Objective To investigate the effects of chitosan(CS)/pcDNA3.1(+) CrmA on the expression of interleukin-13 (IL-1β3) converting enzyme (ICE) and IL-1β in chondrocytes.Methods Rabbit chondrocytes were isolated and cultured.Chondrocytes were treated with PBS,10 μg/ml CS/pcDNA3.1(+) and CS/pcDNA3.1 (+) CrmA respectively for 6 hours.Then 10 ng/ml IL-1β was added into the culture medium.After 48 hours,the messenger RNA and protein expression of ICE and IL-1β in chondrocytes were detected by using real time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting.Results In CS/pcDNA3.1 (+) CrmA treated group (0.52 ±0.09),the mRNA expression of ICE inchondrocytes was significantly inhibited compared withcorresponding samples of CS/pcDNA3.1 (+) group (0.84±0.11,t=4.42,P＜0.01) and PBS group (1.00±0.10,t=6.58,P＜0.01).ICE protein expression in CS/pcDNA3.1 (+) CrmA treated group (0.20±0.03) was markedly lower than CS/pcDNA3.1 (+) (0.37±0.05,t=4.85,P＜0.01) and PBS treated group (0.44±0.07,t=6.68,P＜0.01).There was no significant difference of ICE mRNA and protein expressions in chondrocytes between CS/pcDNA3.1(+) group and PBS group.Significant difference of IL-1β mRNA expression was found in the three groups.IL-1 β mRNA expression level was significantly lower in CS/pcDNA3.1(+) CrmA treated group (0.55± 0.08) than CS/pcDNA3.1(+) (0.69±0.06,t=3.50,P＜0.01) and PBS group (0.99±0.04,t=11.12,P＜0.01) of chondrocytes.IL-1β protein expression level of chondrocytesin CS/pcDNA3.1(+) CrmA group (0.230±0.020) was significantly lower than CS/pcDNA3.1 (+) (0.450±0.060,t=5.07,P＜0.01)and PBS groups (0.610±0.090,t=8.70,P＜0.01) of cells.Significant difference of IL-1β mRNA and protein expression between CS/pcDNA3.1 (+) and PBS group was also observed (t=7.61,P＜0.01;t=3.63,P＜0.01).Conclusion CrmA mediated by chitosan can significantly suppress the mRNA and protein expression of ICE,thus down regulat the expression of IL-1β,which may be one of the mechanisms of CS/pcDNA3.1 (+) CrmA in the treatment of osteoarthritic cartilage degeneration.

Objective To retrospectively analyze the value of postoperative adjuvant therapy in the treatment of stageⅢthoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma ( ESCC) . Methods From 2008 to 2011, a total of 395 patients with stageⅢthoracic ESCC undergoing radical resection were enrolled as subjects. In those patients.97 received surgery alone (S).212 postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy (POCT),and 86 postoperative radiotherapy (PORT).Comparison of categorical data was made by chi?square test. The survival rates were calculated by the Kaplan?Meier method. The log?rank test was used for between?group comparison and univariate analysis. Results All patients were followed up for at least 3 years.125 cases were followed up for at least 5 years. The 5?year overall survival ( OS) rates in patients treated with S,POCT and PORT were 17. 1%,29. 2% and 36. 4%,respectively (P=0. 000).POCT and PORT could mainly increased OS in patients of males.upper?and middle?segment,severe ahhesion at surgery.well?or middle?differentiation,stageⅢa andⅢb(P=0. 000?0. 049);whenever ages.tumor lesion,two?/three field esophagectomy.and the number of removal lymph nodes. PORT could improved OS also (P=0. 001?0. 047).POCT could also improve OS in patients of ages≤60, tumor lesion<6 cm and removal lymph nodes<10 ( P=0. 002?0. 049 ) . The 5?year progression?free survival (PFS) were 19. 0% with S,28. 8% with POCT,36. 4% with PORT,respectively (P=0. 012).PORT could improve PFS (P=0. 012);especially for patients of males,ages ≤60,upper?and middle segment ESCC,tumor lesion ≥6 cm,severe ahhesion at surgery,removal lymph node<10 and ≥10,well or middle differentiation,stageⅢa andⅢb(P=0. 001?0. 042).But POCT could not increased PFS (P=0. 119) . Conclusions In the treatment of patients with stage Ⅲ thoracic ESCC undergoing radical resection,both POCT and PORT can improve the OS rate, particularly in patients with stage Ⅲa or Ⅲb middle and upper thoracic ESCC, severe adhesion formation during surgery. and moderately or well differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. The DFS rate is improved in patients treated with PORT,but not in those treated with POCT.

Background Normal adult optic disc rim width follows inferior ≥ superior ≥ nasal ≥ temporal (ISNT) rule.Analysis of the optic disc structural parameters with Heidelberg retina tomograph (HRT) can understand whether ISNT principle is suitable to other optic disc structure parameters.Objective This study was to investigate the characteristics of optic nerve head structure parameters in normal Chinese adults.Methods The parents of twins who participated Guangzhou Twin Eye Study were enrolled in Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center from 2006 June to 2011 August.All subjects received the routine eye examinations,including visual acuity,slit lamp microscope,direct ophthalmoscope examination,auto-refraction examination and HRT Ⅲ examination.All data from the right eyes were collected and analyzed.HRT values from different quadrants of optical nerve head were compared with one-way analysis of variance,and the multiple comparison between quadrants was carried out by Bonferroni test.The differences of optical nerve head parameters in different gender were analyzed using independent sample t test and Bland-Altman test.Results In this study,1672 eyes of 1672 subjects were included,with the 759 male and 913 female persons and average age of (41.8±5.3)years.No significant differences were seen in the disc area (DA)between the superior and inferior,as well as the nasal and temporal quadrants among the subjects (P＞0.05).In addition,there were not significantly different in the rim area (RA) between the superior and nasal disc as well as the rim volume (RV) among the inferior,superior and nasal disc (P＞O.05).However,significant differences were found in the cup area (CA),cup/disk area ratio (C/DAR),cup volume (CV),mean cupdepth (MCD),maximum cup depth (MxCD),height variation contour (HVC),cup shape measure (CSM),mean retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (mRNFLT) and retinal nerve fiber layer cross section area (RNFLcsa) among the different quadrants (P＜0.001).The local differences from only DA and RA complied with an ordination of the ISNT rule.The values of DA,CA,C/DAR,CV,MCD,MxCD from male individuals were higher,but those of the RV,HVC,mRNFLT RNFLcsa were lower in comparison with female individuals.Nevertheless,all the differences were ＜ 0.1 with a maximal mean difference in DA and CA (both 0.07 mm2).Conclusions The optical nerve head configurations measured by HRT have different distributing characteristics in four quadrants in normal adults.Most parameters show the higher values in the inferior and superior than those in nasal and temporal of disc,but DA and RA meet ISNT rule.The differences of most parameters between male and female subjects can be ignored.

Background Heidelberg Retinal Tomograph (HRT) has been widely used in clinical diagnosis of glaucomatous optic neuropathy,importantly,the measurement results of HRT may be affected by myopia.Therefore,studying the effect of different refractive status and axial length on structural parameters of the optic disc is important.Objective This study was to evaluate the influence of refractive error and axial length to optic nerve head parameter measured by HRT.Methods The parents who participate in Guangzhou Twin Study were enrolled in this investigation from July 2006 to August 2011.The regular eye examinations,including visual acuity,slit lamp,fundus,auto-refraction,HRT-Ⅲ and intraocular lens (IOL) Master,were performed on all the subjects.Thc data from right eyes of subjects were collected and analyzed.The linear correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were applied to analyze the correlation between HRT optic papilla configuration parameter and equivalent sphere and ocular axis length.Results A pilot prospective series cases observational study was designed.1748subjects were enrolled in this study.The disc area (DA) (P=0.021),rim area (RA) (P＜0.001),rim volume (RV) (P＜0.001),mean retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (mRNFLt) (P＜0.001) and retinal nerve fiber layer cross section area (RNFLcsa) in the high myopia were greater than those of the emmetropic group,with significant difference between the two groups (P＜0.001).However,the cup area (CA),cup/disk area ratio (C/DAR) and cup volume (CV) were less in the high myopic group than those of the emmetropic group (P=0.004,P＜0.001 and P＜O.001),respectively.In the mild-moderatc myopic group,the RV,mRNFLt and RNFLcsa were greater than those of the emmetropic group (all of the P value less than 0.001),but the numbers of DA,CA,C/DAR,and CV were less than those of the emmetropic group,the differences were significant and their P valuables were 0.038,＜ 0.001,＜0.001 and 0.001 respectively.The differences of structure parameters between the hyperopia group and the emmetropic group were not statistically significant (P＞0.05).The DA,CA,RA,C/DAR,CV,RV,mean cup depth (MCD),maximum cup depth (MxCD),cup shape measure (CSM),mRNFLt and RNTLcsa were (2.04±0.43) mm2,(0.49±0.34) mm2,(1.55 ± 0.34) mm2,0.23-0.13,(0.11 ± 0.12) mm3,(0.45 ± 0.19) mm3,(0.21 ± 0.09) mm,(0.60±0.21) mm,-0.21 ± 0.07,(0.29 ± 0.07) mm and (1.46 ± 0.36)mm2,respectively,in the 1748 eyes of 1748 subjects.No significant correlation was found between the DA value with SE (r=-0.032,P =0.186).However,weaker positive correlations were seen between the CA,C/DAR,CV,MCD,MxCD with SE (r=0.139,0.163,0.130,0.004,0.054,P＜ 0.05) and negative correlation between RA,RV,mRNFLt and RNFLcsa with SE (r =-0.178,-0.331,0.241,-0.239,P＜0.001).With the increase of the ocular axial length,the DA,RA,RV,mRNFLt and RNFLcsa values were enlarged,and the CV value was smaller.With the increase of CA,the RA,C/DAR,CV,RV,MCD,MxCD,CSM and RNFLcsa values elevated,but mRNFLt value was decreased.Conclusions Refractive error is not associated with DA,but the measuring results are different among various refractive groups.Refractive error,ocular axial length and DA affect the measuring result of HRT.

ObjectiveTo explore the reliability and validity of WHO ICF-Clinical Checklist for patients with spinal cord injuries.MethodsClinical testing, case records and check had been implemented for 50 patients with spinal cord injuries with ICF-Clinical Checklist, ADL and ASIA.Results and ConclusionThere were high test-retest reliability and validity in WHO ICF-Checklist for patients with spinal cord injuries.

AIMTo study the effect of experimental left varicocele (ELV) on epididymal structure and function in adolescent Sprague-Dawley rats.

METHODSELV was induced by partial ligation of the left renal vein. Sham-operated animals served as the controls. Four and 8 weeks after the operation, the histological, ultrastructural and biochemical (alpha-glucosidase activity and carnitine content) changes in different segments of the epididymis were observed.

RESULTSIn the treated animals, there were degeneration of the epididymal epithelium and edema of the interstitial tissue; numerous shedding cells, residual bodies, deformed sperm and macrophages appeared in the epididymal lumen. Morphometric measurement indicated a significant reduction in the epididymal tubular diameter (P<0.05) and a significant increase in the epididymal interstitial area (P<0.05) compared with the controls. Ultrastructural study showed sparse microvilli of the columnar epithelium, increased and enlarged lysosomes in the principal cells with defected organelles and the presence of large cytoplasmic vacuoles. The protein and carnitine contents and the alpha-glucosidase activity in the caput, corpus and cauda epididymis of the ELV rats were lower than those of the controls (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThere were structural and functional changes in the epididymis of adolescent ELV rats, which may contribute to the infertility caused by varicocele.

Animals ; Carnitine ; metabolism ; Epididymis ; enzymology ; pathology ; physiopathology ; ultrastructure ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Varicocele ; enzymology ; pathology ; physiopathology ; alpha-Glucosidases ; metabolism

Objective To study the influence of human leucocyte antigen(HLA) and major his-tocompatibility complex class Ⅰ chain-related gene A (MICA) specific antibodies on renal allograft function and graft rejective reaction by monitoring their changes from preoperative to postoperative pe-riods. Methods Twenty-seven patients with renal aliografts were tested with the specificity of anti-HLA antibodies (anti-HLA class Ⅰ and anti-HLA class Ⅱ) and anti-MICA antibodies and their posi-tive value changes by flow PRATM beads. The HLA genotype was integrated to distinguish donor specific antibody(DSA) and non-donor specific antibody(NDSA). Their serum creatinine levels and clinical data were analyzed simultaneously. Results Of the 27 patients, 22 cases accepted renal transplantation from dead bodies and 5 eases accepted from live donors. Except 1 failed patient, the other 26 patients had good functional renal allografts. Twenty-four survival patients were followed up on month 1, 3, 6 and 12 after transplantation. Seven out of 27 patients had pre-exist antibody before transplantation. Among them, 2 patients had anti-HLA antibody; 3 patients had anti-MICA antibody; 2 patients had both anti-HLA and anti-MICA antibody. Three patients with no anti-HLA and anti-MICA antibodies before transplantation created antibodies after transplantation from 3 to 6 months. One patient created NDSA after transplantation and appeared chronic rejection. There were 3 patients who had anti-MICA antibodies before transplantation. The expression levels of antibodies had changed from high to low, but the specific anti-MICA antibody had not changed during the follow-up on month 1, 3, 6 and 12 after transplantation. The patient with pre-transplantation low level of anti-HLA class Ⅱ antibody appeared acute rejection with fever and his CMV was positive as well. The patient's SCr levels changed from 171 μmol/L to 236 μmol/L after I to 3 months post-transplantation. Twenty-four patients were divided into positive and negative groups according to the specific antibody. There was significant difference of SCr levels between the 2 groups 1 month and 1 year after transplantation(P= 0.03, 0.05). Conclusions It is important to detect the specificity and positive value of anti-HLA antibodies and anti-MICA antibody regularly during the post transplantation follow-up. This will make an effective therapy for decreasing the occurrenee and development of acute or chronic rejection and hy-pofunction on renal allograft.

Objective To evaluate the treatment of aneurysms rupture during endovascular embolization.Methods Nine aneurysms ruptured during the embolization and were treated with endovascular embolization.The reasons of aneurysms rupture during embolization,the prevention and the first aid after aneurysms rupture were analysed.Results Seven patients recovered and 2 died.Conclusions The optimal treatment of aneurysms rupture during endovascular embolization is effective,(J Intervent Radiol,2007,16: 132-134)

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene copy number and the expression of ERCC1 and BRCA1 proteins in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and the correlation between them.

METHODSThe status of EGFR gene copy number was determined by in situ hybridization (FISH), and the expression of ERCC1 and BRCC1 proteins was examined by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The relationship of EGFR gene copy number with the expression of ERCC1 and BRCA1 and the clinical pathologic features were analyzed.

RESULTSFISH-positive EGFR expression was identified in 40 of 166 samples (24.1%). More FISH-positive EGFR in the female than male patients (31.9% vs. 18.6%, P = 0.048), and non-smoker than smoker (32.8% vs. 16.7%, P = 0.045). FISH-positive EGFR was not associated with age, pathological type, clinical stage and metestasis status (P > 0.05). The expression of ERCC1 protein was identified in 60 of 132 samples (45.5%). The expression of ERCC1 protein varied significantly in tumors of different pathological types (P = 0.046), but not associated with age, gender, clinical stage, metestatic status and smoking status (P > 0.05). The expression of BRCA1 protein was identified in 46 of 131 samples (35.1%). The expression of BRCA1 was not associated with age gender, pathological type, clinical stage, metestatic ststus and smoking status (P > 0.05). There was a moderate correlation between the expressions of ERCC1 and BRCA1 (r = 0.449, P < 0.001), but EGFR gene copy number was not correlated with the expression of ERCC1 or BRCA1 protein.

CONCLUSIONSFISH-positive EGFR expression is associated with gender and smoking status, but not correlated with the expression of ERCC1 and BRCA1 proteins. There is a moderate correlation between the expressions of ERCC1 and BRCA1.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; BRCA1 Protein ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Endonucleases ; metabolism ; Female ; Gene Dosage ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Genes, erbB-1 ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Lung Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Sex Factors ; Smoking ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of inhibin B betaB subunits in human testicular tissues.

METHODSEighty-three cases of the azoospermia underwent testicular biopsy. In accordance with the pathological alterations of spermatogenesis, the samples were divided into four groups: Sertoli-cell-only syndrome (n = 21); hypospermatogenesis (n = 20), maturation arrest (n = 24) and almost normal spermatogenesis (n = 18). Immunohistochemical staining for inhibin B betaB subunits was conducted on the paraffin-embedded sections of different spermatogenesis to localize inhibin B betaB subunits in the seminiferous tubules.

RESULTSImmunohistochemically, positive products of inhibin B betaB subunits were found in both the seminiferous tubules and interstitial tissues of the testis as brown or yellow particles in the cytoplasm. Leydig cells and early intermediate spermatogenic cells showed a very strong positivity; Sertoli cells in the seminiferous tubules were mostly positive; peritubular myoid cells showed a weak positive staining; but no positive expression of inhibin B betaB subunits was found in late spermatids and mature sperm.

CONCLUSIONInhibin B may be produced by both Sertoli cells and early spermatogenic cells in the seminiferous tubules.

Adult ; Azoospermia ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Inhibin-beta Subunits ; biosynthesis ; Male ; Testis ; metabolism ; pathology