Objective To investigate the effect of selenium on proliferation and apoptosis of chondrocytes of articular cartilage cultured in vitro in Kaschin-Beck disease(KBD) patients and normal person, to explore the role of selenium in control of KBD, and to provide evidence for selenium's effect on the growth of normal cartilage cells. Methods The articular cartilage samples of grade Ⅱ and Ⅲ KBD patients were selected according to the national "Clinical Diagnosis of KBD" (GB 16003-1995). Chondrocytes of 5 KBD and 5 non-endemic normal accidentswere separated and cultured in vitro. KBD group and control group were given different doses of selenium (0,0.0125,0.0250,0.0500,0.1000,0.2500,0.5000,1.0000 mg/L, respectively). Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT),flow cytometric analysis, and immunocytochemical staining were used to observe the effect of selenium on cell growth and apoptosis in KBD and normal persons. Results MTT results showed that the cell proliferation rate in each dosage group of the control group at the 6th day(0.086 ± 0.025,0.077 ± 0.012,0.073 ± 0.027,0.071 ± 0.017,0.058 ± 0.028,0.052 ± 0.028 and 0.046 ± 0.037) was significantly lower than that of 0 mg/L group(0.138 ± 0.026,all P ＜ 0.05);the average cell proliferation rate was negative( - 0.001 ± 0.001, - 0.003 ± 0.000, - 0.003 ± 0.001and - 0.004 ± 0.001 ) in 0.1000 - 1.0000 mg/L dose group, which was significantly lower than that of the 0 mg/L group(0.025 ± 0.003, all P ＜ 0.05);compared with 0 mg/L group(0. 115 ± 0.011), the KBD 0.2500 mg/L dose group promoted cell proliferation(0.128 ± 0.037, P ＜ 0.05), the KBD 1.0000 mg/L dose group inhibited cell growth (0.071 ± 0.019, P ＜ 0.05). The apoptotic rate of 0.0500 - 1.0000 mg/L dose control group [ (18.88 ± 0.02)%,(17.58 ± 0.01)%, (17.09 ± 0.04)%, (56.00 ± 0.02)%, (57.85 ± 0.03)% ] were higher than that of the 0 mg/L group[(13.51 ± 0.01)%, all P ＜ 0.05];compared with 0 mg/L group[(25.84 ± 0.02)%], the apoptotic rate in KBD 0.0250 - 0.2500 mg/L dose group [ ( 13.69 ± 0.02) %, ( 15.96 ± 0.03 ) %, ( 16.68 ± 0.03 ) %, ( 16.67 ± 0.02) % ]were lower, and the apoptotic rate in 0.5000, 1.0000 mg/L dose group [ (59.58 ± 0.03)%, (73.48 ± 0.04)% ] were significantly higher(all P ＜ 0.05). The Fas expression in KBD 0.0500 - 0.2500 mg/L dose groups[ (41.2 ± 1.5)%,(40.3 ± 2.0)%, (50.2 ± 2.5)%] were lower than those of the same dose control group with selenium intervention [(52.4 ± 1.0)%, (67.2 ± 4.0)%, (75.1 ± 5.0)%, all P ＜ 0.05], the caspase-3 expression in KBD 0.0500,0.1000 mg/L dose groups[ (40.8 ± 1.1 )%, (45.1 ± 2.1 )%] were lower than those of the same dose control group with selenium intervention[ (68.0 ± 3.0)%, (70.6 ± 3.5)%, all P ＜ 0.05 ]. Conclusions Appropriate dose of selenium supplementation (0.1000 - 0.2500 mg/L) could promote the growth of KBD chondrocyte, decrease cell apoptosis,but have a damage when the dose of selenium ＞ 0.5000 mg/L;doses of selenium that could promote the growth of KBD chondrocyte does not mean to promote the growth of normal cartilage cells in vivo.

Objective To explore what kind of role serum interleukin 6 (IL-6) and interleukin 18 ( IL-18) play in the relationship between type D personality and acute coronary syndrom (ACS)prognosis.Methods Serum levels of IL-6,IL-18 in all 214 ACS patients were measured with ELISA.According to the scores of type D personality scale(DS14) ,the subjects were divided into the group with type D personality (50 cases)and the one without type D personality ( 164 cases).The serum IL-6 and IL-18 level between the two groups were detected and analyzed.Results There were 23.36% ACS patients with type D personality.The serum IL-6, IL-18levels of the group with type D in ACS acute stage and ACS recovery stage were (2.340 ± 0.081 )OD, (2.016 ±0.023 ) OD and ( 1.460 ± 0.070 ) OD, ( 1.313 ± 0.012 ) OD respectively, significantly higher than those of the group without type D (2.178 ± 0.180)OD, ( 1.849 ± 0.159)OD and ( 1.387 ± 0.091 )OD, ( 1.196 ± 0.132 ) OD respectively(P＜0.01).Conclusion At home and abroad ,there are similar amount of ACS patients with type D personality.The high serum IL-6 and IL-18 levels may play an important role in pathogenesis of relationship between type D personality and ACS poor prognosis.

Objective To investigate drug resistance and genotypes of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolated from intensive care unit (ICU). Methods MRSA strains were isolated from patients, medical staff and environment of hospital ICUs. Disk diffusion (K-B method) was used for drug resistance testing; Staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) and Staphylococcal protein A (spa) typing methods were used for genotyping and identifying the homology. Results There were 78 strains of Staphylococcus aureus isolated including 62 isolates of MRSA, which were mainly from the burn ICU (22, 35.48%). Among 62 MRSA strains, 50 were hospital acquired strains, in which 43 isolates were of SCCmec Ⅲ, 4 of SCCmec Ⅰ and 3 of SCCmec Ⅱ. Twelve isolates could not be typed. Twenty-eight out of 37 hospital acquired isolates were typed by spa typing as SCCmec Ⅲ-t030, which belonged to the same clone. Conclusion MRSA in ICU is multi-drug resistant and SCCmec Ⅲ-t030 is the most prevalent genotype, which indicates that clinical MRSA strains and environmental MRSA strains may be homologous.

PURPOSE: It is controversial whether folate status is a risk factor for the development of asthma or other allergic diseases. This study was conducted to investigate whether indirect or direct exposure to folate and impaired folate metabolism, reflected as methylene-tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism, would contribute to the development of asthma and other allergic diseases. METHODS: Electronic databases were searched to identify all studies assessing the association between folate status and asthma or other allergic diseases. Two reviewers independently assessed the eligibility of studies and extracted data. The relative risk (RR) or odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) was calculated and pooled. RESULTS: Twenty-six studies (16 cohort, 7 case-control, and 3 cross-sectional studies) were identified. Maternal folic acid supplementation was not associated with the development of asthma, atopic dermatitis (AD), eczema, and sensitization in the offspring, whereas exposure during early pregnancy was related to wheeze occurrence in the offspring (RR=1.06, 95% CI=[1.02-1.09]). The TT genotype of MTHFR C677T polymorphism was at high risk of asthma (OR=1.41, 95% CI=[1.07-1.86]). CONCLUSIONS: It is indicated that maternal folic acid supplementation during early pregnancy may increase the risk of wheeze in early childhood and that the TT genotype of MTHFR C677T polymorphism impairing folic acid metabolism would be at high risk of asthma development. These results might provide additional information for recommendations regarding forced folate consumption or folic acid supplements during pregnancy based on its well-established benefits for the prevention of congenital malformations. However, currently available evidence is of low quality which is needed to further elucidate.
Asthma* ; Case-Control Studies ; Cohort Studies ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Eczema ; Folic Acid* ; Genotype ; Metabolism ; Odds Ratio ; Oxidoreductases ; Pregnancy ; Risk Factors*

OBJECTIVETo summarize the new knowledge of the anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC).

METHODSThe clinical data of 58 patients (35 men, 23 women, aged 28 to 79 years) with ATC that were treated with various therapeutic modalities from 1981 to 2005 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 25 patients received surgery alone (SA group) and 33 received surgery plus radiation (S + R group). The dosage of postoperative radiotherapy was 40-70 Gy. Four patients received biopsy, 24 received palliative surgery, and 30 received radical surgery. Only 2 patients received complete chemotherapy.

RESULTSATC invaded trachea in 40 patients (69.0%), esophagus in 32 patients (55.2%), and carotid in 17 patients (29.3%). The cervical lymph node metastases occurred in 19 patients (32.8%). The overall 1-year survival rate was 37.8%, 3-year survival rate 31.2%, and 5-year survival rate 25.9%. The 5-year survival rate was 37.8% in S + R group but was only 9.9% in SA group (P = 0.0000). The 5-year survival rate was 41.4% in radical surgery subgroup but was only 12.4% in palliative surgery subgroup (P = 0.0023). In < or = 45-year-old subgroup (n = 4), the 5-year survival rate was 50.0%; however, in > 45-year-old subgroup, it was only 21.3%. In postoperative radiation < 60 Gy subgroup , the 5-year survival rate was 19.3%; however, in > or = 60 Gy group, it was 53.7% (P = 0.0000). Among all the 58 patients, some patients received palliative surgery because of tumor invasion in trachea (n = 16, 27.6%), esophagus (n = 8, 13.8%), carotid (n = 8, 13.8%), and other sites (n = 13, 22.4%). Twenty-four patients (61.5%) died of localrelapse, 2 (5.1%) of cervical lymphnode failure, 9 (23.1%) of metastasis, and 4 (10.3%) of other reasons.

CONCLUSIONSThe prognosis of ATC is poor. Radical surgery and postoperative radiation > or = 60 Gy can improve the survival rate. Tumor invasion in trachea, esophagus, and carotid are the main reasons of palliative surgery. Local relapse is lethal.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma ; pathology ; surgery ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Retrospective Studies ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatitis C, Chronic ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polyethylene Glycols ; therapeutic use ; Recombinant Proteins ; Ribavirin ; therapeutic use ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe the changes in pulmonary artery protein kinase C (PKC) activity in rats with chronic inflammatory pulmonary hypertension (PHT).

METHODSChronic inflammatory PHT was induced in rats with monocrotaline. The PKC activities in the rat pulmonary arteries were measured by radioactive assay during the development of PHT.

RESULTSWith the development of chronic inflammatory PHT, the total and cytosolic fractions of PKC activity in PHT rat pulmonary arteries increased initially with subsequent decrease (Plt;0.05), but the membranous fraction of PKC activity and the membrane-to-cytosol PKC activity ratio increased continuously (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe up-regulation of PKC activity and the translocation of PKC might be associated with the development of chronic inflammatory PHT in rats.

Animals ; Chronic Disease ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; chemically induced ; enzymology ; Inflammation ; chemically induced ; enzymology ; Male ; Monocrotaline ; Protein Kinase C ; metabolism ; Pulmonary Artery ; enzymology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

China ; epidemiology ; Disabled Persons ; Humans ; Oral Health ; Stomatognathic Diseases ; epidemiology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the application of nephron-sparing surgery (NSS) in the treatment of renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

METHODSThe clinical data of 221 RCC patients who received nephron-sparing surgery were retrospectively reviewed. Open surgery was performed for 203 cases and laparoscopic surgery for 18 cases. The renal arteries were blocked and ice fragments were used for 115 patients. Biopsy was performed on renal tissue adjacent the tumor for 136 patients. After operation 156 patients were treated with interferon and interleukin II. Among these 221 patients, 132 patients (59.7%) were followed for 3-56 months (mean: 28 months).

RESULTSThe mean distance from the edge of normal tissue to the tumor was 0.4 cm (0.2-1.0 cm). The mean volume of blood loss was 180 ml (50-1 000 ml). Pathological examination showed clear cell carcinoma (n = 195), chromophobe renal carcinoma (n = 12), papillary renal carcinoma (n = 7), cystic renal carcinoma (n = 6), and sarcomatoid clear cell carcinoma (n = 1). Biopsies in 136 patients showed negative results. Post-operative complications included leakage of urine (n = 1), hemorrhage or hematuria (n = 5), and infarction of blood vessel of lower limbs (n = 2). During the follow-up, no patients died for this reason, although tumor recurrence (n = 4, 1.8%) and metastasis (n = 3, 1.4%) were noted.

CONCLUSIONNSS is a safe and effective method to treat carefully selected RCC patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Kidney Neoplasms ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nephrectomy ; methods ; Nephrons ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo analyze and optimize the gene rearrangement primers of different frame regions (FR) of immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) genes by bioinformatic methods and explore the application of these primers in the detection of paraffin-embedded lymphoma tissues.

METHODSThree pairs of primers from IgH FR1, FR2 and FR3 regions (P1c, P2A and P31, respectively) were selected as the B cell gene rearrangement primers after comparison of the gene fragments in 44 IgH variable and 6 joining regions. Using one pair of T cell receptor (TCR) gamma primer as the T cell gene rearrangement primer, 101 histopathologically confirmed lymphoproliferative samples including 80 B cell lymphomas, 14 T cell lymphomas, and 7 reactive proliferative lymph nodes were examined by PCR for gene arrangement. The DNAs from DG75 and Jurkat cell lines were used as the positive controls for B and T cell lymphoma, respectively, with those from reactive proliferative lymph nodes as the negative control.

RESULTSThe positivity rates of IgH primers (P1c, P2A and P31) in the 80 B cell lymphomas were 37.5% (30/80), 52.5% (42/80) and 70.0% (56/80), respectively, and only one of the 14 T cell lymphoma cases was positive for the primers, suggesting significant differences in the detection rates of B cell lymphomas by the 3 primers. The detection rate was increased to 83.9% by combining the results by P31 and P2A primers. No positivity was found in the proliferative reaction tissues.

CONCLUSIONPrimers from IgH FR3 region genes are more sensitive than that from the FR1 and FR2 regions in the detection of gene rearrangement in paraffin-embedded lymphoma tissues. The detection rates can be increased by combining the results with the primers for IgH FR3 with that of FR2.

DNA Primers ; Gene Rearrangement, B-Lymphocyte, Heavy Chain ; genetics ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains ; genetics ; Lymphoma, B-Cell ; diagnosis ; genetics ; pathology ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin ; diagnosis ; genetics ; pathology ; Lymphoma, T-Cell ; diagnosis ; genetics ; pathology ; Male ; Paraffin Embedding