Objective To evaluate the predictive value of plasma levels of soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1(VEGFR-1,also known as sFlt-1) in second-trimester for preeclampsia.Methods One hundred and forty-six pregnant women with normal blood pressure previously were prospectively included in the study.Peripheral venous blood samples were obtained between 20 and 26 gestational weeks.Plasma levels of sFh-1 were measured by an enzyme-linked immunoassay.Results (1) Among 146 previously normotensive women,12 developed preeclampsia (preeclampsia group), 134 remained normal pregnant till the end (normal group).(2) The plasma levels of sFh-1 in preeclampsia group [(4135?699)ng/L] was significantly higher than that in normal group[(1490?1033)ng/L](P

Objective Currently , the targeted therapy is the first-choice treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations, but few studies have been reported on the relationship between immunohistochemical markers and the EGFR mutation.The aim of this study is to analyze the relationship of the EGFR mutation with the ex-pressions of thymidylate synthetase (TS), excision repair cross-com-plementation group 1 ( ERCC1 ) , β-tubulin-III, and ribonucleofide reductase large subunit-l ( RRM1) in NSCLC. Methods We retro-spectively analyzed 336 cases of NSCLC treated in the Department of Medical Oncology , the Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, from June 2014 to December 2015 and examined 29 EGFR mutations.We divided the patients into a mutation and a non-mutation group, performed immunohistochemical staining of the TS, ERCC1,β-tubulin-III and RRM1 proteins and compared their expressions in the NSCLC tissue between the two groups . Results EGFR mutations were found in 138 ( 41.07%) of the 336 NSCLC patients but not in the other 198 ( 58.93%) .The expression of TS was significantly lower in the mutation than in the non-mutation group (9.42%vs 39.39%, P<0.05), and so was that of β-tubulin-III (44.2%vs 60.1%, P<0.05).EGFR mutations were correlated with decreased expressions of TS (r=-0.332, P<0.05) andβ-tubulin-III (r=-0.157, P<0.05).Multivariate regression analysis showed that the risk of EGFR mutations was 2.109 times higher in the fe-male patients than in the males (OR=2.109, 95%CI:1.268-3.509), 24.265 times higher in the adenocarcinoma than in the adeno-squamous carcinoma patients (OR=24.265, 95%CI:3.508-167.845), 15.2 times higher in the squamous carcinoma than in the ade-nocarcinoma patients (OR=15.200, 95%CI:4.480-51.569), 2.364 times higher in the lung biopsy specimens than in the surgically treated patients (OR=2.364, 95%CI:1.266-4.413), and 6.171 times higher in the patients with lowly expressed than in those with highly expressed TS (OR=6.171, 95%CI: 3.145-12.109). Conclusion The decreased expressions of TS and β-tubulin-Ⅲ in NSCLC indicate the mutation of the EGFR gene.

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical manifestation, management, recurrence factors and prognosis of scrotal Paget's disease.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical and pathological data of 23 cases of scrotal Paget's disease diagnosed and treated in our hospital from 1996 to 2008.

RESULTSThe disease was confined to one side of the scrotum in 15, and involved the whole scrotum and penis in 8 of the cases. Three patients showed enlarged inguinal lymph nodes in the same side, and 2 in both sides. All the cases were confirmed by biopsy and treated by surgery. Post-operative follow-up was conducted for 2-68 months, which revealed 5 cases of local recurrence and 1 case of death for systemic metastasis.

CONCLUSIONBiopsy is proved to be important for the early diagnosis of scrotal Paget's disease, and extended excision of local lesion is a preferred management.

Aged ; Genital Neoplasms, Male ; diagnosis ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Paget Disease, Extramammary ; diagnosis ; pathology ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Scrotum ; pathology

BACKGROUNDBased on our clinical experience, the number of dorsal penile nerves in patients with primary premature ejaculation (PPE) is not consistent with the average number (2 branches). In this study, we evaluated the number and distribution of dorsal penile nerves among healthy Chinese adults and patients with PPE.

METHODSThe dorsal nerve of the penis, the deep dorsal vein of the penis, and the dorsal artery of the penis between the deep fascia of the penis and the albuginea penis were carefully educed, observed, and counted in 38 adult autopsy specimens. The number and distribution of the dorsal penile nerve in 128 surgical patients with PPE were determined.

RESULTSThe numbers of dorsal penile nerves of the 38 cases were as follows: 7 branches in 1 case; 6 branches in 1 case; 5 branches in 6 cases; 4 branches in 9 cases; 3 branches in 14 cases; and 2 branches in 7 cases. Most of the dorsal nerves were parallel to each other and in the dorsum of the penis. In only 8 cases, the branches were connected by some communicating branches. In 4 cases, 1 or 2 thin dorsal nerves continued their pathway over the ventral aspect of the penis. The average number of branches of the dorsal penile nerve in patients with PPE was 7.16.

CONCLUSIONSBased on the study of 38 cases, the average number of dorsal penile nerves was 3.55 branches and that of patients with PPE was greater. These preliminary results suggest that the excessive dorsal penile nerves may have an impact on PPE via increased sensitivity and provide topographic data for the possible treatment of PPE.

Adult ; Ejaculation ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Penis ; innervation ; Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological ; pathology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between the helicobacter pylori (HP) infection and the genetic instability of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in human gastric adenocarcinoma epithelial cells (AGS).

METHODSAfter treated with extracts of HP11638 (CagA+, VacA+) or Hp11638 mutant strain (CagA+, VacA-), AGS cells were collected, and mitochondrial DNA was extracted and Cox-I, Cox-II, Cox-III, ATPase6, ATPase8 and Cytb genes and the D-Loop region were amplified by PCR and then sequenced.

RESULTSThe mutation rates of the mtDNA in AGS cells were correlated with the extracts of the two HP strains in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. But the mtDNA mutation rate in AGS cells treated with the HP11638 extract was higher than that treated with the Hp11638 mutant extract. Total of 616 mutations in D-Loop region were detected, including 489 point mutations, 81 insertions and 46 deletions. Among them, 70.9% (437/616) belonged to GC to AT and AT to GC transition. Seventeen out of 20 (85%) AGS cells treated with extract of HP had mutations in 303PolyC, 16184PolyC and 514CA regions of mtDNA D-Loop. No mutation was detected in Cox-I, Cox-II, Cox-III, ATPase6 and ATPase8 genes, three point mutations were found in the Cytb gene.

CONCLUSIONHP can cause the accumulation of mutations in mtDNA, in particular, in the D-Loop region, and the VacA participated in the process.

Antigens, Bacterial ; pharmacology ; Base Sequence ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; drug effects ; genetics ; Endothelial Cells ; drug effects ; pathology ; Helicobacter Infections ; complications ; Helicobacter pylori ; chemistry ; Humans ; Mutation ; Stomach ; pathology

BACKGROUNDOvarian cancers are often at an advanced stage at diagnosis because early detection is difficult. The poor prognosis of ovarian cancers highlights the crucial need to develop better therapeutic agents and strategies. The objective of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effects of a new modified antisense oligonucleotides targeting vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) in SKOV3 ovarian cancer cells.

METHODSAntisense oligonucleotides targeting VEGF-A was designed, synthesized and transfected into SKOV3 ovarian cancer cells. Western blotting and real-time RT-PCR were used to analyze the inhibitory effects of antisense oligonucleotides on VEGF-A protein and mRNA expression. Transwell matrix assay was used to detect cell migration inhibition.

RESULTSThe antisense oligonucleotides targeting VEGF-A significantly decreased VEGF-A protein and mRNA expression and inhibited cell migration in SKOV3 ovarian cancer cells.

CONCLUSIONSThis new modified antisense oligonucleotides targeting VEGF-A can decrease VEGF-A expression and inhibit cell migration in SKOV3 ovarian cancer cells. This new oligonucleotides may be a promising therapeutic agent for ovarian cancers.

Blotting, Western ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; drug effects ; Female ; Humans ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense ; pharmacology ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism

To study the effects of sodium valproate (VPA) on human myelodysplastic syndrome cell line MUTZ-1. The cell proliferation was determined by MTT assay, apoptotic morphological features were observed by light microscopy and transmission electronmicroscopy, cell apoptosis and cell cycle shift were analyzed by flow cytometry (FCM). The results showed that VPA could inhibit the growth of MUTZ-1 cells in dose-and time-dependent manners. The typical apoptotic morphological features appeared in MUTZ-1 cells treated with 4 mmol/L VPA for 72 hours. Pyknosis of cells and nuclei, disintegration of nuclear chromatin and apoptotic body could be observed by light microscopy. Aggregation and margination of nuclear chromatin, concentration of plasm, increment of density and chromatin mass of irregular size could be observed by transmission electronmicroscope. The flow cytometric analysis indicated that the VPA could induce cell apoptosis, apoptosis rate increased in dose-dependent manner, ratio of cells at G(0)/G(1) phase increased and ratio of cells at S phase decreased in dose-dependent manner, the cells were arrested at G(0)/G(1) phase. It is concluded that the VPA can induce apotosis and inhibite proliferation of MUTZ-1 cells via arresting cells at G(0)/G(1) phase.
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Line ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Humans ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes ; pathology ; Valproic Acid ; pharmacology

This study was aimed to establish a cytokine-independent human myelodysplastic cells line from bone marrow of a patient with MDS-CMML. This cell line was incubated in mixed culture of RPMI 1640 and DMEM with 15% bovine serum, but without cytokines; its biological characteristics were identified by morphology, surface marker profiles, cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. The results showed that the established cell line could not depend on cytokines for long-term survival and growth, and could differentiate into colony-forming unit-macrophage, colony-forming unit-megakaryocyte. In conclusion, a cytokine-independent human myelodysplastic syndrome cell line, named MDS-JSN04 (MDS Nanjing Jiansu 04), was established. Its partial biological characteristics were identified and clarified.
Antigens, CD19 ; analysis ; Antigens, CD20 ; analysis ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Bone Marrow Cells ; metabolism ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; CD79 Antigens ; analysis ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Culture Media ; pharmacology ; Cytokines ; pharmacology ; Flow Cytometry ; HLA-DR Antigens ; analysis ; Humans ; Lewis X Antigen ; analysis ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Middle Aged ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes ; metabolism ; pathology ; Sialic Acid Binding Ig-like Lectin 2 ; analysis ; Time Factors

Objective To explore the underlying mechanism of mensenchymal stem cells(MSCs) transfer induced cardiac function improvement in failing hearts.Methods Congestive heart failure(CHF) was induced in rats by cauterization of the heart wall.MSCs were cultured from autologous bone marrow and injected into the border zone and the remote myocardium 5 days after cauterization.Results Ten weeks later,cardiomyocyte nucleus mitotic index,capillary density and expression of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1),hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were significantly increased in the border zone and significantly reduced in the remote myocardium in CHF rats (all P＜0.05 vs.sham).Besides cardiac function improvement and left ventricular remodeling attenuation evidenced by hemodynamic and echocardiographic examinations,expressions of IGF-1,HGF and VEGF in the remote myocardium and in the border zone were also significantly upregulated (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01 vs.CHF),and cardiomyocyte nucleus mitotic index as well as capillary density were significantly increased in CHF rats with MSCs(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01 vs.CHF).Moreover,collagen area was significantly reduced and myocardial area was significantly increased in the border zone in these rats too.Conclusion Autologous MSC implantation upregulated expressions of growth factors enhanced cardioangiogenesis which might be the underlying mechanisms for improved cardiac function and attenuated left ventricular remodeling induced by MSCs transplantation in failing rat myocardium.

This study was aimed to investigate the expression of c-FLIPL, c-FLIPS and DLK1 mRNA in the patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and its clinical significance. The mRNA expression of c-FLIPL, c-FLIPS and DLK1 in bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNC) of 16 patients with MDS and 3 controls were detected by RT-PCR. The results indicated that the expression of DLK1 mRNA was up-regulated in MDS, including RA and RAEB, as compared with controls (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in expression of DLK1 between RA and RAEB patients (p > 0.05); the expression of c-FLIPL mRNA both in RA and RAEB patients was higher than that in controls (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in expression of c-FLIPL between RA and RAEB patients (p > 0.05); the expression of c-FLIPS mRNA was not significantly different between MDS patients and controls (p > 0.05), but its expression in RAEB patients was significantly higher as compared with RA patients and controls (p < 0.05). It is concluded that the mRNA expressions of DLK1, c-FLIPL and c-FLIPS in MDS patients are abnormal, some of which may be useful as an important indicator for the evaluation of development in MDS.
Aged ; Bone Marrow Cells ; metabolism ; CASP8 and FADD-Like Apoptosis Regulating Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics