Objective To evaluate the association between the expression of PTEN protein and the clinicopathological char‐acteristics of breast cancer patients .Methods All eligible studies regarding the association of PTEN protein expression with clini‐copathological features in patients with breast cancer were retrieved from PubMed ,Embase ,Cochrane Library ,CNKI and Wanfang databases .Odds ratio(OR) with corresponding 95% confidence interval(95% CI) form eligible studies were pooled .Heterogeneity and publication bias were also evaluated .All analyses were operated using RevMan 5 .2 software .Results A total of 28 articles con‐taining 3 172 patients were ultimately included for this Meta‐analysis .Our findings revealed that the expression level of PTEN was significantly correlated with estrogen receptor status(OR= 3 .16 ,95% CI:2 .01 -4 .97 ,P< 0 .01) ,progesterone receptor status (OR=2 .27 ,95% CI:1 .70 -3 .04 ,P<0 .01) ,lymph node metastasis(OR=0 .36 ,95% CI :0 .27 -0 .49 ,P<0 .01) ,clinical stage (OR=2 .59 ,95% CI:2 .04-3 .30 ,P<0 .01) and histological grade(OR=2 .19 ,95% CI:1 .74-2 .75 ,P<0 .01) .Conclusion Aber‐rant PTEN expression might have strong impacts on carcinogenesis ,tumor progression ,invasion and prognosis ,which makes it a potential biomarker for early cancer screening and endocrine therapy in breast cancer .

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of cell free fetal DNA(cffDNA)-based noninvasive prenatal diagnosis,we developed a precise technique for fetal sex determining region of Y chromosome(SRY)gene detection using size-fractionated cell-free DNA in maternal plasma.Methods Peripheral blood samples were collected form 117 pregnant women.cffDNA was extracted based on a column absorbent method and isolated by agarose gel electrophoresis.A dulex-polymerase chain reaction(PCR)was used to detected SRY gene and glycerol-dehyde-phosphate dehydrogenase(GAPDH)gene.Results Both SRY and GAPDH gene were detected in 86 cffDNA samples from women bearing male fetuses.And only GAPDH gene was detected in 71 cffDNA samples from women bearing female fetuses.These results had a coincidence whit those of villus or amniotic fluid samples.The specificity and sensitivity reached 100%(117/117)and 100%(66/66),respectively.Conclusion By agarose gel electrophoresis,re-extratedand and dulex PCR,size-fractionated cell-free fetal DNA in maternal plasma can be selective enriched and used to noninvasive prenatal diagnosis of sex-linked disorders and single gene disorders.

Objective To study the role of gastric mitochondrial DNA cytochrome C oxidases (COX) subunit Ⅱ gene and its expression in diabetic gastric motility dysfunction. Methods Seventy Wister rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: diabetic group (STZ 60mg/Kg intraperitonealy) and control group. The changes in expressions of COX protein were assayed by Westernblot. Mitochondrial DNA COX mRNA was assayed with reverse-transcriptional polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). Cytochrome C oxidase activity was determined by ultraviolet spectrophotometer. Results Gastricelectric dysrythmia was more frequently delected in diabetic rats, and the COX activity in diabetic rats was 0.41?0.21/min, which was significantly lower than that in normal rats (0.78?0.37/min). The expression of gastrointestinal COX protein and COX gene in diabetic gastroparesis rats were markedly decreased compared with normal rats. Conclusion Cytochrome C oxidases activity was greatly reduced in diabetic rats. Diabetic gastroparesis was associated with down-regulation of the expression of gastrointestinal mtDNA encoding COX gene and protein. These changes might play a key role in pathogenesis of diabetic gastroparesis

Objective To investigate the relationship between mitochondrial membrane potential change and apoptosis of smooth muscle cells of the small intestine in diabetic rats. Methods Seventy Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups: diabetic group(STZ60mg/kg intraperitonealy) and control group.The gastric empty time and intestinal transit were determined in diabetic rats 2 months after the reproduction of diabetes. Mitochondrial membrane potential in small intestinal smooth muscle cells was determined by the change in the intensity of labeling rhodamine 123 with lasor scanning confocal micrographs, and apoptosis index was assessed with the technique of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated d-UTP nick end labeling(TUNEL) test and flow cytometry.The changes in expression of cytochrome C were determined by Western blotting. Results The mitochondrial membrane potential of small intestine smooth musele cells was significantly lowered in diabetic rats compared with normal rats. Apoptosis index in diabetic rats was significantly higher than that of normal as shown by TUNEL technic. Apoptosis rate in diabetic rats was 15%, and it was significantly higher than that of normal rat (P

Objective To study the change in cytosolic Ca 2+ in smooth muscle cells in gastric antrum of diabetic rat. Methods Rats were randomly divided into diabetic group and control group. Gastric empty time was determined 3 months after diabetes was reproduced in rats, the apoptosis rate of smooth muscle cells in the gastric antrum was assessed by flow cytometry, and the content of cytosolic Ca 2+ in smooth muscle cells was measured by laser scanning confocal microscopy. Results In diabetic rats, gastric emptying was significantly delayed. Compared the normal rats, the content of cytosolic Ca 2+ in smooth muscle cells from the antrum of diabetic rats was increased. The apoptosis rate of smooth muscle cells in the antrum of diabetic rats was 15%, and it was higher than that in normal rats. Conclusion With the increase in the content of cytosolic Ca 2+ in smooth muscle cells, smooth muscles were damaged and therefore their contraction was also impaired.

Objective To study the role of nitriergic nerves in the myenteric plexus of the gastric antrum in diabetic rats with motor disorder. Methods Rats were randomly divided into diabetic group and control group. Electrogastrogram was recorded, and the number of cholinergic nerves in the myenteric plexus of the gastric antrum was counted 3 months after reproducing diabetes in the model group. Results In the rats of diabetic group, gastro-electric dysrhythmia was observed more frequently, and the number of nitriergic cells in the myenteric nerves was significantly decreased compared with control group. Conclusion The changes in nitriergic nerves in the myenteric plexus of the gastric antrum might be one of the mechanisms of gastro-electric dysrhythmia and gastric motility disorders in diabetic rats.

With the development of radiotherapy techniques,the efficacy of radiotherapy for liver tumors has been improved,and radiothera-py can be considered as an alternative treatment for patients who are not suitable for surgery.The progress in liver tumor radiotherapy repor-ted in the 55th annual meeting of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO)in 2013,particularly the efficacy and safety of stereotactic body radiation therapy for liver tumors,is reviewed.In the future,radiotherapy may be increasingly used as an ef-fective method in the treatment of liver tumors.The main studies reported at the meeting are sorted as follows in this article.

Objective To analyze the correlation of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT)level with alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)level and to re-evaluate the diagnostic value of GGT for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods Four hundred and seventy-two patients with HCC or liver cirrhosis,who were hospitalized in China-Japan Friendship Hospital from January 2003 to June 2009,were included in the study.The correlation between GGT and AFP was analyzed by Spearman nonparametric test.The cut-off values for the two parameters were determined based on their receiver operating characteristics (ROC)curves,areas under the ROC curve (AUCs),sensitivity,and specifici-ty,and the diagnostic values were presented using their sensitivity,specificity,and correct index.Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 17.0.Normally distributed continuous data were analyzed by independent-samples t test,while non-normally distributed continuous data were analyzed by Mann -Whitney U test.Categorical data were analyzed by Pearson chi -square test,continuity-corrected chi -square test,or Fisher’s exact test.Results Among 472 patients,224 were diagnosed with HCC,and 248 with liver cirrhosis.Compared with cirrhotic patients,HCC patients had a significantly higher GGT level (113 (58-254)U/L vs 38 (22-72)U/L,Z=-11.037,P<0.001)and a significantly higher AFP level (429.5 (15.7-1210.0)ng/ml vs 5.7 (3.4-18.2)ng/ml,Z=-10.157,P<0.001).A significant correlation was found between GGT and AFP (r=0.449,P<0.001).The AUC was 0.784 for GGT and 0.788 for AFP.The cut-off value was 60 U/L for GGT and 20 ng/ml for AFP.The sensitivity was 74.1%for GGT,71.8%for AFP,and 90.7%for a combina-tion of the two parameters,the specificity was 70.2%,77.6%,and 58.7%,respectively,and the correct index was 0.443,0.494,and 0.494,respectively.Conclusion GGT may be regarded as one biomarker for HCC,and its level is significantly correlated with AFP level. The diagnostic value of AFP may not be improved when used in combination with GGT.

Objective To measure the levels of serum transferrin receptors (sTfR) and serum ferritin (SF) in children with hemoglobin H disease for investigation the iron metabolism(sideropenic or iron overload) and to guide the proper intervention.To get a best index of judging the iron overload in HbH children by analysis of the values of sTfR and sTfR/lgSF.Methods Peripheral blood specimens were obtained from 50 cases of HbH children and 30 cases of healthy normal controls,the levels of sTfR and SF were examined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assays(ELISA).The diagnosis efficiency of sTfR and sTfR/lgSF in HbH children′s iron metabolism was judged by receiver operator cha-racteristic (ROC) curve analysis.Results The level of sTfR in HbH group was (6.74?1.02) mg?L-1,which was significantly lower than that in healthy control group[(8.09?0.67) mg?L-1](P