OBJECTIVETo explore the diagnostic value of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and cytokeratin-19-fragment (CYFRA21-1) in lung cancer patients.

METHODSThe levels of serum CEA and CYFRA21-1 were measured in 102 patients with lung cancer, 45 patients with benign lung disease and 36 health controls by electrochemiluminescence.

RESULTSThe level of serum CEA and positive rate [(25.77 ± 15.34) ng/ml, 47.1%] were significantly higher in the lung cancer group than that in the benign lung disease group [(4.67 ± 2.21) ml, 7.7%; P < 0.05] and controls [(3.98 ± 3.00) ng/ml, 3.8%; P < 0.05], The level of serum CYFRA21-1 and positive rate [(14.08 ± 8.34) ng/ml, 62.7%] were also significantly higher in the lung cancer group than that in the benign lung disease group [(3.27 ± 2.87) ml, 7.7%; P < 0.05] and controls [(2.69 ± 2.02 ng/ml, 3.8%; P < 0.05]. The difference of level of CEA and CYFRA21-1 between the benign lung disease group and controls was statistically not significant (P > 0.05). Both tumor markers were increased to a different degree in the lung cancer patients at various TNM stages [(CEA: stage II (17.78 ± 8.71) ng/ml, stage III (25.84 ± 7.34) ng/ml, stage IV (34.85 ± 6.99) ng/ml; and CYFRA21-1: stage II (10.05 ± 6.76) ng/ml, stage III (15.93 ± 6.66) ng/ml, stage IV (22.78 ± 4.12) ng/ml]. Combined use of both makers showed a significant higher sensitivity (77.5% vs. 47.1%, 62.8%), but reduced specificity (86.8% vs. 94.0%, 95.6%), and not significantly changed accuracy (83.5% vs. 77.1%, 83.8%) in the diagnosis of lung cancer.

CONCLUSIONSCEA and CYFRA21-1 employed separately are helpful in the diagnosis of lung cancer. Combined detection of these two tumor markers can improve the positivity for diagnosis of lung cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antigens, Neoplasm ; blood ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; blood ; Carcinoembryonic Antigen ; blood ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; blood ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Keratin-19 ; blood ; Lung Diseases, Obstructive ; blood ; Lung Neoplasms ; blood ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Pneumonia ; blood ; Small Cell Lung Carcinoma ; blood ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary ; blood

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of AML1-ETO fusion gene on the transcription activity of p21WAF1/CIP1 gene. And to explore the enhancement of leukemia pathogenesis of AML1-ETO.

METHODSThe luciferase reporter plasmids of p21WAF1/CIP1 gene promoter were constructed, and co-transfected into CV-1 cells with AML1-ETO, AML1b and AML1a expression plasmids. The trans-activity of p21WAF1/CIP1 gene promoter was assayed by luminometer.

RESULTSAML1-ETO exhibited a distinct inhibition activity of p21WAF1/CIP1 gene promoter with a sequence-specificity and dosage-dependent manner. The trans-activity of p21WAF1/CIP1 gene promoter decreased to (19 +/- 4)% compared to control group, when 1000 ng pCMV5-AML1-ETO plasmid was used. AML1b and AMLla showed less inhibition activity. The trans-activity of p21WAF1/CIP1 gene promoter decreased to (61 +/- 16)% and (59 +/- 16)% compared to control group, respectively, when 1000 ng plasmid was used.

CONCLUSIONAML1-ETO exhibits more inhibition activity of p21WAF1/CIP1 gene promoter than AML1b and AMLla, results from recruiting transcription co-repression complex efficiently by ETO. Based on previous researches, the effects of exogenous AML1-ETO on p21WAF1/CIP1 gene promote may be dependent on the type of cell lines.

Animals ; Cell Line ; Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit ; genetics ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21 ; genetics ; Haplorhini ; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion ; genetics ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics ; RUNX1 Translocation Partner 1 Protein ; Transcription, Genetic ; Transfection

This study aims to investigate the function of two SNPs (rs8904C > T and rs696G >A) in 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) of NFKBIA gene by constructing luciferase reporter gene. A patient's genomic DNA with rs8904 CC and rs696 GA genotype was used as the PCR template. Full-length 3'UTR of NFKBIA gene was amplified by different primers. After sequencing validation, these fragments were inserted to the luciferase reporter vector, pGL3-promoter to construct recombinant plasmids containing four kinds of haplotypes, pGL3-rs8904C/rs696G, pGL3-rs8904C/rs696A, pGL3-rs8904T/rs696G and pGL3-rs8904T/rs696A. Then these plasmids were transfected into LS174T cells and the luciferase activity was detected. Compared with pGL3-vector transfected cells (negative control), the luciferase activity of the four kinds of recombinant plasmids was significantly decreased (P < 0.001). For rs696G > A, the luciferase activity of the recombinant plasmids containing A allele (pGL3-rs8904C/rs696A and pGL3-rs8904T/rs696A) was about 45.1% (P < 0.05) and 56.1% (P < 0.001) lower than those containing G allele (pGL3-rs8904C/rs696G and pGL3-rs8904T/rs696G), respectively. For rs8904C > T, there were no significant differences in the luciferase activity between the recombinant plasmids containing T allele and those with C allele. Together, the luciferase reporter gene vectors containing SNPs in NFKBIA gene 3'UTR were constructed successfully and rs696G > A could decrease the luciferase activity while rs8904C >T didn't have much effect on the luciferase activity.
3' Untranslated Regions ; Genes, Reporter ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; I-kappa B Proteins ; genetics ; Luciferases ; NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha ; Plasmids ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Transfection

Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nerve Compression Syndromes ; therapy ; Skin ; innervation ; Upper Extremity ; innervation

Drug metabolism will change significantly during inflammation, including the reduction of expression and activity of many drug metabolizing enzymes and transporters. Body would release a series of inflammatory cytokines which can regulate drug metabolizing enzymes. Recent studies have revealed that drug transporters are also regulated by the cytokines with obvious species difference. Mechanism studies show that several transcription factors play important roles during the signal pathways of regulation. This review focuses on the progress in the regulation of drug transporters during inflammation.
ATP Binding Cassette Subfamily B Member 11 ; ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Sub-Family B ; metabolism ; ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Sub-Family G, Member 2 ; ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters ; metabolism ; Animals ; Biological Transport ; Humans ; Inflammation ; metabolism ; Membrane Transport Proteins ; metabolism ; Multidrug Resistance-Associated Proteins ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Proteins ; metabolism ; Organic Anion Transporters ; metabolism ; Organic Cation Transport Proteins ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction

Objective To observe apelin and its receptor (APJ) expressions in human osteoblasts and evaluate the effect of apelin on osteoblasts.Methods The expressions of apelin and APJ in human osteoblasts were tested by RT-PCR and Western blot.After human osteoblasts were treated with apelin,cell proliferation was measured by [~3H] thymidine incorporation and cell counting.Cell function was measured by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity,the secreted osteocalcin level and typeⅠcollagen production .The activation of signaling cascades was tested by Western blot.Small-interfering RNA (siRNA) to blockade APJ was applied to observe effects of apelin on cell proliferation and the activation of signaling cascades.Results Both apelin and APJ were expressed in human osteoblasts.Apelin increased the proliferation and did not show the influences on ALP activity, osteocalcin secretion and type I collagen production in human osteoblasts.Apelin induced activation of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) downstream effector (Akt),but not mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) such as c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK),p38 and ERK1/2 in human osteoblasts.Suppression of APJ with siRNA or LY294002 (PI3K inhibitor) abolished the apelin-induced cell proliferation and the activation of Akt.Conclusion Human osteoblasts express apelin and APJ.Apelin stimulates the proliferation of human osteoblast via APJ/PI3K/Akt pathway,but has no effect on osteoblast differentiation.

The waste water-based epidemiology is an important technique to fight against drug abuse by analyzing the concentration of illicit drugs in urban sewage, which can monitor the abuse of drugs.An SPE-UPLC-MS/MS method was developed for the analysis of 12 common drugs and their metabolites involving amphetamine and morphine.It was shown that the best result was achieved when hydrochloric acid/ acetonitrile (5∶95) was added to acidify the sample during the concentration process, guaranteeing the anti-across contamination of the analysis of organic nitrogen basic trace components, and improve the stability, specificity, and accuracy of the method.The optimized method meets the analytical requirements of complex sewage samples, and has been successfully applied to the assessment of urban drug abuse through sewage analysis.

OBJECTIVETo discuss the clinical characteristics and treatments for chondrosarcoma of paranasal sinus and the skull base.

METHODSThe clinical characteristics of chondrosarcoma of paranasal sinus and skull base in 7 patients underwent endoscopic surgeries between 2001 and 2008 were analyzed. Of the patients, 4 men and 3 women. The patients' age ranged from 18 to 47 years, with a median of 31 years.

CLINICAL SYMPTOMSstuffy, nose bleeding, runny, headache, diplopia, eye outreach limited, blurred vision and even blindness. Surgery methods: under nasal endoscopy, after the attachment sites of the tumors to normal tissues were confirmed, the tumors were peeled off along the clear boundary between the tumors and normal tissues, and the potential residual tumor tissues on bones were cleared by a drill.

RESULTSThe patients were followed up postoperatively for 24 to 108 months, with a median of 36 months. Five of 7 patients were no recurrence, 2 were alive with tumor.

CONCLUSIONSChondrosarcoma of paranasal sinus and skull base can be treated by nasal endoscopic surgery, with good clinical outcome.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Chondrosarcoma ; surgery ; Endoscopy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures ; Paranasal Sinus Neoplasms ; surgery ; Skull Base Neoplasms ; surgery ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the anatomical feasibility and the technique of T(1)-T(3) crossing laminar screws fixation in the adult population.

METHODSThere were 33 dry upper thoracic vertebras specimen which included respectively T(1), T(2), T(3) were studied. Spinous process height (Hs), bilateral laminar height (H), length of superior laminar screws (Ls), length of inferior laminar screws (Li), bilateral thickness of laminar (TL) and crossing angle the laminar (A) were measured. On the basis of modified Kretze's technique, T(1) crossing laminar screws implantation was performed under visual control. The crossing laminar screws position were evaluated by X-ray and visualizing.

RESULTSThe mean Hs of T(1) was the highest which was (15.7 ± 1.6) mm; the mean H of T(3) was the highest which was (18.7 ± 1.1) mm; the TL and A of T(1) were (6.3 ± 0.9) mm and 101.8° ± 4.5°, that of T(2) were (6.9 ± 1.0) mm and 101.9° ± 4.3°, that of T(3) were (6.5 ± 0.9) mm and 102.9° ± 4.4°, respectively. There were no significant differences between the values of the H and TL on left and right sides (P > 0.05). The Ls of T(1), T(2), T(3) were shorter than Li of that [(31.7 ± 2.4) mm vs. (37.3 ± 2.3) mm, (25.8 ± 2.2) mm vs. (32.3 ± 2.7) mm, (25.3 ± 2.7) mm vs. (31.2 ± 2.9) mm, respectively]. There was significant statistically difference between the values of the Ls and Li on the same vertebra (P < 0.05). The mean TL of T(2) was the thickest, which was significant statistically thicker than that of T(1) (t = 8.876, P < 0.01), which was not significant statistically thicker than that of T(3) (t = 1.919, P > 0.05). The T(1) crossing laminar screws were successfully placed, without impingement of the spinal canal.

CONCLUSIONSIt is feasible to place T(1), T(2), T(3) crossing laminar screws in most people. This study provides anatomic guidelines to allow for accurate screw selection and insertion.

Adult ; Aged ; Bone Screws ; Feasibility Studies ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Spinal Fusion ; instrumentation ; methods ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; surgery

OBJECTIVEStreptococcus pneumoniae necrotizing pneumonia (SPNP) was reported elsewhere but not in China yet. Inappropriate treatment due to poor recognition of this disease could influence its prognosis. This paper presents the clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of SPNP hoping to elevate pediatrician's recognition level for this disease.

METHODClinical manifestations, radiological findings, treatment and prognosis of 20 patients (9 boys, 11 girls) who had been hospitalized with SPNP in Beijing Children's Hospital from 2004-2011 were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTThe patients included in this study aged from 9 months to 6 years [(27.9 ± 15.8) m] and were healthy before admission. They were febrile for 8 to 50 days [(27.7 ± 13.5) d] and hospital day was 24 - 55 days [(36.5 ± 8.3) d]. The general condition of all subjects was relatively poor and they all had fever and cough. One child had moderate fever and nineteen children had high fever. Dyspnea was found in sixteen children. Fine rales were found on auscultation in 18 children, among whom diffuse wheeze appeared in 4 children, and wheezy phlegm was found in two children. Signs of pleural effusion were discovered in all cases by physical examination and chest X-ray. White blood cell (WBC) count was 16.2 - 60.95×10(9)/L and neutrophil was 70.5% - 80.2% in peripheral blood routine test. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was 44 - 109 mm/h [(69.6 ± 16) mm/h]and C-reactive protein (CRP) was 80 - > 160 mg/L. The pleural effusion biochemistry and routine test revealed a WBC count of 6400×10(6)/L-too much to count, polykaryocyte of 51% - 90%, glucose of 0.02 - 1.8 mmol/L, protein of 32 - 51 g/L and LDH of 5475 IU/L-or higher. Pleural effusion culture in all cases and blood culture in 2 cases was positive for Streptococcus pneumoniae. Chest X-ray or CT revealed high density and well-distributed lobar consolidation in one lung or two lungs initially. Single or multiple low density lesions in the area of lobar consolidation were found a week later, accompanied by multiple cystic shadow or cavity at the same time or afterwards. Bulla of lung appeared later. Pleural effusions were found in all patients. Seven cases complicated with hydropneumothorax, two with otitis media, one with heart failure, one with cardiac insufficiency. Seventeen patients were treated with vancomycin or teicoplanin or linezolid two with amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium. Other two patients had been treated with meropenem and cephalosporin antibiotics respectively before admission, and they had been at recovery stage when they were hospitalized. Thoracic close drainage and thoracoscopy were performed respectively in 18 cases and 3 cases, respectively. After a follow up of more than 6 months, chest CT showed that almost all lesions in lungs recovered during 4-6 months. No one received pneumonectomy.

CONCLUSIONSPNP has special manifestations. The incidence in infants is higher. Patients' general condition is poor and febrile course is relatively long. All patients manifested fever and cough, with a presence of dyspnea in most of them. WBC, neutrophil and CRP elevated apparently. The characteristic of pleural effusion indicates empyema. In early stage, the chest X-ray and CT showed high-density lobar lesions, followed by low-density lesions and cyst gradually. Bulla of lung and/or hydropneumothorax may appear at the late stage. But if diagnosed and treated promptly, the prognosis of SPNP was relatively good.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Dyspnea ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; Female ; Fever ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Infant ; Leukocyte Count ; Lung ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Male ; Methylprednisolone ; therapeutic use ; Pleural Effusion ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; Pneumonia, Pneumococcal ; complications ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Streptococcus pneumoniae ; drug effects ; isolation & purification ; pathogenicity ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Treatment Outcome