OBJECTIVETo explore the feasibility of using an intracavitary convex array probe for detecting the distal extracranial internal carotid artery (ICA) by transoral carotid ultrasonography (TOCU).

METHODSForty patients underwent examinations with bilateral ICA inspected with an intracavitary convex array probe by TOCU to observe the internal diameter, visible length, peak systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity (EDV) and resistance index (RI).

RESULTSEight of the 40 patients were excluded from the observation for the presence of carotid plaques. The examination was terminated in two patients due to sensitive throat and severe pharyngeal reflex. The rest of the patients completed the examination of the internal diameter, visible length, PSV, EDV and RI, which showed no statistically significant differences among them (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONUsing intracavitary convex array probe, the distal extracranial ICA disease can be diagnosed with higher accuracy.

Adult ; Aged ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mouth ; diagnostic imaging ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex ; methods

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes of the goblet cells in the intestine during the restitution process of the gut barrier after hemorrhagic shock.

METHODSForty-nine Sprague-Dawley rats with body weight of 250-300 g were divided into control group (n=7) and experimental group (n=42). Rats in the experimental group was further divided into 6 groups (n=7 each) according to different time point at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 36 hours after hemorrhagic shock resuscitation. The specimens from ileum tissue were taken to observe the morphological chan ges of the intestinal mucosa. The number of goblet cells was determined by light microscope and/or electron microscope. The contents of trefoil factor family 3 (TFF3) of goblet cells were examined using GC-9A gas chromatographic instrument.

RESULTSAfter hemorrhagic shock, mucosal epithelial injury was obvious in the small intestine. Tissue restitution was found after 3 hours, and mostly established after 12 hours. Following tissue restitution,the denuded mucosal surface was covered intensively by goblet cells. The number of goblet cells on the intestinal mucosa was reduced significantly from 243+/- 13 at 1 h to 157+/- 9 at 24 h (r=- 0.910, P< 0.01), and returned to normal level at 36 h. In the experimental group, the content of TFF3 in the intestinal mucosa increased significantly at 12 hours, decreased, but was still higher at 24 hours (t=3.24, P< 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe goblet cells play a key role in the restitution of intestinal mucosa. High expression of TFF3 may facilitate the intestinal mucosal restitution in the early phase.

Animals ; Goblet Cells ; metabolism ; Ileum ; cytology ; Intestinal Mucosa ; cytology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Neuropeptides ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Shock, Hemorrhagic ; metabolism ; Trefoil Factor-3

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of TGF-betaR I, Smad2, Smad3 and Smad7 in keloids, normal scars and normal skins. Discuss the significance of these proteins in the course of keloid.

METHODSImmunohistochemistry method was used to detect the expression intensity and distribution of these proteins in above 3 kinds of different tissues in 44 cases. Statistics was used to analyze the data.

RESULTSThe expression of TGF-betaR I were much stronger in keloid than in the other two tissues. The expression of Smad7 were lower in keloids. The increase expression of Smad2,3 were not obvious, but they were found to accumulate in the nucleus.

CONCLUSIONSThe results indicate that over-expression of TGF-betaR I, low-expression of Smad7 and accumulation of Smad2,3 may be one of the etiological factors of keloids. This research may provide a new idea to prevent and treat keloids or other fibrosis diseases in the future.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Keloid ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; metabolism ; Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta ; metabolism ; Smad2 Protein ; metabolism ; Smad3 Protein ; metabolism ; Smad7 Protein ; metabolism ; Young Adult

Objective To explore the biological functions of retinoic acid-inducible gene-I(RIG-I) in vivo through phenotype analysis of RIG-I knockout mice. Methods The gene expression of RIG-Ⅰ in various tissues of mice was examined with Northern blotting and semi-quantitative RT-PCR.The phenotypes observed included body weight measurement,differential count of peripheral blood cells,metabolic parameters measurement and histopathologic examination. ResultsRIG-Ⅰ expressed in various tissues of mice with different levels.No gross developmental abnormalities and expected maturation arrest in granulocytic differentiation were observed in RIG-Ⅰ knockout mice.However,RIG-Ⅰ knockout mice exhibited an unexpected increase in the ratios of neutrophiles to lymphocytes in peripheral blood and increased susceptibility to bacteria infection. Conclusion RIG-Ⅰ may play an important role in immune regulation in mice.

Humans ; Liver Transplantation ; Transplantation, Autologous

OBJECTIVETo investigate neuroendocrine differentiation and its mechanism in ovarian epithelial tumors.

METHODSNeuroendocrine (NE) cells were identified by immunohistochemical staining for chromogranin A and synaptophysin in 79 cases of ovarian epithelial tumor and 22 cases of normal ovary. Double-labeling technique was used for simultaneous detection of CgA and epithelial membrane antigean (EMA), and the staining intensity was quantitatively evaluated using an image analysis system.

RESULTSThe positive staining rate for CgA and SYN in ovarian epithelial tumors was 59.4% and 65.36%, respectively, which was higher than that in normal ovary (P=0.000), in which numerous NE cells were found. Both the number and staining intensity of NE cells in ovarian epithelial tumor were increased as compared with normal ovary. Cells co-expressing CgA and EMA were detected in the ovarian epithelial tumors.

CONCLUSIONThe presence of NE cells in ovarian epithelial tumor suggests heterogeneity of the tumors, and the occurrence of "multidirectional differentiation cells" within the these tumors indicates that NE cells might derive from malignant cells with multidirectional differentiation capacity.

Adult ; Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Cell Differentiation ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Neuroendocrine Cells ; metabolism ; pathology ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Ovary ; cytology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical and laboratory features of childhood acute leukemia (AL) with MLL gene rearrangements.

METHODSSixteen of 298 cases of childhood AL with MLL rearrangements were studied by using MLL dual-color FISH, multiplex RT-PCR with 13 pairs of primers in combination with R banding karyotype analysis and cell immunophenotyping by flow cytometry.

RESULTSSixteen cases of childhood AL with MLL rearrangements accounted for 5.4% of 298 AL patients, and 56.3% of infant ALs. Among 106 cases analyzed by multiplex RT-PCR, MLL gene rearrangements were found in 11 cases, including MLL/AF4 fusion gene in 2, MLL/AF6 fusion gene in 1, MLL/AF6 and MLL/ELL combined with MLL/ AFX or HOX11 in one case each, MLL/AF9 in 2, MLL/AF10 in 1, MLL/ELL in 2. MLL partial tandem duplication in 1 and activated HOX11 in 1. In 27 cases assayed by FISH, 9 cases (36.0%) were demonstrated MLL gene rearrangements. In 16 patients with MLL gene rearrangements, 14 (87.5%) exhibited clonal chromosome abnormalities involved chromosome 11 in 11 cases: being t(4;11) in 2, t(6;11), t(8;11), t(7;8;11), t(9;11) in each trisomy 11 in 2 and 11q--in 3 cases. Among these 16 patients, 11 were B-ALL, and 5 AML-M5, 3 of the latter were CD7+ and CD2+. Of these 16 patients, 8 received chemotherapy and 7 of them achieved complete remission, while the other 8 patients gave up treatment.

CONCLUSIONMultiplex RT-PCR combined with FISH provided a more accurate and sensitive method for detection of MLL gene rearrangements. Finding out MLL gene rearrangement is of most importance in guiding therapy and predicting prognosis in childhood AL.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Gene Rearrangement ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Infant ; Leukemia ; genetics ; Male ; Myeloid-Lymphoid Leukemia Protein ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of implantation brachytherapy with delayed-release particles of 32P-chromic phosphate-poly (L-lactide) (32P-CP-PLLA) on prostate cancer (PCa) in nude mice.

METHODSWe established a subcutaneous transplantable PCa model in nude mice, and randomly divided them into six groups, Groups A, B and C implanted intratumorally with 32P-CP-PLLA delayed-release particles at 3.7, 7.4 and 14.8 MBq, Groups D, E and F with 125I particles at the same doses as the former three, and another six nude mice were included in Group G as the blank control. Then we killed the mice at 21 days after the treatment, observed the effects of the particles on the morphology of the tumor and their inhibition of tumor growth, counted WBCs and platelets (PLTs) in the peripheral blood, and detected the toxic reaction of the blood.

RESULTSAt 21 days after the treatment, the solid tumor tissues exhibited bleeding and necrotic changes, and the rates of tumor inhibition were positively correlated with the doses of administration. Groups A, B and C showed statistically significant differences from Groups D, E, F and G in the rate of tumor inhibition ([ 65.72 +/- 6.95]%, [77.58 +/- 4.32]% and [82.64 +/- 4.03]% versus [35.61 +/- 5.61]%, [43.30 +/- 6.94]% and [69.01 +/- 4.98]%), WBC count ([1.72 +/- 0.37] x 10(9)/L, [1.23 +/- 0.27] x 10(9)/L and [0.86 +/- 0.25] x 10(9)/L versus [1.45 +/- 0.40] x 10(9)/L, [0.51 +/- 0.24] x 10(9)/L, [0.37 +/- 0.26] x 10(9)/L and [3.96 +/- 0.26] x 10(9)/L), PLT count ([1.18 +/- 0.11] x 10(11)/L, [0.97 +/- 0.10] x 10(11)/L and [0.72 +/- 0.11] x 10(11)/L versus [0.97 +/- 0.15] x 10(11)/L, [0.76 +/- 0.16] x 10(11)/L, [0.64 +/- 0.12] x 10(11)/L and [2.89 +/- 0.21] x 10(11)/L) and body weight ([18.60 +/- 0.66] g, [17.60 +/- 0.39] g and [16.90 +/- 0.68] g versus [17.86 +/- 0.60] g, [15.56 +/- 0.39] g, [14.61 +/- 0.65] g and [19.95 +/- 0.73] g) (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONIntratumoral implantation of 32P-CP-PL-LA is a safe, simple and effective radionuclide interventional therapy for prostate cancer.

Animals ; Brachytherapy ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Phosphorus Radioisotopes ; therapeutic use ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; radiotherapy

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical significance of piggy-back liver transplantation in treating acute liver failure (ALF).

METHODSFifteen ALF patients (13 caused by HBV and 2 with acute Wilson disease) had piggy-back liver transplantations (PBLT) in our hospital from Sept 1999 to Feb 2006. The outcomes of these patients were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSOne year survival rate of the 15 patients was 87% (13/15). Excellent outcome was achieved in the 2 acute Wilson disease cases: their corneal Kayser-Fleischer rings disappeared and serum ceruloplasmin levels returned to normal. Among the 15 cases, one died of severe pulmonary infection and another died of multiple organ system failure on the 6th and 11th postoperative days. HBsAg positivity was observed in 13 cases before liver transplantation. Eleven patients survived and later received anti-HBV treatment recommended by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. Their HBsAg became negative.

CONCLUSIONLiver transplantation is an effective therapy for ALF and can improve survival rate significantly.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Failure, Acute ; mortality ; surgery ; Liver Transplantation ; methods ; mortality ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo detect the expression of the fusion genes resulting from chromosome abnormalities in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia(ALL) and its conformity to WHO classification.

METHODSSixty-two children with ALL were investigated. The expression of fusion genes was determined by multiplex reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), karyotyping (R band) and immunophenotyping (by flow cytometry) were also performed.

RESULTSOf the 62 patients, 23(37.1%) were found to carry 13 different fusion genes. The patients with immunophenotype of Pre-B-ALL were found to carry: TEL/AML1(3 cases); E2A/PBX1, E2A/HLF, TLS/ERG, MLL/AF4, MLL/AF9, MLL/AF10, MLL/AFX-MLL/AF6-MLL/ELL, MLL/AF6-MLL/ELL, dupMLL (one case for each); and HOX11 (6 cases). The patients with immunophenotype of Pre-T-ALL were found to carry: TAL1D (4 cases, one is also found to have HOX11 expression); and HOX11 (2 cases). The multiplex RT-PCR in combination with chromosome analysis revealed genetic abnormalities in 69.4%(43/62) of childhood ALL.

CONCLUSIONMultiplex RT-PCR combined with chromosome analysis and immunophenotyping can provide reliable and helpful information for the diagnosis, therapy evaluation and prognosis prediction in childhood ALL, which may also serve as a basis on which to implement the criteria of WHO classification.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit ; genetics ; metabolism ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Flow Cytometry ; Homeodomain Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunophenotyping ; Infant ; Karyotyping ; Myeloid-Lymphoid Leukemia Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion ; genetics ; metabolism ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; genetics ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA-Binding Protein FUS ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Transcription Factors ; genetics ; metabolism