Objective: To investigate the occurrence of occult carcinoma in contralateral lobes based on the ultrasonic features of unilateral papillary thyroid carcinoma. Methods: The study included 202 consecutives cases of unilateral papillary thyroid carcinoma with benign nodules in the contralateral lobe identified by preoperative ultrasound or fine-needle aspiration from June 2014 to December 2015. All patients received total thyroidectomies, and with postoperative pathological examination they were divided into two groups, one including 60 cases with positive occult cancer and another one consisting of 142 cases with negative occult cancer. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to analyze the sonographic features of unilateral papillary thyroid carcinoma relevant to the occurrence of occult carcinoma in the contralateral nodules. Results: Univariate analysis indicated occult carcinoma in the contralateral lobes was associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis(χ²=3.955, P=0.047), unclear border (χ²=4.375, P=0.036)and multifocality in the ipsilateral(χ²=7.375, P=0.007), but not with tumors maximum size, location, A/T, shape, internal structure, internal echo, acoustic halo, calcification, capsular invasion and blood flow signal in the lobe with carcinoma on another side. Multivariate analysis showed unclear border (OR=2.727, P=0.010) and multifocality in the ipsilateral(OR=2.807, P=0.005)of carcinoma were independent predictive factor for contralateral occult PTC. Conclusions Unclear border and multifocality of PTC in the ipsilateral were closely relevant to the occurrence of occult carcinoma in the contralateral nodules.

Objective To compare and analyze the diagnostic value of prenatal ultrasound and MRI in fetal thoracic abnormalities, as well as the advantages and disadvantages, respectively, and to explore the clinical value of the combined use in diagnosing fetal thoracic abnormalities.Methods The prenatal ultrasound and MRI images of total 94 cases with thoracic abnormalities were analyzed retrospectively.All the patients received MRI exams within 2 days after the preliminary ultrasound diagnosis of abnormalities.All cases were confirmed by autopsy or postnatal follow-ups.Results 94 cases of thoracic abnormalities included 48 cases of cystic adenoma abnormalities, 33 cases of bronchopulmonary sequestration, 10 cases of diaphragmatic hernia and 3 cases of primary pulmonary hypoplasia.The diagnosis coincidence rate of ultrasound was 82.98% (78/94), while the combined use was 93.62% (88/94).There were statistical differences between the combined use and single ultrasound examination in detecting fetal thoracic abnormalities(P<0.05).Conclusion Both ultrasound and MRI could diagnose fetal thoracic abnormalities well and had its own advantages and disadvantages.The combined use of ultrasound and MRI could improve the sensitivity and specificity of prenatal diagnostic accuracy and have a better advantage in diagnosing fetal thoracic abnormalities.

Permeability is a key factor in the bioavailability of oral drugs. Therefore, in the early stage of drug discovery, accurate and efficient evaluation of drug permeability is essential. The parallel artificial membrane permeability assay (PAMPA) with Caco-2 cells model was used by the industry as early evaluation methods. At present, the Ussing chamber rat model is also widely used. This review summarizes the human data for the in vivo single-pass perfusion technique (Loc-I-Gut) – the gold standard, and then focuses on the basic principles, experimental operation, and efficiency of the three in vitro methods, with correlation to the effective permeability coefficient (P_eff) and fractional absorbed (Fa) in man. We provide recommendations for the use of proper permeability methods at different stages in drug discovery and development.

OBJECTIVETo construct a recombinant adenovirus vector containing bone morphogenic protein-7 (BMP-7) gene and to identify its biological activities in proximal tubule epithelial cells (PTECs).

METHODSForty-six fragments of BMP-7 gene were obtained by PCR method and then were ligated to the full-length gene. The full length sequence of BMP-7 was subcloned into pBluescript II(+) vectors, and confirmed by sequencing. Double digested with Not I and Hind III, BMP-7 gene was inserted into pShuttle-CMV. EcoR I pre-linearized pShuttle plasmid was transformed into competence bacterium BJ5183 to obtain the recombinant adenovirus-BMP-7 by efficient homologous recombination. Then the AdBMP-7 was obtained by packaging Pac I linearized in 293 cells. Adenoviral titer was determined by adenovirus fluorescent detection kit. The protein expression of BMP-7 in PTECs was respectively detected by ELISA and Western blot. RT-PCR method was used for analyzing the alpha-smooth muscle action (alpha-SMA) expression in PTECs, which was treated consecutively with TGF-beta and AdBMP-7.

RESULTSThe recombinant plasmid AdBMP-7 was successfully generated, which increased BMP-7 protein expression levels in PTECs, and down-regulated TGF-beta-induced alpha-SMA expression.

CONCLUSIONThe bioactive recombinant adenovirus AdBMP-7 has been successfully constructed, which may be effective in inhibition of chronic renal fibrosis.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Base Sequence ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Cells, Cultured ; Epithelial Cells ; metabolism ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Kidney Tubules, Proximal ; cytology ; metabolism ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Rats ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the tumor-suppression effect of hydroxyurea on meningioma cells and its possible mechanism.

METHODSThe meningioma cells were cultured in medium containing varied doses of hydroxyurea (5x10(-3)mol/L, 5x10(-4)mol/L, 5x10(-5)mol/L), the cell growth was measured by MTT method, cell apoptosis was observed with flow cytometry (FCM).

RESULTSMTT measurement demonstrated that the administration of hydroxyurea led to a dose-dependent suppression in cell proliferation and FCM showed a dose-dependent increase in apoptosis rate.

CONCLUSIONHydroxyurea can inhibit meningioma cell growth in vitro, which is most likely associated with apoptosis of the tumor cells.

Adult ; Aged ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Hydroxyurea ; pharmacology ; Male ; Meningioma ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Middle Aged

Adult ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; pathology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Submandibular Gland Neoplasms ; pathology ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo investigate neuron regeneration of aged rats after intracerebral hemorrhage(ICH).

METHODSICH model was induced by intracerebral infusion of 100microL autologous blood in adult and aged (3 and 18 m of age, respectively) male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Doublecortin(DCX), polysialylated neural cell adhesion protein(PSA-NCAM) and Bromodeoxyuridine (Brdu) in brain tissue were detected by Western blot analysis and immunohistochemical examination.

RESULTIn aged rats, DCX levels in the ipsilateral basal ganglia and subventricular zone started to increase at 7d after ICH, peaked at 14 d [(670+/-145)% of controls, P<0.01]. Most DCX positive cells in ipsilateral striatum were BrdU positive. Though DCX content in ipsilateral basal ganglia [(2560+/-758) pixels]of ICH aged rats was much higher than that of aged rat controls [(450+/-97)pixels, P<0.01], it was still lower than that in adult rats.

CONCLUSIONThe results demonstrate that neuron regeneration occurs in subventricular zone in the aged rats following intracerebral hemorrhage(ICH).

Age Factors ; Animals ; Cerebral Hemorrhage ; physiopathology ; Male ; Nerve Regeneration ; physiology ; Neuronal Plasticity ; physiology ; Neurons ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Cloward technique of cervical discectomy and fusion is a long and complex surgical procedure and instrumentation, by which complicated infection is rare in an era of routine prophylactic antimicrobial agent, especially in procedures by anterior approach. A study in the journal of Spine suggested that the incidence of unintentional laceration of the dura mater during spinal surgery might be as high as 14%.1 A majority of them are repaired intraoperatively and/or present as a spontaneous process of healing. Therefore, leakage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and secondary intracranial infection induced by incidental durotomy are rare. Levi et al.2 reviewed spinal instrumentation procedures in 452 cases at a single institution, finding that 17 patients got infections in the operative areas. Infection occurred after posterior spinal instrumentation procedures (7.2%) and no infection was found after anterior instrumentation procedures regardless of the vertebral levels. Likewise, Aydinli et al.3 reported that 8 patients were complicated by acute infection out of 174 patients undergoing instrumented spinal surgery, including no anterior procedures. To our knowledge, we are the first to report a complete clinical course concerning CSF leakage and secondary intracranial infection induced by Cloward technique of cervical discectomy and fusion.
Bacterial Infections ; etiology ; Brain Diseases ; etiology ; Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Cervical Vertebrae ; surgery ; Diskectomy ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; Spinal Fusion

OBJECTIVE: To compare accuracy of anterior cervical pedicle screws between assist of rapid prototyping 3D guide plate and free-hand insertion, and evaluate the safety of two methods. METHODS: Eight adult cervical cadaver specimens after formaldehyde immersion, including 4 males and 4 females, aged 32 to 65(40.3±5.6) years old. After X-ray examination to exclude bone damage and deformity, 4 of them (3D guide plate group) randomly selected were for CT scan to obtain DICOM format data, and the data was imported into Mimics software for model, designed the ideal entry point and nail path for anterior cervicaltranspedicular screw (ATPS). After obtaining the personalized guide plate of the nail channel, it was exported as STL data, and the individual guide plate was printed by rapid prototyping and 3D printing technology. In turn, with the assistance of 3D guide plates, one-to-one personalized ATPS screws were placed on the four lower cervical cadaver specimens. Another 4 (free-hand group) lower cervical cadaver specimens were implanted with ATPS screws using free-hand technique. All specimens were performed CT thin-layer scanning and three-dimensional reconstruction after operation. The Tomasino method was used to evaluate the safety of the screws on the CT cross-sectional and sagittal images, to determine whether there was a cortical puncture of the lower and inner edges of the pedicle. According to the CT rating results, gradeⅠandⅡwere safe, and grade Ⅲ- Ⅴ were dangerous.And the accuracy of screws was recorded and analyzed between two groups. RESULTS: Two screws were inserted in each segment from C CONCLUSION The 3D printing rapid prototyping guide plate assisted insertion of the anterior cervical pedicle screw can significantly improve the accuracy and safety, and provide a theoretical basis for further clinical application.
Adult ; Aged ; Bone Plates ; Cervical Vertebrae/surgery* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pedicle Screws ; Printing, Three-Dimensional

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of polydatin on the growth of TGF-β₁induced humanalveolar epithelium A549 cells and the mechanism of polydatin for inhibiting the process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).

METHODSA549 cells in vitro cultured were randomly divided into five groups, i.e., the blank group, the control group, the low dose polydatin group, the middle dose polydatin group, the high dose polydatin group. Common culture fluid was added in A549 cells of the blank group. Five ng/mLTGF-β₁contained culture fluid was added in A549 cells of the control group. 50, 100, and 150 μmol/mL of polydatin plus 5 ng/mL TGF-β₁contained culture fluid was added in A549 cells of low, middle, and high dosepolydatin groups, respectively. Morphological changes were observed and recorded at different time points. The optimal concentration of polydatin was determined by MTT method. Protein and mRNA expressions of E-cad epithelial cell marker) and Vimentin (mesenchymal cell marker) were detected by Western blot and Real-time PCR.

RESULTSUnder inverted phase contrast microscope, A549 cells turned from previous pebble shape to fusiform shape after intervened by polydatin and TGF-β1. The intercellular space was enlargedand the intercellular connection became loose. These phenomena were more obviously seen in the control group. A549 cells were more satiated in low, middle, and high dose polydatin groups than in the control group. The EMT inhibition was most obviously seen in the middle dose polydatin group at 48 h. Protein and mRNA expressions of E-cad showed an overall descending tendency after intervened by polydatin and TGF-β1 (P < 0.05). But compared with the control group, protein and mRNA expressions of E-cad were down-regulated in a lesser amplitude in each intervened group. Besides, the tendency was more obviously seen at 48 h than at 24 h. Protein and mRNA expressions of Vimentin showed an overall up-regulating tendency. But compared with the control group, protein and mRNA expressions of Vimentin were down-regulated in a lesser amplitude in each intervened group. Besides, the tendency was more obviously seen at 48 h than at 24 h (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Polydatin could inhibit TGF-β1 induced EMT process of A549 cells time- and dose-dependently. It also played roles in inhibiting pulmonary fibrosis.

Cadherins ; metabolism ; Cell Line ; Epithelial Cells ; drug effects ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; drug effects ; Glucosides ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Stilbenes ; pharmacology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; pharmacology ; Vimentin ; metabolism