Objective To measure the expression levels of PD-1 and PD-L1 in the tumor tissues of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma ( NPC) and to explore the association of their expression with the clinical characteristics and prognosis of NPC patients. Methods The expression levels of PD-1 and PD-L1 in 65 NPC patients were determined by immunohistochemistry, and an analysis was performed on the association of their expression with clinical characteristics and long-term survival in NPC patients. Comparisons between groups were made by the chi-square test or Fisher′s exact test, and the Pearson' s test was used for correlation analysis. Survival rates were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and the log-rank test was used for survival comparison and univariate prognostic analysis. The Cox model was used for multivariate prognostic analysis. Results Expression of PD-1 and PD-L1 was observed in 88%(57/65) and 89%( 58/65) of tumor cell surfaces using a cut-off value of 5%, and 38%( 25/65) and 58%( 38/65) using a cut-off value of 10%. PD-1 expression was significantly correlated with PD-L1 expression using the cut-off value of 5%( P=0003) , and a non-significant correlation was found between the expression levels of PD-1 and PD-L1 using the cut-off value of 10%(P=0080). There was no significant association between the positive expression rates of PD-1 and PD-L1 and clinicopathological characteristics ( P>005 ) . The univariate and multivariate survival analyses showed that using the cut-off value of 10%, the patients with positive PD-L1 expression had significantly reduced progression-free survival ( hazard ratio [ HR]=273, 95% confidence interval [ CI]:107-697, P=0035 ) and overall survival ( HR=395, 95%CI:109-1427, P=0036) compared with those with negative PD-L1 expression. Conclusions PD-1 and PD-L1 are highly expressed in NPC tissues. The expression of PD-L1 is associated with the poor prognosis in patients with stage IVa NPC, and PD-L1 can better predict the poor prognosis using the cut-off value of 10%.

Objective To analyze the change of serum lipids and homocysteine level in patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease.Methods A total of 150 patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease (ICVD) were selected as ICVD group,and the patients were divided into short-term cerebral ischemia (TIA) group and cerebral infarction group (CI) group.Another 35 healthy people were selected as control group.Blood lipid index and plasma homocysteine level were compared among 4 groups.Results There was significant difference of Hcy between ICVD group,TIA group,CI group and control group (P<0.05).There was no significant difference of folic acid among the four groups (P>0.05).There were no significant differences in TC,TG and HDL-C between ICVD group,TIA group,CI group and control group (P>0.05),but there was significant difference in LDL-C (P<0.05).There were no significant differences in ApoA1 and ApoB between ICVD group,TIA group,CI group and control group (P>0.05),and there was significant difference in Fg (P<0.05).Conclusion Periodic detections of serum Hcy and blood lip index has a great value in prevention and treatment of patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease.

Objective To analyze the change of serum lipids and homocysteine level in patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease.Methods A total of 150 patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease (ICVD) were selected as ICVD group,and the patients were divided into short-term cerebral ischemia (TIA) group and cerebral infarction group (CI) group.Another 35 healthy people were selected as control group.Blood lipid index and plasma homocysteine level were compared among 4 groups.Results There was significant difference of Hcy between ICVD group,TIA group,CI group and control group (P<0.05).There was no significant difference of folic acid among the four groups (P>0.05).There were no significant differences in TC,TG and HDL-C between ICVD group,TIA group,CI group and control group (P>0.05),but there was significant difference in LDL-C (P<0.05).There were no significant differences in ApoA1 and ApoB between ICVD group,TIA group,CI group and control group (P>0.05),and there was significant difference in Fg (P<0.05).Conclusion Periodic detections of serum Hcy and blood lip index has a great value in prevention and treatment of patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease.

This study aims to construct the recombinant lentivirus vector containing specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting rat CREB binding protein(CBP)gene and to identify its function of inhibiting the expressions of acetylated histone in primarily cultured hippocampal neurons. Firstly, we constructed four kinds of recombinant lentivirus siCBP. And then we used them to infect the primarily cultured hippocampal neurons, and performed real-time PCR, western blot respectively to detect the expressions of CBP. Afterwards, the most effective lentivirus siCBP was used to infect the primarily cultured hippocampal neurons, and then the HAT activity and protein expressions of acetylated histone Ac-H3, Ac-H4 of the neurons were examined. By using PCR, endonuclease cutting and gene sequencing, we confirmed that the target genes were correctly cloned in lentivirus vector. Besides, CBP mRNA and protein expressions in neurons were found to be with varying degrees of decreases after infections of the four kinds of lentivirus siCBP. Furthermore, the representative and most effective lentivirus GR806 could effectively inhibit the HAT activity and the protein expressions of Ac-H3, Ac-H4 in neurons. It provides the experimental basis for the subsequent application of siCBP to clarify the effects and corresponding molecular mechanism of the CBP-dependent histone acetylation on learning and memory function in hippocampus.
Acetylation ; Animals ; CREB-Binding Protein ; metabolism ; Genetic Vectors ; Hippocampus ; cytology ; Histones ; metabolism ; Lentivirus ; Memory ; Neurons ; metabolism ; Primary Cell Culture ; RNA, Messenger ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Rats ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prognosis of Draf II b surgery in treating fontal sinus inverted papilloma. METHOD: A retrospective study was carried out among 15 patients diagnosed as fontal sinus inverted papilloma, which had underwent endoscopic Draf II b surgery. The clinical success rate and surgical success rate were calculated by survival analysis. RESULT: In all patients, there were 1 (6.67%) recurrence,1 (6.67%) stenosis, 4 (26.67)% complete closure, and 1 (6.67%) mucocele cyst. The 3-year clinical success rate was 93.3%, and the 3-year surgical success rate was 65.0%. CONCLUSION Draf II b surgery is feasible when the frontal sinus inverted papilloma is involved in the area of the pupil center line, and the frontal neo-ostium stenosis or complete closure is a common complication after surgery. Thus a close follow-up is recommended during the first year after the surgery. Further study is necessary to find a better way to reduce the complication rate.
Constriction, Pathologic ; pathology ; Endoscopy ; Frontal Sinus ; pathology ; Humans ; Mucocele ; pathology ; Nasal Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Papilloma, Inverted ; surgery ; Paranasal Sinus Neoplasms ; surgery ; Postoperative Complications ; pathology ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Analysis ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical feature,diagnostic and therapeutic methods of ultimobranchial fistula and cyst of thyroid. METHOD: Four cases of ultimobranchial fistula and cyst of thyroid in our hospital were reported and the relevant literatures were reviewed. RESULT: The branchial fistula and cyst of four cases were adhered to thyroid,with unclear anatomical landmarks, the function of recurrent laryngeal nerve were bad before the operation in two cases. The nerve of four cases were retained, the function of thyriod and parathyroid gland were normal and no recurrence were found. CONCLUSION Ultimobranchial fistula and cyst of thyroid is rare and is easier to be misdiagnosed and wrong treated. Surgical excision is effective for it and recurrent laryngeal nerve should be protected when performing the operation.
Cysts ; Diagnostic Errors ; Fistula ; Humans ; Parathyroid Glands ; Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve ; Thyroid Diseases ; pathology ; surgery

PURPOSE: Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) are both known to relate to cancer progression. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of Shh signaling and EMT in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cell proliferation was assayed in RCC cell lines in the presence or absence of a Shh signaling stimulator, recombinant Shh (r-Shh) protein, or a Shh signaling inhibitor, cyclopamine. Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to study the expression of EMT markers (E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and vimentin) and osteonectin. The expression of Ki-67, Gli-1, osteonectin, and EMT markers in nephrectomy specimens from RCC patients was also measured by immunohistochemical (IHC) staining. RESULTS: RCC cells showed enhanced cell proliferation by r-Shh protein, whereas cell proliferation was suppressed by the addition of cyclopamine in RenCa cells. Real-time RT-PCR showed that r-Shh suppressed the expression of E-cadherin and that this suppression was partly blocked by cyclopamine alone in RenCa cells. In the IHC results, osteonectin significantly correlated with vein sinus invasion (p=0.0218), and the expression of vimentin significantly correlated with lymphatic invasion (p=0.0392). CONCLUSIONS: Shh signaling and EMT play roles in RCC progression, and the Shh signaling inhibitor cyclopamine might be a possible molecular targeted therapeutic strategy for RCC.
Cadherins ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Hedgehogs ; Humans ; Nephrectomy ; Osteonectin ; Polymethacrylic Acids ; Veins ; Veratrum Alkaloids ; Vimentin

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes of electrode impedance, THR/MCL values, and dynamic range (DR) in Combi 40+ cochlear implant after implantation. METHOD: A respective study was carried out collecting 20 consecutively implanted children's electrode impedances, THR/MCL values, and DR at seven time point during the first three years after implantation. Their variation and correlations were analyzed. RESULT: Overall, electrode impedances were lowest during the operation, and significantly rise to the highest at the first stimulation, then followed by a gradual decrease. After three months, electrode impedance of apical and medial cochlear segment were basically stable, while that of the basal segment was gradually increased. Dynamic range (DR) of apical and medial group electrode increased early after the operation and showed a stabilization from the second year, whereas that of basal group have a downward trend since the first year. However, the electric charge of each group increased significantly after three months, and then become stable after first year. Otherwise, a stronger negative rectilinear correlation was found between impedance changes with DR than with THR/MCL level. CONCLUSION The electrode impedances vary clue to different electrode position. Measuring the electrode impedance can effectively evaluate the working status of Combi C40+ cochlear implant. The dynamic range of the electrode was negatively correlated with the impedances, which made it possible to predict the width of the dynamic range by measuring the impedance 3 or 6 months after operation.
Auditory Threshold ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cochlear Implantation ; Cochlear Implants ; Electric Impedance ; Electrodes ; Female ; Hearing Loss ; physiopathology ; rehabilitation ; Humans ; Male

Objective: To investigate the factors influencing the therapeutic effect in acupuncture treatment of apoplectic pseudobulbar palsy (PBP). Methods: Sixty patients with apoplectic pseudobulbar palsy in pattern of obstruction of wind and phlegm in the meridians were randomly divided into the treatment group and control group, to observe the therapeutic effect. Results and Conclusion: The therapeutic effect was significantly better in the treatment group than in the control group (P＜0.05). It has been found in the study that with increase in the occurrence of cerebral apoplexy, the incidence rate of severe dysphagia increased and dysphagia took place progressively earlier, indicating the importance of early treatment and prevention of cerebral apoplexy.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the positive frequency and distribution of glutamic acid decarboxylase antibody(GAD-Ab) in phenotypic type 2 diabetic(T2DM) patients.

METHODSSera of 2035 phenotypic T2DM patients were screened for GAD-Ab with radioligand assay. The positive frequency of GAD-Ab and its relation with clinical features were analyzed.

RESULTS(1) The positivity of GAD-Ab in clinic-based, phenotypic T2DM patients was 7.1% (145/2035), comparable to that of data from Caucasians as shown by UKPDS(8.7% vs. 9.8%, P = 0.391) and ADOPT (8.0% vs. 4.2%, P = 0.000) but higher than that of Japanese in Ehime study(7.1% vs. 3.8%, P = 0.000). (2) The positive frequency and distribution of GAD-Ab titer were related to clinical features, including age at onset, body mass index (BMI) and fasting C peptide levels. Patients with younger age at onset (0.33 vs. 0.11, P < 0.05), less BMI (0.34 vs. 0.10, P < 0.05) and lower C peptide levels (0.38 vs. 0.11, P < 0.05) would have higher GAD-Ab titers.

CONCLUSION(1)The positivity of GAD-Ab in adult-onset phenotypic T2DM in Chinese was similar to that of Caucasians but higher than that of the Japanese. (2) The distribution of GAD-Ab titers was associated with clinical features, with high GAD-Ab titers for those having younger age at onset, less BMI and lower C peptide levels.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age of Onset ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antibodies ; immunology ; metabolism ; Body Mass Index ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Female ; Glutamate Decarboxylase ; immunology ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phenotype ; Young Adult