Objective To evaluate the CT image features of urinary tract inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) for use in clinical and differential diagnosis.Methods Eight pathologically proven IMT cases were retrospectively analyzed in this study.There were six female patients and two male patients.Patient average age was 35 (13-62) years.The main clinical manifestations were hematuria and urination pain.Tumors were found in the bladder in 5 cases,in ureter in 2 cases and in urethra in 1 case.All the 8 cases accepted CT scan five of which had contrast enhanced CT scan.The imaging features were then analyzed.Results Of the IMT in bladder,CT scan showed a cauliflower like bladder tumor or round soft tissue mass with even or uneven density of 11.5-36.0 HU.Three tunors were accompanied with necrosis.Four cases had associated adjacent bladder wall thickening and two cases were found with fuzzy surrounding fat space.Ureteral lesions in two cases showed a solid mass with smooth edges and even density of 40.3 HU compared to the surrounding muscle.The urethral lesions had clear mass realm of 17.5-22.6 HU accompanied with calcification.Enhanced CT scan showed that homogeneous or heterogeneous mild to moderate enhancement was found in the tumor.Delayed phase showed consistant enhancement of 102.7-118.6 HU.Conclusion Tumor CT imaging features,particularly the significant and consistant enhancement in delayed phase,provide important information for diagnosis and differential diagnosis of the urinary tract IMT.

Objective:To evaluate early corneal biomechanical change, safety and effectiveness after small-incision lenticule extraction combined with ultraviolet A corneal collagen cross-linking (SMILE-CXL) for myopic eyes and compare with SMILE.Methods:A non-randomized controlled clinical study was performed.Forty-four myopic eyes of 25 patients were included in Hankou Aier Eye Hospital from December 2017 to July 2018.SMILE-CXL or SMILE was carried out for 22 eyes of 12 patients or 22 eyes of 13 patients, respectively, based on the normal posterior surface manifestation of Belin by Pentacam tomography or not.The posterior surface manifestation of Belin was normal in the SMILE group, and the posterior surface of Belin was yellow or red with Corvis biomechanical index and tomographic biomechanical index<0.3 (except keratoconus) in the SMILE-CXL group.The refractive diopter of the eyes was detected before and 6 months after surgery, including spherical diopter, cylindrical diopter and spherical equivalent (SE) with a comprehensive refractometer.The corneal biomechanical parameters of the eyes were detected before and 6 months after surgery with a Scheimpflug-based dynamic tonometry (Corvis ST). The safety index, a ratio of postoperative mean best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) to preoperative mean BCVA, and efficacy index, a ratio of postoperative uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) to preoperative BCVA, were compared between SMILE-CXL group and SMILE group.BCVA and UCVA were examined using standard chart and converted to logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution (LogMAR) units.This protocol complied with the Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by an Ethics Committee of Hankou Aier Eye Hospital (No.WHS2017052701). Written informed consent was obtained from each patient prior to entering into the cohort.Results:The postoperative UCVA of the eyes in both groups was more than 1.0.There were no significant differences in safety index, efficacy index and SE change between the SMILE-CXL group and SMILE group (all at P≥0.05). At 6 months after surgery, the values of second applanation time (A2T), time from the start until the highest concavity (HC-Time) and DA ratio 2 mm were significantly increased in comparison with before operation in both SMILE-CXL group and SMILE group (all at P<0.05). The changes of A2T, HC-Time and DA ratio 2 mm in the SMILE-CXL group were significantly lowered than those in the SMILE group at the sixth month after surgery ( P=0.001, 0.001, 0.036). The deformation amplitude, maximum corneal velocity during the first applanation (Vin), distance between both non-deformed peaks and integrated radius during the maximum depression were significantly increased, and the central curvature radius at highest concavity, cord length of first applanation, cord length of second applanation, Ambrósio's relational thickness horizontal, stiffness parameter applanation 1 and biomechanical intraocular pressure during the maximum depression were significantly lower at the sixth month after surgery than those before surgery (all at P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the parameters mentioned above between the two groups (all at P<0.05). Conclusions:Compared with SMILE alone, SMILE-CXL shows a comparable safety and efficacy, and better corneal biomechanical properties.

The traditional teaching mode of "subject-centered" has many shortcomings such as knowledge separation and lack of integrity. In order to make up for the deficiencies of this mode, the organ-system integrated medical teaching mode has gradually become the trend of medical teaching reform. Taking "motor system" as an example, this paper discusses the practice of the organ-system integrated medical teaching mode from four aspects: teaching implementation, teaching quality supervision, supporting assessment system and teaching effectiveness.

Adult ; Aged ; Breast Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; drug therapy ; prevention & control ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Radiography

Objective To quantify the expressions of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α),caspase-8 and caspase-3 in lichen planus (LP) lesions,and to investigate their significance.Methods Skin samples were collected from the lesions of 20 patients with LP and normal skin of 20 healthy human controls.Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the expressions of TNF-αt,caspase-8 and caspase-3,and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end-labeling (TUNEL) technique to evaluate the apoptosis in keratinocytes,in these samples.Results The expression levels (expressed in integrated optical density,IOD)of TNF-α,caspase-8 and caspase-3 were (12.58 ± 2.33) × 103,(11.69 ± 3.52) × 103 and (11.45 ± 2.82) × 103 respectively in LP lesions,significantly higher than those in the normal skin ((5.12 ± 1.78) × 103,(3.87 ± 3.36)× 103,(4.76 ± 1.93) × 103,t =11.38,7.19,8.76,respectively,all P ＜ 0.01).Elevated apoptosis index was noted in keratinocytes from LP lesions compared with those from normal skin (71.35 ± 7.93 vs.33.62 ± 8.75,t =14.29,P ＜ 0.01).In LP lesions,the expressions of both TNF-α and caspase-8 were positively correlated with the apoptosis index of keratinocytes (r =0.72,0.75,respectively,both P ＜ 0.01) and the expression of caspase-3 (r =0.68,0.73,respectively,both P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion The up-regulated expressions of TNF-α,caspase-8 and caspase-3 may participate in the apoptosis in keratinocytes in LP.

Objective To examine the difference of neurological soft signs (NSS) among the remittent schizophrenia patients,first-degree non-psychotic relatives of schizophrenia patients and healthy controls.Methods The Cambridge Neurological Inventory (CNI) (the Chinese version) was administered to 86 remittent schizophrenia patients (patient group),86 first-degree non-psychotic relatives of schizophrenia patients (relative group) and 86 healthy controls (control group).Results Compared with relative group,NSS total-score,the subscore of motor coordination and sensory integration were significantly higher in patient group (P＜0.01).Compared with control group,NSS total-score,the subscore of motor coordination and sensory integration were significantly higher in patient group (P＜0.01).Compared with control group,NSS total-score and the subscore of motor coordination were significantly higher in relative group (P＜0.01).Conclusions The levels of NSS in remittent schizophrenia patients and their first-degree non-psychotic relatives are higher than normal control,and the patients have more NSS than their relatives.The motor coordination nay be a potential endophenotype for schizophrenia.

Objective To explore the changes of proteomic spectra from plasma of patients with lung cancer or benign lung diseases and health controls in order to establish a primary diagnosis model of lung cancer. Methods The proteomic spectra from plasma of 108 patients with lung cancer, 40 patients with benign lung diseases and 22 healthy individuals were analysed by surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry ( SELDI-TOF-MS). The best decision tree model was established by cluster analysis and principal component analysis. Then the model was blindly validated by the protein of 21 patients with lung benign diseases and 47 patients with stage I lung cancer. Results Twenty-three significantly differentially expressed protein peaks were successfully detected (P <0.001). Blinded validation suggested that the accuracy for diagnosing lung cancer was 72. 06%, the sensitivity and specificity were 72. 34% and 71.43%, respectively, and the positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 85. 0% and 78. 95%, respectively. Conclusion SELDI-TOF-MS protein chip technology provides a new tool for the early diagnosis of lung cancer.

Objective To study the effect of curcumin on the radiosensitivity of the human papillary thyroid cancer cell line TPC?1, to investigate the signaling pathway probably targeted by curcumin, and to provide new insights for the development of radiosensitizers for thyroid cancer. Methods The human papillary thyroid cancer cell line TPC?1 was treated with curcumin and radioactive iodine. CCK?8 assay, colony formation assay, and flow cytometry were used to evaluate cell proliferation, colony formation ability, and cell apoptosis, respectively. Western blot was used to measure the expression of p50, p65, and apoptosis?related proteins, Bcl?2 and Bax. Cell proliferation, colony formation ability, and cell apoptosis were determined again after the activity of the NF?κB signaling pathway was blocked by a NF?κB signaling pathway inhibitor PDTC. Results After treatment with curcumin and radioactive iodine, the human papillary thyroid cancer TPC?1 cells had reduced cell proliferation and colony formation, an elevated apoptosis rate, downregulated expression of anti?apoptotic Bcl?2, and upregulated expression of pro?apoptotic Bax in a dose?dependent manner. These results indicated that curcumin enhanced the radiosensitivity of TPC?1 cells. Curcumin inhibited the activation of the NF?κB signaling pathway in the TPC?1 cells treated with radioactive iodine. When the activity of the NF?κB pathway was blocked by PDTC, cell proliferation and colony formation were reduced and the apoptosis rate was increased, indicating an enhanced radiosensitivity of TPC?1 cells. Conclusions Curcumin is likely to target the NF?κB signaling pathway. It regulates the radiosensitivity of thyroid cancer cells by inhibiting the activity of the NF?κB signaling pathway.

BACKGROUNDThe efficacy of montelukast (MONT), a cysteinyl leukotriene receptor antagonist, in nonasthmatic eosinophilic bronchitis (NAEB), especially its influence on cough associated life quality is still indefinite. We evaluated the efficacy of MONT combined with budesonide (BUD) as compared to BUD monotherapy in improving life quality, suppressing airway eosinophilia and cough remission in NAEB.

METHODSA prospective, open-labeled, multicenter, randomized controlled trial was conducted. Patients with NAEB (aged 18-75 years) were randomized to inhaled BUD (200 μg, bid) or BUD plus oral MONT (10 μg, qn) for 4 weeks. Leicester cough questionnaire (LCQ) life quality scores, cough visual analog scale (CVAS) scores, eosinophil differential ratio (Eos), and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) in induced sputum were monitored and compared.

RESULTSThe control and MONT groups contained 33 and 32 patients, respectively, with similar baseline characteristics. Significant with-in group improvement in CVAS, LCQ scores, Eos, and ECP was observed in both groups during treatment. After 2-week treatment, add-on treatment of MONT was significantly more effective than BUD monotherapy for CVAS decrease and LCQ scores improvement (both P < 0.05). Similar results were seen at 4-week assessment (both P < 0.05). 4-week add-on therapy of MONT also resulted in a higher percentage of patients with normal sputum Eos (<2.5%) and greater decrease of ECP (both P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSMONT combined with BUD was demonstrated cooperative effects in improvement of life quality, suppression of eosinophilic inflammation, and cough remission in patients with NAEB.

Acetates ; therapeutic use ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bronchitis ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Budesonide ; therapeutic use ; Cough ; drug therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Inflammation ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Quality of Life ; Quinolines ; therapeutic use ; Young Adult

To study the inhibitory effect of a recombinant adenoviral vector carrying human IL-24 gene on SGC-7901 human gastric cancer cell. We infected the SGC-7901 gastric cancer cells with Ad blank adenovirus at various multiplicity of infection (MOIs) to find the optimal infective dose. The SGC-7901 tumor cells were infected with Ad-IL-24 at the optimal MOI in the following experiments. Adenovirus-mediated IL-24 transcription expression in SGC-7901 cells was examined by RT-PCR. The growth-suppressing effect of Ad-IL-24 on SGC-7901 tumor cells was assessed by MTT assay. Apoptosis and cell cycle of SGC-7901 tumor cells infected with Ad-IL-24 was evaluated by flow cytometer (FCM), respectively. The karyomorphology of apoptotic SGC-7901 tumor cells was examined using Hoechst33258 staining under fluorescence microscopy. The expression of apoptosis-related genes was future determined by semi-quantification RT-PCR; We demonstrated that the MOI of 100 was the optimal infective dose in the study on adenovirus-mediated IL-24 gene transfer into SGC-7901 gastric cancer cell; IL-24 gene mediated by adenovirus could successfully transcribe in SGC-7901 tumor cells; Ad-IL-24 could significantly inhibit SGC-7901 tumor cell growth and induce apoptosis, it also can up-regulate the express of bax, caspase-3 and p53 whilst down-regulate the bcl-2 expression. Thus, adenovirus-mediated IL-24 expression had marked anti-tumor effect in suppressing SGC-7901 human gastric cancer cell growth and inducing apoptosis, which may be closely associated with its up-regulation of bax/bcl-2, caspase-3 and p53.
Adenoviridae ; genetics ; metabolism ; Apoptosis ; genetics ; Caspase 3 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Humans ; Interleukins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Stomach Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; Transfection ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Up-Regulation ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; genetics ; metabolism