Objective To explore the biomechanical characteristics of the pharynx in patients with aspiration after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).Methods Clinical data on NPC patients with dysphagia admitted between July 2011 and June 2015 were retrospectively analyzed.Twenty-three patients were found who had received videofluoroscopic swallowing studies (VFSSs) and whose pharyngeal pressure and upper esophageal sphincter (UES) relaxing were tested using high-resolution solid-state manometry (HRM).The cases were divided into an aspiration group and a non-aspiration group according to the VFSS results.Differences in biomechanical parameters between the 2 groups when taking food of different viscosity were compared.Results Patients with aspiration had significantly higher UES residual pressure when taking thick liquids (20.1± 14.3 mmHg) and paste (18.0± 14.3 mmHg) than patients not aspirating (9.3±9.2 mmHg and 7.2±8.9 mmHg for thick liquid and paste respectively).But no significant difference in average pharyngeal pressure between the two groups was observed.Conclusion Aspiration after radiotherapy may be correlated with increased UES residual pressure.

Objective To summarize the sonographic features and differential diagnosis points of mass-type cornual pregnancy. Methods The sonographic ifndings of 23 pathological proven mass-type cornual pregnancy cases enrolled in PUMCH from 2011 January to 2013 January were retrospectively analyzed. Results All pathological proven mass-type cornual pregnancy were located at one corner of the uterus presenting as a heterogenous outward mass. Well-deifned margins were found in 20 cases, and interstitial-line signs were found in 15 cases. The surrounding muscle thickness is 0.1-0.3 cm. Typical hyperechoic villi were found on sonography in cases with bloodβ-hCG>20 000 IU/L. On Doppler, the lesion showed abundant peripheral vascularity with low resistance in 22 cases, 9 lesions also showed abundant internal vascularity. Among 23 mass-type cornual pregnancy cases, 7 cases were misdiagnosed as gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) due to the similar sonographic characteristics including mixed-echo and abundant vascularity with low resistance. Sixteen cases were diagnosed by ultrasound preoperatively, with featured sonographic signs including mass located in the endometrial extension line;clear margin;peripheral vascularity;or detection of interstitial-line sign and typical villus. Conclusions Mass-type cornual pregnancy may be correctly diagnosed according to the location, boundary of the mass and the distribution of blood flow combining with clinical manifestation and bloodβ-hCG level. Transvaginal sonography could play an important role in diagnosis of cornual pregnancy.

Objective To summarize the sonographic features and pathological features of ovarian tumor during pregnancy. Methods One hundred and five women with 114 pathologically proved ovarian tumors during pregnancy in Peking Union Medical College Hospital were retrospectively recruited. According to pathological diagnosis, the clinical treatment, the result of the pregnancy and sonographic examinations were reviewed and analyzed. The sonographic features of benign tumors were compared with low-grade malignant tumors. Results Among the 105 pregnant women with a total of 114 ovarian tumors, 65 tumors were found by ultrasound exam. The other 49 tumors were found during cesarean section. The sonographic features of pathologically proved ovarian tumors include regular shape and well-deifned margins, with 58 of benign tumors and 7 of borderline or low-grade malignant tumors. Compared with borderline or low-grade malignant tumors, benign tumors manifested as strong echoes or high echogenic mass without papillae in the tumors (50/58). As for borderline or low-grade malignant group, tumors manifested as papillae within the tumors (5/7). Pathological classiifcation of the 114 ovarian tumors included 84 germ cell tumors, 19 epithelial tumors, 9 sex cord-stromal tumors, and 2 germ cell tumors combined epithelial tumors. Surgical treatments were performed in 7 cases during the ifrst trimester, while 11 cases during the second trimester, and 87 cases during the third trimester. Pregnancy outcome of the 105 pregnant women included term delivery in 82 cases, premature delivery in 18 cases, artiifcial abortion during ifrst trimester in 4 cases, and induced abortion during second trimester in 1 case. Conclusions Most ovarian tumors treated in pregnancy are benign. The sonographic features of benign tumors include regular shape with well-deifned margins, strong echoes or high echogenic mass within the tumors. While the sonographic features of borderline or malignant tumors include papillae within the tumors. Ultrasound assessment of ovarian tumors can help to determine the risk of malignancy and guide the surgical management.

Objective To investigate the effect of hosphocreatine therapy on the plasma cardiotrophin-1(CT-1) and N terminal probrain natriuretic (NT-proBNP) in elderly hypertensive patients with heart failure. Methods A total of 76 hy-pertensive patients with heart failure, aged 65 or over, were randomly divided into treatment group and control group (n=38 for each group). The control group received routine anti-heart failure treatment. The treatment group received conventional therapy plus creatine phosphate sodium for 2 weeks. The plasma levels of CT-1 and NT-proBNP were determined in two groups. The plasma CT-1 level was measured by a double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The plasma level of NT-proBNP was tested by Rui Pu fluorescent dry quantitative analyzer. Results The plasma levels of CT-1 and NT-proBNP were significantly lower after treatment in two groups (P＜0.01). The plasma levels of CT-1 and NT-proBNP were significantly decreased in treatment group than those in control group (P＜0.05). The total effective rate was 89.47%in treatment group, which was significantly higher than that of control group (71.05%, P＜0.05). Symptoms of heart failure improved in one week (21 cases in treatment group/9 cases in control group) and in two weeks (13 cases in treatment group/18 cases in control group). Conclusion The conventional therapy plus creatine phosphate sodium can decrease the plasma CT-1 and NT-proBNP levels in elderly hypertensive patients with heart failure, which improves symptoms of heart failure in a shorter period of time.

This study was aimed to investigate the effects of high-dose strictosamide injection on cardiovascular sys-tem of anesthetized beagle dogs and to examine the inhibition of strictosamide on ion channels in vitro. Indexes such as changes of systolic blood pressure (Sys), diastolic blood pressure (Dia), mean blood pressure (MBP), heart rate (HR), PR, QRS, QT, QTcb and QTcv at different time points before and after strictosamide injection in dogs were monitored by the polygraph system. The inhibition of strictosamide at different concentrations on hERG potassium channel in CHO-hERG cells and Nav1.5 sodium channel in HEK-293-Nav1.5 cells were measured by whole-cell patch-clamp method. The results showed that compared with the blank control group, Sys, Dia, MBP and HR were obviously declined 15 min after medication in the strictosamide (60, 18 mg·kg-1) group and the vehicle-control group (containing tween-80) (P < 0.05). After medication, all indexes were recovered. Compared to the vehicle-control group, there were no significant differences at different time points in each medication groups. Compared with the blank control group and before medication, the QT interval, QTcb and QTcv were significantly prolonged 15 min af-ter medication in the strictosamide (60, 18, 6 mg·kg-1) group and the vehicle-control group (P< 0.05). When medi-cation stopped, indexes were recovered at certain level. Compared with the vehicle-control group, there were no sig-nificant differences of QT interval, QTcb and QTcv of each medication group at different time points (P> 0.05). The inhibition of strictosamide on hERG potassium channel and Nav1.5 sodium channel were weak with IC50 values of 560.8 μM and > 900 μM, respectively, which were far greater than the positive controls. It was concluded that sin-gle, high-dose intravenous injection of strictosamide may lead to a lower blood pressure, a slower heart rate and a prolongation on the QT interval in beagle dogs, which returned to basal levels when medication stopped. It was spec-ulated that the reduction of blood pressure and the slowing of heart rate were related to tween-80 contained in the vehicle control group. No significant inhibitory effects were detected on hERG potassium channel and Nav1.5 sodium channel in vitro, which suggested that other mechanisms may be involved in strictosamide-induced QT interval pro-longation in animals.

The different biological functions were studied in mouse bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells isolated by differential time attachment to obtain the optimal adherent time in this study. Density gradient centrifugation-isolated bone marrow mononuclear cells were seeded on the fibronectin-coated dish. The 1-day cultured unattached cells were seeded on the second dish for 2 more days. Then unattached cells in the second dish were seeded on the third dish. The cells on 3 dishes were defined as 1-day adherent cells, 3-day adherent cells and 3-day unattached cells, respectively. After 20-day culture, the biological functions, such as the percentage of biomarkers, the ability of adhesion, and the ability of forming tubes in vitro were analyzed. The results showed that the percentages of positive CD34, FLK-1, and CD34/FLK-1 expressions in 1-day attached cells were significantly increased compared to those in the 3-day adherent or unattached cells (P < 0.01), which showed the strongest adhesion ability. The expression of eNOS in 1- or 3-day adherent cells was significantly higher than that in 3-day unattached cells (P < 0.01). The expression of VEGF in 3-day adherent cells was significantly higher than that in 1-day adherent cells or 3-day unattached cells (P < 0.01). These results suggest the biological functions of 1-day adherent cells are significantly stronger than that of 3-day adherent or unattached cells. VEGF expression in 3-day adherent cells is higher than that in 1-day adherent cells or 3-day unattached cells. The expression of eNOS in 1-day adherent cells or 3-day adherent cells is higher than that in 3-day unattached cells. The optimal adherent time to obtain mouse bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells is 1-3 d.
Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Cell Culture Techniques ; methods ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Separation ; methods ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; cytology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; metabolism ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Time Factors ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism

AIM: To discuss the protective effects and possible mechanisms of 17β-estradiol on human retinal pigment epithelial ( RPE) cells induced by high glucose. ·METHODS: RPE cells were cultured and divided into four groups according to randomized controlled method:blank control group:the cells were treated with 5. 5mmol/L routine glucose medium for processing; high glucose group: cells were treated with 100mmol/L glucose for 12h;17β-estradiol low concentration group: after treated with 10 μmol/L 17β-estradiol, cells were treated with 100mmol/L glucose for 12h; 17β-estradiol high concentration group: after treated with 100 μmol/L 17β-estradiol, cells were treated with 100mmol/L glucose for 12h. Cell viability were tested by MTT colorimetric detection. Cells apoptosis were detected by Hochest33258 staining. Intracellular reactive oxygen species( ROS) level were detected by H2 DCFDA staining. Expression of CAT, SOD and MDA were tested by colorimetric detection. · RESULTS: RPE cell activity decreased with the concentration of glucose increased; 17β-estradiol inhibited high glucose-induced cell viability decrease in RPE cells, decreased the apoptosis rate of RPE cells and intracellular ROS generation; besides, 17β-estradiol significantly increased the expression of CAT, SOD and decreased the expression of MDA in RPE cells. ·CONCLUSION: The 17β-estradiol effectively inhibited high glucose -induced RPE cells damage, which provide reliable experimental basis for the treatment of injuries in RPE cells.

OBJECTIVETo observe clinical efficacy of renovation stem revision femoral head arthroplasty for the treatment of unstable intertrochanteric fracture in the elderly.

METHODSTotally 32 elderly patients with unstable intertrochanteric fracture were treated with renovation stem revision femoral head arthroplasty from September 2007 to January 2011. There were 11 males and 21 females with an average age of 83.8 (ranged, 80 to 98) years old,the time from injury to hospital ranged from 4 h to 14 days. According to Evans-Jensen classification, 6 cases were type II a, 20 cases were type II b, and 6 cases were type III. Postoperative mortality, complication rates and Harris hip function score were compared and analyzed to evaluate curative effect.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up and no dislocation occurred. Six patients were died during 15 months and 4.5 years; 24 cases recoved to independent wakling at 6 months after operation, and 8 cases walked with stick and walker. The average Harris hip joint function score were (91.56 +/- 2.96), 28 cases got excellent results and 4 cases good. Nine cases occurred complications and healed after treatment.

CONCLUSIONRenovation stem revision femoral head arthroplasty is a active and reliable method in treating unstable intertrochanteric fracture in the elderly.

Aged, 80 and over ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; methods ; Female ; Femoral Neck Fractures ; surgery ; Hip Fractures ; surgery ; Humans ; Male

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical efficacy difference between segmentation scraping and conventional acupuncture for cervical spondylosis (CS) so as to provide effective treatment method.

METHODSEighty-five cases of cervical type of CS were randomly divided into a scraping group (44 cases) and an acupuncture group (41 cases). The segmentation scraping therapy was used in the scraping group. The scraping group was treated with focusing on scraping the head and joint part of neck and occiput in the upper cervical spine injury, and focusing on scraping the lower section of cervical and shoulder in the lower cervical spine injury, once every seven days, totally for 3 times. In the acupuncture group, Fengchi (GB 20),Wangu (TE 5), Tianzhu (BL 10),Neck-Jiaji (EX-B 2), etc. were selected,once daily,for 15 days. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to evaluate the immediate analgesic effect after the first treatment and the clinical efficacy was observed after the end of treatment.

RESULTSAfter the first treatment, the score of VAS was decreased significantly in the scaping group (P < 0.01), but there was no significant difference in the acupuncture group compared with those before treatment (P > 0.05); the score of VAS in the scaping group after the first treatment was lower than that in the acupuncture group (3.66 +/- 0.74 vs 5.43 +/- 0.35, P < 0.01). Compared with before treatment, the scores of VAS were decreased significantly after treatment in two groups (both P < 0.01), but without significant difference between two groups (P > 0.05); the effective rate was 95.5% (42/44) in the scaping group and 87.8% (36/41) in the acupuncture group, the curative effects were similar (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBoth of scraping and acupuncture therapies have good analgesic effect for cervical spondylosis, and overall effects are similar, but the immediate analgesic effect of scraping thrapy is better than that of conventional acupuncture.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Neck Pain ; therapy ; Spondylosis ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role and significance of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway regulating GSK-3beta, STAT3, Smad3 and TERT in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODSThe HCC cell line HepG2 was transfected with small interfering RNA (siRNA) directed against beta-catenin. Proteins were extracted and the expressions of beta-catenin, GSK-3beta, p-GSK-3beta, STAT3, Smad3 and TERT were detected by Western blot at 72 h and 96 h respectively after transfection.

RESULTSbeta-catenin expression was inhibited at both time points and the expression at 96 h was higher than that at 72 h (t = 4.43, P < 0.05). Interestingly, GSK-3beta and p-GSK-3beta expressions increased gradually at 72 and 96 h (tGSK-3beta= 4.98, tp-GSK-3beta= 29.83, P < 0.05) respectively, and STAT3 expression showed no alteration after transfection (F = 0.49, P > 0.05). Smad3 expression was increased at 72 h (t = 10.67, P < 0.05) and decreased to normal at 96 h (t = 1.26, P < 0.05), while TERT expression decreased at 72 h (t = 4.18, P is less than 0.05) and increased to normal at 96 h (t = 1.26, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSWnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway is related to the expressions of GSK-3beta, Smad3 and TERT, but perhaps not related to STAT3 protein expression in HCC. It suggested that Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway might participate in HCC genesis and development through regulating the above three factors.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Signal Transduction ; Wnt Proteins ; metabolism ; beta Catenin ; metabolism