Objective To establish a human adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC)cell line ACC-LWL, and investigate its cell phenotypes and expression of tumor associated antigens, to detect sensitivity of ACC-LWL against adoptive immune cells. Methods Fresh tumor tissues from the resection of a human ACC were primary cultured and passed generation to generation so as to achieve stable growth in vitro. For analyzing its biological characteristic, the cell cloning formation in soft agar, chromosome and tumorigenesis were tested. Flow cytometric analysis was carried out for phenotype analysis and RT-PCR examination for MN/CA9 and HLA-A2 genes expression. PBMC from 4 healthy donors (2 HLA-A2+ or 2 HLA-A3+) co-cultured with IL-2 (200 U/ml)and the tumor cell lysate of ACC-LWL (20 μg/ml) in vitro to generate CTL. After 14 day stimulation, CTLs were incubated with ACC-LWL with a E/T ratio of 10:1 for 4 hours at 37 ℃. Cytotoxicity was measured with MTr assay. Results One human ACC cell line had been established that showed the characteristics of malignant cells. The cells grew a solid tumor in nude mice. ACC-LWL had a high expression of MHC-Ⅰ, weakly expression of Her2/neu and MHC-Ⅱ, no expression of CD80 or CD86. RT-PCR showed that ACC-LWL expressed MN/CA9 and HLA-A2 genes. CTL, either HLA-A2+ or HLA-A3+, had the capability of killing ACC-LWL in vitro. Conclusion This newly established ACC would provide a useful target in vitro and in vivo for investigations related to human ACC.

The roles of voltage-dependent K(+) channels during activation and damage in alveolar macrophages (AMs) exposed to different silica particles were examined. Rat AMs were collected by means of bronchoalveolar lavage, and were adjusted to 5x10(5)/mL. After AMs were exposed to different concentrations (0, 25, 50, 100, 200 mug/mL) of quartz particles and 100 mug/mL amorphous silica particles for 24 h, the voltage-depended K(+) current in AMs was measured by using patch clamp technique. Meanwhile the leakage of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and the viability of AMs were detected respectively. Patch clamp studies demonstrated that AMs possessed outward delayed and inward rectifying K(+) current. Exposure to quartz particles increased the outward delayed K(+) current but it had no effect on inward rectifier K(+) current in AMs. Neither of the two K(+) channels in AMs was affected by amorphous silica particles. Cytotoxicity test showed that both silica particles could damage AM membrane and result in significant leakage of LDH (P<0.05). MTT studies, however, showed that only quartz particles reduced viability of AMs (P<0.05). It is concluded that quartz particles can activate the outward delayed K(+) channel in AMs, which may act as an activating signal in AMs to initiate an inflammatory response during damage and necrosis in AMs induced by exposure to quartz particle. K(+) channels do not contribute to the membrane damage of AMs.

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effectiveness and economy of Xinmailong injection combined with basic treatment plan in the treatment of heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (HFREF).METHODS:In prospective randomized central group and open programmatic clinical trials,HFREF patients enrolled in 27 general hospitals during Feb.2014-Nov.2016 were divided into control group (n=253) and trial group (n=872) according to 1∶3.Control group received basic treatment,while trial group was additionally given Xinmailong injection intravenously for a treatment course (5 d) at least.Cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted from the perspective of the whole society by using the total response rate of cardiac functional grading,left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) improved data,Minnesota heart failure quality scale (MLHFQ) improved data and re-hospitalization rate.RESULTS:Total response rates of cardiac functional grading in control group and trial group were 61.54％ and 81.06％ in 3 months.The improved data of LVEF were about 3.05％ and 7.35％;MLHFQ improved data were 24.39 and 26.63,and re-hospitalization rates were 19.43％ and 10.02％.There were statistical significance in 2 groups (P＜0.05),which indicated that clinical efficacy of trial group was better than that of control group.Pharmacoeconomics results showed that cost-effectiveness ratio of positive indicators as the improved data of LVEF and chronic cardiac insufficiency QOL scale (MLHFQ) in trial group were lower than control group (189.35 vs.243.46,576.38 vs.614.29).The cost-effectiveness ratio of re-hospitalization rate and fatality rate in trial group were higher than control group (2 019.61 vs.925.42).CONCLUSIONS:Xinmailong injection combined with basic treatment plan is better than basic treatment plan in the treatment of HFREF,and shows a better economy in cost-effectiveness analysis.

Objective To investigate the initial CT characteristics and dynamic changing features of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA).Methods CT findings of 40 patients with IPA confirmed by histopathology or clinics were analyzed retrospectively,including the initial and follow-up CT features.Results Multiple lesions in the bilateral lung were found in the initial CT of all 40 patients.The coexistence of no less than two different CT features were showed in 27 patients(67.5 ％),and the same CT morphologic feature were showed in 13 patients (32.5 ％).The common features of the initial CT:nodules/masses (34,85.0 ％),halo sign (24,60.0％),patchy opacities (13,32.5 ％),cavities (9,22.5 ％) and wedge opacities adjacent to pleura (3,7.5 ％).The follow-up CT showed that cavities or air meniscus sign emerged in the nodules/masses after an effective treatment in 29 patients (72.5％) of all 40 cases.The lesion volume decreased subsequent to the collapse of the cavities or air meniscus,and then vanished.Conclusion Thoracic CT scanning play an important role in the diagnosis of IPA.Coexistence of the multiple lesions in number and morphology is the most common CT feature.The findings of follow-up CT is characteristic,and can be helpful in guiding the clinical treatment and evaluating therapeutic effect.

Objective To explore the common CT signs of acquired immune deficiency syndrome(AIDS)-associated pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia(PJP).Methods The chest CT data of 123 patients with AIDS-associated PJP were analyzed retrospectively.Results Multifocal lesions in both lungs were found in all cases.Distribution characteristics were as follows:diffuse and symmetrical distribution in both lungs in 100 cases(81.3％),diffuse and asymmetrical distribution in both lungs in 15 cases(12.2％),and scattered distribution in both lungs in 8 cases(6.5％).The density and morphological features were as follows:ground glass opacity in 120 cases(97.6％);"lunate arch sign"in 25 cases(20.3％);pulmonary interstitial proliferation in 103 cases(83.7％);crazy paving pattern in 14 cases(11.4％);patchy or consolidation shadow in 55 cases(44.7％);pulmonary cysts in 26 cases(21.1％);and nodular in 26 cases(21.1％).Other rare signs included pleural effusion in 11 cases,pericardial effusion in 6 cases,mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy in 9 cases,and mediastinal emphysema in 1 case.Conclusion The chest CT manifestations of AIDS-associated PJP have certain characteristics,including diffuse and symmetrical distribution of lesions in both lungs,as well as ground glass opacity and interstitial hyperplasia as common signs,especially,"lunate arch sign"and pulmonary cysts are more specific signs.

Objective To investigate the value of CT imaging texture analysis in predicting simplified pathological types of thymic epithelial tumors(TETs).Methods The CT data from 114 patients with TETs confirmed by surgical or pathology were analyzed retrospectivel,and the types of TETs were divided into three groups,including low-risk thymoma(LRT)group,high-risk thymoma(HRT)group,and thymic carcinoma(TC)group.First,the texture parameters of CT images were extracted,and then the weighted Rad-score values were obtained,and the predictive performance of the texture features was evaluated by using the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Results There were 114 TETs patients,including 45 patients with LRT,44 patients with HRT,and 25 patients with TC.Based on CT imaging texture analysis,the area under the curve(AUC)in differentiating LRT and HRT or TC via CT plain scan,arterial phase,and venous phase were 0.776,0.885,and 0.761,respectively.In differentiating HRT from TC,the AUC of CT plain scan,arterial phase,and venous phase were 0.828,0.808,and 0.804,respectively.In differentiating thymoma from TC,the AUC of CT plain scan,arterial phase,and venous phase were 0.808,0.769,and 0.774,respectively.Conclusion CT imaging texture analysis can serve as an effective auxiliary tool for predicting the simplified pathological types of TETs,helping to develop personal-ized treatment plans for TETs patients.CT enhanced scanning of arterial phase texture parameters has the highest differential diag-nostic efficiency.

nflammatory response during damage and necrosis in AMs induced by exposure to quartz particle. K+ channels do not contribute to the membrane damage of AMs.

Objective To investigate the clinical features, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) syndrome caused by bronchopulmonary carcinoid. Methods Twenty patients (13 males and 7 females) with ectopic ACTH syndrome caused by bronchopulmonary carcinoid confirmed by surgical pathology were selected from March 2007 to May 2016 in our hospital. We collected and arranged the important clinical data of 20 patients and analyzed carefully. Results The mean age of 20 patients including 14 patients of typical carcinoid and 6 patients of atypical carcinoid was 38.85±15.31 years ranged 13-70 years. All patients had the typical clinical manifestation of Cushing's syndrome. All the thoracic lesions were located by thoracic computed tomography (CT) eventually. The concentration of serum cortisol and ACTH significantly decreased after surgery. Postoperative complications in 3 patients (15.00%) were severe pulmonary infection. Eighteen patients including 13 patients of typical carcinoid and 5 patients of atypical carcinoid were followed up. The median time of follow-up was 31.5 (12-122) months. There were 7 patients of stage Ⅰa, 1 patient of stage Ⅰb, 2 patients of stage Ⅱa and 8 patients of stage Ⅲa in the patients followed up. One patient underwent postoperative radiotherapy, and 4 patients with postoperative chemotherapy. During the follow-up period, one patient relapsed and there was no death. Conclusion Ectopic ACTH syndrome caused by bronchopulmonary carcinoid is a very rare disease. It is every difficult for clinicians to make early diagnosis and draw up plans of treatment without multidisciplinary collaboration. Chest CT is an important method of finding lesions and assessing the viability of surgery. Surgical treatment in early stage will be effective for this disease. And almost all of patients can achieve long-term survival after complete resection of tumors early.