OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis factors of primary resectable high-risk gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST).

METHODSThe clinicopathological and follow-up data of 45 patients with primary resectable high-risk gastrointestinal stromal tumors between January 2002 and November 2010 were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTSForty-five patients included 18 males and 27 females with a median age of 48 years (range, 28-77 years). Of 45 tumors, 19 (42.2%) located in the stomach, 9 (20.0%) in the small intestine, 7 (15.6%) in the rectum, 4 (8.9%) in the mesentery, and 6 (13.3%) in the retroperitoneum. All the patients received surgical resection and 35 (77.8%) underwent complete resection, 10 (22.2%) underwent resection of ruptured tumors (before or during operation), 33 (73.3%) underwent R0 resection, 5 (11.1%) underwent R1 resection, and 7 (15.6%) underwent R2 resection. All the patients received targeted therapy of imatinib after surgery. The median duration of imatinib was 24 (10-99) months. The main side effect was noticed in all the patients, mainly including edema in 39 (86.7%) patients and leukopenia in 27 (60.0%) patients. The relapse rate was 37.8% (17/45). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 100%, 86.7% and 74.4%, respectively. Univariate and multivariate analysis revealed that the degree of resection was independently associated with the prognosis of high-risk GIST patients.

CONCLUSIONSSurgery is effective treatment for the GIST. Efforts to obtain R0 resection are important to improve the efficacy of primary resectable high-risk GIST.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo study the nature of the residue hard tissue after liposuction in lipoma and its role in lipoma recurrence.

METHODSThe residue hard tissue after liposuction was collected for histologic study, including HE-staining and immunohistochemistry with antibody of stem cell marker (CD29 and CD44). The average density and area of positive cells were analyzed statistically.

RESULTSThe residue hard tissue had a medium hardness. The center tissue was light yellow surrounding by soft, loose, irregular and cord-like tissue. The normal fat tissue is light yellow with a soft and unanimous texture. HE-staining showed abundant stromas in residue hard tissue, with lots of fibroblast-like cells locating among adipocytes. The cytoplasm was less with large and blue-staining nucleus. In normal fat tissue, the fat cells were uniform which were round or polygon. The stromas was less and the fibroblast-like cells were comparatively less. The slices were stained with antibody (CD29, CD44) of stem cell marker. The density and area of positive cells were much more in residue hard tissue than those in normal adipose tissue. Two Independence Samples T test were as follows: (t'CD29 = 9.931, P = 0.000; (t'CD44 =10.171, P = 0.000 for density; and (t'CD29 = 7.761, P = 0.000; tt'CDRR = 6.639, P = 0.000 for area. The difference was significant.

CONCLUSIONSAbundant fibroblast-like cells that are signed by the marker of stem cells exist in residue hard tissue. Those cells are proven to be lipoma derived stem cells (LDSCs) which may play an role in lipoma recurrence after lipoma liposuction.

Adipocytes ; cytology ; pathology ; Adipose Tissue ; pathology ; Humans ; Lipectomy ; Lipoma ; pathology ; surgery ; Recurrence ; Stem Cells ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo construct the eukaryotic expression vector of rat GPR17 (rGPR17) cDNA,and to identify its function in HEK293 cells.

METHODSTotal RNA was extracted from rat brain tissue; full-length GPR17 cDNA was prepared by RT-PCR, and cloned into pcDNA3.1(+) plasmid. The recombinant plasmid was converted into E.coli DH5alpha and confirmed by PCR, double enzyme digestion analysis and DNA sequencing. The recombinant plasmid pcDNA3.1(+)-rGPR17 was transiently transfected into HEK293 cells using Lipofectamin 2000. Expression of rGPR17 gene was confirmed by RT-PCR and immunofluorescence staining. The exogenous LTD(4) enhanced intracellular calcium was measured using Fluo-4.

RESULTRT-PCR, double enzyme digestion analysis and sequencing showed that the rGPR17 gene was cloned into recombinant vector, and the recombinant rGPR17 was expressed after transfection in HKE293 cells. LTD(4) increased intracellular calcium release in the transfected HEK293 cells.

CONCLUSIONThe eukaryotic expression vector of rGPR17 cDNA has been constructed; it is functionally expressed in HEK293 cells. This work provides a basis for further research of the GPR17 receptor and its antagonists.

Animals ; Base Sequence ; DNA, Complementary ; genetics ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; HEK293 Cells ; Humans ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transfection

Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers ; administration & dosage ; Animals ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Restenosis ; prevention & control ; Coronary Vessels ; pathology ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Immunohistochemistry ; Rabbits ; Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1 ; analysis ; Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 2 ; analysis ; genetics ; physiology ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Stents ; Tetrazoles ; administration & dosage ; Valine ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; Valsartan

OBJECTIVETo assess the effect of valsartan eluting-stents on restenosis and collagen deposition in neointima hyperplasia in rabbits.

METHODSValsartan eluting-stents and the carrier eluting-stents were made with patented multi-layers coating techniques. Bare stents (n = 8), carrier eluting-stents (n = 8) and valsartan eluting-stents (n = 10) were implanted into rabbit abdominal aortas, respectively. Quantitive angiography (QA) was performed before, immediately post and 3 months after stents implantations to determine the diameter of aortas. Rabbits were killed 3 months post stents implantation and the cross sections of the stented vessels were analyzed for neointimal formation: luminal area (LA), neointimal area (NIA), inner elastic lumina area (IELA), the maximal inner-membrane thickness (MIT) and percent stenosis. MASSON and picrosirius red staining were performed to observe the collagen deposition in neointima analyzed.

RESULTSThe mean aortic diameters measured by QA at different time points were similar between the groups. LA was significantly larger (5 016 269 microm(2) +/- 207,934 microm(2) vs. 4,345,548 microm(2) +/- 125,822 microm(2) and 4,302,061 microm(2) +/- 167,952 microm(2), P < 0.01 vs. valsartan stents) while NIA (441,577 microm(2) +/- 74,099 microm(2) vs. 1,119,635 microm(2) +/- 163,503 microm(2) and 1,135,636 microm(2) +/- 136,555 microm(2)) and MIT (116 microm +/- 12 microm vs. 240 microm +/- 30 microm and 192 microm +/- 21 microm) as well as percent stenosis (8% +/- 2% vs. 20% +/- 2% and 21% +/- 2%) were significantly reduced in valsartan eluting-stents group compared to bare and carrier stents groups. MASSON and picrosirius red staining revealed rich type III collagen deposition in neointima and spare type I collagen patched around stents struts in bare and carrier stents groups and collagen deposition was rarely seen in neointima and stents struts in valsartan eluting-stents group.

CONCLUSIONValsartan eluting-stents inhibited neointimal hyperplasia by decreasing collagen deposition.

Animals ; Collagen ; metabolism ; Coronary Restenosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Coronary Vessels ; pathology ; Drug-Eluting Stents ; Female ; Graft Occlusion, Vascular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Hyperplasia ; Male ; Rabbits ; Tetrazoles ; therapeutic use ; Tunica Intima ; pathology ; Valine ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Valsartan

OBJECTIVETo construct HEK293 cell lines stably expressing hCysLT(2) receptor, and to evaluate its application in screening of synthetic compounds with antagonist activity.

METHODSThe recombinant plasmid pcDNA3.1(+)-hCysLT(2) was transfected into HEK293 cells using Lipofectamin 2000. The transfected HEK293 cells were selected in 96 well plates by limiting dilution with 600 μg/ml C418 for 8 weeks. The expression of human CysLT(2) receptor was detected by RT-PCR and immunofluorescence staining. In HEK293 cells stably transfected with hCysLT(2), the agonist LTD(4)-induced elevation of intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2(+)]i) was measured as the index for screening compounds with antagonist activity.

RESULTAfter selection in 96 well plates by limiting dilution, 12 monoclones were obtained and 11 of them highly expressed hCysLT(2) receptor. The positive control ATP at 50 μmol/L and LTD(4) at 100 nmol/L elevated [Ca2(+)]i in hCysLT(2)-HEK293 cells. AP-2100984 inhibited LTD(4)-induced [Ca2(+)]i elevation, but selective CysLT(1) receptor antagonists did not exert such an effect. The newly synthesized compounds DXW2, DXW3, DXW4, DXW5, DXW9, DXW25, DXW26, DXW29 and DXW35 at 1 μmol/L significantly inhibited LTD(4)-induced [Ca2(+)]i elevation. The IC(50) values of DXW4 and DXW5 were 0.25 μmol/L and 7.5 μmol/L.

CONCLUSIONHEK293 cell lines stably expressing hCysLT(2) receptor have been successfully constructed, and can be used to screen compounds with CysLT(2) receptor antagonist activity.

Drug Evaluation, Preclinical ; HEK293 Cells ; Humans ; Leukotriene Antagonists ; Receptors, Leukotriene ; genetics ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo investigate polymorphism of HLA-DRB1 in Chinese Lahu population in Yunnan.

METHODSPolymerase chain reaction-sequence specific primers (PCR-SSP) were used to determine HLA-DRB1 genotypes of 110 unrelated healthy Lahu minority people of Yunnan Province.

RESULTSSixteen alleles of DRB1 were detected in this study. The results of test showed that the genotype distributions observed were corresponded with the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.

CONCLUSIONThis study has obtained a more comprehensive and accurate data set of the normal allele frequencies of HLA-DRB1 in Chinese Lahu population in Yunnan Province, which may be of significance in the studies on population genetics and disease association.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; DNA Primers ; Ethnic Groups ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; HLA-DR Antigens ; genetics ; HLA-DRB1 Chains ; Humans ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods

BACKGROUNDSurgical treatment options for patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension are complicated. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of a new treatment strategy, splenic auto-transplantation and oesophageal transection anastomosis. We report results from clinical observations, splenic immune function and portal dynamics in 274 patients.

METHODSFrom 1979 to 2005, 274 cirrhosis patients with portal hypertension underwent the new treatment strategy, and were followed up to compare results with those patients who underwent traditional surgical treatment. From 1999 to 2002, a randomized controlled trial (RCT) was performed on 40 patients to compare their post-operative immune function. From 1994 to 2006, another RCT enrolled 28 patients to compare portal dynamics using three-dimensional dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (3D DEC MRA) investigation post operation.

RESULTSAmong 274 patients (mean age 41.8 years), the emergency operative mortality (4.4%), selective operative mortality (2.2%), complication rate (17.9%), prevalence of hepatic encephalopathy (< 1%), rate of portal hypertension gastritis (PHG) bleeding (9.1%), and morbidity of hepatic carcinoma (8%) were similar to those patients undergoing traditional operation; the spleen immunology function (Tuftsin, IgM) decreased in both groups 2 months post operation, but this decrease did not reach statistical significance. Through 3D DCE MRA, the cross sectional area and the velocity and volume of blood flow of the main portal vein decreased significantly after operation in both groups. The velocity and volume of blood flow in the auto-transplantation group was significantly lower than that in the control group.

CONCLUSIONSSplenic auto-transplantation and esophageal transection anastomosis is a safe, effective, and reasonable treatment strategy for patients with portal hypertension with varicial bleeding. It not only can correct hypersplenism, but may also achieve complete hemostasis. Spleens auto-transplanted into the retroperitoneal space can preserve immune function and establish broad collateral circulation.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anastomosis, Surgical ; Child ; Esophagus ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension, Portal ; immunology ; surgery ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Immunoglobulin M ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Spleen ; transplantation ; Transplantation, Autologous

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) continues to be a threat, causing economically significant impacts on the swine industry worldwide. Unfortunately, the traditional control strategies and conventional vaccines fail to provide sustainable disease control, in particular against genetically diverse strains, as they suffer from both antigenic heterogeneity and various immune evasion strategies of PRRSV. In this paper, latest research progress in immunology and immune evasion of PRRSVis summarized to provide a referenc for PRSSV prevention and control as well as the design of new vaccines.
Animals ; Immune Evasion ; Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome ; immunology ; virology ; Porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus ; genetics ; immunology ; Swine ; Viral Proteins ; genetics ; immunology

OBJECTIVE: To explore the laparoscopic partial gastrectomy and the indications. METHODS: Eighteen patients who underwent laparoscopic partial gastrectomy from August 2005 to May 2006 were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Sixteen patients (including 6 with gastric cancer, 9 with duodenal ulcer, and 1 with gastric multiple polyps) underwent laparoscopic partial gastrectomy. The other two patients underwent an open surgical procedure (1 patient with the tumor size large than 6 cm, and the other patient with bleeding after loosening one clip). The rate of intraoperative subcutaneous emphysema was 5.88% (1/17), and no death occurred. The operation time was (285+/-30)min on average, the estimated blood loss was (130+/-50)mL, and the hospitalization was (11+/-4)d. One case of obstruction of distal loop happened after the surgery, and the rate was 6.25% (1/16). The patients were followed up for 1 approximately 9 months postoperatively. Trocar puncture-site metastases occurred in one patient. CONCLUSION Laparoscopic partial gastrectomy is safe and feasible with skillful laparoscopic technique and with restricted indications, and the surgical outcome may be similar to that of the open surgery.
Adult ; Female ; Gastrectomy ; methods ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Diseases ; surgery