AIM:To observe the efficacy of intravitreal conbercept injection for chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC).METHODS: Nine eyes of 9 patients diagnosed as chronic CSC between October 2015 to May 2016 were treated with an intravitreal injection of conbercept (0.5mg/0.05mL) (six patients were given the same does of intravitreal injection again at 1mo after the first injection).Follow-up observation was at 1, 2, and 6mo after injection.Observed indicators included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure, optical coherence tomography (OCT), fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), choroidal indocyanine green angiography (ICGA), macular fovea thickness (CMT), subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT).RESULTS:Seven of the 9 patients responded significantly to the drug, while 2 patients had no response.The CMT was 373.12±72.43μm at baseline, which decreased significantly to 332.05±67.13μm, 282.24±62.30μm and 225.56±71.08μm at 1, 2 and 6mo after the intravitreal injection.The mean thickness of SFCT was 422.11±64.82μm before treatment.The choroidal thickness of non-responsive patients before treatment was below average, respectively 353μm and 365μm.The SFCT of 1, 2, and 6mo after treatment was 391.45±75.24μm, 365.53±63.07μm, 355.40±66.65μm.Before treatment and 1mo after, there was no significant difference (P=0.074), but there was statistically significant (P<0.01) between those of before and 2mo and 6mo after.The mean BCVA of the prior treatment was 0.53±0.32, the after treatment was 0.65±0.20, there was no different between the two(P>0.05).CONCLUSION: Intravitreal conbercept injection in chronic CSC may have some effect in accelerating subertinal fluid resolution and decreasing the CMT.The SFCT within 6mo after treatment was significantly lower than pretreatment.The SFCT may be an indicator of whether patients respond.

Objective To investigate the expression of the HER-2 in human breast carcinomas by comparing the concordance between IHC staining and FISH, and analyze the relationship between the gene expression of HER-2/neu and clinical characteristics of patients. Methods A prospective clinical trial was performed involving a large multicenter patients' samples. Totally 3 249 breast cancer samples were collected from October 2007 to September 2009 in 73 hospitals across mainland China. HER-2 status was assessed by both IHC and FISH using formalin-fixed paraffin sections of consecutive tumor samples. The relationship between the expression of HER-2/neu gene and clinical parameters was analyzed using statistical methods. Results HER-2/neu was detected by FISH in 42.6% (1342/3149) of cases, whereas IHC analysis found 46. 9% (1477/3149) of cases to be HER-2/neu positive (2 +/3 + ). A higher concordance was observed in 94. 1% (892/948) of the patients with scores of 3 + and 89. 9% (660/734) with scores of 0 + by IHC, but relatively low concordance was also observed in 71. 0% (514/725) of patients with scores of 1 + and 55. 9% (415/742) in scores of 2 + by IHC. HER-2/neu gene amplification was associated with negativity of estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor (r = 0. 45, P < 0.01) , high histological grade ( r = 0. 51,P<0.01), more than 4 positive lymph nodes (r =0. 35, P<0.01), advanced stage (r=0. 33, P< 0. 01) , large tumor size ( > 2 cm, r = 0. 38, P < 0. 01 ) , postmenopause (r = 0. 24, P < 0. 01). No statistically significant relationship was found between HER-2 gene status and the other variables including age(r=0.36, P = 0.068), CA125 (r=0.11, P=0.722) or CA153 (r = 0. 23, P=0.45) protein status, lymph node involvement (r=0. 15, P =0. 18), CEA (r = 0.22, P=0.074) , number stage of tumor (r = 0. 21, P = 0.056 ) and blood vessel invasion (r = 0. 12, P = 0. 133 ). Conclusions The comparison of IHC and FISH demonstrated an excellent correlation of HER-2/neu overexpression and gene amplification. The results availabledemonstrate that FISH-analysis as a gold standard should be performed to guide reasonable clinical treatment.

OBJECTIVETo describe the fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) features of various salivary gland lesions and to analyze the respective diagnostic value and pitfalls.

METHODS113 FNAC specimens of salivary gland lesions were reviewed and correlated with clinical and histopathologic findings.

RESULTSThe FNAC diagnostic failure (2); non-neoplastic lesions (12); benign neoplasm (82) and malignant neoplasm (17). Cytologically, the distinction between cellular pleomorphic adenoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma and basal cell adenoma could be difficult due to their overlapping morphologic features. The cytologic patterns of primary lymphoepithelial carcinoma of the parotid were indistinguishable from those of metastatic nasopharyngeal undifferentiated carcinoma. The ultimate distinction relied on clinical correlation. The three inaccurately diagnosed cases of FNAC are, as follows: reactive lymphoid hyperplasia of lymph node mistaken as non-Hodgkin lymphoma, mucoepidermoid carcinoma diagnosed as "scanty atypical cells present" and primary lymphoepithelial carcinoma mistaken as benign lymphoepithelial lesion. On the basis of FNAC, 97.4% (110 /113) were correctly depicted as benign (95/96; 99.0%) or malignant (15/17; 88.2%). Furthermore, 90.3% (102 /113) (specificity = 91.9%; 102/111) were accurately diagnosed, including 91.7% (88/96) benign lesions (specificity = 92.6% ; 88/95) and 82.4% (14/17) malignant tumors (specificity = 87.5%; 14/16).

CONCLUSIONSFNAC is reliable in distinguishing benign and malignant salivary gland lesions. A specific cytologic diagnosis is often possible. On the other hand, due to the pitfalls in cytologic diagnosis of certain salivary gland tumors, tissue biopsy for histologic examination may be necessary.

Adenolymphoma ; pathology ; Adenoma ; pathology ; Adenoma, Pleomorphic ; pathology ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Mucoepidermoid ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; pathology ; Child ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Diagnostic Errors ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Parotid Neoplasms ; pathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Salivary Gland Neoplasms ; pathology ; Salivary Glands ; pathology ; Submandibular Gland Neoplasms ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) in the treatment of advanced prostate cancer with bladder outlet obstruction (BOO).

METHODSWe included in this study 43 cases of advanced prostate cancer with BOO treated by TURP, and analyzed their IPSS, maximum urinary flow rate and relevant risk factors pre-operatively and at 3 and 12 months after TURP.

RESULTSCompared with the baseline, IPSS and the maximum urinary flow rate of the patients showed significant differences 3 months after surgery ([19.60 +/- 0.41] score vs. [9.58 +/- 0.33] score, [4.93 +/- 0.68] ml/s vs. [8.96 +/- 0.47] ml/s, P < 0.05), but not at 12 months ([15.73 +/- 0.66] score, [5.67 +/- 0.44] ml/s). In multiple regression analysis, a good outcome was associated with pre-operative acute urinary retention, while poor prognosis with hormone-refractory prostate cancer.

CONCLUSIONIn the treatment of advanced hormone-refractory prostate cancer with BOO, TURP can reduce IPSS and increase the maximum urinary flow rate in the early period after surgery, but its long-term effect is not so desirable. Meanwhile the operation itself may bring about relevant complications and reduce the patient's quality of life.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Feasibility Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; surgery ; Transurethral Resection of Prostate ; Treatment Outcome ; Urinary Bladder Neck Obstruction ; surgery

In recent years, mass outbreaks of highly pathogenic (HP) porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) have spread all over the Chinese swine industry. Based on the first infectious cDNA clone of HP PRRSV strain pJX143 and that of an attenuated PRRSV, pAPRRS, constructed in our group, we constructed several chimeric clones with various substitutions of structural protein genes (ORF4-7) and 3' UTR between attenuated pAPRRS and virulent pJX143.Upon transfection of MA-104 cultured cells, all chimeric constructs pSX12, p5NX12, and p56N12 were rescued. The rescued viruses maintained the similar virological properties, based on the results of the growth curve of the rescued viruses. To test if the chimeric viruses can be used as a vaccine candidate, vSX12 and v56N12 vaccinated pigs were challenged with the HP PRRSV JX143 strain. As a result, the vSX12 vaccinated pigs were all seroconverted by 14-day-post vaccination, while v56N12 vaccinated pigs showed poor antibody response. Upon challenge, the vSX12-vaccinated group showed no signs of clinical PRRS syndrome, and virema period was shorten to 6 days post-challenge. Our results demonstrated that 1) vSX12 chimeric virus is a good vaccine candidate; 2) the virulence determinants of HP PRRSV probably located in coding regions other than ORF3-7 and 3' UTR, as our chimeric viruses were proved to be attenuated.
Animals ; Cloning, Molecular ; Open Reading Frames ; Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome ; virology ; Porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus ; genetics ; immunology ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; Recombination, Genetic ; genetics ; Swine ; Vaccines, Attenuated ; immunology ; Viral Envelope Proteins ; Viral Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Viral Vaccines ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of cytosine deaminase (CD) gene plus 5-fluorocytosine (5-Fc) on the growth of human colon cancer xenograftin nude mice.

METHODSRetroviral vector expressing CD gene was transfected into human colon cancer SW1116 cells. Expression of the transfected CD gene in SW1116 (SWCD(2)) was confirmed by RT-PCR. The cytotoxicity of 5-Fc on SW1116 was determined by MTT assay in vitro. In vivo, the CD gene expression vector was injected intratumorally and 5-Fc was given by ip injections.

RESULTSIn vitro, SWCD(2) cells were killed by 5-Fc with an IC(50) of 66 micromol/L while the nontrasfected SW1116 cells needed an IC(50) of 16 000 micromol/L to be killed. The growth of SWCD(2) xenografts was significantly inhibited by systemic administration of 5-Fc.

CONCLUSIONCD gene/5-Fc system is a potential gene therapy strategy for human colon cancer.

Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Colonic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; prevention & control ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Cytosine Deaminase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Flucytosine ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Genetic Therapy ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Retroviridae ; genetics ; Transfection

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the therapeutic effects of intraarticular injection of ligustrazine on knee osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: Seventy-one cases of knee osteoarthritis (82 knees) were randomly divided into ligustrazine (LI) group and sodium hyaluronate (SH) group. The patients were intraarticularly injected ligustrazine or sodium hyaluronate once a week for 5 consecutive weeks, and were followed-up for 3 months. Lequesneos protocol for the evaluation of OA severity and activity was used. The therapeutic effects and changes of Lequesneos index were observed after the treatment. RESULTS: There was significant decrease in Lequesneos index in SH group after the treatment (P<0.01), but not in LI group (P>0.05). Three weeks later, there was significant decrease in Lequesneos index in both groups after the treatment (P<0.01), with no significant difference between SH and LI group (P>0.05). After the 5-week treatment, the efficacy rate of the LI group was 82.1%, and that of the SH group was 87.2%. No serious toxic or side effect was observed during the treatment and the follow-up. CONCLUSION Intraarticular injection of ligustrazine has a therapeutic effect on knee OA. No adverse effect is observed, but it needs long time to take effect.
Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Injections, Intra-Articular ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; drug therapy ; Pyrazines ; administration & dosage

BACKGROUNDTanis was reported as a putative receptor for serum amyloid A (SAA) involving glucose regulated protein in insulin regulated resistance. It was found to be dysregulated in diabetic rats (Psammomys obesus, Israeli sand rat) and its homologue for humans is SelS/AD-015. The present study analyzed mRNA expression of SelS in omental adipose tissue biopsies from patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and age- and weight-matched nondiabetic patients, the relationship of SelS mRNA with Homa-IR and serum SAA level.

METHODSHuman omental adipose tissues from ten cases of type 2 diabetic patients and twelve cases of nondiabetic individuals were analyzed for the expression level of SelS mRNA by semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Homa-IR estimated by standard formula and SAA level by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSSelS mRNA expression, Homa-IR and serum SAA were higher in T2DM sufferers than in nondiabetic control group. SelS mRNA level was positively correlated with Homa-IR and SAA level in each group.

CONCLUSIONSSelS protein may be involved in insulin resistance in Chinese with T2DM by acting as the SAA receptor, thus playing an important role in the development of T2DM and atherosclerosis.

Adipose Tissue ; metabolism ; Adult ; Aged ; Base Sequence ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Insulin Resistance ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Omentum ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Selenoproteins ; genetics ; Serum Amyloid A Protein ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the association between the polymorphisms of excision repair cross complementation group 1 (ERCC1), X-ray repair cross complementing 1 (XRCC1), glutathione S-transferase Pi 1 (GSTP1) and the survival of advanced gastric cancer patients treated with oxaliplatin-based combination chemotherapy.

METHODSEighty five patients with advanced gastric cancer accepted oxaliplatin/5-FU-based chemotherapy as first-line chemotherapy were investigated. Peripheral venous blood was taken before chemotherapy. DNA was extracted from peripheral venous blood. The genetic polymorphisms were detected by real-time PCR assay. The association between time to progression, overall survival and the polymorphisms was analyzed.

RESULTSThe median time to progression of the 85 cases was 5.3 months, and the median overall survival was 8.0 months. ERCC1-118 C/C, XRCC1-399 G/G and GSTP1-105 A/G + G/G were favorable genotypes and the number of the favorable genotypes was associated with survival of the patients. The median overall survival was 12.5 months, 10.0 months, 6.5 months and 4.5 months for patients with 3 favorable genotypes, 2 favorable genotypes, 1 favorable genotype and none favorable genotype, respectively, with a significant difference (χ(2) = 35.54, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONGenetic polymorphisms of ERCC1-118, XRCC1-399 and GSTP1-105 are associated with TTP and OS of advanced gastric cancer patients treated with oxaliplatin/5-Fu-based combination chemotherapy as the first-line chemotherapy.

Adenocarcinoma ; drug therapy ; genetics ; pathology ; Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; drug therapy ; genetics ; pathology ; Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Disease Progression ; Endonucleases ; genetics ; Female ; Fluorouracil ; administration & dosage ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glutathione S-Transferase pi ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Organoplatinum Compounds ; administration & dosage ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Stomach Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; genetics ; pathology ; Survival Rate ; X-ray Repair Cross Complementing Protein 1

Marine Streptomyces GB-2, isolated from marine samples collected in the intel tidal zone of Lianyungang, was found to produce antibacterial substance which exhibited significant inhibitory effects on 11 Gram-positive bacteria and 4 Gram-negative bacteria. The antibacterial substance was proved to be neutral and water-soluble according to paper chromatogram analysis, and its production was significantly associated with aritificial seawater. The stability analysis of the fermentation broth of Streptomyces GB-2 showed that it was very stable at pH1 and pH12 under 121 degrees C and changed very little under ultraviolet treatment. The substance produced by strain GB-2 exhibited potential use in the areas of bio-control, food and medical application.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; biosynthesis ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Escherichia coli ; drug effects ; Fermentation ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Seawater ; microbiology ; Staphylococcus aureus ; drug effects ; Streptomyces ; chemistry