OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and angiogenesis in hepatocellular carcinoma.

METHODSForty Wistar rats were divided into two groups: a model group (30 rats) and a normal group (10 rats). Hepatocellular carcinoma was induced with 0.01% diethylnitrosamine (DEN) in the model group rats. The rats were sacrificed in batches at the 6th, 12th and 18th week of the experiment. Histological sections of liver tissues were made using routine methods. The expressions of COX-2, VEGF, VEGFR-2/KDR, and MMP-2 protein in the liver tissues were evaluated using immunohistochemical methods.

RESULTSIn liver sections from the model group there were marked pathological changes (steatosis, cell infiltration, cirrhosis and liver cancer). The expressions of VEGF, VEGFR-2/KDR, and MMP-2 in those liver tissues were remarkably increased during the hepatocellular carcinogenesis. Microvessel density (MVD) was also obviously raised during the process of the cancer development. There was a direct correlation between the MVD and VEGF/KDR/MMP-2 (r=0.858, 0.788, 0.684, respectively; all P less than 0.01). There was also a direct correlation between the COX-2 and VEGF/KDR/MMP-2/MVD (r=0.771, 0.599, 0.690, 0.788, respectively; all P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONCOX-2 can promote tumor angiogenesis during rat hepatocellular carcinogenesis. This may be one of the mechanisms in which COX-2 promotes carcinomas.

Animals ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; blood supply ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; biosynthesis ; Liver Neoplasms ; blood supply ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

Objectives：This study was designed to investigate modulation of phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides(S-ODNs) of EGFR on E-cadherin mRNA expression in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Methods：Treated with concentration of 3.2 μ mol/L S-ODNs in culture medium， the relative E-cadherin mRNA level at 84 hour in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells was evaluated by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction with using HPRT (hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase) as an internal control standard. Result：The expression of E-cadherin gene mRNA was enhanced obviously by S-ODNs. Compared with control group, the relative expression level of E-cadherin gene mRNA was increased at about 66.36％ (P<0.05). Conclusion： S-ODNs is the regulator of E-cadherin gene expression, it can enhanced E-cadherin gene expression in human hepatoma cells. Understanding the regulation of E-cadherin gene expression in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells might contribute to development of a new preventive and therapeutic strategy for tumor invasiveness.

Female ; Humans ; Hypertension, Portal ; etiology ; immunology ; Male ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; metabolism ; Spleen ; immunology ; metabolism ; pathology

Objective To explore the imaging features and dynamic CT findings of primary adrenocortical carcinoma and evaluating its clinical value.Methods All 11 cases patients with primary adrenocortical carcinoma confirmed by surgical pathology underwent spiral CT plain scanning and two phases dynamic enhancement scanning before operation.Contrast injection was done by using nonionic Omnipaque at a flow rate of 3 ml/s with a power injector.The CT images were reviewed and analysed retrospectively in comparison with surgical and pathological results.Results Five of 11 lesions were located in the right adrenal gland,6 in the left.The diameter of the tumors was 4.1—16.0cm with 2 cases10.0cm.The attenuation of the plain scans,two phases contrast scans was 21.9—46.7 HU(with a mean value of 35.3 HU),30.5—65.8 HU(mean value 47.1 HU),and 52.6— 97.0 HU(mean value 74.2 HU),respectively.Four were in the shape of capsule,6 reticular,1 slightly inhomogeneous masses.The irregular tumor vessels of 6 reticular masses were seen in the artery phase. Conclusion The dynamic CT features of primary adrenocortical carcinoma were obvious,dynamic SCT scans could suggest the diagnose.

OBJECTIVESTo review the preliminary clinical experience with high-field-strength intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI) suite with neuronavigation system in the pituitary adenoma operation with transsphenoidal approach.

METHODSFrom March 2009 to December 2010, 31 patients [range, 29 - 76 years, mean age (47 ± 11) years]of pituitary adenoma were operated with transsphenoidal approach and intraoperatively with a movable 1.5 T high-field-strength iMRI suite in combination with neuronavigation system. Tumor size was 1.8 - 7.3 cm, mean (3.5 ± 1.2) cm. Twenty-five cases were non-functional pituitary adenoma, 4 cases were prolactin-secreting pituitary adenoma, 2 cases were growth hormone-secreting pituitary adenoma. Thirty patients' resection with transnasal transsphenoidal approach were performed, one patient with transoral transsphenoidal approach was performed.

RESULTSIn 12 cases of 30 patients who planed to totally remove tumor, iMRI had revealed residual lesions and resulted in the change of the surgical strategy, 2 invasive cavernous sinus cases no further resection of the tumor because of internal carotid artery encasement, the other 10 cases resected further, eventually. Finally, 8 cases were totally removed. The ratio of total removal tumor was enhanced to 86.7% (26/30) from 60.0% (18/30). There was no perioperative mortality.

CONCLUSIONSHigh-field-strength iMRI suite with neuronavigation system provides valuable information of tumor resection that allows intraoperative modification of the surgical strategy. It could be very helpful to maximize the resection of the pituitary adenoma and minimize the injury to neurological function.

Adenoma ; surgery ; Adult ; Aged ; Cavernous Sinus ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Monitoring, Intraoperative ; methods ; Neuronavigation ; methods ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo review the preliminary clinical experience with high-field-strength intra-operative magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI) in the endoscopic chordoma operation with transsphenoidal or transoral approach.

METHODSFrom January 2009 to December 2010, 23 patients [range, 29 - 64 years, mean age (42 ± 3) years] of chordoma were operated with endoscopic transsphenoidal or transoral approach and examined intraoperatively with a movable 1.5 T iMRI magnet. Tumor size range was 2.0 - 5.7 cm, mean (3.5 ± 0.8) cm. A navigation system based on iMRI was used in 20 cases.

RESULTSiMRI scan were performed in each operation from 1 time to 5 times. Neuronavigation system were used in 20 operations and the data renewed in 12 cases by the information from iMRI. In 15 of 23 patients, iMRI had revealed residual lesions and resulted in 12 cases further treatment, eventually, 9 tumors were totally removed and 3 tumors were further removed. The ratio of total removal tumor was enhanced to 73.9% (17/23) from 34.8% (8/23). Among 15 cases of partial chordoma removal detected by scanning in operation, 9 were huge chordoma. The residual of huge chordoma detected by scanning in operation was 9/11, and other chordoma contributed to 6/12. There were no iMRI related safety issue or accident recorded in this study.

CONCLUSIONSHigh-field-strength iMRI provide high-quality images of tumor resection that allows intraoperative modification of the surgical strategy. Combined with the navigation system, iMRI is helpful to maximize the resection of the chordoma and benefit for the safety of endoscopic operation.

Adult ; Chordoma ; surgery ; Endoscopy ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neuronavigation ; methods ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; surgery ; Sphenoid Sinus ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo study the correlation between Vibrio cholerae strains isolated from natural enviroment and fishery products and the source of infection during V. cholerae outbreaks.

METHODSCholera toxin gene was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was used to subtype the isolates. Results of PFGE were analyzed and clustered by BioNumerics software (Version 4.0).

RESULTSDuring the outbreaks, a total number of thirty O139 V. cholerae related serogroups were collected from patients, carriers, sewage and fishery products were identified and proved to be toxigenic. They could be clustered into four PFGE patterns when digested by Not I. These two V. cholerae outbreaks were caused by the same source of infection because of the following reasons: (1) PFGE patterns of the predominant strains isolated from two outbreaks were identical; (2) they were identical to the PFGE patterns of the strains isolated from the green turtle and rana catesbiana which were bought from the same wholesale store.

CONCLUSIONGreen turtle and rana catesbiana that were contaminated by toxigenic O139 V. cholerae strains seemed to be the source of infection causing the O139 V. cholerae outbreaks in Jiangxi province. Rapid laboratory surveillance and epidemiologic investigation were important in identifying the source of infection during the outbreaks of V. cholera.

Animals ; China ; epidemiology ; Cholera ; epidemiology ; Cluster Analysis ; Disease Outbreaks ; Disease Reservoirs ; microbiology ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field ; methods ; Fisheries ; Humans ; Ranidae ; microbiology ; Sewage ; microbiology ; Turtles ; microbiology ; Vibrio cholerae O139 ; isolation & purification

BACKGROUNDPulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) among asymptomatic Chinese patients with HIV infection has not been investigated despite high tuberculosis burden in China. This study was aimed to evaluate the prevalence, risk factors and clinical outcomes of PTB among asymptomatic patients with HIV/AIDS in Guangxi to facilitate the development of diagnostic and treatment strategies.

METHODSAll asymptomatic adult HIV-infected patients with CD4 < 350 cells/µl who attended four HIV clinics in Guangxi between August 2006 and March 2008 were evaluated for active PTB with physical examination, chest X-ray (CXR), sputum smear and/or sputum liquid culture. Data were described using median (interquartile range, IQR) and frequencies. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors associated with PTB.

RESULTSAmong 340 asymptomatic subjects, 15 (4%) were diagnosed with PTB, with 4 (27%) sputum smear positive and 8 (53%) sputum culture positive. CXR has higher diagnostic sensitivity (87%) than sputum smear (25%) and sputum culture (67%), but lower specificity (56%) compared with sputum smear (99%) and culture (100%). In univariate analysis, injection drug user, body mass index (BMI) < 18 kg/m(2), CD4 < 50 cells/µl and presence of peripheral lymphadenopathy were associated with an increased risk of asymptomatic PTB, while in multivariate analysis only peripheral lymphadenopathy maintained statistical significance (OR = 7.6, 95%CI 1.4 - 40). Patients with negative smear and minor or no abnormalities on CXR had longer interval between screening and TB treatment.

CONCLUSIONSPTB was relatively common in this group of HIV(+) asymptomatic Chinese patients. Diagnosis is challenging especially where sputum culture is unavailable. These findings suggest that an enhanced evaluation for PTB needs to be integrated with HIV care in China and transmission prevention in China to control at both households and health care facilities, especially for patients with factors associated with a higher risk of PTB.

Adult ; China ; Female ; HIV Seropositivity ; complications ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Lymphatic Diseases ; complications ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Sputum ; microbiology ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary ; diagnosis ; etiology

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with different length or chemical modification on endothelial cell activation and to explore the role of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. METHODS: MWCNTs were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS) after being suspended in culture medium. The immortalized mouse cerebral microvascular endothelial cell line b.End3 was treated with short MWCNTs (S-MWCNT, 0.5 to 2 μm), long MWCNTs (L-MWCNT, 10 to 30 μm) and the above long MWCNTs functionalized by carboxyl-(L-MWCNT-COOH), amino-(L-MWCNT-NH₂) or hydroxyl-(L-MWCNT-OH) modification. Cytotoxicity of MWCNTs in b.End3 cells was determined by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay, and non-toxic low dose was selected for subsequent experiments. Effects of all types of MWCNTs on the endothelial activation of b.End3 were determined by the measurement of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) concentration in cell supernatant and adhesion assay of human monocytic cell line THP-1 to b.End3.To further elucidate the mechanism involved, the protein expressions of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3(NLRP3) in cells treated with S-MWCNT, L-MWCNT and L-MWCNT-COOH were measured by Western blot. RESULTS: At a higher concentration (125 μg/cm²) and treated for 24 h, all types of MWCNTs significantly inhibited viability of b.End3 cells. At a sub-toxic concentration (6.25 μg/cm²), all types of MWCNTs treated for 12 h significantly induced the activation of b.End3 cells, as evidenced by the elevated VCAM-1 release and THP-1 adhesion. Compared with S-MWCNT, L-MWCNT significantly promoted endothelial cell activation. L-MWCNT and L-MWCNT-COOH activated b.End3 cells to a similar extent. Furthermore, treatment with S-MWCNT, L-MWCNT and L-MWCNT-COOH increased NLRP3 expression in a time-dependent manner at 6.25 μg/cm². Compared with S-MWCNT, cells treated with L-MWCNT for 4 h and 12 h exhibited significantly increased protein expressions of NLRP3. However, no significant differences were detected in the level of NLRP3 protein in cells treated with L-MWCNT and L-MWCNT-COOH. CONCLUSION Compared with the surface chemical modification, length changes of MWCNTs exerted more influence on endothelial cell activation, which may be related to the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome. Our study contributes further understanding of the impact of MWCNTs on endothelial cells, which may have implications for the improvement of safety evaluation of MWCNTs.
Cell Line ; Cell Survival ; Endothelial Cells ; Nanotubes, Carbon/toxicity* ; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1

To establish a robust and accuracy molecular method to identify Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix and Cyathulae Radix formula granules. ITS sequences of Achyranthes bidentata and Cyathula officinalis were aligned, specific SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) were excavated, specific primers were designed and allele-specific PCR method was established. The genomic DNA was successfully extracted from the herbal medicine and its formula granules by using an improved CTAB (cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide) method and then performed PCR with the designed primers. The 187 bp specific band could be amplified only in the presentation of C. officinalis and its granules when use of C. officinalis specific primers, whereas the 162 bp band could be amplified only in the presentation of A. bidentata and its granules when use of A. bidentata specific primers. This method was also successfully applied in the identification of commercial formula granules.