Objective To study the role of homeobox A2(HOXA2) gene in cell growth,cellcycle and apoptosis of hepatoma cells, and discuss the feasibility that HOXA2 gene would be a potential therapy target of hepatoma. Methods Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and revers transcriptional polymerase chain reaction were performed to examine HOXA2 expression in tumorous and non-tumorous tissue of patients was matched with liver cancer. siRNAs were chemically synthesized to interference HOXA2 in PLC/PRF/5 and MHCC-97L cells. Growth curve and soft-agar colony formation assay were performed to evaluate cell growth, and cell cycle and apop-tosis were analyzed by flow cytometry. Results HOXA2 was upregulated in HCC samples compared with matched non-tumor tissues(P<0.05). Two siRNAs against HOXA2 gene were designed and synthesized to specially knock-down HOXA2 in PLC/PRF/5 and MHCC-97L cells. HOXA2 knockdown inhibited cellular growth and soft-agar colony formation in PLC/PRF/5 and MHCC-97L cells. And Fowcytometry analysis revealed that HOXA2 knock-down by RNA interference could result in G1 arrest and S decrease and promoted cellular apoptosis. ConclusionHOXA2 gene has an important role in cell growth of hepatoma cells.

OBJECTIVE: To establish a method for the determination of nitrofurazone in nitrofurazone and zinc oxide liniment. METHODS: The content of nitrofurazone was determined by UV spectrophotometry. The solvent was water and the wavelength was 375nm. RESULTS: There was good linear relationship within the concentration range of 1.05～12.60?g?mL-1(r=0.999 8). The average recovery was 100.9%,RSD=0.07%. CONCLUSION: The method was sensitive, accurate, reliable, reproducible, and suitable for quality control of nitrofurazone in nitrofurazone and zinc oxide liniment.

Objective To compare the treatment accomplishmentsand adverse effects of the mixed- or single-application of etomidate and propofol during modified electroconvulsive therapy (MECT) in schizophrenics with hypertension. Methods Ninety hospitalized schizophrenics with hypertension undergoing MECT were ran-domly assigned to 3 groups: Group EP(etomidate = 0.3 mg/kg and propofol = 1.0 mg/kg), Group E (etomi-date = 0.7 mg/kg) and Group P (propofol = 2.0 mg/kg). Changes of SBP, DBP and HR were recorded before anesthesia, after induction, electrical stimulation instantly and 5 min after electrical stimulation. The average pe-riods of epileptic seizure (ESD), postictal suppression index (PSI) and the adverse reactions were also recorded. Results The ESD and PSI scores were significantly higher in Group EP and Group E than those in Group P (P < 0.05). SBP and DBP in Group E were significantly higher at the electrical stimulation instant than those af-ter induction (P < 0.05). SBP and DBP in Group P were significantly lower after induction than those before anesthesia(P < 0.05). The injection pain of Group EP and Group E were lower than that of Group P(P < 0.05). No significant differences were found among 3 groups in the adverse reactions such as nausea/vomiting anddys-phoria.Conclusion The mixed liquor of etomidate and propofol can extend the time of seizure, reduce the nega-tive reaction of cardiovascular system and adverse reactions during MECT in schizophrenics with hypertension.

Objective To investigate the change of event-related potentials(ERPs)N400 and its significances in children with Tic disorders.Methods N400 of 35 children with Tic disorders(case group)and 20 healthy children(control group)were taken.The results of case group and control group were compared with each other.Results N400 latency of the case group was(706.87?198.99)ms,and the amplitude was(26.12?13.64)?V;N400 latency of the control group was(485.75?85.76)ms,the amplitude was(22.35?19.76)?V.There was obvious difference in latency between two groups(P0.05).Conclusion ERPs N400 latency of children with Tic disorders prolong obviously which shows cognitive dysfunction in the patients.

A geometrical model of L4-L5 lumbar segment was constructed using a three-dimensional graphics software. Four conditions of the degenerated discs, i. e. light degeneration, moderate degeneration, severe degeneration and complete excision degeneration, were simulated with loading situations using finite element method under the condition of appropriate computational accuracy. By applying a vertical load of 378.93 N on L4 vertebral plate, stress nephograms on joint isthmus under four different working conditions were obtained. The results showed that the contacted area of facet joint was influenced by the degree of intervertebral disc degeneration level, which influenced the mises stress on joint isthmus. It was proved that joint isthmus was the important pressure-proof structure of the back of lumbar vertebra, and the stress values and distribution were related to structural stiffness of the back of lumbar vertebra as well as the contact area of facet joint. The conclusion could be the theoretical reference for the analysis of spinal biomechanics and artificial disc replacement as well.
Biomechanical Phenomena ; Finite Element Analysis ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc ; pathology ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; physiopathology ; Models, Anatomic ; Pressure ; Zygapophyseal Joint

ObjectiveTo investigate the role of iNOS in the middle and late stage of pulmonary hypertension (PH) and the effect of L-Arginine(L-Arg) on these stage.MethodsThirty healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into five groups.All rats except those in control group were injected intraperitoneally (ip) with a single dose (50 mg/kg) of MCT to induce PH.Then the L3 and L5 groups were injected ip with 500 mg/kg L-Arg daily for 3 weeks and 5weeks respectively,the M3 and M5groups received a daily ip injection of the same amount of saline as L-Arg for 3 weeks and 5 weeks respectively; the same amount of saline was injected ip daily in control group for 5 weeks.Right ventricular systolic pressure(RVSP) was measured before lungs were excised for immunohistochemistry at the end of experiments. ResultsThe expressions of iNOS and elastin in M3 and M5 were higher compared to the control group,but L-Arg partly reduced the expressions of iNOS and elastin both at 3weeks and 5 weeks post-MCT.The reduction of eNOS expression in L3 and L5 groups were lower compared to M3 and M5 groups,but the eNOS expression in L3 and L5 groups were still lower than control group.ConclusionDuring the middle and late stage of PH,the expression of eNOS was decreased.The expression of iNOS was induced,which would produce numerous NO.However,these NO had no benefit on the development of PH.L-Arg could restore the balance of eNOS and iNOS,and could inhibit the development of PH,which may provide a new clues to explore the pathogenesis and treatment of PH.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of gemcitabine plus cisplatin (GP)chemotherapy combined with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)in locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).Methods71 patients (Stage Ⅲ:41,Stage ⅣA:30) with locoregionally advanced NPC were entered this study.Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was consisted of cisplatin 25 mg/m2 intravenously on d1-3 and gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 in 30 minutes intravenous infusion on days 1 and 8,every 3 weeks for 2 cycles.Adjuvant chemotherapy consisted of 2 cycles of the same GP regimen was given at 28 days after the end of radiotherapy.The prescription doses was 66.0-70.4 Gy to the gross tumor volume,66 Gy to positive neck nodes,60 Gy to the high-risk clinical target volume,54 Gy to the low-risk clinical target volume.ResultsThe overall response rate to neoadjuvant chemotherapy was 91.2％,acute toxicity was mainly grade 1-2 myleosuppression.All patients completed IMRT.The median follow-up duration was 38 months.The 3-year nasopharyngeal local control,regional control,distant metastasis-free survival rate and overall survival rate were 93％,99％,91％,90％,respectively.Severe late toxicities included grade 3 trismus in 1 patient,grade 3 hearing impairment in 2 patients and cranial nerve palsy in 2 patients,respectively.No grade 4 late toxicities were observed.Conclusions The combination of GP chemotherapy and IMRT for locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma is well-tolerated,convenient,effective,and warrants further studies of more proper cycles of GP regimen.

Background and purpose:The prognosis in patients with early breast cancer(EBC) was poorly defined by clinical and histopathological features.There were more than 200 genes that might be correlated with development,progression,recurrence and prognosis of breast cancer in the published literature.This study evaluated the prognosis of patients with EBC at molecule level according to the protein expressions of 16 selecting genes(HER2,ER,PR,BCL2,Ki-67,BMYB,Cyclin B1,STK15,MMP11,BAG1,NM23,PTEN,P53,P27,VEGF,PCN A).Methods:The immunohistochemical method was used to detect the protein expressions of these genes in 76 patients with EBC and the statistical analysis was performed by COX proportional hazards model.Results:COX proportional hazard model revealed that BCL2,VEGF and STK15 were independent prognostic factors for patients with EBC.A formula of PI was set up according the three genes.The predictive outcomes with PI were compared with the actual follow-up outcomes in 48 patients with EBC.As a result,the predictive accuracy of good and bad prognosis was 86.67% and 91.67%,respectively.Conclusion:A formula of PI derived from protein expressions of the 16 genes correlated with breast cancer was ultimately set up and might be used to predict the outcomes of the patients with EBC.

Objective To compare the feasibility and efficacy between dexmedetomidine and midazolam in herniorrhaphy surgery for older patients. Methods Sixty American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) gradeⅠ~Ⅱpatients, treated by herniorrhaphy surgery under local anesthesia,were randomly divided into dexmedetomidine group (n=30) and midazolam group (n=30) .Patients in dexmedetomidine group were given dexmedetomidine at a loading dose of 1μg/kg for 10 min,then they were injected continuously by 0.4μg/(kg·h),whereas midazolam group were given midazolam at a loading dose of 0.06 mg/kg, then 0.04 mg/(kg·h) injected continuously.The mean blood pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were recorded before infusion (T0),incision of skin (T1),15min (T2) and 30 min (T3) after administration and when sutured skin (T4), adverse reaction were also assessed. Results The difference of sedation level was not significant between the two groups (P>0.05) .Compared with T0 , the decrease of HR was significantly more in dexmedetomidine group from T1 to T4 (P<0.05) . Compared with midazolam group , the decrease of HR was significantly more in dexmedetomidine group from T1 to T4 (P<0.05) . Compared with dexmedetomidine group, the rate of respiratory depression and restlessness were more in midazolam group, but bradycardia was lower (P<0.05) .Conclusions Dexmedetomidine is a comparable alternative to midazolam for sedation in herniorrhaphy surgery under local anesthesia. It is associated with better respiration and lower restlessness but with a high incidence of bradycardia.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of cold preservation solution containing desferrioxamine (DFO) in protecting the rat hearts.Methods Pathogen-free male Sprague-Dawley rats,weighing 300-350 g,were used in the study.Thirty-two isolated rat hearts were equally and randomly divided into control group (C group) and DFO group using a random number table.Hearts of rats were stored for 6 h in 4 ℃ histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) solution in group C.DFO was added to HTK solution (DFO concentration 100 μmol/L),and hearts of rats were stored for 6 h in 4 ℃ HTK solution in group DFO.At 6 h of cold storage,creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase activities in the cold preservation solution were determined.Myocardial specimens were obtained from the apex,cut into sections which were stained with haematoxylin and eosin,and examined under a microscope.The pathological changes of myocardial tissues were scored.The content of malondialdehydc in myocardial tissues was determined using thiobarbitnric acid method,and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α protein and mRNA expression in myocardial tissues was detected by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and Western blot.Results Compared with group C,the creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase activities in the cold preservation solution,malondialdehyde content in myocardial tissues,and pathological scores were significantly decreased,and the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α protein and mRNA expression in myocardial tissues was significantly up-regulated in group DFO (P＜ 0.05).Conclusion Cold preservation solution containing DFO can protect the rat hearts effectively,and the mechanism is related to up-regulation of the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α.