OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of P53 protein and its clinical significance in prostatic carcinoma.

METHODSFormalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections from 45 cases of prostatic carcinoma (PCa) and 10 cases of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) were analyzed retrospectively with immunohistochemical Elivision staining method. The relationship of P53 expression with prostate cancer stage, grade, PSA, endocrine therapeutic effect and prognosis was evaluated.

RESULTSThe positive staining rates of p53 protein expression were 51.1% and 10.0% respectively in patients with PCa and BPH (P < 0.05); 70.0% and 25.0% in PCa patients at pathological stage D and stages A approximately C respectively (P < 0.05); 14.3% and 56.7% in those with Gleason score < or = 7 and > 7 (P < 0.05); 20.0% and 60.0% in those with PSA < or = 10 microg/L and PSA > 10 micro/L (P > 0.05 ); 25.0% and 72.3% in those who responded to endocrine therapy and those who failed to respectively (P < 0.05). Log Rank analyses showed that the survival time of the PCa patients with negative P53 expression was obviously longer than those with the positive (P < 0.05 ).

CONCLUSIONThere were correlations between P53 expression and tumor grade, tumor stage and survival time, so the expression of P53 could be regarded as a prognostic molecular marker and a predictor of endocrine therapeutic effect for prostate cancer.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; metabolism ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; metabolism ; pathology ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Staining and Labeling ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; biosynthesis

To investigate the effects of human anti-BAFF scFv-Fc against the hsBAFF, ICR mice were randomly divided into six groups: control, hsBAFF (1 mg x kg(-1)), hsBAFF (1 mg x kg(-1)) + Ab (1 mg x kg(-1)), hsBAFF (1 mg x kg(-1)) + Ab (2 mg x kg(-1)), hsBAFF (1 mg x kg(-1)) + human IgG (1 mg x kg(-1)) and hsBAFF (1 mg x kg(-1)) + human IgG (2 mg x kg(-1)) groups. The effects of scFv-Fc administration on the proliferation of B lymphocytes were evaluated using an MTT assay. The titres of antibody in the serum and B lymphocytes differentiation were assessed by ELISA and flow cytometry, respectively. The results showed that administration of scFv-Fc to mice injected with hsBAFF significantly prevented human BAFF-induced increases in splenic B cell numbers and serum immunoglobulin levels. Furthermore, this fully human antibody would avoid inducing the human anti-mouse antibody (HAMA) response when used in humans. These findings suggest that the compact antibody may be useful in therapeutic or diagnostic application of the BAFF-associated autoimmune diseases in human.
Animals ; B-Cell Activating Factor ; immunology ; metabolism ; B-Lymphocytes ; cytology ; Body Weight ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin Fc Fragments ; immunology ; metabolism ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; immunology ; Immunoglobulin M ; blood ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Random Allocation ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; immunology ; metabolism ; Single-Chain Antibodies ; immunology ; metabolism ; Spleen ; cytology

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical application characteristics of sural neurocutaneous island flaps.

METHODSSural neurocutaneous island flaps were used to repair the skin defect accompanied bone and tendon exposure in the lower leg, around the ankle and foot in 21 cases, including 4 cases to repair the foreside of the foot back . Direct flap was used in 5 cases and reverse flap in 16 cases. Meanwhile the coverage and formation of sural nerve were surveyed together with the starting point of peroneal perforator.

RESULTSAll the 21 sural flaps were survived, including sural nerve (18 cases) anastomose 12 cases, single trunk 4 cases, double trunk 2 cases. The anastomose site of medial sural cutaneous nerve and the communicating branch of lateral sural cutaneous nerve was at the point of 11 - 14 cm above the ankle in 12 cases. The lower was the anastomose site, the shorter was the sural nerve. The site is 4 - 7 cm above the ankle in 15 out of 18 sural nerve perforator branch cases, and the other 3 cases is 10, 11, 11.5 cm above the ankle respectively.

CONCLUSIONSSural neurocutaneous island flaps are easy to separate. Major arteries are not injured. It is the ideal flap to repair the skin defect accompanied by bone and tendon exposure in lower leg, around ankle and foot. The nerve must be anastomosed when repairing the heel.

Adult ; Aged ; Arteries ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Skin Transplantation ; Sural Nerve ; surgery ; Surgical Flaps ; blood supply ; innervation ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical application of the expanded cross-leg flap for repairing instep soft tissue defects with bone exposure.

METHODSThe expanded cross-leg flap was used to repair instep defects in 10 patients. After flap transferring the donor site was closed directly without skin grafting.

RESULTSSatisfactory results were achieved in all the cases. The flaps survived well. The donor site had less scar and kept good appearance.

CONCLUSIONSThe expanded cross-leg flap is a better choice for repairing the soft tissue defects of the instep. It is simple and easy with less trauma to the donor site. After the operation, both the recipient and the donor areas had good appearance.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Foot Injuries ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Skin Transplantation ; methods ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; surgery ; Surgical Flaps ; Tissue Expansion ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the feasibility and value of determining myocardial perfusion and regional systolic function by myocardial contrast stress echocardiography (MCSE) with computer-assisted technique in a rabbit model of ischemia/reperfusion injury.

METHODSRabbits underwent 30-(Group I, n = 15) and 120-(Group II, n = 15) minute left ventricular branch of the left circumflex coronary artery occlusion foll owed by 60-minute reperfusion, dobutamine at increasing doses (5, 10, 15 and 20 microg.kg(-1).min(-1)) was then infused after reperfusion for 15 min. Bolus myocardial contrast agent was injected and MCSE performed at baseline, at the end of coronary occlusion and reperfusion, at the end of each dobutamine infusion. Images were analyzed by computer-assisted technique and myocardial calibrated contrast intensity (CI) of each segment was measured and a color-coded map was then obtained automatically (yellow: from 0 to -20 pix, blue:from -21 to -40 pix, green: from -41 to -70 pix, red: < -70 pix). The area at risk and infarct area obtained by red-coded map were compared with ex vivo results determined by fluorescent microsphere and triphenyl-tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. Percentage wall thickening (WT) of each risk segment at each stage were also measured.

RESULTS(1) During occlusion, WT in the areas at risk decreased to zero or negative and the calibrated CI values were significantly lower than those at baseline. Area at risk obtained by red-coded map correlated well with that obtained by fluorescent staining (r = 0.91, P < 0.01). (2) After reperfusion and 5 microg.kg(-1).min(-1) dobutamine administration, WT and calibrated CI in all rabbits remained depressed. Calibrated CI at -70 pix was an optimal cutoff point to identify infarcted segments (sensitivity 95%, specificity 87%). The correlation between the infarct size by red-coded image and TTC was 0.89 (P < 0.01). (3) Calibrated CI and WT significantly improved in Group I rabbits while these parameters remained unchanged in Group II rabbits after increasing doses of dobutamine post ischemia.

CONCLUSIONSMyocardial contrast stress echocardiography in combination with computer-assisted analysis technique are valuable techniques to quantitatively assess myocardial perfusion and regional systolic function and exactly identify stunned myocardium and infarcted myocardium.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Echocardiography, Stress ; methods ; Female ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Male ; Myocardial Contraction ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Rabbits

OBJECTIVETo analyze clinical symptoms and disease-causing mutations of corneodesmosin (CDSN) gene in a Chinese family affected with hypotrichosis simplex of the scalp and to establish a method for prenatal diagnosis.

METHODSFamily survey and clinical examinations were carried out to determine the inheritance pattern. Three patients and 7 unaffected relatives from the family, in addition with 100 unrelated healthy controls were recruited. Genomic DNA from peripheral blood leukocytes was extracted. Five pairs of primers were designed based on the CDSN gene sequence. Exons and flanking regions of the CDSN gene were amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Potential mutations were analyzed through direct sequencing and comparison by BLAST.

RESULTSThe type of alopecia of the family was diagnosed as hypotrichosis simplex of the scalp with an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern. A nonsense mutation (C717G) in cDNA sequence of the CDSN gene was identified in all three patients of the family, which resulted in a premature stop codon (Y239X). The same mutation was not found among healthy members of the family and 100 healthy controls.

CONCLUSIONA Chinese family was diagnosed with hypotrichosis simplex of the scalp, which was caused by a novel nonsense mutation (Y239X) in the CDSN gene.

Alopecia ; genetics ; China ; Codon, Nonsense ; Female ; Glycoproteins ; genetics ; Humans ; Hypotrichosis ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pedigree ; Scalp

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of quantitative analysis software for myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) in assessment of myocardial perfusion.Methods According to coronary occlusion and reperfusion at different times,rabbits were divided into two groups:15 min occlusion / 30 min reperfusion (group Ⅰ) and 120 min occlusion / 60 min reperfusion (group Ⅱ).MCE was performed on all rabbits at baseline,occlusion and after reperfusion,and its images were analyzed by a new quantitative analysis software based on eliminating particle swarm optimization (EPSO) clustering algorithm,by which obtain myocardial perfusion parameters.Results (1) The values of calibrated contrast intensity (CI) in risk segments of Groups Ⅰ and Ⅱ were significantly lower than those at baseline during occlusion (t =5.104 and t =4.327,P＜0.01).After reperfusion,calibrated CI in risk segments significantly improved in Group Ⅰ (t =2.933,P＜0.01) while those remained unchanged in Group Ⅱ (P＞0.05).(2) The areas of red-coded region in color-coded map and myocardial infarction in triphenyl-tetrazolium chloride (TTC) were (21.4±12.3)% and (18.0±9.5)%,respectively.The correlation between color-coded image and TTC was 0.89 (P＜0.01).(3) The histogram in all risk segments was skew distribution during occlusion.After reperfusion,the histogram in Group Ⅰ was normal distribution while that was still skewed distribution in Group Ⅱ.Conclusion The MCE image analysis software based on EPSO clustering algorithm in the quantitative assessment of myocardial microperfusion and identification of myocardial perfusion abnormalities was feasible and of high value.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical symptoms and potential mutation in FGFR3 gene for a family featuring hereditary dwarfism in order to attain diagnosis and provide prenatal diagnosis.

METHODSFive patients and two unaffected relatives from the family, in addition with 100 healthy controls, were recruited. Genome DNA was extracted. Exons 10 and 13 of the FGFR3 gene were amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PCR products were sequenced in both directions.

RESULTSAll patients had similar features including short stature, short limbs, lumbar hyperlordosis but normal craniofacial features. A heterozygous mutation G1620T (N540K) was identified in the cDNA from all patients but not in the unaffected relatives and 100 control subjects. A heterozygous G380R mutation was excluded.

CONCLUSIONThe hereditary dwarfism featured by this family has been caused by hypochondroplasia (HCH) due to a N540K mutation in the FGFR3 gene.

Base Sequence ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Dwarfism ; genetics ; Exons ; Female ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Male ; Mutation ; Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 3 ; genetics

Objective To report the phototoxicity effects of a novel photosensitizer ZnPcS4-BSA on photodynamic therapy (PDT) towards human U251 glioma cells in vitro. Methods The cellular uptake of ZnPcS4-BSA by U251 glioma cells was quantified by UV-spectra to determine the optimal incubation time. Human U251 glioma cells were incubated with ZnPcS4-BSA of various concentrations and received laser irradiation of different energy densities. Cell survival rates were measured by CCK-8 assay.Flow cytometer was used to detect apoptosis.Gene expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were detected by Real-Time PCR in the U251 cells after PDT and β-actin was used as an internal standard. The normal U251 cells severed as controls. Results The uptake of ZnPcS4-BSA by U251 glioma cells reached the maximum after incubation for 4 hours.ZnPcS4-BSA of different concentrations without laser irradiation had no significant effects on cell survival rates (P＞0.05).Without ZnPcS4-BSA incubation,compared with 0,25,50,100,200 J/cm2 groups, the cell survival rate of the 400 J/cm2 group was significantly lower (P＜0.05), whereas no significant difference was found between any other two groups. When the U251 glioma cells incubated with 30 μ mol/L ZnPcS4-BSA for 4 hours underwent laser irradiations of 25,50,100,200 J/cm2,the cellular survival rates significantly decreased with the increased energy densities (P＜0.05). When the U251 glioma cells incubated with ZnPcS4-BSA of 20,40,60,80,100 μ mol/L for 4 hours underwent laser irradiation of 200 J/cm2, the cellular inhibition rates significantly increased with the increased concentrations (P ＜0.05). Compared with controls, the cellular apoptosis and VEGF expression significantly increased in the U251 glioma cells incubated with ZnPcS4-BSA of 20 μmol/L after laser irradiation of 100 J/cm2 (P＜0.05). Conclusion The novel ZnPcS4-BSA is a good photosensitizer for PDT towards U251 glioma cells,because the ZnPcS4-BSA-mediated PDT can induce effective apoptosis of the targeted cells.

OBJECTIVETo identify the genetic cause for a Chinese Han family affected with hereditary multiple osteochondromas.

METHODSTwo patients, five unaffected relatives of the family and 100 unrelated healthy controls were collected. The coding sequences and intron/exon boundaries of EXT1 gene were amplified with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequenced.

RESULTSA heterozygous c.600G>A (p.Trp200X) mutation in exon 1 of the EXT1 gene was detected in the patients. The same mutation was not found in unaffected family members and 100 healthy controls.

CONCLUSIONThe hereditary multiple osteochondromas in the family is caused by a nonsense mutation (p.Trp200X) in the EXT1 gene.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Child ; Exostoses, Multiple Hereditary ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Female ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Male ; Mutation ; N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferases ; genetics ; Pedigree