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The occurrence and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a multi-step complex process and the exact molecular mechanisms remain to be elucidated. LncRNA NEAT1 is involved in tumorigenesis and progression. However, the role of LncRNA NEAT1 in HCC remains unclear.The tumor tissues and adjacent tissues of HCC patients were collected and LncRNA NEAT1 expression was detected by Real time PCR. The hepatoma cell line HepG2 was cultured and transfected with lnc RNA NEAT1 siRNA or lnc RNA NEAT1 plasmid followed by analysis of LncRNA NEAT1 expression, cell proliferation by MTT assay, as well as Caspase 3 activity. In addition, cell apoptosis and cell cycle were assessed by flow cytometry and cell invasion was measured by transwell chambers. The expression of EGFR, Bax and Bcl-2 was detected by Western blot.LncRNA NEAT1 expression was significantly increased in HCC tissues compared with adjacent tissues (p0.05). Compared with the siRNA group, transfection of lncRNA NEAT1 siRNA into HepG2 cells significantly inhibited cell proliferation, increased Caspase 3 activity and apoptosis, reduced cell invasion, as well as arrested cell cycle (p0.05). Meanwhile, lncRNA NEAT1 siRNA also significantly decreased Bcl-2 and EGFR expression and increased Bax expression (p0.05). Transfection of lncRNA NEAT1 plasmid in hepatoma cells HepG2 reversed the above changes, compared with vector group, the differences were statistically significant (p0.05).LncRNA NEAT1 expression is increased in liver cancer tissues. Down-regulation of LncRNA NEAT1 can inhibit EGFR expression and promote hepatoma cell apoptosis, inhibit cell cycle, thus inhibiting tumor proliferation and invasion.

To assess the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in differentiating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) from non-neoplastic lesion in cirrhotic liver in comparison with baseline ultrasound.A total of 147 nodules (diameter ≤5.0 cm) in 133 cirrhotic patients (mean age±standard deviation: 52±13 years, range 20-82 years; gender: 111 males and 22 females) were examined with CEUS. There were 116 HCCs, 26 macroregenerative nodules and 5 high-grade dysplastic nodules. CEUS was performed with a real-time contrast-specific mode and a sulphur hexafluoride-filled microbubble contrast agent.Hypervascularity was observed in 94.8% (110/116) HCCs, 3.8% (1/26) macroregenerative nodules and 60.0% (3/5) high-grade dysplastic nodules during arterial phase on CEUS. Detection rates of typical vascular pattern (i.e. hypervascularity during arterial phase and subsequent washout) in HCCs with a diameter of ≤2.0 cm, 2.1-3.0 cm and 3.1-5.0 cm were 69.2% (27/39), 97.1% (33/34) and 100.0% (43/43), respectively. CEUS significantly improved the sensitivity [88.8% (103/116) vs 37.1% (43/116), p0.001], negative predictive value [70.5% (31/44) vs 31.5% (29/92), p0.001], and accuracy [91.2% (134/147) vs 49.0% (72/147), p0.001] in differentiating HCCs from non-neoplastic lesions when compared with baseline ultrasound. However, the sensitivity and accuracy of CEUS for HCCs ≤2.0 cm in diameter were significantly lower than those for HCCs of 2.1-3.0 cm and 3.1-5.0 cm in diameter.CEUS improves diagnostic performance in differentiating HCCs from non-neoplastic nodules in cirrhotic patients compared with baseline ultrasound. Diagnosis of HCCs ≤2.0 cm diameter by CEUS is still a clinical concern, and thus needs further investigation.

Objective To estimate heritability of metabolic syndrome traits among healthy younger adults in a human population in China, and examine potential sex differences in heritability and parental effect on metabolic syndrome traits. Methods Using offspring–parent regression, we estimated heritability (h 2 ) of metabolic syndrome traits based on 452 child–parent triads identified from a population based random survey on metabolic syndrome among people over 15 years of age in Guangzhou, China. Results Body mass index (BMI), cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and waist circumference (waist-C) were more heritable (h 2 , 0.42–0.545), whereas systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and triglycerides (TG) were less heritable (h 2 , 0.14–0.28). Sons had pronounced increases in heritability for all traits over daughters, particularly for cholesterol (0.653 vs 0.356), FPG (0.602 vs 0.313), LDL-C (0.521 vs 0.329), and TG (0.395 vs 0.187). Offspring–mother seemed to have a higher heritability in every trait except FPG (0.67 vs 0.794) than offspring–father, most notably for DBP (0.308 vs 0.122), SBP (0.288 vs 0.146), TG (0.387 vs 0.239) and waist-C (0.581 vs 0.354). Conclusion We estimated the heritability of metabolic syndrome traits in a human population based on a unique population based offspring–parent sample from China, and found important evidence that the maternal and paternal effects on these traits are different and the sex difference in heritability is pronounced.

To study the effects of exposure to compressed air on tunnel workers' health and to investigate the prevalence of dysbaric osteonecrosis (DON) in caisson workers.128 tunnel workers were divided into the exposed group (n = 58) and the control group (n = 70), and their shoulders, hips and knees were examined with X-ray, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).1) 34.5% of the exposed group were diagnosed with DON based on the national diagnostic criteria of decompression sickness. 2) The incidental difference of skeletal cystic changes between the exposed group and the control group was highly statistically significant (p0.01). 3) CT and MRI examination could detect early onset of DON lesions, and the cystic changes shown in CT and abnormal signals in MRI were diagnostic indicators in cases.Cystic changes in CT and abnormal signals in MRI are key imaging findings of early DON.

Trachoma is the most frequent cause of preventable blindness in the world. At the trichiasis/entropion stage, lid surgery is recommended, but many patients only use epilation, which does not prevent loss of vision. We developed a new treatment that should be more accessible than lid surgery and more effective than epilation: a sticking plaster that forces eyelashes back to their correct position. The first randomized controlled trial was conducted in Shanghai with 57 patients to compare the plaster method with epilation. After 3 months of follow-up, with no attrition, 67% of those treated by the new method presented a good clinical status, vs none of those treated by epilation (P < 0.001). The new treatment was well tolerated and lid function remained normal. Although our results show overwhelming benefit of this new, simple treatment for trachoma at the trichiasis stage, more research is needed at the primary health care level and in other settings to determine the potential use of the new method on a large scale and by nonspecialists. ResumeLa trachome est la premiere cause de ceciteevitable dans le monde, avec 146 millions de personnes atteintes. Au stade trichiasis/entropion, le traitement chirurgical est recommande, mais pour beaucoup de patients l'epilation des cils reste le seul traitement, insuffisant pour eviter la perte de la vue. Nous avons developpe une nouvelle methode de traitement, qui se veut plus accessible que la chirurgie et plus efficace que l'epilation: la contention des cils par un sparadrap double-face. Le premier essai clinique randomise est presente, comparant le nouveau traitement a l'epilation, conduit a Shanghai en milieu universitaire avec 57 patients. Apres trois mois de suivi, sans perte, 67% des patients traites par contention avaient un status oculaire clinique bon, contre 0% dans le groupe epilation (P < 0.001). Le traitement par contention est bien tolere et il permet de battre des cils normalement. Nos resultats demontrent donc l'efficacite de ce nouveau traitement du trachome au stade trichiasis, d'usage simple et bon marche. Des essais dans des centres de soins primaires et dans d'autres cultures sont necessaires pour preciser l'usage possible du nouveau traitement par des non-specialistes et sur une large echelle.

Somatostatin (SST) is used for the treatment of acute variceal bleeding based on its ability to decrease portal pressure and collateral blood flow. To date, no studies have focused on the immediate-early effects (between 1 and 30 min) of SST. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of different schedules of SST therapy with placebo on portal pressure in patients with portal hypertension treated with portal-azygous disconnection and to test whether an increase in bolus or infusion dose can improve the clinical efficacy of SST therapy. Patients were treated with four different schedules: (a) standard dose (n = 11): one 250 μg bolus + a continuous infusion of 250 μg/h; (b) medium dose (n = 10): 500 μg bolus + a continuous infusion of 250 μg/h; (c) high dose (n = 10): 250 μg bolus + a continuous infusion of 500 μg/h; (d) control (n = 10): an injection of placebo (saline) followed by a placebo infusion. Following SST or placebo administration, portal pressure, central venous pressure (CVP), systemic blood pressure and heart rate (HR) were measured at 1, 3, 5, 7, 10 and 30 min. The three schedules of SST induced a marked, rapid and highly significant decrease in portal pressure. The decline in portal pressure was moderate at 1 min (P0·040), achieved a peak effect at 5 min (P0·009) and remained decreased at 30 min. The effect of SST on portal pressure was significantly greater than placebo from 1 min after administration. There were no significant differences in portal pressure decrease between the three schedules of SST. The three schedules of SST and the placebo schedule did not induce significant changes in HR, systemic blood pressure and CVP. This study shows that SST is effective in decreasing portal pressure within 30 min of administration in patients with liver cirrhosis. The clinical schedule used in this study was reasonable and safe.

Genetic polymorphism of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1rα) are associated with efficacy of acid suppression, whereas cytochrome P (CYP) 2C19 polymorphism influences the metabolism of proton pump inhibitor family. Thus, CYP2C19 and IL-1 polymorphisms may affect the efficacy of H. pylori eradication therapy. We compared the efficacies of omeprazole and rabeprazole on eradication of H. pylori in relation to CYP2C19, IL-1B and IL-1RN genotypes in Chinese people.Two hundred and forty Chinese with peptic ulcer disease were randomly assigned to the following regimens: amoxicillin and clarithromycin together with omeprazole (OAC) or rabeprazole (RAC). CYP2C19*2 and *3, IL1B-511, IL1B-31, IL1B+ 3954 and intron 2 of the IL-1RN genotypes were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism.The intention-to-treat-based cure rate of the OAC regimen was significantly lower than that of the RAC regimen in the CYP2C19 wild-type homozygotes (P = 0·014). No significant differences in the cure rates were observed among the IL-1RN and the IL-1B genotype groups.The rabeprazole-based triple regimen was better than the omeprazole in Chinese patients with the CYP2C19 extensive metabolizer genotype. The effectiveness of the PPI/AC regimen is unrelated to IL-1B and IL1-RN genetic polymorphism.

To investigate the effects of ischemic preconditioning on myocardial apoptosis induced by ischemia/reperfusion.Twenty four rabbits were randomly allocated to three groups(n = 8), pseudo-operation group(group P), ischemia/reperfusion group(group IR), and ischemic preconditioning group (group IP). Group IR and group IP were subjected to three hours of left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion followed by three hours of reperfusion. Ischemic preconditioning was achieved by three 5-minute cycles of ischemia, each followed by 5 minutes of reperfusion. Infarct size and area at risk were defined by dual staining with triphenyltetrazolium chloride and Evans blue dye. DNA laddering in the border zone myocardium of ischemic area at risk was revealed with agarose gel electrophoresis, and apoptosis index(AI) was obtained with flow cytometry.Infarct size, expressed as a percentage of the area at risk(IS:AR), was(60.8 +/- 10.8)% in group IR. Ischemic preconditioning reduced myocardial infarct size significantly to (33.1 +/- 4.9)% (P0.05). AI was (13.83 +/- 3.98)% in group IR, and were reduced significantly to (5.85 +/- 1.59)% in group IP(P0.01). DNA laddering indicative of fragmented DNA was clearly demonstrated in myocardial specimens sampled from the lateral border zones of the ischemic area at risk in group IR but were attenuated in group IP.It suggests that ischemic preconditioning inhibits the rabbit myocardial apoptosis induced by ischemia/reperfusion in vivo.

Nine patients with biochemically proved Wilson's disease underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain. Areas of abnormal signal, long T1 and long T2, caused by gliosis and edema were seen in the lenticula, thalami, caudatum, brain stem as well as in the dentate nuclei. The abnormalities were bilateral and symmetric. Asymmetric focal white matter lesions were noted in a few patients. Focal atrophies were seen in the head of caudatum. Symmetric cavitations were only seen in the lenticular nuclei. Acute progressive type (2 patients) was characterized by cavity formation, and chronic progressive type (7 patients) by gliosis, edema and focal atrophy.

This report presents 29 cases of ocular injury (31 eyes) caused by accidental laser exposure. Twenty-eight eyes were injured during laser adjustment and alignment. Nineteen eyes were damaged by Q-switched lasers at a wavelength of 1064 nm. Macula damage occurred in 25 eyes. During the early phase after injury, there were different degrees of retinal coagulation, edema or hemorrhage in exposed spots and there occurred immediate reduction of visual acuity. Effusion of blood and exudate was absorbed in most injured eyes under treatment lasting several weeks; meanwhile, gray-white scars appeared. Macular holes appeared in seven cases a week after injury, thus extending the course of the injury. Nine cases (10 eyes) were followed-up for 4-10 y, during which time the condition of eight cases (nine eyes) remained stable. The causes of the laser accidents and the relationship between the damage effects and exposure doses were analyzed.