Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; diagnosis ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Radionuclide Imaging ; Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m

In order to investigate the role of tryptase in angiogenesis of acute leukemia (AL), the expressions of tryptase and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in leukemic cells from 61 patients with AL were examined by using immunocytochemical method, and the correlation between tryptase and VEGF was analyzed. The results showed that tryptase positive expression was found in 15 out of 51 patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) (M(1) 1/3, M(2) 7/15, M(3) 5/20, M(5) 2/8). Tryptase positive expression was 29.4% in AML. However, none of 10 patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) showed tryptase expression. There were no correlations between the amounts of cells with tryptase expression and patient age, WBC count, numbers of blood or marrow myeloblasts and neutrophil POX. VEGF expression was revealed in 41 patients with AML (80.4%) and only 3 with ALL (30%). Significant correlation has been found between the expression of tryptase and that of VEGF in AML-M(2) (r = 0.65, P < 0.05). It is concluded that tryptase appears to be a myeloid-specific marker in AML and may be involved in the angiogenesis of AML-M(2).
Biomarkers, Tumor ; biosynthesis ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Leukemia, Monocytic, Acute ; metabolism ; pathology ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; metabolism ; pathology ; Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute ; metabolism ; pathology ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; Tryptases ; biosynthesis ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; biosynthesis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between p53 gene codon 72 polymorphism and genetic predisposition to keloid in Chinese population.

METHODSPCR-based restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis was used to detect p53 gene codon 72 genotypes of 60 keloid samples and 102 whole blood samples from healthy controls in China.

RESULTSThere was no significant difference in the distribution of p53 gene codon 72 polymorphism between the keloid patients and the healthy controls (X2 = 2.910, P = 0.233), nor did the frequencies for Pro and Arg alleles (X2 = 0.882, P = 0.348), and there was no significant difference in the distribution of p53 gene codon 72 polymorphism in keloid patients and normal controls from China and Japan respectively (X2 = 3.942, P = 0.139; X2 = 3.260, P = 0.196). But the Arg/Arg genotype was significantly higher than the Pro/Pro genotype among the patients with keloid in shoulder and back (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThere was no significant association between the distribution of p53 gene codon 72 polymorphism and keloid in Chinese population, but Arg/Arg genotype may affect the formation of keloids in shoulder and back compared to others. Further research should be done to investigate the relationship between p53 gene codon 72 polymorphism and keloids in different sites.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Codon ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Keloid ; genetics ; Male ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; genetics

High mobility group A2 protein (HMGA2), an architectural factor, is highly expressed in various cancer types including lung cancers. It is a candidate target for cancer therapy. RNAi is an effective gene silencing method with low cost and less time-consuming. It is possible to exploit this technology in therapy. Here, 5 siRNAs targeting Hmga2 gene (HMGA2 siRNA1-5) were designed and synthesized. MTT assay, colony formation assay, transwell assay and flow cytometry were used to evaluate the effects of these siRNAs on lung cancer cell lines (NCI-H446 and A549). Results from cell proliferation, clone formation, migration and apoptosis showed that HMGA2 siRNA1, 3, 5 could affect these aspects for both lung cancer cell lines. Among the five siRNAs, HMGA2 siRNA5 showed the greatest inhibition effects. The inhibition effects of HMGA2 siRNA5 are sequence specific and are not due to the induction of interferon response. Taken together, siRNAs targeting Hmga2 gene are potential candidates for lung cancer gene therapy.
Apoptosis ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation ; Colony-Forming Units Assay ; Gene Silencing ; Genetic Therapy ; HMGA2 Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Interferons ; metabolism ; Lung Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Point Mutation ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Transfection

This study was aimed to investigate the expression level of NF-kappaB mRNA in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) using real time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reduction (qPCR) detection and to explore the effect of NF-kappaB mRNA in pathogenesis of AML. The fresh bone marrow was collected from 60 newly diagnosed patients with AML, the total RNA was extracted by means of RTIzoL, the cDNA was synthesized, the expression of NF-kappaB mRNA was detected by qPCR using GAPDH as internal reference. 12 normal healthy persons were selected as controls. The results showed that the expression of NF-kappaB mRNA in patients with AML was higher than that in normal healthy persons with significant difference (p<0.05), the expression of NF-kappaB mRNA in patients with AML-M4 and -M5 were higher than that in patients with AML-M1, -M2 and -M3. It is concluded that the expression of NF-kappaB mRNA is higher in patients with AML. The up-regulation of NF-kappaB expression in patients with AML may play an important role in pathogenesis of AML.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Bone Marrow ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; NF-kappa B ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo detect the changes of naive T cell level of thymic recent output at different stages of treatment in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), thereby to evaluate the relationship of thymic recent output function with prognosis and the impact of chemotherapy on the potential of immunological recovery.

METHODSThe levels of T-cell receptor rearrangement excision circles (TREC) in DNA of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) from 30 DLBCL patients were monitored before, during, until 3 months and 6 months after chemotherapy by real-time PCR (TaqMan), and TREC-level was detected according to the number of CD3 positive(CD3(+)) cells. Twelve normal individuals who matched in age were served as controls.

RESULTSThere was a dramatic reduction of TREC values in all DLBCL patients among which TREC values in germinal center B-cell-like-DLBCL (GCB-DLBCL) were higher than those in non-GCB-DLBCL, as compared with TREC values of normal individual in peripheral blood. The mean values of TREC were 0.91 ± 0.15/1000 PBMNCs and (1.22 ± 0.69)/1000 CD3(+) cells in GCB-DLBCL, (0.43 ± 0.29)/1000 PBMNCs and (0.64 ± 0.44)/1000 CD3(+) cells in non-GCB-DLBCL before chemotherapy. TREC values were significantly associated with lower international prognostic index (IPI) grade (r = -0.441, P = 0.015). TREC-level in DLBCL patients was further decreased after chemotherapy, and reached to the lowest level after the 6th cycle of chemotherapy, and during the corresponding period, the mean values of TREC were (0.63 ± 0.34)/1000 PBMNCs and (0.89 ± 0.65)/1000 CD3(+)cells in GCB-DLBCL, (0.19 ± 0.11)/1000 PBMNCs and (0.27 ± 0.25)/1000 CD3(+) cells in non-GCB-DLBCL. TREC-level began to rise obviously 3 months after the last cycle of chemotherapy in most of the DLBCL patients, and came close to normal level in five cases of patients 6 months after the last cycle of chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONSThymic recent output function was impaired severely in DLBCL patients. There was an important relationship between thymic recent output function before chemotherapy and prognosis, and chemotherapy had influenced the potential of immunological recovery.

Adult ; Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Gene Rearrangement, T-Lymphocyte ; Germinal Center ; immunology ; Humans ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse ; drug therapy ; immunology ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell ; immunology ; Thymus Gland ; immunology ; Young Adult

Objective:In order to improve medical undergraduates' ability to interpret medical images and clinical application competencies, this study aimed to explore the effects of case-based learning (CBL) combined with seminars for integrated medical imaging teaching as well as its application value.Methods:We assigned 40 medical undergraduates of grade 2016 of Chongqing Medical University to learn imaging of liver diseases using either a traditional teaching model (control group, n=20) or the combined teaching model (experimental group, n=20), in the form of classroom teaching in our hospital. The teaching effects were evaluated through a theoretical assessment, image reading assessment, and questionnaire survey. SPSS 23.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Continuous data were compared using the t test, and categorical data were compared using the chi-square test. Results:The total theoretical score and total image reading score of the experimental group were (76.35±8.63) and (79.80±10.60), respectively, which were significantly higher than those of the control group ( P<0.05). Specifically, for the experimental group, the scores of theoretical analysis and comprehensive application were (22.85±3.63) and (22.15±2.92), respectively; the scores of image interpretation and report writing were (48.55±6.81) and (31.25±4.15), respectively; the scores for medium questions and hard questions in the image reading test were (24.85±3.12) and (22.50±2.91), respectively; and the pass rate and excellence rate for image reading were 100.00% and 50.00%, respectively, all significantly higher than those of the control group ( P<0.05). The degree of satisfaction with teaching in the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group ( P<0.05). In terms of improving learning desire, independent learning ability, innovation and expansion ability, literature search ability, communication and collaboration ability, and image interpretation ability, the experimental group showed significantly higher self-evaluated scores than the control group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The CBL+seminar model can effectively improve students' academic performance in theoretical and image reading assessments, strengthen their ability to analyze and solve difficult problems, increase their enthusiasm and initiative in learning, and improve their comprehensive quality and image interpretation competency, which is worth promotion and application.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the minimally invasive efficacy and surgical outcome of full-endoscopic discectomy via interlaminar approach for lumbar disc herniation (LDH).

METHODSFrom August 2008 to February 2009, 56 patients with lumbar disc herniation were retrospectively studied. The patients were divided into two groups according to the surgical methods. Full endoscopic discectomy (FED) group included 16 males and 12 females, the age was 20 - 51 years with a mean (36 ± 8) years, and the course of disease was 18 - 120 d with a mean (68 ± 26) days. There was L(5)-S(1) LDH in 22 and L(4-5) LDH in 6. Headlamp-assisted mini-open discectomy (HAMOD) group, there were 17 males and 11 females. The age was 17-53 years with an average age of (35 ± 9) years, the course of disease was 19 - 110 d with an average (66 ± 24) days, and the herniated disc located at L(5)-S(1) in 15 cases, and L(4-5) in 13 cases. Perioperative parameters (operation time, bleeding volume and length of hospital stay), complications and VAS of leg and back pain (preoperatively, 3 months postoperatively and final follow-up) were statistically analyzed.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up in both groups, and the average follow-up time of full endoscopic was 1.8 years, and headlamp assisted mini-open was 1.7 years. The average operation time in full endoscopic group was (71 ± 30) min and the headlamp group was (60 ± 12) min, which there was no statistical difference (P > 0.05). There was no measurable bleeding in full endoscopic group, and the headlamp group was (59 ± 10) ml. The average hospital days in full endoscopic group was (5.7 ± 1.4) days, and the headlamp group was (12.3 ± 3.0) days, there was statistically significant difference in both groups (P < 0.01). The complication rate in full endoscopic group was 7.1%, and in headlamp group was 10.7%, without statistical difference (P > 0.05). There was no recurrent case in either group. With regard to VAS of back pain and leg pain, statistically significant difference was found in each group between preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively, but not between 3 months postoperatively and at final follow-up. With regard to the final follow-up VAS, there was no statistical difference in leg pain between full endoscopic and headlamp group (P > 0.05). However, there was statistical significance in VAS back pain between the two groups (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSCompared to the headlamp assisted mini-open technique, the full-endoscopic interlaminar approach for the surgical treatment of lumbar disc herniation can achieve similar clinical outcomes with advantage of less iatrogenic trauma and sooner rehabilitation.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Diskectomy ; methods ; Endoscopy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; surgery ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

Objective · To investigate the effect of modified electroconvulsive therapy (MECT) on oxidative stress parameters in patients with bipolar disorder. Methods · Forty-three patients with bipolar disorder (case group) were enrolled that received MECT intervention for 6 weeks, and 49 healthy volunteers (control group) were recruited. Chinese versions of the 17 items Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17), Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) and Clinical Global Impression-Severity Scale (CGI-S) were used to assess the efficacy and side effects at baseline and after 6 weeks of treatment. The plasma levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured at baseline and after 6 weeks of treatment to assess the level of oxidative stress. Results · The serum MDA and GSH-Px levels of the case group were higher while the serum SOD levels of the case group was lower than that of the control group, and there was no significant difference in the serum CAT levels between two groups at baseline. MDA levels were higher in manic states than in depressed states, and they were positively correlated with the CGI-S scores. After MECT treatment, the CGI-S scores of patients decreased significantly, and the plasma MDA levels decreased significantly in manic and depressive states, but there was no change in other oxidative stress parameters. Conclusion · There was oxidative stress damage in patients with bipolar disorder, and the severity of the disease varied with the degree of damage. MECT improved the symptoms of the disease and decreased the level of plasma MDA, while there was no effect on the anti-oxidation index.

OBJECTIVE: To clone the full-length gene encoding succinate dehydrogenase iron-sulfur protein of Schistosoma japonicum (SjSDISP) Chinese strain and express it in Escherichia coli. METHODS: According to the published incomplete EST (BU804141) of SjSDISP and the sequence of multiclone sites of lambda gt11 vector, 2 pairs of primers were designed and synthesized. Then the 3' and 5'ends of the EST of the SjSDISP from adult Schistosoma japonicum cDNA library were amplified by anchored PCR. After sequencing, a full-length cDNA sequence of the SjSDISP was obtained, and then it was cloned into prokaryotic expression vector pGEX-4T-1. Identified by agarosed gel electrophoresis, endonucleases digestion and PCR, the resultant recombinant plasmid was used for the expression under the temperature-dependent condition and Western blot analysis. RESULTS: A 1,071 bp sequence was obtained. Sequence analysis showed that the fragment contained a complete open reading frame (ORF), encoding 278 amino acid residues. This target fragment was cloned into the prokaryotic expression vector pGEX-4T-1, and expressed in Escherichia coli. SDS-PAGE revealed that the molecular weight of the expressed fusion recombinant product was 56 kD. Western blot showed that the recombinant protein was recognized by polyclonal rabbit antiserum immunized with Schistosoma japonicum adult worm antigen. CONCLUSION Cloning of the full-length gene encoding SjSDISP and its bacterial expression were successfully done.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Base Sequence ; Cloning, Molecular ; Escherichia coli ; metabolism ; Helminth Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Iron-Sulfur Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Schistosoma japonicum ; genetics ; metabolism ; Sequence Homology ; Succinate Dehydrogenase ; biosynthesis ; genetics