To investigate the application of a recently developed metallic oxide semiconductor field effect transistor(MOSFET)detector for use in vivo desimetry.Methods The MOSFET detector was calibrated for X-ray beams of 8 MV and 15 MV,as well as electron beams with energy of 6,8,12 and 18 MeV.The dose linearity of the MOSFET detector was investigated for the doses ranging from 0 up to 50 Gy using 8 MV X-ray beams.Angular effect was evaluated as well in a cylindrical PMMA phantom by changing the beam entrance angle every 15?clockwise.The MOSFET detector was then used for a breast cancer patient in vivo dose measurement, after the treatment plan was verified in a water phantom using a NE-2571 ion chamber,in vivo measurements were performed in the first and last treatment,and once per week during the whole treatment.The measured doses were then compared with planning dose to evaluate the accuracy of each treatment.Results The MOSFET detector represented a good energy response for X-ray beams of 8 MV and 15 MV,and for electron beams with energy of 6 MeV up to 18 MeV.With the 6 V bias,Dose linearity error of the MOSFET detector was within 3.0% up to approximately 50 Gy,which can be significantly reduced to 1% when the detector was calibrated before and after each measdurement.The MOSFET response varied within 1.5% for angles firm 270?to 90?.However,maximum error of 10.0% was recorded comparing MOSFET response between forward and backward direction.In vivo mea surement for a breast cancer patient using 3DCRT showed that,the average dose.deviation between measurement and calculation was 2.8%,and the maximum error was less then 5.0%.Conclusions The new MOSFET detector,with its advantages of being in size,easy use,good energy response and dose linearity,can be used for in vivo dose measurement.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the dynamic expressions of TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta 1 mRNA at different stages of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development and their use in clinical diagnosis.

METHODSHepatoma models were developed with 2-FAA using male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Morphological changes of the rat liver histological preparations (H and E stained) were studied. The fragment of TGF-beta 1 gene obtained was amplified by nested RT-PCR. Dynamic change of TGF-beta 1 level was quantitatively analyzed by ELISA. The distribution of TGF-beta 1 in the cells and its gene expression were detected in human HCC tissues.

RESULTSThe progressive increases of hepatic TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta 1 mRNA were observed in rat hepatocytes which progressed from granular degeneration, atypical hyperplasia and finally to HCC development induced by 2-FAA. The expression levels in HCC tissues were significantly higher than those in the normal and degenerative ones. TGF-beta 1 was shown in rat hepatocytes by immunohistochemistry. Plasma TGF-beta 1 was detected in 89.5% of all the patients with HCC, but it was detected in 93.3% of them who had an AFP less than 400 microg/L. TGF-beta 1 mRNA showed a stronger expression in HCC tissues. TGF-beta 1 mRNA was found in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from all HCC patients with extrahepatic metastasis.

CONCLUSIONTGF-beta 1 may participate in hepatocyte canceration. The overexpression of TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta 1 mRNA could be useful markers for early diagnosis and predicting prognosis of HCC.

Adult ; Aged ; Animals ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; blood ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; blood ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental ; blood ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; prevention & control ; Prognosis ; RNA, Messenger ; blood ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; blood

Objective To investigate the clinical diagnostic value of magnetic resonance tomographic angiography (MRTA) on cranial neurovascular compression syndrome,and evaluate the ability of 3D-FIESTA and 3D-TOF-SPGR sequences in demonstrating the relation of three-dimensional space between cranial nerves and blood vessels.Methods The data of 41 patients with cranial neurovascular compression syndrome,admitted to our hospital from May 2007 to May 2009,were analyzed.These patients were planed to perform micro vasular decompression (MVD).Before the operation,MRTA,3D-FIESTA and 3D-TOF-SPGR sequence scanning were performed to observe the relation of three-dimensional space between cranial nerves and blood vessels;these results were compared with the intraoperative results to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of 3D-FIESTA and 3D-TOF-SPGR sequence scanning.Results MRTA could demonstrate such cranial nerves as trigeminal nerve,facial nerve and glossopharyngeal nerve,and responsible blood vessels clearly and simultaneously.The 3D-FIESTA imaging showed high signal in the cerebrospinal fluid and moderate signal in the nerves and blood vessels.The 3D-TOF-SPGR imaging showed low signal in the cerebrospinai fluid,moderate signal in the nerves and brain parenchyma,and high signal in the blood vessels.Closed relation between the nerves and the blood vessels in the lesion side were found in 34 patients (82.9%) by 3D-FIESTA sequence scanning,and that was found in 35 patients by 3D-TOF-SPGR sequence scanning; no significant difference between 3D-FIESTA and 3D-TOF-SPGR sequence scanning was found in displaying the relation of nerves and blood vessels (P>0.05).Conclusion MRTA technology may clearly show the relation of cranial nerves and responsible blood vessels;combined application of 3D-FIESTA and 3D-TOF-SPGR sequence scanning can help making the preoperative diagnosis and determining the surgical indications in patients with cranial neurovaseular compression syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To study the rules of forensic expertise on medical disputes in obstetrics and gynecology, and the characteristics of medical faults in order to provide theoretical supports for forensic expertise. METHODS: Eighty two cases of forensic expertise on medical disputes in obstetrics and gynecology were respectively analyzed, which were performed in Forensic Science Center of West China from 2002 to 2008. RESULTS: It has been found that cases of forensic expertise on medical disputes in obstetrics and gynecology were increasing year by year, with more dispute cases from municipal (district) and county hospitals than other hospitals. More disputes involved in childbearing and surgery cases. The main reasons of the medical faults were due to defects of medical techniques and managements. CONCLUSION The forensic expertise of medical dispute must focus on the corresponding clinical regulations and whether the doctor fulfill their obligations. Meanwhile, whether there are physician negligence, technique faults and management defects should be investigated.
Adult ; Expert Testimony ; Female ; Forensic Medicine ; Gynecology ; Humans ; Malpractice/statistics & numerical data* ; Medical Errors/prevention & control* ; Obstetrics ; Pregnancy ; Professional Misconduct ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVE: To develop a STR analysis method for analyzing DNA from stained tissue sections and to evaluate the capability of this protocol in forensic application. METHODS: Eight kinds of HE stained human tissue, for example heart, liver, lung and intestine, were collected from two autopsy cases. The genomic DNA from those tissues was extracted using a QIAgen kit. DNA quantitation was performed using the TaqMan PCR method. The concentration of DNA isolated was determined based on Ct values. Internal positive controls (IPC) were used to monitor inhibitors. DNA amplifications were performed using Identifiler PCR Amplification kit. PCR products were analyzed on 3100-Avant Genetic Analyzer. RESULTS: The concentrations of DNA obtained from all samples were greater than 1 ng/microL. PCR inhibition was not observed. However, DNA degradation, potentially due to the effect of residual formalin fixative, was observed among tissue samples stored for long periods of time. CONCLUSION Sufficient amounts of DNA were extracted from HE stained tissue sections. STR profiles were successfully generated. The number of genotype alleles detected decreased as sample storage time increased.
Alleles ; Cadaver ; DNA/genetics* ; DNA Fingerprinting/methods* ; Female ; Forensic Genetics/methods* ; Genotype ; Humans ; Liver ; Lung ; Paraffin Embedding ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Specimen Handling/methods* ; Staining and Labeling ; Tandem Repeat Sequences

Objective To analyze the imaging features of pulmonary artery sarcoma(PAS)on CT and MRI.Methods The clini-cal features,CT and MRI findings of 21 patients with pathologically confirmed PAS were analyzed retrospectively.Results All PAS lesions involved the central pulmonary artery,of which 15 cases involved the main pulmonary artery and bilateral pulmonary artery trunks,4 cases involved the main pulmonary artery and right pulmonary artery trunk,1 case involved the main pulmonary artery and left pulmonary artery trunk,and 1 case involved the right pulmonary artery trunk.Five cases involved the pulmonary artery valve and right ventricular outflow tract as well.Nineteen cases of PAS showed complete filling defects in the central pulmonary artery,and the other 2 cases presented with nodular or lobulated filling defects attached to the pulmonary artery wall.The proximal margin of 19 PAS lesions was bulging or lobulated,and the distal pulmonary artery of 9 PAS lesions showed aneurysm-like dilatation.On MRI,all 13 cases of PAS were hyperintense on fat-suppressed T2WI,of which 11 cases were hyperintense on diffusion weighted imaging(DWI),and all lesions demonstrated significantly heterogeneous enhancement or delayed enhancement.Conclusion On computed tomography pul-monary angiography(CTPA),filling defects which grow expansively in the central pulmonary artery,and which have proximal bul-ging shape or distal aneurysm-like dilatation are highly suggestive of PAS.On contrast-enhanced MRI,the significantly heterogene-ous enhancement mass in the central pulmonary artery should be highly suspected of PAS.

OBJECTIVETo assess the effectiveness and the possible adverse effects of catgut implantation at acupoints for allergic rhinitis (AR).

METHODSThis systematic review was carried out in accordance with the Cochrane Handbook version 5.1.0 and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. Extensive literature searches were conducted in PubMed, Excerpta Medical Databases, the Cochrane Library, the China National Infrastructure, Wanfang Chinese Digital Periodical and Conference Database, and the Weipu Chinese Science and Technique Journals Database. The Chinese Clinical Trial Registry Center was also searched for ongoing trials up to September 2012. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or quasi-RCTs were included. Risk of bias assessment was performed using the Cochrane tool for assessing risk of bias.

RESULTSFive RCTs with 285 participants were found from 49 relevant studies, but there was just one RCT which met the inclusion criteria for this review. The study showed that treatment of catgut implantation at acupoints could lead to a better alleviation of the signs and symptoms of AR than the crude herb moxibustion. No adverse events were reported in this study.

CONCLUSIONSBecause of the methodological shortcoming and the risk of bias of the included trial, catgut implantation was proved with only limited evidence for the treatment of AR. Robust RCTs with high quality and larger sample size in this field are hoped to be carried out in the future.

Acupuncture Points ; Catgut ; adverse effects ; Clinical Trials as Topic ; Humans ; Publication Bias ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; therapy ; Risk Factors

This study was aimed to investigate the expression of Hippo signaling pathway core element MST1 gene in acute leukemia (AL) patients, and explore its relation with AL pathogenesis and prognosis. 50 newly diagnosed patients with AL, 33 normal people, 23 patients with AL in complete remission, 12 refractory or relapsed patients were tested for the expression of MST1 gene by real-time quantitative PCR, Western blot was used to further validate the level of MST1 protein expression. And combined with clinical data, prognostic factors of the patients were analyzed. The results indicated that compared with the normal people, the expression level of MST1 in newly diagnosed patients with AL significantly decreased (P < 0.05), but significantly increased in AL patients with complete remission (CR), the difference of expression was statistically significant before CR and after CR (P < 0.05). Compared with refractory or relapsed patients, the expression level of MST1 gene in newly diagnosed patients was not significantly different (P > 0.05). Besides, the expression level of MST1 between the patients with CR and the normal people was not significantly different (P > 0.05). It is concluded that the low expression of MST1 may be related with the pathogenesis and prognosis of AL.
Acute Disease ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic ; Humans ; Leukemia ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical experience of surgical treatment of primary malignant tumors of the trachea and main bronchus.

METHODSThe clinicopathological data of 18 patients with primary malignant tumors of the trachea and main bronchus surgically treated from February 1994 to August 2007 were reviewed retrospectively. The surgical management included sleeve tracheal resection in 8 cases, lower trachea and carina resection with carina reconstruction in 4 cases, local enucleation of the tumor in 4 cases, left or right carino-pneumonectomy and carina reconstruction in 2 cases, and resection of the tracheal or bronchial tumor and reconstruction of the airway under cardiopulmonary bypass in 6 cases.

RESULTSAmong the 18 cases, there were 7 adenoid cystic carcinomas, 9 squamous cell carcinomas, 1 lymphoepithelial-like carcinoma and 1 follicular non-Hodgkin lymphoma. All the cases recovered well except one who died of endotracheal bleeding and asphyxia at the 10(th) postoperative day.

CONCLUSIONSurgical resection is the most effective treatment for primary malignant tumors of the trachea and main bronchus. The selection of operation modes should be individualized according to patients' condition. Both complete resection and safety should be taken into consideration simultaneously.

Adult ; Aged ; Bronchial Neoplasms ; surgery ; Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic ; surgery ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; surgery ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Tracheal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Tracheotomy ; methods ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of miRNA silencing HIF-1α gene on the proliferation of HepG2 cells.

METHODSThe eukaryotic expression plasmids of HIF-1α miRNA and report gene containing hypoxia-reponse element were constructed and transfected into HepG2 cells. The expressions of HIF-1α gene and protein were determined by real time-PCR and Western blotting. The expressions of HIF-1α, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) were quantitatively detected by ELISA. The alterations of cell cycles and apoptosis rate were quantitatively measured by flow cytometry and Annexin V-FITC/PI double dyeing assay.

RESULTS72 h after transfection the down regulations of HIF-1α mRNA and protein were 87% and 56% respectively, and the decrease of target gene was 46% in the report gene, 54% in VEGF and 36% in Ang-2, respectively. The apoptotic ratio of HepG2 cells was 22.46+/-0.61% (P < 0.01). The cell cycle changed greatly at the ratio of G1 (61.49+/-1.12%) and S (22.40+/-0.58%, P < 0.01). After being combined with doxorubicin, the apoptotic ratio increased to 36.99+/-0.88% and the ratios of G1 and S phases were upregulated to 65.68+/-0.91% and 19.47+/-1.34% respectively.

CONCLUSIONSHIF-1α miRNA or / and doxorubicin can regulate the growth cycles of HepG2 cells, promote the cell apoptosis and inhibit the cell proliferation.

Apoptosis ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Proliferation ; Gene Silencing ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; genetics ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Transfection