Objective: To investigate the expressions of heparanase (HPA) and chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and their correlations with the invasion and metastasis of HCC. Methods: The expressions of HPA and CXCR4 in HCCs, peri-cancerous tissues, and normal liver tissues were detected by immunohistochemical method. Statistical analysis was used to determine the relationship between their expressions and clinicopathological features. Results: HPA and CXCR4 were over-expressed in HCC tissues compared with that in peri-cancerous tissues and normal liver tissues (P<0.05). The expressions of HPA in HCC correlated with tumor size, intrahepatic or lymphatic metastasis and tumor differentiation (P<0.05); the expression of CXCR4 in HCC correlated with intrahepatic or lymphatic metastasis and tumor thrombosis (P<0.05). There was a positive relationship between HPA and CXCR4 expression (r = 0.313, P=0.027). Conclusion: HPA and CXCR4 play a synergistic role in the initiation, progression, invasion, and metastasis of HCC.

Humans ; Liver Transplantation ; Time

OBJECTIVETo evaluate computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in patients with autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP).

METHODSThe imaging findings of pancreas and extra-pancreas in 24 patients with AIP were retrospectively reviewed. Among them, CT scan was performed in 18 patients, MRI in 11, and bGth CT and MRI in 10.

RESULTSThe pancreas showed diffuse enlargement (25%, 6/24), focal enlargement (37. 5%, 9/24), combined enlargement (25%, 6/24) ,and no enlargement (12. 5%, 9/24). Unenhanced CT showed hypoattenuation in AIP area (n = 2) . After intravenous injection of contrast medium, 17 patients showed abnormal contrast enhancement in the affected pancreatic parenchyma, including hypoattenuation during the arterial phase (50%, 9/18) and hyper attenuation during the delayed phase (94. 4%, 17/18). Precontrast MRI showed abnormal signal intense (n =9), including hypointense on T1-weight images (T1 WI) (n = 7), hyperintense (n = 7) and hypointense (n = 2) on T2-weight images (TIWI). Enhanced MRI demonstrated abnormal contrast enhancement within lesions (n = 11), including hypoattenuation during the arterial phase (81. 8%, 9/11) and good enhancement during the delayed phase (100%, 11111). A capsule-like rim was seen around pancreas (37. 5%, 9/24), among which CT detected in 6 out of 18 patients and MRI found in 7 out of 11 patients.The main pancreatic duct lumen within lesions has no visualization (100%, 24/24) and upstream dilation of the main pancreatic duct (n = 8) , ranging from 2. 2 to 4. 5 mm(mean 3. 1 0. 47 mm) in diameter. Narrowing of the common bile duct was shown in 14 patients. Miscellaneous findings were: infiltration of extrapancreatic vein (n = 9) and artery (n = 1); mild fluid collection around pancreas (n = 2); pseudocysts (n = 3). Fourteen patients also presented one or more of the following extrapancreatic imaging findings: narrowing of the intra-hepatic bile duct or hilar duct (n = 5); thickening of gallbladder wall (n = 5); fibrosis in mesenteric (n = 2), in retroperitoneal (n = 2) and in ligamentum teres hepatis (n = 1); renal involvement (n = 3); peri-pancreatic or para-aortic lymphadenopathy (n = 10); and ulcerative colitis (n = 3).

CONCLUSIONAIP display some characteristic CT and MRI imaging features: sausage-like change of the pancreas; capsule-like rims around lesions; delayed contrast enhancement in the affected pancreatic parenchyma; segment or diffuse pancreatic duct stenosis but mild upstream dilation and extrapancreatic organs involvement. CT and MRI findings combining with serological tests and pancreas biopsy can assist physicians to make accurate and timely diagnosis.

Adult ; Aged ; Autoimmune Diseases ; diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreas ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Pancreatitis ; diagnosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Objective To study the current situation of emergency nurses' structural empowerment,competency,job satisfaction,and their correlative factors.Methods Literature review, interview and questionnaire were used to establish the emergency nurses' structural empowerment and competency model.300emergency nurses were structurally empowered,and their quality of care and job satisfaction was compared before and after.Results The quality of care and job satisfaction after structural empowerment was (98.45 ±1.36) and (98.19 ± 2.63 ),both of which were higher than that before structural empowerment (95.33 ±2.47) and (93.81 ± 4.54),and the differences were statistically significant (t =-4.468,16.136,respectively; P ＜ 0.05).After structural empowerment,there was great improvement in emergency nurses' selfevaluation,as well as their ability of critical thinking,receiving information,communication and health education,while there was little improvement in their ability of social support,logical reasoning and innovation.Conclusions Establishing structural empowerment and competency model for emergency nurses helps them position themselves and promote their development,as well as provides reference to select and train professional nurses for hospitals.

Objective To study the sensitivity and specificity of a double monoclonal antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DMcAbS-ELISA)for the detection of F1 antigen of Yersinia pestis (Y.pestis).Methods Viscera (viz.liver and spleen)specimens of infected mice with virulent Y.pestis and negative control mice were detected by bacteriological test,DMcAbS-ELISA and reverse indirect hemagglutination assay (RIHA) for the F1 antigen.Results The 225 control specimens were all negative tested by plague bacteriology testing,DMcAbS-ELISA and RIHA.A total of 308 plague-infected mouse organ specimens were tested,and the positive detection rate was 92.21％ (284/308),90.91％(280/308) and 89.61％ (276/308),respectively,with germiculture,DMcAbS-ELISA and RIHA,and the difference was not statistically significant(x2=5.65,P＞0.05).The coincidence rate of DMcAbS-ELISA and bacterial culture was 97.00％[(274+243)/533],Kappa =0.940;RIHA in line with the rate was 99.25％[(276+253)/533],Kappa =0.985.Authenticity comparison of F1 antigen detection in viscera specimens:sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value,negative predictive value,adjusted agreement and Youden's index was 96.48％(274/284),97.59％(243/249),97.86％ (274/280),96.05 ％(243/253),96.99％[1/4×(274/280+274/284+243/253+243/249)]and 0.9407,respectively,for DMcAbS-ELISA and 96.13％(273/284),98.80％(246/249),98.91％(273/276),95.72％(246/257),97.39％[1/4×(273/276+273/284+246/257±246/249)]and 0.9492,respectively,for RIHA.The detection sensitivity of DMcAbS-ELISA and RIHA was 2.7×104 cfu/ml and 2.2×105 cfu/ml,for Y.pestis,respectively,and was 10 μg/L for F1 antigen.Conclusions DMcAbS-ELISA assay is a sensitive,specific,simple and fast method for detection of the F1 antigen,and it has a potential application value in rapid diagnosis of plague.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; blood supply ; metabolism ; Female ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Glucuronidase ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; blood supply ; metabolism ; Male ; Microcirculation ; Middle Aged ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo understand the impact of effective interaction between public and media on the prevention and control of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

METHODSBased on the theory of field epidemiology, the traditional and modern technologies were brought forward. In the late period of SARS epidemic, investigation on knowledge, attitude and practice on SARS prevention and control among general population was conducted.

RESULTSDuring the 3 month period of SARS epidemic in Shenzhen, techniques of the "E-health and public health informatics" as an emerging fields were used to focus on population to eventually improve the health of entire population. Methods as television, radio, newspapers, magazines, printing and distribution of specific materials on SARS were included, and hotlines of telephone and mobile phone, web-based sites, electronic screening advertisements, and consultation or forum for the public etc. were used. Among 3405 subjects interviewed, more than 95% gave right answers on the SARS related questions. Most of them held the optimistic and scientific attitude. 80% of the population had taken the measures as recommended. 82.4% of the citizens were happy about the local government's action and 93.8% thought hospitals and healthcare workers should be respected and honored.

CONCLUSIONDealing with the urgent public health problems and emerging infectious diseases outbreak, epidemiologists need to keep good relations with media, and making use of modern electronic technologies to communicate with the public.

Adolescent ; Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Disease Outbreaks ; Female ; Health Education ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Humans ; Infection Control ; methods ; Information Dissemination ; methods ; Male ; Mass Media ; Middle Aged ; Public Health Informatics ; trends ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; epidemiology ; prevention & control

AC133 Antigen ; Adult ; Aged ; Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Glycoproteins ; metabolism ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peptides ; metabolism ; Prognosis ; Thy-1 Antigens ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of RKIP, p65 and pERK in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and theIr correlation with invasion and metastasis of HCC.

METHODSReverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of RKIP mRNA. The expression levels of RKIP, p65 and pERK proteins in HCC tumor and peritumoral tissues were determined by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. Statistical analysis was performed to determine the relationship between their expression and clinicopathological parameters.

RESULTSRKIP protein expression level (RKIP/actin) was 0.579 ± 0.380 in HCCs, 1.178 ± 0.659 in peritumoral tissues and 1.115 ± 0.442 in normal liver tissues. The pERK protein level was 1.023 ± 0.478, 0.605 ± 0.367 and 0.461 ± 0.293, p65 protein level was 0.83 ± 0.376, 0.63 ± 0.337 and 0.466 ± 0.345, respectively. Immunohistochemistry analysis showed that the RKIP positive rates in HCCs, peritumoral tissues and normal liver tissues, were 22.2%, 86.0%, and 93.8%, positive rates of p65 were 73.6%, 56.0% and 37.5%, positive rates of pERK were 65.3%, 38.0% and 31.3%, respectively. Statistical analysis revealed that there was a significant difference in RKIP protein expression levels (P < 0.05), but no significant difference in RKIP mRNA expression levels (P > 0.05) among HCC tumors, peritumoral tissues and normal liver tissues. The p65-positive and pERK-positive rates were higher in tumor tissues than that in peritumoral tissues and in normal liver tissues (P < 0.05), but RKIP-positive rates were lower in tumor tissues than that in paritumoral tissues and normal liver tissues (P < 0.05). RKIP protein expression levels were significantly lower in HCCs with intrahepatic or lymphatic metastasis than that in without. The RKIP positive rates in moderately and well differentiated HCCs were significantly higher than that in poorly differentiated HCCs. There was a relationship between RKIP and pERK expressions (P = 0.04), but RKIP expression was not correlated with p65 expression in HCCs (P = 0.143).

CONCLUSIONSOur findings indicate that the down-regulation of RKIP expression may serve as a predictive marker for HCC development, progression and metastasis, which may contribute to the elevated ERK activity. The inhibiting effect of RKIP on invasion and metastasis of liver cancer cells may be due to the down-regulation of pERK expression rather than p65 expression.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Down-Regulation ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases ; metabolism ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Liver ; metabolism ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Phosphatidylethanolamine Binding Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Phosphorylation ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Transcription Factor RelA ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo analyze the genetic relations of Shigella isolated from Shenzhen in 2001-2006 and develop primary molecular subtyping surveillance network of Shigella.

METHODSChromosomal DNAs from 55 isolated in agarose were digested with the restriction enzyme Xba I, and then were analyzed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) patterns were clustered using BioNumerics software.

RESULTSAll 41 distinctive PFGE patterns were identified among 55 strains. 32 strains belonged to one cluster. Differences were observed in other strains.

CONCLUSIONBoth genetic-related clones and non-related clones of Shigella existed in Shenzhen. The development of PFGE molecular subtyping surveillance network would contribute to the active surveillance, outbreak investigation and source tracking for Shigellosis.

Bacterial Typing Techniques ; China ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field ; methods ; Feces ; microbiology ; Humans ; Shigella ; classification ; isolation & purification