【Objective】 To analyze the clinical data of prostate cancer patients with normal PSA level confirmed with transperineal prostate biopsy or transurethral prostate surgery, in order to improve the diagnostic level of this disease. 【Methods】 The clinical data of 6 patients were retrospectively analyzed. The age,clinical manifestations, body mass index (BMI),prostate specific antigen density (PSAD),blood triglycerides,blood cholesterol,color ultrasound imaging,magnetic resonance imaging (MRI),pathological types and Gleason scores were analyzed. The clinical characteristics and high-risk factors were summarized. 【Results】 Two cases were confirmed with prostate biopsy and four after prostate resection. Three patients had high blood triglycerides, three were negative for bone imaging, and the other three were not examined. PSAD was 0.017 to 1.215. Color ultrasound indicated that two cases had irregular morphology, two uneven echo, and one both irregular morphology and uneven echo; all six cases had calcification. In the three cases who received MRI, two had PIRADS4 nodules, one had PIRADS5 nodules, invasion of seminal vesicle, rectum, posterior wall of urinary bladder,bilateral thickening of NVB, and lymph nodes enlargement. Pathology suggested prostatic acinar adenocarcinoma in five cases, four of which had a Gleason score of 3+3=6 and one had 5+5=10; one case suggested a high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma. 【Conclusion】 The clinical detection rate is low for prostate cancer with normal PSA. The biopsy indications should be determined by combining the characteristics and high-risk factors to improve the detection rate.

OBJECTIVETo study the role of non-classical NF-κB signaling pathway in B acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL).

METHODSThe bone marrow samples from 48 patients with B-ALL were collected from March 2015 to March 2016. The real-time quantitative RT-PCR was used for determing mRNA expression levels of NF-κB family members; the NF-κB DNA binding activity in B-ALL cell nucleus was analyzed by ELISA; the apoptosis rate of B-ALL cells alone or co-cultured with bone marrow stromal cells (hBMSC) was determined by flow cytometry.

RESULTSRelative expression level of mRNA for NF-κB family members, including the Rel A, Rel B, P50 and P52 in ALL-B group was statistically significantly higher than that in normal control group (P<0.05). The clinical characteristics of B-ALL patients with different NF-κB activity were not significantly different (P> 0.05); after B-ALL cells cultured alone or co-cultured, the apoptosis rate of Rel A/ Rel Bgroup was statistically significantly higher than that in Rel A/ Rel Bgroup (P<0.05); the apoptosis rate of B-ALL cells cultured alone or co-cultured with hBMSC was significantly different.

CONCLUSIONNon-classical NF-κB signal marked by Rel B can be used as a new target for B-ALL treatment.

OBJECTIVETo compare the complete remission rate (CRR) and adverse reaction of the 3 different chemotherapy regimens (daunorubicin, idarubicin, imported idarubicin combined with cytarabine) for the treatment of adult patients with newly diagnosed non-M3 acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

METHODSSeventy-one adult patients with newly diagnosed non-M3 AML were divided into 3 groups: 17 cases treated with daunorubicin plus cytarabine as group A, 24 cases treated with idarubicin plus cytarabine as group B, 30 cases treated with the imported idarubicin plus cytarabine as group C. The curative effects and adverse reactions were compared among the 3 groups after treatment.

RESULTSCCR in group C (86.67%) was significantly higher than that in group A (52.94%) and group B (70.83%), and the CRR in group B was significantly higher than that in group A (P<0.05). The incidence of adverse reaction such as nausea, vomiting, myelosuppression and infection among 3 groups were not statistically significantant (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe curative effect of idarubicin for the treatment of non-M3 AML patients is better than that of daunorubicin, especially the curative efficiency of imported darubicin is much higher; the adverse reaction after treatment by daunorubicin and idarubicin can be controllable, so daunorubicin and idarubicin can be used as first-line drug for the patients with AML, and patients can choose more appropriate drug according to their own economic ability.

Adult ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; Cytarabine ; Daunorubicin ; Humans ; Idarubicin ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; Remission Induction

Objective To investigate the effects and potential mechanisms of ultrasound-guided thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) combined with general anesthesia in patients undergoing thoracoscopic surgery. Methods A total of 122 patients undergoing thoracoscopic surgery were selected and randomly divided into control group and tudy group, with 61 patients in each group.The control group received general anesthesia, while the study group received ultrasound-guided TPVB combined with general anesthesia.Clinical data and perioperative indicators were recorded and compared between the two groups.Mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores before surgery, 24 hours and 72 hours after surgery, and inflammatory factors[interleukin-6(IL-6), interleukin-10(IL-10), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)], oxidative stress indicators[malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px)]levels before surgery and 72 hours after surgery were compared between the two groups.Postoperative adverse reactions were recorded.Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the expression of key molecules mRNA in the Nrf2/Keap1/ARE pathway in the peripheral blood of patients in the two groups. Results There were no statistically significant differences in operative time and intraoperative blood loss between the two groups (P>0.05).The study group had shorter extubation time and indwelling time of drainage tube, less total drainage volume, and less total PCIA drug consumption within 36 hours after surgery and times of patient controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) effective compression compared to the control group (P < 0.05).At 24 and 72 hours after surgery, MAP, HR, and VAS scores were higher than preoperative levels in the control group, while VAS scores were higher than preoperative levels in the study group, but MAP, HR, and VAS scores were lower in the study group compared to the control group (P < 0.05).At 72 hours after surgery, serum levels of IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, and MDA were higher than preoperative levels, while SOD and GSH-Px levels were lower than preoperative levels in both groups.Additionally, the study group had lower serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and MDA and higher levels of IL-10, SOD, and GSH-Px compared to the control group (P < 0.05).The total incidence of postoperative adverse reactions was 4.92%(3/61) in the study group, which was lower than 21.31%(13/61) in the control group (P < 0.05).At 72 hours after surgery, the expression levels of Nrf2 mRNA and ARE mRNA in the peripheral blood of patients in the study group were lower than those in the control group, while the expression level of Keap1 mRNA was higher (P < 0.05). Conclusion Compared with general anesthesia, ultrasound-guided TPVB combined with general anesthesia can significantly improve hemodynamic stability and analgesic effects in patients with early-stage lung cancer after thoracoscopic surgery, relieve inflammatory and oxidative stress responses, and decrease the incidence of postoperative adverse reactions.The molecular mechanism may be related to the inhibition of Nrf2/Keap1/ARE signaling pathway activation.

BACKGROUND:The molecular mechanism of periprosthesis osteolysis is not yet completely clear. Periprosthetic osteolysis and absorption is the pathological and physiological process typical of artificial joint loosening. Interleukin-1 can affect bone resorption process through a mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) signaling pathway.
OBJECTIVE:To explore the effects of siRNA-induced interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase-4 gene (IRAK-4) silence on MAPK expression in MG63 cells, which may provide experimental basis for treatment and prevention of periprosthesis osteolysis.
METHODS:The siRNA sequences of the target gene, IRAK-4, were constructed and transferred into MG63 cells using Lipofectamine 2000. There were three groups:blank group=MG63 cells, control group=MG63 cells transfected with scrambled IRAK-4siRNA, and silence group=MG63 cells transfected with specific IRAK-4 siRNA. The protein level of extracellular regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (p38MAPK) were detected by western blot assay.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The expression of IRAK-4 mRNA and protein in the silence group was significantly decreased compared with the control group. Compared with the blank and control groups, 48 hours after the transfection, IRAK-4 gene silencing in MG63 cells decreased protein expression of p-JNK1/2P46, p-ERK1/2 and p-p38MAPK (P<0.05). IRAK-4 silencing inhibited ERK, JNK and p38MAPK expression in osteoblast-like cells.

The aim of this study was to clone the chicken zp1 gene encoding zona pellucida 1 (Zp1) and investigate its tissues expression profile and its effect on osteoblast mineralization. The expression level of zp1 was quantified in various tissues of laying hens and in the tibia of the pre- and post-sexual maturity by RT-qPCR. Zp1 overexpressed vector was transfected into chicken calvarial osteoblasts which were induced differentiation for 8 days, and the extracellular mineral and the expression of mineralization-related genes were detected. The full-length chicken zp1 gene is 3 045 bp, encoding 958 amino acids residuals, and has two N-glycosylation sites. The highest expression level of the zp1 gene was found in the liver, followed by the tibia and yolk membrane, while no expression was detected in the heart and eggshell gland. Compared with the pre-sexual maturity hens, the concentration of estrogen (E2) in plasma, the content of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and the expression level of the zp1 gene in the tibia with post-sexual maturity were higher. The extracellular matrix and the level of osteoblast mineralization-related genes showed a significantly upregulated expression in chicken calvarial osteoblasts with Zp1 overexpressed and addition of estrogen. The expression of the zp1 gene is tissue-specific and positively regulated osteoblast mineralization under the action of estrogen, laying the foundation for elucidating the functional properties of Zp1 in chicken bones during the egg production period.
Female ; Animals ; Zona Pellucida Glycoproteins ; Membrane Glycoproteins/metabolism* ; Chickens/genetics* ; Egg Proteins/metabolism* ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; Estrogens

Tumor-specific gene mutations might generate suitable neoepitopes for cancer immunotherapy that are highly immunogenic and absent in normal tissues. The high heterogeneity of the tumor genome poses a big challenge for precision cancer immunotherapy. Mutations characteristic of each tumor can help to distinguish it from other tumors. Based on these mutations' characteristic, it is possible to develop immunotherapeutic strategies for specific tumors. In this study, a tumor neoantigen prediction scheme was proposed, in which both the intracellular antigen presentation process and the ability to bind with extracellular MHC molecule were taken into consideration. The overall design is meritorious and may help reduce the cost for validation experiments compared with conventional methods. This strategy was tested with several cancer genome datasets in the TCGA database, and a number of potential tumor neoantigens were predicted for each dataset. These predicted neoantigens showed tumor type specificity and were found in 20% to 70% of cancer patients. This scheme might prove useful clinically in future.
Antigens, Neoplasm ; Computational Biology ; Genome, Human ; Humans ; Immunotherapy ; Mutation ; Neoplasms

Although efficient nonsurgical transfer of embryos in mice would provide many advantages over a surgical method, the low success rate of nonsurgical transfer has hampered its acceptance and use. Here, a plastic catheter was used to mimic embryo transfer process and then the transfer efficiency was evaluated by intrauterine trypan blue dye dispersion. Also 3.5-day blastocysts from natural pregnant mice were transferred through cervix into uterine horns. The results show that 70.9% of CD-1 mouse 3.5-day blastocysts transferred into unilateral uterine horns of pseudopregnant 2.5-day recipients can be developed to live newborns, and an efficient mouse nonsurgical embryo transfer technique was established. The technique was simple, rapid, inexpensive, unlikely to get contaminated, ethical and do not need specialized apparatus, and can completely replace surgical embryo transfer techniques. Moreover, the mouse nonsurgical embryo transfer technique provides a research model for human and other large animal embryo transfer.
Animals ; Blastocyst ; Embryo Transfer ; methods ; veterinary ; Female ; Mice ; Pregnancy

Objective To assess the impacts of anesthetic brochure on anesthetic information gain, preoperative anxiety, trust to anesthesiologists, and satisfaction to the preanesthesia visit for patients undergoing general anesthesia. Methods Totally 134 patients scheduled for elective thyroid surgery under general anesthesia in Peking Union Medical College Hospital were assigned to two groups using the random number table method, among whom 68 patients received brochure before preoperative visit (brochure group) and 66 patients did not (control group). Questionnaires with items for evaluating patient's information gain, preoperative anxiety and trust were completed after preanesthetic visit. Patient's satisfaction with preanesthetic visit was evaluated on the second postoperative day. Results Compared with the control group, patients in the brochure group had significantly higher information gain scores (7.2±1.8 vs. 5.2±2.1, P<0.001) and satisfaction scores (25.0±3.4 vs. 22.7±3.1, P<0.001). There was no significant difference in anxiety scores and trust scores between these two groups. Conclusion Preoperative anesthetic brochure-assisted education can improve information gain and satisfaction among patients undergoing general anesthesia; however, it can not remarkably alter patient's preoperative anxiety and trust.
Anesthesia, General ; Anesthetics ; Anxiety ; prevention & control ; Elective Surgical Procedures ; Humans ; Pamphlets ; Patient Education as Topic ; Patient Satisfaction ; Preoperative Care ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo discuss the characteristics of Chinese medicine (CM) syndrome factors and distribution of congestive heart failure (CHF), and provide a basis for the diagnosis criteria of essential syndromes.

METHODSBased on databases of China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI, 1980-2012) and Chinese Journal of Chongqing VIP Database (1989-2012), the eligible studies in CHF and extracted factors associated with compound syndromes were analyzed. All the syndromes were classified into deficiency, excess, and deficiency-excess in complexity syndrome were classified. Compound syndromes were separated into syndrome factors including single, double, three or four factors, along with the frequency of occurrence. The relation of CHF syndromes with age, gender, primary disease, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and cardiac functional grade was studied in 1,451 CHF cases (between December 2010 and September 2012), and the clinical distribution of common CHF syndromes was summarized.

RESULTSThe literature study involved 6,799 CHF cases in 66 literatures after screening. Of the different factors affecting CHF, qi deficiency was the most important one. In deficiency syndrome, Xin (Heart)-qi-deficiency was the most common single factor, and deficiency of both qi and yin was the most common double factor. The retrospective analysis involved 1,451 CHF cases (431 cases with test results of BNP). The xin blood stasis and obstruction and deficiency of both qi and yin syndrome were mostly seen in female patients, and phlegm-blocking-Xin-vessel and qi-deficiency-blood-stasis syndrome mostly in males. Xin-qi-deficiency and qi-deficiency-blood-stasis syndrome were mostly seen in patients aged 50-60 years. Patients aged over 60 years likely manifest deficiency of both qi and yin and Xin blood stasis and obstruction syndrome. The severity of syndrome is aggravated with increased BNP and cardiac functional grade.

CONCLUSIONSThe essential syndromes of CHF include qi-deficiency-blood-stasis and deficiency of both qi and yin. The clinical distribution is linked to patients' age and gender. BNP and cardiac functional grade is closely related to CHF syndromes, which may indicate the severity of CM syndromes of CHF.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Heart Failure ; therapy ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; metabolism ; Retrospective Studies ; Syndrome