OBJECTIVETo investigate diagnostic efficacy of transvaginal three-dimensional hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography (3D-HyCoSy) in assessing tubal patency with chromolaporoscopy.

METHODSA total of 157 infertile women underwent 3D-HyCoSy to evaluate tubal patency. Among these patients, 39 patients were also examined by chromolaporoscopy. The concordance of the two clinical assessment methods was analyzed by the Kappa coefficient test.

RESULTSAmong the 306 oviducts examined by 3D-HyCoSy, 99 (32.4%) were patent, 126 (41.2%) partially obstructed, and 81 (26.5%) completely obstructed. Diagnostic results with 3D-HyCoSy were not statistically different from those obtained in the 39 women (78 oviducts) who also underwent chromolaporoscopy, and the two methods showed a high concordance (k=0.747, P=0.000). The 3D-HyCoSy procedure had a sensitivity of 84.8% (28/33), a specificity of 96.2% (25/26), and positive and negative predictive values of 93.3% (28/30) and 86.2% (25/29) respectively.

CONCLUSIONTransvaginal 3D-HyCoSy can accurately reveal the spatial path and morphology of the oviduct and is a safe and effective method to evaluate tubal patency.

Contrast Media ; Fallopian Tube Patency Tests ; methods ; Fallopian Tubes ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Hysterosalpingography ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Infertility, Female ; diagnostic imaging ; Laparoscopy ; Ultrasonography

This study aimed to explore Semaphrin4D (Sema4D) expression and clinical significance in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and to define the roles and mechanisms of Sema4D in regulating the malignant behaviors of A549 cells by small interfering RNA (siRNA). Firstly, immunohistochemistry revealed that Sema4D was more frequently expressed in NSCLC than in lung benign lesion (P<0.05) and its overexprssion was associated with low differentiation (P<0.05), poor pTNM staging (P<0.05) and occurrence of lymph node (LN) metastasis (P<0.05). Endogenous Sema4D expression was suppressed by Sema4D siRNA in A549 cells overexpressing Sema4D. Protein levels of Sema4D, total Akt and p-Akt were examined by Western blotting. Cell proliferation, migration and invasion abilities were measured by MTT assay and Transwell assay respectively. Results showed that Sema4D siRNA significantly suppressed phosphorylation of AKT in A549 cells, but it did not alter total AKT expression. In addition, efficient down-regulation of SemaD significantly inhibit cell proliferation (P<0.05), migration (P<0.05) and invasion (P<0.05) in A549 cells. These findings suggest that Sema4D might serve as a reliable tool for early prediction of NSCLC poor prognosis. Sema4D could play an important role in promoting tumor proliferation, migration and metastasis in the NSCLC, by influencing the Akt protein phosphorylation. Inhibition of Sema4D may be a useful approach for the treatment of NSCLC.

Adult ; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Keratin-10 ; metabolism ; Male ; Ovotesticular Disorders of Sex Development ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Teratoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Vimentin ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the expression of Foxp3~+ lymphocytes in breast carcinoma tissues and their correlation with other pathological factors,and to investigate the mechanism of action of Treg cells.Methods The expression of Foxp3~+ lymphocytes in the breast cancer tissue and non-cancerous tissue was detected by flow cytometry (FCM) in 30 breast carcinoma patients, and its correlation with other pathological factors was statistically analyzed by multiple linear regression analysis.The expression of TGF-β and IL-10 in the lymphocytes infiltrated in breast cancer tissue and non-cancerous tissue was measured by immunohistochemistry, and their correlation with the expression of Foxp3~+ lymphocytes was statistically analyzed by linear correlation dependability analysis. Results There was significant difference in the expression of Foxp3~+ lymphocytes between the malignant and non-cancerous breast tissues(P<0.05),and it was positively correlated with the clinical stage,blood vessel invasion and the matter of axillary lymph node metastasis(P<0.05). The expression of IL-10 in the tumor infiltrating lymphocytes was positively correlated with the expression of Foxp3~+ lymphocytes(P<0.05).Conclusion The expression level of Foxp3~+ lymphocytes is correlated with invasion and metastasis of breast carcinoma, and the IL-10 secreted by Foxp3~+ lymphocytes may be involved in this effect.Foxp3~+ lymphocytes can be used as an assistant marker for prediction and new therpeutic target of breast cancer.

Objective: To observe the impact of cardiac contractility modulation (CCM) on myocardial remodeling in rabbit model of chronic heart failure (CHF) with its possible mechanism. Methods: Rabbit HF model was established by ascending aortic root ligation; the animals were divided into 3 groups: Sham group, the animals received thoracotomy without aortic ligation, HF group and HF+CCM group, the HF animals received CCM treatment for 4 weeks. n=10 in each group. Cardiac function was measured by echocardiography at 12 and 16 weeks in each group respectively; myocardial tissue fibrosis and pathological changes were examined by Masson staining; plasma BNP level was assessed by ELISA; protein expressions of collagen I, collagen II, MMP2,MMP9, TIMP1 and galectin-3 in myocardial tissue were determined by Western blot analysis. Results: ① By echocardiography: with 12 weeks treatment, compared with Sham group, HF group and HF+CCM group had increased LVESD, LVEDD and decreased LVFS, LVEF, all P<0.05; with 16 weeks treatment, compared with HF group, HF+CCM group had improved LVESD, LVEDD, LVEF and LVFS, all P<0.05. ② Pathological changes:compared with Sham group, HF group showed increased collagen content in myocardial tissue, P<0.05; CCM treatment could partially decrease collagen accumulation, P<0.05. ③ After 12 weeks treatment, compared with Sham group, HF group and HF+CCM group presented elevated plasma BNP level, P<0.05; after 16 weeks treatment, compared with HF group, HF+CCM group presented reduced plasma BNP, while it was still higher than that in Sham group, P<0.05. ④ By Western blot analysis: compared with Sham group, HF group demonstrated increased protein expressions of collagen I, collagen II, MMP2, MMP9, TIMP1 and galectin-3 in myocardial tissue; the above indexes were much lower in HF+CCM group while still higher than those in Sham group, all P<0.05. Conclusion: CCM could improve myocardial remodeling in rabbit model of CHF which might be related to down-regulated protein expressions of collagen I, collagen III, MMP2, MMP9, TIMP1 and galectin3 in myocardial tissue.

Recently, in situ gel has been widely used as a local delivery system for periodontitis treatment because of its lesion injectability, local drug depot function, and drug sustained-release effect.Different therapeutic purposes can be achieved by loading different types of drugs such as antibiotics, bioactive factors, etc.In this review, different types of in situ gel with temperature-sensitive, ion-sensitive, pH-sensitive and solvent-exchanged characteristics were introduced for their applications and limitations in the delivery of drug for periodontitis;and the elimination of periodontal inflammation, periodontal tissue repair and the long-term role after loading microsphere achieved by the in situ gel system were also reviewed.

The dissolution of Panacis Quinquefolii Radix ultrafine granular powder and common powder, traditional pieces in water and simulated gastric juice in vitro was compared, and the effect of particles size of Panacis Quinquefolii Radix on the dissolution was studied. HPLC method was used for determination of five ginsenosides including Rg1, Re, Rb1, Rc and Rd from ultrafine granular powder and common powder, traditional pieces of Panacis Quinquefolii Radix at different points in time, furthermore, the dissolution curves of Panacis Quinquefolii Radix ultrafine granular powder and common powder, traditional pieces were obtained. The dissolution characteristics of the three Panacis Quinquefolii Radix forms were also compared in this study. According to the results, the dissolution rates of ginsenosides from ultrafine granular powder exceeded 90% of the total content with 5 min, significantly higher than that of the other two forms in water in vitro. At the same time, the dissolved amount of the ultrafine granular powder was fourteen percent higher than that of the traditional pieces and eight percent higher than that of the common powder. Under the condition of simulated gastric juice in vitro, the dissolution rates of ginsenosides from ultrafine granular powder were little lower than that of the other two, but the maximum dissolved amount of the former was fourteen percent higher than that of the common powder and five percent higher than that of the extracts. Therefore the conclusion is that micronization of Panacis Quinquefolii Radix contributed to dissolution of effective components.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Ginsenosides ; chemistry ; Panax ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Powders ; Solubility

This study aimed to explore Semaphrin4D (Sema4D) expression and clinical significance in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and to define the roles and mechanisms of Sema4D in regulating the malignant behaviors of A549 cells by small interfering RNA (siRNA). Firstly, immunohistochemistry revealed that Sema4D was more frequently expressed in NSCLC than in lung benign lesion (P<0.05) and its overexpression was associated with low differentiation (P<0.05), poor pTNM staging (P<0.05) and occurrence of lymph node (LN) metastasis (P<0.05). Endogenous Sema4D expression was suppressed by Sema4D siRNA in A549 cells overexpressing Sema4D. Protein levels of Sema4D, total Akt and p-Akt were examined by Western blotting. Cell proliferation, migration and invasion abilities were measured by MTT assay and Transwell assay respectively. Results showed that Sema4D siRNA significantly suppressed phosphorylation of AKT in A549 cells, but it did not alter total AKT expression. In addition, efficient down-regulation of SemaD significantly inhibit cell proliferation (P<0.05), migration (P<0.05) and invasion (P<0.05) in A549 cells. These findings suggest that Sema4D might serve as a reliable tool for early prediction of NSCLC poor prognosis. Sema4D could play an important role in promoting tumor proliferation, migration and metastasis in the NSCLC, by influencing the Akt protein phosphorylation. Inhibition of Sema4D may be a useful approach for the treatment of NSCLC.
Aged ; Antigens, CD ; biosynthesis ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; metabolism ; mortality ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; mortality ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Phosphorylation ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; Semaphorins ; biosynthesis ; Survival Rate

Objective To observe the relationship between serum Klotho levels and the progression of renal function in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD)and investigate further the feasibility of serum Klotho levels for predicting the progression of renal function in CKD patients.Methods Eighty-one non-dialysis patients with CKD 3 to 5 stages and 30 healthy volunteers in the First People's Hospital of Kunshan were enrolled for a 12 months of follow-up.The levels of Klotho and fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) in serum were detected by ELISA at the beginning and the end of the follow-up.The other related indicators were also tested simultaneously.GFR values were calculated by MDRD and GC formulas.According to the decreasing range of GFR,the CKD patients were subdivided into two groups:deterioration group and stability group for renal function,and the relationships between Klotho levels and progression of kidney function were evaluated.Results The patients were followed up for an average of (9.5 + 2.9) months.GFR in CKD patients decreased from (24.8 ± 12.4) mL/min to (18.7 ± 12.1) mL/min (P ＜ 0.0 1),and serum Klotho level decreased from 2.53 (1.41,3.67)ng/mL to 1.63 (1.07,3.19)ng/mL (P ＜0.01)with more pronounced trend in the patients with renal function deterioration than the patients in stability group (P ＜0.01).Fifteen patients with high Klotho level suffered from adverse kidney outcomes while 26 ones with lower Klotho level suffered from deterioration of renal function (63.4％ vs 36.5％,P =0.02).KaplanMeier analysis revealed the high risk of adverse kidney outcomes arose in the CKD patients with lower Klotho level (P =0.013).Conclusion Klotho level in CKD patients may significantly decrease and should be more apparent with renal function progresses.Lower Klotho level in serum may be associated with high risk of adverse kidney outcomes and become a promising marker to predict CKD progression.

BACKGROUNDOn the afternoon of May 12, 2008, a 8.0-magnitude earthquake hit Sichuan Province, a mountainous region in Western China, killing about 70 000 people and leaving over 18 000 missing. What about the survivors motor functions and activities of daily living (ADL) capacity, especially for fractures? We need the data to guide the rehabilitation for the seismic wounded and it's important to collect the data for the future. We study the survivors to understand the motor functions and ADL capacity of patients with fractures sustained in the Wenchuan earthquake, to provide a basis for rehabilitation and treatment.

METHODSWe used the Manual Muscle Testing method to evaluate muscle strength, the joint angle scale to measure joint range of motion (ROM), and the Barthel index to evaluate the activities of daily living status. SPSS 13.0 software was used to analyze the data and the results were tested using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).

RESULTSThe number of seismic wounded amounted to 487; 81.1% of patients had fractures. Most of the injured had fractures in multiple regions (53.9% of all fracture patients), followed by fractures of the upper limb (34.0% of patients); cranial fractures were rare (2.3%). Totally 82.0% had restricted range of motion, 23.5% had decreased muscle force, and 72.2% of the patients had restricted activities of daily living capacities. With time the activities of daily living capacity of female increased (P < 0.05), compared with the male fracture patients who did not show any relative improvement (P > 0.05). The difference between the patients' ages and ADL capacities did not reach statistical significance (P > 0.05), nor was there a significant difference between their ages and the numbers of days in hospital (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSFractures were the main issue in the seismic wounded, many of them had reductions in the ROM, muscle force and ADL capacities. The physicians involved in rehabilitation should pay greater attention to muscle force exercises, joint mobilization, and occupational therapy during the early phases post disaster.

Activities of Daily Living ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; China ; Earthquakes ; Female ; Fractures, Bone ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult