Objective To investigate the expressions of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), Akt and E-cadherin and their clinical significance in thyroid papillary carcinomas.Methods Expressions of PI3K, Akt, and E-cadherin were detected in 62 cases of thyroid papillary carcinomas,30 cases of thyroid goiter and 30 cases of normal thyroid by immunohistochemistry (EnVison),and simultaneously compared with age, sex, tumor size, clinical tumor node metastasis( TNM) stages, and lymph node metastasis in thy-roid papillary carcinomas.Results The expression rate of PI3K, Akt, and E-cadherin was 74.2%(46/62), 66.1%(41/62), 16.1%(10/62),respectively.Expressions of three proteins in thyroid papillary carcinomas were significantly different from those in thyroid goiter and normal thyroid tissues ( P <0.05). The lower positive rates of PI3K and Akt proteins were obtained in the group of stageⅠ~Ⅱthan that in the group of stageⅢ~Ⅳ(χ2 =4.976, P =0.026;χ2 =6.233, P =0.013).Higher positive rates of PI3K and Akt proteins were obtained in the group of lymph-node metastasis than that in group of non-lymph-node metastasis (χ2 =6.675, P =0.010;χ2 =7.511, P =0.006).Higher positive rate of E-cadherin protein was obtained in the group of stage Ⅰ~Ⅱ than that in the group of stage Ⅲ ~Ⅳ (χ2 =6.558, P =0.010 ) .Higher positive rate of E-cadherin proteins was obtained in the group of non-lymph-node metastasis than that in the group of lymph node metastasis(χ2 =5.678, P =0.017).There was significant positive correlation between expressions of PI3K and Akt through Spearman correlation analysis ( r =0.423, P <0.05).PI3K was negatively correlated with E-cadherin with Spearman correlation analysis ( r =-0.527, P <0.05).Akt was also negatively correlated with E-cadherin ( r =-0.417, P <0.05).Conclusions PI3K/Akt pathway might regulate thyroid papillary carcinoma cells proliferation, invasion and metastasis.

Objective To investigate the physicochemical properties,structural characters and antitumor activity of a polysaccharide PTPS-1 from Paecilomyces tenuipes.Methods PTPS-1 was obtained by DEAE-cellulose and Sephadex G-100 chromatography column.The methods of HPLC,GC,IR,and NMR were used to investigate the molecular weight,monosaccharide composition,and structural characters of PTPS-1.The CCK-8 kit was used to determine the proliferation of PTPS-1 on murine splenocyte and the supernatant of the murine macrophage with PTPS-1-stimulated on Sp2/0 cells.Results PTPS-1,whose molecular weight was 1.84?104 and purity was 98.977%,contained mannose(Man) and galactogen(Gal) as monosaccharide constitute in molar ratio of 1.3∶1.It consisted of a backbone of ?-(1→6),?-(1→2),and ?-(1→3) linkage,whose branches were made by Gal-(1→3) linkage.PTPS-1 significantly stimulated the murine splenocyte proliferation and the supernatant of macrophage inhibited the growth of Sp2/0 cells in vitro.Conclusion PTPS-1 is a polysaccharide from P.tenuipes with immunomodulatory and antitumor activity.

Objective To investigate the expressions of cancerous inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2A (CIP2A) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in hepatocellular carcinomas and their clinical significance.Methods The expressions of CIP2A and VEGF proteins were tested with immunohistochemistry in 60 cases of hepatocellular carcinomas and adjacent paracancerous tissues.Results The positive rate of CIP2A in hepatocellular carcinomas was significantly higher than adjacent paracancerous tissues (83.3％ vs 9.5％,P ＜ 0.05).Significant differences were also observed in the expression rate of VEGF between the patients with hepatocellular carcinomas and paracancerous tissues (75.0％ vs 14.3％,P ＜0.05).The expression of CIP2A in hepatocellular carcinomas was significantly positively correlated with its pathological grading,differentiation,and tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage (P ＜ 0.05).The expression of VEGF in hepatocellular carcinomas was significantly positively correlated with its pathological grading,differentiation,and TNM stage (P ＜ 0.05).Significantly positive correlation was found between expressions of CIP2A and VEGF with Spearman correlation analysis (rs =0.465,P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions The abnormal expressions of CIP2A and VEGF gene may promote tumor angiogenesis and progression of a hepatocellular carcinoma.The study supports positive regulation between expressions of CIP2A and VEGF in a hepatocellular carcinoma.

Objective To investigate the correlation between the expression changes of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in colon mucosa and abdominal pain in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The density of nerve fiber in colon mucosa and ultrastructural alterations of nerve fiber in IBS were also observed. Methods From September 2008 to January 2010,the IBS patients who visited the department of gastroenterology of our hospital and met the Rome Ⅲ diagnosis criteria were selected and divided into IBS with diarrhea (D-IBS) and IBS with constipation (C-IBS) according to their clinical features. The patients with colon polyps detected by colonoscopy in our hospital were selected as control group. All subjects were asked to fill in Self-Rating abdominal pain or abdominal uncomfortable Scale according to abdominal symptom in the last 2 weeks before visit and underwent colonoscopy. Four biopsy specimens were taken from the colon mucosa of rectosigmoid junction. Ofwhich,two specimens were for protein isolation and detection of BDNF expression level,one specimen was used for PGP 9. 5 immunohistochemistry staining in paraffin slices. Another specimen was used to observe the ultrastructure changes of nerve fiber in colon mucosa under transmission electron microscopy. Results Total 40 IBS patients were enrolled in this study,of those 21 were D-IBS patients,19 were C-IBS patients,and 21 were controls. The abdominal pain severity score and frequency score of IBS patients were (2. 3±0. 8) and (2. 1±0. 7),which were significantly higher than those of control group (0. 4±0. 7 and 0. 3±0. 5,P＜0. 001). Compared with the control group,the BDNF expression in colon mucosa was significantly elevated in IBS patients (P= 0. 003 ),and which correlated with the severity and frequency of abdominal pain/discomfort (r=0. 57,P＜0. 001and r=0. 46,P= 0. 003,respectively). The immunohistochemistry result indicated that the nerve fiber density in colon mucosa of IBS patients was significantly higher than that of controls,and there were ultrastructural changes of colon mucosal nerve fibers in IBS patients. Conclusion Increased colon mucosal BDNF expression may be associated with abdominal pain symptom in IBS patients. The impaired ultrastructural of mucosal nerve fibers may cause the increased BDNF expression in colon mucosa,and result in the increased mucosal nerve fiber density in IBS patients.

The mechanisms of general anesthesia, which was introduced about 170 years ago, remain poorly under- stood. Even less well understood are the effects of general anesthesia on the human body. Recently we identified 18 G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) genes of Daphnia pulex, an invertebrate model organism. Phylogenetic analysis identified these genes to be the homologs of the human γ-aminobutyric acid, type B (GABAB) receptor, metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR), adrenergic receptor, serotonin (5-HT) receptor, dopamine receptor and muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR). Using reverse transcription and quantitative PCR techniques, we systematically measured the effects of propofol, etomidate and ethanol on these 18 GPCR mRNA expressions in Daphnia pulex.
Animals ; Daphnia ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Ethanol ; pharmacology ; Etomidate ; pharmacology ; Phylogeny ; Propofol ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptors, GABA-B ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective:To investigate the value of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography(MRCP)in the diagnosis of pancreas divisum by comparing with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP).Methods:The MRCP and ERCP images of 8 patients with pancreas divisum were retrospectively analyzed.The diagnostic accuracy and findings by MRCP were compared with those by ERCP.Results:MRCP had a diagnostic accuracy of 87.5%(7/8)based on the result of ERCP.ERCP displayed the dominant dorsal pancreatic ducts in all 8 cases and ventral pancreatic ducts in 6 cases;MRCP also displayed the dominant dorsal pancreatic ducts in all 8 cases,but the ventral pancreatic ducts only in 3 cases.Conclusion:As a non-invasive technique,MRCP has important clinical value in the diagnosis of pancreas divisum.

Objective To investigate the influence of low calcium dialysate (DCa1.25) and midodrine hydrochloric (MHC) on blood pressure in hemodialysis patients. Methods Dialysate calcium concentration was changed from 1.5% (DCa1.5) to 1.25% in patients with hypercalcaemia pre- or post-dialysis.For patients with intradialytic hypotension(IDH), pre-dialysis antihypertensive drugs were ceased.If that didn′t work, MHC 2.5 or 5 mg was administered to them 30 minutes before dialysis were ceased.MHC was also administered to patients who had not taken antihypertensive drugs. The blood pressure (BP) and blood volume were recorded during dialysis. UCG and autonomic nerves function test including BP supine and standing test and sustained hand-grip test were measured as well. Results Twenty-one hemodialysis patients were involved in this study including male 9 and female 12. The average age was (54.4?14.2) years old,the time on dialysis (33.04?30.1) months. When DCa1.5 was changed to DCa1.25, 9 cases (42.9%) could maintain stable BP, but IDH occurred in 10 patients(47.6%) with symptoms such as swirl,sweat or cramp, one with lower extremities cramp and one with heart discomfort but without IDH. Patients with IDH had higher proportion of abnormal BP supine and standing tests compared with patients without IDH(50% vs. 0%, P

Objective To investigate the influence of proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (Pyk2)gene RNA interference on proliferation,invasion and migration of Hep3B hepatocellular carcinoma cells.Methods The Pyk2 gene RNA interference vector was transfected in Hep3B hepatocellular carcinoma cells by lipofectamine. The Hep3B cells divided into three groups:siRNA group (the vector with Pyk2 RNAi gene was transfected), negative control group (the vector without Pyk2 RNAi gene was transfected),and blank control group (no vectors was transfected).Pyk2 mRNA and protein were detected using reverse transcription reverse transcription-poly-merase chain reaction (RT-PCR)and Western blotting.The biological behavior including cell proliferation,inva-sion and migration were detected by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazoly)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT), transwell and wound healing assay,respectively.Results The expression of Pyk2 mRNA of Hep3B cell line in siRNA group (0.1 6 ±0.03)was significantly decreased than those in negative group (0.74 ±0.1 3)and blank control group (0.77 ±0.1 6),with statistically significant differences (t=51 .46,P=0.000;t=53.21 ,P=0.000).The expression of Pyk2 protein of Hep3B cell line in siRNA group (0.24 ±0.06)was significantly decreased than those in negative group (0.83 ±0.05)and blank control group (0.91 ±0.06),with statisti-cally significant differences (t=57.29,P=0.000;t=68.53,P=0.000).The cell proliferation inhibition rate at 48 hours in siRNA group (26.1 7%±0.28%)was significantly raised than those in negative group (9.28%± 0.22%)and blank control group (6.47%±0.31%),with statistically significant differences (t=31 .45,P=0.004;t=34.64,P=0.002).The number of transmembrane cells in siRNA group (32.5 ±8.5)/1 0 HP was significantly declined than those in negative group (98.4 ±1 2.3 )/1 0 HP and blank control group (1 1 2.6 ± 1 1 .3)/1 0 HP,with statistically significant differences (t=95.64,P=0.000;t=1 05.1 7,P=0.000).The wound healing assay in siRNA group (28.1 7%±1 .46%)was significantly lower than those in negative group (77.38%±2.24%)and blank control group (79.41%±3.1 7%),with statistically significant (t=85.86,P=0.000;t=89.37,P=0.000).Conclusion Pyk2 gene involves the proliferation,invasion and migration of Hep3B cells,which has close correction with development and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma.Pyk2 gene is very helpful to become a molecular target for the diagnosis and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Objective:This study aims to explore recent developments in DEA-based hospital efficiency studies in China, so as to provide reference for further research in DEA-based hospital efficiency. Methods:In this study, a 30-year retrospective systematic review is conducted for the classification of 85 hospital efficiency studies that have been published in China with DEA. The characteristics are summarized and compared with those of international liter-ature according to the selection of input and output indicators to evaluate the normalization of studies in China. Re-sults:The classification reveals several problems existing in DEA-based hospital efficiency studies in China, such as too few studies on hospital allocation efficiency, the application of simple classical models, imprecise selection of in-put-output indicators, inappropriate application of monetary variables as output indicators, etc. Conclusions and sug-gestions:The normalization and rationality of DEA methods applied in China’s hospital efficiency research need to be improved, so as to shorten the gap between China and the international world. Chinese researchers should pay more attention to studying the latest international research findings, so as to scientifically select input and output indicators. In depth analysis of methods and application conditions should be conducted so as to improve the normalization and science of China’s hospital efficiency research.

Objective To study the expression of Survivin and COX-2 in ampullary carcinoma and their clinical significance.MethodsThe expression of Survivin and COX-2 proteins were tested by EnVision immunohistochemistry in 40 cases of ampullary carcinomas,and 8 cases of normal ampulla of vater as the controls.ResultsThe positive rate of Survivin in ampullary carcinonas was significantly higher than that of the controls(82.5％ vs 0,P ＜ 0.01 ). The expression of Survivin in ampullary carcinoma was correlated with duodenal invasion,pancreatic invasion and lymph node metastasis ( P ＜ 0.05 ).Significant difference was also observed in the expression rate of COX-2 between the patients with ampullary carcinoma and the normal controls (67.5％ vs 0,P ＜ 0.01 ).The expression of COX-2 in ampullary carcinoma was correlated with duodenal invasion,pancreatic invasion and lymph node metastasis (P ＜ 0.05). Significantly positive correlation was found between the expression of Survivin and COX-2 by using spearman correlation analysis ( r =0.383,P =0.015).ConclusionThe specific up-regulation of COX-2 gene and Survivin gene may play an important role in the genesis and development of ampullary carcinoma.COX-2 and Survivin may be used as early diagnosis markers and potential therapeutic targets in ampullary carcinoma.