Different factors including hybridization solution components, hybridization temperature, and the concentration and proportion of the labelled primer, which affected the sensitivity and specificity of single mutation identification, were exploited. Asymmetric PCR increased the hybridization sensitivity, and the asymmetric multi-PCR did not affect the specificity, while the sensitivity was improved a little. Among 30 lung cancer samples detected with the oligonucleotide microarray, 12 was found P53 gene mutations and 5 had K-ras gene mutations. The P53 gene mutations identified by the oligonucleotide microarray was proved 80% same as the sequencing results. The obvious statistical relations of K-ras and P53 gene mutations with tumor type, tumor stage and smoking were not obtained because of less samples and mutation sites.
Genes, ras ; genetics ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; Mutation ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; methods ; Oligonucleotides ; genetics ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical value of pleural effusion lung ProGRP, neuron specific enolase (NSE), cytokeratin fragment 19 (CYFRA21-1), carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA), carbohydrate antigen 153 (CA153), carbohydrate antigen 19 - 9 (CA19-9) in differential diagnosis and histological typing of malignant pleural effusion caused by lung cancer.

METHODSAll the 171 patients with malignant hydrothorax caused by lung cancer were from coal-mine area of Kailuan. They were divided into the small cell lung cancer (SCLC) group (n = 39), the adenocarcinoma group (n = 99) and the squamous cell carcinoma group (n = 37). The patients with benign pleural effusion served as the controls (n = 30). The diagnostic value of pleural effusion ProGRP, NSE, CYFRA21-1, CEA, CA153 and CA19-9 was compared for each group.

RESULTSYouden index and the accurate rate of pleural effusion ProGRP + NSE (sequence test) were the highest in the diagnosis of malignant hydrothorax caused by SCLC. CEA + CA153 + CA19-9 (sequence test) was the highest in the diagnosis of malignant hydrothorax caused by adenocarcinoma. CYFRA21-1 + CEA + CA153 (on parallel test) were the highest in the diagnosis of malignant hydrothorax caused by squamous cell carcinoma. The Yonden index and the accurate rate were the highest by the single detection of CYFRA21 (0.5514 and 0.6878), and by the combined detection of ProGRP + CYFRA21-1 + CEA (on parallel test) (0.7029 and 0.8878).

CONCLUSIONThe first pleural effusion tumor markers of malignant hydrothorax caused by the SCLC, adenocarcinoma of lung, and lung squamous cell carcinoma are ProGRP, CEA and CYFRA21-1, respectively. The best combinations of pleural effusion tumor marker in diagnosis of malignant hydrothorax caused by the SCLC, adenocarcinoma of lung, lung squamous cell carcinoma and lung cancer are the combined detection of ProGRP + NSE (sequence test), combined detection of CEA + CA153 + CA19-9 (sequence test), the combined detection of CYFRA21-1 + CEA + CA153 (on parallel test) and ProGRP + CYFRA21-1 + CEA (on parallel test), respectively.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antigens, Neoplasm ; analysis ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; analysis ; CA-19-9 Antigen ; analysis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Keratin-19 ; analysis ; Lung Neoplasms ; complications ; diagnosis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peptide Fragments ; analysis ; Pleural Effusion, Malignant ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Recombinant Proteins ; analysis

Background: and Purpose Mutations in the FIG4 gene have been linked to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) type 11 in Caucasian populations. The purpose of this study was to identify FIG4 variants in a cohort of 15 familial ALS (FALS) indexes and 275 sporadic ALS (SALS) patients of Han Chinese origin. Methods: All 23 exons of FIG4 were sequenced using targeted next-generation sequencing.An extensive literature review was performed to detect genotype-phenotype associations of FIG4 mutations. Results: No FIG4 variants were identified in the FALS patients. One novel heterozygous missense variant (c.352G>T [p.D118Y]) and one novel heterozygous nonsense variant (c.2158G>T [p.E720X]) in FIG4 were identified in two SALS patients. The p.E720X variant is interpreted as likely pathogenic while the p.D118Y variant is a variant of uncertain significance. The patient carrying the p.E720X mutation developed lower-limb-onset slowly progressive ALS, and survived for 11.5 years. The patient harboring the FIG4 p.D118Y variant also presented with progressive ALS, with the score on the ALS Functional Rating Scale–Revised (ALSFRS-R) decreasing by 0.4 per month. The rate of decrease in the ALSFRS-R scores from symptom onset to diagnosis seemed to be lower in the patients carrying FIG4 variants than the no-FIG4-mutation ALS patients in this study. Conclusions Our findings suggest that ALS patients carrying FIG4 mutations are not common in the Chinese population and are more likely to exhibit slow progression.

BACKGROUNDExternal stents have been used to reduce intimal hyperplasia of vein grafts. The aim of the present study was to define the size of an external stent appropriate for a particular graft by comparing vein grafts with different sizes of external stents.

METHODSA series of paired trials was performed to compare femoral vein grafts with different sizes of external stents, where 30 modeled canines were equally divided into three groups: 6-mm external stent vs non-stent control, 4-mm vs 6-mm external stent, and 4-mm vs 8-mm external stent. At day 3 after operation, color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) was done to observe blood flow in the lumen. Four weeks later, CDFI was re-checked and the veins were harvested, stained and measured.

RESULTSAll grafts were patent without formation of thrombosis. External stents significantly reduced intimal thickness of the vein grafts with a 6-mm external stent compared with the vein grafts without external stents (P < 0.05). The vein grafts with the 4-mm external stent had similar intimal, medial and adventitial thicknesses compared with those with the 6-mm external stent and the 8-mm external stent.

CONCLUSIONSExternal stents can reduce intimal hyperplasia of vein grafts. Stents of different diameters exert the similar effect on prevention of intimal hyperplasia.

Animals ; Aspirin ; therapeutic use ; Dogs ; Femoral Vein ; transplantation ; Hyperplasia ; Stents ; Tunica Intima ; pathology ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color

OBJECTIVETo investigate the number of peripheral blood CD5(+) B cells and their ability of secreting IL-10 in patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP).

METHODSPeripheral blood lymphocytes were isolated from 57 pre-treated, 40 post-treated ITP patients and 25 controls using Ficoll-Hypaque density centrifugation and then stained with PE-CD5/FITC-CD19 for flow cytometric analysis. After 24-hour culture, lymphocytes were stained with APC-IL-10 for intracellular cytokine detection. ELISA assay was employed to determine IL-10 concentration in supernatants.

RESULTSThe percentage and absolute number of CD5(+) B cells in peripheral blood from pre-treated ITP patients were significantly higher than that from normal controls (3.75 ± 2.37)% vs (2.10 ± 1.08)%, P < 0.01; (6.29 ± 5.77)× 10(7)/L vs (3.06 ± 1.90)× 10(7)/L, P < 0.01. CD5(+) B cells expressed more intracellular IL-10 than other lymphocyte subsets both in ITP patients and normal controls. The percentages of IL-10(+) cells within CD5(+) B cells in pre-treated ITP patients and normal controls were (29.51 ± 20.73)% and(15.90 ± 9.58)%, respectively(P < 0.01). Intracellular mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of IL-10 in CD5(+) B cells was 27.95 ± 13.99 in pre-treated patients, which was significantly higher than that in controls (P < 0.01). In contrast, IL-10 concentration in supernatants was (173.05 ± 102.50) ng/L in pre-treated ITP group, which was lower than that (230.61 ± 76.96) ng/L in controls. In patients who achieved remission, the number of CD5(+) B cells decreased to level comparable to normal controls. While intracellular IL-10 MFI of CD5(+) B cells in post-treated ITP patients remained as high as in pre-treated ones, the IL-10 concentration in supernatants increased to level similar to controls.

CONCLUSIONThe significantly increased number of CD5(+) B cells and accumulated IL-10 in CD5(+) B cells suggested impaired IL-10 secretion in ITP patients. The number and the ability of secreting IL-10 of CD5(+) B cells could be restored after effective treatments in patients with ITP.

Adult ; Aged ; B-Lymphocytes ; immunology ; metabolism ; CD5 Antigens ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-10 ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic ; blood ; immunology ; Young Adult

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Logistic Models ; Lung Diseases, Interstitial ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Radiography, Thoracic ; methods ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods

BACKGROUNDRecurrence or metastasis of myxomas is not rare and can lead to malignancy. We aimed to analyze the risk factors for postoperative cardiac myxoma recurrence and to summarize its clinical characteristics, treatments and classification.

METHODSThe clinical data of 5 patients with recurrent cardiac myxoma were retrospectively analyzed and our clinical experience was summarized. Moreover, the relevant literatures were reviewed.

RESULTSAll the five cases of primary myxomas were derived from atypical positions. One patient had early distant metastasis, one had family history, and two suffered malignant recurrence. The recurrence interval was (2.30 ± 2.16) years and the recurrent tumors were all found in different chambers from those of the corresponding primary tumors. Re-operation was performed after recurrence. One patient died of heart failure after malignant recurrence, and the other 4 cases had satisfactory therapeutic outcomes after re-operations. Our experience advocated a clinical classification of "typical" and "atypical" cardiac myxoma, the typical myxomas referred to the tumors locating at the left atria, with single pedicle, rooted at or around the fossa ovalis, involving no genetic causes, and the atypical myxomas included the familial tumors, tumors stemming from multiple chambers, rooted in abnormal positions of the left atrium, with evident genetic mutation, or with malignant tendency.

CONCLUSIONSPostoperative follow-up is of vital importance for patients with myxomas characterized by multi-chamber distribution, early distant metastasis, atypical origin, and family history. Once recurs, re-operation is necessary and should be performed immediately.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Heart Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myxoma ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo ascertain an accurate approach to inserting the pedicle screw into C3-C7 segments of the cervical vertebra.

METHODSAnatomic morphology of lateral mass and pedicle, and their anatomic relationship with the adjacent tissue were observed on C3-C7 segments of 25 adult embalmed cadavers (50 sides).

RESULTS1) The inferior edge of the base of the posterior tubercle of the transverse process and the inferior edge of the pedicle were connected with each other on 25 adult embalmed cadavers (50 sides). The transverse section which passed through the median point between the superior edge and the inferior edge of the base of the posterior tubercle of the transverse process, and the transverse section which passed through the central axis between the superior edge and the inferior edge of the pedicle, were in the same horizontal plane. The superior and inferior position of placing the pedicle screw was determined by this transverse section, which passed through the median point between the superior and the inferior edge of the base of the posterior tubercle of the transverse process. 2) There was a directed internal-downwards "triangular sulcule" between the base of the posterior tubercle of the transverse process and the anterolateral edge of the inferior articular process. The anterior wall of the triangular sulcule was the base of the posterior tubercle of the transverse process, the posterior wall was the anterolateral edge of the inferior articular process, and the bottom of the sulcule was connected with the interior edge of the pedicle. The vertical length between the top of triangle and the planes of inferior edge of the pedicle was (2.78+/-1.71) mm. The inferior edge of the cervical pedicle could be detected using a blunt probe along the "triangular sulcule" between the base of the posterior tubercle of the transverse process and the anterolateral edge of the inferior articular process in surgical operation. 3) The lateral fovea of the articular process was observed on all lateral masses (50 sides). The internal and external position of the entrance point could depend on anatomic landmarks: the lateral edge of the lateral fovea of the articular process. The horizontal length between the lateral fovea of the articular process and the entrance point was (3.14+/-1.45) mm. 4) The diameter of pedicle screw, about (2.78+/-1.71) mm, was the transverse diameter of the cancellous bone of the greatest narrow part of the cervical pedicle.

CONCLUSIONSThe median point between the superior edge and the inferior edge of the base of the posterior tubercle of the transverse process, the lateral fovea of the articular process, and the triangular sulcule between the base of the posterior tubercle of the transverse process and the anterolateral edge of inferior articular process, are easy to be exposed and identified in surgical operation. The pedicle screw can be precisely inserted through this method.

Adult ; Bone Screws ; Cervical Vertebrae ; anatomy & histology ; surgery ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo study the inhibitory effects of Panax Notoginseng Saponins(PNS) on apoptosis induced by hypoxia/hypoglycemia and reoxygenation in cultured rat hippocampal neurons.

METHODApoptosis were measured by flow cytometry, intracellular free calcium concentration([Ca2+]i) was measured with confocal laser scanning microscopy, morphological changes and neuronal necrosis were observed with fluorescence microscope, and meanwhile the leakage of lactic dehydrogenase(LDH) was measured.

RESULTHypoxia/hypoglycemia cultures for 5 hours and reoxygenation induced neuronal apoptosis and necrosis, and significantly increased neuronal [Ca2+]i and the leakage of LDH. The effects were increased with the extending time of reoxygenation. PNS has could significantly decrease the percentage of neuronal apoptosis and necrosis, and reduce neuronal [Ca2+]i and the leakage of LDH.

CONCLUSIONPNS has inhibitory effect on neuronal apoptosis. This effect might be related to its effect of decreasing intracellular free calcium concentration.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Cell Hypoxia ; Cells, Cultured ; Fetus ; Ginsenosides ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Hippocampus ; cytology ; Hypoglycemia ; pathology ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; metabolism ; Neurons ; cytology ; Panax ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effectiveness of surgical approaches, outcomes and prognosis of aortic root pathology due to Stanford A aortic dissection.

METHODSRetrospective analysis the clinical data of 161 patients (122 male and 39 female, mean age of (44 ± 21) years) underwent surgical treatment for Stanford A aortic dissection between January 2001 and June 2011. There were 146 patients of acute aortic dissection and 15 patients of chronic aortic dissection. All the patients had aortic root pathologies that included commissural prolapsed in 140 cases, more than moderate aortic insufficiency in 75 cases, aortic sinus intima rupture in 15 cases, right and/or left coronary artery tearing in 8 cases, right and/or left coronary artery dissection in 16 cases, aortic root aneurysm in 31 cases.

RESULTSAortic root replacement (Bentall procedures) were used in 72 cases, aortic root remodeling (including aortic valve replacement) in 80 cases, aortic root reimplantation (David procedure) in 9 cases. The cardiopulmonary bypass time was shorter in aortic root remodeling group ((193 ± 42) minutes) than the other two groups ((210 ± 61) minutes, (197 ± 34) minutes, F = 3.22, P = 0.04). The in-hospital mortality was 8.1% (13 cases), 5 cases (6.9%) in aortic root replacement group, 7 cases (8.8%) in aortic root remodeling group, 1 case in aortic root reimplantation. The cause of death included respiratory failure (4 cases), permanent neurological deficits (3 cases), multiple organ failure (4 cases), acute renal failure (2 cases). The survivors were followed up for 6 months to 6 years. There was no patient required reoperation for aortic root pathologies. There was no statistically significant difference between aortic root remodeling group and reimplantation group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe surgical treatment for aortic root pathology due to Stanford A aortic dissection is challenging. Appropriate procedures according to the specialty of aortic root pathology can be performed with favorable functional results.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aneurysm, Dissecting ; surgery ; Aorta ; pathology ; surgery ; Aortic Aneurysm ; surgery ; Aortic Valve ; surgery ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation ; methods ; Female ; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult