Child ; Choristoma ; Humans ; Male ; Neck ; pathology ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; Thymus Gland ; pathology ; Thymus Neoplasms

Objective To investigate the relationship between bacteria biofilm and bacterial culture in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Methods Ninety patients with CRS were enrolled in the study. Five patients with deviation of nasal septum and 10 healthy subjects served as controls. Mucosa of uncinate process or near the ostium of the maxillary sinus was obtained during endoscopic sinus surgery. All specimens were processed for bacterial culture and scanned by electron microscopy. Pearson test was performed to analyze the relationship between the presence of bacterial biofilm and the results of bacteria culture. Results The scanning electron microscopy showed bacterial biofilms in 64 (71.1%) out of 90patients with CRS, while the positive rate of bacteria culture in the study group was 66.7% (60/90). No bacterial biofilm and bacterium was detected in the control group and 26 culture-negative individuals in study group. Pearson correlation analysis showed a statistically association between bacterial biofilm and bacterial culture in CRS ( r = 0. 901, P = 0. 000). Conclusion Positive results of bacteria culture are highly correlated with the presence of bacterial biofilm in CRS patients.

Objective To investigate the effect of testosterone on mitotic orientation in rat prostate epithelial cells and the relative differential gene expression.Methods Twenty SPF male SD rats were divided into 2 groups at random and then subjected to castration.One group of rats was administrated with testosterone 3.7 mg daily for 30 days and the control group was only injected with olive oil.Microscopic analysis was performed using immunohistochemistry.Differential gene expression analysis was conducted by gene microarray and RT-PCR techniques.Results In the testosterone-adminis-trated group, there was a significant mitosis orientation parallel to the basement membrane.But in the control group, mito-sis orientation was oriented perpendicular to the basement membrane.Using the gene microarray and RT-PCR techniques, the cell proliferation genes such as Ran, Tgm4 and Wnt2 in Wnt signal pathway were up-regulated in the testosterone group.Conversely, suppressor cell proliferation genes such as Dkk3 and Fas were down-regulated.Conclusions Mitotic orientation of prostate epithelia cells is changed after testosterone administration.Wnt signal pathway and AR singling path-way also have an influence on the mitosis orientation and cell proliferation.

AIM:To investigate the expressions of methylthioadenosine phosphorylase(MTAP)and ornithine decarboxylase(ODC)in human ovarian cancer.METHODS:60 fresh samples of ovarian cancer were collected.The expressions of MTAP mRNA and protein were analyzed by using RT-PCR and Western blotting,respectively.ODC activity was measured by high performance liquid chromatography.RESULTS:The expression levels of MTAP mRNA and protein in ovarian cancer were lower than those of control.In 9 of the 60 samples(15%)there were absence of detectable MTAP mRNA and protein.No significant relevance was found between the expression of MTAP and clinical pathologic features.ODC activity in ovarian cancer was(3.82?1.03)U,which was higher than that of normal ovarian tissues(1.38?0.59)U.ODC activity was related with tumor grade.In MTAP-deficiency ovarian cancer tissues ODC activity was significantly increased when compared with that of MTAP-expressing ovarian cancer samples.CONCLUSION:Down-regulated MTAP expression and up-regulated ODC activity really exist in ovarian cancer.Activation of ODC resulting from MTAP deletion may be one of the pathogenetic factors of ovarian cancer.

[Objective] : To explore the clinical characteristics and methods for syndrome differentiation prediction, as well as to construct a predictive model for Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). [Methods] : This study employed a retrospective case-control design to analyze patients with AIS who received inpatient treatment at the Neurology Department of The First Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2022. AIS patients meeting the diagnostic criteria for Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome were stratified into case group, while those without Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome were stratified into control group. The demographic characteristics (age and gender), clinical parameters [time from onset to admission, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, and blood pressure], past medical history, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) diagnostic characteristics (tongue and pulse), neurological symptoms and signs, imaging findings [magnetic resonance imaging-diffusion weighted imaging (MRI-DWI)], and biochemical indicators of the two groups were collected and compared. The indicators with statistical difference (P < 0.05) in univariate analysis were included in multivariate logistic regression analysis to evaluate their predictive value for the diagnosis of Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome, and the predictive model was constructed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. [Results] : The study included 1 035 AIS patients, with 404 cases in case group and 631 cases in control group. Compared with control group, patients in case group were significantly older, had extended onset-to-admission time, lower diastolic blood pressure, and lower NIHSS scores (P < 0.05). Case group showed lower incidence of hypertension history (P < 0.05). Regarding tongue and pulse characteristics, pale and dark tongue colors, white tongue coating, fine pulse, astringent pulse, and sinking pulse were more common in case group. Imaging examinations demonstrated higher proportions of centrum semiovale infarction, cerebral atrophy, and vertebral artery stenosis in case group (P < 0.05). Among biochemical indicators, case group showed higher proportions of elevated fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), while lower proportions of elevated white blood cell count, reduced hemoglobin, and reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified significant predictors for Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome including: fine pulse [odds ratio (OR) = 4.38], astringent pulse (OR = 3.67), superficial sensory abnormalities (OR = 1.86), centrum semiovale infarction (OR = 1.57), cerebral atrophy (OR = 1.55), vertebral artery stenosis (OR = 1.62), and elevated HbA1c (OR = 3.52). The ROC curve analysis of the comprehensive prediction model yielded an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.878 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.855 – 0.900]. [Conclusion] This study finds out that Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome represents one of the primary types of AIS. Fine pulse, astringent pulse, superficial sensory abnormalities, centrum semiovale infarction, cerebral atrophy, vertebral artery stenosis, elevated blood glucose, elevated HbA1c, pale and dark tongue colors, and white tongue coating are key objective diagnostic indicators for the syndrome differentiation of AIS with Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome. Based on these indicators, a syndrome differentiation prediction model has been developed, offering a more objective basis for clinical diagnosis, and help to rapidly identify this syndrome in clinical practice and reduce misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis.

Breast cancer is the leading cause of malignancy-related mortality in women worldwide. The more accurate prediction of lymph node metastasis and evaluation of personalized prognosis of breast cancer patients could provide evidence and reference for individualized comprehensive treatment and clinical decision-making. Nomogram is statistical calculation model developed to generate individualized prediction of a certain clinical event through the factors associated with it. Currently breast cancer related nomogram models is most commonly used in the prediction of non-sentinel lymph node status in patients with sentinel lymph node-positive breast cancer, sentinel lymph node metastasis in clinical node-negative breast cancer and prognosis evaluation of breast cancer. This article reviewed the recent advances in breast cancer related nomograms according to the above mentioned three aspects, and evaluated respectively the predictive factors, accuracy, characteristics and clinical application potential.

AIM: To investigate the relationships between antiproliferative mechanisms of probucol and protein expressions of signaling molecules ERK1/2, MKP-1, HO-1 and Trx-1 in rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMCs) stimulated with ox-LDL. METHODS: The effects of probucol on cell cycle, cell proliferation and the expressions of ERK1/2, MKP-1, HO-1 and Trx-1 in the presence of ox-LDL were observed by means of MTT test, FCM and Western blotting. RESULTS: (1) Probucol significantly inhibited the proliferation of RASMCs stimulated with ox-LDL. A value in 100 μmol/L probucol+35 mg/L ox-LDL group was reduced by 34.9% as compared to ox-LDL group (P<0.01). (2) Probucol protected against ox-LDL-induced RASMCs proliferation through inducing cell growth arrest at G_0/G_1 phase and cell apoptosis. (3) ox-LDL increased the expression of p-ERK1/2 by 34.7% (P<0.01) and decreased MKP-1 by 60.0% (P<0.01), respectively, as compared to control. Probucol attenuated the increase in ox-LDL-stimulated p-ERK1/2 level by 15.7%, but increased MKP-1 expression by 2 times (P<0.01). (4)ox-LDL at concentration of 35 mg/L decreased the intracellular Trx-1 expression by 28.9% (P<0.05), and slightly increased the level of HO-1 expression as compared to control (P<0.05). Probucol enhanced the expression of Trx-1 by 91.6% (P<0.01) and HO-1 by 31.9% (P<0.01), respectively as compared to ox-LDL group. CONCLUSION: Probucol inhibits ox-LDL-stimulated the proliferation of RASMCs through increases in MKP-1/HO-1 expression, suppression of cell cycle progression and induction of cell apoptosis.

Objective To investigate the effect of Pingfei Oral Liquid (POL) on the distribution of mast cells (MCs) and the expression of interleukin 6 (IL-6) in the lung tissue of radiation pneumonia rats. MethodsForty-five SD rats were randomized into 3 groups : normal control,model group and POL group. The rat model of radiation lung fibro-sis was set up by a single X-ray dose of 20Gy irradiation over the whole chest of the rats. POL (20 g·kg-1·d-1,once a day, five times a week) was given orally one week before irradiation and the treatment lasted 5 weeks. MCs in the lung tissue were stained with toluidine blue firstly and then were counted 2, 4 and 8 weeks after irradiation. IL-6 protein expression of lung tissue was measured by immunohistochemical assay 8 weeks after irradiation, and mRNA ex-pression was determined with RT-PCR 4 weeks after irradiation. ResultsIt's showed the aggregation of large amount of pulmonary mast cells and increase of IL-6 protein expression 8 weeks after irradiation (P < 0.01).IL-6 mRNA expression in the irradiated lung of rats increased 4 weeks after irradiation (P < 0. 01). POL could reduce the aggrega- tion of MCs (P < 0. 01) and the expression of IL-6 protein (P < 0. 01) and mRNA (P < 0. 05) in the lung tissue. ConclusionPOL can prevent radiation pneumonia in rats by reducing the aggregation of mast cells and inhibiting IL-6 expression in the lung tissue.

Objective To evaluate the effect and safety of combined treatment by laparoscopic cholecystectomy and subsequent ablation in patients with HCC adjacent to the gallbladder. Methods From June 2005 to June 2009,13 patients with HCC nodules( less than 3 cm) adjacent to the gallbladder were treated by ablation after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The rate of complete necrosis as well as postoperative complications were also analyzed. Results All the patients showed complete necrosis of their tumor lesions after treatment by ablation subsequence of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. During the follow-up period( nearly 2 years), recurrent nodules appeared in other subsegments but not at the original site treated by ablation. Of note, no fatal complications were observed in all the ablation treated patients. Conclusion Combined treatment by laparoscopic cholecystectomy and subsequent PMCT was an effective and safe method for patients with small HCC which was adjacent to gallhladder.

The amino group PEGylation of rhIFNomega with monomethoxy polyethylene glycol succinimidyl succinate (mPEG-SS, 20 000) was investigated, and the modified mixture was separated and purified by ion exchange chromatography and gel filtration chromatography. Under the optimized purification conditions, the average content ofmono PEG-rhIFNomega in the collect liquid reached 182 microg x mL(-1). The average purified yield of mono PEG-rhIFNomega exceed to 22%, and the purity of mono PEG-rhIFNomega was greater than 98% by SDS-PAGE and RP-HPLC. Relative molecular mass of mono PEG-rhIFNomega was 43 790 detected by MALDI-TOF MS. The apparent molecular mass measured by SDS-PAGE was about 60 810. The purified PEG-rhIFNomega has the characteristics of typical PEGylated protein. Activity reservation rate of mono PEG-rhIFNomega was 15.0%, while the antigenicity decreased by at least 64 folds. In addition, the acid stability, thermal stability and stability in serum and trypsin solution of mono PEG-rhIFNomega were markedly better than those of the rhIFNomega. The pharmacological properties of mono PEG-rhIFNomega were significantly improved. The prepared PEG-rhIFNomega might be developed to a novel safe and long-acting interferon.