Objective:This study aimed to detect the special methylation profile in peripheral blood for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods:The methylation status of 12 tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) in the plasma of 55 HCCs and 54 chronic liver diseases (CLDs) was tested by methylation-specific PCR (MSP). Results:In HCC, the methylation frequencies were 78.18%in APC, 63.64%in cyclin D2, 58.18% in TFPI2, 49.09% in DKK3, 49.09% in GSTP1, 47.27% in p16, 40.00% in Sigma 14-3-3, 18.18% in SFRP2, 16.36% in ppENK, 9.09% in DKK2, 7.27% in NPTX2, and 5.45% in LHX1. In CLD, the methylation frequencies were 27.78% in APC, 22.22%in cyclin D2, 7.41%in TFPI2, 3.70%in DKK3, 16.67%in GSTP1, 37.04%in p16, 37.04%in Sigma 14-3-3, 11.11%in SFRP2, 20.37%in ppENK, 7.41%in DKK2, 7.41%in NPTX2, and 9.26%in LHX1. The methylation frequencies of APC, cyclin D2, TFPI2, DKK3, and GSTP1 were higher in HCC than in CLD (P<0.01). The methylation index (MI) of the five-gene methylation profile was statistically higher in HCC (median, 0.6;IQR, 0.4-0.8) than CLD (median, 0.2;IQR, 0-0.2) (P<0.01). In HCC, MI was statistically related to the patient's age. Older patients with HCC had a higher MI. No significant correlation was observed between MI and other clinicopathological data. Moreover, MI was not related to the disease free survival and the overall survival in HCC. Conclusion:This five-gene methylation profile may be a promising biomarker for the assistant diagnosis of HCC.

Human herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) causes facial,ocular,and encephalitic disease and is associated with latent infection and cancer.Here,we developed a means of studying the pathogenesis of HSV-1 infection at the protein level by using the SELDI Protein Chip to detect changes of protein expression in Vero cells cultured in vitro.After infection with HSV-1 and culture for 12,24 or 48 h,cells were harvested and lysed.IMAC3 arrays were applied to SELDI-TOF-MS to detect proteomic differences before and after infection.The chip detected a series of differentially expressed protein peaks.Interestingly,both peaks at 16 912 Da and 17 581 Da corresponded precisely with the molecular mass of ISG 15,which may participate in antiviral activity during the process of infection.Thus,the results we obtained can serve as a basis to study the pathogenesis of HSV-1 and the interaction between the virus and its host.In addition,they can help in the discovery of new therapeutic targets for treatment of HSV-1 infection.

Objective To determine the genotypes and their epidermiology of microlide, lincosamide and streptogramin B(MLS_B)resistant S.epidermidis isolates causing nosocomial infection.Method 126 isolates were collected from inpatients in three hospitals in Beijing from 2003-2004 for testing the antibiotic susceptibility to the macrolide erythromycin,the lincosamide clindamycin.The resistance phenotypes of erythromycin-resistant isolates were determined by the double-disc test with erythromycin and clindamycin.The presence of the relative genes(ermA,ermB,ermC and msrA)to MLS_B resistance was identified by PCR and the similarity of the isolates was analyzed by PFGE.Result The isolates were mostly resistant to macrolide and lincosamide.In the constitutive phenotype cMLS_B isolates,the methicillin resistant S.epidermidis(MRSE)proportion appeared high(78.5%),whereas high methicillin susceptible S.epidermidis(MSSE)proportion was found in the inducible MLS_B phenotype(iMLS_B) (69.2%).ermC was shown as the most frequent determinant to the resistance,not only in MRSE and MSSE (70.8% and 6.8%),but also in iMLS_B and cMLS_B(76.9% and 90.3%).No specific endemic strain was found by PFGE analysis.The same resistance phenotype pattern was not clustered together and distributed into type A～F at the similarity of 60%.Among the phenotypes(cMLS_B,iMLS_B and MS phenotype),no significant difference was shown in the PFGE genotype distribution.Conclusion Our results indicate that the MLS_B resistance in S.epidermidis causing nosocomial infection is prevalent in the hospital and MLS_B antibiotics should be used iudiciously,ermC was shown as the most frequent determinant to the resistance.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of different needling manipulation in improvement of swallow-period obstacle of dysphagia after stroke.

METHODSOne hundred and eleven cases were randomly divided into a single Lianquan RN 23 shallow needling group (group A ), single Lianquan (RN 23) deep needling group (group A2) and Lianquan (RN 23) and para-Lianquan deep multi-needling group (group B). The therapeutic effect was investigated after continuous treatment for 14 days.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 95. 0% in the group B, 65. 7% in the group A1 and 83. 3% in the group A2, with significant difference or very significant difference when the group B compared with the group A, and the group A, (P<0. 01 or P<0. 05); the cured and markedly effective rate was 82. 5% in the group B, 20. 0% in the group Al and 52. 8% in the group A2, with a very significant difference as the group B compared with the group A, and A2 (both P

CONCLUSIONDeep needling with multi-needles can significantly improve swallow-period obstacle of dysphagia after stroke with higher safety and rapid effect.

Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Aged ; Deglutition Disorders ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stroke ; complications

OBJECTIVE: To study the morphological characteristics of femurs of adult human and 11 kinds of adult animals from cattle, horses, pigs, goats, sheep, dogs, cats, rabbits, geese, ducks, chickens, and to establish an effective species identification method among various species. METHODS: The 4 cm mid-diaphyseal segment of the femur from adult human (older than 20 years old) at autopsy was obtained. Addi-tionally, the 4 cm ones from 11 kinds of adult animals were obtained. After decalcification, all femurs were made into slices, and then were observed by optical microscope. The 25 indexes were selected and analyzed by step discriminant analysis according to differences between human and mammal, human and poultry, and human and 11 kinds of animals. RESULTS: The histological structure of bone mineral density of middle part of femur had obvious characteristics among the species. And the morphology and number of osteon showed the trend of obvious biological evolution. There were 11 indexes with significant differences between human and 11 kinds of animals to establish some mathematical models to discriminate all species. The correct discrimination rate was 96.3% between human and mammal. The correct discrimination rate was up to 100% between human and poultry, and was 89.4% among human, mammal and poultry. CONCLUSION The mathematical models have good correct discrimination rate among human and the other animals, which could be applied in the practical species identification cases.
Adult ; Animals ; Autopsy ; Bone Density ; Cadaver ; Cats ; Cattle ; Chickens ; Discriminant Analysis ; Dogs ; Femur/ultrastructure* ; Forensic Anthropology ; Haversian System/ultrastructure* ; Horses ; Humans ; Sheep ; Species Specificity ; Swine

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) exposure on the behaviors and hippocampal oxidative stress and ATPase in rats and the molecular mechanism of neurobehavioral toxicity of B[a]P.

METHODSA total of 120 male SD rats (21 days old) were randomly and equally assigned to five groups: blank control group, vegetable oil (solvent control) group, and 2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg B[a]P exposure groups. The rats in B[a]P exposure groups were injected intraperitoneally with B[a]P once a day for 4 consecutive weeks. Then, Morris water maze and shuttle box were used to evaluate the learning and memory abilities of rats; colorimetric assay was used to measure the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase, and Ca(2+)/Mg(2+)-ATPase and the content of malonaldehyde (MDA) in the hippocampus; the concentration of Ca(2+) in the hippocampus was measured by fluorescent labeling.

RESULTSCompared with the blank control group and solvent control group, the B[a]P exposure groups exhibited significant increases in escape latency, active avoidance response latency, and passive avoidance response latency and significant decreases in number of platform crossings and active avoidance response frequency in the last test (P < 0.05 for all comparisons), with a dose-effect relationship. In addition, the B[a]P exposure groups had significantly lower activities of SOD, Na(+)/K(+)-AT-Pase, and Ca(2+)/Mg(2+)-ATPase and significantly higher MDA level and Ca(2+) concentration than the blank control group and solvent control group (P < 0.05 for all comparisons), with a dose-effect relationship.

CONCLUSIONThe neurobehavioral toxicity of B[a]P may be related to increased oxidative stress and decreased activities of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase and Ca(2+)/Mg(2+)-ATPase in the hippocampus of rats.

Animals ; Benzo(a)pyrene ; toxicity ; Ca(2+) Mg(2+)-ATPase ; metabolism ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the ultrasonographic features of congenital intrahepatic portosystemic venous shunt (CIPSVS) and to assess the clinical value of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of CIPSVS.

METHODSSix cases of CIPSVS diagnosed in our hospital between March 2010 and March 2012 and confirmed by enhanced computed tomography (CT) were retrospectively reviewed. Five of the six cases had follow-up data that was included in the analysis.

RESULTSAmong the six CIPSVS cases, only one was classified as Park's type II and the rest were classified as Park's type III. Five cases involved the right lobe of the liver and only one case involved the left lobe. The lesion shapes included cystic, tubular, and irregular with clear contour and appeared to be anechoic on CT scan. The lesions ranged in size from 1.1*0.6 cm to 2.0*1.7 cm. For all cases, the color Doppler ultrasound images showed blood flowing from the portal vein to the hepatic vein, and single-phase spectrum was detected in the diversion channel. The differences observed in level of lesion size and blood flow velocity at the shunt from the time of examinations at diagnosis and subsequent follow-up did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.223 more than 0.05 and P = 0.930 more than 0.05 respectively).

CONCLUSIONAlthough cases of CIPSVS are rare, they share some specific sonographic features that may help in diagnosis. Color Doppler ultrasound findings have high diagnostic accuracy and may represent a preferred modality for follow-up monitoring.

Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Portal Vein ; abnormalities ; diagnostic imaging ; Retrospective Studies ; Ultrasonography ; Vascular Malformations ; diagnostic imaging

Objective To evaluate the endoscopic features and treatment of gastrointestinal carciholds. Methods Data of 44 patients diagnosed as gastrointestinal carcinoid from 2002 to 2009, including clinical manifestation, endoscopic findings, treatment and follow-up, were analyzed retrospectively. Results Most common presentations were abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits, while some patients (n = 7 ) did not have any symptoms. Most lesions were elevated submucosal ones with normal mucosal pit pattern of type Ⅰ . Larger lesions appeared as polyps with mucosal pit pattern of type Ⅲ and 1 malignant carcinoid as type Ⅴ. Endoscopic ultrasonography were performed in 29 patients and all lesions were presented as submucosal hypoechoic masses with distinct borders. Endoscopic fulguration with high frequency current was applied in 12 patients and endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) in 32. One patient with malignant carcinoid accepted multiple EMRs and died from lung and liver metastasis 6 months after last procedure. No recurrence was observed in other 43 patients during the follow-up visit of 3 months to 5 years. Conclusion Gastrointestinal carcinoid is lack of specific symptoms, and the diagnosis is made by endoscopic and pathologic findings.

BACKGROUND: Mandibular advancement devices are commonly used in patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome. But wearing with mandibular protraction appliance makes the mandible in an abnormal position, and inevitably affects the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). As one of the important components of the TMJ, can structural changes of the joint disk impair the TMJ? Are there any differences in the TMJ structure between Angle Class Ⅰ and Class Ⅱ? What will happen to the TMJ structure in the Angle Class Ⅰ and Class Ⅱ during mandibular advancement? Is there a same law of TMJ changes for Angle Class Ⅰ and Class Ⅱ? All of these are undetermined systematically. OBJECTIVE: To compare the changes in the structure of TMJ disk and the differences during mandible advancement between Angle Class Ⅰ and Class Ⅱ adult males. METHODS: Forty non-apnea adult males were divided into two groups (n=20 per group), including Class Ⅰ and Class Ⅱ groups, according to the Angle's classification and sagittal skeletal facial type. Each volunteer was scanned by MRI in three positions, including central occlusion (F0), 75% of the maximum mandible advancement (F75) and maximum of the mandible advancement (F100). These indexes that were correlated with morphology of the joint disk in different mandible advancement positions were measured and calculated by MRI, and then analyzed statistically. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: In F0, the ratio of disk anterior displacement in the Class Ⅱ group was higher than that in the Class Ⅰ group (P< 0.01). The angle A was decreased as the mandible advanced in both groups from F0to F75(P < 0.01). The rotational angular dimension was increased as the mandible advanced, and the sizes from F0to F100were bigger than those from F0to F75(P < 0.05). Some differences existed in the structure of TMJ disk between Angle Class Ⅰ and Ⅱ adult males. In summary, appropriate mandibular advancement may play a positive role in patients with anterior displacement of the joint disk, but excessive mandible advancement is likely to impair the TMJ disk.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility and therapeutic effect of acellular cadaveric dermis (ACD)-assisted immediate breast reconstruction.

METHODSFrom Sep. 2009 to May 2010, 10 cases received ACD-assisted immediate breast reconstruction. During the operation, the ACD was used to cover inferior and lateral portion of the implants in 2 cases and expanders in 8 cases.

RESULTSThe patients were followed up for an average period of 4 months with satisfactory breast appearance. The complications included infection in 2 cases and dehiscence in 2 cases. But no implant or expander was taken out.

CONCLUSIONSThe ACD-assisted immediate breast reconstruction is a technically simple procedure with minimal morbidity. Satisfactory clinical outcome can be achieved with appropriate candidates.

Acellular Dermis ; Adult ; Breast Implants ; Dermis ; transplantation ; Female ; Humans ; Mammaplasty ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Skin Transplantation ; Surgical Flaps ; Tissue Expansion Devices ; Treatment Outcome