Objective To compare the effects of UVA irradiation on cell morphology,quantity and expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA and protein in human fibroblasts versus a kerati- nocyte cell line HaCaT.Methods Human fibroblasts and HaCaT cells were cultured and irradiated by 5 J/cm~2 UVA.Then,at 24,48 and 72 h after the stimulation,the cell morphology was observed under an in- verted microscope,and iNOS mRNA and protein were measured by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry method,respectively.Results After the irradiation,human fibroblasts showed shrinkage at the three time points,the quantities of the cells began to decrease significantly at 24 h (P

HH (hedgehog) signal pathway consists the hedgehoge ligand (Shh、Ihh and Dhh), the Patch and Smo membrane protein complex and Zinc finger transcription factor Gli (Gli1, Gli2, Gli3). In HH (hedgehog) signaling pathway, Gli1 not only plays a dominant and decisive role in the zinc finger transcription factor Gli (Glioma-associated oncogene homolog) family, but also includes epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and oral squamous cell carcinoma, tumor invasion and metastasis. The research on oral squamous cell carcinoma and Shh/Gli1 signal axis is rare. In this paper, the squamous cell carcinoma of oral epithelial mesenchymal transformation and correlation study of quality Gli1 is reviewed.

Objective To investigate commence time of liver specific phase on Sonazoid contrastenhanced ultrasound.Methods Rats were administrated with saline (n =6),SonoVue (n =24) and Sonazoid(n =24),respectively.Liver perfusion was performed at 2 min,5 min,10 min and 20 min in situ.Changes of liver enhancement caused by perfusion were quantitatively analyzed.Results Degree of liver enhancement without administration of contrast agent increased after perfusion.In SonoVue group,liver enhancement decreased after perfusion at 2 min and 5 min and increased at 10 min and 20 min significantly.In Sonazoid group,liver enhancement decreased dramatically at 2 min after perfusion,but no changes were found at 5 min,10 min and 20 min after perfusion.Conclusions Liver specific phase on Sonazoid CEUS can begin as early as 5min after administration of contrast agent.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the potential of Gomphidius viscidus, a kind of ectomycorrhizal fungi, for phytoremediation of anthracene in soil.

METHODSAbsorptioe changes of micro-habitat were studied in detail.

CONCLUSIONEctomycorrhizal plants have a strong potential for remediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarn characteristics of both active and inactivated mycelia.

RESULTSA high calculated adsorption capacity of 1,886.79 mg/g and 1,515.15 mg/g at 25 °C, pH 6.0 for active and inactivated mycelia respectively, was obtained based on Langmuir model. The ANT biosorption was more ideally characterized by the Langmuir model than by the Freundlich model. The biosorption of anthracene to biomass was extremely fast and could be modeled with pseudo-second order adsorption kinetics. Moreover, ectomycorrhizal mycelia demonstrated a strong ability to adjust the physiological process to get adapted to the change of micro-habitat.

Adsorption ; Anthracenes ; analysis ; Basidiomycota ; growth & development ; Biodegradation, Environmental ; China ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Mycelium ; growth & development ; Mycorrhizae ; growth & development ; Soil Pollutants ; analysis ; Temperature

Objective The quality of life(QOL)5 years after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)was evaluated by NHP,SAQ and DASI questionnaires.Methods NHP,SAQ and DASI questionnaires were mailed to 287 patients who received CABG in our department between Jan 2001 and Jan 2002.The reliability and construct validity of the questionnaires and the influence factor of QOL were analyzed.Results Two hundred and seventy-three patients(95％)responded to the questionnaires.The reliability of three questionnaires about QOL was 0.81,0.75 and 0.78,respectively.QOL at 5 years post CABG was significantly better in CCS Ⅰ/Ⅱpatients than CCSⅢ/Ⅳ patients'according to SAQ.Exertional scale and disease perception scale according to SAQ,social isolation and physical abilities to NHP also significantly related to QOL 5 years post CABG.Conclusions All 3 questionnaires had high reliability and statistical validity for evaluating QOL.CCS angina degree affect the quality of life in patients 5 years post CABG.

The role of female partners in the diagnosis and treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) is being paid more and more attention now. ED has serious adverse effects on the sexual experience of female partners, while the attitudes of female partners to ED will have a direct effect on seeking and continuing treatment behavior of ED patients. So it's necessary for clinicians to consider female partners in the clinical practice of ED. The evidence from a recently published clinical trial has demonstrated that vardenafil not only improved ED men's erectile function, but also improved the sexual quality of life for female partners, which was the ideal solution of ED couples.
Erectile Dysfunction ; drug therapy ; psychology ; Female ; Humans ; Imidazoles ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Piperazines ; therapeutic use ; Sexual Partners ; psychology ; Sulfones ; therapeutic use ; Triazines ; therapeutic use ; Vardenafil Dihydrochloride ; Vasodilator Agents ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo explore the correlation between androgen-related CYP17 gene polymorphisms and female post adolescent acne in Han population in Hunan Province.

METHODSThe female patients with post adolescent acne and high levels of androgen (A group), those without high levels of androgen (B group) and healthy subjects (C group) were enrolled. The CYP17 gene polymorphism was investigated by PCR using DNA samples from peripheral blood lymphocytes. The T-->C transition in the risk allele (A2) produced a new recognition site for the restriction endonuclease MspA1 I. Three genotypes of androgen-related CYP17 gene (A1A1, A1A2, and A2A2) were determined and confirmed by sequencing.

RESULTSThe frequency of the A1A2 gene was similar in the cases and controls (P>0.05). The frequency of A2A2 gene was not significantly different between groups A and C (P>0.05). The frequency of A2A2 gene was significantly different between groups A and B and between groups B and C (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe presence of base substitution in androgen-related CYP17 gene at -34 bp (T-->C) increases the risk of post adolescent acne in female subjects with increased androgen levels.

Acne Vulgaris ; genetics ; Adult ; Androgens ; blood ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Steroid 17-alpha-Hydroxylase ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the short-term effect and experience of Nuss procedure on 120 cases of patients with pectus excavatum.

METHODSThoracoscopy assisted Nuss procedure with different ways of anesthesia were applied to 120 cases of patients with pectus excavatum, including 7 cases of recurrence after traditional surgical procedure (6 cases) and Nuss method (another one). The patients ranged in age from 2.5 to 43 (mean 14.1) years and in Haller index from 2.91 to 29. Of the 120, 73 had symmetric and 47 had asymmetric pectus excavatum. The Nuss procedure is performed with general anesthesia and a convex steel bar is inserted under the sternum with thoracoscopy through small bilateral thoracic incisions. The steel bar is inserted with the convexity facing posteriorly, and when it is in position, the bar is turned over, thereby correcting the deformity.

RESULTSThe operation was successfully accomplished without severe complications in all the 120 cases. The mean operative time was 58 minutes and the mean volume of blood loss was 30 ml. 103 patients had one bar inserted while the other 17 cases with more extremely diffuse depression required 2 or even 3 bars to get a satisfactory correction. Such methods as modifications to the fixing points and the shape of the bar, partial osteotomy, were developed to deal with asymmetric ones.

CONCLUSIONThe Nuss procedure is a minimally invasive technique for correction of pectus excavatum. It can lead to a satisfactory outcome and surgical time is less.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Funnel Chest ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Orthopedic Procedures ; methods ; Thoracoscopy ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of 67 000 laminin receptor (LN-R) in the processes of invasion and metastasis of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

METHODSExpression of 67 000 LN-R mRNA in 20 cases with laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas and corresponding normal tissues was determined by RT-PCR, and the relationship between its expression level and patients' clinicopathological features was analyzed. Expression of 67 000 LN-R on the surface of AMC-HN-8 laryngeal carcinoma cells was examined by flow cytometry. The effect of 67 000 LN-R monoclonal antibody (MLuC5) on the adhesive and invasive abilities was observed by adhesion test and Boyden chamber invasiveness test in vitro.

RESULTSThe expression level of 67 000 LN-R mRNA in human laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma was significantly higher than that in normal tissues (P < 0.05). The expression level of 67 000 LN-R mRNA in laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas with cervical lymph node metastases was higher than in those without cervical lymph node metastases (P < 0.05). There was a significant negative correlation between the expression level of 67 000 LN-R mRNA and the degree of tumor differentiation, the level being higher in poorly differentiated tumors (P < 0.05). Flow cytometry showed that (80.9 +/- 0.9)% of AMC-HN-8 cells expressed 67 000 LN-R. MLuC5 inhibited the adhesion of AMC-HN-8 cells on LN, and after treated with MLuC5 for 60 and 120 minutes, the adhesion inhibition rate was 57.1% and 63.2%, respectively. The invasive ability to artificial basement membrane was reduced by MLuC5.

CONCLUSIONLaryngeal carcinoma overexpressing 67 000 LN-R has stronger invasiveness, and 67 000 LN-R monoclonal antibody may contribute to prevent metastasis of laryngeal carcinoma.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; immunology ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; secondary ; Cell Adhesion ; immunology ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Female ; Humans ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Receptors, Laminin ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo retrospectively summarize the effect of non-medical therapies for pediatric patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM).

METHODSFrom Nov. 2008 to Jun. 2010, 4 children with drug-refractory HOCM were admitted to our hospital. Their ages were 14, 7, 9 and 6 years old, respectively. Their body weights were 38, 17, 21.5 and 17 kg, respectively. Before operation, the pressure gradients over left ventricular outflow tract (LVOTG) were 60, 147, 58 and 114 mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa), respectively. And mitral regurgitation (MR) areas were 2.2, 7.3 cm(2) and 2.9 cm(2), respectively, except that it was trivial in one case. Percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation (PTSMA) was performed in case 1 and 2. Septal myectomy (SM) was performed in case 3 and 4. Follow-up was first performed right after operation or before discharge, then 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after operation, and then once a year. The follow-up period was 1 - 18 (9.3 ± 8.1) months.

RESULTSAll patients experienced relieved symptoms. Three of them had their NYHA functional class improved except case 2. Echocardiography revealed that LVOTGs right after operations were 38, 79, 20 and 0 mm Hg, respectively, suggesting significant improvement of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) in all patients. During follow-up, case 2 suffered from recurrence of LVOTO, while the other 3 cases showed sustained relief. In the last follow-up, the LVOTGs of the four patients were 19, 168, 16 and 0 mm Hg, respectively. Echocardiography also revealed that MRs of all patients were significantly reduced, even in case 2 whose LVOTG rebounded, with no recurrence during follow-up. Severe complications were absent, such as ventricular septum perforation, cardiac tamponade, ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. No one suffered from complete heart block. Transient complete right bundle branch block (CRBBB) was observed in case 1 after PTSMA and converted to intraventricular block after 1 month. Complete left bundle branch block (CLBBB) was present in both case 3 and 4, who received SM. In case 4, it converted to intraventricular block after 1 month while in case 3 CLBBB persisted.

CONCLUSIONSThe initial experience showed that PTSMA and SM were safe and effective for drug-refractory symptomatic HOCM children, with satisfactory short-term results. Further studies are needed to evaluate the long-term results and complications.

Adolescent ; Cardiac Surgical Procedures ; Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic ; surgery ; therapy ; Catheter Ablation ; Child ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male