Current study was carried out to optimize the priming condition of Oldenlandia diffusa seeds, and improve germination rate and seed vigor of 0. diffusa seeds under drought conditions. Uniform design was used to optimize the concentration and priming time of three priming materials (PEG, KNO3, GA3). Different concentrations of polyethylene glycol (PEG) was used to simulate drought stress. The seedling was cultured in 1/4 Hoagland medium for 30 d. The results showed that seed priming treatment with 366 mg x kg(-1) GA3 for 1h resulted in significant increase in germination rate, germination index, vigor, root length, plant height and biomass of O. diffusa seeds under drought stress (15% PEG), while seed priming with 3.0% KNO3 for 1 h showed little effect on germination and growth of O. diffusa seeds under drought stress. Seed priming treatment with appropriate GA3 concentration and priming time could enhance seed germination and drought resistance of O. diffusa in seedling stage.
Droughts ; Germination ; Oldenlandia ; growth & development ; physiology ; Seedlings ; growth & development ; physiology ; Seeds ; growth & development ; physiology ; Stress, Physiological

Objective To explore the feasibility of evaluating the lung function by MSCT in emphysema.Methods The MSCT scan and pulmonary function tests(PFF)were respectively performed in 147 receptors within one week.They were randomly divided into 2 groups:group A(120 receptors), including normal,mild,moderate and severe abnormal pulmonary function based on the PFT,for comparing the correlation between pulmonary quantitative indexes of MSCT pulmonary function and PFT and settingup the primary grade criteria of abnormal pulmonary function in emphysema,group B(27 receptors)for evaluating the diagnostic accuracy in group A.The total lung was respectively scanned at the full inspiration and full expiration with MSCT.The pulmonary quantitative indexes of MSCT were measured with Siemens Pulmo pulmonary quantitative software.Results There was correlation between pulmonary quantitative indexes of MSCT and PFF.The Piex/in_(-910)showed best correlation with FEV_1%(r=-0.905,P

Objective: To facilitate the functional analysis of chromosomal genes and their products, the recombineering technique to epitope tagging of chromosomal genes of Y. pestis was adapted. Methods: The epitope tag was generated by primer annealing and then fused with resistance gene by fusion PCR. The epitope-resistance cassette was inserted into pBluecript, resulted in the template plasmid, pBS-MH. The tagging cassette for rpoS was obtained by PCR amplification from pBS-MH with primers containing homology specific to the target gene. PCR products were transformed into recombination competent cells and recombinants were selected. PCR and DNA sequencing were used to confirm the correct tagging event. The expression of the tagged protein was detected with Western blot by using monoclonal antibody to the epitope. Results: The template plasmid containing fusion of epitope and resistance gene was successfully constructed. The sigma factor gene, rpoS, was tagged with a myc-his tag at the COOH terminus. Expression of the tagged rpoS was successfully detected indirectly by the antibody against His tag. Conclusion: The chromosomal gene tagging by recombineering technique represents a powerful tool in the functional study of bacterial genes and their products.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the immunohistochemical detection of epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR) mutations using two EGFR mutation-specific monoclonal antibodies: delE746-A750 and L858R.

METHODSA total of 175 paraffin-embedded lung adenocarcinoma tissue samples previously genotyped by directive DNA sequencing were subject to immunostaining using delE746-A750 and L858R antibodies.

RESULTSThere was no significant difference of mutation detection between DNA sequence analysis and delE746-A750 and/or L858R immunostaining (33.7% vs 30.9%, P > 0.05). The overall sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of immunostaining using these two EGFR mutation-specific antibodies were 83.1%, 95.7%, 90.7% and 90.9%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONWith high sensitivity and good specificity, immunohistochemistry using EGFR mutation-specific monoclonal antibodies is an adequate, easy and cost-effective prescreening method to detect EGFR mutations using paraffin-embedded tissue specimens of lung adenocarcinomas.

Adenocarcinoma ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Female ; Gene Deletion ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lung Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Paraffin Embedding ; Point Mutation ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; Sensitivity and Specificity

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; Oligodeoxyribonucleotides, Antisense ; pharmacology ; Tumor Cells, Cultured ; beta Catenin ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the relevance of molecular alterations and histopathological subtypes of lung adenocarcinoma according to 2011 International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer/American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society International Multidisciplinary Lung Adenocarcinoma Classification.

METHODSMutations of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) 18-21 exons (E18-21), KRAS 12/13 codons and EML4-ALK fusion in 212 cases of lung adenocarcinoma which underwent complete tumor resection, were detected by immunohistochemistry, PCR-amplifying and gene sequencing. The relevance of the molecular alterations to histopathological subtypes based on the new classification and 2004 WHO classification were further characterized.

RESULTSMutations of EGFR were observed in 49.6% of lung adenocarcinomas, involving mainly E21 (52.4%, 55/105) and E19 (36.2%, 38/105). Mutations of KRAS were detected in 8% cases of adenocarcinoma, involving mainly codon 12 (15/17). EML4-ALK fusions were found in 6.1% of lung adenocarcinoma, the most common fusion mutation was type V1 (E13; A20) (7/13), followed by type V3a/b (E6a/b; A20) (4/13). Based on the new classification, 7/10 lepidic, 63.2% (48/76) papillary, and 5/8 micropapillary predominant adenocarcinomas harbored EGFR mutations. EGFR mutations showed significant difference among different histological subtypes (P = 0.008). KRAS mutations were most frequently found in invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma (1/2), followed by colloid predominant adenocarcinoma (3/7). There was significant difference of KRAS mutations among different histological subtypes (P = 0.003). EML4-ALK fusions were most frequently found in the solid predominant with mucin production subtype (15.4%, 6/39), followed by colloid predominant adenocarcinoma (1/7), and no significant difference of EML4-ALK fusions was found among different histological subtypes (P = 0.181). Significant TTF-1 overexpression was observed in adenocarcinomas harbored EGFR mutations (P = 0.008), and no or significantly lower level expression of TTF-1 was observed in adenocarcinomas harbored KRAS mutations (P = 0.000). However, there was no association between TTF-1 expression and EML4-ALK fusions (P = 0.274). Based on the 2004 WHO classification, mutations of KRAS (P = 0.002) and EML4-ALK (P = 0.000), rather than EGFR (P = 0.502), showed significant differences among different subtypes. According to both classification systems, the difference of "triple negative" adenocarcinomas was not significant among different subtypes (P = 0.684, P = 0.449, respectively).

CONCLUSIONSThe new classification, combined with TTF-1 immunomarker, can help to predict the molecular alterations of EGFR and KRAS genes, but can not indicate the EML4-ALK fusion in lung adenocarcinoma. Lepidic, papillary, and micropapillary predominant adenocarcinomas with TTF-1 expression are closely related to the presence of EGFR mutation, and invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma, while colloid predominant adenocarcinoma without TTF-1 expression is closely related to the presence of KRAS mutation.

Adenocarcinoma ; classification ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Codon ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Exons ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; classification ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion ; genetics ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; genetics ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras) ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; genetics ; Societies, Medical ; Transcription Factors ; Young Adult ; ras Proteins ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo assess the efficacy of endoscopic epicardial microwave ablation, a new completely endoscopic technique, for isolated atrial fibrillation (AF).

METHODSFrom July to October of 2004, 5 patients with isolated permanent AF underwent this procedure. We performed epicardial microwave ablation using FLEX10 probe under the guide of VasoView 5 endoscope. The probe was placed around left and right pulmonary vein orifices, the microwave application was set 65 W/90 s, and a continuous ablation line was obtained encircling the pulmonary veins. Echocardiography and electrocardiography were carried out in all patients before and after operation.

RESULTSFive patients received electrical conversion after ablation. Average ablation time was 35.0 min and average procedure time was 2.5 h without any procedure-related complications. At the 3-month, 6-month and 12-month follow-up, 4 patients (80%) were in sinus rhythm, associated with a reduced left atrial diameter and an improved cardiac function.

CONCLUSIONEndoscopic epicardial microwave ablation for isolated atrial fibrillation appears to be safe and effective.

Adult ; Atrial Fibrillation ; surgery ; Catheter Ablation ; methods ; Endoscopy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Microwaves ; therapeutic use ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study diagnosis and therapeutic efficacy of transient oeteoporods of the hip (TOH).

METHODSFrom January 2005 to February 2010, 5 patients with TOH were treated with traditional methods. All the patients were male, with an average age of 38.6 years (ranged, 27 to 46 years). The clinical manifestation, physical examination and imageology characteristic was investigated. The therapeutic efficacy was evaluated by Harris hip score.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up, the duration ranged from 12 to 36 months (averaged, 24 months). The Harris hip score before treatment were 63.1, 86.0, 74.9, 63.6 and 64.8 respectively, while after 6 months treatment, the scores improved to 90.5, 94.5, 89.7, 93.9 and 87.8 respectively. Moreover, 6 months later, the abnormal signal disappeared in MR imaging and X-ray.

CONCLUSIONTransient osteoporosis of the hip is a self-resolving condition and a self-limited disease, the expectant treatment is useful for it.

Adult ; Female ; Hip Joint ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporosis ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of prostatectomy on nocturia in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

METHODSThe data of patients who had received prostatectomy for BPH between June 2006 and December 2007 were collected. Nocturia severity was assessed preoperatively and 3 to 6 months after prostatectomy by the number of nocturia events, the time from falling sleep to the first awakening to void (hours of undisturbed sleep, HUS), the score of the nocturia quality of life (N-QOL) questionnaire, the International Prostatic Symptom Score (IPSS) and the quality of life (QOL) score.

RESULTSOne hundred and twenty five cases were included. Of them, 73 patients finished the follow-up completely. There were 62 patients whose number of nocturia events before the operation was equal or more than 2. The data from these 62 patients were analyzed. Of them, 56 patients underwent transurethral resection of prostate, the remaining 11 patients suprapubic prostatectomy. Significant improvement (P < 0.01) was noted in all the following parameters after treatment: the number of nocturia events decreased from 4.2 ± 2.4 to 2.2 ± 1.0, HUS increased from (1.8 ± 0.7) h to (3.0 ± 1.4) h, N-QOL score raised from 30 ± 10 to 40 ± 7, IPSS decreased from 23 ± 5 to 8 ± 5, and QOL score fell down from 4.4 ± 0.7 to 1.5 ± 1.0.

CONCLUSIONThe prostatectomy can markedly improve the symptoms of nocturia, sleep and life quality in the BPH patients who accompanied with nocturia.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nocturia ; complications ; surgery ; Prostatectomy ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; complications ; surgery ; Quality of Life ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To explore the role of diaphgram fatigue in the death from hanging with bound upper limbs of rabbits. METHODS: Rabbits were hanged with upper limbs bound, then the data of EMGdi were gathered RESULTS: By analyzing power spectral of EMGdi in experiment, we compare the ratio change of H/L between pre-experiment and post-experiment. There is a significance decrease of the ratio of H/L, so it indicates that diaphgram fatigue does exist. CONCLUSION Diaphgram fatigue plays an important role in the death from hanging with limbs of rabbits bound.
Animals ; Asphyxia/physiopathology* ; Cause of Death ; Diaphragm/physiopathology* ; Electromyography ; Female ; Forensic Medicine ; Male ; Muscle Fatigue ; Rabbits