Objective To investigate the effect of arthroscopic debridement and meniscectomy in treatment of moderate or severe meniscus injury combined with knee osteoarthritis in early or middle stage. Methods 156 cases diagnosed with moderate or severe meniscus injury combined with knee osteoarthritis in early or middle stage were collected from October 2011 to October 2014. Lysholm knee score and preoperative examinations such as anteroposterior, lateral, axial radiographs, the standing full leg length X-ray film and MRI scan of the knee were recommended to definitively understand the osteoarthritis staging and meniscus injury grading. All patients were treated with arthroscopic debridement and meniscectomy. After operation, physical rehabilitation exercises and regular clinical follow-up were carried out as planned. The Lysholm knee score data from preoperation and terminal follow-up was statistical analyzed. Results No patient experienced any perioperative and postoperative complications. Statistical analysis showed that the Lysholm knee score of postoperation was significantly higher than that of preoperation [(87.3 ± 7.9) vs (67.5 ± 4.9), P < 0.05). Conclusion Arthroscopic debridement and meniscectomy in treatment of moderate or severe meniscus injury combined with knee osteoarthritis in early or middle stage, gains beneficial effects for its minimal invasion and quick recovery.

ObjectiveTo explore the effects of myoblast formation around the urethra of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) rats after treated with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs) or musclelike cells/calcium alginate composite gel injection therapy.MethodsIsolation,cultivation and identification of Sprague-Dawley rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell were performed.5-azacytidine was introduced to induce muscle-like cells.Calcium alginate gel was initially prepared by 2％ sodium alginate and 1％ calcium chloride solution at a volume ratio of 5∶1.Compounds of stem cells or muscle-like cells were mixed with gel,respectively,and were prepared for microinjection.SUI was produced in 72 6-week-old female Sprague-Dawley rats.The rats were then divided into 4 groups:Gel group,stem cell-gel group,muscle-like cell-gel group and mock control group.Each group was further divided into 3 groups.Submucosal injection of gel was performed at urethra and bladder neck.After preparation of cross sections of rat urinary tract at 4 weeks and 8 weeks after injection,HE staining,fluorescent tracing,staining of Desmin and α-skeletal muscle actin (α-SMA) were performed.OD values of positive rates were compared.ResultsAt 4 weeks and 8 weeks after injection in stem cell-gel group and muscle-like cell-gel group,growth of blood vessels gradually increased at gel edge,BMSCs and muscle-like cells gathered around the new blood vessels observed by fl(u)orescence tracer,muscle-like cells grew into elongated spindle-like cells.Desmin and α-SMA staining were positive in these groups,and the OD values in the stem cell-gel group and muscle-like cell-gel group was significantly higher than that from the gel only group and control group,but no difference was found between stem cell-gel group and muscle-like cell-gel group.ConclusionsCompound of BMSCs,muscle-like cells and calcium alginate composite gel has the potential to differentiate into muscle cells in the microenvironment of SUI rat model.In short term,the myoblast formation potential is the same whether the BMSCs was introduced into the micro-environment in vivo directly,or the BMSCs was implanted into microenvironment after the formation of the muscles cells induced by 5-azacytidine in vitro.

Objective To examine the prevalence of and risk factors for syphilis among men who have sex with men (MSM) in 16 cities/districts, 6 provinces in China. Methods Based on a previous survey on the entertainment place and population size of MSM, a cross-sectional study was conducted in 2007 using non-probability sampling method among MSM in 16 cities/districts in China.Information about the demography,risk behavior and syphilis infection was collected through questionnaires from MSM. Univariate and multivariate stepwise logistic regression model was constructed to evaluate independent factors associated with syphilis. Results A total of 4211 participants were recruited. The mean age of these participants was 28 years. Among them, 66.7% were self identified as homosexual, 72.5% were unmarried, and 76.4% had an education beyond senior middle school; in the past 6 months, 8.7% had sexual contact with more than 10 male sex partners, 5.6% had ever paid for male sex service, 11.3% had provided commercial sex service to males, and 18.9% had sexual contact with females, while condom was consistently used in only 36.3% of male-to-male anal sexual behavior. Syphilis was diagnosed in 10.6% of these participants. The risk factors independently associated with syphilis included being older than 25 years (adjusted OR = 1.7; 95% CI:1.3-2.0), local residency (adjusted OR = 1.3; 95% CI: 1.0-1.7), being recruited from a bar or a park (adjusted OR = 1.3; 95% CI: 1.1-1.7), having ever paid for a male sex service(adjusted OR = 1.5; 95% CI: 1.0-2.1),inconsistent condom use during male-to-male anal sexual behavior(adjusted OR = 1.2; 95% CI: 1.0-1.5 ), self reported sexually transmitted infection history (adjusted OR = 1.3; 95% CI: 1.0-1.7). Conclusions There is a high prevalence of syphilis in MSM in the 16 Chinese cities where male-to-male commercial sex service and unsafe sexual behavior are common. Further efforts are urgently needed to scale-up the prevention of and treatment program for syphilis among MSM, which should include syphilis and HIV screening as well as education on the use of condom.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expressions of phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-AKT), phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase 3β (p-GSK3β) and β-catenin proteins and to evaluate their relationship with the clinical pathological characteristics in epithelial tumors of the ovary.

METHODSThe expression of p-AKT, p-GSK3β, and β-catenin was detected with immunohistochemical staining (EnVision method) in 10 cases of benign epithelial neoplasia, 10 cases of borderline epithelial neoplasia and 70 cases of ovarian carcinoma. The relationship of the expression of p-AKT, p-GSK3β and β-catenin with the clinical pathological features was analyzed.

RESULTSThe positive expression rates of p-AKT, p-GSK3β and β-catenin in epithelial ovarian carcinoma were 67.1% (47/70), 60.0% (42/70) and 71.4% (50/70), respectively. Compared to the results of benign and borderline epithelial neoplasia, the expression of the three proteins in carcinoma of the ovary was significantly different (all P < 0.05).Positive correlation was found between p-AKT and p-GSK3β, p-GSK3β and β-catenin, and p-AKT and β-catenin in epithelial ovarian carcinoma (r = 0.546, 0.581, 0.500, respectively; all P < 0.05). Compared to the results of benign and borderline epithelial neoplasia, the expression of p-AKT protein in epithelial ovarian carcinoma was significantly different (all P < 0.05). The expression of p-AKT was correlated with the differentiation of epithelial ovarian carcinoma (P < 0.05), but no relationship was found between its expression and histological classification and FIGO staging (P > 0.05). The expression of p-GSK3β and β-catenin in epithelial ovarian carcinoma were both higher than that in benign and borderline epithelial neoplasia (P < 0.05), and correlated with tumor differentiation and FIGO staging (P < 0.05), but no relationship were found between their expression with histological classification (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSPositive correlations are found between p-AKT, p-GSK3β and β-catenin in epithelial ovarian carcinoma. The activation of β-catenin is possibly correlated with inactivation of p-GSK3β that binds to p-AKT.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Endometrioid ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Differentiation ; Cystadenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cystadenoma, Mucinous ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cystadenoma, Serous ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 ; metabolism ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Phosphorylation ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; beta Catenin ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDDevelopment of vulnerable lesions is not limited to the target lesions, but a pan-coronary process. Such lesions are identified by positive remodeling (intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and complex lesions (angiography)). The prevalence of lesions with vulnerable characteristics in patients with stable angina was not well known. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between coronary artery remodeling and incidence of angiographic complex lesions and its calcification in stable angina patients.

METHODSOne hundred and sixty-one stable angina patients (95 males, aged (68 +/- 11) years) with 161 de novo target lesions were studied using pre-interventional IVUS. Remodeling index was defined as the lesion divided by reference vessel area; positive remodeling was defined as remodeling index > 1.05. Besides the 161 target lesions, there were 613 angiographic lesions with > 30% diameter stenoses, classified as complex or smooth. Multiple complexes were defined as more than one complex lesion in one patient. Stenoses of at least 70% were described as tight. Calcium arc area was used as a new method to quantify coronary calcification.

RESULTSFifty-six patients had positive remodeling target lesion, while 105 did not. The overall number of lesions with a diameter stenoses > 30% was similar in patients with or without positive remodeling, and the frequency of angiographically complex lesions was higher in positive remodeling patients, especially at non-target site. Calcium arc area was smaller in patients with positive remodeling.

CONCLUSIONSPositive remodeling on intravascular ultrasound was associated with more complex lesions angiographic findings, especially at non target site. Positive remodeling was found less calcified in patients with stable angina.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Angina Pectoris ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Coronary Vessels ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ventricular Remodeling ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the performance of computer-assisted imaging system in the detection of cervical squamous intraepithelial lesion and quality-assurance.

METHODSManual PAP screening (n = 140 580) and image-assisted screening (n = 32 885) were compared for the detection rates of squamous cell abnormalities, the atypical squamous cells (ASC) to squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) ratio, the positive rates of high risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) test in the case of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US), and the correlation between cytopathology and histopathology.

RESULTSCompared with manual screening, computer-assisted imaging system showed increased overall positive detection by 0.32%, decreased detection of ASC by 0.21%, increased detection of low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) by 0.22%, increased detection of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion or worse (HSIL) by 0.31%, and decreased ASC to SIL ratio from 2.59 to 1.60. Computer-assisted imaging system did not change the HR-HPV positive rate of the patients who were ASC-US, or the coincidence rate between cytopathology and histopathology. Moreover, the productivity of the laboratory operation increased 58.33%.

CONCLUSIONComputer-assisted imaging system significantly increases the overall positive detection rate of cervical SIL, improves accuracy and work efficiency of screening, decreases the ASC/SIL rate, and strengths the quality-assurance of laboratory testing.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; pathology ; Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted ; Papillomaviridae ; isolation & purification ; Papillomavirus Infections ; pathology ; Uterine Cervical Dysplasia ; pathology ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; pathology ; Vaginal Smears ; methods

Comparing to Chitosan, Chitosan-oligosaccharides have several special functions, such as water-soluble, antitumor activity, immunostimulating effects, and antimicrobial activity. The chitosan-oligosaccharide, the molecular weight of which was about 5000, was used as research model. According to the agarose gel electrophoresis and UV spectrophotometer it was proved that electrostatic interaction was playing a very important role in the formation process of chitosan-oligosaccharide/DNA complex. The potential of adsorbing DNA on chitosan-oligosaccharide was analyzed by gel electrophoresis and UV spectrophotometer, and it was indicated that chitosan-oligosaccharide can improve the storage and structure stability of DNA. To check its protection ability to DNA by DNase I digestive experiment, the result showed that chitosan-oligosaccharide could load with plasmid effectively and protect DNA from being digested by DNase I. It was proved that chitosan-oligosacchide was safe and effective for gene delivery and will have a very good future in the field of gene therapy.
Chitosan ; chemistry ; DNA ; chemistry ; Gene Transfer Techniques ; Genetic Vectors ; Nanoparticles ; chemistry ; Oligosaccharides ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo investigate the possible association of a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at position 9250 in exon 7 of osteopontin gene (OPN gene 9250) with lupus nephritis (LN) in southern Chinese patients.

METHODSAltogether 109 patients with LN (12 males and 97 females) diagnosed according to the American College of Rheumatology criteria (revised in 1982) for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and 180 healthy ethnically matched controls (34 males and 146 females), all Han people living in South China, were enrolled in this study with informed consent. Blood samples from all subjects were collected in EDTA tube for genomic DNA extraction according to the standard isolation procedures. OPN gene 9250 polymorphism was typed by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP).

RESULTSAll the genotype frequencies of OPN gene 9250 were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Compared with the controls, LN patients showed significantly lower frequency of TT genotype of OPN gene 9250 (70% vs 51%, P<0.05) and significantly higher frequency of TC genotype (29.4% vs 45%, P<0.05). There were significant differences in OPN gene 9250 allele and phenotype frequencies between LN patients and the controls (P<0.05). Compared with the female controls, the frequency of TT genotype of OPN gene 9250 was significantly lower in female LN patients (68.5% vs 54%, P<0.05), and there was a significant difference in OPN gene 9250 allele frequency between them (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONOPN gene 9250 polymorphism appears to be associated with the susceptibility to LN in southern Chinese Han population.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; ethnology ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; ethnology ; Exons ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Lupus Nephritis ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteopontin ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Restriction Mapping ; Young Adult

Studies have found that metformin is not only the preferred drug for lowering blood sugar, but also shows lipid-lowering and weight-loss effects. The purpose of this study was to use a hyperlipidemia hamster model to investigate the lipid-lowering effect of metformin and its effect on important metabolic pathways in lipid metabolism disorders. Fifty golden hamsters were divided into a control group, a model group, metformin high- and low-dose groups, and a simvastatin group. A high-fat diet was fed for 1 week to create the model, and then drug was administered for 11 weeks with the high-fat diet. Serum was taken for measurement of blood lipid and blood glucose at 2, 6, and 9 weeks after administration, and at weeks 3, 5, and 9 feces and urine were collected for ¹H NMR metabolomics tests. After 11 weeks of intravenous injection of [U-¹³C₆] glucose, serum was collected for a ¹³C NMR metabolic flux test. The results showed that the administration of metformin can significantly reduce blood lipids and glucose levels and can significantly affect metabolic pathways such as sugar metabolism, lipid metabolism, ketone metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and intestinal flora metabolism. The results of the metabolic flux analysis showed that the high-fat diet reduced the metabolism of tricarboxylic acids by 37.48%. After administration of low and high doses of metformin the metabolism of tricarboxylic acid increased by 98.14% and 143.10%, respectively. After administration of simvastatin tricarboxylic acid metabolism increased by 33.18%. The results indicate that metformin has a significant effect on promoting energy metabolism. This study used a combination of metabolomics and metabolic flow to explore the effect of metformin on lipid metabolism disorders and quantifies changes in the key pathway of energy metabolism-the tricarboxylic acid cycle. This study provides useful information for the study of the efficacy and mechanism of metformin, as well as a practical technical method for the screening of lipid-lowering drugs based on a hamster model.

OBJECTIVETo study the expression of CD138 and heparinase in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its relationship with tumor development, progression, metastasis and recurrence.

METHODSTissue microarray and immunohistochemical study (EnVision method) for CD138 and heparinase was performed on tissue microarray which consisted of 197 cases of HCC, including adjacent non-neoplastic liver tissues, and 66 cases of HCC metastases.

RESULTSThe rates of CD138 expression in HCC and adjacent non-neoplastic liver tissues were 48.7% (96/197) and 65.0% (128/197, P < 0.05) respectively. In early-stage and late-stage tumors, the expression rates were 61.7% (29/47) and 44.7% (67/150, P < 0.05) respectively. The rate in patients with metastasis was 33.3% (22/66), as compared with 53.6% (45/84, P < 0.05) in patients without metastasis. In patients with tumor recurrence occurring within or after 1 post-operative year, the expression rates were 23.3% (7/30) and 61.1% (11/18, P < 0.05) respectively. On the other hand, the rates of expression of heparinase in HCC and adjacent non-neoplastic liver tissues were 35.5% (70/197) and 12.7% (25/197, P < 0.05) respectively. In early-stage and late-stage tumors, the expression rates were 29.8% (14/47) and 37.3% (56/150, P > 0.05) respectively. The rate in patients with metastasis was 48.5% (32/66), as compared with 28.6% (24/84, P < 0.05) in patients without metastasis. In patients with tumor recurrence occurring within or after 1 post-operative year, the expression rates were 50.0% (15/30) and 44.4% (8/18, P > 0.05) respectively. In the 66 cases of metastatic HCC studied, the expression rate of CD138 was lower in the heparinase-positive subgroup (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSLoss of CD138 expression is related to HCC development, progression, metastasis and recurrence. Overexpression of heparinase, when coupled with loss of CD138 expression, may take part in tumor metastasis of HCC.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; secondary ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heparin Lyase ; metabolism ; Humans ; Liver ; metabolism ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Neoplasm Staging ; Neoplastic Cells, Circulating ; metabolism ; Peritoneal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; secondary ; Portal Vein ; Syndecan-1 ; metabolism ; Tissue Array Analysis