Adolescent ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; pathology ; surgery ; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic ; Craniopharyngioma ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo characterize the morphological features of thyroid papillary microcarcinoma (PMC) and assess the significance of expression of CK19, HBME-1, Galectin-3, CD56 and p63 in differential diagnosis of PMC from benign thyroid lesions.

METHODSClinicopathologic features of 78 cases PMC were reviewed. Immunohistochemical analysis of CK19, HBME-1, Galectin-3, CD56, and p63 in 78 cases of PMC and 48 cases of benign thyroid lesions (18 cases of papillary hyperplasia, 17 cases of nodular goiter and 13 cases of lymphocytic thyroiditis) was conducted. The patients were followed up for from 6 to 269 months after surgical operation.

RESULTS69 cases nuclear atypia and overlapping nuclei (88.5%), 67 cases nuclear grooves (85.9%), 50 cases nuclear pseudoinclusions (64.1%) and 60 cases papillary architecture (76.9%) were detected in 78 cases of PMC. Moderate to strong co-expression of CK19, HBME-1 and galectin-3 was observed in 98.0% (50/51) in the PMC group but in none of the benign disease group. The expression of CD56 and p63 was negative in both groups. In the postoperative follow-up period of 6-269 months, 7 cases (9.0%) developed intrathyroid recurrence, 3 cases (3.8%) developed lymph node metastasis, no distant metastasis or death was observed. In 12 cases (15.4%) the PMC lesion smaller than 3 mm in diameter was not found by frozen section diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONSOverlapping nuclei, nuclear atypia, polar disorder, ground glass nuclei, nuclear grooves and nuclear pseudoinclusions are most important for the diagnosis of PMC with or without papillary architecture. The appearance of definite interstitial invasion, interstitial sclerosis and true complex papillary architecture are more helpful to make right diagnosis. Intraoperative frozen section is of limited value for a reliable diagnosis of PMC in diameter < or = 3 mm. Moderate to strong co-expression of CK19, HBME-1 and Galectin-3 is a very useful indicator for differential diagnosis of PMC from benign thyroid lesions.

Adult ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; metabolism ; CD56 Antigen ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Cell Nucleus ; pathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Galectin 3 ; metabolism ; Goiter, Nodular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Keratin-19 ; metabolism ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Thyroid Gland ; metabolism ; pathology ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Thyroidectomy ; methods ; Thyroiditis, Autoimmune ; metabolism ; pathology ; Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins ; metabolism

Adult ; Carcinoid Tumor ; pathology ; Ear Neoplasms ; pathology ; Ear, Middle ; pathology ; Female ; Humans

Child ; Humans ; Pediatrics ; Practice Guidelines as Topic ; Tonsillectomy ; United States

OBJECTIVETo prepare a platinum microcoil coated with polymers and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and evaluate its surface characteristics and property of sustained VEGF release.

METHODSThe surface of the platinum microcoils (GDC) were modified by coating P(DLLA-co-TMC) copolymer and immobilizing heparin on the surface of GDC. VEGF was then loaded onto the surface of GDC and the controlled release of VEGF within GDC was achieved. The morphology was observed by scanning electron microscope, and the sustained release of VEGF was evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSPlatinum coils were prepared by successive deposition of P(DLLA-co-TMC) copolymer and anionic heparin, and VEGF was immobilized through affinity interaction with heparin. The accumulative release of VEGF increased obviously during the entire testing period without burst release.

CONCLUSIONThe use of P(DLLA-co-TMC) copolymer allows immobilization of VEGF on the platinum coils for controlled VEGF release, and improves the biological property of the coils.

Coated Materials, Biocompatible ; chemistry ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; pharmacology ; Platinum ; chemistry ; Polymers ; chemistry ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo study the circadian patterns of the incidence of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) and its relationship with climatic factors in Beijing.

METHODSWe searched all UGIB records from August 1, 2005 to July 31, 2007 from Beijing Emergency Center and tracked the meteorological data during the same period. The variation of the incidence of UGIB was compared based on day, month, and season. The relation between climatic factors and the incidence of UGIB was also analyzed.

RESULTSTotally 2 580 patients, including 1 888 males (73.2%) and 692 females (26.8%) were included in the study. The mean age was significantly different between males and females [(53.3 +/- 20.4) years vs. (63.3 +/- 20.7) years, P < 0.05]. The occurrence of UGIB were significantly different among different seasons (chi2 = 49.82, P < 0.01), months (chi2 = 83.43, P < 0.01), and hours (chi2 = 126.79, P < 0.01). UGIB cases were presented more frequently in winter and spring, especially in January. More UGIB cases were presented at night, especially from 8 pm to midnight. Partial correlation test showed that the incidence of UGIB significantly correlated with temperature (r = -0.3785, P = 0.001) and barametric pressure (r = -0.3002, P = 0.011). No correlation was found between UGIB incidence and wind speed (P = 0.086) and relative humidity (P = 0.971).

CONCLUSIONSThe incidence of UGIB varies in different months and seasons in Beijing. Its climate-related risk factors may include temperature and barametric pressure, but not include relative humidity and wind speed.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; China ; epidemiology ; Circadian Rhythm ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Meteorological Concepts ; Middle Aged ; Seasons

Migration of adventitial fibroblasts (AF) is involved in the neointimal formation which is one of the common pathological processes in several vascular diseases. The observation of whether the migratory response of AF from hypertensive animal is different from that of controls may provide an explanation of vascular remodeling in hypertension. We examined whether there is any difference between the migratory activity of AF derived from spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) and that from their normotensive counterpart Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). In addition, the role of osteopontin (OPN) in cell migration was also examined. Primary cultures of aortic adventitial fibroblasts were derived from SHR and age-matched WKY. Migration of fibroblasts was determined with the Transwell method. The mRNA expression level of OPN was measured by a real-time quantitative PCR. When compared with WKY-derived cells, migration of adventitial fibroblasts from SHR exhibited an increased response when stimulated by 10% serum (cell number per field 35.20+/-5.26 vs 22.2+/-3.27, p<0.05). Chemotaxis induced by 10 ng/ml bFGF showed a similar difference (cell number per field 30.23+/-4.54 vs 19.20+/-4.47, p<0.05). We also found that SHR-derived fibroblasts expressed a higher level of OPN mRNA than the cells from WKY (1863.23+/-43.91 vs 326.24+/-68.29, p<0.01). To verify if OPN is associated with the enhanced migratory ability in AF from SHR, we designed the antisense oligonucleotide of OPN. The results showed that the antisense OPN oligonucleotide significantly inhibited AF migration (cell number per field 38.60+/-5.98 vs 26.61+/-3.84, p<0.05), while sense and mismatch OPN oligonucleotide had no effect on cell migration. Therefore, the migration of adventitial fibroblasts appeared to be enhanced in cultures derived from SHR. OPN might be involved in the difference observed.
Animals ; Aorta ; cytology ; Cell Movement ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; Hypertension ; physiopathology ; Male ; Osteopontin ; Phosphoproteins ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Rats, Inbred WKY ; Sialoglycoproteins ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo study the preserve techniques of squeezed juice of Chinese medicinal materials.

METHODThe techniques of refrigeration, rapid freezing, 60Cogamma-ray sterilization, freeze-drying and spray-drying were used for preservation of squeezed juice of Ginger and Glutinous Rehannia. Different results were compared.

RESULTThe period of preservation was half or one year.

CONCLUSIONThe rapid freezing, freeze-drying and spray-drying are suitable for preservation of squeezed juice of Chinese medicinal materials.

Cobalt Radioisotopes ; Cryopreservation ; Drug Storage ; methods ; Freeze Drying ; methods ; Freezing ; Ginger ; chemistry ; Oils, Volatile ; analysis ; Polysaccharides ; analysis ; Refrigeration ; Rehmannia ; chemistry ; Sterilization

Objective To construct a new conditionally replicative adenovirus (CRAds) targeting carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) positive colorectal cancer cells. Methods The DNA fragment of the CEA gene promoter was amplified through PCR and cloned into the vector carrying fusion reporter gene EGFP-Luc to construct expression plasmid pCEA-EGFPLuc. The constructed plasmid pCEA-EGFPLuc was transfected into CEA positive and negative cells by liposome. The activity of CEA gene promoter was evaluated by detecting the expression of EGFP and luciferase activity. The conditionally replicative adenovirus Ad.CEA-E1A/CMV-TK carrying suicide gene HSVtk was constructed, in which the E1A gene was controlled under CEA promoter. CEA positive(Lovo and SW620)and negative tumor cells(HeLa) were infected with Ad.CEA-E1A/ CMV-TK. The selective cytotoxicity of Ad.CEA-E1A/CMV-TK and the synergistic effect of the virus with GCV in CEA positive tumor cells were evaluated by the expression of E1A, cytopathic effect and cell survival rate. Results CEA promoter possesses a good specificity as well as high activity. The expression of E1A only presented in CEA positive tumor cells. After infection with Ad. CEA-E1A/CMV-TK, the cell survival rates of Lovo and SW620 were (36.72±2.49)% and (39.82±4.76)%, respectively, significantly lower than that of Hela[(87.44±2.76)%1 (P<0.01). When combined with GCV, Ad.CEA-E1A/CMV-TK had better oncolytic effect on Lovo and SW620 cells, with cell survival rates of (17.26±3.65) % and (23.93±5.40) %, respectively, significantly lower than those without GCV[(36.72±2.49) % and (39.82±4.76) %, respectively] (P<0.01). Conclusion Ad. CEA-E1A/CMV-TK under the control of CEA promoter has selective cytotoxic effect on CEA positive colorectal cancer cells, and the effect can be enhanced when combined with GCV.

Background Adeno-associated virus-based vector is one of most efficient vehicles.It presents with a long-term and efficient transfer and expression of therapeutic genes with minimal toxicity.But its delayed-and low-efficient transgene expression limits the application of AAV vector.To explore an improving method of AAV infecting RPE cells is the hot spot. Objeetive Present study was to investigate whether adeno-associated virus (AAV)combined with low dose non-replieable adenovirus(Ad-null)can enhance its infection efficieney on RPE ceils in vitro. Methods Human RPE cells were isolated from the donate eyeballs under the approval of the Ethic Committee of this hospital.The cells were cultured in DMEM containing 10%fetal bovine serum.AAV particles with enhanced green fluorescence protein(EGFP)were added into the medium alone or in combination with different amount of adenovirus for 30 days.The cells were detected under the fluorescence microscope,and the protein expression levels of report gene EGFP in RPE cells were analyzed with Western blotting assay. Results Melanin granules could be found in cultured RPE cells.EGFP was expressed in RPE cells at 2 days after AAV-EGFP infection and peaked at 12 days and remained for about 3-week duration,showing the green influorescence under the influorescence mwroscope.After the cells were infected by AAV2-EGFP with 0.01 to 1000 MOI Ad-null respectively,the number of cells with green influorescence was obviously increased with the enhanced infiuorescence intensity.The enhance of the infection efficiency began in the 0.1 MOI Ad-null group and peaked in 10 MOI Ad-null group.Dead cells were exhibited in the 100 or more MOI Ad-nulor group.Western blotting assay demonstrated that the protein expression level of EGFP in RPE cells enhanced significantly in 1 and 10 MOI Ad-null groups compared with only AAV infection group. Conclusion These finding suggested that the infection efficiency of AAV can be improved significantly when it is used with low dose Ad-null in vitro.This offers a basis for further study of gene therapy.