Objective To establish a calcification mode in vitro of human vascular smooth muscle cells (HVSMCs) induced by β-GP. Methods Primary HVSMCs were obtained from human embryo by plant method and confirmed by stain with α-sm-actin antibody. The cells after 4-6 passages were divided into two groups.The control group was incubated with normal DMEM medium while the calcification group was incubated with the medium containing 10 mmol/L β-glycerophosphate for 10 days.Calcification was confirmed by alizarin red S stain and alkaline phosphatase(ALP) assays. Results The primary cells observed by S-P stain were positive and the cells after being stained were pale yellow. After being induced with β-GP, the cells of calcification group began concentric growth and formed vesicles. Alizarin red S staining showed that the reaction of calcifying nodules was red,ALP activity was higher than that of controls at various time points(4 d,6 d,8 d and 10 d,P＜0.01 ).Conclusion The HVSMCs could be induced into calcification in vitro by β-GP, and this model contribates to further studies of vascular diseases.

Humans ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; prevention & control ; therapy

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH)in prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal aneuploidy.Methods:FISH and karyotyping analysis were done in 120 samples of amniotic fluid from pregnant women.Results:FISH analysis results were consistent with those of karyotyping,the dectecting rate can reach 100%for chromosomal aneuploidies.There was no significant difference in the preference for FISH or karyotying for prenatal diagnosis when facing high matemal age,multi-indications and other factors(P>0.05).FISH was better when biochemical datafor down's syndrome were positive (P=0.029),however karyotyping was better when there was abnormal fetal ultrasound scan(P=0.000).Conclusions:FISH can detect the chromosomal aneuploidy quickly and accurately,especially when biochemical data for down's syndrome were positive.FISH could be the first choice for prenatal diagnosis in the third trimester of high-risk pregnancy.

Objective To study the role of Mycoplasma genitalium(Mg)infection in chronic non- bacterial prostatitis.Methods Culture and two PCR systems were performed on prostatic secretion specimens from 487 patients with chronic non-bacterial prostatitis and 75 health men in Changchun regions. Results positive rate of Mg in the prostatic secretion from the 487 patients was 7.39% (36/487);In the controls,the positive rate of Mg was 1.33%(1/75).The differences between the two groups were statistically significant (X~2=3.88,P

Objective To investigate the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)in cytokine IL-6, IL- 10 genes and HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC). Methods A hospital-based case-control study was conducted in 381 cases with HBV-related HCC, 340 HBsAg carriers and 359 non-tumor controls. Genotypes of-572 site of IL-6 gene and-819, -592 sites of IL-10 gene were determined by real-time polymorphism chain reaction. Unconditional logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratios(ORs)and 95 confidence intervals(C/s). Results For the G/C alleles of -572 loci on IL-6 gene, there were significant differences between the three groups(P＜0.05). Compared with CC genotype, GG genotype increased the risk of HBV infection (OR=2.171,95% Ch 1.068-4.415), but did not seem to be associated with HCC. For the alleles of-819 and -592 site of IL-10 gene, there were significant differences between the three groups(P＜0.05). Compared with CC genotype, TT genotype increased the risks of both HCC(OR=2.791,95%CI:1.326-5.874), and HCC in HBsAg carriers(0R=3.522,95%CI: 1.707-7.266). When compared with CC genotype on -592 site, the AA genotype reduced the risk of both HCC(OR=0.389, 95% CI:0.173-0.875), and HCC in HBsAg carriers(OR=0.336, 95% CI: 0.154-0.734). Conclusion The SNPs in -572 site of IL-6 gone might be associated with the risk of HBV infection. The SNPs in -819 site of IL-10 gene increased the risk of HCC, but -592 site of IL-10 gene decreased the risk of HCC.

The purpose of this study was to establish a model of trigeminal neuralgia (TN) through an approach from lower edge of cheekbone and to observe the functional changes in the voltage-gated potassium currents in the cultured trigeminal ganglion (TG) neurons. Thirty Sprague-Dawley male rats were divided into two groups, the sham-operated (sham) group and the operated group. The TN model was carried out by using a chronic constriction injury of the infraorbital nerve (ION-CCI) from lower edge of cheekbone. Peripheral pain threshold test and whole-cell patch clamp recording were used to determine the difference between sham and ION-CCI rats. The withdrawal threshold of whisker pad in operated side of ION-CCI rat was decreased significantly from 6 d after operation and then maintained until 21 d, with the lowest on the 15th day. The threshold of whisker pad in non-operated side of operated rats was also decreased significantly compared with that in the sham group. Delayed rectifier potassium current (I(K)) in cultured ION-CCI TG neurons was decreased significantly compared with that in the sham group. Transient outward potassium currents (I(A)) in both operated and non-operated sides of TG neurons from ION-CCI rats were also reduced significantly compared with that in the sham group. The present study provided a new method of ION-CCI. In this model, the decrease of I(A) and I(K) might contribute, at least in part, to the decrease in mechanical pain threshold of whisker pad and the subsequent hyperalgia.
Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Constriction ; Disease Models, Animal ; Hyperalgesia ; Male ; Pain Threshold ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Potassium Channels ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Trigeminal Ganglion ; metabolism ; Trigeminal Neuralgia ; physiopathology ; Vibrissae

AIM: To investigate the expression of NKG2A,NKG2D and their ligands in pregnancy uterine micro-environment and to probe the function of NKG2A and NKG2D imbalance expression during the immunotolerance at the fetal-maternal boundary.METHODS: Decidual lymphocytes and peripheral lymphocytes were obtained from 30 women during 6-9 weeks of pregnancy who were undergoing selective termination.FACS technology was used to detect NK cells number and NKG2A,NKG2D expression.RT-PCR was used to investigate HLA-E and MICA mRNA in trophoblast tissue.RESULTS: Natural killer cells predominate,accounting for 70% of pregnancy endometrial lymphocytes.FACS results indicated that NKG2A was significantly increased in decidual NK cells as compared with that in peripheral NK cells,accounting for 97.86%?1.75% and 33.35%?10.92%.The difference between them in NKG2A expression was significant(P

OBJECTIVETo study the clinicopathologic features, immunohistochemical findings, EBV and c-myc gene status of intra-abdominal non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphoma occurring in children.

METHODSSeventy-four cases of pediatric intra-abdominal non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphoma were retrieved from the archival file. The cases were classified according to the 2008 WHO classification. Tissue microarray including tumor tissues from all the 74 cases was produced. Immunohistochemical study (SP method) for CD20, CD3, CD79a, CD10, bcl-6, MUM1, bcl-2, CD43, CD38 and Ki-67 was performed. In-situ hybridization for Epstein-Barr virus-encoded RNA (EBER) and fluorescence in-situ hybridization for c-myc gene were also carried out.

RESULTSAmongst the 74 cases studied, 65 of them (87.8%) were Burkitt lymphoma (BL), 4 cases (5.4%) were diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and the remaining 5 cases (6.8%) showed features in-between DLBCL and BL (DLBCL/BL). The patients often presented with abdominal pain, abdominal masses, ileus and intussusception. The ileocecal bowel wall and mesenteric lymph nodes were commonly involved. The lymphoma cells were of high histologic grade and suggested an aggressive clinical behavior. The staining for CD20 and CD79a were positive in all of the cases, while CD3 was negative. The positive rates of CD10, bcl-6, bcl-2, MUM1, CD43, CD38 and EBER in BL were 96.9% (63 cases), 95.4% (62 cases), 0 (0 case), 23.1% (15 cases), 70.8% (46 cases), 96.9% (63 cases) and 41.5% (27 cases), respectively. Fifty-four cases carried translocation of c-myc gene. As for DLBCL, the positive cases of CD10, bcl-6, bcl-2, MUM1, CD43, CD38 and EBER were 3 cases, 2 cases, 3 cases, 2 cases, 2 cases, 2 cases and 0 case, respectively. One of these cases showed c-myc gene translocation. Amongst the 4 cases of DLBCL, 2 of them belonged to germinal center B-cell-like subtype, while the remaining 2 cases were of non-germinal center B-cell-like subtype. The expression rates of CD10, bcl-6, bcl-2, MUM1, CD43, CD38 and EBER in DLBCL/BL were 5/5, 4/5, 0, 3/5, 5/5, 3/5 and 0, respectively. Three of the cases were positive for c-myc gene translocation.

CONCLUSIONSThe majority of pediatric intra-abdominal non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphoma belonged to BL. They have characteristic clinical presentation and sites of predilection and are often associated with an aggressive clinical behavior. Thorough morphologic assessment, immunohistochemistry and in-situ hybridization play an important role in subtyping this group of lymphoid malignancy.

Antigens, CD20 ; metabolism ; Burkitt Lymphoma ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; CD79 Antigens ; metabolism ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Genes, myc ; Humans ; Intestinal Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lymphoma, B-Cell ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Neprilysin ; metabolism ; RNA, Viral ; metabolism ; Translocation, Genetic

BACKGROUNDRopivacaine and levobupivacaine have been introduced into obstetric analgesic practice with the proposed advantages of causing less motor block and toxicity compared with bupivacaine. However, it is still controversial whether both anesthetics are associated with any clinical benefit relative to bupivacaine for labor analgesia. This study aimed to compare the analgesic efficacy, motor block and side effects of bupivacaine, ropivacaine and levobupivacaine at lower concentrations for patient-controlled epidural labor analgesia.

METHODSFour hundred and fifty nulliparous parturients were enrolled in this randomized clinical trial. A concentration of 0.05%, 0.075%, 0.1%, 0.125% or 0.15% of either bupivacaine (Group B), ropivacaine (Group R) or levobupivacaine (Group L) with sufentanil 0.5 microg/ml was epidurally administered by patient-controlled analgesia mode. Effective analgesia was defined as a visual analogue scale score was

RESULTSThere were no significant differences among groups in the numbers of effective analgesia, pain scores, hourly local anesthetic amount used, sensory and motor blockade, labor duration and mode of delivery, side effects and maternal satisfaction (P>0.05). The relative median potency was bupivacaine/ropivacaine: 0.828 (0.602-1.091), bupivacaine/levobupivacaine: 0.845 (0.617-1.12), ropivacaine/levobupivacaine: 1.021 (0.774-1.354), respectively. However, a significantly less number of effective analgesia and higher hourly local anesthetic use were observed in the concentration of 0.05% than those of >or=0.1% within each group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSUsing patient-controlled epidural analgesia, lower concentrations of bupivacaine, ropivacaine and levobupivacaine with sufentanil produce similar analgesia and motor block and safety for labor analgesia. The analgesic efficacy mainly depends on the concentration rather than the type of anesthetics.

Adult ; Amides ; therapeutic use ; Analgesia, Epidural ; methods ; Analgesia, Obstetrical ; methods ; Analgesia, Patient-Controlled ; methods ; Anesthetics, Local ; therapeutic use ; Bupivacaine ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Labor Pain ; drug therapy ; Labor, Obstetric ; Pregnancy ; Sufentanil ; therapeutic use ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo summarize clinical experience in the treatment of low rectal cancer with anterior perineal plane for ultra-low anterior resection of the rectum(APPEAR).

METHODSClinical and follow-up data of 26 patients with low rectal cancer undergoing the APPEAR operation in Department of General Surgery at Peking Union Medical College from September 2009 to August 2011 were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSThe 26 cases consisted of 19 male and 7 female patients with an average age of (63.4 ± 9.5) years. The average tumor distance from the anal verge was (4.6 ± 0.7) cm according to preoperative examinations. Fourteen patients received neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy before the operation. All the 26 patients had successful sphincter-preserving operations. The average operative time was (170 ± 21) min and the average intra-operative blood loss (140 ± 69) ml. Complications included one case of intraoperative injury to the rectal wall and 4 cases of postoperative perineal wound infection. Postoperative pathological examination showed well to moderately differentiated adenocarcinomas(n=10), moderately differentiated adenocarcinomas with partial mucinous adenocarcinomas (n=7), poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma(n=1), villous adenoma with high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (n=1), and rectal villous adenoma(n=1). In 6 cases no residual tumor cells were detected in the surgical specimens. All the patients were followed-up for an average period of(11.4 ± 5.6) months. No impaired urinary function or tumor recurrence was observed during the follow-up. Eighteen patients had the transverse colon stoma closure six months after the operation. The average Wexner continence score was 5.5 after colostomy reversal surgery. The anorectal manometry tests showed that maximum squeeze pressure of the anal sphincter was(224.0 ± 59.3) mm Hg. The maximum resting pressure was (42.5 ± 11.8) mm Hg, and the maximum tolerable volume of the rectum was (120.0 ± 27.4) ml. Anorectal reflexes were present in all these patients.

CONCLUSIONThe APPEAR technique can be applied in the sphincter-preserving operations for low rectal cancer patients with satisfactory anal function.

Aged ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Perineum ; surgery ; Rectal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Rectum ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome