Angiogenesis Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Endostatins ; therapeutic use ; Histiocytic Sarcoma ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Recombinant Proteins ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo present that Nickel-Titanium (NT) memory alloy staples in fusionless controlling the growth of the vertebrates in the sagittal plane.

METHODSEighteen infant female goats were selected and equally divided into 3 random groups: long staple group, short staple group and blank control group. Five long staple (the legs' length = 7 mm) and five short staple (the legs' length = 4 mm) were implanted into each goat in long and short staple groups respectively by anterior approach, right on the front of the thoracic vertebrae from T(6) to T(11). The control group was not given any treatment. X-ray examination was performed pre-operatively and post-operatively. Cobb angle of lateral radiograph was measured and the data of Cobb angle were statistically analyzed. At the end of the experiment, whether the staples implanted spinal columns were fused or not were evaluated by gross observation.

RESULTSFinally, all of the goats were included in the final results. Before the operations, T(6-11) sagittal Cobb angle was 7.0° ± 2.3° in short staple group, and 6.2° ± 4.0° in long staple group. And after the operation, the T(6-11) Cobb angle was increased to 12.7° ± 4.7° in short staple group with the increased rate of 81.4%, and 14.0° ± 4.9° in long staple group with the increased rate of 125.8%, respectively. Before and after the surgery, there were no significant differences between long staple group and short staple group in terms of Cobb angle (pre-operation P = 0.655, post-operation P = 0.596). Before the surgery, there were no differences in terms of Cobb angle, between long staple groups and control group (P = 0.929), and short staple groups and control group (P = 0.720). At the end of the experiment, there were significant differences between long staple group and control group in terms of Cobb angle (P = 0.007), and between short staple group and control group (P = 0.021). The staples implanted spinal columns were not fused which was proved by gross observation.

CONCLUSIONSThe memory alloy staple implantation by anterior approach, right on the front of the thoracic vertebrae of goats, can control the growth of thoracic vertebrates leading to kyphosis.

Animals ; Bone Nails ; Female ; Goats ; Nickel ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; growth & development ; surgery ; Titanium

Conjugal plasmid pGH112 has been developed based on the replicons of Streptomyces coelicolor plasmid SCP2 and E. coli ColE. The plasmid contains ampicilin resistance gene(amp) for selection in E. coli and thiostrepton resistance gene (tsr) for selection in Streptomycetes, and a 0.76 kb oriT fragment of (IncP) RK2. Conjugal transfer of pGH112 was performed from E. coli to S. coelicolor A3(2), S. avermitilis, S. lividans TK54, S. toxytricini NNRL15443, S. venezuelae ISP5230 and Sacc. erythraea by conjugation, results show that the plasmid was able to transfer efficenctly from E. coli to Streptomycetes, was stably inherited in the recipients. pGH113 was constructed from pGH112 by combining the constitutive ermE promoter with green fluorescent protein gene(gfp).
Ampicillin Resistance ; genetics ; Conjugation, Genetic ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; genetics ; Plasmids ; Streptomycetaceae ; genetics ; Thiostrepton ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo explore the expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in pancreatic cancer and its influence on the proliferation and migration of cancer cells.

METHODSThe expression of CTGF in pancreatic cell line PANC-1 cells was analyzed by real-time PCR and in pancreatic carcinoma (50 cases) tissues by immunohistochemistry. The ability of proliferation and migration in vitro of PANC-1 cells was tested by MTT assay, scratch test and Boyden chamber test after the CTGF gene was overexpressed by Ad5-CTGF or silenced with Ad5-siCTGF transfection.

RESULTSCTGF was overexpressed in both pancreatic cancer cells and tissues. Overxpression of CTGF leads to increased proliferation and migration of PANC-1 cells. The CTGF-transfected PANC-1 cells showed apparent stronger proliferation ability and scratch-repair ability than that of empty vector controls. The results of Boyden chamber test showed that there were 34 cells/field (200× magnificantion) of the CTGF-transfected overexpressing cells, much more than the 11 cells/field of the empty vector control cells; and 6 cells/microscopic field of the Ad5-siCTGF-transfected silenced cells, much less than the 15 cells/field of the control cells.

CONCLUSIONSCTGF is overexpressed in both pancreatic cancer cells in vitro and in vivo, indicating that it may play an important role in the cell proliferation and migration in pancreatic cancer.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation ; Connective Tissue Growth Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Recombinant Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo study the antitumor effect of peri-tumor implantation of delayed-release 5-fluorouracil implants on xenograft colorectal tumor in mice.

METHODSFifty tumor-bearing nude mice were randomly divided into 5 groups. Group A and B were treated with peri-tumor implantation of 5-fluorouracil implants and the dose of 5-fluorouracil was 200 and 100 mg/kg, respectively. Group C and D were treated with peri-tumor injection of 5-fluorouracil solution and the dose of 5-fluorouracil was 200 and 100 mg/kg, respectively. Group E did not receive any treatment. A growth curve was plotted for changes in tumor volume, the weight of the tumor was measured and tumor inhibition rate was calculated.

RESULTSThe growth curve was mild in group A and B and steep in group C, D and E. There were statistical differences in tumor volume between groups A and B and other groups and there were no statistical differences in tumor volume among group C, D and E. After 12 days, tumor inhibition rate was 72% in group A, 51% in group B, 8% in group C, and 5% in group C. There were statistical differences in inhibition rate between group A, B and C, D (P<0.05). The weight changes before and after the treatment among the 5 groups were not statistically different. During the study, 1 mouse in group A died, 4 in group C and 1 in group D.

CONCLUSIONDelayed-release 5-fluorouracil implants can effectively inhibit tumor growth.

Animals ; Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic ; administration & dosage ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; Female ; Fluorouracil ; administration & dosage ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the feasibility of whole body diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) in bone metastasis detection using bone scintigraphy as comparison.

METHODSForty-five patients with malignancy history were enrolled in our study. All the patients received the whole body DWI and bone scintigraphy scan within 1 week. The magnetic resonance (MR) examination was performed on 3.0T MR scanner using embedded body coil. The images were reviewed separately by two radiologists and two nuclear medicine physicians, who were blinded to the results of the other imaging modality. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of the two techniques for detecting bone metastasis were analyzed.

RESULTSA total of 181 metastatic lesions in 77 regions of 34 patients were detected by whole body DWI, and 167 metastatic lesions in 76 regions of 31 patients were identified by bone scintigraphy. The patient-based sensitivity and PPV of whole body DWI and bone scintigraphy were similar (89.5% vs. 81.6%, 97.1% vs. 91.2%), whereas, the patient-based specificity and NPV of whole body DWI were obviously higher than those of bone scintigraphy (85.7% vs. 57.1%, 60.0% vs. 36.4%). Ten regions negative in scintigraphy but positive in whole body DWI, mainly located in spine, pelvis, and femur; nine regions only detected by scintigraphy, mainly located in skull, sternum, clavicle, and scapula. The region-based sensitivity and specificity of whole body DWI were slightly higher than those of bone scintigraphy (89.5% vs. 88.4%, 95.6% vs. 87.6%).

CONCLUSIONWhole body DWI reveals excellent concordance with bone scintigraphy regarding detection of bone metastasis, and the two techniques are complementary for each other.

Aged ; Bone Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; secondary ; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; instrumentation ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Radionuclide Imaging ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Whole Body Imaging ; instrumentation ; methods

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the surgical outcomes after transumbilical single-port access laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer.

METHODSPatients undergoing transumbilical single-port access laparoscopic radical resection for colorectal cancer at the Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University were included.

RESULTSThree patients underwent transumbilical single-port access laparoscopic radical resection for sigmoid colon cancer and 1 for rectal cancer between August 2010 and September 2010. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. No conversion was required. The mean operative time was 206 min and the mean estimated blood loss was 75 ml. The mean number of harvested lymph nodes was 21. Patients were ambulatory in the same day of surgery or postoperative day 1. Length of hospital stay ranged from 7 to 10 days.

CONCLUSIONSTransumbilical single-port access laparoscopic surgery is safe for colorectal cancer. Long-term outcomes warrant further investigation.

Adult ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Umbilicus ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo identify the relationship of body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure in 7 - 15 years children and adolescents of Beijing so as to provide scientific basis for early prevention of hypertension and to provide evidence for verification on the category criterion of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents of China, recommended by the Working Group on Obesity in China (WGOC) to sensitively distinguish the blood pressure in normal weight, overweight and obesity populations.

METHODSA cross-sectional survey on epidemiological characteristics of obesity with stratified cluster sampling method carried out in Beijing in April and May, 2000. 5155 students aged 6 - 15 years were selecte das research subjects. The category criterion of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents of China was recommended by WGOC, the diagnostic criterion of hypertension in children was recommended by CDC in the USA. Statistics analysis system (SAS 8.1) including partial person correlation analysis, t-test, chi(2) test and logistic multi-factors regression analysis was used to analyses the data from 4982 subjects aged 7 - 15 years.

RESULTS(1) after the age and gender were adjusted, the BMI positive correlation with systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was found independent in 7 - 15 years children and adolescents (P < 0.0001) and the partial relation coefficients(r) between BMI and SBP and DBP were 0.323 87 and 0.245 88 respectively. (2) the means of SBP and DBP in obesity group were significantly higher then overweight, while overweight was significantly higher then normal weight group (P < 0.0001). (3) the prevalence rates of hyper-SBP, hyper-DBP and hypertension were significantly different (P < 0.0001). When compared with the normal weight group, the relation risk (RR) for hypertension in overweight group and obesity group were 2.96 and 4.85 respectively. The prevalence rates of hypertension in overweight and obesity group were 19.70% and 24.22% respectively. (4) the results of logistic multi-factors regression analysis showed that both age and weight were effecting on hyper-SBP, hyper-DBP and hypertension (P < 0.0001). After age was adjusted, the RR for hypertension was 2.62, and their confidence interval (CI) was 2.36 - 2.91 in obesity or overweight, between overweight and normal weight.

CONCLUSION(1) the BMI positive correlation with SBP and DBP was found independent in 7 - 15 years children and adolescents of Beijing, and the risk for hypertension maybe increased when these people with overweight and obesity, it is very important for hypertension prevention and control that overweight and obesity prevention and control in children and adolescents. (2) the sensitivity of the category criterion of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents of China, recommended by WGOC have been verified on distinguish the blood pressure in normal weight, overweight and obesity populations.

Adolescent ; Age Factors ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Child ; China ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; etiology ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Risk Factors ; Sex Factors

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of chloride channels in the apoptosis of poorly differentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma CNE-2Z cells induced by gambogic acid (GA).

METHODSMTT assay was applied to detect the proliferation of CNE-2Z cells after GA treatment, and the cell apoptosis was detected by Hoechst 33342 staining. Whole-cell patch clamp technique was employed to record GA-activated Cl(-) currents in the cells.

RESULTSGA inhibited the cell proliferation in a time- and concentration-dependent manner with an IC(50) of 3.1 µmol/L for a 48-h treatment. The apoptosis-inducing effect of 8 µmol/L GA was attenuated by the chloride channel blocker NPPB (100 µmol/L) and tamoxifen (20 µmol/L). GA induced an outward-rectified Cl(-) current in the cells, which was significantly inhibited by NPPB.

CONCLUSIONGA suppresses cell proliferation and induces apoptosis by activating Cl(-) channels in CNE-2Z cells, suggesting the important role of Cl(-) channels in GA-induced apoptosis.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Chloride Channels ; drug effects ; physiology ; Humans ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; pathology ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Xanthones ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation of the testis volume and reproductive hormone level with the results of testicular sperm aspiration (TESA) in non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) patients, and to explore the cut-off value of the testis volume and reproductive hormone level in predicting the results of TESA so as to provide reliable information for the diagnosis and treatment of NOA.

METHODSWe enlisted 121 NOA patients in this study, divided them into a sperm group and a non-sperm group based on the results of TESA, and measured their testis volumes and reproductive hormone levels.

RESULTSThe left testis volume, the right testis volume, and the levels of prolactin (PRL), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinising hormone (LH), estradiol (E2) and total testosterone (T) in the non-sperm and sperm groups were (7.07 +/- 1.06) ml vs (11.75 +/- 1.38) ml, (7.37 +/- 1.37) ml vs (11.70 +/- 1.98) ml, (12.43 +/- 11.69) ng/ml vs (9.60 +/- 4.55) ng/ml, (15.77 +/- 10.84) mIU/ml vs (8.01 +/- 7.43) mIU/ml, (6.12 +/- 2.92) mIU/ml vs (8.11 +/- 20.11) mIU/ml, (119.36 +/- 43.52) pmol/L vs (141.12 +/- 48.33) pmol/L, and (11.43 +/- 4.05) nmol/L vs (12.46 +/- 4.60) nmol/L, respectively. The mean levels of serum FSH and PRL were significantly higher in the non-sperm than in the sperm group. Although the mean testis volume of the former was less than that of the latter, there were no significant differences between the two groups, and nor were any significant differences in age and the levels of E2 and T. The cut-off value of the testis volume was 9 ml, with sensitivity of 93.8%/89.6% (left/right) and specificity of 100%/94.3% (left/right). The area under curve (AUC) of the left testis volume was 0.984 and that of the right was 0.961, indicating a high diagnostic accuracy. The cut-off value of the serum FSH level was 8.18 mIU/ml, with a sensitivity of 71.2% and a specificity of 75.0%. The AUC of the FSH level was 0.743, suggestive of a moderate diagnostic accuracy.

CONCLUSIONThe testis volume and FSH level are important for predicting the TESA results of NOA patients, and the former has even a higher diagnostic accuracy than the latter.

Adult ; Azoospermia ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; analysis ; Humans ; Luteinizing Hormone ; analysis ; Male ; Organ Size ; Sperm Retrieval ; Testis ; anatomy & histology ; Young Adult