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

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

OBJECTIVETo assess the spectrum of causes, clinical features, differences between disease phases, and prognosis of extrinsic allergic alveolitis (EAA).

METHODSPatients with EAA diagnosed at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from August 1983 to May 2007 were analyzed retrospectively. Their medical records were examined to gather clinical, laboratorial, radiological, and histopathological data. Patients were divided to three phases (acute, subacute, and chronic) according to clinical presentations. Follow-up data regarding treatment response, subsequent radiological and pulmonary function studies, and clinical outcomes were collected.

RESULTSA total of 21 cases were enrolled. Among them, 11 were subacute, 10 were chronic. The most common exposure was pet birds (6 cases, 28.6%). The primary abnormality of pulmonary function was restriction and/or reduction in diffusing capacity (12 cases, 63.2%). The most common findings on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) were ground-glass opacities (13 cases, 68.4%) and centrilobular nodules (8 cases, 42.1%). Airway obstruction in pulmonary function test, emphysema, lung cysts, and fibrosis on HRCT were more frequently seen in chronic than in subacute patients, though the differences were not statistically significant. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) showed lymphocytosis. The total cell count and the percentage of neutrophils were significantly higher in subacute than in chronic patients (P<0.05). Nonnecrotizing granulomas were seen in 8 (47.1%) cases. Improvement or normalization in symptoms, radiography, and pulmonary function test after treatment were seen in all 18 patients with available follow-up data. Five patients recurred.

CONCLUSIONSThe characteristic abnormalities of pulmonary function, findings on HRCT, and pathology are essential for all phases of EAA, and the atypical manifestations such as obstruction and fibrosis can also be present frequently, particularly in chronic cases. Differential cell counts of BALF are related to the phase of the disease. The treatment response and prognosis of EAA are good.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; etiology ; pathology ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; immunology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Radiography

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

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of receptor-interacting protein 140 (RIP140) in tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in the invasion and proliferation of hepatoma cells in vitro.

METHODSWestern blotting, qRT-PCR and flow cytometry were performed to examine the effects of lentivirus-mediated RIP140 over-expression in mouse peritoneal macrophages (PMs). Western blotting, qRT-PCR and immunofluorescence staining were used to detect the expression of RIP140 in TAMs following stimulation of the PMs with hepatocellular carcinoma conditioned medium (HCM) for 24 h. The polarization index and the expression of NF-κB and IL-6 were detected using qRT-PCR in TAMs in HCM-stimulated PMs with or without RIP140 over-expression. Transwell assay and flow cytometry were used to estimate the cell invasion and apoptosis. HE staining and immunohistochemical staining were used to analyze the effects of RIP140-over-expressing macrophages on the growth and tumor formation of H22 cells in BALB/c nude mice.

RESULTSThe lentivirus vector efficiently mediated RIP140 over-expression in mouse PMs. HCM stimulation significantly inhibited RIP140 expression in the TAMs and promoted their M2-like polarization. Over-expression of RIP140 in PMs suppressed the invasion and induced apoptosis of HCC cells. RIP140 over-expression inhibited HCM-induced M2 polarization and the activation of NF-κB/IL-6 axis in the TAMs, and RIP140- overexpressing TAMs obviously suppressed the growth of H22 cell xenograft in nude mice.

CONCLUSIONOver-expression of RIP140 in TAMs suppresses the growth and proliferation of hepatoma cells possibly by inhibiting M2 polarization of the TAMs.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the food water sources of adults in the four cities of China in summer.

METHODSA total of 64 adults aged 18 - 60 yrs from four cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu and Guangzhou)were selected using convenient sampling method. The food samples were collected by using duplicate portion method and the water content of food samples were determined by using the national standard. The information on amounts and types of daily drinking soup was recorded by subjects using a quantitative measurement.

RESULTSA total of 63 subjects had completed the investigation. The median of daily water from food of subjects was 1157 ml, while water from staple food was 480 ml, the median ratio of which accounting for 41.8% of water from food. Water from dishes was 427 ml, the median ratio of which accounting for 37.9% of water from food. Water from soups was 133 ml, the median ratio of which accounting for 13.8% of water from food. Water from snacks was 0 ml, the median ratio of which accounting for 6.4% of water from food. The medians of water from staple food (384, 388 and 435 ml, respectively) in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou was significant lower than that of Chengdu subjects' (900 ml, χ(2) = 21.27, P = 0.000). But the median proportion of water from staple food of subjects in Beijing (47.7%) was significantly higher than that in Chengdu (43.2%), Shanghai (42.9%) and Guangzhou (33.9%) (χ(2) = 8.69, P = 0.034). The median of amount and proportion of water from soups of subjects in Guangzhou (267 ml, 24.4%) and Chengdu(278 ml, 15.7%) was significantly higher than that in Shanghai (133 ml, 9.0%) and Beijing (100 ml, 5.8%) (amount: χ(2) = 22.52, P = 0.000;proportion: χ(2) = 16.27, P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONThe staple food and dishes are the main sources of daily food water.

Adolescent ; Adult ; China ; Drinking ; Female ; Food Analysis ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Seasons ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Urban Population ; Young Adult