[The Expression of microRNA-221 in Endometriosis and Its Impact on Endometrial Stromal Cells].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the expression of microRNA-221 (miR-221) in endometrial tissues and its impact on the proliferation of ectopic endometrial stromal cells. METHODS: Endometrial stromal cells were isolated, cultured and identified from normal endometrial tissues (taken from patients without endometriosis) and ectopic endometrial tissues (taken from patients with ovarian endometriosis). The expression of microRNA-221 was detected by stem-loop qRT-PCR. Changes in the expression of miR-221-3p in endometrial stromal cells exposed to estraldiol (10-8 mol/L) for 48 h were detected. The effects of miR-221-3p inhibitor on the expressions of miR-221-3p, phosphatase and tensin homology deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN) and cell proliferations were compared with those of the negative control (NC, 10 nmol/L). RESULTS: The expression of miR-221-3p in ectopic endometrial tissues was 4.2 times higher than that in normal endometrial tissues (P=0.039): 2.66 times higher in ectopic endometrial stromal cells compared with normal endometrial stromal cells (P=0.029). But no differences in the expression of miR-221-5p were found (P>0.05). No differences in the change of miR-221-3p expression after exposure to estrogen for 48h were found between normal and ectopic stromal cells. Inhibition of miR-221-3p function was associated with decreased cell proliferation (P=0.018) and increased expression of PTEN gene (P=0.021). CONCLUSION: The expression of microRNA-221 is upregulated in ectopic endometrial tissues and ectopic endometrial stroma cells. Inhibiting the function of miR-221-3p may result in increased PTEN expression and decreased cell proliferation in endometrial stromal cells.

Outcome and risk factors of early onset severe preeclampsia.

BACKGROUND: Early onset severe preeclampsia is a specific type of severe preeclampsia, which causes high morbidity and mortality of both mothers and fetus. This study aimed to investigate the clinical definition, features, treatment, outcome and risk factors of early onset severe preeclampsia in Chinese women. METHODS: Four hundred and thirteen women with severe preeclampsia from June 2006 to June 2009 were divided into three groups according to the gestational age at the onset of preeclampsia as follows: group A (less than 32 weeks, 73 cases), group B (between 32 and 34 weeks, 71 cases), and group C (greater than 34 weeks, 269 cases). The demographic characteristics of the subjects, complications, delivery modes and outcome of pregnancy were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: The systolic blood pressure at admission and the incidence of severe complications were significantly lower in group C than those in groups A and B, prolonged gestational weeks and days of hospitalization were significantly shorter in group C than those in groups A and B. Liver and kidney dysfunction, pleural and peritoneal effusion, placental abruption and postpartum hemorrhage were more likely to occur in group A compared with the other two groups. Twenty-four-hour urine protein levels at admission, intrauterine fetal death and days of hospitalization were risk factors that affected complications of severe preeclampsia. Gestational week at admission and delivery week were also risk factors that affected perinatal outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Early onset severe preeclampsia should be defined as occurring before 34 weeks, and it is featured by more maternal complications and a worse perinatal prognosis compared with that defined as occurring after 34 weeks. Independent risk factors should be used to tailor the optimized individual treatment plan, to balance both maternal and neonatal safety.

[Value of combining 64 multi-slice spiral computer tomography and serum amyloid A protein in surgical decision-making in rectal cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the accuracy and clinical value of combining 64 multi-slice spiral computer tomography (MSCT) and serum amyloid A protein (SAA) in the preoperative staging of rectal cancer. METHODS: Prospectively enrolled patients with rectal cancer from October 2007 to October 2008. The patients were randomly assigned into two groups: MSCT and SAA combined group: both MSCT and SAA combinative assessment were performed for preoperative evaluation; MSCT group: only MSCT was performed preoperatively for tumor staging. The accuracy of the preoperative T, N, M, and TNM staging and the concordance rate of predictive operative strategy were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Total of 225 cases with rectal cancer were enrolled in this study. There were 110 cases in MSCT and SAA combined group and 115 cases in MSCT group. The baseline characteristics was comparable between the two groups. For MSCT and SAA combined group, the accuracies of preoperative staging of T, N, M and TNM was 87.3%, 85.2%, 100% and 86.4%, respectively; and for MSCT group, the corresponding rates was 85.2%, 67.0%, 100% and 66.1%, respectively. Statistical differences was found in the accuracy of preoperative N and TNM staging between the two groups (P = 0.009 and 0.001, respectively). In addition, there was statistical difference in the accuracy of prediction to operative procedures between the two groups (94.7% vs. 81.7%, P = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Combinative assessment of MSCT and SAA could improve the accuracy of preoperative staging, and thus provide higher predictive coincidence rate of operative procedures.