Objective To compare the effects and safety of endoscopic balloon dilation with surgical therapy in treating esophageal achalasia. Methods The patients who were diagnosed as achalasia of cardia from Jan. 2002 to Dec. 2007 were consecutively collected. All patients were divided into endoscopic balloon dilation group (endoscopy group), thorascopic / laparoseopic surgery group (telescopy group) and standard thoracotomy group (operation group). The efficacy, relapse rate and safety were compared among three groups. Results Ninety eight patients were enrolled. There were 57 patients in endoscopy group, 24 patients in telescopy group, and 17 patients in opreation group. All of the patients completed the treatment. There was one case (1.6%) in endoscopy group complicated with esophageal rupture, two (8.3%) in telescopy group complicated with esophageal fistula, and one (5.9%) in operation group complicated with severe post-operation pneumonia infection, acute respiratory distress syndrome and infectious shock. The rest patients had symptomatic relief of dysphagia in different degrees after therapy, and that was further confirmed by symptoms assessment, x-ray, or endoscopic examination after one month. Five patients (8.9%) in endoscopy group relapsed, with a duration of 5 to 31 months (mean 8 months), and underwent re-dilation or stent placement successfully. One patient (4.2%) in telescopy group relapsed after 6 months and underwent re-dilation successfully. No one relapsed in operation group. Conclusions Compared with standard operation group and telescopy group, endoscopic balloon dilation is deserved to use widely in clinical application with its advantages of simple, convenient and low complication. In spite of its relapse, it still can be remedied well by endoscopic re-dilation or stent placement.

This study aims to analyse the value of CODEHOP RT-PCR in the detection of Flavivirus. According to the amino acid sequences of polyproteins of different flaviviruses published in GenBank, a pair of primers was designed using the CODEHOP method. One-step RT-PCR was used to detect Japanese encephalitis virus strain JEV1201, Dengue virus strain JKD001, and yellow fever virus vaccine YV6161. BLAST analysis and phylogenetic analysis were performed after the RT-PCR products of nucleocapsid genes were sequenced. The results showed that this method could amplify Flavivirus specifically, and the size and sequence of the target fragment accorded with the anticipated result. JEV1201 had the highest homology to Japanese encephalitis virus strain YL2009-4/YC2009-3, belonging to the branch of the phylogenetic tree of Japanese encephalitis virus strains. JKD001 had the highest homology to Dengue virus strain DENV-2/ID/1022DN/1975, belonging to the branch of the phylogenetic tree of Dengue virus strains. YV6161 had the highest homology to Yellow fever virus strain 17D, belonging to the branch of the phylogenetic tree of Yellow fever virus strains. In conclusion, the method of CODEHOP RT-PCR can be effectively used to detect, identify, and phylogenetically analyse Flavivirus.
DNA Primers ; genetics ; Flavivirus ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Flavivirus Infections ; virology ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Viral Nonstructural Proteins ; genetics

Background and purpose:The aim of this study was to analyze the prognostic factors in uterine adenocarcinoma and adenosquamous carcinoma treated with a combination of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and surgery.Methods:Clinicopathologic data from 50 patients with stageⅠB2-ⅡA2 uterine cervical cancer were collected from the First Afifliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College between Apr. 2005 and Oct. 2011. All patients underwent neoajuvant chemoradiotherapy, followed by radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection. Before surgery, an intravenous chemotherapy was given. A particular vaginal brachytherapy was given to those with tumor diameter≥6 cm. The survival and recurrence in patients were analyzed retrospectively to investigate the prognostic factors. Results:In 50 patients withⅠB2-ⅡA2 uterine adenocarcinoma and adenosquamous carcinoma, 15 died during the follow-up period. The 2-year and 5-year progression-free survival rates were 80.12% and 72.24%, respectively, and median progression-free survival was 68 months. The 2-year and 5-year overall survival rates were 95.38% and 73.56%, respectively, and median overall survival was 80 months. Univariate analysis revealed that pelvic lymph node metastasis, cervical stromal invasion, parametrial infiltration, tumor diameter reduction <3 cm and advanced stage were the prognostic factors in patients with cervical cancer (P<0.05). Age, postoperative radiochemotherapy, lymphatic clearance involvement, FIGO stage, preservation of ovary and pathologic type were not associated with prognosis (P>0.05). Multivariate Cox proportional analysis revealed that pelvic lymph node metastasis and tumor diameter reduction after radiation and chemotherapy were the independent prognostic factors in patients with cervical cancer. Conclusion:The combination of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgery improves the resectable rate of patients withⅠB2-ⅡA2 uterine adenocarcinoma and adenosquamous carcinoma. Pelvic lymph node metastasis and tumor diameter reduction after radiation and chemotherapy are the independent prognostic factors in patients with cervical cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To study the correlation between age and general morphology of transverse section of cartilago costalis and its forensic significance. METHODS: Eighty-six corpses' cartilago costalis from the routine postmortem examination were collected and the morphological features of their transverse section were observed. RESULTS: With the increased age, there were regular changes in the color, structure, and material of the general morphology of transverse section of cartilago costalis. But the changes were not affected by gender. CONCLUSION The good correlation between general morphology of transverse section of cartilago costalis and age can be used to estimate age of the deceased rapidly.
Age Factors ; Autopsy ; Cadaver ; Cartilage/pathology* ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinicopathological characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of primary testicular yolk sac tumor (YST).

METHODSWe studied 8 cases of primary testicular YST by microscopy and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSThe 8 cases of primary testicular YST, including 2 consultation cases, were confirmed from 1998 to 2013, accounting for 10.7% (8/75) of all the testicular germ cell tumors diagnosed in our hospital. The patients ranged in age from 7 to 43 years, 23.9 years on average. The main clinical manifestation of the patients was painless unilateral testis swelling. Microscopically, reticular tissues, schiller-duvaI (S-D) bodies, and eosin-stain transparent bodies were seen in the tumors. One of the cases was confirmed to be simple YST, while the other 7 mixed YST. AFP was a characteristic immunophenotype marker of the tumors.

CONCLUSIONPrimary testicular YST is a rare malignancyr with poor prognosis. Its diagnosis depends on preoperative AFP test and postoperative pathology. Comprehensive treatment, including orchiectomy, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, can prolong the survival of the patients.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Endodermal Sinus Tumor ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Orchiectomy ; Rare Diseases ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Testicular Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Young Adult

Objective To explore the advantages and disadvantages of magnetic resonance susceptibility effect applied clinically and countermeasures. Methods The application range of susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) technique and the harm of susceptibility artifact were introduced with considerations on MRI clinical application and experiences, and then some countermeasures were put forward accordingly. Results SWI technique could be used for the diagnoses of multi diseases, and susceptibility artifact could be suppressed by sequence, parameter and corresponding techniques. Conclusion Susceptibility effect contributes to extending the clinical application of MRI, and references are provided for the development and reform of other new techniques.

OBJECTIVETo study the expression pattern of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) pathway molecules in rat lung tissue under hyperbaric oxygen exposure.

METHODSTwenty seven male SD rats were randomly divided into hyperbaric normoxia group (0.23 MPa air), hyperbaric oxygen treatment time series group (0.23 MPa oxygen, were exposed for 2 h, 4 h, 6 h or 8 h), continuous small flow of ventilation to maintain cabin O2 concentration > 99%. HE staining of lung tissue morphological changes and application oligo microarray to each time point lung were observed. Part of the PPAR pathway genes were validated by RT-PCR.

RESULTSCompared with hyperbaric normoxia group, the lung injury caused by hyperbaric oxygen treatment gradually deteriorated during the time series. Expression microarray analysis of gene ontology (Go) enrichment analysis results in a class of PPAR pathway class included multiple PPAR pathway molecule. RT-PCR results suggested that PPAR-8 and PPAR-Y were up-regulated in the lung tissue after a long time exposure to hyperbaric oxygen.

CONCLUSIONPro-longed hyperbaric oxygen exposure causing pulmonary oxygen toxicity can induce the activation of the PPAR pathway.

Animals ; Hyperbaric Oxygenation ; adverse effects ; Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction

OBJECTIVETo summarize the technique and therapeutic effect of free posterior tibial artery perforator (PTP) flap for skin defect on the dorsum of hand or foot.

METHODSThe lower leg was divided into 6 sections equally from the level of tibial tuberosity to the connection of medial and lateral malleolus. The free PTP flap was designed along the inner edge of tibia within the proximal section 2 and 3. The flap was harvested with 2-3 bundles of the saphenous nerve included. The size of skin defects on the dorsum of hand or foot ranged from 3.0 cm x 7.5 cm to 6.0 cm x 12.0 cm.

RESULTSFrom Jan. 2009 to Dec. 2010, 11 cases were treated with free PTP flaps. All the flaps survived completely. The follow-up period ranged from 3 to 10 months. The flaps had good color and texture. Two point discrimination recovered to 7-10 mm, leaving linear scar at the donor site. The appearance and function of the hand or foot was satisfactory.

CONCLUSIONSThe free PTP flap is thin with good sensation, leaving less morbidity at donor site. The posterior tibial artery can be reserved. It is an ideal method for skin defect on the dorsum of hand or foot.

Adult ; Female ; Foot Injuries ; surgery ; Hand Injuries ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Skin ; injuries ; Skin Transplantation ; methods ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; surgery ; Surgical Flaps ; blood supply ; Tibial Arteries ; surgery ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo selectively knockdown the expression of Angiotensin II receptor subtype 1a (AT1aR) in rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) by RNA interference and the sequential effects on cellular viability and proliferation.

METHODSThe primary cultured rat aortic VSMCs were transfected by plasmids pAT1a-shRNA1 and pAT1a-shRNA2, each carrying an U6 promoter and an AT1a-specific shRNA-coding template sequence, or by a control plasmid pGenesil-Control (pCon) carrying a nonspecific shRNA-coding sequence. The mRNA and protein expressions of AT1a, AT2 were analyzed by semi-quantified RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively and normalized to the internal control gene beta-actin. Cellular viability and proliferation were determined with methylthiazoletetrazolium (MTT) assay.

RESULTSAT1a mRNA and protein were reduced by 82% and 69% by pAT1a-shRNA1, 77% and 56% by pAT1a-shRNA2, respectively while no change was found in pCon treated VSMCs. AT2 receptor level in VSMCs remains unchanged after various treatments. The A(490nm) values obtained by MTT measurements were similar among groups in the absence of Ang II but decreased significantly in pAT1a-shRNA1 and pAT1a-shRNA2 treated VSMCs in the presence of Ang II.

CONCLUSIONRNA interference can selectively knockdown AT1a expression in cultured VSMCs and attenuate the Ang II induced cell proliferation. Future studies are warranted to explore the potential role of RNA interference on AT1 function and as a new gene therapy tool for cardiovascular diseases.

Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Gene Knockdown Techniques ; Male ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; metabolism ; Plasmids ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Angiotensin ; metabolism ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo explore the value of flow cytometric immunophenotyping (FCI) in the diagnosis and differentiated diagnosis of lymphoma and explain the immunophenotypic features and differences of malignant lymphoma.

METHODSSeventy four fresh samples of suspicious lymphoma were collected from Nov. 2004 to Aug. 2006. Each sample was individually evaluated by FCI. The results were analyzed and compared with the histopathological diagnosis.

RESULTSAmong the 74 cases, the FCI data consisted with the final morphological diagnosis in 61 cases (82.4%). For the diagnosis of B and T non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), thymoma, carcinoma and benign lesions of lymph node, the concordance between FCI data and morphological diagnosis were 93.5%, 100%, 100%, 100% and 81.3%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONMulti-parameter FCI analysis can provide important information and help for diagnosis of lymphoma. It is an assistant but necessary approach for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of lymphoma.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Immunophenotyping ; methods ; Lymphoma ; diagnosis ; immunology ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged