Antigens, CD20 ; metabolism ; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections ; virology ; Female ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse ; pathology ; virology ; Middle Aged ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; virology

Objective To study the expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and Ki-67 antigen and their correlation in human brain astrocytorna. Methods Immunohistochemistry with SP method was employed to detect the expressions of VEGF and Ki-67 in 60 human brain astrocytoma tissue (grade Ⅰ-Ⅱ 28 cases, grade Ⅲ 20 cases, grade Ⅳ 12 cases) and 30 normal tissues adjacent to the tumors. Results VEGF and Ki-67 were not expressed in the normal brain tissues adjacent to the astrocytoma, but their expressions were detected in all the astroeytoma tissues of different grades (P<0.05). High-grade astrocytomas showed significantly higher VEGF and Ki-67 expression than low-grade astrocytomas (P<0.05), and a positive correlation was noted between VEGF and Ki-67 expressions (r=0.310, P<0.05). Conclusion VEGF and Ki-67 expressions can provide important evidence for evaluating the malignancy and clinicopathologieal grading of human astrocytoma.

BACKGROUNDOur previous research has suggested that platelet activating factor receptor was related to atherosclerosis. The present study investigated the effect of a platelet activating factor receptor antagonist-WEB2086 on angiogenesis in aortal plaque and ischemic hindlimb of apolipoprotein E-deficient mice.

METHODSEight-week-old apolipoprotein E-deficient mice were fed with a 0.15% cholesterol diet to develop advanced lesions. At age 32 weeks unilateral hindlimb ischemia was surgically induced and the mice were divided into two groups: with or without WEB2086 mixed with their drinking water (4.3 mg in 100 ml). At age 40 weeks blood was collected from the orbit for measurement of serum lipids and an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine platelet activating factor and oxidized low density lipoprotein in the gastrocnemius and aorta. Whole-Mount CD31 stain and plaque-associated sprouting have been used to estimate angiogenesis in plaque from the aorta and laser Doppler perfusion imaging and immunohistochemical expression of von Willebrand factor have been used to estimate angiogenesis in ischemic hindlimb.

RESULTSThe lipid composition of serum was not different between the groups. However, the amount of platelet activating factor and oxidized low density lipoprotein detected in the aorta was significantly higher than that in the gastrocnemius of ischemic hindlimb. The ratio of lesion to aorta levels was significantly reduced by administration of WEB2086, (31.52 +/- 6.18)% vs (55.58 +/- 8.34)%, P < 0.01. The mean density of intimal capillaries in atherosclerotic plaque, (31.13 +/- 9.20)% vs (57.74 +/- 11.28)%, P < 0.01, and the mean number of sprouts per aorta were significantly reduced, 183.92 +/- 34.17 vs 392.54 +/- 76.79, P < 0.01, in the WEB2086 group. Blood flow (0.85 +/- 0.12 vs 0.45 +/- 0.06, P < 0.01) and capillary density of ischemic hindlimb (1.18 +/- 0.17 vs 0.53 +/- 0.09, P < 0.01) were markedly increased in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice treated with WEB2086 versus controls.

CONCLUSIONThe study provides evidence that WEB2086 can inhibit angiogenesis in atherosclerotic plaque but promote it in ischemic hindlimb.

Animals ; Apolipoproteins E ; deficiency ; Atherosclerosis ; physiopathology ; Azepines ; pharmacology ; Capillaries ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Hindlimb ; blood supply ; Ischemia ; physiopathology ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; blood ; physiology ; Male ; Mice ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; drug effects ; Platelet Activating Factor ; analysis ; Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Triazoles ; pharmacology

Most haemoglobin (Hb) variants are clinically silent. However, some Hb variants may interfere with the measurement of haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), resulting in spurious values depending on the assays used. We herein report the case of a 53-year-old Taiwanese man with type 2 diabetes mellitus, who presented with an abnormal HbA1c peak on ion-exchange chromatography. Additional investigations, including intensified self-monitored blood glucose tests, an alternative HbA1c assay, and a glycaemic indicator based on a different method, revealed that the HbA1c values were falsely elevated. Subsequent DNA analysis confirmed that the patient was heterozygous for the insertion of an isoleucine residue at codons 117/118 of the a1-globin gene, Hb Phnom Penh. Clinical laboratorians should be aware of the interfering factors in their HbA1c analysis. Cautious inspection of the chromatogram may provide a valuable clue to the presence of an Hb variant.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Chromatography, Ion Exchange ; Diabetes Complications ; blood ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; blood ; complications ; Dyslipidemias ; blood ; complications ; Hemoglobins, Abnormal ; analysis ; Humans ; Hypertension ; blood ; complications ; Hypoglycemia ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Taiwan

OBJECTIVE: To explore the application of a 289bp fragment of the 16S rDNA gene to identify various species of sarcosaphagous Calliphorid flies. METHODS: Twenty-six Calliphorid flies were collected from 14 Chinese provinces. All specimens were properly assigned into three genera and six species. The DNA of the pectoralis was extracted using CTAB method. Then PCR amplification was done for the 289 bp fragment of the 16S rDNA gene. The PCR products were then purified and sequenced, and the obtained sequences were uploaded to GenBank. The phylogenetic tree was built by the neighbor-joining method and intraspecific and interspecific divergences were calculated by sequence analysis. RESULTS: The above 26 sarcosaphagous flies could be well clustered according to different genera and species. The evolutional intraspecific values were all zero, the evolutional interspecific variations varied from 0.3% to 6.5%. CONCLUSION The 289 bp fragment of the 16S rDNA of sarcosaphagous flies can be effectively used to identify most of the flies at species level. This method appears to be fast and low dissipative, which might be used to estimate postmortem interval by sarcosaphagous flies.
Animals ; DNA Primers ; DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics* ; DNA, Ribosomal/genetics* ; Diptera/genetics* ; Entomology ; Forensic Medicine/methods* ; Phylogeny ; Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods* ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics* ; Rabbits ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Species Specificity

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical significance of 320-slice CT hepatic artery images in patients with liver transplantation.

METHODSA total of 58 patients underwent CT scanning by 320-slice scanner after liver transplantation. They were divided into 2 groups according to the concentration of contrast media as follows: Group A (27 cases, 350 mgI/ml iopromide), Group B (31 cases, 370 mgI/ml iopromide). Contrast medium was infused at 6 ml/s, with a total dose of 50 ml. Images were generated by dynamic volume scanning and were processed by 4D digital subtraction angiography (DSA) imaging software. The time-density curve (TDC) of the hepatic artery was delineated. The time to peak, peak contrast enhancement were recorded. The physiological parameters such as body weight and height were analyzed.

RESULTS(1) There were no differences in clinical parameters such as age, sex, height, weight, or BMI between groups. The time to peak of hepatic artery of group A and B was (19.71+/-3.11) s and (20.06+/-3.67) s, and had no significant difference. The maximum peak enhancement of hepatic artery in groups B was higher than that group A (P < 0.05). (2) 4D DSA revealed hepatic artery pseudo-aneurysm (n = 2), and hepatic artery mild stenosis (n = 13), moderate stenosis (n = 5), severe stenosis (n = 9) and occlusion (n = 1), segmental moderate and severe stenosis (n = 4), and compensatory circulation with hepatic artery severe stenosis and occlusion (n = 6). hepatoportal arteriovenous fistulas (HPAVF, n = 12), donor-recipient hepatic artery mismatch (n = 3). Hepatic arterial branch are decreased and opened in 15 cases and 8 cases.

CONCLUSION320-slice CT hepatic artery images is safe, noninvasive, and accurate technique to evaluate hepatic arterial complications after liver transplantation.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Hepatic Artery ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Liver Diseases ; diagnostic imaging ; etiology ; Liver Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To establish an effective clinical pathway of hospitalization process for occupational chronic mild lead poisoning within the framework of project time; to formulate a rational and effective management model for the diagnosis and treatment. METHODS: Occupational chronic mild lead poisoning was selected as a disease for pilot study based on GBZ 37-2015 Diagnosis of Occupational Chronic Lead Poisoning. According to evidence-based medicine criteria,the clinical procedure was developed,preliminary used and evaluated in clinical practice in several hospitals,with the best treatment scheme of the disease. The principal methods used are literature research,case analysis and expert consultation.RESULTS: Standardized documents relevant to clinical pathway for occupational chronic mild lead poisoning have been formulated,including standardized in-hospital treatment process,Clinical Pathway Forms for medical staff and Consent Documents of Clinical Pathway for Patients. Preliminary clinical research showed that this clinical pathway is conducive to standardizing medical process,improving medical quality,shortening the time in hospital,reducing medical cost and the waste on medical resources. CONCLUSION: The results confirm that the clinical pathway for occupational chronic mild lead poisoning is scientific,rational,normative and practical. It will surely contribute to promote the management of disease diagnosis and treatment.