Objective This article aims to study the impact of cyclopamine,a Hedgehog signaling pathway inhibitor,on the proliferation and apoptosis of QBC939 cholangiocarcinoma cells.Methods The proliferation of QBC939 cells was detected with the MTT assay,and the apoptotic rate was analyzed with the flow cytometry assay.RT-PCR and Western blow were used to detect the expressions of tumor-related genes and proteins in QBC939 cells before and after cyclopamine treatment.Results Our results show that cyclopamine inhibited the growth of QBC939 cells in time and dose dependent manners.After a 5,10,or 20 μmol/L cyclopamine treatment for 48 hours,QBC939 cells showed increased apoptotic rates significantly higher than those in the control group (P＜0.01).Furthermore,cyclopamine down regulated the mRNA and protein levels of PTCH1,GLI1,and EGFR in QBC939 cells.Conclusion Therefore,blockage of the Hedgehog signaling pathway with cyclopamine could suppress the proliferation and promote the apoptosis of QBC939 cholangiocarcinoma cells.

Objective To investigate the effects and mechanisms of 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2 D3] on hyperoxia-induced lung injury of neonatal rats.Methods Neonatal Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into air group,hyperoxia group and 1,25(OH)2D3 group within 12 hours after birth,eight in each group.Rats in air group were exposed to air,while those in hyperoxia and 1,25 (OH) 2 D3 group were exposed to hyperoxia (≥85 ％ oxygen concentration).Rats in 1,25(OH)2D3 group were injected with 1,25(OH)2D3 0.5 μg/(kg · d) intraperitoneally once a dayfor seven days,meanwhile the rats in the other two groups received 0.9 ％ saline in the same way.All rats were sacrificed on day 7.Lung tissue sections were HE stained in order to assess lung histological changes and lung radical alveolar count (RAC).The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin(IL)-1β and IL-6 mRNA were measured by real time-polymerase chain reaction.Analysis of variance and LSD test were applied for statistics.Results Compared with the air group,the weight of rats in the hyperoxia group was significantly lower on day 7 [(8.48±1.34) g vs (12.51±0.47) g,t=8.05,P＜0.05],while the weight of rats in 1,25(OH)2D3 group [(10.29±1.00) g] was higher than that in the hyperoxia group (t=3.61,P＜0.05).Lung tissue structure was normal in the air group.In the hyperoxia group,inflammatory exudation was observed in pulmonary interstitial,the alveolar size was uneven,and the RAC was lower than that in the air group (5.6±0.1 vs 6.8±0.2,t=21.45,P＜0.05).The RAC in 1,25(OH)2D3 group (6.2±0.1) was significantly increased compared with that in the hyperoxia group (t=11.76,P＜0.05),but still lower than that in the air group (t=9.69,P＜0.05).The expressions of TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6 mRNA in hyperoxia group (0.0348±0.0006,0.0269±0.0003 and 0.0368 ± 0.0006) were higher than those in the air group (0.0111±0.0007,0.0040±0.0003 and 0.0162 ±0.0007,t=56.54,111.12 and 49.26,P＜0.05,respectively).The expressions of TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6 mRNA in the 1,25 (OH)2D3 group (0.0203±0.0009,0.0141±0.0004 and 0.0251±0.0009) were lower than those in the hyperoxia group (t=34.44,61.93 and 27.99,P＜0.05,respectively),but higher than those in the air group (t=22.10,49.19 and 21.27,P＜0.05,respectively).Conclusions 1,25(OH)2D3 could attenuate hyperoxia-induced lung injury by inhibiting the expression of inflammatory cytokines.

Objective:To evaluate the accuracy and feasibility of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) marked by 99Tcm-IT-Ritux-imab and to discuss the clinical value of the method in diagnosis and treatment of cutaneous melanoma. Methods:A total of 67 patients with cutaneous malignant melanoma received 99Tcm-IT-Rituximab-tagged SLNB from March 2008 to March 2012. Lymphoscintigra-phy was conducted 30 min to 1 h after intra-dermal injection of 99Tcm-IT-Rituximab. Subsequently, the surgery of SLNB was carried out using gamma probe. The detection and positive rates of SLNB were counted. The relationship between the status and the clinical features of the sentinel lymph node (SLN) was analyzed, such as the T stage, ulceration, age, gender, and location. The influence of SLN status on overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) was evaluated. Results:SLNs were detected in all the 67 patients by SPECT and gamma detector, with detection rate of 100%. Fifteen patients had SLN metastasis, and the positive rate was 22.4%. Chi-square indicates that SLN metastasis is associated with age, T stage, and ulceration (P<0.05). A total of 63 patients were followed up for 24-69 months, and the median follow up time was 43 months. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis shows that both OS and DFS in the SLN-negative group are better than those in the SLN-positive group (OS:93.9%vs. 57.1%, P<0.01;DFS:79.6%versus 28.6%, P<0.01). Cox-regression multiple factors analysis suggests that both SLN status and T stage are independent factors that affect the DFS of malignant melanoma. Conclusion:SLNB assisted by 99Tcm-IT-Rituximab can well reflect the state of lymph node metastasis and is es-sential for accurate staging, prognosis judging, and treatment guiding. Its operation procedure is simple with high accuracy, and the im-aging status is stable. Therefore, it is convenient and feasible as a means of SLNB.

Objective:To explore the outcome of soft tissue sarcoma (STS) on patients with soft tissue metastasis. Methods:We ana-lyzed 25 STS patients with soft tissue metastasis primarily localized on extremity and trunk. The study was conducted from June 2010 to June 2016 by retrospective analysis of the clinical and pathological characteristics of the patients. The assessed endpoints were overall survival. Results:Six patients (24%) had synchronous soft tissue metastasis, and 19 patients (76%) had metachronous metasta-sis. The average time for primary tumor recession of metastatic lesions was 45.3 months. Metastases were most common in parts of the trunk in 18 patients (72%), followed by the head and neck in 5 patients (20%). Eleven patients (44%) with lung metastasis had poor prognosis. Conclusion:STS occurred more rarely in soft tissue metastasis than in pulmonary metastasis. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgical treatment were the major therapies employed. Targeted therapy as a new treatment rendered good results.

Objective:To evaluate the safety and feasibility of the in-situ needle fenestration combined with the in vitro physician modified fenestration technique to reconstruct supra-aortic branches during thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for aortic arch lesions requiring landing at Z0 and Z1.Methods:From Nov 2017 to Dec 2019, eighteen patients who underwent both the in-situ needle fenestration and the in vitro physician modified fenestration techniques to extend the proximal landing zone to Z0 and Z1 during TEVAR were included in our study.Results:Sixteen patients underwent in vitro physician modified fenestration ,two patients underwent in vitro physician modified fenestration to reconstruct both the left common carotid artery and the innominate artery. All eighteen patients received in-situ needle fenestration to preserve the left subclavian artery. Supra aortic branches were preserved in all patients (38/38, 100%). There was no Type Ⅰ endoleak. Type Ⅱ endoleak was found in four paitnets (4/18). Type Ⅲ endoleak occurred in one patient (1/18). Type Ⅳ endoleak in four patients (4/18). Type Ⅲ endoleak needed open aortic arch repair 6 months later. The median follow-up time was 12 months. One (1/18) died in 12 months and the other patients were doing well.Conclusions:The joint application of the in-situ needle fenestration and the in vitro physician modified fenestration to reconstruct supra-aortic branches during TEVAR for aortic arch pathologies requiring landing at Z0 and Z1 was satisfactory.

Objective To study the onset features and axiom of children disease in Duanguan region.Methods A statistic study was carried on 1 782 cases of children disease which confirmed by pathological examinations.The sex,age and pathology(congenital malformation,inflammatory disease,tumor-like lesions,benign tumors,malignant tumors)were registered.Results The inflammatory disease occupied the first place in incidence rate(44.61%),followed by tumor-like lesions(25.03%),benign tumors(23.34%),congenital malformation(5.22%)and malignant tumors(1.80%).Among inflammatory disease,appendicitis was the most common,the next was chronic tonsillitis and tuberculosis.Among tumor-like lesions,cystic disease was the most common;the next was polyps.Among benign tumors,vasculoma was the most common,the next was pilomatricoma,osteoid and chonodroid tumors.Among congenital malformation,ear fistula was the most common,the next was diverticulosis and intestineal duplicateion.Among the malignant tumors,the sarcoma of soft tissue was the most common,the next was the malignant peripheral nerve tumors and lymphoma.Conclusion Children's disease have its own characteristics which varied in age,sex and pathological types,and differ from those of adults.

Objective:To analyze the clinical prognostic factors of liposarcoma on the extremities and trunk, as well as to retrospectively analyze the effect of adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy on liposarcoma of the extremities. Methods:Patients with liposarcoma of the extremities treated in our hospital from July 1, 2007 to December 31, 2012 were followed up. The relationship of clinical prognostic factors with gender, age, location, depth, and size of the tumors, as well as the histological grade and admission status, were statistically analyzed. The effects of adjuvant radiotherapy or chemotherapy on overall survival (OS) and disease free survival (DFS) were evaluated. Results:A total of 82 patients with extremity liposarcoma received surgery-based comprehensive treatment in our hospital. Of the total patients, 73 received a 24-month to 88-month satisfied follow-up;the median follow-up time was 47 months. The OS rate was 83.6%(61/73), and the DFS rate was 68.5%(50/73). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the tumor location, histological grade, and admission status were the independent correlative factors influencing DFS, and the age and pathologic grading were the independent correlative factors influencing the OS. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that radiation therapy can significantly improve the DFS and OS of the G2 and G3-grade liposarcoma (DFS:59.1 months vs. 28.4 months, P<0.01;OS:70.8 months vs. 55.1 months, P<0.05). Significant difference was not found in the effect of chemotherapy on OS and DFS. Conclusion:The prognosis of liposarcoma was significantly associated with the pathologic grades and subtypes. Auxiliary radiotherapy could improve the survival and prognosis of G2 and G3 liposarcoma of the extremities, but the role of chemotherapy in treating liposarcoma remained unclear.

AIM:To investigate the inhibitory effect of allicin on apoptosis and caspase-12 activation of macro-phage-derived foam cells,and to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms. METHODS:RAW264.7 macrophages were pretreated with allicin (12.5,25 and 50 mg/L) or 4-phenylbutyric acid(PBA,4 mmol/L) for 1 h and then treated with oxidized low-density lipoprotein(ox-LDL,100 mg/L) or tunicamycin(TM,4 mg/L) for 24 h. The cell viability and apoptosis were examined by MTT assay and flow cytometry with Annexin V-FITC/PI staining,respectively. The activities of caspase-3 in the cells and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) in the medium were measured. The protein levels of caspase-12 were determined by Western blot. The intracellular lipid accumulation was measured with oil red O staining and the content of intracellular total cholesterol was determined by enzymatic colorimetry. RESULTS:Similar to the endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) inhibitor PBA, allicin inhibited ox-LDL-induced injury of RAW264.7 macrophages in a concentration-de-pendent manner,as determined by the increased cell viability and the decreased LDH leakage,apoptosis and caspase-3 ac-tivity. The decrease in cell viability and increases in LDH leakage and apoptosis induced by TM (an ERS inducer) were also suppressed by allicin. Moreover, similar to PBA, allicin remarkably inhibited ox-LDL- or TM-induced activation of caspase-12. Furthermore, allicin remarkably attenuated ox-LDL-induced lipid accumulation in the RAW264.7 cells and foam cells formation in a concentration-dependent manner. CONCLUSION:Allicin may inhibit macrophage-derived foam cell apoptosis induced by ox-LDL,and the mechanism is partially related to suppressing the activation of caspase-12.

AIMTo investigate the effect of formaldehyde (FA) on testes and the protective effect of vitamin E (VE) against oxidative damage by FA in the testes of adult rats.

METHODSThirty rats were randomly divided into three groups: (1) control; (2) FA treatment group (FAt); and (3) FAt + VE group. FAt and FAt + VE groups were exposed to FA by inhalation at a concentration of 10 mg/m(3) for 2 weeks. In addition, FAt + VE group were orally administered VE during the 2-week FA treatment. After the treatment, the histopathological and biochemical changes in testes, as well as the quantity and quality of sperm, were observed.

RESULTSThe testicular weight, the quantity and quality of sperm, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and glutathione (GSH) were significantly decreased whereas the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) was significantly increased in testes of rats in FAt group compared with those in the control group. VE treatment restored these parameters in FAt + VE group. In addition, microscopy with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining showed that seminiferous tubules atrophied, seminiferous epithelial cells disintegrated and shed in rats in FAt group and VE treatment significantly improved the testicular structure in FAt + VE group.

CONCLUSIONFA destroys the testicular structure and function in adult rats by inducing oxidative stress, and this damage could be partially reversed by VE.

Animals ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Epididymis ; drug effects ; pathology ; Formaldehyde ; toxicity ; Male ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sperm Count ; Testis ; drug effects ; pathology ; Vitamin E ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression changes of metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) in neuropathic pain.

METHODSEighty-four adult male Sprague Dawley rats weighing 180-220 g were randomly divided into 7 groups (n = 12) : control group; S3, S7, and S14 groups: rats received the sham operation, the mechanical pain threshold was measured, and then the rats were decapitated and the ipsilateral lumbar spinal cord dorsal horn and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) samples were obtained on the 3rd, 7th, 14th postoperative day, respectively; C3, C7, and C14 groups: the chronic sciatic nerve constriction (CCI) model was established, the mechanical pain threshold was measured and the samples were obtained on the 3rd, 7th, 14th postoperative day, respectively. The expression level of mGluR5 mRNA and protein in the spinal cord and DRG were measured using the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and Western blot.

RESULTSIn the CCI group, the mechanical pain threshold in each observation day was significantly lower than in the sham operation group (P < 0.05). In the spinal cord, the expressions of mGluR5 mRNA and protein were significantly elevated in the C3 group than in the S3 and the control group (P < 0.05). On the 7th and the 14th postoperative day, no significant difference was found in the expression of mGluR5 mRNA and protein between CCI groups and the sham operation groups or the control group. No change was detected in DRG mRNA or protein.

CONCLUSIONmGluR5 is differentially expressed in spinal cord in response to neuropathic pain, which suggests that mGluR5 may be involved in the mechanism of neuropathic pain.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Ganglia, Spinal ; metabolism ; Male ; Neuralgia ; metabolism ; Pain Threshold ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptor, Metabotropic Glutamate 5 ; Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate ; genetics ; metabolism ; Sciatic Neuropathy ; metabolism ; Spinal Cord ; metabolism