Animals ; Biofilms ; Caenorhabditis elegans ; metabolism ; Genes, Bacterial ; Yersinia pestis ; genetics ; metabolism

Alarmins known as danger associated molecular patterns(DAMPs) are released into the extracellular endogenous bi-ological mediate by white blood cells and epithelial cells when body in a state of tissue injury and inflammation or physiological stress. Immunological and adaptive immune responses are activated and strengthened by chemotaxis and activation of antigen presenting cells(APC). They are closely associated with the disease development and outcome,and have important guiding significance for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

OBJECTIVETo study the E-CD and Snail expressions in colorectal cancer and their relationship with colorectal cancer invasion, metastasis and prognosis.

METHODSImmunohistochemical staining (EnVision) was used to detect the E-CD and Snail expressions in 30 normal colorectal mucosa, 30 colorectal adenoma and 142 colorectal cancer tissues.

RESULTSE-CD in the normal colorectal mucosa was strongly positive expressed (90.0%), significantly higher than that in colorectal adenomas (63.3%) and colorectal cancer tissues (41.5%). E-CD expression was significantly related to tumor differentiation, invasion depth, vascular invasion, lymph node metastasis and Dukes' stage (P < 0.05), but not to the patients' age, gender, tumor size and tumor histological type (P > 0.05). The 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates of the E-CD positive patients with colorectal cancer were significantly higher than that in E-CD negative patients. The positive expression rate of Snail in colorectal cancer tissues (52.1%) was significantly higher than that in normal colorectal mucosa (6.7%) and colorectal adenomas (26.7%, P < 0.05). The snail expression was significantly correlated to tumor histological type, differentiation, invasion depth, vascular invasion, lymph node metastasis and Duke's stage (P < 0.05), but not to patients' age, sex and tumor size (P > 0.05). The 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates of Snail negative patients with colorectal cancer was significantly higher than that in patients with positive expression (P < 0.05). The expressions of E-CD and Snail in colorectal cancer tissues were inversely correlated (P < 0.05). Cox multivariate analysis showed that E-CD and Snail can be used as independent prognostic indicators (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONE-CD and Snail expressions in colorectal cancer are related to the tumor invasion, metastasis and prognosis. Low expression of E-CD and high expression of Snail are related to the advanced stage, and poor prognosis in colorectal cancer patients. E-CD and Snail can be used as independent prognostic indicators.

Adenocarcinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; metabolism ; pathology ; Adenocarcinoma, Papillary ; metabolism ; pathology ; Adenoma ; metabolism ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Cadherins ; metabolism ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Intestinal Mucosa ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Snail Family Transcription Factors ; Survival Rate ; Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo transfect antisense vector of human cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) gene into COX-2 highly expressing cholangiocarcinoma cell line QBC939 and explore its biological activities and role in carcinogenesis.

METHODSQBC939 cells were transfected with antisense vector of human COX-2 gene using LipoVec transfecting technique. Transfected cells were selected with G418; COX-2 mRNA was examined using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and COX-2 protein expression was detected by immunocytochemistry using isozyme selective antibodies. The proliferative status of transfected cells was measured by using methabenzthiazuron (MTT) assay; Cell cycle and apoptosis were analyzed by using flow cytometry.

RESULTSRT-PCR showed a lower COX-2 mRNA level in antisense vector transfected cells and immunocytochemistry showed a weaker COX-2 protein expression in antisense vector transfected cells. The antisense vector transfected cells proliferative index decreased significantly (P < 0.01), the percentage of S phase decreased remarkably (P < 0.05) in antisense vector transfected cells (9.27% +/- 1.91%) compared with that in QBC939 cells without transfection(16.35% +/- 2.87%), and the percentage of G0/G1 phase increased remarkably (P < 0.05) in antisense vector transfected cells (75.16% +/- 4.13%) compared with that in QBC939 cells without transfection (57.31% +/- 10.16%). Transfection with antisense vector of human COX-2 gene had no significant influence on the apoptosis in QBC939 cells (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONTransfection with antisense vector of human COX-2 gene could inhibit the proliferation of human cholangiocarcinoma QBC939 cells.

Apoptosis ; Bile Duct Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Division ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cholangiocarcinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; DNA, Antisense ; genetics ; Humans ; Isoenzymes ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; physiology ; Membrane Proteins ; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; physiology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Transfection

Papillary cystadenoma of the epididymis is a rare benign tumor, accounting for only 4 per cent of all epididymal tumors. Histologically, it can be confused with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. This extremely rare lesion may occur sporadically or as a manifestation of von Hippel-Lindau(VHL) disease. The present paper reported a case of papillary cystadenoma accompanied by testicular atrophy with no signs of VHL syndrome or infertility. To date, no similar case was reported in the literature. The tumor measured 5.0 cm x 4.0 cm x 4.0 cm and was located in the right epididymis. Histopathologic examination of a surgically removed specimen indicated a primary papillary cystadenoma. Histomorphologically, these tumors are characterized by cysts with colloid-like contents and papillary formations of light epithelium. Since metastatic renal cell carcinoma may be histologically similar to papillary cystadenoma, the importance of long-term urologic follow-up for possible presentation of renal cell carcinoma is discussed.
Adult ; Atrophy ; etiology ; Cystadenoma, Papillary ; complications ; pathology ; Epididymis ; Genital Neoplasms, Male ; complications ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Testis ; pathology

Acute-Phase Proteins ; metabolism ; Animals ; Female ; Hepatitis, Autoimmune ; immunology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Interleukin-17 ; metabolism ; Lipocalin-2 ; Lipocalins ; metabolism ; Liver ; pathology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Oncogene Proteins ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the role of adiponectin in regulating tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) production and preventing fulminant autoimmunological damage of hepatocytes following concanavalin A (Con A) injection into mice.

METHODSThree days after recombinant plasmids pAA-neo-mAd were injected into the mice via the tail veins, Con A was injected into the mice. Mice transfected with empty pAA-neo vector served as controls. The serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), TNF alpha and adiponectin were detected, and histological examination of livers was carried out at different time points after the Con A injection. All results were subjected to statistical analyses.

RESULTSHistological examinations showed that the damage in livers of mice with high serum adiponectin levels was milder than that of the controls. The serum levels of ALT and TNF alpha were both lower than those of the controls (P less than 0.01, respectively). Statistical analyses showed the serum levels of ALT was negatively related to the levels of adiponectin in the sera (r=-0.5034).

CONCLUSIONAdiponectin is effective in protecting hepatocytes from Con A-induced immunological injury. The mechanism of this protective effect may be caused by inhibiting the synthesis and/or release of TNF alpha.

Adiponectin ; blood ; pharmacology ; Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Animals ; Concanavalin A ; adverse effects ; Female ; Immune System Diseases ; chemically induced ; pathology ; prevention & control ; Liver ; drug effects ; pathology ; Liver Diseases ; pathology ; prevention & control ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This study evaluated the clinical value of detachable-balloon embolization for traumatic carotid-cavernous fistula (TCCF), focusing on the frequency, risk factors, and retreatment of recurrence. METHODS: Fifty-eight patients with TCCF underwent transarterial detachable-balloon embolization between October 2004 and March 2011. The clinical follow-up was performed every 3 months until up to 3 years postprocedure. Each patient was placed in either the recurrence group or the nonrecurrence group according to whether a recurrence developed after the first procedure. The relevant factors including gender, fistula location, interval between trauma and the interventional procedure, blood flow in the carotid-cavernous fistula, number of balloons, and whether the internal carotid artery (ICA) was sacrificed were evaluated. RESULTS: All 58 TCCFs were successfully treated with transarterial balloon embolization, including 7 patients with ICA sacrifice. Recurrent fistulas occurred in seven patients during the follow-up period. Univariate analysis indicated that the interval between trauma and the interventional procedure (p=0.006) might be the main factor related to the recurrence of TCCF. The second treatments involved ICA sacrifice in two patients, fistula embolization with balloons in four patients, and placement of a covered stent in one patient. CONCLUSIONS: Detachable balloons can still serve as the first-line treatment for TCCFs and recurrent TCCFs despite having a nonnegligible recurrence rate. Shortening the interval between trauma and the interventional procedure may reduce the risk of recurrence.
Balloon Occlusion ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; Fistula ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Recurrence ; Retreatment ; Risk Factors ; Stents

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) imaging derived quantitative metrics and serum soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) level in an embolic canine stroke model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A middle cerebral artery occlusion model was established in 24 beagle dogs. Experimental dogs were divided into low- and high-sCD40L group according to serum sCD40L level at 4.5 hours after establishing the model. IVIM imaging was scanned at 4.5 hours after model establishment using 10 b values ranging from 0 to 900 s/mm². Quantitative metrics diffusion coefficient (D), pseudodiffusion coefficient (D*), and perfusion fraction (f) of ischemic lesions were calculated. Quantitative metrics of ischemic lesions were normalized by contralateral hemisphere using the following formula: normalized D = D(stroke) / D(contralateral). Differences in IVIM metrics between the low- and high-sCD40L groups were compared using t test. Pearson's correlation analyses were performed to determine the relationship between IVIM metrics and serum sCD40L level. RESULTS: The high-sCD40L group showed significantly lower f and normalized f values than the low-sCD40L group (f, p < 0.001; normalized f, p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in D*, normalized D*, D, or normalized D value between the two groups (All p > 0.05). Both f and normalized f values were negatively correlated with serum sCD40L level (f, r = −0.789, p < 0.001; normalized f, r = −0.823, p < 0.001). However, serum sCD40L level had no significant correlation with D*, normalized D*, D, or normalized D (All p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The f value derived from IVIM imaging was negatively correlated with serum sCD40L level. f value might serve as a potential imaging biomarker to assess the formation of microvascular thrombosis in hyperacute period of ischemic stroke.
Animals ; CD40 Ligand* ; Diffusion ; Dogs ; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Perfusion ; Stroke* ; Thrombosis

OBJECTIVETo explore the impact of ideal health behaviors and health factors on the detection rate of the carotid plaques.

METHODSSubjects with previous stroke, TIA, myocardial infarction were excluded from the study. A total of 5852 employees (active and retired employers from Tangshan Kailuan company) aged 40 years and over were included through stratified random sampling. Information was obtained from the unified questionnaire, measurements of blood biochemistry and carotid artery ultrasonography.

RESULTS(1) The carotid artery plaque detection rates were 67.0%, 52.3%, 50.5%, 44.3%, 37.2%, 31.9%, 26.1% and 4.2% in the groups with 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 components of ideal cardiovascular health behaviors and health factors, respectively. (2) The carotid artery plaques total burden score [TBS: M (Q1, Q3)] were 7(7,7), 7(5,7), 7(5,7), 5(3,5), 5(3,5), 5(3,5), 3(3,3), 3(3,3) in the groups with 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 components of ideal cardiovascular health behaviors and health factors, respectively. (3) Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that 3, 4, 5 and greater than 5 components of ideal cardiovascular health behaviors and health factors were protective factors against carotid plaques compared to less than 2 components of ideal cardiovascular health behaviors and factors (all P < 0.05), the OR (95%CI) values were 0.78 (0.62 - 0.98), 0.53(0.62 - 0.98), 0.52 (0.39 - 0.71) and 0.40 (0.25 - 0.64), respectively.

CONCLUSIONIncreasing ideal cardiovascular health behaviors and factors are negatively linked with the detection rate and TBS of the carotid plaques.

Adult ; Aged ; Carotid Stenosis ; diagnostic imaging ; epidemiology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Health Behavior ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Smoking ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Ultrasonography