OBJECTIVETo investigate the capability of semi-quantitative and quantitative parameters of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) to predict the response to concurrent chemoradiotherapy( CCRT) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODSA total of 24 patients with stage III or IIIB NSCLC, who underwent 3.0T DCE-MRI before CCRT, were enrolled in this study. Semi-quantitative and quantitative parameters were calculated by Funtool and Omnikinetics software. The relationship between these obtained parameters and tumor response was evaluated by Spearmen' s correlation analysis. The patients were classified into two groups according to the tumor regression rate after treatment, as response group (group A) and non-response group ( group B). Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the parameters of responders and non-responders. The value of the parameters on predicting response was calculated by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC).

RESULTSThe tumor regression rate after treatment was negatively correlated with time to peak (TTP) and the extravascular-extracellular volume fraction (Ve), and was positively correlated with signal enhancement ratio (SERmax) and volume transfer constant (Ktrans) (P < 0.05 for all). Statistical significant differences were found between group A and group B both in semi-quantitative and quantitative parameters (P < 0.05). Group A had a lower TTP value [(34.66 ± 16.37) s vs. (44.09 ± 17.41) s] and Ve value [(0.19 ± 0.03) vs. (0.25 ± 0.05)] than group B, whereas group A had a higher SERmax [(166.50 ± 44.95)% vs. (113.57 ± 46.62)%] and Ktrans [(0.41 ± 0.17) min(-1) vs. (0.28 ± 0.12) min(-1)] than group B (P < 0.05 for all). The ROC analysis indicated that when setting the threshold of Ve on ≤ 0.21 for predicting response, the specificity, sensitivity and accuracy were 85.7%, 80.0% and 83.3%, respectively, with an area under curve of 0.875 (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONSBoth the semi-quantitative and quantitative DCE-MRI parameters are helpful for predicting the response after CCRT of NSCLC. Quantitative parameters seem to be more meaningful than semi-quantitative parameters.

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; pathology ; therapy ; Chemoradiotherapy ; methods ; Contrast Media ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; pathology ; therapy ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; ROC Curve ; Remission Induction ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Time Factors

Objective To explore the correlation between the expression of protease activated receptors-2 (PAR-2) and intestinal mucosal barrier injury of acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP) in rats.Methods The ANP rat model was created.The expression of PAR-2 in rat's intestinal mucosa of sham-operated group and ANP group at six,12 and 24 hours after model established was detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC),reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot.The difference between groups was analyzed by one way analysis of variance.Results The results of IHC indicated that PAR-2 expression in rat's intestinal mucosa of sham-operated group was weak.The number of PAR-2 expression positive cells and immunostaining intensity increased significantly after ANP model established.The IHC score was 4.88±0.33,5.87±0.32 and 11.17±0.27 at six,12 and 24 hours after model established respectively.Compared with those of shamoperated group (2.86 ± 0.31),the differences were statistically significant (F=747.08,P＜0.01).The expression of PAR-2 at mRNA and protein level in intestinal mucosa of sham-operated group was very low.As time extended after ANP model established,both expression increased gradually.The PAR-2 mRNA was 0.56±0.03,0.69±0.03,1.05±0.05,and the protein was 0.28±0.02,0.35±0.03,0.69±0.04 at six,12 and 24 hours after model established respectively.Compared with shamoperated group,the differences were statistically significant at each time point (F=785.69,1177.82,both P＜0.01).Conclusions PAR-2 is activated in the inflammatory progress of ANP,and may play an important role in the pathogenesis and development of intestinal mucosa barrier injury in ANP.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the value of induced hypotension in nasal endoscopic surgery with local anesthesia. METHOD: Sixty Patients were randomly divided into two groups. Group I : induced hypotension group; Group II: control group. MAP, HR, SaO2 amount of blood loss, clear visual field of operation and the operation time were observed and compared between two groups. RESULT: The difference of MAP, HR, SaO2 data between two groups showed no statistic difference with anatomical measurement (P >0.05). The difference of amount of blood loss, the operation time and clear visual field of operation between two groups was significant (P <0.05). CONCLUSION The induced hypotension with local anesthesia can produce time of operation and amount of blood loss decreased. It can safely applied to the in clinical practice.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Anesthesia, Local ; Endoscopy ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Hypotension, Controlled ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nose ; surgery ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo compare the effect of different antegrade pulmonary blood flow on the further development of pulmonary artery after Glenn procedure in cyanotic congenital heart defects (CHD) patients.

METHODSBetween October 2000 and December 2006, 132 CHD patients with decreased pulmonary artery blood flow underwent bidirectional Glenn shunt, among them 18 patients received intraoperative lung biopsy. Patients were divided into two groups according to their different sources of antegrade pulmonary blood flow: antegrade arterial blood flow group (n = 33) and antegrade venous blood flow group (n = 99). The percutaneous oxygen saturation (SpO2), hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, and hemotocrit (Hct) value were examined and recorded before and after operation. The diameters of left pulmonary artery (LPA) and right pulmonary artery (RPA) were measured with two-dimensional echocardiography and the results were used to calculate the pulmonary artery index (PAI). The method of half-quantitative morphometric technique and an image analyzer were used to measure the following indicators of pulmonary microvessels: the percentage of media thickness (MT%), the percentage of media section area (MS%), vascular numbers of per square centimeter (VPSC), and mean alveolar number (MAN).

RESULTSBefore the operation, obvious cyanosis was found in both groups, while SpO2, Hct, and Hb were not significantly different (P > 0.05). LPA, RPA, and PAI were not significantly different between two groups (P > 0.05). The MT% and MS% in antegrade venous blood flow group were significantly less than those in antegrade arterial blood flow group (P < 0.05), but VPSC and MAN were not significantly different (P > 0.05). After Glenn procedure, hypoxia and cyanosis were remarkably improved in both two groups. There was a significantly negative correlation between SpO2 and Hct (r = -0.49, P < 0.01) or Hb (r = -0.196, P < 0.01 ). The PAI increased by 22% in antegrade arterial blood flow group and 44% in antegrade venous blood flow group (P < 0.05). The diameters of LPA and RPA in antegrade venous blood flow group were significantly larger than those in antegrade arterial blood flow group (P < 0.05) and the growth of RPA in antegrade arterial blood flow group was not significant.

CONCLUSIONA better pulmonary artery growth occurs in the patients of pulmonary stenosis after Glenn shunt than in those of pulmonary atresia, and it contributes to an earlier completion of Fontan procedure.

Blood Flow Velocity ; Cardiac Surgical Procedures ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Pulmonary Artery ; growth & development ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Pulmonary Veins ; physiopathology ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between pulmonary pathological features and clinical physiology of congenital heart defects (CHD) with decreased pulmonary artery blood flow.

METHODSBetween July 2001 and May 2006, 18 patients with CHD with decreased pulmonary artery blood flow undergoing palliative or definitive repair and having lung biopsy intraoperatively were enrolled in this study. The patients' age was 0.4 - 8.0 years, and body weight was 6.0 - 20.0 kg. The method of semi-quantitative morphometric technique and an image analyzer were applied to measure the following indices of pulmonary microvessels: the percentage of media thickness (MT%), the percentage of media section area (MS%) and numbers of microvessels per square centimeter (VPSC). The diameters of left pulmonary artery (LPA) and right pulmonary artery (RPA) were measured with two-dimensional echocardiography. The percutaneous oxygen saturation (SpO(2)), hemoglobin concentration (HB) and hematocrit value (HCT) were examined and recorded preoperatively.

RESULTSThere was a significant negative correlation between SpO(2) and HCT or Hb (R(2) = 0.4914, P = 0.001 and R(2) = 0.5505, P < 0.001), the variation trend of these three variables was linked. There was a negative correlation between SpO(2) and the body weight (R(2) = 0.2208, P = 0.049), which is in accordance with clinical features of aggravated process of cyanosis and hypoxia. The morphological observation of lung biopsy specimens indicated that most of peripheral pulmonary arteries were distended, irregular and their walls were uneven, and "lake" type of pulmonary AV malformations were observed. There was a positive correlation between VPSC and the body weight or BSA (R(2) = 0.5472, P < 0.001 and R(2) = 0.5233, P = 0.001). There was a significant correlation between VPSC and LPA or RPA (R(2) = 0.4312, P = 0.003 and R(2) = 0.2463, P = 0.036). It was shown that the diameter of central pulmonary arteries could be a reflection of peripheral pulmonary artery growth. The diameter of LPA also correlated with the diameter of RPA (R(2) = 0.286, P = 0.022).

CONCLUSIONSFor patients with congenital heart defects with decreased pulmonary blood flow, the pulmonary pathological changes are the bases of their clinical physiologic features. It is suggested that they should be treated in their earlier stage of life.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Infant ; Lung ; blood supply ; Male ; Pulmonary Artery ; abnormalities ; pathology ; physiopathology

The fused tooth is the union of two dental enamel or dentin formed together. In the maxillary, the fusion usually occurred within the lateral incisor and canine and very rarely occurred in the upper third molar and supernumerary tooth. This paper reported a fused tooth occurred in the left maxillary impacted third molar with supernumerary tooth.
Fused Teeth ; Humans ; Incisor ; Male ; Maxilla ; Molar ; Molar, Third ; Tooth, Impacted ; Tooth, Supernumerary

We cloned the lipoxygenase gene (ana-LOX) from Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 and expressed it in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) pLysS. We determined the active site of the recombinant ana-LOX through site-directed gene mutagenesis and obtained the shortest length of the functional gene. Meanwhile, we studied the properties of recombinant ana-LOX after purification. The C-terminal of the Aos (allene oxide synthase)-LOX fusion gene in Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 genome was found belonging to LOXs family by bioinformatics analysis. Further results of site-directed gene mutagenesis confirmed that the active sites of ana-LOX were His197, His202, His369, Asn373and Ile455. The shortest length of functional gene was identified to be 1 254 bp based on the strategy of shortening the gene length gradually. The highest activity of recombinant ana-LOX of 6 750 U/mL could be achieved when constructed to pET-32a vector and expressed at low temperature 16 degrees C. We purified the enzyme by Ni-NTA chelating affinity chromatography, with 60.89% yield and specific activity of 11.4 x 10(4) U/mg. The optimum reaction temperature and pH for ana-LOX were 45 degrees C and 6.0, respectively. Furthermore, the obtained ana-LOX was stable at room temperature. The effect of metal ions on ana-LOX was determined also. Fe2+, Mg2+ Ca2+ could markedly promote the activity of this enzyme whereas Fe3+ and Cu2+ had a strong inhibitory effect on it. Finally, the ana-LOX could improve the microscopical structure of dough. The results of this study will provide a basis for future improvements and food industrial applications of ana-LOX.
Anabaena ; enzymology ; genetics ; Catalytic Domain ; Cloning, Molecular ; Enzyme Stability ; Escherichia coli ; metabolism ; Lipoxygenase ; chemistry ; genetics ; Metals, Heavy ; chemistry ; Mutagenesis, Site-Directed ; Recombinant Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the association between the polymorphisms of excision repair cross complementation group 1 (ERCC1), X-ray repair cross complementing 1 (XRCC1), glutathione S-transferase Pi 1 (GSTP1) and the survival of advanced gastric cancer patients treated with oxaliplatin-based combination chemotherapy.

METHODSEighty five patients with advanced gastric cancer accepted oxaliplatin/5-FU-based chemotherapy as first-line chemotherapy were investigated. Peripheral venous blood was taken before chemotherapy. DNA was extracted from peripheral venous blood. The genetic polymorphisms were detected by real-time PCR assay. The association between time to progression, overall survival and the polymorphisms was analyzed.

RESULTSThe median time to progression of the 85 cases was 5.3 months, and the median overall survival was 8.0 months. ERCC1-118 C/C, XRCC1-399 G/G and GSTP1-105 A/G + G/G were favorable genotypes and the number of the favorable genotypes was associated with survival of the patients. The median overall survival was 12.5 months, 10.0 months, 6.5 months and 4.5 months for patients with 3 favorable genotypes, 2 favorable genotypes, 1 favorable genotype and none favorable genotype, respectively, with a significant difference (χ(2) = 35.54, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONGenetic polymorphisms of ERCC1-118, XRCC1-399 and GSTP1-105 are associated with TTP and OS of advanced gastric cancer patients treated with oxaliplatin/5-Fu-based combination chemotherapy as the first-line chemotherapy.

Adenocarcinoma ; drug therapy ; genetics ; pathology ; Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; drug therapy ; genetics ; pathology ; Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Disease Progression ; Endonucleases ; genetics ; Female ; Fluorouracil ; administration & dosage ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glutathione S-Transferase pi ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Organoplatinum Compounds ; administration & dosage ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Stomach Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; genetics ; pathology ; Survival Rate ; X-ray Repair Cross Complementing Protein 1

OBJECTIVEThe morphological characteristics of posterior tooth in the Beagle dog were investigated in order to provide reference to mini-screw implant (MSI) implantation in the root furcation site.

METHODSSeventy posterior teeth of five Beagle dogs were collected and measured as follows: First, the greatest mesio-distal diameter AB of the crown was measured, which was perpendicular to the tooth long axis. Second, mesial cusp of maxillary posterior tooth or central cusp of mandibular was marked as the piont C, and CD which was equal and perpendicular to AB was drawn. The piont D was planned to be the reference point for MSI implantation. Finally, Dm, Dd and Df were measured, which were the distance from the point D to the mesial and distal root surface and root furcation.

RESULTSThe difference between the left and right sides teeth with the same name had no statistical significant (P > 0.05). The measurement results of all indices assumed a Gaussian distribution. The mean Dd was basically equal to Dm. All the average Df were more than 4 mm.

CONCLUSIONThe point D could be used as a reference point for MSI implantation in the root furcation site of posterior tooth in the Beagle dog. The data of this study can provide certain reference for MSI implantation in the study of the biomechanics of anchorage stability, and provide certain reference for MSI implantation in the study of root repair after injury.

Animals ; Bone Screws ; Dogs ; Mandible ; Maxilla ; Tooth ; Tooth Movement Techniques ; Tooth Root

BACKGROUNDThe present study was aimed to compare the effects of bilateral and unilateral bidirectional superior cavopulmonary shunt (b-BDG and u-BDG) on pulmonary artery growth and clinical outcomes.

METHODSThe 51 subjects enrolled in this study were divided into two groups: those receiving b-BDG (n = 21) and those receiving u-BDG (n = 30). Clinical records were reviewed retrospectively at a mean of 43.3 months after BDG procedures. Chi square and t-tests were performed to analyze the data.

RESULTSLeft and right pulmonary artery diameters increased 27% - 37% in both groups. The pulmonary artery index increased 37.2% after b-BDG and 27.0% after u-BDG. b-BDG patients experienced a significant decrease in mean hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit value, and a correlated change in postoperative diameter of left pulmonary artery (LPA) and pulmonary artery index (y = 0.2719, x = -1.8278; R = 0.564, P = 0.008). The change ratio of hemoglobin and postoperative LPA were also correlated in b-BDG patients (y = -0.0522x + 0.3539; R = -0.479, P = 0.028). Only one b-BDG patient versus twelve u-BDG patients needed total cavopulmonary connections 31.8 months after BDG surgery (P = 0.0074). Moreover, only one (4.8%) b-BDG patient but eight u-BDG patients (26.7%) developed pulmonary arteriovenous malformations.

CONCLUSIONSb-BDG increases bilateral pulmonary blood flow and promotes growth of bilateral pulmonary arteries, with preferable physiological outcomes to u-BDG. Results may imply that subsequent Fontan repair may not always be needed.

Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; methods ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Fontan Procedure ; methods ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Infant ; Lung ; pathology ; surgery ; Male ; Pulmonary Circulation ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome