OBJECTIVETo explore the correlation among prevertebral hyperintensity (PVH), sagittal canal diameter on MRI and neurologic function of patients after cervical vertebral hyperextension injury without fracture and dislocation.

METHODSThe clinical data of 100 patients with cervical vertebral hyperextension injury without fracture and dislocation were retrospectively analyzed from September 2010 to December 2013. The patients were divided into PVH group and non-PVH group according to the presence of PVH on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. There were 39 patients in PVH group, including 31 males and 8 females, aged from 21 to 83 years old with an average of (58.10 ± 14.78) years; and the other 69 patients in non-PVH group, including 49 males and 12 females, aged from 32 to 77 years old with an average of (55.05 ± 10.36) years. The sagittal disc level canal diameters of subaxial cervical spine were measured on mid-sagittal magnetic resonance imaging. The age, sex, cause of injury, and the segments of spinal stenosis were recorded. American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scale and motor score were used to evaluate the neurological status.

RESULTSThe ASIA motor score of the group with PVH was 52.56 ± 31.97 while the ASIA motor score was 67.70 ± 22.83 in non-PVH group (P = 0.013). More patients with intramedullary hyperintensity signal on MRI were observed in the PVH group than in non-PVH group (P = 0.006). There was a significant positive correlation between ASIA motor score and sagittal disc level canal diameter of injury segment (P = 0.003). The neurological status was worse in patients with multi-level sagittal canal diameters below 8 mm.

CONCLUSIONThe PVH and the disc-level canal sagittal diameter of the injury segment are associated with neurological status. The patients with multi-level sagittal canal stenosis are vulnerable to severe cervical spinal cord injury.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cervical Vertebrae ; injuries ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Canal ; pathology ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; pathology ; physiopathology

The purpose of this study was to detect the expression levels of geminin and cdt1 in peripheral blood and bone marrow from patients with newly diagnosed acute leukemia (AL), and further explore effects of them in the pathogenesis of AL. mRNA expression of geminin and cdt1 in peripheral blood and bone marrow of newly diagnosed AL patients was detected by SYBR Green real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(SYBR-RT-PCR). The results showed that mRNA expressions of both geminin and cdt1 in peripheral blood were positive in 10 out of 13 newly diagnosed ALL patients (76.92%) and in 9 out of 14 newly diagnosed AML patients (64.29%), while no positive expression of these 2 genes was detected in 10 normal controls; mRNA expression levels of geminin and cdt1 in bone marrow of newly diagnosed ALL and AML patients were 108.06 ± 67.34 and 52.37 ± 35.16, 62.66 ± 58.69 and 26.68 ± 22.29, respectively, which were higher than those in normal controls (11.81 ± 2.83 and 7.32 ± 5.77), there were significant differences (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05). mRNA expression of geminin was significantly positive related to mRNA expression of cdt1 in bone marrow of 34 newly diagnosed AL patients (r = 0.55, p < 0.01). It is concluded that mRNA expressions of geminin and cdt1 are enhanced and significantly positively related between them in bone marrow of AL patients. The over-expression of geminin and cdt1 mRNA may play an important role in pathogenesis of AL.
Acute Disease ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Cycle Proteins ; genetics ; Female ; Geminin ; Humans ; Leukemia ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of osteopontin (OPN) expression down-regulated by RNA interference (RNAi) on the invasiveness of hepatocelluar carcinoma cell line HCC-LM3.

METHODSHCC-LM3 cells were transfected with the chemically synthesized small interfering RNA (siRNA) formulated by lipofectamine 2000. Wild type HCC-LM3 and HCC-LM3 cells transfected with non-specific siRNA served as controls. Real-time PCR and Western blotting were used to quantify the mRNA and OPN protein levels. The malignant phenotypes of transfected HCC-LM3 cells including cellular growth rate, colony formation and Matrigel invasion activities were analyzed.

RESULTSSequence-specific siRNAs targeting OPN suppressed OPN RNA expression by 79% and also decreased OPN protein level by 81% in HCC-LM3 cells. The number of formed colonies and migrating numbers in vitro were decreased in HCC-LM3 cells transfected using sequence-specific siRNAs targeting OPN relative to controls (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThis study demonstrated that specific siRNA is able to reduce OPN at both the mRNA and protein levels and significantly diminishes the invasiveness of hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; genetics ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation ; Down-Regulation ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Osteopontin ; genetics ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Transfection

OBJECTIVESTo observe the clinical outcome of invasive thymoma, and analyze how the surgical methods, Masaoka staging, adjuvant radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy affect the prognosis.

METHODSThe clinical data of 59 surgical patients with invasive thymoma and conducted follow-up from January 2000 to December 2009 was analyzed retrospectively. There were 34 male and 25 female, aged from 18 to 72 years with a mean age of 49 years. Forty-four cases underwent radical resection while the other 15 cases underwent palliative resection or biopsy. Masaoka staging: 18 cases with stage II, 30 cases with stage III, 11 cases with stage IV. Patients with stage II didn't undergo further adjuvant radiotherapy or chemotherapy after surgery. Among the patients with stage III and stage IV, 26 patients received adjuvant radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy after surgery, while the other 15 patients did not receive any further therapy. The relationship between the prognosis and the different surgical methods, Masaoka staging, adjuvant radiotherapy and or chemotherapy was evaluated.

RESULTSFifty-nine patients had been followed up for 1 to 111 months with an average of 54 months. Three cases were lost with the rate of 6.1%. Nineteen patients suffered local recurrence or systemic metastasis, and 14 of them died. The 3-year and 5-year survival rates were 86.8% and 70.8% respectively. Univariate analysis indicated that patients with early Masaoka staging and who received radical resection, adjuvant radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy after surgery had better survival (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis indicated that radical resection, adjuvant radiotherapy and or chemotherapy were the most significant prognostic factors which could remarkably improve the survival of patients (P < 0.05). For patients with resectable recurrence, reoperation could also improve survival.

CONCLUSIONSThe Masaoka staging is related to the prognosis of patients with invasive thymoma. Radical resection, adjuvant radiotherapy, chemotherapy can significantly improve the survival of patients with invasive thymoma. Reoperation can improve the survival of some patients with recurrence.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant ; Retrospective Studies ; Thymoma ; pathology ; surgery ; Thymus Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Objective During June 2-8, 2009, 11 cases of the novel influenza A (H1N1)occurred in Sichuan Province, China. We investigated this outbreak to identify the source of infection,mode of transmission and risk factors for infection. Methods The primary case, a U.S. citizen,developed disease on June 2. From June 3 to 5, she joined Tour Group A for a trip to Jiuzhaigou. We telephoned passengers of the three flights on which the primary case had traveled in China, and members of Tour Group A. We asked whether they had any influenza-like symptoms during May 27 to June 12. Health authorities placed passengers whose seats were within three rows of the primary case on flights and members of Tour Group A on medical observation, and isolated individuals if they developed symptoms. We used real-time RT-PCR to test the throat swabs from symptomatic persons for the novel influenza virus and defined a confirmed case as one with influenza-like symptoms and laboratory confirmation. A retrospective cohort investigation to identify the risk factors for infection was conducted. We interviewed all members of Tour Group A about their detailed contact history with the primary case. Results During June 5 to 6, 9 (30%) of the primary case' s 30 fellow tour group members developed disease, compared with none of her 87 fellow passengers to Jiuzhaigou and 1 of her 87 fellow passengers on the returning trip (when several of the members of Tour Group A were symptomatic). 56% of the tourists who had talked with the primary case in close range ( ＜2 m) for ≥2 minutes developed disease, whereas none of the 14 other tour group members developed disease (RR= ∞; exact 95%CI: 2.0- ∞ ). Having conversed with the primary case for ≥ 10 minutes (vs. 2-9 minutes) increased the risk by almost five fold (RR=4.8, exact 95%CI: 1.3-180). Conversely, other kinds of contact, such as dining at the same table, receiving chewing gum from the primary case and sharing bus rides or planes with the primary case played no roles during this outbreak. Conclusion This novel influenza A (H1N1) outbreak was caused by an imported case, and transmitted mainly via droplet transmission when the primary case was talking with her fellow tourists during a tour. These findings highlight the importance of preventing droplet transmission during a pandemic.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in thymus of myasthenia gravis (MG) patients and the relationship with clinical features.

METHODSThymic specimens of 36 patients received extended thymectomy for MG were divided into three groups by pathological type: 13 thymoma tissues (thymoma group) and 13 thymic tissues adjacent to thymomas (parathymoma group) from 13 cases of MG patients with thymomas, and 23 thymic tissues from MG patients without thymomas (MG nonthymoma group). Twenty-one normal thymic specimens from cardiac surgery were used as controls. The levels of TLR2-4 mRNA were examined by RT-PCR, then the levels of TLR4 mRNA were assayed by real time RT-PCR and their relationship with clinical features were analyzed.

RESULTSThe levels of TLR4 mRNA among the different groups had significant differences, while there was no difference in TLR2 and TLR3 levels. The real time RT-PCR showed that the level of TLR4 mRNA in nonthymoma group was significantly higher than that in control group(0.8544+/- 0.1200 vs 0.6851+/- 0.1524, P=0.018). And so is parathymoma group compared with the thymoma group (0.8214+/- 0.1019 vs 0.7101+/- 0.0916, P=0.005). No significant difference of TLR4 mRNA level was found between the parathymoma and nonthymoma groups. Nevertheless, the expression of TLR4 in both groups was increased compared with control group. The levels of TLR4 mRNA had positive correlation with Osserman type(R=0.609; P=0.004) .

CONCLUSIONTLR4 may play a key role in the pathogenesis of MG. It was the thymic tissues adjacent to thymomas but not thymomas themselves participated in the onset of MG.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myasthenia Gravis ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Thymus Gland ; metabolism ; Toll-Like Receptor 2 ; genetics ; Toll-Like Receptor 3 ; genetics ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; genetics ; Toll-Like Receptors ; genetics ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo assess the effect of Danqi Huogan Capsule in protecting the liver, promoting the circulation and removing blood clots in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

METHODSA total of 104 CHB patients were randomized into two groups. Routine therapies for liver protection were given in the control group (n=50), and Danqi Huogan Capsule was administered in the therapeutic group (n=54) in addition to the routine therapies. The changes in the clinical symptoms, physical signs, liver functions, and hemorrheology were observed after the 3-month therapies.

RESULTSDanqi Huogan Capsule treatment obvious improved the clinical symptoms, physical signs and liver functions of the patients (P<0.01), and significantly decreased the hematocrit, low-shear blood viscosity, plasma viscosity and index of red blood cell aggregation (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONDanqi Huogan Capsule is effective in protecting the liver, improving hemorrheology, promoting the blood circulation and removing clots in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Hemorheology ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; blood ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Liver Function Tests ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the mechanism of oxymatrine in preventing hepatic fibrosis formation in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

METHODSA total of 80 CHB patients receiving routine therapies for liver protection and support were divided into two groups. Oxymatrine at the daily dose of 150 mg was injected intravenously in the therapeutic group (n=40), and gluthion (1.2 g daily) was injected in the control group (n=40) for 8 weeks. The liver functions, indexes of hepatic fibrosis and the levels of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) were measured in these patients before and after the therapy.

RESULTSLiver functions was obviously improved after therapy in both groups, showing no significant difference between them (P>0.05). The indexes of hepatic fibrosis such as HA, LN, PCIII and C-IV were significantly lower in the therapeutic group than in the control group (P<0.01). The serum levels of TGF-beta1 and TNF-alpha decreased while IL-10 increased significantly after the treatment in the therapeutic group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe effect of oxymatrine against hepatic fibrosis is mediated by lowering the levels of TGF-beta1 and TNF-alpha and increasing the level of IL-10 in CHB patients.

Adult ; Alkaloids ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Humans ; Interleukin-10 ; blood ; Liver Cirrhosis ; drug therapy ; pathology ; prevention & control ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Quinolizines ; therapeutic use ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; blood ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood

OBJECTIVETo analyze the learning curve of single-direction complete video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (cVATS) for lung cancer.

METHODSFrom May 2006 to April 2009, 125 cases of cVATS for lung cancer were performed by two dedicated surgeons. Clinical data were collected prospectively and analyzed retrospectively. The patients operated by different surgeon were divided into 2 groups (group A, n = 24; group B, n = 101), and group B was further divided sequentially into 4 subgroups (B1, B2, B3 and B4) by the number of patients. The patients in group A and B were operated by the surgeons with 2-year and 5-year experience of VATS respectively. The operating time, blood loss, number of resected lymph nodes (NLN), rate of thoracotomy conversion (RTC) and postoperative complications (POC) were compared.

RESULTSCompared with group B, the operating time of group A was significantly prolonged [(237 ± 85) min vs. (187 ± 43) min, P = 0.013], but there were no significant differences in blood loss, NLN, RTC and POC. Comparing group A with B1, the same results were got. From group B1 to B4, the operating time was gradually reduced and blood loss decreased, but the difference was not statistically significant. And in group B, there was a significant reduction of blood loss for the last 51 cases compared to the first 50 cases [(122 ± 141) ml vs. (87 ± 81) ml, P = 0.009].

CONCLUSIONSAt the early stage of cVATS resection of lung cancer, the duration of operation was longer, which it was more significant for the surgeons with short carrier of thoracoscopic experience. But the morbidity of operation related complications did not increase. The indicator of proficiency in this operation is achievement of 50 cases of complete thoracoscopic resection of lung cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Learning Curve ; Lung Neoplasms ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pneumonectomy ; methods ; Prospective Studies ; Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted ; methods ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the molecular mechanisms of nm23-H1 for regulating PKC signal pathway before and after transfection with nm23-H1 gene.

METHODSUsing Western-blot, Boyden-chamber, MTT and laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) techniques to detect the distribution of PKC in cytosol and plasma membrane, changes of invasion and proliferation activity, PKC translocation status and changes of intracellular Ca(2+) concentration among different human pulmonary carcinoma cells with transfected or untransfected nm23-H1 gene, and changes of the three cell lines after treatment with Calphostin C, a PKC inhibitor.

RESULTS(1) The expression of PKCalpha, PKCbeta II on L9981 and L9981-pLXSN cell membrane, which was in activated status, was remarkably higher than those in L9981-nm23-H1 cell line (P < 0.001). The expression of PKCalpha, PKCbeta II in cytosol in L9981 and L9981-pLXSN cell lines, which was in inactivated status, was lower than those in L9981-nm23-H1 cell line (P < 0.001). It means that the PKC signal pathway was activated in L9981 and L9981-pLXSN cell lines. (2) PKCalpha and PKCbeta II mainly located in nuclei and perinuclear area in L9981 and L9981-pLXSN cells, which were in active status, and the Ca(2+) concentration in these cells was obviously higher than that in L9981-nm23-H1 cell line (P < 0.01). In L9981-nm23-H1 cell line, which was transfected with nm23-H1 gene, PKCalpha and PKCbeta II mainly located in soluble cytosolic section, in an inactive status. (3) The invasion and proliferation ability of L9981 and L9981-pLXSN lung cancer cells was higher than that of L9981-nm23-H1 cell line (P < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between L9981 and L9981-pLXSN cell lines (P > 0.05). (4) After treated with PKC inhibitor Calphstin C, the expression of PKC and PKCbeta II in membrane in L9981 and L9981-pLXSN cell lines was down-regulated (P < 0.001), PKCalpha and PKCbeta II were mainly located in cytosolic area, mainly in an inactive status, and the Ca(2+) concentration was found to be decreased in all the three cell lines. The invasion and proliferation ability of the three lung cancer cell lines were obviously decreasing (P < 0.001). However, the invasion and proliferation ability of L9981-nm23-H1 lung cancer cell line was still lower than that of L9981 and L9981-pLXSN lung cancer cell lines (P < 0.001). There was also no significant difference between L9981 and L9981-pLXSN cell lines (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe results of this study suggest that nm23-H1 gene might inhibit the invasion and metastasis of lung cancer cells by down-regulating PKC signaling pathway. The Ca(2+) in cells might be involved in this process.

Calcium ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Membrane ; metabolism ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cytosol ; metabolism ; Down-Regulation ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; enzymology ; metabolism ; pathology ; NM23 Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinases ; genetics ; Naphthalenes ; pharmacology ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Protein Kinase C ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Protein Kinase C beta ; Protein Kinase C-alpha ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Transfection