The abnormal glycans expressing on the surface of tumor cells are good targets to develop carbohydrate-based anti-cancer vaccines. However, one of the major problems is that carbohydrate antigens possess weak immunogenicity. This review summarizes the recent efforts to overcome this problem: glycoconjugates produced by coupling the carbohydrate antigens and proper carrier proteins improve their immunogenicity, many glycoconjugates have entered clinical trials; the vaccines become chemically well-defined when coupling the carbohydrate antigens with a T-cell peptide epitope and an immunostimulant to form fully synthetic multi-component glycoconjugate vaccines; the modification of carbohydrate antigens in combination with the technology of metabolic oligosaccharide engineering of tumor cells induces a strong immune response; and the fact that the antibodies elicited against the unnatural carbohydrate antigens can recognize the native carbohydrate antigens on tumor cells provides a new promising strategy for the development of anti-cancer vaccines.
Animals ; Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate ; chemistry ; immunology ; Cancer Vaccines ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; immunology ; therapeutic use ; Carbohydrates ; chemistry ; immunology ; Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte ; chemistry ; immunology ; Glycoconjugates ; chemistry ; immunology ; Humans ; Immune Tolerance ; Metabolic Engineering ; methods ; Neoplasms ; prevention & control ; therapy ; Oligosaccharides ; chemistry

Objective To investigate the imaging manifestations of lung neoplasms in pre- and post- treatment with CT-guided Argon-Helium cryoablation.Methods All the lung neoplasms in 96 patients have been treated with CT-guided percutaneous Argon-Helium targeted cryoablation.All patients have pre- and post-treatment CT scanning in measurement of lesion size and CT value.The CT scanning has been rerpeated afterl,3,6,12 months of treatment.Results Among total 96 cases,there are 82 cases of lung cancer and 14 cases of metastasis with 110 lesions(89 cases with single lesion,7 cases with multiple lesions).The Ar-He cryoablation has been given 103 times in total.The size of each lesion ranged from 1.2 cm to 15.0 cm in diameter with mean value of(4.0?2.5)cm,including 12 lesions less than 2 cm,51 lesions between 2— 4 cm,24 lesions between 4—6 cm,23 lesions over 6 cm.There are 25 patients whose lesions covered by iceball with 1 cm of overloaping it's margin.There are 63 lesions with diameter less than 4 cm gained 100% ablation rate,24 lesions with 4—6 cm diameter gained 95.8% ablation rate,and 23 lesions with over 6 cm diameter gained 69.6% ablation rate.The post-treatment CT show a progressively enlarged round,low density refrigerant area which clearly demarked with non- refrigerant area.The center of each refrigerant area has negative CT value,the mean decreased CT value of lesion instantly after the treatment are about 30— 50 HU with P

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility, effectiveness and practicability of transurethral enucleation plus pneumocystostomy rotary cut (TUE + PCRC) for large benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

METHODSWe performed TUE + PCRC for 26 BPH patients aged 62 - 85 years with the prostate volume of 80 - 165 ml. We conducted transurethral enucleation of the hyperplastic prostate glands and pushed them into the bladder, followed by bladder puncture for pneumo-cystostomy rotary cut.

RESULTSAll the surgical procedures were successfully accomplished, with the mean surgical time of 41 (32 - 54) minutes and intraoperative blood loss < 60 ml in all the cases. Twenty-three of the patients were followed up for 2 - 8 months, which revealed no stricture of the urethra or any other severe complications. Compared with the preoperative baseline, significant improvement was achieved in the IPSS (6.5 +/- 2.2 vs 26.2 +/- 2.4), QOL (1.4 +/- 0.9 vs 4.6 +/- 1.2) and Qmax ([5.8 +/- 1.0 ] vs [19.6 +/- 2.8] ml/s) of the patients after surgery (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONTUE + PCRC, with its advantages of short operation time and less severe complications, is a safe and effective approach to the management of large BPH.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; surgery ; Transurethral Resection of Prostate ; methods

AlM: To study clinical reference value of retinal microvascular changes in patients with cerebral microbleeds ( CMBs) and discuss its clinical significance.
METHODS:From January 2012 to December 2013, 125 hospitalized patients were collected, including 81 cases were male, 44 cases were female, mean age 76. 3 ± 11. 2 years old. For all patients, functions of liver and kidney, blood - lipoids, blood sugar and blood biochemical examination were tested, and fundus photography and cerebral MR was done. According to the fundus camera eyes, retinal arteriolar equivalent ( RAE) , retinal venular equivalent ( RVE) , retinal vein diameter ratio ( AVR) and arteriovenous crossing sign ( AVN ) were identified, CMBs were classified with cerebral MRl. All the data were processed by SPSS statistical software.
RESULTS: The central retinal arteriolar equivalent (CRAE), central retinal venular equivalent (CRVE) and AVR values in the eyes were found no statistical difference (P<0. 05). Of CMBs classification, the grade 0 in 75 cases, 1 in 27 cases, 2 in 9 cases and 3 in 14 cases were included. The RVE, AVR and AVN and the different grades of CMBs had statistically significant correlation ( P<0. 01). The higher CMBs classification, the more obvious retinal microvascular changes were found. ln respectively to eliminate risk factors such as age, sex, blood glucose and blood pressure, AVR and AVN were still influencing factors for CMBs classification.
COCLUSlON: The results show that retinal microvascular changes, especially small retinal vein arteriovenous cross width, and arteriovenous crossing phenomenon, in which CMBs will happen more likely. After sex, age, hypertension and hyperglycemia in patients with traditional cardiovascular risk factors being ruled out, the retinal microvascular changes are still relatively factors of CMB's occurrence.

OBJECTIVETo study the changes of adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced platelet aggregation rate, and evaluate the effects of Maixuekang Capsule (, MKC) on platelet aggregation rate and long-term prognosis of patients with acute coronary syndrome after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODSA total of 236 patients with acute coronary syndrome, who received successful PCI, were randomly assigned to a trial group (116 cases) and a control group (120 cases) according to random numbers; treatment allocation occurred when the participants met the inclusion criteria and signed the informed consent forms. In the trial group, the patients were treated with MKC combined with routine medication, and in the control group the patients were treated with routine medication. The therapeutic course for the two groups was 12 months and the follow-up was 12 months. The levels of ADP-induced platelet aggregation rate and serum high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were determined before PCI, 12 h and 30 days after PCI. In the meantime, the incidence of cardio-/cerebrovascular events was recorded during the 12-month follow-up.

RESULTSCompared with before PCI, the levels of ADP-induced platelet aggregation rate and serum hs-CRP were significantly higher at 12 h after PCI (P<0.05). They were significantly reduced after 30-day-treatment of MKC, showing statistical differences when compared with those in the control group (P<0.05). During the 12-month follow-up, the incidence of cardio-/cerebrovascular events was significantly lower in the trial group than in the control group (6.9% vs. 12.5%, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSADP-induced platelet aggregation function was significantly elevated after PCI. MKC improved the prognosis of patients with acute coronary syndrome, possibly through inhibiting the platelet aggregation, fighting against inflammation, and protecting the vascular endothelial function.

Acute Coronary Syndrome ; drug therapy ; surgery ; Adenosine Diphosphate ; pharmacology ; Aged ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Capsules ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; Platelet Aggregation ; drug effects ; Prognosis

OBJECTIVETo evaluate endourethral surgery for urethratresia under the X-ray guide.

METHODSWe performed transurethral urethroplasty for 11 patients with urethratresia using the PlasmaKinetic electrodes under the guidance of C arm xanthippe.

RESULTSIn the 11 cases, operations were all successful, 9 achieved smooth urination and 2 needed regular urethral dilation.

CONCLUSIONX-ray guided internal urethroplasty with PlasmaKinetic electrodes is a simple and efficient treatment for urethratresia.

Adult ; Aged ; Electrodes ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Urethra ; injuries ; Urethral Obstruction ; surgery ; X-Rays

Acute Disease ; Adult ; Embolectomy ; Humans ; Male ; Pulmonary Embolism ; therapy ; Thrombolytic Therapy

The purpose of study was to investigate the cytogenetic abnormality of acute leukemias (AL), to analyze the relationship in the chromosomal abnormality and the AL FAB types, and to explore the impact of the chromosomal abnormalities on the prognostic factors of AL. The chromosome karyotypes of 397 patients with AL were analyzed by means of bone marrow short-term culture and G banding technique. The results showed that in 319 out of 397 patients, the chromosome karyotypes could be analyzed, and the chromosomal abnormality occurred in 175 patients (54.9%). In the patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and acute mixed-lineage leukemia (AMLL), the chromosomal abnormality occurred respectively in 33 of 120 patients (27.5%), 129 of 252 patients (51.2%) and 13 of 25 patients (52.0%). Hyper-diploids, hypo-diploids and diploids occurred in 41 of 175 patients (23.4%), 22 of 175 patients (12.5%), and 112 of 175 patients (64.0%) respectively. In patients with AML the FAB type-associated chromosomal abnormality occurred in 69 of 129 patients (53.5%). It is concluded that chromosomal abnormalities exist in about 55% AL patients. Some special chromosomal abnormalities are cytogenetic characteristics of AL, and obviously correlated with AL FAB types, the combination of chromosomal detection with cytogenetics is useful for the diagnosis of AL, and the evaluation of therapeutic effects and prognosis.
Acute Disease ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Female ; Humans ; Karyotype ; Karyotyping ; Leukemia ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDThe plasma cystatin C concentration (PcyC) has been demonstrated to have prognostic value in acute coronary syndrome, but the study of PcyC in patients with borderline coronary lesions is limited. Moreover, the effects of atorvastatin and probucol on PcyC and the severity of coronary lesions are unknown. This study was to evaluate the effects of the combination of atorvastatin and probucol on PcyC and severity of coronary lesion in patients with borderline coronary lesions.

METHODSOne hundred and thirty consecutive patients with borderline coronary lesions (40% to 60% isolated single stenosis assessed by quantitative coronary angiography) were enrolled into the borderline coronary lesion (BCL) group, and one hundred and thirty-six subjects without coronary lesions comprised the controls (CTR). The subjects in the BCL group were randomized into routine treatment (RTT, n = 60), and combined treatment with atorvastatin 20 mg plus probucol 1.0 g daily added to routine medication (CBT, n = 70), both groups were treated for 6 months continuously. The levels of PcyC, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides (TG) were determined. One hundred and four subjects in the BCL group were rechecked by coronary angiography.

RESULTSPcyC levels were significantly higher in the BCL group than in the CTR group; (2003.26 ± 825.73) ng/ml vs. (1897.83 ± 664.46) ng/ml (P < 0.01). Compared with patients in the RTT group, the levels of PcyC, TC, LDL-C, TG and hs-CRP were significantly lower in the CBT group (P < 0.05). Moreover, there was a trend towards a slight decrease in the RTT patients, (54.38 ± 10.67)% vs. (50.29 ± 9.89)% (P > 0.05), and a significant decrease in the CBT patients, (53.65 ± 9.48%) vs. (40.38 ± 12.93)% (P < 0.05), in the mean percent stenosis of borderline coronary lesions before and after six months of treatment.

CONCLUSIONSCystatin C played an important role in the development of coronary artery disease, and was associated with the severity of coronary lesions. The combination of atorvastatin and probucol decreased PcyC levels, and could be the treatment of choice.

Aged ; Anticholesteremic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Atorvastatin Calcium ; Coronary Disease ; blood ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Cystatin C ; blood ; Female ; Heptanoic Acids ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Probucol ; therapeutic use ; Prospective Studies ; Pyrroles ; therapeutic use

BACKGROUNDIn a previously identified locus linked to hypertension on chromosome 15q, we identified three blood pressure candidate genes: insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor gene (IGF1R), myocyte specific enhancer factor 2A gene (MEF2A), and paired basic amino acid cleaving enzyme 4 gene (PACE4). In this study, we tested their associations with hypertension using haplotype analysis.

METHODSA total of 288 unrelated individuals, including 163 high diastolic blood pressure (DBP) subjects and 125 normal DBP subjects were enrolled in this case-control study. Twenty single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the three genes were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction enzyme digestion. Haplotype analysis was accomplished in the following stages: (1) pair-wise linkage disequilibrium test among SNPs on the same gene was performed to explore blocks in which recombination is very unlikely to happen; (2) Estimation-Maximization algorithm was applied to estimate haplotype frequencies in each block; (3) the chi-square test was used to examine the specific haplotype difference, and a permutation test was used to examine the overall haplotype profile difference between cases and controls in each block.

RESULTSAn estimated haplotype "CCCCG" frequency in the haplotype block on the PACE4 gene was significantly higher in high DBP cases than in controls (P < 0.01). The overall estimated haplotype profile in this block was also significantly different between the cases and the controls (P < 0.001). This association indicates.

CONCLUSIONSThis study for the first time demonstrated that PACE4 gene may play an important role in the regulation of DBP. This association indicates that variations influencing DBP resides in or near this genomic region.

Adult ; Blood Pressure ; physiology ; Case-Control Studies ; Diastole ; physiology ; Female ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Male ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Proprotein Convertases ; Serine Endopeptidases ; genetics