The Wnt signaling exists in every kinds of species and regulates a variety of biological processes including cell fate, proliferation and function, immunity, stress, apoptosis and so on. During the researching, Wnt signaling also plays an important role in chondrocyte differentiation and maturation. So it has been the new spot in pathogenesis of osteoarthritis study.
Animals ; Chondrocytes ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Osteoarthritis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Signal Transduction ; Wnt Proteins ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo review the applications of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques in assessing treatment response to gamma knife radiosurgery for brain tumors.

DATA SOURCESPublished articles about assessing treatment response to gamma knife radiosurgery for brain tumors were selected using PubMed. The search terms were "MRI", "gamma knife" and "brain tumors".

STUDY SELECTIONArticles regarding the MRI techniques using for early assessment of treatment response of gamma knife were selected.

RESULTSMRI techniques, especially diffusion weighted imaging, perfusion weighted imaging, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, are useful for early assessment of treatment response of gamma knife by detecting the hemodynamic, metabolic, and cellular alterations. Moreover, they can also provide important information on prognosis.

CONCLUSIONSDiffusion weighted imaging, perfusion weighted imaging and magnetic resonance spectroscopy can provide early assessment of treatment response of gamma knife for brain tumors, and also information of tumor progression or recurrence earlier than conventional MRI. But there are still many questions to be answered which should be based on the development and advancement of MRI and related disciplines.

Brain Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Radiosurgery

To study the correlation of the reversal effect of tetrandrine (Tet) in combination with droloxifene (DRL) on multidrug resistant cell line K562/A02 and induction apoptosis, the apoptosis of K562 cells and K562/A02 cells after the treatment of Tet and DRL alone or their combination was detected by flow cytometry (FCM). The results showed 0.62 microg/ml Tet and 1.94 microg/ml DRL alone could induce apoptosis of K562 cells in time-dependent manner after culture for 48 hours. Neither Tet at 0.62 microg/ml nor DRL at 1.94 microg/ml alone could induce apoptosis of K562/A02 cells, but in the combination of them two induced apoptosis of few K562/A02 cells in culture for 72 hours. In conclusion, the mechanism of Tet and DRL reversing multidrug resistance has no correlation with the apoptosis of K562/A02 cells.
Alkaloids ; administration & dosage ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Benzylisoquinolines ; administration & dosage ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; drug effects ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Tamoxifen ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives

OBJECTIVETo study the semen quality of male infertility patients in Suzhou area, China.

METHODSWe detected the semen quality of 2 640 infertility patients in Suzhou area using computer-assisted semen analysis technology.

RESULTSOf the 2 640 semen samples, 27.35% were found normal in all seminal indexes, 47.35% (1 250/2 640) abnormal in the percentage of grade a + b sperm, and 42.39% (1 119/2 640) abnormal in sperm motility. The percentage of grade a + b sperm and sperm motility were decreased with the increase of age, more obviously in those over 40 years. The incidences of asthenospermia and oligospermia were 37.31% (985/2 640) and 8.94% (236/2 640), rising with the increase of age, especially in those older than 30 years. The 9 sperm motion parameters, including VSL, VCL, LIN, MAD, VAP, STR, WOB, ALH and BCF, were significantly reduced with the decrease of sperm motility and sperm concentration.

CONCLUSIONThe infertile men in Suzhou area are mainly characterized by a decrease in sperm motility, especially in the percentage of grade a + b sperm. The correlation of age with sperm motility and incidence of asthenospermia and oligospermia suggests that men also have an appropriate childbearing age.

Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Semen Analysis ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the development and the health of reproductive organs of male children and juvenile between the Meng and the Han nationality in the Meng nationality area.

METHODSMale juvenile(4-18 years old) of the Meng nationality (n = 2,315) and the Han nationality (n = 2,832) were divided into four age groups. Height, weight, length and perimeter of penis, volume of left and right testis and reproductive organs illness were examined.

RESULTSIn 13-18 years group, the developmental speed of reproductive organs was faster in Mongolia male juvenile than that in the Han nationality (P < 0.02). After 13 years old, the developmental speed of reproductive organs of male living in town is faster than that in the country (P < 0.05). Illness of male reproductive organs was common such as hernia, varicocle etc.

CONCLUSIONSThere was difference of developmental status and the prevalence rate of reproductive organs of male children and juvenile between the Meng and the Han nationality.

Adolescent ; Body Height ; Body Weight ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; ethnology ; Humans ; Male ; Penis ; physiology ; Testis ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo study the reversal effect of tetrandrine (Tet) and droloxifene (Drol) on multidrug resistant cell line K562/A02 and apoptosis induction.

METHODSThe cytotoxicity of daunorubicin (DNR) was assayed by MTT method. The effects of Tet and DRL, alone or combined were detected through the apoptosis of K562/A02 by agarose gel electrophoresis.

RESULTSThe cytotoxicity of DNR to K562/A02 was enhanced by 0.62 microg/ml Tet or 1.94 microg/ml Drol with IC(50) 7.28 +/- 2.06 microg/ml, 7.58 +/- 3.44 microg/ml, giving a reversal effect of 2.94 and 2.82. But IC(50) of combined Tet and Drol was 1.66 +/- 0.41 microg/ml with the reversal effect markedly increased to 12.9. Neither 0.62 microg/ml Tet nor 1.94 microg/ml Drol could induce apoptosis of K562/A02 cells.

CONCLUSIONMultidrug resistance (MDR) can be partially reversed by Tet or Drol, of which the combination shows a great synergistic reversal effect. The mechanism of Tet and Drol reversing multidrug resistance is not correlated with the apoptosis of K562/A02 cells.

Alkaloids ; pharmacology ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; Benzylisoquinolines ; Daunorubicin ; pharmacology ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; physiology ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; physiology ; Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Tamoxifen ; pharmacology ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Objective To investigate prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) in population at high-risk for diabetes in Changfeng community of Shanghai. Methods Totally, 982 persons aged 40-79 years without previous history of diabetes, but with risk factors for diabetes from Changfeng community in Shanghai were screened by questionnaire, physical examinations, lipid profile and oral glucose tolerance test. Prevalence of MS and its clinical characteristic were observed. Results Overall prevalence of MS was 44. 6% (438/982) in Changfeng community, significantly higher in women of 48.6% (341/701) than that in men of 34. 5% (97/281) (P<0.01). Prevalence of MS increased with age in women (P <0. 01 ), but not in men (P>0.05). Components of MS ranking from high to low were hypertension of 66. 5% (653/982), abdominal obesity of 62.8% (617/982), decreased high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) of 49. 4% (485/982), increased triglyceride (TG) of 46. 0% (452/982) and increased fasting glucose of 35.7% (351/982). There were 55.9% (245/438) of MS patients with three or more MS components in addition to abdominal obesity. Conclusions Prevalence of MS is higher in community population at high-risk for diabetes and more than half of the MS patients have three or more risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Objective To discuss the effect of proximal interphalangeal joint(PIPJ) motion on the tension of the zone Ⅰ extensor tendon through measuring the extensor tendon and find the fixed position of PIPJ when the zone Ⅰ extensor tendon at minimum tension,and to provide reference for best fixed position in clinical treatment.Methods The maximal passive flexion angles of the distal interphalangeal joint (DIP J) of the index,distal,ring and little fingers were measured in 20 cadaver hands when the PIPJ flexed at 0 °,20 °,40 °,60 °,80 ° and 100 °.Making an incision over the back of the DIPJ to expose the zone Ⅰ extensor tendon.Incising the extensor tendon laterally at the level of the DIPJ with the DIPJ fixed in extension position to make a mallet finger.Pierced a Kirschner wire through and perpendicular to the distal phalangeal basement as a sign.Parallel to this sign,marked the zone Ⅰ extensor tendon and measured its relative distance to the sign as the sliding distance of the extensor.Recording the widest gap between the tendon edges and the tendon sliding distance while the PIPJ was in extension and 20°,40°,60°,80° and 100°flexion position,severally.Results The maximal passive flexion angle of the DIPJ increased with the PIPJ flexed from 0°to 100°in 80 fingers.The gap between the extensor tendon edges in zone Ⅰ was (1.322 8 ± 1.078 9) mm when the PIPJ was in extension position.The proximal extensor tendon glide distally while the PIPJ flexed to 100° with an average sliding distance of(1.540 5 ± 0.690 7) mm.Conclusion The zone Ⅰ extensor tendon has the maximal tension while the PIPJ is in extension position.Flexing PIPJ can make the tension decrease.

BACKGROUND: High-volume hemofiltration (HVHF) is technically possible in severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) patients complicated with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). Continuous HVHF is expected to become a beneficial adjunct therapy for SAP complicated with MODS. In this study, we aimed to explore the effects of fluid resuscitation and HVHF on alveolar-arterial oxygen exchange, the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score in patients with refractory septic shock. METHODS: A total of 89 refractory septic shock patients, who were admitted to ICU, the Provincial Hospital affiliated to Shandong University from August 2006 to December 2009, were enrolled in this retrospective study. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: fluid resuscitation (group A, n=41), and fluid resuscitation plus high-volume hemofiltration (group B, n=48). The levels of O2 content of central venous blood (CcvO2), arterial oxygen content (CaO2), alveolar-arterial oxygen pressure difference P(A-a)DO2, ratio of arterial oxygen pressure/alveolar oxygen pressure (PaO2/PAO2), respiratory index (RI) and oxygenation index (OI) were determined. The oxygen exchange levels of the two groups were examined based on the arterial blood gas analysis at different times (0, 24, 72 hours and 7 days of treatment) in the two groups. The APACHE II score was calculated before and after 7-day treatment in the two groups. RESULTS: The levels of CcvO2, CaO2 on day 7 in group A were significantly lower than those in group B (CcvO2: 0.60±0.24 vs. 0.72±0.28, P<0.05; CaO2: 0.84±0.43 vs. 0.94±0.46, P<0.05). The level of oxygen extraction rate (O2ER) in group A on the 7th day was significantly higher than that in group B ( 28.7±2.4 vs. 21.7±3.4, P<0.01). The levels of P(A-a)DO2 and RI in group B on the 7th day were significantly lower than those in group A. The levels of PaO2/PAO2 and OI in group B on 7th day were significantly higher than those in group A (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The APACHE II score in the two groups reduced gradually after 7-day treatment, and the APACHE II score on the 7th day in group B was significantly lower than that in group A (8.2±3.8 vs. 17.2±6.8, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: HVHF combined with fluid resuscitation can improve alveolar- arterial-oxygen exchange, decrease the APACHE II score in patients with refractory septic shock, and thus it increases the survival rate of patients.

Objective To compare the therapeutic effects and adverse reactions between intravenous and oral iron,and the effects of erythropoietin (EPO)in patients with chronic renal failure.Methods Between November,2007 and October,2008,48 patients with renal anemia were randomized into 2 groups:intravenous group and oral group,24 in each.The duration of administration lasted for 10 weeks.All patients received regular EPO,with the dose of 100U·kg~(-1),per week. If the patient's hemoglobin (Hb) was more than 100 g·L~(-1),then the dose of EPO decreased by 50%.If the patient's Hb was more than 120 g·L~(-1),then the dose decreased by 75%.The levels of Hb,hematoerit,serum ferritin,adverse reaction and dose of EPO before and 4 weeks,8 weeks and 10 weeks after the administration were observed.Results The levels of Hb,Hematocrit (Hct)and ferritin(SF)in both groups after administration increased compared with before administration;and there was significant difference between the intravenous group and the oral group(P<0.01).The dosages of EPO in both groups after administration were lower than before administration,whereas the dosage in the intravenous group decreased significantly(P<0.05).In the intravenous group,the adverse reactions were significantly lower and the effect of EPO was significantly higher than in the oral group.Conclusion The intravenous iron can not only supply the iron the patients with renal anemia needed,but also increase the effect of EPO and reduce the dosage of EPO.The adverse reactions of intravenous iron are lower and it is safe and convenient.