Objective To evaluate endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) in preoperative staging of gastric carcinoma,and to study the molecular biologic basis of its ultrasonic manifestation.Methods Sev-enty-four patients with gastric carcinoma were referred to EUS and staged preoperatively.The staging esults of EUS were compared with the histopathological staging and the expression of PTEN.Results The verall accuracy rate of EUS for determination of T staging was 82.4%(61/74),for T1,T2,T3 and T4 were 100.0%,72.7％,85.O％ and 78.9％,respectively.For N staging,EUS had the overall accuracy rate of 74.3%(55/74),with sensitivity and specificity of 80.8％ and 59.1％,respectively.The preoperative EUS for T and N staging of gastric carcinoma was of inverse correlation with the expression of PTEN.Conclusions EUS is an accurate staging modality in determining carcinoma invasive depth and lymph node involved,with a few exceptions of overstaging and understaging.However,EUS criteria to differentiate benign from malignant nodes still need to be further defined by future studies.The preoperative EUS for T and N staging could well display the molecular pathologic basis of gastric carcinoma.

ObjectiveTo explore the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphism analysis of a novel tryptophanhydroxylase isoform(TPH2)gene rs11178997and depression,and suicidal behavior.MethodsThe specimens of peripheral blood were collected from Chinese Northern 300 depression and 300 controis.The amplification of TPH2 gene rs11178997 was executed by realtime-polymerase chain reaction (realtime-PCR),and analyzed by directed sequencing.And the association between the polymorphisms of TPH2 gene and depression and suicidal behavior was analyzed with SPSS 17.0.ResultsThe genotypic frequencies of the SNPs did not deviate from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium both in patient and control groups (P ＞ 0.05 ).Compared with control group,significant difference of genotypes and alleles of TPH2 gene rs1 1178997 single nucleotide polymorphism had been found in patient group (75.7％ vs 39.7％,6.0％ vs 1.3％,18.3％ vs 1.3％ ; P＜ 0.05 for all),and the AA genotype frequency of rsl 1178997 was significantly higher in patients.Meanwhile there were not significant differences between genotypes of TPH2 gene rs11178997 and suicide behavior in patient group.Suicidal behavior of depression patients in allele genotypes was higher than nonsuicide behavior of depression patients (P ＞0.05).ConclusionTPH2 gene rs4570625 single nucleotide polymorphisms have association with the susceptibility of depression.

OBJECTIVETo study the characteristics of a novel human testis-specific gene, HSD-9, and its encoding protein.

METHODSHSD-9 was a novel gene from a human germ cells-specific ESTs library established in our laboratory. We used an electronic cloning method to obtain HSD-9 gene, and analyzed the characteristics of this novel gene and encoding product by bioinformatics methods, detected its expressing profile using a Northern blot assay, prepared specific rabbit polyclonal antibodies against HSD-9 protein, observed the localization of this protein in the germ cells and some somatic cells with confocal microscopy.

RESULTSHSD-9 was expressed in human testes, and its rat homolog was found in the varying germ cells. HSD-9 protein could partly be colocalized with clathrin.

CONCLUSIONSHSD-9 is specific in human testes, and the expression pattern of its encoding product is similar to those of some endocytosis proteins. It is speculated that HSD-9 protein may function in the endocytosis.

Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Base Sequence ; Clathrin ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Organ Specificity ; Rabbits ; Rats ; Testis ; metabolism

Objective To establish a high throughput targeted method to study phospholipids profding and to screen out and quantitate the potential biomarkers in urine samples.Methods The phospholipids in urine was extracted by modified MTBE(methyl tert-butyl ether)method.Semi -quantitative analysis of phospholipids in urine was realized by using high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-qua-drupoles/trap (HPLC-ESI-Q/Trap) technique.7 standards and 15 endogenous phospholipids were chosen to conduct method validation,including specificity,sensitivity,precision,matrix effect,carryover effect,stability and recovery.Principal component analysis (PCA) of quality control (QC) samples interspersed during the detection process was used to evaluate the reliability of the data obtained.Results The lower limit of quantitation of 7 phospholipids were phosphatidylcholine and lysophosphatidylcholine 0.25 ng· mL-1,phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylserine 2.00 ng· mL-1,phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol 1.00 ng · mL-1,sphingomyelin 625.00 pg · mL-1,respectively.During the continuous analysis,the relative standard deviation (RSD) of the retention time was 0.72％-3.44％,the peak area was 0.71％-10.53％.The recoveries of the 7 phospholipids were in the range of 54.05％-105.73％.All samples were stable after being stored 12 h at room temperature,being stored 24h after preparation,two freeze-thaw cycles and being cryopreserved 1 month at-80 ℃.QC samples in the first principal component diagram showed that the data was reliable.Conclusion The developed HPLC-ESI-Q/Trap method was simple,stable and sensitive,which can be applied to the subsequent study of large sample size of phospholipidomics research and quantitative analysis of potential urinary phospholipids biomarkers.

This study was purposed to investigate the expression of c-fes gene in leukemia patients and its clinical significance. The expression of c-fes mRNA in bone marrow cells from 121 cases of acute and chronic leukemia patients, and the expression of c-fes mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 20 normal persons were detected by real time-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RQ-PCR). The results showed that the level of c-fes mRNA in AML patients was higher than that in normal controls [(48.017 +/- 57.170) x 10(-3) vs (0.152 +/- 0.398) x 10(-3)] (p < 0.0001); but there was no significant differences of level of c-fes mRNA between samples of ALL and normal controls(0.047 +/- 0.068) x 10(-3) vs(0.152 +/- 0.398) x 10(-3) (p>0.05); the level of c-fes mRNA in CML patients was higher than that in normal persons (21.605 +/- 24.818) x 10(-3) vs (0.152 +/- 0.398) x 10(-3) (p < 0.0001). The positive expression rate of c-fes gene in CML-CP patients (80%) was higher than that in CML-AP patients (66.7%) and CML-BP (28.6%) patients. In AML patients, c-fes gene was expressed higher in M(2) (80.77%) and M(3) (92.86%) patients. The remission rate of AML (except M(3))patients who had expression of c-fes gene was 81.08%, which was higher than that of patients with no expression of c-fes gene (40.00%). It is concluded that c-fes gene expression was found in myeloid leukemias, whereas low or no expression in lymphocytic leukemias. The differentiation of myelocytic cells may be related to c-fes gene. All AML (except M(3))patients with high level of c-fes mRNA may get good prognosis.
Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive ; genetics ; Leukemia, Myeloid ; genetics ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; genetics ; Male ; Prognosis ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fes ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics

BACKGROUNDImmunostimulating agents made from bacterial extracts represent a class of medications that contains antigens derived from several bacterial strains and their potential ability to prevent bacterial infections results from the stimulation of the nonspecific component of the immune system. The present study investigated the effect of the oral immunostimulant Broncho-Vaxom, which includes material from eight different species of bacteria that are frequently present in the lower respiratory tract, on the frequency and severity of acute exacerbation in patients with chronic bronchitis accompanied by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

METHODSNinety patients with chronic bronchitis complicated with COPD were randomly divided into groups A and B. Forty-nine subjects in group A received oral capsules containing 7 mg Broncho-Vaxom, while 41 patients in group B received similar placebo capsules. Both groups took one capsule daily for the first 10 days of each month for 3 consecutive months. The frequency of acute exacerbation, symptom scores, and lung function were recorded for the following one year period.

RESULTSThere was a significant decrease in the incidence, duration, and severity of acute exacerbation, as well as a reduction in the course of antibiotics administered and in the dosage of bronchodilator and mucolytic agent in group A, as compared to group B (P < 0.05, respectively). Symptom scores for cough, sputum, dyspnea, as well as symptoms observed upon auscultation of the chest also improved significantly in group A as compared to group B (P < 0.05, respectively). The bacterial clearance rate in sputum cultures from patients who received no antibiotics for the first 3 months was also significantly higher in group A compared to group B (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSOrally administered Broncho-Vaxom is associated with a decrease in the incidence of acute exacerbation and a decrease in the need for antibiotics and symptomatic relief medications in patients with chronic bronchitis accompanied by COPD. Broncho-Vaxom is also associated with a decrease in symptom scores. Without causing any apparent adverse effects, this drug may also help to eradicate pathogenic bacteria in the airways.

Adjuvants, Immunologic ; therapeutic use ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bacteria ; Bronchitis ; complications ; Cell Extracts ; therapeutic use ; Chronic Disease ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; physiopathology ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo study the value of endocervical curettage (ECC) in the detection of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and cervical cancer, and the necessity of ECC during colposcopic examination.

METHODSIn the high prevalent area of cervical cancer in Shanxi Province, China, a total of 1997 women aged 35 approximately 45 years old were enrolled. Cervical cytology, colposcopy and targeted multiple biopsies, as well as ECC were performed for all women.

RESULTSAmong the 1997 women received ECC, 31 was positive for abnormal histologic changes with a frequency of 1.6%. Of the 31 cases, 9 had low grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL, 0.5%), 20 had high grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL, 1.0%), and 2 had squamous-cell carcinoma. No pathologic diagnosis could be made in 131 women because the tissue curretaged was insufficient. The women with positive cytologic findings had higher frequency (5.3%) of abnormal ECC than those with negative cytologic findings (0.3%). There was positive correlation between the frequency of abnormal ECC and the grade of cytolologic findings. Abnormal ECC was present in 9.1% of those with unsatisfactory colposcopy while 1.3% of those with satisfactory colposcopy (P < 0.01). The frequency of abnormal ECC was 0.6% in patients with negative colpocopy, 0.9% in LSIL and 24.1% in HSIL. Frequency of abnormal ECC in women with a negative colposcopy or LSIL was significantly lower than that with HSIL. The positive rate of ECC pathologically verified was 3.3% in LSIL, 22.2% in HSIL and 50.0% in squamous carcinoma, respectively (P < 0.01). Of the 316 patients with positive cytology but negative colposcopy, ECC was abnormal in 8 (2.5%), of which HSIL cytologically verified was in 3.

CONCLUSIONIf cytology or colposcopy shows HSIL or more severe changes, and cytology is positive while colposcopy is unsatisfactory, ECC should be done routinely.

Adult ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Cervix Uteri ; pathology ; Colposcopy ; Dilatation and Curettage ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology

OBJECTIVEIn order to study the effect of the polymorphism at the exon2 region of the (3-LG allele gene on milk composition and yield.

METHODSThe single-strand conformation polymorphism method (PCR-SSCP) was used to analyze for polymorphism the exon2 region of the 3-LG gene (NCBI accession number: DQ489319) in Chinese Holstein.

RESULTSEight SSCP patterns were detected in the fragments: ab, abc, abd, abe, abcd, abce, abde and abcde, and the patterns frequencies as follows: 0.14, 0.10, 0.27, 0.23, 0.05, 0.04, 0.11 and 0.06 (P < 0.05); Six single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) were detected in this study: sitel C>T, site2 T>C, site3 C>T, site4 C>C, site5 C> A, site6 A>T or C, and the polymorphism infonnation content (PIC) of these SNPs were in median or high polymorphism (PIC > 0.25).

CONCLUSIONThese SNPs at the exon2 region of the beta-LG gene were remarkably and affected milk performance traits (milk yield, protein and fat contents) in Chinese Holstein.

Alleles ; Animals ; Base Sequence ; Cattle ; classification ; genetics ; China ; Exons ; Female ; Lactoglobulins ; genetics ; Milk ; chemistry ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of Snitrosylation of protein disulphide isomerasec in methamphetamine (METH)-induced expression of alpha synuclein (αSN) in mouse hippocampus and striatum neurons.

METHODSForty C57BL/6 mice were randomized equally into saline control group, METH group, L-NNA (a NOS inhibitor) group and L-NNA plus METH group. All the agents were injected intraperitoneally at an interval of 12 h, and a total of 8 injections were administered; in L-NNA plus METH group, METH was injected 30 min after LNNA in each treatment. Western Blotting was used to detect the expression of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), αSN, PDI and Snitrosylation of protein disulphide isomerase (PDI-SNO) in the hippocampus and striatum of the mice, and nitric oxide (NO) levels were determined using a NO assay kit.

RESULTSIn METH group, the levels of NOS, PDISNO, αSN and NO all increased significantly compared with those in the control group (P<0.05). Combined treatment with L-NNA and METH, compared with METH alone, resulted in significantly lowered expression of NOS, NO, PDI-SNO and αSN in the hippocampus and striatum of the mice (all P<0.05). No significant differences were found in NOS, NO, PDI-SNO or αSN expressions among METH+L-NNA, L-NNA and control groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONMETH induces the activation of NOS and increases NO level to cause the occurrence of PDI-SNO, leading subsequently to increased expression of αSN in mouse striatum and hippocampus. L-NNA, the inhibitor of NOS, can partly relieve nervous system toxicity induced by METH.

With the advent of an aging society,Alzheimer's disease(AD)has gradually become a major ailment affecting the elderly.AD is a neurodegenerative disorder associated with cognitive impairments.In AD patients,brain network connections are disrupted,and their topological properties are also affected,leading to the disintegration of anatomical and functional connections.Anatomical connections can be tracked and evaluated using structural magnetic imaging(MRI)and diffusion tensor imaging(DTI),while functional connections are detected through functional MRI to assess their connectivity status.This review incorporates the findings of previous scholars and summarizes the current research of AD.It mainly discusses the imaging characteristics of large-scale brain network changes in AD patients,so as to provide researchers with scientific and objective imaging markers for AD prediction and early diagnosis,as well as future research.