Objectvi e To investigate whether promoting gap junctions may contribute to the radiosensi-tivity in triple negative breast cancer( TNBC)cells.Methods HCC70(triple-negative),MCF-7(ER-posi-tive)or SK-BR3(HER2-positive )cells were transfected with pcDNA/5 -Cx43 expression plasmid using liposome 2000.The transfected cells were treated with various doses of radiation(0,5,10,15 Gy),and the level of Cx43 protein was determined by Western blot and the cell connectivity was determined by fluorescent tracer technique. Cell proliferation inhibition,clone formation ability and apoptosis were detected using MTT,clone formation assay, AnnexinV-FITC/PI double staining and flow cytometer,respectively.Results The level of Cx43 protein signifi-cantly increased in HCC 70 -Cx43 ,MCF-7 -Cx43 and SK-BR3 -Cx43 cells.After transfection the cells were treated with various doses of radiation,level of Cx43protein was gradually enhanced in dose dependent fashion .The re-sults form fluorescent tracer technique showed that fluorescence intensity was gradually elevated with increase of radiation doses.Cell viability and clone formation ability were decreased gradually in dose dependent manner in HCC70-Cx43 ,MCF-7 -Cx43 and SK-BR3-Cx 43 cells.Unexpectedly,the inhibitive effect of proliferation ability and clone formation ability in HCC70 -Cx43 cell was higher than in MCF-7 -Cx43 and SK-BR3 -Cx43 cells under same conditions.The results from AnnexinV-FITC/PI and flow cytometer showed that apoptosis rate was enhanced gradually accompanying with increase of radiation doses.Conclu sion Enhancing the function of cell gap junc-tions promoted radiosensitivity of breast cancer cells,particularly in TNBC cells.Radiation can strengthen cell gap junctions in breast cancer cell and cytotoxicity of TNBC cell can be enhanced by both synergistic effects.

Objective To explore the relationship between the expression of Hypoxia-induciable factor-1α (HIF-1α) and changes of hepatitis microcimulation in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).Methods 120 patients with CHB were studied. The expression of HIF-1 α was observed by immunohistochemistry and the morphotogic changes were observed with transmission eletron microscope. Results Stenosis, blockage, dilataltion, capillarization of hepatic sinusoids were the main morphotogic changes of liver. The expression of HIF-1α was positive or stronger positive. There is a positive correlation between the expression of HIF-1α and microcirculation disturbance of liver.Conclusion The disturbance of liver with CHB could exacerbate the dysbolism of nutrient substance and oxygen between hepatic cells and blood circulation. Hypoxia of hepatic cells was an important reason of the liver's pathological changes.

Objective To investigate the characteristics of pulse wave velocity(PWV)and heart rate variability (HRV)and evaluate their feasibility in grading the cardiovascular risk in patients with isolated systolic hypertension (ISH).Methods Eighty-nine ISH patients and systolic-diastolic hypertension patients(DH,n=98)admitted in our hospital were submitted carotid-radial PWV(crPWV),carotid femoral PWV(cfPWV)and HRV,ISH patients were categorized depending on their risk grade as:low risk group(n=3),moderate risk group(n=17),high risk group(n=35)and very high risk group(n=34).Results The cfPWV in ISH patients is significantly higher than that of sys-diastolic hypertension group(ISH: 399.6?48.2 vs sys diastolic hypertension:374.3?39.7 cm/s,P0.05).The LF in ISH group are markedly higher than those in DH(ISH:4.35?1.07 log ms~2 vs 3.78?0.82 log ms~2,P 0.05).LF are markedly positive correlated with the degree of the total cardiovascular risk(rs=0.438,P

Objective To explore the effects of lamotrigine on the cognitive function and the quality of life in epilepsy patients.Methods This was a prospective study and 91 newly diagnosed epilepsy patients were enrolled.The neuropsychological tests score and the quality of life in epilepsy inventory(QOLIE-31) were obtained before and after the treatment with lamotrigine.A battery of neuropsychological tests comprised the auditory verbal learning test(AVLT), the logical memory test(LMT), the digital symbol test(DST), the stroop color word test(SCWT), the trail making test(TMT), the verbal fluency test(VFT), the WAIS block design test(WBDT), the WAIS digital span test(WDST)and the Boston naming test(BNT). Results The repeated assessments in the patients taking lamotrigine were associated with significant improvements in many domains.The greatest changes were observed in the immediate and delayed recall of AVLT, DST, the time consuming of SCWT card C and TMT test A and B, the immediate and delayed recall of LMT, VFT, WBDT and BNT.For the quality of life, significant improvements were recorded in the fields of the seizure worry(38.81?16.06 vs 45.68?15.18), the overall quality of life(59.12?13.50 vs 64.99?13.33), the social function(64.59?25.14 vs 69.41?22.70)and the self-health evaluation (71.18?13.73 vs 76.75?11.30).Conclusion Improvements of the cognitive function and the quality of life can be observed in the initial period of medication with lamotrigine in epilepsy patients.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of tetrandrine on inhibition of capsular contracture in rabbits.

METHODS12 female New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into two groups with 6 animals in each group. Four smooth silicone implants (15 ml each) were implanted beneath the panniculus carnosus muscle of each rabbit. 20 mg tetrandrine was given in side of the implant cavity in the experimental group intraoperatively. All animals were sacrificed 3 months after operation. Capsular tensility, wet weight, collagen content and capsular histological examinations were carried out. In addition, The expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (a-SMA) were examined by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSCapsular tensility and capsular wet weight and capsular collagen content in the control group were significantly higher than that in the tetrandrine group (P < 0.01). alpha-SMA positive cell numbers in control group was obviously higher than that in the tetrandrine E group (P < 0.01). Capsular thickness were no statistical difference between 2 groups (P > 0.05). The capsular microstructure of control group was similar in two groups. The inner layer of capsule was smooth. The middle layer was lamellated fibrous tissue. The outer layer was loose connective tissue. Collagen fibres in control group was dense, the middle layer was thicker than that of the tetrandrine group. Typical myofibroblasts were found in both of 2 types of capsules. Myofibroblasts with swollen mitochondria and dilated rough and chromatin margination endoplasmic reticulum were found in the tetrandrine group.

CONCLUSIONSThis study verified the efficiency of tetrandrine in inhibiting the capsular contracture.

Animals ; Benzylisoquinolines ; therapeutic use ; Breast Implants ; adverse effects ; Contracture ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Female ; Postoperative Complications ; prevention & control ; Rabbits ; Silicone Gels ; adverse effects

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the value of C-reactive protein (CRP) in the diagnosis of arteriosclerosis in patients with essential hypertension.

METHODSThis study included 771 patients with essential hypertension and 243 healthy individuals, and all the subjects were measured for carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) and serum CRP level using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The value of CRP in the diagnosis of arteriosclerosis in patients with essential hypertension was evaluated according to the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve, and the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity was evaluated with cfPWV> or =9 m/s as the golden diagnostic standard.

RESULTSThe hypertensive patients had significantly higher cfPWV and serum CRP concentration than the healthy individuals (16.51-/+1.6 vs 9.81-/+1.1, P<0.001; 4.96-/+1.15 vs 3.52-/+0.33, P<0.001, respectively). CRP showed significant positive correlations to systolic blood pressure (SBP) and pulse pressure (PP) (r=0.584, P<0.001; r=0.624, P<0.001), and when controlled for age, SBP and PP, CRP was found in close correlation to cfPWV (r=0.746, P<0.001). The AUCROC of CRP was 0.907, and the peak point of the ROC curve was 3.85 mg/L, at which point CRP showed a diagnostic sensitivity of 83.9% and specificity of 86.8% with a misdiagnosis rate of 13.2% for arteriosclerosis.

CONCLUSIONSArteriosclerosis and nonspecific inflammation are prevalent in patients with essential hypertension, and CRP with the cutoff value of 3.85 mg/L may serve as a sensitive indicator for arteriosclerosis diagnosis in these patients.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Arteriosclerosis ; blood ; complications ; diagnosis ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; blood ; complications ; diagnosis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVETo explore the short-term effectiveness and the cause of the early complications of lumbar disc herniation with Coflex system in order to provide evidence for the prevention.

METHODSFrom November 2007 to August 2008, 37 patients (20 males and 17 females) were treated with Coflex system. The age was from 33 to 70 years with an average of 52 years and the history was from 6 to 50 months with an average of 16.5 years. Complications were observed and the short-term effectiveness was evaluated by scores of JOA and ODI before and after operation.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up from 1 to 2 years with an average 20 months. The JOA score increased from 9.09 +/- 1.10 preoperatively to 25.40 +/- 1.20 in the last follow-up. ODI decreased from 24.70 +/- 4.80 preoperatively to 4.80 +/- 1.00 in the last follow-up. The VAS score decreased from 7.86 +/- 0.80 preoperatively to 3.20 +/- 0.50 in the last follow-up. The symptoms remarkably improved. Complications occurred in 4 pa-tients (10.8%), among them, persistent low back pain was in 1 case and conservative treatment did not work; opposite lower limb pain was in 1 case at the 3rd week after operation and symptomatic treatment was effective; displacement of Coflex was in 1 case and Coflex breakage happened in 1 case at the 6th month after operation, but both did not have related clinical symptom.

CONCLUSIONCoflex can obtain good clinical outcomes in treating lumbar disc herniation, but it has special complications. The indications and manipulations should be chosen properly.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Internal Fixators ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; surgery ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Prostheses and Implants

OBJECTIVETo analyze the patterns of serum soluble CD14 (sCD14) and C-reactive protein (CRP) alterations in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and investigate the correlations of sCD14 variation to the etiology, clinical symptoms, and the number of mononuclear cells in these patients.

METHODSThis study involved 246 CHF patients stratified according to their etiology and clinical symptoms, with 107 normal individuals serving as the control group. Blood samples were collected from these patients the next day after admission and also from the control subjects for measuring serum sCD14 and CPR levels using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and rate nephelometry, respectively.

RESULTSThe CHF patients had significantly higher serum levels of sCD14 and CRP than the control subjects (P<0.01). In the CHF patients, serum sCD14 and CRP levels differed significantly in the patients with clinical symptoms of different severities (F=3.787, P=0.024), and those with moderate and severe symptoms had significantly higher levels than the asymptomatic patients (P<0.05). The difference in etiologies also resulted in significant difference in sCD14 levels (P<0.05), which were significantly lower in coronary artery disease group than in hypertension group (P<0.05). Significant positive correlations were found between sCD14 and the CRP levels in the CHF patients (r=0.227, P=0.018) and between sCD14 level and the clinical symptoms (r=0.206, P=0.001), but sCD14 level was not correlated to the absolute or relative number of mononuclear cells.

CONCLUSIONSSerum sCD14 and CRP levels are significantly elevated in CHF patients, but this condition may vary as the etiologies and clinical symptoms differ. Increased mononuclear cells do not contribute to the elevation of serum sCD14.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Chronic Disease ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Heart Failure ; blood ; Humans ; Lipopolysaccharide Receptors ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the peptidylarginine deiminase IV (PADI4) and HLA-DRB1 shared epitope (SE) alleles with rheumatoid arthritis(RA) in a Chinese population.

METHODSFour exonic SNPs of the PADI4 gene (PADI 4_89*A/G, PADI 4_90*C/T, PADI 4_92*C/G and PADI 4_104*C/T) were genotyped in 67 unrelated patients with RA and 81 healthy controls, using cDNA sequencing and T vector cloning. HLA-DRB 1*01, *04 and *10 subtypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction with sequence specific primers (PCR-SSP).

RESULTSThe distributions of the 4 SNPs were different in the two groups, and increased RA susceptibility was significantly associated with the minor alleles of PADI 4_89*G (P was 0.023), PADI 4_90*T (P was 0.004), PADI 4_104*T (P was 0.003), and the haplotypes carrying the 4 minor alleles (P was 0.008). HLA-DRB1 SE alleles are composed of HLA-DRB 1*0101, *0102, *0401, *0404, *0405, *0408, *0409, *0410 and *1001. Individuals carrying the SE alleles were associated with increased RA susceptibility (P was 0.002). Individuals carrying both the SE alleles and minor alleles of the 4 SNPs were more susceptible to RA than individuals carrying neither the minor SNP alleles nor the SE alleles.

CONCLUSIONThe PADI4 SNPs and haplotypes are associated with RA susceptibility in Chinese. HLA-DRB1 shared epitope is also an important risky factor for RA. There may exist certain synergistic effect between the PADI4 minor alleles and the HLA-DRB1 shared epitope.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Alleles ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; genetics ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; Epitopes ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; HLA-DR Antigens ; genetics ; HLA-DRB1 Chains ; Humans ; Hydrolases ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phenotype ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Protein-Arginine Deiminases

OBJECTIVETo compare clinical results of treating Neer two- and three-part of proximal humeral fractures between anterolateral acromial approach and deltopectoral approach.

METHODSFrom January 2009 to December 2012, 49 patients with Neer two- and three-part of proximal humeral fractures were treated with locked plate fixation. In anterolateral acromial approach group, there were 22 patients including 9 males and 13 females with an average of (63.2±7.6) years old, while 27 patients in deltopectoral approach including 12 males and 15 females with an average of (62.9±7.0) years old. Operative time, blood loss during operation, fracture healing time and complications were observed and compared, postoperative Constant-Murley scoring and VAS scoring were applied for evaluate function of shoulder joint and pain at 3 months, 1 and 2 years respectively.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up from 24 to 41 months with an average of 34.5 months. Operative time, blood loss, fracture healing time in anterolateral acromial approach group was (68.20±7.04) min, (151.30±20.57) ml, (10.88±4.90) weeks respectively, and better than that of in deltopectoral approach group which was (75.81±13.70) min, (242.10±37.25) ml and (13.60±2.45) weeks. Three months after operation, Constant-Murley scoring and VAS score in anterolateral acromial approach group was 88.32±5.45, 0.41±0.63 and better that of in deltopectoral approach group which was 63.53±8.31, 1.65±1.02. There was no significant differences between two groups in Constant-Murley scoring and VAS score at 1 and 2 years after operation. Each group has one case occurred loss of length humerus head height, and there was 1 case with subacromial impingement, 1 case with bolt loose and 2 cases with delayed union in deltopectoral approach. No axillary nerve injury, humeral head necrosis and breakage of internal fixation occurred both of two groups.

CONCLUSIONBoth of anterolateral acromial approach and deltopectoral approach are effective in treating Neer two- and three-part of proximal humeral fractures, and can obtain excellent outcomes. Moreover, anterolateral acromial approach has advantage of less trauma, less blood loss, shorter operative time, rapid recovery of shoulder joint function and fracture.

Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Fracture Healing ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Recovery of Function ; Shoulder Fractures ; physiopathology ; surgery