Fecal occult blood test (FOBT) screening has been shown to decrease the incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer (CRC). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of the immunochemical fecal occult blood test (i-FOBT) in diagnosing CRC were assessed among the patients in a tertiary referral hospital in Malaysia. A total sample of 814 patients aged 16 to 85 years old who performed i-FOBT and endoscopic screenings was obtained. The patients were recruited for a retrospective investigation. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were derived for the CRC screenees. Out of the 814 patients screened using i-FOBT, half of them were above 59 years old (49.6%), and 36% had positive i-FOBT. Gender distribution was almost equal, where 53.4% of the patients were female, and 46.6% were male. Majority of the patients were Malays (56.6%), followed by Chinese (24.0%), Indians (16.5%), and others (2.9%). Among the 71 patients referred for colonoscopy, 57.7% and 42.3% corresponded to positive and negative i-FOBT cases, respectively. Polyps were found to be most common among the patients (25.6%), 7.0% were found positive for invasive CRC, and 35.2% had normal colonoscopic findings. There was a significant association between colonoscopic finding and positive i-FOBT (p=0.001). The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV for CRC detection were 66.7%, 43.0%, 9.8%, and 93.3%, respectively. The results indicate that i-FOBT is a useful tool in the detection of abnormalities in the lower gastrointestinal tract and therefore serves as a cornerstone for potential large-scale screening programmes.

Given the myriad of choices available on the market, selecting the appropriate wound dressing remains a challenge for most healthcare workers. It is important to exercise discretion and adopt a systematic approach in dressing selection following wound assessment, as this will directly impact on rates of wound healing, which in turns affects the patient’s quality of life and overall healthcare costs. This paper provides an overview of the common types of wound dressings in use currently and gives a brief synopsis of some of the latest advances in wound care technology and their applications in management of complex wounds. The consensus to date is for the use of hydrogels in the debridement stage, foams and low-adherence dressings in the granulation stage and hydrocolloids and low-adherence dressings for the epithelialization stage. Additional studies and research need to be undertaken to further evaluate the application of advanced wound technology in clinical practice.

Objective To analyze the result of treatment for acute-on-chronic liver failure patients with fast high efficiency Nucleoside and to explore the relations among inhibition to virus replication , liver failure development and immune rejection .Methods Sixty-two cases of acute-on-chronic liver failure pa-tients with HBV DNA(+) were divided into study group (treated with a kind of fast and nucleoside , n =30) and control group( n =32).HBV DNA,CD4 +T,CD8 +T, C3,C4 TBIL,PTA were observed at treat-ment 0w,2w and 4w.Results All of the study and control group patients , serum HBV DNA were positive before treated.And the levels of CD4+,CD8 +,C3,C 4,TBIL,PTA of study group were not significantly compared with control group .At treatment 2w , the rate of HBV DNA diverted negative in study group 90.0%(27/30), was significantly more then control group (9.4%, 3/32)(χ2=37.14 , P <0.01).But the CD4 +,CD8 +,C3,C4,TBIL,PTA levels were not significantly however between study and control group . At treatment 4w ,the rate of HBV DNA diverted negative in study group (96.7%, 29/30), was significant-ly more then control group(12.5%,4/32) (χ2 =40.74, P <0.01).CD4 +, CD8 +,C3,C4,TBIL,PTA levels of the study group were significantly more compared with the control group .The CD4 +level of study group (495.33 ±89.91)cells/ml, was higher significantly then control group (270.34 ±97.74)cells/ml( t=9.42, P <0.01),the CD8 +level (571.03 ±120.15 ) cells/ml, was higher significantly then control group(224.88 ±79.68)cells/ml( t =13.45, P <0.01).The C3 level of the study group (0.28 ±0.11) g/L, was lower significantly then control group ( 0.68 ±0.13 ) g/L ( t =13.13 , P <0.01 ) , the C4 level (0.12 ±0.06)g/L, was lower significantly then control group (0.23 ±0.10)g/L( t =4.92, P <0.01). The TBIL level of study group ( 653.93 ±131.02 )μmol/L, was higher significantly then control group (285.63 ±154.63)μmol/L( t =10.09, P <0.01),the PTA level (17.13 ±7.07)%, was lower signifi-cantly then control group(50.94 ±13.68)%( t =12.10, P <0.01).The death rate of the study group( 57.9%) was higher significantly compared with the control group (28.1%)(χ2 =6.39, P <0.05).Con-clusion Treatment of chronic severe hepatitis with fast and high efficiency nucleoside may arise the T cell subset level and make the immune rejection strength , as a result the liver failure maybe far away from cure .

The evolutionarily conserved RNA Polymerase II Rpb4/7 sub-complex has been thoroughly studied in yeast and impacts gene expression at multiple levels including transcription, mRNA processing and decay. In addition Rpb4/7 exerts differential effects on gene expression in yeast and Rpb4 is not obligatory for yeast (S. cerevisiae) survival. Specialised roles for human (hs) Rpb4/7 have not been extensively described and we have probed this question by depleting hsRpb4/7 in established human cell lines using RNA interference. We find that Rpb4/7 protein levels are inter-dependent and accordingly, the functional effects of depleting either protein are co-incident. hsRpb4/7 exhibits gene-specific effects and cells initially remain viable upon hsRpb4/7 depletion. However prolonged hsRpb4/7 depletion is cytotoxic in the range of cell lines tested. Protracted cell death occurs by an unknown mechanism and in some cases is accompanied by a pronounced elongated cell morphology. In conclusion we provide evidence for a gene-specific role of hsRpb4/7 in human cell viability.
Cell Line ; Cell Nucleus ; metabolism ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Gene Expression Profiling ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; RNA Interference ; RNA Polymerase II ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; pharmacology

ObjectiveTo introduction of perforator flaps,muscle flaps pedicled by descending branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery,method and their clinical application that multiple soft tissue defects of hand are repaire by muliplefoliated tissue flap only branch lateral circumflex femoral artery.MethodsFifteen patients with multiple soft tissue defects of hand were repaired muliplefoliated tissue flap only pedicled bydescending branch lateral circumflex femoral artery.At first,the anterolateral thigh perforator flap was designed and harvested according to the soft tissue defects of hand, then the descending branch lateral circumflex femoral artery was dissected at the same time the segmented perforator flap,fascia lata flap,rectus femoris muscle flap, vastus lateralis muscle flap, vastus intermedius muscle flap and distal spatium intermusculare flap were harvested in need according to distance among soft tissue defects.The muliplefoliated tissue flap was harvested only pedicled by descending branch lateral circumflex femoral artery, at last muscle flaps and fascia lata flaps were covered by skin graft, so the multiple soft tissue defects of hand were repaired in one time.ResultsNo vascular crisis happened. All skin grafts survived well, the contour of all repaired soft tissue defects was good and protective feeling was recovered by skin grafts of all flaps. All cases were got follow-up and the range was from 6 to 20 months(the average was 8.7 months).Wound of donor site healed well, muscle strength of quadriceps and motion of knee were normal. Three cases were excellent,nine cases were well and 3 cases were good, according to upper extremity function evaluation criteria of Chinese Medical Society for the Surgery of the Hand, the rate of good was 80 percent.ConclusionMultiple soft tissue defects of hand can be repaired by muliplefoliated flap only pedicled by descending branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery. Its advantages included reduction of operation time and treatment, good recovery of hand contour and function. It is a good method to repair multiple soft tissue defects of hand.

Aberrant chromosomal fusion of the Ewing's sarcoma oncogene (EWS) to several different cellular partners produces the Ewing's family of oncoproteins (EWS-fusion-proteins, EFPs) and associated tumors (EFTs). EFPs are potent transcriptional activators, dependent on the N-terminal region of EWS (the EWS-activation-domain, EAD) and this function is thought to be central to EFT oncogenesis and maintenance. Thus EFPs are promising therapeutic targets, but detailed molecular studies will be pivotal for exploring this potential. Such studies have so far largely been restricted to intact mammalian cells while recent evidence has indicated that a mammalian cell-free transcription system may not support bona fide EAD function. Therefore, the lack of manipulatable assays for the EAD presents a significant barrier to progress. Using Xenopus laevis oocytes we describe a plasmid-based micro-injection assay that supports efficient, bona fide EAD transcriptional activity and hence provides a new vehicle for molecular dissection of the EAD.
Animals ; Biological Assay ; Female ; Oncogene Proteins ; genetics ; Oncogenes ; genetics ; Oocytes ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA-Binding Protein EWS ; genetics ; metabolism ; Sarcoma, Ewing ; genetics ; pathology ; Xenopus

Objective To analyze the protective role of intraoperative EMG monitoring in surgical removal of tumors related to the floor of the fourth ventricle and its influencing factors.Methods Intraoperative EMG monitoring was performed during the surgical removal of 32 patients with brain tumor, admitted to our hospital from January 2007 to December 2010; among these 32patients, 11 was conformed as having medulloblastoma, 9 ependymoma, 6 brain stem cavernous hemangioma, 4 brain stem exogenous glioma and 2 hemangioblastoma of the dorsal brain stem. The influencing factors of intraoperative EMG monitoring and the possible damage of cranial nerve nuclei caused by these surgical procedures were analyzed.Results Twenty-one patients enjoyed total removal, 9 sub-total removal and 2 partial removal. Good function protection of patient's posterior cranial nerves was noted in 9 patients, mild impairment in 18 patients, and moderate dysfunction in 5 patients.The influencing factors of EMG monitoring included leaking electric current caused by bipolar coagulation, excessive use of muscle relaxant drugs, changes in depth of anesthesia, and rapid changes of patient′s temperature, saline temperature and blood pressure. Conclusion The intraoperative EMG monitoring can provide evidence about the location of the cranial motor nuclei during the surgical removal of the tumor related to the floor of the fourth ventricle and the function protection of patient’s posterior cranial nerves.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of interferon-αon the expression and activity of transcription factor specificity pro-tein 1(Sp1) in hepatocarcinoma cells .Methods :The effect of interferon-αon the expression and phosphorylation level of Sp1 in hepatocarcinoma cell line M HCC97H were detected by Western blotting .The effect of interferon-α on the activity of Sp1 was analyzed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) .Results :Interferon-α significantly reduced the expression and phos-phorylation level of Sp1 ,and the reducement on phosphorylation was more distinct .Interferon-α also inhibited the activity of Sp1 significantly .Conclusions :Interferon-αinhibits the activity of Sp1 by down regulating the expression and phosphorylation level of Sp1 .Sp1 may be an optional predictor of clinical efficacy of interferon-αon hepatocarcinoma .

Objective: Patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis are assessed for coronary artery disease (CAD) prior to transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) with treatment implications. Invasive coronary angiography (ICA) is the recommended modality but is associated with peri-procedural complications. Integrating machine learning (ML)-based computed tomography-derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) into existing TAVI-planning CT protocol may aid exclusion of significant CAD and thus avoiding ICA in selected patients. Materials and Methods: A single-center, retrospective study was conducted, 41 TAVI candidates with both TAVI-planning CT and ICA performed were analyzed. CT datasets were evaluated by a ML-based CT-FFR software. Beta-blocker and nitroglycerin were not administered in these patients. The primary outcome was to identify significant CAD. The diagnostic performance of CT-FFR was compared against ICA. Results: On per-patient level, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and diagnostic accuracy were 89%, 94%, 80%, 97% and 93%, respectively. On per-vessel level, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and diagnostic accuracy were 75%, 94%, 67%, 96% and 92%, respectively. The area under the receiver operative characteristics curve per individual coronary vessels yielded overall 0.90 (95% confidence interval 85%–95%). ICA may be avoided in up to 80% of patients if CT-FFR results were negative. Conclusion ML-based CT-FFR can provide accurate screening capabilities for significant CAD thus avoiding ICA. Its integration to existing TAVI-planning CT is feasible with the potential of improving the safety and efficiency of pre-TAVI CAD assessment.

Objectives: To evaluate the association of illicit drug use with bone mineral density (BMD) and hip geometric parameters at the narrow neck. Methods: This is a cross-sectional matched cohort study conducted in the Hong Kong Chinese population. Associations with illicit drug use were estimated using linear regression for BMD (lumbar spine and femoral neck) and hip geometrical parameters (cross-sectional area [CSA], cross-sectional moment of inertia [CSMI], section modulus [SM], average cortical thickness [ACT] and BMD at the narrow neck) after adjusting for age, body mass index (BMI), smoking status, drinking status, physical activity, and history of antipsychotic and antidepressant use. Mean difference and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated between 108 illicit drug users and 108 controls using an adjusted linear model and cluster-robust standard errors after matching by age and sex. The false discovery rate was used to correct for multiple testing. Results: Illicit drug users had a significantly lower BMD (g/cm2 ) at the lumbar spine (mean difference: -0.062; 95% CI: -0.108 to − 0.015), and femoral neck (mean difference: -0.058; 95% CI: -0.106 to − 0.010) in the fully adjusted model. Illicit drug users also had a significantly lower CSA (mean difference: -0.238 cm2 ; 95% CI: -0.462 to − 0.013), ACT (mean difference: -0.018 cm; 95% CI: -0.030 to − 0.006) and BMD (mean difference: -0.070 g/ cm2 ; 95% CI: -0.128 to − 0.012) at the narrow neck. Conclusions Illicit drug use is associated with lower BMD and bone strength. Future studies evaluating the risk of illicit drug use with fragility fracture are warranted.