Objective To evaluate the relationship between angiogenesis and biological character of pancreatic carcinoma (PC). Methods Microvessel density (MVD) in 55 cases of PC were examined by use of immunohistochemical staining,and compared with the pathological features of PC. Results Mean MVD of PC was 54.8?18.6. MVD was positively correlated with tumor cell differentiation (P

Objective To investigate clinicopathological features、diagnosis and surgical treatment of duodenal stromal tumors. Methods A retrospective clinical analysis was made in 23 cases of duodenal stromal tumors admitted from 1995 to 2004. Results Melena and abdominal pain was the most common presenting symptom. Complete resection was achieved in all cases, including pancreatoduodenectomy in 13 cases, by pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy in 3 cases, and tumor enucleation in 7 cases. The mean size of the tumor was 6. 6 cm (2 - 21 cm) , among them 10 cm in 6. Pathologically tumors less than 5 cm were all of potential malignancy, whereas those larger than 5 cm were malignant. Follow-up of 2 months to 9 years found all cases alive and healthy except for one who died of liver metastasis one year postoperatively. Conclusion Duodenal stromal tumors were low malignancy tumors. Aggressive surgery is the choice of treatment. Favorable prognosis is expected after complete surgical excision.

Objective To analyze the relationship between the catheter to vein ratio and the formation of peripheral insertion of central venous catheter (PICC) related upper extremity deep venous thrombosis (PICC-UEDVT) in cases having undergone PICC in patients at intensive care unit (ICU) and further identify the best optimal ratio cut-off point to reduce the incidence of PICC-UEDVT.Methods A retrospective study was conducted, including 69 patients having undergone PICC with complete clinical data admitted to the Department of Critical Care Medicine of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from August 2013 to December 2016; their ages were > 18 years old and catheter indwelling times were > 1 week; the patients' basic information, disease related laboratory parameters and catheter insertion situation were collected. According to the occurrence of PICC-UEDVT, they were divided into PICC-UEDVT group and non PICC-UEDVT group; the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of the catheter to vein ratio versus the incidence ofPICC-UEDVT was plotted to assess the optimal ratio to reduce the incidence of PICC-UEDVT.Results In the 69 patients, there were 7 patients in the PICC-UEDVT group and 62 patients in the non PICC-UEDVT group, the incidence of PICC-UEDVT being 10.14%. Four, 5 and 6 French (Fr) catheters were indwelled in 43, 23 and 3 cases respectively, and the range of catheter to vein ratio was 20% - 67%. The comparisons between PICC-UEDVT group and non PICC-UEDVT group in various aspects were as follows: the incidence of DVT in the PICC-UEDVT group was significantly higher than that in non PICC-UEDVT group [42.9% (3/7) vs. 6.5% (4/62)], the rate of using vasopressor drugs [57.14% (4/7) vs. 17.74% (11/62)], D-dimer level [mg/L: 9.0 (3.0, 12.3) vs. 1.8 (1.0, 3.6)], patients of indwelling 5Fr catheter [71.4% (5/7) vs. 29.0% (18/62)] and the percentage of patientsapplying catheter to vein ratio 45%-67% [57.14% (4/7) vs. 17.74% (11/62)] in PICC-UEDVT group were all higher than those in the non PICC-UEDVT group, the differences being statistically significant (allP < 0.05). ROC analysis showed that the catheter to vein ratio 44% was the optimal cut off or critical point, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) at that point was 0.755, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 0.554-0.955, sensitivity = 71.4% and specificity = 79.0%; compared with the patients using 45%-67% catheter to vein ratio, the incidence of PICC-UEDVT was 6.182 times higher than those using the ratio 20%-44% [odds ratio (OR) = 6.182, 95%CI = 1.208-31.634,P = 0.036]; however, there was no significant difference in incidence of PICC-UEDVT between 20%-32% and 33%-44% (P = 1.000).Conclusion It is found that the 44% catheter to vein ratio was the optimal critical point to reduce the incidence of PICC-UEDVT, possessing relatively high sensitivity and specificity; applying <44% catheter to vein ratio can decrease the risk of PICC-UEDVT occurrence in patients at ICU.

AIMTo prepare lipid microsphere of sodium norcantharidin (NCTD) and then study their characters and pharmacokinetic behavior.

METHODSDynamic Light Scattering, HPLC and retrodialysis technique were used to determine the in vitro characters of the NCTD loaded lipid microsphere (LM), such as the particle size, xi-potential, content, incorporation ratio, release profile and changes after dilute. And the plasma concentration was determined by HPLC-MS, compared with NCTD aqueous solution at the same time.

RESULTSEvery property showed that the LM was preferable. The average diameter was about 200 nm. The xi-potential was - 38 mV. The content was close to 100%. And the incorporation ratio exceeded 80%. After i. v. administration of single dose, the pharmacodynamic parameter of LM AUC was 111.28 microg x mL(-1) x h(-1). The data of plasma concentrations showed that the NCTD LM was of two compartment. There was no obvious difference between in vivo parameters of LM and reference solution.

CONCLUSIONThe NCTD LM was eligible and the character of it in vivo was not changed.

Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Area Under Curve ; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Female ; Lipids ; Male ; Mass Spectrometry ; Microspheres ; Particle Size ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo clarify the clinicopathological significance of lymphatic vessel density (LVD) and distribution in pancreatic cancer.

METHODSWe measured LVD in 43 pancreatic cancer specimens by immunostaining with specific lymphatic endothelium marker, and examined their relationship with well-defined clinicopathological variables.

RESULTSIntratumoral LVD (9.4 +/- 10.0) was significantly lower than periturmoral (16.0 +/- 9.7) (P < 0.001) and nontumoral LVD (13.5 +/- 6.0) (P < 0.01). Increased peritumoral LVD correlated significantly with tumor staging (P < 0.05) and lymph node involvement (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe lymphatic vessels distribution in pancreatic cancer samples and peritumoral lymphangiogenesis may promote the malignant progression and lymph node metastasis of pancreatic cancer.

Adenocarcinoma ; pathology ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Lymphatic Vessels ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of precursor of nerve growth factor (proNGF) in promoting invasion of breast cancer cells and its relation with ezrin expression and phosphorylation of ezrin Thr567 and Tyr477.

METHODSHuman breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 were stimulated by gradient concentrations of proNGF (0, 2.5, 5 and 10 ng/mL) for 16 h, and the invasion of the cells was assessed with Transwell assay. The expression of ezrin and the phosphorylation of ezrin Thr567 and ezrin Tyr477 in the treated cells were examined by Western blotting. MDA-MB-231 cells were transfected with pEnter-His-ezrinY477F (a dominant negative mutant) to study the role of phosphrylation of ezrin Tyr477 in the invasion of breast cancer cell stimulated by proNGF.

RESULTSproNGF significantly promoted MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cell invasion in a concentration-dependent manner (P<0.05), and concentration- and time-dependently increased the phosphorylation of ezrin Tyr477 (P<0.05) without affecting the expression of ezrin or the phosphorylation of ezrin Thr567. The specific inhibitor of src, SKI-606, significantly inhibited the phosphorylation of ezrin Tyr477 induced by proNGF. Transfection with pEnter-His- ezrinY477F inhibited proNGF-induced invasion and phosphorylation of ezrin Tyr477 in MDA-MB-231 cells (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONPhosphorylation of ezrin Tyr477 plays a critical role in the invasion of breast cancer cells stimulated by proNGF via proNGF/src/ezrin Tyr477 pathway.

Breast Neoplasms ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cytoskeletal Proteins ; chemistry ; Humans ; MCF-7 Cells ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Nerve Growth Factor ; pharmacology ; Phosphorylation ; Signal Transduction ; Transfection ; Tyrosine

OBJECTIVETo investigate reasonable surgical therapy for conjoined twins.

METHODSTwo pairs of gastrothoracopagus were admitted in July 2004 and April 2005 respectively. The first pair was separated by emergency surgery for the rupture of umbilical hernia resulting in the exposure of intestines. The thoracic and abdominal wall was repaired with local skin flaps, and the secondary wound was covered with artificial skin. Skin expanders were embedded in thoracic and abdominal wall 2 months after birth in the second pair. The surgical separation was performed one month after. The deficiencies of pericardium, sternum and abdominal wall were reconstructed by allogenic grafting of pericardium, porous polyethylene implant and monofilament polypropylene patch respectively. The thoracic and abdominal wall was repaired with expanded rotation skin flap.

RESULTSThe first twins died of respiratory failure and circulatory and respiratory failure 2 hours and 39 hours after the separation respectively. Both of the second pair survived and were discharge after healing.

CONCLUSIONSThe separation of gastrothoracopagus should be performed after skin expansion in the interest of the closure of wound. It's better to use porous polyethylene implant and monofilament polypropylene patch to reconstruct the sternum and abdominal wall respectively.

Abdominal Wall ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Fatal Outcome ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Thoracic Wall ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Twins, Conjoined ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo establish and characterize a lung adenocarcinoma cell line from a female patient in Xuanwei, Yunnan province.

METHODSSurgical specimen of the lung adenocarcinoma was obtained and cultured immediately in RPMI 1640 medium with 10% fetal bovine serum and 10(5) U/L penicillin and 100 mg/L streptomycin. When stable proliferation of the cells was achieved after over 40 passages in culture, the biological features of the cell line were investigated by cell morphology, karyotyping, protein marker expression [cytokeratins (CKs), epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) and CD proteins], growth kinetics, cell cycle phase distribution, mitotic index, colony formation in soft agar, cell invasion and tumorigenicity in Balb/c nude mice.

RESULTSThe established cell line was stably cultured for over 80 passages during a one-year period as an anchorage-dependent monolayer of short spindle, polygonal to epithelioid cells under phase contrast microscope. Microglandular cavities and disordered microfilaments were observed under transmission electron microscope. The growth curve presented in an "S" shape with the cell population doubled every 46.7 hours. The mitotic index was 1.5% and the colony formation rate was 8.3%. The cell cycle distribution included 76.9% in G(0)/G(1), 15.1% in S and 8.0% in G(2)/M. The cell line displayed a hypotriploid karyotype with a mode of 66 chromosomes and a median of 64 chromosomes. The cells expressed CK7, CK8, CK (Pan) and EMA by immunohistochemistry. A high level of cell surface expression of CD13 and CD59 was evident by flow cytometry. The cells were able to penetrate Matrigel in vitro but failed to form a stable xenograft in nude mice.

CONCLUSIONA new human lung adenocarcinoma cell line, designated as XLA-07, is successfully established from a Xuanwei lung cancer patient.

Adenocarcinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Animals ; CD13 Antigens ; metabolism ; CD59 Antigens ; metabolism ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Line, Tumor ; ultrastructure ; Cell Proliferation ; Female ; Humans ; Karyotyping ; Keratins ; metabolism ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Mucin-1 ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Polyploidy ; Tumor Stem Cell Assay

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between Nanog-promoted metastasis of breast cancer and ezrin(T567) phosphorylation, and explore the possible mechanism by which Nanog regulates ezrin(T567) phosphorylation.

METHODSA siRNA construct targeting Nanog was transfected in breast cancer cells to knock down Nanog expression, and the changes in the cell invasion was detected using Transwell assay. The expression levels of Nanog and PKC and the phosphorylation level of ezrin(T567) were detected using Western blotting and immunofluorescent staining; the protein interaction between PKCε and ezrin was assayed by co-immunoprecipitation and Western blotting.

RESULTSNanog knockdown significantly decreased the expression of PKCε protein, phosphorylation level of ezrin(T567) and the invasion ability of breast cancer cells. PKCε knockdown obviously decreased the phosphorylation level of ezrin(T567) in the cells, and PKCε and ezrin were co-immunoprecipitated.

CONCLUDIONSNanogcan can upregulate the expression of PKCε to promote the phosphorylation of ezrin(T567), which can be a new mechanism by which Nanog promotes tumor metastasis.

Blotting, Western ; Breast Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Cytoskeletal Proteins ; metabolism ; Gene Knockdown Techniques ; Homeodomain Proteins ; metabolism ; Humans ; Nanog Homeobox Protein ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Phosphorylation ; Protein Kinase C-epsilon ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Transfection ; Tumor Cells, Cultured ; Up-Regulation

OBJECTIVETo prospectively evaluate the long-term effect of pancreaticoduodenectomy with regional lymphadenectomy.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty-one patients with ductal adenocarcinoma in the pancreatic head treated from 1996 to 2001 were studied prospectively. The enrollment of the patients was dependent on 7 criteria. The patients were divided into two groups: regional lymphadenectomy (group A, n = 50) and routine Whipple procedure (group B, n = 71). Their pre- and postoperative conditions, clinicopathological data, survival rates were studied.

RESULTSIt was comparable between the 2 groups in age, sex, preoperative risk factors, operative management, and postoperative complication. Clinicopathological results showed no difference in tumor size and plexus invasion; but the frequency of lymph node involvement and the amount of resected lymph node in group A were significantly higher than those in group B. The rate of local recurrence was significantly higher in group A than in group B. The survival rates of 1-, 3-, 5-year in group A were 70.8%, 31.4%, 20.9%, respectively, which were higher than those in group B. No direct relations were observed between nodal involvement and survival rate.

CONCLUSIONLymphadenectomy in radical pancreaticoduodenectomy could remove lymph nodes effectively and sufficiently, and reduce the rate of local recurrence so as to improve the long-term survival rate.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Lymph Node Excision ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; prevention & control ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Pancreaticoduodenectomy ; Prospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult