OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of the quinoline derivative PQ1 combined with cisplatin on the proliferation and gap junction communication of prostate cancer PC3 cells.

METHODSWe cultured in vitro prostate cancer PC3 cells and divided them into DMSO blank control, cisplatin control, and cisplatin (10 mg/ml) plus PQ1 (1, 2, 5, 10, and 15 μmol/L) groups. We measured the proliferation of the prostate cancer PC3 cells, determined the expressions of the connexin 43 (Cx43) mRNA and protein by RT-PCR and Western blot, and compared the indexes among different groups.

RESULTSCisplatin combined with PQl at 1 - 10 μmol/L significantly inhibited the proliferation of the PC3 cells and the inhibition rate rose in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, from (48.72 ± 0.98)% vs (50.33 ± 0.62)% at 0 μmol/L to (77.38 ± 1.12)% vs (83.50 ± 1.05)% at 15 μmol/L at 24 and 48 hours (P < 0.05). Compared with the cisplatin control, cisplatin combined with PQ1 at 1, 2, 5, 10, and 15 μmol/L increased the expression of Cx43 mRNA from 0.379 ± 0.113 to 0.669 ± 0.031, 0.831 ± 0. 127, 0.769 ± 0.100, 0.532 ± 0.086, and 0.475 ± 0.134, respectively (P < 0.05), and cisplatin combined with PQ1 at 1, 2, 5, and 10 μmol/L elevated that of Cx43 protein from 0.138 ± 0.146 to 0.263 ± 0.111, 0.306 ± 0.152, 0.415 ± 0.280, and 0.643 ± 0.310, respectively (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe quinoline derivative PQ1 can promote the gap junction communication of prostate cancer PC3 cells and enhance the killing effect of cisplatin on PC3 cells by upregulating the expressions of Cx43 mRNA and protein.

Aminoquinolines ; pharmacology ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cisplatin ; pharmacology ; Connexin 43 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Gap Junctions ; drug effects ; physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents of the dried roots of Zanthoxylum dimorphophyllumr. spinifolium and to find out the active constituents of the plant.

METHODModern chromatography was used to purify chemical constituents, and their structures were identified by various spectral methods.

RESULTFour compounds were isolated and identified as isopimpinellin (I), xanthoxyletin (II), 6-(2', 3'-dihydroxy-3'-methyl-butyl)-7-hydroxy-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one (III), 6-(2'-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy, 3'-dihydroxy-3'-methybutyl)-7-hydroxy-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one (IV).

CONCLUSIONAll of the above compounds were isolated from the above mentioned plant for the first time.

Coumarins ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Furocoumarins ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Zanthoxylum ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo distinguish spermatic cord torsion from acute orchitis by color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI).

METHODSThirteen patients with acute orchialgia were examined by CDFI. The clinical data of diagnosis and treatment were reviewed and analyzed.

RESULTSThe findings of CDFI showed lower or even no blood flow in the testes in 8 cases, which were diagnosed as spermatic cord torsion. Among them, 1 received manual detorsion and 7 were proved by operations. The other 5 showed abundant blood flow signal in the testes and were diagnosed as acute orchitis or epididymo-orchitis. After the use of antibiotics, their symptoms were relieved and the blood flow of the testes reduced upon reexamination.

CONCLUSIONSCDFI plays an important role in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of spermatic cord torsion, and could be regarded as a detecting method of first choice for patients of acute orchialgia.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Orchitis ; diagnostic imaging ; Spermatic Cord Torsion ; diagnostic imaging ; Testis ; blood supply ; diagnostic imaging ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color ; methods

OBJECTIVECord blood (CB) provides a rich source of stem cells for transplantation. CB transplantation has been used widely after myeloablative therapy. One major disadvantage of CB transplantation is delayed platelet engraftment. The aim of this study was to hasten platelet engraftment by investigating the ability of different hematopoietic growth factor combinations to generate large numbers of megakaryocyte (Mk) from CB and by evaluating the biologic characteristics and function of the expanded Mk.

METHODSCB samples were obtained at the end of normal full-term deliveries with informed consent. Mononuclear cells (MNCs) were isolated from CB using Ficoll density centrifugation. MNC population was positively selected for CD(34) expression by magnetic cell sorting (MACS). CD(34)(+) cells were cultured in serum-free and stroma-free medium containing the following two different cytokine combinations: thrombopoietin (TPO) + stem cell factor (SCF) + interleukin (IL) -3 + IL-6 and TPO + SCF. Cultures were characterized after 3, 7, 10 and 14 days by flow cytometry, colony forming unit-megakaryocyte (CFU-Mk) and maturation evaluation (Mk ploidy). The expanded Mk function was examined by the platelet activation in vitro and severe combined immunodiffiency (SCID) mice transplantation in vivo.

RESULTSDifferent results were observed with different culture conditions. With the first cytokine combination optimal expansion of CD(41)(+) cells was observed on day 10, but the optimal expansion of Mk progenitors (CD(34)(+)CD(41)(+)) was observed on day 7, with a median 121 and 44-fold increase at the starting cell dose. This result was also proven by CFU-Mk. The largest numbers of CFU-Mk were also observed on day 7. The degree of maturation of Mk cells also increased as suggested by DNA content of CD(41)(+) cells, which means that CD(34)(+) cells cultured for 3 - 7 days were richer in primitive Mks, while those cultured for 10 - 14 days had greater numbers of more differentiated Mks. For the second cytokine combination, CD(41)(+) and CD(34)(+)CD(41)(+) cells were fewer than the first one, but it produced 36 and 85-fold CD(34)(+)CD(41)(+) and CD(41)(+) respectively on day 7. Platelet activation test confirmed that the expanded Mks had normal function. Therefore, the expanded Mks could be transplanted into the SCID mice bone marrow and produce human platelet in the peripheral blood of the mice.

CONCLUSIONEx vivo expanded Mk might facilitate CB transplantation and help shorten the period of post-transplant thrombocytopenia.

Animals ; Antigens, CD34 ; Cell Culture Techniques ; methods ; Cells, Cultured ; Culture Media ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; cytology ; Megakaryocytes ; cytology ; Mice ; Mice, SCID

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical components from dried roots of Zanthoxylum dimorphophyllum var. spinifoliun.

METHODThe chemical components were isolated by low pressure column chromatography and their structures were identified by spectroscopic methods.

RESULTFive compounds were isolated and identified as 6-(2', 3'-dihydroxy-3'-methyl-butyl)-7-hydroxy-5-methoxy-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one (I), 6-(2',3'-dihydroxy-3'-methyl-butyl)-7-methoxy-8-(3'-methyl-but-2'-enyl)-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one (II),6-(2',3'-dihydroxy-3'-methyl-butyl)-7-hydroxy-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one (III), 6-(2', 3'-oxiranyl-3'-methyl-butyl)-7-methoxy-8- (3-methyl-but-2-enyl)-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one (IV), 7-methoxy-8-(3'-methyl-but-2'-enyl)-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one (V).

CONCLUSIONThese compounds were isolated from the plant for the first time.

Coumarins ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Zanthoxylum ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo investigate the factors upgrading the International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) Gleason score using the specimens from preoperative prostatic biopsy and radical prostatectomy.

METHODSA total of 164 patients diagnosed with prostate cancer by biopsy underwent radical prostatectomy. We retrospectively analyzed their age, prostate volume, preoperative PSA level, PSA density (PSAD) , the time interval between biopsy and surgery, the number of positive punctures, positive surgical margin, seminal vesicle invasion, lymphatic invasion, and Gleason scores from biopsy and prostatectomy. We also determined the predictors of Gleason score upgrading by logistic regression analysis.

RESULTSOf the 164 cases analyzed, 95 (57.93% ) showed a consistency between the Gleason score of preoperative prostatic biopsy and that after radical prostatectomy, 55 (33.54% ) increased and 14 (8.52%) decreased after prostatectomy as compared with preoperative biopsy. The prostate volume (P < 0.01) and biopsy score (P < 0.05) were independent predictors of Gleason score upgrading. The risk of Gleason score upgrading was 27 times higher in the patients with the prostate volume ≤ 25 ml and 9 times higher in the 25-40 ml group than in the > 60 ml group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONLow Gleason score of biopsy (≤ 6) and small prostate volume (≤ 40 ml) may be the predictors of Gleason score upgrading after radical prostatectomy.

Biopsy ; Humans ; Male ; Neoplasm Grading ; Organ Size ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; blood ; Prostatectomy ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; classification ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo discuss the reasons for the operation performed on 13 patients with upper cervical disease and to explore the management and prevention of upper cervical disease.

METHODSThirteen patients with upper cervical disease were retrospectively reviewed. The reason for of reoperations on these patients were analyzed. The measures to reduce upper cervical operational complication and bad prognosis were discussed to avoid reoperations.

RESULTSThe reasons for reoperations included 9 cases with unstable or re-dislocated atlantoaxial joint, 10 cases with residual spinal cord compression, 1 case with malposition of odontoid screw, 1 case with adjacent cervical spine regression, 1 case with occipital-cervical fusion failure, 1 case with spinal cord injury during operation, 1 case with bone-plant slipped into canales spinalis, and 1 case with demand to take out internal fixation for aggravated symptom.

CONCLUSIONSThe common reasons for upper cervical reoperations were due to instability or redislocation of atlantoaxial joint and residual of spinal cord compression. Some measures such as reducing operate miss, using firm internal fixation and decompressing were advisable to decrease the incidence of reoperations.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Atlanto-Axial Joint ; Cervical Vertebrae ; surgery ; Decompression, Surgical ; Female ; Humans ; Joint Instability ; etiology ; prevention & control ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology ; prevention & control ; surgery ; Reoperation ; statistics & numerical data ; Spinal Cord Compression ; etiology ; prevention & control ; surgery ; Spinal Fusion ; Young Adult

Objective To evaluate the value of positron emission tomography(PET)-CT imaging combined with continual detection of CA_(125)in serum for diagnosis of early recurrent ovarian epithelial carcinoma.Methods Twenty six patients received PET-CT imaging,who were all diagnosed as primary epithelial ovarian cancer of stage Ⅱ-Ⅳ and had complete remission after cytoreductive surgery and multiple courses of chemotherapy in Shandong Provincial Cancer Hospital.After a steady period,all patients experienced progressive rising of CA_(125)values 3 times in 2 months.But no positive lesion was found by CT, or although suspicious positive focus was found,the recurrent and(or)metastatic extent was not definite. Out of 26 patients,16 were delivered rechemotherapy and(or)radiotherapy,and 10 received re- cytoreductive surgery.Results(1)Of 26 patients,the value of CA_(125)was more than 35 kU/L in 17,and in 14 of 17,pelvic or abdominal cavity recurrence was diagnosed by CT and PET-CT,and 4 showed simuhaneously distant metastasis on PET-CT.In the remaining 3 patients of which CT findings were negative,2 had pelvic and abdominal cavity recurrence,and one had bone metastasis on PET-CT.Of 9 patients with progressive rising CA_(125)levels but the value was less than cut-off(

Objective To asses the value of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) combined with neuropathological findings in early detection of metabolic abnormities and damages of the brain neurons following heat stress (HS) and febrile convulsion (FC). Methods Febrile convulsion models were established in weaning rats (21 days old) by means of hot water bath. -1H-MRS was performed to measure the changes in N-acetylaspartate (NAA), choline (cho), lactate (Lac) and creatine (Cr) contents in the brain tissue following HS or FC, and in sire hybridization was used to detect Zinc transporter 3 (ZnT3) mRNA expression in the hippocampus. Results In the control group, HS group and FC group, the NAA/Cr ratio (1.5±0.42, 1.57±0.59, and 1.61±0.37, respectively) and Cho/Cr ratios showed no significant differences, but a significant increase in Lac/Cr ratio was observed in FC group. ZnT3 3 mRNA expression was detected in the dentate gyms of the rats following the onset of FC. Conclusions As Lac increase is a putative marker of seizure-induced neuronal damage, and ZnT3 is associated with mossy fiber sprouting in the hippocampus, our results suggest that even a single temporary FC may result in marked changes in neuronal metabolism and cause subtle brain injury.

OBJECTIVEto evaluate the risk factors for postoperative pulmonary complications following transoral operation for the atlanta-axis disorders.

METHODStotal 104 cases were collected from January 2005 to June 2009. Twelve variables among patients with PPCs and without PPCs were analyzed by logistic regression analysis.

RESULTSthe incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications following transoral operation for the atlanta-axis disorders was 22.1% (23/104). There was significantly difference in 9 variables between patients with PPCs and without PPCs, and 5 variables as serum albumin < 35 g/L (OR = 15.185, P = 0.003), tracheotomy (OR = 32.254, P = 0.015), Frankle grade (OR = 8.866, P = 0.001), the duration of intubation > 4 d (OR = 7.934, P = 0.002), the duration of surgery > 6 h (OR = 16.889, P = 0.006) were found to be significantly related to the development to postoperative pulmonary complications by multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONserum albumin < 35 g/L, tracheotomy, Frankle grade, the duration of intubation > 4 d, the duration of surgery > 6 h are the risk factors for postoperative pulmonary complications following transoral operation for the atlanta-axis disorders.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; surgery ; Cervical Atlas ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Lung Diseases ; etiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mouth ; surgery ; Multivariate Analysis ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology ; Risk Factors ; Young Adult