Chronic Disease ; Female ; Humans ; Lead Poisoning ; complications ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Diseases ; Renal Insufficiency ; chemically induced

Objective To evaluate the results and toxic effects in three dimensional radiotherapy (3DCRT)with late course accelerated hyper-fractionation for advanced esophageal carcinoma.Methods From December 2001 to December 2003,115 patients were randomly divided into two groups:in 3DCRT group,55 patients were given late course accelerated hyper-fractionation radiotherapy to a total close of 66 Gy (2.0 Gy per fraction,5 times per week;to a dose of 36 Gy were changed into 1.5 Gy/f,2 f/d).In CF group,60 patients were given late course accelerated hyper-fractionation radiotherapy to a total dose of 66 Gy.Results The 1-, 2-,3-,4-year survival rates in 3DCRT group were 63.6 %, 50.9 %, 38.2 %, 30.9 % compared to 58.3 %, 38.3 %,33.3 %,23.3 % in CF group(X~2=4.44,P=0.031),and local control rates in 1-,2-,3-,and 4- years in 3DCRT group were 72.7 %,58.1%,47.2 % and 36.3 %,compared to 53.3 %,40 %,28.3 %,and 20 %(X~2=5.33,P=0.013)in CF group.However,in the 3DCRT group,the incidence of acute esophagitis was similar to CF group; hematogenous toxic and acute bronchitis were similar between the two groups. Late course lung injury in CF group was higher than that in 3DCRT group.Conclusion 3DCRT is able to improve the local control rate and survival rate,and unable to improve acute and late radiation toxie effects.

OBJECTIVETo screen and identify differentially expressed genes in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) in early experimental diabetic rats.

METHODSDiabetic model rats were induced by single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ). At the second week after STZ injection, the sensory nerve conduction velocities (SNCV) of sciatic nerve were measured as an indicator of neuropathy. The technique of silver-staining mRNA differential display polymerase chain reaction (DD-PCR) was used to detect the levels of differentially expressed genes in rat DRG. The cDNA fragments that displayed differentially were identified by reverse-hybridization, cloned and sequenced subsequently, and then confirmed by Northern blot.

RESULTSThe SNCV in the diabetic model group [n = 9, (45.25+/-10.38) m/s] reduced obviously compared with the control group [n = 8, (60.10+/-11.92) m/s] (P < 0.05). Seven distinct cDNA clones, one was up-regulated gene and the others were down-regulated ones, were isolated by silver-staining mRNA differential display method and confirmed by Northern blot. According to the results of sequence alignment with GenBank data, majority of the clones had no significant sequence similarity to previously reported genes except only one that showed high homology to 6-pyruvoyl-tetrahydropterin synthase mRNA (accession No. BC059140), which had not been reported to relate to diabetic neuropathy.

CONCLUSIONThese differentially expressed genes in the diabetic DRG may contribute to the pathogenesis of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Animals ; Blotting, Northern ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; genetics ; physiopathology ; Diabetic Neuropathies ; genetics ; physiopathology ; Ganglia, Spinal ; physiopathology ; Gene Expression ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sciatic Nerve ; physiopathology

Objective To investigate the feasibility and accuracy of dual energy CT myocardial iodine maps in detecting acute myocardial infarction in canine model. Methods Myocardial ischemia model was made by ligaturing left anterior descending coronary arteries (LAD) after thoracotomy in six dogs, while another 3 dogs undergoing thoracotomy not ligaturing LAD as control group. Before and three hours after operation, dual-source CT (DSCT) was performed, followed by resting 99Tcm-MIBI single photon emission computed tomography myocardial perfusion imaging. Then, dogs were sacrificed, and the hearts were removed, triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining and conventional HE staining were performed. CT number of non-ischemic and ischemic regions were measured and analyzed. The wall of the left ventricle in the short axis was divided into 17 segments, the segments of myocardial perfusion defect in DSCT myocardial iodine maps, SPECT, and pathology were determined. Student t test was used to analyze the difference of CT number between infarcted and non-infarcted myocardium. Kappa test was used for the accuracy of DSCT myocardial iodine maps and SPECT in detecting myocardial ischemia according to the pathological results. Results No abnormal regions were detected using DSCT myocardial iodine maps in preoperative control and infarction group. After thoracotomy, partial sparse or defective perfusion was consistently noted in six dogs' apical anterior and partition wall in both DSCT myocardial iodine maps and SPECT. In the infarcted group, the attenuation of infarction region (34.75 ± 16.66) HU was significantly decreased compared with preoperative measurements ( 123. 18 ± 15.38 ) HU ( t = 10. 526, P ＜ 0. 01 ); decreased perfusion in the infarcted region was also noted in the DSCT myocardial iodine maps and SPECT. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of DSCT myocardial iodine maps and SPECT were 85.0% (34/40) , 84. 1% (95/113) ,65.4% (34/52) ,94. 0%(95/101) ,and 82. 5% (33/40), 90. 3% ( 102/113 ) ,75.0% (33/44) ,93.6% ( 102/109 ), respectively.Kappa values were 0. 63 and 0. 71 for the agreement of DSCT myocardial iodine maps and SPECT.Conclusion DSCT myocardial iodine maps is comparable diagnostic accuracy with rest SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging in detection of acute myocardial infarction in a canine model.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of long non-coding RNA-HOTAIR in prostate cancer cells and its effects on the growth and metastasis of the cells.

METHODSUsing quantitative reverse-transcription PCR (qRT-PCR), we determined the relative expression of HOTAIR in the normal human prostate epithelial cell line RWPE-I and prostate cancer cell lines PC-3 and DU145. We detected the effects of HOTAIR on the cell cycle and invasiveness of prostate cancer cells by RNA interference, flow cytometry, and Transwell mitration assay.

RESULTSThe expressions of HOTAIR in the PC3 and DU145 cells were increased 3.2 and 5.7 times, respectively, as compared with that in the normal RWPE-1 cells. After si-HOTAIR interference, the prostate cancer cells were arrested in the G2 phase and downregulated in the G1 phase. The invasive ability of the prostate cancer cells was evidently inhibited, with the inhibition rates of 32% and 44% of the PC3 cells and 43% and 34% of the DU145 cells for si-HOTAIR1 and si-HOTAIR2, respectively.

CONCLUSIONIncRNA HOTAIR is highly expressed in prostate cancer, which is associated with the growth and invasiveness of prostate cancer cells. HOTAIR is potentially a novel marker for the diagnosis and prognosis of prostate cancer.

Cell Cycle ; Cell Cycle Checkpoints ; Cell Division ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Down-Regulation ; G1 Phase ; G2 Phase ; Humans ; Male ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Prognosis ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Long Noncoding ; metabolism ; RNA, Untranslated ; metabolism

Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of 125I radioactive seeds implantation combined with postoperative chemotherapy as a treatment option for thoracic advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC). Methods A prospective cohort study was carried out between 2000and 2005. According to preoperative CT staging criteria,298 patients in phase Ⅱ-Ⅲ of ESCC, who had were admitted to Oncology Center Surgery of Nanjing First Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University and Thoracic Surgery of YanCheng Oncology Hospital, were randomly divided into three groups: intraoperative 125I seeds implantation combined with postoperative chemotherapy (group A, 98cases), postoperative chemoradiotherapy (group B, 100 cases) and surgery alone (group C, 100cases). All patients received radical resection of esophageal cancer. According to pTNM staging criteria after operation, 233 patients in phase Ⅱb-Ⅲ of ESCC were finally enrolled in the study (78 in group A, 75 in group B, and 80 in group C). With 0. 5 m Ci of single seed, total activity of 5-11 mCi and matched peripheral dose in 60-70 Gy, 10-22 125I seeds were implanted into the target of patients in group A under direct vision in accordance with treatment planning system. The validation and quality assessment of radioactive seeds were demonstrated according to CT scan or X-ray imaging. The postoperative complications were observed. The local recurrence of the cancer was demonstrated using CT scan. The survival rate of patients was followed up for 1-,3-,5- and 10 years. Results The satisfied quality assessment of 125I seeds was observed. There was no displacement or loss of seed. The local recurrence in group A, B and C was 11. 5%, 13. 3% and 38. 8%, respectively, with statistical significance (P ＜ 0. 05). There was no significant difference among three groups with respect to complications and 1-year survival (P＞0. 05). However, the overall survival rate 3-, 5- and 10-years was 64.8%,37. 7% and 25. 1% in group A respectively; 63.3%, 36.9% and 24.9% in group Brespectively; 43. 6i%, 25.0%, and 12.6% in group C, respectively (all P＜0. 05). The 3-,5- and 10-year progression free survival rates were 63.5 %, 37.4 % and 15.1% in group A respectively; 62.5 %,36.6% and 14. 4% in group B respectively; 42.5%, 25.6% and 6.2% in group C respectively (all P＜0. 05). Conclusions It is a safe, effective and simple method for intraoperative 125I seeds implantation combined with postoperative chemotherapy in treatment of advanced ESCC, which may reduce the local recurrence and improve survival rates in patients with ESCC.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the levels of secretions from the prostate and seminal vesicles and their association with the expressions of aquaporins (AQP) in the prostatic tissue and seminal vesicles of castrated rats.

METHODSWe randomly divided 18 eight-week-old male SD rats into a control, a castration, and a testosterone (T) replacement group. Four weeks after surgical castration, we detected the plasma T level and measured the volumes of the secretions and the expressions of AQPs 3, 7, and 10 - 12 in the prostate and seminal vesicles of the rats.

RESULTSThe plasma T level was significantly lower in the castrated models ([30. 98 ± 28. 84] ng/dl) than in the rats of the control ([700.78 ± 123.8] ng/dl) and T replacement groups ([688.08 ± 132. 47] ng/dl) (P <0. 05). The castration group, in comparison with the control and T replacement groups, showed remarkably reduced ratios of prostatic secretion volume / prostate weight ([11.1 ± 0.30] vs [2.32 ± 0.61] and [2.13 ± 0.56] %, P <0. 05) and seminal vesicle secretion volume / seminal vesicle weight ( [4. 78 ± 1. 97 ] vs [57. 36 ± 11. 86] and [55. 74 ± 7. 21] %, P < 0. 05). Immunohistochemistry revealed the expressions of AQPs 3 and 7 in the epithelial envelop and cytoplasm and that of AQP 11 the in endothelial envelop and cytoplasm of the prostate and seminal vesicles. Western blot exhibited significantly lower expressions of AQPs 3, 7, and 10 - 12 in the prostate and seminal vesicles of the castrated rats than in the animals of the control and T replacement groups (P <0. 05).

CONCLUSIONSignificant decreases of the secretions from the prostate and seminal vesicles may be related to the reduced expressions of AQPs 3, 7, and 10 - 12 in the prostatic tissue and seminal vesicles in castrated rats.

Animals ; Aquaporins ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Orchiectomy ; Prostate ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Seminal Vesicles ; metabolism ; Testosterone ; blood

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of virtual touch tissue quantification (VTQ) in the diagnosis of renal allograft fibrosis.Methods The renal allografts of 82 patients with biopsies or nephrectomy were assessed by virtual touch quantification.The renal allograft fibrosis was categorized according to the 2005 updated Banff criteria for a G0～G3 grade.All the results were compared among four groups.Results The mean SWV values in G0～G3 were (2.39 ± 0.31)m/s,(2.45 ± 0.34)m/s,(2.58 ± 0.18) m/s,(3.11 ± 0.40)m/s,respectively.There were no significant differences in the mean SWV value between G0 and G1 group,or between G1 and G2 group(P ＞0.05).There were significant differences in the mean SWV value between G0～G2 and G3 group,or between G0 and G2 group(P ＜0.05).Stiffness of renal allograft was significantly correlated to the mean SWV value (Spearman r =0.671,P ＜0.001).According to the area under the ROC curve,the sensitivity and specificity of SWV (area under ROC curve =0.847,cut-off=2.64 m/s) for grade ≥G2 was 78.9％ and 79.5％ respectively.Conclusions Stiffness measured by VTQ reflects the interstitial fibrosis in renal allograft.VTQ technique might be a new tool to identify patients with chronic allograft injury.

Objective To analyse the risk factors for lymph node metastasis of early colorectal cancer and the therapeutic indication for endoscopy.Methods The clinical data of the 269 early colorectal cancer patients who underwent surgical treatments between January 2009 and December 2013 in the West China hospital of Sichuan University were analyzed retrospectively.Pathologic features were compared between different histological types and investigated by univariate and multivariate analysis of their possible risk factors for lymph node metastasis.Results Univariate analysis showed that tumor size (P =0.029),depth of tumor invasion (P =0.006),histological type (P =0.000) and lymphatic involvement (P =0.035) were correlated with lymph node metastasis.Multivariate analysis revealed that tumor size (OR =5.385,95％ CI:1.156-25.075,P =0.032)and histological type (OR =5.145,95％ CI:1.553-17.053,P =0.007) were independent risk factorsfor lymph node metastasis.Comprehensive analysis showed that lymph node metastasis could not be found in patients with tumor invading the mucous layer.However,lymph node metastasis occurred if the tumor invaded the submucous layer.The larger and less differentiated tumor was,the higher occurrence of lymph node matastasis would be (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Endoscopic resection is recommended for those with early colorectal cancer localized in the mucous layer and without lymph node metastasis.It is recommended that patients with submucosal carcinomas undergo a preoperative endoscopic ultrasonography or pathological screening for the most appropriate surgical treatment,as the larger and the lower differentiated the tumor is,the higher chance the lymphatic metastasis is.