Objective To investigate the relationship between serum leptin(LP) level and glycometabolism in pregnancy with abnormal glucose challenge test(GCT) and the corresponding outcome of pregnancy. Methods Serum LP level,fasting serum insulin(FINS) and fasting blood glucose(FBG) levels were measured by radioimmunoassay in 23 patients with abnormal GCT but normal oral glucose tolerance test(OGTT),20 with impaired glucose tolerance(IGT),20 with gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM)(studied groups above) and 30 normal pregnant women(control group).LP,FINS,FBG, insulin resistance index(HOMA-IR) and ?-cell function index(HOMA-IS) were compared among the groups and the outcomes of pregnancy were observed. Results ①There were significant differences in LP,FINS,FBG,HOMA-IR and HOMA-IS between the studied groups and the control group(P0.05).③There were signi-ficant differences in the gestational weeks of delivery,cesarean section rate and neonatal weight between the studied groups and the control group(P0.05). Conclusion Both insulin secretion and insulin resistance are elevated in pregnancy with abnormal glycometabolism,and are closely correlated to the increased serum level of LP.There existed abnormal glycometabolism in patients with abnormal GCT but normal OGTT,which is correlated to the outcome of pregnancy.

Objective To investigate the suppression effects of Tripotolide (TL) on the pancreatic cancer xenograft models and angiogenesis. Methods The growth suppression effect of TL on SW1990 was determined using cell count kit (CCK-8), apoptotic cells induced by TL were examined by morphology and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. The inhibitory effects of TL on the growth of tumor xenografts and tumor microvascular density (MVD) were investigated. ResultsTL inhibited the growth and proliferation of SW1990 cells in a concentration-dependent and time-dependent manner. The inhibition ratios of cells treated at 160 mg/ml TL for 24 h was 50. 6%, the apoptotic rate increased from 9.6% in the control group to 45.1% (P <0.01 ). The inhibition rate of cancer xenograft growth was 89.9% when TL was intratumorally injected at the dose of 0.5 mg/kg. The expression of VEGF in tumor tissue decreased while MVD also decreased from 36.25±8.64 to 9.87±3.34 (P <0.01 ). ConclusionsTL induced prominent growth inhibition and apoptosis in human pancreatic cancer cell lines. TL.can attenuate the growth of pancreatic caner xenografts through its effect on antiangiogenesis.

Objective To investigate the role of CC chemokine ligand 20 (CCL20) and CC chemokine receptor 6 (CCR6) in the pathogenesis of acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP). Methods 48 SD rats were randomly divided into two groups: control group and ANP group. The ANP model was induced by retrograde infusion of 4 % sodium taurocholate into the biliary and pancreatic duct in SD rats. The same amount of saline was injected in the control group. The rats were sacrificed at 1, 3, 6, 12 h, the serum amylase levels and the pathological score of the pancreas were measured. The expressions of CCL20 and CCR6 mRNA and protein in pancreas were detected by immunohistochemistry and semi-quantitative RT-PCR,respectively. Results The levels of serum amylase and the histological score of ANP group were significantly higher than those of control group (P ＜ 0.01 ). The expression of pancreatic CCL20 mRNA and protein was increased in a time-dependant manner ( P ＜ 0.05 ). The expression of pancreatic CCR6 mRNA at 6h was significantly higher than that of control group (0.88 ± 0.05 vs 0. 23 ± 0.09, P ＜ 0.01 ). The expression of pancreatic CCR6 mRNA at 12h was decreased when compared with that of 6h group, but it was still higher than that of control group (0.37 ± 0. 10 vs 0. 15 ± 0.07, P ＜ 0.05 ), the change of CCR6 protein was consistent with that of CCR6 mRNA. Conclusions CCL20 and CCR6 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of ANP.

OBJECTIVETo conduct a meta-analysis on the effects of testosterone on the related factors of metabolic syndrome in hypogonadal males.

METHODSBased on the principles and methods of Cochrane systematic reviews, we searched the PubMed (1980 to August 2009), Embase (1980 to August 2009), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and CNKI (1995 to August 2009) , and handsearched some relevant journals and conference proceedings as well. We also identified randomized controlled trials addressing the use of testosterone for the treatment of hypogonadism, screened the retrieved studies according to the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, evaluated the quality of the included studies, and performed a meta-analysis on the results of homogeneous studies using the Cochrane Collaboration's RevMan 5.0 software.

RESULTSSix randomized controlled trials were included. The results of analysis indicated that testosterone substitution could significantly ameliorate fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol and insulin resistance in hypogonadism patients, and it could also reduce LDL, HDL, triglyceride and systolic blood pressure, though with no significant difference from the controls. However, there was insufficient evidence to show the effects of testosterone on waist circumference, waist-hip ratio and diastolic blood pressure.

CONCLUSIONExisting clinical evidence has demonstrated the positive effects of testosterone substitution on the improvement of insulin resistance, blood glucose and lipids, but due to the heterogeneity and high risk of bias in the included studies, the evidence might be insufficient to give full support to the demonstration. Further large-scale trials are required to define the metabolic effects of testosterone in the treatment of hypogonadism.

Humans ; Hypogonadism ; complications ; drug therapy ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome ; complications ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Testosterone ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome

X-linked sideroblastic anemia (XLSA) is caused by mutations of erythroid-specific 5-aminolevulinate synthetase (ALAS2) gene. In this study a eukaryotic expression vector of ALAS2 was constructed and transfected into eukaryotic cells to observe the expression of ALAS2 gene. The full length cDNA of ALAS2 gene was inserted into plasmid pDs-red2-N1, named pDs-red2-N1/ALAS2. Then, the vector was transfected into K562 cells via electroporation. At 48 hours after transfection, total RNA from K562 cells was extracted, expressions of ALAS2 gene and protein with red fluorescence in the K562 cells were detected by RT-PCR and flow cytometry, respectively. The vector was also transfected into COS 7 cells via liposome. Both mRNA and protein expression in COS7 cells were detected by RT-PCR and fluorescence microscopy. The result showed that after the pDs-red2-N1/ALAS2 eukaryotic expression vector was digested by KpnI and BamHI, two fragments of 4 700 bp and 1 764 bp were displayed by electrophoresis on agarose gel. Sequence method confirmed that the sequence was correct. RT-PCR amplified the total RNA extracted from the transfected K562 and COS7 cells, and could find mRNA of ALAS2 gene that can't be found in K562 and COS7 cells usually. The expressions of both fluorescein and ALAS2 were significantly increased. The percentage of positive cells reached about 19.2% and 10.7%, respectively. ALAS2 expression lasted for 10 days in COS7 cells and the peak was at the third day. It is concluded that the eukaryotic expression vector of ALAS2 gene is successfully constructed; K562 and COS7 cells transfected with the vector via electroporation and liposome can express ALAS2 protein. So, the vector has the potential in gene replacement and can be used for patients with XLSA in future.
5-Aminolevulinate Synthetase ; genetics ; Anemia, Sideroblastic ; genetics ; therapy ; Animals ; COS Cells ; Chromosomes, Human, X ; Genetic Linkage ; Genetic Therapy ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Microscopy, Fluorescence ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVEThe nephrotic syndrome is defined by heavy proteinuria, edema, hypoalbuminemia, and hyperlipidemia. Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) mainly occurs in children, which is generally treated with glucocorticoids. The majority of patients are steroid-sensitive (SSINS) while steroid-resistance occurs in a subset of NS children (SRINS). Although intensive efforts have been undertaken to study the associations between SRINS and renal pathological changes, pharmacokinetics, and the GR density and binding affinity, the mechanisms underlying steroid-resistance are still not elucidated entirely. The authors hypothesized that it might be associated with polymorphisms in the glucocorticoid receptor gene (NR3C1). The study aimed to screen the NR3C1 gene for polymorphisms in genomic DNA samples from SRINS, SSINS children and control group, and to analyze the association of the polymorphisms in the NR3C1 gene and SRINS of children.

METHODSTotally 39 SRINS and 67 SSINS children (81 males and 25 females with the mean age of 7 years) were involved in the study. Umbilical cord blood of 62 normal neonates and peripheral blood of 2 healthy volunteers were selected as controls. Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood lymphocytes of all subjects. All the NR3C1-coding exons and intron-flanking portions were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). For polymorphism screen, PCR products were analyzed by denaturing high performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC). DNA fragments with aberrant elution profiles were re-amplified and sequenced directly.

RESULTSTwelve aberrant elution profiles were identified with DHPLC in SRINS, SSINS and controls. Among them, 6 previously reported polymorphisms and 6 novel polymorphisms were confirmed by sequencing (198G > A, 200G > A, IVSD-16G > T, 1896C > T, 2166C > T, 2430T > C; novel, 1206C > T, 1374A > G, IVSG-68_IVSG-63delAAAAAA, 2193T > G, IVSH-9C > G, 2382C > T), and 3 groups of SNPs were in complete linkage disequilibrium, which resulted in 3 different haplotypes ([198G > A + 200G > A], [1374A > G + IVSG-68_IVSG-63delAAAAAA + IVSH-9C > G + 2382C > T], [1896C > T + 2166C > T + 2430T > C]). The last two genotypes were first reported. The genotype frequencies of the 2 novel haplotypes were 10.3% vs 1.5% in SRINS and SSINS, and 15.4% vs 7.5% in SRINS and SSINS, respectively. Other polymorphisms were relatively rare detectable both in patients and controls.

CONCLUSIONTwelve polymorphisms in the NR3C1 gene were detected with the technique of DHPLC, of which six polymorphisms were identified at the first time. Two types of newly found haplotypes were associated with steroid-resistant idiopathic nephrotic syndrome of children, which might be responsible for steroid-resistance in partial idiopathic nephrotic syndrome of children.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drug Resistance ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Nephrotic Syndrome ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Receptors, Glucocorticoid ; genetics

Objective To analyze the surveillance data on hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) including the epidemiological characteristics and trend of the disease,in 2010.Methods Descriptive methods were conducted to analyze the surveillance data in 2010 which were collected from the internet-based National Notifiable Disease Reporting System and 40 HFRS sentinels in China.Results There were 9526 cases of HFRS reported in 2010 in the country with an annual morbidity of 0.71/105,which was higher than that reported in 2009.And the case fatality rate in 2010 was 1.24％.During the year 2010,most cases were reported in spring and autumn-winter season,with November as the peak month.The proportion of cases reported in autumn-winter season was higher than that in spring.The number of cases reported in males was higher than that in females among all the age groups,and similar pattern of mortality could be seen in most of the age groups.The percentage of cases over 60 years old had increased in recent years.Farmers were still under the highest risk.Density and the virus-carrying rate of animal hosts,as well as the infection rate were relatively stable and similar to the previous findings.As to the prevailing species,Apodemus agrarius and Rattus norvegicus were still the most common and leading animal hosts.However,the dominant species in sentinel of Yunnan were Rattus flavipectus and Eothenomys miletus respectively,and a new hantavirus called LUXV was found,namely Eothenomys miletus.Conclusion HFRS cases were widely distributed in most provinces of China,but cases mainly focus on certain areas and present the nature of aggregation.The risk of outbreak could not be ruled out for variety of factors.Population characteristics and seasonal fluctuation had been changing.

Treatment of large bone defects caused by trauma, osteomyelitis, and tumors has been a major challenge in clinical. In the past, there have been many ways to repair and reconstruct the large bone defects. However, there is a long period of treatment, high technical requirement and complications such as ununion. After Masquelet reported the induced membrane technology in 2000, the technique was widely used in treatment of trauma, osteomyelitis, and large bone defects caused by tumors. It has been obtained good results. It has the advantages of short course, high healing rate, easy operation and easy to master. The induced membrane has unique structural characteristics and biological characteristics. There are many kinds of osteogenic factors that are included in the membrane, such as vascular endothelial growth factor, and morphogenetic protein-2, transforming growth factor-β1, etc. These osteogenic factors contribute to accelerate bone healing. With the development of induced membrane technology. The technology of Reamer Irrigator Aspirator technology, engineering tissue technology and internal fixation is used in clinic.It can provide bone source, promote bone defect reconstruction, improve long-term limb function and reduce complications.This paper retrospectively summarizes the experimental research and clinical progress of Masquelet technique in the treatment of large bone defects.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of different treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with tumor thrombus in the portal vein (PVTT).

METHODSFrom Jan. 2000 to Jan. 2003, a total of 84 HCC patients with PVTT were divided into five groups based on methed of treatment: Group A (n = 9), HCC resection + PVTT removal + postoperative TACE + thymosin alpha(1); Group B (n = 20), HCC resection + PVTT removal + postoperative TACE; Group C (n = 7), HCC resection + PVTT removal; Group D (n = 38), TACE only; Group E (n = 10), conservative treatment only.

RESULTSThe rate of PVTT shrinkage or disappearance of groups A, B, C, D and E was 66.7%, 70.0%, 57.1%, 7.9% and 0, respectively with respective median survival time of 10.0, 7.0, 8.0, 5.0 and 2.0 months. The one year survival rate was 44.4%, 15.0%, 14.3%, 10.5% and 0.

CONCLUSIONResection of HCC and removal of tumor thrombus in the portal vein may have the tumor thrombus cleared in most of the patients and postoperative TACE and thymisin alpha(1) treatment may improve their survival.

Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; administration & dosage ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; mortality ; surgery ; therapy ; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatectomy ; methods ; Hepatic Artery ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; mortality ; surgery ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplastic Cells, Circulating ; pathology ; Portal Vein ; pathology ; Survival Analysis ; Thymosin ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of capecitabine as first-line therapy in patients with advanced and recurrent colorectal cancer.

METHODSFrom December 2000 to November 2001, sixty patients with advanced and recurrent colorectal cancer received first-line capecitabine treatment given at a dose of 1250 mg/m(2) twice daily, on days 1 - 14 every 21 days. At least 2 cycles were administered.

RESULTSThe overall response rate was 23.3% with 14 PR, 24 SD (40.0%) and 15 PD. The median survival time was 14.7 months. The survival rate was 63.9% at 12-months and 33.4% at 24-months. Grade III-IV adverse effects were diarrhea in 4 patients (6.6%), anemia in 2 (3.3%) and hand-foot syndrome (HFS) in 1 (1.7%); Grade I-II adverse effects were hyperpigmentation in 20 (33.3%), HFS in 18 (30.0%) and diarrhea in 10 (16.7%).

CONCLUSIONCapecitabine is an efficacious and better-tolerated alternative treatment for the patients with advanced and recurrent colorectal cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic ; therapeutic use ; Capecitabine ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; mortality ; Deoxycytidine ; adverse effects ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Fluorouracil ; analogs & derivatives ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Survival Rate