Objective To study the expression and clinical significance of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1(sVCAM-1)in children with Henoch-Schonlein purpura(HSP).Methods The levels of plasma VEGF and sVCAM-1 were measured in 58 children with HSP and 23 normal children by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),respectively.Results The plasma levels of VEGF and sVCAM-1 of HSP children at acute stage were significantely higher than those of HSP children at the remission stage and those of the controls(Pa

Humans ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; therapy

This study examined the effect of saponins from Tupistra chinensis Bak (STCB) on the growth of sarcoma S-180 cells in vitro and in mouse xenografts as well as the underlying mechanisms.Cell proliferation was assessed by MTT assay.Cell cycle distribution was determined by flow cytometry.Sarcoma S-180 tumor-bearing mice were treated with different doses of STCB with 10 μg/mL 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) as a positive control.The activity of nuclear factor (NF)-κB was detected by gel mobility shift assay.The mRNA level of NF-κB was determined by real-time quantitative RT-PCR.The results showed that in vitro STCB inhibited the growth of S-18 0 cells in a concentration-dependent manner,which was accompanied by cell cycle arrest at S-phase.In vivo STCB significantly inhibited the growth of S-180 tumor mouse xenografts in a dose-dependent manner with apparent induction of cell apoptosis.Moreover,STCB inhibited the activity of NF-κB p65 and reduced the expression of NF-κB p65 mRNA in mouse xenografts.It was concluded that STCB inhibits the proliferation and cell cycle progression of S-180 cells by suppressing NF-κB signaling in mouse xenografts.Our findings suggest STCB is a promising agent for the treatment of sarcoma.

This review covers the development of proteomics in pancreatic cancer, including the research strategy, technology, content, and problems.
Cell Line, Tumor ; Humans ; Mass Spectrometry ; methods ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; chemistry ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Protein Array Analysis ; methods ; Proteomics ; methods

OBJECTIVETo investigate the methods and effects of secondary intervention for mid-long term complications of endovascular repair (EVR) in aortic diseases.

METHODSFrom May 1999 to Jun 2007, 21 patients with mid-long term complications after EVR were treated in our center. Of these cases, 15 cases received first EVR for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), 3 cases for thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) and 3 cases for aortic dissection (TAD). The mid-long term complications included 11 cases of type I endoleak, 4 cases of type II endoleak, 2 cases of type III endoleak and 4 cases of migration of stent grafts. Proximal or distal extensions were used for type I and III endoleak in 9 cases. Fenestrated, scallop and bifurcated stent grafts were used to reconstruct the aortic arch in 3 cases. Emboli technique was used in treating type II endoleak. Thrombectomy and bypass technique were used in 4 cases with stent graft limb occlusion. One ruptured AAA accepted open surgery.

RESULTSSecondary endovascular technique were undergone in 20 (95.2%) cases. One case died in 30 days after the secondary intervention and endoleak remained after the secondary operation in 5 cases. Three cases died of the secondary intervention.

CONCLUSIONSEndoleak and limb occlusion were the chief mid-long complications after EVR. Secondary endovascular technique can be used in most cases and carries great challenges in aortic arch lesions.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aortic Diseases ; surgery ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation ; adverse effects ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology ; therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Stents ; adverse effects ; Treatment Outcome

AIMTo develop a fluorescence polarization-based high throughput screening and identify ligands for human Lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (hLOX-1).

METHODSSequential ultracentrifugation at 4 degrees C from normolipidemic fasting volunteers to obtain low density lipoprotein (LDL), which was modified by CuSO4 (5 micromol x L(-1)) at 37 degrees C for 24 h. The assay was based on the interaction between receptor and ligand, and hLOX-1 was labeled by FITC and bound to its specific ligand, oxLDL. Different reaction time and DMSO concentration were optimized to determine the stability and tolerance of fluorescence polarization (FP) assay. 3 200 compounds were screened in black 384-well microplate by FP-based competitive displacement assay, at excitation filter of 485 nm and emission filter of 530 nm. Z' was used to assess the assay quality.

RESULTSThe FP-based HTS was formatted in a 384-well microplate with a Z' factor of 0. 75, and three active compounds for hLOX-1 were identified with IC50 below 40 micromol x L(-1) from total 3 200 compounds.

CONCLUSIONThe results indicated that the fluorescence polarization assay is stable, sensitive, reproducible and well suited for high throughput screening efforts.

Binding, Competitive ; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical ; methods ; Fluorescence Polarization ; methods ; Humans ; Ligands ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; metabolism ; Scavenger Receptors, Class E ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinicopathologic characteristics, treatment and prognosis of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) in adolescents.

METHODSThe data of 46 patients with DTC under the age of 18 years were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTSTwenty patients were misdiagnosed in this group (43.5%). All patients received operation, including 39 unilateral neck dissection and 6 bilateral neck dissection, followed by postoperative thyrotropin suppressive therapy. There were 42 cases of papillary carcinoma (91.3%) and 4 cases of follicular carcinoma (8.7%). Cervical lymph node metastasis was found in 39 cases (84.8%). In the follow-up period of 1 to 25 years (mean 10 years), no death of thyroid carcinoma occurred.

CONCLUSIONSThe most common DTC in adolescents is papillary carcinoma with better prognosis regardless of the higher incidence of cervical lymph node metastasis. The optimal extent of primary thyroidectomy and neck dissection followed by postoperative thyrotropin suppressive therapy in adolescents with DTC may improve the quality of life and decrease the incidence of complications.

Adenocarcinoma, Follicular ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Adolescent ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Child ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Thyroid Gland ; pathology ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo investigate the value of the noninvasive examinations for localization of insulinoma.

METHODSThe clinical materials of 88 cases of insulinoma treated in Peking Union Medical College Hospital between January 2005 and November 2008 were analyzed retrospectively. There were 40 males and 48 females aged from 15 to 74 years old (averaged, 46.5 years old).

RESULTSThe positive rates for localization were 19.3% (17/88), 52.4% (11/21), 95.5% (64/67), 1/6, 30.0% (6/20), 83.9% (26/31), 8/8 and 5/5 respectively in transabdominal ultrasound, enhanced CT, multislice spiral CT pancreatic perfusion, MRI, somatostatin receptor scintigraphy, endoscopic ultrasound, laparoscopic ultrasound and intraoperative ultrasound. Thirty-one multiple tumors in 8 patients were resected. The positive rates of locating the multiple insulinomas of multislice spiral CT pancreatic perfusion and Intraoperative Ultrasound were 48.4% (15/31) and 100% (14/14) respectively.

CONCLUSIONSThe locating diagnosis of insulinoma has came to noninvasive examination era. Multislice spiral CT pancreatic perfusion is the first choice for localization. Intraoperative ultrasound might play an important role in locating tumors for patients with multiple insulinomas.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Insulinoma ; diagnosis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical characteristics and outcomes of the hereditary medullary thyroid carcinoma (HMTC) and the sporadic medullary thyroid carcinoma (SMTC).

METHODSThe clinical data of 78 patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma who underwent surgery in our hospital between July 1980 and May 2011 were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSOf these 78 patients, there were 23 HMTC cases and 55 SMTC cases. The HMTC group was significantly younger age of onset [(36.4±13.5) years vs. (46.6±11.2) years, P<0.01] and a lower pre/post-operative serum calcitonin levels [(850.4±110.20) ng/L vs. (1450.4±118.3) ng/L, P<0.01 and (410.8±133.2) ng/L vs. (1585.4±129.5) ng/L, P<0.01] than the SMTC group. In addition, the mean tumor diameter was also significantly smaller in the HMTC group (14.3 mm vs. 21.0 mm in SMTC group, P<0.05). Tumor multifocality was seen in a significantly higher proportion of HMTC cases compared with the SMTC cases (56.6% vs. 29.1%, P<0.05). The overall 10-year survival was 100% in HMTC group and 80.2% in SMTC group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONHMTC has a better prognosis than SMTC.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age of Onset ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Medullary ; classification ; genetics ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine ; Female ; Genetic Diseases, Inborn ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; classification ; genetics ; pathology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo determine the safety and efficacy of total percutaneous endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair using the Perclose ProGlide suture-mediated closure system.

METHODSFrom May 2008 to April 2010, 36 abdominal aortic aneurysm patients were undergone total percutaneous endovascular repair. There were 30 male and 6 female patients with a mean age of 68 years. Endografts used included 3 Endurant endografts, 13 Talent endografts, and 20 Zenith endografts. Prior to insertion of the introducer sheath, two ProGlides were pre-set to 18 to 24 F access sites and one to 14 to 16 F access sites. At last, suture the arteriotomy by tying down knots of the ProGlide following removal of the sheath. Technical success, complications, and procedure and access closure times were evaluated. Follow-up protocol consisted of computed tomography angiograms performed at 3, 6, 9, 12 months, and annually thereafter.

RESULTSTwenty patients were operated under local anesthesia and 16 patients under general anesthesia. A total of 68 femoral arteries were closed with 128 devices. Thirty-eight vessels were with 2 devices, while 8 arteries required 3 devices and 2 arteries required 4 devices for hemostasis and an additional 20 vessels only required a single device. Sixty-three (63/68, 92.6%) vessels were closed successfully. Two vessels converted to open closure. Three vessels complicated with hematomas without surgical procedure. The mean follow-up was (12±3) months. There was one asymptomatic femoral artery dissection 3 months after operation.

CONCLUSIONSTotal percutaneous endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair is safe and effective. But it should be performed at hybrid operating room where can convert to open procedure if necessary.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal ; surgery ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation ; instrumentation ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Suture Techniques ; instrumentation ; Treatment Outcome