BACKGROUNDOverexpression of G-protein coupled receptor 34 (GPR34) affects the progression and prognosis of human gastric adenocarcinoma, however, the role of GPR34 in gastric cancer development and progression has not been well-determined. The current study aimed to investigate the effect of GPR34 knockdown on the proliferation, migration, and apoptosis of HGC-27 gastric cancer cells and the underlying mechanisms.

METHODSThe expression of GPR34 in gastric cancer cell line HGC-27 was detected by quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting. HGC-27 cells were employed to construct the stable GPR34 knockdown cell model in this study. Real-time RT-PCR and Western blotting were applied to validate the effect of short hairpin RNA (ShRNA) on the expression of GPR34 in HGC-27 gastric cells. The proliferation, migration of these cells were examined by Cell Counting Kit-8 and transwell. We also measured expression profile of PI3K/PDK1/AKT and ERK using Western blotting.

RESULTSThe ShRNA directed against GPR34 effectively inhibited both endogenous mRNA and protein expression levels of GPR34, and significantly down-regulated the expression of PIK3CB (P < 0.01), PIK3CD (P < 0.01), PDK1 (P < 0.01), phosphorylation of PDK1 (P < 0.01), Akt (P < 0.01), and ERK (P < 0.01). Furthermore, GPR34 knockdown resulted in an obvious reduction in HGC-27 cancer cell proliferation and migration activity (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSGPR34 knockdown impairs the proliferation and migration of HGC-27 gastric cancer cells in vitro and provides a potential implication for therapy of gastric cancer.

Apoptosis ; genetics ; physiology ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; genetics ; physiology ; Humans ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Receptors, Lysophospholipid ; genetics ; metabolism ; Stomach Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism

ObjectiveTo evaluate the value of intraoperative frozen section examination (IFS) in the diagnosis and surgical procedures selection for renal occupying lesions. MethodsFrom January 2006 to December 2010,IFS was used in 114 men and 81 women with renal occupying lesions.The mean age was 52 years (range 17 -78).In 104,89,and 2 patients,lesions were in the right,left and bilateral kidneys,respectively.All patients underwent physical examination,129 were asymptomatic at presentation while clinical symptoms were observed in 66.The largest dimension of the tumors were 4 cm or less in 128 patients,4- 7 cm in 49,and larger than 7 cm in 18,respectively.The outcomes between IFS and postoperative routine paraffin section examination were compared.In cases with renal tumors nephrectomy or partial nephrectomy was performed.The results of IFS were compared between the 2 groups. ResultsThe sensitivity and specificity of IFS for renal malignant lesions was 96.6％ and 100％,respectively.The total accuracy rate of IFS for renal occupying lesions was 97.4％.By subgroup analysis,the accuracy rate of clear cell carcinoma,papillary cell carcinoma,chromophobe cell carcinoma,sarcomatoid cancer,nephroblastoma,benign tumor and urothelial cancer was 94.3％,25.0％,16.7％,0,0,97.6％ and 100.0％,respectively.Partial nephrectomy and nephrectomy were performed in 57 and 123 patients with renal tumors,respectively.The surgical procedures selection was significantly associated with the lesion size (4 cm or less for 80.7％ vs 62.6％,P =0.015) and the malignant lesion diagnosed by IFS (31.6％ vs 93.5％,P＜0.001). Conclusion The accuracy of frozen section analysis for renal malignant lesions during surgery is reliable and significantly high,and the results can exert an important impact on surgical procedures selection.

OBJECTIVETo isolate breast cancer stem cells from breast cancer patients and identify their biological characteristics.

METHODSMammospheric cells were purified and enriched from the tumor tissues of breast cancer patients using mammosphere culture. Their expressions of CD44 and CD24 were analyzed by flow cytometry, and ALDH1, ESA and Oct4 expressions were determined by Western Blotting. The primary mammospheric and adherent cells, at the density of 2×10(4), 2×10(5) or 2×10(6), were inoculated into NOD/SCID mice to observe their tumorigenic and metastatic activities.

RESULTSWith mammosphere culture method, 62.36% of the mammospheric cells showed CD44(+)/CD24(-/low) phenotype. The expressions of ALDH1, ESA and Oct4 in the mammospheric cells were significantly higher than those in the adherent culture-derived breast cancer cells (P<0.05). Primary mammospheric cells were at least 100-fold more tumorigenic than the adherent cells; the mammospheric cells were associated with liver or lung metastases, but the adherent cells were not.

CONCLUSIONMammosphere culture can be employed to obtain breast cancer stem cells from the tumor tissues of breast cancer patients.

Adult ; Animals ; Aryldialkylphosphatase ; metabolism ; Breast Neoplasms ; pathology ; CD24 Antigen ; metabolism ; Cell Culture Techniques ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Hyaluronan Receptors ; metabolism ; Isoenzymes ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred NOD ; Mice, SCID ; Middle Aged ; Neoplastic Stem Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Octamer Transcription Factor-3 ; metabolism ; Primary Cell Culture ; Retinal Dehydrogenase ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo analyze the causes of the complications associated with the pedicle screw fixation during and after operation, as well as the methods for prevention and treatment.

METHODSFrom January 1988 to December 1999, 475 patients who underwent pedicle screw fixation for various spinal disorders were reviewed retrospectively with statistical analysis.

RESULTSFour hundred and twenty-eight patients (90.1% of all) were followed up for (6.0 +/- 3.7) years. Complications of CD, DRFS, Dick, RF and steffee among 72 cases (80% of all) occurred during the operation of pedical screw fixation in 26 cases with the incidence of 5.5% and after the operation in 64 cases with the incidence of 15%. The incidence of operative/postoperative complications were 0-12.9% in CD, 6.8%-11.9% in DRFS, 7.3%-12.7% in Dick, 2.4%-19.5% in RF, and 10.1%-21.5% in Steffee respectively. The main complications included pseudoarthrosis, pedicle screw broken, pedicle screw malposition and so on. The complications were mainly due to unskilled technique of pedicle screw fixation, implant defect in design and so on.

CONCLUSIONSThe complications associated with the technique of pedicle screw fixation must not be neglected. The main causes are laid on unskilled technique of pedicle screw fixation and implant defect in design.

Equipment Failure ; statistics & numerical data ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incidence ; Internal Fixators ; Male ; Postoperative Complications ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Pseudarthrosis ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Diseases ; surgery ; Spinal Fusion ; methods

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect of acupuncture at different stages on pseudobulbar palsy. Methods Two hundred and forty cases of pseudobulbar palsy were divided into 4 groups according to different courses of disease, i.e. group I, the course within 10 days; group II, between 10-30 days; group III, between 1-3 months; group IV, between 3-6 months. They were treated with acupuncture at Fengchi (GB 20) for 2 courses, and then their therapeutic effects were ohserved.

RESULTSThe effective rate was 100.0% in the group I, 96.7% in the group II, 83.3% in the group III and 76.7% in the group IV, with a significant difference among the 4 groups (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture at Fengchi (GB 20) at any stage has therapeutic effect on pseudohulbar paisy, hut the earlier treatments, the better the therapeutic effects.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pseudobulbar Palsy ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the biomechanical stability of Shen's instrumentation in the management of thoracolumbar fractures.

METHODSThe ranges of movement (ROM) in three dimensions of twelve T(12) - S(3) specimen of fresh adult cadavers were measured sequentially in the states of normal, injured, GSS and SOCON fixation, fatigued GSS and SOCON fixation. Data were then compared.

RESULTSFor the L(2 - 3) segment, the average normal ROM in flexion was 8.3 degrees. In the established spondylolisthesis models, the ROM was 14.7 degrees. After fixation with SOCON, the ROM was decreased to 3.0 degrees, indicating that SOCON fixation can produce good stability. The ROM after fatigue test was 3.6 degrees, significantly lower than that of the normal state, indicating that SOCON still produces good stability after fatigue. For the L(4 - 5) segment, the average normal ROM in flexion was 8.6 degrees. In the established spondylolisthesis models, the ROM was 13.7 degrees. After GSS fixation, the ROM was decreased to 3.2 degrees, significantly lower than that in the normal state, indicating that GSS fixation can produce good stability. ROM after fatigue test was 3.7 degrees, significantly lower than that of the normal state, indicating that GSS can produce good stability after fatigue. The ROM measurements in the other five directions were similar to those for flexion described above.

CONCLUSIONGSS produces good stability for spondylolisthesis, good fatigue resistance, and can be used in pedicle screw revision surgery. There were no significant differences between GSS and SOCON.

Adult ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Cadaver ; Humans ; Internal Fixators ; Joint Dislocations ; surgery ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; injuries ; Male ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Spinal Fusion ; instrumentation ; methods ; Spinal Injuries ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; injuries ; Young Adult

AIMTo evaluate the hemodynamic effects of aminophylline and nifedipine in patients with HAPE.

METHODS10 patients with HAPE undergone Swan-Ganz catheter. The parameters of hemodynamics and arterial blood gases in HAPE were measured before and after administration of nifedipine 20 mg sublingually and aminophylline 0.25 g intravenously respectively.

RESULTSAfter administering 0.25 g aminophylline the mPAP and PVR significantly decreased, the cardiac output and the level of PaO2, SaO2 increased obviously, the mSAP, HR did not change so much. After using 20 mg nifedipine, the mPAP, PVR and mSAP also decreased, while the cardiac output, HR and the level of PaO2, SaO2 did not show any changes.

CONCLUSIONBoth of aminophylline and nifedipine can attenuate pulmonary hypertension in patients with HAPE, but the effect of aminophylline was better than the effect of nifedipine.

Adult ; Altitude ; Altitude Sickness ; drug therapy ; Aminophylline ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; drug therapy ; Male ; Nifedipine ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo research the effects of Qingyang Toujie Mixture (QTM) in combination with prednisone tablet on the balance of Th1 and Th2 (Th1/Th2) of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients of yin deficiency syndrome (YDS).

METHODSTotally 42 patients with SLE were recruited from clinics of internal medicine and hospitalization department of First Hospital Affiliated to Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from August 2009 to March 2011. They were randomly assigned to the treatment group (22 cases) and the control group (20 cases) according to the random digit table. Another 12 healthy subjects were recruited as the healthy control group from employees of First Hospital Affiliated to Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and healthy students in physical examinations. All patients took prednisone tablet. The dosage was adjusted according to the severity of SLE activity index and the condition: 40 -60 mg per day for severe active stage; 20-40 mg per day for moderate active stage; 15 -20 mg per day for light active stage; and less than 15 mg per day for those in the stable stage, respectively. When patients' condition had been stabilized for 1 to 2 weeks, the dosage was gradually reduced according to the method of hormone reduction. In case of the recurrence of symptoms or when complicated with lupus nephritis or lupus encephalitis uncontrollable, standard shock therapy with Cyclophosphamide Injection (0.5-1 g/m2 body surface area, intravenous dripping, once every 4 weeks) was performed. Patients in the treatment group took QTM additionally, one dose daily, taken in two portions, once in the morning and once in the evening. Those in the control group took placebos additionally, one dose daily, taken in two portions, once in the morning and once in the evening. The therapeutic course was 6 months for all. No measure was taken for those in the healthy control group. Venous blood was withdrawal before and after treatment. Th1 cytokines (IFN-gamma, IL-12) and Th2 cytokines (IL-10, IL-4) were detected by ELISA.

RESULTSCompared with the healthy control group, the serum Th1 cytokines such as IL-12 and IFN-gamma, Th2 cytokines such as IL-10 and IL-4 increased, the Th1/Th2 ratios such as IFN-gamma/IL-4 and IL-12/IL-10 decreased in the treatment group and the control group before treatment (P < 0.01). Compared with before treatment in the same group, the serum Th1 cytokines such as IL-12 and IFN-gamma decreased, the serum Th2 cytokines such as IL-10 and IL-4 decreased, the ratios of Th1/Th2 cytokines such as IFN-gamma/IL-4 and IL-12/IL-10 increased in the treatment group (all P < 0.05). Compared with the control group after treatment, IL-4 decreased, and the ratio of IFN-gamma/IL-4 increased in the treatment group (P < 0.05). Fewer patients suffered from adverse reactions in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONQTM in combination with prednisone tablet was effective to improve the balance of Th1/Th2 cytokines, and alleviate the toxic and adverse reactions of hormone or immune inhibitors.

Adult ; Cytokines ; immunology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Male ; Prednisone ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Th1-Th2 Balance ; drug effects ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe early clinical efficacy of general spine system (GSS) in spondylolisthesis combined with lumbar canal stenosis, lumbar decompression, reduction and bone graft.

METHODSSixteen patients with degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis combined with lumbar canal stenosis, 10 male, 6 female, average age 58.5 years (range 42 - 72 years) underwent lumbar decompression, bone graft and internal fixation using GSS. Preoperatively 10 patients had degree I spondylolisthesis and 6 patients had degree II spondylolisthesis. Clinical efficacy, reduction effectiveness and complications were recorded.

RESULTSThe 16 patients in this group were followed up postoperatively for an average of 21.2 months (18 - 24 months). At latest follow-up after surgery, preoperative clinical symptoms had disappeared completely in 15 of 16 patients, and low back pain relief was seen in 15 patients. Average duration of surgery was 170 min (120 - 270 min), and average blood loss was 375 ml (100 - 800 ml). X-ray results showed complete reduction for all spondylolisthesis patients, and results remained good in follow-up. Dura mater tearing, pedical fracture, nerve injury and other surgical complication did not occur. Screw breakage, screw loosening and instrument loosening at the screw-rod juncture were not observed after surgery or in follow-up.

CONCLUSIONGSS provides good reduction for spondylolisthesis, and shows good early clinical efficacy.

Adult ; Aged ; Bone Transplantation ; Decompression, Surgical ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Internal Fixators ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spinal Fusion ; instrumentation ; methods ; Spinal Stenosis ; etiology ; Spondylolisthesis ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of MAGE-B genes in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in order to find new targets for immunotherapy.

METHODSThe expression of MAGE-B1, B2, A1 and A3 mRNA was detected using RT-PCR in HCC tissues and the corresponding adjacent non-HCC tissues from 47 HCC patients, 30 samples of cirrhosis and normal liver tissues. Four samples selected randomly from MAGE-B1 or B2 with positive RT-PCR results were sequenced to confirm the results of RT-PCR. The relationship between the expression of MAGE-B and some clinicopathological parameters was analyzed.

RESULTSMAGE-B1 mRNA and MAGE-B2 mRNA were detected in 44.7% (21/47) and 61.7% (29/47) of HCC samples, respectively, while neither MAGE-B1 nor MAGE-B2 could be detected in the corresponding adjacent non-HCC liver tissues. In addition, none of 30 samples of cirrhosis and normal liver tissues was shown to express both MAGE-B genes. The DNA sequence confirmed that the RT-PCR products were truly target cDNA. The frequency of the expression of MAGE-A1 and A3 was 74.5% (35/47) and 44.7% (21/47), respectively. There was significant correlation between the expression of MAGE-B and MAGE-A (P < 0.05). However, the positive expression of MAGE-B was observed in 5 out of 12 HCC tissues without expression of MAGE-A1 and/or A3. When all four MAGE genes were examined, the positive rate of expression of one, two, three and four genes was 83.0% (39/47), 55.3% (26/47), 48.9% (23/47), and 38.3% (18/47) of 47 HCC tissues, respectively. No correlation was found between the expression of MAGE-B and clinical parameters such as age, sex, tumor size, degree of tumor differentiation, serum alpha-fetoprotein level and hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus infection (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONMAGE-B genes are expressed with relatively high frequency and specificity in HCC. Most HCC patients with positive expression of at least one member of MAGE-B or MAGE-A gene family are adequate candidates to receive specific immunotherapy. Frequent co-expression of multiple members of MAGE-B and MAGE-A subfamilies provides the possibility of using polyvalent vaccines to achieve more effective immunotherapeutic results.

Antigens, Neoplasm ; genetics ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; genetics ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; genetics ; Melanoma-Specific Antigens ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; Prognosis ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction