pcDNA3.1/Hygro(-)+pCMV?. Conclusions Transactivation competence of genotype B HBx was higher than that of genotype C HBx, while the antiproliferative and apoptosis effects of genotype B HBx was lower than of genotype C HBx. B and C genotype-specific functional differences of HBx may closely co-related with the pathogenicity of HBV.

Objective To study the effects of obstructive sleep apneas on endothelial function and autonomic modulation. Methods From June 2009 to June 2011, male patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) were consecutively enrolled in this study. Patients with an apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) of greater than 15 and without previous treatment for OSAHS were included as Group OSAHS and obese subjects with an AHI of less than 5 were included as non-OSAHS controls (Group Control). Electrocardiography and beat-to-beat blood pressure were continuously recorded from the radial artery by applanation tonometry which was synchronized with polysomnography recording. Endothelial function was measured by arterial augmentation index (AAI). Spectral analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) and blood pressure variability (BPV) were computed for cardiac parasympathetic modulation (high frequency power, HF); sympathetic modulation (low frequency power, LF), sympathovagal balance (LF/HF power of R-R variability, LF/HF) and BPV sympathetic modulation (BPV LF) in normalized units [total power of the components/(total power-very LF power)×100]. Results Finally, 27 moderate-severe OSAHS patients and 22 non-OSAHS obese controls were recruited in the Group OSAHS and Group Control, respectively. In Group OSAHS, the age was 43.3±9.3 year-old, body mass index (BMI) was 36.8±8.7 kg/m2; in Group Control, the age was 42.9±8.6 year-old, BMI was 34.4±7.9 kg/m2; there were no significant differences in age and BMI between the Group OSAHS and Group Control (all P>0.05). The baseline AAI (12.5%±2.2% vs. 8.2%±2.1%) and BPV LF (68.3%±13.5% vs. 61.1%±11.7%) of the Group OSAHS were significantly higher than those of the Group Control (all P<0.05). And after overnight sleep, systolic BP (143.7±14.2 vs. 132.8±13.3 mm Hg), diastolic BP (87.7±7.7 vs. 78.6±5.5 mm Hg), HRV LF (69.7%±14.4% vs. 64.3%±12.1%), HRV LF/HF (3.7±2.0 vs. 2.3±1.3) and BPV LF (77.8%±15.6% vs. 68.3%±13.5%) of the Group OSAHS were significantly increased (all P<0.001), while HRV HF was significantly decreased (21.1%±9.3% vs. 27.5%±10.3%, P<0.05) from baseline.
Adult ; Autonomic Nervous System ; Blood Pressure ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Male ; Polysomnography ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive

Objective To study the effects of vaginal estrogen application on blood flow of the lower urinary tract in post-menopausal women. Methods Arterial blood flow frequency spectrum, peak systolic blood flow, end-diastolic blood flow velocity and resistance index of the peri-urethra and neck of the urinary bladder, as well as changes in their genitourinary system, were measured with color Doppler ultrasound imaging in post-menopausal women before and three months after their use of premarin ointment containing natural estrogen per vagina. Results Three months after treatment with estrogen-premarin ointment per vagina in post-menopausal women, their peak systolic blood flow velocity of the peri-urethra arteries increased to 13.23 cm/s from 11.94 cm/s before treatment, end-diastolic blood flow velocity increased to 3.92 cm/s from 1.91 cm/s and resistance index decreased to 2. 79 from 3. 84 (P <0. 01 ). And, their peak systolic blood flow velocity of the arteries of the neck of the urinary bladder increased to 17.09 cm/s from 12. 77 cm/s before treatment, end-diastolic blood flow velocity increased to 2. 83 cm/s from 1.31 cm/s and resistant index decreased to 2. 78 from 3.78 (P<0.01). It indicated that local vasodilatation and decrease dresistance of the lower urinary tract made blood flow of the arteries of the peri-urethra and neck of the urinary bladder increase, urinary frequency and nocturia occurrence decrease, and sexual satisfaction improve.Conclusions Blood flow, symptoms of the lower urinary tract and their quality of life can be improved in post-menopausal women after treatment with natural estrogen-premarin ointment per vagina.

Aim To investigate the effects of stromal cell-derived factor-1α ( SDF-1α) on cell proliferation in primary cultured rat astrocytes and the possible mechanisms. Methods The primary cultured rat astr-cytes were treated with recombinant human SDF-1α at different concentrations, the cell proliferation was as-sessed by cell counting and 5-bromo-2’-deoxyuridine incorporation assay;intracellular calcium concentration was detected with calcium sensitive fluorescent probe;phorphorylation of extracellular regulated protein ki-nase1/2 ( ERK1/2 ) was determined by Western blot analysis;cell cycle transition was analyzed by flow cy-tometry analysis; mRNA expressions of cyclin A2 and cyclin B1 were determined by quantitative RT-PCR. Results Treatment of astrocytes with SDF-1α (5 -40 nmol·L-1 ) for 48 h induced significant cell prolifera-tion. SDF-1α at 20 nmol·L-1 increased the intracel-lular calcium concentration and the phosphorylation of ERK1/2. In addition, SDF-1α at 20 nmol·L-1 pro-moted the cell cycle transition from G0 to S and M pha-ses, and up-regulated the mRNA expressions of Cyclin A2 and Cyclin B1 . Conclusion SDF-1α significantly induces cell proliferation in primary cultured rat astro-cytes via enhancing calcium influx, ERK1/2 phospho-rylation, Cyclin expression and promoting cell cycle transition.

Purpose To explore the clinicopathologic characteristics, pathologic diagnosis and differential diagnosis of extraskeletal myxiod chondrosarcoma. Methods The clinical and pathological features were studied with HE and immunohistochemical staining in 5 cases of extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma, and the related literatures were also reviewed. Results Extraskeletal myxoid chondro-sarcoma was male predominance (4 males: 1 female), and the age ranged from 32 to 62 years with an average of 52 years. Four tumors occurred in thigh and another in chest. Histologically, the neophlasm were composed of round and oval cells. Immunohisto-chemically, the tumor cells were positive for vimentin in five cases, synaptophysin expressed in one case, S-100 showed focal positivity in two cases, but negative for CK, p63, EMA, CD34, SMA in all cases. Molecular genetics detection shows chromosome exchange be-tween number 9 and 22. Conclusion Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma is a rare tumor which has no special characteristics in clinical and iconography, and its diagnosis mainly depends on the histopathologic features, immunohistochemistry and molecular genet-ics. Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma grows slowly, but have a high tendency for local recurrence and metastases.

Objective To explore the factors influencing the sitting early away from bed after operation in elderly patients having hip fractures.Method Forty-six elderly patients with hip fractures who were taking postoperative functional exercises of sitting away from bed and 32 nurses were investigated on the influential factors by a questionnaire.Results More than 52.1%of the patients believed the factors influencing their sitting early away from bed including lack of family support,worry about insufficient physical strength and fear of pains.65.6%of the nurses thought the factor was their inadequate assessment.Conclusion Such measures as enhancing family support,nutritional support,relief of pains from sitting from bed and improving nurse’s ability in rehabilitative training instruction are important for the patients to sit early away from bed after operation on hip fractures.

BACKGROUND:Animal modeling has reported that psychological stress can lead temporomandibular joint disease in rats, and there wil be pathological changes.
OBJECTIVE:To observe the effects of psychological stress on the expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor and transforming growth factor-β1 in rat temporomandibular joint condylar chondrocytes
METHODS:Forty-eight adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into the experimental group and the control group, 6 rats in the experimental group and 12 rats in the control group. Thirty-six Wister male adult rats in the experimental group were subjected to the fol owing stimulating factors, such as electroshock, keeping stil ness, climate change and food tempting in order to make them under psychological stress. Then, the experimental group rats were executed at 3 weeks after stimulation (3 weeks stimulation group), 6 weeks after stimulation (6 weeks stimulation group) and 6 weeks normal feeding after 6 week stimulation (recovery group), 12 rats were sacrificed at each time point. The 12 rats in the control group were executed at the same time as the last experimental group. The temporomandibular joint specimens were taken to produce slices.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The vascular endothelial growth factor-positive rate of recovery group was significantly larger than that of the 3 weeks stimulation group and the control group (P<0.05);transforming growth factor-β1 positive rate in the 6 weeks stimulation group was significantly greater than that in the control group (P<0.05). It indicated that vascular endothelial growth factor was related with the new blood capil aries repairing tissue, and transforming growth factor-β1 might play a role that stimulates bone resorption in psychological stress.

Objective To simulate the mechanical environment of cells in vivo and study cellular signal transduction mechanisms. Methods A device was developed which could provide high cell yield, control the time, strain magnitude, direction and frequency of stretch, and applied 10% cyclic strain to cell culture substrate with stretch frequency at 1Hz. Results After being stretched, morphology and cytoskeleton of cells were altered. The major axis of cells and the alignment of stress fibers were vertical to the orientation of cyclic stretch. Conclusion This device provides versatile options for the study on the cellular responses of mechanical loading.

Objective To study image findings of nonossifying fibroma.Methods The pathological and image findings fo 22 cases of nonossifying fibromas proved by operation were analysed.There were 12 cases of male and 10 cases female,with age ranging from 10 to 35 years(mean age 17 years).X-ray plain films were obtained in all 22 cases,CT images in 7 cases,and MRI in 2 cases.Results The tumors were located in long bone in 19 cases,in which 14 cases were located in metaphyses,2 cases in diaphyses and 2 cases in bone end,and 4 cases in irregular bone,which was seen in clavicle,rib,illum and maxilla respectively.The tumor maximum diamneter ranged from 2 to 6.5 cm,with mean diameter of 3.2 cm,and the ratio of longitudinal to transverse diameter was 2.51.The tumors were round,oral or mild lobular in 17 cases.The tumors were showed sclerotic borders in 20 cases,and no sclerotic border in 2 cases(clavicle and rib).Septum was demonstrated in 19 cases.Bone expasion was showed in one case.Conclusion If a tumor is located in cortex or marrow of long or irregular bone which is showed a welldefined lytic lesion with sclerotic rim,the diagnosis of nonossifying fibroma will be considered.

Simultaneous concurrence of subacute thyroiditis and Graves' disease is rare.We present one case of subacute thyroiditis with Graves' disease and combine with other reports to explore the clinical characteristics and therapeutic considerations.If subacute thyroiditis is considered coexisting simultaneously with Graves' disease,radioactive iodine uptake,thyroid autoantibody,fine-needle aspiration of thyroid gland,thyroid nuclide imaging examination,etc,should be done to make correct diagnosis and to adjust the therapeutic plan.