[Gray matter morphological changes in children with cleft palate speech disorder].

Objective: To analyze the morphological changes of gray matter in clefts lip and palate (CLP) children using voxel-based morphometric (VBM) and surface-based morphometric (SBM) methods. So as to provide a reference for the neural mechanism of cleft palate speech disorder (CPSD) in CLP population. Methods: A total of 29 CLP children with CPSD who were admitted to Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Plastic & Tramuma Surgery, Capital Medical University School of Stomatology from January 2017 to January 2022 were selected (CLP group), including 9 males and 20 females, aged (9.6±3.2) years (5-17 years old). During the same period, 33 healthy children (healthy control group) were recruited in Beijing Children's Hospital, including 9 males and 24 females, aged (9.6±2.4) years (5-16 years). Results: There were no significant differences in age and gender between the healthy control group and the CLP group (t=-0.07, P=0.944; χ2=0.11, P=0.745). Compared with the healthy control group, the left inferior temporal gyrus, right inferior parietal angular gyrus, and left upper cerebellar gray matter volume in the CLP group were significantly decreased (P<0.05), and the volume of the right medial superior frontal gyrus was significantly increased (P<0.05). The left inferior frontal gyrus insula and the right insula cortical thickness of the subjects in the CLP group were significantly thinner [family-wise error rate (FWER) correction, P=0.035]. The right hemisphere cingulate gyrus isthmus sulcus index increased in the CLP group (FWER correction, P=0.040). Conclusions: CLP children with speech disorder have multiple language-related brain regions with reduced gray matter (GM) volume, decreased cortical thickness, and increased gyrificaition index. The abnormal changes in GM morphology in these brain regions may be related to the characteristics of cleft palate speech disorder in the CLP population.

Orally administered resveratrol enhances the therapeutic effect of autologous transplanted adipose-derived stem cells on rats with diabetic hepatopathy.

Stem cell therapy is a promising treatment for hepatopathy due to diabetes mellitus (DM); oral resveratrol treatment exhibits protective effects. We investigated whether protective effects could be produced in liver of diabetic rats receiving autologous adipose-derived stem cell transplantation (ADSC) plus oral resveratrol administration. Male rats were divided into four groups: sham group; streptozotocin induced DM group; DM + ADSC group, in which DM rats were treated with 106 stem cells/rat; and DM + R + ADSC group, in which DM rats were treated with ADSC and oral resveratrol. The DM group exhibited apoptosis, inflammation and fibrosis, whereas Sirt-1 and survival signaling were suppressed. Pathological conditions other than survival signaling were improved in the DM + ADSC group. All pathological conditions were improved in the DM + R + ADSC group. Also, the oxidative stress level in the blood was reduced in the DM + R + ADSC group compared to the sham group. Oral resveratrol administration appears to reduce oxidative damage and enhances survival signaling in diabetic liver. The therapeutic response in the DM + R + ADSC group was better than in the DM + ADSC group.

[Characteristics of secretory otitis media in children with cleft palate and timing of intervention of tympanic membrane].

Objective:To explore the characteristics of otitis media with effusion(OME) in children with cleft palate(CP),including the incidence rate, age peak,relationship between cleft palate type and OME. And to explore the timing of VTI intervention in CP children with OME.Method: This study included congenital CP children who were plant to do palatoplasty.They all finished acoustic impedance tests and auditory brainstem responses(ABR) before surgery.Analyze the characteristics of OME and compare the hearing effects and complications between CP children underwent palatoplasty with VTI and those underwent palatoplasty without VTI.Result:The incidence of OME in CP children is 82% and the average is (11.59±6.60) months.The average ABR V wave threshold of CP children with OME is 46.5 dB nHL,of which about 68% children had moderate hearing loss. The latency of Ⅰ,Ⅲ and Ⅴ waves was prolonged, and there was no change in wave interval compared with whom without OME. The type of cleft palate was not related to the incidence of OME(χ²=2.532, P=0.639).Compared with the preoperative hearing thresholds, the percentage of hearing recovery in 1 month,6 months and 12 months after VTI was 92.4%, 92.2% and 96.2% respectively.Persistent OME still exists in 41% of the children in the only palatoplasty group after operation.Conclusion: It is found that the incidence of OME in CP children is higher, the average age is earlier, and the degree of hearing loss is greater. Thus, no matter what the the type of cleft palate is,the doctors should pay attention to the hearing status of the CP children.If they are accompanied by OME with hearing loss, VTI is needed at the same time of palatoplasty.Palatoplasty alone has limitations on hearing improvement in some children with cleft palate.

[The significance of eosinophils in the correlation of upper and lower airway inflammation in patients with chronic rhinitis].

Objective: To explore the predictor of lower airway inflammation among the index of nasal inflammation by investigating the expression and association of eosinophils (EOS) in the upper-lower airways and blood of patients with chronic rhinitis. Methods: A total of 162 patients with allergic rhinitis (AR), 117 patients with non-allergic rhinitis (NAR) and 104 controls were enrolled from June 2010 to December 2013 from General Hospital of Eastern Theater Command, People's Liberation Army. All subjects were required detailed medical history collection and nasal resistance measurement. Skin prick test (SPT), blood total immunoglobin E (tIgE) and blood EOS, nasal lavage and induced sputum EOS, nasal provocation and bronchial provocation test (NPT, BPT), nasal and forced exhaled nitric oxide (NNO, FeNO) were performed in all patients. One-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between groups. LSD t test or Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison between the two groups. Pearson or Spearman related parameter test was used for correlation analysis. Results: The nasal lavage EOS, NNO, induced sputum EOS, FeNO, blood EOS and tIgE were higher in the AR group than that in the NAR group (3.70[1.20, 14.23]/200 HP vs 1.40[0.20, 3.40]/200 HP, 673.50[466.80, 936.00] ppb vs 455.80[248.10, 705.60] ppb, 2.97[0.00, 10.63]% vs 1.00[0.23, 2.00]%, (49.28±26.37)ppb vs (34.07±19.11)ppb, 4.00[2.00, 7.00]% vs 2.00[1.00, 5.00]%, 208.01[61.70, 387.50] IU/ml vs 43.30[19.00, 122.00] IU/ml, F or χ(2) value was 11.442, 19.440, 70.727, 69.449, 47.453, 46.525, respectively, all P<0.05). But there was no significant difference in nasal resistance, NPT and BPT between the two groups. Nasal lavage EOS in AR group and NAR group was correlated with induced sputum EOS, FeNO, tIgE and blood EOS (r value of AR group was 0.448, 0.202, 0.159, 0.321, r value of NAR group was 0.442, 0.268, 0.268, 0.334, respectively, all P<0.05), but not with BPT. After adjustment for gender, age, height and weight, nasal EOS was positively correlated with sputum EOS. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that nasal EOS, blood EOS and SPT were factors affecting sputum EOS levels. The optimal threshold for nasal EOS to determine induced sputum EOS was 3.30/200 HP by (receiver operating characteristic,ROC) analysis. Conclusion: The nasal EOS is correlated with multiple lower airway and systemic inflammatory markers, and is a risk factor for the induced sputum EOS, which can be used as an inflammation biomarker to predict the lower air inflammation.

[Construction of latent membrane protein 2A chimeric antigen receptor-T cells and their lethal effects on nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells].

Objective: To produce latent membrane protein 2A (LMP2A) chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells and detect the lethal effect of LMP2A CAR-T cells on nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells. Methods: The study was conducted from September 2016 to December 2017.Genetic engineering technology was used to construct anti-LMP2A CAR lentiviral expression vector and sequencing was identified. The expression of anti-LMP2A CAR in the 293T cells was confirmed by western blot. CCK8 assay was used to evaluate the cytotoxicity of LMP2A CAR-T cells to NPC cells. ELISA assay was performed to test IL-2 and IFN-γ releasing of activated LMP2A CAR-T cells. The inhibition effect of LMP2A CAR-T cells on NPC xenograft tumor was observed in vivo. Statistical analysis was performed by statistical software SPSS 21.0. Results: The results of PCR and sequencing showed that anti-LMP2A CAR lentiviral expression vector was constructed successfully. The result of western blot indicated the expression of anti-LMP2A CAR in the 293T cells effectively. The results of CCK-8 assay showed that the killing activities of LMP2A CAR-T cells to LV-LMP2A-CNE1 cells were (72.11±9.75)%, (54.65 ±5.42)% and (36.68±3.80)% at 20∶1, 10∶1 and 5∶1 ratio of effective cells to target cells, and had a statistical difference compared to CD19 CAR-T cells and T cells (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the killing activities of LMP2A CAR-T cells to CNE1 cells compared with CD19 CAR-T cells and T cells. The results of ELISA showed that the content of IL-2 and IFN-γ in the co-culture supernatant of LMP2A CAR-T cells and LV-LMP2A-CNE1 cells was significantly higher than that of LMP2A CAR-T cells and CNE1 cells which had statistical difference (P<0.05); In vivo experiment, the volume of LMP2A CAR-T cell group was (80.3±10.0) mm(3) which was significantly lower than that of the control groups, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: LMP2A CAR-T cells are successfully prepared and have an obvious targeting cytotoxicity on LMP2A-positive NPC cells.

C-terminus of Hsc70-interacting protein (CHIP) enhances stemness properties of human Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cell.

Mesenchymal stem cells are an attractive source of multipotent cells in part because they are easy to obtain. Several E3 ligases regulate the stability and functions of various factors in different adult stem cells through the ubiquitylation pathway. We investigated the C-terminus of Hsc70-interacting protein (CHIP) E3 ligase that regulates pluripotency of human Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells (hWJMSC). We found that CHIP increases protein kinase B (Akt) phosphorylation by decreased expression of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), which suggests improvement of the survival pathway by CHIP over-expression. We also found that increased CHIP expression induced Sox2 and NANOG, which can promote stem cell self-renewal and prevent oxidative stress-induced senescence of hWJMSC by decreased p21. We found that CHIP could be used to enhance the multiple functions of hWJMSC.

[Analysis on treatment of eight extremely severe burn patients in August 2nd Kunshan factory aluminum dust explosion accident].

Objective: To summarize the measures and experience of treatment in mass extremely severe burn patients. Methods: The clinical data and treatment of 8 extremely severe burn patients in August 2 Kunshan factory aluminum dust explosion accident who were admitted in the 100th Hospital of PLA on August 2nd, 2014, were retrospectively analyzed. There were 4 males and 4 females, aging 22-45 (34±7) years, with total burn area of 55%-98% [(89±15)%] total body surface area (TBSA) and full-thickness burn area of 45%-97% [(80±21)%] TBSA. All the 8 patients were accompanied with severe shock, inhalation injury, and blast injury. According to the requirements of former PLA General Logistics Department and Nanjing Military Command, a treatment team was set up including a special medical unit and a special care unit, with Chai Jiake from the First Affiliated Hospital of PLA General Hospital as the team leader, Zheng Qingyi from the 175th Hospital of PLA (the Affiliated Dongnan Hospital of Xiamen University) as the deputy leader, the 100th Hospital of PLA as the treatment base, and burn care, respiratory, nephrology, nursing specialists from the First Affiliated Hospital of PLA General Hospital, and the burn care experts and nursing staff from the 180th Hospital of PLA, 118th Hospital of PLA, 98th Hospital of PLA, and 175th Hospital of PLA, and nurses from the 85th Hospital of PLA, 455th Hospital of PLA, 101th Hospital of PLA, 113th Hospital of PLA as team members. Treatment strategies were adopted as unified coordination by the superior, unified responsibility of team leader, division of labor and cooperation between team members, and multidisciplinary cooperation led by department of burns. With exception of one patient who received deep vein catheterization before admission, the other 7 patients were treated with deep vein catheterization 0.5 to 3.0 hours after admission to correct hypovolemic shock as soon as possible. Eight patients received tracheotomy, and 7 patients were treated with mechanical ventilation by ventilator in protective ventilation strategy with low tide volume and low volume pressure to assist breathing. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy was done one to three times for all the 8 patients to confirm airway injuries and healing status. Escharectomy and Meek dermatoplasty in the extremities of all the 8 patients were performed 3 to 6 days after injury for the first time. Escharectomy, microskin grafting, and covering of large pieces of allogeneic skin on the trunks of 4 patients were performed 11 to 16 days after injury for the second time. The broad-spectrum antibiotics were uniformly used at first time of anti-infective therapy, and then the antibiotics species were adjusted in time. The balance of internal environment was maintained and the visceral functions were protected. One special care unit was on responsibility of only one patient. Psychological intervention was performed on admission. The rehabilitative treatment was started at early stage and in company with the whole treatment. Results: Acute renal injury occurred in 5 patients within 36 hours after injury and their renal function was restored to normal 4 days after injury due to active adjustment of fluid resuscitation program. No pulmonary complications, such as severe pulmonary infection and ventilator-associated pneumonia, occurred in the survived patients. One of the 8 patients died, and the other 7 patients were cured successfully. The wounds were basically healed in 2 patients in 26 or 27 days by 2 or 3 times of operation, and in 5 patients by 4 or 5 times of operation. The basic wound healing time was 26-64 (48±15) days for all the 7 patients. Conclusions: Treatment strategies of unified coordination by the superior, unified responsibility of team leader, division of labor and cooperation between team members, and multidisciplinary cooperation led by department of burns are the bases to successful treatment. Correcting shock as soon as possible is the prerequisite and closing wound as soon as possible is the key to successful treatment. Comprehensive treatment measures, such as maintaining and regulating the function of viscera, improving the body immunity, and preventing and treating the complications, are the important components to successful treatment. It is emphasized that in the treatment of mass extremely severe burn patients, specialist burn treatment should always be in the dominant position, and other related disciplines may play a part in auxiliary function.

[Clinical observation of mometasone furoate nasal spray combined with montelukast sodium in the treatment of adenoid hypertrophy in children].

Objective:To study the clinical effect of mometasone furoate nasal spray combined with montelukast in the treatment of adenoid hypertrophy in children.Method:One hundred and thirty eight cases with adenoid hypertrophy were randomly divided into two groups, 69 cases in each group; the control group were treated with mometasone furoate nasal spray alone; the observation group were treated with mometasone furoate combined with oral montelukast. Adenoid nasopharynx ratio (A/N), and the proportion of overall recurrence after treatment of nasal obstruction were compared, also with snoring, mouth breathing rate, life quality score before and after treatment in the two groups, and finally compared the clinical total effective ratio.Result:Compared with before treatment, A/N of two groups of patients were significantly decreased, and the observation group decreased more significantly, the difference between the two groups was significant (P< 0.05); nasal obstruction, snoring, mouth breathing rate of observation group were significantly lower than the control group, and the recurrence rate also lower than the control group, the difference was statistically significant (P< 0.05). The quality of life scores, sleep disorder scores, physical status score and daily function score in the two groups were significantly decreased after treatment, and in observation group the three scores were decreased more significantly, the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P< 0.05). The total efficiency of the observation group was 94.1%, which was statistically higher than the control group (79.4%, P< 0.05).Conclusion:The clinical efficacy of mometasone furoate nasal spray combined with montelukast in the treatment of adenoid hypertrophy in children is significant, which can effectively reduce the adenoid nasopharynx ratio, improve the symptoms of snoring, mouth breathing, nasal congestion, improve the quality of life of patients, and the effective ratio was higher than single drug treatment, which was worthy to apply on clinic.

[The standardization of inflammation detecting methods in upper and lower airways].

Objective:To investigate the standardization of inflammation detecting methods in upper and lower airways. Method:After a five year cooperation with Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Diseases on inflammatory diseases of airways, we have found a series of evaluation methodology and normative values in upper and lower airways (NO), airway hyper reactivity and cytology (Eos). Result:The normative range of nasal and pulmonary NO is 400-900 ppb and 5-25 ppb respectively. The nasal resistance increased ≥100% and FEV1 fell ≥20% when compared with their respective baselines both illustrating a positive result. The positive value of nasal and pulmonary Eos are ≥2.00/HP and ≥2.5% respectively. Conclusion:The standardization of evaluation methods for upper and lower airway inflammation provides the methodology and research basis for follow-up studies of upper and lower airways.

[The impact of ambient fine particulate matter on the blood pressure of an urban population in Shanghai, China: a panel study].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) on the blood pressure of urban residents in Shanghai, China. METHODS: A panel study was conducted from May 27(th) to June 5(th) 2014 in a cohort of 30 adults in an urban community. Participants were 50-80 years old, had lived in the community for at least 5 years, and had a good health status. Key exclusion criteria were current smoking, smoking during the last 3 years, passive smoking, alcohol consumption, and severe cardiopulmonary disease. A total of 28 participants were eligible. Information on demographic characteristics, including of age, sex, height, weight, education, income and chronic comorbidities were collected. Participants were requested to have six weekly blood pressure measurements. Real-time concentrations of PM2.5 and gaseous pollutants were obtained from a nearby air quality monitor during 40 d. Pearson correlation was applied to analyze the correlation between PM2.5 and SO2, NO2, CO and O3. Linear mixed models were applied to analyze the association between PM2.5 and blood pressure, after controlling for time-related trends, day of the week, mean temperature, relative humidity and individual characteristics. RESULTS: The mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure was (124.0±15.0) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) and (74.0±7.7) mmHg, respectively. At 24 h before blood pressure measurement, the mean PM2.5, SO2, NO2, O3 and CO concentration were (8.3±4.9), (46.6±12.9) , (79.2±27.4) µg/m(3) and (0.8±0.2) mg/m(3). The Pearson correlation coefficient R, between PM2.5 and O3, SO2, NO2 and CO was 0.79, 0.59, 0.34 and 0.45, respectively, with corresponding P-values of <0.001, 0.006, 0.012 and 0.009, respectively. The significant correlation between PM2.5 and systolic blood pressure occurred at lag 1 day, was strongest at lag 3 day, but attenuated thereafter. A 10 µg/m(3) increase in 3-day average concentrations of PM2.5 was associated with changes of 1.86 (95%CI: 0.62-3.09) mmHg in systolic blood pressure and -0.05 (95%CI: 0.59-0.50) mmHg in diastolic blood pressure. CONCLUSION: Short-term exposure to PM2.5 may significantly elevate the systolic blood pressure of urban residents in Shanghai.

ß-Catenin overexpression causes an increase in inflammatory cytokines and NF-κB activation in cardiomyocytes.

ß-Catenin has been implicated in various developmental and physiological processes. Defective Wnt signaling can result in different cardiac and vascular abnormalities and is activated under pathological conditions such as inflammation and obesity. In this study, roles of ß-catenin in inflammation in cardiomyocytes were investigated. 10 samples from hearts of patients with acute infarction and 10 from normal ones were collected in order to access roles of ß-catenin in cardiomyocytes. H9c2 cardiomyoblasts and primary neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were transfected with porcine cytomegalovirus (pCMV)-ß-catenin plasmid in order to overexpress ß-catenin. Protein level of ß-catenin protein was increased in human acute infarction tissues compared to ones from normal patients. The transcription factor had increased nuclear localization in cardiomyocytes of the Wistar rats with cardiac hypertension. Furthermore, expression of fibrosis protein markers increased. Protein expression of ß-catenin was increased in human acute infarction inflammatory heart tissues and in hearts of inflammatory obesity rats. After pCMV-ß-catenin plasmid was transfected in a dose-dependent manner, inflammation protein markers, TNF-α and IL-8, were upregulated in hypertensive neonatal rat cardiomyocytes and H9c2 cardiomyoblasts. In addition, overexpression of ß-catenin induced activation and nuclear localization of NF-κB. Therefore, ß-catenin is a potential molecular target for treatment of inflammation and fibrosis in cardiomyocytes.

Right mini-parasternotomy may be a good minimally invasive alternative to full sternotomy for cardiac valve operations-a propensity-adjusted analysis.

AIM: Limited realworld data existed for miniparasternotomy approach with good sample size in Asian cohorts and most previous studies were eclipsed by case heterogeneity. The goal of this study was to compare safety and quality outcomes of cardiac noncoronary valve operations by miniparasternotomy and full sternotomy approaches on riskadjusted basis. METHODS: From our hospital database, we retrieved the cases of non-coronary valve operations from 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2012, including re-do, emergent, and combined procedures. Estimated EuroScore-II and propensity score for choosing mini-parasternotomy were adjusted for in the regression models on hospital mortality, complications (pneumonia, stroke, sepsis, etc.), and quality parameters (length of stay, ICU time, ventilator time, etc.). Non-complicated cases, defined as survival to discharge, ventilator use not over one week, and intensive care unit stay not over two weeks, were used for quality parameters. RESULTS: There were 283 miniparasternotomy and 177 full sternotomy cases. EuroScore-II differed significantly (medians 2.1 vs. 4.7, p<0.001). Propensity scores for choosing miniparasternotomy were higher with lower EuroScore-II (OR=0.91 per 1%, p<0.001), aortic regurgitation (OR=2.3, p=0.005), and aortic non-mitral valve disease (OR=3.9, p<0.001). Adjusted for propensity score and EuroScore-II, mini-parasternotomy group had less pneumonia (OR=0.32, p=0.043), less sepsis (OR=0.31, p=0.045), and shorter non-complicated length of stay (coefficient=7.2 (day), p<0.001) than full sternotomy group, whereas Kaplan-Meier survival, non-complicated ICU time, non-complicated ventilator time, and 30-day mortality did not differ significantly. CONCLUSION: The propensity-adjusted analysis demonstrated encouraging safety and quality outcomes for mini-parasternotomy valve operation in carefully selected patients.

MicroRNA-17-5p post-transcriptionally regulates p21 expression in irradiated betel quid chewing-related oral squamous cell carcinoma cells.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Betel nut chewing is associated with oral cavity cancer in Taiwan. OC3 is an oral carcinoma cell line that was established from cells collected from a long-term betel nut chewer who does not smoke. After we found that microRNA-17-5p (miR-17-5p) is induced in OC3 cells, we used this cell line to examine the biological role(s) of this microRNA in response to exposure to ionizing radiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A combined SYBR green-based real-time PCR and oligonucleotide ligation assay was used to examine the expression of the miR-17 polycistron in irradiated OC3 cells. The roles of miR-17-5p and p21 were evaluated with specific antisense oligonucleotides (ODN) that were designed and used to inhibit their expression. Expression of the p21 protein was evaluated by Western blotting. The clonogenic assay and annexin V staining were used to evaluate cell survival and apoptosis, respectively. Cells in which miR-17-5p was stably knocked down were used to create ectopic xenografts to evaluate in vivo the role of miR-17-5p. RESULTS: A radiation dose of 5 Gy significantly increased miR-17-5p expression in irradiated OC3 cells. Inhibition of miR-17-5p expression enhanced the radiosensitivity of the OC3 cells. We found that miR-17-5p downregulates radiation-induced p21 expression in OC3 cells and, by using a tumor xenograft model, it was found that p21 plays a critical role in increasing the radiosensitivity of OC3 cells in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSION: miR-17-5p is induced in irradiated OC3 cells and it downregulates p21 protein expression, contributing to the radioresistance of OC3 cells.

Influence of a 100-km ultra-marathon on hepatitis B carrier runners.

This study compares the serological markers between runners who are hepatitis B virus carries (HBVc) and runners who are non-HBVc in a 100-km ultra-marathon race. Blood samples of 8 HBVc and 18 non-HBVc runners were drawn 1 week before, immediately following, and 24 h after the race. Samples were analyzed and compared between the 2 groups for liver function tests, muscle damage markers and oxidative stress cytokines. For HBVc runners, HBV-DNA (hepatitis B virus-deoxyribonucleic acid) levels were also evaluated for virus reactivation. The results demonstrate a statistically significant increase in both immediate and 24-h post-race values for alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), compared with pre-race values. No statistically significant difference was observed between the 2 groups for the values of AST, LDH, CK, hs-CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α either before or after the race. There was also no statistically significant change in the levels of HBV-DNA in HBVc runners. These findings suggest that HBVc runners do not have higher risks of liver function impairment, muscle breakdown and inflammatory response compared to non-HBVc runners in such endurance races.

Lodox/Statscan facilitates the early detection of commonly overlooked extracranial injuries in patients with traumatic brain injury.

INTRODUCTION: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a common diagnosis in the emergency department. Brain computed tomography (CT) has become a standard diagnostic tool with which to examine TBI patients. Conventional X-rays are ineffective for the evaluation of torso or extremity injuries. In the current study, we attempted to establish a diagnostic modality to evaluate systemically initially unconscious patients in the emergency department with a rapid screening technique characterized by sufficient information, low cost and low radiation exposure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2008 to December 2009, patients with diminished level of consciousness received the Lodox/Statscan for evaluation of extracranial injuries were enrolled in this study. The accuracy of this diagnostic modality in detecting torso or extremity injuries in initially unconscious patients was analyzed by comparing the initial diagnosis (by the Lodox/Statscan) with the final diagnosis (confirmed by torso CT scan or after two weeks of follow-up). RESULTS: There were 1,210 patients with TBI whose extracranial injuries were evaluated by the Lodox/Statscan. After excluding intra-abdominal injuries, the overall sensitivity rates of the Lodox/Statscan in diagnosing torso injuries and extremity injuries were 89.7% and 90.2%, respectively. No long bone fracture was missed by the Lodox/Statscan. The sensitivity and specificity of the Lodox/Statscan in diagnosing long bone fractures were both 100%. Most patients with torso injuries that were missed by the Lodox/Statscan could be managed conservatively without further treatment or complications. All of the missed extremity injuries were distal bone fractures. CONCLUSION: The Lodox/Statscan can provide benefits for surveying extracranial injuries in patients with diminished level of consciousness. The Lodox/Statscan also emits a notably low dose of radiation and appears to be a relatively inexpensive adjunct to screen torso or extremity injuries in TBI patients.

Analysis of protein profiles in human epithelial ovarian cancer tissues by proteomic technology.

BACKGROUND: Screening in ovarian cancer is progressively finding out candidate genes and proteins which may work as screening biomarkers and play a role in tumor progression. We examined the protein expression patterns of ovarian cancer tissues using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of fight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). METHODS: Tissues from 36 ovarian cancers and 20 normal ovaries were examined by 2-DE. The images of silver stained gels were analyzed by ImageMaster 2D Elite. The peptide mixtures, after in-gel digestion, were determined by MALDI-TOF MS for fingerprinting. The de-isotope tryptic peptide profiles were matched by using the Mascot search engine based on the entire NCBI and Swiss-Prot protein databases. Western/dot blots were then applied to verify the findings. RESULTS: In ovarian cancer, 12 proteins that showed differential expressions were identified unequivocally. Among these proteins, five proteins (galectin-1, cathepsin B, ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase L1, HLA class II antigen DRB1-11 and heat shock protein 27) were up-regulated and seven proteins (cellular retinol-binding protein, transthyretin, SH3 binding glutamic-rich-like protein, tubulin-specific chaperone A, DJ-1, gamma-actin and tropomyosin 4) were down-regulated. CONCLUSION: The present study is the first to report the up-regulation of ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase L1 and the down-regulation of SH3 binding glutamic-rich-like protein, tubulin-specific chaperone A, and tropomyosin 4 in human ovarian cancer tissues. Further cloning and functional analysis of these salient proteins will provide more information on their pathophysiologic roles in ovarian cancer.

Antiproliferative effects of 2-methoxyestradiol alone and in combination with chemotherapeutic agents on human endometrial cancer cells.

OBJECTIVE: 2-methoxyestradiol (2-ME), an endogenous estradiol metabolite, has potent antiproliferative effects on cancer cells. However, its usefulness for treating endometrial cancer has not yet been fully explored. We investigated for the first time whether in vitro combinations of 2-ME with various chemotherapeutic agents might result in a synergistic inhibitory effect on the proliferation of human endometrial cancer cells. METHODS: As a model, two different human endometrial cancer cell lines, HEC-1-A and RL95-2, were used. These cells were treated with 2-ME alone or in combination with paclitaxel, cisplatin, or doxorubicin. Measurements to detect an antiproliferative effect were performed after 24, 48, and 72 hours using the MTT assays. RESULTS: In both endometrial cancer cell lines a significant synergistic effect of 2-ME with paclitaxel was observed. The combination of 2-ME and cisplatin was not synergistic and provided only additive effects. The antiproliferative effect of 2-ME was somewhat antagonized by doxorubicin. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that 2-ME has a direct antiproliferative effect on endometrial cancer cells. Our results also show a potential anticancer synergy between 2-ME and paclitaxel in vitro. On the other hand, no remarkable synergistic actions were observed between 2-ME and doxorubicin, suggesting that 2-ME may selectively enhance the anticancer actions of certain chemotherapeutic agents in human endometrial cancer. Therefore, combination therapy should be investigated further as an additional therapeutic option for advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer.

Tricuspid valve regurgitation and endomyocardial biopsy after orthotopic heart transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: Tricuspid valve regurgitation (TR) after heart transplantation (HTx) has been reported to be caused by endomyocardial biopsy (EMB), acute cellular rejection (ACR), or atrial anastomosis. We performed a prospective study of this problem among our HTx cohort. METHODS: From 1988 to 2006, we performed 274 HTx. Excluding cases within 1 year (2006), there were 178 patients in whom we had records of EMB dates, ACR grades (International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation [ISHLT], 1990), echocardiography-measured TR, and time-to-TR. Statistical analyses were performed using nonparametric comparisons, Spearman correlation, Kaplan-Meier time to failure curves, and Cox regression model. RESULTS: All 178 patients underwent a biatrial anastomosis and underwent 2631 EMB (median, 15 times per patient; range, 0-42). The median follow-up duration was 66 months (range 2 days-194 months). Up to December 31, 2006, there were 47 patients (47/178 = 26.4%) who developed moderate-to-severe TR, which differed significantly from the prevalence rate (24/39 = 61.5%) reported by another cardiac team (P = .001) that performed bicaval anastomoses in half of the cases (20/39 = 51%). Our 1-, 3-, and 10-year Kaplan-Meier incidence rates of remarkable TR were 14.7% (10.2%-20.8%), 19.4% (14.2%-26.2%), and 36.3% (27.2%-47.3%), respectively. A positive correlation was shown between each patient's EMB times and ACR but not TR grades, in terms of mean, maximum, or minimum over time (all P < .001 for null hypothesis of noncorrelation). Each patient's EMB times and number of definite ACRs (> or = ISHLT grade II) did not differ significantly between the two groups of remarkable versus nonremarkable TR. Remarkable TR was negatively predicted by each patient's EMB times (hazard ratio = 0.93; P = .010) but not by the ACR grades or the numbers of definite ACRs. CONCLUSION: Our cohort demonstrated that biatrial anastomosis, ACR, or EMB were not associated with the risk of remarkable TR. The protective effect of EMB on remarkable TR needs further investigation.

The influence of donor characteristics on survival after heart transplantation.

With improved immunosuppressive regimens, transplantation techniques, and postoperative care, heart transplantation (HTx) has been established as a definite therapy for end-stage heart disease. Because of a donor shortage, we have accepted marginal individuals. In this study, we identified donor-related factors influencing survival after HTx by retrospective analysis of recipient data after primary HTx from February 2002 to December 2006. The Cox regression model was used to examine the effects of the following variables on survival of 112 heart transplant recipients: demographic data of gender, age, body weight, donor-recipient body weight ratio; history of smoking, alcohol drinking, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hepatitis B surface antigen, anti-hepatitis C virus antibody; donor condication before transplantation including catecholamine doses, hypotension, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, creatine MB isoenzyme of creatine kinase (CK-MB), tropinin I, and cold ischemic time of the allograft. Catecholamines and smoking showed significant influences on HTx survival. In our series, the percentage of donors receiving inotropic support before donation was 88% (n = 99), and the percentage of donors with a history of smoking was 25% (n = 28). There was no influence of donor status of diabetes, hypertension, or hepatitis B or C infection on postoperative survival. Our results showed that inotropic support of and a history of smoking by the donor were significant factors influencing posttransplant survival.