Spatial light interference microscopy (SLIM) is a highly sensitive quantitative phase imaging method, which is capable of unprecedented structure studies in biology and beyond. In addition to the π/2 shift introduced in phase contrast between the scattered and unscattered light from the sample, 4 phase shifts are generated in SLIM, by increments of π/2 using a reflective liquid crystal phase modulator (LCPM). As 4 phase shifted images are required to produce a quantitative phase image, the switching speed of the LCPM and the acquisition rate of the camera limit the acquisition rate and, thus, SLIM's applicability to highly dynamic samples. In this paper we present a fast SLIM setup which can image at a maximum rate of 50 frames per second and provide in real-time quantitative phase images at 50/4 = 12.5 frames per second. We use a fast LCPM for phase shifting and a fast scientific-grade complementary metal oxide semiconductor (sCMOS) camera (Andor) for imaging. We present the dispersion relation, i.e. decay rate vs. spatial mode, associated with dynamic beating cardiomyocyte cells from the quantitative phase images obtained with the real-time SLIM system.

Studies have shown that a C1019T polymorphism of the gene encoding the gap junction protein connexin37 is associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of the present study was to explore the association between the C1019T polymorphism in the connexin37 gene and CAD patients with in-stent restenosis (ISR). A total of 532 patients who had undergone coronary stenting and coronary angiography at least three months after the procedure were divided according to a clinical diagnosis standard into two groups which were ISR (n=67) and no in-stent restenosis (NISR; n=465) groups. A further 501 healthy individuals were controls. The subjects were genotyped by DNA sequencing. The results demonstrated the following: i) connexin37 gene 1019 sites in the population were distributed by polymorphism into three genetic types (CC, TC and TT types). The distribution frequency of the healthy control, ISR and NISR groups conformed to the Hardy-Weinberg genetic balance rule; ii) in comparison with the healthy controls, the frequency of the connexin37 C allele was higher in the CAD patients (57.05% vs. 41.32%; OR, 1.89; 95% CI, 1.58–2.25; P<0.01). The frequency of the C carriers (CC+TC) was 65.47% in the healthy controls, vs. 79.32% in CAD patients (P<0.01). The CAD risk was significantly increased in the carriers of the C allele (CC+TC) compared with TT homozygotes (OR, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.53–2.80; P<0.01). Stratified analysis demonstrated that a significant difference existed in the frequency of C carriers between the male CAD patients and healthy controls (79.63% vs. 72.45%; OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.06–2.09, P=0.02), as well as in the female CAD patients (78.00% vs. 51.50%; OR, 3.34; 95% CI, 1.90–5.86; P<0.01). In the female and male CAD patients, the frequency of the connexin37 C allele was higher than in the healthy controls (male: χ2=12.67, P<0.01; female: χ2=50.20, P<0.01); iii) compared with the NISR group, the frequencies of the connexin37 C allele and C carriers (CC+TC) were significantly higher in the ISR group (frequency of C allele: 72.39% vs. 54.84%; P<0.01; frequency of C carriers: 89.55% vs. 77.85%; P=0.03). Compared with TT homozygotes, the restenosis risk was significantly increased in the carriers of the C allele (CC+TC; OR, 2.44; 95% CI, 1.08–5.50). Subsequent stratified analysis revealed that the frequency of the C allele was significantly higher in the male ISR group than in the male NISR group (78.57% vs. 52.66%; OR, 3.30; 95% CI, 2.05–5.29; P<0.01). The restenosis risk was ∼four-fold higher in the C carriers (CC+TC) than in the TT homozygotes (OR, 3.74; 95% CI, 1.32–10.64). However in the female population, there was no difference in the ISR risk between the carriers of the C allele (CC+TC) and the TT homozygotes (P=0.70). In summary, the C allele of the connexin37 gene is not only is associated with the susceptibility to CAD, but also associated with restenosis following coronary stenting in the population studied herein, particularly the male population.

We used quantitative phase imaging to measure the dispersion relation, i.e. decay rate vs. spatial mode, associated with mass transport in live cells. This approach applies equally well to both discrete and continuous mass distributions without the need for particle tracking. From the quadratic experimental curve specific to diffusion, we extracted the diffusion coefficient as the only fitting parameter. The linear portion of the dispersion relation reveals the deterministic component of the intracellular transport. Our data show a universal behavior where the intracellular transport is diffusive at small scales and deterministic at large scales. Measurements by our method and particle tracking show that, on average, the mass transport in the nucleus is slower than in the cytoplasm.

We studied the active transport of intracellular components along neuron processes with a new method developed in our laboratory, dispersion-relation phase spectroscopy. This method is able to quantitatively map spatially the heterogeneous dynamics of the concentration field of the cargos at submicron resolution without the need for tracking individual components. The results in terms of density correlation function reveal that the decay rate is linear in wavenumber, which is consistent with a narrow Lorentzian distribution of cargo velocity.

Background and Purpose. To explore strategies for the diagnosis and treatment of Rathke's cleft cyst (RCC). Methods. The medical records of 24 patients with sellar RCC were retrospectively reviewed. Two patients had concomitant pituitary adenoma, 2 underwent transcranial surgery, and 22 underwent transsphenoidal surgery. The clinical features, especially the findings of intracystic nodules on MRI, were evaluated and compared with the pathological findings. Results. Preoperatively, only 2 patients were diagnosed with RCC or suspected RCC. Pre- and postoperative MRI images revealed 10 intracystic nodules in 9 (37.5%) patients. Two nodules had bull's eyelike changes. The signal intensity of the intracystic nodules varied on T1- and T2-weighted images. Not all nodules on T2-weighted images were visualized. Postoperative MRI revealed recurrence or residual lesion in 5 patients; none had new symptoms and a second surgery was not required. Conclusions. Identifying intracystic nodules is important in patients with sellar cystic lesions. Bull's eyelike change in an intracystic nodule on MRI, which is reported here for the first time, potentially might have value for confirming the diagnosis.

Seven new formamido-diterpenes, cavernenes A–D (1–4), kalihinenes E and F (5–6), and kalihipyran C (7), together with five known compounds (8–12), were isolated from the South China Sea sponge Acanthella cavernosa. Structures were established using IR, HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR, and single X-ray diffraction techniques. The isolated compounds were assessed for their cytotoxicity against a small panel of human cancer cell lines (HCT-116, A549, HeLa, QGY-7701, and MDA-MB-231) with IC50 values in the range of 6–18 μM. In addition, compound 9 showed weak antifungal activity against Trichophyton rubrum and Microsporum gypseum with MIC values of 8 and 32 μg/mL, respectively, compound 10 displayed weak antifungal activity against fungi Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, T. rubrum, and M. gypseum with MIC values of 8, 8, 4, and 8 μg/mL, respectively.

Aims

n-3 Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are known to protect the cardiovascular system and improve blood pressure control. These important dietary constituents are converted into bioactive metabolites, but their role in regulation of the cardiovascular system is unclear. In particular, the functions of the cytochrome P450 (CYP) metabolites of n-3 PUFAs remain virtually unexplored. In this study, we examined the effects of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on the regulation of large-conductance calcium-activated potassium (BK) channel activities in coronary arterial smooth muscle cells.

Methods and results

Using whole-cell patch-clamp techniques, we found that DHA is a potent activator of BK currents in rat coronary arterial smooth muscle cells with an EC50 of 0.23 ± 0.03 µM. This effect was abolished by pre-incubation with the CYP epoxygenase inhibitor, SKF525A (10 µM). The effects of DHA on the BK channels were reproduced by 16,17-epoxydocosapentaenoic acid (16,17-EpDPE) with an EC50 of 19.7 ± 2.8 nM. The physiological role of the CYP metabolites of DHA was confirmed by measuring DHA-mediated vasodilatation in isolated rat coronary arteries. DHA dilated pressurized isolated coronary arteries in a dose-dependent manner, and the DHA effects were abolished after pre-treatment with SKF525A (10 µM) or with iberiotoxin (100 nM). In addition, 16,17-EpDPE directly produced coronary vasodilatation that was iberiotoxin sensitive.

Conclusion

These results suggest that DHA-mediated vasodilatation is mediated through CYP epoxygenase metabolites by activation of vascular BK channels.

Purpose

Tubulointerstitial hypoxia in the kidney is considered a hallmark of injury and a mediator of the progression of tubulointerstitial fibrosis. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha), a master transcription factor in cellular adaptation to hypoxia, regulates a wide variety of genes, some of which are closely associated with tissue fibrosis. The present study set out to characterize urinary HIF-1alpha expressions in patients with lupus nephritis (LN) and to explore whether urinary HIF-1alpha expressions are associated with histologic chronicity changes and renal function.

Materials and Methods

Urinary HIF-1alpha levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays in 42 patients with LN and in 30 healthy controls. Activity and chronicity indexes as well as tubular HIF-1alpha expressions were analyzed for each specimen.

Results

Urinary HIF-1alpha levels were higher in LN patients than in healthy controls (3.977±1.696 vs. 2.153±0.554 ng/mL, p<0.001) and were associated with histologic chronicity indexes (r=0.463, p<0.01) and eGFR (r=-0.324, p<0.05). However, urinary HIF-1alpha levels showed no correlation with histologic activity indexes, anti-dsDNA, ANA, complement 3 and 4 levels, proteinuria, systemic lupus erythematosis disease activity index, and WHO pathological classification (p>0.05).

Conclusion

Urinary HIF-1alpha levels were elevated in LN patients and were associated with histologic chronicity changes and renal function, indicating that HIF-1alpha might contribute to histologic chronicity in LN.

Objective

Our previous study suggested the potential clinical implications of BCAR1 in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (Mol Diagn Ther. 2011. 15(1): 31–40). Herein, we aim to evaluate the predictive power of BCAR1 as a marker for poor prognosis in NSCLC cases, verify the carcinogenic roles of BCAR1 in the A549 lung adenocarcinoma cell line, and testify to the BCAR1/phospho-p38 axis.

Methods

Between January 2006 and June 2010, there were a total of 182 patients with NSCLC (151 cases with available follow up data, and 31 cases lost to follow-up due to the invalid contact information). We inspected BCAR1, phospho-BCAR1(Tyr410), phospho-p38(Thr180/Tyr182) and p38 expression in NSCLC tissues and matched adjacent normal tissues by immunoblotting and IHC. After BCAR1 -RNA interference in A549 cells, we inspected the protein expression (BCAR1, phospho-BCAR1, phospho-p38 and p38) and performed cell biology experiments (cell growth, migration and cycle).

Results

BCAR1 was overexpressed in NSCLC tissues (177/182) and cell lines (A549 and Calu-3). However, it was not detected in the normal adjacent tissue in 161 of the 182 cases. Higher BCAR1 levels were strongly associated with more poorly differentiated NSCLC and predicted poorer prognosis. BCAR1 knockdown caused cell growth arrest, cell migration inhibition and cell cycle arrest of A549 cells. Overexpression of BCAR1 was associated with activation of p38 in NSCLC cases, and BCAR1 knockdown caused reduction of phospho-p38 levels in A549 cells.

Conclusion

Overexpression of BCAR1 is a predictor of poor prognosis in NSCLC and plays important carcinogenic roles in carcinogenesis, probably via activation of p38 MAPK. However, further investigations are required immediately.

Rare variants are believed to play an important role in disease etiology. Recent advances in high-throughput sequencing technology enable investigators to systematically characterize the genetic effects of both common and rare variants. We introduce several approaches that simultaneously test the effects of common and rare variants within a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) set based on logistic regression models and logistic kernel machine models. Gene-environment interactions and SNP-SNP interactions are also considered in some of these models. We illustrate the performance of these methods using the unrelated individuals data from Genetic Analysis Workshop 17. Three true disease genes (FLT1, PIK3C3, and KDR) were consistently selected using the proposed methods. In addition, compared to logistic regression models, the logistic kernel machine models were more powerful, presumably because they reduced the effective number of parameters through regularization. Our results also suggest that a screening step is effective in decreasing the number of false-positive findings, which is often a big concern for association studies.

Background

Solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura (SFTP) is an uncommon neoplasm arising from mesenchymal cells. The aim of this study is to summarize the experience and the outcome of the surgical treatment for 39 cases of SFTP.

Methods

From January 2004 to December 2008, 39 patients underwent surgical resection of SFTP in our department. All patients had clinical follow-up by the same team of surgeons. The mean follow-up was 40.3 months.

Results

A local removal of the neoplasm was accomplished by video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) in 9 patients (group A) and by thoracotomy in 30 patients (group B) respectively. Comparing with group B, operations in group A took significantly less operative time, blood loss and spent less time in the intensive care unit and hospital. All specimens were positive for CD34 and Bcl-2. One patient developed recurrence, and the remaining 38 patients are alive and disease free at the end of follow-up.

Conclusions

Malignant SFTP still had the potential recurrence. VATS represents the more acceptable choice for the selected patients with SFTP.

Rationale

The large conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (BK) channel, a key determinant of vascular tone, is regulated by angiotensin II (Ang II) type 1 receptor (AT1R) signaling. Upregulation of Ang II functions and downregulation of BK channel activities have been reported in diabetic vessels. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying Ang II-mediated BK channel modulation, especially in diabetes mellitus, have not been thoroughly examined.

Objectives

The aim in this study was to determine whether caveolae-targeting facilitates BK channel dysfunction in diabetic vessels.

Results

We found that BK channels, AT1R, Gαq/11, non-phagocytic NAD(P)H oxidases (NOX-1) and c-Src kinases (c-Src) were co-localized in the caveolae of rat arterial smooth muscle cells (SMC) and the integrity of caveolae in SMC was critical for Ang II-mediated BK channel regulation. Most importantly, membrane microdomain targeting of these proteins was upregulated in the caveolae of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced rat diabetic vessels, leading to enhanced Ang II-induced redox-mediated BK channel modification and causing BK channel and coronary dysfunction. The absence of caveolae abolished the effects of Ang II on vascular BK channel activity and preserved BK channel function in diabetes.

Conclusion

These results identified a molecular scheme of receptor-enzyme-channel-caveolae microdomain complex, which facilitates the development of vascular BK channel dysfunction in diabetes.

We present optical measurements of nanoscale red blood cell fluctuations obtained by highly sensitive quantitative phase imaging. These spatio-temporal fluctuations are modeled in terms of the bulk viscoelastic response of the cell. Relating the displacement distribution to the storage and loss moduli of the bulk has the advantage of incorporating all geometric and cortical effects into a single effective medium behavior. The results on normal cells indicate that the viscous modulus is much larger than the elastic one throughout the entire frequency range covered by the measurement, indicating fluid behavior.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to demonstrate that NADPH oxidase mediating the ROS production is the major pathway for ROS generation in neutrophils during exercise. NADPH oxidase, as a target can modulate oxidative damage induced by overtraining, which can be value to the prevention of exercise-induced immunosuppression.

Methods: Thirty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: a negative control group (C, n = 10), an overtraining group (E, n = 10) and an overtraining + DPI intervention group (D, n =10). Groups E and D were trained on a standard treadmill with progressive load for 11 weeks. After 36-40 h from the last training, eight rats were randomly selected from each group, and blood was sampled from the orbital vein. ELISAs were used to measure serum cytokine levels and lipid peroxidation in blood plasma. Flow cytometry with Annexin V / PI double staining was used to measure neutrophil apoptosis and necrosis. DNA damage in lymphocytes was tested using single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE). The co-localization between gp91phox and p47phox of the NADPH-oxidase was detected using immunocytochemistry and confocal microscopy.

Results: 1) Compared with group C, the concentrations of IL-1β, IL-8, and TNF-α were significantly increased and MCP-1, and CINC were significantly decreased in blood plasma from group E (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). Concentrations of IL-1β and MCP-1 were decreased (P < 0.05), and IL-8 and TNF-α were significantly increased (P <0.05) in blood plasma from group D. MDA and MPO were elevated in plasma from groups E and D (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). 2) Compared with group C, the percentage of neutrophils apoptosis were significantly elevated (P < 0.01) in both groups E and D, and the percentage of cell death was raised in group E (P < 0.05). No significant change was observed in group D. 3) Compared with group C, the number of comet cells, an indicator of DNA damage, was significantly increased (P < 0.01), and the width and tail length of comet cells were notably increased in group E, while no significant increase was observed in group D. 4) The p47phox protein translocated to the cell membrane and co-localized with the gp91phox subunit of NADPH oxidase in neutrophils activated by overtraining.

Conclusion: 1) Excessive exercise led to an increased secretion of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in peripheral blood, and it may have induced tissue inflammation 2) Overtraining can activate the NADPH oxidase-mediated overproduction of ROS, leading to increased lipid peroxidation. 3) NADPHoxidase in neutrophils as a target, was responsible for ROS, oxidative damage to phagocytes and lymphocytes and changes to inflammatory cytokines and immune regulatory factors all affect cellular immune functions and may be causative factors for exercise-induced immunosuppression.

AIM: To study the effect of 5-Aza-2’-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-CdR) on heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), human leucocyte antigen-I (HLA-I) and NY-ESO-1 proteins in exosomes produced by hepatoma cells, HepG2 and Hep3B.

METHODS: Exosomes derived from HepG2 and Hep3B cells treated with or without 5-aza-CdR were isolated and purified by ultrafiltration centrifugation and sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation. The number of exosomes was counted under electron microscope. Concentration of proteins in exosomes was measured by bicinchoninic acid protein assay. Expression of HSP70, HLA-I and NY-ESO-1 proteins in exosomes was detected by Western blotting and immunoelectron microscopy. mRNA expression of p53 gene was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS: The mRNA expression of p53 gene was increased in both hepatoma cell lines after treatment with 5-Aza-CdR. The number of exosomes and the concentration of total proteins in exosomes were increased significantly after treatment with 5-aza-CdR (P < 0.05). After treatment with 5-Aza-CdR, immunoelectron microscopy and Western blotting showed that the HSP70, HLA-I and NY-ESO-1 proteins were increased in exosomes produced by both hepatoma cell lines.

CONCLUSION: 5-aza-CdR, an inhibitor of DNA methyltransferase, can increase exosomes produced by hepatoma cells and immune-associated protein component of exosomes, which may be mediated by p53 gene up-regulation and 5-Aza-CdR demethylation.

Background

There are many reports about the anti-arrhythmic effects of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, however, the mechanisms are still not completely delineated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of action potentials and transient outward potassium currents (Ito) of Sprague-Dawley rat ventricular myocytes and the effects of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on action potentials and Ito.

Methods

The calcium-tolerant rat ventricular myocytes were isolated by enzyme digestion. Action potentials and Ito of epicardial, mid-cardial and endocardial ventricular myocytes were recorded by whole-cell patch clamp technique.

Results

1. Action potential durations (APDs) were prolonged from epicardial to endocardial ventricular myocytes (P < 0.05). 2. Ito current densities were decreased from epicardial to endocardial ventricular myocytes, which were 59.50 ± 15.99 pA/pF, 29.15 ± 5.53 pA/pF, and 12.29 ± 3.62 pA/pF, respectively at +70 mV test potential (P < 0.05). 3. APDs were gradually prolonged with the increase of DHA concentrations from 1 μmol/L to 100 μmol/L, however, APDs changes were not significant as DHA concentrations were in the range of 0 μmol/L to 1 μmol/L. 4. Ito currents were gradually reduced with the increase of DHA concentrations from 1 μmol/L to 100 μmol/L, and its half-inhibited concentration was 5.3 μmol/L. The results showed that there were regional differences in the distribution of action potentials and Ito in rat epicardial, mid-cardial and endocardial ventricular myocytes. APDs were prolonged and Ito current densities were gradually reduced with the increase of DHA concentrations.

Conclusion

The anti-arrhythmia mechanisms of DHA are complex, however, the effects of DHA on action potentials and Ito may be one of the important causes.

OBJECTIVE—The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between pre-diabetes and orthostatic hypotension and to examine the prevalence and correlates of orthostatic hypotension in community dwellers with normal glucose tolerance (NGT), pre-diabetes, and diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—All participants were classified as having NGT (n = 1,069), pre-diabetes (n = 412), or diabetes (n = 157). Orthostatic hypotension was defined as a decline in systolic/diastolic blood pressure of ≥20/10 mmHg when an individual changed from a supine to a standing position. The cardiovagal response to standing was the ratio between the longest RR interval around beat 30 and the shortest RR interval around beat 15 after standing (30 max–to–15 min ratio).

RESULTS—The prevalences of orthostatic hypotension were 13.8, 17.7, and 25.5% in subjects with NGT, pre-diabetes, and diabetes, respectively. For all subjects, age, diabetes, hypertension, and a decreased 30 max–to–15 min ratio, but not pre-diabetes, were independently associated with orthostatic hypotension. Age, hypertension, and 30 max–to–15 min ratio were the correlates of orthostatic hypotension in NGT subjects. Age and hypertension were related to orthostatic hypotension in pre-diabetic subjects. A1C and hypertension were the determinants of orthostatic hypotension in diabetic subjects. Supine blood pressure was related to orthostatic hypotension in all subjects and subgroups.

CONCLUSIONS—Pre-diabetic subjects do not have a higher risk of orthostatic hypotension than subjects with NGT, although the risk of orthostatic hypotension is higher in diabetic subjects. Hypertension and supine blood pressure were risk factors for orthostatic hypotension in both pre-diabetic and diabetic subjects. Age and A1C were the correlates of orthostatic hypotension in pre-diabetic and diabetic subjects, respectively. The cardiovagal response to standing is an important determinant of orthostatic hypotension in subjects with NGT but not in pre-diabetic and diabetic subjects.

Lanthanum zinc penta­borate, LaZnB5O10, was synthesized by flux-supported solid-state reaction. It is a member of the LnMB5O10 (Ln = rare earth ion and M = divalent metal ion) structure type. The crystal shows a three-dimensional structure constructed from two-dimensional {[B5O10]5−}n layers with the lanthanum (coordination number nine) and zinc (coordination number six) ions filling in the inter­layers.

AIM: To evaluate the diagnosis of chest pain with foregut symptoms in Chinese patients.

METHODS: Esophageal manometric studies, 24-h introesophageal pH monitoring and 24-h electrocardiograms (Holter electrocardiography) were performed in 61 patients with chest pain.

RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients were diagnosed with non-specific esophageal motility disorders (29 patients with abnormal gastroesophageal reflux and eight patients with myocardial ischemia). Five patients had diffuse spasm of the esophagus plus abnormal gastroesophageal reflux (two patients had concomitant myocardial ischemia), and one patient was diagnosed with nutcracker esophagus.

CONCLUSION: The esophageal manometric studies, 24-h intra-esophageal pH monitoring and Holter electrocardiography are significant for the differential diagnosis of chest pain, particularly in patients with foregut symptoms. In cases of esophageal motility disorders, pathological gastroesophageal reflux may be a major cause of chest pain with non-specific esophageal motility disorders. Spasm of the esophageal smooth muscle might affect the heart-coronary smooth muscle, leading to myocardial ischemia.

In the crystal structure of the title compound, C11H14ClNO3, inter­molecular hydrogen bonds link mol­ecules in the ab plane, forming layers that stack along the c axis.

Background

Controversy still exists in the indication and timing of surgical treatment of pulmonary hamartoma (PH). The objective of this study is to summarize the experience and the outcome of the surgical treatment for pulmonary hamartomas, and to assess the effectiveness and necessity of surgical therapy administered in patients with pulmonary hamatoma as well as clinical and pathological features and long-term follow-up results.

Methods

This retrospective report has reviewed a 20-years clinical history of surgical treatment for 39 patients with PH from 1985 to 2006. These thirty-nine patients underwent 40 operations as follows: wedge resection (23), enucleation (10), segmentectomy (3), lobectomy (3), and pneumonectomy (1).

Results

The PH occurred most frequently (78.1%) in the patients aged 40 to 60 years and the sex ratio (male/female) was 2.25/1 in our series. No postoperative death was encountered. One patient with pleural effusion was cured after thoracentesis. All of these 39 patients were proved with pathologic diagnosis of PH and the popcorn calcification was found in 6 cases before operation. In 38 cases having the mean follow-up of 7.3 years, a patient was operated thrice for regional recurrence.

Conclusion

Fast frozen section in operation is critical for acquire accurate pathological diagnosis. Due to potential trend of recurrence or malignance, patients with hamartoma should be submitted to a complete evaluation and a regular follow-up.

The title compound, C22H22N2O10, was prepared by the glycosidation method through nitrite displacement on substituted nitro­phthalonitrile. The mol­ecule contains a benzene ring, two nitrile groups and an acetyl-protected d-glucose fragment which adopts a chair conformation. The absolute configuration was determined by the use of d-glucose as starting material. All substituents of the protected sugar are in equatorial positions, with the exclusive presence of the α-anomer. The crystal packing is stabilized by C—H⋯O and C—H⋯N hydrogen-bonding inter­actions.

Background

The oral health status of rural residents in the People's Republic of China has not been extensively studied and the relationship between poor oral health and esophageal cancer (EC) is unclear. We aim to report the oral health status of adults participating in an EC screening study conducted in a rural high-risk EC area of China and to explore the relationship between oral health and esophageal dysplasia.

Methods

National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) oral health examination procedures and the Modified Gingival Index (MGI) were used in a clinical study designed to examine risk factors for esophageal cancer and to test a new esophageal cytology sampling device. This study was conducted in three rural villages in China with high rates of EC in 2002 and was a collaborative effort involving investigators from the National Institutes of Health and the Cancer Institute of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences.

Results

Nearly 17% of the study participants aged 40–67 years old were edentulous. Overall, the mean number of adjusted missing teeth (including third molars and retained dental roots) was 13.8 and 35% had 7 contacts or less. Women were more likely to experience greater tooth loss than men. The average age at the time of first tooth loss for those with no posterior functional contacts was approximately 41 years for men and 36 years for women. The mean DMFT (decayed, missing, and filled teeth) score for the study population was 8.5. Older persons, females, and individuals having lower educational attainment had higher DMFT scores. The prevalence of periodontal disease (defined as at least one site with 3 mm of attachment loss and 4 mm of pocket depth) was 44.7%, and 36.7% of the study participants had at least one site with 6 mm or more of attachment loss. Results from a parsimonious multivariate model indicate that participants with poor oral health wemore likely to have esophageal dysplasia (OR = 1.59; 95% CI 1.06, 2.39).

Conclusion

This report describes the first use of NHANES oral health protocols employed in a clinical study conducted outside of the United States. The extent and severity of poor oral health in this Chinese study group may be an important health problem and contributing factor to the prevalence of EC.