Objective To explore whether lymphovascular invasion can be used as a prognostic indicator in patients with bladder cancer underwent radical cystectomy.Methods The series included clinical data of 459 patients who had underwent radical cystectomy for bladder cancer between January 2006 and December 2012 in our hospital.Among all the patients,391 were male while 68 were female.Pathological grade G1 was diagnosed in 47,G2 in 104 and G3 in 308.Amount of pathological stage T1 or Tis or Ta or T0 was 167,T2 127,T3 89 and T4 76.Of all the patients,92 had lymph node metastasis.Follow-up time was between 13 and 99 months.The presence or absence of lymphovascular invasion was determined by HE staining in the radical cystectomy specimen.The x2 test was used to detect the association between lymphovascular invasion and several clinicopathological features,the Kaplan-Meier method was used to compare recurrence-free survival according to findings of lymphovascular invasion in the surgical specimen,and the multivariate Cox proportional-hazards regression model was used to assess the prognostic significance of some factors.Results Lymphovascular invasion was detected in 128 (28％) specimens.Among them,44 (34％) had tumor recurrence.Lymphovascular invasion was significantly associated with gender,tumor grade,pathological stage,lymph node metastasis and disease recurrence.Recurrence-free survival in patients without lymphovascular invasion was significantly higher than that in those with lymphovascular invasion (P＜ 0.05).Cox proportional hazards model showed that age,pathological stage and lymph node metastasis were independent predictors for disease recurrence.Conclusion In patients with bladder cancer underwent radical cystectomy,lymphovascular invasion may have a significant association with some prognostic parameters,but it can not be used as an independent predictor of disease recurrence.

Objective To assess the feasibility of heterogeneous acellular dermal matrix(ADM)seeded with adipose derived stem cells(ADSC)for urethroplasty in a rabbit model.Methods ADSC were isolated from a rabbit and expanded in vitro,then identified by flow cytometry.We seeded ADSC onto the ADM and made it into tissue-engineered urethra.12 male rabbits were removed 1 cm urethra and divided into experiment group and control group.There were 6 rabbits in each group.Reconstructed urethra with tissueengineered urethra was used in experiment group,while unseeded ADM were used in control group.Urethrography was performed at 6 months after surgery.The animals were scarified at 3 and 6 months after surgery and the repaired urethra were harvested.H&E staining and immunohistochemical staining were performed with cytokeratin AE1/AE3 and smooth muscle desmin makers.Results The morphology of isolated ADSC was with long spindle cross-links,and had multicentral growth.Flow cytometry showed that the ADSC expressed CD166,CD105,CD90 and CD44,but not expressed CD45 and CD13.The cells could growth well on the ADM and showed good biocompatibility with it.All animals could void normally,urethrography showed there was no significant stenosis.3 months after surgery,the experiment group appeared regenerated smooth muscle but not in the control group,both groups did not regenerate urothelium.At 6 months urothelium and smooth muscle cells could be observed in the experiment group,but only the smooth muscle was evident in the control group.Conclusions By applying tissue engineering methods,we can seed the ADSC onto the heterogeneous ADM and make it into tissue-engineered urethra,which can help improve the reconstructive effect of urethra.

Objective To report the clinical effect of primary percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)in patients with acute myocardial infarction(AMI).Methods A retrospective study was accomplished on the clinical data of 13 AMI patients who underwent PCI from March 2004 to April 2006.Results The infarct-related artery (IRA)was successfully recanalized by primary PCI for 12 AMI patients,without major complications occurred in these cases during hospitalization.Conclusion Primary PCI should be firstly chosen for treatment of AMI in the hospitals which could carry out PCI.

Objective To investigate the control status of iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) in the highrisk areas of Gansu province,and to provide a scientific basis for development of effective preventive measures.Methods Twelve counties with high-risk areas of IDD in Gansu province were selected into the survey in 2007 -2009.All patients with suspected cretinism born after the first of January,1997 were enrolled in the study from the 12 counties.Meanwhile,three townships were chosen in each of the 12 counties,two villages were taken in each township,40 children aged 8 to 10 in each village primary school were selected to carry out thyroid examination by B-ultrasonography and palpation,urinary iodine(UI) test,and intelligence quotient(IQ) test; 30 women of childbearing age were selected in each village to fill in the questionnaire,and to test their urinary and salt iodine,and the local salt-related situation was investigated.Results In the 12 high-risk counties,7 were diagnosed as new cretinism cases from a total of 120 suspected cases of cretinism.The goiter rate of children aged 8 - 10 by Bultrasound was 6.8％(290/4281 ),5 counties had goiter rates higher than 5％,of which 3 counties had goiter rates higher than 10％.The average IQ of children was 82.38.The median urinary iodine(MUI) of children was 180.34 μg/L,the ratio of UI ＜ 50 μg/L was 11.0％(482/4383).The MUI of women of childbearing age was 175.91 μg/L,the ratio of UI ＜ 50 μg/L was 16.5％(126/762).MUI of women of childbearing age was less than 100.0 μg/L in Xiahe and Dongxiang counties,which were 95.24 μg/L and 66.30 μg/L,respectively.The coverage rate of iodized salt in 8 of the 12 counties was more than 95％,and that of the remaining four counties was ＜ 85％,of which the coverage rates of iodized salt were only 39.2％ (47/120)and 66.7％ (120/180),respectively,in Guanghe and Dongxiang counties.Fourteen point nine percent (206/1380) of the residents complained that iodized salt was not convenient to buy and 87.7％ (1210/1380) complained that the current price of these salts exceeded the accepted range.Only 29.9％(413/1380)of the housewives knew how to prevent IDD.Conclusions Impact factors of IDD in high-risk areas are widespread.The monitoring of IDD in high-risk areas should be strengthened.Effective measures should be taken to ensure adequate iodine nutrition of people at risk.At the same time,iodized salt-based comprehensive prevention measures should be strengthen and a long-term effective control strategy of IDD should be established.

OBJECTIVE: To research the value of polymorphism of salivary esterase(Set) in paternity and personal identification. METHODS: Phenotype and genotype of human salivary esterase were detected in 114 liquid saliva samples from the Chinese population by disc electrophoresis and fast blue RR staining assay. RESULTS: The frequency of Set type was F 22.81%, FS 50.88%, S2 6.31%. The estimated gene frequency of SetF was 0.4825 and SetS was 0.5175. The PE was 0.1875 and the DP was 0.6199. CONCLUSION Polymorphism of salivary esterase (Set) was practical in paternity and personal identification.
Esterases/genetics* ; Forensic Anthropology/methods* ; Gene Frequency ; Humans ; Paternity ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Saliva/enzymology*

Objective To master the status in control of iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) in Gansu province and to provide the basis for development of control strategies. Methods One county which reached the national standardization of IDD elimination was selected randomly from each of 14 cities of Gansu province in 2009, then one town was selected respectively from five directions (east, south, west, north, and central) of the above selected counties. One village was chosen from every town which was selected for investigating household iodized salt and iodized salt sales network. At the same time the thyroid of children was examined, their urinary iodine (UI) was determined, the intelligence quotient(IQ) values of children were measured and health education was surveyed in one primary school which was chosen in each of the selected town. Results A total of 1420 edible salt samples were tested;the weighted iodized salt coverage rate and the weighted qualified iodized salt rate were 99.53% and 98.15 respectively. Urine samples were collected from 1761 children included in the study. The urinary iodine median was 225.87 μg/L. The urinary iodine medians were at optimal levels in five counties, over the optimal levels in seven counties and at excessive levels in two counties. A total of 3051 children aged 8 - 10 were randomly selected for thyroid examination. The weighted thyroid goiter rate(TGR) of children was 1.9%, and TGR was higher than 5% only in Hoaggu county. IQ of 2815 children was tested and the mean IQ was 105.3, except for the country of Zhuoni and Kangle, the mean IQ of other counties were over 100. The average score of health education was 3.2.Children of 57.08% (1229/2153) knew that iodine deficiency could lead to mental retardation, 71.76% (1544/2153) knew that iodine deficiency could cause thyroid goiter, 68.04%( 1465/2153 ) knew that eating iodized salt was the best method for IDD prevention and control and 61.82%(1331/2153) informed their families of the benefits of eating iodized salt. Each town had one agency selling iodized salt and each village had one more retail store with iodized salt, but 73.5%(75/102) of the stores without license for the sales. Conclusions Great progress has been made on the prevention and control of IDD in Gansu province. The qualified iodized salt consumption rate has reached the national standard for IDD elimination, TGR has decreased markedly, the urinary iodine levels in more counties are over the optimal levels and iodized salt distribution network is basically sound. But progress in health education is uneven.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of etoposide on protein kinase B (PKB) activity in distinct differentiated gastric cancer cell lines and the change of sensitivity to etoposide after pretreatment by wortmannin, a PKB inhibitor. To explore the relationship between PKB activity in gastric cancer cells and their sensitivity to etoposide chemotherapy.

METHODSFour distinct differentiated gastric cancer cell lines, including MKN-28 (well differentiated), SGC-7901 (moderate differentiated), BGC-823 (poorly differentiated) and HGC-27 (undifferentiated), were studied. The PKB activities of these cell lines were detected by nonradioactive protein-kinase assay at different time points after etoposide treatment for 0,3,6,12,24 h with or without wortmannin pretreatment. Cell viabilities were assayed by MTT and cell apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry.

RESULTSPoorer differentiated gastric cancer cell lines had higher PKB activities. Etoposide treatment resulted in increase in PKB activity and apoptosis rate,and decrease in cell survival rate in a time-dependent manner in gastric cancer cell lines. Wortmannin pretreatment abolished PKB activity completely in gastric cancer cells,and decreased survival rate and increased apoptosis rate in SGC-7901, BGC-823, and HGC-27 cell lines.

CONCLUSIONSEtoposide can induce the PKB activity in gastric cancer cell lines. Wortmannin pretreatment enhances sensitivity of median and low differentiated gastric cancer cells to etoposide chemotherapy.

Apoptosis ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; drug effects ; Etoposide ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Stomach Neoplasms ; drug therapy

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship of telomerase RNA component (hTERC) and the telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) with telomerase activity in the marrow hemopoietic stem cells of children with aplastic anemia (AA).

METHODSFifty-two children with chronic AA, 13 children with acute AA and 21 normal controls were enrolled in the study. Telomerase activity and the expression of mRNA of hTERT and hTERC were detected by Telomeric Repeat Amplification Protocol (TRAP) with silver staining and real-time Q-PCR respectively.

RESULTSLevels of telomerase activity in both the chronic and acute AA groups were higher than in the control group (P<0.01). The AA groups had significantly higher expression of hTERT mRNA than the control group (P<0.01). The chronic AA group had higher expression of hTERT mRNA and telomerase activity than the acute AA group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the expression of hTERC mRNA among the three groups (P=0.812). There was a significant correlation between the expression of hTERT mRNA and telomerase activity (r=0.660, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSExpression of telomerase activity may be involved in the pathophysiology and development of AA, and hTERT plays a crucial role in expression of telomerase activity.

Adolescent ; Anemia, Aplastic ; enzymology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; enzymology ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; RNA ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Telomerase ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the change in telomere length and TERC and TERT mutations in peripheral blood leukocytes of children with chronic aplastic anemia (CAA).

METHODSSixty-nine children with CAA were divided into untreated group (n=24) who did not receive immunosuppressive therapy (IST), response group (n=36) who showed response to IST, and non-response group (n=9) who showed no response to IST; another 35 healthy children matched for age and sex were selected as the control group. The telomere-to-single copy gene (T/S) ratio in peripheral blood leukocytes was measured by real-time PCR in all groups. PCR was performed to detect TERC and TERT mutations in all children with CAA.

RESULTSThe untreated and non-response groups had significantly lower T/S ratios than the control and response groups (P<0.01), whereas there was no significant difference in T/S ratio between the response and control groups (P>0.05). TERC and TERT mutations were not found in all children with CAA.

CONCLUSIONSThe change in telomere length in children with CAA may be related to the development and progression of disease. Telomere length measurement may be used as a prognostic indicator in children with CAA.

Adolescent ; Anemia, Aplastic ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Chronic Disease ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Infant ; Leukocytes ; metabolism ; Male ; Mutation ; Telomerase ; genetics ; Telomere

BACKGROUNDAutologous transplantation of the submandibular gland (SMG) into the temporal fossa with microvascular anastomosis has been successfully applied in severe xerophthalmia patients as a permanent tear substitute. However, severe xerophthalmia can be accompanied by salivary gland dysfunction, making such autotransplantation unsuitable. Therefore, SMG allotransplantation might be a solution. The aim of this study was to assess the technical feasibility of submandibular gland allotransplantation.

METHODSTwelve miniature swine were randomized to serve as donors or recipients. One SMG was transplanted between a donor and a recipient. The donor SMG was revascularized by microvascular anastomosis of its vascular pedicle to the recipient lingual artery and external jugular vein. The secretory duct was implanted into the vestibule of the mouth through a subcutaneous tunnel. No immunosuppressive agent was administered. The results were assessed by visual inspection of the secretion, and histopathological examination of the transplanted SMG.

RESULTSTechnically, all surgical procedures were successful. Clear secretion flowed out of the duct as soon as blood supply of the transplanted submandibular gland was reestablished. The secretion of the gland lasted for 5 days. As expected, an acute rejection reaction occurred after surgery because no immunosuppressive agents were used. Secretion from the transplanted SMG ceased within 5 days.

CONCLUSIONSA model of SMG allotransplantation can be established in miniature swine. The technique of submandibular gland allotransplantation is feasible.

Animals ; Microscopy, Electron ; Models, Animal ; Submandibular Gland ; pathology ; transplantation ; ultrastructure ; Swine ; Swine, Miniature ; Transplantation, Homologous