Adenocarcinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Adult ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Keratins ; metabolism ; Lung Neoplasms ; secondary ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; metabolism ; Prostatectomy ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; secondary ; surgery ; Sarcoma, Synovial ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Vimentin ; metabolism

[Objective]This study was designed to investigate capability of the conditioned media that originated from Renca cells to convert CIM~+ CD25~- T cells into CD4~+ CD25~+ T cells,which can exert immunosuppressive effect on effector T cells in vitro and in vivo.[Methods]The common media were mixed with the conditioned media at different ratios,and fresh enriched CD4~+ CD25~- T cells with MACS were cultured in mixed media for 7 days.At end-point of culture,the cells were collected and detected phenotypes in flow cytometer.Moreover,we detected immunosuppressive effect of converted CD4~+ CD25~+ T cells on effeetor T cells proliferation in one-way mixed lymphocytes reaction by using CCK-8,and we observed survival time and histology of grafts.The delayed type hypersensitivity was determined 14 days after transplantation.[Results]The mixed media could increase ratio of CD4~+ CD25~+ Foxp3~+ T cells in conditioned media ratio-dependent(P＜0.05),compared with control groups,when the mixed media contained no mote than 75% of conditioned media.The converted CD4~+ CD25~+ T cells significantly suppress proliferation of effector T cells in vitro,and prolong survival time of grafts,which were(29.6±1.4)d in converted CD4~+ CD25~+ T cells treated groups(P＜0.05),compared with that in untreated groups(9.8±0.6 d)or PBS treated groups(10.9±0.6 d).Moreover,delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction were conducted at day 14 after transplantation in the recipients,and the results showed that less pad swelling in the group treated with converted CD4~+ CD25~+ T cells than other control groups was found,according to measurement of pad swelling.In addition,progressed to complete necrosis of grafts were exhibited in the mice treated with PBS and untreated mice,whereas better healing of grafts and less lymphocytes infiltration were displayed in the mice treated with converted CD4~+ CD25~+ T cells,which were similar to the mice treated with natural regulatory T cells.[Conclusion]The converted CD4~+ CD25~+ T cells with Renca conditioned media play suppressive role in vitro and in vivo.

ObjectiveTo compare the efficacy and safety of intermittent patient-initiated single-dose antibiotic prophylaxis and continuous antibiotic prophylaxis for the prevention of recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI) in postmenopausal women. MethodsA randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted for the prevention of recurrent urinary tract infection. Single dose of antibiotic was given every night in continuous antibiotic prophylaxis group and every time after exposure to conditions predisposed to UTI in intermittent antibiotic prophylaxis group. The duration of prevention was 12 months in both groups. ResultsThe effective rates of intermittent antibiotic prophylaxis and continuous antibiotic prophylaxis were 71.0% and 81.8% respectively (P＞0.05). The incidence of gastrointestinal adverse reaction in intermittent antibiotic prophylaxis group was significantly lower than that in continuous antibiotic prophylaxis group (7.7% vs 28.6%,P＜0.05). ConclusionsCompared with continuous antibiotic prophylaxis, intermittent patient-initiated single-dose antibiotic prophylaxis is a better prophylaxis with less gastrointestinal adverse reactions for the prevention of recurrent urinary tract infection in postmenopausal women.

Objective To study the efficacy of low-dose daytime ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (DAPD) and low-dose CAPD in diabetic end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients with better residual renal function (RRF). Methods Forty stable diabetic ESRD patients with better RRF (rGFR ≥ 5 ml/min and urine volume ≥ 750 ml/d) were enrolled. They were randomly divided into two groups: low-dose DAPD group (n=20) and low-dose CAPD group (n=20). DAPD group received three 1.5 L to 2 L daily exchanges with a nocturnal empty belly, dwelling for 3 to 4 hours. CAPD group received three 1.5 L to 2 L daily exchange or four 1.5 L daily exchange regimens and dwelled during the night. At the beginning of the study and 6 months later, total weekly Kt/V and Ccr (peritoneal+renal), rGFR were calculated. Meanwhile 24-hour urinary protein,serum albumin (Alb), hemoglobin (Hb), fasting plasma glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin and insulin dosage were measured. Nutritional status was assessed by SGA. Results Thirty-five patients fulfilled the study. There were no significant differences between two groups in age, gender, BMI,PD time, D/Pcr, etc. At the end of the 6th month, the insulin dose[(33.6±10.9) U/d] and 24-hour dialysate protein [(11.13t4.95) g] in CAPD group were significantly higher as compared to DAPD group [(20.6±6.2) U/d, P＜0.05 and (5.66±2.88) g, P＜0.01 respectively]. Alb in CAPD group [(29.7±4.2) g/L] was significantly lower than that in DAPD group [(36.5 ±3.9) g/L, P＜0.05].While the net ultrafiltration [(554±187) ml vs (309±177) ml], 24-hour urine volume [(1090±361)ml vs (750±258) ml] and rGFR [(8.21±2.40) ml/min vs (4.88±2.11) ml/min] in DAPD group were all significantly higher than those in CAPD group (all P＜0.05). Conclusion For the diabetic ESRD patients with better RRF, the low-dose DAPD regimen is more effective to control plasma glucose, improve nutritional status and protect RRF than the low-dose CAPD.

Adult ; Elbow ; Giant Cell Tumors ; diagnosis ; pathology ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Tendons

Objective To study the secular changes on both morphological development and nutritional status among Tibetan students, from 1985 to 2005. Methods Data from the Chinese national survey on students' physical fitness and health in 1985, 1995, 2000 and 2005 were used to analyze and find out the difference of the morphological development and nutrition status of Tibetan students aged 7-18 years in different years. Results From 1985 to 2005, the height and weight of Tibetan students had a growing trend. The height and weight of schoolboys and schoolgirls aged 7-18 years increased 3.94 cm, 5.08 kg, 2.25 cm, and 4.24 kg respectively, while the circumference decreased without significance. The prevalence rates of underweight and malnutrition in Tibetan students further went down along with the improvement of their nutritional status. However, the prevalence rates on both overweight and obesity increased continuously, affecting the health status of Tibetan students. Conclusion From 1985 to 2005, the morphological development of Tibetan students had a growing trend and their nutrition status improved. However, the prevalence of overweight and obesity continuously increased.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical and myopathological characteristics and desmin mutations in patients with desminopathy associated cardiomyopathy from 5 Chinese families.

METHODSThirty-six individuals (18 male, 18 female) were from 4 autosomal dominant inherited families and 1 sporadic case. Nineteen patients manifested myopathy followed by cardiomyopathy; 13 patients presented with isolated cardiomyopathy; 1 patient had isolated myopathy; 3 patients died of cardiac diseases without detailed clinical information. Out of the 23 patients underwent electrocardiogram examinations, 20 patients showed kinds of abnormalities in cardiac conduction block. Echocardiogram revealed dilated cardiomyopathy in one case, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in one case, and restrictive cardiomyopathy in two cases. Muscle specimens from 7 different patients were performed for histological, immunohistochemistry and ultrastructural examinations. All exons of the desmin gene were screened in 21 patients, 17 asymptomatic family individuals and 50 Chinese controls.

RESULTSMuscle biopsies revealed multiple proteins aggregated in muscle fibers, also supported by immunostaining and electroscopic examinations. Five novel heterogeneous mutations were identified in 4 families and one sporadic case.

CONCLUSIONSNovel mutations of desmin gene were linked with cardiomyopathy in patients from 5 Chinese families with desminopathy.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Cardiomyopathies ; diagnosis ; genetics ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Desmin ; genetics ; Exons ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Pedigree

BACKGROUNDPercutaneous radiofrequency thermocoagulation of the trigeminal ganglion (PRTTG) is regarded as the first choice for most patients with trigeminal neuralgia (TN) because of its safety and feasibility. However, neuronavigator-guided PRTTG has been seldom reported. The purpose of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of neuronavigator-guided PRTTG for the treatment of intractable TN.

METHODSBetween January 2000 and December 2004, 54 patients with intractable TN were enrolled into this study and were randomly divided into two groups. The patients in navigation group (n = 26) underwent PRTTG with frameless neuronavigation, and those in control group (n = 28) received PRTTG without neuronavigation. Three months after the operation, the efficacy, side effects, and complications of the surgery were recorded. The patients in the control group were followed up for 10 to 54 months (mean, 34 +/- 5), and those in the navigation group were followed up for 13 to 58 months (mean, 36 +/- 7). Kaplan-Meier analyses of the pain-free survival curves were used for the censored survival data, and the log-rank test was used to compare survival curves of the two groups.

RESULTSThe immediate complete pain-relief rate of the navigation group was 100%, whereas it was 95% in the control. The proportion of sustained pain-relief rates at 12, 24 and 36 months after the procedure were 85%, 77%, and 62% in the navigation group, and 54%, 40%, and 35% in the control. Recurrences in the control group were more common than that in the navigation group. Annual recurrence rate in the first and second years were 15% and 23% in the navigation group, and 46%, 60% in the control group. No side-effect and complication was noted in the navigation group except minimal facial hypesthesia.

CONCLUSIONNeuronavigator-guided PRTTG is a safe and promising method for treatment of intractable TN with better short- and long-term outcomes and lower complication rate than PRTTG without neuronavigation.

Aged ; Electrocoagulation ; adverse effects ; instrumentation ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hypesthesia ; etiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Recurrence ; Survival Analysis ; Survival Rate ; Treatment Outcome ; Trigeminal Ganglion ; pathology ; surgery ; Trigeminal Neuralgia ; mortality ; surgery

The active DNA demethylation in early embryos is essential for subsequent development. Although the zygotic genome is globally demethylated, the DNA methylation of imprinted regions, part of repeat sequences and some gamete-specific regions are maintained. Recent evidence has shown that multiple proteins and biological pathways participate in the regulation of active DNA demethylation, such as TET proteins, DNA repair pathways and DNA methyltransferases. Here we review the recent understanding regarding proteins associated with active DNA demethylation and the regulatory networks controlling the active DNA demethylation in early embryos.
Animals ; DNA Methylation ; Embryo, Mammalian ; cytology ; embryology ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental ; Gene Regulatory Networks ; genetics ; Genome ; genetics ; Humans ; Mice ; Models, Genetic ; Zygote ; cytology ; growth & development ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the plasma Big endothelin-1 levels in patients with gastric carcinoma before and after radical gastrectomy, and explore its clinical significance.

METHODSOne hundred and six patients with gastric carcinoma and 20 controls were enrolled. The Big ET-1 plasma levels were examined by enzyme-linked immuno absorbent assay before and on the 1st, 3rd, and 10th day after curative surgery, and then were tested every 3 months in the patients with advanced gastric cancer.

RESULTSAll patients, except those with stage I gastric cancer, had significantly higher mean plasma Big ET-1 levels compared with normal controls (P=0.000). Higher plasma Big ET-1 levels were associated with lymph node metastasis (P=0.020) and serosal infiltration (P=0.035). The plasma Big Endothelin-1 levels were markedly increased on the first post-operative day (1st POD) in all patients,but decreased on the 3rd POD with no significant difference compared to the preoperative levels. On the 10th POD, the patients with stage I and II gastric cancer showed marked reduction in plasma Big ET-1 levels (P=0.010 and P=0.000, respectively), whereas no significant difference was observed in stage III and IV patients. During the follow-up, the plasma Big ET-1 levels just before recurrence in stage II patients were significantly higher compared with the levels on the 10th POD (P=0.011).

CONCLUSIONSPlasma Big ET-1 might be a reliable marker to determine the severity of gastric carcinoma. Monitoring plasma Big ET-1 levels after curative resection in stage II gastric cancer patients is valuable to predict recurrence.

Adult ; Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Endothelin-1 ; blood ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastrectomy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; pathology ; Neoplasm Staging ; Stomach Neoplasms ; blood ; pathology ; surgery