Objective To explore the value of evaluating rat liver fibrosis using contrast enhanced sonography.Methods Carbon tetrachloride was used to induce liver fibrosis.Under the mode of pulse-inversion harmonic imaging,ultrasound contrast agent was bolus iniected through tail vein,hepatic artery arrival time(HAAT),portal vein arrival time(PVAT),hepatic vein arrival time(HVAT)was recorded,and their relationship with immunohistochemical results were analyzed.Results There was no statistical difference of HAAT,PVAT between two groups among S0-S4 stage.HVAT was shorter in S3 and S4 stage than in S0-S2 stage(P＜0.05).HVAT was negative correlated with the percentage of immunohistochemical positive area of C-Ⅳ,LN,the correlation coefficients were-0.680 and -0.639 respectively.Conclusions Contrast enhanced sonography is useful for the diagnosing liver fibrosis.

Objective To investigate the expression of ezrin in seborrheie keratosis(SK),basal cell carcinoma (BCC).squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)and its relation to elinical pathology parameters.Methods Skin samples were collected from 36 patients with SCC,27 patients with BCC,20 patients with SK and 10 normal human controls.Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect the expression of ezrin in these samples.The relationship between ezrin expression and prognosis of SCC was assessed using COX regression analysis.Results The positivity rate of ezrin in SK,BCC and SCC samples was 25.0%,66.7%,91.3%,respectively,compared to 20.0%in normal controls.Compared with the controls,a significant increase was observed in the expression of ezrin in patients with BCC and SCC(both P＜0.05).but not in those with SK(P＞0.05).Moreover.increased expression level of ezrin was correlated with a high degree of tumor malignancy,advanced pathological stage,and occurrence of lymph node metastasis of SCC (r=0.87,0.80,0.89,respectively,all P＜0.01).COX regression analysis revealed that the expression level of ezrin was an independent factor for the prognosis of SCC.Conclusion The expression level of ezrin is closely related to the malignancy of skin tumors,pathological grading and lymph node metastasis of SCC.

BACKGROUND:Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is a commonly sport-induced knee joint injury that does serious harm to the knee stability. ACL reconstruction is a commonly used treatment method, but researches on 1/2 peroneus longus tendon (PLT) graft are rarely reported. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical outcomes of removing the autologous ipsilateral 1/2 PLT under arthroscopy for ACL reconstruction. METHODS:106 patients with complete ACL rupture in the Affiliated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southwest Medical University from December 2010 to December 2014 were enrolled, and autologous ipsilateral 1/2 PLT was removed under arthroscopy for ACL reconstruction. At baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively, the knee stability was evaluated manually through the anterior drawer test, Lachman test, and pivot-shift test, and the knee function was evaluated by Tegner activity scale, Lysholm and International Knee Documentation Committee scores. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Postoperative anterior drawer test, Lachman test, and pivot-shift test tests were negative in all patients. In terms of Tegner activity scale, Lysholm and International Knee Documentation Committee scores, there were significant differences at baseline and postoperative 3 months as compared with postoperative 6 months (P < 0.05); the scores at baseline and postoperative 3 months showed significant differences compared with 12 months postoperatively (P < 0.05); the scores showed no significant difference between 6 and 12 months postoperatively (P > 0.05). These results indicate that autologous ipsilateral 1/2 PLT is a good choice for ACL reconstruction under arthroscopy, achieving rapid and satisfactory functional recovery of the knee joint, which is not only minimally invasive and easy to operate, but also exhibits good therapeutic efficacy.

OBJECTIVETo study the promoter methylation pattern of p16 and hMLH1 genes in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and reflux esophagitis, and to correlate the results with clinical and pathologic findings.

METHODSTwelve cases of normal esophagus, 13 cases of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, 43 cases of reflux esophagitis with basal cell hyperplasia and 21 cases of reflux esophagitis with dysplasia, as confirmed by endoscopic and pathologic examination, were enrolled into the study. Genomic DNA was extracted. The promoter methylation status of p16 was measured by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction. The promoter methylation status of hMLH1 was measured by sodium bisulfite-restriction enzyme digestion. Immunohistochemical study for p16 and hMLH1 proteins was also carried out.

RESULTSThe rates of p16 methylation in normal esophageal epithelium, basal cell hyperplasia, dysplasia and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma were 0/12, 14.0% (6/43), 38.1% (8/21) and 6/13, respectively. The p16 methylation correlated with the progress of esophageal lesions. On the other hand, the hMLH1 methylation was not observed in the normal esophageal epithelium and reflux esophagitis. One case of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma showed the presence of hMLH1 methylation. The hMLH1 promoter hypermethylation did not correlate with the clinical and pathologic features.

CONCLUSIONSThe p16 methylation may be one of the earliest events in the pathogenesis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and is also observed in reflux esophagitis. Reflux esophagitis may be related to the development of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in Chinese population. In contrast, hMLH1 methylation may not be directly involved in the tumorigenesis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing ; genetics ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; genetics ; pathology ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16 ; genetics ; DNA Methylation ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; Esophagitis, Peptic ; genetics ; pathology ; Esophagus ; pathology ; Female ; Genes, p16 ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Male ; Middle Aged ; MutL Protein Homolog 1 ; Nuclear Proteins ; genetics ; Precancerous Conditions ; genetics ; pathology ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics

Objective: To explore the prevalence and associated factors of non learning-based screen time of 4-6 grade school students in Beijing, and to provide a basic data for further research on hazard control measures such as myopia, overweight and obesity among children and adolescents in Beijing. Methods: Multistage stratified random cluster sampling method was adopted. A total of 2 515 primary school students were randomly selected in from schools in Beijing, self-developed questionnaire was used to investigate on the time for each electronic products usage for non-learning purpose, the total of electronic products usage every day and other information. Results: The rates of screen time >15 minutes each time and ≥1 h daily were 48.43%, 22.90%, respectively. Multiple Logistic regression analysis showed that ordinary school, 6 th grade, male, single-parent family and other types of family, and lack of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity at weekend were associated with the students’ non learning-based screen time (OR=1.66, 2.28, 1.27, 1.44, 1.87, 2.20, P<0.05). Conclusion The situation of excessive screen time of primary school students was improved in Beijing, but still be prevelent, male students of grade 4 should be given more attention, and more importance should be attached to the offect of family in children.

Background Erythropoietin (EPO) has a protective effect on retinal neurons in many retinal diseases,but regarding the effect of EPO on apoptosis of retinal photoreceptor cells in retinal detachment (RD) is uncompletely clear.Objective This study was to investigate the protective effect of endogenous EPO on photoreceptors in a rat model of RD and explore its possible mechanism.Methods Seventy-two Sprague- Dawley (SD) rats were randomly assigned to control group,RD group,RD+PBS group,RD+erythropoietin soluble receptor (EPOsR) 2, 20, 200ng groups with 12 rats for each group.1.4% hyaluronic acid was slowly injected into the subretinal space to induce RD in rats,and PBS or 2,20 or 200ng EPOsR was then injected into the vitreous space.On day 3 after RD,apoptotic photoreceptors were detected using transferase-mediated dUTP nickend labeling (TUNEL),and caspase-3 activity was assessed by Western-blot and immunofluorescence staining.On day 14 after RD,retinal histopathologic examination was carried out and outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness was measured under the light microscope.The use of animals complied with the Statement of Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology. Results Apoptotic photoreceptors were seen in ONL of rats of the RD group.Apoptotic photoreceptors were gradually increased with the elevation of EPOsR dose in the vitreous cavity.Western blot and immunofluorescence consistently showed that the gray scale of caspase-3 activity was 0.15±0.04,0.49±0.03,0.50±0.07,0.63±0.03,0.69±0.04 and 0.83±0.04 in the normal group,RD group,RD +PBS group,RD+EPOsR 2,20,200ng groups respectively with statistically significant differences (F=76.016;P=0.000),and caspase-3 activity was considerably stronger in the RD+EPOsR 200ng group than the other groups (P＜0.01).On day 14 after RD,the ONL thicknesses in the normal control group,RD group,RD+PBS group,RD+EPOsR 2,20,200ng groups were (47.39±3.39)μm,(33.96±3.54)μm,(31.83±5.21)μm,(31.40±2.63)μm,(24.99±2.06)μm and (19.30±3.71)μm,showing significant differences among these groups (F=44.733,P=0.000).ONL thicknesses the groups treated with different doses of EPOsR were markedly thinner than that of the RD group and RD +PBS group (P＜0.01).Conclusion EPOsR induces apoptosis of retinal cells and enhances the activity of caspase-3 in a dose-dependent manner.Endogenous EPO can protect photoreceptors against anoxia-mediated damage in RD eyes through decreasing caspase-3 activity and inhibiting apoptosis.

Objective: To analyze the duration and influencing factors of moderate and vigorous physical activity(MVPA) on weekends for primary school students in grades 4 to 6 in Beijing, and to provide a reference for formulating health education and promotion measures. Methods: Multi stage stratified cluster sampling method was used to randomly select 2 515 students from grades 4-6 in 14 primary schools in Beijing, and a self administered questionnaire was used to record MVPA on weekend, social demographic characteristics, other related health behaviors and knowledge. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the influencing factors of MVPA on weekends. Results: The prevalence of insufficient MVPA on weekends in Beijing was 63.54 %, and the prevalence was higher among girls (69.92%) than boys (57.81%) ( χ 2=39.65, P <0.01). Multiple Logistic regression analysis revealed that girls ( OR =1.74), living in rural areas ( OR =1.41), participants attending general schools ( OR = 1.34 ), from divorced family ( OR =1.46), and short sleep duration ( OR =1.50) were more likely to fail to meet the MVPA recommendations( P <0.05). Conclusion It is quite common that no sufficient weekend MVPA among senior primary school students, among them, the outer suburbs and schools with relatively weak teaching resources are the key places that need attention, and girls are the key groups that need attention.

The essence of endogenous turbidity in Chinese medicine (CM) is different from cream, fat, phlegm, retention, damp, toxicity, and stasis. Along with the development of modern scientific technologies and biology, researches on the essence of endogenous turbidity should keep pace with the time. Its material bases should be defined and new connotation endowed at the microscopic level. The essence of turbidity lies in abnormal functions of zang-fu organs. Sugar, fat, protein, and other nutrient substances cannot be properly decomposed, but into semi-finished products or intermediate metabolites. They are inactive and cannot participate in normal material syntheses and decomposition. They cannot be transformed to energy metabolism, but also cannot be synthesized as executive functioning of active proteins. If they cannot be degraded by autophagy-lysosome or ubiquitin-prosome into glucose, fatty acids, amino acids, and other basic nutrients to be used again, they will accumulate inside the human body and become endogenous turbidity. Therefore, endogenous turbidity is different from final metabolites such as urea, carbon dioxide, etc., which can transform vital qi. How to improve the function of zang-fu organs, enhance its degradation by autophagy-lysosome or ubiquitin-prosome is of great significance in normal operating of zang-fu organs and preventing the emergence and progress of related diseases.
Autophagy ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex

OBJECTIVEHuman parainfluenza virus (HPIV) types 1, 2 and 3 are major viral pathogens responsible for upper and lower respiratory tract infections. In this study, a real-time RT-PCR was developed using multiplex primers-probe (HPIV-1, 2, 3) for the simultaneous detection of both HPIV1, HPIV2 and HPIV3 genomes.

METHODSOptimal primers and probes were designed using specialized software. The conditions for multiplex real-time RT-PCR had been optimized. The synthesis of RNA standards of HPIV1, 2, 3 were used a T7 RNA polymerase. Check the specificity sensitivities and stability of one step RT-PCR assay.

RESULTSObtained in a 10-fold dilution series assay demonstrate a high sensitivity of the assay with a lowest detection limit of 10 copies for HPIV1, 100 copies for HPIV2 and 100 copies for HPIV3.

CONCLUSIONThe assays demonstrates an improved sensitivity and scope of detecting HPIV1, 2, 3 viruses relative to routine antigen detection assays while the quantitative utility may facilitate investigation of the pre-diagnosis and respiratory virus pathogenesis.

Humans ; Oligonucleotides ; genetics ; Parainfluenza Virus 1, Human ; isolation & purification ; Parainfluenza Virus 2, Human ; isolation & purification ; Parainfluenza Virus 3, Human ; isolation & purification ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods

OBJECTIVETo study the clinicopathologic features, diagnosis and differential diagnosis of sinonasal teratocarcinosarcoma (SNTCS) and olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB), and to discuss the histogenesis and possible relationship between SNTCS and ONB.

METHODSSeven cases of SNTCS and 34 cases of ONB were retrieved from the pathological archives together with one case each of malignant teratoma and immature embryonic tissue at 8 weeks were collected from Beijing Tongren Hospital. The clinicopathologic features were analyzed and immunohistochemical staining was performed on paraffin sections.

RESULTSSix of the SNTCS patients were male and one was female. The patients age range was 25 to 69 years (mean age 46). Four cases were initial presentation and three were recurrences. Histologically, the tumor shows multiple tissue components derived from three germ layers. There were mixture of teratoma-like tissue and carcinosarcoma. The components include fetal clear cell squamous epithelium derived from ectoderm. Glandular and tubular structures and ciliated columnar epithelium derived from endoderm. Fibroblasts, striated muscle, smooth muscle, cartilage and osteoid matrix derived from mesoderm. The carcinoma component exhibited mostly adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, whereas the sarcoma component mostly exhibited rhabdomyosarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, and fibrosarcoma. In addition, carcinoid, and primitive mesenchymal tissue and the ONB component were also seen. The morphological characteristics of SNTCS comprised fetal clear cell squamous epithelium, carcinosarcoma and the ONB component. By immunohistochemistry, the epithelial component and cells with epithelium differentiation were positive for cytokeratin (pan) and EMA. The ONB component was positive for Syn, NSE, CD99, NF and CgA to different degrees. Neurofibril bundles were positive for S-100, and Flexner-Wintersteiner rosettes expressed cytokeratin (pan) and EMA. The spindle cells expressed vimentin, SMA, desmin, myosin and myoglobin. The primitive mesenchymal tissue expressed vimentin, and the mucoid materials and glycogen were positive for PAS. GFAP was negative in all cases. The 34 cases of ONB, included 18 men and 16 women, the age ranged from 12 to 72 years (mean 42.8 years). Microscopically, the tumor shows epithelial nests, net of angioma-like fibrous connective tissues, small round and spindle cells, glandular, squamous-like cells, and cells of rhabdomyoblastic differentiation, Homer-Wright and Flexner rosette, bundles of neurofibrils, etc. NSE and CgA were expressed in small cells. S-100 protein was positive in the areas of bunches of neurofibril. Cytokeratin (pan) was positive in epithelial cells. Myoglobin was positive in the cells of rhabdomyoblastic differentiation. The single case of immature malignant teratoma exhibited primitive nerve tissue, but fetal clear cell squamous epithelium was not found. In the immature embryonic tissue, rudimentary organs were formed, with fetal clear cell squamous epithelium lining present on the nasal and oral cavities surface.

CONCLUSIONSSNTCS is a rare and aggressive malignant neoplasm. Most of ONB are low-grade malignant tumors. Morphological differences are the most important basis to make differentiate SNTCS from ONB. As SNTCS may demonstrate a multiplicity of structures and pleomorphism, inadequate sampling at biopsy, therefore, may lead to errors in diagnosis. No evidence show that SNTCS are derived from germ cells and sinonasal teratoid carcinosarcoma may be a more proper name. SNTCS probably arises from primitive totipotential cells of olfactory/sinonasal membrane, and the relationship between SNTCS and ONB needs further study.

Adult ; Aged ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; metabolism ; Carcinosarcoma ; pathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Esthesioneuroblastoma, Olfactory ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasal Cavity ; pathology ; Nose Neoplasms ; pathology ; Paranasal Sinus Neoplasms ; pathology ; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase ; Rhabdomyosarcoma ; pathology