Volume 88  ·   Issue 29  ·  2008

The study of brain by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has become one of the hotspots of scientific research nowadays. The most commonly used technology is based on the principle of blood oxygenation: level-dependent (BOLD) signal change intensity. The fMRI technology based on BOLD does not require injection of exogenous contrast agent. The enhancement of neuronal activity often follows the increase of blood flow, and the red blood cells carrying oxyhemoglobin reach the activated area with blood flow, resulting in a relative reduction of the content of local paramagnetic deoxyhemoglobin, and a higher signal in the activated functional brain area on fMRI.

Colorectal cancer is the third most malignant tumor in the world, and its incidence rate ranks second among gastrointestinal tumors in China, with an average 5-year survival rate of less than 40%. At present, the diagnosis of colorectal cancer is mainly based on colonoscopy and pathological examination, but due to various reasons, it cannot be used as a general screening method. The detection of tumor markers has the advantages of convenience and quickness, and has attracted more and more attention in the screening, diagnosis and prognosis of colorectal cancer. Up to now, the serum detection of tumor markers has been widely used in clinical practice, mainly including protein antigens such as carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), sugar chain antigens such as CA242 and hormones such as transforming growth factor-β. Protein chip technology has the advantages of high throughput, speed and convenience, and requires less samples, and is a good auxiliary diagnostic method for colorectal cancer. Some studies in recent years have shown that the combined detection of multiple tumor markers protein chip can improve the sensitivity and specificity of colorectal cancer diagnosis, and has a good clinical application prospect.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is becoming a widely used tool in psychiatric research. This paper briefly reviews the application and results of fMRI in several psychiatric diseases in recent years, including ADHD, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and schizophrenia.

Objective To investigate the mRNA expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in gastric carcinoma and correlation thereof with intratumoral microvascular density (IMD), proliferating cell nuclear antigen labeling index (PCNA LI), tumor invasion and meatastasis, and patients' survival. Methods In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry were used to test the expression of bFGF and HGF mRNA and protein expression of CD34 and PCNA in 118 specimens of gastric carcinoma. Results The positive rates of bFGF mRNA and HGF mRNA were 57.6% and 52.5% respectively; the positive expression rates of bFGF mRNA and HGF mRNA of the cases at the stage T3 -14 and those with vessel invasion, lymph node metastasis, and distant metastasis were all significantly higher than the positive expression rates of the cases at the stage T1 - T2, and those without lymph node metastasis, vessel invasion, and distant metastasis ( all P < O. 05). The mean IMD levels of the patients positive in bFGF and HGF mRNA expression were (46.63 ± 13.96) and (46.73 ± 13.34) pieces/ 0.72 mm2, both significantly higher than those of the patients negative in bFGF and HGF mRNA expression [(34.56±15.16) and (35.98±14.92) pieces/0.72 mm2) respectively, t =4.62,P=0.000, and t = 4. 01 ,P=0.000]. The PCNA LI of the of the patients positive in bFGF and HGF mRNA expression was (66.53 ± 13.61 ) and (67.56 ± 13.41 ) respectively, both significantly higher5 than those of patients negative in bFGF and HGF mRNA expression [ (54.79 ± 10.57) and (55.04 ± 11. 01 ) respectively, t = 5. 83, P =0.000, and t =4.91, P =0.000] . The 5-year survival rates of the patients negative in bFGF and HGF mRNA expression were 60.00% and 67.90% respectively, both significantly higher than those of the patients positive in bFGF and HGF mRNA expression (30. 90% and 21.00% respectively, both P = 0. 000). IMD, PCNA LI, and bFGF mRNA were all positively related to HGF mRNA ( all P = 0. 000).Conclusions bFGF and HGF promote angiogenesis and proliferation of gastric cancer, and in involved in tumor invasion and metastasis. They can be used as markers of prognosis of gastric cancer in clinical practice.

Objective To investigate the expression of DNA dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs) and P16 (multiple tumor suppressor 1 ) genes in colorectal carcinoma and clinical significance thereof. Methods 359 specimens of colorectal carcinoma obtained during operation and 35 specimens of normal mucosa beside the carcinoma underwent immunohistochemical examination and Western blotting to detect the expression of DNA-PKcs and P16. Results The positive expression rates of DNA-PKcs and P16 of the colorectal carcinoma specimens were 63.5% (228/359) and 53.2% (191/359) respectively, both significantly higher than those of the para-cancer normal tissues (both P < 0. 05). DNA-PKcs and P16 expression were both related to the clinical stage, lymphatic invasion, and distant metastasis (all P < 0. 05 ). The 5-year survival rates of the patients positive in DNA-PKcs and P16 expression were significantly lower than those of the patients negative in DNA-PKcs and P16 expression ( both P < 0. 05). The DNA-PKcs positive rate of the P16-pesitive patients was 78.6%, significantly higher than that of the P16-negativer patients (55.3%, r = 0. 149, P = 0. 036 ). Conclusion DNA-PKcs and P16 play a significant role in the carcinogenesis and evolution of colorectal carcinoma and may be used as one of the useful indicators for clinical assessment of tumor biological behavior and prognosis of colorectal carcinoma.

Objective To investigate the diagnosis and management of transplant renal artery stenosis (TRAS) caused by early stage acute allograft rejection.Method A retrospective study was conducted in 3 cases with diagnoses of TRAS and early stage acute allograft rejection confirmed by color Doppler ultrasonography,renal artery angiography,and renal graft biopsy.Results Antirejection therapy was carried on subsequently rather than percutaneous transluminal angioplasty or percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting.The blood pressure and creatinine level which were abnormal at the time of diagnosis of TRAS and acute allograft rejection returned to normal after antirejection treatment in those patients.Moreover,TRAS was not detected any more by color Doppler ultrasonography during the follow-up period.Conclusion TRAS is associated with early stage acute allograft rejection episodes.Color Doppler ultrasonography is useful in screening and follow-up of TRAS.Transplant renal arteriography is the gold standard for diagnosis.Antirejection therapy is an effective therapeutic modality other than percutaneous transluminal angioplasty or angioplasty and stenting for TRAS.

Objective To investigate the relationship of post transplantation diabetes mellitus (PTDM) to active human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection and to preoperative hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection respectively.Methods The clinical data of 75 patients with liver transplantation was collected to analyze the association of PTDM with active HCMV infection and preoperative HBV infection.Results The incidence of PTDM was 17.3% ( 13/75 ).The incidence of PTDM in the patients with active HCMV infection after liver transplantation was 23.1% (12/52)significantly higher than that of the patients without active HCMV infection(4.3%,1/23,P < 0.05 ).The incidence of PTDM in the patients with preoperative HBV infection was 21.1%,not significantly different from that of the patients without infection(5.6%,P > 0.05 ).Conclusion PTDM may be related to active HCMV infection after liver transplantation,and unrelated to preoperative HBV infection.

Objective To investigate the association of 5'TCCCCC3' insertion polymorphism in intron7 and the C1096G allele gene with the risk of cerebral stroke in Chinese population.Methods Peripheral blood samples were collected from 1414 Chinese patients with cerebral hemorrhage (n = 376),infarction (n =629) or lacunar infarction (n = 409) selected from 7 clinical centers in China and 1376 controls Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at the position 1096 was genotyped with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism assay.PCR and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis were used to examine the insertion/deletion polymorphism in 187 cases of cerebral stroke and 190 controls.Results The frequency of allele G at nucleotide 1096 of the cerebral stroke patients was 13.5 %,not significantly different from that of the controls ( 13.3 %,x2 = 0.827,P = 0.352).There were not significant differences in the distribution of GG and GC genotypes among the patients with cerebral hemorrhage,infarction,and lacunar infarction respectively and the controls.In the 187 cases and 190 controls,only 2 cases of heterozygote of the insertion sequence were found with a frequency of 0.003. Conclusion The SNP at the position 1096 of the Endoglin gene and insertion/deletion polymorphism in 5' TCCCCC3' of intron 7 are not the risk factors of cerebral stroke in Chinese population.

Objective To investigate the reason why the incidence of endometriosis (EM) is lower in the Uygur women than in the Han women.Methods Eutopic and ectopic endometrium samples were obtained by operation and biopsy from 26 EM patients,10 Uygur women and 16 Han women and analyzed with a gene expression microarray containing the cDNAs of 22 000 human genes.Twenty-two women,10 Uygur and 12 Han,were used as controls.Results Eleven differentially expressed genes,7 up-regulated and 6 down-regulated,were screened out from the eutopic endometrium of the Uygur women with EM.58 differential expressed genes were screened out from the in eutopic endometrium of the Han women with EM, 53 being up-regulated and 5 down-regulated.Five genes were screened out in both groups,3 being upregulated and 2 down-regulated.Conclusion The number of differentially expressed genes of the Uygur women with EM is lower than that of the Hart women with EM,which may be the cause of relative low incidence of EM among Uygur women.

Objective To investigate the effects of preoperative carbohydrate loading and new fasting protocol treatment on the postoperative changes in serum tumor necrosis factor receptor1 ( sTNFR1 ), sTNFR2,and insulin resistance (IR) in patients of colon carcinoma.Methods 51 patients of colon carcinoma were randomly divided into 2 groups:carbohydrate-rich beverage group ( n = 24),undergoing fasting 6 h before operation and water deprivation 2 h before operation,receiving carbohydrate-rich beverage 3 h before operation and fluid therapy with glucose post-operatively,and placebo group ( n = 27) undergoing routine fasting and water deprivation pre-operatively.Peripheral blood samples were collected before, during,and 1,4,and 7 d after operation.ELISA was used to detect the sTNFR1 and sTNFR2 of preoperative,1,4,7day Insulin sensitivity index (S1) was calculated.Results The S1 levels at different post-operational time points of the treatment group were not significantly different from those preoperatively (all P > 0.05 ),while the S1 levels of the control group decreased significantly compared to those before operation( all P < 0.05).The sTNFR1 level of the treatment group increased postoperatively and did not return to the pre-operative level 7 d after operation ( all P < 0.05 ).The sTNFR1 levels at different postoperative time points of the treatment group were all significantly higher than those of the control group ( all P < 0.05).The sTNFR2 level of the treatment group decreased postoperatively and did not return to the preoperative level 7d after operation( all P < 0.05).The sTNFR2 levels at different post-operative time points of the treatment group were all significantly lower than those of the control group( all P < 0.05).There was not significant differences in the sTNFR1 level in the control group before and after operation ( all P > 0.05 ).The time to first flatus and days staying in hospital of the treatment group were (77 ± 15) hours and (11 ± 1.2 ) gays respectively,both significantly shorter than those of the control group [ (86 ± 13) hours and ( 15.1 ± 3.8) days respectively,both P < 0.05 ].Conclusion Preoperative carbohydrate loading and new fasting protocol reduce the degree and course of IR,increase the sTNFR1 level,and decrease the sTNFR2 level and days of staying in hospital.

Objective To investigate the activity of phasphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) signal pathway,a cytoplasmic signaling pathway known to play an important role in T cell activation,in peripheral blood T cells from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients.Methods T cells were isolated from the peripheral blood samples of 28 SLE patients,5 males and 23 females,with RosettSep T cell purification kit.PI3K activity was determined by immunoprecipitation and ELISA,and Western blotting was used to measure the Akt and phosphorylated Akt protein expression.T cell proliferation and cytokine production was examined by MTT test and ELISA respectively.Fifteen healthy adults and 8 active rheumatoid arthritis patients were used as controls.The T cells from the SLE patients and normal controls were treated with 10% normal control serum of SLE serum for 24 h ( "rest" ) and then to detect the PI3K and Akt activity.Some T cells from the SLE patients were stimulated with CD3/CD28 mono-antibodies or CD3/CD28 monoantibodies + LY294002 ,a specific PI3K inhibitor,and then the proliferation and secretion of IL-6 and IL-10 were analyzed.Results Compared with the healthy controls and rheumatoid arthritis patients,the activity levels of PI3K and Akt in the T cells of peripheral blood from the SLE patients were significantly increased.T cells allowed to " rest" for 24 hours in culture medium showed a reversal of the changes in activity of PI3K and Akt.The activity of PI3K pathway was increased in the T cells from healthy controls when cultured with SLE serum.The proliferation and IL-6 and IL-10 secretion of the T cells from SLE patients cultured with LY294002 were inhibited.The PI3K and Akt activity levels of the T cells from SLE patients were not related to SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI).Conclusion The T cells from SLE patients show an abnormal activation of PI3K pathway which may be due,at least in part,to their exposure to relevant serum factors.

Objective To investigate the effects of triple-helix forming oligonucleotide (TFO) and antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) on androgen receptor (AR) expression and tumor growth of human prostate cancer xenografts in nude mice.Methods Thirty-two nude mice were inoculated with human prostate cancer cells of the line LNCaP-C4-2 were randomized into 4 equal groups:TFO treatment group,undergoing intra-tumor injection of TFO at the dose of 25 mg · kg-1 · (2d)-1 for 14 times,ASO treatment group, undergoing intra-tumor injection of ASO at the same dose for 14 times,SCO group,undergoing intra-rumor injection of sequence control oligonucleotide (SCO) at the same dose for 14 times,and control group.The body weight and xenograft tumor volume of the nude mice were monitored during the therapy.28 days later venous blood samples were collected to measure the level of prostate specific antigen (PSA) by radioimmunoassay and then the mice were killed with their tumors taken out to measure the weight,and RTPCR,immunohistochemistry,and radioligand binding assay were used to detect the AR gene mRNA and protein expression in the tumor tissues.Results By the end of experiment the volumes and weights of tumor of the ASO and ASO groups were all significantly lower than those of the control group ( all P < 0.01 ) with the inhibition rates of 67.55% and 41.06% respectively,and the volumes and weights of tumor of the TFO group were all significantly lower than those of the ASO group ( all P < 0.05 ).The tumor weight and AR expression levels of TFO group were significantly lower than those of ASO group ( P < 0.05 ).The serum PSA level of TFO group was (6.6 ± 1.0) ng/ml,significantly lower than that of the ASO group [ ( 19.8 ± 3.7) ng/ml,P < 0.05 ].The mRNA and protein expression levels of AR of the TFO group were significantly lower than those of the other groups ( all P < 0.05).There were no significant differences in all the above mentioned markers between the SCO and control groups ( all P > 0.05 ) .Conclusion TFO shows significantly higher inhibitory effect on AR expression and tumor growth of human prostate cancer xenograft than ASO,and is a promising agent for prostate cancer gene therapy.

Objective To study the effects of human tissue kallikrein (HTK)on symptomatic cerebral vasospasm (CVS) after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).Methods Forty rabbits underwent occlusion of bilateral carotid.Two weeks later the 28 surviving rabbits were randomly divided into to 4 groups:shamed-operation group ( n = 8) undergoing injection of normal saline into the cisterna magna on day 1 and day 3,SAH group ( n = 6) undergoing injection of nonheparinized autologous arterial blood into the cisterna magna,HTK therapy group ( n = 6) undergoing blood injection into the cistema magna and then injection of HTK via ear marginal vein daily for 3 days,and nimodipine (ND) therapy group ( n = 6) undergoing blood injection into the cisterna magna and then injection of ND via ear marginal vein.3-dimension -CT angiography (3-D CTA) was used to measure the basilar artery diameter on Do and D5.On D6 the rabbits were killed with their basilar arteries taken out to undergo light microscopic examination. Results Blood could be seen in the basis cephalic of the 3 groups undergoing blood injection.3-D CTA showed that arteriospasm was seen in the SAH and ND groups but not in the HTK group.Microscopy showed obvious pathological changes in basilar artery in the SAH and ND groups but not in the HTK group.Conclusion HTK given early after SAH effectively alleviates the symptomatic cerebral vasospasm.

Objective To investigate the antinociceptive effect of intrathecal (IT) injection of Herpes simplex virus type Ⅰ (HSV-1) amplicon vector-mediated HPPE on chronic neuropathic pain. Methods 45 Sprague-Dawley rats underwent chronic constriction,Injury (CCI) of unilateral sciatic nerve and then were randomly divided into 3 equal groups:CCI + normal saline group,undergoing insertion of microspinal catheter into the subarachnoid space at the lumber region and intrathecal delivery of NS,CCI + pHSVIRES -LacZ (SHPZ) group undergoing intrathecal delivery of and recombinant HSV- Ⅰ amplicon vector pHSVIRES-HPPE-LacZ containing human pre-proenkephalin (HPPE) gene,and CCI + blank vector (SHZ) group receiving pHSV-HPPE-LacZ.Another 15 rats underwent sham operation to be used as control group. One week after IT administration 9 rats from each group were killed with their lumber segments of spinal cord removed to detect the expression of LacZ by X-gal staining,HPPE mRNA expression by RT-PCR,and Lenkephalin (L-EK) content by radioimmunoassay.Paw mechanical withdrawal threshold (PMWT) and paw withdrawal thermal latency (PWTL) were measured before CCI (baseline) and 3 days after CCI and then once a week for 5 weeks after IT administration.Results After IT administration of SHPZ expression of HPPE mRNA was detected in the spinal cord.One week after the IT injection the L-EK level of the SHPZ group was (748 ± 185 ng/L) ,significantly higher than those of the Sham operation,NS,and SHZ groups [ (452±89),(453±92),and(451±99 )ng/L respectively,all P <0.05].The PWMT and PWTL levels of the SHPZ group were significantly increased since 1 week after the IT administration in comparison with the baseline values and those of the other 3 groups ( all P < 0.05 ),and these effects peaked in the third week and then lasted to the fifth week.However,the threshold to mechanical and thermal stimuli was not affected by intrathecal delivery of vehicle or SHZ compared with the threshold before intrathecal delivery. Conclusions Intrathecal administration SHPZ can produce significant analgesic effects on chronic neuropathic pain in rats.

Objective To investigate the effects of a newly developed composite stentless porcine aortic valve constructed from noncoronary leaflets of three porcine aortic valves.Methods Fresh porcine hearts with ascending aorta were obtained from a slaughterhouse.The porcine aortic roots with ascending aorta and anterior leaflet of mitral valve and partial ventricular septum were dissected out and were pressurized to maintain their natural anatomical shapes with the leaflets floating freely at zero-pressure.Three noncorcnary leaflets fixed in 0.6% glutaraldehyde were carefully matched for size and symmetry to construct a novel composite stentless porcine aortic valve.The lower margin and outside of the valve was covered with a piece of bovine pericardium.The novel stentless valves were tested in vitro pulsatile flow to detect the effective orifice area (EOA) and mean pressure difference (△P) of the valve compared with the stented bovine pericardial bioprostheses of the same size.Sixteen male juvenile sheep underwent implantation of the novel valves in the supra-annular position in under cardio-pulmonary bypass.The intraoperative and postoperative echocardiography and pathological specimen were given to evaluate the hemodynamic performance and observed in the respects of a long-term survival,function of valve and pathological specimen.Results Since novel valves had the unfavorable muscle-based right coronary leaflet characteristic of porcine valve removed it had larger EOA.Pulsatile flow testing indicated that the EOA of the 3 novel valves was (3.47 ± 0.15),(3.69 ± 0.11 ),and ( 3.92 ± 0.18 ) cm2 respectively,all significantly greater than those of the stented bovine pericardial biopresthesis [ ( 2.00 ± 0.16),( 2.21 ± 0.26),and ( 2.37 ± 0.42) cm2 respectively] at each integral simulated cardiac output between 3-6 L/min (all P < 0.05), while the △p levels of the novel valves were (2.35±0.41 ),(3.10 ±0.20),and (3.56±0.16) mm Hg respectively,all significantly lower than those of the stented bovine pericardial biopresthesis [ (4.98 ± 0.46),(6.82 ± 1.27),and ( 8.40 ± 1.83 ) mm Hg respectively,all P < 0.05 ].Twelve of the sixteen sheep survived after operation.Five of them had lived for more than 90 days,3 more than 180 days,and 2 more than 360 days.The intra-operative echocardiographic analyses showed low △P [ ( 3.90 ± 0.78 )mm Hg] and no regurgitation in all sheep.After 15 to 360 days,all valves performed excellently.The sheep were postoperatively sacrificed in 5 d,15 d,45 d,90 d,180 d,or 300 d respectively.Necropsy revealed the valves had a low to mild level of calcification,without periprosthetic leakage and overgrowth of fibrous tissue.Conclusion The newly developed composite stentless porcine aortic valves show excellent hemodynamic performance with lower transvalvular pressure gradient and are relatively easy to implant.

Objective To study the preparation and characteristics of silver-loaded nano-titania coating so as to develop a bioactive implant material with antibacterial property.Methods Plasma sprayed nano-titania coatings were immersed in 1%,5%,and 9% AgNO3 solution to load silver.The loaded silver and its distribution were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS).After optimizing the preparation process,the release rate of silver from the nano-titania coating was measured in deionized water,its corresponding in vitro cytotoxicity and antibacterial activity were also examined.Results The loaded silver was in proper quantity and distributed evenly on the nano-titania coatings after immersion in 5% AgNO3.A burst release of the silver could be detected.The quick release of silver from the titania coatings sustained about 12 days in deionized water,which had no obvious influence on the surface morphology of titania coatings.The loaded silver did not inhibit the osteoblast proliferation (P = 0.1 ) and alkaline phosphatase expression (P = 0.06 ),however,it effectively inhibited the survival and growth of Staphylococcus aureus for 12 days:the zone of inhibition reached 3.81±0.8 mm with a bacteria killing rate of 100%.Conclusions It is economical and effective to prepare the silver-loaded nano-titania coatings by 5% AgNO3 solution.The loaded silver has good antibacterial function,and shows no obvious effect on the physical and biological properties of nano-titania coatings.

The patient was a 49-year-old female, married, Han nationality, who was admitted to the hospital on September 15, 2006 due to intermittent fever and abdominal distension for more than 1 year and abdominal pain for 1 week. The patient developed fever without inducement 1 year ago, with body temperature of about 38℃, irregular, accompanied by fatigue, anorexia, cough, yellow sticky phlegm, night sweats, abdominal distension, without abdominal pain, diarrhea and other symptoms. The symptoms of cough and sputum were alleviated by antibiotic treatment in the local hospital, but the symptoms of cough and sputum were still relieved by intermittent fever, fatigue, anorexia and abdominal distension. The antinuclear antibody (ANA) was positive, anti-double-stranded-DNA (ds-DNA) was weakly positive, and liver function aminotransferases were slightly elevated. The symptomatic and immunosuppressive treatment (specifics unknown) was given, but the condition was not significantly relieved.

Since the 1960s, epidemiological studies of dementia have mainly included prevalence (the number of cases within a determined population) and incidence (the number of new cases usually per year). The International Alzheimer's Society (ADI), an international consortium of 77 Alzheimer's societies, was founded in 1984 and is based at the London Institute of Psychiatry in England. Since 1996, it has worked with officials of the World Health Organization (WHO).

The patient was a 62-year-old male. He was admitted to the gastroenterology department mainly for intermittent pus and blood for 3 years, accompanied by dull pain in the right lower abdomen for 1 month. Abdominal pain was easy to appear after drinking, which could be relieved by itself. Occasional diarrhea, no fever. A year ago, a colonoscopy in a hospital was performed and diagnosed as multiple colonic polyps. The polyps were removed (partially) under the microscope. The pathological results were: villous tubular adenoma of the transverse colon mucosa, villous tubular adenoma of the sigmoid colon mucosa, and local carcinogenesis. The right lower abdominal pain was significantly aggravated 1 month ago, especially in daily questions. Physical examination: general condition was acceptable, no abnormalities in heart and lungs, flat and soft abdomen, deep tenderness in the right lower abdomen, and no mass was palpable.