Objective To investigate the imaging features of sarcomatoid carcinoma(SC)of lung on chest radiography and CT and to improve knowledge of SC.Methods The chest plain films,CT images and clinical data of all 7 cases of pathologically proved lung SC were retrospectively analyzed.Results All cases presented with a spheroid solid lung mass ranged from 3 to 11 cm in diameter(average 7 cm).All the lesions were located in middle and lower fields of the lung:3 lesions in right lower lobe,2 in right middle lobe,and the other 2 in left lower lobe.Among the 7 cases:6 cases were of peripheral type and 1 case was of central type.The peripheral-typed lesions of 5 cases had clear margin and 3 of them were lobulated.Three massess were homogenous in density,and the other 4 were inhomogeneous in density with formation of central cavity or calcification.After intravenous contrast administration.Three lesions showed homogeneous enhancement,and the other 4 lesions had inhomogeneous enhancement.The lesions with diameter larger than 6 cm showed marginal or patch-like enhancement.Five cases had pleural or chest walls invasion.Two cases had mediastinal lymph nodes metastases.One case had multiple remote metastasis.Conclusion There are some relatively specific features of lung SC on chest radiography and CT,which may be helpful for diagnosis.

AIM:To explore the effect of curcumin(Cur)and curcuminoids(Y20 and 6B)on the expression of secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor(SLPI), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and interleukin-1β(IL-1β)induced by Streptococcus pneumoniae(SP)and the possible mechanism.METHODS:BEAS-2B cells incubated with SP were set up as an inflammation model of pneumonia.The mRNA levels of SLPI at 1 h,3 h,6 h and 9 h,and the mRNA expression of TNF-αand IL-1βat 3 h,6 h and 9 h in control group,SP infection group,Cur treatment group,Y20 treatment group and 6B treatment group were measured by qPCR.The protein levels of TNF-αand IL-1βin the culture supernatant were measured by ELISA.The protein levels of Toll-like receptor 2(TLR2)and phosphorylated nuclear factor-κB(p-NF-κB) p65 at 3 h,6 h and 9 h were determined by Western blot.RESULTS:The mRNA level of SLPI was increased in Cur, Y20 and 6B treatment groups compared with SP group(P<0.05).The protein levels of TLR2 and p-NF-κB p65 were sig-nificantly increased after SP stimulation.After treatment with Cur,Y20 and 6B,the protein levels of TLR2 and p-NF-κB p65 were significantly decreased(P<0.05).The levels of TNF-αand IL-1βwere significantly increased after SP stimula-tion.Cur,Y20 and 6B significantly decreased the levels of TNF-αand IL-1βin the supernatant(P<0.05).CONCLU-SION: Cur, Y20 and 6B increase SLPI expression, reduce the expression of inflammatory cytokines TNF-αand IL-1β. The possible mechanism might be associated with inhibiting TLR 2 expression and down-regulating the transcriptional activity of NF-κB.

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical characteristics of children who suffered from Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP) septicemia and the drug sensitivity of SP strains.

METHODSA retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 25 children with SP septicemia between January 2009 and December 2012.

RESULTSOf the 25 cases, 16 (64%) were aged under 2 years, 5 (20%) were aged 2-5 years, and 4 (16%) were aged over 5 years. Fourteen cases (56%) were complicated by infection of other organs, and 5 cases (20%) had underlying chronic diseases. Fever was the most common clinical manifestation, and the majority presented with remittent fever. Eight patients with pneumonia or pyothorax had pulmonary symptoms. Five patients with purulent meningitis had neurological symptoms, five cases had hepatosplenomegaly and two cases had septic shock. Nineteen cases (76%, 19/25) had significantly elevated white blood cell (WBC) counts, twenty-one cases (84%, 21/25) had significantly elevated serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, and eight cases (50%, 8/16) had significantly elevated serum procalcitonin (PCT) levels. The drug sensitivity analysis showed that invasive SP had high resistance rates to penicillin (96%), clindamycin hydrochloride (88%) and erythromycin (84%), and it was completely sensitive to imipenem, vancomycin, levofloxacin and linezolid. The multi-drug resistance rate of invasive SP was up to 88%. Twenty-three cases (92%) were cured or improved after active treatment.

CONCLUSIONSSP septicemia is commonly seen in children aged under 2 years. The most common clinical manifestation is fever, accompanied by elevated WBC count, CRP level and PCT level, and it is usually complicated by pulmonary or brain infection. Resistance to multiple antibiotics is very common in SP strains, so it is important to properly use antibiotics according to drug sensitivity test results. Patients who receive active treatment have a good clinical outcome.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; therapeutic use ; Bacteremia ; blood ; complications ; drug therapy ; C-Reactive Protein ; analysis ; Calcitonin ; blood ; Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Pneumococcal Infections ; blood ; complications ; drug therapy ; Protein Precursors ; blood ; Retrospective Studies ; Streptococcus pneumoniae ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinicopathological features and immunophenotypes of male genitourinary system lymphoma.

METHODSWe retrospectively studied the histopathological characteristics and immunohistochemical markers of 35 cases of male genitourinary system lymphoma, and reviewed the relevant literature.

RESULTSThe 35 patients of male genitourinary system lymphoma were aged from 4 to 83 (mean 56.5) years, 28 (80%) of them > or = 50 years. Twenty-eight cases (80%) involved the testis, 3 (8.6%) the prostate, 1 (2.9%) the spermatic cord, 1 the seminal vesicles, 1 the penis and 1 the epididymis. Histologically, 22 cases (62.9%) were diffused large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), 6 (17.1%) mucosa associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma, 4 (11.4%) Burkitt lymphoma, 2 (5.7%) peripheral T cell lymphoma, and 1 (2.9%) plasmacytoma.

CONCLUSIONMale genitourinary system lymphomas are rare tumors clinically, which occur more often in the elderly. The majority of them are B cell lymphomas, of which the most common is DLBCL, followed by MALT lymphoma and Burkitt lymphoma. T cell lymphoma and plasmacytoma are rare. The diagnosis of male genitourinary system lymphoma relies on the histopathology, and immunohistochemical markers are of high value for its definite diagnosis, classification and differential diagnosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Genital Neoplasms, Male ; pathology ; Humans ; Lymphoma ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDTo analyze the genetic polymorphism of HLA-Cw locus in Chinese Yi ethnic group by DNA typing for further study on its association with HIV infection and progression to AIDS.

METHODSA rapid genotyping method for HLA-Cw by PCR-SSP was set up. It combined twenty-six specific primers and one pair of internal control primer to form twenty-four one-step reactions for each sample. Totally 102 unrelated healthy Chinese Yi ethnic individuals were typed.

RESULTSTwelve HLA-Cw alleles were detected in Chinese Yi ethnic group with HLA-Cw*01, Cw*07 and Cw*08 as the most common genes, which accounted for a frequency of 0.333 3, 0.250 0 and 0.176 5 respectively; four kinds of non-serologically defined HLA-Cw genes i.e. Cw*12, Cw*1301, Cw*14 and Cw*15 were found in this population. Hardy-Weinburg test showed that the genotype distribution observed was correspondent with the expected (chi2=65.983 1, df=66, P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThis study provides the data of HLA-Cw gene frequency in Chinese Yi ethnic group, which may contribute to research on anthropology, disease association and vaccine application. The result also confirmed that PCR-SSP was a reliable and fast method for HLA-Cw genotyping.

Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; China ; ethnology ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; HLA-C Antigens ; genetics ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Random Allocation

OBJECTIVETo compare therapeutic effects of elongated needle therapy and routine acupuncture therapy on dysuria induced by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

METHODSRandomized, controlled, multi-central method was adopted and 150 cases confirmed to the enrolled criteria were divided into two groups by odd or even number, an elongated needle group (n = 72) and a routine acupuncture group (n = 78). Acupuncture was given at bilateral Zhibian (BL 54) and Zhongji (CV 3) in the two groups, once daily, 5 sessions constituting one course, with a 2-day interval between two courses. The treatment was given for 2 courses. Changes of I-PSS symptom cumulative score, urine flowing rate, residual urine in bladder before and after the treatment were observed.

RESULTSThe effective rate was 83.3% in the elongated needle group and 44.9% in the routine acupuncture group. There were significant differences between the two groups in improvemet of I-PSS score, increase of urine flowing rate and reduction of residual urine in bladder (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe elongated needle therapy has a definite therapeutic effect on dysuria induced by benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Aged ; Humans ; Male ; Meridians ; Middle Aged ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Urinary Bladder ; physiopathology ; Urination

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of primary testicular mixed germ cell tumor (MGCT).

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed the clinicopathological data of 13 cases of primary testicular MGCT and reviewed other relevant literature.

RESULTSMGCT accounted for 24.1% (13/54) of all the testicular germ cell tumors diagnosed in our hospital. The patients ranged in age from 2 to 53 years, averaging at 28.3 years. All were unilateral cases, 6 in the left and 7 in the right testis, with a left/right ratio of 0.86:1. Morphologically, testicular MGCT displayed a variety of subtypes, embryonal carcinoma in 11 cases (84.6%), seminoma in 8 (61.5%), teratoma in 6 (46.2%), choriocarcinoma in 4 (30.8%) and yolk sac tumor in 4 (30.8%). Nine of the cases (69.2%) were composed of two different germ cell histological elements, 3 (23.1%) composed of three, and 1 (7.7%) composed of five.

CONCLUSIONTesticular MGCT is rather rare and most commonly occurs in young men. Its biological behavior, clinical management and prognosis vary with its different histological elements. Therefore accurate pathological diagnosis is essential and immunohistochemistry plays an important role in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of testicular MGCT.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal ; pathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Testicular Neoplasms ; pathology ; Young Adult

Purpose To investigate the expression of signal transduction and activator 3 (Stat3) ,and phosphorylated Stat3 (p-Stat3) in human gastric cancer cell lines MGC-803 and BGC-823,and to explore the role of p-Stat3 in the invasion and migration of gastric cancer. Methods The expressed Stat3 and p-Stat3 in gastric cancer MGC-803 and BGC-823 cells were investigated by flow cytometry,and the migration and invasion abilities of cancer cells were observed using scratch test and in vitro Transwell test. Results Flow cytometry showed that the expression of Stat3 in MGC-803 and BGC-823 cells was basically unchanged before and after IL-6 stimulation (10 ng/mL) ,and the activated p-Stat3,however,was significantly higher after IL-6 stimulation. The activated p-Stat3 in BGC-823 cells was higher than that of MGC-803 cells (P < 0. 001) . The results of scratch tests showed that the scar healing area of BGC-823 cells was significantly larger than that of MGC-803 cells after 48 h (P = 0. 031) . Transwell cell experiments showed that the number of penetrating cells from BGC-823 cell line were significantly greater than those from MGC-803 cell line (P < 0. 001) . Conclusion Over activated p-Stat3 enhances the invasion and migration of MGC-803 and BGC-823 gastric cancer cells.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of entecavir maleate (ETV) versus ETV in Chinese patients with hepatitis B e antigen(HBeAg)-positive chronic hepatitis B(CHB).

METHODSThe patient population of this previously published randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, controlled, multicenter study was expanded by patients in the 0.5 mg/day ETV maleate group (total n = 110) and patients in the 0.5 mg/day ETV group (total n = 108). At treatment weeks 12, 24 and 48, hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA levels were measured by the Roche Cobas Ampliprep/Cobas Taqman PCR assay. Adverse events (AE) were recorded.

RESULTSAs in the original analysis, the two treatment groups showed similar characteristics at baseline. In addition, the results for the all therapeutic effects showed identical trends to the results obtained in the original analysis, including the statistically similar effects of ETV and ETV maleate treatment-induced decreases in mean HBV DNA level at weeks 12, 24, and 48 (ETV: by 4.28, 5.00, and 5.53 log10 IU/ml vs. ETV maleate: by 4.46, 4.99, and 5.51 log10 IU/ml, respectively; all vs. baseline P more than 0.05), achievement of undetectable levels of serum HBV DNA ( less than 20 IU/ml) at week 48 (ETV: 38.18% vs. ETV maleate: 35.19%; P more than 0.05), HBeAg loss rates at week 48 (ETV: 10.91% vs. ETV maleate: 12.96%; P more than 0.05), HBeAg seroconversion rates at week 48 (ETV: 7.77% vs. ETV maleate: 10.38%; P more than 0.05), normalization of alanine aminotransferase at week 48 (ETV: 75.47% vs. ETV maleate: 82.86%; P more than 0.05), and overall incidence of AE (ETV: 18.02% vs. ETV maleate: 17.43%; P more than 0.05).

CONCLUSIONPerforming analysis of the therapeutic efficacies of entecavir maleate versus entecavir with a larger study population confirmed our original findings of similar efficacy and safety profiles for these two drugs in patients with HBeAg-positive CHB.

Adult ; Antiviral Agents ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Double-Blind Method ; Female ; Guanine ; adverse effects ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; blood ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

ObjectiveThis article aims to investigate the clinical features of portal biliopathy （PB） patients， in order to improve the understanding of PB. MethodsClinical data were collected from 22 patients who were diagnosed with PB in recent years in The First Hospital of Jilin University， and an analysis was performed for their clinical manifestations， liver function， abdominal color Doppler ultrasound， abdominal CT， and hepatobiliary magnetic resonance imaging. The imaging manifestations of biliary tract abnormalities were described， as well as the type of collateral circulation and the location of thrombosis. ResultsAs for the initial symptom in these 22 patients， three were 11 patients with gastrointestinal bleeding， 5 with abdominal distension， 3 with abdominal pain， 1 with fever， 1 with abdominal discomfort， and 1 with gingival bleeding. There were 3 patients with an increase in aspartate aminotransferase， 4 with an increase in alanine aminotransferase， 4 with an increase in gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase， 7 with an increase in alkaline phosphatase， 8 with a reduction in cholinesterase， 9 with a reduction in albumin， 2 with an increase in globulin， and 5 with an increase in total bilirubin. Among the 22 patients， 20 had cavernous transformation of the portal vein， and 2 had portal vein thrombosis without cavernous transformation. All 22 patients had bile duct abnormalities， among whom 2 had extrahepatic bile duct abnormalities alone， 12 had intrahepatic bile duct dilatation alone， and 8 had dilatation of both intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts. Varices at different sites were observed in 20 patients， among whom 19 had esophageal and gastric varices and 1 had peri-gallbladder varices， and no varices was observed in the superior mesenteric vein or the splenic vein. ConclusionThere are no typical clinical symptoms and changes in liver function parameters in patients with PB， but radiological examination may show dilatation， stenosis， or malformation of the bile ducts at different parts. Therefore， it is necessary to expand the sample size to further explore the diagnosis and treatment of PB.