OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of different concentrations of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), interleukin-6 (IL-6), dexamethasone (Dex), and insulin on the mRNA and protein expressions of GPR54 in the MCF7 cell line in vitro.

METHODSMCF7 breasr cancer cells were cultured and treated with different concentrations of LPS (10 and 20 µg/ml), TNFα (20 and 100 ng/ml), IL-6 (10 and 20 ng/ml), Dex (10(-6) and 10(-7) mol/L), and insulin (0.01 and 0.1 IU/L). Those treated with culture fluid only served as controls. The mRNA and protein expressions of GPR54 were measured by real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively, after 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours of treatment.

RESULTSCompared with the blank con- trol, LPS (10 and 20 µg/ml), TNFα (20 and 100 ng/ml), IL-6 (10 and 20 ng/ml), Dex (10(-6) and 10(-7) mol/L), and insulin (0.01 and 0.1 IU/L) significantly increased the expressions of GPR54 mRNA (P < 0.05) and protein (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONLPS, TNFα, IL-6, Dex, and insulin evidently increase the expression of GPR54 in the MCF7 cell line, indicating their influence on the function of gonads by regulating the GPR54 level.

Blotting, Western ; Dexamethasone ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Glucocorticoids ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Gonads ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Insulin ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Interleukin-6 ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Lipopolysaccharides ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; MCF-7 Cells ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled ; drug effects ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptors, Kisspeptin-1 ; Time Factors ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology

Objective To evaluate the roles of magnetic resonance imaging and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy(1H-MRS) in the diagnosis of meningiomas. Methods 98 patients with meningiomas underwent conventional pre-contrast MR and contrast MR. Among them, 28 cases had two dimensional single voxel or multi voxel 1 H-MRS simultaneously both in the lesion's region and the contralateral side. Results On precontrast MR images of 98 cases, T1 WI showed 58.1% (61/105) isointensities, 31.4% (33/105) faintly low intensities and 10. 5% (11/105) mixed intensities; T2WI showed 40. 0% (42/105) isointensities, 41.0%(43/105) hyperintensities, 10.5% (11/105) faintly low intensities and 8.5% (9/105) mixed intensities. After administration of Gd-DTPA, the solid part of the tumors exhibited various enhancement in all the 98 cases.28 cases of MRS exhibited specific different spectral peaks, including increased of choline-containing compounds(Cho), absent or decreased of acetylaspartate(NAA), and the unchanged of creatine(Cr). The value of NAA, Cr, Cho, NAA/Cr, Cho/Cr, NAA/Cho in the tumor center of meningioma were 0. 09 ± 0.06,0.31 ± 0. 22, 0.46 ± 0. 16, 0.33 ± 0. 42, 1.50 ± 0. 68, 0. 15 ± 0.08, compared with the contralateral normal region, Cr has no significant difference (P ＞ 0. 05), NAA, Cho, NAA/Cr, Cho/Cr, NAA/Cho had significantly differences(P ＜ 0.05). Conclusion Conventional pre-contrast MR and contrast MR is the most important dignostic means for meningiomas, 1H-MRS combined with MRI can improve the diagnostic accuracy of meningiomas.

Objective Detrusor overactivity (DO) is one known cause of overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).In this study,OAB symptoms suggestive of DO in BPH were treated with α1-blocker monotherapy or α1-blocker and antimuscarinics add-on therapy,and the efficacy and safety were assessed.Methods BPH patients who suffered from OAB symptoms for at least 3 month were enrolled in a prospective self-control study from August 2010 to April 2012.The inclusion criteria are total international prostate symptom score (IPSS) ≥8,OAB Symptom Score (OABSS) ≥3,OABSS urgency score ≥2,Postvoid residual volume (PVR) ＜ 100 ml,and maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) ≥ 5 ml/s.All the patients who met the inclusion criteria were treated with α1-blocker ( tamsulosin 0.2 mg/day or doxazosin 4 mg/day) for 2 weeks.After 2 weeks,patients with no symptomatic improvement ( OABSS≥3) underwent pressure-flow test,and those whose Pdet≥ 40 cm H2O and DO presented more than one time were added antimuscarinics (solifenacin 5 mg/day or tolterodine 4 mg/day) for an additional 2 weeks.OABSS,IPSS,QOL,Qmax and PVR were re-evaluated every 2 weeks.Results Ninety-four cases of BPH/OAB patients met the inclusion criteria and completed 4 weeks treatment.The baseline of total OABSS was 7.0 ± 1.3,IPSS was 17.0 ± 1.7,QOL was 5.0 ±0.7,Qmax was (8.8 ±2.5) ml/s and PVR was (86.0 ± 16.5) ml.After 2 weeks treatment with α1-blocker alone,OABSS was 5.2 ± 0.8,IPSS was 14.2 ± 1.9,QOLwas4.O±0.8,Qmaxwas (11.4±2.4) ml/s and PVR was (67.9±12.9) ml.After another2 weeks treatment with α1-blocker plus antimuscarinics,OABSS was 3.1 ± 0.8,IPSS was 11.1 ± 1.9,QOL was 3.1 ± 0.7,Qmax was ( 10.8 ± 2.4) ml/s and PVR was (71.8 ± 11.9 ) ml.Compared with baseline values,OABSS,IPSS,QOL,Qmax and PVR significantly improved (P ＜ 0.01 ) in α1-blocker monotherapy group and α1-blocker plus antimuscarinic group.The improvement of OABSS,IPSS,QOL scores of α1-blocker plus antimuscarinic group were greater than α1-blocker monotherapy group (p ＜ 0.05 ),while Qmax and PVR showed no differences between the two groups.No acute urinary retention (AUR) was deteted.Conclusion Both of α1-blocker monotherapy and α1-blocker with antimuscarinics add-on therapy can improve OAB symptoms.

OBJECTIVETo explore the inhibition and molecular mechanism of icaritin (ICT) combined doxorubicin (DOX) on human osteosarcoma MG-63 cells in vitro.

METHODSThe control group, ICT groups (10, 20, 40, 80, and 160 µmol/L), DOX groups (1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 µg/mL), and combination groups (20 µmol/ L ICT +1 µg/mL DOX, 20 µmol/L ICT +2 µg/mL DOX, 20 µmol/L ICT +4 µg/mL DOX, 40 µmol/L ICT +1 µg/mL DOX, 40 µmol/L ICT +2 µg/mL DOX, 40 µmol/L ICT +4 µg/mL DOX, 80 µmol/L ICT +1 µg/mL DOX, 80 µmol/L ICT +2 µg/mL DOX, 80 µmol/L ICT +4 µg/mL DOX) were set up. Human osteosarcoma MG-63 cells were respectively cultured and their effects on morphological changes were observed using inverted phase contrast microscope after 24-and 48-h intervention. The cell proliferation inhibition rate of each group was de- termined using CCK-8, and IC50 calculated. The MG-63 apoptosis rate was detected using Annexin V-FITC/ PI double dye flow cytometry. Expression levels of bcl-2, caspase-3, and p21 were detected using RT-PCR.

RESULTSICT and DOX could obviously inhibit the proliferation of MG-63 cell. Along with ICT concentration increasing from 10 µmol/L to 160 µmol/L, the cell proliferation inhibition rate also increased gradually from 9.67% ± 3.62% to 89.18% ± 9.66%. The IC50 was 46.93 µmol/L and 3.87 µg/mL respectively. ICT and DOX could cause either early or late stage apoptosis, down-regulate Bcl-2 gene expression, and up-regulate gene expressions of Caspase-3 and p21 respectively (P < 0.05). Aforesaid changes were more obviously seen in combination groups than in lCT groups and DOX groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONCT combined DOX had additive or synergistic inhibition effect for the proliferation of osteosarcoma MG-63 cells, which might be related with regulating gene expressions of bcl-2, caspase-3, and p21.

Apoptosis ; Bone Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21 ; metabolism ; Down-Regulation ; Doxorubicin ; pharmacology ; Drug Synergism ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Osteosarcoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism

Objective To explore whether the expression level of heparanase (HPA) and its coagulation proteins on leukemic blast membrane could determine the hemostatic balance on the surface of leukemia cells.Methods Forty patients of leukemia were studied,and 20 patients with iron dificient anemia as the control group.Expression of tissue factor (TF),heparanase (HPA),tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI),and urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (UPAR) on leukemic blast surfaces were analyzed by flowcytometry.Results The expression of TF,UPAR,and HPA in AML,ALL,CML,CLL and CRAL groups were significantly higher compared with the control group (t =.3.289,3.507,2.701,P ＜0.05; t =2.498,0.802,3.090,P ＜0.05; t =2.642,3.308,2.696,P ＜0.05; t =3.417,3.434,2.382,P ＜0.05; t =2.193,2.272,2.263,P ＜0.05).There were no significantly differences between the leukemic cell expression of TFPI and the control group (P ＞0.05).Expression of TF,UPAR,HPA in AML patients were significantly higher than ALL,CML and CLL groups (t =2.463,2.179,2.276,P ＜0.05; t =2.637,2.402,2.095,P ＜0.05; t =2.548,2.425,2.412,P ＜0.05).The levels of TF,UPAR and HPA in M3,M4 and M5 patients were higher than that of M1,M2 groups (P ＜0.05).There were no significantly differences among M3,M4 and M5 (P ＞0.05).Conclusions These results suggest that TF,UPAR and HPA are predominately expressed on leukemic blast surface,particularly in M3and M4,5 subtypes.The expression of coagulation proteins on blast membrane might determine the hemostatic balance on the surface of leukemia cells.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the short-term results and safety of propranolol for the treatment of infantile parotid hemangioma.

METHODSOral propranolol was administered to 17 infants with parotid hemangioma at a dose of 1.0-1.5 mg per kilogram of body weight per day. The patients were revisited once a week. The changes of the tumor size, texture and colour were monitored and recorded at a regular interval. The adverse effects after medication were observed and managed accordingly. The short-term results were evaluated using a 4 scales system.

RESULTSAmong the 17 patients treated, the follow-up time was 5 to 10 months. The overall response was scale I in 0 patient, scale II in 0 patients, scale III in 5 patients, and scale IV in 12 patients. No serious adverse effects were encountered.

CONCLUSIONSOral propranolol at a lower dose is a safe and effective method for the treatment of infantile parotid hemangioma. The short-term results were excellent and the side effects minimal.

Administration, Oral ; Adrenergic beta-Antagonists ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemangioma ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Parotid Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Propranolol ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Myasthenia gravis (MG) is usually comorbid with thymoma. More accurate estimates of the incidence thymoma in MG will help inform patients and their physicians, facilitate health policy discussions, provide etiologic clues, and optimize the management of MG. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review search of relevant English-language studies published between 1960 and 2012 using MEDLINE and Embase. We identified additional studies by reviewing the bibliographies of the retrieved articles and hand searched the main neurology journals. Only incidence studies and case series of unselected MG patients in which information about thymoma were included. RESULTS: Out of 2206 potentially relevant studies, 49 met the inclusion criteria. Although there was a considerable degree of heterogeneity, the pooled estimate of the incidence of thymoma in MG was 21% (95% confidence interval, 20-22%). The pooled incidence was significantly higher for surgery-based studies than for population- and hospital-based studies. A large proportion of the reported thymomas were noninvasive. Furthermore, thymoma appears to occur significantly more frequently among male MG patients and those older than 40 years at the onset of MG. CONCLUSIONS: Thymoma is common in MG patients, but appears to be found more often in male MG patients and those older than 40 years at the onset of MG. Further research is needed to expand our understanding of these association conditions.
Cohort Studies ; Hand ; Health Policy ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Myasthenia Gravis ; Neurology ; Population Characteristics ; Thymoma

Adult ; Breast Neoplasms ; physiopathology ; psychology ; Electric Impedance ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; blood ; Middle Aged ; Perioperative Care ; Psychotherapy

OBJECTIVETo summarize the clinical features of vascular malformations complicated with airway obstruction and to evaluate the therapeutic methods of these disease.

METHODSForty-seven children with airway obstruction and dyspnea (25 males, 22 females) were treated from Jun 1985 to Dec 2007, and their clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. Among 47 patients, there were 27 cases of venous malformations, 17 cases of macrocystic lymphatic malformations, and 3 cases of microcystic lymphatic malformations. Injection with absolute alcohol were performed in 20 patients with venous malformations, whereas both surgery and injection were performed in 7 patients with extensive or multiple lesions. Seventeen patients with macrocystic lymphatic malformations were treated with pingyangmycin injection. While surgery combined with pingyangmycin injection were used in other 3 patients with microcystic lymphatic malformations. According to the degree of airway obstruction and therapeutic conditions, tracheal intubation was performed in 27 patients, urgent preoperative tracheotomy was performed in 3 patients, prophylactic tracheotomy was performed in 2 patients, and postoperative tracheotomy was performed in 1 patient.

RESULTSTracheal intubation was remained for 24 to 48 hours in 30 patients, whose intubation was removed successfully in 29 patients except 1 patient who occurred dyspnea after removal of tracheal intubation resulting in tracheotomy. Tracheal cannula was successfully removed in all 6 patients 3 weeks to 4 months after the tracheotomy. There were 9 patients treated once, whereas injections were repeated 2 to 5 times in 38 patients. Necrosis of mucosa occurred in 2 cases after the injection with absolute alcohol, while temporary hemoglobinuria one occurred in 1. There were 5 cases of light or mediate fever after the pingyangmycin injection who recovered well after the symptomatic treatment. Follow-up lasted 1 to 23 years, 38 patients cured, 9 patients valid, and no patient invalid.

CONCLUSIONSIt is suggested that sclerotherapy should be the first choice in the treatment of vascular malformations complicated with airway obstruction, in which absolute alcohol should be used in venous malformations compared to pingyangmycin in lymphatic malformations. Combined therapy should be carried out in patients with extensive lesions in order to shorten the course of treatment and to get good therapeutic result.

Adolescent ; Airway Obstruction ; complications ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Treatment Outcome ; Vascular Malformations ; complications ; therapy

Objective To explore the efficacy and safety of Solitaire stents and the multi-mode vascular recanalization in the treatment of acute cerebral infarction. Methods Twenty-two patients with acute cerebral infarction, who were treated by Solitaire stents and the multi-mode vascular recanalization (research group) in our hospital from November 2014 to February 2017, were included in this study. Among them, 16 cases were combined with balloon dilation after arterial thrombosis, 4 cases were given stent implantation (3 cases were given Solitair stent and 1 case was given Apollo stent), and 2 cases were given arterial catheter directed thrombolysis. Eighteen patients with acute cerebral infarction who were treated only by Solitaire stent artery occlusion from October 2011 to October 2014 were used as control group. Data of the onset to the vagina vasorum time, the onset to the recanalization time, the revascularization of interventional therapy, the NIHSS scores at admission and discharge, mRS score after 90-day treatment, incidence rate and the mortality were compared between two groups. Results There were no significant differences in the durations from onset to the vagina vasorum and from the onset to the recanalization between the two groups. The recanalization was better in research group than that of control group (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in scores of NIHSS at hospital discharge and admission between two groups. The near-term treatment efficacy was similar in two groups. However, mRS score was significantly lower in the research group than that in control group after 90-day treatment (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, high perfusion encephalopathy, the incidence rate and the mortality rate of the complications related to the operation between two groups of patients. Conclusion Solitaire stents and the multi-mode vascular recanalization can significantly improve the revascularization, the further clinical prognosis and the quality of survival in patients with acute cerebral infarction, which are safe and efficacy without increasing incidence rate and mortality rate of complications.