activation of Bcl-2 protein may play an important role in the development of SNSCC, and there are a positive correlation between PDCD5 and Bcl-2 protein in SNSCC, which may be identified as a new therapeutic target.
Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; mortality ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; metabolism ; mortality ; Humans ; Neoplasm Proteins ; metabolism ; Papilloma, Inverted ; metabolism ; Paranasal Sinus Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo identify genetic abnormalities in primary gastric carcinoma.

METHODSComparative genomic hybridization (CGH) was used in screening DNA copy number changes along all chromosomes in 23 cases of primary gastric cancer.

RESULTSTwenty-one out of 23 cases showed chromosomal losses and gains for at least one of the chromosomal arms in primary gastric cancer. The mean number of chromosomal alterations was 7.52. Chromosomal gains predominated over chromosomal losses in a ratio of 5.38:2.14. The most often involved chromosomal gains were observed in 8q (9/21, 42.9%), 20q (9/21, 42.9%), 17q (8/21, 38.1%), 3q (7/21, 33.3%), 7q (7/21, 33.3%), 11q (6/21, 28.6%), 13q (6/21, 28.6%), 1q (5/21, 23.8%) and 20p (5/21, 23.8%). The chromosomal arms with frequent losses were 17p (7/21, 33.3%), 18q (6/21, 28.6%), 5q (5/21, 23.8%), 8p (5/21, 23.8%), and 9p (5/21, 23.8%).

CONCLUSIONSThe phenomenon of gain and loss of chromosomal regions is observed in primary gastric cancer, which may induce the amplification of oncogenes and the loss of tumor suppressor genes to regulate the development and progression of gastric cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Chromosome Deletion ; Comparative Genomic Hybridization ; DNA ; Female ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Genes, Tumor Suppressor ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Stomach Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology

AIMTo identify a novel alternative transcript of the novel retinal pigment epithelial cell gene (NORPEG) expressed in the human testis.

METHODSA human testis cDNA microarray was established and hybridized with cDNA probes from human fetal testes, adult testes and human spermatozoa. Differentially expressed clones were sequenced and analyzed. One of these clones was a short transcript of NORPEG which we proceeded to analyze by RT-PCR.

RESULTSThe novel short alternative transcript of NORPEG was isolated and named sNORPEG. It was 3486 bp in length and contained a 2952-bp open reading frame, encoding a 110.4-kDa protein of 983 amino acids. Amino acid sequence analysis showed that the sNORPEG protein contains six ankyrin repeats and two coiled-coil domains. It shares a high homology with the NORPEG and ankycorbin proteins in both its sequence and motifs. Blasting the human genome database localized sNORPEG to human chromosome 5p13.2-13.3. Expression profiles showed that sNORPEG was expressed in human fetal testes, adult testes and spermatozoa. Moreover, sNORPEG was found to be ubiquitously expressed in human tissues.

CONCLUSIONsNORPEG is expressed in different developmental stages of the testis and encodes a protein that may have roles in human testis development and spermatogenesis.

Alternative Splicing ; Amino Acid Sequence ; Base Sequence ; Cytoskeletal Proteins ; genetics ; DNA, Complementary ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Humans ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Open Reading Frames ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid ; Testis ; metabolism ; Transcription Factors ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo achieve early diagnosis for inheritable hearing loss and determine carrier rate of deafness causing gene mutations in order to provide information for premarital, prenatal and postnatal genetic counseling.

METHODSA total of 17 000 dried heel blood spots of normal newborns in Chengdu were collected with informed consent obtained from their parents. Genomic DNA was extracted from dried blood spots using Qiagen DNA extraction kits. Microarrays with 9 common mutation loci of 4 deafness-associated genes in Chinese population were used. Nine hot mutations including GJB2 (35delG, 176del16, 235delC and 299delAT), GJB3 (538C> T), SLC26A4 (IVS 7-2A> G, 2168A> G), and mitochondrial DNA 12S rRNA (1555A> G, 1494C> T) were detected by PCR amplification and microarray hybridization. Mutations detected by microarray were verified by Sanger DNA sequencing.

RESULTSOf the 17 000 new-borns, 542 neonates had mutations of the 4 genes. Heterozygous mutations of GJB2, at 235delC, 299delAT, and 176del16 were identified in 254, 55, and 15 newborns, respectively. Two newborns had homozygous mutation of GJB2, 235delC. Heterozygous mutations at 538C> T of GJB3, 2168A> G and IVS 7-2A> G of SLC26A4 were found in 23, 17 and 128 newborns, respectively. For mutation analysis of mitochondrial DNA 12S rRNA, 1494C> T and 1555A> G were homogeneous mutations in 4 and 42 neonates, respectively. In addition, 6 complexity mutations were detected, which demonstrated that one newborn had heterozygous mutations at GJB2 235delC and SLC26A4, IVS7-2A> G, one had heterozygous mutation GJB2 235delC and 12S rRNA homogeneous mutation, 1555 A> G, one heterozygous mutations at GJB2, 299delAT, and GJB3, 538C> T, one at GJB2, 299delAT and 12S rRNA, 1555 A> G, two at GJB2, 299delAT, and SLC26A4, IVS7-2A> G. All mutations as above were confirmed by DNA sequencing.

CONCLUSIONThe total mutation carrier rate of the 4 deafness genes is 3.19% in healthy newborns at Chengdu. Mutations of GJB2 and SLAC26A4 are major ones (86.5% of total). The mutation rate of mitochondrial DNA 12S rRNA is 2.71‰, which may have deafness induced by aminoglycoside antibiotics. Newborn screening for mutation of genes related to hereditary deafness plays an important role in the early detection and proper management for neonatal deafness as well as genetic counseling for premarital, prenatal and postnatal diagnosis.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; China ; Connexin 26 ; Connexins ; genetics ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; chemistry ; genetics ; Deafness ; diagnosis ; ethnology ; genetics ; Dried Blood Spot Testing ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; ethnology ; genetics ; Genetic Testing ; methods ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Membrane Transport Proteins ; genetics ; Microarray Analysis ; methods ; Mutation ; Neonatal Screening ; methods ; RNA, Ribosomal ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) in human gastric cancer, the relationship between their expression and the clinicopathological features,as well as the relationship between these two parameter expression and lymphangiogenesis and lymph node metastasis.

METHODSCOX-2 and VEGF-C expressions were detected in 63 gastric cancer samples by immunostaining. Lymphangiogenesis was evaluated by immunostaining with the specific antibody LYVE-1.

RESULTSThe expression rates of COX-2 and VEGF-C were 66.7% (42/63), 52.4% (33/63), respectively in 63 gastric cancer specimens. LYVE-1 was positive in 35 cases (35/63), which indicated lymphangiogenesis in the tumors. The expression of COX-2 was significantly correlated with the expression of VEGF-C, tumor lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic metastasis (P< 0.05), however not gender, tumor size, tumor location, Lauren classification and serosa invasion (P< 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSIn gastric cancer, the expression of COX-2 is significantly associated with VEGF-C expression, lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic metastasis. COX-2 may up-regulate the expression of VEGF-C, which induces lymphangiogenesis and accordingly contributes to lymphatic metastasis.

Aged ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lymphangiogenesis ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stomach Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical value of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) in the preoperative staging of early gastric carcinoma.

METHODSEUS was performed in 149 gastric carcinoma patients proved by biopsy (including 33 patients with early gastric cancer), of which the results were compared with postoperative pathologic findings.

RESULTSThe accuracy of EUS in determining the T stage of gastric carcinoma was 80.3% (T1 81.8%, T2 70.4%, T3 88.9%, T4 71.4%). The accuracy of EUS in differentiating early gastric carcinoma from advanced ones was 95.1%, and the accuracy of EUS in differentiating mucosal cancer from submucosal cancer was only 63.6%. The diagnostic accuracy of EUS for mucosal and submucosal cancer was 52.9% and 75%, with positive predictive value of 90% and 70.6%, respectively. The accuracy of invasion depth of EUS for the bulging and flat type of early gastric carcinoma was 100%, whereas the accuracy was only 58.6% for the depressed type. The accuracy of invasion depth of the differentiated and undifferentiated early cancer was 71.4%and 57.9%, without any significant difference (P > 0.05). The accuracy of invasion depth of EUS for early gastric carcinoma decreased as tumor size increased. The diagnostic accuracy of lymph node status of early gastric carcinoma by EUS was 90.9%, and the sensitivity and specificity of lymph node metastasis was 66.7% and 96.3%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe clinical value of endoscopic ultrasonography in the preoperative staging of early gastric carcinoma is relatively high.

Adenocarcinoma ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Adult ; Aged ; Biopsy ; Endosonography ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Preoperative Care ; Stomach ; pathology ; Stomach Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the prognostic significance of metastatic lymph nodes ratio in patients with T(2)~T(3) stage gastric cancer.

METHODSClinical data of 238 patients with T(2)-T(3) stage gastric cancer undergone radical gastrectomy and D(2) lymphadenectomy, at least 15 lymph nodes was dissected per patient, were analyzed retrospectively. Spearman correlation analysis was used to determine the correlation coefficient. Survival was determined by the Kaplan-Meier method and differences were assessed by the Log-rank test. Multivariate analysis was performed using the Cox proportional hazard regression model in forward stepwise regression. Receiver working characteristic curve was used to compare the accuracy of the metastatic lymph nodes ratio in predicting the death of patients 5 years postoperatively and that of metastatic lymph nodes number.

RESULTSThe metastatic lymph nodes ratio didn't correlate with the total number of dissected lymph nodes, whereas metastatic lymph nodes number did. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis demonstrated the metastatic lymph nodes ratio significantly influenced the postoperative survival time and Cox proportional hazard regression model analysis showed the metastatic lymph nodes ratio was an independent poor prognostic factor. There was no significant difference between the area under the receiver working characteristic curve of metastatic lymph nodes ratio and metastatic lymph nodes number in predicting the death of patients 5 years postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONSThe metastatic lymph nodes ratio in T(2)-T(3) stage gastric cancer patients is not correlated with the total number of dissected lymph nodes if at least 15 lymph nodes are dissected. The metastatic lymph nodes ratio is a major independent poor prognostic factor of the patients of T(2)-T(3) stage gastric cancer. The ability of the metastatic lymph nodes ratio in predicting the death of T(2)-T(3) stage gastric cancer patients 5 years postoperatively is the same as that of metastatic lymph nodes number.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo explore the optimal treatment selection for treating varicocele (VC) male infertility patients accompanied with oligozoospermia or azoospermia of different Chinese medical syndrome types by comparing the efficacies of integrative medicine.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty male infertility patients with VC accompanied with oligozoospermia or azoospermia were assigned to Chinese medical treatment group (A) and the surgical group (B), each consisting of three Chinese medical syndrome types, i.e., damp-heat stagnation syndrome (DHSS), Shen-deficiency blood stasis syndrome (SDBSS), and blood stasis stagnation syndrome (BSSS), 20 in each group. Corresponding Chinese medical treatment was administered to those in Group A, C, and E, while microscopic ligation of internal vena spermatic was administered to those in Group B, D, and F. The routine analysis of semen, biochemical analysis of seminal plasma, and serum sex hormones (prolactin, testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and estradiol) were performed before treatment and by the end of the 24th week after treatment.

RESULTSTotally 18 patients' spouses were pregnant. Of them, 1 in Group A of DHSS (abbreviated as Group A), 3 in Group B of DHSS (abbreviated as Group B), 4 in Group A of SDB-SS (abbreviated as Group C), 5 in Group A of SDBSS (abbreviated as Group D), 1 in Group A of BSSS (abbreviated as Group E), and 4 in Group B of BSSS (abbreviated as Group F). After 24-week treatment, the sperm concentration, class a sperm percentage, class a + b sperm percentage, the motility rate, the seminal plasma of fructose density, and the seminal plasma neutral alpha-glucosidase were more significantly improved in Group B, C, D and F, when compared with the same group before treatment (P <0. 01, P <0. 05). There was no statistical difference in the aforesaid indices between before and after treatment in Group A and Group E (P >0.05). As for the improvement percentage of seminal routine indices, the difference of the seminal plasma of fructose density, and the difference of seminal plasma neutral alpha-glucosidase between before and after treatment in the same Chinese medical syndrome types, better effects were obtained in Group B than in Group A (P <0.01), and better effects were obtained in Group F than in Group E (P <0.01). There was no statistical difference between Group C and D (P >0.05). There was no statistical difference in the 5 items of sex hormones in each group between before and after treatment (P >0.05).

CONCLUSIONSSurgical treatment could effectively improve the semen quality for male infertility VC patients accompanied with oligozoospermia or azoospermia. Of them, Chinese medical treatment could be recommended to those of SDBSS who would not receive surgical treatment.

Adult ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; diagnosis ; etiology ; therapy ; Integrative Medicine ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Phytotherapy ; Varicocele ; complications ; diagnosis ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of transcription factor Sp1 in human gastric cancer tissues and normal gastric mucosa, and its prognostic significance.

METHODSBy using immunohistochemistry, we studied the Sp1 expression patterns in 65 cases of gastric cancer with various clinico-pathologic characteristics, and 40 normal gastric mucosa specimens obtained from patients who underwent partial gastrectomy for benign gastric diseases. The significance of Sp1 expression on the survival of patients was evaluated.

RESULTSThe expression rate of Sp1 in normal gastric mucosa was 12.5% (5/40). The positively stained glandular cells were mainly limited to those in the neck region. Cells at the basal portion of the gland were essentially negative. In sharp contrast, Sp1 expression rate in gastric cancer lesions was 53.8% (35/65). The medium survival time in patients who had a tumor with negative, weak and strong Sp1 expression was 1700, 1560 and 1026 days, respectively (P = 0.036). Sp1 protein expression was closely related to the depth of tumor invasion and TNM stage (P = 0.001, P = 0.026), but not related to the number of metastatic lymph nodes and Lauren's classification (P = 0.306, P = 0.667).

CONCLUSIONNormal and malignant gastric tissues have unique Sp1 expression patterns. Sp1 might be served as an independent prognostic factor.

Adenocarcinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Aged ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastric Mucosa ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Prognosis ; Sp1 Transcription Factor ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Stomach Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the value of transabdominal ultrasonography (TAUS) in preoperative assessment of TNM stage and tumor angiogenesis for patients with gastric carcinoma.

METHODSSixty- four patients with gastric carcinoma preoperatively underwent TAUS, in whom transabdominal color Doppler ultrasonography was used for measuring color Doppler vascularity index (CDVI) of each tumor in 37 cases and microvessel density (MVD) was evaluated by using immunohistochemical staining of surgical specimens with anti- CD34 antibody.

RESULTSThe overall accuracy rate was 56.0% for T staging of gastric carcinoma (T (1) 2/3 cases, T (2) 28.6% , T (3) 73.1% , T (4) 50.0% , respectively) by TAUS. The diagnostic accuracy rate was 63.3% for lymph node status of gastric carcinoma. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity for lymph node metastasis was 37.9% and 100% respectively. The overall accuracy for N staging of gastric carcinoma was 57.1% (N (0) 100% , N (1) 16.7% , N (2) 35.3% , respectively). The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity for determining distant metastases was 58.3% and 100% respectively. The CDVI of gastric carcinoma determined by color Doppler ultrasonography was significantly correlated to vascular invasion (P=0.0418), a linear correlation between CDVI and MVD was determined by logistic regression analysis (r=0.5628, P< 0.01).

CONCLUSIONTAUS can be a routine diagnostic approach for preoperative gastric carcinoma patients.

Abdomen ; diagnostic imaging ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Microvessels ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; diagnostic imaging ; Stomach Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color ; methods