Objective:To investigate the range of normal value of total nasal cavity volume(NV)and total na-sopharyngeal cavity volume (NPV)of healthy adults. Method: Six hundred and fifty-nine healthy adults andeighty-two adults of chronic rhinitis were measured with acoustic rhinometry. Result:The range of NV was29. 922～37. 481 cm3 and NPV was 29. 369～44. 159 cm3. Comparing healthy adults with adults of chronic rhini-tis,there was a significant difference in NV. Conclusion:Acoustic rhinometry suited for objective assessment ofthe nasal airways in adults. It was demonstrated that these data could provide available information for the studyof nasal physiology and pathophysiology,as well as for the diagnosis and judgement of therapeutic effectiveness ofnasal diseases.

Objective:This study aimed to establish a mouse model of breast cancer by inoculating human breast cancer cells into mice with normal immune function. Methods:Forty female BALB/C mice were randomized into four groups, with 10 mice in each group. The four groups were established according to the dosage of cyclophosphamide and prednisone, namely, the control group, low dose group, medium dose group, and high dose group. The mouse models of breast cancer were established by injecting human breast cancer cells into the fat pad of the right second breast of mice in the groups. Mice in the four groups were observed based on the time of tumorigenesis, rate of tumor formation, tumor imaging and pathological features, and metastasis of vital internal organs. Results:In the high dose group, the time of tumor formation was lower than that of the other groups, but the rate of tumor formation was high. Some visceral metastases occurred in the mice. By contrast, the medium dose group revealed completely opposite results. No death and tumor formation in both the control and low dose groups were reported. Conclusion:A human breast carcinoma model in mice was successfully established. Using this model, the onset and development of breast cancer could be much better imitated in the normal immune system of mice.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of mTOR signal transduction pathway and down-regulating anti-oncogene PTEN on the growth of breast cancer MCF-7 cells.

METHODSMCF-7 cells were transfected with the eukaryotic expression plasmid pcDNA3.1-mTOR and non-loaded plasmid, and the expression of mTOR in the cells was detected using Western blotting. Flow cytometry was used to analyze apoptosis and cell cycle of the transfected cells, and the expression of PTEN was detected after transfection.

RESULTSThe cells transfected with pcDNA3.1-mTOR showed a increased growth rate than those transfected with the non-loaded plasmid and those without transfection. The expression of the protein PTEN decreased obviously in the cells after mTOR trasnfection.

CONCLUSIONmTOR can regulate the expression of PTEN via PI3K/AKT/PTEN pathways through a negative feedback mechanism. Increased mTOR expression promotes MCF-7 cell growth, suggesting the potential value of mTOR specific inhibitor in the treatment of breast cancer.

Apoptosis ; Breast Neoplasms ; pathology ; Cell Cycle ; Down-Regulation ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; MCF-7 Cells ; PTEN Phosphohydrolase ; metabolism ; Plasmids ; Signal Transduction ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases ; genetics ; Transfection

OBJECTIVE: To explore the suitable process for prenatal screening and diagnosis for women with advanced maternal age. METHODS: From January 2014 to November 2017, the indications and distributions of prenatal diagnosis for women with advanced maternal age only or accompanying with positive maternal serum test screening and non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), abnormal fetal ultrasound, one harboring chromosomal abnormalities or anomalous reproductive history were analyzed. The rate of fetal chromosomal abnormalities was compared between different groups. RESULTS: The 351 pregnant women with fetal chromosomal abnormalities have included 196 cases with advanced maternal age, 26 with positive maternal serum test, 96 with high-risk by NIPT, 14 with abnormal fetal ultrasound, 15 with one partner harboring chromosomal abnormalities, and 4 with anomalous reproductive history. Assuming that all pregnant women had undergone maternal serum test screening or NIPT without amniocentesis, the detection rate of fetal chromosome abnormality would be 51.0% and 69.2%, respectively. However, should these women have received both tests, the detection rate would be as high as 84.6%. Should those with one partner harboring chromosomal abnormalities undergone maternal serum test screening or NIPT without amniocentesis, the detection rate of fetal chromosomal abnormality would only be 6.7%. CONCLUSION Should pregnant women with advanced maternal age undergo both maternal serum test and NIPT, the detection rate of fetal chromosomal abnormality will be higher than those receiving only maternal serum test screening or NIPT. Couples with one partner harboring chromosomal abnormalities should undergo prenatal diagnosis by amniocentesis.
Amniocentesis ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Chromosome Disorders ; Female ; Humans ; Maternal Age ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis

Objective To summarize the experience of anterolateral percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) in the treatment of cervical metastases in advanced lung cancer,and to evaluate its therapeutic effect on patients with cervical metastases in advanced lung cancer.Methods A total of 27 patients with advanced cervical spine metastases were enrolled from July 2009 to September 2018 in Department of Orthopaedics,Beijing Friendship Hospital,Capital Medical University.A retrospective analysis was performed on 20 patients who underwent PVP and had complete follow-up data.There were 12 males and 8 females,aged (59.15±7.55) years.A total of 32 cervical metastases were performed.Bone cement leakage was observed by X-ray and CT after operation,and complications were recorded during and after operation.Follow-up visits were made by outpatient or telephone until the 3rd month after the operation.By comparing visual analogue scale (VAS),analgesic use score,cervical dysfunction index (NDI) and KPS before and after operation,the improvement of the quality of life of patients after operation was comprehensively evaluated.The measurement data were expressed as (Mean ± SD).The paired t test was used to test the normal distribution of the paired difference before and after the operation,and the paired rank sum test was used to test the difference before and after the operation which did not conform to the normal distribution.Results The preoperative Tokuhashi correction score was (7.15 ± 2.87) score in 20 patients and the Tomita score was (7.55 ± 2.21) score.The single-segment cervical vertebrae cement injection volume was (1.17 ± 0.25) ml.The postoperative cement leakage rate was 53.13％ (17/32),but no serious complications.VAS before surgery and 3 months after surgery [preoperative (8.30 ± 1.08) score,postoperative (3.60 ± 1.67) score,P =0.000)],analgesic use score [preoperative (3.35 ± 0.59) score,postoperative (1.70 ± 0.80) score,P =0.000],cervical dysfunction index [preoperative (63.10 ± 7.94) score,postoperative (42.55 ± 15.69) score,P =0.000)] and KPS [Preoperative (54.50 ± 6.86) score,postoperative (61.67 ± 12.95) score,P =0.011] were significantly improved,and the difference was statistically significant.Conclusion PVP via anterolateral approach is effective in the treatment of advanced cervical metastases of lung cancer,and can effectively improve the quality of life of patients with advanced cervical metastases,but the surgical leakage rate is high and needs attention.

Objective:To investigate the surgical treatment strategies of brachial plexus schwannomas protruding from the foraminal area to the thoracic outlet through anterior cervical approach, and to evaluate the curative effect.Methods:The clinical data of 8 patients treated in Beijing Friendship Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University from July 2016 to December 2020 who underwent supraclavicular cervical "barb" incision for protruding into the thoracic outlet through anterior cervical approach were retrospectively collected, including 5 males and 3 females, aged (50.75±11.14) years old, ranging from 31-66 years old. And the key points of the operation, postoperative complications and postoperative follow-up were analyzed. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as mean±standard deviation( ± s), count data were described as numbers. Results:The tumors in all 8 cases were totally resected.The amount of bleeding during operation was (35.00±14.14) mL. No surgical complications such injury of pleura, aspneumothorax and hemothorax, except 2 cases which developed local sensory disturbance that improved that after neurotrophic treatment and hormonotherapy. All 8 patients were followed up by outpatient or telephone for 1-5 years, and cervical MRI review showed no tumor recurrence in situ.Conclusions:The anterior cervical approach with "barb type" incision above the neck clavicle is effective in excision of schwannomas protruding into the thoracic outlet, with less intraoperative injury, less blood loss, fast postoperative recovery.

Objective To investigate the effect of mTOR signal transduction pathway and down-regulating anti-oncogene PTEN on the growth of breast cancer MCF-7 cells. Methods MCF-7 cells were transfected with the eukaryotic expression plasmid pcDNA3.1-mTOR and non-loaded plasmid, and the expression of mTOR in the cells was detected using Western blotting. Flow cytometry was used to analyze apoptosis and cell cycle of the transfected cells, and the expression of PTEN was detected after transfection. Results The cells transfected with pcDNA3.1-mTOR showed a increased growth rate than those transfected with the non-loaded plasmid and those without transfection. The expression of the protein PTEN decreased obviously in the cells after mTOR trasnfection. Conclusion mTOR can regulate the expression of PTEN via PI3K/AKT/PTEN pathways through a negative feedback mechanism. Increased mTOR expression promotes MCF-7 cell growth, suggesting the potential value of mTOR specific inhibitor in the treatment of breast cancer.

Objective To investigate the effect of mTOR signal transduction pathway and down-regulating anti-oncogene PTEN on the growth of breast cancer MCF-7 cells. Methods MCF-7 cells were transfected with the eukaryotic expression plasmid pcDNA3.1-mTOR and non-loaded plasmid, and the expression of mTOR in the cells was detected using Western blotting. Flow cytometry was used to analyze apoptosis and cell cycle of the transfected cells, and the expression of PTEN was detected after transfection. Results The cells transfected with pcDNA3.1-mTOR showed a increased growth rate than those transfected with the non-loaded plasmid and those without transfection. The expression of the protein PTEN decreased obviously in the cells after mTOR trasnfection. Conclusion mTOR can regulate the expression of PTEN via PI3K/AKT/PTEN pathways through a negative feedback mechanism. Increased mTOR expression promotes MCF-7 cell growth, suggesting the potential value of mTOR specific inhibitor in the treatment of breast cancer.

There are still many controversies in the surgical treatment of esophagogastric junction tumors in terms of surgical approach, cleaning range, and resection scope. The reason is the confusion about the scope of the esophagogastric junction. The previous domestic and foreign anatomy descriptions of this part are not enough to solve the current problems. Based on a large number of basic anatomy and clinical operations, this article proposes that the esophagogastric junction may be wrapped by a complete and separate esophagogastric junction membrane with independent anatomy other than infracardiac bursa. The structure of the transitional tissue, mainly from the distribution of submucosal veins, explained the relationship and significance of tissue transitional changes and clinical operations, and made a reasonable analysis of the current controversy based on the anatomical characteristics, which is worthy of further investigation.

There are still many controversies in the surgical treatment of esophagogastric junction tumors in terms of surgical approach, cleaning range, and resection scope. The reason is the confusion about the scope of the esophagogastric junction. The previous domestic and foreign anatomy descriptions of this part are not enough to solve the current problems. Based on a large number of basic anatomy and clinical operations, this article proposes that the esophagogastric junction may be wrapped by a complete and separate esophagogastric junction membrane with independent anatomy other than infracardiac bursa. The structure of the transitional tissue, mainly from the distribution of submucosal veins, explained the relationship and significance of tissue transitional changes and clinical operations, and made a reasonable analysis of the current controversy based on the anatomical characteristics, which is worthy of further investigation.