OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and its clinical significance.

METHODSThe expression levels of hTERT mRNA and protein were detected using RT-RCR and Western blotting in 45 RCC tissues, 45 adjacent tissues and 786-0 cell line, and the associations of hTERT expression with the tumor size, clinical stage, pathological type and grade were evaluated.

RESULTShTERT mRNA and protein was expressed at significantly higher levels in RCC tissues than in the adjacent tissues (P=0.000), and no correlation of hTERT expression was found with the tumor size, clinical stage, pathological type or grade.

CONCLUSIONhTERT might serve as a diagnostic and prognostic marker for RCC, and also shed light on the new clues for gene therapy of RCC.

Adult ; Aged ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Telomerase ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore whether there exists coincidence of the most appearing time of clinical features of liver cancer at different longitude and latitude, according to the law of field equation and the theory of warpage of space time by Einstein.

METHODSThree regions with different longitude and latitude were selected randomly and sampled. There were 36 items altogether, including 12 clinical items, which were used to imitate the yearly cycle cosine curve. The acorphases and the ratioes of amplitudes and means were compared to justifying whether they were in the same range.

RESULTSAll the acorphases of 36 items appeared between -90.1degrees to -207.5 degrees (from april to july), existing in one third of the same range, in which 13 items occurred rhythmly (P<0.05). The image acorphases of liver cancer at the early and middle stage and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase acorphase appeared between -98.5 degrees to -148.2 degrees (from april to may), in which 5 items occurred rhythmly (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONIt is the same mode of the yearly biologcal cycle for liver cancer malignant growth within the most appearing time (from april to july). It will increase the detecting rate of liver cancer at the early and middle stage during this time (especially from april to may).

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; pathology ; Cell Cycle ; physiology ; Chronobiology Phenomena ; Hepatocytes ; physiology ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; Mathematical Computing ; Periodicity

OBJECTIVETo assess the value of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in the diagnosis of bladder cancer.

METHODSUrine samples from 100 patients suspected of having bladder cancer were collected before cystoscopy for immediate urine cytology and FISH analysis. The criteria for FISH abnormality were determined by evaluating the urine specimens from 20 subjects without urogenital neoplasm.

RESULTSThe overall sensitivity of cytology and FISH was 43.2% and 82.4%, and their specificity was 92.3% and 88.5%, with diagnostic concordance rate of 56.0% and 84.0%, respectively. The differences between FISH and cytology showed statistical significance in the sensitivity, diagnostic concordance rate, non-muscle-invasive cancer and primary cancer.

CONCLUSIONThe sensitivity and efficiency of FISH in the detection of bladder cancer are superior to those of cytology, especially for prophase cancer.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Transitional Cell ; diagnosis ; Cytodiagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Urine ; cytology ; Young Adult

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Injections, Epidural ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; complications ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; prevention & control ; Low Back Pain ; complications ; drug therapy ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; injuries ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pharmaceutical Preparations ; administration & dosage ; Recovery of Function ; Recurrence ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome

Objective: To investigate the effect and mechanism of Mailuoning Compound for treatment of early steroid-induced osteonecrosis of femoral head (SONFH) in rats by obturator nerve block. Method: 24 rats were injected with endotoxin 10 μg·kg^-1 through tail vein. After 24 hours, prednisolone acetate 20 mg·kg^-1 was given by intraperitoneal injection, once every 24 hours for 3 consecutive days. After successful modeling, the rats were randomly divided into the model group (n=12), the treatment group (n=12) and the normal control group (n=6). In the treatment group, 2 mL·kg^-1 of Mailuoning compound was injected into the obturator nerve from the 4th day, 3 times a week for 8 weeks. The arterial blood was collected from rats on the first day of the 9th week after model building to detect the content of blood lipid; the femoral head was taken to prepare the paraffin section, and the pathological changes of femoral head was observed and the changes of empty bone lacuna rate, bone trabecular area and bone lacuna area were quantitatively analyzed; The changes of bone morphogenetic proteins(BMPs),transforming growth factor-β₁(TGF-β₁),vascular endothelial cell growth factor(VEGF),and Ⅷ factor related antigen(Ⅷ-R Ag) were quantitatively analyzed by immunohistochemical method. Result: In the model group, the bone trabeculae were sparse, thin, disorganized and broken; some of the bone cells were necrotic and the number of empty bone lacunae was increased. In the treatment group, the number of trabeculae was increased; the structure was clear, most of which was normal bone cells, with a few necrotic bone cells, and the number of empty bone lacunae was decreased obviously. The rate of empty bone lacuna and the area of bone lacuna in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the model group (P<0.05);the positive area ratio of VEGF, BMPs, TGF-β₁ and the microvessel density of Ⅷ-R Ag in the treatment group were significantly higher than those in the model group (P<0.05), with significantly lower blood lipid contents (P<0.05). Conclusion: Mailuoning compound can improve the microcirculation state of femoral head, promote the formation of new bone and blood vessel in femoral head by regulating the expression of VEGF, BMPs, TGF-β₁, Ⅷ-R Ag and down-regulating blood lipid content, thus effectively controlling the development of early SONFH. This can provide a theoretical basis for the treatment of early SONFH.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of transurethral catheterization on the uroflow rate in the pressure-flow study of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

METHODSThirty-nine men with BPH underwent free uroflowmetry and pressure-flow analysis respectively. With an 8 F urethral catheter, the standard pressure-flow variables such as the maximum flow rate, detrusor pressure at the maximum flow rate and so on were recorded. The free maximum flow rate and the maximum flow rate with transurethral catheterization were statistically analyzed.

RESULTSThe maximum voided volumes of the free uroflowmetry group and the pressure-flow study group were (209.23 +/- 56. 56) ml and (210.33 +/- 62.02) ml respectively (P > 0.05). The free maximum flow rate was (8.61 +/- 2.80) ml/s, and the maximum flow rate with transurethral catheterization-was (7.39 +/- 3.01) ml/s (P < 0.05). When the patients were divided into seven grades of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) according to the Schäfer nomogram, the free maximum flow rate and the maximum flow rate with transurethral catheterization with Grade 0-I of BOO were (12.56 +/- 1.57) ml/s and (10.95 +/- 2.51) ml/s, and those of Grade II were (9.35 +/- 0.76) ml/s and (8.41 +/- 1.23) ml/s respectively. For Grades III, IV and V-VI , the two maximum flow rates were (7.88 +/- 1.21) ml/s and (6.37 +/- 0.59) ml/s, (6.54 +/- 1.93) ml/s and (5.55 +/- 2.48) ml/s, and (6.01 +/- 2.10) ml/s and (4.84 +/- 2.89) ml/s, respectively, all with significant difference in between (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe 8 F urethral catheter has a significant effect on the maximum uroflow rate in the pressure-flow study and this effect is correlated with the grade of BOO.

Aged ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Urinary Bladder Neck Obstruction ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Urinary Catheterization ; methods ; Urination ; Urodynamics

BACKGROUNDThe nevus of Ota, is a common benign pigmentary dermatosis, mainly involve innervation area of first and second branch of trigeminal nerve. The classification of nevus of Ota was proposed by Tanino, based on 26 cases of nevus of Ota from 1937 to 1940. Studies about its classification are rarely seen in last 70 years, while it is still practical today.

METHODSBased on the clinical photographs, 1079 consecutive patients with nevus of Ota were verified and reclassified according to the innervation areas of the trigeminal nerve branches.

RESULTSIn these 1079 cases, 866 patients were in line with Tanino's classification (80.26%), and 213 patients were not (19.74%). We put forward a new clinical classification (Peking Union Medical College Hospital classification, PUMCH classification) of nevus of Ota based on the innervation area of the trigeminal nerve branches, composed of 5 types and 14 subtypes. The 5 types were as follows: Type I - pigmentation maculeses involving the innervation area of one of the three trigeminal nerve branches, of which there were 424 cases (39.3%), comprising 6 subtypes; Type II - pigmentation macules involving the innervation area of two branches of the three trigeminal nerve branches, of which there were 221 cases (20.48%), comprising 4 subtypes; Type III - pigmentation macules involving the innervation area of all three trigeminal nerve branches, of which there were 361 cases (33.45%), comprising 2 subtypes; Type IV - bilateral type, in which the pigmentation macules involves the bilateral cheek, of which there were 63 cases (5.84%), comprising 2 subtypes; and Type V - complications occurred in the patient, of which there were 10 cases (0.93%).

CONCLUSIONThe new classification of nevus of Ota is based on the innervation area of the trigeminal nerve branches, and it covers all types of Tanino's classifications; on that basis, some new types and subtypes are brought in and cover almost every clinical condition.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nevus of Ota ; classification ; diagnosis ; Trigeminal Nerve ; pathology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the changes of mRNA and protein expressions of glycolytic and fatty acid metabolic enzymes early after acute myocardial ischemia.

METHODSTwelve dogs were randomly divided into 3 groups (sham, 20 min ischemia and 40 min ischemia, n = 4 each). Myocardial samples from ischemic and nonischemic zone were obtained for histology examination, and the mRNA expressions for Phosphofructokinase (PFK), Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), GLUT1, GLUT4, Medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD) and Heart-fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP) were determined by Real Time PCR-SYBR Green RT-PCR. GLUT1 protein expression was determined by immunohistochemistry. The apoptotic cardiomyocytes was evaluated by TUNEL.

RESULTSCompared to sham hearts, H-FABP mRNA was decreased in nonischemic and ischemic zone (P < 0.05) while GLUT1 mRNA expression was significantly increased in nonischemic and ischemic zone (P < 0.05) in dogs underwent 20 and 40 min ischemia. PFK mRNA tended to be higher in ischemic myocardium (P = 0.065) and GAPDH, MCAD as well as GLUT4 remained unchanged post ischemia (all P > 0.05). Positive GLUT1 protein staining was visualized in ischemic myocardium of hearts underwent 20 and 40 min ischemia. The myocardial apoptosis cells was 6.4% +/- 0.9% in sham hearts, 28.0% +/- 3.7% in hearts underwent 20 min ischemia (P < 0.05 vs. sham) and 38.4% +/- 1.9% in hearts underwent 40 min ischemia (P < 0.05 vs. sham).

CONCLUSIONSSignificant down and up-regulated glycolytic and fatty acid metabolic enzymes early after myocardial ischemia suggested that these enzymes might play an important role in acute myocardial ischemia.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Dogs ; Fatty Acids ; metabolism ; Glycolysis ; Myocardial Ischemia ; enzymology ; Myocardium ; enzymology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics

BACKGROUNDLiver cancer is a common cancer with poor prognosis in China. In this study, the national population-based cancer registration data were used to evaluate and analyze liver cancer incidence and mortality in China in 2011 and provide a reference for liver cancer prevention and control.

METHODSWe collected and evaluated the incidence and mortality data of liver cancer in 2011 from 177 cancer registries with qualified data. These data were used in the final analysis including calculating crude, standardized, and truncated incidences and mortalities, and estimated new liver cancer cases and deaths using age-specific rates and the corresponding populations. The national census in 2000 and Segi's population were used for age-standardized rates.

RESULTSThe estimates of new liver cancer cases and deaths were 355,595 and 322,416, respectively, in China in 2011. The crude incidence, age-standardized rate of incidence by Chinese standard population (ASRIC), and age-standardized rate of incidence by world standard population (ASRIW) of liver cancer were 26.39/100,000, 19.48/100,000, and 19.10/100,000, respectively; the crude mortality, age-standardized rate of mortality by Chinese standard population (ASRMC), and age-standardized rate of mortality by world standard population (ASRMW) of liver cancer were 23.93/100,000,17.48/100,000, and 17.17/100,000, respectively. The incidence and mortality were higher in rural areas than in urban areas and higher in males than in females. The age-specific incidence and mortality of liver cancer increased greatly with age, particularly after 30 years and peaked at 80-84 or 85+ years.

CONCLUSIONSLiver cancer is a common cancer in China, particularly for males and residents in rural areas. Targeted prevention, early detection, and treatment programs should be carried out.

Age Factors ; China ; Databases, Factual ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Liver Neoplasms ; Male ; Mortality ; Registries ; Rural Population ; Sex Factors ; Urban Population

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanisms underlying the proliferative inhibition of Chinese herbal medicine Kang-Ai injection (KAI) in gastric cancer cells. METHODS: Gastric cancer cell lines MGC803 and BGC823 were treated by 0, 0.3%, 1%, 3% and 10% KAI for 24, 48 and 72 h, respectively. The cell proliferation was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The apoptosis and cell cycle were evaluated by flow cytometry. Interleukin (IL)-6 mRNA and protein expression levels were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. The protein expression levels of cyclin A, cyclin E, cyclin B1, cyclin D1, p21, retinoblastoma (RB), protein kinase B (AKT), extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK), signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 1 and STAT3 were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: KAI inhibited the proliferation of MGC803 and BGC823 gastric cancer cells in dose- and time-dependent manner. After treated with KAI for 48 h, the proportion of G1 phase was increased, expression level of cyclin D1 and phosphorylation-RB were down-regulated, whereas the expression of p21 was up-regulated (all P<0.01). Furthermore, 48-h treatment with KAI decreased the phosphorylation level of STAT3, inhibited the mRNA and protein expressions of IL-6 (all P<0.01). IL-6 at dose of 10 ng/mL significantly attenuated the proliferative effect of both 3% and 10% KAI, and recovered KAI-inhibited STAT3 phosphorylation and cyclin D1 expression level (all P<0.01). CONCLUSION KAI exerted an anti-proliferative function by inhibiting IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway followed by the induction of G₁ phase arrest in gastric cancer cells.
Apoptosis ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Cyclin D1/pharmacology* ; Humans ; Interleukin-6/metabolism* ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism* ; STAT3 Transcription Factor/metabolism* ; Stomach Neoplasms/genetics*