Objective To explore the change of serum osteopontin levels in preoperative and postoperative patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its clinic significance.Methods The levels of serum osteopontin were detected by ELISA.Results In 88 NSCLC patients,serum osteopontin levels were significantly higher than in benign pulmonary disease and healthy control group(P＜0.05.P＜0.01.respectively) There was no difference between benign pulmonary disease and healthy control group(P＞0.05).Serum osteopontin levels were related to clinical stage and lymph node metastasis,and the levels of serum osteopontin were lower in postoperative patients than in preoperative cases(P＜0.05).For NSCLC.the detection of osteopontin had a sensitivity of 84.1%,a specificity of 92.5%,and an accuracy of 88.1%. Conclusion Increased serum levels of osteopontin may be useful as a helpful clinical biomarker to diagnose earlier,predict prognosis and differentiate from benign pulmonary disease.

Four hundreds and ninety sheep sera from seven breeds raised at eight counties and one city of Aksu region in Xinjiang were tested by ELISA for the presence of antibodies against hepatitis E virus (HEV), and the positive rate differences were compared based on administrative areas, breeds and age by Chi-square test. The result showed that the general positive rate was 28.98% (142/490), the positive rate were 35.44% (28/79), 29.67% (27/91), 20% (4/20), 40% (12/30), 32.5% (26/80), 38% (19/50), 22.5% (9/40), 8% (4/50) and 26% (13/50) respectively in eight counties and one city, there was a significant difference between Xayar and other administrative areas (P<0.01); there was also a significant difference among age ranges (P<0.01), being 38.75% (31/80) over 2 years old, 15.45% (17/110) below 1 year old; The seroprevalence was still related to breeds, i. e. there was a significant difference between Mongolia sheep and other breeds (P<0.01). From these data, it is confirmed that there is a possibility of previous and potential infection of sheep HEV in Aksu region of Xinjiang Autonomous.
Animals ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; China ; epidemiology ; Hepatitis E ; epidemiology ; transmission ; veterinary ; virology ; Hepatitis E virus ; physiology ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Sheep ; blood ; virology ; Sheep Diseases ; epidemiology ; transmission ; virology

BACKGROUND: Bone morphogenetic protein(BMP) is one of the most important cytokines that induce and promote seed cells to be transformed into osteocytes. Insoluble natural BMP can hardly affect the life of cultured seed cells. The expensive soluble recombinant BMP is also hard to work on the seed cells at the appropriate time and dose. Therefore, gene therapy technique provides us with a brand new idea of using gene-modified seed cells.OBJECTIVE: To transfect exogenous BMP-3 gene into the fibroblasts and screen the positive fibroblast clones that can express BMP-3 stably.DESIGN: Simple sample study.SETTING: Orthopaedic Research Institute, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University of Chinese PLA.MATERIALS: The fibroblasts(NIH3T3) were kindly presented by Professor Situ Zhen-qiang of the Stomatological College of Fourth Military Medical University of Chinese PLA.METHODS: This experiment was conducted in the Key Laboratory of Chinese PLA, which belongs to the Orthopaedic Research Institute of Fourth Military Medical University. BMP-3 gene was transfected into the fibroblasts through lipofectamin. The transfected cells were screened by G418. The separated cloned cells were identified through immunohistochemistry. The positively stained cells were the clones of BMP-3 expressing fibroblasts.MAIT OUTCOME MEASURES: The screening concentration of NIH3T3 cells, screening of positive transfected cells, and expression of BMP-3 in screened cells.RESULTS: BMP-3 gene was successfully transfected into the fibroblasts. BMP-3 expressing fibroblast clones were creened and identified through immunohistochemistry. Fibroblast strains with stable BMP-3 expression were obtained.CONCLUSION: The transfection of BMP-3 gene eukaryonic expression vector into the fibroblasts and obtaining of fibroblast strains with BMP-3 expression have laid foundation for the usage of gene-modified seed cells in future research of bone tissue engineering.

Objective To explore the changes and clinical significance of levels of serum vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)and endostatin in smokers. Methods In a case-control study,levels of serum VEGF and endostatin were determined in 82 smokers with lung cancer,82 pair-matched smokers without lung cancer and 20 healthy non-smokers by enzyme-linked immunoabsent assay(ELISA) or competitive enzyme immunoassay.Results The level of serum VEGF in smokers with lung anncer[(16.1±7.9)ng/ml]was markedly higher than that in the other two groups(both P＜0.01).The level of serum VEGF in smokers without lung cancer was significantly higher than that in healthy non-smokers(P＜0.05).The level of serum endostatin in smokers with lung cancer was significantly higher than that in healthy nonsmokers(P＜0.01),but was not significantly different from that in smokers without lung cancer(P＞0.05),and that in smokers without lung cancer was significantly higher than that in healthy non-smokers (P＜0.05).Notably,the ratio of endostatin to VEGF in smokers with lung cancer(1.3±0.5)was significantly lower than that in the other two groups(both P＜0.01).However.there was no significant difference in it between smokers without lung cancer and healthy non-smokers(P＞0.05).The level of serum VEGF correlated significantly to that of endostatin in smokers both with and without lung cancer(P＜0.01).Conclusions These findings suggest that smoking may result in imbalance of levels of serum endostatin and VEGF leading to tumorigenesis.The ratio of endostatin to VEGF can be used as an early diagnostic indicator for lung cancer in smokers.Periodic determination of levels of serum VEGF and endostatin as well as the ratio of endostatin to VEGF is of clinical importance.

AIM: To evaluate the clinical results of capsular tension ring (CTR) implantation in phacoemulsification for eyes with congenital lens subluxation.METHODS: This study comprised 18 patients (31 eyes) with congenital ectopia lentis.All patients received phacoemulsification with CTR and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation.Visual acuity before and after surgery were examined.IOL decentration were measured with Image-Pro Plus image processing software.The complications were also recorded preoperatively and postoperatively.RESULTS: Uncorrected vision of all eyes increased after surgery, and all cases had different degree of IOL decentration after surgery.Two eyes received CTR scleral fixation 3mo after surgery because the IOL decentration aggravated during the follow-up period.CONCLUSION: Phacoemulsification with CTR and IOL implantation is effective and safe for congenital lens subluxation.The implantation of CTR increase the stability of the capsular bag, improve the safety of surgery, and maintain the right position of IOL.CTR scleral fixation is a effective supplement for progressive cases.

60 Candida strains were analyzed with randomly amplified polymorphic DNA(RAPD) from HIV-infected patients' oral cavity.The results showed that RAPD-PCR fingerprinting appeared from zero to five bands whose size rang from 300 bp to 2 kb with P2 primer,Candida albicans have three characteristic bands of 300 bp,400 bp and 600 bp in size,non-Candida albicans have the similar bands.They can be clas-sified five genetic clusters and 14 genotypes by Cluster Analysis,two Candida albicans(P385&P403) with fluorocytosine-resistance were classified into C1 genotype for "Squared Euclidean Distance" being 0.115,one Candida albicans(P321) and one Candida glabrata(P522) who were resistant against Amphotericin B were classified into D1 genotype for "Squared Euclidean Distance" being 0.221.So,an abundant genetic polymorphism appeared in Candida species related HIV,RAPD could be as a reference for genotype of Candida albicans;different Candida speices had some special bands,different Candida strains had similar bands in the same species;it is perhaps that some genotypes were relevant to drug resistance.

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect of expanded supraclavicular island flaps for facial and cervical scar.

METHODSFrom Oct. 2010 to Nov. 2013, a series of 16 patients with facial and cervical scars were treated by the expanded supraclavicular island flaps, pedicled by the supraclavicular cutaneous branch of transverse cervical artery. In the first stage, the soft tissue expanders (ranging from 400 ml to 600 ml in volume) were implanted in the anterior thoracic region. In the second stage, the facial and cervical scars were removed and the contructures were released, the expanded flap was transferred to cover the defects. The wounds at the donor sites were closed directly.

RESULTSThe flaps size ranged from 12 cm x 7 cm to 22 cm x 11 cm. All flaps survived with no flap necrosis. Hematoma occurred in one case and healed by debridement. 16 patients were followed up for 3-12 months. The color and texture of all flaps matched well with the surrounding skin tissue, no bulky appearance or hypertrophic scar were noticed.

CONCLUSIONSThe expanded supraclavicular island flap is a good choice for repairing facial and cervical scar. The appearance and function can be improved.

Cicatrix ; surgery ; Face ; surgery ; Humans ; Neck ; surgery ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Surgical Flaps ; transplantation ; Thoracic Wall ; Tissue Expansion Devices

Abstract?AIM: To assess the current situation of trachoma in Shaanxi Province and analyze its epidemiology and clinical features.?METHODS: The World Health Organization ( WHO ) simplified trachoma grading system was used for the recognition and registration of cases of trachoma. Trachoma rapid assessment ( TRA ) was conducted and 30.3687 million people from Shaanxi province were screened. Eyelids, eyelashes, conjunctiva and cornea were examined.The prevalence of trachoma trichiasis ( TT) in Shaanxi Province was estimated.?RESULTS: Totally 987 cases with TT were collected in Shaanxi province, in which 395 cases were male and 592 cases were female. The overall TT prevalence was 0.0325‰.The age of TT cases ranged from 25-86 years old, and concentrated in the 60-80 years old, only 58 cases were <50 years old.There were 12 cases of TT combined corneal opacity (CO) and the ratio was 1.2%. Sixty-four patients were cured by electrolysis trichiasis, the remaining 923 patients corrected by surgery interventions.?CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this study, trachoma blind is no longer estimated as a public health problem in Shaanxi province, as the detection rate of TT was less than 1‰ which is the goal of “elimination of trachoma” worldwide.

Objective To screen the proteins interacting with FOXP3 in yeast two-hybrid system. Methods The "bait plasmid" pGBKT7 (named as pGBKT7-FOXP3) was constructed successfully. Using FOXP3 as bait, a human liver cDNA library was screened and the proteins interacting with FOXP3 were searched. The false positive clones were discarded by one to one yeast two-hybrid system, and the positive clones were sequenced and analyzed by bioinformatic methods. Results The bait plasmid pGBKT7-FOXP3 was constructed successfully and there was no self-activation or toxicity in AH109. Three proteins had been found in our system to be able to interact with FOXP3. They were tumor protein D52, splicing factor 3b subunit 1 and one hypothetical protein. Conclusion FOXP3 interacts with tumor protein D52, splicing factor 3b subunit 1 and one hypothetical protein, all of which may interfere in cell metabolism and function of T cell.

The complete chloroplast genome of medicinal plant Asarum caudigerum Hance and its close relative A. cardiophyllum Franchet were sequenced using Illumina Hiseq technology, and assembled, annotated, and characterized by bioinformatic methods in this study. Then phylogenetic analysis of the complete chloroplast genomes of A. caudigerum, A. cardiophyllum, and twelve published species was conducted. The results indicated that the chloroplast genomes ranged from 186 215-186 985 bp in length, with a large single copy (LSC, 89 445-90 169 bp) and two inverted repeats (IRa/IRb, 48 387-48 408 bp). The overall GC content was 37.4%-37.5%. A total of 144 chloroplast genes were annotated, including 98 protein coding genes, 38 tRNA genes and 8 rRNA genes. In addition, complex genomic rearrangements were detected in the chloroplast genome of Asarum. Meanwhile, visual evaluation of the discrete type of the sequence indicated that the variation level of non-coding region was higher than that of coding region. Phylogenetic analyses suggested that A. caudigerum and A. cardiophyllum were clustered into a single clade and A. cardiophyllum, A. sieboldii var. seoulense, A. misandrum and A. maculatum were clustered into another single branch. These two clade were sister species. This study provides a scientific basis for the identification, phylogenetic relationship, molecular breeding of Asarum species.