Human tissue kallikrein-binding protein (Kallistatin, KAL), a secretory protein that participates in the regulation of multiple signaling pathways by binding to the extracellular receptor, however, at present has not been reported about the intracellular activity, and whether it has the similar biological activity with extracellular activity. Here we constructed no signal peptide KAL (NSK) into the adeno-associated virus vector to explore the intracellular activity of KAL. Both the endothelial cell and lung cancer cells could express KAL, but not secreted after rAAV2-NSK transfection. The proliferation and migration of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were inhibited, but the apoptosis rate was not affected. The proliferation rates, mobility and tubule formation of all the three tested lung cancer cells, such as NCI-H446, NCI-H460 and A549, were inhibited to different extents. This cellular study not only confirmed the intracellular activity, but also suggested it may serve as a kind of "balance factor" in multi-targeted controlling, which may provide a new train of thoughts to explain the regulatory contradiction in PI3K-Akt signaling pathways by KAL.
Apoptosis ; Cell Proliferation ; Dependovirus ; Genetic Vectors ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Serpins ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Transfection

In order to reveal feasibility of different concentrations of Ca2+ and SA on Platycodon grandiflorum under high temperature stress, the effects of Ca2+ on physiological index and related photosynthetic parameters were studied. Pot cultured P. grandiflorum leaves under the same outdoor conditions were sprayed with CaCl2 and SA separately, and then placed in the high incubator [35 degrees C/25 degrees C (day/night), light intensity 3 600 lx], and sprayed with distilled water at 25 degrees C and under high temperature stress were set as the control. The related photosynthesis, relative conductivity, contents of proline, malondialdehyde, soluble protein, activities of SOD and CAT, ASA and GSH content were measured. The results show that the 6 mmol x L(-1) CaCl2 and 1.5 mmol x L(-1) SA enhanced the activities of SOD and CAT, the contents of proline and soluble protein, and effectively reduced the damage of heat stress on cell membrance. At the same time, the exogenous Ca2+ and SA increased the contents of chlorophyll and carotenoid, the efficiency of leaf photosynthesis and ASA and GSH content, and thus effectively resisted the oxidative stress caused by high temperatures, but with the increasing concentration of spraying, P. grandiflorum decreased the ability to resist high temperature stress. In conclusion, the foliage spraying CaCl2 and SA could reduce the damage of high temperature stress on P. grandiflorum leaves.
Calcium ; metabolism ; Hot Temperature ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; Photosynthesis ; Plant Leaves ; metabolism ; Platycodon ; metabolism ; Salicylic Acid ; metabolism ; Stress, Physiological

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the value of T2WI, DWI and 3D-VBIE at 3.0 T MR in the differentiation of recurrent rectal cancer and benign pelvic lesions after curative rectal operation.

METHODSA total of 28 patients with abnormal pelvic lesions confirmed by CT or MR from April 2007 to October 2010 were evaluated with MR imaging. All the patients received examinations of both T2WI and DWI, and 24 of them received additional examination of 3D-VIBE. Thirteen patients with MR imaging in the same period who were confirmed to have no diseases of the rectum were used as control group. The mean apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC) value and the ratio of the signal intensity(SI) of the lesions to the gluteus maximus in T2WI(SI(L)/SI(M)) and the ratio of the net added signal intensity of the lesions to the net added signal intensity of the iliac artery(SI(L)/SI(A)) at the time of 35 seconds after the iliac artery achieved its highest intensity were measured and calculated. The type of the time-intensity curve(TIC) was over viewed and classified as the benign type when the TIC was rising slowly or constantly and lasted for more than 90 s; however the malignant type when the TIC was rising significantly but lasted less than 90 s kept as a horizontal line for a period or was descending slowly or rising slowly.

RESULTSThere were 29 lesions of different final diagnosis, including 17 recurrence rectal cancers, 4 fibrous masses, 6 stoma inflammations, 1 sinus and 1 abscess. Fourteen of them were confirmed by pathological examination. The ratio of SI(L)/SI(M) was 2.84±1.52 in the benign group, 2.58±0.80 in the malignant group, and 2.13±0.58 in the control group, the differences between the 3 groups were not statistically significant(F=1.620, P=0.211). When the ADC value of 1.21×10(-3) mm(2)/s was set as a diagnostic threshold, the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and coherence for the diagnosis of the malignant lesions were 100%(17/17), 91.7%(11/12), 96.6%(28/29) and 0.928, respectively. When the SI(L)/SI(A) value of 0.28 was set as a diagnostic threshold, the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and coherence for the diagnosis of the malignant lesions were 100%(13/13), 66.7%(8/12), 84.0%(21/25) and 0.675. When considering the TIC as the diagnostic standard, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for the diagnosis of the malignant lesions were 100%(13/13), 83.3%(10/12) and 92.0%(23/25), respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe signal intensity of T2WI has no specificity in the differentiation of malignant lesions and benign lesions while the DWI and the 3D-VIBE have high values in it.

Adult ; Aged ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; diagnosis ; Rectal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Retrospective Studies

Objective To investigate the value of single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)-computed tomography (CT) in diagnosis of oral carcinoma invasion to mandible. Methods Thirty-four patients with oral carcinoma invasion to mandible were divided into two groups, group A (surrounding invasion) and group B (central invasion). The edge of the invasion was evaluated by SPECT-CT, CT and pathological examination. The results of CT and SPECT-CT were analyzed by quantitative methods. Results In group A,the cancer-invaded area of the mandible exhibited on SPECT-CT was 1.0 cm lager than that on pathological examination, 2. 4 cm lager than that on CT. The difference of invaded areas hown on CT was 1.4 cm smaller than that of pathological examination. There were significant difference among the three methods. In group B, the affected area on SPECT-CT was 1.2 cm lager than that of pathological examination, 4. 2 cm lager than that of CT. The invision area on CT was 3. 0 cm smaller tha nthat of pathological examination. There were significant difference among the three methods. Conclusions SPECT-CT could find the jaw central tumor earlier than CT and the range of lesion showed by SPECT-CT was the adequate range of bone incision during operation. The range of lesion showed by CT was influenced by the type of tumor and the range of bone incision was determined according to the pathological type. If the false negative result was eliminated, only SPECT-CT or CT was needed to estimate the invasion range of mandible.

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the detection rate of small hepatocellular carcinomas using 3.0T MRI 3D-volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination (VIBE) sequence dynamic contrast-enhanced scan, and to evaluate its application in the diagnosis of small hepatocellular carcinomas.

METHODSImaging data of 61 cases of small hepatocellular carcinomas obtained using a 3.0 T Siemens Magnetom Trio Tim magnetic resonance scanner for plain scan and multi-phase dynamic contrast-enhanced scans of three-dimensional volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination (3D-VIBE) were retrospectively analyzed with reference to their pathological diagnoses. The signal and enhanced features and the detection rates of the tumors in different phases of examination were analyzed.

RESULTSSixty-six lesions were detected in the livers of the 61 patients by pathological examinations, of which 49 had pseudocapsule formation. In their T1WI plain scanning, 43 (65.15%) lesions were found, of which pseudocapsules were found in 19 (38.78%). In their T2WI imaging, 53 (80.30%) lesions were found. In dynamic enhanced 3D-VIBE sequence, 65 (98.48%) lesions were found, of which 35 (71.43%) were found with pseudocapsules. The sizes of the carcinomas ranged from 0.8 to 3.0 cm, 2.1cm on the average. The results of statistical analysis for the detection rates of the cancers of the three different sequences were significantly different (chi2=24.197, P less than 0.05). The differences of qualitative accuracy obtained by plain scan (T1WI + T2WI) and 3D-VIBE sequence were significantly different (chi2=66, P less than 0.05).

CONCLUSION3.0 T MRI 3D-VIBE sequence dynamic contrast-enhanced scan is high-speed and can clearly demonstrate the arterial phase, the portal venous phase and the parenchymal phase images. It not only can find small lesions which can not be found with a plain scan, but also can assist diagnosis through a time-intensity curve. It is of great value for detection and differential diagnosis of small hepatocellular carcinomas.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Liver ; pathology ; Liver Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the osteoblast-like characteristics of human periodontal ligament cells affected by elastic stress in vitro, and the role of corebinding factor a 1 (cbfa1) in alveolar bone formation during orthodontic tooth movement.

METHODSRat dig-labeled cbfa1 cDNA probe was prepared from SD rat osteoblasts cultured in vitro. Human periodontal ligament cells were cultured on the elastic bottom plate and stimulated by elastic stress using mechanical loading system for cultured cells in vitro. The expression of cbfa1 mRNA was detected by in situ hybridization method.

RESULTSCbfa1 mRNA express in human periodontal ligament cells stimulated by elastic stress and did not express in normal human periodontal ligament cells.

CONCLUSIONIt is suggested that elastic stress plays a role in the differentiation process from human periodontal ligament cells to osteoblast-like cells. Cbfa1 is a transcription factor in alveolar bone remodeling during orthodontic tooth movement.

Adolescent ; Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Child ; Core Binding Factor alpha Subunits ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Elasticity ; Humans ; Periodontal Ligament ; cytology ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Transcription Factors ; genetics

Objective To assess the high risk factors of acute pressure ulcer (APU) during lateral thoracotomy,and to put forward the corresponding nursing strategy.Methods The preoperative base data and intraoperative data of 124 patients with lateral thoracotomy were analyzed retrospectively.26 patients with APU during lateral thoracotomy were set into APU group,another 98 patients no APU were set into control group.The factors of age,quality index,serum total protein,hemoglobin,blood glucose,Braden score,duration of operation,intraoperative hypotension duration,low oxygen saturation duration,amount of intraoperative bleeding and transfusion amount in two groups were comparatively analyzed retrospectively.Results The APU incidence rate of APU 124 patients with lateral thoracotomy was 20.96％.The most common site of APU was subaxillary lateral chest wall (50.00％).Single factor analysis revealed that 10 factors (except age factor) were significantly related with the incidence of APU(t≥2.16,P＜0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed only the factors of operation duration,Braden score and the amount of intraoperative bleeding were the most important risk factors (P＜0.05).Conclusions The factors of operation duration,Braden score and the amount of intraoperative bleeding are the independent risk factors with the incidence of intraoperative APU.Formufating targeted nursing strategies could reduce the occurrence of APU during lateral thoracotomy.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the value and significance of the clinical application of whole exome sequencing (WES) in monogenic hereditary disorders in critically ill newborns. METHODS: The critically ill newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit with suspected hereditary diseases or unclear clinical diagnosis from June 2016 to December 2018 were enrolled. The whole blood samples from both newborns and parents were collected for WES. The detected genetic mutations were classified, the mutations associated with clinical phenotypes were searched for, and Sanger sequencing was performed to verify the mutations. RESULTS: A total of 45 newborns were enrolled, including 22 males and 23 females, and the median age of onset was 2.0 days. Of the 45 newborns, 12 (27%) were confirmed with monogenic hereditary disorders by molecular diagnostics, and the median age at diagnosis was 31.5 days. Of the 12 newborns with monogenic hereditary disorders, 5 (42%) were partially associated with clinical phenotypes but confirmed with monogenic hereditary disorders by additional information supplement and analysis. The improvement rate of newborns with monogenic hereditary disorders was 67% (8/12) after treatment. CONCLUSIONS WES technology is a powerful tool for finding genetic mutations in monogenic hereditary disorders in critically ill newborns and can play a crucial role in clinical decision-making. However, a comprehensive interpretation of sequence data requires physicians to take the clinical phenotypes and the results of WES into consideration simultaneously.
Critical Illness ; Exome ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Mutation ; Phenotype ; Whole Exome Sequencing

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and adverse events of irinotecan (CPT-11) combined with cisplatin (DDP) in the treatment of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODSOf 36 NSCLC patients consisting of 23 males and 13 females with a medium age of 52 years included, there were 26 adenocarcinomas, 7 squamous cell carcinomas, 1 adeno-squamous cell carcinoma and 2 unclassified types; 13 stage III B and 23 stage IV; 24 chemonaive and 12 previously treated by chemotherapy with a medium Karnofsky status of 90. All patients had measurable or evaluable parameters. The regimen was administered as following: CPT-11 60 mg/m2, IV, D1, 8 and 15; DDP 80 mg/m2, IV, D1; every 28 days as a cycle.

RESULTSTotally, 97 cycles were carried out in these 36 patients with a medium cycles of 3. Of 35 evaluable patients, 22.9% (8/35) achieved partial response, 60.0% (21/35) had stable disease and 17.1% (6/35) progressive disease. The response rate was 29.2% (7/24) for chemonaive patients and 9.1% (1/11) for these previously treated. The 1-year survival rate was 45.4% with a medium time to tumor progression (TTP) of 199 days for the responders. The incidence rate of grade III/IV adverse events were: 16.7% for neutropenia, 13.9% alopecia, 5.6% diarrhea, 2.8% nausea and vomiting, respectively.

CONCLUSIONIrinotecan plus cisplatin is effective with tolerable adverse events in treating patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer, but further investigation trials are needed.

Adult ; Aged ; Alopecia ; chemically induced ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Camptothecin ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; analogs & derivatives ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; drug therapy ; mortality ; pathology ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Diarrhea ; chemically induced ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; mortality ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Neutropenia ; chemically induced ; Remission Induction ; Survival Rate

BACKGROUNDUse of neoadjuvant chemotherapy necessitates assessment of response to cytotoxic drugs. The aim of this research was to investigate the effectiveness of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for evaluating clinical responses to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer patients.

METHODSWe examined patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy for primary breast cancer between October 2007 and September 2008. Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI was used to examine breast tumors prior to and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The MRI examination assessed tumors using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST). The Miller-Payne grading system was used as a histopathological examination to assess the effect of the treatment. We examined the relationship between the results of RECIST and histopathological criteria. In addition, we used time-signal intensity curves (MRI T-SI) to further evaluate the effects of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on tumor response.

RESULTSMRI examination of patients completing four three-week anthracycline-taxanes chemotherapy treatment revealed that no patients had complete responses (CR), 58 patients had partial responses (PR), 29 patients had stable disease (SD), and four with progressive disease (PD). The effectiveness of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (CR + PR) was 63.7% (58/91). The postoperative histopathological evaluations revealed the following: seven G5 (pCR) cases (7.7%), 39 G4 cases (42.9%), 16 G3 cases (17.6%), 23 G2 cases (25.3%), and six G1 cases (6.6%). The effectiveness (G5 + G4 + G3) was 68.1% (62/91). MRI T-SI standards classified 53 responding cases, 29 stable cases, and nine progressing cases. These results indicated that the treatment was 58.2% effective (53/91) overall.

CONCLUSIONSDynamic contrast-enhanced MRI and histopathological standards were highly correlated. Importantly, MRI T-SI evaluation was found to be useful in assessing the clinical effectiveness of neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Adult ; Aged ; Anthracyclines ; therapeutic use ; Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Breast Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Contrast Media ; chemistry ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; Taxoids ; therapeutic use