Objective To validate if the continuous passive motion instrument we developed is practical and sta- ble for animal experiment.Methods Ten New Zealand male rabbits were used to establish the animal model of full- thickness defect of articular cartilage in the facies patellaris of femur with their both knees.The rabbits were then randomly divided into groups A and B(10 in each group).The rabbits in group A were administered with CPM of both knees daily for 4 weeks,while those in group B remained normal cage activity only.At the end of the treatment,all the animals were sacrificed,and their articular cartilage was harvested for HE staining and observation.Results It was found that group A had a significantly better repair of the full-thickness defects of articular cartilage than that of the group B,as reflected by the range of motion and morphological observation of the knees(P

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of miRNA-101 on the expression of the enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EXH2) in human androgen-independent prostated cancer LNCaP cells.

METHODSWe divided LNCaP cells into a blank control, a negative control, and a miRNA-l01 transfection group, constructed the vector by transfecting synthetic miRNA-101 mimics into the LNCaP cells, and evaluated the efficiency of transfection by fluorescence microscopy. Then we determined the expression level of EZH2 mRNA by qRT-PCR in the three groups of cells and that of the EZH2 protein in the negative control and transfection groups by Western blot.

RESULTSGreen fluorescence signals were observed in over 70% of the LNCaP cells in the transfection group after 24 hours of transfection. At 72 hours, the expression of miRNA-101 was significantly upregulated in the transfected cells (P < 0.01), that of EZH2 mRNA was remarkably lower in the transfection group (0.01 ± 0.10) than in the blank control (0.95 ± 0.40) and negative control (0.86 ± 0.30) groups (both P < 0.01), and that of the EZH2 protein was increased in the negative control but decreased in the transfection group with the extension of culture time.

CONCLUSIONmiRNA-101, with its inhibitory effect on the expression of EZH2 in LNCaP cells, is a potential biotherapeutic for prostate cancer.

Androgens ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Male ; MicroRNAs ; physiology ; Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Transfection

Objective To investigate the fuction of tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-?),interleukin-1 beta(IL-1?) and interleukin-6(IL-6) in children with intracranial infection.Methods TNF-?,IL-1? and IL-6 levels of serum and cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) were determined in the purulent meningitis group(25 cases),tuberculous meningitis group(17 cases),viral meningitis group(30 cases)and control group(20 cases)by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Results The levels of TNF-?,IL-1? and IL-6 obviously increased in CSF compared with that in the serum (Pa

Objective To explore the relationship of the ratio of plasma adrenomedullin(AM)and endothelin-1(ET-1)with serum concentration of neuron-specific enolase(NSE)in full-term neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy(HIE).Methods Plasma concentrations of AM,ET-1 and serum NSE from 32 full-term neonates with HIE were detected by radioimmunoassay(RIA)on the 1,3 and 7 d after parturition,30 neonates in the corresponding periods in our hospital were employed as controls.The infants with HIE were divided into mild,moderate or severe group in terms of diagnostic standard of HIE.Results 1.Plasma concentrations of AM and ET-1 in newborns with mild,moderate or severe HIE were significantly higher than that of control group at 1 d after life with a decline from 3-7 d(Pa

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the use of Delorme procedure for full-thickness rectal prolapse.

METHODSA series of 25 patients with full-thickness rectal prolapse were treated by Delorme procedure in four institutions between March 2005 and June 2010. The clinicopathological data were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTSThere were 9 males and 16 females. The mean age was 52(46-72) years old. All the procedures were successfully performed. There were no perioperative deaths. The mean operative time was 65(45-150) min. The intraoperative bleeding was 58(20-200) ml. The mean length of hospital stay was 8.5(5-14) days. Anastomosis dehiscence occurred in 1 patient at post-operative day 7 who was managed under anesthesia. Minor complications occurred in 8(32%) patients, including urinary retention(n=3), intractable pain(n=1), and bowel obstruction(n=4). The follow up time ranged from 2 to 6 years with a median of 3.5 years. Prolapse recurrence was observed in 1(4%) patient during the follow up. The remission rates of fecal incontinence, constipation, bleeding were 37.5%(6/16), 45.5%(5/11), and 15.4%(2/11), respectively. The Wexner incontinence score significantly decreased (median, 5.0 vs. 9.0, P<0.01). The resting pressure and maximum squeeze pressure increased significantly after surgery, while the initial volume and maximal tolerance volume decreased significantly(All P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSDelorme procedure is safe and easy to perform. The anorectal function is improved after surgery. Therefore it should be considered the procedure of choice for rectal prolapsed.

Aged ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Rectal Prolapse ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the relationship between the epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation status and clinicopathological factors, and to analyze the mutation on the effect in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after surgery.

METHODSThe NSCLC patients who were resected and detected EGFR gene from March 2009 to March 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. The relationship between EGFR mutation status and clinicopathological factors, tumor markers, prognostic was analyzed.

RESULTSThe mutation and the wild group had 169 and 214 patients respectively. EGFR mutation in female, non-smoking, adenocarcinoma and less than 60 years old accounted for 63.91%, 61.54%, 88.76% and 62.13% with statistical significance compared with male (χ(2) = 53.490, P = 0.000), smoking (χ(2) = 48.568, P = 0.000), non-adenocarcinoma (χ(2) = 105.560, P = 0.000) and more than 60 years old (χ(2) = 6.057, P = 0.017). Disease free survival (DFS) of the wild group was better than mutation group (χ(2) = 11.329, P = 0.001). In addition, there were some relations between mutation status and excision repair cross complementing (ERCC1) protein, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and Cyfra21-1. ERCC1(+) (χ(2) = 6.739, P = 0.012), SCC(χ(2) = 16.839, P = 0.000) and Cyfra21-1(χ(2) = 6.638, P = 0.013) more than normal value was common in wild group. Increased CEA was common in mutation group (χ(2) = 5.436, P = 0.023).

CONCLUSIONSEGFR mutation is commonly found in female, non-smoking, adenocarcinoma and less than 60 years old NSCLC patients. The wild group obtains better DFS than mutation group. Tumor markers may predict the mutation status, which need further research.

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; genetics ; mortality ; pathology ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Prognosis ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; genetics ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo explore the inflammatory cascade mechanism through Toll like receptor 2 (TLR2) pathway after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion, and to study molecular mechanisms of Guanmaitong (GMT) Tablet for protecting brain damage.

METHODSWe used bolt-line method to block/release the middle cerebral artery, causing cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury model. GMT Tablet was given by gastrogavage. Rats were then divided into the high dose GMT group (1200 mg/kg), the middle dose GMT group (600 mg/kg), the low dose GMT group (300 mg/kg), the positive control group (Tanakan, 20 mg/kg). Their right brain tissues were fixed in 10% neutral formalin. TLR2 expressions were detected by immunofluorescence staining. The total protein was extracted from right brain tissues by ultrasonica- tion. Expression levels of extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK), phospho-extracellular regulated protein kinases (p-ERK), p38-mitogen activated protein kinases (p-ERK), phospho-p38-mitogen activated protein kinases [p-p38-MAPKs(p-p38)] were assessed by Western blot. Abdominal aortic blood was withdrawn. IL-6 and IL-1β levels were detected by ELISA in brain tissues and serum.

RESULTSCompared with the sham-oepration group, expression levels of TLR2, ERK, p-ERK, p38, p-p38 protein were up-regulated (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), and contents of IL-6 and IL-1β in brain tissues and serum were increased in the model group (P < 0.01). Expression levels of TLR2, ERK, p-ERK, p38, p-p38 were down-regulated (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), and contents of IL-6 and IL-1β were reduced in brain tissues and serum in middle and high dose GMT groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSTLR2 pathway was involved in cerebral I/R injury. GMT protected neurons by down-regulating protein expressions of TLR2, ERK, p-ERK, p38, p-p38 and contents of IL-1β and IL-6.

Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Brain Ischemia ; metabolism ; Cerebral Infarction ; Down-Regulation ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Interleukin-1beta ; Interleukin-6 ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion Injury ; Tablets ; Toll-Like Receptor 2 ; metabolism ; Up-Regulation ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinicopathologic factors and the distribution pattern of N2 lymph nodes, to analyze the relationship between the survival rate and skip metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients.

METHODSThe clinical data of 478 patients with a pN2 stage who underwent resection for non-small cell lung cancer from January 2000 to December 2004 was retrospectively analyzed. Skip group and non-skip group were defined. Characteristics of tumors, ganglionar involvement and survival were analyzed in both groups.

RESULTSThe incidence rate of skip N2 metastasis in stage IIIA-N2 NSCLC patients was 40.6%, which was correlated to sex, smoking and the type of histology (P < 0.05). Squamous carcinoma was the main type of skip group (chi² = 7.602, P = 0.022). The frequency of skip metastasis was higher in patients with a primary tumor in the upper lobe (57%) compared to the lower lobe (43%) (chi² = 5.097, P = 0.024). Superior nodes were more frequently involved by skip group (chi² = 7.046, P = 0.030). Moreover, the relationship between the primary tumor location and N2 positive lymph nodes were described as follows: right upper lobe cancer displayed skip-N2 nodal metastasis mostly in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th station, right middle and lower lobe mostly in the 7th station, left upper lobe mostly in the 5th and 6th station (71.7%), and left lower lobe mostly in the 7th and 9th station. The 5-year survival rate of pN2 patients with skip metastasis was 22.1% compared to 13.6% in patients with involvement of N1 and N2 nodes (P = 0.001). Survival analysis showed that skip N2 metastasis was an independent risk factor of stage IIIA NSCLC.

CONCLUSIONSThe frequency of skip metastasis was higher in patients with a primary tumor in the upper lobe and in the superior nodes. Skip metastasis is an independent prognostic factor of survival. The presence of skip metastasis seems to be a unique subgroup of pN2 disease in NSCLC.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; pathology ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Mediastinum ; pathology ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of anti-CD25 monoclonal antibody (mAb) combined with antithymocytic globulin (ATG) in the treatment of severe steroid-resistant acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) after unrelated donor hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (UD-HSCT).

METHODSTen leukemic patients who developed severe steroid-resistant aGVHD during UD-HSCT received a standard dose of anti-CD25 mAb and a medium or low dose of ATG. The effect on aGVHD control, patients' survival, infection and relapse after the therapy were analyzed.

RESULTSEight of the 10 patients had complete remission and 2 had partial remission after the combined therapy. In the 8 patients with complete remission, 2 developed third degree aGVHD 3-3.5 months after the transplantation, and were managed with a second combined therapy to successfully achieve complete remission. In the total of 12 combined treatments, the median time of therapeutic effect was 5 days (3-10 days); the median complete relief time was 12 days (8-30 days) in the 10 cases. Among the 8 patients who survived for more than 3 months, 7 were diagnosed to have chronic GVHD including 4 with extensive chronic GVHD. No relapse of leukemia was found in these patients. Five patients survived the 2-year-long follow-up after the transplantation with survival time over 2 years; of the 5 patients who died within 2 years after the transplantation, 1 survived for more than one year, and 4 for less than 6 months. Two patients died from invasive fungal infection, two from aGVHD and one from cGVHD-induced multiple organ failure.

CONCLUSIONAnti-CD25 mAb combined with ATG has good therapeutic effect on steroid-resistant sever aGVHD and may help achieve high complete remission rate and long-term survival in leukemic patients after UD-HSCT.

Acute Disease ; Adult ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Antilymphocyte Serum ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Drug Resistance ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Graft vs Host Disease ; drug therapy ; prevention & control ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit ; immunology ; Male ; Prednisone ; therapeutic use ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical efficacy on superior cluneal nerve entrapment syndrome treated by relaxation therapy of in-row multi-needling technique.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty cases were randomized into a multi-needling group, an acupotomy group and a conventional acupuncture group, 40 cases in each one. In the multi-needling group, the perpendicular or oblique puncture was applied to the affected area of the lumbar and gluteal region. The chief needling sites were determined in terms of the strong response of acupuncture to be the chief points. The in-row multi-needling technique was applied around the chief needling sites, with lifting, thrusting penetrating method to different directions. Two chief points were connected with the G6805 low frequency pulse therapeutic apparatus. In the acupotomy group, the acupotomy was applied to 3 to 4 affected sites in each treatment. In the conventional acupuncture group, Shenshu (BL 23), Dachangshu (BL 25), Jiaji (EX-B 2) in the lumbar region, Zhibian (BL 54) and the others were selected and connected with the G6805 low frequency pulse therapeutic apparatus. The cases in each group were treated for 4 weeks. The improvements of pain score, therapeutic efficacy and comprehensive satisfaction assessment were compared among 3 groups in 2 and 4 weeks of treatment separately.

RESULTSThe pain scores in each group were reduced apparently in 2 and 4 weeks of treatment separately (all P<0.05), and the pain score in the acupotomy group was lower than that in the conventional acupuncture group in 2 weeks of treatment. In 4 weeks of treatment, the pain scores in the multi-needling group and the acupotomy group were lower than that in the conventional acupuncture group (both P<0.05) and the pain score in the multi-needling group was lower than that in the acupotomy group (P<0.05). In 2 weeks of treatment, the remarkable effective rate in the acupotomy group was 62.5% (25/40), which was superior significantly to 25.0% (10/40) in the conventional acupuncture group (P<0.05). The other differences among the groups were not significant statistically in comparison. In 4 weeks of treatment, the remarkable effective rate was 90. 0% (36/40) in the multi-needling group and was 67.5% (27/40) in the acupotomy group, which were superior to 35.0% (14/40) in the conventional acupuncture group (both P<0.05). The remarkably effective rate in the multi-needling group was better than that in the acupotomy group (P<0.05). The satisfaction for the patients in the multi-needling group was higher obviously than that in any of the other two groups (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe relaxation therapy of in-row multi-needling technique achieves the definite therapeutic effect on superior cluneal nerve entrapment syndrome. The efficacy is superior to acupotomy and the conventional acupuncture. The therapeutic effect is better for the cases of the extensive affected scope, unclear location and large distribution in patches caused by the adhesion of muscles and fascia especially.

Acupuncture Therapy ; instrumentation ; methods ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nerve Compression Syndromes ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome