Objective To compare the value of 18 F-labeled deoxyglucose (FDG) PET or PET-CT with MRI in detecting local residue or recurrence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma after radiotherapy, by performing a meta-analysis of relevant trials.Methods A literature search was performed to English original articles about FDG PET or PET-CT and MRI in Medline, Embase and the Cochrane database from January 1995 to August 2009.The reference standard was histopathologic analysis and/or close clinical and imaging follow-up.Two reviewers searched articles and extracted data independently.Sensitivity, specificity,summary receiver operating characteristic curves (SROC), and the Q index for FDG PET or PET-CT and MRI were pooled, respectively.Results Seventeen studies about FDG PET or PET-CT and 10 studies about MRI were included in this meta-analysis.The pooled sensitivity of FDG PET or PET-CT and MRI were 0.935(95% CI= 0.901 -0.964) and 0.792 (95% CI= 0.731 -0.844), separately.The pooled specificity were 0.924 (95 % CI= 0.898 - 0.945) and 0.787 (95 % GI= 0.746 - 0.825), separately.Area under SROC curves of PET-CT or PET (0.966) was significantly larger than that of MRI (0.852) (z =2.29, P < 0.05).The Q * index estimates for PET-CT or PET (0.914) were significantly higher than for MRI (0.783)(z=2.94,P<0.05).Conclusions FDG-PET/PET-CT has higher accuracy than MRI in diagnosing local residue or recurrence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma after radiotherapy.

Objective To investigate the influence of injection color regents concentration on completed resection rate, operation time and injection volume of patients with intestinal tumor by ESD.Methods 90 elderly patients with intestinal tumor by ESD were chosen from June 2013 to June 2016. They were randomly divided into 3 groups including A group (30 patients) with glycerin fructose used alone, B group (30 patients) with glycerin fructose combined with 2% mythylene blue on the basis of glycerin fructose and C group (30 patients) with glycerin fructose combined with 4% mythylene blue on the basis of glycerin fructose; and the completed resection rate of tumor, operation time, injection volume and complication incidence in the peri-operative period of 3 groups were compared.Results There was no signiifcant difference in the completed resection rate of tumor among the 3 groups (P < 0.05). The operation time and injection volume of C group were signiifcant better than A group and B group (P< 0.05). There was no signiifcant difference in operation time and injection volume between A group and B group (P < 0.05). There was no signiifcant difference in the complication incidence in the peri-operative period among the 3 groups (P < 0.05).Conclusion Compared with glycerin fructose used alone and glycerin fructose combined with 1% mythylene blue for 2 mg, glycerin fructose combined with 1% mythylene blue for 4 mg by intestinal submucosal injection on patients with intestinal tumor by ESD can efifciently shorten the operation time and reduce the injection volume.

A patient suffering Madelung's disease was treated and the literatures were reviewed in this article. The cause, the clinical features and treatment were discussed. The cause of this disease is unknown, and it is characterized by symmetrical accumulation of fat around the neck,nape and armpit having a appearance of "horse collar"or "hump back". Histological analysis revealed typical fat tissue depositing around the structures. Surgery is the main means of treatment, and prognosis is good.

OBJECTIVESTo investigate telomerase activity in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and its preneoplasia lesions, and to study the relationships between telomerase activity and cancer differentiation, cancer invasiveness, and lymphatic metastasis.

METHODSTelomerase activity in esophageal SCC tissues, adjacent dysplasia tissues and normal epithelia from the surgical edge were assessed by microdissection-TRAP (telomeric repeat amplification protocol)-silver staining assay.

RESULTSTelomerase activity was detected in 37 (82.2%) of 45 esophageal tumors, 23 (79.3%) of 29 dysplasias, and 2 (5%) of 40 normal epithelia. There was a significant difference in activity between dysplasia and normal epithelium, as well as between tumor and normal epithelium. Twenty-six (92.9%) of 28 tumors with lymphatic metastasis had detectable telomerase activity compared to 11 (64.7%) of 17 non-lymphatic metastasis tumors. These relationships were statistically significant (P < 0.05), but the one between telomerase activity and tumor grade was not.

CONCLUSIONTelomerase activity was high both in esophageal SCC and their preneoplasia lesions. The telomerase activity in SCC tissue was related to lymphatic metastasis, but not to cancer differentiation.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; enzymology ; pathology ; Cell Differentiation ; Dissection ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; enzymology ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Precancerous Conditions ; Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid ; Telomerase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Telomere

This study is to evaluate the therapeutic effect of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) on hypertension induced by insulin resistance in rats and to provide mechanistic insights into its therapeutic effect. Male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were fed with high-fructose (10%) water to develop mild hypertensive models within 4 weeks, then randomized into 4 groups: model control, FGF21 0.25, 0.1 and 0.05 micromol x kg(-1) x d(-1) groups. Five age-matched normal SD rats administrated with saline were used as normal controls. The rats in each group were treated once a day for 4 weeks. Body weight was measured weekly, systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured noninvasively using a tail-cuff method, insulin sensitivity was assessed using oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and HOMA-IR assay. At the end of the treatment, blood samples were collected, and blood glucose, serum cholesterol, serum triglyceride and serum insulin were measured. The results showed that blood pressure of the rats treated with different doses of FGF21 returned to normal levels [(122.2 +/- 3.5) mmHg, P < 0.01] after 4-week treatment, whereas, SBP of untreated (model control) rats maintained a high level [(142.5 +/- 4.5) mmHg] throughout the treatment. The observation of blood pressure in 24 h revealed that SBP of FGF21 treated-rats maintained at (130 +/- 4.5) mmHg vs. (143 +/- 5.5) mmHg for model control (P < 0.01). FGF21 treatment groups improved serum lipids obviously, total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) levels decreased significantly to normal levels. The serum NO levels of three different doses FGF21 treatment group were significantly higher than that of the model control group [(7.32 +/- 0.11), (7.24 +/- 0.13), (6.94 +/- 0.08) vs. (6.56 +/- 0.19) micromol x L(-1), P < 0.01], and the degree of improvement showed obvious dose-dependent manner, indicating that FGF21 can significant increase serum NO in fructose-induced hypertension rat model and improve endothelial NO release function. The results of OGTT and HOMA-IR showed that insulin resistance state was significantly relieved in a dose-dependent manner. Thus, this study demonstrates that FGF21 significantly ameliorates blood pressure in fructose-induced hypertension model by relieving insulin resistance. This finding provides a theoretical support for clinical application of FGF21 as a novel therapeutics for treatment of essential hypertension.

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between velopharyngeal morphology and velopharyngeal function in operated cleft palate patients with velopharyngeal competence (VPC) with levator veli palatini retropositioning according to Sommerlad.

METHODSThree groups were included in the study. The experimental group comprised 18 incomplete cleft patients (group T1) repaired with VPC repaired with levator veli palatini retropositioning according to Sommerlad and 14 incomplete cleft patients (group T2) with velopharyngeal incompetence (VPI) repaired with Langenbeck's technique. The control group was composed of 13 normal adults. The outcome of the velopharyngeal function by nasopharyngoscopy and lateral cephalogram was assessed. Skeletal landmarks and measurements were derived from the tracing of lateral cephalograms. The measurements included velar length, pharyngeal depth, and adequate ratio of velar length to pharyngeal depth. The cranial base, cervical vertebrae, posterior nasal spine, and the position of the posterior pharyngeal wall (PPW) in the pharyngeal triangle were also analyzed. All data were subjected to student's t-test of statistical significance.

RESULTSAll 18 subjects in group T1 obtained complete velopharyngeal closure. Velopharyngeal closure in seven, five, and two subjects in group T2 was 70%, 50% to 70%, and less than 50%, respectively, according to the results of nasopharyngoscopy. The lateral velar length (25.7 mm + 2.3 mm) in group T1 was similar to that of the control group (29.9 mm + 2.7 mm) (P > 0.05). The pharyngeal depth in group T1 was shorter than that in the other two groups, and the adequate ratio (1.43 + 0.26) was similar to that in the normal group (1.45 + 0.26). Group T2 had a significantly short velar length (22.9 mm + 2.3 mm) and normal pharyngeal depth, resulting in a small length/depth ratio (0.95 + 0.14) than that in group T1 and the control group. PPW in the pharyngeal triangle was positioned superiorly in group T2 compared with the control group.

CONCLUSIONThe velopharyngeal morphology of operated cleft palate patients with VPC with levator veli palatini retropositioning according to Sommerlad was found to be similar to that of the normal control group. VPI cleft palate patients are characterized by a shorter palate, smaller adequate ratio (< 1.0), slightly counterclockwise-rotated pharyngeal triangle, and superiorly positioned PPW.

Adult ; Cleft Palate ; Humans ; Palatal Muscles ; Palate, Soft ; Pharynx ; Velopharyngeal Insufficiency

Previous studies proposed that the synergistic effect of fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF-21) and insulin may be due to the improvement of insulin sensitivity by FGF-21. However, there is no experimental evidence to support this. This study was designed to elucidate the mechanism of synergistic effect of FGF-21 and insulin in the regulation of glucose metabolism. The synergistic effect of FGF-21 and insulin on regulating glucose metabolism was demonstrated by investigating the glucose absorption rate by insulin resistance HepG2 cell model and the blood glucose chances in type 2 diabetic db/db mice after treatments with different concentrations of FGF-21 or/and insulin; The synergistic metabolism was revealed through detecting GLUT1 and GLUT4 transcription levels in the liver by real-time PCR method. The experimental results showed that FGF-21 and insulin have a synergistic effect on the regulation of glucose metabolism. The results of real-time PCR showed that the effective dose of FGF-21 could up-regulate the transcription level of GLUT1 in a dose-dependent manner, but had no effect on the transcription level of GLUT4. Insulin (4 u) alone could up-regulate the transcription level of GLUT4, yet had no effect on that of GLUT1. Ineffective dose 0.1 mg kg(-1) FGF-21 alone could not change the transcription level of GLUT1 or GLUT4. However, when the ineffective dose 0.1 mg x kg(-1) FGF-21 was used in combination with insulin (4 u) significantly increased the transcription levels of both GLUT1 and GLUT4, the transcription level of GLUT1 was similar to that treated with 5 time concentration of FGF-21 alone; the transcription level of GLUT4 is higher than that treated with insulin (4 u) alone. In summary, in the presence of FGF-21, insulin increases the sensitivity of FGF-21 through enhancing GLUT1 transcription. Vice versa, FGF-21 increases the sensitivity of insulin by stimulating GLUT4 transcription in the presence of insulin. FGF-21 and insulin exert a synergistic effect on glucose metabolism through mutual sensitization.

Objective To investgate risk factors of delayed bleeding after endoscopic submucosal dissec-tion(ESD)for early colorectal tumor and precancerrous lesions. Methods We retrospectively reviewed clinical date of 138 patients with early colorectal tumor and precancerrous lesions who received ESD in Hubei Cancer Hos-pital from October 2012 to October 2016. Risk factors of delayed bleeding were analysed by univariate and multi-variable logistic regression analysis. Results Ten(7.2%)of 138 patients occurred delayed bleeding after ESD. Univariate analysis showed that there was significent difference between the bleeding group and the non-bleeding group in location of the lesion(P = 0.022),severe fibrosis of submucosa(P = 0.016),Obvious intraoperative bleeding(P = 0.032)and inadequate endosopic experience of endoscopist(P = 0.045). Multivariate Logistic re-gression analysis showed that location of lesion(P = 0.003,OR = 4.64,95%CI:1.71~12.58),severe fibrosis of submucosa(P = 0.009,OR = 4.83,95% CI:1.49~15.60)were independent risk factors of delayed bleeding after ESD for early colorectal tumor and precancerrous lesions. Conclusion Patients with early colorectal tumor and precancerrous lesions in the rectum and severe fibrosis of submucosa are prone to delayed bleeding after ESD.

Alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG) is a key molecule in the Krebs cycle determining the overall rate of the citric acid cycle of the organism. It is a nitrogen scavenger and a source of glutamate and glutamine that stimulates protein synthesis and inhibits protein degradation in muscles. AKG as a precursor of glutamate and glutamine is a central metabolic fuel for cells of the gastrointestinal tract as well. AKG can decrease protein catabolism and increase protein synthesis to enhance bone tissue formation in the skeletal muscles and can be used in clinical applications. In addition to these health benefits, a recent study has shown that AKG can extend the lifespan of adult Caenorhabditis elegans by inhibiting ATP synthase and TOR. AKG not only extends lifespan, but also delays age-related disease. In this review, we will summarize the advances in AKG research field, in the content of its physiological functions and applications.
Adenosine Triphosphate ; Adult ; Bone and Bones ; Caenorhabditis elegans ; Citric Acid Cycle ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Glutamic Acid ; Glutamine ; Humans ; Insurance Benefits ; Metabolism ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Muscles ; Nitrogen ; Proteolysis

Objective:To investigate the expression changes at the transcriptional level in normal lung tissues of mice after exposure to heavy ion radiation for different durations at different doses, aiming to provide evidence for exploring sensitive genes of heavy ion radiation, heavy ion radiation effect and the damage mechanism.Methods:Experiments on the temporal kinetics: the whole thorax of mice was irradiated with 14.5Gy carbon-ions and the total RNA of lung tissue was extracted at 3days, 7days, 3 weeks and 24 weeks. In dose-dependent experiment, the total RNA of lung tissue was extracted at 1 week after irradiated with a growing thoracic dose of 0, 7.5, 10.5, 12.5, 14.5, 17.5 and 20Gy. Protein-to-protein interaction (PPI) analysis and gene-ontology biological process enrichment analysis were performed on significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs).Results:A clearly differential expression patterns were observed at 3-day (acute stage), 1-week (subacute stage), 3-week (inflammatory stage) and 24-week (fibrosis stage) following 14.5Gy carbon-ions irradiation. Among those, the 3-day time point was found to be the mostly different from the other time points, whereas the 7-day time point had the highest uniformity with the other time points. Cellular apoptosis was the main type of cell death in normal lung tissues following carbon-ions exposure. The interactive genes of Phlda3, GDF15, Mgmt and Bax were identified as the radiosensitive genes, and Phlda3 was the center ( R=0.76, P<0.001). Conclusion:The findings in this study provide transcriptional insights into the biological mechanism underlying normal lung tissue toxicity induced by carbon-ions.