HPLC法测定双红活血胶囊中黄芪甲苷的含量

目的　测定双红活血胶囊中黄芪甲苷的含量。方法　采用高效液相色谱 (HPLC)法测定。结果　平均回收率为 1 0 0 .6%,CV =1 .62 %。结论　该方法简便 ,准确     

血管内皮型一氧化氮合酶基因Glu298 Asp多态性与老年脑梗死的相关性研究

目的　通过病例对照研究 ,了解中国老年人群血管内皮型一氧化氮合酶 (eNOS)基因目的　通过病例对照研究 ,了解中国老年人群血管内皮型一氧化氮合酶 (eNOS)基因Glu2 98Asp多态性的分布 ,分别探讨其与老年脑梗死及血脂以及一氧化氮等脑梗死危险因素的关系。 方法对门诊及住院中确诊的 4 0例老年脑梗死和 16 9例性别、年龄相匹配的老人 ,测量他们的身高、体重及座位血压 ,并测定他们的空腹血脂、空腹血糖 (FBS)及一氧化氮 (NO)等 ,应用聚合酶链反应 (PCR)和限制性片断长度多态性 (RFLP)检测eNOS基因Glu2 98Asp多态性。结果　脑梗死和对照组eNOS基因Glu2 98Asp多态性构成有显著性差异 (χ2 =4 31,P =0 0 38) ,脑梗死组Glu/Asp基因型高于对照组(32 5 %vs 17 8% ) ;脑梗死组 2 98Asp等位基因频率高于对照组 (16 2 5 %vs 8 9% ) ,但是两组等位基因频率的分布比较 ,没有显著性差异 (χ2 =3 81,P =0 0 5 1)。结论　eNOS基因Glu2 98Asp多态性在中国老年人群中存在 ,并且基因...     

Rapid Immunofluorescence Microscopy for Diagnosis of Melioidosis

An immunofluorescent (IF) method that detects Burkholderia pseudomallei in clinical specimens within 10 min was devised. The results of this rapid method and those of an existing IF method were prospectively compared with the culture results for 776 specimens from patients with suspected melioidosis. The sensitivities of both IF tests were 66%, and the specificities were 99.5 and 99.4%, respectively.     

Merkel Cell Carcinoma Arising from the Subcutaneous Fat of the Arm with Intact Skin

BACKGROUND: Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare malignant neuroendocrine neoplasm characteristically arising from the dermis of sunlight-exposed skin. It rarely arises outside the skin. OBJECTIVE: We present a patient with primary Merkel cell carcinoma arising from subcutaneous fat, with no involvement of the overlying skin. We describe the clinical manifestations and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. METHODS: We report a 63-year-old woman with a primary lesion of Merkel cell carcinoma that arose from the subcutaneous fat layer of the left arm. The lesion presented as a subcutaneous nodule with intact overlying skin. MRI showed that the nodular lesion was located entirely in the subcutaneous fat layer, with no involvement of the dermis. Peritumoral infiltration around the lesion and enlarged lymph nodes deep to the lesion were noted. The patient received wide excision of the lesion with dissection of the regional lymph nodes and adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy. RESULTS: Histopathologic examination confirmed the diagnosis of Merkel cell carcinoma with local lymphatic metastasis, and the lesion was completely located in the subcutaneous fat, with no involvement of the dermis. These findings were well correlated with MRI findings. CONCLUSION: Primary Merkel cell carcinoma may arise from the subcutaneous fat and present as an entirely subcutaneous lesion with intact skin. MRI is helpful to evaluate the local extension of the lesion and regional lymphatic metastasis.     

Extracellular matrix remodeling in oral submucous fibrosis: its stage-specific modes revealed by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization

BACKGROUND: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is a chewing habit-related pre-cancerous condition of the oral mucosa affecting predominantly south Asians. It is histopathologically characterized by epithelial atrophy and fibrosis of the subepithelial connective tissue. Fibrosis extends all the way into the muscle layer, leading to difficulty in mouth opening. However, the dynamics of extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling with OSF progression is largely unknown. METHODS: Forty biopsy specimens of OSF and 10 of normal buccal mucosa were examined for expression/deposition modes of eight ECM molecules by histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, and in situ hybridization. RESULTS: In the early stage of OSF, tenascin, perlecan, fibronectin, collagen type III were characteristically enhanced in the lamina propria and the submucosal layer. In the intermediate stage, the ECM molecules mentioned above and elastin were extensively and irregularly deposited around muscle fibers. In the advanced stage, such ECM depositions decreased and were entirely replaced with collagen type I only. Their gene expression levels varied with progression of fibrosis, but the mRNA signals were confirmed in fibroblasts in the submucosal fibrotic areas. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that the ECM remodeling steps in OSF are similar to each phase of usual granulation tissue formation. Restricted mouth opening may be a result of loss of variety of ECM molecules including elastin into the homogeneity of collagen type I replacing muscle fibers.     

Paediatric medulloblastoma: Patterns of care and radiotherapy quality assurance in Australia

The purpose of this study was to document how children in Australia with medulloblastoma are being treated and to evaluate the quality of radiotherapy (RT) delivered. The Radiotherapy Database of the Australian and New Zealand Children’s Haematology and Oncology Group was used to identify 46 children with medulloblastoma younger than the age of 15 years treated with radical intent by craniospinal irradiation between 1997 and 1999 inclusively. Twenty‐six patients had completely resected disease without evidence of disease spread. Of these, 16 patients received a craniospinal RT dose of <25 Gy in addition to chemotherapy. RT treatment immobilization methods varied, as did planning methods. RT dose to critical structures was recorded on treatment plans for only 15% of patients. The average systematic error in shield placement at the posterior orbit was 5.2 mm, and two‐thirds of patients were ‘overshielded’ at this site. Adequate coverage of the distal end of the thecal sac was achieved in fewer than 50% of on‐treatment verification films for 21 of 45 patients. With a reduction in RT dose to the craniospinal axis for paediatric medulloblastoma, greater attention is needed for patient immobilization, documentation of RT dose to critical structures and the placement and reproducibility of shielding.     

Molecular targeted therapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma

Systemic anticancer therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is limited by intrinsic drug resistance and accompanying liver dysfunction. However, recent advances in molecular targeted therapy (MTT) have shed light on the treatment of advanced HCC. A recent randomized, placebo-controlled trial demonstrated that sorafenib, a multi-target tyrosine kinase inhibitor, prolonged overall survival and time-to-progression in patients with advanced HCC. This breakthrough highlights the potential of MTT targeting hepatocarcinogenic pathways, such as the Raf/MAPK/ERK pathway, angiogenic pathways and the EGFR signaling pathway. This review discusses the current status and the potential of developing novel MTTs for advanced HCC.