Actins ; metabolism ; Angiomyolipoma ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; pathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Epithelioid Cells ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms ; pathology ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; pathology ; Humans ; Kidney Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lung Neoplasms ; pathology ; Lymphangioleiomyomatosis ; pathology ; Male ; Melanoma ; pathology ; Melanoma-Specific Antigens ; metabolism ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; pathology ; Perivascular Epithelioid Cell Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Sarcoma, Clear Cell ; pathology ; Skin Neoplasms ; pathology ; Uterine Neoplasms ; pathology

Objective To evaluate 99tcm-DTPA nuclear dynamic imaging in distinguishing the renal occupied disease.Methods A total of 164 in-patients with renal occupied disease who underwent surgery were included.According to the pathological diagnosis,119 patients had malignant tumors,and 45 patients had benign diseases.All patients’ imaging was retrospectively analyzed.Application of 99Tcm-DTPA nuclear dynamic imaging in renal occupied disease was compared with ultrasonography (US),computed tomography (CT),magnetic resonance imaging (MRI),intravenous pyelogram (IVP),and positron emission tomography (PET)-CT.Results The accuracy rates of different imaging methods in distinguishing between renal malignant and benign disease were 99Tcm-DTPA (84 ％,45 ％),US (72 ％,64 ％),CT ( 91％,92 ％),MRI (50 ％,67 ％),IVP (50 ％, 17 ％), respectively.The diagnostic accuracy rate of PET-CT for malignant tumors was 67 ％.The accuracy rates of 99Tcm-DTPA in distinguishing different phases of renal cell carcinoma were statistically significant (x 2 =83.4, P ＜ 0.01), while the accuracy rates in distinguishing renal cyst from renal angiomyolipoma were not statistically different.With the greater diameter, the diagnostic accordance rate is higher (x 2 =16.05,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion 99Tcm-DTPA could be used not only to evaluate the renal function quantificationally,but also be helpful to distinguish renal malignant tumor from benign disease.

Objective To evaluate the clinical outcome and the acute toxicity in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) treated with tomotherapy followed by the anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody.Methods Between March 2008 and November 2009,34 newly diagnosed NPC patients were treated with helical tomotherapy combined with nimotuzumab or cetuximab.All the patients underwent tomotherapy at the dose of 70 Gy/33F for the gross tumor volume (pGTVns) and positive lymphnodes (GTVnd) ,and 60 Gy/33F for the high risk clinical target volume (PTV1),and 56 Gy/33 F for the low risk clinical target volume (PTV2),respectively.17 patients in group N were given weekly injection of 200 mg for 6-7 times and 17 patients in group C were given initial dosage 400 mg/m2 followed by subsequent weekly dosage of 250 mg/m2 for 6-7 times.Acute lesions were evaluated with the RTOG/EORTC criteria.Result The median follow-up time was 22 months.The effective rates (CR + PR) in 3,6 and 12 months were 14/17,12/17,12/17 in group N and 15/17,14/17,14/17 in group C.The 1 year survival rate was 15/17 in group Nand 17/17 in group C.Nimotuzumab had less acute mucositis reaction (u = 2.25,P < 0.05),weight loss(t=2.56,P=0.02) and rash (u=4.36,P＜0.01) compared with cetuximab.Conclusions Helical tomotherapy combined with nimotuzumab or cetuximab was effective and made no difference in the shortterm efficacy and 1 year survival rate for the patients with NPC.Nimotuzumab has less acute reaction than cetuximab.More studies should be done to prove long-term effects.

Objective:To investigate the mechanism of PE_PGRS60 protein in the pathogenesis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Methods:The cloned and purified PE_PGRS60 protein from Mycobacterium tuberculosis was used to stimulate RAW264.7 cells. The expression of cyclooxygenase 2(COX2) mRNA and protein was detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. The signal pathways that may regulate the expression of COX2 were screened, and the expression of inflammatory cytokines induced by PE_PGRS60 was detected by ELISA. The level of cell death was measured by lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) release test and flow cytometry PI staining. Western blot was used to detect the expression of COX2 in Peripheral blood mononuclear cell(PBMC) from active tuberculosis patients. Results:PE_PGRS60 protein was found to promote the expression of COX2 in RAW264.7 cells and activate the three major members of the mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK) family: extracellular regulated protein kinase(ERK), p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase(JNK). Interestingly, only JNK-IN-7, the inhibitor of JNK was observed to suppress the up-regulation expression of COX2 induced by PE_PGRS60. This up-regulated expression of COX2 was also found in PBMCs from active tuberculosis patients. The COX2 inhibitor celecoxib can effectively block the expression of the inflammatory factors IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6 induced by PE_PGRS60 and promote macrophage death.Conclusions:PE_PGRS60 can promote macrophages to release inflammatory factors by activating JNK/COX2 signal axis. Some macrophages still die under the protection of COX2.

OBJECTIVETo study the clinicopathologic features and differential diagnosis of epithelioid sarcoma-like hemangioendothelioma (ES-H).

METHODSThe clinical, radiologic and pathologic features of three cases of ES-H were analyzed.

RESULTSAll the 3 cases occurred in male adults. The age ranged from 44 to 53 years. The presentations included left neck mass, iliac pain and bilateral shoulder masses. Histologically, ES-H was composed of a mixture of spindle and epithelioid tumor cells. Transition between the two cell types was demonstrated. The tumor cells were arranged in compact sheets, vague nodules or intersecting fascicles, amongst a collagenous stroma. Central coagulative necrosis was identified in one case, reminiscent the morphology that seen in epithelioid sarcoma. There was no evidence of angiogenesis, though focal presence of intracytoplasmic vacuoles was seen in one case, as in classic examples of epithelioid hemangioendothelioma. Immunohistochemical study showed that the tumor cells expressed both epithelial (AE1/AE3, CAM5.2 and epithelial membrane antigen) and endothelial (CD31, Fli-1 and factor VIII-related antigen) markers. Two of the cases were also positive for CD34. All of the patients were treated by surgical resection. Two patients remain well at 14-month and 9-month follow up, respectively. The remaining patient had repeated local recurrences during a 6-year period.

CONCLUSIONSES-H represents a rare morphologic type of hemangioendothelioma. It has some overlapping histologic features with epithelioid sarcoma and epithelioid hemangioendothelioma. The endothelial nature of ES-H is difficult to be verified on the basis of morphologic examination alone. Confirmation of the diagnosis with immunohistochemistry is necessary. ES-H is likely related to epithelioid hemangioendothelioma and may represent a cellular spindle cell variant of epithelioid hemangioendothelioma.

Adult ; Antigens, CD34 ; metabolism ; Biomarkers ; metabolism ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemangioendothelioma ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Hemangioendothelioma, Epithelioid ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Ilium ; Immunohistochemistry ; Keratins ; metabolism ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mucin-1 ; metabolism ; Neck ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Protein c-fli-1 ; metabolism ; Reoperation ; Retrospective Studies ; Sarcoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Shoulder ; von Willebrand Factor ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) in alcoholic liver disease (ALD)-related hepatocyte apoptosis.

METHODSA rat model of ALD was established by continuous intragastric administration of ethanol. At 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks later, randomly selected rats were sacrificed for serum and liver sample collection. Serum levels of total homocysteine (tHcy) were examined by chemiluminescence analysis. Cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) activity in liver tissue was measured by chromatometry. The mRNA and protein expressions of ERS-related factors, glucose-regulated protein (GRP)-78, calpain 2 and caspase-12, were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Hepatocyte apoptosis was detected by the TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling assay.

RESULTSAt 16 weeks, the ALD rats' livers exhibited diffuse microvesicular adipose degeneration and fibrosis in the liver sinus and portal septa. As the duration of ethanol administration extended, the tHcy levels gradually increased (P less than 0.01), CBS activity decreased (P less than 0.01), gene expression levels of GRP-78, calpain 2, and caspase-12 were up-regulated (P less than 0.01), and protein expression levels of GRP-78 and calpain 2 were gradually increased. However, the protein level of procaspase-12 was found to decrease with increased duration of ethanol administration. Finally, the hepatocyte apoptosis index showed an increasing trend over time (P less than 0.01).

CONCLUSIONIn our experimental ALD rat model, hepatic apoptosis was detected with increasing frequency over the duration of ALD. Increased apoptosis was likely due to decreased CBS activity causing hyperhomocysteinemia, which further induced ERS and activated the calpain 2 and caspase-12 signaling pathway. These ethanol-induced molecular changes may provoke hepatic apoptosis and subsequently promote the pathogenic processes of alcoholic liver disease.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Calpain ; metabolism ; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress ; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins ; metabolism ; Hepatocytes ; metabolism ; pathology ; Liver ; pathology ; Liver Diseases, Alcoholic ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVEThe study was conducted to reveal the distribution of genetic polymorphism of four Y chromosome specific short tandem repeat (Y-specific STR) loci in Li ethnic groups in Hainan Island, China.

METHODSFour tetranucleotide STR loci were simultaneously amplified with fluorescently labeled primers, and genotypes were determined with an automated DNA sequencer.

RESULTSAmong 230 unrelated males, the alleles at the four Y-specific STR loci were composed of some complex repeat structure. 4,5,4,5 alleles were observed in loci DYS3891, DYS390, DYS391, DYS393 respectively. A set of human allele ladders for the typing of the four Y-specific STRs was obtained in Li ethnic population. Gene diversity index (D) and haplotype diversity data were estimated for the four Y-STRs.

CONCLUSIONThe preliminary study indicates a reference population for detecting male migration events and should be useful in population genetics and forensic applications.

China ; Chromosomes, Human, Y ; genetics ; DNA ; chemistry ; genetics ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Variation ; Haplotypes ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Microsatellite Repeats ; genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

BACKGROUNDHelical tomotherapy (HT) is a new image-guided intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in the target volume and organs at risk (OARs) of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) during helical tomotherapy.

METHODSForty-three patients with NPC and treated via HT from March 2008 to January 2010 were reviewed retrospectively. Repeated CT scanning and plan adaptation were conducted at the 20th fraction during radiotherapy. The volumetric differences between the two scans were evaluated for nasopharyngeal tumor and retro-pharyngeal lymph nodes (GTVnx), neck lymph nodes (GTVnd), and parotid glands, as well as the axial diameter of the head.

RESULTSThe median interval between the two scans was 25 days (23 - 28 days). The volumetric decrease in GTVnx was 30.1% (median, 29.8%) and in GTVnd 41.6% (median, 45.9%). The variation in the GTVnd volume was correlated with the weight loss of the patient. The volume of the left parotid gland decreased by 35.5% (median, 33.4%) and of the right parotid glands decreased by 36.8% (median, 33.5%). The axial diameter of the head decreased by 9.39% (median, 9.1%).

CONCLUSIONSThe target volume and OARs of patients with NPC varied considerably during HT. These changes may have potential dosimetric effects on the target volume and/or OARs and influence the clinical outcome. Repeated CT scanning and replanning during the HT for NPC patients with a large target volume or an obvious weight loss are recommended.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; radiotherapy ; Organs at Risk ; Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of angiotensin II (Ang II) on expression of gap junction channel protein connexin 43 (Cx43) in the proliferation process of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) during the early stage of arteriosclerosis.

METHODSThirty-two adult male rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups. Rabbits in Group A were fed common diet while others in Groups B, C, and D were fed high-cholesterol diet. Losartan (10 mg/(kg.d)) and ramipril (0.5 mg/(kg.d)) were added in the diet of Groups C and D, respectively. The animals were sacrificed after 8 weeks and abdominal aortas were removed and dissected. The expression of Cx43 was assayed using RT-PCR and Western Blotting analysis.

RESULTSCx43 was increased markedly in both protein and mRNA level in Groups B, C, and D fed high-cholesterol diet compared with that in control group (P<0.01). Cx43 level in losartan or ramipril treated groups was higher than that in control group (P<0.01, P<0.05), but lower than that in high-cholesterol diet groups (P<0.05, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONCx43 level was upregulated in VSMCs during early atherosclerosis. Losartan and ramipril can inhibit the expression of Cx43.

Angiotensin II ; physiology ; Animals ; Arteriosclerosis ; metabolism ; Body Weight ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Connexin 43 ; analysis ; genetics ; Losartan ; pharmacology ; Male ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; metabolism ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rabbits ; Ramipril ; pharmacology

Female ; Gastroscopy ; Humans ; Infant ; Intestinal Obstruction ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome