Objective To explore the relationship of stromal derived factor 1α (SDF-1α) and CD44variant isoforms (CD44v6) with progress of multiple myeloma (MM). Methods Bone marrow mononuclear cells(MNCs) and bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) from 24 cases of MM patients (14 cases of untreated and relapsed and 10 cases of stable MM patients) and 15 cases of subjects were investigated as potential SDF-1αand CD44v6 product. The level of SDF-1α and CD44v6 of the conditioned media from MM patients and subjects were analyzed by ELISA. Results The level of SDF-1α and CD44v6 from MNCs in untreated and relapsed MM patients [(7232.41 ± 2644.97) pg/ml and (34.34 ± 13.20) ng/ml] were significantly higher than stable MM patients [(2315.49 ± 748.29) pg/ml and (15.69 ± 5.28) ng/ml] (t =6.25, t= 7.82, P ＜0.05) and 15 subjects [(1149.52 ± 636.06) pg/ml and (4.85 ± 3.62) ng/ml] (t= 4.60, t = 7.61, P＜ 0.05). The level of SDF-1α in stable MM patients was different from healthy subjects (P ＜0.05), but the level of CD44v6 in stable MM patients was not different from controls. The level of SDF-1α and CD44v6 in stable MM patients were significantly higher than health subjects (t = 2.99, t= 4.87, P ＜0.05). The level of SDF-1α was also detected from BMSCs of MM patients. When human MM cell lines U266 were adhered to BMSCs of 9 untreated and relapsed MM patients,and added rhIL-6 to it, there was significant increase of SDF-1α, compared with BMSCs in subjects and MM patients. The expression level of SDF-lα was correlated with the level of CD44v6 (r =0.51, P =0.03). Conclusion The increase of SDF-1α (may be produced by myeloma cells and BMSCs) and CD44v6 (may be produced by myeloma cells) activity is associated with the progress or pathogenesis of MM, and may be involved with tumor invasion. The completion of these processes in vivo may need participation of myeloma cells, BMSCs, IL-6,SDF-lα and CD44v6.

Objective To evaluate salmeterol/fluficasone combined with N-acetylcysteine in treatment of stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods Sixty patients with stable COPD were randomized into treatment group(n = 30) and control group(n = 30). Patients in control group were given salmeterol/fluticasone twice per day ; while patients in treatment group in addition to salmeterol/ fluticasone, also took N-acetylcysteine 0.6 g three times per day. The course of treatment lasted for four weeks. Pulmonary function was measured in all patients; interleukin-8 (IL-8), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), superoxide dismntase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in blood serum and induced sputum were determined. The white cell count and classification in sputum smear was examined and the quality of life (QOL) of patients was evaluated. Results FEV1, FEV1 %, QOL evaluation, IL-8, TNF-α, white cell count and the percentage of neutrophil granulocytes in induced sputum after treatment were significantly improved compared with those before treatment in control group (P <0.05 or P <0.01). FEV1, FEV1%, QOL evaluation, SOD and MDA in blood serum, IL-8, TNF-α, SOD and MDA, total white cell count, the percentage of neutrophil granulocytes and macrophage in induced sputum after treatment were significantly improved in treatment group (P <0. 05 or P <0.01). The differences in SOD and MDA in blood serum and the percentage of neutrophil granulocytes in induced sputum smear between treatment group and control group were staffsticaUy significant (93 ± 8) × 10-6 U/L, (4. 0 ± 1.0) × 10-3 mmol/L and 0. 5 ± 0. 3 vs (85 ± 10) ×10-6U/L,(4.2±1.1) ×10-3mmol/Land0.6±0.2; allP<0.05. Conclusion Combination of salmeterol/fluticasone and N-acetylcysteine has better therapeutic results in treatment of airway inflammation of stable COPD.

Background::Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are endogenous non-coding RNAs, some of which have pathological roles. The current study aimed to explore the role of circRNA BTG3-associated nuclear protein (circ-BANP) binding with let-7f-5p and its regulation of the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathway in residual hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after insufficient radiofrequency ablation (RFA).Methods::Circ-BANP, let-7f-5p, and TLR4 expressions in HCC samples were assessed using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blotting. Bioinformatics prediction, RNA pull-down assay, and dual luciferase reporter gene assay were used to analyze the relationships among circ-BANP, let-7f-5p, and TLR4. Huh7 cells were used to generate an in vitro model of residual HCC, defined as Huh7-H cells, which were transfected with either a plasmid or the sequence of circ-BANP, let-7f-5p, or TLR4. Expression of circ-BANP, let-7f-5p, and TLR4 mRNA was determined by RT-qPCR. TLR4, STAT3, p-STAT3, vascular endothelial growth factor A, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2, and epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT)-related factors proteins were determined by Western blotting. Cell proliferation was determined by cell counting kit-8 and 5-Ethynyl-2’-deoxyuridine (EdU) assay and cell migration and invasion by Transwell assay. Animal studies were performed by inducing xenograft tumors in nude mice. Results::Circ-BANP and TLR4 mRNAs were upregulated in HCC tissues (the fold change for circ-BANP was 1.958 and that for TLR4 was 1.736 relative to para-tumors) and expression further increased following insufficient RFA (fold change for circ-BANP was 2.407 and that of TLR4 was 2.224 relative to para-tumors). Expression of let-7f-5p showed an opposite tendency (fold change for let-7f-5p in HCC tissues was 0.491 and that in tumors after insufficient RFA was 0.300 relative to para-tumors). Competitive binding of circ-BANP to let-7f-5p was demonstrated and TLR4 was identified as a target of let-7f-5p (P < 0.01). Knockdown of circ-BANP or elevation of let-7f-5p expression inhibited the TLR4/STAT3 signaling pathway, proliferation, invasion, migration, angiogenesis, and EMT in Huh7 and Huh7-H cells ( P < 0.01). The effects induced by circ-BANP knockdown were reversed by let-7f-5p inhibition. Overexpression of TLR4 reversed the impact of let-7f-5p upregulation on the cells ( P < 0.01). Silencing of circ-BANP inhibited the in vivo growth of residual HCC cells after insufficient RFA ( P < 0.01). Conclusions::Knockdown of circ-BANP upregulated let-7f-5p to inhibit proliferation, migration, and EMT formation in residual HCC remaining after insufficient RFA. Effects occur via regulation of the TLR4/STAT3 signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVETo determine the feasibility and efficacy of endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD) in treating early gastric cancer(EGC) and precancerous lesions in the remnant stomach of patients after gastrectomy.

METHODSClinical data of 36 patients with EGC and precancerous lesions in remnant stomach undergoing ESD in Endoscopy Center of Zhongshan Hospital from January 2008 to December 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. Operative, postoperative conditions and long-term follow-up of these patients were evaluated.

RESULTSBoth the success rate and the complete resection rate were 100%. The average maximum diameter of the tumor was 1.5(range 0.6-4.5) cm. During the ESD process, two bleeding cases were treated successfully by endoscopic hemostasis. The average operation time was 40(10-80) min. The delayed hemorrhage developed in 2 cases within 1-3 days after operation, and were also treated successfully by endoscopic hemostasis. There was no perforation or delayed perforation. No emergency surgery was required for the complication. Twelve cases were diagnosed as mild-moderate dysplasia, 7 cases as high grade intraepithelial neoplasia, 16 cases as hyperplastic polyps, and 1 case as signet ring cell carcinoma with T1 stage, who underwent operation for resecting gastric stump and lymph node dissection 7 days after ESD without subsequent follow-up. The curative resection rate was 92.7%(35/36). The median follow-up of the remaining 35 patients was 36(6-78) months without discomfort and recurrence under gastroscopy.

CONCLUSIONESD is safe and effective for EGC and precancerous lesions in the remnant stomach.

Adenocarcinoma ; Dissection ; Gastrectomy ; Gastric Mucosa ; Gastric Stump ; Gastroscopy ; Hemostasis, Endoscopic ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Operative Time ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms

Objective To determine the feasibility and efficacy of endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD) in treating early gastric cancer(EGC) and precancerous lesions in the remnant stomach of patients after gastrectomy. Methods Clinical data of 36 patients with EGC and precancerous lesions in remnant stomach undergoing ESD in Endoscopy Center of Zhongshan Hospital from January 2008 to December 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. Operative, postoperative conditions and long-term follow-up of these patients were evaluated. Results Both the success rate and the complete resection rate were 100%. The average maximum diameter of the tumor was 1.5 (range 0.6-4.5) cm. During the ESD process, two bleeding cases were treated successfully by endoscopic hemostasis. The average operation time was 40 (10-80) min. The delayed hemorrhage developed in 2 cases within 1-3 days after operation , and were also treated successfully by endoscopic hemostasis. There was no perforation or delayed perforation. No emergency surgery was required for the complication. Twelve cases were diagnosed as mild-moderate dysplasia, 7 cases as high grade intraepithelial neoplasia, 16 cases as hyperplastic polyps, and 1 case as signet ring cell carcinoma with T1 stage, who underwent operation for resecting gastric stump and lymph node dissection 7 days after ESD without subsequent follow-up. The curative resection rate was 92.7%(35/36). The median follow-up of the remaining 35 patients was 36 (6-78) months without discomfort and recurrence under gastroscopy. Conclusion ESD is safe and effective for EGC and precancerous lesions in the remnant stomach.

Objective To determine the feasibility and efficacy of endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD) in treating early gastric cancer(EGC) and precancerous lesions in the remnant stomach of patients after gastrectomy. Methods Clinical data of 36 patients with EGC and precancerous lesions in remnant stomach undergoing ESD in Endoscopy Center of Zhongshan Hospital from January 2008 to December 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. Operative, postoperative conditions and long-term follow-up of these patients were evaluated. Results Both the success rate and the complete resection rate were 100%. The average maximum diameter of the tumor was 1.5 (range 0.6-4.5) cm. During the ESD process, two bleeding cases were treated successfully by endoscopic hemostasis. The average operation time was 40 (10-80) min. The delayed hemorrhage developed in 2 cases within 1-3 days after operation , and were also treated successfully by endoscopic hemostasis. There was no perforation or delayed perforation. No emergency surgery was required for the complication. Twelve cases were diagnosed as mild-moderate dysplasia, 7 cases as high grade intraepithelial neoplasia, 16 cases as hyperplastic polyps, and 1 case as signet ring cell carcinoma with T1 stage, who underwent operation for resecting gastric stump and lymph node dissection 7 days after ESD without subsequent follow-up. The curative resection rate was 92.7%(35/36). The median follow-up of the remaining 35 patients was 36 (6-78) months without discomfort and recurrence under gastroscopy. Conclusion ESD is safe and effective for EGC and precancerous lesions in the remnant stomach.