Application of RapidHITTM 200 System in Forensic Medicine / 法医学杂志

Objective To validate the analysis capability of RapidHITTM 200 system for four kinds of routine forensic samples and the recyclable capability of template, template DNA and PCR products in the process of twice duplicate detection. Methods The buccal swabs underwent the test twice by RapidHITTM 200 system, and the template DNA and PCR products that arose in the system were also tested for two times. After four kinds of routine forensic samples were detected by RapidHITTM 200 system, the follow-up tests of the template, template DNA and PCR products that arose in the system were performed. Re-sults The STR loci could be detected in the buccal swabs by the system for the first time. However, part of the STR loci lost during the second test. And the peak value obtained in the second test was significantly reduced than the one in the first time. The average STR loci detection rates of the template DNA and PCR products were both less than 50％ in the second test, which were significantly reduced than that in the first test. In addition, the analysis capability of the system for the tissues and buccal swabs was better than that for the blood and cigarette butts. Compared with the first test, the STR loci detection rate of the tested items, template DNA and PCR products decreased with the numbers of tests. Conclusion RapidHITTM 200 system is more effective in retesting buccal swabs than other samples, whereas the items, DNA template, PCR products obtained in the first and second time cannot be directly used for the further application and study of forensic medicine.

Predictive value of c-met for long-term mortality in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the correlation of c-met protein with the clinical staging and cell differentiation of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 100 patients with ESCC were enrolled were examined for expression of c-met protein using immunohistochemistry, and the patients in negative and positive c-met expression groups were compared for clinicopathological characteristics and overall survival.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>s The 100 ESCC patients included 67 male and 33 female patients with a median age of 59 years; 49 of the patients were negative and 51 were positive for c-met expression. Positive c-met expression was significantly correlated with advanced TMN stages and lower tumor differentiation. Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed that the median survival time of c-met-positive patients was significantly reduced compared with that of c-met-negative patients (30.9 vs 48.2 months, P<0.05). COX regression analysis showed that c-met was a independent risk factor for the overall survival of the patients (HR: 2.34, 95% CI: 1.63-4.54, P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>A positive expression of c-met protein is significantly correlated with an advanced TMN stage, lower tumor differentiation and a poor prognosis, and may serve as a indicator for predicting the prognosis of ESCC.</p>

Thoracoscopy assisted Nuss procedure for pectus excavatum correction / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the short-term effect and experience of Nuss procedure on 120 cases of patients with pectus excavatum.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thoracoscopy assisted Nuss procedure with different ways of anesthesia were applied to 120 cases of patients with pectus excavatum, including 7 cases of recurrence after traditional surgical procedure (6 cases) and Nuss method (another one). The patients ranged in age from 2.5 to 43 (mean 14.1) years and in Haller index from 2.91 to 29. Of the 120, 73 had symmetric and 47 had asymmetric pectus excavatum. The Nuss procedure is performed with general anesthesia and a convex steel bar is inserted under the sternum with thoracoscopy through small bilateral thoracic incisions. The steel bar is inserted with the convexity facing posteriorly, and when it is in position, the bar is turned over, thereby correcting the deformity.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The operation was successfully accomplished without severe complications in all the 120 cases. The mean operative time was 58 minutes and the mean volume of blood loss was 30 ml. 103 patients had one bar inserted while the other 17 cases with more extremely diffuse depression required 2 or even 3 bars to get a satisfactory correction. Such methods as modifications to the fixing points and the shape of the bar, partial osteotomy, were developed to deal with asymmetric ones.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The Nuss procedure is a minimally invasive technique for correction of pectus excavatum. It can lead to a satisfactory outcome and surgical time is less.</p>