Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)plays an important role in the degradation of extracellular matrix components,which is crucial for tumor growth,invasion and metastasis.As one with the largest relative molecular mass in MMP family,MMP-9 takes part in the generation and progression of colorectal cancer. Research shows that MMP-9 can be used for the early diagnosis of colorectal cancer.The expression levels of MMP-9 in tissue and plasma are negatively correlated with prognosis of the postoperative patients with colorectal cancer.In addition,targeted therapy drugs will be designed on the basis of MMP-9 expression increased in colorectal cancer.

Objective To compare the safety and effectiveness of two methods of perineal dissection in 60 consecutive patients of rectal carcinoma undergoing combined abdominoperineal resection.Methods In this retrospective study from 2007 to 2009, 30 cases underwent Miles' operation using modified method of perineal dissection( MM group) and 30 cases undergoing Miles' operation using classic method of perineal dissection ( CM group). Operative time, accidental tumor ( or rectal) perforation during the procedure, iatrogenic injury to the urethra ( or vagina) and postoperative perineal complications were compared between the two groups. Results The mean perineal operative time was (45±15) min in MM group and ( 70 ± 20) min in CM group respectively ( t = 5. 48, P ＜ 0. 05 ). There were no significant differences in the rate of tumor ( or rectal) perforation and that of urethral (vaginal) injury. There were significant difference in the rate of postoperative perineal complications (χ2=4.01, P＜0.05).Conclusions Modified method of perineal dissection is effective and safe, and this method offers a new approach for the perineal dissection during Miles' operation.

OBJECTIVE To explore the characteristics of cochlear hair cell injuries in guinea pigs exposed to blast underpressure(BUP). METHODS The guinea pigs were killed 14 days after exposure to experimental BUP. Their basilar membranes were stained by silver nitrate and the hair cell injuries were quantitatively assessed using the light microscope. RESULTS The outer hair cells(OHCs) of the guinea pigs clearly appeared to be injured following exposure to the experimental BUP at a peak underpressure varying between -22.4kPa and -63.3kPa. The most obvious injury was in the second turn and OHC loss was smallest in the first row and more severe in the second and third rows. OHC loss was seen in all of three experimental groups of animals following exposure to BUP. Furthermore, the higher the peak of underpressure, the more obvious the injury of OHCs. Quantitative morphological analysis of cochlear hair cells showed that the total OHC loss rates in all the experimental groups of guinea pigs exposed to BUP were significantly higher than that of control group animals(P

Objective:To analyze the differentally expressed long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) among mice of different ages and explore the mechanism of kidney aging.Methods:Male C57BL/6 mice aged 3-month-old ( n=5), 12-month-old ( n=5) and 24-month-old ( n=5) (each weighting about 25 g) were randomly selected. PAS staining, Masson staining and senescence associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) staining were used to detect the pathology and cell senescence of mice kidney. High throughput sequencing was performed to detect the differentially expressed lncRNA and their fragments per kilobase million. Real-time quantitative PCR was used to verify the differentially expressed lncRNA. Competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network, which consisted of lncRNA, miRNA and mRNA was built. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis method were used to predict the biological function of differentially expressed lncRNA. Results:PAS staining and Masson staining showed the development of kidney fibrosis, and SA-β-gal staining positive region was increased significantly as age increased. There were 938 known lncRNA and 542 novel lncRNA differentially expressed among different ages' mouse kidney. Compared with 3-month-old mice, 33 lncRNA were up-regulated and 43 lncRNA were down-regulated in 12-month-old mice. Compared with 3-month-old mice, 130 lncRNA were up-regulated and 91 lncRNA were down-regulated in 24-month-old mice. Compared with 12-month-old mice, 36 lncRNA were up-regulated and 22 lncRNA were down-regulated in 24-month-old mice. The results of qRT-PCR about verified 10 lncRNAs with larger differential expression multiples and higer expression levels were consistent with the sequencing data. GO enrichment analysis showed that the target genes of lncRNA differentially expressed in the three groups were mostly located in the nucleus and cytoplasm, and might play a role by binding to proteins or participate in various protein phosphorylation, cell cycle, transcription, transcription regulation and other processes. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that the target genes of lncRNA differentially expressed in the three group were significantly enriched in Rap1 signaling pathway, FOXO signaling pathway and MAPK signaling pathway, which were closely related to kidney aging.Conclusion:There are significant differences in expression of lncRNA among the kidney of different ages mice, which are involved in the occurrence of renal senescence.

In order to improve the poor photostability of nifedipine, this study designed a cocrystal based on the principles of crystal engineering and prepared nifedipine-imidazole cocrystal by suspension method. The new cocrystal was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TG) and infrared spectroscopy (IR) to confirm the formation of the cocrystal. The photostability of nifedipine and its cocrystal was measured by powder X-ray diffraction and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results showed that the nifedipine-imidazole cocrystal improved the photostability of nifedipine to a certain extent. This study provides guidance for the development of nifedipine cocrystals and the improvement of its druggability.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the reliability and validity of Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL-30, 4th version, 30 items) among government staff in the Wenchuan earthquake-stricken areas

METHODSA total of 1,175 members of government staff in the Wenchuan earthquake-stricken areas were selected by convenience sampling and required to complete the ProQOL and Self-Reporting Questionnair (SRQ). The reliability and validity of the scale was evaluated by correlation analysis, t-test, and confirmatory factor analysis.

RESULTSItem-total correlation coefficients of the three subscales were 0.590 - 0.752, 0.389 - 0.603, and 0.340 - 0.647, respectively (P<0.05), and the average coefficients were 0.672, 0.482, and 0.555 respectively (P<0.05). The Cronbach's α coefficients of the three subscales were 0.864, 0.569, and 0.742 respectively, and the split-half reliabilities were 0.829, 0.490, and 0.677, respectively. P value was 0.88 in thE chi-square test of confirmatory factor analysis model. Goodness-of-fit indices of ProQOL-30 included GFI=0.895 NFI=0.856, CFI=0.895, RMSEA=0.063, and AGFI=0.912. For the ProQOL-28 as an optimized version o ProQOL-30, the Cronbach's a coefficients for burnout and trauma/compassion fatigue increased to 0.616 and 0.757, respectively. P value was 0.91 in the chi-square test of confirmatory factor analysis model test. Goodness-of-fit indices of ProQOL-28 were GFI =0.913, AGFI =0.924, NFI =0.900, CFI =0.913, and RMSEA =0.031 CONCLUSION: ProQOL-28 has good reliability and validity among government staff in the earthquake-stricker areas in China.

China ; Disasters ; Earthquakes ; Factor Analysis, Statistical ; Government ; Humans ; Quality of Life ; Reproducibility of Results ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this investigation was to examine the anatomic basis of palatopharyngeus and clinical implications for sphincter pharyngoplasty.

METHODSDetailed dissections were performed on 17 sides of adult human head and neck specimens. The eight sides newborns' head and neck cadavers were also used in the study (4 normal and 4 cleft lip and palate). The observations of histologic serial sections were undertaken in six fetus head and neck specimens on coronal, transverse and sagittal direction.

RESULTSThe palatopharyngeus with three components of pharyngeal origins and two heads of velar insertions contributes the continuity between the velum and lateral pharyngeal wall and the bulk of muscle fibers were extended to the posterior tonsilar pillars with (27.58 +/- 6.73) mm length and (34.1 +/- 10.50) mm2 section area. The muscles were supplied dominantly from the branches of ascending pharyngeal artery and tonsilar artery and partly from the branches of ascending palatine artery and dorsal lingual artery. The muscles were innervated by the branches of pharyngeal plexus which focus on the level 10 mm to 25 mm below the hard palate and at the level of 15 mm below the hard palate there was at least one of the nerve branch entered the muscle.

CONCLUSIONThe palatopharyngeus muscle is not only a major musculature of lateral pharyngeal wall but also an important portion of the soft palate, participating the middle and posterior velum, which means that the muscle may play a significant effect in the velar function and pharyngeal wall movements. It is also a good donor site for palatopharyngeus flap. The sphincter pharyngoplasty has some influence to the blood supply and innervation of the muscles, which may result to blood reversion and denervation for the distal component of palatopharyngeal flap.

Adult ; Cadaver ; Head ; anatomy & histology ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Neck ; anatomy & histology ; Palatal Muscles ; anatomy & histology ; Pharyngeal Muscles ; anatomy & histology

BACKGROUNDThe delayed diagnosis of pelvi-ureteric junction (PUJ) disruption in children following blunt abdominal trauma can result in loss of function of the involved kidney. We examined the potential for kidney preservation and the limits of diagnostic delays.

METHODSA retrospective review of 17 cases of PUJ disruption at Beijing Children's Hospital from 1993 to 2009 was done with respect to diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.

RESULTSThe interval from trauma to diagnosis of PUJ disruption was (52 ± 52) days. If one case with nephrectomy was excluded, the interval from trauma to diagnosis was (40 ± 20) days. The average time between injury and first treatment was (49 ± 25) days. Pelvi-ureteric reanastomosis and caliceal ureterostomy were performed separately in 11 and 4 patients, respectively. Ileal replacement for ureter injuries was finally performed in one patient. Hydronephrosis of the injured kidney was reduced and the function improved in 15 out of 17 patients (88%). Only one patient received nephrectomy and the nephrectomy rate was 5.9%.

CONCLUSIONDifferential renal function at the PUJ disruption side can be saved and the rate of nephrectomy reduced by appropriate surgery if the time to diagnosis and first treatment is limited to within two months.

Abdominal Injuries ; complications ; surgery ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney ; injuries ; surgery ; Kidney Pelvis ; injuries ; surgery ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Ureter ; injuries ; surgery ; Ureteral Obstruction ; etiology ; surgery

In order to satisfy the current demand for fast and high-quality prosthodontics, we have carried out a research in the fabrication process of the porcelain fused to metal crown on molar with CAD/CAM technology. Firstly, we get the data of the surface mesh on preparation teeth through a 3D-optical grating measuring system. Then, we reconstruct the 3D-model crown with the computer-aided design software which was developed by ourselves. Finally, with the 3D-model data, we produce a metallic crown on a high-speed CNC carving machine. The result has proved that the metallic crown can match the preparation teeth ideally. The fabrication process is reliable and efficient, and the restoration is precise and steady in quality.
Computer-Aided Design ; Crowns ; Dental Porcelain ; Dental Prosthesis Design ; Humans ; Metal Ceramic Alloys ; Molar

BACKGROUNDPercutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) has become a popular procedure for painful vertebral osteoporotic fracture (VOF), with immediate pain relief and improved mobility; however, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) injected into the vertebral body is not absorbable and little information is available concerning the long-term results. In this retrospective study, we evaluated the long-term clinical results and radiological changes after PVPs for VOFs.

METHODSFifty-one patients with VOFs were treated by PVPs with PMMA between 2000 and 2004. After > 7 years of follow-up, eight patients had died from causes unrelated to the intervention and 12 patients were lost to follow-up, thus leaving 31 patients available for evaluation with an average length of follow-up of 9.2 years (follow-up rate, 72.1%). Among these 31 patients, the PMMA was injected at 43 levels with a mean volume of 4.3 ml per level (range, 2 - 6 ml). The pain was assessed with a visual analog scale (VAS), and the mobility was graded as walking without difficulty (grade 1), walking with assistance (grade 2), and bedridden (grade 3). Plain radiographs and computed tomography (CT) were obtained and assessed pre-operatively, immediately post-operatively, and after 7 years of follow-up. The PMMA, vertebral height, and Cobb angle were assessed and compared.

RESULTSAll of the patients experienced pain relief and improved mobility after intervention and during the follow-up period. Cement leakage was detected in post-operative CT scans in 9 of 51 patients, but without neurological compromise. For the 31 patients followed up over 7 years, the VAS decreased from 8.3 ± 2.6 pre-operatively, to 2.1 ± 1.6 immediately post-operatively, and 1.0 ± 0.9 at the final follow-up evaluation, with significantly improved mobility. Additional compression fractures occurred at adjacent levels in three patients, and there were no new fractures at the augmented vertebrae. Based on a review of the radiographs, neither loose nor displaced cement was detected. The changes in vertebral height and Cobb angle were not significant. On CT scans, the cement closely contacted or infiltrated the trabecular bone. The boundary between the cement and trabecular bone was indistinct and there was no evident radiolucent gap between the cement and trabecular bone.

CONCLUSIONSAt an average follow-up of 9.2 years, PVPs provided sustained pain relief and improved mobility in patients with VOFs. The PMMA injected into the vertebral body combined closely with the host trabecular bone without adverse reactions.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporotic Fractures ; surgery ; Polymethyl Methacrylate ; therapeutic use ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fractures ; surgery ; Vertebroplasty ; methods