Objective: To investigate the methylation status of the promoters of RASSF1A and BLU genes in the renal carcinoma tissues and to assess their roles in the tumorigenesis of renal carcinoma. Methods: Methylation specific PCR (MSP) method was used to examine the methylation status of the promoters of RASSF1A and BLU genes in the renal carcinoma tissues of 26 patients with renal carcinoma and their corresponding adjacent normal tissues; and the results were analyzed. Results: We found that 17 (65.4%) of the renal carcinoma tissues had abnormal methylation of RASSF1A gene, and there was no abnormal methylation of RASSF1A in the adjacent normal tissues. Eleven(42.3%) of 26 renal cancer tissues had hypermethylation of BLU gene, and there was no hypermethylation of BLU gene in the corresponding adjacent tissues. Conclusion: Hypermethylation of RASSF1A and BLU genes is present in the renal carcinoma tissues, suggesting the hypermethylation of RASSF1A and BLU might be associated with the tumorigenesis of renal carcinoma.

Bone Diseases, Developmental ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Metacarpal Bones ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Metacarpus ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; Radiography

Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Computers ; utilization ; Female ; Hand Injuries ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ultrasonic Therapy

Background and purpose: Because of the aggressive nature of hilar cholangiocarcinoma and the absence of effective adjuvant therapy, surgical radical resection offers hilar cholangiocarcinoma patients the only choice. Research focus include preoperative assessment, the use of preoperative biliary drainage, the range of hepatic resection, and the range of lymphadenectomy. To investigate the clinical experience and efifcacy of combined hepatectomy in the treatment of hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Methods: Two hundred and seven patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma treated surgically in the First Afifliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University form Jan. 2007 to Oct. 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. Results:Of the 207 patients, 125 patients who received radical resection (R0 resection) and the curative resection rate was 60.4%. One hundred and iffty-six cases were treated in combined hepatectomy group, 51 cases in non-hepatectomy group, the rate of R0 resection was 70.5%in hepatectomy group and 29.4%in non-hepatectomy group, and the difference was signiifcant (P<0.01). Two patients died perioperatively, the main postoperative complications included hepatic function insufifciency and bile leakage. One hundred and seventy-two patients were followed up, the median survival time of the 102 patients who received R0 resection was 45 months, and the 1, 3, 5 year survival rates were 96.1%, 59.1%and 17.2%. The median survival time of the 70 patients who received R1-2 resection was 26 months, and the 1, 3 year survival rates were 81.3%and 19.2%, and none of the patient survived for over 5 years. The survival rate of patients who received R0 resection was signiifcantly higher than those who received R1-2 resection (χ2=39.121, P<0.01). In the hepatectomy group was awarded the R0 resection in patients with postoperative 1, 3, 5 year survival rate was 97.8%, 63.9% and 18.0%, in non-hepatectomy group received R0 resection in patients with postoperative 1, 3, 5 year survival rate was 83.3%, 20.8%and 8.3%. There were signiifcant differences in the postoperative survival rate between both group (χ2=5.988, P=0.014). Conclusion:Radical excision is the key to improve the long term survival. Combined hemihepatectomy and standardized lymph node resection has signiifcantly improved the radical resection rate and the efifcacy of treatment for hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

OBJECTIVETo radiographically analyze the osseous fixation zone for the iliac crest external fixation with Schanz screws and in order to guide their placement.

METHODSNine adults with 2.0-mm-slice continuous pelvic axial CT scans were selected as research subjects. Each CT scan data was imported into MIMICS 10.0. The osseous fixation zone the upper portion of the anterior column of the acetabulum which is located between the anterior superior iliac spine and the gluteal medius pillar and between the iliac crest and the acetabulum-for the iliac crest external fixation with Schanz screws was reconstructed into true sagittal and true coronal planes by using the software. Then the measurements were taken on the reconstructed planes with measuring tools. Finally, the measured data was analyzed.

RESULTSThe palpable iliac crest segment, which was of 49.6 mm width and located 16.5 mm posterior to the anterior superior iliac spine could be used to locate the start points of the Schanz screws. Under the above-mentioned iliac crest segment, the osseous zone was deep, got ample bony materials and could intraosseously contain Schanz screws with 5.0 mm diameter. The screws could be safely inserted to a minimal depth of 71.7 mm towards the acetabular dome and to a maximal depth of 143.5 mm posterior to the acetabulum.

CONCLUSIONThe study can guide the effective insertion of the iliac crest Schanz screws. By setting a suitable start point in the above-mentioned iliac crest region and angling correctly relative to the acetabulum,the Schanz screw can be inserted into the relative strong cancellous bone above or posterior to the acetabulum with a considerable depth, to getting more bone engagement.

Adult ; Aged ; Bone Screws ; Female ; Fracture Fixation ; Fractures, Bone ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Humans ; Ilium ; diagnostic imaging ; injuries ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Orthopedic Procedures ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Twelve cases of Bartter's syndrome were reported and reviewed retrospectively.Usually vomiting was the first sympton in children,while fatigue was common in adults.Bartter's syndrome was characteristic of hypokalemia,metabolic alkalosis,elevations of plasma renin activity,serum angiotersinⅡand aldosterone and juxtaglomerular apperatus hyperplasia.Supplementation of potassium choloride was the main manner of therapy.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of JAK/STAT signaling pathway activation on the transdifferentiation and secretion of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) induced by high glucose in renal proximal tubular epithelial cells.

METHODSHuman kidney cells (HKC) were cultured and then divided into four groups: low glucose (LG) group, high glucose (HG) group, high mannitol (LG + M) group, and HG + AG490 group. Immunoprecipitation and Western blot analysis were used to determine the expression of tryosine phosphorylated Janus kinase 2 ( p-JAK2). The protein expressions of STAT1, STAT3, p-STAT1, and p-STAT3 and the expressions of alpha-SMA and E-Cadherin were observed by Western blot. The contents of TGF-B1, fibronectin and type I collagen in the supernatants of the cultured HKC were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression of TGF-beta1 mRNA was measured by reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSCompared with LG group, the expressions of JAK2, p-STAT1, p-STAT3, and TGF-beta1, mRNA were significantly increased in HG group from 6 to 72 hours. Meanwhile, the contents of TGF-beta1 and collagen I in the supernatants and the expression of alpha-SMA increased and the expression of E-Cadherin decreased. The expressions of JAK2, p-STAT1, p-STAT3, and TGF-beta mRNA as well as the levels of TGF-beta1 and collagen I in the supernatant s in HG + AG490 group were significantly lower than in the HG group. The expressions of alpha-SMA and E-Cadherin were also decreased in HG + AG490 group.

CONCLUSIONActivation of JAK/STAT signaling pathway may be involved in the high glucose-induced transdifferentiation and overproduction of TGF-beta1, and ECM proteins in HKCs.

Cell Line ; Cell Transdifferentiation ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Glucose ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Janus Kinases ; physiology ; Kidney Tubules, Proximal ; cytology ; metabolism ; STAT Transcription Factors ; physiology ; Signal Transduction ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; biosynthesis ; secretion ; Urothelium ; cytology ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the significance of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels in serum for detecting type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients at risk of developing nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD).

METHODSIndividuals with T2DM (n = 9489) were recruited from the Kailuan Company between 2006 and 2007 for the first phase of this community-based prospective cohort study. For the second phase of the study, the original cohort was recruited for follow-up (at two years from each subject's original enrollment date (baseline)). The total followed-up subjects (n = 2802; 2344 males, 458 females, 22-88 years old) were categorized into quartiles according to baseline measurements of serum hsCRP levels (less than or equal to 0.30, > 0.30-0.60, > 0.60-1.92 and > 1.92 mg/L) and used to determine the relationship between change in incidence rates of NAFLD and predictive value of baseline serum hsCRP levels by logistic regression analysis.

RESULTSTwenty-nine percent (n = 813) of the followed-up subjects developed NAFLD. The incidence (%) of NAFLD at the two-year follow-up had increased in conjunction with the level of serum hsCRP detected at baseline (quartile 1: 22.5%, 2: 27.3%, 3: 32.1%, and 4: 34.3%; all, P less than 0.01). It was found that the subjects in the highest quartile had an increased risk of NAFLD (odds ratio (OR) = 1.80, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.42-2.28, P less than 0.01), as compared with those in the lowest quartile. Moreover, when the regression model was adjusted for baseline factors of age, sex, triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting serum glucose, and body mass index, the risk of NAFLD remained significantly higher for the highest quartile (vs. the lowest quartile; OR = 1.49, 95% CI: 1.16-1.91, P less than 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSerum hsCRP levels may be predictive of development of NAFLD in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The risk of NAFLD increases in parallel with increasing levels of serum hsCRP.

C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Cohort Studies ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Humans ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease ; diagnosis ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVESTo introduce a classification system of upper sacral segment and its significance based on the continuous pelvic axial computed tomography scan.

METHODSThe whole pelvis 2.0 mm thick axial scan images of 127 cases were observed, the sacroiliac screw channel of S1 were measured, according to the size of the transverse screw channel the upper sacral segment were classified. Such as transverse screw channel existed and in at least 4 layer scan images its width was > 7.3 mm, it was defined as sacral segment of the normal type. Such as transverse screw channel existed and its maximum width was 7.3 mm or less on scanning level, it was defined as a transitional. Such as transverse channel did not exist, or its width on all scanning level was 0 mm or less, it was defined as dysplastic. Various cases,percentage, and the average of the transverse screw channel were calculated.

RESULTSThere were 58 normal (45.7%),42 transitional (33.1%), and 27 dysplastic (21.2%) upper sacral segments with an averaged width of the tansverse screw channel of 13.9 mm, 5.2 mm, and 0.9 mm, respectively. Each specimen could be defined as one of the three types of upper sacral segment without exceptions.

CONCLUSIONIt is possible to insert a transverse iliosacral screw into a normal upper sacral segment when indicated because of the capacious transverse screw channel. The transverse iliosacral screw placement into the transitional and dysplastic upper sacral segments was contraindicated because of the limited or none transverse screw channel. The transitional upper sacral segment was superior to the dysplastic segment due to its starting point location restriction on the true lateral sacral view.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Density ; Bone Screws ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pelvic Bones ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Sacrum ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVESTo research radiographic anatomy of the main structure of the pelvic Teepee view, including its azimuth direction and view anatomy structure.

METHODSFrom June 2013 to June 2014 adult pelvic CT examination results were filtered, excluding skeletal deformities and pelvic osseous destruction caused by tumors, trauma, etc. The data of 2.0 mm contiguous CT scan of 9 adults' intact pelves was,selected and input into Mimics 10.01 involving 7 males and 2 females with an average age of (41.2±10.3) years old. Utilizing the software, the 3D CT reconstructions of the pelves were completed. Setting the transparency being high,the pelvic 3D reconstructions were manipulated from the pelvic anteroposterior view to the combined obturator oblique outlet view and fine-tuned till the regular Teepee-or teardrop-shaped appearance emerges. Cutting tools of the software were at the moment applied to separate the "Teepee" from the main pelvis for each reconstruction. Then the "Teepee" and the rest (main) part of the pelvis were displayed in different color to facilitate the analysis on the Teepee, iliac-oblique, and anteroposterior views.

RESULTSThe "Teepee" started from the posterolateral aspect of the anterior inferior iliac spine and finished at the cortex between the posterior superior iliac spine and the posterior inferior iliac spine in a direction of being from caudal-anterior-lateral to cranial-posterior-medial. The radiographic anatomical composition of the "Teepee" contained one tip, one base,and two aspects. With the inner and outer iliac tables being the inner and outer aspects of the "Teepee", the tip is consequently formed by their intersection. The base is imaged from the cortex of the greater sciatic notch. The medial-inferior-posterior portion of the "Teepee" contains a small part of sacroiliac joint and its corresponding side of bone of the sacrum.

CONCLUSIONSThe "Teepee" is a zone of ample osseous structures of the pelvis, aside from a small medial-inferior-posterior portion, the main zone of which can be accepted as a safe osseous zone for the anchor of implants stabilizing certain pelvic and acetabular fracture patterns. The Teepee view can be utilized as guidance for the safe percutaneous insertion of such implants.

Adult ; Female ; Fractures, Bone ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pelvic Bones ; anatomy & histology ; diagnostic imaging ; injuries ; surgery ; Sacroiliac Joint ; diagnostic imaging ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult