The microRNA let-7 family,functioning as a tumor suppressor,has emerged as a regulator of stem cell differentiation and tumor repression.The RNA-binding protein lin28 is a stem cell pluripotency factor,which contributes to the maintenance of stem cell characteristics and promoting cell malignant transformation.lin28 can block the maturity of let-7 by combining with the precursors of let-7 family miRNAs,which is itself able to repress lin28 by binding to the 3'-UTR of lin28 transcripts,thus forming a feedback loop.The double-negative feedback loop comprising lin28 and let-7 is involved in several biological processes such as differentiation of stem cell,tumorigenesis,invasion and metastasis,drug resistance and relapse,which couldbe a potential target for cancer therapy.

Objective To evaluate the value of low-dose spectral CT imaging combined with ASIR recon-struction in differenting peripheral lung cancer from inflammatory mass. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the imaging data of 147 cases with 165 pulmonary nodules or masses underwent enhanced CT scans with spectral imag-ing mode from June 2015 to May 2016. Spectral curves,normalized slope rates,iodine-water concentration were measured on the lesions in arteral phase images. The differences of the spectral characteristic parameters were eval-uated statistically by indepengdent samples t test. Results Among 165 pulmonary nodules or masses,including 68 inflammatory mass and 97 peripheral lung cancer. In the arterial phase,the iodine concentration,water concentra-tion and normalized spectral curves rates of peripheral lung cancer were 10.93 ± 5.12,1033.96 ± 9.74,0.998 ± 0.66,which was obviously higher than those in inflammatory mass in 5.29 ± 0.96,1028.85 ± 9.31,0.620 ± 0.16. There were significant difference between peripheral lung cancer and inflammatory mass(0.000 ,0.008 ,0.001 in P values). Conclusion The iodine concentration,water concentration and normalized spectral curves rates has high value for differential diagnosis of peripheral pung cancer and pneumonia mass in the arterial phase using low-dose spectral CT imaging combined with ASIR reconstruction.

Objective:To summarize the clinical experiences of pediatric en-bloc kidney transplantation (EBKT) at a single center and explore the measures of improving its efficacy.Methods:Clinical data and outcomes retrospectively analyzed for 38 EBKT children between September 2014 and November 2019 from Department of Urology Affiliated Union Hospital Tongji Medical College Huazhong University of Science & Technology. The pediatric donors were aged (63.6±5.7) days with a weight of (4.1±0.2) kg. And the transplant recipients were aged (28.1±1.4) years with a weight of (48.7±4.9) kg. Serum levels of creatinine and basic profiles of both donors and recipients were recorded at Day 0/7/30/90/80/360 post-EBKT. The postoperative occurrences of such complications such as thrombosis, urine leakage, delayed graft function (DGF), proteinuria and hematoma were measured.Results:The one-year graft survival rate was 76.3%(29/38) and the recipient survival rate 100.0%(38/38). Among 29 recipients with long-term graft survival, no dialysis was required at Week 2 post-EBKT and the serum level of creatinine dropped to normal at Year 1. Thrombosis was a major post-EBKT complication with an incidence of 18.4%(7/38). The other complications included urine leakage (20.7%, 6/29), hematoma (6.9%, 2/29) and primary non-functioning kidney (2.6%, 1/38).Conclusions:As an effective way of expanding the pool of donors, pediatric EBKT is clinically feasible.

Objective:To investigate the expression of serum matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP-3) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and analyze its correlation with bone erosion and disease activity.Methods:100 RA patients diagnosed in the First People's Hospital of Changde from July 2018 to December 2019 were selected as the RA group, and 35 healthy volunteers who came to the hospital for physical examination at the same time were selected as the control group. The clinical data of the patients were collected, and the serum MMP-3 levels of the patients and healthy volunteers were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The serum MMP3 levels of RA patients with different disease activity, different imaging stages and different bone mineral density were compared, and the correlation with clinical indicators were analyzed.Results:⑴ RA patients were grouped according to the Disease Activity Score (DAS) 28. Serum MMP-3 levels in the highly active group (300.87±15.93)ng/ml and in the moderately active group (213.78±12.79)ng/ml were higher than those in the clinical remission group (82.87±8.19)ng/ml increased significantly. ⑵ The serum MMP3 level in the RA group (190.98±13.43)ng/ml was significantly higher than that in the healthy control group (69.97±10.63)ng/ml. ⑶ There were significant differences in serum MMP-3 levels among RA patients with different imaging stages ( P<0.05). The level of MMP-3 in stage Ⅲ (206.18±13.58)ng/ml and stage Ⅳ (301.72±13.43)ng/ml were significantly higher than those in stage Ⅰ (89.16±10.13)ng/ml. ⑷ RA patients were divided into normal group, osteopenia group, and osteoporosis group according to bone mineral density. The serum MMP-3 level in the osteopenia group (180.87±12.69)ng/ml and osteoporosis group (289.54±13.28)ng/ml were significantly higher than that in the normal group (121.05±8.45)ng/ml. ⑸ Serum MMP-3 levels were positively correlated with C-reaction (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), DSA 28, rheumatoid factor (RF), joint swelling index, joint tenderness index, and platelet count in the RA group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The serum MMP-3 plays an important role in the progression of RA, and is closely related to RA disease activity and bone erosion. It is expected to become a serological indicator for predicting RA bone erosion and radiological progress.

Objective To evaluate the clinical characteristics of patients with growth-hormone adenoma (GHA) and summarize the diagnosis and treatment experience.Methods The clinical data of 338 GHA cases at the General Hospital of PLA from Jan. 1990 to Dec. 2016 were collected, of which 252 cases with more complete clinical data were retrospectively analyzed including their general situation, medical history, laboratory tests and auxiliary examinations, and treatment modalities and outcomes. Parts of the patients were followed up.Results The cases of hospitalized GHA patients have increased year by year since 1990, and the number of patients admitted in the last 3 years accounted for 56.2% of the total number of cases. The sex ratio for GHA patients was nearly 1:1. Age of visiting followed Gaussian distribution while the 41-50 age group occupied the largest part. The most typical sign is hand and foot enlargement (60.7%), followed by the hypertrophy of nasal ala. The most common symptoms are headache (42.5%), hypopsia, visual field defect and diplopia. More than half of GHA patients were complicated with prediabetes and diabetes (72.6%), sleep apnea (69.5%), goiter or thyroid nodularity (56.4%), cardiac insufficiency (57.0%) and colon polyp (54.1%); while the percentages of cases undergone the relevant examination in the total number of cases were as follows: 75g OGTT test (42.1%), polysomnography (23.4%), thyroid ultrasound (37.3%), echocardiogram (47.6%) and colonoscopy (14.7%); GHA was 23.37±1.42μg/L and IGF-1 was 804.28±273.93ng/ml on average; 85.0% of somatotroph tumors are macroadenoma. Surgery remains the mainstay of therapy to GHA, while medical therapy was selected by less patients. During the follow-up, only 38.0%of GHA patients can be contacted, among them the remission rate decreased to 40.5%. The positive rate of long-term remission evaluated by early postoperative GHA level was consistent with that confirmed by the long-term follow-up (χ2=3.368,P>0.05). Conclusions The number of hospitalized GHA patients have increased recent years. The common clinical signs and symptoms are somatic enlargement and nonspecific headache. Due to uncompleted screening, GHA associated complications are always misdiagnosed; It is essential to establish a sound model of follow-up to improve patients' quality of life. The early postoperative GHA levels may predict the prognosis of surgery.

Objective: To investigate the effect of histone deacetylase inhibitor apicidin on the glioblastoma U87 cells and its regulation of OCT-4 gene expression. Methods: Glioblastoma U87 cells were treated with different concentrations of apicidin, and dimethyl sulfoxide instead of apicidin was negative control. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay was used to detect the proliferative ability of U87 cells treated by apicidin. The cell apoptosis was observed under the fluorescence microscope, and the cell cycle was detected by using flow cytometry. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot was used to detect the expression of mRNA and protein of U87 cells, respectively relative to the expression of GAPDH. Results: MTT assay results showed that apicidin inhibited U87 cells proliferation in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner, and half of the inhibitory concentration of cell proliferation at 48 h was (1.74±0.13) μmol/L. The cell proportion of U87 cells in S-phase of the negative control, 0.2, 0.5, and 1.0 μmol/L apicidin was (32.68±0.49)%, (33.73±0.76)%, (42.92±0.56)%, and (56.95±0.53)%, respectively after 48 h apicidin administration (P < 0.05), while the proportion of G₁ and G₂ phase cells was decreased. The karyopyknosis and other apoptotic changes were detected in U87 cells after 48 h treatment of 1.0 μmol/L apicidin under the confocal fluorescence microscope. Western blot and RT-PCR showed that the mRNA and protein relative levels of U87 cells OCT-4 were reduced after 1.0 μmol/L apicidin treatment for 48 h compared with the negative control group (mRNA: 72.44±0.00 vs. 56.66±0.23; protein: 86.59±0.19 vs. 56.04±0.15, both P < 0.01). Conclusions Apicidin can inhibit the growth of glioblastoma U87 cells, induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Its mechanism may be related to the expression of OCT-4 inhibited by apicidin.

Objective To explore the value of single source dual energy CT for quantitative measurement of liver fat fraction in the rabbit model of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD).Methods Thirty male New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into five groups.Six rabbits were fed with standard chow as a control group for 3 weeks.TwentyGfour rabbits were divided into four groups and fed with highGfat, highGcholesterol diet to reach different stage of NAFLD model for 1 ,3 ,4 and 8 weeks respectively before dualGenergy CT scanning.1 40 keV polychromatic CT values (QC),70 keV monochromatic CT values (Mono 70 keV),slope,effective atomic number (EffectiveGZ)and fat concentration based on dualGenergy CT fat decomposition (Fat/Water)were measured.Liver samples were obtained to measure the fat fraction and staged according to Burnt staging system.Correlations between different CT indexes and fat fraction were analyzed.ROC was used to evaluate the diagnosis efficacy of different parameters.Results Correlation between fat concentration based on dualGenergy CT fat decomposition and fat fraction (r＝0.936)was better than that between 140 keV polychromatic CT values (r＝－0.838)and 70 keV monochromatic CT values (r＝－0.906),as well as effective atomic number (r＝－0.858)and slope (r＝0.863).In terms of diagnostic performance of material decomposition fat imaging,the values of area under the curve were 0.944 (stage 0 vs.stage 1 or more severe),0.995 (stage 1 or less severe vs.stage 2 or more severe)and 1 (stage 2 or less severe vs.stage 3)with optimal cutoff values of 59.310,99.5 17 and 22 3.02 3 mg/cm3 ,respectively.Conclusion The dualGenergy CT can quantitatively measure liver fat concentration as a noninvasive surrogate bioGmarker in the rabbit model of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.DualGenergy CT derived material decomposition fat images can provide more diagnostic information at the early stage of NAFLD.

Objective: To explore the application and effect of superficial temporal fascia flap combined with avulsion auricular tissue in emergency auricular restoration. Methods: From June 2015 to December 2015, 6 patients with auricular large area complete avulsion were underwent treatment in Department of Plastic Surgery of General Hospital of Shenyang Military. After thorough debridement, the auricular cartilage scaffold of the avlusion ear and skin was completely stripped. The auricular cartilage was repositioned on its anatomical site and subsequently covered by superficial temporal fascia flap. The free skin was stripped as full-thickness graft to cover the surface of reconstructed ear. Results: All 6 patients with auricle large area complete avulsion achieved immediate repair under emergency condition. The operations were successfully completed and the ears were healed primarily. The patients were followed-up for one year. Five patients with partial auricular avulsion achieved obvious reconstructed auricle profile. The color of reconstructed ear was close to the surrounding skin and the cranioauricular angle was nearly normal. Patients and their families were very satisfied. One patient of total auricular reconstruction had auricular contracture. The auricle profile was not obvious with small size, morphological changes and external auditory canal stenosis. Conclusions Avulsion auricle and temporal superficial fascia flap can be used to repair partial auricle defects as a first-stage repair with ideal results. It is the best choice for large auricle defects in emergency cases.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical features, the CT, MRI features and therapeutic strategy of nasal neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC). METHOD: A retrospective study was carried out on 6 cases of NEC. 2 were female and 4 were male. Routine preoperative CT and MRI examination were performed. In one case,the tumor had invaded the brain and then was treated in department of oncology. Five cases were undertaken tumor resection under nasal endoscope, and combined with postoperative chemoradiation therapy. RESULT: The postoperative pathological report of 1 cases was large cell type, the remaining 4 cases were small cell type. One case treated in department of oncology had lived for 2 month with tumor in his body. One cases relapsed and died at 4 month after postoperation, 1 case was lost and 3 case did not relapse till now. CONCLUSION NEC of paranasal sinuses is malignant, but early detection, early diagnosis and treatment can improve the prognosis of this disease. For limited lesion of NEC, nasal endoscopic operation is an effective, safe and minimally injury method.
Adult ; Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine ; diagnosis ; pathology ; surgery ; Endoscopy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Paranasal Sinus Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; surgery ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies

Based on the Gullstrand I model eye, a simplified model eye for testing fundus imaging device is designed. The model eye can reach the following requirements:(1) The refractive characteristics of the ocular refractive tissue are simulated, and the equivalent focal length in air is 17 mm; (2) The differences between relative refractive index differences of the adjacent materials of the simplified model eye and relative refractive index differences of any adjacent two layers (cornea and aqueous humor, aqueous humor and lens, lens and vitreous body) of the Gullstrand I model eye are not more than 1%; (3) In the case of the incident aperture diameter of 3 mm, the differences of radii of the diffuse spots formed by the paraxial light and the axial light are not more than 15%; (4) The differences of angles of chief ray and tangent line of the fundus are not more than 1°; (5) In the case of the incident aperture diameter of 3 mm, the differences of MTF values of the near axis light are not more than 0.1. The simplified model eye can be expected to be used for testing fundus imaging device instead of the test method in ISO 10940:2009 Ophthalmic instruments-Fundus cameras.
Cornea ; Fundus Oculi ; Lens, Crystalline ; diagnostic imaging ; Refraction, Ocular