The growth and invasion of ectopic endometrium in endometriosis depends on hormone which will work in combination with its receptors.This review introduces the construction,function,gene,subtypes of estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor and their expressions in eutopic and ectopic endometrium,and explores their significance in the genesis,development,treatment and prognosis of endometriosis.

AIM:To investigate the effect of Notch-1 knockdown on the growth of dihydroartemisinin-inhibited human osteosarcoma cell line U-2OS.METHODS:U-2OS cells treated with different concentrations of dihydroartemisinin (5, 10, 15 and 20μmol/L) were collected.The expression of Notch-1, MMP-2, MMP-9 and Hes-1 at mRNA and protein levels was measured by real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively.U-2OS cells were transfected with Notch-1 siRNA for 24 h and incubated with dihydroartemisinin for another 24 h.The cell apoptotic rate , protein expression of MMP-2, MMP-9 and Hes-1, and the migration ability were measured by MTT assay , Western blotting and Transwell experiment , respectively.RESULTS:Dihydroartemisinin (5, 10, 15 and 20 μmol/L) decreased the expression of Notch-1, MMP-2, MMP-9 and Hes-1 at mRNA and protein levels in a dose-dependent manner .Down-regulation of Notch-1 significantly en-hanced the effect of dihydroartemisinin on the cell apoptosis , the protein expression of MMP-2, MMP-9 and Hes-1, and mi-gration ability ( P<0.05 ) .CONCLUSION: Notch-1 pathway is involved in the process of dihydroartemisinin-inhibited U-2OS cell growth.Knockdown of Notch-1 augments the inhibitory effect of dihydroartemisinin on U-2OS cell viability.

Objective To evaluate the protective value of cardioplegia solution plus metformin in different cardiac arrest time and concentration of metformin in isolated rat hearts .Methods There were 36 male Sprague–Dawley rats divided into six groups randomly, according to the duration of cardioplegic arrest(30 min or 60min) and the concentrations of metformin(50μmol/L or 100 μmol/L) .Langendorff-perfused Sprague-Dawley rat hearts were perfused for 20 minutes with Krebs-Henseleit buffer followed by 30 or 60 minutes of crystalloid cardioplegia or plus metformin (50 or 100 μmol/L) and 60 minutes of reperfu-sion.The left ventricular performance was recorded at 5 time points.The expressions of AMPKαand phosphorylation of AMPKαwere detected by western Blot.The changes of myocardial mitochondria were observed under transmission electron mi-croscope.Results There were no significant differences in Con(A), 50(A) and 100(A) groups in LVDP, ±dp/dtmax and HR.Compared with Con(B) group subjected to 60 minutes of ischemia followed by 60 minutes of reperfusion, the 100(B) group significantly improved myocardial performance , and the ratio of p-AMPKα/AMPKαwas the highest in all 6 groups.The structure of myocardial mitochondria in 100(B) group was better protected than that of Con(B) group.Conclusion These findings suggested that the left ventricular performance was protected in rat heart perfused by cardioplegia plus 100 μmol/L after 60 minutes cardioplegic arrest .The mechanism may be the activation of AMPK and the protection of structures of myocardial mitochondria.

Cancer, also known as malignant tumor, is the second largest disease after heart disease, which is characterized by genomic instability and mutagenicity. Ataxia telangiectasia and RAD3-related kinase (ATR) are members of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PIKK) family, belonging to serine/threonine kinase, one of the key kinases in DNA damage response (DDR) and DNA repair pathway. This paper reviews the latest progress in the ATR inhibitor field including mechanism of action (MOA), therapeutic applications, and the combination therapy from the perspective of medicinal chemistry. It also discusses the possible challenges and future directions of developing ATR inhibitor antitumor drugs, which could provide the scientists in this field the convenience for access the information and application guidance for clinical studies.

Because of different display parameters and other factors, digital medical images present different display states in different section offices of a hospital. Based on CPI integration profile of IHE, this paper implements the consistent presentation of medical images, and it is helpful for doctors to carry out medical treatments of teamwork.
Computer Simulation ; Diagnostic Imaging ; Integrated Advanced Information Management Systems ; Medical Informatics Computing ; standards

The positioning error in radiotherapy is one of the most important factors that influence the location precision of the tumor. Based on the CT-on-rails technology, this paper describes the research on measuring the positioning error in radiotherapy by comparing the planning CT images with the treatment CT images using 3-dimension (3D) methods. It can help doctors to measure positioning errors more accurately than 2D methods. It also supports the powerful 3D interaction such as drag-dropping, rotating and picking-up the object, so that doctors can visualize and measure the positioning errors intuitively.
Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Radiotherapy ; methods

OBJECTIVETo establish a method for real-time recording the oxygen consumption of mice under normobaric hypoxia.

METHODSThe experimental apparatus was made up of animal container, filling water control system, electronic balance, hose, a computer with weight recording software, etc. The working principle was that the oxygen consumed by animal was replaced by water filling which was controlled by the pneumatic and hydraulic actuator. The water was weighted by an electronic balance and the weight signal was recorded into excel file at the same time. The accuracy and precision of the apparatus were detected by a 10 ml syringe. The oxygen consumption characteristics of 6 acute repetitive hypoxia mice and 6 normal mice were observed.

RESULTSThe P value for the paired t test was 1 and the CV value was 4%. The survival time and total oxygen consumption of acute repetitive hypoxia mice were both significantly increased compared to normal mice (P < 0.05), which were (58.8 +/- 6.8) min and (46.0 +/- 8.7) min respectively for the survival time and (85.1 +/- 8.5) ml and (73.6 +/- 5.4) ml respectively for total oxygen consumption.

CONCLUSIONThe hypoxia tolerance of the acute repetitive hypoxia mice can significantly improved by taking more oxygen in the animal cabin. The accuracy and precision of the apparatus are high and it can be used for the determination of oxygen consumption in hypoxia research.

Animals ; Hypoxia ; physiopathology ; Mice ; Monitoring, Physiologic ; instrumentation ; Oxygen Consumption ; physiology

BACKGROUNDCardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) device and coronary sinus (CS) lead extraction are required due to the occurrence of systemic infection, malfunction, or upgrade. Relevant research of CS lead extraction is rare, especially in developing countries because of the high cost and lack of specialized tools. We aimed to evaluate percutaneous extraction of CS leads by modified conventional techniques.

METHODSOf 200 patients referred for lead extraction from January 2007 to June 2011, 24 (12.0%) involved CS leads (24 CS leads). We prospectively analyzed clinical characteristics, optimized extraction techniques and feasibility of extraction.

RESULTSComplete procedural success was achieved in 23 patients (95.8%), and the clinical success in 24 patients (100.0%). The leading indication for CS lead extraction was infection (66.7%). Mean implant duration was (29.5 ± 20.2) months (range, 3 - 78 months). Sixteen CS leads (66.6%) were removed with locking stylets plus manual traction by superior transvenous approach. Mechanical dilatation and counter-traction was required to free fibrotic adhesions and extract 4 CS leads (16.7%), which had longer implant duration than other leads ((62.5 ± 12.3) vs. (22.9 ± 14.1) months, P < 0.05). Another 4 CS (16.7%) leads were removed by modified and innovative snare techniques from femoral vein approach. Median extraction time was 11 minutes (range, 3 - 61 minutes) per CS lead, which had significant correlation with implant duration (r = 0.8, P < 0.001). Sixteen patients (66.6%) were reimplanted with new devices at a median of 7.5 days after extraction. Median followed-up was 23.5 months (range, 8 - 61 months), three patients died due to sudden cardiac death (26 months), heart failure (45 and 57 months, respectively).

CONCLUSIONThe modified procedure was proved to be practical for percutaneous extraction of CS leads, especially in developing countries lacking expensive powered sheaths.

Aged ; Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Devices ; adverse effects ; Coronary Sinus ; surgery ; Device Removal ; methods ; Electrodes, Implanted ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo investigate the diagnosis and treatment of papillary thyroid carcinoma with endotracheal infiltration.

METHODSClinical data of 12 patients treated from January 1999 to December 2006 were retrospectively analyzed. Six patients received tracheal partial resection-sternocleidomastoid musculoperiosteal flap reconstruction (group A). Six patients received tracheal sleeve resection-end to end anastomosis (group B).

RESULTSTen patients had the symptoms which indicated the tracheal invasion. Endotracheal focuses were detected in the region from 2 cm to 4 cm under glottis by endoscopy and positive rate of smear biopsy was 33%. Positive rate of CT scan was 92%. Mean diameter of carcinoma focus was 3.8 cm (from 3 cm to 7 cm), and mean number of tracheal ring resected was 4. For group A, even 7 rings were resected, and the longest longitude and latitude was 7 cm and 3 cm, respectively. For group B, the greatest number of rings resected was 4. Incidence rate of perioperative complication and mortality was 58% and 0%, respectively. Mean duration of follow-up was 49 months. One patient died of local recurrence, 1 patient died of lung metastasis. Two patients with tumor recurrence were also alive. For group A, extubation was successful in all patients.

CONCLUSIONSComprehensive use of diagnostic methods, especially MRI, will give detailed information for operation. Tracheal partial resection-sternocleidomastoid musculoperiosteal flap reconstruction and tracheal sleeve resection-end to end anastomosis are safe and useful methods to reconstruct the defects caused by tracheal operation.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Retrospective Studies ; Thyroid Gland ; pathology ; surgery ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Trachea ; pathology ; surgery

OBJECTIVEUsing the indirect economic burden of stroke in a rural population to develop rational allocation of future health resources, in Hanzhong area.

METHODSCluster sampling which involved 53 natural villages with a total number of 75,000 people selected from the 'stroke monitoring base' of rural population was adopted in this study in the Hanzhong area. All of the 164 stroke cases were studied through a self-designed questionnaire. In calculating disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), fixed value was used in accordance with the value of GBD. The disability assessment was simplified in DALYs calculation and modified Barthel's ADL was used in disability assessment of stroke patients. In indirect economic burden analysis, the human capital method combined with DALYs was adopted with the formula as: indirect economic burden = GNP per capita x DALYs x productivity weight.

RESULTSThe total DALYs were 598.88, with an average DALY of stroke as 3.65 per case. The total indirect economic burden of stroke patients in rural areas was 1,993,977.8 RMB and the average of indirect economic burden of stroke was 12,158.4 RMB per case with the largest seen in the 45-59 age group, accounted for 74.4%.

CONCLUSIONIn our study, the use of method in combining the human capital with DALYs was the first time being adopted in calculation of the indirect economic burden of stroke in rural population in China. The burden seemed to be much lower than literature cited from other countries. It was reasonable to evaluate indirect economic burden of stroke using method in integrating DALYs with human capital, but it was difficult to calculate the DALYs.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; China ; Cost of Illness ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Models, Theoretical ; Quality-Adjusted Life Years ; Stroke ; economics ; epidemiology ; Young Adult