Objective To explore the role of the Hedgehog singaling in the pathogenesis of esophageal cancer.Methods Tissue samples of normal esophageal mucosa,low-grade dysplasia,high-grade dysplasia and esophageal cancer were collected.Immunohistochemical stain,Western-blot and RT-PCR were employed to detect theexpression of Hedgehog protein and gene,methylation special PCR was used to detect the methylation status of Hedgehog gene.Results There was no difference in the expression of SHh protein among nornaml esophageal and low-grade dysplasia,high-grade dysplasia and esophageal cancer(LGD vs.N:t=1.96,P=0.67;HGD vs.EC:t=1.59,P=0.53).However,the expression of SHh protein in high-grade dysplasia and esophageal cancer was higher than that in normal esophageal mucosa and low-grade dysplasia(HGD vs.N:t=0.593,P=0.004;HGD vs.LGD:t=1.308,P=0.325;EC vs.N:t=0.292,P=0.000;EC vs.LGD:t=0.734,P=0.004).The expression of Hedgehog gene in esophageal cancer was higher than that in normal esophageal mucosa,low-grade dysplasia and high-grade dysplasia(EC vs.N:t=0.909,P=0.019,EC vs.LGD:t=0.398,P=0.007;EC vs.HGD:t=0.843,P=0.012).The gene methylation in esophageal cancer was lower than that in normal esophageal mucosa,low-grade dysplasia and high-grade dysplasia(EC vs.N:t=0.0340,P=0.000;EC vs.LGD:t=0.102,P=0.000;EC vs.HGD:t=0.367,P=0.018).Conclusion Hedgehog signaling may play a role in the pathogenesis and development of esophageal cancer,however,demethylation of Hedgehog gene may be one of the mechanism that cause the activity of oncogene in esophageal cancer.

Objective To improve the operative outcome of parasagittal meningiomas in central area. Methods Twenty patients with parasagittal meningiomas were treated with microsurgery. Of them, 16 cases were taken DSA exzamination before operation to evaluate the blood supplies of the tumor, compensation of venus return around the tumor after obstruction of the sagittal sinus. During the operation, the parasagittal blood supplies were blocked first, the tumors were resected piece by piece. Rolandic veins, other compensative venous pathways and normal brains around the tumors were protected, and the involved sagittal sinuses were appropriately treated. Results Total removal of the tumor was reached in 17 cases, nearly total removal in 3 cases, no death. Postoperatively, 1 patient developed hemiparesis, 2 had paresis of both lower extremities. No tumor recurrence was found in 13 patients during the follow-up of 3～7 years. Conclusion Using microsurgical techniques in the resection of parasagittal meningioma in central area may improve the percentage of total tumor resection, decrease the injuries of important functional area of the brain, reduce complications and improve survival outcome.

Objective To investigate the relationship of the chemical coding enteric nervous system of the mice and expression for neurotransmittor of enteric primary afferent neurons for Nociceptors.Methods Immunocytochemical and morphometric techniques were used to quantify the distribution of IB4-containing neurons in mice enteric nervous system using three mice chiocing every vision 50 neurons undering confocal microscopy IB4 immunolabelling and colocalized with calretinin and lectin B4.Results IB4 being binded to primary afferent neurons of enteric pleuxes happend in small intestin and colon of mice,where it was selective for nociceptive neurons.IB4 revealed large round or oval(Dogiel type II)neurons,type I neurons with prominent laminar dendrites and small neurons of myenteric ganglia.The type II neurons were immunoreactive for calretinin,and some type I neurons were immunoreactive for nitric oxide synthase.Most neurons in the submucosal ganglia bound IB4,and some of these were vasoactive intestinal peptide immunoreactive.Conclusion The results indicate that IB4 labels specific subgroups of enteric neurons in the enteric nervous system of the mice.These include intrinsic primary afferent neurons,but other neurons,including secretomotor neurons,are labeled.The results suggest that IB4 is not a specific label for enteric nociceptive neurons.

Objective To investigate the prevalence of BPPV in patients with Meniere’s Disease(MD),and to investigate the diagnostic and predictive values of VEMP in patients with MD and BPPV.Methods A total of 1 1 6 patients previously diagnosed MD were followed up through telephone about their BPPV-like attacks.We recorded the detailed history of BPPV-like attacks,and provided them with complete Dix-Hallpike and roll tests if patients were on their BPPV-like attacks.Results In all,4 patients'histories supported BPPV,and 4 patients were found with BPPV.The prevalence of BPPV in patients with MD was 3 .4%(4/1 1 6 ).Meniere's symptoms preceded the on-set of BPPV in 8 patients.In 4 confirmed BPPV patients with Meniere's disease,BPPV was limited to the same ear as the MD in 2 cases,and 1 had contralateral BPPV,and 1 was uncertain.Six histories supported or confirmed BP-PVpatients with high abnormal oVEMP rates (5/6).Four in this 5 (80%)had abnormal oVEMP of the same MD ear.The single repositioning procedures can improve vertigo and eliminated positional nystagmus in cases of BPPV associated with MD.Conclusion In the present study,the prevalence of BPPV in patients with MD was 3 .45%.De-tailed medical histories combined with Dix-Hallpike and roll tests and VEMP tests can identify BPPV in patients with MD.

Objective To observe the effects of ginsenoside Rg1 group on the structure and function of rat skeletal muscle with exercise-induced fatigue.Methods SD rats were randomized into blank control group,model group and ginsenoside Rg1 group.The rats in the model group and ginsenoside Rg1 group received medium-intensity treadmill running to induce exercise-induced fatigue.Ginsenoside Rg1 group was given ginsenoside Rg1 50 mg?kg-1?d-1 for 2 continuous weeks during the modeling.After treatment,malondialdehyde(MDA)content,superoxide dismustase(SOD) activity,mitochondrial membrane potential and free calcium content in the rat skeletal muscle were measured.Meanwhile,ultrastructure of the skeletal muscle was observed under the electron microscope.Results In the model group,SOD activity,mitochondrial membrane potential,and free calcium content were decreased,MDA content was increased,and the difference was significant as compared with the blank control group(P

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the abnormal conditions of the affected ear and the contralateral ear of patients with unilateral Meniere's disease and the prevalence of bilateral abnormalities among these unilateral Meniere disease population, providing reference for the clinical treatment strategies for Meniére disease. METHOD: A retrospective analysis of 106 Meni6re disease cases was performed, the abnormal incidence of the affected ears, the contralateral ears and the bilateral abnormalities were calculated, and the disease characteristics were analyzed. RESULT: The bilateral ears abnormal incidence of unilateral Meniére disease was 35. 85% (38/106); the cochlear symptoms of the contralateral ears often occurred 2. 25 years later of the symptoms of Meni6re disease; contralateral cochlear symptoms included at least two symptoms of tinnitus, deafness and ear fullness; 39. 47%(15/38) patients with bilateral abnormalities would appear binaural hearing impairment. CONCLUSION This study showed that about one-third of unilateral Meniére diseases have binaural symptoms, among which about one-third would occur bilateral hearing loss. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the course of disease and the symptoms of the contralateral ear before taking damage or destructive method for treating Meniére's disease clinically.
Cochlea ; physiopathology ; Deafness ; Ear ; abnormalities ; Hearing Loss, Bilateral ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Incidence ; Meniere Disease ; epidemiology ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies ; Tinnitus

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the result of vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP) of primary benign paroxysmal positional vertigo(BPPV)and to identify the characteristics in VEMP examination of the primary BPPV and to observe the relevance of patients with primary BPPV and abnormal VEMP with hearing loss. METHOD: Patients with primary BPPV were tested with pure tone audiometry, videonystagmograph and VEMPs test. We analyzed the difference in the two groups with normal hearing and hearing loss, discussed the etiology and pathogenesis. RESULT: Primary BPPV comprised 23.0% with hearing lost, 77.0% hearing normal. The results of oVEMP were abnormal in 79. 7% (59/74) of the cases; and the results of cVEMP were abnormal in 66. 2% (49/74) of the cases; oVEMP and cVEMP differences to the diagnosis of primary BPPV (P<0. 05); oVEMP and cVEMP differences to the diagnosis primary BPPV with hearing lost (P<0. 05). CONCLUSION oVEMP detection positive rate of primary BPPV is higher than cVEMP,which may be due to otolithic particles falling from the utricle; positive rate of cVEMP in primary BPPV with hearing loss is higher than that of oVEMP, which may related to the cochlear and sacculus occured in the same embryonic tissue structure.
Audiometry, Pure-Tone ; Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo ; physiopathology ; Cochlea ; Hearing Loss ; etiology ; Hearing Tests ; Humans ; Otolithic Membrane ; Saccule and Utricle ; Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials

Objective To investigate the changes of serum soluble factor-related apoptosis (sFas) and soluble Fas ligand (sFasL) and their relations with cognition disorders in the patients with vascular dementia (VaD). Methods Serum concentrations of sFas and sFasl were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and compared between 70 patients with VaD aged (72.5± 7.5)years and 50 healthy elderly people aged(72.5 ± 7.5)years.The VaD patient's cognitive functions were evaluated by activity of daily living scale (ADL),mini mental state examination (MMSE) and hachinski ischemia score (Hachinski). Results The serum levels of sFas and sFasL in VaD patients were (228.0±60.7)μg/L and (146.8±30.1)μg/L,and in the healthy elderly were (62.4±22.6)μg/L and (82.3 ± 18.7)μg/L,respectively.The serum levels of apoptosis factors in VaD patients were significantly higher than in the healthy controls (t=20.883,14.453,P＜0.01).sFas level was negatively correlated with age,the scores of ADL and Hachiuski while positively with the scores of MMSE (r=-0.956,-0.943,-0.950 and 0.904,all P＜0.01). sFasL level was negatively correlated with the scores of MMSE while positively with age,the scores of ADL and Hachinski (r=-0.899,0.963,0.948 and 0.939,a11 P＜0.01). Conclusions Apoptosis may be involved in the pathological change during VaD and the serum levels of sFas and sFasL might be related with cognition disorders.

Objective To determine the efficacy and toxicity of docetaxel in patients with paclitaxel-resistant advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods The clinical data from 15 patients with NSCLC who were admitted in the Shanghai Chest Hospital from January 2005 to May 2008 were retrospectively analyzed. The effects and toxicities of the second-line treatment were assessed. The progression-free survival time(PFS) and overall survival time(OS) were analyzed. Results The disease control rate was 66.7 %, with a progression-free survival time of 6 months, and a overall survival time of 17.3 months. The 1-year survival rate was 63.3 %. The toxic effects were as expected. Conclusion The doeetaxel-based agent is active in patients with paelitaxel-resistant advanced NSCLC.

AIM: To observe the influence of overexpression of ?-synuclein on the cultured SH-SY5Y cells. METHODS: The plasmid of ?-synuclein-pcDNA_3 was transfected into SH-SY5Y cells with LipofectAMINE. The expression of ?-synuclein was determined by anti-?-synuclein immunocytochemistry. The intracellular reactive oxygen species was determined with 2', 7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCF-DA) by using a FACSCAN flow cytometer and fluorescent microscope. The intracellular content of reduced GSH was detected with glutathione assay kit by spectrophotometer. RESULTS: The ?-synuclein was expressed in cultured SH-SY5Y cells transfected with the plasmid of ?-synuclein-pcDNA_3. The DCF loading analysis and the intracellular level of reduced GSH suggested that the transfected cells were under oxidative stress. CONCLUSION: Overexpression and accumulation of ?-synuclein in SH-SY5Y cells increase intracellular reactive oxygen species levels, it is suggested therefore that the ?-synuclein does play an important role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease.