Tissue microarray: an effective high-throughput method to study the placenta for clinical and research purposes.

OBJECTIVE: Tissue microarray (TMA) technology allows simultaneous examination of the expression of many molecular markers (protein, mRNA, DNA, etc.) with high-throughput. The application of this technology, to date, has been largely confined to the study of cancer. Placental pathology poses unique challenges because of the size of the organ, its complex anatomy, as well as its histological heterogeneity. The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility and efficiency of TMAs for immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization of placental tissues. STUDY DESIGN: TMAs were constructed using an automated tissue arrayer. Standard 0.6-mm or 1-mm microarray needles were used. Villous parenchyma, basal plate, and chorioamniotic membranes were targeted in each block. Five mum-thick TMA sections underwent immunohistochemical analysis of both cytoplasmic and nuclear antigens using a panel of antibodies against a variety of cytoplasmic [cytokeratin-7, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and protein Z], membranous (endoglin), and nuclear (c-fos and c-jun) antigens. mRNA in situ hybridization for surfactant protein A (SP-A) and chromogenic in situ hybridization for the Y chromosome (DYZ1) were also performed. RESULTS: Validation of TMA immunoreactivity demonstrated comparable results with corresponding whole sections. When a two-tiered scoring system (positive/negative) was employed, there was agreement between two and three cores and whole tissue sections (kappa>0.7). When a three-tiered scoring system (negative, weak-positive, or strong-positive) was used, the data from three cores showed the highest agreement with whole tissue sections (kappa >0.7). In situ hybridization experiments for mRNA and DNA were also successful in that the signals were readily detectable. Successful transfer from the donor block to the recipient block differed according to the anatomical compartment. The transfer efficiency of villous parenchyma, basal plate, and chorioamniotic membranes were 96.9% (875/903), 76.7% (115/150), and 75.4% (224/297), respectively. CONCLUSION: TMA is a practical and effective tool for high-throughput molecular analysis of the human placenta. Duplicate and triplicate cores offer agreement with whole tissue sections for two-category distinction immunostaining. TMA also affords relevant results from in situ hybridization experiments for mRNA and DNA. The major advantages are the conservation of tissues and reagents, simultaneous comparison of molecular markers in different anatomical compartments of the placenta, and reduction of experimental error.     

Decreased GDNF mRNA expression in dorsal spinal cord of unilateral arthritic rat

It is now well established that nerve growth factor (NGF) plays a key role in inflammation-induced hyperalgesia. It was also reported that brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), another member of neurotrophins, contributed to the pain pathway as a neurotransmitter in the CNS. The present work demonstrated a down-regulation of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) mRNA expression in dorsal spinal cord in complete Freund's adjuvant-induced unilateral arthritic rats serving as a chronic pain model. The fast occurring and long lasting down-regulations suggest that GDNF might contribute to pain pathway in a way different from neurotrophins and might play a role in the maintenance of chronic pain status.     

Interactions between spatial attention and global/local feature selection: an ERP study

The present study examined the interaction between spatial attention and global/local feature processing of visual hierarchical stimuli. Event-related brain potentials (ERPs) were recorded from subjects who detected global or local targets at attended locations while ignoring those at unattended locations. Spatial attention produced enhanced occipital P1 and N1 waves in both global and local conditions. Selection of local features enhanced posterior P1, N1 and N2 waves relative to selection of global features. However, the modulations of the P1 and N2 by global/local feature selection were stronger when spatial attention was directed to the left than the right visual fields. The results suggest neurophysiological bases for interactions between spatial attention and hierarchical analysis at multiple stages of visual processing.     

Myositis ossificans of the chest wall simulating malignant neoplasm

Myositis ossificans originating from the chest wall is extremely rare. We report a case of myositis ossificans occurring in a young woman with progressive painful swelling in the chest wall. Preoperative examination suggested a malignant neoplasm originating from soft tissue. Although rare, myositis ossificans is one of the potential causes of painful swelling in the chest wall, and can be mistaken for a malignant neoplasm.     

中医正骨学认知学徒模式与传统教学模式比较研究

目的探索适合模拟医院环境下的教学模式.方法选择中医系骨伤专业2000级学生为研究对象,分为实验组和对照组,分别采用认知学徒模式和传统教学模式教学,组织专家听课.课后对学生进行基础理论、临床技能测试和操作考核,并通过向学生及专家发放调查问卷听取专家和学生对认知学徒教学模式的评价.结果实验组学生的基础理论、临床技能测试、考核成绩均高于对照组,结果有统计学意义.调查问卷反映认知学徒模式具有营造合适的学习环境,激发学生的学习兴趣,加快学生对知识和技能的掌握速度的作用.结论认知学徒模式能最大限度发挥模拟医院在医学临床教学中的作用,是适合于模拟医院教学环境的教学模式.     

舌下含服米索前列醇配伍米非司酮在终止早孕中的应用

目的 :探讨舌下含服米索前列醇配伍米非司酮用于早孕流产的可行性、安全性及有效性。方法 :将孕周在 7wk内的孕妇随机分为舌下组、口服组各 12 0例。 2组均经米非司酮预治疗后 ,舌下组含服米索前列醇 2 0 0 μg ,1h后重复 ,总量不超过6 0 0 μg ;口服组单次口服米索前列醇 6 0 0 μg。 结果 :舌下组完全流产率比口服组高 ,清宫率比口服组低 (P均 <0 0 1) ,引 -流时间缩短 (P <0 0 1) ,阴道流血及药物不良反应两者无明显差异。结论 :舌下组终止早孕具有简便、有效 ,引 -流时间短等优点     

Malignant transformation of nevus sebaceous to basal-cell carcinoma: Case series,literature review,and management algorithm

Nevus sebaceous (NS) is a common congenital hamartoma of the skin composed predominantly of sebaceous glands. Although most NS are benign skin tumors, malignant transformations have been reported. There is still controversy about the lifetime risk of malignant degeneration and precise surgical criteria. This study reports cases of malignant degeneration and suggests a surgical treatment algorithm. The medical records of patients with basal-cell carcinoma (BCC) arising from NS between January 2001 and January 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Patient demographics including lesion location, and tumor size were investigated. The symptoms, histological findings before and after excision, complications, and recurrence during 2-year follow-up periods were investigated. Ten patients were identified with BCC arising from NS lesions. All patients were female and the mean age was 52.11 years. All patients complained of sudden morphological changes, the most common type being rapid color changes. Two cases had histological findings that showed a miss-match between punch biopsy and excisional biopsy results. No recurrence was detected 2 years after surgeries in any patients. Cases after third stage, especially in over 40 years who report morphologic changes, should undergo total surgical excision as the first approach, with strong suspicion of malignant degeneration.     

Allen试验与高频超声评价桡尺动脉侧支循环的对比研究

目的:判断高频超声桡动脉(RA)、尺动脉(UA)及手掌侧支循环的相关性及后两者在临床诊断中的准确性。方法:采用改良和量化SaO2-Allen试验方法,判断受试者手掌侧支循环建立时间。采用高频超声检测受试者RA受压迫前后,RA、UA、RA掌浅支和拇指动脉的血流动力学参数。结果:207例受试者的手掌侧支循环建立时间:量化SaO2-Allen试验坐位为7.34(Q2.5～Q97.5:4.35～13.22)s,卧位为7.30(Q2.5～Q97.5:3.63～13.22)s,改良Allen试验坐位为3.02(Q2.5～Q97.5:1.17～11.38)s,卧位为2.77(Q2.5～Q97.5:1.28～11.29)s;高频超声检测:以高频超声检测拇指动脉血流消失为异常标准,对量化SaO2和改良Allen试验进行受试者工作特征曲线分析,得出曲线下面积(AZ),量化SaO2-Allen试验AZ=0.52～0.53,改良Allen试验AZ=0.53～0.55。结论:与高频超声检测结果比较,量化SaO2和经典Allen试验诊断准确性较低。