Objective To explore the value of carbon nanoparticles in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) undergoing total thyroidectomy combined with ipsilateral central lymph node dissection.Methods 43 patients with unilateral PTC were retrospectively analyzed.All patients underwent total thyroidectomy combined with central lymph node dissection.Patients were divided into carbon nanoparticles group and the control group according to whether carbon nanoparticles were used in the operation.The operation time,postoperative hospitalization time,the serum calcium level and its rate of change,the parathyroid hormone and its rate of change on the 1 st day after surgery,the number of central lymph node and the transfer rate,and the postoperative complications were compared between the 2 groups.Results There was no statistical difference between the 2 groups in operation time(P ＞ 0.05),while the postoperative hospitalization time of the carbon nanoparticles group was shorter than that of the control group(P ＜ 0.05).The serum calcium and the parathyroid hormone on the 1 st day after surgery in the carbon nanoparticles group was (2.31 ± 0.13) mmol/L and (33.45 ± 14.37) pg/ml respectively,higher than those of the control group (P ＜ 0.05).The low blood calcium rate (3/20 (15％)),the temporary hypoparathyroidism rate (2/20 (10％)) and the decline degree of parathyroid hormone (47.3 ± 14.31)％ in the carbon nanoparticles group were lower than those of the control group(P ＜0.05).The number of central lymph node dissected (9.45 ± 2.33) pieces/case in the carbon nanoparticles group was more than that of the control group (P ＜ 0.05).The number of lymph node in the right recurrent laryngeal nerve (3.12 ± 0.65) pieces/case was more than that of the control group(P ＜ 0.05).The lymph node metastasis rate had no significant difference between the 2 groups(P ＞ 0.05).The incidence of postoperative complications in the carbon nanoparticles group was lower than that of the control group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion The application of carbon nanoparticles in total thyroidectomy combined with central lymph node dissection can contribute to the recognition and protection of parathyroid glands and its blood supply,improve the rate of central lymph node dissection,and reduce the incidence of postoperative complications.

Airway Remodeling ; physiology ; Animals ; Asthma ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; PPAR gamma ; biosynthesis ; Rats

Objective To evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) for lesions at gastroesophageal junction (GEJ). Methods A total of 51 lesions located at GEJ from 51 patients, with an average size of 10. 9±4. 0 mm (3-28 mm), were treated with EMR between November 2005 and March 2009, among which 39 were diagnosed as low grade dysplasia and 12 as high grade dysplasia pathologically after EMR. The histopathologic results were compared between biopsies and EMR samples. All patients were followed up endoscopically. Results Complete resection was achieved in 44 ( 86. 3% ). The histopathologic diagnosis of 25 cases (49. 9% ) was inconsistent between biopsy and EMR samples, with 24 exhibited higher grade dysplasia after EMR. Main complication during EMR was bleeding in 17 patients ( 33. 3% ), all of which were successfully managed. No perforation or postoperative stenesis occurred. Endoscopic follow-up was carried out in 8 patients for more than 3 years, in 17 for 2-3 years, in 12 for 1-2 years and in 14 for less than 1 year. No death occurred during follow-up. Conclusion EMR can be adquately adopted as an effective treatment for pre-cuncerous lesions at GEJ, which is important in blocking malignant progression of dysplastic lesions.

Objective To study the relationship between the clinical manifestations and changes of pituitary magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) in short stature children with growth hormone deficiency(GHD).Methods The pituitary MRI finding in 38 cases of short stature children diagnosed as GHD(males 23,females 15;5-14 years old,10 children were in pubertas and Tanner Ⅱ-Ⅲ) were analyzed,and the pituitary morphology,size,signal and pituitary stalk's shape and location were observed.SPSS 12.0 soffware was used to analyze the data.Results The forms of pituitery were plaque in 20 children(53%),cupped in 17 children(45%),and carinate in 1 children.In the 22 cases of completely GHD,18 cases had different levels of anterior pituitary dysplasia,abnormal pituitary stalk and/or pituitary signal changes,5 cases without posterior lobe disappeared high signal and 4 cases with pituitary stalk interruption syndrome;the other 4 cases had completely normal pituitary.In the 16 cases of partially GHD,7 cases had varying degrees of pituitary size and/or abnormal pituitary stalk,8 cases had completely normal pituitary,and 1 case had pituitary adenoma.Conclusion Pituitary MRI could assist diagnosis and evaluate pituitary function in short stature children.

OBJECTIVETo investigate dissolution properties among different components with various polarities and to distinguish these groups from each other.

METHODUltraviolet fingerprint spectra (UV FPS) of the components from Baishao (Radix Paeoiae Alba) and Gancao (Radix Glycyrrhizae) with various proportions, extracted with chloroform, ethanol and water successively, were obtained. The analysis was performed on the absolute and relative absorptions of peaks in UV FPS.

RESULTDissolutions in different rates and in synergy among chemical components were observed, by which different components can be distinguished.

CONCLUSIONDissolution kinetics and processes of the various chemical components from medicinal herbs are of great difference.

Chloroform ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; Ethanol ; Glycyrrhiza ; chemistry ; Paeonia ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Reproducibility of Results ; Solubility ; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet ; methods ; Water

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between extracapsular spread (ECS) of cervical metastatic lymph node and the recurrence in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

METHODSThe medical records of 74 OSCC patients with histologically confirmed cervical lymph node metastasis were reviewed. They were divided into 2 groups, ECS positive (ECS+) and ECS negative (ECS-). The treatment results were followed up. Statistical analysis, with chi-square test, and multiple logistic regression was conducted.

RESULTSThe overall recurrence rates for pN+/ECS- and pN+/ECS+ patients were 47.6% and 75.0%, respectively, and the cervical recurrence rates for pN+/ECS- and pN+/ECS+ patients were 9.5% and 46.9%, respectively (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that ECS was one of the independent prognosis factors for cervical recurrence.

CONCLUSIONSExtracapsular spread significantly increased both overall and cervical recurrence rates, and ESC may be a prognosis factor for OSCC patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; pathology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mouth Neoplasms ; pathology ; Neck ; pathology ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo review the emerging role of DNA methylation inhibitors in cancer therapy and make a serious reflection on their current status and future perspectives.

DATA SOURCESThe data used in the present article were mainly from PubMed with relevant English papers published from April 1988 to January 2010. The search terms were "DNA methylation", "demethylation" and "cancer".

STUDY SELECTIONStudies involved in the DNA methylation in carcinogenesis and DNA methylation inhibitors for cancer therapy were selected. The original milestone articles were also included.

RESULTSTreatment with DNA methylation inhibitors leads to demethylation of a panel of tumour suppressor genes and reverse the expression in different tumors, thus making them potential cancer therapeutics. However, we cannot be very optimistic about their future perspectives because we still have a long way to go before they function well like specific targeted anticancer drugs as we expected.

CONCLUSIONThe best way forward is to further clarify the exact methylation profiles of tumors and to develop novel agents targeting the specific genes.

Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; DNA Methylation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; genetics

To investigate the expression of NF-kappaB in acute leukemia and its relationship with P21, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP), the expression of NF-kappaB, P21, MMP-2 and MMP-9 in bone marrow cells from patients with acute leukemia (AL) was detected using immunocytochemical technique. The results showed that the expression ratios of NF-kappaB, P21, MMP-2 and MMP-9 in untreated AL group were significantly higher than those in remission and normal control groups (P < 0.05), and no obvious difference was seen between remission and normal control groups. The expression of NF-kappaB was correlated with that of P21, MMP-2 and MMP-9 (r = 0.767, 0.729 and 0.803, respectively, P < 0.05). This study indicated that P21 protein, encoded by oncogene Ras, and NF-kappaB were super-expressed in leukemia cells. In conclusion, after activation by Ras, NF-kappaB combined with the kappaB sequences of MMP-2 and MMP-9 genes, then upregulated their expression. MMP might enhance the degradative function of leukemic cell, thus to make cells easier to cross through the bone marrow barrier and release into blood.
Acute Disease ; Adult ; Bone Marrow Cells ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Leukemia ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; biosynthesis ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; biosynthesis ; NF-kappa B ; biosynthesis ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras) ; biosynthesis ; Remission Induction

AIMTo investigate the impact of 8-(N,N-diethylamino)-n-octyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate (TMB-8) on the change of cerebral blood flow(CBF) induced by 5-HT or KCl in rats.

METHODSThe CBF in rats was measured by a Laser-Doppler flowmeter. The cranial window field was superfused with artificial cerebral spinal fluid containing TMB-8, 5-HT or KCl.

RESULTS12.5, 25 and 50 mumol.L-1 TMB-8 showed no significant effect on rest CBF in rats. 12.5, 25 and 50 mumol.L-1 TMB-8 apparently inhibited the decline of CBF evoked by 1 or 2 mumol.L-1 5-HT. When persistent reduction of CBF were evoked by 1 mumol.L-1 5-HT, TMB-8 markedly increased the CBF in a concentration-dependent manner. The reduction of CBF induced by 20 or 40 mmol.L-1 KCl was also suppressed by 12.5, 25 and 50 mumol.L-1 TMB-8. While persistent reduction of CBF was evoked by 20 mmol.L-1 KCl. TMB-8 markedly increased the CBF in a concentration-dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONThese results indicate that TMB-8 is effective in preventing and treating the reduction of CBF induced by 5-HT or KCl, and improved the supply of blood in rat brain during ischemia.

Animals ; Brain ; blood supply ; drug effects ; Calcium Channel Blockers ; pharmacology ; Drug Interactions ; Gallic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Potassium Chloride ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Regional Blood Flow ; drug effects ; Serotonin Antagonists ; pharmacology

Objective To investigate ultrasonographic manifestations of IgG4 positive Hashimoto thyroiditis.Methods Ultrasonographic and clinical features of histopathologically proved Hashimoto thyroiditis in 72 patients were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were divided into IgG4 positive group (n=19) and IgG4 negative group (n=53) according to immunohistochemical staining results.Echotexture,nodules,blood flow distribution and function status of thyroid were compared between the two groups.Results There were statistically significant differences in thyroid hypoechogenicity,linear echogenic strands and combined carcinomas (all P＜0.05),while no statistically significant differences in nodule number,blood flow distribution nor function status of thyroid between the two groups were found (all P＞0.05).Conclusion Ultrasonography can provide valuable imaging evidences for clinical diagnosis of IgG4 positive Hashimoto thyroiditis.