Objective To investigate the incidence of pancreatic cancer-related depression in Guangzhou,China.Methods A multicenter,prospective survey was conducted,50 patients with pancreatic cancer,60 with liver cancer,50 with esophageal cancer,50 with gastric cancer,52 with colorectal cancer were enrolled from 4 hospitals in Guangzhou between June 2007 and June 2009.Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression-24 (HAMD-24) questionnaire was used to assess the degree of depression.Results The incidence of depression in pancreatic cancer patients was 78% (39/50),which was significantly higher than that among liver cancer patients (60% ,36/60),gastric cancer patients (36%,18/50),esophageal cancer patients(24%,12/50),and colorectal cancer patients(19.2%,10/52,P＜0.05 ).Twelve of 50 patients in pancreatic cancer were reported to have severe depression (24%),which was significantly more than that in liver cancer (10%,6/60),gastric cancer (4%,2/50),esophageal and colorectal cancer (0,P ＜0.05).In pancreatic cancer patients,the incidence of depression was significantly higher in patients with advanced stage (94.3%) than that in early stage (46.7%,P＜0.05).Patients who underwent chemotherapy had high incidence of depression(92.3%)than that of patients who underwent operation (62.5%,P＜0.05 ).Conclusions Compared with other cancers of digestive tract,the incidence of pancreatic cancer-related depression was higher,and its degree was more severe than that of other cancers.

AIM:To explore the influence of long-term swimming on peripheral neuropathy in type 2 diabetic rats.METHODS:Male Wistar rats were fed with a high-fat and high-fructose diet, and injected with streptozocin to estab-lish a model of type 2 diabetes mellitus.The rats were randomly divided into 4 groups:blank control group (C group), ex-ercise control group ( CE group ) , diabetes mellitus group ( DM group ) and diabetes mellitus +exercise group ( DME group).The rats in CE group and DME group received 8-week swimming training (6 d/week).The training time was 20, 30 and 45 min in the first 3 d,respectively, and then it increased to 60 min a day.Eight weeks later, the motor nerve conduc-tion velocity ( MNCV ) and the levels of tumor necrosis factor α( TNF-α) , interleukin 6 ( IL-6 ) and C-reactive protein ( CRP) in sciatic nerve tissues of the rats were measured .The morphological changes of the sciatic nerve were also observed under light microscope .RESULTS:Compared with DM group , 8-week swimming obviously accelerated the MNCV ( P<0.05), decreased the levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and CRP in DME group (but no significant difference, P>0.05).The obvi-ous nerve injury in DM group was observed .However , the pathological change of the sciatic nerve in DME group was re-lieved.CONCLUSION:Eight-week swimming training significantly accelerates the MNCV , attenuates the nerve injury in diabetic rats and has protective effect on peripheral nerve , which may be correlated with relieving the inflammatory reaction .

OBJECTIVETo identify the mutation of C1 inhibitor (C1 INH) gene in a Chinese family with hereditary angioedema (HAE).

METHODSPolymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing were used to identify the mutation type. The sequencing results were compared with the normal sequences in GenBank to find the mutation. In order to exclude the polymorphism, 30 normal volunteers were analyzed.

RESULTSOne novel mutation (17839 del C) was detected in 5 patients with HAE. The mutation was not found in controls.

CONCLUSIONThe mutation of C1 INH gene (17839 del C) is identified in the family. Molecular diagnosis can be made by detecting the mutation.

Angioedema ; genetics ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 11 ; genetics ; Complement C1 ; genetics ; Complement C1 Inactivator Proteins ; genetics ; Exons ; Family Health ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Pedigree ; Point Mutation ; Sequence Deletion

OBJECTIVETo analyze the factors which influence the safety and prognosis of aorta replacement combined with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for thoracic aortic aneurysm associated with coronary artery disease.

METHODSFrom May 1982 to October 2002, 67 patients with thoracic aortic aneurysm were admitted, and 24 of them combined with CABG. Of the 24 patients, 9 received descending aorta replacement combined with CABG, and the other 15 received the ascending aorta replacement combined with CABG. The treatment results were compared with the other 43 patients only undergoing the thoracic aortic replacement.

RESULTSThe mortality rate of the patients with aorta replacement combined with CABG was 13% (3/24). Though the descending aorta replacement combined with CABG could make the cardiopulmonary bypass time and selective cerebral perfusion time longer, (278 +/- 54) min and (188 +/- 59) min respectively, no significant difference was observed in postoperative complications, 3-year survival rate, 3-year-cardiac-event-free rate compared with the patients only undergoing the thoracic aortic replacement (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe aorta replacement combined with CABG can be performed safely, and the revascularization for coronary artery disease is useful for preventing occurrence of cardiac events.

Aorta, Thoracic ; surgery ; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic ; complications ; surgery ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; Coronary Artery Disease ; complications ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the value of human fatty acid binding protein (h-FABP) in predicting myocardial ischemia and injury in the perioperative period of cardiac surgery, we observed the dynamic changes of h-FABP in perioperative period of patients underwent coronary artery bypass grafting and ventricular septal defects repairing surgery, and evaluated the relationship of h-FABP and ischemia modified albumin (IMA), CK-MB, cTnI.

METHODSPatients underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (n=30) and ventricular septal defect repairing (n=30) surgery between February 2008 and December 2008 were included in this study. Venous blood sample was obtained at preoperative, aortic clamping, aortic unclamping of 10 min, 2 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h for the measurements of h-FABP, IMA, cTnI and CK-MB.

RESULTSh-FABP and IMA changed in the same way at various examined time points, h-FABP changes also paralleled cTnI and CK-MB changes, h-FABP peaked early during myocardial ischemia and injury and returned to baseline level at 2 h post myocardial ischemia and injury. Linear correlation analysis showed that the peak value of h-FABP was positively correlated with IMA, CK-MB and cTnI in both CABG group (r = 0.948, 0.964 and 0.961, P < 0.05) and in the VSD group (r = 0.986, 0.978 and 0.957).

CONCLUSIONSh-FABP is an early diagnostic parameter reflecting perioperative myocardial ischemia and injury in cardiac surgery. Quantitative h-FABP monitoring could predict the severity of myocardial ischemia and injury early during cardiac surgery.

Aged ; Albumins ; analysis ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Creatine Kinase, MB Form ; blood ; Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins ; blood ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Ischemia ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Perioperative Period ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Thoracic Surgery ; Troponin I ; blood

OBJECTIVETo screen out the HAb18G/CD147 binding peptides and find out an antagonist against hepatoma invasion.

METHODSHAb18G/CD147 was purified by affinity chromatographic method and the antigen binding peptides acquired by bio-panning a phage-displayed 12-peptide library. After obtaining the sequence of the selected phage-displayed peptides, all the 9 peptides were synthesized by solid-phase method and identified by mass spectrograph. The peptides' anti-metastatic function was tested by Boyden Chamber assay.

RESULTSThe purified HAb18G/CD147, identified by Western blot (molecular weight about 65 kd) could be used to bio-pan the phage-displayed peptide library. After 3 rounds of bio-panning, 9 positive phage clones were selected and sequenced. The synthesized peptides had uneven inhibitory activities and three of them were able to markedly inhibit the hepatoma cell invasion (P < 0.01). The most effective peptide decreased by 90.1% of hepatoma cells migrating through the Boyden Chamber membrane as compared with the control.

CONCLUSIONBio-panning the phage-displayed peptide library can be used successfully to screen out the antigen binding peptides. Hepatoma metastatic potential can be inhibited by peptide antagonist which could be a good foundation of developing peptide therapeutic agent against hepatoma metastasis.

Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; therapeutic use ; Basigin ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Mice ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Peptide Library ; Peptides ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVEFibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is a rare autosomal dominant inherited disease caused by mutations of ACVR1 gene and can be inherited from either mother or father. FOP is characterized by the presence of malformations of the big toes and of progressive extra-skeletal ossification. Direct sequence analyses of genomic DNA have demonstrated that there is an identical single nucleotide substitution (c617G-->A, R206H) in the glycine-serine (GS) activation domain of ACVR1 gene, responsible for all affected individuals reported so far. We report a Chinese girl with typical FOP characteristics, in whom the same mutation in ACVR1 was identified.

METHODSClinical diagnosis was based on physical examination, radiological findings, and biochemical tests. For mutation detection, peripheral blood was obtained with informed consent from the patient and the parents. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood using standard method. Exon 4 of ACVR1 was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the PCR products were subjected to automatic DNA sequencing.

RESULTSThe affected girl is 3-year-old and showed typical clinical manifestations of FOP. She had malformations of the halluces at birth and subsequently progressive extra-skeletal ossification developed at the age of 8 - 9 months. Then, she gradually developed stiffness of the knee joint and neck but remained ambulant. Radiographic changes were observable, e.g., the extra-skeletal ossification was found at cervical spine. Her mother has congenital malformations of the halluces, but had no postnatal progressive extra-skeletal ossification. Her father and other family members are normal. With direct sequencing of the PCR products, a G to A substitution at c617 of ACVR1 (R206H) was detected in the patient only but not in her parents. Paternity analysis suggested that it is a de novo mutation.

CONCLUSIONThis is the first case reported in a Chinese patient with FOP in the mainland of China, which was confirmed by direct sequencing. Although sporadic cases of FOP have been reported in diverse geographic and ethnic group, the mutations of ACVR1 c617 (R206H) are identical up to now. The presence of mutation hot spot facilitates molecular diagnosis in clinical practice. Genetic detection is important for FOP patients to avoid misdiagnosis and further damages, including those from medical intervention.

Activin Receptors, Type I ; genetics ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Myositis Ossificans ; genetics ; Point Mutation ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

BACKGROUNDMultiple epiphysis dysplasia (MED) is a common skeletal dysplasia with a significant locus heterogeneity. In the majority of clinically defined cases, mutations have been identified in the gene encoding cartilage algometric matrix protein (COMP).

METHODSFive patients were included in the study. Linkage analysis and mutation analysis of the COMP gene were conducted in the patients and their family members.

RESULTSWe have identified a novel mutation in axon 14 of COMP gene in the family.

CONCLUSIONSThis mutation produced a severe MED phenotype with marked short stature, early onset osteoarthritis, and remarkable radiographic changes. Our results extended the range of disease-causing mutations in COMP gene and contributed more information about relationship between mutations and phenotype.

Adolescent ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Osteochondrodysplasias ; genetics ; Pedigree ; Point Mutation ; genetics

In vivo tumor imaging technique method based on bioluminescence principle was established to evaluate the anti-tumor effect of paclitaxel mixed micelle (PMM). MDA-MB-231 tumor cells with luciferase reporter vectors were firstly implanted into nude mice, and subsequently the luciferase substrate was regularly injected during intraperitoneal administration of PMM. Then the tumor size, growth and the intensity of light signals were monitored with in vivo imaging technique. The method of luciferase tumor in vivo imaging could be real-time, reliable and exact in labeling and reflecting the growth of tumors, and the observed results were consistent with that by conventional method, so it would be a feasible approach to study anti-tumor effect of drugs. The anti-tumor effect of paclitaxel mixed micelle was observed by this method, and the results showed that this formulation could inhibit growth of tumor, and the anti-tumor rate of it was about 85%.
Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Breast Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Female ; Humans ; Luminescent Measurements ; Male ; Melanoma, Experimental ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Nude ; Micelles ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Paclitaxel ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Particle Size ; Tumor Burden ; drug effects

AIMTo report the clinical experience during collecting sperm samples in the Fragile X syndrome (FXS) male patients.

METHODSTwo different polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based methods were used for the molecular diagnosis of FXS. Sperm collection was done mostly according to the laboratory manual of the World Health Organization.

RESULTSWe failed to collect sperm samples from five Fragile X subjects aged 18-60 years as a result of an unexpected erectile dysfunction (ED). Multiple examinations of the same subject at different times, and of different subjects from different provinces examined by different physicians, showed the same result consistently in all the five subjects.

CONCLUSIONErectile reflex is an instinctive response in all healthy males. The absence of erection can be caused by hormonal, physical or neuronal malfunction. As hormonal profiles were reported to be generally normal in Fragile X men, we propose that an unknown physical factor or the neuronal circuit, or both, underlying the erection is compromised. The finding of this symptom in Fragile X patients may help better understand the clinical spectrum and pathogeneses of the disease.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Base Sequence ; DNA Primers ; Erectile Dysfunction ; Female ; Fragile X Syndrome ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pedigree ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Spermatogenesis ; genetics