OBJECTIVETo measure hip bone mineral density (BMD) on different femoral rotations and to identify the influence of femoral rotation during hip densitometry.

METHODSForty women were recruited at the out-department of orthopedic, with the average age of 60.7 years (45-85 years), the average height of 161.8 cm (150-175 cm), and the average weight of 67.4 kg (48-80 kg). BMD measurement of hip was done in neutral position (0 degrees), 15 degrees and 30 degrees of internal rotation under quality control of DXA machine. All the subjects were asked to get down scan table and reposition after each measuring in different rotation.

RESULTSHip BMD of proximal femur (femoral neck, Ward's area and trochanter region) have significant variations in measurement (P < 0.01) among neutral position, 15 degrees and 30 degrees of internal rotation. There were more BMD change at the cancellous region (Ward's triangle and trochanter region) than at cortical bone area (femoral neck region). Statistical analysis showed a significant positive correlation for hip BMD change between neutral degrees to 15 degrees of internal rotation and 15 degrees to 30 degrees of internal rotation. But no correlation between neutral degrees to 30 degrees of internal rotation for hip BMD change.

CONCLUSIONSFemoral rotation was shown to have a significant effect on hip BMD measurements. Cortical bone region of hip have a less BMD change than cancellous bone region. Proper positioning of the femur during scan can improve precision significantly.

Absorptiometry, Photon ; methods ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Density ; Female ; Femur ; Hip ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Posture ; Rotation

To study the anti-tumor metastatic constituents in Rhodiola wallichiana (HK) S H Fu var Cholaensis (Praeg) S H Fu, chemical constituents were isolated and purified by repeated column chromatography (silica gel, Toyopearl HW-40C and preparative HPLC). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral data analysis. The anti-tumor metastasis assay was applied to evaluate the activities of the isolated compounds. Ten compounds (1-10) were isolated and their structures were identified by comparison of their spectral data with literature as follows: syringic acid (1), salidroside (2), tyrosol (3), scaphopetalone (4), berchemol (5), 2,6-dimethoxyacetophenone (6), rhobupcyanoside A (7), miyaginin (8), chavicol-4-O-β-D-apiofuranosyl-(1 --> 6)-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (9), eugenyol-O-β-D-apiofuranosyl-(1 --> 6)-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (10). Compounds 4-6 and 8-10, were isolated from this genus for the first time, while compound 7 was isolated from this plant for the first time. Compounds 2, 6-8 showed positive anti-tumor metastatic activities, and compounds 2 and 8 showed significant anti-tumor metastatic activities.
Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Humans ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; prevention & control ; Rhodiola ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo apply pulse magnetic acupuncture at scalp acupoints to treat acute cerebral infarction and to explore the mechanism.

METHODSA pulse magnetic acupuncture group, a routine acupuncture group and a static magnetic acupuncture group were set up, 30 cases in each group. Their clinical therapeutic effects were observed.

RESULTSThe cured-markedly effective rate was 80.0% in the pulse magnetic acupuncture group and 70.3% in the routine acupuncture group with no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05), which were significant difference with 36.6% in the static magnetic acupuncture group (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONPulse magnetic acupuncture and routine acupuncture at scalp acupoints have same therapeutic effect on acute cerebral infarction, which is superior to that of static magnetic acupuncture.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Cerebral Infarction ; therapy ; Humans ; Scalp ; Stroke ; therapy

Adult ; Aged ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mining ; Occupational Exposure ; Pneumoconiosis ; complications ; mortality ; Survival Analysis ; Tuberculosis ; complications ; mortality

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of hexamethylene bisacetamide (HMBA) on differentiation of HL-60 cells and its possible molecular mechanism. HL-60 cells were co-cultured with different concentrations of HMBA (0.5, 1, 2 mmol/L) for 4 days, then the proliferation was assayed by MTT at different time points. Wright-Giemsa staining was used to observe the change in morphology. Cell differentiation antigen CD11b expression and the altered distribution of cell cycle in HL-60 induced by HMBA were analyzed by flow cytometry. The expressions of c-myc, mad1, p21, p27, hTERT and HDAC1 mRNA were detected by RT-PCR. The results indicated that the proliferation of HL-60 cells was inhibited by HMBA in a time-and-dose-dependent manner. Upon 2 mmol/L HMBA treatment, the HL-60 cells arrested at G(0)/G(1) phase and differentiated into granular line in morphology, with the up-regulation of CD11b expression. The expression of c-myc and hTERT mRNA obviously down-regulated, the expression of p21, p27 and mad1 mRNA up-regulated, while there was no change of the expression of hTERT mRNA. It is concluded that effect of HMBA on the differentiation of HL-60 cells may partly contribute to switch from c-myc to mad1 expression, to up-regulate expressions of p21 and p27 mRNA, and down-regulate hTERT mRNA expression, while there is no relation with the expression of HDAC1 mRNA.
Acetamides ; pharmacology ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; genetics ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo assess the differentiation potential of rat adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) into Schwann-like cells in vitro.

METHODSADSCs isolated from adult SD rats were cultured in vitro and identified with the cell surface antigens CD44, CD49d and CD106 by immunocytochemistry. The ADSCs of the sixth to eighth passages were inoculated in polylysine-coated culture plate and cultured for 12 days in DMEM/F12 culture medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum, 5 ng/ml platelet-derived growth factor, 10 ng/ml basic fibroblast growth factor, 14 micromol/L Forskolin and 200 ng/ml Heregulin to induce their differentiation in vitro. Immunocytochemistry was performed to identify the expression of the cell surface markers nestin, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), S-100, and P75.

RESULTSThe isolated and purified ADSCs were positive for CD44 and CD49d expressions but negative for CD106. After 12 days of culture in the conditional culture medium, most of the cells showed positive expressions of GFAP, S-100, and P75, the specific protein markers of Schwann cells.

CONCLUSIONAdult rat ADSCs are confirmed to have potentials of neuroglial differentiation and capable of differentiating into Schwann-like cells in vitro.

Adipose Tissue ; cytology ; Animals ; Cattle ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Proliferation ; Cytological Techniques ; methods ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Schwann Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Stem Cells ; cytology

OBJECTIVETo clarify three-grade criteria of curative resection for primary liver cancer (PLC) and evaluate their clinical significance.

METHODSCriteria of curative resection of PLC were summed up to three grades. Grade I: complete removal of all gross tumors with no residual tumor at the excision margin. Grade II: on the basis of Grade I, there was no extrahepatic metastasis, no hilar lymph node metastasis, no tumor thrombus in the main trunks and their primary tributaries of the portal vein, common hepatic duct, hepatic vein and vena cava inferior, and the tumor was not more than two in number. Grade III: in addition to the above criteria, AFP dropped to normal level (in patients with elevated AFP before surgery) within 2 months after operation, and no residual tumor upon diagnostic imaging. A total of 354 cases with PLC who had their liver resected was reviewed. Patients in each grade were divided into two portions depending on whether the treatment was curative or palliative.

RESULTSThe survival of patients receiving curative treatment was better than those receiving palliative treatment (P < 0.01). This was true for patients whose treatment belonged to anyone of the three-grade criteria. The survival was improved along with the promotion of curative criteria used. The 5-year survival rate of Grade I, II and III patients undergone curative resection was 43.2%, 51.2% and 64.4%, respectively (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION1. The three-grade criteria may be used for judging the radicality of tumor resection for PLC. 2. The more stringent the criteria used, the better the survival would be. 3. Adopting high-grade criteria to select cases, to guide operation and postoperative follow-up would improve the results of liver resection for PLC.

Female ; Hepatectomy ; methods ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; mortality ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Survival Rate

To approach the effect of CCAAT/enhancer binding proteins (C/EBPs) on un-terminal differentiation of HL-60 cells after treatment with Arsenic Trioxide ( As_2O_3) . Methods The changes of cell morphology were observed by Wright staining, the alteration in the cell proliferation was determined by WST1 experiment and the NBT reduction assay was used to detect the differentiation condition of cells, determination and analysis cell cycle. The expressions of C/EBP? and C/EBP? mRNA in HL-60 cells exposed to ATRA and As_2O_3 were assayed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Results It was found that ATRA could up- regulate the mRNA expression of C/EBP? obviously, but down-regulate the mRNA expression of C/EBP?. As_2O_3 could up-regulate the mRNA expression of C/EBP? lightly, down-regulate the expression of C/EBP?. Conclusion Both of ATRA and As_2O_3 can down-regulate the mRNA expression of C/EBP?,but there is no significant difference between these two groups,ATRA and As2O3 can up- regulate the mRNA expression of C/EBP?, with significant differences (P

OBJECTIVETo isolate fetal DNA from maternal plasma and examine its fetal origin.

METHODSFetal DNA in maternal plasma was isolated from 150 samples in the first trimester and mid-trimester of pregnancy, respectively. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction PCR (FQ-PCR) was used to determine sex-determining region Y (SRY) gene on Y chromosome.

RESULTSEighty-two women in the first trimester and 90 women in the mid-trimester carried male fetuses,70 and 90 samples of them were positive, respectively. The mean concentrations were (58.82+/-20.90) copies/ml and (152.08+/-62.61) copies/ml. The results of FQ-PCR were negative in the women who carried female fetuses.

CONCLUSIONThe results show that fetal SRY gene can be found at a time as early as 42 days of gestation in maternal plasma by the use of FQ-PCR. The number of fetal DNA increases with gestational age. The real-time FQ-PCR is of great value in the non-invasive prenatal diagnosis.

Adult ; DNA ; blood ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Female ; Fetus ; metabolism ; Fluorescence ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimesters ; Sex-Determining Region Y Protein ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the relationship between idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) and two polymorphisms (C243G and A377T) of the gamma-synuclein gene in a Chinese Han population of Shanghai area.

METHODSPolymorphic genotyping was performed with PCR-RPLP technique. Association analysis was carried out in 145 unrelated idiopathic PD patients and 184 age-matched healthy controls.

RESULTSThe authors failed to detect any distributional difference of the C243G and A377T polymorphisms of the gamma-synuclein gene between PD cases and control subjects, nor did they find any association.

CONCLUSIONThese data do not support that gamma-synuclein gene C243G and A377T polymorphisms are involved in idiopathic PD onset in the Han population of Shanghai area.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Alleles ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; genetics ; Parkinson Disease ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Synucleins ; gamma-Synuclein