Objective To investigate cholecystokinin (CCK),carbachol, and vasoactive intestinal peptide(VIP)stimulating peptide chain elongation in mouse pancreatic acini in vitro and its molecular mechanism. Methods ~3H-lecucine incorporation assay was used to measure the basal and secretagogues-stimulated pancreatic acini elongation rates. Western blot was applied to analyse the effect of phosphorylation of the elongation factor 2 (eEF2) and the eEF2 kinase. MEK inhibitor (PD98059), SAPK/p38 inhibitor (SB202190), and mTOR inhibitor (rapamycin) were used to respectively block MEK, SAPK/p38, and mTOR intracellular pathways or the phosphatase inhibitor (calyculin A) pretreatment before CCK treatment. Results All secretagogues except VIP increased the peptide chain elongation in mouse pancreatic acini in vitro. All secretagogues except VIP inhibited the phosphorylation level of eEF2 on Thr-56 and increased the phosphorylation level of eEF2K on Ser-366, which might correlate with their activation status. MEK inhibitor PD98059 partially reversed the dephosphorylation of eEF2 induced by CCK, as did treatment p38 MAPK inhibitor SB202190, mTOR inhibitor rapamycin, and the phosphatase inhibitor calyculin A.Conclusion CCK increases peptide chain elongation via inducement of dephosphorylation of eEF2 and eEF2 kinase phosphorylation in pancreatic acini in vitro. CCK-induced dephosphorylation of eEF2 in pancreatic acinar cells involves MEK, SAPK/p38, and mTOR, the three intracellular pathways.

Objective To present our initial experience of using transumbilical multi-stab laparoscopic pyeloplasty(TMLP) as a treatment for the infants younger than 3 months with severe hydronephrosis caused by ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO).Methods Seventy-two infants younger than 3 months with severe hydronephrosis caused by UPJO underwent TMLP from June 2010 to March 2013 in our center.The average age received operation was 34 days (7-87 days).The operative indications included:① prenatal diagnosis of Society of Fetal Urology Grade 4 hydronephrosis; ②ipsilateral differential renal function being less than 40％.Patients were followed up with physical examinations,ultrasound and radionuclide scans.Results The operations were successfully performed in all the 72 patients.Neither conversion nor additional trocars placement was required and there was no intraoperative complication.The average operative time was 75 min (range,53-118 min).The patients were followed up for 6-36 months (mean,12 months).The renal pelvic anteroposterior diameters were reduced and the renal functions were improved (P＜ 0.05).The anastomoses were proved to be patent and the renal parenchymal thickeness increased.In addition,the scars were barely noticeable.Conclusions TMLP for the infants younger than 3 months with severe hydronephrosis caused by UPJO is feasible,safe and less invasive.The cosmetic results are excellent.But the surgery must be operated by rich experienced surgeon.

Usage of reverse genetic techniques in the research area of the fundamental etiology of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), has resolved the issue about the function of viral gene of FMDV on genomic integer level. At present, a further recognition and apprehension for the molecular etiology of FMDV based on the development in reverse genetics was made. Combined with the research work in our labs, we reviewed international advances about the molecular pathogenic mechanism, the relationship be-tween virulence and variation in the genomes, influencing factors for the viral replication, and the develop-ment of new-type gene vaccine of FMD in this article, and propose the potential research aspects in reverse genetics of FMDV in the future.

Objective To evaluate the prognostic significance of carbonic anhydrase IX (CA IX) expression in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Methods CA IX expression in a cohort of 120 patients with ccRCC was evaluated by P-V immunohistochemistry with a rabbit CA IX polyclonal antibody. Twenty-five normal kidney tissues were used as a control. The relationship between CA IX expression and prognosis was analyzed by univariate and multiple-factor analysis (Cox regression model). The primary end point was cancer specific survival. Results One hundred and twelve (93.3%) patients were followed up with the median follow-up time of 45 months (range, 6 to 94 months). Seventy-five patients survived without evidence of tumor recurrence, 3 patients survived with tumor recurrence, and 34 patients died, 28 of the 34 died of cancer. CA IX expression was negative in all normal renal tissue. High CA IX expression was observed in 89 (74.2%) patients, among which 82 patients were followed up, and the disease free survival was 75.6% (62/82). Two (2.4%) patients survived with tumor recurrence, and 18 (22.0%) patients died, of which 13 (15.9%) died of cancer. Tumor recurrence and (or) metastasis occurred in 9 (11.0%) patients, with a median survival of 92 months in this high expression group. Low CA IX expression was observed in 31 (25.8%) patients, among which 30 patients were followed up, and the disease free survival was 43.3% (13/30). One (3.3%) patient survived with tumor recurrence, and 16 (53.3%) patients died, of which 15 (50.0%) died of cancer. Tumor recurrence and (or) metastasis occurred in 8 (26.7%) patients with a median survival of 53 months in this low expression group. Cancer specific survival between CA IX high expression group and low expression group was significantly different (P=0.000, χ2=15.950), and tumor relapse and (or) metastasis rates were significantly different (P=0.040, χ2=4.200). The 1, 3, 5 and 7 year cancer specific survival rates were 95.2%, 83.9%, 81.2% and 78.2% respectively in the high CA IX expression group, and 89.5%, 63.9%, 46.8% and 40.1% respectively in the low expression group. Multivariate analysis with Cox regression model showed that CA IX expression was a prognostic factor (RR=0.186). Conclusions High CA IX expression is negatively correlated with postoperative mortality, relapse and (or) metastasis in ccRCC. CA IX expression could be used as a prognostic biomarker in ccRCC.

Objective:To explore the efficacy and safety of ticagrelor versus clopidogrel in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) Chinese patients using glycoprotein Ⅱb/Ⅲa inhibitor (GPI).Methods:The data from CCC-ACS (Improving Care for Cardiovascular Disease in China-ACS) project were systematically reviewed in ACS patients with GPI. The patients were divided into ticagrelor and clopidogrel groups. A logistic analysis and propensity score matching (PSM) were performed to compare occurrences of major cardiovascular events (MACE) and bleeding events between the two groups during hospitalization.Results:A total of 63 641 ACS patients were collected from 150 hospitals. Logistic regression analyses showed that there was no statistically significant difference in the reduction of MACE between ticagrelor and clopidogrel when using GPI ( OR=0.881, 95% CI 0.599-1.296; P=0.521). However, major bleeding rate was higher in the ticagrelor group than that in the clopidogrel group ( OR=1.401, 95% CI 1.075-1.852; P=0.013). Similar results were observed after PSM. No statistic difference in MACE between the ticagrelor and clopidogrel group ( OR=0.919, 95% CI 0.613-1.376; P=0.681). Major bleeding rate was higher in the ticagrelor group ( OR=1.559, 95% CI 1.130-2.150; P=0.007). Conclusion:In ACS patients with GPI, ticagrelor did not reduce MACE, but increased the major bleeding risk compared with clopidogrel.

AIM:To investigate the efficiency of 2-methoxyestradiol (2-ME) as radiosensitizing agent for the treatment of lung cancer cells. METHODS:Cell line A549 and GLC-82 originated from human non-small cell lung cancer were cultured in vitro. Study group (2-ME in different concentrations) and control group without 2-ME were set up. Cell proliferation was measured by MTT assay that lung cancer cells were treated with 2-ME for 24 h,then the cells were exposed from 0 to 8Gy radiation,and the survival fraction was determined by clone forming test. Flow cytometry was used to measure the effects of 2-ME on cell cycle distribution. RESULTS:MTT assay showed minimum effective concentration value was 0.15625×10~(-6) mol/L in GLC-82 and 1.25×10~(-6) mol/L in A549 cells. Compared to control group,exposed GLC-82 cells or A549 cells to minimum effective concentration of 2-ME for 24 h before irradiation resulted in an enhancement of radiation. The protection enhancement factor was 1.98 and 2.06 in GLC-82 and A549 cells,respectively. Flow cytometry analysis of cell cycle progression demonstrated G_2/M phase arrest in both cells in a dose dependent manner. No obvious change of CDK2 activity in both GLC-82 cells and A549 cells was observed. CONCLUSION:2-ME enhances radiosensitivity by G_2/M phase arrest in the cell cycle.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of total flavonoids of astragalus on the expression of endoplasmic reticulum chaperone, calumenin and connecxin 43 (CX43) in suckling mouse myocardium with myocarditis caused by coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3).

METHODSThe primary culture of suckling mouse myocardium cells were randomly divided into control group, CVB3 infected group and total flavonoids of astragalus group. Firstly, to confirm the identity of the suckling mouse myocardium, α-SMA was monitored by immunohistochemistry method. Then the protein expression changes of endoplasmic reticulum chaperone-glucose regulatory protein 78 ( GRP78), calumenin and CX43 were detected by Western blot.

RESULTS(1) Compared with that of the control group, the GRP78 expression level in CVB3 infected group was improved, the expression levels of calumenin and CX43 were all reduced. (2) Compared with that of CVB3 infected group, GRP78 expression level was decreased, and the expression levels of calumenin and CX43 were increased in total flavonoids of astragalus group.

CONCLUSIONCVB3 infection may cause endoplasmic reticulum stress of rat myocardium cells by increasing the expression of GRP78 and decreasing the expression of calumenin and CX43. On the other hand, total flavonoids of astragalus can reduce the expression of GRP78 and increase the expression of calumenin and CX43.The results of this experiment may be closely related to the effects of anti-arrhythmia with viral myocarditis caused by CVB3.

Animals ; Astragalus Plant ; chemistry ; Blotting, Western ; Calcium-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Connexin 43 ; metabolism ; Coxsackievirus Infections ; drug therapy ; Endoplasmic Reticulum ; metabolism ; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress ; drug effects ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Heat-Shock Proteins ; metabolism ; Mice ; Myocarditis ; drug therapy ; virology ; Myocardium ; cytology ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; drug effects ; virology ; Rats

OBJECTIVE: To describe our experience in the clinical manifestation and treatment of malignant tumors of the external and middle ear. METHOD: The study reviewed 39 patients between 1994-2011 in our hospital, including 15 pinna tumors, 18 external canal tumors and 6 middle ear tumors. 23 males and 16 females were enrolled in this study. The mean age of patients at the time of surgery was 59. Radiotherapy or radiotherapy and chemotherapy were the only possible treatment in 6 cases. Thirty-three patients were treated surgically, and 9 patients also received radiotherapy after surgery. RESULT: All of the patients had been followed up over 3 years, except for 1 case of external canal and 1 case of middle ear tumor. The 3-year survival of pinna, external canal and middle ear tumors were 86.7%, 82.4% and 60.0% respectively. At the last follow up, the pinna tumors showed that the survival rate was 100% in T1, T2 and Tx stage, and 0% in T4 stage; the external canal tumors showed that the survival rate was 90% in T1 stage, and 66.7% in T2, T3 stage; the middle ear tumors showed that the survival rate was 100% in T1 and T2 stage, 0% in T3 stage. CONCLUSION The T staging system is for an important prognostic factor, and it is important for an early diagnosis and radical surgery to achieve a better therapeutical result.
Ear Auricle ; pathology ; Ear Canal ; pathology ; Ear Neoplasms ; pathology ; Ear, Middle ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Neoplasm Staging ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of measurement of myocardial perfusion defects with intravenous contrast-enhanced real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (CE-RT3DE).

METHODSRT3DE was performed in 21 open-chest mongrel dogs undergoing acute ligation of the left anterior descending artery (LAD, n = 14) or distal branch of the left circumflex artery (LCX, n = 7). A perfluorocarbon microbubble contrast agent was injected intravenously to assess the resulting myocardial perfusion defects with Philips Sonos-7500 ultrasound system. Evans blue dye was injected into the occluded coronary artery for subsequent anatomic identification of underperfused myocardium. In vitro anatomic measurement of myocardial mass after removal of the animal's heart was regarded as the control. Blinded off-line calculation of left ventricular mass and perfusion defect mass from RT3DE images were performed using an interactive aided-manual tracing technique.

RESULTSTotal left ventricular (LV) myocardial mass ranged from 38.9 to 78.5 (mean +/- SD: 60.0 +/- 10.1) g. The mass of perfusion defect ranged from 0 to 21.4 (mean +/- SD: 12.0 +/- 5.0) g or 0 to 27% of total LV mass (mean +/- SD: 19% +/- 6%). The RT3DE estimation of total LV mass (mean +/- SD: 59.8 +/- 9.9 g) strongly correlated with the anatomic measurement (r = 0.98; y = 2.01 + 0.96x). The CE-RT3DE calculation of the mass of underperfused myocardium (mean +/- SD: 12. 3 +/- 5.3 g) also strongly correlated with the anatomic measurement (r = 0. 96; y = - 0.10 + 1.04x) and when expressed as percentage of total LV mass (r = 0.95; y = -0.20 + 1.04x).

CONCLUSIONSRT3DE with myocardial contrast opacification could accurately estimate underperfused myocardial mass in dogs of acute coronary occlusion and would play an important role in quantitative assessment of myocardial perfusion defects in patients with coronary artery disease.

Animals ; Coronary Vessels ; diagnostic imaging ; Dogs ; Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional ; methods ; Evans Blue ; Feasibility Studies ; Heart Ventricles ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Myocardial Infarction ; diagnostic imaging ; Ventricular Function, Left ; physiology

As the new type cornea ulcer renovation material, the biological amnion is to be implanted into the human body for a long time, a subchronic toxicity study in rats is made to evaluate its possibility of subchronic toxicity. The study is based on the requirements of "Biological Evaluation of Medical Devices, Part 11: Tests for systemic toxicity and Part 6: Tests for local effects after implantation". After the implantation of examples to be tested, animals were observed daily for mortality and 92 days later the possible subchronic toxicity was evaluated. And a necropsy was conducted and the selected organs were excised, weighed, and processed histologically. Body weights, organ weights, organ/body weight ratios, hematology values and clinical chemistry values were analyzed statistically. Results show that daily clinical observation, body weights, necropsy findings, organ weights and organ/body weight ratios were within acceptable limits in test and control treatment groups. There were no obvious changes in histopathology, hematology values or clinical chemistry values in either male or female rats and no notable differences between the biological amnion and the control amnion. This study proves that, the cornea ulcer renovation material, the biological amnion does not induce subchronic toxicity.
Amnion ; transplantation ; Animals ; Biological Products ; toxicity ; Corneal Ulcer ; surgery ; Female ; Male ; Materials Testing ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Toxicity Tests, Subchronic