AIM:To investigate the effect of insulin on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) proliferation and to evaluate the intracellular signaling pathways involved.METHODS:VSMCs separated from Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this study. The proliferation of VSMCs induced by insulin was assayed by [3H]-thymidin incorporation. The protein expression and activity of p-ERK1/2 were determined by immunblot and [?-32P]ATP incorporation.RESULTS:Insulin induced cell proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner. The proliferative effect of insulin on VSMCs was inhibited partly by LY294002 (48.8%),an inhibitor of PI-3 kinase,and the ERK1/2 inhibitor PD98059 (43.6%),respectively. Moreover,phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and activity of ERK1/2 induced by insulin were also inhibited partly by LY294002.CONCLUSION:PI-3 kinase and ERK1/2 are involved in insulin induced VSMCs proliferation.

OBJECTIVETo discuss clinical effects of surgical treatment for desmoplastic fibroma of bone.

METHODSBetween June 2000 and June 2010, 15 cases of desmoplastic fibroma were treated by surgical operation including 4 males and 7 females with an average age of 39 years old (ranged from 18 to 64 years old). The site of tumor was proximal femur in 4 cases, distal femur in 3, distal tibia in 2, proximal humerus in 1, distal humerus in 1, scapula in 1, pelvic in 2, manubrium of sternum in 1. The simple intralesional curettage was performed in 1 case. The other 14 cases were divided into two groups, 7 cases had an aggressive curettage with inactivation and the last 7 cases had a wide resection. Recurrence condition were observed after operation. The function was valuated in two groups after the operation according to Enneking's standard.

RESULTSThe mean duration of follow-up was 56 months (ranged, 18 to 132 months). Two cases recurred, but no metastasis. The patient with simple intralesional curettage recurreed, 1 of the 7 patients with a wide resection recurred. The recurrence rate was 13.3% (2/15). There was no recurrence in the group with an aggressive curettage with inactivation. According to Enneking's standard, Enneking scoring was 21.6 +/- 3.8 in the group with a wide resection and 28.3 +/- 1.3 in another group, The results were excellent in 2 cases and good in 5 in the group with a wide resection, excellent in 7 in the other group.

CONCLUSIONThe aggressive curettage with inactivation has better functional recovery than the wide resection,and it should be chosen when the lesion is small or located in an area where reconstruction is difficult.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Bone Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Fibroma, Desmoplastic ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; epidemiology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo determine the mechanism of pseudo-tears of the lateral meniscus caused by the transverse geniculate ligament (TL) and the miniscofemoral ligament(MFL) and to investigate a method to differentiate pseudo-tears from true tear of the lateral meniscus.

METHODSForm June 2012 to February 2014, MR examinations of 72 knees (44 left knees and 28 right knees) without tear of the lateral meniscus verified by arthroscopy were performed in the sagittal and coronal plane. There were 41 males and 31 females in the group, with an average age of 33.7 years old (ranged from 25 to 61). The MR appearance of the TL and the MFL was carefully observed.

RESULTSThere existed fatty tissue in the gap between the TL and the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus and its central tendinous attachment. On the sagittal images, the fatty tissue formed a linear high-signal cleft between the TL and the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus. This might be mistaken as an oblique tear within the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus. It was called as pseudo-tears of the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus. In sagittal plane, the MFL was identified as a circle-like or short stick-like area of low signal intensity anterior or posterior to the posterior cruciateligament. Nevertheless, a belt-shaped area of low signal intensity from the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus to lateral facet of the medial femoral condyle was identified in the coronal plane. A linear area of high signal intensity between the MFL and the lateral meniscus was found in sagittal plane, which might be mistaken as an oblique tear within the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus. It was called pseudo-tears of the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus. The occurrence rate of the TL was 34.7% (25/72). The prevaleribe of pseudo-tears of the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus was 18 cases. The shape of the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus was regular, and the course of the pseudo-tears cleft was oblique. The occurrence rate of the MFL was 73.6% (53/72), which included the anterior MFL 23.6% (17/72), the posterior MFL 70.8% (51/72) and the two ligaments coexisted 16.7% (12/72). The prevalence of pseudo-tears of the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus was 25 cases. All observed pseudo-tears had either in posteroinferiorly oblique direction (19/25) or in vertical direction (6/25).

CONCLUSIONBased on the location and direction of pseudo-tears and observation in the continuous sagittal plane and the coronal plane, pseudo-tears is easily differentiated from the true tear of the lateral meniscus

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Knee Injuries ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Knee Joint ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Menisci, Tibial ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; Radiography ; Tibial Meniscus Injuries

AIMTo search for more bioactive compounds from the roots of Aconitum coreanum (Lèvl.) Rapaics.

METHODSHigh speed countercurrent chromatography was successfully applied to the separation of alkaloids from Aconitum coreanum. The structures were elucidated by their physicochemical properties and spectroscopic analysis.

RESULTSTwo-phase solvent system composed of CHCl3-CH3OH-0.2 mol x L(-1) HCl (10:3:3, volume ratio) was used in this experiment, eight alkaloids were obtained from the roots of Aconitum coreanum, which were identified as: 2alpha-propionyl-11alpha,13beta-diacetyl-14-hydroxyhetisine (I), Guanfu base P (II), Guanfu base G (III), Guanfu base F (IV), Guanfu base Z (V), Guanfu base O (VI), Guanfu base A (VII), Guanfu base B (VIII).

CONCLUSIONCompound I is a new alkaloid, named Guanfu base R.

Aconitum ; chemistry ; Countercurrent Distribution ; Heterocyclic Compounds, 4 or More Rings ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Conformation ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo explore the diagnostic value of 3D-indirectmagnetic resonance (MR) arthrography in detecting meniscustears of the knees.

METHODSForm January 2013 to January 2014, routine plain MR of the knees followed by the 3D-indirect MR arthrography was performed in 42 patients with suspected meniscal tears clinically. There were 31 males and 11 females, with an average age of 38.4 years old (ranged, 21 to 67 years old). The duration of the course ranged from 2 h to 15 d. The clinical symptom was knee pain. All the patients got subsequently arthroscopic examination or operation. The sensitivity and specificity of routine plain MR and 3D-indirect MR arthrography were compared based on the results of arthroscopic examination or operation.

RESULTSThe signal intensity in the area of meniscal tears on image of 3D-indirect MR arthrography was obviously higher than that of routine plain MR. The sensitivity of 3D-indirect MR arthrography was 85.79% (87/102), while the routine plain MR was 52.94% (54/102), and the specificity improved from 67.78%(61/90) to 86.67%(78/90). The difference was statistically significant (χ2 = 25.90, P < 0.01; χ2 = 9.13, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONIn comparison with the routine plain MR findings, 3D-indirect MR arthrography demonstrates meniscus tears of the knee with the better sensitivity and specificity.

Adult ; Aged ; Arthrography ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; methods ; Knee Injuries ; diagnosis ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tibial Meniscus Injuries

Acetates ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Bicarbonates ; pharmacology ; Drug Combinations ; Endothelium, Corneal ; drug effects ; pathology ; Female ; Glutathione ; pharmacology ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Minerals ; pharmacology ; Ophthalmic Solutions ; pharmacology ; Rabbits ; Retina ; drug effects ; pathology ; Sodium Chloride ; pharmacology ; Vitreous Body ; drug effects

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVEDetection of label retaining cells (LRCs) has been a method to confirm existence of stem cells, and bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) has commonly been used for labeling. In this study, to verify stem cells in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), LRCs were established and detected in NPC cell line 5-8F.

METHODSThe 5-8F cells were cultured with BrdU and inoculated subcutaneously into nude mice. By immunohistochemistry, immunocytochemistry, and immunofluorescence, BrdU was detected in 5-8F cells and xenograft tumors.

RESULTSBrdU was strongly positive in cells on the 2nd and the 7th day after being added BrdU, while negative when cells were cultured without BrdU. However, only sporadic cells were positive on the 14th day after BrdU being washed out, and these cells were thought to be LRCs. The average percentage of LRCs was (0.67 +/- 0.32)%. After being cultivated with BrdU for 48 h, 5-8F cells were inoculated into nude mice subcutaneously. After chasing 8 weeks, only sporadic LRCs were detected in xenograft tumors, with a proportion of (0.55 +/- 0.36)%, and these LRCs were located at cancer margin.

CONCLUSIONThe existence of LRCs in 5-8F cells indicates the existence of cancer stem cells in NPC.

Animals ; Bromodeoxyuridine ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Female ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Neoplastic Stem Cells ; cytology ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility of detecting of Y-STR of fetal DNA in maternal plasma using Ion Torrent PGM™ System. METHODS: A total of 16 fetal DNA samples from maternal plasmas (8 cases from 38 weeks gestational age and 8 ones from 12 weeks) were prepared and a multiplex assay with 7 STR loci (DYS390, DYS391, DYS393, DYS438, DYS437, DYS456, DYS635) was designed for multiplex-PCR amplification. Using Ion Torrent PGM™ System, the results of Y-STR sequences and capillary electrophoresis were obtained and compared. RESULTS: Y-STR specific alleles were detected in the maternal plasma of all the pregnant women having male babies of second and third trimester, which were higher than that detected by capillary electrophoresis. Consistent Y-STR genotypes were observed between fetal DNA from maternal plasma and genomic DNA from the newborn babies. CONCLUSION Based on Ion Torrent PGM™ System, the prenatal Y-STR detection method may provide a high-sensitive and high-throughput choice for prenatal STR detection in forensic testing.
Alleles ; Chromosomes, Human, Y/genetics* ; DNA/blood* ; Family ; Female ; Fetal Blood/chemistry* ; Genotype ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Pregnancy ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Sex Determination Analysis ; Tandem Repeat Sequences/genetics*

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical outcomes of anterior corpectomy combined with anterior intervertebral decompression and fusion for multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy.

METHODSThe clinical data of 28 patients with multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy who underwent surgery from October 2012 to June 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 18 males and 10 females, aged from 45 to 77 years old with an average of (60.11±9.37) years. Three levels were involved in 27 cases, while four levels were involved in 1 case. The preoperative JOA score was 8.89±1.87; the fusion segments angles was (4.87±4.56)°; and the cervical curvature was (11.68±1.25)°. Anterior hybrid decompression and fusion were performed in 28 patients. The fusion segments angles and the cervical curvature were assessed by X-rays at 1, 12 months after operation, respectively. JOA score was used to evaluate the clinical effect.

RESULTSThe operative time was 163 min on average (ranged from 120 to 205 min), and intraoperative bleeding was 198 ml on average(ranged from 100 to 300 ml). Hoarseness occurred in 1 case and got recovery at 3 weeks after operation and choke cough occurred in 1 case, and got improvement at 1 week after operation. All the patients were regularly followed for 12-24 months with an average of(18.46±3.20) months. Graft bone obtained fusion at 12 months after operation and the position of internal fixation was good. The fusion segments angles, the cervical curvature and JOA scores were significantly improved at 1, 12 months after operation(<0.05). The improvement rate of JOA score was(46.46±20.26)% at 12 months after operation, 12 cases got excellent results, 14 good and 2 fair.

CONCLUSIONSAnterior corpectomy combined with anterior intervertebral decompression and fusion is safe and effective and can get satisfactory effects for multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Endostatin and SU6668 combined with 5-FU on the growth and metastasis of human colon cancer in vivo and its mechanism.

METHODSMetastatic model of human colon cancer was established by orthotopic implantation of human tumor tissue into colon wall of nude mice. Twelve days later, mice were randomly divided into saline water control, Endostatin, SU6668, Endostatin plus SU6668, and Endostatin plus SU6668 and 5-FU groups, intraperitoneal injected respectively every day for four weeks. Six weeks after implication, the tumor weight, inhibition rates, intratumoral microvessel density (MVD) and metastasis were evaluated after the mice were sacrificed.

RESULTSCompared with the control, tumor growth was significantly inhibited in mice treated respectively with Endostatin, SU6668, Endostatin plus SU6668 and Endostatin plus SU6668 and 5-FU with an inhibition rate of 0, 64.9%, 63.5%, 76.4% and 88.2% respectively,and MVD decreased significantly in treated groups [(18.10+/-5.65) vs (2.75+/-0.75), (3.17+/-0.58), (0.94+/-0.42) and (0.36+/-0.45)]. The incidences of peritoneal and region lymph node metastases were significantly inhibited in Endostatin, SU6668, Endostatin plus SU6668 and Endostatin plus SU6668 and 5-FU (90% vs 16.7%, 25%, 0 and 0; 90% vs 0, 0, 0 and 0). The growth and metastasis of human colon cancer implanted in nude mice were significantly inhibited in Endostatin, SU6668, Endostatin plus SU6668, and Endostatin plus SU6668 and 5-FU, and the effect of Endostatin plus SU6668 and 5-FU was the most obviously.

CONCLUSIONEndostatin plus SU6668 and 5-FU has strong inhibitory effect both on tumor growth and metastasis of human colon cancer.

Angiogenesis Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Colonic Neoplasms ; blood supply ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Endostatins ; therapeutic use ; Fluorouracil ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Indoles ; therapeutic use ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; Pyrroles ; therapeutic use