OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic angiogenesis effect of naotai recipe (NR) on local ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury of rats by observing signaling pathway of hypoxia-inducible factor-lα (HIF-1α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

METHODSTotally 120 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, namely, the normal control group (n =12), the sham-operation group (n =12), the I/R model group (n =48), and the NR group (n =48). Cerebral I/R injury models were established using thread suture method. Rats in the I/R model group and the NR group were sub-divided into 4 sub-groups according to the 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th I/R day (n =12). The phenomenon of neovasculization was observed by immunofluorescence staining. The protein and mRNA expression levels of HIF-la, VEGF-A, and VEGFR II receptor were detected by RT-PCR.

RESULTSThere were a large amount of labels for neovasculization in the ischemic area of the NR group. Double-immunofluorescence labeling [vWF (red) and BrdU (green)] was observed in the NR group. Compared with the model group, the HIF-1α protein expression was obviously enhanced on the 1 st day of I/R (P <0.01), and the VEGF protein expression started to enhance on the 3rd day in the NR group (P <0.01). The VEGFR protein expression level was the highest in the NR group on the 5th day of I/R (P <0.01). The protein expression of VEGF and HIF-1α started to decrease on the 7th day of I/R.

CONCLUSIONNR could strengthen angiogenesis after I/R by elevating the expression of HIF-lα and activating HIF-lα/VEGF signaling pathway.

Animals ; Brain Ischemia ; metabolism ; Cerebral Infarction ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; genetics ; metabolism ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain ; metabolism ; Ischemia ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion Injury ; Signal Transduction ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; biosynthesis

Objective:To explore the effect of cognitive-behavioral therapy on psychological stress and quality of life in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.Methods:According to two-level cluster random design 461 patients with tuberculosis from 20 communities in Pizhou county of Jiangsu province were selected in the study from September 2018 to November 2018. The intervention group received cognitive-behavioral therapy for two months, while control group received routine follow-up. Anxiety, depression and quality of life were assessed by GAD-7, PHQ-9 and SF-36 scales, respectively. At the same time, the comparison between the two groups was conducted by independent sample t test, and the difference between the two groups before and after treatment was analyzed by paired sample ttest. Results:A total of 454 participants were finally included in this analysis; there were 230 cases in the intervention group and 224 cases in the control group. In the intervention group the scores of anxiety and depression after intervention were significantly lower than the baseline scores [(7.57±5.27) vs. (5.93±2.56), t=-4.245, P<0.01; (8.13±6.01) vs. (6.02±2.67); t=-4.866, P<0.01], and the quality of life score was significantly higher than the baseline score [(58.46±12.71) vs. (74.31±13.22); t=13.108, P<0.01]; while in the control group there were no significant differences in the scores of anxiety, depression and quality of life after intervention, compared with those at baseline [(7.62±5.41) vs.(7.65±5.38); (8.00±5.84) vs. (8.07±5.91); (59.11±13.25) vs. (60.51±13.76); t=0.059, t=0.126, t=1.104, all P>0.05]. However, only for patients with mild and moderate anxiety and depression symptoms in the intervention group, the anxiety and depression scores were decreased after intervention [(7.29±1.21) vs. (5.54±1.71), (11.99±1.31) vs. (9.17±1.55); (7.01±1.47) vs. (4.42±1.22), (11.88±1.12) vs. (8.39±2.33); t=8.056, t=10.020, t=13.558, t=8.852,all P<0.01]. Conclusion:Cognitive-behavioral therapy can relieve the psychological pressure and improve the quality of life in pulmonary tuberculosis patients with mild or moderate anxiety/depression symptoms.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the possible association between the glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit gene (GCLC) C-129T and modifier subunit gene (GCLM) G-23T polymorphisms with coronary heart disease (CHD) in Chinese population.

METHODSGCLC C-129T and GCLM G-23T genotypes were determined in 212 CHD patients and 218 healthy individuals using a PCR-based restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method. Odds ratio (OR) for CHD and 95% confidence interval (CI) from unconditional logistic regression models were used to evaluate relative risks.

RESULTSThe T allele of the GCLC C-129T polymorphism was more frequently found in CHD cases than in controls (P < 0.01) and individuals with GCLC-129T allele had a significantly higher risk for CHD (OR = 2.38, 95% CI: 1.25 - 4.54) as compared to individuals with the -129C allele. When compared with CC homozygote, CT heterozygote had a 2.14-fold higher risk for CHD (95% CI: 1.08 - 4.24, P < 0.05) and carriers of the-129T allele (CT or TT genotype) also had a similarly 2.28-fold higher risk for CHD (95% CI: 1.16 - 4.49, P < 0.05). In contrast, the frequency of T allele of the GCLM G-23T polymorphism was lower in CHD patients than that of controls (0.174 vs. 0.264) and individuals with the GCLM-23T allele had a significantly lower risk for CHD (OR = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.42 - 0.82, P < 0.01) as compared to the -23G allele. When compared with GG homozygote, the OR of CHD for GT heterozygote was 0.71 (95% CI: 0.47 - 1.08, P > 0.05), for TT homozygote was 0.18 (95% CI: 0.06 - 0.55, P < 0.01), and for carriers of the -23T allele (GT or TT genotype) was 0.61 (95% CI: 0.42 - 0.92, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe GCLC C-129T polymorphism may be one of the genetic risk factor while the GCLM G-23T polymorphism may be one of the genetic protective factors for CHD in this Chinese population.

Aged ; Alleles ; Coronary Disease ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Glutamate-Cysteine Ligase ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

Abdomen ; Hernia ; Humans ; Prostheses and Implants ; Prosthesis Implantation ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDThe purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of avoiding axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) for patients with only one sentinel lymph node (SLN) metastasis. The characteristics and predictive factors for non-sentinel lymph node (NSLN) metastasis of patients with single positive SLN were also analyzed.

METHODSPatients with no and only one SLN metastasis (0/n and 1/n group, n ≥ 2) were selected from 1228 cases of invasive breast carcinoma, who underwent axillary dissection in Shandong Cancer Hospital between November 1999 and December 2011, to compare the characteristics of NSLN metastasis between them. For the 1/n group, the factors that influenced the NSLN metastasis were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analysis.

RESULTSDifferences of the NSLN metastasis between the 0/n and the 1/n groups were significant (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference between the axillary lymph node metastasis on level III in 1/n group and 0/n group (P = 0.570). When the total SLN number was ≥ 4 and with one positive case, the NSLN metastasis was not significantly different from that in the 0/n group (P = 0.118). In the 1/n group, clinical tumor size (P = 0.012), over-expression of Her-2 (P = 0.003), tumor grade (P = 0.018) and the total number of SLN (P = 0.047) significantly correlated with non-SLN metastasis. Clinical tumor size (P = 0.015) and the expression of Her-2 (P = 0.01) were independent predictive factors for non-SLN metastasis by the Logistic regression model.

CONCLUSIONUnder certain conditions, breast cancer patients with single SLN metastasis could avoid ALND.

Adult ; Aged ; Breast Neoplasms ; complications ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; pathology ; Middle Aged ; Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy

Sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy is a reversible myocardial dysfunction due to sepsis, which may be severe enough to complicate cardiogenic shock, and without effective drug and with high mortality during the acute phase. A case of sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy complicated with cardiogenic shock was treated in the intensive care unit (ICU) of Shunde Hospital Southern Medical University. A 37 years old female patient was admitted because she had suffered repeated fever for 5 days, chest tightness and abdominal pain for 3 days. At the same time, there were severe cardiac depression and abdominal infection, which could be explained by the monismtheory of sepsis cardiomyopathy. The cardiogenic shock patient was not improved after antibiotic therapy and hemodynamic support, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support was prescribed. The circulation failure was smoothly got through with ECMO and was transfer from ICU to ordinary ward. Computed tomographic angiography (CTA) of abdominal aorta and colonoscopy indicated lesions of small intestine. The diagnosis of infection and bleeding in ileum diverticulum was confirmed during the operation and the lesions was removed. She recovered and was discharged 1 week after operation. Through the case review, we aim to improve the awareness of sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy and the value of ECMO support in cardiogenic shock.

BACKGROUNDOsteopontin (OPN) is a secreted phosphoglycoprotein (SSP) that is overexpressed in a variety of tumors and was regarded as a molecular marker of tumors. In this study, we intended to demonstrate the role of OPN in human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231.

METHODSRecombinant plasmid expressing small interfering RNA (siRNA) specific to OPN mRNA was transfected into MDA-MB-231 cells to generate the stable transfected cell line MDA-MB-343, and the empty plasmid tansfected cells (MDA-MB-neg) or wildtype MDA-MB-231 cells were used as control cells respectively. Expression of OPN, hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) proteins was analyzed by Western blotting analysis. The radiosensitivity of cells was determined by detecting cell apoptosis, cell proliferation and cell senescence.

RESULTSHIF-1 and VEGF proteins in MDA-MB-343 cells were significantly downregulated upon the efficient knockdown of OPN expression under either hypoxia or normoxia environment. Moreover, expression of OPN protein was upregualted upon hypoxic culture. Stable OPN-silencing also decreased cell invasion, increased cell apoptosis and cell senescence, as well as reduced clonogenic survival, resulting in increase radiation tolerance.

CONCLUSIONSSuppression of OPN gene expression can enhance radiosensitivity and affect cell apoptosis in breast cancer cells. OPN seems to be an attractive target for the improvement of radiotherapy.

Breast Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; drug effects ; genetics ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Osteopontin ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Radiation Tolerance ; genetics ; physiology ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective To explore the effect of resolvin D2 ( RvD2) on radicular pain induced by interver-tebral disc herniation. Methods Thirty-six male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a sham opera-tion group, a model group and an RvD2 group, each of 12. Non-compressive lumbar disc herniation was induced in the rats in the model and RvD2 groups using the autologous nucleus pulposus filling method. Those in the sham group had the surgical site exposed without any other treatment. After the modeling, 10μl of phosphate-buffered sa-line solution was administered intrathecally to the rats in the sham and model groups for 3 days, while the rats in the RvD2 group received 10 ng/10 μl of RvD2 intrathecally as well. Paw withdrawal thresholds (50％PWT) were ob-served 1 day before modeling and 7 days afterward for the rats of all three groups. On the 7th day after modeling, the L4 to L6 spinal dorsal horns on the surgery side were resected to detect the protein expression of phosphorylated protein kinase B ( p-AKT) , protein kinase B ( t-AKT) , phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase 3β( p-GSK-3β) and glycogen synthase kinase 3β( GSK-3β) using western blotting. The protein levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha ( TNF-α) , interleukin-6 ( IL-6) , transforming growth factor-β1 ( TGF-β1) and interleukin-10 ( IL-10) were de-termined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results On the 1st and 7th day after modeling, significant differences were observed between the model and sham groups in terms of the 50％PWT. From the 3rd day the aver-age 50％PWT in the RvD2 group was significantly higher than that of the model group at the same time points. On the 7th day after the modeling the average p-AKT and p-GSK-3βprotein levels of the model and RvD2 groups were significantly different from that of the sham group, and the model group′s average was also of significantly different from that of the RvD2 group. The average protein levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-αand IL-6, as well as of the anti-inflammatory factors TGF-β1 and IL-10 in the dorsal horns of the model group and the RvD2 group were also significantly different on the 7th day, and both were significantly different from the sham group′s average. Conclusion RvD2 can alleviate radicular pain in rats with non-compressive disc herniation. The mechanisms might involve inhibition of GSK-3β activity, down-regulation of pro-inflammatory factors and up-regulation of anti-inflammatory factors.

Objective To evaluate the effect of exogenous resolvin D2 on radicular pain in a rat model of non-compressive lumbar intervertebral disc herniation.Methods Thirty-six clean-grade healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 8 weeks,weighing 230-270 g,were divided into 3 groups (n=12 each) using a random number table method:sham operation group (group S),radicular pain induced by non-compressive lumbar intervertebral disc herniation group (group P) and exogenous resolvin D2 group (group R).The right L5 dorsal root ganglions were covered by autologous nucleus pulposus tissues to establish the model of non-compressive lumbar disc herniation in P and R groups.The corresponding surgical site was only exposed in group S.The corresponding drugs were intrathecally injected within 3 days after establishing the model,phosphate buffer solution 10 μl was injected in group P,1 ng/μl resolvin D2 solution 10 μl was injected in group R,and normal saline 10 μl was given for pipe washing after administration in the three groups.The mechanical paw withdrawal threshold (MWT) was measured on 1 day before establishing the model and 1-7 days after establishing the model.The spinal dorsal horns of lumbar enlargement segments were removed on day 7 after establishing the model for determination of the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) (by Western blot) and co-expression of G-protein-coupled receptor 18 with GFAP (by double-label immunofluorescence).Results Compared with group S,the MWT was significantly decreased at 1-7 days after establishing the model,and the expression of GFAP was up-regulated in group P (P＜0.05).Compared with group P,the MWT was significantly increased at 3-7 days after establishing the model,and the expression of GFAP was down-regulated in group R (P＜0.05).G-protein-coupled receptor 18 was co-expressed with GFAP.Conclusion Exogenous resolvin D2 can reduce radicular pain in a rat model of non-compressive lumbar intervertebral disc herniation,and the mechanism is related to inhibiting activation of astrocytes in the spinal dorsal horns.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the influence of the resected prostate tissue volume (RPV) on the improvement of International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality of life (QOL), and voiding function after transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP).

METHODSThis study included 82 men with benign prostatic hyperplasia treated by TURP. Before and three months after TURP, we obtained the IPSS, QOL score, post-voiding residual urine volume (PVR), and maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) from the patients. We measured the total prostate volume (TPV) and transition zone volume (TZV) by transrectal ultrasound preoperatively and investigate the influence of the RPV, RPV/TZV ratio, and RPV/TPV ratio on the efficiency of TURP.

RESULTSAt three months after TURP, the mean Qmax increased by 9.27 ml/s, IPSS decreased by 15.86, QOL score increased by 3.47, PVR decreased by 87.1 ml, and 72.0% of the patients felt satisfied with the surgical results. There was no statistically significant difference in RPV between the patients satisfied and those dissatisfied with the results. Both the RPV/TPV and RPV/TZV ratios significantly increased in the satisfaction group as compared with the dissatisfaction group (P=0.002 and P=0.004). The areas under the ROC curve for the RPV/TPV and RPV/TZV ratios were 0.793 (P=0.001) and 0.687 (P=0.009), respectively.

CONCLUSIONSRPV is closely related to the short-term outcomes of TURP, and the ratios of RPV/TPV and RPV/TZV may be used as new markers to predict the outcomes of TURP.

Aged ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Organ Size ; Patient Satisfaction ; Postoperative Period ; Prostate ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Quality of Life ; Transurethral Resection of Prostate ; Treatment Outcome ; Ultrasonography ; Urination ; physiology