NIMA-related kinase 2 regulates hepatocellular carcinoma cell growth and proliferation.

NIMA-related kinase 2 (Nek2) is often upregulated in human cancer and is important in regulating the cell cycle and gene expression, and maintaining centrosomal structure and function. The present study aimed to investigate the expression pattern, clinical significance, and biological function of Nek2 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). mRNA and protein levels of Nek2 were examined in HCC and corresponding normal liver tissues.

Changes in cardiac structure and function in a modified rat model of myocardial hypertrophy.

Aim: In this study we designed a modified method of abdominal aortic constriction (AAC) in order to establish a stable animal model of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). We also evaluated cardiac structure and function in rats with myocardial hypertrophy using echocardiography, and provide a theory and experimental basis for the application of drug interventions using the LVH animal model. We hope this model will provide insight into novel clinical therapies for LVH.

Alterations in cardiac structure and function in a modified rat model of myocardial hypertrophy.

This study was aimed to establish a stable animal model of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) to provide theoretical and experimental basis for understanding the development of LVH. The abdominal aorta of male Wistar rats (80-100 g) was constricted to a diameter of 0.55 mm between the branches of the celiac and anterior mesenteric arteries.

Efficacy of carbamazepine combined with botulinum toxin a in the treatment of blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm.

Purpose: To observe the efficacy of the combined treatment of carbamazepine and botulinum toxin A for blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm.

Methods: Fifty-eight patients with either blepharospasm or hemifacial spasm were randomly divided into treatment and control groups. In the treatment group, 30 patients were administered with local intramuscular injections of botulinum toxin A and oral carbamazepine 100 mg/time, 3 times a day for 60 days.

[Expression of connective tissue growth factor in colorectal cancer and its association with prognosis].

Objective: To investigate the expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in colorectal cancer(CRC) and its association with clinicopathologic parameters and overall survival rate.

Methods: Fresh tumor tissues and matched distal normal colon tissues were collected from 92 patients diagnosed as CRC by surgical operation. The expression level of CTGF mRNA was quantified by quantitative reverse transcription PCR.

Effectiveness of 3 surgical decompression strategies for treatment of multilevel cervical myelopathy in 3 spinal centers in China: a retrospective study.

Study Design: Retrospective multicenter study.

Objective: To compare clinical outcomes and surgical-related adverse events in patients with multilevel cervical myelopathy (MCM) undergoing simple anterior, simple posterior, or 1-stage posterior-anterior surgical decompression strategies.

Summary Of Background Data: Simple anterior, simple posterior, and 1-stage posterior-anterior surgical decompression strategies have been advocated for MCM treatment in both Western and Chinese populations.

[Experimental study of NK4 gene targeted therapy mediated by human telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter for colon cancer].

Objective: To investigate anti-tumor effect of the recombined adenovirus encoding NK4 gene regulated by human telomerase reverse transcriptase (HTERT) promoter (Ad HTERTp-NK4) on human colon cancer.

Methods: Colon cell line HCT116 was infected with Ad HTERTp-NK4. NK4 expression was determined by RT-PCR and Western blot.

[Studies on the effect of Ginkgo biloba extracts on NF-kappaB pathway].

Objective: To investigate NF-kappaB and IkappaBalpha activities in HL-60 induced by TNF-alpha in order to understand the molecular mechanism of GbE in asthma treatment.

Methods: The amount of IkappaBalpha in HL-60 cells stimulated by TNF-alpha and GbE was measured by western blotting. Plasmid pNF-kappaB-LuC was transfected and NF-kappaB activity was analyzed by measuring the expression level of luciferase.

[Variances of leptin mRNA in the adipose tissue of NAFLD rats intervened with the extracts of Polygonum cuspidatum compound].

The NAFLD rats were intervened with the extracts of Polygonum cuspidatum compound for 4 weeks. The reverse transcription and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) methods were used to detecte the relative level of leptin mRNA in the adipose tissue of intervenient and control groups. Their variances of fat and glucose in serum were detected with the biochemical methods.

[Inhibition of activator protein 4 gene expression by RNA interference in human colon carcinoma cell line SW480].

Objective: To construct an expression plasmid of siRNA against activator protein 4(AP-4) gene and to investigate its biological behavioral effect on human colon carcinoma cell line SW480.

Methods: The specific siRNA target exon 7 of AP-4 gene was constructed and transfected into SW480 cells by liposome. Expression levels of AP-4 mRNA and protein from SW480 after transfection were examined by RT-PCR and Western blot respectively.

[Effects of radix Astragali injection on apoptosis of lymphocytes and immune function in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus].

Objective: To investigate the effect of Radix Astragali Injection on apoptosis of lymphocytes and immune function in treating patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods: Eighty SLE patients were randomly assigned into the routine treatment group (RT) treated with conventional therapy and the Radix Astragali treated group (RA) treated with Radix Astragali Injection besides routine treatment. The expressions of Fas and Bcl-2 antigen on lymphocytes and the changes of T lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood before and after treatment were observed.

[Evaluation of tympanoplasty with reconstruction of the external canal after mastoidectomy for cholesteatoma].

Objective: To investigate the method to repair the deletion of external canal and opened mastoid space after mastoidectomy.

Method: One stage tympanoplasty with reconstruction of the external canal with temporal cortex was completed in 58 cases (58 ears) with cholesteatoma.

Result: During the follow-up ranging from one to three years, there was only one relapse.

[Morphological changes in intestinal villi after severe burns in rats].

Objective: To investigate the morphological changes in intestinal villi after severe burns in rats, so as to explore its possible relationship with enteral bacterial translocation.

Methods: Fifty Wistar rats were employed in the study, 10 of them were assigned to the control group (C). The rest 40 rats were subjected to 30% TBSA full-thickness scalding (burn group, B).

[TNF-alpha gene expression of NAFLD rat intervened by the extracts of Rizoma Polygoni Cuspidati].

The real-time qPCR method had been used to detect and analyze the non-alcohol fatty liver disease (NEFLD) model in medical intervention in this research. The relative level of TNF-alpha mRNA in adipose tissue of intervention group was lower than that of control group. Their difference was significant (t = 2.

[The expressions of serum TIgE and SIgE in patients with noninvasive fungal sinusitis and their significance].

Objective: To investigate the expressions of serum TIgE and SIgE in patients with noninvasive fungal sinusitis and their significance.

Method: Twenty-three cases of noninvasive fungal sinusitis were analysis retrospectively. The expressions of serum TIgE and SIgE were detected by the Unicap system.

[Study on polymorphisms of CYP3A5 gene and their clinical role].

Objective: To investigate the polymorphisms of CYP3A5 gene in Chinese population and the association between CYP3A5 genotypes and their clinical functions.

Methods: CYP3A5 gene varisances were detected in 180 samples using denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography(DHPLC), and CsA concentrations in 12 of 180 samples from hemopoietic stem cell transplant recipients were monitored by a commercial fluorescence polarization immunoassay. The data were analyzed by a statistical software.

[Significance of calcineurin activation and CD40L expression in patients with active lupus nephritis].

Aim: To investigate the significance of the calcineurin (CaN) activation in active lupus nephritis patient.

Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were separated from twenty-one active LN patients and 12 healthy controls. Phosphatase activity of CaN was determined using the CaN assay kit by measuring the content of released PO4.

Expression of albumin, IGF-1, IGFBP-3 in tumor tissues and adjacent non-tumor tissues of hepatocellular carcinoma patients with cirrhosis.

Aim: To explore the expression of albumin (ALB), insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1, and insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP)-3 in tumor tissues and adjacent non-tumor tissues of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with cirrhosis.

Methods: Twenty-four HCC patients with cirrhosis who underwent hepatectomy were studied. ALB mRNA, IGF-1 mRNA, and IGFBP-3 mRNA in liver tissues (including tumor tissues and adjacent non-tumor tissues) were detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

Bladder transitional cell carcinoma: correlation of contrast enhancement on computed tomography with histological grade and tumour angiogenesis.

Aim: To investigate the correlation between the degree of contrast enhancement of bladder cancer in the early enhanced phase of helical computed tomography (CT) and microvessel density (MVD), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and histological grade.

Materials And Methods: Sixty-five patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder were examined by incremental unenhanced CT and helical CT at 40-45 s after initiation of intravenous administration of contrast medium before surgery. The CT density in Hounsfield units of bladder carcinomas were measured in the middle of the maximum diameter section of the cancer lesions on unenhanced and enhanced CT.

[Comparison of pelvic transarterial chemoembolization with lipiodol ultra-fluid carboplatin and transarterial carboplatin through experiment in dogs].

Background & Objective: Transarterial chemoembolization, based on transarterial chemotherapy, is a new treatment for malignant neoplasms. This study was to investigate distribution of platinum (Pt) in blood and uterine tissue after infusing different carboplatin arterially.

Methods: Fourteen female dogs were randomly divided into 2 groups: embolizational group (group A, 7 dogs),and chemotherapy group (group B, 7 dogs).