Objective To investigate the safety and efficacy of surgery in 121 patients with spinal metastases.Methotds A retrospective analysis of clinical data from April 2009 to March 2013 was performed in 121 patients with spinal metastases.From 37 to 65 years,69 males and 42 females with mean age of 55.6 years.Primary tumor origin:Lung 35(28.9％),Breast 26(21.4％),Renal 17 (14.0％),Prostate 20 (16.5％),Thyroid 14 (11.6％),Liver 2 (1.7％),Colon 1 (0.8％),other 6 (5.0％).All patients received surgery.Follow-up and survival time were analyzed.In preoperation and postoperative 3 month,pain levels were assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS),neurologic deficit was evaluated by Frankel Grade and functional impairment was classified by Karnofsky Score.The quality of the life was assessed by EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire.Survival analysis was evaluated by Kaplan-meier.Results The period of follow-up ranged from 5 to 35 months with the average of 15.9 months.The mean survival was 14.5 months.1-year survival was 53.5％.2-year survival was 36.5％.In patients with lung cancer,the mean survival was 8.5months.1-year survival was 14.3％.2-year survival was 11.4％.In patients with breast cancer,the mean survival was 31 months.1-year survival was 57.7％.2-year survival was 46.2％.In preoperation and postoperative 3 month,the VAS showed statistical significance (t=21.6,P＜0.01) ;Post-operatively,80.3％ of all patients had functionally useful Frankel Grade D or E compared with 43.5％ pre-operatively.KPS score (80-100) percentage was 75.6％ postoperatively compared with 33.4％ preoperatively.In 1month postoperatively,35 of 75 patients who were sphincteric dysfunction preoperatively were improved.The EORTC QLQ-C30score was 83.39±7.23 in preoperation and 51.34±14.27 in postoperaion.The quality of life was impoved significantly (t=12.6,P＜0.01).Conclusion Surgical treatment was effective in improving quality of life by providing better pain control,enabling patients to regain or maintain mobility,and offering improved sphincter control.In all patients,the number of patents with spinal metastases from breast and lung cancer is higher.Compared with spinal metastases from breast cancer,the proportion of lung cancer origin received surgery is higher.

Objective:To investigate the safety and efficacy of laminectomy combined with vertebroplasty in spinal metastases from rapid-growth tumors. Methods:Clinical data of 23 patients with spinal metastases of lung cancer, who were admitted to the Cancer Hospital from July 2008 to May 2012, were retrospectively analyzed. Thirteen male and ten female patients, with an age range from 40 years to 65 years and a mean age of 51.5, were examined. All patients received posterior laminectomy to relieve spinal cord compression. Afterward, vertebroplasty combined with radiofrequency ablation was conducted, followed by the internal fixation of vertebrae (instrumental fixation). Operation time, blood loss, and bone cement leakage rate were analyzed. One month before and after the operation, pain measurement was conducted using visual analog scale (VAS) and neurologic deficit (spinal cord injury) by Frankel Grade. Functional impairment was classified by Karnofsky performance status (KPS) score. Quality of life was assessed by the European Organization for Research and Treatment questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30). Results:The mean operation time was 163±87.36 min. Blood boss was 430±130.35 mL. Bone cement leakage rate was 21.7%. One month before and after surgery, the VAS showed statistical significance (t=25.6, P<0.01). After surgery, 78.3%of all patients exhibited functionally satisfactory Frankel Grade D or E, compared with 43.5%of patients before the operation. KPS score (80 to 100) percentage was 69.6%after surgery compared with 34.8%before surgery. One month after the operation, remission of various degrees was seen in 10 of 18 patients who had sphincteric dysfunction before surgery (55.6%). The EORTC QLQ-C30 score was 85.39±8.99 before and 52.78±15.17 after operation. The quality of life improved significantly (t=11.6, P<0.01). Conclusion:Posterior laminectomy and vertebroplasty combined with radiofrequency ablation for spinal metastases from lung cancer is safe and effective. The treatment can improve pain, function, and life quality of patients with lung cancer spinal metastases.

OBJECTIVEIn order to get the method for improving the salt resistance of Lycium ruthenium seeds and seedlings under NaCl stress, the seed germination and physiological characteristics of L. ruthenium seedlings was studied.

METHODSeveral physiological indexes of L. ruthenium seeds under NaCl stress, such as the germination rate (Gr), germination vigor (Gv), germination index (Gi), vigor index (Vi), and relative salt damage rate were measured. Other indexes of the seedlings like relative water contents (RWC) , chlorophyll contents, soluble protein contents, electrolyte leakage, the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), and peroxidase (POD) were also measured.

RESULTNaCl at lower concentration could promote the seed germination but inhibit the seed germination at higher concentration. After the treatment by CaCl2 at the different concentrations, all germination indexes were increased. With the increase of salt concentration, the relative water contents and the contents of chlorophyll were decreased, the content of MDA and electrolyte leakage were increased. The change trend of POD activity showed the first increase and then decrease with the increase of salt concentration, which was similar to that of the soluble protein. After the treatment by CaCl2, relative water contents, chlorophyll and POD activities were decreased more slowly, and also electrolyte leakage and MDA contents increased slowly.

CONCLUSIONThe CaCl2 could significantly alleviate the damages to the seeds and seedlings of L. ruthenium under NaCl stress, and promote the salt resistance to the seeds and seedlings of L. ruthenium.

Calcium ; pharmacology ; Germination ; drug effects ; Lycium ; drug effects ; metabolism ; physiology ; Seedlings ; drug effects ; metabolism ; physiology ; Seeds ; drug effects ; metabolism ; physiology ; Sodium Chloride ; metabolism

ObjectiveTo investigate the safety and efficacy of combined treatment with subtotal corpectomy and radiofrequency ablation(RFA) for spinal metastases. MethodsFrom April 2009 to March 2010, 29 patients with spinal metastases who received subtotal corpectomy were analyzed. Sixteen patients (7 men and 9 women) with an average of 57.8 years having received subtotal corpectomy alone were selected for comparison (the subtotal corpectomy group). Thirteen patients (7 men and 6 women) with an average of 58.3 years having received subtotal corpectomy combined with RFA were chosen as subjects of this study (the RFA combination group). There were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to the patient's age, gender, and Tomita type. Pain levels pre-and post-procedure were assessed by the visual analogue scale(VAS), and neurologic deficit were evaluated by the Frankel scale. ResultsThe VAS in RFA combination group were 8.88±0.36, 3.76±0.33, 3.35±0.38 in preoperation, 1 month, and 6 months postoperatively, respectively. The VAS in subtotal corpectomy group were 8.96±0.39, 3.81 ±0.48, 3.41 ±0.42 in preoperation, 1 month, and 6 months postoperatively, respectively. The VAS in both groups showed statistical significance at each time point, there was no statistically difference between the two groups. The operate time in RFA combination group and subtotal corpectomy group were(216.54±113.77) min and(302.50±80.44)min, respectively. The blood loss of the two groups were (1084.62±539.82)ml and (1625.00±724.34)ml, respectively. The recurrent rate of the two groups were 30.8％ and 75.0％, respectively. The RFA combination group were lower in operate time, blood loss and recurrent rates than subtotal corpectomy group. Conclusion Compared with the subtotal corpectomy, the RFA combination can reduce the blood loss, operation time, and the recurrent rates.

OBJECTIVEIn order to get the method for improving the salt resistance of Hedysarum polybotrys seeds and seedlings under different salt-alkaline stress, the seed germination and physiological characteristics of H. polybotrys seedlings were studied.

METHODSeveral physiological indexes of H. polybotrys seeds under different salt-alkaline stress, such as the germination vigor, germination rate, relative germination rate, relative salt damage rate were measured. And others indexes of the seedlings like chlorophyll contents, soluble protein contents, the permeability of plasmalemma, the activities of POD and SOD were also measured.

RESULTDifferent salt-alkaline stress decreased the germination rate, vigor of germinate, germination index, while relative salt damage rate increased. With the increased salt-alkaline concentration, the adverse effects became more obvious. The strength of the salts: Na2CO3 > Na2SO4 > NaCl. With the increase of the salt-alkaline concentration, the chlorophyll contents and the soluble protein contents decreased, but the permeability of plasmalemma increased. The change trend of SOD and POD activity was similar, it is increased firstly, and then decreased as the stress intensity extended, the most significant increase of Na2SO4 and Na2CO3 in the concentration of salt-alkaline was 25 mmol x L(-1), but NaCl was 50 mmol x L(-1).

CONCLUSIONThe seeds and seedlings inhibition of the salts was Na2CO3 > Na2SO4 > NaCl.

Alkalies ; metabolism ; Fabaceae ; growth & development ; metabolism ; physiology ; Seedlings ; growth & development ; metabolism ; physiology ; Seeds ; growth & development ; metabolism ; physiology ; Sodium Chloride ; metabolism ; Stress, Physiological

OBJECTIVETo observe the different effects of Puerarin and Daidzein on the expression of proliferating vascular smooth muscle cells, and to discuss the mechanism.

METHODMT was used to detect the state of VSMC (vascular smooth muscle cell) activity. The expression levels of Survivin, Bcl-xl, Bax and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) messenger RNA (mRNA) were analyzed quantitatively by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (Rt-PCR).

RESULTCompared with Puerarin groups, VSMC activity in daidzein groups was lower, and the ratio of Bax/Gapdh/Bcl-xl/Gapdh was higher.

CONCLUSIONThe inhibition effect of daidzein on VSMC proliferation is stronger than that of puerarin.

Cells, Cultured ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenases ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; Isoflavones ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; cytology ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Proteins ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Pueraria ; chemistry ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Vasodilator Agents ; pharmacology ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; bcl-X Protein

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of silencing HERC4 on the proliferation, apoptosis, and migration of cervical cancer cell line Hela and the possible molecular mechanisms.

METHODSThree HERC4-specific small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) were transfected into Hela cells, and HERC4 expression in the cells was examined with Western blotting. CCK-8 assay, annexin V-FITC/PI assay, and wound healing assay were used to assess the effect of HERC4 silencing on the proliferation, apoptosis and migration ability of Hela cells. The expression levels of cyclin D1 and Bcl-2 in the cells were detected using Western blotting.

RESULTSTransfection of siRNA-3 resulted in significantly decreased HERC4 protein expression (P<0.01). HERC4 silencing by siRNA-3 markedly suppressed the proliferation and migration of Hela cells, increased the apoptosis rate (P<0.01) and reduced the expression levels of cyclin D1 and Bcl-2 (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSilencing of HERC4 efficiently inhibits the proliferation, migration, and invasion of Hela cells in vitro, and the underlying mechanisms may involve the down-regulation of cyclin D1 and Bcl-2.

Apoptosis ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation ; Cyclin D1 ; metabolism ; Down-Regulation ; Female ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Transfection ; Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal transduction pathway in the acute lung injury of severely burned rats.

METHODSForty-eight adult healthy rats were randomly divided into three groups: sham group, burn control group, and burn + SB203580 group. A third-degree burns over 30% total body surface area rat model was used and pulmonary capillary permeability, lung water content, pulmonary histology and p38 MAPK activity were measured at 24 hours postburn.

RESULTSBurn trauma resulted in increased pulmonary capillary leakage permeability (42.5 +/- 4.7 vs. 12.1 +/- 1.4, P < 0.01), elevated lung water content (P < 0.05), and worsen histologic condition. There was a significant activation of p38 MAPK at 24 hours postburn compared with control. SB203580 inhibited the activation of p38 MAPK, reduced the pulmonary capillary leakage permeability (24.7 +/- 2.9 vs. 42.5 +/- 4.7, P < 0.01), decreased lung water content, and prevented burn-mediated lung injury.

CONCLUSIONThe activation of p38 MAPK is one important aspect of the signaling event that contributes to burn-induced lung injury.

Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Burns ; enzymology ; physiopathology ; Enzyme Activation ; drug effects ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Imidazoles ; pharmacology ; Lung ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Male ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; physiology ; Pyridines ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult ; enzymology ; physiopathology ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; physiology ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases

Objective To construct small RNA deletion and overexpression strains with a length of less than 100 nt in Yersinia pestis.Methods Deletion mutants of the target sRNAs were constructed by increasing the length of homologous regions.Meanwhile, the high copy plasmid pBAD/HisA was modified into an inducible transcriptional vector as an sRNA-overexpression plasmid by using QuikChange lightning site-directed mutagenesis kit .The presence , size, and transcription-al initiation sites of the indicated sRNA were predicted by transcriptome sequencing , primer extension , and previous stud-ies.The full-length DNA fragments of target sRNAs were transformed into the transcriptional vector .The overexpressing strains of sRNAs were identified by Northern Blot .Results and Conclusion Four sRNAs deletion mutants of sR01, sR02, sR03 and HmsA and three sRNAs overexpression mutants MicF , HmsA and CpxQ were successfully constructed .A method of construction of sRNA deficient and overexpressing strains of Y.pestis has been quickly and efficiently established by λ-Red homologous recombination technology and QuikChange ? lightning site-directed mutagenesis kit.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the risk factors of road injury.

METHODSCase-control study was used. From November 2001 to August 2002, 406 drivers who had 438 drivers who had not experienced a motor vehicle crash in Huanggu district, Shenyang city were recruited by randomly selection on time of day, day of week and site in the same period at same district. Face to face interviews with drivers were conducted according to a highly structured questionnaire covering the circumstances of the current trip, usual behavior and background characteristics of the drivers and the condition of motor vehicles. Stanford sleepiness scale and Epworth sleepiness scale were used to quantify acute and chronic sleepiness respectively.

RESULTSIncreased risk was associated with drivers who identified themselves as having chronic doziness (OR = 1.98, 95% CI: 1.26 - 3.12). Increase in risk was associated with measures of acute tiredness, but without statistical significance (OR = 2.38, 95% CI: 0.89 - 6.31). Comparing to permanent daytime work pattern, rotating shifts or permanent night-work pattern increased the risk of crash (OR = 2.09, 95% CI: 1.48 - 2.94). The risk of motor vehicle crash among the drivers who drank alcohol in the previous 6 hours was 3.59 times (95% CI: 1.13 - 11.39) of those drivers who did not drink. Driving violations also contributed to the increased risk of crash (OR = 1.73, 95% CI: 1.22 - 2.46).

CONCLUSIONFactors as chronic doziness, rotating shifts or permanent night-work pattern, driving under alcohol impairment, violation of motor vehicle regulation all significantly increased the risk of road injury. Acute sleepiness might serve as a potential risk factor for road injury.

Accidents, Traffic ; Adult ; Automobile Driving ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Risk Factors