Abscess ; therapy ; Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Neck ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Xinfeng Capsule (XFC) on ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients' symptoms and signs, serum immunoglobulin levels, peripheral blood lymphocyte autophagy protein, autophagy gene, and to explore its mechanism.

METHODSTotally 59 AS patients were assigned to the treatment group (39 cases) and the control group (20 cases) according to random digit table. Patients in the treatment group received XFC, 0.5 g each pill, three pills each time, 3 times per day, while those in the control group received sulfasalazine (SASP), 0.25 g per tablet, 4 tablets each time, twice per day. Three months consisted of one therapeutic course. Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) were statistically calculated. Serum immunoglobulins (IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, IgA , SIgA, and IgM) were detected using ELISA. Changes of Beclin1, LC3-II, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), Akt, the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) were detected using Western blot. Serum autophagy related genes such as Atg1, Atg5, Atg12, Atg13, and Atg17 were detected using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The correlation between immunoglobulin subtypes and autophagy gene in AS patients using Spearman correlation.

RESULTSCompared with before treatment, BASDAI, IgG1, lgG3, and IgA decreased (P < 0.01); PI3K, Akt, and mTOR protein expressions decreased (P < 0.01); ATG1, ATG12, ATG13, and ATG17 mRNA expressions decreased, ATG5 mRNA expression increased (P < 0.01) in the treatment group. But BASDAI, IgG1, and IgA levels decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); PI3K, Akt, and mTOR protein expressions decreased (P < 0.05); ATG1 and ATG13 mRNA expressions decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) in the control group. Compared with the control group, BASDAI, IgG1, and IgA levels decreased (P < 0.05); PI3K, Akt, mTOR protein expressions decreased (P < 0.01); ATG12 and ATG17 mRNA expression decreased, ATG5 mRNA expression increased (P < 0.01) in the XFC group. Correlation analysis showed AS patients' IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgA, SIgA, IgM had negative correlation with ATG17; IgG4 and ATG17 were positively correlated (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONXFC could elevate clinical efficacy of AS patients and enhance their autophagy, which might be achieved by acting on PI3K/Akt/mTOR signal, affecting autophagy gene and autophagy protein expression, taking part in the regulation of proliferation and differentiation of lymphocyte B, and strengthen humoral immunity.

Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; metabolism ; Autophagy ; drug effects ; Beclin-1 ; Capsules ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A ; blood ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Immunoglobulin M ; blood ; Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; Membrane Proteins ; metabolism ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; metabolism ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing ; drug therapy ; Sulfasalazine ; therapeutic use ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases ; metabolism

Objective To discuss the clinical performance of ICARE rebound tonometer.Methods Intraocular pressure measurements were performed on 112 cases(224 eyes)with non-contact tonometer and ICARE rebound tonometer respectively.Results The intraocular pressure of right eyes which measured by ICARE rebound tonometer was(15.4 ±3.4)mm Hg,and the left eyes' was(15.6 ±3.2)mm Hg on average,but they were(13.5 ±2.7)mm Hg and(13.6 ±2.6)mm Hg respectively measured by non-contact tonometer There was significant difference between the two tonometer(t =4.384,4.535;P ＜0.01).Conclusions lOP measured by ICARE rebound tonometer is higher than that of non-contact tonometer when IOP is in the normal range.ICARE rebound and non-contact tonometer have a good consistency.

OBJECTIVETo detect serum levels of MMP-9 and VEGF in patients with bladder cancer.

METHODSSerum levels of MMP-9 and VEGF in 58 patients with bladder cancer and 45 healthy controls were measured by sandwich-ELISA.

RESULTSSerum levels of MMP-9 and VEGF (737.12 micro g/L and 1148.88 ng/L) were significantly higher in the cancer patients than those of controls (423.51 micro g/L and 846.96 ng/L, P < 0.01). The serum levels were associated with tumor stage and grade. In patients with invasive cancer, the levels were significantly higher than those of superficial cancer (P < 0.01). Patients with distant metastasis had significantly higher levels of MMP-9 and VEGF than those with localized invasion (P < 0.01). But there was no significant difference between patients with superficial cancer and controls. Patients with G(3) tumors had significantly higher levels of MMP-9 and VEGF than those of patients with G(1) and G(2) tumors (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSElevated MMP-9 and VEGF levels are associated with a high stage and grade of bladder cancer and they may serve as markers of tumor progression in the future.

Aged ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; blood ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; blood ; pathology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; blood

Squamous cell papilloma is a kind of benign tumor from mucosa stratified squamous epithelium, which usually occurs in cheek, palate, lip and tongue. In this paper, a case of squamous cell papilloma occurred in interdental papilla was reported, and its pathogenesis, clinic features and treatment were discussed.
Epithelial Cells ; Epithelium ; Gingiva ; Humans ; Papilloma ; Tongue

Objective Mutated inbred animal model is introduced to the practical course of genetic diagnosis in the hope that medical students are able to apply what they have learned to clinical cases, based on a deep understanding of principle and technology on gene mutation detection. Methods We integrated DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction, agarose gel electrophoresis, and gel imaging analysis into a comprehensive experiment and arranged 4-year-programme undergraduates majoring in preclinical medical sciences to conduct it with the purpose of investigating the internal relations between phenotype and genotype in a hairless Uncv mouse model. Subsequently, the questionnaire aimed at evaluating learning effect on the part of students was handed out and their feedbacks were analyzed. Results More than 90% of respondents are satisfied with the general learning effect. Especially, 98. 7% of students support the enhancing effect of the new teaching mode on their research skills and 96% consider the practical course helpful to their problem-solving ability. Conclusions The introduction of mutated inbred animal model to the practical system of molecular diagnostics proves beneficial to boost students' learning effect and scientific research quality. Our practice also provokes thoughts on the further utilization of animal models in teaching system of medical sciences.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in bladder transitional cell carcinoma tissues, and understand its clinical significance.

METHODSReversal transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to assess the expression of COX-2 mRNA in 52 cases of bladder transitional cell carcinoma tissues and 17 cases of normal bladder tissues far from neoplasm; Western blot was used to assess the expression of COX-2 protein in 49 cases of bladder cancerous tissues and 17 cases of normal tissues.

RESULTSPositive expression of COX-2 mRNA was detected in 83% (43/52) of bladder cancer tissues and in 29% (5/17) of normal tissues by RT-PCR and there was significant difference in expression of COX-2 mRNA between cancer tissues and normal tissues. Western blot analysis showed that expression of COX-2 protein was correlation with the stage and grade of cancer.

CONCLUSIONCOX-2 is overexpressed in bladder transitional cell carcinoma. COX-2 maybe play a certain role in carcinogenesis and progression of bladder cancer and turn into a useful target of chemoprevention of bladder cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Blotting, Western ; Carcinoma, Transitional Cell ; enzymology ; pathology ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Urinary Bladder ; enzymology ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; enzymology ; pathology

OBJECTIVESTo evaluate modified cystectomy with preservation of erectile and ejaculatory functions in men with nonmalignant bladder disease.

METHODSSeven cases with average age of 27 years presented with bladder disease necessitating cystectomy, including 2 cases of tuberculous contractile bladder, 1 case of extensive polypoid cystitis glandularis, 4 cases of late stage of neurogenic bladder. All patients wished to maintain erectile and ejaculatory functions after the operation. We performed a modified simple cystectomy with preservation of the vasa deferens, seminal vesicles, prostate and neurovascular bundles, as well as construction of an Indiana pouch or ileal neobladder.

RESULTSAverage operative time was 5 h 45 min without perioperative complications in this group. Follow-up ranged from 9 to 60 months. Erectile and ejaculatory functions were normal in all cases. All patients remained completely continent and no dysuria in neobladder, and there was no difficulty in inserting catheter to empty pouch. Upper urinary tract was in good condition 3 and 24 months after operation.

CONCLUSIONSModified cystectomy with preservation of the vasa deferens, seminal vesicles, prostate and neurovascular bundles is an effective and reliable option for the patients who wish to maintain their fertility and erectile function after surgery.

Adult ; Cystectomy ; methods ; Ejaculation ; physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Penile Erection ; physiology ; Urinary Bladder Diseases ; surgery

Objective To observe the results of treating 67 idiopathic optic neuritis patients with large dose glucocorticoid and effective nursing intervention.Methods Sixty-seven cases of idiopathic optic neuritis patients were treated with combined modality therapy,practiced purposeful and planned mental nursing.More nursing experience was summarized from them.Results By our elaborative treatment,nursing and observation,most patients got vision improved.Conclusions Early medication was the basic treatment to rescue visual function.During the treatment,we should note the side effects of glucocorticoid,practiced planned mental nursing and health education,and enhance the consciousness of self health care as well.

Background and Objective:Cytokine-induced killer(CIK)cells have high anti-tumor activity for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Whether CIK cell therapy can eradicate residual cancer cells and prevent or postpone tumor relapse after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE)should be testified.This study was to evaluate the efficacy of CIK cell therapy combined with TACE on HCC.Methods:A total of 146 consecutive patients with unresectable HCC were divided into combination group (72 patients trealted with CIK cell therapy combined with TACE) and TACE group(74 patients treated only with TACE).The progression-free survival(PFS)and overall survival(OS)were analyzed.Results:The 6-month,1-year,and 2-year PFS rales were 72.2%, 40.4%, 25.3%in combination group, and 34.8%,7.7%,2.6%in TACE group.The median time to progression was 11 months[95%confidence interval(CI),8-1 4 months]in combination group and 5 months(95% CI,4-7 months)in TACE group.The estimated 6-month, 1-year, and 2-year OS rates were 90.3%, 71.9%. 62.4%in combination group,and 74.6%,42.8%,18.8%in TACE group.The median OS was 31 months(95%CI,27-35 months)in combination group and 10 months(95% CI,7-13 months)in TACE group.The times of TACE,ECOG performance status, and CIK cell therapy were independent prognostic factors for PFS and OS.Conclusion:Adjuvant immunotherapy with CIK cells could greatly improve the efficacy of TACE on HCC,and plays an important role in prolonging the PFS and OS of HCC patients after TACE.