Search

Objective: To test the effect of endogenous BDNF on injured nervous system., Methods: The left sciatic nerves of the rats were cut off, and then divided into two groups, each with 8 rats. The rats in the experimental group were intraperitoneally injected with anti-BDNF, while the control group was given normal sheep serum (NSS). The dorsal coclums of the rats were cut on the 8th day. The L5 DRG were cut into length wise sections to dye with fluorescent antibody. Positive cells of GAP-43 in the L5 DRG were counted. The second experiment had both sides of sciatic nerves of the rats cut off, followed by the same procedure as the first experiment. The HRP tracing and ABC immunohistochemical staining were performed to analyse the effect of endogenous BDNF on the recovery of injured spinal cords., Results: For the rats with left sciatic nerves cut off, the experimental group had less GAP-43 positive cells in the left L5 DRG than the controls (P<0.01). For the rats with both sciatic nerves cut off, the experimental group had less nerves with positive fibers-labeled HRP than the controls at the site of tSCI (P<0.01)., Conclusion: Endogenous BDNF promote the recovery of injured nervous system.

Objectives: To research the effects of supracondylar fractures of humerus treated by three different surgical methods., Methods: There were 103 patients with supracondylar fractures of humerus including 58 male and 45 female. The age was from 3 to 12 years old with the average of 7.4 years. To divide the cases into three groups by the operative approach in the humerus, the inside approach were in 37 cases (group A), the outside in 35 cases (group B) and the rear in 31 cases (group C). Comparing the reduction of the stretching and bending function of elbow joint and incidence of elbow varus., Results: All patients were followed-up for 1.5 to 8 years after operation with the average of 32 months. The reduction of stretching and bending function of elbow joint occurrenced in 6 cases in group A, 6 cases in group B and 25 cases in group C, the incidenc of group C were obvious more than group A and B (P < 0.01). The elbow varus occurred in 8 cases in group A, 17 cases in group B and 7 cases in group C, the incidence of group B were obviously more than group A and C (P < 0.05)., Conclusion: There are different effects between three kinds of operative approaches in the humerus. The incidence of outside group is higher on the varus of elbow. The incidence of rear group is higher on the ability of elbow joint stretching and bending. The effect of inside group is sure on the operative approach in the humerus.

The objective of this study was to investigate the role of alpha v-integrin subunit (ITGAV, CD51) in invasion and metastasis of the laryngeal and hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas and to evaluate whether an antisense oligonucleotide sequence (ASONs) targeting ITGAV gene can result in proliferative inhibition and induce to apoptosis of laryngeal carcinoma cell lines (Hep-2). Firstly, a tissue microarray contained 75 primary carcinomas, 29 non-cancerous normal tissues and 20 metastatic lymph nodes was constructed and used to detect the expression of ITGAV by immunohistochemistry. The changes of ITGAV expression from each group were assessed and correlated to the clinical parameters of the patients. Secondly, the ASONs targeting ITGAV gene was transfected into Hep-2 cells in vitro. The proliferative ability of the cells after transfection was measured by MTT assay and the apoptosis was detected using flow cytometry. Results showed that the expression of ITGAV was significantly correlated with differentiation and lymph node metastasis of these cancers. In vitro test showed that the proliferative ability of Hep-2 cells was significantly inhibited by ASONs in a way of concentration- and time-depending mode, and a significant apoptosis of Hep-2 cells was also observed after ASONs transfection. In conclusion, the expression of ITGAV was significantly correlated with differentiation and metastasis of the laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinomas; down-regulation of ITGAV gene could inhibit proliferation of Hep-2 cells and induce to its apoptosis. These results suggest that ITGAV gene may become a promising prognostic marker and new treatment target for these cancers.

Background: Gastrointestinal graft versus host disease (GI-GVHD) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) enteritis are important complications following allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). We explored the role of colonoscopy in the diagnosis of GI-GVHD and CMV enteritis following allo-HSCT to identify the endoscopic manifestations of GI-GVHD and CMV enteritis was made., Methods: A retrospective analysis of the colonoscopic manifestations of GI-GVHD, CMV enteritis and GI-GVHD with concurrent CMV enteritis (GconC) and their related clinical issues., Results: Forty-seven patients underwent 50 colonoscopies with diagnoses of 32 GI-GVHD, 7 CMV enteritis and 11 GconC. Both GI-GVHD and CMV enteritis had colonic mucosal lesions with various manifestations under colonoscopy. Tortoise shell like changes of the mucosa (12 of 32) and deep ulcers (2 of 7) were specific endoscopic manifestations for GI-GVHD and CMV enteritis, respectively, while mucosal oedema, erythema, congestion, erosion and shallow ulcers could not be used to differentiate GI-GVHD from CMV enteritis. GconC patients were prone to have oozing bleeding of the end ileal mucosa and typhlodicliditis. Of the biopsed specimens for GI-GVHD, CMV enteritis and GconC, 64%, 70% and 44% were taken from the rectum and sigmoid colon respectively., Conclusions: Following allo-HSCT, tortoise shell like changes and deep ulcers of the colonic mucosa are characteristic changes for GI-GVHD and CMV enteritis, respectively, while the other lesions are not. Most of the GI-GVHDs and CMV enteritis cases can be diagnosed by left colon examination and tissue biopsy, but total colon examination to the terminal ileum is preferred.

Objective: To investigate the expression of integrin alpha-v subunit in laryngeal and hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (LHSCC) and to correlate the expression ratio with clinic and pathologic features of LHSCC, meanwhile, to investigate the relationship between the expression of integrin alpha-v subunit and tumor angiogenesis., Methods: A tissue microarray of LHSCC was designed and made. Using this microarray, the expression of integrin alpha-v subunit in LHSCC was studied by immunohistochemistry, and the expression disparity in different clinic and pathologic staging of LHSCC was analyzed. The immunohistochemical staining of CD105 was done in the same microarray, the intratumor microvessel density (IMVD) was calculated by CD105 staining. The relationship between integrin alpha-v subunit expression and the IMVD was analyzed., Results: In primary cancer tissue, the expression ratio of integrin alpha-v subunit was 68.0% (51/75), significantly higher than normal tissue beside cancer (10.3%, 3/29, chi2 = 28.68, P < 0.001); the expression ratio of integrin alpha-v subunit in lymph node metastatic carcinoma was 100.00% (20/20), significantly higher than normal tissue (chi2 = 38.77, P < 0.001) and primary cancer tissue (chi2 = 12.69, P < 0.05); in group with lymph node metastasis, the expression ratio of integrin alpha-v subunit was significantly higher than group without lymph node metastasis (chi2 = 10.87, P < 0.001); the IMVD of the group with integrin alpha-v subunit positive expression was significantly higher than the group with integrin alpha-v subunit negative expression (P < 0.001)., Conclusions: There was significant relationship between integrin alpha-v subunit expression and lymphatic metastasis of LHSCC. Overexpression of the integrin alpha-v subunit may have contributed to the tumor angiogenesis and lead to lymphatic metastasis. Integrin alpha-v subunit may become a novel lymphatic metastasis marker of LHSCC.

Objective: To investigate dynamic changes of intracerebral focus on cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL)., Methods: Using the modified Scheltens scale, the magnetic resonance (MR) changes of lesion distribution, size and shape in 7 patients from a CADASIL family were retrospectively analyzed during 3 years observed., Results: In 6 of 7 patients, the number and volume of lesion areas in the white matter were increased (parietal lobe, n = 6; temporal lobe, n = 5; frontal lobe, n = 3; occipital lobe, n = 2) and some areas even became confluent as a mass or chain. New lacunar infarcts (n = 1 - 5) appeared in 5 patients and the arcuate fiber were involved in 1 patients. Slight enlargement could be seen in lateral ventricle (n = 1) or lateral ventricle with third ventricle (n = 1)., Conclusion: MR imaging can help us to reveal dynamic changes of brain lesions and prognosis in patients with CADASIL.

Objective: To investigate the cerebral hemodynamics in cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL)., Methods: The blood flow velocity of cerebral arteries was measured by using transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD) in 6 cases with CADASIL and a quite number of age and sex matched control subjects. All patients (4 were symptomatic and 2 asymptomatic), being an established CADASIL family with the diagnosis confirmed by clinical characteristics, neuroimaging, pathology and molecular genetics, had abnormal mark signals on MR imagining and no history of hypertension, diabetes, heart disease and migraine. A routinely TCD detection, including peak-systolic velocity (Vp), end-diastolic velocity (Vd), mean velocity (Vm) and pulsatility index (PI), was carried out on the bilateral middle cerebral arteries (MCA), anterior cerebral arteries (ACA), posterior cerebral arteries (PCA) and vertebral arteries (VA) as well as the basilar artery (BA). A comparison between the cases and controls was made. Then, the changes of flow velocity in middle cerebral arteries (MCA) of the patients with CADASIL were observed before and after breathholding tests. In addition, brain CT perfusion imaging (CTP) was carried out in all the cases by using 16-slice spiral CT., Results: The appearances of frequency spectrum were nearly normal in all the cases and there was no abnormality between the two sides on velocity (P > 0.05). As compared with the controls, the bilateral Vp, Vd and Vm in ACA and PCA were decreased obviously (P < 0.05). The velocity parameters of MCA with the exception of left Vm and right PI showed changes (P < 0.05) and there were no changes of PI in the bilateral ACA, PCA and Left MCA (P > 0.05). Moreover, there were marked changes in MCA (including Vm, Vd and PI) of all the cases as compared with the controls after breathholding (P < 0.01). Brain perfusion imaging showing the regional cerebral blood flow and regional cerebral blood volume in frontal lobes were obviously decreasing (P < 0.01) and there was no significant variation of mean transit time (MTT)., Conclusions: The characteristic hemodynamic changes in our group is the decreasing flow velocity in bilateral ACA, PCA and MCA and the dominating low flow area occurring usually in frontal and temporal lobes. These changes are in conformity with the ischemic area shown in pathology and neuroimaging in CADASIL patients.

Objective: To explore the relationship between the polymorphism of Interleukin-1 and the pneumoconiosis susceptibility., Methods: Eighty patients with silicosis and 45 with coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP) were selected while 125 male workers, Han nationality in the same workplace as the patients were selected as the controls. Between the patients and the control, the differences of age and cumulative length of service were less than five years and two years, respectively. The controls were exposed to dusts but did not suffer from pneumoconiosis. Moreover, the patients and the controls were paired by 1:1. DNA was extracted from leucocytes by the hydroxybenzene chloroform method. The polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) techniques and PCR were used to examine polymorphism of IL-1alpha (-889), IL-1beta (-511) and IL-1Ra (+2018) and variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) of IL-1Ra. After the preliminary experiment, the most adaptive PCR reaction, the restriction enzyme digest and electrophoresis system were used., Results: The difference in IL-1alpha (-889) 1/2 + 2/2 between the pneumoconiosis patients and the controls was significant (P < 0.01). The result of conditional Logistic regression showed that heterozygote and allele 2 of IL-1a (-889) were risk factors of pneumoconiosis. The difference in the genotype frequencies of IL-1beta (-511) 1/2 + 2/2, IL-1Ra (+2018) 1/2 + 2/2 and IL-Ra VNTR1/2 + 2/2 between the patients and the controls were not statistically significant (P > 0.05)., Conclusion: IL-1alpha (-889) gene polymorphism is related to pneumoconiosis. Workers with IL-1alpha (-889) allele 2 are susceptible to the pneumoconiosis. The relationship between IL-1beta (-511), IL-1Ra (+2018), IL-1Ra VNTR genes polymorphisms and pneumoconiosis are not found.

Objective: To explore the relationship between polymorphisms of DNA repair gene XRCC1 and susceptibility to radiation injury., Methods: In 1:1 case-control study, 113 abnormal chromosome workers exposed to ionizing radiation were selected as cases and 113 normal chromosome as controls who matched with case for sex, age (+/- 5 years), nation, type of work, the same or more but in 2 years work length and the same similar levels of the cumulative exposure radiation dose. Genotypes were analysed using PCR based restriction fragment length polymorphism techniques., Results: The frequency of XRCC1 26304TT allele in case group (18.58%) was significantly higher than that in control group (7.08%), with OR for radiation damage being 3.47 (95% CI 1.43 - 8.44, P < 0.05). No association was observed between XRCC1 G27466A and G28152A and susceptibility to radiation injury., Conclusion: The mutation of XRCC1 C26304T is related with the susceptibility to radiation injury. The polymorphisms of XRCC1 G27466A and G28152A are not found to have association with abnormal chromosomes.

Transfer of the herpes simplex virus type I-thymidine kinase gene, followed by the administration of ganciclovir (HSV1-tk/GCV) into ovarian cancer-derived cell line either in vitro or transplanted into nude mice has been shown to provide a potential strategy for the gene therapy of ovarian cancer. We investigated the antitumor effects of HSV1-tk/GCV strategy with a chemically induced rat ovarian cancer model and a tumor-selective gene delivery by a novel nonviral gene delivery system (GE7) through the ovarian artery and tail vein. We demonstrated the expression of a reporter gene, beta-gal gene, as well as HSV1-tk gene in tumors and other organs, evaluated the overall antitumor effects after the GCV treatment and analyzed the tumor cell cycle phase distribution. Via the ovarian artery route, the expressions of beta-gal and HSV1-tk in tumors were significantly stronger than those expressed in such organs as the hearts, livers, spleens, lungs and kidneys. However, no beta-gal and HSV1-tk were detected in the tumor tissues when administrated via the tail vein, and little was found in other organs. The cell cycle analysis showed that the total S-phase of tumor cells in the test intra-arterial treatment group was considerably higher than that of the controls. The weight of the tumor tissues in the group treated by the intra-arterial route (4.06+/-2.12 g) was much less than the group treated intravenously (18.25+/-8.34 g) (P<.01). These findings indicated that the administration of GE7/HSV1-tk complex via the ovarian artery route could be a promising avenue of future human ovarian cancer treatment.

Objective: To explore the relationship between the polymorphism of HLA-DRB1*, DQB* genes and the susceptibility of pneumoconiosis., Methods: 1:1 case-control study was adopted. one hundred and thirteen cases of I grade pneumoconiosis were investigated. The control group were workers exposed to dust, who were the same sex, nationality, work place, time of beginning exposure and the cumulative exposure ages not over 2 years. PCR-SSP was used to detect 9 alleles in HLA-DRB1*, DQB1*. Information on related factors of pneumoconiosis was collected using a questionnaire. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were carried out with 1:1 case-control methodology., Results: The frequency of HLA-DRB1*08 allele in case group was significantly higher than that of the controls (OR: 6.000; 95% CI: 1.9060 - 18.9414). The frequencies of HLA-DRB1*09, HLA-DQB1*06 in case group were significantly lower than those of the controls (OR: 0.259, 0.300; 95% CI: 0.1436 - 0.6268, 0.1149 - 0.5837 respectively). There were significant relationship between HLA-DRB1*08, HLA-DRB1*09, HLA-DQB1*06 alleles and pneumoconiosis after adjusting age, smoking, beginning age of exposure and cumulative length of exposure with multivariate logistic regression analysis (OR: 7.804, 0.225, and 0.269; 95% CI: 2.077 - 29.307, 0.083 - 0.609 and 0.117 - 0.613 respectively. Survival analysis showed that HLA-DQB1*06 allele was a protective factor and HLA-DRB1*08 allele was a risk factor for affecting pneumoconiosis latent period., Conclusion: HLA-DRB1*08 allele may be the susceptible risk gene for pneumoconiosis. HLA-DQB1*06 may be the protective gene against developing pneumoconiosis.

Objective: To investigate the inhibitory effects of adenovirus transduced TFPI-2 gene on the growth of laryngeal squamous carcinoma., Methods: Recombinant adenoviruses carrying human TFPI-2 gene were amplified and identified. The nude mouse model of laryngeal squamous carcinoma was established by intracutaneous injection of Hep-2 cells. Mice in the treated group were injected with recombinant adenoviruses with Ad-TFPI-2 (adenoviruses-TFPI-2) in peritumor tissue while mice in control group were injected with equivalent null plasmids. After treatment, the tumor weight and volume of tumor in each mouse were measured respectively. The morphological changes of tumor cells were observed using transmission electron microscope and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression was examined using immunohistochemistry., Results: The Ad-TFPI-2 virus titer was 2.8 x 10(12) PFU/ml after amplification. The average tumor weight and volume in Ad-TFPI-2 treated group were (1.20 +/- 0.34) cm3 and the volume (1.52 +/- 0.39) g, which were significantly lower than the tumor weight (2. 08 +/- 0.52) cm3 and (2.67 +/- 0.47) g in the control group (P < 0. 01). Apoptosis was observed in the tumors of Ad-TFPI-2 treated group. The PCNA index in Ad-TFPI-2 group was (54.9% +/- 12.4%), which was obviously lower than that (75.8% +/- 11.2%)in control group (P < 0.01)., Conclusion: Peritumor injection of Ad-TFPI-2 can inhibit the growth of laryngeal squamous carcinoma in nude mouse model.

Objective: To investigate the clinical features, hereditary pattern, neuroimaging characteristics and diagnostic method of cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL)., Methods: A systematic study on the clinical manifestations, neuroimaging characteristics, pathology and molecular genetics was performed. An investigation on the onset and hereditary pattern of the family tree of the proband was also done., Results: The main clinical features of the proband including history of recurrent ischemic stroke, poor memory/cognition or dementia were noted. Fifteen cases pertaining to 4 generations of the proband with clinical or subclinical onset and confirmed classical family history of autosomal dominant hereditary were studied. Neuroimaging examination showed subcortical multiinfarct lesions and leukoencephalopathy. Electron microscope examination of the skin. Biopsy indicated thickening of basement membrane and presence of granular osmiophilic material (GOM) in the arterioles. A mutation on the fourth exon of notch 3 gene was revealed. Migraine, hypertension, diabetes and risk factors of arteriosclerosis were not found. All the features mentioned above in this family are in conformity with the diagnostic standard of CADASIL., Conclusions: It is possible to define CADASIL clinically by way of studying the clinical features, hereditary pattern, neuroimaging characteristics, skin biopsy and sequencing of gene without resorting to brain biopsy.

Objective: To improve the outcome of the face-lift with a craniofacial contouring procedure., Methods: Thirty-seven patients aged 29-53 years (31 in female, 6 in male) were treated through a bicoronal incision. The facial tissue was lifted through a subperiosteal procedure and the facial skeleton was remodeled in three dimensions by osteotomies., Results: The results were satisfactory after the 3-12 months of the follow-ups., Conclusions: The Face-lift combined with the facial aesthetic sculpturing may be more effective for the aging-face rejuvenating.

Objective: To evaluate the inhibitory effect of endostatin on tumor growth of human laryngeal squamous carcinoma in nude mice and to explore the possible mechanism of the inhibition and the possible way of biological therapy., Methods: Nude mice model bearing laryngocarcinoma was established by using human laryngeal squamous carcinoma cell line ( Hep-II). The animals were given endostatin (20 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) or PBS, for 21 consecutive days. The volumes of the subcutaneous tumor were observed. The microstructure in which the general 2-step immuohistochemical examination was adopted and ultra-microstructural changes of carcinoma after administration of endostatin were observed under light and electron microscopes for pathology examination., Results: The differences were statistically significant for the net mice weight, tumor weight, and tumor volume and weight/net mice weight between the treatment group and the control group. The restrained percentage of tumor was 45.9%. The necrosis and apoptosis of the tumor cell and the angiogenesis reduction were found under light and electron microscope in the treatment group. The expression of MVD, PCNA and VEGF of the treatment group is lower than that of the control group, and T test showed that P < 0.01, P < 0.05, P < 0.05 respectively, the differences were statistically significant., Conclusions: These studies showed that endostatin could significantly restrain the development of laryngocarcinoma. The mechanism may be due to the effect of antiangiogesis.

Background & Objective: Matrilysin (matrix metalloproteinases-7, MMP-7) might play an important role in invasion and metastasis of tumor and is thought to be related to prognosis of many kinds of carcinomas. This study was designed to investigate the significance of MMP-7 expression in the invasion and metastasis of laryngeal cancer and the relationship of MMP-7 expression with the prognosis of laryngeal cancer., Methods: The expression of MMP-7 in 70 samples with paraffin-embedded laryngeal cancer and corresponding para-tumor normal mucosas were using immunohistochemical technique. The mRNA expression of MMP-7 were examined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in 24 frozen specimens of laryngeal cancer and corresponding para-tumor normal mucosas., Results: (1) The immunohistochemical staining of MMP-7 was observed in 77.1% (54/70) of cancer tissues, which was significantly higher than that (5.7%, 4/70) of para-tumor normal mucosas (P< 0.01). The mRNA expression of MMP-7 was detected in 75.0% (18/24) of cancer tissues, which was also significantly higher than that (4.2%, 1/24) of para-tumor normal mucosas (P< 0.01). (2) The expression of MMP-7 in protein level was hot only higher in T3-T4 group than that in T1-T2 group (P< 0.01) but also higher in nodal metastases group than that in group without nodal metastases (P< 0.01). (3) The mRNA expression of MMP-7 was significantly higher in T3-T4 group than that in T1-T2 group (2.908 +/- 0.891 vs.1.662 +/- 0.508, P< 0.01) and was significantly higher in nodal metastases group than that in group without nodal metastases (2.958 +/- 0.827 vs. 1.887 +/- 0.769,P< 0.01). (4) Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed that the prognosis of group with MMP-7 protein high expression was poorer than that in group of MMP-7 protein weak or negative expression (log-rank=4.7559, 8.9513; P=0.0292, 0.0028). No significant difference was found between group with MMP-7 protein weak expression and group with that negative expression (log-rank=0.0314, P= 0.8593)., Conclusion: MMP-7 possesses close relationship with the invasion, metastasis, and prognosis of laryngeal cancer, and it may be served as a marker in estimating the invasive and metastatic potency and prognosis of laryngeal cancer.

Objective: To evaluate the relationship of six single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs) and their haplotypes of angiotensinogen(AGT) gene to essential hypertension(EH) in Chinese Han population., Methods: The genotypes in 185 patients with EH and 185 healthy controls were determined by the method of ABI PRISM SNaPshot Multiplex Kit using six AGT gene polymorphisms at position -217(G/A), -152(G/A), -20(A/C) and -6(G/A) in the promoter region and T174M, M235T in exon 2., Results: The distribution of AGT genotypes and alleles frequencies showed no significant difference between the group of EH and group of controls (P>0.05). However, haplotype analysis revealed that H4 haplotype frequency, which included -152A, -20C, -6A and 235T alleles, was significantly increased in the group of EH (P<0.05)., Conclusion: G-152A, A-20C, G-6A and M235T polymorphisms of AGT gene might play an important role in the occurrence of EH in Chinese Han population.

The cellular ultrastructural morphology, grain filling ratio and activity of related enzymes during denucleation development stage in starchy endosperm cell of an Indica rice variety Zhongxian 8836 were observed and analyzed. The endosperm cellularization was completed at about the 3rd day after flowering (DAF). At 5 DAF a few endosperm cells initiated denucleation development. At 13 DAF almost all the starchy endosperm cells completed their denucleation. The nuclear degradation is the first stage of programmed cell death (PCD) in starchy endosperm. It occurred unsynchronously among different starchy endosperm cells. The nuclear degradation of starchy endosperm cell during denucleation development stage showed not only morphological features commonly observed in animal and plant PCD, but also some unique characteristics. Mitochondria degeneration was observed along with nuclear degradation, indicating there were interrelations between the two processes. Enzymes related to PCD, such as super-oxide dismutases (SOD) and catalase (CAT), as well as enzymes related to starch synthesis, such as ADP-glucose pyriphosphorylase (AGP), soluble starch synthase (SSS) and starch branching enzyme or Q-enzyme, showed very high activity during the denucleation development stage. Maximum grain filling rate and grain weight increase were also achieved in the denucleation developing stage of most starch endosperm cells. The denucleated cell remained alive in the developing endosperm, keeping its normal metabolisms, the synthesis and accumulation of starch and storage proteins. However, enzyme activities and grain filling rate were apparently dropped to a lower level after denucleation. The starchy endosperm cell finally completed its PCD process when it was completely filled with reserves. Evan's blue staining indicated that cell death occurred unsynchronously among the starchy endosperm cells with initiation points randomly distributed in the endosperm tissue.

Background and Aims: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype C is associated with the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), compared with genotype B. This study aims to investigate whether HBV genotypes influence the clinicopathologic features and long-term prognosis of patients after curative resection of HCC., Methods: Stored serum samples from 62 patients with HBV-related HCC were tested for HBV genotype using a molecular method., Results: Sixty of 62 patients (96.8%) undergoing curative resection of HCC were infected with genotype B or C. Concomitant cirrhosis was encountered more frequently in patients with genotype C. During a mean follow-up period of 26.3 +/- 9.8 months, patients with genotype B had a lower overall tumor recurrence rate than those with genotype C (22% vs. 46%; P = 0.04). Stepwise multiple Cox proportional hazards regression analysis showed that multiplicity of tumor (hazard ratio, 6.84; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.45-32.2; P = 0.02) was associated with tumor recurrence, whereas genotype C and age were associated with borderline significance (P = 0.06). Stratified analysis showed that genotype C was still associated with tumor recurrence in cirrhotic patients with borderline significance by univariate analysis (hazard ratio, 3.8; 95% CI, 0.84-17.6; P = 0.07). However, cumulative 2-year survival rates were similar between patients with genotype B and C (92% vs. 85%; P = 0.23)., Conclusions: Our data suggest that patients with HCC with genotype C have a greater tumor recurrence rate after curative resection of HCC compared with those with genotype B. Prolonged follow-up is needed to clarify the impact of HBV genotype on postoperative outcome.

Aim: To discover single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promoter region of angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1) gene and evaluate their associations with the occurrence of essential hypertension (EH) and coronary heart disease (CHD) in Chinese Han population., Methods: SNPs detection was performed by PCR-sequencing. The genotype was determined by the same method in a total number of 473 unrelated patients including 160 EH cases, 128 CHD cases, and 185 EH combined with CHD cases as well as 160 healthy controls., Results: Six SNPs were discovered in the promoter region of AT1 gene. -810A/T was almost in completely linkage disequilibrium with -713G/T, -214A/C, -213G/C, and -153A/G polymorphisms. No statistically association was found in our population between -810A/T polymorphism and EH, the association of -810A allele and CHD was of borderline significant (chi2=3.649, P=0.056). However, significant differences of genotype distributions were observed in the EH combined with CHD group (TT=126, TA=51, AA=8) compared with the EH patients (TT=127,TA=26, AA=7, chi2=6.410, P=0.041) and the healthy controls (TT=130, TA=24, AA=6, chi2=7.742, P=0.021). The EH combined with CHD patients had a significantly increased A allele frequency than the normal references (0.181 vs 0.106, chi2=7.690, P=0.006) and the EH subjects (0.181 vs 0.125, chi2=4.119, P=0.042). Hypertensive patients carrying TA genotype (OR=1.977, 95 % CI 1.160-3.354, P=0.011) or A allele (OR=1.548, 95 % CI 1.015-2.361, P=0.043) had an increased risk for CHD morbidity., Conclusion: we firstly report that -810A/T polymorphism in the promoter region of AT1 gene might be a genetic risk factor for the pathogenesis of CHD complicated with EH in Chinese Han population.

Objective: To bring forward a method to improve the prominence of the forehead contour., Methods: 16 patients(age 29-53 years, female 11, male 5) were treated through a bicoronal incision. Following the incision, the forehead soft tissues are reflected down to the level of the superior orbital rims with the protection to the supraorbital neurovascular bundles. To adjust the forehead contour, both superior orbital rims and frontal bossing was reduced by burring down the excess bone or removing the anterior wall of the forehead., Results: The operative effect were satisfactory during 3-12 months of follow-up. No recurrence or osteogenesis were found in the cases. Nasofrontal angle and forehead angle were normal. The prominence of the supraorbital ridges disappeared and forehead became nature., Conclusion: Cranioplasty via an osteomy or burring of the outer line of forehead bone are safe, compact and effective way to improve the prominence of the superior orbital rims or frontal bossing.

beta-1,3-glucanase(BG2) is one of the pathogensis-related-proteins(PR). Study of these proteins and their related genes is one of the hot points in plant genetic engineering of disease resistance for a long time. In this research, specific primers were designed with the enzyme cleavage site of Spe I in its forward one and Not I site in the backward according to the BG2 gene sequence. Using this pair of primers, BG2 gene, which was contained in the plasmid of pRTL2, was amplified and confirmed by sequencing the amplified fragment inserted into T-easy vector. The positive clone containing BG2 gene was digested with the enzymes of Spe I/Not I and then BG2 gene was inserted into the Xba I/Not I sites of super expression binary vector pATC940. The reconstructed expression vector named as pATCBG2 was introduced into the wheat of Longfumai10 and Longfumai3 (Triticum aestivum L. em. Thell) through the particle gun transformation method. The Kanamysin resistant (Km') transformants were obtained. PCR, Dot-blotting and PCR-Southern hybridization analysis showed that the BG2 gene was integrated into the genome of wheat. Result of pathogen inoculation assay on the transgenic plants showed that the transgenic plants had a higher resistant disease score of 1-2 grade than the control.

Aim: To investigate the effects of high glucose on expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in rat aortic smooth muscle cells and the influence of matrix remodeling on atherogenesis in diabetic patients., Methods: The smooth muscle cells were cultured from the thoracic aorta of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat. MMP-2 mRNA was determined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), MMP-2 protein was measured by Western blotting, and MMP-2 activity in conditioned medium was observed by zymography., Results: In comparison with the control, there was no difference in the expression of MMP-2 when glucose concentration was 1 g/L, whereas MMP-2 activity in smooth muscle cells was significantly increased by the glucose 5 g/L (P<0.01)., Conclusion: High glucose enhanced the expression and activity of MMP-2 in smooth muscle cells, which may provide an explanation for the phenomenon that diabetes patients are prone to have atherosclerotic lesions.

ESR spectroscopy was used to investigate the production of reactive oxygen radicals in adriamycin (ADM) and its iron complex. The results showed that ADM-Fe(3+) induced the production of oxygen radicals more efficiently than ADM. The damage of BSA mediated by ADM or ADM-Fe(3+) was investigated by measuring the increase of reactive carbonyl content and the decrease of the fluorescence intensity of the Trp residue. It was shown that the damage of bovine serum albumin (BSA) was dependent on the time and on the concentration of ADM or ADM-Fe(3+). Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicated that BSA was not cross-linked nor fragmented by the effect of ADM or ADM-Fe(3+). It was also found that oxygen radical scavengers could inhibit the damage of BSA induced by ADM or ADM-Fe(3+), suggesting that ADM or ADM-Fe(3+) induced protein damage via the oxygen radicals produced in the reaction.

Objective: To study the laryngeal function reconstruction with sternohyvoid muscle after partial laryngectomy to treat T2 phase of glottis cancer., Methods: 66 patients diagnosed to be at T2 phase of glottis cancer were treated by partial laryngectomy from 1992 to 1998. At the same time, they were rebuilt vocal cords with sternohyvoid muscle., Results: All patients were decannulated from 2 to 3 weeks. They renewed own respiration, swallow and voice function. Overall three-year survival rate was 97.0% and five-year survival rate was 93.8%., Conclusion: New operation is superior than traditional one in improving survival rate and life quality.

Southern corn rust (SCR) is a destructive disease in maize. The inbred line Qi319 is highly resistant to southern corn rust. The inheritance of resistance to southern rust in Qi319 was investigated. Five F1 hybrids were derived from Qi319 crossed with five susceptible inbred lines respectively. The F2 generations were produced by F1 self-pollinated and BC1 F1 generations were abtained by backcrossing F1 with the susceptible parents. Inoculation of the P1, P2, F1 s and 10 individuals of F2, BC1 F1 were completed with the southern corn rust pathogen and showed that all of the 10 F1 s were resistant, the all 5 F2 populations segregated in a ratio of 3R:1S, and all of the 5 BC1 F1 populations segregated in a ratio of 1R:1S. Therefore, it is considered that Qi319 carries one dominant gene for resistance to southern corn rust.

Objective: To investigate the types of lipid disorder and its relationship with macrovascular diseases and insulin resistance in Chinese diabetic patients., Methods: 2,430 diabetic patients finished the diabetes complications assessment and were surveyed on their blood lipids, insulin level and macrovascular diseases. The insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated based on HOMA model., Results: Prevalence of lipids disorder was as high as 63.8% in this group, including 23.9% with both hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia (HY-C-T), 16.1% with hypercholesterolemia only (HY-C), 15.0% with hypertriglyceridemia only (HY-T), 5.5% with lower HDL level (L-HDL), 3.3% with hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia and lower HDL level together. Compared with the patients with normal lipid level (control group), no duration differences existed among these groups. There were more female patients in HY-C and HY-C-T groups. BMI and WHR were higher in all groups with lipid disorder except in HY-C group. Macrovascular diseases were more common in HY-C-T patients than in control group (33.6% vs 24.0%, P < 0.001). Average blood pressure and the prevalence of hypertension were significantly higher in HY-C-T, HY-C, HY-T groups than in control group (139/79, 138/76, 134/77 vs. 132/75 mmHg; 53.2%, 50.1%, 46.2% vs. 39.2%). Fasting insulin level was significantly higher in HY-C-T and HY-C-T-L-LDL groups than in controls. Insulin resistance was more severe in all patients with lipid disorder except in L-HDL group, particularly in the HY-C-T-L-HDL group., Conclusions: (1) BMI, WHR increased significantly with the severity of lipid disorder. (2) Nearly two thirds of Chinese diabetic patients have lipid disorder, which is the strong risk factor of macrovascular diseases and aggravates insulin resistance. (3) There was severe insulin resistance in patients with hypertriglyceridemia or with hypertriglyceridemia plus other lipid disorder.