Adenocarcinoma ; pathology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Humans ; Nucleosides ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Pyridazines ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Stomach Neoplasms ; pathology

Background Whether the wearing of bifocal lenses can delay the development of myopia in school childhood is in controversy.To assess the effect of bifocal lenses using evidence-based medicine method is of important significance.Objective Present study was to compare the effect of bifocal lenses with single vision lenses in retarding myopia progression in school-aged myopic children.Methods This was a evidence-based medicine study.The systematical literature search was performed from MEDLINE(1966 to October 2010),EMBASE(1974 to October 2010),Cochrane Library,Chinese Biomedical Database(1978 to October 2010),and Chinese Clinical Trial Registry combined with hand searching of related bibliographies of journals and books were applied to collect the randomized-controlled clinical trial about bifocal lenses.Screening,evaluation and data extraction of the retrieved literature were performed by two investigators independently.Mata-analysis was used to assess the progression of refraction and axial length among included randomized clinical trials.Results Three high-quality randomized-controlled clinical trials meeting the inclusion criterion were included in this meta-analysis.The results showed that the weighted mean difference in progression of refraction was 0.22D between bifocal lenses and single vision lenses(95% CI:-0.24-0.67),and the difference was statistical insignificance(P=0.35).The weighted mean difference in progression of refraction during the follow-up durations of 6,12,18,24 and ＞30 months were 0.15(95% CI:-0.09-0.38),0.17(95% CI:-0.05-0.39),0.42(95% CI:-0.14-0.98),0.23(95% CI:-0.21-0.66) and 0.03(95% CI:-0.40-0.46),respectively without statistical significance.The weighted mean difference in elongation of axial length between two interventions was -0.17mm(95% CI:-0.26-0.08) with a statistically significance(P=0.000).Conclusion Based on currently available studies,bifocal lenses could not significantly slow the progression of myopia in myopic school-aged children in comparison with single vision lenses.Because only few high-quality studies are currently available,this conclusion need to be supported by more large-sample-size clinical trials.

Cutaneous Fistula ; Digestive System Abnormalities ; therapy ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVEAs chemotherapy is generally used in the clinical treatment of cancer, the problem of multidrug resistance (MDR) of tumors against the chemotherapeutic agents becomes more and more serious. It has been the major cause for the failure of the chemotherapy. We detected the expressions of beta-catenin and tumor drug resistance related proteins, MRP2, P-gp, and Bcl-2, in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) to explore their function and correlation in the occurrence and development of MDR in ESCC.

METHODSWe used the tissue microarray technique, immunohistochemistry, and image analysis methods to detect the expressions of MRP2, P-gp, beta-catenin, and Bcl-2 proteins and analyze their relationships with clinical data in a ESCC tissue microarray consisting of 582 specimens of ESCC, 294 specimens of normal mucosa, 92 specimens of basal cell hyperplasia, and 87 specimens of dysplasia adjacent to cancer tissue.

RESULTSThe integral optical density (IOD) of MRP2 and Bcl-2, which was 195.7 +/- 175.9 x 10(3)) and 90.5 +/- 112.5 x 10(3)), respectively, was significantly higher in ESCC than in normal mucosa, which was 104.8 +/- 86.1 x103) and 25.2 +/- 46.6 x 10(3)), respectively (P < 0.01). The IOD of P-gp and beta-catenin, which was 57.7 +/- 75.5 x 10(3)) and 32.0 +/- 47.0 x 10(3)) respectively, was significantly lower in ESCC than in normal mucosa, which was 114.8 +/- 106.6 x 10(3)) and 46.1 +/- 35.7 x 10(3)), respectively (P < 0.01). According to the following order, well differentiated moderately differentiated poorly differentiated, the IOD of MRP2 increased in ESCC (P < 0.01). The IOD of beta-catenin was higher in poorly differentiated ESCC than in well or moderately differentiated ESCC (P < 0.01). The IOD of Bcl-2 was lower in well differentiated ESCC than in poorly and moderately differentiated ESCC (P < 0.01). The IOD of beta-catenin and Bcl-2 was higher in the ESCC of specimens with infiltration depths that were in membrane mucosa than those in the muscular layer or serous coat (P < 0.01). The IOD of Bcl-2 was significantly higher in cases with lymph node metastasis than in cases without (P < 0.01). Positive correlations which were respectively between the expressions of P-gp and MRP2, the expressions of P-gp and Bcl-2 were found (r = 0.288 and r = 0.253, respectively, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSMRP2, P-gp, and Bcl-2 may be taken as prognostic factors for MDR of ESCC. beta-catenin may play an important role in carcinogenesis and progression of ESCC.

ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; metabolism ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Differentiation ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multidrug Resistance-Associated Proteins ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Young Adult ; beta Catenin ; metabolism

Chromosomes, Human, Y ; Deleted in Azoospermia 1 Protein ; Gene Deletion ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; genetics ; Male ; RNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics

This study was aimed to investigate the expression level of Wnt5a gene in some hematologic diseases and leukemic cell lines so as to provide a basis for further research of Wnt5a role and its mechanism in hematologic malignancies. The mononuclear cells of peripheral blood and bone marrow were isolated by human lymphocytic isolation solution. The expression of Wnt5a gene in specimen of 31 cases and three leukemic cell lines (Jurkat, K562, HL-60) were detected by RT-PCR. The results showed that in four out of five AML cases, negative or weak positive expressions were observed and negative expressions were observed also in K562 and HL-60 cells. Only in one AML case with complete remission and Jurkat cells the strong positive expressions were observed. The negative expression was observed in all six CML cases. In three out of four ALL cases, the expression was positive or weak positive and one negative. The expressions in two CLL cases were negative. Out of two MM cases, the expression in one was weak positive and in other was negative. Out of three lymphoma cases, the expression in one case was weak positive and in other two cases were negative. There were positive or weak positive expressions in two cases of AA, two cases of IDA, three cases of ITP, one cases of PV and ET cases. It is concluded that there have obvious down-regulated or lost expression of Wnt5a gene in 31 cases of hematologic disease and myelocytic leukemic cell lines except ALL samples. Nevertheless there have general positive expression of Wnt5a in cases of non-malignant hematologic diseases. These results suggest that the genesis of myelocytic leukemia is related to the down-regulated expression of Wnt5a.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Down-Regulation ; Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic ; Hematologic Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Tumor Cells, Cultured ; Wnt Proteins ; metabolism ; Wnt-5a Protein ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation of male infertility with abnormality of chromosomal quantity and construction and with the deletion of DAZ gene copy in the AZFc region of Y chromosome.

METHODSIncluded in the study were 247 azoospermic and 206 severe oligozoospermic patients, as well as 210 fertile men as controls. Multi-PCR and PCR-RFLP were used to analyze the deletion of DAZ gene copies in the AZFc region of Y chromosome. Chromosomal quantity and construction were detected by G-band in the 453 patients.

RESULTSIn the azoospermic and severe oligozoospermic patients, the incidences of chromosomal abnormality were 12.6% and 8.3%; the rates of complete DAZ deletion were 7.7% and 11.2%, and the rates of DAZ1/DAZ2 deletion were 7.3% and 4.9% respectively, but no deletion was detected in the controls.

CONCLUSIONThere is a high frequency of chromosomal abnormality and DAZ gene copy deletion in patients with azoospermia and oligospermia, which suggests that chromosomal abnormality and partial and complete deletion of DAZ gene copy might be important genetic causes of Chinese male infertility.

China ; epidemiology ; Chromosome Deletion ; Chromosomes, Human, Y ; genetics ; Deleted in Azoospermia 1 Protein ; Gene Dosage ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Male ; Oligospermia ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; RNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Sex Chromosome Aberrations

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of the expression of PPAR-gamma gene in the adipogenesis in hemangioma evolution.

METHODSRoutine immunohistochemistry staining of Perilipin A, the marker antigen of adipocytes, was performed to observe the adipogenesis in hemangioma. Immunofluorescence staining of PPAR-gamma, the important transcription factor in promoting adipogenesis, was carried out to observe its location in hemangioma tissue, with the co-staining of alpha-SMA and CD31. And RT-PCR was used to examine the expression of PPAR-gamma gene in hemangioma in different stages.

RESULTSIn the evolution of hemangioma, the number of adipocytes increased continuously. And the tumor was replaced by fibrofatty tissue finally. PPAR-gamma was located in the nuclei of perivascular cell in hemangioma tissue. The expression of PPAR-gamma gene in hemangioma increased in the evolution of hemangioma, but still was lower than that in normal fat tissue from children.

CONCLUSIONThe expression of PPAR-gamma in the perivascular cells suggests that they may contribute to the adipogenesis in hemangioma involution.

Adipogenesis ; Adipose Tissue ; metabolism ; pathology ; Hemangioma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; PPAR gamma ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the expression and significance of structural proteins, VEGF and Ang-1 in cavernous venous malformations of the body surface.

METHODSTissue samples came from 25 cases of cavernous venous malformations, 12 cases of normal moderate veins and 12 cases of normal small veins. Envision immunohistochemical stain was used to investigate the expression of IV collagen, fibronectin, laminin, VEGF and Ang-1. The results were analyzed semi-quantitatively.

RESULTSThe distribution of structural proteins in cavernous venous malformations is similar to moderate and small veins, but the expression in venous malformations is less obviously. VEGF expression in cavernous venous malformations and small veins is stronger obviously than moderate veins. Ang-1 expression in small veins is stronger remarkably than cavernous venous malformations and moderate veins.

CONCLUSIONThe abnormal expression of structural proteins may be an important factor in etiopathology and progress of cavernous venous malformations. There is disturbance of blood vessel remodelling in the sinusoid of cavernous venous malformations, with which the less expression of Ang-1 may be related.

Angiopoietin-1 ; metabolism ; Collagen Type IV ; metabolism ; Fibronectins ; analysis ; Hemangioma, Cavernous ; metabolism ; Humans ; Laminin ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism ; Veins ; abnormalities ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDNeural respiratory drive is usually measured during inspiration, even in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in whom the primary physiological deficit is expiratory flow limitation. The purpose of the study was to test the hypothesis that inspiratory muscle neural respiratory drive could be used to assess expiratory load.

METHODSTen healthy young men, (26 ± 4) years old, were asked to expire through a tube immersed in water where an expiratory load was required. The load was judged by the depth of the tube in water and the different loads (0 cmH2O, 10 cmH2O, 20 cmH2O and 30 cmH2O) were randomly introduced. Each expiratory load lasted for 3 - 5 minutes and inspiration was unimpeded throughout. Diaphragm electromyogram (EMG) and transdiaphragmatic pressure were recorded by a catheter with 10 metal coils and two balloons. Incremental cycle exercise with and without an expiratory load at 30 cmH2O was also performed.

RESULTSNeural drive during expiratory loaded breathing was larger than during unloaded breathing but neural drive did not increase proportionally with increasing expiratory load; neural drive during expiratory loading at 0, 10, 20 and 30 cmH2O was (10.1 ± 3.1) µV, (16.7 ± 7.3) µV, (18.4 ± 10.7) µV and (22.9 ± 13.2) µV, respectively. Neural drive as a percentage of maximum at the end of exercise with or without load was similar ((57.4 ± 11.0)% max vs. (62.7 ± 16.4)% max, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONNeural respiratory drive measured at inspiration does not accurately quantify expiratory load either at rest or during exercise.

Adult ; Electromyography ; Exercise ; Humans ; Lung Volume Measurements ; Male ; Respiration ; Respiratory Muscles ; innervation ; Tidal Volume