Objective To investigate the incidence and distribution of fetal discrepancy during the first trimester in dichorionic twins.Methods This was a prospective analysis of dichorionic twin pregnancies that underwent 11+0～ 13+6 week scan at a tertiary hospital from Sep 2008 to Oct 2010.Differences in crown-rump length (CRL),nuchal translucency ( NT),heart rate ( HR).deepest vertical pockets of amniotic fluid (DVP) for every pair of twin fetuses were calculated and expressed as absolute value and percentage of discordance.Results A total of 66 dichorionic twin pregnancies were included.The average CRL was significantly different between the larger fetus and the smaller one,which were (65.28 ±8.54)mm and (62.34 ± 8.49) mm respectively ( P ＜ 0.001).The average NT was significantly different between two fetuses,which were ( 1.56 ± 0.35) mm and (1.28 ± 0.30) mm respectively. HR and DVP were also statistically different between two fetuses ( P ＜0.001).Conclusions The growth of two fetuses in normal dichorionic twins is not uniform during the first trimester.

Objective To investigate the role of two-dimensional ultrasound (2DUS) and three-dimensional ultrasonography (3DUS) in the measurement of fetal frontomaxillay facial (FMF) angle. Methods FMF angle in fetuses at 11~(+0) to 13~(+6) weeks were measured with 2DUS and 3DUS respectively. The difference between measurements and reproducibility were compared, and the relationship between FMF angle measured with 3DUS and crown-rump length (CRL) was assessed.Results FMF angle was obtained in 37 fetuses. Assessable fetuses increased with increased CRL, while the values of FMF angle decreased. Qualified 3D volumes were obtained from 30/37 (81.08%) fetuses, while qualified 2D measurements were available in 18/37 (48.65%) fetuses. For the same fetus, the difference between two measurements with 3DUS was significantly less than that with 2DUS (1.68°±1.01° vs 2.78°±1.95°, P<0.01). For the 11 fetuses assessed with both methods, the values of FMF angle obtained with two methods were not significant different. There was significant negative correlation between FMF angle and fetal CRL (r＝-0.540,P<0.01).Conclusion FMF angle in fetuses at 11~(+0) to 13~(+6) weeks can be achieved rapidly and accurately with 3DUS.

The study was aimed to investigate the promotive effect of LRP16 gene on K562 cell proliferation. Open reading frame of LRP16 gene was amplified using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and ligated to pGEM-T plasmid to construct LRP16 ORF-pGEM-T recombinant vector. Then, LRP16 ORF identified by sequencing was inserted into pcDNA3.1+ plasmid to construct LRP16 ORF-pcDNA3.1+ recombinant expression plasmid which was transfected into K562 cell lines to make overexpression of LRP16 gene in K562 cells. Survival of cells was determined by MTT assay and growth curve of cells was drawn, the cell cycle was detected by flow cytometry. The results showed that LRP16 ORF was successfully amplified, then the LRP16 ORF-pcDNA3.1+ recombinant plasmid was constructed. The K562 cell line with overexpression of LRP16 gene was established. The promotive effect of LRP16 gene overexpression on proliferation of K562 cells was observed and the effect partially related to the enhancement of cells from G0 to S phase induced by LRP16 gene. It is concluded that LRP16 gene overexpression shows a promotive effect on proliferation of K562 cells.
Cell Proliferation ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; Open Reading Frames ; Plasmids

The present study was aimed to explore the expressions of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and Snail1 in renal tissues of diabetic rats, and their role in tubular epithelial-mesenchymal transition (TEMT). Induced diabetic rats were randomly divided into 2-, 4-, 8-, 12-, 16-, 20-, 24-week and 16wA, 20wA, 24wA groups. The rats in 16wA, 20wA and 24wA groups were treated with insulin to control blood glucose to the normal level from the 13th week. The age-matched rats were set as controls. Blood glucose, 24-hour urine protein, serum creatinine (Scr), kidney index of rats were measured. PAS staining was used to observe the renal pathological changes. Immunohistochemical staining and (or) Western blot were employed to determine the expressions of TGF-β1, Snail1, E-cadherin, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and fibronectin (FN) proteins. The expressions of Snail1 and E-cadherin mRNAs in renal cortex were examined by RT-PCR. Blood glucose, 24-hour urine protein, Scr and kidney index increased remarkably in diabetic rats as compared with those in the control groups (P<0.05, P<0.01) and insulin-treated rats (P<0.01). TGF-β1 and Snail1 protein expressions could not be detected by immunohistochemical staining in the normal renal tissues, however, the strongly positive staining was observed in diabetic rat renal tubules. A time-dependent loss of TGF-β1 and Snail1 expressions was detected in the kidney of insulin-treated rats. In diabetic rats tubular α-SMA positive staining was seen at the 16th week. E-cadherin expression was lost in diabetic rats. The expressions of TGF-β1, Snail1 proteins and Snail1 mRNA were significantly up-regulated in diabetic rats, while down-regulated in insulin-treated rats (P<0.01). The expressions of E-cadherin protein and mRNA in the cortex were contrary to the expressions of TGF-β1 and Snail1. Therefore, TGF-β1 and Snail1 are possibly involved in the pathogenesis of TEMT in diabetic nephropathy rats.
Animals ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; metabolism ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; metabolism ; Down-Regulation ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Kidney ; pathology ; Kidney Tubules ; metabolism ; Rats ; Snail Family Transcription Factors ; Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism

This study was purposed to investigate lrp16 gene expression in leukemia cell lines and bone marrow cells of leukemia patients and explore the relationship between lrp16 gene expression and development of leukemia. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was employed to test the lrp16 mRNA expression in 4 leukemia cell lines, including K562 (CML), HL-60 (APL), MOLT4 (ALL) and U937 cell lines, as well as in bone marrow-derived cells from 115 patients with leukemia. The effect of lrp16 gene expression on genesis and progression of leukemia was analyzed according to clinicopathological features. The results indicated that positive expression of lrp16 mRNA was found in all 4 leukemia cell lines. For leukemia patients, the positive expression rate of lrp16 mRNA in all AML patients was 38% (16/42), in which the positive rates in AML patients with complete remission (CR) and AML patients without remission were 13% (4/30) and 100% (12/12) respectively. The positive expression rate of lrp16 mRNA in ALL patients was 38% (10/26), in which the positive rate in ALL patients with CR and ALL patients without remission were 16% (3/18) and 87% (7/8) respectively. The positive expression rate of lrp16 mRNA in CML patients was 36% (9/25), in which the positive rates in CML patients with CR and CML patients without remission were 20% (4/20) and 100% (5/5) respectively. The positive rate of lrp16 mRNA in CLL patients was 31% (7/22), in which the positive rate in CLL patients with CR and CLL patients without remission were 11% (2/17) and 100% (5/5) respectively. There was no difference of lrp16 gene expression between leukemia subtypes, but there was statistical significant difference in lrp16 gene expression between CR patients and non CR patients (p < 0.001). It is concluded that the lrp16 gene is a leukemic oncogene and closely relates to genesis and progression of leukemia, which may be an indicator for evaluating clinical efficacy of leukemia therapy.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Bone Marrow ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Leukemia ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of prenatal ultrasonography in the fetal hemivertebra. Methods The ultrasonographic findings of three fetuses with hemivertebra diagnosed in our hospital were reviewed and compared with those of postnatal ultrasonography,other image modalities,and autopsy. Results In all fetuses,a distortion of the spine was observed where only one half of the vertebra could be identified. The parents opted for termination of the pregnancy in one case and the deformity was confirmed by autopsy. The other two fetuses were delivered and in one fetus the diagnosis was confirmed by radiological assessment. Conclusions Hemivertebra can be diagnosed accurately by second-trimester ultrasonography. The prognosis is mostly favorable when no other anomalies are associated. Meticulous examination may disclose the lesion and help decide the fate of pregnancy.

Objective To investigate the diagnositic value of ultrasonography in fetuses with cystic biliary malformation. Methods Three cases of cystic biliary malformation diagnosed in our hospital by prenatal ultrasound were followed up until surgery after birth. Results In all three cases.an anechoic cystic lesion was detected in the right upper abdomen at 16,26,34 weeks' gestation respectively, which were diagnosed as biliary cystic malformation by prenatal ultrasound. Two cases were confirmed as choledochal cyst by surgery, one case as biliary atresia. The maximum diameter during pregnancy of choledochal cyst were 3. 9 cm and 4.2 cm respectively, which increased steadily as gestational age advanced, with normal gallbladder in continuity with the choledochal cyst. But the largest diameter of the cyst in congenital biliary atresia was 1.7 cm and remained unchanged throughout the remaining pregnancy, the gallbladder could not be detected or an irregular small gallbladder was shown. Excision of the cyst and Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy were successfully performed in all three cases. Postoperative course were uneventful. Conclusions Cyst diameter, change in size, gallbladder ultrasound pattern may allow to make a prenatal differential diagnosis of biliary tree cystic malformation. Small and stable cyst with an undetected gallbladder or small gallbladder is more suggestive of biliary atresia than choledochal cyst. Precise imaging may facilitate prenatal counseling and perinatal management. The outcomes had improved with earlier operations.

Objective To determine the diagnostic value of two and three dimensional ultrasound in detecting fetal hand malformations. Methods In the retrospectively analysis,the severe fetal hand malformations detected by prenatal ultrasound during the recent three years in our hospital were classified according to the prenatal sonographic characteristics,family history,karyotype analysis and autopsy results,etc.Results Fourteen fetuses with hand-anomaly were detected during the 16-28th week of gestation,both hands were affected in 10 cases,with the same morphology bilaterally in 8 cases.Thirteen cases had other abnormal sonographic findings.They were detected and classified into three categories,Wrist deformity (9 cases),three fetuses were associated with total absence of radius and radial clubhand,and six fetuses had palmar deviated hands,with various etiologies including familial hereditary arthrogryposis multiplex congenita,distal type 1 (AMCD1),amniotic band syndrome,body stalk anomaly,trisomy18 and micromelia.Hand (figer) hypoplasia or aphasia (3 cases),one hand was absent in one fetus without associated anomaly,absence of five fingers with ipsilateral multicystic dysplastic kidney in the second fetus,and the third fetus had split hand/foot malformation (SHFM).Overlapping fingers (4 cases),three of them were trisomy18,and two fetuses had both wrist deformity and overlapping fingers.Conclusions Prenatal two and three dimensional ultrasound play an important role in detecting and diagnosing severe type of fetal hand malformations.

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between contraceptive use behaviors and related knowledge and cognition among vocational high school students.

METHODSA computer-administrated anonymous cross-sectional survey was conducted among grade one students from three vocational high schools in a district of Shanghai. Based on Health Belief Model, four cognition indexes including perceived benefits, barriers, sex behavior related risks and self-efficacy were applied.

RESULTSAmong 1612 respondents, the students who had sexual experience accounted for 7.01% (113/1612). At first sex, 56.64% (64/113) of respondents reported contraceptives use; and the methods most reported were condom (58.70%, 27/46) and oral contraceptive (27.78%, 5/18) respectively for male and female. Most reasons for non-use were feeling shy to buy it (26.53%, 13/49) and the opposite sex's unwillingness to use (18.37%, 9/49). Among those who had experienced sex, 68.35% (54/79) and 68.42% (52/76) of respondents thought withdrawal and rhythm were effective methods. Only 23.26% (10/43) of subjects who had ever used condom could gain the full score of knowledge on how to use condom. A few respondents (22.86%, 24/105) who had sex experience knew that "If a person is infected with STD, he/she may not have noticeable symptoms". And 40.63% (26/64) of respondents who had not use contraceptive at first sex considered that "Infrequent intercourse cannot cause a girl pregnant even she has experienced her menstruation". The level of perceived risks was lowest among four cognition indexes. Contraceptive related knowledge and cognition may contribute to respondents' contraceptive use behaviors at first sex, and only related cognition contribute to contraceptive use behaviors at recent sex.

CONCLUSIONIt should be urgent to improve contraception knowledge and cognition among vocational high school students and provide youth-friendly contraceptive services.

Adolescent ; China ; Contraception ; psychology ; utilization ; Female ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Humans ; Male ; Sexual Behavior ; Students ; psychology ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo examine the correlation between p65 expression and the metastasis and prognosis in tongue carcinoma.

METHODSThe immunohistochemical expression of p65 was examined in 50 cases of tongue carcinoma, and the clinical and histopathologic records were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSOverexpression of p65 in cytoplasma and nucleus was found in 64% cases of tongue carcinoma. There was significant difference of p65 expression among different TNM stages, and the higher expression rate of p65 was found in higher stages. Overexpression of p65 was also related to lymph node metastasis. Significantly greater increase in expression levels of p65 was found in the metastatic cases (n = 22) compared to the nonmetastatic cases (n = 10). However, there was no significant difference of p65 expression among different histopathologic grading. The 5-year survival rate of p65 positive and negative group was 59.3% and 88.9% respectively, and there was significant difference in Kaplan-Meier survival curve (chi2 = 5.6, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe results suggest that the expression of p65 was important to predict the metastasis and prognosis in tongue carcinoma.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Tongue Neoplasms ; Transcription Factor RelA