Lymph node mapping, a hotspot in oncology and surgery in recent years, has been successful-ly used in the discovery and resection of the metastatic lymph nodes in patients with melanoma and breast cancer. For the complex of lymphatic drainage and the defect of tracers, lymph nodes mapping is still under investigation. As a new type of nano-materials, the quantum dots are used widely, the tumor lymph node mapping.

Objective To explore the changes in regional cerebral blood flow(rCBF)and cerebral hemodynamics in patients with CCVI.Methods Twenty patients diagnosed as CCVI were enrolled to undergo single photon emission computed tomography(SPECT)rCBF imaging or transcranial Doppler uhrasonography(TCD)examination.All the patients were free from cerebral structural abnormalities as demonstrated by X-CT or magnetic resonance imaging(MRI).Cranial arteries blood flow velocity,pulsating index(PI)were measured by TCD and compared with the mean of rCBF as measured by SPECT.Results On SPECT images, decreased rCBF lesions were found in 95 percent of patients(19/20).The areas of hypoperfusion were mainly located in frontal,temporal,parietal lobes and fondues nodus.Increased cranial arteries blood flow velocity was found in the anterior cerebral artery(ACA)and middle cerebral artery(MCA)in 80 percent of patients (16/20).There were no correlations among rCBF,the decreased percentage of rCBF,average velocity,and PI of cranial arteries.Conclusions By performing SPECT rCBF and TCD on CCVI patients,the degree of changes in rCBF and hemodynamics Can be evaluated easily,which is valuable for early clinical diagnosis and treatment of CCVI.

Objective To explore a safe and high efficiency way of gene transfection of autocrine motility factor(AMF) in order to provide experimental basis for transplantation of myoblasts carrying AMF gone. Methods Sprague Dawley rat myoblasts were cultured, purified, proliferated and immunohisto-chemically verified. Then, the myoblasts were transfected with AMF and eGFP (enhanced green fluores-cent protein) gene by FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus). Fluorescence microscope and laser scanning confocal microscope were employed to detect eGFP so as to verify positive transfection rate. Expression of AMF was detected by immunohistochemical method. Results Myoblasts with 98% purity could he ob-tained after two weeks of primary culture and purification. Positive transfection rate reached 90.4% when MOI (multiplicity of infection) was 100 (P <0.01). The transfected AMF gene could express normally. Conclusions Explant culture is a proper way in rat myoblast culture. Meanwhile, AMF gene can he effectively transfected into rat myoblast and well expressed via FIV.

Objective To study the clinicopathological significance of Skp2 and E2F1 in the rhinosinus squamous cell carcinoma and chronic sinusitis. Methods Immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of Skp2 and E2F1 in the routinely paraffin-embed-ded sections of specimens from patients with rhinosinus squamoas cell carcinoma (n=49), chronic sinusitis (n=28). Results The expres-sive positive rates and scores of Skp2 and E2F1 in rhinosinus sqnamous cell carcinoma were significantly higher than those in chronic sinusitis (P<0.01). The expression positive rates and scores were significantly decreased in middle-differentiated rhinosinus squamous cell carcino-ma. The maximal diameter of mass was less than 3cm, and no-metastasis of lymphnode or no-infiltration of regional rhinosinus can be found in T1N0M0. While in the low-differentiated rhinosinus squamous cell carcinoma, the maximal diameter of mass was larger than 3cm, and metasta-sis of lymphnode or infiltration of regional rhinosinus can be found(T3N1M0,T3N2M0) (P<0.01). The closely positive correlation was found between the expression of Skp2 and E2F1 in the rhinosinus squamoas cell carcinoma. Conclusions Skp2 and E2F1 might be important biologi-cal markers for carcinogenesis, progression, biological behaviors and prognosis of rhinosinus squamous cell carcinoma.

AIM: To optimize the technical parameters of total arasaponin'S purification with macroporous resin. METHODS: Conditions for the elution were studies under the conditio n of the content of total arasaponin. RESULTS: The purity of total arasaponin was up to 83.3% after d riing the part of 70% ethanolic elution. CONCLUSION: The method was a good purification for total arasaponi n.

Objective To investigate the relationship between the exon 4 gene polymorphism of TIM-1 and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Han population from Hubei province.Methods Polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the ins/del polymorphism of the exon 4 of TIM-1 from RA population and the normal con- trols.Rheumatoid factor (RF),anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibody and anti-keratin antibody (AKA) were also detected.Results Two alleles,a wild type del and a variant allele ins were identified in the TIM-1 exon 4.The genotype frequencies of del/del,ins/del and ins/ins were 0.650,0.280 and 0.070 respec- tively in the normal controls and 0.616,0.302,0.082 respectively in RA population.There was a significant correlation between the positive ratio of AKA and the genotypes of the exon 4.Conclusion The polymorphism of the exon 4 of TIM-1 is not associated with rheumatoid arthritis in Han population from Hubei Province of China.The genotypes of the exon 4 may have an effect on the expression of AKA.

Objective To verify the diagnosis of the bacterial infections and to identify the pathogens, by PCR detection and bacterial endotoxin limulus test. Methods This study enrolled 50 patients receiving liver al-lografts from October 2005 to October 2007 in Ruijin Hospital. Peripheral blood samples were taken on DO, D1, D7 and D14. After preparation of the samples, PCR detection, bacterial endotoxin limulus test were performed. Results The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy in the diagnosis was 66.7% ,95.0%, and 78.0% for the PCR, and 84.2%,83.9%,and 84.0% for limulus test respectively. It took 3 hours on average for the accomplishment of all these tests. Conclusions Positive PCR test plus negative limulus test suggest G+ infection, which may need the drugs targeting on G+ bacteria;positive PCR test plus positive limulus test, suggest G-infection or mixed infection, which may need drugs against the G-bacteria;negative PCR test, suggests the lack of severe infection. PCR test and limulus test were both remarkably faster than traditional cultural methods in diagnosis.

Objective To explore the signal transduction pathway of cyst fluid of Echinococcus granalosus in anti-parasite mechanisms through investigating the effect of cyst fluid on the expression of Toll-like receptor(TLR) in cells. Methods Changes of TLR4 and TGF-β1 expression of 7404 liver cells were detected by quantitative PCR. Results After treatment with increasing concentration cyst fluid the expres-sion of TLR4 was reduced. TGF-β1 expression of liver cells increased with the dose. TLR2 expressions in each group were very low. Conclusion Cyst fluid can increase the expression of TLR4, suggesting that the TLR4 signal transduction pathway involve anti-cyst fluid of Echinococcus granulosus. High concentrations of cyst fluid contribute to TGF-β1 expression which plays a role in immune evasion.

One hundred and seventeen patients with newly diagnosed autoimmune thyroid diseases(AITDs)and 30 normal controls(NCs)were selected.All the patients were divided into 5 groups:hyperthyroidism group(n=33),subclinical hyperthyroidism group(n=21),hypothyroidism group(n=25),subclinical hypothyroidism group(n=23)and euthyroidism group(n=15).Plasma malondialdehyde(MDA),superoxide(SOD)and inflammatory factors levels were measured.Our results showed that plasma MDA level in dysthyroidism groups was significantly higher than that in NCs group(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).SOD/MDA ratio in AITD groups Was significantly lower than that in NCs group(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).In a multiple step-wise regression analysis,serum hishly sensitive C-reactive protein(hs-CRP)and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)were independent factors of MDA.This study might suggest that plasma MDA level in AITD patients receiving no treatment may increase.MDA may be correlated with hs-CRP or TNF-α levels.

Objective To investigate the relationship between oxidative stress and lipid metabolism characteristics in elderly patients under different status of thyroid function. Methods Eighty-six newly-diagnosed elderly patients with thyroid diseases,83 non-elderly patients with thyroid diseases and 20 normal subjects as control were selected.and 47 hyperthyroidism and 39hypothyroidism in elderly,43 hyperthyroidism and 40 hypothyroidism in non-elderly were diagnosed according to diagnostic criteria of the thyroid disease.The levels of fasting plasma malondialdehyde(MDA),superoxide(SOD)and oxidized low density lipoprotein(OX-LDL)were measured by thiobarhiturates,colorimetric method and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Meanwhile,lipid profile and thyroid function were also measured,SOD/MDA ratio was calculated. Results Lipid profiles in the elderly hyperthyroidism group were significantly higher than those in the non-elderly group(P＜O.05 or P＜0.01)but were significantly lower than those of normal control group(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).The plasma MDA[(10.23±6.29)μmol/L vs.(3.66±2.53)μmol/L vs.(7.37±4.58)μmol/L],free fatty acids(FFA)[(0.86±0.58)mmol/L us.(0.45±0.12)mmol/L vs.(0.61±O.46)mmol/L]and SOD levels were significantly higher in elderly patients with hyperthyroidism than in normal control and non-elderly hyperthyroidism groups(P＜0.05 or P＜O.01).In the patients with hypothyroidism,the plasma MDA[(9.03±5.98)μmol/L vs.(6.59±3.18)μmol/L vs.(3.66±2.53)μmol/L],OX-LDL[(387.36±71.04)μg/L vs.(355.22±45.01)μg/L vs.(324.53±56.19)μg/L],TC,LDL-C,non-HDL-C,LP(a) and Apo-B100 levels were significantly higher in the elderly group than in the non-elderly and normal control groups(P＜0.05 orP＜0.01).The SOD/MDA ratio was significantly lower in the elderly patient groups with hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism than in normal control and non-elderly groups(all P＜0.01).In a multiple step-wise regression analysis.FT4 and FFA were independent factors related tO MDA in hyperthyroidism group,and non-HDL-C and LDL-C were independent factors related to MDA inhypothyroidism group. Conclusions Serious lipid metabolic disorder exists in newly-diagnosed and untreated elderly patients with hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.It is suggested that oxidative stress is obviously strengthened in elderly patients with thyroid function disorder and that the degree of oxidative stress is correlated with lipid metabolic disorder.