Objective:To investigate the effect of metformin and arsenic trioxide on KG1a cells proliferation of acute myeloid leukemia and its possible mechanism.Methods:CCK-8 method was used to detect the killing effect of metformin,arsenic trioxide and combined application on KG1a cells.Annexin V-FITC/P1 Dual Stain Flow Cytometry was used to detect the effect of combined application on apoptosis of KG1 a cells.Western blot was used to detect the expression of intracellular apoptosis-,autophagy-related protein.Results:Metformin and arsenic trioxide alone or in combination could inhibit the proliferation of KG1 a cells and induce apoptosis of KG1 a cells,and the proliferation inhibition rate and apoptosis rate in the combined drug group were higher than those in the drug group alone(P＜0.05).The combination of drugs induced upregulation of Caspase 8 protein and P62 protein expression and was higher than that in the drug group alone(P＜0.05).Conclusion:Metformin can synergize with arsenic trioxide to kill KG1a cells,and its mechanism of action may be related to inducing apoptosis and enhancing autophagy.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical performance of a probe melting analysis (PMA)-based real-time PCR detection kit in rapid detection of rifampin-resistant mutations in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB).

METHODSThe specificity of the assay was evaluated by detecting 37 non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), and the detection limit of the method was evaluated by genomic DNA of a standard strain H37Rv. Finally, 962 clinical isolates were analyzed with the PMA assay by detecting mutations in rifampin resistance-determining region (RRDR) of rpoB gene, and results were verified with DNA sequencing.

RESULTSAmong 37 NTM strains, three strains showed drug resistant mutation signals. The PMA method could detect down to 30 bacteria per reaction. Sample analysis showed that 186 of 962 isolates were mutants, 751 isolates were wild type and 25 isolates failed to give amplification signals. Among the mutant samples detected, 112 samples from November 2009 to April 2010 were further analyzed by sequencing, as well as 200 wild-type samples. The results showed a complete agreement with the PMA assay except for 5 samples failed in sequence analysis.

CONCLUSIONThe PMA assay is rapid, accurate and easy-to-use, and thus can be used for detection of rifampin-resistant in clinical isolate samples.

Bacterial Proteins ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; DNA, Bacterial ; genetics ; DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases ; Genotype ; Limit of Detection ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutation ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OMective To observe which pathways(or components)of common color spaces are good for discriminating and segmenting tongue body and fur.Methods The typical tongue image(pink tongue with thin-white fur.greasy fur and yellow fur)and lower color temperature tongue image were taken as study objects,and special color component of every pixel of tongue imagines(value of a~*,L~*,H and R)in the color spaces of red,green and blue(RGB),L~* a~* b~* criterion of International Commission on Illumination in 1976(CIELAB),and hue,saturation and intensity(HSI)were selected as clustering objects.K-means clustering was applied to generate two clusters and complete the segmentation according to the characteristics of them.Results The Component of a~* value of CIELAB color space was the best in the aegment effect and anti-interference capability,which was not influenced by illumination angle,bias of color temperature and types of tongue body and fur.The clustering resuhs of L*value and R value were influenced by uneven illumination significantly.The clustering result of H value showed a state of incomplete segmentation.Condusion The segmentation of tongue body and fur had a stable result taking a~* value in CIELAB color space based K-means clustering as index and showed practical values in tongue diagnosis.

To investigate the cell-killing effect and its possible mechanism of rClone30-hDR5 in combination with TRAIL on human hepatic carcinoma (HCC) cell line, first of all, recombinant plasmid pee12.4-hDR5 was introduced into HepG2 cells by liposome transfection. After five rounds of screening by flow cytometry, HepG2 cells expressing high levels of DR5 on cell surface were isolated. The cytotoxicity of TRAIL to selected cells was higher than that of TRAIL to HepG2 cells by MTT method (P < 0.01). The result suggested that the cloned hDR5 gene had biological activity. MTT assay showed that, rClone30- hDR5 in combination with TRAIL more efficiently inhibited the tumor growth of HepG2 cells compared to rClone30-hDR5 or TRAIL in vitro. The results of Annexin V-FITC/PI staining and Quantitative Real-time PCR indicated that rClone30-hDR5 in combination with TRAIL significantly increased the mRNA levels of caspase 3 and caspase 8, and induced the apoptosis of tumor cells. HepG2 cells were infected with rClone30-hDR5 or rClone30 at MOI of 1. The expression of hDR5 on tumor surface increased significantly by rClone30-hDR5 compared to that by rClone30, which contributed to the sensitivity to TRAIL. In conclusion, rClone30-hDR5 in combination with TRAIL has potential application value in cancer treatment.
Apoptosis ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; pathology ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Caspase 8 ; metabolism ; Drug Synergism ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Receptors, TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand ; pharmacology ; TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand ; pharmacology ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo investigate the selectivity and individualization of transpedicular balloon kyphoplasty for aged osteoporotic spinal fracture.

METHODSTwenty-two consecutive procedures were performed in 17 aged patients with osteoporotic spinal compression fractures from April 2002 to June 2004. The signal changes in different sequences were confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging before the procedures. This operation involved the percutaneous insertion of two inflatable bone tamps into a fractured vertebral body transpedicularly under fluoroscopic guidance. Every patient was treated individually, according to the results of radiography and CT scan before operation. Preoperative and postoperative complications, visual analogue scale, and radiographic findings such as vertebral height and Cobb angle were recorded and analyzed.

RESULTSAll patients tolerated the procedure well with immediate relief of their back pain in 24 hours. There was no leakage of cement into the epidura. The mean loss percent of the anterior and middle vertebral heights were (35.32 +/- 13.15)% and (27.53 +/- 12.61)% before operation, and (14.21 +/- 12.43)% and (16.2 +/- 7.5)% after operation. The height restoration of vertebra was confirmed by X-ray after the procedure (P < 0.01). The mean kyphosis was improved from (25.3 +/- 4.2) degrees to (8.6 +/- 5.1) degrees. No complications occurred. No patient had nerve injury. The patients were allowed to walk next day after the procedure.

CONCLUSIONThe selectivity and individualization of transpedicular balloon kyphoplasty for aged osteoporotic spinal fractures has satisfactory short-term clinical efficacy. It is also an effective way to prevent complications.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Fractures, Spontaneous ; etiology ; surgery ; Humans ; Kyphosis ; etiology ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Osteoporosis ; complications ; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal ; complications ; Spinal Fractures ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo summarize the clinical and ultrasonic features of breast cancer in women aged 80 and older.

METHODSA total of 60 patients (62 lesions) aged 80 and older with pathologically confirmed breast cancer from September 1993 to October 2012 were enrolled in this study and their clinical manifestations, ultrasonic features, therapeutic methods, and prognoses were analyzed.

RESULTSMost patients (83.3%) went to see a doctor because of nodules touched by themselves. The average diameter of the carcinoma was (2.4±1.1)cm. Most tumors (75.8%) were invasive ductal carcinomas, followed by the mucinous carcinoma (11.3%). Among the 45 lesions with ultrasound records, 40 (88.9%) were irregular in morphology; the aspect ratio of 35 lesions (77.8%) was less than 1;24 lesions (53.3%) had indistinct boundary;calcification existed in 21 lesions (46.7%); and 16 lesions (35.6%) had rear echo attenuation. The preoperative diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography was 93.5%. In addition, 45 patients (75.0%) underwent breast tumor extended resection, 13 (21.7%) received modified radical mastectomy, 2 patients (3.3%) underwent simple breast resection. No death was noted during the operation and there was no major peri-operative complications. Of 31 patients with complete follow-up records, 7 had recurrence or metastasis and 1 died of heart disease.

CONCLUSIONSMost breast cancers in women older than 80 years are relatively large, with typical ultrasonic features. The preoperative diagnosis is often accurate. Few lymphatic metastases exist, and the prognosis is good. Conservative surgeries are preferred for these elderly patients.

Aged, 80 and over ; Breast Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Carcinoma ; surgery ; ultrastructure ; Female ; Humans ; Prognosis ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUNDChronic liver diseases are a major burden in China. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) can be used as an indicator of hepatocyte damage. In this study, we determined the prevalence and etiologies of elevated ALT in an adult population in Jilin, China.

METHODSA total of 4072 individuals aged between 18 and 79 years were first interviewed, and then underwent ultrasonography and blood tests.

RESULTSThe prevalence of elevated ALT was 17.53%. The most noticeable risk factor for ALT elevation was non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) (accounting for 10.79%), metabolic syndrome (16.25%), or both (20.31%). The development of NAFLD occurred mostly in female peasants and small businessmen with increased income, age, fasting plasma glucose, body mass index, triglyceridemia, and low-density lipoprotein and decreased education level, high-density lipoprotein. Elevated ALT frequently occurred in low education level, male peasants and small businessmen with increased income, body mass index and triglyceride who had NAFLD and/or metabolic syndrome. However, elevated ALT with infection of hepatitis B or C virus was not associated with metabolic disorders, but rather with gender, occupation and increased age.

CONCLUSIONThe results from the current study demonstrate that elevated ALT is fairly high in the Northeast population (17.53%) and that the cause of its elevation is mostly due to NAFLD and metabolic syndrome.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Fatty Liver ; blood ; epidemiology ; Female ; Hepatitis B ; blood ; epidemiology ; Hepatitis C ; blood ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome ; blood ; Middle Aged ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease ; Sex Factors ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo contrast single and double balloon-inflated kyphoplasty for vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) and evaluate its clinical efficacy.

METHODSFrom May 2000 to May 2004, 90 consecutive procedures were performed in 58 patients who suffered from painful vertebral compression fractures, transferring tumour and angioma. Ninety vertebrae were inflated while 62 as A group were double balloon and 28 as B group were single balloon, fracture reduction and bone cement augmentation. Preoperative and postoperative symptom levels, variables, complications were recorded and the vertebral height and Cobb angle were measured and analyzed.

RESULTSAll patients' pain was alleviated or disappeared without syndrome, and the vertebral height and Cobb angle of both groups were improved. The average recovery rate was 72.6% (22.9% approximately 100%), Cobb angle from 17.9 degrees (3.1 degrees approximately 31.6 degrees ) were corrected to 9.6 degrees (0.6 degrees approximately 28.2 degrees ), the average angle was 8.7 degrees (0.3 degrees approximately 27.2 degrees ), and the contrast between preoperative and postoperative showed obvious differences (P <0.001). The average recovery rate of A group was 77.6% (55.3% approximately 100%), B group was 64.3% (22.9% approximately 100%). The average postoperative Cobb angle of A group was 9.9 degrees (0.3 degrees approximately 27.2 degrees ), B group was 8.6 degrees (0.6 degrees approximately 19.8 degrees ) (P >0.05).

CONCLUSIONSAs a promising minimally invasive surgery, balloon kyphoplasty can provide early relief of pain and improve the function as well as spinal alignment in treatment of painful compression fracture owing to recovering the vertebral height and Cobb angle of the vertebral body. Single balloon-inflated kyphoplasty can improve VCFs as double balloon.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Cements ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Fractures, Compression ; complications ; surgery ; Humans ; Kyphosis ; etiology ; surgery ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; injuries ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; Orthopedic Procedures ; instrumentation ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fractures ; complications ; surgery ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; injuries ; surgery

Acupuncture Therapy ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Moxibustion ; Osteoporosis ; diagnosis ; pathology ; therapy ; Practice Guidelines as Topic

Objective To analyze the causes of missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis of abdominal organ le -sions through reviewing preoperative transabdominal ultrasound reports .Methods Data of the patients who re-ceived abdominal operation for abdominal organ lesions ( including liver , gallbladder , biliary tract , pancreas , spleen, kidney, adrenal gland, and appendix) in Peking Union Medical College Hospital within the period from March 1 to August 31 in 2013 were exported from pathological workstation .The preoperative ultrasound reports of these patients were reviewed .The missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis cases were recorded , and causes of the mis-takes were analyzed .Results Altogether 58 cases of missed diagnosis or misdiagnosis were identified from 1081 ultrasound reports (5.37%, 58/1081), including 6 liver lesions (5.77%, 6/104, all misdiagnosed), 6 gall-bladder and biliary tract lesions ( 1.30%, 6/462 , 5 missed and 1 misdiagnosed ) , 14 pancreatic lesions (19.72%, 14/71, all missed), 20 kidney and adrenal lesions (6.47%, 20/309, 11 missed and 9 misdiag-nosed), and 12 appendical lesions (16.00%, 12/75, 11 missed and 1 misdiagnosed).The average maximum diameter of the missed nodular lesions was significantly smaller than that of the misdiagnosed lesions ( P =0.001 ) .Conclusions Missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis of ultrasound are attributable to various causes , inclu-ding the nature , location , and size of abdominal organ lesions and the limitation of transabdominal ultrasound technology .The clinical ultrasound examination should be carried out very carefully and thoroughly .Ultrasound radiologists should have a thorough understanding of characteristics of different organ lesions and the limitation of ultrasound technique , in order to avoid missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis in clinical practice .