Objective: To construct a polycistron tandem repeated Echistatin (Ecs) gene. Methods: Three Ecs genes with independent initiation and termination codon were ligated tandem through restriction enzyme sites after amplified with 3 pairs of primers using pMD18T-Ecs as template. The polycistron Ecs gene was inserted into pET30a and expressed in E.coli BL21(DE3) with IPTG induction. The expression results were identified by 18% SDS-PAGE and Western blot. Results: The expression of Ecs polycistron was accomplished with 18% expression level of total protein determined by SDS-PAGE and Western blot. Conclusion: The successful expression of Ecs polycistron provided a new method for the preparation of low molecular weight protein.

Neurotensin receptor-1 (NTR1), which can stimulate the intracellular cascade signal pathway, belongs to the large superfamily of G-protein coupled receptors. NTR1 is related to the occurrence and development of several kinds of diseases. In order to screen the inhibitors for the cancers associated with NTR1 protein, we established a CHO (Chinese hamster ovary) cell line in which human neurotensin receptor-1 was highly expressed. The method is to construct the recombinant plasmid which was lysed with the hNTR1 gene and transfect it into CHO cells. After selected with G418, the cell line was evaluated by Western blotting analysis and calcium flux assays. Through the calcium flux assays on FlexStation 3, we got the EC50 value of neurotensin peptide which is the natural NTR1 agonist, and the IC 50 value of SR48692 which is the known NTR1 antagonist. The established human CHO/NTR1 cell line can be used to study the profile of NTR1 biological activity and further screen of NTR1 antagonists and agonists.
Animals ; CHO Cells ; Calcium Signaling ; Cricetinae ; Cricetulus ; Humans ; Pyrazoles ; pharmacology ; Quinolines ; pharmacology ; Receptors, Neurotensin ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection

Objective To analyse the characteristics of orbital benign and malignant masses on diffusion weighted imaging in combination with conventional MR imaging and evaluate the diagnostic value of apparent diffusion coefficient in distinguishing benign and malignant orbital lesions.Methods Seventy- seven cases with orbital masses,including fifty-five benign lesions and twenty-two malignant tumors,who underwent conventional MRI and diffusion imaging scanning were studied with use of a 1.5 T magnetic resonance system.Quantitative ADC measurements of masses(ADC_M)and of the white matter of eontralateral temporal lobe(ADC_W)were made with two different b-values of 0 and 1000 s/mm~2.The ADC ratio(ADCR)of the lesion to the control was calculated.The receiver operating characteristic curves(ROC) were constructed using various cut points of ADC_M and ADCR for different parameters to differentiate between benign and malignant masses.The area under the ROC curve for each parameter was also calculated. Results All cases were proved by histopathology.The mean ADC_M and ADCR of benign orbital masses were(1.56?0.75)?10~(-3)mm~2/s and 1.85?0.91,respectively.The mean ADC_M and ADCR of malignant orbital masses were(1.09?0.42)?10~(-3)mm~2/s and 1.28?0.53,respectively.There were significant difference both between ADC_M and ADCR of benign and malignant masses(t=2.803,2.735,P

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of conventional and dynamic contrast- enhanced MRI in lymphoma of the orbit.Methods Thirteen cases of lymphoma of the orbit,including B-C (10 cases),T-C (1 case),T-NK-C (1 case)lymphoma,and multiple myeloma (1 case),were studied using conventional MR and dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging with 3D fast spoiled gradient echo sequence.Calculated values included time to peak (Tpeak),washout ratio (WR),slope and enhancement ratio (ER),and time-intensity curves (TICs),and Tpeak,WR,slope and ER were calculated preoperatively.Results Eleven of the 13 lymphomas of the orbit was seen in the anterior portion of the orbit including eyelid and lacrimal gland.On conventional MRI,10 cases showed iso-intensity on T_1WI and T_2WI and all 13 cases showed moderate enhancement after contrast administration.TIC of all 13 cases showed rapid enhancing and wash-out,Tpeak was (58.7?8.5)s,and WR was (30.9?9.4)%.The accurate diagnosis with only conventional MRI was achieved in 6 out of 13 cases,while the accurate diagnosis was achieved in all 13 cases by using combined conventional MRI and dynamic enhanment MRI.Conclusion onventional MRI combined with dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI is useful for the diagnosis of lymphoma of the orbit.

Objective To study the pathologic and clinical features of malignant rhabdoid tumor of the kidney(MRTK),and to improve the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.Methods The clinical and pathologic data of 5 patients(4 men and 1 woman;mean age,50 years;age range,21-67 years)with MRTK(3 tumors on the left and 2 on the right)were retrospectively analyzed in combination with review of the relevant literature.Of the 5 cases,I was incidentally diagnosed with renal tumor during physical examina- tion;and 3 had gross hematuria,low back pain and discomfort,and abdominal masses.Results Radical nephrectomy was performed in all 5 cases.The tumors averaged 6.5cm in diameter.By NWTS staging,4 ca- ses had stageⅡtumors and 1 case had stageⅢtumor.Pathological features were as follows.Rhabdoid cells were characterized by eccentric nuclei,prominent nucleoli,and abundant cytoplasm containing eosinophilic inclusions that were strongly positive for vimentin and epithelial membrane antigen(EMA).Electron micros- copy showed intermediate filaments and round,irregular fibroid or whorl-like corpuscles in the cytoplasm. Follow-up was available in 4 patients(mean,6.8 months;range,3-24 months).Of them,2 died of metasta- sis or complications 12 months after operation;and 2 were alive without recurrence and metastasis for 6 months.Conclusions MRTK is a rare and morphologically distinctive neoplasm with specific findings of pathological features.The tumor has a poorer prognosis,but comparatively it is better in adults than in adoles- cents.

OBJECTIVETo report the experience for the precision osteoid osteoma resection using computer navigation system.

METHODSBetween January 2008 and December 2009, 26 surgical resections were performed for 26 patients who had osteoid osteoma with computer navigation system. There were 23 males and 3 females with an average age of 18 years (7 to 35). Tumors were located at femoral shaft 9, femoral trochanter 4, femoral neck 2, tibial shaft 5, metaphysic of proximal tibia 1, acetabulum 2, pubis 1, vertebral appendix 1 and radial shaft 1. Pre-operative X-ray and CT of each patient was performed to confirm the diagnosis. It was carried out intraoperatively the process of CT-based navigation in 4 cases and intraoperative Iso-C three-dimensional navigation in 22 cases. The Navigation System software was Spine Navigation 1.2 in all cases. The Pointer was helpful to localize the lesion and precisely resected the lesion without removal of any excess bone.

RESULTSAll the navigation operations were finished successfully with curettage for 12 and En Bloc resection for 14. Bone grafting was made in 21 cases and none in 3 cases. The completely clearance of nidus by intraoperative visual inspection and Pointer confirmation, postoperative X-ray and(or) CT scan was performed in all cases. All cases had histopathology diagnosis of osteoid osteoma and immediate pain relief after surgery. All cases were followed up for 20.6 months averaged (12 to 35 months). No local recurrence and pain relapse occurred.

CONCLUSIONSThe navigation system is very helpful for the precision tumor resection of nidus. Especially for the patients with osteoid osteoma located at diaphysis, Intraoperative Iso-C three-dimensional navigation is more useful.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Osteoma, Osteoid ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Surgery, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Objective:To investigate the effect of integrin αvβ6 on lipid metabolism in colon cancer cells;to identify potential metabolic biomarkers for the diagnosis of colon cancer.Meth-ods:Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(LC-MS)-based lipidomic analysis was utilized to investigate the effects of αvβ6 on the changes in SW480 metabolism in colon cancer cell lines.The partial least squares discriminant analysis model showed different lipid profiles in Integrin αvβ6 over-expressed or low-expressed SW480.Results:After Integrin αvβ6 overexpression,a total of 252 lipids showed significant differences in SW480 cells,of which 138 showed up-regulation and 114 showed down-regulation.Moreover,the Methyl phosphatidylcholine(MePC),phosphatidyl-choline(PC),phosphatidylethanolamine(PE)and triglycerides(TG)were also found to have good diagnostic potential in αvβ6 overexpressing cancer cells.Conclusion:Integrin αvβ6 may promote cancer cell invasivness and metastasis by regulating pathways of dysregulated lipid metabolism.These results may provide potential clues to the molecular mechanisms of Integrin αvβ6 on colon cancer cells.

OBJECTIVETo compare the results of procedure for prolapse and hemorrhoids (PPH) and open hemorrhoidectomy.

METHODSA standard questionnaire was given to all patients after PPH or open hemorrhoidectomy from March 2001 to March 2004. In combination with proctological examination, the results including symptoms relief and recurrence were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThere were 184 effective questionnaires, including 96 cases in PPH group and 88 in open hemorrhoidectomy group. PPH and open hemorrhoidectomy both relieved prolapse (92.7% vs 96.8%, P=0.282), bleeding (91% vs 81%, P=0.241) and pain (91.7% vs 91.5%, P=0.977). There were no statistical differences in the overall complication rate (30.2% and 29.5%, P=0.923) and recurrence rate (21.8% vs 20.5%, P=0.814) between the two groups. The overall satisfactory degree was 87.5% in PPH group and 84.8% in open hemorrhoidectomy group (P=0.218).

CONCLUSIONPPH is a safe and effective option for prolapsed hemorrhoids compared with open hemorrhoidectomy.

Adult ; Aged ; Digestive System Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Female ; Hemorrhoids ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the mental health status of infertility patients with varicocele and its relationship with infertility.

METHODSUsing Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HAD), we assessed the psychological status of 110 infertility patients with varicocele, identified the risk factors of anxiety and depression in these patients, and analyzed the correlation among psychological and other relevant factors. Meanwhile, we recruited 61 age-matched normal fertile men as controls for comparative analysis. We also conducted logistic regression analysis on the mental health status of the 106 infertility patients with varicocele.

RESULTSThe prevalence rates of anxiety were 61.32% and 13.79%, while those of depression 37.73% and 6.90% in the infertile patients and normal fertile controls, respectively, significantly higher in the former than in the latter (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that the main risk factors of anxiety and depression of the infertile patients were the number of times they sought medical care and the severity of their testis disorders.

CONCLUSIONInfertility patients with varicocele have psychological disorders, which are particularly associated with the frequency of the patients' clinic visit and the severity of their testis disorders.

Adult ; Anxiety Disorders ; epidemiology ; Case-Control Studies ; Depression ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; complications ; epidemiology ; psychology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Varicocele ; complications ; epidemiology ; psychology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on the neurobehavioral function of coke oven workers.

METHODS200 healthy adult male coke oven workers were selected from a coke plant of a state-owned steel enterprise in Taiyuan City. 88 controls occupationally unexposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were selected from the same enterprise. All the subjects participated in this investigation voluntarily in their consent. Concentration of B(a)P in the working environment was monitored by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Urine samples were sampled immediately after working shifts. The level of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene was determined by HPLC. General information of workers correlated with the investigation was collected in a questionnaire according to the same criteria by well-trained investigators. Neurobehavioral core test battery (NCTB) recommended WHO was performed on coke oven workers and controls to test the neurobehavioral changes and the mood state.

RESULTSthe concentration of B(a)P at oven bottom,oven side and oven top were 0.0195 microg/m3, 0.186 microg/m3 and 1.624 microg/m3 respectively, that at oven side and oven top being higher than the one stipulated by the occupational hygiene criterion. Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene was significantly different between the exposure group (3.42 +/- 0.98 micromol/mol creatinine) and control group (2.75 +/- 1.09 micromol/mol creatinine). No significant differences were found between exposure group and control group of age, working years, smoking, drinking and unhealthy food consumption; however, compared to the controls, the scores of total digital span, the forward digital span, and right dotting in the coke oven workers were lower, but that of total dotting was higher, with a statistical significance. According to urinary 1-hydroxypyrene concentration, all the subjects were divided into three groups. (<3.10 micromol/mol creatinine, 3.10 micromol/mol creatinine, >3.87 micromol/mol creatinine). Significant differences of the total digital span, the forward digital span, backward digital span, digit symbol and Benton visual retentions existed in different urinary 1-hydroxypyrene concentration groups and showed a dose-response tendency. Results of multiple stepwise regression analysis and correlation analysis showed that the level of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene affected memory and perception of coke oven workers and negative correlations between the level of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene and changes in neurobehavioral function were found.

CONCLUSIONPAHs mainly causes decrease of memory and perception in coke oven workers.

Adult ; Air Pollutants, Occupational ; analysis ; Coke ; Humans ; Male ; Memory ; Neuropsychological Tests ; Occupational Exposure ; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons ; urine