To present a brief review on primed in situ labeling (PRINS) methods and applications.PRINS is a new molecular cytogenetic method and could serve as an alternative to, as well as a complementary approach to fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for chromosome studies.PRINS can provide fast (1-4 h),reliable,and cost-effective results.Development of multi-color PRINS makes it possible to study several chromosome targets simultaneously.PRINS can detect repetitive(e.g.centromeric,telomeric or Alu repeats) and single copy sequences/genes,depending on the primers used.It is applicable to metaphase and interphase cells in postnatal,prenatal,or preimplantation diagnosis.PRINS has great potential in chromosome research and diagnosis,including:①identification of numerical aberrations(e.g.trisomies 21,13,and 18 and 45,X),②detection of chromosome markers,③rapid screening for subtelomere deletions,④diagnosis of microdeletion syndromes(e.g. Prader Willi/Angelman and DiGeorge/Velocardiofacial syndromes),⑤Chromosome studies in sperm,⑥preimplantation screening of common aneuploidies,and ⑦cancer cytogenetics.

Objective:To evaluate the analgesic effect from the ethanolic extract of Potentilla freyniana Bornm. var. Sinica Migo (PBSM).Methods:The analgesic properties of PBSM were investigated by the classical hot plate test and the writhing test.Results:In the hot plate test,the ethanolic extract of PBSM(0.5g/kg,1.25 g/kg,2.5g/kg,o.p.) significantly delayed the response time to hot-plate thermal stimulation 15,30,60 and 90 min after treatment,and 90 min after treatment,the effect of PBSM (2.5g/kg) was higher than that of aminopyrine (100 mg/kg i.m.).In the writhing test, which is more sensitive for non-steroidal analgesics, the ethanolic extract of PBSM (0.5g/kg,1.25g/kg,2.5g/kg o.p.) dose significantly inhibited the writhes induced by 0.7% acetic acid.Conclusion:Potentilla freyniana Bornm.var.Sinica Migo may have analgesic activity and affirm the claim by traditional medicine practitioners of the use in toothache or some painful conditions.

Advancement in microarray technology can revolutionize many aspects of medicine. Microarrays have applications in gene expression profiling, genotyping, mutation analysis, gene identification, and pharmacology. This paper provides a brief review on the use of microarrays in studies of cancer, infectious diseases, chromosome disorders, neurological/mental disorders, and drugs, along with a prospect on its great potential in diagnosis, prognosis and the treatment of human diseases.

Objctive: To assess the current treatment of AC in a single institution in the series,which the best treatment modality for acute cholecystitis (AC) is still under debate, whereas early cholecystectomy is accepted as the optimal timing for surgery. Methods: From December 1996 to December 2001,138 (102 women and 36 men) patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis confirmed by histopathological examination. The patients ranged in age from 21 to 85 years of age ( mean age:45.3 years). Patients were divided into 2 groups (similar in age and ASA classification): group 1 (98 patients) underwent LC within 3 days after the onset of symptoms of acute cholecystitis and group 2 (40 patients) underwent LC after 3 days. Results: Approximately one half of the cases were uncomplicated, 26 % were empyema, 13 % had gangrenous changes and 7% had hydrops of the gallbladder. Conversion to open cholecystectomy was required in 21 (15.2%) cases. The principal reason for conversion was anatomic uncertainty (14 cases), uncontrolled bleeding (7 cases). The conversion rates in patients who underwent surgery before and after the onset of symptoms were respectively 6:15. There was no significant difference in operative time (122.0 min in 1 group versus 124.0 min in 2 group) and postoperative stay ( 5.1 days in group 1 vs 6.8 days in group 2). The hepatorenal space was drained in 78 (56.5 % ), and the drain is removed in 3rd postoperative days. Twenty six patients (18.8%) had undergone previous abdominal surgery. Thirty seven patients (26.8%) had spillage of bile and/or stones during the procedure. There were no deaths and major complications. Conclusions: LC for acute cholecystitis should be done immediately after the diagnosis is established because delaying surgery allows inflammation to become more intense,thus increasing the technical difficulty of LC. Intraoperative spillage of bile and stones does not lead to an increase in early complications. LC is safe and effective for acute cholecystitis even when complicated previous surgery, inflammatory adhesions and gangrene. LC has significantly fewer operative complications and provides shorter hospital stay which are medical and economic benefits. LC is safe and effective for acute cholecystitis.

Objective To present the diagnosis and management of anastomotic leakage after colon resection. Methods Early diagnosis and urgent therapeutic intervention are required in order to avert life-threatening conditions that may be caused by anastomotic leakage. Results The diagnosis of anastomotic leakage is based on clinical features, peripheral blood investigations and abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan. Major leaks are defined by symptoms of peritonitis and septicaemia due to leakage. Major leaks should be managed operatively. Minor leaks can be managed conservatively with successful outcomes. Conclusion Leakage of colonic anastomosis remains the most serious complication after colon resection. It is a major cause of postoperative morbidity and mortality. A high index of suspicion is required in order to detect early, nonspecific signs of a leakage and urgent surgical intervention is usually required to avert life-threatening events.

Objective The purpose of this study is to appraise the value of incremental dynamic enhanced computed tomography in surgical treatment of patients with solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs). Methods The data of 42 cases with solitary pulmonary nodules who underwent surgical treatment from May 2002 to June 2003 in our hospital were collected to find the relationship between preoperative dynamic enhanced CT image and postoperative pathology. Result All bronchogenic carcinoma showed significant enhancement after intravenous 100 mL iodinated contrast material. The average degree of enhancement of bronchogenic carcinoma was significantly different from that of tuberculoma and other benign lesions. Conclusion Dynamic enhanced computed tomography is very valuable in distinguishing between malignant nodules and benign ones. Emphasis should be paid to lymph nodes in the dynamic enhanced computed tomography, which is useful both to the diagnosis of SPN and for surgical treatment.

Objective To investigate the effects of recombinant human endostatin,that is,endostar combined with gemcitabine on the mouse model of human pancreatic cancer.Methods We use the cell line PANC-1 and the severe combined immune deficient mice to set up the mouse model of human pancreatic cancer,then devide them into three groups,treat them with gemcitabine,gemcitabine combined with endostar,and 0.9% saline water respectively.We observe the change of the tumor volumn,use ELISA method to detect the serum VEGF level,stain the micro vessel in the tumor tissue with immunohistochemistry method,and compare the data among the different groups respectively.Results On the twenty-eighth day,the tumor volume of the control group,the monotherapy group and the combination group,averaged 1 700 mm3,19.2 mm3,10.4 mm3,serum VEGF level 88.6 L,35.5,26.3 pg/mL and MVD 43.9,30.3,19.2 respectively,which had significant difference.Conclusion Endostar can strengthen the lethal effect of gemcitabine on the mouse model of human pancreatic cancer.

Background Gene therapy by adenovirus-mediated wild-type p53 gene transfer has been shown to inhibit lung cancer growth in vitro, in animal models, and in human clinical trials. The antitumor effect of selective cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitors has been demonstrated in preclinical studies. However, no information is available on the effects of p53 gene therapy combined with selective COX-2 inhibitor on COX-2 gene expression and growth inhibition of human lung cancer cells. Methods We evaluated the effects of recombinant adenovirus-p53 (Ad-p53) gene therapy combined with selective COX-2 inhibitor on the proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle arrest of human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cell line, and the effects of tumor suppressor exogenous wild type p53 on COX-2 gene expression. Results Ad-p53 gene therapy combined with selective COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib shows significant synergistic inhibition effects on the growth of human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cell line. Exogenous p53 gene can suppress COX-2 gene expression. Conclusions Significant synergistic inhibition effects of A549 cell line by the combined Ad-p53 and selective COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib may be achieved by enhancement of growth inhibition, apoptosis induction and suppression of COX-2 gene expression. This study provides first evidence that the administration of p53 gene therapy in combination with COX-2 inhibitors might be a new clinical strategy for the treatment or prevention of NSCLC.

Objective Background-study on genesis and development of tumor is mainly concentrated on gene mutation in nucleus. In recent years, however, the role of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutation in tumor genesis has been given more and more attention, which is the only extra-nucleus DNA in cells of higher animals. Carcinoma of the uterine cervix is a common tumor in gynecology, but there are few reports of mtDNA mutation in this area. The focus of this study was to investigate the mtDNA mutation in tumor tissues of cervical carcinomas and their relationship to tumorigenesis and tumor development. Methods The D-loop region of 24 cervical carcinomas together with the adjacent normal tissues were amplified by PCR and sequenced. Results Among the 24 cervical carcinomas, 30 mutations in 9 patients′ specimen were identified with the mutations rate of 37.5%(9/24). There were 8 microsatellite instabilities among the mutations and 13 new polymorphisms which were not reported previously in the Genbank. Conclusions The D-loop region of mitochondrial DNA is a highly polymorphoric and mutable region and the mutation rate is relatively high in patients with cervical carcinomas.

Modern therapy in colon and rectal cancer is a multdisciplinary approach, where high quality surgery is still of primary importance. Several new aspects have evolved during the past years, of which screening colonoscopy, standardization of surgical procedures, quality control, the further development of stage dependend multimodal therapies and fast track rehabilitation have significanly contributed to improving patient outcome. Adjuvant chemotherapy in UICC stage Ⅲ colon cancer patients and neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy in T3/4 and/or lymph node positive rectal cancer patients are well established. The preoperative assessment of the circumferential resection margin in rectal cancer is emerging as an important parameter for the indication to neoadjuvant therapy. In a selected group of patients with early T1 colorectal cancer endoscopic polypectomy might be appropriate while laparoscopic surgery for colon cancer is at the edge of becoming an equivalent option to open surgery. Molecular and genetic factors, such as thymidylate synthase, microsatellite instability or mutations of the K-ras protein, might help to better select patients for adjuvant chemotherapy or antibody based antitumor therapy in the future.