Objective To examine the expression of scinderin in primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its paired portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) tissues; and to explore its role in the development of HCC and its relationship with prognosis of HCC.Methods Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expressions of scinderin in tumor-adjacent normal liver tissues,HCC tissues and PVTT tissues from 33 patients.Results The positive expression rates of scinderin in tumor-adjacent normal tissues,HCC tissues and PVTT tissues were 69.7％ (23/33),45.5％ (15/33) and 24.2％ (8/33) respectively.A significantly lower scinderin expression was found in HCC tissues when compared with tumor-adjacent normal tissues (P ＜ 0.05).Also,the expression of scinderin in PVTT tissues was significantly lower than in HCC tissues (P ＜ 0.05).The expression of scinderin in HCC tissues significantly correlated with tumor size,absence of tumor capsule and serum AFP (P ＜0.05).The recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) of Scinderin-positive patients were significantly longer than Scinderin-negative patients (P ＜ 0.05).Multivariate analysis revealed scinderin expression level to be an independent risk factor affecting RFS and OS after curative resection.Conclusions Scinderin was down-regulated in HCC tissues and PVTT tissues when compared with its paired tumor-adjacent normal liver tissues.The expression level of scinderin correlated with HCC recurrence and prognosis.Scinderin can be used as an indicator of prognosis of HCC patients with PVTT.

Animals ; Gene Expression ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Spinal Cord ; metabolism ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; genetics ; metabolism ; p21-Activated Kinases ; genetics

The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) is very high,and the prognosis is often unsatisfactory.Currently,some therapy such as radiotherapy or radiation combined with interventional therapy are effective and worth attention.Radiation therapy was divided into external beam radiation therapy and internal beam radiation therapy according to different administration pathway.This article summarized the current situation and prospect of radiotherapy.

Objective To investigate the expression of peroxiredoxin 1 (Prx 1) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) and to evaluate the relationship between the expressions of Prx 1 and the postoperative recurrence of this disease. Methods Immunohisto chemistry and Western blotting were performed to examine the expression of Prx 1 protein in 40 patients with HCC with PVTT. Experiments on Sprague Dawley (SD) rat hepatoma model were further carried out to observe the pathological changes of Prx 1 by immunohistochemistry. Clinical outcomes were analyzed to find a correlation between the recurrence and positive rate of Prx 1. Results The expression level of Prx 1 was significantly up-regulated in primary tumor tissues than in tumor thrombosis samples (P＜0.01). Immunohistochemistry results showed that the positive rate of Prx 1 in primary tumor tissues were higher than that in tumor thrombosis. Western blotting confirmed a same trend in the level of Prx 1, the average luminosity of the blots were 1534.2 and 735.6, respectively. There was a significant difference in SD rat hepatoma model, the 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24-week positive rates of Prx 1 in liver tumor tissues were 60%, 80%, 75% ,65%, 40% and 25% respectively. Clinical outcomes showed that the time to first postoperative recurrence of Prx 1 in the primary tumor positive group was significantly higher than that in the negative group (6. 3 vs 3. 7 months, P＜0. 01). Conclusions Prx 1 protein was down-regulated in HCC with PVTT. There was a negative correlation between the expression of Prx 1 and recurrence.

Objective To study the body cut-offs of mass index (BMI) for the purpose of screening overweight and obesity for Chinese children and adolescents aged 2-18 years. Methods Based on the BMI growth reference values for Chinese children aged 0-18, using the common methods to establish the BMI cut-offs for screening overweight and obesity. These methods were having the same empirical percentile or Z scores and the BMI value at 18 years consistent with adults.Three sets of BMI cut-offs, including (BMI24, BMI28) , (P85, P95) and (Z1, Z2) , were initially identified. Differences were compared on different cut-off points and prevalence rates of overweight and obesity with different BMI reference, different values and "prevalence" of overweight and obesity based on "2004 Beijing Child and Adolescent Metabolic Syndrome Study ". Cut-offs standards which recommended by the Chinese Working Group on Obesity for Children (WGOC) and by the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) were also used. Finally the appropriate cut-offs were defined. Results Three sets of BMI cut-offs for screening overweight and obesity for Chinese children and adolescents aged 2-18 years were obtained according to the above mentioned methods for selection. The prevalence rates of overweight and obesity defined by those cut-offs appeared not to be significantly different. Compared with the WGOC, the BMI cut-off points for screening overweight and obesity for both boys and girls from our study were very close to the WGOC', but cut-off points for screening overweight for girls aged 8.5-15.5 y was 0.3-1.0 kg/m2 lower than the WGOC'. Going through the database on screening of "2004 Beijing Children's Metabolic Syndrome Survey ", the prevalence of overweight for girls was about 3.4% higher than using the cut-offs of WGOC. Conclusion Results from this study suggested that the BMI cut-offs passed through the cut-off point of BMI24 and BMI28 at 18 years was appropriate for screening overweight and obesity in Chinese children from 2 to 18 years, and achieved the continuity in age and consistency in screening standard when using the BMI indicator in children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of electric acupuncture (EA) on the Nogo receptors (NgR) protein expression in the cerebral cortex, the medulla oblongata, and the spinal cord of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) stroke-prone renovascular hypertensive rats (RHRSP) with middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) at different time points, and to investigate its possible mechanisms for remote-organ injury of acute cerebral infarction (ACI).

METHODSThe RHRSP model was duplicated in male SPF grade SD rats. Then the MCAO model was prepared by a thread stringing method. Rats were divided into the hypertension group,the sham-operation group, the MCAO group, the EA group, and the sham-acupoint group by random number table method, 60 in each group. Rats in the MCAO group only received MCAO reperfusion treatment. Those in the sham-operation group only received surgical trauma. Baihui (DU20) and Dazhui (DU14) were needled in the EA group, once daily for a total of 28 days.The needles were acupunctured at the skin one cun distant from Baihui (DU20) and Dazhui (DU14) and then the same EA treatment was performed in the sham-acupoint group. At day 1, 7, 14, 28 after treatment, six rats were executed from each group, and their right cortex and medulla oblongata, and the left spinal cord were isolated. The infarct volume was detected by Nissl's staining method. The NgR expression was detect by Western blot.

RESULTS(1) In the cortex area: compared with the hypertension group,the NgR expression increased in the MCAO group at day 1,7,14,and 28 after MCAO (P < 0.05). Compared with the MCAO group, the NgR expression of the EA group and the sham-acupoint group were equivalent at 1 day af ter MCAO (P > 0.05). At day 7, 14,and 28 after MCAO, the NgR expression decreased in the EA group (P < 0.05), it was quite similar to that in the sham-acupoint group (P > 0.05). (2) In the medulla oblongata area: compared with the hypertension group, the NgR expression was equivalent in the sham-operation group. the MCAO group,the EA group, and the sham-acupoint group at 1 day after MCAO (P > 0.05). At day 7.14, and 28 after MCAO, the NgR expression increased in the MCAO group (P < 0.05). Compared with the MCAO group,the NgR expression decreased in the EA group at day 7, 14, and 28 after MCAO (P < 0.05), whereas it was similar in the sham-acupoint group (P > 0.05). (3) In the spinal cord area: compared with the hypertension group, the NgR expression was equivalent in the sham-operation group, the MCAO group,the EA group, and the sham-acupoint group at day 1 and 7 after MCAO (P > 0.05). At day 14 and 28 after MCAO, the NgR expression increased in the MCAO group (P < 0.05). Compared with the MCAO group, the NgR expression decreased in the EA group at day 14 and 28 after MCAO (P < 0.05), whereas it was equivalent in the sham-acupoint group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSIncreased NgR expression in the cerebral cortex, the medulla oblongata, and the spinal cord of cerebral infarct rats was an important reason for involving remote-organ injury of ACI. The protective effect of EA on hypertensive I/R cerebral injury rats might be closely related to down-regulating central nervous system myelin growth inhibition mediated factors Nogo-A receptor NgR protein expression.

Animals ; Cerebral Infarction ; metabolism ; therapy ; Disease Models, Animal ; Electroacupuncture ; GPI-Linked Proteins ; metabolism ; Hypertension, Renal ; metabolism ; therapy ; Male ; Medulla Oblongata ; metabolism ; Myelin Proteins ; metabolism ; Nogo Receptor 1 ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; metabolism ; Spinal Cord ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo characterize the HA1 regions of hemagglutinin gene of influenza viruses (H3N2) isolated from children in Beijing from 1998 - 2004.

METHODSThe HA1 regions of hemagglutinin gene were amplified by RT-PCR from the viruses isolated and identified as A3 (H3N2) from clinical samples collected from infants and children during the peak seasons of influenza between 1998 and 2004. PCR products were sequenced or cloned into T-A vector and were analyzed after being sequenced.

RESULTSThe HA1 regions of hemagglutinin genes amplified from those isolates were 987 bp in length, encoding a protein of 329 amino acids in length. The identities of nucleotides and amino acids among these H3N2 isolates in Beijing and vaccines strains from 1998 - 2004 were 95.5% - 100.0% and 93.0% - 100.0%, respectively. The homology of the HA1 regions were related to the date of virus isolation, meaning the homology was higher among those strains isolated in nearer dates than others. Seven potential N-linked glycosylation sites in the HA1 regions located at amino acid positions 8, 22, 38, 63, 126, 165 and 285 were conserved in all the viruses analyzed. Two sites at 122 and 133 were inserted in those virus isolated after 1997, and another site at 144 appeared in those isolated after 1999. More amino acid substitutions located in the five putative antigenic sites or receptor binding sites were found more in the isolates than the isolates from previous year. Phylogenetic analysis showed new branches appeared continuously during 1998 - 2004. The strains isolated during winter in 2004 belonged to different branches, suggesting the appearance of new variants.

CONCLUSIONAmino acid substitutions continuously occurred in the HA1 regions of hemagglutinin genes in influenza virus (H3N2) isolated from children in Beijing from 1998 - 2004, which might have resulted in antigenic drift and led to the appearance of new variants.

Amino Acid Substitution ; China ; DNA, Viral ; analysis ; Gene Amplification ; Hemagglutinins ; genetics ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype ; genetics ; Influenza, Human ; virology ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

OBJECTIVEPropylthiouracil (PTU) as a drug used during the treatment of hyperthyroidism could induce antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody-positive vasculitis. Here the author reported a childhood case of antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody-positive vasculitis induced by PTU, which is rarely described.

METHODSThe diagnosis was made according to the symptoms, signs, serum markers and renal biopsy, and the relevant literature was reviewed.

RESULTSThe 12-year-old girl presented with gross hematuria, proteinuria, renal function damage [Ccr 52.46 ml/(min. 1.73 m(2))], positive antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA-MPO) (MPO ELISA 140%) and a vasculitis lesion in the renal biopsy sample. She had been treated with PTU for 5 years because of Graves disease. After the diagnosis, the PTU was withdrawn, and prednisone (40 mg/d) and cyclophosphamide (25 mg, Bid) were applied. Three weeks after the therapy with prednisone and cyclophosphamide the gross hematuria disappeared. Three months after the treatment the renal function returned to normal [Ccr 124 mg/(min.1.73 m(2))], and the titer of ANCA-MPO decreased from 140% to 57%.

CONCLUSIONPTU may induce antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody positive vasculitis. A right diagnosis and treatment can improve its prognosis of the disease.

Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic ; blood ; Antithyroid Agents ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperthyroidism ; drug therapy ; Prognosis ; Propylthiouracil ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome ; Vasculitis ; chemically induced ; diagnosis ; therapy

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of combining sorafenib with chemotherapy in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative advanced breast cancer. METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, American Society for Clinical Oncology abstracts, and European Society for Medical Oncology abstracts were searched. Randomized clinical trials that compared the efficacy and safety of sorafenib plus chemotherapy in patients with HER2-negative advanced breast cancer with placebo plus chemotherapy were eligible. The endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), time to progression (TTP), duration of response (DOR), overall response rate (ORR), clinical benefits, and adverse effects. The meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.2.6 (The Nordic Cochrane Centre), and the fixed-effect model weighted by the Mantel-Haenszel method was used. When considerable heterogeneity was found (p<0.1), further analysis (subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis, or random-effect model) was performed to identify the potential cause. The results are expressed as hazard ratios or risk ratios, with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: The final analysis included four trials comprising 844 patients. The results revealed longer PFS and TTP, and higher ORR and clinical benefit rates in patients receiving sorafenib combined with chemotherapy compared to those receiving chemotherapy and placebo. OS and DOR were similar in the two groups. Meanwhile, the incidence of some adverse effects, including hand-foot skin reaction/hand-foot syndrome, diarrhea, rash, and hypertension, were significantly higher in the sorafenib arm. CONCLUSION: Sorafenib combined with chemotherapy may prolong PFS and TTP. This treatment was associated with manageable toxicities, but frequent dose interruptions and reductions were required.
Arm ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Diarrhea ; Disease-Free Survival ; Drug Therapy* ; Exanthema ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Incidence ; Medical Oncology ; Odds Ratio ; Population Characteristics ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; Skin ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the factors related to repeated abortions among unmarried young people, and to standardize the services as informed choice counseling and post abortion, and to reduce the repeated abortion rate.

METHODSA cross-sectional survey using anonymous questionnaire was conducted among unmarried young women who requested termination of early pregnancy in 10 hospitals in Shanghai.

RESULTS2343 subjects responded to the questionnaires. Results showed that the repeated abortion rate was 38.5%, repeated abortion rate within 1 year was 23.5%, and the high risk factors of abortion accounted for 40.2% . Subjects who were older than 19, unemployed, with poor education background, cohabitating and boyfriends being elder were more likely to have repeated abortions (OR > 1). Subjects who did not change boyfriend or use no contraception were more likely to have repeated abortions 1 year after abortion (OR > 1).

CONCLUSIONNo reliable contraception used after abortion seemed to be the main reason for repeated unwanted pregnancy. Being socially disadvantaged women such as unemployed or with poor education background, meanwhile cohabitating with boyfriends or boyfriends being elder etc. they should be viewed as the key population for intervention. Male involvement and reliable contraceptive methods use among young people should be emphasized as key steps for intervention. 1 year after abortion fell into the key period for intervention. Reinforcement on factors including: training for service providers to improve their skills, setting up standard technical process and monitoring systems to carry out the basic principle of 'Informed Choice', and widely launching post-coital contraception programs including emergency contraception, luteal phase contraception and menstrual induction should be stressed.

Abortion Applicants ; statistics & numerical data ; Abortion, Induced ; statistics & numerical data ; Adolescent ; China ; epidemiology ; Contraception Behavior ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Risk Factors ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult