Objective To estimate curative effect of reconstruction of rabbit knee joint cartilage defect with the homogeneitic tissue engineered cartilages.Methods The chondrocytes were isolated and collected from articular cartilages of eight New Zealand white rabbits.The tissue engineered cartilages after culturing chondrocytes and atelocollogen for two days.Cartilage defects were created in both keen joint of twenty-six rab- bits.Complexes of chodrocytes and atelocollagen was grafted into the defect of left knee joint at once as experi- mental group,and no implantation were served as control.General and histological examination were respec- tively performed in both group at four weeks and eight weeks after surgery.Results After implantation,the defects were filled with cartilaginous tissue in experiment group,while there were only tissue in control group. Histologically,defective areas were filled with chondrocytes in experiment group,but only fibroblast in control group.Conclusion The implantation of the tissue engineered cartilages contenting with chondrocytes and atelocollogen can effectively improve reconstruction of rabbit knee joint.

Objective To compare the efficacy and adverse effects of hypofractionated radiotherapy versus conventionally fractionated radiotherapy for intermediate-to high-risk localized prostate cancer.Methods A literature search was performed in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CNKI, VIP database, and Wanfang Data to collect the controlled clinical trials of hypofractionated radiotherapy versus conventionally fractionated radiotherapy in patients with intermediate-to high-risk localized PCa published up to August 31, 2016.Stata 12.0 was used for meta-analysis.The difference between two groups was estimated by calculating the hazard ratio (HR) or risk ratio (RR) with 95%confidence interval (CI).ResultsAccording to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 5 controlled clinical trials involving 1621 patients with PCa were included in this meta-analysis.The meta-analysis showed that overall survival (HR=1.00, 95%CI:0.85-1.17, P=0.980) and biochemical failure (RR=0.87, 95%CI:0.68-1.12, P=0.274) were comparable between the two groups.Compared with the conventionally fractionated radiotherapy, the incidence of acute gastrointestinal adverse events (grade≥2) was significantly higher in the hypofractionated radiotherapy (RR=1.94, 95%CI:1.23-3.06, P=0.004).However, there were no significant differences in the incidence of acute genitourinary adverse events (grade≥2)(RR=1.03, 95%CI:0.92-1.14,P=0.626), late gastrointestinal adverse events (grade≥2)(RR=1.17,95%CI:0.90-1.51, P=0.238), and late genitourinary adverse events (grade≥2)(RR=1.11, 95%CI:0.94-1.30, P=0.228) between the two groups.Conclusions Conventionally fractionated radiotherapy and hypofractionated radiotherapy have comparable therapeutic effects in patients with intermediate-to high-risk localized PCa.Although the patients treated with hypofractionated radiotherapy have a higher incidence of acute gastrointestinal adverse events than those treated with conventionally fractionated radiotherapy, the incidence of late gastrointestinal and genitourinary adverse events is comparable between the two groups of patients and the adverse effects are tolerable.

BACKGROUNDHelical tomotherapy (HT) is a new image-guided intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in the target volume and organs at risk (OARs) of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) during helical tomotherapy.

METHODSForty-three patients with NPC and treated via HT from March 2008 to January 2010 were reviewed retrospectively. Repeated CT scanning and plan adaptation were conducted at the 20th fraction during radiotherapy. The volumetric differences between the two scans were evaluated for nasopharyngeal tumor and retro-pharyngeal lymph nodes (GTVnx), neck lymph nodes (GTVnd), and parotid glands, as well as the axial diameter of the head.

RESULTSThe median interval between the two scans was 25 days (23 - 28 days). The volumetric decrease in GTVnx was 30.1% (median, 29.8%) and in GTVnd 41.6% (median, 45.9%). The variation in the GTVnd volume was correlated with the weight loss of the patient. The volume of the left parotid gland decreased by 35.5% (median, 33.4%) and of the right parotid glands decreased by 36.8% (median, 33.5%). The axial diameter of the head decreased by 9.39% (median, 9.1%).

CONCLUSIONSThe target volume and OARs of patients with NPC varied considerably during HT. These changes may have potential dosimetric effects on the target volume and/or OARs and influence the clinical outcome. Repeated CT scanning and replanning during the HT for NPC patients with a large target volume or an obvious weight loss are recommended.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; radiotherapy ; Organs at Risk ; Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDHelical tomotherapy (HT) is a new image-guided intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) technique. It is reported that HT plan for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) can give better dose uniformity, dose gradients, and protection for the lung than IMRT plan. We compared the dosimetric characteristics of HT for NSCLC with those of conventional IMRT to observe the superiority of HT.

METHODSThere was a comparative case series comprising 10 patients with NSCLC. Computed tomographic (CT) images of delineated targets were transferred to the PrecisePlan planning system (IMRT) and Tomo planning system (HT). The prescription doses were 70 Gy/33F for the gross tumor volume (GTV) and the visible lymph nodes (GTVnd), and 60 Gy/33F for the clinical target volume (CTV) and the clinical target volume of the visible lymph nodes (CTVnd). The dose restrictions for organs at risk were as follows: the maximum dose to spinal cord ≤ 45 Gy, V20 to the total lungs < 30%, V50 to the heart < 50%, and V55 to the esophagus < 50%. Both plans were evaluated by means of the dose coverage of the targets, dose-volume histograms (DVHs), and other dosimetric indices.

RESULTSThe dose coverage, conformity, and homogeneity of the targets' volumes were found to be satisfactory in both plans, but the homogeneity of the HT plan was better than that of IMRT. The high-dose radiation volume (V20-V30) to the lung and the mean lung dose (MLD) decreased (P < 0.05), but the low-dose radiation volume (V5-V10) increased slightly in the HT plan (P > 0.05). The maximum doses to the spinal cord, heart, esophagus and trachea in the HT plan were lower than those in the IMRT plan, but the differences were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONSThe HT plan provids better dose uniformity, dose gradients, and protection for the organs at risk. It can reduce the high-dose radiation volume for lung and the MLD, but may deliver a larger lung volume of low-dose radiation.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; diagnostic imaging ; radiotherapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiography ; Radiotherapy Dosage ; Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated ; methods ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To investigate the correlation between the changes of serum S100B protein level in acute phase and the scores of mini-mental state examination (MMSE) in patients with brain concussion, and evaluate the role of serum S100B protein level in the prognosis of cognition disorders after brain concussion. Methods The serum S100B protein level was determined by an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 126 cases of brain concussion 6 and 12 h, and 3 d after admission, and these data were compared with those in 96 cases of moderate head trauma without transitory loss of consciousness (admitted to our hospital at the same period, control group). MMSE was performed 1 and 14 d and 3 months after injury, and the correlation between the changes of serum S100B level in acute phase and MMSE scores was observed. Results As compared with that in control group,the serum S100B protein level in patients with brain concussion was significant higher at 6 and 12 h after admission(P＜0.05). The serum S100B protein level at 6 h, but not at 12 h and 3 d after admission, was closely associated with the MMSE scores 1 and 14 d and 3 months after injury. Conclusion Early elevation of S100B within 6 h of admission in patients with brain concussion, obviously correlating with cognitive impairment, may serve as an important prognostic marker in predicting clinical outcome of cognition disorders after brain injury.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to evaluate the neuroprotective functions of the combination therapy using methylprednisolone (MP) and tranilast (TR) after spinal cord injury (SCI) in adult rats. METHODS: Spinal cord compression injury model was achieved using Yasargil aneurysm clip. Rats were divided into control group, MP group, TR group, and combination therapy group using TR and MP. Rat models were assessed for locomotor functional recovery using Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) score, spinal cord water content and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity 24 hours post SCI, haematoxylin and eosin staining and glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) staining at 7 and 14 days post SCI. RESULTS: The spinal cord water content and MPO activity in the combination therapy group was significantly lower than the control group and the individual therapy groups p<0.05. The combination therapy group had significantly higher BBB scores than control group and individual therapy groups (p<0.05). At one week after SCI, GFAP expression in the combination group was significantly lower than the control group (p<0.05) but there was no significant difference compared to the individual therapy groups (p>0.05). At 2 weeks after SCI there was a slight decrease in GFAP expression compared to the first week but the difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05), GFAP expression between the groups was not statistically significant p>0.05. CONCLUSION: Combining MP and TR is therapeutically more effective in improving functional recovery, inhibiting inflammation and glial scar formation after acute SCI.
Adult ; Aneurysm ; Animals ; Cicatrix ; Eosine Yellowish-(YS) ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Methylprednisolone* ; Models, Animal* ; Peroxidase ; Rats* ; Spinal Cord Compression ; Spinal Cord Injuries* ; Spinal Cord* ; Water

Nasopharyngeal adenoid cystic carcinoma (NACC) is a rare malignancy with high local invasiveness. To date, there is no consensus on the imaging characteristics of NACC. To address this, we retrospectively reviewed 10 cases of NACC and summarized the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features. MR images of 10 patients with histologically validated NACC were reviewed by two experienced radiologists. The location, shape, margin, signal intensity, lesion texture, contrast enhancement patterns, local invasion, and cervical lymphadenopathy of all tumors were evaluated. Clinical and pathologic records were also reviewed. No patients were positive for antibodies against Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). The imaging patterns of primary tumors were classified into two types as determined by location, shape, and margin. Of all patients, 7 had tumors with a type 1 imaging pattern and 3 had tumors with a type 2 imaging pattern. The 4 tubular NACCs were all homogeneous tumors, whereas 3 (60%) of 5 cribriform NACCs and the sole solid NACC were heterogeneous tumors with separations or central necrosis on MR images. Five patients had perineural infiltration and intracranial involvement, and only 2 had cervical lymphadenopathy. Based on these results, we conclude that NACC is a local, aggressive neoplasm that is often negative for EBV infection and associated with a low incidence of cervical lymphadenopathy. Furthermore, MRI features of NACC vary in locations and histological subtypes.
Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic ; diagnosis ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; surgery ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Staging ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo study the role of dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages, differentiated from the same individual peripheral blood monocytes, in tumor antigen- presenting.

METHODSDCs and macrophages were differentiated from human peripheral blood monocytes by adding both Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) or GM-CSF only. Then they were loaded with tumor antigen at different concentrations and cocultured with autologous T cells in 96-well flat-bottomed microtiter plates for five days at 37 degrees C, 5% CO(2). (3)H-thymine was added before the culture terminated, and twelve hours later, the cells were gathered to test the cpm value.

RESULTSBoth DCs and macrophages chased with tumor antigen could strongly stimulate the proliferation of autologous T cells, especially DCs. The stimulation effect with 20 microl/ml antigen was the most remarkable and the cmp values were 11,950.3 +/-1621.8, 8,708.5 +/-176.1, 402.5+/-43.1 in DCs group, Macrophages group, and lymphocytes group, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe antigen presenting role of DCs is stronger than that of macrophages from the same individual.

Antigen Presentation ; immunology ; Antigen-Presenting Cells ; immunology ; physiology ; Antigens, Neoplasm ; immunology ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; immunology ; Dendritic Cells ; immunology ; physiology ; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; immunology ; Macrophages ; immunology ; physiology ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Objective To study the first locally identifcd A/HINI secondary cases outbreak in China. Methods Interview and field investigation were integrated to describe the whole process of transmission on each case and to illustrate the relationships between the onset of the disease and the retated factors. Results Two contact persons appearanced fever and whose throat swabs were tested positive to H1N1 viral nucleic acid. The two had a history of contact in a short distance with the initial imported case without any protective measure in the poor air ventilation. The patients clinical situation was slight. The incubation was between 37 hours and 57 hours. No other new case was found after intervention as isolation and antisepsis were taken. Conclusion This event was proved to be an outbreak of local A/H1N1 secondary cases caused by the imported case. The main mode of transmission was personal contact in a short distance without protection, through air and droplet. The locus with poor air ventilation was high risk place. Contact persons should be observed seven days and tested continuously.Infectivity and pathogenicity of the A/H1N1 virus were limited and appeared weakened by generations. Patient's condition was related with persistence and frequency of contact with the infection sources. Enhancing management of contact persons, health education, early diagnose, early treatment and early insulation were effective measures of controling and prenventing the spread A/H1N1.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the imaging features, clinical manifestations and pathological characteristics of solitary fibrous tumors (SFT).

METHODSThe clinicopathological manifestations and medical imaging findings were analyzed retrospectively in 27 patients with surgically confirmed SFT.

RESULTSThe SFTs originated from different parts of the body, including 18 in the chest, 4 in the abdomen, 1 in the lumboscral area, 3 in the pelvis, and 1 in the left shoulder. Twenty-three cases were found by CT scan, among which there were 16 benign diseases, presented with well-defined round or elliptic margins, with homogeneous attenuation and clearly surrounding; 6 malignant cases with unclear demarcations, invasive surrounding, heterogeneous attenuation due to calcification and/or irregular necrosis, and 1 junctional case with well-defined margins, which was enlarged during follow-up. There were 4 SFTs scanned by MRI with clear margin and homogeneous or heterogeneous signal intensity. All of the 4 cases were isointense or hyperintense to muscle on T1-weighted images, and were hyperintense on the T2-weighted images. All tumors showed heterogeneously intense enhancement with geographic pattern. Immunohistochemical staining showed that CD34-positive was 81.5%, vimentin (100.0%), CD99 (100.0%) and bcl-2 (96.3%), as well as negative CK (100.0%) and S-100 (96.3%).

CONCLUSIONThe location of SFT is varying. Though its clinical manifestations vary, the diagnosis is depended on pathology and immunohistochemistry. There are certain specific features related to SFTs on CT or MRI. These imaging techniques may serve to provide helpful information as to the location and vicinal anatomic structure of the tumor, which is of substantial importance for planning surgery.

12E7 Antigen ; Abdominal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Adult ; Aged ; Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Antigens, CD34 ; metabolism ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pelvic Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Solitary Fibrous Tumor, Pleural ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Solitary Fibrous Tumors ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; Vimentin ; metabolism ; Young Adult