Objective To discuss the value of CT prognosis on the Masaoka staging system of thymic epithelial tumors(TET) before surgical resection.Methods The CT images of 102 patients with TET proved by surgery and pathology were reviewed retrospectively.The TET were reclassified according to Masaoka stage system.The size,homogeneity,sharp,contour,infiltration of surrounding tissue,and metastasis on CT were analyzed with Logistic analysis.The diagnostic value was also evaluated with a ROC curve.Results Masaoka pathologic stages were stage Ⅰ for 36 (35.3 ％),stage Ⅱ for 27 (26.5 ％),stage Ⅲ for 30 (29.4 ％),and stage Ⅳ for 9 (8.8 ％).A multivariable Logistic regression model showed that TET with larger size of tumor (20/35,P =0.0371,OR =4.539),irregular or lobulated tumor contour (26/42,P =0.0230,OR =4.870),heterogeneous (21/33,P =0.0154,OR =6.020),infiltration of surrounding fat (25/32,P =0.0019,OR =14.005),and pleural seeding (11/11,P =0.0032,OR =36.153)were more likely to have stage Ⅲ or Ⅳ disease.The area under ROC curve was 0.940.Conclusions The tumor CT imaging features can differentiate between stage Ⅰ,Ⅱ and stage Ⅲ,Ⅳ disease.This helps identified patients more likely to benefit from neoadjuvant therapy.

Saw palmetto fruit extract (SPE), as a herbal product, is widely used for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Recent studies show that SPE also has some therapeutic effects on chronic prostatitis, prostate cancer, sexual dysfunction, and so on. This article presents an overview on the application of SPE in the treatment of BPH, prostate cancer, and chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome, with a discussion on its action mechanisms.
Chronic Disease ; Fruit ; chemistry ; Humans ; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms ; drug therapy ; Male ; Pelvic Pain ; drug therapy ; Plant Extracts ; therapeutic use ; Prostatic Diseases ; drug therapy ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; drug therapy ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Prostatitis ; drug therapy ; Syndrome

Objective To investigate the clinical value of serum metabonomic profile of pancreatic cancer using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabonomics.Methods The retrospective case-control study was adopted.The clinical data of 23 patients with pancreatic cancer (PC group) and 16 healthy volunteers (control group) who were admitted to the Fujian Medical University Union Hospital between December 2013 and December 2014 were collected.The serum of the 2 groups was measured by 1H NMR spectroscopy.Multivariate statistical analyses were performed to identify the characteristic metabolites in the 2 groups,including principal component analysis (PCA),partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA).Observation indicators included:(1) multivariate statistical analysis of serum metabonomic profile,results of PCA,PLS-DA and OPLS-DA,(2) screening of metabolites.Measurement data with normal distribution were presented as x ± s.The comparison between groups was evaluated with the t test.The count data were analyzed using the chi-square test.Results (1) The multivariate statistical analysis of serum metabonomic profile:results of PCA showed that expression rates of principal component 1 (PC1) and principal component 2 (PC2) to original data were 54.9％ and 23.5％,with both cumulative contribution rate of 78.4％.Results of PLS-DA showed that the separative trend between PC group and control group was appeared,and variance of X and Y matrixes and predictive value were 0.254,0.816 and 0.385.Results of OPLS-DA showed that the differences of samples between the 2 groups were further increased,and differential metabolites were screened according to the distinction of scores between the 2 groups,value of R2X,R2Y and Q2 was 0.254,0.816 and 0.433.(2) Screening of metabolites:35 serum metabolites were detected in the 2 groups.Compared with the control group,levels of 3-hydroxybuyarate,citrate,formate,glutamate,isoleucine,methionine and phenylalanine in the PC group were elevated (r =0.524,0.511,0.656,0.566,0.503,0.498,0.648,P ＜0.05),and levels of 3-methylhistidine,alanine,glutamine,LDL and VLDL in the PC group were decreased (r =-0.607,-0.508,-0.560,-0.568,-0.559,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Compared with healthy controls,several amino acids,citrate and lipoproteins demonstrate the metabolic differences in the serum of patients with pancreatic cancer.NMR based metabonomic profile technology can distinguish the difference of serum metabolites between patients with pancreatic cancer and healthy controls.NMR based metabonomic technology may be a promising method for the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

Objective To investigate Yiqi Huatan Decoction(YHD), a compound recipe with the actions of tonifying Qi and resolving phlegm, on aquaporin 5(AQP5), tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α)and mucin 5AC(MUC5AC)in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF)of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases(COPD)rats. Methods SD rats were randomized into blank control group, model group, and low-, middle- and high-dose YHD groups(in the dosage of 7.398, 36.99, 73.98 g·kg-1·d-1 respectively). The rat model of COPD was induced by cigarette smoking combined with intratracheal dripping of lipopolysaccharide(LPS). After COPD rats were treated with YHD for 30 days, the histological features of lung tissues were observed after hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, the expression of AQP5, TNF -α and MUC5AC in the lung tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry, the concentrations of AQP5, TNF-α and MUC5AC in BALF of rats were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Results Compared with the blank control group, the concentration of AQP5 in BALF of the model group was decreased significantly(P<0.01), while the concentrations of TNF-αand MUC5AC were significantly increased(P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the pathological features of the lung tissue were relieved, and the concentration of AQP5 was increased significantly in low-, middle-, high-dose YHD groups (P<0.01), but the concentrations of TNF-α and MUC5AC were significantly decreased (P<0.01), and the effect of high-dose group was superior to low-and middle-dose groups(P<0.01). Conclusion The therapeutic mechanism of YHD for COPD is probably related with the regulation of fluid transport in aquaporin water channels of rats.

Objective To characterize the clinical features of patients with cardiac amyloidosis (CA).Methods Totally 42 patients with CA admitted to Guangdong General Hospital since 2008 were included and retrospectively analyzed in the present study.CA was confirmed by abdomen and endocardium biopsy examination.Clinical manifestations,electrocardiogram and echocardiography were collected for the evaluation.Results Several clinic features are common in CA.In the present study,37 cases (88.1％) presented with chest tightness,dyspnea,20 cases(47.6％) with chest pain,27 cases(64.3％) with right heart failure,27 cases (64.3％) with fatigue,and 30 cases (71.4％) with renal insufficiency and proteinuria.Electrocardiogram (ECG) showed that 32 of the patients (76.2％) were with low voltage in limb leads,29 cases (69％) of them were with poor R wave progression in precordial leads,17 cases (40.5％) with ST-T change,28 cases(66.7％) with pseudo-necrotic Q wave and 36 cases (85.7％) with various kinds of arrhythmia.Echocardiography indicated that all of the subjects (100％) were with different degrees of left ventricular posterior wall or ventricular septal thickness,and left atrial hypertrophy with different degree of myocardial grain appearance or ground-glass opacity.Thirty-six cases (85.7％) were with pericardial effusion,and 27 cases (64.3％) were with abnormal left ventricular eject function.Conclusion For those who were with unexplained clinical cardiac insufficiency,renal insufficiency,myocardial hypertrophy,but normal of ventricular size in echocardiography and low voltage on ECG limb leads,a tissue biopsy from abdomen,labial glands or endocardium should be considered in the diagnosis of CA.

Objective To explore the factors which could lead to a preoperative diagnosis and to guide the management of cholecystoduodenal fistula (CDF).Method The experience on the diagnosis and treatment of 22 patients with CDF were retrospectively studied.These patients came from 1242 patients who received biliary tract operation in our hospital from 2001 to 2012.Results 64％ (14 of 22 patients) had 3 out of 5 of the following symptoms/signs:(1) symptoms of recurrent chills and fever,with no or only mild jaundice; (2) significant atrophy or disappearance of gallbladder on computed tomography (CT) ; (3) CT revealed complex anatomy in right upper abdomen with dilated loops of bowel; (4) ultrasound or CT revealed pneumobilia or pneumo-gallbladder; (5) barium study or duodenal endoscopy revealed obvious deformation in duodenal bulb or abnormal opening.There was no perioperative death.Morbidities included biliary fistula which presented on postoperative day 6 and day 7 in 2 patients,respectively.The daily volume of bile drainage was about 500 ml,and the biliary fistula healed after a month of conservative treatment.In addition,there were 6 patients who had infected wound,8 patients with right pleural effusion,and 8 patients with residual calculi.There was no intestinal fistula or biliary stricture.Conclusions Careful preoperative history taking and CT/uhrasound studies significantly improved the diagnostic rate of CDF.Individualized treatment reduced complications and improved clinical results.

Objective To evaluate the application value of combination of low kV,low mAs,and iterative model reconstruction (IMR) in carotid CT angiography.Methods Forty patients (BMI 20-25 kg/m2) were enrolled and randomly divided into routine dose group(20) and low dose group(20),The parameters in routine dose group were 120 kV,automatic mAs,and filter back projection(FBP);and that in low dose group were 80 kV,automatic mAs but upper limit 150 mAs,and FBP or IMR.All patients received the injection of 32 ml of iopamidol(370 mg I/100 ml) at a flow rate of 4 ml/s,followed by 50 ml normal saline at the same rate.The CT value and image noise(SD)of the aortic arch,left carotid artery bifurcation,and right carotid artery of rock bone were measured with region of interest(ROI) method,and then signal to noise ratios (SNR) and contrast to noise ratio (CNR)of image were calculated.The image quality was evaluated by two radiologists using a subjective four points scale on multiplanar reformated (MPR),maximum density projected (MIP) and volume rendered (VR) images.Volume CT dose index (CTDIvol),dose length product (DLP),and the effective dose (E) of each patient were recorded.Results CT values of carotid artery[(479.87 ± 70.28),(514.78 ± 82.69),(436.50 ± 89.87) HU] in low dose group were significantly higher than those in routine dose group [(295.63 ± 34.75),(325.09 ± 37.81),(286.93±36.46)HU](t =-6.47,-5.76,-3.66,P＜0.05).The SNR and CNR of IMR reconstructed image in low dose group were significantly higher than those of FBP reconstructed image in routine dose group (t =-7.54,-3.55,-5.31,-7.13,-5.28,-8.35,P＜0.05).The image quality of FBP reconstructed images in routine dose group and IMR reconstructed images in low dose group were all enough for diagnosis.The image quality of FBP reconstructed images in low dose group was significantly poorer than that in routine dose group and IMR reconstructed images in low dose group (Z =-2.87,-3.69,P ＜0.05).The effective dose in low dose group (0.57 ±0.13) mSv was 73％ less than that in routine dose group (2.22 ± 0.36) mSv.Conclusions Using low kV,low mAs,and IMR would help to obtain good carotid CT angiographic images and low radiation dose.

Objective:To explore the risk factors of intensive care unit-acquired weakness (ICU-AW) and the characteristics of Medical Research Council (MRC) score and electromyogram.Methods:A case control study was conducted. Patients with mechanical ventilation ≥ 7 days and MRC score admitted to department of respiratory and critical care medicine of China-Japan Friendship Hospital from September 2018 to January 2020 were enrolled, and they were divided into ICU-AW group (MRC score < 48) and non-ICU-AW group (MRC score ≥ 48) according to MRC score. The general situation, past medical history, related risk factors, MRC score, respiratory support mode, laboratory examination results, electromyogram examination results, ICU-AW related treatment, outcome and length of ICU stay were collected, and the differences between the two groups were compared. The risk factors of ICU-AW were analyzed by binary multivariate Logistic regression, and the characteristics of MRC score and electromyogram were analyzed.Results:A total of 60 patients were enrolled in the analysis, including 17 patients in ICU-AW group and 43 patients in non-ICU-AW group. Univariate analysis showed that there were significant differences in acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHEⅡ) score, sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) on the first day of ICU admission and the ratio of invasive mechanical ventilation between ICU-AW group and non-ICU-AW group [APACHEⅡ score: 21 (18, 25) vs. 18 (15, 22), SOFA score: 7 (5, 12) vs. 5 (3, 8), BNP (ng/L): 364.3 (210.1, 551.2) vs. 160.1 (66.8, 357.8), BUN (mmol/L): 9.9 (6.2, 17.0) vs. 6.0 (4.8, 9.8), invasive mechanical ventilation ratio: 88.2% vs. 46.5%, all P < 0.05]. Binary multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed no independent risk factor for ICU-AW. The average MRC score of 17 ICU-AW patients was 33±11. The limb weakness was symmetrical, and the proximal limb weakness was the main manifestation. Electromyography examination showed that the results of nerve conduction examination in ICU-AW patients mainly revealed that the amplitude of compound muscle action potential (CMAP) and sensory nerve action potentials (SNAP) were decreased, and the conduction velocity was slowed down; needle electromyography showed increased area of motor unit potential (MUP), prolonged time limit and a large number of spontaneous potentials. Prognosis evaluation showed that compared with non-ICU-AW group, patients in ICU-AW group underwent more tracheotomy (70.6% vs. 11.6%), longer length of ICU stay (days: 57±52 vs. 16±8), and more rehabilitation treatment (58.8% vs. 14.0%), and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.01). Conclusions:The occurrence of ICU-AW may be related to high APACHEⅡ score and SOFA score, high levels of BNP and BUN on the first day of ICU admission and the proportion of invasive mechanical ventilation, but the above factors are not independent risk factors for ICU-AW. The MRC score of ICU-AW patients was characterized by symmetrical limb weakness, mainly proximal limb weakness; in electromyography examination, the nerve conduction examination results mainly showed that CMAP and SNAP amplitude were decreased, and conduction velocity was slowed down; needle electromyography examination showed increased MUP area, prolonged duration and a large number of spontaneous potentials.

Lonicerae Japonicae Flos was one of the most widely used traditional Chinese medicine for its special biological activities. The content of luteoloside, one of its major compounds, was an important standard for the quantity control of Lonicerae Japonicae Flos. The major method used for the detection of luteoloside was instrumental analysis. Compared with the ELISA method, instrumental analysis was time-consuming, complex pretreatment and low-throughout. Thus, it was significantly important to develop an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for luteoloside analysis. Here, the conjugates of luteoloside-bovine (LG-BSA) and luteoloside-ovalbumin (LG-OVA) were produced as the immunogen and coating antigen by the carbodiimide ( CDI) method, respectively. The conjugation ratio of carrier protein and the hapten in the conjugate were determined by UV-Vis spectrophotometry (UV). LG-BSA conjugate was used to immunize Bal b/c mice to produce antiserum. The titer and specificity of antiserum were detected by ELISA. The conjugation ratio of hapten and carries protein were 3. 7: 1 (LG-BSA) and 1. 0: 1 (LG-OVA). The antiserum titer was higher than 2 000 with the linear range of 18.4-4 852.4 μg x L(-1), R2 = 0.988 4 and IC50 = 298.7 μg x L(-1). The result showed that the conjugate antigen LG-BSA was synthesized successfully and the mice can produce specific antiserum injected with artificial antigen.
Animals ; Antibodies ; analysis ; immunology ; Antigens ; chemistry ; immunology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; methods ; Female ; Immunization ; Lonicera ; chemistry ; immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C

OBJECTIVETo develop an ELISA-based method for analyzing biologic activities of HIV-1 integrase and for high throughput screening of integrase inhibitors.

METHODSAfter expression, renaturation and purification of integrase, the bioactivity of integrase and the inhibition of luffin-a were evaluated with an in vitro assay based on biotin-avidin EILSA and chemiluminescent substrates.

RESULT(1) The specific activity of the purified integrase was 54.92 units/mg of protein. (2)IC(50) (concentration causing 50% inhibition of integrase) of luffin-a was (0.63 +/- 0.026) micromol/L.

CONCLUSIONThe non-radioactive assay can be used for analysis of bioactivities and high throughput screening of inhibitors of HIV-1 integrase.

Catalysis ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; methods ; HIV Integrase ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Humans ; Kinetics ; Luminescent Measurements ; Ribosome Inactivating Proteins, Type 1 ; pharmacology ; Substrate Specificity