Objective To further identify the isolated Mycoplasma genitalium (Mg) from the high risk population of STD in China. Mothods The morphology of Mg standard strains and clinical isolates were observed under electron microscopy (EM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Mg sample preparation for AFM was fixed on mica and AFM images of scanning observation were captured by contacting and tapping modes and operated under normal atmospheric pressure and temperature. Results and Conclusion Mg had a diversity of shapes, including flask, pear, spindle or round shape with projecting neck portion and slightly broadened terminal structure under EM. The morphologic features under AFM were similar to those observed by EM. The typical Mg showed shapes of flask and pear with noticeable narrow ring or mark in the neck portion. The size of Mg measured under EM and AFM was similar as well. Mycoplasma

Objective To analyze the perioperative conditions and long-term survival of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after thoracoscopic lobectomy. Methods 119 patients with NSCLC underwent thoracoscopic lobectomy from January 2006 to December 2012 were enrolled in the study, then collecting and analyzing their perioperative indicators, pathological results and follow-up data. Results 9 patients converted to thoracotomy with a conversion rate of 7.0 %. The median operation time, the median intraoperative blood loss and off-bed activity time were 170 min (65~440 min), 90 ml (15~3 000 ml) and (32.9 ± 16.3) h after operation respectively. The time and amount of postoperative drainage, the length of hospital stay were (6.7 ± 3.2) d, (1 690.0 ± 410.5) ml, (9.2 ± 4.0) d respectively. The incidence of perioperative mortality and postoperative complications were 0.8 %, 13.4 % respectively. For postoperative pathological type, 96 cases of adenocarcinoma, 19 cases of squamous carcinoma, 2 cases of adenosquamous carcinoma and 2 cases of large cell carcinoma. For discharge patients, the median follow-up time was 34.5 months (0 ~ 102 months). The incidence of local recurrence and distant metastasis in observation group were 5.0 % and 17.6 % respectively. 1-year overall survival (OS) and disease free survival (DFS) were 85.3 % and 79.5 %, 3-year OS and DFS were 69.8 % and 64.8 %, 5-year OS and DFS were 60.8 %and 58.6 % respectively. There was no significant difference in 1-year, 3-year and 5-year OS and DFS between adenocarcinoma and squamous carcinoma (P > 0.05) while there were significant difference in local recurrence and distant metastasis among different stages (P < 0.05). In addition to slightly low OS, DFS of Ⅲ a , Ⅲ b and Ⅳ DFS and OS, the overall living conditions among all stage were similar. Conclusions The long-term survival condition of thoracoscopic lobectomy for NSCLC is ideal, and it’s a safe and effective operation, worthy of clinical promoting.

Objective To retrospectively analyze computerized tomography (CT) imaging features of colorectal cancer with chronic schistosomiasis in order to improve the diagnostic accuracy.Methods Eighty patients whose diagnosis was pathologically confirmed as colorectal cancer with schistosomiasis were collected from Tongji Hospital and Kunshan Chinese Medicine Hospital from January 2007 to December 2012.All the patients underwent abdominal plain CT and contrast-enhanced CT scan.The lesion location,morphology,size,calcification features,enhancement patterns and cancer metastasis were evaluated and compared by two radiologists who were blind to the diagnosis.Twenty colorectal cancer cases without schistosomiasis from the same area were also collected as controls.Results CT imaging showed that the tumors all occurred in the colon and rectum in 80 patients,mainly in colon descendens,colon sigmoideum and rectum.The lesion was characterized by irregular bowel wall thickening with soft tissue masses,and the average length of impaired intestine was (21.35 ± 4.50) cm.The lesions were solitary in 68 cases (85.0％) and were multifocal in 12 cases (15.0％).Linear,spotty and small patchy calcifications were seen in all the patients,with margins unclear in 59 patients (73.8％) and margins clear in 21 patients (26.2％).Early phase enhancement was seen in 68 cases (85.0％),of which 45 cases (56.2％) had homogenous enhancement and 23 cases (28.8％) had heterogeneous enhancement.Late phase enhancement was seen in 73 cases (91.2％) and necrosis was hardly seen.Only two cases (2.5％) had liver metastasis without lymphatic metastasis.All the 20 colorectal cancer cases without schistosomiasis presented with single lesion,which was characterized by irregular bowel wall thickening and local ulcer.The average length of impaired intestine was (6.90±3.40) cm.No calcification was seen in these lesions.All cases had early phase lesion with remarkable heterogeneous enhancement with low density necrotic area.The late phase enhancement was decreased.Four cases (20.0％) had liver metastasis.Compared to cases without schistosomiasis,cases with schistosomiasis tended to have multifocal (x2=100,P=0.000) and longer lesion (t=45.506,P=0.000),and more calcification (x2=100,P=0.000).The early phase heterogeneous enhancement was less frequent (x2 =88,P=0.000) and late phase enhancement was more frequent (x2=100,P=0.000).The liver metastasis rate was significantly lower (x2 =8.688,P =0.014).Conclusions The CT imaging of colorectal cancer with schistosomiasis is characterized by calcifications inside the tumor with obscured margins and multiple intestinal segments involvement.Hematogenous metastasis and lymphatic metastasis are rarely seen.

Objective To explore the effect of neural stem cells (NSCs) transplantation on neurogenesis in an alzheimer' disease mouse model and its related mechanism.Methods A total of 16 12-month old aPP/PS1 double transgenic aD mice were randomly divided into two groups:NSC group (receiving NSCs transplantation in the bilateral hippocampi,n=8) and PBS group as the negative control group (receiving an equal quantity of 0.01M/L phosphate buffer saline,n=8).another 8 wild type mice without any treatment were selected as the positive control group (Wt group).at five weeks after transplantation,the expressions of doublecortin (DCX) and nestin in the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) and subgranular zone (SGZ) were analyzed by immunofluorescence staining,the number of positive cells in these regions were counted by confocal microscopy,and Morris water maze (MWM) test was used to assess cognitive function in all mice.Results NSC group showed the enhanced spatial learning and memory ability in Morris water maze (MWM) as compared to PBS group,but it was still lower than that in Wt mice (both P＜0.05).Immunofluorescence staining showed NSCs induced the increased positive cells expressing DCX and nestin in the NSC group as compared with PBS group (F＝85.400 and 55.687,both P＜0.001).However,the number of DCX positive cells was still lower in NSC group than in Wt group (P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in the number of Nestin-positive cells between the NSC group and the Wt group (P＞ 0.05).Conclusions NSCs transplantation can promote endogenous neurogenesis via the increased expression of DCX-and Nestin positive cells in the hippocampal DG/SGZ in aD mice,which improves the cognitive abilities in aD mice in some extent.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of interventional therapy for various types of acute iliofemoraldeep venous thrombosis (IF-VT) through jugular vein. Method Thirty-eight patients with acute IF-VT from theAffiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical Collge underwent catheter-directed urokinase thrombolysis through jugularvein. Results Left IF-VT or with extension of thrombus into inferior vena cava was diagnosed in 16 patients,leftIF- VT with left common iliac vein occlusion in 17 ,left IF-VT with extersion of thrombus into inferior vena cava andleft common iliac vein stenosis or occlusion in 3,and both IF-VT with left common iliac vein stenosis or occlusion in2. Complete thrombolysis and partial thrombolysis was carried out in 33 (86.8%) and 5 (13.2%) patients, re-spectively. During a period of 2 - 18 months following-up in 20 patients, reoccurrence was found in 2 patients.Conclusions Interventional therapy for various types of acute lower extremity DVT through jugular vein is a safeand effective method.

ancer prevention encompasses a broad spectrum of strategies designed to lower the chance of developing cancer and reduce the morbidity of established cancer. There are three levels of cancer prevention. Eliminating or mitigating cancer risk factors by adopting healthy behaviors and lifestyles, such as avoiding tobacco and alcohol use, exercising, eating a healthy diet, and applying sunscreen to protect against UV exposure, belongs to primary prevention and is the easiest and most effective way of preventing cancer for the general public. Secondary prevention includes screening to identify precancerous lesions and taking intervention measures to prevent disease progression to malignancy. Tertiary prevention refers to reducing or controlling the symptoms and morbidity of established cancer or the morbidity caused by cancer therapy. For high-risk populations, chemopreventive agents, such as selective estrogen receptor modulators (including tamoxifan and raloxifene) in breast cancer prevention and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (aspirin) in colorectal cancer prevention, and immunoprevention using human papillomavirus and hepatitis B virus vaccines in infection-related cancers have shown clear clinical benefits of reducing cancer incidences. In this review, we will summarize the current status of cancer prevention, focusing on the major agents that are clinically used for chemoprevention and immunoprevention.

OBJECTIVETo determine the expression of connexin 43 (Cx43) protein and explore the functional modulation of gap junction intercellular communication in astrocytes.

METHODSCultured neonatal SD rat astrocytes were divided into normal control group, all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) group (treated with 10 µmol/L ATRA for 24 h) and oleamide group (treated with 25 µmol/L oleamide for 2 h). Western blotting and immunofluorescence assay were used to detect total cellular Cx43 protein expression and Cx43 expression on the surface of the astrocytes, respectively. Parachute assay was used to evaluate the functional changes of gap junction intercellular communication of the astrocytes.

RESULTSCompared with the normal control cells, ATRA treatment resulted in a significantly increased expression of total Cx43 protein in the astrocytes (P<0.01), and oleamide significantly suppressed its expression (P<0.01). Similarly, ATRA obviously enhanced while oleamide suppressed Cx43 protein expression on the surface of the astrocytes. The gap junction intercellular communication of the astrocytes was enhanced by ATRA (P<0.01) and inhibited by oleamide (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONATRA and oleamide can modulate gap junction intercellular communication of the astrocytes possibly by regulating the expression of Cx43 protein.

Animals ; Astrocytes ; metabolism ; Cell Communication ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Connexin 43 ; metabolism ; Gap Junctions ; metabolism ; Oleic Acids ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tretinoin ; pharmacology

Objective To investigate the value of three-dimensional digital subtraction angiography (3D-DSA)in the diagnosis and interventional treatment of Budd-Chiari syndrome caused by the obstruction of inferior vena cava(IVC).Methods Twenty-one patients with complex Budd-Chiari syndrome caused by the obstruction of IVC underwent 3D-DSA after two-dimensional-DSA(2D-DSA)was performed with posterior-anterior view.The images of 2D-DSA and 3D-DSA were independently reviewed by two senior interventional radiologists iu a double-blinded way.Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty or stent placement of IVC were performed according to the results of 2D-DSA and 3D-DSA.Results Different aspects of the IVC in all patients were demonstrated on the 3D-DSA images,including the mowhology and the location of obstructions,the origins of collateral vessels and their relationships to the IVC.Collateral vessels originated from the site of IVC occlusions in 9 patients were detected by the 3D-DSA.However.the 2D-DSA provided excellent visualization of the vascular structures of the IVC in 7 patients.and the collateral vessels origihated from the site of IVC occlusions were shown in 2 patients.The 3D-DSA was significantly superior to the 2D-DSA in detecting the IVC obstructions and the collateral vessels(P＜0.05).The virtual angioscopy of the 3D-DSA was able to visualize free IVC thrombosis in 3 paitents.and mural IVC thrombosis in 1 patient.The procedures were successful in all patients.There were no other complications except the rupture of IVC in 1 patient.Conclusion The 3D-DSA can offer valuable informations in diagnosis of IVC obstruction.and it may play an important role in interventional treatment of Budd-Chiari syndrome.

Objective To evaluate the value of serum B-cell activating factor(BAFF)level in predicting cardiovascular events in patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction(STE-MI).Methods A total of 166 patients with coronary angiography for STEMI in the Nantong Third Hospital Affiliated to Nantong University from January 2020 to June 2022 were selected as research objects,and general materials,medical history,echocardiography and laboratory data were collected.Patients were followed up for 12 months to record the incidence condition of major adverse cardiac e-vents(MACE).The predictive value of serum BAFF level for MACE was evaluated by Cox propor-tional hazard model;the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve of serum BAFF level for pre-diction of MACE was drawn,and the area under curve(AUC)was calculated.The optimal cut-off value for serum BAFF level was determined by the ROC curve,the patients were grouped based on this optimal cut-off,and the Log-rank test was used to draw the Kaplan-Meier curve for analyzing the incidence of MACE.Results Among the 166 patients,26 cases had MACE within 12 months of fol-low-up,and the incidence rate of MACE was 15.7％.In the MACE group,the age and levels of tri-glycerides,low-density lipoprotein,cardiac troponin I,creatine kinase isoenzyme,and serum BAFF were significantly higher than those in the non-MACE group(P＜0.05).Cox proportional hazard model analysis revealed that there was a significant positive correlation between age and incidence of MACE(HR=1.267,95％CI,1.126 to 1.426,P＜0.001)as well as a significant positive associ-ation between serum BAFF level and incidence of MACE(HR=1.020,95％CI,1.003 to 1.038,P=0.024).The sensitivity of serum BAFF level in predicting MACE was 76.2％,and the speci-ficity was 82.9％.ROC curve analysis identified the optimal cut-off value of serum BAFF was 1.07 ng/mL,patients were divided into a group with serum BAFF＞1.07 ng/mL and another with serum BAFF≤1.07 ng/mL,and the cumulative survival rate in the group with serum BAFF 1.07 ng/mL was significantly higher than that in the group with serum BAFF＞1.07 ng/mL(P＜0.001).Conclusion The increase of serum BAFF level is significantly positively correlated with the increased incidence of MACE in STEMI patients,and serum BAFF level can be used as a pre-dictor of cardiovascular events in STEMI patients.

Objective To evaluate the value of serum B-cell activating factor(BAFF)level in predicting cardiovascular events in patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction(STE-MI).Methods A total of 166 patients with coronary angiography for STEMI in the Nantong Third Hospital Affiliated to Nantong University from January 2020 to June 2022 were selected as research objects,and general materials,medical history,echocardiography and laboratory data were collected.Patients were followed up for 12 months to record the incidence condition of major adverse cardiac e-vents(MACE).The predictive value of serum BAFF level for MACE was evaluated by Cox propor-tional hazard model;the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve of serum BAFF level for pre-diction of MACE was drawn,and the area under curve(AUC)was calculated.The optimal cut-off value for serum BAFF level was determined by the ROC curve,the patients were grouped based on this optimal cut-off,and the Log-rank test was used to draw the Kaplan-Meier curve for analyzing the incidence of MACE.Results Among the 166 patients,26 cases had MACE within 12 months of fol-low-up,and the incidence rate of MACE was 15.7％.In the MACE group,the age and levels of tri-glycerides,low-density lipoprotein,cardiac troponin I,creatine kinase isoenzyme,and serum BAFF were significantly higher than those in the non-MACE group(P＜0.05).Cox proportional hazard model analysis revealed that there was a significant positive correlation between age and incidence of MACE(HR=1.267,95％CI,1.126 to 1.426,P＜0.001)as well as a significant positive associ-ation between serum BAFF level and incidence of MACE(HR=1.020,95％CI,1.003 to 1.038,P=0.024).The sensitivity of serum BAFF level in predicting MACE was 76.2％,and the speci-ficity was 82.9％.ROC curve analysis identified the optimal cut-off value of serum BAFF was 1.07 ng/mL,patients were divided into a group with serum BAFF＞1.07 ng/mL and another with serum BAFF≤1.07 ng/mL,and the cumulative survival rate in the group with serum BAFF 1.07 ng/mL was significantly higher than that in the group with serum BAFF＞1.07 ng/mL(P＜0.001).Conclusion The increase of serum BAFF level is significantly positively correlated with the increased incidence of MACE in STEMI patients,and serum BAFF level can be used as a pre-dictor of cardiovascular events in STEMI patients.