Objective To investigate the expression of PC cell-derived growth factor(PCDGF or progranulin)and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)and the relationships between them and clinicopathologic features in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC),helping to determine the role of PCDGF(progranulin)and VEGF in angiogenesis.Methods The expression of PCDGF(progranulin)and VEGF in 50 surgical specimens from patients with ESCC and 20 with normal esophageal mucosa were detected by immunohistochemistry.The vascular endothelial cells in tumor tissue were labeled by antibody to CD105 for counting microvessel density(MVD).Results The expressions of PCDGF(progranulin)and VEGF in ESCC were obviously higher than normal mucosa.Their expression had positive correlation with depth of tumor invasion,lymph node metastasis,and TNM classification.In ESCC,both the expression level of PCDGF(progranulin)and VEGF had significant positive correlation with MVD and the expression of PCDGF had direct correlation with the expression of VEGF.Conclusion PCDGF marks tumor tissues with so high sensitivity that it can be a novel ESCC marker hopefully.The expression of both PCDGF(progranulin)and VEGF in ESCC has close relationship with angiogenesis,and they may take part in tumor growth,infiltration and metastasis through promoting tumor angiogenesis.

AIM: To investigate the action of testosterone on atherosclerosis in a rabbit model. METHODS: 37 male cholesterol-fed rabbits were divided into five groups: castration group: castrated rabbits without exogenous testosterone administration; testosterone Ⅰ group: castrated rabbits with exogenous testosterone 0.25 mg?kg -1?d -1; testosterone Ⅱ group: castrated rabbits with exogenous testosterone 2.5 mg?kg -1?d -1; testosterone Ⅲ group: castrated rabbits with exogenous testosterone 12.5 mg?kg -1?d -1. The sham operation group was also set. Three months later, the levels of testosterone, blood lipids (including TG, HDL-C, LDL-C), PAI activity, nitric oxide (NO) content, endothelin (ET), angiotensin Ⅱ (AngⅡ) in blood were detected. RESULTS: It showed that testosterone in castration group was the lowest. There was no significant difference of TG or LDL-C between castration group and the other four groups. HDL-C in castration group was lower than that in other four groups. NO content of castration group was lower than that in others, but PAI activity, ET and AngⅡ concentration were higher than that in other groups. CONCLUSION: Testosterone is a protective factor against atherosclerosis in male rabbits.

Nonsyndromic hereditary gingival fibromatosis ( HGF) was a rare hereditary condition characterized by a progressive increase in gingival tissue , simultaneously with hypertrichosis and mental retardation.The patients often had troubles with mastication , appearance and pronunciation.The measure include surgical therapy.One case of HGF was reported and its relevant literature reviewed.

Objective To explore the clinical value of single utility port video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery ( VATS ) for mediastinal tumor . Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on clinical data of 55 patients with mediastinal tumor who received surgical treatment with single utility port video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in this department from December 2013 to June 2016.Routinely, the surgery was conducted by intraoperatively inserting the thoracoscope via an incision at the seventh intercostals space on the midaxillary line as the observation hole , and making a 3-4 cm transverse incision at the fourth intercostals space between the midaxillary line and the anterior axillary line as the operation hole .Postoperatively , the observation hole served as the passage for closed thoracic drainage tube . Results Among the 55 patients, 50 received total thoracoscopic surgery .In 3 cases with relatively large tumor, the surgery was conducted with additional assisted small incisions .Thoracotomy was carried out in another 2 cases due to bleeding when separating pulmonary artery branch and difficult hemostasis under thoracoscopy .The surgery duration was (100 ±46) min, the intraoperative blood loss was (85 ±38) ml, the postoperative chest drainage volume was (450 ±80) ml, the postoperative time to chest tube withdrawal was (3.0 ±1.6) d, and the postoperative duration of hospital stay was (6.2 ±1.5) d in the 50 cases of VATS.All the patients recovered well .Postoperatively , there were 1 case of myasthenic crisis , 2 cases of pneumothorax and 3 cases of pleural effusion, all of which were improved with symptomatic treatment .All the 55 cases were followed up for 2-24 months (mean, 11.2 ±7.3 months) and there were no tumor recurrences . Conclusion Single utility port VATS of mediastinal tumor resection has advantages in safety , efficacy, and cosmetic outcomes , being worthy of further clinical application .

To explore influence of interventional closure on heart rate in patients with atrial septal defect . Methods : A total of 63 patients with atrial septal defect undergoing percutaneous interventional closure in our hospi‐tal were selected. Heart rate was compared before and after surgery ,and correlation among heart rate ,age ,occlude size and preoperative pulmonary artery pressure was analyzed .Results : Compared with before surgery ,there was significant reduction in heart rate [(75.22 ± 8.23) beats／min vs. (64.87 ± 10. 65) beats／min] after percutaneous in‐terventional closure of atrial septal defect , P＝0.001 ;Pearson correlation analysis indicated that postoperative heart rate change was not correlated with age ,occluder size and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP ) ( r＝0.017－0.182 , P＞0.05 all) . Compared with patients without preoperative pulmonary artery hypertension ,there was sig‐nificant rise in postoperative reduction amplitude of heart rate [ (2.28 ± 9.81) beats／min vs. (11. 35 ± 10.73) beats／min] in those with preoperative elevated pulmonary systolic pressure (≥25mmHg) , P＝0.038 .Conclusion : After percutaneous interventional closure ,heart rate significantly decreases in patients with atrial septal defect .Presence of preoperative pulmonary artery hypertension can be regarded as a risk predictor for postoperative heart rate reduction .

Background/Aims: Chemoresistance is a common event after cancer chemotherapy, which is associated with the deregulation of circular RNAs (circRNAs). The objective of this study was to clarify the role of circ-LDLRAD3 in cisplatin (DDP)-resistant gastric cancer (GC). Methods: The expression of circ-LDLRAD3, miR-588, and SRY-box transcription factor 5 (SOX5) mRNA was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Cell viability and the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC 50 ) value were measured by CCK8 assay. Cell proliferation was assessed by colony formation and EdU assays. Cell apoptosis and cell invasion were assessed by flow cytometry assay and transwell assay, respectively. The expression of SOX5 protein was detected by Western blotting. A xenograft model was established to verify the role of circ-LDLRAD3 in vivo. Exosomes were isolated by differential centrifugation and identified by transmission electron microscopy and the expression of exosome-related proteins. Results: circ-LDLRAD3 was overexpressed in DDP-resistant GC tissues and cells. circ-LDL-RAD3 knockdown decreased the IC 50 of DDP-resistant cells and suppressed cell proliferation, survival and invasion. miR-588 was a target of circ-LDLRAD3, and miR-588 inhibition attenuated the inhibition of DDP resistance, proliferation, survival and invasion in DDP-resistant GC cells caused by circ-LDLRAD3 knockdown. SOX5 was a target of miR-588, and the inhibition of the DDP resistance, proliferation, survival and invasion of DDP-resistant GC cells by miR-588 restoration was largely rescued SOX5 overexpression. circ-LDLRAD3 knockdown inhibited DDP resistance and tumor growth in vivo. circ-LDLRAD3 was overexpressed in exosomes isolated from DDP-resistant GC cells. Conclusions circ-LDLRAD3 knockdown reduced DDP resistance and blocked the malignant development of DDP-resistant GC by modulating the miR-588/SOX5 pathway.

Objective : To discuss the treatment of pneumoparotid and to provide a reference for clinical practice. Methods: A case of refractory pneumoparotid was reported, and the diagnosis and treatment of parotid emphysema were reviewed and analyzed in combination with the literature. Results : This child had parotid gland enlargement without any obvious cause for more than 1 month. Conservative treatment, such as anti-inflammatory agents, psychological interventions and physical compression were ineffective. The patient had a history of cerebral palsy with epilepsy and involuntary cheek bulging behavior. Therefore, we considered it a refractory case. It was cured after parotid duct ligation and partial parotidectomy of the superficial lobe. A literature review showed that a pneumoparotid is a rare parotid enlargement. Most of the clinical cases were considered to be caused by the return of air into the parotid gland through the parotid duct due to an increase in oral pressure. The diagnosis of pneumoparotid mainly depends on intermittent parotid gland swelling and other clinical manifestations and imaging examination methods, such as ultrasound, CT, MRI and angiography. Its treatment mainly includes conservative anti-inflammatory treatment, physical therapy and psychological intervention. Surgical treatment is indicated for refractory parotid emphysema. Conclusion Pneumoparotid cases may further develop into parotid inflammation, which is generally treated conservatively. For some severe, recurrent and poor compliance cases, surgical treatment is sometimes needed.

Objective : To investigate the feasibility of epidural catheters in parotid gland duct anastomosis and the function of the affected side gland after parotid gland duct anastomosis. Methods: Thirteen patients who were treated in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of Xuzhou Central Hospital using an epidural catheter as the scaffold for parotid gland catheter anastomosis were enrolled from Jan. 2019 to June 2021. The swelling, salivary fistula and catheter patency in the parotid gland area were evaluated two weeks after the operation. 99mTcO4- single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was used for quantitative detection of salivary gland secretion function Results: Thirteen patients had no swelling or salivary fistula in the parotid gland area of the affected side two weeks after the operation, and the catheter secretion was unobstructed. There was no significant difference in the uptake rate between the parotid gland on the affected side and the parotid gland on the healthy side (t = -0.859, P = 0.399), and there was no significant difference in the excretion rate between the parotid gland on the affected side and the parotid gland on the healthy side (t = 0.693, P = 0.495). The parotid gland excretion function of the affected side was excellent three months after the operation. Conclusion Parotid duct anastomosis with an epidural catheter as the stent has good feasibility, and parotid gland secretion function recovers well after the operation, which is worthy of clinical application.

Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a leading cause of low back pain, which severely affects the quality of life and incurs significant medical cost. Annulus fibrosus(AF) injuries can lead to substantial deterioration of intervertebral disc degeneration. However, the AF repair/regeneration remains a challenge due to the intrinsic cellular, biochemical and biomechanical heterogeneity of AF tissue. Tissue engineering would be a promising approach for AF regeneration. This article aims to provide a brief overview of the fundamental aspects of AF, the current achievements and future challenges of AF tissue engineering. A multidisciplinary approach is proposed for future studies to fully mimic the native AF tissue and its microenvironment, including choosing adequate cell source, preparing scaffolds with hierarchical microstructures, supplementing appropriate growth factors, and enforcing suitable mechanical stimulation. Hopefully, the engineered AF tissues would be effectively used to facilitate the treatment of DDD in the future.
Humans ; Intervertebral Disc ; growth & development ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ; therapy ; Regeneration ; Tissue Engineering

Objective    To investigate the tunnel-type open reduction and internal fixation of rib fractures (ORIF) with titanium locking plate in traumatic rib fractures. Methods    Clinical data of 10 patients with multiple rib fractures from June 2016 to January 2017 in the Sixth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University were analyzed. There were 6 males and 4 males with an average age of 38.5±9.0 years (range, 30–63 years). All patients underwent emergency treatment, chest CT and ultrasound examination before they admitted to the hospital. According to rib fractures and injuries, patients were given the tunnel-type ORIF of rib fractures with titanium locking plates, the chest tube and negative suction drainage. The patients were followed up over three months. Results    All patients were cured. There was no complication during follow-up. No wound infection and death occurred. Postoperative three-month follow-up showed that chest pain was significantly relieved without pulmonary atelectasis and pleural effusion or other complications. Conclusion    Tunnel-type internal fixation of rib fractures with titanium locking plates is effective, which can quickly restore the stability and integrity of the thorax. Surgical procedure is simple and can get fast postoperative recovery to improve the patient's quality of life.