OBJECTIVETo study the expression of phosphatase and tensin homology deleted on chromosometen ten (PTEN) protein, a tumor suppressor gene in breast cancer and its correlation with p27(kip1) and cyclin D1 expression.

METHODSPTEN protein expression, p27(kip1) and cyclin D1 protein expression were detected by immunohistochemical method in paraffin sections from 61 women with primary breast cancer. PTEN protein expression was compared with clinico-pathologic parameters as related to p27(kip1) and cyclin D1.

RESULTSPTEN, being shown in the cytoplasm, was negative in 6.6% (4/61), reduced in 41.0% (25/61) and positive in 52.5% (32/61) samples. PTEN expression level was correlated with axillary lymph node status, loss of estrogen receptor stain, recurrence and metastasis. On univariate analysis, the disease-free survival rate of patients with higher PTEN expression (> 50% cells stained) was better than those with lower expression (P = 0.0101). However, there was no correlation between p27(kip1), cyclin D1 expression or PTEN expression.

CONCLUSIONPTEN, its lower expression being correlated with poor outcome of breast cancer patients, plays a prominent role in breast cancer. p27(kip1) or cyclin D1 may not be the primary downstream genes of PTEN in breast cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Breast Neoplasms ; chemistry ; mortality ; pathology ; Cyclin D1 ; analysis ; physiology ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27 ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; analysis ; physiology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Middle Aged ; PTEN Phosphohydrolase ; analysis ; physiology ; Prognosis

Objective To develop an intelligent flight examination information management system to realize informatized flying personnel physical examination.Methods The system involved in Java Web technology for system design and etmvc framework and MySQL database for background development.A physical examination instrument acquired and received data with Android system,and then transmitted them to the information management system.The information management had open interfaces for data transmission and interaction.Results The system could complete physical examination of hundreds of flying staffs in short time,and then upload the physical examination data to the flight surgeon department for data interaction,storage and statistical analysis.Conclusion The system gains advantages in convenient flying personnel physical examination and rapid information transmission and utilization,and thus is worthy promoting practically for flying personnel physical examination.

OBJECTIVETo assess the safety and efficacy of transcatheter intervention for critical pulmonary stenosis (CPS) and pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum (PA/IVS) in neonates.

METHODFrom June 2006 to September 2011, 27 neonates including CPS in 19 patients and PA/IVS in 8 patients underwent transcatheter intervention. All patients had membranous stenosis or atresia without severe Ebstein's anomaly and severe right ventricle and pulmonary valve hypoplasia, without right ventricle-dependent coronary circulation in PA/IVS. The mean age was (16.8 ± 9.9) d. The mean weight was (3.3 ± 0.5) kg. Two of them were premature neonates, the weight was 2.3 kg and 2.5 kg, respectively. The procedural success, early outcome, complication rates, midterm results and pulmonary regurgitation were retrospectively studied.

RESULTTwenty-six patients were successfully treated with transcatheter intervention. Right ventricular pressure fell from (112.0 ± 21.0) mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa) to (50.4 ± 15.9) mm Hg (P < 0.001). The ratio of right ventricular pressure and aortic pressure fell from 1.7 ± 0.1 to 0.7 ± 0.3 (P < 0.001). One patient died early of PA/IVS. Complication occurred in 5 patients. Hemopericardium occurred in 3 patients, tachyarrhythmia in 2 patients. Five patients needed prolonged prostaglandin E(1) infusion for 3 to 14 days because of desaturation after the procedure. No patient needed surgery in neonatal period. At a mean follow-up of (33.5 ± 18.3) months (from 6 months to 5 years), 21 patients had no further transcatheter or surgical intervention. Four patients with CPS had moderate to severe residual pulmonary stenosis after the procedure, 3 of them underwent a second balloon dilation at 3 months of follow-up, the other one was waiting for the second balloon dilation. One patient with PA/IVS was waiting for a bidirectional Glenn procedure because of chronic right ventricular failure. Mild pulmonary regurgitation occurred in 18 patients (69.2%), and moderate pulmonary regurgitation in 8 patients (30.8%).

CONCLUSIONTranscatheter intervention for CPS and PA/IVS in neonates is safe and effective. It can avoid neonatal surgery. Some patients may require repeat balloon valvuloplasty in infant period. In most patients surgical or transcatheter intervention could be avoided and mild pulmonary regurgitation was the common finding in midterm follow-up.

Catheterization ; instrumentation ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; surgery ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Pulmonary Atresia ; surgery ; Pulmonary Valve ; surgery ; Pulmonary Valve Stenosis ; surgery ; Reoperation ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVEBao-Xie-Ning (BXN), a traditional Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) formula composed of Fructus Evodiae, Flos Caryophylli and Cortex Cinnamomi, and used for the treatment of infant diarrheal illness, was subject to systematic assessment for its putative multiple pharmacodynamic effects and pharmacological antidiarrheal mechanisms.

METHODSHigh-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometric/mass spectrometry was developed and validated for identification and quantification of the main constituents in different extracts of BXN. Male Kunming mice weighing 20 to 25 g were used for detecting the antidiarrheal activity of the extracts. Ethanolic extract (EE), volatile oil extract (VOE), and aqueous extract (AE) of BXN were respectively subjected to pharmacodynamic and pharmacological comparison in assessing antidiarrheal effects with senna-induced diarrhea, castor oil-induced diarrhea, acetic acid-induced writhing assay, and isolated duodenum test.

RESULTSThe highest yields of three detected components of BXN, rutaecarpine, eugenol and cinnamaldehyde were observed in EE. EE showed the most remarkable antidiarrheal activity in dose-dependent and time-dependent manners in both senna- and castor oil-induced diarrhea models, and presented dose-dependent analgesic activity in acetic acid-induced algesthesia model. In addition, EE extract of BXN also exhibited strong antimobility action on the intestine and strongest depression on spontaneous contraction of isolated duodenum.

CONCLUSIONEthanol extraction is an efficient method to extract the active constituents of BXN. BXN extract demonstrated multiple pharmacological activities affecting the main mechanisms of diarrhea, which validated BXN's usage in the comprehensive clinical treatment of diarrhea.

Animals ; Antidiarrheals ; administration & dosage ; analysis ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Diarrhea ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; analysis ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo study the correlation of the expressions of CD82 and hTERT and HPV infection with the clinical pathological features of penile cancer and identify their prognostic significance in the lymphatic metastasis of the disease.

METHODSA total of 44 patients underwent partial or radical penectomy and lymph node dissection. The expressions of CD82 and hTERT were determined by immunohistochemistry, and HPV infection was detected by PCR.

RESULTSThe positive rates of CD82, hTERT, and HPV DNA in penile carcinoma were 47.7%, 38.6% and 25.9%, respectively. The amplified HPV DNA was HPV-16. The pathological stage and hTERT expression were positively correlated with inguinal lymph node metastasis of penile cancer (P = 0.032, P = 0.041), and so was the pathological stage with the expression of CD82 (P = 0.045), but neither the pathological stage, nor the expression of CD82 or the positive rate of HPV DNA showed any correlation with lymph node metastasis (P = 0.627, P = 0.094, P = 0.633).

CONCLUSIONThe pathological grade and hTERT expression are independent prognostic factors for lymph node metastasis in penile carcinoma. These features help the prognosis and identification of the patient at the risk of nodal metastasis.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; virology ; Humans ; Kangai-1 Protein ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Papillomaviridae ; Papillomavirus Infections ; metabolism ; Penile Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; virology ; Telomerase ; metabolism

BACKGROUND: Although endovascular therapy has been widely used for focal aortoiliac occlusive disease (AIOD), its performance for extensive AIOD (EAIOD) is not fully evaluated. We aimed to demonstrate the long-term results of EAIOD treated by endovascular therapy and to identify the potential risk factors for the loss of primary patency. METHODS: Between January 2008 and June 2018, patients with a clinical diagnosis of the 2007 TransAtlantic Inter-Society Consensus II (TASC II) C and D AIOD lesions who underwent endovascular treatment in our institution were enrolled. Demographic, diagnosis, procedure characteristics, and follow-up information were reviewed. Univariate analysis was used to identify the correlation between the variables and the primary patency. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify the independent risk factors associated with primary patency. Five- and 10-year primary and secondary patency, as well as survival rates, were calculated by Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS: A total of 148 patients underwent endovascular treatment in our center. Of these, 39.2% were classified as having TASC II C lesions and 60.8% as having TASC II D lesions. The technical success rate was 88.5%. The mean follow-up time was 79.2 ± 29.2 months. Primary and secondary patency was 82.1% and 89.4% at 5 years, and 74.8% and 83.1% at 10 years, respectively. The 5-year survival rate was 84.2%. Compared with patients without loss of primary patency, patients with this condition showed significant differences in age, TASC II classification, infrainguinal lesions, critical limb ischemia (CLI), and smoking. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed age <61 years (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 6.47; 95% CI: 1.47-28.36; P = 0.01), CLI (aOR: 7.81; 95% CI: 1.92-31.89; P = 0.04), and smoking (aOR: 10.15; 95% CI: 2.79-36.90; P < 0.01) were independent risk factors for the loss of primary patency. CONCLUSION Endovascular therapy was an effective treatment for EAIOD with encouraging patency and survival rate. Age <61 years, CLI, and smoking were independent risk factors for the loss of primary patency.
Arterial Occlusive Diseases/surgery* ; Endovascular Procedures/methods* ; Female ; Humans ; Iliac Artery/surgery* ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Stents ; Survival Rate ; Treatment Outcome ; Vascular Patency

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical efficacy on cervical spondylosis of nerve root type with qi stagnation and blood stasis treated with warming needle with different lengths of moxa stick. METHODS: Six hundred patients with cervical spondylosis of nerve root type with qi stagnation and blood stasis were randomly divided into 4 groups: a 4 cm length group (150 cases, 5 cases dropped off, 2 cases suspended), a 3 cm length group (150 cases, 6 cases dropped off, 2 cases suspended), a 2 cm length group (150 cases, 6 cases dropped off), and a routine acupuncture group (150 cases, 6 cases dropped off). Warming needle with moxa stick in the length of 4 cm, 3 cm and 2 cm was delivered in the 4 cm length group, the 3 cm length group and the 2 cm length group, respectively. In the routine acupuncture group, simple acupuncture was applied. The acupoints selected in the above groups included Dazhui (GV 14) and bilateral Jiaji (EX-B 2) of C₅ and C₇, Fengchi (GB 20), Jianzhen (SI 9), Quchi (LI 11), Zhongzhu (TE 3), etc. In each group, the intervention was delivered once daily and 5 times a week. One course of intervention was composed of 2 weeks and 2 courses were required. The TCM syndrome score, the score of clinical assessment scale for cervical spondylosis (CASCS), the score of the brachial plexus traction test of the affected upper limb, F wave occurrence rate and conduction velocity of the ulnar nerve, the median nerve and the radial nerve of the affected upper limb were compared before and after treatment in the patients of each group. The levels of serum inflammatory factors, i.e. interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), were measured before and after treatment in the patients of each group. The clinical cfficacy was evaluated in the 4 groups. RESULTS: After treatment, the results of TCM syndrome evaluation, i.e. the scores of neck pain, activity limitation and upper limb numbness and pain, as well as the total scores; and the scores of brachial plexus traction test were reduced when compared with those before treatment in each group (P<0.01, P<0.05). The scores of subjective symptoms and adaptability, and the total scores of CASCS were elevated in comparison with those before treatment in each group (P<0.01, P<0.05). In the 4 cm length group, compared with the other 3 groups, the scores of neck pain and activity limitation for TCM syndrome evaluation, and its total score were lower (P<0.05, P<0.01); and the scores of subjective symptoms and adaptability, and the total score of CASCS were higher (P<0.05, P<0.01). The score of the brachial plexus traction test in the 4 cm length group was lower than that of the routine acupuncture group (P<0.05). After treatment, F wave occurrence rates and conduction velocity of median nerve and radial nerve were increased when compared with those before treatment in each group (P<0.05, P<0.01). F wave occurrence rate and conduction velocity of the radial nerve in the 4 cm length group were higher than those of the other 3 groups (P<0.05), and those of the median nerve were higher when compared with the routine acupuncture group (P<0.05). After treatment, the levels of serum IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α were all reduced when compared with those before treatment in each group (P<0.01, P<0.05); the level of serum IL-6 in the 4 cm length group was lower than those of the other 3 groups and serum level of TNF-α was lower compared with that in the routine acupuncture group (P<0.05). The total effective rate of the 4 cm length group was 78.3% (112/143), which was higher when compared with the 3 cm length group (67.6%, 96/142), the 2 cm length group (65.3%, 94/144) and the routine acupuncture group (53.5%, 77/144), respectively (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Warming needle with moxa stick of 4 cm in length effectively relieves the clinical symptoms of cervical spondylosis of nerve root type with qi stagnation and blood stasis, improves the nerve function of the upper limbs, and reduces the inflammatory responses caused by nerve compression. The clinical efficacy of this therapy with moxa stick of 4 cm in length is superior to the warming needle with moxa sticks of 3 cm and 2 cm, as well as the routine acupuncture.
Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; Neck Pain ; Qi ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Spondylosis/therapy*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical effect of single-stage repair of penile urethral stricture using combined dorsal onlay oral mucosa grafting with ventral onlay penile skin flap. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical database of 22 male patients with penile urethral stricture who received single-stage repair using combined dorsal onlay oral mucosa grafting with ventral onlay penile skin flap from November 2015 to October 2018. All the cases had no complications, such as skin fistula. The causes of stricture included iatrogenic (14/22, 63.6%), inflammation (2/22, 9.1%) and idiopathic (6/22, 27.3%). A ventral urethrotomy was made in the segment of stricture and extended proximally and distally until the normal calibre urethra was encountered. The oral mucosa graft was secured to the corpus spongiosum in dorsal onlay fashion or underlying corpora cavernosum after resection of the severe scarred urethra. Then the prepared Orandi fasciocutaneous penile skin flap was secured to edges of corpus spongiosum or oral mucosa graft. A 16 F or 14 F Foley catheter was left in situ for a minimum of 3 weeks, at which time a urethrogram was performed to look for extravasation, and the urethroscopy was performed if necessary. Success was defined as an open urethra with Qmax≥15 mL/s and no need for further surgical intervention. RESULTS: all the 22 patients with a mean age of 52.6 (18-73) years underwent the combined tissue-transfer technique. The mean length of the penile urethral stricture was 5.3 (2.5-10.0) cm and the mean preoperative Qmax was 6.7 mL/s. the mean length of oral mucosa grafts and fasciocutaneous skin flaps were 5.5 (3.2-10.5) cm and 6.0 (3.5-11.0) cm, respectively. The mean operation time was 225 (150-420) minutes and the mean evaluated blood loss was 53 (20.0-110.0) mL. The grafts included buccal mucosa (19/22, 86.4%) and lingual mucosa (3/22, 13.6%). The mean postoperative Q max was 21.2 (15-32) mL/s. A case of skin fistula and 2 cases of recurrent stricture were found, so the technique success rate was 81.8% (18/22) at a mean follow-up of 20.5 (5-51) months. The perioperative complications included 2 cases of infection and skin necrosis, which healed well after conservative treatment. CONCLUSION Single-stage repair of penile urethral stricture using combined dorsal onlay oral mucosa grafting with ventral onlay penile skin flap appears to be an excellent option to repair penile urethral stricture with unsalvageable urethral plate and the penile skin is available. The present clinical series showed a successful rate of 81.8% (18/22).
Aged ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mouth Mucosa ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Urethra ; Urethral Stricture ; Urologic Surgical Procedures, Male

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the curative effect and safety of Bushen Qiangji Decoction (BQD) and Qingre Qiangji Decoction (QQD) in treating ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients, and to verify the clinical utility of AS syndrome differentiation and treatment scheme [Shen-deficiency induced stasis obstruction syndrome (SDISOS) and dampness-heat obstruction syndrome (DHOS) being two basic syndrome types, Shen invigorating blood activating method (SIBAM) and heat clearing dampness resolving method (HCDRM) being two basic treatment methods].

METHODSTotally 354 AS patients of SDISOS and DHOS were randomly assigned to the treatment group and the control group using a multi-center randomized, positive drug parallel-controlled clinical trail. Patients in treatment group were treated by BQD or QQD according to syndrome typing, while those in the control group took Sulfasalazine enteric-coated tablet (SECT), 24 weeks as one therapeutic course. After treatment, the clinical efficacy was evaluated by using ASAS20 standard (set by Asessment in Ankylosing Spondylitis working group), Chinese medical efficacy evaluation standards, and BASDAI, BASFI, BASMI, night-pain index, spinal pain index, PGA, C-reactive protein (CRP), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR).

RESULTSAfter 24 weeks of treatment by BQD or QQD, ASAS20 standard rate was 86.75% in the treatment group, and the total effective rate of Chinese medical syndrome was 85.47%. They could significantly reduce patients' integrals of Chinese medical syndrome, BASDAI, BASFI, BASMI, night-pain index, spinal pain index, and PGA (all P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSQQD and BQD got confirmable clinical effects in treating AS, providing strong evidence of evidence-based medicine for syndrome differentiation and treatment of AS.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; methods ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing ; drug therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Betacoronavirus ; immunology ; Coronavirus Infections ; diagnosis ; Gold Colloid ; chemistry ; Humans ; Immunoassay ; methods ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Immunoglobulin M ; blood ; Pandemics ; Pneumonia, Viral ; diagnosis ; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic