Abstract Objective To compare the quality of life in long-term hemodialysis patients using tunnel cuffed catheter with arterio-venous fistula. Methods Thirty patients using tunnel cuffed catheter (catheter group) and another 30 patients using arterio-venous fistula (fistula group) were observed. The rate of infection,thrombus and blood flow were recorded. The lab examinations such as blood urea nitrogen,creatinine,serum electrolyte,hemoglobin, C reactive protein, parathyrine, β2 microglobulin were measured,subjective global assessment (SGA) was made, KT/V and urea reduction ratio (URR) were calculated.Quality of life was surveyed with KDQOL-SFTM questionnaire and to conduct comparative analysis. Results KT/V was 1.49 ± 0.25 in catheter group, and 1.45 ± 0.28 in fistula group, there was no significant difference between the two groups. The lab examinations and SGA were similar in two groups. There were no significant difference of quality of life between the two groups except for pain (the score in catheter group was significantly higher than that in fistula group). The rate of infection was significantly higher in catheter group than that in fistula group. The rate of thrombus was similar in two groups. Conclusions As alternative of fistula in patients whose fistula could not be established, the tunnel cuffed catheter could give adequate dialysis and satisfactory quality of life,and is predominating in pain-reducing. The rates of infection and thrombus are decreased, but maintain the important problems to be solved.

Objective To study the effects and preliminary mechanism of Stattic (Y705),an inhibitor of the signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3),on the growth,migration,invasion and radiosensitization of hepatocellular carcinoma cell line Bel-7402.Methods Bel-7402 cells were divided to four groups:blank control group,Stattic treatment group,radiation group,and Stattic combined with radiation group.The cell growth and proliferation were detected by using CCK8 kit.The influence of Stattic on radiation sensitivity of Bel-7402 cells was determined by clone formation assay.The cell migration and invasion ability were tested by scratch migration assay and transwell assay,respectively.The protein expressions of STAT3,p-STAT3,Bax,Bcl-2,Caspase-3,Cleaved Caspase-3,MMP-2 and MMP-9 were quantified by Western blotting assay.Results Stattic significantly inhibited the growth of human hepatocellular carcinoma Bel-7402 cells with a dose-depended manner.The IC50 of Stattic after 48 h treatment was 2.5 μ mol/L.When 1.0 μmol/L Stattic was combined with 8 Gy X-rays,there was a synergistic effect in inhibition of cell proliferation with a inhibition rate of (15.00 ± 1.87) ％ (F =63.30,P ＜ 0.05).Scratch migration assay and transwell invasion assay showed that the migration and invasion abilities of the combination group were significantly reduced.In addition,compared with the radiation group,the SF2,D0and Dq values obtained from survival curve were decreased (t =4.20,6.92,9.32,P ＜0.05),the protein expressions of p-STAT3,MMP-2,MMP-9 were reduced (t =5.32,6.02,13.26,P ＜0.05),the protein expressions of Bax and Cleaved Caspase-3 were increased in the combination group(t =-7.82,-14.09,P ＜ 0.05),meanwhile the protein expressions of Bcl-2 was decreased (t =18.43,P ＜ 0.05).When the concentration of Stattic was 0.5 μmol/L,the radiation sensitization ratio at 2 Gy (SERSF2) was 1.22.Conclusions By inhibiting the activation of the p-STAT3 in Bel-7402 cells,stattic could induce cell apoptosis and increase the radiosensitivity,down regulate MMP-2 and MMP-9 and thereby reduce the invasion and migration of tumor cells.

Objective To discuss the CT manifestations of renal leiomyosarcoma. Methods 9 cases of renal leiomyosarcoma proved by pathology were analyzed retrospectively. Results CT imaging showed homogeneous hyperattenuation in two cases. Heterogeneous in density with necrosis inside was observed on the CT scan in six cases. After contrast medium administration heterogeneous enhancement with cystic and necrotic areas could be revealed in all cases on both CT scan. Conclusion Large renal mass with intra-tumor necrosis,cystic and hemorrhagic change is the characteristic manifestations of renal leiomyosarcoma. But differential diagnosis from renal carcinoma by CT clinical setting is difficult before surgery, and final diagnosis should depend on pathology examination.

Objective: To review the research progress of the role and mechanism of adipokines in intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) in recent years. Methods: The domestic and foreign literature related to adipokines in the process of IVDD was extensively reviewed. The types and functions of adipokines, the role and mechanism in the process of IVDD, and the application prospects of intervertebral disc biotherapy were reviewed. Results: As a kind of bioactive substance secreted by adipose tissue, adipokine plays an important role in bone and joint diseases, metabolic diseases, and breast cancer. During IVDD, most adipokines can activate multiple signaling pathways by binding to autoreceptors, cause the proliferation and apoptosis of cells and proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory factors parasecretions in the intervertebral disc, and lead to imbalance of intradiscal metabolism and establishment of the initial inflammatory environment, and finally cause the IVDD. Conclusion: Adipokines, as a biologically active substance with metabolic and immunomodulatory functions, play important roles in the occurrence, development, and biological treatment of IVDD.

Objective: To review the recent progress in the role of thrombospondins (TSPs) in synapse formation in the central nervous system (CNS). Methods: A wide range of domestic and foreign literature on the role of TSPs in the synapse formation of the CNS was reviewed. The role of TSPs in structural features, molecules, and related diseases was reviewed. Results: As an oligosaccharide protein, TSPs play important roles in angiogenesis, inflammation, osteogenesis, cell proliferation, and apoptosis. In the nervous system, they bind to voltage-dependent calcium channels, neuronectin, and other extracellular matrix proteins and cell surface receptors, and participate in and regulate multiple processes such as synapse formation, maturation, and function in the CNS. Conclusion: TSPs as an oligomeric extracellular matrix protein play an important role in the formation of synapses and the repair of synapses after CNS injury.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect on the expression of protein kinase CK2alpha and growth of human laryngeal carcinoma xenograft in nude mice by applying small interfering RNA (siRNA) specific to protein kinase CK2alpha. METHOD: Human laryngeal carcinoma Hep-2 cells were implanted under the skin of nude mice. After the tumors grew to a definite size, the tumors were injected with siRNA expression plasmid specific to protein kinase CK2alpha. The weight and volume of subcutaneous tumors were measured. The expression level of protein kinase CK2alpha mRNA and protein of tumors were measured with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemical technique, respectively. RESULT: Protein kinase CK2alpha mRNA and protein expressions were significantly decreased in tumors transfected with siRNA expression plasmid specific to protein kinase CK2alpha (P<0.05). The tumor grew slowly after transfected with siRNA expression plasmid specific to protein kinase CK2alpha (P<0.01). CONCLUSION The siRNA expression plasmid specific to protein kinase CK2alpha may suppress the growth and the protein kinase CK2alpha expression of subcutaneous tumors. RNA interfering technology may be a new strategy for the treatment laryngeal cancer.
Animals ; Casein Kinase II ; genetics ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Plasmids ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Transfection ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Objective To explore the protective effect of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) on donor kidneys from non-controllable donation after cardiac death (DCD). Methods A total of 60 non-controllable DCD donors were selected and divided into 3 groups randomly based on the in vivo perfusion time of ECMO: test group 1 received EMCO perfusion for 2 h, test group 2 for 4 h and test group 3 for 6 h, with 20 cases in each group. Corresponding recipients were also divided into 3 groups, with 20 cases in each group. Meanwhile, 20 recipients from donation after brain death (DBD) with stable circulatory function were randomly selected as control group. Incidence of delayed graft function (DGF), primary graft nonfunction (PNF) and acute rejection of the recipients in different groups was compared. The indexes including graft function recovery time, urine volume on day 1 and graft function within 1 year after renal transplantation were compared for the recipients in different groups. And 1-year survival rate of the recipients and grafts after renal transplantation was compared. Results Compared with the control group, various test groups presented no significant differences in the incidence of PNF, DGF and acute rejection (all P>0.05). Compared with the control group, graft function recovery time prolonged significantly in each test group, which presented statistically significant differences (all P<0.05), while the urine volume on day 1 and graft function within 1 year after renal transplantation presented no statistically significant difference in each test group (all P>0.05). The 1-year survival rate of the recipients and grafts after renal transplantation was 100％ in various test groups and control group, which presented no statistically significant difference (all P>0.05). Conclusions ECMO can protect donor kidneys effectively through assisting the circulatory or respiratory function of non-controllable DCD, and improve their utilization rate.

Humans ; Behcet Syndrome/diagnostic imaging*

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) in the treatment of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). Methods: A study was conducted on 25 patients consisting of 10 males and 15 females with CTEPH who received BPA treatment from February 2017 to May 2018 in Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University. The changes of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP), tricuspid annulus systolic plane excursion (TAPSE), six-minute walking test (6WMD), right ventricular basement diameter and WHO cardiac function grading were compared before and after treatment with BPA using paired t test. Results: Twenty-five patients received a total of 50 BPA treatments, and among them, 12 patients received two or more times. The mPAP decreased from (50.4±9.9) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) to (39.9±10.6) mmHg before and after operation, and the difference was statistically significant (t=9.7, P<0.001); BNP decreased from (513.5±357.3) pg/ml to (106.3±137.53) pg/ml, and the difference was significant (t=3.2, P=0.006); TAPSE increased from (16.2±2.8) mm to (18.0±2.4) mm, and the difference was statistically significant (t=-5.7, P=0.002); the right ventricular base diameter decreased from (45.9±6.9) mm to (41.2±7.3) mm, and the difference was statistically significant (t=5.6, P<0.001); 6WMD increased from (371.1±86.8) m to (467.7±76.1) m, with statistical significance (t=-6.4, P<0.001); WHO cardiac function grading was improved from (2.4±0.7) to (1.2±0.4) after surgery, and the difference was statistically significant (t=2.8, P=0.021). Pulmonary artery injury occurred in 3 patients and 2 patients had hemoptysis.The hemoptysis was stopped after arterial embolization. No other complications such as pulmonary edema occurred. Conclusion BPA may improve clinical status and hemodynamics of patients with CTEPH, which offers an alternative approach of treatment in patients with inoperable CTEPH.

BACKGROUNDThe relationship between apoptosis and tumors is a major focus in cancer research. RNA interference (RNAi) technology has emerged as a very potent tool to generate cellular knockdown phenotypes of a desired gene. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of siRNA specific to the protein casein kinase 2α (CK2α) on apoptosis of laryngeal carcinoma cells and to explore possible mechanisms.

METHODSAn siRNA expression plasmid specific to CK2α, psiRNA-hH1neo-CK2α, and a non-specific siRNA expression plasmid, psiRNA-hH1neo-cont, were constructed and transfected into Hep-2 cells by a lipofectamine method. The mRNA and protein levels of CK2α in transfected cells were determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting analysis. Apoptosis was measured by Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)/propidium iodide (PI) double-staining methods. The morphological changes to Hep-2 cells were observed under transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The levels of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins were measured by Western blotting analysis.

RESULTSLevels of CK2α mRNA and protein were significantly decreased in the psiRNA-hH1neo-CK2α group compared to the other groups (P < 0.05). The apoptotic rate of the psiRNA-hH1neo-CK2α transfected group was significantly higher compared to that in the untransfected group and the siRNA-hH1neo-cont transfected group (25.66% ± 0.83%, 3.66% ± 0.43%, and 5.18% ± 0.22%) (P < 0.05). Compared with the untransfected group and the siRNA-hH1neo-cont transfected group, the psiRNA-hH1neo-CK2α transfected group presented with classical ultrastructural features of apoptosis, such as karyopyknosis, chromatic agglutination adjacent to the nuclear membrane, and apoptotic bodies. Compared with the other two groups, the level of Bcl-2 protein in the psiRNA-hH1neo-CK2α transfected group was decreased (0.20 ± 0.09 vs. 0.72 ± 0.16, 0.56 ± 0.11, P < 0.01), while the Bax protein level was increased (0.81 ± 0.17 vs. 0.26 ± 0.12, 0.33 ± 0.17, P < 0.01) and the ratio of Bcl-2 to Bax was decreased (0.25 ± 0.05 vs. 2.76 ± 0.21, 1.70 ± 0.22, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe siRNA expression plasmid specific to CK2α could suppress CK2α expression and induce the apoptosis of laryngeal carcinoma cells. This is possibly by decreasing the Bcl-2/Bax ratio. CK2α may provide a potential therapeutic target against human laryngeal carcinoma.

Apoptosis ; genetics ; physiology ; Blotting, Western ; Casein Kinase II ; genetics ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; physiology ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; genetics ; metabolism