OBJECTIVETo establish double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the determination of human soluble VE-cadherin in human plasma and to investigate its value in clinical use.

METHODSThe monoclonal antibodies against human VE-cadherin were prepared from BALB/c mice immunized with prokaryotic expression recombinant proteins, and the best combination of double antibodies was selected by checkerboard titration method. Double antibody sandwich ELISA for the determination of human VE-cadherin was established by using HRP-labeled McAb as a detection antibody and a capture antibody. The methodology performance was evaluated. The plasma concentrations of VE-cadherin in 28 healthy subjects and 60 patients with cancer were determined.

RESULTSThe double antibody sandwich ELISA for the determination of human VE-cadherin was established by selecting the combination of double antibodies. The detection limit was 24.7 pg/ml, the coefficients of variation for inner-batch and inter-batch were 4.1%-7.7% and 8.7%-10.8% respectively. The average recovery was 96.7%. The plasma level of soluble VE-cadherin in normal controls was 262.1±11.75 pg/ml. The plasma level of soluble VE-cadherin was 173.9±17.98 pg/ml in 24 patients with leukemia, 311.7±25.24 pg/ml in 14 patients with stomach cancer, 206.8±25.01 pg/ml in 11 patients with lung cancer, and 310.7±11.82 pg/ml in others patients(9 patients with breast cancer, 1 patients with gliomas, 1 patients with liver cancer).

CONCLUSIONThe developed ELISA kit has better sensitivity and specificity, and can be used in detection of human soluble VE-cadherin in human plasma, therefore, it can provide a new mathod for diagnosis of cancer patients.

OBJECTIVETo observe the biomechanical effects of the lateral wall of the femur in treating femoral intertrochanteric fractures with intramedullary or extramedullary fixation to guide the choice of clinical fixed methods.

METHODSTwelve adults femur specimens of intertrochanteric fractures were belong to the type A1 of the AO fracture classification and randomly divided into the lateral wall complete PFNA group, the lateral wall complete PF-LCP group, the lateral wall breakage PFNA group, lateral wall breakage PF-LCP group, every group had 3 specimens. The four groups of specimens were subjected to compressive loading experiment with Universal Material Testing Machine. The maximum loading force was observed. The distance between fracture ends, the distance of fracture dislocation and the sliding distance of the fracture fragments along the intertrochanteric were measured with Calipers.

RESULTSThe maximum loading force of lateral wall complete PFNA group were larger than that of lateral wall complete PF-LCP group, and the maximum loading force of lateral wall breakage PFNA group were larger than that of lateral wall breakage PF-LCP group, there were significant differences (<0.05). The distance between fracture ends of the four groups before compression were not significant differences(>0.05). The distance between fracture ends, the distance of fracture dislocation and the sliding distance of the fracture fragments were not significant differences between lateral wall complete PFNA group and lateral wall complete PF-LCP group after compression (>0.05). But the distance between fracture ends, the distance of fracture dislocation and the sliding distance of the fracture fragments of lateral wall breakage PFNA group were less than that of lateral wall breakage PF-LCP group(<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSIntramedullary fixation of intertrochanteric fractures have stronger loading force. Both intramedullary and extramedullary fixation of intertrochanteric fractures have strong stability when the lateral wall of the femur is complete, but intramedullary fixation of intertrochanteric fractures is stronger stability than extramedullary fixation when the lateral wall of the femur is broken. So the intramedullary fixation is the first choice for the treatment of intertrochanteric fracture.

Background: Cervical cancer is the sixth most common cancer in Chinese women. A standard treatment modality for cervical cancer is the combination of surgery, chemotherapy, external-beam radiotherapy and intracavitary brachytherapy. The aim of this study was to retrospectively assess the long-term treatment outcomes of patients with cervical cancer who were treated with californium-252 neutron brachytherapy combined with external-beam radiotherapy plus concurrent chemotherapy.Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 150 patients with primary stages IB-IVB cervical cancer who received neutron brachytherapy combined with external-beam radiotherapy concurrently with cisplatin chemotherapy.All patients were followed up. Using an actuarial analysis, patient outcomes and treatment-related adverse effects were evaluated and compared.Results: The median overall survival (OS) was 33.2 months. The 3-year progression-free survival rates for patients with stages Ⅰ—Ⅱ, Ⅲ, and Ⅳ diseases were 81.0% (68/84), 65.0% (39/60), and 0% (0/6), respectively; the 3-year OS rates were 90.5% (76/84), 85.0% (51/60), and 16.7% (1/6), respectively. Vaginal bleeding was controlled within the median time of 4.0 days. One month after treatment, 97.3% of patients achieved short-term local control. The local recurrence rates for patients with stages Ⅰ—Ⅱ, Ⅲ, and Ⅳ disease were 4.8% (4/84), 11.7% (7/60), and 33.3% (2/6), respectively, and the occurrence rates of distant metastasis were 16.7% (14/84), 25.0% (15/60), and 100.0% (6/6), respectively. Cancer stage,tumor size, and lymph node metastasis were identified as prognostic risk factors, but only lymph node metastasis was found to be an independent prognostic factor. The most common adverse effects during treatment were grades 1 and 2 irradiation-related proctitis and radiocystitis.Conclusion: For patients with cervical cancer, neutron brachytherapy combined with external-beam radiotherapy plus concurrent chemotherapy produces a rapid response and greatly improves local control and long-term survival rates with tolerable adverse effects.

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study is to investigate whether microwave exposure would affect the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) signaling pathway to establish whether this plays a role in synaptic plasticity impairment.

METHODS48 male Wistar rats were exposed to 30 mW/cm2 microwave for 10 min every other day for three times. Hippocampal structure was observed through H&E staining and transmission electron microscope. PC12 cells were exposed to 30 mW/cm2 microwave for 5 min and the synapse morphology was visualized with scanning electron microscope and atomic force microscope. The release of amino acid neurotransmitters and calcium influx were detected. The expressions of several key NMDAR signaling molecules were evaluated.

RESULTSMicrowave exposure caused injury in rat hippocampal structure and PC12 cells, especially the structure and quantity of synapses. The ratio of glutamic acid and gamma-aminobutyric acid neurotransmitters was increased and the intracellular calcium level was elevated in PC12 cells. A significant change in NMDAR subunits (NR1, NR2A, and NR2B) and related signaling molecules (Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase II gamma and phosphorylated cAMP-response element binding protein) were examined.

CONCLUSION30 mW/cm2 microwave exposure resulted in alterations of synaptic structure, amino acid neurotransmitter release and calcium influx. NMDAR signaling molecules were closely associated with impaired synaptic plasticity.

Animals ; Gene Expression Regulation ; radiation effects ; Hippocampus ; cytology ; Microwaves ; Neuronal Plasticity ; radiation effects ; Neurons ; radiation effects ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; metabolism ; PC12 Cells ; Rats ; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate ; genetics ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; physiology ; radiation effects ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo compare clinical outcomes of swing shoulder and internal fixation in treating proximal humeral fractures.

METHODSFrom June 2007 to June 2012, totally 89 elderly patients with humeral proximal fractures were treated by swing of shoulder or internal fixation, and 81 patients were followed up. In swing shoulder group, there were 38 patients including 13 males and 25 females aged from 62 to 84 with an average of (67.11±6.18) years old; 27 cases were 2-part fractures and 11 cases were 3-part fractures according to Neer classfication. In internal fixation group, there were 43 patients including 16 males and 27 females aged from 60 to 80 with an average of (66.47±5.48) years old; and 29 cases were 2-part fractures and 14 cases were 3-part fractures according to Neer classfication. VAS score and complications were compared between two groups after treatment, and Constant-Murley functional scoring was used to evaluate shoulder function of patients.

RESULTSEighty-one patients were followed up from 13 to 26 months with an average of 18.3 months. There was no significant difference in preoperative VAS score between two groups. After treatment, VAS score in swing shoulder group was (3.11±0.95), and (3.88±1.14) in internal fixation group, and had significant difference between two groups (t=-3.313,P<0.05). There was no significant difference in Constant-Murley scores between swing shoulder group (79.53±3.73) and internal fixation group (77.98±4.11) (t=1.768,P>0.05). Postoperative complications in swing shoulder group was 18.4%(7/38), 39.5%(17/43) in internal fixation group, and had significant differences between two groups (χ2=4.313,P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSwing shoulder for the treatment of proximal humeral fractures in elderly has advantages of low cost, less complications and good recovery of joint function; while internal fixation has a good therapeutic effect but increased complications.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; adverse effects ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Manipulation, Orthopedic ; adverse effects ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Shoulder Fractures ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo investigate the surgical therapy of midline skull defect accompanied with frontal sinus injury.

METHODS11 cases with midline skull defect accompanied with frontal sinus injury were treated. Free temporal fascia was transplanted to close the top of frontal sinus after curettage of the frontal sinus wall. Then titanium prostheses were used to repair the skull defects at the same stage in 10 patients. 1 patient received skull defect repair at the second stage operation.

RESULTSGood results were achieved in 10 cases. The titanium prosthesis had to be taken out in one case due to frontal sinusitis and the anastomosis of frontal sinus and nasal cavity was performed.

CONCLUSIONSIn patients with midline skull defect accompanied with frontal sinus injury, free temporal fascia could be used to close the top of frontal sinus after curettage of frontal sinus wall. If there is no infection or mild infection in frontal sinus, the skull defect repair could be performed in the same stage. If there is severe frontal sinusitis, the defect repair should be done at the second stage.

Facial Injuries ; surgery ; Frontal Sinus ; injuries ; Humans ; Prosthesis Implantation ; methods ; Skull ; injuries ; Skull Fractures ; surgery ; Titanium

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of long-term microwave radiation on male reproduction in rats.

METHODSA total of 100 male Wistar rats were exposed to microwave radiation with average power density of 0, 2.5, 5 and 10 mW/cm2 for 4 weeks, 5 times a week and 6 minutes per time. Changes in serum testosterone, testicular index, histology and ultrastructure, and the percentage of teratospermia in the epididymis were observed dynamically at 6 h, 7 d, 14 d, 28 d and 60 d after the exposure.

RESULTSThere was a significant decrease in serum testosterone concentration at 28 d after microwave radiation at 2.5, 5 and 10 mW/cm2 ([10.20 +/- 4.31] ng/ml, [5.56 +/- 3.47] ng/ml and [7.53 +/- 4.54] ng/ml) and at 60 d at 10 mW/cm2 ( [15.95 +/- 9.54] ng/ml), as compared with the control group ([23.35 +/- 8.06] ng/ml and [31.40 +/- 9.56] ng/ml) (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). No significant changes were found in the testis index at 6 h -60 d after microwave radiation at the three doses, but different degrees of degeneration, necrosis and shedding of spermatogenic cells, thinning of spermatogenic epithelia, and decrease or deletion of spermatozoa were observed, and more obvious at 28 d and 60 d. Swelling and cavitation of mitochondria in all spermatogenic cells, agglutination and margin translocation of nuclear chromatin in the spermatogonial and Leydig cells were seen at 7 d and 60 d after 5 mW/cm2 microwave radiation. The rate of teratospermia of the epididymis was increased, more obviously at 7 d after 2.5, 5 mW/cm2, 60 d after 5 mW/cm2, and 7 d, 28 d and 60 d after 10 mW/cm2 microwave radiation (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONLong-term microwave radiation may cause injury to male reproduction, which is positively correlated with the radiation dose, and has an obvious late effect.

Animals ; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation ; Male ; Microwaves ; adverse effects ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reproduction ; radiation effects ; Sperm Head ; radiation effects ; Testis ; radiation effects