Objective To investigate the value of low positive AFP level for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)when a space occuping lesion was already identified in the liver.Methods The AFP level of 401 HCC cases from January 1999 to October 2006 were retrospectively analyzed.Results 22 cases of small liver cancer underwent reducing surgical resection in our hospital,increasing the quality of life and prolonging survival rate.Con- clusion(1)The AFP level between 20 and 200?g/L is of diagnostic for HCC when a SOL is identified.(2)The clinical reference diagnostic criteria using AFP level more than 20?g/L,instead of more than 200?g/L is helpful for the diagnosis.(3)Combined diagnosis of AFP level more than 20?g/L and ultrasonography or CT scanning yields higher sensitivity and specificity th.an traditional,diagnostic criteria.

Objective To evaluate the usage of renoportal anastomosis in the liver transplanta- tion.Method The successful experience about renoportal anastomosis for portal vein reconstruction in liver transplantation was reported,and related literature reviewed.Results Including our case,there have been 13 cases of liver transplantation using renoportal anastomosis for portal vein reconstruction. Among these patients,8 cases were complicated with diffuse portal vein thrombosis,and 10 cases had a splenorenal shunt(spontaneous shunt in 3 and surgical shunt in 7).Complications related to portal vein hypertension occurred in 3 cases(transient ascites in 2 cases and severe digestive bleeding in 1 case)after liver transplantation.There were 3 deaths which were not related to renoportal anastomo- sis.Conclusion Renoportal anastomosis is a safe and feasible technique in liver transplantation for the patients with diffuse portal vein thrombosis or with splenorenal shunt(spontaneous or surgical shunt).

Background The pathogenesis of primary open angle glaucoma(POAG) and high myopia are very complex.To construct the regulatory network of virulence genes and relevant genes that involved in pathogenicity are helpful for reveal of the pathogenesis.Objective The aim of this study was to investigate myocilin(Myoc),a gene that contributes to POAG and high myopia in eyes of BXD Recombinant Inbred(BXD RI)mice and construct the regulatory network of Myoc.Methods The affymetrix microarray system was used to detect the differential expression of Myoc in the eyes of C57BL/6J(B6),DBA/2J(D2) and BXD RI mice.Expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) mapping was performed to construct the regulatory network of Myoc gene.Results The average expression level of the Myoc gene in the BXD strains was 10.83,and the gene exhibited expression levels ranging from 8.39 in BXD55 mice tol 1.43 in B6 mice.The eQTL mapping for the Myoc gene showed a significant likelihood ratio statistic (LRS) of 21.78.The QTL was mapped in chromosome 2,and Myoc was located on chromosome 1,indicating that the Myoc gene was a trans-acting QTL.Olfml2a was identified to be a candidate upstream gene of Myoc by analysis of bioinformatics.Genetic regulatory network analysis demonstrated that a series of genes associated with Myoc probably played roles in the pathogenesis and development of POAG and high myopia.Conclusions The genetical genomics approach provides a powerful tool for constructing pathways that contribute to complex traits,such as POAG and high myopia.

?AIM: To study the association of the single nucleotide polymorphism ( SNP) rs1157699 in the calcitonin receptor-like receptor ( CRLR ) gene with primary angle closure ( PAC) in a Han Chinese population.?METHODS: All samples, involved 232 PAC cases and 306 controls, were obtained from an epidemiologic survey conducted in Funing, Jiangsu Province, China. Genotyping were carried out by TaqMan-MGB probe using the real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction system to study the relationship between SNP of rs1157699 in CRLR gene and PAC.?RESULTS: The prevalence of CRLRrs1157699 genotype was 67.4%, 30.0%, 2.6% for CC, CT, TT in cases, and 71.3%, 27.0%, 1.7% in controls respectively.There was no difference between the two groups in the distribution of genotype and allele frequencies of rs1157699 (P>0.05).?CONCLUSION:Our results do not support a significant role for rs1157699 in CRLR with PAC.

AIMProbe into protective action of taurine against exercise-induced myocardial damage in rats after exhaustive exercise.

METHODSUsing the model of exhaustive exercise, the present study researches into effects of taurine on the content of triiodothyronine (T3) and tetraiodothyronine (T4) in serum and myocardium as well as the activity of T(4) 5' deiodinase (T(4)5'-DI) and second messenger cAMP in myocardium of rats.

RESULTSThe content of T3 in serum and myocardium, T(4)5'-DI activity, second messenger cAMP in myocardium increased significantly (P < 0.01) while that of T4 in serum and myocardium did not change significantly after exhaustive swimming. The supplement of taurine might significantly inhibit above changes caused by exhaustive exercise.

CONCLUSIONTaurine could protect myocardium from exhaustive exercise induced damage by inhibiting hypermetabolism of thyroid hormone and change of second messenger.

Animals ; Male ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Physical Conditioning, Animal ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Second Messenger Systems ; drug effects ; Taurine ; pharmacology ; Thyroid Hormones ; blood

Objective To analyze videourodynamic characteristics of female bladder outlet obstruction (BOO). Methods Retrospective analysis of videourodynamic characteristics were performed in 42 women with BOO. On the basis of the videourodynamic findings, women with BOO were categorized into five groups: bladder neck obstruction, middle urethra (urethral sphincter) obstruction, distal urethra obstruction, external orifice of urethra obstruction, high-grade pelvic organ prolapse. Data of five groups were compared in Qmax, maximum cystometric capacity, Pdet at Qmax, residual urine, detrusor instability and hydronephrosis. Data of all patients were analyzed by SPSS13 statistical software, measurement data by t-test and enumeration data by x2-test. Results Five groups had not significant deviation in the maximum cystometric capacity. however patients with bladder neck obstruction had significant deviation with others in Pdet at Qmax (78. 0 ± 23. 6)cm H2O, residual urine (120. 6±115.2)ml, Qmax (7.0±2.3)ml/s (P<0.05). There was significant deviation between middle urethra (urethral sphincter) obstruction(76.9%)and others in detrusor instability(P<0. 05). In all patients with hydronephrosis, bladder neck obstruction(57. 1 %) had significant deviation with others (P<0. 05). Conclusions Videourodynamic tests could assess lower urinary tract function, and may guide clinic management. The bladder neck obstruction was most serious and harmful to upper urinary tract.

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment of high risk benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with transrectal high-intensity focused ultrasound (TR-HIFU) by urodynamic test. Methods One hundred and thirty patients with BPH, most of who suffering with diabetes mellitus,cardio-cerebrovascular disease, respiratory disease. All patients were given the operation with Sonablate-500 high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). International prostate symptom score (IPSS), quality of life (QOL), maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), post void residual urine volume (PVR), pressure-flow tests (A-G) were employed for the evaluation of curatives effect on preoperation, 30th and 90th day after the treatment. Results The duration of the TR-HIFU prostate ablation treatment was 15-85 rain. One hundred and seven patients after treatment were followed up for 3 months. Compared the effect before treatment with that after treatment, IPSS improved from (27.0 ±11.5) scores to (8.5±1.4) scores, Qmax increased from (5.7±2.3) ml/s to (14.1±4.2) ml/s, PVR decreased from (118.5±78.0) ml to (30.0±15.0) mI,A-G parameters reduced from 62.4±19.3 to 25.6±13.0 and urine volume (VV) increased from (85.8 + 42.0) ml to (194.0±52.0) ml. The parameters all altered obviously (P < 0.05). Conclusions TR-HIFU appears highly attractive as a new optional, safe and efficacious and minimally invasive treatment for the high risk BPH. Main post-operative urodynamie parameters are more obviously improved than those of the preoperation.

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment of slight and moderate benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH)with large doses of cemilton by urodynamie test.Methods A systematic review of using large doses of cernihon only for 80 patients with BPH with 7 grade ＜ International Prostate Symptom Score(IPSS)≤20 grade.All cases with cemilton had been administered in a dosage of 750 mg,three times a day for one year.All were respectively given IPSS,postvoiding residual urine(PVR),maximum flow rate(Qmax)and pressure-flow(A-G)test in order to assess the effectiveness at pre-treatment and 3,6,12 months after treatment.Results All patients had followed up for(1.2±1.6)years,additionally 26 of those were removed and others had received complete follow-up.Before the treatment IPSS was(20.5±4.5)grade,PVR was(42.5±8.2)ml,Qmax was(10.2±2.3)ml/s,A-G was 56.5±12.8,PQmax was (54.8±13.7)mm Hg(1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa),and 12 months later,IPSS was(11.0±3.3)grade,PVR was (15.9±7.4)ml,Qmax was(15.7±2.5)ml/s,A-G was 49.2±13.6,PQmax was(43.6±14.9)mm Hg.There were significantly difference between pre-treatment and post-treatment data of the urodynamics(P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The effectiveness of the treatment of slight and moderate benign prostatic hyperplasia with large doses of cemihon are relatively satisfactory.Main post-treatment urodynamic parameters obviously improves than that of the pre-treatment.

OBJECTIVEIn order to investigate whether the presence of distant metastases is associated with serum lipid abnormalities.

METHODSThe fasting serum lipid profile and various clinicopathological data of 324 breast cancer patients with and without synchronous distant metastases were collected and analyzed. The serum lipid profile, including total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was determined. The nutritional status, the serum albumin was measured and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Univariate analysis and multiple logistic regression analysis were carried out to investigate the association of serum lipid profile with distant metastases.

RESULTSUnivariate analysis showed that the distant metastasis rate was significantly higher in the breast cancer patients with an higher level of serum TC, TG, LDL-C, and LDL-C/HDL-C ratio (P < 0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that higher serum levels of TC, LDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C ratio were independent risk factors for distant metastasis in breast cancer (OR = 2.324, 2.648 and 4.862, respectively).

CONCLUSIONSHyperlipidemia is significantly associated with the distant metastasis in breast cancer patients. Monitoring of serum lipid profile may be helpful to predict the occurrence of distant metastasis in breast cancer patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Body Mass Index ; Breast Neoplasms ; blood ; pathology ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Cholesterol, HDL ; blood ; Cholesterol, LDL ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Lipids ; blood ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplasm Staging ; Nutritional Status ; Risk Factors ; Serum Albumin ; Triglycerides ; blood

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Cholinesterase Reactivators ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Hemoperfusion ; Humans ; Insecticides ; poisoning ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Organophosphate Poisoning ; Poisoning ; therapy