Levels of circulating cell-free nuclear and mitochondrial DNA in benign and malignant ovarian tumors

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the levels of circulating cell-free nuclear DNA and circulating cell-free mitochondrial DNA in patients with benign and malignant ovarian tumors using a gold-standard assay and to investigate whether quantitative alterations of the circulating cell-free species have values in the management of the patients. METHODS: One hundred four patients were recruited for this study. We developed a quantitative, multiplex polymerase chain reaction to measure the levels of circulating cell-free nuclear DNA and circulating cell-free mitochondrial DNA in serum and plasma of patients with epithelial ovarian cancer, benign epithelial ovarian tumors, or endometriosis. The levels of the circulating cell-free DNA were compared with those of a healthy, age-matched control group. RESULTS: The patients with epithelial ovarian cancer had significantly higher amounts of circulating cell-free nuclear DNA and circulating cell-free mitochondrial DNA in plasma compared with the healthy control group (mean of nuclear DNA 10,723/2,591 and mean of mitochondrial DNA 4,918,978/2,294,264, P=.009 and 0.022, respectively) and with the other group with benign ovarian diseases (mean of nuclear DNA 10,723/2,965 and mean of mitochondrial DNA 4,918,978/1,597,551, P=.027 and 0.002, respectively). However, no relationship between levels of the circulating cell-free DNA and the pathological parameters as well as CA 125 measurement in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer was found. A significant difference between the epithelial ovarian cancer and endometriosis group was found in circulating cell-free mitochondrial DNA but not in circulating cell-free nuclear DNA (mean of mitochondrial DNA 4,918,978/2,273,988 and mean of nuclear DNA 10,723/3,291, P=.013 and 0.105, respectively). CONCLUSION: Elevated levels of circulating cell-free nuclear DNA and circulating cell-free mitochondrial DNA in epithelial ovarian cancer may have diagnostic value. Our finding suggests that the circulating molecules might be potential biomarkers in the disease.     

The effect of labour and placental separation on the shedding of syncytiotrophoblast microparticles, cell-free DNA and mRNA in normal pregnancy and pre-eclampsia

The clinical features of the maternal syndrome of pre-eclampsia can be explained by generalised maternal endothelial cell dysfunction, which is a part of a more global maternal systemic inflammatory response. There is growing evidence that these effects are associated with the shedding of cellular debris, including syncytiotrophoblast microparticles (STBM), cell-free DNA and mRNA, from the surface of the placenta (syncytiotrophoblast) into the maternal circulation. The increased shedding of this debris seen in pre-eclampsia is believed to be caused by placental ischaemia, reperfusion and oxidative stress. This study was carried out to determine whether uterine contractions during labour and subsequent placental separation lead to an acute increase in the release of placental debris into the maternal circulation. To assess the effects of labour, samples were taken from 10 normal pregnant (NP) and 10 pre-eclamptic (PE) women at varied time points. Similarly to assess the effects of placental delivery, plasma samples were taken from 10 NP and 10 PE women undergoing elective caesarean section. There was a significant increase in the shedding of STBM in pre-eclampsia which was not seen in normal pregnancy and there was a small rise in STBM levels at placental separation in both normal pregnant and pre-eclamptic women undergoing caesarean section, but the differences were not significant. However, levels of placental cell-free corticotrophin releasing hormone mRNA were significantly increased in labour in both normal pregnancy and pre-eclampsia and were still high 24 h after delivery in the pre-eclamptic women. There was no significant increase in fetal or total DNA in labour, but the overall levels of total DNA (maternal and fetal) was increased in labour in pre-eclampsia compared to normal labour. The enhanced shedding of STBM and CRH mRNA in pre-eclampsia labour may have a role in cases of postpartum worsening of pre-eclampsia.     

全国胎儿医学与产前诊断学术研讨会纪要

由中华医学会<中华妇产科杂志>编委会主办、南方医科大学南方医院协办的全国胎儿医学与产前诊断学术研讨会于2007年9月14-17日在花城广州召开.<中华妇产科杂志>总编辑郎景和教授、副总编辑黄醒华教授和林其德教授,以及来自全国各地近300名产科、新生儿科等专家和代表参加了会议.会议系统介绍了从早孕到分娩期多种现代产科胎儿疾病诊断、治疗和胎儿监测技术,围绕胎儿医学、遗传咨询、宫内诊断等临床热点进行了热烈讨论.会议特邀澳大利亚南澳洲大学副校长McMillen教授、中国香港中文大学刘子建教授、首都医科大学附属北京妇产医院黄醒华教授等17位国内外著名专家作了专题讲座,并先后有13位代表进行了大会论文报告.现将会议内容纪要如下.     

社区精神分裂症患者精神康复状况及相关因素调查

目的：了解社区精神分裂症患者的精神康复状况并分析相关影响因素。方法：应用自编问卷收集178例社区精神分裂症患者的精神康复相关资料，由精神科医生对患者评定社会功能缺陷筛选量表（SDSS）、临床大体印象量表（CGI）、简明精神病量表（BPRS）。结果：轻度精神残疾者为60．7％，中度及以上者为39．3％。患者的年龄、婚姻状况、首次发病年龄、病程、住院次数、治疗依从性、病情严重程度、精神症状及自知力与患者的社会功能恢复情况显著相关。结论：社区精神分裂症患者多数社会功能恢复较好，患者的社会人口学特征、治疗依从性和病情严重程度影响康复状况。     

应用二维超声方法评价高血压血管内皮功能

目的:对高血压1～2级无心血管其他危险因素病人的血管内皮功能作一评估,并探讨高血压对内皮功能的影响及其可能机制。方法:研究对象30例,高血压病人和正常人各15例。应用高分辨二维超声方法检测反应性充血前后肱动脉直径,比较两组的血流介导血管舒张测定百分数(FMD)功能以及与血压之间的关系;同时比较两组血清氧化低密度脂蛋白(ox-LDL)、一氧化氮(NO)及内皮素-1(ET-1)的水平。结果:①高血压病人FMD(10.79%)明显低于对照组(19.61%),P<0.01。②相关分析显示,FMD%分别与收缩压(r=-0.446,P<0.01)、舒张压(r=-0.645,P<0.01)呈负相关。③高血压病人血清ox-LDL、ET-1显著高于对照组(P<0.01),而NO则明显低于对照组(P<0.01)。结论:高血压病早期虽无明显动脉硬化,但已存在血管内皮功能的损伤。     

多层螺旋CT在骶管阻滞麻醉中的临床应用

目的 为骶管阻滞麻醉骶管裂孔穿刺点体表定位、进针方向及深度探索一种新的方法。方法 回顾性对8例盆腔扫描病人进行三维重建,测量骶管裂孔至拟注药点的距离及骶管裂孔大小;骶骨表面重建后对骶管裂孔、骶管的形状进行评估,确定进针方向。结果 全部病人经骶骨表面重建后能通过各种角度对骶管裂孔进行观察并测量骶管裂孔的大小,从骶正中嵴将骶骨切除一半后能对骶管的形状及走行进行精确的观察并准确测出了骶管裂孔至注药点的距离。利用上述数据术前在病人体表进行了准确定位,并成功实施了麻醉。结论 本方法可帮助医生对骶管裂孔进针方向、进针深度提供准确的数据。显著提高了麻醉手术的成功率,避免了给患者可能带来的副损伤,同时还可进行术前麻醉模拟训练。     

地黄饮子对脑缺血后大鼠海马BDNF的影响

目的研究地黄饮子对大鼠持续性脑缺血后海马内脑源性神经营养因子(BDNF)的影响.方法用线栓法建立大鼠脑缺血模型,以免疫组化技术显示地黄饮子在缺血后对海马区BDNF的影响.结果在大鼠脑缺血区有BDNF阳性神经元表达,缺血组和给药组海马区神经元随缺血时间的延长,存活细胞数目均逐渐减少,而给药组存活的神经细胞数目较缺血组多.结论地黄饮子可通过促进BDNF表达,抑制细胞死亡,促进脑缺血后海马神经元的存活和修复.