Adult ; Aged ; Alprostadil ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Hemorheology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pneumoconiosis ; blood ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Respiratory Function Tests

Objective To explore the expression of HCK gene during the cardiomyocyte differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells and analyze the role of HCK gene in maintenance of pluripotency of embryonic stem cells.Methods Mouse embryonic stem cells were cultured,then induced to differentiate into cardiomyocytes.Total RNAs were isolated from mouse embryonic stem cells in the differentiation days:0 day(D0),the second day(D2),the fourth day(D4),the sixth day(D6),the eighth day(D8),respectively.The levels of HCK mRNAs were assessed by the method of semi-quantitive reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).In the meanwhile,Total proteins were also isolated from mouse embryonic stem cells in the differentiation D0,D2,D4,D6,D8,and the levels of HCK proteins were evaluated by Western-blot.Results HCK mRNAs could be detected in the mouse embryonic stem cells in D0 and D2,however,they were undetectable from D4 to D8.The expression of HCK mRNAs was rapidly down-regulated during cardiomyocyte differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells.Expression of HCK proteins,which coincided with HCK mRNAs,down-regulated during differentiation and couldn't be detected in D4.Conclusions With the cardiomyocyte differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells,the expression of HCK in the levels of mRNA and proteins are sharply down-regulated;HCK may play an important role in maintaining the pluripotency of embryonic stem cell.

OBJECTIVETo assess the safety and efficacy of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) using ureteroscope and pneumatic intracorporeal lithotripsy in the pediatric age group.

METHODSTwenty-two renal units in 15 patients underwent PCNL at our institute. The patients were all under 14 years old. The average age was 9 years (range 5-14 years). There were 7 bilateral, 8 multiple, and 5 staghorn calculi. The average calculus size was 2.0 (0.9-4.5) cm. The PCNL was done with an X ray-guided peripheral puncture, a planned staged approach in some cases, and minimal tract dilatation with the use of an ureteroscope and pneumatic intracorporeal lithotripsy.

RESULTSComplete stone clearance was achieved in 20 renal units, giving an overall clearance rate of 91%. Minor pyrexia (< 39 degrees C, < 2 days) was seen in 14 patients, whereas serious pyrexia was seen in 1. The average fall in hemoglobin was 10 g/L, but none of the patients required blood transfusion.

CONCLUSIONSIt is safe and effective to cure pediatric urolithiasis with percutaneous nephrolithotomy using ureteroscope and pneumatic intracorporeal and pneumatic intracorporeal lithotripsy.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Kidney Calculi ; pathology ; therapy ; Lithotripsy ; methods ; Male ; Nephrostomy, Percutaneous ; Retrospective Studies ; Ureteroscopy ; Urolithiasis ; pathology ; therapy

Objective To establish a Juema minipig model of myocardial infarction, to evaluate the clinical indi?ces in the model pigs, and to explore the relationship between gene expression and metabolic decompensation. Methods 13 male Juema minipigs were randomly divided into control (Sham, n=5), myocardial infarction (MI, n=5) and normal control (for evaluating the recovery condition after surgery, n=3) groups. In the MI group, the ligation was done at the left descending coronary artery around the 1/3 distance to heart apex. Four weeks after the surgery, the cardiac function and serum biochemistry was analyzed. The histological changes and gene expression profiles in the myocardium in the peri?infarct area were exanimated. Results Ultrasonic images showed that the infarction was formed, the ejection fraction and fraction shortening were significantly reduced in the MI group ( ~32% and ~40% less than those of the sham group). Histological examination showed that myocardial fibers at the peri?infarct area were broken, dissolved, and there was con?nective tissue hyperplasia with increased neutrophil and lymphocyte infiltration. Microarray analysis revealed that two myo?cardial remodeling and pathology mediating pathways, three inflammation?related pathways, and 8 metabolic pathways ( in?cluding fatty acid, amino acid, and glucose metabolic pathways) were significantly changed. Conclusions We have suc?cessfully established a Juema minipig model of myocardial infarction. The less branches of the left descending coronary ar?tery allow us to establish a stable model by surgery with comparable characteristics in the clinic indices. The results of this study provides useful reference characteristics of an animal model with characteristic changes in the peri?infarct area.

Adult ; Base Sequence ; Biopsy ; Chlamydia Infections ; complications ; Chlamydia trachomatis ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Lymphogranuloma Venereum ; etiology ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length

OBJECTIVETo investigate and analyze the variation trends in the pathological composition of thyroid cancer patients treated in Tianjin Cancer Hospital from 1954 to 2009.

METHODSTo retrospectively analyze the incidence and clinical features of different pathological types of thyroid cancers in 4342 patients between different time periods from 1954 to 2009.

RESULTSIn the four main pathological types of thyroid cancers, the component ratio of papillary thyroid cancer in every period was 68.1%, 78.3%, 81.3%, 82.1%, 85.8%, respectively, while the morbidity of patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma concurrent with Hashimoto's thyroiditis was increased, so was the proportion of tumors in diameter < or = 2 cm. The proportion of follicular thyroid carcinoma and anaplastic thyroid carcinoma was decreasing accordingly; however, the proportion of medullary thyroid carcinoma did not change significantly.

CONCLUSIONSThe pathological classification of the thyroid carcinoma patients has significant changes in the 4342 cases treated in our Hospital from 1954 to 2009. The proportion of papillary carcinoma is increased, while that of follicular carcinoma and anaplastic carcinoma is decreased. The reasons might attribute to the improved level of consultations and iodized diet or other factors.

Adenocarcinoma, Follicular ; epidemiology ; pathology ; Carcinoma ; epidemiology ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Medullary ; epidemiology ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; epidemiology ; pathology ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Hashimoto Disease ; complications ; epidemiology ; pathology ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; complications ; epidemiology ; pathology ; Tumor Burden

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although lipoprotein lipase (LPL) gene Pvu II polymorphism has been associated with an increased risk of hypertriglyceridemia (HT), there is no clear consensus within the scientific community. METHODS: A meta-analysis of 1,640 subjects from six individual studies was conducted to better elucidate the potential relationship between the LPL gene Pvu II polymorphism and HT within the Chinese population. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were evaluated by using fixed effect models. RESULTS: Our analysis indicated a significant association between LPL gene Pvu II polymorphism and HT within the Chinese population under allelic (OR, 1.550; 95% CI, 1.320 to 1.830; p = 1.158 × 10-7), recessive (OR, 0.540; 95% CI, 0.390 to 0.750; p = 0.0002), dominant (OR, 1.889; 95% CI, 1.501 to 2.377; p = 5.960 × 10-8), homozygous (OR, 2.167; 95% CI, 1.531 to 3.067; p = 1.242 × 10-5), heterozygous (OR, 1.810; 95% CI, 1.419 to 2.309; p = 1.842 × 10-6), and additive genetic models (OR, 1.553; 95% CI, 1.320 to 1.828; p = 1.158 × 10-7). CONCLUSIONS: Because LPL gene Pvu II restriction fragment length polymorphism polymorphism was associated with an elevated risk of HT, the P+ allele carriers of the LPL gene might be predisposed to HT.
Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Consensus ; Humans ; Hypertriglyceridemia* ; Lipoprotein Lipase ; Models, Genetic ; Odds Ratio ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length

OBJECTIVESTo introduce the method to monitor intrapelvic perfusion pressure during minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy (MPCNL), and to observe the effect of high pressure intrapelvic perfusion on recovery.

METHODSThe end of F5 ureteral catheter and aseptic transducer were connected by self-made connecter. During the operation, 46 renal calculi cases were monitored, and the early complication, such as fever, pain index, drop of hemoglobin, the stone-free rate and hospital stay were investigated. And the relationship between the variation of pressure and recovery was studied.

RESULTSIntrapelvic perfusion pressure ranged from 3 mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa) to 50 mm Hg during the course of MPCNL. The definition of high pressure was the time of the pressure more than 30 mm Hg not less than 10 min. Postoperative fever rate, pain index, drop of hemoglobin and hospital stay in the high pressure were significantly higher than low pressure group (P< or =0.05). There was no difference of the stone-free rate in two groups.

CONCLUSIONSDuring the course of MPCNL intrapelvic perfusion pressure should be monitor immediately. It should be careful to maintain the time of pressure more than 30 mm Hg less than 10 min for stable postoperative recovery.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Calculi ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Kidney Pelvis ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Monitoring, Intraoperative ; Nephrostomy, Percutaneous ; methods ; Postoperative Complications ; physiopathology ; prevention & control ; Pressure ; Recovery of Function ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of sunitinib in the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Methods A total of 37 patients with metastatic RCC were treated with between June 2008 and April 2010, including 28 males and 9 females. The median age was 52 (17-74) years. All patients received a pathologic diagnosis of RCC, which consisted of 1 papillary cell carcinoma and 36 clear cell carcinomas, 4 of which accompanied with partial sarcoma differentiation. Thirty cases were treated with first line therapy and 7 cases showed progression on first-line cytokine or sorafinib therapy. Sunitinib monotherapy was administered in repeated 6-week cycles of daily oral therapy for 4 weeks, followed by 2 weeks off in 34 patients, while another 3 patients received 37. 5 mg Qd continuously until disease progression or unacceptable toxicities occurred. Overall response rate and safety were evaluated. Results The median follow up was 12 months (8 cycles),range 1.5-19. 5 months (1-13 cycles). 26.5% (9/34) patients achieved partial responses, 70.6%(24/34) patients demonstrated stable disease over≥3 months and 1 (2. 9%) patient developed progressive disease. The objective response rate was 26.5%, and the disease control rate was 97. 1%.The 12 months' overall survival rate was 95.8% (23/24), and 12 months' progression-free survival rate was 62.5 % (15/24). The most common treatment-related adverse events were thrombocytopenia (30 cases, 81.1%), thyroid dysfunction (18/22, 81.8%) ,hand-foot syndrome (27 cases, 73.0%),neutropenia (23 cases, 62.2%) and hypertension (18 cases, 48.6%). The major grade 3 adverse events included thrombocytopenia (8 cases, 21.6%), hand-foot syndrome (4 cases, 10.8%) and diarrhea (2 cases, 5. 4%). Most adverse events were ameliorated by treatment interruption. Ten (27.0%) patients had dose decrement or drug discontinuation and 1 patient quit the treatment for intolerable fatigue. Conclusion The efficacy and manageable adverse event profile of sunitinib as a single agent in first- or second-line therapy for patients with metastatic RCC.

BACKGROUNDImplantation of tissue-engineered scaffolds is one of the most promising therapeutic strategies for inducing nerve regenerations following spinal cord injuries. In this paper, we report a novel bioengineered hybrid scaffold comprised of three major extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins.

METHODSECM-scaffolds (ECM-S) were prepared by gelling fibrinogen, fibronectin and laminin using fresh rat plasma. Olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) were isolated from fresh rat olfactory mucosa, purified under differential adhesion, and assessed by immunofluorescent staining. OECs were seeded onto ECM-S and cultured. The effects of the scaffolds on the seeded cells were detected using the immunofluorescent staining, Western blotting, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy.

RESULTSTissue-engineered ECM-S could be easily molded into mat-like or cylindrical shapes and gelled by addition of fresh plasma. Observations by electron microscopy show that the ECM-S forms a stable three-dimensional porous network. Studies on the effects of the ECM-S on the biological behaviors of OECs in vitro indicate that the scaffold can promote OEC adhesion, proliferation and process extensions. Additionally, OECs seeded on the scaffold maintained the expression of nerve growth factor, matrix metalloproteinase-3 and matrix metalloproteinase-9.

CONCLUSIONWe developed a biosynthetic hybrid gel which could be used as a scaffold for OEC transplantation; this gel can promote nerve regeneration following spinal cord injuries.

Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Immunoblotting ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Olfactory Bulb ; cytology ; physiology ; transplantation ; Olfactory Mucosa ; cytology ; physiology ; transplantation ; Rats ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; therapy ; Tissue Engineering ; methods ; Tissue Scaffolds