Objective To develop a scoring system to determine peptic ulcer risks and to evaluate its screening efficiency.Methods A total of 862 people who underwent gastroscopy for the first time ranging from 18 to 45 years old were enrolled in this study.They were divided into two cohorts with the method of simple random sampling,514 in the original cohort and 348 in the validation cohort.Information such as demographic characteristics,dietary intake,lifestyle,symptoms relating to peptic ulcer was obtained.A multivariable logistic regression method was used to determine independent predictors of peptic ulcer.Based on the logistic regression model,a scoring system was developed with a regression coefficient-based scoring method.Then the scoring system was internally and externally validated.Each value of calibration,discrimination and accuracy were computed and then compared with those of original cohort to assess its screening efficiency.Results Three variables (gender,smoking and melena) composed the scoring system with scores ranging from 0 to 4 points.It had good calibration (P =0.956) and discrimination (area under the ROC =0.70,95％CI:0.65-0.76).With 2.5 points as the screening cutoff value,the sensitivity,specificity,accuracy rate,positive predictive value,negative predictive value,positive likelihood ratio and negative likelihood ratio were 49.5％,82.2％,75.5％,41.6％,86.4％,2.78 and 0.61,respectively.In the validation cohort,the sensitivity,specificity,accuracy rate,positive predictive value,negative predictive value,positive likelihood ratio and negative likelihood ratio were 27.2％,92.7％,71.3％,64.6％,72.3％,3.89 and 0.79.The results above indicated that the screening efficiency of the scoring system in the original cohort was similar to that in the validation cohort.Conclusion The scoring system to determine peptic ulcer risks,containing gender,smoking and melena,has good screening efficiency and can be applied to predict the risks of peptic ulcer.

Objective To explore the clinical value of renal dynamic imaging and urinary N-acetyl-?-D-glucosaminidase(NAG),apoptosis DNA fragment(ADF) in evaluating the damage degree of hydronephrotic kidneys(HnK) in children with hydronephrosis.Methods Level of glomerular filtration rate(GFR) was detected in 41 children with congenital hydronephrosis by renal dynamic imaging,and urine NAG,ADF in pelvis in HnK and healthy kidneys (as controls) were detected by enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay(ELISA).Patholo-gic changes of HnK in 41 children were graded intoⅠ~Ⅴ according to Elder standard. And GFR,urinary NAG and ADF of HnK were divi-ded into subgroup according to pathologic changes ,at the same time statistical analysis was performed within each groups. And the correlations of pathologic grades with GFR,urinary NAG and ADF of HnK were analyzed.Results 1.Kindneys GFR in healthy kidneys and Hnk were (174.33?20.43)?10-3 L/min,(143.86?17.51)?10-3 L/min respectinely,and there was significant difference between healthy kidneys and Hnk (P0.05).3.There was significant negative correlation between GFR levels of HnK and pathologic grades(r=-0.814 P0.05).Conclusions For hydronephrotic kidneys,urinary NAG can eva-luate impaired nephric tubule whereas renal dynamic imaging may evaluate the damage level of glomeruli;urine ADF may not indicate the damage level of diseased kidneys in children with congenital hydronephrosis.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect and mechanism of AngongNiuhuang Pill(AGNH) on neurological function and intestinal mucosal barrier in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). METHODS Male CD-1 mice were randomly divided into sham, ICH, AGNH 0.1 g·kg-1, AGNH 0.2 g·kg-1, and AGNH 0.4 g·kg-1groups. The ICH mice models were prepared by intrastriatal injection with collage-nase using a stereotaxic frame.Garcia test was used to evaluate the neurological function of mice.The brain water content was measured with dry/wet weight method.The permeability of intestinal mucosa was detected by FITC-D method. H&E staining was used to observe the pathological changes of intestine. The content of endotoxin in blood and the expressions of ZO-1,occludin in intestinewere also investigated.RESULTS After AGNH administration,the neurological score of mice was increased,and the brain water content was decreased(P<0.01).AGNH attenuated the ICH-induced increase of perme-ability of intestinal mucosa(P<0.01).Treatment with AGNHnot only alleviated the pathological changes of the intestine but alsoreduced the endotoxin content in blood (P<0.01).The expressions of ZO-1, occludinin AGNH groups were significantly increased compared with that of ICH group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION AGNH improves the neurological dysfunction in ICH mice and the mechanism of action is implicated in protecting the intestinal mucosa.

Objective To construct luciferase reporter plasmids of truncated fragments of different lengths of human guanylate binding protein 5(GBP5)gene promoter and analyze the transcriptional activity of each fragment to determine the core regulatory region.Methods GBP5promoter sequence was amplified by PCR,truncated into five fragments of different lengths and connected to pGL3-basic plasmid.The constructed recombinant plasmids pGL3-GBP5-11/21/31/41/51were transfected into 293FT cells and detected for luciferase activity.The binding sites of transcription factors in GBP5promoter region were predicted by JASPAR software,and Yin-Yang transcription factor 1(YY1)targeting the core regulatory region was selected and verified for the transcriptional regulatory activity.The CDS sequence of YY1 was amplified by PCR to construct the overexpression plasmid pIRES2-EGFP-YY1,which was then co-transfected to 293FT cells with plasmids pGL3-GBP5-21(-1 623 ～ +47 bp)and internal reference plasmid pRL-CMV,and detected for luciferase activity to analyze the regulation of transcription factor YY1 on GBP5 promoter activity.Results Colony PCR and double enzyme digestion identification proved that the plasmid of human GBP5 promoter reporter gene was correctly constructed;JASPAR software predicted that there were multiple transcription factor binding sites such as STAT1,YY1 and Foxp3 in GBP5promoter region.Double luciferase activity assay showed that pGL3-GBP5-21(-1 623 ～ +47 bp)showed the highest promoter activity,while the promoter activity of pGL3-GBP5-41(-520 ～ +47 bp)decreased significantly,suggesting that the core region of GBP5 promoter was located at upstream-1 623 ～-520 bp of 5 'UTR;Overexpression of YY1 significantly activated the GBP5 promoter activity and regulated the expression of GBP5.Conclusion The core regulatory region of human GBP5 promoter was located in upstream-1 623 ～-520 bp of the 5 'UTR,with a binding site of transcription factor YY1 existing in this region.Meanwhile,overexpression of YY1 significantly effected the activity of GBP5 promoter.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Bushen Wenyang Huayu Recipe (BWHR) on hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), proline hydroxylase2 (PHD2), von Hippel Lindau disease (VHL) suppressor gene expressions in endometriosis (EM) rats with Shen yang deficiency blood stasis syndrome (SYDBSS), and to explore the pathogenesis of EM and the mechanism of BWHR for treating EM.

METHODSTotally 50 SD rats were randomly divided into five groups, i.e., the blank control group, the sham-operation group, the model group, the Chinese medicine (CM) group, and the Western medicine (WM) group, 10 in each group. Rats in the blank control group and the sham-operation group were fed routinely. Rats in the rest 3 groups received 30-day "extended refrigerator freezing and ice water immersion" and combined with " autotransplantation" to establish EM rat model with SYDBSS. One Milliliter BWHR at 3.33 g/mL was administered to rats in the CM group by gastrogavage. Gestrinone at the daily dose of 0. 5 mg/kg was administered to rats in the WM group by gastrogavage. Equal volume of normal saline was administered to rats in the model group, the blank control group, and the sham-operation group. The size and morphology of ectopic foci in rats were observed after 4 weeks of medication. Expressions of serum CA125, plasma cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), and plasma cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) were detected by radioimmunoassay. Morphological changes of eutopic endometrium and ectopic tissue were observed under the optical microscope by HE staining. Protein expressions and contents of HIF-lα, PHD2, and VHL were detected by immunohistochemical SABC method and Western blot. mRNA expressions of HIF-1α, PHD2, and VHL were detected by RT-PCR.

RESULTSThe ectopic foci grew significantly in the model group. Their volumes were obviously contracted after treated by CM and WM. Compared with the blank control group and the sham-operation group, serum CA125 and plasma cGMP obviously increased, cAMP obviously decreased (P < 0.05); expressions and contents of HIF-1α mRNA and protein all decreased (P < 0.05); mRNA and protein expressions and contents of PHD2 and VHL all decreased in the model group (P < 0.05). Compared with model group, levels of CA125 and cGMP obviously decreased; cAMP levels obviously increased, expressions and contents of HIF-1α mRNA and protein all increased, mRNA and protein expressions and contents of PHD2 and VHL all increased in the WM group and the CM group (P < 0.05). Compared with the CM group, PHD2 protein contents were higher in the WM group (P < 0.05). HIF-1α was negatively correlated with PHD2 (r = -0.799, P = 0.00). HIF-1α was negatively correlated with VHL (r = -0. 625, P = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONSBWHR could effectively treat EM. Its mechanism might be associated with reducing contents of HIF-1α, serum CA125, and plasma cGMP, and up-regulating expressions of PHD2, VHL, and cAMP.

Animals ; Cyclic AMP ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Endometriosis ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Female ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; metabolism ; Proline ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Up-Regulation ; Yang Deficiency ; drug therapy ; metabolism

Horseshoe kidney and retrocaval ureter are uncommon congenital anomalies of the genitourinary system that are easily diagnosed by typical imaging features. Both anomalies presenting in one patient is a rare disease characterized by isthmus of horseshoe kidney between the abdominal aorta and inferior vena cava. The clinical diagnosis and treatment of horseshoe kidney with retrocaval ureter remain a challenge. Here, we reported a case of a 44-year-old man with the two anomalies who was preoperatively diagnosed by unenhanced computed tomography scanning immediately after retrograde pyelography. The literatures on such combined anomalies are reviewed and the diagnostic evaluation and surgical management of this rare entity are discussed.
Adult ; Humans ; Kidney ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Male ; Ureter ; abnormalities ; surgery

mPem, a homeobox gene, is expressed in a time and stage specific manner during murine ontogeny. Pem transcripts are abundant in 7- and 8-day mouse embryos, but decrease precipitously thereafter. On Day 9 they become abundant in placenta and yolk sac, persisting there until parturition. Although Pem transcripts are not detectable in most of adult tissues, they are present in reproductive system such as testis, epididymis and ovary. This indicates a important role for Pem during embryogenesis and reproductive development. To study the function of mPem protein, we used a GAL4 based yeast two-hybrid assay to screen a 7-day mouse embryo library with full-length of mPem. 3 proteins were found interacting with mPem protein. One of theses is Mdfic. We confirmed the interaction between mPem and Mdfic in yeast and in vitro. Mdfic, MyoD family inhibitor domain containing, encodes the myoD family inhibitor domain (I-mfa domain). The interaction between mPem and Mdfic suggested they maybe form the transcriptional regulator complex to regulate embryo differentiation.
Animals ; Embryo, Mammalian ; Embryonic Development ; Female ; Genes, Homeobox ; genetics ; Homeodomain Proteins ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Mice ; Pregnancy ; Protein Binding ; Transcription Factors ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Two-Hybrid System Techniques

OBJECTIVETo compare the efficacy of endoluminal ultrasonography (EUS) and spiral computed tomography (SCT) in preoperative staging of rectal carcinoma.

METHODSBoth EUS and SCT were performed prior to surgery in 68 patients with rectal carcinoma. After radical surgery, the preoperative findings were compared with histologic findings of the operative specimens, and the efficacy of EUS and SCT in staging the rectal carcinoma were evaluated.

RESULTSFor T stage, EUS accuracy was 86.8%, while SCT was 70.6%. The difference was significant (P<0.05). For N stage, EUS accuracy was 67.6% and SCT was 63.2%. The difference was not significant (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONEUS is superior to SCT for the judgement of tumor infiltration depth, but neither is able to provide satisfactory assessment of lymph node metastases.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; methods ; Rectal Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; Ultrasonography, Interventional

Aim:To investigate the effect of Hemangiopoietin (HAPO) on the hematopoiesis reconstitution in sub-lethally irradiated Balb/c mice.Methods: Balb/c mice were underwent total body irradiation at 700 cGy 137Cs ? radiation and were treated with HAPO or recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) after irradiation. The hematopoiesis reconstitution of mice were detected. Cells from bone marrow of Balb/c mice were cultured with HAPO or rhG-CSF for 24 hours or 72 hours before or after the cells were irradiated. The viability of cells were assessed and the ability of in vitro hematopoiesis reconstitution were also detected. Result: rhG-CSF and HAPO treated mice both showed increased survival rate and increased colony forming units. The peripheral WBC number increased greatly. The HAPO group was most quickest compared with rhG-CSF group and PBS control group. The number of bone marrow cells at day 14 of rhG-CSF group was higher than that in HAPO group, but the number of bone marrow cells at day 32 of rhG-CSF was lower than that in HAPO group. The number of bone marrow cells at day 42 of rhG-CSF was below normal. The number of bone marrow cells at day 42 of HAPO group was nearly normal. The number of CFU-GEMM in HAPO group was most compared with that in rhG-CSF group and PBS control group at day 7, 14 and 21 after radiation. The survival rate of cells after radiation in HAPO group was markedly higher than that in PBS control group, but the survival rate of cells after radiation in rhG-CSF group was no notable difference compared with that in PBS control group. In MTT assay, both HAPO and rhG-CSF incubation stimulated proliferation of bone marrow cell at 72 hours after radiation. Bone marrow cells formed Hematopoietic islands in HAPO group after radiation and were positive for sca-1 and CD31. CD31 positive endothelial cells increased around the Hematopoietic islands. There was no Hematopoietic islands formation, few CD31 positive endothelial cells and no sca-1 positive cells in PBS control group. Conclusion: HAPO can promote hematopoiesis reconstitution in sub-lethally irradiated Balb/c mice. It can increase the survival rate of mice and stimulate the proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells.

OBJECTIVETo study the expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and its significance in sporadic ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm (AAA), and initially to investigate the mechanisms of pathological remodeling in AAA.

METHODSAAA specimens were taken from 18 patients during elective surgical intervention, and 18 control specimens of ascending aorta were obtained from patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery. Specimens were stained with HE and Masson to evaluate the arrangement and aggregation of cells and collagen types I and III; immunohistochemistry staining was performed using antibodies directed against markers of CTGF; real-time PCR analysis was performed to quantify the expression level of CTGF and collagen types I and III.

RESULTSPathological results show degradation of elastin and hyperplasia of collagen fibers as well as disordered arrangement of smooth muscle cells in AAA. When compared with controls, protein levels of CTGF were significantly increased [(44 ± 4)% vs. (33 ± 5)%, P < 0.01]. Similar patterns were shown in mRNA levels of CTGF (P < 0.01). Using real-time PCR method, elevated levels (relative expression ratio of mRNA: 10.54/3.8 and 1.79/1.19, respectively; P < 0.01, both) of collagen types I and III were observed. CTGF expression had a correlation with both collagen fibers and aortic aneurysm diameter (r = 0.784, P < 0.01; r = 0.793, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThese results indicate increased expression of aortic collagen types I and III as well as CTGF in AAA specimens, which is likely to be responsible for the aortic wall pathological remodeling. The expression of CTGF was positively correlated with the aortic diameter. As a cytokines factor can stimulate collagen synthesis, CTGF may be involved in the pathogenesis and progression of AAA.

Aged ; Aorta ; metabolism ; pathology ; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic ; metabolism ; pathology ; Collagen Type I ; metabolism ; Collagen Type III ; metabolism ; Connective Tissue Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged