Objective To explore correlation between gene polymorphism of TNF-alpha and thyroid associated ophtalmopa thy (TAO) in Zhuang ethnic population.Methods DNA and serum samples were collected in patients with TAO in Han/Zhuang population.ELISA was applied to detect level of TNF-alpha in serum and PCR was applied to detect polymorphism of TNF-alpha gene 863C_A.Results The levels of TNF-alpha in patients with TAO increased significantly compared with control group (P ＜ 0.05),and more significantly in Zhuang population compared with Han population (P ＜ 0.05) ;gene frequency of CA was significantly higher in patients with TAO in Zhuang population than that in Han population (P ＜ 0.05),while gene frequency of AA was significantly lower (x2 =0.770,2.145,all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Serum level of TNF-alpha increases during occurrence of TAO,and the differences of expression level between different nationalities are due to gene polymorphism of TNF-alpha.

Objective To investigate potential association of XRCC1-Arg399Gln polymorphism with hyroid-tassociated ophthalmopathy(TAO).Methods XRCC1-Arg399Gln polymorphism was identified by PCR-RFLP in 182 patients with TAO and 182 healthy subjects.Results The significant difference of the allelic frequency distribution was found between TAO and control group(P

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of LigaSure vessel sealing system(LVSS)in laparoscopic splenectomy(LS).Methods From August 2005 to September 2006,11 cases underwent LS with LVSS.LVSS was applied to cut off lienocolic ligament and gastrosplenic ligament,and separate splenic artery from the superior border of spleen tail and blocked by an absorbable clip,and then splenic stalk was separated and cut off near the hilum of spleen with LVSS.Results LS was successfully completed in 10 cases,in which 9 with LVSS entirely,and 1 case used Endo-GIA due to difficulties in splenic stalk separation.And one case was converted to laparotomy for close adhesion of spleen with the surrounding tissues.The operation time was 60-150 min,110 min in average;blood loss was 80-400 ml.No complications such as postoperative massive hemorrhage,pancreatic leakage,or gastric leakage occured.Conclusions Application of LVSS in LS is characterized by safety,reliable hemostasis,and leaving no internal foreign body.

Objective To evaluate the effect of chronic low potassium on K+uptake rate in the my?ocardium and skeletal muscle of rabbits. Methods Thirty?two adult male rabbits, aged 12-14 weeks, weighing 2?0-2?7 kg, were randomly divided into 4 groups ( n=8 each) using a random number table:normal feeding group ( group N) , low potassium feeding group ( group L) , potassium supplementation con?trol group ( group SC ) and potassium supplementation experimental group ( group SE ) . N and SC groups were given a normal diet only, and L and SE groups were fed with a low potassium diet for 15 days. Potassi?um chloride ( KCl) 0?5 mol∕L was then infused intravenously at the initial rate of 60 μmol·kg-1 ·min-1 in SE and SC groups. Blood samples were obtained from the central artery of the left ear every 5 min for meas?urement of plasma K+ concentrations. The infusion rat of KCl was then adjusted until the plasma K+concen?tration reached 5?5 mmol∕L and maintained at this level for 1 h, and then infusion was stopped. The total volume of KCl infused was recorded. The hearts and soleus muscle of animals were excised for determination of K+content. K+uptake and uptake rate were calculated. Results Compared with N group, the plasma K+concentration, and K+content in the myocardium and soleus muscle were significantly decreased in group L ( P<0?05) . Compared with SC group, the total volume of KCl infused, and K+uptake and uptake rate in the myocardium and soleus muscle were significantly increased in group SE ( P<0?05) . Conclusion Chro?nic hypokalaemia can increase K+ uptake rate in the myocardium and skeletal muscle of rabbits.

BACKGROUND:In clinical application, the structure of crista lambdoidalis of L5 was unclear. It needs to expose more tissue to define L5 entry point through transverse process or superior and inferior articular process. This increased the risk of trauma and iatrogenic superior intervertebral degeneration. Therefore, it is necessary to expose L5 entry point with a minimaly invasive way. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the accuracy of L5 pedicle screw insertion with the entry point of mastoid process slope by imaging. METHODS:Mastoid process was located on the base of L5 superior articular process. A cant was formed when the highest point of L5 mastoid process backward protuberance extended inwards and downwards. The cant was defined as mastoid process slope; it was lateral to pedicle medial superior side internaly, medial to transverse process root and superior to the top of crista lambdoidalis. The slope was first easily touched and exposed in lumbar posterior surgery through paraspinal muscle space approach. Fifty patients of lumbar spine disorders were treated by L5 pedicle screws fixation through the entry point of mastoid process slope. According to preoperative radiographic and CT images, pedicle screw insertion direction of the sagittal and transverse sections was calculated. The diameter of pedicle screw was 6.5 mm. The condition of intraoperative successful rate of screws placement at one time was analyzed. The accuracy of screw placement was evaluated by postoperative radiographic and CT images. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:With the method of the mastoid process slope, the successful rate of screw placement at one time was 96% (96/100). Totaly 100 screws were inserted into L5. According to the criterion by Gertzbein, 95 screws (95%) totaly located in pedicles and 5 screws (5%) encroached on the pedicle from medial wal. Three (3%) out of 5 inaccurately placed screws cut out less than 2 mm of the inner wal, while 2 (2%) between 2 mm and 4 mm, without neurologic deficits. The method of mastoid process slope had a high successful rate of screw placement. Combined with preoperative X-ray films and CT images could obtain a high accuracy rate of screw insertion.

AIM: To investigate the relationship between galectin-3 (Gal-3) and myocardial fibrosis, and to clarify the role of Gal-3 in ventricular remodeling in rabbits with ischemic cardiac insufficiency.METHODS: A rabbit model of ischemic cardiac insufficiency was established by ligation of the anterior descending branch of the coronary artery.The 20 rabbits were randomly divided into sham operation group and cardiac insufficiency group by random number table method.After 4 weeks of coronary artery ligation, the cardiac function was measured by cardiac echocardiogram.Real-time PCR and Western blot were used to detect the expression of Gal-3, type I collagen and type III collagen at mRNA and protein levels in the myocardium.The serum Gal-3 contents were measured by ELISA.HE staining and Masson staining were used to observe the degree of fibrosis development in myocardial tissues after infarction.RESULTS: Compared with sham operation group, the mRNA expression of Gal-3 in cardiac insufficiency group was significantly increased.At the same time, type I collagen, type III collagen and collagen type I/III ratio were also increased significantly.The protein contents of Gal-3, type I collagen and type III collagen were increased significantly.The serum Gal-3 levels were significantly increased.The pathological changes were observed in cardiac insufficiency group as the myocardial cell morphological disorder and marked hyperplasia of fibrous tissue were seen.CONCLUSION: Gal-3 aggravates myocardial fibrosis in rabbits with ischemic cardiac insufficiency, and promotes the ventricular remodeling and the occurrence of heart failure.

Objective To identify the expression of transcription factor Sp1 in NK/T-cell lymphoma (NK/TCL) cell lines and to investigate the role of Sp1 in regulation of cell invasion. Methods Real-time PCR, immunofluorescence and Western blot were performed to detect the expression of Sp1 in NK/TCL cell lines SNK-1 and SNK-6 and normal NK cells. Expression levels of IGF-1R and MMP-2 were measured by real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively. Transwell assay was applied to observe the effects of mythramycin A(MIT) on cell invasion. Results Sp1 expression in mRNA and protein were over-expression in NK/TCL cell lines SNK-1 and SNK-6 when compared with normal NK cells. Inhibition of Sp1 by MIT remarkably reduced expression of IGF-1R and MMP-2 in SNK-1, SNK-6 and as a result, or significantly suppressed cell invasion. Expression levels of Sp1 mRNA in SNK-1 and SNK-6 were (9.4±0.3) and (10.6±0.3) foldsincrease as compared with that of control group, respectively (P=0.005 2, P=0.003 7). Levels of Sp1 protein were (5.4±0.3) and (8.6±0.5) foldsincrease times than control groups, respectively (P=0.008 3, P=0.006 9). Inhibition of Sp1 by MIT (100 nmol/L) remarkably reduced expression levels of IGF-1R mRNA by (83.9±3.7) % and (65.8±4.2) % (P = 0.008 2, P = 0.009 7) as compared with controls. Meanwhile, levels of IGF-1R protein were reduced by (51.5±7.1) % and (49.6±9.1) % (P = 0.017 8, P = 0.015 5) as compared with control group. Inhibition of Sp1 by MIT (100 nmol/L) significantly reduced cell invasion and MMP-2 expression in the two cell lines,the cell invasion rates were reduced by (29.6±6.4) % and (37.2±7.6) % (P =0.041 8, P = 0.037 2) in SNK-1 and SNK-6 as compared with control group. The MMP-2 protein levels were found to be (52.7±4.7) % and (29.7±5.6) % (P = 0.028 6, P = 0.020 2) of control group. Conclusion Sp1 is over-expressed in NK/TCL cell lines, and it promotes NK/TCL cell invasion by up-regulating IGF-1R and further increasing MMP-2 expression.

Objective To analyze the expression feature and function of microRNAs in exosomes secreted by leukemia cells (LCEX). Methods The mice leukemia cell line L1210 was taken as the example, and LCEXL1210 was obtained by isolating supernate of L1210 cells through density gradient centrifugation. MicroRNAs isolated from LCEXL1210 were analyzed by microarray analysis, compared with miRNA from L1210 cell line, and then some of miRNAs with different expression were verified by real-time PCR and were analyzed by Gene Ontology (GO) database. Results The number of miRNAs identified in LCEXL1210 was 1 044, and that in L1210 cell line was 872. The number of shared miRNAs between LCEXL1210 and L1210 cell line was 732, accounting for 70.1 % of LCEXL1210 and 83.9 % of L1210 cell line, respectively, which indicated that 70 % of LCEXL1210 was derived from the parental cells. Interestingly, 312 miRNAs in LCEXL1210 were found to be underrepresented in the parental cells, indicating their specificity in LCEXL1210. Some miRNAs were significantly highly expressed in LCEXL1210 compared with those in L1210 cell line, including miR-16-1, miR-210, miR-195 and so on, which showed that miRNAs isolated from LCEXL1210 were differentially expressed with those from the parental cells. Some differentially expressed miRNAs from LCEXL1210 were verified by real-time PCR, and then were analyzed by GO database, which demonstrated that these highly expressed miRNAs participated in the processes of various biological function and signal transduction. Conclusions MiRNAs isolated from LCEXL1210 show a high similarity to miRNAs isolated from L1210 cells, whereas of which one-third are specific. The highly expressed miRNAs participate in the processes of various biological function and signal transduction.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of vardenafil on men with erectile dysfunction (ED) of various etiologies.

METHODSA total of 88 men with mild to severe erectile dysfunction were enrolled in the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, fixed-dose trial of 12 weeks of treatment with either placebo or 5, 10 and 20 mg of vardenafil.

RESULTSThis study indicated that vardenafil dosages of 5, 10 and 20 mg were significantly superior to placebo for the treatment of ED, on the basis of the primary study endpoints of the EF domain score of the IIEF, diary-recorded success rates for penetration and maintenance of erection during the intercourse and the GAQ. Vardenafil was well tolerated. The incidence of adverse events was higher for vardenafil than for placebo.

CONCLUSIONOral vardenafil therapy has a high efficacy and a low incidence of adverse events for ED patients with mixed etiologies.

Administration, Oral ; Adult ; Aged ; Double-Blind Method ; Erectile Dysfunction ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Imidazoles ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Piperazines ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Sulfones ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Triazines ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Vardenafil Dihydrochloride

Objective To explore the expression of miRNA-181a (miR-181a) in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and its effect on biological features of MM cells. Methods CD138+cells of bone marrow from 25 MM patients and 10 patients with hematological non-malignancies were purified by using immunomagnetic separation, and the expression of miR-181a in CD138+cells and MM cell lines including RPMI 8226, H929 and U266 were detected by real-time quantitative PCR. The effects of down-regulation and up-regulation of miR-181a expression on the biological characteristics of MM cells were studied with miR-181a antagomir and agomir. Results Compared with patients with hematological non-malignant diseases, the expression of miR-181a in CD138+ cells was upregulated in MM patients. Compared with CD138+ cells in hematological non-malignancies, high expressions of miR-181a were observed in RPMI 8226 and U266 myeloma cell line, while low expressions of miR-181a were observed in H929 cells. Down-regulation of miR-181a with 100 nmol/L miR-181a antagomir could inhibit the proliferation of U266 cells at 24,48 and 72 h [(67.1 ± 3.3) %vs. (50.5 ± 4.1) %, (71.5 ± 3.6) % vs. (52.3 ± 2.2) %, (78.1 ± 5.4) % vs. (69.5 ± 4.3) %, P < 0.05 respectively], whereas up-regulation of miR-181a with 100 nmol/L miR-181a agomir could significantly promote the proliferation of H929 cells at 24 h and 48 h [(21.2 ± 2.4) %vs. (38.5 ± 3.6) %, ( 61.3 ± 5.4) %vs. (82.2 ±6.9)%, P<0.01 respectively]. Cell cycle analysis showed that miR-181a antagomir made U266 cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase. Meanwhile, susceptibility test results indicated that the apoptosis of U266 cells induced by doxorubicin, paclitaxel and 5-fluorouracil was increased when the proliferation of miR-181a expression was down-regulated with miR-181a antagomir. In migration assay, the data showed that down-regulation of miR-181a with miR-181a antagomir could inhibit the migration of U266 cells, and the proportion of migrated cells in the experimental group (62 ± 10) %was lower than that in the control group (89 ± 12) %(P< 0.05), whereas up-regulation of miR-181a with miR-181a agomir could improve the migration of H929 cells, and the proportion of migrated cells in the experimental group (242 ± 9) % was higher than that in the control group (98 ± 8)%(P<0.01). Conclusions The high expression of miR-181a expressed highly by MM cells may promote the proliferation, migration and drug resistance of myeloma cells, indicating that miR-181a could be an important prognostic biomarker candidate, and the application of gene silencing may improve the prognosis of MM.