OBJECTIVETo investigate the capability of semi-quantitative and quantitative parameters of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) to predict the response to concurrent chemoradiotherapy( CCRT) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODSA total of 24 patients with stage III or IIIB NSCLC, who underwent 3.0T DCE-MRI before CCRT, were enrolled in this study. Semi-quantitative and quantitative parameters were calculated by Funtool and Omnikinetics software. The relationship between these obtained parameters and tumor response was evaluated by Spearmen' s correlation analysis. The patients were classified into two groups according to the tumor regression rate after treatment, as response group (group A) and non-response group ( group B). Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the parameters of responders and non-responders. The value of the parameters on predicting response was calculated by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC).

RESULTSThe tumor regression rate after treatment was negatively correlated with time to peak (TTP) and the extravascular-extracellular volume fraction (Ve), and was positively correlated with signal enhancement ratio (SERmax) and volume transfer constant (Ktrans) (P < 0.05 for all). Statistical significant differences were found between group A and group B both in semi-quantitative and quantitative parameters (P < 0.05). Group A had a lower TTP value [(34.66 ± 16.37) s vs. (44.09 ± 17.41) s] and Ve value [(0.19 ± 0.03) vs. (0.25 ± 0.05)] than group B, whereas group A had a higher SERmax [(166.50 ± 44.95)% vs. (113.57 ± 46.62)%] and Ktrans [(0.41 ± 0.17) min(-1) vs. (0.28 ± 0.12) min(-1)] than group B (P < 0.05 for all). The ROC analysis indicated that when setting the threshold of Ve on ≤ 0.21 for predicting response, the specificity, sensitivity and accuracy were 85.7%, 80.0% and 83.3%, respectively, with an area under curve of 0.875 (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONSBoth the semi-quantitative and quantitative DCE-MRI parameters are helpful for predicting the response after CCRT of NSCLC. Quantitative parameters seem to be more meaningful than semi-quantitative parameters.

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; pathology ; therapy ; Chemoradiotherapy ; methods ; Contrast Media ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; pathology ; therapy ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; ROC Curve ; Remission Induction ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Time Factors

Objective To construct sigF deletion mutant of Bacillus anthracis and the complementary strain of sigF deletion mutant in order to analyze the effect of losing sigF on formation of spores.Methods The spectinomycinadenyltransferase gene(spc) was inserted to replace sigF of B.anthracis by homologous recombination.A plasmid which contained sigF and sigF promotor was constructed and then transferred to the mutant to get a complementary strain of sigF deletion mutant.The characters of the mutant were analyzed by measuring growth curves, the ability of carbohydrate metabolism was compared, and spore formation was observed under a microscope.Results The sigF deletion strain A16D2△sigF was constructed from A16D2,which had a similar growth rate to the wild type A16D2 in logarithmic phase, but was not significantly different from the initial strain in the ability to use carbohydrates,although unable to form spores.The strain was found to maintain the state of asymmetric division by microfluidics experiment.Conclusion It is showed by this study that sigF is the essential gene of B.anthracis for spore formation, but not essential for vegetative growth.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of salidroside on hypoxia-induced apoptosis of corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells (CCSMCs) in rats.

METHODSRat CCSMCs were cultured in vitro by the enzyme digestion method and identified by immunofluorescent staining of anti-alpha-SMA and anti-Desmin. The non-toxic dose of salidroside was determined by MTT assay. Low-oxygen mixed gas (1% O2, 5% CO2, and 94% N2) was piped into a modular incubator chamber to induce hypoxia. The CCSMCs were divided into a normal, a hypoxia, and a 32 microg/mL salidroside intervention group. The apoptosis of the CCSMCs was detected by flow cytometry and the expression of the caspase-3 protein determined by Western blot.

RESULTSThe majority of the CCSMCs were positive for alpha-SMA and Desmin at immunofluorescent staining. Salidroside at < 32 microg/ml produced no obvious toxicity to CCSMCs. Compared with the normal control group, the rates of early and late apoptosis of CCSMCs were both increased significantly in the hypoxia group ([12.77 +/-1.41]% vs [18.69 +/- 1.29]%, P < 0.01 and [14.63 +/- 2.00]% vs [21.03 +/- 1.530]% , P < 0.05). Western blot showed a markedly increased expression of cleaved caspase-3 (P < 0.01). Intervention with 32 microg/ml salidroside significantly reduced hypoxia-induced early apoptosis of CCSMCs ([13.46% +/- 1.87]%, P < 0.01) and decreased the expression of cleaved caspase-3 (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSalidroside can reduce the expression of cleaved caspase-3 and inhibit hypoxia-induced apoptosis of CCSMCs in rats.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; physiology ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cell Hypoxia ; physiology ; Cells, Cultured ; Glucosides ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Male ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; cytology ; drug effects ; enzymology ; Penis ; cytology ; drug effects ; Phenols ; pharmacology ; Rats

OBJECTIVETo analysis the genetic mode of Rh DEL phenotype and RHD 1227A allele in Zhejiang Han population through family investigations.

METHODSRh DEL phenotypes were identified by a serologic adsorption-elution method. Two polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific prime (PCR-SSP) methods which detectED RHD 1227A allele and Rhesus hybrid box, respectively, and a nucleotide sequencing method focused on the exon 9 of RHD 1227A allele were employed to determine the zygosity of RHD allele.

RESULTSAll five probands with Rh DEL phenotype harbored a RHD 1227A allele and had a RHD allele deletion, and they were RHD 1227A/RHd heterozygote. One of the parent members was found to contain a RHD 1227A allele and a normal RHD allele in pedigree 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Thus, they were RHD 1227A/RHD heterozygotes and presented normal D positive phenotype. The son of proband No 1. inherited the RHD 1227A allele and presented a normal D positive phenotype due to a RHD 1227A/RHD heterozygote; The offsprings of proband No. 2, No. 4, and No. 5 did not inherit RHD 1227A allele and presented a normal D positive phenotype.

CONCLUSIONRHD 1227A allele is an important genetic marker of Rh DEL phenotype; RHD 1227A is recessive to normal RHD allele and dominant to RHd allele; RHD 1227A allele is an ancestral, but not a spontaneously mutated allele.

Alleles ; China ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Pedigree ; Phenotype ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Rh-Hr Blood-Group System ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo construct a eukaryotic expression vector for expressing hepatitis C virus (HCV) recombinant NS5B-EGFP fusion protein and obtain a stable transfected HepG2 cell line.

METHODSThe coding region of NS5B gene of HCV was amplified by PCR and was digested by Xho I/Kpn I. This fragment was inserted into pEGFPN3 with T4 ligase and transformed E. coli TG1. The positive recombinant plasmid was selected, then the recombinant plasmid was transfected into HepG2 cell by Lipofectin AMINE 2000. Cells containing stable transformants were selected by the ability of resistance to G418 and isolated with a limited dilution. The stable transfected cell line expressing high level NS5B-EGFP fusion protein was obtained.

RESULTSThe eukaryotic expression vector named pEGFPN3-ns5b was successfully constructed and the stable transfected HepG2 cell line expressing NS5B-EGFP fusion protein was obtained.

CONCLUSIONThe stable transfected HepG2 cell line could express NS5B-EGFP fusion protein, could be used for anti-HCV infection with ns5b gene as the target.

Cell Line, Tumor ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Microscopy, Fluorescence ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Transfection ; Viral Nonstructural Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate a devascularization technique for hypervascular tumors of the head and neck by direct intratumoral puncture.

METHODSSix cases of hypervascular tumor of the head and neck were reviewed, focusing on findings from digital subtraction angiography and preoperative direct intratumoral embolization and their effects after the operation.

RESULTSTotal devascularization by complete embolization was achieved in 2 cases: 1 nasopharyngeal angiofibroma and 1 spongiform tumor, both of which were completely excised endoscopically with blood loss of 60 ml. Incomplete devascularization through 80% - 90% embolization was achieved in the other 4 cases: 1 paraganglioma was totally removed with 800 ml of blood loss, 1 hemangioblastoma was not completely excised with 400 ml of blood loss and 2 nasopharyngeal angiofibromas involving the intracranial region were partially eliminated with a total blood loss of 1600 ml.

CONCLUSIONThe new technique of preoperative embolization of hypervascular tumors of the head and neck by direct intratumoral puncture, which can decrease blood loss during the accompanying tumor resection and increase the possibility of complete tumor removal, is feasible, convenient, safe, and effective.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; methods ; Female ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; blood supply ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

Mechanism and case study on treatment of refractory diseases of oculopathy with Dr. Shen Feng-ren's abdominal eight-diagram holotherapy are introduced in the article. The accurate location of acupoints, comprehensive understanding of the theory and features of the eight-diagram are held as the prerequisites of the application of the therapy. The combination of the theories of five wheels, five zang organs, and mother and son relation among the five elements are taken as the theoretical foundation of the treatment. And clinical analyses on three cases treated with the theory are provided as well.
Abdomen ; Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Eye Diseases ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo evaluate whether glycation of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) increases cardiovascular risk in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus by altering its anti-atherogenic property.

DATA SOURCESData cited in this review were obtained mainly from Pubmed and Medline in English from 2000 to 2013, with keywords "glycation", "HDL", and "atherosclerosis". Study selection Articles regarding glycation of HDL and its role in atherogenesis in both humans and experimental animal models were identified, retrieved and reviewed.

RESULTSGlycation alters the structure of HDL and its associated enzymes, resulting in an impairment of atheroprotective functionality and increased risks for cardiovascular events in type 2 diabetic patients.

CONCLUSIONGlycation of HDL exerts a deleterious effect on the development of cardiovascular complications in diabetes.

Atherosclerosis ; etiology ; metabolism ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; etiology ; metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; complications ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lipoproteins, HDL

OBJECTIVETo investigate the middle and distal circum peeling with bleeding control technique for redundant prepuce.

METHODSThe middle and distal part of prepuce was circum peeled with bleeding control and electrical scalpel. More preputial inner plate was reserved.

RESULTSFrom January 2004 to July 2008, 51 patients with redundant prepuce were treated with this procedure. The average blood loss was 1 to approximately 2 ml with minimal edema. The proportion of inner and outer plates was suitable.

CONCLUSIONSThis technique has the advantages of minimal blood loss and slight edema. The cosmetic result is also satisfactory.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Blood Loss, Surgical ; prevention & control ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Circumcision, Male ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Premedication ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo identify and characterize the epitope associated with the virus attachment protein (VAP) of hantaan virus.

METHODSThe monoclonal antibody 3G1 was used as the ligand to biospan from a phage-displayed 12-amino acid peptide library, then the positive phage clones were chosen and sequenced. The amino acid sequences of them were compared with that of hantaan virus G2 in homology. The characteristics of positive phage were studied by IFA and ELISA. A decapeptide combining to cell membrane was observed under laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM).

RESULTSThe conservative motif PX(1-2) HX(0-2) H displaying on positive clones shared homologous amino acid sequence with G2 96YPWHTAKCHY105.

CONCLUSIONG2 96YPWHTAKCHY105 might play some roles in virus binding to host cell, and might be a possible key epitope of hantaan virus VAP.

Animals ; CHO Cells ; Cell Membrane ; metabolism ; Cercopithecus aethiops ; Cricetinae ; Cricetulus ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Epitopes ; immunology ; metabolism ; Hantaan virus ; immunology ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Oligopeptides ; immunology ; metabolism ; Peptide Library ; Vero Cells ; Viral Proteins ; immunology ; metabolism