In vitro fertilization-embryo transfer affects focal adhension kinase signaling pathway in early placenta / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To study the effects of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) technique on gene expression of focal adhension kinase (FAK) signaling pathway in early placental trophoblast cells, and to explore the effects of IVF-ET technology on the development and function of early placenta.@*METHODS@#We collected 7-8 weeks of gestation placenta tissue as a study group by ultrasound guided reduction of fetal from double embryo transfer under IVF-ET technology. In the control group, placenta tissues were obtained from the spontaneous abortion of natural pregnancy twin 7-8 weeks. Microarray hybridization analysis was performed on the placenta tissue of the two groups using the Affymetrix HG-U133 Plus 2.0 gene chip. Eight differentially expressed genes were identified by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and unsupervised clustering analysis and functional bioinformatics analysis were performed for the differentially expressed genes.@*RESULTS@#Twenty-eight cases of IVF-ET reduced fetal villi and 8 cases of spontaneous abortion villi were collected. A total of 8 placental villi were detected by the gene chip. Compared with the natural pregnancy control group, 32 differentially expressed genes in the placental FAK signaling pathway were expressed in IVF-ET. The differential expression was greater than or equal to 2 times, of which 12 genes were up-regulated and 20 were down-regulated. The qRT-PCR showed that the expression of the 8 genes in FAK signaling pathways of IVF-ET was significantly different from that in the placenta of natural pregnancy, which was consistent with the result of the gene chip detection. The FAK signal pathway gene localization showed that the FAK gene was mainly located in the upstream of the signal pathway in the placenta of IVF-ET. The placental trophoblast cells maintained the FAK signaling pathway function through gene expression compensation.@*CONCLUSION@#There are gene expression differences in the FAK signaling pathway between the IVF-ET derived early placenta and the natural pregnancy placenta. The differentially expressed genes are involved in many key functions of the FAK signaling pathway and affect the early development and function of the IVF-ET placenta, while the placental trophoblast cells change gene expression for interference to compensate for IVF-ET technology itself, maintain normal function of the FAK signaling pathway, and satisfy the need for placental and fetal development.

Applied anatomy for pituitary adenoma resection / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Pituitary adenomas are common intracranial tumors, with a rising incidence in China. Excision is a mainstay therapy for this disease, and is often carried out via transfrontal, transsphenoidal or transpterional approaches. However, few studies have systematically addressed the regional anatomy involved in these microsurgical procedures. The present study attempted to establish some key anatomic measurements relevant to pituitary adenoma resection based on cadaver and computer tomography (CT) image studies.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Head specimens from 30 randomly selected formalin-fixed adult cadavers were used for anatomical analysis. Measurements were made on the base of the skull following removal of brain structures above the pituitary gland, and on the mid-sagittal plane of the cranium. Parameters were designed by considering the 3 above-mentioned common microsurgical approaches, and obtained on each head using a sliding caliper. Multi-level CT images from 30 individuals were also used for distance measurements between landmark structures that are relevant to these surgeries. All data were subjected to statistical analysis using the SPSS 11.5 software.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) of distance measured on cadavers relative to CT images in 3 sets of measurements related to the transfrontal surgical approach, i.e., distances from the midpoint of superciliary arch superior border to the cranial entrance of internal carotid arteries (ICAs), the opposite side entrance of ICA and to the genu of ICA. While regional anatomical analyses were carried out according to the transpterional approach, statistically significant difference was also found in 3 sets of distance measurements between cadaver and CT image data, with regard to the distances between the pterion and some landmark structures around the pituitary.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The present study provides key anatomical and CT image measurements involving the 3 conventionally used surgical approaches for pituitary tumor resection. The data implicate that while CT scan results can provide valuable guidelines for operations, cautions and adjustments are needed during surgery for sufficient tumor excision and protection of key blood vessels and nerves in the vicinity of the pituitary gland and around the surgical pathway.</p>

Study on TR beta gene mutation in a thyroid hormone resistance syndrome family / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To detect the gene mutation of thyroid hormone receptor beta (TR beta) in a family with thyroid hormone resistance syndrome.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes of the patient, 14 family members and 7 healthy subjects. The exons 7-10 of TR beta gene were amplified by PCR. The products of PCR were purified and sequenced directly to detect the gene mutation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Five members of this family were confirmed to have the C to G transition mutation at nucleotide 1642 site within exon 10 of TR beta gene, which was a missense mutation causing the substitution of Proline to Alanine (P453A); and also to have the C to T transition mutation at nucleotide 1020 within exon 7 of TR beta gene, which was a synonymous mutation that didn't cause the change of amino acid at this position (F245F). The two mutations were heterozygote. No mutation in the exons 7-10 of TR beta gene were identified in other family members.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>A family with thyroid hormone resistance syndrome caused by TR beta gene mutation is first founded in Chinese people.</p>

Obesity and diseases in the elderly inpatient / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the obesity distribution in old people and the relation between senile obesity and health.@*METHODS@#First, a questionnaire was designed which included chronic disease history, body mass index (BMI), physiological value, biochemistry index, anti-oxidation index, diagnosis of diseases, etc. Second, the measure and detection methods were unified; and the last, the investigation was made along with daily clinical work by clinicians.@*RESULTS@#We received 391 questionnaires. The overweight rate was 36.1% and the obesity rate was 7.9% . Total anti-oxidation activity in serum (TAS) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) decreased with body mass index (BMI), and the value in the obesity group was the lowest; Malonaldehyde (MDA) of overweight obesity was the largest. The mean blood pressure, blood fat, and blood glucose as well as the prevalence of cardiovascular disease, hyperlipemia, and glycuresis increased with BMI; and the value in the obesity group was the largest.@*CONCLUSION@#The prevalence of the senile obesity was below the average and the senile obesity complications were various and serious, and perhaps related to imbalance of free radical's production and cleanup, so the senile obesity seriously harmed old people's health.

Gene expression profiles and effects of transforming growth factor-beta1 intervention in Peyronie's disease / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To demonstrate molecular insight into the pathology of Peyronie's disease (PD). A preliminary profile of differential gene expression between the PD plaque and control tunica albuginea was obtained with DNA microarrays. Also, to investigate the effect of intervention in PD cells, transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) was recruited to treat PD cell lines.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Three PD plaques and control tunica albugineas were constructed and studied. cDNA probes were prepared from RNA isolated from those cells and hybridized with the Clontech Atlas 3.6 Array. Relative changes of greater than 2.0 defined up-regulation and down-regulation, respectively. The expression of selected individual gene MCP-1 and the effect of TGF-beta1 on MCP-1 were analyzed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Some up-regulated genes in the PD plaque detected by the Clontech assay were screened, one of them was monocyte chemotactic protein. One involved the pathogenesis of PD as a downstream gene and responded to the TGF-beta1 treatment but not CTGF. The results were also confirmed by TR-PCR in all the types of cell.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The cell lines from plaque tissue and normal tunica from men with PD were successfully established. The findings indicate a potential role for MCP-1 over expression in the pathogenesis of PD as a downstream gene regulated by some genes and could be a new therapeutic target in PD. The information may allow a better understanding of the basic mechanisms involved in the etiology and pathogenesis of PD. Furthermore, it may permit some strategies of therapeutic interventions combine routine methods with Chinese herbal medicine.</p>

Role of erythrocyte on brain edema development after traumatic intracerebral hemorrhage in rats / 中华创伤杂志

Objective To study the effects of erythrecyte on brain edema after traumatic intrace- rebral hemorrhage(TICH)and explore the mechanisms of erythrocyte in brain edema development follow- ing TICH.Methods Firstly,the brain injury model of SD rat was established by applying a free-fall- ing device,then whole blood(WB),lysed RBC(LRBC)or parked RBC(PRBC)were infused with ste- reotactic guidance into injured cortex to produce the model of TICH.All rats were killed at 1,3,and 5 days after injury.The brain water content was measured,immunohistochomistry(SABC)was applied to test HO-1 and TNF-?expressions.Results 1.In WB group,PRBC group and TBI group,the brain water content was the highest on the third day.The brain water content of LRBC group was markedly higher on the first day than on the third and fifth days.Comparison among the four groups showed the wa- ter content was the highest on the 1st day in LRBC group,and on the 3rd day in WB and PRBC groups; there was no significant difference among the four groups on 5th day.2.The positive expression of HO-1 and TNF-?coincided with the change of the water content in groups of WB,PRBC and LRBC.Conclu- sions In rat model of TICH,RBC plays an important role in delayed brain edema formation(3 days after injury),but has no influence at early stage(1 day after injury).The mechanisms of delayed brain edema involves RBC breakdown and inflammation reaction.