Objective To study the expression of three survivin splicing variants in gastric cancer and normal gastric mucosa and to evaluate relationship among the survivin variants' expression and proliferation, apoptosis in gastric cancer. Methods Real time quantitative RT-PCR was used to analyze survivin variants expression in 77 paired tumors and normal gastric mucosa in frozen samples at the mRNA level. The cell proliferation and apoptosis were measured by Ki-67 immunoln's to chemical analysis and TUNEL method in paraffin-embedded block of same cases, respectively. Results The sarvivin splicing variants were remarkably up-regulated in gastic cancers compared with those in normal tissues (P

Objective To investigate the diagnositic value of uhrasonography in fetuses with persistent right umbilical vein.Methods Three cases of persistent right umbilical vein diagnosed in our hospital were analyzed,including the sonographic findings and clinical outcome.Results In all cases the fetal gallbladder was located between the intraabdominal umbilical vein and the stomach,the umbilical vein was connected to the right portal vein,and the portal vein curved toward the stomach.Other intracranial malformations were detected in one case,and the baby died after birth.No addional malformations were found in the other two babies,and both of them were healthy at the age of 6 months.Conclusions Persistent right umbilical vein has typical prenatal sonographic appearances.The neonatal prognosis is favorable when other anomalies are ruled out.It's clinically important for early diagnosis and genetics consultation.

Objective To evaluate the ultrasonic characteristics of nasal bone absence at 16-34 weeks of pregnancy referring to fetal chromosomal anomalies. Methods The ultrasonic findings of the 20 fetuses with nasal bone absence at second or third trimester in Peking Union Medical College Hospital were reviewed referring to chromosomal karyotyping and labor induction or birth outcomes. Results The ultrasound features of the 20 fetuses including:(1) There were 17 fetuses showed bilateral nasal bones absence. The sonographic features were absence of hyper echo of nasal bone underneath the skin on either sagittal or transverse section. There were 5 fetuses showed multiple abnormalities:Four fetuses showed cardiac abnormalities (three showed atrioventricular septal defect, one showed ventricular septal defect, one showed ventricular septal defect with abnormal great vessels). One fetus showed duodenal obstruction′double bulbs′. The other minor abnormalities including short femur and humerus, increasing echogenetic bowels, aberrant right subclavian artery, mild unilateral ventriculomegaly, mild renal pelvic ectasia, outreached tongue, abnormal gestures of hands. (2) There were 3 fetuses showed unilateral nasal bone absence. The sonographic features were absence of hyper echo of either nasal bone on transverse section but with hyper echo on sagittal section. Two fetuses showed cardiac abnormalities (one fetus showed atrioventricular septal defect, one showed ventricular septal defect). The other minor abnormalities including short femur and humerus, hyper echogenetic bowels, increasing thickness of nuchal translucency or nuchal fold. Twelve fetuses were induced labor but only one had biopsy showed accordant result with ultrasound. (3) Karyotyping results:there were 9 of trisomy 21, 1 of 4p-and 7 of normal karyotype fetuses showed bilateral nasal bone absence. There were 2 of trisomy 21 and 1 of normal karyotype fetuses showed unilateral nasal bone absence. (4) Birth outcomes and follow-up:twelve fetuses induced labor but only one fetus had biopsy. Eight fetuses were born until term and 5 fetuses showed normal in follow-up. The results of twelve fetuses showed concordant with ultrasonic ifndings. Conclusions Characteristics of the nasal bone absence are absence of bilateral or unilateral nasal bones. If we ifnd nasal bone absence in prenatally ultrasound screening, the karyotyping should be recommended in order to detect chromosomal abnormalities especially trisomy 21.

Objective The aim of the study was to determine the placenta volume (PV) at 11-13+6 weeks of gestation by three-dimensional ultrasound (3DUS) in combination with birth weight, placenta weight, placenta volume at birth and maternal age, body mass index (BMI) additionally. Methods From June 2011 to July 2012, placental volumes were prospectively measured by VOCAL (Virtual Organ Computer-aided Analysis) method in 129 normal pregnancies of Peking Union Medical College Hospital at 11-13+6 weeks of Gestation, multiples of the median was calculated (MOM) after logarithmic10 transformation referring to different crown-rump length (CRL) groups. The normal pregnancies were selected without any combinations or fetal abnormalities, then recorded the birth weights, placenta diameters and thicknesses and placenta weight at delivery. The maternal basic status was also concluded in the study. Results Correlation analysis results: (1) The transformed placenta volume MOM showed a significant correlation (Spearman rho=0.200, P<0.05) with birthweight but not with placenta weight or placenta volume calculated as ellipsoid (Spearman rho=0.164, 0.112 respectively, P>0.05). (2) The birthweight showed significant correlations with placenta weight, placecnta volume and maternal BMI (Spearman rho=0.478, 0.361, 0.259 respectively, P<0.01). (3) The placenta weight at birth showed a significant correlation with placenta volume at birth (Spearman rho=0.467, P<0.01) and maternal BMI (Spearman rho=0.198, P<0.05). Regression analysis results: (1) Birth weight (g)=1136.9+1530.9×MOM+45.3×BMI-15.0×maternal age (r=0.29, P=0.01<0.05). (2) Placenta weight (g)=88.1+315.3×MOM+10.0×BMI+0.1×maternal age (r=0.27, P=0.02 <0.05). Conclusions The placental volume at 11-13+6 weeks of gestation has significant correlation with birthweight. This might assist in the identification of the high risk pregnancies caring large or low for gestational age fetuses.

Objective To determine the diagnostic value and clinical significance of sonographically detected fetal dysplastic kidney with normal amniotic fluid volume. Methods At the 2nd or 3rd trimester of gestation,the fetuses with unilateral or bilateral renal anomalies (ahnormal size,echo,shape or cyst of the kidney) and normal amniotic fluid volume received systemic ultrasound examination,autopsy or follow-up until after birth. The fetus with only dilated renal pelvis was not included. Results Eleven fetuses of dysplastic renal anomalies with normal amniotic fluid volume were identified by prenatal ultrasound. Among the five fetuses affected by unilateral multicystic kidney dysplasia (MCKD),the renal anomaly was isolated in four fetuses,and the other one was complicated with absence of the ipsilateral hand. One of the two fetuses of unilateral renal agenesis had no other associated anomaly and the other one was complicated with hydrocephalus,spina bifida,ipsilateral absent radius and single umbilical artery,correspongding to the VACTERL syndrome. Two fetuses of pelvic kidney and horseshoe kidney respectively was proved by postnatal ultrasound. One fetus was diagnosed as autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease(ADPKD)on the basis of multiple renal cysts and a positive family history,the fetus also had cardiac rhabdomyoma. One fetus of bilateral normal sized hyperechoic kidneys was proved to be renal dysplasia by autopsy. Conclusions Unilateral MCKD is the most common type of fetal renal dysplasia which can be detected by prenatal ultrasound with normal amniotic fluid volume. Based on the sonographic characteristics and the family history,most of the dysplastic renal anomalies can be diagnosed prenatally and the prognosis can be predicted.

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of prenatal ultrasonography in the fetal intracranial hemorrhage.MethodsIn a retrospective analysis,the ultrasonographic findings of five fetuses with intracranial hemorrhage diagnosed in our hospital were reviewed and compared with other imagemodalities.ResultsIn the five fetuses with intracranial hemorrhage,the ultrasonographic features mainly includeddilateduni-orbilateralventriclesandintraventricularechogenicfociorperiventricular echodensities.The diagnosis of all cases were confirmed by prenatal magnetic resonance.Four of these cases chose termination of pregnancy,and the other fetus had a normal neurological follow-up after birth.Conclusions Fetal intracranial hemorrhage can be diagnosed accurately by prenatal ultrasonography,especially in the second and third trimester.It is rarely associated with other anomalies.Prenatal sonographic examination may detect the lesion and help to evaluate the prognosis.

Objective To investigate the effect of phosphatidylinesitol-3 kinase/serine threonine kinase (PI3K/Akt) signaling pathway on expression of beta-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme-1 (BACE1) in the hippocampus neurons of rat brain. Methods Forty SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: blank control group, sham-operated group, insulin group and wortmannin group. Insulin or the specific inhibitor of PI3K, wortmannin was injected into hippocampus neurons to activate or inhibit the signaling pathway in insulin group or wortmannin group, respectively. Immunoprecipitation and Western blot were used to analyze the proteins levels of PI3K/Akt and BACE1. Results In insulin treatment group,among the proteins downstream of signaling pathway, expression of Akt increased (0. 952±0.060 vs 0.835±0.029,t=4.9150, P=0.0001), phospho-Akt set473 increased (0.800±0.075 vs 0.657± 0.025,t=4.5598, P=0.0002), phospho-GSK-3α decreased (0.604±0.062 vs 0.726±0.041, t= 3.5871, P=0.0018 ), and the expression of mature BACE1 and β-CTF significantly decreased. In wortmannin group, the expression of Akt and phospho-Akt ser473 were inhibited; phospho-GSK-3α increased ; mature BACEI (1.004±0.096) and β-CTF (1.031±0.048) increased (t=11.5980, P= 0.0000 and t =4.2194, P =0.0004, respectively). Conclusions PI3K/Akt signaling pathway might effect the expression of BACE1, in which impaired signaling pathway may cause the amyloid precursor protein to be easily processed by BACE1, and thus involves the pathology of Alzheimer' s disease.

Objective To evaluate the ultrasonographic (US) features and evolution of breast fat necrosis after cosmetic augmentation with autologous fat obtained by liposuction, to help distinguish fat necrosis from more ominous breast masses. Methods Breast sonography was performed on 38 patients underwent bilateral breast augmentation by autologous fat injection to evaluate the grafted fat tissues in interval of 3-6 month after the operation. Observations in follow up sonography included the sizes,positions, shape,echogenicity,margin features, calcifications and evolutions of the suspicious nodules in the breasts. Results Seventy-six nodules occurred in 25 of the 38 patients were detected after the fat graft. Among the 76 nodules,52 were cystic(68. 4%) ,8 were complex(10. 5%) and 16 were solid(21.1%). The analysis of the predominant features of the nodules sonographic appearances were as follows: all the nodules had no flow signal, 66 (86. 8%) had clear margins,54(71. 1%) had regular shapes,52 were cystic(68. 4%) ,63(82. 9% ) had no calcifications, 10(13. 2%) had egg-like calcifications,74(97. 4% ) had no halo,and the positions of the solid components in 8 complex nodules move following the change of the detected body position. There were 7 nodules with fat necrosis removed surgically and confirmed by pathology. Conclusions Breast ultrasound is an accurate and simple method to follow up the temporal changes of the fat nodules after autologous fat injection. It may help to avoid unnecessary biopsies.

OBJECTIVETo study the expression and associations of three survivin splicing variants in gastric cancer and normal gastric mucosa, and to evaluate the prognostic significance.

METHODSReal time quantitative RT-PCR was used to detect the expression of three survivin splicing variants in tumor and matched normal gastric mucosa specimens from 77 cases with gastric cancer.

RESULTSThe expression of three survivin splicing variants than upregulated significantly in gastric cancer than those in normal mucosas (P< 0.01). In cancer tissues, the expression rates of survivin, survivin-2B, survivin-deltaEx3 were 100%, 79.8% (61/77), 64.9% (50/77) respectively. The survival rate was significantly lower in the patients with high survivin expression than those with low survivin expression (P< 0.01).

CONCLUSIONAmong three survivin splicing variants, the expression level of wild-type survivin mRNA is an important predictor for prognosis.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Biomarkers ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastric Mucosa ; pathology ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; Male ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Protein Isoforms ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Stomach Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; Transcription, Genetic

ObjectiveTo evaluate the diagnostic capability of prenatal ultrasound in diagnosis of fetal akinesia deformation sequence (FADS).MethodsThe prenatal sonographic characteristics of 5 fetuses with FADS were analyzed retrospectively.ResultsBoth multiple joint contractures and central nervous system (CNS) anomalies,which include 5 small head circumferences,2 short cerebellar diameters,and 1 flat forehead,were found by prenatal ultrasound in all 5 FADS fetuses.Additional fetal abnormalities such as micrognathia,polyhydramnios,short umbilical cord and intrauterine growth retardation were also observed.The results of fetal chromosome analysis were available in 2 cases indicating normal karyotype.Conclusions Prenatal identification and diagnosis of FADS is possible based on the findings of sonographic examination.