OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression and the role of secreted frizzled-related protein 2 (SFRP2) in the earlobe keloid and find a valid way to treat the keloid with gene therapy.

METHODSThe expression of SFRP2 mRNA and protein was tested with in situ hybridization and Western Blot Analysis method in the different period of earlobe keloid.

RESULTSThe SFRP2 mRNA and protein expression at the keloid edge was significantly high in 12 month group than in 3 or 6 month groups (P < 0.01), but not than in 24 month group. The SFRP2 expression started to decrease in the keloid center 12 month later (P < 0.01). The SFRP2 expression was always higher in edge than in center during all the period (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe results suggest that SFRP2 may play an important role in the development of keloid, especially at the keloid edge. The high SFRP2 expression in endothelial cells and surrounding tissue is also important. It may be a new way for gene therapy of keloid by decreasing the SFRP2 expression.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Ear ; Female ; Humans ; Keloid ; metabolism ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

Adult ; Aged ; Cell Cycle Proteins ; analysis ; Coal Mining ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27 ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lung ; chemistry ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Diseases ; metabolism ; Pneumoconiosis ; metabolism ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins ; analysis

Plasma obestatin level was determined in patients with impaired glucose regulation and type 2 diabetes mellitus.The plasma obestatin levels in patients of both groups were significantly decreased as compared with that in controls.Plasma obestatin level was negatively correlated with body mass index,HbA_(1C),waist-to-hip ratio,plasma insulin and HOMA-IR.Obestatin level seems to be related with metabolic disorder.

Objective To examine the expression of tumor necrosis factor in placenta of pregnant rats with chronic periodontitis.Methods Twenty Wistar female rats were randomly divided into two groups,control(n=8)and experimentalgroup(n=12).The periodontitis model was established in the experimental group.The females and males in the two groups got together four weeks later.Nineteen days after pregnancy all rats were executed and placenta collected.The delivery time and neonatal birth weight were recorded and the pathological changes of periodontal tissue observed.Tumor necrosis factor(TNF)expression was examined in placenta by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis.Results The animal model of chronic periodontitis was successfully established.Experimental group delivered 30 offspring and the control group 56 offspring.The average number of pups born alive per liner in experimental group(4.1±2.2)Was significantly lower than that in control group(9.2±2.2),P<0.05.The birth weight of pups in experimental group[(5.01±0.43)g]wag significantly lower than that in the control group[(5.79±0.53)g],P<0.05.The relative quantitative expression of TNF was(1.807±0.265)in experimental group the and (1.003±0.021)in the control group(P=0.001).Conclusions Chronic periodonfitis may be related to preterm low birth weight.

BACKGROUNDTo observe the features of serum specific IgA, IgG, IgM antibodies in the acute phase of hemorrhagic fever renal syndrome (HFRS).

METHODSThe nucleocapsid (NP) protein and glycoproteins (GP) of Hantavirus were expressed by recombinant baculovirus, and used as ELISA antigens to test 61 serial sera of 14 acute phase HFRS patients.

RESULTSSeoul like virus RNA were detected from 11 of 14 patients. An early and strong IgA, IgG and IgM antibody response to recombinant NP (rNP) was observed in almost all HFRS cases. The titers of antibody to rNP was apparently higher than that to Rgp. In the early stage, titer of IgG antibody elevated most drastically among all the three classes of antibodies to rNP, followed by IgM and IgA antibody responses. The elevation trend of IgM and IgA antibodies to rNP stayed nearly at the same level, but the IgA titers to rNP were apparently higher than that of IgM. Among the antibodies to rGP, IgA changed distinctly greater than IgG. The elevation trend of IgM could be found during first week after the onset, and the titers dropped gradually after the second week. IgM antibodies of one case who was viral RNA positive were not detected at early stage, but IgA titers were high. The only severe case of the 14 patients kept the lower IgA, IgG and IgM during the whole acute phase.

CONCLUSIONHFRS patients kept an early and strong humoral response to NP and GPs in acute phase of HFRS.IgA could be used together with IgM to improve the diagnostic accuracy.

Acute Disease ; Adult ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Capsid Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; Female ; Hantavirus ; genetics ; immunology ; Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome ; immunology ; virology ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin Isotypes ; blood ; Male ; Viral Core Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; Viral Envelope Proteins ; genetics ; immunology

Objective To explore the influence on and changes in the biochemical indices of red blood cells(RBCs)in additive solution leukocytes reduced preserved in navy ship force on a long voyage.Methods According to the Requirement of Health Examination for Blood Donors(GB 18467 -2011),RBCs in additive solution leukocytes reduced were prepared from 10 healthy voluntary blood donators one day before sailing.Each blood sample was divided into two parts,one in test group and another in control group.All the groups had samples taken for the biochemical index detection after 1,3,5,7,14 and 21 days of sailing respectively.Results ①The change in total protein(P=0.235)and albumin (P=0.119)concentration was not obvious,and the difference between the two groups was not significant.②The change in total creatinine(P=0.001)and uric acid(P=0.001)concentration was obvious, but the difference between the two groups was not significant.③The change in total cholesterol(P=0.354)concentration was not obvious,but the change in triglycerides(P=0.005)concentration was significant.The difference between the two groups was not significant.④The concentration of lactate dehydrogenase, hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase increased with the time of preservation(P<0.001).The difference between the two groups was not significant.⑤The interaction between grouping effect and time effect had no significant influence on the concentration of osmolarity(OSM)(P=0.968)and glucose(Glu) (P=0.406).Between the two groups,the difference of concentrations of OSM(P=0.569)and Glu(P=0.115)was not significant.Conclusion Under the 4 class sea conditions, a long voyage has some impact on the storage of RBCs in additive solution leukocytes reduced,as in the conventional blood storage refrigerator(4 ±2)℃.The results of this study have important clinical implications for our further study of marine blood support.

Objective:To study the clinical features,imaging and pathological characteristics,as well as the clinical diagnosis and treatment of patients with hepatic focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH).Methods:Retrospective analysis was used in observing the clinical data of the 252 cases of FNH patients experiencing the surgical removal in Zhongshan hospital affiliated to Fudan University during June 2006 to July 2006,among which the typical cases were selected for the comparison of imaging and pathologic features with benign and malignant tumor.Results:252 cases of FNH patients were recruited,150 cases of male and 102 cases of female,the sex ratio of 1.47∶1,age from 15 to 71 years old,average age 33.3±9.1.42 patients in this group manifested clinical symptoms,accounted for 16.7%,among them 28 cases (11.1%)of patients with abdominal discomfort and 9 cases (3.57%)patients with abdominal neoplasm.80 patients manifested abnormal liver function,mainly showing moderately elevated ALT and AST;99.2%of patients was classified as Child-Pugh A.The rate of 252 FNH patients showing AFP,HBsAg positive combined with hepatic cirrhosis were 0.40%,3.17%,and 1.59%,respectively.Among the 252 patients,172 cases had ultrasound diagnostic report showing a total of 111 patients diagnosed with FNH (coincidence rate:64.53%);98 cases had ultrasound contrast showing 82 patients with a clear diagnosis of FNH (coincidence rate:83.67%);45 cases had routine and enhancement CT showing 31 patients with a clear diagnosis of FNH (coincidence rate:68.9%);142 cases had MRI showing 110 patients with a clear diagnosis of FNH (coincidence rate:77.5%).The positive rate of immunohistochemical markers CK7,CK19,CD34 and GS in 252 patients were 78.97%,71.03%,80.95%,38.89%, respectively,all manifesting characteristic expression.Conclusions:Combined with its clinical manifestation and pathological phenotypes,the characteristic of central scar changes of the FNH patients in imaging can improve the accuracy of differential rate with other hepatic tumor.In the process of diagnosis and treatment of FNH,enhanced MRI combining with contrast-enhanced ultrasound can improve the diagnostic accuracy of FNH.For those with significant clinical symptoms,rapid progression in lesions,focal hemorrhage or difficulties to identified with hepatic adenoma and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), surgical resection should be considered.

OBJECTIVETo study the different proportions of intermediate epithelial cells in human prostate cancer tissue and their clinical significance.

METHODSWe performed immunohistochemical staining for Cytokeratin 5 (CK5) and Cytokeratin 8 (CK8) on 60 samples of human prostate cancer, determined the proportions of intermediate epithelial cells in the cancer tissue, and classified the samples into 2 types, one with a majority of intermediate epithelial cells (CaP-INT, n = 32), and the other composed mostly of luminal epithelial cells (CaP-LUM, n = 28). Then we compared the 2 types of prostate cancer in the expression of the androgen receptor (AR), age of the patient, serum t-PSA, prostate volume, Gleason score, clinical stage, androgen resistance, and incidence of distant metastasis.

RESULTSCaP-INT showed a significantly lower expression of AR ([24.42 +/- 11.41] %) and a higher incidence of distant metastasis (n = 14) than CaP-LUM ([77.21 +/- 10.22] % and n = 4) (P < 0.05). In the CaP-INT group, 6 of the 26 endocrinologically treated cases developed into androgen-independent prostate cancer (AIPC), while in the CaP-LUM group, only 1 out of 23 (P < 0.05). The former also showed remarkably higher clinical stages than the latter (P < 0.05), but no significant differences were found in age, serum t-PSA, prostate volume and Gleason score between the two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONA higher proportion of intermediate epithelial cells may lead to increased invasiveness and metastasis of human prostate cancer.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cell Count ; Cell Differentiation ; Epithelial Cells ; classification ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostate ; pathology ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; pathology ; Receptors, Androgen ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the characteristics on molecular epidemiology of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from hospitals in Tianjin area.

METHODSOne hundred M. tuberculosis isolated strains were collected in succession from August 16th-December 25th, 2005 in Tianjin Haihe Hospital and genotyped by spoligotyping and multiple locus variable number-tandem repeat(VNTR). Data was analyzed by cluster software. Based on the concept of Beijing lineage, it was determinate two sub-groups: atypical Beijing strains and W strain/typical family strains by multiplex and real-time PCR. The associations of subgroups with drug resistance and age were assessed by the chi2 test.

RESULTS96 M. tuberculosis strains were genotyped in which 91.7% (88/96) strains belonged to Beijing genotype (including 3 Beijing-like strains) by spoligtyping. VNTR typing could differentiate 60 genotypes among the 88 Beijing genotype strains. 93.2% of the Beijing lineage M. tuberculosis strains of this study belonged to W strain/typical Beijing family strains (82/88). No statistically significant differences were observed in the proportions of the two sub-groups in patients of different age, or drug resistance (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe M. tuberculosis Beijing genotype strains were dominated on tuberculosis hospital patients of Tianjin area. The discriminatory power of VNTR typing was higher than that of spoligtyping. The two sub-groups of Beijing lineage had been prevalent in Tianjin, however W strain/typical Beijing family strains were of preponderance.

Bacterial Typing Techniques ; China ; epidemiology ; Cluster Analysis ; DNA, Bacterial ; genetics ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Genotype ; Humans ; Minisatellite Repeats ; Molecular Epidemiology ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Tuberculosis ; epidemiology

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the effects of metformin on fatty livers in insulin-resistant rats.

METHODSThirty-one male Wistar rats were randomly divided into a normal (n=8) and an experimental group (n=23). The normal group rats were fed a standard diet, and those of the experimental group with a high-fat diet. After 8 weeks, 7 rats from the experimental group were sacrificed to verify whether the model was established successfully. Then the experimental group was randomly subdivided into two groups: one with metformin treatment (n=8) and one without (n=8). After 6 weeks, insulin sensitivity was measured with glucose infusion rate (GIR) by euglycermic hyperinsulinemia clamp technique. Aminotransferase, triglyceride (TG) and free fatty acids (FFA) were measured by biochemical methods, insulin by radioimmunoassay and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha) by ELISA. The steatosis changes and inflammation activity of all rat livers were scored histologically.

RESULTSCompared with the model group, the insulin resistance, liver index, visceral adiposity and weight loss of the metformin group were dramatically ameliorated. The steatosis and the inflammatory activity in the livers and the level of serum aminotransferase of the metformin group were also significantly decreased. Furthermore, metformin treatment lowered serum TG, liver lipid accumulation and the production of FFA and TNF alpha.

CONCLUSIONMetformin can significantly improved insulin resistance and fatty liver development in rats fed a high-fat diet. It may become a new choice for fatty liver treatment in the future.

Animals ; Fatty Liver ; drug therapy ; Insulin Resistance ; Male ; Metformin ; therapeutic use ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar