Penaeidin-2 (Pen-2) is an important antimicrobial peptide derived from the Pacific white shrimp, Penaeus vannamei, and possesses both antibacterial and antifungal activities. Recent studies suggest that recombinant penaeidins show similar activities to the native Pen-2 protein. Previous researches have shown that some antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) exhibit cytotoxic activity against cancer cells. To date, there have been no studies on the antitumor effects of Pen-2. This study evaluated the potential of recombinant pen-2 (rPen-2) in the selective killing of kidney cancer cell lines ACHN and A498, and its action mechanism. MTT assays found the maximal growth inhibition of HK-2, ACHN and A498 cells treated with 100 μg/mL rPen-2 at 48 h was 13.2%, 62.4%, and 70.4%, respectively. DNA-specific fluorescent dye staining showed a high percentage of apoptosis on cancer cells. Flow cytometry revealed that the apoptosis rate of HK-2, ACHN and A498 cells was 15.2%, 55.2%, and 61.5% at 48 h respectively, suggesting that rPen-2 induced higher apoptosis rate in cancer cells than in HK-2 cells. Laser confocal scanning microscopy demonstrated that the plasma membrane was the key site where rPen-2 interacted with and destroyed tumor cells. Scanning electron microscopy showed the morphologic changes of the cell membranes of kidney cancer cells treated with rPen-2. These results suggest that rPen-2 is a novel potential therapeutic agent that may be useful in treating kidney cancers.

Objective To analyze the correlations of vascular structure, hemodynamic changes and surgical recanalization of carotid endarterectomy ( CEA) for the treatment of subtotal or complete occlusion of carotid artery. Methods A total of 107 patients with carotid artery occlusive disease diagnosed at Beijing Xuanwu Hospital,Capital Medical University received CEA therapy from January 2005 to January 2014 and were enrolled retrospectively. According to the findings of introperative ultrasound,they were divided into either a recanalization group (n=86) or a non-recanalization group (n=21). Preoperative and intraoperative carotid artery diameter and blood flow velocity were compared and analyzed with carotid ultrasonography. Intraoperative detected vascular abnormalities, residual vascular stenosis rate, blood flow velocity and pulsatility index of the ipsilateral middle cerebral artery ( MCA) were documented. Results (1) The peak systolic velocity (PSV) (82 ± 32 cm/s and 60 ± 17 cm/s),mean velocity (MV) (50 ± 19 cm/s and 42 ±13cm/s),and pulsatility index (PI) (0. 97 ± 0. 25 and 0. 67 ± 0. 14) on the ipsilateral MCA in patients of carotid artery recanalization before and after procedure were significantly higher than those during the procedure. There were significant differences (all P=0. 000). In patients failed to recanalize,the intraoperative and preoperative PSV,EDV,and MV of MCA were 46 ± 20 cm/s and. 63 ± 21 cm/s,24 ± 13 cm/s and 34 ± 12 cm/s, and 32 ± 16 cm/s and 44 ± 15 cm/s,respectively. They were reduced more significantly during the procedure than those after procedure. There were significant differences ( all P=0. 000 ) . But there was no significant difference in PI (0. 70 ± 0. 18 and 0. 67 ± 0. 15) compared with that before procedure (P=0. 317). (2) The diseased vascular diameter of the recanalization group was significantly widened (0. 6 ± 0. 4 mm vs. 3. 4 ± 0. 9 mm,P=0. 000) compared with before procedure. The overall recanalization rate was 80. 4% (86/107). Intraoperative ultrasound revealed that 13 patients had mild abnormal vascular structures among the recanalized patients. The non-recanalized patients had significantly abnormal vascular structure. Conclusion Intraoperative carotid ultrasound in combination with transcranial Doppler (TCD) for monitoring cerebral blood flow may effectively identify the carotid structure and the degree of cerebral hemodynamic improvement,and timely guide the secondary repair.

AIM: To investigate the effect of problem - based learning ( PBL) used in the teaching of medical students'evidence-based medicine ( EBM) .
METHODS: Five classes ( total 147 students ) were randomly selected as experimental ( PBL ) group, at the same time, another 5 classes ( total 149 students ) were also randomly selected as control group, using traditional teaching method ( lecture-based learning, LBL ) in 2010 grade. The final examination scores of the experimental group were compared with control at the end of term. In addition, all students were interviewed using self -administered questionnaire to obtain their evaluation for PBL practice. SPSS13. 0 software was used for statistical analysis.
RESULTS: The homogeneity test in baseline survey showed that the basic characteristics between the two groups of students were no significant differences, and were comparable (P>0. 05). Final exam results showed that in addition to the scores of the EBM basic knowledge indicated no significant difference between two groups of students (P>0. 05), for the 5 steps of EBM procedure, namely, asking questions, finding the best evidence, evaluating the evidence, using and practicing the evidence, re - evaluating the evidence, and the total scores between the two groups, there were significant statistically differences (P<0. 05). The results to student learning evaluation showed that there was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0. 05) in aspects of better understanding classroom knowledge, improving language expression ability, and writing skill exercises. And other residual items had a significant difference ( P<0. 05), especially in aspects of improving enthusiasm for learning, self - study ability, improving learning efficiency, information analysis and utilization ability, team collaboration, and communication between teachers and students, however, there was a very significant difference (P<0. 001) between the two groups.
CONCLUSION: PBL teaching mode can effectively improve teaching effectiveness and the quality of EBM teaching, so the this teaching mode is worth further popularizing.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the temperature change of scrotum caused by varicocele(VC) and its significance.

METHODSOne hundred and sixty-six VC patients were examined by infrared ray imaging and colored ultrasonic scanning, and the results were analyzed. Comparisons of the infrared ray images and the routine semen analysis of 106 of the patients were made between before and after the operation.

RESULTSThe difference in the infrared ray images between before and after the operation on the VC patients was significant (P < 0.01), and so was the difference in the results of semen analysis(P < 0.01; some of the items P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe infrared ray imaging, together with the semen analysis and colored ultrasonic scanning, had a directive value for the diagnosis and treatment of VC patients.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Body Temperature ; Humans ; Infrared Rays ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Scrotum ; physiopathology ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color ; Varicocele ; diagnosis ; physiopathology

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Orthopedic Procedures ; Popliteal Cyst ; surgery ; Suture Techniques

OBJECTIVETo explore the pathoclinical features of adult primary mediastinal liposarcoma and their correlation with the prognosis.

METHODSThe clinical data of 19 patients with adult primary mediastinal liposarcoma who were treated in our hospital between 1970 and 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. Eighteen patients underwent open thoracic tumor excisions for at least one time, and the remaining one patient only received biopsy surgery. Histopathological results after surgery revealed that 6 well-differentiated type tumors, 6 myxoid type tumors, 3 pleomorphic type tumors, 2 mixed type tumors, and 2 un-classified tumors.

RESULTSAmong 6 patients with well-differentiated type tumors, 1 died after having been survived for 10 years; 5 were still alive, with a mean duration of 126.2 months,the 5-year survival rate was 100%. Among 6 patients with myxoid type tumors, 5 patients had follow-up data, with a mean survival of 26.2 months. Among 3 patients with pleomorphic type tumors, only one patient had follow-up data: the patient finally died, with a survival of 34 months. Of 2 patients with mixed type tumors, only one patient had follow-up data: the patient survived 8 months and died. Of 2 patients with un-classified type tumors, one had follow-up data: the patient lived for 24 months and died.

CONCLUSIONSMediastinal liposarcoma is a rare disease. Surgery is the primary therapeutic modality. Different pathological subtypes have different epidemiological features, biological behaviors, and malignant potentials. Pathological subtype is an important prognosis factor. Patients with well-differentiated tumors have much better prognosis than those with other subtypes.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Liposarcoma ; pathology ; surgery ; Male ; Mediastinal Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the bowel control of the anus-preserving operation for elderly patients over 75 years with low rectal cancer.

METHODSThirty-nine elderly patients over 75 years with low rectal carcinoma (4-7 cm from anal verge) were treated during the study period. The patients were divided into different groups according to the surgical procedures and anastomotic locations. The bowel control and patients satisfaction were compared.

RESULTSThe time of recovering normal defecation frequency was (9.8+/- 2.9) months. There were no differences in bowel control and anorectal manometric findings between the lower anastomosis group and super-lower anastomosis group, the lower anastomosis group and anorectal anastomosis group. The patients in anorectal anastomosis group displayed significantly better bowel control and anorectal manometric findings than those in the super-lower anastomosis group (P< 0.05). The time of recovering normal defecation frequency in colonic J-pouch-anal anastomosis group was (7.7+/- 1.7) months, shorter than (10.6+/- 2.8) months in direct anastomosis group (P< 0.01). The complication rate of I degree incontinence was 36.1%, but there was no difference between the two groups. The anorectal manometric findings were better in J-pouch-anal anastomosis group than those in direct anastomosis group (P< 0.05).

CONCLUSIONColonic J-pouch-anal anastomosis for lower rectal carcinoma can significantly improve the bowel control in a short term without increasing the complication rate.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anal Canal ; surgery ; Anastomosis, Surgical ; Defecation ; Fecal Incontinence ; etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Postoperative Period ; Rectal Neoplasms ; physiopathology ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo induce primary chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cells into dendritic cells (DCs).

METHODSBone marrow mononuclear cells (MNCs) were isolated from 13 CML patients and peripheral blood MNCs from 5 healthy donors. The isolated MNCs were co-cultured with rhGM-CSF 1,000 U/ml, rhIL- 4,500 U/ml and TNF-alpha 50 U/ml for 10 days. The morphological features were observed by Wright's staining,inverted microscope and electron microscope. CD(80), CD(86), CD(83), CD(1a) and HLA-DR expression were assayed by flow cytometry, cytogenetic analysis was performed by fluorescence in-situ hybridization(FISH). The concentration of IL-12 was measured by ELISA and the function of antigen presenting was tested by mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR).

RESULTAfter being cultured with cytokines, the typical dendritic appearance with delicate membrane projections was observed. The CD(80), CD(86), CD(83), CD(1a) and HLA-DR markers and capacity of stimulating allogeneic T cells were upregulated significantly. FISH confirmed that the DCs were generated from leukemic origin and CML DCs could secrete higher level of IL-12 than CML MNCs. There were no differences in morphology and immunophenotype expression between DCs derived from CML and those from normal individuals. However, DCs from CML patients displayed weaker activity than that of normal individuals when tested in MLR.

CONCLUSIONCML cells could be induced into leukemia-DCs by co-culture with cytokines.

Bone Marrow Cells ; immunology ; pathology ; Cell Differentiation ; Dendritic Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; Humans ; Interleukin-12 ; metabolism ; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive ; immunology ; pathology ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the relationship between plasma trough level of imatinib and clinical outcomes in Chinese CML patients.

METHODSPlasma trough levels in 416 CML patients who received imatinib orally in six general hospitals were assessed. The correlations of imatinib plasma trough level with baseline characteristics including age, weight and BSA, and clinical response were evaluated.

RESULTS(1) Effects of age, body weight and BSA on imatinib plasma trough levels were not to be clinically significant. (2) Median imatinib plasma trough levels was 1271 (109-4329). Imatinib plasma trough level was related to dose of imatinib administration. Plasma trough levels at imatinib of dose < 400, 400 and > 400 mg were (969 ± 585), (1341 ± 595) and (1740 ± 748) µg/L (P < 0.01), respectively. (3) There was no statistic difference in imatinib plasma trough level with complete cytogenetic response [CCyR (1337 ± 571) µg/L vs no CCyR (1354 ± 689) µg/L, P = 0.255]. (4) Imatinib plasma trough level might be important for a good clinical response in some CML patients.

CONCLUSIONThere was a large interpatient variability in imatinib plasma concentration in Chinese CML patients. No correlation of imatinib plasma trough level with CCyR was observed. However, higher doses of imatinib were shown to attain greater trough plasma concentration, suggesting that imatinib plasma trough level might be important for a good clinical response in some CML patients.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Benzamides ; blood ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Imatinib Mesylate ; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive ; blood ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Piperazines ; blood ; therapeutic use ; Pyrimidines ; blood ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult