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 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

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 investigate the safety and therapeutic effects of monosegment pedicle instrumentation in treating incomplete thoracolumbar burst fracture.

METHODSA retrospective analysis was conducted on 56 inpatients with incomplete thoracolumbar burst fracture (AO classification: A3.1 and A3.2) from April 2005 to January 2010. There were 28 cases were fixed with monosegment pedicle instrumentation (MSPI), 28 cases were fixed with short segment pedicle instrumentation (SSPI). The operative time, blood loss, visual analogue scale (VAS) and vertebral kyphotic angle (VK) before and after surgery were evaluated.

RESULTSIn the group of MSPI, the mean operative time was (93 ± 20) min; the intraoperative blood loss was (184 ± 64) ml; the VK angle was 17° ± 10° before operation, 7° ± 7° at one week after operation, and 10° ± 7° at latest follow-up; VAS score was 7.6 ± 1.5 before operation, 2.4 ± 0.8 at one week after operation, and 1.5 ± 0.9 at latest follow-up; no adjacent segment degeneration was found. In the group of SSPI, the operative time was (102 ± 30) min; the intraoperative blood loss was (203 ± 88) ml; the VK angle was 17° ± 9° before operation, 7° ± 7° at one week after operation, and 8° ± 5° at latest follow-up; VAS score was 6.8 ± 1.3 before operation, 3.1 ± 0.5 at one week after operation, and 1.2 ± 0.7 at latest follow-up. One case of adjacent segment degeneration was found in 36 months after operation. There were no significantly statistical differences between two groups in operative time, blood loss, VAS score and VK angle before and after surgery (P > 0.05). The VAS score and VK angle at one week after surgery and latest follow-up all decreased obviously than preoperative ones in both groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSMSPI for incomplete thoracolumbar burst fracture is effective and safe. The operative blood loss, the mean operative time, the improvement of VAS score and the VK angle in group MSPI are equal to those in group SSPI.

Adult ; Bone Screws ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; injuries ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fractures ; surgery ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; injuries ; Treatment Outcome

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 explore clinical and pathological factors correlating with early recurrence of resected non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and to further understand the function of serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) on NSCLC.

METHODS93 patients of NSCLC were selected. All of them received resection and were followed up for more than one year. The first time of recurrence was recorded. Logistic univariate and multivariable analysis were used to find the factors that affect the early recurrence of NSLSC, including age, sex, serum CEA level, tumor size, tumor location, tumor differentiation, histological type and clinical staging, and the ability of factors predicting the recurrence were compared by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.

RESULTSOf all the clinical and pathological factors that are correlated with early recurrence of NSCLC, the serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) value, clinical staging, and tumor difference are of statistical significance. The preoperative serum CEA value is the most valuable factor to predict early recurrence of NSCLC (ROC area: 0.843, 95% CI: 0.723 approximately 0.963, P = 0.000). When preoperative serum CEA value > 10 micro g/L, patients of NSCLC will have an early recurrence rate of 88%; and when preoperative serum CEA value

CONCLUSIONFor the patients with respectable NSCLC, it is very important to know the precise clinical stage and pathological difference, and so is the preoperative serum CEA value. When preoperative serum CEA value > 10 micro g/L, even if the lesion is of early stage and well differenced, the general situation of patients should be carefully examined for the prompt and accurate treatment to them and close follow up is needed to treat these patients.

Biomarkers, Tumor ; blood ; Carcinoembryonic Antigen ; blood ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; blood ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Lung Neoplasms ; blood ; pathology ; surgery ; Male ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; diagnosis ; ROC Curve ; Risk Factors

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