AIM:To investigate the characteristic of T-cell acute lymphocytic leukemia 1 (TAL1) gene expres-sion in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell lines and in primary AML cells from de novo AML patients with different sub-types. METHODS:Real-time PCR was used to determine the expression of TAL1 mRNA in acute leukemia cell lines (Jurkat, CCRF-CEM, HL-60 and NB4 cell lines) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 47 newly diagnosed AML patients. Twelve healthy individuals were served as healthy control group. RESULTS:A significantly increased level in TAL1 mRNA was found in AML cell lines (HL-60 and NB4), T-cell acute lymphacytic leukemia (T-ALL) cell lines (Jur-kat, CCRF-CEM) and primary AML cells compared with the healthy controls. Over-expression of TAL1 was found in all detected AML subtypes, the highest level of TAL-1 mRNA was found in AML-M1 and AML-M5 subtype ( P <0.05). CONCLUSION:High expression of TAL1 in AML might influence the differentiation and proliferation of myeloid cells, further investigation needs to confirm whether it would be as a biomarker for pathogenesis of AML.

OBJECTIVETo understand the mechanism by which tenascin-C regulates osteoblast differentiation and the role of tenascin-C in osteoporosis.

METHODSTenascin-C protein expression in femoral spongy bone of mice with or without osteoporosis was analyzed using Western blotting. In MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts with or without tenascin-C depletion by a specific siRNA targeting tenascin-C, alkaline phosphatase activity and Dickkopf-1 (DKK-1) expression were determined using quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting, and the transcriptional activity of Wnt signaling pathway was analyzed using a luciferase reporter assay. The possible interaction of tenascin-C with DKK-1 predicted by STRING software was verified by immunoprecipitation.

RESULTSs Tenascin-C was markedly down-regulated in hemoral spongy bone of mice with osteoporosis as compared with the control mice. Osteoblastic differentiation was markedly suppressed in MC3T3-E1 osteoblast after tenascin-C depletion, and was significantly reversed by simultaneous β-catenin over-expression. siRNA-mediated knockdown of tenascin-C, which bound DKK-1, up-regulated the expression of DKK-1 and consequently lowered the transcriptional activity of Wnt pathway.

CONCLUSIONTenascin-C knockdown attenuates its negative control on DKK-1 to suppress the transcriptional activity of Wnt pathway, which in turn suppresses osteoblastic differentiation and promotes osteoporosis.

Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; Gene Knockdown Techniques ; Mice ; Osteoblasts ; cytology ; Osteogenesis ; Osteoporosis ; physiopathology ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Tenascin ; genetics ; metabolism ; Up-Regulation ; Wnt Signaling Pathway ; beta Catenin ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation of gestational age (GA) with carboxyterminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PICP), deoxypyridinoline (DPD), and bone sound of speed (SOS) in appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) neonates, as well as the relationship between bone turnover markers and bone SOS.

METHODSSixty-five AGA neonates were included in the study. The neonates were divided into three groups: preterm infant (GA ≤3 4 weeks, 14 cases), late preterm infant (34 weeks

RESULTSThere were significant differences in GA (F=140.199, P<0.001), birth weight (F=47.042, P<0.001), birth length (F=46.877, P<0.001), and PI (F=11.898, P<0.001) between the three groups; the higher the GA, the higher the birth weigh, birth length, and PI. There were significant differences in PICP (F=30.384, P<0.001), DPD/Cr (F=21.761, P<0.001), and SOS (F=20.052, P<0.001) between the three groups; the higher the GA, the lower the PICP and DPD/Cr and the higher the bone SOS. PICP and DPD/Cr were negatively correlated with GA, birth weight and bone SOS (P<0.01), while bone SOS was positively correlated with GA and birth weight (P<0.01), which still held true after adjustment for GA and birth weight.

CONCLUSIONSAmong AGA neonates, bone turnover markers are negatively correlated with GA, birth weight and bone SOS. High bone turnover is bad for bone health in AGA neonates.

Amino Acids ; blood ; Birth Weight ; Bone Density ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Peptide Fragments ; blood ; Procollagen ; blood ; Tibia ; diagnostic imaging ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUNDIn recent years, increasing numbers of patients are accepting neoadjuvant chemotherapy before their operation in order to get a better prognosis. But chemotherapy has many side-effects. We have observed that patients who accepted neoadjuvant chemotherapy are more sensitive to anesthetics. The aim of this study was to determine the median effective dose (EC(50)) of intravenous anesthetics for neoadjuvant chemotherapy patients to lose consciousness during target-controlled infusion.

METHODSTwo hundred and forty breast cancer patients undergoing elective operations were assigned to six groups according to treatment received before their operation and the use of intravenous anesthetics during anesthesia; non-adjuvant chemotherapy + propofol group (group NP, n = 40), Taxol + propofol group (group TP, n = 40), adriamycin + cyclophosphamide + 5-Fu + propofol group (group CP, n = 40), non-adjuvant chemotherapy + etomidate group (group NE, n = 40), taxol + etomidate group (group TE, n = 40), adriamycin + cyclophosphamide + 5-Fu + etomidate group (group CE, n = 40). We set the beginning effect-site concentration (Ce) of propofol as 3.0 µg/ml and etomidate as 0.2 µg/ml. The concentration was increased by steps until the patient was asleep, (OAAS class I-II), then gave fentanyl 3 µg/kg and rocuronium 0.6 mg/kg and intubated three minutes later. The patients' age, height, and weight were recorded. BIS was recorded before induction, at the initial effect-site concentration and at loss of consciousness. The effect-site concentration was recorded when patient lost consciousness.

RESULTSThere were no significant differences between groups in general conditions before treatment; such as BIS of consciousness, age, sex and body mass index. The EC(50) of propofol in the NP, TP and CP groups was 4.11 µg/ml (95%CI: 3.96 - 4.26), 2.94 µg/ml (95%CI: 3.36 - 3.47) and 2.91 µg/ml (95%CI: 3.35 - 3.86), respectively. The EC50 of etomidate in the NE, TE and CE groups was 0.61 µg/ml (95%CI: 0.55 - 0.67), 0.38 µg/ml (95%CI: 0.33 - 0.44), and 0.35 µg/ml (95%CI: 0.34 - 0.36), respectively. There was no significant difference of BIS level before induction or in BIS50 level in any group when patients lost consciousness.

CONCLUSIONSThe EC(50) of intravenous anesthetics to cause loss of consciousness in neoadjuvant chemotherapy groups is lower than in the control group. There was no significant difference of BIS level at which patients lost consciousness.

Adult ; Anesthetics, Intravenous ; therapeutic use ; Breast Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; surgery ; Cyclophosphamide ; therapeutic use ; Doxorubicin ; therapeutic use ; Etomidate ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Fluorouracil ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; adverse effects ; Paclitaxel ; therapeutic use ; Propofol ; therapeutic use ; Unconsciousness ; chemically induced

Objective To evaluate the enhanced magnification endoscopy in the diagnosis of Barrett esophagus,and to explore the relationship between mucosal surface patterns and pathological epithelial types of Barrett esophagus.Methods Enhanced magnification endoscopy was performed 'after spraying 2%-3% acetic acid on the surface of distal esophagus in 40 Barrett esophagus patients.Mucosal specimen were biop- syed.Results According to the mucosal types of Toyoda in 2003,there were three mucosal types:Ⅰ dot pat- tern 7(17.5%),5 of 7(71.4%)fundie type,Ⅱ reticular pattern 24(60.0%),16 of 24(66.7%)fundic type,Ⅲ cerebroid/villous 9(22.5%),intestinal metaplasia or dysplasia.Conclusion Enhanced magnifi- cation endoscopy helps to identify areas with intestinal metaplasia and dysplasia,and is useful in the diagno- sis of Barrett esophagus.

OBJECTIVETo observe serum uric acid (UA) level distribution and explore risk factors of hyperuricemia (HUA) in a large cohort of active and retired employees underwent physical examination.

METHODSPhysical examination was arranged for 21 700 active and retired employees from May 2010 to September 2011, 16 416 employees were examined and complete examination data were obtained in 14 044 subjects. The distribution characteristics of UA level and correlations of UA level and HUA prevalence rate with gender, age, body mass index (BMI), systolic pressure (SBP), diastolic pressure (DBP), fasting blood-glucose (FPG), serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were analyzed.

RESULTSHUA prevalence rate was 11.2% in this cohort, which was significantly higher in males (15.8%) than in females (4.1%, P < 0.05). The UA level and the HUA prevalence rate presented a "J" curve relationship with aging and positively correlated with BMI, SBP, DBP, TG, LDL-C, TC and FPG while negatively correlated with HDL-C. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that SBP, BMI, FPG, TG, and LDL-C were independent risk factors while HDL-C and female gender were the protective factors of HUA(all P < 0.01). Aging and high DBP were independent risk factors of HUA for females (all P < 0.05) and LDL-C was risk factor of HUA for males (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSSerum UA level presents a "J" wave relationship with aging. The risk factors of HUA are increased SBP, BMI, FPG, TG, LDL-C while the protective factors of HUA are female gender and high HDL-C.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperuricemia ; epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Physical Examination ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Uric Acid ; blood

OBJECTIVETo examine serum adiponectin level in preterm infants and to evaluate the relationship between serum adiponectin and bone mineral density in preterm infants.

METHODSSeventy-two appropriate-for-gestational-age neonates were classified into three groups according to their gestational ages: early preterm (31-33(+6) weeks, 13 cases), late preterm (34-36(+6) weeks, 16 cases), and full-term (37-42 weeks, 43 cases). Venous blood was collected at one week of their life to measure serum adiponectin concentration. During the period, omnisense ultrasound bone sonometer was applied to measure speed of sound (SOS) of the left tibia.

RESULTSThe median of tibia SOS in the early preterm group was significantly lower than in the late preterm and full term groups (P<0.05), and the median of tibia SOS in the late preterm group was lower than in the full-term group (P<0.05). Serum adiponectin level was lowest in the early preterm group, and the full-term group had the highest serum adiponectin level. Serum adiponectin level was positively correlated with tibia SOS in preterm infants (r=0.664, P<0.05). According to the result of multivariate linear stepwise regression analysis, serum adiponectin and birth weight were independent predictor of tibia SOS in preterm infants.

CONCLUSIONSSerum adiponectin level is lower in preterm infants than that in full-term infants. There is a positive correlation between serum adiponectin and bone mineral density in preterm infants.

Adiponectin ; blood ; Birth Weight ; Bone Density ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; blood ; Linear Models ; Male

OBJECTIVETo investigate the tumor-associated antigen CA125 expression in the serum and cervical and vaginal secretions in women during normal reproductive period, and explore the clinical value of detecting tumor markers in the cervical and vaginal secretions.

METHODSA total of 145 women in reproductive period were divided into 3 age groups (20-29 years, 30-39 years, and over 40 years), and their CA125 levels in cervical secretion, vaginal secretion and serum were detected by automatic electro-chemiluminescent immunoassay.

RESULTSCA125 levels in the cervical secretion, vaginal secretion and serum showed no significant difference between the 3 age groups (P>0.05). In each group, CA125 levels differed significantly between the cervical secretion, vaginal secretion and serum (P<0.001). In the 145 women, the average CA125 level was 497.82 - or + 75.29 U/ml in the cervical secretion, 114.66 - or + 26.40 U/ml in vaginal secretion and 18.06 - or + 3.35 U/ml in serum, showing significant differences between them (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONCA125 expression level is significantly higher in the cervical and vaginal secretions than in the serum in women in normal reproductive period, and its levels in cervical and vaginal secretions can be more sensitive and convenient for early detection of related diseases.

Adult ; Biomarkers ; analysis ; CA-125 Antigen ; blood ; metabolism ; Cervix Mucus ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Vagina ; secretion ; Young Adult

Animals ; Hydrogen Sulfide ; metabolism ; Hypertension, Portal ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective To explore biomechanical assessment for the effects on vibration against bone loss by investigating the relationship between material distribution and mechanical properties of rat femur cortical bone based on Micro CT. Methods 35 rats were randomly divided into intermittent vibration groups with the interval of 1, 3, 5, 7 days, and continuous vibration group, respectively. Tail suspended model of disuse osteoporosis was set up. All rats were loaded with mechanical vibration of 35 Hz and 0.3 g, and killed after 8 weeks. Micro CT scanning of the left femur of each rat was performed. Three-dimensional finite element model of the cortical bone was established to calculate the apparent and tissue-level mechanical parameters. Principal components (PCs) were extracted from material distribution, intermittent days and volume fraction by principal components analysis (PCA). Results The PCA revealed the three independent components that could fully explaine the variability of cortical bone characteristics under vibration. The linear regression equations were also created between the material property and the apparent and tissue-level mechanical properties, respectively. Mechanical properties of the cortical bone were influenced by material distribution mostly, and the volume fraction and intermittent days were next in importance. Conclusions The cortical bone material distribution can reflect changes in its mechanical properties, and the bone strength could be assessed by establishing the linear relationship, which could provide a theoretical basis for osteoporosis prevention and treatment as well as the assessment on its rehabilitation process.