OBJECTIVETo improve the recognition and treatment of Chinese cutis verticis gyrata.

METHODSBased on the review of the etiopathology, clinical features, diagnosis, classification and treatment of the disease in the literatures, six patients with the cutis verticis gyrata were treated with the skin graft or the expanded scalp flap.

RESULTSThe operative effects were satisfactory during 6 months to 5 years of the follow-ups. No recurrence was found in all cases. Two patients treated with skin graft had lead to baldness, four patients treated with the expanded scalp flap had been good appearance.

CONCLUSIONSThe method of the expanded scalp flap is good and effective treatment for the cutis verticis gyrate.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Scalp ; abnormalities ; Scalp Dermatoses ; pathology ; surgery ; Tissue Expansion ; methods ; Young Adult

Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; Humans ; Kidney Neoplasms ; Nomograms ; Prognosis ; Progression-Free Survival ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo study the expression level and intracellular localization of APOBEC3G in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and liver tissues of chronic HBV patients.

METHODSThe expression level and intracellular localization of APOBEC3G in PBMCs and liver tissues were detected using the western blot and confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM).

RESULTSWestern-blot showed that the expression level of APOBEC3G in PBMCs of healthy controls was very low. The relative expression levels of APOBEC3G in PBMC of patients with chronic hepatitis B, chronic severe hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, or liver cancer were 4.12+/-0.21, 4.07+/-0.28, 4.16+/-0.36 or 4.21+/-0.39 respectively, which were higher than that in the healthy controls. However, there was no significant difference in APOBEC3G expression among different chronic HBV patients (q = 0.931, 0.744, 1.675, 1.675, 2.606 or 0.931, respectively, all P values more than 0.05). In addition, there was no significant difference on APOBEC3G in liver tissues between chronic hepatitis B patients and hepatocellular carcinoma patients (4.40+/-0.34 vs 4.34+/-0.43, q = 0.588, P more than 0.05). CLSM indicated that the localization of APOBEC3G protein was in cytoplasm of PBMCs and hepatocytes.

CONCLUSIONAPOBEC3G is upregulated in the PBMCs of chronic hepatitis B patients.

APOBEC-3G Deaminase ; Blotting, Western ; Case-Control Studies ; Cytidine Deaminase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cytoplasm ; metabolism ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; metabolism ; pathology ; virology ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; metabolism ; Liver ; metabolism ; pathology ; Liver Cirrhosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; virology ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; virology ; Microscopy, Confocal ; methods ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate K(ATP) channel function of cardiomyocytes isolated from the left ventricular wall of rats with or without abdominal aortic constriction at different time points under normal or simulated ischemic conditions.

METHODSMale Wistar rats were randomized into 4 groups (n = 10 - 13): 4-week sham-operated group (F4), 4-week aortic-banded group (T4), 12-week sham-operated group (F12), 12-week aortic-banded group (T12). Chronic pressure overload model was established by abdominal aortic constriction. Left ventricular myocytes were isolated by modified Langendorff perfusion method post in vivo hemodynamical measurements. The whole-cell patch-clamp technique was used to record transient outward current of K(ATP) channel on myocytes under normal and simulated ischemic perfusion conditions. The current densities of K(ATP) channel between F4 and T4 group, F12 and T12 group were compared under 0 mV of test potential.

RESULTSSBP, DBP and MBP were significantly increased in T4 group compared to F4 group, but were similar between T12 and F12 groups. LVEDP and +/- dp/dtmax were similar between T4 and F4 groups and LVEDP was significantly increased while +/- dp/dtmax significantly reduced in T12 group than that in F12 group. Whole-cell membrane current densities were similar between F4 and T4 group or F12 and T12 group under normoxic condition, the K(ATP) current densities increased dramatically in T12 group [(28.11 +/- 3.91) pA/pF vs (11.55 +/- 1.17) pA/pF, P < 0.01], but not in T4 group [(14.09 +/- 5.74) pA/pF vs (11.74 +/- 3.68) pA/pF, P > 0.05] in myocytes exposed to ischemic solution for 25 minutes. The total number of K(ATP) channel in ventricular myocytes was similar between F4 and T4 group or F12 and T12 group.

CONCLUSIONSThe sarcolemmal K(ATP) channel was more sensitive to ischemia and the current magnitude was significantly increased at the stage of congestive heart failure. The functional change of K(ATP) channel occurred before the increase of total number of K(ATP) channel.

Animals ; Disease Progression ; Heart Failure ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; KATP Channels ; metabolism ; Male ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; pathology ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo explore the sonographic characteristics of intraveous leiomyomatosis (IVL) with intracardiac extension and improve its diagnosis.

METHODSThe clinical and sonographic data of 13 female patients with pathologically confirmed IVL with intracardiac extension who were treated in our hospital between 2002 and 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. These patients aged 44 years old (range: 38-49 years), and 10 of them were first-episode patients and the remaining 3 were recurrent patients. Eight patients had a history of hysterectomy for leiomyoma.

RESULTSThe first-episode symptoms included exertional chest tightness and shortness of breath (n=5), abdominal distention and edema of low extermity (n=4), exertional palpitation of cardiac origin (n=3), and menorrhagia (n=1). Ultrasonography showed that all patients had isoechoic or hypoechoic tumors extended through the inferior vena cava into right heart chambers (62% in right atrium alone and 38% in right ventricle and atrium). Nine masses in right heart chamber (69.2%) were oval and 4 (30.8%) were serpentine, which were all with well-demarcated borders and most (80%) with heteroechogenic texture. Ten patients had hypoechoic or mixed echoic tumors in pelvic cavity or uterus, and 6 of them had abundant blood flow.

CONCLUSIONSIVL with intracardiac extension has certain sonographic characteristics. Ultrasonography is a valuable tool in the diagnosis of IVL with intracardiac extension.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Leiomyomatosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Middle Aged ; Myocardium ; pathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Ultrasonography ; Vascular Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology

Objective To study the bone biomechanics of the rabbit osteoporosis models induced by dexamethasone sodium phosphate injection (DX) using a combined treatment modality of 99Tc-MDP and GuKangLing.Methods Rabbits were intramuscularly injected with DX (2 mg/kg) twice a week for 6 weeks.The animal osteoporosis model group (Group C) and normal group (Group A) were compared to confirm the model was available.Another control group (Group B),the osteoporosis control group (Group D) were set for the comparison at the end of the experiment.The 99Tc-MDP therapy group (Group E),GuKangLing therapy group (Group F) and 99Tc-MDP plus GuKangLing therapy group (Group G) were included in the study.The treatment lasted for 16 weeks.The bone biomechanics,cytopathology bone histomorphology,bone mineral density (BMD),X-ray,CT,bone scintigraphy and serum bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP)and P (bone gla protein) were chosen as the markers or methods to evaluate the treatment results (excellent,effective and invalid).The analysis of variance (ANOVA) and t-test were used for group comparison analysis.Results Cytopathology result indicated that there was no bone trabecula destruction in Group A.However,there was distinct bone destruction in Group C.The bone biomechanics (left femur head (265.914 ±52.773) N,L4(369.671 ±94.919) N),BMD(left femur (0.238 ±0.016) g/cm2,L4(0.236 ±0.016) g/cm2)and bone histomorphology ( (66.230 ± 10.848) ％ ) in Group C reduced clearly as compared with Group A ((405.343±55.410) N,(750.870±53.718) N,(0.294±0.017) g/cm2,(0.302±0.023) g/cm2,( 131.500 ± 21.846) ％ ) ( t ≥4.550,all P ＜ 0.01 ).Radionuclide bone scan also showed that the uptake of tracers was higher by the main arthrosis in Group C than that in Group A.Vertebra was not clearly visualized on bone scan image.There were significant differences between Group A and Group C in serum BALP and P ((45.000±7.303) vs (12.485 ±1.512) U/L,(0.168±0.018) vs (0.115 ±0.017) μg/L,t =4.126,5.476,both P ＜ 0.01 ),which indicated that the animal osteoporosis model was available.The pathological results showed an improved recovery of bone structure and trabecular in Groups E and G,but a worse recovery in Group F.Biomechanics result in Groups E and G (left femur head (386.457 ±77.077) N and (432.771 ± 17.525) N,L4(649.550 ± 126.859) N and (655.443 ±76.555) N) improved apparently,which were similar to Group B.The radiotracer uptake in Group F was lower than that in group D.The bone biomechanics,bone histomorphology,BMD,serum BALP and P after the treatment showed significant differences in Groups E,F and G (F:8.556 - 31.608,all P＜0.01 ),and the bone biomechanics result in Group G was a little better than that in Group E (t =2.625,P ＜ 0.05 ).The results of Group G and E were considered as excellent,and Group F was considered as effective.Conclusions The treatment of 99Tc-MDP combined with GuKangLing could improve the bone biomechanics of rabbit osteoporosis models and may be a potential method to increase the bone strength for resisting external force.

OBJECTIVETo study the distribution of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) genotypes in Hubei province.

METHODSEpidemiological survey was carried out to HIV-1 carriers who were identified in Hubei province. HIV-1 env V3-V4, gag P17/24 and the first exon of tat region were amplified by nested-polymerase chain reaction(nPCR) .The sequences were determined, and phylogenetic analyses were then performed.

RESULTS4 HIV-1 strains or circulating recombinant forms (CRFs) were identified in Hubei province with subtype B' the predominant which covered 5 kinds of populations including former blood donors, blood receivers, spouses of the infected people, sex workers and their clients, homosexuals, mainly distributed in the areas with many former blood donors. CRF08-BC and CRF01-AE were found distributed in economically more developed cities or southern area of the province, and the major transmission routes was through sexual contact. Only 1 patient, an injecting drug user, was identified having subtype C.

CONCLUSIONSubtype B' was the main epidemic subtypes in Hubei province while CRF08-BC, CRF01-AE and subtype C were also circulating in the province, indicating the transmission of the disease might to become more complex.

China ; epidemiology ; HIV Infections ; epidemiology ; HIV-1 ; classification ; Humans ; Molecular Epidemiology ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Viral ; genetics ; Sequence Analysis, RNA

OBJECTIVETo investigate the characteristic of subtypes and genetic diversity of HIV-1 circulating in Hubei province and its molecular epidemiological linkages with regard to risk factors of viral transmission.

METHODSplasma samples of 80 diagnosed individuals was characterized. The gene fragments of gag were amplified by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and HIV-1 genotypes were determined based on the nucleotide sequences of gag region.

RESULTSSeven HIV-1 group M subtypes or CRF including B, B', G, CRF01-AE, CRF07-BC, CRF08-BC and CRF15-01B were identified. CRF01-AE was found to be the most dominant subtype (48.4%) followed by CRF7-BC (22.6%) and B' (12.9%).

CONCLUSIONThe data from this study indicate the existence of multiple HIV-1 subtypes or CRFs in Hubei province and the surveillance of HIV-1 gene variation should be paid more attention to.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; China ; epidemiology ; Genotype ; HIV Infections ; epidemiology ; virology ; HIV-1 ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phylogeny ; Young Adult ; gag Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus ; genetics

OBJECTIVESTo find possible factors correlated with combined loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of 1p and 19q.

METHODSThe status of 1p and 19q of 138 glioma specimen from January 2009 to December 2009 was evaluated by Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) method, and the frequencies of combining LOH of 1p/19q were compared between different pathologies, brain sub-regions, genders and ages.

RESULTSThe frequencies of combined LOH of 1p and 19q of oligodendroglial (81.3%) and oligo astrocytic tumors (55.8%) were significantly higher than that of astrocytic tumor (22.2%) (P < 0.01), and the frequency of oligodendroglial tumor was significantly higher than that of oligo astrocytic tumor (P < 0.05). The frequency of combining LOH of 1p and 19q in frontal lobe (61.8%) was higher than that in temporal (31.8%) and insular lobes (34.6%) (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONCombining LOH of 1p and 19q has significant correlation with the pathologies and brain sub-regions.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Brain Neoplasms ; genetics ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 1 ; genetics ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 19 ; genetics ; Female ; Glioma ; genetics ; Humans ; Loss of Heterozygosity ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

Rabdosia japonica(Burm.f.) Hara var.glaucocalyx(Maxim.) Hara is a traditional Chinese medicine, and is known to have anti-tumor effects. This study aims to investigate the effect of glaucocalyxin A (GLA), a diterpenoids extracted from Glaucocalyx Hara, on apoptosis of glioma cells and its mechanism. This study investigated the molecular signaling mechanism of GLA-induced glioma cell apoptosis by analyzing survival rate of C6 rat glioma cells, cell morphology, colony formation ability, interference ribonucleic acid, polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot. The result showed that in the presentce of GLA, the survival rate of C6 rat glioma cells decreased significantly, while the expression of guanine nucleotide-exchange factor-H1 was up-regulated, causing phosphorylation of extracellular regulated protein kinases proteins and apoptosis. Hence, the mechanism of GLA-induced glioma cell apoptosis was the GEF-H1/ERK pathway.