Objective A retrospective study of GCTTS in the hand was undertaken to determine whether specific clinic or pathologic factors were associated with an increased risk of recurrence, and to investigate the relationship between the recurrence of GCTTS and its biological indices. Methods 83 patients with histologically proven GCTTS were treated and followed up. The clinical materials were reviewed. Comparison was made between certain factors to determine which were associated with increased recurrence rates. Results The patients were followed for an average of 55 months. 22 patients (26.5%) recurred. Age, gender, site, the origin of tumors, size, bone erosion or destruction, cellularity and the mitoses were not risk factors for recurrence. Tumors without capsule had higher recurrence rate than that with capsule, and the difference was highly significant. The local recurrence rate of Nm23 positive group was 28.3%, and Nm23 negative group was 19.2%, there was no remarkable difference between the groups. The PCNA-LI was 0.448?0.130 in recurrent group and 0.358?0.147 in nonrecurrent group, the difference was statistically significant. The aneuploidy DNA content was presented in 50% of the recurrent tumors, and in 23.2% of nonrecurrent ones. The SPF was 6.98?4.64 in recurrent group and 4.70?2.49 in nonrecurrent group. These values were also significantly different. PCNA-LI, the aneuploidy DNA content and SPF were significantly higher in group without capsule than those in group with capsule. These values were not different between tumors with and without bone destruction, large and small diameter, high and low cellular tumors, as well as high and low mitoses tumors. Conclusion The high proliferative indices of recurrent GCTTS may explain its aggressive biologic behavior. Tumors without capsule possess higher proliferative indices than the ones with capsule, and they have higher recurrent rate. The proliferative indices of the tumors with and without bone distruction are comparable, and the difference of the recurrence rate among groups is not significant.

One hundred Pseudomonas aeruginosa quorum-sensing-related genes were selected and their primers were synthesized. The fragments of specific sequences which are related QS genes were amplified by PCR. These verified sequences were inserted into the vector pMD-18T for sequencing. These DNA fragments were dotted onto glass slides to make cDNA microarray. Hybridization was performed with cy3/cy5-dCTP labeled probes. The scanning data of early stationary phase and mid-logarithmic phase indicated that 9 genes were up-regulated and 6 genes were down-regulated. Undergoing the different medicines,we took tobramycin as an example to compare the expression diversity. The results confirm that the QS cDNA chip is useful,and may contribute to better understand the mechanism of quorum-sensing,and can help us find the new targets for restraining the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

OBJECTIVETo summarize our experience in surgical treatment of traumatic lower limb pseudoaneurysm.

METHODSTwenty patients with traumatic lower limb pseudoaneurysm were surgically treated in our department from January 2007 to January 2012. The treatment protocols included interventional covered-stent placement (10 cases), spring coil embolization (2 cases), and surgical operation (8 cases). Surgical operations included pseudoaneurysm repair (2 cases), autologous-vein transplantation (1 case), and artificial-vessel bypass graft (5 cases).

RESULTSAll the patients were successfully treated without aggravating lower limb ischemia. Pseudoaneurysm disappeared after treatment. A surgical operation is suitable to most pseudoaneurysms, but its damage is relatively obvious and usually leads to more bleeding. It also requires a longer operating time. Compared to a surgical operation, interventional therapy is less traumatic and patients usually have a quicker recovery (P<0.05). All patients were followed up once per month for 12-36 months by color Doppler ultrasound examination. There were no cases of pseudoaneurysm recurrence.

CONCLUSIONBoth surgical operation and interventional therapy are safe and effective in the treatment of pseudoaneurysm.

Adult ; Aged ; Aneurysm, False ; diagnostic imaging ; etiology ; surgery ; Angiography, Digital Subtraction ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; Female ; Humans ; Leg Injuries ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stents ; Treatment Outcome ; Ultrasonography, Doppler

OBJECTIVETo assess the association of tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) gene polymorphisms at positions -863C/A, -857C/T, -238G/A and Graves disease (GD) susceptibility in Chinese Han population in Anhui region.

METHODSThe polymorphisms of TNF-α gene were determined by polymerase chain reaction with specific primers in 254 patients affected with GD and 212 healthy controls. Allelic and genotypic frequencies in GD group and normal controls as well as in different genders were compared. The allelic and genotypic frequencies for different thyroid stimulating hormone receptor antibody (TRAb) levels (TRAb > 12 U/L; ≤12 U/L) were also compared among patients with earlier onset GD.

RESULTS(1) The A allele at -863C/A locus in GD group (16.73%) was significantly greater than that of the control group (11.79%) (P< 0.05, OR = 1.503); the frequency of AA+CA genotype of -863C/A locus in GD group (32.68%) was significantly greater than that of control group (23.58%) (P< 0.05, OR = 1.573). There was no significant difference (P> 0.05) in the allelic and genotypic frequencies of -857C/T, -238G/A loci between the two groups. (2) There was no significant difference (P> 0.05) in the allelic and genotypic frequencies of -863C/A, -857C/T, -238G/A loci between patients of different genders. (3) There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in such frequencies between patients with earlier onset GD and different TRAb levels (TRAb > 12 U/L; ≤12 U/L).

CONCLUSION(1) The -863 A allele of TNF-α gene may contribute to the development of GD in Chinese Han population in Anhui, whilst -857C/T, -238G/A alleles may not. (2) There is no association between TNF-α gene -863C/A, -857C/T, -238G/A polymorphisms and development of GD in different genders. (3) There was no association between above polymorphisms and TRAb levels in patients with earlier onset GD.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Graves Disease ; genetics ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins, Thyroid-Stimulating ; genetics ; immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Receptors, Thyrotropin ; genetics ; immunology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; genetics ; immunology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVESTo establish a clinical method for measuring the displacement of the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) precisely irrespective of ulnar variance, and to derive normal population translation references with palmar and dorsal stress.

METHODSThirty-seven normal distal forearms were scanned with computed tomography using an apparatus designed by Pirela-Cruz. Each extremity was scanned in two positions: maximal ulnar palmar and dorsal stress. The digital imaging and communications in medicine (DICOM) CT images were then imported into Mimics 10.0 for three-dimensional reconstruction. On the DRUJs 3D images, choose the most prominent point of the palmar and dorsal margins of the sigmoid notch and the excavate ulna fovea as the reference points A, B and C. A perpendicular line was then drawn from the point C to a line connecting points A and B with the intersection D. Calculate the ratio of AD/AB and DB/AB. Two observers measured all the DRUJs independently and one repeated the measurements one month later to determine the interobserver and intraobserver reliability.

RESULTSThe mean ratio values of palmar (AD/AB) and dorsal (DB/AB) translation were 0.39 ± 0.07 and 0.37 ± 0.07, and the normal references (x(-) ± 2 s) were from 0.25 to 0.50 and from 0.23 to 0.50, respectively. No significant differences were observed in terms of positions, genders and dominant hands. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) values for interobserver and intraobserver reliability (DB/AB, AD/AB) were 0.84, 0.80, 0.93 and 0.92, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSThis new method could accurately measure the displacement of DRUJs with acceptable reliability, even with ulna positive or negative variance. Instability of DRUJ may be indicated when AD/AB is less than 0.25 or BD/AB is less than 0.23.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Joint Dislocations ; diagnostic imaging ; Joint Instability ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radius ; diagnostic imaging ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Ulna ; diagnostic imaging ; Wrist Joint ; diagnostic imaging ; Young Adult

AIM To prepare cucurbitacin B nanosuspensions,and to investigate their in vivo pharmacokinetics.METHODS The nanosuspensions were prepared by high-pressure homogenization method.With stabilizer type,stabilizer-drug ratio and homogeneous frequency as influencing factors,particle size and PDI as evaluation indices,the formulation was optimized by single factor test,after which the solubility and stability were determined,and crystalline form analysis was performed.Eighteen rats were randomly assigned into three groups and given intragastric administration of the 0.5%CMC-Na suspensions of cucurbitacin B,physical mixture and cucurbitacin B nanosuspensions(10 mg/kg),respectively,after which blood collection was made at 0.5,1,2,3,4,8,10,12 h,UPLC-MS/MS was adopted in the plasma concentration determination of cucurbitacin B,and main pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated.RESULTS The optimal formulation was hydroxypropyl cellulose+sodium dodecyl sulfate(1 ∶ 1)as stabilizer,3 ∶ 1 for stabilizer-drug ratio,80 MPa for homogeneous pressure,and 12 times for homogeneous frequency,the average particle size,PDI and Zeta potential were 200 nm,0.140 and-32 mV,respectively.The nanosuspensions demonstrated obviously higher solubility than that of raw medicine and physical mixture,along with good stability within 6 months.Cucurbitacin B existed in the nanosuspensions in an amorphous state.Compared with raw medicine and physical mixture,the nanosuspensions displayed shortened tmax(P<0.01),prolonged t1/2(P<0.05,P<0.01),and increased Cmax,AUC0-t,AUC0-∞(P<0.01),whose relative bioavailability was enhanced to 4.32 times as compared with that of raw medicine.CONCLUSION Nanosuspensions can improve the dissolution rate and oral bioavailability of cucurbitacin B.

The phyA(m) gene encoding acid phytase and optimized neutral phytase phyCs gene were inserted into expression vector pPIC9K in correct orientation and transformed into Pichia pastoris in order to expand the pH profile of phytase and decrease the cost of production. The fusion phytase phyA(m)-phyCs gene was successfully overexpressed in P. pastoris as an active and extracellular phytase. The yield of total extracellular fusion phytase activity is (25.4+/-0.53) U/ml at the flask scale and (159.1+/-2.92) U/ml for high cell-density fermentation, respectively. Purified fusion phytase exhibits an optimal temperature at 55 degrees C and an optimal pH at 5.5~6.0 and its relative activity remains at a relatively high level of above 70% in the range of pH 2.0 to 7.0. About 51% to 63% of its original activity remains after incubation at 75 degrees C to 95 degrees C for 10 min. Due to heavy glycosylation, the expressed fusion phytase shows a broad and diffuse band in SDS-PAGE (sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis). After deglycosylation by endoglycosidase H (EndoH(f)), the enzyme has an apparent molecular size of 95 kDa. The characterization of the fusion phytase was compared with those of phyCs and phyA(m).
6-Phytase ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; Amino Acid Sequence ; Fermentation ; Genetic Vectors ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Pichia ; genetics ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; biosynthesis ; isolation & purification

This study was aimed to explore whether multiple common gene mutations of leukemia synergistically involved in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) pathogenesis, and to investigate their relevance to clinical features, cytogenetics and molecular risk stratification. 84 specimens of admitted de novo APL patients from February 2005 to October 2010 were collected, the gene mutations of bone marrow mononuclear cells and clinical features of mutation-positive patients were analyzed by genomic DNA-PCR. The results indicated that the prevalence of mutations was 60.7% (51/84), in which the mutations with the highest incidence were found as FLT3-ITD, reaching 27.4% (23/84). Next, there were 12 cases WT1 mutation, 9 for FLT3-TKD, 7 for TET2, 5 for N-RAS, 4 for ASXL1, 2 for EZH2 mutation and 1 positive case in MLL-PTD, IDH1 and CBL mutation respectively. No mutation was found in other JAK1, DNMT3, c-Kit, NPM1, IDH2, RUNX1 and JAK2 (V617F) common leukemia-related genes. Combined analysis with clinical data demonstrated that the patients with FLT3-ITD mutation displayed higher white blood cell counts, while the patients with N-RAS mutation showed lower platelet counts. Overall survival of these patients was obviously shorten as compared with patients with wild-type. This difference between mutant and wild-type of all above mentioned cases was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The difference between APL with simple t (15;17) and additional abnormal karyotype was not statistically significant. It is concluded that the FLT3-ITD mutation is recurrent genetic change in APL, and together with N-RAS mutation indicates poor prognosis. Additional abnormal karyotype does not associate with prognosis of APL.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein ; Female ; Genes, ras ; Humans ; Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Nuclear Proteins ; genetics ; Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 ; genetics ; Prognosis ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; genetics ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit ; genetics ; Repressor Proteins ; genetics ; Tandem Repeat Sequences ; Young Adult ; fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 3 ; genetics

ObjectiveTo analyze the high-frequency ultrasound image features of acute scrotum in children and explore the value of high-frequency ultrasonography in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of the disease.

METHODSThis retrospective study included 256 children aged 2 days to 14 years undergoing color Doppler ultrasonography at 2 hours to 3 days after onset of acute scrotum. We analyzed the morphology, internal echo and blood supply of the testis in comparison with the clinical and pathological results.

RESULTSAmong the 256 cases, acute testicular torsion was found in 23, of which 16 were treated by complete resection the necrotic testis and the other 7 by surgical reduction of testicular torsion. Ultrasonographically, the involved testes presented different degrees of increase or decrease in volume, with uneven internal echoes, irregular hypoechoic flakes, and testicular hydrocele. Color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) showed significant blood flow signals around the diseased testes but none within them. Acute testicular appendix torsion was found in 116 cases, in which ultrasonography manifested nodules with round or oval abnormal echoes between the upper pole of the testis and caput epididymidis, first hypoechoic and then gradually increased, heterogeneous internally. CDFI revealed enlarged epididymides and enriched testicular blood flow but no blood flow signals in the nodules. The 103 cases of acute epididymitis were ultrasonographically characterized by varied degrees of swelling of the involved epididymis with uneven internal echoes and rich blood flow signals on CDFI. Six of the cases were diagnosed as acute orchitis, with the ultrasonographic features of testicular swelling and low but uniform internal echoes, with rich blood flow signals on CDFI. Incarcerated inguinal hernia was confirmed in 15 cases, in which ultrasonography revealed intrusion of the hernia into the obviously enlarged scrotal sac with the mesentery and intestine in it, and blood flow visible on CDFI. Acute scrotal wall hematoma and edema was found in 8 cases, with the ultrasonographic characteristics of scrotal wall thickening, with visible blood flow signals on CDFI.

CONCLUSIONSHigh-frequency ultrasonography has a high sensitivity and specificity for acute scrotum in children, which can be applied as the first-choice clinical imaging modality and provide reliable evidence for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of the disease.