Objective To prospectively investigate the optimal setting for sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in patients with breast cancer by comparing the effects of different preparation methods and injection sites of 99Tcm-SC in sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping and detection.Methods Two batches of 99Tcm-SC were prepared by boiling for 3 min (radiotracer 1) and 5 min (radiotracer 2),respectively.Radioactive chemical purity (RCP) and size of colloid particles were measured at 10 min,1 h,2 h and 4 h after the preparation.One hundred and forty-seven patients with breast cancer were involved and randomly divided into 3 groups.Group A consisted of 40 patients with periareolar injection of radiotracer 1,group B of 40 patients with periareolar injection of radiotracer 2,and group C of 67 patients with peritumoral injection of radiotracer 2.Lymphatic mapping was performed for all patients using SPECT/CT preoperatively and blue dye was subdermally injected over the tumor.The detection rate of the axillary and internal mammary SLN was recorded.One-way analysis of variance,independent two-sample t and x2 tests were used to analyze the data.Results There was no significant difference of RCP between the two radiotracers at 10 min,1 h,2 h and 4 h after preparation (t =-0.267,-0.794,0.826 and-0.977,all P＞0.05).Compared with radiotracer 1,the percentage of particles smaller than 100 nm in radiotracer 2 reduced significantly ((73.72±2.36) ％ vs (65.25±3.56)％,t=6.436,P＜0.05) and the mean effective particle size was significantly larger ((45.27±6.42) nm vs (75.59t7.04) nm,t=7.315,P＜0.05).In groups A,B and C,the detection rate of the internal mammary SLN was 70.0％ (28/40),47.5％ (19/40) and 17.9％ (12/67),respectively,with significant difference (x2=29.525,P＜0.05).In groups A,B and C,the detection rate of the axillary SLN was 100％ (40/40),95.0％ (38/40) and 97.0％ (65/67),respectively,without significant difference (x2 =2.686,P＞ 0.05).Conclusion For SLNB of patients with breast cancer,the axillary and internal mammary SLN could be better detected by SPECT/CT lymphatic mapping using radiotracer prepared with a shorter boiling time,via periareolar injection,and combined with subdermal injection of blue dye.

Objective To analyze the clinicopathological features and prognosis of patients with occult breast cancer ( OBC) , as well as to explore the best treatment .Methods The clinical data of 72 patients with OBC confirmed by pathology were retrospectively analyzed , while 320 cases with other kind of breast cancer were the control group .Results Axillary mass was the first sign of the 72 patients with OBC.The diagnosis rate of MRI was higher than mammary graphy ( 71.4% vs 53.5%) .The difference had statistical significance (χ2 =11.876, P=0.001) .The characteristics of OBC with axillary lymph node metastasis was mainly moderately or low differenti -ated, usually with diffuse infiltrative cancer cells , flaky, like large Apocrine cells.Compared with the control group, the positive rate of CK7, CK20 and TTF-1 had no statistical differences (χ2 =0.058, P=0.810).The posi-tive rate of ER and PR was 46.7% and 36.7%, lower than the control group (χ2 =4.535, P=0.033).Clinical stage, operating method and the number of lymph node metastasis may be the independent factors influencing prog -nosis.Conclusions Axillary mass is the first symptom of OBC .To combine MRI with immunohistochemistry is helpful in diagnosis and differential diagnosis of the disease .The positive rate of ER and PR for OBC patients is low.Modified radical mastectomy combined with adjuvant therapy may be the better choice .

AIMTo observe the effect of melatonin (MT) on morphine withdrawal syndromes and determine the content of NO in plasma and brain tissue in morphine dependent mice.

METHODSA physical dependent model in mice was established by subcutaneous injection of morphine. MT (15 mg.kg-1, qd x 3) was given by intragastric infusion (ig) for three days. Withdrawal syndromes were induced by intraperitoneal injection of naloxon (5 mg.kg-1). The intensity of withdrawal syndromes was evaluated according to the jumping latency, the jumping times and the body weight loss. The content of NO was detected with Griess method.

RESULTSThe jumping latency of morphine withdrawal reaction was prolonged and the jumping times were reduced obviously by ig MT. The increased NO content in plasma and brain tissue in morphine dependent mice was reduced by ig MT.

CONCLUSIONThe physical withdrawal syndromes and the content of NO in plasma and brain tissue in morphine dependent mice are inhibited by MT.

Animals ; Brain ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Male ; Melatonin ; therapeutic use ; Mice ; Morphine Dependence ; blood ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Substance Withdrawal Syndrome ; blood ; prevention & control

AIMTo investigate the effect of inhalation of cyclosporin (CsA) on antigen-induced airway inflammation in Sprague-Dawley rats.

METHODSRats were sensitized with antigen (ovalbumin, OA). After two weeks, the sensitized rats were pretreated with aerosol CsA (5, 10, 20 g x L(-1)), once per day for 7 days. Then, the sensitized rats were challenged with OA (10 g x L(-1), once per day) for 2 days at day 20 after sensitization. The number of eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and peripheral blood, histological changes of lung tissue, and TNF-alpha content in BALF were investigated.

RESULTSInhalation of CsA significantly reduced the number of eosinophils in BALF and peripheral blood, inflammatory infiltration and tissue edema of lung tissue, decreased the content of TNF-alpha in BALF.

CONCLUSIONInhalation of CsA inhibited airway inflammation in rats, and the mechanism is related to inhibition of TNF-alpha release.

Administration, Inhalation ; Animals ; Asthma ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; pathology ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; chemistry ; Cyclosporine ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Eosinophils ; pathology ; Female ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; pharmacology ; Leukocyte Count ; Lung ; pathology ; Male ; Ovalbumin ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

AIMTo study cyclosporin A (CsA) aerosol for anti-airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in sensitized rats.

METHODSSensitized Sprague-Dawley rats were given cyclosporin A (5, 20 g.L-1) and sodium cromoglycate (SCG, 20 g.L-1) by aerosol (5 min per day), dexamethasone (DXM, 0.5 mg.kg-1) i.p. once per day for 7 d before antigen challenge. The respiratory resistance(R(aw)) and lung dynamic compliance(Cdyn) of the rats induced by methacholine (Mch) were measured 24 h after ovalbumin(OA) challenge. The PC50 changes of R(aw) and PC25 changes of Cdyn were also investigated.

RESULTSPretreatment with CsA, sodium cromoglycate and dexamethasone inhibited the increase of R(aw) and decrease of Cdyn caused by inhaling Mch. The value of R(aw) PC50 in the CsA(5 g.L-1) group 5.6 g.L-1, the CsA(20 g.L-1) group 6.4 g.L-1, the SCG group 8.3 g.L-1 and the DXM group 9.2 g.L-1, was significantly higher than that of the model group 1.9 g.L-1 (P < 0.05). The value of Cdyn PC25 in the CsA(5 g.L-1) group 4.3 g.L-1, the CsA(20 g.L-1) group 5.4 g.L-1, the SCG group 6.4 g.L-1 and the DXM group 6.2 g.L-1, was significantly higher than that of the model group 1.1 g.L-1 (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONAnti-AHR of CsA by aerosol in animal model offered an experimental evidence for topical inhalation of CsA in treatment of asthma.

Administration, Inhalation ; Aerosols ; Airway Resistance ; drug effects ; Animals ; Cyclosporine ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Lung Compliance ; drug effects ; Male ; Ovalbumin ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Respiratory Hypersensitivity ; chemically induced ; drug therapy

AIMTo study the incidence of single nucleotide polymorphisms in ubiquitin-specific protease 26 (USP26) gene and its involvement in idiopathic male infertility in China.

METHODSRoutine semen analysis was performed. Infertility factors such as immunological, infectious and biochemical disorders were examined to select patients with idiopathic infertility. DNA was isolated from peripheral blood of the selected patients and control population, which were examined for mutations using polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism analysis. Furthermore, nucleotide sequences were sequenced in some patients and controls.

RESULTSOf 41 infertile men, 9 (22.0%, P = 0.01) had changes in USP26 gene on the X chromosome. A compound mutation (364insACA; 460G right triple arrow A) was detected in 8 patients (19.5%, P = 0.01) and a 1044T right triple arrow A substitution was found in 1 patient (2.4%, P > 0.05). All three variations led to changes in the coding amino acids. Two substitutions predict some changes: 460G right triple arrow A changes a valine into an isoleucine, and 1044T right triple arrow A substitutes a leucine for a phenylalanine. Another insertion of three nucleotides ACA causes an insertion of threonine. No other changes were found in the remaining patients and fertile controls.

CONCLUSIONThe USP26 gene might be of importance in male reproduction. Mutations in this gene might be associated with male infertility, and might negatively affect testicular function. Further research on this issue is in progress.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; ethnology ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; Cysteine Endopeptidases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Endopeptidases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infertility, Male ; ethnology ; genetics ; Leydig Cells ; metabolism ; Male ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Sertoli Cells ; metabolism ; Spermatogenesis ; genetics ; Testis ; metabolism ; Ubiquitin-Specific Proteases

OBJECTIVETo establish an animal model for quantitative cigarette smoking and to determine the acute response of airways to cigarette smoke in guinea pigs.

METHODSThe device for inhaling quantitative cigarette smoking was made, which was double pass and single-direction with the minimum dead space. The changes of airway resistance(R(L))and dynamic lung compliance(Cdyn) in guinea pigs exposed to compound air consisting of 75% cigarette smoke and 25% oxygen were observed. Exudation of Evans blue in pulmonary vessels was also determined after consecutive inhalation of 60 ml smoke.

RESULTThe R(L) increased from the baseline of (0.21+/-0.05) cmH(2)O x ml(-1) x s to (0.37+/-0.13) cmH(2)O x ml(-1) x s after 10 consecutive breaths of cigarette smoke exposure(P<0.01). The Cdyn decreased to (61+/-19)% of baseline at the ninth to eleventh breaths (P<0.01). The exudations of Evans blue significantly increased in all measured parts of the airways such as lower trachea, main bronchi, proximal intrapulmonary airways and distal intrapulmonary airways (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe model established in this study is useful for measuring the acute responses of airways induced by cigarette smoke in guinea pigs. Acute inhalation of cigarette smoke decreases dynamic lung compliance, increases airway resistance and vascular permeability of pulmonary vessels in guinea pigs.

Airway Resistance ; Animals ; Capillary Permeability ; Female ; Guinea Pigs ; Lung Compliance ; Male ; Models, Animal ; Smoking ; adverse effects

Objective To investigate the predictive value of systemic immune inflammation index(SII)scores in long-term survival of patients with stage Ⅲ squamous lung cancer treated with radical radiotherapy.Methods Clinical data of stage Ⅲ squamous lung cancer patients who underwent radical radiotherapy at the Radiotherapy Department of the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2010 to December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed.The peripheral hematological indexes one week before radiotherapy were collected and recorded.X-Tile software was applied to determine the best cut-off values for continuous variables.Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze overall survival(OS)and progression-free survival(PFS).Results A total of 453 patients were included in this study.There were 336 patients in the low SII group(＜1 277.3),and other 117 patients were in the high SII group(≥1 277.3).The median OS and median PFS in the high SII group were shorter than those in the low SII group(OS:20.8 months vs.31.0 months,Log-rank χ2=18.015,P＜0.01;PFS:13.0 months vs.21.0 months,Log-rank χ2=15.062,P＜0.01).Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that high SII was associated with OS(HR=1.628,95%CI:1.294-2.047,P<0.001)and PFS(HR=1.559,95%CI:1.240-1.961,P<0.001).Other influencing factors included late TNM stage,poor radiotherapy efficacy and decreased HALP score.Conclusion SII can be used to evaluate the long-term survival of patients with stage Ⅲ lung squamous cell carcinoma receiving radical radiotherapy,and the increase of SII indicates a poor prognosis.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of experimental left varicocele (ELV) on the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (Flt-1) proteins in the testis and epididymis of adolescent rats, and to find out the correlation of the two proteins with varicocele-induced male infertility.

METHODSWe established the ELV model in adolescent male SD rats, and detected the expressions of VEGF and Flt-1 proteins in the testis and epididymis by immunohistochemistry at 2 and 4 weeks after surgery.

RESULTSCell- and region-specific expressions of VEGF and Flt-1 were observed in the testis and epididymis of the ELV and control groups. Statistical analysis showed that, in comparison with the corresponding control groups, the 2- and 4-week ELV groups exhibited a notable increase in the VEGF protein expression in the hibateral testis and epididymis (P < 0.01, P < 0.05); the Flt-1 expression was obviously upregulated in the hibateral testis and epididymis of the 2-week ELV group (P < 0.01, P < 0.01), but remarkably reduced in the hibateral testis and left epididymis of the 4-week ELV group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), with no statistic difference in the right epididymis (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONELV can cause changes in the expressions of VEGF and Flt-1 proteins in the testis and epididymis of adolescent rats, and consequently affect spermatogenesis and spermiotelcosis, which may be one of the causes of varicocele-induced male infertility or subfertility.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Epididymis ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Testis ; metabolism ; Varicocele ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the expressions of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (Flt-1) in the testis, epididymis and epididymal sperm of adolescent rats and explore the functions of both the proteins in the male reproductive system.

METHODSThe expressions of VEGF and Flt-1 were detected in 20 adolescent SD rats, immunohistochemical staining used for both the testis and the epididymis and immunofluorescent staining for sperm.

RESULTSVEGF and Flt-1 proteins were specifically present in the testis, epididymis and sperm. In the testis, VEGF immunoreactive particles were localized in the cytoplasm of spermatogenic cells, the developing acrosome of spermatids, Sertoli cells and Leydig cells, while Flt-1 expressed mainly in the developing acrosome of spermatids and Leydig cells. In the epididymis, the cell-specific and region-specific expressions of VEGF and Flt-1 proteins were observed in the principal cells of epididymal epithelia, VEGF in the whole epididymis, while Flt-1 only in the caput and cauda segments. Both VEGF and Flt-1 were localized in the acrosome of the sperm head as well as in the neck, middle and principal segments of the sperm tail.

CONCLUSIONThe specific expression patterns of VEGF and Flt-1 in the rat testis, epididymis and sperm indicate that they may independently or collectively affect spermatogenesis and spermiotelcosis in either an autocrinological or a

Animals ; Epididymis ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sexual Maturation ; Spermatozoa ; metabolism ; Testis ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; biosynthesis ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 ; biosynthesis