Animals ; Antigens, Neoplasm ; immunology ; Cancer Vaccines ; immunology ; Graft vs Tumor Effect ; Humans ; Immunotherapy ; methods ; Neoplasms ; immunology ; therapy ; Th1 Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; transplantation ; Transplantation, Homologous ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo detect the expressions of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (Her-2), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), presenilin 2 (PS-2) and estrogen receptor (ER) in breast cancer and discuss their clinical implications.

METHODSThe expressions of Her-2, EGFR, PS-2 and ER were measured immunohistochemically in 108 patients with breast cancer.

RESULTSThe positive expression rates of Her-2, EGFR, PS-2 and ER were 37.0%, 40.7%, 57.4% and 53.7% respectively in the breast cancer patients. The expression of Her-2 was not correlated with EGFR, but inversely correlated with PS-2 and ER. The expressions of Her-2 and EGFR, PS-2, ER were correlated with the histological grades (P<0.05), and Her-2, EGFR and ER expressions with lymph node metastasis (P<0.05). The expressions of Her-2, EGFR, PS-2 and ER did not correlate to the pathological types, patient's age and tumor size (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONExpressions of Her-2 and EGFR often suggests an unfavorable prognosis while expressions of PS-2 and ER suggest a more favorable one. Expressions of Her-2, EGFR, PS-2 and ER are useful prognostic factors in breast cancer patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; biosynthesis ; Breast Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Middle Aged ; Presenilin-2 ; biosynthesis ; Prognosis ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; biosynthesis ; Receptor, ErbB-2 ; biosynthesis ; Receptors, Estrogen ; biosynthesis

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between obesity at different ages and the risk of endometrial cancer in urban Shanghai, China.

METHODSIn a population-based case-control study conducted in urban Shanghai, in-person interviews and anthropometric measurements were completed for 497 women at age 30 to 69 and an equal number of controls frequency-matched to cases on age distribution. All cases were newly diagnosed with endometrial cancer from January 1, 1997 to June 30, 2000. Unconditional logistic regression model was employed to estimate the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of the obesity at different ages.

RESULTSAfter adjustment for some potential confounding variables, neither adolescent height nor weight was significantly related to endometrial cancer. Obesity in adulthood, except around 20 years old, was associated with elevated risks, with odds ratios for the highest versus lowest quartile of body mass index (BMI) being 1.5 (95% CI: 1.0 - 2.1), 1.7 (95% CI: 1.2 - 2.4), 1.9 (95% CI: 1.3 - 2.8) and 1.7 (95% CI: 1.0 - 2.7) at ages 30, 40, 50 and 60, respectively. Weight gain of more than 7.5 kg at different 10-year intervals in adulthood were associated with increased risk of endometrial cancer, whereas only weight gain more than 15% of initial weight from 40 to 50 years old significantly related to the risk. Only weight loss from ages 20 to 30 was inversely associated with endometrial cancer risk (OR = 0.4, 95% CI: 0.2 - 0.8). Current body weight, BMI and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were independent risk factors to endometrial cancer while standing height and sitting-to-standing height ratio were unrelated to the risk of endometrial cancer.

CONCLUSIONResults indicated that adolescent obesity was unrelated to endometrial cancer. General obesity in adulthood, as well as body fat distribution, were associated with the risk of endometrial cancer independently. Weight changes before and after age 30 had different effects on the risk of endometrial cancer.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Body Height ; Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; Endometrial Neoplasms ; etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Obesity ; complications ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the immunostimulatory capacity of human peripheral blood dendritic cells (DCs) with Her2/neu gene transfection mediated by adeno-associated virus.

METHODSThe HLA genotypes of the breast cancer cells SK-BR-3 and MCF7 were determined, and the mononuclear cells from healthy donors with matching HLA genotype were isolated by Ficoll-Hypaque density gradient separation. The isolated cells were divided into two groups with or without transfection with the recombinant virus harboring Her2/neu gene. The cells were cultured for 7 days in RPMI 1640 medium supplemented with 10% AB human serum, GM-CSF, interleukin-4 (IL-4) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). The mature DCs were then harvested from the cell culture and their phenotypes were identified using flow cytometry. MTT assay was employed to examine the specific killing activity of the T cells induced by the DCs.

RESULTSThe DCs transfected with the recombinant adeno-associated virus expressed CD1a, CD86 and CD83 at the rate of 98.10%, 99.42%, and 84.59%, and those without the viral transfection expressed the markers at the rate 92.69%, 98.07%, and 82.72%, respectively, showing no obvious differences in the phenotypes of the two DCs. The transfected DCs, however, showed markedly higher expression rates of CD40 and CD80 than the non-transfected DCs (61.02% vs 36.19%, and 97.61% vs 55.5%, respectively). The DCs, irrespective of the transfection, showed comparable capacities in stimulating T cell proliferation. The transfected DCs exhibited the capacity of inducing the T cells to specifically kill the target tumor cells, with the highest killing rate of (39.7-/+7.2)%.

CONCLUSIONThe immunostimulatory capacity of human peripheral blood DCs are enhanced by Her2/neu gene transfection mediated by adeno-associated virus.

Breast Neoplasms ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cells, Cultured ; Dendritic Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; metabolism ; Dependovirus ; genetics ; metabolism ; Genes, erbB-2 ; genetics ; Genetic Vectors ; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; cytology ; Receptor, ErbB-2 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Recombinant Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo establish a detection method for trimethyltin chloride in urine by the Head space-GC.

METHODAfter derivatizing trimethyltin chloride, the urines was separated by the head space-gc, and then the trimethyltin chloride detected qualitatively and quantificationally.

RESULTSIn the concentration range of 0.02 ∼ 0.40 mg/L urinary trimethyltin chloride, showed a quadratic, r = 0.9992, detection limit was 0.005 mg/L, the relative standard deviation was 1.9% ∼ 2.5%, recovery was 92.0% to 100%, the urine samples can be saved at least 90 days in -18°C refrigerator.

CONCLUSIONThe instrument, reagents involved in the detection require low, the operations to processing samples are simple, high sensitivity, less interference, good reproducibility, and suitable for quantitative and qualitative analysis, convenient to promotion.

Chromatography, Gas ; methods ; Humans ; Trimethyltin Compounds ; urine ; Urinalysis ; methods

OBJECTIVETo compare the clinical effects and radiographic outcomes of mini-open trans-spatium intermuscular and percutaneous short-segment pedicle fixation in treating thoracolumbar mono-segmental vertebral fractures without neurological deficits.

METHODSFrom August 2009 and August 2012, 95 patients with thoracolumbar mono-segmental vertebral fractures without neurological deficits were treated with short-segment pedicle fixation through mini-open trans-spatium intermuscular or percutaneous approach. There were 65 males and 30 females, aged from 16 to 60 years old with an average of 42 years. The mini-open trans-spatium intermuscular approach was used in 58 cases (group A) and the percutaneous approach was used in 37 cases (group B). Total incision length, operative time, intraoperative bleeding, fluoroscopy, hospitalization cost were compared between two groups. Visual analog scale (VAS) and radiographic outcomes were compared between two groups.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up from 12 to 36 months with an average of 19.6 months. No complications such as incision infection, internal fixation loosening and breakage were found. In group A, fluoroscopy time was short and hospitalization cost was lower than that of group B (P<0.05). But the total incision length in group B was smaller than that of group A (P<0.05). There was no significant differences in operative time, intraoperative bleeding, postoperative VAS and radiographic outcomes between two groups (P>0.05). Postoperative VAS and radiographic outcomes were improved than that of preoperative (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe mini-open trans-spatium intermuscular and percutaneous short-segment pedicle fixation have similar clinical effects and radiographic outcomes in treating thoracolumbar mono-segmental vertebral fractures without neurological deficits. However, in this study, the mini-open trans-spatium intermuscular approach has a short learning curve and more advantages in hospitalization cost and intraoperative radiation exposure times, and is recommendable.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Fluoroscopy ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; injuries ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; Spinal Fractures ; surgery ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; injuries ; surgery ; Visual Analog Scale

OBJECTIVETo explore the hepatic toxicity and the exposure biomarkers of N, N-Dimethylacetamide.

METHODSOne hundred forty five objects were chosen by stratified random sampling method. The investigation was performed using questionnaire and physical examination. The air concentrations of DMAC in the workshops were monitored. The urine samples were collected and analyzed after work everyday or at the weekend. The correlation between the air concentrations of DMAC in the workshops and the concentrations of urinary NMAC wee analyzed by regression.

RESULTSThe air concentration of DMAC in the spinning workshop was higher than others. The morbidity of abnormal hepatic function was 12.4%, 61.1% of workers with abnormal hepatic function appeared in one year after exposure to DMAC in the workshops ( r=0.44, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe abnormal heptic function was found in workers exposed to DMAC for short period. The concentration of urinary NMAC can serve as the exposure biomarker of DMAC.

Acetamides ; toxicity ; urine ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Air Pollutants, Occupational ; analysis ; Biomarkers ; urine ; Environmental Monitoring ; Humans ; Liver Function Tests ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Workplace ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the hepatotoxic effects of N, N-dimethylformamide (DMF) in the workers of a synthetic leathers factory, and the effects on liver function of covariates such as alcohol consumption and other factors.

METHODSThe workers were classified into three groups (low, high and the control) by the concentration of DMF in workplace which was determined in the past two years. A questionnaire was drawn up for relevant demographic characteristics and other factors influencing liver function. The bloods were collected for laboratory test which included parameters especially relevant to the liver (ALT AST and gamma GT).

RESULTSLow and high-exposure groups were significantly associated with elevated ALT and gamma GT, and high-exposure group was significantly associated with elevated Liver index. Modeling by stepwise regression analysis demonstrated that high concentration of DMF and BMI were associated with and elevated ALT, gamma GT and Liver index, besides DMF and BMI, the elevation of ALT was also associated with high TRIG. AST was only associated with alcohol consumption. The AST/ALT ration < 1 was present in 86.7% of the exposure workers of liver function abnormal.

CONCLUSIONDMF can cause liver function alternations even if air concentration of DMF was below PC-TWA. Besides the levels of DMF exposure, obesity (BMI) and alcohol consumption are covariates alternating liver function. Liver index can be a parameter for assessment liver function, and the AST/ALT ration < 1 may serve as markers of risk in health screening programs.

Adult ; Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Dimethylformamide ; toxicity ; Female ; Humans ; Liver ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Liver Function Tests ; Male ; Occupational Exposure

OBJECTIVETo investigate abnormal liver function associated with polymorphism of GSTT1, GSTM1 and CYP2E1 in workers exposed to N, N-dimethylformamide.

METHODSSixty-nine workers with abnormal liver function in a synthetic leather factory were recruited as case. One hundred and twenty five control subjects with similar work tasks were selected from the same factory. Genotypes for GSTT1 and GSTM1 were determined by multiplex PCR, and for CYP2E1 PstI by PCR-RFLP assay.

RESULTSThe frequency of positive GSTM1 was 59.42% in cases and 38.40% in control, with an odds ratio (OR) of 2.34,95% CI: 1.29-4.29 (P=0.005). For GSTT1 and CYP2E1 PstI, the frequencies of genotypes showed no significant difference between case and control.

CONCLUSIONGSTM1 positive genotype may be genetic risk factors for development of abnormal liver function in workers exposed to N, N-dimethylformamide.

Adult ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury ; etiology ; genetics ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2E1 ; genetics ; Dimethylformamide ; adverse effects ; Female ; Genotype ; Glutathione Transferase ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects ; Polymorphism, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo investigate suitable biomarkers for workers exposure to trimethyltin chloride (TMT-cl).

METHODSUrinary samples of 44 male workers from five TMT-cl occupational poisoning incidents were collected. Methyltin mercaptide stabilizers and waste plastics used in the incidents were also collected. The levels of TMT-cl in all the samples were determined by gas chromatography. The concentration of blood potassium for each poisonings was determined compared to control group (50 male workers of a food company), and the correlation between blood potassium and urinary TMT-cl were also determined.

RESULTSTMT-cl was detected in urine of all the poisonings. The results were (0.869 +/- 0.392) microg/L (severe poisoning), (0.963 +/- 0.482) microg/L (moderate poisoning), (0.716 +/- 0.384) microg/L (mild poisoning) respectively and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.01). But the severity of the clinical status did not seem to be closely correlated to the level of urinary TMT-cl (F = 1.88, P > 0.05). In the severe poisonings, there were no differences in urinary TMT-cl on day 4 after poisoning from day 1 (P > 0.05). In contrast, urinary TMT-cl was decreased significantly on day 4 than on day 1 in mild and moderate poisonings (P < 0.01). On day 21, levels of urinary TMT-cl of all the poisonings were higher than those of the workers exposed to TMT-cl who had no clinical status (P < 0.01). Blood potassium levels of exposed group was 77.3% which was significantly lower than normal value (P < 0.01). The concentration of blood potassium was lower than normal value (3.5 mmol/L) and was correlated with the severity of the clinical status (F = 4.45, P < 0.05). Level of urinary TMT-cl of exposed group was negatively correlated with blood potassium (r = -0.4456, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONLevel of urinary TMT-cl can be used as exposure biomarker of TMT-cl poisoning. Blood potassium is an early biomarker of effect for TMT-cl poisoning so as to find poisoning population early.

Adult ; Biomarkers ; blood ; urine ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects ; Potassium ; blood ; Trimethyltin Compounds ; poisoning ; urine ; Young Adult