Objective To evaluate the value of PET/CT in preoperative assessment and postoperative monitoring of ovarian cancer. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted in 45 patients of ovarian neoplasm with clinical records underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT, including 10 patients underwent PET/CT before surgery and 35 patients after surgery. The clinical follow-up time was 6 months at least. The diagnosis based on pathology and clinical follow-up data. Results (1) The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of PET/CT in detecting ovarian cancer were 94.6%,75.0%and 91.1%, respectively. (2) Ten patients before surgery were all detected tumor by PET/CT, but 2 of them were false positive based on pathologic results. (3) Two patients with non-standard surgery were detected tumor by PET/CT. In 33 patients after standard surgery, 6 patients were no tumor detected by PET/CT. In addition,4 patients with normal CA125 and no signs of recurrence and metastasis were detected tumor by PET/CT. The pathology and clinical follow-up data supported the results. 23 patients with higher CA125 were diagnosed recurrence and metastasis based on pathology and clinical follow-up data, 21 of them were detected tumor by PET/CT. Conclusion 18F-FDG PET/CT plays an important role in preoperative assessment, early diagnosis and accurate positioning of recurrent and metastasis of ovarian cancer. It can be used to guide the clinical treatment.

Objective To investigate the immunologic enhancement of Porphyra polysaccharide. Methods Porphyra polysaccharide in different dosages (0.025,0.050,0.150g?kg~(-1)) were injected intraperitoneally into the immunosuppressive mice induced by cyclophosphamide for 7d. On day 8,the cytotoxic activity of NK cells,the levels of interferon-?(IFN-?)and nitric oxide (NO)in the cultured supernatants of spleen cells were determided. Results The cytotoxic activity of NK cell,the levels of IFN-? and NO produced by cultured spleen cells from the group of mice treated with 0.150g?kg~(-1) of Porphyra polysaccharide were higher than those from model group. Conclusion Porphyra polysaccharide could enhance immunological functions to a certain degree in immunosuppressive mice.

BACKGROUND: Growth differentiation factor-5 (GDF-5) plays an important role in the development and formation of cartilage, extremities, and joints, which is a widely used joint development marker.OBJECTIVE: To express mature peptide of human GDF-5 in E. coil by the way of genetic engineering, and to explore the inductive activity of recombinant protein in vivo.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: The observation experiment based on gene was performed at the Analysis and Testing Center of Southern Medical University from January to June 2006.MATERIALS: Human fetus cartilage tissue was harvested from Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, and the consent was obtained from the family. Ten KM mice were purchased from experimental animal center of Southern Medical University, half male and half female, weighing 18-22 g, aged 6-8 weeks.METHODS: The hGDF-5 gene encoding mature peptide was gained by RT-PCR from the total RNA which was extracted from fetus cartilage tissues, and was inserted into the pET22b(+) vector to construct recombinant prokaryotic expression plasmid pET22b(+)-GDF5, which was transformed into E. coil BL-21 to be expressed after IPTG induction. Proteins of interest were purified with sepharose chelated with nickel ions (Ni2+) and then implanted in mouse hindlimb muscle to evaluate the biological activities by routine hematoxylin-eosin staining.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The expression, sequencing of target gene was observed by agarose gel electrophoresis, and the protein expression was detected by SDS-PAGE electrophoresis, meanwhile, the GDF5-inducing activity was evaluate by histological observation.RESULTS: RT-PCR product was about 350 bp in length, which was confirmed by double enzyme digestion of the recombinant plasmid, sequencing result was in agreement with the reported hGDF-5 sequence in Genbank. SDS-PAGE analysis showed a conspicuous band representing a new foreign protein with relative molecular mass of approximately 14 KD after induced expressioin. Cartilage tissues were formed in the mouse muscle where the purified proteins were implanted. CONCLUSION: The integral human GDF-5 mature peptide gene was cloned successfully from human fetus cartilage tissue and a high-yield expression was achieved in E. coli, the pudfied protein has chondrogenic activities in vivo.

Objective To optimize the extraction process for the effective fraction of Bushen Yizhi ( BSYZ) formula. Methods Yield of the effective fraction and contents of two marker compounds 2,3,5,4 -tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside and osthole assayed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were used as the optimizing indexes, and weighted coefficient of the indexes was analyzed by analytic hierarchy process ( AHP). Ratio of liquid-to-solid, extraction time, and extraction times were used to screen the optimal conditions by orthogonal test. Results The optimized extraction process of the effective fraction of BSYZ formula was as follows: extracting with 8-fold water for three times, and boiling for 1.5 hours each time. The verification test showed that the comprehensive scores of the optimized extractive process were higher than those obtained in the orthogonal test. Conclusion The optimized extraction process and conditions are practical in the manufacture of the effective fraction of BSYZ formula.

Objective To optimize extraction technology of flavonesingredients from Herba Epimedii by uniform design. Methods Ultraviolet spectrophotometry was adopted to determine the content of total flavonoids. Content of epimedin A, epimedin B,epimedin C,icariin and baohuosideⅠ were determined by HPLC. U10?( 108 ) uniform design was used to conduct the multiple comprehensive evaluation of six ingredients and comprehensively analyze the influence of the concentration and amount of ethanol, extracting time on extraction of flavonesin gredients from Herba Epimedii. Results The uniform design experiment showed that 15-fold weight of 60% ethanol,extracting 2 times and each time with 165 min were the optimum extraction condition. Conclusion The method is easy and reasonable to handle,has stable and reliable results,and good repeatability and feasibility.It can be applied in industrial production.

Objective To observe the protective effects of nuclear factor (NF) κB inhibitor pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) on chronic mixed reflux esophagitis in rats and its influence on NF-κB/interleukin (IL)-6 signaling pathway.Method A total of 40 healthy male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into healthy control group,sham operation group,model control group,omeprazole group and PDTC group with eight rats in each group.Except rats in healthy control group and sham operation group,mixed reflux esophagitis model were established in all the other groups.The rats of healthy control group,sham operation group and model control group were all intraperitoneally injected with 2 mL 0.9％ NaCl,rats of omeprazole group were intraperitoneally injected with omeprazole 20 mg/kg,and rats of PDTC group were intraperitoneally injected with PDTC 100 mg/kg every day.After six weeks,the rats were sacrificed,the morphological changes of esophageal tissues were observed and scored by visual inspection and under light microscope.The serum levels of NF-κB p65 and IL-6 in rats of each group were assessed by enzyme linked immunoassay (ELISA).t test was performed for mean comparison among groups.Results The scores of esophageal mucosa judged by visual inspection of healthy control group,sham operation group,model control group,omeprazole group and PDTC group were 0.000 20.000,0.000±0.000,2.250± 0.707,1.125 ± 0.835 and 1.429± 0.535,respectively.The pathological scores were 0.00020.000,0.000±0.000,2.625±0.518,1.500±0.535,1.429±0.535,respectively.Compared with those of model control group,the scores judged by visual inspection and the pathological scores of healthy control group,sham operation group,omeprazole group and PDTC group were lower,and the differences were statistically significant (t=7.603,7.603,2.909,2.506; t=9.674,9.674,4.277,4.399,all P＜0.05).The serum levels of NF-κB p65 protein of healthy control group,sham operation group,omeprazole group and PDTC group were (68.618±18.450) pg/mL,(77.824±22.228) pg/mL,(106.693±45.312) pg/mL and (103.781± 42.502)pg/mL,respectively; compared with that of model group ((184.882±49.165) pg/mL),which were significantly lower and the differences were statistically significant (t=6.262,5.612,3.308 and 3.427,all P＜0.05).The serum levels of IL-6 protein were (24.826±4.008) pg/mL,(23.599±4.351) pg/mL,(32.370± 11.657) pg/mL and (33.694±10.394) pg/mL,respectively,which significantly decreased when compared with that of model group ((51.378±9.697) pg/mL,t=7.157,7.393,3.546 and 3.392,all P＜0.05).There was no significant difference between PDTC group and omeprazole group in the score judged by visual inspection,pathological scores,the serum levels of NF-κB p65 and IL-6 protein (all P＞0.05).Conclusion NF-κB inhibitor PDTC could reduce the injury severity of esophageal mucosal in reflux esophagitis rat,which mechanism might be related with the down-regulation of NF-κB/1L-6 signaling pathway.

Objective To explore the clinical efficacy and complications of the surgical treatment of sternal tumor resection and titanium mesh reconstruction.Methods From 2008 January to 2012 June,there were 8 cases of sternal tumor patients in our hospital,including 5 male and 3 female,with an average age of 50.4 (37-66) years old.The histological morphology included 2 cases of chondrosarcoma,1 case of osteosarcoma,2 cases of malignant fibrous histiocytoma,eosinophilic granuloma in 1 case,and 2 cases of sternal metastasis of breast cancer.Tumor invasion sites included the sternal manubrium in 3 cases,the body in 2 cases,and both in 3 cases.All patients had undergone preoperative puncture or incision biopsy.8 cases of sternal tumor patients were treated with sternal tumor resection and reconstruction of the thorax using titanium mesh.The clinical effect and complications were retrospectively analyzed.Results All patients were followed up for 9 months to 4 years.The operations went well in all cases,with no intraoperative crisis or operative death.Deep wound hematoma occurred in 1 patient 1 week postoperatively,who healed 2 weeks after drainage and debridement.There was no abnormal breathing,subcutaneous emphysema,pneumothorax,infection or other complications in other cases.1 case of malignant fibrous histiocytoma died of lung metastasis at 9 months follow-up,and 1 died of liver metastasis at 14 months,while other patients got no tumor recurrence,with good thoracic shape,free breathing,no titanium mesh loosening,dyspnea,chest tightness,pain,or abnormal respiratory discomfort during follow-up period.The chest radiograph showed no chest deformity,no loosening or fracture of the fixation device.Conclusion Sternal tumor resection and reconstruction with titanium mesh has the advantages of good shaping effect,fewer complications,and simple operation,showing that titanium mesh is an ideal material for the reconstruction of sternum.

Objective To observe the protective effects of quercetin on esophageal mucosa in chronic mixed reflux esophagitis (RE) rats and the effect of quercetin on nuclear factor (NF)-κB/interleukin (IL)-6 signaling pathway.Methods Mixed RE model was successfully induced by cardia ligation and esophagoduodenostomy.48 healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were equally divided into the following 6 groups using random number table method:normal control group,sham-operation group,model control group,omeprazole group,low-dose quercetin group,and high-dose quercetin group.The 6 groups were treated with peritoneal injection of 2 ml normal saline (normal control,sham-operation,model control groups),20 mg/kg omeprazole,100 mg/kg quercetin (low-dose) and 200 mg/kg quercetin (high-dose) once daily,respectively.The rats were sacrificed after 6 weeks of intervention.The microscopic pathological changes of esophageal mucosa were scored.NF-κB p65 and IL-6 protein levels in esophageal mucosa and serum were assessed using immunohistochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,respectively.Results In normal control group,shamoperation group,model control group,omeprazole group,low-dose quercetin group and high-dose quercetin group,the pathological scores of esophageal mucosa were 0.250 ± 0.463,0.250 ± 0.463,2.625 ± 0.518,1.500 ±0.535,1.250 ±0.463,and 1.375 ±0.518; the NF-κB p65 protein scores in esophageal mucosa were 0.500±0.535,0.625 ±0.518,3.500 ±0.535,1.875 ±0.649,1.750 ±0.707,and 2.000 ±0.535; the IL-6 protein scores in esophageal mucosa were 1.125 ± 0.641,1.125 ± 0.835,5.375 ± 0.518,2.375 ± 0.518,2.000 ±0.535,and 2.250 ±0.463; the serum NF-κB p65 protein levels were (68.618 ± 18.500),(77.824 ± 22.228),(184.882 ± 49.165),(106.693 ± 45.312),(76.215 ± 16.588),and (108.207 ± 42.107) pg/ml; the serum IL-6 protein levels were (24.826 ±4.008),(23.599 ±4.351),(51.378 ± 9.697),(32.370 ± 11.657),(23.085 ± 4.660),and (26.243 ± 4.955) pg/ml.In terms of the 5 indicators,there were no statistically significant differences between the normal control group and the sham-operation group (P =1.000,P =0.642,P =1.000,P =0.518,P =0.673) ; the results in the normal control,shamoperation,omeprazole,low-dose quercetin,and high-dose quercetin groups were significantly different from those in the model control group (P < 0.001,P < 0.001,P < 0.001,P =0.002,P =0.001 ; P < 0.001,P < 0.001,P<0.001,P=0.004,P=0.002; P=0.001,P<0.001,P<0.001,P=0.025,P=0.023; all P <0.001 ; P <0.001,P <0.001,P <0.001,P =0.023,P <0.001) ; there were no statistically significant differences between low-dose quercetin group and omeprazole group,nor between high-dose quercetin group and omeprazole group (P=0.334,P=0.717,P=0.176,P=0.121,P =0.074; P =0.642,P=0.678,P=0.619,P =0.949,P =0.225); there were no statistically significant differences between low-dose quercetin group and high-dose quercetin group (P =0.619,P =0.438,P =0.334,P =0.086,P =0.243).The microscopic pathological score of esophageal mucosa was positively correlated with NF-κB p65 and IL-6 protein scores in esophageal mucosa (r =0.803,P < 0.001 ; r =0.758,P < 0.001),also positively correlated with serum NF-κB p65 and IL-6 protein levels (r=0.486,P=0.004; r=0.544,P=0.001).Conclusions The expression levels of NF-κB p65 and IL-6 protein in esophageal mucosa and serum increase with the severity of esophageal mucosal injury.Quercetin can reduce the severity of esophageal mucosal injury in RE,possibly through down-regulating NF-κB and IL-6 expression and mitigatng esophageal inflammatory status.

The incidence of colorectal cancer is high among the elderly. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been widely used in the treatment for colorectal cancer of old people. However, controlled trials with large sample size evaluating the effect of TCM are rare.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of the displacement of the selected silver clip in the different respiratory state achieved by active breathing control ( ABC ) system on the displacement of the geometry constituted by all of the silver clips at the border of the cavity in external-beam partial breast irradiation (EB-PBI).MethodsTwo sets of CT images in state of moderate deep inspiratory breathing hold (mDIBH),deep expiratory breathing hold (DEBH),and free breath (FB) were acquired in the same CT simulation assisted by ABC system for each of the 27 patients after breast conservative surgery.All silver clips in the cavity were delineated based on each set of CT images.Thereafter,the irregular geometry based on the silver clips as the vertices was automatically formed.Four selected clips located at the top,bottom,lateral border and medial border of the cavity were correspondingly manually registered based on automatic registration of the CT images acquired in the same or different state of respiration including mDIBH,FB,and DEBH.The displacement of center of the geometry in the direction of right-left (RL),anterior-posterior (AP),and superior-inferior (SI) separately based on automatic registration and manual registration was evaluated.The difference of the displacement was analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis H-test and Kolmogorov-Smirnov Z-test.Results When registered between mDIBH and mDIBH,FB and FB,DEBH and DEBH,the differences of the displacement of the center of geometry were not statistically significant (H =0.00 - 1.76,P=0.184-0.954). When registered between mDIBH and DEBH,the differences were statistically significant ( Z =11.31 - 23.00,P =0.000 - 0.001 ).There were statistically significant differences in the displacement of geometry center based on the selected silver clip between different registration forms in AP and SI directions (Z=4.76-25.54,P=0.000-0.029).ConclusionsThe difference of intrafraction displacement of the geometry constituted by the clips between the same respiratory states in the three dimensional direction is not statistically significant,but the difference is statistically significant between the different respiratory states in AP and SI directions.