Objective To establish a rat model of coal-burning-borne fluorosis,and to observe the expression changes of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) and bone morphogenetic protein-3 (BMP-3) in the serum of rat treated with different dose of fluoride and different treatment duration.Methods A total of 120 clean grade SD rats(body mass between 80 to 120 g) weaned for 4 weeks were randomly assigned into four groups,which were control,low-dose fluorid,medium-dose fluorid and high-dose fluorid groups,respectively,and 30 rats in each group (female 15,male 15).All of the rats were fed with coal drying corn from fluorosis area.Ten rats were killed by femoral artery bleeding 30 d,90 d and 180 d after exposed to fluoride,respectively.Serum BMP-2 and BMP-3 level was tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results ①Results of BMP-2:after exposed to fluoride for 90 d and 180 d,the differences of serum BMP-2 level between groups were statistically significant(F=385.08,173.98,all P ＜ 0.01).In low-dose fluorid,medium-dose fluorid and high-dose fluorid groups,the expression of serum BMP-2 at 90 d[(18.80 ± 0.43),(22.22 ± 0.85),(25.14 ± 0.69)μg/L] and 180 d[(7.98 ± 0.68),(8.97 ± 0.78),(15.04 ± 0.89)μg/L] was higher than that of control group[(12.54 ± 1.29),(7.53 ± 0.97)μg/L,all P ＜ 0.05],and the level of BMP-2 increased with increasing dose of fluoride (all P ＜ 0.05).Within each group,the difference of serum BMP-2 was statistically significant(F =55.42,511.58,686.35,671.64,all P ＜ 0.01).The expression of BMP-2 in each group at 90 d [(12.54 ± 1.29),(18.80 ± 0.43),(22.22 ± 0.85),(25.14 ± 0.69)μg/L] was higher than that at 30 d[(11.75 ± 1.15),(11.42 ± 1.07),(11.38 ± 0.92),(11.15 ±1.03)μg/L,all P ＜ 0.05].The expression of BMP-2 in each group at 180 d[(7.53 ± 0.97),(7.98 ± 0.68),(8.97 ± 0.78),(15.04 ± 0.89) μg/L] was lower than that at 90 d.②Results of BMP-3:the difference between groups was not statistically significant at every experimental stage(F =0.7215,1.2951,0.0964,all P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions Longer excessive fluoride intake stimulates the expression of BMP-2 in rats,but with prolonged fluoride intake,the stimulation becomes weak.The effect of fluoride on BMP-3 is not as sensitive as that on BMP-2.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of preoperative regional intra-arterial chemotherapy (RIAC) in the treatment of resectable pancreatic head carcinoma. Methods The clinical data of 50 patients with resectable pancreatic head carcinoma who had been admitted to the Research Institute of Pancreatic Diseases of Fudan University from December 2006 to July 2007 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were randomly divided into2 groups (n =25 in each group): patients in group A were treated with preoperative RIAC followed by regional pancreaticoduodenectomy, and patients in group B were treated with surgical procedure routinely. The lymphatic metastases in the 50 specimens of pancreatic head carcinoma were detected by histological examination with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, and lymphatic micrometastases were detected by immunohistochemical method with staining of cytokeratin AE1/AE3 in 10 specimens with negative HE staining of the lymph nodes in each group. Results There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications, the length of hospital stay and the 1-, 2-year survival rates between the 2 groups (χ2 = 0.12, 2.88, P > 0.05). The incidence of positive lymph node metastasis in group A was 7.1% (52/734), which was significantly higher than 22.1% (118/532) in group B (χ2 = 60.01, P < 0.05). The incidence of lymphatic micrometastasis was 9.4% (30/319) in group A, and 9.1% (23/252) in group B, with no statistical difference between the 2 groups (χ2= 0.01, P > 0.05). Conclusions Preoperative RIAC is helpful in improving the prognosis of patients with resectable pancreatic head carcinoma by reducing the incidence of lymphatic metastasis and decreasing tumor stage.

Objectives To investigate preparation of gemcitabine albumin nanoparticles, and its property of slow-release, the cytotoxic effect on pancreatic cancer cells (PANC1) in vitro, for improving the effect of regional intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy in pancreatic cancer with new medicament in the future. Methods The gemcitabine albumin nanoparticles were prepared with bovine serum albumin and gemcitabine with the desolvation-crosslink method, the concentration of gemcitabine was detected by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The cytotoxic effect on pancreatic cancer cells in vitro were detected with MTT colorimetric assay. Results The mean diameter of gemcitabine albumin nanoparticles was (156.2±2.2) nm, and Zeta potential was (-20.4±1.41)mV, drug loading was 10.8%, drug release time in virto was 3 hours respectively. Gemcitabine albumin nanoparticles (0.01～50 μg/ml) had a 31%～44% inhibitory rate on PANC1 cell, which was similar to the inhibitory rate of same concentration of gemcitabine (26%～47%). Conclusions The new preparation of gemcitabine albumin nanoparticles had obvious drug slow-release effect, which may help improve the effect of regional intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer.

A rare strain of actinomycetes, with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, was isolated from the soil samples from the farmland in the area of Yaohu lake in Nanchang. The information about the taxonomic identification, such as the morphology, physiological properties, cell components and 16S rRNA gene se-quences, suggested that the rare strain of actinomycetes was identified as Micromonospora carbonacea.

Based on the strain of Micromonospora carbonacea JXNU-1 with board-spectrum antimicrobial activity, the technology for the isolation and purification of antibiotic from the fermentation broth of the Micromonospora carbonacea, and its physical-chemical properties were studied. The results showed that, the antibiotic was stable under the condition of high temperature and alkali, but not in acid solution. After the pretreatment of centrifugation and filtration to remove the cells and lipids, the antibiotic was absorbed to negative exchange resin, and the impurity was excluded when 2 mol/L NaCl was used as primary eluent. The antibiotic could be eluted with 20% alcohol as eluent, and the eluting speed of the antibiotic was greatly accelerated as 2 mol/L NaCl was added into 20% alcohol as final eluent. Aqueous solution of the antibiotic was yielded from the alcohol-salt eluant by decompression concentration to wipe off alcohol and by dialysis to exclude salt. One active component was detected in antibiotic solution by paper chromatography, and theHPLC purity was over 99%. As the antibiotic shows positive color-forming reaction to Molish reagents, Benedict’s reagents and Diohenvlamine reagents, combined with the characteristics of absorption spectra, it is deduced that the antibiotic belongs to nucleoside antibiotics.

Objective To evaluate the biocompatibility of vessel extracellular matrix (VECM) with bladder smooth muscle cells of rabbits,and to discuss the feasibility of vessel extracellular matrix as a matrix for urinary tract reconstruction.Methods Primary cuhured bladder smooth muscle cells (RBSMCs) iso- lated from New Zealand rabbits were implanted on VECM (1?10~6 cells/ml).The effect of VECM on meta- bolic activity,attachment,proliferation of RBSMCs were monitored in vitro by inverted light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy.The extracts of VECM and emulsion were prepared as experimental group and positive controls separately.The culture medium was used as negative control,and simple culture medium without cells was used as blank control.The cell viability was monitored by MTT method after 1-,3-,5-d see- ding.The in vivo tissue response to VECM was investigated by implanting into the subcutaneous sites of the rabbits.Results VECM exhibited nontoxic and bioactive effect on RBSMCs.RBSMCs could be attached to and proliferated on VECM and remained their morphologies.The cell proliferation rates of experimental group were 95.61%、98.34%、102.91%,respectively,after 1,3,5 d;those of negative control group were 100.00% ,respectively;and those of positive control group were 35.14%、38.95%、32.66%,respectively. There was significant difference in the rate between experimental group and positive control (P＜0.01),and no significant difference in the rate between experimental group and negative control (P＞0.05).In vivo, VECM demonstrated favorable tissue compatibility without tissue necrosis and fibrosis.Conclusions VECM exhibits nontoxic and bioactive effects on primary cultured bladder smooth muscle cells.It is a suit- able material for urinary tract reconstruction.

Objective To detect the lymph node micrometastasis in resected pancreatic head carcinoma, to investigate the role of lymphatic micrometastasis in clinical staging and predicting prognosis of the pancreatic head carcinoma. Methods Pancreaticoduodenectomy with extended lymph nodes dissection were performed in 20 patients with pancreatic head carcinoma. All the lymph nodes were taken out by operating microscope method and metastasis was diagnosed by routine histological examination with hematoxylin and eosin staining, and the presence of lymph node micrometastasis was examined by immunohistochemisty. Results A total of 677 lymph nodes were found in the 20 eases, routine histological examination revealed metastasis occurred in 87 lymph nodes in 13 cases. Of the 590 negative lymph nodes by routine histological examination, 57 lymph nodes in 3 cases were diagnosed as having micrometastasis by immunohistochemisty. With the combination of routine histological examination and immunohistochemisty, the percent of patients with positive lymph nodes increased from 65% (13/20) to 80% (16/20), the detection rate of metastasis lymph node increased from 12.9% (87/677) to 21.3% (144/677) with significant difference (P <0.05). The detection of lymph node micrometastasis changed the staging of Ⅱ A to Ⅱ B in 3 patients. Tumor metastasis and recurrence rate of patients with lymph nodes micrometastasis within one year after operation was 75%, while it was 25% of patients without lymph nodes micrometastasis. Conclusions The detection of lymph node mierometastasis metastasis was helpful in the determination of clinical staging and predication of prognosis.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the survival status and prognostic factors of patients with liver metastases from colorectal cancer.

METHODSThe survival rate and prognostic factors of 112 patients with liver metastases from colorectal cancer, who had complete follow-up data, were retrospectively assessed by Kaplan-Meier analysis and multivariate regression analysis.

RESULTSThe median survival time of the 112 patients was 18.25 months. The 1-, 2-, 3- and 5-year overall survival rates were 60.8%, 35.0%, 20.3% and 4.8%, respectively. Univariate analysis demonstrated that gender, age, primary tumor site, chemotherapy and pathological types had no significant correlation with the overall survival. But the treatment of primary tumor, time of liver metastasis, gross type of tumor, resection of liver metastases and clinical stage status were all independently related with the prognosis of patients. Multivariate regression analysis showed that resection of liver metastases, gross type of tumor and clinical stage were key factors affecting the prognosis of patients with liver metastases from colorectal cancer.

CONCLUSIONPatients with advanced stage, infiltrative gross type of colorectal cancer should be followed-up closely so that liver metastases from the cancer can be diagnosed and treated early. Resection of both the primary tumor and liver metastasis may improve survival of the patients.

Adenocarcinoma ; pathology ; secondary ; surgery ; Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; pathology ; secondary ; surgery ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Colonic Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatectomy ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; secondary ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Rectal Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVESTo evaluate the diagnostic value of color Doppler ultrasonography for epididymitis.

METHODSHigh frequency color Doppler ultrasonography was performed in 42 patients with epididymitis and 21 health volunteers.

RESULTSCompared with control group, epididymis enlarged significantly all in head, body and tail in 92% of patients with epididymitis. Bilateral epididymitis occurred in 73% of patients. Color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI), in patient group, showed the markedly increased flow signals bright in bundle in epididymis. Mild hydroccele of testis and orchitis were companied in most patients(93%). Orchitis was often complicated in the patients with long history.

CONCLUSIONSHigh frequency color Doppler ultrasonography can be a preferred exam method and has diagnostic value for epididymitis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Epididymitis ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color ; methods

Objective To investigate the association of red cell distribution width (RDW) with prognosis in patients with sepsis. Methods Patients with sepsis admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) of the First Hospital of Soochow University from January 2011 to December 2016 were enrolled. All clinical data were collected for participants, which mainly included basic data, main underlying disease, site of infection, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHE Ⅱ ) score, blood routine test, biochemical test, blood gas analysis, coagulation index, procalcitonin (PCT), hospitalization days, and 28-day and 90-day mortality. Patients were divided into two groups according to whether the RDW levels were higher than the time of admission or not. Kaplan-Meier survival curve was performed to analyze 28-day and 90-day cumulative survival rates in two groups. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was done to find the independent risk factors of death in patients with sepsis. Results 196 septic patients were eligible to participate into this study. 150 patients (53.57%) had higher RDW levels than those at the time of admission. Compared to negative or static change of RDW group, positive change of RDW group had higher APACHE Ⅱ score (20.42±6.29 vs. 16.17±6.37), more percentage of chronic kidney insufficiency (35.24% vs. 19.78%), bloodstream infection (32.38% vs. 15.38%), continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT: 32.38% vs. 16.48%), higher level of C-reactive protein [CRP (mg/L): 14.71±3.52 vs. 11.15±7.94], and higher serum creatinine [SCr (μmol/L): 128.0 (74.0, 263.5) vs. 90.0 (57.0, 145.5)], PCT [μg/L: 3.45 (2.39, 6.64) vs. 2.35 (0.56, 3.54)], and lactic acid [Lac (mmol/L): 3.40±1.72 vs. 2.70±1.61]; and had lower levels of hematocrit (Hct: 0.357±0.128 vs. 0.437±0.143), hemoglobin [Hb (g/L):103.60±22.63 vs. 115.67±28.49], platelets [PLT (×109/L): 133.37±87.29 vs. 191.43±87.65], albumin [Alb (g/L):28.15±5.72 vs. 35.51±5.91], total cholesterol [TC (mmol/L): 2.43±1.12 vs. 3.05±1.55], estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR (mL·min-1·1.73 m-2): 82.02±63.90 vs. 125.46±83.47], and oxygenation index [PaO2/FiO2 (mmHg, 1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa): 229.69±60.61 vs. 264.21±74.78]; and longer time of hospitalization [days: 17.0 (12.0, 21.7) vs. 11.0 (7.0, 18.0)], higher 28-day and 90-day mortality (57.14% vs. 36.26%, 62.86% vs. 47.25%) with statistically significant differences (all P < 0.05). It was shown by Kaplan-Meier survival curve that the 28-day and 90-day cumulative survival rate in positive change of RDW group was significantly lower than that of negative or static change of RDW group (χ 12 = 8.462, χ22 = 6.411, both P < 0.05). It was shown by multivariate Cox regression that high APACHE Ⅱ score [odds ratio (OR) = 1.049, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 1.010-1.090, P = 0.013] and positive change of RDW (OR = 0.517, 95%CI = 0.280-0.953, P = 0.034) were the risk factors of death in patients with sepsis. Conclusions The change of RDW values during hospitalization was related to the poor outcomes in patients with sepsis. The increase of RDW predicts the progress of sepsis and bad prognosis. Serial surveillance of RDW values could provide useful information for long-term prognosis in sepsis.