This study investigated the growth-regulating effects of progesterone (Prog) on nPR-negative malignant melanoma cells and the possible mechanisms. A375 and A875 cells were cultured and treated with Prog of different concentrations. For signal transduction pathway studies, the cells were pretreated with Prog receptor antagonist (RU486, 1x10(-7) mol/L) or MAPK inhibitor (U0126, 5x10(-6) mol/L) for 1 h and then co-incubated with prog (10(-9) mol/L) for another 24 h. Indirect immunofluorescence assay, MTT, flow cytometry and Western blotting were used for assessing the nPR expression, cell growth, cell apoptosis and ERK1/2 Phosphorylation, respectively. Our results showed that lower progesterone concentration promoted the proliferation of both A375 and A875 cells, but this growth-stimulatory effect decreased at progesterone concentration of 1x10(-7) mol/L or higher. The response could be abolished by MAPK inhibitor U0126, but could not be blocked by progesterone antagonist RU486. Flow cytometry exhibited that high concentration ([Symbol: see text]1 x 10(-7) mol/L) progesterone increased the apoptosis of the two cells in a dose-dependent manner. The level of ERK1/2 phosphorylation was increased by a lower progesterone concentration, but reduced by a higher concentration (1x10(-6) mol/L). These results suggest progesterone exerts growth-regulating effects on nPR-negative tumor cells through a non-genomic mechanism.

Objective To assess the value of using MRI to evaluate the histopathological characteristic of limb soft-tissue aggressive fibromatosis (AF). Methods The MBI findings and histopathological data of 20 patients with AF were obtained and analyzed. The difference between the different signal regions in AF were compared of signal intensity in T1-weighted images, T2-weighted images and degree of enhancement. The data were processed with paired t test. The histopathology of different signal regions was observed in 6 cases on HE stain and Masson trichromic stain of AF specimen. Results (1) AF predominantly originated from the skeletal muscles (19/20), presenting as Iobulated mass with infiltrative growth(20/20) ;(2) A few claw-shaped neo-arteries(7/7) were delineated in the periphery of the mass in the 3D DCEMRA images as well as the mild tumor staining(7/7) ; (3) Based on the MRI findings, the porenchyma of 20 AF was divided into two distinct regions of structure: region Ⅰ and region Ⅱ. Region Ⅰ presented as hypointensity on both T1-weighted and T2-weighted images and no enhancement after i. v. administration of contrast. Region Ⅱ presented as mild hyperintensity on T2-weighted images and iso- or hypointensity on T1-weighted images and marked enhancement; (4) The signal intensity in T1-weighted images, T2-weighted images and degree of enhancement was 0. 10 ± 0. 02,0. 24 ± 0. 03, and ( 5.22 ± 0.42)% in region Ⅰ , respectively; and 0.79±0.04,3.05±0.08 and(151.5±8.61)% in region Ⅱ, respectively. The differences between region Ⅰ and region Ⅱ were statistically significant of signal intensity in T1-weighted images( t = 67. 37 ), and signal intensity in T2-weighted images( t = 196. 56) and degree of enhancement(t =76. 62) (P <0. 01 ) ; (5) Histologically, AF was composed of fibroblasts, fibrecytes and bundles of collagen fiber. On Massen triehromie stain, region Ⅰ was stained blue, being proven the mature collagen fibers. Region Ⅱ was predominantly composed of fibroblasts, fibrecytes and was not stained. Conclusion The region Ⅰ and region Ⅱ are the characteristic MRI manifestations of AF, and MBI precisely reflects the histopathological and biological feature of the tumor.

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of astaxanthin on renal fibrosis and apoptosis induced by partial unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) in rats.

METHODSNinety-six male adult SD rats were randomized into 6 equal groups, namely the blank control group, sham-operated group, UUO group, and astaxanthin group at high, medium, and low doses. Left ureteral ligation was performed in UUO and astaxanthin groups, and two days before the operation, the rats in astaxanthin groups were lavaged with 25, 50, or 100 mg/kg astaxanthin daily for 14 days, while the same volume of saline was given to rats in UUO group and sham-operated group. Renal pathological in the rats was observed with HE staining, and the expression levels of TGF-β1, SGK1, and CTGF in the left kidney were detected immunohistochemically; the expression level of Bcl-2 and Bax were detected using Bcl-2 and Bax detection kits.

RESULTSCompared to UUO group, high- and medium-dose astaxanthin groups showed obviously ameliorated renal pathologies and reduced expressions of TGF-β1, SGK1, and CTGF in the left kidney with lessened renal cell apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONAstaxanthin can reduce UUO-induced renal fibrosis and renal cell apoptosis, demonstrating the renoprotective effect of astaxanthin against renal fibrosis.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Connective Tissue Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Fibrosis ; Immediate-Early Proteins ; metabolism ; Kidney ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Kidney Diseases ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism ; Ureteral Obstruction ; metabolism ; pathology ; Xanthophylls ; pharmacology ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

Objective To apply 3D printing technology to fabricate patient-specific silicone tissue compensators for the chest wall and compare the advantages and clinical characteristics between conventional bolus and 3D-printed PLA materials. Methods The chest wall data of two breast cancer patients undergoing mastectomy were obtained based upon the CT images. A patient-specific 3D printing silicone rubber bolus (3D-SRB) was designed and fabricated. The conformability of 3D-SRB,3D-PLA and conventional bolus to the chest wall were validated. Ecipse8. 6 planning system was adopted to statistically compare the dosimetric parameters of virtual plan with those after using three tissue compensators. Results The 3D-SRB was successfully designed and fabricated with a similar hardness to conventional bolus. During the process of validating conformability and radiotherapy planning,3D-SRB and 3D-PLA were superior to conventional bolus in terms of conformability to chest wall and planning dosimetric distribution.3D-SRB was advantageous in repeatability, conformability and comfortable experience compared with 3D-PLA. Regarding dosimetric parameters,3D-SRB yielded the highest repeatability with the virtual plan, followed by 3D-PLA and conventional bolus. Conclusion It is applicable to utilize 3D-SRB as the patient-specific compensators for the chest wall,which is of significance in clinical practice.

This study investigated the growth-regulating effects of progesterone(Prog)on nPR-negative malignant melanoma cells and the possible mechanisms.A375 and A875 cells were cultured and treated with Prog of different concentrations.For signal transduction pathway studies,the cells were pretreated with Prog receptor antagonist(RU486,1×10 7 mol/L)or MAPK inhibitor (U0126,5×10-6 mol/L)for 1 h and then co-incubated with prog(10-9 mol/L)for another 24 h.Indirect immunofluorescence assay,MTT,flow cytornetry and Western blotting were used for assessing the nPR expression,cell growth,cell apoptosis and ERK1/2 Phosphorylation,respectively.Our results showed that lower progesterone concentration promoted the proliferation of both A375 and A875 cells,but this growth-stimulatory effect decreased at progesterone concentration of 1 × 10-7mol/L or higher.The response could be abolished by MAPK inhibitor U0126,but could not be blocked by progesterone antagonist RU486.Flow cytometry exhibited that high concentration(≥1×10-7 mol/L)progesterone increased the apoptosis of the two cells in a dose-dependent manner.The level of ERK 1/2 phosphorylation was increased by a lower progesterone concentration,but reduced by a higber concentration(1×10-6 mol/L).These results suggest progesterone exerts growth-regulating effects on nPR-negative tumor cells through a non-genomic mechanism.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical application of an angle gauge in internal fixation with proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA) for femoral intertrochanteric fracture.Methods:A retrospective analysis was carried out in the 54 elderly patients with intertrochanteric fracture of the femur who had been treated with PFNA internal fixation from February 2016 to August 2018 at Department of Orthopedic Trauma, Central Hospital of Shengli Oilfield. In the experimental group of 25 patients whose PFNA internal fixation was assisted by an angle gauge to measure the anteversion angle, there were 9 males and 16 females with an age of 74.4 years ± 4.6 years, and 7 cases of type 31-A1, 11 cases of type 31-A2, and 7 cases of type 31-A3 by the AO classification; in the control group of 29 patients whose PFNA internal fixation was not assisted by an angle gauge, there were 9 males and 20 females with an age of 74.4 years ± 3.9 years, and 9 cases of type 31-A1, 16 cases of type 31-A2, and 4 cases of type 31-A3 by the AO classification. The 2 groups were compared in terms of operation time, corrections of anteversion angle, intraoperative X-ray exposure times and Harris hip scores at the last follow-up.Results:There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in their preoperative general data, indicating they were compatible( P>0.05). Compared with the control group, the experimental group showed significantly shorter operation time (64.0 min ± 6.5 min versus 72.7 min ± 3.9 min), significantly fewer corrections of anteversion angle (2.8±1.2 versus 4.7±1.5) and significantly fewer X-ray exposure times(7.0±1.2 versus 11.6±1.6) (all P<0.05). This cohort was followed up for 6 to 24 months (average, 11 months). By the Harris hip scores at the last follow-up, therewere 22 excellent cases, 2 good cases and one fair case in the experimental group, and 23 excellent cases, 4 good cases and one poor case in the control group, showing an insignificant difference between the 2 groups ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Application of an angle gauge to assist PFNA internal fixation can lead to shorter operation time, fewer corrections of anteversion angle and fewer X-ray exposure times in the treatment of femoral intertrochanteric fracture.