Objective: To evaluate the analgesic effect of pregabalin combined with intrathecal sufentanil infusion for the treatment of breakthrough pain in patients with bone metastases. Methods: A total of 60 breakthrough pain patients with bone metastases were randomly divided to 3 groups: group A (pregabalin combined with intrathecal sufentanil infusion group,n=20), group B (placebo combined with intrathecal sufentanil infusion group,n=20) and group C (oral morphine sulfate controlled-release tablet group,n=20). The differences in visual analogue scale (VAS)between background pain and breakthrough pain, the seizure frequency of breakthrough pain, general satisfaction and side effects of the 3 groups were observed. Results: hTe seizure frequency and VAS of breakthrough pain in group A decreased signiifcantly after the treatment (P<0.05) and the general satisfaction was the best among the the 3 groups (P<0.05), with less nausea and vomiting, constipation, drowsiness and fewer other side effects. Conclusion: Pregabalin combined with intrathecal sufentanil infusion can effectively relieve breakthrough pain in patients with bone metastases.

OBJECTIVETo study the immunosuppressive effect of the interleukin-2-pseudomonas exotoxin 66(IL-2-PE66) on murine corneal allograft rejection.

METHODSThirty-six recipient female BALB/c mice received corneal allografts from C57BL/6 mice and were divided randomly into treatment and control groups. The condition of the grafts was observed twice a week. On days 10, 15, 25 and 35 after the transplantation, the operated eyes were removed for pathological examinations. Peripheral blood samples were also collected for analysis of T cell subsets and T lymphocyte colony forming unit (T-CFU) assay.

RESULTSThe survival time of corneal allograft averaged 15.8-/+2.1 days in the control group and 31.2-/+2.9 days in the treatment group. The CD(4)(+)/ CD(8)(+)/ of the T cell subsets 15 days after the operation was 1.26-/+0.23 in the treatment group and 2.01-/+0.23 in the control group, with T-CFU of 201-/+18.2 and 286-/+16.8, respectively.

CONCLUSIONIL-2-PE66 can delay the development of corneal graft rejection, significantly reduce the percentage of T helper cells, and weaken the aggregation of the peripheral T cells.

Animals ; Bacterial Proteins ; therapeutic use ; Corneal Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Cytotoxins ; therapeutic use ; Exotoxins ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Graft Rejection ; drug therapy ; Graft Survival ; drug effects ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Interleukin-2 ; therapeutic use ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Random Allocation ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo establish an effective protocol for plant generation and induce polyploidy of Morinda offcinalis.

METHODCallus was induced from immature embryo of M. officinalis and polyploidy was inducted by using colchicine treatment method. Chromosome was detected by flow cytometry.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONThe highest induction rate of polyploidy was 18.40%, which was obtained with 500 mg x L(-1) colchicine treatment for 5 days. Roots of polyploid were bigger than diploid. Advantages of using immature embryo as explants are easy for sterilization, higher rate of callus induction and low degree dedifferentiation. The induced polyploidy of M. officinalis may have a value for spread of cultivation.

Chromosomes, Plant ; genetics ; Morinda ; genetics ; growth & development ; Polyploidy ; Tissue Culture Techniques ; methods

OBJECTIVETo explore the role of fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4) in regulating lung cancer cell metastasis and identify miRNAs that target FABP4.

METHODSThe expression of FABP4 in lung cancer cells with different metastatic potentials was detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blotting. The effects of FABP4 knockdown or overexpression by shRNA or a recombinant lentivirus, respectively, on lung cancer cells metastasis were assessed. The miRNAs that targeted FABP4 were screened using target prediction algorithms and the results were verified with Q-PCR.

RESULTSFABP4 expression was significantly higher in lung cancer cell lines with high metastatic potentials (NL9980, H661, and 95C) than in those with low metastatic potentials (L9981, A549, and PC13) (P<0.05). FABP4 knockdown in NL9980 cells resulted in significantly inhibited metastasis of the cells (P<0.05), while FABP4 overexpression obviously promoted the metastasis of A549 cells (P<0.05). The expressions of miR-203, miR-361 and miR-539 were significantly higher in highly metastatic lung cancer cells than in the cells with low metastatic potentials (P<0.05). In NL9980 cells, FABP4 expression was most obviously suppressed by miR-203 (P<0.05), and target site mutational FABP4 overexpression significantly attenuated the inhibitory effect of miR-203 on NL9980 metastasis (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONFABP4 can promote lung cancer metastasis, and by targeting FABP4 to inhibit its expression, miR-203 can suppress the metastasis of lung cancer cells.

OBJECTIVETo validate the hypothesis that the phenotypic transformation occurs in the smooth muscle cells in the corpus cavernosum of hypertensive rat and explore its impact on the erectile function of rats.

METHODSEighteen 16-week-old male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and 10 syngeneic normotensive rats (WKY) were used in this experiment. After measurement of systolic blood pressure of the caudal artery and examination of the erectile function with subcutaneous injection of apomorphine (APO), the rats were divided into 3 groups, namely hypertensive with erectile dysfunction (HBP-ED) group (n=6), hypertensive (HBP) group (n=12) and control group (n=10). Immunohistochemical staining and color image analysis system were used to observe expression of calponin 1 and osteopontin (OPN) in rat corpus cavernosum. Real-time quantitative RT-PCR was used to determine the expression of calponin 1 and OPN mRNAs in different groups.

RESULTSThe expressions of calponin 1 protein and mRNA were the highest in the control group and the lowest in HBP-ED group, while the expressions of OPN protein and mRNA were the highest in HBP-ED group and the lowest in the control group.

CONCLUSIONThe smooth muscle cells may transform from the contractile phenotype into synthetic phenotype in the corpus cavernosum of the hypertensive rats, resulting ultimately in erectile dysfunction.

Animals ; Calcium-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Erectile Dysfunction ; etiology ; pathology ; Hypertension ; complications ; pathology ; Male ; Microfilament Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; pathology ; Osteopontin ; genetics ; metabolism ; Penis ; pathology ; Phenotype ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred SHR

An esophageal squamous cell carcinoma measuring 18.3 cm in length and 5 cm in diameter was found in the mediastinum of a 53-year man. The patient underwent a modified 3-stage esophagectomy and an esophagogastrostomy at the cervical level (Wu's method). The operation was performed smoothly and the patient recovered uneventfully after the operation. The patient was followed up for 6 months after discharge and reported no difficulties in eating with improved quality of life. This case represents the world's longest esophageal cancer that had been surgically removed. Local advanced esophageal cancer should be removed immediately to prevent potential occurrence of esophageal obstruction, tracheoesophageal fistula or aorto-esophageal fistula.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; surgery ; Esophageal Fistula ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Esophageal Stenosis ; Esophagectomy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Quality of Life

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical characteristics, outcomes and prognostic factors of primary bone lymphoma (PBL).

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed 31 consecutive patients with the diagnosis of PBL initially treated at our hospital between 1992 and 2010. Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis and Cox regression model used for analyzing the prognostic factors.

RESULTSThe median age of the patients was 46 years. The most common sites of involvement were the femur (29%) and the spine (29%). Sixteen (52%) patients underwent chemoradiotherapy, and the other 15 (48%) received chemotherapy. With a median follow-up of 49 months, the patients showed an overall response rate of 94% (including a complete response rate of 68% and a partial response rate of 26%). The median overall survival (OS) of the patients was 71 months (95% CI: 36-106 months) with a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 47 months (95% CI: 30-64 months). Univariate analysis identified the use of rituximab, radiotherapy, and an international prognostic index (IPI) score of 0-2 as the favorable prognostic factors for OS and PFS. Multivariate analysis showed that the use of rituximab and IPI score were independent prognostic factors of the OS and PFS, and radiotherapy was the predicting factor for PFS but not for OS.

CONCLUSIONThe use of rituximab can improve the OS or PFS of patients with PBL, and radiotherapy offers additional benefits for PFS but not for OS.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived ; therapeutic use ; Bone Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; radiotherapy ; Female ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; radiotherapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Retrospective Studies ; Rituximab ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

We report two cases of rituximab (RTX)-induced interstitial pneumonia in two lymphoma patients receiving RTX treatment. Interstitial pneumonia was successfully managed in these two cases after a one-week-long intervention with corresponding treatments without affecting further treatment of the primary disease. RTX-induced interstitial pneumonia is characterized by a latent onset with an unclear pathological mechanism and absence of typical symptoms. High-resolution CT scan can provide valuable evidence for early diagnosis of RTX-induced interstitial pneumonia, which might be attributed partially to an increased susceptibility to P. jirovecii and fungal infection due to prolonged RTX treatment.
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived ; adverse effects ; Disease Susceptibility ; Humans ; Lung Diseases, Interstitial ; chemically induced ; Rituximab ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of simulated microgravity on erythroid differentiation of K562 cells and explore the possible mechanism.

METHODSThe fourth generation rotating cell culture system was used to generate the simulated microgravity environment. Benzidine staining was used to evaluate the cell inhibition rate, and real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to detect GATA-1, GATA-2, Ets-1, F-actin, β-Tubulin and vimentin mRNA expressions. The changes of cytoskeleton were observed by fluorescence microscopy, and Western blotting was employed to assay F-actin, β-tubulin and vimentin protein expression levels.

RESULTSBenzidine staining showed that simulated microgravity inhibited erythroid differentiation of K562 cells. K562 cells treated with Hemin presented with increased mRNA expression of GATA-1 and reduced GATA-2 and Ets-1 mRNA expressions. Simulated microgravity treatment of the cells resulted in down-regulated GATA-1, F-actin, β-tubulin and vimentin mRNA expressions and up-regulated mRNA expressions of GATA-2 and Ets-1, and reduced F-actin, β-tubulin and vimentin protein expressions. Exposure to simulated microgravity caused decreased fluorescence intensities of cytoskeletal filament F-actin, β-tubulin and vimentin in the cells.

CONCLUSIONSimulated microgravity inhibits erythroid differentiation of K562 cells possibly by causing cytoskeleton damages to result in down-regulation of GATA-1 and up-regulation of GATA-2 and Ets-1 expressions.

Actins ; metabolism ; Cell Differentiation ; Down-Regulation ; GATA1 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; GATA2 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; Hemin ; pharmacology ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Proto-Oncogene Protein c-ets-1 ; metabolism ; Tubulin ; metabolism ; Up-Regulation ; Vimentin ; metabolism ; Weightlessness Simulation

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the role and value of Changhai fulcrum bending radiograph(CH-FBR) in curve flexibility assessment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis(AIS) patients.

METHODSThirty-seven AIS patients treated between June 2012 and August 2013 were enrolled, including 31 female and 6 male patients whose age ranged from 10 to 19 years, averaged of 15.0 years. The assessment of radiographs included preoperative standing posterior-anterior radiograph, supine side-bending radiograph, traditional fulcrum bending radiograph, Changhai fulcrum bending radiograph and postoperative standing posterior-anterior radiograph. Postoperatively, radiographs were assessed at one week. The CH-FBR was performed at the lowest height and the optimized height which means the weight on the fulcrum touch the maximum. All measurements of angle were made with use of the Cobb method. The flexibility of the curve as well as the correction rate and fulcrum bending correction index (FBCI) were calculated for all patients. The maximum height of CH-FBR, basic weight and maximum weight were measured for all AIS. Paired t-tests were used to assess differences between preoperative and postoperative curves within group samples. The Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated using bivariate analysis between CH-FBR flexibility rate and correction rate, the maximum height of CH-FBR and maximum weight, the height changes of CH-FBR and weight changes.

RESULTSA total of 46 curves were involved in this study, including 28 thoracic and 18 thoracolumbar/lumbar curves. Preoperatively, the mean Cobb angle of the 46 structural curves was 47° ± 11°. Postoperatively, the mean Cobb angle was 11° ± 5°. Cobb's angle in supine side-bending(t = 7.2, P = 0.001), traditional fulcrum bending (t = 7.1, P = 0.001) and lowest height of Changhai fulcrum bending (t = 6.5, P = 0.001) were significantly different from the postoperative Cobb angle; Cobb's angle in traditional FBR (t = 11.0, P = 0.001) and lowest height of Changhai fulcrum bending (t = 13.6, P = 0.001) were significantly different from the optimized height CH-FBR Cobb angle. There was no significant difference found between traditional FBR Cobb angle and lowest height CH-FBR Cobb angle (t = 2.0, P = 0.051), optimized height CH-FBR Cobb angle and postoperative Cobb angle (t = 0.9, P = 0.36), lowest height CH-FBR Cobb angle and traditional FBR Cobb angle(t = 2.0, P = 0.051). The maximum height of CH-FBR, basic weight and maximum weight were (29.6 ± 1.4)cm,(20 ± 6)kg, and (40 ± 6) kg. Preoperatively, the mean Cobb angle of the 28 structural curves(main thoracic curves) was 46° ± 11°. Postoperatively, the mean Cobb angle was 12° ± 6°. Preoperatively, the mean Cobb angle of the 18 structural curves(thoracolumbar/lumbar curves) was 49° ± 12°. Postoperatively, the mean Cobb angle was 10° ± 5°. The results were same in 28 structural curves, 18 structural curves as well as 46 curves. Correlation analysis of 46 curves indicated that the maximum height of CH-FBR positively correlated with maximum weight (r = 0.69, r(2) = 0.47, P = 0.001), the height changes of CH-FBR positively correlated with weight changes on CH-FBR (r = 0.62, r(2) = 0.38, P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONSCH-FBR is a more reliable and effective method than traditional FBR and supine side-bending for curve flexibility evaluation in AIS patients. Moreover, compared to the traditional FBR and side-bending radiograph, the flexibility suggested by the optimized height CH-FBR more closely approximates the postoperative result made by pedicle screws fixation and fusion.

Adolescent ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Prospective Studies ; Radiography ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Scoliosis ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Young Adult