Quorum sensing is defined as the cell density-dependent regulation of gene expression, and the involved system is the quorum sensing system, in which N-acyl homoserine lactone is known as the signal molecules of most gram-negative organisms. It can regulate diverse physiological functions. This paper reviewed the quorum sensing systems and the recent advances which play a major role in the formation of the symbiosis between the rhizobia and their host plants.

Objective To investigate the expression of lung keratinocyte growth factor receptor (KGFR) in rats with acute spinal cord injury (ASCI) in different time points and its role in lung edema.Methods Thirty-two adult Wistar rats weighing 240 g to 260 g were assigned to experimental group (n =16) and control group (n =16) according to the random number table.Each group consisted of time points of 24 hours,3 days,1 week and 2 weeks after the modeling (4 rats per time point).A rat model of ASCI in experimental group was induced at C7 segment by dropping a weight of 10 g from the height of 2.5 cm (Allen' s method).In control group,laminas were removed only,leaving spinal cord at C7 intact.Rats were sacrificed at each time point for measurement of lung wet/dry weight ratio,Western blot analysis of expression of lung KGFR protein and RT-qPCR detection of lung KGFR mRNA expression.Results After ASCI in rats,the expressions of lung KGFR protein and mRNA began to drop at 24 hours (0.23 ±0.06,0,012 1 ±0.002 3),reached the trough at 3 days (0.17 ±0.04,0.008 5 ±0.001 7)and picked up at 1 week.Expression of lung KGFR mRNA in experiment group showed statistically significant difference from that in control group at 24 hours and 3 days (P ＜ 0.05),whereas in each time point the difference of KGFR protein expression between experiment and control groups was statistically significant(P ＜0.05).Variation trend of KGFR expression was in parallel with the severity degree of pulmonary edema.Conclusion Lung KGFR presents significant down-regulation in ASCI rats and this may be associated with the development of pulmonary edema after ASCI.

Objective To find the nursing methods to train the neonatal sucking function and accelerate the gastrointestinal peristalsis and the secretion of digestive juice. Methods 80 premature infants with feeding difficulty within two days after they were born were chosen by random. Then according to the psychological characteristics of neonates, took the canonical and practical feeding methods by the appointed person in continuity. Results Compared with before, the incidence of difficult feeding decreased, sucking ability and gastrointestinal function greatly alleviated after using the modified method. Conclusions The improved method could accelerate the recovery of sucking and gastrointestinal function as soon as possible for premature infants without complications, which has practical clinical significance.

Adenoma ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Adult ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Exons ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Ki-67 Antigen ; metabolism ; Male ; Mutation ; Nuclear Proteins ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf ; genetics ; Thyroglobulin ; metabolism ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Thyroid Nuclear Factor 1 ; Transcription Factors ; metabolism

OBJECTIVESTo evaluate the feasibility and safety of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), and to compare surgical results of VATS with standard median sternotomy (MS) and other minimal invasive approaches through various small incisions (SI).

METHODSTotally 111 patients underwent surgery for thymic disorders (maximun diameter ≤ 5 cm, clinical stage I-II for thymic tumors) during March 2010 to June 2012 was retrospectively reviewed. There were 46 male and 65 female patients with a mean age of (51 ± 15) years.Resection via VATS was carried out in 47 patients, via SI in 26 patients, and via MS in 38 patients. Demographic characteristics, operation time, number and cause of conversion, blood loss during operation, duration and amount of chest tube drainage, transfusion, morbidity, and length of hospital stay (LHS) were compared between the three groups.

RESULTSOf the 111 patients, 79 patients had thymic epithelia tumors (stage I 32 patients, stage II 39 patients, stage III 8 patients), 31 patients had benign cysts and 1 patient had tuberculosis.In the VATS group, there were 3 conversions among 38 patients through right-side approach, and 4 conversions among 9 patients through left-side approach. The causes for conversion included dense pleura adhesion, invasion of tumor into adjacent structures (pericardium, lung, or great vessels), and injury of the left inominate vein. There was no significant difference in operative time, blood loss or transfusion during operation, duration or amount of postoperative chest tube drainage among the 3 groups (P > 0.05). Average LHS was significantly shorter in the VATS group (5.7 ± 1.7) days than in the SI group (7.5 ± 2.2) days and the MS group (8.2 ± 1.9) days (F = 3.759, P = 0.002). Total thymectomy was performed in 74 patients, 25 patients (53.2%, 25/47) in VATS group, 11 patients (42.3%, 11/26) in SI group, and 38 patients (100%, 38/38) in MS group. The reset of the patients received tumor resection and partial thymectomy. Among all the subgroups, LHS was the shortest in VATS total thymectomy patients (5.0 ± 1.4) days (F = 5.844, P = 0.001). There was no perioperative mortality. The only major morbidity was a postoperative bleeding necessitating reintervention in SI group.

CONCLUSIONSVATS for benign thymic lesions and early-stage thymic tumors is safe and feasible.It is associated with shorter hospital stay compared with other minimal invasive approaches or standard sternotomy.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Thymectomy ; methods ; Thymoma ; surgery ; Thymus Neoplasms ; surgery

Objective To examine mycological profile of eryptococcal meningitis in patients with non-acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) during treatment and follow-up so that to support clinical therapy. Methods Data of 28 cuhure-confirmed cryptoeoccal meningitis patients with non-AIDS were retrospectively analyzed. Fungat smear, count, culture and latex agglutination test of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were done during treatment and follow-up. Initial treatment included intravenous amphotericin B plus oral flucytosine or f;uconazole for at least 6 weeks, and consolidation treatment included oral fluconazole and (or) itraeonazole for at least 2 months. All 28 patients were cured. The data were analyzed by rank-sum test. Results The positive rate of CSF fungal smear was 92.9% before treatment and gradually decreased, and the fungal count was significantly reduced over time after treatment. While fungal smears of some patients were still positive after initial treatment. Fungal growth time in culture was gradually extended, and fungal culture turned to be negative in all patients after 2 weeks of treatment. The positive rate of latex agglutination test of CSF was 100%. Cryptococcal antigen titer decreased steadily after treatment, which was not correlated with the decrease of fungal count. Conclusion Mycological tests of patients with eryptococcal meningitis should be interpreted comprehensively during treatment, and result of each test should be specifically analyzed.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate cervical esophageal reconstruction by means of laryngo-tracheal flap after resection of hypopharyngeal carcinoma with cervical esophageal involvement. METHOD: Eleven cases of hypopharyngeal carcinoma with cervical esophageal involvement. Unilateral piriform sinus and cervical esophagus were involved in 8 cases (8/11) while bilateral piriform sinus, posterior pharyngeal wall and cervical esophagus were involved in 3 cases. After resection of laryngeal, pharyngeal and esophageal tumors and bilateral neck dissection, direct anastomosis of larynx and trachea with esophagus of cervico-thoracic segment was performed if circular structure of larynx and trachea could be preserved (3/11), pectoralis major myocutaneous flap was employed if only part of pharynx and larynx could be preserved (8/11). Postoperative radiochemotherapy was adopted and follow-up lasted for 1-5 years. RESULT: All cases healed without event except for one case of pharyngeal fistula and one case of chylous fistula which also healed after about 2 weeks dressing change. All patients got normal diet without anastomotic stricture. There was no recurrence in 6 patients at the 3 years follow-up, 4 patients had metastases in the neck and 1 patient had thoracic esophageal carcinoma with hepatic metastasis arid gave up further treatment. The overall 3-year survival rate was 54.5%. CONCLUSION Using laryngo-tracheal flap to reconstruct cervical esophagus after resection of hypopharyngeal carcinoma with cervical esophageal involvement is a recommendable method that is simple in processing, reliable in effect and less in postoperative complications.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Esophagus ; pathology ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; Humans ; Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Larynx ; Neck ; Neck Dissection ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Pharynx ; Postoperative Complications ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck ; Surgical Flaps ; Survival Rate

Objective · To investigate effect of fucoidan on autophagy, migration and invasion in human multiple myeloma U266 cells. Methods · The U266 cells treated with fucoidan were cultured in vitro. The formation of autophagosomes was observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Transwell assay was used to evaluate the effect of fucoidan on migratory and invasive abilities of U266 cells. The protein levels of LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ, Beclin-1, P62, MMP9, CXCR4, p-AKT/T-AKT, p-mTOR/T-mTOR were detected by Western blotting. MMP9 concentration in the culture medium was examined by ELISA. Results · ① Autophagosomes increased in fucoidan-treated cells compared with control group under TEM. ② Migratory and invasive abilities were inhibited by fucoidan in a dose-dependent manner, which were suppressed by chloroquine. ③ Western blotting demonstrated that expression of LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ, Beclin-1 and MMP9 increased in fucoidan-treated cells, while P62, CXCR4, p-AKT/T-AKT and p-mTOR/T-mTOR decreased compared with control group. ④ The result of ELISA showed that MMP9 concentration in the culture medium of fucoidan-treated cells significantly decreased. Conclusion · Fucoidan induces autophagy and inhibits migration and invasion in U266 cells.

Objective To investigate the prevalence of and risk factors for glucocorticoid-induced diabetes mellitus (GDM) in patients with pemphigus or pemphigoid receiving glucocorticoid therapy.Methods This study included 68 hospitalized patients with pemphigus or pemphigoid receiving glucocorticoid therapy in the Institute of Dermatology,Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College from December 2011 to January 2013.Comparisons were carried out between patients with GDM and those without regarding multiple parameters,including age,sex,body mass index (BMI),pathological type,initial dose and maximum daily dose of glucocorticoids,family history of diabetes mellitus,immunosuppressive treatment,etc.Independent samples t test was used for intergroup comparisons,Chi-square test and Fisher exact probability test for the analysis of count data,and a logistic regression model for the determination of risk factors.Results Among the 68 patients,26 (38.2％) developed GDM during glucocorticoid therapy.Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that the initial dose of glucocorticoids (P ＜ 0.05,OR 1.023,95％ CI 1.002-1.044),maximum daily dose of glucocorticoids(P ＜ 0.01,OR 1.037,95％ CI 1.013-1.062),duration of glucocorticoid treatment (P ＜ 0.05,OR 1.143,95％ CI 1.028-1.271),BMI (P ＜ 0.01,OR 1.265,95％ CI 1.080-1.481) and dexamethasone use (P ＜ 0.01,OR 6.0,95％ CI 1.887-19.076) were risk factors for GDM in these patients.Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that BMI (P ＜ 0.05,OR 1.223,95％ CI 1.017-1.471) and maximum daily dose of glucocorticoids (P ＜ 0.05,OR 1.037,95％ CI 1.009-1.065) were independent risk factors for GDM.Conclusions In this study,38.2％ of the patients with pemphigus or pemphigoid developed GDM during glucocorticoid therapy.BMI and maximum daily dose of glucocorticoids seem to be independent risk factors for GDM.

Objective To detect the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interferengamma (IFN-γ) in brucellosis patients and to study the Th1 immune response in acute and chronic patients.Method Serum levels of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma of 110 brucellosis patients,including 58 acute brucellosis patients and 52 chronic brucellosis patients,were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) from 2014 to 2015 in Zhangjiakou Infectious Disease Hospital.Results The serum levels of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma of 58 acute brucellosis patients were (38.2± 3.6) pg/L and (31.3 ± 3.7) ng/L,respectively;the serum levels of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma of 52 chronic brucellosis patients were (12.4 ± 2.6) pg/L and (8.8 ± 3.4) ng/L,respectively.The differences were statistically significant between acute and chronic patients (t =43.216,33.809,all P ＜ 0.05).The early cure rate,early base cure rate,improvement rate and inefficiency rate were 36.2％ (21/58),32.7％ (19/58),25.9％ (15/58)and 5.2％ (3/58),respectively in acute patients.Inversely,they were 17.3％ (9/52),13.5％ (7/52),15.4％ (8/52)and 53.8％ (28/52),respectively in chronic patients.The therapeutic effect was better in acutepatients than chronic patients (x2 =4.937,5.657,all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion It seems that acute brucellosis patients have a higher serum levels of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma and a better prognosis due to effective Th1 immune response,and chronic brucellosis patients are associated with poor outcome due to deficiency of Th1 immune response.