0.05)between the recurrent rate[2.2%(10/463)]of the CR patients with lung metastasis and the progression rate of the 152 patients.Conclusions After normalization of ?-hCG titer,patients whose lung tumors remained unchanged even after several additional courses of chemotherapy should be considered as CR patients.Follow-ups should be strictly carried out on these patients,especially at around 6 months after the completion of treatment,and particularly for high-risk and drug-resistant choriocarcinoma patients.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of prostaglandins E1 combined with Xuebijing injection on the expression of transforming growth factor-β₁ (TGF-β₁) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in rats with acute pulmonary interstitial fibrosis.

METHODSA rat model of pulmonary interstitial fibrosis was established by intratracheal injection of bleomycin (1 ml/kg). One hundred and eight Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups with 18 in each group, which were normal control group, model group, hormone (methylprednisolone) treatment group, Xuebijing treatment group, prostaglandin E1 treatment group and combination treatment group (prostaglandin E1 and Xuebijing injection). Except for those in the normal control group, the rats in each group were sacrificed on the 7th, 14th and 28th day after treatment. The TGF-β₁ expression in lung tissue was measured by immunohistochemical staining. The TNF-α concentration in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of rat model was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTSThe combination treatment group showed significantly more macrophages with TGF-β₁ expression in lung tissue at each time point, as compared with the model group, Xuebijing treatment group, methylprednisolone treatment group and prostaglandin E1 treatment group (P < 0.05). On the 7th day, the TNF-α concentration in BALF in the combination treatment group was significantly lower than those in the model group, methylprednisolone treatment group and prostaglandin E1 treatment group (P < 0.05); on the 14th day, the TNF-α concentration in BALF in the combination treatment group was significantly lower than that in the model group (P < 0.05); on the 28th day, the levels of TNF-α in the prostaglandin E1 treatment group and combination treatment group were significantly lower than that in the model group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONProstaglandin E1 combined with Xuebijing injection may significantly inhibit TGF-β₁ expression in the lung tissue of rats with acute pulmonary interstitial fibrosis, which reduces alveolar inflammatory response.

Alprostadil ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Female ; Male ; Methylprednisolone ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Pulmonary Fibrosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo establish and evaluate a BA-ELISA method for the quantitative detection of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein.

METHODSWe deliberately selected three tables of CFTR and made the synthetic peptide be expressed in E. coli, then used the antigen to immunize rabbits to obtain the anti-CFTR polyclonal serum. After that, 96 well plates were coated with the purified antibody against CFTR. The antigen CFTR which was extracted from human sperm was detected by anti-CFTR antibody labeled with biotin, horseradish peroxidase conjugated avidin, and the substrate. The concentrations of two kinds of antibodies and the experiment parameters were optimized. Thereby, the double antibody sandwich BA-ELISA method for the quantitative detection of CFTR protein was established. Furthermore, the reproducibility, specificity and so on were evaluated by clinical specimens of sperm.

RESULTSThe optimal concentration of coated anti-CFTR IgG was 4 µg/ml, while the biotin labeled anti-CFTR IgG was 10 µg/ml; the optimal blocking buffer was 1% BSA-PBST, the optimal time of the reaction between antigen and antibody was 60 min, the optimal chromogenic time was 15 min, the intra-assay and inter-assay coefficient were 2.16%-9.23% and 2.29%-11.71% respectively; The lowest detectable limit was 0.15 ng/ml; the standard curve had a good linear correlation of R2 = 0.962.

CONCLUSIONThe BA-ELISA method for the quantitative detection of CTFR protein is successfully established, and it is demonstrated that the method has strong specificity, high sensitivity and good reproducibility. It provides the basis and evidence of the further application of the method.

Animals ; Antibodies ; Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator ; analysis ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; methods ; Escherichia coli ; Humans ; Peptides ; Rabbits ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sensitivity and Specificity

Objective To discuss the effects of prophylactic chemotherapy on the outcomes and prognosis of invasive mole patients.Methods One hundred and fifteen invasive mole (IM) patients older than 40 years were registered in Peking Union Medical Collage Hospital.Eleven of them were treated with prophylactic chemotherapy before diagnosed as IM prophylactic chemotherapy group,while the other 104 cases received therapeutic chemotherapy after diagnosed as IM (non-prophylactic chemotherapy group).The general clinical data (including age,clinical stage,risk factor score),treatment,outcomes and relapse of patients were retrospectively compared between two groups.Results (1) The age of prophylactic chemotherapy group and non-prophylactic chemotherapy group were (47±5) versus (46±4) years old.Ratio of clinical stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ were 3/11 versus 29.8％ (31/104),clinical stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ were 8/11 versus 70.2％ (73/104).Ratio of risk factor score 0-6 were 11/11 versus 84.6％ (88/104),risk factor score ＞6 were 0 versus 15.4％(16/104).There were no significant statistical differences between two groups in age,clinical stage or risk factor score (all P＞0.05).(2) Treatment:the total chemotherapy courses between prophylactic chemotherapy group and non-prophylactic chemotherapy group (median 7 versus 5) were significantly different (Z=3.071,P=0.002).There were no significant statistical differences between two groups in the chemotherapy courses until negative conversion of β-hCG,consolidation chemotherapy courses,total therapeutic chemotherapy courses or ratio of hysterectomy (all P＞0.05).(3) Outcomes and relapse:between the prophylactic chemotherapy group and the non-prophylactic chemotherapy group,the complete remission rate were 11/11 versus 98.1％(102/104),the relapse rate were 0 versus 1.0％(1/102).There were no significant difference between the two groups in outcomes or relapse rate (P＞0.05).Conclusions Prophylactic chemotherapy does not substantially benefit the IM patients older than 40 years.Prophylactic chemotherapy may not significantly improve patients' prognosis,in which increased sample size is required in further study.

Objective To distinguish choriocarcinoma from gestational or non-gestational choriocarcinoma and also identify the causative pregnancy of gestational choriocarcinoma by the genetic origin through molecular genetic analysis. Methods Twelve patients with choriocarcinoma, who had experienced surgery prior to chemotherapy were enrolled in this study. All 12 cases were diagnosed pathologically as choriocarcinoma. Peripheral venous blood samples and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded blocks of choriocarcinoma tissue microdissected from haematoxylin and eosin-stained sections of tissue by microdissection method were available from the patient and (or) her husband. DNA was then prepared from the couples' blood samples and choriocarcinoma tissue by using standard techniques. PCR amplification and fluorescent microsatellite genotyping were performed by using DNA from the couples and captured choriocarcinoma tissues. The genetic contributions to the choriocarcinoma tissue were determined by comparing the fragments of genes from the choriocarcinoma tissue to those from blood samples of the couples. Results The primary lesion was ovary in 7 cases, but only 4 of them had the maternal contribution, indicating a non-gestational origin; the other three were gestational choriocarcinoma. The primary lesion was uterus in 5 cases, which were all gestational choriocarcinoma confirmed by genetic analyses. The causative pregnancies of the 8 cases with gestational choriocarcinoma were identified as androgenetic complete hydatidiform mole (AnCHM) in six cases and normal pregnancies in two cases, respectively. Conclusion Microsatellite polymorphism analysis is a molecular approach for distinguishing the non-gestational choriocarcinoma from the gestational one, and also be used to identify the causative pregnancy of gestational choriocarcinoma.

OBJECTIVETo explore changes of B and T lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), total antioxidant capacity (TAOC), reactive oxygen species (ROS), reactive nitrogen species (RNS), malondialdehyde (MDA) in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients, and the effect of Xinfeng Capsule (XFC) on them.

METHODSTotally 120 AS patients were assigned to two groups according to random digit table method, the XFC group (3 XFC pills each time, 3 times a day) and the SASP group (4 SASP tablets each time, twice a day), 60 in each group. All patients were treated for 3 months. Another 60 healthy subjects were recruited as a healthy control group. The expression frequency and activation levels of BTLA were detected using flow cytometry. Serum oxidative stress indices (such as SOD and CAT, TAOC, ROS, RNS, MDA) and contents of cytokines [tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), IL-1β, IL-4, and IL-10] were detected using enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA). Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was detected using Westergren method. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP) was detected using HITACHI 7060 type automatic biochemical analyzer. Clinical efficacies of ASAS 20 and BASDAI50 were assessed using VAS. Correlation analysis between scoring for quality of life and BTLA expression frequency was performed.

RESULTS(1) Clinical efficacies of ASAS 20 and BASDAI50 were significantly better in the XFC group than in the SASP group (P < 0.01). (2) Compared with the healthy control group, BTLA expressions in the peripheral blood of AS patients decreased significantly (P <0. 05); SOD, CAT, and TAOC values significantly decreased (P < 0.01, P < 0.05); ROS, RNS, and MDA values significantly increased (P < 0.01, P < 0.05); TNF-α, IL-1β, ESR, and Hs-CRP values significantly increased (P < 0.01); IL-4 and IL-10 values decreased significantly (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). (3) Compared with pre-treatment in the same group, BTLA/CD19 + B, BTLA/CD24 + B, SOD, TAOC, IL-4, SF-36 [physical functioning (PF), social functioning (SF), role limitation due to physical problems (RP), role limitation due to emotional problems (RE), body pain (BP), mental health (MH), vitality (VT), general health (GH)] were significantly elevated; ROS, MDA, TNF-α, ESR, Hs- CRP, VAS, BASDAI and BASFI, BAS-G were significantly lower in the peripheral blood of the two groups after treatment (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). Better effect was shown in the XFC group in elevating BTLA/CD19+ B, BTLA/CD24 + B, SOD, TAOC, IL-10, BP, MH, VT, and SF; and lowering ROS, IL-1β, MDA, TNF-α, ESR, Hs-CRP, VAS, BASDAI, BASFI, and BAS-G (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). (4) Pearson correlation analysis showed, BTLA/CD19 + B expression of the peripheral blood was positively correlated with SOD, CAT, TAOC, IL-4, IL-10, GH, RP, BP, and SF (r = 0.431, 0.325, 0.318, 0.316, 0.348, 0.314, 0.358, 0.318, 0.326, respectively, P < 0.05, P < 0.01), while it was negative correlated with ROS, MDA, TNF-α, IL-1β, ESR, VAS, and BASDAI (r = -0.342, -0.368, -0.334, -0.354, -0.324, -0.372, -0.342, respectively, P < 0.05, P < 0.01). BTLA/CD24 B expression of the peripheral blood was positively correlated with SOD, TAOC, IL-4, IL-10, GH, RP, BP, SF, RE, MH, VT (r = 0.358, 0.352, 0.372, 0.436, 0.435, 0.326, 0.352, 0.345, 0.326, 0.343, 0.332, respectively, P < 0.05, P < 0.01), while it was negative correlated with ROS, RNS, MDA, ESR, Hs-CRP, VAS, BASDAI, and BASFI (r = -0.447, -0.336, -0.405, -0. 395, -0. 358, -0.436, -0.338, -0.425, respectively, P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONXFC could improve BTLA expression in the peripheral blood of AS patients, negatively regulate activation and proliferation of B cells, and reduce abnormal immune responses and oxidative stress injury, thereby effectively alleviating joint stiffness and pain.

B-Lymphocytes ; physiology ; Blood Sedimentation ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Capsules ; Catalase ; metabolism ; Cytokines ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Interleukin-10 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-1beta ; metabolism ; Interleukin-4 ; metabolism ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; Quality of Life ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing ; drug therapy ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; T-Lymphocytes ; physiology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

Objective To approach the efficiency and feasibility of preserving the fertility for patients with placental site trophoblastic tumor ( PSTT ).Methods Totally 2 086 cases of gestational trophoblastic neoplasm ( GTN) patients registered in Peking Union Medical College Hospital between 1998 and 2013.Fifty-seven of them were PSTT patients , 40 cases of which suffered hysterectomy , the rest 17 PSTT patients who preserved their fertility were analyzed retrospectively.The computerized database of clinical and pathological reports was reviewed in this cohort.Results The clinical manifestation of PSTT was not specific compared to other types of GTN.The average age of the 17 patients was 29.5 years old (range 22-39 years).The most common antecedent pregnancy was term birth (8 cases), the others were spontaneous abortion in 4 case, artificial abortion in 3 cases and molar pregnancy in 2 cases.The baseline serum β-hCG was slightly elevated and 12 patients (12/15) were less than 1 000 U/L.In this cohort, nine of the patients were in stage Ⅰ, while the other eight cases were in stage Ⅲ .The patients suffered conservative surgery, including dilation and curettage of uterus in 7 cases, open abdomen uterine lesion excision in 4 cases, laparoscopic uterine lesion excision in 3 cases, hysteroscopic uterine lesion excision in 1 case, and pulmonary lobectomy in 2 cases.Two of the patients didn′t received chemotherapy , while the other 15 cases suffered combination chemotherapy.Compared with 40 patients who suffered hysterectomy during the same interval , fertility preservation group did not result in poor outcomes or high risk of relapse rate.Six subsequent pregnancies happened after the therapy , two of them were during their second-trimester, while four patients had healthy babies by vaginal delivery in two and cesarean section in two .The scar of the uterus was fairly well during the cesarean sections.Conclusions Reservation of fertility therapy could be considered in highly-selected patients for young women who strongly desired to preserve their fertility and with localized lesion.Exactitude follow-up after therapy should be recommended.Contraception should also be recommended for at least one year after the chemotherapy.Vaginal delivery could be an option for the future pregnancies.

Objective To explore the clinical effects of aortic valvuloplasty in treatment of ventricular septal defect(VSD)with moderate or severe aortic valve insufficiency(AI)in children.Methods Thirteen children less than 14 years old underwent open heart surgery as well as aortic valvuloplasty for VSD with moderate or severe AI.There were 9 cases of subpulmonary VSD,perimenbranous VSD in 4 cases.AI was mo-derate in 4 cases,severe in 9 cases.Results There was no hospital death.Post-operative echocardiogram and X-ray revealed that both cardiothoracic ratio and left ventricular end diastolic diameter decreased markedly(P

Objective To investigate the effects of partial body weight supported treadmill training (BW- STT) on post-stroke depression (PSD) and on patients' quality of life.Methods Sixty patients with PSD were re- cruited and divided into a training group (n=30,male 17,female 13) and a control group (n=30,male 16,fe- male 14).All patients were treated with routine internal medication and rehabilitation.The patients of the training group also received BWSTT in addition to their routine treatment.All patients' neurological impairment was evaluated using the Modified Edinburgh-Scandinavian Stroke Scale (MESSS).The Hamilton depression scale (HAMD) was used for evaluating the degree of depression.The Fugl-Meyer scale and the Barthel index were used to assess ambula- tion and balance,and facility in the activities of daily living.All patients were assessed before and after the treat- ment.Results After four weeks of treatment,depression in the training group had improved significantly more than in the control group.Conclusion BWSTT intervention is very important for patients with PSD:it can reduce the degree of depression and improve the quality of life.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect on repairing facial nerve injury of rabbits by neural stem cells and autologous fasia. Methods22 rabbits with transected facial nerve were divided into 2 groups randomly, control group (8 rabbits,15 sides totally), which transected facial nerve were wrapped by autologous fasia, and treament group (14 rabbits, 20 sides totally), which were wrapped by neural stem cells and autologous fasia. Six weeks after transplantation, neuro-electrophysiological test, immunohistochemical examination were done. The number and thickness of myelin in the re-connected area of transected facial nerve were observed. ResultsThe transplanted animals recovered much better than that in control group (P<0.05). Immunohistochemical examination showed a great deal of BrdU positive cells around the re-connected area of transected facial nerve. Immunohistochemical staining also found plenty of regenerative myelins in this area in the treatment group. While in control group, there were no BrdU positive cells and only a few of regenerative myelins in the same area. ConclusionTransplantation of neural stem cells combined with autologous fasia might become the new method to treat facial nerve injury.