Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Diabetic Retinopathy ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Retinal Hemorrhage ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo explore the diagnostic value of 3D-indirectmagnetic resonance (MR) arthrography in detecting meniscustears of the knees.

METHODSForm January 2013 to January 2014, routine plain MR of the knees followed by the 3D-indirect MR arthrography was performed in 42 patients with suspected meniscal tears clinically. There were 31 males and 11 females, with an average age of 38.4 years old (ranged, 21 to 67 years old). The duration of the course ranged from 2 h to 15 d. The clinical symptom was knee pain. All the patients got subsequently arthroscopic examination or operation. The sensitivity and specificity of routine plain MR and 3D-indirect MR arthrography were compared based on the results of arthroscopic examination or operation.

RESULTSThe signal intensity in the area of meniscal tears on image of 3D-indirect MR arthrography was obviously higher than that of routine plain MR. The sensitivity of 3D-indirect MR arthrography was 85.79% (87/102), while the routine plain MR was 52.94% (54/102), and the specificity improved from 67.78%(61/90) to 86.67%(78/90). The difference was statistically significant (χ2 = 25.90, P < 0.01; χ2 = 9.13, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONIn comparison with the routine plain MR findings, 3D-indirect MR arthrography demonstrates meniscus tears of the knee with the better sensitivity and specificity.

Adult ; Aged ; Arthrography ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; methods ; Knee Injuries ; diagnosis ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tibial Meniscus Injuries

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Jiangtang Yishen Recipe (JTYSR) on high insulin induced cell proliferation of human glomerular mesangial cells (HMCs) and the expression of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI-3K).

METHODSHMCs were divided into 4 groups, i.e., the negative control group, the high insulin model group, the JTYSR group, and the LY294002 group. The concentration of insulin, JTYSR, and LY294002 was respectively confirmed by pre-experiment. Different culture solution was respectively added for different groups. RPMI1640 culture solution was added for HMCs in the negative control group, while HMCs in the rest 3 groups were cultured by 100 nmol/L insulin for 24 h. Meanwhile, HMCs from the JTYSR group and the LY294002 group were exposed to 125 mg/L JTYSR and 80 micromol/L LY294002 respectively for further 48 h. The proliferation of HMCs was detected by MTT and flow cytometry. The protein expression of IRS-1 and PI-3K in HMC was detected by immunohistochemical assay and Western blot. Results The proliferation of HMCs induced by high insulin could be significantly lowered, and the protein expression of IRS-1 and PI-3K could be down-regulated in the JTYSR group and the LY294002 group (P <0.01). Compared with the LY294002 group, the protein expression of IRS-1 and PI-3K could be slightly down-regulated in the JTYSR group (P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONJTYSR could lower high insulin induced proliferation of HMCs, and its mechanism might be related to insulin signaling pathway.

Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Chromones ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Insulin Receptor Substrate Proteins ; metabolism ; Mesangial Cells ; physiology ; Morpholines ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase ; metabolism ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of FSCN1 in human epithelial tumors and their clinical significance.

METHODSFSCN1 expression was examined immunohistochemically in specimens of human epithelial tumors, including 26 cases of lung cancer, 33 cervical cancer, 22 ovarian cancer, 38 esophageal cancer, 24 pancreatic cancer, 23 gastric cancer, 29 laryngocarcinoma, 17 primary hepatocellular carcinoma, 34 colorectal cancer, 33 breast cancer, 24 nasopharyngeal carcinoma and their corresponding normal tissues.

RESULTSThe positivity rates of FSCN1 expression in epithelial tissues and epithelial tumors were 6.3% (5/80) and 58.7% (178/303), respectively. FSCN1 showed higher expressions in cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, esophageal cancer, pancreatic cancer, gastric cancer, laryngocarcinoma, colorectal cancer, breast cancer and nasopharyngeal carcinoma, but lower or no expression in the corresponding normal tissues (P<0.05). In gastric cancer and nasopharyngeal carcinoma, the edges of the tumors were more strongly stained for FSCN1 than the interior of the tumor.

CONCLUSIONFSCN1 expression is significantly upregulated in human epithelial tumors in close correlation with tumor occurrence and progression.

Carrier Proteins ; biosynthesis ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Microfilament Proteins ; biosynthesis ; Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial ; metabolism ; pathology ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology

The recombinant fusion protein staphylokinase-hirudin(rSFH) was purified from the high density-fermented engineered E.coli by means of ion-exchange chromatography (IEC) and gel filtration (GF). The purity of rSFH reached to more than 98% determined by RP-HPLC and SDS-PAGE, and the yield was up to 0.7g per liter of fermentation broth. The analysis of homologous dimmer of rSFH appeared during the purification and calculation of the surface hydrophobic area had been carried out by means of hydrophobic chromatography and MALD-TOF. The influence of sodium chloride and temperature on the behavior of rSFH reversible dimerization was analyzed by high performance sized- exclusive chromatography(HPSEC). It is concluded that the hydrophobic interaction played an important role in the reversible dimerization of rSFH.

To investigate the application of a recently developed metallic oxide semiconductor field effect transistor(MOSFET)detector for use in vivo desimetry.Methods The MOSFET detector was calibrated for X-ray beams of 8 MV and 15 MV,as well as electron beams with energy of 6,8,12 and 18 MeV.The dose linearity of the MOSFET detector was investigated for the doses ranging from 0 up to 50 Gy using 8 MV X-ray beams.Angular effect was evaluated as well in a cylindrical PMMA phantom by changing the beam entrance angle every 15?clockwise.The MOSFET detector was then used for a breast cancer patient in vivo dose measurement, after the treatment plan was verified in a water phantom using a NE-2571 ion chamber,in vivo measurements were performed in the first and last treatment,and once per week during the whole treatment.The measured doses were then compared with planning dose to evaluate the accuracy of each treatment.Results The MOSFET detector represented a good energy response for X-ray beams of 8 MV and 15 MV,and for electron beams with energy of 6 MeV up to 18 MeV.With the 6 V bias,Dose linearity error of the MOSFET detector was within 3.0% up to approximately 50 Gy,which can be significantly reduced to 1% when the detector was calibrated before and after each measdurement.The MOSFET response varied within 1.5% for angles firm 270?to 90?.However,maximum error of 10.0% was recorded comparing MOSFET response between forward and backward direction.In vivo mea surement for a breast cancer patient using 3DCRT showed that,the average dose.deviation between measurement and calculation was 2.8%,and the maximum error was less then 5.0%.Conclusions The new MOSFET detector,with its advantages of being in size,easy use,good energy response and dose linearity,can be used for in vivo dose measurement.

Objective To investigate the apoptosis of T lymphocytes,the expression of Bcl-2, Fas on the peripheral blood T lymphocytes in end stage renal disease patients;and to explore the characteristics of Th1 /Th2 profile and the influence of dialysis membranes with different permeability on the apoptosis of T lymphocytes of maintenance hemodialysis patients.Methods The study included 10 non-dialyszed (ND)patients,45 maintenance hemodialysis patients with cellulose acetate (CA) membranes(13),low-flux polusulfone(PS-LF) membranes(16),high-flux polusulfone (PS-HF) membranes (16) and 8 healthy volunteers (C).The apoptosis of T lymphocytes,expression of Bcl-2,Fas on peripheral blood T lymphocytes cultured with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulation for 24 hours were measured by flow cytometry and immunohistochemical.ELISA was performed for detecting the levels of IFN-?and IL-4 in culture supematants.Results In ESRD patients,the apoptosis of T lymphocytes was greater than that of group C.Group CA was greater than group PS-HF and group PS-LF (P＜0.05).The expression of Bcl-2 on T lymphocytes in ESRD patients was lower than that of group C (P＜0.05).There was negative correlation between the T lymphocytes apoptosis and Bcl-2. The expression of Fas on T lymphocytes in ESRD patients was greater than that of group C (P＜0.05), and it was positive correlated with T lymphocytes apoptosis.The level of IFN-?of ESRD patients was decreased significantly compared with that in group C (P＜0.05),and there was negative correlation between T lymphocytes apoptosis and IFN-?.IL-4 was increased in ESRD patients (P＜0.05) and it was positive correlated with T lymphocytes apoptosis.Conclusions The accelerated apoptosis of T lymphocytes in ESRD patients may be related to the expression of Bcl-2 and Fas of T lymphocytes.ESRD patients show a suppressed secretion of IFN-?and an increased secretion of IL-4. T lymphocytes apoptosis of maintenance hemodialysis patients is influenced not only by the biocompatibility but also by the permeability of the dialysis membrane.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of pentoxifylline (PTX) on radiation induced-cell cycle redistribution and radiosensitivity of human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line Hep3b.

METHODSMTT assay was performed to evaluate the cytotoxicity of PTX on p53-defective human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line Hep3b and clonogenic assay employed to observe its effects on the radiosensitivity of the cells quantified by calculating the sensitive enhancement ratio (SER). Flow cytometry was performed to observe the cell cycle changes of Hep3b cells in response to X-ray irradiation and the interventional effect of PTX.

RESULTSThe cytotoxicity of PTX on the cells increased in a dose-dependent manner following a 48-hour treatment, with the optimal dose range of 1-5 mmol/L. A sub-toxic dose of PTX at 2 mmol/L was then used in subsequent experiments. Clonogenic survival assays up to 12 Gy demonstrated that p53-defective Hep3b cells (SER of 2.68+/-0.24) were sensitized by PTX (2 mmol/L). PTX (2 mmol/L) treatment following exposure to irradiation (6 Gy) resulted in abrogation of radiation-induced G(2)/M arrest of Hep3b cells, and the proportions of Hep3b cells in G(2)/M phase were 86.8% and 14.8% after exposure to 6 Gy alone and 6 Gy plus 2 mmol/L PTX, respectively.

CONCLUSIONRadiosensitization by PTX is possibly associated with the abrogation of G(2)/M arrest in Hep3b cells following radiation exposure, suggesting that potential clinical application of PTX may enhance the efficacy of radiotherapy against hepatocellular carcinoma.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; radiation effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; radiation effects ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Pentoxifylline ; pharmacology ; Radiation-Sensitizing Agents ; pharmacology ; X-Rays

OBJECTIVETo determine the mechanism of pseudo-tears of the lateral meniscus caused by the transverse geniculate ligament (TL) and the miniscofemoral ligament(MFL) and to investigate a method to differentiate pseudo-tears from true tear of the lateral meniscus.

METHODSForm June 2012 to February 2014, MR examinations of 72 knees (44 left knees and 28 right knees) without tear of the lateral meniscus verified by arthroscopy were performed in the sagittal and coronal plane. There were 41 males and 31 females in the group, with an average age of 33.7 years old (ranged from 25 to 61). The MR appearance of the TL and the MFL was carefully observed.

RESULTSThere existed fatty tissue in the gap between the TL and the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus and its central tendinous attachment. On the sagittal images, the fatty tissue formed a linear high-signal cleft between the TL and the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus. This might be mistaken as an oblique tear within the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus. It was called as pseudo-tears of the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus. In sagittal plane, the MFL was identified as a circle-like or short stick-like area of low signal intensity anterior or posterior to the posterior cruciateligament. Nevertheless, a belt-shaped area of low signal intensity from the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus to lateral facet of the medial femoral condyle was identified in the coronal plane. A linear area of high signal intensity between the MFL and the lateral meniscus was found in sagittal plane, which might be mistaken as an oblique tear within the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus. It was called pseudo-tears of the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus. The occurrence rate of the TL was 34.7% (25/72). The prevaleribe of pseudo-tears of the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus was 18 cases. The shape of the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus was regular, and the course of the pseudo-tears cleft was oblique. The occurrence rate of the MFL was 73.6% (53/72), which included the anterior MFL 23.6% (17/72), the posterior MFL 70.8% (51/72) and the two ligaments coexisted 16.7% (12/72). The prevalence of pseudo-tears of the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus was 25 cases. All observed pseudo-tears had either in posteroinferiorly oblique direction (19/25) or in vertical direction (6/25).

CONCLUSIONBased on the location and direction of pseudo-tears and observation in the continuous sagittal plane and the coronal plane, pseudo-tears is easily differentiated from the true tear of the lateral meniscus

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Knee Injuries ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Knee Joint ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Menisci, Tibial ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; Radiography ; Tibial Meniscus Injuries

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of 3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy combined with chemotherapy for rectal cancer of postoperative local recurrence.

METHODSFifty-six rectal cancer patients of postoperative local recurrence were treated with 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (66 approximately 68 Gy in 2 Gy daily fraction) combined with chemotherapy (5-Fu 0.75, Days 1 - 5 and Days 29 - 33; Cisplatin 40 mg, Days 1 - 3 and Days 29 - 31). Acute and late radioreactions and survival rates were observed. Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis.

RESULTSThe 1, 2, 3 years local control rate was 87.5%, 66.1%, 38.2%, respectively. The 1, 2, 3 years disease-free survival and overall were 82.7%, 56.6%, 30.1% and 88.3%, 66.8%, 44.2%, respectively. The median survival was 25.3 months. Acute small enteritis were the most common but acceptable radioreactions Grade 1 approximately 2. No late radioreactions occurred.

CONCLUSIONS3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy can be considered as an effective and feasible approach to cancer patients of postoperative local recurrence.

Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Fluorouracil ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; drug therapy ; mortality ; radiotherapy ; therapy ; Postoperative Period ; Radiotherapy Dosage ; Radiotherapy, Conformal ; adverse effects ; methods ; Rectal Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; mortality ; radiotherapy ; therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate