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Background: Current imaging modalities are inadequate in preoperatively predicting regional lymph node metastasis (RLNM) status in rectal cancer (RC). Here, we designed support vector machine (SVM) model to address this issue by integrating epithelial–mesenchymal-transition (EMT)-related biomarkers along with clinicopathological variables. Methods: Using tissue microarrays and immunohistochemistry, the EMT-related biomarkers expression was measured in 193 RC patients. Of which, 74 patients were assigned to the training set to select the robust variables for designing SVM model. The SVM model predictive value was validated in the testing set (119 patients). Results: In training set, eight variables, including six EMT-related biomarkers and two clinicopathological variables, were selected to devise SVM model. In testing set, we identified 63 patients with high risk to RLNM and 56 patients with low risk. The sensitivity, specificity and overall accuracy of SVM in predicting RLNM were 68.3%, 81.1% and 72.3%, respectively. Importantly, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that SVM model was indeed an independent predictor of RLNM status (odds ratio, 11.536; 95% confidence interval, 4.113–32.361; P

Background/Purpose: Inconsistent data are available on the various types of skin, their prevalence and characterization, particularly regarding Asian skins. This observation prompted to conduct a large study in China to assess the prevalence of oily skin and identify the specific factors related to that type of skin. Methods: The multicentre trial involved 1787 Chinese women in Shenyang, Harbin, Beijing, Chengdu and Suzhou, between 18 and 65 years of age. Data on history of acne, the presence of environmental factors and a detailed self-evaluation of the skin were collected using a standardized questionnaire. A clinical evaluation of facial skin oiliness was carried-out by a dermatologist at each centre. Sebum secretion was measured on the forehead using Sebumeter® SM810. Statistical analysis (multiple correspondence analysis) of typology was conducted based on self-evaluation data. Results: According to self-evaluation data, oily skin prevalence in the overall Chinese population of the study was 25.6%. Self-evaluation results were quite consistent with sebum measurements and with clinical assessment by dermatologist. Parameters associated with oily skin were (i) shiny skin and a past history of acne, (ii) irregular menstruation, and (iii) highly reactive or sensitive skin. Moreover, a clear and significant link was noted between oily skin and the ingestion of spicy or sweet food. Lastly, sebum levels were found to be twice as high in Beijing as in the other cities and were correlated to higher oily skin prevalence. Conclusion: The study demonstrated the capacity of women for proper self-evaluation of their skin type. It also suggests a potential link between nutritional factors such as spicy and/or sweet diets and oily skin as well as between sensitive and oily skin in this population.

The brain magnetic fields evoked by acupuncturing LI-4(Hegu) were measured by using SQUID (superconductive Quantum Interference Device) Biomagnetometer, and the morphological characters of these biomagnetic fields were examined in 12 subjects. The observed phenomenon of the LI-4(Hegu)'s projection area overlapping on the jaw's and face's projection area suggests that excitation of LI-4 (Hegu)'s projection area activated by acupuncturing LI-4(Hegu) could inhibit action of the jaw's and face's projection through the overlapping area, and this is the reason why the acupuncturing LI-4(Hegu) could effectively case pains in the treatment of dental pain.

Endocrine cells (EC) were found in 19 out of 42 cases of the pancreas carcinoma (42.5%). Among them, 4 cases had a positive rate of EC more than 50%. The positive rate of EC in the well differentiated carcinomas (5/20) was lower than that of the poorly-differentiated ones (12/19) or mucinous carcinoma (2/2), and the positive rate in histologic grade I cases (5/18) was significantly lower than that of the grade III cases (7/8). The number of mast cells infiltrating in the matrix in EC positive cases was significantly higher than that of the negative ones. The positive rate of EC in the cases with metastasis (8/14) was higher than that of the non-metastasis cases (7/21). Immunocytochemical staining showed that GN (8), SS(4), HCG(5), CK(12), EMA(13) and CEA(9) were positive in 19 EC positive cases.

Twenty four-hour blood pressure and heart rate were recorded with the Accutracker RII every hour automatically, and at the same time the urinary norepinephrine (NE) excretion rate (10.00-18.00, 18.00-22.00, 22.00-06.00, 06.00-10.00) were assessed by high performance liquid chromatography in essential hypertensive and normotensive subjects. In every time period, the absolute levels of arterial blood pressure and urinary norepinephrine excretion rate were higher in the essential hypertensive than in normotensive group. But both groups had a distinct circadian rhythm--nocturnal reductions of blood pressure, heart rate and urinary norepinephrine excretion rate. Correlation analyses confirm that arterial blood pressure was positively correlated with urinary norepinephrine excretion rate in every time period. Thus, persons with essential hypertension had similar circadian rhythm to that of normal subjects, but showed evidence of enhanced sympathetic nervous activity through out the 24-hour cycle. In addition, determination of urine NE excretion rate provides a handy and sensitive method for studying the role of peripheral sympathetic nerve in BP maintenance. As the relatively high level of NE and BP all occurred during the day time, we recommend that it could be used as an index to decide when to administer antihypertensive drugs.

In order to find out which hemostasis parameters would have the predictive value for the development of preeclampsia, modified antithrombin III (ATM, representative of the antithrombin III-serine esterase complex), tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), beta-thromboglobulin (BTG), antithrombin III (AT III), fibrinogen, fibrin(ogen) degradation product (FDP), FDP D-dimer and euglobulin lysis time (ELT) were measured in 20 normal non-pregnant women, 21 normal pregnant women, 6 high-risk pregnant women, 14 preeclampsia pregnant women, and 5 patients with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Only tPA and AT III were found significantly different between the preeclampsia and the normal or high-risk pregnant women: tPA was found progressively and significantly increased from the normal pregnant, to the high-risk pregnant, then to the preeclampsia women (p less than 0.05). AT III was significantly lower in the preeclampsia than in the normal pregnant (p = 0.0001) or in the high-risk pregnant women (p = 0.002). In the 2nd trimester, tPA, PAI, fibrinogen and FDP were significantly higher, and AT III was significantly lower in the preeclampsia than in the normal pregnant women, whereas in the 3rd trimester, tPA and AT III were significantly higher or lower, respectively, in the preeclampsia than in the normal pregnant women. No significant difference of ATM could be found between the preeclampsia and the normal or high-risk pregnant women. From the present study, we suggest that tPA and AT III would be used as the main predictors, and FDP and D-dimer as the complementary predictors for the development of preeclampsia and should be detected in the normal or high-risk pregnant women.

500 cases of intracranial tumor confirmed surgically and pathologically were studied. The aim of this study was to see the diagnostic value of headache in intracranial tumor. Four problems related to headache were studied in 350 cases along with other informations: Relationship between time of headache and tumor; Relationship between locality of headache and tumor; Relationship between degree of seriousness of headache and tumor; Relationship between headache and accompanying symptoms and signs. It was pointed out that headache is of certain diagnostic value in patients with intracranial tumor.