Lysosomal associated protein transmembrane 4 B (LAPTM4B) is a recently discovered gene with the characteristics of oncogenes. This article presents a preliminary review of the structure, biological function and genetic polymorphisms of LAPTM4B and its role in cancer prognosis.

Objective To evaluate the clinical value of serum procalcitonin (PCT) in the diagnosis and differentiation of bacterial infections in the critically ill patients. Methods A total of 53 critical patients were divided into bacterial infection group and non-bacterial infection group. Serum PCT was measured by immunoluminometric assay. Results PCT of bacterial infection group was significantly higher than that in non-bacterial infection group (?~2=0.05, P

Objective To investigate the role of extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2) in the central amygdala on fentanyl-induced hyperalgesia in rats.Methods Thirty-two male SpragueDawley rats, weighing 60-100 g, were randomly divided into 4 groups (n =8 each) using a random number table: control group (group C), fentanyl-induced hyperalgesia group (group H), U0124 group (group U1) , and U0126 group (group U2).A catheter was implanted in the central amygdale.In group C, normal saline was injected subcutaneously, and 6.5 h later dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was injected via the catheter.In group H, fentanyl was injected subcutaneously to induce hyperalgesia, and 6.5 h later DMSO was injected via the catheter.In group U1, hyperalgesia was induced, and 6.5 h later ERK1 inhibitor U0124 1.5 nmol was injected via the catheter.In group U2, hyperalgesia was induced, and 6.5 h later ERK1/2 inhibitor U0126 1.5 nmol was injected via the catheter.Mechanical paw withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal paw withdrawal threshold (TWT) were measured before fentanyl injection, at 6.5 h after injection, and at 30 min after DMSO or U0124/U0126 administration via the catheter (T0-2).After the last measurement of pain threshold, the rats were sacrificed, and the amygdala tissues were sampled for detection of the expression of phosphorylated ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2) by Western blot in groups C and H.Results Compared with group C, the MWT and TWT were significantly decreased at T1,2in H and U1 groups, and at T1in group U2 (P＜0.05) , the expression of p-ERK2 was up-regulated (P＜0.05) , and no significant change was found in the expression of p-ERK1 in group H (P＞0.05).Compared with group H,the MWT and TWT were significantly increased at T2 in group U2 (P＜0.05) , and no significant change was found in MWT, TWT in group U1 (P＞0.05).Conclusion ERK2 activation in the central amygdala is involved in the development of fentanyl-induced hyperalgesia in rats.

A new chromene (1) and six known compounds identified as 6-hydroxymellein (2), 6-hydroxy-5-methylmellein (3) nectriapyrone (4), chermesinone A(5), chermesinone B(6), and pomopxanthone A(7), were isolated in our investigation of the cytotoxic constituents from the fermented rice substrate of endophytic fungus Phomopsis sp. HCCB03519. The structures of these com pounds were elucidated through spectroscopic data analysis. All compounds exhibited inhibitory activities against cancer cell lines. Compound 7 showed stronger inhibition against cancer cells than the positive control 5-Fu.
Antineoplastic Agents ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Ascomycota ; chemistry ; Benzopyrans ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Fluorouracil ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Isocoumarins ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Molecular Structure

Cardiovascular Diseases ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Humans ; RNA Interference

Objective To evaluate the peripheral dose (PD) from megavoltage cone-beam CT (MVCBCT) imaging for head-and-neck region image-guided radiation therapy,to determine the correlation of PD with monitor unit (MU),and to investigate the impact of imaging field size on the PD.Methods Measurements of PD from MVCBCT were made with a 0.65 cm3 ionization chamber placed in a specially designed phantom at various depths and distances from the field edges.The PD at reference point inside the phantom was measured with the same ionization chamber to investigate the linearity between MU used for MVCBCT and the PD.The homogeneity of PD in the axial plane of the phantom were measured.Results PD from MVCBCT increased with increasing number of MU used for imaging and with increasing the field size.The measured PD in the phantom decreased exponentially as distance from the field edges increased.PD also decreased as the depth from the phantom surface increased.There was a strong linear relationship between PD and MUs used for MVCBCT.The PD was heterogeneous,with higher dose at the anterior than the posterior.Conclusions The PD from MVCBCT depend much on the MVCBCT delivery MU and the scan field size.In clinic,using the smallest number of MU allowable and reducing MVCBCT scanning field size without compromising acquired image quality is an effective method of reducing the PD.

Objective To evaluate the value of Disposcope-guided the left-sided double-lumen tube (DLT) intubation.Methods Fifty ASA physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ patients,aged 47-69 yr,without difficult airway,scheduled for elective thoracic surgery,were randomly divided into 2 groups (n =25 each) using a random number table:Disposcope (group D) and Macintosh direct laryngoscope (group M).Anesthesia was induced with iv injection of midazolam,propofol,sufentanil and rocuronium.Before induction (baseline,T1),before intubation (T2),immediately after successful intubation (T3),and at 1 and 3 min after intubation (T4-5),systolic blood pressure (SBP),mean airway pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were recorded,and rate-pressure (SBP) product (RPP) was calculated.Arterial blood samples were obtained at T1-5 for measurement of plasma epinephrine (E),norepinephrine (NE),and dopamine (DOPA) concentrations.The success rate of DLT intubation at first attempt,total success rate of DLT intubation,intubation time,and development of sore throat within 24 h after surgery were recorded.Results Compared with group M,the intubation time was significantly shortened,the success rate of DLT intubation at first attempt was increased,the incidence of sore throat was decreased,and the levels of MAP,HR,RPP,E,NE and DOPA were decreased at T3-5 in D group (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with the baseline value at T1,the levels of MAP,HR,RPP,E,NE and DOPA were decreased at T3-5 in M group (P ＜ 0.05),and no significant change was found in D group (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Disposcope-guided left-sided DLT intubation provides significant clinical value.

ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-B and pre-eclampsia or eclampsia by comparing the expression of PDGF-B mRNA and PDGF-BB protein in the placentas from pregnant women with normal pregnancy,pre-eclampsia or eclampsia.Methods The expression of PDGF-B mRNA and PDGF-BB protein were respectively determined with RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry combined with the analysis of computer microphotography in the placentas from 20 mild pre-eclampsia (mild pre-eclampsia group),20 severe pre-eclampsia (severe pre-eclampsia group),3 eclampsia (eclampsia group) and 20 normal pregnancy (control group).ResultsThe expression of PDGF-B mRNA and PDGF-BB protein in the placentas of mild pre-eclampsia group,severe pre-eclampsia group and eclampsia group ( 1.56 ± 0.30 and 1.32 ± 0.34,1.91 ± 0.28 and 2.00 ± 0.41,2.57 ± 0.06 and 2.73 ± 0.15)were higher than those of control group ( 1.38 ± 0.25 and 1.01 ± 0.26) with significant differences (P＜ 0.01 ).The expression of PDGF-B mRNA and PDGF-BB protein in the placentas of severe pre-eclampsia group and eclampsia group were higher than those of mild pre-eclampsia group (P ＜ 0.01 ).The expression of PDGF-B mRNA and PDGF-BB protein were positively correlated with the degree of the disease (r =0.691,0.797,P ＜0.01 ).ConclusionsPregnant women with pre-eclampsia and eclampsia have higher expression of pDGF-B in the placentas.PDGF-B may play an important role in the development and progression of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia by promoting atherogenesis in the placental vessels.

Actins ; metabolism ; Adenoma, Pleomorphic ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; metabolism ; Humans ; Infant ; Keratins ; metabolism ; Male ; Nasal Cavity ; pathology ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Nose Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Reoperation ; Vimentin ; metabolism

Objective To investigate clinical features,diagnosis and surgery treatment of Hashimoto thyroiditis associated with thyroid carcinoma. Method Twenty-four cases of Hashimoto thyroiditis diagnosed by surgical pathology from January 2004 to December 2009 were associated with thyroid carcinoma. Results In the all 24 cases,22 cases (91.7% ,22/24) were associated with papillary thyroid carcinoma,including 12 cases (50.0% ,12/24) of micropapillary thyroid carcinoma,and 2 cases (8.3%, 2/24) were associated with medullay thyroid carcinoma. Thyroid colour ultrasound Doppler indicated that diffuse enlargement of thyroid with nodes occurred in 21 cases,account for 87.5%(21/24), single node occurred in 15 cases,account for 62.5%(15/24), 12 cases demonstrated thyroid nodes with calcification,account for 50.0%(12/24). Eight cases were examinated by fine-needle aspiration cytology biopsy(FNACB) before operation,examing results of 3 indicated thyroid carcinoma, account for 37.5%. Twenty cases were followed up 2 months to 6 years,no thyroid carcinoma recurred,4 cases missed. Conclusions Thyroid colour ultrasound Doppler examination plays an important role in diagnosis of Hashimoto thyroiditis associated with thyroid carcinoma before operation. It is necessary to investigate progressively the role of FNACB in diagnosis of Hashimoto thyroiditis associated with thyroid carcinoma before operation. Surgical exploration might become an important approach in diagnosis and treatment of Hashimoto thyroiditis associated with thyroid carcinoma.