Objective To clarify whether the mRNA expression level of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) can predict the clinical response to glucocorticoid (GC) in patients with pemphigus. Methods Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was applied to determine the mRNA expression of GR? and GR? in PBMCs from 30 patients with pemphigus and 30 healthy volunteers. Results GR? mRNA was detected in all patients and all healthy volunteers, and the expression of GR? mRNA in pemphigus patients was significantly lower than that in healthy volunteers (P = 0.044), but no significant difference was found between patients insensitive and sensitive to glucocorticoid. In contrast, GR? mRNA was detected in 10 of 12 patients insensitive to glucocorticoid, 3 of 18 patients sensitive to glucocorticoid, and 9 of 30 healthy Volunteers. The positive rate of GR? in the insensitive group was significantly higher than that in the sensitive group (P

0.05), suggesting that clinical trial could be made for the cultured mycelia

0.05).Compared with control group, cell inhibition rate significantly increased in rhGH+L-OHP group (63.2% vs. 50.8%,P

Objective To study the effects of cinobufacin(cino) combined with fluorouracil(5-FU) on inhibiting proliferation and inducing apoptosis of human gastric carcinoma cells in vitro. Methods The experiment was divided into control group,cinobufacin group,5-FU group and cino+5-FU group. Cell morphological variation,cell inhibitory rate, cell cycle and ratio of apoptotic cell of human gastric carcinoma cell line BGC-823 were studied by cell culture, inverse microscopy, fluoroscopy, MTT assay and flow cytometry on different concentrations of cino and 5-FU. Results Cino could markably inhibit proliferation of human gastric carcinoma cells in time-and dose-dependent response. The cino+5-FU group inhibited the rate of proliferation of BGC-823 cells was significantly more than either cino or 5-FU alone group(P

Objective To establish a simple ,stable acute liver injury model induced by CCl4 to observe effects of hepatocyte transplantation .Methods CCl4 plant oil with different concentration of 20% and 50% was used in mice by intraperitoneal injection , of which the dose was 2 mL/kg ,and then materials were taken at different time points respectively .Mice survival rate ,alanine amin-otransferase (ALT) ,aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and the pathological changes of the liver were detected .Results Mice sur-vival rate in 20% CCl4 intraperitoneal injection was significantly higher than that of 50% .ALT and AST in experiment group were significantly higher than that of control group ,but there was no significant difference between two experimental groups .Pathologi-cal examination showed that mice liver cells showed typical cytoplasmic ,ballooning ,scattered punctate ,piecemeal necrosis and in-flammatory cell infiltration in 20% CCl4 intraperitoneal injection ;while in 50% CCl4 ,there was obvious fibrosis ,in addition to the mentioned heavier lesions .Conclusion 20% -50% CCl4 intraperitoneal injection in 2 mL/kg dose can induce different degrees of relatively stable liver injury ,and its concentration determines the degree of liver injury .Acute liver injury induced by 20% -50%CCl4 was an ideal model for hepatocyte transplantation experiment .

Objective To evaluate the technique of finger palpation in thoracoscopic localization in patients with pulmonary nodules,and to summarize its technical details,especially with exploit of chest computed tomography (CT) facilitating it.Methods 95 patients with total amount of 109 pulmonary nodes 20 mm or smaller in size shown with lung window of CT,were reviewed.They were located subpleurally,with a median depth of 8.2 mm and a median size of 10.0 mm.The value of their depth over their size (D/d value) could be used as the extent of localizing difficulty.Each node had its own radiographic fealures for being localized,which was built preoperatively.Under thoracoscopic vision,nodules were finger-palpated by index finger via the 4th or 5th intercostal space on anterior axillary line,followed by wedgectomy or lobectomy for instant histopathological diagnosis to further decide the final surgical type.The distance between the nodule and the origin of segmental bronchus (L value) were also calculated out,as it might be relevant to the way the nodule could be biopsied.Results All nodules were successfully localized and resected for biopsy goal,105 by wedgectomy,4 by lobectomy.After intraoperative diagnosis was made by the pathologist,VATS lobectomy and lymph node dissection were further performed in 55 patients.L value of 4 cases being biopsied by lobectomy ranged from 18.3 to 30.3 mm,averaging 26.1 mm.Conclusion Finger palpation is viable in any cases of pulmonary nodules.Detailed reference of CT digital information,and enough detachment of mediastinal pleura,can greatly facilitate thoracoscopic localization by finger palpation.Lobectomy or segementectomy is preferable when L value is less than 30 mm.

Objective To discuss the relationship between echogenicity and fat content in renal tumor.Methods 52 renal tumors were examined with preoperative ultrasonography,all tumors were 3 cm in diameter or less.The tumor echogenicity was classified as echogenicity increasement type (including hyperechoic and slightly hyperechoic) and echogenicity decreasement type (hypoechoic).The relationship between echogenicity and adipose staining in tumor were analyzed.Results In 18 cases pathologically proved benign renal tumor,14(77.8 ％) of the tumors were hyperechoic and were angiomyolipoma(AMLs),4(22.2％) of the tumors were hypoechoic including 2 poor fat AMLs and 2 rare benign tumors,slightly hyperechoic case was not detected.In 34 cases malignant renal tumors,27(79.4％) of the tumors were slightly hyperechoic including 22 clear cell renal cell carcinomas (RCCAs) and 5 papillary RCCAs,7 (20.6％) of the tumors were hypoechoic including 2 clear cell RCCAs,3 papillary RCCAs and 2 chromophobe RCCAs.Hyperechoic case was not detected.The adipose staining of 41 cases of echogenicity increasement type was all positive,in the 11 cases of echogenicity decreasement type,9 tumors were adipose staining negative,while the other 2 tumors were positive,and there were statistically significant between two groups (P ＜0.05).Conclusions Echogenicity was obviously correlate with fat content in renal tumor.Tumors containing rich fat appear to be increased in echogenicity,tumors without fat content appear to be decreased in echogenicity.

Objective To investigate the effects of AFP enhancer/pgk promoter driven expression of the dominant negative form of the PP2A catalytic subunit α (DN-PP2Acα) in vivo.Methods The previously constructed AFpg promoter-driven DN-PP2Acα was recombined into an adenovirus,and the expression of PP2Ac was tested using Western blot.Cell growth was tested using the MTT and flat plate clone formation assays.In vivo studies were performed in tumor xenograft models.Results AFpg promoter-driven expression of DN-PP2Acα exerted cytotoxic effects against the AFP-positive human hepatoma cell line HepG2,but did not affect AFP-negative human hepatoma cells (SKHEP-1) or normal human liver cells (L-02).Moreover,AFP enhancer/pgk promoter driven expression of DN-PP2Acα inhibited the growth of AFP-positive HepG2 tumors in nude mice bearing solid tumor xenografts,but did not affect AFP-negative SK-HEP-1 tumors.Conclusion The recombinant AFP enhancer/pgk promoter-driven DN-PP2Acα expression adenovirus presented selective cytotoxicity against AFP-positive hepatoma cells and provides a useful gene therapy strategy to selectively target hepatocellular carcinoma.

Objective To investigate the clinical value of transumbilical endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy on women patients with palmar hyperhidrosis.Methods A total of 25 consecutive women patients with palmar hyperhidrosis underwent transumblical thoracic sympathectomy with ultra-thin endoscope.The operative data,including duration of operation,intra-operative and postoperative complications were recorded.Results The procedure was performed successfully in all 25 patients with a mean operative time of 64 min(58-113 min).No umbilical hernia,diaphragmatic hernia,Horner's syndrome or hemothorax were observed.Minor pneumothorax was found in postoperative chest X-ray in 3 patients,all of which were completely resolved with conservative treatment.All patients recovered to their normal life at 1 week after discharge.The scar was small and hidden in umbilical with no visible incisions.After a follow-up of 4 to 12 months,all patients' hands sweating symptoms completely disappeared,axillary sweat symptoms completely resolved in 6 patients,significantly improved in 4 and mildly improved in 1.Conclusion Transumbilical thoracic sympathectomy with ultrathin flexible endoscope is a safe and effective option for women patients with severe palmar hyperhidrosis,which provides excellent cosmetic outcomes.

Objective To evaluate the therapeutic effect of spironolactone on schistosomal pulmonary arterial hypertension(SPAH). Methods A total of 62 patients suffered from hepatosplenic schistosomiasis with pulmonary arterial hypertension were divided into the spironolactone group(n=31) and control group (n=31). All the patients underwent serial echocardiography and the clinical effect before and after the treatment was evaluated by assessing the mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) and pulmonary arterial diameter (PAD). At the same time, the varieties of the clinical symptoms, signs and the distance of the 6-minute walking test (6-MWT) were investigated. Results In spironolactone group, mPAP(-x±s) decreased from (31.8±7.1) mmHg to (21.2±2.1) mmHg, PAD(-x±s) decreased from (28.0±5.0) mm to (20.0±3.5) mm before and after the treatment respectively(P<0.01). There were significant differences in mPAP, PAD, the distance of 6-MWT and the heart function before and after the treatment in the spironolactone group. However, the data did not show the significant difference in the control group. Conclusion The therapeutic effect of spironolactone in the treatment of SPAH is satisfactory.