Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Histiocytic Necrotizing Lymphadenitis ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neck ; Young Adult

Objective:Three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound (US) is increasingly being introduced in the clinic,both for diagnostics and image guidance.Although dedicated 3D US probes exist,because of its expensive cost,3D US can also be acquired with the still frequently used two-dimensional (2D) US probes.Methods:Obtaining 3D volumes with 2D US probes is a two-step process.First,a positioning sensor must be attached to the probe for 2D image matching;second,a reconstruction of a 3D volume can be performed into a regular voxel grid.Results:This paper presents a way to realize the 3D US in irled-based Image Guided Radiotherapy using a homemade 2D US.Conclusions:The experiments demonstrate a method of saving costs and having advantages in clinic application.

AIM: To investigate the effects of exogenous L - carnitine on lipid metabolism in semi - starved rats fed on high fat diet. METHODS: The semi - starved rats were restricted half in calorie intake on high fat diet for 2 week. L - carnitine was supplied at dose of 250 mg/kg· bw. The changes of plasma carnitine concentration, urinary excretion of ketone body, serum lipase activity, muscle carnitine palmitoyl transferase activity, triglyceride secretion and clearance rate were measured. RESULTS: The results showed that the concentration of plasma free camitine increased significantly in carnitine supplemented rats compared to normal and semi - starved rats. The activities of muscle carnitine palmitoyhransferase and serum lipase were significantly enhanced in carnitine supplemented rats. The triglyceride secretion rate (TGSR) was also improved remarkably by carnitine supplementation. Meanwhile, the urinary excretion of ketone body was reduced significantly in carnitine supplemented rats compared to semi - starved rats. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that carnitine supplementation can significantly increase the plasma concentration of free carnitine and accelerate the lipid metabolism in semi - starved rats fed on high fat diet.

The effects of combined RNA interference (RNAi) of human telomerase RNA (hTR) and human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) genes on telomerase activity in a bladder cancer cell line (BIU-87 cells) were investigated by using gene chip technology in vitro with an attempt to evaluate the role of RNAi in the gene therapy of bladder transitional cell cancer (BTCC). Three TR-specific double-stranded small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and three TERT-specific double-stranded siRNAs were designed to target different regions of TR and TERT mRNA. The phTR-siRNA, phTERT-siRNA, and the combination of both plasmids phTR+phTERT-siRNA were transfected into BIU-87 cells. The expression of hTR and hTERT mRNA was detected by quantitative fluorescent reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and a telomeric repeat amplification protocol was applied to detect telomerase activity. Growth inhibition of BIU-87 cells was measured by MTT assay. Gene chip analysis was performed to evaluate the effects of the combined RNAi of hTR+hTERT genes on telomerase activity and growth of BIU-87 cells in vitro. The results showed that the expression of hTERT and hTR mRNA was inhibited by pRNAT-hTERT-III, pRNAT-hTR-III, and pRNAT-hTR-III+hTERT-III in BIU-87 cells. The inhibition efficiency of pRNAT-hTERT-III, pRNAT-hTR-III, pRNAT-hTERT-III+pRNAT-hTR-III was 67% for TERT mRNA, 41% for TR mRNA, 57% for TR mRNA and 70% for TERT mRNA in BIU-87 cells respectively. The growth of BIU-87 cells was inhibited and telomerase activity was considerably decreased, especially in the cells treated with combined RNAi-hTR and -hTERT. Gene chip analysis revealed that 21 genes were down-regulated (ATM, BAX, BCL2, BCL2L1, BIRC5, CD44, CTNNB1, E2F1, JUN, MCAM, MTA1, MYC, NFKB1, NFKBIA, NME4, PNN, PNN, SERPINE1, THBS1, TNFRSF1A, and UCC1). The results indicated that hTR-siRNA and hTERT-siRNA, especially their combination, siRNA hTR+hTERT, specifically and effectively suppressed the expression of both hTR and hTERT mRNA and telomerase activity. Molecular biological mechanism by which combined siRNA-TR and -TERT inhibited telomerase activity and growth of BIU-87 cells in vitro may involve the down-regulation of the 21 genes.

OBJECTIVETo explore the imaging characteristics and operation outcomes of intramedullary schwannoma in thoracolumbar spine.

METHODSFrom June 2005 to December 2012,17 patients with intramedullary schwannoma in thoracolumbar spine were operated through posterior approach, including 11 males and 6 females with an average age of 53 years old ranging from 46 to 67 years old. The courses of disease ranged from 3 to 5 years (averaged 3.3 years). Thoracic patients manifested chest and back pain,numbness and inability on lower limb gradually, unsteady gait. Lumbar patients manifested low back pain,radiating pain and numbness on lower limb, intermittent claudication. Preoperative VAS score was 5 to 8 with an average of 6.12. Eleven patients suffered from never injury, 4 cases were grade C, 5 cases were grade D and 2 cases were grade E according to Frankel classification. Three patients were injured on thoracic segments, 5 patients were on thoracolumbar segments, 3 patients on lumbar segments and 6 patients on lumbosacral segment confirmed by CT and MRI. Five patients were epidural, 12 were intradural extramedullary. Six patients underwent spinal decompression and tumor resection simply, eleven patients underwent spinal decompression, tumor resection, internal fixation and bone graft fusion.

RESULTSNo injury of blood vessel or spinal cord occurred during operation, cutting healed well. All patients were followed up from 12 to 60 months with an average of 32 months. Chest and back pain, low back pain, radiating pain and numbness on lower limb were improved significantly. VAS score at final follow-up was 0 to 3 (averaged 1.5). According to Frankel classification, 5 cases were grade D, and 6 cases were grade E at final follow-up.

CONCLUSIONMRI is an effective method in diagnosis of intramedullary schwannoma in thoracolumbar spine. Operative method is choosed by imaging expression, and the aim is effectively decompression of spine, reconstruction of stability of spine.

Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neurilemmoma ; pathology ; surgery ; Spinal Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the applicability of immune-related response criteria (irRC) in treating non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by Chinese medicine (CM).

METHODSTotally 97 stage III a-IV NSCLC patients were predominantly treated with comprehensive CM. Curative effects were evaluated by three methods such as Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST), Oncologic Curative Effect Evaluation Criteria of Chinese Medicine in Solid Tumor (draft, abbreviated as CM criteria), and irRC. The correspondency and consistency between irRC, RECIST and CM criteria were analyzed and compared. The objectivity of irRC in evaluating curative effect of Chinese medical treatment for NSCLC was assessed.

RESULTSThe correspondency rate of irRC to RECIST was 59. 79% with Kappa value of 0. 379 (U test, P <0. 01). The two criteria had certain correspondence, but with an unsatisfactory consistency. The correspondency rate of irRC to CM criteria rate was 83. 51% with Kappa value of 0.751 (U test, P <0. 01). The two criteria had good correspondence and consistency.

CONCLUSIONSCM criteria had good consistency with CM criteria in evaluating curative effect for Chinese medical treatment of advanced NSCLC. Its results could objectively reflect features and advantages of CM for treating advanced NSCLC.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; standards ; Treatment Outcome

ObjectiveTo study the pathogcncsis of gastrointestinal vascular malformation (GIVM) and the potential mechanism of thalidomide in the treatment of gastrointestinal bleeding due to GIVM.Methods We collected the surgical intestinal specimens from 10 patients who suffered from massive hemorrhage of gastrointestinal tract owning to GIVM and the normal intestinal mucosa around the lesions,as well as normal intestinal mucosa from healthy subjects.Immunohistochemical(IHC) staining was carried out to investigate the differences of angiopoietin 2 ( Ang2 ),Notch1 and delta like ligand 4 (Dll4) in the above three intestinal mucosa to find the relationship with the pathogenesis of GIVM. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs) were cultured with 0,25,50,100 and 200 mg/L thalidomide for 24 or 48 hours to observe their mRNA and protein expressions of Ang2,Notch1,Dll4 by real-time PCR and Western blot.ResultsBy IHC staining,more expressions of Ang2,Notch1 and Dll4 in the lesions were detected than those in the normal intestinal mucosa around the lesions and the normal intestinal mucosa in healthy people.The expressions of Ang2,Notch1 and Dll4 were significantly correlated (P =0.016,r =0.732),and the expressions of Notch1 and Dll4 were absolutely correlated ( P =0.000,r =1.000).Real-time PCR and Western blot showed that thalidomide could down-regulate the expressions of them,which were in a concentration-dependent manner.ConclusionAng2,Notch1 and Dll4 may correlate with the pathogenesis of GIVM,while thalidomide can concentration-dependently down-regulate the expression of Ang2,Notch1 and Dll4,which may be one of the mechanism that thalidomide play a therapeutic role in GIVM.

Objective To figure out and verify infiltration related miRNAs in bladder urothelial carcinoma (BUC). Methods Fresh tissues (20 samples,12 were infiltrative BUC samples,8 were non-infiltrative BUC samples) were collected in liquid nitrogen.The total RNA was extracted by using Trizol reagents.RNA quality control; miRNA microarray hybridization; data analysis.Another 22 samples were collected in fresh (15 were infiltrative BUC samples,7 were non-infiltrative BUC samples) for verifying purpose.4 types of bladder cancer cell lines were used for the study.BUC cell strain; total RNA was extracted by Trizol reagents; RNA quality control; RT-PCR and analysis of the data. Results ①In infiltrative BUC group,compared with non-infiltrative BUC group,there were 7 differentially expressed miRNAs:hsa-miR29c,hsa-miR-200a,hsa-miR-378,hsa-miR-429,hsa-miR-200c and hsa-miR-141 were up-regulated; hsamiR-451 was down-regulated.②In collected samples,the result of RT-PCR was consistent with miRNA array.③In bladder cancer cell lines,only the results of T24 were consistent with miRNA array. Conclusion Infiltration of BUC might relate with different expression of miRNAs.

Objective·To construct C-shaped cartilage rings by rabbit auricular cartilage-derived chondrocytes combing with both electrospun gelatin/ polycaprolactone(GT/PCL) nanofibrous membranes and 3D printed supporters for repairing tracheal cartilage defects.Methods·Primary chondrocytes were isolated from rabbit auricular cartilage with methods of trypsin enzyme digestion and collagenase enzyme digestion.After proliferation in vitro,the chondrocytes of passage 2 were harvested for further experiments.Ultrafine composite fibers of GT/PCL were fabricated via electrospinning.The electrospun GT/PCL membranes were tailored into rectangle shape,the length of which is 12 cm and the width is 2.5 cm.Chondrocytes were seeded on membrane at a density of 1 × 108 cells/mL.Then the membrane were rolled onto a 3D printed supporter of poly(DL-lactide-ε-caprolactone) (PLCL) material to construct a C-shaped cartilage-like complex.After 8 weeks of subcutaneous incubation in vivo,gross inspection and paraffin section staining were applied for evaluation.Results·After 8 weeks of culture in vivo,mature cartilage-like tissue were formed with open-cylindrical bellow appearance and pecific mechanical property.C-shaped rings arranged at regular intervals on the inner surface of tissue,which were similar to the normal structure of tracheal cartilages.Histological and immunohistological staining showed a large number of typical lacunar structures and extracellular matrix secretions.Conclusion·It is feasible to construct tissue engineered C-shaped cartilage tissue by combing chondrocytes with GT/PCL membrane and 3D printed PLCL supporter for tracheal cartilage repair.

Objective To analyze the correlation between neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR),platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio(PLR) in peripheral blood and the therapeutic effect and prognosis of patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma treated with tyrosine-kinase inhibitors.Methods Retrospective analysis was utilized to measure the clinical pathological characteristics and follow-up data of 40 cases with advanced lung adenocarcinoma definitely diagnosed by pathology.Correlation analysis was performed by Spearman test,and comparison of the sample rate was measured by the chi square test.Survival analysis was performed by Kaplan-Meier method,Log-rank test was used to compare patients survival difference among different groups.COX regression model was utilized to analyze the prognostic factors of patients with lung cancer.Results Through the ROC curve,the optimal cut-off points of NLR and PLR were calculated to be 3.74 and 205.1 respectively.In NLR<3.74 group,objective response rate(ORR),the median progression-free survival(PFS) and the median overall survival(OS) were 86.9%(20/23),9.02 months and 12.37 months respectively.In NLR ≥3.74 group,ORR,the median PFS and the median OS was ORR were 35.2%(6/17),3.15 months and 5.12 months respectively.Compared with NLR ≥ 3.74 group,NLR<3.74 group had a higher ORR(P=0.036),PFS(P=0.011) and OS(P=0.021),the difference was statistically significant.In PLR<205.1 group,ORR,the median PFS and the median OS was ORR were 85.7%(18/21),9.67 months and 14.35 months respectively.In PLR ≥ 205.1 group,ORR,the median PFS and the median OS was ORR were 42.1%(8/19),3.21 months and 9.25 months respectively.Compared with group PLR ≥ 205.1,PLR<205.1 group had a higher ORR(P=0.045) and PFS(P=0.018),the difference was statistically significant.COX multivariate analysis showed that NLR was an independent prognostic factor for PFS(RR=1.091,95%CI:1.004-1.185,P=0.039) and OS(RR=0.986,95%CI:0.932-1.148,P=0.021).PLR was an independent prognostic indicator of PFS(RR=1.100,95%CI:0.996-1.005,P=0.024).Conclusion NLR and PLR may be independent prognostic factors in patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma.