Objective:To investigate the expression of tissue factor pathway inhibitor-2 (TFPI-2) and synuclein gamma (SNCG) in esophageal cancer and their correlation with local invasion, lymph node metastasis and apoptosis. Methods:The expression of TFPI-2, SNCG, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) was detected by immunohistochemical SP methods in 82 cases of esophageal cancer tissues, 20 cases of atypical hyperplasia tissues, and 54 cases of para-cancerous tissues. The apoptosis of esophageal cancer cells was detected by TUNEL staining and apoptosis index (AI) was calculated. Results:The positive rates were 30.4%, 60.0%, and 87.0% for TFPI-2 protein and 63.4%, 30.0%, and 3.7% for SNCG protein in the tumor tissues, atypical hyperplasia tissues,and tumor-adjacent normal tissues, respectively. There was a significant difference between the three groups(P<0.01). The positive expression of TFPI-2 and SNCG correlated with the lymph node metastasis, invasion depth, TNM staging, and differentiation degree of esophageal cancer (P<0.01), but did not correlate with age at surgery, gender, tumor location, and pathologic classification(P>0.05). The expression of TFPI-2 and MMP-9 was negatively correlated (r=-0.636, P=0.000). The expression of SNCG and MMP-9 was positively correlated(r=0.393,P=0.000). AI was related with TFPI-2 and SNCG expression (P<0.05). Conclusion:TFPI-2 not only inhibited the expression of MMP-9 but also induces apoptosis of esophageal cancer to prevent tumor invasion and metastasis, however, SNCG plays a contradictory role in cancer development. TFPI-2 and SNCG might serve as new tumor markers and the new targets for tumor gene therapy.

Objective:To assess the nutritional status of obese patients prior to bariatric surgery, and to explore the related factors of nutrient deficiency.Methods:Clinical data of 43 patients with obesity who underwent bariatric surgery at Beijing Hospital from Jan. 2011 to Dec. 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Gender, age, BMI, body composition analysis data, blood test data of nutrients were collected. The software of SPSS 20.0 was used to conduct data analysis.Results:Nutrients deficiencies were found for vitamin D (100.0%), iron (26.1%), prealbumin (15.4%) and hemoglobin (7.0%). Hemoglobin, prealbumin, and serum iron levels were significantly higher in male patients than in female patients ( P=0.001, 0.000 and 0.001, respectively). Body fat percentage was negatively correlated with 25 hydroxyvitamin D ( r=-0.983, P=0.017), and positively correlated with serum sodium ( r=0.568, P<0.001). Conclusions:Obesity patients were presented with a variety of nutritional deficiencies before bariatric surgery. A comprehensive nutrients test should be performed before bariatric surgery, to detect and correct nutrient deficiencies preoperatively.

Objective To observe the effects of an enriched environment (EE) on cognitive functioning and the synaptic plasticity of mice modeling post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) and explore the possible mechanisms involved.Methods Mice modeling PSCI and sham-operated mice were randomly divided into 3 groups:sham-operated mice in a standard environment (the Sham+SE group),PSCI mice in a standard environment (the PSCI+SE group) and PSCI mice in an enriched environment (the PSCI+EE group).The cognitive functioning of all of the mice was quantified using a Morris water maze and their hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) was recorded using an electrophysiological method.The level of synaptophysin was detected using Western blotting.Synaptic ultrastructure in the hippocampus was imaged using electron microscopy.Results Compared with the Sham +SE group,the PSCI+SE group showed significantly poorer water maze performance and failed induction of contralateral LTP.Their average level of synaptophysin was significantly lower,and significant adverse changes in the synaptic ultrastructure of the hippocampus were observed,including a decreased number of synapses.The average width of the synaptic cleft,postsynaptic density and the interface curvature of the synapses were all less desirable.All of the measurements of the PSCI+EE group improved significantly compared to those of the PSCI+SE group,but were still significantly poorer than those of the Sham+SE group.Conclusions An enhanced environment can improve the cognitive functioning of mice modelling PSCI.It may be that an EE can improve synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus contralateral to the stroke.

OBJECTIVETo observe the expression of stromal CD34 and alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) in oral invasive cancer.

METHODSThe distribution and expression of stromal CD34 and alpha-SMA in 60 patients with invasive oral squamous cell cancer and 20 resections with tumor-free margins from 60 patients with invasive oral squamous cell cancer were examined by immunohistochemistry SP method.

RESULTSTwenty cases of resections of mucosa with tumor-free margins exhibited CD34 expression in fibrocytes cytoplasm in the vicinity of vessels, mucosa and submucosa but were free of alpha-SMA expression, only the walls of muscularized vessels stained positive for alpha-SMA in the stroma. Sixty invasive oral squamous cell carcinomas were free of stromal CD34 expression, only the endothelia of small vessels stained positive for CD34, of which 53 invasive oral squamous cell carcinomas expressed stromal alpha-SMA in myofibroblasts cytoplasm.

CONCLUSIONSThe detection of CD34 and alpha-SMA is an adjunctive tool in judging oral cancer invasion in small oral mucosa biopsy specimens based on the absence of CD34 expression paralleled by the gain of alpha-SMA in the stroma of oral invasive cancer.

Actins ; metabolism ; Adult ; Aged ; Antigens, CD34 ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Mouth Mucosa ; metabolism ; Mouth Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Neoplasm Invasiveness

BACKGROUND: Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) can result in intestinal mucosal barrier (IMB) dysfunction. This study was undertaken to demonstrate the effect of IGF-I on the intestinal mucosal barrier in rats with SAP and its possible mechanisms. METHODS: Seventy-two male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: a sham operation (SO group,n=24), a SAP group not treated with IGF-I (SAP group,n=24), and a SAP group treated with IGF-I (IGF-I group,n=24). SAP was induced in the rats by injecting 5.0％ sodium taurocholate into the biliary-pancreatic duct. The SO rats were given an infusion of normal saline instead. The rats in the IGF-I group underwent the SAP procedure and were given a subcutaneous injection of IGF-I at 30 minutes before the operation and at 3 hours after the operation. Eight rats in each group were sacrificed at 6, 12 and 24 hours after operation. Apoptosis of mucosal cells in the small intestine was determined by TUNEL. The levels of endotoxin and DAO and serum amylase were also measured. Pathologic changes in the small intestine were monitored. Changes of bax and bcl-2 mRNA expression in the small intestine were determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: The levels of serum amylase were lower in the IGF-I group than in the SAP group at all three time points (P<0.05). The levels of endotoxin in the IGF-I group were higher than those in the SAP group at 6 hours, but lower in the IGF-I group than in the SAP group at 12 and 24 hours (P<0.05). The levels of diamine oxidase were higher in the IGF-I group at 6 hours but lower than those in the SAP group at 12 and 24 hours. The pathological score of the small intestine was lower in the IGF-I group than in the SAP group, and the difference was statistically significant at 12 and 24 hours. The pathologic changes observed under electron microscopy were better in the IGF-I group than those in the SAP group. The apoptosis index of intestinal epithelial cells was significantly decreased in the IGF-I group compared with the SAP group. Compared with the SO group, the mRNA expression levels of bax were increased at each time point in the SAP group, and were significantly decreased in the IGF-I group as compared with the SAP group at each time point (P<0.05). The expression levels of bcl-2 were weak and not different between the SO group and the SAP group (P>0.05). They were significantly increased in the IGF-I group versus the SO and SAP groups (P<0.05). The ratio of bax and bcl-2 mRNA expression levels at each time point in the SAP group were significantly higher than those in the SO group, but they were obviously decreased in the IGF-I group. CONCLUSIONS: Exogenous IGF-I seems to protect mucosal cells in the small intestine against SAP-induced apoptosis and could alleviate SAP-induced injury of the intestinal mucosa. The underlying mechanisms include enhanced mRNA expression of bcl-2 and inhibition of bax mRNA expression.

Objective:To evaluate the radiographic and clinical outcomes of pre-operative Halo-gravity traction (HGT) and posterior correction surgery in treating patients with neurological deficits secondary to severe focal angular kyphosis of the upper thoracic spine.Methods:A total of 16 patients (11 males, 5 females) with neurologic deficits secondary to severe focal angular kyphosis of the upper thoracic spine undergoing preoperative HGT and posterior correction operation from January 2010 to December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. The average age was 12.9±5.6 years (range 6-27 years). The standing X-ray of whole spine was taken at pre-, post-traction and post-operation. The Cobb angles of main curve at both sagittal and coronal planes were measured accordingly. The neurologic function at pre-traction, post-traction and post-operation was assessed according to the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grading. The complications during HGT, operation and post-operative follow-up were recorded for each patient.Results:The average values of focal kyphosis and scoliosis were 96.1°±16.0° (71°-128°) and 75.5°±20.5° (40°-107°) at pre-traction respectively. The spinal cord function graded by ASIA criteria at pre-traction was B in 1 patient, C in 6 and D in 9, respectively. The correction rates of focal kyphosis and scoliosis were 32.8%±15.0% (18.0%-65.9%) and 22.9%±8.0% (14.1%-38.6%) after traction, which were further improved to 45.4%±14.9% (29.0%-69.0%) and 33.6%±8.6% (23.3%-49.3%) at post-operation without significant correction loss during 35.6±14.2 (24-72) months follow-up. After traction, the spinal cord function improved to grade D in 4 patients and grade E in 12 patients. At the last follow-up, the spinal cord functions were grade E in 15 patients and grade C in 1 patient. No neurologic monitor events occurred during operation. One patient suffered from transient left brachial plexus after operation. Further, proximal hook loosening was observed in 2 patients during follow-up. The spinal cord function was ASIA grade C pre-operatively in one patient, who recovered to ASIA grade E after operation and significantly deteriorated to ASIA C at 4 years follow-up.Conclusion:The correction of spinal kyphoscoliosis was satisfactory in this cohort. Preoperative HGT followed by posterior spinal correction surgery is an effective and safe procedure in treating neurological deficits secondary to focal angular kyphosis in the upper thoracic spine.

In this study,a series of new sildenafil analogues 11-27 possessing a guanidine group were synthesized to investigate their PDE5 inhibitory activity and selectivity using[~3H]cGMP SPA kit in vitro and efficacy in the rat model of erection.Most of the compounds showed potent activity against PDE5,and more importantly,several compounds exhibited higher PDE5 selectivity over PDE6 than that of sildenafil.Structure-activity relationship of these sildenafil analogues was also discussed.Within this series of compounds,compound 15(IC_(50) =1.7 nmol/L)not only exhibited more potent PDE5 inhibitory activity than that of sildenafil (IC_(50) = 6.5 nmol/L),but also showed functional efficacy in the rat model of erection.

Objective To comparing the diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH) between doctors in general hospitals and community hospitals,and to provide scientific clues for the standardization in medical practice.Methods General and community hospitals in urban China were selected via the stratified sampling.127,325 outpatients in these hospitals from December 2011 to December 2012 were randomly recruited.Results The average age of patients was(67.82±8.62) years.There were significant differences in I-PSS,prostate volume,urinary flow rate(UFR) and result of digital rectal examination(DRE) between patients in general and community hospitals.The rates of diagnostic applications were different between doctors in the two kinds of hospitals except I-PSS.Compared with community hospitals,DRE was more frequently applied while ultrasonic inspection and UFR test were less used in general hospitals in North China.A totally opposite situation was observed in East China as compared with the north.The application rates of DRE and UFR test were lower and ultrasonic inspection rate was higher in community hospitals than in general hospitals in South China.Pharmacotherapy was the most common treatment for BPH patients in both types of hospitals(97.53 ％).The rates of drug combinations were statistically different but both were close to 75％ in the two types of hospitals.In community hospitals,the percentage of patients receiving watchful waiting with severe symptoms and signs were lower than that of patients receiving watchful waiting with moderate symptoms and signs,but the percentage of patients receiving operation was not significantly increased.On the contrary,the percentage of patients receiving operation with severe symptoms and signs was higher than that of patients receiving operation with moderate symptoms and signs in general hospitals,but the percentage of patients receiving watchful waiting was not decreased.Conclusions Applications of diagnostic methods are significantly different between doctors in general hospitals and community hospitals and vary among regions.Therapeutic strategies are correlated with the severity of obstructive symptoms or signs.The medication strategy is similar between the two types of doctors.

Objective To explore the feasibility and efficacy of posterior minimally invasive scoliosis surgery in Lenke 5C adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).Methods From November 2012 to March 2014,a total of 16 patients underwent posterior minimally invasive scoliosis surgery assisted by O-arm three-dimensional CT navigation were included.There were 14 female and 2 male,with an average age of (16.7± 1.6) years (ranged from 14 to 18 years).The mean Cobb angles of lumbar and thoracic curve were 48.7°±5.6°and 24.1°±5.4°,respectively.Results 16 patients were successfully completed the operation,the average operation time was (246±89) min,the average intraoperative blood loss was (192± 105) ml,and the fusion level was 4.9±0.5 on average.A total of 155 screws were inserted in the 16 patients,with a mean implant density of 98.9％±4.9％.All the patients were followed up for (26.4±3.9) months on average.The following radiographic parameters were evaluated before surgery,immediately after surgery and at the last follow-up:curve magnitude,apical vertebral translation (AVT),apical vertebral rotation (AVR),trunk shift,thoracic kyphosis (TK),thoracolumbar kyphosis (TLK),lumbar lordosis (LL) and sagittal vertical axis (SVA).The accuracy of pedicle screw placement was assessed according to postoperative CT scans.SRS-22 scores and complications were also recorded during the follow-up.Immediately after surgery,the correction rate of main lumbar curve was 80.1％±8.3％,and thoracic curve was 59.3％±8.7％,and a obvious improvement was noted in terms of AVT,AVR,trunk shift and TLK.At the last follow-up,except the increase of SVA from (-27.6± 19.5) mm to (-12.3±6.6) mm,no obvious changes of AVT,AVR,trunk shift,TK,TLK and LL were observed during the follow-up.According to CT evaluation,the satisfactory rate of pedicle screw placement was 94.2％,while the perforation rate was 5.8％ (9/155).Fusion across the facet joint were satisfactory.In SRS-22 assessment,the mean scores of functional,pain,self-image,mental state and satisfaction were (4.3 ± 0.5) points,(4.7 ± 0.6) points,(4.2 ± 0.7) points,(4.2 ± 0.5)points and (4.4 ± 0.6) points.No wound infection,implant failure and neurologic complications were found after surgery.Conclusion Wiltse approach assisted by O-arm three-dimensional CT navigation has the characteristics of small injury,less bleeding,high accuracy placement of pedicle screws and high self-satisfaction of patients.It is a feasible,safe and effective way to treat Lenke 5C AIS.

BACKGROUND: Lower extremity deep venous thrombosis is commonly seen after hip arthroplasty. The time of thrombosis after arthroplasty in senile patients with osteoporotic femoral neck fractures is little reported.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the time of perioperative lower extremity deep venous thrombosis in senile patients with osteoporotic femoral neck fractures undergoing hip arthroplasty. METHODS: The data of 178 patients with femoral neck fractures undergoing hip arthroplasty were analyzed, and were then allocated to anticoagulant and non-anticoagulant groups according to the preoperative use of low-molecular-weight heparins or not. Doppler ultrasonography of both lower extremity arteries was conducted at 1, 3, 5 and 5-7 days after injury, and 2, 5, 7 and 14 days postoperatively to monitor the lower extremity deep venous thrombosis, and the number and incidence of thrombosis in the two groups were recorded at different time points. The time of thrombosis occurred frequently after injury and surgery was determined through drawing the frequency distribution table and line chart.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The incidence of thrombosis showed significant difference between anticoagulant (n=6, 8%) and non-anticoagulant (n=22, 21%)) groups (P < 0.05). (2) Thrombosis frequently occurred at 3 days after injury and 1 day postoperatively. (3) These results suggest that the thrombosis in patients with femoral neck fractures frequently occurs at 1-3 days after injury and 1 day after replacement. Additionally, active prevention measures after injury can significantly reduce the incidence of lower extremity venous thrombosis.