Animals ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Gene Targeting ; methods ; Humans ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense ; genetics ; pharmacology ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Transfection

Objective To discuss the MSCT imaging characteristics of metastatic lymph nodes in pancreatic cancer.Methods The MSCT images of 30 pancreatic cancer patients with metastatic lymph node confirmed by pathology were selected and all the patients underwent enhanced MSCT before surgery.The location, maximum short axis diameter ( MSAD) , sizes, density, enhancement, necrosis and fusion of the metastatic lymph nodes were analyzed using the 5th edition of TNM stage of Japan Pancreatic Society in 2002 as the standard.Results Sixty-three metastatic lymph nodes was pathologically diagnosed , while 53were diagnosed by MSCT.The metastatic lymph nodes most commonly occurred in group 13 and 17in pancreatic head cancer, while group 18 lymph node metastasis was more common in pancreatic body and tail cancer.The MSAD of metastatic lymph nodes was 2~17 mm with the average of (7.2 ±4.0)mm.All of metastatic lymph nodes were divided into MSAD <5 mm group, 5 mm~<10 mm group and ≥10 mm group based on their size.The number of metastatic lymph nodes of the three groups were 10, 18 and 25, respectively.The number of enhanced metastatic lymph nodes was decreased as the size increased, while the number of necrotic and fused lymph nodes was increased, which were statistically different (all P<0.05).Comparison between the two groups showed that the number of enhancement metastatic lymph nodes in MSAD <5 mm group and 5 mm~<10 mm group were more than that in ≥10 mm group ( 7/10 and 11/18 vs 2/25 ) .The number of fused lymph nodes in MSAD <5 mm group and 5 mm~<10 mm group were less than that in≥10 mm group (0 and 2/18 vs 22/25 ) .Clear edge metastatic lymph nodes were more in MSAD <5 mm group than that in≥10 mm group (6/10 vs 5/25).The number of necrotic metastatic lymph nodes in MSAD <5 mm group was less than that in ≥10 mm group(2 /10 vs 18/25).All the differences above were statistically significant ( all P<0.05), but no other significant differences were found between two groups.Conclusions The main imaging findings of metastatic lymph nodes in pancreatic cancer were unobvious enhancement, intratumoral necrosis and fusion.Heterogeneous density and unclear edge could benefit the diagnosis of metastatic lymph node.

Aim:To construct the short hairpin small interfering RNA(shRNA) eukaryotic expression vector specific to mouse lectin like oxidized low density lipoprotein receptor 1(LOX-1) gene and to observe its silencing effect on LOX-1 in RAW264.7 cells.Methods:(1)The pLOX-1-shRNA expression vector was constructed by gene recombination,Then transfected into the cultured RAW264.7 cells.At 48 h after Transfection,the expression of LOX-1 mRNA in RAW264.7 cells were determined by semi-quantitative RT-PCR,the expression of LOX-1 proteins examined by Western blot.(2) Oil Red O Dyeing experiment was used to show the cellular lipid droplets in lipid-loaded cells.The method of cholesterol oxidase analysis was performed to determine the content of cellular cholesterol.The ability of uptake Dil-ox-LDL in RAW264.7 cells was assayed by fluorescence microscopy.Results: pLOX-1-shRNA expression vector was successfully constructed.Transfection of pLOX-1-shRNA expression vector into RAW264.7 cells down regulaled the expression level of LOX-1 gene,as compared with the control group,transfection of the RAW264.7 cells with LOX 1-shRNA led to a remarkable reduction of the number macrophages transformed into foam cell,and could suppress the uptake of ox-LDL.Conclusion:The pLOX-1-shRNA expression vector can inhibit the expression of LOX 1 in RAW264.7 cells and the transformation of the macrophages into foam,which may he beneficial in searching new gene therapy of atherosclerosis.

Objective To investigate the effect of plasma erythropoietin ( EPO) concentration on left ventricular systolic function and its relationship with acute mountain sickness ( AMS ) .Methods A total of 289 healthy young men were recruited in this study and divided into five groups:plain control group (Ⅰ) with 55 subjects;acute high altitude exposure group(Ⅱ) with 74 subjects(3700 m exposure for 24 h); the group of acute exposure after acclimatization (Ⅲ) with 68 subjects(4400 m exposure for 24 h after 1 week acclimatization at 3700 m); high altitude migrate group (Ⅳ) with 19 subjects ( migration to 3700 m for more than 1 year ); and the group of exposure after migration (Ⅴ) with 73 subjects (4400 m exposure for 50 d after more than one year migration to 3700 m).Lake Louise Self-assessment Scoring System ( LLSS) was used to assess AMS .Plasma concentrations of EPO and echocardiography were also determined .Results EPO was significantly increased after acute high altitude exposure .There was no significant difference in EPO between groupⅡand Ⅲ(P>0.05), but significantly higher than in group Ⅰ (P<0.05).No significant difference was found between group Ⅳ,Ⅴ and Ⅰ (P>0.05).In group Ⅱ, positive correlation was found between EPO concentration and stroke volume (SV) as well as left ventricular diastolic diameter (LVDD) (R=0.278 and 0.236,respectively,P<0.05), while negative correlation was expressed between EPO concentration and the AMS score (R=-0.249,P<0.05).In other groups,there was no relationship between EPO concentration and the index of left ventricular function .Conclusion EPO may work on AMS through left ventricular systolic function enhancement after acute high altitude exposure .

Objective To investigate the pathological and immunohistochemical characteristics of female bladder ectopic skene glands.Methods A female with bladder tumor was treated in our hospital in May 2013.Preoperative so(n)graphy revealed a 0.9 cm×0.6 cm round solid mass in the bottom of bladder wall.Mass was hypoechoic homogeneous with regular shape,blood flow within the mass was noted.The tumor was treated with transurethral resection.Routine pathological examination suggested bladder ectopic Skene glands.Immunohistochemical stains for prostate specific antigen (PSA),prostate spectific acid phosphatase (PSAP),androgen receptor (AR),estrogen receptor (ER),CD10,cytokeratin 14 (CK14),cytokeratin 18 (CK18),P63,high molecular weight cytokeratin (34βE12),α-methylacyl-CoA racemase (AMACR/p504s) were further performed.Results Routine pathological examination showed prostate glands composed of prostate gland epithelial cells and basal cells in a submucosal location.Immunohistochemical stains showed:PSA-,PSAP +,AR +,ER-,CD10+,CK18 +,CK14-,P63 +,34βE12 +,AMACR-.Conclusions Routine pathological examination combined with immunohistochemical stains such as PSA,PSAP,and others,can be used to diagnose ectopic Skene glands disease.Female bladder ectopic Skene glands is a benign lesion,and the prognosis is good.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Wenyang Huazhuo Tongluo Recipe (WYHZTLR) on the proportion of T helper 17 cells (Thl7)/regulatory T cells (Treg), and serum levels of IL-17 and IL-10 in peripheral blood of systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients with yang qi insufficiency and turbidity induced collaterals blockage syndrome (YQITICBS).

METHODSTotally 82 SSc patients were randomly assigned to the Western medicine group (as the control group) and the integrated Chinese and Western medicine group (as the treatment group), 41 cases in each group. All patients took methotrexate (MTX) tablet and prednisone tablet. Patients in the treatment group additionally took WYHZTLR. The treatment course for all was six consecutive months. Besides, another 70 healthy volunteers were recruited as a healthy control group (as the healthy group). Percentages of Th17 and Treg in peripheral blood were detected by flow cytometry. Serum levels of IL-17, IL-10, von Willebrand factor (vWF), aminoterminal propeptide of type l procollagen (PIIINP), and cross-linked carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen ( I CTP) were measured by double antibody sandwich ELISA. The correlations between Th17/Treg and levels of vWF, PIIINP, I CTP, skin score, and disease activity index were observed by Pearson correlation analysis.

RESULTSThe percentage of Th17 in peripheral blood, ratios of Th17/Treg, and the serum level of IL-17 were significantly higher, but the percentage of Treg and the serum level of IL-10 were significantly lower in SSc patients, when compared with those of the healthy group (P <0. 05, P <0. 01). Compared with the same group before treatment, the percentage of Thl7, ratios of Thl7/Treg, and levels of IL-17, vWF, and PIIINP all decreased in the two groups after treatment (P <0.05, P <0.01), but the percentage of Treg and the IL-10 level increased (P <0. 05, P <0. 01). Meanwhile,the level of I CTP was higher in the treatment group after treatment (P <0. 05). The improvement of all indices except the percentage of Th17 was more obvious in the treatment group than in the control group (P <0. 05, P <0. 01). The ratio of Th17/Treg was positively correlated with levels of vWF, PIIINP, skin score, and disease activity index before and after treatment respectively (P <0. 01), but with no obvious correlation with the level of I CTP (P >0. 05).

CONCLUSIONWYHZTLR could achieve its therapeutic effect on SSc patients by regulating Th17/Treg imbalance, lowering levels of vWF and PIIINP, and elevating the level of I CTP.

Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Interleukin-10 ; Interleukin-17 ; Methotrexate ; Peptide Fragments ; Procollagen ; Scleroderma, Systemic ; drug therapy ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; Th17 Cells

OBJECTIVETo summarize the features and treatment of male infertility induced by autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), and compare the outcomes of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) for infertile men with ADPKD and those with congenital bilateral absence of vas deferens (CBAVD).

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed 21 cases of ADPKD-induced infertility, 15 treated by ICSI (group A), and another 164 cases of strictly matched CBAVD-induced infertility (group B). We compared the two groups in the couples' age, the number of ICSI oocytes, and the rates of fertilization, transferrable embryos, good embryos, embryos implanted, clinical pregnancy, biochemical pregnancy, early abortion, singleton and twins in the first cycle.

RESULTSAfter 28 cycles of ICSI, 10 of the 15 ADPKD-induced infertility patients achieved clinical pregnancy, including 7 cases of live birth, 1 case of spontaneous abortion, and 2 cases of pregnancy maintenance. No significant differences were observed between groups A and B in the couples' age, the wives' BMI, or the numbers of ICSI oocytes and embryos transplanted (P >0.05), nor in the rates of ICSI fertilization (72.64% vs 76.17%), transferrable embryos (51.28% vs 63.24%), quality embryos (38.46% vs 49.83%), embryo implantation (17.64% vs 38.50%), abortion (0 vs 9.23%), singleton (50% vs 81.54%) and twins (50% vs 18.46%). However, the rates of clinical pregnancy (13.33% vs 42.68%, P = 0.023 <0.05) and biochemical pregnancy (13.33% vs 39.63%, P = 0.032 <0.05) were significantly lower in group A than in B.

CONCLUSIONICSI is effective in the treatment of male infertility induced by either ADPKD or CBAVD, but the ADPKD cases have a lower success rate than the CBAVD cases in an individual cycle. The affected couples should be informed of the necessity of prenatal genetic diagnosis before embryo implantation and the inevitable vertical transmission of genetic problems to the offspring.

Abortion, Spontaneous ; Embryo Implantation ; Embryo Transfer ; Female ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; therapy ; Male ; Male Urogenital Diseases ; therapy ; Oocytes ; Polycystic Kidney, Autosomal Dominant ; complications ; Pregnancy ; Retrospective Studies ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic ; Vas Deferens ; abnormalities

Aged ; Angioplasty, Balloon ; Arterial Occlusive Diseases ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Cerebral Arterial Diseases ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Cerebral Arteries ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Renal Artery ; diagnostic imaging ; Renal Artery Obstruction ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Risk Factors ; Stents ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

BACKGROUND:Sepsis-induced myocardial injury is one of the major predictors of morbidity and mortality of sepsis. The cytoprotective function of erythropoietin (EPO) has been discovered and extensively studied. However, the cardioprotective effects of EPO on sepsis-induced myocardial injury in the rat sepsis model has not been reported.METHODS:The rat models of sepsis were produced by cecal ligation and perforation (CLP) surgery. Rats were randomly (random number) assigned to one of three groups (n=8 for each group):sham group, CLP group and EPO group (1000 IU/kg erythropoietin). Arterial blood was withdrawn at 3, 6, 12, and 24 hours after CLP. cTnI, BNP, CK-MB, LDH, AST, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, and CRP were tested by the ELISA assay. Changes of hemodynamic parameters were recorded at 3, 6, 12, 24 hours after the surgery. Histological diagnosis was made by hematoxylin and eosin. Flow cytometry was performed to examine cell apoptosis, myocardium mitochondrial inner membrane potential, and NF-κB (p65). Survival rate at 7 days after CLP was recorded.RESULTS:In the CLP group, myocardial enzyme index and inflammatory index increased at 3, 6, 12 and 24 hours after CLP compared with the sham group, and EPO significantly blocked the increase. Compared with the CLP group, EPO significantly improved LVSP, LV +dp/dtmax, LV -dp/dtmin, and decreased LVEDP at different time. EPO blocked the reduction of mitochondrial transmembrane potential, suppressed the cardiomyocyte apoptosis, inhibited the activation of NF-κB, and reduced the production of proinflmmatory cytokines. No difference in the survival rate at 7 days was observed between the CLP group and the EPO group.CONCLUSION:Exogenous EPO has cardioprotective effects on sepsis-induced myocardial injury.

Objective Both decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and arterial stiffness were considered as risk factors for atherosclerosis. Previous studies have suggested the association between central arterial stiffness and the degree of GFR loss. Whether decreased GFR contributes to peripheral artery stiffness remains controversial. Moreover, data analyzed from a cohort of Chinese women are rare. Our aim was to explore the relationship between GFR and regional arterial stiffness in Chinese women. Methods In this cross-sectional study, we randomly recruited 1131 adult women residents with GFR ≥ 60 mL/min per 1.73 m2 estimated by the Chinese Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation from three large communities. Central and peripheral arterial stiffness were estimated simultaneously by measuring carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWVcf) and carotid-radial PWV (PWVcr) using a validated automatic device. Augmentation Index at heart rate 75 beats/minutes (AIx-75) was measured by pulse wave analysis as a composite parameter reflecting both large and distal arterial properties. Results The mean estimated GFR (eGFR) of the study group was 100.05 ± 23.26 mL/minute per 1.73 m2. Subjects were grouped by tertiles of eGFR level. PWVcf and AIx-75 increased ongoing from the top to the bottom eGFR tertile, while the values of PWVcr were comparable. Both univariate Pearson correlations and multiple stepwise regression analyses showed that eGFR significantly correlated to PWVcf, but not to PWVcr and AIx-75. Conclusions In Chinese women with normal to mildly impaired renal function, decreased eGFR affected carotid-to-femoral rather than carotid-to-radial stiffening. This provides rational to conduct future prospective studies to investigate predictors of atherosclerosis in this population.