Objective To evaluate the associations of oral contraceptives (OC) exposure,angiotensin-converting enzyme(ACE) gene polymorphism and their joint actions with the risk of stroke in Chinese women.Methods A case-control study,based on a set cohort,was carried out.Incident cases of stroke identified between July 1 1997 and June 30 2009 were enrolled.One hospital control and healthy community control were matched on region and age ( ± 3 years).A total of 453women with stroke and 919 controls were recruited.I/D genepolymorphism was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and amplification fragment length polymorphism (AFLP),A-240T polymorphism were detected by TagMan.Results ( 1 ) The risk of stroke gradually increased with the cumulative time of OC being used in women (P＜0.0001).Compared with non-users,the risk of stroke significantly increased among those with cumulative time of using OC longer than 20 years (adjusted OR was 2.07,with 95％ CI as 1.30-3.29).(2) ID/DD genotype of I/D locus indicated significantly an increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke (adjusted OR,2.37; 95％CI,1.46-3.84).(3)Women with ID/DD genotype of I/D locus or with TA/TT genotype of A-240T locus and using OC could significantly increase the risk of hemorrhagic stroke (adjusted OR was 4.59; with 95％ CI as 2.21-9.51 and OR was 2.50; with 95％CI as 1.42-4.38).(4) Data from multivariate analyses showed that both OC and ID/DD genotypes were important risk factors for hemorrhagic stroke.Conclusion ID/DD and TA/TT genotypes of ACE gene,OC and their joint action might increase the risk of stroke,especially on hemorrhagic stroke in Chinese women.

A severe crush injury to the hand is devastating to patients. Under conditions in which the crush force is too great, the digits are not viable candidates for replantation. We present two cases in which the patients suffered from loss of the thumb ray at the first carpometacarpal joint and skin defect at the radial side. The tendons, radial nerve and metacarpal bone of the index finger were injured, and the second metacarpal head was retained. There was a comminuted fracture of the trapezium in both patients. The treatment protocols consisted of the index finger pollicization and the free anterolateral thigh flap transfer. The procedure was performed in a single operation. The new thumb is able to provide a stable post for pinch and grip after six months follow-up. Both patients were satisfied with the function and appearance of the reconstructed thumb.
Finger Injuries ; surgery ; Humans ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Surgical Flaps ; Thigh ; Thumb

Objective To assess the value of three-dimensional computed tomographic angiography (3D-CTA) in hemorrhagic cerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVM). Methods Nineteen patients with hemorrhagic cerebral AVM, admitted to our hospital from March 2007 to February 2011 and conformed by digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and operation, were examined by 3D-CTA. Results In these19 patients, 14 were noted as having AVM in the first examination of which 4 were performed surgical operation (hematoma evacuation and removal of abnormal vessels) directly by the lead of CTA images; the postoperative CTA images and DSA showed that the cerebral AVMs in these 4 patients were removed completely. Three patients, having negative results in the 1st 3D-CTA and DSA examinations, showed abnormal blood vessel mass by CTA re-check after 1 year; they were confirmed by DSA and operation. Two patients, having negative results in the 1st and 2nd Week's 3D-CTA examination,were noted as having small AVMS in DSA. Conclusion The 3D-CTA, being a non-injured, rapid,safe and effective way, can provide details and spacial relation image of the AVM which can assist the surgeon to possible intraoperative design; therefore, it fits for emergency examination of hemorrhagic

OBJECTIVETo find a suitable cell line for hepatitis A antigen expressed by vaccinia virus vector and to find a way of inactivation and preservation of the HAV recombinant antigen. Methods Series of cell lines such as K4,143, HEL, Hep-2 and Vero were inoculated with vaccinia virus that can express HAV recombinant antigen. ELISA was used to determine the contents of expression antigen. The characterization of the HAV antigen expressed by vaccinia virus was then analyzed after it was treated with different methods.

RESULTSThe expression of HAV recombinant antigen in K4,143 and HEL cell lines was a little more than expression in Hep-2 and Vero cell lines. The antigenicity is obviously higher when HAV recombinant antigen was inactivated by beta-propiolactone other than it was inactivated by formalin. It was best to preserve the prepared HAV recombinant antigen under -40 degrees C condition.

CONCLUSIONSThe application of vaccinia virus vector in hepatitis A antigen preparation was very useful and promising.

Animals ; Cell Line ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Formaldehyde ; pharmacology ; Genetic Vectors ; Hepatitis A Antigens ; genetics ; immunology ; Hepatitis A Vaccines ; immunology ; Humans ; Propiolactone ; pharmacology ; Recombinant Proteins ; immunology ; Vaccines, Synthetic ; immunology ; Vaccinia virus ; genetics

AIMTo further uncover the possible mechanism of quercetin-mediated inhibitory effect on prostate cancer cells.

METHODSThe cell extracts treated with quercetin or without treatment were used for checking protein expression levels of c-Jun and cAMP response element binding protein (CREB)-binding protein (CBP) by Western blotting assay. Regulatory effects of c-Jun and CBP on the function of androgen receptor (AR) were examined by cotransfection experiment. Finally, a physical interaction of c-Jun and the AR was investigated by coimmunoprecipitation.

RESULTSQuercetin dramatically induced the protein expression of c-Jun which in turn inhibited the AR function. Meanwhile, quercetin had no detectable effect on CBP expression, and the results of transient transfection demonstrated that the ectopic CBP stimulated the transcriptional activity of AR, whereas CBP-mediated stimulation could be attenuated by quercetin. Furthermore, physical interaction of c-Jun and the AR was confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation result.

CONCLUSIONOverexpression of c-Jun induced by quercetin had inhibitory effect on the function of AR protein, and increased CBP expression did not reverse the inhibition by quercetin. Together, quercetin-mediated inhibition on the AR function might be not by competition with limited amount of CBP in the cell, but through a direct association of c-Jun and the AR.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; CREB-Binding Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Humans ; Immunoprecipitation ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Protein Binding ; drug effects ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiology ; Quercetin ; pharmacology ; Receptors, Androgen ; genetics ; physiology ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo explore the associations of triple-phase enhancement multi-slice CT scan with histological differentiation and lymphovascular invasion in advanced gastric cancer.

METHODSPatients with gastric cancer undergoing surgical resection between January 2006 and December 2009 were included, all of whom underwent routine and two-phase contrast enhancement multi-slice CT examinations of the upper abdomen before surgery. Patients with incomplete data were excluded. Postoperative specimens were used for evaluation of histological differentiation, microscopic lymphovascular invasion, and CD34 and D2-40 expression. Associations between contrast enhancement ratio (CER) of triple-phase multi-slice CT scan and differentiation as well as lymphovascular invasion were analyzed.

RESULTSA total of 64 patients were included. There were significant associations between CER and tumor differentiation (P<0.05). Compared to those without microvascular invasion, CER of the arterial phase in gastric cancer with microvascular invasion was significantly higher (0.61±0.28 vs. 0.46±0.14, P<0.05), and that of the arterial-parenchymal phase was significantly lower(1.81±0.39 vs. 2.28±0.80, P<0.05). However, gastric cancers with lymphatic invasion were associated with significantly higher CER of the parenchymal phase than their counterparts(1.25±0.57 vs. 1.00±0.35, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONCER of triple-phase multi-slice CT scan can reveal the differentiation of gastric cancer and is associated with microvascular and lymphatic invasion.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Stomach Neoplasms ; blood supply ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods

Objective To record the drilling feed force on different layers of fresh porcine femur, so as to provide reference for collecting and outputting the feedback signals of drilling feed force for orthopedic virtual surgery system. Methods The biological bone drilling feed force testing system was established by modifying the universal material testing machine and adjustable speed electric drill (drill bit Φ5.0 mm). The feed forces on 6 fresh porcine femoral shafts with a total of 162 drilling markers were collected at 3 different rotate speeds (n＝500, 800, 1 200 r/min) and 3 feed speeds (v＝30, 50, 70 mm/min), and their variation with corresponding tissues and locations were also analyzed. Results At the same drill marker of the fresh porcine femur, the drilling feed force on bilateral cortical bone was the largest (fmax＝103.63~142.59 N), while that on marrow cavity was the smallest, which was almost close to zero, and the drilling feed force on the middle part (f4,5,6＝124.69 N) was larger than that at two ends (f1,2,3,7,8,9＝121.84 N); the drilling feed force was smallest (f＝106.04 N) at v＝30 mm/min, n＝1 200 r/min, while the largest drilling feed force (fmax＝139.84 N) appeared at v＝70 mm/min、n＝500 r/min. Conclusions The modified drilling feed force testing system could efficiently collect the biological bone drilling data. The drilling feed force had a close relationship with bone structure, feed speed and rotate speed of electric drill as well. A larger bone density, smaller rotate speed of electric drill and higher feeding speed would lead to a larger drilling feed force, and vice versa. The accurate drilling feed force data and its variation tendency on porcine femoral obtained in this experiment could provide a reliable basis for force-feedback signal output in the virtual orthopedic surgery system.