Background and purpose:Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is an excellent model for evaluation of predictive parameters.The goal of predictive parameters is to select patients who would most likely benefit from neoadjuvant chemotherapy.The objective of this study was to investigate the predictive value of biological markers for the patients' response to neoadjuvant anthracycline combined with taxanes chemotherapy.Methods:We investigated 160 patients with breast cancer who underwent 4 cycles of neoadjuvant anthracycline combined with taxanes chemotherapy,retrospectively.The expression of estrogen receptors(ER),progesterone receptors(PgR),Her2,Topo-Ⅱ and Ki-67 proteins were detected by immunohistochemical assay in core-needle biopsy specimens.The associations between biological markers as well as clinical and pathologic responses were analyzed.Results:The overall clinical response was 85%,including 28.8%(46/160) with clinical complete response(cCR) and 56.3%(90/160) with clinical partial response.The pathological complete response(pCR) was 14.4%.In the univariate analysis,absence of ER,PgR expression and over-expression of Her-2 were predictive of the cCR and pCR(P

Objective To evaluate the value of fine needle aspiration (FNA) and core needle biopsy (CNB) in highly suspicious breast malignant lesions in terms of diagnostic accuracy,complication rate and cost-effectiveness.Methods We retrospectively reviewed records of patients with imaging diagnosis of BI-RADS 4c or 5 categories who have undergone either FNA or CNB under ultrasound guidance in Peking University People's Hospital from 2012 to 2014.Sensitivity,specificity,diagnostic accuracy,positive predictive,negative predictive,false positive rate,false negative rate,accuracy rate and unsatisfactory rate (non-diagnostic rate) were calculated and compared between FNAC and CNB.The complication of the procedures,operation time and cost were assessed.Results Among 638 consecutive cases,273 of them underwent FNA,and 365 underwent CNB.The accuracy rate of FNA and CNB were 99％ and 97.2％.The sensitivity,specificity,diagnostic accuracy,positive predictive,false positive rate and false negative rate were similar between the two groups.The unsatisfactory rate of FNA was significantly higher than that of CNB (25.3％ vs.10.9％,x2 =22.59,P =0.000).There was not severe complication in either groups,while subcutaneous ecchymosis and hematoma were more common in FNA group than in CNB group.The operation time of FNA was shorter than that of CNB (4.8 ± 1.3 min vs.15.5-± 1.7 min,P =0.000).The waiting time for final pathological report was shorter in patients undergoing FNA (1 vs.3 days).An estimated cost for FNA was RMB 447.5 Yuan/case,whereas that was 995 Yuan/case for CNB.Conclusions FNA and CNB are both accurate and safe preoperative diagnostic procedures.FNA is a simple and cost-effective method.

Ectopia Cordis ; surgery ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male

To investigate the effects of Caulis Sargentodoxae Granule (CSG), a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine for treating endometriosis, on expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor-2 fetal liver kinase-1 (Flk-1) in rats with endometriosis.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate therapeutic effect of acupuncture at "Kaiyin point No. 1" on submucosal hemorrage of vocal cords.

METHODSOne hundred and sixty cases were randomly divided into a test group and a control group. The test group were treated by acupuncture at "Kaiyin point No. 1" with reducing method in reinforcing or reducing method by manipulating the needle in cooperation with the patient's respiration, combined with deep respiratory movement of the glottis laryngeal cavity, once daily; and the control group by spray inhalation of western medicine, once daily, 7 days constituting one therapeutic course.

RESULTSThe cured and markedly effective rate and the total effective rate were 85.0% and 97.5% in the test group and 60.0% and 85.0% in the control group respectively, with a significant difference between the two groups. After treatment of the test group,the acoustical parameters maximum phonation time (MPT), frequency perturbation quotient (FPQ), amplitude perturbation quotient (APQ), ratio of harmonic to noise (H/N) objectively reflected improvement of voice quality.

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture at "Kaiyin point No. 1" as main method is an ideal therapy for submucosa hemorrhage of vocal cords.

Acoustics ; Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Female ; Hemorrhage ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Humans ; Laryngeal Diseases ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Vocal Cords ; physiopathology

Objective To detect the expression of survivin mRNA in cervical cancer cell lines using molecular beacon imaging technology. Methods Human cervical cancer cells (HeLa and SiHa) and human fetal lung fibroblast HFL-I were cultured in vitro. After adding 100 nmol/L survivin mRNA molecular beacon, the fluorescent signals were observed under fluorescent microscope. The expressions of survivin in cervical cancer cells and HFL-I cell were examined by immunocytochemical streptravidin-biothin peroxidase (SP) assay at the same time. Results Two kinds of survivin mRNA molecular beacon, with different color fluorescence, had strong fluorescent signal in cervical cancer cell lines, and the signal in SiHa cell line was stronger, but these signals were not found in HFL-I ; Immunocytochemical staining of positive survivin was located in the cytoplasm of cervical cancer cell lines HeLa and SiHa, whereas, no expression of survivin was detected in HFL-I cell line. Conclusion The technology of molecular beacon imaging can be used to detect the expression of survivin mRNA in viable cells successfully, and may provide a new approach to the diagnosis of early stage cervical cancer and the following-up in the clinic.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the role of RNA interference (RNAi) in silencing the enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) expression in 293T and Mel cells.

METHODSNested-PCR was used to amplify H1 promoter from human 293T cells for driving RNAi synthesis. RNAi vectors (TR1) for silencing the eGFP expression was constructed. The eGFP vector and RNAi vector (TR1) were then co-transfected into the 293T and Mel cells, in which the silencing effect on eGFP expression was investigated by fluorescence microscopy, reverse transcription-PCR(RT-PCR), fluorescence-assited cell sorting(FACS) analysis and real-time RT-PCR.

RESULTSRNAi could effectively reduce more than 50 percent of eGFP expression in 293T cells as well as in Mel cells.

CONCLUSIONThe RNAi vector constructed in this way paper can effectively inhibit eGFP expression in cells.

Cell Line ; Flow Cytometry ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; genetics ; Humans ; RNA Interference ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

To explore the potential of the anti-sense nucleic acid of CyclinD1 in lung cancer therapy, the expression vector containing the anti-sense nucleic acid of CyclinD1 was constructed and named pcDNA3.1-CyclinD1. The A549 cells were transfected with pcDNA3.1-CyclinD1 vectors. After being screened by G418, the stable expression positive clones were obtained. MTT method and flow cytometry technique were used to detect cell proliferation and apoptosis, respectively. The results showed the transfected cells exhibited significantly increased apoptosis and inhibited cell growth, compared with negative control and empty vector groups. To investigate the mechanism for anti-sense nucleic acid of CyclinD1 inducing A549 cells apoptosis, the expression levels of retinoblastoma protein (pRb), adenovirus E2 factor-1 (E2F-1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 were detected by Western blot, and the results showed the expressions of these proteins were all decreased significantly in anti-sense nucleic acid of CyclinD transfected group, compared with those in negative control and empty vector groups. In a word, anti-sense nucleic acid of CyclinD1 induces the apoptosis of lung adenocarcinoma cancer cells, and the depressions of pRb, E2F-1, VEGF, MMP-2 and MMP-9 expressions may be the possible mechanism.
Adenocarcinoma ; pathology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cyclin D1 ; genetics ; DNA, Antisense ; pharmacology ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; pathology ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; metabolism ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; metabolism ; Recombination, Genetic ; Retinoblastoma Protein ; metabolism ; Transfection ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE CYP2D is one of the most abundant subfamily of CYPs in the brain, especially in the cerebellum. Brain CYP2D is responsible for the metabolism of endogenous neurotransmitters such as tyramine and serotonin. Our previous studies have shown brain CYP2D can be regulated by exogenous and endogenous substances with tissue- specificity. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of cerebral CYP2D on the mice behavior and the regulatory mechanism of brain CYP2D by growth hormone. METHODS Mice received the stereotaxic injection with CYP2D inhibitor quinine in deep cerebellar nuclei of cerebellum. The animals were tested with rotarod apparatus, balance beam, water maze, elevated plus maze and open field. The changes in CYP2D22, PPARαand PPARγ in brain regions and liver were assayed in male growth hormone receptor knockout mice, SH-SY5Y cells and HepG2 cells. RESULTS The inhibition of cerebellum CYP2D significantly affected the spatial learning and exploring ability of mice. Compared with WT mice, CYP2D expression was lower in brain regions from GHR(-/- ) male mice; however, hepatic CYP2D level was similar. Pulsatile GH decreased PPARα mRNA level, and increased mRNA levels of CYP2D6 and PPARα in SH- SY5Y cells. In HepG2 cells, pulsatile GH resulted in decreases in PPARα and PPARγ mRNA levels, but not CYP2D6. PPARα inhibitor induced CYP2D6 mRNA and protein by 1.32-fold and 1.43-fold in SH-SY5Y cells. PPARγ inhibitor decreased CYP2D6 mRNA and protein by 74.76% and 40.93%. PPARα agonist decreased the level of CYP2D22 mRNA in liver and cerebellum, while PPARγ agonist rosiglitazone resulted in diametrically increases. The luciferase assay showed that PPARγ actived the CYP2D6 gene promoter while PPARα inhibited its function. Pulsatile GH declined the binding of PPARα with CYP2D6 promoter by 40%, promoted the binding of PPARγ with CYP2D6 promoter by approximate 60%. The levels of brain and liver PPARα expression in male GHR(-/- ) mice is obviously higher than those in WT mice. The level of PPARγ in male GHR(-/- ) mice was decreased in the frontal cortex and hippocampus, while remained stable in the cerebellum and striatum; meanwhile, PPARγ was increased in the liver. CONCLUSION Brain CYP2D may be involved in learning and memory functions of central system. Masculine GH secretion altered the PPARs expression and the binding of PPARs to CYP2D promoter, leading to the elevated brain CYP2D in a tissue- specific manner. Growth hormone may specifically alter the metabolic and synthetic of important endogenous substances in the central nervous system (such as serotonin) through the specific regulation of brain CYP2D expression.

Objective To explore the clinical effect and application value of four-point internal fixation technique (internal fixation of C_1-C_2 transarticular screws combined with Apofix laminar clamp technique) for traumatic atlantoaxial instability.Methods A total of 16 patients with traumatic atlanto- axial instability,who had reducible atlantoaxial dislocation with reduction after traction and irreducible at- lantoaxial dislocation with traction reduction after anterior laxation,were treated with four-point internal fixation technique using autologous bone grafts.Results All patients' symptoms were improved to some extent,and no severe complications,such as injury of nerve blood vessels were found.All patients were followed up for 8-26 months (average 16 months).Bony fusion was obtained in all cases.The spinal cord function improvement was marked in 5 cases (31%),good in 8(50%),mild in 2(13%),but un- changed in 1 (6%).No deterioration occurred in all cases.There was no loosening or breakage of screws and clamps.Conclusion Fixation of C_1-C_2 transarticular screws combined with Apofix laminar clamp technique can atlain four-point internal fixation,and can provide three-dimensional stability of atlantoaxial complex and excellent biomechanics environment for bony fusion if the structure of the posterior arch of C_1-C_2 is intact.