Volume 124 ·  Issue 14 ·  2011

Abstract：Background Most data about psychological factors relating to acute myocardial infarction (AMI) were obtained from studies carried out in western countries. Results from small descriptive cross-sectional studies in China were inconclusive. The aim of this study was to explore possible associations between psychological risk factors and AMI among the Chinese population with a large-scale case-control study.Methods This study was part of the INTER-HEART China study, itself part of the large international INTER-HEART study of cardiovascular risk factors. In this case-control study, 2909 cases and 2947 controls were recruited from 17 cities.Psychological stress, negative life events, depression and controllability of life circumstances were assessed.Results Cases reported more psychological stress at home or work and odds ratios (ORs) were 3.2 (95% CI 2.1-4.9)for permanent stress and 2.1 (95% CI 1.5-2.8) for several periods of stress respectively. More cases experienced depression compared with controls (19.6% vs. 9.3%) and ORs were 2.2 (95% CI 1.9-2.6). Subjects with 1, 2 and 3 or more depressive symptoms had increased risk of AMI by 2.1, 2.2 and 2.6 fold, respectively, i.e., more depressive symptoms were associated with higher risks of AMI (P for trend ＜0.0001). Women had a greater risk of AMI from depression (OR 3.0, 95% CI 2.2-4.0) compared to men (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.6-2.4), P for interaction =0.0364. Negative life events in subjects were associated with increased risk of AMI, OR 1.7 (95% CI 1.4-2.0) for one event and 1.8 (95% CI 1.3-2.4) for two or more events. High levels of controllability of life circumstances reduced the risk for AMI (OR 0.8, 95%CI 0.7-1 .0).Conclusions Several psychological factors were closely associated with increased AMI risk among Chinese population.Psychological stress had a greater AMI risk in men but depression was more significant among women。

Abstract：Background Recent studies have reported overall increasing rates of syphilis with a high rate of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infection. However, there is little information about factors influencing syphilis treatment failure and/or re-infection in HIV co-infected patients. We conducted a study to evaluate factors associated with syphilis treatment failure/re-infection in HIV co-infected patients.Methods We reviewed 3542 medical records of HIV-infected patients from January 2005 to December 2007 followed up at HIV Clinic in New York City. Patients were categorized by rapid plasma regain titer (RPR) into success/serofast (4-fold decrease in RPR by 12 months after treatment, RPR conversion to nonreactive, persistently stable reactive RPR with no 4-fold increase), and failure/re-infection (failure to decrease 4 folds in RPR by 12 months after treatment, 4-fold increase in RPR from baseline).Results Among a total of 156 patients who met the eligibility criteria, 122 (78.2％) were under success/serofast category,and 34 (21.8％) were under failure/re-infection category. HIV viral load, CD4 cell count, and use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) were not associated with syphilis treatment failure/re-infection. However, early syphilis stage (OR:11.036, 95％ CI: 2.499-48.740, P=0.002) and high (＞1∶64) RPR titers (OR: 715.921, 95％ CI: 422.175-23 113.396, P ＜0.001) were significantly associated.Conclusions No correlations were seen with depressed immune states with syphilis treatment failure and/or re-infection. However, association with early stage syphilis suggests that risky psychological sexual behaviors may be the most important leading factor, emphasizing needs for safe sex education。

Abstract：Background Functional magnetic resonance is a non-invasive method that can examine brain activity and has been widely used in various fields including jaw movement and pain processing. Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is one of the most frequent facial pain problems. The objective of this study was to investigate the brain activities using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during unilateral maximal voluntary clenching tasks in the TMD synovitis patients with biting pain.Methods Fourteen TMD synovitis patients with unilateral biting pain and 14 controls were included in the study.Contralateral biting pain was defined as right molar clenching causing left temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain. Ipsilateral biting pain was defined as right molar clenching causing right TMJ pain. Symptom Check List-90 (SCL-90) was administered to the patients and controls. Independent sample t-test was used to compare the SCL-90 subscales between the two groups. Unilateral clenching tasks were performed by the patients and controls. Imaging data were analyzed using SPM99.Results Patients were divided into contralateral TMD biting pain group (n=8) and ipsilateral TMD biting pain group (n=6). The SCL-90 subscales were significantly different between the two groups for somatization, depression, anxiety,phobic anxiety, and paranoid ideation. Group analysis of the controls demonstrated brain activations in the inferior frontal gyrus, precentral gyrus, middle frontal gyrus, superior temporal gyrus, and insular. The areas of activation were different between right and left clenching task. In TMJ synovitis patients with contralateral or ipsilateral biting pain, the group analysis showed activations in the inferior frontal gyrus, superior temporal gyrus, medium frontal gyrus, precentral gyrus,and anterior cingulate cortex.Conclusions The inferior frontal gyrus and precentral gyrus play essential roles during the unilateral clenching task.Activation of anterior cingulate cortex in the synovitis patients with biting pain was associated with higher levels of psychological distress。

Abstract：Background Intertrochanteric femur fracture is common in elderly population. Though multiple treatment options are available, the choice of implant remains controversial. The reverse less invasive stabilization system (LISS) plating was introduced for treatment of a patient with ipsilateral intertrochanteric and midshaft femoral fractures. The aim of this research was to compare such technique to intramedullary nailing (proximal femoral nail, PFN) for intertrochanteric fractures.Methods Fifty-six patients with an age of at least sixty-five years and an AO/OTA type-A1 or A2 fractures were included and divided into LISS and PFN treatment group. Background parameters, fracture and surgery details were documented. Follow-up time was at least 12 months. Radiology, complication, Harris Hip Score and Rapid Disability Rating Score (RDRS) were recorded to evaluate fixation status and hip function for each patient during follow-up.Results There was no significant difference between the two groups in surgical time ((48.0±8.6) minutes, vs.(51.8±10.8) minutes, P=0.3836) and intraoperative blood loss ((149.1±45.1) ml vs. (176.4±25.4) ml, P=0.0712). The LISS group had less postoperative haemoglobin (Hb) reduction ((10.2±4.5) g/L Hb, vs. (15.1~5.9) g/L Hb, P=0.0475). There was no complication observed in PFN group. All 31A1 type fracture in LISS group showed 100% maintenance of reduction. One nonunion with locking screw breakage and 2 varus union were found in the LISS group. Postoperative hip function was similar between the two groups.Conclusions Though reverse LISS plating may not be recommended as a routine fixation method for elderly unstable intertrochanteric fractures compared to PFN, it may possibly be reserved for rapid fixation and damage control in polytrauma patients and ORIF of subtrochanteric and reverse oblique intertrochanteric fractures。

Abstract：Background Receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) have been recently shown to play important roles in bone resorption. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible association between the expression of bone resorption regulators (RANKL and OPG) and inflammatory cell infiltration in chronic apical periodontitis.Methods The samples of chronic periapical lesions (n=40) and healthy periapical tissues (n=10) were examined for immunohistochemical analysis of RANKL and OPG. Lesion samples were further analyzed for the inflammatory infiltration condition. The inflammatory cell infiltration was scored in relation to immunohistochemical reactivity for CD3, CD20 and CD68.Results The number of RANKL-positive cells and the ratio of RANKL/OPG in chronic apical periodontitis were significantly higher than those in healthy periapical tissues (P＜0.001). The number of RANKL-positive cells was higher in lesions with severe inflammatory infiltration than in those with light inflammatory infiltration (P＜0.05). Significantly increased RANKL expression was found with T lymphocytes (CD3+), macrophages (CD68+) and B lymphocytes (CD20+)infiltration (P＜0.05). No association was found between the ratio of RANKL/OPG and inflammatory cell infiltration.Conclusions RANKL expression was increased with T, B lymphocytes and macrophages infiltration, respectively in chronic periapical lesions. RANKL appears to be closely related to periapical inflammatory infiltrates. The relative ratio of RANKL/OPG may be a key determinant of RANKL-mediated bone resorption。

Abstract：Background Stress echocardiography is mainly used in detection of coronary artery disease (CAD) and to assess risk.This study aimed to use adenosine stress echocardiography (ASE) and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) to noninvasively assess coronary stenosis in patients with chest pain syndromes or anginal equivalent.Methods NT-proBNP was measured after overnight fast in fifty patients, 42 males and 8 females, who were (57+11)years old. They then underwent echocardiography before and during adenosine administration. Left ventricular (LV)diastolic function analyzed included mitral annular early (E') and late velocity (A') both at the mitral septal and lateral level and the mitral inflow to annulus ratio (E/E'). Coronary angiography was performed the following day after which patients were assigned to three groups: normal results (16 patients), stenosis 50%-69%(17 patients) and stenosis≥70% (17 patients).Results NT-proBNP levels in the groups of stenosis 50%-69% and≥ 70% were significantly higher than that in the group with normal results (P=0.014 and P=0.040). During adenosine stress, the E/E' in the group of stenosis≥70% was higher than in the group of normal results (P=0.024). E'lateral/A'lateral in the group of stenosis 50%-69% and E'septal/A'septal and E'lateral/A'lateral in the group of stenosis≥70% were also decreased during stress compared with baseline (P=0.003,P=0.001, P=0.022). The variation of E'septal/A'septal before and during adenosine stress (△E'septal/A'septal) between the groups of normal results and stenosis ≥70% were significantly different (P=0.001). By receiver operating characteristic (ROC), the specificity of △E'septal/A'septal ≥0.037 predicting coronary stenosis ＜70% was 94%. The sensitivity and specificity of NT-proBNP≥544.6 fmol/ml in predicting coronary stenosis ≥70% were 93% and 75%, respectively.NT-proBNP inversely correlated with E'lateral/A'lateral (r=-0.390, P=0.014) and positively correlated with E/E'lateral(r=0.550,P=0.001).Conclusions Adenosine might induce diastolic dysfunction in patients with coronary stenosis more than 70% and NT-proBNP could reflect LV diastolic function to a certain extent. We support the prediction that most patients having chest pain syndromes or anginal equivalent with NT-proBNP＜544.6 fmol/ml and in ASE AE'septal/A'septal≥0.037 might be spared coronary angiography。

Abstract：Background Coordinated regulation of nutrient and inflammatory responses by six transmembrane epithelial antigen of prostate 4 (STEAP4) was essential for metabolic homeostasis. STEAP4 expression in human white adipose tissuewas associated with obesity. This study aimed to evaluate association between STEAP4 genetic polymorphisms and obesity in Uygur Chinese general population.Methods The functional regions of STEAP4 gene were sequenced in 96 Uygur with obesity (body mass index (BMI)>30 kg/m2). Representative variations were selected according to the function and linkage disequilibrium and genotyped in 1507 obesity (BMI ≥25 kg/m2) and 825 non-obesity control (BMI ＜25 kg/m2), all of whom were selected from epidemiology study of obesity-related diseases during January to February 2007 among Uygur population in Hetian area of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.Results Fourteen novel and 6 known single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs), including 2 nonsynonymous SNPs (nsSNPs), in the STEAP4 gene were identified. Of the 3 representative SNPs, the nsSNP rs1981529 (Gly75Asp, 224A/G)was significantly associated with obesity phenotype (additive P/Pc=0.001/0.006, dominant P/Pc=0.003/0.018, odds ratio (OR) and 95％ confidence interval (CI) adjusted for age, gender and drinking 0.755 (0.641-0.890) and 0.750(0.621-0.907), respectively). By the multiple linear regression analysis, the quantitative phenotypes of BMI (P/Pc=0.002/0.004) and waist circumference (P/Pc=0.004/0.008) were found to be significantly associated with the genotypes of rs1981529 (Gly75Asp, 224A/G) in Uygur general population, and effect size (beta value) of one allele G of rs1981529 (Gly75Asp, 224A/G) was-0.553 kg/m2 for BMI and -1.311 cm for waist circumference after controlling age,gender and drinking factors.Conclusions The present study shows an association of the common variation rs1981529 (Gly75Asp, 224A/G) in the STEAP4 gene with obesity in Uygur general population. Further studies should replicate the results using larger populations。

Abstract：Background The role of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) in contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) is controversial. Some studies pointed out that it was effective in the prevention of CI-AKI, while some concluded that it was one risk for CI-AKI, especially for patients with pre-existing renal impairment. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of benazepril administration on the development of CI-AKI in patients with mild to moderate renal insufficiency undergoing coronary intervention.Methods One hundred and fourteen patients with mild to moderate impairment of renal function were enrolled before coronary angioplasty, who were randomly assigned to benazepril group (n=52) and control group (n=62). In the benazepril group, the patients received benazepril tablets 10 mg per day at least for 3 days before procedure. CI-AKI was defined as an increase of≥25％ in creatinine over the baseline value or increase of 0.5 mg/L within 72 hours of angioplasty.Results Patients were well matched with no significant differences at baseline in all measured parameters between two groups. The incidence of CI-AKI was lower by 64％ in the benazepril group compared with control group but without statistical significance (3.45％ vs. 9.68％, P=0.506). Compared with benazepril group, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) level significantly decreased from (70.64+16.38) ml·min-1·1.73 m-2 to (67.30+11.99) ml·min-1·1.73 m-2 in control group (P=0.038). There was no significant difference for the post-procedure decreased eGFR from baseline (△eGFR)between two groups (benazepril group (0.67+12.67) ml·min-1·1.73 m-2 vs. control group (-3.33±12.39) ml·min-1·1.73 m-2,P=0.092). In diabetic subgroup analysis, △eGFR in benazepril group was slightly lower than that in the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant.Conclusions Benazepril has a protective effect on mild to moderate impairment of renal function during coronary angioplasty. It is safe to use benazepril for treatment of patients with mild to moderate impairment of renal function before coronary intervention。

Abstract：Background Transgenic overexpression of human prostasin in rats disturbs salt balance and causes hypertension. We investigated whether genetic variations in prostasin were implicated in hypertension or related phenotypes in the Xinjiang Kazakh population.Methods We sequenced all exons and the promoter regions of the prostasin gene in 94 hypertensive individuals, and the genotype identification was performed by the TaqMan polymerase chain reaction method. Case-control studies were conducted in 938 Kazakh subjects.Results E342K and 2827G＞A, which are novel variants, were successfully genotyped in the general Xinjiang Kazakh population with a sample size of 938 individuals (406 men and 532 women). Only one hypertensive patient was identified with the E342K mutation. No significant association was observed between 2827G＞A and hypertension. However,quantitative traits of hypertensive intermediate phenotypes were significantly associated with the A allele; P=-0.041 and 0.034 for body mass index (BMI) in the additive and recessive models, P=0.042 and 0.018 for OGTT-2h glucose in the additive and recessive models, P=0.031 for IRT-3h insulin in the recessive model, and P=0.038 for serum potassium in the dominant model.Conclusions This study does not provide evidence of a major role of prostasin variation in blood pressure modulation.However, association of prostasin polymorphisms with hypertension and metabolic effects can be observed in our population. Further investigation is warranted to clarify the relevance of prostasin polymorphisms to blood pressure regulation。

Abstract：Background Genetic mechanisms contribute to blood pressure regulation. This study investigated whether glutathione peroxidase (GPx-3) tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are associated with hypertension in the rural areas of Fuxin county, Liaoning province, China.Methods Indigenous Fuxin Han people participated, 523 unrelated hypertensives and 547 controls were recruited. All tag SNPs of GPx-3 gene were selected. We estimated SNP allele frequency in DNA pools with pyrosequencing.Results Before Bonferroni correction, C allele frequency for rs8177417 was significantly higher in hypertensives than those in controls (23.4% vs. 19.3%, P=0.014); T allele frequency for rs3828599 was significantly lower in hypertensives than those in controls (35.6% vs. 40.8%,P=0.009). However, when a Bonferroni correction for multiple testing was applied, only the polymorphisms rs3828599 of GPx-3 gene was associated with hypertension (P=0.045, OR: 0.833, 95%CI: 0.695-0.998).Conclusion The polymorphism of rs3828599 of GPx-3 gene might be associated with hypertension in rural Han Chinese from Fuxin, Liaoning。

Abstract：Background Results of perimembranous ventricular septal defects (pmVSD) transcatheter closure have been reported in the literature mostly using a Amplatzer VSD device. However, the data of percutaneous closure of pmVSD with VSD occluder (VSD-O) made in China are still limited. We sought to analyze safety, efficacy, and follow-up results of percutaneous closure of pmVSD with VSD-O made in China.Methods Between February 2005 and June 2009, 78 patients underwent percutaneous closure of pmVSD at our institution. A VSD device made in China was used for all subjects. The safety and the efficacy of the VSD-O were investigated.Results The average age at closure was 11 years (range 2.5 to 44 years). The attempt to place device was successful in 74 patients (94.9%). The average device size used was 8 mm (range 5 to 16 mm). No deaths occurred. Total occlusion rate was 62.8% at completion of the procedure, rising up to 87.2% at discharge and 99.0% during follow-up. A total of eight early complications occurred (10.3%), but in all subjects these were transient. The average follow-up period was 40.5 months. The most significant complication was complete atrioventricular block (cAVB) in the early phase (five subjects, 6.4%) and during the follow-up (1 subject, 1.3%), which saw no need for pacemaker implantation in six subjects.Cox proportional hazards regression analysis showed that the age was only the variable significantly associated with the occurrence of this complication during the procedure (P=0.025; relative risk 0.22). The subjects who experienced this complication were less than five years old.Conclusions Percutaneous pmVSD closure used VSD-O made in China is associated with excellent success and closure rates, no mortality, and low morbidity. Longer follow-up data and improvements in device characteristics are needed to reduce the risk of cAVB。

Abstract：Background In addition to the well-known antibodies against human leukocyte antigens (HLA)-induced kidney-graft rejection, polymorphic major-histocompatibility-complex (MHC) class Ⅰ-related chain A (MICA) antigens can elicit antibodies and have been suggested to play a role in the antibody-mediated allograft rejection (AMR). We carded out a prospective study of MICA antibodies in post-renal transplant patients to determine the association between MICA antibodies, C4d staining, histological features, and graft outcome.Methods We tested 52 patients who had biopsy results due to graft dysfunction. The MICA antibodies in concurrent sera were determined by Luminex. All patients were followed up for one year after renal biopsy. The influence of antibody production on the function of graft was analyzed.Results Antibodies against MICA were positive in 15 out of the 52 patients (28.9%). The presence of MICA antibodies was associated with renal-allograft deterioration. During one-year follow-up, the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decreased (24.0±3.4)% among recipients with anti-MICA antibodies. However, among recipients without anti-MICA antibodies, the eGFR has declined only (8.4+3.0)% (P=0.017). The association between C4d staining,histological features and MICA antibody production was found no significant difference.Conclusion Besides anti-HLA antibodies, the presence of post-transplant MICA antibody is associated with poor graft outcome and increases the risk of graft failure。

Abstract：Background Previous prognosis analyses of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients with stage Ⅱ and Ⅲ disease were done as separate categories. The purpose of this study was to analyze prognostic factors associated with survival in a group of patients who underwent radical resection of stages Ⅱ and Ⅲ CRC.Methods A retrospective review was performed for 141 consecutive stages Ⅱ and Ⅲ patients who had undergone radical resection of coloractal adenocarcinoma between May 2003 and November 2003. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess the effect of record variables on disease free survival and overall survival.Results The median follow-up time was 59 months, and the 3-and 5-year survival rates were 76% and 68%,respectively. Four factors were independently associated with a worse disease-free survival: diabetes (hazard ratio (HR) 2.338; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.011-5.407), expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) (HR 0.335; 95% CI 0.126-0.888), expression of matrix metalloproteinases 2 (MMP-2) (FIR 0.233; 95% CI 0.101-0.541), expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) (HR 0.295; 95% CI 0.088-0.996). Four factors were independently associated with a worse overall survival: lymph nodes metastasis (HR 1.67; 95% CI 1.29-2.14), Cox-2 positive (HR 0.056; 95% CI 0.247-0.731), MMP-2 positive (HR 0.398; 95% CI 0.190-0.836), VEGF (HR 0.364; 95% CI 0.090-0.716).Conclusions Diabetes, expression of Cox-2, MMP-2 and VEGF were independently associated with a worse diseasefree survival. Lymph nodes metastasis, expression of Cox-2, MMP-2 and high level of VEGF predicted a poor overall survival。

Abstract：Background HIWI is a member of PIWI gene family and its expression is found in various tumors, indicating that it may play a pivotal role in tumor development. This study was designated to examine HIWI protein expression profile in several cancer cell lines and its prognostic value for patients with colorectal cancer.Methods Totally 270 patients who underwent surgical resection of primary colorectal cancer between January 1999 and December 2002 with a median follow-up time of 33 months were registered in the study. Formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded specimens from these patients and 236 matched adjacent non-cancerous normal colorectal tissues were collected. Anti-HIlWI monoclonal antibodies were generated and used for evaluating HIWI protein expression. X2 tests were conducted to determine the association between HIWI expression and the other variables. Survival curves were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared by the log-rank test. Multivariate analysis was performed by using the Cox regression model.Results By generating antibodies specific for HIWI, we examined HIWI protein expression in several cancer cell lines and demonstrated positive expression of HIWI in 69 out of 270 (25.6%) colorectal cancer tissues; 15 of 236 (6.4%) matched adjacent non-cancerous tissues were also positive for HIWI. Patients with positive HIWI expression in adjacent non-cancerous tissue had statistically lower overall survival (OS) and disease free survival (DFS) compared with negative patients (OS: 10.4% vs. 55.5%, P=0.009; DFS: 10.4% vs. 55.1%, P=0.015). For early stage group (stages Ⅰ and Ⅱ),patients with positive HIWI expression had significantly lower OS and DFS (OS: 57.4% vs. 79.5%, P=0.014; DFS: 56.7%vs. 80.5%, P=0.010). In lymph node negative group, patients with positive HIWI expression had statistically lower OS and DFS (OS: 53.0% vs. 73.5%, P=0.037; DFS: 52.2% vs. 74.6%, P=0.025). Multivariate analysis revealed that HIWI over-expression was a significant prognostic factor for OS (95% CI: 1.132-2.479, P=0.010).Conclusion HIWI could be a potential prognostic biomarker for the patients with colorectal cancer, especially for those at early stages or without lymph node metastasis。

Abstract：Background Category Ⅲ chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is a common syndrome of unclear etiology with significant impact on quality of life. Because the outcomes of multiple therapies for CP/CPPS have been far from approving, the possible psychological factors have been considered to play an important role in CP/CPPS.Based on this, we investigated the role of antidepressant drug (fluoxetine) in men with refractory CP/CPPS.Methods In this study, 42 men diagnosed with refractory CP/CPPS without response to standard therapy (include multiple antibiotic courses and a-blockers) were referred for fluoxetine therapy. All patients received fluoxetine (20 mg/d) for three months and were clinically evaluated before (baseline), and after 4, 8 and 12 weeks of therapy. The evaluation included a National Institutes of Health-chronic prostatitis symptom index (NIH-CPSI) and a Beck depression inventory (BDI) questionnaire. Moreover, the subjective global assessment (SGA) was assessed at the 4th, 8th and 12th week of therapy.Results Significant decreases were observed for total NIH-CPSI (28.55 to 9.29), NIH-CPSI pain (14.69 to 5.19),NIH-CPSI urinary (4.95 to 1.88 ), NIH-CPSI quality of life (8.83 to 2.20), and BDI (34.67 to 13.95) scores compared with baseline, all P values ＜0.05. Twenty-nine (69.05%) reported marked improvement on the subjective global assessment and 33 (78.57%) had a greater than 50% decrease in NIH-CPSI at the end of therapy (12th week). At the same time, the Pearson correlation coefficient analysis demonstrated a positive correlation between BDI score and each CPSI score. No adverse events were reported in this study.Conclusions Fluoxetine appears to be a safe and effective treatment in improving symptoms in, and the quality of life of, men with difficult CP/CPPS. Moreover, amelioration of difficult CP/CPPS-related symptoms could be related to a decrease in depressive symptoms。

Abstract：Background Several studies have evaluated the association between polymorphisms of encoding excision repair cross complementation group 1 (ERCC1) enzyme and lung cancer risk in diverse populations but with conflicting results.By pooling the relatively small samples in each study, it is possible to perform a meta-analysis of the evidence by rigorous methods.Methods Embase, Ovid, Medline and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure were searched. Additional studies were identified from references in original studies or review articles. Articles meeting the inclusion criteria were reviewed systematically, and the reported data were aggregated using the statistical techniques of meta-analysis.Results We found 3810 cases with lung cancer and 4332 controls from seven eligible studies. T19007C polymorphism showed no significant effect on lung cancer risk (C allele vs. T allele: odds ratio (OR)=0.91, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.80-1.04; CC vs. TT: OR=0.76, 95% CI=0.56-1.02; CC vs. (CT+TT): OR=0.96, 95% CI=-0.84-1.10). Similarly,there was no significant main effects for T19007C polymorphism on lung cancer risk when stratified analyses by ethnicity (Chinese or Caucasian). No significant association was found between C8092A polymorphism (3060 patients and 2729 controls) and the risk of lung cancer (A allele vs. C allele: OR=1.03, 95% CI=0.95-1.11; AA vs. CC: OR=1.08, 95% CI=-0.88-1.33; AA vs. (AC+CC): OR=1.08, 95% CI=-0.88-1.31).Conclusion We found little evidence of an association between the T1900C or C8092A polymorphisms of ERCC 1 and the risk of lung cancer in Caucasian or Han Chinese people。

Abstract：Background Recent studies have discovered that nuclear translocation of nerve growth factor (NGF) and its receptor fragments function differently from the traditional model. This study aimed to uncover the nuclear expression of NGF in astrocytoma and its biological significance.Methods Ninety-four paraffin-embedded astrocytoma specimens were subjected to immunohistochemical (IHC) and hemotoxylin & eosin (HE) staining. Preoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens and intraoperative snap-frozen astrocytoma tissues were assayed for NGF expression by ELISA and Western blotting. The outcome of patients who contributed samples was tracked. Each ten tissue samples from patients with traumatic brain injury who had received decompression surgery and CSF samples from patients undergoing spinal anesthesia but with no history of nervous system disease were taken as control.Results NGF-positive immunoreactive products were distributed in both the cytoplasm and nucleus of astrocytoma, but were only located in the cytoplasm of traumatic brain injury (TBI) tissue. NGF nuclear-positive rate (NPR) of grades Ⅲ-Ⅳ astrocytomas (70.0%) was higher than that of grades Ⅰ-Ⅱ astrocytoma (28.6%, P＜0.05). NGF-NP expression positively correlated with the NGF concentration in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) (r=0.755, P＜0.01). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated that the median survival time was 25 months for NGF-NP astrocytoma grade Ⅰ-Ⅱ patients and 42 months in NGF nuclear negative (NGF-NN) astrocytoma grade Ⅰ-Ⅱ patients (P＜0.05). In astrocytoma Ⅲ-Ⅳ patients, the median survival was 7 months for NGF-NP patients and 24 months for NGF-NN patients (P＜0.01). Two types of NGF with molecular weights of 13 and 36 kDa were present in astrocytoma, but only the 36 kDa NGF was found in the CSF. NGF expression elevated as the malignancy increased.Conclusions NGF-NP expression and NGF level in CSF were significant prognostic factors in astrocytoma patients.Because of the easy access of CSF, it may be developed as an index for early diagnosis and surveillance of astrocytoma。

Abstract：Since the fast expansion of living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) over last few decades, small-for-size syndrome (SFSS) has emerged as a tough problem. Herein the first case of LDLT combined hemi-portocaval shunt in the mainland of China was reported. Portal venous overperfusion was well modulated and the recipient recovered uneventfully. LDLT combined hemi-portocaval shunt was a feasible procedure for preventing SFSS in LDLT。

Abstract：The diagnosis of pituitary dysfunction is very difficult in inpatients with liver cirrhosis, because the symptoms are intricate and similar. We here report a case of a male patient complaining of fatigue and anorexia for more than two years. On duration of hospital stay, hyponatremia was irreformable. Magnetic resonance imaging of the pituitary revealed the presence of cystic pituitary and abnormal signal in the left frontal lobe. The patient was also suspected to be infective endocarditis. Recognition of this unusual complication of this condition is important for the patients with chronic liver disease。

Abstract：Uterine leiomyosarcoma is an uncommon malignant neoplasm of smooth muscle origination and is associated with a poor prognosis. We report two cases of uterine leiomyosarcoma that presented with pulmonary metastases.2-deoxy-2-(18F)fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) was performed to identify the primary carcinoma and found the focus located in the uterus. The follow-up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirmed the diagnosis was uterine leiomyosarcoma。