Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Macrophage Activation ; Macrophages ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; metabolism ; Survival Rate

Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Hearing Loss ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

Aim To investigate the roles of intracellu-lar reactive oxygen species ( ROS ) and Nrf2 pathway in shikonin-induced A549 cell apoptosis. Methods The cytotoxicity was analyzed by MTT assay. The ap-optosis of A549 cells was analyzed by both cellular morphological and biochemical methods. The relative changes of the redox marks ( ROS/GSH) were studied by fluorescence assay in the shikonin-treated A549 cells in accompany with the changes of the intracellular redox homeostasis by GSH/GSSG ratio. ROS inhibitor was also employed in the treatment to find the role of ROS in shikonin-induced A549 cell apoptosis. Real-time PCR analysis and ELISA assay were performed as well to determine the role of Nrf2 pathway in the shiko-nin-induced A549 cell apoptosis. Results The IC50 of shikonin on A549 cells was 3. 2 mg·L-1 . The cellu-lar redox homeostasis shifted toward oxidation signifi-cantly in shikonin treatment in a time-dependent man-ner. The expression of the Nrf2 pathway related genes was up-regulated by shikonin ( 3 . 2 mg · L-1 , 8 h ) . The expression of the anti-apoptotic genes was down-regulated , and proapoptotic genes were up-regulated by shikonin (3. 2 mg·L-1, 24h). Futhermore, the inhi-bition of intracellular ROS alleviated the cytotoxicity of shikonin in A549 cells. Conclusion The critical role of shikonin-induced redox imblance in A549 cell, coped with the secondary produced ROS and Nrf2 path-way antioxidants, result in A549 cell apoptosis.

Objective To explore the correlation of CT perfusion imaging with microvessel density (MVD) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (HAE).Methods Multi-slice spiral CT perfusion imaging was performed in 27 patients with HAE.Time-density curves(TDC) of the HAE peripheral area was drawn from the region of interest (ROI) with perfusion functional software.CT perfusion parameters including blood flow ( BF ),blood volume ( BV ),mean transit time(MTT) and permeability surface area product (PS) were calculated.MVD and VEGF expression of pathological specimens were examined by immunohistochemical staining with anti-CD34,anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody.The CT perfusion parameters,MVD and VEGF were compared in different types of TDC with t test.The correlation of CT perfusion parameters with MVD and VEGF were analyzed with Spearman test.Results In this group,21 cases which TDC lower than that of the liver were classified as type Ⅰ,the others 6 cases TDC higher than the liver were of type Ⅱ TDC.TDC perfusion parameters of the two types were as follows,BF:( 111.7 + 27.6),( 158.9 + 39.5 ) ml · 100 g- 1 · min - 1,BV:( 15.1 + 6.2),(26.8+8.4) ml/100 g,MTT:(7.0+4.4),(7.7+3.1) s,PS:(51.7 +17.3),(51.0+20.5) ml·100 g-1 · min-1.The significant differences of BF,BV and MVD[ (20.5 +5.4)/HP,(37.2 ±7.5)/HP,respectively ] were found between two types ( t =- 7.897,- 18.783,- 5.223,P ＜ 0.05,respectively).There were no significant differences in MTT,PS and VEGF expression(2.1 ± 1.0,3.2 ± 1.0,respectively)between two types of TDC(P ＞0.05).The correlation was found between the MVD and BF and BV in the type Ⅱ TDC group( r =0.789 and 0.878,respectively) and no correlation was found between MVD and each CT perfusion parameters in the type Ⅰ TDC group ( P ＞ 0.05 ).There was no correlation between the VEGF expression and CT perfusion parameters in two types of TDC ( P ＞ 0.05 ).Conclusion CT perfusion imaging with different type of TDC reflected different situation of angiogenesis in HAE peripheral area,which could be a potential technique to illustrate the microcirculation of this disease.

Objective To evaluate the clinical value of 18F-FDG PET/CT for detecting tumor on physical examination people with unexplained elevated serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Methods A total of 100 physical examination people with unexplained elevated serum levels of CEA in our hospital from June 2010 to December 2014 were involved in the study. All the people were detected with 18F-FDG PET/CT. The pathology, clinical follow ups and conventional medical imaging results were combined to evaluate the value of 18F-FDG PET/CT in diagnosing tumor. The doubling time (DT) of CEA was calculated in the patients who were received more than twice of serum CEA detection. The relationships between serum CEA levels, CEA DT and 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging were analyzed. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to assess the diagnostic efficiency of serum CEA. Results Twenty-seven patients were confirmed with malignant tumor, and the rest of 73 cases were excluded. The 18F-FDG PET/CT reported one false positive and one false negative respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive and negative predictive values of 18F-FDG PET/CT in diagnosing malignant tumors were 96.3%, 98.6%, 98.0%, 96.3% and 98.6% respectively. The median serum CEA levels were significantly higher in the positive 18F-FDG PET/CT patients than those in the negative patients (Z=5.796, P<0.05). The prevalence of 18F-FDG PET/CT positive patients was higher with an increase in absolute CEA levels (χ2=37.823, P<0.05). The median DT of serum CEA levels was shorter in the positive 18F-FDG PET/CT patients than that in the negative patients (Z=4.301,P<0.05). The positive rates of 18F-FDG PET/CT in patients with 0 d180 d and DT<0 d (χ2=17.472 and 17.325, both P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the positive rate of 18F-FDG PET/CT between patients with DT>180 d and patients with DT<0 d (χ2=0.255,P>0.05). The area under the curve (AUC) of serum CEA was 0.894, the optimal diagnostic cutoff value was 14.24μg/L. Conclusion 18F-FDG PET/CT is a useful image modality for detecting malignant tumors in patients with unexplained elevated serum CEA, especially for patients with CEA≥14.24μg/L and increase progressively.

BACKGROUND:In the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, few studies have focused on the compound preparations though there are many investigations. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of Zhenwu Tang Granule on chronic pressure-overloaded left ventricular hypertrophy in rats. METHODS:The study was performed at the laboratory of Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease. Male SD rats were divided randomly into 3 groups:sham operation group (n=8), operation group (n=15) and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) group (n=15).The model of myocardial hypertrophy was made by gradually constricting the abdominal aorta. Sixteen weeks later, cardiac ultrasonography was performed in all groups in order to ascertain post-operational left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy. And Zhenwu Tang Granule was added at a dose of 12 g/kg in the mixed feedstuff for 8 weeks in the TCM group. In the 24th week, weight, structure as well as function of the heart in each group were measured by high-frequency ultrasonography, and Masson's staining was performed on the cardiac muscles. Meanwhile, total collagen volume fraction (CVF-T) and non-coronary vessel collagen volume fraction (CVF-NV) were analyzed. RESULTS:There was an increase in the weight of the heart in the operation group, with the left ventricule dominated (P<0.05). The heart was enlarged, with diastolic interventricular septal distance (IVSd) and left ventricular posterior wal distance (LVPWd) dominated (P<0.01).There was a significant decrease in the cardiac function (P<0.05). The weight (P<0.01) and volume of the heart decreased in the TCM group compared with the operation group, with IVSd and systolic left ventricular posterior wal dominated (P<0.01). And the cardiac function was improved (P<0.05). Significant interstitial and col agen hyperplasia was shown in the operation group based on pathological analysis, and various improvements were proved in the TCM group, i.e. there was a significant decrease in CVF-T and CVF-NV (P<0.01) compared with the operation group; but no difference (P>0.05) was found when compared with the pseudo-operation group. CONCLUSION:Zhenwu Tang Granule could reduce the weight and volume of the heart, improve the cardiac function, inhibit hyperplasia of collagen, and reverse myocardial hypertrophy in rats with pressure-overloaded left ventricular hypertrophy.

The present study examined the role of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in the degeneration of nucleus pulposus cells and the protective effect of DKK1 on nucleus pulposus cells. The model of nucleus pulposus cell degeneration was induced by intra-disc injection of TNF-α, and the expression of β-catenin protein was detected by Western blotting. The cultured rabbit nucleus pulposus cells were divided into 4 groups. In group A, the cells were cultured with normal medium and served as control group. In group B, the cells were cultured with TNF-α and acted as degeneration group. In group C, the cells were cultured with TNF-α and transfected with Adv-eGFP and was used as fluorescence control group. In group D, the cells were cultured with TNF-α and transfected with Adv-hDKK1-eGFP, serving as intervention group. The expression of type II collagen, proteoglycan, β-catenin, and MMP-13 in each group was detected by immunocytochemistry and RT-PCR. The result showed that TNF-α increased the expression of β-catenin and MMP-13, and significantly inhibited the synthesis of type II collagen and proteoglycan, which resulted in the degeneration of nucleus pulposus cells. This effect could be obviously reversed by DKK1. We are led to concluded that TNF-α could activate the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, and increase the expression of MMP-13, thereby resulting in disc degeneration. Specifically blocking Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway by DKK-1 could protect the normal metabolism of intervertebral disc tissue. The Wnt pathway plays an important role in the progression of the intervertebral disc degeneration.

Objective To evaluate the curative effect of stretching therapy combined with oral administration of Chinese herbal medicine Tongjing Powder in treating dysmenorrhea patients with Qi stagnation and blood stasis. Methods Sixty dysmenorrhea patients were randomly divided into two groups, 30 cases in each group. Treatment group was given oral use of Tongjing Powder (mainly composed of Radix Angelicae Sinensis, Rhizoma Chuanxiong, Radix Paeoniae Alba, Rhizoma Cyperi, Aspongopus, Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae, Pollen Typhae, Faeces Trogopterori, Rhizoma Curcumae, and Semen Persicae) combined with stretching therapy. The control group was given oral use of Tongjing Powder alone. Each group was treated for 3 menstrual cycles. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores of dysmenorhea were observed during the treatment and 3-month follow-up after treatment. Before and after treatment, pulse index (PI), resistance index (RI), the ratio of systolic peak value to the diastolic peak value (A/B) of uterine artery blood flow in the two groups were detected. And the clinical efficacy of the two groups was evaluated after treatment. Results (1) The VAS scores of the two groups after treatment and at the end of the third menstrual cycle after treatment were significantly lower than those before treatment(P<0.05), and the decrease in the treatment group was superior to that in the control group(P < 0.05).(2) After treatment for 3 menstrual cycles, the total effective rate was 96.7％ in the treatment group, which was higher than that in the control group(76.7％). And the difference was statistically significant(P < 0.05). (3) The color Doppler energy (CDE) imaging results showed that PI, RI, A/B of uterine artery blood flow in the two groups were decreased after treatment (P < 0.05 compared with those before treatment) , but the differences between the two groups were insignificantly(P > 0.05). Conclusion Stretching therapy combined with oral administration of Chinese herbal medicine Tongjing Powder exerts certain short-term and long-term effect in treating dysmenorrhea patients with Qi stagnation and blood stasis, with good safety and feasibility.

OBJECTIVETo investigate three-dimensional kinematics of the superficial and deep portion of triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) in different parts of the forearm rotation.

METHODSSix wrists of 6 volunteers were used to obtain CT scans at different positions of the wrist. The wrists were scanned from 90 degrees of pronation to 90 degrees of supination at an interval of 30 degrees. The 3-dimensional radius and ulna were reconstructed with customized software and changes in length of the superficial and deep portion of TFCC during forearm rotation.

RESULTSIn forearm pronation, the superficial dorsal portion and the deep palmar portion of the TFCC were tight. While the superficial palmar portion and the deep dorsal potion of the TFCC were lax. In supination, the changes in length of all these fibers were reverse.

CONCLUSIONSIn forearm rotation one portion fibers of dorsal TFCC and one portion fibers of palmar TFCC are tight, and this mechanism controls stability during DRUJ rotation.

Adult ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Female ; Forearm ; physiology ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Male ; Pronation ; Radiography ; Radius ; diagnostic imaging ; Supination ; Triangular Fibrocartilage ; diagnostic imaging ; Ulna ; diagnostic imaging ; Wrist Joint ; diagnostic imaging ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDThe Toll-like receptors (TLRs) represent a group of single-pass transmembrane receptors expressed on sentinel cells that are central to innate immune responses.The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of soluble TLRs in pleural effusions, and the diagnostic values of TLRs for pleural effusion with various etiologies.

METHODSPleural effusion and serum samples were collected from 102 patients (36 with malignant pleural effusion, 36 with tuberculous pleural effusion, 18 with bacterial pleural effusion, and 12 with transudative pleural effusion). The concentrations of TLR1 to TLR10 were determined in effusion and serum samples by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Four classical parameters (protein, lactate dehydrogenase, glucose and C-reactive protein (CRP)) in the pleural fluid were also assessed. Receiver-operating characteristic curves were used to assess the sensitivity and specificity of pleural fluid TLRs and biochemical parameters for differentiating bacterial pleural effusion.

RESULTSThe concentrations of TLR1, TLR3, TLR4, TLR7 and TLR9 in bacterial pleural effusion were significantly higher than those in malignant, tuberculous, and transudative groups, respectively. Analysis of receiver operating characteristic curves revealed that the area under the curves of TLR1, TLR3, TLR4, TLR7 and TLR9 were 0.831, 0.843, 0.842, 0.883 and 0.786, respectively, suggesting that these TLRs play a role in the diagnosis of bacterial pleural effusion. Also, the diagnostic value of TLRs for bacterial pleural effusions was much better than that of biochemical parameters (protein, lactate dehydrogenase, glucose and CRP).

CONCLUSIONSThe concentrations of TLR1, TLR3, TLR4, TLR7 and TLR9 appeared to be increased in bacterial pleural effusion compared to non-bacterial pleural effusions. Determination of these pleural TLRs may improve the ability of clinicians to differentiate pleural effusion patients of bacterial origin from those with other etiologies.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bacterial Infections ; metabolism ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pleural Effusion ; metabolism ; microbiology ; Prospective Studies ; Toll-Like Receptor 1 ; metabolism ; Toll-Like Receptor 3 ; metabolism ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; metabolism ; Toll-Like Receptor 7 ; metabolism ; Toll-Like Receptor 9 ; metabolism ; Toll-Like Receptors ; metabolism ; Young Adult