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.

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

OBJECTIVETo study the clinicopathologic features, diagnosis and differential diagnosis of sinonasal teratocarcinosarcoma (SNTCS) and olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB), and to discuss the histogenesis and possible relationship between SNTCS and ONB.

METHODSSeven cases of SNTCS and 34 cases of ONB were retrieved from the pathological archives together with one case each of malignant teratoma and immature embryonic tissue at 8 weeks were collected from Beijing Tongren Hospital. The clinicopathologic features were analyzed and immunohistochemical staining was performed on paraffin sections.

RESULTSSix of the SNTCS patients were male and one was female. The patients age range was 25 to 69 years (mean age 46). Four cases were initial presentation and three were recurrences. Histologically, the tumor shows multiple tissue components derived from three germ layers. There were mixture of teratoma-like tissue and carcinosarcoma. The components include fetal clear cell squamous epithelium derived from ectoderm. Glandular and tubular structures and ciliated columnar epithelium derived from endoderm. Fibroblasts, striated muscle, smooth muscle, cartilage and osteoid matrix derived from mesoderm. The carcinoma component exhibited mostly adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, whereas the sarcoma component mostly exhibited rhabdomyosarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, and fibrosarcoma. In addition, carcinoid, and primitive mesenchymal tissue and the ONB component were also seen. The morphological characteristics of SNTCS comprised fetal clear cell squamous epithelium, carcinosarcoma and the ONB component. By immunohistochemistry, the epithelial component and cells with epithelium differentiation were positive for cytokeratin (pan) and EMA. The ONB component was positive for Syn, NSE, CD99, NF and CgA to different degrees. Neurofibril bundles were positive for S-100, and Flexner-Wintersteiner rosettes expressed cytokeratin (pan) and EMA. The spindle cells expressed vimentin, SMA, desmin, myosin and myoglobin. The primitive mesenchymal tissue expressed vimentin, and the mucoid materials and glycogen were positive for PAS. GFAP was negative in all cases. The 34 cases of ONB, included 18 men and 16 women, the age ranged from 12 to 72 years (mean 42.8 years). Microscopically, the tumor shows epithelial nests, net of angioma-like fibrous connective tissues, small round and spindle cells, glandular, squamous-like cells, and cells of rhabdomyoblastic differentiation, Homer-Wright and Flexner rosette, bundles of neurofibrils, etc. NSE and CgA were expressed in small cells. S-100 protein was positive in the areas of bunches of neurofibril. Cytokeratin (pan) was positive in epithelial cells. Myoglobin was positive in the cells of rhabdomyoblastic differentiation. The single case of immature malignant teratoma exhibited primitive nerve tissue, but fetal clear cell squamous epithelium was not found. In the immature embryonic tissue, rudimentary organs were formed, with fetal clear cell squamous epithelium lining present on the nasal and oral cavities surface.

CONCLUSIONSSNTCS is a rare and aggressive malignant neoplasm. Most of ONB are low-grade malignant tumors. Morphological differences are the most important basis to make differentiate SNTCS from ONB. As SNTCS may demonstrate a multiplicity of structures and pleomorphism, inadequate sampling at biopsy, therefore, may lead to errors in diagnosis. No evidence show that SNTCS are derived from germ cells and sinonasal teratoid carcinosarcoma may be a more proper name. SNTCS probably arises from primitive totipotential cells of olfactory/sinonasal membrane, and the relationship between SNTCS and ONB needs further study.

Adult ; Aged ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; metabolism ; Carcinosarcoma ; pathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Esthesioneuroblastoma, Olfactory ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasal Cavity ; pathology ; Nose Neoplasms ; pathology ; Paranasal Sinus Neoplasms ; pathology ; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase ; Rhabdomyosarcoma ; pathology

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