Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Genital Neoplasms, Female ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Gynecology ; education ; trends ; Humans ; Medical Oncology ; education ; trends

OBJECTIVETo study the expression and significance of p65 which is an important subtype of nuclear transcription factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) and its inhibitory protein IkappaBalpha in malignant transformation of hamster buccal mucosa.

METHODSThe animal model of malignant transformation in hamster buccal mucosa induced by DMBA (0.5%) was established. Twelve paired specimens including normal buccal mucosa, epithelial hyperplasia, epithelial dysplasia and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) were subjected to Western blot for the analysis of p65. The expression of IkappaBalpha was observed in 22 normal buccal epithelia, 20 hyperplasia epithelia, 35 dysplasia epithelia and 23 SCC by immunohistochemical evaluation.

RESULTSIn normal buccal epithelia and hyperplasia epithelia, the expression of p65 was not obvious, and there was no significant difference between them (P > 0.05). The expression of IkappaBalpha existed at large, but mostly localizing in cell cytoplasmic staining in the basal cell layer and bottom of spinocelluar layer. With the occurrence of epithelia dysplasia, the expression of p65 gradually increased, comparing with normal buccal epithelia and hyperplasia epithelia (P < 0.01). But the positive intensity of IkappaBalpha was dramatically decreased (P < 0.05). In SCC, p65 expressed at a higher level comparing with normal buccal mucosa and dysplasia (P < 0.01), while the staining of IkappaBalpha was feedbackly higher comparing with dysplasia (P < 0.01) and even with normal buccal mucosa (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONNF-kappaB p65 is strongly activated in malignant transformation of hamster buccal mucosa. The abnormal expression of p65 and IkappaBalpha, especially the ascending expression of p65 as well as the descending expression of IkappaBalpha in dysplasia may be an early event during oral carcinogenesis, and can be used as biomarkers for supervising oral malignancy.

Animals ; Carcinogenesis ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cheek ; Cricetinae ; Epithelium ; I-kappa B Proteins ; Mouth Mucosa ; Mouth Neoplasms ; NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha ; Transcription Factors

Objective:To determine the expression profile and potential roles of CD24 in oral squamous cell carcinoma and explore the values of CD24 function as a potential target of clinical therapy.Me-thods:Semi-quantitative immunohistochemistry was used to construct the expression profile of CD24 in 78 human oral tissues and 59 Hamster buccal pouch tissues.Real-time RT-PCR and Western blot were used to analyze the CD24 expression levels in oral DOK4 cells,oral cancer CAL-27 and WSU-HN6 cells. Then these two cancer cell lines were selected to evaluate the effect of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA)and CD24 antibody on CD24 expression,and the proliferation and tumorsphere formation capacity of these two cell lines.Results:CD24 expression was found significantly elevated in both human and animal tissues compared with normal and benign tissues (P<0.05),as well as in oral cancer CAL-27 and WSU-HN6 cells compared with DOK cells (P<0.05).CAL-27 and WSU-HN6 cells possess increased proliferative and specific tumorsphere formation capability compared with DOK cells (P<0.05 ).Both ATRA and CD24 antibody were able to effectively inhibit the proliferation and tumorsphere formation of CAL-27 and WSU-HN6 cells (P<0.05).Among them ATRA at least involved partially in the proliferation by down-regulating the CD24 expression (P<0.05 ),while CD24 antibody blocking had no effect on the CD24 expression.Conclusion:CD24 was upregulated in oral cancer and functioned as a potential factor that promoted the proliferation and tumorsphere formation of CAL-27 and WSU-HN6 cells.Both ATRA and CD24 antibody might effectively inhibit the proliferation and tumorsphere formation of CAL-27 and WSU-HN6 cells and function as a potential therapy target.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of propranolol on the left ventricular (LV) volume during CT coronary angiography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The LV volume of 252 normal Chinese subjects (126 subjects with propranolol medication and 126 age- and gender-matched Chinese subjects without medication) was estimated using 64 slices multi-detector CT (MDCT). The heart rate difference was analyzed by the logistic linear regression model with variables that included gender, age, body height, body weight, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and the dosage of propranolol. The following global LV functional parameters were calculated: the real-end diastolic volume (EDV), the real-end systolic volume (ESV) and the real-ejection fraction (EF). RESULTS: The female subjects had a greater decrease of heart rate after taking propranolol. The difference of heart rate was negatively correlated with the dosage of propranolol. The real-EDV, the real-ESV and the real-EF ranged from 48.1 to 109 mL/m2, 6.1 to 57.1 mL/m2 and 41% to 88%, respectively. There was no significant difference in the SBP and DBP between the groups without and with propranolol medication (123 +/- 17 and 80 +/- 10 mmHg; 120 +/- 14 and 80 +/- 11 mmHg, respectively). The real-EDV showed no significant difference between these two groups, but the real-ESV and real-EF showed significant differences between these two groups (69.4 +/- 9.3 and 70.6 +/- 8.9 mL/m2; 23.5 +/- 5.7 and 25.6 +/- 3.7 mL/m2, 66.5 +/- 5.1% and 63.5 +/- 4.6%, respectively). CONCLUSION: The difference of heart rate is significantly influenced by gender and the dosage of propranolol. Propranolol will also increase the ESV, which contributes to a decreased EF, while the SBP, DBP and EDV are not statistically changed.
Adrenergic beta-Antagonists/*administration & dosage ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; Contrast Media/diagnostic use ; *Coronary Angiography ; Diastole ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Heart Rate/*drug effects ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Propranolol/*administration & dosage ; Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted ; Systole ; *Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Triiodobenzoic Acids/diagnostic use ; Ventricular Function, Left/*drug effects

BACKGROUNDIt was reported that telomerase expression is closely associated with cellular immortality and cancer. This study was designed to investigate the relationship between telomerase expression and the carcinogenesis of cervical cancer, the possible use of telomerase as a marker of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) progression or regression, and the natural history of CIN.

METHODSTelomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) assay was used to measure telomerase activity in cervical scrapings and biopsy samples obtained from 105 cases affected with various cervical conditions, including chronic cervicitis (n = 20), CIN (n = 64, 16 cases of CIN I, 20 cases of CIN II, and 28 cases of CIN III), and invasive squamous cell carcinoma (n = 21).

RESULTSIn exfoliated cell samples, telomerase activity was detected in 5 of 20 (25.0%) cases of cervicitis, 10 of 16 (62.5%) cases of CIN I, 11 of 20 (55.0%) cases of CIN II, 23 of 28 (82.1%) cases of CIN III, and 13 of 21 (61.9%) cases of carcinoma. In cervical biopsy samples, telomerase activity was detected in 6 of 20 (30.0%) cases of cervicitis, 8 of 16 (50.0%) cases of CIN I, 9 of 20 (45.0%) cases of CIN II, 27 of 28 (96.4%) cases of CIN III, and 20 of 21 (95.2%) cases of carcinoma. Telomerase activation was significantly higher in CIN samples than in cervicitis samples. Telomerase activity was detected at similar frequency in samples from cervical scrapings and cervical biopsies.

CONCLUSIONThese results seem to suggest that telomerase expression may be associated with carcinogenesis of the cervix. TRAP assay of cervical scraping samples could be used to monitor and predict the development of CIN in clinical practice.

Adult ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; analysis ; Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia ; enzymology ; Disease Progression ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Telomerase ; metabolism ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; enzymology ; Uterine Cervicitis ; enzymology

PURPOSE: To identify genes specifically expressed in biliary atresia, we compared the patterns of gene expression between biliary atresia and neonatal hepatitis syndrome using cDNA microarray analysis. METHODS: Liver tissues were taken from livers of 11 patients (7 patients with biliary atresia and four with neonatal hepatitis) with neonatal cholestasis by needle biopsy. Normal control could be obtained from donor liver tissue during living-related liver transplantation. Total RNA was extracted from each samples and reversely transcribed to make cDNA. Then fluorescent cDNA were pooled and hybridized to the clones on the microarray. Fluorescence intensities at the immobilized targets were measured. Utilizing cDNA arrays of 4.7 K human genes, gene expression profiles were analyzed. RESULTS: Among 4,700 microarray clones, 17 cDNA clones were significantly over-expressed in all 11 patients with neonatal cholestasis, while 20 clones were significantly decreased. Genome-wide expression analysis was carried out in livers obtained at the time of diagnosis. We could identify 49 genes, in which there showed differential expression between biliary atresia and neonatal hepatitis syndrome. CONCLUSION: This study shows the pattern of differentially expressed genes in biliary atresia and neonatal hepatitis syndrome. We believe that this study can contribute to the understanding of pathogenesis of neonatal cholestasis.
Biliary Atresia ; Biopsy, Needle ; Cholestasis* ; Clone Cells ; Diagnosis ; DNA, Complementary ; Fluorescence ; Gene Expression* ; Hepatitis ; Humans ; Liver ; Liver Transplantation ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; RNA ; Tissue Donors ; Transcriptome

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the influence of Chinese drug Dahuang Zhechong pill on the hepatocellular function.

METHODThirty-seven patients with hepatocirrhosis and twelve normal controls were performed the hepatobiliary scintgraphy with Tc-99m labeled ethylene hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid (99 mTc-EHIDA), and the biochemical examination of hepatic function. There was 19 cases repeated the imaging after 6 months treated with chineses drug. By the three compartmental model configurations, the function parameters of hepatocellular extraction and excretion were calculated.

RESULTIn the hepatocirrhosis groups, the hepatocellular uptake peak time and mean residence index were higher than those in normal controls (P < 0.01). Compared to normal controls, the uptake index, uptake speed index and descendent speed index were decreased markedly (P < 0.05). After treatment for 6 months with Chinese drug, the level of serum transaminase, globulin and bilirubin was lower than that before treatment. The uptake peak time and mean residence index decreased notably after treatment for 6 months (P < 0.01), and the uptake index increased, (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONChinese drug Dahuang Zhechong pill may improve the hepatocellular function and liver function status in patients with hepatocirrhosis.

Adult ; Bilirubin ; blood ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Globulins ; metabolism ; Hepatocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; blood ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Liver Function Tests ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Transaminases ; blood

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) gene polymorphisms and the risk factor for essential hypertension (EH) with concurrent ischemic stroke in southern Chinese population.

METHODSThe G9570A polymorphism in ACE2 gene were detected in 139 patients with EH and stroke using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Detailed clinical and biochemistrical data of the patients, including the pulse pressure, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), intima-media thickness (IMT), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and uric acid levels, were collected to study the relationship between ACE2 gene and the risk factor of EH and stroke.

RESULTSThe levels of hsCRP (OR=1.022), uric acid (OR=1.224), IMT and pulse pressure was positively correlated to the incidence of EH and stroke. The pulse pressure, hsCRP, IMT, and HDL-C levels in male stroke patients carrying A allele was significantly higher than those in patients carrying G allele (P<0.05). In female stroke patients, the pulse pressure, hsCRP, IMT, and HDL-C levels were also significantly different with regard to the genotype of ACE2 gene (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe patients with EH and ischemic stroke carrying the A/AA allele of ACE2 gene have higher risks than those carrying other allele, and can be also more vulnerable to stroke recurrence.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Brain Ischemia ; complications ; genetics ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Hypertension ; complications ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Risk Factors ; Stroke ; complications ; genetics

BACKGROUND: Although more and more accurate and personalized detection and assistive tools are used in the field of orthopedics with the development of technology, the preoperative CT is still the first-line examination choice of many orthopedic surgeons. Therefore, to master the lumbar spine CT imaging performance is not only the basis of spine surgeons, but also the cornerstone of spinal nail surgery. OBJECTIVE: Through CT imaging technique, we measured the parameters of lumbar pedicle imaging, and understood its internal structure as the basis for the choice of screws, in order to improve the safety and accuracy of nail surgery. METHODS: Totally 36 cases without lumbar vertebrae-related disease undergoing lumbar vertebra and abdominal cavity CT scan were randomly selected, including 20 males and 16 females at the age of (43.3±12.3) years. PACS was used to reconstruct lumbar vertebrae, and the related imaging parameters were measured. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) There was no significant difference between the left and right sides of the pedicle for paired t-test (P >0.05). (2) Pedicle sagittal angle had downward trend, the level of change was small; L4increased relative to L3; L5level was minimum at the average of -1.3°. Pedicle transverse angle had gradually increased trend, and maximum at L5; the average was 25.4°. (3) The length of the pedicle channel increased first and then decreased in the lumbar segment; the longest average was 52.2 mm in the L2segment, the shortest at L5, with an average of 47.4 mm. (4) The pedicle height was slightly narrowed at L1-L3levels; the smallest was 15.4 mm (L3mean), and reached the maximum in the L5at 22.7 mm (L5mean). Cancellous bone height also showed the same trend, the minimum in the L3at 10.2 mm, the maximum in the L5at 17.9 mm. (5) Lumbar pedicle width showed an upward trend, L1minimum of 7.7 mm, L5maximum of 12.5 mm. Cancellous bone width also became a similar upward trend; the narrowest L1, averagely 4.9 mm; the maximum L5, averagely 8.5 mm. (6) Overall, the upper lumbar pedicle channel was slender, while the lower lumbar spine was slightly short. (7) The parameters of the pedicle can be used as the basis for selecting the appropriate screw. At the same time, lumbar pedicle morphology has a certain difference, and there is a certain law. Accurately grasping its structure and image characteristics of pedicle screw fixation is the basis of surgery. The preoperative imaging data collection and assessment, combined with the general situation of patients, and the development of personalized programming, will help in improving the safety and accuracy of screw placement.

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical features and to identify homeobox D13 (HOXD13) gene mutation of the affected individuals in a Chinese synpolydactyly (SPD) kindred.

METHODSClinical data and peripheral blood samples of SPD family members were obtained through field investigation. For every member of this pedigreeìthe fragment containing mutational hot spots of HOXD13 was amplified by PCR for mutation screening. To examine whether there is any other mutation within coding sequence of HOXD13, exon 1 and exon 2 of HOXD13 were also amplified by PCR. All the amplified fragments were electrophoresed on 2% agarose gels and then the mutant fragments were electrophoresed on 5% polyacrylamide gels to be separated. Purified PCR products of normal and selected mutant alleles were directly sequenced.

RESULTSComparing the HOXD13 coding sequence of the affected individuals with HOXD13 sequence in the GenBank and with that of the unaffected, an inserted segment coding 8 alanine residues within HOXD13 was found segregating with the disorder. This mutation is also termed polyalanine expansion. The 8-alanine expansion can be interpreted as a reduplication of normal alanines 5-12.

CONCLUSIONThe results suggest that synpolydactyly in this kindred may be caused by polyalanine expansion in HOXD13.

Base Sequence ; China ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Female ; Homeodomain Proteins ; genetics ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Syndactyly ; genetics ; Transcription Factors ; genetics